Chinese, Nigerian presidents announce elevation of bilateral ties

Xinhua) 08:05, September 04, 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, 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. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu held talks on Tuesday and announced the elevation of China-Nigeria ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Tinubu is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit.

China is further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization, which will bring more opportunities for the development of China-Nigeria relations, Xi said.

The two sides should work together to realize their respective modernization with high-quality cooperation and push China-Nigeria relations for new and greater development, he said.

Xi noted that the two countries should enhance strategic mutual trust, view and develop bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and firmly support each other on issues of their respective core interests and major concerns.

Xi called for promoting the interconnected and integrated development of infrastructure, energy and mineral resources with industries, and fostering cooperation for new growth in areas such as the digital economy and new energy.

China supports Nigeria in fighting terrorism, maintaining regional stability and playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs, Xi said, underscoring the country's willingness to strengthen multilateral coordination with Nigeria to safeguard the interests of developing countries.

Tinubu highlighted the significance of deepening economic cooperation and developing a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and said Nigeria hopes to become China's largest trade and investment partner in Africa.

Nigeria welcomes more Chinese enterprises to make investments and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, mineral resources, energy and infrastructure in a bid to help Nigeria and West Africa achieve modernization and effectively get rid of poverty, he said, adding that Nigeria is willing to provide sound security conditions for this purpose.

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in areas including Belt and Road cooperation, the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, economic development, the application of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, peanut exports to China, and news media.

The two sides released a joint statement on establishing the comprehensive strategic partnership and building a high-level China-Nigeria community with a shared future.

Prior to the talks, Xi held a welcome ceremony for Tinubu at the Great Hall of the People.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, 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 talks in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2024. Xi held talks with Tinubu at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, 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. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, 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 talks in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2024. Xi held talks with Tinubu at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, 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 talks in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2024. Xi held talks with Tinubu at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu witness the signing of cooperation documents after their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2024. Xi held talks with Tinubu, 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 Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
'A Friendship Beyond Distance': Zimbabwe stone carving exhibition opens in Beijing

09:38, September 04, 2024 By Michael Kurtagh ( People's Daily Online

On Sept. 3, 2024, the China Millennium Monument Art Gallery in Beijing was abuzz with excitement as it hosted an event titled "A Friendship Beyond Distance" celebrating the opening of the China-Zimbabwe Stone Sculpture Exhibition.

This significant cultural exchange event was jointly hosted by World Affairs Press Co., Ltd., and the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in the People's Republic of China, with the guidance and support of The Department of African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Baoding Municipal People's Government, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Zimbabwe, Art Exhibition China, and others. It marked not only a milestone in the cultural relations between China and Zimbabwe, but also symbolized the deep and enduring friendship between the two nations.

Photos from the Opening Ceremony. (Photo provided by the organizers)

The event unfolded at a pivotal time, coinciding with the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) being held in Beijing from Sept. 4 to 6, underscoring the importance of the exhibition as a platform for cultural exchange and dialogue.

Notable attendees included Tatenda Mavetera, Zimbabwe's Minister of Information, Communication Technology, and Postal and Courier Services, Zhou Ding, the Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Cui Chun, chairman of World Affairs Press Co. Ltd., and Liu Xiaomeng, vice mayor of Baoding city, Hebei Province.

The event began with a series of speeches that set the tone for the opening of the exhibition.

Minister of Information, Communication Technology, and Postal and Courier Services of Zimbabwe, Tatenda Mavetera, delivering a speech at the event. (Photo provided by the organizers)

Mavetera praised the longstanding friendship between China and Zimbabwe, likening it to the resilient and enduring nature of stone. Mavetera highlighted the significance of stone carving in Zimbabwean culture, where it is not just an art form but a vital part of the nation's identity. "Zimbabwean stone carving is renowned for its creative and exquisite expression," she said.

Mavetera also referenced the insights of President Xi Jinping, who has underscored the significance of cultural confidence as a fundamental force in a country's development. She noted that Xi's Global Civilization Initiative, which calls for respect for diverse civilizations and promotes the common values of humanity, is exemplified by the exhibition.

"Today's exhibition serves as a concrete measure in response to the Global Civilization Initiative," she remarked, adding that it embodies the important messages conveyed by Xi and Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.

Echoing an ancient Chinese adage, she concluded, "a single flower does not make a spring," emphasizing that the diversity and vibrancy of the worlds civilizations are what drive human society forward.

Deputy Mayor of Baoding, Liu Xiaomeng, delivering a speech at the event. (Photo provided by the organizers)

Liu's speech was a reminder of the historical depth of Chinese sculpture, a tradition dating back thousands of years. From the intricate jade carvings of ancient China to the monumental stone sculptures of Quyang county in Baoding, Chinese artists have long demonstrated exceptional skill and creativity. Quyang, often referred to as the "Hometown of Chinese Sculpture", has been a center of stone carving for over 2,300 years, with its craftsmen contributing to iconic structures such as the Forbidden City and the Great Hall of the People.

As part of the event, a documentary titled "A Dialogue of Stone Sculptors Across Time" was screened, offering attendees a deeper insight into the artistic process and cultural significance of stone sculpture in both countries. The film featured interviews with Chinese and Zimbabwean artists, exploring how they draw inspiration from their cultural heritage while also pushing the boundaries of their art forms.

China and Zimbabwe exchanged stone sculptures symbolizing traditional friendship. (Photo provided by the organizers)

In an interview following the ceremony, Mavetera shared some personal insights.

When expressing her feelings regarding how she felt about Zimbabwe's art being displayed in Beijing, she said "for me, it's very exciting. We are happy that Zimbabwe culture has been taken abroad. We are not only confined to Zimbabwe, but we are going to even other countries, and reaching out and everyone is appreciating us from all angles."

Mavetera also spoke on China-Africa relations and FOCAC, saying "As Africa, we really need to be able to learn from what China has done, and this [FOCAC] goes a long way in strengthening our relationship. And also, for our learning, there are many skills that need to be imparted to the people of Africa, and for us, we really want to thank the People's Republic of China."

Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhou Ding, being interviewed by the media. (Photo provided by the organizers)

The opening ceremony for the "China-Zimbabwe Stone Sculpture Exhibition was a resounding success. It brought together artists, dignitaries, and citizens from two nations to celebrate their shared cultural heritage and explore new avenues for collaboration. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, such events remind us of the power of art to transcend borders and bring people together.

The exhibition not only showcased the beauty and diversity of stone sculpture but also highlighted the enduring friendship between China and Zimbabwe. It was a fitting tribute to the rich cultural traditions of both nations and a powerful symbol of their commitment to building a brighter future together.

Group photo of the guests at the event. (Photo provided by the organizers)

Guests appreciating the stone sculptures together. (Photo provided by the organizers)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chengliang)
Former Philippines mayor accused of spying for China arrested after police chase across four countries

In this handout photo provided by the Philippine Senate Social Media Unit, then Bamban mayor, Alice Guo, speaks during the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality inquiry on the alleged human trafficking and cyber fraud operation in Angeles, Pampanga province held at the Philippine Senate in Pasay City, Philippines on 22 May 2024 (via AP)

A fugitive former mayor from the Philippines accused of ties to Chinese criminal syndicates and money laundering has been arrested in Indonesia after a police chase across four countries.

Philippine authorities pursued Alice Guo since she vanished in July amid an investigation into these activities in her hometown of Bamban.

This development has been verified by our counterparts in Immigration, who have confirmed that Ms Guo is currently in the custody of the Indonesian Police at Jatanras Mabes Polri, the Philippines Justice Department said in a statement on Wednesday.

Ms Guo, also known as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, was wanted by the Philippine Senate for refusing to appear before a congressional investigation into the alleged criminal ties, Reuters reported. Ms Guo, who says she is a natural-born Philippine citizen, has denied the accusations, calling them malicious.

She was apprehended near midnight on Tuesday in Tangerang City, Jakarta, Indonesia, authorities in Manilla said.

Philippines president Ferdinand Marcos Jr said her arrest is a warning to those who attempt to evade justice.

He wrote on Facebook: Such is an exercise in futility. The arm of the law is long and it will reach you. He said the former mayor will be flown into the Philippines on Wednesday itself.

Last month, Philippine law enforcement agencies, including the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), collectively filed multiple money laundering charges against Ms Guo and 35 others with the Department of Justice.

The AMLC alleged that Ms Guo and her associates laundered over 100 million pesos (approximately 1.3m) in illicit proceeds. Ms Guo ran for office as a Philippine citizen but her fingerprints were later allegedly found to match those of a Chinese national, Guo Hua Ping, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, Indonesias law minister Supratman Andi Agtas said that Ms Guo will be deported, but the time of deportation is still to be determined, according to Reuters.

Ms Guo, who was ousted as mayor of Bamban town in Tarlac province, fled the country in July, travelling to Malaysia and Singapore before arriving in Indonesia in August using her Philippine passport, according to the Philippines anti-crime agency.

A Senate investigation was launched in May after authorities raided a casino in Bamban town in March, revealing what law enforcement described as scams operating from a facility built on land partially owned by the mayor.

Additional reporting with agencies
Germany standing in way of Czech bid to limit EU travel of Russian spies

Josep Borrell, the EU foreign policy chief, has warned of 'diverse views' on the Czech plan - Olivier Hoslet/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Germany is blocking tighter restrictions on Russian spies across Europe, The Telegraph can disclose.

The Czech Republic has proposed ending free movement for Russian diplomats and their families in the European Unions Schengen zone amid a series of Kremlin-inspired attacks.

Warehouses containing aid destined for Ukraine, arms factories supplying Kyiv and railway infrastructure heading east have all been targeted by Russias mounting hybrid war on the Continent, it is claimed.

Moscow has often deployed its intelligence officers in Europe under the guise of diplomatic postings.

The EUs free-travel area, which spans 29 countries, is easing malign activities across the bloc, Jan Lipasvsky, the Czech foreign minister, wrote in a recent letter to Josep Borrell, Brussels top foreign diplomat.

Click here to view this content.

Mr Lipasvsky, backed by eight EU counterparts, urged Brussels to restrict the movement of Russian diplomats and their family members to the territory of a state of their accreditation only.

This measure will significantly narrow operational space for Russian agents, they added.

Mr Borrell said their letter was a sign of growing support for a collective response, but warned there are diverse views on the proposed restrictions, in his own official response, seen by The Telegraph.

European diplomats who spoke to The Telegraph and diplomatic notes seen by this publication revealed that Germany is a key blockage to the proposed crackdown.

It prompted allegations that Berlins government is attempting to foster relations with Russia, despite promises to end its reliance on previously cheap Russian energy supplies.

Germany has the approach of returning to business as usual with Russia and they think this is escalatory, a diplomat said.

Officially, Berlin has argued that a move to strip free movement rights from Moscows foreign envoys would result in similar reprisals.

German officials expressed fears of a strong Russian reaction in conversations with European counterparts, according to a diplomatic note seen by The Telegraph.

Jan Lipavsky, the Czech foreign minister, says the EU's free-travel area is helping 'malign activities' take place - Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty

The powerful European capital fears its strong presence in Russia could be hamstrung if bans are slapped on the movement of Russian diplomats.

There are 350 German diplomats posted in Russia between its embassies in Moscow and St Petersburg.

Berlin closed consulates in Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Kaliningrad more than a year after Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Italy, a member of the G7, emerged as another opponent because of the large number of Italians living in Russia, diplomats said.

Rome has argued that it would not be able to offer consulate services across Russia if the Kremlin responds with tit-for-tat bans on diplomatic movements.

Its government also voiced support for maintaining open diplomatic channels with Moscow and there were other tactics to fight Russian intelligence agents, a diplomat said.

Many agents hide under diplomatic cover

The Czech government estimates there are more than 2,000 Russians living on diplomatic passports, including family members and officials.

It is no secret that there are many agents hiding under diplomatic cover. We dont want to make their job any easier, a Czech diplomat said.

Prague also wants a ban on Russians with non-biometric passports from entering the EU, an embargo already in force in the central European country.

Ruslan Boshirov and Alexander Petrov, the Russian intelligence officers said to be responsible for the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, entered Britain on forged passports.

Similarly forged documents were used by the Russian spies behind a deadly 2014 attack on a warehouse in Vrbetice, a small village in south-eastern Czech Republic, in an early bid to thwart supplies to Ukraine.

While not a member of the EUs Schengen zone, The Telegraph understands that Britain is supportive of the Czech proposal.

The UK earlier this year expelled Russias defence attache, a registered diplomat, in response to a rise in malign Russian activity across Britain and Europe.

Open-ended and unbiased talks

James Cleverly, the then-home secretary, also revoked the diplomatic status of several Russian-owned properties that were being used as spying bases.

Britain has also limited the time Russian diplomats are allowed to remain in the country.

A German foreign office spokesman said: The Schengen Area without systematic border controls is one of the most important achievements in Europe.

People enjoy freedom of movement within the Schengen Area  this also applies to diplomats.

The Federal Foreign Office has taken note of the letter from several EU foreign ministers regarding restrictions on the movements of Russian diplomats within the Schengen Area.

We are currently holding open-ended and unbiased talks with our EU partners on this matter.

Click here to view this content.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Honoring NH fallen heroes: Hampton to add new name to GWOT monument

HAMPTON  The Hamptons American Legion Post 35 will host its annual Global War on Terrorism Monument ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

The 6 p.m. event will be held at the American Legion Post 35, located at 69 High Street.

The monument, the first of its kind in New Hampshire, bears the names of all service members from the state who have lost their lives in the Global War on Terrorism since Sept. 11, 2001. The idea for the monument originated after two local service members, Army Second Lt. Matthew Coutu and Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniel Healy, were killed in action in June 2005. Inspired by a visit to the Vietnam War Memorial, Post 35 Past Commander Ralph Fatello proposed creating a monument to honor all New Hampshire service members lost since 2001. The monument was dedicated in 2006, and the Post has held annual ceremonies to honor these service members and their Gold Star families.

Anthony Martino places a wreath during the American Legion Post 35's Global War on Terrorism Monument rededication Sept. 11, 2022, in Hampton.

This year, the name of Staff Sergeant Tanner Grone, United States Army, of Gorham, will be added to the monument.

Grone, 25, was one of five aviation special operations forces killed when their helicopter crashed in the eastern Mediterranean Sea on Nov. 10, 2023, during a training exercise.

Grone enlisted in the Army in 2017 and deployed multiple times to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, as well as Afghanistan.

What to know about 9/11 ceremony in Hampton

Colonel Charles Nicol, United States Marine Corps, a Hampton resident and commanding officer of the 1st Marine Corps District, will be the guest speaker. Nicol has completed two combat tours in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Petty Officer USN Vietnam Joseph "Joe" Kutt tolls the bell for each NH solder who gave their life during the American Legion Post 35's Global War on Terrorism Monument rededication Sept. 11, 2022, in Hampton.

Governor Chris Sununu and Senator Maggie Hassan have been invited to attend. Pastor Tim Lewis of the New England Shores Baptist Church in Hampton will offer the invocation, and Sarah Hill of Hampton will sing the national anthem. The Seacoast Marine Corps League will provide the firing detail, while the Hampton Fire Department, Hampton Police Department, Winnacunnet High School MCJROTC, and Boy Scout Troop 177 will provide color guards.

The public is invited to attend. Food and refreshments will be served following the ceremony at American Legion Post 35.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Honoring NH fallen heroes: Hampton to add new name to GWOT monument
A 40-year-old Annville man was charged after police responded to an ongoing domestic violence call over the weekend, according to the Western Lebanon County Regional Police Department.

Shawn Remlinger was charged Sunday with terroristic threats with intent to terrorize, simple assault, and harassment.

On Sept. 1, police responded to J&S Pizza on West Main Street for an ongoing domestic violence call. The victim said that Remlinger was intoxicated and threatening her and her kids.

"Police learned that Shawn Remlinger punched, slapped and choked the victim throughout the morning," police said in a release. "Remlinger also threatened to kill the victim during the incident."

The victim said an incident occurred at 3:34 a.m. at the 200 block of South Lancaster Street, according to court documents. Remlinger was texting the victim's ex-husband before he punched her in the face, then drove to Lebanon.

When Remlinger returned, he still appeared upset. The victim texted her ex-husband, who contacted the West Lebanon County Regional Police Department.

"(The victim) stated that after our department left, Remlinger open hand smacked her on the right side of her jaw," police said in court documents.

Remlinger was then reported allegedly throwing bottles and breaking cabinets, with the victim saying he slapped her "up to 30 times during the incident." Remlinger then allegedly broke the victim's phone.

According to court documents, Remlinger placed his left forearm against the victim's throat as she was pressed up against the shower. The victim stated that Remlinger said, "I'm going to kill you bitch" while he was choking her.

Remlinger allegedly made several more threats to the victim, including threats to kill her. When he left to purchase more alcohol, the victim left the residence with her kids. She used her kids' phone to call police.

Police reported that when they met up with the victim, she had a small black and blue mark underneath her left eye. She also has a bump and small cut above her left eyebrow.

Remlinger is being held at the Lebanon County Correctional Facility without bail as of Tuesday morning. An arraignment is scheduled before Magisterial District Judge John Ditzler at 8 a.m. Sept. 12.

The Domestic Violence Intervention of Lebanon County provides free and confidential help 24/7 for individuals experiencing domestic violence. Those seeking help may contact DVIs hotline at (717) 273-7190.

To learn more about The Domestic Violence Intervention of Lebanon County, residents can visit their website at dviolc.org.

Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on X at @DAMattToth.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Annville man charged after alleged domestic abuse incident Sunday
(This story has been updated to add new information.)

INDIANAPOLIS  A man who pleaded guilty to shooting his Kentucky Fried Chicken coworker after being fired has been sentenced to a term of 12 years with two years of home detention and one year suspended.

On Sept. 4, Roberto Petties took a deal in Marion County Superior Court over the 2023 shooting. The state dismissed one charge of unlawful carrying of a handgun, and Petties pleaded guilty to aggravated battery.

In a separate case also heard Thursday, Petties was ordered to serve an additional two years on home detention for unlawful possession of a handgun.

Petties is further prohibited from all KFC restaurants in Marion County.

According to court records, the restaurants manager told police Petties had been fired earlier that day and threatened to come back and shoot people. Just before 8 p.m. Nov. 28, callers reported gunshots erupting at the fast food chain at 4035 South Emerson Ave., then seeing the shooter run west.

Responding officers found an employee with a gunshot wound to the head. He identified Petties as the shooter at the scene, according to an arrest affidavit. The man survived, though his injuries required brain surgery.

Investigators found Petties at a residence on the east side of Indianapolis. After being taken into custody, he denied pulling the trigger or being at the restaurant at the time of the shooting but told police he exchanged threatening texts with his injured coworker.

The KFC location is listed as permanently closed on Google Maps.

Contact IndyStar reporter Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Man who shot KFC coworker sentenced, banned from restaurant
He moved from Vancouver to Japan to teach English. 20 years later, he's built a life there  and a family home in the countryside.

He moved from Vancouver to Japan to teach English. 20 years later, he's built a life there  and a family home in the countryside.

Jordan, 48, moved from Vancouver, Canada, to Japan to teach English over 20 years ago.

After a decade of living in an old house built in the '80s, he demolished it and built a new one for his family.

Living in the countryside allows him a laidback lifestyle, but Japan's high-speed trains keep the city close.

Jordan, 48, has been living in Japan for over twenty years.

Growing up in Vancouver, which has a large Asian population, he had always been curious about Asia.

"I started meeting a lot of really cool people from Japan, including my future wife at the time, who was studying in Vancouver. And I thought, 'OK, well, I'm going to check it out firsthand,'" Jordan told Business Insider.

His original plan was to teach English in Japan for a few years. But as he fell in love and eventually got married, he ended up staying in the country for good.

Jordan has been living in Japan for the past two decades. Jordan, Inside Outsider in Japan

Jordan, who has two kids, asked to be identified by only his first name to protect his privacy. He now lives with his family in his wife's hometown in Mie Prefecture, which is just under four hours by car from Osaka.

Settling down in the countryside

They wanted to be in the same neighborhood as his wife's family, so when a house  built in the '80s and across the rice field from her parents' home  went on the market one day, they bought it and moved in.

The exterior of his old house. Jordan, Inside Outsider in Japan

"We kind of struggled through those 10 years living there. It was terribly designed, with bad, cheap materials like fake wood everywhere," Jordan said. "It really wasn't built to last."

After a decade, the couple decided it was time to do something to improve their home. They planned on renovating but eventually decided against it.

"We looked into it, and basically, the advice we got back was it would be a waste of our time and money because the house probably isn't earthquake-safe," Jordan said.

With the amount they'd have to spend to bring it up to the most recent building codes, they'd be better off buying or even building a new place, he said.

And that's exactly what they did  they demolished their old house and built a new one in its place.

A fresh start

The couple got help from a local company, the same people who had built his in-laws' home as well as a few houses in the area, Jordan said.

"We really loved the feeling of all the houses they'd built," Jordan said. "It was very woody, great use of space, really good solid materials, no frills, but modern, and clean kind of design."

They already had an idea of the layout they wanted, and they worked with the company to refine the design. Once things were finalized, it was time for them to start packing up and getting ready for the demolition.

The family demolished their old home and built a new one in its place. Jordan, Inside Outsider in Japan

As excited as he was about the new house, watching his old home get torn down was an emotional process, Jordan said.

"It was really weird because my two kids basically were born more or less in that house and grew up there. We have so many memories there, good and bad," he said. "It actually hurt seeing my house come down."

During the construction of their new home, Jordan and his family stayed at his in-laws' place.

"That was the good part about being across the rice fields from them; we just moved there for seven months," he said.

A progress photo of the house as it was being built. Jordan, Inside Outsider in Japan

Construction started in winter, and by fall 2020, Jordan and his family had moved into their new home.

Building a cozy family home

Jordan estimates that he spent about 30 million Japanese yen, or about $200,000, on the build, and another 2 million yen on a solar-powered heating and cooling system for the home.

"We could have definitely built a cheaper house. We went with a very hands-on, local company that uses wood from a local mountain," Jordan said. "So you're kind of paying a little bit of a premium for that."

The exterior of the house. Jordan, Inside Outsider in Japan

This is in addition to the 10 million Japanese yen he spent on buying the 150-square-meter plot of land 20 years ago. In Mie, the median land price per square meter was 90,066 Japanese yen in 2023.

Facing challenges during the process

All the materials, right down to the type of tiles, that were used in the home were chosen by his wife, he added.

The three-bedroom home has two floors. The master bedroom, a family room, and a bathroom are on the first floor. The kitchen, living area, and the kids' bedrooms are upstairs.

"The main living space that I spend the most time in is kind of the kitchen and living room area, so I wanted that to be gorgeous," he said. "We have rice fields around, and mountains in the back, but when you're at the first floor, you can't really see very far. So we moved everything up to the second floor."

The open-plan kitchen. Jordan, Inside Outsider in Japan

The main building company they worked with mostly did carpentry work, so certain jobs  like wiring and plumbing  had to be outsourced to different contractors. This sometimes led to miscommunication.

"People would come in, and we'd have this vision for our house that I'd assume everyone would know," Jordan said. "Our carpenter gets it. But what happens is when you hire an outside company, they come in, they look at it, and they do what they normally do."

The family room downstairs. Jordan, Inside Outsider in Japan

"Some things were happening in a way that wasn't what we thought we agreed on," he continued.

Although everything was sorted out in the end, there were moments when he worried that things wouldn't work out.

Additionally, it helped that his wife and her family were involved in communicating ideas to the builders.

"I can speak Japanese, but there's a lot of nuance. It would've been really difficult if it was down to me explaining stuff in Japanese," he said.

Appreciating Japanese culture

Jordan says he succeeded in building a space that's perfect for his family.

The house has two floors and overlooks some rice fields. Jordan, Inside Outsider in Japan

"One of the differences is we don't feel like going out as much now because it's just comfortable to be at home," Jordan said.

He's also close to the local community, and it's one of the things he really likes about Japanese culture.

"This is also kind of an Asian thing. It sounds negative, but the minimization of the self for the good of the community  you learn how to pull yourself in a little bit for the good of everyone else," Jordan said. "You think about how it makes everyone around you feel. That kind of thing is very practical and it makes for a community that feels good to be in."

Jordan says the best part of being in the rural countryside of Japan is the laidback lifestyle. Jordan, Inside Outsider in Japan

He also likes the attitude the Japanese have toward working hard.

"The other thing is, in Japan, in general, if people are going to do something, they want to do it well," he said. "And I love the feeling that people take pride in what they do and that people respect others for hard work, whatever the work is."

A laid-back life

Jordan isn't alone in being drawn to Japan. According to the country's Ministry of Justice, 2,604 Americans moved to the country in 2023, bringing the total number of American expats in Japan to 63,408.

Four Americans that BI previously spoke with cite the country's safety standards and relative affordability as reasons for making the move.

Like Jordan, many of these expats are also opting to live in the countryside where they can enjoy a slower-paced life while being surrounded by the stunning natural landscapes that Japan is known for. Some of them even choose to buy and renovate one of the country's 8 million abandoned homes.

As for Jordan, he loves life in Japan so much that he's started a YouTube channel to document it.

"What really motivated me was that after living in Japan for a long time, I noticed that I stopped appreciating the little things. I lost that fresh eye I used to see things with, things that I used to get so excited about," Jordan said.

By picking up a camera and vlogging his experiences, Jordan says he was able to reconnect with his old self and learn to appreciate the normal, but magical things about being in Japan again.

Even though he's in the rural countryside, Japan's well-connected public transport system means he's never too far from the city. He can still easily be in places like like Osaka or Nagoya in two hours, he said.

"You get all the benefits of living in a non-overly competitive society  where things are chill  but you can still hop on a train and be in a bustling city, which is crazy exciting," 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
The new cabinets formation in Iran has left reformists disillusioned, signaling a likely stagnation in domestic political dynamics under President Masoud Pezeshkian in the months ahead. However, some analysts are expecting a moderate foreign policy in the coming days.

Despite a relatively conservative cabinet formation, the more moderate factions within Irans political spectrum are encouraging Irans newly elected president to prioritize Riyadh for his initial official foreign visit. Their rationale is straightforward: Saudi Arabias diplomatic skills have been successful in alleviating tensions.

This moment presents a unique opportunity for Iran to adjust its relationships. The significance of these appeals is heightened by the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31 coinciding with Pezeshkians inauguration ceremony. This incident has increased concerns, making the idea of mediation even more appealing.

While the concept of Saudi Arabia assuming a mediating role in Irans relations isnt novel, it is gaining traction as the U.S. presidential election approaches with the uncertainty surrounding a Donald Trump win. Proponents of this strategy suggest that Riyadhs close relationship with Washington could facilitate the easing of sanctions on Tehran or secure exemptions for Saudi businesses to engage with Iran.

This suggestion isnt entirely new. Even before the recent escalation, the influential figures in Iran had discussed the idea of Saudi Arabia stepping in as a mediator to help mend Tehrans strained relationships with the global community. The recent assassination has only intensified these discussions, underscoring the pressing need to seek a resolution to Irans isolation. Saudi Arabias potential collaboration with Washington could play a role in this scenario.

By utilizing Riyadhs sway, Tehran could potentially secure assistance, whether through sanctions or special provisions that permit economic interactions without facing U.S. repercussions. Such a step could not only boost Irans economy but also pave the way for better ties with its Arab counterparts like Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain. In a region thats on the brink of instability this diplomatic move may offer Iran the needed support it seeks.

In the aftermath of the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Saudi Arabia has taken some positive steps to preserve the fragile progress in its relationship with Tehran. These efforts, rooted in the China-sponsored agreement that Raisi helped forge, signal Riyadhs commitment to continuing the delicate trust-building process.

Saudi Arabias gestures of goodwill began with its participation in the mourning ceremonies for Raisi. This was further reinforced by the attendance of a Saudi delegation at the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian, where Prince Mansour bin Mutaib delivered a letter from King Salman, emphasizing continuity in diplomatic engagement. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans post-inauguration call to Pezeshkian to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments added another layer to this unfolding diplomatic narrative.

The pricking question now is whether these outreach efforts are simply tactical maneuvers or reflect a deeper shift within Irans pragmatic factions. A reassessment of Tehrans foreign policy, particularly towards Saudi Arabia, could open avenues for leveraging Riyadhs ongoing development and reform initiatives. Such a shift might not only ease Irans international isolation but also relieve internal pressures, marking a pivotal moment in regional diplomacy.

The recent appeals for discussions may reveal concerns within Iran, especially among those worried that hardliners, and could impede the new governments initiatives. Having connections to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, these hardliners are ready to challenge moderates striving to demonstrate Irans ability to handle both external challenges. The decreased voter turnout in elections highlights the declining popularity of the regime, further complicating the moderates goals.

Throughout the years, Tehran has been vocal in its criticism of the United States while also being mindful of who holds the presidency. This awareness dates back to the Carter-Reagan election in 1980. It remains an aspect of Irans regional strategy today. As Tehran contemplates how to respond to the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, it is evident that they are thinking about how their actions could affect the U.S. election. It seems that Iran is subtly aligning itself with Vice President Kamala Harris.

The leadership in Tehran knows that a strong retaliation could have consequences, especially if it leads to increased tensions with Israel. Such a move could harm Harriss chances by suggesting a failure to handle the situation effectively impacting both security and the economy.

At the time Tehran is keeping an eye on how the Democratic Party manages its relationship with Israel, it understands that any misstep could strain U.S.-Iranian relations further. With each decision they make, Tehran is carefully considering how it might influence Americas landscape.

Israels strategy appears to be capitalizing on Irans cautious approach, as Tehran rethinks its retaliation to avoid a direct escalation. Israel, recognizing this moment of Iranian restraint, is pushing forward with its own agenda, undeterred by external pressures, including those from the United States. The leaders in Jerusalem understand that this period of restraint may not last long, especially considering changes in political dynamics after the upcoming election.

Both sides are displaying patience, indicating a game where each step is evaluated for its potential impact on broader conflict risks. Israels determination to proceed despite calls for restraint from the community shows its belief that now is the time to strengthen its position.

The situation carries risks as Israel acknowledges that its current influence could diminish if Tehran escalates or if political shifts occur post-election. This delicate balance between power and caution may shape Middle Eastern geopolitics in the future as both Israel and Iran seek to maximize their advantages.

Tehrans true intentions will become evident through its actions in the region, especially when it comes to handling the stalled reconciliation. Saudi Arabia seeking stability would likely appreciate a visit from Irans president. However, this support is contingent upon Tehrans dedication to enhancing relationships, resolving disputes and bolstering connections with neighboring countries.

Iran must make a shift in its strategies to achieve these goals. Without progress in addressing the challenges in Yemen and Iraq, a fresh chapter in relations will remain out of reach. The region watches closely, aware that genuine progress can only be achieved if Iran moves beyond rhetoric and demonstrates a real willingness to serve broader regional interests. The stakes are high, and the path forward demands more than just diplomatic overtures; it requires concrete actions that signal a break from past behaviors.

Imran Khalid is a physician and has a masters degree in international relations.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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State lawmakers will need to readdress concerns about the Public Employment Retirement System of Mississippi in 2025 if it is to remain viable long term, according to a July study.

Legislative actions in the 2024 Session to reduce public employer contribution rate hikes and increase state funding are not enough to address billions in unfunded future benefits to retirees, according to a report released by the Legislature's third-party watchdog group, the Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review Committee.

Projections show the state's retirement plan being less than 50% fully funded by 2047 and having $25 billion in liabilities. According to several municipal leaders who spoke to the Clarion Ledger earlier this year, the legislative move from lawmakers in the past session should save public employers from cutting positions and raising taxes to keep and hire more public employees.

"Change in approach for increasing the employer contribution rate, in addition to the one-time funds transfer, reduces the plans projected future funded ratio from 65.5% to 49.9%," the report reads. "The PERS plan is currently expected to be at a lower-funded level in the future than it currently is today."

PERS Executive Director Ray Higgins told the Clarion Ledger he wasn't surprised by the report's findings.

"The PEER analysis seems to be an accurate report and generally reconciles with our information," Higgins said. "Also, the legislative action from last session appears to be a short-term solution."

While the report does not list out any specific recommendations for lawmakers this coming year, it says continued work will be necessary to fix the retirement system that has 118,000 retirees receiving benefits and 147,000 active members paying into the system.

Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann brings the Senate to orders as senators gather to debate bills with legislative deadlines approaching at the State Capitol in Jackson in April. A July report has reported actions taken by the Mississippi Legislature to address the Public Employment Retirement System of Mississippi were not as effective as initially thought.

In 2023, the PERS governing board, made up of mostly elected members, as advised by financial actuaries who watch over the state's retirement plan, passed a rate increase on public employers, such as cities, counties and school districts from 17.40% to 19.90% that was to take effect July 1. The rate would have continued to increase to 22.4% by 2027.

In the 2024 Session, the Legislature passed two bills. Senate 3231, prohibits the PERS Boards plan to gradually increase the employer contribution rate and replaces it with a plan to increase to 19.90% over the next five years in 0.5% annual increases. SB 3231 also takes the board's only regulatory power to increase rates and puts it in the hands of the Legislature.

SB 2468 enacts a one-time transfer of $110 million of capital expense funds into the PERS trust.

More on PERS bill MS Legislature passes bill restricting state retirement board's authority

Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann's Deputy Chief of Staff Leah Rupp Smith told the Clarion Ledger efforts Hosemann helped push forward that resulted in those bills' passage led to a potentially more stable retirement system.

"To avoid this calamity while developing a future solution, the Legislature adopted a less-aggressive employer increase," Smith wrote via email. "We are now informed the plan has a projected future funding ratio of 65.5% as of 2047, as compared to 48.6% projected one year ago."

Republican House Speaker Jason White's Communications Director Taylor Spillman did not reply to several emails requesting White's comments on the report.

What are the big problems?

Higgins previously said the ratio of retirees to active members has seen a reverse trend since 2013, when there were 93,000 retirees and 162,000 active members. This increases the unfunded liability of the system as fewer people take jobs in government, reducing active members and more people retire, increasing the funding obligation of PERS.

The other issue lies with projections for the retirement plan's future if state lawmakers decide not to take action in the years to come.

"While the ($110 million) funding for the first year is comparable, each year in the future could potentially see a greater deviation in expected employer contribution revenues for the PERS plan," the report reads. "This deviation does not immediately constitute a problem for the PERS plan; however, careful evaluation of the plans future liabilities and funding needs will be necessary to ensure the sustainability of the PERS plan."

Are there any solutions?

Higgins and Smith both said future work on PERS is still a top priority.

Higgins specifically mentioned a new retirement benefits package that could be offered to new public sector employees, which the PERS board has called tier 5.

"The Board has previously recommended a tier 5 for new employees to help better sustain PERS in the future and is currently considering what may be included or resubmitted in next years legislative package," Higgins said.

Read about new Medicaid program Mississippi Medicaid prenatal care access program still awaiting federal approval. Why?

Earlier this year, Hosemann told the Clarion Ledger he wanted to see evidence that a new tier of benefits could help maintain the retirement system long term. Smith did not confirm whether Hosemann's office is currently studying that idea in the legislative off season, but she did say the Legislature is looking at several ideas.

"The Legislature is exploring any option for a more viable plan," Smith said. "The Lt. Governor continues to be committed to fulfilling current employee and retiree benefits, including the cost-of-living adjustment for these individuals.

Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Report: Mississippi Legislature public retirement reforms not enough
From the Dispatch Politics on The Dispatch

Happy Wednesday! If you are upset about the end of Brat Summer, never fear! Republicans on the House Committee on Agriculture have given us Farm Bill Fall.

Up to Speed

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump agree on this much: The vice president is the underdog in the race for the White House; the former president is the frontrunner. Thats the view the Democratic and Republican nominees claimed to share in dueling campaign memorandums outlining the state of the November contest at the outset of September. Make no mistake: we head into the final stretch of this race as the clear underdogs, Harris campaign chair Jen OMalley Dillon wrote in a Sunday memo. Over at Trump campaign headquarters, chief strategists Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles offered a similar assessment. If the election were held today, Donald Trump would be reelected, they wrote in a Tuesday memo. Labor Day marks the traditional acceleration of the fall campaign season. According to the polls, Harris versus Trump is a toss-up.

A network of Republican operatives and lawyers is attempting to ensure third-party candidates are on the ballot in multiple key swing states, which could draw votes away from Harris, per an Associated Press report from Monday. GOP operatives have gathered ballot petition signatures for independent candidate Cornel West in North Carolina and Green Party candidate Jill Stein in New Hampshire. Republican-aligned lawyers have also defended West against challenges to his appearance on the ballot in such states as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.

Republican Voters Against Trump made an $11.5 million ad buy, its largest reservation yet, targeting voters in swing states, The Hill reported Tuesday. The biggest investment is $4.5 million in Pennsylvania, and the group is also targeting voters in Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Nebraskas 2nd Congressional District, as the state gives two of its five electoral votes to the statewide winner and allocates the rest based on the results from its three House seats. An ad from the group features people who previously voted for Trump and plan to choose Harris in November. We help elevate the voices of these disaffected Republicans and build a permission structure for many other traditional GOP voters to reject Donald Trump and his MAGA movement, even if it means voting for Democrats with whom they might have policy differences, Sarah Longwell, the groups executive director, told the outlet.

Republicans who lead campaign arms for the party in the Senate and the House of Representatives have expressed concern about their candidates fundraising disadvantage compared to their Democratic counterparts, Politico reported Tuesday. Democratic Senate candidates are outspending their Republican opponents by tens of millions of dollars in Arizona, Wisconsin, and Nevada, and by more modest sums in Montana and Michigan. Meanwhile, spending for the Senate race in Ohio is roughly equal, and Republican Senate candidates in Pennsylvania and Maryland are winning the spending battle over their Democratic counterparts. On the House side, where the GOP effectively has a seven-seat majority, at least seven vulnerable Republicans had less cash on hand than their opponents at the end of June.

The largest super PAC boosting House Republicans, the Congressional Leadership Fund, reserved $16 million in ad reservations to help GOP candidates in 11 battleground districts, Punchbowl News reported Tuesday. The largest investments are in Pennsylvanias 7th Congressional District, where Ryan Mackenzie is trying to unseat Rep. Susan Wild; Virginias 7th District to help Derrick Anderson defeat Eugene Vindman for the seat Rep. Abigail Spanberger is leaving; and in Michigans 7th, where Tom Barrett, who lost to current Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Elissa Slotkin in 2022, hopes to defeat Curtis Hertel and win the seat this time. The super PAC had earlier reserved $141 million in reservations, which pales in comparison to a $210 million reservation from House Majority PAC, CLFs Democratic counterpart.

GOP Operatives Question Outside Groups Turnout Work in Arizona and Wisconsin

Tyler Bowyer, chief operating officer of Turning Point Action, leads a conservative ballot chasing training at Turning Point Action's chapter in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, June, 18, 2024. (Photo by Joel Angel Juarez for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

A political nonprofit affiliated with Turning Point USA plans to deploy hundreds of paid field staff to Arizona and Wisconsin as part of a turnout operation targeting occasional voters inclined to support Republican nominee Donald Trump this fall if they can be herded to the polls. Yet some veteran GOP operatives doubt the group will deliver as advertised.

Turning Point Action aims to play a key role in Republican get-out-the-vote efforts in the wake of Trump directing the Republican National Committee to delegate ground game activities to GOP-aligned outside groups. The group tells Dispatch Politics it is focusing on low-propensity voters who did not pull the lever in either 2016, 2020, or both elections, but who are registered Republicans or lean conservative on the issues.

Turning Point Action claims it has identified roughly 300,000 such voters in Arizona and the same number in Wisconsin, both crucial battleground states. Based at Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix and a field office the group says it opened in the suburban Milwaukee community of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Turning Point Action tells us its field staff is knocking on doors, sending text messages and making phone calls. The group is still hiring workers, even recruiting from outside each targeted state, offering to lodge employees in local hotels.

We think theres a lot of meat on the bone in areas we consider deep-red areas, so thats where weve deployed our resources, Turning Point Action spokesman Andrew Kolvet said in a telephone interview just before Labor Day.

The RNC, in conjunction with the Trump campaign, is still handling some of the partys ground game activities, as James Blair, political director for both organizations, likes to remind people. But various outside groups are shouldering a significant portion of this work, with different entities taking the lead in different swing states. For example, Sentinel Action Fund is active in Pennsylvania (and elsewhere) and the Republican Leadership Fund is working in Nevada, targeting voters unaffiliated with either the Democratic or Republican parties.

Turning Point USA, a political group active on college campuses nationwide and focused on increasing support for Trump and other Republicans among younger voters, had via founder Charlie Kirk been a fierce critic of the RNCs voter turnout operation. So this cycle, Turning Point USA charged its 501(c)(4) sister organization, Turning Point Action, with spearheading a field program of its own. Thus far, the group has prioritized voter turnout in Arizona and Wisconsin. Its chief strategist and day-to-day manager of the operation is Turning Point Action chief operating officer Tyler Bowyer, a former RNC committeeman from Arizona.

However, multiple Republican sources Dispatch Politics interviewed in the course of reporting this story questioned claims Turning Point Action is making about the extent of its efforts in those two states. Trump leads Vice President Kamala Harris by 0.5 percentage points in Arizona, per the polling averages; the Democratic nominee leads the former president by 1.4 points in Wisconsin. Both razor-thin margins suggest the ground game matters.

Dispatch Politics spoke with more than half-dozen Republicans operatives based either in Arizona and Wisconsin who are involved in GOP voter turnout or who track the partys canvassing efforts. Some of these Republican insiders, requesting anonymity to speak candidly, said they were only mildly aware of Turning Point Actions work, if at all. Others were broadly up to speed on the groups presence in Arizona and Wisconsin, but were unaware of specifics like staffing levels, the number of field offices, and what sort of GOTV activities the group is engaged in.

Standard metrics like number of staff, offices, doors knocked and voters targeted is not something being shared or promoted as far as I can tell, a Republican operative monitoring Wisconsin said. Added a second knowledgeable GOP operative who is involved in turning out Republican voters in multiple states: Big press releases, big tweets, lots of smoke, very little work. Thats my assessment of Turning Point Action.

As an example, this operative pointed to a Turning Point Action digital fundraising appeal signed by Kirk that claimed the group was deploying full-time BALLOT CHASERS in ARIZONA, WISCONSIN, NEVADA and MORE (emphasis added). But by the groups own admission, its activities are limited to the Grand Canyon and Badger states. Additionally, the fundraising appeal offered to MATCH EVERY DOLLAR you give before our August 31 deadline. Promises to match grassroots contributions is considered a dubious strategy for encouraging such giving.

Further, its unclear if Turning Point Action is sharing the voter data it gathers from knocking on doors, telephoning, and texting with the other Republican-aligned ground game groups. Most upload their data on a near daily basis to Data Trust, the partys hub for sharing voter turnout information. Doing so facilitates coordination among outside groups, campaigns, and the Republican Party, while preventing confusion and duplication of efforts.

The knowledgeable GOP operative who criticized Turning Point Action said definitively that the group is not using Data Trust. When Dispatch Politics asked Kolvet if that was in fact the case, he equivocated before saying he needed to investigate the matter further. No clarification was provided as of Wednesday morning at publication time, despite multiple follow-up requests for the information.

Asked why so many dialed-in Republican operatives seem in the dark about Turning Point Actions voter turnout activities this cycle, Kolvet responded: I find that surprising. He pointed to a New York Times profile of the group published in April and emphasized that the Trump campaign and the RNC are apprised of its work. The comment from my team member, just now, on that was to the point: Anyone who doesnt know what were up to is not a player.

Lack of Clarity Clouds Arlington Cemetery Controversy

Donald Trump rides in a SUV through Arlington National Cemetery after a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier honoring the lives of those who died at the Abbey Gate bombing, on August 26, 2024, in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

Conflicting claims about an incident during Donald Trumps visit to Arlington National Cemetery last week have continued to sow confusion about what actually happened while the former president and Republican nominee attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the hallowed military resting place. And despite promising to provide video evidence to make clear what took place, the Trump campaign has yet to do so.

First, an overview of the facts and claims: On August 27, NPR first reported that a day earlier, two of Trumps campaign staffers had a verbal and physical altercation with an official at the cemetery in which campaign staff verbally abused and pushed the official aside, according to a source who spoke with NPR. The employee was allegedly trying to prevent the Trump staffers from taking photographs and video in a section of the cemetery where deceased soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan are buried. A source told NPR that Trumps group had been informed that only cemetery staff would be allowed to photograph or film in this section, though its unclear if this is a regular rule.

Arlington National Cemetery, in a statement, confirmed to NPR last week only that there was an incident and that a report was filed to police. The cemeterys statement also noted that federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities in military cemeteries and that officials reinforced and widely shared this law and its prohibitions with all participants.

In its own statement to NPR, the Trump campaign insisted no such thing happened. There was no physical altercation as described and we are prepared to release footage if such defamatory claims are made, said Steven Cheung, communications director for the Trump campaign. The fact is that a private photographer was permitted on the premises and for whatever reason an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trumps team during a very solemn ceremony.

Later last week, the U.S. Army, which maintains Arlington National Cemetery, released what it claims is its final statement on the matter. Participants in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent Section 60 visit were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside, reads the statement credited to an Army spokesperson and provided to Dispatch Politics.

The incident has caused a political firestorm. Media coverage focused on the possibility that Trumps campaign violated the law or, at the very least, disrespected fallen veterans by using the visit to boost his campaign. Republicans have pushed back by noting that Trump had been invited to the cemetery by the families of fallen veterans who have defended the former presidents appearance and conduct there. The ceremony took place on the third anniversary of the Taliban attack on the Kabul airport during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan that left 13 American service members dead. Trump has since used images of his visit to the cemetery to make a case against the Biden administrations handling of the withdrawal.

Vice President Kamala Harris weighed in last weekend by chastising Trump and saying Arlington National Cemetery is not a place for politics. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, a Trump ally and a veteran of the Army regiment known as the Old Guard whose soldiers conduct funeral ceremonies at the cemetery, defended Trump in a statement Saturday night. Cotton claimed that political apparatchiks working for the incompetent secretary of the Army disrespected the families who invited Trump.

But just as it seemed the story would subside over the holiday weekend, Trump himself commented Tuesday on his Truth Social site. There was no conflict or fighting at Arlington National Cemetery last week. It was a made up story by Comrade Kamala and her misinformation squad, Trump said.

When asked to respond to Trumps claim that the story about the incident was made up, the Army referred Dispatch Politics back to its original statement. The Army spokesperson did not provide any additional evidence that the incident happened as the statement described.

The Trump campaign, meanwhile, has still not released any video evidence that contradicts the NPR report or the Armys statement. Dispatch Politics asked Cheung when he would be releasing the footage he claimed the campaign was prepared to make public, but the spokesman did not respond.

Notable and Quotable

American politics is highly gangster-like activity.

Independent presidential candidate Cornel West in the Associated Press report on a Republican network trying to prop him up to hurt Vice President Kamala Harris, September 2, 2024

Correction, September 4, 2024: A previous version of this article misstated the date on which NPR reported on former President Donald Trumps visit to Arlington National Cemetery. It was August 27.

Read more at The Dispatch

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A US ally in the Pacific just took an important step toward adding nuclear-powered submarines to its fleet

Australia is assisting the US in the maintenance of a nuclear-powered submarine for the first time ever.

It's a step toward Australia acquiring nuclear-powered submarines as part of the AUKUS alliance.

The subs are key to AUKUS' goal of deterring Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific.

In a first, Australia is working alongside the US on nuclear-powered submarine maintenance.

It's an important step toward Australia acquiring nuclear-powered submarines, a pillar of its partnership with the UK and US to strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific and deter Chinese aggression, a growing challenge.

US Indo-Pacific Command first announced the arrival of the submarine USS Hawaii in Western Australia for a maintenance period late last month, noting the significance of the arrival of the Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine in the region.

Indopacom shared that "over the coming weeks, submarine tender USS Emory S. Land will execute several maintenance activities aboard Hawaii," continuing: "This is the first time Australians have participated in a US submarine maintenance period in Australia."

The Australian navy called the work "the most practical demonstration of progress to implement the AUKUS Pathway to date," as Australian personnel conduct hands-on learning and participate in maintenance on the Hawaii.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, US President Joe Biden, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during the AUKUS summit in 2023. Leon Neal/Getty Images

AUKUS is the trilateral partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US, which focuses on freedom and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

One of the partnership's goals is to equip Australia with its own nuclear-powered submarines, which it will eventually purchase from the US. The first steps, though, have been to help acquaint the Australian navy with maintaining and operating the vessels. The US and UK have been helping with this process.

The joint maintenance being done in Australia includes the replacement of an antenna on the Hawaii's sail, an inspection of the underwater towed array and torpedo tube muzzles, and full rigging and preparations.

"This is an important moment for the Royal Australian Navy," said Rear Adm. Matthew Buckley, the Australian Submarine Agency's head of submarine capability. "For the first time, we have Australians who were trained and certified aboard Emory S. Land using their skills on a US SSN in Australian waters."

The AUKUS partnership isn't limited to just submarines; the defense pact also includes developments related to electronic warfare, missiles and missile defenses, cyber and space warfare, and artificial intelligence. The US, UK, and Australia achieved a milestone in the latter's development just last month when they employed AI to target enemies in a real-time, simulated battle environment for the first time.

A Chinese fighter jet conducting "a coercive and risky" intercept of a US aircraft over the South China Sea in June 2022. US Defense Department

AUKUS is widely seen as a way for the US and its allies to strengthen the security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region and curb concerning Chinese activities through deterrence.

The US and other partners have repeatedly accused China of increasingly aggressive behavior around Taiwan, as well as maritime territory and airspace in the South China Sea, among other regional waterways.

The US has made continuous efforts to strengthen its connections in the region through joint military exercises, security assistance, and other projects.

For instance, the US and Japan have plans to develop counter-hypersonic missile defenses. US military leadership has also said the US could send vessels to escort Philippine ships in the contested waters of the South China Sea.

China has called AUKUS "extremely irresponsible," warning that the alliance risks damaging regional peace and prompting an arms race.

Read the original article on Business Insider
EVANSVILLE  Indiana Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick fielded questions from an audience at a crowded union hall Tuesday evening, covering topics ranging from marijuana to high utility costs.

In Evansville for a campaign town hall, the New Castle, Indiana, native said she'd "unapologetically" support rights for LGBTQ Hoosiers, and encouraged attendees to dive into her plan for property tax reform.

The former state schools superintendent, McCormick is running against Republican Mike Braun and Libertarian Donald Rainwater.

Tuesday's event was moderated by Ryan Hatfield, current state representative and candidate for Vanderburgh County Circuit Court Judge.

The crowd cheers as Indiana Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick speaks during a town hall at UA Local 136 in Evansville, Ind., Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024.

Does McCormick support legalizing marijuana?

When it comes to legalizing marijuana, McCormick said, "it's time."

"We can start by being responsible and establishing the industry for medical ..." she said. "Hoosiers are getting (marijuana), we're just not getting the revenue."

McCormick said she's talked to veterans and cancer patients who crossing state lines with the drug, risking their jobs or jail while doing so.

"I'm a firm believer, we learn form states who did it well and states who didn't do it well, and we learn those lessons and we get well established industry for medical first," she said.

Indiana is dabbling with that now with CBD and hemp, but it's not well-regulated, McCormick said.

"They know eventually at that statehouse that we're going to have to do this," she said. "We are missing out on a ton of revenue."

Utility costs, and the role of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission

McCormick said many people are trying to get a handle on the IURC's decisions and rate increases around the state.

Her focus would be on the makeup of the IURC, incentivizing alternative energies and going after federal money that could help the state.

"I hear it everywhere I go about the utility costs," she said.

Indiana Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick speaks during a town hall at UA Local 136 in Evansville, Ind., Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024.

'Project 2025 hit Indiana years ago'

McCormick also fielded a couple questions around Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation plan for right-wing policy initiatives and plans if Donald Trump wins the presidential election.

"Project 2025 hit Indiana years ago before we knew what it was called," McCormick said.

McCormick said all of the plans in Project 2025 around education aren't surprising to educators in Indiana.

"We have been the test case for most of the education space of that Project 2025," she said, "and after years I will tell you we have not seen much success."

Asked what residents could do to combat the plan, McCormick said it is complex.

"It's very, very wealthy folks and organizations who are behind it," she said.

McCormick said the best bet is to be informed on what is in the plan and go out and inform others.

"Hold your elected officials accountable to not support the nonsense that's in it," she said.

McCormick said it's not just in the education arena, but in family planning, healthcare and workforce.

Reproductive rights for Hoosiers

McCormick said from day one, the governor platform should be used to push for restoring reproductive rights and freedoms.

Any board, commission or agency that influences that topic needs to be reviewed. McCormick also supports ballot initiatives for the state.

"It is time in Indiana," she said.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Candidate for Indiana governor addresses big topics at Evansville event
Vermonts new public retirement program, scheduled to launch in July 2025, may be ready for enrollment by the end of this year.

Vermont Saves is for the roughly 88,000 Vermont workers who are not offered a retirement plan through their employer. The program will automatically enroll workers in a Roth IRA account, with contributions deducted from workers paychecks.

Employees will be offered a menu of investment options. They can choose the amount to contribute or decide to opt out of Vermont Saves entirely.

Colorado, Maine and Delaware have either already launched or are currently launching similar programs. In April, State Treasurer Mike Pieciak announced a partnership with Colorado to help initiate the program in Vermont.

Pieciak believes that getting Vermont Saves off the ground months sooner than planned will give Vermonters more time to add their accounts and build interest.

Sooner is always better, period, but particularly here where youre talking about retirement savings, he said. We want people to start saving for their retirement, and the earlier that you do that, the more youre going to earn in your retirement account. So there really is a value here for individuals to be able to start earlier.

Vermont business could sign up as soon as the program launches. Their original plan had businesses sign up in waves over an 18-month period.

There will be events across Vermont before the program fully launches. Once it goes live, there will be a 3-6 week period for businesses to sign on.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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During the Nelson County Planning Commissions August meeting, the panel approved a special use permit request for a portable sawmill from St. Durstans Academy, an all-boys boarding school under construction.

Dylan Bishop, director for planning and zoning, gave a staff presentation on the permit request.

This... permit [is] to allow the processing of timber on site to be utilized in the construction of their school, Bishop said.

The property is 176 acres and will house the nonprofit St. Dunstans Academy currently being built in Roseland. According to the academys website, it will be a private all-boys school that focuses on faith, academics, farming and skilled trades.

The wood harvested with the sawmill would only be used for the property and not commercial use.

The applicant and schools headmaster, Thomas Fickley said the machinery is a small, portable sawmill that has a 25-horsepower gasoline engine.

To put that in perspective, the tractor that we have is 58 horsepower, so this is half of the engine power of our tractor. Its about the same volume as a leaf blower and significantly quieter than a chainsaw, so its not particularly noisy, Fickley said.

Fickley said the benefits of having a sawmill on property would be not having to bring loggers on, and not having to take the wood elsewhere for processing.

We can save for each timber that were milling. This lets us do everything in house and be less disruptive to the neighborhood, Fickley said.

The sawmill is about 850 pounds so although it is portable, it is still difficult to move.

The plan is to move the mill to whatever group of trees need to be harvested.

Robin Hauschner, Central District commissioner, asked if students would be using the mill as part of the agriculture curriculum at St. Dunstans Academy.

Fickley said that although farm work and construction is part of the school, the sawmill is too dangerous for students to be operating.

During a public hearing, some Nelson residents had more concerns about the school being built than the sawmill.

Kate Farley, a county resident who neighbors the schools property, had concerns about the noise and disruption that will happen to the area.

The quiet enjoyment of our familys property is now threatened by your project. The vast scale of your plan, with potentially 20 buildings plus an amphitheater and a rugby field has come to a shock to the neighbors, Farley said.

According to Farley, many of the residents living around the schools property didnt know about the project until a few weeks ago. Farley also raised environmental concerns.

As Realtors and builders, we know the risks that come with a permanent sawmill or a permanent anything, and understand that it is not necessary for your project, Farley said.

Julie Bendal, mother to Kate Farley, opposed the permit for the same reasons.

A permanent sawmill is frightening in the event that the school fails, and it gets sold and somebody wants to do the sawmill on that property, Bendal said.

Hilary Whitehead, a county resident, voiced similar concerns about the noise and the school itself.

I do believe in the quietness of Roseland being very sacred and Im very nervous about their intentions, Whitehead said.

Whitehead also asked why the farming school has to be exclusively for boys when she is a farmer herself.

Robert Harvey asked how a permanent sawmill could be permanent if its portable.

I would challenge a permanent sawmill thats not a fixed structure. How can it be permanent if its floating all over the property, Harvey said.

Alvin Stratton, who also spoke against the plan, claims to be able to hear the sawmill from his back porch.

Im right across the hill, when Im on my back porch, I can already hear the sawmill. I just worry about the noise, peace, and quiet, I sit on my back porch, thats the way I face, Stratton said.

Stratton said he is also worried about the traffic the school will bring and that hes already almost been hit twice because of people speeding.

Two speakers spoke in favor of the school and the sawmill.

Thomas Nelson, a Roseland resident, said that he was really excited for the school.

Im really excited about the school, Ive donated monthly to it because Im so proud knowing that there will be 40 to 60 boys learning agriculture-related things, Thomas Nelson said.

Nelson also said that his tractor makes more noise than the sawmill.

I do recommend you let this go to the board of supervisors and be proud to accept this teeny baby sawmill thats going to help them build their buildings, Thomas Nelson said.

Wendy Nelson also spoke in favor of the mill and the school.

I dont live very far from St. Dustans and when I heard that it was coming, I really felt blessed. These boys will learn to be able to go out into the world knowing their patriotism, their faith, and that will guide them as they go through everything, she said.

Commissioners were confused as to why the sawmill needed approval since it was a piece of farm equipment and discussed that there wasnt any reason to reject this request.

Its possible that at the time, there were special uses for temporary and permanent sawmills because at the time they were big and loud and disruptive, Bishop said.

The commission decided to give the sawmill conditions for the permit. The conditions would include the lumber only being used for the school and that property, hours of operation in place, the motor cannot exceed that 25 horsepower, and the sawmill cannot be located 100 feet from any of the property lines.

Philippa Proulx, North District commissioner, said part of their job is to look out for people surrounding the properties, not just the applicants.

Part of our job that we have is not just for the applicant but also allowing for a certain amount of protection for the people, Proulx said.

Proulx motioned to recommend approval with the conditions laid out, which passed 6-0. The sawmill is set to go to the Nelson County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 10.
TOKYO, Sep 04 (News On Japan) - Takeru Kobayashi (46), who made a name for himself as the 'Speed-Eating King' with six consecutive victories in American hot dog eating contests, has announced his retirement from competitive eating.

Kobayashi faced his long-time rival, Joey Chestnut, in his "final match" in a hot dog eating contest held in Las Vegas on September 2. The result saw Chestnut take the victory, with Kobayashi commenting, "I feel like I've done everything I could."

On social media, Kobayashi expressed his gratitude in both Japanese and English, saying, "Thank you for supporting my 24 years of activity and today's stage," and added, "My goal was to turn eating into a sport, and I believe I have made that a reality."

Source: ANN
TOKYO, Sep 04 (News On Japan) - KDDI has hosted an exhibition showcasing a 'future shopping experience' which imagines a future where cutting-edge technologies like generative AI seamlessly integrate into daily life.

Visitors can experience interactions with life-sized virtual humans providing customer service and robots delivering ordered products, offering a glimpse into what "shopping of the future" might look like.

In addition to these experiences, the exhibition also highlights initiatives in fields such as drones, mobility, and logistics.

Moreover, KDDI President Makoto Takahashi and Tadao Nagasaki, President of OpenAI Japan (the developer of ChatGPT), exchanged views on the future of AI-powered convenience stores.

KDDI President Makoto Takahashi stated, "As the labor force continues to shrink, we want to leverage AI to address these challenges."

OpenAI Japan President Tadao Nagasaki commented, "Managing inventory on a minute-by-minute, second-by-second basis will become much easier as it can be done through verbal commands."

Source: FNN
TOKYO, Sep 04 (News On Japan) - The increase in inbound tourists has led to growing financial burdens for Japans credit card industry. When cards issued overseas are used at domestic stores, Japanese companies must pay fees to foreign issuers, resulting in annual losses estimated to reach 30 billion yen.

Former Bank of Japan Director of Payment Systems Hiromi Yamaoka, now a director at Future Corporation, joined us to discuss the impact on Japanese consumers and potential strategies moving forward.

As more tourists use credit cards in Japan, local card companies are facing an estimated 30 billion yen in losses this year. But why does the use of credit cards by foreign tourists in Japan lead to such deficits for domestic companies, and how does this affect consumers? These are the questions well explore today with our guest, former BOJ Director Hiromi Yamaoka, now heading the Cashless Payments Research Institute.

When a foreign tourist uses a credit card issued in their home country to make a 10,000 yen purchase at a Japanese shop or restaurant, the credit card processing fee typically ranges between 1% and 3%, depending on the transaction volume. For simplicity, lets consider a fee of 1.99% for a large-scale store, which would result in a 190 yen income for the card company. However, the issue arises with subsequent costsYamaoka explains that these companies must pay various fees, including about 10 yen for domestic system operations and 180 yen in interchange fees to the overseas card issuer. Additionally, they pay around 80 yen to international brands like Visa and Mastercard for the use of global settlement infrastructure. As a result, the card company ends up with a deficit of about 70 to 80 yen per transaction. This explains why the more foreign tourists use their cards, the deeper the losses for Japanese card companies.

The disparity in fees between domestic and international transactions is a key factor. When Japanese residents use their cards domestically, there is often no interchange fee, especially if the card issuer also handles merchant contractsreferred to as on-us transactions. Even when these roles are split, Japans interchange fees are lower than those abroad, due to the lower default rates in Japan. Conversely, international transactions involve higher fees, including brand usage fees to global networks like Visa and Mastercard. Since international transactions require the use of these global infrastructures, Japanese companies incur additional costs, which are not present in purely domestic transactions.

Lowering these fees is not straightforward. Yamaoka notes that Visa and Mastercard publish standard fee rates, which are difficult to negotiate due to their dominant positions in the global market. This issue is exacerbated by the sharp increase in inbound tourism, with over 30 million foreign visitors expected this year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The total spending by these tourists is also projected to reach a record 8 trillion yen, with the majority of payments likely being made by credit card.

The expected 30 billion yen loss for Japanese card companies this year is based on the assumption that 60% of the 8 trillion yen spent by tourists will be paid by credit card. In a survey conducted by the Nikkei, seven out of the eight major card companies reported widening losses, with six of them considering or already implementing higher fees for merchants to cover these costs. All seven companies cited high payments to international brands like Visa and Mastercard as the primary reason for their losses.

Yamaoka commented on the possibility of passing these costs onto merchants, acknowledging that while it might seem logical to reflect these costs in more detailed fee structures, such changes would effectively be price increases for merchants. He anticipated tough negotiations ahead, especially for luxury brands and high-end retailers heavily reliant on foreign tourists.

The survey responses also highlighted the impact of international brands like Visa and Mastercard on the losses. Yamaoka drew parallels to other industries, noting how the dominance of American tech giants in areas like semiconductors and AI drives similar financial dependencies, where countries like Japan end up paying significant amounts to use essential infrastructure built by these firms decades ago. The network effectwhere the value of a service increases with the number of usersfurther entrenches this market concentration, making it challenging for Japanese companies to reduce their losses in the face of rising inbound tourism.

In conclusion, while consumers may not feel the direct impact immediately, the growing losses for credit card companies and the potential for higher fees at merchants could eventually translate into higher costs for the public. The search for solutions to mitigate these losses continues as Japans credit card industry grapples with the financial strains of accommodating an influx of foreign tourists.

Source: BIZ
By Udeze Ekene

The Presidency has said at no time did President Bola Tinubu promise the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) that his administration would not increase the pump price of fuel.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, said this on Tuesday, in reaction to organized labours outcry that workers have been betrayed.

Naija News reported that the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, demanded an immediate reversal of the adjusted fuel price increase by Tinubus government.

Ajaero said Labour accepted the N70,000 minimum wage because the President promised there would not be an increase in fuel price.

Labour had in the build-up to the minimum wage negotiation, held onto N250,000 to be the minimum wage.

We are filled with a deep sense of betrayal as the federal government clandestinely increases the pump price of PMS. One of the reasons for accepting N70,000 as national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of PMS would not be increased even as we knew that N70,000 was not sufficient.

We recall vividly when Mr President gave us the devils alternatives to choose from: either N250,000 as minimum wage (subject to the rise of the pump price between N1,500 and N2,000) and N70,000 (at old pms rates), we opted for the latter because we could not bring ourselves to accept further punishment on Nigerians, Labour said, in a statement, on Tuesday.

Abdulaziz, in response, accused Ajaero and Labour of playing dirty politics and deceiving Nigerians. He stated that the two meetings Tinubu had with Labour had no discussion concerning fuel price increases in exchange for minimum wage.

I sat through the two meetings President Bola Tinubu had with Labour leaders on minimum wage. At neither of the meetings was an offer made in exchange of fuel price hike. Ajaero is once again playing his dirty politics with the emotions of Nigerians, Abdulaziz wrote on his X handle.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The U.S. governments top disaster relief official said Sunday that false claims and conspiracy theories about the federal response to Hurricane Helene  spread most prominently by Donald Trump  are demoralizing aid workers and creating fear in people who need recovery a
The Daily News publishes death notices and obituaries on a daily basis for Norfolkans, area residents and former residents.

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Norfolk and area funeral homes have detailed information about placing an obituary in the Daily News. If individuals want to submit obituary information themselves, it can be emailed to funerals@norfolkdailynews.com or faxed to (402) 644-2080.

People needing additional information about death notices and obituaries can call the Daily News at 371-1020 or (877) 371-1020 and ask for the newsroom.
The Algerian regime has suffered another humiliating diplomatic setback in Beijing after the Chinese authorities refused the participation of the Polisario in the ongoing China-Africa cooperation forum.

This is another slap on the face of ruling Algerian junta and their separatist militias in just few days after the Tokyo scandal which exposed their total failure, scornful manipulations, and loss of international credibility.

In Bali, the Indonesian authorities thwarted an Algerian plot to smuggle in Polisario agents posing as official members of the Algerian delegation invited to the Indonesia-Africa forum organized Sept.1-3.

The Indonesian security services intercepted the Polisario members with fake invitations and credentials at the airport and denied them entry. They also checked the identities and luggage of the Algerian delegation to prevent the infiltration of any Polisario operative.

These tight security measures have irked the Algerian delegation and especially foreign minister Ahmed Attaf who withdrew from the Bali meeting, realizing that all their schemes are falling into pieces.

During the latest Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) held Aug.24-25, a Polisario agent sneaked into the meeting with the help of the Algerian regime and support of South African diplomats. All their deceptive acts were caught on camera.

A footage showed the polisario member, with Algerian diplomatic credentials, taking out from his satchel the name plate of so- called SADR placing it in front of him in a bid to deceive organizers and attendees, posing as an official delegate.

Either in Bali or Beijing, the Indonesian and Chinese authorities were aware of the Algerian and Polisario tactics and were determined to foil all their dirty games. They vigilance paid off, avoiding a repetition of the Tokyo scandal.

Russia, the United States, Saudi Arabia, India, South Korea, Italy and Turkey have all excluded the Polisario from their summits with the African countries.

In July, the AU Executive Council decided to exclude the Polisario from participating in the international meetings gathering African countries and superpowers.

The move comes after some major international meetings, which were intended to bring in major investment to the African continent, were derailed into chaos and sparked a diplomatic crisis over the participation of a non-state entity, the Polisario self-proclaimed SADR, which is becoming persona non-grata worldwide.

Thus, it has been agreed that ONLY African countries recognized by the United Nations will be allowed to participate in international summits and meetings.
Malis representative to the UN in New York has openly accused Algeria of backing terrorist and separatist groups, in response to an Algerian representatives statement accusing Mali of using drones against civilians.

Mali, backed by Russia, has been battling Tuareg Azawad rebels who have turned more towards Algeria in recent months.

Speaking at a UN Security Council session, Malis UN representative Issa Konfourou said Algeria backs and spreads terrorist groups propaganda.

The statement was made in response to an earlier Algerian statement at the Council accusing Mali of using drones and fighting alongside foreign militias alluding to Wagner.

Algerias verbal attacks on Wagner are also indicative of worsening ties with its arms supplier Russia, as the countrys impulsive diplomacy continues to deepen its isolation in the region and globally.

The Malian diplomat said Algeria offered military support to Tuareg rebels and allowed Ukrainian agents to train them, ahead of an attack in Tinzaouatine in which scores of Malian soldiers and Wagner fighters were killed.

Following the incident, Mali cut ties with Ukraine, amid worsening relations with the West.

Algeria doubled down through a mouthpiece of the military regime in Algiers which described the Tuareg rebels as legitimate resistance, signaling Algerias role in fueling the Malian infighting.

In January, Algerias foreign ministry threatened the Malian people of an upcoming civil war, in response to a statement by the Malian authorities accusing Algiers of hosting Tuareg rebels.

The Malians have denounced Algerias double-speak and its incapacity to stand as a neutral and credible mediator, citing Algerias connivance with Tuareg separatist groups and terrorist leaders such as Iyad Ag Ghali.
A staggering 60% of African young people are looking to leave their respective countries in the next five years in search of a better life, with unchecked corruption being the single greatest hurdle threatening their future on the continent, according to a new poll by the Johannesburg-based Ichikowitz Family Foundation.

One-third of the nearly 420 million of African youth aged 15 to 35 are unemployed, the African Development Bank (ADB) has warned recently. While the more than 5,600 youngsters aged 18 to 24 polled in 16 African countries cited corruption as the biggest obstacle to progress, most of all, they dont believe their governments are doing enough to address this scourge and, because of it, almost 60% are looking to emigrate in the next five years, says the 2024 African Youth Survey published on Tuesday (3 September). The survey is unparalleled in scope and size, says the Ichikowitz Family Foundation that commissioned the face-to-face interviews between January and February in countries ranging from South Africa to Ethiopia.

The survey also revealed that 55% of those polled think that Africa was headed in the wrong direction, although there was a modest rise to 37% in Afro-optimism from the survey two years ago. They want tougher sanctions against corrupt politicians, including banning them from standing for office, the foundation said. They also want a different form of government, the survey has shown, with nearly one in three respondents believing that Africa-infused non-democratic systems, from the military to one-party rule, could be preferable under certain circumstances. And if they finally were to emigrate, the survey reveals that North America would be the top pick for emigration for African youth, followed by Western European countries, such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Spain.
A Swiss newspaper has reported on September 3 that representatives from Libyan civil society, as well as economic, political, and academic sectors, are intensifying their appeals to the United Nations to organize a Conference in Geneva to revitalize the political process in Libya.

La Tribune de Geneve highlighted that the ongoing tensions related to the Central Bank of Libya crisis underscore the gravity of the situation. Human rights activist and international advisor to the Conflict Resolution Committee, Aisha Al-Abbar, has called on the UN to urgently appoint a new special envoy to Libya to expedite the political process and pave the way for elections.

In a statement to the Swiss newspaper, Al-Abbar said, We may need to mobilize a broad-based popular movement across Libya to dismantle existing institutions and establish a military council, with the Supreme Judicial Council guiding the country towards fair elections.

She added, We fully support the work of the 5+5 Committee and hope for its swift activation to secure the country and unify the military institution to protect Libya, its institutions, and its borders.

Al-Abbar emphasized that their initiative is a grassroots movement, independent of any internal or external influence. We remain neutral towards all parties, working tirelessly to unite the Libyan people. These efforts are crucial to preserving the will of the people and preventing the fragmentation of Libyan unity. A key next step could be organizing a conference in Geneva.
Tunisias Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) announced on Wednesday, via its Facebook page, that it has referred the case of a rejected presidential candidate from the 2024 election to the courts. This action follows accusations of fraud and false declarations.

According to ISIE, the candidate has allegedly concealed grounds for ineligibility, violating articles 291 of the Penal Code and 158 of the Tunisian Electoral Code. The candidate reportedly falsified a declaration on honor, omitting to mention his foreign nationality, which is a constitutional and legal barrier to his candidacy. Additionally, the candidate is accused of using a falsified certificate in his application. The case has been forwarded to the Public Prosecutors Office for legal proceedings.

ISIE did not disclose the name of the candidate involved. However, judicial sources indicated that Ayachi Zammel was arrested and held in police custody for 48 hours on Monday evening on suspicions of forging sponsorship documents for his candidacy. Siwar Bargaoui, the treasurer of Zammels party, Azimoun, and a member of his campaign team, was arrested on August 19 for falsifying sponsorships. She was released on August 29 and is set to face trial on September 19, according to Business News.

The ISIE has released a final, non-appealable list of candidates for the election, which includes incumbent President Kais Saied, 66, running for a second term.

As anticipated, ISIE has had the final say on the candidates. After examining the rulings of the administrative court and its reasons, as well as the rulings of the judiciary, ISIE has not admitted some aspirants whose appeals had been accepted on appeal by the administrative court, namely those of Imed Daimi, Mondher Zanaidi, and Abdellatif Mekki.
City Council members have expressed support for a statewide coalition that held one of its early meetings in North Platte in its quest to ease obstacles to legal immigration to gain more workers.

Probing questions preceded the councils 8-0 vote Tuesday for a resolution acknowledging the work of the coalition, which is expected to step up its public profile later this month.

Its the fruit of an unusual two-year-old alliance built by the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Omaha Together One Community, an advocacy group formed in the 1990s to promote social justice in Omaha.

Both groups held a Dec. 1, 2022, meeting with North Platte community leaders at Great Plains Health to discuss their joint conviction that Nebraska cant solve its workforce shortages without recruiting international workers willing to immigrate by legal means.

That requires persuading a Congress deeply divided over illegal immigration to slash through the red tape blocking such people, OTOC organizers and state Chamber President Bryan Slone told The Telegraph in a March 2023 story.

Gary Person, president and CEO of the North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corp., vouched for the coalitions intentions.

Theyve been very proactive in trying to change some of the frustrating regulations that go along with immigration, he said. They want to bring in people who want to do it the right way.

Person, who attended the organizers 2022 GPH meeting, said more than 100 communities and groups have joined the alliance.

Sarah Keeney, an organizer for Omaha Together One Community and the coalition, said Wednesday that alliance leaders plan a Sept. 18 press conference at Lincolns State Capitol to announce their plans.

She declined to detail them ahead of that date. But she said the coalition enjoys representation from all across the state from people and groups who know Nebraska needs more people.

This all is really looking at the needs of Nebraska in terms of what is going to strengthen our communities, our families and our workforce, Keeney said.

That means identifying federal policies that encourage workers and families to make Nebraska their permanent home and what investments we can make at the state level to retain any family.

Tuesdays resolution refers to the alliance as the Nebraska Future Force Coalition, but Keeney said the name to be unveiled Sept. 18 will be different.

It says Mayor Brandon Kelliher and the council acknowledge the ongoing work of the pro-legal immigration coalition and the need for Nebraska to create a more welcoming environment, harnessing the talents of its diverse population and (promoting) long-term prosperity for all its residents.

The city must prepare for workforce strain and impacts on the community as Sustainable Beef and other job-creation projects flower, the resolution says.

To that end, it adds, state leaders have determined we need permanency, families, stability, more people across the skill spectrum and related investments in state infrastructure that will welcome and retain both new and longtime residents.

North Platte therefore encourages those leaders to support quality (and) affordable housing, child care and transportation and creating welcoming communities of belonging that benefit all Nebraskans.

Kelliher said he agreed to put the resolution before the council because weve endorsed the tenets that are on that document.

Person said that North Platte chamber board members asked many questions of coalition leaders for two months before voting to support the effort.

City Attorney Bill Troshynski, himself a chamber board member, said he and his colleagues were concerned that adopting the resolution commits a group to providing financial resources. It doesnt, Keeney told The Telegraph.

North Platte already has a track record of recruiting and welcoming legal immigrants, with GPH and North Platte Public Schools among employers doing so, Councilman Brian Flanders said.

But it can take would-be new Americans months or years to get U.S. clearance to come work here or stay here once theyve come, Person said.

In fact, theres even a local business person here in town whos got a notice to be deported, even though theyve been here for several years and have been a very productive citizen of the community, he told the council.

The state chamber did a lot of research and found broad employer frustration with chronic workforce shortages, Person said.

Weve taught a whole generation (in America) not to work, he said. The alliance forged by the state chamber and OTOC want to do something about that.

Councilmen Pete Volz and Ty Lucas said the chambers endorsement of the coalition mattered a lot to them.

I think itd be a bad message to refuse to support that at this point, Lucas said.

Council members Ed Rieker and Donna Tryon voted for the resolution but said they want more public long-term emphasis on children and families.

Current U.S. residents arent reproducing enough to replace those who die, Rieker said.

I really feel we need to put a focus on that, to encourage stable families and encourage more couples to have children, he said. Bringing in large numbers of immigrants will change the demographics and the social structure of our country.
Barron Trump at graduation in May. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

There has been speculation for ages over where the former presidents youngest son, Barron Trump, would attend college. This year, he graduated from a private high school in West Palm Beach where the tuition is north of $40,000. Would the six-foot-seven teenager stay in Florida, towering over the party at the University of Miami? Or would he follow dear old dad to the University of Pennsylvania? Donald Trump himself provided some clarity earlier this summer when he said Barron would go to school somewhere in New York City.

On Wednesday, the mystery was solved when the New York Post took photos of the former presidents tall son and budding media adviser arriving at New York University in a black SUV.

Barron Trump arrives at NYU for first day at college https://t.co/kSYvHsPfW1 pic.twitter.com/PWTTACIb76  New York Post (@nypost) September 4, 2024

He follows in the footsteps of fellow nepo babies such as NYUs Bryce Dallas Howard and Jared Kushner. Naturally, there is often a celeb among the young scholars at NYU. (Think Timothee Chalamet around the filming of Call Me by Your Name.) Less frequent is a Secret Service detail. Perhaps his agents can link with Ella Emhoffs rambunctious detail for a party.
Photo: Intelligencer

Xs fight with the Brazilian government is only complicated if you want it to be. Brazil made political censorship demands. Elon Musk refused to comply, citing free speech, and now his platform is banned in Brazil. X has, in recent years, honored certain takedown requests  from the governments of Turkey, India, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates  at a somewhat higher rate than before Musks acquisition. International internet platforms have long had to deal with these requests, deciding when to fight (as Twitter and X often have), when to submit, and when to risk a ban or pull out of a country entirely.

X, and Musk, insist that the nature of Brazils demands, and the manner in which theyre being made, are unprecedented and possibly criminal, which is one way to square this particular strategy with Musks previous statements on content moderation:

Like I said, my preference is to hew close to the laws of countries in which Twitter operates. If the citizens want something banned, then pass a law to do so, otherwise it should be allowed.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 9, 2022

But, again, this is less persuasive than the far more obvious explanation, which is that Musk finds content moderation demands by Brazils left-wing government against right-wing figures much more galling than requests from, say, Indias government, on behalf of whom the company has banned numerous accounts (and a BBC documentary) associated with the opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Appreciate your greetings @elonmusk. The talented Indian youth, our demography, predictable policies and stable democratic polity will continue to provide the business environment for all our partners. https://t.co/NJ6XembkyB  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 8, 2024

I dont mean to suggest that this is unique to Musk or X  social platforms responses to foreign and domestic government demands are always informed by leaderships ideology and business interests, and playing along with the nice story that theyre just working forward from fundamental rights and dedication to free speech has always been a mistake. Twitter was a publicly traded company with a strange mixture of crusading libertarian and technocratic tendencies, beholden to governments but also the anxieties and biases of its leadership, senior staff, advertisers, and shareholders; X is privately owned by a Bolsonaro guy who has declared, repeatedly, his intention to use it as a political tool. It is what it looks like!

But if the battle between X and Brazil is grimy but simple, the one between Musk and Brazil is more complicated and more interesting. Per Reuters:

Tensions between Brazil and Elon Musks business empire ratcheted up further as the countrys 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.

X has real but limited leverage over the Brazilian government, in that it operates a popular service in the country, and banning it might be politically unwise (in this sense, X in Brazil is crudely analogous to TikTok in the United States). Starlink, by contrast, is also an unusual sort of firm. Like X, its a service provider based in another country, registered to operate locally, and therefore susceptible to pressure from a government that has the capacity to regulate or ban it. Unlike X, its a satellite company capable of operating without the blessing of governments. As Jack Nicas notes in the New York Times:

Starlink could try to continue to provide service in Brazil without a license, though that would violate Brazilian law. Unlike traditional internet providers, which typically work with a series of internet-infrastructure companies to deliver connections, Starlink essentially connects its satellites directly to customers antennas. That could leave fewer ways for regulators to try to disrupt service.

This would be a bad scenario for Starlinks business. It would be difficult for the companys more than 200,000 customers in Brazil, who use Starlink to connect to the internet in the countrys vast rural areas and jungle regions, to access and pay for the service; a government truly determined to ban it would make owning, importing, buying, or selling Starlink equipment illegal. But continuing to run an unofficial internet service provider  supplying equipment for free to circumvent a ban  is at least an option for a sufficiently motivated controlling shareholder. And a novel one! Starlinks orbital advantage has already seen it pulled, and pushed, into messy, high-stakes geopolitical situations. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Starlink activated and subsidized service for the Ukrainian military before shifting costs back to the U.S. Department of Defense; the Russian military, buying hardware through proxies and crowdfunding operations, has been using it as well. Starlink, with the blessing of the United States government, also activated service in Iran, where most foreign social media is heavily censored:

Approaching 100 Starlinks active in Iran  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 26, 2022

Using Starlink in Iran is risky and illegal, and the service hasnt taken off there, although it remains active. A similar sort of deployment in Brazil is unlikely, especially considering that the company appears, as of Tuesday evening, to be on the cusp of relenting to the governments demands. For now, Starlink is the dominant satellite internet provider but still a minor player in the global internet market. Musk didnt have quite enough leverage this time. Ten years from now, the story might play out slightly differently.

The prospect of post-national communications networks hints at a future in which Starlink, and other entities like it, could play a strange and formidable new role in geopolitics. Its a future thats extremely appealing to exit-obsessed tech billionaires, for whom reaching space represents both infinite opportunity and, less romantically, final regulatory escape  a chance to colonize other planets, sure, but also a shot at recolonizing Earth from orbit, or at least to escape the grips of the Delaware Court of Chancery, the SEC, and the Supremo Tribunal Federal. Musk routinely threatens to move his companies to locales he sees as friendlier in regulatory and ideological terms and sometimes follows through. Why not eventually reincorporate in space?
Photo: Justin Lane/Getty Images

Donald Trump wont be sentenced before Election Day in his Manhattan criminal trial, Judge Juan Merchan ruled on Friday. It amounts to a win for the former presidents legal team that has repeatedly tried to delay or move the proceedings after their client was found guilty in May of 34 counts felony counts, making him the first U.S. president in history to be convicted of a crime. A new sentencing hearing has been scheduled for November 26. This is how we got here.

How did this start?

Back in April 2023, Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg unveiled his offices indictment accusing the former president of falsifying business records in connection to an election-year cover-up of an alleged past affair with Stormy Daniels. Trump has long denied that an affair ever occurred and pleaded not guilty in the matter. Despite numerous legal challenges, the trial commenced one year later, featuring weeks of testimony from former Trump insiders such as former White House aide Hope Hicks and his ex-lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen. But the 12-member jury would go on to convict Trump on all 34 counts on their second day of deliberations, with Merchan initially scheduling his sentencing for July.

How has Trumps legal team responded?

With Trump in the middle of another bid for the White House, he and his legal team have sought to delay his sentencing with the aim of overturning his conviction entirely. Their latest weapon came in June as the Supreme Court issued its decision on presidential immunity, ruling that past and future presidents couldnt be prosecuted for official acts taken while in office but could face repercussions for private acts. The decision has been a boon for Trump, disrupting the two pending federal cases against him and likely ensuring those matters wont go to trial prior to the election.

Trumps lawyers soon filed a motion seeking to vacate Trumps conviction citing the Courts decision, claiming that evidence that would fall under presidential immunity was used to prosecute their client. In their filing, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove specifically cited communications between Trump and Hicks, a White House employee, as well as tweets sent while Trump was in office as official acts that shouldnt have been allowed at trial since they involved Trump in his official role as president.

Merchan agreed to push the sentencing hearing back to September 18 with the intent of ruling on the immunity argument prior to the proceedings. On Friday, Merchan announced that he will once again delay Trumps sentencing, pushing the hearing beyond Election Day to November 26. In his four page letter, the judge said the sentencing will be moved to avoid any appearance- however unwarranted -that the proceeding has been affected by or seeks to affect the approaching Presidential election in which the Defendant is a candidate. Merchan also said he would hand down his decision on the defenses immunity argument on November 12.

Will the trial be moved into federal court?

As they awaited Merchans decision, Trumps legal team pursued additional means: filing a motion requesting to move the case into federal court, once again citing a conflict with the Supreme Courts immunity decision. This is familiar territory for Trumps attorneys, who unsuccessfully sought to move the case out of state court last year before proceedings began by arguing that the actions allegedly taken by Trump constituted official acts.

On Tuesday, Alvin Hellerstein, the federal judge who denied their last attempt to take the case out of New York, once again rejected their request and referenced back to his earlier ruling. Nothing in the Supreme Courts opinion affects my previous conclusion that the hush money payments were private, unofficial acts, outside the bounds of executive authority, Hellerstein wrote in his decision.

After Hellersteins ruling, Trump filed a notice of appeal, indicating that he intends to appeal the ruling to the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. However, prosecutors from Braggs office sent a letter to Merchan, writing that there is now no basis to delay Trumps sentencing following Hellersteins rejection.

What about Trumps other pending cases?

The effects of the Supreme Courts immunity decision can be keenly felt in Trumps two federal cases. In July, Aileen Cannon, the controversial Florida federal judge, dismissed the Justice Departments classified-documents case against Trump, citing the Courts ruling. Special counsel Jack Smith has since appealed her decision, asking the appeals court to reinstate the case.

Smith has also filed a revised superseding indictment in the federal governments election-subversion case, keeping the charges against Trump intact while removing certain allegations that could potentially run afoul of the Courts ruling. The new filing takes out all references to former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark as well as allegations that Trump sought to use the Justice Department to challenge election results and support an election-fraud scheme.
Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

For this weeks Dont Dillydally, weve rounded up a range of newly released products were particularly excited about, including a skirt printed with Tilda Swintons face, a once limited-edition cream blush thats now here to stay, and Quince jeans that are even cheaper than Levis.

Alexa Chung for Madewell Suede Miniskirt $298 $298 Fourteen years ago, Alexa Chung collaborated with Madewell on a capsule collection  and now shes back. This one has a sophisticated and streamlined look, featuring mostly denim (pants, button-up shirts, skirts, and more) as well as several pieces in a very nice chocolate-brown suede, like this A-line miniskirt I would like to add to my cart. $298 at Madewell Buy

Kiehls Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream $49 $49 I dont want to be the one to point out that winter is coming, but winter is coming. To prepare, Kiehls added a new product to its popular Ultra line: a luscious body cream formulated with squalane and glacial glycoprotein to be super-hydrating. The brand says its gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin. $49 at Nordstrom Buy From $25 at Kiehl's Buy

Sezane Celeste Dress $105 $105 Sezane is French-girl fashion incarnate  and for the first time, the brand is making clothes for kids. The collection is quite big and includes knits, blouses, trousers, jackets, shoes, and more. Some designs are all new; others feature fabric or styles as seen on adult-size versions, like the little Celeste Dress that takes a page from the Chlo Shirt. $105 at Sezane Buy

Lola Blankets Stardust From $109 From $109 Speaking of colder weather, Lola Blankets released its signature blanket (which weve recommended before) in several new warm hues. You can tell how plush this thing is through the screen. From $109 at Lola Blankets Buy

Quince Stretch High Rise Straight Jeans $50 $50 Quince, which slowly but surely seems to be stacking its lineup to be as all-encompassing as a department store, just launched denim last week. The four styles of jeans (mid-rise slim straight, high-rise straight, high-rise skinny, and high-rise kick flare) each comes in three different washes. And, like everything else from Quince, they retail for far less than you might expect: just $50. $50 at Quince Buy

Ghia Le Fizz $40 for 2 $40 for 2 And in more drinks news: Ghias newest nonalcoholic beverage is a large-format bubbly in a strawberry-orange blossom flavor. It is giving pet-nat and comes sealed in a wine bottle, with natural tannins from berries and citrus. You can buy a pack of two or a case of six. $40 for 2 at Ghia Buy

Tilda Swinton x Hades The Orlando Skirt $375 $375 British clothing brand Hades has launched a capsule collection designed with none other than Tilda Swinton (who has been a longtime wearer of the brand). The nine pieces, which number skirts, scarves, and cardigans, are inspired by Swinton herself as well as by four movies from her filmography: Female Perversions, The Last of England, Orlando, and Suspiria. $375 at Hades Buy

Tower 28 BeachPlease Cream Blush - Finest Hour $20 $20 Tower28 originally released this bright red shade of its blush as a limited-edition buy, but it was so popular, it just brought it back for good. Its a buildable pigmented cream you can swipe onto your cheeks and lips  a favorite of professional makeup artists because its so easy to blend and results in a dewy finish. $20 at Tower28 Beauty Buy

Christopher John Rogers Linden Sunglasses $495 $495 Designer Christopher John Rogers is making his first foray into accessories. Created in collaboration with Austrian eyewear-maker Andy Wolf, the oversize geometric frames come in red, black, white, and an ombre brown. The glasses are available for preorder. $495 at Christopher John Rogers Buy

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The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
A Kentucky man convicted of snatching a 14-year-old girl from Lee County to engage in sexual activity in 2023 has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.

Glendon Arnold Carpenter, Jr. of Lexington was sentenced last week to serve 240 months in prison for unlawfully transporting a minor across state lines with intent to engage in sexual activity, the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Alabama announced.

The judge also ordered that Carpenter remain on supervised release for life following his prison term. On Feb. 12, Carpenter pleaded guilty to the charge, and federal inmates are not eligible for parole.

Carpenter was first arrested and charged with kidnapping a minor, first-degree sexual abuse and second-degree rape on July 26, 2023. According to the news release from U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Alabama, court records showed that in 2023, Carpenter began communicating with a 14-year-old girl in Lee County through an online messaging app.

According to a news release from the Lee County Sheriff's Office following the arrest, Carpenter's profile had a picture of a what appeared to be a teenage boy. After establishing a relationship with the victim, Carpenter convinced her to leave home, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Alabama.

In July of 2023, Carpenter traveled to Alabama to pick up the 14-year-old and take her back to Kentucky where the two engaged in sexual activity, authorities said. Authorities said that the victims parents reported her missing from her Phenix City home on July 25. Agents located Carpenter and the victim in Kentucky within two days at a fast food restaurant in Richmond, Kent., according to authorities

A federal grand jury indicted Carpenter for unlawfully transporting a minor across state lines in August 2023. On Feb. 12 Carpenter pleaded guilty to the charge.

The FBI Mobile Field Office and the Lee County Sheriffs Office investigated this case, with assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Richmond Police Department and the FBI Louisville Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara S. Ratz prosecuted the case.
Obligatory, we just want a 3rd season of Mindhunter. No more of these subpar Fincher films. Give us another season for fucks sake.

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Bahahah I wanted to start my comment with obligatory comment of what we really want!



Wont be the same vibes since its Fincher but a rancher robbing banks in modern times reminds me of Hell or High Water and I loooove that movie. Im liking certain modern westerns.



600 Miles is another recent one I liked.



Sorry, didnt mean to hijack your comment but figured Id just keep going instead of start another comment. Makes sense in my head.

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Haha glad there are dozens of us with the same "obligatory" comment in mind whenever there's a Fincher post!

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I think the fact this is not only a Fincher post but a Fincher + NETFLIX post makes it hurt more 

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This!  its a double gut punch.

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that is all i came here to say!



other than mindhunter, this netflix deal has really dampened his work. like, the last great fincher movie was gone girl.

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Consider me interested

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oh i was gonna say "There Will Be Blood" cinematic universe, damn

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Im so tired of westerns lol

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Meh, I'm not really interested in modern westerns unless they're from a Native pov.

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I will keep my expectations very low after his last two movies

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See, I didnt like Mank, but I loved The Killer. The latter felt like a proper Fincher thriller to me.

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It looks interesting

https://scriptshadow.net/big-hole-guest-review-2/



x will watch! I am here for a movie about someone getting revenge after getting their money stolen.It looks interestingwill watch!

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I like Fincher movies and I like Westerns, so I'm in! At least until he casts Brad Pitt as the elderly rancher, at which point this project will be dead to me.

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Oh lord. I was thinking Bradley Whitford, but the character is 78, lol

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So its going to be Jeff Bridges.

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Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in Hello! Your entry got to top-25 of the most popular entries in LiveJournal!Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ

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At least they cannot cast Clint Eastwood in this.

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i thought it said BIGFOOT at first

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This sounds so boring!

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Here for it. I legit loved The Killer, sorry to say!

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On the one hand, the premise itself sounds fun, but on the other, I'm tired of watching stories about old men and men leading movies in general, tired of men men men

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Ill be sat.

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I meaaaaan I just wish this bitch would stop working with Netflix because these last efforts have been shit tbh

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don't think i could come up with a more boring sounding movie if i tried

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what he NEEDS to do is funnel that money into mindhunter or give us the GWTDT follow up we all deserve enough with this john wayne shit leave it to clint eastwood and chop chop movie man!!

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I hope its not as mind numbingly boring as that last film he made with fassbender my GOD

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The lessons from Africa's experience with China highlight the importance of local agency in negotiating and managing relationships with global powers.

African nations are seeking more balanced trade and continued investments from China, while also diversifying their partnerships beyond China and the West.

China's engagement with Africa is shifting from a focus on infrastructure loans to green technology investments, driven by Africa's growing economies and China's need for new markets.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is rolling out the red carpet for African leaders this week at a high-level summit in Beijing as China looks to deepen ties with the resource-rich continent that it has furnished with billions in loans for infrastructure and development projects.

But what kind of lessons does the experience of African countries hold for other regions where China has also become a political and economic force?

Finding Perspective: Beijing has said the September 4-6 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit will be its largest diplomatic event since the COVID-19 pandemic, with leaders and other delegates from every African state except Eswatini.

China has increasingly expanded ties with African countries in the past decade and Beijing has become the continent's largest bilateral lender, investor, and trade partner.

This has seen China furnish governments with billions of dollars in loans that have helped build much-needed infrastructure and bring economic growth, but also sometimes stoked controversy by saddling countries with huge debts.

FOCAC is Beijing's main forum for engaging with Africa and this year's gathering will tackle issues ranging from health-care cooperation to debt relief to securing the rights for critical minerals.

African leaders are looking for more balanced trade and continued investments from China, while Beijing is expected to push its green technologies products like electric vehicles (EVs) and its solar industry, especially amid Western curbs on those exports.

A New Era: As Alex Vines, the Africa research director at Chatham House, told me, the green-technology push isn't a surprise and has buy-in from both sides.

"Energy provision is key for Africa's development trajectory, and so investing in renewables will be welcomed," he said.

Chinese investment in Africa peaked around 2016 and Chinese loans to African governments have since declined significantly. The old China model of offering loans for large infrastructure projects and rapid industrialization has not quite disappeared, but certainly lost steam amid China's slowing economy and the difficulty some African countries have had in repaying loans.

As Beijing is eyeing new markets for its renewables sector, Africa is a logical target. It's a young and fast-growing continent that, according to the International Monetary Fund, contains nine of the world's 20 fastest-growing economies in 2024 and China sees it as a vital market for its products and its own economic growth.

And while there are petro-states in Africa, many countries deal with energy insecurity and are eager for the more affordable products like Chinese-made smartphones and EVs that have seen their quality dramatically increase in recent years.

Why It Matters: If any lessons can be drawn from Africa's trajectory with China for other regions around the world, it's that local governments are just as influential in this process as Beijing.

It can be easy to view everything through the lens of China's global ambitions, which are very real, but they only tell part of the story.

Debt owed to China is a major factor on the continent, and some African countries have large Chinese loans that they're struggling to repay.

But Vines says that their situations can't be entirely blamed on Chinese loans. Countries like Kenya and Zambia have poorly managed their debt to all creditors, not only China, while others have managed to navigate their Chinese debt arrangements without risk or incident.

Added to that, African countries know they are becoming more attractive to multiple outside powers and using this dynamic to have more room to balance their ties with partners beyond China and the West, like Russia, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey.

"Local agency needs to be strengthened more robustly," Mandira Bagwandeen, an expert on China's ties to Africa and a lecturer at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, told me.

"It's not China's responsibility to be sure that whatever deal they strike is in the local country's interest. It's the responsibility of African officials and it's ultimately up to them to make sure that it works for their country."

By RFE/RL

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Last year, China announced that it would impose restrictions on exports of eight gallium and six germanium products starting August 2023 in retaliation for U.S. imposing trade restrictions and tariffs on Chinese-made products. On August 14, Beijing tightened the noose and announced export restrictions on antimony as part of the country's latest move to restrict critical mineral shipments. And now prices of antimony and gallium are surging despite the export restrictions having yet to go into effect. Antimony prices have rocketed to an all-time high, with spot prices in China and Europe surpassing $25,000 per tonne, more than double prices at the end of 2023.

Source: Financial Times

China is the worlds largest producer of antimony, accounting for 48% of global mined output. The countrys output in 2023 clocked in at 40,000 tonnes, nearly double Tajikistans 21,000 tonnes while Turkey was the third largest producer with 6,000 tonnes. Antimony is considered a strategic metal used in military applications such as ammunition, infrared missiles and nuclear weapons as well as lead-acid storage batteries used in cars and brake pads thanks to its heat resistant properties. Antimony is also widely used in the solar sector to improve transparency for the cover glass on solar cells and is also used in the screens of smartphones.

Its a sign of the times. The military uses of Sb (antimony) are now the tail that wags the dog. Everyone needs it for armaments so it is better to hang onto it than sell it. This will put a real squeeze on the U.S. and European militaries, Christopher Ecclestone, a principal and mining strategist at Hallgarten & Company in London, told CNN shortly after Beijing announced the curbs on antimony exports.

Not surprisingly, shares of rare metal [producers are flying: Hunan Gold Corporation, one of the biggest antimony producers, has seen its shares gain 35% in the year-to-date while those of Perpetua Resources have nearly tripled over the past six months.

Rare Earths Deluge

Beijing has been doing everything in its power to maintain its rare earths hegemony with Chinese producers flooding the markets with rare earths and battery metals like lithium. This has inevitably led to price crashes, thus making it untenable for fledgling Western competitors to continue operations. To wit, lithium carbonate prices have crashed to CNY 75,000 ($10,530) per tonne, a far cry from their 2022 peak at ~CNY 590,000 ($82,850) and the lowest in over three years, amid increasing concerns of oversupply. Meanwhile, in Q1 2024, NdPr oxide prices fell 47% Y/Y; dysprosium prices fell 20% while terbium prices were down 52%. NdPr--an acronym for Neodymium-Praseodymium--is used to produce the world's most powerful and efficient magnets; dysprosium is used to make alloys for neodymium-based magnets while terbium is used in solid-state devices to dope calcium fluoride, calcium tungstate and strontium molybdate.

Last year, China issued three batches of rare earth output quotas, the first time it issued that many quotas in a single year since it started the quota system. The total quota for 2023 clocked in at a record high of 255,000 tons, good for a scorching 21.4% Y/Y increase. Since 2006, Beijing has controlled its supply of rare earths through the quota system.

"China is driven to maintain its market dominance. This is now a race," Don Swartz, CEO of American Rare Earths (ARR.AX), has told Reuters.

In response, miners from Australia to Canada have been forced to cut production, pull back on investment plans and initiate layoffs. Even larger producers such as Las Vegas, Nevada-based rare earths miner MP Materials (NYSE:MP) and its Australian peer Lynas Rare Earths (OTCPK:LYSCF) (OTCPK:LYSDY) are barely hanging on, and their shares have crashed.

News Supply Chains

Thankfully, western rare earth producers are still fighting back: China Rare Earth Resources and Technology saw its FY 2023 net profit plunge by 45.7% to 417.67 million yuan thanks to pressure from upcoming western supply chains. A similar trend is being observed in the current year, with the company reporting that Q1 2024 revenue dropped by 81.9% to 301.55 million yuan, leading to a net loss of 288.76 million yuan, versus a net profit of 108.97 million yuan in the same period a year earlier.

China Rare Earth Resources has pointed out that "foreign countries are now proactively installing rare-earth supply chains independent from China," highlighting endeavors in places such as the U.S., Australia, and Southeast Asia.

Some Western countries are rich in rare earths. To wit, Nordic countries, particularly Greenland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, have large deposits of a variety of rare earth elements including cobalt, nickel, lithium and graphite, and nickel which remain largely unexploited. According to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic bedrock hosts over 43 million tons of economically viable deposits of rare earth minerals. Finland, Sweden, and Norway are among the top eight countries favorable for critical minerals and battery supply chain development as per Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com
US sanctions aimed at hindering China's technological advancements have largely failed, as China continues to develop its own advanced computer chips and electric vehicles.

The US solar industry has suffered due to China's overproduction and dumping of cheap solar panels, leading to bankruptcies and job losses.

China's push to boost exports, particularly in electric vehicles and solar panels, has led to a global trade war, with the US and other countries imposing tariffs in response.

By Mish Shedlock

China is going all in on exports to revive growth led by EVs. Trump vows to strike back with 60% tariffs.

Accelerated Global Trade War

The Wall Street Journal comments China Is Starting a New Trade War.

China is cranking up its massive export machine again, and this time theres nowhere for competitors to hide.

A Massachusetts startup called CubicPV bet on silicon wafers, a high-tech component in solar panels. Buoyed by President Bidens climate legislation enacted two years ago, with billions of dollars in tax credits and government loans, CubicPV announced plans in late 2022 for a $1.4 billion wafer plant in Texas.

Since then, China has nearly doubled its output of silicon wafers, way more than it needs. The extra wafers had to go somewhereand they went overseas, pushing prices down by 70%. CubicPV had to halt its production plan early this year, putting engineers and other employees out of work, citing a distorted market as a result of Chinas overcapacity.

The European Unions recent decision to impose tariffs on imported Chinese electric vehicles is only the latest sign of deepening tensions. The U.S. earlier this year hiked levies on Chinese steel, aluminum, EVs, solar cells and other products. Turkey has jacked up duties on Chinese EVs, while Pakistan raised tariffs on Chinese stationery and rubber.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping ordered officials to double down on the countrys state-led manufacturing model, with billions of dollars in fresh subsidies and credit. He used a slogan to make sure officials got the message: Establish the new before breaking the old, or xian li hou po in Chinese.

China has added capacity to produce some 40 million vehicles a year, even though it sells only around 22 million at home. Its on track to make around 750 gigawatts of solar cells this year, despite only needing 220 gigawatts domestically in 2023. And it is expected to account for 80% of the worlds new supply this year in basic chemicals such as ethylene and propylene, used to make garbage bags, toys and cosmeticseven though prices in China have been falling for 19 months, a sign of oversupply.

The International Trade Commission, a federal agency that analyzes trade issues, in June gave its initial go-ahead to an antidumping petition backed by American solar manufacturers who allege solar cells and modules made by Chinese companies are sold in the U.S. for below market value and unfairly subsidized.

Other parts of the world are bearing more of the brunt. European automakers have axed more than 10,000 jobs as more Chinese EVs arrive. Antonello Ciotti, chairman of PET Europe, a trade association for European makers of chemicals used in polyester fibers for clothing and recyclable containers, said European PET producers shed hundreds of jobs as firms slashed costs and production to deal with Chinese imports. The EU late last year imposed antidumping duties on certain imports of Chinese PET.

Everybody makes stuff in China, said Joerg Wuttke, former president of the European Chamber of Commerce in China and now a partner at Washington consulting firm DGA Group. But nobody makes money.

Two Guiding Principles

Two principles have guided Xis thinking, Chinese policy advisers say. The first is that China must build an all-encompassing industrial supply chain that can keep the domestic economy running in the event of severe sanctions by the U.S. and other Western countries. In the top leaders views, advisers say, industrial security sits at the core of Chinas stability as tensions with the developed world rise.

The second is a deep-rooted philosophical objection to U.S.-style consumption, which Xi sees as wasteful.

Chinas first fear is well founded in reality. US sanctions on chips and AI technology have forced China to go it alone. Its a US mistake to think it can cut off China from leading technology.

Should the US succeed, China would and could cut the supply or rare earth minerals the US needs to make phones, missile guidance systems, EVs, wind turbines, and advanced chips.

What About Dumping?

China is on track to make around 750 gigawatts of solar cells this year, despite only needing 220 gigawatts domestically in 2023.

But the US grows more corn and soybeans than it can eat.

If every country produced only what it could consume, global trade would be zero.

China has access to minerals needed to make solar panels and batteries for EVs. To meet energy goals, the US should be thrilled to get cheap solar panels.

But to save a few hundred jobs (that vanished anyway), Biden upped tariffs and mandated installers use US-made panels.

Another Green Energy Company Declares Bankruptcy

On August 10, I commented Another Green Energy Company Declares Bankruptcy, Thank Bidens Tariffs

The attempt to force production of solar panels in the US resulted in prices so high that few wanted them.

No only did production vanish so did installation jobs.

Eh Tu Canada?

Reuters reports Canada to Impose 100% Tariff on Chinese EVs, Including Teslas

Canada, following the lead of the United States and European Union, said on Monday it will impose a 100% tariff on imports of Chinese electric vehicles and announced a 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum from China.

What is important about this is were doing it in alignment and in parallel with other economies around the world, Trudeau said on the sidelines of a three-day closed-door cabinet meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Undaunted, China is accelerating production of EVs.

Ford Cancels Plans for Electric SUV, Expects a $1.9 Billion Loss

Please note Ford Cancels Plans for Electric SUV, Expects a $1.9 Billion Loss

Say goodbye to a vehicle that never should have been conceived in the first place. Customers dont want it.

Huge losses are exactly what one should expect when government rather than customers drive business decisions.

Despite huge subsidies, Ford still cannot make ends meet on EVs.

Yet, due to government coercion, Ford is forced to try, try, and try again. If and when Ford succeeds, it will have more production capacity than it needs because EVs have less parts and are easier to build.

At least $5 billion, and just for Ford alone, is now a sunken cost for an EV schedule that never should have been attempted.

Thank you President Biden, AOC, Elizabeth Warren, and everyone else who created this mess.

J.D. Vances Knockoff Theory of Manufacturing

The Wall Street Journal author Allysia Finley comments on J.D. Vances Knockoff Theory of Manufacturing

J.D. Vance isnt weird, but his ramblings on economics are. The senator earlier this year dismissed economics as fake in a rant about modern refrigerators. He expounded at a rally last week in Henderson, Nev.: We believe that a million cheap knockoff toasters arent worth the price of a single American manufacturing job.

Pace Mr. Vance, U.S. manufacturing jobs arent leaving for China. They are shifting from the Rust Belt, Northeast and West Coast to Sunbelt states such as Nevada, Arizona, Texas and Florida, which have young and growing workforces, cheaper energy, lower taxes, right-to-work laws and proximity to trade partners, especially Mexico.

Its true that U.S. manufacturing employment has declined since the start of the century. Mr. Vance blames Chinas entry into the World Trade Organization, which gave Beijing increased access to the U.S. market. But thats only part of the story. Technology also increased labor productivity, enabling manufacturers to produce more with fewer employees.

The combination of cheap Chinese imports and more efficient U.S. manufacturing kept prices down and increased Americans purchasing power. In the two decades before the pandemic, prices for clothes, furniture, appliances, toys and televisions declined, often sharply.

Twenty years of falling prices lifted living standards for tens of millions of Americans. Some 90% of American adults own a smartphone, and nearly the same percentage have air-conditioning in their home. Most who dont have AC live in the North, where they rarely need it. More than 80% of homes have washers and dryers, and about a third have two refrigerators.

Americans are better off owing to millions of cheap toasters, smartphones, refrigerators and washing machines. But what about manufacturing workers who lost their jobs because of them? Such is the march of progress, from the invention of the cotton mill to the modern assembly line. Americans have long adapted by moving or finding other work.

Cheap labor isnt the reason manufacturers are building new factories in the Sunbelt. Wages for manufacturing workers in Texas now rank among the highest in the country. Instead, they are foremost seeking a business-friendly environment, something China increasingly lacks, and a large pool of industrious workers who can pass a drug test.

Mr. Vances toaster line may win some votes, but his prescription for higher tariffs wont bring back Midwest manufacturing jobs.

Someone gets it. Thank you Allysia Finley.

Massive Failure of Sanctions

On September 4, 2023, I noted US Sanctions Fail Again, China Now Produces Its Own Advanced Computer Chips

Trump and Biden both tried to cut off Chinas supply of advanced microchips. The US wanted to knock Huawei out of the 5G market. Now, instead of China using US chips, it is producing its own chips.

China is far behind the US in chip technology. However, it is doing much better than the US expected.

China is producing some chips that the US dis not want China to have at all.

February 19, 2024: US Impounds Thousands of German Vehicles Over One Tiny Part Made in China

The US Blacklisted Xiaomi

On May 21, 2024 I commented The US Blacklisted Xiaomi Three Years Ago Now it Makes EVs

Just three years ago, the Chinese company Xiaomi decided to build cars. It succeeded where Apple failed.

The US forced Xiaomi into a new sector after the U.S. government blacklisted it in January 2021 for what it said were ties to Chinas military.

Attempt to Prohibit Chinas Access to AI

On August 26, I commented China Gains Secret Access to Nvdia Microchips by Renting Computers

The US has blocked export of Nvdia chips to China. But where theres profit, theres a way.

Reason for the US failure goes back to my September 19, 2023: Lesson of the Day: Sanctions Dont Work Because They Create New Markets

It is the best interest of middlemen in Greece, Russia, India, China, and Dubai to tell Biden to go to hell, so they do.

Critical Materials Risk Assessment by the US Department of Energy

Please consider a Critical Materials Risk Assessment by the US Department of Energy

The US Department of Energy has placed some of the rare earth minerals we need for weapons systems, windmills, batteries, and aircraft on a critical materials list.

Nearly all of them are mined or refined in China. Yet Biden just blocked production in the US.

Shades of Smoot Hawley and Global War Threats

Trump has threatened to escalate a global trade war against not just China, but the whole world with a 60 percent tariff on China and 10 percent on everyone else. He believes tariffs can replace the income tax.

It would be the biggest trade war since the 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act worsened the Great Depression. China could respond by cutting off US access to rare earth minerals. The word is on a collision course with China no matter who wins in November.

When trade ends, wars start.

By Zerohedge.com

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The worlds Big 3 crude oil exporters  Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the United States  saw their combined shipments slump by nearly 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) in August from July to a multi-year low share of global seaborne crude exports, an analysis by oil flow tracking firm Vortexa showed on Wednesday.

Total crude exports from Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the U.S. fell to 12.7 million bpd last month, down by nearly 700,000 bpd month-on-month.

Despite the major drop in Big-3 exports, global exports fell by just 260,000 bpd in August from July, as other exporters raised shipments, Jay Maroo, Head of Market Intelligence & Analysis (MENA) at Vortexa, wrote in the insight.

The U.S. saw the steepest plunge in exports among the Big 3, with shipments falling by about 540,000 bpd. Saudi Arabia, the worlds top crude oil exporter, saw its exports drop by 110,000 bpd and Russias shipments fell by 40,000 bpd in August compared to July.

U.S. exports declined to their lowest monthly total since January 2023, Vortexas data showed. Shipments of 3.7 million bpd in August saw an especially slow start to the month.

Tighter US crude supplies, as seen via sharp draws in Cushing inventories, have come partly as a result of struggling US production growth, Vortexas Maroo noted.

August, however, was likely the bottom for U.S. crude exports as flows to Europe have been ramping up, according to Vortexa.

The lower Saudi crude exports werent surprising for the month of August, considering the higher demand for oil burn for power generation in the Kingdom, Vortexas analysis showed.

In the coming weeks, Saudi exports may pick up, as domestic power generation needs are expected to wane, potentially freeing up supply for exports.

Russias exports fell slightly in August, but they could further drop if Chinas oil demand continues to deteriorate. Moscow  unlike Riyadh  doesnt have willing buyers of its crude lining up to snap up Russian crude, Vortexa notes.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Five years ago, Egypt was one of the promising new regional and potentially global gas hubs. Following the massive Zohr discovery about a decade ago, the promise was justified. Now, Egypt has been forced to borrow to keep the lights on.

The Zohr field, which Italys Eni discovered in 2015, began production three years later, ramping up very quickly to 2 billion cu ft daily in September from 350 million cu ft daily at the start of the year. Production rose further to 3.2 billion ft in 2019. After that, it began to decline, falling to 1.9 billion cu ft in the first half of this year. It has not been enough to cover local energy demand. So, Egypt has been forced to import gas.

The country was already a sizable importer of natural gas from neighbor Israel. This summer, however, Egypt had to reach out to its friends in the Gulf to keep the lights on, with Saudi Arabia and Libya both paying for LNG cargos to be delivered to Egypt, according to a new Reuters report.

The report said that Libyas National Oil Corporation bought one LNG cargo for $50 million in July, while Saudi Arabia paid for three cargos for a total of $150 million, unnamed sources told Reuters. Since the start of the year, Egypt has bought 32 cargos of liquefied natural gas.

Related: European Oil Majors Are Set to Struggle as a Supply Glut Looms

Imports of natural gas are not unusual for Egypt, which exports some of the gas it produces outside the summer months. Summer, however, is peak electricity consumption season due to the heat, and that demand seems to have risen considerably in the past few years while gas production has not. This has led to rolling blackouts, which in turn spurred the rush to secure additional gas supply.

In addition to the rising demand during the summer, total gas production in Egypt sank to the lowest in six years earlier in 2024. Part of the reason for this decline was the drop in Zohrs output, along with investment reductions by the energy majors operating in the country. The reason for that: unpaid debt.

Reuters reported this week that Egypt had accumulated debt of some $6 billion for gas and other fuel supplies. Of this total, $1.27 billion was debt to Italys Eni, most of it accrued for gas supplies. Some of that has been repaid, a spokesman said, but he also said that Eni had revised its investment plans for Egypt this year based on efficiency and field performance.

Petronas, Malaysias state oil and gas operator, is another creditor of the Egyptian government, which is struggling with a 60% drop in the local currency this year. Per the same Reuters report, Petronas had reduced its investments in gas exploration in the West Nile Delta until Egypt repays some of the money it owes the company.

Meanwhile, however, investment heavyweight Carlyle Group said in June that it had acquired energy assets in Egypt from Energean and had big plans for these assets. These plans included an increase in both oil and gas production in the North African country, and turning it into a distribution hub for its other assets in the Mediterranean.

Egypt had big ambitions as a regional gas power. These ambitions were well justified. What seems to have been left out, however, is the growing domestic demand for energy as the population swells, urbanization advances, and so does industrialization. Its a process that took place in all developed countries and is currently underway in developing nations. This years energy crunch is yet another reminder of the vital importance of energy supply security above pretty much anything else.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Independent producer Vista Energy, the second-biggest shale producer in Argentina, plans to invest around $1.1 billion in the growing shale basin Vaca Muerta, the companys founder and CEO Miguel Galuccio told Reuters in an interview published on Wednesday.

The Vaca Muerta shale play in Argentina is the top development priority for the company, which also operates an onshore oil and gas field in Mexico.

Vaca MuertaSpanish for dead cowhas been dubbed the Argentinian Permian, although its geologic properties have been compared more appropriately to the Eagle Ford.

The Vaca Muerta shale play is estimated to hold recoverable resources consisting of 16 billion barrels of oil and 308 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Those numbers make the Vaca Muerta the worlds second-largest shale gas deposit.

Apart from investing $1 billion in the basin, Vista Energy also aims to achieve a double-digit drop in costs and boost efficiencies, Galuccio told Reuters.

In 2012, Vaca Muerta was for believers. Today Vaca Muerta is for engineers, the executive said, referring to the production gains operators can achieve from the shale play.

Vista Energy has up to 1,150 locations under development in Vaca Muerta, including 124 wells already drilled. Total production stood at 65,300 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) in the second quarter of 2024, according to the companys website.

Vista Energy, which is listed in New York and Mexico, also boasts that the productivity of its shale oil wells is among the best in the basin.

Argentina plans to raise oil and gas output and exports from Vaca Muerta in the coming years.

Supertankers could begin docking in Argentina to load oil from the countrys shale patch after a pipeline is set to connect Vaca Muerta with a terminal at Punta Colorada port capable of handling the so-called very large crude carriers (VLCCs).

Argentina is also moving a step closer to exporting LNG and monetizing its huge resource in the Vaca Muerta after maritime LNG infrastructure firm Golar LNG signed a 20-year deal with Pan American Energy (PAE) for the deployment of a Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) vessel in Argentina.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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We could see $60-per-barrel oil prices next year if OPEC+ fails to implement more production cuts, Citi said in a Wednesday note to clients, citing slowing demand and strong supply coming from non-OPEC producers.

Further into its doomsday oil pricing, Citi said that once Brent crude prices drop to the $60 range, they could get pushed down further to $50 a barrel due to financial flows before rebounding.

Citi noted that geopolitical tensions are not having a huge, direct impact on oil prices. While geopolitical tensions have been temporarily raising oil prices, Citi said that each rebound is weaker than the previous. Additionally, Citi noted that the market now seems to understand that geopolitical tensions do not immediately mean supply disruptions. That makes every major Israel-Gaza headline simply an opportunity to sell on the temporary upswing.

Citi is concerned that if OPEC refrains from extending output cuts beyond its current plan, the market could lose confidence in the cartels ability to defend oil at a $70 mark.

Citi has issued such dire forecasts before, and it has been wrong before.

In June, Citi issued another bleak forecast for 2025, anticipating $60 Brent crude in a long-term bearish trend. Citi said it expected surplus in the global oil market by 2025 despite OPEC+ output cuts. At that time, just three months ago, Citi advised oil producers to hedge against potential price drops and recommended that investors capitalize on short-term price increases by taking bearish positions.

On Wednesday, oil prices fell to their lowest level in nine months on concerns about demand and potential supply increases.

The Citi note to clients also comes as OPEC+ is said to be reconsidering its plan to ease production cuts in October due to the price slump. At the time of writing, Brent crude was trading below $73 and U.S. benchmark WTI was trading below $70.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Chevron and the Cypriot government are at odds about the development of the Aphrodite natural gas field off the coast of the island nation, with Cyprus claiming Chevron had breached its production-sharing agreement.

The news was reported by Energy Intelligence soon after Chevron and its partners in the development of the Aphrodite field submitted a new development plan for the field. The updated plan was a response to the notice of breach of contract that the Cypriot government issued in late August.

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, Chevron said earlier this week, as quoted by Reuters.

The facility will have a capacity of some 800 million cu m daily, the report noted, extracting these from four wells. The gas will then be sent into the Egyptian gas distribution system. The Aphrodite field holds an estimated 3.5 trillion cu ft of gas.

With the government accusing the fields operator of a contract breach there is worry the project will fall through, Energy Intelligence reported. My wish is to see gas produced in Cyprus as soon as possible, an unnamed source from Cypruss state oil and gas company told the publication. But the perception in the government is that the operator [Chevron] is not pursuing a solution in Cyprus interest, the source added.

At the same time, there is worry that the dispute could spook the U.S. supermajor, lead to arbitration and mire the project in legal proceedings essentially preventing its development. In the updated plan submitted by Chevron and its partners, this development would cost $4 billion.

Chevron became part of the project, and its operator, after its takeover of Noble Energy, the original holder of the license for the Aphrodite field.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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On Wednesday, the Norwegian government asked an appeals court to overturn a lower court ruling that said that the approval of three oilfields offshore Norway was unlawful as the assessment did not consider the environmental impact of the petroleum from these fields.

Early this year, the Oslo District Court ruled that the governments approval of three new oil and gas fields, Breidablikk, Yggdrasil, and Tyrving, all in the North Sea, was invalid as it failed to take into account the emissions from burning the petroleum from these fields production.

The case was brought by Greenpeace Nordic and Natur og Ungdom (Young Friends of the Earth Norway). In January, the Oslo court agreed with the plaintiffs that Norway had violated the fundamental rights of Norwegian citizens by greenlighting the plans for the fields but failing to include Scope 3 emissions in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

The Norwegian government appealed the ruling and is due to present its argument at the Borgarting Court of Appeal in hearings beginning on Wednesday.

In March, the appeals court put the injunction against the oilfield developments on hold. Hearings in the trial beginning on Wednesday will continue until September 12.

At the end of the hearings, the appeals court must rule whether the injunction should be permanently lifted or reinstated, until a final ruling on whether the approval of the oilfields was lawful or not. A final judgment could be months or years away.

Two of the three fields are already producing oil.

Production from the Breidablikk, operated by Equinor, started in October 2023, four months ahead of schedule. Eight wells at Breidablikk have already been drilled, and the drilling of additional wells will continue on the field until the end of 2025.

On Tuesday, Norwegian oil and gas firm Aker BP announced the start of oil production from the Tyrving development. Aker BP is also the operator of the Yggdrasil development which is currently expected to start production in 2027.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Abu Dhabis state oil firm ADNOC is beginning its first bond sale with a three-tranche dollar-denominated issuance on Wednesday, sources with knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg.

ADNOC is joining other major national oil companies in launching a bond sale this year, to take advantage of favorable borrowing costs that would fund development.

Earlier this week, ADNOC said that ADNOC Murban RSC, its wholly-owned, debt capital markets borrowing and rated entity, has established and launched a Global Medium Term Note (GMTN) program to raise debt from the capital markets.

Under the terms of the program, ADNOC Murban may issue notes in U.S. dollars or other currencies, over differing amounts and with various maturities, ADNOC said on Monday.

J.P. Morgan Securities plc and Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc jointly acted as dealers and arrangers of the Program. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC, Citigroup Global Markets Limited, First Abu Dhabi Bank, HSBC Bank plc, BofA Securities, Mizuho International plc, and SMBC Nikko Capital Markets Limited also acted as dealers.

On Wednesday, Bloombergs sources said that ADNOC Murban is issuing five-, 10-, and 30-year tranches of the bonds. The issuer will seek to raise 105 basis points over the U.S. Treasury curve for the five-year notes, 115 basis points above the Treasury curve for 10-year bonds, and 145 basis points over the curve for the 30-year tranche.

ADNOC is expected to disclose the final details of its first bond offering later on Wednesday.

Fitch Ratings assumes the company could raise up to $10 billion in the next four years. Based on contractual agreements with the group, ADNOC Murban's cash flow will be more than sufficient to service the debt it may raise, even under very conservative oil prices, Fitch said earlier this week, commenting on ADNOCs announcement of the Global Medium Term Note program.

Earlier this year, Saudi oil giant Aramco attracted orders worth a total $31 billion for a fresh bond sale whose size was $6 billion.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Weekend Dog (Photo by Shoji Kudaka)

If you go to Gate 2 Street near Kadena AB regularly, Tesio may already be on your radar.

This shop dedicated to specialty German-style sausages, has garnered much media attention since it opened in 2017.

The name Tesio comes from the Japanese word teshio ni kakeru, which means take good care of. Tesio has lived up to its name and has a good reputation thanks to its delicious German sausage.

The shop is popular for people on base as well as other foreigners in the area, according to Hinano Minei, a Tesio employee.

Minei said hot dogs, beer, ham and sausages are the popular items for their customers from Kadena.

I love sausage, especially authentic ones. But, for me, Tesio is about a 40-minute drive away from where I live, so Ive just relied on the cheap sausages and hotdogs available at convenience stores. When I found out about Tesios Weekend Dog, a signature menu item consisting of a beef and mustard sausage topped with ketchup, relish, fried onion and mustard on a soft bun, even a lazy sausage enthusiast like me could not fight the urge to give it a try.

Tesio sits across Koza Music Town and its exterior makes it look more like a chic cafe than a sausage shop. Inside, the sleek interior holds a case displaying all the varieties of handmade sausages like Okinawa Citrus, Mozzarella, Cambodian Pepper and more.

The shop also stocks bottles of wine and olive oil, pastas, and other Italian food at a booth called Tanto Tempo.

Fortunately, despite being called Weekend Dog, this menu item is available every day of the week except Monday when the shop is closed.

The staff directed me to the Hinettery booth in the corner of the shop where patrons can order from the takeout menu.

According to the shop, this name was coined by combining the Japanese word hineru (twist) and military, which is a nod to making a sausage by twisting it and to the fact that the shop is in the neighborhood of a military base.

I ordered the Weekend Dog for 800 yen (about $5.50) and an Americano for 500 yen. My plan was to enjoy my meal in the shade at Koza Music Town, but the hot dog was too delectable to wait. The shops bench out front was the perfect spot to dig in.

With one bite of the sausage, the juiciness of the meat spread in my mouth. The toppings added a savory flavor that made it hard to stop chomping away. Even a foodie amateur like me could tell that there was thought behind the ingredients and flavors that went into creating the Weekend Dog.

According to Minei, the beef and mustard sausage used for the Weekend Dog is made using a recipe that earned gold at IFFA, an international trade fair for the meat industry.

As for the toppings, the spicy ketchup they use called curry ketchup, is an original sauce developed by the store. The hot dogs mustard was also not a standard yellow mustard, but a yellow mellow mustard, which had a subtle flavor thanks to the rum and brown sugar the shop said they use to make it.

The attention to the delicious details is what takes the Weekend Dog well above the standard hot dog Id find at a convenience store. So, my next trip to Tesio will definitely be very soon to try their other specialty offerings like Okinawa Citrus Sausage and Koregusu Spicy Sausage.

exterior (Photo by Shoji Kudaka) exterior (Photo by Shoji Kudaka) interior (Photo by Shoji Kudaka) interior (Photo by Shoji Kudaka) interior (Photo by Shoji Kudaka) interior (Photo by Shoji Kudaka) Hinettery (Photo by Shoji Kudaka) sausage (Photo by Shoji Kudaka) sausage (Photo by Shoji Kudaka) sausage (Photo by Shoji Kudaka)

Things to know
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested 112 people on suspicion of driving under the influence during the end of the summer Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.

The campaign ran from Aug. 14 through Labor Day weekend, according to a statement released Wednesday by the State Patrol. Since the Memorial Day weekend, Nebraska troopers arrested 444 people on suspicion of DUI.

This has been a busy summer across Nebraska, said Col. John Bolduc, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. But now that summer travel is in the rear view, its still important that we all do our part to keep roads safe. Always have a sober driver, watch your speed, put your phone down, and buckle up.

Troopers also issued 1,792 citations for speeding, including 84 drivers cited for traveling over 100 mph during the campaign. Since the Memorial Day weekend, troopers have issued 7,882 citations for speeding, including 376 for over 100 mph.

Throughout the summer, troopers assisted more than the 3,600 motorists on Nebraska roadways, the statement said. Any motorist in need of assistance is urged to call the patrols Highway Helpline at *55.
BLOOMINGTON  A Chicago man has been detained in McLean County after authorities accused him of stealing a pistol from a Bloomington home.

Asher T. Banks, 31, was seen in court Tuesday for an initial appearance before Judge Amy McFarland. Assistant State's Attorney David Fitt filed a petition to detain Banks on the grounds of dangerousness for this offense.

The defendant was arrested on a three-count bill of indictment charging him with residential burglary, a Class 1 felony; unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, a Class 2 felony; and possession of a firearm without a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card, a Class 3 felony.

In a probable cause statement, Fitt said Banks stole a 9 mm firearm from inside a Bloomington residence on June 4, and since he has previously been convicted of a felony, Banks is not allowed to possess a firearm.

The owner of the firearm told police she had allowed Banks to come into her home, but on June 20, she discovered he had stolen her firearm when he sent an image of the pistol, which she had stored in a lockbox, Fitt said.

Assistant Public Defender Matthew Landry said Banks gave the firearm back to its owner on Aug. 10.

Landry argued Banks should not be detained since he gave the gun back and admitted to taking the firearm. Landry also argued Banks should not be held to the burglary offense since he had been given permission to be within the home and did not intentionally enter the home for the purpose of committing a felony.

In rebuttal, Fitt said the defendant's criminal history included violent prior offenses, including misdemeanor battery, and two felony convictions for robbery. McFarland agreed with the state and granted the petition to detain.

Banks will be seen in court for a status hearing at 10 a.m. Oct. 1.

Kids are going back to school during one of the hottest years on record. Here's how heat affects learning. Kids are going back to school during one of the hottest years on record. Here's how heat affects learning. The heat is on education A need to turn down the temperature
The Chief Executive Officer of Mobile Money Limited (MTN MoMo), Shiabu Haruna, has highlighted a significant factor contributing to the rise in fraud.



According to him, some customers ask third parties to conduct mobile money transactions on their behalf, which exposes their PIN codes.



He explained that this practice allows unauthorised individuals to make transactions, potentially depleting account balances without the owners knowledge, leading to financial losses due to fraudulent activities.



We are actively addressing MoMo fraud issues and will continue to invest in solutions. Fraud is tackled from multiple angles. Theres a preventative side that employs technology and AI to avoid incidents preemptively, he stated.



Mr. Haruna emphasised the importance of customer vigilance, Customers must be alert and report any incidents of fraud. Most importantly, avoid exposing your PIN and asking others to complete transactions for you. These are key areas of vulnerability.



Customers are the first and last line of defense against fraud, he reiterated, urging them to secure their PINs and report any suspicious communications from third parties.



Mr. Shiabu Haruna made these remarks at MTN Ghanas Stakeholder Forum on Trust and Technology in Service Delivery in Accra.



He underscored the vital role of trust in customer relationships, stating, We are committed to enhancing the trust equity of our customers by ensuring the integrity, reliability, and responsiveness of our services.



He also stressed the need for effective mechanisms to address customer grievances promptly.



The discussions at the forum highlighted a collective commitment among industry players to collaborate on developing better solutions for customer service challenges.



We are dedicated to investing in this journey, he added.



Additionally, Mr. Haruna mentioned plans to enhance customer education to encourage greater utilization of available services, saying, the introduction of the My MoMo app aims to deepen digital inclusion by allowing customers to self-serve and easily access various services.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) has tasked stakeholders, including government, to adequately prepare for the incoming tomato bumper season in order to combat and reduce the age-old inevitable post-harvest losses.



The CAG and affiliate farmer groups have said insufficient investment in cold storage and transportation infrastructure must be addressed to tackle the menace for the upcoming tomato bumper season, which will span late December through April and May 2025.



CAG explained that the seeming lack of priority for the above provisions further exacerbates the problem, forcing reliance on imports from countries including Burkina Faso and Morocco.



Every year, Ghana loses some US$600million in overall post-harvest losses according to CAG. Losses from tomato each year, according to the Chamber, average US$60million.



But CEO-CAG, Anthony Selorm Morrison, blamed the problem on neglected rural infrastructure, inadequate cold chain and storage facilities and limited support for research, among others.



He argued that government has not prioritised the development of essential infrastructure in rural areas, as poor road networks and lack of a reliable transportation system hinders efficient movement of tomato from farms to market centres.



The lack of storage facilities, despite the fruits known perishability has resulted in significant losses  a situation that forces farmers to sell their products quickly at lower prices to avoid spoilage.



With the peak harvest season just three months away, the Chamber is requesting government support for farmers to put measures in place that guard against the potential looming losses.



The agricultural sectors sad reality in Ghana  exemplified by the tomato industry  underscores the need for comprehensive and strategic interventions, Mr. Morrision indicated.



He however said the country has potential to transform its tomato industry by addressing challenges of varietal suitability, infrastructure deficits, access to inputs and financing, and market development.



While governments neglect and policy failures have exacerbated these pressing issues, stakeholders believe a concerted efforts from government, the private sector and international partners can boost the countrys potential to become self-sufficient in tomato production.



This will enable the country to emerge as a net exporter, contributing significantly to food security and economic growth.



Ghana spends a substantial amount of foreign exchange on tomato imports. In 2022, the Vegetable Producers Association of Ghana estimated that the country spends approximately US$400million annually on importing fresh tomatoes, primarily from Burkina Faso.



This significant outflow of foreign exchange, according to the National Food Buffer Company, causes the countrys dependency on imports and underscores the urgent need to revive and boost local production.

Source: B&FT









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The Sekyere South District Health Promotion Officer, Mr Joseph Asore, says exposure to smoke poses significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups like pregnant women.



He enumerated the health risks from prolonged exposure to smoke from charcoal and firewood as low birth weight, infant mortality, asthma, respiratory tract infections, reduced lung function, and heart failure.



Speaking at the National LPG awareness and sensitisation campaign in Jamasi, Mr Asore said Particularly pregnant women are at high risk, putting their lives and their unborn children at risk.



In most cases, it affects babies to the extent that it becomes visible in their weight. The normal weight of a newborn starts from 2.5kg, but due to these risks, some children are born weighing less, which has lasting implications for them from an early stage.



The national campaign, being executed in collaboration with the Oil Sustainability Program (OSP), an initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Energy, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), and Digicraft Advertising/Brand Management, includes market sensitisation, community durbar and town-hall meetings.



The four-day campaign in the Ashanti Region kicked off with market sensitisation in Ahwia Nkwanta and Agona, educating vendors and residents about the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM). A community durbar was held at the Jamasi Community Centre, where participants were urged to support the initiative.



Speaking at the event, the Assistant Headmaster of Administration at Adu Gyamfi Senior High School, Mr Emmanuel Eshun, praised the NPAs CRM, calling it a valuable opportunity and added this initiative allows you to easily exchange your old cylinder for a new, filled cylinder at an exchange point, making it a hassle-free process that benefits everyone.



The Twafohene of Jamasi, Nana Kofi, expressed his appreciation to the NPA and partners for bringing the awareness to Jamasi and its environs, saying our forests have been severely damaged by fires, and we welcome the introduction of gas as a safer alternative for cooking, which I believe will help protect our forests and environment.



In a presentation on CRM, a Supervisor from the Gas Directorate of the NPA, Johnson Gbagbo Jnr. gave comprehensive insights into CRM and shed more light on the policy.



Addressing the challenge of accessing gas refilling stations in Jamasi and why CRM was a necessary, Mr Gbagbo made parallel explanations to the cost of spending about GH6 on transportation from Jamasi to Agona to refill a cylinder, and the associated risks involved.



Since Jamasi doesnt have a gas refilling station, and people travel to Agona to refill their cylinders incurring transportation cost. The NPA and, by extension, the government has introduced this scheme to bring gas closer to you all. Under this scheme, the exchange points will be at various strategic centres for you to have easy access to gas without spending much or no money at all on transport, he stressed.



Addressing consumers at a Town Hall Meeting in Bekwai, Mrs Eunice Budu Nyarko, Head of Consumer Services at the NPA, urged the public to regularly check the cylinder rubber seals (washers) around the valves and the connecting hoses to see if they are worn out or damaged.



She encouraged consumers not to repair damaged hoses and rubber seals (washers) by themselves, but rather take the cylinders to nearest LPG dealers for a safety check and replacement of the worn-out hoses and seals. Additionally, hoses should be secured with proper hose clips.



Mrs Nyarko urged the public to keep LPG cylinders outside the kitchen to prevent explosion and resultant injury, death and property damage.

Source: Ghanaian Times









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The National Communications Director of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah has urged Ghanaians to vote for the partys flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the 2024 polls to build on the investments made in the country's health sector under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



In a social media post on Tuesday, September 3, Ahiagbah touted the Akufo-Addo administration's record in the health sector, the completion of several hospital projects started under previous governments.



"President Akufo-Addo has done the most for health and healthcare delivery since President John Agyekum Kufuor's introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme in 2003," Ahiagbah stated.



He highlighted projects such as the completion of seven hospital projects inherited from the previous NDC government, and the completion of nine hospitals started under Kufuor but abandoned by John Mahama's NDC administration.



Ahiagbah also noted that the Akufo-Addo government has started and completed 37 health projects across the country and has 14 more hospital projects currently underway.



With regards to the 2024 elections, the NPP communications director said "it is important that on December 7th, we elect a leader who will build on these legacy health sector investments to enhance the well-being of Ghanaians."



He added that "'The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) does not have a comparable record in the health sector nor offers a candidate with the vision and capability to make these urgent investments in health and healthcare delivery."



Ahiagbah appealed to "the middle-class, independent, undecided youth and all objective voters to support Dr. Bawumia, who has demonstrated a firm commitment in the NPP's 2024 Manifesto to sustain and increase health sector investments."



"Remember, health is wealth. A vote for Dr. Bawumia is a vote for your health. Vote for Dr. Bawumia for a healthier Ghana. Dr. Bawumia means business, so lets vote for him to deliver for Ghanaians, stressed the ruling partys spokesperson.





President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has done the most for health and healthcare delivery since President John Agyekum Kufuor's introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme in 2003.



During his address at the Indonesia-Africa Forum in Bali, President Akufo-Addo pic.twitter.com/9oyxq14Ipx  Richard Ahiagbah (@RAahiagbah) September 3, 2024

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Mr. Kwasi Abankwa, often referred to as Colonel Abankwa in political circles, is a prominent Strategist and Business Development Expert with extensive experience in Management and International Relations. He plays a crucial role in enhancing organizational performance and building strategic partnerships.



He earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategic Management & Consulting from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST) and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography & Resource Development from the University of Ghana, Legon. A graduate of Opoku Ware Senior High School, Mr. Abankwa is also affiliated with the London Institute of Management, reflecting his dedication to global management standards.



Mr. Abankwa's career includes serving as a District Administrator and later considered for the position of Regional Human Resource Officer in the Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission of Ghana. He joined the Ministry of Education in 2021 as Spokesperson and subsequently advanced to Head of Corporate & International Affairs. In this role, he successfully facilitated numerous agreements and understandings with Educational Ministries of countries including Hungary, Austria, Colombia, Russia, South Africa, Angola, Kenya, and Namibia. He also represented the Ministry on various international platforms in countries such as Turkmenistan, Malaysia, Qatar, and Ethiopia, significantly enhancing its global presence and fostering strategic relationships.



In support of Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum (Minister for Education & MP for Bosomtwe)'s vision of developing engineers from Ghana's rural and inner-city areas, Mr. Abankwa was instrumental in developing the Rural Engineering Scholarship Program. This initiative, a collaboration between the Ministry of Education, Bulk Oil Storage & Transportation Co. Ltd, and several corporate sponsors, is providing a comprehensive supportincluding tuition, accommodation, and learning materialsfor 52 marginalized youth who are now pursuing their dream engineering programin the Universityof Mines & Technology, Tarkwa (UMAT). The program also assures a National Service placements to institutions relevant to the studies of these beneficiaries, aiming to enhance their educational and professional opportunities.



Currently, Mr. Abankwa serves as a Governing Council member of the University for Development Studies in Tamale, contributing to the strategic direction and governance of this university, known for its focus on development-oriented programs to address challenges in Northern Ghana.



Recognized for his team-building skills, strategic vision, and innovative problem-solving, Mr. Abankwa is dedicated to advancing organizational goals and supporting public policy development in Ghana. His professional approach emphasizes professionalism, integrity, and actionable results, making him a key player in both educational and international cooperation initiatives.



Mr. Abankwa, a devoted Christian from Jamasi in the Ashanti Region, is a family man and the father of Andrea Nyarko Abankwa (Nhyira) and Davina Serwaa Abankwa (Obaa Sima).

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), former President John Dramani Mahama asserted that the recent footage of the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and the owner of DKM, Martin Delle, has vindicated him in the DKM scandal.



Speaking at a campaign event in the Bono Region, Mahama said that after members of the NPP accused him of being behind DKM, it has now turned out that the owner of the defunct microfinance institution is a bona fide member of the NPP.



You remember back in 2016 when I was president, the NPP party and MPs held a press conference and falsely accused me of being the owner of DKM. Recently, the vice president Bawumia visited Nandom and was seen in the company of the real owner of DKM.



His (the owner of DKM) uncle, former interior minister Ambrose Derry, admitted that the owner of DKM is a member of the NPP and one of the financiers of the vice president. The lies they spread about me have now been exposed, he said in Twi.



He added, The owner of DKM is actually affiliated with the NPP. The money that was embezzled is what he is now giving to Bawumia for his campaign. Lies take the lead, but in the end, the truth will always prevail.



About the DKM scam:



The DKM scandal was about a scam allegedly orchestrated by some microfinance institutions in the Brong Ahafo Region, including DKM, which led to residents losing their investments running into several millions of Ghana cedis.



The scandal led to the arrest of of managing director of DKM microfinance, Dr. Martin Delle, and three others were arrested for fraudulent breach of trust. Delle was released on a GHC80 million bail while the others, including the Chief Executive Officer of God Is Love Fan Club, Nortey Noel, and Managing Director of Jastar Motors, Charles Asum, had their bond set at GHC50 million and GHC20 million respectively.



The victims stated that the financial institutions convinced them of a 50 per cent interest offer on investments in three months. Based on the information, a number of people were said to have deposited various sums of money in the suspects companies.



However, on the maturity dates, the clients found the offices of the suspects locked when they went to collect their money.



Former President John Dramani Mahama and his wife, Lordina Mahama, were accused of being behind DKM.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has blamed the lack of rainfall across the country on the poor governance of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).



Even though the government has announced measures to mitigate the effects of the dry spell, the former president expressed sympathy for farmers dealing with losses noting that the situation has also led to an increase in food prices.



Former President John Mahama made these comments at the Babatokuma Market in Kintampo North during his four-day campaign tour of the Bono East Region where he engaged with traders.



We know that when youre running a country, the most important thing is that the people can afford food. Today, food is very expensive. The rains have not been coming this year because of the NPP government which has damaged many of our crops.



This is why the next NDC government will introduce the Farmers Service Sector in each district and give them ten tractors each, Mr. Mahama pledged.



The government has been taking steps to mitigate the effects of a looming food crisis. Last week, the Ministry of Agriculture announced an export ban on some food products including maize, soybean, and other grains.







Source: starrfm









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Parliament, on September 3, 2024, was turned upside down as the minority and the majority engaged in a blame game as they seek to settle scores on who destroyed more water bodies with the increase in galamsey activities.



During the extra ordinary meeting of Parliament, the Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh Dompreh blamed the erstwhile Mahama government for championing the course of galamsey activities in the country.



The debate and blame game stemmed from a recent announcement from the Ghana Water Company Limited that water supply to Cape Coast and its environs could be reduced drastically due to the imminent negative impact of the illegal mining on the major rivers that supply water to their pump stations.



In the wake of the worrying situation, Majority Chief Whip stated that, it is out of place for the minority in parliament to apportion the blame to the incumbent government for allowing the menace to continue.



If we are to look and investigate both sides of the House (NPP and NDC), I can tell you that the NDC polluted the water more than us. So, lets get matters straight, he said.



However, Majority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Member of Parliament for Ajumako/Enyan/Essiam in the Central region, indicated that under this government even though security personnel have been deployed to help fight galamsey, the practice is still taking place.



Other MPs raised concerns about the scarcity of water in most parts of the country. The MP for Bodi, Samson Ahi said there is water shortage in places such as Kumasi, Western Region and parts of Greater Accra region due to the ripple effect of galamsey activities.



If care is not taken, we may not get water to bath before coming to Parliament tomorrow, he warned.



It is feared that, if the canker is not curbed and sanctity brought into the fight against galamsey, Ghana stands the risk of importing potable drinking water, which could only be afforded by a select few.



In a panel discussion on Peace FMs 'Kokrokoo' morning show on Wednesday, September 3, Atik Mohammed, a policy analyst joined in the call for the dismissal of the Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor for failing to combat the galamsey activities.

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Nana Akomea has bemoaned government's inability to curb the illegal menace (galamsey) in the country.



The STC Chief Executive, on Peace FM's Tuesday edition of "Kokrokoo" show, stressed the galamsey issue has been a major headache for the government as it keeps on going despite efforts to clamp down on this illegal business.



He was disappointed that the matter has degenerated to the extent that the Ghana Water Company Ltd. has issued a warning.



Ghana Water Company Ltd. (GWCL) says 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.



The company further complains of severe inconveniences that galamsey activities are causing to residents in areas like Cape Coast, Elmina and their environs, therefore imploring the citizenry to cooperate with them and the government to fight this canker.



Your assistance is crucial in helping us restore the quality of the raw water and ensure a reliable water supply of clean drinking water, a statement by the company read in part.



To Nana Akomea, it is about time the State authorities stepped in and took an immediate action to stop the galamseyers.



The River Pra issue as a result of the illegal mining which has contaminated the river making it undrinkable and unsafe for human use is serious. So, immediate action should be taken, he exclaimed.



He charged the authorities to effectively execute their duties seeing to it that illegal miners cease to operate to avoid the disaster that awaits the nation.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Social Commentator, Atik Mohammed, has taken a swipe at the Akufo-Addo government over the apparent lack of political will to combat galamsey activities in the country.



It could be recalled that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo pledged to place his Presidency on the line should he fail to fight galamsey.



Indeed, Ghanaians reposed confidence in him to deal with the menace but after nearly 8 years, the government is still struggling to stop it.



Today, the Ghana Water Company Limited has warned about the disaster that may befall the country if this illegal mining persists.



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, the company released a statement.



It further cautioned against the severe inconveniences of these illegal activities on nation with it contaminating the water bodies with recent focus on River Pra which has turned brownish in color.



Your assistance is crucial in helping us restore the quality of the raw water and ensure a reliable water supply of clean drinking water, the company urged Ghanaians.



To Atik, the nation, particularly under the current administration, has failed to deal with this perennial problem because the Commander-in-Chief has shown clear signs of unwillingness and his officials are directly involved in it.



"The political class are profiting from what is happening," he stated, adding "now, it is even worse than it was before the fight started. Currently, it is a free-for-all affair; they are doing it. Government appointees, Ministers and so forth are doing it. In fact, every one of them is involved".



"Though this is not regime specific but it's become more intense under this administration. We have to be truthful to ourselves," he said, emphasizing this is a manifestation of the failure of this government to deal with the galamsey menace.



He wondered how the policy to make Ghana a "green" economy will be possible when galamsey has been an albatross on the neck of the government.



Atik, giving these comments on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, concluded that "the effort has gone down. The zeal is no longer existent and when we leave them to engage in the destruction, then we turn around to say that we are greening Ghana".



"Who are we fooling?...Which Ghana are we greening?", he fumed but charged the nation to "be conscious of our environment, of climate change and of sustainable mining".





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Professor Kofi Agyekum, popularly called "Opanyin Agyekum", cannot fathom why government can't combat illegal mining (galamsey) once and for all.



Galamsey has been destroying the country's water bodies and environment over the years with little to no action taken to stop this pestilence.



This illegal business proves to be one of the toughest things to fight in the nation as reports indicate traditional leaders, government officials and natives of the various galamsey communities among other high-profile personalities are directly involved.



This has adversely affected the operations of the Ghana Water Company Ltd. with the company warning that 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.



Opanyin Agyekum, on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, expressed disappointment in the authorities for failing to clamp down on the illegal miners.



He wondered why the nation is not committing the fight in the hands of the Security Services with specific mention of the Military.



"Do the galamseyers outnumber us or are they stronger than us? Do they have more weapons that when you go to cease them from operating, they can overcome us?", the Head of Linguistics at the University of Ghana questioned.



To him, "the government has relaxed her efforts", however he calls on the authorities to do the needful to discourage the illegality.











Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Former Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Obiri Boahen has asked Ghanaians to consider John Dramani Mahamas hometown as they go to the polls to elect a new leader.



He said John Dramani Mahama has walked through the corridors of power to become Vice President and President but could not do anything to give his hometown a facelift.



To him, such a person should not be allowed to lead Ghana because of his selfishness.



Here you have somebody as a president saying Free Senior High School is impossible. He sponsored adverts. Someone comes and implements Free Senior High School. As President, you said free SHS is impossible; if we were not in Africa, do you think Mahama has the moral, legal, and constitutional right to lead a political party?"



"John Mahamas hometown, Bole Bamboi is still a district. John Mahama has been Vice President and President but could not elevate them to a municipal level. It is inhuman for John Mahama to be president when Bole Bamboi did not receive any facelift to become a municipal," he said.



On calls on Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to cancel E-levy because he is in government, Nana Obiri Boahen defended Dr. Mahamudu Bawumias inability to cancel some taxes deemed a nuisance to the people of Ghana until he becomes President.



At any point in time, it is the President. Bawumia can just say he does not agree with the e-levy but the constitution says the Cabinet assists, so where lies the fact that Bawumia has been honest and fair with Ghanaians?" he said.















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The Gyasehene of Mpohor Manso in the Western Region, Nana Tutu Abban II, has endorsed the candidature of the NDC flagbearer, Mr John Dramani Mahama, saying he is the right person to lead Ghana at this time.



According to Nana Tutu Abban, the NDC flagbearer has a track record of being a development-oriented person and it is therefore important that Ghanaians give him the chance to lead Ghana again in the upcoming December 7 general elections.



Nana Tutu Abban said this when the running mate of the NDC, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, visited Mpohor Manso in the Mpohor Constituency on Tuesday as part of her three-day campaign tour of the Western Region.



The Gyasehene pointed out that the Mpohor traditional area, especially Manso, has been neglected in terms of infrastructural development.



"But we know that Mr John Dramani Mahama has a track record as he started some projects here before leaving office in 2016, and he is the right person to bring us development in Manso", he said.



He added that the Manso community needs good roads, nursing schools and other development projects. Nana Tutu Abban prayed for NDCs victory in the upcoming general elections to enable the next government to deliver development projects for the benefit of the people in Mpohor Manso and its surrounding areas.



For her part, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said Ghana needs a reset, as all indications point to the fact that the country is heading in the wrong direction under this government.



She urged the electorates to vote massively for John Dramani Mahama to enable him to reset the country and build the Ghana we want together.





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Flagbearer of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has urged vice President and flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to urge his parliamentary candidates to remove their political posters imprinted on the equipment for the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP).



At a mini rally in the Yeji, in the Pru East District, the former President, John Mahama stated that, imprinting NPP paraphernalia on the equipment meant to carry out national assignments should be stopped immediately, noting that the funds used in the procurement of the equipment were from taxes paid by all Ghanaians.



He emphasised that the equipment, distributed across the country, belongs to all Ghanaians, not just the NPP.



John Mahama urged President Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia to recognise their duty to serve the entire nation, rather than just their party.



He called for the immediate removal of the posters and cautioned that the NDC would take further action if necessary should the NPP fail to do the needful.



Its the governments money, funded by the taxes we all paywhether youre NPP, CPP, Christian, or Muslimeveryone contributes. Theyve used those taxes to import earth-moving equipment for road construction, and each district has been allocated some. But now, were seeing posters of NPP parliamentary candidates on the DRIP equipment.



I want to remind Akufo-Addo and Bawumia that they serve the entire country, not just the NPP. The equipment doesnt belong to the party; it belongs to all Ghanaians.



No one has the right to place their posters on the DRIP equipment. They must order the immediate removal of these posters, or well be forced to take action ourselves, he stated.



DRIP is a nationwide initiative aimed at improving road conditions across all 275 constituencies

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has intensified his street-to-street campaign in Accra with surprise visits to lorry stations and markets.



The NPP flagbearer, who has adopted an energetic meet and greet campaign in markets, lorry stations, on the streets and house to house in communities, stormed the popular Neoplan Station at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra.



Drivers, traders and the public were excited to see him; they shook hands with him with some also hugging him in an unrestrained expression of excitement.



Dr. Bawumia, whose style has been to exchange pleasantries with people at random, also greeted as many of those who trooped to catch a glimpse of him and interacted with them.



The Vice President also paid a surpsrise visit to the office of Telecel, formally Vodafone, and interacted with the staff.



He further moved to Kaneshie market where he was mobbed by the traders and shoppers who embraced him and chanted his name and his It Is Possible mantra in support of his candidacy.



Dr. Bawumia also had similar reception when he visited the Abeka market and Nii Boi Town where he also interacted with the community members from house to house.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The National Chief of Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu has prayed for the Vice President and flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for Allah's favour and victory in December presidential election.



Dr. Bawumia was in the Okaikoi Central Constituency on Wednesday and together with the Member of Parliament for the area, Patrick Boamah, paid a courtesy call on Sheikh Sharubutu.



Sheikh Sharubutu invoked the 110th chapter of the Holy Quran while praying Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.



The National Chief Imam asked those present to recite the 110th chapter of the Quran titled "The Victory" which speaks about victory.



The National Chief Imam also prayed for the peace of Ghana before, during and after the elections.



Accompanying Dr. Bawumia were the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Titus Glover, National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Stephen Ntim, former General Secretary and presidential aspirant, Kwabena Agyepong.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

In a continuous pursuit to understand the fundamental laws that govern the universe, researchers have ventured deep into the realms of string theory, loop quantum gravity, and quantum geometry. These advanced theoretical frameworks have revealed an especially compelling concept: the generalized uncertainty principle (GUP).

This principle fundamentally challenges traditional physics by proposing a minimal measurable length, which could profoundly alter our foundational understanding of space and time. It challenges the bedrock of classical mechanics and invites a reevaluation of quantum mechanics and general relativity.

The GUP has catalyzed an impressive range of research efforts, extending from the microscopic domain of atomic physics to the cosmic scales of astrophysics and cosmology. Investigations have explored phenomena such as gravitational bar detectors, condensed matter systems, and the dynamics of quantum optics.

Each study contributes to a broader understanding of the potential implications of the GUP, suggesting it could fundamentally transform our understanding of physics across various scales and systems.

Rethinking the Planck constant

Building upon these insights, our research, published in the International Journal of Modern Physics D, introduces a transformative concept: an "effective" Planck constant. This idea challenges the traditional view of the Planck constant as a static, immutable value, proposing instead that it might vary depending on specific experimental or environmental conditions, particularly the momentum or position of the system under observation.

This hypothesis emerges from the GUP, suggesting that the Planck constant is not merely a universal constant but dynamically interacts with the momentum and position of the physical systems being measured.

This new perspective encourages a rethinking of fundamental constants in physics, implying they could be dynamic properties interacting significantly with the physical attributes of systems, such as their mass, size, and quantum state.

A bridge between quantum mechanics and the cosmos

Central to our investigation is a simple yet profound formula: m r c = '

This formula demonstrates that by inputting the Planck mass and Planck length as the mass and radius, respectively, we derive what we term the "traditional" Planck constant, . This outcome highlights a significant and intrinsic connection between fundamental physical constants and the fabric of the universe.

When this formula is specifically applied to the electron, the results are particularly illuminating: ' equates to the fine structure constant multiplied by , aligning perfectly with established values from quantum mechanics. This precise alignment reinforces the robustness of our formula and its relevance to fundamental particle physics.

For particles like pions, kaons, and gauge bosons, the calculated ' remains comparable in magnitude to , demonstrating the universal applicability of our formula across different scales and particle types.

However, when applied to larger systems, such as chemical elements like helium and oxygen, ' significantly exceeds  by a few orders of magnitude (10 to 10), suggesting a scale-dependent variability of the effective Planck constant.

Most importantly, when the formula is applied to the entire universe, it yields a value for ' that offers a potential solution to the cosmological constant problem. This intriguing result suggests a novel approach to resolving one of the most challenging and persistent issues in theoretical physics. By bridging observed discrepancies in vacuum energy densities with empirical observations, the formula provides a reconciled understanding of cosmic phenomena.

Linking to the Bekenstein entropy bound

Furthermore, our research establishes a critical link between the variable Planck constant ' and the Bekenstein entropy bounda fundamental principle that limits the amount of information that can be contained within a given physical system.

This connection not only supports the theoretical validity of the Bekenstein bound but also significantly enhances our understanding of the role of entropy and information at the quantum level across different scales and systems. This insight suggests a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the relationships between information, entropy, and fundamental constants in the universe.

Conclusion

The implications of our findings are both profound and potentially transformative. By establishing a bridge between quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and cosmology, our research opens new avenues for a deeper understanding of the universe at its most fundamental level.

This work not only enriches our theoretical insights but also invites the scientific community to reconsider enduring mysteries in physics, such as the nature of dark matter and the cosmological constant problem.

We hope that this research will inspire further exploration and vibrant discussion within the scientific community. By examining the universe through this innovative theoretical lens, we advocate for a more holistic and comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles that govern everything from the minutest particles to the vast expanses of space.

This journey into the depths of physical laws is far from complete, and we eagerly anticipate the new perspectives and discoveries that it will bring.

This story is part of Science X Dialog, where researchers can report findings from their published research articles. Visit this page for information about Science X Dialog and how to participate.

More information: Ahmed Farag Ali et al, Theoretical and observational implications of Planck's constant as a running fine structure constant, International Journal of Modern Physics D (2024). DOI: 10.1142/S0218271824500366. On arXiv: DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2210.06262 Journal information: arXiv

Ahmed Farag Ali is Assistant Professor of Physics, Essex County College, United States. Jonas Mureika is Professor of Physics at Loyola Marymount University, United States. Elias C. Vagenas is Professor of Physics at Kuwait University, Kuwait. Ibrahim Elmashad is Assistant Professor of Physics, Benha University, Egypt.
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:

Recent WSU-led research offers hope for at-risk butterflies, like the Oregon silverspot (pictured here), finding that their populations did better when their habitat was actively managed. The study looked at 31 at-risk butterfly species across the U.S. whose populations are facing rapid declines related to habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use. Credit: Cheryl Schultz, Washington State University

Some of the butterflies most in danger of fluttering out of existence fare better when their habitats are actively managed by humans, a recent study found.

A team led by Washington State University researchers Cheryl Schultz and Collin Edwards analyzed data on 114 populations of 31 butterfly species in 10 U.S. states. Scientists have long warned that insect populations worldwide are falling rapidly due to the combined effects of climate change, habitat loss and pesticides. Overall, the research team found that these at-risk butterflies are particularly vulnerable, with populations declining at an estimated rate of 8% a year, which translates to about a 50% drop over a decade.

The study findings, reported in the Journal of Applied Ecology, offer hope that habitat management can slow or even potentially reverse those sharp declines.

"The strongest signal we found is that in places where people are actively engaged with ways to manage the habitat, the butterflies are doing the best. That to me is super exciting because that means that habitat management can make a difference, even in the face of stressors like climate change," said Cheryl Schultz, a WSU professor of conservation biology and co-lead author on the study.

Recent WSU-led research offers hope for at-risk butterflies, like the Oregon silverspot (pictured here), finding that their populations did better when their habitat was actively managed. The study looked at 31 at-risk butterfly species across the U.S. whose populations are facing rapid declines related to habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use. Credit: Cheryl Schultz, Washington State University

With warmer temperatures brought by climate change, many butterflies have been shifting the timing of their seasonal activities, often by becoming active earlier in the year. It is an open question in ecology as to when shifts in timing are good, bad or relatively neutral for a species.

"We found that for these butterflies, big shifts in timing were generally bad. Populations with greater shifts were more likely to be declining," said Edwards, a recent WSU postdoctoral fellow and co-lead author on the study. "However, we were excited to discover that habitat management appeared to be dampening the effect of climate change on butterfly timing. Populations that received more frequent management had smaller shifts in their timing."

In spite of the overall negative population trends identified for these species, the links the research team found between population trends, shifts in timing and management provide a path forward for butterfly conservation.

"This might not solve the impact of climate change, but we can mediate some of the effects," said co-author Elizabeth Crone, professor at University of California, Davis. "It's within our power at the local level to do something positive for these populations."

The study included species such as the Oregon silverspot, Taylor's checkerspot, Karner blue and frosted elfin. It also included the Fender's blue, which has become a poster child for recovery efforts, after it bounced back from a few thousand butterflies in the 1990s to upwards of 30,000 today with the help of researchers like Schultz as well as public land managers and private landowners, including many vineyards in the Willamette Valley.

Recent WSU-led research offers hope for at-risk butterflies finding that their populations did better when their habitat was actively managed. The study looked at 31 at-risk butterfly species across the U.S. whose populations are facing rapid declines related to habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use. Credit: Shelly Hanks, Washington State University

Research led by WSU Professor Cheryl Schultz (left) offers hope for at-risk butterflies finding that their populations did better when their habitat was actively managed. The study looked at 31 at-risk butterfly species across the U.S. whose populations are facing rapid declines related to habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use. Credit: Shelly Hanks, Washington State University

In this study, researchers found that the type of habitat intervention selected by managers was appropriate, with activities such as prescribed burns, mowing, weeding and actively planting nectar or "host" plants for butterfly caterpillars, selected based on the needs of each area.

Volunteers can help in active management of local natural areas by assisting with new plantings and weeding out invasives, Schultz said. People can also support butterflies in their own backyard.

"We really encourage people to plant an abundance of wildflowers and plants which are both hosts for caterpillars and provide nectar for butterflies," said Schultz. "These should be 'clean plantings' meaning they are pesticide free. The more we can reduce pesticides in our environment, the better it's going to be for butterflies and insects."

More information: Collin B. Edwards et al, Phenological constancy and management interventions predict population trends in atrisk butterflies in the United States, Journal of Applied Ecology (2024). DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14735 Journal information: Journal of Applied Ecology
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Former President Donald Trump is making a push to appeal to so-called "crypto" voters this election cycle, promising to unveil a plan that would turn the U.S. into the "crypto capital of the planet."

Far from dabbling in the digital assets space, Trump has made cryptocurrency a large part of his campaign. He recently unveiled the latest additions to his NFT trading cards, and he and his sons have been intimately involved in various cryptocurrency projects.

Even Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, has signaled that she would back initiatives to help grow the industrypart of a broader intra-party break from hardline skeptics such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren and reluctant critics such as Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler.

But do "crypto" enthusiasts actually make up a significant voting bloc such that they could help decide who wins in November?

Ravi Sarathy, Northeastern University professor of international business and strategy and author of "Enterprise Strategy for Blockchain," says that regulators have been softening their position on cryptocurrencies of late, which might lead more Americans on both sides of the political spectrum to dabble in digital currencies.

In theory, that would create a larger constituency of voters with a shared interest around decentralized finance.

Most people who invest in cryptocurrency are adults under the age of 40, but not all investors are of voting age, Sarathy says. Legally, teenagers can invest in cryptocurrency, but most exchanges require that users be at least 18 years of age.

Northeastern Professor of International Business and Strategy Ravi Sarathy talks cryptocurrencies and politics. Credit: Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

"Both Republicans and Democrats own crypto, and so the question becomes what kind of attitudes lead investors or speculators to dabble in digital currency," Sarathy says.

The industry is still in its nascency. Sarathy says that for a "healthy, blockchain-based tokenized economy" to exist, further regulatory clarity about digital investments is needed.

Coinbase, the American cryptocurrency trading exchange, recently suggested that young, tech savvy cryptocurrency voters could swing the 2024 election.

"Any candidate that wants to win in 2024, especially those running in the battleground states that can make or break federal elections, must account for the young, pro-crypto constituency," the article states.

Because of the inherent volatility associated with digital assets, many traditional investors remain wary of cryptocurrencies.

But recent regulatory changes have helped pave the way for more people to invest in cryptocurrencies. The Securities and Exchange Commission recently greenlit about a dozen exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in bitcoin, the first cryptocurrency, and several more in Ethereum, a blockchain platform and the second-largest cryptocurrency being traded.

"The amount of people who are now aware of and investing in bitcoin has grown compared to before these ETFs were approved," Sarathy says. "It's fair to say that the constituency for bitcoin has grown in size."

Additionally, new polling suggests that crypto-curious voters are a fairly diverse cohort. Data from Fairleigh Dickinson University shows that about one in every seven voters owns cryptocurrency; and while they are disproportionately young men, "self-identified liberals, moderates, conservatives, progressives and MAGA voters are all about equally likely to say that they own cryptocurrencies," the poll shows.

A researcher associated with the poll noted that "the ideology underlying crypto is based on distrust of existing power structures, and that makes it a reasonable fit for Trump." Sarathy says that's about consistent with the "libertarian ethos"which he describes as anti-government, pro-individualthat set the cryptocurrency industry in motion in the late 2000s.

"Anything that smacks of regulation is anathema to someone who is a libertarian," Sarathy says.

Nick Beauchamp, associate professor of political science at Northeastern University, sees things quite different. He is skeptical that crypto voters constitute a meaningful electoral demographic.

"The crypto 'voting block' is not voters but donors," Beauchamp says. "Crypto appears on almost no one's list of important issues, and most people are either unaware of it, or have rudimentary opinions."

"However," he continues, "there are a number of crypto-associated donors who care very much, and these people are the only reason that the campaigns are making crypto statements, and probably the only reason many Republicans and some Democrats like Chuck Schumer are resisting regulation."

A Public Citizen report found that the cryptocurrency industry contributed $119 million in 2024 in an effort to influence federal elections.

This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu.
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Experimental results. a, Experimental setup. b, Intensity image on the camera and c, correlation image. The intensity image reveals no information about the object, which can nevertheless be seen in the correlation image. Credit: Physical Review Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.133.093601

Researchers at the Paris Institute of Nanoscience at Sorbonne University have developed a new method to encode images into the quantum correlations of photon pairs, making it invisible to conventional imaging techniques. The study is published in the journal Physical Review Letters.

Entangled photons play a crucial role in various quantum photonics applications, including quantum computing and cryptography. These photons can be produced through a process called spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) within a nonlinear crystal. During SPDC, a single photon from a high-energy (blue) pump laser is split into two lower-energy (infrared) entangled photons.

Some applications require specific types of quantum correlations between these photons, making precise control over them essential. This control can be achieved by tailoring the properties of the pump laser, especially its spatial shape. Exploring this possibility, researchers at the Paris Institute of Nanoscience at Sorbonne University are proposing a method for structuring the spatial correlations of the entangled photons in the shape of a given object.

The experiment consists of placing the object to be encoded in the object plane of a lens located before the crystal and then using a second lens to image it onto the camera (figure 1a).

Without the crystal, this setup is a conventional two-lens imaging system: We expect to observe an intensity (inverted) image of the object on the camera. However, in the presence of the crystal, SPDC occurs, producing pairs of entangled photons in the infrared.

If only these pairs are selected by a spectral filter, the intensity obtained on the camera, after accumulation of many photons, appears uniform and reveals no information about the object (figure 1b). The image of the object reappears only if it is reconstructed from the spatial correlations between the entangled photon pairs (figure 1c), which involves detecting each photon's position relative to its entangled twin.

Reconstructing such an image requires a single-photon sensitive camera along with tailor-made algorithms to identify photon coincidences in each acquisition and extract their spatial correlations.

The image of the object, initially conveyed by the blue laser beam, is thus transferred into the spatial correlations of the photon pairs.

As Chloe Verniere, Ph.D. student and first author of the study, explains, "If we observe the beam in the usual way, counting the photons one by one to form an image, we get the impression that there is no information. But if we focus on the simultaneous arrivals of photons and analyze how they are spatially distributed, a pattern emerges."

Hugo Defienne, Chloe's thesis advisor and last author of the study, adds, "We are really using a rather underexploited degree of freedom of lightnamely the spatial correlations between photonsas a canvas on which we print an image. We now want to use this imaging support to develop cryptography systems or imaging in scattering media."

Thanks to its flexibility and experimental simplicity, this approach could enable the development of new imaging protocols and find applications in fields such as quantum communication and cryptography.

By working on the properties of the crystal, it might even be possible to encode several images in a single beam of photon pairs. These images could be revealed by moving the camera to different optical planes, allowing for more information to be encoded.
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Scanning electron micrograph of a spore carrier of Aspergillus fumigatus. The numerous spherical spores are known as conidia. Credit: Jeannette Schmaler-Ripcke/Leibniz-HKI

Aspergillus fumigatus is a mold that is found all over the world. Unlike closely related species, it can cause serious, often fatal infections in humans. What makes A. fumigatus so dangerous? An international research team led by Gustavo Goldman from the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil has found clues to the cause.

A special enzyme on the surface of the fungal sporesglycosylasparaginaseapparently suppresses the release of pro-inflammatory substances by immune cells, making it easier for the pathogen to spread unhindered in the tissue. The findings are published in the journal Nature Microbiology.

"Gustavo Goldman's group was particularly interested in the surface proteins on the spores, as these are the first to come into contact with the immune systemusually through inhalation," reports Olaf Kniemeyer from the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyHans Knoll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), the German partner of the study.

Kniemeyer is a proteomics expert. Together with his team, he analyzes all the proteins in a cell and assigns functions to them. This is how he finds potential targets for new active substances. The researchers from Jena also specialize in phagocytosis, a defense mechanism in which immune cells devour foreign invaders. This also enabled the international research team to study the interaction of the fungus with immune cells.

In the current study, they used an approach called trypsin shaving: with the help of trypsin, a protein-cleaving enzyme, they removed all proteins from the spore surface and analyzed their fragments in a mass spectrometer.

Using database comparisons, they were able to identify 62 proteins that only occur on the spores of Aspergillus fumigatus, but not on closely related species. Some of them could therefore play a role in the infection process.

To test this, the researchers created a knockout library with 42 mutants of the fungus, in each of which a gene coding for one of these proteins was switched off. The mutant that lacked the glycosylasparaginase triggered an increased release of interleukin-1 in immune cells.

Interleukins are highly effective proteins that trigger fever, inflammation and a range of other immune reactions even in the smallest of quantities, thus boosting the body's defense against pathogens.

If the glycosylasparaginase on the fungal spores is missing, the immune system can release more of this inflammatory substance. Immune cells are activated and are better able to fight off the fungus. Conversely, this indicates that the glycosylasparaginase produced by the fungus normally helps to dampen the immune response. This allows the fungus to infect the body almost unhindered.

The study in the mouse model supports this hypothesis: in mice with an intact immune system, the fungus was attacked more strongly by the immune system when the gene for glycosylasparaginase was previously switched off.

"The glycosylasparaginase on the spores of Aspergillus fumigatus therefore plays a role in the fight against the immune system. However, we cannot yet say exactly how this mechanism works," says Kniemeyer, summarizing the results of the study.

The findings can help to develop new therapies for infections with Aspergillus fumigatus. This is urgently needed, as there are currently only a few effective drugs to combat fungal infections and resistance to them is gradually spreading.

The research work is a demonstration of successful cooperation between institutes and clinics in several countries. In addition to the Brazilian and German researchers, British and U.S. colleagues also contributed significantly to the new findings.

More information: Camila Figueiredo Pinzan et al, Aspergillus fumigatus conidial surface-associated proteome reveals factors for fungal evasion and host immunity modulation, Nature Microbiology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01782-y Journal information: Nature Microbiology

Provided by Leibniz-Institut fur Naturstoff-Forschung und Infektionsbiologie - Hans-Knoll-Institut (Leibniz-HKI)
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Lesser prairie chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus). Credit: USFWS/Ryan Hagerty Public Domain

Biologists originally classified the lesser and greater prairie chickens of the Great Plains as two different species. Difficult to distinguish by their physical appearance alone, some scientists have wondered for decades if these grouse consist of only one species.

An accurate understanding of prairie chicken speciation gained new urgency in 2022, when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the lesser prairie chicken as endangered in the southern portion of its range.

Now, a rigorous genomics study of prairie chickens in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas led by Purdue University scientists has found evidence of hybridization between species with no clear indication of genetic problems such as inbreeding.

The scientists published their findings in PNAS Nexus.

Using technology that study co-author Zachary Lowe likens to "GPS for genetics," the results show the power of genomics to document which animals are a mix of closely related species and which ones genetically qualify as unique lineages.

"With this type of genetic work, we are more informed and more able to get to where we're going accurately and quickly because this is the best available science," said Lowe, a Purdue adjunct faculty member and executive director of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. "When we rely on the best available science, we are more likely to make the best decision and to get the best outcome."

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 provides no clear guidelines about how to address hybrids between two presumptive species that breed with one another. That presents challenges to wildlife managers whose lands include hybrid animals, said study co-author Andrew Black, a former Purdue postdoctoral scientist now at Oregon State University.

The two species began diverging between 600,000 and 900,000 years agoa short time by biological standards. "These species will breed easily together, so it's important to take a study like this and figure out the best way to manage and protect the remaining diversity that we see," Black said.

The preexisting data came from 433 greater and lesser prairie chickens, mostly the latter, spanning 10 years and collected by researchers in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas. The research team sequenced the entire genome of each bird an average of four times. Each genome consisted of about a billion nucleotides, the small molecules that make larger DNA molecules.

The team needed supercomputers at Purdue's Rosen Center for Advanced Computing and the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center to process more than a trillion nucleotides of data.

"This is a massive dataset that allows us to assess the genetic health of these populations across the range and to evaluate gene flow between the lesser and greater prairie chicken species," Black said. The data revealed little cause for concern with respect to genetic diversity. "Of course, these things can change quickly if they have population declines or disease outbreaks," he cautioned.

Artist rendering of lesser prairie chickens. Male (left) and female in a prairie setting. Biologists originally classified lesser and greater prairie chickens as two species. New research indicates they may belong to the same species. Credit: Purdue University/Gabriela Sincich

Although the study analyzed the genetics of prairie chickens in five states, the methods are relevant to the nationwide jurisdictional management of endangered and threatened species. When a species becomes formally listed, management passes from the relevant states to the federal government. Such jurisdictional changes can impact the agricultural and natural resources industries operating in the affected local economies.

Senior author J. Andrew DeWoody, professor of genetics in Purdue's Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, and Black published a similar study earlier this year regarding an endangered species of pupfish in New Mexico. The genomics data from that study indicated what had previously appeared to be one species was actually two.

"This is a tool that will be implemented more and more in conservation," Lowe predicted.

The Fish and Wildlife Service listing designated two distinct populations of lesser prairie chickensnorthern and southern. Species labels aside, the main genetic differenceswhich were quite smallwere between the northern and southern populations.

The genomics data identify the southern population, recently listed as endangered and consisting entirely of lesser prairie chickens, as distinct from the northern population. The northern population comprises a mix of lesser and greater prairie chickens.

"A distinct population segment doesn't necessarily make it a different species. It just means separation by geography," Lowe said.

The problem facing prairie chickens is one of habitat fragmentation rather than genetics. Fragmentation results from land-use changes such as converting short native prairie to row crop agriculture and human development. Even the seemingly low-impact change of placing wind farms in high-quality prairie chicken habitat will affect their behavior.

"They will just quit using that habitat because they avoid tall structures," Lowe said.

"The vast majority of the prairie chickens depend on privately owned agricultural working lands. This speaks to the importance of practical wildlife conservation efforts that support sustainable grasslands, cattle production and private landowner incentives."

More information: Andrew N Black et al, Discordance between taxonomy and population genomic data: An avian example relevant to the United States Endangered Species Act, PNAS Nexus (2024). DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae298 Journal information: PNAS Nexus
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Japan says it has eradicated mongooses from a tropical island where it was introduced to hunt venomous snakes but preyed on local rabbits instead.

Japan has wiped out all mongooses on a subtropical island, officials said, after the animals ignored the venomous snakes they were brought in to hunt and preyed on endangered local rabbits instead.

About 30 of the venom-resistant predators were released on Amami Oshima, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in the late 1970s to keep down the population of habu, a pit viper whose bite can be deadly to humans.

However, the snakes are mostly active at night when mongooses prefer to sleep and the toothy mammals turned their ravenous appetites to local Amami rabbits, drastically reducing their numbers.

"It is said that the mongooses, which are active during the day, rarely came into contact with the nocturnal habu snakes," a local official told AFP.

The rabbits only live on Amami Oshima and one other island and are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list.

The mongoose population had exploded to around 10,000 by 2000 and Japanese authorities began a program of eradication that reportedly included specially trained sniffer dogs.

The government declared the island mongoose-free on Tuesday, almost 25 years after the start of that program and nearly 50 since the ill-fated initiative began.

"(This) is genuinely good news for our prefecture and for conservation of World Natural Heritage site Amami's precious ecosystem," local governor Koichi Shiota said in a statement.

"There are many lessons we should learn from the impact on native ecosystem that mongooses brought, and efforts and costs required for us to eradicate it," he said.

More than 37,000 alien species have taken hold worldwide far from their places of origin, costing upwards of $400 billion a year in damages and lost income, a UN panel said in 2023.

 2024 AFP
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Methane emissions in the key emitters by subsectors in 2022. Credit: Overview of Methane Mitigation Policies in Global Key Emitters Beyond the United States and China (2024)

While the United States and China have taken important steps to reduce their methane emissions, other significant producers of the potent greenhouse gas rarely have concrete national plans to mitigate it, according to a new University of Maryland analysis.

The report from the Center for Global Sustainability (CGS), in collaboration with the Energy Foundation China, investigated 276 policies of 15 countries that account for approximately 39% of global emissions of methane, the second-largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide. It found large gaps in policy efforts, adoption and implementation.

"Along with the United States and China, major emitters such as India, Russia and Canada account for more than 60% of global emissions. Yet, existing study shows that current methane policies cover only 13% of global methane emissions, with their effectiveness still unclear," said Mengye Zhu, CGS assistant research professor and lead author of the analysis.

As the world seeks to limit global temperature rise and achieve net-zero emissions, addressing methane output remains a pivotal step in climate action, climate experts say.

The U.S. and Chinathe subject of a 2022 CGS study on methane emissionshave demonstrated a commitment to reducing emissions through collaborative efforts such as the U.S.-China Joint Glasgow Declaration and the Sunnylands Statement on Climate Action. Both nations also endorsed the Global Methane Pledge, which aims to slash emissions by at least 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.

Yet human-induced methane emissions, which come from fossil fuels, waste and agriculture, remain a global challenge, particularly among other top emitters. The CGS researchers looked at India, Russia, the European Union, Brazil, Nigeria, Indonesia, Australia, Canada, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Argentina, the United Kingdom and Iran.

The agriculture sector produces the largest share of methane emissions47%yet only 19% of the policies among these key emitters focus primarily on it. Argentina, Mexico and Indonesia lack specific policies addressing methane emissions from agriculture, while India, Russia and Iran have few.

Many countries primarily focus on the energy sector, but their policies tend to be more concerned with safety and resource conservation rather than direct climate mitigation. While regulations on methane emissions from oil and gas are established, notably Canada and Mexico lack policies specifically targeting methane emissions from abandoned coal mines.

Alternatively, Brazil, Australia, Canada and the EU have robust policies for reducing methane emissions from livestock. However, methane mitigation policies for rice cultivation in major rice producers, such as India and Indonesia, are less advanced. Lastly, various countries, notably Indonesia and the UK, have implemented measures to reduce methane from landfills, but not wastewater.

"Despite progress in energy and agriculture, more targeted policies and international coordination are needed to tackle methane emissions across all sectors," said Ryna Cui, CGS acting director and co-author of the analysis. "Canada, Brazil and the EU provide a benchmark with their comprehensive approaches encompassing regulations, financial support, market mechanisms and research. Other key emitters can follow their lead to achieve significant environmental and economic improvements."

For instance, strengthening monitoring, reporting and verification systems for methane emissions, particularly in developing countries, could ensure accurate and credible emissions reporting. Additionally, adopting market-based approaches or economic instruments (e.g., taxes, and carbon markets) could generate financial incentives that promote emission reductions, the report found.
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Slimy, discolored feta cheese. Credit: Matthew Pettengill, Ph.D.

Anyone who has ever lost track of some bread, produce or leftovers, and later returned to observe that nature has run its course, has experience using the five senses (eyes, nose, [hopefully less often] taste buds and even earscontainer lid "popping"), to evaluate food spoilage. But have you ever wondered what microorganisms you might be able to grow in the lab from the decomposing dishes in your refrigerator?

To satisfy his curiosity, Matthew Pettengill, Ph.D., D(ABMM), Scientific Director of Clinical Microbiology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa., decided to sample a variety of common food items from his own home (or local grocery store) that either showed visible sign(s) of decay or were past the printed expiration date.

The goal was to identify what organisms were involved using microscopy with Gram stains and lactophenol cotton blue, and a basic bacterial workup (basic media, such as chocolate and MacConkey agar, and MALDI-TOF). Here he describes his observations and shares his findings. Follow along, take a good look at the provided images and see if you can identify the organisms before he does.

Case 1: Unopened feta cheese before its expiration date

Observations: I really wanted to make a Greek salad, but when I went to grab some feta cheese from my refrigerator, it didn't look right, with a slimy discolored surface. So, I brought it to the lab for testing.

Experimentation: As far as I could tell, the container was still well sealed, so I opened it and performed a Gram stain, which revealed budding yeast when viewed under a compound microscope. The organism was plated on Sabouraud dextrose agar and allowed to grow at 30C. One of my colleagues ran the sample on MALDI-TOF a couple of days later.

Identification: The isolated organism was identified as Kluyveromyces lactis. K. lactis is a yeast used in cheese production as a replacement for animal rennet, which functions to coagulate milk. Perhaps the growth on this particular package of feta cheese was due to a pasteurization or manufacturing process failure of some sortK. lactis has been detected in spoiled feta from a study in Sardinia.

Case 2: Anti-streptococcal applesauce

Top: Greenish-grey mold colonies on applesauce surface. Bottom: Lactophenol cotton blue stain of organism from applesauce. Credit: Matthew Pettengill, Ph.D.

Observations: In the Fall, my family likes to make our own applesauce and jar some of it to eat the rest of the year. One day I noticed some common mold overgrowth in an applesauce jar that had been left in the fridge for a few months.

Experimentation: To determine what was growing on my applesauce, I first made a mold tape print directly off of the food itemcarefully lifting out 1 of the heaped, green, fluffy colonies using a lab tape product similar to packing tape (sometimes called a Scotch tape print, but we don't actually use Scotch brand tape). I then performed a lactophenol cotton blue stain and examined it under the microscope.

Identification: The conidiophore and phialide structure and greenish-gray colony color were strongly suggestive of Penicillium species, a common environmental mold that has done the world a lot of good by giving us penicillin. I don't recommend making penicillin at home thoughyou should only use it if prescribed by a physician and acquired from a pharmacy (not a mold).

Case 3: Unopened bread after its expiration date

Top: Moldy store bought bread. Bottom: Lactophenol cotton blue stain of organism from bread sample. Credit: Matthew Pettengill, Ph.D.

Observation: Next, I decided to examine an unopened, store-bought loaf of bread that had gotten lost in the pantry and had a nice-sized green mold colony in the unopened packaging.

Experimentation: I again made a mold tape print directly off of the food item and made a lactophenol cotton blue stain and observed the slide on a microscope.

Identification: This is another example of Penicllium. You can see it reaching out its phialide fingered hands to grab my baguette.

Case 4: Homemade bread way after its expiration date

Top left: Moldy store bought bread. Top right and bottom: Lactophenol cotton blue stains of organisms from bread sample. Credit: Matthew Pettengill, Ph.D.

Observation: Next, I became curious to see how the microbial growth on an expired loaf of store-bought bread compared to microbial growth on a homemade loaf of bread, which lacked preservatives and had also been exposed to outside air (beside an open window). When I noticed the first mold colony on my homemade loaf, I put it in a plastic baggie to bring to work for testing. At that point, I forgot about it and left it in my backpack for a few weeks. When I remembered the loaf was there, I pulled it out for testing.

Experimentation: I again made a mold tape print directly off of the food item, made a lactophenol cotton blue stain and observed the slide on a microscope.

Identification: I included images of three distinctive mold type structures, but there were probably more. The upper right mold type displayed conidiophore, phialide and conidia structures suggestive of Aspergillus, a common environmental mold that can cause serious infections in humans, particularly those who are immunocompromised. However, this did not appear to be one of the common clinical varieties, and I hypothesized, based on comparison to known phialide and conidia distribution, that this may be A. glaucus.

The conidia shape of the lower left mold type appeared to favor Paecilomyces, even if the phialides are more suggestive of its close cousin Penicillium. Paecilomyces is another genus of fungi that is commonly found in the environment. A number of Paecilomyces species are known plant pathogens. However, while infection in humans is possible (especially in immunocompromised hosts), it is less common.

The lower right structure consisted of abundant, large, knobby conidia that are characteristic of Sepedonium an environmental mold not typically associated with human disease (few cases of infection have been reported).

Case 5: Fuzzy, shrink-wrapped broccoli

Top: Photo of moldy broccoli floret. Bottom: Lactophenol cotton blue stain of organism from broccoli sample. Credit: Matthew Pettengill, Ph.D.

Observations: This head of broccoli went unnoticed in the back of the refrigerator and was fuzzy and gray on the floretsstill in its shrink-wrapped packagingwhen I found it. It did not appear to have an expiration date listed.

Experimentation: Once again, I made a mold tape print directly off of the food item, made a lactophenol cotton blue stain and observed the slide on a microscope.

Identification: The print yielded some nice septate hyphae and large conidia with longitudinal and transverse septation, typical of the mold Alternaria. The dark gray color of the fuzz on the broccoli was suggestive of it being a dematiaceous mold, which produces melanin pigment. Alternaria is also common in the environment but can cause serious cutaneous and ocular infections in (primarily immunocompromised) humans.

Case 6: Spring Greens With a Fluorescent Dressing

Top: Decaying spring mix. Middle: Gram stain of organism from spring mix sample. Bottom: Organism on MacConkey agar. Credit: Matthew Pettengill, Ph.D.

Observations: Spring mix usually contains tender baby lettuce, spinach and other edible leaves. This item was pulled from the fridge in its original packaging and sampled before its expiration date. I observed black, liquefied growth on some of the leaves.

Experimentation: The sample for this food item was made by sticking an inoculation loop directly into a black piece of red romaine or red oak leaf. Next, I performed a Gram stain, which revealed abundant, gram-negative bacilli. I plated the organism on MacConkey agar.

Identification: The culture grew a non-lactose-fermenting gram-negative bacilli, with a good MALDI score for Pseudomonas fluorescens. Although P. fluorescens may occasionally cause disease in humans (primarily immunocompromised hosts), it has some beneficial properties in agricultural applications, such as controlling the growth of other, more harmful organisms, and it is possible that the bacteria were intentionally used on the farms where the spring green mix came from.

Case 7: Spoiled spinach

Top: Decaying spinach. Bottom: Gram stain of organism from spinach sample. Credit: Matthew Pettengill, Ph.D.

Observations: Shopping at our local grocery store, I noticed a bag of spinach that was going bad, with some darker liquifying leavesI bought it to include in this project.

Experimentation: The morning after I made this purchase, I sampled the decaying leaves, performed a Gram stain and plated to MacConkey agar.

Identification: Abundant gram-negative bacilli grew once again. MALDI identified 2 different non-lactose-fermenters, Erwinia persicina and Serratia liquefaciens (the latter may have demonstrated slow lactose fermentation with some patience). Both of these bacteria are associated with crop damage in lettuce (and apparently spinach).

Case 8: Rotting onion from the back of the pantry

Top: Rotting onion. Bottom: Gram stain of organisms from onion sample. Credit: Matthew Pettengill, Ph.D.

Observations: Nothing smells worse than spoiled potatoes or onions. Obviously, that is a subjective statement, but my family and I will occasionally be led by our noses to find a potato or onion that has gotten lost in the back of the pantry. This onion was long gone and putrid when found (soft/liquified in the outer skin), so I brought it to the lab in a plastic baggie for testingmy attempt to contain the considerable aroma.

Experimentation: I stuck a 1 uL loop into the putrefied fluid on the onion's surface to obtain a sample for Gram stain, and again I plated to agar media (based on the Gram stain I included MacConkey, Sheep's blood, Chocolate and Sabouraud dextrose agar).

Identification: The sample revealed both yeast and bacteria. The budding yeast didn't grow on subculture for some reason, but I observed that they were morphologically consistent with Candida (and a lot of other common yeast).

For bacteria we got a nice selection identified by MALDI: Lysinibacillus boronitolerans (presumably the gram-positive rod seen in the Gram stain), Enterobacter cloacae, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Klebsiella oxytoca, Ewingella americana and Sphingobacterium multivorans. Some of these are commonly recognized pathogens, particularly the Enterobacter and Klebsiella.

Case 9: Fuzzy strawberries

Top: Moldy strawberries. Bottom: Lactophenol cotton blue stain of organisms from strawberry sample. Credit: Matthew Pettengill, Ph.D.

Observations: Strawberries have a pretty short shelf life, making it relatively common to find moldy fruit at home or even in the store. These berries had been in our refrigerator for a few days before I noticed they were turning white.

Experimentation: I again made a mold tape print directly off of the food item, made a lactophenol cotton blue stain and observed the slide on a microscope.

Identification: In this case, the mold prints yielded abundant septate hyphae and enough distinctive conidia to point to the Scedosporium species (although I didn't see good enough conidiophore examples to say it wasn't Lomentospora prolificans). Scedosporium is a common environmental mold, which can be a real clinical problem due to antifungal resistance. It is associated with serious infections following near-drownings and wounds acquired or exposed during wet, natural disasters (flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes).

Conclusion

Pettengill's refrigerator reconnaissance revealed a mixture of bacterial and fungal species feeding on his bread and produce. Interestingly, and perhaps not surprisingly, many of the species he identified are commonly found in the environment and either function as opportunistic pathogens or are not typically associated with human disease.

When asked if working in a microbiology lab has made him more or less concerned about microorganisms in and outside of the laboratory, Pettengill replied, "Growing up, at the first sign of spoilage the food item went straight in the trash. I'm still that way with growth that seems bacterial and smells bad, but a little green, fuzzy spot on bread doesn't scare me anymore."

He explained that many of the clinical microbiologists that he's worked with have accepted bacteria and fungi as part of life and seem less concerned about them than the average person.

"I'd be more concerned about bread that won't support mold growth, as it likely has a bunch of added preservatives I may not want to eat," he said, adding that he enjoyed learning more about the microbiology in his refrigerator and pantry and hopes others will as well. "I'll try to do a better job staying ahead of the (growth) curve in the future," he said.
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Tony Hollenback, a recent Ph.D. graduate, uses a precision needle to inject the phytate molecule purified from soil into the Orbitrap IRMS. Credit: Kathy F. Atkinson

Plants need phosphorus, an essential nutrient, to grow. This nutrient is present in fertilizers and applied to crops to increase their yields. One downside of too much phosphorus in this agricultural environment is it can creep into lakes, rivers and other water bodies, causing water quality problems such as algae blooms, which remove oxygen from the water and create dead zones, thus killing fish and other aquatic life.

Phosphorus in the environment is present in two forms: organic and inorganic. Inorganic phosphorus is the simplest form and most readily accessible to soil microorganisms and plants. Organic phosphorus compounds are much more complex, making them difficult to identify and track in the environment.

Scientists often use an element's isotopes as a means to track its presence in the environment. This is because isotopes of an element have the same number of protons, but different numbers of neutrons.

They're basically families of the same element with slightly different masses. For example, carbon-13 is an isotope of carbon that has been useful in determining the age of groundwater, while carbon-14 has helped researchers date material artifacts, such as pottery, to a particular time period.

Scientists have long developed ways to measure isotopes of inorganic phosphate oxygen in the environment. But there is no such method to measure isotopes of organic phosphate.

"The existing method requires removing phosphate from a molecule," said Deb Jaisi, a University of Delaware professor of environmental biogeochemistry in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.

"Once you remove (hydrolyze) it, it is no longer organic and no longer can be used for source tracking because this change alters the original isotopes of the molecule."

That's where Jaisi and Tony Hollenback, a recent Ph.D. graduate from Jaisi's lab, come in.

The duo has published new research in the Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry detailing the development of a new method for measuring the isotope fingerprints of organic phosphate molecules using mass spectrometry techniques.

The method leverages a tool called an electrospray ionization-based Orbitrap isotope ratio mass spectrometer (Orbitrap IRMS), an advanced instrument designed for such analyses. UD is home to one of only nine such Orbitrap IRMS instruments nationwide.

Tracking where pollutants come from

Studying where environmental contamination comes from is necessary if researchers hope to come up with solutions for eradicating the contamination, identifying best management practices, and/or cleaning up a contaminated site.

In the Chesapeake Bay, the watershed Hollenback and Jaisi took soil samples from, phosphorus is a major pollutant affecting the bay's health. The state of Maryland has a plan for how to reduce the bay's phosphorus by a certain amount by 2025.

Phosphorus can degrade water quality through triggering algal blooms. The algal blooms suck oxygen out of the water, killing fish, plants and other organisms.

"Simply put, we want to know where the phosphorus is coming from," Jaisi said.

Jaisi and Hollenback looked at one molecule, phytates, in particular. All plant seeds that are fed to pigs and chickens, on the Delmarva Peninsula or anywhere else, are very high in phytate. Hollenback explained that pigs and chickens are "non-ruminants," which means they don't have certain enzymes to break down the phytates. This means phytate concentrates in the animals' manure.

"If that manure is applied to crop fields as fertilizer, phytate concentrates in the soil," Hollenback said. "During rain events, this phytate is then transferred to nearby streams, which then drain into the bay. Now there are microbes in the water, be it fungi or bacteria, and they do have enzymes to break it down."

When the fungi or bacteria break down the phytate, they release inorganic phosphate, the most bioavailable form of phosphorus, into the water, thus allowing harmful algae to grow.

"So we need to be able to track it," Hollenback said, "because it's potentially a very big puzzle piece in trying to fix this problem."

A new method

To do this, Hollenback and Jaisi developed a method for measuring organic phosphate isotopes using the Orbitrap IRMS. The experiment was done in UD's Patrick T. Harker Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Laboratory.

The UD researchers collected soil from a farm outside of Crisfield, Md. near East Creek, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. This particular soil, which has been fertilized with animal manure for a long time, is rich in phytate, the organic phosphorus compound most commonly found in agricultural soils.

"The goal of this research was two-fold," Hollenback said. "One [goal] was to look at the soil biology, see what is interacting with the phytate. The other was to explore and track oxygen isotopes in phytate using the Orbitrap IRMS."

The researchers incubated the soil samples under laboratory conditions for about three months. They also "spiked the soil" with extra phytate, Hollenback said. This helped to see if any changes happened in the soil. They even added isotopically-labeled water to investigate how phytate would cycle through the system.

"A lot of the changes we saw with regard to the extra phytate formed were biological," Hollenback said. "A key finding of this research was that the phytate molecule faithfully preserves its isotope fingerprints."

The method using the Orbitrap MS originated at the California Institute for Technology, but that institution used it for other compounds, not phosphate. The UD researchers inject a solution containing purified phytate from soils into the instrument using a high-precision syringe.

The molecules travel through a mass filter which removes any contaminant ions. The mass is then measured very precisely in the Orbitrap mass analyzer by tracking an ion band as it revolves around a central spindle.

The aptly named Orbitrap MS "traps" ions to measure the moleculesboth composition and isotopes. Since this measurement was made for isotopes, a new name Orbitrap IRMS (Orbitrap isotope ratio mass spectrometry) was coined.

"The isotope of phosphate in the phytate molecule was untouched by any processes," Jaisi said. "We found that the isotope's signature of the molecule remains the same."

That's a breakthrough. If the isotope of a molecule remains the same, it meets the first requirement to identify the source of a molecule or contaminant in the environment. If the isotope of a molecule were to change in any way, it would essentially erase the molecule's origin.

"Now we have a new wheel," Jaisi said. "A new wheel we've developed instrument-wise. And isotope-wise, since the molecule has a signature that remains the same, the finding can be used for source tracking for this compound and can be analogously used for other molecules."

The next phase is to see how it works in the real environment. The good news is that the actual field testings are underway.

Furthermore, the method Jaisi and Hollenback developed with the Orbitrap IRMS can be used across a variety of disciplines and chemical compounds. It's a big asset to UD, as other research teams at the university are already using the Orbitrap IRMS to study various compounds. Among them are explosive compounds and even "forever chemicals" known as PFAS, per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

"It's such a powerful instrument," Jaisi said. "While it's not very routine for anyone to be able to use it without specific training, methods are being continued to be optimized with the instrument. It's in the very early stage, but it's a great opportunity for anyone to jump in and develop leadership science using the instrument."

More information: Anthony J. Hollenback et al, Position-Specific Oxygen Isotope Analysis in Inositol Phosphates by Using Electrospray Ionization-Quadrupole-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry, Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry (2024). DOI: 10.1021/jasms.4c00210
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General view of the Lo Hueco site during the excavation of Qunkasaura in 2007. Credit: GBE-UNED

A new study led by Portuguese paleontologist Pedro Mocho, from the Instituto Dom Luiz of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (CIENCIAS), has just been published in Communications Biology. It announces a new species of sauropod dinosaur that lived in Cuenca, Spain, 75 million years ago: Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra.

The more than 12,000 fossils collected from 2007 onward during works to install the Madrid-Levante high-speed train (AVE) tracks revealed this deposit, giving rise to one of the most relevant collections of fossil vertebrates from the Upper Cretaceous of Europe.

The collection has been studied continuously thanks to national projects and the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, which has made it possible to significantly increase our understanding of the ecosystems of southwestern Europe during the Late Cretaceous and also identify several new species for science.

"The study of this specimen allowed us to identify for the first time the presence of two distinct lineages of saltasauroids in the same fossil locality. One of these groups, called Lirainosaurinae, is relatively known in the Iberian region and is characterized by small and medium-sized species, which evolved in an island ecosystem.

"In other words, Europe was a huge archipelago made up of several islands during the Late Cretaceous. However, Qunkasaura belongs to another group of sauropods, represented in the Iberian Peninsula by medium-large species 73 million years ago.

"This suggests to us that this lineage arrived in the Iberian Peninsula much later than other groups of dinosaurs," explains Mocho.

Restoration process of part of the remains of Qunkasaura. Credit: GBE-UNED

One of the most relevant features of the Lo Hueco fossil record is the abundance of large partial skeletons of sauropod dinosaurs, which are rare in the rest of Europe.

Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra stands out for being one of the most complete sauropod skeletons found in Europe, including cervical, dorsal and caudal vertebrae, part of the pelvic girdle and elements of the limbs. Their unique morphology, especially in the tail vertebrae, offers new insights into the non-avian dinosaurs of the Iberian Peninsula, a historically poorly understood group.

The study identifies Qunkasaura as a representative of the opisthocoelicaudine saltasaurids, a group present in the northern hemisphere (Laurasia). On the other hand, most Late Cretaceous sauropods from southwestern Europe, including Lohuecotitan pandafilandi, previously described from Lo Hueco, belong to the group Lirainosaurinae, a group of sauropods apparently exclusive to the European continent.

This study suggests that Lo Hueco is the only place where the coexistence of both groups is known and proposes a new group of titanosaurs called Lohuecosauria, which includes representatives of both lineages. Lohuecosaurs may have originated on the southern continents (Gondwana) before dispersing globally.

The name Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra is made up of several geographic and cultural references close to the Lo Hueco site. "Qunka" refers to the oldest etymology of the toponym from the Cuenca and Fuentes area, "Saura" alludes to the feminine of the Latin saurus (lizard), but also pays homage to the painter Antonio Saura, and "pintiquiniestra" refers to the giant "Queen Pintiquiniestra," character from a novel mentioned in "Don Quijote de la Mancha' by Cervantes.

Reconstruction of the life form of Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra.. Credit: Jose Antonio Penas Artero

3D reconstruction of the Qunkasaura skeleton. Credit: GBE-UNED

Relationships of Qunkasaura with some of the most important sauropods from the Late Cretaceous and reconstruction of the life form of Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra.. Credit: Jose Antonio Penas Artero, GBE-UNED, FCUL

Bone remains of Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra, on display in the Paleontological Museum of Castilla-La Mancha. Credit: GBE-UNED

"Fortunately, the Lo Hueco deposit also preserves several skeletons of sauropod dinosaurs to be determined, which may correspond to new species and which will help us understand how these animals evolved," concludes Mocho.

The study is part of the research conducted by the Evolutionary Biology Group at UNED on ecosystems with dinosaurs in central Iberian Peninsula. Part of the skeleton of Qunkasaura is already on display in the Paleontological Museum of Castilla-La Mancha in Cuenca (Spain).

More information: Mocho, P, A Spanish saltasauroid titanosaur reveals Europe as a melting pot of endemic and immigrant sauropods in the Late Cretaceous, Communications Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06653-0 Journal information: Communications Biology
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The study area of Anhui. Credit: Agriculture (2024). DOI: 10.3390/agriculture14081282

Paddy rice is an important agricultural product, and accurate mapping of paddy rice fields is essential for enhancing food security, promoting sustainable agriculture, increasing crop yields, and facilitating technological advancements.

A research group led by Prof. Sun Xiaobing from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a method for accurately mapping paddy rice cultivation in Anhui, a province in eastern China. The work is published in the journal Agriculture.

Researchers combined annual phenological features with Sentinel-1/2 imagery, leveraging satellite remote sensing and machine learning to enhance agricultural monitoring.

They derived annual phenological variations from verified ground truth data and assigned several vegetation indices to different phenological phases.

This helps them get pixel-level rice planting distribution maps through machine learning.

The research team used an automatic sample expansion technique to increase the sample size and stratified different grids within the study area.

Researchers validated the results of this method with a confusion matrix, the Anhui Statistical Yearbook, and other rice mapping algorithms of similar resolutions. The method demonstrated high accuracy in primary grain-producing areas of Anhui with less than 10% of error and showed practical value in agriculture.

Additionally, the sample expansion techniques developed in this study could be adapted for mapping other cash crops of significance.

This study integrates phenological features with optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar data for crop area estimation and will offer practical value for future agricultural planting and yield studies, according to Prof. Sun.

More information: Zeling Wang et al, Improved Paddy Rice Classification Utilizing Sentinel-1/2 Imagery in Anhui China: Phenological Features, Algorithms, Validation and Analysis, Agriculture (2024). DOI: 10.3390/agriculture14081282
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Soil organisms can live anywhere from the surface to much deeper below the soil, from millipeds like Polydesmus to insects and microbes. Credit: The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London and Harry Taylor

Earthworms, insects and mites are all at risk from soil pollution, and scientists are worried that we know very little about the damage it's causing.

New research published in the journal iScience found that soil pollution was the leading cause of declines among organisms living underground. The finding has surprised scientists, who expected farming intensification and climate change to have much greater impacts.

Dr. Victoria Burton, a co-author of the new research based at the Natural History Museum, says that the findings are "concerning."

"Above ground, land use, climate change and invasive species have the greatest impact on biodiversity, so we assumed that this would be similar below ground," Victoria says. "Our results show, however, that this isn't the case."

"Instead, we found that pesticide and heavy metal pollution caused the most damage to soil biodiversity. This is worrying, as there hasn't been a lot of research into the impacts of soil pollution, so its effects might be more widespread than we know."

"Amid concern over soil degradation, we need to investigate what impacts other sources of pollution, such as microplastics, hydrocarbons and persistent chemicals, are having on the life beneath our feet."

The secret life of soils

Compared to life above ground, what's living in soils is relatively unknown. This is because, in addition to the difficulty in finding the organisms that live down there, soil is actually made up of multiple habitats all sitting on top of each other.

"Soil isn't just a homogenous lump of dirt," Victoria says. "It's a complex environment containing many different structures, nutrients and minerals. While the majority of life is found within 10 centimeters of the surface, some organisms can live much deeper."

"But with so few specialists who can identify subterranean organisms, we know much less about life below than above ground."

This means that when it comes to finding out how soil communities are faring, there are a lot of open questions. While it's known that habitat destruction and persecution are some of the biggest impacts on aboveground biodiversity, only a few studies have tried to tackle their subterranean equivalents.

To try and account for this in their new research, the team performed what is known as a meta-analysis. This is where scientists take data from many existing studies and re-analyze them to answer new questions that the original research didn't focus on.

For this meta-analysis, Victoria and the rest of her team reused the data of more than 600 studies, including thousands of different datapoints, to see what impact humans were having on the health of soils globally.

Digging into soil research

Based on their results, wildlife above and below ground generally respond very differently to the same issues.

While the loss of a forest above ground might be devastating to the plants and animals that live there, the researchers' predictions that subterranean organisms would also be affected weren't proven. Instead, it seemed that the soil provided a buffer, helping its organisms to be more resilient to certain changes.

"Soils can store moisture and nutrients, which can help life living underground to withstand changes, at least in the short term," Victoria explains. "For instance, while climate change is affecting more and more species on the surface, its underground impacts appear to be limited for now."

"However, the effect of these impacts in the long-term is less well-known, meaning this buffering effect may only provide temporary relief for soil communities."

While the majority of the changes, like rising temperatures or chemical pollution, were negative for soil biodiversity, there were a few positives. The most important was the use of organic fertilizers and mulch, which introduces more carbon into the soil. This is especially beneficial for earthworms, which feed on the nutrients and cycle them in the soil.

Though this study has provided a deeper insight into the changes affecting soils, it's still barely scratched the surface. The team hope that future research will focus on how the interactions between factors like climate change and pollution, might enhance or limit their joint impacts

They also hope to get more people looking into soils. Victoria is keen to inspire the next generation of researchers while working with students as part of the National Education Nature Park, which is being led by the Natural History Museum.

"I'm excited to include soil biodiversity work within the National Education Nature Park," Victoria says. "It's a good opportunity to get young people excited about the life under their feet, and to get them interested in the life cycles of animals like craneflies and beetles which they might not know about."

"It's not just an opportunity to inspire them, but to do some important science that is currently being overlooked."

More information: Helen R.P. Phillips et al, Global changes and their environmental stressors have a significant impact on soil biodiversityA meta-analysis, iScience (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110540 Journal information: iScience

This story is republished courtesy of Natural History Museum. Read the original story here.
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Credit: Carleton University

Carleton University's Michael Ryan is part of an international research team that has discovered a well-preserved fossil of a new horned dinosaur in Japan's Tambasasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture. Details have been published in the journal Papers in Palaeontology.

This new dinosaur possesses unique characteristics distinct from any known ceratopsian. Ceratopsians are a group of herbivorous dinosaurs known for their large horns and frills on their heads, the most famous being Triceratops.

As a primitive ceratopsian, it lacked the large horns and frills seen in later species like the Triceratops and its diminutive body length and mass are only approximately 80 cm and 10 kg, respectively. Additionally, its internal bone structure and growth rings indicate that it was still a young, growing individual when it died.

This new dinosaur has been named Sasayamagnomus saegusai, with the genus name meaning "a small humanoid spirit guarding hidden treasures under the ground of Sasayama," and the species name honoring the late Haruo Saegusa.

The fossil includes 17 bones, most of which belong to a single individual. Thin sections of the tibia were examined, revealing that Sasayamagnomus was likely a young, not fully matured individual.

Sasayamagnomus is closely related to primitive ceratopsians from North America, suggesting that ceratopsians, which originated in Asia, may have immigrated to North America around 110 million years ago during the mid-Cretaceous period.

During this period, the eastern part of the Eurasian continent and North America were connected by the Bering Land Bridge, allowing animals to migrate between the two. Additionally, extreme global warming resulted in vast forests in the Arctic region. The convergence of these two events likely facilitated the expansion of ceratopsians from Asia to North America.

More information: Tomonori Tanaka et al, A new neoceratopsian (Ornithischia, Ceratopsia) from the Lower Cretaceous Ohyamashimo Formation (Albian), southwestern Japan, Papers in Palaeontology (2024). DOI: 10.1002/spp2.1587 Journal information: Papers in Palaeontology
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Credit: Mikhail Nilov from Pexels

Approximately 244 million Americans will have the opportunity to vote in the 2024 elections. In the 2020 election, an unprecedented 67 percent of those eligible turned out to vote. If turnout reaches that level again, it will result in over 162 million ballots being cast by November, reports the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Over the past two decades, various states have implemented obstacles to voting, such as enforcing strict voter ID requirements, reducing voting hours, limiting registration options, and removing individuals from voter rolls. These initiatives have effectively prevented many eligible voters from participating in elections. While these barriers affect all Americans, they disproportionately impact racial minorities, low-income individuals, and both young and elderly voters.

Voting is often viewed through the lens of civic duty and political engagement, but its implications stretch far beyond the ballot box. Voting plays a crucial role in shaping the social determinants of health (SDOH)the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. Understanding how voting influences health outcomes can help illuminate the pathways through which civic engagement impacts community well-being.

The medical community increasingly acknowledges voting as a crucial SDOH, framing it as a significant public health concern. This relationship between voting and health is reciprocal: a person's health can impact their ability to vote, while the act of voting can also impact health outcomes.

SDOH encompasses factors such as income, access to nutritious food, reliable transportation, and safe and affordable housing -all critical components of these non-medical determinants that shape health care outcomes. Addressing these social factors is essential for improving overall health and ensuring equitable access to health care for all individuals.

Physician's Weekly groups the SDOH into five domains influencing health: Economic Stability, Education Access and Quality, Health care Access and Quality, Neighborhood and Built Environment, and Social and Community Context.

In 2022, the American Medical Association made a significant move by passing a resolution recognizing voting as a social determinant of health. This acknowledgment highlights the critical intersection between civic engagement and health outcomes, emphasizing that access to voting can influence various health determinants and ultimately affect individual and community health.

Emory University medical and Ph.D. student Jasmin Eatman was part of the effort to update AMA's policy. "School children are being murdered by weapons of war. Women are being forced to surrender their very own bodies to the state.

In some places, providing water to an individual waiting in line to vote can earn you jail time," said Eatman, speaking on behalf of the Minority Affairs Section, which authored the resolution.

"Despite these undemocratic efforts, we believe that there's still power in the ballot" and that social inequity can be tackled, even "transformed," by voter participation, she stated.

The connection between voting and health outcomes

Voting enables individuals to influence policies that directly affect health care access, funding for public health initiatives, and regulations that impact the environment. For instance, local elections can determine hospital funding, mental health services, and community health programs. When communities elect representatives who prioritize health, they are more likely to see improvements in health services and resources.

"Fair and constructive policy advancements fundamentally depend on a healthy democracy," writes Eileen Salinsky, program advisor for Grantmakers In Health. In "Civic Engagement Is a Social Determinant of Health," Salinsky determines there are two intersecting and interdependent systems that comprise democracy in the United States:

Voting is a form of civic engagement that often leads to greater community mobilization. When communities come together to vote, they also tend to organize around health-related issues, advocate for necessary changes, and push for resources to improve overall health. Grassroots movements that emerge from voter engagement can lead to significant health benefits, such as increased access to healthy food, better housing conditions, and improved public safety.

The demographic makeup of voters has direct consequences for health equity. Communities that are underrepresented in the electoral process often face disparities in health outcomes. When marginalized groupssuch as racial and ethnic minorities, low-income individuals, and young peoplefail to vote, their specific health needs may be overlooked in policy discussions. Ensuring that all voices are heard in the electoral process is essential for addressing health disparities and promoting equity.

Participating in elections can foster a sense of belonging and social cohesion within communities. When individuals feel they have a stake in their community's future, they are more likely to engage in collective actions that benefit public health. This sense of community can lead to stronger social networks, which have been shown to improve mental health and overall well-being.

Voting is not just about casting a ballot but also about understanding the issues at stake. Increased civic literacy can empower individuals to advocate for their health needs and rights. When people are informed about the policies that affect their health, they are more likely to engage in discussions, advocate for change, and hold their elected officials accountable.

Challenges to voting as a social determinant of health

While voting has the potential to influence health outcomes significantly, several challenges impede equitable participation in the electoral process. Understanding these barriers is crucial for developing strategies to enhance voter engagement, particularly in communities that face health disparities.

Many individuals encounter logistical barriers that make voting difficult. This can include:

Voter suppression tactics disproportionately affect marginalized communities and can take several forms. Strict identification requirements can disenfranchise those who lack the necessary documentation, often impacting low-income individuals and people of color.

Aggressive purging of voter registration lists can lead to eligible voters being removed, especially in communities with high mobility rates. Insufficient polling hours or reduced access to early voting can hinder participation for those with rigid work schedules or caregiving responsibilities.

Economic factors can also play a significant role in voting participation. Individuals working multiple jobs or facing economic pressures may find it challenging to allocate time for voting, especially if they must travel long distances to polling places. Lower levels of education can correlate with decreased civic engagement and awareness of the importance of voting, leading to lower voter turnout.

Many potential voters may feel disillusioned with the political process. A perceived lack of responsiveness from elected officials can lead to feelings of hopelessness and disengagement from the electoral process. Increasingly polarized political environments can discourage participation, as individuals may feel that their votes do not count or that the system is rigged. Health issues can also prevent individuals from voting.

The Mi Familia Vota v. Fontes case is particularly relevant in this context as it addresses voting rights in Arizona. The suit challenges an Arizona law that mandates individuals registering to vote must provide documentary proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, to be eligible to vote in federal elections.

This law has raised concerns about accessibility and inclusivity in the voting process, potentially disenfranchising eligible voters who may not possess the required documentation.

In response to this legislation, organizations, including the League of Women Voters of the United States, the League of Women Voters of Arizona, the Secure Families Initiative, and the Modern Military Association of America, submitted an amicus brief in August to support the challenge against the law.

Their brief counters arguments made by Arizona legislators and the Republican National Committee, which claimed that Congress lacks the authority to regulate presidential elections, thus allowing state legislatures to impose such requirements.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court's ruling to strike down the provision in September 2023 reflects ongoing legal battles over voting rights and the implications of such laws on public health. By framing voting as a social determinant of health, advocates argue that restrictive voting laws not only threaten democratic participation but also exacerbate health disparities by limiting access to the political process, which is essential for addressing community health needs and resources.

"Arizonans need to know that HB 2492 is an intimidation tactic," said Pinny Sheoran, president of the League of Women Voters of Arizona.

"Requiring proof of citizenship, a solution in search of a problem, will allow the state to further suppress voters, especially voters of color. There is no reason to make voter registration more difficult by not allowing voters to use the state form to register for federal-only elections. LWV Arizona will continue to stand up for voters and fight laws that do not serve the best interest of Arizona voters."

This case underscores the importance of protecting voting rights, especially in ensuring equitable access to health resources and fostering healthier communities. The intersection of voting rights and health equity will likely remain a focal point in public health discussions and legal challenges moving forward.

In recent years, researchers, policymakers, and health advocates have given considerable attention to the relationship between democracy and public health. While various factors such as genetics, lifestyle choices, and access to health care play significant roles in determining health outcomes, the political environment in which individuals reside is also a critical influence.

Democratic systems typically emphasize citizen engagement and accountability, which can lead to the development of more effective health care policies and practices. In democracies, governments are more likely to be answerable for delivering quality health care services. Citizens have the opportunity to express their concerns, advocate for their rights, and push for enhancements in health services.

Empowering communities to engage in decision-making processes is vital to improving health outcomes.

2024 The Fulcrum. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Red Cross aids two after fire

Volunteers from the Northeastern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross provided immediate emergency aid to two people after a fire early Saturday morning on Katherine Street in Glens Falls.

The Red Cross provided financial assistance which can be used for necessities such as shelter, food, and clothing to two adults. Volunteers also offered emotional support. In the coming days, Red Cross staff and volunteers will remain available to help those affected by the fire as they navigate the road to recovery.
The Press wants to see photos of your childs first day of school. Submit photos for consideration online and possibly in print to newstips@pressofac.com with the subject line Back to School. Be sure to include your childs name, age, hometown, grade and school.
9th FOCAC Ministerial Conference held in Beijing

Xinhua) 10:04, September 04, 2024

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, addresses the Ninth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2024. The Ninth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held on Tuesday in Beijing, laying the groundwork for the forthcoming FOCAC Beijing summit. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Ninth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held on Tuesday in Beijing, laying the groundwork for the forthcoming FOCAC Beijing summit.

Foreign ministers and economic ministers from 53 African member countries of the FOCAC, and representatives of the African Union and other regional and international organizations were among more than 300 attendees of the meeting.

The implementation of the outcomes of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC in 2021, and results of China-Africa development cooperation and China's assistance to Africa were reported at the conference, which also reviewed and adopted the agenda and draft outcome document of the forthcoming summit.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at the conference that the rise of the Global South represented by China and Africa is profoundly influencing the development of human society.

This summit will surely set a new milestone for the Global South to move forward together toward modernization, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Since the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC was held three years ago, the building of the China-Africa community with a shared future has been elevated to a new level, Wang noted, adding that China and Africa have worked together to enhance connectivity, and China has been Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years.

China and Africa have combined their efforts in implementing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, Wang said.

Stronger solidarity and coordination among the 2.8 billion Chinese and African people will surely inject new momentum into the Global South cooperation, he noted.

During the conference, representatives from African countries said the African side will work closely with China to make this summit a success. They also expressed willingness to deepen comprehensive cooperation with China so as to realize common development and prosperity.

The Ninth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is held in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Xi said China-Ethiopia relations are an example of friendly cooperation between China and Africa.

For a long time, the two countries have firmly supported each other in safeguarding their respective core interests and opposing external interference, forging an unbreakable iron-clad friendship, Xi said.

China stands ready to take the summit as an opportunity to expand pragmatic cooperation between the two countries, and supports Ethiopia in leveraging its strength as a regional transport hub to establish a rail-sea intermodal transport network in East Africa, and building a demonstration area for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and Africa, he said. 
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE  With the first of three public hearings on sweeping new land use rules planned in Toms River on Thursday, a unified Cape May County expects to deliver a clear message: Slow down.

The hearing, set for 6 p.m. at Gateway Lecture Hall at Ocean County College, is the only one of the hearings set to take place in person. The next morning, on Friday, Cape May County officials have a press conference set to discuss the rules.

Called a reform to support Resilient Environments and Landscapes, or REAL, the rule changes stems from an executive order by Gov. Phil Murphy to ready the coastline for climate change and the rising seas and powerful storms expected to accompany it.

The rules create an inundation risk zone, addressing the risk to homes and infrastructure from more frequent flooding, as well as adjusting coastal flood hazard areas and encouraging nature-based solutions, such as favoring living shoreline projects over extending seawalls.

The proposed rules address sea-level rise, coastal storm surge, flooding, and stormwater management concerns while improving water quality, protecting natural resources, and streamlining permitting processes that will expedite resilient investments in New Jerseys communities and economy, reads a statement from the DEP.

Cape May County, which could see significant impact from the rules as proposed, sees things far differently. A recent statement from the county touted the fact that all 16 municipalities in the county, as well as county government, adopted resolutions asking Murphy for a more incremental approach.

My fellow county commissioners and I acknowledge the importance of good environmental policy, and our county and its municipalities continue to practice coastal resiliency and the highest degree of floodplain management in all public planning and infrastructure projects, said Leonard Desiderio, the county commission director and mayor of Sea Isle City. However, the REAL Rules based on sea level rise projections for the year 2100 with a less than 17% probability of occurring, are too much too quickly and the unknown economic impacts are too great of a concern for our county taxpayers.

Township proposal could raise a road above flooding A township proposal could lift a low-lying stretch of road to resolve flooding issues. Pumping is not an option, the engineer said, while a committee member said public safety is the driving concern.

The county sought the support of the governing bodies in local communities and approved its own resolution in August. Desiderio said the county wants the state Legislature involved in making the rules, rather than the state Department of Environmental Protection under an executive order. In a recent statement, Desiderio encouraged residents to participate in the public comment period for the rules.

There are virtual hearings planned, at 2 p.m. Sept. 12 and 10 a.m. Sept. 19, accessible at dep.nj.gov/njreal/hearings, and written comments can be submitted electronically or by mail until Nov. 3.

On the DEP website, department officials warn that without action, roads and buildings built now will be unusable by 2100 because of storms and rising water levels.

The effects of these impacts present real threats to the economy, environment and public health and safety of all New Jerseyans, reads the DEP website.

But the county argues the DEP rules go too far, look too far into the future and could damage the local economy and the possibility of increasing the areas affordable housing.

With a tourism industry responsible for producing over 40,000 jobs, greater than $635 million in state tourism tax revenues, and $50 billion in net ratables, Cape May County and its municipalities have growing concerns regarding the impacts these REAL Rules will have on the economy, and the potential distress it may cause for the residents living and working in Cape May County, the county statement says.

County officials say they plan to be heard at the Thursday public hearing.
DES MOINES  The state must not certify ballots for the Nov. 5 election until the courts consider a challenge from three Libertarian candidate for Congress who argue they were improperly removed from the ballot by a state panel, an Iowa judge ruled Tuesday.

Polk County District Court Judge Michael Huppert issued the order granting the Libertarian candidates request for a temporary injunction on Tuesday afternoon, the same day the Iowa Secretary of States Office was scheduled to certify Iowas ballots for the Nov. 5 election, which would have cleared the way for those ballots to be printed.

Hupperts injunction orders the Secretary of States Office to delay certification of the ballots until the Libertarians legal challenge has been adjudicated.

In his ruling, Huppert wrote that because he believes the Libertarians may prevail in court, certification of the election ballots must be delayed until completion of an expedited judicial review.

Huppert wrote,  based upon the courts preliminary, albeit hasty, review of the record made, it is satisfied that there is a likelihood that the petitioners may prevail on the merits if afforded an opportunity for a full-blown presentation of the evidence and legal authorities.

The Libertarian Party of Iowa, in a statement, celebrated the judges order to delay the ballot certification. The partys statement questioned the fairness and legality of the state panel ruling to disqualify the Libertarian candidates.

This is a crucial step forward in our fight for electoral justice, Jules Cutler, the chairwoman of the Libertarian Party of Iowa and a lawyer representing two of the three candidates in the challenge, said in the statement. We are confident that, upon full review, our candidates will be reinstated, allowing Iowans to have a true choice at the ballot box this November.

How it happened

Nicholas Gluba, Marco Battaglia and Charles Aldrich were nominated by Libertarian Party of Iowa members at a special party convention in June to run for Congress: Gluba in Eastern Iowas 1st District, Battaglia in Central Iowas 3rd District, and Aldrich in Western Iowas 4th District.

Objections brought by Iowa Republicans who live in the respective congressional districts claimed the Libertarian Party of Iowa did not fulfill requirements in state law when conducting party organizing business. Conservative Iowa lawyer Alan Ostergren, representing the objectors, argued that invalidated the Libertarian delegates who nominated the three congressional candidates.

The Iowa State Objections Panel on Aug. 28 upheld the objections by a 2-1 vote, in effect removing the three Libertarian Congressional candidates from the ballot. The votes to uphold the objections and remove the Libertarians from the ballot were cast by Republican Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird. The lone dissenting vote came from Democratic Iowa Auditor Rob Sand.

Two days later, the Libertarian candidates challenged the state panels ruling in Polk County District Court and asked for a temporary injunction to halt the certification of Iowas ballots. Cutler is representing Gluba and Aldrich; Battaglia retained his own lawyer for his challenge. The three cases have been consolidated into one in District Court.

Without the injunction, the Iowa Secretary of States Office was scheduled to certify the ballots on Tuesday, which would have allowed local officials to begin printing the ballots. With the injunction, that process is paused.

A spokeswoman for the Iowa Secretary of States Office, after the judges order was issued, confirmed that the office would not certify any ballots Tuesday. The Secretary of States Office awaits clarification on the next steps, the spokeswoman said.

Earlier Tuesday, before the judges order was issued, Pate in a statement described the process as the checks and balances in our election integrity process and thanked the Iowa District Court for reviewing the case immediately and with urgency.

The legal arguments

In their petitions, Gluba and Aldrich argue the panels ruling conflicted with state law, was based on an erroneous interpretation of the law and was illogical, wholly irrational and otherwise unreasonable, arbitrary, capricious, or an abuse of discretion.

Gluba and Aldrich also argue the objectors did not have legal standing to object and should have been required to provide their address or voter registration status.

The State of Iowas response was filed earlier Tuesday by the Iowa Attorney Generals Office. It is signed by four top officials in the office, including Attorney General Bird, one of the three members of the State Objections Panel.

The states response argues the objectors have legal standing under state law, and that the court should reject the Libertarians argument that they substantially complied with state law, because, the state argues, the law does not allow for such leeway.

Potential political impact

Iowas 1st and 3rd Districts, currently represented by Republicans U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, respectively, are projected to be closely contested. In the 1st District, Democrat Christina Bohannan is challenging Miller-Meeks, and in the 3rd District, Democrat Lanon Baccam is challenging Nunn. National elections forecasters rate the two elections as leaning Republican or tossup.

Removing a third-party candidate from the ballot in those close elections could impact the outcome. In 2020, for example, the Libertarian candidate in Iowas 3rd District received over 15,000 votes in an election that was won by the Democratic incumbent by fewer than 7,000 votes.

Can relocation trends by Americans across state lines swing the 2024 election? On the move... Blue Islands Sway Their States with Jobs and Cheap Housing Young Workers Bring Democratic Votes Seeing Red: Moves to Red States Still Going Strong Voters Leaving Blue States May Not Be Democrats
MISSOULA  An Anaheim, California, man, Juan Felipe Vidrio Fuentes, 36, convicted by a federal jury of trafficking pounds of methamphetamine and thousands of fentanyl pills in the Butte and Helena communities as part of a large conspiracy was sentenced Tuesday in Missoulas U.S. District Court to 30 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.

After a four-day trial in April, a jury found Fuentes guilty of conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Fuentes thought he could use his California connections to set up a drug trafficking ring to profit at the expense and misery of Montanans to whom he peddled meth and fentanyl pills. He was wrong, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

In court documents, the government alleged that from June 2022 until about January 2023 in the Butte and Helena areas, Fuentes, along with seven other co-defendants, conspired to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. In June 2022, the Utah Highway Patrol stopped an individual traveling in a vehicle carrying 3.5 pounds of meth and 6,000 pills containing fentanyl and learned that the individual was transporting the drugs to Butte for distribution by Esco, who was Fuentes. Law enforcement further learned that Fuentes was staying at a house in Whitehall along with at least one co-defendant, James Andrew Stringari of Whitehall, and that Fuentes was supplying both fentanyl and meth throughout the Butte area from the Whitehall residence.

In addition, law enforcement inspected a sources cell phone and corroborated information about meth and fentanyl trafficking that implicated Fuentes, Stringari, co-defendant Janet Dean White of Butte, and another co-defendant. Stringari and White were convicted at trial with Fuentes and are pending sentencing.

Law enforcement conducted coordinated stops and raids of addresses in Helena and Butte. In the Butte residence, law enforcement located about six pounds of meth, 208 grams of fentanyl, $15,000 cash and seven firearms. In the Helena residence, law enforcement located about seven pounds of meth and 68 grams of fentanyl.

The government further alleged that Fuentes was one of the main organizers and suppliers of the criminal conspiracy, which trafficked pounds of meth and tens of thousands of fentanyl pills over approximately six months.

The U.S. Attorneys Office prosecuted the case. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Southwest Montana Drug Task Force, Montana Highway Patrol, Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, Missouri River Drug Task Force, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Utah Highway Patrol and Utah State Bureau of Investigations conducted the investigation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, 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. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Xi said China-Ethiopia relations are an example of friendly cooperation between China and Africa.

For a long time, the two countries have firmly supported each other in safeguarding their respective core interests and opposing external interference, forging an unbreakable iron-clad friendship, Xi said.

China stands ready to take the summit as an opportunity to expand pragmatic cooperation between the two countries, and supports Ethiopia in leveraging its strength as a regional transport hub to establish a rail-sea intermodal transport network in East Africa, and building a demonstration area for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and Africa, he said.

China is willing to enhance communication and collaboration with Ethiopia at the regional level as well as within the frameworks of the UN and the BRICS to jointly uphold international fairness and justice, Xi said.

Abiy said China's policies toward Ethiopia fully demonstrate equality and mutual respect, and the bilateral ties are mutually beneficial.

He added that Chinese enterprises' investments have made significant contributions to Ethiopia's economic and social development.

Ethiopia is willing to work with China to continue the firm mutual support, and promote their all-weather strategic partnership to yield more results, Abiy said. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, 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. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)
WASHINGTON  The Justice Department announced criminal charges Tuesday against Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other senior militants in connection with the Oct. 7, 2023, rampage in Israel, marking the first effort by American law enforcement to formally call out the masterminds of the attack. The move comes after the bodies of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who spent time in the Richmond area as a boy, and five other hostages were discovered Sunday in an underground tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip.

We are investigating Hershs murder, and each and every one of the brutal murders of Americans, as acts of terrorism, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in the statement. We will continue to support the whole of government effort to bring the Americans still being held hostage home. The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas operations.

Kennedy dropped from Virginia presidential ballot at his request Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will no longer appear on the presidential ballot in Virginia. Kennedy's lawyer asked the Virginia Department of Elections to remove his name from the ballot.

The seven-count criminal complaint filed in federal court in New York City includes charges of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, resulting in death. It also accuses Iran and Lebanons Hezbollah of providing financial support and weapons, including rockets, and military supplies.

The impact of the case may be mostly symbolic given that Sinwar is believed to be hiding out in tunnels and the Justice Department says three of the six defendants named in the complaint are believed now to be dead. But officials say additional actions are expected as part of a broader effort to target the operations of a militant group that was designated in 1997 by the U.S. government as a foreign terrorist organization and has been linked to a series of deadly attacks on Israel, including suicide bombings.

The complaint was originally filed under seal in February to give the U.S. time to try to take into custody the then-Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, but was unsealed Tuesday after Haniyehs death in July and other developments in the region lessened the need for secrecy, the Justice Department said.

These actions will not be our last. The Justice Department has a long memory, Garland said in a video statement.

The sense of urgency

The charges come as the White House says it is developing a new cease-fire and hostage deal proposal with its Egyptian and Qatari counterparts to try to bring about an agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the nearly 11-month war in Gaza.

A U.S. official, who was not authorized to talk publicly about the case and spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press there was no reason to believe the charges would affect the ongoing negotiations.

Sinwar was appointed the overall head of Hamas after the killing of Haniyeh in Iran and sits atop Israels most-wanted list. He is believed to have spent most of the past 10 months living in tunnels under Gaza, and it is unclear how much contact he has with the outside world. He was a long-serving Palestinian prisoner freed in an exchange of the type that would be part of a cease-fire and hostage release deal.

Haniyeh was also charged.

Other Hamas leaders facing charges include Marwan Issa, the deputy leader of Hamas armed wing in Gaza, who helped plan last years attack and who Israel says was killed when fighter jets struck an underground compound in central Gaza in March; Khaled Mashaal, another Haniyeh deputy and a former leader of the group thought to be based in Qatar; Mohammed Deif, Hamas longtime shadowy military leader, who is thought to be dead following an Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza in July; and Lebanon-based Ali Baraka, Hamas head of external relations.

National security spokesman John Kirby said the recent executions of six hostages, including Goldberg-Polin, by Hamas underscore the sense of urgency in the talks.

Tracking the news What happened: The Justice Department has announced criminal charges against Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other militants in connection with the Oct. 7 rampage in Israel. Also included: The criminal complaint filed in federal court in New York City includes charges of conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, resulting in death. The reaction: Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a video statement on Tuesday that the charges "are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas operations."

Goldberg-Polin, 23, lived in Richmond for four years when his father worked for Capital One. They attended synagogue at Keneseth Beth Israel.

Goldberg-Polin became an international symbol in effort to free the hostages, and tends of thousands flocked to a Jerusalem cemetery to attend a service for him Monday.

His mother, Rachel Goldberg-Polin, said the past 330 days had been such torment that closed my throat and made my soul burn with third-degree burns.

During the Oct. 7 attack, militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took about 250 people hostage. Roughly 100 hostages remain, a third of whom are believed to be dead.

Complaint outlines campaign of violence

The criminal complaint describes the massacre as the most violent, large-scale terrorist attack in Hamas history. It details how Hamas operatives who arrived in southern Israel with trucks, motorcycles, bulldozers, speedboats, and paragliders engaged in a brutal campaign of violence that included rape, genital mutilation and machine-gun shootings at close range.

It references a widely circulated video showing a largely unclothed and unconscious woman in the back of a pickup truck as Hamas operatives chanted Allahu Akbar.

The document also says the defendants in the years and weeks preceding the attack openly called for violence against Israel and advocated even more mayhem after Oct. 7, citing a statement from Mashaal three days later that said: I call on you at this moment, I call on every one of you. Responding to Jihad is an individual responsibility. Whether you fight collectively or individually, this is your individual responsibility.

Israels retaliatory offensive has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count. The war has caused widespread destruction and forced the vast majority of Gazas 2.3 million residents to flee their homes, often multiple times.

Hamas has accused Israel of dragging out months of negotiations by issuing new demands, including for lasting Israeli control over the Philadelphi corridor along the border of Egypt 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 President Joe Biden in July. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged total victory over Hamas and blames it for the failure of the negotiations.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York in a statement said: Our commitment is clear: if you hurt one member of our community, you hurt all of us  and we stand with all victims of Hamas reign of terror. We will bring justice to this terrorist organization from the top down for the atrocities they have committed.
Former Del. Jay Jones, D-Norfolk, filed paperwork to mount his second run for Virginia attorney general.

Jones served in the House of Delegates starting in 2018 and resigned in December 2021, a month after he was reelected to the House. The same year, he had lost the Democratic primary for attorney general to incumbent Mark Herring, who then lost a close race to Republican Jason Miyares.

Jones filed a statement of organization with the Virginia Department of Elections but has not officially announced his candidacy for attorney general.

Lesley Shinbaum, a senior adviser for Jones, said any formal announcement would come after the November elections.

Jay remains solely focused on the November elections, which is why he was in Newport News over the weekend campaigning for the Harris-Walz ticket, Shinbaum said. Jones was among Virginia Democrats who attended Rep. Bobby Scotts annual Labor Day cookout, where second gentleman Douglas Emhoff was the featured speaker.

Henrico County Commonwealths Attorney Shannon Taylor is the only other declared candidate for attorney general, so far. A Democrat, Taylor has been Henrico Countys top prosecutor since 2011, when she became the first woman to hold the position in the county.

Although Jones recently filed his paperwork and hasnt made an official announcement yet, he has been picking up endorsements for months. In January, dozens of Democrats including former Gov. Ralph Northam launched the PAC Virginians for Jay Jones to raise money for his campaign.

Whoever wins the Democratic nomination could face off with Attorney General Jason Miyares if he decides not to run for governor next year. Miyares last month said he hasnt decided whether he will seek the GOP nomination for governor or if he will seek reelection.

If Miyares runs for governor, he could face his former running mate, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who has said she is exploring a run for governor but has not officially said whether she will seek the GOP nomination. The only candidate who has filed to run for governor next year is Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th.

PHOTOS: 29 images from the Times-Dispatch archives
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AMLO scheduled to make last presidential tour of Quintana Roo projects

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is scheduled to visit Quintana Roo this weekend. His visit comes during his last weeks in office as he nears the completion of his six-year term as President.

His Quintana Roo visit will include a work tour and inaguration of several of his largre projects during his term. He will tour progress on the 8.8 kilometer long Nichupte Bridge in Cancun, which will connect the mainland with the Hotel Zone.

While in Quintana Roo, he will deliver real estate deeds to residents of the Colosio neighborhood in Playa del Carmen from where he will travel to Tulum by Maya Train.

Once there, he will inaugurate the Tulum Tren Maya station (section 5 south) and Jaguar Park. According to the President, his tour will continue to Felipe Carrillo Puerto for the inauguration of the Mayan culture museum and then onto Bacalar for the public opening of the Ichkabal archaeological zone.

This weekend we are going to make a tour from Cancun to Chetumal, one station before Chetumal, the Bacalar station, because this weekend we are going to inaugurate the Jaguar Park in Tulum. That is, we are going on the Maya Train from Cancun to Tulum.

Possibly we will stop by Playa first because the deeds for the Colosio neighborhood are going to be handed over which is an issue that has been going on for many years because people are living in their houses that they built and they do not have deeds due to a legal, judicial problem, which has already been resolved, he said.

During the weekend tour, he will be accompanied by President-elect, Claudia Sheinbaum.
On the 80th anniversary of its publication, The Road to Serfdom continues to serve as a warning to those who would sacrifice liberty for unrealizable political and economic goals.

F.A. Hayeks The Road to Serfdom (1944) is often portrayed as a mid-20th-century economists restatement of a 19th-century case for unreconstructed laissez-faire economics. Anyone who has read the text, however, knows that this is a serious misrepresentation of Hayeks most famous book. Road is in fact a much more complicated piece of writing, with messages as relevant for an early 21st-century world as it was when the book was first published 80 years ago.

It takes only a few pages of reading Road before one realizes that the books agenda cannot be caricatured as a mere laissez-faire tract for true believers. For one thing, Hayek draws extensively on history, philosophy, and sociology, as well as authors such as the historian Lord Acton and the political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville whose intellectual priorities could not be described as those of an economist.

Hayek himself characterized Road as a political book. In later life, he suggested that its political character helped discredit him as an academic economist among his peers. Hayek lived during a period in which scholars who penned overtly political texts were regarded in universities as declasseunless, of course, the academics name happened to be John Maynard Keynes: the Cambridge economist who had been intervening regularly in domestic and international political, economic, and policy debates since writing The Economic Consequences of the Peace in 1919.

There are also areas in which Road is willing to accept state intervention into the economy in a manner that most 19th-century liberals would not have countenanced. Hayek spoke, for instance, of the legitimacy of a state-provided safety net, albeit one more restrained in scope than the behemoth welfare states that prevail throughout Western nations today.

Such recommendations were made against a more general background of a willingness on the part of Hayek and other prominent European classical liberal economists like Wilhelm Ropke, Walter Eucken, Jacques Rueff, Luigi Einaudi, and Franz Bohm to remake the case for market liberalism for a world quite different from pre-1914 Europe. As early as the mid-1930s, many classical liberals had insisted that it was insufficient simply to repeat 19th-century free market orthodoxies. This imperative contributed to the publication of Road but also books like Ropkes bestselling The Social Crisis of Our Time (1942) and Jacques Rueffs Lordre social (1945).

The focus of these texts differed significantly from Road, however. Ropkes text placed a much stronger emphasis than Road on the cultural roots of the breakdown of liberal civilization throughout Europe. By contrast, Rueff was more attentive to questions of monetary theory and monetary policy. What these texts shared was the conviction that classical liberalism had to adapt to a new set of political and economic conditions that favored interventionism and that seemed unlikely to dissipate in the near future.

These and other themes were further discussed at the first meeting convened by Hayek with some assistance from Ropke of what came to be called The Mont Pelerin Society in 1947. In his Opening Address to a Conference at Mont Pelerin to the assembled economists, historians, and journalists, Hayek said the following:

The basic conviction which has guided me in my efforts is that, if the ideals which I believe unite us, and for which, in spite of so much abuse of the term, there is still no better name than liberal, are to have any chance of revival, a great intellectual task must be performed. This task involves both purging traditional liberal theory of certain accidental accretions which have become attached to it in the course of time, and also facing up to some real problems which an over-simplified liberalism has shirked or which have become apparent only since it has turned into a somewhat stationary and rigid creed.

Among the accidental accretions, Hayek made clear, was a wariness about Christianity that had characterized much of continental classical liberalism. More generally, however, Hayek believed part of the challenge for contemporary classical liberalism was to expand its disciplinary horizons beyond economics. He also thought it important to understand how freedom was being undermined in ways that an over-simplified liberalism was insufficiently attentive.

This helps explain why Road, though written by a distinguished economist internationally known for his severe criticisms of interventionist economics and public clashes with Keynes in the 1930s, has less economics in it than informed readers might otherwise have expected. There is plenty in the book about how trends to economic planning, whether the outright collectivist version or the moderate Keynesian type, steadily corroded norms and institutions of liberty. The underlying logic of the Road, however, comes less from economics per se than from ideas expressed by liberal thinkers like Tocqueville in Democracy in America (1840) and subsequent speeches and texts during his time as an active politician during the reign of King Louis Philippe (183048) and the Second French Republic (184852).

Here it is important to recognize that Tocqueville was not as prominent a reference point in Western political discourse in Hayeks time as he is today. Hayek, though, had become interested in Tocqueville for several reasons. These included Tocquevilles treatment of the relationship between religion and liberty and why it manifested itself differently in America compared to Europe, where the two worlds seemed in perpetual conflict.

But Hayek was just as interested in Tocquevilles diagnosis of how democratic societies could steadily move in distinctly illiberal directions, with much of the population not even noticing while others acquiesced in (and still others profited from) the same trend. The very title of Road to Serfdom draws upon Tocquevilles observation in Democracy in America that some of the more enlightened people around him have finally discovered the path that seems to lead men invincibly toward servitude. They bend their souls in advance to this necessary servitude; and despairing of remaining free, at the bottom of their hearts they already adore the master who will soon come.

Neither Hayek nor Tocqueville had a deterministic conception of this drift away from liberty. Both saw, however, a rationale at work as people traded libertyand then steadily increasing amounts of freedomfor other things they valued. Those other things could range from greater equality in the distribution of wealth to more state-provided economic security and stability, or the hope that the turmoil of economic life could be managed more efficiently from the top down by ostensibly apolitical technocrats and experts. In any case, the diminution of liberty is far removed from the suddenness of a military coup detat such as that experienced by Tocqueville in France by President Louis-Napoleon in 1851, or seizures of power akin to that staged by the Bolsheviks in Russia in October 1917 or the National Socialists in Germany between January 1933 and June 1934

In a way, much of Road involves Hayek extending Tocquevilles logic by showing the ratchet effect in the belief that it is worth giving up some liberty to secure other seemingly good ends. A key ingredient of Hayeks argument is that as it becomes clear that the trade-off has not delivered what was promised (or has even produced negative unintended consequences), the response of those advocating for, say, a more equal wealth distribution is not to concede that it was a mistake to diminish liberty. Instead, they invariably insist that they require more powerand therefore that society may have to accept less freedomto achieve the desired goal.

By liberty, Hayek does not simply mean the freedom to make ones free choices so far as they are compatible with the liberty of others to do the same, or freedom from the arbitrary wills of others. He also has in mind the rule of law: something that is indispensable for any free society. It is not for idle reasons that Hayek devoted an entire chapter of Road to the ways in which gradual shifts away from markets toward economic planning progressively compromised the rule of law. After all, interventionism that aims at rearranging the distribution of wealth cannot help but result in the government intentionally treating people unequally.

From 1944 onward, Hayek was to develop these neo-Tocquevillian themes in ways even more overtly focused on political and legal theory than Road. Examples include The Constitution of Liberty (1960) and his three-volume Law, Legislation, and Liberty (197379). Economics did not fade in its significance for Hayeks understanding of the trials facing the free society. Political economy remained central to his interests. But having been marginalized from economic debates by the triumph of post-Keynesian ideas and the postwar shift toward an economics dominated by mathematics throughout the Western world, Hayeks intellectual investment in extra-economic responses to the decline of freedom only grew from the 1950s until his death in 1992.

Therein lies one of the important lessons of Hayeks Road for us today. Advocates of free markets naturally gravitate toward economic arguments. Road, however, reminds us that some of the more subtle threats to freedom proceed, as Tocqueville understood, from the willingness of large numbers of people to freely give up liberty for goals that are not at all utopian but are nonetheless unrealizable. Good economic policy is indispensable but not enough if we want to avoid Hayeks Tocquevillian prognosis of freely chosen servitude.
A Blacksburg engineer thinks drones could revolutionize firefighting.

Jonathan Keller of Blacksburg, 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 massive wildfires that have burned western North American forests.

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 VT grad 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 said 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 weighting 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.
LIBREVILLE, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- China and Gabon have upheld a robust and supportive friendship over the 50 years of diplomatic relations, with China consistently supporting Gabon through challenging times, Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema said.

China and Gabon established diplomatic relations on April 20, 1974. In April 2023, the two countries elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. According to Chinese customs statistics, trade between China and Gabon reached 3.79 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, with China being Gabon's largest trading partner for 11 consecutive years.

In an interview with Xinhua, Nguema stated that the friendship between China and Gabon has remained vibrant, noting that Chinese investments in Gabon span various sectors, including forestry, oil, mining and construction.

Chinese enterprises have invigorated Gabon's economy, and China has significantly contributed to Gabon's infrastructure, energy, education and vocational training, he said.

The Chinese government provided preferential loans to support the construction of three modern vocational training centers in Gabon, said Nguema, adding that in the field of digital economy, thanks to cooperation with Chinese enterprises, Gabon has become the first country in Central Africa to test 5G technology.

In healthcare, Tianjin People's Hospital and Melen Hospital in Gabon have witnessed inspiring results through their close cooperation, which effectively improves healthcare services for local population, he said.

"Gabon hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in infrastructure development. Gabon plans to increase investment in infrastructure, transportation, energy, potable water resources, and housing to improve living conditions and hopes to explore further cooperation with China in these areas," Nguema said.

Nguema expressed admiration for the achievements of Chinese modernization. "The achievements of Chinese modernization are impressive, and the Chinese model of development will serve as an inspirational source for African countries exploring their own development paths."

Regarding the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation the Gabonese leader said he would use the forum to "showcase investment opportunities in Gabon."

He noted that past editions of the forum have draw China and Africa closer, and catalyzed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation between China and Gabon as well as the whole of Africa.

Nguema highlighted that China-Africa cooperation is based on sincerity, unity, trust, achieving mutual benefits and win-win results. "I am confident in the continued cooperation between China and Africa in industrialization and infrastructure development."

He also mentioned that the BRI has offered an inclusive development model for the world, particularly for Africa, and that under the BRI, China has built a road connecting Port-Gentil to Omboue in Gabon, creating efficient land links between Gabon's economic hub, Port-Gentil, and other regions.

Additionally, Nguema said that the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative aim to build a community with a shared future for mankind, reflecting China's commitment to practicing multilateralism.

In the international community, China and Africa share common stances on major issues such as counter-terrorism and climate change, and they are committed to jointly promoting the development of multilateralism, Nguema said.

Africa's dream is for every nation to achieve development according to its own needs and aspirations, and it hopes to build a more just and equitable global governance system, Nguema said. "Africa and China will continue to cooperate to achieve this vision." 
VILNIUS, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Rising costs and delays to the Rail Baltica project must be addressed at the European Union (EU) level, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said on Wednesday.

Nauseda made the remarks at a joint press conference in Warsaw with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda, the Baltic News Service (BNS) reported.

"The Rail Baltica project (...) is moving ahead a bit slower than we planned. As a result, the project's costs are higher than planned. I believe this is one of the issues that we could address together with the European Union," Nauseda said.

Rail Baltica will connect Tallinn, Riga, Kaunas, Vilnius and Warsaw, and includes a 392-km stretch in Lithuania.

In a report published in June, audit institutions from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia said that an additional 10-19 billion euros could be needed to implement the planned works in the three Baltic states, including 8.7 billion euros in Lithuania alone.

"The Rail Baltica project's progress is at risk because its estimated cost has quadrupled over seven years and the project's size could lead to a budget deficit of 10-19 billion euros," said the auditors.

Lithuanian Transport Minister Marius blamed RB Rail, the pan-Baltic venture set up for the Rail Baltica project, for the slow and costly construction of the railway.

According to the ministry, the entire project should be completed by 2030, while the connection between Lithuania and Poland is expected to be completed by 2028. (1 euro = 1.1 U.S. dollar) 
Reading the first pages of Matt Haigs The Midnight Library, you would not guess that it has spent more than 120 weeks on the bestseller list. Bestselling books, generally, are in the business of telling people what they want to hear. To judge by the most recent New York Times list, people want to be assured that true love will triumph, that justice will be served, that kids look at their damn phones too much, and that the government has been covering up evidence of extraterrestrials visiting Earth. The Midnight Library, a novel published in 2020, does not begin like such a book; its main character, already grieving her parents and several failed relationships, becomes so crushed by a fresh rash of losses that she tries to end her life.

But you dont sell 10 million copies of an unmitigated downer, and by the end of The Midnight Library, the suicidal 35-year-old Nora Seed has learned a bucketful of life lessons that rescue her from her terminal self-loathing. So has the reader; whatever theyre facing, they might come out at the end of The Midnight Library with a few aphorisms to help them through the day. Call Haigs book a therapy novel: not fiction about a persons experience in analysis, but a story that serves the same purpose as therapyto help readers work out their problems.

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Now, with The Life Impossible, his follow-upalso featuring a depressed heroine, although this one is twice Noras ageHaig attempts a new riff on this market-proven premise. While it is surely easier to administer helpful guidance than to write a novel as great as, say, The Great Gatsby, the therapy novel has its pitfalls. A great novel just needs to be itself, but the therapy novel is only as valuable as the counsel it doles out. Granted, the audience for such books rarely demands more than platitudes, but as Haig demonstrates, the quest for easily dispensable wisdom has a way of leading the unwary writer astray.

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The Midnight Library belongs to that long tradition of bestselling novels that serve as parables for the perplexed or despairing. Suspended between life and death, Nora finds herself in an infinite library whose every book but one recounts a life she might have led if she had made a different choice at some pivotal moment. The sole exception, a tome called The Book of Regrets, lists everything she wishes shed done or not done, and she can barely stand to read more than a few lines of that one at a time. But as Nora opens various books in the Midnight Library and is transported into her alternative fatesas an Olympic swimmer, a glaciologist, a rock star, and a pub owner, to name but a fewThe Book of Regrets grows lighter, its pages gradually erased. She realizes that every life path involves concessions and losses, and many of those paths are not as satisfying as they might appear from the outside: The Olympians identity is defined by the crudest notion of success; the rock star loses her brother, a member of her band, to an overdose, etc. If the concept of visiting the what-might-have-been sounds vaguely familiar, youll note the name of the dull market town in the English Midlands where Haig situates Nora: Bedford, a reference to Bedford Falls, the setting of Its a Wonderful Life.

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A 2015 memoir gave Haig his first bestseller and a glimpse of how he might become more than a magic-realist Nick Hornby.

Books of this type provoke strong feelings. Some readersa lot of themhave found The Midnight Library (or Jonathan Livingston Seagull or The Alchemist or Ishmael) transformative, while others seem to detest them with a passion. (Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Siddhartha, and The Little Prince are less polarizing.) Haig didnt start out writing in this vein. His earliest novels, although fantastical, were hardly heart-warmers. They often grafted sardonic gothic devices onto the banality of British suburbia. In 2006s The Dead Fathers Club, a riff on Hamlet, an 11-year-old is charged with avenging his fathers murder by the uncle who wants to take over the family pub. A grieving father possessed by his dead son tyrannizes the boys twin sister in 2008s The Possession of Mr. Cave. Haig has an eye for evocative detail, and his writing is humorous, wry, and literatehe scatters references to Italo Calvino, Foucault, and theoretical mathematics throughout his novels.

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It was with 2015s Reasons to Stay Alive that Haig had his first bestseller, and with it caught a glimpse of how he might become more than a magic-realist Nick Hornby hovering in the liminal space between YA and midlist adult fiction. A memoir, Reasons to Stay Alive recounts Haigs battle with clinical depression, which he describes with wit and verve, but also with the sort of mottoes fans get tattooed on their forearms to remind them of the book that saved their life: Your mind is a galaxy. More dark than light. But the light makes it worthwhile. Live in the moment. Live in the breath. It may be a dark cloud passing across the sky, butif that is the metaphoryou are the sky. The tone of Reasons to Stay Alive, serious but not heavy and a bit self-mocking, seems particularly suited to a young, self-conscious readership who grew up online. For indignation addicts, the book has a list of insensitive things often said to people with depression. It reassures its readers, We are all so weird that, really, none of us are. And it offers deft descriptions of why they might nevertheless feel alienated: You are walking around with your head on fire and no one can see the flames.

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The Midnight Library seems aimed at an older demographic, those in the same early midlife when Dante found himself lost in a dark wood. You have to have years under your belt, after all, to accumulate a book full of regrets. Whatever its detractors might say, The Midnight Library is a fairly tightly constructed book. While it seems implausible that one woman could possess the gifts to become an Olympic athlete, an international pop star, a top scientist, or a noted academic, Nora is otherwise a believably depressed woman. The lives Haig imagines for her contain a credible mix of joys and sorrows. Haig can turn a phrase and deliver an insight, as when Nora, embedded in one of her alternative lives, hears a confidence from a complete stranger who believes her to be a good friend: This must be the hardest bit about being a spy, she thinks. The emotion people store in you, like a bad investment. Yes, The Midnight Library includes the sort of self-reflection that feels like the product of extensive professional counseling, counseling that Nora hasnt had: Nora had always had a problem accepting herself. From as far back as she could remember, shed had the sense that she wasnt enough. But its central conceit is coherent, and its primary messagethat every life is imperfectis both solid and worth reiterating.

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The Life Impossible, on the other hand, lives up to its title, though not in the way, I imagine, Haig means it. It is less modest and grounded than its predecessor and far less effective at the therapy novels salubrious mission. Grace, the novels narrator, is 72 andlike virtually every Haig charactercoping with the death of loved ones. Her son died in a traffic accident at age 11, and her husband a few years before the novel begins. Marking time in (yes, again) the English Midlands, Grace diagnoses herself with anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure, a symptom Haig described in his own memoir of depression. She receives notice that she has inherited a house in Ibiza from a woman she last heard from many years ago. Mystified by this legacy and her old friends unexplained disappearance, Grace flies to the island to get some answers.

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The first noticeable problem with The Life Impossible is that much of the novel reads like a travel brochure for Ibiza. In addition to exhaustively rhapsodizing about the islands famous sights and celebrated nightlife, Haig has his characters insist over and over how special Ibiza is and how the ordinary rules dont apply there. This is Ibiza! somebody is always shouting whenever Grace complains about some unlikely development.

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And there are a lot of those. The story Grace steps into involves a vast stretch of magical seagrass inhabited by an advanced alien consciousness that infuses the minds of select individuals, investing them with tremendous powers. Grace, it turns out, is one of the chosen (special, like Ibiza itself, people keep telling her), and after her encounter with La Presencia, Grace can see other peoples futures and pasts, read minds, perform telekinetic feats, and access vast stores of information like a human Wikipedia. Youd think that this would more than equip her to fend off the novels antagonista sinister developer intent on building a resort hotel on Es Vedra, a small, rocky island off Ibizas southwest coastbut it turns out that he too possesses extraordinary, though evil, abilities. Also, there is a portal to another planet where everything is perfect, and a jar full of glowing seawater that gives Grace prophetic dreams.

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Related From Slate Maybe Reading Fiction Makes You a Better Person. But Why Should It Matter? Read More

A retired, sensible math teacher, Grace initially resists the tsunami of woo-woo that drenches her as soon as she sets foot on Ibiza. But by the time she shatters the glass of a restaurant lobster tank after telepathically experiencing the misery of the crustaceans inside it, resistance has become futile. She has been brought to Ibiza to defend the island from satanic hoteliers because, as the crusty old salt who serves as her guide explains it, La Presencia is basically an intergalactic activist. It is here to protect things. It also has organized itself. Just as we need to. Along with lectures on how Grace needs to overcome the psychological hurdle of believing that she wasnt a good person who deserved happiness, the reader is subjected to boilerplate exhortations to political and environmental protest.

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A great novel just needs to be itself, but the therapy novel is only as valuable as the counsel it doles out.

Characters in The Life Impossible speak in pseudoscientific New Agey disquisitions: Our bodies create inner light. Biophotons. And the bioluminescent photons of La Presencia interact with the bioluminescent photons within us, because light gets through and inside everything. And, via the triggering of a stunningly complex hormonal response and a kind of biological information transfer, these new photons untap our potential. It is only a matter of time, I told myself as I waded through this palaver, before we get to Everything is connected, that vapid insight favored by well-off people on spiritual quests. Sure enough, about three-quarters into the novel, Grace explains that everyone flows into everyone else without even realizing. Whatever that means.

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People read novels for many reasons, all of them valid. The form is capacious. The Midnight Library does seem to have been useful to many people, which doesnt make it art but is still not nothing. Yet theres something puritanical and dispiriting about the insistence from some readers that novels dispense morals and messages. The novelists who serve this audience end up treating fiction as a means to an end, rather than as an end in itself. We dont expect other works of artpaintings or symphonies, for exampleto provide us with self-help. The novels Ive found most meaningful, from Jane Eyre to Never Let Me Go, cant be boiled down to nuggets of advice or advocacy for mental health or conservation or any other cause, however worthy. The value of a work of art is simple in itself, like the value of a human being, apart from whatever utility it might have.

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Its hard to see what utility the dime-store cosmology of The Life Impossible might have to offer anyone. Who finds comfort reading about extraterrestrial seagrass and being irradiated with bioluminescent photons? The simplicity and ambiguity of The Midnight Librarys premisea reader could easily believe that Noras time in the library is a hallucination she experiences as she lies unconscious after her suicide attemptgave it power, the streamlined potency of a myth or parable. Noras story could be the readers. It could be anyones; it doesnt require that she live on a magical island or be singled out by superintelligent aliens as humanitys savior. I suspect that Haig began The Life Impossible with the notion of retelling The Tempest but, somewhere along the way, got lostand that puts him in no position to help readers find themselves.

But what do I know? A novel has never saved my life. Novels are, however, one of the things that make my life worth living. Just not this one.
Twice impeached, convicted on 34 felony counts, indicted in two federal criminal courts, on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars in civil penalties: Former President Donald J. Trump has a long-standing, intimate relationship with the lawa personal, close-up view of the American justice system spanning 50 years and thousands of lawsuits. Trumps dealings with the law also include a pattern and practice of distorting that system for his own benefit, and to the detriment of anyone who stands in his way. Its unlikely well see any resolution to the various cases pending against Trump before Novembers election, but we dont have to wait for Jack Smith to address a jury in Washington to understand how the former president uses the law. One might, however, need a reminder. In a limited series for Amicus, award-winning investigative journalist Andrea Bernstein delves into The Law According to Trump. Bernstein started the series by talking to Jim Zirin, former U.S. Attorney and author of Plaintiff in Chief: A Portrait of Donald Trump in 3,500 Lawsuits. Their conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Andrea Bernstein: Lets talk about how all of this got startedand your answer to that is in large part Roy Cohn. Who was he and why was he so influential on Trump?

Jim Zirin: Roy Cohn was chief counsel to Sen. Joseph McCarthy. He was a red-baiter. After McCarthy was discredited, Roy Cohn came back to New York and he acquired all kinds of clients; mobsters, nightclub owners, businessmen. Eventually, he was indicted in federal court. He would go on to be indicted three times. The first time was for obstruction of justice in trying to fix a criminal case in the Southern District of New York. After two trials, he was acquitted. The second indictment was for conspiracy to bribe a public official, with the bribe money changing hands in the United States courthouse where he was standing trial on the first case.

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Cohn had a lawyer named Joe Brill. In the third case, Joe Brill cross-examined all the witnesses as usual, and then suddenly, when summations were supposed to begin, he complained of chest pains. As if on cue, the EMT team came into the courtroom and carted Joe Brill out. The judge, Inzer Wyatt, who came from Birmingham, Alabama, threw up his hands and said: What are we going to do? Weve been here on trial for a month! Whos going to sum up?

Cohn had not taken the standbut the judge allowed him to sum up on his own behalf, which had never been done before in anyones memory. For a day and a half, Cohn delivered a summation without notes. He portrayed himself to the jury as a great patriot and as a warrior against the communist threat. He was acquitted.

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So here was a man who knew how to beat the system.

In 1973 Roy Cohn met Donald J. Trump at a nightclub in New York City. Trump told Cohn that he and his father had been sued by the United States Department of Justices Civil Rights Division for discrimination in housing. The government had developed a good case. Trump and his father went to a number of reputable lawyers in New York, and they all said: What you should do is settle the case. Youll get a slap on the wrist. Youll agree not to discriminate anymore, without admitting or denying the allegations. And you can go on in business and go on with your lives. Trump didnt like this advice. Cohns advice was to fight. Trump liked that advice.

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Related From Slate The Supreme Court Just Signaled What It Will Do If the Election Is Close Read More

Whats really important to understand here is that Roy Cohn had a playbook and Trump learned from it.

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These charges of witch hunt that Trump hurls, he first used in the housing discrimination case. He also learned to try the case in the press from Cohn, who used to know some of the columnists and would selectively place stories. This is what Trump did in the criminal case in New York this springleaking stories to the right-wing press to create a public atmosphere that was hostile to the state of New York (the plaintiff in the case) and favorable to Trump.

This is Trump at the courthousehe sets up these press availabilities, hes behind these barriers in this sort of cavernous marble hallway, and hes attacking the prosecutors, hes attacking the case, he calls it a witch hunt, says that its politically motivated, meritlesshe says hell fight it. All of these things go back more than 50 years to the early 1970s when he meets Roy Cohn and basically adopts this wholesale.

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Thats correct. And in the New York case, he attacked the judge, even the judges daughter. He attacked members of the prosecution staff. According to Trump they were all left-wing Trump-haters, and the whole prosecution was being conducted for political purposes. There was the big lie that the prosecution was being directed by Joe Biden, even though it was a state prosecution, and even though the Justice Department had absolutely nothing to do with it. They pointed to one former Justice Department attorney who was hired by [Alan] Bragg before the Trump case was even brought. They said this shows that Merrick Garland was involved in the prosecution. It was just total nonsense, but people believe it.

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People do believe it. And I think that is the thing about the Roy Cohn playbookits worked for Trump in many ways.

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Youve written about how Trump distorts the adversarial process. The concept of having your day in court is ingrained in the American psycheyou should get to go to the court, you should get the judge to rule. But Im hearing you say its not fine. And Im wondering why you feel that way.

Its not fine if you misuse the process. If you and I have a dispute, and if there were no court system, we would have no way of resolving it. Wed be at each others throats. The purpose of the court system is to resolve disputes in society. So the plaintiff claims what his or her grievance is and the courts decide whether theres any merit to it. The plaintiffs objective is to get a judgment in his or her favor and the defenses objective is to defeat the judgment. Its not meant to destroy the defendant or destroy the plaintiff, and its not meant to meet some ulterior objective, either some political objective or some business objective, which has nothing to do with the case. Thats what tends to happen in Trump cases.

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And its not just that hes kind of misusing the process, but that each time he does this, he sort of degrades the process for everyone.

Thats out of the Roy Cohn playbook too. Roy Cohn was famous for the statement Screw the law. Whos the judge? He wanted to degrade the legal system. He was afraid of judgesjudges gave him trouble. The way around it was to either figure out how you could denounce the judge or figure out how you could get the judge in the tank. You see Trump doing that repeatedly.

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Lets turn to the presidential immunity case decided this past term at the U.S. Supreme Court. So many legal analysts and legal experts expected SCOTUS to go the other way in this case. Trumps immunity claims were so outlandish, and the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed. But in true Trump style, he kind of reached for the brass ring, and he got it. Which reminded me of his tactics as outlined in your book in the civil suits you discuss. They seem crazy, but sometimes he would win.

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The immunity case is the paradigm example of Cohns Screw the law. Whos the judge?

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Nowhere in the Constitution does it give the president immunity. In all of the founders debates about the president, they were very clear: They didnt want a king who was above the law. They wanted a president who was a servant of the law. And that is quite clear because as a servant of the law, the president takes an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. So the law is supreme, not the president.

But what happened with the immunity case was you had six judges, three of whom were appointed by Trump, who were quick to say that the president is not above the law, but also he is above the law. Heres where the makeshift position of Chief Justice John Roberts comes into play, because he said theres a distinction between official acts and private acts.

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For private acts, the court concluded that the president is not above the law. So I assume if the president had an affair with a woman and her jealous husband came to the White House and the president shot the husband in the Oval Officethats a private act, and he would not be above the law. But if he ordered Navy SEALs to do it, then it would be an official act and he would be above the law because thats a presidential act.

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So this decision is outrageous. Itll be overruled by some future court, God willing. Its a case that really gives the president a free pass.

Even though obviously Roy Cohn was Donald Trumps favorite lawyer, and he uses all of these Cohn techniques to this day, they had a falling out at the end.

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Cohn was gay and closeted and had a boyfriend to whom Trump had promised to give an apartment. The boyfriend had AIDS and Trump paid for an apartment for a while, but then he started to send bills. Roy Cohn said, Donald Trump pisses ice water. So even Roy Cohn got the short end of the stick from Donald Trump. But your book ends with a note of optimism?

Its a quote from Roy Cohns book, where he said, No public man can indefinitely survive in the center of controversy. This applies in spades to Donald Trump.

Do you think thats still true? No public man can indefinitely survive in the center of controversy?

I think thats true as a matter of politics and I think its going to be true of Trump. The media built him up, and as we saw in the Roman colosseum, the thumbs-up can quickly turn to thumbs-down. The cult will break apart and people will go on with their lives.
Very warm night ahead, festivities for wine lovers, where to get quality clothes for good price.

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Good evening. Here is the Wednesday, September 4 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

More schools, courts hit with bomb threats

The primary school in Bernolakovo near Bratislava. (Source: TASR)

Following nearly 270 bomb threats on Tuesday, on Wednesday a number of schools across Slovakia received an e-mail this tine claiming that landmines had been planted on their premises.

Once again, the bomb scares extended beyond Slovakia's borders; schools in the Czech Republic also received them.

Slovak police checked the schools, but did not find anything.

"We are actively communicating with the Education Ministry and intensively cooperating with other state security agencies and partners abroad, including Czech colleagues," the police said, adding that they are prepared and proceeding according to standard operating procedures, as are schools.

The police said that measures have been taken for the safety of children.

In this regard, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Hlas) wants to propose a national camera system project covering approximately 3,200 primary and secondary schools. The cameras would monitor who enters the school premises; they would be able to track faces and detect people with a criminal record.

The minister also said that the recent bomb threats bear the same modus operandi as the bomb threats in May this year. At the time, similar incidents happened elsewhere in the region and were seen as elements of hybrid war. The May emails originated from addresses run from Russian domains.

In addition, bomb threats were reported at courts across the country. In the early morning, an unknown male voice called 112 in Nitra and said that 'a bomb has been planted at a court'. The police found nothing.

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FEATURE STORY

Where to get clothes at a good price

Bargain hunters on the prowl (Source: TASR)

Every year, the number of vintage shops in Bratislava is increasing, with more businesses offering a larger selection of original assortment.

Vintage shops are not to be confused with second-hand shops; the clothes in the former are specific to a certain time period and individual pieces may not have been worn before. The latter means any used clothing. Here are five vintage shops in the capital that are worth visiting. You don't have to be a fashionista to get something nice.

EVENT FOR NEXT WEEK

Enjoy Bratislava's central park

The part at the Racianske Myto locality. (Source: TASR)

On Saturday, the revitalised park at the Racianske Myto locality in Bratislava's Nove Mesto borough will once again play host to the Zive Racko festival. Originally intended for the wider local community, it has now grown beyond and attracts people from all over Bratislava. The fifth edition will take place at two stages, with bands such as punks group Berlin Manson, Slovak avant-garde legends Bez Ladu a Skladu, and rockers Walter Schnitzelsson performing.

Children can look forward to a puppet theatre and magician, among other things. In addition to the music program, the event will offer visitors a number of accompanying activities, such as the exchange or donation of books, education at the stands of civic associations, or street food. Admission is free, the event starts at 13:00. Find out more here.

IN OTHER NEWS

The Slovnaft refinery in Bratislava has started shutting down part of its production. This is due to autumn maintenance. However, residents are warned of increased levels of smell, noise and flames from the refinery's field burners. (Dennik N)

This is due to autumn maintenance. However, residents are warned of increased levels of smell, noise and flames from the refinery's field burners. (Dennik N) The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute warns that the night from Wednesday to Thursday will probably be extremely warm and expects temperatures around 25 C , especially in the southwest of Slovakia in the vicinity of the Little Carpathians mountain range. (SHMU)

, especially in the southwest of Slovakia in the vicinity of the Little Carpathians mountain range. (SHMU) Former Slovak ambassador to NATO Peter Bator has joined the opposition Progressive Slovakia party. He will act as a defence and security expert as well as executive director of an analytical institute being set up within the party. "I'm going to be involved professionally, I want to be involved politically as well," Bator noted. (TASR)

In Slovakia's famous vine region of Tokaj, grape harvest has begun two weeks earlier than last year due to persistent high temperatures that speed up the ripening process. (Source: TASR)

Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer) considers the report about the acquisition of Pegasus spyware untrue and also evidence that its authors lack understanding of the matter. He pointed out that running such a system would violate Slovak legislation and is extremely expensive. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Hlas) claimed to have no information about such a procurement. Opposition parties voiced concerns regarding potential unprecedented disruption of the privacy and security of Slovak citizens and asked for the restoration of the currently dysfunctional Special Parliamentary Session for the Supervision of the Slovak Information Service. (TASR)

He pointed out that running such a system would violate Slovak legislation and is extremely expensive. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Hlas) claimed to have no information about such a procurement. Opposition parties voiced concerns regarding potential unprecedented disruption of the privacy and security of Slovak citizens and asked for the restoration of the currently dysfunctional Special Parliamentary Session for the Supervision of the Slovak Information Service. (TASR) Richard Sulik, founder and former head of the SaS party, is giving up his seat in Parliament. The reason is that he needs 'some distance from politics after 15 years'. He might run in the next general election, if there is 'demand for the kind of policy' he promotes. He will still be a party member. In Parliament, he'll be replaced by Karol Galek, who previously served as a state secretary at the Economy Ministry. (TASR, SME)

The reason is that he needs 'some distance from politics after 15 years'. He might run in the next general election, if there is 'demand for the kind of policy' he promotes. He will still be a party member. In Parliament, he'll be replaced by Karol Galek, who previously served as a state secretary at the Economy Ministry. (TASR, SME) MP Lubomir Galko has left the caucus of Slovensko (formerly OLaNO)-Za Ludi-Krestanska Unia coalition, the Slovensko movement spokesperson Matus Bystriansky announced, adding that Galko had informed caucus chair Michal Sipos about his decision earlier in the day. The latter also suggested that Galko is to join the non-parliamentary Demokrati party. Last week, Demokrati chair Jaroslav Nad suggested that his party would have its first MP. Neither Nad nor Galko confirmed this at the time of writing. (TASR)

WEATHER FOR THURSDAY: Mostly sunny, in some places cloud cover will temporarily increase, in mountainous regions a chance of showers. Daily temperatures will rise to between 26 C to 33 C, as level 1 high temperature warning issued for western Slovakia. (SHMU)

SEPTEMBER 5 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Regina

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Popular events abound, offering rich programme and delicacies.

Grape harvest festivities take place in and around Bratislava every September. (Source: TASR)

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September is here and this also means the time of grape harvest festivities - vinobranie in Slovak - and fairs is back. Wine lovers have several events held in Bratislava and its vicinity to choose from. These range from smaller open vineyard events to large festivities accompanied by rich cultural programmes and street food stands.

Related article

Related article Devin, Leanka, Milia? Great Bratislava wines still wait to be discovered Read more

First grape harvest festivitity

This coming weekend already offers two events.

Just a quick ride from the capital will take you to the small town of Modra in the foothills of the Little Carpathian mountain range. Taking place between September 6-8, the traditional Modranske vinobranie festival is a celebration of the town's winemaking tradition.

In addition to great wines, you will also be able to taste a unique beverage known as 'burciak', a seasonal hard grape cider with a foam that can rival even the one on your beer.

In addition to fine drinks, visitors will be able to get a glimpse of crafts of times gone by, folklore, visit wine cellars, historic expositions. Expect a rich cultural programme featuring concerts of staple bands such as Bukasovy Masiv, Le Payaco, Billy Barman, as well as new acts in the form of Meowlau x Val for example.

Traditional grape drink called burciak is a must during the festivities. (Source: TASR)

Day in vineyards

If mass gatherings are not up your alley, then maybe check out this event also taking place on Saturday, September 7. Several dozen wine growers and makers of the Little Carpathian Wine Region will invite wine afficionados to taste their production - both the fruit of the land and the fruit of their labour, while allowing them to enjoy the view of the beautiful country.

Vineyards in Raca, Vajnory, Svaty Jur, Limbach, Pezinok, Senkvice, Modra and more will welcome you between 11:00-19:00; a ticket costs 20 and includes a 5 voucher for the purchase of wine.

Bratislava's Lamac borough will also host its own event in the form of the Rozalske hody festivities on September 6-8. The event will feature a slew of concerts for children and adults alike, as well as carousels, face painting, theatrical performances and more.

Related article

Related article New attraction near Bratislava: Giant lookout bench Read more

Pezinok is the best

Next week on September 13-15, Bratislava's Raca borough will play host to the most popular grape harvest festivities in the capital.

There will be stands with typical delicacies such as ciganska pecienka (a bun with pork, onion and mustard), lokse (thin potato pancakes), roasted sausages, candy floss, as well as carousels. The local amphitheatre will once again provide the stage for concerts of popular Slovak bands and musicians such as Jana Kirschner, Billy Barman, Hex, Tublatanka and more. Admission is free.

Rounding up the September festivities is the picturesque wine-growing town of Pezinok. Taking place on September 20-22, the event draws visitors not only from the vicinity, but from abroad as well. In addition to a lot of concerts, you will see the celebration of grapes, learn about the harvest and the work of local winemakers and winegrowers, witness a historic procession, expositions, and more. Don't miss it, more details here.
Arizona Diamondbacks' Randal Grichuk reacts after hitting a home run against the San Francisco Giants during the fifth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Randal Grichuk hit a two-run homer in the first and a solo drive in the fifth to move within one of 300 for his career, and the Arizona Diamondbacks held off the San Francisco Giants 8-7 on Tuesday night for their seventh straight road win.

Grichuk had his 12th career multi-homer game and first in nearly two years since connecting twice for Colorado on Sept. 6, 2022, against Milwaukee.

He's hot, and when he's hot he can carry a ballclub, manager Torey Lovullo said.

Grichuk's big bat helped Ryne Nelson (10-6) reach double-digit victories for the first time in his career in just the second win in six games overall for Arizona, which holds the second NL wild card spot.

It was a big win for us to kind of get back on that train we were riding for a little bit, Nelson said.

Matt Chapman homered in the sixth and Mike Yastrzemski connected to spark a four-run eighth for the Giants on a night they drew a season-low crowd of 23,545 and lost their third straight and fifth in six. San Francisco threatened against Ryan Thompson, who gave up RBI singles to Jerar Encarnacion and Patrick Bailey.

Justin Martinez relieved and surrendered a run-scoring single to Marco Luciano, freshly up from the minors, before retiring Luis Matos on a called third strike. Martinez allowed Yastrzemski's leadoff single in the ninth then a one-out RBI double to Heliot Ramos before striking out Encarnacion to close it out for his eighth save  with the tying and go-ahead runs aboard.

Corbin Carroll singled to begin the ninth for a career-best 13-game hitting streak then stole second and third before Christian Walker singled him home for a key insurance run.

It felt great to help the team," said Walker, who returned from the injured list after he missed more than a month with a strained left oblique muscle. He went 1 for 5 in the cleanup spot, and Walker will be carefully built up to playing regularly again.

I talk to you guys about momentum and swings all the time and it was clearly in their favor after the eighth inning, Lovullo said. I felt like our group knew how important it was to go out there and add on a run or two to stop the momentum and they did a great job.

Arizona loaded the bases with two outs in the third against rookie lefty Kyle Harrison (7-7), who was replaced following Adrian Del Castillo's single. Tristan Beck entered and immediately surrendered Kevin Newman's two-run single.

Josh Bell added an RBI groundout in the initial inning then Geraldo Perdomo made it 4-1 when he singled in a run in the second.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Diamondbacks: Walker played for the first time since July 29 against Washington. ... OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. went on the 10-day IL with a strained left calf, though Lovullo expects him to return when eligible. Gurriel was hurt trying to beat out a double play Sunday against the Dodgers. ... INF Ketel Marte tested his sprained left ankle with some aggressive baserunning while C Gabriel Moreno (strained adductor in his left leg) still needs some recovery time. ... LHP Jordan Montgomery is listed as day-to-day after he took a comebacker off the lower right leg Monday and exited in the seventh inning.

Giants: Michael Conforto was scratched from the designated hitter spot. He had some discomfort in his left side Sunday then San Francisco had a day off Monday. Conforto still felt something when went in the cage to swing Tuesday and the team decided to be cautious. Manager Bob Melvin expects him to play Wednesday.

ROSTER MOVES

The Giants recalled Luciano and OF Luis Matos from Triple-A Sacramento. C/OF Blake Sabol and INF Casey Schmitt were optioned to Sacramento.

UP NEXT

RHP Zac Gallen (10-6, 3.87 ERA), 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA and 29 strikeouts over his last four outings at Oracle Park, pitches the middle game of the series for Arizona opposite RHP Hayden Birdsong (3-4, 5.14).

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
In this image provided by Jonathan Boeve, Jim Dreyer, right, talks to his support team in Lake Michigan, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, on the third day of his attempt to swim from Michigan to Wisconsin. (Jonathan Boeve via AP)

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (AP)  An ultra swimmer nicknamed The Shark was back on shore Wednesday, having given up on yet another quest to cross Lake Michigan after 40 hours in the water.

An online tracker showed Jim Dreyer returned to Grand Haven, Michigan, where he started his planned 82-mile (130-kilometer) swim to Wisconsin on Monday night.

He posted on Facebook that he was safe.

There were only two good hours in this 40-hour swim. If you were watching the tracker, I promise I wasnt drunk, Dreyer wrote. We will talk after a sleep Marathon. Thank you all for your support, Your Love, and prayers.

Dreyer, 61, has tried four times since 2023 to swim across Lake Michigan, including an effort just a few weeks ago, but has been unsuccessful due to lake conditions or other factors.

He was not only swimming one of the Great Lakes this week but also towing a small inflatable boat with supplies.

Dreyer first made a splash when he crossed Lake Michigan in 1998, starting in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and finishing in Ludington, Michigan.

In August, lake conditions and hallucinations forced him to give up on the third day. Dreyer lost the batteries for his GPS device and ended up swimming far off course.

What a blow! he said.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240904/anxiety-within-germany-about-its-future-afd--bsw-take-east-germany-by-storm-1120004676.html

'Anxiety Within Germany About Its Future': AfD & BSW Take East Germany by Storm

'Anxiety Within Germany About Its Future': AfD & BSW Take East Germany by Storm

Sputnik International

Dr. George Szamuely, a senior research fellow at the Global Policy Institute and author joined Sputniks Fault Lines on Tuesday to discuss the recent election

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2024-09-04T01:12+0000

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europe

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george szamuely

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Germanys right-wing party, the Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) received an unprecedented number of votes this weekend, pushing the party to second place behind the conservative Christian Democratic Union party (CDU) in Saxony with 30.6% of the vote. And in Thuringia, the AfD won its first German regional election by almost 10 points with 32.8% of the vote, and was followed by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) which secured 23.6% of the voted according to exit polls.Dr. George Szamuely, a senior research fellow at the Global Policy Institute and author joined Sputniks Fault Lines on Tuesday to discuss the recent election. While the AfDs success in East Germany cannot be denied, Szamuely suggests that their ability to actually form a government will be much more difficult.And, as long as the AfD is still stuck in the early 30s in terms of percentage, then this policy can succeed. So the question is then can the AfD make further progress and move to the level of, you know, into the 40s or maybe even the 50s so that it can actually form a government and that's not immediately clear that it can be done," he added.The AfDs victory in East Germany was not only a vote of no confidence in the ruling traffic light coalition but also showed the political division in Germany some 34 years after its reunification, said Dr. Gregor Spitzen, a German political analyst and independent journalist, who spoke to Sputnik on Monday. The analyst explained that East Germans think more critically about anti-Russian narratives in the media, and that some older East Germans still regard Russians as good friends and useful trading partners.Sahra Wagenknecht started the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) in January, but the party has grown in popularity after it came in third in three states - in former East Germany - in elections on Sunday, as Germanys more mainstream parties are losing support.The AfD has suggested that increasing arms supplies and financial assistance to Kiev will not help end the conflict in Ukraine. Tino Chrupalla, the co-leader of the right-wing party, said in an interview on Saturday that there is always readiness for negotiations, Sputnik reported citing a German newspaper."There is always readiness for negotiations. We also realize that even with more weapons and increased financial assistance this war will not end. And the population is naturally scared of the spillover to Poland and also to Germany," Chrupalla said....Volkswagen is planning to close one of its plants. That's very big news," he added. "Volkswagen is one of Germany's manufacturing powerhouses. [...] So, there's a great deal of concern in Germany that it's losing its economic status. And, of course, then there's the war in Ukraine, and the energy cost that has piled up on Germany, and the issue of Nord Stream, he added.Scholz described Germanys election results on Sunday as bitter, and added that all democratic parties are now called upon to form stable governments without right-wing extremists Our country cannot and must not become accustomed to this.The German leader vowed to strengthen weapons and deportation laws following a deadly mass stabbing in the western city of Solingen in late August. A suspected Islamic extremist killed three people and injured eight others during a street festival that marked the citys 650th anniversary. A 26-Syrian asylum-seeker reportedly turned himself over to the police, while admitting to the assault. Scholzs view that somehow [they] have to create this firewall against the AfD, but that's really the only thing that they have, the analyst added. They don't really have any ideas about, well, how do [to] change policy? Maybe if we change policy, then that would undercut the support for the AfD, but that never really occurs to them.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/us-missiles-in-germany-would-place-target-on-berlins-back---german-politician-1119720634.html

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Work is sometimes viewed as a necessary evil, and even among those with a more biblically aligned view, it can certainly feel like that sometimes. Which is why a discussion of love in the context of work may come as a bit of a surprise. In this opinion, I will explore the relationship between love and work, and make a case for why believers should view all work, and business in particular, from the perspective of love.

In the beginning, God worked

Lets start at the very beginning. When the curtain of human history opens in the first chapter of Genesis, God is predictably on the scene. What is perhaps not as predictable, is what the God is doing. The all-sufficient, all-knowing, all-wise God is not seated on his throne surrounded by worshiping angels, as we might expecthis sleeves are rolled up, and he is working. There is so much we could unpack about what God intended to communicate to us through this opening scene, but for the purpose of this article, lets think about why the eternal, triune God, who, according to Acts 17:24 does not need anything or anyone, chose to create the cosmos and human beings in the first place.

The short answer is evident throughout ScriptureGod created the world for his glory. Consider the key verses in Isaiah 43:6-7 Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. John Piper comments, Even if the narrowest meaning here is I brought Israel into being for my glory, the use of the words created, formed, and made are pointing us back to the original act of creation. This is why Israel ultimately exists, because this is why all things ultimately exist  for the glory of God.

The Creator God is a Loving God

But, taking it a step further, when we consider that at the core of Gods being is love (1 John 4:16), we can see that any and all of his purposes in creation are an overflow of this perfect love. So, we can say with certainty, In love, God created all things for his glory. And so from the very beginning, work (in Gods case, creating and sustaining) was an expression of love.

Work is a multiplier of Gods love through us. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up

Now, as we follow the creation account, we see that when God had completed his work of creation, he commanded human beings (created in his image to reflect his glory) to do exactly what he had been doingnamely, to work. The only difference was that where God created out of no material thing (ex nihilo), our creativity would be expressed through the development of the latent potential of the earth for God's glory, and the good of all creation. And just as God worked as an expression and overflow of love, it was his intent that we too should view our work in this way. So from this perspective, we might say that work is a multiplier of Gods love through us.

Work and Love Go Together

Take for example, a business that starts off with a handful of people serving a small community, which grows to employ hundreds, and serve the entire country. Throughout this process, a growing number of people are being given the opportunity to find work, which provides dignified platforms for their God-given creativity, empowers them to look after their families and be generous to others, and allows them to contribute meaningfully to the flourishing of society. As the business grows, these valuable expressions of Gods love and providence are multiplied to reach more and more peoplenot to mention the growing number of beneficiaries of the goods and services they produce.

Let's now see how we as believers are called to follow the Makers pattern of working as an expression of lovelove for God, love for fellow human beings, and love for the natural world.

1. Business as Love for God

When asked about the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus replied by saying it is to Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is one of the first truths we teach new believers, but for some reason, the question of how to actually do this is not one we pay much attention to. Sure, theres the usual instruction about the importance of being an active member of a local church and maintaining our so-called spiritual disciplines. But when you consider that the average business person spends more than half of their waking hours at work, its clear that church attendance and spiritual disciplines cannot account for the level of commitment set out in the commandmentnamely, all of your heart, soul, and mind, or as David put it in Psalm 103:1, All that is within me.

This begs the question, How does Jesus expect Christian business people in this fast-paced modern world to love God with all things, and at all times? Thankfully Scripture is not silent on this matter, because in 1 John 5 we are told exactly what love looks like for all believers of all ages. Verse 3 reads, In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. In other words, love for God is not primarily an emotional experienceit is tangible, concrete obedience to what he commands us to do.

God Created Humans to Work, and Love

This is all well and good, but what does that have to do with work? Remember the creation account? The primary reason human beings work is that we were created by God to do just that! It was God who commissioned us to work. It is by his design and decree that we wake up every morning to develop, market and sell goods and services; manage, empower, and remunerate our employees; pay bills, taxes and dividendsand so on. Doing your work well, is obedience to Godand obedience to God is love for God.

Obviously, the entry of sin into the world in Genesis 3 distorted this picture. Where work was intended as a means to glorify God, sins corruption turned it toward selfish ends. Which is why by the time we get to Genesis 11:4, the whole world gathered together in Shinar and said, Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.

There are a couple of things to note here. First, although human beings were still working, and still developing the potential of the earth as instructed in Genesis 1, it was no longer for Gods glory. Work was now about making a name for themselveswhich is classic idolatry (placing anything other than God in the place that belongs only to God). Secondly, their desire was to avoid being scattered over the face of the earthwhich is the exact opposite of the mandate given in the first chapter to fill the earth and subdue it. So, not only was work self-glorifying, its direction was now directly opposed to Gods revealed purposes.

To Glorify God We Must Work for the Good of Others

Here is why this matters. While saying that doing business is a genuine means of loving God, we must be quick to point out that doing business in and of itself, is not necessarily God-glorifyingas we see clearly from the account of the Tower of Babel. When business is fundamentally self-serving, it may be useful to society, but it does not glorify God  and it certainly cannot be considered as obedience to the Great Commandment. This is also true of businesses based on fundamentally immoral principles, such as human trafficking (to cite an obvious example).

In Colossians 3:23, the apostle Paul sets us straight on this issue when he says, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. It is this disposition of heart, this earnest desire to do everything as unto the Lord, that renders our work as worship, and enables us to love God with everythingnot just on Sunday mornings and in our devotional times, but in board meetings, wage negotiations, product development and pricing, procurement, supply chain management. Basically everything the business person has to contend with on a daily basis.

2. Business as Love for Neighbor

Going back to Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus goes on to say that the second (greatest) commandment is like the first, to Love your neighbor as yourself. We tend to view this commandment from the perspective of overt altruism, such as contributing towards a blanket drive at church, or giving money to a homeless person. But lets think biblically about this. The command to love our neighbor is taken from Leviticus 19:18, which says, Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

Be a neighbor to those around you, not just those who are like you.

Obviously, the original recipients of the command would have understood their neighbor to be their fellow Israelites, but Gods intent was much broader than that, as we see in the incident recorded in Luke 10, in which an expert in Jewish law, in attempting to justify himself, asked Jesus the question, Who is my neighbor? In response, Jesus told the Parable of the Good Samaritan, in which he effectively turned the question around from Who is my neighbor? to To whom should you be a good neighbor? And of course, the answer from the interpretation of the parable is, To those around you, not just those who are like you.

How to Be a Good Neighbor at Work

Lets consider this question from a business perspective by asking, Who are the people around your business to whom you should be a good neighbor? Having identified them, a useful follow-up question would be, What does love look like from a biblical point of view towards each of these stakeholders? In answering these two questions, you will be well on your way to obeying the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.

For most businesses, the answer to the first question is more or less the same. To whom should you be a good neighbor? Your investors and shareholders, employees, suppliers, competitors, customers, regulatory authorities, surrounding communities, the state, and the environment. With that in mind, here are a few examples of how to answer the second question:

Create a culture that enables our employees to flourish for the good of the business, and to be supported, celebrated and rewarded fairly while doing it.

Develop products, services, and experiences that genuinely benefit customers, their communities, and the world.

Operate with transparency in valuing and pricing products and services, entrusting customers with uncommon visibility into how we seek to make a fair profit.

Ensure that our brand advances narratives of virtue and hope across our ventures sphere of influence  valuing contentment over materialism, wisdom over fear, and freedom over compulsion.

Treat investors, suppliers, distributors, and all partners as we would like to be treated  considering the needs, pressures, and health of their businesses and communities.

Invest in relationships with service providers through which a mutual strengthening of businesses can take place, rather than an exploitative approach with winners and losers.

Treat competitors fairly and with respect, recognizing that they serve the common good by keeping us honest and creative.

"Render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar" through the timely payment of taxes and regulatory fees, ensuring that our profit is honest gain.

Love that extends to Gods world

It is worth pointing out that the mandate given to humankind in Genesis involves caring for the earth (Genesis 2:15). As such, our love for God and obedience to him must also be expressed through a love and concern for the natural worldfor Gods world. In business terms, this means for example, taking care to ensure that our products, services, and experiences have limited negative effects on the environment, and finding opportunities to restore the natural world.

As we intentionally embrace this perspective of work as love for God, for one another, and for the natural world, not only does the King receive the glory that he is duewe, his citizens, can find increasing joy, meaning, and fulfillment in the day-to-day successes and challenges we face as Christian business leaders.

Originally published by TGC Africa. Republished with permission.

Sibs Sibanda is the Executive Director of the South Africa-based Faith and Work Alliance. He also runs an IT company in Harare, where he lives with his wife and two children. Over the last 20 years, Sibs planted and led a number of churches in Harare and Johannesburg, while also working as a strategy consultant and business developer for various organizations. Sibs holds a degree in Land Surveying from the University of Zimbabwe, and completed his studies in Biblical Greek at the South African Theological Seminary.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240904/brics-states-to-consider-turkiyes-application-to-join-association---kremlin-aide-1120011965.html

BRICS States to Consider Turkiye's Application to Join Association - Kremlin Aide

BRICS States to Consider Turkiye's Application to Join Association - Kremlin Aide

Sputnik International

BRICS countries will consider Turkiye's application for a full-fledged participation in the association, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said on Wednesday.

2024-09-04T10:19+0000

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"Turkiye has applied for full membership [in BRICS]. We will consider it," Ushakov told reporters.Russia assumed the rotating presidency of the BRICS group of emerging economies in January. It plans to hold 250 events in 11 Russian regions, culminating in the 16th BRICS summit to be held in Kazan from October 22-24.BRICS was established in 2009 as a cooperation platform for the largest emerging economies, uniting Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa joined the group in 2010. On January 1, BRICS expanded its membership to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240902/turkiye-officially-applies-to-join-brics---reports-1119986719.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240904/journalists-from-australias-abc-broadcaster-illegally-visit-russias-kursk-region-1120013626.html

Journalists From Australia's ABC Broadcaster Illegally Visit Russia's Kursk Region

Journalists From Australia's ABC Broadcaster Illegally Visit Russia's Kursk Region

Sputnik International

Journalists from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) have illegally visited Russia's Kursk Region and published a report about the trip on Wednesday.

2024-09-04T12:54+0000

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The journalists, accompanied by the Ukrainian military, crossed the Russian border without authorization and visited the town of Sudzha and nearby villages, the ABC's report said. They admitted that their trip had come with risks, not just from being in a combat zone, but also that they are unlikely to ever be able to set foot in Russia as individuals. The authors of the report and photos taken on Russian territory are ABC correspondents Kathryn Diss and Fletcher Yeung. Correspondents from German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (labeled a foreign agent in Russia), French newspaper La Croix and Latvian Television, all facing broadcasting and internet access restrictions in Russia, also earlier made unauthorized visits to the Kursk Region. The US outlets like The Washington Post and The Daily Beast, along with the UK newspapers such as The Sun, The Times and The Independent, reported that their journalists had illegally accessed Russian territory as well. In August, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that each case of illegal entry by Western journalists into the Kursk Region would be reviewed individually, and this applied to journalists from all countries. In the same month, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Italian Ambassador to Russia Cecilia Piccioni to protest illegal entry of a crew from Italian broadcaster Rai, which is also restricted in Russia, who crossed into the Kursk Region to cover Ukraine's incursion. On August 22, the Russian Federal Security Service initiated criminal proceedings against US journalist Nick Paton Walsh and Ukrainian journalists Olesya Borovik and Diana Butsko for illegally crossing the Russian border in the Kursk Region. Similar charges had previously been brought against Italian journalists Simona Traina and Stefania Battistini. They face up to five years in prison.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240822/russia-opens-criminal-case-against-us-ukrainian-journalists-filming-in-kursk-region---fsb-1119871207.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240904/lavrov-on-possible-us-long-range-missiles-supplies-to-kiev-our-red-lines-no-joke-1120012735.html

Lavrov on Possible US Long-Range Missiles Supplies to Kiev: Our Red Lines No Joke

Lavrov on Possible US Long-Range Missiles Supplies to Kiev: Our Red Lines No Joke

Sputnik International

Moscow warns that its red lines are not to be fooled with in the light of the possible US supplies of long-range missiles to Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday.

2024-09-04T11:22+0000

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"The US has already crossed the threshold that they designated for themselves. They are being incited and [Ukrainian President] Zelensky, of course, sees this and uses it. Whoever jokes about our red lines, do not fools with our red lines. They know perfectly well what they are," Lavrov told reporter Pavel Zarubin.According to media reports, the US is close to an agreement on providing Ukraine with long-range JASSM cruise missiles. The older JASSM models have a range of about 370 km. However, there is a variant with a range of more than 800 km, but the news agency does not have specific information on which type of missile Washington is considering transferring.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240903/us-close-to-sending-long-range-cruise-missiles-to-ukraine---report-1120000247.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240904/nato-helped-ukraine-plan-dirty-bomb-blast-at-russias-kursk-nuclear-power-plant-1120009270.html

NATO Helped Ukraine Plan Dirty Bomb Blast at Russias Kursk Nuclear Power Plant

NATO Helped Ukraine Plan Dirty Bomb Blast at Russias Kursk Nuclear Power Plant

Sputnik International

Kiev's plans to use a "dirty bomb" and blame Moscow for this were revealed back in 2022 by Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, who heads the Russian Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defense Troops. Russias Defense Ministry had well-sourced information about the planned attack, Kirillov said at the time, with Moscow repeatedly reiterating the warnings.

2024-09-04T11:05+0000

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NATO helped Ukraine plan an act of sabotage at Russias Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), a captive Ukrainian serviceman has revealed.On August 5, a day before the incursion into Russias Kursk border region, Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky personally arrived at the location of the 9th Reconnaissance Company of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' 82nd Separate Air Assault Brigade, the prisoner, Mikhail Shkoda, said. According to him, Syrsky tasked his troops with breaking through to the Kursk NPP and planting explosives there.Once Syrsky had left, servicemen reportedly asked their commanding officers how they could possibly plant explosives at the Kursk NPP without themselves dying in the blast or from radiation fallout. They were allegedly told not to worry, as they dirty bomb would be set off remotely. By that time, they would have all left the area, and Russian forces would be there. "Ukraine would accuse Russia of blowing itself up," Shkoda said.Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, who heads the Russian Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defense Troops, said in October 2022 that the Russian Defense Ministry had well-sourced information about Kiev's plans to use a "dirty bomb" and blame Moscow. Amid the renewed warnings, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik last month that the Zaporozhye and Kursk Nuclear Power Plants are the targets of criminal terrorist acts by Ukraine. Zakharova added that Kiev, like the Islamic State terrorist group*, "has in its arsenal extensive schemes of terrorist activity  from blowing up civilian infrastructure and killing civilians to nuclear terrorism."*IS is a terrorist organization banned in Russia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240824/distress-and-confusion-what-does-ukraine-seek-to-achieve-by-attacking-russian-nuclear-plants-1119897699.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240827/ukraine-mulling-dirty-bomb-use-false-flag-chemical-provocations-with-us-help---russias-mod-1119926381.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240904/pokrovsk-pincer-why-russias-advance-on-strategic-city-could-doom-ukraines-donbass-defenses-1120017448.html

Pokrovsk Pincer: Why Russias Advance on Strategic City Could Doom Ukraines Donbass Defenses

Pokrovsk Pincer: Why Russias Advance on Strategic City Could Doom Ukraines Donbass Defenses

Sputnik International

Fierce battles are underway between the Russian and Ukrainian armies for the approaches to Pokrovsk (formerly Krasnoarmeysk), a key city in the Ukrainian-occupied Donbass about 60 km northwest of Donetsk. Here's what's important to know about the city.

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2024-09-04T17:21+0000

2024-09-04T19:10+0000

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Russian troops have approached the citys outskirts, testing Ukrainian defensive lines in Mirnograd (Dimitrov), Grodovka, Novogrodovka and Selidovo. In mid-August, Krasnoarmeysks military administration announced that Russian forces had approached to within 10 km of the city, and urged civilians to evacuate. The Ukrainian General Staff said Wednesday that the Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk) area was one of the hottest along the entire front.Thats because Krasnoarmeysk is a key railway and highway junction, situated at the intersection of rail lines leading to Pavlograd and Dnepr (formerly Dnepropetrovsk). The M30 (E50) Pokrovsk-Karlovka-Donetsk highway passes through the city, as do three other major roads.Krasonarmeysk developed as a major industrial and coal mining center after WWII, enjoying its heyday in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, and becoming the home of enterprises related to the coal industry, mechanical engineering (including automotive manufacturing) and railway maintenance, with the citys population booming to nearly 155,000 by 1989.The city lost roughly two-thirds of its population in the three decades that followed, and was home to about 53,000 people before the escalation of fighting this summer  when it dropped to roughly 35,000. The Pokrovsky District agglomeration, which includes the city and its environs, had a population of some 386,000 people as of early 2022. Krasonarmeysk was renamed Pokrovsk in 2016, in accordance with the post-Maidan Ukrainian governments decommunization laws (Krasnoarmeysk literally means Red Army City).Western media and officials have sounded the alarm about the dire situation in Krasnoarmeysk. Forbes warned Monday that hundreds of Ukrainian troops from four separate brigades could be encircled if local defenses crack, and said that a Ukrainian retreat may already be underway.Former German MoD chief of staff Nico Lange told Newsweek Wednesday that what we see in Pokrovsk is the result of the very late and insufficient mobilization effort that was delayed politically in Ukraine. Not having mobilized enough, defense around Pokrovsk is now a big problem, with many units unable to hold the line or having to retreat because they are just staffed by 10 or 20 or 30 percent, Lange said.Amid fighting near the city, Kiev is apparently preparing the population psychologically for Krasnoarmeysks loss. Will it affect the entire front? Some say that all logistical routes will be closed, that we will not be able to hold the defense and the entire Donbass will be captured. I do not agree, since the enemy is capturing territories only gradually. These are key territories, but even if the enemy takes Pokrovsk, this doesnt mean the war is lost, Rada Defense and Security Committee chief Roman Kostenko assured on Monday.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240904/russia-forced-to-fight-on-as-kiev-repeatedly-proves-incapable-of-honest-negotiation-1120005923.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20170613/ukraine-steel-production-drop-1054586617.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241008/russias-special-military-operation-in-ukraine-and-how-it-is-progressing-1105665248.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240904/putin-takes-part-in-eastern-economic-forum-1120009902.html

Putin Takes Part in Eastern Economic Forum

Putin Takes Part in Eastern Economic Forum

Sputnik International

The Eastern Economic Forum began on Tuesday and will run through Friday. It is being hosted by the Far Eastern Federal University in the Russian Pacific coast city of Vladivostok.

2024-09-04T08:04+0000

2024-09-04T08:04+0000

2024-09-04T08:04+0000

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Sputnik is live as Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in the Eastern Economic Forum in Russias Far Eastern Federal District.Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a number of international meetings on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), including with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and will also hold a meeting on the development of the Far Eastern Federal Districts infrastructure.The main theme of the Eastern Economic Forum this year is "Far East 2030. Let's Join Forces, Creating Opportunities."Follow Sputniks live feed to learn more!

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240904/putins-mongolia-visit-eyes-enhancing-economic-ties-a-continuation-of-pivot-to-the-east-policy-1120008519.html

Putins Mongolia Visit Eyes Enhancing Economic Ties, a Continuation of Pivot to the East Policy

Putins Mongolia Visit Eyes Enhancing Economic Ties, a Continuation of Pivot to the East Policy

Sputnik International

At the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to Mongolia on September 2-3, with meetings between two sides would be devoted to key issues of bilateral relations and promising areas of cooperation.

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Analysts said Putin's visit is a continuation of Russia's "Pivot to the East" policy, and is aimed at enhancing economic cooperation, with neighboring countries, against the background of continued pressure from the West amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to the Kremlin official, Putin will arrive in Ulaanbaatar on the evening of September 2. He will meet with Mongolia's President Khurelsukh, Chairman of the Great State Khural of Mongolia Dashzegviin Amarbayasgalan and Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene during his visit, according to Russian media.Chen Yurong, an expert with the Beijing-based China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Monday that Putin's visit to Mongolia will see economic and political connections between the two countries strengthened, especially in the energy sector. Due to its unique location between China and Russia, Mongolia places great importance on its relations with both countries, according to Chen. He said the policy has promoted the industrialization in Russia's Far East region and helped forge closer cooperation between Russia and Asia-Pacific countries.This article originally appeared on the Global Times website.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240903/relations-between-russia-mongolia-developing-in-all-directions---putin-1119994730.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240904/russia-forced-to-fight-on-as-kiev-repeatedly-proves-incapable-of-honest-negotiation-1120005923.html

Russia Forced to Fight On as Ukraine Repeatedly Proves Incapable of Honest Negotiation

Russia Forced to Fight On as Ukraine Repeatedly Proves Incapable of Honest Negotiation

Sputnik International

Analyst Mark Sleboda offered an update on Russias progress in the Ukraine conflict as Western headlines have been dominated by Kievs ill-fated terrorist attack on the Kursk region.

2024-09-04T02:42+0000

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A Russian strike in the city of Poltava on Tuesday made headlines as Ukrainian officials claimed dozens had been killed by a pair of ballistic missiles.We do not have to go to Russian officials to determine what was hit in this strike, noted international affairs and security analyst Mark Sleboda, adding, We can just refer to Kiev regime officials  aside from the propaganda social media post put out by Zelensky's wife. According to Reuters, ... Volodymyr Zelensky was saying the strike damaged a building of the Military Institute of Communications, Sleboda said at Sputniks Political Misfits program Tuesday.Even Ukrainian sources, Sleboda noted, have admitted the target of the Russian strike was a military installation. The truth is that training facilities  military training facilities  are regularly hit on both sides, said the analyst, recalling a Ukrainian strike on a Russian military training ground in the Lugansk region about a month ago. The attack, Sleboda pointed out, was carried out with US ATACMS missiles which require the direct participation of the United States for the input of targeting information.Witte followed up by inquiring about the recent progress of the Russian military, which has gradually continued its campaign westward liberating one village at a time. Ukraines botched incursion into Russias Kursk region has remained in the headlines in recent days, drawing attention away from Moscows steady march towards the Dnipro River. But Sleboda said Russias ongoing advances in the Pokrovsk area should not be ignored.They've punched through the Kiev regime's defensive lines  first, several months ago in Avdeyevka, and then they got into operational space just to the west of that, which we call the Ocheretino bloom, and now we call it the Pokrovsk Offensive, said Sleboda. Russian forces are moving so fast and the Kiev regime defenses are so light, they have so few men and so few resources that they're not turning every single building into a firing point and mini fortress.This is major, it is an operational crisis and the defensive collapse of the Kiev regime, Sleboda claimed. And Russia has started a whole new offensive in the south there in this direction to take Ugledar further also into pincers. So, huge things are happening in central and south Donbass right now.Witte asked for Slebodas predictions for the progress of the Russian army, suggesting 2025 could be a pivotal year in the conflict. The host claimed Moscow would arrive in the Dnepropetrovsk region by the spring of next year, consolidating its previous gains as it pushes westward.There's no seasonal pause or anything like that, Sleboda claimed. When will this end? Well, after the Donbass is liberated, Russia has to continue to liberate the parts of Kherson and Zaporozhye, namely Kherson city and Zaporozhye city, eponymously named, that are both under the control of the Kiev regime and some small amounts of territory in both of those regions.There's no one trustworthy or capable of negotiating on the Kiev regime side, which means regime change in Kiev at the least  probably not stopping to the Polish border, which could still be years down the line, he concluded.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240903/construction-kickbacks-corruption-pyramid-why-was-ukraines-electricity-czar-really-sacked-1119999489.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240903/ukraine-loses-up-to-710-troops-in-fights-with-russian-army-in-past-24-hrs-1119998448.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240903/scholzs-pro-war-policy-faces-setback-in-eastern-germany-elections-1119990527.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240904/turkiye-in-the-spotlight-as-erdogan-seeks-brics-membership-for-ankara-1120008850.html

Turkiye in the Spotlight as Erdogan Seeks BRICS Membership for Ankara

Turkiye in the Spotlight as Erdogan Seeks BRICS Membership for Ankara

Sputnik International

The ambitious Turkish president has signaled interest in joining the fast growing bloc composed of some of the worlds most dynamic economies. 04.09.2024, Sputnik International

2024-09-04T05:15+0000

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Police arrested 15 people in Turkiye after an attack on two US Marines by members of a nationalist group Monday.The detainees are accused of membership in the Turkish Youth Union, reports the Washington Post, a secular nationalist group that opposes U.S. and European Union influence in Turkiye. The assault took place Monday afternoon in Konak, a municipality in Izmir, in western Turkiye, on the Aegean Sea The Turkish Youth Union posted a video of an attack on social media, which showed a group pushing two men and covering one of their heads in what appeared to be a white sack to chants in English of Yankee, go home.The attack demonstrated strong anti-American sentiment in the region amid US support for Israels military operation in the Gaza Strip, which has killed nearly 41,000. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has increasingly fashioned himself as a leader of the Muslim world, taking a strident tone against Tel Aviv even as the country maintains significant trade ties with Israel.Likewise, there is disgruntlement in Turkiye about the historic role of US imperialism in Iraq going back about two decades to the ill-fated, ill-advised George W. Bush invasion of that neighbor of Turkiye, dislodging Saddam Hussein, unleashing chaos in the streets that is yet to dissipate and, of course, we also know that there are still US troops in Iraq who are attracting the negative attention not only of those in the streets of Turkiye but also amongst those in the streets of Iraq and Iran as well, he continued.The United States has experienced a decrease in global popularity as it strongly supports Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, frequently sending weapons and aid packages to the controversial leader even while sometimes publicly rebuking his intransigence. The decline has been especially sharp in the Middle East as US troops stationed in Iraq and Syria have occasionally been subject to attacks from militant groups in the region.But the United States approval is declining in Europe as well, shifting into negative territory in many countries for the first time since former President Donald Trumps term in the White House. Researcher Frederick DeVeaux claims the negative trend is particularly stark in Austria, Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland and Germany. German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs strong partnership with the US amid NATOs proxy against Russia has become a major albatross for the hapless politician as populist parties criticizing Germanys role in the war rise to prominence.Turkiye has been engaged in talks to accede to the European Union since 1999, Horne noted, with many Turks likely perceiving Islamophobia to be a factor in the countrys refusal to be allowed to join the bloc for a quarter of a century.Erdogan has turned toward the BRICS in the meantime, seeking to join the growing bloc even as it maintains significant ties to the US and its allies via its membership in NATO.Even if there had not been this slow walking, there was good reason for Ankara to seek membership in the BRICS  Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, said Horne. After all, Iran and Saudi Arabia we expect to be represented at the BRICS summit in Russia in a few weeks. As we speak in China, quite remarkably, there are four dozen plus African heads of state and government that are meeting in China, in Beijing, under the umbrella of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which is a regular forum.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240904/ukrainian-militarys-actions-in-kursk-border-area-have-had-dire-consequences-for-ukraine-1120011629.html

Zelensky Regime's Military Actions Around Kursk Causing Dire Consequences for Ukraine

Zelensky Regime's Military Actions Around Kursk Causing Dire Consequences for Ukraine

Sputnik International

The actions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk border area had disastrous consequences for Kiev. Instead of a breakthrough to Kurchatov, Ukrainian troops faced a serious crisis in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).

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The Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed that fighting in the Kursk region continues. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are attempting to advance towards the settlements of Borki, Maryevka, Kamyshevka, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, Olgovka, Korenevo, and Martynovka, but the attacks are being repelled.In particular, on September 1, servicemen of Russia's 810th Marine Brigade destroyed a column of Ukrainian equipment.At the same time, Kiev's Western sponsors remain skeptical of the Ukrainia operation, which involves several brigades in the region. This also affects other parts of the front."The situation is catastrophic, the Russian army is advancing faster than in the summer of 2022, and the Ukrainian military is preparing to defend the Dnepr," this is how German journalist Julian Roepcke, who recently praised the successes of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, assesses the situation.The reason for the change of mood is the difficult situation for Kiev on several fronts at the same time. The lion's share of attention is now focused on Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk). According to Russia's Defense Ministry, Russian troops have approached a Ukrainian defensive line of four settlements: Dmitrov (Mirnograd), Grodovka, Novogrodovka, and Selidovo. Connected by an extensive network of roads and surrounded by piles of rubble and high-rise buildings, they could long serve as a reliable defense for the district center.However, there are reports from the Ukrainian side that Russian troops managed to liberate Novogrodovka after just a few days last week. According to Verkhovna Rada lawmaker Mariana Bezuhla, there were fortifications there, but there were no units to defend them.In particular, the Russian Army has opened up the possibility of an offensive on Selidovo, which is necessary to balance the flanks. Moreover, according to Bezuhla, the Russians have already entered the settlement. But Kiev's problems do not end there. Russian forces are approaching the Ukrainian defensive bulge towards Nevelskoye from the north, and other Russian units are moving south towards Alexandropol in parallel. Ukrainian troops are actually in a semi-envelope. This is the last area that Ukrainian forces have been attacking Donetsk from since 2014. Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk), which is less than 10 kilometers from the Russian troops, is one of the most important cities for the Ukrainian forces in the DPR. Its liberation would have a number of consequences: it is, in fact, an exit to the Dnepropetrovsk region; the Krasnoarmeysk-Konstantinovka-Chasov Yar Highway, which supplies the grouping near Chasov Yar, would be cut off. The situation on this part of the front would become extremely difficult for Kiev. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are facing more and more problems, and any of them could turn into a disaster. The Russian offensive is speeding up, and the main question is whether Kiev has any reserves left to stabilize the situation. The outcome of the whole confrontation may depend on this.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240827/russian-forces-liberate-orlovka-village-in-donetsk-peoples-republic---mod-1119925713.html

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The Ibero-American Confederation of Christian Communicators and Mass Media (COICOM) kicked off its annual Congress on Tuesday, September 3, in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador. Some two thousand attendees met at the Christian Center of Guayaquil Church to receive training, inspiration and teachings related to the field of leadership and mass media.

COICOM wants to propose a paradigm shift, said Arnold Enns, President of COICOM International. The motto we have chosen for our congress this year is 'united for comprehensive transformation', he said as he explained the main vision of the event.

COICOM wants to be a proposal for meeting God. If we have credible leaders, the world will see that God is real.

During the opening plenary of COICOM, evangelist Alberto Mottesi, recognized as one of the most influential evangelical speakers in Latin America, encouraged the participants to enlighten the world. The Church is going to recover the arts, he said. Go and transform the arts, He [the Lord] is the creator of harmony, forms, colors, today all of that is full of bad smell and perversion, but God is going to recover it.

The preacher also encouraged those present to be generous and merciful, our model is not a mega church in the United States, our only model is called Jesus who taught, fed, healed the sick and had compassion for the multitudes Wherever the Church is, may the mercy of the Lord be brought to bear. Mottesi reflected, if the Church is truly the Church, there should not be abused women, abandoned elderly people and hungry children.

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The congress will address topics such as transformational evangelism and podcasting trends, among many others. In addition, plenary sessions, workshops, panels, and TedX-style talks will be held simultaneously, offering a comprehensive experience for all attendees.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240904/us-role-in-indonesia-philippines-eyed-as-washington-maintains-anti-china-presence-in-region-1120008663.html

US Role in Indonesia, Philippines Eyed as Washington Maintains Anti-China Presence in Region

US Role in Indonesia, Philippines Eyed as Washington Maintains Anti-China Presence in Region

Sputnik International

Jakarta has been engulfed in fiery unrest in recent days, as thousands of protesters attempted to storm parliament in response to controversial changes to election laws, notes the website Orinoco Tribune, acknowledging large demonstrations taking place in the Indonesian capital recently.

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Jakarta has been engulfed in fiery unrest in recent days, as thousands of protesters attempted to storm parliament in response to controversial changes to election laws, notes the website Orinoco Tribune, acknowledging large demonstrations taking place in the Indonesian capital recently.The online newspaper republished analysis offered one year ago by the investigative reporter Kit Klarenberg documenting an extensive network of political, media, and civil society infrastructure established by the CIA-linked National Endowment for Democracy to facilitate regime change in the country of 275 million people. After years of fostering insurrectionary fervor in the country, has the NEDs influence finally reached a boiling point? the website asks.The US has been unhappy with Indonesian President Joko Widodo noted writer and peace activist KJ Noh, who joined Sputniks The Critical Hour program Tuesday to discuss developments in the region. They sometimes use the term aggressive neutrality in that he has been balancing between China and the United States. So, for a very, very long time they did not want [Widodo] in power and it may be that there are more moves that are happening right now in order to depose him.Widodos successor Prabowo Subianto is set to assume power next month, Noh noted, speculating that movements on the ground could accelerate if the United States intends to move forward with regime change.The US often implements political change in foreign countries via a process known as a color revolution wherein US-backed media, activists and other civil society institutions are utilized to lay the groundwork for coups, often via fomenting mass protest or insurrection.The United States is also looking to interfere in the Philippines, offering to escort Philippine supply ships to an outpost the country is maintaining in the South China Sea to lay claim to a disputed island. The Philippines has consistently maintained the outpost to keep alive its claim to the territory, supplying it with building materials even after vowing to only send food and basic supplies.Once the US says that it is also going to start to escort these ships, then that takes the provocation to yet another level, said the activist. They don't have any right to that area because they have no legal jurisdiction. They have no historical rights to that area. The only thing they're trying to claim is that they have contested [exclusive economic zone] rights, which are contested with multiple other countries but that does not give them the right to squat any of the islands there, which historically have been established to be Chinese.The Philippines aims to internationalize the issue by leveraging alliance to mislead the public. By engaging with these non-involved parties, including making some off-table trade-offs, the Philippines seeks to "enhance its bargaining power and maritime presence," said Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies.The US is the real "mastermind" behind the tension in the South China Sea, instructing Manila to stir up trouble but avoiding a scenario that goes out of control, and it is also the US that has mobilized its close allies to back the Philippines, Chen said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/indonesia-views-russia-great-friend-seeks-to-further-develop-relations---president-elect-1119580834.html

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Freshman trotting colts and geldings met for the fourth leg of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots in four $20,000 divisions at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Tuesday evening, Sept. 3 and Cousin Halifax stopped the clock in the swiftest time for his second straight career win.

Returning off a win in a two-year-old conditioned trot two weeks ago, Cousin Halifax was ready to storm the field again with Trevor Henry in the bike for trainer David Menary.

Cousin Halifax left from the gate in post four among a couple of heavy leavers at each of his sides. The gelding bypassed them both to take command from the outside at the quarter in :28.4 and settled into the front along the pylons after that mark. The heavily backed favourite raced uncontested through the :58.4 half and felt the presence of his foes en route to the three-quarters in 1:28.1. However, Cousin Halifax brushed them all off and continued home to win by a length in 1:56. Day (Louis-Philippe Roy) closed sharply and grabbed second while Captain Suzuki (Sylvain Filion) finished third.

W J Donovan owns the freshman gelded son of Trixton out of the Donato Hanover mare Ms Mischief Maker. Cousin Halifax moved his career record to 2-2-0 in four starts with the new career mark.

Hay Dad and Bob McClure took the first division from post eight for trainer Mark Etsell. The Muscle Mass-Hay Darlene gelding never found an anxious moment, leaving for the front and controlling the timer in splits in :29.1, 1:00.4 and 1:30.1. Pocket-sitting Cleveland Royalty (Tyler Borth) made a swift charge in the stretch, but Hay Dad prevailed at the wire by a half length in 1:59.1. Royal Life (Trevor Henry) completed the triactor.

Terry Devos, Peter Porter and James Whelan bred and co-own the freshman trotter, who earned his second career win -- both in Grassroots action -- in five starts. He paid $3.20 to win as the bettors' choice.

In race four's OSS Grassroots division, Stmikes Kerryblues (Sylvain Filion) was second at the opening quarter in :28.3, but quickly took command and never looked back. He ran off the screen through panels in :58.3 and 1:27.2 before easing home to a 2-3/4-length victory in 1:57.3 over Gucci Gucci Goo (Jonathan Drury) and Gaslight Hall (James MacDonald).

The Green Manalishi S-Wilsonator colt is trained by Kyle Fellows for Yolanda Fellows and Edward and Beverle Wilson. He won his first race from eight starts. He returned $11.20 to win at 5-1 odds.

First Class Rule and driver Todd Ratchford rounded out the series action with a gate-to-wire triumph, leading through fractions of :29.1, :59.3 and 1:29.1 before cruising home 1-1/2 lengths on top in 1:58.2. Getthegreen (Roger Mayotte) finished second with The Time Machine (Drury) third.

Bax Stable, Glengate Farms, Gaelic Stable and Ronald Van Noort co-own the freshman Muscle Mass-Ruling Class colt. Trained by Matt Bax, First Class Rule recorded his first career win in six starts. He paid $8.70 as the 3-1 bettors' choice.

To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Tuesday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.

(Standardbred Canada)
While a gasp went through the room and bookies eased his odds, Australian champion driver Gary Hall Jr. wasnt at all fussed by favourite Never Endings wide barrier draw in this Saturday nights $2.1 million AUD TAB Eureka, the world's richest harness race, at Menangle Park.

The boom Western Australian four-year-old will start from the outside (gate 10) after emergencies come out of the worlds richest harness race.

Following the draw, his TAB odds immediately drifted from $2.50 to $3.30.

Im not fussed or disappointed, said Hall Jr. Youve got to remember, with the preferential draw [for three-year-olds and mares], the best he could draw was five. If wed drawn down closer in five or six, is it really much better?

I said before [the draw] I wouldnt mind drawing wide because hes a horse who needs to balance up and settle early in his races. He also came from out there at his only Menangle run and you saw how good he went that night. Put it this way, I dont think its hurt our chances. Im happy with it.

Champion New South Wales trainer/driver Luke McCarthy, who won last years inaugural TAB Eureka aboard Encipher and knows Menangle better than anyone, said the longer 2,300 m distance compared to a mile meant a wide draw wasnt such a disadvantage.

No doubt it helps us [rivals] and opens up the race a bit more, but [Never Ending] was outstanding last start and he looks versatile. Hes still the horse to beat, he said.

A winner of almost 3,000 races and 79 at Group 1 level, McCarthy had to choose between driving Don Hugo and top class mare Eye Keep Smiling in Saturdays race. He trains them both.

Its been one of the hardest calls Ive had to make, he said. Not just because its such a big race, but the fact its so hard to split the pair. Both are right at the top of their game and have terrific winning chances in what looks a really open and even Eureka.

Ive gone with Don Hugo, but it wouldnt surprise me at all if the mare won.

The biggest winner from the draw was emerging Queenslander Sure Thing Captain, who drew the best possible gate for a four-year-old boy in barrier five. The Shannon Price-trained pacer grabbed the last slot into the race when he won the Racenet Discovery Stakes at Menangle last Saturday night. Hes got history on his side as Encipher was the last pacer into last years TAB Eureka.

Hes come through that win well and hes the sort of horse who will thrive on it and improve, said Price. The draw is a help, too. Hes got the early speed to use it and take a position if thats what Adam [Sanderson, driver] wants to do.

Following the barrier draw, a devastating health setback to the Tasracing slot holding and outstanding three-year-old Fighter Command forced him out of the race. The Jess Tubbs-trained pacer was struck down with a twisted intestine, requiring emergency surgery. The TAB Eureka rules meant Tasracing had to move swiftly to select one of the four emergencies to fill their vacant slot. They landed on Wisper A Secret, who will start from barrier five. Sure Thing Captain drew in gate five, but he will move down into four with Fighter Command out.

Greg Sugars has picked up the drive on the McCarthy-trained mare Eye Keep Smiling after the scratch of his original mount, Fighter Command.

Below is the barrier draw results for the $2.1 million AUD TAB Eureka slot race for three and four-year-old Australian-bred pacers.

TAB Eureka

Post  Horse  Driver

1. Fighter Command  Greg Sugars - Scratched

2. Bay Of Biscay  Cam Hart

3. Major Delight  Ashleigh Delosa

4. Eye Keep Smiling  Greg Sugars

5. Sure Thing Captain  Adam Sanderson

6. Wisper A Secret (emerg)  Pete McMullen - Draws In

7. Free Thinker  Grant Dixon

8. Dougs Platter (emerg)  Josh Gallagher

9. High Above  Kerryn Manning

10. Don Hugo  Luke McCarthy

11. Captains Knock  Brad Hewitt

12. Regazzo Di Tilly (emerg)  Angus Garrard

13. Dangerous (emerg)  Ryan Sanderson

14. Never Ending  Gary Hall Jr.

(With files from TAB Eureka)
Trot Insider has learned that longtime harness racing industry participants Aurore and Gerard (Gerry) Legault of Amos, Que. passed away in a helicopter crash on Aug. 18, 2024.

The founder and owner of Legault Metal and McMines, Gerry  an accomplished pilot  was reportedly flying a helicopter in northwest Quebec on the night of Aug. 18 with Aurore and grandson Jake Barfield. They had advised relatives that weather conditions were difficult and were forced to land in a wildlife reserve. The helicopter was found submerged in D'Elvert Lake, from where the bodies of Gerry, Aurore and Jake were subsequently recovered.

In the Standardbred industry, Gerry and Aurore owned horses under the stable name of Mc Trade Enterprises Inc. Top horses owned by the Legaults over the years included Andover America (1:51.4, $797,751), Good News Scooter (1:50.3, $378,275), M G Magique (1:53.4, $489,346), M G Ravageur (1:52.2, $276,888), Monsieur Amos (1:56.2, $285,319) and Sudden Fling (1:53.4, $206,421). Good News Scooter stood in Quebec at Fermes Georgette Guillemette along with another stallion co-owned by the Legaults, Cherry Hills.

One of Gerry and Aurore's favourite adventures in harness racing came in 2005, when they attended the 2005 World Trotting Conference in Rome, Italy as an Observer Participant on behalf of Canada. The Conference provided Gerry and Aurore to meet breeding and racing delegates from around the world, and Gerry offered his experiences in breeding and racing to the various committees that were held over the conference.

The departed are survived by Nancy Legault (Patrick), Jessie Barfield, Russell Barfield, Hannah Sherfer, Gary Legault (Genevieve, Logan and Alice), extended family as well as many business partners, close associates, employees and friends.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Aurore & Gerard Legault.
A family is mourning the death of a 31-year-old father of three who was shot and killed in last months drive-by shooting near a West Kelso gas station.

Tami Conway, 52, of Nevada, described the first 72 hours after being told of the death of her son, Cody Tamayo, of Kelso, as a time of endless sobbing.

She said Tamayo was on the phone with his brother just before the first shots rang out the evening of Aug. 13 near Boondox Gas and Grocery, at 705 West Cowlitz Way.

Her son had just grabbed tools to remodel the flooring of his new place with his father-in-law when the shooting occurred, his mother said.

Since their arrest about an hour after the shooting, Conner Santos Aguayo, 19, and Eligha Christian Buckner-Lopez, 18, of Longview, are facing one count each of first-degree premeditated murder and drive-by shooting.

Amanda Tamayo, 28, of Nevada, the sister to the victim, said her brother was a giant teddy bear.

I know he didnt look like one, but he was, she said.

She said they grew up Rainier, then Longview, before moving to Reno, Nevada. When her brother returned to the Pacific Northwest, he met his wife and had a family.

On the night of the shooting, Amanda Tamayo said she missed numerous calls from her stepfather, who then called her boyfriend to reach her.

I had a gut feeling something was wrong, she said.

Her stepfather said her brother was shot. She could hear her mother crying hysterically in the background.

He called back at 11:30 p.m. to announce he died.

According to the police report, at 10:47 p.m., the Columbia County Medical Examiner pronounced Cody Tamayo brain dead and was kept alive on a ventilator for his organs to be donated.

His wife Samaria Tamayo told The Daily News her husband was a good man who didnt deserve what happened to him. He left behind three children: a 2-month-old newborn, a 3-year-old and a 13-year-old from a previous relationship.

The shooting

Hours before the shooting, Santos Aguayo was at his ex-girlfriends residence in the 200 block of Olive Street in Kelso, while she was preparing for work, a police report states. When she exited the shower, she told authorities he and her white 2012 Chrysler 300 were missing.

Through the social media app Snapchat, she made over 10 calls to Santos Aguayo from 6:35 p.m. to 6:40 p.m., trying to find the location of her car. In some of the calls, he would answer but then disconnect.

At 7:34 p.m., the ex-girlfriend reported her Chrysler stolen to the police, the report states.

However, a different police report says authorities discovered the ex-girlfriend, who works at the Longview Jack in the Box, lied about her car being stolen.

Law enforcement obtained security camera footage from the Longview Jack in the Box which they say shows the ex driving the Chrysler at 5:23 p.m.

In the video, she and Santos Aguayo step out of the Chrysler, and he gets into drivers seat while Buckner-Lopez, in the back seat, moves to the passenger seat. Santos Aguayo and his ex-girlfriend kiss before he leaves, the report states.

Kelso police responded to the shooting at about 6:49 p.m., finding Cody Tamayo in his black truck with a gunshot wound to his head. He was later airlifted to a hospital in Clark County.

Later in Rainier, police located the abandoned Chrysler. At about 7:40 p.m., a police report states Columbia County Sheriffs Office deputies talked with a person who said Santos Aguayo asked to be picked up in the area.

Kelso police spokesperson Capt. Rich Fletcher said the department has not determined whether the shooting was gang related.

However, Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Patricia Fassett granted the states motion on Aug. 21 to seal a brief concerning the detention of the defendants awaiting trial, citing concerns that the documents contents could lead to retaliation based on things discussed in the brief.

The seal applies only to the memorandum and not the entire case file. The public safety aspect outweighs the public interest, the document states.

The victim also had a criminal record, which includes charges for assault and possessing narcotics with intent to deliver, but his family said he had made serious efforts to improve his life. They said he did not know the shooters and he was not in a gang.

Santos Aguayos ex-girlfriend told authorities she feared for her life and her familys after receiving threatening calls regarding her vehicles involvement in the shooting, according to a police report.

Fletcher previously said Santos Aguayo is related to Ruperto Aguayo, who is currently facing a manslaughter charge for the 2023 beating death of Grant Hadler, who owned Grants at the Monticello Hotel in Longview.

According to Santos Aguayos police report, his listed address matches the address on Ruperto Aguayos 2023 police report.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

The phrase 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,' has been used as a rallying cry for many since the outbreak of the war in Gaza.

Meta's Oversight Board ruled on Wednesday that the standalone use of the phrase "From the River to the Sea," a slogan popular with pro-Palestinian users, does not violate the company's content policies.

The phrase "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," has been used as a rallying cry for many since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, with Israel accusing those who use it of anti-Semitism.

The independent Meta board is the top authority in Meta's content moderation decisions. It reviewed three cases involving Facebook posts containing the phrase, which has gained prominence due to the conflict and the worldwide protests against it.

The board found that the content did not break Meta's rules on hate speech, violence and incitement, or dangerous organizations and individuals, and should not lead to post removal on its platforms.

"In upholding Meta's decisions to keep up the content, the majority of the Board notes the phrase has multiple meanings and is used by people in various ways and with different intentions," it said.

"Specifically, the three pieces of content contain contextual signs of solidarity with Palestiniansbut no language calling for violence or exclusion," it added.

The phrase "From the River to the Sea" refers to the geographical area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, which encompasses Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.

It is often used in support of Palestinians as a call for self-determination and equal rights, or to advocate for a one-state solution to the conflict with Jews and Palestinians as citizens of the same nation.

Many Israelis and Jews, however, interpret the phrase as a call for the violent elimination of Israel as a Jewish state.

The board said that a minority of board members felt that given armed group Hamas's October 7 attacks that sparked the war, the phrase's use in a post should be presumed to constitute glorification of the group and violence "unless there are clear signals to the contrary."

 2024 AFP
Believers concerned about the rise of persecution against Christians covered the Swiss government plaza (Bundesplatz) in Berne in countless wooden crosses and constructed a mass grave in a symbolic gesture calling for governmental authorities to take more decisive action against the ongoing violation of human rights suffered by Christians in many parts of the world. Open Doors International estimates that globally 317 million Christians endure very high or extreme levels of persecution for their faith.

The mass demonstration involving 1,000 people held on August 31 was organized by a collaboration of evangelical and persecution organizations under the banner of persecution.ch.

Attendees laid roses on the symbolic mass grave and prayed in specially devised reproductions of prison cells. There were also worship songs and times of reflection with God, thinking about those suffering for their faith.

A statement by Reseau Evangelique Suisse (RES), representing 250 evangelical churches in French-speaking Switzerland, called the event a unique spectacle to behold in public.

A very unusual scene: instead of water games or market stalls, countless wooden crosses covered the Bundesplatz in Berne, read the RES statement. A symbolic mass grave and around 1,000 participants in the demonstration on the doorstep of Switzerland's political Mecca served as a reminder that religious persecution is on the rise throughout the world, particularly against the Christian community.

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Two victims of persecution spoke about their experiences at the public awareness demonstration in Berne.

Amin Afsharnaderi, a Muslim-background believer, suffered two jail sentences in Iran after he converted to the Christian faith. His first arrest happened at the home of the pastor of his underground church during Christmas festivities.

I was interrogated several times, insulted, humiliated and put under pressure to renounce my faith and denounce other Christians. I'm sure I wouldn't have survived that if Jesus Christ hadn't been with me.

Afsharnaderi shared during his public talk that the persecution he suffered was experienced by many other believers in Iran.

Christians in Iran live under constant pressure and fear. They lose their jobs or their property because of their faith, he said.

A second speaker was introduced without revealing his name and country of origin in Asia for security reasons. He now lives in Europe but previously suffered repeated imprisonment and torture in his home country. He had also seen the public execution of believers. Christianity is perceived as a danger to national security and every new law aims to eliminate Christians, he lamented.

However, the Christian faith continues in the country despite the crackdown, he said as he recalled the power of this faith, which has endured in my suffering, even in the darkest of prison cells.

Both men pleaded with those at the plaza to commit themselves as free citizens to campaign for those being persecuted for their faith in Jesus in other countries. Actions can include prayer, inviting believers who experienced persecution to local churches, helping organizations supporting persecuted Christians and increasing political pressure on governments violating human rights. The men particularly called upon the media to highlight the issues of persecution.

Laurent Wehrli, a member of the National Council of Switzerland and public advocate for the human rights of the persecuted, spoke about his advocacy work, which involved regular briefings on the sufferings of Christians in certain countries  and raising these incidents at relevant embassies.

Between 2019 and 2023, almost half of our requests were met, at least partially. Out of 54 prisoners for whom we intervened, 24 were released early.

Wehrli said that public events were essential to raise awareness on behalf of persecuted Christians. He noted the privilege of living in a country such as Switzerland where freedom of religious expression is officially protected.

Our history is marked by the Christian conviction that every human being possesses innate dignity, said Wehrli. We have a responsibility to preserve these values.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A team of five Nigerian researchers have developed an innovation to generate wind power for rural communitieseven when wind speeds are low.

Remote communities in northern Nigeria, often disconnected from the national grid, face significant challenges in accessing essential services such as health care, due to unreliable power.

And Nigeria's energy landscape has long been dominated by fossil fuels, which account for the majority of the country's power generation.

But there is huge potential in the country for wind energy, which is cost-efficient and sustainable and, according to the International Energy Agency, offers one of the most promising options for renewable energy growth.

Abdulsalam Galadima, a researcher from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in Nigeria's Kaduna State was a key member of the team who developed the innovation, named AirVolt.

He told SciDev.Net, "Our team did some brainstorming and discovered that we could harness the wind energy with vertical axis wind turbines."

Most wind turbines are horizontal-axis and need to point in the wind's direction. But the AirVolt's vertical-axis turbines can capture wind energy from any direction, making them more stable and easier to install and maintain, he explained.

It also means they can operate efficiently even in regions with low wind speeds.

The researchers say the design makes them particularly suited to the challenges faced in northern Nigeria, where wind speeds can be unpredictableone reason why energy is underutilized in the country.

When wind comes into contact with the blades attached to a vertical rotor, it causes the rotor to spin, generating kinetic energy.

This kinetic energy can then be converted into electricity through a generator, providing a reliable and renewable source of power.

Health impacts

The absence of reliable electricity in many rural communities in northern Nigeria has far-reaching consequences, particularly in the health sector.

Health care facilities struggle to store vaccines, operate essential medical equipment, or provide consistent care to patients.

"There are issues with delivering health care to people in Nigeria's rural communities due to lack of power," Galadima said.

"In many rural places in northern Nigeria, they are cut off from the national grid because of the difficult terrain."

This lack of power contributes to higher mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women, studies have found.

Real-world solutions

The team developed AirVolt in February this year. It was one of four innovations awarded a US$250,000 grant on 24 June by the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), which supports research and development across Africa.

The grant was secured after the team's success at the Research for Impact (R4i) initiative in February, organized by Nigeria's Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

R4i aims to empower researchers to transform their research findings into innovative solutions to real-world problems. It helps researchers commercialize their innovations and ensure that their work has a tangible impact on society.

TETFund, a Nigerian government agency, is responsible for funding higher education and supporting research initiatives in the country and is one of the council members of SGCI.

Hadiza Ismail, deputy director of the TETFund Research and Development Center, told SciDev.Net, "The R4i initiative is an exposure course that allows researchers to commercialize their research by showing them a systematic approach to identify societal needs and tailor their research towards them.

"We want them to work with technical partners to get proper mentorship and go through the process of creating prototypes and product commercialization."

From research to market

Galadima emphasized the importance of the SGCI grant in overcoming the funding barriers that often prevent innovations from reaching the market.

"Most research work ends up on the shelf in the laboratory due to a lack of funding, so we are grateful to the SGCI for the grant. It is not just going to help the researchers, but it will also make a huge impact on society," he said.

The grant funding should support the AirVolt team in developing their project into a commercially viable product by the end of 2024.

The goal is to provide a reliable source of electricity to rural communities, particularly for health care facilities that currently struggle to operate without power.

Nicholas Odongo, a research fellow at the African Center for Technology Studies, in Nairobi, Kenya, and one of SGCI's collaborating technical partners, says more financial support is needed to ensure that new research and innovation contributes to the economy.

"The actual uptake of innovations and research and development outputs from universities and research institutions is low and therefore the application of science, technology and innovation to impact the economy is minimal," he said.

Provided by SciDev.Net
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

British regulators on Wednesday cleared Microsoft's hiring of key staff from startup Inflection AI, saying the deal wouldn't stifle competition in the country's artificial intelligence market.

The Competition and Markets Authority had opened a preliminary investigation in July into Microsoft's recruitment of Inflection's core team, including co-founder and CEO Mustafa Suleyman, chief scientist Karen Simonyan and several top engineers and researchers.

The watchdog said its investigation found that the hirings amounted to a "merger situation" but that the "transaction does not give rise to a realistic prospect of a substantial lessening of competition."

Big technology companies have been facing scrutiny on both sides of the Atlantic lately for gobbling up talent and products at innovative AI startups without formally acquiring them.

Three U.S. Senators called for the practice to be investigated after Amazon pulled a similar maneuver this year in a deal with San Francisco-based Adept that sent its CEO and key employees to the e-commerce giant. Amazon also got a license to Adept's AI systems and datasets.

The U.K. watchdog said Microsoft hired "almost all of Inflection's team" and licensed its intellectual property, which gave it access to the startup's AI model and chatbot development capabilities.

Inflection's main product is a chatbot named Pi that specializes in "emotional intelligence" by being being "kind and supportive."

However, the CMA said the deal won't result in a big loss of competition because Inflection has a "very small" share of the U.K. consumer market for chatbots, and it lacks chatbot features that make it more attractive than rivals.

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

For years, Yelp has complained about Google's practices, alleging that the tech giant placed its own products above competitors in Google search results.

Yelp says when a customer searches, say, for "restaurants in Brooklyn," Google prioritizes putting its own summary and ratings above non-sponsored results from rivals including Yelp, resulting in fewer customer visits and ad revenue for its business.

The San Francisco company that crowd-sources customer reviews is now taking its complaints to court in a closely watched federal lawsuit that is causing waves in Silicon Valley.

In a lawsuit filed last week, Yelp accuses Google of violating U.S. antitrust laws, stealing information from Yelp's website and passing it off as coming from Google. The complaint also alleges Google tweaks its algorithm to steer customers away from Yelp.

"Google's conduct has injured Yelp through lower traffic, reduced advertising revenues, raising Yelp's own costs, and impaired network effects that come with fewer new and returning users," Yelp said in its lawsuit.

Google has dismissed the claims as baseless and noted that in 2013 the Federal Trade Commission found that Google did not break antitrust law or harm consumers.

"Google will vigorously defend against Yelp's meritless claims," the company said in a statement.

Legal experts said the lawsuit could be the first of several legal claims against Google, the Mountain View, California, technology giant that is facing growing scrutiny over its business practices. It comes weeks after a federal judge ruled Google violated antitrust laws and is a monopolist on web searches, paving the way for Yelp and potentially other companies to sue Google for antitrust practices.

"That decision was really groundbreaking in the antitrust law," Aaron Schur, Yelp's general counsel, said in an interview. "We saw it as a very strong foundation, to be able to argue to a court that Google, this illegal monopolist in general search, is actually abusing that monopoly to also dominate a local search market and a local search advertising market through self-preferencing."

The ruling earlier this month by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta marked a notable shift in the interpretation of U.S. antitrust law, which historically has been used to address big oil and railroad companies, with the concern that those companies would grow so large that it would affect prices for consumers.

"Since the turn of the century, people have been reluctant to bring these types of suits because of where antitrust law was at the time, because there's no price associated with this," said John Shaeffer, a partner at law firm Fox Rothschild.

Google said it would appeal the ruling.

Still, Mehta's decision could help pave the way for other businesses to bring lawsuits against Google, especially if Yelp wins, some legal experts said.

"It certainly opens this up for others similarly situated or just making the argument that they've been harmed by Google and its monopolistic behavior," said Carl Tobias, a law professor at University of Richmond.

Google said "Yelp's claims are not new," pointing out the San Francisco business brought up similar claims years ago, and said that its search results help businesses, driving more than 3 billion website clicks every month.

Although the FTC in 2013 did not find Google violated antitrust law after a 19-month investigation, documents that have leaked since then revealed that some FTC staff members had urged the commission to sue Google over some of its practices, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Yelp has also been subjected to investigations from the FTC that resulted in no action being taken against the company. Google has tried to acquire Yelp in the past.

The U.S. Justice Department filed antitrust lawsuits against Apple and Google this year and against Amazon in 2021, as concerns have grown over their footprint in the industry and limiting of consumer choice.

State legislators unsuccessfully pushed a bill that would have required companies like Google, which sell advertising alongside news content, to pay news publishers. A settlement was later negotiated under which Google would pay about $173 million over five years that would go to journalism outlets and an AI accelerator program.

"We've really seen a swing in the political climate and the understanding of antitrust as being truly important to everyone," Schur said.

Yelp's lawsuit could ultimately end up at the Supreme Court.

"I don't think they filed this in order to get a payday," said Bryan Sullivan, a founding partner at law firm Early Sullivan Wright Gizer & McRae. "I think they filed this to make a point and to try to change the landscape."

2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
American Lithium Corp. (OTCMKTS:LIACF  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week low on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $0.36 and last traded at $0.37, with a volume of 381789 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $0.38.

American Lithium Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $76.19 million, a PE ratio of -3.32 and a beta of 1.48. The stocks 50 day moving average is $0.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is $0.61.

About American Lithium

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American Lithium Corp., an exploration stage company, engages in the identification, acquisition, exploration, and development of resource properties in the United States. It principally focuses on the TLC Claystones project covering an area of approximately 5,052 hectares located in the town of Tonopah, Nevada; and the Falchani Lithium project and the Macusani Uranium project located in Puno, Peru.

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New Book Proposes a Bold New Approach for the Pro-Life Movement

Author Roland C. Warren, head of a major pro-life ministry, calls on Christians to become pro abundant life in their fight against abortion.

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Care Net

Sept. 4, 2024

LANSDOWNE, Va., Sept. 4, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- Roland C. Warren (photo), president and CEO of Care Net, has authored a new book, The Alternative to Abortion: Why We Must be Pro Abundant Life, which challenges pro-life Christians to embrace a new vision for how to win the fight against abortion in America.

After the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June of 2022, many pro-life Americans -- especially Christians -- began asking, "Now what?" In the more than two years that have passed since that momentous Supreme Court decision, the pro-life movement has provided a variety of answers. But as these (sometimes conflicting) answers have been tested and debated, Americans, when given the option, have chosen more abortions and more pro-choice laws, not fewer.

Against this backdrop and with a presidential election looming, Warren lays out a comprehensive and biblically based approach to address the abortion issue in his thought-provoking book. In it, Warren weaves together his personal story, timeless Biblical truths, American history, and the latest social science to make a clear and compelling case for a pro abundant life approach.

Warren's journey towards this paradigm shift began during his Princeton University college years when he and his then-girlfriend, now wife of over four decades, faced the daunting decision of abortion or choosing life for their unborn child. They chose life, and that is when Roland's 40-year journey to this book began.

Upon joining Care Net in 2012, Warren recognized the link between abortion rates and the erosion of marriage, father involvement, and discipleship. He realized, with a "download from God," that the Bible itself held all of the answers on how the pro-life movement must move forward.

That is when the idea of becoming pro abundant life was born.

"As I read the words of John 10:10, I understood that Christians must be pro abundant life because Jesus himself was. And as I began to unpack how this revelation would play out in reality, God began revealing to me the not-so-secret pro-life strategies nested in some of the most popular Bible stories and verses," said Warren.

In The Alternative to Abortion, readers will learn how the story of Christ's birth, the story of the Good Samaritan, and Jesus' teachings on the Great Commandment and the Great Commission tell us everything we need to know about how to win the fight against abortion. Most importantly, the book acts as a clarion call to the Church to rethink how it views abortion  not primarily as a political issue, but as a discipleship issue at the heart of the Church's very purpose for existence.

The Alternative to Abortion will take readers through a compelling explanation of what it means to be pro abundant life, why it matters, and what it means for the future of pro-life ministry -- from the big picture vision down to the everyday tactics that can be employed to save unborn children from abortion, build strong families, and make disciples for Jesus Christ.

The Alternative to Abortion: Why We Must be Pro Abundant Life will be released on October 1, 2024, and will be available on amazon.com and at rolandwarren.com.

LIVE BOOK LAUNCH EVENT: On Tuesday, September 17 at 10 am eastern time, author Roland Warren, and foreword writer Pastor David Platt will appear on a live virtual press conference to answer questions about The Alternative to Abortion. Media are invited to submit questions ahead of time via press@care-net.org or in written form during the live event. To register for the virtual press conference, visit rolandwarren.com.

To access a media kit for The Alternative to Abortion, including a synopsis, sample chapter, author Q&A, author bio, endorsements, and author photos, please visit rolandcwarren.com/resources.

Author Bio: Roland C. Warren is an accomplished author and serves as president and CEO of Care Net. His two books, Bad Dads of the Bible: 8 Mistakes Every Good Dad Can Avoid (Zondervan) and Raising Sons of Promise: A Guide to Single Mothers of Boys (InterVarsity Press), have helped fathers and mothers apply biblical principles to their parenting journeys.

His background in the corporate world, his extensive experience in nonprofit management, and his deep faith and understanding of Scripture enable him to lead Care Net's efforts to transform people with the Gospel, empowering women and men to choose life for their unborn children and abundant life for their families.

An alumnus of Princeton University, Roland received an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and went on to hold positions for more than four decades at IBM, PepsiCo, Goldman Sachs, Princeton University, and National Fatherhood Initiative. Roland is also a sought-after speaker at national pro-life conferences and events, pregnancy center events, church and pastoral events, and in the national media.

Roland is married to Dr. Yvette Lopez-Warren. They have two married sons and four adorable grandchildren.

SOURCE Care Net

CONTACT: Vincent DiCaro, 703-554-8741, vdicaro@care-net.org
Finance of America Companies Inc. (NYSE:FOA  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 39,900 shares, a decrease of 9.9% from the July 31st total of 44,300 shares. Approximately 1.1% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 32,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.2 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Finance of America Companies

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its position in Finance of America Companies by 2.7% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 112,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after acquiring an additional 3,000 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Finance of America Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Finance of America Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at $41,000. 97.20% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Finance of America Companies Stock Up 8.4 %

Shares of FOA traded up $0.61 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $7.89. 16,834 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 18,990. The company has a quick ratio of 2.83, a current ratio of 2.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 71.55. The business has a 50 day moving average of $6.70 and a 200 day moving average of $6.77. Finance of America Companies has a 1-year low of $4.10 and a 1-year high of $16.00. The company has a market capitalization of $779.60 million, a PE ratio of -6.53 and a beta of 1.04.

Finance of America Companies Company Profile

Finance of America Companies ( NYSE:FOA Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported ($0.05) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.20) by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $79.04 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $66.00 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.15) EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Finance of America Companies will post 0.11 EPS for the current year.

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Finance of America Companies Inc a financial service holding company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of a retirement solutions platform in the United States. It operates through two segments: Retirement Solutions and Portfolio Management. The Retirement Solutions segment engages in the loan origination activities comprising home equity conversion, proprietary reverse, and hybrid mortgage loans for senior homeowners.

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Flowserve Co. (NYSE:FLS  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,700,000 shares, a decrease of 10.1% from the July 31st total of 1,890,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 935,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.8 days.

Flowserve Trading Down 4.5 %

Shares of NYSE:FLS traded down $2.23 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $47.65. 888,948 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,023,187. The company has a quick ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 2.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The businesss 50 day moving average is $48.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is $47.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.27 billion, a PE ratio of 27.20, a P/E/G ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.42. Flowserve has a one year low of $35.31 and a one year high of $52.09.

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Flowserve (NYSE:FLS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 29th. The industrial products company reported $0.73 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.63 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $1.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.13 billion. Flowserve had a return on equity of 16.74% and a net margin of 5.67%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.52 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Flowserve will post 2.76 earnings per share for the current year.

Flowserve Announces Dividend

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 27th will be issued a $0.21 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 27th. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.76%. Flowserves dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 47.46%.

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. KPP Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in shares of Flowserve by 11.3% during the second quarter. KPP Advisory Services LLC now owns 6,823 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $328,000 after purchasing an additional 694 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. lifted its position in Flowserve by 1,137.3% during the second quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 306,852 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $14,760,000 after buying an additional 282,052 shares during the period. Chase Investment Counsel Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Flowserve by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. Chase Investment Counsel Corp now owns 107,650 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $5,177,000 after buying an additional 2,503 shares in the last quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP grew its position in shares of Flowserve by 8.6% in the 2nd quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 83,435 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,996,000 after buying an additional 6,597 shares during the period. Finally, Algert Global LLC bought a new position in shares of Flowserve in the 2nd quarter worth about $2,278,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.93% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

FLS has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Bank of America boosted their target price on Flowserve from $57.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on shares of Flowserve from $57.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of Flowserve from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on shares of Flowserve from $58.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, StockNews.com cut Flowserve from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Flowserve has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $56.11.

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Flowserve Company Profile

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Flowserve Corporation designs, manufactures, distributes, and services industrial flow management equipment in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through Flowserve Pump Division (FPD) and Flow Control Division (FCD) segments. The FPD segment offers custom and pre-configured pumps and pump systems, mechanical seals, auxiliary systems, replacement parts, upgrades, and related aftermarket services; and equipment services, including installation and commissioning services, seal systems spare parts, repairs, advanced diagnostics, re-rate and upgrade solutions, retrofit programs, and machining and asset management solutions, as well as manufactures a gas-lubricated mechanical seal for use in high-speed compressors for gas pipelines and in the oil and gas production and process markets.

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PagerDuty (NYSE:PD  Get Free Report) updated its third quarter 2025 earnings guidance on Tuesday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 0.160-0.170 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 0.180. The company issued revenue guidance of $115.5 million-$117.5 million, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $120.3 million. PagerDuty also updated its FY 2025 guidance to 0.670-0.720 EPS.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Canaccord Genuity Group cut their target price on shares of PagerDuty from $27.00 to $26.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of PagerDuty in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. They set a neutral rating and a $24.00 price objective for the company. Scotiabank began coverage on shares of PagerDuty in a report on Friday, June 28th. They issued a sector perform rating and a $23.00 target price for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of PagerDuty in a report on Thursday, July 18th. They issued a neutral rating and a $24.00 target price for the company. Finally, Craig Hallum upgraded shares of PagerDuty from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $21.00 to $30.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 12th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $26.64.

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PagerDuty Trading Down 7.6 %

Insider Buying and Selling

PagerDuty stock traded down $1.51 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $18.27. The stock had a trading volume of 2,455,256 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,210,936. The company has a quick ratio of 2.59, a current ratio of 2.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.58. PagerDuty has a 52-week low of $17.92 and a 52-week high of $26.70. The firm has a market cap of $1.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -18.09 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a fifty day moving average of $20.35 and a 200 day moving average of $21.11.

In related news, CEO Jennifer Tejada sold 31,250 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.07, for a total value of $658,437.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,023,579 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,566,809.53. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, insider Shelley Webb sold 5,732 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.98, for a total transaction of $125,989.36. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 235,657 shares in the company, valued at $5,179,740.86. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Jennifer Tejada sold 31,250 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.07, for a total transaction of $658,437.50. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,023,579 shares in the company, valued at $21,566,809.53. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 110,244 shares of company stock valued at $2,316,980 in the last ninety days. 7.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About PagerDuty

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PagerDuty, Inc engages in the operation of a digital operations management platform in the United States and internationally. The company's digital operations management platform collects data and digital signals from virtually any software-enabled system or device and leverage machine learning to correlate, process, and predict opportunities and issues.

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Ashtead Group (LON:AHT  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reissued by equities research analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in a research report issued on Wednesday, Digital Look reports. They presently have a GBX 6,500 ($85.47) price target on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts price objective would indicate a potential upside of 23.43% from the companys current price.

A number of other research analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 6,150 ($80.87) target price on shares of Ashtead Group in a report on Tuesday. Barclays reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a GBX 6,600 ($86.79) price objective on shares of Ashtead Group in a research note on Wednesday, May 15th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 4,933.13 ($64.87).

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Ashtead Group Stock Performance

Insider Activity at Ashtead Group

LON:AHT opened at GBX 5,266 ($69.24) on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of 22.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,907.97, a P/E/G ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.22. The firms 50 day moving average is GBX 5,260.36 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 5,477.34. Ashtead Group has a fifty-two week low of GBX 4,437 ($58.34) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 6,180 ($81.26). The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 150.69.

In related news, insider Lucinda Riches sold 4,000 shares of Ashtead Group stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 5,480 ($72.06), for a total transaction of 219,200 ($288,231.43). In other news, insider Lucinda Riches sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 5,480 ($72.06), for a total value of 219,200 ($288,231.43). Also, insider Brendan Horgan sold 37,063 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 5,112 ($67.22), for a total value of 1,894,660.56 ($2,491,335.38). 0.66% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Ashtead Group

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Ashtead Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the construction, industrial, and general equipment rental business in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It provides pumps, power generation, heating, cooling, scaffolding, traffic management, temporary flooring, trench shoring, and lifting services.

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Aveo Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 38.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 6,110 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,684 shares during the period. Aveo Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $1,008,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Alera Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Alera Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,007 shares of the companys stock worth $812,000 after buying an additional 60 shares during the period. Hudson Value Partners LLC boosted its position 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 worth $250,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Fiduciary Alliance LLC boosted its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Fiduciary Alliance LLC now owns 2,261 shares of the companys stock worth $371,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. LCM Capital Management Inc grew its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. LCM Capital Management Inc now owns 5,701 shares of the companys stock worth $925,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Home Federal Bank of Tennessee increased its position in Procter & Gamble by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Home Federal Bank of Tennessee now owns 23,318 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,846,000 after buying an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. 65.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Procter & Gamble Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE PG opened at $174.53 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 12-month low of $141.45 and a 12-month high of $175.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $411.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.72 and a beta of 0.41. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $167.70 and a 200 day moving average of $164.36.

Procter & Gamble Dividend Announcement

Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.40 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $20.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.69 billion. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 33.46% and a net margin of 17.71%. Procter & Gambles revenue was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.37 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.97 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Investors of record on Friday, July 19th were paid a dividend of $1.0065 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 19th. This represents a $4.03 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.31%. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 65.69%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. TD Cowen assumed coverage on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. They set a buy rating and a $189.00 price objective on the stock. BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research note on Monday, June 24th. They issued an outperform rating and a $187.00 target price on the stock. Wolfe Research raised shares of Procter & Gamble to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 23rd. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $157.00 to $161.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on Procter & Gamble from $171.00 to $176.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $175.79.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Procter & Gamble

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Jon R. Moeller sold 37,240 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on 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 in the company, valued at approximately $44,508,763.93. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, insider Balaji Purushothaman sold 8,842 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.90, for a total transaction of $1,458,045.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,537 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,902,451.30. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jon R. Moeller sold 37,240 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.89, for a total transaction of $6,289,463.60. Following the completion of the sale, 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 ninety days, insiders sold 375,553 shares of company stock valued at $63,829,141. 0.17% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Procter & Gamble Profile

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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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Nordic American Tankers Limited (NYSE:NAT  Free Report)  B. Riley lifted their FY2024 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Nordic American Tankers in a note issued to investors on Thursday, August 29th. B. Riley analyst L. Burke now anticipates that the shipping company will post earnings of $0.40 per share for the year, up from their previous forecast of $0.39. The consensus estimate for Nordic American Tankers current full-year earnings is $0.41 per share. B. Riley also issued estimates for Nordic American Tankers FY2025 earnings at $0.48 EPS.

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Several other research analysts also recently issued reports on NAT. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Nordic American Tankers from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of Nordic American Tankers from $5.00 to $4.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 29th. Finally, Evercore ISI decreased their price target on shares of Nordic American Tankers from $4.50 to $4.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 30th.

Nordic American Tankers Price Performance

Shares of NAT stock opened at $3.66 on Monday. Nordic American Tankers has a 52 week low of $3.31 and a 52 week high of $4.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $763.15 million, a PE ratio of 11.42 and a beta of -0.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.77. The stocks fifty day moving average is $3.71 and its 200-day moving average is $3.91.

Institutional Trading of Nordic American Tankers

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Nordic American Tankers in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Diversify Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Nordic American Tankers in the first quarter valued at approximately $41,000. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Nordic American Tankers during the 1st quarter worth $45,000. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Nordic American Tankers during the 1st quarter worth $47,000. Finally, Caprock Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Nordic American Tankers during the 2nd quarter valued at $55,000. 44.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Nordic American Tankers Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 26th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 26th will be issued a $0.12 dividend. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 13.13%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 26th. Nordic American Tankerss dividend payout ratio is 150.00%.

Nordic American Tankers Company Profile

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Nordic American Tankers Limited, a tanker company, acquires and charters double-hull tankers in Bermuda and internationally. It operates a fleet of 20 Suezmax crude oil tankers. The company was incorporated in 1995 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

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Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by equities researchers at Bank of America from $125.00 to $139.00 in a research report issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the stock. Bank of Americas price objective indicates a potential upside of 10.56% from the companys current price.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on Philip Morris International from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Philip Morris International presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $111.90.

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Philip Morris International Price Performance

PM stock opened at $125.72 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $195.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.55, a P/E/G ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.58. Philip Morris International has a 52-week low of $87.23 and a 52-week high of $126.18. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $112.42 and its 200-day simple moving average is $101.64.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.57 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $9.47 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.19 billion. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 9.41% and a negative return on equity of 113.32%. The companys revenue was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.60 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Philip Morris International will post 6.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Philip Morris International

In other Philip Morris International news, insider Massimo Andolina sold 9,000 shares of Philip Morris International stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.35, for a total transaction of $1,038,150.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 85,629 shares in the company, valued at $9,877,305.15. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, insider Massimo Andolina sold 9,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.35, for a total value of $1,038,150.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 85,629 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,877,305.15. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.01, for a total transaction of $2,260,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 158,447 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,906,095.47. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Philip Morris International

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 684.4% in the 2nd quarter. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC now owns 251 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares during the last quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC bought a new position in Philip Morris International in the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Sachetta LLC grew its holdings in Philip Morris International by 64.8% during the 2nd quarter. Sachetta LLC now owns 267 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares during the period. Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH raised its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 250.0% during the 1st quarter. Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH now owns 322 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 230 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 57.4% in the 2nd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 318 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares during the period. 78.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Philip Morris International Company Profile

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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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Beacon Bridge Wealth Partners LLC lessened its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG  Free Report) by 15.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,102 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,542 shares during the quarter. Beacon Bridge Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF were worth $1,954,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Riverview Trust Co purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 1st quarter worth $26,000. LifeSteps Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 1st quarter worth $27,000. Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC lifted its holdings 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 buying an additional 120 shares during the period. Finally, Janiczek Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 1st quarter worth $40,000.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Trading Down 2.1 %

Shares of EFG stock opened at $105.22 on Wednesday. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a twelve month low of $67.58 and a twelve month high of $85.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.36 and a beta of 0.97. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $103.26 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $102.75.

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.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG  Free Report).

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Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE:ANF  Free Report)  Investment analysts at Telsey Advisory Group issued their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Abercrombie & Fitch in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, August 29th. Telsey Advisory Group analyst D. Telsey forecasts that the apparel retailer will post earnings per share of $1.88 for the quarter. Telsey Advisory Group currently has a Outperform rating and a $208.00 price objective on the stock. The consensus estimate for Abercrombie & Fitchs current full-year earnings is $10.08 per share. Telsey Advisory Group also issued estimates for Abercrombie & Fitchs Q2 2026 earnings at $2.58 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $2.49 EPS and Q4 2026 earnings at $3.84 EPS.

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Several other research analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Argus downgraded Abercrombie & Fitch from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, July 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Abercrombie & Fitch from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and raised their price target for the company from $167.00 to $194.00 in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Abercrombie & Fitch from $155.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 29th. Citigroup upgraded shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $190.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 30th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from $193.00 to $165.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 29th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $178.43.

Abercrombie & Fitch Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ANF opened at $142.86 on Monday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $159.55 and a 200-day moving average of $145.89. 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 twelve month low of $49.24 and a twelve month high of $196.99. The firm has a market cap of $7.30 billion, a PE ratio of 17.77 and a beta of 1.54.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Abercrombie & Fitch

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of ANF. Matrix Trust Co bought a new position in Abercrombie & Fitch during the 2nd quarter worth about $35,000. Quarry LP grew its holdings in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 156.0% during the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 279 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management raised its position in Abercrombie & Fitch by 51.4% in the 1st quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 315 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC lifted its stake in Abercrombie & Fitch by 242.6% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 531 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $94,000 after acquiring an additional 376 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its position in Abercrombie & Fitch by 8,914.3% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 631 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $112,000 after acquiring an additional 624 shares during the last quarter.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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 shares were sold at an average price of $171.61, for a total transaction of $223,093.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 5,880 shares in the company, valued at $1,009,066.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 3.77% of the companys stock.

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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StockNews.com downgraded shares of Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A.  Eletrobras (NYSE:EBR  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report sent to investors on Saturday morning.

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A.  Eletrobras Stock Performance

NYSE EBR opened at $7.42 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.33, a current ratio of 2.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The stocks 50-day moving average is $7.05 and its 200-day moving average is $7.47. Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A.  Eletrobras has a one year low of $6.21 and a one year high of $9.11.

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Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A.  Eletrobras (NYSE:EBR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The utilities provider reported $0.14 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $1.61 billion for the quarter. Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A.  Eletrobras had a return on equity of 4.18% and a net margin of 13.37%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A.  Eletrobras will post 0.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A.  Eletrobras

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A.  Eletrobras Company Profile

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in EBR. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its holdings in shares of Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A.  Eletrobras by 18.7% during the 2nd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 14,516 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $93,000 after acquiring an additional 2,284 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in shares of Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A.  Eletrobras by 232.4% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 5,748 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 4,019 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC raised its position in Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A.  Eletrobras by 173.8% in the second quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 7,668 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 4,867 shares during the last quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network raised its position in Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A.  Eletrobras by 34.3% in the second quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network now owns 19,815 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $127,000 after purchasing an additional 5,065 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A.  Eletrobras by 14.2% in the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 71,414 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $459,000 after buying an additional 8,878 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 6.54% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA  Eletrobras, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and commercialization of electricity in Brazil. The company generates electricity through hydroelectric, thermoelectric, nuclear, wind, and solar plants. As of December 31, 2023, it owned and operated 44 hydroelectric plants with a total capacity of 42,293.5 megawatt (MW); 5 thermal plants, including coal and gas power generation units with a total installed capacity of 1,632 MW; and two nuclear power plants comprising Angra 1 with an installed capacity of 657 MW and Angra 2 with an installed capacity of 1350 MW.

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Uniting the USA in Christ: The American Christian Denomination's 12 Bible Beliefs Strengthen the Church

NEWS PROVIDED BY

USA Christian Church

Sept. 4, 2024



SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 4, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- In a time of great division and uncertainty, the American Christian Denomination has launched a transformative initiative titled "Unite the USA in Christ." This nationwide campaign brings Christians together to reaffirm the covenant of one nation under God to "heal our land, restore God's blessings, and strengthen the church."



The Lord established the American Christian Denomination in 1607, over 400 years ago, when the Jamestown Settlers arrived on Virginia Beach, planted a tall oak cross, and covenanted America to the Lord "to all generations."



The mission of the American Christian Denomination is: "For the Glory of God, America Is One Nation Under God, Where Americans Love God and One Another!"



Steven Andrew, the leader of the American Christian Denomination and pastor of USA Christian Church, has reached over 80 million people with the Gospel.



The one nation under God benefits are historically unparalleled:

Greatest Blessings

Strongest Church

Blessed Economy

Strongest Families

Christian Religious Liberty

National Security

Greatest Freedom

Most Salvations

Greatest Way to Help the Poor

God Defeats Our Enemies

Strongest Godly Generations

The American Christian Denomination upholds 12 Bible beliefs every Christian can agree with. The first four are the Christian foundation: The Lord is the one true God, Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, the Bible is the Word of God, and we are to live a holy life.



The remaining beliefs unite the USA in Christ as one nation under God and include: The Lord is the God of America and Jesus is judge, lawgiver, and king of the USA. The founding fathers established these based on Psalm 33:12 and Isaiah 33:22.



To support this initiative, the Andrew encourages Christians to watch inspiring teachings on uniting the USA in Christ. Visit USA.Church and sign up for email updates.



As the "Unite the USA in Christ" campaign gains momentum, it is already making an impact. Stories of renewed faith are coming forth. From small towns to big cities, people live out the teachings of Christ.



"Unite the USA in Christ is a powerful reminder of the love found in Jesus Christ," Andrew said. "As people face challenges, the American Christian Denomination offers hope and a call to action for all who believe in the power of the Gospel. Together, we can build a brighter future!"



For more information, watch the USA.Church inspiring video.



SOURCE USA Christian Church



CONTACT: Steven Andrew, 877-537-8734, pastor@usa.church


Consolidated Planning Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM  Free Report) by 48.3% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 8,382 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 2,730 shares during the quarter. Consolidated Planning Corps holdings in Unum Group were worth $428,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Versor Investments LP acquired a new stake in Unum Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $715,000. Natixis Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Unum Group by 3.3% in the second quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 27,296 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,395,000 after purchasing an additional 873 shares during the period. Waterfront Wealth Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 12.1% during the 2nd quarter. Waterfront Wealth Inc. now owns 33,984 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,737,000 after buying an additional 3,658 shares during the period. nVerses Capital LLC acquired a new position in Unum Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $358,000. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp acquired a new position in Unum Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $3,945,000. Institutional investors own 86.57% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

UNM has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Unum Group from $62.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on Unum Group from $56.00 to $58.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. Piper Sandler began coverage on Unum Group in a report on Thursday, July 11th. They set an overweight rating and a $57.00 target price for the company. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Unum Group from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Unum Group from $66.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Unum Group presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $61.78.

Unum Group Price Performance

UNM traded up $0.42 on Wednesday, hitting $55.47. 208,233 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,230,228. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.28 and a quick ratio of 0.28. Unum Group has a 12 month low of $41.75 and a 12 month high of $58.17. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.18, a PEG ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 0.81. The business has a 50-day moving average of $53.31 and a two-hundred day moving average of $52.15.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The financial services provider reported $2.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.02 by $0.14. Unum Group had a net margin of 10.40% and a return on equity of 15.55%. The business had revenue of $3.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.23 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.06 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that Unum Group will post 8.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Unum Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 26th were paid a dividend of $0.42 per share. This is an increase from Unum Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 26th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.03%. Unum Groups payout ratio is presently 24.96%.

Unum Group announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, July 30th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the financial services provider to buy up to 10% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Transactions at Unum Group

In other Unum Group news, EVP Timothy Gerald Arnold sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.11, for a total transaction of $541,100.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 64,821 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,507,464.31. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.93% of the companys stock.

Unum Group Profile

(Free Report)

Unum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block segment. The company offers group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products; supplemental and voluntary products, such as individual disability, voluntary benefits, and dental and vision products; and accident, sickness, disability, life, and cancer and critical illness products.

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National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Free Report)  Research analysts at Desjardins boosted their Q4 2024 earnings per share estimates for National Bank of Canada in a research report issued on Wednesday, August 28th. Desjardins analyst D. Young now anticipates that the financial services provider will earn $2.54 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $2.43. Desjardins currently has a Hold rating and a $118.00 target price on the stock. The consensus estimate for National Bank of Canadas current full-year earnings is $10.48 per share.

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National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 28th. The financial services provider reported C$2.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 return on equity of 15.18% and a net margin of 34.50%.

Several other research firms have also recently commented on NA. Cormark boosted their price target on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$122.00 to C$128.00 in a report on Thursday, August 29th. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on National Bank of Canada from C$115.00 to C$125.00 in a report on Thursday, August 29th. Scotiabank raised their price target on National Bank of Canada from C$120.00 to C$129.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 29th. CIBC upped their price objective on National Bank of Canada from C$122.00 to C$134.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 29th. Finally, UBS Group set a C$123.00 price objective on National Bank of Canada and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, National Bank of Canada presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$121.33.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on NA

National Bank of Canada Stock Performance

NA stock opened at C$123.79 on Monday. The companys 50 day moving average price is C$114.40 and its 200 day moving average price is C$112.45. The firm has a market capitalization of C$42.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.05, a PEG ratio of 17.04 and a beta of 1.13. National Bank of Canada has a fifty-two week low of C$84.27 and a fifty-two week high of C$127.22.

National Bank of Canada Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 1st. Investors of record on Monday, September 30th will be paid a dividend of $1.10 per share. This represents a $4.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.55%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 27th. National Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio is currently 42.84%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Yvon Charest purchased 325 shares of the companys 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. In related news, Director Yvon Charest purchased 325 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 19th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of C$117.24 per share, with a total value of C$38,103.00. Also, Senior Officer Lucie Blanchet sold 8,800 shares of 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 transaction of C$946,792.00. 0.21% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About National Bank of Canada

(Get Free Report)

National Bank of Canada provides financial services to individuals, businesses, institutional clients, and governments in Canada and internationally. It operates through four segments: Personal and Commercial, Wealth Management, Financial Markets, and U.S. Specialty Finance and International. The Personal and Commercial segment offers personal banking services, including transaction solutions, mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit, consumer loans, payment solutions, and savings and investment solutions; various insurance products; and commercial banking services, such as credit, and deposit, investment solutions, international trade, foreign exchange transactions, payroll, cash management, insurance, electronic transactions, and complimentary services.

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EnerSys (NYSE:ENS  Get Free Report) has received an average rating of Moderate Buy from the five brokerages that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $118.00.

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of EnerSys from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 30th. BTIG Research lowered shares of EnerSys from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Friday, May 24th. Roth Mkm assumed coverage on shares of EnerSys in a research note on Tuesday, August 27th. They issued a buy rating and a $120.00 target price for the company. Finally, Roth Capital raised EnerSys to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 27th.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on ENS

Insider Buying and Selling at EnerSys

Institutional Investors Weigh In On EnerSys

In related news, CEO David M. Shaffer sold 2,400 shares of EnerSys stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total value of $240,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 244,140 shares in the company, valued at $24,414,000. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . In other EnerSys news, insider Chad C. Uplinger sold 500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.87, for a total transaction of $50,435.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 17,175 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,732,442.25. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Also, CEO David M. Shaffer sold 2,400 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total value of $240,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 244,140 shares in the company, valued at approximately $24,414,000. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 22,700 shares of company stock worth $2,271,843. Insiders own 1.61% of the companys stock.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. bought a new stake in EnerSys in the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Covestor Ltd increased its position in shares of EnerSys by 231.6% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 378 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 264 shares in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in EnerSys by 36.2% during the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 354 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 94 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in EnerSys by 141.8% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 382 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 224 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired a new position in EnerSys in the second quarter valued at about $41,000. Institutional investors own 94.93% of the companys stock.

EnerSys Stock Performance

NYSE ENS opened at $98.50 on Wednesday. The companys fifty day moving average is $101.57 and its two-hundred day moving average is $98.00. EnerSys has a 52-week low of $83.27 and a 52-week high of $112.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 2.70 and a quick ratio of 1.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.15, a P/E/G ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.28.

EnerSys (NYSE:ENS  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The industrial products company reported $1.98 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.97 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $852.90 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $877.52 million. EnerSys had a return on equity of 19.98% and a net margin of 7.73%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.89 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that EnerSys will post 8.94 EPS for the current year.

EnerSys Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, September 16th will be given a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.97%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 16th. This is a boost from EnerSyss previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. EnerSyss payout ratio is 14.77%.

EnerSys Company Profile

(Get Free Report

EnerSys engages in the provision of stored energy solutions for industrial applications worldwide. It operates in four segments: Energy Systems, Motive Power, Specialty, and New Ventures. The Energy Systems segment offers uninterruptible power systems (UPS) applications for computer and computer-controlled systems, as well as telecommunications systems; switchgear and electrical control systems used in industrial facilities and electric utilities, large-scale energy storage, and energy pipelines; integrated power solutions and services to broadband, telecom, data center, and renewable and industrial customers; and thermally managed cabinets and enclosures for electronic equipment and batteries.

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The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS  Get Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, Marketbeat.com reports. The firm set a neutral rating and a $318.00 price target on the real estate investment trusts stock. The Goldman Sachs Groups price objective points to a potential upside of 5.06% from the companys previous close.

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Scotiabank upped their price objective on Essex Property Trust from $290.00 to $309.00 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a report on Monday, August 26th. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Essex Property Trust from $261.00 to $283.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Essex Property Trust from $284.00 to $288.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Essex Property Trust from $269.00 to $314.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, August 26th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on Essex Property Trust from $267.00 to $268.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $281.25.

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Essex Property Trust Stock Up 0.3 %

Essex Property Trust stock opened at $302.69 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $19.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.00, a PEG ratio of 4.32 and a beta of 0.86. Essex Property Trust has a fifty-two week low of $203.85 and a fifty-two week high of $304.00. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $283.28 and a 200-day simple moving average of $261.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.62 and a current ratio of 1.62.

Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.85 by ($2.40). The company had revenue of $442.36 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $433.26 million. Essex Property Trust had a net margin of 30.31% and a return on equity of 9.14%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.77 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Essex Property Trust will post 15.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Essex Property Trust

In related news, CEO Angela L. Kleiman sold 3,780 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.27, for a total value of $1,051,860.60. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 9,494 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,641,895.38. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Angela L. Kleiman sold 3,780 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.27, for a total value of $1,051,860.60. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 9,494 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,641,895.38. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Keith R. Guericke sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.57, for a total value of $2,745,700.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 16,118 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,425,519.26. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 3.80% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Continuum Advisory LLC raised its position in Essex Property Trust by 214.3% in the second quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 110 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in shares of Essex Property Trust by 600.0% in the second quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 112 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. Family Firm Inc. purchased a new position in Essex Property Trust in the second quarter valued at about $31,000. Vima LLC acquired a new stake in Essex Property Trust during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. increased its holdings in Essex Property Trust by 121.8% during the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 193 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. 96.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Essex Property Trust Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Essex Property Trust, Inc, an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily residential properties in selected West Coast markets. Essex currently has ownership interests in 252 apartment communities comprising approximately 62,000 apartment homes with an additional property in active development.

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Evermay Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW  Free Report) by 3,295.5% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 747 shares of the medical research companys stock after acquiring an additional 725 shares during the quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $69,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Park Avenue Securities LLC boosted its stake in Edwards Lifesciences by 0.5% in the second quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 23,484 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $2,169,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. City State Bank raised its holdings in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 16.5% in the second quarter. City State Bank now owns 917 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $85,000 after buying an additional 130 shares during the last quarter. Chapin Davis Inc. lifted its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Chapin Davis Inc. now owns 8,548 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $817,000 after buying an additional 140 shares in the last quarter. Johnson Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences by 23.0% during the 4th quarter. Johnson Financial Group Inc. now owns 771 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $59,000 after acquiring an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Valley National Advisers Inc. increased its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 6.0% in the 1st quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 2,677 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $255,000 after acquiring an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. 79.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at Edwards Lifesciences

In other news, VP Daveen Chopra sold 1,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.95, for a total value of $87,437.50. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 29,333 shares in the company, valued at $2,051,843.35. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, VP Daveen Chopra sold 1,250 shares of Edwards Lifesciences stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.95, for a total value of $87,437.50. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 29,333 shares in the company, valued at $2,051,843.35. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.29, for a total transaction of $466,450.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 46,936 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,378,659.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 16,250 shares of company stock valued at $1,321,988 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

EW has been the topic of a number of research reports. Oppenheimer reduced their target price on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $100.00 to $90.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on Edwards Lifesciences from $107.00 to $91.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Piper Sandler lowered their target price on Edwards Lifesciences from $88.00 to $73.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. StockNews.com lowered Edwards Lifesciences from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered Edwards Lifesciences from a buy rating to a hold rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $100.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $82.10.

Get Our Latest Research Report on Edwards Lifesciences

Edwards Lifesciences Stock Performance

EW stock opened at $68.75 on Wednesday. Edwards Lifesciences Co. has a 1-year low of $58.93 and a 1-year high of $96.12. The company has a current ratio of 3.71, a quick ratio of 2.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The firm has a market cap of $41.43 billion, a PE ratio of 29.63, a P/E/G ratio of 2.92 and a beta of 1.11. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $76.26 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $84.54.

Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The medical research company reported $0.70 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.01. Edwards Lifesciences had a return on equity of 22.35% and a net margin of 24.55%. The business had revenue of $1.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.65 billion. Edwards Lifesciencess revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.66 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Edwards Lifesciences Co. will post 2.7 earnings per share for the current year.

Edwards Lifesciences Company Profile

(Free Report)

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of aortic heart valves under the Edwards SAPIEN family of valves system; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases under the PASCAL PRECISION and Cardioband names.

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Financial Enhancement Group LLC reduced its position in Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF (NYSEARCA:RPV  Free Report) by 1.6% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 152,324 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,493 shares during the period. Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF makes up about 1.9% of Financial Enhancement Group LLCs holdings, making the stock its 13th biggest holding. Financial Enhancement Group LLCs holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF were worth $13,228,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in RPV. Strategic Advocates LLC boosted its position in Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF by 1,546.3% in the 1st quarter. Strategic Advocates LLC now owns 207,612 shares of the companys stock valued at $18,361,000 after buying an additional 195,001 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF by 6.1% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,275,260 shares of the companys stock valued at $106,382,000 after buying an additional 73,717 shares during the last quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC bought a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF during the second quarter worth about $5,841,000. IMC Chicago LLC bought a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF during the first quarter worth about $4,717,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets bought a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF during the first quarter worth about $4,334,000.

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Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF Stock Performance

Shares of RPV stock traded up $0.21 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $88.92. 36,538 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 198,647. Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF has a one year low of $67.69 and a one year high of $89.59. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $85.63 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $85.04. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.45 and a beta of 0.91.

About Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF

The Invesco S&P 500 Pure Value ETF (RPV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500\u002FCitigroup Pure Value index. The fund tracks an index of primarily large-cap, committee-selected US stocks. The index covers about 33% of the S&P 500s market cap, using three factors to select value stocks.

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First National Trust Co trimmed its stake in Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM  Free Report) by 22.3% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 42,899 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 12,346 shares during the quarter. First National Trust Cos holdings in Waste Management were worth $9,152,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC raised its stake in Waste Management by 170.5% in the 1st quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 119 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares during the period. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Waste Management during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Sachetta LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Waste Management during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Waste Management in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Pacific Capital Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Waste Management during the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. 80.40% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Waste Management Trading Down 1.2 %

Shares of WM stock opened at $209.40 on Wednesday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $209.75 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $208.66. Waste Management, Inc. has a 12-month low of $149.71 and a 12-month high of $225.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.21. The firm has a market cap of $84.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 0.74.

Waste Management Dividend Announcement

Waste Management ( NYSE:WM Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The business services provider reported $1.82 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.82. Waste Management had a return on equity of 39.52% and a net margin of 12.13%. The company had revenue of $5.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.43 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.51 EPS. Waste Managements quarterly revenue was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Waste Management, Inc. will post 7.24 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Investors of record on Friday, September 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.75 per share. This represents a $3.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.43%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. Waste Managements dividend payout ratio is presently 49.10%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on WM shares. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Waste Management to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on Waste Management from $215.00 to $204.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 26th. CIBC lowered their price target on shares of Waste Management from $223.00 to $213.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 26th. Oppenheimer reduced their price objective on shares of Waste Management from $229.00 to $224.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on shares of Waste Management from $215.00 to $213.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 26th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Waste Management has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $215.83.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Waste Management

Insider Activity

In other Waste Management news, VP Michael J. Watson sold 4,208 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $204.28, for a total transaction of $859,610.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 45,644 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,324,156.32. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Waste Management news, VP Michael J. Watson sold 1,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total value of $330,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 44,144 shares in the company, valued at $9,711,680. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Michael J. Watson sold 4,208 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $204.28, for a total value of $859,610.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 45,644 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,324,156.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.18% of the companys stock.

Waste Management Profile

(Free Report)

Waste Management, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of environmental solutions to residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in the United States and Canada. It offers collection services, including picking up and transporting waste and recyclable materials from where it was generated to a transfer station, material recovery facility (MRF), or disposal site; and owns and operates transfer stations, as well as owns, develops, and operates landfill facilities that produce landfill gas used as renewable natural gas for generating electricity.

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Foundations Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Free Report) by 25.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 123,637 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 25,122 shares during the quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $17,648,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Folketrygdfondet raised its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Folketrygdfondet now owns 8,756,034 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,124,275,000 after purchasing an additional 124,770 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 10.6% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 8,589,222 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,102,857,000 after purchasing an additional 823,036 shares during the period. Capital International Investors raised its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 22.3% in the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 7,114,931 shares of the companys stock valued at $736,121,000 after purchasing an additional 1,297,536 shares during the period. GQG Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 654.6% in the 1st quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 3,633,064 shares of the companys stock valued at $466,485,000 after purchasing an additional 3,151,584 shares during the period. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. raised its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 7.8% in the 1st quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 2,373,029 shares of the companys stock valued at $304,697,000 after purchasing an additional 172,003 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 11.54% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently issued reports on NVO shares. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $160.00 target price on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Monday, August 19th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on Novo Nordisk A/S from $170.00 to $160.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $156.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com cut Novo Nordisk A/S from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, August 19th. Finally, Argus lifted their price target on Novo Nordisk A/S from $125.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $145.17.

Novo Nordisk A/S Price Performance

Shares of NVO stock traded down $1.95 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $134.31. The company had a trading volume of 182,436 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,331,717. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a current ratio of 0.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $602.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.41. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $135.48 and its 200 day moving average price is $132.42. Novo Nordisk A/S has a one year low of $86.96 and a one year high of $148.15.

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $0.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.71 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $9.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.91 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S had a net margin of 34.86% and a return on equity of 87.43%. Equities analysts expect that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Novo Nordisk A/S Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 16th were given a dividend of $0.5126 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 16th. This represents a yield of 0.7%. Novo Nordisk A/Ss dividend payout ratio is currently 24.83%.

Novo Nordisk A/S Profile

(Free Report)

Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease.

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Regal Partners Ltd lessened its holdings in Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Free Report) by 46.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 992,097 shares of the natural resource companys stock after selling 851,509 shares during the period. Freeport-McMoRan accounts for about 5.0% of Regal Partners Ltds investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest holding. Regal Partners Ltd owned approximately 0.07% of Freeport-McMoRan worth $48,216,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of FCX. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 16.5% in 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 purchasing an additional 4,397 shares during the last quarter. Sapient Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan in the 4th quarter valued at $200,000. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan in the 4th quarter valued at $262,000. Apollon Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 99.5% in the 4th quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 31,745 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $1,351,000 after purchasing an additional 15,832 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan in the 4th quarter valued at $218,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.77% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

FCX has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and set a $60.00 target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $41.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 14th. BNP Paribas raised shares of Freeport-McMoRan to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, June 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $48.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Monday, June 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised shares of Freeport-McMoRan from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $49.50 to $62.00 in a research report on Friday, June 21st. Five 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 companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Freeport-McMoRan has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $53.00.

Freeport-McMoRan Stock Performance

NYSE:FCX opened at $41.36 on Wednesday. The firms 50-day moving average is $45.62 and its 200-day moving average is $46.86. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a 52-week low of $32.83 and a 52-week high of $55.24. 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 company has a market cap of $59.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.60, a PEG ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 1.92.

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results 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 analysts expectations of $6 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a net margin of 7.83% and a return on equity of 7.60%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 15.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.35 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.68 earnings per share for the current year.

Freeport-McMoRan Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 1st. Investors of record on Monday, July 15th were paid a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 15th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.45%. Freeport-McMoRans payout ratio is currently 26.55%.

Freeport-McMoRan Company 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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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM  Free Report) (NYSE:CM)  Equities researchers at National Bank Financial increased their FY2025 EPS estimates for shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a research report issued on Thursday, August 29th. National Bank Financial analyst G. Dechaine now expects that the company will post earnings of $7.75 per share for the year, up from their previous forecast of $7.35. The consensus estimate for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces current full-year earnings is $7.32 per share.

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A number of other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$69.00 to C$74.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, August 30th. UBS Group set a C$70.00 price objective on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a report on Monday, June 3rd. Canaccord Genuity Group increased their price objective on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$74.00 to C$75.00 in a report on Tuesday, August 13th. Finally, Cormark raised Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a market perform rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the company from C$75.00 to C$83.00 in a report on Friday, August 30th. One 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 companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$79.15.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Performance

Shares of CM opened at C$78.46 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$70.03 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$67.57. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a 52-week low of C$47.44 and a 52-week high of C$79.62. The firm has a market capitalization of C$73.99 billion, a PE ratio of 11.98, a P/E/G ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 1.12.

Insider Activity

In related news, Senior Officer Christina Charlotte Kramer sold 23,782 shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$67.50, for a total value of C$1,605,285.00. In other Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce news, Senior Officer John Hountalas sold 20,808 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$67.50, for a total value of C$1,605,285.00. Insiders own 0.02% of the companys stock.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 27th will be paid a dividend of $0.90 per share. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 27th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces payout ratio is 54.96%.

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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Violinist and TikTok star Esther Abrami shared her disappointment after being denied to bring her instrument aboard a Ryanair flight.

She described feeling embarrassed and mistreated by the airline staff, recounting the experience as a moment of public humiliation.

A Disheartening Experience for a Talented Musician

Abrami revealed in an emotional Instagram post that she had been en route from Marseille to Berlin for a recording session of her upcoming third album in collaboration with Sony Classical. However, her plans were abruptly disrupted when she was prevented from carrying her violin onto the aircraft just before boarding her flight.

"This is the first time I have experienced such rudeness and public humiliation," the classical music icon said.

Upon attempting to purchase an additional seat, she was informed that the flight was fully booked and no extra seats were available.

Consequently, she was left with the choice of either checking the instrument in with the luggage or leaving it behind at the airport, which was the only available option.

Abrami pointed out the importance and fragility of her 200-year-old Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume violin.

She explained to the staff that she needed the instrument for a recording session for her upcoming album that day. She also noted that she had flown with the airline many times before without any issues.

The musician said in an Instagram post, "It came to the point where I even offered to take my violin out of the case, keeping its fabric protection and just carry it by hand and keeping it on me during the whole flight whilst they put the case in the cargo."

The airline personnel requested that Abrami unzip the case resting on the ground to measure the violin within the designated area for luggage measurements.

"The requirements for the cabin luggage - which I had paid for already - is a length of 55cm. My violin measures 56cm, it fitted diagonally, and otherwise was 1cm over. Even this was refused."

The Ripple Effect of Missed Opportunities

In light of the lack of resolution, Abrami secured a late-notice seat on an alternative flight from a different airline for the same day, ensuring she could attend her scheduled recording session.

"Not every musician can have this opportunity. Missing a flight often means losing a vital work opportunity, whether a gig, a recording session, or an important meeting."

"In an industry where every opportunity counts, such an incident can have a ripple effect, impacting reputation and future prospects. This is simply inacceptable."
Gray Television, Inc. (NYSE:GTN.A  Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Wednesday . 1,974 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 7% from the previous sessions volume of 2,129 shares.The stock last traded at $7.34 and had previously closed at $7.44.

Gray Television Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.63, a current ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.98. The firms fifty day moving average price is $8.74 and its 200-day moving average price is $8.06. The stock has a market cap of $730.58 million, a P/E ratio of -62.00 and a beta of 1.33.

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Gray Television (NYSE:GTN.A  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $0.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Gray Television had a return on equity of 3.02% and a net margin of 1.84%. The business had revenue of $826.00 million during the quarter.

Gray Television Dividend Announcement

Gray Television Company Profile

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. Gray Televisions dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -266.67%.

(Get Free Report)

Gray Television, Inc, a television broadcast company, owns and operates television stations and digital assets in the United States. As of February 28, 2019, it owned and operated television stations in 91 television markets broadcasting approximately 400 program streams, including approximately 150 channels affiliated with the CBS Network, the NBC Network, the ABC Network, and the FOX Network.

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Bunge Global (NYSE:BG  Get Free Report) and Austevoll Seafood ASA (OTCMKTS:ASTVF  Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, analyst recommendations, risk, earnings and profitability.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Bunge Global and Austevoll Seafood ASAs revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Bunge Global $55.82 billion 0.25 $2.24 billion $12.42 8.00 Austevoll Seafood ASA N/A N/A N/A $4.02 2.13

Bunge Global has higher revenue and earnings than Austevoll Seafood ASA. Austevoll Seafood ASA is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Bunge Global, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

Profitability

Bunge Global pays an annual dividend of $2.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.7%. Austevoll Seafood ASA pays an annual dividend of $1.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 14.0%. Bunge Global pays out 21.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Austevoll Seafood ASA pays out 29.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

This table compares Bunge Global and Austevoll Seafood ASAs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Bunge Global 2.33% 14.84% 6.70% Austevoll Seafood ASA N/A N/A N/A

Institutional & Insider Ownership

86.2% of Bunge Global shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 17.2% of Austevoll Seafood ASA shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.6% of Bunge Global shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings for Bunge Global and Austevoll Seafood ASA, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Bunge Global 0 3 5 0 2.63 Austevoll Seafood ASA 0 0 0 0 N/A

Bunge Global presently has a consensus target price of $118.00, suggesting a potential upside of 18.83%. Given Bunge Globals higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Bunge Global is more favorable than Austevoll Seafood ASA.

Summary

Bunge Global beats Austevoll Seafood ASA on 11 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Bunge Global

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Bunge Global SA operates as an agribusiness and food company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Agribusiness, Refined and Specialty Oils, Milling, and Sugar and Bioenergy. The Agribusiness segment purchases, stores, transports, processes, and sells agricultural commodities and commodity products, including oilseeds primarily soybeans, rapeseed, canola, and sunflower seeds, as well as grains comprising wheat and corn; and processes oilseeds into vegetable oils and protein meals. This segment offers its products for animal feed manufacturers, livestock producers, wheat and corn millers, and other oilseed processors, as well as third-party edible oil processing and biofuel companies for biofuel production applications. The Refined and Specialty Oils segment sells packaged and bulk oils and fats that comprise cooking oils, shortenings, margarines, mayonnaise, renewable diesel feedstocks, and other products for baked goods companies, snack food producers, confectioners, restaurant chains, foodservice operators, infant nutrition companies, and other food manufacturers, as well as grocery chains, wholesalers, distributors, and other retailers. This segment also refines and fractionates palm oil, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, and shea butter, and olive oil; and produces specialty ingredients derived from vegetable oils, such as lecithin. The Milling segment provides wheat flours and bakery mixes; corn milling products that comprise dry-milled corn meals and flours, wet-milled masa and flours, and flaking and brewers grits, as well as soy-fortified corn meal, corn-soy blends, and other products; whole grain and fiber ingredients; die-cut pellets; and non-GMO products. The Sugar and Bioenergy segment produces sugar and ethanol; and generates electricity from burning sugarcane bagasse. Bunge Global SA was founded in 1818 and is headquartered in Chesterfield, Missouri.

About Austevoll Seafood ASA

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Austevoll Seafood ASA, a seafood company, engages in the salmon and trout, white fish, and pelagic businesses in Norway, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Eastern Europe, Africa, North America, Asia, South America, and internationally. The company is involved in the ownership and operation of fishing vessels, as well as farming, aquaculture, processing, sale, and distribution of salmon and trout. It also produces white fish products, freezing and canning plants, fish meals, and fish oils; omega-3 oil; and canned and frozen fish products. The company was incorporated in 1981 and is headquartered in Storeb, Norway. Austevoll Seafood ASA is a subsidiary of Laco AS.

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Heartland Group Holdings Limited (ASX:HGH  Get Free Report) announced a final dividend on Wednesday, September 4th, MarketIndexAU reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 19th will be given a dividend of 0.028 per share on Thursday, September 19th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.73%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 4th.

Heartland Group Price Performance

Heartland Group Company Profile

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Heartland Group Holdings Limited provides various financial services in New Zealand and Australia. The company offers savings accounts, term deposits, and direct and business call accounts. It also provides home loans, business loans, term loans, revolving credit, car loans, and reverse mortgage lending and other financial services.

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JinkoSolar (NYSE:JKS  Get Free Report) had its price objective cut by Roth Mkm from $25.00 to $20.00 in a research note issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the semiconductor companys stock. Roth Mkms target price would indicate a potential upside of 11.05% from the companys current price.

JKS has been the topic of a number of other reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price objective on shares of JinkoSolar from $21.00 to $18.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday. StockNews.com upgraded shares of JinkoSolar from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and six have assigned a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $24.60.

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JinkoSolar Stock Performance

Institutional Investors Weigh In On JinkoSolar

Shares of JinkoSolar stock opened at $18.01 on Wednesday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $20.30 and its 200-day simple moving average is $23.51. JinkoSolar has a 12 month low of $16.70 and a 12 month high of $38.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 0.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $957.32 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.38.

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its position in shares of JinkoSolar by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,572,177 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $53,296,000 after purchasing an additional 44,661 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC grew its stake in JinkoSolar by 2,305.1% in the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 168,911 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $3,500,000 after acquiring an additional 161,888 shares during the last quarter. Decade Renewable Partners LP acquired a new stake in JinkoSolar in the 2nd quarter valued at about $4,272,000. Point72 Europe London LLP acquired a new stake in JinkoSolar in the 2nd quarter valued at about $3,023,000. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP grew its stake in JinkoSolar by 49.5% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 447,709 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $9,277,000 after acquiring an additional 148,268 shares during the last quarter. 35.82% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About JinkoSolar

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JinkoSolar Holding Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, production, and marketing of photovoltaic products. The company offers solar modules, silicon wafers, solar cells, recovered silicon materials, and silicon ingots. It also provides solar system integration services; solar power generation and solar system EPC services; and energy storage system, as well as undertakes solar power projects.

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John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE:JHS  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, September 4th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Friday, September 13th will be given a dividend of 0.1132 per share by the financial services provider on Monday, September 30th. This represents a $0.45 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.89%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust has decreased its dividend by an average of 20.2% annually over the last three years.

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John Hancock Income Securities Trust Price Performance

JHS traded down $0.07 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $11.65. 29,386 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 24,291. John Hancock Income Securities Trust has a 1 year low of $9.76 and a 1 year high of $11.85. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $11.28 and a 200 day moving average price of $11.11.

About John Hancock Income Securities Trust

John Hancock Income Securities Trust is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC. It is co-managed by John Hancock Asset Management. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of United States. It invests primarily in corporate and government bonds with average maturity of 7.57 years.

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Larson Financial Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 61.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,144 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 5,761 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company comprises approximately 0.9% of Larson Financial Group LLCs holdings, making the stock its 24th largest holding. Larson Financial Group LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $13,711,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Lynx Investment Advisory acquired a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. Morton Brown Family Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 45.5% in the 2nd quarter. Morton Brown Family Wealth LLC now owns 48 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 15 shares in the last quarter. Core Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. Activest Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 1st quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Tidemark LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

LLY has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $1,106.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Tuesday, August 27th. Berenberg Bank lifted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,000.00 to $1,050.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $994.00 to $1,015.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 24th. Argus lifted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $770.00 to $840.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, May 14th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $900.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, July 11th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $961.76.

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 0.8 %

NYSE:LLY traded down $7.62 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $948.91. 323,384 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,050,945. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 0.87. The stock has a market cap of $901.85 billion, a PE ratio of 140.87, a PEG ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.41. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $895.06 and a 200 day moving average of $825.20. Eli Lilly and Company has a twelve month low of $516.57 and a twelve month high of $972.53.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $3.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.64 by $1.28. The company had revenue of $11.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.83 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 67.52% and a net margin of 18.86%. On average, equities analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 16.51 earnings per share for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.55%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 76.58%.

Insider Activity

In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 75,510 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $860.78, for a total transaction of $64,997,497.80. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 97,793,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $84,178,955,771.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 876,900 shares of company stock valued at $788,605,032. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Eli Lilly and Company

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Magnus Financial Group LLC cut its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV  Free Report) by 22.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 4,032 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,184 shares during the quarter. Magnus Financial Group LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF were worth $214,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Foster Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Foster Group Inc. now owns 12,787 shares of the companys stock valued at $696,000 after acquiring an additional 194 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC increased its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 36.2% in the second quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 757 shares of the companys stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 201 shares in the last quarter. Noble Family Wealth LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 0.3% during the second quarter. Noble Family Wealth LLC now owns 63,084 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,346,000 after purchasing an additional 205 shares during the period. Fortress Wealth Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Fortress Wealth Management Inc. now owns 26,670 shares of the companys stock worth $1,415,000 after purchasing an additional 223 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Partners Capital Investment Group LLP grew its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Partners Capital Investment Group LLP now owns 72,427 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,773,000 after buying an additional 227 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Stock Performance

Shares of BATS:EFV opened at $56.06 on Wednesday. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 52-week low of $49.15 and a 52-week high of $59.57. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $54.49 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $54.16. The firm has a market cap of $17.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.89 and a beta of 0.70.

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Company 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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Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. (NYSE:AESI  Free Report) by 11.6% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 456,395 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 47,307 shares during the quarter. Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Atlas Energy Solutions were worth $9,096,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Atlas Energy Solutions by 313.7% during the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 1,725 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 1,308 shares during the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank acquired a new stake in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions during the 2nd quarter worth about $74,000. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale purchased a new stake in Atlas Energy Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at about $78,000. nVerses Capital LLC acquired a new position in Atlas Energy Solutions in the second quarter valued at about $106,000. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. acquired a new position in Atlas Energy Solutions in the first quarter valued at about $154,000. 34.59% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Atlas Energy Solutions Stock Down 3.6 %

Shares of NYSE:AESI opened at $20.33 on Wednesday. Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. has a 1-year low of $15.55 and a 1-year high of $24.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 1.53 and a quick ratio of 1.35. The stock has a market cap of $2.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.29, a P/E/G ratio of 5.92 and a beta of 0.56. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $20.36 and a 200 day moving average price of $21.30.

Atlas Energy Solutions Increases Dividend

Atlas Energy Solutions ( NYSE:AESI Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Monday, August 5th. The company reported $0.13 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.31 by ($0.18). Atlas Energy Solutions had a return on equity of 16.75% and a net margin of 13.71%. The business had revenue of $287.52 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $270.55 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.69 EPS. Atlas Energy Solutionss quarterly revenue was up 77.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. will post 1.48 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th were given a dividend of $0.23 per share. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.53%. This is a boost from Atlas Energy Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 15th. Atlas Energy Solutionss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 51.11%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on AESI. Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of Atlas Energy Solutions from $25.00 to $24.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. assumed coverage on shares of Atlas Energy Solutions in a report on Monday, June 24th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on Atlas Energy Solutions from $29.00 to $27.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their target price on Atlas Energy Solutions from $28.00 to $25.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 29th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on Atlas Energy Solutions from $27.00 to $26.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Atlas Energy Solutions currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $26.25.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Atlas Energy Solutions

Insider Buying and Selling at Atlas Energy Solutions

In related news, major shareholder Gregory M. Shepard purchased 60,393 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 20th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $19.05 per share, for a total transaction of $1,150,486.65. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now directly owns 7,383,018 shares of the companys stock, valued at $140,646,492.90. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, major shareholder Gregory M. Shepard bought 60,393 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 20th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $19.05 per share, with a total value of $1,150,486.65. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now directly owns 7,383,018 shares in the company, valued at $140,646,492.90. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Gregory M. Shepard purchased 3,248 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 18th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $21.68 per share, for a total transaction of $70,416.64. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now owns 7,503,197 shares of the companys stock, valued at $162,669,310.96. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have purchased 134,526 shares of company stock worth $2,611,884 and have sold 25,716 shares worth $513,205. Company insiders own 24.34% of the companys stock.

Atlas Energy Solutions Profile

(Free Report)

Atlas Energy Solutions Inc engages in the production, processing, and sale of mesh and sand that are used as a proppant during the well completion process in the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico. The company provides transportation and logistics, storage solutions, and contract labor services. It sells its products and services to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies, and oilfield services companies.

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Midland Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU  Free Report) by 5.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 2,586 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 130 shares during the period. Midland Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Prudential Financial were worth $303,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Creekmur Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Prudential Financial by 78.8% in the 1st quarter. Creekmur Asset Management LLC now owns 245 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. Lynx Investment Advisory purchased a new position in Prudential Financial during the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Crewe Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Prudential Financial in the 1st quarter worth about $33,000. ESL Trust Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Prudential Financial during the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Riverview Trust Co purchased a new position in Prudential Financial during the 1st quarter valued at about $37,000. 56.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Prudential Financial Stock Performance

NYSE PRU opened at $120.70 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $43.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.53, a P/E/G ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 1.34. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $118.18 and its 200-day moving average price is $115.53. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $87.95 and a fifty-two week high of $128.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.13 and a current ratio of 0.13.

Prudential Financial Announces Dividend

Prudential Financial ( NYSE:PRU Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The financial services provider reported $3.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.43 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $13.84 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.78 billion. Prudential Financial had a return on equity of 16.00% and a net margin of 4.86%. Sell-side analysts predict that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 13.33 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 12th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 20th will be issued a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 20th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.31%. Prudential Financials payout ratio is 88.44%.

Insider Transactions at Prudential Financial

In other Prudential Financial news, EVP Ann M. Kappler sold 2,839 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.43, for a total transaction of $322,027.77. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 14,535 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,648,705.05. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Ann M. Kappler sold 2,839 shares of Prudential Financial stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.43, for a total value of $322,027.77. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,535 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,648,705.05. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Insurance Co Of Ame Prudential acquired 652,884 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 20th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $27.57 per share, for a total transaction of $18,000,011.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 3,883,390 shares in the company, valued at approximately $107,065,062.30. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 0.31% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently commented on PRU. Wells Fargo & Company raised Prudential Financial from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $113.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Citigroup raised their price target on Prudential Financial from $104.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Argus raised shares of Prudential Financial to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on shares of Prudential Financial from $143.00 to $141.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, June 28th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Prudential Financial from $123.00 to $122.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Prudential Financial has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $119.33.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on PRU

Prudential Financial Company Profile

(Free Report)

Prudential Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through PGIM, Retirement Strategies, Group Insurance, Individual Life, and International Businesses segments.

Further Reading

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National American University Holdings, Inc. (OTCMKTS:NAUH  Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $0.06 and traded as high as $0.07. National American University shares last traded at $0.07, with a volume of 1,100 shares traded.

National American University Stock Performance

The businesss 50 day moving average price is $0.06 and its 200-day moving average price is $0.06.

About National American University

(Get Free Report)

National American University Holdings, Inc owns and operates National American University (NAU) that provides professional and technical postsecondary education primarily for working adults and other non-traditional students in the United States. It operates in two segments, NAU and Other. The company offers diploma, associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degree programs in business-related disciplines, such as accounting, management, business administration, and information technology; healthcare-related disciplines, including occupational therapy, medical assisting, nursing, surgical technology, and healthcare information and management; legal-related disciplines comprising paralegal, criminal justice, and professional legal studies; and higher education.

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Explainer: What makes China and Africa natural green partners

Xinhua) 10:44, September 04, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- As China's green industry, particularly its new energy vehicle (NEV) sector, continues to thrive, Western politicians and media outlets have begun accusing China of "overcapacity," alleging it would threaten developing countries.

However, this baseless rhetoric has had little impact in Africa. Recognizing the significant benefits of Chinese green products, these nations have not only embraced them, but also viewed them a crucial way to addressing their development needs.

Why is the Western narrative of Chinese overcapacity failing to gain traction in Africa? Why are Chinese green products so popular across the continent? And what makes China and Africa natural green partners?

CLEAN ENERGY PROVIDER

Energy shortage is a significant impediment to economic development in Africa. Although energy demand is growing across the continent, energy use per capita remains among the lowest in the world despite ample energy resources.

Africa consumes a disproportionately low amount of energy, accounting for less than 6 percent of global energy consumption despite hosting 18 percent of the world's population, according to a recent report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

When excluding South Africa, sub-Saharan Africa's per capita energy consumption is just 180 kilowatt-hours compared to 6,500 in Europe and 13,000 kilowatt-hours in the United States, the center said. Given Africa's rapidly growing population, it said there is an urgent need to increase the clean energy supply.

More than 600 million people on the continent currently lack access to electricity, according to the International Energy Agency. Against this backdrop, China's capacity for new energy products is hardly excessive; instead, it is a timely response to the urgent African demand for clean energy.

Africa has abundant hydro, solar, wind, geothermal, and bioenergy resources. However, Africa's current energy generation mix continues to rely on fossil fuels, while renewable sources account for less than 18 percent of the electricity output, according to German statistics platform Statista.

Africa faces a significant energy shortfall, particularly regarding clean energy. "The scale of what Africa needs to overcome her existential challenge is huge," said Charles Onunaiju, director of the Center for China Studies in Nigeria. "If you take the lens of the camera out of the glimmering cities and to the suburbs, you see that there is more to be done."

Despite the pressing demand for clean energy, change is underway across Africa. From Kenya's Garissa Solar Power Plant, the first large solar power plant tapping into the country's vast solar resources, to South Africa's De Aar Wind Farm, more than 100 green energy initiatives jointly led by China and Africa under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation are bolstering the continent's green transition.

Zimbabwean economist Brains Muchemwa told Xinhua in a recent interview that Chinese new green energy products have significantly improved the lives of many Africans despite Western criticism of China's growing green industry production capacity.

At the first African Climate Summit in September 2023, China announced that it would launch an "Africa Solar Belt" program with 100 million yuan (about 14 million U.S. dollars) in funding for solar projects in regions not served by main electrical grids. The program aims to support at least 50,000 families.

By harnessing the abundant sunlight available in many African countries, Chinese projects have significantly increased the availability of clean and reliable electricity, particularly in remote and underserved areas, Benjamin Mgana, chief editor of foreign news at The Guardian newspaper in Tanzania, told Xinhua.

AFFORDABLE GREEN SUPPLIER

Despite the West's continuous speculation of China's "overcapacity" in green industry, many Chinese NEV companies are driving an electric vehicle revolution in many parts of Africa, creating jobs and supporting a transition away from fossil fuels.

Kenya's startup BasiGo was the first company to launch electric buses in the country in March 2022, using parts designed by Chinese automaker BYD. Mutoro Sifuna, BasiGo's marketing director, emphasized the significant energy cost savings of electric buses compared with diesel ones. They plan to introduce and operate 1,000 electric buses by 2025.

The affordability and practicality of Chinese EVs make them appealing to African consumers, especially in urban areas where the demand for clean and efficient transportation is growing, said Mgana.

Adhere Cavince, a Kenya-based international relations scholar, echoed this view, highlighting that Chinese products are not only affordable and durable but also accessible. He emphasized that China's enhanced industrial value chains have made accessing these products easier for African consumers.

"As the largest source of green technologies and products, many African countries are now looking to China to access solar panels to power villages across the continent," he said.

The expert noted that Chinese companies have done sophisticated research on the needs, economic capabilities and opportunities of African consumers. This deepened insight has allowed them to tailor solutions that address consumer needs and expectations at the state, corporate and family levels.

This is evident in the success of Chinese companies in the electric motorcycle market in Africa. According to a recent report by Powering Renewable Energy, the African motorcycle market is expected to reach 5.07 billion dollars by 2027, with electric motorcycles becoming the dominant product in the transition to sustainable transport in sub-Saharan Africa.

ARC Ride, a start-up in Kenya, has based its R&D, assembly and sales locally, but some parts still need to be imported from China, India and Japan, with China providing the majority. Spiro Electric Vehicles, another major player in African electric vehicles, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with a Chinese company in 2023 to sell 500,000 electric motorcycles over the next five years, covering emerging markets such as Kenya and Uganda.

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY

China has set the pace in international green cooperation with Africa, creating significant opportunities for African countries to advance sustainable development.

Over the years, China has implemented hundreds of projects to promote clean energy and green development on the continent. The installed capacity of photovoltaic power plants built by Chinese companies and Africa totaled over 1.5 gigawatts.

Mgana said China's expertise and investment in renewable energy technologies have provided African countries with the means to diversify their energy sources, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and move towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy solutions. Such collaboration with China has paved the way for technology transfers, capacity building, and the creation of jobs in the renewable energy sector across Africa.

One example is Kenya's 55-megawatt Garissa Solar Power Plant, financed and constructed by Chinese firms. As the largest grid-connected solar power plant in East and Central Africa, it produces over 76 million kilowatt-hours annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 64,000 tons.

Moses Masika Wetangula, speaker of Kenya's National Assembly, said that with the power plant, Kenya has moved closer to achieving its clean energy transition goals.

"China's photovoltaic power station projects have made a substantial impact on solving local electricity problems in Africa," Mgana said. The photovoltaic projects have not only raised living standards by providing access to electricity but have also stimulated economic activity, he said.

The availability of stable electricity has enabled businesses to operate more efficiently, facilitated the development of local industries, and supported the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, Mgana said. "Moreover, the reduction in energy costs and the reliance on diesel generators have lowered operational costs for businesses, making the local economy more competitive."

African countries are also eager to collaborate with China to develop their own NEV industry. Zambia and other African countries have benefited from China's support for green energy, said Johnstone Chikwanda, chairman of the Energy Institute of Zambia.

In the NEV industry, "China is a global leader and we are banking on China to learn the best practices," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM  Free Report) (TSE:CM)  National Bank Financial increased their FY2025 earnings estimates for shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a report released on Thursday, August 29th. National Bank Financial analyst G. Dechaine now anticipates that the bank will post earnings of $5.74 per share for the year, up from their previous estimate of $5.38. The consensus estimate for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces current full-year earnings is $5.57 per share.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM  Get Free Report) (TSE:CM) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 29th. The bank reported $1.93 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.74 by $0.19. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a net margin of 10.66% and a return on equity of 13.63%. The firm had revenue of $6.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.28 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.14 EPS. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces revenue for the quarter was up 12.9% on a year-over-year basis.

Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, June 3rd. Bank of America raised shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 30th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 30th. UBS Group assumed 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. Finally, Desjardins raised shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $81.00.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE CM opened at $57.91 on Monday. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a 52-week low of $34.35 and a 52-week high of $59.10. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $51.16 and a 200-day moving average of $49.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $54.61 billion, a PE ratio of 11.92, 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 Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 27th will be issued a $0.652 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 27th. This represents a $2.61 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.50%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces dividend payout ratio is currently 53.50%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 35,913,241 shares of the banks stock worth $1,821,520,000 after buying an additional 675,786 shares in the last quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank lifted its holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 17.9% in the 2nd 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 in the last quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia lifted its holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 8.1% in the 4th quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 24,915,095 shares of the banks stock worth $1,199,627,000 after buying an additional 1,872,709 shares in the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc raised its stake in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 13.8% in the 4th quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 22,550,346 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,091,089,000 after purchasing an additional 2,730,076 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. raised its stake in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 18.9% in the 2nd quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 19,748,305 shares of the banks stock valued at $938,834,000 after purchasing an additional 3,143,734 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.88% of the companys stock.

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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New World Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in MSCI Inc. (NYSE:MSCI  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 505 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $243,000.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Simon Quick Advisors LLC grew its position in MSCI by 32.0% in the 2nd quarter. Simon Quick Advisors LLC now owns 813 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $392,000 after purchasing an additional 197 shares during the period. Privium Fund Management UK Ltd acquired a new stake in MSCI in the 2nd quarter valued at $1,375,000. Gilbert & Cook Inc. grew its position in MSCI by 30.9% in the 2nd quarter. Gilbert & Cook Inc. now owns 868 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $418,000 after purchasing an additional 205 shares during the period. Financial Counselors Inc. lifted its stake in MSCI by 23.2% during the 2nd quarter. Financial Counselors Inc. now owns 9,186 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $4,425,000 after acquiring an additional 1,732 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Natixis Advisors LLC lifted its stake in MSCI by 12.4% during the 2nd quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 54,873 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $26,435,000 after acquiring an additional 6,052 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.97% of the companys stock.

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MSCI Price Performance

MSCI stock traded up $0.78 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $574.25. 42,087 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 565,943. The company has a market capitalization of $45.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.17, a P/E/G ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 1.10. MSCI Inc. has a 52-week low of $439.95 and a 52-week high of $617.39. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $530.59 and a 200-day moving average price of $521.52.

MSCI Announces Dividend

MSCI ( NYSE:MSCI Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The technology company reported $3.64 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.55 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $707.90 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $696.41 million. MSCI had a negative return on equity of 143.09% and a net margin of 43.86%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 14.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.26 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that MSCI Inc. will post 14.79 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 16th were issued a dividend of $1.60 per share. This represents a $6.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.11%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 16th. MSCIs payout ratio is presently 43.69%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MSCI has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Barclays raised their price objective on MSCI from $600.00 to $650.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Redburn Atlantic upgraded MSCI from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $485.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Monday, May 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on MSCI from $526.00 to $590.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. UBS Group lifted their target price on MSCI from $575.00 to $585.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $638.00 target price on shares of MSCI in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, MSCI has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $584.79.

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MSCI Profile

(Free Report)

MSCI Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides critical decision support tools and solutions for the investment community to manage investment processes worldwide. The Index segment provides indexes for use in various areas of the investment process, including indexed financial product, such as ETFs, mutual funds, annuities, futures, options, structured products, and over-the-counter derivatives; performance benchmarking; portfolio construction and rebalancing; and asset allocation, as well as licenses GICS and GICS Direct.

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Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund lifted its stake in BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 12,002 shares of the asset managers stock after acquiring an additional 66 shares during the period. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Funds holdings in BlackRock were worth $9,449,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. XML Financial LLC increased its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter. XML Financial LLC now owns 473 shares of the asset managers stock worth $372,000 after purchasing an additional 12 shares during the period. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of BlackRock by 6.1% in the 2nd quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 226 shares of the asset managers stock worth $177,000 after acquiring an additional 13 shares during the period. Forza Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of BlackRock by 1.3% during the second quarter. Forza Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,044 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $822,000 after purchasing an additional 13 shares during the period. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton raised its stake in shares of BlackRock by 4.4% in the second quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 311 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $243,000 after purchasing an additional 13 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tortoise Investment Management LLC lifted its position in BlackRock by 17.1% in the second quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 89 shares of the asset managers stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 13 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 80.69% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at BlackRock

In related news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 29,450 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $843.25, for a total value of $24,833,712.50. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 353,718 shares in the company, valued at $298,272,703.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, Director Mark Wiedman sold 27,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $834.42, for a total value of $22,529,340.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 6,480 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,407,041.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Laurence Fink sold 29,450 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $843.25, for a total value of $24,833,712.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 353,718 shares in the company, valued at approximately $298,272,703.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 93,042 shares of company stock worth $79,387,117 in the last quarter. 0.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BLK has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Argus upped their target price on shares of BlackRock from $880.00 to $910.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. Barclays initiated coverage on BlackRock in a research note on Tuesday, August 27th. They issued an overweight rating and a $985.00 price objective on the stock. UBS Group cut their target price on BlackRock from $842.00 to $837.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Citigroup increased their price objective on BlackRock from $920.00 to $930.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their target price on shares of BlackRock from $912.00 to $937.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. Three 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, BlackRock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $881.47.

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BlackRock Trading Down 1.7 %

BLK opened at $886.19 on Wednesday. BlackRock, Inc. has a 1-year low of $596.18 and a 1-year high of $903.46. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $843.10 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $810.28. The stock has a market capitalization of $131.69 billion, a PE ratio of 22.52, a PEG ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a current ratio of 5.06, a quick ratio of 5.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) last posted 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. The firm had revenue of $4.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.85 billion. BlackRock had a net margin of 32.36% and a return on equity of 15.44%. BlackRocks revenue was up 7.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $9.28 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that BlackRock, Inc. will post 41.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

BlackRock Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 23rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 9th will be given a dividend of $5.10 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 9th. This represents a $20.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.30%. BlackRocks payout ratio is presently 51.84%.

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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Paragon Financial Partners Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Moodys Co. (NYSE:MCO  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 500 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $210,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Benjamin Edwards Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Moodys during the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. purchased a new stake in Moodys during the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its stake in shares of Moodys by 114.3% during the 2nd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 75 shares of the business services providers stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Rise Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Moodys during the 1st quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, EntryPoint Capital LLC bought a new position in Moodys in the 1st quarter worth $38,000. Institutional investors own 92.11% of the companys stock.

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Moodys Stock Performance

Shares of Moodys stock opened at $481.72 on Wednesday. Moodys Co. has a 12 month low of $298.86 and a 12 month high of $490.18. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $453.94 and its 200-day moving average price is $414.67. The firm has a market cap of $87.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 52.59, a P/E/G ratio of 3.04 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a current ratio of 1.52, a quick ratio of 1.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59.

Moodys Dividend Announcement

Moodys ( NYSE:MCO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The business services provider reported $3.28 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.06 by $0.22. Moodys had a return on equity of 57.03% and a net margin of 28.34%. The company had revenue of $1.82 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.72 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.30 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 21.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Moodys Co. will post 11.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 16th will be issued a $0.85 dividend. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.71%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 16th. Moodyss dividend payout ratio is presently 37.12%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Barclays boosted their price objective on Moodys from $450.00 to $500.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Moodys from $443.00 to $454.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Moodys from $450.00 to $475.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Moodys from $374.00 to $392.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, July 5th. Finally, UBS Group raised their price objective on Moodys from $455.00 to $470.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $460.46.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on MCO

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, SVP Richard G. Steele sold 1,862 shares of Moodys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $455.43, for a total transaction of $848,010.66. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 1,040 shares of the companys stock, valued at $473,647.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, SVP Richard G. Steele sold 1,862 shares of Moodys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $455.43, for a total transaction of $848,010.66. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 1,040 shares of the companys stock, valued at $473,647.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Stephen T. Tulenko sold 500 shares of Moodys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $464.06, for a total value of $232,030.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 6,647 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,084,606.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 2,931 shares of company stock valued at $1,332,825. 0.07% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Moodys

(Free Report)

Moody's Corporation operates as an integrated risk assessment firm worldwide. It operates in two segments, Moody's Analytics and Moody's Investors Services. The Moody's Analytics segment develops a range of products and services that support the risk management activities of institutional participants in financial markets.

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Pettee Investors Inc. lessened its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 38.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 42,123 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 26,352 shares during the period. Pettee Investors Inc.s holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $1,749,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Pzena Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 15.0% during the 2nd quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 14,134,337 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $586,999,000 after buying an additional 1,840,424 shares during the period. Archer Investment Corp grew its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 9.1% in the second quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 24,912 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,035,000 after purchasing an additional 2,070 shares during the period. Founders Financial Securities LLC increased its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 9.8% in the second quarter. Founders Financial Securities LLC now owns 13,612 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $565,000 after purchasing an additional 1,212 shares in the last quarter. Next Level Private LLC raised its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 17.3% during the second quarter. Next Level Private LLC now owns 69,106 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,870,000 after purchasing an additional 10,183 shares during the period. Finally, LMG Wealth Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 10.0% during the 2nd quarter. LMG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 43,298 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,798,000 after purchasing an additional 3,950 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.41% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently weighed in on BMY. TD Cowen upped their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $45.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Barclays increased their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $41.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $45.00 price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $53.00 to $45.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $54.67.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Down 0.5 %

Shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock opened at $50.28 on Wednesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $45.49 and a 200-day moving average price of $46.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.86, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 1.02. The firm has a market cap of $101.92 billion, a PE ratio of -16.30, a P/E/G ratio of 12.92 and a beta of 0.44. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1 year low of $39.35 and a 1 year high of $62.00.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.07 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 business had revenue of $12.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.54 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.75 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 0.77 EPS for the current year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 5th were given 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 4.77%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is presently -77.42%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb 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.

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Pzena Investment Management LLC lessened its position in shares of Synovus Financial Corp. (NYSE:SNV  Free Report) by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 757,614 shares of the banks stock after selling 13,943 shares during the quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLCs holdings in Synovus Financial were worth $30,449,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Synovus Financial by 56.9% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 7,838,693 shares of the banks stock valued at $295,127,000 after acquiring an additional 2,843,488 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in Synovus Financial by 24.4% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 5,177,889 shares of the banks stock worth $194,951,000 after purchasing an additional 1,016,231 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Synovus Financial by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,730,148 shares of the banks stock valued at $140,440,000 after buying an additional 21,041 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Synovus Financial during the 4th quarter valued at about $59,941,000. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Synovus Financial by 4.0% in the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,410,088 shares of the banks stock valued at $53,090,000 after buying an additional 53,974 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.85% of the companys stock.

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Synovus Financial Price Performance

NYSE:SNV opened at $44.94 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $43.27 and a two-hundred day moving average of $39.90. Synovus Financial Corp. has a 12 month low of $24.40 and a 12 month high of $47.83. The firm has a market cap of $6.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.60 and a beta of 1.39. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50.

Insider Transactions at Synovus Financial

Synovus Financial ( NYSE:SNV Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 17th. The bank reported $1.16 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.96 by $0.20. The firm had revenue of $563.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $543.52 million. Synovus Financial had a return on equity of 12.76% and a net margin of 8.40%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.16 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that Synovus Financial Corp. will post 4.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other news, EVP Thomas T. Dierdorff sold 614 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.20, for a total value of $28,366.80. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,833 shares of the companys stock, valued at $685,284.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, EVP Thomas T. Dierdorff sold 614 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.20, for a total value of $28,366.80. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,833 shares of the companys stock, valued at $685,284.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Eli Samaha sold 172,889 shares of Synovus Financial stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.20, for a total value of $4,356,802.80. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 1,293,259 shares in the company, valued at approximately $32,590,126.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 173,523 shares of company stock valued at $4,385,674 over the last 90 days. 0.81% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

SNV has been the subject of several recent research reports. Barclays lifted their price target on Synovus Financial from $46.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, July 19th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on shares of Synovus Financial from $38.00 to $42.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Piper Sandler raised their price target on shares of Synovus Financial from $42.00 to $53.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, July 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Synovus Financial from $48.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. Finally, DA Davidson raised their target price on Synovus Financial from $47.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, July 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and ten have given 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 target price of $46.44.

View Our Latest Analysis on Synovus Financial

Synovus Financial Company Profile

(Free Report)

Synovus Financial Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Synovus Bank that provides commercial and consumer banking products and services. It operates through four segments: Community Banking, Wholesale Banking, Consumer Banking, and Financial Management Services. The company's commercial banking services include treasury and asset management, capital market, and institutional trust services, as well as commercial, financial, and real estate lending services.

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Investment analysts at Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Quanta Services (NYSE:PWR  Get Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, Briefing.com reports. The firm set a hold rating and a $256.00 price target on the construction companys stock. Jefferies Financial Groups target price would suggest a potential downside of 0.62% from the stocks previous close.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Argus boosted their price objective on shares of Quanta Services from $285.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Northland Securities raised their price objective on Quanta Services from $264.00 to $280.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Evercore ISI upped their target price on Quanta Services from $255.00 to $288.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 7th. DA Davidson raised their target price on Quanta Services from $225.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, May 7th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on Quanta Services from $259.00 to $286.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, May 28th. Four equities research 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, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $284.50.

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Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Quanta Services

Quanta Services Price Performance

PWR stock opened at $257.59 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $37.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.92 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. Quanta Services has a 52-week low of $153.74 and a 52-week high of $286.87. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $259.98 and its 200-day simple moving average is $258.66.

Quanta Services (NYSE:PWR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The construction company reported $1.90 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.75 by $0.15. Quanta Services had a net margin of 3.59% and a return on equity of 16.29%. The firm had revenue of $5.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.51 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.47 earnings per share. Quanta Servicess revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Quanta Services will post 7.78 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Quanta Services news, insider Karl W. Studer sold 23,357 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $270.51, for a total transaction of $6,318,302.07. Following the sale, the insider now owns 10,631 shares in the company, valued at $2,875,791.81. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, CEO Earl C. Jr. Austin sold 130,000 shares of Quanta Services stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $262.21, for a total value of $34,087,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 593,402 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $155,595,938.42. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Karl W. Studer sold 23,357 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $270.51, for a total transaction of $6,318,302.07. Following the sale, the insider now owns 10,631 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,875,791.81. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 202,357 shares of company stock worth $53,115,572. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Quanta Services

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Quanta Services by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 16,341,230 shares of the construction companys stock worth $4,245,452,000 after acquiring an additional 105,355 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in shares of Quanta Services by 2.4% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 6,760,260 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,756,316,000 after purchasing an additional 156,627 shares during the period. Capital World Investors raised its holdings in shares of Quanta Services by 10.7% during the first quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 6,643,733 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,726,042,000 after buying an additional 643,011 shares during the last quarter. Electron Capital Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Quanta Services by 395.1% during the second quarter. Electron Capital Partners LLC now owns 2,622,142 shares of the construction companys stock worth $666,260,000 after buying an additional 2,092,519 shares during the period. Finally, Artisan Partners Limited Partnership increased its position in Quanta Services by 384.9% in the 4th quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 2,438,653 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $526,261,000 after acquiring an additional 1,935,786 shares during the period. 90.49% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Quanta Services

(Get Free Report)

Quanta Services, Inc provides infrastructure solutions for the electric and gas utility, renewable energy, communications, and pipeline and energy industries in the United States, Canada, Australia, and internationally. The company's Electric Power Infrastructure Solutions segment engages in the design, procurement, construction, upgrade, repair, and maintenance of electric power transmission and distribution infrastructure and substation facilities; installation, maintenance, and upgrade of electric power infrastructure projects; installation of smart grid technologies on electric power networks; and design, installation, maintenance, and repair of commercial and industrial wirings.

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Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR  Get Free Report) and AKITA Drilling (OTCMKTS:AKTAF  Get Free Report) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, risk, valuation, earnings, profitability and analyst recommendations.

Profitability

This table compares Nabors Industries and AKITA Drillings net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Nabors Industries -4.73% -28.10% -3.08% AKITA Drilling N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Nabors Industries and AKITA Drilling, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Nabors Industries 0 4 2 0 2.33 AKITA Drilling 0 0 0 0 N/A

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Nabors Industries presently has a consensus target price of $108.50, suggesting a potential upside of 51.52%. Given Nabors Industries higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Nabors Industries is more favorable than AKITA Drilling.

81.9% of Nabors Industries shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 29.2% of AKITA Drilling shares are held by institutional investors. 7.3% of Nabors Industries shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Nabors Industries and AKITA Drillings 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 0.22 -$11.78 million ($13.81) -5.19 AKITA Drilling N/A N/A N/A $1.32 0.79

AKITA Drilling has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Nabors Industries. Nabors Industries is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than AKITA Drilling, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

About Nabors Industries

(Get Free Report)

Nabors Industries Ltd. provides drilling and drilling-related services for land-based and offshore oil and natural gas wells in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: U.S. Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. It provides tubular running services, including casing and tubing running, and torque monitoring; managed pressure drilling services; and drilling-bit steering systems and rig instrumentation software. The company also offers drilling systems comprising ROCKit, a directional steering control system; SmartNAV, a collaborative guidance and advisory platform; SmartSLIDE, a directional steering control system; and RigCLOUD, a digital infrastructure to integrate applications to deliver real-time insight into operations across the rig fleet. In addition, it operates a fleet of land-based drilling rigs and marketed platforms rigs; manufactures and sells top drives, catwalks, wrenches, drawworks, and other drilling related equipment, such as robotic systems and downhole tools; and provides aftermarket sales and services for the installed base of its equipment. Nabors Industries Ltd. was founded in 1952 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

About AKITA Drilling

(Get Free Report)

AKITA Drilling Ltd. operates as an oil and gas drilling contractor in Canada and the United States. It is involved in the drilling oil and gas wells, potash exploration and development wells, geothermal wells, disposal wells, and carbon storage wells, as well as wells to be developed into storage caverns for gas. The company was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. AKITA Drilling Ltd. operates as a subsidiary of Sentgraf Enterprises Ltd.

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Shaw Communications Inc (TSE:SJR.B  Get Free Report) (NYSE:SJR) shares crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$40.48 and traded as high as C$40.49. Shaw Communications shares last traded at C$40.48, with a volume of 6,724,328 shares traded.

Shaw Communications Price Performance

The businesss 50-day moving average price is C$40.48. The company has a market capitalization of C$19.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.54, a PEG ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 91.34, a current ratio of 0.68 and a quick ratio of 0.56.

About Shaw Communications

(Get Free Report)

Shaw Communications Inc operates as a connectivity company in North America. The company operates through Wireline and Wireless segments. The Wireline segment provides broadband Internet, Shaw Go WiFi, video, and digital phone services to residential customers; and Internet, data, WiFi, digital phone, and video services to business customers.

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Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. (NYSE:BLX  Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 165,900 shares, a drop of 6.6% from the July 31st total of 177,600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 135,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.2 days. Approximately 0.6% of the companys shares are short sold.

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. Trading Down 1.4 %

BLX opened at $30.90 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.80. The stocks fifty day moving average is $30.76 and its two-hundred day moving average is $29.69. The company has a market capitalization of $1.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.26 and a beta of 1.20. Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. has a 52 week low of $20.01 and a 52 week high of $34.45.

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Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. (NYSE:BLX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The bank reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $75.04 million for the quarter. Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. had a return on equity of 15.91% and a net margin of 23.87%. Analysts forecast that Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. will post 4.6 earnings per share for the current year.

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. Announces Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, August 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 5th were given a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 5th. Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 40.49%.

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of BLX. Beddow Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. by 1.0% during the second quarter. Beddow Capital Management Inc. now owns 383,738 shares of the banks stock valued at $11,386,000 after buying an additional 3,771 shares during the period. Sagil Capital LLP boosted its position in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. by 72.8% during the 2nd quarter. Sagil Capital LLP now owns 189,118 shares of the banks stock valued at $5,611,000 after acquiring an additional 79,701 shares in the last quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. by 77.8% in the 2nd quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 969 shares of the banks stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 424 shares during the period. LSV Asset Management raised its position in shares of Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. by 18.8% in the 2nd quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 1,143,824 shares of the banks stock worth $33,937,000 after acquiring an additional 181,300 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers raised its position in shares of Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 47,093 shares of the banks stock worth $1,397,000 after acquiring an additional 411 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 19.47% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Scotiabank boosted their price objective on shares of Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. from $38.00 to $42.00 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 12th.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A.

About Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A.

(Get Free Report)

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A., a multinational bank, primarily engages in the financing of foreign trade in Latin America and the Caribbean. The company operates through two segments, Commercial and Treasury. It also offers bilateral loans; structured loans including syndicated and clubbed, such as acquisition and pre-export financing, A/B loan financing, bridge loans, and liability management; and project financing.

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Sebastian Garzon, Alamo Angels executive director, speaks during the Aug. 28 pitch competition at VelocityTX. Courtesy Kristopher Lopez Sebastian Garzon, Alamo Angels executive director, signs paperwork to establish the groups new chapter in the Rio Grande Valley. The May event launched a collaboration that led to last weeks pitch competition in San Antonio. Courtesy Daniela Loera, BCIC

Connections between businesses in the Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio investors are growing.

Alamo Angels, the San Antonio-based network of early-stage investors that opened a chapter in Brownsville in May, conducted its first pitch competition with attendees from the Valley last week.

The group expanded into the area to capitalize on the economic potential of the so-called South Texas Triangle, which includes the area between San Antonio, Laredo, Corpus Christi, the Valley and Monterrey, Mexico.

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It comes as Cameron County is experiencing a boom in entrepreneurship and business along with the SpaceXs Starship operation, liquefied natural gas terminals, a busy seaport and more companies looking to nearshore parts of their businesses to Mexico.

The growth has outpaced the regions investors, though, so about two years ago the Brownsville Community Improvement Corp., an economic development group, began talks with Alamo Angels about opening a chapter in the Valley.

We wanted to establish a really great angel investment group because that was kind of the missing piece of this ecosystem we were building, said Nathan Burkhart, vice president of entrepreneurship and innovation for the economic development group. Starting from scratch is really difficult.

He said he sees the new bond between San Antonio-area investors and the RGV as the South Texas triangle megaregion that weve always talked about, kind of in motion.

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Sebastian Garzon, Alamo Angels executive director, called the groups visit a milestone in the chapters development.

The first step toward that launch is bringing founding members from that chapter to San Antonio so that they can get to interact with our community of investors here, as well as get to see the vision of what we are working to build in their own local community now, he said.

The RGV group included businesspeople from entities on both sides of the border. Burkhart said it was important for them to meet the Alamo Angels members and see one of its monthly pitch events, where at least three companies tell their stories in hopes of making a deal.

We wanted to get these members kind of in tune with how these events roll since were going to be having them here at the eBridge Center (in Brownsville), later this fall.

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The Aug. 28 event at VelocityTX, the East Side biotech hub, drew an audience of about 80 people and featured presentations from Nibbles, a pet insurance service; Balam, a financial technology firm; and Pike Robotics, a company that builds robots to inspect infrastructure in hazardous environments.

Garzon said Alamo Angels members have interest in each of the companies that presented and he should know which will land capital in three or four weeks. Those selected typically see investments between $50,000 and $300,000, with an average of about $150,000.

I am surprised that a few of our members were the ones to ask the most questions at the pitch event, which was great, Burkhart said. Following the event and the morning after, they all kind of signed on board, which tells me that were on the right track.

Garzon said the expansion of Alamo Angels into the RGV is a sign the regions markets are maturing.

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If you would have tried to do this 10 years ago, I dont think many people would have paid much attention to the Rio Grande Valley, he said. But 10 years ago, the Rio Grande Valley did not have SpaceX  (or) nearshoring as a reality.
The European Smaller Companies Trust PLC (LON:TRG  Get Free Report) shares traded down 1.8% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as GBX 175 ($2.30) and last traded at GBX 175 ($2.30). 107,418 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 51% from the average session volume of 221,291 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 178.20 ($2.34).

The European Smaller Companies Trust Stock Down 1.8 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.60, a quick ratio of 0.01 and a current ratio of 0.04. The company has a market cap of 701.52 million and a P/E ratio of 2.13. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 175 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 175.

About The European Smaller Companies Trust

(Get Free Report)

TR European Growth Trust PLC is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Henderson Investment Funds Limited. It is co-managed by Henderson Global Investors Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of Europe. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Weaver Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV  Free Report) by 10.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 11,190 shares of the insurance providers stock after buying an additional 1,053 shares during the quarter. Weaver Capital Management LLCs holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $2,275,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC acquired a new position in Travelers Companies in the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. Beacon Capital Management LLC lifted 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 buying an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Northwest Financial Advisors acquired a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Travelers Companies during the 1st quarter valued at $42,000. Finally, Tributary Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Travelers Companies in the first quarter worth $45,000. 82.45% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Travelers Companies Price Performance

Shares of TRV stock opened at $227.87 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $52.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.94, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.61. The firms 50 day moving average is $213.14 and its 200-day moving average is $215.99. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $157.33 and a 1 year high of $232.75.

Travelers Companies Announces Dividend

Travelers Companies ( NYSE:TRV Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 19th. The insurance provider reported $2.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.23 by ($0.72). The firm had revenue of $11.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.35 billion. Travelers Companies had a return on equity of 15.90% and a net margin of 8.37%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.06 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 10th will be given a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.84%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 10th. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio is 31.20%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Travelers Companies

In other news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $211.44, for a total value of $2,114,400.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 22,798 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,820,409.12. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.33% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

TRV has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $225.00 target price on shares of Travelers Companies in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. William Blair restated a market perform rating on shares of Travelers Companies in a report on Friday, June 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $220.00 to $242.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from $221.00 to $234.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, TD Cowen cut Travelers Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $252.00 to $230.00 in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $223.78.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on TRV

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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TIAA Trust National Association lifted its stake in EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) by 1.3% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 63,436 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after buying an additional 802 shares during the period. TIAA Trust National Associations holdings in EOG Resources were worth $7,985,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Chilton Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in EOG Resources by 3.4% during the 2nd quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLC now owns 14,406 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,813,000 after acquiring an additional 471 shares during the period. Willis Johnson & Associates Inc. boosted its holdings in EOG Resources by 12.6% during the 2nd quarter. Willis Johnson & Associates Inc. now owns 2,427 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $306,000 after acquiring an additional 272 shares during the period. Harfst & Associates Inc. boosted its holdings in EOG Resources by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Harfst & Associates Inc. now owns 14,765 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,858,000 after acquiring an additional 278 shares during the period. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in EOG Resources by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC now owns 20,413 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $2,569,000 after acquiring an additional 391 shares during the period. Finally, Natixis Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in EOG Resources by 9.6% during the 2nd quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 379,814 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $47,807,000 after acquiring an additional 33,141 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.91% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at EOG Resources

In other EOG Resources news, EVP Michael P. Donaldson sold 11,037 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the executive vice president now owns 74,250 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,615,375. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, COO Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated 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 owns 35,058 shares in the company, valued at $4,434,135.84. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Michael P. Donaldson sold 11,037 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated 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 owns 74,250 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,615,375. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 21,537 shares of company stock worth $2,751,612. 0.30% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

EOG Resources Trading Down 4.1 %

EOG opened at $123.60 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $71.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.76, a PEG ratio of 3.22 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a current ratio of 2.12, a quick ratio of 1.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. EOG Resources, Inc. has a 12 month low of $108.94 and a 12 month high of $139.67. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $126.87 and a 200-day moving average price of $126.00.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The energy exploration company reported $3.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.98 by $0.18. EOG Resources had a return on equity of 25.42% and a net margin of 30.33%. The company had revenue of $6.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.07 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.49 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 12.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

EOG Resources Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.91 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 17th. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.94%. EOG Resourcess payout ratio is presently 28.75%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently issued reports on EOG. Citigroup boosted their price objective on EOG Resources from $124.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, May 24th. Mizuho boosted their price objective on EOG Resources from $140.00 to $156.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, May 13th. Piper Sandler decreased their target price on EOG Resources from $154.00 to $147.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. KeyCorp initiated coverage on EOG Resources in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. They set an overweight rating and a $157.00 target price for the company. Finally, Wolfe Research initiated coverage on EOG Resources in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. They set a peer perform rating for the company. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, EOG Resources presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $144.00.

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EOG Resources Company 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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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EOG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report).

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Yokogawa Electric Co. (OTCMKTS:YOKEY  Get Free Report)s share price rose 0.2% during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $55.11 and last traded at $55.11. Approximately 600 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 64% from the average daily volume of 1,685 shares. The stock had previously closed at $55.00.

Yokogawa Electric Stock Performance

The firm has a 50-day moving average of $49.31 and a two-hundred day moving average of $46.94.

About Yokogawa Electric

(Get Free Report)

Yokogawa Electric Corporation provides industrial automation, and test and measurement solutions in Japan, Southeast Asia, Far East, China, India, Russia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa, and Middle and South America. It operates through Industrial Automation and Control Business, Measuring Instruments Business, New Business, and Other segments.

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The Dutch Data Protection Authority (Dutch DPA) has imposed a fine of 30.5 million ($33.7 million) against facial recognition firm Clearview AI for violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union (E.U.) by building an "illegal database with billions of photos of faces," including those of Dutch citizens.

"Facial recognition is a highly intrusive technology that you cannot simply unleash on anyone in the world," Dutch DPA chairman Aleid Wolfsen said in a press statement.

"If there is a photo of you on the Internet  and doesn't that apply to all of us?  then you can end up in the database of Clearview and be tracked. This is not a doom scenario from a scary film. Nor is it something that could only be done in China."

Clearview AI has been in regulatory hot water across several countries, such as the U.K., Australia, France, and Italy, over its practice of scraping publicly available information on the internet to build a vast database comprising more than 50 billion photos of people's faces.

The individuals identified from these images are assigned a unique biometric code, which is then packaged as part of intelligence and investigative services offered to its law enforcement clients to "rapidly identify suspects, persons of interest, and victims to help solve and prevent crimes."

The Dutch DPA, in addition to accusing Clearview of collecting users' facial data without their consent or knowledge, said the company "insufficiently" informs the people who are in its database about how their data is used and that it doesn't offer a mechanism to access their data upon request.

Currently, Clearview only offers residents of six U.S. states  California, Colorado, Connecticut, Oregon, Utah, and Virginia  the ability to access, delete, and opt out of profiling.

It also alleged that the New York-based firm did not stop the violations even after the investigation, ordering it to cease them with immediate effect or risk facing an additional fine of 5.1 million ($5.6 million). Furthermore, the ruling bans Dutch companies from using Clearview's services.

"We are now going to investigate if we can hold the management of the company personally liable and fine them for directing those violations," Wolfsen said.

"That liability already exists if directors know that the GDPR is being violated, have the authority to stop that, but omit to do so, and in this way consciously accept those violations."

In a statement shared with the Associated Press, Clearview said it doesn't fall under EU data protection regulations as it does not have a place of business in the Netherlands or the E.U. It also described the decision as "unlawful."

Back in June, the company further settled a lawsuit filed in the U.S. state of Illinois over facial recognition privacy violations by granting plaintiffs a 23% stake in its future value, as opposed to a traditional payout. It, however, did not admit to any wrongdoing.
Of the 81 firms for which the Urban Institute reports authors were able to identify the race or ethnicity as well as the gender of leadership, just two are led by people of color and only seven are led by women. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Fewer than 3% of companies building apartments in San Antonio are owned or managed by people of color, the largest underrepresentation of such developers across 10 cities analyzed in a new report by the Urban Institute.

That underrepresentation, particularly by Latino-led firms, was striking, especially given that a majority of San Antonios adults are Latino and its housing costs are far lower than in the other cities, said Jorge Gonzalez-Hermoso, a research associate at the Urban Institute and one of the authors of the report.

The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofits findings reflect the lack of diversity within the top ranks of real estate development across the U.S., which the authors of the report attributed in large part to limited access to funding and intergenerational wealth, as well as complex government regulations that can be hard and expensive to navigate.

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Construction crews work on The Josephine Apartments in July. Josie Norris/Staff photographer

It is a business with a lot of barriers that requires a lot of capital and a lot of connections that we know that, on average, because of systemic reasons, communities of color have more difficulties accessing, Gonzalez-Hermoso said. That also translates to women in many cases.

The analysis focuses on recipients of building permits issued for multifamily projects of 10 or more units between 2019 and 2023.

During that period, 90 developers in San Antonio got permits to add or renovate 30,469 units. Of the 81 firms for which the authors were able to identify the race or ethnicity and gender of leadership, just two were led by people of color  one by an Asian person and the other by a Latino person  and only seven were led by women.

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In addition to San Antonio, the cities in the report are Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Los Angeles; Miami; Nashville, Tenn.; Phoenix; Seattle; and Washington, D.C. The research was funded by Amazon and Wells Fargo.

Developers of color were underrepresented across all 10 cities compared with their share of the adult population, and Latino developers were the most underrepresented, the Urban Institute found. Among for-profit firms, even fewer were led by people of color, limiting avenues for leaders to build wealth through business profits, the organization said.

Real estate is a particularly difficult business to get into, Gonzalez-Hermoso said. You need a lot of capital. You need a lot of your own equity. We know that communities of color have, on average, less wealth, and that includes generational wealth.

Henry Flores, president of Madhouse Development Services Inc. and one of the local developers of color identified by the Urban Institute, said limited access to financing for projects is a major hurdle.

Raising equity is especially hard, said Flores, whose Austin-based firm has built a half-dozen apartment communities in San Antonio.

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After starting Madhouse in the 1990s, he said, he used a federal tax credit program to build affordable housing, in part because it was easier to raise equity through the sale of those credits. For a market-rate development, he said, he turned to friends who connected him with Mexican investors.

When we tried to find regular capital, we ran into a wall, Flores said.

In its report, the Urban Institute suggested cities try to reduce red tape or bond requirements, as well as offer low-interest predevelopment loans and grants.

Flores also said providing more education for lenders so they understand that people of color are capable of doing development could help address barriers.

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Access to capital is critical, Flores said. Without access to capital, you cant do a deal.

Michael Shackelford, a partner at Partners in Community Development LLC, a San Antonio-based firm led by people of color, said mentorship opportunities and requirements that large companies have to work with small minority- and women-owned businesses on government contracts also can help. The firm works on multifamily projects but hasnt yet begun construction in San Antonio, so it wasnt included in Urban Institutes report.
(TBTCO) - Gia xe SH moi nhat thang 10/2024 tai ai ly ang giam soc, mot so phien ban ang uoc ban re hon gia e xuat, ay la ieu hiem co cua dong xe Honda. Trong khi o, gia xe Vision tai ai ly ang o muc thap chua tung co, tinh trang oi gia cao gan nhu a khong con.
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The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has signed an agreement with Samsung to enable the launch of Samsung Pay in Saudi Arabia during Q4 of 2024.

The agreement was signed at the inaugural 24 Fintech conference in Riyadh, said a Saudi Press Agency report.

The step, said the release, reflects SAMA's ongoing efforts to improve digital payment in Saudi Arabia, in line with the objectives of the Financial Sector Development Program, a key initiative of Saudi Vision 2030.

It also reflects SAMA's commitment to developing a robust digital payments infrastructure through the national payments system "mada", thus moving toward a less cash-dependent society by providing advanced digital payment solutions that align with international standards.

The Samsung Pay service aims to offer an advanced and secure payment experience, enabling users to easily store and manage their digital payment cards with the Samsung Wallet application.

According to the release, the launch of the Samsung Pay service is part of a series of technical innovations that aim at meeting market needs and advancing Saudi Arabia's position as a global pioneer in FinTech.
Al Baraka Islamic Bank has entered into a an agreement with Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) to offer a suite of exclusive benefits and rewards specifically designed for the banks customers who hold World Elite MasterCard credit card.

The World Elite Mastercard credit card is planned to be officially launched soon, and will bring a host of unique advantages to its cardholders.

A signing ceremony was recently held at Al Baraka Islamic Bank Head Quarters, where the agreement was signed by Dr Adel Abdullah Salem, CEO of Al Baraka Islamic Bank, and Mohammed Yousif Al Binfalah, CEO of BAC, in the presence of senior executives from Al Baraka Islamic Bank, BAC, Hala Bahrain, Gulf Air Group and Mastercard.

Designed for the elite

This agreement comes as Al Baraka Islamic Bank prepares to launch the World Elite MasterCard, which is specially designed for elite individuals, providing them with a wide range of unique benefits and services, with the aim of enhancing the customer experience and meeting their growing needs, especially while travelling. This includes unlimited access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide and immediate enrollment in the Al Baraka Rewards Programme.

It also offers World Elite Mastercard concierge, Fulfil Visa services, Airport Security Fast Track Services with Travel Pass, Booking.com cashback, complimentary travel insurance, 24/7 emergency services and exclusive premium experiences in various fields, ensuring a lifestyle of luxury and convenience.

Dr Salem said: We take pride in this partnership, which underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional services to our customers. The World Elite MasterCard credit card will unlock a new realm of benefits and luxurious experiences for our esteemed clientele.

He added: As we prepare for the launch of this innovative card, we are dedicated to incorporating additional exclusive benefits that align with the growing demands and aspirations of our valued customers. Our commitment is to provide outstanding banking experiences that not only meet but exceed customer expectations, whether during their travels or in their daily lives.

Exceptional services

AlBinfalah said: BAC is pleased to announce a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Awal Private Terminal and Al Baraka Islamic Bank. This partnership will grant World Elite credit cardholders an access to the exceptional services offered by the terminal, catering to owners and users of private jets, as well as first and business class passengers. BAC is confident that this collaboration will further enhance the terminal's standing as a premier destination for discerning travellers.

Reem Tannir, Country Manager for Bahrain, Mastercard, commented: Mastercard is committed to providing seamless and secure payment solutions that suit consumers lifestyles. We are delighted to collaborate with Al Baraka Islamic Bank and BAC to introduce the World Elite Mastercard credit card, which connects discerning travellers to a world of priceless experiences that seamlessly blend unmatched luxury and convenience.--TradeArabia News Service
Gilbert Torres, 24, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the shooting death of Mario Alvarez, 21, in 2022. Bexar County Sheriff's Office

A San Antonio man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the shooting death of a man in 2022 after he violated the conditions of his plea agreement.

Gilbert Torres, 24, was charged with murder along with Stephanie Zaragosa, 22, in the fatal shooting of Mario Alvarez, 21, on Aug. 29, 2022, in front of his residence in the 3800 block of Morales. Zaragosa was sentenced to 18 years in prison in April after pleading guilty to the slaying.

Torres was sentenced Monday by Judge Kristina Escalona in the 186th District Court.

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Torres received the maximum sentence under the plea bargain after failing to honor an agreement made earlier this year. Torres was to testify against Zaragosa in exchange for a lesser sentence to be negotiated. However, Torres cut off his GPS ankle monitor in January and did not appear to testify. Had he cooperated, he would have received a sentence less than 30 years.

On July 30, Torres was located and arrested. The prosecution argued that Torres did not honor the plea agreement, which justified imposing the maximum sentence.

An arrest affidavit stated that the day of the incident, Torres and Zaragosa arrived at Alvarezs home in a Jeep Cherokee. Torres was hidden in the back seat, which had tinted windows. Zaragosa motioned for Alvarez to approach the vehicle, and when he did, Torres shot Alvarez multiple times. He died later at a hospital.

This sentence reflects the gravity of Gilbert Torres' actions. By failing to fulfill his obligations under the plea agreement, Torres attempted to escape responsibility for his crime, said Bexar County Criminal District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales in a statement. Our thoughts are with the family of Mario Alvarez, and we hope this sentence brings some measure of justice and closure. We remain committed to holding perpetrators accountable and seeking justice for victims.

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Court records show that Torres will receive credit toward his sentence for the 121 days he spent at the Bexar County jail.
The construction of the Ceer Manufacturing Complex (CMC), which started only four months ago, has reached a milestone with the recent raising of the first steel frame.

This reflects the rapid pace of progress of building the first Saudi EV manufacturing facility in the King Abdullah Economic City, Jeddah, the company said.

Ceer leaders, along with representatives of the contractor, Modern Building Leaders (MBL), the Saudi company that is constructing the facility, celebrated the milestone.

CEO James Deluca commented on the impact of the CMC and the development of the first Saudi electric vehicle brand saying: Our primary focus at Ceer is to manufacture an end-to-end Saudi-made vehicle that will be able to challenge global automotive thinking, and the CMC is an essential and vital component in the realisation of this goal.

The Ceer Manufacturing Complex, a $1.3 billion facility, will be the most advanced of its kind in the MENA region. Covering 530,000 sq m, it will include dedicated zones for every stage of vehicle production, including a press shop, body shop, paint shop, and general assembly.

Additionally, the complex will feature dedicated zones for logistics, waste management, warehouses, offices, water treatment system, and a vehicle test track. These areas will be run by top-tier automotive suppliers located in the new facility, making it a world-class automotive and EV construction site.

Commenting on the significance of the first steel frame being raised, Christopher Goodey, Ceers Chief Manufacturing Officer, said: The size of the CMC, the level of automation, and the application of new technology will surpass any other plant in the MENA region. The facility will be a fully integrated industrial complex for the production of EVs, including parts and components, which will contribute to the development of both direct employment and other business opportunities, igniting sector-wide innovation and pioneering advanced automotive manufacturing approaches in the Kingdom. - TradeArabia News Service
Sobha Realty, a leading real estate developer, is set for a significant leadership transition with PNC Menon, the Founder and Chairman of Sobha Group, retiring from his active role as Chairman.

Effective November 18, 2024, Ravi Menon, a distinguished leader with an exceptional track record as Co-Chairman of Sobha Group, will assume the role of Chairman of the Group.

PNC Menon, the Forbes listed billionaire, will continue as the Founder of Sobha Group. He began his journey with humble origins in India. His pursuit of excellence led him to Oman, where he earned the distinguished reputation as 'The Palace Maker,' a title that ultimately bestowed upon him and his family Omani citizenship, by the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

His journey has been transformative, with his leadership and passion for excellence, establishing the company as a revered name in the industry. As he passes the baton to the next generation, PNC Menon will continue to play an influential role, offering his expertise to guide the groups subsidiaries and ensure ongoing growth and stability, the company said.

PNC Menon said: "Throughout my tenure as Chairman, I have been inspired by our exceptional teams dedication and creativity, which has propelled the company to new heights. I remain committed to supporting Sobha Realtys ambitions and am confident that under Ravi Menon and Francis Alfreds (managind director) leadership, the company will enter a new era of progress and innovation."

For over two decades, Ravi Menon, a Civil Engineering graduate with Honors from Purdue University, USA, has played a pivotal role in Sobha Groups success. Since joining as a Director at Sobha Limited in India in June 2004, he has advanced the companys strategic vision and fostered a culture of innovation. His promotion to Vice Chairman in January 2006, followed by his appointment as Chairman of Sobha Limited in India and later as Co-Chairman of Sobha Group in Dubai, stands as a testament to his leadership and operational excellence.

Ravi Menon said: "I am deeply honoured to take on the role of Chairman of Sobha Group. Under PNC Menons remarkable leadership, Sobha Realty has become a leading luxury real estate developer in the region, with promising expansion plans globally. I am committed to upholding this legacy and advancing it further to make it the most preferred brand for customers."

Starting this new chapter in Sobha Realty, Ravi Menon will work hand in hand with Francis Alfred, Managing Director of Sobha Realty, to steer the company toward even greater achievements.

Alfred said: "As we embark on this exciting new chapter for Sobha Realty, I am honoured to work alongside Ravi Menon. His visionary leadership and deep commitment to excellence have been instrumental in shaping the companys success. Together, we aim to continue to build on the strong foundation laid by PNC Menon by driving innovation and delivering the highest standards of quality that our customers expect. I am confident that with Ravi Menons guidance, Sobha Realty will reach even greater heights, further solidifying our position as a global leader in luxury real estate." - TradeArabia News Service
London Business School (LBS) has called on budding entrepreneurs to participate in the LBS Mena Startup Competition 2024.

Applicants are invited to submit entries to the Schools third, annual Mena Startup Competition by September 14. The competition, which was founded and is driven by alumni and students from the London Business School Entrepreneurship Clubs, is sponsored by London Business Schools Institute of Entrepreneurship and Private Capital (IEPC) and AstroLabs, the leading business expansion platform in the Gulf, which returns as the clubs partner for the second year.

The competition will also be supported by the Centre of Digital Entrepreneurship (CODE), an initiative of The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia (MCIT).

Business innovators

Following the success of the previous two years, LBS is extending its reach beyond its London-based Incubator programme to assist and elevate the burgeoning community of business innovators and trailblazers across the Mena region.

Jane Khedair, Executive Director of IEPC, said: Empowering innovation in Mena means unlocking limitless potential. Together, with the wealth of resource made available through this competition, we can help build a future driven by creativity, resilience, and opportunity.

The competition, which offers winning startups access to education, training and mentoring, is one of the most notable startup competitions in the region. Now in its third year, it will connect aspiring entrepreneurs with local venture capitalists and investors, providing a platform to raise funds and gain exposure before a prestigious panel.

IEPC has a distinguished background in supporting in new ventures, and through its Incubator Programme more than 150 new ventures have been launched and more than 150 million (AED728 million) in seed capital has been raised. The LBS Mena Startup Competition aims to complement this expanding ecosystem of companies, government agencies, and financial services that contribute to nurturing the region's talented entrepreneurs.

Gaining traction

In addition to monetary rewards, the competition provides startups with the chance to gain traction, reach a broader audience, attract financial investment from venture capitalists, leverage the extensive LBS global network, and increase their media exposure.

Last years competition saw The Surpluss, the worlds first B2B platform for industrial asset exchange, emerge as the winner receiving a significant package of support valued at a total of $80,000 (AED294,000). The Surpluss is an innovative enterprise offering cross industrial collaboration that aims to convert underutilised resources into value. With a growing customer base in the UK, Denmark, and the UAE, the company is set to assist 500 companies in the UAE alone within the next year to take transformative climate action to halve their emissions by 2030. Zeal, a Cairo based fintech company, and Hulexo, a UAE based retail ERP system provider followed close behind as runners-up.

Rana Hajirasouli, Founder, The Surpluss, said: Winning first place in the London business School Mena startup competition last year was a game changer for us. The mentorship and feedback we received helped us refine our strategy and our pitch, which played a crucial role in our success. And don't forget, you get to meet other amazing startup founders and collaborate with them as well along the journey.

Opening new doors

The competition also connected us with industry leaders and experts, opening up new doors for opportunities both in Mena and abroad. So, if you're an entrepreneur in the Mena, I highly recommend participating. It's an experience that can only elevate your startup. Best of luck and looking forward to seeing you in the finals.

In the inaugural competition (2022), Turkish technology startup Ollang, specialising in end-to-end human-powered AI localisation, was the winning startup. The company received a cash prize of $15,000 (AED55,000).--TradeArabia News Service
Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HyperloopTT) and Aerospace Times Feiping have been announced as the key partners for the Transportation & Mobility section of the inaugural edition of Logimotion 2024.

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HyperloopTT), is a US-headquartered high-speed transportation pioneer and Aerospace Times Feiping is a China-based aircraft manufacturing company. The show will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre from December 10 to 11, 2024.

Logimotion 2024 is a first-of-its-kind event that will bring together global leaders in mobility and logistics in the central hub of Dubai. The event is tailored to showcase technologies and solutions within these vital sectors, while sharing the latest industry insights through an immersive conference programme.

Unparalleled opportunities

Logimotion will provide unparalleled opportunities for attendees to network with industry professionals, gain knowledge from thought leaders, and catalyse growth in the mobility and logistics sectors.

Dishan Isaac, Exhibition Director, Logimotion said: We are delighted to welcome HyperloopTT and Aerospace Times Feiping as partners for the Transportation & Mobility Section at Logimotion. The brightest minds in the industry will come together at this event to help shape a more sustainable, interconnected future, and these two organisations have a pivotal role to play in this process.

Andres de Leon, Chief Executive Officer at HyperloopTT added: Logimotion promises to become a must-attend fixture in the global logistics and mobility industrys calendar, so we are extremely proud to be involved as a main partner for the Transportation & Mobility section at the first-ever edition. Global collaboration lies at the heart of HyperloopTT, which is why we are so excited to tap into the shows spirit of connectivity and innovation as we share our vision for the future of transportation.

Hyperloops

Hyperloops are tube-based transportation systems designed to move goods and people at airplane speeds safely, efficiently and sustainably. The introduction of hyperloops would reduce travel time between city centres and logistics hubs from hours to minutes, promoting widespread economic expansion and replacing contemporary emissions-heavy methods of transportation.

Founded in 2013, HyperloopTT is a leading transportation and technology licensing company focused on the advancement of high-speed transit through the hyperloop. To date, the company has developed a full-scale test system, a comprehensive insurance framework and robust certification guidelines for its innovations.

The systems being developed by HyperloopTT have the potential to revolutionise the transportation sector with ultra-fast, sustainable and energy-efficient transit solutions. In addition to the companys showcase at Logimotion, de Leon will address attendees at the TransMobility Forum, which will explore the next generation of mobility.

Aerospace Times Feiping belongs to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and is currently the world's largest high-tech enterprise for logistics Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems and provides R&D, production and manufacturing.

At Logimotion 2024, Aerospace Feipeng Co will showcase its UAV portfolio. This includes, among others, the FP-985 large fixed-wing aircraft, which has a loading capacity of 1,700kg and offers features such as the capacity to operate during the day and night, in sandstorms, high-temperature environments and solar radiation resistance along with offering large cargo capacities and high efficiency.

Logimotion, which will coincide with Automechanika Dubai 2024, will encompass three main product areas: Warehousing Solutions & Equipment, Freight, Cargo & Material Handling and Transportation & Mobility. Alongside the exhibition, the two-day event will feature three pivotal conferences which include SCALEX, the Global Trade & Infrastructure Summit and the TransMobility Forum.--TradeArabia News Service
AIM Congress, the worlds premier investment platform, is set to convene in Abu Dhabi from April 7 to 9, 2025, attended by 25,000 distinguished participants from 180 countries.

With over 1,000 speakers expected to engage in more than 350 panel discussions, the Congress will be held under the theme Mapping the Future of Global Investment: The New Wave of a Globalised Investment Landscape- Towards a New Balanced World Structure.

AIM 2025 will bring together industry leaders, government officials, policymakers, senior regional and international investors, as well as prominent international companies and organisations from various sectors. It will explore the latest trends, developments and opportunities shaping the global investment landscape, focusing on addressing current and future challenges and mobilising efforts to forge innovative solutions, with the goal of fostering a prosperous and sustainable global economy.

Crucial platform

Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade and President of AIM Congress, said: AIM Congress 2025 is an opportunity to reaffirm the UAEs unwavering commitment to leading global efforts in addressing the pressing economic challenges of our time. As the world navigates profound economic shifts, AIM will provide a crucial platform for the international community to come together, devise innovative investment strategies, and build a framework that ensures sustainable and inclusive growth for all.

To accommodate the increased number of events, activities and exhibitors, the exhibition area will be doubled to over 30,000 sq m.

AIM Congress 2025 will feature events, forums, dialogue sessions, workshops, high-level meetings, the AIM Investment Awards and Exhibition, a startups competition, and showcases of country-specific investment opportunities. With two additional portfolios, AIM 2025 will tackle eight key portfolios, including Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Global Trade, Startups & Unicorns, Future Cities, Future Finance, Global Manufacturing, Digital Economy, and Entrepreneurs.

Dawood Al Shezawi, Chairman of the Organising Committee of AIM Congress, emphasised the event's ongoing success and increasing participation, noting that the Organising Committee is dedicated to organising a bigger and more impactful edition to further shape a more prosperous and inclusive global economy.--TradeArabia News Service
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar held a joint press conference with state and federal officers to announce arrests made in connection to the JBSA-Lackland shooting in August. Staff/Raul Trey Lopez

Police have arrested two teens they say sprayed gunfire near the entrance to a training annex of Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland about two weeks ago. The shooting raised concerns that the installation had come under attack.

Joseph Jimenez, 19, and Ricardo Samaniego, 18, were charged with deadly conduct with a firearm for allegedly opening fire near the main gate to the Chapman Annex of Lackland Air Force Base and at homes in a neighborhood nearby. No one was injured.

The arrests provide at least a partial explanation for a puzzling sequence of events on Aug. 17, when Air Force guards said they came under attack by unidentified gunman twice within several hours. The teens were not targeting the base.

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An affidavit supporting the arrests of the two suspects indicate that what appeared to the Air Force guards to be an assault on the annex gate was actually directed at homes in the 100 block of Maple Valley Drive. The Chapman Annex gate is located at Ray Ellison Boulevard and Medina Base Road, near residential neighborhoods on the Southwest Side.

Jimenez and Samaniego were driving around in a stolen sedan, shooting toward multiple houses, including one where a woman and several children were present, police say.

The first shooting outside the base occurred around 2:15 a.m. when Air Force Security Forces personnel at the entrance gate of the Chapman Training Annex on the Southwest Side saw a sedan drive past and heard gunshots and the sound of bullets whistling past them, police and Air Force officials said.

According to arrest affidavits, Jimenez and Samaniego parked on the side of the road near the base around 2:25 a.m. on Aug. 17, exited their vehicle, and fired multiple rounds from a firearm.

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Security officers at the base feared they were being "targeted" and returned fire on shooters who attempted to gain entry through the main gate at the JBSA-Chapman Training Annex. The guards called for backup in case the attackers returned.

Investigators were able to obtain digital evidence showing Jimenez and Samaneigo "shooting at or in the direction of multiple houses" in the 100 block of Maple Valley Drive as they stood on the side of the roadway outside of the military base, according to the affidavit.

The second shooting outside JBSA-Lackland happened shortly before 5 a.m. Police say the teens were in the same stolen sedan that stopped just east of the gate at Ray Ellison Boulevard and Medina Base Road when shots were fired outside the base gate.

The Air Force guards returned fire with their service weapons and the sedan sped off. No one was injured in the exchange of gunfire. Police said they found shell casings near where the car had stopped.

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Joseph Jimenez, 19, has been charged with two felony counts of deadly conduct by discharging a firearm in connection to several shootings on Aug. 17 outside of JBSA-Lackland. Bexar County Sheriff's Office

Ricardo Samaniego, 18, has been charged with two felony counts of deadly conduct by discharging a firearm in connection to several shootings on Aug. 17 outside of JBSA-Lackland. Bexar County Sheriff's Office

A separate shooting at an apartment on Aug. 17 led to the arrests.

Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said shell casings found near JBSA-Lackland matched shell casings from the accidental shooting at 10 p.m. on Aug. 17 in a West Side apartment in the 1500 block of Marbach Oaks.

Jimenez, Samaniego, and Elijah Martinez, 19, were at a child's birthday party at the apartment when Jimenez accidentally shot Samaniego in the stomach. A witness told police Jimenez was cleaning the gun when it went off. Both Jimenez and Martinez fled the scene. Samaniego was holding his six-month-old infant, who was unharmed in the shooting.

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Salazar said witnesses reported the incident, but no charges were filed.

Jimenez was arrested on Aug. 28 in connection to the apartment shooting and additional charges were added for his alleged involvement in the shootings outside of JBSA-Lackland.

Samaniego was also arrested for his alleged involvement in the JBSA-Lackland shootings on Tuesday; he later bonded out.

The arrests were a joint effort by the San Antonio Police Department, Bexar County Sheriff's Office, the Department of Public Safety, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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Criminal charges have been laid against a man and woman in connection with the brutal attack
Hyatt farse and outta place. The audacity of them. Saying that in this country they are not 
Criminal charges against the boyfriend of 22-year-old Tucson woman who died last month in a domestic-violence related incident, have been dropped while investigators try to collect more evidence in the case, authorities say.

Hundreds of people showed up at the hospital last month to support the family of Zahriya Moreno, who investigators have said was possibly injured late Aug. 11 when she fell from a moving vehicle during an argument with her boyfriend, Angelito Adrian Olivas.

Olivas took Moreno, who was unresponsive and in code arrest, to a fire station. Her medical condition deteriorated over two days and she died at the hospital, where an organ-donor ceremony was held at 1:12 p.m. to honor her twin brother, Izak, who died in an ATV crash in April 2021.

Olivas was arrested on domestic violence charges.

On Tuesday, those charges were dropped without prejudice, the Pima County Attorneys Office said in a news release, which means the charges can be refiled.

After a comprehensive and extensive meeting with Zahriya Morenos family, the Pima County Attorneys Office has moved to dismiss the matter, without prejudice, Tuesdays news release said. Dismissing a case without prejudice is a tool routinely used that allows law enforcement the time necessary to gather additional evidence to conduct a thorough investigation, especially in complex cases such as this.

Moreno's family put out a statement in response to the charges being dropped.

"Although we are thoroughly disappointed in the current situation regarding the case, we are 100% confident that our legal team, PCSD, the county attorney and court system, not to mention additional support systems, will prevail, and we have the Justice For Zahriya that she deserves," the statement reads.

In a text to the Arizona Daily Star, Zahriya's father, Robert Moreno, called the original bond amount set for Olivas at $2,500 "preposterous." He said the charges were dropped due to a complication in the system and that authorities were "waiting for more suitable and advanced charges pending more in-depth investigation."

The county attorney release cited the number of criminal cases that the Pima County Sheriffs Department currently is handling, that will take some time.

Our office anticipates another presentation of the case by the Sheriffs Department in the future, the release continues. Our goal is to ensure that our decisions in charging cases are made with all the information needed to provide a fair and just judicial process.
PHOENIX  Why are Arizona teachers leaving the profession?

Yes, theres the perennial issue of pay.

But a new survey released Tuesday by the Arizona Department of Education of those who did not return to teaching this year finds some other factors are bigger drivers, including burnout, lack of respect and student behavior and discipline problems during their school last year.

And state schools chief Tom Horne said he believes the thing that will most help keep teachers in the classroom is having administration back the decisions of teachers when they discipline students. And that includes burnout.

Wouldnt you be burned out if you had to teach a class where the kids were acting up and the administrators werent doing anything about it? Horne told Capitol Media Services. I wouldnt last a year.

He is using the report to make a new push for legislation designed to penalize districts that dont back their teachers.

Horne backed a proposal earlier this year introduced by Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, which would have reduced the academic standings of schools whose administrators do not impose discipline at least three out of every four times requested by a teacher.

Ive heard from too many teachers where they write up referrals and nothing is done, said Rep. Matt Gress. R-Phoenix, during debate on the measure. And many kids are able to run roughshod all over the school and distracting the learning from too many kids that are wanting to get an education.

The enforcement mechanism behind all this would have required the state Board of Education to lower a schools letter grade if it did not implement disciplinary actions in at least 75% of the total number of student discipline referrals submitted by teachers in a single year. Only if a school had a reasonable justification for falling below that figure would there be no penalty.

It cleared the Republican-controlled Senate on a party-line vote but died in the House when some Republicans refused to go along.

Shame on the legislators who voted against it, Horne said.

Several Democrats said this is an issue that should remain a local concern. But Rep. Nancy Gutierrez, D-Tucson, also said during the debate that she saw a darker motive in the proposal.

She pointed out that each school gets a rating of A through F, one that is based on academic performance and year-over-year improvement. Parents can use those ratings to determine whether to send a child there.

It is my opinion that this bill has been put forward in order not to support teachers but in order to make it so that theres an easier way to have more public schools with D and F grades to support some of the rhetoric that we hear that public schools are failing our students, Gutierrez said, an argument that has been used by some to support the use of tax dollars to let parents send their children to private or parochial schools.

Horne acknowledged that the threat of lower grades is designed to get the attention of schools  and parents.

Believe me, districts care about their grades, he said. If you give them a grade incentive to support the teachers on discipline, theyll do it.

Rep. Jennifer Pawlik, D-Chandler, said during the debate over the legislation that she is glad that Horne is listening to teachers. Pawlik, a former teacher, agreed that the turnover of teachers goes beyond salaries.

A lot of people are leaving right now because classroom behaviors have accelerated, she said. And its really hard to be a teacher right now.

But Pawlik said what was in the Kavanagh legislation was not an incentive but punitive, something she said is not the answer.

Kavanagh said Tuesday he still supports the goal but said he is open to alternate ways to encourage administrators to support the discipline imposed by teachers.

The new report released Tuesday by the Department of Education focuses less on pay  issues generally outside the control of school districts and boards  and more on things that can be done at the local level. And that deals largely with what it calls teacher voice.

If teachers truly have input into the creation of the systems, procedures, and expectations at their schools, they feel more empowered to achieve desired outcomes, the report says. Teachers feel valued and work together to find solutions.

That, in turn, the report says, creates not just long-term satisfaction but also a commitment to the field of education.

A greater retention rate for not only the campus, but the district takes place when utilizing the strategy of teacher voice, it says.

The email survey was sent out to more than 5,900 teachers who did not return this year.

Of that, 2,482 completed it. But about 1,500 responses were removed because they were ineligible to participate because the reasons they left teaching were unrelated to what they survey was about, reasons like retirement, going into administration or accepting a mentoring job.

Participants were given more than two dozen factors from which to choose and told to rate them as whether they agreed these were reasons they left.

More than 71.2% said they agreed or strongly agreed that burnout was a factor.

Some 69.1% gave a similar rating to not feeling respected, with almost 64% citing student behavior.

And wanting a higher salary was cited by 62.1%.

Other factors that departed teachers said they agreed were factors include:

Too many intrusions on teaching time;

Dissatisfied with teaching as a career;

Deciding to pursue a position other than a K-12 teacher;

Too many students in a class.

The results, said Horne, are not exactly a surprise. The same issues have been cited year after year in surveys by other organizations.

In fact, a task force on teacher retention formed by Gov. Katie Hobbs reported in December  before this years legislative session  that solutions include raising salaries, cutting workloads and reducing stress.

That report found that teacher turnover comes with a cost to students.

It cited studies that teacher effectiveness continues to steadily increase until the 12th year, with the largest gains in student achievement occurring during a teachers first five years in the classroom.

But it also found that in Arizona a third of all teachers have four years or less experience, with fewer than half having 10 or more years in the classroom.
Annasofia Scheve covers trending news for the Express-News. She can be reached at Annasofia.Scheve@express-news.net.

Annasofia has bachelor's degrees in journalism and political science from the University of Missouri. She is an Ohio native, and wrote for Cincinnati Magazine and the Cincinnati Enquirer before joining the Express-News in 2023.
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Related content Consent decree vexes Oklahoma Department of Mental Health

OKLAHOMA CITY  After Gov. Kevin Stitt celebrated the rejection of what he called a sham agreement to reform the backlogged system for detainees deemed incompetent to stand trial, Oklahomas attorney general says Stitt misunderstood the judges order.

Stitt has been at odds over the so-called consent decree with Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who has been working with lawyers representing inmates alleging Oklahoma violated their due process rights because of long wait times for competency restoration treatment.

An order Friday from U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell says provisions in the consent decree requiring the creation of a community-based treatment pilot program will have to be renegotiated because state statute does not allow for that kind of outpatient care.

I applaud the judge for refusing to sign a bad deal, Stitt said in a statement the day after the Governors Office sent a letter to Frizzell detailing concerns about the agreement.

Stitt and Commissioner Allie Friesen of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services have been critical of the decree, saying it will cost too much money and will impede Friesens ability to do her job.

Drummond said the judges order calls for clarification of a specific issue and that his concerns can and will be addressed.

It is worth noting that neither Gov. Stitt nor ODMHSAS have ever complained about this aspect of the proposed consent decree, he said.

According to previous Tulsa World reporting, Frizzell has already tentatively accepted most of the consent decree as proposed.

Despite what the governor might think, the consent decree does not violate state law and was not rejected by the judge, Drummond said.

The attorney general has said multiple times that a settlement through a consent decree is the best way forward for Oklahoma, as he believes that if this case goes to trial, Oklahoma will lose.

Paul DeMuro represents detainees whove languished in county jails awaiting competency restoration amid a backlog at the states inpatient psychiatric facility in Vinita.

We respect and will address Judge Frizzells order, and we respect his close scrutiny of the consent decree, DeMuro said, but ultimately we are confident that we will get this across the finish line. We look at this as a speedbump, not a roadblock.

DeMuro disputed the governors characterization that the consent decree is fundamentally against the law. The outpatient services referenced in the judges order are only a small part of the whole agreement, he said.

Once a revised version of the consent decree is approved, it will go before the Oklahoma Contingency Review Board, which considers settlements exceeding $250,000 when the Legislature is not in session.

Stitt is the chairman of the Oklahoma Contingency Review Board, which has only three voting members.

The governor called a meeting of the board last Wednesday to hear testimony from Friesen on her concerns about the consent decree. Drummond was invited to share information with the board about the consent decree but did not attend. The only action taken by the board on Wednesday was to send Frizzell a letter detailing the concerns brought up about the decree during the meeting.

Governor's statement in full Not only was this proposed consent decree bad for Oklahoma taxpayers, it was fundamentally against the law, Gov. Kevin Stitt said in a statement. Mental health must maintain its authority to provide care in alignment with state law and best practices, not instead being hamstrung by a sham consent decree that would turn power over to out-of-state consultants and cost taxpayers $100,000,000. I applaud the Judge for refusing to sign a bad deal that clearly violated state law.

The Tulsa World is where your story lives
Ly Xuan Hai on Thursday left the position of General Director of Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (ACB) after his resignation letter based on his own choice has been approved by the banks board of directors, a press conference said on August 23.

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At the press conference held at ACB's headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City today, the banks management board announced that they have accepted Hais resignation letter and appointed Do Minh Toan (Mr.), who is currently deputy general director of ACB, to act as the new manager.

However, the bank is still waiting for approval from the Central Bank to officially select Toan for the new role.

ACB 's new CEO reassures good repayment

After taking over the bank, Toan told local media that the bank is able to carry out all transactions and has prepared for all scenarios despite "recent difficulties".

Yesterday evening, he told Tuoi Tre that the situation is within control.

As of the close of August 22, the amount of withdrawals was higher than one day before but much lower than the banks forecast, Toan told Tuoi Tre.

According to Toan, in the two days of Agust 21 and 22, ACB used bonds to loan from the State Bank of Vietnam VND10 trillion. Besides, the VND36 trillion deposited on the inter-bank market will be withdrawn to serve liquidity demands. Partner banks are also assisting ACB.

ACB has over VND6 trillion in balance, US$9.3 million and $20 million on the way to the bank, not to mention US$165 million that is readily convertible to cash, Toan added.
Many merchants at traditional markets in Ho Chi Minh City are in hot water, with several forced to shut down their stands due to the growing influx of imported goods, particularly Chinese clothing sold through online platforms and live streams.

Vendors at these markets have expressed frustration, saying they have reduced prices or even taken losses to boost sales, but still struggle to compete with the online sellers of imported items.

Ho Bich Nguyet, a clothing store owner at Thu Duc Market in Thu Duc City, said that she purchases shirts wholesale at VND170,000 ($6.8) each and retails them for VND200,000 ($8).

Despite the narrow profit margin, she finds it challenging to keep up with the competition.

However, the same shirts are being sold online for just VND150,000 ($6) each.

Clothes are sold online at prices so low that its plunging us into trouble. We simply cant compete, Nguyet lamented.

I dont know where they source their products or what the quality is like, but their prices are unbelievably low.

According to Nguyet, many online platforms put on sale flip-flops at just VND10,000 ($0.4) per pair, while the lowest price of a pair at the market does not hit that level.

Having run a fashion shop at An Dong Market in District 5 for dozens of years, Vu Thi Ngoc Phuong said that traditional and wholesale markets have never faced any difficulty as they are now.

Many markets have witnessed clothes sales plunge by up to 80 percent compared to the pre-COVID-19 period.

Besides, many merchants said that the number of their wholesale buyers has tumbled significantly over the past few months.

Nguyen Dao Ngoc Nhien, a seller of clothes at Tan Binh Market in Tan Binh District, said that a sharp drop in wholesale buyers had plunged many fashion stores at the market into distress.

She attributed the plunge to online shopping.

Even farmers and the elderly now know how to order items online, with products delivered quickly to their homes at prices lower than those at the marketplace, which is why customers are disappearing from traditional markets, said Nhien.

The surge in e-commerce platforms, particularly the rise of TikTok, combined with the easier importation of goods from China, has contributed to the steep decline in business at traditional markets.

Many merchants at An Dong and Tan Binh Markets in Ho Chi Minh City have closed their fashion shops or put them up for lease due to a sharp decline in buyers. Photo: Nguyen Tri / Tuoi Tre

Traditional markets see decline in stalls

Doan Thi Thu Ha, a representative of the Thu Duc Market management board, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that prolonged sluggish sales have led to the closure of numerous stands at the market.

Originally designed to accommodate 936 stands, only 572 stalls remain operational.

Of the 130 stands designated for fashion and cosmetics, just 22 are still open.

Since 2020, a wave of closures, particularly among fashion stalls, has swept through the market, with many merchants unable to pay fees and taxes, Ha said.

Ha added that while authorities have called for increased rent on the remaining stands, the situation at traditional markets continues to deteriorate.

"If no measures are taken to address this issue, more merchants will leave," she warned.

A merchant at Thu Duc Market in Ho Chi Minh City reported that despite significantly lowering prices on some items to attract customers, the number of buyers has not increased as expected. Photo: Nguyen Tri / Tuoi Tre

Facing similar challenges, the iconic Ben Thanh Market in District 1 has seen a significant drop in footfall compared to pre-COVID-19 levels.

Traditional markets are struggling, particularly in the fashion sector, as competition from e-commerce platforms and low-cost Chinese products intensifies, according to representatives from several market management boards in the southern metropolis.

Tran Van Dao, owner of a clothing import firm in Ho Chi Minh City, reported a decline in sales as Chinese enterprises increasingly use live streams to sell directly to Vietnamese consumers, bypassing local importers and distributors.

While live streams offer Vietnamese customers low prices, Dao noted that these online sales complicate efforts to verify product quality and monitor business practices.

He questioned whether Vietnamese authorities are imposing duties on these imports and advocated for appropriate taxes to ensure a fair business environment for local merchants.

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President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embalo and his spouse will visit Vietnam from Thursday through Sunday, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday.

The visit, made at the invitation of Vietnams Party chief and State President To Lam and his spouse, comes two years after the two nations celebrated the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2023.

This marks President Embalo's first visit to Vietnam since assuming his post in February 2020.

During his stay in Vietnam, President Embalo will hold talks with Party General Secretary and President Lam, and meet with other key Vietnamese officials.

Vietnam and Guinea-Bissau established bilateral diplomatic relations on September 30, 1973.

Guinea-Bissau, a West African country, spans over 36,000 square kilometers and has a population of more than two million people.

This past July, Nancy Raisa Cardoso, Secretary of State for International Cooperation of Guinea-Bissau, visited Vietnam to attend the state funeral of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who passed away at 1:38 pm on July 19 in Hanoi at the age of 80.

During her talks with the Secretary of State of Guinea-Bissau, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang affirmed Vietnam's readiness to assist Guinea-Bissau in agricultural development through bilateral or trilateral cooperation projects, with the goal of helping Guinea-Bissau ensure food security and achieve self-sufficiency.

Both sides agreed to enhance the exchange of information, explore cooperation opportunities, and facilitate business connections between the two countries in order to bolster economic and trade cooperation.

They also pledged to continue promoting key trade items such as cashew nuts and explore potential areas like agricultural products and textiles.

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Vietnam has agreed with South Korea on boosting two-way trade to US$150 billion by 2030, while also expecting to get more ODA loans from Japan in the coming time.

On Tuesday afternoon, Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam held telephone discussions with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and then conducted online talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Both conversations centered on enhancing the comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and the two countries, according to the Party Central Committees Commission for External Relations.

Target of $150 billion trade with South Korea

During Lams phone talks with President Yoon on Tuesday, the two leaders reviewed the successful cooperation between their countries and discussed strategies to advance their comprehensive strategic partnership across various sectors, including trade, investment, defense, and security.

Lam praised the rapid growth of Vietnam-South Korea relations over the past 32 years, particularly since the two nations elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022.

Both leaders agreed to work together to boost bilateral trade to $150 billion by 2030. South Korea was Vietnams third-largest trading partner in 2023, following China and the U.S., with bilateral trade reaching approximately $79.43 billion, according to the Korea International Trade Association.

In January-June, the bilateral trade was estimated to hit $38.8 billion, an increase of 9.3 percent from a year earlier, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Lam told Yoon that the Party and state of Vietnam always attach importance to the friendly and cooperative relationship with the Northeast Asian country.

Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (C) and other senior officials at phone talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol from Hanoi, September 3, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

The South Korean leader expressed his belief that the Party and state of Vietnam, headed by General Secretary and State President To Lam, will continue to gain great achievements, further enhancing the countrys international position and prestige.

Yoon affirmed that Vietnam plays a significant role in South Koreas implementation of its policies related to the region.

The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in defense and security, while promoting economic, trade, and investment cooperation in a substantive, effective, balanced, and sustainable manner.

They consented to further enhance mutual understanding and political trust through maintaining high-level contacts and exchanges and through other channels between the two countries.

Lam welcomed South Korean enterprises to participate in key investment projects in Vietnam, while Yoon promised that his country would increase imports of agricultural products from the Southeast Asian country.

The two leaders agreed to beef up cooperation in labor, culture, tourism, education, and people-to-people exchange.

They pledged to continue supporting their citizens in living, studying, and working in the other country.

Agreeing with Yoon on strengthening cooperation in regional and international issues, Lam affirmed that Vietnam is always interested in and ready to actively contribute to the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.

Regarding the East Vietnam Sea issue, the two sides agreed on the necessity of maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the waters in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

President Yoon invited General Secretary and President Lam to soon pay a visit to South Korea and the latter happily accepted the invitation.

Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam is seen at his online talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida from Hanoi, September 3, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

More Japanese ODA loans expected

Later on the same afternoon, the Vietnamese leader had online talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, concentrating on bringing into play their comprehensive strategic partnership that was established last year.

PM Kishida emphasized that Vietnam is an important partner of Japan in the region and the world.

The two leaders were pleased with the strong, rapid, and comprehensive development of bilateral relations over the past many years.

Kishida and Lam pledged to promote economic cooperation as the bilateral relationships main pillar, while strengthening the connectivity between the two economies.

Japan will keep contributing to Vietnam's development by providing further ODA loans for the Southeast Asian country, and expanding their bilateral cooperation in digital transformation, green transformation, and high-quality human resource training, Kishida said.

Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (C) and other senior officials at online talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida from Hanoi, September 3, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Currently, Japan is the worlds largest provider of ODA loans to Vietnam, with nearly $30 billion worth of lending.

In fiscal year 2023 alone, Japanese ODA loans to Vietnam exceeded 100 billion yen (nearly $689 million), marking the first time this threshold had been surpassed since 2017, according to the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Lam reaffirmed that Japan is an important partner of Vietnam in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.

The two sides agreed to continue enhancing political trust and mutual understanding through maintaining high-level exchanges in many flexible forms, promoting the effectiveness of bilateral dialogue and cooperation mechanisms.

Lam said that Vietnam would continue to improve the investment environment, enhance the quality of infrastructure, and facilitate foreign enterprises, including Japanese enterprises, investing and doing business in Vietnam.

He and Kishida agreed to enhance defense and security cooperation, effectively implement existing agreements, and strengthen human resource connectivity, people-to-people exchanges, and local-level collaboration between the two nations.

The Vietnamese leader requested the Japanese government to continue facilitating favorable conditions for Vietnamese communities living, studying, and working in Japan.

They discussed international and regional issues of mutual interest, including the East Vietnam Sea, and pledged to work together to maintain a peaceful, secure, and stable regional environment.

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Police in Quang Nam province, central Vietnam announced on Tuesday that they had initiated legal proceedings and detained two foreign nationals, a Malaysian and a Chinese, for allegedly swindling and misappropriating credit card information from Vietnamese citizens.

Lim Jian Wing, from Malaysia, and Wang RuiJie, from China, are accused of using mobile and telecom networks and electronic devices to appropriate credit card information.

On July 24, police officers in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province brought the two foreigners into the police station for questioning after being alerted by local tech retailer FPT Shop that the two foreigners appeared suspicious when buying mobile phones there.

Police discovered that they had posed as bank clerks and called P.D.T., a resident in northern Quang Ninh Province, to ask him to provide his personal information.

They then appropriated P.D.T.s credit card details, using them to purchase two iPhone 15 Pro Max devices worth nearly VND70 million (US$2,800) at the FPT Shop in Hoi An. They intended to sell the phones for cash.

Police officers also found that the two men had appropriated other credit cards to repeat the crime.

Between June 18 and July 24, they bought 19 iPhone 15s valued at over VND500 million ($20,031) from electronics stores, including Dien May Xanh, FPT Shop, and Viettel Store, all in Quang Nam Province and neighboring Da Nang City.

Police officers have urged local residents to exercise caution and refrain from sharing credit card information with unknown individuals.

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Read what is in the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- Vietnams Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held talks by telephone and agreed to strengthen their countries' strategic cooperation in many areas including defense and high technology on Tuesday.

-- Party General Secretary and State President To Lam also held online talks with President of the Liberal Democratic Party and Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida on Tuesday.

-- President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embalo and his spouse will make an official visit to Vietnam from Thursday to Sunday, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday.

-- Leaders of many countries have extended their greetings to the Party, state leaders, and people of Vietnam on the 79th anniversary of the National Day (September 2, 1945-2024).

Society

-- During the recent four-day National Day holiday, the Traffic Police Department under Vietnams Ministry of Public Security reported 257 traffic accidents nationwide, resulting in 124 fatalities, 193 injuries, and 16,425 cases of driving under the influence.

-- On Tuesday night, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting outlined two potential scenarios for storm Yagi, which is expected to be very powerful and make landfall in Vietnam between Friday and Saturday.

-- A five-car pile-up occurred on the Phan Thiet-Dau Giay Expressway in southern Vietnam on Tuesday evening, causing significant vehicle damage and a lengthy traffic jam. Fortunately, there were no casualties.

-- The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security has proposed new regulations permitting prisoners to donate tissue or organs in the draft revised Law on Criminal Enforcement.

-- On Tuesday evening, border guards at the Lao Bao international border gate in Huong Hoa District, Quang Tri Province, north-central Vietnam reported investigating a man who was caught transporting 18,000 synthetic drug pills for a fee.

Lifestyle

-- On Tuesday evening in Manila, Philippines, Cuc Phuong National Park in northern Vietnam was honored as Asias Leading National Park 2024 by the World Travel Awards Organization, marking the sixth consecutive time it has received this accolade since 2019.

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A Vietnamese reader, Nguyen Duc Huy, has voiced his criticism over three foreign tourists strolling down Hanoi streets wearing only bikinis, saying this is an offensive act and unacceptable.

A video showing three foreign women of unknown nationality walking in two-piece swimsuits along the streets in Hanois Old Quarter has gone viral on social media, sparking public outrage.

Huy, a seasoned tourism professional who has visited various destinations, expressed his anger over the tourists' choice of attire, emphasizing that the Old Quarter is far from a beach and that visitors should demonstrate more respect.

In response to online comments suggesting that the women may have worn bikinis due to Hanoi's heat, Huy countered that no one else felt compelled to dress in swimwear.

He stressed that dressing modestly and adhering to local customs is not unique to Vietnam and is a common expectation in many other countries.

Huy believes that while Vietnam is known for its hospitality, it does not need tourists who disregard local norms.

He suggested that if tourists inadvertently dress inappropriately, they should be politely reminded, but if done deliberately, they might not be welcomed.

As hosts, Huy insisted on setting expectations and having the right to refuse service to those who do not respect local customs.

He also pointed to tourism service providers as partly responsible for such incidents.

For further proof, Huy cited a story his teacher told him when he hosted an American professor at his home.

Huy's teacher refused to receive his guest as he arrived in a T-shirt and shorts.

At the time, members of the teacher's community said he was being too extreme and fussy; however, the teacher was firm in his belief that he did not want a guest who came to his house for the first time in an inappropriate outfit, as he and his nation have self-respect.

Huy suggested issuing strict regulations for tourists visiting cultural, historical, and religious sites.

For example, visitors to Tam Co Cave in north-central Quang Binh Province must wear shirts that cover their armpits and pants or skirts that cover their knees. If they arrive wearing the wrong thing, they have to borrow clothes from the cave management.

Huy added that many countries have regulations on clothing for anyone visiting temples, pagodas, and other public places.

In particular, all people visiting pagodas in Myanmar have to leave shoes and socks outside. There is no exception, and even police, military officers, and political leaders have to comply.

Huy passionately believes that Vietnamese people "have the right to have rules, as long as they are in line with the law, [to ensure] the respect for our nations customs, traditions, and culture.

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Farmers in the Mekong Delta, Vietnams key rice-producing region, are now using drones for fertilizing, spraying pesticides, and sowing rice, which has accelerated farming processes, reduced the need for manual labor, lowered production costs, and helped address the ongoing labor shortage in the region's agricultural sector.

The vast golden rice fields in the Mekong Delta provinces of Hau Giang, An Giang, and Kien Giang are bustling with activity during the late summer-autumn harvest.

In some areas, as farmers fertilize the autumn-winter rice crop, they are delighted to see drones buzzing overhead, efficiently spreading fertilizer across the fields.

Nguyen Van Dung, a farmer in Tan Hoi Commune, Tan Hiep District, Kien Giang Province, was amazed by how much easier farming has become today.

Just over 10 years ago, farming was labor-intensive and relied heavily on manual work -- bundling, weeding, fertilizing, spraying pesticides, and sowing, he recalled, remembering his hands and feet covered in mud and his shirt soaked with sweat.

Now, Dungs 3.3 hectares of rice fields are managed effortlessly with machines like tillers, plows, rice seeders, and combine harvesters.

Particularly for tasks like pesticide spraying, fertilizing, and sowing, he only needs to hire a drone team which completes the work efficiently.

Using a drone for pesticide spraying is totally convenient, Dung said.

Previously, spraying pesticides on three hectares required at least three people and several days, often interrupted by rain.

"Now, the drone handles it quickly, and the rice grows well, with an estimated yield of about 900kg per hectare for the 2024 autumn-winter crop."

A farming drone flies above rice fields in the Mekong Delta region, located in southern Vietnam. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

Farmer Ho Van Huong, also from Tan Hoi Commune, noted that modern technology has significantly reduced costs.

"Hiring a drone to spread fertilizer costs only VND15,000-17,000 [US$0.6-0.68] per hectare, compared to VND25,000 [$1] per hectare for manual labor, helping me save VND8,000-10,000 [$0.32-0.4] per hectare," Huong said.

Both farmers highlighted that drones also help to address the rural labor shortage as many young people migrate from rural areas to cities for work.

Lam Quoc Toan, deputy chairman of the Farmers' Association of Kien Giang Province, highlighted that using drones in farming offers significant benefits, including saving time and improving farmers' health by reducing their exposure to harmful chemicals.

Embracing new technology

Nguyen Truong Minh, an investor in agricultural technology from Vi Thanh City, Hau Giang Province, shared that his journey into farming began by chance, driven by passion.

He invested over VND400 million ($16,093) to purchase a drone for spraying pesticides and fertilizing his family's fields. Now, he also provides these services to other farmers for additional income.

Minh noted that while various drones are available for agricultural purposes, his experience enables him to operate any model efficiently.

He explained that the drone operation is straightforward and typically requires an assistant.

The drone will spread the fertilizer or spray pesticides, while Minh just needs to prepare the batteries, containers, and any other essential items in advance.

For each field, Minh first programs the drones flight path before operation.

In windy conditions, he adjusts the drones flight direction to ensure precise application.

Minh can operate the drone at speeds of eight to ten meters per second, depending on the wind strength.

When spraying pesticides, I control the drone to ensure the chemicals adhere to the rice, he described his technique.

"I maintain an altitude of about three to four meters in mild winds, but lower the drone during strong winds to ensure its effectiveness."

Farmers prepare a fertilizer container before a drone flight over rice fields in the Mekong Delta region, located in southern Vietnam. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

With his expertise, Minh can cover 3050 hectares per day and identify areas needing more fertilizer.

It is easy for him to adjust accordingly to ensure even growth and high yield.

He is considering purchasing another drone to expand his services.

In An Bien District, Kien Giang Province, Cai Van Khuong also made a bold investment in two drones for specialized agricultural services.

A lifelong farmer, Khuong initially received training from the drone company and now trains a team of younger operators while improving his skills to repair damaged drones.

Khuong notes there is rapid modernization among farmers.

Many are now investing heavily in drones for agricultural work, he said.

This competition benefits farmers as the cost of drone services has decreased from VND20,000 ($0.8) to VND15,000 ($0.6) per hectare.

Toan from the Farmers Association of Kien Giang Province noted that his association is collaborating with service providers to help farmers grow better and healthier rice given the significant need for drones to spray pesticides, spread fertilizer, and sow rice in the provinces extensive fields.

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Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and other localities won multiple awards for various categories at the Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony of the World Travel Awards 2024 held in the Philippines Manila on Tuesday evening.

Many destinations, hotels, resorts, and travel units in Vietnam were named among winners at the awards ceremony.

Notably, Vietnam was announced as Asias Leading Destination 2024, Asias Leading Heritage Destination 2024, and Asias Leading Nature Destination 2024.'

Ho Chi Minh City was accredited as Asias Leading Business Travel Destination 2024 and Asias Leading Festival & Event Destination 2024.

Besides, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism was named Asias Leading City Tourist Board 2024.

Also, Hanoi claimed the Asias Leading City Destination 2024 and Asias Leading City Break Destination titles at the event.

Hoi An City in the central province of Quang Nam was honored as Asias Leading Cultural City Destination 2024, while Ha Giang Province and Moc Chau Town in northern Son La Province were selected as Asias Leading Regional Cultural Destination 2024 and Asias Leading Regional Nature Destination 2024, respectively.

Cuc Phuong National Park was honored as 'Asias Leading National Park 2024,' alongside several other prestigious awards for Vietnamese destinations and services at the World Travel Awards.

Tam Chuc Complex received the title of 'Asias Leading Cultural Tourist Attraction 2024,' Van Don International Airport was named 'Asias Leading Regional Airport 2024,' and Naman Retreat took the accolade of 'Asias Leading Retreat 2024.'

Sun World Ba Na Hills was recognized as 'Asias Leading Theme Park 2024,' while Vietravel was awarded 'Asias Leading Tour Operator 2024.'

A selection of Vietnam's luxury hotels and resorts, including Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, InterContinental, Capella Hanoi, Hotel des Arts Saigon, and JW Marriott, were also celebrated as winners.

The World Travel Awards, established in 1993, are the world's most prestigious honors in the tourism sector, annually recognizing excellence across all areas of the industry.

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Cuc Phuong National Park in northern Vietnam was honored as Asias Leading National Park 2024 at the 31st annual World Travel Awards Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony 2024 held in Manila, the Philippines on Tuesday evening.

The park has won this accolade every year since 2019.

The national park in Ninh Binh Province surpassed several rivals, including Nepals Chitwan National Park, Japan's Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Malaysia's Kinabalu National Park and Taman Negara National Park, Sri Lanka's Minneriya National Park, and Vietnams Cat Tien National Park.

Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam's first national park, is recognized as one of the country's leading state-run entities, playing a crucial role in supporting both local and international environmental organizations.

Nguyen Van Chinh, the park's director, said that winning the award is a significant achievement for Vietnam's forests and the nation's ecotourism sector.

He credited this accomplishment to the relentless efforts of the park's staff over the past 60 years and the invaluable support from local communities, experts, scientists, and visitors.

In addition to Cuc Phuong's accolade, numerous other destinations, brands, travel agencies, and resorts in Vietnam were also honored at the awards ceremony.

International tourists explore Cuc Phuong National Park in Ninh Binh Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Cuc Phuong National Park

The butterfly season at Cuc Phuong National Park in Ninh Binh Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Cuc Phuong National Park

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Fort Sam National Cemetery -- Veteran Day Remembrance -- WWI Vet -- Lincoln A. Hershey; Miles Wasson; Rubey Levy; Dr. Raymond McMurado; Daniel M. Essarg in 1988. Joe Barrera Jr./San Antonio Express-News U.S. Army veteran Raymond Henry, who was in the service during the Korean War, salutes the Stars and Stripes along with hundreds of others paying respects to veterans at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetary on Veterans Day, November 11, 2002. ( Joshua Trujillo / Staff ) JOSHUA TRUJILLO/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS A bunch of roses are laid against a headstone at Fort Sam National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX, on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2022. Josie Norris/Staff photographer Army Spc. Owodunni Kazeem Olaniran, right, is congratulated after becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States at Fort Sam National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX, on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2022. Josie Norris/Staff photographer LTC US Army retired Roberto V. Garcia touches the tombstone of his brother CPT Heriberto A. Garcia who was killed on Nov. 8, 1964 during the Vietnam War. Garcia was one of hundreds who observed Veterans Day at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in 1993. Kevin Geil/San Antonio Express-News The OConnor High School AFJROTC Honor Guard present the colors at last year's Veterans Day ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News NEWS-- A joint service color guard of Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy and Marines march through the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetary while retiring the colors during a ceremony honoring veterans on November 11, 2002. ( Joshua Trujillo / Staff ) JOSHUA TRUJILLO/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS C. Dale Taylor plays taps at the end of last year's Veterans Day ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News METRO -- U.S. Service personnel and civilians gather for the Veterans Day ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008. JERRY LARA/glara@express-news.net JERRY LARA/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Pat Wood, 83, known as the Flag Lady for Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, visits the grave of her husband James B Wood who served in WW II as a submarine torpedo operator in the U.S. Navy. She was attending the Veterans Day Ceremony at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010. Photo Bob Owen/rowen@express-news.net Bob Owen/San Antonio Express-News (Left to right) Vivianna Gonzalez, Alexianna Robles, Monic Morales, Alicia Gonzalez, Ursula Salazar, and Aria Salazar pay their respects to their family member Leopoldo Gonzalez Sr. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 in San Antonio. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

For as long as people can remember, Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery has put on a Veterans Day ceremony full of pomp, pageantry and patriotic music.

No longer.

Starting Nov. 11, the governments official Veterans Day observance will be held at San Antonio National Cemetery on the citys East Side, and only there.

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For decades, Veterans Day has been marked with solemn ceremonies at both sites. A Fort Sam observance in the morning was followed by one at San Antonio National, which placed special emphasis on the Buffalo Soldiers, all-Black troops who served in the U.S. Cavalry.

Gerald Lefler, director of the Fort Sam cemetery, told the San Antonio Express-News that he had decided to discontinue the observance at the 338-acre cemetery, which holds the remains of more than 185,000 veterans and their dependents

He pointed to dwindling attendance at the Fort Sam event and said it was duplicative to have Veterans Days observances at two national cemeteries within miles of one another. Staging just one, at San Antonio National, makes the event a little more significant, he said.

I knew there were going to be people who would be disappointed in the decision when I made the decision, Lefler said in an interview Wednesday. And Im sure were going to hear from constituents and partners as this gets publicized, and were happy to talk to all of them, and I hope that they will take advantage of the opportunity to still commemorate Veterans Day at our sister site in San Antonio.

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We understand that this is a change, and weve been working with other stakeholders and informing other stakeholders as we move forward, he said.

Both sites are operated by the National Cemetery Administration, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Lefler oversees both the Fort Sam and San Antonio cemeteries, as well as a VA cemetery in Kerrville.

His decision came as a surprise to at least one stakeholder.

That is news to me, said Manny Mendoza, commander of the Fort Sam Houston Memorial Services Detachment, a group of volunteers who provide military burials with honors for veterans, including rifle volleys and a bugler playing taps.

I dont know how the public is going to relate to it, said Mendoza, 75, of San Antonio. I expect that on Veterans Day, there will be people sitting out there at the assembly area.

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'An all-hands-on-deck event'

Veterans Day ceremonies at Fort Sam date back at least to the 1970s and typically included performances by the 323rd Army Band, called Fort Sams Own, and the Texas Childrens Choir. A naturalization ceremony for troops who had just earned their U.S. citizenship was a staple of the annual observance, as was a color guard, often made up of high school ROTC students, and a firing detail from the Fort Sam Houston Memorial Services Detachment.

Attendees included active-duty military commanders from Fort Sam and two of the citys other major military installations: Lackland and Randolph AFBs.

In 1997, an estimated 4,000 people converged on the cemeterys main entrance to hear then-Gov. George W. Bush deliver the keynote address. The event continued to draw robust crowds into the early 2000s, when American soldiers were fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But over the ensuing years, turnout declined steadily. The VA suspended Veterans Day observances at national cemeteries in 2020 because of the COVID pandemic. When they resumed, attendees numbered in the hundreds or fewer. Lefler said there was a slight uptick last year, when 200 people showed up.

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Dozens of employees are on duty at Fort Sam on Veterans Day, directing traffic, assisting people with disabilities, and setting up (and later removing) stages, chairs and flags. It is an all-hands-on-deck event, Lefler said in an email.

He added that most of the Fort Sam employees are veterans, and that staging the event only at San Antonio National would give them a chance to enjoy the day rather than work through it.

Another factor in Leflers decision to discontinue the Fort Sam ceremony is that it clashed with the cemeterys character as a memorial site, he said.

Memorial Day is almost our raison d'etre, Lefler said of the Fort Sam cemetery. Were here to memorialize and commemorate those servicemen who have passed and on Memorial Day, absolutely, we will.

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In contrast, he said, Veterans Day is a celebratory event.

San Antonio National sits on 3.66 acres and is home to 3,177 burial sites. It became a national cemetery in 1867, when the city gave the land to the federal government. The first burials there were principally the remains of Union soldiers, which were relocated from the city cemetery as well as from Austin, Indianola and other locations in Texas.

Some 314 unknown soldiers are buried in a common grave in Section H, marked with a monument inscribed To the Unknown Dead. Fourteen Medal of Honor recipients are buried at San Antonio National, including Sgt. William H. Barnes, a Black soldier who earned the medal at the Battle of New Market Heights in Virginia in 1864, and Pvt. David Bennes Barkley, who was recognized for heroism in World War I.

The East Side cemetery is the final resting place for 281 identified Buffalo Soldiers. Buffalo Soldier regiments served nearly 90 years, earning a reputation for selfless service and courage in every conflict of their era. They guarded railroad crews, trained engineers, ran the U.S. mail and fought with distinction in the battles of San Juan Hill, El Caney and Las Guasimas in the Spanish-American War. They also served in the Philippines during the early 1900s and in both world wars.

From War of 1812 to Iraq

Fort Sam, which covers 338 acres, is the eighth-busiest of 155 national cemeteries in the United States overseen by the VA and has an $8.6 million annual budget.

We project to have over 4,000 (burials) this year, said Brenda Hoster, a cemetery spokeswoman. However, that is lower than previous years.

The troops buried at Fort Sam fought in a long line of conflicts, stretching from the War of 1812 to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Veterans Day was originally Armistice Day, declared by the United States, Britain and France to mark the cease-fire that ended World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. In 1954, Congress redesignated the holiday to honor all U.S. war veterans.

Historically, the holiday was a major event in San Antonio, which is home to the nations largest joint military base, Joint Base San Antonio.

But Retired Army Sgt. Maj. Robert Masten, a former commander of the American Legions District 20 and an organizer of an annual Memorial Day roll call of veterans interred at Fort Sam in the preceding year, said attendance at the Veterans Day event had dropped markedly in recent years.

Ive been to a ceremony at San Antonio (National Cemetery) where the Buffalo Soldiers came over there, and I thought they did a pretty good job of it, said Masten, 82, a 30-year Army veteran who served in Vietnam and who lives in San Antonio. I dont really have any idea pro or con as to which one would be the better one.
New SBS local drama Four Years Later will screen on SBS in early October.

The 8 x 30min drama from Easy Tiger (The Twelve, Colin from Accounts, Scrublands) is created by Mithila Gupta and will screen in double episodes each Wednesday. All episodes will be available at SBS on Demand.

Filming took place both in India and Australia.

Mithila Gupta, creator, lead writer and executive producer said: I am overjoyed to share Four Years Later with Australian audiences. This is a nuanced love story about two very distinct and layered brown characters set between my two homes. The entire team has poured their heart and soul into the series and I hope each and every viewer sees themselves in Sridevi and Yash  especially those who have been underrepresented for so long.

Nakul Legha, Commissioning Editor, SBS Scripted, said: Four Years Later is a modern Australian romance that captures the joy and heartache of trying to make love work across distances, cultures and time. It is a truly original love story for our times. SBS is proud to continue making distinctive Australian dramas like Four Years Later for audiences here and across the world.

Grainne Brunsdon, Chief Operating Officer Screen Australia, said Four Years Later is a captivating exploration of love and distance, bridging two cultures and continents. We are thrilled to support this unique series that showcases the rich tapestry of human relationships through the lens of a modern Australian romance. Mithila Gupta and the entire creative team have crafted a poignant narrative that will not only resonate with audiences around the world but across generations.

Kyas Hepworth, Head of Screen NSW said: This exciting representation of the rich cultural fabric of NSW, wrapped in a compelling modern love story is sure to captivate viewers. Screen NSW is thrilled to support Easy Tiger and the creative team to bring to our screens this landmark television series, Four Years Later, as Mithila Gupta steps into her first role as Executive Producer, lead writer and creator.

Can you find your way back to someone you love after being apart for so long?

Set across the two vastly different worlds of India and Australia, this intimate and compelling eight-part series delves into the complex ways love can change over time and distance.

Four Years Later stars award-winning actress Shahana Goswami (Bombay Begums, A Suitable Boy) and Akshay Ajit Singh (24: India), as Sridevi and Yash, who must endure four years apart right after their wedding when Yash lands a highly coveted medical traineeship in Australia. Supporting cast includes Kate Box (Deadloch, SBSs Erotic Stories), Taj Aldeeb (The Fall), Roy Joseph (Five Bedrooms, Strife) and Luke Arnold (Scrublands, True Colours).

Told through dual perspectives, Four Years Later is a deeply human and relatable love story about the changing nature of love, intimacy, longing, familial duty and belonging. Using both Hindi and English languages, and filmed in Mumbai, Jaipur and Sydney, this ground-breaking Australian series uncovers the complex realities of Yash and Sris long-distance relationship and their reconnection after four years apart, as the two lovers turbulent marriage struggles to survive the test of time and distance and they try to find their way back to each other.

Arriving in Australia from India after four long years apart from her husband she adores, Sridevi carries with her expectations of a fantasy reunion. Leaving behind bustling Jaipur, she is introduced to their new Australian home of sun and sand, but the picture Yash has painted of his life here does not match the reality. While he has struggled to fit into this new homeland, Sridevi begins to thrive, shaking off her identity as dutiful housewife and discovering a whole new world of deeper purpose, independence and freedom. Along for the ride is her new friend Gabs (Kate Box), a confident, free-spirited Aussie she meets who offers Sridevi a new world view.

Discovering that a lot has happened to both in those intervening years, they each uncover a web of lies and false promises that threaten the undeniable passion and devotion they have for one another.

Created by Mithila Gupta (Five Bedrooms, Bump) and featuring a writing team all with South Asian heritage: Mithila, Nicole Reddy and S. Shakthidharan, the series was directed by Mohini Herse (the SBS Digital Original Appetite) and Fadia Abboud (House of Gods, Five Bedrooms).

Produced by Easy Tigers Ian Collie, Rob Gibson (Colin From Accounts, The Twelve) and Stephen Corvini (Hungry Ghosts, Safe Harbour) and with the support of Indian production company Suitable Pictures. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with SBS and financed with the assistance of Screen NSW under the Made in NSW Fund, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Film Facilitation Office, National Film Development Corporation LTD and Invest India. International Sales are being handled by ITV Studios.

Four Years Later will be subtitled in seven languages, streaming on SBS On Demand in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Hindi and Punjabi. All eight episodes will also be available with audio description.

Double episodes 9:20pm Wednesday 2 October (all 8 episodes at SBS on Demand).
In a three-part Australian Story special, journalist Paddy Manning sheds light on Lachlan Murdoch, described as one of the media industrys most enigmatic and least understood characters.

This combines archival interviews with Manning speaking to others who have worked with, or reported on, the Murdochs.

There is no indication Lachlan Murdoch participates in the series.

Who is Lachlan Murdoch? And how has he been shaped by the family legacy, his rivalry with his siblings, the years at his fathers side and those spent estranged from the media empire?

From Australia to Britain and America, Manning talks to those who know, have worked with and reported on the Murdochs for decades. He examines how Rupert Murdoch built his media empire, explores his complicated relationship with Lachlan and how his desire for one of his children to take over the family business led to the bitter rivalry that is about to play out in a US courtroom.

The first episode, Blood, examines the origins of the Murdoch family mythology  the desire for power, the love of newspapers, the disdain for elites and the sense of being an underdog  that drove Rupert Murdoch in his voracious global expansion and has been absorbed by his eldest son.

It reveals the unhappiness of the familys time in London, where Lachlan was born in 1971, and how Lachlan was prepared from a young age by his father for a life in the media. It also exposes the roots of the sibling rivalry between Lachlan, his older sister Elisabeth and younger brother James.

The three-part special combines a treasure trove of archival material with acute analysis from friends, associates and commentators, including James Packer, Malcolm Turnbull, New York Times journalist Jim Rutenberg, footballer Ian Roberts and former Murdoch employees Mark Day, Eric Beecher, Roy Greenslade and David Armstrong.

Mannings fascination with the Murdochs, and Lachlan in particular, has led to him becoming one of the worlds leading authorities on the family. In this landmark series, he combines forensic investigative skills with a down-to-earth style to tell one of the great untold stories of our time.

Begins 8pm Monday on ABC.
Foreign Correspondent tonight looks inside El Salvadors Mega Prison and the treatment of up to 40,000 prisoners.

Violent gang wars in El Salvador have earned the central American nation the label of the most dangerous country in the world.

But President Nayib Bukele had a solution: declare a ruthless war on the gangs and lock up their members in the worlds biggest and toughest prison.

This week Foreign Correspondent presents a rare look inside El Salvadors mega prison, a state-of-the-art correctional centre capable of housing up to 40,000 prisoners.

Known as CECOT (Centre for the confinement of Terrorism) the inmates are crammed into communal cells in extremely harsh conditions.

Critics call the prison a black hole of human rights and theres concern many detainees are not gang members but innocent people who are the victims of a police arrest quota system.

But the El Salvadoran government remains steadfast, proudly presenting its mega prison to the world as it continues to wage its war on crime.

8pm Thursday the 5th of September on ABC.
ABC Chair Kim Williams has committed the broadcaster to new energy and purpose in News, Documentary and serious Drama.

Yesterday delivering the 2024 John Monash Oration, presented by the General Sir John Monash Foundation in Sydney he noted a Reuters Institute study which found 40% of respondents say that they trust most news, down from 50 per cent in 2018.

But it found 64% trust in the ABC.

People trust the ABC because we earn their trust through our professionalism and objectivity and observe standards of public accountability, he said.

These characteristics should be a feature of ABC content wherever it is found. Whether it is on our television, radio or digital platforms or indeed, on social media providers where the ABC will go to find new audiences.

We need to do all we can as a nation to reinvest in the sources of the truth  newsrooms and documentary production  because truth and knowledge arent optional extras for Australian democracy, they are essential to it.

New ideas are needed to restore the commercial health of our commercial newsrooms. Its my hope that they succeed. Nine. Seven. News Corp. The smaller independent players like Schwartz and Crikey. All are vital parts of our democracy.

The ABC is not in opposition to commercial newsrooms, we are in an alliance with them to create an informed democratic citizenry. An alliance of complementary viewpoints and emphases that together provide the basis for a sound democratic debate.

The commercial broadcasters can be helped by good government policy  something I strongly support. Sadly, recent attempts  like the agreements with Meta to ensure advertising revenues are shared fairly with content providers  havent totally succeeded. But we cant give up.

Williams, who has previously advocated for News & Current Affairs, Docos, Drama, Comedy, Arts, and Childrens TV noted ABC has faced funding declines in real terms.

If we are serious about improving the ABC, its flaws must be acknowledged. However, I believe the ABC is a capable vital contributor to the thought landscape and will be so even more, with better investment. Its journalists are capable of remarkable work  they have demonstrated it time and again. And in turn, Australians are capable of almost anything, he continued.

My intention  one I sense has the instinctive support of Australias citizens  is to inject new life, new pride, new purpose and higher intellectual intent into the news, discussion and documentary side of the ABC.

I extend this to serious drama too  because serious drama focuses citizens on the big, vital issues of the times, gets them discussing, arguing, seeing things from new angles, and recognising what they have in common. Great drama has of course done that since the invention of theatre in classical Athens.

Only real effort to up the energy of serious journalism and reach out to the majority wherever they live, whatever their level of education, can give us the level of re-engagement in democratic debate that we so crucially need.
Simon Baker (Boy Swallows Universe, Limbo) has pleaded guilty to drink-driving in a northern NSW court.

Media report the actor and director admitted to one count of driving a vehicle under influence of alcohol (first offence) at Mullumbimby Local Court in the Byron Shire. He was excused from attending court. A second charge of attempting to drive while under the influence of alcohol was withdrawn.

Court documents reveal he was driving at Nashua near Byron Bay on July 20.

A single drink driving charge will not prevent Baker entering the United States for work, according to US Customs and Border Protection advice.

Baker recently forged a production deal with Made Up Stories to co-produce and direct all episodes of Lioness, based on the book by New Zealand author Emily Perkins.

He is due to be sentenced on September 11 at Mullumbimby Local Court.

Source: The Age, Daily Telegraph
Dear Interested Parties,

Vietnam Improving Private Sector Competitiveness Project (IPS-C) intends to award a subcontract to conduct the Consulting on developing business strategy and financial planning to T.C Electronics Solution Vietnam Limited Company.

Background

Improving Private Sector Competitiveness (IPSC) is a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) technical assistance project, and the Agency for Enterprise Development (AED) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) is the project owner. The project is implemented by Deloitte Consulting LLP (Deloitte) and runs from 2020 to 2025.

The purpose of the USAID IPSC Activity is to remove constraints and build the competitiveness of small and growing businesses (SGBs) in Viet Nam, including those led by vulnerable populations. With this activity, USAID/Vietnam is supporting Viet Nams competitiveness: vertically at the policy, market and firm level and horizontally by working along the entire spectrum of enterprise growth models, from household businesses transforming into registered firms to small firms on the cusp of scaling up.

Summary of Activities

IPSC collaborates closely with the Government of Vietnam (GVN) counterparts, including the project owner, AED, under MPI. IPSC and AED develop strategies for sector selection, geographic focus and SGB engagement, and engage a broad range of market actors across the economy that make up the SGB ecosystem, including SGBs, cooperatives and household businesses (HBs); business chambers, associations and business development service providers (BDSPs); GVN Ministries and Agencies, provincial and local administrations; and private sector consultants, training institutions and financial institutions. Using incentives and cost-sharing with SGBs, pioneering enterprises (PEs) and other partners, IPSC builds both greater demand and supply of business development services (BDS), while improving providers capacity to understand and offer services desired in the marketplace.

One of IPSCs main objectives is supporting Vietnamese enterprises to receive customised technical assistance under the overall support package 'Pioneering Enterprise (PE) Program' to create products with added value and Vietnamese intellectual property, nurturing them to become sustainable models for other SGBs to emulate and scale up proven examples. A PE is a growing Vietnamese enterprise with Vietnamese-branded products, sufficient competitiveness, the ability to lead and expand in the industry, sector and locality, strong management capacity and willingness to innovate and produce products with high added value, with the vision and objective to build a Vietnamese brand in international markets. Positioning the 'Made by Vietnam' product brand successfully in regional and international markets is a priority for PEs.

Each support package will be customised for the individual PE, depending on their situation, needs, development capacity, commitment to participate and willingness to co-invest. The support packages will focus on facilitating BDSPs and technical experts to deliver consulting services and specialised training to help enterprises strengthen their governance, management capability and strategies (including strategy development, business model refinement, brand positioning, marketing, innovation, communications and human resource development). IPSC will develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each supporting package so PEs can quantify the results achieved and evaluate the effectiveness of the results.

T.C. Electronics Solution Vietnam Limited Company (TCE) is a 100% Vietnamese private owned company in the electronic manufacturing industry. With over 12 years of operation, TCE's goal is to become the leading electronics manufacturer in the industry by providing high quality, international standard services to its customers in Asia, North America and Europe.

TCE provides a full range of services:

 From manufacturing and assembling PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) to assembling finished products and complete packaging (including logistics services)

 Extended Testing Service based on customer requirements or the TCE calibration process

 Final product testing including information communications technology (ICT), functional, burn-in, HI-POT and X-ray testing

 Full logistics service from EXW to DDP, both by sea and by air.

Offeror will assist TCE on developing business strategy and financial planning, including but not limited to:

 Conduct a review of TCE's current business situation, potential growth and financial landscape

 Review and update TCEs five-year (20252029) business strategy and build financial planning capacity for TCE

 Consult TCE on understanding their expansions capital needs and advise overall process and common steps necessary to implement capital raising project

Eligibility Requirements

A qualified, legally registered Vietnamese company or organisation must meet the following criteria to be eligible:

 Extensive experience (5+ years) working with companies in the manufacturing industry and a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities these companies face.

 Ability to understand the law on corporate financial management, deep understanding of the process of strategy development and financial planning, with recommended knowledge on restructuring, mergers and acquisitions and stock market listing.

 Strong expertise and excellent financial analysis skills, diverse knowledge of production models and business processes at factories in Viet Nam and can collect and analyse data.

 The proponent must have a proven track record of success in delivering similar projects over the past three years. References and examples of previous work are required.

Interested vendors should provide an Intent to Bid and company profile expressing the intent of the vendor to submit a proposal for this requirement, by 5pm Ha Noi time on September 17, 2024, to Mir Waez at mwaez@deloitte.com and Tuan Tran Anh tuantran@ipsc.vn

IPS-C intends to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to interested vendors by September 23, 2024.
Video shows a Sealy School District bus driver forcing students to close windows on their bus ride in 100-degree heat. Parents of two students on the bus are considering legal action against the driver and the school district for "extreme heat punishment." Courtesy Law Offices of Harry M. Daniels, LLC

The family of two Texas students accuses a school bus driver of using "extreme heat punishment" on children by driving 3 miles per hour with the windows rolled up  on a day when temperatures hit around 100 degrees.

The family is considering legal action, including a possible civil rights lawsuit against the driver and the Sealy Independent School District, according to The Law Offices of Harry M. Daniels.

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According to a release from the law firm, the incident took place Aug. 22, when the National Weather Service reported a high of 100 degrees in the Houston area. After the bus driver dropped off her own daughter, she stopped the vehicle on a dirt road and asked students to roll their windows up.

Last week, the law firm released footage a student on the bus took during the incident. The driver is heard telling students that they must close a window because a passenger was sticking their head out, and students quickly begin to protest.

"It's hot back here, these children need to breathe. You need to get us home," one child yells.

The law firm said in the release that the driver had a personal fan, and that she traveled so slowly afterwards that it took 30 minutes to go 3 miles.

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Also included in the released footage was a doorbell video provided by Coshenna Smith, whom Daniels represents. The video footage shows her two children arriving home after getting off the hot bus. Her 11-year-old daughter, who has chronic asthma, is crying and saying she couldn't breathe, while her 12-year-old son is seen taking off his shirt to cool down.

Sealy ISD Superintendent Bryan Hallmark said in a statement posted to the district's website that the driver was forced to stop the bus for about 2 minutes and 20 seconds to address a student sticking his head out of the window.

"We take these concerns very seriously," the Hallmark wrote. "During the route the roof hatches and windows were open."

District administrators have since adjusted bus routes to decrease driving time on unpaved roads so students can get home more quickly, he said in the statement.

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"It does get hot on the buses, especially in August. Thankfully, we are experiencing cooler temperatures this week," Hallmark said.
HA NOI  Viet Nam plans to develop green and energy-saving steel products and increase the market share of domestically produced steel to gradually replace imported products.

Those goals are stated in the draft of the strategy on developing Viet Nam's steel industry until 2030, with a vision to 2050, which the Ministry of Industry and Trade has developed to submit to the Government for approval.

This strategy is expected to be approved in September.

It will guide State agencies and localities to build mechanisms, policies and to manage the development of the domestic steel industry.

The strategy will help enterprises of the steel industry develop their long-term and short-term business development plans in harmony with the development of the industry and product development strategies.

It will also give directions in production technology and the development of raw materials for the steel industry.

Viet Nam now ranks 12th in the world regarding crude steel production, but the Vietnamese steel industry has limitations in terms of technology, raw materials, production capacity and product types.

The goals set out in the drafted Steel Industry Development Strategy until 2030, with a vision to 2050 developed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, are to overcome these limitations and promote the modern and sustainable development of the steel industry.

Deputy Director of the Department of Industry, Ministry of Industry and Trade Nguyen Ngoc Thanh said that Viet Nam needs policies to develop the metallurgy and materials industry, especially steel for the processing and manufacturing industry.

Specifically, developing more large-scale iron and steel complexes with diverse product structures, especially steel products, is necessary for the processing and manufacturing industry. It will focus on encouraging the production of alloy steel, especially for the mechanical and machine manufacturing industries.

Viet Nam also needs to develop the steel industry strategy in the direction of attracting investment in large steel complexes to produce a variety of steel products, especially steel used in the processing, manufacturing, mechanical and automotive industries.

According to preliminary forecasts, the total market demand for Viet Nam's manufacturing industries by 2030 could reach US$310 billion. Of which, mechanical engineering for industrial works would account for $120 billion, for construction, agriculture and processing, $15 billion, for standard equipment, $10 billion, railway transport $35 billion, subway $10 billion and cars $120 billion.

This will be a significant market for the domestic steel industry, especially for high-quality fabricated and alloy steel products for the manufacturing industry, a segment in which Viet Nam is not self-sufficient in domestic steel production now.

However, most of them are small-scale with a capacity of under 500,000 tonnes each year and outdated technology and they consume a lot of energy, so they have low competitiveness and cause environmental pollution.

Today, the industry has a tiny number of recently established steel complexes with closed technology, such as Hung Nghiep Fomosa and Dung Quat steel complexes.

In addition, this industry still depends on imported raw materials, which means it is tied to fluctuations in global prices.

Meanwhile, production capacity and product variety are still limited. The structure of raw materials for production includes 42 per cent from scrap steel (mainly imported) and 58 per cent from iron ore. Hot-roiled coil (HRC) steel manufacturers can produce only eight million tonnes each year, while domestic demand is at ten million tonnes.

Due to capacity constraints, outdated equipment, high energy consumption, and environmental risks, the quality of domestically produced steel products, especially fabricated steel, is not higher than that of imports, so the competitiveness of the Vietnamese steel industry is still quite low. Domestic enterprises mainly compete with each other, while exports are still at a small volume.

Viet Nam's finished steel production is projected to hit 30 million tonnes this year, marking a seven per cent annual increase, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

In the past seven months, finished steel production reached nearly 17 million tonnes, up 9.4 per cent yearly. Coated and colour-coated steel led the growth with a 29.2 per cent surge, followed by construction steel (14.6 per cent) and hot-rolled coil (HRC) (2.9 per cent). Finished steel consumption also climbed by 14.3 per cent, reaching 16.75 million tonnes.

Steel exports totalled nearly 4.9 million tonnes, marking a 6.8 per cent increase. Cold-rolled coils (CRC) saw the highest growth at 40.6 per cent, followed by coated and colour-coated steel and construction steel. However, exports of steel pipes and HRC declined by 1.2 per cent and 0.8 per cent, respectively.  VNS
HA NOI  At the beginning of the week, pepper prices continued their upward trend, averaging at VN152,700 (US$4.75) per kilogramme, according to giatieu.com.

The highest price for pepper - referred to as 'black gold' in Viet Nam - was reported in ak Nong, ak Lak and Binh Phuoc provinces, at VN153,000 per kilogramme.

Although this price is still far from the historic peak of VN180,000 per kilo in June, it is about 80 per cent higher than at the start of the year and double that at this time last year.

In the global market, according to data from the International Pepper Community (IPC), at the end of the most recent trading session, the price of Vietnamese black pepper was $6,100 per tonne for the 500 gram per litre (g/l) type. Meanwhile, 550 g/l pepper was priced at $6,500 per tonne and white pepper was priced at $8,800 per tonne.

The latest report from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) shows that the average export price of pepper over the past eight months is estimated at $4,810 per tonne, a significant increase of 47 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Price increases for 'black gold' have been steady since 2023. This year in particular has witnessed a sharp rise in average export pepper prices, jumping from $4,000 per tonne in January to $5,954 per tonne in August.

Vietnamese enterprises have earned approximately $891 million from selling 185,000 tonnes of 'black gold'.

Regarding export markets, the US remains the largest customer, spending $205.3 million to purchase nearly 43,170 tonnes of Vietnamese pepper.

Compared to the same period last year, pepper exports to this market increased by 47.5 per cent in volume and by 74.9 per cent in value.

Among the top three pepper export markets, Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are heavily investing to stockpile this 'black gold' from Viet Nam.

The volume of pepper exported to Germany doubled compared to the same period last year, with export value reaching over $57 million.

Pepper exports to the UAE also rose by 40.2 per cent in volume and by a strong 113.9 per cent in value.

Hoang Thi Lien, Chairwoman of Viet Nam Pepper and Spices Association (VPSA) said that the reduced harvest in Viet Nam and Brazil is the primary factor driving up global pepper prices.

Viet Nam and Brazil, the two largest pepper-producing countries that dominate the global export market, have seen their exports decrease by 6.8 per cent and 6 per cent respectively compared to the same period last year. The strong supply growth from Indonesia and India has been insufficient to offset the decline in Viet Nam and Brazil.

Currently, Viet Nam's pepper stocks are running low, so the country's pepper exports are expected to be lower than usual in the final months of this year, continuing until around March 2025 when the new harvest season begins.

The global price of this commodity is therefore expected to continue rising and remain at a high level.  VNS
HA NOI  Shareholders should have 180 days to contribute charter capital to their company instead of 90 days starting immediately, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) recently proposed.

The proposal is part of VCCIs suggestions to amend the Law on Enterprises from 2020.

According to current laws, owners, members and shareholders of an enterprise have 90 days from the day they were granted the Certificate of Enterprise Registration to contribute charter capital to their company.

This time limit does not include the time needed to transport or import contributed assets, or to perform administrative procedures related to the transfer of asset ownership.

However, as VCCI observed, in reality several enterprises  especially foreign-invested ones  are unable to gather all their charter capital within 90 days, because of complicated and time-consuming procedures.

To begin the contribution process, these enterprises often have to open a direct investment capital account (DICA) at a Vietnamese bank, which requires several documents from the company, the owner, members or foreign shareholders for customer identification procedures (often known as KYC  Know Your Customer).

The majority of these documents would have to be legalised by foreign consular offices in Viet Nam, which is a time-consuming process.

On the other hand, although the law does stipulate the capital reduction process if shareholders fail to contribute enough charter capital within 90 days, it does not specify how shareholders could continue contributing charter capital after this period ends.

This leads to a situation where even though enterprises have had their banking procedures completed, the banks cant accept charter capital contributions deposited into their accounts.

On these grounds, VCCI proposed that the time limit for charter capital contribution should be increased to 180 days, so that enterprises have more time to handle administrative procedures.

Provisions on how shareholders can continue contribute charter capital after this period ends should also be added to the law, in case they fail to contribute the funds within the designated period, according to VCCI.

One possible solution is that they can submit an application to business registration authorities, explaining the reason and requesting an extension for capital contribution.

The total extension can be up to 180 days from the date of the extension request, according to VCCI.  VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Industry and Trade on Tuesday proposed to the Government that 69 business conditions and administrative procedures under their jurisdiction can be either cut completely or simplified next year.

The proposal was a response to the Governments order, issued as Decree 1 and 2 in January, which aims to loosen state management of trade activities for 2025 so that Viet Nams business environment will improve and businesses can thrive.

The 69 procedures were proposed after a thorough review, accounting for 10.75 per cent of the total procedures under the ministrys jurisdiction (642).

Businesses in the import-export area will likely see the highest number of administrative procedures reduced (19), followed by those in 'light' industries such as alcohol and tobacco businesses (five conditions and 12 procedures), electricity (10 conditions), automobile (eight conditions), chemistry (six procedures), industrial explosives (four procedures), gas and fuel (two conditions) and food safety (one condition).

Competition management authorities are also likely to see one condition and one procedure reduced for their activities.

The ministry has also proposed to either remove or simplify 22 legal documents related to trade management.

Their proposals await the Government's comments until September 10.  VNS
LAOS  Global brand Hilton has opened the DoubleTree by Hilton Vientiane, marking the hotel and resort groups foray into Laos and the hospitality groups tenth market expansion into Southeast Asia.

DoubleTree by Hilton Vientiane is located in the heart of Laos capital city with access to major transport hubs and iconic local attractions, making it a prime choice for business and leisure travellers. The opening reflects Hiltons continued expansion in Southeast Asia, spotlighting the growth opportunities in the region where Hilton is set to nearly double its portfolio in the coming years.

The hotel, opened on September 4, boasts 188 well-appointed rooms and suites, with each room featuring uninterrupted views of the cityscape or the Mekong River. From stylish and contemporary guest rooms to spacious and residential suites, these accommodations guarantee feel-good moments throughout the stay.

Each room combines contemporary design with rich Lao cultural heritage and is furnished with modern amenities, including high-definition televisions and ergonomic work areas, so guests can relax, connect and feel at home.

Laos boasts a rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes. With the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Vientiane, we are honoured to bring Hiltons signature hospitality to the heart of this up-and-coming destination, said President, Asia Pacific, Hilton, Alan Watts.

With a growing desire among Vietnamese travellers to explore destinations in Asia and experience local culture, this latest addition to our portfolio underscores Hiltons commitment to being where our guests want to be, and to capturing the growing travel demand in this dynamic region."

The opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Vientiane is part of the upscale full-service brands growing portfolio in Asia Pacific. Hilton recently marked another significant milestone as it surpassed 100 properties in Asia Pacific. With nearly 80 DoubleTree by Hilton properties in the pipeline in Asia Pacific, all offering a double dose of comfort and care, the brand will contribute to Hiltons target to surpass 1,000 hotels in the region by 2025.  VNS
MOSCOW  Bui Thanh Nam, Vice Chairman of the Council of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the Vietnam National University Hanoi, attended and delivered a speech at a session on traditional education in APEC economies, held within the framework of the ongoing Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, on September 4.

Discussing the 21st centurys challenges to traditional education systems in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies, the session drew the participation of representatives from leading universities in Russia, China, Japan and Viet Nam.

In his speech, Nam shared his experiences in reforming educational methods at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, which received applause from participants.

According to Nam, in the context of implementing an open-door strategy in education, Viet Nam is expanding international cooperation beyond the exchange of lecturers and students.

The university is also seeking new cooperation directions, such as mutual credit recognition, and allowing students to participate in advanced training abroad while ensuring they complete their programmes domestically, with manageable financial burdens.

Delegates also emphasised the need to enhance international cooperation in education rapidly and flexibly to address current challenges.

Themed Far East 2030. Combining Strengths to Create New Potential, the 9th Eastern Economic Forum is being held in Vladivostok from September 3-6, attracting the attendance of over 6,000 delegates from 76 countries and territories.  VNS
QUANG NAM  Vietnamese and Lao legislators on September 4 visited the central province of Quang Nam and Truong Hai Group Corporation (THACO).

The Vietnamese delegation was headed by NA Vice Chairman Nguyen uc Hai, and the Lao side by NA Vice Chairman Sommad Pholsena.

Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Luong Nguyen Minh Triet briefed them on the situation in Quang Nam that borders the Lao province of Sekong, as well as the relations between Quang Nam and Lao localities.

The legislators then toured Viet Nam's leading automaker THACO factories, the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone, and Tam Hiep Port located in Quang Nams Nui Thanh District.

THACO Chairman Tran Ba Duong said the group has expanded its operation to other spheres, including agriculture, adding it is implementing a large-scale, circular organic agriculture project in Laos, covering nearly 27,000 hectares.

The official said HAGL AGRICO Laos, a member of THACO, has exported agricultural products, generating jobs for tens of thousands of local labourers, and thanked the Lao Party, Government, and NA for their support to the group.

Pholsena spoke highly of the scale and efficiency of THACO projects in Laos and pledged to facilitate the operation of Vietnamese enterprises, including THACO, in the country.

This contributes to the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, and peoples, as well as the relations between Quang Nam and Lao localities, he said. VNS
VIENTIENE - Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People's Army (VPA) and Deputy Minister of National Defence, met with his Lao counterpart Sen. Lt. Gen. Khamliang Outhakaysone in Vientiane on September 4, on the sidelines of the 21st ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces Meeting (ACDFM-21).

During the meeting, Khamliang Outhakaysone expressed his satisfaction with the progress in the relations between the two countries and their armies. He also thanked the VPA for its significant assistance for the Lao People's Army (LPA) over the past years, particularly during Laos' 2024 Chairmanship of ASEAN.

The Lao official held that Viet Nams participantion in the ACDFM-21 demonstrates its strong support for the LPA, contributing to the overall success of the meeting.

For his part, Cuong praised the Lao army's preparations for the ACDFM-21 and affirmed that the Vietnamese delegation will make active contributions to ensure success for the event, thus supporting Laos' chairmanship.

Sharing plans for the two sides joint work in the remaining months of 2024, he said that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence has directed relevant agencies to develop and implement cooperation initiatives in the fields of Party and political affairs, national defence and security, border management and protection, and officer training, among others.

On this occasion, Cuong extended an invitation to the Lao Chief of the General Staff and other leaders of the Lao Ministry of National Defence to attend the celebration of the VPA's 80th founding anniversary (December 22, 1944 - 2024) and its related events. VNS
A NANG  National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen uc Hai held talks with his Lao counterpart Sommad Pholsena in the central city of a Nang on September 4, vowing to advance economic cooperation between their nations.

Hai congratulated the Lao people on their recent achievements and expressed confidence that under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the management of the Lao Government and the supervision of the legislature, Laos will successfully overcome challenges, maintain macro-economic stability and drive socio-economic recovery.

Praising the growing and more substantive ties between the two legislatures, he noted the facilitation of delegation exchanges at all levels, work experience sharing and exchange programmes between parliamentary committees and friendship groups.

A significant milestone was the first Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam (CLV) Parliamentary Summit held in Laos in December 2023, which elevated cooperation among the three legislative bodies to its highest level and contributed to refining high-level cooperation mechanisms among the three countries at the Party, Government and parliamentary channels.

Pholsena, in turn, expressed the Lao delegation's wish in sharing experience in finance, economy, and auditing during the visit, saying that they are of significant interest to the Lao legislature as it seeks to refine legal system and enhance its role in building and approving policies aimed at the country's socio-economic development.

According to him, the upcoming seminar scheduled for September 5 will provide a platform for both sides to learn from each other in these areas.

Both sides committed to maintaining frequent high-level exchanges through all channels, leveraging the effectiveness of annual meetings between the two Politburos, sessions of the Inter-Governmental committees, and experience-sharing exchanges between the two legislatures.

They agreed to actively implement the new cooperation agreement between the two NAs, support each other at global and regional inter-parliamentary forums, and coordinate efforts to make breakthroughs in all areas, particularly in economic cooperation.

A key focus of the talks was the pledge to achieve breakthroughs in economic, trade, and investment collaboration, elevating it to a crucial pillar that matches the strong political relationship.

The two sides also agreed to establish appropriate and effective policies to unlock resources for economic, trade, and investment between the two countries, with a focus on connecting their economies. This includes transport infrastructure development and opening up Laos' economy to the sea through projects like the Vung Ang and other Vietnamese ports. VNS
HA NOI  Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs o Hung Viet and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore Albert Chua co-chaired the 16th Viet Nam-Singapore political consultation in Singapore on September 4.

Both sides agreed that the Viet Nam-Singapore strategic partnership is increasingly robust and effective across all areas, marked by regular high-level delegation exchanges and flourishing relations between the two ruling parties. An annual meeting mechanism established by the two countries' prime ministers to review and discuss the overall direction of cooperation during multilateral meetings has further strengthened this bond.

Economic cooperation remains a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship, with Singapore being the second largest investor in Viet Nam, running 3,742 projects valued at over US$80 billion. The success of 18 Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) across 13 Vietnamese cities and provinces has significantly contributed to this economic prowess. Additionally, cooperation in national defence-security, education, culture, and people-to-people exchange has contributed to raising mutual understanding between the two countries' people.

Looking ahead, both sides committed to closely coordinating and effectively implementing agreements made by the two countries' leaders. They will prepare thoroughly for high-level exchanges, particularly the annual meetings between the two PMs. Efforts will focus on strengthening economic connectivity and deepening joint work in education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchange, aiming to elevate the bilateral relationship to a new height.

They affirmed their commitment to advancing the Digital Economy - Green Economy Partnership and the Connectivity Framework Agreement to achieve breakthroughs in emerging areas such as circular economy, digital transformation, innovation, green energy, and sustainable development.

Viet expressed his wish for more next-generation smart and green VSIPs across Viet Nam, and urged Singapore to continue supporting Viet Nam in improving workforce quality, particularly strategic-level officials. He also called for more scholarships for Vietnamese students and the training of personnel for the digital transformation process, especially in cybersecurity, data flow management, and artificial intelligence, as well as assistance in building a model for a national data science innovation centre.

Chua, in turn, wished for closer collaboration in emerging sectors such as clean energy, including wind power, and carbon credit exchanges to achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. He proposed increasing cooperation in farm produce export-import to ensure food security and boost aviation connectivity to support economic, trade and tourism growth. He affirmed Singapore's commitment to expanding effective management training courses for Viet Nam.

On global and regional issues of shared concern, both sides agreed on the importance of sub-regional cooperation in advancing the development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Community and promoting sustainable growth in the region. They concurred on maintaining consultations and actively working with ASEAN member states in building strategies implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and further upholding ASEANs central role in regional matters. They also agreed to foster ASEANs solidarity, unity and sustainable development based on established principles and norms, and innovate working methods to create a resilient and adaptive ASEAN in the face of future opportunities and challenges.

They shared their evaluations and determination to build the East Sea into a water of peace, cooperation and development, seriously and fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and work toward a quality, effective and legally binding Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Viet invited Singapore to attend the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 in Viet Nam to share ideas and initiatives that complement regional cooperation.

On the occasion, Viet paid a courtesy call to Singaporean Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, who affirmed to continue working closely with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son to strengthen the Singapore-Viet Nam strategic partnership across all areas.

Viet Nam is always an important and trustworthy partner of Singapore, both bilaterally and regionally, Balakrishnan said, suggesting that the two foreign ministries work closely with relevant departments and agencies to advance all-around cooperation, especially in economic connectivity and exploring new cooperation areas to elevate bilateral ties to a new height. VNS
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton tapes an endorsement for a Texas Court of Criminal Appeals candidate during a campaign rally on Feb. 7, 2024, in Wylie, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS) Smiley N. Pool/TNS Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was seen giving remarks to republican delegates from Texas on the first day of the Texas GOP Convention on May 23, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee

Following through on his Labor Day threat, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the Bexar County Commissioners Court after it approved a program to mail voter registration applications en masse to residents.

Paxton is asking a Bexar County district court to temporarily block the county from implementing the program. On Sunday, he had cautioned the county and Harris County, which was considering a similar program, that the officials lacked the legal authority to do this, that it could lead to ineligible voters attempting to register, and that hed sue if they moved forward.

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Counties have to have specific authority to do what they do, and in this case, we dont believe they have specific authority, and even if they did, they didnt follow the transparent process that the voters demand in the competitive bidding process, Paxton said Wednesday morning on conservative radio program the Chris Salcedo Show.

Commissioners Court voted 3-1 Tuesday to hire Civic Government Solutions to mail about 210,000 voter registration forms to Bexar County residents, at a cost of nearly $400,000. Precinct 3 Commissioner Grant Moody, the courts lone Republican, voted no, and Precinct 4 Commissioner Tommy Calvert abstained.

The intent of what we did yesterday was simply to get people registered so they can vote, said Precinct 2 Commissioner Justin Rodriguez, who initially proposed hiring CGS. I think the outcome will show that.

He accused Paxton of creating boogeymen by suggesting the countys voter registration initiative will help sign up people who are ineligible to vote, such as illegal immigrants.

Theres certainly, from my perspective, a target on large urban counties in Texas that have trended blue or are trending blue, Rodriguez said. If this were to have happened in some red county, would they be putting up such a big fight to get voter registration in the hands of those folks?

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County Judge Peter Sakai said hes confident the law is on the courts side.

We asked for and received a legal opinion that Bexar County is within its authority to send registration applications to citizens, Sakai said in a news release. We are confident we can defend that position, if needed, in a court of law.

Before a person is added to the voter rolls, the Texas secretary of states office has to vet the application, which includes confirming their citizenship.

I am confident the Secretary of States Office will conduct their due diligence and prevent any non-eligible voters from receiving identification numbers, Sakai said.

Moody maintained his opposition to the initiative on Wednesday, saying, I think we laid out multiple cases on why we believe this is a bad idea, and its not the countys responsibility.

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Jacque Callanen, Bexar Countys elections administrator, also opposed the effort.

With the presidential election only two months away, Callanen said her office is handling more than 3,000 outstanding voter registration applications and that her staff would struggle to keep up with more applications without additional resources.

CGS is a startup that maintains a database of unregistered voters and sends out voter registration applications.

At Tuesdays commissioners court meeting, Kyle Sinclair, vice chairman of the Republican Party of Bexar County, pointed to previous partisan comments made by CGS chief executive Jeremy Smith, including several in which he said boosting voter registration would be key to securing Democratic victories this year.

Smith acknowledged making the comments but said his personal views dont affect how he runs his company.

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Larry Roberson, civil division chief of the Bexar County District Attorneys Office, told commissioners Tuesday that state law only prohibits mailing unsolicited ballot applications as opposed to voter registration forms. He said the county elections administrator has the authority to enact policies to increase voter turnout.

In the lawsuit, Paxton said the county incorrectly exercised an exemption under state law that allows officials to skip competitive bidding when an item can be obtained from only one source. Paxton disagrees that the mechanism was legal in this instance.
THAI NGUYEN  One student has died after fourteen students of the Thai Nguyen Industrial College living in the same dormitory were hospitalised with an unidentified fever.

The Thai Nguyen Centre for Disease Control (CDC) said that during the four-day National Day holiday, from last Saturday to Tuesday, three students from the college were sick and had to be transferred to the Thai Nguyen Central Hospital for treatment.

The CDC worked with the Thai Nguyen City Medical Centre to investigate.

Initial reports show that the most serious case was V.M.C., 16, from Sung Tra Commune, Meo Vac District, the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang.

C. is a student of Intermediate Electricity class K57, living in room 209 K2 of the colleges dormitory.

Last Thursday evening, C. had abdominal pain and vomited.

C. was transferred to Thai Nguyen Central Hospital for examination and treatment.

One day later, C. was in a coma and was diagnosed with meningitis, cholecystitis and gallbladder polyps.

On the same day, in the afternoon, the patient's condition worsened, showing signs of acute myocarditis.

The patient was prescribed endotracheal intubation, blood filtration, endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation and was diagnosed with multiple organ failure, acute heart failure and hepatitis B and had a very poor prognosis.

On Saturday, C.'s family asked the hospital to let the student go home, where C. later died.

The second patient is H.M.N., 15, also from Meo Vac District.

N. is studying at the Intermediate Electricity B class K58, living in room 206 K3 of the dormitory.

On Sunday evening, N. had headache, stomach ache, a fever of 40 degrees Celsius and fatigue.

The college medical staff examined and transferred N. to the Thai Nguyen Central Hospital for health monitoring with symptoms of high fever, headache, chest pain and stomachache of unidentified cause.

N. then was transferred to the National Children's Hospital for treatment.

The third patient is T.M.M, 15, also from Meo Vac District, a student of Intermediate Electricity B K58 who lives in room 203 K3.

On Monday, M. had convulsions and was taken to the Thai Nguyen Central Hospital. The patient is being treated at the emergency ward and is in a coma, on a ventilator.

In addition to these cases, the Thai Nguyen Central Hospital also recorded 11 other patients with fevers who are college students living in the same dormitory. They are all under special supervision.

After many students were hospitalised during the holiday, the Thai Nguyen City Medical Centre and the college disinfected the entire K1, K2, K3 dormitories and the school's cafeteria.

All students in three dormitory rooms with the ill youngsters were quarantined and asked to self monitor their health and notify the college if they have any unusual symptoms.  VNS
The lender has introduced this new initiative to address the challenges faced by newer businesses, eliminating the usual requirement for a minimum establishment period when reviewing loan proposals.

BAC A BANK is offering a range of free services until the end of this year

As the year-end approaches and business demands rise, Luu Thanh Thuy, director of a small handicraft company in the central province of Ha Tinh, has been actively seeking additional capital to import raw materials essential for production and business growth.

Despite many banks offering appealing credit packages, newly established companies like ours, which have been operational for only about a year or have transitioned from household business models, often find it difficult to secure loans, Thuy said. We frequently encounter obstacles in the loan process, such as failing to meet collateral requirements or having insufficient operational history.

Recognising these hurdles, BAC A BANK has introduced a product on additional working capital loans for corporate customers. This short-term credit solution is designed to provide essential capital during business cycles, helping companies stabilise their finances and effectively execute their operational plans. Notably, this product does not require a minimum establishment period, making it accessible to young enterprises with only a strong credit history needed for approval.

The product is not only well-suited for young businesses but also offers significant advantages for established enterprises. It features a high maximum loan ratio and generous unsecured loan amounts, making it an attractive option for various business needs.

A representative from BAC A BANK highlighted that this working capital loan is among the most competitive offerings in the market. It provides unsecured loans of up to VND10 billion ($417,000), which represents up to 20 per cent of the loan value. For businesses using real estate as collateral, the loan ratio can reach up to 80 per cent of the appraised value.

With support from BAC A BANK, we aim to give businesses greater financial flexibility, allowing them to better manage their capital, capitalise on opportunities, and enhance their operational efficiency, the representative noted.

As businesses face rising capital demands in the third quarter, banks are increasingly focusing on promoting preferential credit products and programmes. These initiatives not only highlight competitive lending rates but also emphasise the simplification of the appraisal process and the diversification of loan and repayment methods.

These factors are crucial for businesses looking for loan packages that align with their specific performance needs.

During the appraisal process, BAC A BANKs team has provided us with dedicated and professional support. Their diverse and flexible loan and repayment options align well with our financial plans, Thuy said. We have already received approval for our loan application and are now awaiting disbursement.

The banks new credit product for corporate customers is also part of its broader credit programme on 30 years of promoting Vietnamese enterprises, which offers short-term loan rates starting as low as 5 per cent per year. This initiative aims to support businesses with competitive financing options and favourable terms.

To further enhance customer benefits, BAC A BANK is offering a range of free services until December 31. These include free domestic and interbank money transfers, electronic banking services, SMS banking, and the option to open lucky account numbers.

Additionally, the bank is providing early repayment options and a reduction of up to 50 per cent on guarantee fees, international payment fees, trade finance fees, and other preferential policies for businesses that process salaries through BAC A BANK accounts.

For more information, please contact Customer Care at 1800 588 828 or visit baca-bank.vn.

BAC A BANK offers new loans with preferential rates To support quality of life and business activities in the first six months of this year, and to contribute to giving customers a brilliant start to 2024, Bac A Commercial Joint-Stock Bank (BAC A BANK) has launched personal credit programme incentives named Convenient loans and financial stability. This scheme has flexible terms for loan durations and is suitable for diverse capital use purposes.

BAC A BANK hits award with foreign exchange transaction Within the framework of the Vietnam FX Awards 2024 held in Hanoi recently, Bac A Commercial Joint Stock Bank (BAC A BANK) was honoured to be granted the award of Top 5 Banks with the largest foreign exchange trading volume in Vietnam on FX matching year 2023 awarded by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG).
The summit, co-organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will be held September 11-12, and is expected bring together over 80 key officials and business leaders to explore opportunities across the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with a special focus on ASEAN markets and Hong Kongs unique position as a financial hub.

In August, Hong Kongs chief executive John Lee led a delegation to Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, resulting in 55 cooperation MoUs, further strengthening the territory's network in Southeast Asia. The ASEAN region, which accounts for 13 per cent of Hong Kongs foreign trade, remains a key focus for expansion under the BRI.

On day one of the summit, high-level discussions will centre on ASEAN markets, with participation from ministerial-level officials and business leaders. On day two, attention will shift to the Middle East, exploring further cooperation opportunities along the Belt and Road.

Hong Kongs chief executive John Lee during his recent visit to Vietnam

Previously, during his visit to Vietnam from July 31August 2, Lee highlighted Hong Kongs ambition to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam, a rapidly growing economy in Asia.

He emphasised that the territory's expertise as a global financial centre could support Ho Chi Minh Citys ambitions to become a regional financial hub.

"Vietnam's booming economy presents significant opportunities for foreign companies, and Hong Kong can serve as an ideal gateway to global and mainland Chinese investors," said Lee.

"We are committed to sharing our financial expertise, which can help develop Vietnams financial infrastructure," said Bonnie Y Chan, CEO of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited noted, adding that collaboration among regional exchanges can draw in more global investors to Southeast Asia.

Phan Van Mai, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee, also stressed the importance of drawing on Hong Kongs experience to establish Ho Chi Minh City as a regional financial hub.

"We look forward to cooperation and learning from Hong Kongs success as a global financial centre," Mai said.

As sustainability and green finance become increasingly crucial, the summit will debut a Green Chapter, focusing on green construction, finance, and innovation. Hong Kong has been at the forefront of green finance, with over $50 billion in green and sustainable debt issued in 2023. "Our thriving green finance market gives us a significant edge in sustainable development," said Dr Peter K N Lam, chairman of the HKTDC.

In addition to thematic sessions, the summit will feature business matching services, with more than 280 projects seeking investment and more than 800 one-on-one meetings. These sessions will focus on sectors such as energy, technology, urban development, and logistics, allowing project owners to present their ventures to potential investors from around the globe.

The exhibition area will showcase cutting-edge technologies and investment opportunities, further demonstrating Hong Kongs role as a 'super connector' between China and international markets.

Hong Kong to facilitate listings for Vietnamese companies Hong Kong is exploring opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties across various industries, particularly focusing on the financial market. Bonnie Y Chan, CEO of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), talked to VIR's Luu Huong about how Hong Kong can share its expertise in developing financial centres and facilitate overseas listings of Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian companies.

Hong Kong investors build on growing Vietnam interest After decades of strong presence in Vietnam, Hong Kong companies continue to cement their status as major foreign investors by diversifying activities across multiple sectors.
Photo: Grand Mercure Hanoi Hotel

The peak period for Vietnams tourism industry began last week when the first flights carrying delegations from Sun Pharmaceutical Industries in India, comprising 4,500 employees, landed in Hanoi, marking the start of their four-day tour of Vietnam.

On August 28, the Grand Mercure Hanoi hotel welcomed around 200 guests from this Indian delegation.

Remi Faubel, general manager of Grand Mercure Hanoi, stated, We are confident that the elements celebrating local culture at Grand Mercure Hanoi, such as the Indochine architecture, the Buc Ban doors system, and the interior details inspired by Vietnamese culture like lotus flowers, bronze drums, rice grains, and terraced fields, will leave a positive impression. In addition to traditional Indian dishes, the hotel will also prepare some local specialties so that guests can experience the diversity of Vietnamese cuisine, such as pho, steamed rice rolls, and tropical fruits.

According to the itinerary, the visitors will be divided into six smaller groups and will experience tourism in Hanoi, Halong, and Ninh Binh in stages, starting from August 26 and concluding on September 7.

Bodo Klingenberg, general manager of Pullman Hanoi, said that, on August 30, the hotel welcomed 700 Indian guests from the large incentive group. We have prepared two months prior to their arrival to ensure both hotel facilities and human resources are of high standard quality to provide the group with the best experience, he said.

According to Bodo, India is indeed a new blooming market for tourism. It is the country with the biggest population in the world now and is a very potential market not only for Vietnam tourism but also for bilateral cooperation in other industries such as information technology, pharmaceutical, textile, or finance.

Nguyen Nguyet Van Khanh, marketing director at Vietravel, stated that the Indian group will spend a full four nights in 5-star hotels in Hanoi.

This result reflects Vietravels efforts in promoting and marketing tourism in India since 2018. Indian visitors now account for 16 per cent of Vietravels total international tourists, a significant increase compared to pre-pandemic levels, she said.

India is considered a promising market for Vietnams tourism and is also among the top 10 largest international tourist markets. According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), there were 392,000 Indian visitors to Vietnam in 2023, a 231 per cent increase compared to 2019.

In the first half of this year, the number of visitors from India rose by 164 per cent compared to the same period last year, reaching over 231,000.

Many wealthy Indians particularly favour Vietnamese destinations such as Danang and Phu Quoc for hosting luxurious weddings with hundreds of high-profile guests. This year, Danang has also been repeatedly selected by big-spending Indians for wedding celebrations.

A representative from the VNAT noted that, in addition to its natural and cultural appeal, Vietnam is also attractive to the Indian market due to its simple visa procedures, relatively short distance, and numerous direct flights with journey times of around 4-5 hours.

Conversely, a market of over 1.4 billion people, with a growing middle class and many individuals willing to spend significantly on travel like India, is a key factor for Vietnamese businesses to focus on.

However, tapping into the Indian tourism market is not easy due to the cultural, religious, and lifestyle differences of the tourists, which require highly specific services and standards, especially concerning food to accommodate religious beliefs, said the representative.

According to UK publication The Economist, Indian outbound spending in 2023 reached $33 billion, tripling over the past decade and is expected to reach $45 billion in 2025. The World Travel and Tourism Council considers India a large and promising outbound travel market, projected to approach 50 million visitors with an estimated revenue of around $100 billion by 2027.

Its no surprise that everyone wants Indian tourists as they represent a significant potential market with high spending power, said Sudhir Upadhyay, CEO of TravB2B, a provider of Asian travel services to over 7,000 travel agents in India.

India has surpassed China to become the most populous country and is also the most sought-after source market. Upadhyay predicts that the international Indian tourist market will grow 5-6 times its current size over the next decade.

Although China has become the largest source of tourists globally and an attractive market for many Western countries, it is Indian tourists who are driving the competition among Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian countries.

A decade ago, India sent about one million tourists to Thailand annually. In the first half of 2024, the number of Indian tourists to Thailand has already reached one million.

The driving forces behind Indian outbound tourism lie in demographic and economic factors, according to The Economist. Those aged 25-34 are the most desired travellers, expected to comprise around one-fifth of the countrys population in the future. Meanwhile, the middle class is also projected to double by 2047, leading to an increase in Indian passports from 52 million a decade ago to 93 million this year.

According to Upadhyay from TravB2B, the most important factor for attracting Indian tourists is visa-free entry or easy visa applications. Indian tourists do not plan their trips too far in advance, so countries with easy entry policies will attract them, Upadhyay said.

Khanh from Vietravel noted that the arrival of 4,500 visitors is a significant step in establishing Vietnams position as an ideal destination for international events and conferences, especially with potential markets like India. However, serving this delegation also presents many challenges, requiring travel businesses to be thoroughly prepared. Services such as proficient Hindi-speaking guides, Indian restaurants, and understanding of Indian culture in Vietnam are still lacking, Khanh said.
Looking back over the past decade, Indonesia and Vietnam have enjoyed strong economic cooperation. Driven by our close partnership and rapid economic development, bilateral trade and investment have grown exponentially. In 2023, bilateral trade reached $13.8 billion, exceeding the target of $10 billion set by the leaders of both countries. Two-way investment has also reached unprecedented levels.

Denny Abdi, Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam

This year is an important one for Indonesia-Vietnam bilateral relations, highlighted by President Joko Widodo's state visit in January. A key outcome of the visit was the commitment to promote cooperation and collaboration to achieve the shared vision of becoming high-income countries by 2045. As a follow-up to this visit, our ministers have met to discuss the way forward, including setting a new bilateral trade target of $18 billion by 2028, reflecting our success in achieving the previous target.

Achieving this new target relies on promoting cooperation in five key sectors, which are considered priorities for Indonesia-Vietnam economic cooperation: agriculture, fisheries, renewable energy, the digital economy, and high-tech industries.

With populations of more than 280 million and 100 million people respectively, food security is a key foundation of economic development for both Indonesia and Vietnam. As developing countries, the agriculture and fisheries sectors play important roles in ensuring national food security. Cooperation between the two countries should focus on supporting each other and finding ways to increase productivity.

Moreover, as two of the world's largest producers of rice and fish, cooperation between Indonesia and Vietnam is essential not only for domestic sufficiency but also for regional food security.

Amid rapid economic growth, both countries must address sustainability issues. As industrialisation can threaten air quality and environmental sustainability, Indonesia has set a net-zero emissions target by 2060, while Vietnam aims to achieve this by 2050.

Both countries are currently exploring ways to reach these targets and accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Although the commitment to reach these targets exists, implementation remains a challenge. Therefore, both countries need to intensify efforts in energy transition, including exchanging best practices and sharing experiences, particularly under the Just Energy Transition Partnership framework, in which both are partners.

Additionally, the availability of renewable energy and efforts towards energy transition are now key factors in attracting quality investment, as investors increasingly consider environmental, social, and governance criteria when making decisions.

Given the strong working-age populations in both countries, cooperation in the digital economy presents significant potential. Startups are rising rapidly in both nations, and this positive momentum should be harnessed effectively. A more integrated digital economy between Indonesia and Vietnam can promote cross-border payments and transactions, thereby accelerating economic activities between the two countries.

To fulfil their aspirations of becoming developed economies, it is crucial for both countries to focus on producing high value-added products based on technology. Both Indonesia and Vietnam are developing their own areas of expertise. For instance, Vietnam's electric vehicles are already entering Indonesia's market, while Indonesia's animal pharmaceutical industry has recently completed building the largest animal vaccine factory in Vietnam. The two countries should complement each other and work together to build a regional single production base in Southeast Asia.

Looking beyond 2024, the prospects for Indonesia-Vietnam economic relations remain bright. The inauguration of Vietnams President To Lam in May, followed by Indonesia's new president coming up in October, is expected to invigorate cooperation between the two countries. Indonesia's President-elect is likely to continue the success of existing programmes while adding extra focus on other sectors, such as promoting human resource development from an early age. These additional areas will create new avenues for Indonesia-Vietnam cooperation.

Moving forward, by capitalising on the demographic bonus, the shared vision of becoming high-income countries, and the passion of the people, I am optimistic about the future of Indonesia and Vietnam. In 2025, the two nations will celebrate an important milestone: 70 years of diplomatic relations. This will be a great opportunity for both countries to strengthen their partnership to new heights.

Within the region, the increasing influence of Indonesia and Vietnam will be a key foundation for ASEAN in maintaining its stability, centrality, and unity. Promoting stability and security must remain a top priority for both countries, both bilaterally and within the context of ASEAN. In this sense, I am confident that Indonesia and Vietnam will continue to be fully committed to contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the ASEAN region.

Vietnam and Indonesia share experience to develop eco-industrial park Vietnam and Indonesia are sharing their experience in the development of eco-industrial parks as part of the Global Eco-industrial Parks Programme (GEIPP).

Vietnam, Indonesia eye cooperation in EV development, food security, manpower Indonesian Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita has invited Vietnam to cooperate in the development of several sectors, including the electric vehicle (EV) industry, green industry, food security, research and development, and human resources.

Indonesia seeks trade deal with EU to compete with Vietnam Indonesia is urgently pursuing a trade agreement with the European Union, according to newswire JakartaPost. This initiative, according to Indonesian Economic Affairs Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto, is largely motivated by the desire to level the playing field with Vietnam, which currently benefits from the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
This spirit of progress is mirrored in the growing strength of our bilateral ties. Over the past decades, our countries have developed a strong and dynamic partnership, marked by increasing economic cooperation and cultural exchange. As we approach the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, it is clear that our partnership is not just a reflection of our past successes but a foundation for an even more prosperous future.

Helga Margarete Barth, german Ambassador to Vietnam

German investment in Vietnam is expected to grow throughout 2024, bolstered by President Frank-Walter Steinmeiers visit in January, where he was joined by a significant business delegation to explore opportunities for German companies. German businesses increasingly recognise Vietnam as a key destination, particularly in the fields of manufacturing, technology, and services. The combination of Germanys technological expertise and Vietnams dynamic economy creates a powerful synergy that benefits both our countries.

At the same time, German companies are actively recruiting Vietnamese talents in order to meet a significant skilled labour shortage at home. The feedback we have received so far from German employers who welcome, train and upskill people from Vietnam is positive. Vietnamese demonstrate a strong work ethic, high motivation, and diverse skill sets. They fill critical gaps in various sectors, ranging from healthcare to manufacturing, and from IT to hospitality.

In 2024, we have witnessed further dynamic in our bilateral trade, as German companies continue to explore opportunities in Vietnams rapidly expanding market. The signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement has provided an additional boost, reducing tariffs and creating a more favourable environment for trade and investment. German companies are keen to leverage these advantages, bringing high-quality products and services to the Vietnamese market while contributing to the countrys industrialisation and modernisation.

One of the most promising areas of cooperation lies in renewables. Vietnam has set ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to a more sustainable system. Germany, with its leadership in renewable energy technologies, is well-positioned to support Vietnam in achieving these goals.

The recent introduction of new regulations, such as the direct power purchase agreements, marks a significant step forward. These agreements will enable businesses to directly purchase electricity from renewable energy producers, fostering the development of green energy projects. German companies, with their advanced technology and experience in renewable energy, are eager to contribute to this transition.

Germanys involvement reaches beyond investment. The whole portfolio of Germanys development cooperation has one objective: To promote Vietnams transition to a green and sustainable economy. We are committed to sharing our experiences in building a sustainable energy sector, including best practices in regulatory frameworks, grid integration, and energy efficiency.

As we look to 2025, we also prepare to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Germany and Vietnam. This milestone is an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made together and to reaffirm our commitment to a shared future.

Our partnership has evolved significantly over the past five decades, expanding from traditional areas of cooperation like trade and development to encompass a broader range of issues, including climate change, education, and cultural exchange. The anniversary will be a moment to showcase the depth and diversity of our relationship, highlighting the many ways in which Germany and Vietnam are working together to address global challenges. It is also a significant opportunity to highlight and expand our commercial connections, which have been a cornerstone of our partnership.

Our countries share a common vision of a sustainable, prosperous future, built on the pillars of economic cooperation, environmental stewardship, and mutual respect. Germany remains committed to being a reliable partner for Vietnam, supporting its economic development and transition to a green economy. Together, we can achieve great things, creating new opportunities for our people and contributing to a more sustainable planet.

Looking ahead, we are enthusiastic about deepening our collaboration and exploring new avenues for growth. The advancements in technology, coupled with our shared commitment to sustainability, will drive our mutual success. I look forward to continuing this journey with our Vietnamese partners, confident that the next 50 years of our relationship will be even more successful.

Opportunities widen to do business in Germany In the last few decades, Vietnam has risen like a phoenix from ashes. After the end of the war in 1975, the nation was in a desperate situation. Today, growth and optimism can be felt everywhere, from Quang Ninh at the Chinese border to Ca Mau in the deep south. Vietnams ambitions are enormous, and it wants to join the club of industrialised nations by 2045.

Leader of German state optimistic about cooperation with Vietnam Following a five-day visit to Vietnam earlier this month, Minister-President of the German state of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) Stephan Weil said the trip has opened up major opportunities for cooperation between the German state and Vietnamese localities.

Vietnam can draw more attention of German groups In the context of ongoing global economic uncertainties, German businesses still consider Vietnam as one of the most potential developing markets in Asia. What is more, with Germanys investment diversification strategy, Vietnam is being evaluated as a promising and reliable investment destination for German enterprises.
Chanel has overtaken Louis Vuitton as Vietnams leading luxury brand, according to Vietdatas latest report on the luxury market, ending Louis Vuittons two-year dominance. Results of the report for 2023 were posted online this July.

In 2022, Louis Vuittons revenues dropped by 22 per cent to around $72 million, leading to a 38 per cent decline in profits. Chanel, despite claiming the top spot, also experienced a revenue decrease of 13.6 per cent, generating around $76 million, with after-tax profits halving. Chanel currently operates six exclusive stores in prime locations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Christian Dior Vietnam, though not the revenue leader, emerged as the most profitable luxury brand distributor. In 2023, Diors revenues reached about $60 million, a modest 9.5 per cent decline from the previous year. Thanks to effective cost management, Christian Dior reported the highest after-tax profit in the exclusive distribution segment, according to Vietdata. The brand manages eight stores across Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Gucci Vietnam, by comparison, operates on a smaller scale, with revenues estimated at $40 million in 2022, which then dropped by 30 per cent to around $30 million last year. Gucci experienced the steepest profit decline in the luxury market, with a 77 per cent decrease compared to 2022. The brand currently runs three stores in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Smaller players like Prada Vietnam and Ermenegildo Zegna Vietnam report annual revenues of less than $8 million. Despite this, Prada Vietnam was recognised by Vietdata for effective cost control and strategic adjustments, turning a loss in 2022 into a profit. Ermenegildo Zegna Vietnam also achieved profitability for the first time in 2022. Both brands each operate a single store in Hanoi. Despite recent downturns in consumer demand, experts believe these challenges for luxury brands will be short-lived.

World Data Lab estimates that among nine Asian countries expected to see the largest increase in the middle class in 2024, Vietnam ranks fifth, with 4 million people. The middle class currently accounts for about 17 per cent of the population, with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs projecting this proportion to rise to 26 per cent by 2026.

Knight Frank reports that by the end of 2022, the number of individuals in Vietnam with a net worth exceeding $30 million reached around 1,060, and are expected to grow to 1,300 by 2027. The number of people with assets over $1 million is also projected to rise by 173 per cent between 2017 and 2027.

According to Statista, Vietnams luxury goods market in 2023 was dominated by high-end products such as perfumes, cosmetics, fashion, leather goods, as well as luxury watches and jewellery. The market is expected to generate $992.2 million in 2024, with a steady annual growth rate of 3.1 per cent. The expanding middle class and rising disposable income in Vietnam have significantly boosted demand for luxury items.

However, Kevin Coppel, managing director of Knight Frank Asia-Pacific, advises that luxury brands in Vietnam should not rely solely on wealthy and ultra-wealthy individuals if they seek rapid market expansion.

The younger middle-class, especially the near-rich with monthly incomes between $900 and $2,400, may not have the same financial clout as the upper class, but they are more numerous and eager to spend, he said.

Ahmed Yeganeh, country head of Corporate Banking Services at HSBC Vietnam added, A growing number of young Vietnamese are accumulating assets exceeding $250,000. By 2030, Vietnam is poised to become one of the top 10 largest consumer markets globally, driven by its rapidly expanding middle class.
The World Heritage Foundations recent Economic Freedom Report 2024 ranked Vietnam as a moderately free country, placing 59th out of 179 countries. At first glance, this ranking seems to be nothing noteworthy, especially when compared to economically prosperous countries such as the US, which is ranked 25th, albeit with a downward trend compared to previous years.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Stoffers, economist, FOM University (left) and Le Ai Ngan Business immigration expert

Since the report was launched 30 years ago, no other country of comparable size (except Poland) has shown higher growth than Vietnam, which has moved up 12 places in the last year alone.

In 2024, Vietnams economic policy is characterised by a clear commitment to free trade, a balanced, manageable state budget-debt ratio of around 34 per cent, a public spending ratio to GDP of about 21 per cent, an investor-friendly economic climate and policies aimed at achieving a balance between various political and economic partners, which is particularly important in times of newly emerging geopolitical conflicts.

Today, the country is one of the most dynamic economies in the world, offering investors from around the globe attractive conditions. That is one reason why the economic climate in Vietnam is marked by great optimism. The time is there for a great leap forward.

Germany is a successful and industrialised country and on the way to climate neutrality. The German government wants to create new prospects and promote innovation. It is working hard to ensure that Made in Germany remains a model for success in the future.

There are many reasons to be confident. The federal government is doing everything possible to ensure that Germany remains an attractive business location that can impress the world with its innovations. Many of the industrial goods manufactured in Germany are cutting-edge technology, for example in mechanical engineering, semiconductor technology, and the pharmaceutical industry. German industry has shown that it can develop climate protection solutions for global use and reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions.

With well-known companies as well as small- and medium-sized enterprises as the countrys backbone, Germany offers excellent prospects for business relationships. Added to this is Germanys strong integration into the European Union, which accounted for 14.17 per cent of global GDP in 2024. A foreign companys economic entry into Germany is always also an entry into the EU.

More than 400 German companies are in Vietnam. Vietnamese products can be found more on the shelves of German supermarkets and other retail outlets. The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement has opened up European markets to Vietnamese businessmen and their ambition.

Relations between the two countries can also be described as extremely good. In 2025, the two countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The more than 200,000 overseas Vietnamese who have found a home in Germany provide an important bridgehead for Vietnamese companies. And there are also many Vietnamese in Vietnam who have either lived in Germany for a long time and trained or studied there, as well as Vietnamese who can speak German.

All in all, there are good opportunities to expand relations between the two countries in both directions. Some Vietnamese companies have already made their entry into Germany. One example is VinFast, which is putting significant effort into selling its vehicles in Germany and the EU. As VinFast focuses on electric vehicles, the company directly meets the consumer demand in Germany.

A second large Vietnamese corporate worth mentioning is VietinBank, which has had branches in Berlin and Frankfurt for many years. In any case, companies that are either owned by Vietnamese or Germans of Vietnamese origin  such as the Dong Xuan Centre in Berlin. More importantly, there is now a lively startup scene, especially in Berlin, which also has a Vietnamese flavour.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese entrepreneurs can establish and expand their businesses in Germany by applying for a self-employment visa. This visa can be granted for up to three years, with options for extension or conversion to a permanent residence permit. After five years of residence, Vietnamese entrepreneurs and their families can apply for German citizenship and therefore obtain dual citizenship. Germany offers free education, and naturalised Vietnamese citizens can take full advantage of Germanys robust educational system.

To qualify for a self-employment visa, entrepreneurs should already have a successful business in Vietnam and meet the following three criteria: there must be an economic interest or regional need for their business in Germany, the business activity should positively impact the German economy, and the venture must be secured by equity or a loan commitment.

Given these stringent criteria, it is essential for applicants to have a robust business track record in Vietnam. This prior success indicates their capability to replicate or adapt their business model to the German market, ensuring they can navigate and thrive in a new economic environment. The expectation is that their proven entrepreneurial skills will enable them to establish and run a successful business in Germany, thus justifying their residence under the self-employment visa.

In essence, the self-employment visa under section 21 of the Residence Act is designed for those who are already accomplished in their entrepreneurial endeavours in Vietnam. This ensures that only those with the potential to make an economic contribution to Germany are granted the opportunity to do so.

Germany supports green technology pilot for Vietnamese businesses Green technology pilot for Vietnamese textile and garment exporters were showcased at the Demo Day in Hanoi on June 17 as part of the German governments initiative to support Vietnamese businesses in their green transition.

Binh Dinh seeks investment opportunities from Germany, France A delegation from the south central province of Binh Dinh led by Permanent Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Le Kim Toan paid a working trip to Germany and France to explore investment opportunities from July 17-22, reported the provincial Department of Planning and Investment.

German players leading wave of Euro investments European companies including German ones continue to venture into Vietnam as part of their efforts to diversify supply chain and strengthen manufacturing base in Asia.

Germany's DIGI-TEXX launches new operations centre in Hau Giang DIGI-TEXX Vietnam has launched its new operations centre in Hau Giang province, contributing to the economic transformation of the Mekong Delta region.
In Southeast Asia, Vietnam is the leading country of online shopping pace. Vietnam is also among 10 countries with the highest e-commerce growth rate in the world, likely to reach 18-20 per cent in 2024.

Tran Tuan Minh, director, Vietnam-ASEAN Trade and Investment Promotion Centre

It is expected that in 2025, Vietnams business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce revenue will increase by 25 per cent per year with a $35 billion market size, accounting for 10 per cent of total revenue of the service and retail industry nationwide, and 55 per cent of Vietnams population will participate in online shopping with an average shopping value per person per year of $600.

The impressive figures of Vietnams e-commerce market have a significant contribution from cross-border export e-commerce. This market has recently received great attention from the government with a series of policies, regulations, and documents to support this markets development, in which the major contents are to support enterprises in digital transformation, do business on e-commerce platforms, and train and enhance capacity for e-commerce enterprises.

With the support of the government and the efforts of enterprises, the results that cross-border export e-commerce has achieved during recent times as well as expected in the near future are very positive.

With the B2C retail export turnover via e-commerce in Vietnam reaching about $3.5 billion in 2022, accounting for only 1 per cent of total export turnover, that figure is expected to reach $5.5 billion in 2027 with an annual growth rate of about 9 per cent.

Besides the common benefits that cross-border export e-commerce brings to Vietnamese enterprises such as expanding the market and customer network, increasing business efficiency, and improving business capacity, it is also especially attractive to Vietnamese enterprises to participate in two aspects: the considerable opportunities for new enterprises and the development potential for enterprises that have participated, and the high expected growth rate in the upcoming years

However, along with the opportunities, Vietnamese enterprises will face significant challenges.

Currently, enterprises carrying out cross-border export e-commerce activities in Vietnam are mostly small and medium-sized, and the market focuses mainly on China, Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, and the United States. Besides the Southeast Asian market, which is relatively easygoing and has many similarities with Vietnam, other markets are very demanding with strict import criteria for goods in general and e-commerce goods in particular, while most Vietnamese enterprises have not yet mastered these criteria.

While legal documents cannot go into detail and e-commerce platforms cannot clearly resolve all issues related to export activities, in order to survive and develop, businesses must equip themselves with knowledge as well as a team of qualified personnel to handle export issues.

However, there is currently a shortage of qualified human resources operating in the current market, and human resource costs are very high compared to the affordability of small and medium-sized enterprises. Therefore, Vietnamese enterprises need to be proactive and flexible to handle problems in doing cross-border e-commerce business.

In recent times, although Vietnams infrastructure has been improved a lot, such results are not enough compared to the growth rate of e-commerce. In addition, Vietnams infrastructure is still lacking in synchronisation. For example, infrastructure between central cities and border provinces of Vietnam is not synchronised. Infrastructure in border provinces is relatively small and does not meet the needs of storing and exporting e-commerce goods. Moreover, compared to countries developed in e-commerce, Vietnam does not have the infrastructure models that some others have.

In order to promote the export of e-commerce goods, countries have policies to support the development of cross-border export e-commerce as well as measures to limit e-commerce goods from abroad. While countries such as Thailand and Malaysia often use barriers such as tariffs to limit foreign online goods, the Chinese government has strong measures to support the export of e-commerce goods. In recent times, a lot of e-commerce warehouses at the Vietnam-China border serving the export of goods to Vietnam have been built with the function of collecting, distributing and selling.

The diversity of products similar to those produced in Vietnam with very competitive prices and the positive impacts, especially on logistics costs, creates great competitive advantages for goods from China and becomes a dominant challenge for Vietnamese goods wanting to export to this huge market.

In addition, to improve competitiveness, foreign enterprises actively advance product quality along with reduce costs and promote e-commerce sales methods by applying technologies popular with users such as livestream. Those also create challenges for Vietnamese firms.

E-commerce names going automated The e-commerce warehousing sector is undergoing a significant transformation with the ongoing infrastructure expansion and the application of automation technology.

Thai government urged to tighten oversight on e-commerce The government of Thailand is intensifying its oversight of foreign e-commerce platforms, with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin instructing the Revenue Department and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to ensure that the Chinese online retailer Temu adheres to Thai laws and tax regulations.

Cross-border e-commerce to be boosted Commodities export through cross-border sites is expected to create booming development for Vietnams e-commerce business.

Stakeholders see potential in cross-border e-commerce Realising the expectation of achieving over $11 billion in e-commerce exports by 2027 is a long-term challenge and requires timely support policies from platforms as well as state management agencies.
Vietnam is focused on moving forward and not backing down. Despite global economic shocks, HSBC has raised its forecast for Vietnam's GDP growth this year to 6.5 per cent, making it the fastest-growing economy in ASEAN.

Alexandra Smith, British consul general to Vietnam

As British consul general and director of UK-Vietnam Trade, my goal is to strengthen economic ties between our two nations. This involves promoting Vietnam's opportunities to the UK, supporting UK businesses already established here to flourish in line with Vietnam's economic goals, and leveraging our multiple trade agreements and partnerships to expand our economic relations beyond the current 6 billion ($7.91 billion) in annual trade flow.

Vietnam is prioritising new, green, and smart infrastructure, and UK expertise is well-positioned to advise on the design and management of these significant investments. The UK government is helping Vietnam's national and city governments to accelerate green urban development and implement transit-oriented development in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with British experts, such as those from Crossrail.

The UK and Vietnam's collaboration in education is a story of mutual success. From English language studies to school curricula, and from higher education to edtech, the UK's educational footprint is evident across Vietnam. Vietnam has become the largest receiver of British education delivered within national institutions, outside the UK.

The UK government's prestigious Chevening Scholarship scheme is open until November 5. This scholarship is open to all disciplines and aims to develop leadership abilities in those looking to make a positive impact in Vietnam through a master's degree in the UK. I encourage aspiring leaders to apply and contribute to Vietnam's development.

Meanwhile, Vietnam's net-zero commitment positions the nation as a regional leader in sustainable development and a prime destination for green investment. To meet its rising energy demands  estimated to require up to $203 billion from 2021 to 2030 and an additional $615 billion from 2031 to 2050  Vietnam is open to international partnerships.

The UK is ready to support these ambitions through programmes like the Just Energy Transition Partnership. But beyond funding, the UK brings expertise and world-class businesses ready to assist Vietnam in its green transition, particularly in sectors such as offshore wind energy.

Healthcare cooperation is another area where the UK and Vietnam are making significant strides. The UK is helping Vietnam access high-quality pharmaceutical products, vaccines, medical technologies, and services. We support Ho Chi Minh City's ambition to become the next health innovation hub, funding exchanges between experts from both countries. We will continue to bring UK medical device manufacturers, health tech companies, universities, and hospitals to Vietnam to foster partnerships between public and private sectors and to promote trade opportunities.

Vietnam's trade openness is commendable. The UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, which came into force in 2021, has significantly boosted trade, providing more choices for consumers in both countries. For example, UK food and drink exports to Vietnam reached 126 million ($166.1 million) in 2023, a 97 per cent increase since 2019, highlighting Vietnam's growing appetite for British products such as whiskey, frozen seafood, and confectionery.

Within my first six months in Vietnam, I anticipate the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement between the UK and Vietnam to come into effect. Agreements like these will further facilitate business expansion and exports in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, financial services, and e-commerce.

The deals not only lower trade barriers but also create a stable and predictable trading environment, enabling firms to compete globally and collaborate across the Indo-Pacific region, which includes some of the world's most dynamic and fast-growing markets. A key responsibility of the British Consulate General is to inform UK businesses about Vietnam's eagerness to engage in global trade, supported by its skilled workforce, manufacturing capabilities, and growing domestic market. I look forward to sharing this message alongside Vietnam's government and business leaders at various events across Ho Chi Minh City.

We must keep micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) front and centre when considering how to strengthen trade relations. MSMEs make up 99 per cent of businesses in both the UK and Vietnam, reflecting a shared value. They are the backbone of our economies and key drivers of growth and sustainability.

Since 2021, the British Consulate General has supported 350 new British MSMEs interested in exporting to Vietnam, bringing new products and solutions in food and drink, retail, education, and technology. I am eager to work closely with Vietnam to help our MSMEs access the range of support that both countries have agreed upon to boost trade.

Looking ahead, the UK is planning several events to strengthen our business communities' ties. We will be present at the Green Economy Forum and Exhibition in October and will bring a delegation of health experts to Ho Chi Minh City in November. In March 2025, the UK's Southeast Asia Tech Week will launch in Ho Chi Minh City, where a delegation of exceptional UK technology companies will engage with Vietnamese partners to foster more opportunities for trade between our growing digital and tech sectors.

Next year marks 15 years of the UK-Vietnam Strategic Partnership. I, along with our growing teams at the British Embassy in Hanoi and the British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, look forward to further deepening our relations, especially in education, with a vision towards mutual growth and sustainability.

UK and Vietnam cooperate on Business Law Review project Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been put on onus to conduct a project on reviewing business laws, according to an agreement signed this week between the chamber and the UK government which will financially support the project.

UK and Vietnam discuss defence cooperation UK Defence Under Secretary of State Lord Astor of Hever will visit Vietnam from January 26 - 30.

UK and Vietnam hold talks to strengthen economic ties The United Kingdom and Vietnam have just organised their first Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) in three years on May 25.
Feature: Chinese-built solar plant helps bring South Africa on track toward renewable energy

10:46, September 04, 2024 By Wang Lei ( Xinhua

CAPE TOWN, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Upon arriving at Postmasburg, a town in the Northern Cape Province in South Africa, one may be pretty amazed by a towering structure that heaves into view.

Enveloping this nearly 100-story-high tower are thousands of large rectangular mirrors, strategically positioned to capture the sun's rays and redirect them towards the pinnacle of the tower. Collectively, these mirrors resemble a colossal sunflower, symbolically blossoming on the soil of the vibrant "Rainbow Nation."

This is the 100 MW Redstone Concentrated Solar Thermal Power (CSP) Project being built by SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction Corporation, a subsidiary of POWERCHINA. It is not only the first CSP project in sub-Saharan Africa, but also one of the largest renewable energy investment projects in South Africa.

The mirrors, known as heliostats, are designed to accurately follow the sun's trajectory and redirect sunlight towards a designated focal point, such as the central receiver atop the tower, said Xie Yanjun, chief engineer of the project.

"Eventually, the 248-meter-high tower will be surrounded by over 40,000 heliostats arranged in concentric circles," he told Xinhua.

According to Xie, once the project is fully operational, it is projected to generate approximately 480 GWh of electricity annually for the national grid. This substantial output will effectively cater to the power requirements of over 200,000 South African households.

The project's significance, he said, extends beyond addressing the country's power deficit. It will also play a crucial role in expediting South Africa's transition towards renewable energy sources.

Mthoko Ngidi, project manager of its South African partner, highlighted the project's contribution to local employment, with over 2,500 jobs created in South Africa and 650 of the jobs taken by employees from the local community, fostering economic growth within the region.

On top of that more than 400 local engineers and technicians have received training, thereby enhancing the overall skill of the local workforce through knowledge and expertise sharing.

In 2021 when the Redstone project was launched, Gloria Kgoronyane founded a local cleaning company with just two employees. Since being subcontracted by SEPCOIII to provide cleaning services for the project, her business has been growing. Currently, her company employs a team of 18 individuals, indicating her business expansion and increased demand for their services.

Kgoronyane is thankful for the opportunities offered by the Redstone project. She explains that before working there, she was jobless and had nothing. Now, she has a firm that has created employment opportunities for people in the community.

Sharing a similar sentiment, Simone Xengana, who started as a grassroots employee and has been working for the Redstone project for over three years, is now the HR manager of the project.

The project, she said, has boosted her professional growth, providing opportunities for career advancement. Moreover, she appreciates how the project has allowed her to contribute to her community by creating employment opportunities and facilitating professional development for others.

"It also assisted me to further my studies and take part in seminars and workshops that are required by my professional board. So when I exit Redstone, I will be on a much higher level than I was when I entered," said Xengana. "So the Redstone project did not just develop me as a professional, but it was a life-changing experience."

"Professionally I have significantly gained experience within the renewable energy sector, which previously I did not have," said Bryce Muller, a quality inspector at the Redstone project.

"Renewable energy is the way forward. It is the future," said Muller, a former worker at coal-fired power plants.

"In terms of my personal capacity, it has now given me a sense of upliftment," he said.

Ngidi said that the project will be synchronized onto the national grid in early September, when the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is held in Beijing.

Optimistic about the results of the summit, Ngidi said "understanding that South Africa is on a just transition in terms of investing a lot in energy ... China, being a world leader in terms of building renewable energy, is sitting in a very advantageous position in terms of participating."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump points to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as he speaks at Shelby Park during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 17: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Donald Trump Jr., son of former U.S. President Donald Trump attend the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party's presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) Win McNamee/Getty Images Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump talks with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as visits Shelby Park during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press Governor Greg Abbott speaks alongside Mayor John Whitmire, PUC Texas Chairman Thomas Gleeson and Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd during a press conference on Texas ongoing response and recovery efforts for Hurricane Beryl on Monday, July 15, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump listens during a briefing at Shelby Park on the U.S.-Mexico border, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 17: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks on stage on the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party's presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Alex Wong/Getty Images

Gov. Greg Abbott is hitting the campaign trail for Donald Trump as the former presidents campaign leans on the Texas Republicans border crackdown to highlight Trumps signature issue.

Abbott led a town hall hosted by the Trump campaign in Mesa, Ariz. on Tuesday night, where he stressed the importance of the battleground state in the election, touted his border efforts in Texas and defended his recent promotion of the state removing more than 1 million voters from its rolls.

Abbott said he has been asked whether the removal totals, which are in line with the amount of voters normally purged by the state as part of routine checks, amounts to voter suppression.

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I admitted that it does suppress the vote of dead people, Abbott quipped to applause. It does suppress the vote of people who moved out of the state.

He also continued to claim that the state found thousands of potential noncitizens on the rolls, without citing specific evidence. A list circulated by Abbott last week identified 6,500 potential noncitizens, but thats not proof that they were ineligible to vote or that they have tried to vote in recent elections. The number includes people who failed to respond to a request from the secretary of states office for proof of citizenship within 30 days. Those who moved recently may not have seen the notices.

The Arizona appearance continues the governors political push outside of Texas, which included a prime time speech at the Republican National Convention in July. Abbott is also slated to head to Iowa next month for an event with Gov. Kim Reynolds.

As with his RNC speech, the Arizona town hall event saw the governor focusing heavily on his border efforts as he introduced himself to voters outside of Texas.

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He drew big applause from the crowd as he detailed the states now-dormant busing of migrants to blue states, a move he said pushed voters across the country to see the border as a national issue.

Americans have realized that an open border is no longer just a Texas issue or an Arizona issue, Abbott said. I had a little bit to do with that. Yall may remember.

He kicked off the event by acknowledging many there may not have been expecting him to be in a wheelchair.

People are accustomed to seeing me like on Fox News or something like that, and when they see me roll out here, for the first time they see me in a wheelchair, Abbott said before telling the story of how he ended up paralyzed after a tree fell on him while he was jogging.

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Our own lives are not defined by the ways in which were challenged, instead we define our lives by the way that we respond to those challenges, Abbott said, pivoting to the upcoming election.
The CPTPP is a free trade area spanning five continents and almost 600 million people once the UK joins. Following Perus ratification of the UK's deal to join the bloc, the agreement will enter into force by December 15.

More than 99 per cent of current UK goods exports to CPTPP members will be tariff-free once the deal enters into effect, helping businesses export more to CPTPP markets and contributing to the UK governments priority of driving economic growth. By 2040, the agreement could boost the UK economy by around 2 billion ($2.2 billion) annually.

Before Peru, five other CPTPP members ratified the terms of the UKs accession: Japan, Singapore, Chile, New Zealand and Vietnam. This means the agreement will come into force with those members by December 15, and subsequently with other members as they ratify. The UK continues to work closely with the remaining member countries, who are in the process of ratifying the deal.

As the first country to accede to this agreement, the UK will be well positioned to shape its future development, from influencing the development of the CPTPP rulebook to championing the groups expansion to new economies.

UK Minister of State for Trade Policy, Douglas Alexander said, "This is good news for UK businesses, who are now one step closer to being able to take advantage of the opportunities our membership of CPTPP will bring. My message to businesses is to get in touch with the Department for Business and Trade to find out how the partnership could benefit your business, if you havent already."

"Were extremely grateful to all the partners that have already ratified our accession - Japan, Singapore, Chile, New Zealand, Vietnam, and now Peru - and look forward to more doing so over the coming months," he added.

UK formally inks deal to join CPTPP The United Kingdom formally signed a treaty to accede to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade group in New Zealand on July 16, kickstarting its membership of a modern and ambitious trade deal spanning 12 economies across Asia, the Pacific, and now Europe.

CPTPP milestone marks nations economic integration Vietnam is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Prof. Dr. Andreas Stoffers from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Hanoi reflects on the multifaceted impact of this landmark agreement on the nations economic landscape.
Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor will be leading the US Department of Agriculture's trade mission to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

While the trade mission takes place in Vietnam, it will also provide US agribusinesses a gateway to the Southeast Asia region thanks to the participation of potential customers from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Thailand.

Vietnams continued economic growth, ongoing reform, and young population have combined to create a dynamic and quickly evolving environment for high-quality and diverse American agricultural products, said Taylor. Our collaboration has secured market access for a variety of American products, including most recently stone fruit and grapefruit.

Vietnam and the rest of Southeast Asia holds immense opportunity for US exporters, with rising consumer incomes, growing middle class populations, and favourable perceptions of US food and agriculture.

In 2023, the United States exported $3.1 billion of agricultural products to Vietnam. As the third-largest supplier of food and farm products to Vietnam, the US holds sizable market share across several categories, including bulk commodities such as cotton, soybeans and distillers grains, as well as consumer-oriented products such as tree nuts, dairy, poultry, and fresh fruit.

Trade mission participants will connect with key importers for business-to-business meetings and learn about local and regional market conditions through detailed market briefings from USDA Foreign Agricultural Service staff, industry experts, and government contacts.

50 leading US businesses to visit Vietnam A high-level business delegation, including 50 top US businesses, will visit Vietnam from March 1821 to explore investment opportunities.

US paint maker completes expansion of industrial coatings plant American paints and coatings maker PPG announced on August 25 the completion of upgrades that have expanded the capacity of its Yen Phong industrial coatings plant in the northern province of Bac Ninh.
The list is based on confidential survey data, with over 2.7 million individual responses representing the experiences of nearly 6.9 million employees from across the region. Employees reported their experiences of trust, innovation, company values, and leadership, and the rankings are based on their feedback.

Companies are also evaluated on how well they are creating a For All workplace experience, where all employees feel included, regardless of who they are or what they do.

Companies on the list in 2024 have higher numbers of employees who report a positive experience at work compared to the typical workplace in Asia. When companies build high levels of trust with employees, they are more likely to be prepared for disruption - including the rise of generative AI.

In a market survey of more than 7,000 employees across Asia and the Middle East, Great Place To Work found that less than half of employees (49 per cent) say their organisation is training them on the risks and benefits of using AI tools at work and only 46 per cent said their employer was investing in training them on AI tools.

However, at the Best Workplaces, 89 per cent of employees report that their company celebrates people who try new ways of doing things - 17 points higher than the 72 per cent of employees who said the same at typical workplaces in Vietnam.

When employees say their company celebrates people who try new things, they are 69 per cent more likely to adapt quickly to change and 18 per cent more likely to give extra effort on the job - both key elements of a culture that can quickly add AI tools.

"Vietnam has entered a new era of unprecedented demographic change over the next 50 years, not just within the country but also among its closest allies and competitors," said Roland Wee, board chair of Great Place To Work ASEAN & ANZ. "Whether the companies in Vietnam, and by extension the entire Vietnamese economy, can capitalise on this opportunity will be determined in large part by their ability to attract and retain the best talent to fuel their growth. While companies in Vietnam benefited from a tailwind over the past 50 years, the demographic headwinds are real for the next 50."

Roland Wee emphasised that the companies recognised in the Best Workplaces in Asia list understand that to do well, they must also do good. This applies to their employees, shareholders, and society at large. These companies know that if it's better for people, it's better for business and better for Vietnam.

At Highlands Coffee, ranked #16 in the large category, employee engagement is at the heart of the organisation's success. Francis Papillon, CHRO of Highlands Coffee, stated, "Our engaged employees are not just contributors; they are passionate, creative thinkers who are integral to our family. Employee engagement is the driving force that propels us forward, empowering us to meet and exceed our goals."

He added, "Receiving the Best Workplaces in Asia accolade is another key milestone on our journey to becoming a great global Vietnamese organisation. It reflects the dedication, hard work, and innovative spirit of our incredible team. 'Go Highlanders, go!'"

Other companies operating in Vietnam on the list include DHL Express, Cisco, AstraZeneca, Medtronic, Ericsson, and Mastercard.

Great Place To Work unveils Vietnams 25 best workplaces for 2024 Great Place To Work, the global authority on workplace culture, has announced the 25 companies named as the 'Best Workplaces' in Vietnam for 2024.

F88 named among Best Workplaces in Vietnam in 2024 Among the 25 companies recognised as the Best Workplaces in Vietnam in 2024 by Great Place to Work, F88 stands out as a home-grown company alongside global brands.
Pham Vu Hoang, deputy director of the General Department of Population, highlighted that educational attainment and economic status significantly influence birth rates.

Statistics from 2023 reveal that the average number of children among wealthy families is two, while poorer families have an average of 2.4 children. Those with a comfortable and middle-income lifestyle have birth rates ranging from 2.03 to 2.07 children. The report, however, does not specify the criteria used to classify wealth.

In addition to economic disparities, urban women tend to have children later and in fewer numbers compared to their rural counterparts. In urban areas, the highest birth rate is among women aged 25-29, with 127 births per 1,000 women, whereas in rural areas, the peak is among women aged 20-24, with 147 births per 1,000 women.

"For over 20 years, urban birth rates have remained below the replacement level, with Ho Chi Minh City currently having the lowest rate nationwide, at 1.32 children per woman," Hoang explained.

He attributed this to higher education levels, improved living conditions, and a preference for lifestyle enjoyment, which has led to lower birth rates in urban areas.

Further data from 2019 indicates that wealthier, more educated Vietnamese tend to have more sons than daughters. The sex ratio at birth is lowest among illiterate mothers, at 107 boys per 100 girls, and increases with higher educational attainment, reaching 114 boys per 100 girls among mothers with college education or higher. Among the wealthy, the ratio is 112 boys per 100 girls, while it is 105 boys per 100 girls among the poor.

This imbalance is primarily driven by gender bias, with a preference for sons being the root cause of the skewed sex ratio at birth in Vietnam. Additionally, the increasing use of advanced technologies for prenatal sex selection contributes to this trend. The more affluent and educated individuals are, the more access they have to such methods.

Le Thanh Dung, director of the General Department of Population, noted that Vietnam achieved replacement-level fertility in 2006, with a total fertility rate of 2.09 children per woman. However, the national birth rate has since declined below this level, reaching a historic low of 1.96 children per woman in 2023, with further declines expected in the coming years.

"This trend is most pronounced in urban areas with developed socioeconomic conditions, where 21 out of 63 cities and provinces now report low birth rates, primarily in the economically vibrant southern regions," Dung stated.

Experts warn that sustained low fertility rates could lead to significant demographic challenges, similar to those faced by Japan, the worlds most aged population. An ageing population increases social, healthcare, and welfare costs, exacerbates labour shortages, and diminishes socioeconomic resources.

If Vietnam continues on this path, the population is projected to experience negative growth within the next 35 years. By 2069, the country could have three elderly individuals aged 60 or over for every two children.

In response to these challenges, experts suggest the need for sustainable development policies that encourage childbearing. They advocate for abandoning the current policy of promoting smaller families in favour of one that supports families having two children and provides assistance in child-rearing.

Prof. Nguyen Thien Nhan, a member of the 15th National Assembly, proposed shifting from a minimum wage policy to a living wage policy sufficient for a family of four. He also recommended reducing working hours (eight hours per day, 40 hours per week) to allow individuals more time for family life, child-rearing, and personal interests.
Truong Thanh Furniture Corporation (TTF), a home-furnishings manufacturer based in the southern province of Binh Duong, posted $29 million in revenue and around $317,000 in post-tax profit in the first half of this year, compared to counting losses in the corresponding period last year.

TTF leadership revealed that amid numerous headwinds, the company has spared no efforts on strengthening relations with partners both in the domestic and export markets, avoiding reliance on any particular market, and continues to secure confidence from partners despite increasingly stringent requirements for product quality and origin.

"We have kept close eyes on cost optimisation to boost business efficiency. In the domestic market, the company has participated in key projects for the major real estate firms. For export markets, we foster cooperation with large partners, such as Natuzzi, Williams, Sonoma, TJX, among others, in different segments to bolster revenue and order value, striving to gradually deepen footholds in the EU and US," said a TTF spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Phu Tai JSC, based in the south central coastal province of Binh Dinh, and engaged in mining, processing, and the export of wood, building stone materials and more, raked in $128.7 million in revenue, up 6.5 per cent, and $8.46 million in post-tax profit, showing 23.7 per cent jump on-year.

This upbeat outcome came by way of increased sale volume, diminished interest and financial costs, and rising income from foreign exchange rate difference.

Thuan An Wood Processing JSC (GTA) based in the southern province of Binh Duong, the companys CEO Le Thi Xuyen revealed that the current order intake situation is optimistic as the company has signed orders until November, and the labourers currently have to work extra shifts to meet delivery time.

"The company will do its utmost to secure new orders to be able to reach all set business targets for the rest of the year," said Xuyen.

In the first half of this year, GTAs revenue rose 11.2 per cent on-year to reach $5.7 million, meanwhile its post-tax profit shed 20 per cent on-year, falling to over $154,000.

The company saw lower profits compared to last year because it benefited from a 30 per cent land rent reduction in 2023, in addition to soaring sale expenses and transportation costs.

GTA currently operates two wood processing plants based in Thuan An city, Binh Duong province, and in Chon Thanh district, Binh Phuoc province, exporting products to Australia, the US, the UK, and EU.

From early 2024 until present, the wood sector incurred five trade safeguard lawsuits from South Korea, Canada, and the US.

Meanwhile, the EU has enacted regulations on Deforestation-free products, resulting in stiffer competition and driving up compliance costs for wood exporters.

Do Xuan Lap, chairman of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Products Association, believes that to sustain competition, firms need to reduce prices, ensuring their products remain competitive, but are also designed well and made with good quality.

"In addition, businesses in the sector need to produce products based on customer design, while also initiating their own design to sell directly to customers. This requires firms to bolster investment and trade promotion to directly access the customers," said Lap.

Duc Thanh Wood and GreenYellow join forces on solar energy deal What can a business do to reduce nearly 2,000 tonnes of CO2 per year? Plant 3,000 trees? An alternative method has been shown by Duc Thanh Wood JSC's collaboration with GreenYellow, a giant in the renewable energy sector, to install solar energy panels on its factory in the southern province of Binh Duong.

Building contractors eye rosier prospects after tough 2023 Many building contractors returned to a profit in the first quarter of this year and have a bright outlook for the rest of 2024.
The Central Texas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals has announced its 2024 recipients for its National Philanthropy Day Awards.

National Philanthropy Day is a program of AFP, which annually honors outstanding individuals, groups and businesses in the community for their giving.

The honorees at this years 40th annual luncheon will include:

Virginia DuPuy  Lifetime Achievement

Randy Cook, Waco Goodfellas  Philanthropist of the Year

Rachel E. Pate, Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce  Communitarian of the Year

Unbound Now  Outstanding Community Service Organization

Chris Dyer, Dr Pepper Museum  Outstanding Fundraising Professional

Berkley Knas  Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser

Gunnar Caldara  Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy

Alice Starr, president of Starr Strategies, and Blake Garvelli, donor relations director for Talitha Koum, are the co-chairs of this years awards luncheon.

We are thrilled to have received multiple nominations this year, Garvelli said in a press release from the local AFP chapter. There are so many wonderful individuals and organizations that have impacted our community by investing their talent, time and gifts, and we are excited to recognize and celebrate them. We have several sponsorship levels available as well as individual tickets. We invite you to celebrate with us in November as we recognize these amazing Wacoans.

The luncheon is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Nov. 13 at The Pavilion at Carleen Bright Arboretum in Woodway. Tickets are $500 per table of eight or $65 for individuals. More information is available at afpcentex.square.site or by emailing bgarvelli@talithakoum.org.
China said Tuesday it would launch an anti-dumping probe into Canadian canola and chemical products, in apparent retaliation for Ottawa's new restrictions on imports of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs).

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last month announced tariffs of 100 percent on Chinese EVs, accusing Beijing of "not playing by the same rules as other countries" in areas like environmental and labour standards.

The United States and the European Union have also respectively slapped tariffs of 100 percent and 36 percent on Chinese EVs, arguing that Beijing unfairly subsidises domestic producers whose products then flood foreign markets and undercut local competitors.

China has repeatedly criticised the imposition of levies and launched a series of its own investigations in response.

Its commerce ministry said in an online statement Tuesday that it "will initiate an anti-dumping investigation into canola imported from Canada, in accordance with the law".

The ministry said domestic industries had recently reported that Canadian canola exports to China "have increased significantly", reaching US$3.47 billion in 2023 while prices "have continued to fall".

It added that Canadian exporters were "suspected of dumping" products into the Chinese market and that "China's domestic canola-related industries have continued to incur losses under the influence of unfair competition by the Canadian side".

The statement also said Beijing was "strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposed" to the Canadian tariffs and planned to raise the issue with the World Trade Organization's dispute resolution mechanism.

China would also launch a similar probe into "relevant Canadian chemical products, based on applications by domestic industries", according to the ministry.

"China... will take all necessary measures to defend the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises," it said.

Ottawa's EV surtax, on top of existing import duties of 6.1 percent, will be imposed from October 1.

It will target Chinese electric and certain hybrid passenger automobiles, trucks, buses and delivery vans.

Canada will also limit eligibility for EV incentives to those made in countries with which Canada has free trade deals, which would exclude China.

A separate surtax on imports of steel and aluminium products from China will be effective from October 15.

Canada is among the world's top producers of canola -- an oilseed crop that is used to make cooking oil, animal feed and biodiesel fuel -- and China has historically been one of its largest customers.

But bilateral ties plunged into a deep freeze for several years from 2018, when Canada detained Meng Wanzhou, a top executive from Chinese tech giant Huawei, prompting Beijing to arrest two Canadian nationals in retaliation.

In 2019, Beijing banned imports from two Canadian canola providers -- Richardson International and Viterra Inc. -- citing the detection of harmful organisms in the shipments.

The move was described by the Canadian side at the time as having no scientific basis and was widely seen as motivated by the broader row between the two countries.

Relations took a positive turn in September 2021, when Meng and the two Canadian nationals being held by China were all released after Meng reached a deal with US prosecutors.

And in May 2022, China lifted its ban on canola imports from the Canadian firms, further easing the prolonged spat.

Despite the relative detente, the two countries have in recent years continued to butt heads over a range of issues from trade and technology to human rights.
CEDAR FALLS  The City Council made quick work of its Tuesday night agenda, ending the meeting in just more than 30 minutes.

The citys resilience plan, which generated heated discussion in the past, was approved without comment.

That plan, which was first voted down more than two years ago, includes action items to ensure the city is prepared for extreme situations such as natural disasters, economic decline and global warming.

Council members also approved an application for a fireworks display that will conclude the Lost Woods Music Festival on Sept. 28 near U.S. Highway 218 and Lone Tree Road.

The festival will take place from about 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., and organizers expect about 1,500 people to attend.

The council also approved a $141,000 contract with HKGi of Minneapolis to assist the city in creating a Parks and Recreation master plan. Funding for the project will come from the citys cell tower leases fund. HKGi was chosen from eight applicants.

The project will include soliciting community input, funding analysis and specific recommendations.

Following the approval of a contract with Owen Contracting Inc. for the installation of a roundabout at the intersection of Viking Road and Prairie Parkway, resident Rick Sharp urged the city to consider additional roundabouts on Greenhill Road and Prairie Parkway and Rownd Street. Councilman Dustin Ganfield referred the suggestion for further discussion and consideration.

PHOTOS: West at Cedar Falls Metro Volleyball, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024
NORA SPRINGS  A woman was killed in a fiery crash on the Avenue of the Saints near Nora Springs early Wednesday morning.

The crash occurred around 12:35 a.m. when the driver lost control of a 2022 Kia Telluride that was eastbound near mile marker 195 on U.S. Highway 18. The vehicle left the roadway and entered the median, then struck a bridge pillar and was quickly engulfed in flames.

The single occupant was found dead at the scene. The victim was transported by Nora Springs Ambulance to MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.

The name of the victim was not released.

The Iowa State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Cerro Gordo County Sheriffs Department, the Floyd County Sheriffs Department, the Worth County Sheriffs Department, and Scotts Towing.

Photos: Notable deaths in 2024 Glynis Johns Adan Canto Bud Harrelson Dejan Milojevic Jack Burke Mary Weiss Norman Jewison Charles Osgood Melanie Safka Chita Rivera Carl Weathers Wayne Kramer Ian Lavender Toby Keith Henry Fambrough Bob Edwards Don Gullett Lefty Driesell Andreas Brehme Golden Richards Richard Lewis Nikolai Ryzhkov Brian Mulroney Akira Toriyama Iris Apfel Andy Russell Ed Ott Chris Mortensen Steve Lawrence Naomi Barber King Paul Alexander Thomas P. Stafford Chris Simon M. Emmet Walsh Laurent de Brunhoff Obit Angelos Baseball Joe Lieberman Louis Gossett Jr. Joe Flaherty John Sinclair Larry Lucchino Christopher Durang Jerry Grote Schappell Twins Peter Higgs Ralph Puckett Jr. O.J. Simpson Eleanor Coppola Robert MacNeil Faith Ringgold Steve Sloan Ken Holtzman Carl Erskine Whitey Herzog Bob Graham Dickey Betts Mandisa David Pryor Roman Gabriel Andrew Davis Terry Anderson Bill Gladden Duane Eddy Paul Auster Dick Rutan Steve Albini Jimmy Johnson Sean Burroughs Roger Corman A.J. Smith David Sanborn Alice Munro Dabney Coleman Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Jim Otto Ivan Boesky Jan. A.P. Kaczmarek Carlie Colin Morgan Spurlock Richard M. Sherman Bill Walton Albert Ruddy Larry Allen Janis Paige Parnelli Jones Chet Walker The Rev. James Lawson Jr. Jerry West Ron Simons Bob Schul Willie Mays Donald Sutherland Bill Cobbs Kinky Friedman Martin Mull Robert Towne Vic Seixas James Inhofe Joe Bonsall Shelley Duvall Dr. Ruth Westheimer Richard Simmons Jacoby Jones Shannen Doherty James Sikking Pat Williams Lou Dobbs Bob Newhart Cheng Pei-Pei Abdul 'Duke' Fakir Bernice Johnson Reagon John Mayall Erica Ash Jack Russell Chi Chi Rodriguez Susan Wojcicki Frank Selvy Wally Amos Gena Rowlands Peter Marshall Alain Delon Phil Donahue Al Attles James Darren James Earl Jones Frankie Beverly Joe Schmidt Chad McQueen Tito Jackson JD Souther Dan Evans Mercury Morris Maggie Smith
At least 12 migrants died off the northern French coast on Tuesday trying to cross the Channel to England in the deadliest such disaster this year, the French government said, as a major rescue operation was underway.

Announcing the death toll on X, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin also said that two migrants were still missing.

Several were injured after their boat carrying dozens ran into trouble off Wimereux, a town some five kilometers (three miles) from Boulogne-sur-Mer on the French coast.

Darmanin said he was traveling to the area of the disaster to meet officials.

"All government services are mobilized to find the missing people and treat the injured," he said.

Emergency services were out in force and supplying urgent medical assistance, French maritime authorities said.

A source close to the investigation said the dead included three minors.

Crew on a French government-operated ship, the Minck, were the first to become aware of the emergency and to respond, naval officer Etienne Baggio told AFP.

French navy helicopters, fishing boats and military vessels are being mobilized for the operation, which is still ongoing, he said.

It is the deadliest such disaster this year which has already seen 25 people die in migrant crossings, up from the 2023 death toll of 12.

The French and British governments have for years sought to stop the flow of migrants, who pay smugglers thousands of euros per head for the passage to England from France aboard small boats.

UK interior minister Yvette Cooper called the deaths on Tuesday "horrifying and deeply tragic".

She criticized the "gangs behind this appalling and callous trade in human lives", adding they "do not care about anything but the profits they make".

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and France's President Emmanuel Macron had earlier this summer pledged to strengthen "cooperation" in handling the surge in undocumented migrant numbers.

But on Monday alone, 351 migrants crossed in small boats, with 21,615 making the journey this year, according to UK government statistics.

The crossing often proves perilous, and in November 2021, 27 migrants died when their boat capsized in the deadliest single such disaster to date.

French authorities seek to stop migrants taking to the water but do not intervene once they are afloat except for rescue purposes, citing safety concerns.

Starmer has canceled a plan by Britain's former Conservative government to send irregular migrants to a holding camp in Rwanda.

The British government is now planning "a major surge" in returns of irregular migrants to countries including Iraq, an official said Thursday, as it tries to clear an asylum backlog.

Meanwhile, both governments are seeking to break the business models of the people-smuggling gangs who organize the crossings and are paid thousands of euros by each migrant for the risky trip.

But Steve Smith, head of the Care4Calais charity, said investment in security measures was "not reducing crossings".

"It is simply pushing people to take ever increasing risks to do so," he said.

"It's time politicians were held accountable for their choice to dehumanize people seeking sanctuary from horrors back home," he added.

"It's time they ended these tragedies and introduced safe routes."
NextEra Energy said its name was used without knowledge or consent in Aegle Power's application to the Texas Energy Fund. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

Aegle Power has been denied a taxpayer-backed loan to help fund construction of a natural gas power plant in Texas after allegations arose that the company sought the funding by using another companys name without permission.

Connie Corona, executive director of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, said the Wednesday afternoon order denying Aegle Powers loan application is not subject to motions for rehearing or appeal.

Were still a long way from selecting any company to receive a Texas Energy Fund loan. Proposed projects that have reached this stage have only met the initial requirements for applications, Corona said in a statement. We have a multi-stage application and verification process that gets more rigorous at every step to ensure only financially sound applicants with viable projects receive these loans.

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Aegles application came under scrutiny after Florida-based clean energy powerhouse NextEra Energy said it was unknowingly listed as a co-sponsor for the project. The application, one of 17 selected last week to move forward to an in-depth review, proposed adding 1,292 megawatts of gas-fired generation to the Texas power grid, the second-largest offering among developers selected as finalists for the Texas Energy Fund. The PUC can enter into a loan agreement with any company that passes that review.

On Tuesday, NextEras vice president and general counsel, Mitchell Ross, wrote to the PUC asking to be removed from the application.

Please be advised that NextEras name was submitted in the Aegle application without NextEras knowledge or consent, he wrote. NextEra is not seeking funding as part of the TEF Program, is not participating in the project for which NextEra was named, and hereby requests that NextEra be immediately removed from PUCT records as a sponsor for the Aegle Power project.

Aegle Power CEO Kathleen Smith declined to answer whether her company included NextEras name on its application without informing NextEra. The applications are confidential and diligence will confirm our project sponsor and viability, Smith wrote in an email before the application was denied.

The PUC will pursue a minimum 10% reduction in the contract payment owed to Deloitte, the consulting firm hired to perform the first round of application review, Corona said in her Wednesday afternoon statement. Deloitte previously directed questions to the PUC.

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The remaining 16 applications will be reviewed for up to eight months, including verifying details regarding participating companies, financial viability, construction plans, ability to connect to the grid, ability to complete the project and ability to pay back the loan, Corona said.

Smith and Michael Neary, then-managing partner of Aegle Power, told the PUC last year the company wanted $3.5 million to help fund development of a 700-megawatt natural gas power plant in the South Texas town of Harlingen. They said the project was first devised in 2011 and fully developed and permitted by 2015 but put on hold because the market conditions didnt support the capital investment. Neary said in an email Wednesday that he is no longer involved in the project.

In documents filed with the PUC, Smith was said to have been involved in the development of domestic energy projects for over 30 years.

Her work has ranged from transactions in midstream assets to development of large power projects across the U.S. Representative projects include Ares Pio Pico Energy Center, Dow Chemical Freeport Cogeneration, and Duke Energy LV Sutton, the document said. No professional affiliations were listed for Neary, who was described as a seasoned business executive with experience across a variety of industries.

In 2015, Smith and John Upchurch were indicted on allegations they embezzled more than $1.3 million from Chase Power Development, where the two were president and CEO, respectively. The company was created by Houston-based Quintana Capital Group to develop a power plant in Corpus Christi.

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From 2008 to 2012, according to the U.S. Attorneys Houston office, Upchurch and Smith embezzled a significant amount of money from Chase Power by submitting false invoices for projects to use company funds for personal expenses such as travel, hotels, country club memberships, fishing equipment and a hunting trip. The Las Brisas power plant, the coal-fired power plant proposed in Corpus Christi, was abandoned in 2013 following regulatory scrutiny and local pushback.

Smith pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in the case in 2017. In her email, Smith said there was absolutely never any embezzlement, calling that media BS.

NextEras letter to the PUC was first flagged by Doug Lewin, president of Stoic Energy Consulting, who called the situation a clear example that the Texas Energy Fund is a major default risk to taxpayers.

Before the funds creation, Lewin and other skeptics had argued that the PUC shouldnt use billions of taxpayer dollars to become a de facto bank because the agency isnt an expert in assessing default risk.

As it proceeded with the $5 billion program, the PUC ultimately chose to primarily advance big-name companies for potential loans. In announcing the finalists, PUC Chairman Thomas Gleeson promised that each application was closely analyzed.

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Including Aegle Powers application, the portfolio of projects moving forward in the PUCs review represents 9,781 megawatts of new generation and would result in $5.38 billion in loans if all applicants are awarded their desired funding. If all built, these plants would increase gas capacity on the power grid operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas by approximately 14%.

State Sen. Charles Schwertner and state Rep. David Spiller, co-chairs of the Texas Energy Fund advisory committee, released a joint statement Wednesday afternoon stating they would address concerns about the Aegle Power application at the committees first hearing on Oct. 8.

On Tuesday, we learned that the Public Utility Commission and its contracted program manager, Deloitte LLP, advanced a problematic and unqualified application submitted by an energy executive who was publicly convicted of fraud in our state. The protection and stewardship of taxpayer money must be the highest priority, Schwertner and Spiller said.

(Updated Sept. 4 at 6:41 pm) This story has been updated to add comment from the PUC.
The patio at Backstreet Cafe in River Oaks Paula Murphy

There was Backstreet Cafe long before Tracy Vaught and Hugo Ortega ran four other restaurants, won a James Beard award and became ambassadors of sorts for Houstons culinary scene.

More than four decades since the 1930s home was transformed into a neighborhood restaurant, Backstreet Cafe is ready to move on.

Over our 40-plus years in business, we have done renovations, repairs and reinforcements, Vaught said via email. It is finally time to give this old lady a new dress!

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The Houston staple wont be going far.

Backstreet Cafe opened in October 1983 at 1103 S. Shepherd wedged between Newhouse and McDuffie streets. While an opening date has not been set, the new location will only be a few steps away at 1201 S. Shepherd, where the office for the couples H Town Restaurant Group is currently located.

Permits have been filed for the estimated $2.25 million project slated to finish by November next year, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

HOUSTON EATS: The Chronicles top 100 restaurants

Tracy Vaught, left, Hugo Ortega and their daughter Sophia Ortega.

The new space is expected to span two floors and 6,600 square feet, compared to the current 4,500 square feet. Colby Design, which has worked on other H Town restaurants, is listed as the design firm.

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Before Vaught left her career as a geologist and partnered with her uncle Jack Blalock to turn the single-family home into a restaurant, Backstreet Cafe was also an antique store and print shop.

Vaught, whose rent was originally $900 a month, eventually bought the property in 1996 and surrounding property for more parking.

In 1987, Ortega came to the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant and started working as a dishwasher at Backstreet. He worked his way up to becoming the restaurants head chef. His relationship and eventual marriage to Vaught started at the restaurant.

Over the years, Backstreet would become known as a cozy neighborhood joint, and the patio turned into a popular brunch hangout. Dishes like pecan-crusted chicken, duck spring rolls and seafood gumbo are some of the most popular on the menu.

Vaught and Ortega would eventually open Hugos, Caracol, Xochi and Urbe in Houston. Theres also a Hugos Cocina at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

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The decision to move Backstreet has been in the works for a few years, said Vaught, who added the couple mulled over how longtime customers may react to the news.

We have searched our hearts, and while we have mixed feelings, we know that this is the right decision for the future of Backstreet Cafe, Vaught said. The building has given us many great years, but it is tired.

There has been a patchwork of repairs at Backstreet over the years, including in 2019 when a small fire broke out in the kitchen.

MORE FROM BAO ONG: Houston Restaurant Weeks will now last through September due to Beryl and derecho

In one of her visits over the years, Chronicle restaurant critic Alison Cook noted that Backstreet is one of those classic institutions that evolves rather than sliding into comfortable stasis.

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The not-so-new American bistro standards, as Cook described the menu, would manage to incorporate seasonal ingredients and creativity in the menu.

For Vaught and Ortega, giving Backstreet Cafe a new home is also a chance for their daughter Sophia Ortega to eventually run H Town Restaurant Group. She joined the family business a few years ago, and as a co-owner, her job has included working on special events, menu development with chefs and training materials.
 Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (3 September 2024)

Part I (see Part II)

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.



 The Sever Group of Forces in Volchansk, Bryansk, and Liptsy directions defeated formations of 36th Marine Brigade, 103rd and 114th territorial defence brigades near Liptsy, Dergachi, and Vochlansk (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to over 150 troops, a tank, an armoured fighting vehicle, three motor vehicles, and a 122-mm Grad MLRS combat vehicle.

 The Zapad Group of Forces improved tactical situation, engaged manpower and military hardware of 14th, 44th, and 116th mechanised brigades of the AFU and 117th Territorial Defence Brigade near Kupyansk, Petropavlovka (Kharkov region), Torskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic), and Serebryansky Forestry. One counter-attack launched by an assault detachment of the AFU 30th Mechanised Brigade was repelled.



The AFU losses amounted to up to 450 troops, two motor vehicles, a Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, a UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, and two 152-mm D-20 howitzers.

Nine AFU field ammunition depots were destroyed.

 The Yug Group of Forces continues to advance into the enemys defence, hit formations of 24th, 32nd, 100th, 117th, mechanised brigades, 46th Airmobile Brigade, 10th Assault Brigade of the AFU, and 116th Territorial Defence Brigade near Zvanovka, Predtechino, Grigorovka, Chasov Yar, and Belaya Gora (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy lost up to 710 troops, six motor vehicles, a U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system, a U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, a 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and a 122-mm D-30 howitzer.

The enemy lost five field ammunition depots and an Anklav-N EW station.

 The Tsentr Group of Forces continues to advance into the enemys defence, struck formations of 31st and 53rd mechanised brigades, 142nd Infantry Brigade, 95th Air Assault Brigade of the AFU, 109th Territorial Defence Brigade near Druzhba, Panteleymonovka, Rozovka, Selidovo, Grodovka, and Zavetnoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Seven counter-attacks of AFU 59th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 144th Infantry Brigade, 25th AirBorne Brigade of the AFU, 12th and 14th national guard brigades were repelled.

The enemy lost up to 490 servicemen, four armoured fighting vehicles, three pickups, a U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system, and a 122-mm D-30 howitzer.

 Russian Defence Ministry

 Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (3 September 2024)

Part II (see Part I)

 The Vostok Group of Forces seized more favourable positions, engaged formations of 31st, 72nd mechanised brigades of the AFU, 129th Territorial Defence Brigade near Bogatyr, Vodyanoye, and Ugledar (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Three counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade were repelled.

The enemys losses amounted to up to 150 troops, three motor vehicles, and two Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery systems.

 The units of the Dnepr Group of Forces hit manpower and materiel clusters of 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, 141st Infantry Brigade of the AFU, 37th Marine Brigade, and 39th Coastal Defence Brigade near Novodanilovka (Zaporozhye region), Berislav, Tokarevka, and Kazatskoye (Kherson region).

The AFU losses were up to 60 troops, two motor vehicles, and a 152-mm Msta-B howitzer.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, UAVs, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Federation Groups of forces destroyed an aircraft armament depot, hit manpower and materiel clusters in 149 areas.

Air defence units shot down a MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force, three U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles and 37 unmanned aerial vehicles.

 In total, 642 airplanes and 283 helicopters, 30,987 unmanned aerial vehicles, 575 air defence missile systems, 17,811 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,435 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 13,985 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 25,539 units of support motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.

 Russian Defence Ministry

WtR
The driver of a muscle car was arrested after he attempted to flee from authorities at speeds as high as 140 mph on Interstate 90 between Caledonia and Lodi, the Columbia County Sheriffs Office said.

According to the Sheriffs Office:

About 9 p.m. Saturday, officers attempted a traffic stop on a black 2023 Dodge Charger SRT Scat Pack in the area of I90-94 and Highway 78 in the town of Caledonia for driving at speeds well above the posted speed limit of 70 mph.

The driver of the vehicle didnt stop, and a pursuit was initiated that lasted for about 11 miles, with the muscle car reaching about 140 mph on the interstate.

4-year-old dies in ATV crash in Oneida County, authorities say Witnesses attempted life-saving measures, but the 4-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, the Oneida County Sheriff's Office reported.

As the Dodge Charger exited onto Highway 60 westbound toward the city of Lodi, a Lodi police officer deployed a tire deflation device, bringing the vehicle to a stop near Lindsay Road.

Both of cars occupants were ordered out of the vehicle with a Columbia County Sheriff K9 present and they were taken into custody without further incident.

The driver of the vehicle, a 48-year-old man of Park Ridge, Illinois, was tentatively charged with fleeing/eluding and second-degree recklessly endangering safety, both felonies, and was issued numerous traffic citations.

The passenger was later released.

The Sheriffs Office also was assisted by the State Patrol and Lodi Shell Towing.
Northern Nevada Pride, the area's LGBTQ+ celebration, is back in Reno this weekend. Now in it's tenth year, it's come a long way over the last decade.

"Ten years ago, we were just a group of friends that wanted to do something cool," said YeVonne Allen, marketing director for the event. "We met at the Pub N' Sub, had pizza and beer, and we're like let's just do something neat for our community. And now it's evolved. There's a dozen of us high-level volunteers that put this on, there's 200-300 volunteers that come out day-of, we could have never imagined it would be like this."

More than 10,000 people are expected at this year's event. The free parade starts at 10 a.m. down Virginia Street, followed by the all-day festival at Wingfield Park.

"I feel so very honored that our local community, Reno, Sparks, the Washoe county area has been so welcoming," Allen said. "It really rings true that Nevada is the greatest state in the country; we all come together, we're all one."

There are three music stages this year, and all the proceeds benefit the nonprofit, Our Center.

"Our Center is the local nonprofit right off of Wells Avenue that has an actual physical LGBTQ community center, so any money that comes in goes directly to the center," Allen said. "Our Center raised money for a decade before it every got a physical location, so to have a place where youth, where seniors, where our friends that identify as transgender can go and get resources and have community, that's what this is really all about."

This is a festival where everyone is welcome.

"You don't have to be a member of the LGBTQ community, you just need to be an ally," Allen said. "You need to not be a jerk, basically. Come on, bring the kids, folks under 18 are free. It's a great time had by all."

The event, formerly held in July and often in triple-digit temperatures, will now be a September tradition to hopefully take advantage of slightly cooler weather.

More information: https://northernnevadapride.org/
Two new electric vehicle charging stations by OnPoint EV Solutions will soon be under construction in Sugar Land, located at Sugar Land Regional Airport and Imperial Park Recreation Center. Martin Meissner/ ASSOCIATED PRESS Two new electric vehicle charging stations by OnPoint EV Solutions will soon be under construction in Sugar Land, located at Sugar Land Regional Airport and Imperial Park Recreation Center. GETTY IMAGES

Two new electric vehicle charging stations by OnPoint EV Solutions will soon be under construction in Sugar Land, located at Sugar Land Regional Airport and Imperial Park Recreation Center, according to city officials.

The charging stations will be complete by January 2025, said Sugar Land spokesperson Doug Adolph on Tuesday morning.

Adolph said the city must prepare for even more people to use electric vehicles in the future. Providing infrastructure to support these vehicles will support our economy and help contribute to a diversity of transportation options in Sugar Land, he said.

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According to the plan, there will be one charge box and two dispensers at each location. Each dispenser services two parking spots, so there will be four parking spaces at each location. The design includes potential for expansion, Adolph said.

As of last week, there were 302,412 electric vehicles registered in Texas, according to Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities. Harris County leads with 43,857 registered EVs, while Fort Bend County ranks eighth with 16,764 EVs.

There are 4,778 electric vehicles and 13 EV charging stations in Sugar Lands city limits, according to Clean Cities.

OnPoint EV will invest approximately $1.6 million for the two sites.

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The city of Sugar Land will earn $215 per month for each electric vehicle parking spot, with a 3.5% annual increase. Additionally, OnPoint EV will pay the city a 10% utilization bonus for each charging station.

"The terms of the agreement include both rents for spaces reassigned to EV spaces and a modest profit share above net operating costs," said Adolph. "Returns are based on usage."

Adolph said city planners from Missouri City and Rosenberg had also reached out to OnPoint EV after learning about the upcoming projects in Sugar Land.
The Northbound U.S. 395 ramps to Dandini Boulevard will reopen Thursday morning, September 5.

The northbound ramps of Dandini Boulevard Exit 71 have been closed since July 7, while construction crews realigned and widened the ramp.

Lanes will be shifted on northbound U.S. 395, and drivers will have to use the right lane to access Dandini Boulevard.

The reopening of the Dandini Boulevard ramps is followed by an extended closure of the U.S. 395 exits in Panther Valley, as NDOT construction crews continue to widen and improve the highway.

ORIGINAL STORY - JULY 7:

As the off-ramp is widened, the northbound U.S. 395 Dandini Boulevard exit will be closed for an extended period and traffic changes will be implemented.

The closure is part of the Nevada Department of Transportation's (NDOT) continuing multi-year project to widen and repave approximately four miles of U.S 395 between North McCarran Boulevard and Golden Valley Road to improve the highway.

The northbound U.S 395 on and off-ramps to Dandini Boulevard will be closed 24 hours, seven days a week beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday, July 7 through mid-September.

The off-ramp from U.S 395 will be widened, slightly realigned and repaved during this project.

NDOT says they will heighten the ramp and realign where the off-ramp enters onto Dandini Boulevard.

The Dandini and Parr Boulevard bridge over U.S. 395 will remain open.

A detour will be available on North Virginia Street (exit 72) to Parr Boulevard.

NDOT says southbound U.S 395 ramps to Parr Boulevard will stay open during daytime hours, with periodic overnight ramp closures between the hours of 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

NDOT would like to remind drivers to plan ahead and allow extra time for the following traffic changes, there will be 24-hour, seven-day-a-week lane shifts and speed reductions in addition to lane and ramp closures:

Northbound U.S. 395 continues to be reduced to two lanes 24/7 from just north of Oddie Boulevard to Golden Valley Road through mid-2025 as sections of the highway and bridges are removed and reconstructed, retaining walls built and other improvements made.

Highway lanes are slightly reduced in width and will be shifted.

Speeds are reduced to 55 mph 24/7 through the work zones.

Additional overnight lane closures continue, with highway lanes reduced to a minimum of one lane in each direction:

Northbound U.S. 395, lanes will be reduced between 8 p.m. and 11 a.m. Southbound U.S. 395, lanes will be reduced between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m.



Intermittent ramp closures will take place between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Sunday evenings through Saturday mornings. Detour routes will be marked.

The Virginia Street on-ramp to southbound U.S. 395 in Panther Valley will be closed through late 2024.

The construction schedule is weather-permitting and is subject to change.

In the coming months, NDOT advises drivers to anticipate additional major construction impacts, including extended closure of North Virginia Street access to northbound U.S. 395 for bridge construction.
Plus, Freda Salvador is celebrating all things fall footwear with a slew of events at its Fillmore store. Zenni pays tribute to late friend and frequent collaborator Iris Apfel with a colorful eyewear collection, and beloved clothing and home label Erica Tanov pops up at 1 Hotel next week.

San Francisco has its very own McMullen boutique.

(Courtesy of Lauren Andersen of SEN Creative)

Fashion force Sherri McMullen just opened her second Bay Area boutique in San Franciscos Presidio Heights. No doubt, McMullens teenage Oakland brick-and-mortar (and perennial Vogue darling) is thrilled to have a sibling on the other side of the bridge. Ditto for city shoppers enthralled by McMullens singular global fashion eye, commitment to emerging and BIPOC designers (i.e., Christopher John Rogers, Diotima and Zankov), and desire to connect with customers and community.

The mingling of established brandsthink Proenza Schouler, Dries Van Noten, Tibi and The Rowwith local labels like Kamperett and Harwell Godfrey are also key to the stores allure.

For McMullen, having a space in the city is a dream come true: San Francisco holds a special place in my heart, as it was my home when I first moved to the Bay Area over 20 years ago. Expanding our footprint here feels like a full-circle moment. she says.

When it came time to transform the blank-slate Victorian building, McMullen turned to insanely talented Noz Nozawa for her inspired interior design. It was important for me to work with a local interior designer and a woman of color who understands the vibrancy of San Francisco, McMullen says.

Together the pair created a magical vibe where gems from Nozawas Corbett Lighting collection highlight a neutral palate with sophisticated vintage furnishings in a mix of rich textures. Lording over the dressing rooms? A gobsmacking portrait of the stores namesake by Oakland artist Taylor Smalls.

At once luxurious and inviting, the space is tailormade for trying on diaphanous dresses, deliciously sumptuous knits, and commanding coats with the coolest details.

// 3687 Sacramento St. (Presidio Heights), shopmcmullen.com
Singer-songwriter Amy Grant, 63, began her career in the 70s as a Christian artist, crossed over into contemporary pop music in the mid-80s and continued to perform throughout the 90s and 2000s. In 2022, she suffered a traumatic brain injury during a biking accident near her home in Nashville, Tennessee. AARP caught up with Grant, now back touring and recording, to hear about her healing journey, her philanthropic endeavors and how she works to stay hopeful.

After your brain injury you had to relearn the words to your songs. How are you coping?

Ive had to be very patient with myself. I have had a lot of good, hard cries. And I went through depression. But everybody is recovering from something. Thats life. If nothing else, we recover every day from the shock of what it means to age. My memory used to be my superpower. Now I cant trust my memory. But there are hidden gifts in everything.

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What advice do you have for people whose lives are upended in a heartbeat?

Our mindsets, the stories we tell ourselves, become our realities. Find the tool kits that you need to move forward.

Youve talked about how the healing process gave you time to reflect on some larger societal issues  and your own personal journey.

For one month after my bike accident, I didnt leave my house. I couldnt be on the phone or see any screens. And I read The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Edith Eva Eger. She was born in Hungary, and she became an Olympic gymnast. She was eventually sent to Auschwitz. That book most affected my recovery. And I found The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World by Desmond Tutu and his daughter Mpho Tutu. Its about how apartheid devastated so many families and how they processed the act of forgiving. Sometimes the person you have to forgive the most is yourself.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, you had open-heart surgery to correct a birth defect. Then following the accident, shoulder surgery and an operation to remove a cyst from your throat. How does it all change your view?

Im so glad Im here! But I have to be more intentional about my health. I now drink nonalcoholic beer, for example. I discovered swimming in 2021 and joined the YMCA because I travel a lot and there is a YMCA in most towns. Im not back to riding a bike yet, because I still have some balance issues. But Im working on it.
If you miss dancing at the disco or you find yourself hankering for the hustle, its never too late to get your groove back. And if nostalgia isnt enough to get you back on the dance floor, consider these five health benefits dance has for older adults, as well as tips on how to get started. 



Boosts brain function. There is some promise that dancing might help ward off dementia, says Joe Verghese, director of cognitive and motor aging at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Preliminary studies point to possible benefits. As a social, physical and mental activity, dance provides cognitive stimulation, which may enhance memory.

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Helps keep a healthy heart. Dance, like any physical activity, is great for your heart, says Audrey Chun, M.D., a professor of geriatrics and palliative medicine at Mount Sinai.

Endurance and aerobic activity are really good for cardiovascular health, Chun says. Dance is targeting both of those because youre moving and getting your heart pumping.

Betters bone health. Improving bone health is another benefit of dancing  especially since bone mineral density peaks in our mid-20s and then starts to decrease, says Ramsey Shehab, M.D., 47, the deputy chief of sports medicine at Henry Ford Health. Women, in particular, see a dramatic drop once they hit 50, he adds.

Older adults should be concerned with their bone mineral density, since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 years and older. In fact, Shehab sees a ton of elderly hip fractures from falls  many of which lead to a significant decrease in quality of life.

Matt Black/Magnum Photos

Weight-bearing exercises like dance help you sustain muscle mass and protect the bones that are vulnerable to losing density, Shehab says.

Creates core strength. Shehab says dance uses a great deal of core strength  a great part of the body to work for aging adults.



We know core strength is kind of the central basis for building strength in extremities, Shehab says. Everything comes from the core.
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Bobby Shah is photographed in custody at 262nd District Court for the death of Muna Pandey, a Houston Community College student from Nepal who was shot in her apartment, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

The man accused of shooting a Nepalese college student to death in her Houston apartment stayed silent as prosecutors sought to have him jailed without bail until his trial.

The decision to hold a hearing to deny bail in the case against Bobby Shah, charged with capital murder in the Aug. 24 death of 21-year-old Muna Pandey, suggests the Harris County District Attorneys Office believes the case could be pursued with the death penalty in mind. Hearings of that nature require the disclosure of evidence in court, for a judge to decide whether bail should continue to be denied, and are typically held for those accused of killing police officers.

Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Marshall cautioned its too early to know what punishment may be sought at trial, or when that could happen. Both sides will return within three months for a so-called proof-evident hearing to deny Shahs bail.

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Friends and community members of Muna Pandey, a Houston Community College student from Nepal who was shot in her apartment, are photographed in court during a hearing for Bobby Shah, who is in custody for Pandeys death, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Houston Police are searching for a suspect in the shooting of 21-year-old Muna Pandey. Police on Wednesday released a photograph of the suspect, a bald man wearing a blue shirt. The man was seen leaving Pandey's apartment at 6363 West Airport Boulevard around on Aug. 24, according to the photograph. Her body was found two days. COURTESY/Houston Police Department Bobby Shah is photographed in custody at 262nd District Court for the death of Muna Pandey, a Houston Community College student from Nepal who was shot in her apartment, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Defense attorney Wilvin Carter speaks to press after a hearing for Bobby Shah for the death of Muna Pandey, a Houston Community College student from Nepal who was shot in her apartment, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Judge Lori Chambers Gray of the 262nd District Court speaks to Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Marshall during a hearing for Bobby Shah for the death of Muna Pandey, a Houston Community College student from Nepal who was shot in her apartment, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Marshall speaks to press after a hearing for Bobby Shah for the death of Muna Pandey, a Houston Community College student from Nepal who was shot in her apartment, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Friends and community members of Muna Pandey, a Houston Community College student from Nepal who was shot in her apartment, are photographed in court during a hearing for Bobby Shah, who is in custody for Pandeys death, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Nepalese Association of Houston vice president, Drona Gautam, speaks to press after a hearing for Bobby Shah for the death of Muna Pandey, a Houston Community College student from Nepal who was shot in her apartment, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Bobby Shah is photographed in custody at 262nd District Court for the death of Muna Pandey, a Houston Community College student from Nepal who was shot in her apartment, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Marshall requested the hearing Tuesday as more than a dozen of Pandeys supporters, including some relatives, friends and co-workers, packed the 262nd District Court and listened intently to her reading of the allegations. Shah, 51, remained silent and displayed no emotion.

Pandey was found shot to death in the torso and once in the head after a man anonymously called a leasing manager and alerted her to a body in the apartment, according to court records.

Police arrested Shah last week after requesting help in identifying a man caught on camera at Pandeys apartment in the 6300 block of West Airport the night of her death with her purse. Multiple tipsters identified Shah as the man in the footage, according to court records.

One person told authorities that someone had stalked Pandey in the past, while another said Pandey worked at a restaurant that Shah had been a patron at, according to court documents. Marshall did not comment on who had stalked Pandey or how the two may have known each other.

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The body of 21-year-old Muna Pandey was found inside a southwest Houston apartment on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. Courtesy/Drona Gautam

A defense attorney, Wilvin Carter, identified Shah as a native of India, who came to the U.S. as a child. Court records list Shah as living 25 miles away from Pandey's apartment.

He offered no details to Shahs defense in court but professed his innocence afterward.

He said that he is innocent and that he did not commit this crime, said Carter, declining to comment on whether the man in the police-distributed photo was his client.

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Drona Gautam, vice president of the Nepalese Association of Houston, spoke on behalf of Pandeys supporters and expressed gratitude that Shah will remain jailed for now.
About 840 hotel workers are back on the job after a hotel strike that launched over the Labor Day weekend affected three popular hotel chains. But more than 9,300 workers remain on strike. The strike by workers including housekeepers and front desk clerks at Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott properties began Sept. 1 and affected 25 hotels in nine cities. Additional cities could be added.



Contracts between Unite Here and the U.S. hotels, according to USA Today, expired in August after weeks of negotiations for higher wages and fair staffing and workloads being at the top of the groups demands. 

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This fight is fundamentally about respect, says Gwen Mills, international president of Unite Here, which represents the striking housekeepers and other hospitality workers. Workers have stuck with these hotels through thick and thin, through COVID, and now they feel like theyre getting left behind  that their wages are disrespectful, that their workloads are disrespectful.

As many as 10,200 hotel workers at 25 hotels, according to CNN, walked off the job in cities such as Baltimore  where workers went on strike Sept. 2  Boston; Greenwich, Connecticut; Honolulu; Kauai, Hawaii; San Diego; San Francisco; San Jose, California; and Seattle. The strikes were set to last one to three days, according to the Associated Press, and could spread to other cities, including New Haven, Connecticut; Oakland, California; and Providence, Rhode Island. 

If you are traveling to any of these hotels, you should prepare for disruptions such as reduced food and beverage services, lack of cleaning services, and picket lines at hotel entrances.

Our colleagues are the heart of our business, and Hyatt has a long history of cooperation with the unions that represent our employees, including Unite Here, said Michael DAngelo, Hyatts head of labor relations in the Americas, to AARP in a statement prior to the strike. On Sept. 2, the Associated Press reported that DAngelo said, We are disappointed that Unite Here has chosen to strike while Hyatt remains willing to negotiate.

According to the Associated Press, a Hilton spokesperson said the chain remains committed to negotiating in good faith to reach fair and reasonable agreements.


Resources Rising Stars Investor Presentation

Perth, Sep 4, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Great Western Exploration Limited ( ASX:GTE ) is pleased to advise shareholders and investors that its Managing Director/CEO will present at the Resources Rising Stars Gold Coast Investor Conference, being held on Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th September 2024.



Managing Director Shane Pike will provide an update on the Company's activities and outlook on Wednesday afternoon, 4th September 2024.



The Conference will be live-streamed and shareholders and investors can attend either in-person or virtually via 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:

https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/1L6917U6



A recording of the presentation will be sent to all registered attendees shortly after the conclusion of the presentation via the Online Conference platform, and an edited version will be released on the Company's website and other platforms after the event.



It is recommended that online investors pre-register prior to the commencement of the presentation.



*To view the presentation slides, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/UGKADS5D





About Great Western Exploration Limited





Great Western Exploration (ASX:GTE) is an explorer with a world class, large land position in prolific regions of Western Australia. Great Western's tenements have been under or virtually unexplored. Numerous work programmes across multiple projects are underway and the Company is well-funded with a tight capital structure, providing leverage to exploration success.

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Mattress Mack welcomes people in need offering, food, charging stations and a place to escape the heat on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Gallery Furniture founder Jim McIngvale shared Saturday that he was staying at St. Luke's Hospital in Houston while being treated for an unknown condition as doctors continued to run tests on him. Monday evening, McIngvale told Fox 26 that he had been diagnosed with cellulitis of the leg, a bacterial infection that can spread if not treated properly.

Here's what you need to know about cellulitis.

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What is cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a common bacterial infection that affects the deeper layers of the skin, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

It can be caused by different types of bacteria but is most commonly the result of group A streptococcus. Health factors like chronic edema, or the constant swelling of limbs, can increase an individuals risk of getting cellulitis.

Anyone can get cellulitis, and experts don't typically know exactly how the bacteria gets into someone's body, according to the CDC. It can appear on any part of the body, but most commonly on the feet and legs.

However, the CDC lists some factors that can increase an individual's risk for contracting cellulitis, including chronic skin conditions, injection drug use and injuries that break the skin, such as piercings, cuts, tattoos and bites.

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What are symptoms of cellulitis?

Infected skin is often painful, red, swollen, warm and tender, according to the CDC. Some people may also experience fever and chills.

Complications as a result of cellulitis are uncommon, according to the CDC, but can include swelling in the heart valve and inner lining and bloodstream, bone or joint infections.

McIngvale told Fox 26 he was in good spirits but experiencing some symptoms as a result of the cellulitis.

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"When I start walking, it's very painful, but once the blood starts circulating, it's OK," he said.

How is cellulitis treated?

Cellulitis is typically diagnosed by doctors who look at the skin during a physical examination, according to the CDC.

Treating the infection can be done with antibiotics, either taken orally or through an IV. Keeping the infected area elevated can also help with recovery.

Despite these recommendations, McIngvale told Fox 26 he would return to work.

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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.
BiUP Technologies, a trailblazer in AI-driven immersive technology, has announced a strategic partnership with CarDekho Groups investment arm, Girnar Vision Fund (GVF), following a successful Pre-Series A funding round.

This strategic investment is set to accelerate BiUPs mission to revolutionize the mobility sector with advanced AI-powered immersive tech and analytics, aimed at enhancing the customer buying journey.

BiUP.ai is renowned for its innovative approach to transforming product and customer experiences through its proprietary AI-driven immersive technology and data analytics engine. The partnership with CarDekho Group is expected to not only enhance BiUPs technological capabilities but also expedite its expansion into key markets, including Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the United States.

Prashant Sinha, Co-Founder and CEO of BiUP Technologies, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating: We are thrilled to join forces with CarDekho Group. Their strategic investment and deep industry expertise will significantly boost our ability to scale and innovate. Our goal is to develop cutting-edge AI-driven solutions that meet todays enterprise challenges and anticipate future needs. This partnership will enable us to broaden our global presence across North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East while deepening our insights into the automotive sector and consumer behavior. With plans to expand our team to 70-100 members globally, we are poised to lead the next generation of immersive tech solutions.

Amit Jain, Co-founder and CEO of CarDekho Group, emphasized the importance of the partnership, saying: Our investment in BiUP Technologies represents a major advancement in leveraging next-gen technology. BiUP.ai is at the forefront of industry innovation, and at Girnar Vision Fund, we are dedicated to supporting such groundbreaking ideas that align with our vision of nurturing Indias entrepreneurial talent and advancing futuristic technology.

Launched in late 2023, the Girnar Vision Fund reflects CarDekho Groups commitment to innovation and strategic growth. The fund focuses on supporting new-age technologies across various sectors, including autotech, fintech, insurtech, and other deep tech domains.
Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), leading manufacturer of premium cars in India today marked the beginning of the festive season with the launch of its multi-media campaign for The Great Honda Fest.

This campaign is a dazzling tribute to the diverse and vibrant festivals celebrated across India that illuminate India's cultural landscape.

From the spiritual serenity of Onam to the vibrant exuberance of Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja & Dussehra and radiant lights of Diwali, Honda's campaign captures the essence of these diverse celebrations, spreading festive cheer across the nation. The brand film showcases how Honda vehicles effortlessly become a part of these joyful moments, embracing the traditions, rituals, and happiness that define each festivity.

Commenting on the promotion campaign, Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, "Festivals bring joy and unity, and with the 'Great Honda Fest' campaign, we aim to celebrate this spirit. At Honda, we drive not just cars, but the happiness and togetherness of communities. Adding to the cheer of the campaign. HCIL has introduced a special festive price for the 'S' variant of the Honda Amaze, available in both MT and CVT. This offer is designed to enhance affordability in markets where demand for these variants is growing. By making the Amaze more accessible, we hope to meet our customers' evolving needs while delivering the reliability and driving experience Honda is known for."

As part of the Great Honda Fest the company is offering attractive benefits on the purchase of its premium range of cars. Customers can avail a 3-Year Free Maintenance package offered along with other attractive benefits in form of Cash discounts, Loyalty, Exchange, and Corporate offer on its product range.

The promotional scheme is available on select models including the Honda Amaze, Honda City, Honda City e:HEV, and Honda Elevate. This offer is valid at all authorized Honda dealerships across the country for a limited period and applies to specific model variants.

Also Read: Honda 2Wheelers India & Taproot Dentsu launch new campaign
There has been much chatter surrounding Anurag Kashyap's next project; however, not much has been revealed yet. Amid the rising anticipation around the project, we have received an exciting update about the film. Excitingly, Indrajith Sukumaran, brother of Prithviraj Sukumaran, was spotted at the mumbai airport, while leaving from the set of Anurag Kashyap's next as he has completed the shoot for the film. This indeed makes up wonder, what's his next about?

If sources are to be believed, "Anurag Kashyap's upcoming film is centered around a subject that has been kept under wraps for a very long time. There is a lot of hush-hush around the script. Indrajith Sukumaran was spotted at the airport as he finished his schedule and headed back to Chennai."

While we haven't heard much about the project, this is indeed an interesting update. This association is indeed a very interesting thing to keep an eye on. While, Indrajith Sukumaran predominantly works in Malayalam cinema, now he has joined hands with Bollywood director Anurag Kashya and it would be interesting to see what they are about to bring on the screen with the film. This certainly builds excitement to hear more about the film.
Commemorating Teachers Day, JK Paper, a pioneer in the paper manufacturing industry, has unveiled a powerful film celebrating the deep relationship between teacher and students. This film throws a light on the exceptional work of Sumeet Sanjay Patil, an art teacher at Snehajyoti Nivasi Blind School in Ratnagiri District, Maharashtra, and his ingenious approach towards tactile learning. Over the years, Sumeet has taught more than 1,000 visually-impaired students the art of painting, using his distinctive technique of linking colors to fragrancesknown as "Rang-Gandh." This method not only motivates students to paint but also builds their confidence, demonstrating that art can be experienced through senses other than sight. Some of these paintings have been exhibited across the country and has also been used to spread awareness.

This campaign is not just a tribute to Sumeet and all the teachers but a celebration of the human spirits resilience and creativity.

Set against the contrasting backdrops of the bustling city of Mumbai and the tranquil Konkan villages, the film narrates Sumeets remarkable journey as he introduces his visually impaired students to the realms of art and creativity. The film begins with a poignant image of a blank canvas, symbolizing the untapped potential within every child. As the story unfolds, viewers witness Sumeets groundbreaking methodssuch as linking colours to fragrances and using 3D outlinersthat enable his blind students to experience and create art in a tangible way.

The narrative is enriched by testimonials from the students, sharing their fears, struggles, and ultimate triumphs. Their words echo the transformative power of Sumeets teaching, showcasing how art can be felt with the heart, not just seen with the eyes. Sumeets commitment extends beyond the classroom in Mumbai, as he travels to the remote villages of Konkan to spread his unique form of art education, ensuring that no child is left behind in their creative journey.

The film concludes with a heartfelt message, highlighting the students vibrant, textured artworks that tell their stories through touch rather than sight. These masterpieces represent the limitless possibilities that arise when imagination is nurtured by a passionate and committed teacher.

Partha Biswas, Chief of Sales & Marketing at JK Paper, commented on the campaign, This Teachers Day, we wanted to shine a light on the incredible impact that teachers like Sumeet have on their students, especially those with special needs. His innovative approach to teaching art is not just a lesson in creativity but a testament to the power of tactile learning. The objective of this campaign is to highlight the crucial role of teachers in shaping the lives of their students, particularly those with special needs. It also emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities for differently abled individuals to express themselves creatively. Just like our teachers are dedicated towards playing a crucial role in shaping the lives of their students, JK Paper is also dedicated towards shaping an eco-friendly world. Our paper is sourced from 9.50 lakh acres of Agro Social Farm Forestry Program, which not only supports sustainable practices but also provides livelihoods for close to 1,30,000 farmer families.

The campaign also highlighted how visually impaired students connected with JK Paper on a tactile level. The texture, weight and feel of the paper became their canvas, allowing them to perceive art through touch, creating a deep emotional bond between the students and the medium. For these students, JK Paper has been more than just a medium, its a source of emotional expression. The feel of the paper in their hands evokes emotions and allows them to create art that resonates with their experiences, making the paper an integral part of their artistic journey. The connection between the students and JK Paper is a testament to the brands commitment to making a difference in the lives of those with special needs. JK Paper honours the unwavering dedication of teachers like Sumeet, who go the extra mile to ensure every student has a chance to shine.

By showcasing this film, JK Paper and Snehajyoti Nivasi Blind School aim to inspire others to support initiatives that foster creativity in education. With 295 million visually impaired individuals worldwide, including over 10 million in India, waiting for their creative potential to be realized, this campaign emphasizes the ongoing, transformative nature of learning and teaching.

Also Read: Rajkummar Rao Unveils Fierce Gangster Avatar in New Film "Maalik"
Kriti Sanon, riding high on her recent successes, is now venturing into the world of production with her upcoming film Do Patti. The actress, following her roles earlier this year in hit movies like Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya and Crew as a robot and an ambitious pilot respectively, is bringing her creative energy to Do Pattis production, and her excitement for the project is palpable.

In a conversation, Kriti shared her motivation for stepping behind the camera. The thought was in my head that I wanted to produce content and back it. I am a creative person. I am always excited about the script of projects. I am always excited about what is happening in scenes and not just my part in the film. When I was shooting for Mimi, I got so passionate about Mimis script. So, I decided back then that whenever I produce a film, I have to feel passionate about it.

Kriti's journey into production began with a search for a deep, layered character to sink her teeth into. After Mimi, I was looking for a deeper and layered character in a script for a very long time. During my search, I met Kanika Dhillon. I have always loved her writing. I think she writes quirkily. The characters in her scripts are very layered. And then I told her that I wanted to produce a film.

Discussing her collaboration with Kanika, Kriti added, She had an idea. She asked me whether there was a subject/story I had in my head. I told her. After a month, she came back to me. She married my subject with her idea and created a story out of it. It connected with me immediately. And it is the first time I have been involved in a project right from scratch. I am creatively satisfied as a producer of Do Patti.

Fans eagerly awaiting Do Patti can look forward to a suspenseful and fresh narrative, highlighting Kriti Sanons expanding range as both an actress and a producer. The film is set to release on Netflix in 2024.
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) is set to elect its new governing body on September 4, 2024 during its 38th Annual General Meeting. Partha Sinha, the current Vice-Chairman of ASCI, is set to be elected as the new Chairman, taking over the reins from Saugata Gupta, MD and CEO, Marico Ltd. Gupta was elected Chairman of ASCI Board of Governors for the term 2023-2024.

Sinha was appointed President and Chief Brand Officer, Bennett Coleman & Company Limited in July this year. He had previously held the position of President, Response, BCCL, where he was responsible for revenue growth and fostering brand-content interactions.

An alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and IIM Ahmedabad, Sinha has had a diverse career over 30 years, working as a nuclear design engineer, banker, and strategy and marketing head for media and internet companies, as well as an advertising strategist. He has been associated with notable organizations such as Ogilvy, Publicis, BBH, McCann, and Citibank.

Also Read: JK Paper's new film pays tribute to teachers & visually impaired students
Phinomial, one of India's top Data Analytics Companies, with its Data Analytics & Machine Learning capabilities, has been awarded an annual contract by Madhavbaug Clinics as their Data Analytics consultancy.

Under this extensive mandate, Phinomial will manage Madhavbaug Clinics Customer & Healthcare analytics to amplify patient care and extend the reach of their proprietary Ayurveda treatments to a much larger base.

Kamal Oza, Co-Founder & CEO of Phinomial, shared his excitement about the association, "Data Science & Analytics is in our DNA, but what we are very excited about is the application of the same to our traditional indigenous Ayurvedic medical system. With Madhavbaug Clinics years of presence and more than 300 clinics across the nation, the rich data they have can be leveraged to amplify treatments sustainably. Healthcare analytics is gaining prominence in the US. But practicing it here and applying the latest Decision Science for a homegrown indigenous brand will be pioneering work! We are thrilled to collaborate with Madhavbaug Clinics and share the vision of their founder!"

Madhavbaug Clinics is on a growth and expansion path. The founders aim to raise the bar on quality and accuracy of their treatments at every stage. After long, insightful discussions with Phinomial, they feel they have the right partners to build a data-driven approach within their organization.

Dr. Rohit Sane, Founder of Madhavbaug Clinics, expressed his confidence in the partnership, "While we are in the traditional proprietary Ayurveda treatments business, we strongly feel that the combination of modern Data Science with the age-old learnings of Ayurveda can be an unbeatable combination to expand the horizons of healthcare. Phinomial, with their cross-industries experience and long years in Data Science, felt like the right partners for us to take our journey into being a Data-Driven organization. Their experience in handling large-scale data patterns, ML, and Predictive AI makes them an ideal fit for Madhavbaug Clinics."

Shripad Upasani, CEO of Madhavbaug Clinics, added, "Our vision is to be the pioneers in integrating the best of traditional Ayurvedic wisdom with modern data analytics. We believe that Phinomial's expertise in leveraging data science will enable us to build a stronger, more precise treatment approach, improving patient outcomes and extending our reach across the nation."

Yogesh Walawalkar, Chief Marketing Officer of Madhavbaug Clinics, remarked, "For every business, the person who comes and purchases the product or service is a customer. But in our business, for us, they are a patient, and our team has to look at them with those lenses! While we face the same challenges of business expansion as others, we must be patient with our patients! This is where we found common ground with Phinomial, who share a similar mindset for healthcare. Together, we aim to leverage data and build an even more effective healthcare program, expanding our indigenous Ayurveda medical system extensively."
The downsizing happening in the media industry  both globally and in India  is an open secret that no one wants to talk about. While the mass layoffs in the IT industry always makes big news, the hundreds being asked to leave from media houses big and small remain under-reported.

While there are no definitive numbers available, according to various industry sources, between 400 and 600 media personnel have been laid off so far in 2024 across print, television and digital news media in India.

Industry experts point out to the headwinds faced by the media industry across the world, as ad revenues face a squeeze, resulting in media organisations going for, what they call, cost rationalisation. Mergers, acquisitions and consolidations have also resulted in companies going in for leaner teams.

Also read:

Downsizing woes: Layoffs dampen Indian media industrys growth story

In a bid to better understand the downsizing happening in the media industry, Adgully spoke to a cross-section of industry experts.

Sanjay Trehan, Digital & New Media Advisor, remarked, What is happening is sad because peoples careers are involved. Any downsizing impacts people and should be the last resort after costs rationalisation and other measures to streamline efficiencies have been undertaken.

Mona Jain, who recently resigned as the Chief Revenue Officer at Zee Media, preferred to call the downsizing re-structuring to make the teams more flatter and efficient, with less hierarchical reportings.

Rama Paul, Co-Founder, Ninered, observed, The downsizing in Indias media industry reflects global trends. The shift from cable and satellite TV to streaming services and digital platforms (including CTV) has driven substantial consolidation and restructuring within media companies. Despite the growth in digital media, reliance on advertising revenues from tech giants like Google and Meta creates financial instability for smaller players. In the short term, mergers and acquisitions in the Indian media sector are likely to lead to layoffs and market volatility. However, this instability is expected to eventually stabilize. Indias expanding advertising market and the arrival of international players offer a hopeful outlook for the industrys future.

Trehan felt that downsizing should give way to rightsizing, and while some jobs in traditional profiles may become redundant, new positions with the right skills need to be created to harness the possibilities emerging out of data analytics, AI, audience fragmentation, cross-platform content consumption, new delivery mechanisms, et al. So, to some extent, this churn is inevitable for organisational renewal and revitalisation, but it needs to be done right and with empathy and sensitivity, he added.

Prime factors responsible for this downsizing

Listing some of the key reasons for this downsizing, Trehan mentioned slowing down of the advertising revenue, growing gap between costs and revenue, excess of inventory leading to falling yields in the digital space, slow growth in the digital subscription model, new generation audience moving to smarter digital products, increasing audience fragmentation, and the inability of the media houses to create smarter and spiffier monetisation models.

For Mona Jain, it is more due to consolidation of multiple platforms, which earlier used to operate on a unique structure, along with integration of linear and digital and avoiding overlap and duplication of work.

Marketing consultant Shubho Sengupta said, There are multiple reasons, the three most important being AI, Digital and global trends. I would say AI is the biggest reason.

On the other hand, both Mona Jain and Sanjay Trehan didint think AI was responsible for the job cuts. In fact, Trehan saw AI as a force-enabler in the media space. He said, It will create new opportunities for smarter professionals who embrace it and work with it. The idea is not to get daunted by its deployment, but use AI to work for us by getting the tedium out of dull, repetitive tasks, and freeing the talent to focus on creative thinking. Originality will continue to rule the roost.

Ninereds Rama Paul noted, Netflixs recent launch of its ad-supported service in the US highlights the persistent demand for advertising sales professionals. While AI may automate some jobs, significant layoffs due to AI are unlikely. Most AI technologies require substantial investment, which may be challenging for media companies, especially in Indias cost-sensitive labour market.

The prognosis for media jobs landscape

According to Paul, to thrive in the evolving media landscape, companies must focus on reskilling their employees, and individuals should prioritize upskilling to remain relevant and employable.

Mona Jain foresaw organisations re-creating leaner structures for the future. Obviously automation and technological progression will replace operational/ execution profiles, she added.

While there will be more job cuts, according to Shubho Sengupta, he also saw new areas of job creation. In the long run, AI will create more jobs, he affirmed.

On a positive note, Sanjay Trehan said that while there may be some pain in the short term, he was optimistic about the media jobs landscape in the future. Getting ourselves future-ready and upskilling will be critical to harness the emerging opportunities. Theres no need to be despondent. Change is an inalienable part of the growth cycle and one must learn to adapt and adapt fast to the stimulus of change, he concluded.

Also Read: 83% of gen z's upskilling to secure job opportunities,says Simplilearn data
The Federal Council

Bern, 04.09.2024 - On 4 September, the Federal Council decided to extend indefinitely the humanitarian exemption to the sanctions regime against Syria. The exemption was introduced for a limited period following the earthquake that hit the country in February 2023.

In light of the grave humanitarian crisis in Syria following the earthquake of 6 February 2023, the European Union (EU) introduced a temporary humanitarian exemption to its sanctions regime against Syria on 23 February 2023. The exemption for international organisations and certain categories of humanitarian actors was subsequently extended twice. On 27 May 2024, the EU extended the exemption for a further year.

The Federal Council decided on 10 March 2023 to include the EU's temporary humanitarian exemption in the ordinance on measures against Syria, initially for a period of six months and since extended twice. The exemption means that the targeted financial sanctions do not apply to activities that are necessary for the humanitarian work of international organisations and some categories of humanitarian actors. With today's decision, the Federal Council is extending the duration of the exemption indefinitely, bringing the humanitarian actors involved a degree of predictability.

The Federal Council first adopted sanctions against Syria on 18 May 2011, thus aligning Switzerland with the sanctions regime adopted by the EU against Syria on 9 May 2011. It has subsequently amended the ordinance several times to reflect the EU's decisions.

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Over 7.8 Million EPS Pensioners to Enjoy Unrestricted Pension Access from Any Bank, Anywhere Starting January 1, 2025 2

On Wednesday, the Central Government sanctioned the implementation of the Centralised Pension Payments System (CPPS), an initiative poised to benefit upwards of 7.8 million individuals enlisted in the Employee Pension Scheme (EPS), administered by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Labour and Employment, heralded a transformative era, affirming that EPS pensioners will be empowered to receive their pension from any banking institution, at any branch, across the expanse of India, commencing January 1, 2025.

The ministry further elucidated that pensioners would no longer be encumbered by the need to physically visit bank branches for verification processes at the onset of their pension. The pension will be promptly credited upon its release, thus enhancing convenience and accessibility.

Moreover, the EPFO anticipates a notable reduction in the costs associated with pension disbursement, owing to the transition to this novel system.

The sanctioning of CPPS heralds a pivotal stride in the modernisation of the EPFO. By facilitating pensioners to draw their pensions from any bank, at any branch, across the country, this initiative surmounts long-standing challenges faced by pensioners and ensures a streamlined and efficacious disbursement framework, remarked the minister.

In subsequent phases, the government plans to migrate towards the Aadhaar-based Payment System (ABPS).

The CPPS embodies a paradigm shift, instituting a nationwide, centralised infrastructure for pension disbursement through any banking institution, at any branch across India.

Leveraging cutting-edge IT and banking technologies, the CPPS is set to deliver a more efficient, seamless, and user-centric experience for pensioners.

This centralised system will also guarantee the disbursement of pensions nationwide without necessitating the transfer of Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) from one office to another, even if a pensioner relocates or switches their bank or branch.

This development is expected to offer substantial relief to pensioners who return to their hometowns post-retirement.

Last month, the Union Cabinet, under the stewardship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, endorsed the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for government employees. This scheme is designed to provide a guaranteed minimum pension and family pension, benefiting approximately 2.3 million Central government employees.
ST Employees Accuse Gunaratna Sadavarte of Being a Puppet 2

Ahead of Ganeshotsav, the State Transport (ST) Employees Association has announced an indefinite strike. Since Monday, ST employees have begun a statewide protest, demanding that their salaries be equal to those of state government employees. The union is also calling for immediate action on various issues, including financial matters and privatization, before the Legislative Assemblys code of conduct is imposed.

ST Workers Demands: The dissatisfaction among ST workers stems from unresolved financial and operational issues. A joint action committee, comprising various organizations within the ST Corporation, is pushing for:

Salaries equivalent to those of state government employees

Implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission

Resolution of discrepancies in previous salary increases

Payment of arrears for dearness allowance

Correction of errors in previous contracts

Revisions to disciplinary procedures and their application

Extension of the medical cashless scheme to all employees

Ganpati, one of Maharashtras most celebrated festivals, is particularly significant in the Konkan belt. MSRTC had planned to deploy 5,000 extra Ganpati special buses from September 3-7, serving routes from Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar. However, if the strike continues, passengers with bookings to travel for the festival may face significant difficulties.

The strike has notably impacted bus depots in Pune, Satara, Sangli, and Nashik, affecting overall bus and passenger movement. MSRTC, one of the largest public transport corporations in the country, operates approximately 15,000 buses and employs 90,000 people. With over 6 million passengers daily, MSRTC buses are considered a lifeline for Maharashtra. The State Transport Corporations state-level trade union executive held a meeting on August 14 and gave the state government until August 27 to accept the pending demands of the workers. Then, on August 28, the district-level executive of the workers staged demonstrations and warned that ST Corporation workers would go on strike from September 3. However, as the state government did not address the workers demands, it adversely affected the day-to-day operations of the ST Corporation. On Friday, traffic was disrupted in many places. As of 8 am today, 96 out of 251 ST stations across the state are completely closed. Traffic is partially running in 82 depots, while operations are running smoothly in 73 depots.

During the Maha Vikas Aghadi governments tenure, opposition figures accused Gunaratna Sadavarte of being a puppet used to stir unrest in the state. Sadavarte, who claimed to represent the thousands of MSRTC employees on strike since November 2021, garnered significant attention after MSRTC workers protested outside NCP chief Sharad Pawars residence in Mumbai. Although Sadavarte was not at the protest, he was detained for questioning about his role in inciting the workers. Now, with a new government in place, ST bus workers continue to push for their rights. However, Sadavarte has changed his position, advising MSRTC employees to halt their protests and wait for their demands to be addressed. This shift has exposed Sadavartes double standards and raised questions about his true intentions. However, the advocate is increasingly alleged to be the one leading the strike at the behest of opposition parties in the state. On Friday, he is said to have made provocative statements leading to the protest getting out of hand. In 2018, the Maharashtra government granted reservation to the Maratha community under the Social and Educational Backwardness (SEBC) category. However, Sadavarte argued in the Supreme Court that this reservation was unconstitutional and should not be upheld. On May 5, 2021, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court unanimously revoked the reservation granted to the Maratha community under the SEBC category.

In the meantime, MSRTC employees, numbering over 90,000, have been on strike since November 2021. On Friday afternoon, they held a dramatic protest outside Silver Oak, the residence of NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Pedder Road. The protesters, including many women, accused the veteran leader of failing to support their cause. During the protest, demonstrators shouted slogans, and some even threw footwear at the residence in their frustration.

Gunaratna Sadavarte has been exposed for his apparent double standards and conflicting roles. While aligning himself with the ruling government, he accused opposition leaders Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray of instigating the State Transport (ST) bus strike. Sadavarte pointed out that these opposition figures allegedly promised to support those who create unrest. He further claimed that members of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (the opposition coalition) are gradually starting to take steps in this direction. Sadavarte emphasized that no one will receive any percentage of the spoils or benefits, implying that the oppositions efforts to create unrest would be in vain.

Sadavarte also mentioned that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had been planning to announce the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission during the Dussehra Mela, a move that would benefit government employees. However, according to Sadavarte, certain organizations intervened and halted the agreement that could have led to the announcement. He emphasized that despite leading a group of 65,000 employees, the organizations led by MLAs Padalkar and Pavaskar did not participate in the strike. The key issue, according to Sadavarte, remains whether the employees of the MSRTC will ever receive justice, given the political infighting and stalled decisions. In essence, Sadavarte is portraying himself as a leader striving for employee welfare while accusing the opposition of creating unrest and obstructing progress for political gain.
Uddhav Thackeray Warns of Hitting Streets if Cases Against Badlapur Protesters Not Withdrawn 2

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday demanded the withdrawal of cases against those who had protested in Badlapur against the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls, warning that the opposition would have to hit the streets if it is not done.

Addressing a news conference, Thackeray said the August 24 Maharashtra Bandh called by the opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is not political but against perversion and urged people cutting across caste and religion to participate in it.

He claimed the bandh would be observed on behalf of the people of the state.

Slamming the Eknath Shinde governments action over the Badlapur protest, Thackeray said, Arrests are still taking place in Badlapur. The cases against the protesters must be withdrawn or else we have to hit the streets.

A massive protest rocked Badlapur town in Thane district on Tuesday after thousands of people hit the streets and spilled onto railway tracks to protest the alleged sexual assault of two four-year-old girls by a male attendant at a local school.

At least 25 police personnel were injured in the incidents of stone-pelting at the railway station and other parts of Badlapur during the protest.

Police have arrested 72 persons in connection with the violence during the stir.

The accused was arrested on August 17. He has been sent to police custody till August 26.

Thackeray said the bandh should be strictly followed till 2 pm, ensuring that emergency services remain operational.

He said people are entitled to express their anger not just during elections.

When all roads are shut, justice is sought in the court of people, he said.

The bandh is to make the government realise that the system should discharge its duties diligently.

The former chief minister said even the Bombay High Court, which has taken suo motu cognisance of the alleged sexual assault of the young girls in Badlapur, has slammed the government.

During a hearing on the matter on Thursday, the HC said, Unless there is a strong public outburst, the machinery wont move.
Yoga Guru Arrested for Allegedly Raping NRI Woman Using Past Life Claims 2

A yoga teacher from Mallenahalli, Pradeep Ullal (54), has been arrested on charges of allegedly raping a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) woman by convincing her they had a relationship in a past life. The arrest was made following a complaint lodged by the victim, the police reported on Wednesday.

According to the complaint, the victim, originally from Punjab but currently residing in California, claimed that she was sexually assaulted by Ullal during three separate visits to his Kevala Foundation between 2021 and 2022. The woman, who had sought spiritual guidance from the yoga guru, was allegedly manipulated into believing in their past life connection, which Ullal used to exploit her trust.

The police are currently investigating the matter further, and Ullal remains in custody.
Six people were killed in traffic crashes worked by Alabama State Troopers over Labor Day weekend.

The holiday period began at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, and continued through midnight Monday, Sept. 2.

The traffic fatalities took place in Cleburne, Chilton and Mobile counties. Saturday was the only day during the long weekend with no fatalities.

Troopers also investigated 185 traffic crashes that resulted in 101 injuries, made 29 DUI arrests, issued 227 citations for seat belt violations, 1,688 citations for speeding and 15 citations for reckless driving.

The Labor Day statistics released by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Wednesday do not include traffic crashes worked by other law enforcement agencies.

Eight people were killed during the same time period last year, including four teens.

On the states waterways, ALEAs Marine Patrol Division investigated one drowning on Wheeler Lake, which happened Sunday.

There were no boating-related fatalities, but troopers did investigate one boating incident that occurred on Lake Tuscaloosa resulting in two injuries.

Investigators carried out 366 vessel inspections, made six Boating Under the Influence (BUI) arrests, issued 469 Marine Safety Warnings and 105 Marine Safety Citations.

Additionally, the Marine Patrol Division provided patrols and assisted with six different events on the water over the busy holiday weekend.

Monday also marked the end of ALEAs 101 Days of Summer Safety.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the summer months are oftentimes referred to as the 100 deadliest days of summer, as many families travel, and young teens hit the road for the first time.

To combat the 100 deadliest days of summer and reduce tragedies statewide, ALEA officials said, the agency launched the 101 Days of Summer Safety campaign to spread awareness on the dangers of risky driving behaviors and encourage safety talks with teens and loved ones.

As of Sept. 1, ALEA had investigated 32 fewer traffic fatalities compared to the same time in 2023.

While we are encouraged by the decrease in fatalities, there is still much work to be done, said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. These tragic incidents underline the importance of road safety, as well boating safety, and the ongoing need for vigilance and adherence to the states laws throughout the entire year.
First responders throughout the Birmingham metro recently rallied in support of the Northern Beltline, saying that it could save lives.

The completed beltline, which has been in development on and off for the past 30 years, consists of a 52-mile, six-lane corridor stretching from I-59 in northeast Jefferson County to the I-459 interchange with I-59/20 near Bessemer. The next phase, scheduled for completion by 2027, is a 10-mile stretch of four-lane highway connecting U.S. Highway 31 near Gardendale to State Route 79 near Pinson.
There were no immediate breakthroughs during a two-hour hearing Tuesday on the lawsuits by companies competing for Alabamas limited number of medical marijuana licenses.

Lawyers packed the front of the courtroom and the jury box for the hearing held by Montgomery County Circuit Judge James Anderson.

More than a dozen companies are involved in the litigation, which concerns how the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) awarded licenses to the companies that will grow, process, and dispense medical marijuana.

The Legislature passed a bill called the Compassion Act three years ago, making Alabama the 36th state to legalize medical marijuana. The licensing disputes have stopped the new industry from fully launching, and it is uncertain when medical products will be available.

The AMCC has issued licenses to some companies, including cultivators, who are already growing the plants. But the industry cannot fully begin and provide products to patients until at least some of the legal issues are resolved. The disputes concern licenses for integrated companies - which will grow, process, and dispense medical cannabis - and for companies that will be dispensaries only.

Companies in those categories have asked Anderson to vacate or modify a temporary restraining he issued in July to allow licensing to proceed. Their positions generally align with the AMCC, whose lawyers are also asking Anderson to lift or modify his order.

On the other side are companies denied licenses that claim the AMCC has violated state laws, including the Compassion Act, the Alabama Administrative Procedures Act, and the Open Meetings Act in the way it picked companies for licenses.

When Anderson issued the temporary restraining order in July, he wrote that the companies challenging the AMCCs procedures as not following state laws had shown a reasonable chance that they could succeed on the merits of those claims.

Alabama Always, which was denied a integrated license, has spearheaded much of the litigation against the AMCC. The company said it spent about $5 million building a cultivation and production facility in Montgomery.

In its most recent motion, filed Friday, Alabama Always asked Anderson to appoint a special master to take over the licensing process because of what the company claims are the AMCCs repeated failures to follow the Administrative Procedures Act and the Open Meetings Act.

William Somerville, attorney for Alabama Always, said after Tuesdays hearing that he expected to file a motion for summary judgement, challenging the AMCC on several key issues.

The process is clearly flawed, Somerville said. And this has to be a way to move the whole process forward to make sure that the licenses that are issued, when they are issued, are legal and enforceable and that there cant be any challenge to them. Because right now weve got a situation where they keep issuing licenses and keep doing so in violation of the law and its just got the whole process mired in mud.

Jemmstone Alabama, another denied applicant for an integrated license, has similar claims against the AMCC.

On the other side are several companies that were awarded integrated licenses.

Sustainable Alabama has been awarded an integrated license three times by the AMCC, in June, August, and December 2023. The AMCC rescinded the first two rounds of awards and the December awards are on hold and the subject of the current litigation.

Joel Connally, a lawyer for Sustainable Alabama, urged Anderson to use the courts discretion and modify the temporary restraining order to allow the AMCC to issue a license to his company, as a three-time awardee, and allow the industry to begin work while other litigation runs its course. Connally said there is a risk that the Legislature could grow frustrated with the legal costs and lack of progress and repeal the law.

The injunction remains the poison that can kill this thing, Connally told Anderson.

Near the end of Tuesdays hearing, Anderson said the session had been informative and productive. He said he would consider modifying his temporary restraining order to allow investigative hearings for companies denied licenses to take place. The investigative hearing process is one of the points of contention. Companies denied licenses say the hearings are not a meaningful way to appeal the AMCCs decisions and do not comply with state law.

Anderson announced two decisions. He said he would grant a request by Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Rick Pate to be dismissed as a defendant in the litigation. The Compassion Act initially made the Department of Agriculture & Industries responsible for regulating companies that cultivate medical cannabis. But the Legislature revised the law to make the AMCC fully responsible for regulating cultivators.

Anderson denied a motion by patient advocate Amanda Taylor of Cullman to intervene in the litigation. Taylor suffers from multiple sclerosis and other conditions. Taylor moved away from Alabama to try medical cannabis and said she benefitted from it when she lived in Arizona. She returned to her home state to lobby the Legislature to pass the Compassion Act three years ago. She is executive director of the Patients Coalition for Medical Cannabis.

The judge said he was sympathetic to patients who need medical marijuana but said Taylor did not have legal standing to be a party in the litigation between companies applying for licenses and the AMCC.

Ashton Ott, attorney for Taylor, said intervention in the case was appropriate because no other parties in the case represent patients.

The patients need a seat at the table, Ott said.

Anderson said theres nothing preventing Taylor from making public comments about the lawsuits.

Taylor said after the hearing she was disappointed by the decision but would continue to show up and speak out.

We have all these lawyers that are keeping everything held back and its not fair to the patients because they are sick, they are suffering, and they are dying, Taylor said.

The Compassion Act, passed in 2021, allows companies to make gummies, tablets, capsules, tinctures, patches, oils, and other forms of medical marijuana. Patients who receive a recommendation from a certified doctor will get a medical cannabis card that will allow them to buy the products at licensed dispensaries.

The law allows the products to be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, weight loss and nausea from cancer, depression, panic disorder, epilepsy, muscle spasms caused by disease or spinal cord injuries, PTSD, and others.
A 25-year-old man is behind bars in connection with a weekend shooting at a Bessemer gas station that left three men dead.

The arrest was announced Tuesday during a press conference in which Bessemer Mayor Kenneth Gulley addressed a bloody weekend in the city that saw 10 people shot, three of them fatally.

Ive been affiliated with the City of Bessemer for almost 30 years, Gulley said, and I have never seen a more violent, tragic weekend as I did this past weekend.

These victims are not just statistics, the mayor said. Theyre our young men. Theyre sons. Theyre brothers. Theyre grandsons. And their lives mattered.

Willie B. Stokes III, of Bessemer, is charged with first-degree hindering prosecution.

Charging documents against Stokes allege he bought gasoline for capital murder suspect Raukeem Cunningham to set the suspect vehicle on fire.

He did so, records state, just before midnight Friday, shortly after Wesley Fowler Jr., 41, Christopher Eddins, 25 and Ronald Dixon Jr., 20, were fatally shot at the Citgo on Fourth Avenue North.

Stokes was booked into the Jefferson County Jail Monday night and remains held on $30,000.

Det. Justin Burmeister said police are still looking for at least two other possible suspects.

Raukeem Cunningham(Jefferson County Jail)

The shooting happened shortly after 11:30 p.m. Friday. Burmeister said the shooting started in the parking lot. The shooter or shooters followed at least some of the victims into the store and continued shooting.

A motive has not been disclosed.

On Monday night, four people were shot in a drive-by while attending a small vigil for the Friday night homicide victims. Initially police said three people were wounded, but on Tuesday said they learned a female had also been struck. None of those injuries were life-threatening.

On Sunday night, three men were shot while in the parking lot of a small strip of business on Ninth Avenue North. A gunman or gunmen approached their pickup truck and opened fire.

Police have said they dont believe that shooting is connected to the two at Citgo.

Two of those victims remain in critical condition.

Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff District Attorney Lynneice Washington, Mayor Kenneth Gulley and Police Chief Michael Wood address a violent weekend that saw three people killed and seven injured in shootings.(Carol Robinson)

Gulley said the weekend violence left him with a heavy heart.

To the perpetrators of these violent acts, you will be found, and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, the mayor said. We are committed to utilizing all of our available resources to fight this criminal element and give the victims and their families swift justice.

I implore everyone affected by these wicked and evil acts to dial back your emotions and take a moment to think about your choices and how they affect your family, friends and neighbors, he said. Retaliation is never the answer.

When we retaliate, we all lose, he said. Its a vicious cycle that never stops. It will only deepen the wounds.

Bessemer Police Chief Michael Wood said the department has deployed all of its available resources and reached out to county, state and federal law enforcement for assistance.

Our condolences go out to families, he said. No one deserves to lose a child, a family member, in the way that this has gone down.

This will not be tolerated in the City of Bessemer plain and simple, the chief said. Were not going to have this activity.

Wood said police cant be everywhere.

If someone has made up in their mind that theyre going to go shoot someone, theyre going to go shoot them. We react to that, he said. I wish we could be everywhere. I wish we could have stopped all this nonsense, but we couldnt.

Wood said law enforcement is hindered by the permit-less carry laws in Alabama. The state became the 25th state in the U.S. to approve a permit-less carry law in 2022.

I agree you have the right to carry a gun, Wood said, but you need a background check.

People say it wouldnt make a difference. Theyre going to get guns, he said. But if theyre on their way to a shooting and the police stop them and they dont have a permit for that gun, guess what?

We can take them to jail, Wood said. Its a misdemeanor, correct, but it just stopped a felony or a robbery or something else.

It would cut out some of this mess, but its not going to stop, the chief said. Its a cultural thing with the younger people. Its something that they believe is the way to solve problems.

Youve got to talk it out, he said, not shoot it out.

Bessemer Cutoff Jefferson County District Attorney Lynneice Washington agree with the chief on permit-less carry, which she said contributed to the proliferation of guns on the streets.

She also vowed to get justice for the families of those touched by the violent weekend.

The behavior of what we have seen over these last three, four days is unacceptable, she said. When we catch you, and we will, you will be aggressively prosecuted.

Right now, Washington said, you have mothers and fathers who are today are trying to make funeral arrangements for their child, or their husband or their loved one for something thats senseless.

Anyone with information in any of the weekend shootings is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
China releases guidelines to improve rural public health

Xinhua) 11:23, September 04, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's National Health Commission and 13 other authorities jointly issued a set of guidelines on Tuesday to improve public health in the country's rural areas.

According to the guidelines, the government will promote healthy lifestyles in rural areas and take preventive measures to avoid people falling into poverty due to illness.

China will improve the healthcare system in rural areas by enhancing infrastructure conditions, optimizing functional layouts, developing talent, and refining operational mechanisms, the guidelines state.

The country aims to substantially reduce the disparities in healthcare development and the health level of residents in urban and rural areas over the next decade, according to the guidelines.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Gov. Greg Abbott continues to push a narrative that "noncitizens" are illegally voting in Texas. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Alex Wong/Getty Images

Underhanded ballot harvesting. Blue counties allowing noncitizens to vote. Faulty electronic voting machines subject to manipulation.

Once upon a time, you could wave off such claims as the nonsensical ramblings of extremist conspiracy theorists. No more. To hear Gov. Greg Abbott tell it, these are now credible issues worthy of serious investigations on the taxpayers' dime. Eager to fan the flames of voter fraud hysteria, Abbott announced in a press release last week that the state has removed more than 1 million people from voter rolls since 2021, including 6,500 potential noncitizens, all in an effort to aggressively protect our elections from illegal voting.

The governors announcement came days after Attorney General Ken Paxtons office raided members of the League of United Latin American Citizens, a Latino civil rights organization, probing allegations of voter fraud. Paxton is also threatening to sue Harris and Bexar counties for proposing to mail out voter registration forms en masse, arguing such efforts could encourage ineligible voters to register.

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Less than two months before the start of early voting, the timing of these actions appears to have a clear intent: to sow confusion, scare people from voting and suppress turnout. Weve seen this rhetorical pattern play out too often  with no substantial evidence of a large-scale problem  to draw any other conclusion.

Sure, voter fraud happens, though its rare and almost never coordinated. Texas, though, has a long, sordid history of exaggerated voter fraud claims dating back to post-Civil War Reconstruction, when former slaves were blocked from voting. Today, some politicians continue to push the notion that certain candidates can only win when they cheat. Four years ago, Donald Trump pushed this Big Lie to the max, infamously refusing to accept his loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 election, to the point that he encouraged an insurrection on the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to interrupt the certification of that result.

That low point in American history shouldve been a wake-up call for politicians such as Abbott to choose their words carefully. Instead, he and his partner in voter fraud obsession, Paxton, have helped refashion Trumps Big Lie into a new buzzword: election integrity.

Do we have any reason to believe our states elections arent secure? No. From 2005 through 2022, among 94 million votes cast in Texas elections, there were 174 total prosecutions for election fraud. More recently, the Chronicles Taylor Goldenstein reported that Paxtons ballyhooed election fraud unit closed a grand total of six cases since September 2022.

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In reality, the large number of voter roll cancellations that Abbott touted  which, curiously, were announced by his office and not the Secretary of States Office, the agency that oversees elections  are part of routine list maintenance that election officials conduct on a weekly basis. As Abbotts statement indicated, some registered voters made the list because they died, moved out of state or otherwise changed addresses. Federal law requires voting officials to verify that they are still living or if they have moved if they want to remain on voter rolls.

But Abbott seems to intentionally try to confuse with the numbers he cherry-picked for his release. After talking with the Secretary of States Office, we still cant figure out where the governor got the statistic that 1,930 potential noncitizens have a voting history in the past three years. The release says those folks have been referred to Paxtons office for potential legal action. The governors office didnt respond to our questions.

When we checked the Secretary of States data, monthly cancellation records indicated 657 potential noncitizens had been booted off the voter rolls during that time after they responded to a jury summons by indicating they werent citizens and couldnt serve. Jury summonses are sent to Texans with driver licenses, which of course, includes green card holders. None of this implies that they did anything wrong.

Likewise, many of the governors 6,500 potential noncitizens are most likely new U.S. citizens who didnt verify their new status with the countys election office within 30 days. Of course, the governor didnt offer any caveats.

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Without that crucial context, one might associate these potential noncitizens with malicious claims that Democrats are registering undocumented immigrants to vote, which Paxton is now reportedly investigating. It appears thats what Abbott wants you to believe. In an interview with The Texan last week, the governor mused about the potential schemes these noncitizens may have been engaging in.

Was it ballot harvesting? Was it that they went on their own to go vote, or was it a part of some other larger process where there are conspirators involved? Abbott said. It almost raises more questions than it provides answers.

As a former trial judge, state Supreme Court justice and attorney general, Abbott knows better than most that speculating about criminal plots, without any evidence, and when none of these folks have even been charged with a crime, is beyond reckless.

Moreover, the schemes he described are extremely difficult to execute in Texas. The state requires a valid form of photo ID in order to cast a ballot  including a driver license, handgun license, military identification card or a U.S. passport  documents which immigrants living here illegally cant obtain. Texas' noncitizen designation refers only to people who check a box when applying for a driver license indicating they are legal immigrants  which they must verify with green cards or visas.

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Yet even these legal noncitizens have, in the past, been erroneously flagged by the state as possible illegal voters. Five years ago, former Secretary of State David Whitley was forced to resign after attempting to purge 100,000 suspected noncitizens from the voter rolls, even though many were found to be naturalized citizens. Voting rights organizations sued the state, resulting in a settlement agreement that led to changes in how noncitizens are flagged in voting roles. Currently, the secretary of states office isnt supposed to be flagging voters unless they registered to vote and then later indicated in a document that they were not citizens. That process is supposed to protect the roughly 70,000 immigrants who naturalize in Texas each year from being incorrectly flagged.

To sum up: take Abbotts noncitizen voters claim with a boulder-sized grain of salt. The timing of Abbotts announcement, roughly two months before early voting starts for this years election, is hardly coincidental. It appears designed to sow fear and doubt among the general public that even naturalized citizens  legal voters  should be viewed warily by elections officials and voter fraud crusaders.

Heres the truth every Texan should know before voting: there are multiple checks in place to ensure that everyone who casts a ballot in Texas does so legally. Anyone who tells you otherwise, even the governor of our state, is spinning a tall tale.

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A man who was allegedly killed by his partner in southeast Alabama was mutilated into multiple pieces with a chainsaw and was shot, according to a law enforcement official who testified Wednesday at a bond hearing in Geneva County Circuit Court.

As a result of the testimony, Joselina Lopez was denied bond on a charge of intentional murder in the slaying of Benito Morales Guzman in Geneva County, court records showed.

Guzmans boss reported him missing last week, prompting authorities to visit his home he shared with Lopez in Fadette on Aug. 27.

Officers noticed a strong odor of decomposition they believed came from a Toyota Corolla and noticed several garbage bags at the back of the vehicle, testified Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Special Agent Phillip Schuler.

ALEAs State Bureau of Investigation is probing Guzmans death.

Officers searched the Corolla and found a body believed to be that of Benita Morales Guzman, mutilated into multiple pieces and spread out in 10 to 15 garbage bags in the back seat and trunk of the Corolla along with an electric chainsaw, knives and cleaning supplies, records showed.

A gun was found in the house and five of the six cartridges were fired from the revolver. Two bullets were removed from Guzmans body.

Authorities discovered Lopez bought four electric chainsaws, returning one of them to the hardware store she purchased them from.

The chainsaw found in the vehicle still had human flesh on it, records stated.

Authorities appeared to suggest that Lopez intended to flee; in another vehicle on the property, authorities found a car seat for a child that had been at the house with Lopez when authorities were there, a packed diaper bag, the childs birth certificate and Lopezs passport.

Further, blood was found on the box of baby formula in the diaper bag, court records said.

Lopezs bond hearing revealed she has relatives in Mexico and Guatemala. In a recording made when Lopez was in the Geneva County jail, she allegedly told a relative I should have left earlier.

Geneva County District Court Judge Stephen Smith said several facts of the case led him to deny bond for Lopez.
An investigation is underway after a man was shot in Birmingham.

The shooting happened about 11 a.m. Wednesday in the 500 block of 56th Street South.

Sgt. LaQuitta Wade said the victims condition is life-threatening. Additional details have not been released.

One person has been detained for questioning. .

Anyone with information can call police at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Mobile has recorded a record high temperature for the second day in a row.

The National Weather Service climate report for Tuesday shows a high temperature of 98 degrees at the Mobile Regional Airport. That broke the old record of 97 degrees set in 1944.

Mobile also had a record high on Monday, hitting 99 degrees and breaking the record of 98 degrees that had stood since 1964.

It was very hot across south Alabama on Tuesday. The Dothan Airport reported a high temperature of 101 degrees. That wasnt enough to break the standing record for Sept. 3, which is 105 degrees.

Other Alabama cities were warm, but not way above average like they were last week.

Some other temperatures from Tuesday:

* Birmingham: 88 degrees (record 102 degrees in 1925)

* Huntsville: 89 degrees (record 103 degrees in 1925)

* Montgomery: 92 degrees (record 99 degrees in 1925)

* Muscle Shoals: 91 degrees (record 103 degrees in 1913)

* Tuscaloosa: 92 degrees (record 102 degrees in 1951)

More of Alabama will get some relief from those way-above-average temperatures on Wednesday.

High tomorrow are expected to still be warm, but many areas will not make it to 90 degrees and instead stay in the mid- to upper 80s. That incudes todays hot spots in south Alabama (See the forecast for Wednesday at the top of this post).

Like the trend of cooler temperatures? Then just wait until Thursday.

Here are the expected highs:

Highs in the 70s? It could be possible on Thursday in parts of Alabama.NWS

Rain and clouds are expected in parts of Alabama on Thursday, which will be partly to blame for the lower temperatures. But those cooler temperatures are expected to hang around into Friday as well:
A 64-year-old retired U.S. Army colonel was shot three times during the purchase of a dump trailer brokered on Facebook Marketplace.

The shooting happened late Sunday afternoon in Cullman County, and the 21-year-old suspect entered the country illegally roughly two years ago, said Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry.

Im pissed off today, Gentry said during a Wednesday press conference. Im pissed off that were even having to have this conversation.

The suspect was identified as Abel Medardo Sacrab-Chen of Guatemala. Sacrab-Chen was shot by the victim during the incident.

Sacrab-Chen is charged with first-degree robbery and certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm. More charges are possible.

The victim  Glenn Gildon, who posted about his ordeal on Facebook  met with the suspect about 5:30 p.m. Sunday on Brunner Street.

Sacrab-Chen told Gildon the trailer was not actually on site, and they would have to drive to another location.

The victim felt that something wasnt right, Gentry said. Like good law-abiding citizens, he had his firearm with him, which is probably the only thing that save his life.

As they were driving in Gildons truck, the sheriff said, Sacrab-Chen put a knife to the victims throat and said, Give me your money or Im going to kill you.

The two struggled and Gildon fired his gun.

But my pistol jammed, and I couldnt get it to fire again so I threw it and exited the truck, Gildon wrote. He got my pistol and got it to work.

He came to execute me, he wrote, but God had a different plan.

Gildon was shot in the stomach, shoulder and leg.

Did I mention that Im still here? Gildon wrote. Gods plan of a better testimony wouldnt have worked if my pistol had continued to function. Gods plan is always better.

Sheriffs deputies received the call of the shooting in the area of County Road 463.

Good Samaritans had stopped to help Gildon. Deputies and Cullman police quickly found the suspect, who was still in Gildons truck.

The suspect, Gentry said, had been shot at least one time.

Both remain hospitalized.

The sheriff said Sacrab-Chen crossed the border a couple of years ago, identified and let into the U.S. to become a violent criminal in our community.

That pisses me off that we allow an illegal alien into our country to make his way here to pose and sell something on the internet to then try to murder and rob a veteran, Gentry said. You see it in California. You see it in New York, and today we see it in Cullman Alabama which is ridiculous.

Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker said the suspect will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Being in the country illegally may get you a free house in California, Crocker said, but it does not entitle you to immunity from prosecution in Cullman County.
You were mistaken if you thought Donald Trump was ready to move on from his visit to Arlington National Cemetery.

On Tuesday, Trump breathed more life into the story when he pushed back on assertions made by the press and the U.S. Army itself that members of his staff had engaged in an altercation with ANC personnel.

The was no conflict or fighting at Arlington National Cemetery last week. It was a made-up story by Comrade Kamala and her misinformation squad. She made it all up to make up for the fact that she and Sleepy Joe have BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS for the INCOMPETENT AFGHANISTAN Withdrawal  THE MOST EMBARRASSING DAY IN U.S. HISTORY!!! Trump wrote via his Truth Social media platform.

Trumps stance comes after he was apparently invited to Arlington for an August 26 wreath-laying ceremony, which itself came on the three-year anniversary of the deaths of 13 American service members working to facilitate a speedy and hectic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan after nearly two decades at war.

The visit drew the ire of veterans and military supporters alike after Trumps campaign shared images of him standing over the graves of our nations most recently fallen military members while smiling and flashing a thumbs up for the camera.

The area of the cemetery Trump was visiting, Section 60, strictly prohibits photography. That thumbs-up image and video taken of the event and later shared by the Trump campaign team were both prohibited by Army regulation and federal law.

Participants in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent Section 60 visit were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds, an Army spokesperson said in a statement.

They said Arlington National Cemetery holds thousands of wreath-laying ceremonies each year. All of those were carried out without a problem until last week.

An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside. Consistent with the decorum expected at ANC, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption, they said.

Despite Trumps claim the event did not take place, the Army said a report was filed with the relevant police agency, though no charges will be forthcoming.

The incident was reported to the JBM-HH police department, but the employee subsequently decided not to press charges. Therefore, the Army considers this matter closed, they said.

Trump has said he was invited to be at the event by the grieving families, and that they gave permission for his staff to film and photograph his visit. Even if that is the case, Trump, his staff, and Gold Star families do not have the authority to suspend Army regulation or U.S. law as they see fit.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee to the presidency, took to social media over the weekend to lambaste Trumps use of the nations most hallowed ground for political purposes.

On Tuesday, her campaign pointed out that this week is the four-year anniversary of Trumps infamous suckers and losers comments, which he allegedly made to gold-star father and four-star Gen. John Kelly while refusing to visit a WWI cemetery in Europe.

We should never forget that Donald Trump disparaged our fallen service members as suckers and losers. Even all these years later, it remains shocking, disturbing, and simply un-American. No one seeking Americas highest office should ever talk about our fallen heroes this way. Its disqualifying. Trump has repeatedly attacked and demeaned our service members, veterans, and military families, and his reckless policies threaten to gut their hard-earned benefits, Harris-Walz 2024 Spokesperson Joseph Costello said in a statement.

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2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at bostonherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
U.S. Steels CEO says his company will close steel mills if its planned $14.1 billion sale to Nippon Steel is not completed.

Chief executive David Burritt told The Wall Street Journal that the Japan-based company has pledged to invest $3 billion into the company to maintain its older mills.

If the deal collapses, U.S. Steel would likely also move its headquarters out of Pittsburgh, he said, and planned investment in older mills will not happen.

We wouldnt do that if the deal falls through, Burritt said in an interview with the Journal. I dont have the money.

Nippon Steel, one of the worlds largest steelmakers and a top supplier to the American auto industry, announced the proposed deal last December.

Earlier this week, Vice President Kamala Harris telegraphed her opinion that U.S. Steel should remain domestically owned  coinciding with the White Houses earlier opposition. Former President Donald Trump also came out against the deal last month.

The United Steelworkers union castigated Burritt for his statement, saying the deal would allow Nippon Steel to gut U.S. Steels operations to benefit its steel mills in Japan.

(Burritts) reckless statements and mismanagement are the only true obstacles to U.S. Steel remaining a sustainable steel company, the union said.

Fairfield is the site of one of the companys mills, with a $412 million electric arc furnace that began production in 2020, which can produce as much as 1.6 million tons of steel a year.

The project was originally shut down in Dec. 2015 due to unfavorable market conditions, but was announced again in 2019.

The furnace employs a mix of mini-mill and integrated mill technology. Electric arc furnaces make steel from melted scrap metal instead of iron ore and can operate with fewer workers. They are also easier to stop and restart than traditional blast furnaces that must operate continuously to avoid damage, making them flexible to market demands.

The company, founded in 1901, has deep roots in Alabama and was once the largest employer in Birmingham, with about 15,000 people on the payroll at its peak.
Inquiring minds wanted to know  and now we do.

Where Barron Trump is attending college is no longer a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.

The New York Post spotted the 6-foot-7 18-year-old Wednesday on the sprawling East Village concrete campus, with Secret Service agents in tow.

The teen will reportedly again be provided a security detail, just as he was at Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida. Fellow classmates reported the kid was a bit of a loner, thanks to the fact that he did not partake in any extracurricular activities, attend parties nor appear on social media.

In a big place like Manhattan, the younger Trump, who was born and partially raised there, may be able to blend in more, and actually have an authentic (ish) collegiate experience.

Its a very high quality place. He liked it, the former president, 78, confirmed to The Daily Mail, adding his son will study business at Stern Undergraduate College. Hes a very high aptitude child, but hes no longer a child. Hes just passed into something beyond child-dom. Hes doing great.

Someone else who seems pleased with the decision is Barrons mother, Melania Trump.

Last week the former first lady posted a cryptic snap of the NYC skyline on the 28th anniversary of arriving there as a young model from Slovenia.

This electrifying town isnt just my home, wrote the 54 year old who travels frequently from the Mar a Lago compound in Florida to their residence at Trump Tower in Midtown. Its a colorful canvas where dreams come alive.

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2024 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A 70-year-old Alabama man died late last month after a surgeon at a Florida hospital mistakenly removed his liver instead of his spleen, an attorney for his widow said.

Muscle Shoals resident William Bryan and his wife, Beverly Bryan, were at their rental property in Okaloosa County, Florida, when William Bryan began experiencing pain in his left side.

The couple went to Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, where doctors warned William Bryan that he would suffer serious complications if he did not immediately have surgery, said Joe Zarzour, a Florida attorney representing Beverly Bryan.

On Aug. 21, William Bryan underwent a laparoscopic splenectomy when Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky mistakenly removed his liver, resulting in the cutting of a major artery that caused sudden blood loss and William Bryans death, Zarzour said.

The error was not immediately noticed; Shaknovsky labeled the removed liver specimen as spleen, the attorney claimed.

A surgical pathologist at the hospital who reviewed the specimen identified the spleen as Shaknovskys liver, according to a copy of the pathologists report obtained by Zarzours office and sent to AL.com.

Ascension Sacred Heart Gold Coast did not directly address Zarzours claims in a statement to AL.com.

We take allegations like this very seriously, and our leadership team is performing a thorough investigation into this event. Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast has a longstanding history of providing safe, quality care since the hospital opened its doors in 2003, the statement read. Patient safety is and remains our number one priority. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family. We hold the privacy of our patients in the highest regard. We do not comment on specific patient cases or active litigation.

Beverly Bryan said she retained Zarzour in hopes of preventing future fatal surgical errors at the Florida hospital.

My husband died while helpless on the operating room table by Dr. Shaknovsky, she said in a statement. I dont want anyone else to die due to his incompetence at a hospital that should have known or knew he had previously made drastic, life-altering surgical mistakes.
Ala. Rep. Donna Givens, R-Foley, speaks at the blessing ceremony for a new Safe Haven Baby Box held Sept. 4, 2024, at USA Health Children's and Women's Hospital. The box was the eighth installed in the state.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

Officials gathered Wednesday to celebrate the opening of the states eighth Safe Haven Baby Box, a spot where parents can drop off a newborn anonymously and without fear of prosecution.

The box, located near the ambulance entrance of USA Health Childrens and Womens Hospital, is the first in southwest Alabama and the first in the state to be attached directly to a hospital. Among those present was Alabama Rep. Donna Givens, R-Foley, who as a freshman legislator launched the bill that authorized the use of the baby boxes in the state.

To me, if someone makes this choice, to put a baby in a box, theyre doing it out of love, said Givens. Because theyve had the baby, they know they cant care for the baby. Or they know theyre in a bad situation and its best for the baby to be placed with someone that would love the baby and give the baby a hope and a future.

Givens described the boxes as a threefold boon: use of them may save the life of a baby, may save a mother from grief and may help fulfill someones wish to adopt.

A young lady, sometimes at no fault of her own, realizes she cannot keep a baby. So instead of making a mistake, something she would regret for the rest of her life, something she could be charged with manslaughter, this gives her the opportunity to place a baby in a box where its lovingly going to be cared for the minute that buzzer sounds, Givens said. Someone picks up that baby, they call DHR, they take the baby to the hospital, to make sure the baby is healthy, see to any need the baby would have, and the process begins.

Givens thanked hospital officials for their role. She also thanked Gov. Kay Ivey, for throwing her support behind a piece of legislation offered mid-session by a freshman legislator.

Givens 2023 bill modified Alabama law in place for more than a decade. Since 2000, Alabama law has allowed parents to surrender infants up to three days old at hospitals and not be charged with abandonment. The 2023 act allows the surrender of infants up to 45 days old at Baby Boxes attached to the exterior walls of fire stations staffed around the clock by emergency personnel.

The first in Alabama was installed in Madison in January, and a newborn girl was left in it Jan. 21. In July, the seventh was opened in Jasper. Others are in place in Prattville, Dothan, Ozark and Tuscaloosa. As of May, three babies had been left, all in the box at Madisons Fire Station No. 1.

Kids to Love, a private foundation based in Madison, offered to provide the first 10 Safe Haven Baby Boxes in the state, with funding from an anonymous donor. Safe Haven has limited its relationship with Kids to Love, which provides private adoptions, to maintain a strict policy to stay completely out of the adoption process.

Lee Marshall, founder and CEO of Kids to Love, told AL.com in the summer of 2023 that Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Madison, Gadsden and Scottsboro had committed to using the boxes. Foley Fire Chief Joey Darby said at the time that he wanted to make one available in Baldwin County.

The inside of the new baby box faces a lobby at the ambulance entrance to USA Health Children's and Women's Hospital.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

Givens confirmed that on Wednesday. Foley was waiting on a Safe Haven box to be delivered, and it soon will be installed at a city fire station, she said.

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, who was on hand for the blessing of the new box, said they city had been planning to put a box at a fire station, though USA Health Childrens and Womens had taken the lead. Part of our long-range vision is to have more of these baby boxes all over the city and Ill let you know when the second one will be opened at Station 12, Stimpson said.

The boxes, which include a climate-controlled incubator and alarms to alert responders when a baby is placed within them, cost about $20,000. Theyve grown in popularity across the country in recent years. Critics argue that theyre a feel-good solution that make it easier for communities to avoid grappling with issues that might lead mothers to think of abandoning babies in the first place, such as domestic violence, homelessness and difficulty obtaining mental and physical healthcare. However, safe haven laws in general and the baby boxes in particular have tended to enjoy broad bipartisan support. Givens bill passed both houses of the Alabama legislature with unanimous support, a rare feat.

Locations of Safe Haven Baby Boxes in Alabama can be found on an online map. More information on the boxes can be found at https://www.shbb.org/about.
This combination of photos shows Vice President Kamala Harris, left, on Aug. 7, 2024 and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump on July 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

One week from Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will face off for the first time in the latest presidential debate.

The debate comes more than two months after the first debate of the presidential season June 27. A lot has changed in those two months.

President Joe Biden stepped aside to let Harris take the Democratic nomination. Trump was shot during a rally in Pennslyvania. Both parties held conventions, and the presidential candidates picked their running mates.

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When is the presidential debate?

The upcoming presidential debate is scheduled for Sept. 10 at 8 p.m.

Where will the presidential debate be held?

The debate takes place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

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Who will be participating in the debate?

Democratic nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump are the two participants in the debate.

How can you watch the presidential debate?

The debate will be broadcast on ABC. There will be streams available on ABC News Live, the ABC News Youtube channel, Disney+ and Hulu.

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PBS will also be simulcasting the debate live on YouTube.

What are the presidential debate rules?

The Associated Press reported last week the debate will have muted microphones and no written notes. It will also not be held in front of an audience.

Harris' team, however, is hoping that ABC will change its mind on the microphones and allow them to be live the entire time.

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Who are the moderators for the presidential debate?

There are two moderators for the presidential debate: David Muir and Linsey Davis. Muir is the anchor of World News Tonight." Davis anchors the Sunday edition of World News Tonight" and also hosts her own show ABC News Live.

How many presidential debates are there ahead of the election?

There has been one presidential debate already back in June. When Biden was running against Trump, the two sides agreed to just the two debates.

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But since the change to Harris, Trump has talked about multiple debates between the two major candidates in September. Harris' team pushed back, saying if Trump showed up Sept. 10 then they would commit to another debate in October.










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.



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Last week, armed Tren de Aragua (TDa) gang members, illegal immigrants from Venezuela, pounded on apartment doors in Aurora, Colorado, and bullied residents.

This problem may spread to communities across our nation because Democrat politicians have opened our southern border to criminal illegal aliens -- many have been flown in -- and they are going to set up residences and headquarters in many places.

We are still getting some of the truth on these things because our nation is not yet fully a one-party nation, but the truth is becoming a rare commodity. Democrats seem to be obfuscating the truth, and they are confusing and gaslighting the public about this.

Some of the people living in the apartments were forced to leave by the gang members. However, Democrat politicians and Denver mainstream media played down the issue as if it were nothing. They also demonized Republicans.

Republican politicians and other media took the issue seriously. John Fabbricatore, a veteran and former ICE official, is running for Congress in the district where this took place. He wrote about helping a man get his mother out of her apartment.

Today, Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky contacted me to assist an elderly woman who was being harassed by Venezuelan gang members in her apartment complex. The harassment and threats she faced were unacceptable, so we went in and got it done. Check out this shocking video showing armed, foreign gang members harassing members of our community. No more standing by... We had the support of Aurora Police, who were essential in ensuring our safety and we were grateful for their presence. When we arrived, Jurinsky was the first one to go in to meet the lady and a young man charged up the stairs after her, not realizing that Aurora PD was coming up the back stairwell. They stopped him and questioned him, but unfortunately there was not much they could do. It took us an hour to quickly and safely move the entire one-bedroom apartment and get the lady out, but her son forgot a surveillance camera in the apartment. By the time we got back upstairs to retrieve it, there were already squatters inside.

What was the response of leadership and media in the city and state? Republicans: Good and straightforward. Democrats: Bad and Orwellian.

The Republican mayor of Aurora, Mike Coffman, acknowledged the problem as real, though limited. He was pragmatic, producing a solution fairly quickly. He gave this statement on Facebook in the afternoon of August 30:

The Aurora City Attorney's Office is preparing court documents to request an emergency court order to clear the apartment buildings where Venezuelan gang activity has been occurring by declaring the properties a "Criminal Nuisance." This will require a municipal judge to issue the order with the goal of getting these properties back under the control of the property owners. In the meantime, the law enforcement task force set up to disrupt and arrest Venezuelan gang members in these buildings will continue its operations. The problems associated with Venezuelan gang activity has been isolated to properties that are all under the same out-of-state ownership whose problems with code violations and criminal activity preceded the migrant crisis. I strongly believe that the best course of action is to shut these building down and make sure that this never happens again.

The City of Aurora issued another, longer statement, also on August 30:

There has been a lot of misleading information shared about what is happening in our city. Aurora is a safe community. Media have conflated and considerably exaggerated incidents that are isolated to a handful of problem properties alone. "Yes, we are concerned that there is a small Tren de Aragua (TdA) presence in Aurora and we have been taking it seriously. We have responded. We have made arrests. We will continue to make arrests. We will continue to address the problems that the absentee, out-of-state owners of these properties have allowed to fester unchecked. Aurora will aggressively pursue all actions available under city code and criminal statute... Local, regional and national media are leading the nation to believe that Aurora is wholly unsafe. That is simply not true. While these isolated situations are rightfully of great concern and warrant increased action and scrutiny, violent crime in the city is down in nearly all crime categories. Going to grocery stores, parks, schools, banks, shopping centers, visiting with neighbors and other everyday activities remain unchanged... We will continue to urge all community members to report crimes to local law enforcement. Again, Aurora is a safe place to live, work and visit. It is tragic that select individuals and entities have mischaracterized our city based on isolated incidents. We encourage you to build up our community and not allow the hysteria of others to tear it down.

Whats up with the two statements? Republican mayor, Democrats running the city?

On the other hand, Democrat politicians and their partners in the Denver media demonized people who called attention to the story, and they worked to tamp it down, even gaslighting the public. The Denver Post even reported that racist tags targeting migrants were found in Aurora.

Other media reported the facts more objectively. When it became a national story, the New York Post reported that Colorado governor Jared Polis dismissed anger over the Venezuelan gang takeover, calling it imagination -- despite video footage, police reports, and the citys mayor confirming it happened.

His spokeswoman, Shelby Wieman, told the Post, But, according to police intelligence, this purported invasion is largely a feature of Danielle Jurinskys imagination.

Wieman added that its illegal to take over buildings in Colorado and if Jurinsky has knowledge of such activity, the governors office is ready to assist cops in taking them back. Violent crime dropped in Aurora between 2022 and 2023, said Wieman.

One has to believe that what is behind the Democrats reaction is their investment in the sanctuary city, sanctuary state policy, which they have championed and enacted in many states.

In California, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi just endorsed a bill that would give illegal immigrants money so they can buy houses and be part of the American Dream. I know firsthand that many California natives are unable to buy homes; my own nieces have never been able to do that and live in apartments. Will they be threatened?

Criminal illegal aliens brought into the USA are going to set up residences and headquarters in many places across the country, so this problem will likely spread. Americans need to be able to discern the truth despite Democrats so we can handle it.

CS Boddie writes for Meadowlark Press, LLC.

Image: AT via Magic Studio
Labor Day weekend was the opening of the movie Reagan.

It has been four decades since he was in the White House, yet the situation is eerily similar today.

We will get to that later. But first, I must say that this low-budget independent movie starring Dennis Quaid, Jon Voight, and Penelope Anne Down could have been directed by Christopher Nolan but was expertly directed by Sean McNamara who previously directed movies aimed at a younger audience.

The film is based upon Paul Kengors 2006 book The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism. It is presented from the prospective of a fictional former Soviet Russian KGB spy Victor Petrovich (who is a compilation of many characters) as recounted to a younger agent (and potential politician whom could be Putin).

Many liberal critics have claimed this movie is propaganda but that is to be expected from the left. The movie presents snippets of Ronald Reagan's life from childhood to his letter informing the nation that he had Alzheimers disease.

This two and a half hour film has selected the most critical points of the 40th presidents amazing life, warts and all. However, his time as a father (and therefore his children) are not included. There is only so much time to tell how Reagan helped end the Soviet empire. His determination and focus were essential. Though he was criticized as a mental lightweight by the press and political opposition, his success proves his brilliance (and American exceptionalism).

Ronald Reagans rise to the presidency was hardly simple.

As a youngster he was bullied, but his mother forced him to stand up to them. His father was a good storyteller, but was an alcoholic and not financially successful.

Ronald learned to care about others as a lifeguard who anticipated potential accidents by studying the river currents in his Midwest town. As an attractive athlete, younger women would pretend drownings to gain his assistance.

In church, he learned to speak to audiences and memorize text. While in church, he also learned to despise communism when a Soviet defector presented his view of life behind the Iron Curtain.

The movie shows many real pictures of life from the 1940s to the 1980s, nationally and throughout the world, painting the background for the Reagan era. The music is well coordinated to the situations within the scenes.

Having lived through this period, I remember vividly how Ronald Reagan changed my political world view. Growing up in New York City, I was liberal and a Democrat, having voted for Jimmy Carter against Reagan in 1980.

But for Reagan's re-election run, I voted for Reagan over Democrat Walter Mondale.

When Reagan fired the air traffic controllers who illegally went on strike, he demonstrated resolve lacking in most politicos.

Reagan forced me to evaluate the British Enlightenment and reject Marxism. His clear understanding of right and wrong was critical to my conversion. Today I lean libertarian, but that leaves me voting Republican. While critics called Reagan the Teflon president, he was anything but as the nation stuck to him because he loved America, its people, and its heritage of freedom.

The confluence of forces in the Vatican (Polish Pope John Paul II), Prime Minister Margret Thatcher, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, unrest in Poland, and the limited economic base of the Soviet empire (petroleum) allowed Reagan to financially strangle the Soviet Politburo which ended their reign of terror, starting two years after Reagan left Washington. When he told Soviet Secretary General Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall, he ignited the forces that ended Russian imperialism, ever-so briefly.

However, given the power grab that egocentric leaders crave, when weak, drunken Boris Yeltsin left office as president of Russia, Vladimir Putin (the former KGB colonel), at the time prime minister, was his designated successor. When the Russians had the chance to vote Putin out of office, they chose the strongman Putin over democratic freedoms, not completely recognizing the implications of a man who would rule ruthlessly. It was not the first time people made such an error, remembering how Adolf Hitler came to power and forced Europe into World War II.

As Petrovich explains in the film, people make the difference in historical outcomes. J. Rufus Fears, the deceased classical historian, also pointed to the essential personal capabilities of a nations leaders who make the critical decisions that determine success. As Reagan said, we win, they lose, and he was correct.

But his political life offers lessons for us today, too. He was denounced by the left as Hitler, uncaring about the victims of AIDS, an opponent of womens rights (since he opposed abortion), a murderer, a bigot against minorities, the homeless, poor, and gays. They saw his potential to return America to the values of our Constitution after the Carter malaise, recreating faith in American ideals. This is unfathomable to the Marxists that now inhabit the Democrat party.

As Reagans acting career declined, his marriage to Jane Wyman suffered and his finances weakened, but his concern with politics gave him purpose.

His leadership of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) exposed him to the methods of the Communist party, which he resisted. This increased strength propelled him to the governorship of California aided by his second wife, Nancy. Along with her, he tried unsuccessfully to defeat Gerald Ford for the Republican nomination in 1976, and was elected president in 1980.

At the time, he asked citizens whether they were better off now than they were four years earlier. This propelled him to a huge victory.

But within three months, an attempted assassination provided Ronald with that sense of purpose to alter the worlds deadly power cold war.

Today we are faced with a stark choice just as in 1980. Reagan had an easy way with humor, words, and emotions. He was driven much as Donald Trump, but his life had prepared him for hard choices. He survived a bullet as Trump has. Trump has navigated the world of business but was unprepared for the aggression of politicos whose world he threatened. Both believe in the American Constitution. Both were falsely maligned, though each has made mistakes. Reagans life in the public eye taught him how to disarm his opponents, which Trump would do well to emulate.

When Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter, the economy was in shambles, the U.S. had been humiliated by the Iranians, the Russians were in Afghanistan, discord among younger citizens threatened domestic peace, and distrust of our institutions was rampant. Similarities to todays situation should point the undecided voters toward Trump.

But just as Reagan was depicted as a mad-man by the left, so is Donald Trump decried by his enemies (for they wish him destroyed). They fear him because, like Reagan, he can change the culture of the electorate by realigning traditional hard-working Democrats with non-elitist Republicans seeking to restore federalism much as Reagan did four decades ago.

Today the situation is more critical as we have decimated our industrial base giving it to China, Mexico, and other Asian countries. Today, we must contend with Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, international terrorists, internal Marxists (that Nikita Khrushchev felt would damage America), greater illegal immigration, and a weaker national sense of purpose.

But brighter days can be ahead if the electorate rejects socialism. This movie is a reminder that success is within reach.

Image: Screen shot from IGN video trailer, via YouTube
During the Summer of 1932, in the depths of the Great Depression, twenty thousand WWI veterans travelled to Washington D.C., peaceably assembled, and demanded payment of a bonus the government had promised them for their service. On July 28, the Washington police were ordered to remove the veterans from buildings they were squatting in on Pennsylvania Avenue. The ragtag group, which called themselves the Bonus Expeditionary Force (BEF), threw stones at the police, fracturing the skull of an officer. The police opened fire on the veterans, killing two. President Herbert Hoover called on the Army to restore order. The Army, led by Douglas MacArthur, was instructed to Surround the affected area and clear it without delay. Any women and children should be accorded every consideration and kindness. Use all humanity consistent with the execution of this order.

As it transpired, three veterans were dead, 54 injured, and 153 arrested. Macarthur described the veterans as a communist insurrection animated by the essence of revolution. History recalls the protestors of the BEF differently. There is no evidence that the BEF was a communist insurrection but clear evidence the government used lethal force to remove unarmed, unemployed, malnourished veterans from the nations capital.

An insurrection is an organized and armed uprising against authority or operations of government. Democrats describe the events of January 6th as an insurrection. There is a report on the matter: contrived by Democrats, perpetrated by the DoJ, and distributed by the corporate media. This report is as illegitimate as General MacArthurs observation that the protestors of the BEF were a communist-led insurrection.

President Trumps intentions are clarified by his words and actions. Trump released a tweet on December 19, 2020, inviting supporters to a Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Approximately 120,000 people accepted his invitation. Trump spoke to those in attendance, saying, I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.

Many of the protestors walked to the Capitol building. Some deviated from Trumps instructions by attacking police and breaking windows to enter the building. The DoJ has charged 1,265 people with crimes related to the January 6th protest; 718 pled guilty to the charges, and 460 were locked up. Ashli Babbitt was shot and killed during the riot. Two others were killed under circumstances that suggest they were targeted by government security forces. Like the other protestors, they were unarmed and posed no serious threat to the police.

Were the protestors of January 6th involved in an insurrection? They carried no guns into the Capitol building. They fired no shots.

A few people may have entered the Capitol building to prevent the vice president from opening and counting the certified electoral votes from the states in the presence of a joint session of Congress. This is a constitutional requirement. If the votes arent counted, a President cant be seated. Eight members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers were convicted on charges of sedition for conspiring to prevent the counting of electoral votes.

The protest was hard to watch. Opening and counting the sealed and certified electoral votes affirms the sanctity of the American government in a constitutional ritual as much liturgy as governance. Challenges have occurred during the performance of this government operation, but it has never been interrupted by protestors voicing their grievances. Historys judgment of the January 6th protests may differ from that of the Select Committee to Investigate January 6th.

On December 16, 1773, a large group of American patriots threw 142 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. It took nearly three hours to dump 45 tons of tea into the water, which would be valued today at $1,000,000. Many Americans didnt support the actions of the patriots because of the destruction of private property. Benjamin Franklin insisted that the British East India Company be reimbursed for the loss. George Washington privately suggested the participants were mad. Today the Boston Tea Party is considered one of the seminal events in American history.

Justice Samuel Alito has been castigated by Democrats because an upside-down flag was flown outside his home. Justice Alito advised members of Congress that the flag was flown by his wife, who makes flag-flying decisions at their home. An upside-down flag is a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger. If the flag can be burned in a demonstration of free speech, there is no reason why Ms. Alito cant fly the flag upside down for the same reason.

While Democrats attempt to render fear in the public by pronouncing Donald Trump a wannabe autocrat in the image of Julius Caesar or Adolf Hitler, many Americans believe the country is in dire distress. People can casually watch the country flush itself down the toilet or voice their grievances and work to put the country on the right path.

The January 6th protestors had good reason to demonstrate inside the Capitol. Government agencies and bureaus had worked to undermine President Trump. The FBI had illegally investigated Trumps 2016 campaign, harassed Trumps National Security Advisor in the early days of his presidency, and leaked the Russia hoax to journalists anxious to bring Trump down. Democrat politicians embraced the Russia collusion story and then spitefully impeached Trump for no good reason. During the 2020 election, reporting on Hunters laptop, which contained evidence of Biden family corruption, was dismissed by 51 intelligence agency officials as more evidence of Russian support for Trump. The FBI pressured Facebook and other media businesses to suppress the laptop story.

Many believe Democrats cheated to win the 2020 election. From Boss Tweed to Mayor Daley to current ballot-stuffing operations, Democrats are notorious for cheating. The protestors on January 6th had reason to demand clean elections.

Perhaps the protestors went too far. Maybe their tactics were too brash. But the BLM riots of 2020 caused far more property damage, death, and injury. The recent Hamas protests have proven segments of the Democrat Party to be antisemitic. Many Democrat politicians supported these protests.

It is a danger to democracy for a political faction, government agencies, and powerful media organizations to conspire against the election of an opposing political faction. This is what happened during the 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns. Democrats, the FBI, intelligence agencies, and liberal media were committed to defeating Trump. The FBI, which should have worked to uncover this conspiracy, helped to direct it. This is tyranny. The protestors at the Boston Tea Party had to board a ship to conduct their protest. The protestors of January 6th entered the Capitol building to ensure their grievances were heard.

While Democrats deride Trump as a wannabe dictator, they conspire to dictate political terms. Democrats, the FBI, and intelligence agencies all worked to bring down the government of President Trump. This is treason. The protestors of January 6th stood against this tyranny and have been jailed for their trouble. All Americans should stand with the protestors against the tyranny of the Democrat party and insist on reform of the government bureaucracy.

Image: Tyler Merbler
Building a wall along our southern border  a comprehensively-sealed-border border wall  is the most humane thing the United States of America could do. Its not even a close call. Having one is not even a little bit inhumane, as Democrats ridiculously allege. In fact, its inhumane not to. Nobody talks about the humanity of the wall, were it to be built properly, but it absolutely needs to be talked about in those terms. In fact, the entire chain of custody of the current situation is inhumane. Its inhumane to everyone involved, and even people who arent directly involved, to not have one.

Its inhumane for people like homeless veterans, just for one example, who do not have (the seemingly endless) billions of dollars and swarms of federal agents trying to help them like illegals do. These homeless Americans, simply by dint of being American, dont have access to the enormous network of free shelter, free food, and welfare $ervices the lack of a wall has led to, and thats a moral obscenity. There are homeless vets sleeping outside the hotels where we pay to house and feed illegals. If only theyd have risked everything to get here rather than risk everything to defend whats here, they might be inside, clean and dry, rather than sleeping outside, on the street.

The lack of a sound southern wall is also inhumane to every innocent American assaulted, robbed, raped, or otherwise hurt by someone here illegally. Weve all seen the stories, some involving such wanton cruelty (from MS-13 gang members, etc.); theres your life before such evil was described for you, and your life after. And thats just those of us who read of it. What of the actual victims? Presuming theyre alive? If not, its their loved ones, knowing the assailant shouldnt have been here in the first place, that the only reason for so much suffering and heartache was that the federal government didnt do its job, its most basic, fundamental job: securing the homeland, securing our international borders. The list of serious crimes by illegal aliens is long. And really, any crime is too much from people who shouldnt be here! If youve ever been the victim of a crime, you understand the sense of violation, the raw emotional wake of having someone do that to you, even if its simple theft. Its profound.

Its also decidedly inhumane to the border agents being shot at or killed, (more examples here, here, or here) working as they do, outdoors, in ungodly heat, in terrain wholly inhospitable to humans, what with whatever is crawling, snaking, slithering, burrowing under the brush, beneath the Rio Grande, and who knows where all else. (If you are unfamiliar, let me share with you that my son-in-law, who grew up in Texas, reported, much to our shock and amazement, that he did not grow up walking barefoot on the grass because Texas is well Texas. Everything there is trying to bite, stick, or sting you.)

The conditions are also inhumane to the agents who have been repurposed as babysitters, social workers, health aides, and all manner of work with filthy, desperate people with little or no paperwork to identify them to help them properly and who speak every language imaginable, in over-crowded conditions, with young children they may or may not say are theirs but given the chaotic nature of their arrival, there may be no way to tell, and history has shown us that many of these children do not belong to the adults who claim them and they are being trafficked or worse, lost  by the hundreds of thousands!  to unimaginable horrors.

Which brings us finally to the inhumanity suffered by the migrants themselves. Its certainly inhumane for these migrants who decide to make the perilous journey to the border, and for the Americans working the border and the resulting humanitarian crisis they are all currently enduring. And humanitarian crisis isnt just a conservative talking point to describe the situation at the border. Humanitarian crisis is how any number of mainstream organizations describe the conditions the crush of humans  from nearly every one of the 190+ countries on earth  descending on the border have caused, here, here, here, and here.

Trump once said he could build the wall for around $5B. Border Patrols 2024 budget is nearly $20B. Kamala Harris, who finds stupid like a laser and amplifies it like the mouth-open simpleton she is, had this to say in 2017 when then President Trump was looking for his wall money:

Trumps border wall is just a stupid use of money. I will block any funding for it.  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) April 21, 2017

Look, even if you assume a border wall would cost triple that, its still only 75% of the budget for one year of Border Patrol operations. Surely building the wall is the better bargain year over year, by far. And a far more effective deterrent  and as a bonus, immune to the whims of a president of either party. No matter who is in the Oval Office, the WALL would STAND.

This bears repeating because this is crucial to understanding why no president other than Trump has really wanted a wall: No matter who is in the Oval Office, the WALL would STAND. So why is that a bad thing? It diminishes the (corrupt) power of the Office. You cant orally-manifest or pencil-whip more cheap labor (Republican presidents) or warm bodies with ballots (Democrat presidents) if a big, bad wall is standing like a fortress on our southern border.

What of the scale of the problem? How big is it exactly?

Never bigger than it is right now.

Thats more than 17.3 million illegals from all over the world who have crossed our southern border just since January 2021. (Versus just under 2 million during the entirety of Trumps term.) Thats more than the total of 14 states combined: Nebraska, Idaho, West Virginia, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Maine, Montana, Rhode Island, Delaware, South Dakota, North Dakota, Alaska, Vermont, and the District of Columbia. FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform) estimates the total cost of illegal immigration per each American taxpayer is about $100 per month.

Have you got $100 per month to spare? Right. Didnt think so. Most people dont.

What if they all knew thered be a 30-foot wall once they got there? Or a 40-foot wall? An impenetrable wall? Would they be more or less likely to make the journey? Less, of course. Less is obviously the answer. And of those who do? They would be greeted by a border patrol actually patrolling the border, not changing diapers. And should they be allowed in, for whatever humanitarian reason is allowed by law, they would find personnel and facilities actually able to meaningfully, humanely help them, not simply warehouse them while doing the bare minimum in overcrowded conditions any Democrat would call inhumane were they forced to endure one night.

No, the current situation is inhumane, and the best, most permanent way to make it humane is BUILD THE WALL.

Image: YouTube video screen grab, edited.
On September 4, 1804, Richard Somers and twelve others sailed the Intrepid, a small ship packed with explosives, into the harbor of Tripoli in North Africa. Their plan was to light the fuse, escape with rowboats, and then watch their fireship destroy enemy warships that were anchored there.

However, the ship exploded before it was close enough to damage the enemy or for Somers and his crew to get away. But their courage inspired our first Marines to go to the shores of Tripoli and continue the fight. Those Americans won the respect of the world and kept Americans safe from Islamic attacks for nearly two hundred years.

This story was once told in schools and told in popular books and plays throughout America. However, it is now cancelled and forgotten. Stories that portray white, Christian males as heroes, and Muslims as villains cannot be told in woke America. If we want America to be great again, we must once more tell these stories.

This story began in 1783 when America won its independence from England. As soon as the war ended, we sent most of our army home and got rid of our entire navy. Americans believed we didnt need them. We had no interest in attacking anyone else, and we assumed that nobody had a reason to attack us. We were wrong.

As soon as Americans overseas were no longer protected by the navy, diplomacy, and bribes of the British Empire, our ships were immediately attacked by warships from Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli in North Africa. Our ships and their cargoes were seized. Their passengers and crew were sold as slaves or held for ransom.

One of them, Richard OBrien, managed to send a letter to Thomas Jefferson, then our ambassador to France. Jefferson then set up a meeting in London with John Adams, our ambassador to England and the ambassador from Tripoli.

At the time, the ambassador for Tripoli told the Americans, It is written in our Koran that all nations which do not acknowledge the Prophet Muhammad are sinners. It is the right and duty of the faithful to plunder and enslave them.

Jefferson and Adams urged Congress to build a navy and fight them. However, Congress refused. It instead spent nearly 20% of its budget to pay bribes and tribute to get captives released and arrange cease-fires.



In 1789, we became one nation with a new Constitution. When French pirates in the Caribbean also attacked our ships in 1798, Americans had enough. We stopped paying bribes and built a navy. Twenty-year-old Richard Somers was one of the first to join.



First, we fought and crushed the French pirates. Then in 1801, President Thomas Jefferson sent our new navy to North Africa to fight the Barbary kingdoms. Richard Somers was put in command of a warship when he was 23 years old. Most of our other commanders were just as young.

For the next three years, these young Americans fought and defeated fanatic sea-fighters who had terrorized European ships and coastal towns for centuries. In 1804, Pope Pius VI remarked that America in its infancy had done more to humble those who attacked Christians from the African coast than the European powers have done for ages.

However, in the summer of 1804, the ruler of Tripoli ordered his warships to avoid the Americans and remain in the safety of his harbor. He expected the Americans to get tired of a long overseas war and go home. So did Richard Somers. He was afraid that Congress would end the war without destroying the last enemy fleet in Tripoli. He and his shipmates agreed that if this happened, all their work and sacrifice would have been in vain. That is why Somers proposed his risky plan to quickly win the war.



The story of the family of Richard Somers is just as interesting. However, it is also just as inconvenient to woke America.

Somers was descended from Quakers who fled from persecution in England. Yet they quickly became wealthy in America without stealing land from Native Americans or owning slaves. William Penn did not allow Quakers to settle on any land claimed by Native Americans unless they proved that the land was voluntarily sold to them for a fair price. Most Quakers also opposed slavery and shunned anyone who owned or profited from slaves.



Quakers prospered in America because their schools taught both girls and boys basic reading, writing, history, arithmetic, and science. After completing eight grades by age 16, most were better educated than most high school and college graduates today. Most children also mastered a useful trade by that age.



Quakers also set up simple and frugal governments. Their only tax was on real estate. Only freeholders or landowners who paid that tax could vote on how it was spent. Everybody kept most of what they earned.



In colonial New Jersey, as in most of America, everyone was free to apply their skills to any trade or business they chose. They did not have to pay fees, bribes, or lawyers to get permits from the government like in most of Europe.



Most Quakers were energetic and creative. Besides farming and fishing, James Somers, an uncle of Richard, built a dam across Patcong Creek. It created a pond by his North Field to power his lumber and flour mills. George May built ships by Mays Landing, his landing by the river. Others heated mud from nearby swamps to refine bog iron for nails, pots, pans, and tools.

Telling the stories of their everyday lives is just as important as telling the stories of war heroes like Richard Somers.

Image: Public Domain
For all their pious claims to being the standard-bearers and guardians of national security since President Trump was elected in 2016, Democrats sure do have a lot of operatives getting picked up as spies for China.

The latest came out of the woodwork from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's office.

According to the Associated Press:

A former New York state government official who worked for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and current Gov. Kathy Hochul was charged Tuesday with acting as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government, federal prosecutors revealed in a sprawling indictment. Linda Sun, who held numerous posts in New York state government before rising to the rank of deputy chief of staff for Hochul, was arrested Tuesday morning along with her husband, Chris Hu, at their $3.5 million home on Long Island. Sun and Hu are expected to make an initial court appearance Tuesday afternoon, a spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office in Brooklyn said. Prosecutors said Sun, at the request of Chinese officials, blocked representatives of the Taiwanese government from having access to high-level officials in New York state, shaped New York governmental messaging to align with the priorities of the Chinese government and attempted to facilitate a trip to China for a high-level politician in New York, the indictment said. Hu is charged with money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of means of identification.

The New York Post said the cozy relationship with the Chicoms seemed to be very rewarding indeed for the pair:

The damning 64-page indictment accuses Linda Sun, 41, and her husband, Christopher Hu, 40, of laundering and splurging their corrupt gains on a gaudy $4 million Manhasset mansion, a $2 million second home in a Honolulu high-rise and luxury cars such as 2024 Ferrari Roma. Sun shadily used her position under Hochul and Cuomo  who are unnamed but clearly referenced in the court documents  to turn the governors office into a virtual mouthpiece for the Peoples Republic of China and Chinese Community Party, the bombshell indictment contends.

... and ...

The officials personal chef had even prepared Nanjing-style salted ducks that were delivered to Suns parents, the indictment states. Investigators found four such salty duck quid pro quos, as well as a dinner for Suns family at Huangs house, documents state.

Other reports have stated that they were given tickets to Chinese balletic dance performances, too.

But mostly, it seems to have been the mansions and millions.

It's a shocking case of cash for influence, and the Chicoms must have been snickering up their sleeves that New York would have such a willing apparent partner.

Yet it's not the first Democrat who's been caught in bed with the Chinese.

In the case of Rep. Eric Swalwell, he was literally in bed with a Chinese honeypot on campaign fundraising matters.

Meanwhile, over on the other side of the Bay, Senate Judiciary Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, had a driver in hock with the Chinese for nearly 20 years, listening in on her every conversation and reporting back to his masters in Beijing.

In New York again, Mayor Eric Adams seemed palsy-walsy with more Chicoms who did their worst to shut dissidents out of an annual parade:

What has become an annual parade in mid-town Manhattan for Asian Americans was set up with the blessing of Mayor Eric Adams by the CEO of a company that is a registered foreign agent of China, according to documents obtained exclusively by Newsweek. The findings raise new questions over Chinese influence operations in the United States, and particularly in New York, where Adams and some other top politicians have previously received campaign donations from members of groups linked to China's ruling Communist Party. Newsweek has reported on the extensive network of such groups in the U.S.

These were the easy ones, the ones that allowed the FBI spy hunters and press to move in for the reveal.

There are also muddled ones about which not enough is known, such as the multiple trips to China taken by Kamala Harris's running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, which were accompanied by loudly pro-Beijing statements during his lifetime, and Hunter Biden's laptop dealings with top Chinese officials, one of whom, he crowed, was the chief of Chinese intelligence. Office space was shared and millions of dollars passed between hands.

Further in the horizon, there were also the Clintons, both Bill and Hillary, who have been caught with their pants down on China. Bill had numerous campaign finance scandals involving Chinese-American go-betweens, and Hillary ran a pay-to-play operation through the Clinton Foundation as President Obama's Secretary of State, with Bill at the helm.

Not all of these cases may be espionage, but they do signal undue influence of Chinese players in American affairs -- and it's significant that it's mostly coming from the Democrats.

It would make sense that it does, given their socialist orientation which has gotten worse in the past decade, which had to have made the Chinese overlords happy.

Democrats also have been the party of the swamp, where everything becomes a consultant contract and loyalty to the U.S. is a nonstarter. That might explain why neverTrump Max Boot's wife was recently charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent on behalf of South Korea.

The bottom line here is that they always have been the party of flag-burners, and one-world government, not loyalty to nation and certainly not national security, despite their skinsuit claims to care about it when all they want to do is Get Trump.

With that in mind, national loyalty wouldn't mean much to them, and with their tendency to throw money at every problem, what's a little money coming their way?

Lastly, espionage cases aren't what they used to be. In the past, a conviction would merit a long prison sentence, and maybe even the death penalty. Today, it's a few months in the can and back to the old swamp. That's a pretty weak price to pay for what amounts to treason.

Democrats have brought us this and it shouldn's surprise anyone that they are as easy as aphids to catch by lawmen assigned to this duty. How many more of them are there?

Image: S. Kopp, via Wikimedia Commons // public domain
With all of that tough border talk from Kamala Harris on the campaign trail, illegals were in for good news when the Harris-Biden administration announced a fresh goodie for them: Free bus rides and armed security from southern Mexico to the U.S., all expenses paid. All they have to do to get it is use the Department of Homeland Security's CBP One border app.

According to Breitbart News:

The latest development between the Biden/Harris administration and the government of Mexico on the immigration front will see migrants provided bussing from two southern Mexico cities to the United States border. The plan will provide the migrants headed to the United States with meals and security during travel from the two cities to the U.S. destination where the migrants asylum appointments are scheduled under the CBP-One application. The government of Mexicos National Institute of Migration (INM) announced the new program in a Spanish-language notice issued on Saturday, referring to the initiative as the Secure Emerging Mobility Corridor. The two departure cities in southern Mexico will be Villahermosa, Tabasco, and Tapachula, Chiapas.

The trips, which will come courtesy of the Mexican government, following a conversation Harris's and Biden's staff likely had with Mexico's still-current leader, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who will be likely taking aid from the U.S. for it.

Breitbart continues:

The programs announcement comes a week after authorities with Mexicos INM and Biden/Harris administration representatives met in Mexico to expand the geographic region in Mexico where migrants can request CBP-One asylum appointments. The program had restricted access to schedule appointments in central and northern Mexico until last week. Allowing the appointment in southern Mexico will now allow both governments to regulate the flow of migrant travel through Mexico.

The free trips will come with free meals, courtesy security, a 20-day crossing pass through Mexico, meaning, illegals can stop and see the sights, and an appointment at the end of the journey at a U.S. Border Patrol station where would-be crossers will have a 99% chance at being admitted -- either as asylum-seekers, or with parole under the CHV arrangement, or any of a banquet of other possibilities, to be released free and clear throughout the country.

Sound like a good deal for illegals? Of course it is. Nothing could be easier than to get govenment-paid security and free food and transport just for signing up through the app for its daily 1,450 slots for appointments for catch-and-release policies. Anyone who's been waiting a long time because their number didn't get picked gets an extra kick of priority, making it all the better for the illegals, incentivizing them to keep trying for that free stuff instead of going on their own.

Which may be great for them, but it's not exactly tough on the border, let alone the cost and mess of allowing thousands of illegals into the country, claiming asylum after crossing multiple borders, with neither vetting or even capacity to take them.

Ostensibly, it was to take "pressure" off Mexico's southern cities where illegals are being kept until after the U.S. election. The 'pressure' now is now being transferred to the states, where our cities can pay for them. Nice deal for Mexico, too.

But here we have Harris, saying she's the tough guy on the border, following three years of illegal border crossings where 20 million have rolled in:

As vice president, she backed the toughest border control bill in decades, a narrator states on the video. And as president, she will hire thousands more border agents and crack down on fentanyl and human trafficking. Fixing the border is tough. So is Kamala Harris.

Migrants act on incentives offered to them, and this one is a doozy of a good one to head on up north. And there are lot who'd like to -- a recent report out of Africa says that 58% of Africans would like to get the heck out of their own countries in the next three years, with most saying they'd like to head to the states. Over in Venezuela, more than 40% of what's left of that country say they'd like to leave, too, in the wake of Nicolas Maduro's stolen election. With Joe Biden and Kamala Harris doing nothing effective on that, and Mexico actually encouraging election-thief Maduro, the plans for the trip north with free bus rides just gave an extra reason to go.

Meanwhile, Texas Public Radio says the whole scheme to make the journey north for migrants free of cost other people have to pay, is to make the trips to the states less dangerous:

A May report from Human Rights Watch found asylum seekers waiting for CBP One appointments in Mexico were vulnerable to kidnappings, violence and extortion from organized crime.

So supposedly, these bus trips with Mexican security will make the journey to el norte safer, and the cost will be lower than what other people have to pay for security.

Sound like a tough-on-the-border policy? Not to normal people. If anything, it's a bigger incentive to come now that the guarantees are in place.

As to the claim that it will make crossings safer, that's a bit of a stretch, though, given cartel capacity to adapt to changing conditions.

They'll shake down and kidnap the migrants just before they get on the bus in the south, or just after they get off in the north, if not attack the buses in motion anyway with machine gun fire just to show Mexican troops who's boss. Cartels will not go away with this measure. Cartels always get their cut.

The whole incentive to migrate north is mainly a pro-offered carrot, with cartels making money as a result of it. This new incentive will undoubtedly have the same dynamic, providing good news for cartels, good news for migrants, and absolutely nothing but costs and crime to Americans.

Sound like a tough border policy? Only to an idiot whose knowledge of buses is to say 'the wheels of the bus go round and round.'

Image: Screen shot from Sky News Australia, via YouTube
Kamala Harris has often been criticized for the rote quality of her speeches on the stump.

She's actually made herself a figure of fun for giving the exact same speech in each city she visits, going word-for-word:

Jesse Watters plays side-by-side videos of Kamala rallies where she repeats the same practiced lines over and over... pic.twitter.com/bn6wvWAARG  Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) August 9, 2024

But while her words are the same, Harris does change one thing around now -- the regional accent she uses to deliver them in, according to how she thinks the audience speaks.

In Detroit, she spoke with this brand new accent:

CRINGE AND FAKE: Vice President Harris raised eyebrows during her Labor Day rally over a noticeable shift in her dialect, sparking comparisons to iconic cartoon character Foghorn Leghorn. The reactions pouring in to the viral clip at the link. https://t.co/NrbX9IydQa pic.twitter.com/6lF9uoxOvn  Fox News (@FoxNews) September 3, 2024

Fox News called it her 'Foghorn Leghorn' accent, after the giant white rooster figure with the overbearing Southern accent in children's Saturday morning cartoons.

It stands in striking contrast to the woikin' stiff accent she put on for a Pittsburgh audience.

Omg listen to how Kamala Harris says 64 days in Detroit vs. how she says it in Pittsburgh just a couple hours apart..



The accent change is insane pic.twitter.com/Gwo1lRnS76  Alex Bruesewitz  (@alexbruesewitz) September 2, 2024

Howie Carr wondered what she would do next:

What accent should Kamala Harris fake next?https://t.co/q4zouD9pRk  Howie Carr (@HowieCarrShow) September 3, 2024

It echoes the strange accental shifts pioneered by Hillary Clinton, who similarly sported accent shape-shifting for different audiences. She was preceded in this practice by President Obama. But we have not seen this in other presidents, or presidential candidates prior to this, because, well, it's offensive to parody other people's accents.

Imagine the reaction if President Trump were to do it!

It underscores how phony Harris really is, given that she was raised in Berkeley, California and Montreal, Quebec, in Canada, mostly by an Indian mother, while her father, when she saw him, was Jamaican, which is a country with a very different accent. People pick up the accents of their parents and their peers, in Kamala's case, mostly her peers in those tony redoubts. Where she got the black accent seems to have been from watching Warner Brothers cartoons, which is where Foghorn Leghorn comes in.

She got her black, southern woman accent on again. Amazing how you can be raised in California and Quebec go to college in Washington DC and speak like a black woman from the deep south pic.twitter.com/A6ycGVOMN2  USMC Lady Vet  (@Arkypatriot) August 30, 2024

And as the immediate audiences eat this act up, it's exactly that, an act, and Harris is above all, an actress, running for the role of lady president as if the presidency were a sitcom focused on image, and she's putting on an Academy award winning performance.

It's obnoxious, phony, and disgusting. In any place else but the insipid Democrat stage, this would be called offensive, cultural appropriation, and probably racist.

Yet she does it again and again and nobody in the mainstream media seems to notice anything amiss.

If the black voters of Detroit don't realize they are being played for their votes by a California actress doing her best imitation of them, they'll be complete fools. I really hope they aren't. Someone who could put on a black accent to perform for them like a dancing seal will put on all kinds of acts for them when the economy tanks and they're left holding the bag. It's a red flag to everyone that she doesn't deserve anyone's vote.

Image: Screen shot from Fox News video, via Twitter
Students record with their cell phones during a protest Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, near Eastwood Academy in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

A handful of new laws went into effect Sunday, including the Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment Act, despite multiple lawsuits to block the laws enforcement. However, on Friday a Texas judge granted a preliminary injunction on certain requirements of the new law that aims to protect minors from harmful content and data collection practices.

Rep. Shelby Slawson (R-Texas) said the bill, passed during the 88th Texas Legislative Session, aimed to keep kids younger than 18 safe online while empowering parental involvement, the Chronicle previous reported.

On Friday, United States District Court Judge Robert Pitman issued an order stating the preliminary injunction is limited only to HB 18s monitoring-and-filtering requirements.

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Plaintiffs have shown that HB 18 is a content-based statute and is therefore subject to strict scrutiny, Pitman said. As to the monitoring-and-filtering requirements, HB 18, plaintiffs have carried their burden in showing that the laws restrictions on speech fail strict scrutiny, are unconstitutionally vague and are preempted by Section 230. Because Plaintiffs also show that the remaining equitable factors weigh in their favor, the court preliminarily enjoins Paxton from enforcing the monitoring-and-filtering provisions.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH: Nonprofit sues Ken Paxton to block SCOPE Act that aims to protect kids from harmful internet content

Concert goers record video on their phones as Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija, also known as Peso Pluma, performs during a concert at Toyota Center, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

In July, tech company NetChoice and the Computer and Communication Industry Association filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Ken Paxton to prevent the law from going into effect. Last month, the nonprofit Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression filed a separate lawsuit alleging the SCOPE Act infringed on more than just childrens rights. Introduced by Slawson as House Bill 18, the act requires digital service providers to follow these guidelines:

 Digital service providers must register the age of the person creating an account for the platform and prevent the person from altering his/her age at a later date

 A minors parent and/or guardian must notify the digital service provider of the minors age or successfully dispute the registered users age

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The SCOPE Act says digital service providers must implement a plan to prevent the known minors exposure to harmful material such as:

self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, and other similar behaviors substance abuse and patterns of use that indicate addiction bullying and harassment sexual exploitation, including enticement, grooming, trafficking, abuse, and child pornography advertisements for products or services that are unlawful for a minor, including illegal drugs, tobacco, gambling, pornography, and alcohol; and predatory, unfair, or deceptive marketing practices

In Pitmans 38-page order, he said plaintiffs did not show that the remaining provisions of HB 18 unconstitutionally regulate a meaningful amount of constitutionally protected speech or otherwise fail strict scrutiny.

TEXAS POLITICS: Websites would have to shield teens from emotional and developmental harm under bill prioritized by Texas House speaker

It is a mistake to treat HB 18 as a whole and assume that because the law draws a threshold content-based distinction, it fails entirely under strict scrutiny, Pitman said. Per Moody, the Court must instead go through each provision and examine its respective permissibility under the First Amendment.

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As it relates to data privacy, parental control and disclosure provisions, Pitman said the plaintiff did not show how Section 509.052 places any burden on speech by prohibiting the collection of PII (personally identifiable information) and geolocation data.

Similarly, it is not clear that a law requiring parents to be allowed to access and change their childrens privacy settings implicates First Amendment concerns, Pitman said. Overall, these provisions likely primarily regulate conduct, and while the Court can conceive of ways in which they do burden speech (e.g., reducing the hours a child may spend consuming speech on social media), that point is not sufficiently developed at this stage.
The original progressive (communist) president of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, in 1911, started what is now a behemoth, a leviathan of public (government employment)-sector bureaucracies. These bureaucracies have proliferated exponentially over the 115 years of their existence.

Franz Kafka and C.S. Lewis both wrote about a similar dystopia in 1930s Germany, just as Hitler was taking control of that nation, first with bureaucracy and then murder. The Marxists/Stalinists dispense with gradual bureaucratic takeover and murdered millions using the USSRs military and police force.

Regardless of how they assume control (regulatory bureaucracy, administrative state, or force of arms), there is one common denominator: control of the private sector, the citizen, the individual, through a central government.

This is the source of the general malaise we citizens feel today. Mutual respect and common goals are replaced with hate, anger, violence, destruction. It doesnt make sense to decent people, unless we postulate an intent behind this vast disruption of everything we hold dear.

Our family, friends, and neighborhood; our religion and our nation, the very idea of America, Land of the Free and Home of the Brave, is being torn apart, with intent and malaise aforethought.

However, evil cant live in the light of intelligent curiosity, awareness, and knowledge. In opposition to our adversaries, who concocted a lie in the dark to subjugate us, we can remember and rediscover the truth behind our nations founding. We can know the principles upon which this nation was founded, and in the pure light of that knowledge and those principles, we can drive back the evil malaise that infests our nation.

We do by living according to the principles of our Constitution, which controls the government, and the inalienable rights noted in the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes that the individual was created by an entity greater than any man or government.

Then we go to work on the politicians and bureaucrats that make up the government. We hold them accountable at every step of the way. We tell them: no more lies, no more platitudes, reduce the size and power of the administrative state or lose your elected position.

If we individuals want to live in freedom and liberty, then we must take control of our destiny, as our Founding Fathers intended. We have it easy; they gave us the Constitution. All we have to do is remember its meaning, embrace its principles, and apply them.

Our nation is not its government. In fact, the government is a necessary evil. Its not a means to an end, unless that end is control. The intent of our nations founding is a constitutional republic. The Constitution is the law of the land, based on bedrock principles that transcend human foolishness. Our Constitution controls the federal, state, and local governments.

A republic is rule by the people. It is not democracy, which devolves into rule of the majority over the minority, or tyranny of the many over the few. A republic is self-governance by each and every individual citizen in adherence to the law of the land. Its not anarchy as long as the individual understands, deeply, the principle of freedom and responsibility, especially the sanctity of the individual.

We can complain and do nothing, in which case we will have failed future generations, or we study, understand, and live by the principles that recognize our individual freedom. Time to choose.

Jay Davidson is founder and CEO of a commercial bank. He is a student of the Austrian School of Economics and a dedicated capitalist. He believes there is a direct connection joining individual right and responsibility, our Constitution, capitalism, and the intent of our Creator.

Image: JSMed via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
Israel must change course. It has to stop negotiating with terrorists and start being the strong horse.

The world, or at least what is left of a world that knows the difference between right and wrong, mourned the news of the six Israeli hostages that were just murdered by their evil Hamas captors, in cold blood.

Why were they killed? Clearly, not because of anything they had done wrongnot like they could have done anything anyway, even if they wanted tobut merely because they were Israelis. No doubt they were sleep-deprived, and most likely spent their last year on earth in ankle chains and other restraints. They were being held against their will, underground in dark dank tunnels. They were moved from one barren, horror-filled chamber to another. They were not a danger to anyone, least of all their captors. They were killed in cold blood, shot at close range in their heads, because the IDF was getting close to rescuing them.

And because Hamas just could. They could just write another horror-filled chapter to a civilized society that cherishes life, rather than following their sick warped vision of torture and murder.

(With the proviso that I have no hostage family involved, but did volunteer work for two weeks in February, I have felt all along that Israel has mismanaged its response to Hamas.)

One can arguably posit that Israeli security was inadequate on October 7th. But Israels initial wrong-headed response to the tragic attack was shaped by tradition and societal expectations.

Consider the slogan Bring them back. Those words placed the burden on innocent Israel and not on the drugged-up psychopaths who had perpetrated the horrors.

Moreover, Israelis expected the IDF to bring home both the living and the dead; even if it meant that some Israeli forces might die bringing back a corpse.

All of this focus took the onus of responsibility away from the perpetrators of unspeakable crimes. Release them should have been demanded of Palestinians and Hamas, rather than Bring them home which was the Israeli cry.

This upside down focus has played right into Hamass hands. Approximately 100 or so hostages are still in captivity, dead or alive. Israel has agreed to a deal multiple times; Hamas has not.

Bibi Netanyahu is now being blamed for not doing enough to bring the hostages home and is being blamed for the deaths of the last six hostages. Israel has been brought to a standstill by a country-wide strike. This is lunacy and magical thinking.

These reactions are akin to those of a victim of domestic abuse: If only I had cooked a better meal, or was wittier, prettier, thinner, then he wouldnt have hit me. Nonsense. Thats not how any of this works. But these Israeli protesters are playing right into Hamass blood-stained cynical hands.

Israel must break its deadly cycle of exchanging hundreds of terrorists and murderers for Israelis, both dead and alive. This type of negotiation only encourages hostage-taking, and is not the peace through strength red line in the sand thats needed.

As painful as it most surely will be, Israel has to unequivocally tell terrorists: We do not negotiate.

But, we will track and hunt you down, and we will repay every single person who touches a hair on an Israeli head. You will not get a prisoner exchanged for a hostage, but your house and your street will be bombed into oblivion. You will personally pay the price for any Israeli you rape torture or murder, and every last Israeli will be avenged.

Israelis must stop looking inward, and start looking outward to where blame, true blame lies.

In 2010, Tim Smith wrote a book entitled The Strong Horse, and in it he quoted an observation made by Osama Bin Laden which recognized that Arab culture decrees that when faced with the choice between a weak horse and a strong horse, an Arab will always select and follow the strong horse.

Israel: Stop acting bat st crazy and be the strong horse!

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
Armed Venezuelan gangs have recently taken over apartment complexes in the Denver suburb of Aurora, Colorado. Even more recently, 32 Venezuelan migrants attempted to annex an apartment complex in Chicago, Illinois. Libs of Tik Tok shared the disturbing 911 call pertaining to that assault on X.

Not so long ago, it was our criminals, in the form of BLM, Antifa, and assorted other degenerates that were terrorizing our cities. But, whether our violent thugs or illegal immigrants, there is one constant: Democrat policies allow for this to happenindeed encourage it.

Truth be told (and Im risking censorship or worse by the international Marxist elites here), it is the crazy Marxist policies of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro that are responsible, in part, for the Venezuelan gangs coming to the United States in the first place. You see, there is nothing left to plunder in Maduros Venezuela.

Yet, the insane policies of Democrat governors like Colorados Jared Polis and Illinoiss J.B. Pritzker are most to blame. And dont forget Californias Gavin Newsom, Michigans Gretchen Whitmer, New Yorks Kathy Hochul, and Minnesotas inimitable Tampon Timmy Walz, among others. The latter of whom is now Kamala Harriss Vice-Presidential nominee. (And whose wife said she left her windows open when the 2020 Minneapolis riots went unquelled by her husbandso she could smell the city burning.)

These Venezuelan gangs should be opposed by twice as many armed American citizens. Or more.

Illegals dont need a Sanctuary City. That is an oxymoron in any case. Nor do transgenders, bisexuals, the polyamorous, fanatical abortionists, climate change alarmists, or any other radically progressive group.

What is truly needed is a Sanctuary City for traditional, conservative Americans, patriots, and devout Christians.

And for those of us who publicly stick up for them.

Image from X.
Honestly, many of us didnt expect it to happen so soon. Were all used to seeing personal humanoid robots in the sci-fi flicks, but never thought itd happen in our lifetimes. But, the future is now, apparently. 1X just announced its new NEO Beta line of personal humanoid robots.

AI is the biggest buzzword in tech nowadays, and we mostly associate it with chatbots and image generators. However, before the huge AI boom (decades before), weve been dreaming of bringing AI into the real world. Robots have existed in popular culture for the better part of a century, and its finally becoming a real thing. Just look at all of the progress that Boston Dynamic has made.

Now, another company is looking to make a name for itself. Named 1X, this company is looking to bring the personal robotic butler, or Butlerbot into reality.

The 1X NEO Beta is making it to homes for testing

As with all stories like these, you wont see these around the world for several years if at all. 1X is an OpenAI-backed company that unveiled a robot a few months ago named Eve. This robot rolled around on wheels and had simple crab-claw hands made to pick up a limited range of devices.

However, the company had bigger plans, as it showed off the NEO Beta prototype. This is a bipedal robot that has five-digit hands. This means that it can pick up more types of objects. It comes in at a surprisingly light 66lb (30 kg). So, it weighs about as much as a small child. This 5.41-foot-tall robot looks like it will be your personal helper.

Right now, we know that it will be able to lift items, move them, place them, and maybe perform some other rudimentary actions, but thats about as much as we know. We dont know if the NEO Beta will be able to perform other tasks.

Being a butler, we shouldnt be surprised if its trained to do things like cleaning, retrieving items, opening doors, and showing off to your neighbors.

These robots are in testing

While we dont know what these robots will be able to do, a limited selection of people will find out. For the time being, you cant simply order one of these guys to your house. The NEO Beta is being distributed to a limited number of households for testing purposes. Theyre on a limited beta run to help the company gather data and see how they behave in a wide variety of scenarios.

We dont know how many units were sent out for testing or how long the testing process will be. However, a ton of other important information is up in the air. For instance, how much will these guys cost? 1X didnt give an exact price, but its expected to be around the price of a relatively affordable car. Thats pretty vague, but that makes it sound like a unit will cost in the 10s of thousands of dollars. That seems about right.

Being a prototype, theres no telling when well start to see retail units out in the wild. A device like this seems extremely complex, so who knows when it will hit the shelves? However, 1X is already keen to start mass production of this robot.

What about safety?

Thats always a prime concern with technology. Either we have basic self-preservation of sci-movies like The Matrix and iRobot have rotten our brains. In any case, dont expect these robots to start blasting lasers. 1Xs CEO, Bernt Brnich, said that, Safety is the cornerstone that allows us to confidently introduce NEO Beta into homes So, lets hope that this is true.
In todays tech industry, many companies use the term privacy as a key selling point. While there are more and more users who care about that particular aspect, they are still a relatively small niche. That said, it seems that the promised privacy is contingent on who requests its disclosure. A recent report claims that big tech companies, including Apple and Google, give in more than you would expect to government requests for user data disclosure.

Apple is the company that most complies with government requests for user data, report claims

The report comes from Surfshark, a cybersecurity company. According to its research, Apple is the company that leads the rate of user data disclosure in response to government requests. The Cupertino giant has given in to an average of 83% of requests between 2016 and 2022. Before that year, Apples average was below 75%. It may be surprising to see Apple leading this ranking, considering that privacy is one of the selling points of its products. However, there may be certain situations where legislation forces you to give in.

The report also includes names like Google (72.9%), Meta (72.8%), and Microsoft (67%) among the major big tech companies that comply with government requests for user data. The figures reflect an average between 2013 and 2022. During said period, government entities requested data from 9 million accounts in 190 countries, according to Surfshark. In addition, the US and EU lead the ranking of authorities that send the most requests for disclosure of user data.

The US government leads the list with requests for data from 3.3 million accounts in 10 years. This translates to a ratio of 989 accounts per 100k inhabitants, which is up to 9 times more than the global average of account requests per population (115/100k). Germany, with 850 accounts/100k, is second in the list of account data requests per population. Next are the United Kingdom (453 accounts/100k) and Australia (370 accounts/100k).

The US and EU governments account for 58% of global requests

The United States and the EU account for 58% of global requests for disclosure of user data between 2013 and 2022. Notably, numerous requests pertain to criminal investigations or comparable circumstances. Given the context, surely many will agree on these practices to facilitate the collection of potential key evidence. However, in the end, it is also important to find a balance between tools to fight crimes and the right to privacy. Its easier said than done, as the lines are always being crossed.
Google has released the September security patch for the Pixel smartphones. The update reportedly fixes Wi-Fi issues faced by Pixel 9 smartphones.

Google releases update that fixes Wi-Fi issues on some Pixel 9 smartphones

Google started shipping the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL to buyers a couple of weeks ago. The new Pixel 9 series smartphones are being praised for new upgrades. However, several reviews also claim they have their fair share of problems.

Quite a few early adopters and reviewers claimed there are wireless charging issues on the Pixel 9 (review) series. A few users also complained about the Pixel 9 Pro XLs abnormal camera tilt, and there were complaints about touch-related problems as well.

Although there were no widespread complaints about Wi-Fi issues, Google claims it has fixed any potential problems. Specifically speaking, the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold are getting their first post-launch update.

September 2024 Pixel update has launched. Minor upgrade to a apk vulnerability & WiFi fix for the Pixel 9 series (1st update for the 9) October will be the big Android 15 update pic.twitter.com/idnPMXxck6  Pixel Man (@Raytek__) September 3, 2024

The Android 14 September security patch includes a couple of fixes for the Pixel 9 smartphones. According to the official release notes, the latest security patch for Pixel smartphones has the following fixes:

Security

Fix to remove third-party APK to address security vulnerability

Wi-Fi

Fix to improve wireless (Wi-Fi) stability and performance in certain conditions

The Security fix is intended for Pixel-branded smartphones ranging from the Pixel 6 to Pixel 8a. It essentially removes a Verizon demo Showcase APK. This app required unlocking the device among other steps, which could be considered as a security risk.

The Wi-Fi fix is meant for all Pixel 9 smartphones. The version of the fix varies according to the exact device, reported 9to5Google. Regardless of the version, the patch claims to improve Wi-Fi stability.

Google Pixel 9 users facing Wi-Fi issues should apply the patch

There have been sporadic complaints about Wi-Fi issues on the latest Pixel 9 and the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Some users have posted about the issues on Google Support forums.

I thought the pixel had upload MIMO to its advantage in the past, so I figured the new one would be awesome, but it's still not competing with the S24 Ultra on both wifi and VZ n77. Pixel gets 150 up on my wifi, here's over 800 on S24U. Pixel on n77 maxed at 155 up. S24U 168 here pic.twitter.com/jHTiglxswT  Lawrence (@holman1124) September 1, 2024

It appears some apps fail to connect and transmit (download and upload) data when the Pixel 9 smartphone is using Wi-Fi. Rebooting the phone doesnt alleviate the issue. Switching to cellular data fixes data transmission.

Some of the affected Users have claimed that the distance between the Pixel 9 device and the Wi-Fi router doesnt matter. Neither does lowering the security standard or latching onto an unsecured Wi-Fi connection. Needless to add, connecting to such networks is a security risk.
Huawei has just announced a new global event for September 19, for a new smartwatch. The company went to social media to announce a new Innovative Product Launch. The event will be hosted in Barcelona, by the way.

Huawei just announced a new press event for September 19, a new smartwatch is coming

The company is using #FashionForward and #CreationOfBeauty hashtags for this launch event. In the image that the company shared, which you can check out below, youll see parts of a new smartwatch.

If the design looks familiar, its because it is. This design on its own tells us that the Huawei Watch GT 5 is coming. It does look like an evolution of the Huawei Watch GT 4 design. On top of that, some teasers have been making the rounds in China lately, mentioning the Huawei Watch GT 5.

Considering that the Watch GT 4 arrived back in September 2023, this makes all the sense in the world. The Huawei Watch GT 4 is one of my favorite smartwatches to date. I reviewed it back in January, and its still holding up today.

The Huawei Watch GT 5 is almost certainly the watch in question

The Huawei Watch GT 5 is next in line. Its body also wont be a perfect circle, due to design reasons. It will have a similar body to the Watch GT 4, it seems. In the bottom-left corner of the provided image, youll see a white-colored watch with a different shape, though.

That watch is also the Watch GT 5, but a smaller one, mainly catered to women. It will have a different body shape, it will be more of a circle than the larger model. It will be a bit smaller, but just as powerful, if I have to guess.

As per usual, this smartwatch is expected to include some new fitness features, to place it above the Watch GT 4 in the pecking order. Well get all the details on September 19, so stay tuned. As a reminder, Huawei is also hosting an event on September 10, in China, for the worlds first tri-fold handset.
Nvidia is the largest AI company in the world, being able to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Microsoft and Apple in terms of market value. Its fortunes have varied since becoming a $2 trillion company not too long ago. Well, its fortunes might fluctuate even more, as Nvidia is now the subject of a large antitrust lawsuit.

You know what they say, The bigger you are, the easier it is to get sued by regulators. Thats how the saying goes for corporations, anyway. Were all still feeling the aftershocks of the massive antitrust lawsuit that Google just lost. However, were not going to see the results of that case for months if not more than a year.

Nvidia is mixed up in an antitrust lawsuit

Nvidia is a major GPU company, and it makes some extremely powerful chips. Many of the top AI brands have been buying boatloads of its GPUs to train their AI models. These companies include OpenAI, xAI, Amazon, and many more.

While the company makes great chips, it looks like thats not all thats keeping companies coming back. According to a report, Nvidia is under the eye of regulators for possible antitrust practices. Sources say that Nvidia is making it harder to switch to other suppliers and penalizes buyers that dont exclusively use its artificial intelligence chips.

This hasnt been confirmed, but it seems like the kind of predatory thing that a large business would do to keep companies tied to its product. Well need to wait for further information to say for sure.

If Nvidia is found guilty of antitrust practices, it might be forced to make some changes. That would be bad for the company, but it will be good for competition in the market. Other chipmakers will be able to land contracts with AI companies and have a shot at profiting from AI. This is a developing case, so well have to wait for more details.
Samsung has already launched quite a few flagship smartphones recently. The South Korean tech giant is now planning to expand its portfolio of budget handsets soon. As per recent reports, the company is working on new Galaxy M and F series affordable smartphones  the M05 and F05. Both the devices were certified by Wi-Fi Alliance in July. Now, the upcoming Galaxy M05s support page has appeared on the companys website, suggesting the brand could announce a launch date soon.

Samsung could soon launch the budget Galaxy M05 in emerging markets

Samsung is soon expected to announce a launch date for the Galaxy M05. The phone has appeared on a support page on the companys website in India. The device has surfaced on the site under the model number SM-M055F/DS, which indicates the dual-SIM variant. Unfortunately, the support page hasnt revealed anything else about the device.

However, it does indicate that the Galaxy M05s official launch date could be just around the corner. The company will initially launch the new M series entry-level offering in emerging markets like India.

Galaxy M05 will succeed the entry-level Galaxy M04 soon

The upcoming Samsung Galaxy M05 will succeed the entry-level Galaxy M04, which was introduced in December 2022. Since the successor will arrive nearly two years after the predecessor, it is expected to offer several improvements. The Galaxy M04 features a 6.5-inch LCD screen bearing a resolution of 720 x 1,600 pixels. The phone is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio P35 processor.

The Galaxy M04 comes in two RAM and storage variants  4GB + 64GB and 4GB + 128GB. For imaging, the device offers a 13MP wide-angle main snapper, aided by a 2MP depth shooter. On the front, the phone has a 5MP lens. A beefy 5,000mAh battery keeps the whole package alive.

We can expect the Galaxy M05 to come with a slightly better display and a more powerful processor. The device could also boot the newer Android 14 out of the box and receive two major Android OS updates.
Microsoft and Apple are at it again, and it is because of the cloud gaming services on iOS and how the App Store is allegedly making it hard for platforms to thrive in its market. Because of this issue, Microsoft has raised various complaints against the Apple App Store for making it hard for cloud gaming apps to fully allow gamers to enjoy what they have to offer.

It should be noted that Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming official experience has not yet been released on iOS despite being available on Google's Android via the Play Store.

Apple App Store Makes it Hard for Cloud Gaming, Complains Microsoft

A recently discovered July submission made by Microsoft (via The Verge) to the United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) details another complaint raised by the software company against Apple. The complaint focuses on the alleged hard time cloud gaming platforms are experiencing in order to offer their services on iOS.

Microsoft in its complaint is putting the blame on the App Store. The filing of the complaint comes after a January announcement by Apple, which claimed that it changed its guidelines to allow cloud-based streaming apps.

However, Microsoft argued that despite these changes in App Store guidelines, services, including theirs, are still struggling to provide the experience.

App Store Commission Fees and MORE Halt Xbox Cloud Gaming

It was also shared by Microsoft that Apple's App Store commission fees, as well as its rules on preventing external links from sharing alternative methods of purchases, are making things difficult. Apple has responded to this complaint by saying that other cloud gaming services are up and running on iOS via the App Store.

As of press time, Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming for iOS is only accessible via the web browser and not on the Xbox Game Pass app, unlike like what Android offers.

The Tech Industry's Problem with Apple's App Store

Apple has faced numerous issues and complaints through the years due to its alleged restrictive experiences, guidelines, and strict operations. In particular, other companies have frowned upon Apple's App Store commission rates, which can reach up to as much as 30%.

As of writing, it is only the European Commission's Digital Markets Act (DMA) that has put a stop to it, designating the App Store as a gatekeeper and requiring it to open up its services. This includes the App Store and iOS allowing sideloading and third-party app marketplaces, as well as offering third-party payment platforms for users to use on subscriptions or purchases.

Companies like Meta, Spotify, Microsoft, X, and more have raised their antitrust complaints and grievances against Apple's policies, which are still present outside of the European Union (EU).
Tackling airspace inefficiencies is long overdue and will happen under my watch, a minister has pledged.

Aviation minister Mike Kane said UK airspace management is an analogue system in a digital age, and improvements will lead to quicker, quieter, cleaner flights.

He was speaking at an easyJet sustainability event at Cranfield University, where the airline said inefficient use of airspace contributes to increases in fuel consumption, carbon emissions and flight times.

The carrier described the problem as a universal issue across the whole of Europe, but the greatest inefficiencies for its operations are in the UK.

Among the causes are aircraft being required to climb in steps after take-off, complex routing, and delaying descents to manage the workload of air traffic control (ATC) staff.

Mr Kane told the audience he and easyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren have banged on about this for years while Labour was in opposition.

He said he wants to develop a Britain where the negative impacts of aviation are minimised.

He went on: We have an analogue system in a digital age, closer to the time that (Soviet cosmonaut) Yuri Gagarin flew into space (in 1961) than today.

Thats going to change under my watch.

We can all enjoy quicker, quieter, cleaner flights that are better for our people and better for our planet.

The highways in the sky were mapped shortly after (Cranfield Universitys forerunner) the College of Aeronautics opened in 1946, so its safe to say that airspace modernisation is long, long overdue.

Labours general election manifesto included a pledge to secure the UK aviation industrys long-term future including through encouraging airspace modernisation.

EasyJet published the results of an AI-based study that found airspace inefficiencies increased its CO2 emissions in the year to the end of July by 10.6%.

For its flights from London Gatwick to Milan Malpensa, Italy the figure was around 19%.

Applying its analysis to the whole of European aviation, it estimated that airspace modernisation could help eliminate 18 million tonnes of CO2 from the continents skies every year.

Other inefficient routes highlighted by the carrier are flights to Gatwick from Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Faro, Portugal; and Nice Cote dAzur, France.

EasyJet is calling on the UK Government to complete an airspace modernisation programme focusing on the South East.

The airline is also planning to collaborate with individual countries, ATC providers and airports elsewhere in Europe to tackle inefficiencies.

The European Union has held discussions over improving use of its airspace, named the Single European Sky initiative, for many years but little progress has been made.

EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: Airspace modernisation is the quickest and most cost-effective way to reduce carbon emissions, but the process is being shackled by needless bureaucracy.

Our data proves that the airspace corridors we use today, which were built in the 1950s, are simply no longer fit for purpose.

Adapting them to be more efficient would not only be significant in terms of CO2 reduction but for journey times and improving the experience of passengers.

This can cant be kicked down the road any further.

If were serious about achieving net-zero, policymakers and regulators need to come together to find a route to unlock these significant gains, and now.

EasyJet also announced it has become the first European airline to partner with US-based start up company Jet Zero, which is developing a so-called blended wing aircraft, which incorporates the wing and fuselage into a single shape to boost fuel efficiency.

Jet Zero is hoping its first plane will enter commercial service by 2030.

In 2022, easyJet pledged to achieve a 35% reduction in carbon emissions per passenger kilometre by 2035 compared with 2019 levels.

It said it has so far made a 5% improvement.
Sometimes, its tough to tell what is on the minds of the animals in your neighborhood. Other times, such as this hilarious clip of a cat stalking a German Shepherd to dared to invade their territorymalicious intent can be easily read on their adorable, furry face.

We dont even need the voiceover, man. Its obvious that a scene is about to go down.

In this funny video, a German Shepherd begins to chase a black cat down the sidewalk. As the cat scampers off, another, black-and-white cat, emerges from the bushes and is clearly not having it. Despite the humans intent to intervene, this cat boldly stalks up to the intruder, murder evident on her sweet little face.

Related: Video of Dachshund Getting Territorial Over Toy He Just Found Has People Cracking Up

And even the German Shepherd can feel it. In the clip, you can see him backing up, as if hes realized that even though he is many times larger than the cat, hes gotten himself in far too deep.

Cats Know Their Territory

Cats are territorial critters. Its one of the reason they often do well being let out to roam the neighborhood. They have an excellent sense of direction and can pretty easily tell their way back home. Of course, this is little comfort to the scores of wild birds and other wildlife these invasive predators can kill if left to their own devices outside, not to mention the wimpy dogs who may trespass upon their domain.

In some cultures, cats territorial nature has given rise to certain superstitions. Its said in Japan that if you lose your house cat, you should appeal to the stray cats in your neighborhood. Tell them that your cat is lost and they will direct the poor creature back to your door. (If I lost my own cat, I would not hesitate to try itafter all, it couldnt hurt.)

Even indoor cats exert their territorial rightsits one of the qualities that make them such an excellent source of pest control. If mice invade your home, cats will be sure to make short work of them.

In this video, you definitely see that the black and white cat is sticking up for his black cat friend. The second the black cat goes to hide, the bicolor cat is on the case. And they arent scared of the dog one tiny bit.

The Truth About Cats and Dogs Being Friends

Though the stereotype goes that cats and dogs do not make the best companions, many get along great. Some neighborhood cats love the dogs that daily stroll through their streets so much that they wait for them to come by every day and hang out.

This German Shepherd, however, did not put his best foot forward. His curiosity about the black cat may have convinced the other kitty that he was not to be trusted, or even posed some kind of danger.

Tuxedo cat really said, Not on my block, said one person watching this video.

Another laughed at the dialogue in the clip, as the German Shepherds mom tried to calm her dog by saying, Gunner, youre friendly, while the black and white cat is obviously plotting a scene of total canine annihilation.

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The Government should have the power to seize control of flat blocks where owners are failing to make them safe following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, MPs have heard.

Such a scheme would enable remedial works to take place and for the Government to seek to recover the costs, according to Labours Barry Gardiner.

The MP for Brent West added the Government would then be able to acquire and sell the building should it be unable to recover the costs from the owner.

Screen grab of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addressed the Commons after the report (House of Commons/UK Parliament)

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the Government would look at what further powers may be necessary in response to the near-1,700 page final report of the inquiry into the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, which killed 72 people.

The report found the fire at the west London tower block was the result of decades of failure by government and the construction industry to act on the dangers of flammable materials on high-rise buildings.

The Government last month said 4,630 buildings have been identified with flammable cladding, and remediation has started on more than 50% of them.

Deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper outlined previous measures put before MPs (Lucy North/PA)

Speaking in the House of Commons, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said in some cases the waterfall system established to identify who is responsible for remediation works is simply not working and is taking far too long.

Ms Cooper said: One idea that was on the table in the last parliament was that in some cases the government could put the money up to pay for the remediation to take away the risk and then use the power of the state and its lawyers to go after those responsible with penalties so that the taxpayer would not lose out.

Ms Cooper asked Sir Keir to review this idea and see if it could be used in some limited cases where there has been no action.

Sir Keir highlighted a case in his Holborn and St Pancras constituency where a contract went through seven sub-contractors before the responsible person was found.

He added: Thats a real problem and we do have to get to the bottom of that, we cant allow that to happen.

Of course well consider any proposals that are put forward in response to this report but this is a very real problem of contracts simply being sub-contracted over and over again and trying to find accountability in that is very, very difficult.

Mr Gardiner followed up the concerns by saying: Many of the owners of these blocks have sold on to further owners and further owners beyond that. The Prime Minister referred to the sub-contracting but theres also been on-selling.

Some of those owners are now living in tax havens, the British Virgin Islands and others, and they are simply not complying, theyre not even applying for the Building Safety Fund to get this remediation work done.

So will he consider very carefully what powers the Government can take in order to take control of these buildings, get the work done and then recover the costs, if necessary, by acquiring and selling the building themselves?

Sir Keir, in his reply, said: One of the things we need to do is look at what further powers may be necessary.

I dont think that we can suggest for a minute that the existing legislation, guidance and policy is already there and sufficient  we need more powers and we will be looking at that and bringing proposals back to the House.

My statement on the publication of the Grenfell Inquiry Phase II report today: pic.twitter.com/HSzD4ZgFaG  Joe Powell MP (@josephpowell) September 4, 2024

Labour MP Joe Powell earlier said deaths at Grenfell Tower in his Kensington and Bayswater constituency were the result of individuals and organisations that were systematically dishonest and put profit before peoples lives.

He said: Can (the Prime Minister) commit to ensuring that companies identified in this report will be excluded from public contracts, held account to the full extent of the law and pay their full weight of financial remediation for the building safety remedial work that is needed?

Sir Keir replied: I can confirm that we will do everything to make sure there is full accountability, including criminal accountability where appropriate.

Conservative former housing secretary Robert Jenrick said Grenfell was a comprehensive failure by the British state, adding: In many respects that comprehensive failure persists today.

He said he fully supports the Prime Ministers work to assess whether further regulatory changes are required, adding: They need to be done in a proportionate and effective way.

Dawn Butler, Labour MP for Brent East, said: Everybody there at Grenfell wants people to be held responsible  those in boots, but also those in suits.

Theres a lot of money that has also gone missing and some have called for the use of joint enterprise to ensure everybody is held responsible.

Labour MP Florence Eshalomi (Vauxhall and Camberwell Green) said: Grenfell laid bare the sad truth around the stigma attached to social housing.

Sir Keir said there has to be a change in culture and behaviour, adding: Turning a corner needs to mean something more than passing a new law or putting in place new guidance, much needed though that is.
Two teenagers charged with an immigration offence after crossing the English Channel, when five migrants including a child died, have had the cases against them dropped.

One boy due to appear at Sevenoaks Youth Court on Wednesday had a charge of attempting to enter the UK illegally in April discontinued, court staff told the PA news agency.

Court officials said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided it was not in the public interest to continue with the prosecution. A CPS spokesman later added that the cases no longer met the legal test for prosecutors.

Court documents for Wednesdays hearing showed the boy, from Sudan, listed as 16 years old, but the CPS said he was assessed as 17 years old.

Another 16-year-old boy had the same charge against him dropped at an earlier hearing at Medway Youth Court on July 31, the court staff added.

The move comes after months of delays because of age assessments, after the National Crime Agency (NCA) first arrested and charged the youths, describing them as in their 20s  which was disputed by them in court.

A third defendants case is ongoing where he is charged with attempting to enter the country illegally and his age is still disputed.

The NCA previously said it was working with Kent Police, immigration enforcement teams and Border Force to support the French-led investigation into the incident off the northern French coast on April 23.

A dinghy carrying more than 100 people set off from Wimereux at about 6am but got into difficulty.

Three men, a woman and a seven-year-old girl died.

Nearly 50 people were rescued but 58 others refused to leave the boat and continued their journey towards the UK, the French coastguard said, with several other boats later embarking on the crossing.

The NCA has been contacted for comment.
British junior Charlie Robertson is dreaming of following in Andy Murrays footsteps by winning the US Open boys title.

Robertson is through to the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows after a 6-4 6-3 win over 11th seed Jangjun Kim.

Murray famously kickstarted his stellar career by winning the junior title in New York in 2004 and now the 17-year-old from Forfar wants to become the next Scot to prosper.

Charlie Robertson : the Scottish teenager following in Andys footsteps, heads to New York for the US Open junior event next month. Hes ranked 25 in the world and has just spent a week as Andys training partner. Investing in the next generation.  pic.twitter.com/Xd6epWYQFi  judy murray (@JudyMurray) July 23, 2024

It would be pretty cool to see another Scottish boy do the same as Andy, Robertson said. I just go match by match.

But it would be, would be cool.

Robertson recently hit with the 37-year-old at a training block in Greece before the Olympics while Murray also gifted him some kit.

It was great, it was cool being around him, he said. I was very nervous when when I first met him, but hes, honestly, hes hilarious. Hes so funny.

And he just makes you feel like youre part of the group. And I felt it was just, It was amazing to be around him.

Robertson has no option but to put the hard yards in during his quest for glory.

His sister Kirsty is working as his fitness trainer and she is not afraid to let their mum know if he is skiving.

I think its quite good because she can tell me, and Ill do it. Because if not, then Ill get it from my mum, he said.

Shell tell my mum, and then Ill get s*** for it no matter what.

So its good that way. She doesnt let me off, so I enjoy it.

Honestly, I really enjoy it like we get on so well. So far theres been no issues.

In the girls singles there was an impressive wins for Mika Stojsavljevic and Mingee Xu.

Stojsavljevic beat top seed Emerson Jones 7-5 6-4 while Xu, seeded eighth, got the better of Rositsa Dencheva 6-2 6-1.
The Scottish Governments focus on child poverty is welcome, a leading charity has said, but more funding will be needed to improve the situation.

John Swinney laid out his Programme for Government on Wednesday, pledging significant reform of public services so they can offer better support to families.

But despite making the issue his top priority, the First Minister did not announce any further funding, just 24 hours after his Finance Secretary announced about 500 million in cuts.

Reacting to the programme for Government, John Dickie, the director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, said: The First Minister is right to make child poverty his first priority.

First Minister is right to make child poverty the first priority in his Programme for Government, but more investment is needed. Read John Dickie's response to @scotgov's #PfG https://t.co/iUyHTEzHmm pic.twitter.com/bhGCrmmFoN  CPAG Scotland (@CPAGScotland) September 4, 2024

His recognition that the Government must do more is welcome. But whilst reforming public services so that hard-up families can easily access support is vital, those services need to be available and adequately funded in the first place.

The harsh reality is that ministers are falling behind in resourcing the childcare, housing and employment actions that Government has already committed to and that families so desperately need.

The Scottish Governments approach to child poverty is the right approach, with the Scottish child payment alone lifting between 40,000 and 60,000 children out of poverty, but we need to see a step change in the pace and scale of action.

The challenge facing Government and opposition alike is that there is no credible route to eradicating child poverty that doesnt involve further serious investment in social security, childcare, affordable family housing and action to support parents access decent jobs.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)  another key anti-poverty charity  said the Scottish Government is diagnosing the right issues to tackle poverty, but that the prescription falls well short of whats needed.

Both the Scottish and UK Governments now say they want to ease poverty for people in Scotland but it is concerning that there is little in the current political debate that grasps the scale of the issues that households face, added JRF associate director for Scotland, Chris Birt.

Mary Glasgow, the chief executive of Children 1st, welcomed the focus on child poverty, but said the charity was deeply concerned that the drastic cuts to public spending will throw many children and families already in crisis over the edge.

The First Ministers recognition of whole family support is positive but lacks clarity and specific plans to make this a reality, with resource to match need.

Jamie Livingstone, the head of Oxfam Scotland, urged the Scottish Government to consider increasing taxes in the budget due to be published in December, or risk the programme for government being full of half empty and underwhelming promises.

Commitments on clean home heating systems and enhancing support for low-income families are encouraging, but with emergency spending cuts this year, well continue facing the same predictable gap between commitments and cash, he said.

Scottish ministers must use devolved powers to introduce far-reaching tax reforms that target wealth to help ramp up their ambition and turn their promises into progress.

The Scottish Government later released a statement on free school meals, saying they remained committed to the universal expansion of free school meals in primary schools.

The spokesperson added: We are already delivering this provision in Primaries 1-5, with the next stage of the rollout being for Primary 6 and 7 pupils in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment.

However, the current financial situation means that universality will now not be delivered by 2026.
The UKs competition regulator has cleared Microsofts arrangements with an artificial intelligence start-up after examining potential competition concerns around the partnership.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) inquiry had centred around the hiring of Inflection AI staff to Microsoft and where this and other arrangements between the firms qualified as a merger, and whether it could negatively affect competition in the tech sector.

Earlier this year, Microsoft announced the creation of a new team, Microsoft AI, to be led by British AI pioneer Mustafa Suleyman, who was the head of Inflection, having previously founded DeepMind, the AI firm now owned by Google.

A number of other Inflection staff have followed Mr Suleyman to Microsoft.

Weve cleared Microsofts arrangements with #Inflection which includes the hiring of former Inflection employees. Joel Bamford, our Executive Director of Mergers, discusses the process leading up to the decision. Read the article: https://t.co/DYcbJAUoTy#Microsoft #AI  Competition & Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) September 4, 2024

In its investigation, the CMA found that, while a relevant merger situation had been created by Microsofts hiring of Inflection staff and other arrangements made between the firms, the transaction did not substantially reduce competition and therefore could be cleared.

Earlier this year, the CMA published a report raising concerns about the potential risks to open, fair and effective competition in the AI market.

The report specifically identified what it called an interconnected web of more than 90 partnerships and strategic investments between a small handful of the biggest tech and AI firms, a set-up it warned could be used to consolidate power and resources within the sector.

It has since launched other investigations into a number of those partnerships, including Google parent firm Alphabets links to Anthropic, and Amazons links to the same company.

It has also asked for views from interested parties on a number of other partnerships involving tech giants and AI firms.

The AI sector has seen a number of high-profile links announced over the last two years  for example, Microsoft is the largest investor in ChatGPT maker OpenAI.

OpenAI has also formed a partnership with Apple to embed ChatGPT into future generations of the iPhone as part of Apples plans to bring more generative AI tools to its products.

Some of these partnerships have involved billions of dollars being invested into the AI start-ups, with concerns being raised that these big investments and partnership deals could see large companies exert some control over the direction of AI firms without attracting the regulatory scrutiny that a full acquisition might.

Writing in a blog post on the CMAs decision around Microsoft and Inflection, Joel Bamford, executive director of mergers at the competition regulator, said: Given the complex and opaque nature of some of some of these deals, we said in April that wed monitor them closely and take a more detailed look at ones which could potentially fall under UK merger law  and if so, whether they might have a harmful anti-competitive effect on UK consumers and businesses.

One of the deals we have investigated is Microsofts arrangements with Inflection AI, which included the hiring of the vast majority of its employees.

Today we announced that our Phase 1 investigation has found that the transfer of employees, coupled with other tactical arrangements, mean that two enterprises are no longer distinct. As such, the transaction does qualify as a merger under UK law, and the CMA has the jurisdiction to review it.

We also looked at whether or not the merger is likely to cause a significant lessening of competition. In this case, the evidence did not show competition concerns requiring a more in-depth Phase 2 review.

Inflection AI is not a strong competitor to the consumer chatbots that Microsoft has developed directly (Copilot) and in partnership with OpenAI (ChatGPT).

On this basis, we cleared the transaction.
A pair of cranes have successfully reared a chick to fledging in Wicken Fen, in East Anglia, in what is thought to be the first time in hundreds of years.

The cranes have chosen to breed at Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve in Cambridgeshire, which is cared for by the National Trust, since 2019, but this is the first time they have successfully reared a chick.

The common crane is 4ft tall, making it Britains tallest bird, and was native to East Anglias fenlands before it was driven to extinction in this country in the 16th century because of hunting and the draining of its wetland habitat.

Cranes have returned to the UK (Alamy/PA)

In 1979, a pair of wild cranes returned to the UK and established themselves in the Norfolk Broads. The birds slowly spread to other areas, supported by reintroduction efforts.

A record 80 pairs were confirmed to be breeding in 2023, conservationists have said.

The pair at Wicken Fen, which first went there to breed in 2019, are thought to be the first in the area in 400 to 500 years.

They have returned to breed each year for the last six years but, while their eggs have usually hatched, this is the first time a chick has successfully been reared to fledging, the National Trust said.

Alan Kell, countryside manager for the National Trust at Wicken Fen said: We class chicks as fledged as soon as they are able to fly, which for cranes is not usually until they reach 10 or 11 weeks old.

We are delighted by this news and it is a testament to the work the team have been doing for several years in creating the right kind of habitats for birds such as these to feel at home and be able to breed successfully.

With a growing network of similar projects across the region, we are hopeful that these successes mean East Anglia will soon be able to support a growing population of these elegant birds year-round.

The fledged bird was found by crane expert Norman Sills, who was site manager at the RSPBs Lakenheath Fen reserve for many years, including when cranes started nesting there in 2007, and who knows all the fenland breeding crane pairs by sight.

Wildlife expert Ajay Tegala, who works at Wicken Fen, said: For the last few years, the Wicken Fen team have been rooting for the cranes to successfully rear a youngster.

When Norman spotted the Wicken Fen pair with a juvenile 12 miles away at Wildfowl and Wetlands Trusts site at Welney, we finally knew for sure theyd done it.

Conservationists say that protecting and restoring wetlands can help support rare wildlife such as cranes.

Lizzie Bruce, site manager at WWT Welney added: We recently had 22 cranes, including eight juveniles, making use of our restored wetland on Lady Fen.

Seeing cranes at Welney, and the Ouse Washes, which have fledged from Wicken Fen and other sites in the area, shows how important it is that a network of suitable habitats is available for them.
More migrants embarked on the perilous Channel crossing a day after 12 people died attempting the journey but 300 made it to UK shores.

A pregnant woman and six children were among those who lost their lives in what is being described as the deadliest Channel crossings tragedy of the year so far when their boat was ripped apart and sank off the northern French coast of Cap Gris-Nez on Tuesday.

Dozens of migrants continued to make the journey on Wednesday, with more people pictured being brought ashore in Dover, Kent, amid calm weather conditions at sea.

At the same time, a Calais charity told how around 200 migrants were spotted trying to embark on the crossing from the French coast earlier that morning  but were stopped by police.

Home Office figures show 317 migrants made the journey in five boats on Tuesday, suggesting an average of around 63 people per boat.

This takes the provisional total number of migrants who have arrived in the UK so far this year after crossing the Channel to 21,720  3% higher than this time last year (21,086) but 19% lower than at the same point in 2022 (26,692), PA news agency analysis of government data shows.

(PA Graphics)

The latest tally means more than 8,000 arrivals have been recorded since Labour won the general election and Sir Keir Starmer walked into Number 10 (8,146).

Up to 65 people were rescued in Tuesdays incident, which the Prime Minister branded shocking and deeply tragic, telling MPs in the Commons: We must have a renewed determination to end this.

His comments came after Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said vital efforts to dismantle dangerous and criminal smuggler gangs and to boost border security must proceed apace.

French interior minister Gerald Darmanin reportedly called for a UK-EU migration treaty to curb crossings in the wake of the tragedy.

But Downing Street rejected this, with a spokesman saying: We have no plans to be part of an EU scheme on asylum, but we will continue to work with European partners to shut down smuggling routes and smash those criminal gangs.

A vigil to remember those who died is due to take place in Calais on Wednesday evening.

More than 30 people have now died in Channel crossings so far this year, compared to 12 who are thought to have died or were recorded as missing in 2023, according to the French coastguard.

(PA Graphics)

Politicians and police have expressed fears over how people smugglers are cramming more and more migrants into small boats, increasing the likelihood of fatalities when they risk the dangerous crossing.

Earlier on Wednesday, reporters on a beach in Wimereux  near the site of Tuesdays incident  described how a large group of migrants were crammed into a small dinghy, many with their legs dangling over the sides.

The boat, filmed by media for more than an hour as it slowly made its journey out to sea as passers-by walking dogs strolled on the beach, is said to have been approached by a patrol boat flying a French flag with a crew member seen tossing more life jackets to the migrants.

Meanwhile, a larger French patrol boat shadowed the dinghy from a distance.

Fishermen who recovered some of the dead on Tuesday said they were moved to tears seeing the bodies of two young women.

Axel Baheu, a crew member of Murex, one of two fishing boats that assisted the French rescue effort, said the body of one young woman  he guessed she was between 15 and 20  had a telephone in a waterproof pouch around her neck.

It started to ring as he was pulling her out of the water and checking for a pulse, he said.

That was hard because you know full well that no-one will ever answer, Mr Baheu said.

Angele Vettorello, from Utopia 56  which supports displaced and homeless migrants in France, told PA: The crossings, its not going to stop.

Even this morning we saw more than 200 people trying to cross and have been stopped (by police).

We see it every month every death at the border, the people dont stop crossing.

She said a lot of police were at the shoreline, with officers intervening overnight and in the morning.

Last week was really busy for crossings and there had been a huge increase in the number of people dying in the Channel this summer, Ms Vettorello said, adding: We know a lot of people who were stopped to cross and were back to shore during those seven days.

We received calls from people in distress in boats in the Channel, we received for example eight calls from eight different boats on Friday.

The living conditions at the French shore are really awful she said, adding: They just want to be in England.

Claiming the deaths are kind of expected because of the politics amid repression and securitisation of the coast, she called for safe passage for migrants trying to reach the UK, adding: If the politics changes here this could stop.
Daniel Craig attended the Queer red carpet at the Venice Film Festival alongside his wife Rachel Weisz. (Getty Images) (Maria Moratti via Getty Images)

Daniel Craig's new film Queer has received sensational reviews following its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on Tuesday, 5 September.

The romantic drama, directed by Luca Guadagnino, centres on Craig's William Lee a pseudonym of author William S Burroughs, whose autobiographical novel the film adapts. Lee is an expat who leads a solitary life in 1950s Mexico City, where he meets young student Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey) and they begin an affair together.

Queer was the topic on everyone's lips as a result of its sexually explicit nature, and received an 11-minute standing ovation at the festival. It is just another of a long line of projects that Craig has revelled in after bidding farewell to James Bond, and much like Knives Out and Logan Lucky it gives the actor the opportunity to be free and uninhibited onscreen.

Craig was one of the stars to grace the red carpet at Venice, attending the event alongside his wife Rachel Weisz as well as his co-star Starkey and director Guadagnino, and critics were equally as dazzled by the film which was celebrated in first reviews.
A doctor and a woman dubbed the ketamine queen will face a joint trial in March 2025 following the death of Friends star Matthew Perry, a judge has ruled.

The pair are among five people who are said to have taken advantage of the US actor after he fell back into addiction last autumn.

Perry had been seeking treatment for depression and anxiety when he became addicted to intravenous ketamine, turning to allegedly unscrupulous doctors.

Matthew Perry died at the age of 54 in October last year (Ian West/PA)

He died from the acute effects of ketamine on October 28 at the age of 54.

Salvador Plasencia, a doctor from Santa Monica, allegedly used Perrys live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa to distribute ketamine to the actor from September to October last year for 55,000 dollars (43,000).

He is set to face a trial on March 4 next year, District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett ruled in court documents seen by the PA news agency.

Plasencia will stand trial alongside Jasveen Sangha  an alleged drug dealer named by authorities as the ketamine queen  who is said to have sold ketamine to Perry for 11,000 dollars (8,553) in cash.

The ketamine supplied by Sangha was ultimately the dose that took Perrys life, a Drug Enforcement Administrator previously claimed.

Matthew Perry (Ian West/PA)

Plasencia is facing a maximum sentence of 120 years in federal prison, while Sangha is facing life imprisonment.

During a previous court appearance, Plasencia denied conspiracy to distribute ketamine; seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two charges related to allegations he falsified documents during the investigation into Perrys death.

Sangha also plead not guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine; maintaining a drug-involved premises; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute ketamine and five counts of distribution of ketamine.

Plasencia had been due in court on October 8 and October 15 for Sangha, however a Californian judge ruled the pair will face trial together on March 4, with a pre-trial hearing set for February 19 2025.

According to the initial indictment, Plasencia is said to have conspired with fellow doctor Mark Chavez to supply Perry with large amounts of ketamine, writing in a message: I wonder how much this moron will pay and lets find out.

Dr Mark Chavez, a physician from San Diego, who is charged in connection with actor Matthew Perrys death (Damian Dovarganes)

Chavez, who remains free on bond, will next appear in court on October 2 for a change-of-plea hearing after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors.

He is expected to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

Perry, who played Chandler Bing in hit US sitcom Friends, died last autumn after receiving several injections of ketamine from his live-in assistant Iwamasa.

Iwamasa previously pleaded guilty on August 7 to conspiring to distribute ketamine causing death  admitting to repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training.

His sentencing has been set for November 6.

During the last few weeks of his life, Perry turned to street dealer Erik Fleming who is said to have sourced ketamine from Sangha.

Fleming pleaded guilty on August 8 to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death.

He is set to be sentenced on October 30.

Plasencia is currently on release after posting a 100,000 dollar (78,000) bond, while a judge denied bond for Sangha.
Surge pricing based on demand is set to be examined by the European Commission amid a backlash to Oasis concert prices soaring due to the practice.

Some fans of the rock band were shocked by standard tickets for their reunion tour more than doubling from 148 to 355 on Ticketmaster last weekend, prompting the Government and the UKs competition watchdog to pledge they will look into the use of dynamic pricing.

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

A section of Ticketmasters purchase policy on the companys website explaining dynamic pricing (Yui Mok/PA)

The practice of increasing or decreasing prices based on demand has been compared to the way in which airline tickets and hotel rooms are sold.

An acting spokesman for the European Commission confirmed it is working on a fitness check of EU consumer law on digital fairness, which it plans to adopt this autumn.

The use of dynamic pricing will be part of this review, the PA news agency understands.

The digital fairness fitness check was launched in spring 2022 to establish whether additional legislation or other action is needed in the medium term to ensure equal fairness online and offline, according to a statement by the European Commission released that year.

The long-awaited Oasis reunion tour has attracted huge attention from fans because it will see the Manchester-formed Britpop band on stage together for the first time since their major split in 2009.

On August 31, they revealed the general sale tickets for their forthcoming 17 UK and Ireland gigs had sold out in less than a day, but many fans missed out as they battled website issues and being mislabelled as bots.

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

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

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

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

It is believed the ticket prices for the Oasis gigs were set by promoters including SJM Concerts, MCD and DF Concerts & Events.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told BBC Radio 5 Live on Monday that the Government will get a grip on the issue of surge pricing and that it is seeking consultation on the issue.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer agreed that action is needed to protect fans (Justin Tallis/PA)

During Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday, Labour MP Emma Foody asked Sir Keir if he agrees that urgent action is needed to protect fans, to which he replied: Yes, I do. Firstly, its great that Oasis are back together.

I think, from what Ive determined, about half the country were probably queuing for tickets over the weekend but it is depressing to hear of price hikes.

Im committed to putting fans at the heart of music and ending extortionate price resales, and were starting a consultation to work out how best we can do this.

It came after Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy released a statement on Sunday calling the inflated prices of Oasis tickets incredibly depressing.

She added: 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.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said it is urgently reviewing the ticketing market and that it is looking forward to working with the Government on the issue.

A spokesman said: The CMA is urgently reviewing recent developments in the ticketing market, including the way dynamic pricing is being used in the primary market.

Consumer protection law requires businesses to be fair and transparent in their dealings with consumers, and businesses must give clear and accurate information about the price people have to pay.

Failure to do so may breach the law.

The CMA wants fans to get a fair deal when they buy tickets.

We have already acted against major resale websites on the secondary market to ensure consumer law is being followed.

But we think more protections are needed for consumers here and made recommendations to the previous government in 2021 about the changes that are needed.

It is positive that the Government now wants to address this.

We look forward to working with them to get the best outcomes for fans and fair-playing businesses.
The family of a British aid worker killed by an Israeli drone strike in Gaza have urged the Government to hold an independent inquiry into his death.

James Kirby, 47, from Bristol, was one of seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) workers fatally injured in the attack, including two other Britons.

The group was travelling in a WCK convoy leaving one of its warehouses when Israeli armed drones fired munitions at their marked vehicles on April 1 this year.

A memorial service for Mr Kirby, who previously served with the Rifles, took place in his home city of Bristol on Wednesday.

People outside Bristol Cathedral following the memorial service (Ben Birchall/PA)

Speaking ahead of the service, his cousin Louise Kirby described how the family had been touched to receive personal letters of condolence from the King and Queen, and former foreign secretary Lord Cameron.

She said: The murder of James and his fellow aid workers, for whom clearance had been given for their humanitarian work, is a diabolical tragedy.

Whilst we have had much support, we are still struggling to find answers and accountability for what happened.

The state of Israel says the murder was an accident. So we were surprised not to have had any contact or condolence from Israels ambassador to the UK in London, nor from any Israeli official.

Any family of a loved one who has been killed needs closure. We need to understand how this disaster could have happened.

But this is not just about us.

This is about how Britain looks after its own citizens and their families, when a British citizen has been unlawfully killed by another state.

There must be a proper, independent inquiry into this attack on innocent aid workers, and for the evidence to be assessed, if appropriate, in a relevant court of law.

Britons John Chapman, 57, and James Jim Henderson, 33, were also killed in the attack.

The relief teams leader, Australian national Lalzawmi Zomi Frankcom, 43, also died, with dual American-Canadian citizen Jacob Flickinger, 33; Polish national Damian Sobol, 35; and their driver, Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, 25.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others, calling it a serious mistake.

Ms Kirby said the families of those who died had not received contact from the UK Government since the deaths.

They also have not had any information on whether a credible, independent investigation is taking place, or the results of any investigation if it has already taken place, she added.

She said: We appreciate the compassion and respect we have been shown, but we must also have transparency and accountability. How did this happen? Who is responsible? What accountability did they face?

Just saying sorry it was an accident is not enough. We need to know, and we need to know there has been accountability at all levels, so it never happens again.

Ms Kirby added: I very much hope the Prime Minister will take our concerns seriously and instigate an appropriate, independent or legal inquiry, not only so we can have transparency and accountability, but so that other British citizens and their families know that their government will act for them, if a foreign state unlawfully kills their loved ones.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Government called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

They said: The death of James and his fellow aid workers was horrific and our thoughts remain with their families.

Attacks on aid workers are never justified and we remain fully committed to their protection as they support some of the most vulnerable people in the world.

There must be an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians and aid workers, secure the release of all hostages and ensure much more aid gets into Gaza.

Israel must guarantee the protection of aid workers, and ensure a tragedy like this cannot happen again.

A spokesperson for the Israeli embassy said: This incident was a tragic mistake and we express our deepest sorrow to James Kirbys family, the other bereaved families, including those of John Chapman and James Henderson, and the entire World Central Kitchen team, who were doing such vital work in extremely challenging circumstances.

As outlined by the IDFs Fact-Finding and Assessment Mechanism (FFAM) in the in-depth independent investigation, conducted following the incident, a serious failure was made due to a mistaken identification as well as errors in decision-making.

In light of this, a brigade fire support commander and brigade chief of staff were dismissed.

Once again, we express our deepest condolences and sorrow to the families of the bereaved and the WCK team.

Mr Kirbys memorial service, which lasted just over an hour, was led by The Very Reverend Dr Mandy Ford, the Dean of Bristol.

Friends, colleagues and loved ones shared stories about Mr Kirby and paid tribute to the six other WCK workers who died in the attack.

One friend, Liz Long, who Mr Kirby lived with for several years, talked about his sense of humour and kindness.

She said: He had so much time for people, to sit and listen, with so much compassion when they really needed it.

He was in many ways a complex character, with so many layers, yet got joy from the simplest things.

We got into deep conversations out of the blue, he was truly special.

Something I struggle with a lot has been the thought that he might not actually have known how special he was, and how much we all loved him, but what Ive come to realise that is what makes the special ones so special  they dont always know how amazing they are.
A long-awaited report into the deaths of 72 people in a fire at Grenfell Tower is due to be published more than seven years after the blaze.

The lengthy document  the final report of the inquiry into the 2017 disaster  is expected to lay out in detail its findings around the actions of corporate firms in the construction industry, the local authority, London Fire Brigade and government.

Families of those killed have insisted it must be a landmark report which prompts widescale change after what was described as a spiders web of blame was spun during inquiry hearings.

A report in 2019, from the first phase of the inquiry, concluded the towers cladding did not comply with building regulations and was the principal reason for the rapid and profoundly shocking spread of the blaze.

This final report, which follows further hearings on the towers 2016 refurbishment, will present conclusions on how the west London block of flats came to be in a condition which allowed the flames to spread so quickly.

Firefighters at the scene of the blaze in Dagenham (Lucy North/PA)

The report comes just over a week after a major fire in east London at a block which had been undergoing work to have cladding removed as a result of what happened at Grenfell.

The non-fatal Dagenham blaze, coming so many years after the 2017 fire, prompted fierce criticism from various quarters including bereaved and survivors group Grenfell United, which said it showed the painfully slow progress of remediation across the country, and a lack of urgency for building safety as a whole.

Dame Judith Hackitt, who led an independent review into building regulations after the Grenfell fire, described it as really concerning that so many people are still living in uncertainty and fear about the safety of their homes.

The 72 victims of the Grenfell fire. Not all of the families have shared images (PA)

Number 10 said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had, at Tuesdays Cabinet, said the Dagenham fire was a further reminder of the importance of learning lessons from Grenfell to ensure mistakes made then never happen again.

The Fire Brigades Union has said the Grenfell fire was a crime caused by deregulation and institutional failings at the highest level.

The final hearing of the second phase of the inquiry took place in November 2022, with families having previously spoken of their long wait and continued fight for justice.

The reports findings could ramp up pressure on police and prosecutors to make speedier progress on getting people before the courts  something many bereaved and survivors have said must happen for justice to be served.

In May, the Metropolitan Police said their investigators need until the end of 2025 to finalise their inquiry, and prosecutors will then need a year to decide whether charges can be brought.

People place white roses in memory of the 72 victims (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Bereaved and survivors have described that wait, which could stretch to a decade after the catastrophic fire, as unbearable.

According to the update from police and prosecutors earlier this year, the mammoth police investigation into the fire has already generated 27,000 lines of inquiry and more than 12,000 witness statements.

A total of 58 individuals and 19 companies and organisations are under investigation for potential criminal offences, and more than 300 hours of interviews have taken place.

Potential offences under consideration include corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, perverting the course of justice, misconduct in public office, health and safety offences, fraud and offences under the fire safety and building regulations.
Bereaved and survivors have repeated their calls for charges to be brought over the Grenfell Tower disaster, after a scathing report laid out a litany of failings by authorities.

Here, the PA news agency considers what might happen next for some of the main organisations:

 Police

Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Stuart Cundy (Danny Lawson/PA)

Detectives need another 12 to 18 months to complete their investigation into the disaster, before prosecutors will take until the end of 2026 to decide whether criminal charges can be brought.

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said that officers will go through the inquiry report line by line, but cannot use its findings as evidence because it comes under a different legal framework.

In May, the Met said a total of 19 companies and organisations were under investigation for potential criminal offences, along with 58 individuals.

Potential offences under consideration included corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, perverting the course of justice, misconduct in public office, health and safety offences, fraud, and offences under the fire safety and building regulations.

At that stage eight out of 20 files had been sent to the CPS for early investigative advice, with a typical case file more than 500 pages long with 17,000 pages of evidence.

 Government

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the Government will respond to recommendations within six months (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA)

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his Government will look at all 58 of the inquirys recommendations in detail.

He promised the Government will respond in full to them within six months, and pledged to update Parliament annually on progress against each commitment made.

A recommendation from the inquirys phase one report in 2019 said owners and managers of high-rise residential buildings should be required to prepare personal emergency evacuation plans (Peeps) for residents unable to self-evacuate.

Following a consultation, the previous government said in 2022 that, despite widespread support for Peeps, there remained what it described as significant barriers to implementing them, on the grounds of proportionality, practicality, and safety.

In his statement to the Commons following the reports publication, Sir Keir said his Government is now addressing this recommendation.

 Construction industry

The report concluded the construction industry has become too complex and fragmented  leading the inquiry chairman to recommend the Government draw together 12 functions of the industry under a single regulator.

It suggested the Government should bring all functions relating to fire safety into one department under a single secretary of state rather than multiple departments, and to appoint a chief construction adviser with sufficient budget and staff for all construction industry-related matters.

Sir Keir pledged to reform the construction products industry that made this fatal cladding, so homes are made of safe materials.

He said those who compromise safety will face the consequences.

The Grenfell report found systematic dishonesty from manufacturers who had been involved in deliberate manipulation of the testing processes and calculated attempts to mislead purchasers.

 Buildings still covered in dangerous cladding

A recent fire at a tower block which was having cladding removed was described as a near-miss by safety campaigners (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Sir Keir acknowledged there are still buildings today with unsafe cladding and repeated a previous acknowledgment that the speed at which this is being addressed is far, far too slow.

He said this report, coming just over a week after a major fire in Dagenham at a building which had been having unsafe cladding removed, must be a moment of change.

He vowed his Government will take the necessary steps to speed this up, including forcing freeholders to assess their buildings and enter remediation schemes within set timetables, with a legal requirement to force action if that is what it takes to tackle industry intransigence.

Further steps on remediation are due to be set out in autumn, he added.

 Social housing

The Government said it will ensure tenants and their leaseholders can never again be ignored, and will hold to account social landlords over the decency and safety of their housing.

Sir Keir told the Commons: Because a safe and decent home is a human right and a basic expectation.

And the provision of that right, should never be undermined by the reckless pursuit of greed.

 London Fire Brigade

London Fire Brigade said it has learned lessons from the Grenfell fire but is not complacent about the future (Lucy North/PA)

The report suggested the Government establish a College of Fire and Rescue to provide various services nationally, including practical training, and advised that the fire and rescue services inspectorate inspect LFB as soon as reasonably possible to assess control room effectiveness and training of incident commanders.

LFB said it was now better prepared to respond to high-rise fires, having completed every recommendation from the phase one report.

But it said it would not be complacent and is in dialogue with the Government and Mayor of London around continued work to ensure buildings in the capital are safe.

The brigade pledged to set out an action plan, detailing its response to each recommendation in due course.
Ashley McLean says a hug from her son may have saved her life after it helped diagnose her breast cancer, pictured with Noah. (Cancer Research UK/SWNS) (Cancer Research UK/SWNS)

A nurse has shared how a hug from her son could have saved her life after it led to her being diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer.

Ashley McLean, 37, first felt a sharp pain in her chest while sharing a cuddle with her three-year-old son, Noah.

The nurse later noticed that her breast was inflamed and the nipple inverted, which inspired her to book an appointment with her GP.

In June this year, following further investigations at the Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow, the mum-of-two was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer.

This type is considered quite rare with fewer than five out of 100 cases being diagnosed as inflammatory breast cancer.

Speaking about the warning signs that led to her diagnosis McLean says: "I had been feeling tired but I thought that was just because I was a busy mum and I sometimes worked night shifts at the hospital.

"But I remember one morning, in May this year, Noah was sitting on my knee. I was giving him a hug and trying to get him dressed for nursery.

"After I pulled on his t-shirt he tried to run away and accidentally elbowed me in the chest. It was really painful.

"I later noticed that my breast was red and inflamed and my nipple was inverted," McLean continues.

"I couldnt feel a lump so I thought it might be just hormonal but when I told my mum she said that I should make a GP appointment.

"I know the earlier cancer is detected the better the outcome, but if it wasnt for Noah I might not have taken action so quickly.

"I was lucky to get that hug from him.

McLean, 37, first felt a sharp pain in her chest while sharing a cuddle with her three-year-old son Noah. (Cancer Research UK/SWNS) (Cancer Research UK/SWNS)

Symptoms of the breast cancer include swelling, redness of the breast, changes to the nipple and pain that can appear quite suddenly.

Thankfully further tests revealed that McLean's cancer has not spread.

In total she will undergo six sessions of chemotherapy, which are due to finish in October, then surgery and possible radiotherapy.

Theres still a long road ahead," she says.

"A side effect of the chemotherapy treatment means Im starting to lose my hair but Ive had a wig fitted and I know that will only be short term. Ive had great care from the NHS.

As well as her own cancer journey, the family have faced further challenges with Noah currently living with a rare chronic lung condition known as bronchiolitis obliterans.

This had meant repeated stays in hospital and up until April this year Noah relied on oxygen therapy via a tube during the day and at night, which had only just started to improve.

"Its been a tough few months," McLean, who is also mum to a five-year-old daughter, Ayla, explains.

Wed finally been turning a corner with Noahs health and he was doing well at nursery.

Ayla was thriving and looking forward to starting school. It felt so unfair that just as things seemed to be settling down I was facing what doctors told me can be a fast growing and aggressive cancer.

"You just think, why me?

McLean's story inspired organisers at Cancer Research UK to hold their Shine Night Walk in Glasgow on Saturday (August 31) which had more than 1,500 participants.

Unfortunately, due to her ongoing chemotherapy McLean was too unwell to attend the event herself, but 19 of her friends formed 'Ashs Army', and raised more than 5,000 in her honour by completing the 10K.

In total 230,000 was raised for Cancer Research UK, with participants able to pick the cancer closest to their hearts for their donations.

Ash's Army who raised more than 5,000 for Cancer Research UK at Shine Night Walk Glasgow. (Cancer Research UK/SWNS) (Cancer Research UK/SWNS)

Cancer Research UK spokeswoman for Scotland, Lisa Adams, adds: Wed like to thank people from across Scotland for making our life-saving advances possible.

Were incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Shine Night Walk Glasgow.

"Eight in 10 people who receive cancer drugs on the NHS receive a drug developed by us, or with us.

"Our scientists have led the development of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, paved the way for targeted treatments and improved the way we use surgery to tackle the disease.

Together, we are beating cancer. Fundraising has helped us to double cancer survival in the UK in the last 50 years. But we cant stop there.

"Whether people walk for loved ones, future generations or with friends old and new, by taking part in Shine Night Walk, step by step, theyre bringing us closer to a world where everybody can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.

Entries are still open for the next Shine Night Walk in Edinburgh, which is on Saturday September 28.

Additional reporting SWNS.

Cancer: Read more
Irish premier Simon Harris paid tribute to the resilience of the Ukrainian people as he visited regions catastrophically damaged during the early stages of Russias invasion.

Mr Harris, who is in the Kyiv region to sign a joint declaration of co-operation with Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky, started his trip to Ukraine with visits to Borodyanka and Hostomel.

After travelling into the country on an overnight train, the Taoiseach was greeted at Nemishaieve station.

In a convoy containing Ukrainian armed forces and members of an armed unit of the Irish police, Mr Harris passed military checkpoints to first visit Borodyanka, where he inspected apartment buildings and a playground damaged by bombing in early 2022.

He saw the entire facade of one building collapsed and a disused playground where childrens toys lay on the ground.

Taoiseach Simon Harris arrives at Nemishaieve station for a visit to Kyiv, Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Harris was guided around the site by the head of Kyiv states regional administration, Ruslan Kravchenko, who thanked the Taoiseach for Irelands support for Ukraine.

Mr Kravchenko presented Mr Harris with a medal representing the region.

The Taoiseach was told about the suffering of the people of Borodyanka, some of whom were trapped under rubble after the bombing and not able to be rescued.

Nearby, a Banksy mural depicting a David v Goliath scene is displayed behind protective glass.

Taoiseach Simon Harris speaks to Ruslan Kravchenko, head of the Kyiv State regional administration, during a visit to Borodyanka, Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Directly beside the destroyed buildings, a new playground and creche have been constructed to facilitate the return of childcare in the area.

Part of Irelands 36 million euro (30.3 million) funding package for Ukraine and neighbouring countries will support such projects.

The Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) will be given three million euro (2.5 million) to support the construction of bomb shelters for schools in Ukraine by local companies. It also goes towards rebuilding schools that have been damaged.

Taoiseach Simon Harris inspects a bomb-damaged house in Hostomel, Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

While praising Ukraines continuing efforts towards EU membership and the overall resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of war, Mr Harris was introduced to a German Shepherd dog named Hachi, who was returned to the town after fleeing for three weeks following the shelling and is now tasked with looking after children at a nursery school.

In Hostomel, which was also severely damaged in the early stages of the conflict, Mr Harris was able to see the benefits of Irish funding to the region when he visited a pre-fabricated building that is hosting a family forced to leave their home due to the war.

He met Mykola and Nataliia Anisimov who told the Taoiseach that several families used to live in the neighbouring building, which had been severely damaged by bullets, artillery and shrapnel.

Mrs Anisimov said the area became the front line when Ukrainian forces decided to destroy a nearby bridge to halt the movement of Russian troops.

Taoiseach Simon Harris is set to announce millions in new funding for Ukraine from Ireland (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Her family and others were forced to evacuate the building, constructed in 1966, but are now able to return to the area thanks to the prefabricated home built using funds provided by the Irish Government.

It is part of the UNHCR Core Homes Project, which is on target to build 300 prefab homes for families whose previous homes were destroyed.

Irish funding will be used to build 50 prefab homes in the Kyiv region at a cost of 1.5 million euro (1.26 million).

Mr Harris said the Anisimovs had a lifetime of memories taken from them when their home was destroyed.

He said he was sorry about what had happened and told Mrs Anisimov: The whole of Europe wants to do everything it can to help the people of Ukraine.

While the war is here, it is an attack on all of our values.

Mr Harris said it was important for him to see the effects of the war with his own eyes.

Mrs Anisimov said she was grateful to the people of Ireland for her new home.

Mr Harris signed a Ukrainian flag before continuing his visit to Ukraine.
Brian May had a stroke. (Instagram) (Instagram)

Brian May has revealed he had a stroke.

The music legend achieved international fame as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist in one of the biggest rock bands ever, Queen.

The 77-year-old musician spoke out about his experience in a social media video posted on Instagram on Wednesday. It was shared with his 3.3 million Instagram followers, with many of them posting well wishes to the star beneath the post.

In a piece to camera, May said the experience was "a little scary" when he was temporarily unable to use his arm after he had the minor stroke. However, the songwriter took to social media to share the "good news" that he can still play guitar.

Read more: Stroke signs and symptoms as thousands of lives saved by NHS 'wonder drug'

British musician Brian May pictured performing in 2023. (Getty) (SUZANNE CORDEIRO via Getty Images)

Queen's Brian May has had a stroke

"I'm here to bring you some good news I think. The good news is that I can play guitar after the events of the last few days," he said.

"I say this because it was in some doubt because that little health hiccup that I mentioned happened about a week ago and what they called it was a minor stroke."

As he suffered the stroke, the Queen star was rushed to Frimley Hospital in Surrey in an ambulance. The music legend described the experience as "exciting" and he thanked the doctors for taking care of him.

He added: "All of a sudden out of the blue I didn't have any control over this arm. It was a little scary I have to say. I had the most fantastic care and attention from Frimley Hospital. Blue lights flashing. Very exciting, I have to say. I might post you a video."

May has been advised to take it easy. He said: "The good news is I'm doing what I'm told which is basically nothing. I'm grounded. I'm not allowed to go out. I'm not allowed to drive. I'm not allowed to go on a plane. Not allowed to raise the heart rate too high... But I'm good."

The guitarist said he didn't want any sympathy from people. He said: "I didn't want to say anything at the time because I didn't want anything surrounding, you know. I really don't want sympathy. It will clutter up my inbox and I really don't want that."

Queen's Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor. (Getty) (PA Images via Getty Images)

Support for Brian May

Despite May's pleas, many people posted well-wishes on his Instagram post. Among the fans, one person wrote: "Brian, I dont want to clutter up your inbox, so-to-speak, but I do want to say that Im very happy to hear that youre doing so well! Strokes, large or small, as you know, are serious business and I hope you will heed your docs orders in every way, as frustrating as they may be! We want you to stay healthy for a long, lonnnnng time to come!!! Ill be keeping you in heart and prayer, now and throughout the days to come, dear Dr. Sir Brian May, CBE!!! Simply put, you are greatly loved, Brian!!!"

Another wrote: "Thanks for the update Sending every best wish for a full recovery and hoping youll be off restrictions soon. I know its not in your nature to be idle for very long Allow yourself to rest and recover. Keeping you in my prayers. Xx."

Someone else wrote: "Im so glad that you are ok Sir Bri! I was so worried about you! Sending you healing vibes and lots of love!!"

The Badgers, The Farmers and Me

Saving the badgers has been a passion of the Queen star for years. (Getty) (Anadolu via Getty Images)

Alongside the social media video about his stroke, May encouraged people to watch his new BBC Two documentary The Badgers, The Farmers and Me. In the documentary, he teamed up with farmers to look at the reasons for the spread of TB in cattle and to try to save badgers.

He wrote: "Well, I WILL leave it there for now. There are plenty of bombshells in the documentary and plenty of great new insights which, when the dust settles, will give farmers new ammunition in their personal fight against bovine TB. Every criticism that's been levelled at us is answerable.

"And to shorten the film from 4 hours to an hour, a lot had to be left out or simplified. For anyone who's interested to know more or discuss constructively, we WILL be founding "Save Me TB Management" - hopefully running informal workshops to make interested farmers aware of their available options to break out of the interminable misery that current TB policies have brought. Anybody who's happy with the present situation, of course, won't need to join us !!! Best wishes to all. - Bri."

Brian May has filmed BBC documentary The Badgers, The Farmers and Me. (Getty) (Victoria Jones - PA Images via Getty Images)

Saving the badgers has been a passion of the Queen star for years. Badgers are culled in a bid to reduce levels of bovine TB. The farming community are one of the biggest critics so it's interesting the star has won them over in his new documentary.

On 21 August, the music star spoke about his documentary when he appeared on The One Show. He said: "I started off trying to save the badgers and I still am, but basically we're trying to save the farmers now, and the cattle.

"It's a tragedy all round, it's a terrible, awful mess and we think we've made the discoveries which can in the future help those farmers solve the problems and get rid of bovine TB, stop killing the badgers, end of story. We believe we cracked it."
A Labour MP has suggested she could not vote with the Government on proposals to end universal winter fuel payments.

Rachael Maskell, the York Central MP, appeared to signal she was willing to disobey her partys orders to vote for the measure, which will see the benefit restricted to those receiving pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the universal payment would come to an end when she laid out measures to tackle a 22 billion black hole in the public finances.

Some 10 million pensioners are expected to lose out on winter fuel payments as a result, but the Government is encouraging more of them who are eligible for pension credits to take up the often-overlooked benefit.

There has been growing unrest in Labour ranks about the moves impact on pensioners just above the poverty line who will not be eligible for the payment under the new criteria.

Speaking to the BBCs Newsnight, Ms Maskell appealed to the Chancellor to make concessions.

Asked if she could vote for the measure when it is put before the Commons next week, she replied: I couldnt vote for this, but I think what we are saying, this is bigger than a vote because this is about protecting peoples lives and ultimately that is our responsibility as MPs, to speak to truth to power.

That is all we are doing is to say actually there are some people in danger here, that are at risk, and we need the Government to step in like Gordon Brown did when he introduced the winter fuel payment.

Asked if she would disobey a whipped vote on the matter, Ms Maskell said: This doesnt come in for it for me and many of my colleagues. We are just so concerned.

I will do anything to protect life and on this occasion what I am saying to our Government is they have got the weekend to work this through, but put in some mitigation to protect the most vulnerable, not just those on pension credit but those people above the line, to ensure that they can be safe, warm and well this winter.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

It is imperative that they do that.

She suggested many pensioners would face a cliff edge set by previous governments if they stopped receiving the payment, and argued that tweaking eligibility would protect the NHS from added winter pressure.

Labour MPs are understood to have questioned Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall about the future of the winter fuel payment when the Parliamentary Labour Party held its first meeting after the summer recess on Monday.

Those leaving the gathering suggested the mood was constructive and collegiate, but it followed public criticism from a Labour backbencher over the proposal.

Poole MP Neil Duncan-Jordan said the decision would result in a bureaucratic and unpopular means test for older people as he tabled a Commons motion calling for the Government to delay the move.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has defended his plan, insisting it will help to fix the foundations of our economy before the Government can turn its attention to building a better future that pensioners and so many other people voted for in this election.
Products featured in this Yahoo article are selected by our shopping writers. We will earn a commission from purchases made via links in this article. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

The Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar is available for 260. (Liberty London / Yahoo Life UK)

The most anticipated beauty advent calendar launch of the year is here, and it's even bigger (and better) than we imagined  worth an unbelievable 1,205 and on sale for just 260, Liberty's 2024 Beauty Advent Calendar is definitely not one to miss this year. Trust us, we've spent weeks testing every single product inside.

Since its launch in 2014, Liberty's Beauty Advent Calendar has become the most successful and fastest-selling product in the nearly 150 years since Liberty opened its doors in 1875, and given this years line-up, it's not hard to see why.

This year, budding beauty enthusiasts can get their hands on a total of 28 must-have products  18 of which are full-size. And if you're searching for an advent calendar for a loved one, Liberty's is sure to get you all the brownie points.

One husband, who buys it every year for his wife, has already left a five-star review saying: "Be the envy of all your wives friends. Makes my wife happy every day of December. The best present you can buy. period."

Coveted beauty and skincare brands including Augustinus Bader, Votary, and Dr Sebagh make an appearance, alongside fan-favourites like Paula's Choice, QUAI, Philip Kingsley and more.

If that wasn't enough, a select number of golden tickets worth 1,000 have been hidden in a handful of calendars, so you could treat yourself to a free shopping spree at Liberty, which were sure would go quickly because, if youre anything like us, your Liberty wish list is very long.

This year's beauty advent calendar comes with 28 products  one less than last year's  but the overall value is a lot higher. For 2023, the calendar was worth 1,043, while this year's design is valued at 1,205, 162 more, meaning you get a lot more bang for your buck.

As for the actual design of the calendar, it comes with 25 pull-out drawers, all housed in a Liberty themed box, adorned with the luxury department store's beautiful frontage, as well as illustrated for a second year running by Clym Evernden.

For a second year running, the advent calendar comes beautifully illustrated by Clym Evernden with the flagship store's frontage. (Liberty)

Uncover a total of 28 products, 18 of which are full-size. Liberty)

Snap yours up now Read our review

Highlights from the calendar include Sunday Riley's Good Genes, usually costing 70, it works to leave the skin decongested, smooth and repaired, slotting seamlessly into your everyday skincare routine, helping to address congestion, wrinkles, dullness and sun damage.

There's also the cult classic, Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream (yes, it's that good, it's back again this year). A hero product that retails for 71 for 15ml, and 230 for 50ml, it's dubbed a cellular renewal rich cream, and helps to deeply hydrate the skin using natural amino acids, high-grade vitamins and peptides in what's called a TFC8 (Trigger Factor Complex).

Inside you'll find a whole host of luxury beauty products. (Liberty)

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Asides from these two exciting items, you'll also uncover make-up picks like Byredo Lipstick, Lisa Eldridge Liquid Lurex Eyeshadow and La Mer The Lip Volumiser, plus advanced skincare products including REN Clean Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream, Skin Rocks The Moisturiser, Dr Sebagh Rose De Vie Serum and more.

What's inside The Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar 2024?

Lisa Eldridge Liquid Lurex Eyeshadow in shade Emily

Ex Nihlio Fleur Narcotique EDP, 7.5ml

Votary Sensitive Resurfacing Peel, 30ml

Verden Herbanum Hand Cream, 75ml

Dr Sebagh Rose De Vie Serum, 30ml

Byredo Lipstick in Red Armchair OR Reunion OR Red & Blue

LBTY Lanthe Oud, 8ml

Skin Rocks The Moisturiser Fragrance OR Fragrance Free, 50ml

Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Liner in Black, 1.2g

OTO Sleep Soundly Pillow Mist & Sound Scape, 50ml

MZ Skin Soothe & Smooth Hyaluronic Eye Complex, 14ml

REN Clean Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream, 15ml

Vilhelm Parfumerie Face of Francie EDP, 10ml

La Mer The Lip Volumiser, 7ml

Sunday Riley Good Genes, 30ml

Agent Nateur Holi (Oil) Refining Ageless Face Serum, 10ml

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting Liquid Exfoliant, 30ml

Granado Candle Toka, 80g

Davines Oi Milk, 50ml

Wild Source Cleansing Melt Balm, 20ml

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Booster, 50ml

Hair by Sam McKnight Deeper Love Treatment Mask, 50ml

QUAI Detox Shampoo Deluxe, 30ml

Aromatherapy Associates Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil, 9ml

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About five out of every six pensioners living below the poverty line could be at risk of being stripped of their winter fuel payments, according to a former pensions minister.

Sir Steve Webb, who is now a partner at pension consultants LCP (Lane Clark & Peacock), said analysis suggests that about 1.6 million older people who are below what is commonly regarded as the poverty line do not receive pension credit.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have faced criticism from opponents, campaigners and some of their own MPs over the decision to means test winter fuel payments, worth up to 300.

Only those receiving pension credit or other means-tested benefits will be eligible for the payment in England and Wales as a result of the Governments decision, which ministers have said is needed to help fill a 22 billion black hole in the public finances.

LCP analysed Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) statistics on low-income pensioner households.

It said that while there is not an official poverty line, the main benchmark used, both in the UK and internationally, is having a household income below 60% of the national median average.

The latest DWP figures indicate that in 2022/23 there were 1.9 million people over pension age across the UK living below this income level.

Analysis by LCP suggests 0.3 million of these people are receiving pension credit.

It said the remaining 1.6 million do not receive pension credit and could potentially miss out.

People in this category may not receive pension credit simply because they have not claimed.

About 800,000 pensioners are thought to be in this position. The Government has launched a campaign to encourage those eligible for pension credit to claim it.

In other cases, people may have just enough to cover basic household bills but they may also have housing costs such as mortgage interest or rent which are not fully covered by the benefits system. These costs could push them below the poverty line.

The LCP analysis looks at other ways in which the Government could potentially make winter fuel payments more targeted  paying only to households in council tax bands A-D; paying only to older pensioners aged 80-plus; and bringing winter fuel payments within the definition of taxable income.

The analysis indicated that linking to council tax bands would protect the large majority of low-income pensioners, but would substantially reduce Government savings.

Paying only to older pensioners would still leave more than a million poorer pensioners aged under 80 still losing out, the analysis suggested.

Bringing payments into the tax net would raise only a modest amount  about 300 million  and would involve complex administration, the research suggested.

Sir Steve said: There is a range of ways in which the Government could target spending on winter fuel payments, but our analysis shows that limiting payments only to those on pension credit will leave the vast majority of pensioners below the poverty line losing out.

As an alternative, winter fuel payments could be targeted on those in lower value properties, which would protect most poorer pensioners, but would dramatically reduce the saving to the Chancellor.

Taxing winter fuel payments would raise far less than the Governments plans and could be administratively complex.

It is ultimately a matter for politicians to decide on the balance between raising revenue and protecting the vulnerable, but it is clear that continuing payments only to those on pension credit will mean large numbers of already low income pensioners losing out.

The findings were released as a survey commissioned by the Living Wage Foundation found 53% of UK people saving into a pension felt they would never be able to retire, and 62% felt they would have to work several years beyond retirement age.

Some 58% of women felt they would never be able to retire compared with 47% of men, the Savanta survey of 3,000 people found.

Research by the Resolution Foundation, which was also commissioned by the Living Wage Foundation, indicated that the average pension pot required for a basic standard of living in retirement has surged by 60%, from 68,300 in 2021-22 to 107,800 in 2023-24.

Researchers said the cost-of-living crisis has pushed up the cost of securing an adequate income in retirement significantly.

The Living Wage Foundations living pension accreditation, which is based on the research, is a voluntary savings target for employers who want to help workers build up a pension pot that will provide enough income to meet basic everyday needs in retirement.

The standard sets out the minimum annual contribution required through an average working life to reach this savings level.

After launching with six accredited employers in March 2023, the initiative recently welcomed its 50th employer.

Katherine Chapman, director of the Living Wage Foundation, said: The news that workers now require a significantly larger pension pot to cover basic living costs in retirement will undoubtedly be alarming for many, particularly low-paid workers who have borne the brunt of rising prices over the past two years.

These workers are already struggling to make ends meet today, and the prospect of saving for the future feels even more daunting.

No-one should have to choose between getting by today and securing their future.

Meanwhile, the Governments political opponents have continued to call for a rethink on the plans, with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey describing LCPs findings as worrying.

He added: With energy bills set to rise and the cost of living still so high, losing this vital support will hurt so many already in poverty. Pensioners suffered badly under the last Conservative government, now the new Government must urgently rethink its decision.

A Government spokesperson 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 pension 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.

As part of the Governments pensions review, it will explore options to expand on the success of automatic enrolment into workplace pensions to help ensure future pensioners have security in retirement.
Ministers consider next steps after damning end to Grenfell inquiry

The Government is examining the recommendations of the seven-year probe into the Grenfell Tower fire, following its damning conclusion.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is expected to face questions from broadcasters on Thursday morning about the next steps ministers will take following the end of the inquiry into the 2017 tower block fire.

The Housing Secretarys appearance on the airwaves comes after Sir Keir Starmer issued a state apology for a disaster he said should never have happened.

The Prime Minister said the Government will look at all 58 of the inquirys recommendations in detail.

Ministers will respond in full within six months, and will provide regular updates to Parliament on any commitments made, Sir Keir added.

The deaths of all 72 people in the 2017 blaze in west London were avoidable and had been preceded by decades of failure by government, other authorities and the building industry, inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bicks report concluded.

The tower block was covered in combustible products because of the systematic dishonesty of firms who made and sold the cladding and insulation, he added, with cladding company Arconic and insulation firms Kingspan and Celotex coming in for particularly heavy criticism.

Though he acknowledged failures stretching back to the 1990s, Sir Martin took aim at the drive for deregulation by the coalition and Conservative governments since 2010, which meant concerns about the safety of life had been ignored, delayed or disregarded despite the deadly Lakanal House fire which killed six people in 2009.

Sir Keir Starmer said regular updates will be provided to Parliament (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA)

Grenfell United, a group which represents some bereaved and survivors, called for a ban on government contracts for some of the companies involved.

Sir Keir told Parliament all firms found by the inquiry to be part of the horrific failings will be written to as the first step to stopping them being awarded such contracts.

The Prime Minister has also said it is imperative that there is full accountability for what happened including through the criminal justice process.

The Metropolitan Police has said it will need an estimated 12 to 18 months to pore over the report line by line before any criminal charges are brought.

Inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick reading a statement following the publication of the final report (PA)

The force has previously said a total of 19 companies and organisations were under investigation for potential criminal offences, along with 58 individuals.

Potential offences under consideration included corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, perverting the course of justice, misconduct in public office, health and safety offences, fraud, and offences under the fire safety and building regulations.

Sir Martins report recommended creating a new single regulator for the construction industry, which has become too complex and fragmented.

The Prime Minister said the inquirys conclusion should be a moment of change and vowed to take measures to step up remediation of buildings still covered in dangerous cladding.
Banning BBC weather presenters from issuing public 'health warnings' whenever the sun appears would be a vote winner - James Stack/BBC Pictures

This week, the Tory leadership candidates have been launching their campaigns. Unfortunately, however, theyve got a problem. Which is that, right now, ordinary voters have got absolutely zero interest in a single word that any of them has to say.

And frankly, who can blame them? After all, every time a Tory leadership candidate promises to slash immigration, or boost spending on defence, or end wokery in schools and the Civil Service, voters are bound to roll their eyes and snort: Oh, give it a rest. You had 14 years in government to do all this stuff  and yet you totally failed to deliver. So why on earth should we believe you now?

Clearly, therefore, theres only one way for the Tories to grab voters attention. And thats to stop droning on about the same old tired, boring issues  and instead come up with bold, radical, far-reaching new policies that show theyre in touch with the real problems in ordinary peoples lives.

The trouble is: so far, none of the leadership candidates appears to have had any ideas of this kind. Happily, though, Im here to help them out.

I hereby present 10 exciting, transformative and groundbreaking new policies to capture the publics imagination, and make the Tories electable once again

1. Bring back proper bath plugs on little chains, instead of these annoying newfangled push-down ones which you can accidentally hit with your heel, causing the stupid thing to pop up and let your water out.

2. Guarantee that anyone on public transport playing music without headphones will be immediately deported to Mars.

3. Ban supermarkets from pointlessly, and without warning, moving all their stock to different aisles, so that youve got no idea where the eggs have gone.

4. Launch a full independent public inquiry to find out why the mirrors in clothes shop changing rooms always make you look fatter and uglier than your own mirrors at home.

5. Make it a criminal offence for famous actors to express an opinion on any subject other than acting.

6. For the sake of long-suffering parents, pour as much money as it takes into the development of a Slinky that never gets tangled.

7. Prohibit BBC weather presenters from issuing public health warnings every time the sun briefly emerges from behind the clouds.

8. Give the UKs top scientists the task of inventing a fitted sheet that doesnt keep pinging off the corner of your mattress in the middle of the night.

9. Force the closure of any trendy restaurant that writes its prices as, for example, 18.5 instead of 18.50.

10. Reintroduce capital punishment for any civil servant, businessman or politician who uses the word learnings.

On behalf of the British public, I guarantee the Tories this: the candidate who can deliver on the above pledges will win by a landslide.
Colombia and Bernard University students took part in the protests in New York City - YUKI IWAMURA/AP

Two protesters were arrested as pro-Palestine demonstrations resumed outside Columbia University at the start of the new academic year.

Police put up barricades as dozens of demonstrators gathered outside one of the main gates to the New York City campus on Monday.

The protesters urged Columbia students and staff to boycott their classes and join them.

Staff at Columbia are said to be expecting a return to the protests that caused major disruption to university life in April as part of a wave of student demonstrations nationwide.

In recent weeks, the Ivy League universitys new leadership has taken a series of counter-measures, including listening sessions aimed at cooling tensions, a report on campus anti-Semitism, new protest guidelines and improved security on campus.

But student leaders appear undeterred and have threatened to erect new encampments unless the university agrees to completely cut ties with companies linked to Israel.

As long as Columbia continues to invest and to benefit from Israeli apartheid, the students will continue to resist, Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student who had led the negotiations with the university, warned last week ahead of the start of classes.

Not only protests and encampments, the limit is the sky, he added.

On Tuesday morning, protesters created a picket line outside one the schools entrances with some beating drums, while others chanted Free Palestine.

They also splattered red paint on a statue in front of the universitys Low Memorial Library.

Pro-Palestine protestors outside the entrance of Colombia University in New York City - LEV RADIN/SHUTTERSTOCK

The new student year has begun less than a month after the resignation of Baroness Minouche Shafik, Columbias British-American former president.

Her handling of the pro-Palestinian protests, including a decision to bring police on campus to clear encampments, attracted widespread criticism.

Katrina Armstrong, Columbias interim president, has met with students on both sides of the Israel-Gaza debate, promising to balance students rights to free expression and a safe learning environment.

We are hoping for the best, but we are all wagering how long before we go into total lockdown again, said Rebecca Korbin, a history professor who served on Columbias anti-Semitism task force.

Demonstrations against Israels war in Gaza have also started on other US college campuses, including at the University of Michigan which resulted in multiple arrests.
Joe Cornelius Sr. Photograph: City of Minden

An 11-year-old boy has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder after the fatal shootings of a former Louisiana mayor and his daughter.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Jared McIver, police chief of Minden, a small town in north-west Louisiana, said that at about 6.30am on Sunday police responded to reports of a shooting inside a house on Austin Street, according to local reports.

Upon arrival at the scene, police found 82-year-old Joe Cornelius Sr and 31-year old Keisha Miles dead with multiple gunshot wounds. They also found two hidden handguns with empty magazines. McIver said the calibers matched the shell casings that were found at the scene.

One neighbor told KSLA About eight gunshots. Pow, pow, pow and then pow, pow, pow.

During the news conference, McIver said the 11-year-old boy was related to the victims, adding that he gave us a story at first that just didnt add up before saying that the boy later allegedly confessed to the shootings. McIver added that the boys grandmother, who is Miless mother, was present at the time of the boys alleged confession, NBC reports.

The boy did not appear remorseful, according to McIver.

What I would say would be remorseful  sadness, sorrowful, apology, crying  none of those things happened, he said.

A neighbor recalled to KSLA an alleged argument occurring between Cornelius Sr and the boy about credit charges over video games.

I think thats what happened. He was arguing with him, I heard them hollering and stuff  That was my cousin, I hate that that happened. Over a game, the neighbor said.

Police have yet to announce a motive. McIver said at a press conference: A lot of questions have arose about what is the why behind it? We do not know that yet  We are still piecing the puzzle pieces together.

In a statement on Facebook, Mindens mayor, Nick Cox, said: 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  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.
Zia Yusuf is chairman of Reform UK

Working people in Britain feel betrayed, demoralised and disconsolate. My message to them is that we at Reform hear them, and can turn this ship around yet.

British people see their pleas to curb migration scorned, the country and culture they love being robbed from underneath them. They fear walking to the local shop lest they fall victim to the knife crime epidemic the Westminster class seem to have no appetite to curtail. Should they raise concerns about this, they are insulted and smeared.

As awful as Labour are, they are no worse than the Tories on fast forward. Both parties leave our border open, explode the size of the population, raise taxes, drive fuel bills up, release violent criminals from jail early, and put foreign citizens above their own. A third of young adults cannot even afford to rent a home, yet alone buy.

In fact, if an enemy state intent on slowly destroying Britain had somehow placed a Manchurian candidate in Downing Street, it is hard to see how their policies would have differed from recent Conservative and now Labour governments.

The Conservatives promised in manifesto after manifesto to bring net migration down to tens of thousands. Each time they betrayed their members and their voters. Each time they allow migration numbers to rise to record highs, leaving office with that number at three quarters of a million per year. I speak to many voters who consider the scale of this betrayal to be tantamount to treason.

Now, new Tory leadership hopefuls are doing the rounds promising to tackle migration, despite all of them having served in the government that presided over the greatest betrayal of the British people in history. Shameless does not even begin to describe it.

The country we love is now spiralling downward like a spluttering aircraft with multiple engines on fire, courtesy of the New Labour and then the Conservative catastrophes. But there remains time to put those fires out, to refuel mid air. There remains time to soar to new heights. Doing so will take bold, decisive action.

Only Reform UK offers this. The existing party structures are designed to churn out leaders who offer more of the same poisonous cocktail delivered right into the bloodstream of the United Kingdom.

Nigel Farage offers us hope. An antidote to the Westminster cowardice, a clarion call for patriots who know that the problems we face can be overcome, if only our leader possessed the courage. A Prime Minister Farage would bring an immediate halt to the illegal boat crossings, freeze non-essential migration, get knives off our streets, ensure illegal migrants stand no chance of remaining in the country, and put British people first.

Such claims are sneered at by the same political class that sneer at their voters. They claim such problems are really complex and difficult to solve. These are precisely the sort of excuses made by incompetent business leaders who line their own pockets and preside over the decline and bankruptcy of once-great establishments. Yet, when those CEOs and their cronies are swapped out with capable leaders, suddenly the company is transformed. I have seen it time and again in my career in business, and it gives me huge confidence that Britain can be saved.

Time, however, is short. Reform UK must move fast. The 14 per cent of the vote share the party won in July was achieved with virtually no ground campaign, other than in 4 of the 5 seats won. By 2029 Reform UK will have the best ground campaign in the country. The enthusiasm and energy Reform has is already unsurpassed, what the party needs are systems and infrastructure to harness this astonishing grassroots support.

I have now been chairman of Reform UK for over a month. In that time we have seen our membership surge to over 75,000 people, launched hundreds of Reform UK local constituency branches, and prepared to stand 2,300 candidates in local elections next year.

By 2029 Reform UK will be ready to be the party of government, and a Prime Minister Farage will embark on the most ambitious and bold reforms this country has seen in our lifetimes. Reform UK will return our country to greatness.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh with picketing rail workers in August 2024. Photograph: Ryan Remiorz/AP

Canadas New Democratic party says it has ripped up a key agreement with prime minister Justin Trudeaus Liberal government, sowing uncertainty into the countrys politics as party leaders brace for a possible election.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh made the surprise announcement on social media on Wednesday afternoon, accusing Trudeau of caving to corporate greed. The Liberals have let people down. They dont deserve another chance from Canadians, he said.

After Trudeaus Liberals won a minority of seats in parliament in 2021, the NDP agreed to support the party in order to shield them from confidence votes that could bring down the government. The deal, called a confidence and supply agreement, was scheduled to run until June 2025.

In exchange for supporting the Liberals, the NDP was able to push through a new dental care program for low-income Canadians, plans for a national pharmacare programme and legislation to ban the use of replacement workers during a lockout or strike.

But the Liberals have experienced a dramatic collapse in support in recent months while the Conservatives have surged in the polls and are widely seen as the clear frontrunners in a looming federal election. At the same time, a string of policies championed by the NDP and passed into law has made it difficult for the NDP to untangle itself from the Liberal brand.

Singh defended the decision, citing an even bigger battle ahead in the form of Conservative cuts to the government programmes.

From workers, from retirees, from young people, from patients, from families  [Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre] will cut in order to give more to big corporations and wealthy CEOs, said Singh. The fact is, the Liberals are too weak, too selfish and too beholden to corporate interests to fight for people. They cannot be change, they cannot restore the hope, they cannot stop the Conservatives. But we can.

Conservatives had previously attacked Singh as a sellout for his role in the deal and Poilievre last week called on Singh and the NDP to cancel their deal with the Liberals and trigger a fall election campaign.

The NDP decision does not trigger an election, but the party said it was ready for an election, and voting non-confidence will be on the table with each and every confidence measure.
Ginni Thomas wrote the email to the religious liberties group First Liberty Institute. Photograph: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Ginni Thomas, the far-right activist wife of the supreme court justice Clarence Thomas, has thanked a religious liberties group for its efforts to block reforms of the court aimed at reining in the justices ethical breaches, including those of her husband.

A new recording obtained by the investigative website ProPublica and the watchdog Documented discloses a July email in which Ginni Thomas thanked First Liberty Institute for fighting to oppose supreme court reforms. She specifically referred to White House proposals from Joe Biden designed to rein in wayward justices on the countrys highest court, of which her husband is the prime example.

I cannot adequately express enough appreciation for you guys pulling into reacting to the Biden effort on the supreme court. Many were so depressed by the lack of response by R[epublican]s and conservatives, she said.

Writing in all caps, she added: YOU GUYS HAVE FILLED THE SAILS OF MANY JUDGES. CAN I JUST TELL YOU, THANK YOU SO, SO, SO MUCH.

The email was read out by the head of First Liberty Institute, Kelly Shackelford, on a 31 July call with donors to the group. He said the email had been written by Ginni Thomas that same day.

Two days previously, Biden had called for sweeping changes to the court, including term limits for the nine justices and a code of ethics that would be enforced by an outside body. Under current arrangements, the justices are liable to a voluntary code which they individually police themselves.

In an op-ed piece in the Washington Post, the US president explained why he thought a tougher code of ethics was now necessary. He pointed to scandals involving several justices that had damaged public confidence in the court, including undisclosed gifts to justices and conflicts of interest connected with Jan 6 insurrectionists.

Biden did not mention names, but Clarence Thomas has been implicated in both types of ethically questionable behaviour. ProPublica has exposed the lavish international travel that the justice enjoyed courtesy of the Republican mega-donor Harlan Crow.

A conflict of interest relating to the 6 January 2021 storming of the US Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump has also been revealed by the House committee investigating the insurrection. It showed that Ginni Thomas was deeply implicated in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in the lead-up to January 6, writing several messages to the then White House chief of staff Mark Meadows as the conspiracy unfolded.

When the supreme court was asked to adjudicate on Trumps request that White House records  which, it was later found, included Ginni Thomass messages  should not be disclosed to the House committee, only one justice sided with Trump: Clarence Thomas.

First Liberty Institute is an influential player in rightwing judicial circles. With income of $25m, it has regularly argued cases before the supreme court calling for greater involvement of religion in the public square.

The Republican speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, used to work as a lawyer for the group and has called Shackelford a mentor.
Elle Macpherson says she was diagnosed with cancer seven years ago and while she had a lumpectomy had decided not to follow standard medical advice. Photograph: AAP

A leading breast cancer surgeon claims many media reports that the supermodel Elle Macpherson treated breast cancer with alternative therapies have left out crucial information, risking people being misinformed.

News organisations, including this publication, reported that after Macpherson was diagnosed with HER2 positive oestrogen receptive intraductal carcinoma in 2017, she decided not to follow standard medical advice from doctors.

She told the Australian Womens Weekly magazine that she instead followed an intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach and rejected surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

But Macpherson says she did undergo a lumpectomy, which is a type of surgery that involves removing a breast lump.

Related: Elle Macpherson refused to have chemotherapy after breast cancer diagnosis

In itself, a lumpectomy may in some cases be an appropriate, standard medical treatment for the condition, said Prof Chris Pyke, the director of medical services at the Mater private hospitals in Brisbane.

Pyke, a cancer surgeon and breast cancer risk quantification expert, said HER2 positive oestrogen receptive intraductal carcinoma in many cases could more accurately be described as a type of non-invasive precancer that has the potential to become aggressive if left untreated.

Intraductal means precancerous, so the cancer cells have formed but they are still housed inside the ducts in the breast, Pyke said.

Left to its own devices, a certain proportion of these cases will turn into invasive cancer during the next year. But the number is not high  about 5%. Its quite possible that just removing that lump all by itself could have been sufficient treatment.

Media reports, which are based on the Womens Weeklys exclusive interview with Macpherson about the launch of her new book, lack detail about the size of the precancer or the grade of the cells, or other risk factors Macpherson may or may not have had.

Guardian Australia has asked the publisher of her book, Penguin Random House, and the Womens Weekly, if those details were asked for or provided, or if they have specific details about her treatments, both conventional and alternative.

On top of just removing it, for this particular type of disease, sometimes radiotherapy is added and we can help guide patients on that depending on how big the area of precancerous change was, what the grade of the cells were, and sometimes theres gene expression profiling that can be added on top of that to help make decisions and inform risk, Pyke said.

It is unclear if Macpherson underwent gene expression profiling.

Pyke said about one-third of patients will have a mastectomy recommended at initial diagnosis, not because it is severe but because more than one-quarter of the breast is affected. Removing enough tissue with a lumpectomy alone in these cases could significantly distort the breast, so mastectomy and reconstruction may be offered.

It is also unclear whether Macpherson was diagnosed because she felt a lump, or because she underwent screening and the condition was detected through imaging, which may also make a difference to treatment recommendations and how important radiation, chemotherapy and mastectomy may be.

The biggest thing for breast cancer, until we find the cause, is that early diagnosis is the most important thing, Pyke said. If you find breast cancer, even invasive cancer, early before you can feel it, theres very little chance its going to shorten your life.

He said for patients with the earliest forms of breast cancer, they need to be offered every treatment option that has the same outcome. That means if a patient has intraductal carcinoma, they may have been offered lumpectomy by itself; lumpectomy and radiotherapy; or mastectomy as well, Pyke said.

For early detected disease, those three things have the same outcome, as far as preventing that type of precancer spreading anywhere.

All options are offered because some patients may prefer a mastectomy over a lumpectomy due to fear of recurrence. While lumpectomy followed by radiation offers similar long-term survival rates to mastectomy, there is a slightly higher risk of recurrence with lumpectomy alone.

There are also drugs, including immune-modulation drugs, that may be tried, and Pyke said it is important for patients to be part of these treatment decisions. Someone who chooses more conservative treatment like lumpectomy alone might then be screened more regularly to monitor for any recurrence or spread, he said.

With growing concerns about overdiagnosis and overtreatment of some forms of non-aggressive breast cancers and precancers, some experts advocate for a more conservative treatment before undergoing surgery, with lots of monitoring and support from healthcare providers, Pyke said, and he emphasised it is OK for patients to ask questions about their treatment.

Related: Overdiagnosis: some breast cancer treatments may have been unnecessary, study suggests

The truth is, most people with a cancer diagnosis will do something on top of what we [medical doctors] recommend, he said.

Almost everyone does meditation, or takes a vitamin, and I say if it wont interfere with the treatment, do it. And the second thing I say is that the only things which have been proven to treat cancer are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormone treatments.

Vicki Durston, the director of policy, advocacy and support services at Breast Cancer Network Australia, said providing the correct, full context to Macphersons treatment and her decisions are so important to get the messaging right to alleviate fears and cut through the noise.

She said media reports are confusing for people that are currently in treatment and some were now starting to question their own choices and approach.

Its important that when high-profile figures like Elle Macpherson share their story, they need to understand that their story has enormous impact and reach, she said.

Dr Brooke Nickel, a National Health and Medical Research Council emerging leader research fellow with the University of Sydney who has researched media reporting of healthcare, including cancer, said Macpherson also owns a wellness company and patients should factor that in when considering her comments while also consulting doctors.

Speaking generally, Nickel added: The public and patients alike really need to be wary of celebrities, and increasingly social media influencers, who discuss this kind of wellness or alternative therapy approach and who may be profiting from associations with brands and products.

This wellness movement often aligns itself with the womens health movement, which is about autonomy, empowerment and legitimate criticisms of patriarchal medical systems. This whole rise with celebrities and influencers adopting the womens empowerment language has taken the wellness movement to the next level, and often, what theyre discussing is not based on evidence.

 In Australia, support is available at the Breast Cancer Network on 1800 500 258. In the UK, help is available from breast cancer nurses at Breast Cancer Now on 0808 800 6000
The findings could have implications for understanding the evolution of human language, say experts. Photograph: Biology Letters

Dog owners may have trouble remembering which toy is Mr Squeaky, but such names can be seared into the memory of their pets, researchers have found.

Scientists previously discovered some dogs have a remarkable ability to learn the names of toys, with a border collie known as Chaser having learned the labels of more than 1,000 objects.

Related: Whos a clever dog? Scientists study secrets of canine cognition

Now researchers have discovered some dogs can remember the name of a toy even when they have not seen it for two years.

Shany Dror of Eotvos Lorand University in Hungary, the first author of the study, said the results showed such dogs stored object names in their long-term memory, rather than simply having their memory refreshed by their owners through frequent play with the item.

Dror added the findings could have implications for understanding the evolution of human language, given memory is one of its many components. Why is language uniquely human? To understand that, we need to understand what parts of language are available in other animals in which part are not, she said.

Writing in the journal Biology Letters, Dror and colleagues report how they studied five dogs who, in earlier research, had learned the names of 12 new toys. These toys were subsequently put away for two years.

In the new study, the dogs owners brought the toys out of retirement. Three dogs had all 12, another had 11 toys and one dog had only five toys as some had been misplaced.

After allowing their dog to inspect the objects, each owner placed five or six of the test toys in one room in their home, alongside eight of their dogs other toys. The owners then moved into a second room and asked their dog to get each of the test toys  one at a time. To minimise disruption, the owner replaced the chosen toys only when there were just three test toys left in the pile. The researchers watched online via video-recording devices.

The experiment was carried out twice for each dog, and was also repeated for four of the dogs using their remaining test toys.

The results reveal that, overall, the dogs picked the correct toy 44% of the time on average  with some having a success rate of up to 60%. These figures, the researchers add, are far above the level expected by chance.

The results were driven by the prowess of four dogs, with these canines remembering the names of between three and nine of their test toys.

The team stress that just because some dogs can learn object names, not every canine can do so, with the factors behind the skill still unclear.

However, Dror noted dogs with the talent often had owners who spent a lot of time engaging with them. The more you invest in your dog, the more you will get back from the relationship, she said.
The report will explain why the fire broke out, examining the decisions that led to its refurbishment, the conduct of the construction companies and shortcomings in government regulation. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA

Companies and public authorities involved in the Grenfell Tower refurbishment are braced for wide-ranging criticisms when the final public inquiry report on the 2017 disaster is released at 11am on Wednesday.

The 1,700-page report is expected to spotlight serious failings among national and local politicians, builders, material manufacturers and sales people, fire-testing experts and the London fire brigade. The inquiry chair, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, and his inquiry panel colleagues, the architect Thouria Istephan and housing expert Ali Akbor, will also make recommendations to the government to ensure such a disaster is not repeated.

Hundreds of bereaved people and survivors granted core participant status in the 200m, seven-year inquiry were shown the report on Tuesday to allow them to digest in private what many hope will be a landmark moment in their fight for justice.

The report comes seven years, two months and 20 days after the fire and was delayed from earlier in the summer in part due to the high number of people  about 250  who faced criticism and needed to be informed in advance.

Related: Firms criticised by Grenfell inquiry face calls to be banned from public contracts

Keir Starmer will respond to the report in the House of Commons at lunchtime and the Metropolitan police have said they will deploy detectives on the Operation Northleigh team investigating possible criminal charges to comb through the findings.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: We will never forget the 72 lives lost at Grenfell and remain absolutely committed to securing justice for the bereaved, survivors and the wider community. In the governments manifesto, we set out our commitment to improving building safety, including accelerating cladding remediation, ensuring anyone responsible for the building safety crisis pays and better protecting leaseholders.

Todays publication will be the second and final inquiry report. In 2019, phase one conclusions focused on the night of the fire and found London fire brigade commanders were not properly prepared and there were serious deficiencies in command and control. It also found the cut-price refurbishment breached building regulations and the plastic filled aluminium cladding panels made by Arconic were the main cause of the fire spreading.

The longer, second-phase report will explain why the fire at Grenfell Tower happened, examining the decisions that led to the refurbishment, the conduct of the construction companies and shortcomings in government regulation.

Related: A web of blame: key findings from the second phase of the Grenfell inquiry

The inquiry has already been told by its lead counsel that each and every one of the deaths  was avoidable. The government has previously said it was truly sorry for its failure to realise that the regulatory system was broken and it might lead to a catastrophe such as this.

Many of the companies, consultants and contractors involved were accused of engaging in a merry-go-round of buck passing and several key witnesses from Arconic, the US industrial giant whose French subsidiary supplied the combustible cladding panels, refused to face cross-examination.

Attention will next turn to Scotland Yard, which said in May it was investigating 58 individuals and 19 organisations for possible crimes including corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, fraud, perverting the course of justice and misconduct in public office. Charging decisions are unlikely soon, meaning trials may not start until 2027, a decade after the fire.

Ed Daffarn, a survivor and leading member of the families group Grenfell United, said: We, I, personally, need to know what happened. No one in the public inquiry ever gave us the truth. They engaged in a carousel of blame pointing  For me its absolutely vital that I discover the truth of what happened and Im reasonably confident that were going to get that when the report comes out.

Joe Powell, the Labour MP for Kensington and Bayswater, this week wrote to Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister and housing secretary, urging her to fully accept the inquiry recommendations and accelerate works to fix other buildings with dangerous cladding.

We must urgently accelerate remediation work to fix dangerous cladding and ensure that those responsible for the building safety crisis are held accountable and pay to put it right, he said.
The fire broke out at two flats in the block. The fire brigade was first alerted to the blaze at 12.51pm

A fire broke out at a high-rise block of flats in south-east London on the day the Grenfell Tower inquiry report was published.

Flames and black smoke billowed out of the windows of two flats on the ninth and 10th floors of a 13-storey tower block in Catford.

Approximately 70 firefighters, 10 fire engines and several ambulance crews were sent to Rosenthal House, a block of 40 flats built in 1969, shortly before 1pm.

Almost 50 calls were made to 999 dispatchers by members of the public.

Photographs from the scene showed a fireman dousing the flames with a hose from the top of a ladder that extended from the back of a fire engine.

Click here to view this content.

London Fire Brigade said it brought the blaze under control by 2.14pm, at which point there were no reports of deaths or injuries.

The storeys above the window where the fire broke out were left charred black in the aftermath. The cause of the fire is being investigated.

Fire crews from Forest Hill, Greenwich, Deptford, Lee Green and other stations were dispatched to the scene. Metropolitan Police officers manned cordons.

The blaze came hours after the chairman of the Grenfell Tower fire enquiry said the deaths of 72 people in the June 2017 tragedy were all avoidable.

Part of the building above where the fire broke out has been left blackened - George Cracknell Wright

An LFB statement said: Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters tackled a fire at a block of flats on Rosenthal Road in Catford.

Two flats were alight. There are currently no reports of any injuries.

Rushey Green remains closed between Rosenthal Road and Honley Road and people are advised to avoid the area whilst firefighters continue to work at the scene.

The brigades 999 control officers took almost 50 calls to the blaze.

The brigade was called at 1251 and the fire was under control by 1414. Fire crews from Forest Hill, Greenwich, Deptford, Lee Green and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A spokesman for the London Ambulance Service said: We were called at 12.55pm today to reports of a fire at a tower block in Rosenthal Road, Catford.

We sent a number of resources to the scene including ambulance crews, incident response officers and members of our hazardous area response team.

There are no patients so far but we remain on standby at the scene.
French police on patrol on the beach at Wimereux, where another dinghy set off for England on Wednesday. Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters

French police have cleared a camp believed to have been used by some of the dozen people, including six children, who died after their dinghy ripped apart in the Channel.

In the early hours of Wednesday, belongings and tents were removed and tens of people were bussed away from an unofficial refugee settlement near Calais known locally as the BMX site.

Six children and a pregnant woman were among 12 people who died on Tuesday morning three miles off Cap Gris-Nez, south of Calais, when a flimsy dinghy in which 65 people were being transported collapsed in the water. Of the dead, 10 were female.

It has emerged that moments before the collapse of the dinghy, 15 people had been safely moved on to a rescue boat after calling for help, but that the majority had chosen to go on.

French prosecutors have said that many of those caught up in the tragedy originated from the north-east African state of Eritrea, which is one of the poorest countries in the world.

The French government has a no fixation policy that is designed to deter people seeking to cross to the UK from living in camps by the coast, and diggers and riot police were mobilised early on Wednesday morning to clear a site where Eritreans had been staying.

Charities working with migrants in northern France said that those who had lost possessions in the clearout included survivors of Tuesdays sinking, although this could not be independently verified.

Related: Its a human disaster: the French seaside towns on the frontline of small-boat tragedy

Despite the latest loss of life in the Channel, dozens more people could be seen risking their lives on Wednesday, including on a heavily laden vessel that set off from nearby Wimereux under the watch of patrol boats.

The dinghy was so overcrowded that the legs of some of those onboard could be seen to be dragging through the water. A young girl grasping a mobile phone and not wearing a lifejacket was among those onboard. Asked why it did not intervene, the French maritime agency said it would be dangerous to force such vessels back to shore.

A spokesperson said: Its difficult to achieve with more than 50 people onboard who are vehemently refusing to be rescued. The main risk is a stampede onboard and then a capsizing, these boats being neither stable nor reliable.

The risk of loss of human life being too high for an intervention under duress, the choice is made to prioritise the protection of the people onboard, and by simply monitoring from a distance the navigation capabilities of these boats. It is therefore more a question of ethics than of blind application of the law.

Later on Wednesday about 100 people were seen disembarking at the port of Dover after three dinghies were intercepted by the UK Border Force vessels Typhoon and Defender.

Jean-Luc Dubaele, the mayor of Wimereux, told the Agence France-Presse news agency that the British and French authorities could no longer let the situation continue.

He said: Unfortunately, every day is like this for us. The smugglers  a criminal network  continue with insistence to send people to their deaths in the Channel. It really is unacceptable, scandalous. And it is high time that a lasting solution is found with Britain.

The decision to deploy diggers to remove the settlement used by the people from Eritrea and to bus some of those found there to the north-east of France was condemned by local charities, which claimed that the authorities were only further endangering lives.

Flore Judet, from the group Auberge des Migrants, told the Guardian: Todays eviction was really violent. We feel so much sadness and anger about the deaths yesterday. We have seen months and years of repression set up by the French police and paid for by the UK. Yesterday, 12 people lost their lives because they wanted to run away from this violent place.

Keir Starmers new government has said it intends to smash the gangs behind the crossings, but the difficulties faced by UK law enforcement were highlighted at Sevenoaks youth court on Wednesday when the Crown Prosecution Service had to drop its cases against two young men charged with an immigration offence during a Channel crossing in April when five people, including a seven-year-old girl, died.

The charges of attempting to enter the UK illegally were discontinued after months of delay because of age assessments. The National Crime Agency (NCA) had described the youths as being in their 20s when it first arrested and charged them, but this was disputed. Court documents for Wednesdays hearing showed the boys, from South Sudan and Sudan, listed as 15 and 16 years old.
Polish women protest against strict anti-abortion laws in Warsaw, Poland, after the death of a pregnant woman in hospital. Photograph: Anna Liminowicz/The Guardian

More than 850 million women and girls are living in countries rated as very poor for gender equality, says a new report, subjecting them to a litany of potential restrictions and abuses, including forced pregnancies, childhood marriage and bans from secondary education.

The SDG Gender Index, published today by Equal Measures 2030, a coalition of NGOs, found that no country has, so far, achieved the promise of gender equality envisioned by the UNs 2030 sustainable development goals (SDGs).



Between 2019 and 2022, nearly 40% of countries  home to more than 1 billion women and girls  stagnated or declined on gender equality.

The SDG index, which benchmarks gender equality across 139 countries, gave 45 countries  including large parts of west, central and sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and countries in Asia including Bangladesh and Myanmar  its worst rating of very poor.

In addition to the 857 million women and girls living in countries rated very poor, 1.5 billion lived in countries rated poor. Only one country, Switzerland, was rated very good.

The report said the dismal scenario means global gender inequality could be worse in 2030 than when the goals were set in 2015, as armed conflict, accelerating climate breakdown, anti-gender campaigns and threats to democracy stall or reverse progress. If current trends continue, equality will not be achieved until the 22nd century.

From the explosion of domestic violence during the pandemic to the Taliban getting back into power in Afghanistan, from the brutal repression of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran and the repeal of Roe v Wade in the US, womens rights are being eroded, said Chiara Capraro, the programme director for gender justice at Amnesty International UK.

Almost every country in the world agreed to targets to achieve gender equality by 2030 as part of the UNs SDG initiative.

Related: Frightening Taliban law bans women from speaking in public

Yet in the past few years there has been a widespread failure concerning progress on womens rights, which have declined in a number of countries including Poland, the US and Afghanistan.



Both Poland and the US have taken regressive steps on abortion rights. In the US 14 states have enacted near-total abortion bans.



Under the Taliban, women and girls in Afghanistan have undergone what human rights groups are calling a gender apartheid, banning them from secondary school, many forms of paid employment and even speaking or showing their faces outside their homes.



Some of the regression in countries such as Sudan, Myanmar and Ukraine can be blamed on recent outbreaks of violence. The report said 614 million women and girls were living in conflict-affected countries in 2022  50% higher than the number in 2017.



Heather Barr, an associate director of the womens rights division at Human Rights Watch, said: We have seen a number of conflicts which have had a devastating impact on women and girls and set back progress in those countries. We can see that with the horrific reports of sexual violence in Sudan, the rise in domestic violence in Ukraine and restrictions on abortion access.



Barr also pointed to the recent emergence of authoritarian governments taking power in countries working from a playbook that reverses hard-won gains on womens rights under the pretext of supporting traditional values.



Accelerating progress on womens rights required more women in positions of power, said Barr.



Womens participation  bringing women into decision-making positions both in national governments and internationally in organisations like the UN  is key, she said.

This is the best way to ensure that we bring about the real changes needed to achieve gender equality, rather than just talking about it.

The SDG Gender Index precedes the annual UN Women snapshot report, to be published later this month, which is expected to document another year of poor progress.
Maryam Adam, a survivor of the Grenfell fire, speaks through tears at the Grenfell Next of Kin press conference - REUTERS

Read our full report on the findings of the inquiry here.

The deaths of 72 people in the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017 were all avoidable, the chairman of the inquiry into the disaster has said.

A final report released today found the fire was caused by the systematic dishonesty of construction companies that manufactured the cladding for the tower blocks refurbishment.

Sir Martin Moore-Bick said: The simple truth is that the deaths that occurred were all avoidable and that those who lived in the tower were badly failed over a number of years and in a number of different ways by those who were responsible for ensuring the safety of the building and its occupants.

He also placed blame for the fatal inferno on decades of failure by government ministers and officials who ignored a series of warnings over the risk of cladding fires.

He said regulators had put commercial interests above building safety and had been complicit in allowing manufacturers to manipulate fire testing data.

Grenfell victims have demanded that manslaughter charges be brought against those responsible for the tragedy.

Follow the latest updates below

06:14 PM BST

Thats all for live coverage today

Thank you for following as we reported on the final public inquiry report into the Grenfell fire.

The report found the Grenfell fire was caused by the systematic dishonesty of construction companies that manufactured cladding for the tower blocks refurbishment.

You can read our full report here.

05:59 PM BST

Archbishop of Canterbury describes chilling report

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has called for deep reflection and meaningful change after the report.

He described it as chilling to read that systematic dishonesty and a refusal to listen to concerns were in part to blame for Grenfell Tower becoming a death trap.

He added: This tragedy shows us that we must cherish and protect everyone in our society, and that safety should not just be the preserve of the wealthy.

We must commit to building a housing system that is safe and fair for everyone in this country.

05:21 PM BST

Watch: Grenfell Next of Kin press conference

Following the inquirys long-awaited report, Grenfell Next of Kin, which represents the families of almost half those killed, held a press conference at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

In it, grieving family members and survivors criticised the inquiry for delaying justice.

You can watch the full press conference here.

05:11 PM BST

Listen: Grenfell survivors discuss inquiry

You can listen to survivors of the Grenfell disaster share their feelings about the inquiry in the latest episode of The Daily T podcast.

Click here to view this content.

04:28 PM BST

Irish premier tells companies to reflect fully on report

Irish premier Simon Harris has urged companies named in the report on the Grenfell Tower fire to reflect fully on its findings.

Asked if he has any concerns about buildings in Ireland after Irish insulation company Kingspan was named in the report, Mr Harris said: I need to be careful on this because I havent read the Grenfell inquiry report that came out relatively recently.

I want to obviously, again, remember those who died in the Grenfell tragedy.

I think of their families today and think how painful today must be.

Im also conscious that they would have waited a very long time for this final report.

I will take the time to read it, to reflect on it with my officials to see if there are any learnings for Ireland, and I would obviously encourage any company referenced in the report to do likewise, to reflect fully on those findings, and once Ive done that I will give a more considered response.

03:55 PM BST

Pictured: Grenfell dead honoured at press conference

A Grenfell victim looks at photographs of people who died in the fire. A board showing pictures of the dead was put up by Grenfell Next of Kin earlier today at a press conference. - Shutterstock

03:30 PM BST

We failed you, says council leader

The leader of the council which owns Grenfell Tower has issued a grovelling apology in the wake of this mornings report.

Elizabeth Campbell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea council, said: We failed to keep people safe before and during the refurbishment and we failed to treat people with humanity and care in the aftermath.

In an open letter published on the councils website, she apologised with all my heart to the victims and said she hoped the inquirys report would help them find justice.

She added: The organisation I lead owes it to every single person who lost their lives to learn the lessons, change, and improve.

03:06 PM BST

Trade group calls for action

Estate and letting agency trade group Propertymark has called on the Government to take action following the report into the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Henry Griffith, policy and campaigns officer at Propertymark, said: Despite commitments from the previous government, half-a-million people continue to live within properties that are known to have serious safety concerns.

Now that the final report has been published, the UK Government must take action to alleviate the myriad of issues that residents in high-rise buildings continue to face.

By doing so, we can bring confidence back to the sector so people can feel safe in their homes.

It is vital to appreciate that residents of affected properties continue to live under a cloud of unacceptable vulnerability.

02:58 PM BST

Seven-year delay to justice

Grenfell Tower survivor Francis Dean has criticised what he called the seven-year delay to justice as he and others wait for criminal prosecutions to be brought.

Since that night Ive not been the same person, Im messed up, he said at a briefing given by members of a support group for the next of kin in central London.

The government at the time promised us justice. I hope this current Government can take up the lead.

02:37 PM BST

Grenfell United statement in full

Grenfell United, a group of survivors and bereaved families from the Grenfell Tower fire, has released its full statement in response to the inquirys final report.

In it, the groups accused the government of aiding and abetting crooks and killers.

Our response to today's publication of the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 Report pic.twitter.com/rEvshCrTPz  Grenfell United (@GrenfellUnited) September 4, 2024

02:15 PM BST

Nobody knows whos going to be alive for the justice

Maria Jafari, a survivor, said: Its seven years now we are waiting for justice. Yesterday I went to collect the report and a big bag of paper was handed to me.

Speaking at the Grenfell Next of Kin press conference, she said: My mother said wheres the justice? What happened? Who can explain to us seven years have passed and we have to fight again nobody knows whos going to be alive for the justice. So who is going to tell us?

When I die I dont want to be shamed in front of my father we didnt fight for him

I dont know what the inquiry means nobody explained to us now I understand what the inquiry means and we have to fight another one. We have lost our energy for seven years, we dont have more

02:05 PM BST

Grenfell survivor calls for criminal charges

Maryam Adam, a survivor of the Grenfell fire, says criminal charges should be brought against those responsible.

Speaking through tears at the Grenfell Next of Kin press conference, she said: If you dont charge someone with criminal charges, the criminality will continue.

What happened with Grenfell will happen with the other buildings if we dont charge.

She added: I hope everyone who had a hand with what happened is charged.

Maryam Adam, a survivor of the Grenfell fire, speaks at the Grenfell Next of Kin press conference - Geoff Pugh for the Telegraph

01:58 PM BST

Angela Rayner promises to work tirelessly

Angela Rayner has reiterated Sir Keir Starmers apology to the Grenfell victims.

In a post on X, the deputy prime minister said: We remember the 72 innocent lives lost in the Grenfell Tower tragedy. My thoughts are with the bereaved families, the survivors and residents in the immediate community.

As Keir Starmer said, on behalf of the British state we apologise to each and every one of them.

The Grenfell community has campaigned tirelessly to push for justice & change.

My promise to them is to work tirelessly, with urgency & care, to deliver a stronger culture of safety across the system from top to bottom.

We remember the 72 innocent lives lost in the Grenfell Tower tragedy. My thoughts are with the bereaved families, the survivors and residents in the immediate community.



As @Keir_Starmer said, on behalf of the British state we apologise to each and every one of them. https://t.co/fTX5SVOaDA  Angela Rayner (@AngelaRayner) September 4, 2024

01:53 PM BST

Victim: Nothing less than manslaughter will do

Shahrokh Aghlani, whose mother and aunt died, says manslaughter charges should be brought against those responsible for the Grenfell fire and nothing less would do.

Speaking at the Grenfell Next of Kin press conference, he said: This illusion of learning from your mistakes has not brought about any concrete actions from the Government.

I fear that is because there is no prosecution, there are no consequences for people who failed while they were in office. They can just ignore the public, ignore the thousands of buildings wrapped with cladding today.

With the Government that we have that is not taking responsibility for taking them off, this shows they do not fear prosecution.

He added: I would expect the Crown Prosecution to tell us what sort of prosecution they have in mind. To me, its a manslaughter charge and nothing less would do.

01:41 PM BST

Pictured: Web of blame

A Grenfell victim speaking at the Grenfell Next of Kin press conference points to a 'web of blame' showing the companies and authorities responsible for the tragedy - Geoff Pugh for the Telegraph

01:37 PM BST

Families robbed of justice by inquiry

Karim Khalloufi, whose sister Khadija died in the Grenfell fire, tells the Grenfell Next of Kin press conference that families have been robbed of justice by the inquiry.

He said: Seven years, I was saying to myself oh seven years its enough to get justice. They have everything. They have the evidence. They have who did, when it was done, and how it was done.

He added: We were robbed of justice. This delay has caused a lot of damage to us, has participated in denying our right. We are asking  the minimum we are asking is criminal prosecution for manslaughter, this is the minimum.

Because all the people died deserve justice, and all the people here deserve justice. Nothing will be extinguished  if we dont have this justice.

We will seek justice we will go to probably and with the help of Grenfell Next of Kin, we are preparing ourselves to see the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice, the CPS, the police, to fight - not to fight, but to tell them we have a right of justice and we want it.

01:33 PM BST

No more government contracts for companies responsible for fire

In his statement to the House of Commons earlier, Sir Keir Starmer said the companies responsible for the Grenfell fire will not be given government contracts in the future.

He said: In the light of such findings it is imperative that there is full accountability including through the criminal justice process, and that this happens as swiftly as possible.

This Government will write to all companies found by the inquiry to be part of these horrific failings as the first step to stopping them being awarded government contracts.

We will of course support the Metropolitan Police and the prosecutors as they complete their investigations.

It is vital that as we respond to this report today we do not do or say anything that could compromise any future prosecution, because the greatest injustice of all would be for the victims and all those affected not to get the justice that they deserve.

01:24 PM BST

Pictured: Report placed on scales by victims group

The inquiry report has been placed on a set of scales by Grenfell Next of Kin at its press conference

01:22 PM BST

Ive seen witnesses laugh giving evidence

Mr Choucair lost his mother, his sister, her three young daughters and their father in the Grenfell fire.

He said: Watching this inquiry for me has been very painful.

Ive seen witnesses laugh giving evidence, which burns me inside how they can have the cheek to do that, knowing that they are partially to blame for what happened on that horrific day.

You have other witnesses that didnt even turn up and submitted their submissions through their solicitors, claiming that they were not well enough to give evidence.

Yet this was not followed through and checked to see if this was actually correct.

01:17 PM BST

Inquiry was a joke, says victim

Speaking through tears, Mr Choucair adds: Im sorry to say, it (the inquiry) has been a joke.

I dont how much money has been spent on it - I think around 170m - but had we had this money to pursue our own private investigation, I would have taken it with open hands.

I still dont understand why the inquiry was opened the day after the fire. This was an abusement of power from the Government.

He says the Government opened the inquiry to avoid disorder breaking out.

Survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire disaster react following the media statement

01:13 PM BST

Grenfell victim: We did not ask for inquiry

Hisam Choucair, who witnessed six members of his family die in Grenfell Tower, says the inquiry was forced on us and was not wanted.

He said it has delayed justice and has put the extra nail in our hearts.

We did not ask for this inquiry. This inquiry was opened on the second day of the fire. The majority of us didnt have solicitors, didnt know what an inquiry was.

We did not know the consequences of having an inquiry and how that would impact on our justice moving forward.

01:07 PM BST

Grenfell families giving press conference

Grenfell Next of Kin, which represents the families of almost half those killed, is holding a press conference following this mornings report by the inquiry.

You can watch along on the livestream at the top of this page.

Grenfell Next of Kin are holding a press conference following this morning's report - Geoff Pugh for the Telegraph

12:51 PM BST

Starmer apologises to Grenfell victims

The Prime Minister has apologised to the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, saying the country failed to protect you and your loved ones.

Speaking in the House of Commons, he said: So I want to start with an apology on behalf of the British state to each and every one of you and indeed to all of the families affected by this tragedy.

It should never have happened. The country failed to discharge its most fundamental duty - to protect you and your loved ones. The people that we are here to serve, and I am deeply sorry.

I also want to express my admiration for the strength it must have taken to relive these events while giving your evidence to the inquiry and indeed, to see written down today the circumstances that led to the deaths of your loved ones.

After all youve been through, you may feel youre always one step away from another betrayal. I get that, and I know I cannot change that with just words today.

12:46 PM BST

PM: Youve been let down so badly

The Prime Minister continues: In the face of an injustice so painful, so deserving of anger, words can begin to lose their meaning. Seven years waiting for the justice you deserve.

I want to say very clearly on behalf of the country, youve been let down so badly, before during and in the aftermath of this tragedy.

While Sir Martin sets out a catalogue of appalling industry failures, for which there must now be full accountability, he also finds, and I quote, decades of failure by central government.

He concludes that between the fire at Knowsley Heights in 1991 and the fire at Grenfell Tower in 2017, there were many opportunities for the government to identify the risks posed by the use of combustible cladding panels and insulation.

And he concludes, and I quote, by 2016, the department was well aware of those risks, but failed to act on what they knew.

12:42 PM BST

Starmer reads statement in Parliament

Sir Keir Starmer is reading a statement in the House of Commons about the Grenfell report this morning.

He says: Mr Speaker, this morning Sir Martin Moore-Bick published the final report of the Grenfell Tower inquiry. Im sure the whole House will join me in thanking him, the members of the inquiry and the whole team for their dedicated work.

I want to speak directly to the bereaved families, the survivors and those in the immediate Grenfell community - some of whom are with us in the gallery today.

Sir Martin concluded this morning - and Im afraid there is no way of repeating this that wont be painful - he said the simple truth is that the deaths that occurred were all avoidable, and that those who lived in the tower were badly failed over a number of years and in a number of different ways, by, as the report lays out in full, just about every institution responsible for ensuring their safety.

12:33 PM BST

Former PM speaks out following report

Baroness May of Maidenhead, who was prime minister at the time of the Grenfell Tower disaster in 2017, said national and local government, regulators and industry must all acknowledge their part in the history and series of events that led to this tragedy.

Former prime minister Theresa May speaks to members of the fire service at Grenfell Tower in 2017

12:28 PM BST

Local Government Association will consider report

The Grenfell report, which found failings by the local council, will be properly considered by the Local Government Association (LGA).

Councillor Louise Gittins, chairman of the LGA, which represents councils across England, said: The disaster that unfolded at Grenfell Tower must never be allowed to happen again and the LGA and councils will take time to properly consider this vital report and its recommendations.

Local government stands ready to work with the Government on improving building safety and ensuring no-one has to live in fear about their safety, be that in the buildings they live in, work in or visit.



12:22 PM BST

Diane Abbott hits out at enormous and allowed greed

Diane Abbott has spoken out after this mornings report into Grenfell Tower fire was released.

In a post on X, the Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington said: Grenfell still stands as a monument to elected representatives ignoring the people who put them there, enormous and allowed greed, regulatory capture and laissez-faire economics.

Justice for Grenfell must include ending all of these.

12:16 PM BST

A message to Sir Keir Starmer

We can now bring you some more quotes from Grenfell Uniteds statement, which was read earlier today by survivor Natasha Elcock.

The statement said: The recommendations published today are basic safety principles that should already exist, highlighting how the governments role, duties and obligations have been hollowed out by privatisation.

It added: Today we send a message to Keir Starmer and his government: This country has been failed by governments of all political persuasions.

Our expectation is your government will break old habits and implement all the recommendations made by Sir Martin Moore-Bicks report without further delay because the time to address this is already three decades too late.

For the report to be worth anything it must be and bring systematic change.

12:04 PM BST

Starmer to make statement after PMQs

Sir Keir Starmer said he would make a statement after Prime Ministers Questions but told the Commons: I know that the thoughts of the House will be with the bereaved and the survivors of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the residents in the immediate community.

Follow our live coverage of PMQs here.

The Prime Minister speaks ahead of PMQs

12:03 PM BST

Greed, corruption, incompetence and negligence

The Grenfell United statement added: It shows the senior mgmt at the LFB knew about the risk of cladding fires but did nothing to prepare.

But above all, the judge concludes what we already knew: that every single loss of life that night was avoidable.

Human life was never a priority and we lost friends, neighbours and loved ones in the most horrific way, through greed, corruption, incompetence and negligence.

12:01 PM BST

Grenfell United slams greed and profiteering of companies

The statement from Grenfell United continued: The Government ignored warnings about dangerous cladding from as early as 1991.

It knew the risks but failed to prevent them, revealing the greed and profiteering of an industry that has been poorly regulated by governments over decades.

It uncovers the systematic failings at the TMO [Tenant Management Organisation] and RBKC [Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea] which created a toxic, calculated culture which marginalised its residents.

11:59 AM BST

Survivors group: We paid the price

Natasha Elcock, a survivor of the Grenfell Tower fire who lost her uncle, is reading a statement from Grenfell United, a group of survivors and bereaved families.

Reading the statement, she said: Today marks the conclusion of a painful six years listening to the advice that contributed to the deaths of 54 adults and 18 children.

They were our loved ones, our neighbours and our friends.

Todays report speaks to the lack of competence, understanding and fundamental failure to perform the most basic duties of care.

We paid the price of systematic dishonesty, institutional indifference and neglect.

Natasha Elcock, a survivor of the Grenfell Tower fire , is comforted by another survivor after speaking to the press

11:53 AM BST

An intensely personal tragedy

Sir Martin Moore-Bick is now reading the names of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire.

We should all remember that the Grenfell Tower fire was and remains an intensely personal tragedy for all those who lived in and around the tower, and above all, for those who died, their families and friends, he said.

We invite you, therefore, to join us in remembering them while I read out their names.

11:53 AM BST

CPS: No charging decisions until the end of 2026

Decisions on potential criminal prosecutions over the Grenfell Tower fire are not expected for another two years, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said.

Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS special crime and counter-terrorism division, said: Our thoughts remain with the bereaved families and the survivors at what must be an extremely difficult time.

We have been working closely with the Metropolitan Police Service throughout their investigation and will therefore be in a strong position to review the completed evidential file, which they anticipate will be passed to us in 2026.

Our team of specialist prosecutors will then carefully review the file but do not expect to be in a position to make any charging decisions until the end of 2026.

Due to the sheer volume of evidence and complexity of the investigation, we will need to take the necessary time to thoroughly evaluate the evidence before providing final charging decisions.

11:45 AM BST

WATCH: Grenfell inquiry member chokes up paying tribute to victims

A member of the Grenfell inquiry panel choked up as she paid tribute to the victims.

Thouria Istephan, an architect, struggled to get her words out as she said the inquiry had left a mark on me.

As an inquiry panel, we have acted throughout with fairness, independence and impartiality, she said. That is what the law requires. At the same time, the losses so many people have suffered, and my involvement in this process has left a mark on me as a person and as a professional, which will last far beyond this inquiry.

And although this inquiry is now ending, we know that for many people, their journey continues. We wish them strength for the future.



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11:43 AM BST

All victims already dead by the time fire reached them

All the Grenfell Tower victims were already dead because of toxic gases by the time the fire reached them, Sir Martin Moore-Bick said.

And with expert assistance, we have been able to establish a reasonably accurate time of death.

In each case, were satisfied that all those whose bodies were damaged by the fire were already dead by the time it reached them, he said.

11:43 AM BST

Fundamental change needed in construction industry to prevent future fires

Fundamental change is needed in the construction industry to prevent fires like Grenfell Tower from happening again, the chairman of the inquiry has said.

Sir Martin Moore-Bick said: We think that more can and should be done to bring about a fundamental change in the attitudes and practices of the construction industry. Only such a change can ensure that in future, buildings in general and higher risk buildings in particular are safe for those who live and work in them.

We think that in different ways, implementation of our recommendations will improve fire safety, particularly in high-rise buildings, and ensure that dangerous materials cannot be used in construction in the future, they will also improve the efficiency of fire and rescue services nationally.

11:43 AM BST

Report will be given our full attention, says fire chief

The chairman of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), which represents fire services, said the recommendations in the final Grenfell Tower report would be given their full attention.

Mark Hardingham said: It is the responsibility of NFCC as the professional voice of fire and rescue services and the sector to learn from the issues leading up to the incident, the actions on the night of the fire, what has happened since, and to continue to correct what went wrong.

We will focus all our efforts on what we must do better or differently so that we never again see anything like the Grenfell Tower fire.

We will carefully consider every recommendation in the report, giving them our full attention. We will continue to work with partners in government and across and beyond the fire service sector as we press for significant improvement and reform on behalf of our communities.

Firefighters outside Grenfell Tower in 2017 - SWNS

11:41 AM BST

Grenfell victims demand manslaughter charges

Grenfell victims have demanded that manslaughter charges be brought against those responsible for the tragedy.

The chair of the seven-year-inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, met with survivors and the bereaved on Tuesday and told them: The deaths were all avoidable.

Grenfell Next of Kin, which represents the families of almost half those killed, said: The Grenfell Tower Inquiry report is hard-hitting and the chairman does not mince his words, but the sad truth for us the families of the deceased is will there be manslaughter charges?

In a statement, a spokesman added: All those mentioned in the report have blood on their hands but it fails to identify who can be charged for manslaughter and that is what justice means for us.

11:35 AM BST

Unacceptably casual approach from companies

The inquiry chairman continued: We find that Studio E, Rydon and Harley all took an unacceptably casual approach to contractual relations. None of their employees engaged on the project understood the relevant provisions of the building regulations, the stat guidance, or such guidance from industry sources as was then available.

That might not have mattered quite so much if proper advice had been taken from a competent and experienced fire engineer, or if building control had performed its task properly.

11:34 AM BST

Complacency in fire service, says Sir Martin

Sir Martin Moore-Bick has said the London Fire Brigade had a chronic lack of effective leadership and an attitude of complacency during its response to the Grenfell Tower fire.

In our report, we find that there were deficiencies in the organisation and management of the control room, the training of control room officers, and in the commissioning and delivery of training to operational crews, in particular in relation to Incident Command, he said.

There were also deficiencies in the collection of information needed to enable crews to prepare effectively to respond to fires in individual buildings.

The primary cause of those problems was a chronic lack of effective leadership, combined with an undue emphasis on process and an attitude of complacency.

11:26 AM BST

No one willing to take responsibility for selecting combustible cladding

We are hearing more from Sir Martin Moore-Bick as he speaks about the findings of the report at the Dorland House in Paddington.

He says no one has been willing to take responsibility for selecting the combustible cladding which was installed on Grenfell Tower.

One of the problems that afflicted the refurbishment was a failure on the part of all concerned to understand where responsibility for any particular decision lay that was especially the case in relation to the choice of the rain screen, he said.

The generally prevailing view was that since aluminum composite material panels had been used on other buildings without apparent problems, they were suitable for use on the tower, but no one was prepared to accept responsibility for having chosen them. And when questioned, everyone who was asked said that someone else had been responsible for ensuring that they were suitable.

11:24 AM BST

Kingspan: We have addressed issues

Kingspan, which provided some of the insulation for Grenfell Tower, said it welcomed todays report.

In a statement, the firm said: We welcome the publication of todays report which is crucial to a public understanding of what went wrong and why. It explains clearly and unambiguously that the type of insulation (whether combustible or non-combustible) was immaterial, and that the principal reason for the fire spread was the PE ACM cladding, which was not made by Kingspan.

Kingspan has long acknowledged the wholly unacceptable historical failings that occurred in part of our UK insulation business.

These were in no way reflective of how we conduct ourselves as a Group, then or now. While deeply regrettable, they were not found to be causative of the tragedy.

Kingspan has already emphatically addressed these issues, including the implementation of extensive and externally-verified measures to ensure our conduct and compliance standards are world leading.

11:22 AM BST

We are deeply sorry, says management organisation

The Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO), which managed Grenfell Tower at the time of the fire, said: We are acutely conscious of the terrible impact that this tragedy has had on the bereaved, the survivors, their relatives, and the broader Grenfell Tower community.

We accept that the TMO contributed to this and we are deeply sorry.

We continue to offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to all those affected.

We sincerely hope that the findings of this comprehensive report will lead to safer homes for all those in social housing.

11:20 AM BST

Fire brigade: We are now better prepared

London Fire Brigade said it was now better prepared to respond to high-rise fires but would not be complacent.

Commissioner Andy Roe said: We have introduced important policies, new equipment, improved training and better ways of working, particularly in how we respond to fires in high-rise residential buildings, and Londoners are safer as a result. This was evidenced at the awful fire in Dagenham late last month.

While we are now better prepared to respond to high-rise fires, we are not complacent.

We are in dialogue with the Government and Mayor of London as we all look at what must be done to ensure that buildings in London are safe. We will continue to collaborate with them, advocating for improved standards in the built environment to ensure greater safety.

We recognise the importance of the inquirys findings and recommendations. We will set out an action plan, detailing our response to each recommendation, in due course. This will be developed following consultation and in collaboration with the Grenfell community and our Community Forum.

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11:18 AM BST

Deaths of 72 people all avoidable

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry chairman said the deaths of 72 people in the 2017 fire were all avoidable.

Sir Martin Moore-Bick said: The simple truth is that the deaths that occurred were all avoidable and that those who lived in the tower were badly failed over a number of years and in a number of different ways by those who were responsible for ensuring the safety of the building and its occupants.

They include the Government, the tenant management organisation, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, those who manufactured and supplied the materials used in the refurbishment, those who certified their suitability for use on high-rise residential buildings, the architect, Studio E; the principal contractor, Rydon Maintenance Ltd, and some of its sub-contractors, in particular, Harley Curtain Wall Ltd and its successor Harley Facades Ltd; some of the consultants, in particular the fire engineer, Exova Warringtonfire Ltd; the local authoritys building control department and the London Fire Brigade.

Not all of them bear the same degree of responsibility for the eventual disaster, but, as our reports show, all contributed to it in one way or another, in most cases through incompetence but in some cases through dishonesty and greed .

The failings can be traced back over many years and our efforts to get to the bottom of what went wrong and why, account for the length of our report and the time it has taken us to produce it.

11:17 AM BST

Grenfell protest outside inquiry

A protester outside the Grenfell Tower Inquiry in London today, wearing a "Justice 4 Grenfell' shirt - AP

11:14 AM BST

Government failed to consider dangers of cladding

The government failed to properly consider the dangers of using combustible materials in the walls of high-rise buildings, the chairman of the Grenfell inquiry has said.

Sir Martin Moore-Bick said: We find that there was a failure on the part of the government and others to give proper consideration at an early stage to the dangers of using combustible materials in the walls of high-rise buildings, that including failing to amend, in an appropriate way, the statutory guidance on the construction of external walls.

That is where the seeds of the disaster were sown.

11:12 AM BST

Fire caused by systematic dishonesty of companies

The Grenfell fire was caused by the systematic dishonesty of construction companies that manufactured cladding for the tower blocks refurbishment, a seven-year public inquiry has concluded.

Sir Martin Moore-Bick, the inquiry chairman, also placed blame for the fatal inferno on decades of failure by government ministers and officials who ignored a series of warnings over the risk of cladding fires.

He said regulators had put commercial interests above building safety and had been complicit in allowing manufacturers to manipulate fire testing data.

Read our full report on the findings of the inquiry here.

11:10 AM BST

Starmer: Such a tragedy cannot occur again

Sir Keir Starmer said the report from Sir Martin Moore-Bicks Grenfell Tower inquiry identified substantial and widespread failings.

The Prime Minister said: My thoughts today are wholly with those bereaved by, and survivors of, the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the residents in the immediate community. This day is for them.

I hope that Sir Martins report can provide the truth they have sought for so long, and that it is step towards the accountability and justice they deserve.

In a statement to Parliament, Sir Keir said: The Government will carefully consider the report and its recommendations, to ensure that such a tragedy cannot occur again. I hope that those outside Government will do the same.

Given the detailed and extensive nature of the report, a further and more in-depth debate will be held at a later date, he added.

11:08 AM BST

Inquiry chairman speaks on report findings

The inquirys chairman, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, is speaking at the Dorland House in Paddington, central London, about the findings of the Grenfell report released this morning.

The former Court of Appeal judge says: The simple truth is that the deaths that occurred were all avoidable and those that lived in the tower were badly failed over a number of years and in a number of different ways by those responsible for ensuring the safety.

They include the Government, the Tenant Management organisation, those who manufactured and supplied the materials used in the refurbishment, those who certified their suitability for use on high rise buildings, the architect, the principal contractor and some of its subcontracts.



Sir Martin Moore-Bick reading a statement following the publication of the final report by the long-running Grenfell Tower Inquiry - PA

11:04 AM BST

Met police: Prosecutions will take 12-18 months

The Metropolitan Police has called the report a significant milestone but says it will take at least 12-18 months before any prosecutions would begin.

The force said its investigation into the fire operates under a different legal framework and the report cannot be used as evidence to bring charges.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said: The thoughts of the Met are especially with the bereaved, survivors and residents as well as the wider Grenfell community. We remember with much sadness all those who lost their lives. The report is direct, comprehensive and reaches clear conclusions.

To secure justice for those who died and all those affected by the fire we must examine the report  line by line  alongside the evidence from the criminal investigation. This will lead to the strongest possible evidence being presented to the Crown Prosecution Service so they can make charging decisions.

11:02 AM BST

Grenfell report published

The report has now been published into the Grenfell fire in 2017, which claimed 72 lives.

In total, the report has made 58 recommendations, including tightening up building regulations and improving government oversight of fire safety.

Grenfell victims have demanded that manslaughter charges be brought against those responsible for the tragedy after the chair of the seven-year-inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, said that The deaths were all avoidable.

Grenfell Next of Kin, which represents the families of almost half those killed, said: The Grenfell Tower Inquiry report is hard hitting and the Chair does not mince his words, but the sad truth for us the families of the deceased is will there be manslaughter charges?

Nazanin Aghlani, whose mother and aunt died, said: It was evident that there were multiple failures on the night. We didnt ask for a public Inquiry. What we wanted was prosecutions and this doesnt bring any closure.

Unless there are manslaughter prosecutions with people going to prison theres no closure.

10:45 AM BST

A spiders web of blame

Over the course of the seven-year inquiry, companies, authorities and individuals who appeared at hearings were accused of spinning a spiders web of blame.

On the last day of hearings in November 2022, Richard Millett KC, lead counsel to the inquiry, spent more than an hour and a half painstakingly explaining how the key players had sought to point the finger of culpability at one another.

He showed a slide that portrayed a barely credible labyrinth of interconnecting arrows.

The Telegraphs Henry Bodkin and Robert Mendick have taken a look inside the Grenfell fire web of blame.

10:36 AM BST

Today programme holds 72-second silence

A 72-second-silence was held on BBC Radio 4s Today programme this morning, to remember each of the victims of the Grenfell fire.

A similar moment of respect was held during last months Notting Hill Carnival.

It comes ahead of an official public inquiry report into the Grenfell fire, which will be released at 11am today.

10:30 AM BST

What has happened so far?

Todays long-awaited report follows a seven year public inquiry into the Grenfell fire in June 2017 which claimed 72 lives.

Grieving families have accused the inquiry, which has cost at least 170 million, of delaying justice by preventing any prosecutions until its findings are complete.

Grenfell victims have complained that not a single person, company or authority has been charged with any crime.

They have also claimed the inquiry has benefited the lawyers, not the victims. So far the legal bill alone for the inquiry has topped 100 million.

10:21 AM BST

Good morning

Welcome to our live coverage of the official public inquiry report into the Grenfell fire, which will be released at 11am.

It is the final report of a seven-year inquiry into the fire at Grenfell Tower in June 2017 which claimed 72 lives.

In todays report, the inquiry will present its findings on how the 24-storey tower in North Kensington came to be in a condition which allowed the flames to spread so quickly.

The report is expected to criticise previous Conservative governments, the council and construction companies.
The Grenfell inquirys final report made 58 recommendations to prevent such a tragedy happening again. Photograph: Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images

Seven years after the Grenfell Tower fire, which killed 72 people, the public inquiry convened in its aftermath has blamed the disaster on failures by a wide cast of individuals and companies. With the conclusion of the inquiry, attention will turn to what happens next. Here we explore possible next steps.

What did the report recommend?

Sir Martin Moore-Bick made 58 recommendations to prevent such a tragedy happening again. They include the creation of a single regulator for the construction industry; the appointment of a chief construction adviser; that a fire safety strategy be required for the construction or refurbishment of any higher-risk building; the introduction of a licensing scheme for principal contractors, with a director or senior manager of the principal contractor making a personal undertaking to take all reasonable care to ensure the building is legally safe on completion; improving the education and training of architects; and establishing a college of fire and rescue.

What must the government to do in response?

Grenfell United, which represents bereaved family members and survivors, said the government should implement all of the recommendations without delay because the time to address this is already three decades too late.

Ministers are not obliged to implement findings of public inquiries and past governments have sometimes failed to do so. An update published in February said 33 of the 46 recommendations from the 2019 phase 1 report of the inquiry had been completed.

The final report notes that important recommendations affecting fire safety have been ignored in the past, and includes a recommendation that it be a legal requirement for the government to maintain a publicly accessible record of recommendations made by select committees, inquiries and coroners, together with a description of steps taken in response.

It states: If the government decides not to accept a recommendation, it should record its reasons for doing so. Scrutiny of its actions should be a matter for parliament, to which it should be required to report annually.

What has the government committed to doing?

Keir Starmer said the government would carefully consider the report and its recommendations, to ensure that such a tragedy cannot occur again. He confirmed that the government would block companies criticised in the report from future public contracts, which was not a report recommendation but something Grenfell United had called for.

Will there be criminal prosecutions?

Grenfell United said justice has not been delivered and that those who were truly responsible must be held to account through the Metropolitan police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

A criminal investigation began in 2017 but, to much frustration, the Met later said it would not submit a file to prosecutors until the inquiry concluded. The CPS said on Wednesday that it did not expect to be in a position to make any charging decisions until the end of 2026 due to the sheer volume of evidence and complexity of the investigation.

The Met acknowledged the effect of such a long police investigation on the bereaved and survivors but said it had only one chance to get our investigation right. It stressed it was operating under a different legal framework from the inquiry (a successful criminal prosecution relies on being able to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt) and so could not simply rely on the inquirys findings as evidence to bring charges.

What else is being called for in light of the reports findings?

The Fire Brigades Union said the government should go beyond what was set out in the report and bring the systems for delivering building safety under public ownership, thereby reversing the deregulation of recent decades.

Grenfell United called for a change in government culture to separate itself from the construction industry and corporate lobbying, putting people before profit.

What else is needed to prevent a future tragedy?

In 2019, the phase 1 inquiry report found that the principal reason the fire spread was the aluminium composite cladding filled with plastic used on the building exterior and manufactured by Arconic. The government said earlier this year that all residential buildings above 11 metres in England have a pathway to fix unsafe cladding, but it has yet to be removed from many tower blocks and is suspected to have contributed to the gutting of a block of flats in Dagenham, east London, last month. The End Our Cladding Scandal campaign coalition believes that as many as 11,000 buildings taller than 11 metres may still be at risk.
Yahya Sinwar, Hamas's chief who is believed to be hiding in the tunnels beneath Gaza, ihas been charged - GETTY IMAGES

The US has charged six senior Hamas leaders with terrorism charges linked to the Oct 7 attack on Israel.

Yahya Sinwar, the terror organisations chief, and Ismail Haniyeh, the groups former political leader who was assassinated in July, were among those named in the complaint unsealed by a New York court.

The seven charges include conspiracy to murder US nationals, conspiracy to support a foreign terrorist organisation resulting in death and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction resulting in death.

Two of the charges can be punished with the death penalty, while others carry maximum sentences of life or 20 years in prison.

The charges were filed under seal to position the United States to be ready to take into custody Haniyeh and the other defendants, a Justice Department official said in a statement.

The official cited Haniyehs death - which Hamas and Iran say was an Israeli assassination - and unspecified recent developments in the region, as reasons for the unsealing.

As outlined in our complaint, those defendants - armed with weapons, political support, and funding from the Government of Iran, and support from Hezbollah - have led Hamass efforts to destroy the State of Israel and murder civilians in support of that aim, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

Justice Department Announces Terrorism Charges Against Senior Leaders of Hamas pic.twitter.com/z8gS2lUGvV  U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) September 3, 2024

Mr Garland added: The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamass operations. These actions will not be our last.

Mr Garland said the US authorities were also investigating the killing of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli-American taken hostage by Hamas, who was among the six hostages killed by Hamas last week.

We are investigating Hershs murder, and each and every one of Hamass brutal murders of Americans, as an act of terrorism, Mr Garland said.

In a video statement, Mr Garland said the Justice Department had charged the men for financing and directing a decades-long campaign to murder American citizens and endanger the security of the United States.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin was among six hostages killed by Hamas last week - CNN

He added: The Justice Department has a long memory. We will pursue the terrorists responsible for murdering Americans and those who illegally provide them with material support for the rest of their lives.

Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organisation by Washington since 1997, launched its attack on Israel on October 7, triggering the brutal ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by the Palestinian group.

Charged along with Sinwar and Haniyeh was Mohammed Deif, the former commander in chief of the al-Qassam Brigades who is believed to have died in July.

Also charged was Marwan Issa, known as the Shadow Man, was the deputy commander of the al-Qassam Brigades from approximately 2007 until his reported death earlier this year.

Qatar-based Khaled Meshaal, the head of the groups diaspora office responsible for overseeing Hamass presence outside of Gaza was also charged.

The final defendant was Ali Baraka, Hamass head of national relations, who is also based outside of Gaza.

Israeli commanders believe most-wanted Sinwar, 61, is hiding in a labyrinthine maze of tunnels that Hamas has built under the Gaza Strip. He was spotted in the tunnels in February:

The Justice Department said Hamas had received tens of millions of dollars to fund its terrorist activities from cryptocurrency contributions from supporters abroad, including in the United States.

The court document, which is dated Feb 1, states 43 Americans were killed by Hamas during the Oct 7 attack, in which more than 1,100 people were murdered.

Israels campaign against Hamas has so far killed at least 40,819 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry.

FBI Director Christopher Wray said the organisation had been working to identify and charge those responsible for the heinous crimes committed on Oct 7.

The FBI has and will continue to relentlessly investigate these attacks on civilians, including Americans. Hamas is a Foreign Terrorist Organisation with a long history of violence, and the groups actions have resulted in increased terrorism threats in the US and against American interests throughout the world, he said.

Other charges unsealed in the document include conspiring to provide material support for acts of terrorism resulting in death, conspiring to finance terrorism, and conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai claimed to be fleeing from the Taliban when he entered the UK - PA

The Home Office has been spared an inquest into how a violent Afghan asylum seeker entered the country before murdering an aspiring Royal Marine.

Tom Roberts, 21, was stabbed to death by Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai who had previously shot two migrants with a Kalashnikov rifle in Serbia while travelling to the UK.

Abdulrahimzai told Border Force officers he was 14 when he was actually 19. He also claimed to be fleeing the Taliban.

He was placed into a secondary school in Bournemouth, Dorset, before being expelled for carrying a knife and enrolled in another nearby.

Rachael Griffin, senior coroner for Dorset, ruled on Wednesday that there was no need for a full inquest into the circumstances surrounding Robertss death.

Abdulrahimzai was jailed for 29 years last year for Robertss murder in March 2022 following a trial at Salisbury Crown Court.

It later emerged that he was flagged as susceptible to terrorism by the Home Offices Prevent anti-terrorism task group in 2021.

Thomas Roberts was stabbed to death in March 2022

Ms Griffin ruled the inquest did not meet the criteria for Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights, which states that if the state knew or ought to have known of an immediate risk to an individuals life, it must take reasonable steps to deal with that risk.

Ms Griffin acknowledged that there were individual errors but said they do not amount to a systemic failure.

She said although there was an emerging pattern of violent behaviour and a risk to others of harm, at the time of the incident the illegal immigrant had not used a knife in an act of violence nor made any threats to kill since arriving in the UK in December 2019.

However, in a coroners report explaining her decision, the list of failings by authorities was laid bare.

Ms Griffin said Abdulrahimzai arrived in the UK on December 26 2019, hidden in a vehicle on a ferry from Cherbourg and told Border Force officials he was 14. No assessment was carried out.

Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai just hours after he fatally stabbed 21-year-old Thomas Roberts - DORSET POLICE/SOLENT NEWS

His fingerprints were taken a few weeks later and revealed he had links with Norway and Italy.

The fingerprints were sent to both countries but with no request for any further information  if this had been done it would have revealed his age was in question.

On January 29 2020, his foster carer reported that a dentist said Abdulrahimzai was older than he had indicated and while it was felt an age assessment was needed, it was not done because the authorities felt a mental health assessment was needed first.

From December 21 2020 and throughout 2021, there were several incidents and concerns raised around Abdulrahimzai carrying knives, including allegedly chasing another pupil at his school with a knife, which he denied.

In May 2021, he hurt another student at school, causing injury, and in July that year he tried to headbutt his foster carer, who managed to move out of the way.

In September, when he had been placed somewhere else, he was accused of assaulting another child.

Abdulrahimzai said he posted this picture of himself holding a knife on TikTok 'to get more followers' - DORSET POLICE/SOLENT NEWS

In January 2022, the authorities held a meeting confirming an age assessment would be carried out because Abdulrahimzai had been bringing females back to his placement and was refusing to attend school or engage in education.

On the evening of March 10, about 30 hours before Roberts was stabbed, police received a call about a youth carrying a machete-style knife in public.

The coroners report states that when police attended his address to speak to Abdulrahimzai, the gates were locked and they could see a member of staff asleep at his desk but could not gain access.

Abdulrahimzais fingerprints were not shared with Interpol until after Robertss death, which revealed in September 2022 that he had been convicted of a double homicide in Serbia.

On the night of 31 July 2018, Abdulrahimzai walked into a shed in farmland on the edge of Dobrinci where a group of refugees were staying, and gunned down two Afghan men in cold blood with an assault rifle.

Robertss family previously accused the Border Force and Home Office of systemic failures which allowed Abdulrahimzai into the country.

They had pinned their hopes on a full inquest to publicly scrutinise the failings and to ask questions of the officials involved.

Dolores Wallace-Roberts lays flowers at the site of her son's murder in Bournemouth - GRAHAM HUNT/BNPS

Dolores Wallace-Roberts, Robertss mother, said: The Home Office dont want to engage with us. They are accountable and there is negligence there but they just block any attempts to find out more.

I have very serious concerns about how the Border Force checks the identity of those arriving in England and whether they are criminals and how the BCP Council checks the ages of those claiming to be children.

They are basically saying its OK for someone to walk around with a machete in public. They are supposed to be helping the public and protecting their safety but instead the coroner is protecting the Home Office, Dorset Police and BCP Council.

Everything is wrong in this country and it will continue to happen again.

Peter Wallace, Robertss step-father, said: There were so many warning signs that he should not be here yet the Home Office did nothing about it.

We will never be able to bring Tommy back but they still let in thousands of people without proper checks and this will keep happening.

Ms Griffin said there was a system of checks in place when Abdulrahimzai entered the country to check identity and undertake an age assessment so it was not a systemic failure.

She said: Whilst it has to be accepted there were missed opportunities to undertake some checks, for example, PNC checks and checks with Norway and Italy when Border Force sent updated fingerprints to them, it cannot be said that had these checks been done, the course of events that led to Tommys death would have been any different.

It is too speculative and remote to state that there was a causal link between these missed opportunities and Tommys death.

Ms Griffin concluded: I am satisfied that there has already been sufficient scrutiny into the circumstances of Tommys death and that the facts surrounding his death have therefore been fully, fairly and fearlessly investigated.
Robert Jenrick came comfortably top in the first round of voting in the Tory leadership race - Aaron Chown/PA

Robert Jenrick has emerged as the frontrunner in the Conservative Party leadership race after comfortably coming top in the first round of voting.

Dame Priti Patel became the first candidate to be eliminated after getting the fewest votes from fellow Tory MPs, leaving five still in the race.

Mr Jenrick, the former immigration minister, got the backing of 28 Tory MPs, with Kemi Badenoch, the former business secretary, in second on 22.

James Cleverly, the former foreign secretary, won 21 votes.

Tom Tugendhat, the shadow security minister, was on 17, just above Mel Stride, the former work and pensions secretary, on 16.

Dame Priti secured the support of just 14 Tory MPs  from a total of 121  meaning she is out of the race at the first hurdle.

It comes as writing for The Telegraph, three first-time Tory MPs declare their support for Mr Tugendhat with a call for the party to move on from the old guard.

Patrick Spencer, Harriet Cross and Neil Shastri-Hurst  the new MPs for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, Gordon and Buchan, and Solihull West and Shirle respectively  frame Mr Tugendhat, 51, as a fresh face who can lead the party into the future.

They write: As three Conservative MPs who won their seats despite Labours landslide victory, we know better than anyone that the party has to learn from the mistakes that were made and draw a clear and distinct line under the past.

That is not to say we should forget the past, we have to learn from it.

Our party is not only facing a leadership contest, but a leadership crisis.

To ensure a decisive break from the old guard, we need a fresh face and true conservative leadership at the helm of our party.

The public were fed up with our party, but they were not fed up with our policies.

The next leader must therefore be someone able to reform the party, rebuild our reputation with the public, and present a radical conservative choice to the electorate at the next general election.

After five years of Labour chaos, this is the leadership our nation will not just need but crave.

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The intervention comes as one of the key dynamics playing out in the race is how highly government experience should be valued.

Mr Cleverly, 55, held two great offices of state  the Foreign Office and the Home Office. Dame Priti, 52, is a former home secretary.

A newer generation of Tories  Mr Jenrick, 42, Mrs Badenoch, 44, and Mr Tugendhat  are seeking to turn their lack of more senior ministerial roles into a strength.

Mr Tugendhat, who had been a soldier before entering politics, only joined the government benches in 2022 when he became security minister.

Robert Jenrick got the backing of 28 Tory MPs, with Kemi Badenoch in second on 22 - Thomas Krych/Zuma/Shutterstock

Dame Priti bowed out with a plea to respect party members, saying: We must grow our membership and reach a new, younger audience if we are to be successful in the future.

She said: Ive enjoyed spending the summer with thousands of so many of our dedicated and hard-working party members.

The support and affection they have shown me over the summer has been heartwarming and truly humbling, and I am grateful to everyone who has supported, worked on or volunteered for my campaign.

I have placed party reform at the heart of my pitch for the leadership of the Conservative and Unionist Party and did that for a reason.

After paying tribute to Tory members, councillors and association officers as the heart and soul of our party, and insisting the party must grow its membership and reach a younger voter base, the senior Conservative MP said: I wish my fellow candidates well with the rest of the leadership campaign and thank them for the good-spirited debated we have had.

To win back the trust of the British people, we must unite around our Conservative values and show how they can offer solutions to the challenges our country faces.

Mr Cleverly posted on X, formerly Twitter: Momentum is on our side, but the work continues.

A scramble to secure Dame Pritis endorsement by the other candidates is now set to take place behind the scenes. She did not back a leadership rival in her defeat statement.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the first round of voting was the size of Mr Jenricks lead  six votes  over his rival Mrs Badenoch, who had widely been seen as the frontrunner.

Remaining rivals, from left, Tom Tugendhat, James Cleverly, Kemi Badenoch, Mel Stride and Robert Jenrick - Ryan Jenkinson/Parsons Media/eyevine

The betting markets on Wednesday evening after the vote had Mr Jenrick as narrow favourite, with odds slightly better than Mrs Badenoch, the shadow communities secretary.

A Jenrick ally said: To get to the final two, you need 41 votes. After todays result, while you can never take anything for granted, Robs path to that looks pretty rock solid.

Mr Jenrick has positioned himself to the right of the field, standing out with a promise to leave the European Convention of Human Rights and to cap annual net migration below 100,000.

Mrs Badenoch has vowed to lead a renewal agenda for 2030, when the party hopes to be back in power, and stressed the need for deep thinking about how to reform.

A source in Mrs Badenochs camp had predicted that Mr Jenrick would be ahead in the first round before the result, arguing that Mr Jenrick and Dame Priti were splitting the vote on the Right while the four other candidates were competing for the backing of centrist Tory MPs.

But that leaves Mr Jenrick well placed to pick up votes in the second round next week, when Dame Pritis supporters will need to choose someone else to back.

Mr Tugendhat said his leadership rivals were all friends but he believed he was the only candidate who could deliver the Conservative revolution that our party and our nation need.

Andrew Griffith, the shadow technology minister who is backing Mrs Badenoch, said: At this point in the cycle, you often see people come through and gather support and momentum, and it seems to me Kemis got that momentum.

The five surviving candidates will now face a second vote on Tuesday next week, with Mr Stride and Mr Tugendhat appearing most at risk, according to the first round vote tallies.

The successful quartet will then make their case to Tory members at the partys annual conference in Birmingham at the end of the month.

Tory MPs will then vote again between Oct 9-10 to eliminate two more candidates, leaving a final duo who will face a ballot of Conservative members.

Member voting will close at 5pm on Oct 31 and Rishi Sunaks replacement will then be announced on Nov 2.

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John Swinney (centre) at Edinburgh Pride in June

John Swinney has been accused of being out of ideas and out of money after unveiling an underwhelming legislative programme for the coming year that axed previous spending pledges.

With barely 18 months until the 2026 Holyrood election, when the SNP could be ousted from power, Mr Swinney said he would focus on affordable, impactful and deliverable commitments.

Unveiling his first programme for government since becoming First Minister, he said his priorities were eradicating child poverty, improving public services and the environment.

But opposition parties argued that this agenda had been torpedoed by 500 million of public spending cuts announced the previous day by Shona Robison, his Finance Secretary.

These included 115.8 million from health spending, despite Scots being forced to endure record waiting lists for treatment.

Mr Swinney also dumped a previous promise to extend free school meals to all P6 and P7 pupils, with the benefit now only being handed to those from poorer families.

Fourteen proposed Bills

The First Minister is under pressure to quickly turn round the SNPs fortunes after it was routed in Julys general election but Labour and the Tories said the programme showed he had no fresh ideas or vision.

The programme included 14 proposed Bills for the coming parliamentary year on climate change, building safety, misogyny, the natural environment and education reform. He also promised faster planning decisions for renewable energy schemes.

Mr Swinney staged an about-turn on a cut to culture funding following a backlash from artists and pledged 210,000 more outpatient appointments in the NHS.

He also said he would press ahead with more rent controls despite previous restrictions having backfired, with investment in build-to-rent properties in Scotland slumping 71 per cent last year.

Douglas Ross, the Scottish Tory leader, said: After 17 years of SNP incompetence, Scotlands finances and public services are in an almighty mess.

The result of that could be seen in John Swinneys speech, which amounted to a list of empty platitudes by an SNP Government that is out of ideas and out of money.

He said the programme for government had been pared back thanks to the SNPs previous wasteful public spending, which he said had led to savage spending cuts to fill a huge financial black hole.

Scotland needs change

Referring to polls indicating the Nationalists could be ousted in the 2026 election, Mr Ross said Mr Swinneys statement was yet another wasted opportunity from this SNP Government and there are not many left for them.

Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, said a programme for government was required that tackled stagnating growth, record-long NHS waiting lists, falling education standards, rising levels of drug deaths, and a housing emergency.

But instead we have an SNP Government with no vision, no strategy and no plan. It is getting clearer by the day that Scotland needs change, he said.

This is a Government that has ran out of ideas and grown out of touch.

IPPR Scotland, a prominent think tank, said the programme was underwhelming and light on new initiatives.

On Tuesday, Ms Robison announced 500 million of spending cuts to help fund public sector pay increases that were far higher than she had planned.

In addition, she said she would remove up to 460 million from a fund that was meant to help grow the green energy industry, as she attempted to fill a 1 billion financial black hole.

The Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC) disclosed last week that much of the emergency cuts were caused by the SNPs own spending choices, particularly on public sector pay.

Free school meals

Last years programme for government said all P6 and P7 pupils would get free school meals from 2026 but this years version said the benefit would only be provided to children whose families are in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment.

This is a benefit payable to low-income parents. Mr Swinney did not mention the universal pledge being axed in his speech to MSPs in the Holyrood chamber.

He promised to support continued improvements across a range of mental health services and treatments but the previous day Ms Robison unveiled 18.8 million of cuts to this spending.

The First Minister said: This programme for government will ensure that the people of Scotland have every opportunity to live well, thrive, and see promise in their future.

This years commitments are affordable, impactful and deliverable. Together, they reflect my optimism that out of every challenge, we gain an invaluable opportunity to adjust our course, to interrogate our priorities and to renew our partnerships.

He again blamed the UK Government for the financial limitations on his plans, despite the SFCs verdict that much of the problems were caused by the SNPs actions.

The Scottish Government later issued a statement saying it remained committed to the universal expansion of free school meals in primary schools but providing no timetable for its implementation.

A spokesman said: The current financial situation means that universality will now not be delivered by 2026. The Scottish Government will work with partners in local government to meet our joint ambition to fully deliver on this commitment.

Should funding from the UK Government become available, then we will endeavour to complete delivery for all of Scotlands primary pupils.
Pin badges in support of Donald Trump, the Republicans, Kamala Harris and the Democrats

Following Tuesdays vice-presidential debate, The Telegraph has spoken to four pairs of US readers who are clashing over various issues and asked who they thought came out victorious in the head-to-head between Tim Walz and JD Vance.

We will check back with our readers closer to the time of the November 5 election, to see if their views and voting intentions have changed.

Mike, 68, and Ava, 41, share a vocation  performing arts  but hugely differ when it comes to politics and whom they will be voting for in the upcoming presidential election.

However, they were both left unimpressed after Tuesday nights vice presidential debate.

I found it profoundly depressing, says Mike, Walz looked old, panicky and out of his depth, especially when verbally tapdancing around being in Tiananmen Square

Vance, although incredibly slick and extremely telegenic, reminded me of Justin Trudeau: good-looking, poised, speaking fluently, and campaigning with every sentence but saying very little of substance.

He also argues Vance kept hammering the keyboard to produce a one-note diatribe about the wonders of family life and community support whenever abortion was mentioned. 

Ava shares a similar sentiment, arguing that Vance didnt do well on the question most important to me  access to abortion and healthcare.

He sounds and looks like a bad car salesman, repeating the same lines over and over, regardless of the actual topic.

Although describing Walz as a bit boring, she believes he will appeal to people who prefer a normal politician and would have wanted to vote for Joe Biden but are nervous about Kamala Harris.

Neither was convinced by Harris and Trumps equally bad performances in the presidential debate earlier in September to reconsider who they would be voting for in November.

Mike is still voting for Trump, but said he would be doing so in a disillusioned manner.

He is backing the former presidents stance on immigration. He recalls that his grandparents did not speak English very well when they emigrated to the US, yet tried hard and successfully integrated.

You could argue that everyones grandparents in the US came from elsewhere. But they learned the ways and means of this place, tried hard to fit in, and went off to war for it  even if it involved fighting their old homelands, he said

You have to be able to assimilate, which means a digestible amount of people. And I believe that is Donald Trumps and the Republican stance, he says.

On the other hand, Ava is almost 100 per cent sure she will be voting for Ms Harris. She says she was planning on voting for Joe Biden  although she had concerns about his age  because she could never vote for Trump because of his stance on womens reproductive health rights.

There is nothing that could happen, or that Trump and the Republican Party could do, that would make me vote for him.

For James, 55, and Tom, 25, the typical tropes of elder conservative and young liberal do not apply. James identifies strongly as an independent: I became a US citizen in 2005 and have voted for both the Democratic and Republican parties since.

Tom, although residing in the historically blue state of California, is described by his father as the most conservative of my three kids.

Back when I was in school I leaned more to the Left politically, says Tom, but now, I would put myself centre-Right. I voted for Trump in 2020.

James shared his thoughts post-vice presidential debate with The Telegraph this morning: It was evident that Vance was the more polished performer, which was what I expected. Meanwhile, Walz had a slightly hokey, Midwestern vibe  but thats precisely why Harris chose him.

He argues he could not see a clear winner yet Vance certainly outperformed his boss, which often spells trouble in Donald Trumps world.

On a positive note, I appreciated the civility of the debate. I hope this signals a new tone for politics after Trump leaves the scene. That said, I dont anticipate this will significantly shift the landscape.

Tom also weighed in: Vance started off strong, but his repeated talking points made him sound somewhat like a broken record. Walz, on the other hand, showed that debate isnt his forte. As my dad mentioned, there was no clear winner in my view either.

The more I hear from JD Vance, the less I recognize the weird label the media has given him, and the more I appreciate his policy positions.

He also argues that the debate served as a reminder that, outside the echo chambers of the internet, political opponents in America can still agree on the problems, even if they differ on the solutionsmuch like the political climate pre-2012.

Father and son also managed to find common ground with the Harris and Trump presidential debate: Theres no doubt that Kamala Harris won.

But for Tom, who is not a fan of Harriss policies, her resolute performance did little to sway him to vote for her. However, it did sway him away from voting for Trump: I align mostly with Robert F Kennedy Jrs platform and plan to vote for him now.

Unswayed by party blocs, Tom is aware that his vote will do little to change his home state of California. He said: I would like to support the independent candidate, despite his chances of winning here being slim to non and is interested to see if voters like me begin to reconsider the two-party system.

James, on the other hand, was leaning towards voting for Harris before the debate  and is now certain. He said, I came away more confident that Id already made the right choice. I thought her approach to focus on the future was solid. She seemed far more engaged and confident.

Kenn and Kathy, both 74, first met 52 years ago in law school. Despite a lifetime together, their political views remain deeply divided  with Kenn planning to vote for Trump and Kathy for Harris come November.

Although Kathy thought Vance to be the better debater, she compares his demeanour last night to his demeanour in his campaign appearances and believes yesterdays was all an act and not the real Vance.

I reject the slick act he put on last night, she adds.

Kenn, on the other hand, believes its important to separate the policies from the person. He explained: I agree with Kathy that Trump isnt very likeable, but his economic and immigration policies are far stronger than Kamala Harris.

He believes in a more free-market approach, except for tariffs against China. Harris, on the other hand, seems to think she can determine the price of peaches better than the local market can, which I find crazy.

That kind of policy has failed in many countries and is partly why Venezuelans are fleeing to the US after their economy was ruined by similar measures.

For Kathy, however, her dislike for Trump is a firm line in the sand: Much of my support for Harris stems from my opposition to Trump. I believe hes a dangerous person, his policies are dangerous, and the people he plans to bring into his administration are dangerous.

Last time, Trump had guard rails which kept him from doing crazy things, but if gets re-elected, he wont have people standing up to him as he will be surrounded by his cronies. Worst of all, he has shown blatant contempt for the law  stealing classified information is, to me, absolutely inexcusable.

Keith, 63, and his son Zach Dookeran, 32, regularly discuss politics as a family. They describe how no topic is off-limits: Theres always something new and crazy to discuss because the world is just going nuts,

Following the Vance-Waltz debate, Keith checked in with The Telegraph to share his thoughts.

Keith labels Vance as a smooth operator yet argues that his sycophantic answer to what hed have done in Mike Pences place on Jan 6 will probably move the needle with anyone whos still undecided, but its the biggest reason I still refuse to vote for Trump.

I worry about Vance, a smart man with essentially no integrity or fixed ideology, being handed the reins of power.

On Walz, Keith was not impressed by how he couldnt non-answer his way out of foreign policy and immigration questions.

Away from the vice presidential debate, the key political policy where the father and sons opinions diverge is Ukraine aid.

Zach is in favour of sending all manner of aid to the war-torn country. He voiced his support for the defence of liberal, democratic, capitalist societies  particularly as the US reaps the benefits of other countries holding those values.

If a free, democratic society gets invaded by an autocratic neighbour, that just cant fly, he stated.

However, Keith suggested that youth is optimistic when hearing his sons views: Americas only responsibility to Ukraine should have been the evacuation of civilians to the EU.

Keith felt the USs involvement was too little, too late  and if it was up to him, he would have opted for a policy of deterrence from the first sign of Russias hostilities. Now, it was for Europe more so than the US to get up and have that fight.

Zach is reluctant to vote for either candidate whereas, Keith has reiterated his view that the country needs a change in direction, and he still prefers Trumps policy positions compared with essentially more of the same from Harris.

Methodology

The Telegraph readers interviewed were asked to score their voting intention on a scale of 100, where 0 is Harris and 100 is Trump.

*Names have been changed
Emmanuel Macron asked Michel Barnier to 'form a unifying government in the service of the country' - AFP

Michel Barnier, the European Unions former Brexit negotiator, was appointed as Frances prime minister on Thursday, breaking a post-election deadlock.

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, asked Mr Barnier to form a unifying government in the service of the country and the French people, according to a statement by the Elysee Palace.

Mr Macron was accused of stealing the election from the French Left after installing Mr Barnier.

Mr Barnier, 73, is a veteran member of Frances main conservative party, the Republicans, and has previously campaigned for hard-line migration reforms.

His surprise appointment raised the prospect that Mr Macron had brokered a backroom deal with Marine Le Pens hard-Right National Rally (RN) to restore Frances government.

Mr Barnier would need the support of RN MPs in parliament to hold on to power.

Michel Barnier drove a hard bargain in Brexit negotiations, infuriating Brexiteers during a time of tense relations with the EU - Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP

France has been in political deadlock since the French presidents snap election resulted in a hung parliament with a Leftist coalition as the largest party.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, a senior figure from the New Popular Front, accused Mr Macron of snatching power away from the grouping, which won 182 seats.

It is not the New Popular Front, which came at the top of the [legislative] election, which will have the prime minister and the responsibility of running before the MPs, Mr Melenchon said. The election was therefore stolen from the French.

Mr Melanchon called for street protests on Saturday to oppose the appointment of Mr Barnier.

Olivier Faure, the Socialist party leader, also rejected the nomination, saying: The denial of democracy has reached its peak. A prime minister from a party which arrived in fourth place in the parliamentary elections.

Boris Vallaud, the Socialists parliamentary leader, added: We will vote no confidence in any choice that does not reflect the outcome of the election.

Mr Macron was under significant pressure to nominate a prime minister two months on from the second round of the legislative elections on July 7.

His decision was taken before a looming deadline for the start of discussions over the 2025 budget in parliament next month.

The snap ballot left the parliament divided into three minority blocs.

Mr Macron asked Mr Barnier to form a unifying government in the service of the country and the French people, according to a statement by the Elysee Palace.

It was hoped that Mr Barnier would be seen as an acceptable option to both Ms Le Pens hard-Right and the more moderate Left-wing parties.

The RN chief said the appointment seems to meet at least the first criteria we had called for, that is to say a man who is respectful of the different political forces and able to address the National Rally, which is the first group of the National Assembly, in the same way as other groups.

The appointment of Mr Barnier will come as a shock in France, where he is relatively unknown, despite having left his mark in both London and Brussels as the EUs chief Brexit negotiator.

The 73 year old becomes the oldest prime minister of Frances Fifth Republic, and succeeds Gabriel Attal, who was appointed only eight months ago as the youngest.

In his last foray into domestic politics, Mr Barnier failed to secure the Republicans nomination for the countrys 2022 presidential election.

Valerie Pecresse, the partys candidate, was eliminated in the first round with less than five per cent of the vote, in a contest that saw Mr Macron re-elected after beating Ms Le Pen.

In the campaign, Mr Barnier proposed a three-to-five-year prohibition on non-EU immigration.

Gabriel Attal, France's outgoing prime minister, left, and Michel Barnier, France's incoming prime minister, on Thursday - Nathan Laine

He further raised eyebrows in Brussels, where he is best known, by calling on France to regain its legal sovereignty by ignoring judgments from the EUs Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights.

In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Mr Barnier accused Mr Macron of ignoring French voters concerns over immigration, sovereignty and security.

Mr Barnier now faces the challenge of forming a government that will secure the backing of Frances parliament.

The New Popular Front is well short of the 289 seats required to trigger a vote of no-confidence, but Mr Barnier will still need the support of the hard-Right to govern with relative stability.

Mr Macron had refused to appoint a prime minister from the Leftist coalition, arguing his Right-wing opponents would vote it down.

Mr Melenchon called for mass street protests at the decision, saying Mr Barnier had been installed with the permission and perhaps at the suggestion of the National Rally.

Francois Hollande, a former socialist French president, said it was an almost certainty the new prime minister had been handed the role because of support from the hard-Right.

It is because the RN, precisely the extreme Right, has given a form of discharge, Mr Hollande said. I think he will have to explain it before the Assembly.

Despite desperate attempts by Mr Macron to keep her out of power, the appointment of Mr Barnier is an acknowledgement that she will be a powerbroker in order to keep any centrist-conservative coalition in power.
The military academy in Poltava pictured after two Russian ballistic missiles ripped through its structure on Tuesday

At least 51 people died when two Russian ballistic missiles hit a military academy in the central Ukrainian city of Poltava, Ukrainian officials said on Tuesday.

Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said a military building had been partially destroyed, leaving people under the rubble.

The attack was one of the deadliest since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in Feb 2022. Filip Pronin, Poltavas regional governor, said on Monday afternoon that more than 200 people injured and the death toll could still rise.

Footage of the aftermath showed the entire side of a seven-storey building ripped off by the explosion, while a gaping hole was left in another wing of the structure.

Click here to view this content.

Photographs showed multiple bodies strewn across the ground in a litter of rubble, glass and dust. A neighbouring hospital was also struck.

Ukrainian news outlets reported that cadets training at the Military Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technologies were among the dead.

Ukraines defence ministry wrote: The time interval between the alarm and the arrival of the deadly rockets was so short that it caught people at the moment of evacuation to the bomb shelter.

Joe Biden said he condemned the deplorable attack in the strongest possible terms as he vowed to continue to support Ukraine.

Mr Biden said in a statement: This assault is a tragic reminder of Putins ongoing and outrageous attempts to break the will of a free people. But for two and a half years, the people of Ukraine have stood unbowed. And the United States will continue [to] stand with themincluding providing the air defense systems and capabilities they need to protect their country.

Make no mistake: Russia will not prevail in this war. The people of Ukraine will prevail. And on this tragic day, and every day, the United States stands with them.

Ukraines second city

Poltava, a city of more than 280,000, is a key military hub, with airfields and training bases, about 100 miles from the border with Russia. It lies on the main road connecting Kyiv to Kharkiv, Ukraines second city.

Mr Zelensky said he had ordered a full and prompt investigation into all of the circumstances, in a video message posted on the Telegram messaging app.

Russian sources celebrated the strikes, declaring their forces had killed Ukrainian recruits training in electronic warfare and radar devices used on the front line.

Mr Zelensky issued a video message on the attack earlier on Tuesday - X

Judging by the wave of videos from Poltava ... the Russian strike on the local communications training centre turned out to be extremely effective, Rybar, an authoritative Russian military blog, wrote.

Yuri Podolyaka, a Ukrainian-born, pro-Kremlin video blogger, said: Over 300 people: basically down a battalion. And as I understand, they were not conscripts but highly qualified military specialists.

The claims could not be independently verified.

Ukraines military leaders castigated

The devastating attack drew harsh criticism of the leadership in Kyiv.

This isnt the first time Russia has targeted crowded facilities, Frontelligence Insight, an analytical group run by a former Ukrainian officer, said. It seems many generals still havent learned some basic lessons, even in the third year of the war.

Illia Ponomarenko, a respected Ukrainian war journalist, wrote on social media: Zelensky has vowed to investigate the tragic incident, but this is not enough. It is not enough to issue a statement and then let it all be gone  again.

There have been similar attacks throughout the war. Last autumn, 19 Ukrainian soldiers were killed by Russian missiles in the southern Zaporizhzhia region as they stood in formation at a medal ceremony.

John Foreman, a former British military attache in Moscow, said: Its astonishing  two-and-a-half years into the war, knowing Russian murderous intent, and within easy missile range  that Ukrainian military commanders allowed a large number of personnel to be concentrated at a known military site in Poltava.

He added that the decision not to disperse the soldiers showed the legacy of rigid Soviet-style thinking in some parts of the Ukrainian military despite the tremendous progress within the Ukrainian armed forces.

03:30 PM BST

Thank you for following our live coverage

Heres a reminder of todays events:

Vladimir Putin was given a red-carpet welcome in Mongolia despite the country being party to the ICCs Rome Statute - which requires members to act upon the courts arrest warrants

A British-led fund backing Ukraine reached 1 billion in promised support for its war against Russia

Russian strikes have killed at least 47 people in the eastern Ukrainian city of Poltava, in what appears to be the deadliest attack on the country since the war began

03:15 PM BST

Death toll rises to 47

Ukraines first lady has said the number killed in Poltava has risen to 47, with 206 known to have been wounded.

Olena Zelenska described the attack as a tragedy and said Russia is always taking away the most valuable thing from us - life.

03:04 PM BST

Ukraines first underground military hospital opens

The first underground military hospital has started operating in Ukraine.

The hospital has surgical and intensive care units equipped according to Nato standards and can accommodate more than 100 wounded soldiers, according to the defense ministry.

The hospital can accommodate more than 100 wounded soldiers - Kyiv Post

02:49 PM BST

Watch: Aftermath of deadly Russian missile attack on Poltava

Several floors were destroyed in a building hit by a Russian missile strike in the central-eastern city of Poltava.

Footage shows rubble littered across the roads surrounding the buildings whilst shouting and barking dogs can be heard in the background.

Click here to view this content.

02:29 PM BST

Where is Poltava?

The strike took place this morning in Poltava - a city with a pre-war population of around 300,000 people and sat around 130km (81 miles) south-west from Ukraines second city, Kharkiv.

There had been some reports from Russian military bloggers that the strike targeted an outdoor ceremony, however Poltava governor Philip Pronin said his administration could not provide more details of the circumstances of the strike for security reasons.

One of the buildings of the Poltava military communications institute, which was founded in the 1960s and specialises in telecommunications training, was partially destroyed, the defence ministry said.

02:09 PM BST

Poltava declares three days of mourning

Three days of mourning have been declared in Poltava, regional leader Philip Pronin has said.

From tomorrow, the region will mourn all 41 people killed in a Russian missile attack on the central-eastern city.

Mr Pronin wrote on Telegram: Bright memory to all the dead.

01:42 PM BST

A terrible day for Poltava, says regional leader

Philip Pronin, Poltavas regional leader, offered his condolences on Tuesday to all families who lost their loved ones today.

In a statement on Telegram, Mr Pronin said Tuesday had been a terrible day for Poltava.

01:37 PM BST

Rescuers still working to save trapped Ukrainians

Rescuers were still at work on Tuesday afternoon after saving 25 people, including 11 trapped under the rubble, according to the ministry.

01:11 PM BST

Zelensky: we need air defence systems now

President Zelensky has repeated his call for Ukraines western allies to deliver military aid.

He said he wants the US and European countries to ease restrictions on what Ukraine can target on Russian soil with the weapons they provide.

The Ukrainian leader wrote on Telegram: Ukraine needs air defence systems and missiles now, not sitting in storage.

Long-range strikes that can protect us from Russian terror are needed now, not later. Every day of delay, unfortunately, means more lost lives.

Zelensky reports on the Russian strike in Poltava - X

12:57 PM BST

Ukraine demands Mongolia arrests visiting Putin

Mongolia has been accused of sharing responsibility for Vladimir Putins war crimes after authorities did not arrest him during an official visit on Tuesday.

Kyiv joined human rights campaigners in urging Mongolia to execute the International Criminal Courts (ICC) arrest warrant, which was issued last year, insisting it had an obligation to do so.

But the Russian leader was instead welcomed by a guard of honour as he landed in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolias capital, to begin his high-profile trip.

Click here to view this content.

It comes at a time when Putin claims Russian troops are advancing rapidly in eastern Ukraine, as it continues its assault on the city of Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub targeted for months by Moscow.

Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that Ukrainian forces have faced difficulty on the eastern front, particularly near Pokrovsk, but said Russian forces had not advanced for two days.

12:22 PM BST

Moscow sees very high risk of serious accident at Kursk nuclear plant

Moscow believes there is a very high risk of an accident occurring at a nuclear plant in Kursk, where Ukrainian forces have continued their invasion since launching a daring assault last month.

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog visited the plant last week and warned of the risk of a serious accident, after Russia accused Ukraine of attacking it with drones.

12:01 PM BST

Zelensky celebrates Ukraines Paralympics medals

The Ukrainian team at the Paralympics in Paris has already won 35 medals! Yesterday, our athletes secured 8 more awards.



These include gold medals from Denys Ostapchenko and Ihor Tsvietov. Silver medals were secured by Andrii Trusov and Illia Yaremenko. Bronze medals were won by pic.twitter.com/AGgbEUdWUW  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) September 3, 2024

11:44 AM BST

Ukraine and US close to agreement on long-range missiles

The US is close to an agreement to give Ukraine long-range cruise missiles that could reach deep into Russia, officials told Reuters.

But Kyiv would need to wait several months as the US works through technical issues ahead of any shipment.

The inclusion of joint air-to-surface standoff missiles (JASSM) in a weapons package is expected to be announced this autumn, three sources said, though a final decision has not been made.

11:11 AM BST

British-led Ukraine fund promises 1bn in support

A British-led fund to support Ukraine has now promised 1 billion support for Kyiv in its war against the Russian invasion.

Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov visited the UK on Tuesday to mark the milestone.

John Healey used their meeting to confirm a 300 million contract had been signed to manufacture and supply 120,000 152mm artillery shells for Ukraines Soviet-era guns.

UK military equipment continues to prove invaluable for Ukraines war effort. The ongoing defensive operation in Kursk underlines the crucial importance of continued support. And todays milestone for the International Fund for Ukraine shows the value of working with our Allies to deliver that support, Mr Healey said.

The International Fund for Ukraine was established in 2022 by the UK and has since seen eight other Western governments join the scheme to pledge money.

The scheme has been used to buy air-defence systems, maritime drones, minefield-clearing equipment and spare parts for fighting vehicles.

It is separate from Britains pledge to provide 3 billion a year in annual military support to Ukraine for the foreseeable future.

10:43 AM BST

Drone drops molten thermite to smoke out Russian soldiers

A Ukrainian drone has dropped a stream of molten metal to smoke out Russian soldiers hiding in the woods, it has been reported.

Video footage released yesterday on Telegram showed what appeared to be a Ukrainian drone releasing a stream of fire, identified by local media as molten termite, on hidden Russian positions in the Zaporizhzhya region, south east of the country.

The publishers of the video, Telegram channel CyberBoroshno, wrote: The 108th Territorial Defense Brigade is burning out the wooded area with an FPV drone to target russian occupiers.

The use of thermite munitions against Russian forces is not new to the conflict, but it is the first time they have been dropped from the air, the Kyiv Independant reported.

Thermite weapons disperse thousands of tiny pieces of molten metal burning at high temperatures.

Human Rights Watch said the weapons can lead to extensive and excruciating burns and can lead to a lifetime of suffering if survived.

Read the full story here.

09:20 AM BST

Mongolias stance on Ukraine

Last year, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for the arrest of Vladimir Putin after he was accused of abducting children from Ukraine.

Naturally, the Russian leader has restricted international visits to countries that are not party to the Rome Statute of the ICC.

But that changed on Monday when he visited Mongolia, which is supposed to act upon the courts warrants.

However, there is little surprise about Mongolias failure to arrest Putin, given that it is a landlocked country that is highly dependent on Moscow for fuel and electricity.

It has also refrained from condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine and has abstained during votes on the war at the United Nations.

Putin was welcomed in a ceremony in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolias capital, on Monday by an honour guard dressed in uniforms styled by Genghis Khan, founder of the Mongol Empire.

The Russian leader was joined by Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, the Mongolian president, as he walked up the red-carpeted steps of the government palace.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh attend an official welcoming ceremony in Ulaanbaatar - REUTERS

08:57 AM BST

Boy, eight, among three killed in attacks on Ukraine

An eight-year-old boy and his mother were killed overnight in a Russian strike on a hotel in Zaporizhzhia, southeastern Ukraine, local officials said.

A third person was also killed in an overnight missile attack on the central city of Dnipro.

Moscow has stepped up its attacks against Ukraine over the last few days, with 313 strikes across 11 settlements around Zaporizhzhia.

A view shows a hotel building damaged by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia - REUTERS

A general view shows a hotel building damaged by a Russian missile strike in Zaporizhzhia - REUTERS

08:46 AM BST

Putins silent killer is choking Ukraines regiments

The grinding trench warfare across the Donbass in Ukraine is experiencing a new silent killer, which has allowed the Russian invaders to make gains around Chasiv Yar and Bakmut early in the year and in the Pokrovsk area today  gas.

Though hardly a new form of warfare, it was gas that broke the deadlock of trench warfare in April 1915 when the Germans unleashed Chlorine on unsuspecting and unprepared allied troops, who had to turn and run.

The results are the same in Ukraine over 100 years later.

Read the full story here.

A soldier of the National Guard of Ukraine takes off his gas mask and breathes fresh air after training with simulated smoke - Getty Images Contributor

08:31 AM BST

Belgorod ramps up air defences

Russias Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, has ramped up its air defence systems as Kyiv continues its attacks on the area.

Ukrainian forces stepped its attacks in the region following its invasion of Kursk, which neighbours Belgorod.

08:10 AM BST

Pictured: Protester waves Ukrainian flag in Mongolian capital

A demonstrator holds a Ukrainian flag outside the Government Palace in Ulaanbaatar to protest against Putin's visit to Mongolia - REUTERS

Vladimir Putin and Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh attend an official welcoming ceremony in Ulaanbaatar on Tuesday - REUTERS

07:58 AM BST

Russia taking several square kilometres per day, says Putin

Russian troops are taking several square kilometres per day in eastern Ukraine as they continue their march towards Pokrovsk, Vladimir Putin has claimed.

We have not had such a pace in the offensive in Donbas (region) for a long time, Putin told children at at a secondary school in Tuva, a remote Russian republic, on Monday.

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.

07:51 AM BST

Failure to arrest Putin undermines ICC

Mongolias failure to arrest Putin could undermine the ICCs legitimacy, all while emboldening Putin, Amnesty International has warned.

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.

07:46 AM BST

Welcome to our live coverage

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage.

Were bringing you the latest updates from the Ukraine war.
Noel and Liam Gallagher of Oasis have announced two more Wembley dates - DAVE HOGAN/GETTY IMAGES EUROPE

Oasis have said they did not know dynamic pricing would be used in the ticketing of their reunion tour.

The band announced on Wednesday that tickets for two new Wembley shows on Sept 27 and 28 would instead be sold by a staggered, invitation-only ballot process.

It comes after fans complained of ticket prices rising by as much as 140 per cent as they waited for hours in online queues for Oasis Live 25.

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.

Oasis, addressing the ticketing controversy for the first time on Wednesday, said that while their management agreed to dynamic pricing being used to try to keep general ticket pricing down and reduce ticket touting, they accepted that the execution of the plan failed to meet expectations.

The band stressed that it left decisions on ticketing and pricing entirely to their promoters and management, and added it had at no time had any awareness that dynamic pricing was going to be used.

A tweet explaining the ballot process for tickets for the new dates read:

UK 

Two extra Wembley Stadium shows have been added due to phenomenal demand.

Tickets will be sold by a staggered, invitation-only ballot process. Applications to join the ballot will be opened first to the many UK fans who were unsuccessful in the initial on sale with pic.twitter.com/Dpfhk49va3  Oasis (@oasis) September 4, 2024

It comes after many fans missed out on tickets as they battled website problems and were mislabelled as bots.

The new shows in London will join their other shows next summer in Cardiff, Edinburgh, Dublin and Manchester.

Tickets for the Oasis Live 25 went on general sale last Saturday at 9am in the UK and 8am in Ireland on Ticketmaster.

Around 14 million fans are thought to have logged on, with many joining the queues in the early hours of the morning and remaining stuck waiting hours later.

Fans were stuck in the online queue for hours - SIMON EMMET/FEAR PR/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The band, who have not performed since 2009, announced the reunion tour last week.

But the dynamic ticket prices caused such an outrage that Sir Keir Starmer had to wade in to vow that gig tickets would be made affordable for all.

Fans who had waited hours in the online queue were furious to discover that the price of a standing ticket had risen from the advertised 148 to 355.

Meanwhile, on resale sites such as Viagogo, tickets were being offered for more than 7,000 after the initial balloted sale.

Ticket sales on unofficial ticket resale sites were being sold for thousands more than face value

The Government has announced that it will look into the dynamic pricing strategy used by Ticketmaster as part of a forthcoming review.

Asked about fans anger over inflated prices, the Prime Minister promised to get a grip on the issue.

The Competition and Markets Authority said that misleading consumers included leaving out important information or providing it too late.

As soon as the new London dates were announced on Wednesday, fans responded to the news on X, formerly Twitter, urging the band to be honest about the price.

Please tell me whether the face value is 150 or 350 pounds, one wrote within minutes of the announcement.

Last week, three more dates were added in Manchester, London and Edinburgh after the band cited unprecedented demand for their reunion.
Clint Eastwood as Blondie in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly at Sad Hill cemetery near Santo Domingo de Silos. Photograph: Pictorial Press/Alamy

In the mountains of northern Spain, the sleepy town of Santo Domingo de Silos is accustomed to welcoming pilgrims. In the province of Burgos, on the Camino de Santiago, it is home to one of Spains most famous monasteries.

Built in the seventh century, the Monasterio de San Francisco was catapulted to unlikely stardom in 1994 when its monks had a surprise chart hit with an album of Gregorian chant that sold more than 4 million copies worldwide. The proceeds went towards restoration of the crumbling structure, which was carried out by local builders.

When the worlds gaze moved on, Santo Domingo returned to its sombre life, its hushed streets disturbed only by the toll of the monastery bell and the footsteps of the Camino walkers. So far, so regular a pilgrims tale  until 2015, when another grassroots restoration project put Santo Domingo back into the spotlight, and launched a pilgrimage of a different nature.

On the edge of town, surrounded by limestone mountains, the long-abandoned Sad Hill cemetery was restored by a local community and a group of enthusiasts from around the world, who spent two years digging it out from under seven inches of earth. However, this is no ordinary cemetery: it contains no corpses and its gravestones are fictitious. It is in fact the film set from the legendary closing scene of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Sergio Leones 1966 masterpiece.

Built for the movie by the Spanish army, the set was abandoned after filming, returned to pasture and ultimately reclaimed by nature. The restoration of its stone plaza, surrounded by 5,000 graves in concentric circles, was an immense feat of determination, devotion and human toil, drawing support from fans including James Hetfield of rock band Metallica, and the films leading man, Clint Eastwood. Launched in 2016, and the subject of a Netflix documentary about the restoration, Sad Hill is now firmly on the tourist map, but remains refreshingly uncommercial, something created by fans, for fans.

Related: K-pop tourism: how Tossa de Mar became a hot spot

Now, theres even more to draw Leone devotees here: the Asociacion Cultural Sad Hill has created a new, 21-mile (34km) circular hiking trail, Ruta el Bueno, el Feo y el Malo, connecting the cemetery to three other locations from the film: the Betterville prison camp, near the village of Carazo, the monastery of San Pedro de Arlanza, which represented the Mission of San Antonio, and Arlanza valley, which provided the location for the Battle of Langstone Bridge. As well as an online route map and readily available leaflets, waymarkers decorated with Eastwoods silhouette make it easy to follow.

The prison camp set and its stockade have been rebuilt using timber from thousands of juniper trees from the nearby Sabinares del Arlanza natural park that were scorched in a 2022 forest fire. The official opening weekend (7-8 September) includes a re-enactment of the battle scene from the film, a musical performance of the Ennio Morricone track from the scene, and a screening of the movie.

Its easy to see why Leone was so drawn to the region, and how easily it doubles for the American west

I walked a section of the trail on a bright morning earlier this year, and beyond the connection to the film it was a spectacular trek in itself, along rocky tracks through a rugged wilderness with vast, sweeping views. Its easy to see why Leone was drawn to the region, and how easily it doubles for the American west. Along the trail I came across two diehard fans from France, eagerly surveying the jagged horizon to match it to the appropriate scene on their phone. Location comparison to this level of detail is a big part of the appeal. They went on to reveal that they were staying at the Hotel Nuevo Arlanza in Covarrubias, near Villanueva de Carazo, where the films cast and crew were billeted in 1966. Naturally, theyd chosen room number 10, where Eastwood himself had slept.

The success of Sad Hill is a good news story in a region blighted by depopulation. Espana vacia (empty Spain) is a well-documented phenomenon and a hot political topic. Many villages and towns in the interior are suffering a lack of investment and services, even risking abandonment, as the younger generation move away to seek opportunities in cities and coastal resorts. Meanwhile, in the hotspots of Barcelona, Malaga and San Sebastian, mass tourism is causing housing shortages, high prices and angry protests. It is perhaps unsurprising that the municipal authorities in Burgos, one of Spains least populated and untouristy provinces, have embraced the spaghetti western pilgrims with open arms.



The Sad Hill Cultural Association is already planning 60th anniversary celebrations for 2026. However, the films connection to the region goes beyond the touristic, having touched many lives, and theres a strong sense of civic pride about Burgoss place in cinema history. In Santo Domingo there are still a few old-timers who worked as extras on the shoot, and who tell tales of abandoning their olive-picking duties to take part in the films epic battle scene.

Leones westerns are enjoying a renaissance  even a rebrand, as demonstrated by a recent season at the BFI, highly collectible reissues of Morricones soundtracks and the 2022 award-winning documentary paying homage to Leones influence, including contributions from Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino, who cites The Good, the Bad and the Ugly as his favourite film.

The fans I met at the cemetery and on the trail didnt need the renaissance  theyd been loyal all along. Each had the same wide-eyed look, the same tale of fulfilling a long-held dream, of having finally made it to a place that had loomed so large in their lives. They talked of the first time they saw the movie, how theyd watched it over and over, and the impact of Morricones music. One visitor came from Canada to scatter his fathers ashes, fulfilling his last request. Some struck poses and recited dialogue. Others wandered among the graves, playing the soundtrack on their phones. What they all did was stand in awe, amazed that theyd really, finally, made it here.

Their motivation mirrors that of the Camino pilgrims  a long and often arduous journey to honour something greater than oneself. The Turkish travel writer Burak Davran hitchhiked his way to Sad Hill, describing himself as a pilgrim of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly religion and Sir Christopher Frayling, former chairman of the Arts Council, and Sergio Leones biographer, also notes the similarity. Speaking in the documentary, Sad Hill Unearthed, he sums it up: People want a sacred experience  and theyre not getting it from the church. Theyre getting it from art, from film, from pilgrimages of this kind.

In Santo Domingo, two information boards stand side by side, one for the monastery, one for the cemetery. As Eastwood himself might have said, Theres two kinds of pilgrims in this world, my friend  But he might have been surprised to discover just how much they have in common.

Sad Hill cemetery is free to enter. Convento San Francisco has guest doubles from 105. Less pious is Hotel Tres Coronas de Silo (doubles from 100) in an 18th-century building on the main plaza
Grenfell Tower. The newly published inquiry report found that all 72 deaths in the 2017 fire were avoidable. Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian

Police are under pressure to accelerate the criminal investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire after an excoriating report found that companies operated with systematic dishonesty and that all 72 deaths were avoidable.

A seven-year public inquiry culminated on Wednesday in a report that laid bare decades of failure by central government and egregious behaviour by a string of multimillion-dollar firms involved in the towers disastrous refurbishment.

Sir Martin Moore-Bick, who led the inquiry, found that firms which made the combustible materials used on the tower  Arconic, Celotex and Kingspan  engaged in deliberate and sustained strategies to  mislead the market.

He identified incompetence, cavalier attitudes and concealment of wrongdoing, while Grenfell residents safety concerns were dismissed by their local authority and the landlord of the west London building they called home.

After the publication of the long-awaited findings, Natasha Elcock, chair of the families group Grenfell United, sent a message to the Metropolitan police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), saying: It is now on to you to deliver justice.

Speaking in the Commons, the prime minister, Keir Starmer, issued an apology on behalf of the British state and said the report prompted a renewed determination to ensure that justice is delivered. He pledged to give all support and resource thats necessary.

The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, said those responsible must now be immediately held to account, while the local MP, Joe Powell, said with no charges and no arrests  the government and the police must now do everything in their power to bring those responsible to justice using the full force of the law.

But the Mets deputy assistant commissioner, Stuart Cundy, immediately pleaded for patience, saying it would take a further 12 to 18 months to examine the inquiry report line by line before files could be sent to the CPS to weigh possible charges.

More than 180 police officers are investigating 58 suspected individuals and 19 companies, with potential charges including corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, fraud and misconduct in public office.

There was a reminder of the severe human cost of the disaster as Moore-Bick, a former judge who opened the inquiry after the blaze in 2017, addressed bereaved and survivors gathered at the west London inquiry room before reading out the names of the 72 people who died, including six members of the Choucair family and five from the El-Wahabi family.

The clarity of the inquirys conclusions reignited frustration among some bereaved and survivors that the police chose to await the conclusions of the inquiry before considering charges.

Hisam Choucair, who lost his mother, his sister, her husband and their three daughters, told a press conference the inquiry had prevented prosecutions from being brought and it has delayed the justice my family deserves.

In 2019, the Met said it would submit prosecution files by the latter part of 2021. Now that looks unlikely to happen until 2026, and no trials are expected before 2027  a decade after the fire.

In the short term, Starmer said the government would write to all companies found by the inquiry to be part of these horrific failings as the first step to stopping them being awarded government contracts.

Earlier this week, the Guardian revealed that about 250m in public contracts in the past five years had been awarded to corporations involved in the high-rises refurbishment. One member of Grenfell United demanded that this was brought to an end.

On Wednesday the group said the inquiry had proven their claim that many firms involved were little better than crooks and killers.

The 1,700-page report also criticised failures by successive governments to halt the spread of combustible cladding and found that David Camerons bonfire of red tape deregulation drive meant matters affecting fire safety and risk to life were ignored, delayed or disregarded in the years before the fire.

Related: Keir Starmer offers apology on behalf of British state to victims of Grenfell Tower fire  as it happened

The Kensington and Chelsea Tenants Management Organisation consistently ignored residents views and treated the demands of managing fire safety as an inconvenience in a betrayal of its statutory obligations to its tenants, it said.

The inquiry also found that:

Arconic, the US aluminium giant that supplied the plastic-filled cladding panels that were the main cause of the fire spreading, deliberately concealed from the market the true extent of the danger of Reynobond 55 PE in cassette form [the panels used on Grenfell], particularly on high-rise buildings. It sold this product despite knowing that the danger to occupants was significant.

Celotex, which made most of the combustible foam insulation, embarked on a dishonest scheme to mislead its customers and the wider market.

Kingspan, which made a small amount of the insulation, knowingly created a false market in insulation for use on buildings over 18 metres in height by knowingly making a false claim about test results.

Moore-Bick concluded: One very significant reason why Grenfell Tower came to be clad in combustible materials was systematic dishonesty on the part of those who made and sold the rainscreen cladding panels and insulation products. They engaged in deliberate and sustained strategies to manipulate the testing processes, misrepresent test data and mislead the market.

Kingspan claimed that the report showed clearly and unambiguously that the type of insulation (whether combustible or non-combustible) was immaterial, and that the principal reason for the fire spread was the PE ACM cladding, which was not made by Kingspan. It said its historical failings  were not found to be causative of the tragedy.

Celotex, which is owned by the conglomerate Saint Gobain, said: Decisions about design, construction and the selection of materials for the Tower were made by construction industry professionals.

Arconic rejected any claim that it sold an unsafe product and said it did not conceal information from or mislead any certification body, customer, or the public.

The inquiry panel of Moore-Bick, the architect Thouria Istephan and the housing expert Ali Akbor also recommended widespread reforms including a new construction regulator reporting to a cabinet minister and an urgent review of building regulation guidance on fire safety. They suggested that town halls could even be stripped of building control functions, and a national authority created instead.

Related: Grenfell Tower inquiry: what happens next after reports recommendations?

The inquiry found that Rydon, the main contractor for the Grenfell refurbishment, displayed a casual attitude to fire safety and bears considerable responsibility for the fire, while Harley Facades, which installed the lethal cladding system, bears a significant degree of responsibility for the fire because it assumed others would check it was safe.

The architect Studio E demonstrated a cavalier attitude to the regulations affecting fire safety and bears a very significant degree of responsibility for the disaster.

There was also criticism of local authority leaders, and the inquiry concluded that financial considerations drove a decision by Laura Johnson, the director of housing, to slow down installation of self-closing mechanisms on fire doors despite warnings from the London fire brigade that their absence compromised fire escape routes. She also opposed a new inspection regime.

She did so without having taken any advice about the consequences for the safety of residents, the inquiry found. Smoke spread into escape routes on the night of the fire through open doors with missing or defective closers.

In the immediate aftermath of the fire, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelseas response demonstrated a marked lack of respect for human decency and dignity. Its chief executive, Nicholas Holgate, was unduly concerned for the councils reputation and was not capable of taking effective control.

Many Muslim residents were observing Ramadan, but the council had no regard for their cultural or religious needs and people suffered a significant degree of discrimination in ways that could and would have been prevented if the guidance had been properly followed, the report found.

Elizabeth Campbell, leader of the council, who was in the inquiry room in Paddington on Wednesday, said she fully accepted the inquiry teams withering critique of a system broken from top to bottom.

It shows beyond doubt that this council failed the residents of Grenfell Tower and the 72 people, including 18 children, who died, she said. We failed to keep people safe before and during the refurbishment and we failed to treat people with humanity and care in the aftermath. We will learn from every single criticism in the report.
The Queen speaks with Mariella Frostrup at the reception at St James's Palace, London to mark the 70th anniversary of Book Aid International - WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe

The Queen has shared reading recommendations with Mariella Frostrup as she hosted a reception to mark the 70th anniversary of Book Aid International.

During the reception, she spoke of the very big difference books make to childrens lives and the joy that lights up their faces.

The Queen, 77, who is an avid reader and took on the patronage of the charity following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, mingled with an array of guests at St Jamess Palace on Wednesday evening.

She was greeted on arrival at the palace by Alison Tweed, the chief executive of the charity, and Lord Boateng, its vice-patron.

The trio made their way into the Entree Room to meet 11 key supporters, among them Lady Caroline Simmonds, the daughter of Book Aids founder, the Countess of Ranfurly, and Sir Ben Okri, the poet and novelist.

The Queen then mingled with about 100 guests for about an hour in the adjoining Queen Anne Room, clutching a glass of red wine.

Among the other guests were the author Ken Follett, the broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, the artist Edmund de Waal, the Swedish philanthropist Sigrid Rausing and the actor Neil Pearson.

The Queen, hailed for book recommendations that she makes through her Reading Room charity, could not resist passing on one or two new ones about fantastic books she had read recently.

The Queen was greeted on arrival at the palace by Alison Tweed, the chief executive of the charity, and Lord Boateng, its vice-patron - Aaron Chown/via REUTERS

The Queen chatted warmly with Ms Frostrup, swapping notes about The Second Sleep, the bestselling novel by Robert Harris.

She said I must read his new one, Ms Frostrup revealed afterwards. She said its fantastic. I think its only been out a few days  she must be on an advance list.

The book, Precipice, was published last week.

The Queen also chatted to Graham and Josephine Cartledge, trustees of the DOMLAL Foundation, which supports Book Aid.

Mrs Cartledge told her that she always read the books she recommended, prompting the Queen to reply: Thats so good to hear. Its hard to come up with new ones.

The Queen then gave a brief, off-the-cuff address, thanking those who have supported Book Aid.

I have visited quite a lot of countries on my travels, and Ive been to the libraries which have been recipients of Book Aid, and I have just seen the joy on the childrens faces when they receive these books, she said.

And if we can keep on doing this all over the world, were going to make a very, very big difference to people reading books, children getting access to books. Its really thanks to Book Aid and all of you here who made this possible, so thank you very much.

They represented hope

Lord Boateng gave a rousing speech in which he revealed that Book Aid was responsible for nurturing his own love of books as a young boy in Ghana.

Your Majesty, Book Aid International, then the the Ranfurly Library Service, changed my life.

I was a little boy growing up in the Gold Coast, which became Ghana, and Book Aid International furnished the books and trained the librarians for the first dedicated childrens library in Sub-Saharan Africa.

I went to that library as a six, seven-year-old, and it did change my life. It was Orlando the Marmalade Cat, the Secret Seven, the Famous Five.

They represented hope, they underpinned aspiration, they gave us a sense of the possibilities, and Your Majesty, its that that Book Aid seeks to do today in the most difficult places.

Lady Caroline said that she was delighted that the Queen remained patron of the charity, despite her many other commitments.

She said that they had chatted during the reception about the importance of education.

Lady Caroline said: She said that books are everything, education is the key, which is my mothers logo.

We got onto the subject of books and she told me how much she had loved my mothers book, To War With Whitaker.

More than 37 million books to libraries

Book Aid International was founded in 1954 by Lady Ranfurly.

In 1953, her husband, the Earl of Ranfurly, became Governor General of the Bahamas and, as they toured the islands, Lady Ranfurly was shocked at the lack of reading materials for all ages.

In response, she created a library for local children.

On her return to the UK in 1956, she decided to expand her book scheme to the Commonwealth, setting up the Ranfurly Library Service, which sent books to countries all over the world.

In 1994, the charity was renamed Book Aid International.

In the past 70 years, the charity has sent more than 37 million books to libraries across the world.

Last year alone, it distributed more than 1.2 million books to 166 partners in 22 countries, giving about 17.3 million people the opportunity to read.

This year, Book Aid International is focusing on its Generation Reader campaign, which aims to provide access to 1.5 million books for more than 10 million children across Africa by 2030.

Libraries in Ukraine are also being supported, with 25,000 books from publishers having been donated.
Racheal Raygun Gunn has given her first sit-down interview since her controversial breaking appearance at the Paris Olympics. Composite: Reuters/Angelika Warmuth/Instagram/Raygun_aus

Rachael Raygun Gunn has made an apology to the breaking community while stating that her record speaks to being Australias best B-girl, in her first sit-down interview since her controversial appearance at the Paris Olympics made global headlines.

The Australian breakdancer and Macquarie University academic was at the centre of an international wave of controversy after she was knocked out of the round-robin stage of the event for her performance routine that included hopping like a kangaroo and flailing on the floor.

In the interview, which aired on The Project on Wednesday night, Gunn apologised to the breakdancing community after the criticism she had damaged the art forms reputation.

Related: What will Raygun do next? I foresee a very lucrative career | Dee Madigan

Theres been a portion of very angry and, you know, awful responses, not only attacking me but attacking my husband, attacking my crew, attacking the breaking and street dance community in Australia, my family, she told The Project.

The energy and vitriol that people had was pretty alarming.

Gunn also inspired a sketch on US comedian Jimmy Fallons The Tonight Show, something she described as evoking mixed emotions. She added she was not in a place yet to watch it.

I dont know whether to hug him or yell at him because  what a platform he ended up giving me, honestly, she told host Waleed Aly about Fallon.

I havent actually seen the sketch because I dont think Im in a place yet to watch it, but I will watch it at some point.

The 36-year-old also revealed Richard Branson had called her in the wake of the performance to tell her he thought it was plucky and courageous and fun  asking her if she would perform on a cruise with musician Boy George.

Gunn also addressed the disapproval from within the breaking community, with some claiming she had set back the progression of the sport.

It is really sad to hear those criticisms, and I am very sorry for the backlash that the community has experienced, but I cant control how people react.

When asked if she thinks she is the best female breaker in the country, Gunn responded: I think my record speaks to that.

Asked by Aly if there was irony in the fact Gunn has written about how breakdancing came from marginalised communities, yet a white person was sent to the Olympics, Gunn said: Theres a number of white b-girls in Australia.

I dont know what it is about us white women and being attracted to breaking. I think even if it went to the second or third, that it still would have been a white b-girl representing.

Thats something that were always reflecting on  how can we get more people into breaking?

Gunn said she qualified for the Olympics by winning the Oceania qualifier, where she didnt know the judges.

I was super nervous about it, to be honest, because even though Id won all these competitions in Australia I was nervous about winning this one because it was all new judges, she said.

She said she knew when she qualified she would struggle against the other countries.

As soon as I qualified, I was like, Oh my gosh, what have I done? Because I knew that I was going to get beaten, and I knew that people were not going to understand my style and what I was going to do.

Gunn lost all three of her round-robin battles by a combined score of 54-0, prompting a hostile response to her performance.

More than 40,000 people signed an anonymous Change.org petition claiming Gunn had manipulated Olympic qualification processes.

The AOC clarified in a statement the qualifying event in Sydney in October 2023 was conducted by the sports international governing body World DanceSport Federation, as approved by the International Olympic Committee.

Gunn was legitimately nominated by DanceSport Australia to the committee after winning the qualifying event and had no responsibility for any funding decisions in the sport, the AOC said.

She also spoke about the reaction to her performance and how it felt during the ordeal, which saw her chased down the street by reporters.

That was really wild, she said.

If people are chasing me, what do I do? But that really did put me in a state of panic.

It follows a statement released via social media where Gunn described the response to her performance as devastating.

Related: It doesnt reflect us: Global mockery of Rayguns Paris Olympics performance affecting Australian scene, local B-girls say

She thanked supporters but added she did not realise her entry would also open the door to so much hate which has frankly been pretty devastating.

While I went out there and had fun, I did take it very seriously. I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics and I gave my all, truly.

The breaker added she was remaining in Europe for a few weeks and would be happy to answer more questions on my return to Australia.

 with Australian Associated Press.
The whale rose to fame in Norway after its unusual harness sparked suspicions the creature had been trained by Russia as a spy - AFP

A Beluga whale suspected of being a Russian spy has been shot dead, two animal rights groups have claimed.

Two conservation groups filed a police report on Wednesday alleging that the animal, called Hvaldimir, was killed by gunfire, NBC News reported.

However, officials told the US outlet that a definitive assessment from an autopsy could take up to three weeks.

Hvaldimir was first spotted by fishermen not far from the Arctic city of Hammerfest in 2019.

The whale was wearing a harness that read Equipment St. Petersburg, lending to the theory that he might have been trained by Russia as a spy whale.

The highly sociable beluga was found dead last weekend in the harbour of Stavanger, a city in Norways southwest.

Almost as soon as he was found dead, rumours began to circulate and the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries ordered an autopsy.

OneWhale manager Regina Haug next to the carcass of the beluga whale Hvaldimir - OneWhale.org

On Wednesday, OneWhale and NOAH said there was compelling evidence suggesting that Hvaldimirs death was caused by intentional human-inflicted injury.

The groups shared photos with what appear to be streaks of blood and holes in the lifeless body of the whale and claimed preliminary findings suggested the whale was killed by gunshot wounds.

NBC News said it could not independently verify the nature of the apparent injuries.

Several veterinarians, biologists, and ballistics experts have reviewed photographic evidence, including close-ups of Hvaldimirs injuries, their statement said.

Their assessments strongly suggest that the whales death was the result of a criminal act, prompting the need for immediate police involvement.

Regina Haug, founder of OneWhale, told NBC News that the whale knew and loved was a strong, capable and energetic animal yet so gentle, with a sweet and cheeky personality.

After seeing Hvaldimir lifeless, she added: It felt like my heart had fallen into my stomach. The pain of losing him to a senseless killing is an anguish which, right now, feels impossible to fix.

Norways Sr-West police issued a statement on Wednesday confirming they had received the groups report and would consider if an investigation is warranted.

The Norwegian Veterinary Institute told NBC News in an emailed statement on Wednesday that Hvaldimirs autopsy was still ongoing and they could not yet comment on results.

We have, together with the Directorate of Fisheries of Norway, been in contact with the police ahead of the autopsy, and will of course involve them if we uncover anything indicating anything suspicious, the statement said.

The Norwegian Veterinary Institute has a lot of experiences working with forensic cases.
Bereaved relatives look at pictures of Grenfell Tower fire victims during a press conference by the Grenfell Next of Kin group at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPA

With tears in their eyes and pain etched on their faces, the bereaved and survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire demanded nothing less than manslaughter charges against those responsible for the disaster.

The families said they had been robbed of justice and feared perpetrators literally getting away with murder as they faced a wait of at least three years to find out if anyone would be convicted for the failings that led to the inferno that killed 72 people.

At the culmination of the seven-year public inquiry, Tiago Alves, who survived the disaster, accused the multibillion-dollar companies whose products spread the fire of having blood on their hands while the Grenfell United group condemned the corporations as little better than crooks and killers.

At an emotional press conference in west London that opened with a minutes silence, the bereaved sat in front of photographs of their loved ones and a set of kitchen scales weighing the seven-volume, 1,700 page inquiry report that apportions blame for the tragedy. The group said that, at the end of the inquiry, all they had been left with was 10kg of words on pages.

The families, from the Grenfell Next of Kin group, blamed the calling of the inquiry in the immediate aftermath of the disaster for the delays in bringing prosecutions. The Met, which has been investigating the disaster, said the police investigation is independent of the public inquiry and cannot use its findings.

Related: The Guardian view on the Grenfell report: a shocking indictment of government and industry | Editorial

Maria Jafari, who lost her father, Ali Yawar Jafari, in the fire, left the table in tears after condemning the report as nothing more than a big bag of paper, saying: Seven years have passed, and we still have no justice and we have to fight again. I dont know how many more years its going to take and nobody knows if were going to be alive for the justice.

Hisam Choucair, who lost six family members, thanked the inquiry for its findings but said: This inquiry was forced on us  For me, as a direct kin, this inquiry hasnt taught me anything. In fact, Its delayed the justice my family deserves.

He called the inquiry a joke and fought back tears as he added: Words cannot describe the pain that I have gone through, the pain that my family has gone through, with having this inquiry running parallel to the criminal investigation.

Watching the inquiry for me has been very painful. Ive seen witnesses laugh giving evidence, which burns me inside. How can they have the cheek to do that, knowing that they are partially to blame for what happened on that horrific day?

Related: Remorse over Grenfell is freely given now those responsible are far from view | John Crace

Shah Aghlani said the inquiry was set up as he was going from hospital to hospital looking for his mother, who he later discovered had died in the fire. His aunt was also killed.

In no way were we involved in the beginning or consulted. he said. If somebody wanted to create a system that prevents justice you could not have created a better system than what is in place now.

He said he believed that any future prosecutions would only result in minor charges with perpetrators literally getting away with murder, which is the system we have in this country. But he added that he would settle for nothing less than manslaughter charges.

Kimia Zabihyan, a spokesperson for the group, told how Francis Dean had been on the phone to his friend Zainab Deen, who was trapped in the block with her toddler, Jeremiah; both died.

Dean criticised the seven-year delay to justice as he told how he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and had lost his job in the aftermath of the fire. Since that night Ive not been the same person, Im messed up, he said.

Earlier, Grenfell United, which represents some of the families, said Sir Martin Moore-Bicks findings showed they were failed by calculated dishonesty and greed and that their lawyers were correct to tell the inquiry that corporate bodies such as Kingspan, Celotex and Arconic were little better than crooks and killers.

Related: Police under pressure to accelerate criminal investigation into Grenfell fire

Speaking on behalf of the group after the report was published, Natasha Elcock said: We paid the price of systematic dishonesty, institutional indifference and neglect.

She added: Above all, the judge concludes what we already knew. Every single loss of life that night was avoidable. Human life was never a priority, and we lost friends, neighbours and loved ones in the most horrific way  from greed, corruption, incompetence and negligence.

Some survivors welcomed the reports recommendations but said the fight was not over. Alves, who was at home on the 13th floor when the fire broke out, said: I think it proves what weve been screaming and shouting about since 2017, but its good to have the evidence to back it up.

He said the inquiry was an important step towards the truth but that he hoped for prosecutions. Arconic, Celotex, Kingspan, and a bunch of the other corporates, Rydon, they all have blood on their hands, he said.

Survivor Nicholas Burton said he feared that those affected by the fire would still be waiting for justice on the tenth anniversary of the tragedy. We need jail time, he said. If I break the law, Im going to jail and thats the system that we work in.
Maher Husseini, a deputy for the Harris County constable's office, was not driving a police car when he was shot

A Texas deputy constable was fatally shot on his way to work in what police are investigating as a suspected road rage incident.

The male suspect walked up to Maher Husseinis car at an intersection in Houston on Tuesday afternoon and fired multiple times before fleeing the scene, police said.

The shooter then led authorities on a high-speed chase before he crashed about 60 miles away in the coastal city of Galveston. He jumped into the sea and attempted to swim away but was quickly picked up by a marine police unit.

Investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the shooting and whether the deputy was specifically targeted, Houston Police Chief J Noe Diaz said.

Police officers salute the flag-draped body of Deputy Constable Husseini - BRETT COOMER/HOUSTON CHRONICAL

Police are also investigating whether the killing was an instance of road rage, he told a news conference.

Mr Husseini, who had been a deputy for the Harris County constables office since 2021, was not driving a police car when he was shot.

He was taken to a Houston hospital after the attack where he was pronounced dead.

The shooting happened at about 12.35pm in the western part of Houston. Before firing the shots, the assailant had stepped out of the car that he used to flee the scene, Chief Diaz said.

Bullet holes could be seen through the passenger-side window of an SUV at the scene.

Bullet holes in a passenger-side window of an SUV at the scene - YI-CHIN-LEE/HOUSTON CHRONICLE VIA AP

Its an awful thing for the community, for someone to lose their life, someone thats dedicated their life to public service, Chief Diaz said. It is absolutely tragic.

According to preliminary information, Mr Husseini was not in uniform at the time he was shot.

The dangerous criminal who ambushed and murdered Deputy Constable Husseini will have the full weight of the law brought down upon him, Greg Abbott, the Texas governor, said in a statement.

It comes as a Dallas police officer was shot dead in his patrol car last week in what officials have called a premeditated execution.
Cruise ships and Airbnb have been the prime targets of protests in Barcelona - Getty

It was a sunny July morning in Barcelona and the forecast was clear. Yet dozens of people on La Rambla found themselves rushing indoors to avoid getting soaked.

This, the vision of tourists being sprayed by water pistol-wielding protesters, was the defining moment of a tempestuous summer on the Continent. Across popular holiday destinations the war against mass tourism got bigger, louder and better organised.

In July, demonstrators in Barcelona squirted tourists with water pistols - Getty

Protests against overtourism have been simmering for years now, notably in Venice and Barcelona where cruise ships and Airbnb have been the prime targets. But Carla Izcara of Alba Sud, a Barcelona-based think tank, says there was a common catalyst behind the wave of protests this summer.

We experienced daily life without tourism and in some ways it was nice, even given the gravity of the situation, says Izcara, referring to the period when international borders were closed during the pandemic.

But after Covid the reactivation of tourism has been very strong, and very fast. In the civil movement against touristification there are now more actors, such as housing associations, unions and even individuals and families. They see a common enemy and are working together as a collective.

In April, more than 50,000 people took to the streets across the Canary Islands in the biggest ever coordinated march of its kind. Other large demonstrations took place across the Balearic Islands, plus in Malaga, Venice, Barcelona, Alicante and Granada. Reports trickled through to the British press, usually topped with a photograph of a banner along the lines of Tourists Go Home (or ruder). But another catchphrase, seen at a protest in Palma de Mallorca, better reflects the complexity of the cause: Turismo Si, Pero no Asi (Tourism yes, but not like this).

People took to the streets in Palma de Mallorca last month to protest against overtourism and housing prices - Getty

These are protests about the grim frustrations of living in a tourist destination. They are about water shortages, traffic, pollution, construction, the commercialisation of high streets, environmental degradation, the soaring cost of living, the dwindling supply of affordable housing. Ultimately, the protests are about the deterioration of everyday life thanks to unchecked tourism growth.

Margalida Ramis of the conservation group GOB Mallorca, part of the Menys Turisme, Mes Vida (Less Tourism, More Life) platform which organised some of the summers protests, believes the demonstrations have had a positive impact: They opened the eyes of many people. They understand that either we mobilise or we are expelled. Either we mobilise and demand limits on tourism, or there will be no possibility of [living a] decent life in our territories.

Despite the protest groups becoming better organised and clearer in their objectives, their actions have not yet translated into meaningful political change. And as weve seen with Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion stunts here in the UK, when organised protests fall on deaf ears, splinter groups tend to turn to nonviolent direct action instead  putting tourists in the firing line.

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Tenerife in April - Getty

Aside from that water pistol moment in Barcelona, a protest group occupied a popular beach in Majorca and erected signs that said Beach Closed. On another, a sign read Beware of Dangerous Jellyfish. Locals in the Menorcan village of Binibeca Vell resorted to chaining up the access roads to prevent tourists from getting in, a similar stunt to the tunnel-blocking villagers of Hallstatt, Austria.

Theres more. Just last week there was the quite comical sight of locals walking back and forth across a zebra crossing in Galicia to stop tourists from accessing a beach. One protest group threatened to bring Palma de Mallorca Airport to a standstill at the height of the summer, which didnt happen  but it is significant that the idea was even tabled.

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How these stunts will affect tourist numbers is yet to be seen. This years demonstrations took place after most people had already booked their holidays, so numbers havent been dented. In fact, the opposite is true. In July, 10.9 million people visited Spain, up 7.3 per cent on the year before, largely driven by German and British markets.

My hunch is that when January comes around and the holiday booking season begins, British tourists will play the probability game and try their luck, particularly when it comes to favourites like Tenerife and Majorca. But the odds of encountering a protest in 2025 will be shorter than they were in 2024. Unesco has also warned that the movement could spread to other corners of Europe: Lisbon, Santorini and Amsterdam all have the tell-tale grumbles that come before an organised protest movement.

There will be more blocked beaches, more chained-up roads, more graffiti, more stickers on apartment blocks saying A family used to live here. And, according to the people closest to the protest movements, we can expect to see more marches on our holidays.

We are now working to give continuity to the protests and establish achievable political objectives, says Margalida Ramis of GOB Mallorca. We will not stop mobilisations, protests and actions until we see results. Our lives depend on it.

On the mainland, the work resumes this weekend: Here in Barcelona we have a mobilisation this Saturday against the Americas Cup, and will keep having them, says Carla Izcara. The rhythm of life is not sustainable in any way. We have to keep pushing.
Tucker Carlson speaks at the Republican national convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on 18 July 2024. Photograph: Patrick T Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

In spring of last year, Tucker Carlson was on the outs.

The former prime-time host had been booted from the Fox News channel where he had made his name. Ensconced in his remote Maine home, Carlson launched a new show on what was then called Twitter, but as his viewer figures quickly plunged, consensus opinion was that Carlsons position as a news and political tastemaker, someone capable of creating Republican stars and taking down careers, was over.

It turns out that wasnt quite right.

The eponymous network that Carlson has since created, where he hosts interviews and delivers screeds to subscribing viewers, certainly lacks the reach of his Fox News show. But he has remained a key figure behind the scenes in Republican politics, someone with the ear of Trump and the ability to influence key positions. He had a headline slot at the Republican national convention, and next month is going on a tour that will feature JD Vance, Trumps running mate.

Related: Pranksters dupe Tucker Carlson into believing they edited Princess of Wales photo

Hes a confidant of Trump, and the GOP is the party of Trump now, said Heather Hendershot, a professor at Northwestern Universitys school of communication whose work focuses on television news and conservative and rightwing media.

That relationship has allowed Carlson to become, if not a kingmaker, then certainly a prince-maker  playing a key role in Vances ascendancy to vice-presidential candidate. Vance was a frequent presence on Tucker Carlson Tonight during his run for Senate in Ohio, hopping on to pontificate on all manner of issues that Carlsons far-right audience like. It was on Carlsons show that Vance characterized Kamala Harris and others childless cat ladies, a comment that resurfaced in July.

The pair stayed close, and Carlson had a key role in one of the most important decisions Trump had to make: choosing his running mate. The New York Times reported that Trump was wavering on choosing Vance in June, considering instead the more experienced Marco Rubio or the rich, inoffensive Doug Burgum. Carlson intervened in bombastic fashion, warning Trump that such a move could see him assassinated, according to the Times, and briefing that neither Rubio, the Florida senator, nor Burgum, the governor of North Dakota, could be trusted.

[Trumps decision to pick Vance] is kind of backfiring for him now, because Vance keeps revealing his strange attitudes about women, childless women and childless women with cats. So its not really helping him that much, and Trumps team isnt really pleased about it, Im sure, Hendershot said.

Its interesting that he had Trumps ear for that, and his rationale was very sort of strange, or weird, is the word were using now, and kind of conspiratorial.

The conspiratorial aspect has long been key to Carlsons appeal, and if his influence with Trump has increased  even in the face of texts emerging in 2023 that Carlson had said of Trump: I hate him passionately  it has done so as Carlson has become more fringe.

In February, he aired an interview with Vladimir Putin in which he allowed the Russian autocrat to drone on for two hours about everything from a ninth-century Scandinavian prince to how he was allegedly prepared to end his invasion of Ukraine, and also gave a platform to Alex Jones, a conspiracy theorist who was ordered to pay $1.5bn to the families of the Sandy Hook victims after he claimed the 2012 elementary school shooting was faked.

If anything, he appears to have descended into even more public crackpottery since he left Fox News, said Matt Gertz, a senior fellow at Media Matters for America, a leftwing advocacy group.

Someone like that having a direct line to the former president of the United States, who could be the president again, is certainly a matter of great concern.

Carlson has retained that direct line even as his ability to reach the public appears to have declined. His Tucker Carlson Network has only 200,000 subscribers, the Wall Street Journal reported, while at its peak, his Fox News show attracted millions of viewers a night, although Carlson is popular on other platforms: his podcast is the second most popular on Spotify, behind only Joe Rogan, and his interview with Putin, while widely panned, was a success in terms of numbers: it received more than 200m views when Carlson posted it to X, although it is unclear how many people watched the entire thing.

His media influence has diminished substantially since he left Fox, but his political influence is still quite potent, Gertz said.

Tucker Carlson was really the most powerful single figure in the rightwing media. He was someone who was capable of swinging Republican primary elections, but also someone who was capable of swinging news cycles, of creating messages that would be broadly used by the right.

Gertz said that wasnt the case any more, although Carlson remained a potent political force.

His relationship with Donald Trump seems to be the key factor here, he has been able, by publicly supporting him so loudly, to ensure that he still apparently has the ability to contact Donald Trump directly and advise him on key issues.

Along with the questionable guidance Carlson gave Trump over Vance, he was also key to bringing together Trump and Robert F Kennedy Jr for a meeting at the GOP convention, and Vanity Fair reported that it was Carlson and Donald Trump Jr who helped organize Kennedys subsequent withdrawal from the presidential race and endorsement of Trump. The New York Times reported that Carlson connected Trump and Kennedy on a three-way text message hours after the attempted assassination on Trump, a message chain that led to the pair speaking on the phone that night.

Where Carlsons influence ultimately leads will probably depend on whether Trump can win in November. But in the meantime, despite the low views for Carlsons shows and his lack of a wide public platform, his position as a key figure is demonstrated from Tucker Carlson live, a 16-date tour he will embark on in September.

Trump Jr and Vance, two of the people closest to the former president, will appear with Carlson in Florida and Pennsylvania respectively, for a tour that Carlson claims is going to be interesting and fun as hell.

While the latter will depend on an individuals politics and taste, Carlsons continuing influence at the top of Republican politics is certainly interesting  and could be worrying should Trump be re-elected president.
Russia Kursk

Ukraines daring incursion into Russias Kursk region is approaching its one-month anniversary. In that short span, Ukraine captured 1,300 square kilometers of Russian territory and occupied Sudzha, a critical gas export hub for Russias Trans-Siberian pipeline. Ukraine has also established a military administration in Kursk and has enough armoured vehicles clustered in neighboring Sumy to reinforce its troop contingent.

It is quite the achievement. Facing poorly trained conscripts and largely evacuated towns, Ukraine exposed Russias alarming defensive weaknesses, the shallowness of its nuclear threats, and has no plans to leave Kursk anytime soon, thereby eroding the possibility of a ceasefire that freezes the front lines  something Russia could now not agree to.

But has Kyivs brazen gambit been a success? From the standpoint of morale, a resounding yes. From a military vantage point, not so much.

But first: morale. After last years failed counter-offensive, the Kursk incursion provided Ukrainian troops with a necessary confidence boost. The feel-good effect was magnified by the shock value of the Kursk incursion. Ukrainian forces transferred to Sumy initially thought that they were on a defensive mission. Seeing Russias defensive lines spectacularly collapse was a gratifying moment for Ukraines battle-weary forces and invoked memories of Russias catastrophic September 2022 capitulation in Kharkiv.

The Kursk offensive also rallied Ukrainian soldiers around their polarising commander Oleksandr Syrskyi. Despite being involved in Ukraines biggest military successes, Syrsyki was panned as a Soviet-style commander who had little regard for the lives of his forces and was indelibly linked to the morale-shattering defeat in Bakhmut. Syrsykis loyalty was also questioned by some of his fiercest critics, as his 82-year-old mother lives in Russia and has liked posts on social media supporting the Russian invasion. By masterminding the Kursk offensive, Syrskyi has proven himself to be a worthy successor to the visionary General Valery Zaluzhny and vindicated Zelenskys support for fresh ideas in the army.

The Kursk incursion has been equally emboldening for Ukraines most fervent Western backers. Russias unwillingness to convert apocalyptic rhetoric into tactical nuclear strikes, the destruction of the Kyiv dam or the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plants detonation has shattered escalation risk arguments against arming Ukraine.

The plethora of Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russian economic infrastructure, such as the drone attack that closed the Moscow oil refinery, further weaken the fear factor around attacking Russian territory. Ukraines ability to hold Russian territory has also bolstered speculation about a land swap deal and quietened pressure on Kyiv to make unilateral territorial concessions.

And yetthis massive morale boost has not translated into an improvement in the situation on Ukraines frontlines. Russia has occupied Niu-York and Mezhove, which is located near Avdiivka, and is on the cusp of seizing the Donetsk logistical hub of Pokrovsk.

President Putin has hailed Russias fast advance in eastern Ukraine and for once, his boasts have factual grounding. Russias seizure of 93 square miles of Ukrainian territory in August is markedly larger than the 21 square miles that it averaged during the first seven months of 2024. Aside from Ukraines 3rd Separate Assault Brigades reported 2km advance against Russias beleaguered positions in Kharkiv, Kyiv has few military successes to celebrate.

The Russian publics apathy towards the situation in Kursk ensures that Russia is unlikely to divert forces from Donetsk to protect the homeland. Putins army of propagandists have normalised Ukraines occupation of territory in Kursk and the vague promise of Kyivs eventual defeat has appeased most Russians. The current turmoil in Ukraines political ranks, which has seen Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba resign and Strategic Industries Minister Alexander Karnyshin be dismissed, has curiously not extended to Russia.

The exposure of Russias limited escalation capacity has also not expedited approvals of sophisticated arms transfers to Ukraine. While the U.S. is expected to include the Air-to-Surface Standoff (JASSM) missile in an autumn weapons supply package, technical issues could force Ukraine to wait months to obtain them. Germany has not greenlit the export of the much-coveted Taurus cruise missile to Ukraine and the U.S. has waffled on approving the use of British Storm Shadow missiles against Russian targets. While the impending arrival of new HIMARS and additional ammunition is a welcome boost to Ukraine, game-changing technology is not coming with it.

So yes  Ukraines Kursk incursion has restored the feel-good factor after an arduous year of military setbacks and disappointments. But tangible military successes are still yet to transpire, if they ever will.

Dr Samuel Ramani is an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute
The US airforces C-17 Globemaster can launch powerful long-range missiles without the need for extra modification. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

The US and its allies are capable of threatening and destroying all of Russia and Chinas nuclear launch sites with conventional weapons, creating what two experts describe as a potentially unstable geopolitical situation.

Prof Dan Plesch and Manuel Galileo, from Soas University of London, describe a quiet revolution in military affairs reflecting increased US military power relative to Moscow and Beijing, particularly in missile technology.

They argue that this could create the conditions for a fresh arms race as China and Russia try to respond  and even create a risk of miscalculation in a major crisis as either country could resort to launching nuclear weapons to get ahead of the US.

Related: China suspends nuclear talks with US over arms sales to Taiwan

In a paper published on Thursday, Plesch and Galileo write that the US has a plausible present day capacity with non-nuclear forces to pre-empt Russian and Chinese nuclear forces  giving it a military edge over the two countries.

There are, the authors estimate, 150 Russian remote nuclear launch sites and 70 in China, approximately 2,500km (1,550 miles) from the nearest border, all of which could be reached by US air-launched JASSM and Tomahawk cruise missiles in a little more than two hours in an initial attack designed to prevent nuclear weapons being launched.

The US and its allies can threaten even the most buried and mobile strategic forces of Russia and China, the authors write, with an estimated 3,500 of the JASSM and 4,000 Tomahawks available to the US and its allies.

New developments also mean that JASSMs (joint air-to-surface standoff missiles) can be launched on pallets, using the Rapid Dragon system, from unmodified standard military transport aircraft, such as the C-17 Globemaster or C-130 Hercules.

Our analysis predicts that only Russian mobile and Chinese deeply buried strategic systems may be considered at all survivable in the face of conventional missile attacks and are far more vulnerable than usually considered, they add.

Plesch and Galileo argue there is insufficient public discussion about the strategic capabilities of the US if there were to be a major confrontation, arguing that debates about a conflict involving Russia and China tend to be focused on regional dynamics, such as the war in Ukraine or a possible invasion of Taiwan.

US global conventional firepower is underestimated, which threatens both the realities and the perceptions of strategic stability, they write, adding that any hybrid use of nuclear weapons alongside conventional missiles would complicate an already fraught picture.

Though few believe a major confrontation between the US and either Russia or China is possible, the invasion of Ukraine has dramatically increased global uncertainty. The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, warned in March that Moscow would be willing to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty or independence was threatened.

The two authors argue that a strategic concern is whether Russia or China fear the USs military capabilities to the point where they justify a new arms race. The US 2024 Threat Assessment itself highlighted Chinese fear of a US first strike as motive for Chinese nuclear arms buildup, they said.

The strength of the US conventional missile capabilities is such that it pressures Russia and China to put their missiles on hair trigger, ready to be launched immediately, the authors write. The US would be on the receiving end for any mistaken launch one of them makes, they add.

Last year, China began deploying a small number of nuclear weapons  a total of 24  with their launchers, according to research from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute  and the US warned it may have to increase the size of its deployed warheads in response.

Plesch and Galileo warn that the changes in military power come at a time when arms control is declining. In 2019, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces arms control treaty, which had prohibited the US and Russia from having ground-launched missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500km, was allowed to lapse  leaving both sides to redeploy them.

They argue the emerging situation justifies a renewed focus on arms control, as suggested by the UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, in July 2023, when he called for a special session of the UN general assembly to be held on disarmament.
Time for a well-earned rest: Sharon Birch is exhausted after a summer stint looking after her seven-year-old grandson Matthew - Lorne Campbell for The Telegraph

Im sure some grandparents have an idyllic time with their grandchildren. They are probably retired, with good finances and in good health, and see the children once a week to take to the park for a picnic and a ball game. But thats not the case with me.

Im 58, and have five grandchildren under the age of seven. I work three days a week as a safeguarding consultant for schools and colleges across the UK. Im also a published crime writer under the name of FE Birch, and I walk with a stick due to having Ehlers-Danlos, a genetic connective tissue disorder.

Despite these commitments and restrictions, I regularly look after my grandchildren  especially the eldest, Matthew, who is seven. His dad  my son  works full-time and is often away, while his mother has epilepsy, so cant look after him alone in case she has a fit. So this summer, myself and the other grandma have shared him out for most of the time.

My husband, Steve  their grandad or Pops  and I have just had him for three weeks straight. He has his own bunk-bed at our house and is a boisterous, active boy. He loves playing Spiderman and jumping about or kicking a ball. But he also loves reading, drawing and history, and he listens to me more often than not.

I try to limit his iPad use to one hour a day, which works for most of the time. But it means having to take him out of the house to the beach, for instance, to keep him entertained. It didnt help this summer that he broke his arm right at the start of the holidays, so has found doing activities difficult because of his cast.

What this has meant for my husband and I is that our lives have been put on hold. I managed to take time off work this summer to look after him, but I havent had time to do any of my own writing, which is my passion. All Ive managed is to take Matthew on a research trip to Felixstowe for the day. Ill return to my writing when he goes back to school.

On the odd days Ive had to work, Ive just had to close my office door and make sure his grandad keeps him entertained. Its like being a parent again, doing a juggling act. But I dont want to be a parent again. I myself had three children under the age of four and it was tiring then, but Im 58 now.

Saying that, I do love having Matthew, and my other grandson Toby, five, who also came over lots in the summer. We regularly have them both after school, picking them up about three days a week, so they are used to coming here.

I dont feel special for helping out so much, though. I know plenty of grandparents who do it. Most are still working, or have even had to quit their jobs so they can do more childcare.

Sharon knows she isn't alone in being a grandparent helping out with childcare  many working parents also rely on family help - Lorne Campbell

It seems to be whats expected of us now as finding childcare cover in the holidays is a nightmare. We live in Hartlepool in the north-east and there is a complete lack of holiday clubs. All the local authority offers is very sparse provision, with numbers capped due to staff shortages.



I used to run a nursery with a holiday club attached, but when I retired from that a year ago, the new owners cancelled the club. I wish I had known that would happen and I might have thought twice about quitting. Theres also barely any childminders who will do full days, and even if they did, it would be too expensive for parents.

With this lack of choice, its no wonder grandparents like me are picking up the slack. There are positives, of course. I do feel its good for a child to have a strong relationship with their grandparents. We love seeing them and I know we are very lucky to have them, even though I know Mathew really misses his parents when he is away for so long.



But lets be clear: its exhausting. And I do wonder what will happen when my other younger grandchildren grow up a bit. At the moment they go to nursery all summer but what happens when they need care in the school holidays? I cant look after five of them and neither can their grandad. He is 67 and retired, but he says he cant get on with anything he wants to do because of the commitment to the children.



It sounds awful but we now dread the holidays and are both really looking forward to school starting again. We have booked a weekend away to Newcastle, and are going to watch the band Fishermans Friends and enjoy ourselves.



We need a break and to get our lives back as best we can  before the next set of holidays come around.

As told to Gwyneth Rees
The mission will be the first to drill two metres into the ground on Mars to a depth where space radiation cannot penetrate - Stocktrek Images, Inc/Alamy Stock Photo

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In a desolate rock-strewn landscape, a Mars rover picks its way gingerly across the red sand. But this is not the Red Planet  it is a quarry in Bedfordshire, where the robot that could prove alien life exists is being tested on a simulated Martian surface.

The ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover, which is due to launch in 2028, has been built in Britain, so it is fitting that it is taking its first steps on British soil.

The mission, led by the European Space Agency (ESA), will be the first to drill two metres into the ground to a depth where space radiation cannot penetrate in the hope of finding the remains of fossilised microbes and prove that life evolved somewhere other than Earth.

That is the Holy Grail isnt it? said Chris Draper, the exploration rovers programme manager at Airbus, which built the rover.

ExoMars is the only one that will be able to get these subsurface samples and have the technology on board to look for signs of past and present life.

I think there is a fair chance to be able to find evidence of past existence which would have got to the microbial stage. Obviously we dont see little green men running around Mars, so if there is life there, it hasnt gotten that advanced yet.

But we might be able to find historic evidence. I dont know, no one knows thats the exciting thing about it, which is why weve got to go and find out.

Over the past three weeks, engineers have been testing the autonomous navigation systems on board the six-wheeled test rover, nicknamed Charlie, at a sand quarry near Leighton Buzzard, a site where the Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning film was shot.

Airbus has its own Mars Yard in its factory in Stevenage, Herts, but quarry testing is essential to make sure the rover can navigate autonomously between points, mapping the terrain as it goes, and manoeuvring around obstacles.

The ExoMars mission was originally a joint venture with the Russian space agency Roscosmos and was due to launch in 2022, but after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, ESA cut ties with the Russians, leaving Europe struggling to plug critical technical gaps.

The Sample Fetch Rover is also being tested - Joe Giddens/PA Wire

The UK Space Agency stepped in to provide 10.7 million to replace a crucial Russian instrument that would pick out the most promising spots for finding life.

The delay has allowed systems engineers to improve the navigation capabilities of the rover, meaning that it can now travel farther on its own, and test new Lidar (light detection and ranging) sensors that can scan terrain and could be useful in dark conditions.

Radio signals from Earth to Mars can take anywhere between four and 21 minutes, depending on where the planet lies in its orbit, so programming the rover to operate independently of human control is essential.

The team has also been testing the robotic arm of its Sample Fetch rover, nicknamed Codi, which is the first in the world that can autonomously locate and pick up sample tubes using sophisticated AI algorithms.

The rover was originally designed for Nasa and Esas Mars Sample Return mission, in which it would have collected rock and soil gathered by Nasas Perseverance rover and transported them to a waiting lander to be fired up to an orbiting spaceship and flown back to Earth.

If the ExoMars mission fails to find signs of life, the Mars Sample Return mission will be able to study the Martian soil more carefully.

However, cost cutting by Nasa and ESA has meant the ExoMars rover will now only be used as a back-up option, should Perseverance run out of steam.

Engineers are hoping the rover can be repurposed for the Moon, where it could be used to install infrastructure needed for lunar colonies, build lunar observatories, explore freezing caves or look for water at the South Pole.

Exploration of asteroids

Chris Barclay, Airbuss guidance navigation and control architect, said: It could be used for exploration of other bodies or asteroids, so I could imagine new missions for where samples would be needed.

You dont want to have all your eggs in one basket, so having the capacity to go and retrieve a targeted object is useful. Whether the arm would be mounted on a rover, or put on a drone, lets say flying around asteroids, is up to the particular mission, but in terms of proving the technologies we are happy with where we have got to.

For a rover with a robotic arm to be able to arrive somewhere within 10 to 15 centimetres of accuracy after having driven, say, four kilometres, and then find and collect samples, is a real achievement.

Geoffray Doignon, Airbuss technical lead for rover breadboarding  the process of testing the feasibility of systems, added: It all has to be done remotely, because obviously you cant just use a joystick and drive it.

It has to be smart and do things by itself.
Oasis have announced two new Wembley Stadium dates due to phenomenal public demand, with tickets to be sold by an invitation-only ballot.

Applications for the ballot for new dates on September 27 and 28 will only be open to those who were unsuccessful in the initial Ticketmaster sale.

Announcing the new dates, the band also addressed ticketing issues and said it needs to be made clear that Oasis leave decisions on ticketing and pricing entirely to their promoters and management, and added they had at no time had any awareness that dynamic pricing was going to be used.

A statement from the band read: While prior meetings between promoters, Ticketmaster and the bands management resulted in a positive ticket sale strategy, which would be a fair experience for fans, including dynamic ticketing to help keep general ticket prices down as well as reduce touting, the execution of the plan failed to meet expectations.

Oasis will now perform five dates at Wembley Stadium (Yui Mok/PA)

All parties involved did their utmost to deliver the best possible fan experience, but due to the unprecedented demand this became impossible to achieve.

A tweet explaining the ballot process for tickets for the new dates read: Two extra Wembley Stadium shows have been added due to phenomenal demand.

Tickets will be sold by a staggered, invitation-only ballot process.

Applications to join the ballot will be opened first to the many UK fans who were unsuccessful in the initial on sale with Ticketmaster.

It comes after many fans missed out on tickets as they battled website issues and being mislabelled as bots.

Fans were also left shocked by standard tickets more than doubling from 148 to 355 on Ticketmaster, due to dynamic pricing for the tour.

The new dates mean the band will now play five concerts at the national stadium, as well as dates in Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin.

The concerts will be the bands first since breaking up backstage at Frances Rock en Seine festival in 2009.

It comes after the European Commission announced it would be investigating dynamic pricing following the controversy.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) also received 450 complaints about Ticketmaster adverts for the Oasis gigs.

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

It is believed the ticket prices for the Oasis gigs were set by promoters including SJM Concerts, MCD and DF Concerts & Events.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told BBC Radio 5 Live on Monday the Government will get a grip on the issue of surge pricing and that it is seeking consultation on the issue.

During Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday, Labour MP Emma Foody asked Sir Keir if he agrees that urgent action is needed to protect fans, to which he replied: Yes, I do. Firstly, its great that Oasis are back together.

I think, from what Ive determined, about half the country were probably queuing for tickets over the weekend but it is depressing to hear of price hikes.

Im committed to putting fans at the heart of music and ending extortionate price resales, and were starting a consultation to work out how best we can do this.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said it is urgently reviewing the ticketing market and that it is looking forward to working with the Government on the issue.

The PA news agency has contacted Ticketmaster for comment.
Detectives will go through the Grenfell Inquiry report line by line as they have one chance to get their investigation right, a senior officer has said.

Those affected by the disaster face a wait of another year to 18 months from the reports publication before they find out whether any criminal charges will be brought over the tragedy.

Police and prosecutors said in May that investigators will need until the end of 2025 to complete their inquiry, with final decisions on potential criminal charges by the end of 2026.

Detective Superintendent Garry Moncrieff at the warehouse where thousands of exhibits are being stored (Lucy North/PA)

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said on Wednesday: Our police investigation is independent of the public inquiry.

It operates under a different legal framework and so we cannot simply use the reports findings as evidence to bring charges.

To secure justice for those who died and all those affected by the fire we must examine the report, line by line, alongside the evidence from the criminal investigation.

As I said previously, this will take us at least 12 to 18 months.

This will lead to the strongest possible evidence being presented to the Crown Prosecution Service so they can make charging decisions.

I cant pretend to imagine the impact of such a long police investigation on the bereaved and survivors, but we have one chance to get our investigation right.

We will be thorough and diligent in our investigation while moving as swiftly as possible. We owe that to those who died and all those affected by the tragedy.

In May, the Met said its mammoth inquiry into the fire, which killed 72 people in 2017, had generated 27,000 lines of inquiry and more than 12,000 witness statements.

A total of 19 companies and organisations were under investigation for potential criminal offences, along with 58 individuals, and more than 300 hours of interviews had taken place.

A memorial for the 72 people killed in the Grenfell Tower fire (Lucy North/PA)

Potential offences under consideration included corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, perverting the course of justice, misconduct in public office, health and safety offences, fraud, and offences under the fire safety and building regulations.

At that stage eight out of 20 files had been sent to the CPS for early investigative advice, with a typical case file more than 500 pages long with 17,000 pages of evidence.

Up to the end of March this year, the Met had spent 107.3 million on the inquiry, and in May there were 180 investigators working on the case.

Officers had retrieved more than 152 million files, gathered 75,000 photos and 27,000 exhibits.

Forensic teams spent 415 days examining the tower itself after the deadly blaze and painstakingly gathering evidence.

Exhibits are being stored in an enormous warehouse that is big enough to store 25 double-decker buses.

It includes the charred remnants of cladding panels that would have had molten plastic dripping down them while the building was on fire.
The Scottish Government appears to have dropped its pledge to provide universal free school meals to primary pupils, despite the First Minister claiming he aims to lift every child out of poverty.

In his first Programme for Government since taking on the job, John Swinney announced plans for significant reform to public services in order to provide whole-family support in the fight against child poverty  which he has said is his overriding goal in Government.

But Mr Swinney did not mention in his 30-minute speech in Holyrood a rolling back on his Governments commitment to free school meals.

According to the 47-page document published alongside the speech, the Government will Work towards further expanding free school meals to those in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment in Primary 6 and Primary 7.

First Minister @JohnSwinney announced this years Programme for Government, outlining his priorities of:  Eradicating child poverty Building prosperity Protecting the planet Improving public services  https://t.co/D365uik52P pic.twitter.com/NnBAtovlBa  Scottish Government (@scotgov) September 4, 2024

The document also said nearly 22 million would be made available for free school meal alternatives in all school holidays for eligible families.

While the SNPs 2021 manifesto said: We will provide free school breakfasts and lunches to every primary school pupil in Scotland, all year round, and for all children in state-funded special schools in Scotland.

The First Minister delivered the programme for government just 24 hours after his Finance Secretary announced about 500 million of cuts.

The announcement, which was clearly hamstrung by the fraught financial situation in Scotland, included little in terms of concrete new action.

But the First Minister did pledge to revamp how poverty is tackled.

The SNP leader has already made clear that tackling child poverty is first and foremost in his priorities.

Our goal is to lift every child in Scotland who is in poverty out of it, so, we must do more, he said.

Here, Mr Swinney stressed the need to ensure a system of whole-family support is available  adding this must be easy to access, well-connected and responsive to families needs.

He added: Over the coming year, we will work with partners to enable greater local flexibility, so that services can be more easily tailored to the needs of the families they support.

He said the Scottish Government would consider where greater investment is needed.

John Swinney outlined his legislative agenda for the next 12 months (Jeff J Mitchell/PA)

But he stated: The key objective of the approach we will take forward will be to deliver significant reform of the work of public services to deliver whole-family support extensively across the country.

Along with changes to public services, the First Minister also pledged to introduce rent controls in new legislation, invest 1 billion in affordable, high-quality and funded early learning and childcare and provide funding for Creative Scotland to restart its open fund.

Mr Swinney also pledged to overhaul the rules which govern the conduct of ministers.

The ministerial code  which will be published by the end of the year Mr Swinney said  will allow independent advisers to initiate investigations into the conduct of ministers, as opposed to requiring the First Minister to call for a probe.

I want my Government to set the highest standard of propriety and integrity, he said.

I want trust to be at the heart of our relationship with the people of Scotland.

Outgoing Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said the financial pressures faced by the Government are due to the SNP choices.

Douglas Ross said the dire financial circumstances were due to SNP choices Andrew Milligan/PA)

He said: What we are getting now, because of this financial mismanagement, is a threadbare programme for government published today.

Mr Ross continued: This was John Swinneys big chance  has he really waited 25 years to deliver that speech?

The Tory leader said the programme contained tired old promises that should have been delivered years ago and Mr Swinney was making it impossible for his Government to fail by promising nothing.

It is shameful that the programme contained no mention of drug deaths, Mr Ross said.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the First Minister had failed to deliver a promised great relaunch.

He also criticised the lack of any mention of drugs deaths, accusing the SNP of simply running down the clock until the next election.

Amid a rowdy debating chamber, Mr Sarwar said: Clearly, they arent learning the lessons of the verdict of the Scottish people.

The programme for Government failed in being honest about the scale of the challenges facing Scotland, he said.

He said: Scotland needs change, its sick of this failing SNP Government and Scottish Labour is ready to deliver it.

In a statement, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: The Scottish Government continues to be committed to the universal expansion of free school meals in primary schools.

We are already delivering this provision in primaries one to five, with the next stage of the rollout being for primary six and seven pupils in receipt of the Scottish child payment.

However, the current financial situation means that universality will now not be delivered by 2026. The Scottish Government will work with partners in local government to meet our joint ambition to fully deliver on this commitment.
Novels set in 16th century Florence, Perthshire and the US are among those in the running for a major crime writing prize.

The five-strong shortlist for the 2024 McIlvanney Prize includes Val McDermid, Chris Brookmyre and Abir Mukherjee.

D V Bishop and Kim Sherwood are also finalists for the accolade, which is awarded to the best Scottish crime book of the year.

Val McDermid is among the authors on the shortlist (John Linton/PA)

The winner will be announced on the opening night of the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival in Stirling later this month.

The finalists were selected by the judges  BBC Scotland presenter Bryan Burnett, category manager for Waterstones Angie Crawford and journalist and editor Arusa Qureshi.

D V Bishop is in the running with A Divine Fury, the fourth book in the Cesare Aldo series.

Originally from New Zealand, he teaches creative writing at Edinburgh Napier University and won the Pitch Perfect competition at Bloody Scotland in 2018 with the pitch for his first Cesare Aldo novel.

Commenting on A Divine Fury, the judges said: A pungent and complex slice of intrigue set in 16th century Florence.

A brilliant historical novel which feels strangely contemporary and a worthy addition to this series.

Brookmyre, whose 30th crime novel will be published next year, won the inaugural McIlvanney Prize with Black Widow in 2016.

His latest book in the running is The Cracked Mirror, described as a cross-genre hybrid of Agatha Christie and Michael Connelly.

The judges said: A truly original idea, executed with skill and imagination. The combination of Perthshire and Los Angeles shouldnt work but it does.

Award-winning crime writer McDermid is shortlisted for Past Lying, the new novel featuring Karen Pirie, the first of which is now a major TV series.

The judges said it was a welcome return for the much-loved Karen Pirie in this satisfying novel which contains a few in-jokes for lovers of Scottish crime writing.

Mukherjee has previously won the CWA Dagger for best historical novel for his Wyndham and Banerjee series set in 1920s India.

He is in the running for the McIlvanney Prize with Hunted, a thriller set in the run-up to the US election which judges described as an excellent, topical thriller with verve, pace and style aplenty.

Described as a Fleming for the 21st century, Sherwood is shortlisted for A Spy Like Me, the second in a trilogy of Double O novels expanding the James Bond universe.

The judges described it as an exciting addition to the Bond canon.

The Bloody Scotland Prize for Scottish Crime Writing was first awarded in 2012 and was renamed the McIlvanney Prize in 2016 in memory of William McIlvanney, often described as the Godfather of Tartan Noir.

The festival runs from Friday September 13 to Sunday September 15.
Water firm bosses could face up to two years in jail for obstructing regulators under sweeping new laws proposed by the Government to crack down on the pollution of Englands rivers, seas and lakes.

The Water (Special Measures) Bill, introduced to Parliament on Wednesday, will hand new powers to Ofwat and the Environment Agency to take action on companies damaging the environment and failing customers.

The Government said the current enforcement system is insufficient to hold firms accountable for widespread illegality in the sector, citing that only three individuals have been criminally prosecuted by the Environment Agency without appeal since privatisation.

Under the Bill, harsher penalties for law-breaking will be introduced, including jail sentences of up to two years for executives who fail to cooperate or obstruct Environment Agency and Drinking Water Inspectorate investigations.

Spillages have been recorded at Lake Windermere (Danny Lawson/PA)

The burden of proof in civil cases will be lowered so that the Environment Agency can bring forward criminal charges against bosses more easily.

Regulators will also be empowered to ban bonus payments to water bosses if they fail to meet high standards to protect the environment, their consumers and their companys finances.

Years of under-investment by the privately-run firms combined with ageing water infrastructure, a growing population and more extreme weather caused by climate change have seen the quality of Englands rivers, lakes and oceans plummet in recent years.

Sewage spills have contributed to a situation in which no single river in England is considered to be in good overall health, and beauty spots including Windermere in the Lake District have been polluted.

Some water utilities are also creaking under high levels of debt or face criticism over dividends to shareholders and executive bonuses.

Regulators will also be empowered to ban bonus payments to water bosses if they fail to meet high standards to protect the environment (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

The new Labour Government has already announced initial measures to tackle pollution but this is its first major move to deliver on its manifesto pledges to reform the broken water system.

It comes as part of plans for a broader reset of the sector over this parliament, including legislation to speed up sewage infrastructure upgrades and to address how the water industry is run so that it can still attract investment and talent, officials indicated.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: The public are furious that in 21st century Britain, record levels of sewage are being pumped into our rivers, lakes and seas.

Under this Government, water executives will no longer line their own pockets whilst pumping out this filth.

If they refuse to comply, they could end up in the dock and face prison time.

Under the proposed laws, regulators will be able to issue severe and automatic fines without having to direct resources to lengthy investigations, the Government said.

Currently, the regulators cannot impose fixed financial penalties for most offences and the current maximum fine is just 300, meaning it is not cost effective for them to penalise frequent, more minor offences.

Campaigns have been carried out against pollution pn Britains waterways (Danny Lawson/PA)

The legislation will also require independent monitoring of every sewage outlet and the reporting of discharges within the hour of the initial spill.

Currently, some 14,000 storm overflows across England are monitored so that any discharge of untreated sewage during periods of heavy rain can be reported.

However, water firms will now be required to fully monitor the 7,000 emergency overflows, which are only permitted to discharge raw sewage as a last resort from the network in the event of issues such as power outages or pump failures.

The firms will then be required to publish real-time data for all emergency overflows to ensure transparency and alert the public.

To ensure regulators are properly funded, the Bill will expand powers for the watchdogs to recover costs from water companies for enforcement action taken in response to their failings.

Ofwat will also be required to set rules that ensure companies appoint directors and chief executives, and allow them to remain in post, only when they meet the highest standards of fitness and propriety.

Elsewhere, there will be a new statutory requirement for water companies to publish annual pollution incident reduction plans that outline the steps they are taking to address pollution incidents.

Alan Lovell, chair of the Environment Agency, said the regulator welcomed the Governments ambition to drive through much-needed reform.

The Bill will give us, as regulator, more power to protect our precious water quality and resources, hold water companies to account and ensure the polluter pays, he said.

David Black, chief executive of Ofwat, said: This Bill strengthens our powers and will help us drive transformative change in the water industry so that it delivers better outcomes for customers and the environment.

A Water UK spokesman said: We agree with the Government that the water system is broken. Fixing it requires the Government to deliver the two things which it has promised: fundamental regulatory reform and speeding up investment.

Ofwat needs to back our 105 billion investment plan in full to secure our water supplies, enable economic growth and end sewage spilling into our rivers and seas.

Mike Keil, chief executive of the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), said: Our research shows consumer trust in the water sector has been badly fractured by concerns about the environment, which is why we welcome the measures laid out by the UK Government to ensure there are more serious consequences for water companies if they harm our rivers, lakes and seas.

These changes will complement the work were already doing to help transform the culture of water companies, so they are focused on providing the best possible service for their customers.

Responding to the Bill, Charles Watson, chair of River Action, said: It is obviously a relief to finally see the true horrors of years of incessant pollution and the accompanying abject failure of our regulators to do anything about it being candidly acknowledged by our government of the day.

But he added that the few one-off actions announced are not alone going to fix the underlying causes of water pollution.

It is imperative that this commitment to supplement todays small steps with much more fundamental action is now brought forward with real vigour and urgency, he said.

The Tories claimed Labour were attempting to pass off measures implemented under the Conservatives as their own, pointing to a ban on bonuses for water company bosses whose companies who commit serious breaches as an example.

Shadow environment minister Robbie Moore said: It was the Conservatives that introduced 100% monitoring for storm overflows and set out a plan to transform our infrastructure to ensure safer, cleaner waters.

Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Tim Farron meanwhile said the Governments plan simply doesnt look up to scratch to tackling the sewage scandal.

He added: This looks to be a job half done by the Government, now Liberal Democrat MPs will push them to go much further and faster in ending this scandal once and for all.
Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said he wanted to express his gratitude to Ireland meeting Irish premier Simon Harris in Kyiv.

Mr Harris signed a co-operation deal with Mr Zelensky at the Ukrainian leaders office at Horodetskyi House in the city.

The Taoiseach also announced details of a 36-million-euro funding package to organisations working in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

The visit comes a day after 53 people were killed and 200 injured when two Russian ballistic missiles struck a military training facility and hospital in Poltava, 200 miles south east of Kyiv. Elsewhere, children were among seven killed in an overnight strike on Lviv.

The attacks came as Ukrainian forces attempted to secure territory in Russias Kursk border region after a surprise incursion that began last month  and as the Russian army moves deeper into eastern Ukraine.

Taoiseach Simon Harris during a visit to inspect damage to buildings in Borodyanka, Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Harris engagements on Wednesday saw him visit Hostomel and Borodyanka, two areas which had been badly damaged by Russian strikes in the early days of the invasion.

He said: I want to see first hand and with my own eyes the impact of war on the continent of Europe.

Mr Harris saw a prefabricated home, which is now occupied by a family that had previously been displaced, and a newly built kindergarten  both part of projects which Ireland financially supports.

Since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion, Ireland has steadfastly supported Ukraine, providing assistance amounting to approximately 380 million. Today, together with Irelands Taoiseach @SimonHarrisTD, we signed an Agreement on Support for Ukraine and Cooperation pic.twitter.com/ouMPbpWPdW  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) September 4, 2024

The Irish Government said the 36 million euro package will provide essential humanitarian assistance, support rehabilitation and eventual reconstruction, and contribute to Ukraines longer-term goals, including peace, stability and political aspirations.

The Taoiseach also expressed Irelands full support for the Ukrainian bid for EU membership while also discussing continued humanitarian assistance.

Mr Harris also visited the Child Protection Centre in Kyiv prior to his meeting with Mr Zelensky, where Ireland supports work towards the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted into Belarus and Russia.

Taoiseach Simon Harris lays a wreath at the memorial in Maidan Nezalezhnosti square (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Following the bilateral meeting, Mr Zelensky told a press conference that he thanked Ireland for its support of work on returning abducted Ukrainian children to the country.

Irelands participation in the reconstruction of Ukraine will be a substantial support for our people and our countries and our European way of life.

I thank the people of Ireland, I know that after the beginning of the invasion of Russia of our land, youve accepted and really have warmly welcomed more than 100,000 citizens of Ukraine.

The deal includes common work on demining Ukraine, which Mr Zelensky said will save Ukrainians and improve the resilience of Europe.

Taoiseach Simon Harris shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

He added that the deal also includes common work on cyber security.

Mr Zelensky said he also really valued that Mr Harris trip came amid severe attacks on Ukraine.

We value that while Ireland is military neutral, Ireland does not stay neutral morally.

We are grateful to you, Mr Taoiseach, and to the people of Ireland for very specific and clear and principled support and a position countering Russian terror.

Mr Zelensky thanked Ireland for financial support and said: It is really important we are together protecting lives, especially now we need it facing the winter when Russia goes on striking our energy infrastructure.

Mr Harris, who earlier laid a wreath to honour Ukraines war dead at Maidan Square, told reporters: The people of Ireland stand with the people of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Asked by members of the Ukrainian media about the Irish Governments decision to decrease financial support for newly arriving Ukrainians in Ireland, Taoiseach Simon Harris said Ireland will always continue to support people from Ukraine.

Mr Harris said the roughly 109,000 Ukrainians who have been welcomed in Ireland made an incredibly positive contribution to Irish society.

However, he said refugee systems are always under review in terms of sustainability.

He noted the changes applied to people who were being provided with free food, accommodation and a right to work.

Pressed on whether he supported a visa waiver for Ukrainians post-war, Mr Harris said he hoped there would be a situation where that would not be necessary due to Ukraine joining the EU.

Asked if he supported Ukraines request to use long-range missiles at Russian targets, Mr Harris said that would be a matter for the countries supplying such weapons as Irelands assistance is around non-lethal aid.

Mr Zelensky said it would be a matter for further discussion with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal but added he was really thankful for the support thus far.

Mr Harris said he was particularly pleased to invite Mr Zelensky for an official visit to Ireland, to which the Ukrainian president nodded.

The latest cash will take Irelands total funding to Ukraine since February 2022 to more than 380 million euros (320 million), including about 130 million euros (110 million) in stabilisation and humanitarian support.

As part of a policy of military neutrality, Ireland does not provide what it characterises as lethal aid to Ukraine, including weapons.

However, the state has provided 250 million euros (210 million) in non-lethal military assistance under the European Peace Facility and has welcomed approximately 100,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.

Irish Defence Forces members have trained hundreds of Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment.
Two Arizona police officers were shot Tuesday by a person they suspected of a car break-in in Phoenix, leaving one officer fighting for his life, authorities said.

One officer was in critical condition, while the other was saved from serious injury by his ballistic vest, Michael Sullivan, interim Phoenix police chief, said at a news conference late Tuesday.

One suspect was in custody, Sullivan said.

Sullivan said an officer and his partner spotted a person who appeared to be attempting to break into a vehicle. They pursued on foot, and the suspect jumped a fence before firing a weapon, Sullivan said.

After the shooting at about 6:30 p.m., Phoenix police conducted a massive search in the area. Officers with flashlights were stopping and searching vehicles on side streets in a nearby residential neighborhood.

At about 8:55 p.m., Phoenix police said one suspect was detained in relation to the shooting.

'Senseless'

Sullivan was joined at the news conference by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, City Manager Jeff Barton and Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell.

He said it was the 11th time this year that Phoenix police officers had been the target of gunfire.

"What happened tonight is senseless," Sullivan said. "It angers me. I hope you share my anger."

Sullivan, who said he had spent the evening at the hospital, said it was too early to provide information about the officers or specific details about what happened Tuesday night.

He said he spoke with the officer with the less severe injuries, saying he was "traumatized."

Officials post about shooting on social media

Phoenix City Councilmember Ann O'Brien posted a message about the shooting on the social media platform X.

"2 of our officers have been shot while responding to a call for help. Make no mistake, the suspects will be found and will be brought to justice," O'Brien wrote. "When groups and agencies continue to villainize police forces across the country, it only serves to embolden criminals. #BackTheBlue"

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs also posted about the shooting just after 9:10 p.m. and said state troopers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety were ready to assist Phoenix with the investigation.

"Im devastated by this news. My thoughts are with the officers, their families and the entire law enforcement community at this time," Hobbs wrote.

Republic reporter Miguel Torres contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2 Arizona officers injured, 1 critically, in Phoenix shooting
Four Las Vegas teenagers pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in juvenile court for beating their classmate to death, according to news reports.

Jonathan Lewis Jr., 17, died days after he was kicked, punched and stomped on in an alley near Rancho High School on Nov. 1, police said at the time. Video of the beating was posted online and widely shared. Police said 10 teens were involved and arrested at least eight teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 last year.

Students, including Jonathan, met in the alley to fight over "stolen wireless headphones and, possibly, a stolen marijuana vape pen," Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Jason Johansson said at the time. A homicide detective who testified in a grand jury hearing said that video of the attack showed that Jonathan threw a punch at one of the students before being swarmed by the group, the Associated Press reported.

The teens, whom USA TODAY has not named because they were all minors at the time they were charged, were previously charged with murder as adults.

"The matter was rightfully returned to Juvenile court where sentencing matters are confidential," defense attorney Karen Connolly said in an emailed statement.

Connolly represents one of the teens who "deeply regrets his involvement in the fight that led to Jonathans tragic death." The teen was was "not a major participant" in the killing, according to the statement.

They pleaded guilty in juvenile court on Tuesday as part of a deal to keep them from being tried as adults, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. The deal required all four to plead guilty, or they would all again face charges as adults, the outlet reported. They all face an undetermined length of time in juvenile detention. Minors in juvenile detention to not receive specific sentences but are released after they complete rehabilitation programs, said Brigid Duffy, the director of the Clark County district attorneys offices juvenile division.

Mellisa Ready, Jonathan's mother, told the Review-Journal that she opposed the plea deal and wanted stronger penalties for the teenagers.

"Theres literally no one being held accountable with true punishment for my sons murder, she said. "It's disgusting."

The district attorney's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday. USA TODAY has also reached out to Jonathan's father.

Police said at the time that it was Jonathan's friend who had the items stolen, but Jonathan fought on behalf of his friend.

"That's just the kind of person he was," his father, Jonathan Lewis Sr., told USA TODAY in November. He said his son was an avid hip-hop fan who also liked to make digital art.

Contributing: Christopher Cann, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Teens plead guilty in beating death of Jonathan Lewis: Reports
A vehicle is sealed off with police tape at a Maverik gas station in Lehi City, Utah on Tuesday.

An 8-year-old boy who was left alone while his mother was inside a Utah convenience store fatally shot himself with a gun he found in their car, police said.

The shooting happened just before 8 p.m. Monday in the parking lot of a Maverick gas station in Lehi, about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City, Jeanteil Livingston with the Lehi City Police Department told NBC affiliate KSL-TV of Salt Lake City.

The child was taken to the hospital in critical condition and then airlifted to a different hospital. He died from his injuries Tuesday morning, police said.

Police said the shooting appeared to be "unintentional and self-inflicted," The Associated Press reported. The gun was under a seat in the vehicle.

The shooting happened less than two weeks after the death of a 5-year-old Utah boy who accidentally shot himself with a handgun he found in his parents' bedroom, according to The Associated Press. The parents have not been charged.

According to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Utah does not have any laws that penalize adults for failing to secure an unattended firearm.

The 5-year-old boy's family released a statement warning others to take precautions, The Associated Press reported.

"This heartbreaking incident has taught us difficult lessons, and we deeply regret that it unfolded this way," a statement attributed to the "Wilson and Hunsaker families" said. "Our hearts are shattered, and we hope that our familys loss serves as a poignant reminder of how quickly life can change."
Texas police are investigating a shooting and carjacking in Houston over the weekend that left a 90-year-old man dead.

The Houston Police Department reported that the shooting occurred shortly after noon on Saturday. Officers responding to a report of an assault in progress found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot of an independent living facility, police said. The man was taken by paramedics to a nearby hospital, but later pronounced deceased.

The victim was later identified as 90-year-old Nelson Beckett, who Texas Governor Greg Abbott said was a Navy veteran.

According to an initial investigation, Houston police said Beckett was in his vehicle when he was approached by an unidentified male suspect, who assaulted and robbed him. The suspect then shot Beckett, stealing his car and running over Beckett as he fled the scene, police said.

The vehicle was later recovered at an apartment complex.

Rewards offered for information leading to arrest

On Monday, Abbotts office announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of the shooter.

Cecilia and I are deeply saddened to hear of the murder of 90-year-old Navy veteran Nelson Beckett in Houston, the Governor said in a statement. Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones, and the entire Houston community during this difficult time. Texas is already working with our local partners and providing full support in bringing this criminal to justice."

Crime Stoppers of Houston also announced an additional $5,000 reward.

Nelson Beckett's son, Tim Beckett, told local ABC news affiliate KTRK that his father, "Was always an outgoing person until his very last day," adding, "We'll miss him."

The shooting remained under investigation Wednesday.

Max Hauptman is a Trending Reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached at MHauptman@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 90-year-old Navy veteran fatally shot in Houston carjacking: police
A beluga whale that was suspected to be used as a Russian intelligence-gathering tool that became an oceanic celebrity was found dead Saturday.

Hvaldimir the beluga whale was found after it was spotted floating off the Norwegian coast by Marine Mind, an organization that has tracked whale's movements since its discovery in 2019, near the town of Risavika in the south-west of the country.

The animal was first discovered with a harness with a camera mount strapped to it marked, "Equipment St. Petersburg" by a fisherman near the northernmost point of Norway. The whale would allow people to pet its nose and was well known in the Baltic region.

"Hvaldimir was not just a beluga whale; he was a beacon of hope, a symbol of connection, and a reminder of the deep bond between humans and the natural world," Marine Mind said in an Aug. 31 Facebook post. "Hvaldimir bridged the gap between humans and wild animals in a way that few can."

Marine Mind said that a necropsy will be performed but did not respond to a question from USA TODAY on when that would occur.

Whales, dolphins used since the Cold War

The use of marine animals for military purposes traces back to the Cold War as both the U.S. and U.S.S.R. used dolphins to protect ships and harbors as well as detect submarines and landmines.

The U.S. Naval Institute News reported in 2022 that whale pens had been found at Olenya Guba, the Russian naval base of the country's main directorate of deep-sea research. The country also used dolphins to protect its fleet in the Black Sea

Hvaldimir's friendliness is believed to be a result of training from the Russian military, though the country has not responded to the allegations of using the animal as a spy tool, according to the BBC.

The whale's name is a play on the name of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alleged Russian spy whale Hvaldimir found dead off Norwegian shore
Remarkable progress made in building a digital China

People's Daily Online) 11:26, September 04, 2024

Online shopping for clothes, entering a virtual fitting room to try on outfits with just one click, intuitively feeling if the outfit matches; going to a popular restaurant, taking a number and ordering online in advance, saving time and effort; living at home, smart furniture and appliances that can be remotely controlled or voice-activated greatly enhance comfort; stepping out and opening navigation software, route planning and arrival times are clear at a glance...

The widespread application of digital technologies is influencing daily life, from clothing and food to housing and transportation, allowing more and more people to enjoy the benefits of digitalization. Not only that, but data, as a new type of production factor, has been rapidly integrated into all aspects of production, distribution, circulation, consumption, and social service management, profoundly changing production methods, lifestyles, and social governance.

A correspondent views a 3D display product at the Smart China Expo 2021 in Chongqing, southwest China. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

The widespread application of digital technologies is directly connected to the tremendous progress that has been made in building a digital China. The country has accelerated steps to carry out reform related to the market-oriented allocation of data elements, and its digital economy has continuously expanded, according to the Digital China Development Report (2023) recently issued by the National Data Administration (NDA).

The expanding importance of data has been at the forefront of China's digital transformation.

By the end of 2023, more than 20 provinces had established specialized data trading institutions, with Guangdong, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces ranking among the highest in terms of the number of data trading institutions in China.

China has seen a sea change in the scale and scope of data sharing since last year, said Hu Jianbo, vice president of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology.

China's total data output reached 32.85 zettabytes (ZB) in 2023, up 22.44 percent year-on-year. By the end of last year, the country's data storage volume hit 1.73 ZB.

This year, the NDA will continue to roll out institutional documents focusing on data property rights, data circulation, revenue distribution, security governance, public data development and utilization, enterprise data development and utilization, high-quality development of the digital economy, and data infrastructure construction, said Liu Liehong, head of the NDA.

This will transform China's vast data resources into a new competitive advantage to promote high-quality development and contribute to advancing Chinese modernization, Liu added.

The value-added output of core industries in the digital economy in 2023 is expected to exceed 12 trillion yuan ($1.684 trillion), making up about 10 percent of China's GDP.

The digital transformation of the manufacturing sector has also been further promoted.

Last year, the numerical control rate of key processes and the penetration rate of R&D and design tools for digital transformation in major industrial enterprises reached 62.2 percent and 79.6 percent, up by 12.1 and 9.4 percentage points from 2019, respectively.

In 2023, China was home to 62 "lighthouse factories", accounting for 40 percent of the global total of such factories selected by the World Economic Forum as representing the highest level of global intelligent manufacturing.

China has maintained its position as the world's largest online retail market for 11 consecutive years. Last year, the county's e-commerce transaction volume approached 46.83 trillion yuan, up 9.4 percent from the previous year, and its online retail sales hit 15.42 trillion yuan.

"Thanks to the continuous improvement of digital infrastructure and basic systems for data, China's digital economy has made great strides in both technological and model innovation, and the platform economy has played an increasingly important role," said Ouyang Rihui, assistant dean of the Chinese Internet Economy Research Institute at the Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing.

He added that the country has further pushed forward the digital transformation of various industries, and the scale of its digital economy has seen steady growth.

Visitors experience digital Palace Museum at the Palace Museum in Beijing, capital of China. (Photo/Xinhua)

Digitalization is also improving how people connect with the government, public services, and cultural content.

China has maintained a leading position in the world in the realm of digital governance. Over 90 percent of government services are now available online, and online and one-stop services are provided for over 92.5 percent of the items requiring provincial administrative licensing.

The supply of digital cultural content is expanding and improving in quality. By the end of 2023, among the 1.86 million pieces of cultural relics preserved by the Palace Museum, 900,000 pieces had undergone digital collection, accounting for approximately 48 percent. The National Museum has achieved similar levels, with approximately 49 percent of cultural relics undergoing digital collection.

Digital education is developing equitably. As of Oct. 2023, schools at all levels and types achieved full internet coverage, with more than three-quarters of schools achieving wireless network coverage. By the end of 2023, the National Smart Education Platform had gathered 88,000 resources for primary and secondary schools, a year-on-year increase of 100 percent. 10,000 high quality courses for vocational education were also uploaded, a nearly tenfold increase year-on-year.

The building of a digital China and the accelerated development of new quality productive forces will boost the vitality and resilience of the Chinese economy, Ouyang said. Digitalization is a powerful engine to advance Chinese modernization in an accelerated manner.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun)
A news conference is set for Wednesday afternoon following a shooting at a Georgia high school that killed four people and injured several others.

The 4:30 p.m. ET news conference will be streamed by USA TODAY via the embed below. You can also livestream the press conference on USA TODAY's YouTube page.

The shooting occurred Wednesday morning at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. One unidentified suspect is alive and in custody, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said. Nine people were hospitalized following the shooting, according to the statewide agency.

"This is a very, very fluid investigation," Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said in an earlier news conference, adding that officials would give more information at 4:30 p.m. ET.

"What you see behind us is an evil thing," Smith said outside the high school.

Follow here for live updates: 4 confirmed dead, suspect in custody after school shooting in Georgia

Watch live: Press conference for Apalachee High School shooting

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Apalachee High School shooting: Watch livestream of press conference
The recipe has a 4.9-star average rating from our community.

Photographer: Morgan Glaze/Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling/Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Best Recipes 2024: Were back for our 2nd annual Best Recipes showdown! For 2024 we combed through our more than 55,000 recipes to find a winner in each of the following five categories of Party Food: Champion Mains, Top-Notch Apps, Winning Brunch Bites, Gold Medal Sweets, and Prize-Worthy Sides.

When it comes to entertaining, the right side dishes can really make a party sing. Thats why the Allrecipes team set out to determine the most Prize-Worthy Side dish of 2024 as part of its annual Best Recipes Showdown! With this years theme all about party food, the editors began the search for 10 sides that were a step up from standard weeknight fare: appealing to lots of folks, adaptable to feed a crowd, and most importantly, memorable. The nomineesincluding delicious options like Greek Lemon Rice and Parmesan Cabbagewere all winners in their own right, but a community-wide vote narrowed the field to two semi-finalists.

Is it a surprise that those two featured everyones favorite vegetable: the potato? Maybe not, but now it was up to two expert judges who met at our test kitchens in Birmingham to taste each side and cast their votes for the ultimate winner.

Meet the Judges

We brought the judging heat to our Prize-Worthy Sides Showdown. Meet them now!

Nicole McLaughlin: McLaughlin is a senior producer and on-camera talent for Allrecipes. With more than 20 years of experience in the culinary world, she has a bachelor's in restaurant and hospitality management from the University of Alabama and a culinary arts degree from Johnson and Wales University.

Roscoe Hall: Best known for competing in season 18 of Top Chef, Allrecipes contributor Hall began his culinary journey at Chez Panisse, where he trained under the legendary Alice Waters for two years. His cooking chops have taken him all over the country where hes worked in kitchens from Portland, Oregon to New York City.

Photographer: Morgan Glaze/Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling/Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Meet the Two Contenders

Bang Bang Potatoes: Developed by Allrecipes test-kitchen assistant Amanda Holstein, this fairly recent recipe has already racked up a 4.9-star average from the community. And for good reason: Here, standard roasted potatoes get a party-worthy elevation with the addition of a creamy yet spicy sauce made from mayonnaise, buttermilk, sweet Thai chili sauce, and sriracha.

Steakhouse au Gratin Potatoes: Submitted by Allrecipes community member Ingalyn, these dreamy potatoes are everything you want in an au gratin-style side dish. The creamy, cheesy, and garlicky flavor will keep guests coming back for more. You have to be careful when bringing this dish to a party, it will be highly requested once friends and family get a taste!

What the Judges Had to Say

Bang Bang Potatoes: Both Hall and McLaughlin were big fans of the spicy aspect of the dish. McLaughlin also noted that the potatoes were perfectly cooked which was surely thanks to our outstanding test-kitchen team, but also because the recipe cleverly has you coat the potatoes in a bit of cornstarch before roasting, which leads to extra crispy potatoes every time. Just like the community, each judge gave this recipe a hefty 4.9-star rating!

Steakhouse au Gratin Potatoes: While its hard to find fault with creamy, cheesy potatoes, this casserole left our professionals wanting more. Hall wished there was a bit more sauce to the recipe, while McLaughlin thought it needed more salt and pepper. Overall, they both enjoyed the simplicity and creaminess of the potatoes.



And the Winner Is.

Bang Bang Potatoes!

Once you give this Prize Worthy Side dish a try, youll never go back to plain old roasted potatoes. Community member minaayindra put it best with this glowing review: Excellent! Super easy to make, it is a quick and very precise recipe. The crispiness of the potatoes, the crunch of the scallions, the spicing that wasn't too hot for regular people, all came together in my new favorite recipe. I made it exactly as written and I wouldn't change a thing.



Read the original article on All Recipes.
Rachel "Raygun" Gunn sat down for her first news interview about her viral performance at the 2024 Summer Games

Elsa/Getty Rachel Gunn

For the first time since her viral Olympic performance, Australian breakdancer Rachel Raygun Gunn sat down for an interview to talk about the backlash she received online during the 2024 Summer Games.

It is really sad to hear those criticisms and I am very sorry for the backlash that the community has experienced, Gunn, 37, tells Australia 10 News in a new interview, which aired Wednesday. But I cant control how people react.

Gunn, 37, has yet to return to Australia since the viral performance, according to the news channel.

In Paris, Gunn lost all three of her competitions by a combined score of 54-0 and became the butt of jokes online, poking fun at the sport and her performance  which included several nods to her home country, including at one point when Gunn began to hop like a kangaroo.

"It was really sad how much hate that it did evoke," Gunn says in the interview. "And a lot of the responses is also just due to people not being very familiar with breaking and the diversity of approaches in breaking. The energy and vitriol that people had was pretty alarming."

Related: Who Is Raygun? Meet the Olympic Aussie Breakdancer Who Went Viral for Her Dance Moves

Elsa/Getty Rachel Gunn

Gunn, a breakdancing professor at Macquarie University, located in Sydney, also studies "the cultural politics of breaking in her profession.



In the interview with Australia 10 News, Gunn also defended her inclusion on Australias Olympic roster, when asked whether she is the best breakdancer her country could have sent to the Summer Games.

I think my record speaks to that, Gunn says, pointing to her being the top-ranked breaker in Australia in 2020 and 2022, and 2023. The record is there, but anything can happen in a battle."

Related: Australian Breaking Organization Says Raygun's Selection for Paris Olympics Was Fair, Dispels Cheating Rumors

Ezra Shaw/Getty Rachel Gunn

Last month, an online petition gathered more than 50,000 signatures amid unfounded accusations that Gunn had cheated her way into the Olympics by manipulating the selection process.



In her interview Wednesday, Gunn dismissed the accusations as "conspiracy theories, calling them just awful.

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"That was really upsetting, because it wasn't just people that didn't understand breaking and were just angry about my performance, she says. "It was people that are now attacking our reputation and our integrity. And none of them were grounded in any kind of facts. People still don't believe the truth, but ... I think that's just going to be part of our reality, unfortunately."

In an Instagram post last month, Gunn said despite the devastating criticism she received over her performance, it was still an honor and a privilege to be one of sixteen women from around the world competing in breakings debut at the Olympics."

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WASHINGTON  The Departments of Justice, State and Treasury announced Wednesday a joint effort to target with sanctions and criminal charges what the Biden administration says are Russian government-sponsored attempts to manipulate U.S. public opinion ahead of the November election.

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced charges against two employees of the Russian-backed media network RT accused of conspiring to commit money laundering and violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act in an indictment unsealed Wednesday in the Southern District of New York.

"The American people are entitled to know when a foreign power is attempting to exploit our country's free exchange of ideas in order to send around its own propaganda," Garland said.

While the indictment redacted the names of political parties and candidates, it was clear through the documents that the Russians sought to bolster Republican former President Donald Trump and to harm Democratic efforts  who likely would have been Joe Biden at the time.

Garland accused Konstantin Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva of implementing a nearly $10 million scheme to hire a Tennessee-based company to publish and disseminate pro-Russian content. That company then contracted with U.S.-based social media influencers to share content on their platforms. The information was "often consistent with Russias interest in amplifying U.S. domestic divisions in order to weaken U.S. opposition to core Russian interests, particularly its ongoing war in Ukraine," the attorney general said.

Kalashnikov identified himself as RT's "Deputy Chief of the Digital Media Projects Department," and Afanasyeva has identified herself on social media as a "producer at RT, dealing with overseas affairs and news," the indictment said.

"The company never disclosed to the influencers or to their millions of followers as ties to RT and the Russian government. Instead, the defendants and the company claimed that the company was sponsored by a private investor, but that private investor was a fictitious persona," Garland said.

The company published "hundreds of videos" that contained "commentary on events and issues in the United States, such as immigration, inflation, and other topics related to domestic and foreign policy."

At the White House briefing, when asked if high-level Russian officials were clued into RTs activity, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the U.S. believes Russian President Vladimir Putin was aware.

We believe Mr. Putin is weighing in on these actions, Kirby said.

'We have no tolerance'

The attorney general said that the investigation remains ongoing and that the DOJ is seizing 32 internet domains that the Russian government and Russian actors have used to influence the U.S. election.

The attorney general made clear that Iran has also been responsible for activities seeking to compromise former President Donald Trumps campaign in an effort to interfere with the election outcome.

The Justice Departments message is clear: We have no tolerance for attempts by authoritarian regimes to exploit our democratic system of government. We will be relentlessly aggressive in countering and disrupting attempts by Russia, Iran, as well as China or any other foreign malign actor, interfere in elections and undermine our members."

Before Garland's announcement, the Treasury Department announced that its Office of Foreign Assets Control had designated 10 people and two entities as part of a "coordinated U.S. government response to Moscows malign influence efforts targeting the 2024 U.S. presidential election."

The Treasury Department weighed in on the influence campaign, saying in its announcement of sanctions that RT "used a front company to disguise its own involvement or the involvement of the Russian government in content meant to influence U.S. audiences."





Treasury also sanctioned a popular pro-Russian hacktivist group, RaHDIt, and said it was actually headed by current and former Russian intelligence officers. Its run by Aleksey Alekseyevich Garashchenko, who at the time of the groups founding was an active member of the FSB, the successor agency to the KGB, and still maintains direct contact with Kremlin intelligence agencies, Treasury said.

RaHDIt is one of dozens of pro-Russia hacktivist groups that has appeared since Russias invasion of Ukraine. Like most of those groups, it brags about its operations on Telegram, where its channel has more than 60,000 followers. Many of its posts are devoted to revealing photographs, names and other biographical information about people it alleges work for Ukraine.

Alex Leslie, a threat intelligence analyst at the cybersecurity company Recorded Future, told NBC News that RaHDIt, unlike some other pro-Russia hacker groups, particularly focuses on hack-and-leak operations and frequently gets coverage in Russian-language media.

A history of Russian efforts

Under the new actions, all property and interests in property of the designated people that are in the U.S. or in the possession or control of Americans are blocked and must be reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the Treasury Department said.

The State Department also announced three related actions, including, a new visa restriction policy imposed on individuals the administration said were acting on behalf of Kremlin-supported media organizations who use those organizations as cover for covert activities. A senior State Department official said it's also designating six RT affiliates that operate in the U.S. as "foreign missions" as well as offering a reward of up to $10 million for information regarding potential foreign efforts to interfere in U.S. elections.

U.S. intelligence agencies have previously assessed that Russia wants to interfere in the 2024 election and flagged RT as a source of Russian propaganda and disinformation and required it to register as a foreign agent.

Russia's state-controlled Russia Today (RT) television broadcast vans in Moscow in 2018.

RT's editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan has close ties to top Russian Government officials and has stated publicly that the Russian Government sets rating and viewership requirements for RT and, 'since RT receives budget from the state, it must complete tasks given by the state,'" according to an ODNI report released publicly in 2017 following Russias efforts in the 2016 election.

The office of the Director of National Intelligence specifically said in July that Russia is seeking to exert influence over the U.S. election to undermine support for the Democratic presidential nominee and American public support for arming Ukraine.

CNN was first to report the expected sanctions.

Russia was found to have interfered in the 2016 presidential election by multiple U.S. investigations, including by the team led by then-special counsel Robert Mueller. The probes determined that the efforts were intended to help Donald Trump win the election over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

In February, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that the Biden administration had "concerns" about possible Russian interference in the 2024 election cycle.

This is not about politics, Sullivan said. This is about national security. It is about a foreign country, a foreign adversary, seeking to manipulate the politics and democracy of the United States of America.

NBC News reported that same month that U.S. officials and cyber experts said that Russia was already disseminating disinformation using bots and fake online accounts to hurt President Joe Biden, while he was running for re-election, and other Democratic candidates.

Russian outlets also helped spread misinformation about the 2020 election, but their impact was dwarfed by former President Trumps efforts to undermine the 2020 election himself.
Boeing's beleaguered spacecraft will attempt to undock from the International Space Station on Friday and return to Earth without any astronauts onboard, NASA announced on Wednesday.

The space agency said teams are on track for the uncrewed departure of the Starliner capsule, provided weather forecasts remain clear at its landing site in New Mexico. The journey back to Earth is expected to last around six hours, culminating in a landing at New Mexicos White Sands Space Harbor in the early minutes of Saturday morning.

The return flight represents the final phase of a high-stakes test flight that did not go as planned. The mission  Starliner's first crewed trip to space  was meant to prove that Boeing could reliably ferry astronauts to and from the space station, paving the way for NASA to certify it to do so. But after launching NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on June 5, problems cropped up with several of the spacecrafts thrusters, and leaking helium was detected in its propulsion system.

The issues forced NASA to keep Starliner and the astronauts on the space station for months longer than expected as engineers on the ground scrambled to investigate the malfunctions. In the end, NASA decided that the Starliner capsule would fly back to Earth without anyone onboard, while Wilmore and Williams wait to hitch a ride home on a SpaceX capsule in February instead.

Im personally looking very forward to getting Starliner back, Steve Stich, manager of NASAs Commercial Crew Program, said Wednesday in a news briefing. Weve learned a lot on this test flight, but well continue to learn more, Im sure, through the undock and the de-orbit phase.

Starliner is scheduled to depart the space station on Friday at around 6:04 p.m. ET, then touch down in New Mexico at 12:03 a.m. ET.

The undocking process will be slightly different than it would be with astronauts onboard, with the capsule moving up and away from the space station more quickly, according to Anthony Vareha, lead flight director for the Starliners undocking and return at NASAs Johnson Space Center. The changes were made largely to protect the space station in case something goes wrong, and because astronauts will not be onboard to take manual control of the spacecraft, if necessary.

After it backs away from the orbiting outpost, Starliners engines will fire whats known as a de-orbit burn to put it on a fiery path through Earths atmosphere. As it approaches the landing site in New Mexico, the capsule will deploy parachutes above and airbags underneath the spacecraft to cushion its landing.

For Boeing, a successful return of its Starliner capsule will likely be a bittersweet moment. If all goes smoothly, it may indicate that the NASA astronauts could have flown home safely on the spacecraft, even though the agency's top officials voted unanimously to call on SpaceX for the return flight to minimize the risk of additional failures.

Its unclear how the NASA certification process will play out now. Stich said NASA and Boeing are working together on modifications to the thrusters. Additional work will be carried out once the vehicle is back and engineers have had a chance to evaluate how it performed.

All thats going to start taking place, and theres teams starting to look at what we do to get the vehicle fully certified in the future, Stich said.

Boeing was one of two private companies awarded contracts under NASAs Commercial Crew Program to build new space vehicles to take astronauts to low-Earth orbit after the agencys space shuttles were retired. Rival company SpaceX developed its Crew Dragon spacecraft as part of the program and has been ferrying NASA astronauts to and from the space station since 2020.
LONDON  A Colorado mom who is fighting extradition from Britain to the United States allegedly drugged her children and told them to close their eyes before fatally shooting and stabbing two of them, a court heard on Wednesday.

Days after the lifeless bodies of her children, aged 7 and 9, were found at her home in Colorado Springs on Dec. 19, Kimberlee Singler was arrested London on Dec. 30 after flying to the U.K.

Singler, 36, is resisting American attempts to extradite her on the grounds that her alleged crimes  which she denies  carry an automatic sentence of life without parole, which her legal team argue is a breach of the European human rights law.

Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights  a legally binding statute followed by 46 countries, including the U.K.  prohibits "inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."

Kimberlee Singler.

Westminster Magistrates Court in Central London heard details of how she allegedly killed her children and is then said to have covered up her crimes.

The seven charges she faces, brought by the Colorado Springs Police Department and the FBI, include two counts of first degree murder after deliberation and two counts of murder of someone under 12 by a person in a position of trust.

She is also charged with the attempted murder of a third child, 11, who survived despite serious injuries and was told to lie about the ordeal, the court heard. The surviving child told police the perpetrator was a man who entered the home, but later told a foster carer that her mother was responsible for the attacks.

Singler said that God told her to do it, the court heard.

Singler, who will give evidence in the three-day hearing, spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth. Edward Fitzgerald KC, her attorney, said that she denies the charges against her and insists she is innocent.

Joel Smith KC, the attorney representing the U.S. government, said that the killings happened in the context of an acrimonious custody battle between Singler and the children's father.

Singler had been ordered to transfer them to his custody, but failed to do so, Smith said. On Dec. 19, the day after a court order was issued, police responded to an emergency call at Singler's home and found the two children dead.

She shot the first child in the head and stabbed her in the neck, she shot the second child to the head and stabbed her in the neck. She attacked the third child to the neck with a knife causing serious lacerations," Smith said.

Police found the two dead children lying in bed together.

Investigators also found live rounds and spent cartridges were found in a closet, as well as a gun that had been handled by someone with blood on their hands, and a blood-stained knife, the court heard.

In the kitchen trash were two empty bottles of sleeping pills, Smith said. There had been no sign of a break-in.

"(The surviving child) said that the defendant had told the three children to close their eyes, she guided the first two children into the bedroom and approached the third child and told her to close her eyes. She then cut her to the side of the neck," Smith said.

Smith argued that there was no barrier to Singler being extradited in human rights law because crimes in the U.S. can be commuted by the governor. A life sentence, which Singler is almost certain to receive, should not be a barrier to extradition, he said.

"In America, if there's an executive clemency route, that is sufficient. It does not have to be a judicial route," Smith said.

Fitzgerald, who also acted for Julian Assange in his long-running extradition case in London, argued that it would be unlawful to extradite someone who faces life without parole without considering any mitigating factors.

The U.K. has 63 people under life sentences while the U.S. has 49,000, he said.

"It's totally alien to us ... to say 'I would sentence you to life without parole' simply because of the category of the offense, without considering any of the person's circumstances," he said.

"Here is a person with her first offense, a devoted mother, who does this out of the blue," he continued. "Are we to say that this mandatory imposition of this sentence of life without parole ... would be fine?"

The hearing is expected to last three days.
Democrats are seeking to put Republicans in Florida on defense over the issue of abortion.

While winning the Sunshine State will be an uphill climb for Democrats, Vice President Harriss campaign has increased its presence in Florida amid an effort to legalize the procedure in the state through a ballot initiative that will go before voters in November.

The Fighting for Reproductive Rights bus tour launched Tuesday in Palm Beach, former President Trumps hometown, and will feature Harris surrogates meeting with voters to discuss access to reproductive rights.

Additionally, polls show an increasingly tight race for Floridas Senate seat, as former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-Fla.) hammers incumbent Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) on abortion rights.

Florida is undoubtedly more competitive now than it was a couple of months ago, one Democratic operative said.

Democrats up and down the ballot in Florida have pounced on the issue ever since it was clear that it would be on the ballot this fall.

When Floridas state Supreme Court ruled a six-week abortion ban approved by the state Legislature could take effect in April, it also allowed for a ballot measure to go before voters in the fall. That measure will allow them to weigh in on whether to protect access to abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Last week, former President Trump made headlines when he said he thought the states six-week abortion ban was too short. However, the next day, Trump said he will vote against Floridas Amendment 4, which would enshrine abortion rights in the states constitution.

Trump is tying himself to that six-week abortion ban, the Democratic operative said. There is no reason why he had to say he was supporting it except for fear on the right.

Democrats also point to victories in recent special elections, including a special election in State House District 35 for a seat that was previously held by a Republican. Additionally, Democrats cite last months defeats of a number of school board candidates backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), who is appearing on the Harris bus tour, said Tuesday that abortion makes Florida competitive this cycle, pointing to the Mucarsel-Powell race to replace Scott.

I think youre going to see Florida in play, and an amendment for [reproductive rights] puts it on the map in a big way, she told CNN.

Republicans, however, are downplaying the significance of the issue. Trump won Florida by 3 points in 2020, but since then the party has seemingly strengthened their hold on the Sunshine State, sweeping to victory there in the 2022 midterms even as the party fared poorly in other parts of the country.

Theyre just trying to look for electoral votes anyway possible and because of the issue of abortion its clear thats why the Harris campaign is trying that, said GOP strategist Ford OConnell, referring to the Harris campaign. Theyre looking at the exact same electoral numbers as the Trump campaign.

Republicans also note that the economy will ultimately be a larger priority among the states most historically reliable voters.

Gov. DeSantis has made the economy the No. 1 issue for Florida voters. It remains their top concern. Democrats may make some inroads with voters with the abortion issue but its going to be an uphill battle for them, said Dan Eberhart, a Trump donor. The population has gotten older and more conservative over the last decade. They arent going to be able to change the demographics.

Still, the Harris campaign is considering Florida an important state, as evident in the more than 80 staff members it has assigned there. More than 40,000 Floridians have reached out to the Harris campaign to volunteer since she launched her presidential bid in July, according to the campaign.

Harris is putting Florida in play because voters are outright rejecting [Trumps] and Rick Scotts backward, toxic policies, said Democratic strategist Michael Starr Hopkins, who was a senior adviser on former Rep. Charlie Crists (D-Fla.) unsuccessful 2022 gubernatorial run in Florida.

Trump and Scotts extreme positions arent just liabilities  theyre political dead weight, he added.

When President Biden was at the top of the ticket, his campaign announced in April that they were hoping to flip Florida and that the states 30 electoral votes were in play.

Campaign Chair Jen OMalley Dillon in June said Florida is not a battleground state, but with Harris now at the top of the ticket, polls have indicated that shes gaining ground on Trump.

A USA Today/Suffolk University/WSVN-TV poll last month found Harris just 5 points behind Trump among likely Florida voters, 42 percent support to 47 percent, which is just outside the polls margin of error. That marks small gains on Trump compared to Bidens polling in Florida. Just days before dropping out of the race, Biden was trailing Trump by 5.2 percentage points in the state, according to Decision Desk HQ/The Hills aggregation of polls.

In the Senate race, polls show a similar gap. A Florida Atlantic University poll released last month shows Mucarsel-Powell trailing Scott by 4 points, 47 percent support to 43 percent, among likely voters. The margin of error is 3 points. A separate University of North Florida poll showed a similar gap with a plus or minus 4.6 point margin of error.

Mucarsel-Powells campaign cited both polls in a memo released Tuesday, saying they were within striking distance of Scott.

With highly popular ballot initiatives for abortion and marijuana on the ballot this November and with a presidential race on the ticket with Scott for the very first time, this election will mark the first time Scott is facing a highly motivated and energized Democratic electorate in Florida, the memo read.

Democrats are hoping that marijuana on the ballot, along with abortion, could juice the youth vote in November. When Floridas Supreme Court allowed for the abortion ballot measure, it also opted not to block a ballot initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana use after Republican lawmakers in the state previously rejected the measure.

But Republicans note that Florida voters have a history of voting for liberal ballot measures while backing conservative candidates. In 2020, for example, Trump won the state while the $15 minimum wage measure passed.

Obviously both Amendments Three and Four are designed to boost Democratic turnout, OConnell noted.

He added: Everyone is looking for an edge somewhere. The difference is that at this juncture [Florida] is pretty much in the bag for Trump.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Beverly Bryan has claimed her late husband's liver  and not his spleen  was allegedly removed at a Florida hospital

Courtesy Zarzaur Law Beverly Bryan with her late husband William before a surgeon allegedly removed his liver instead of his spleen

A woman claims a Florida surgeon removed her late husband's liver  not his spleen  which caused his death

"We take allegations like this very seriously," Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital told PEOPLE in a statement

PEOPLE has reached out to the surgeon, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, for comment

A woman is claiming a Florida surgeon who operated on her husband caused his death when the doctor removed his liver instead of his spleen.

According to Florida law, a pre-suit process  which may include convening with a panel that includes an attorney, health care provider, and a claims adjuster  must occur before filing a lawsuit. However, Zarzaur Law. which is representing Beverly Bryan in this case, has shared Operative Documentation and the Surgical Pathology Report with PEOPLE, the latter of which confirms that the liver was indeed removed, but does not confirm it was done in error.

Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital told PEOPLE they're taking the allegations "very seriously."

Muscle Shoals, Ala., residents William Bryan and his wife Beverly were visiting Okaloosa County, Fla., when he sought medical care Aug. 18 for severe abdominal pain, according to the Operative Documentation shared with PEOPLE by Zarzaur Law.

According to the report, while at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital, Bryan, 70, was told he needed surgery; he then refused surgical intervention and stated that he wished to be discharged home to travel back to Alabama.

Courtesy Zarzaur Law William and Beverly Bryan

According to the Operative Documentation shared with PEOPLE, the hospital discussed his case at length and explained to the patient that he is not cleared for discharge Discussed the fact that should he wish to leave the hospital it would be against medical advice at this time. Patient elected to stay in the hospital. On hospital day 2 surgical intervention was recommended.

Bryan was admitted for intra-abdominal hemorrhage associated with splenic artery aneurysm rupture and cardiac arrest, according to the Operative Documentation  which is the detailed account of a patient's treatment  Zarzaur Law shared with PEOPLE.

However, Patient verbalized understanding and continue to refuse surgical intervention, the documents state. Patient wished to be discharged home and follow-up with his regular doctor in Alabama.

Related: Jacky Oh's Death from Cosmetic Surgery Complications Ruled Accidental, Doctor Wont Face Charges

The report goes on to say that the case was discussed with the patient and his wife at length preoperatively until they agreed to proceed with surgery.

According to the documents, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky was expected to perform a laparoscopic hand-assisted splenectomy, and that during the surgery, the entire spleen was exposed noted to be severely deformed.

It was at this point, due to the large size of the spleen we elected to convert to open procedure, the documents state.

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The Cleveland Clinic defines the spleen as "a small organ inside your left rib cage, just above the stomach. Its part of the lymphatic system."

The liver "is a large organ in the abdomen," according to the Cleveland Clinic, which adds "Under normal conditions, the liver is located on the right side of the body."

Getty Stock image of an operating room

During the procedure, due to extensive blood loss at the time of aneurysmal rupture patient's blood pressure decreased abruptly and patient decompensated into cardiac arrest.

But according to a surgical pathology report Zarzaur Law shared with PEOPLE, it wasnt the deformed spleen, but Bryans liver, that had been removed.

Related: Surgeon Fined $3,000 for Mistakenly Amputating the Wrong Leg on a Patient

Received in [the preservative solution] formalin labeled with the patient's name and 'spleen', Is a grossly identifiable 2,106 g liver, the surgical pathology report says.

Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital told PEOPLE in a statement, "We take allegations like this very seriously, and our leadership team is performing a thorough investigation into this event."



"Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast has a longstanding history of providing safe, quality care since the hospital opened its doors in 2003. Patient safety is and remains our number one priority. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family. We hold the privacy of our patients in the highest regard. We do not comment on specific patient cases or active litigation."

As Beverly Bryan said via her lawyer, "My husband died while helpless on the operating room table by Dr. Shaknovsky."

PEOPLE has reached out to Dr. Shaknovsky for comment.



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Read the original article on People.
By Nandita Bose and Kanishka Singh

PORTSMOUTH, New Hampshire (Reuters) -The campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has accepted the rules of next week's debate against Republican Donald Trump, including microphones being muted when it is not a candidate's turn to speak, a source familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

The debate would be the first between Trump and Harris, who took over as the Democratic candidate from President Joe Biden following his decision to step aside on July 21 after a faltering debate performance in late June against the former president.

The source, who declined to be identified, said the Harris campaign was still hoping for moments where ABC News, which will host the Sept. 10 debate, is forced to unmute the mics and let the candidates respond.

Harris' rise to the top of the Democratic ticket has re-energized a Democratic campaign that had harbored doubts about Biden's chances.

Polls showed that Trump had built a lead over Biden but Harris has since edged ahead of the Republican candidate in some national opinion polls.

Over the weekend, Harris called on Trump to debate her with their microphones switched on throughout the event.

So-called "hot mics" can help or hurt political candidates, catching off-hand comments that sometimes were not meant for the public. Muted microphones also prevent the debaters from interrupting their opponent.

Trump senior adviser Jason Miller said he was thrilled that Harris and her team had accepted the rules.

"Americans want to hear both candidates present their competing visions to the voters, unburdened by what has been," he said. "No notes, no sitting down, no advance copies of the questions."

Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz and Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance have also agreed to an Oct. 1 debate on CBS News.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose; Writing by Kanishka Singh; Additional reporting by Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Deepa Babington and Stephen Coates)
Vice President Kamala Harris is favored by Latinos in Spanish-speaking and bilingual households at a higher rate than in English-speaking ones, according to a new poll on Latino eligible voters.

The poll of 3,000 Latinos surveyed Aug. 3-23 shows 59% said they would vote for Harris if the election were held today, compared to 32% for Trump.

But among English-dominant Latino households, Harris lead over Trump significantly tightens. Just over half, 51%, of the English-speaking households support Harris, while Trumps support among such households rises to 38%.

Signage outside a polling station at Randolph Elementary School in Arlington, Va., on March 5.

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In Spanish-dominant households, Harris draws 64% of Latino voters, while Trump drops to 30%. In bilingual households, Latinos polled split 54% for Harris, 33% for Trump.

The poll released by UnidosUS, the largest Latino advocacy group, was done by BSP Research, a Democratic polling firm whose co-founder, Matt Baretto, also is a pollster for Harris. The polls margin of error is plus or minus 1.8% and a quarter of respondents took the survey in Spanish.

UnidosUS Action Fund, the political arm of UnidosUS, has endorsed Harris.

Clarissa Martinez de Castro, UnidosUS vice president for Latino Vote Initiative, said the Latino voters who are more comfortable speaking in Spanish see a higher level of alignment with the Democratic Party when it comes to their values.

For example, when asked which party shares their values or is closer to their values when it comes to their views on the American Dream, 55% of those in Spanish-speaking households chose Democrats, and 22% picked Republicans. In English-speaking households, it was 39% Democrats and 25% Republicans. In bilingual households, the split was 39% Democrats, 33% Republicans.

Martinez de Castro also pointed out that English-speaking households were more likely to report that they had not been contacted by anyone from a political party, campaign or other organization than Spanish-speaking households, 64% to 55%. For bilingual households, 46% said they were not contacted.

Generally, about 75% of Latinos are able to speak Spanish pretty well or very well, and 63% speak Spanglish, a mix of both languages, Pew Research Center reported last year.

The group that is most pro-Democratic are recently naturalized, it is the immigrants themselves. That wanes considerably in the second and massively in the third and fourth generation, said Mike Madrid, author of The Latino Century and a Republican consultant who does not support Trump. About 76% of Hispanic eligible voters are U.S.-born, according to Pew.

Madrid said the Harris campaign seems to recognize this because of its focus on housing and health care costs and taking a more moderate view on border security  which appeals to a broader swath of Latino and other voters.

They are talking about what Latinos told us they want to hear about, Madrid said.

President Joe Biden, who dropped out of this years presidential race amid poor polling numbers, drew 65% of the overall share of votes cast by Latinos in 2020, compared to Trumps 32%, NBC News exit polls showed.

But his numbers were seriously lagging after his disastrous debate performance, as with other groups. A July Pew Research Center poll showed him tied with Trump among Hispanic registered voters at 36%.

Roberto Suro, a professor of journalism and public policy at University of Southern California, said Harris overall polling with Hispanics show she had righted the ship, as with other constituencies. But, he added, 59% is not a good number for a Democrat with Latinos at all, Suro said.

Harris has made up most of the ground that Biden lost in the last year, he said. But its still very much a horse race and shes not necessarily ahead, because she has yet to match the 65% share of Latino voters Biden captured in 2020.

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Donald Trump on Aug. 30 in in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON  Donald Trump is pressuring Republicans to shut down the government at the end of this month if Congress doesnt pass a GOP-backed proposal to establish new election rules nationwide.

Trump has called on Republicans in Congress to link funding the government with the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to vote  in a bid to target non-citizen voting, which is already illegal. And House Republican leaders are considering adopting the strategy and picking a fight with Democrats.

The deadline to fund the government is Sept. 30. The GOP-led House and Democratic-led Senate have to agree on how to move forward in order to prevent a shutdown, and Democrats have decried the SAVE Act as a poison pill.

I would shut down the government in a heartbeat if they dont get it, Trump said on the Monica Crowley Show last week.

It should be in the bill. And if its not in the bill, you want to close it up, he said. So Im not there but, you know, I have influence.

The two parties are nowhere close to agreeing on a full-year government funding package, meaning a continuing resolution, or CR, will be necessary as a stopgap solution. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has not announced how he plans to handle the issue.

A House GOP leadership aide indicated Tuesday that tying it to the SAVE Act is under consideration to try and unify the party.

The length for a CR, as well as bills attached like the SAVE Act, could impact whether some Republicans typically against the spending measure are swayed to vote for it, the aide told NBC News, requesting anonymity to divulge internal considerations. Conversations with members are ongoing this week. Nothing is final.

The strategy is backed by the hard-right Freedom Caucus. Texas GOP Rep. Chip Roy, a prominent Freedom Caucus member, has also been publicly making the case for it.

Its a risky strategy that could lead to a shutdown on Oct. 1 if Democrats dont relent  and they are unlikely to. Republicans have been blamed in the past for instigating shutdowns by demanding passage of provisions they cannot pass through the normal process.

Another source of tension between the parties: Conservatives in Congress want to pass a stopgap bill that goes through March 2025, in anticipation of a victory in this fall's elections. But Democrats  and some prominent Republicans  prefer to set a lame duck deadline in order to wrap up negotiations this year.

The SAVE Act would require all voters to register to vote with proof of citizenship. Trump and allied Republicans contend the measure is intended to keep non-citizens from voting. Johnson and Trump rolled out the measure at Mar-a-Lago earlier this year.

Democrats have torched the bill, which has already passed the House as a standalone measure, as a partisan scare tactic meant to erode confidence in our elections, accusing the GOP of picking a fight over a fake problem  it is already illegal and very rare for non-citizens to vote.

The National Voter Registration Act of 1996 requires states to use a common voter registration form, which includes an attestation under penalty of perjury that the applicant is a U.S. citizen, the Bipartisan Policy Center concluded in a policy brief. Illegal registration and voting attempts by noncitizens are routinely investigated and prosecuted by the appropriate state authorities, and there is no evidence that attempts at voting by noncitizens have been significant enough to impact any elections outcome.

Beyond the substance of the SAVE Act, Democrats oppose the idea of tying it to a funding bill.

As we have said each time weve had a CR, the only way to get things done is in a bipartisan way and that is what has happened everytime, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement.

President Joe Biden also opposes the SAVE Act, with the White House arguing it would make it much harder for all eligible Americans to register to vote and increase the risk that eligible voters are purged from voter rolls.

Trump also suggested last week that congressional Republicans should demand more than the SAVE Act," suggesting there should be a border component of the government funding bill, too.

But you should get much more than the SAVE act for this, he said.
WASHINGTON  A former police sergeant convicted in the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, received a shorter sentence Wednesday after the Supreme Court limited the use of a federal obstruction charge. The move could shed light on how prosecutors and judges will deal with charges filed against hundreds of Capitol riot defendants  and against former President Donald Trump.

Thomas Robertson had been sentenced to more than seven years in prison after his conviction on charges of obstruction of an official proceeding, civil disorder, entering and remaining in a restricted building, and disorderly conduct. But U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper reduced the sentence to six years, the first time a Jan. 6 defendant was resentenced under the high court's ruling on obstruction.

Robertson and others challenged the obstruction statute  one of the stiffest charges  which carried a 20-year maximum for temporarily preventing Congress from counting Electoral College votes. Robertson appealed his conviction by arguing the law required that he acted "corruptly" to obstruct Congress, but he lost.

But another former police officer, Joseph Fischer, argued the charge didn't apply to him or others like Robertson because the statute was drafted to prohibit the destruction of documents in the wake of the Enron scandal. Fischer and Robertson each entered the Capitol, but denied destroying public records.

The Supreme Court agreed with Fischer and ordered lower courts in June to review obstruction cases to determine whether the charges covered records or documents used in official proceedings. Fischer won't face the obstruction charge when he is tried.

Robertson asked for a shorter sentence after the Fischer ruling.

This decision underscores that while the conviction remains, the sentencing must be revisited under a more favorable framework, said Mark Rollins, one of Robertsons lawyers.

The high courts Fischer decision raised questions about how the charge would be applied to hundreds of other defendants. The department said more than 330 of the first 1,400 people charged in the Jan. 6 attack had faced the charge. Two of the four federal charges against Trump accusing him of obstructing an official proceeding of Congress as lawmakers tried to certify the Electoral College vote.

The Justice Department has said none of the defendants faced that charge alone because they were charged with other felonies or misdemeanors.

The Justice Department released a photo of Jacob Fracker and Thomas Robertson, two off-duty police officers with the city of Rocky Mount, Va., inside the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot.

Heres what we know about Robertson's case:

Prosecutors urged the judge to keep same sentence

Prosecutors asked to keep the same 87-month sentence for Robertson based on his overall conduct at the Capitol.

Robertson traveled from the Rocky Mount, Virginia, area with co-defendant Jacob Fracker, another officer in that citys police department. Robertson confronted police officers defending the West Front of the Capitol and struck at least two officers at the Capitol with a large wooden stick he was carrying, prosecutors wrote in a legal filing.

Robertson later bragged on social media about entering the Capitol with Fracker, where they took pictures of themselves. If you are too much of a coward to risk arrest, being fired, and actual gunfire to secure your rights, you have no words to speak I value, Robertson wrote on Facebook.

After being notified of his FBI arrest warrant, Robertson destroyed his and Frackers phones. His terms of release called for him not to possess any firearms, but a search of his home six days after his arrest found eight guns and large amounts of ammunition, according to prosecutors.

A federal jury convicted Robertson in April 2022 of all six charges against him, including obstruction, interfering with law enforcement, entering a restricted building, two counts of disorderly conduct and destroying evidence.

At the original sentencing, the judge said Robertson viewed politics as war and would participate in another riot if you were called upon to go do something like this again.

Joseph Fischer is seen in photos that were part of an FBI arrest warrant. Joseph Fischer, a former police officer in central Pennsylvania, faces seven charges including disorderly conduct and impeding police officers in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. His trial has been on hold since his arrest in February 2021 while he asks the Supreme Court to rule on whether one of the statutes behind an obstruction charge applies to him. More than one in four of the Jan. 6 defendants  including former President Donald Trump  were charged under the same obstruction statute, so the case could have wide-ranging impact. It might get violent, Fischer wrote in a series of texts about his plans for Jan. 6, according to court records. He warned his police chief he might need him to post bail. Fischer made it inside the Rotunda before police pepper-sprayed him and he left, according to court records. He spent less than 4 minutes inside the Capitol. Take democratic congress to the gallows, Fischer wrote later during the riot, according to court records. Cant vote if they cant breathe..lol.

Robertson contends his sentence should be shortened because of Fischer case

Robertson challenged the obstruction law differently than Fischer, by arguing it required that he acted corruptly in participating in the riot. He argued he didnt act corruptly because he didnt seek personal benefit by participating.

A three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously rejected his argument and upheld his obstruction conviction in May. But Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson said in dissent that she would have overturned Robertsons conviction based on the Fischer decision instead.

It is not every day that a criminal appeal gives the court a multiple choice of grounds on which to vacate a conviction, Henderson wrote.

Robertson sought to reduce his sentence based on two decisions: the Fischer case at the Supreme Court and a case called Brock in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. The Brock decision ruled that Congress counting Electoral College votes doesnt count as the administration of justice, a description that lengthened the federal guidelines for Robertsons sentence.

The D.C. Circuits decision is a favorable development for Robertson, Rollins wrote.

Hundreds of Jan. 6 cases included obstruction charges

Robertsons case could help signal how prosecutors and judges will deal with the Fischer decision.

By Aug. 6, the Justice Department said 133 defendants had been sentenced under the obstruction law. More than half  76  were convicted of other felonies, too. Among the ones not convicted of another felony, 40 were given probation and 17 were behind bars.

The government will be reviewing individual cases against the standards articulated in Fischer, as well as the anticipated ongoing proceedings related to Fischer in the D.C. Circuit, to determine whether the government will proceed with the charge, the department said in a statement.

One of those defendants is Trump. A footnote in the Fischer decision said U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan should determine whether Trumps obstruction charges may proceed in light of our decision.

Trumps lawyers argued the charges should be dismissed because prosecutors stretched the statute far beyond its natural meaning. But special counsel Jack Smiths team has said Trump's charges dealing with recruiting fraudulent slates of electors fall under the statutes integrity for use in an official proceeding of records because the electors allegedly submitted false paperwork to Congress.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How one Jan. 6 convict's case could change the others
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired rights to Jane Austen Wrecked My Life ahead of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The studio will distribute the film in North America, Latin America, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and on worldwide airlines.

More from Variety

Laura Piani wrote and directed Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, which stars Camille Rutherford (Anatomy of a Fall), Pablo Pauly (Three Nights a Week), Charlie Anson (Downton Abbey) and Annabelle Lengronne (Mother and Son). The film is about Agathe, a desperately single woman who dreams of experiencing love akin to those in novels like Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. She dreams of becoming a writer but instead spends her days selling books at Shakespeare & Company in Paris. After shes invited to the Jane Austen Writers Residency in England, she confronts her insecurities to finally fulfill her ambition of becoming a novelist and put an end to wasting her sentimental life.

We are thrilled to see this film entrusted to Sony Pictures Classics, a studio with a rich history of bringing Jane Austens world to life on screen, said The Bureau Sales, who negotiated the deal with SPC. Their extensive experience with such stories ensures that Laura Pianis debut will be handled with the utmost care and expertise. We look forward to the films journey and are confident that it will be a worthy addition to SPCs distinguished legacy.

Before tackling her first film, Piani has worked as a screenwriter and script consultant for the television series Philharmoniaand movie Into the World.

I [] am thrilled for Jane Austen Wrecked My Life to start reaching audiences around the globe, she said in a statement.

Sony Pictures Classics says theyve been interested in this project for some time before landing rights.

Jane Austen has become a bit of a rock star in the marketplace and a new modern take as high in quality and warm and winning as Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is sure to be embraced by theatrical audiences, the studio wrote in a statement.

Financiers behind the film include French broadcasters Canal+ and Cine+, regional funds Pictanovo (Region Hauts-de-France) and Region Ile-de-France, Sofica IndeFIlms 12, French distributor Paname Distribution and international sales agent The Bureau Sales.

Jane Austen Wrecked My Life premieres at TIFF on Sept. 9. The festival runs from Sept. 5-15.

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By Ted Hesson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S. judge on Wednesday left in place a temporary block on a Biden administration legalization program for immigrant spouses of U.S. citizens.

The decision by Texas-based U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker maintains a pause on the program through Sept. 23 to allow for legal briefing and a possible hearing.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration opened applications last month for the Keeping Families Together program, which offers a path to citizenship to around 500,000 immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally if they are married to U.S. citizens.

Texas and a coalition of U.S. states with Republican attorneys general sued to end the Biden program, saying it overstepped the executive branch's authority to grant legal immigration status to people who entered unlawfully and circumvented U.S. immigration law.

Biden announced the initiative in June before dropping out of the presidential race against Republican Donald Trump, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee.

Immigration is a top voter concern heading into the Nov. 5 election, Reuters/Ipsos polling shows.

Keeping Families Together provides a path to citizenship to immigrant spouses who entered the U.S. illegally and have at least 10 years of residence. Without this option, many would need to leave the U.S. for years before being able to return legally.

The program also allows some 50,000 children under age 21 with a U.S.-citizen parent to obtain temporary "parole" status that creates a path to citizenship.

America First Legal, an organization led by Trump adviser Stephen Miller, served as co-counsel in the lawsuit alongside Texas and 15 other states with Republican attorneys general.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler and Lisa Shumaker)
A North Carolina man captured incredible video footage of a massive alligator sauntering across a road in a town on the coast.

The footage captured by Jonathan Findley on Sunday shows the huge animal crossing the road and walking toward trees in Surf City, about 30 miles northeast of Wilmington.

Holy mother, that is a 7-foot gator? Good golly, that is the king of the jungle right here, Findley can be heard saying in the video. Or at the very least the king of the neighborhood, you get me?

It is not immediately clear where the reptile went or if any other residents saw it. The Surf City Police Department told USA TODAY on Wednesday that it has not gotten any recent alligator complaints.

Alligators are common in North Carolina

American alligators occur naturally in North Carolina, according to North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, and can be found inhabiting bay lakes, rivers, creeks, marshes, swamps and ponds. The state is the "northern extent of the alligator's range and they generally become less common as you move from south to north along the NC coast," says the wildlife commission. Surf City is located on Topsail Island along the Atlantic shore.

Feeding, touching, harming, harassing or poaching an alligator is illegal in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Federation. The department recommends being vigilant in areas where alligators have been spotted and maintaining a safe distance of at least 50 feet in case of an encounter.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Watch as massive alligator crosses a road in Surf City, North Carolina
Barbie is celebrating its 65th anniversary with four new doughnuts with unique designs at Krispy Kreme that customers can treat themselves to.

Barbie has partnered with Krispy Kreme for the "Barbie x Krispy Kreme Collection," which begins on Sept. 3. It features a limited-edition Barbie box and four new Barbie-inspired donuts, and it will be available until Sept. 15.

"Bringing together flavor and style with four NEW dreamy flavors," Krispy Kreme said in an Instagram caption on Tuesday.

The four new doughnuts include:

The Barbie Pink Doughnut: The original glazed doughnut piped with pink buttercream, sprinkled with sparkly pink sugar, and topped with Barbie signature sunglasses.

Malibu Dream Party Doughnut: Unglazed shell doughnut filled with Cake Batter Kreme dipped in Malibu blue icing and sparkly graham sand, topped with Malibu DreamHouse piece, and piped with a white cloud.

PHOTO: Krispy Kreme Barbie Brand 65th Anniversary (Business Wire)

Barbie Sweet 65th Doughnut: The original glazed doughnut is dipped in chocolate icing and sprinkled with Barbie Sweet 65th sprinkles.

Barbie Berries 'N Kreme Doughnut: Unglazed shell doughnut filled with Strawberry Kreme, dipped in white icing, drizzled with purple and pink buttercream, and topped with a Barbie Heart.

"We're excited to celebrate the Barbie brand's 65th birthday with a collaboration that's full of fun and flavor. We're bringing Barbie's iconic fashions to life through delicious doughnuts that are sure to thrill Barbie and Krispy Kreme fans alike," said Dave Skena, Global Chief Brand Officer for Krispy Kreme, in a statement.

The collection allows the two brands to " immediately spark joy and elicit sweet memories. Krispy Kreme is the perfect partner to join us, inviting fans across generations to enjoy the perfect blend of flavor and style, with nods to Barbie sprinkled into every bite," Meredith Norrie, the vice president of global licensing and consumer products for Mattel, said in a statement.

Krispy Kreme celebrates Barbie's 65th anniversary with new donuts originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
Local residents in Albania are accusing Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump of attempting to take land away from them for two luxury resort projects.

The daughter and son-in-law of former President Donald Trump are looking to invest almost $1bn in the area. Kushner previously announced his plans to build a hotel and a number of beach villas on a part of land that has been farmed by an Albanian family for generations but which was seized from them after the end of the Communist regime in 1991, according to The New York Times.

They are trying to take from us what is ours, Bledar Alexandros Konomi told the paper. Konomi used to help take care of cattle on the part of the mainland where Kushner now wants to build a hotel. His claim to the land is supported by court records.

Kushner is also seeking exclusive development rights on the small island of Sazan, where the Soviet Union stored military supplies during the Cold War.

A second bid to develop the island has been submitted by an Albanian-American developer from New York, documents obtained by The Times show.

Developer Evi Kokalari-Angelakis told the paper that the Albanian government has disregarded her proposal to ingratiate themselves with the former president in the event he returns to office in January.

Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump and Tiffany Trump, daughters of former U.S. President Donald Trump, look on during the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The land they plan on developing in Albania is subject to several disputes (Getty Images)

Kokalari-Angelakis added that she chose to speak to the paper after Ivanka Trump claimed in July that she and Kushner had made an agreement to develop Sazan, which was used as a submarine base by Italy during World War II.

Opposition party member in the Albanian parliament Agron Shehaj said the process of choosing a developer had lacked transparency, which makes it look like this is a private deal that is in the political interest of the prime minister of Albania.

Prime Minister Edi Rama and Kushner both rejected the notion that the former president had anything to do with the development process.

The fact that such a renowned American entrepreneur shows his interest on investing in Albania makes us very proud and happy, a spokesperson for the prime minister told The Times in a statement. It shows on another level to the U.S. and the world that there is a new rising star in the beautiful Mediterranean world of tourism named Albania.

The projects on the Albanian coastline are not connected to the Trump Organization, which is partly owned by Trump, and it will not be linked to the Trump name.

Kushner, a former White House advisor to Trump, has established an investment company called Affinity Partners, which is supported mostly by funds coming from the Saudi Arabian government.

The former advisor told The Times that his plans had raised Albanias status as a tourist destination.

We want to make something that people can be very proud of, he told the paper.

We have this 1,400-acre island in the Mediterranean and were bringing in the best architects and the best brands, Ivanka Trump said on the Lex Fridman Podcast earlier this summer.

An American real estate executive put in charge of the projects by Kushner, Asher Abehsera, told The Times that while the Albanian government has given preliminary approval to go ahead with negotiations to build the hotel complex on Sazan, which is now controlled by the Albanian military, final terms have yet to be determined.

Both Abehsera and Kushner told the paper theyre not receiving any special treatment.

On the mainland, villagers in Zvernec, near the site where one of the projects is planned, have notified Kushner that they claim to own the land, which is subject to several disputes.

Konomi, a University of Cincinnati professor of statistics, told the paper that its very obvious that a big corruption scheme is going on.

We are confident we are working with the rightful titleholders, Abehsera told The Times. If proven otherwise, we will respectfully withdraw from the purchase.
Ukraine's far western city of Lviv has been spared most of the bloodshed and destruction since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of its former Soviet-era ally two-and-a-half years ago. But before dawn on Wednesday, Moscow reminded Ukraine  and its Western backers  that the city only 40 miles from the border with NATO-member Poland is not immune from the war.

Lviv residents started reporting explosions at 5:40 a.m. local time, with buildings near the city's railway station, homes, schools and clinics all being hit. Mayor Andriy Sadovy said Russia had launched drones and hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, damaging more than 50 buildings in the center of the city. At least seven people were killed, including three children, officials said.

In one video circulating widely on social media, rescuers frantically clawed through the rubble of a destroyed home to find a lifeless, dust-covered girl buried under the debris. Two girls, aged nine and 14, and a baby, were reported dead. Dozens more were wounded.

People gather outside a heavily damaged residential building hit by a Russian missile strike, Sept. 4, 2024 in Lviv, Ukraine. / Credit: Mykola Tys/Global Images Ukraine/Getty

The attack so close to Poland prompted the government in Warsaw to scramble fighter jets to the Ukrainian border area, with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski telling the Financial Times that "membership in NATO does not trump each country's responsibility for the protection of its own airspace  it's our own constitutional duty."

"I'm personally of the view that, when hostile missiles are on course of entering our airspace, it would be legitimate self-defense (to shoot them down) because once they do cross into our airspace, the risk of debris injuring someone is significant," he told the FT.

A map shows the oblasts, or politically administered regions of Ukraine and their regional capitals. / Credit: Getty/iStock

Ukraine's military, meanwhile, issued an alert for the entire country to be ready for further aerial attacks. Russia has launched waves of hundreds of missiles and drones at the capital city Kyiv and across the country since Sunday, possibly in retaliation for Ukraine's surprise incursion into Russia's Kursk region nearly a month ago.

Russian forces have so far been unable to dislodge the occupying Ukrainian troops, and Kyiv says they now hold about 450 square miles of Russian territory, an area about half the size of Rhode Island.

In the war-torn east of Ukraine, the city of Poltava was still reeling Wednesday from a Russian attack the previous morning. Two ballistic missiles slammed into the Poltava Military Communications Institute training center, killing at least 51 people and wounding more than 200 others. It was Moscow's deadliest attack since October, when a Russian airstrike killed 59 people attending a funeral at a cafe in the Kharkiv region.

"The second missile hit three seconds after the first. I ran outside, there was smoke and dust everywhere," said Mykyta Petrov, a cadet who was inside the military academy when it was hit Tuesday in Poltava. "Lots of people were outside having a cigarette. Many of them were killed."

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed to exact revenge on Russia for the deadly strike, and an investigation was launched to determine whether enough had been done to protect the military training facility.

"The Russian scum will surely pay," he said, while also aiming some frustration at Western allies.

"Air defense systems are needed in Ukraine, not in a warehouse somewhere," Zelenskyy said.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tendered his resignation after Russia's attack on Poltava. The 43-year-old had been the face of Ukrainian diplomacy around the world, trying to rally global support for the country since the war began.

Zelenskyy said last week that he would embark on a major government reshuffle before the winter.

Multiple killed in Apalachee High School shooting in Georgia

Apalachee High School shooting in Georgia. What to know.

At least 2 dead, multiple injured after Georgia high school shooting, sources say
One person has died after a boat crash in Old Saybrook on Monday night, two others are missing and five people are in the hospital. The search for the missing boaters was suspended overnight and resumed Tuesday morning.

A 31-foot motorboat carrying nine people struck a jetty at the mouth of the Connecticut River around 9:15 p.m. Monday while returning from Block Island, according to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection EnCon Police.

Several 911 calls came in about the crash and rescue crews found the boat half submerged and significantly damaged.

One man was found dead in the vessel and six people were taken to the hospital, according to DEEP. The boat operator is in critical condition, Captain Keith Williams, of Connecticut Environmental Police, said Tuesday morning.

Williams said he believes one person has been released from the hospital. The extent of the injuries the others suffered has not been released.

The investigation is ongoing, but Williams said they believe all nine people are friends who went to Block Island for the day.

The capsized boat was recovered from the river on Tuesday and it was pulled from the water around 11:30 a.m.

Williams said Tuesday morning that the tide was coming in when the boat crashed.

Multiple agencies, including police and fire crews from several nearby towns, the State Police Dive Unit, and a helicopter from the U.S. Coast Guard station on Cape Cod were searching for the missing boaters.

Williams said crews remain in search and recovery mode.
BEIJING (Reuters) -China, Tanzania and Zambia signed an initial agreement to rehabilitate a decades-old railway aimed at improving the rail-sea transportation in resource-rich East Africa, Chinese state media said on Wednesday.

President Xi Jinping witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding on refurbishing the 1,860 kms (1,156 mile) Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway with the Tanzanian and Zambian presidents, who were in Beijing attending the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.

The single-track TAZARA railway was built between 1970 and 1975 through an interest-free loan from China, offering a cargo transport route from Zambia's copper and cobalt mines to the sea on Tanzania's coast that bypasses South Africa and the former state of Rhodesia.

Commercial operations of the line, derided by some Western governments at the time as the "bamboo railway", began in 1976. The multi-year project had involved the construction of two dozen tunnels and hundreds of bridges by tens of thousands of Chinese and African workers.

"China is willing to take this summit as an opportunity to make new progress in the revitalisation of the Tanzania-Zambia railway, cooperate to improve the rail-sea intermodal transport network in East Africa, and build Tanzania into a demonstration zone for deepening high-quality China-Africa Belt and Road cooperation," said Xi, according to state media.

Earlier this year, the World Bank approved $270 million in financing to help improve connectivity between neighbours Tanzania and Zambia and boost regional trade.

In February, China proposed to spend $1 billion to rehabilitate the rail line through a public-private partnership model.

(Reporting by Bernard Orr and Ryan Woo; Editing by Kim Coghill and Michael Perry)
By Gwladys Fouche

OSLO (Reuters) - Norway's $1.7 trillion wealth fund may have to divest shares of companies that violate the fund watchdog's new, tougher interpretation of ethics standards for businesses that aid Israel's operations in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Council on Ethics for the world's largest sovereign wealth fund sent an Aug. 30 letter to the finance ministry, seen by Reuters, that summarises the recently expanded definition of unethical corporate behavior. The change has not previously been reported.

The letter did not specify how many nor name companies whose stocks might be sold but suggested it would be a small number, should the board of the central bank, which has the final say, follow recommendations that the council makes.

One company has already been identified for disinvestment under the new definition, it said.

"The Council on Ethics believes the ethical guidelines provide a basis for excluding a few more companies from the Government Pension Fund Global in addition to those already excluded," the watchdog wrote, giving the formal name for Norway's sovereign wealth fund.

The fund has been an international leader in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment field. It owns 1.5% of the world's listed shares across 8,800 companies, and its size carries influence.

Since the start of the war in Gaza in October, the fund's ethics watchdog has been investigating whether more companies fall outside its permitted investment guidelines. The letter said that the scope of exclusions was "expected to increase somewhat" under the new policy.

Among the companies that the watchdog could be looking at are RTX Corp, General Electric and General Dynamics. According to nongovernmental organisations, they make weapons used by Israel in Gaza, where its military offensive has killed nearly 41,000 Palestinians. The companies did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

The fund held investments worth 16 billion crowns ($1.41 billion) in Israel as of June 30, across 77 companies, according to fund data, including companies involved in real estate, banks, energy and telecommunications. They represented 0.1% of the fund's overall investments.

NEW LEGAL OPINION

On Gaza, the council is focusing on weapon producers in countries not participating in the Arms Trade Treaty, a 2014 agreement on conventional weapons trade. "This mainly concerns American companies," the letter said, without naming any.

It added, "There are very few relevant companies remaining in the fund" partly because many U.S. defence manufacturers were already barred for producing nuclear weapons or cluster munitions.

The fund's ethical rules are set by Norway's parliament. The updated ethics definition by the watchdog results partly from a July opinion by the International Court of Justice regarding Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories.

The court took positions on "several new facts and legal issues" that could make "companies with a less direct connection to violations of norms" in breach of the ethics rules, the letter said without providing examples.

The new definition of ethical breaches is based on the ICJ finding that "the occupation itself, Israel's settlement policy and the way Israel uses the natural resources in the areas are in conflict with international law", the letter said.

The fund previously divested from nine companies operating in the occupied West Bank under its prior policy. Their operations include building roads and homes in Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank and providing surveillance systems for an Israeli wall around the West Bank.

The Council on Ethics makes recommendations to the board of the central bank, which operates the fund. The bank often follows the watchdog's advice to exclude firms, but not always.

The bank can also put a company on notice to change its behaviour or ask the fund's management to engage with it directly. Companies designated for disinvestment are not named until the fund has sold the shares.

(Reporting by Gwladys Fouche in Oslo; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Finland's Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen attends a press conference regarding the country's border restrictions in Helsinki, Finland on December 12, 2023. MARKKU ULANDER/Getty Images

Finland has pledged to ban most Russians from buying property in the country.

It comes after a deterioration in relations between the countries, which share a long border.

Finland has aligned itself more with the West since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Finland is proposing to ban most Russian nationals from buying property there as the two countries' relations continue to deteriorate since the invasion of Ukraine.

Though the new policy does not name Russia specifically, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen told a press conference it would apply to citizens of countries that violate the "territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of another state and could threaten Finland's security."

On Monday, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen told reporters that it was in response to Russia's "war of aggression." He also said Finland was already monitoring around 3,500 Finnish properties linked to Russian owners.

Relations between Finland and Russia, which share an 830-mile border, have declined markedly since the latter invaded Ukraine in 2022. Finland remained unaligned for decades but joined NATO as a full member in April 2023.

In 2022, President Joe Biden commented that Russia hoped the invasion of Ukraine would mean the "Finlandization of NATO," but it had instead meant the "NATO-ization of Finland."

The word "Finlandization" comes from Finland's position of being unaligned during the Cold War and refers to a small country being neutral on the actions of a larger neighbor for fear of retaliation.

At the press conference, Hakkanen added that the government expects to submit a draft law to parliament by the end of the year.

Dual citizens or Russians who are permanently resident in EU countries would not be affected, he said.

A Finnish Ministry of Defence representative told BI that the proposal is focused "solely on future acquisitions."

The move comes after Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told Bloomberg that it was a "potential security threat" for properties near critical infrastructure to be owned by Russians.

Finland has also enacted legislation in 2020 permitting the government to block real-estate transactions on national security grounds.

In 2022, the country's defense ministry stopped three Russian nationals from buying a former nursing home near an army site, Finnish national broadcaster Yle reported.

In July this year, Finland passed a temporary law allowing border guards to block migrants trying to cross from Russia. It accused Russia of deliberately sending large groups of asylum seekers over the border, something Russia denies.

Read the original article on Business Insider
People attend a Tel Aviv rally on Tuesday demanding a cease-fire deal. A big part of the problem, said a former special Middle East envoy, is that neither Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar is motivated to halt the fighting. (Ariel Schalit / Associated Press)

In the wake of the deaths of six Israeli hostages, including a California-born U.S. citizen, both the Israeli government and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are signaling hardened postures that pose a wrenching new challenge for the Biden administration.

For weeks, U.S. officials have said they were near a final agreement between Israel and Hamas that would halt fighting in the Gaza Strip, temporarily at least, and allow for the release of hostages from Hamas captivity. At the same time, it would bring freedom for some Palestinians held prisoner by Israel, and allow more aid, desperately needed, to reach Gazans.

But intractable holdups, over who and how many people should be released from each side and over a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, prevented a deal  and that was before the latest hostage killings.

Now the U.S. is continuing work on negotiations  but not involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who President Biden said Monday was not doing enough to secure the hostages' freedom.

Instead, the president said then, U.S. contacts are with "colleagues from Egypt and Qatar"  the two nations with direct contact with Hamas officials.

Read more:California-born man among six hostages Israel says Hamas shot dead

"We are working day and night to try to get an agreement over the line," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Tuesday. He would not comment on Netanyahu's apparent rejection of elements of the deal. "We obviously believe this is an urgent matter."

The news Tuesday evening that the Justice Department had announced terrorism charges against the leaders of Hamas will probably bring even more uncertainty in talks. The leaders are facing charges, including conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals, in connection with the militant group's cross-border incursion into Israel Oct. 7 that killed about 1,200 people.

With the war entering its 12th month, Gaza is in the grip of a full-blown humanitarian disaster. At least 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the territory's health officials, who do not differentiate between civilians and militants. Nearly all of the seaside enclaves 2.3 million people are displaced, with entire cities bombed into mountains of rubble.

Read more:He went to register the birth of his twins. He returned to find them killed in an Israeli strike

Early negotiating success  a U.S.-brokered accord last November that temporarily halted the fighting in Gaza and freed more than 100 hostages  is now a distant memory. Of the approximately 250 captives taken Oct. 7, Israel believes about 100 hostages remain in Gaza and at least a third are already dead.

The grieving families of the six slain hostages  who Israel says were shot in the head by their captors last week as troops operated nearby  voiced hopes that the violent deaths might prove the impetus for an accord that would free the remaining captives.

Jon Polin, father of Berkeley-born Hersh Goldberg-Polin, said Monday in a eulogy addressed to his 23-year-old son that over the months, the family had sought the proverbial stone that we could turn over to save you.

Maybe, just maybe, your death is the stone that could help bring the rest of the hostages home, he told the thousands of assembled mourners.

Read more:Strikes and protests roil a divided Israel amid funerals for hostages, including California native

I really hope that this is a turning point, said Gil Dickmann, a cousin of Carmel Gat, another of the dead hostages, expressing similar hopes as he spoke to reporters hours before her funeral, also on Monday.

But amid a national spasm of grief, neither Netanyahu nor Hamas gave the slightest public hint that any movement was in the offing.

A big part of the problem, said Mara Rudman, a former special Middle East envoy for the State Department, is that neither Netanyahu nor Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar is motivated to halt the fighting.

"From the get-go, Netanyahu and Sinwar are the two in this equation whose interests do not align with getting to a cease-fire agreement," she said in an interview.

Her analysis is chilling: Sinwar does not care about Palestinian deaths, since his goal is to stir international opprobrium against Israel and domestic turmoil within, and Netanyahu cares foremost about his political survival and avoiding prison, given criminal cases pending against him, which would be jeopardized if he agreed to a cease-fire deal that his far-right coalition partners object to.

Read more:As Gaza death toll passes 40,000, corpses are buried in yards, streets, tiered graves

At a Monday evening televised news conference, the Israeli leader signaled intransigence, declaring that Israels military control over a narrow strip of territory on the Gaza-Egypt border, known as the Philadelphi Corridor, was non-negotiable.

The nine-mile ribbon of land that Israel took control of in May, Netanyahu said, was Hamas pipeline for oxygen and rearmament.

The axis of evil needs the Philadelphi Corridor, he said. We need to have it under our control.

Read more:Palestinian TikTok star who shared his 'tent life' in Gaza is killed by Israeli airstrike

Hamas, for its part, sought to harshly dissuade Israel from any notion that hostages could be freed by military force, such as the Israeli raid that plucked four captives to safety in June from the crowded Nuseirat refugee camp. Palestinian officials said the Israeli raid killed scores of civilians, many of them women and children.

In a posting on the Telegram messaging app on Monday, the head of Hamas' armed brigades appeared to suggest that an execution protocol had been put in place if Israeli troops were thought to be closing in.

After the Nuseirat incident, new instructions were issued to those guarding the captives, said the statement issued in the name of Abu Obeida, a nom de guerre.

Israeli officials interpreted the statement as a threat to kill hostages if Israeli troops were nearby, with the killings of the six as a gruesome illustration of that intent.

Netanyahu is under some of the strongest public pressure in months to strike a deal. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis flooded the streets of communities across Israel on Sunday, after the killings of the six were disclosed, and organizers have called for large demonstrations to continue nightly.

Protesting crowds chant slogans denouncing the prime minister as morally responsible for the hostage killings, and some wave signs depicting him with blood on his hands. But many among Netanyahus loyal base of supporters believe his commitment to an unrelenting military campaign is the best way to confront Hamas, ensure Israels safety and perhaps ultimately to free the hostages.

Illustrating the split over how to move forward, areas of the country where Netanyahus support is high largely declined to take part in a general strike called Monday by the countrys biggest labor federation.

While Netanyahu still has the fealty of most of his Cabinet, including the far-right figures who insist on continuing an all-out war, the countrys security establishment  notably his defense minister, Yoav Gallant  has publicly questioned his negotiating stance, accusing him in essence of searching for excuses to spurn a deal.

The prime ministers latest show of defiance over the border strip also drew scorching editorial commentary.

The Philadelphi route will wind up a highway paved with the hostages bodies, analyst Zvi Barel wrote in the left-leaning Haaretz daily.

Netanyahu is well aware, though, that many Israelis derive a visceral satisfaction from the military hunting down the perpetrators of heinous acts in southern Israel on Oct. 7.

Almost everyone here remembers the militants killing of a father of two named Gil Taasa, in the community of Netiv Haasara, one of many Israeli villages attacked that day. An assailant tossed a grenade into a shelter, killing him as he tried to shield his two young sons.

Widely viewed video showed the aftermath: the two bloodied boys cowering in shock in their living room as the attacker casually took a bottle of cola from the familys refrigerator.

On Tuesday, the army said the man in the video, identified as Ahmed Fozi Wadia, a Hamas commander, had been killed in an airstrike in Gaza City along with seven other militants.

A military decision on when to carry out such strikes commonly comes only at the last moment even when they are planned well in advance, and normally depends on many factors. But however coincidental, the reported timing struck some as symbolic: Saturday, the day the hostages' bodies were discovered.

Times staff writers King and Wilkinson reported from Tel Aviv and Washington, respectively.



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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
At least 12 people died, most of them women and children, when a migrant boat capsized off the coast of northern France on Tuesday, according to French authorities.

Nearly 70 people were on board the vessel, according to Boulogne-sur-Mer mayor, Frederic Cuvillier. The exact number is unclear.

Emergency crews rescued 53 people and recovered the bodies of the dead, the maritime prefecture said. Several of those saved were in critical condition and required urgent medical care.

Three helicopters, two fishing vessels and two boats have been deployed in the search and rescue operation.

The incident is the latest in a number of tragedies on the English Channel, where small boat crossings of migrants attempting to reach Britain has soared in recent years.

This maritime sector is one of the busiest areas in the world, with more than 600 merchant ships passing through it every day and the weather conditions are often difficult, so it is a particularly dangerous sector, even when the sea seems calm, the prefecture said.

Most of the migrants on board appeared to be from Eritrea, the Boulogne-sur-Mer prosecutor, Guirec Le Bras, said Tuesday. He added that 10 of the 12 who died were women and some were minors.

Le Bras said it appears that the boat sank about 5 kilometers (3 miles) off the coast of Cap Gris-Nez, on the northern coast of France.

French interior minister Gerald Darmanin told reporters in Boulogne-sur-Mer on Tuesday that less than eight people had a life jacket on board the boat, as he pointed the finger at smugglers for the unsafe conditions.

Obviously, it is a tragedy. As soon as a person loses their life on our territory, I would obviously like to have a compassionate thought for their families, Darmanin added. They were undoubtedly looking for a better world in Great Britain.

Nearly 30,000 people reached Britain by crossing the Channel in a small boat last year, according to Home Office figures, with dinghies and other small vessels frequently being used to take large groups of people on the dangerous journey in the hope of seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.

Deadly incidents like Tuesdays have occurred on a number of occasions during that time. Last August, six people died when a boat carrying dozens of migrants capsized.

The issue became a major political obstacle for the previous Conservative government, which was criticized by migrant rights groups for its hardline rhetoric against asylum seekers, and for the new Labour administration.

The head of the French mission for Medecins Sans Frontieres, Xavier Crombe, on Tuesday blamed the policies of the French and British governments for the latest deaths.

We are shocked and angry after this new tragedy in the English Channel, Crombe said. These deaths are not inevitable, but the tragic consequence of inhumane and absurd migration policies.

Crombe said that current policies prioritize border control rather than human lives, making migrant journeys more precarious and dangerous.

Sharon Braithwaite in London contributed reporting.

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(Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 30 more people convicted for protest activity, state news agency Belta said on Wednesday.

Human rights activists say there are about 1,400 people in prison in Belarus for voicing dissent against Lukashenko, who has run the country for 30 years. He has intensified a crackdown on opponents since 2020, when mass protests broke out after he claimed victory in an election that the opposition and Western governments said was heavily rigged.

The veteran leader, who turned 70 last week, released 18 people from prison in early July and announced a pardon for 30 individuals on Aug. 16.

Those freed so far include sick and elderly people, some of whom were in any case approaching the end of their sentences.

Among them were trade union leader Vasil Berasnieu, former opposition presidential candidate Ryhor Kastusiou, and Kseniya Lutskina, a former state TV journalist who is suffering from a brain tumour.

Belta did not name any of those pardoned in the latest batch but said they included 23 men and seven women. Most of them were parents of young children and minors, it said.

"This decision is a humane gesture towards these people. They have received a chance to return to normal life, to their families and work," Belta quoted Lukashenko's press service as saying.

The exiled opposition to Lukashenko says prisoner releases are welcome but do not signal a serious shift in policy. Human rights group Viasna says the rate of prosecutions in Belarus is actually rising, not falling, with at least 170 people convicted in July of politically related crimes.

(Reporting by Reuters; writing by Mark Trevelyan; editing by Mark Heinrich)
By Nate Raymond

(Reuters) -Seven Republican-led states filed a lawsuit on Tuesday to challenge President Joe Biden's administration's latest student debt forgiveness plan, saying the U.S. Department of Education was taking steps to start canceling loans as soon as this week.

The lawsuit came less than a week after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the Biden administration's bid to revive a different student debt relief plan that was designed to lower monthly payments for millions of borrowers and speed up loan forgiveness for some.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Brunswick, Georgia, state attorneys general took aim at a rule the Education Department proposed in April that would provide for a waiver of federal student loan debts for an estimated 27.6 million borrowers.

Attorneys general from states including Georgia and Missouri say they recently obtained documents showing the Education Department has instructed federal loan servicers to begin canceling hundreds of billions of dollars of loans as early as either Tuesday or Saturday before the rule was finalized.

That could lead to the overnight cancellation of at least $73 billion in loans, the lawsuit said, and billions in further debt relief could follow. The states argue the Education Department has no authority to carry out such debt forgiveness.

"We successfully halted their first two illegal student loan cancellation schemes; I have no doubt we will secure yet another win to block the third one," Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said in a statement.

An Education Department spokesperson declined to comment on the case but stressed it "will continue to fight for borrowers across the country who are struggling to repay their federal student loans." The department under Biden has already approved $169 billion in debt relief for nearly 4.8 million people.

The lawsuit is the latest legal challenge to the Democratic president's efforts to fulfill a campaign pledge and bring debt relief to millions of Americans who turned to federal student loans to fund their costly higher education.

Republican-led states successfully convinced the 6-3 conservative majority U.S. Supreme Court in June 2023 to block a $430 billion program championed by Biden that would have canceled up to $20,000 in debt per borrower for up to 43 million Americans.

The administration then pursued a different program dubbed the Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan, that was designed to lower monthly payments for millions of borrowers and speed up loan forgiveness for some.

But Republican-led states convinced a federal appeals court to block that plan while litigation over it continues to play out. The Supreme Court on Aug. 28 declined to lift that injunction.

The latest plan relies on a different statute than those, a provision of the Higher Education Act that several leading Democrats including U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Elizabeth Warren have long argued provides the administration authority to cancel student debt.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Bill Berkrot asnd Stephen Coates)
For the first time ever, researchers have found evidence of a top-of-the-food chain shark being killed by a predator, according to a study published Tuesday in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Marine Science.

The team of scientists who wrote the study had set out to research pregnant porbeagle sharks and track their movements because they're endangered in many parts of the world. The scientists come from Oregon State University, Arizona State University and the Rhode Island-based Atlantic Shark Institute.

One of the sharks studied measured 8 feet and had been tracked for five months, said James Sulikowski, director of the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station at Oregon State University.

What the researchers found is that the large, warm-blooded shark had fallen prey to another warm-blooded predator  likely another shark.

A porbeagle shark wearing a finmount tag and a pop-off satellite archival tag. The shark is part of research out of Oregon State University, Arizona State University and the Atlantic Shark Institute.

Porbeagle shark was eaten by a warm-blooded predator, team says

Sulikowski said the team put two different tags on their subject sharks.

The first tag, called a finmount tag, is located on the sharks fin and gives scientists a very accurate geolocation when the fin comes out of the water, he told USA TODAY on Tuesday.

The second tag, called a pop-off satellite archival tag, notes the temperature, as well as the sharks depth in the ocean.

That's how we knew the shark was actually eaten or attacked, Sulikowski said, referring to the archival tag.

A second shark, also a porbeagle, was killed nearby a year after the first shark and sank to the bottom of the ocean before its tag surfaced, the scientists said.

A white shark is pictured. Researchers from Oregon State University and Arizona State University think the marine animal that ate the porbeagle they were tracking could be a white shark, a mako shark, or another porbeagle.

Shark had been tracked hundreds of miles

The shark that was killed had been tracked for hundreds of miles as it made its way from New England to Bermuda, scientists say.

The shark had been spending time at depths between 1,640 feet and 3,280 feet. Because the shark had been swimming so far away from the sun, its temperature readings were much cooler. Suddenly, while still deep in the ocean, one of the sharks tag readings went from 15 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius.

We knew that something happened, Sulikowski said. We knew that the tag was inside of a warm-blooded creature  And we knew that it wasn't a whale or mammal, because mammals are much warmer than that.

The predator that ate the porbeagle shark was most likely another lamnid shark, Sulikowski said, adding that the iconic three lamnid sharks are porbeagles themselves, white sharks and mako sharks.

Their body temperatures are typically between 25 and 27 degrees, he said.

My guess is probably a mako or a white shark because they do get larger than a porbeagle, he said.

Second shark sank to the bottom of the ocean

There was also another shark the researchers collected data from that they found interesting. A porbeagle shark was swimming around a depth of about 1,968 feet when it suddenly sank closer to the bottom of the ocean, Sulikowski said.

The team thinks something killed the shark without eating it or its tags. After the shark sank, its tag  set to pop off when the sharks are stagnant for an extended period of time  resurfaced after about three days.

Both sharks were attacked at about the same depth, at about the same location, a year apart from one another, Sulikowski told USA TODAY.

Brooke Anderson and Beckah Campbell, members of a research team studying porbeagle sharks.

What does this mean for porbeagle sharks and science?

Sulikowski said that with sharks as big and as fast as porbeagles, the only animals that prey on them are other sharks that are bigger than them.

Researchers expect a smaller shark to fall prey to bigger sharks, but one measuring 8 feet was pretty unexpected, he said.

The fact that this happened is a testament to how little is known about the ocean, he said.

It makes us want to study more and learn more about how susceptible other large sharks are to be eaten and who is the top dog out there."

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia  the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are large sharks eating each other? Researchers say it's likely.
Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba became the latest top official to tender his resignation on Wednesday, ahead of a major government reshuffle, as yet another wave of Russian attacks overnight killed at least seven people, including a child.

As Ukraines top diplomat, Kuleba has been a prominent fixture in Zelenskys administration and one of the most public-facing, especially dealing with overseas officials. He was seen as a capable politician and a safe pair of hands, one of the strongest members of Zelenskys cabinet. His offer to resign comes ahead of an expected visit by the president to the United States this month.

Kulebas was the latest in a flurry of resignations. Two of Ukraines vice premiers, three ministers, the head of the State Property Fund and a top official in Zelenskys Presidential Office have all quit within the last day or so.

The parliament approved Kulebas resignation on Thursday and Andrii Sybiha was sworn in as foreign minister to replace him. Sybiha has previously served as ambassador to Turkey and deputy head of the presidential office.

The resignations of the three other ministers and one of the vice premiers were approved on Wednesday.

Zelensky has not yet given any explanation for the reshuffle, but said in his nightly address on Tuesday that the coming fall will be extremely important for Ukraine and as such our state institutions must be set up so that Ukraine achieves all the results we need.

Kuleba and others who tendered their resignations are widely expected to be appointed into other roles in the Zelensky administration. The reshuffle comes at a precarious time for Ukraine. Its troops are under increasing pressure on the eastern frontlines, especially around the strategic city of Pokrovsk that is on the brink of falling to Russia.

It seems likely that Zelensky wants to have his new team in place for his trip to the US later this month, where he is expected to attend the United Nation General Assembly and meet the US President Joe Biden. Zelensky said last week that he intends to present Biden with a new four-part victory plan  without providing details.

The last major change Zelensky made to the top echelon of Ukraines leadership came in February, when he replaced the former Commander in Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi with Oleksander Syrskyi. Zaluzhnyi currently serves as Ukraines ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Ukrainian political scientist Mykola Davydiuk said there were no major disagreements within the government. Instead, Zelensky is likely trying to send a signal that he is injecting new energy into his government.

(The presidents office) wanted to do this last fall, then in December, then in May. They spoke about it so they need to do something, otherwise people will not believe them, he said, adding that Zelensky likely sensed a window of opportunity for the reshuffle. The West cant criticize him now because they have a lot of domestic issues to deal with  the US election, election trouble in Germany and France, he added.

Davyd Arakhamia, the majority leader of Ukraines parliament, said Tuesday that there would be major changes expected in the cabinet this week.

As promised, a major government reset can be expected this week. More than 50% of the Cabinet of Ministers staff will be changed, Arakhamia said on Telegram, adding that new members would be appointed imminently.

Among those who have resigned was the Minister for Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin, who was in charge of weapons production. He is expected to assume another defense role, Reuters reported.

The resignations also include the justice, environment and reintegration ministers.

To do this, we need to strengthen some areas of the government I am also counting on a slightly different weight for certain areas of our foreign and domestic policy, Arakhamia said.

Speaking to CNN Chief International Anchor Christiane Amanpour Tuesday, Kuleba said he expects Putin to continue increasing air attacks on Ukraine before winter sets in.

Putin still has the same purpose to freeze people, to destroy our economy and this is his strategy. So Im afraid he will continue with his barrage of missile and drone attacks over the course of the autumn, he said.

The attacks, Kuleba said, are just another reason why delivery of air defense systems to Ukraine must be expedited.

Emergency workers carry the body of a person killed during a Russian drone and missile strike in Lviv, Ukraine on September 4, 2024. - Roman Baluk/Reuters

Missiles hit Lviv

The expected reshuffle came as Russian missiles continued to rain down on Ukrainian cities. Just a day after two ballistic missiles hit an educational facility in Poltava in central Ukraine, a major attack struck Lviv, a city in western Ukraine that has long been considered a safe haven in the war-torn country.

Lvivs mayor Andriy Sadovyi said seven people, including a 14-year-old girl, were killed and 25 were injured in the attacks.

A 15-month-old child suffered moderate injuries and four other children have minor injuries, according to the head of the citys regional military administration Maksym Kozytskyi.

Lviv, in Ukraines far west, is generally far away from Russian borders, which means missiles and drones take longer to reach it  giving the Ukrainian military more time to shoot them down. Many people from eastern regions relocated there to seek safety.

Kozytskyi said that at least seven architectural monuments of local importance, including houses located in a historic part of the city and inside a UNESCO buffer zone, were also damaged in the attack.

On Tuesday, a Russian strike against a military educational facility in central Ukraine killed 54 people and injured nearly 300 others, according to the state emergency service of Ukraine. It was one of the deadliest single attacks since the start of Moscows full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Ukraines Air Force said Wednesday it shot down 22 attack drones and seven cruise missiles.

At the same time, Ukraine is still reeling from a massive wave of attacks against the energy infrastructure last week. Power cuts are still impacting lives across Ukraine, with millions suffering from power cuts every day.

Municipal workers check power lines at a site of a residential building damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine on September 4, 2024. - Roman Baluk/Reuters

At least five people were killed and more than 10 wounded in Russian attacks in the central city of Kryvyi Rih after a hotel building was destroyed, according to the head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration Serhiy Lysak.

The strike on Kryvyi Rih appears to be part of a wave of Russian attacks targeting hotels. Facilities in Kramatorsk, Zaporizhzhia, and another one in Kryvyi Rih were all hit by strikes in the past week or so.

Speaking about the attacks, Zelensky again appealed for Kyivs allies to supply Ukraine with more air defenses and to lift restrictions on the use of western weapons on targets in Russia.

Nuclear power plant worries

Meanwhile, the chief of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, visited the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in occupied southern Ukraine on Wednesday.

Grossi, who heads the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Tuesday that the situation at the largest nuclear power plant in Europe was very fragile. The Ukrainian energy company Energoatom said one of two power supply lines to the plant was damaged on Monday following Russian strikes in the region.

Today we have one of the two existing power lines down, which means that the station is again on the verge of being on a blackout, Grossi told reporters in Kyiv on Tuesday, before heading to Zaporizhzhia.

Explaining why a power cut could cause a serious accident at the plant, Grossi said: Blackout, no power No power, no cooling No cooling, maybe you have a disaster.

This story has been updated.

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By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Patience is running out among United Nations Security Council members and the 15-member body will likely consider taking action if a ceasefire cannot soon be brokered between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Slovenia's U.N. envoy - council president for September - said on Tuesday.

"There is a raising anxiousness in the council that it has to move one way or the other - either there is a ceasefire or that the council then reflects on what else we can do to bring the ceasefire," said Slovenia's U.N. Ambassador Samuel Zbogar.

"I'm pretty sure that in September it will have to go ... one way or the other, not because we want (it to), but because I think the patience is out," he told reporters.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday questioned how the warring parties in Gaza could agree to pauses in fighting to allow the vaccination of some 640,000 Palestinian children against polio but not a ceasefire.

"If the parties can act to protect children from a deadly virus ... surely they can and must act to protect children and all innocents from the horrors of war," said his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

The Security Council in June adopted resolution 2735, which backed a three-phase plan, laid out by U.S. President Joe Biden, for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas. But mediation efforts - led by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar - have yet to produce a deal between Israel and Hamas.

'BE QUIET'

Biden said on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not doing enough to secure a deal.

When asked what action the council could take if the June resolution was not soon implemented, Zbogar said: "There are many tools that council has at (its) disposal."

"But to start, I think one would be to establish that we have to move on from (resolution) 2735 because for the past three months the council was waiting implementation of that resolution," he said.

Russia and the United States last week clashed at the end of a Security Council meeting on Gaza over efforts to end the war.

Russia's deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy asked deputy U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood to explain any modifications that Washington had proposed to the ceasefire plan that would accommodate its ally Israel.

"We have already repeatedly been demanding that we receive this information because resolution 2735 has concrete parameters in it and we cannot step beyond those parameters," Polyanskiy said. Russia abstained from the vote to adopt that resolution.

Wood responded: "Implementation is the issue here. The framework is there."

He added: "My recommendation to you and your government would be: If you're going to contribute something positively, then contribute it, if not, then you should be quiet."

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Costas Pitas)
Two men from Columbus were involved in a homicide in Panama City, Florida, according to a Facebook post from the Panama City Police Department.

Police said they responded to the parking lot at the City Marina Monday morning in reference to calls of shots being fired. Responding officers found Berris McNamee, 42, of Columbus, dead from apparent gunshot wounds, according to police.

Officers began searching for a suspect identified as Demarcus Lykes, 38, of Columbus, according to the post.

The post said detectives believed Lykes was in a particular area of Bay County in Florida, and a Lynn Haven, Florida officer found his vehicle at 10:13 a.m. Monday in Lynn Haven.

Numerous officers responded and a standoff with Lykes ensued, according to the post.

Panama City Police Negotiations Team negotiated with Lykes for over an hour and a half until Lykes surrendered at 11:54am without incident, the police department said in a Facebook post.

Police said they didnt believe this was a random act of violence and believed Lykes knew the victim and specifically targeted him.

The post said Lykes was being charged with an open count of murder and will be booked at the Bay County Jail.

Police are asking witnesses to contact the Panama City Police Department at 850-872-3100, or report their tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 850-785-TIPS.
By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Deputy U.S. national security adviser Jon Finer met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other officials in Kyiv on Wednesday to discuss top priorities in Ukraine's war with Russia for the remainder of President Joe Biden's term, U.S. officials said.

Finer's discussions included a 90-minute meeting with Ukrainian military officials to discuss the state of the war and the strategy going forward, the officials told Reuters.

Russian forces are advancing in the east of Ukraine while Ukrainian troops have made a bold incursion into Russia's Kursk region. The next months are key for Zelenskiy as he seeks to win more support from the West and seize back the initiative in the war with Russia, after Moscow's invasion in February 2022.

Finer received an update on how the Kursk incursion was proceeding, the officials said.

While in Kyiv, Mr. Finer has had the opportunity to meet with President Zelenskiy and other key Ukrainian officials to coordinate on our strategic planning over the remainder of President Bidens term," said White House National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett.

Finer, who is the principal deputy national security adviser, made the trip at the behest of Biden and national security adviser Jake Sullivan to discuss U.S. support for Ukraine while Biden remains in office. His term ends on Jan. 20, 2025.

One U.S. official said among the topics discussed were ways to use a prospective $50 billion loan to Ukraine backed by Russian assets.

The loan was agreed upon in principle by G7 leaders in June. It would be serviced with proceeds generated by some $300 billion of Russian central bank assets frozen in the West after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

We have used these meetings to discuss U.S. assistance for Ukraines military, economy, and energy system, among other areas, and we will use the outcomes of these meetings to advance the presidents policy to support Ukraine until they prevail in this war," Savett said.

Another U.S. official said Finer's hour-long session with Zelenskiy and top aide Andriy Yermak was productive and substantive and included an update on the state of the war and strategy going forward.

Finer also met jointly with Ukraine's prime minister, energy minister and regional representatives to discuss energy security and recovery after recent Russian airstrikes, the official said.

While Zelenskiy has pressured the United States to let Kyiv strike military targets deep inside Russian territory, the official said the Ukrainians did not focus on the use of American long-range missiles deeper inside Russia.

The talks were much more broadly focused on the strategic moves needed to help Ukraine improve its position through the next five months, the officials said.

(Reporting by Steve Holland in Washington; Editing by Caitlin Webber and Matthew Lewis)
A Western Pennsylvania woman has been charged in the horrific abuse and killing of her 3-year-old granddaughter, Pittsburgh police said.

Denise Johnson, 56, was arrested Monday and charged with criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse, aggravated assault, corruption of minors, and endangering the welfare of children in connection to the death of toddler Ayla Miller, court papers obtained by USA TODAY show.

According to the Pittsburgh Police Department, officers and paramedics responded to Johnson's home in a downtown apartment complex just after 11:30 a.m. Sunday for a report of a suspicious death involving a young female.

A 56-year-old woman was arrested on Sept. 2, 2024, in the horrific abuse and killing of her 3-year-old granddaughter, Ayla Miller, the Pittsburgh Police Department reported. She has been charged with criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse and other felonies.

According to a criminal complaint, the child's uncle dialed 911 after finding the toddler unconscious, not breathing, and "obviously deceased."

Court documents identified the child as Ayla Miller and say paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.

Georgia high school shooting: Suspect in custody after shooting at Apalachee High School, authorities say

Ayla Miller suffered multiple injuries including burn mark 'consistent with a cigarette burn'

The complaint, filed by a detective, said the child was found on a bloody mattress on the ground in the apartment's master bedroom, "cold to the touch" and covered in bruises, scratches, and other injuries to her face, chest, and hip.

She also had a wound on her right ankle and a burn mark on her left ankle, "consistent with a cigarette burn," the criminal complaint continues.

Ayla's mother told police her daughter had been in Johnson's custody for about a month and a half living in the dark, after having her electricity cut off. The baby's mother said Johnson had been attempting to find new housing and that she "had a Facetime call" with her child about a week earlier and saw no trauma to her baby's face.

Another relative told police she spoke with Johnson Sunday, who apologized and said "she punched" the baby in the face, and the toddler fell back and hit her head on a coffee table "really hard."

"Johnson then picked (the baby) up off the ground," the complaint continues and placed her into the bed for the next few days" before the child was found dead by a relative.

During an interview with detectives, court papers read, Johnson apologized and said "she beat her butt for not listening" before she fell into the table.

Grandmother accused of killing granddaughter jailed with no bond

Online court records show Johnson was being held without bond at the Alleghany County Jail on Wednesday.

Records did not list an attorney for Johnson, who is set to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on the charges next week.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Denise Johnson charged in Pittsburgh beating death of Ayla Miller
Anne Allan, who spent nine years teaching Princess Diana, looks back on their most revealing and occasionally heartbreaking moments

Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix / Alamy Stock Photo Princess Diana and Prince Charles dance together while on tour in Australia in 1985

Just weeks after Princess Dianas royal wedding to Prince Charles in 1981, Anne Allan, a dancer and ballet mistress with the London City Ballet, received an extraordinary request: The Princess of Wales wanted dance lessons.

Soon she and Diana were meeting in a private studio in London for what would become hundreds of secret one-hour sessions. Over the next nine years, Allan and Diana developed a deep friendship. The princess, just 20 years old and newly wed, found in Allan a confidante with whom she could candidly discuss her personal struggles and the complexities of royal lifeincluding her pregnancies, her battle with bulimia and the increasing unhappiness in her marriage to Charles.

Allan, who has rarely spoken publicly about her time with the princess, decided to write her new book Dancing With Diana; A Memoir (out Sept. 10) to reveal the other side of her, the dancing side of her, the beauty within her, she tells PEOPLE in this weeks issue.

In the exclusive excerpt below, Allan reflects on the most candidand sometimes harrowingmoments she shared with her royal pupil.

Princess Dianas first dance lesson.

She walked straight to me, extending her hand and saying, How lovely to meet you, Anne, and goodness knows what you must think about all this, laughing and blushing profusely. I curtsied and offered her the flowers. Your Royal Highness, I said, and she instantly replied, Please call me Diana. . . . I showed Diana into the dressing room and then slipped into the other room to quickly change into my dance clothes. I was gently stretching by the barre when she emerged in her black leotard, pink tights, and ballet shoes, her head down. She was obviously uncomfortable. Please come and stand by the barre and we can chat a little before we start, I said. Her beautiful face was bright red with embarrassment, but she courageously moved towards me. Anne, I really dont know what you must think about all this, she repeated. I simply said, I love dance and I know you do, too, and thats what we will do here together.

Anwar Hussein/Getty; David Leyes Princess Diana and Prince Charles dance together during their tour of Australia in 1985; Anne Allan in 2024

Just a few weeks into their lessons, Diana confides that she is expecting her first child.

At the end of the class, she asked if she could have five minutes to chat. Anne, I wanted to tell you that a little one is on the way. Im pregnant!" I spontaneously threw my arms around her in congratulations. Maybe not appropriate, but an instinctive action on my part, as it is for many women. She beamed back at me, and we shared a joyous moment, just two ladies together. . . . She continued speaking: I wanted to let you know that, once the announcement is made, they will not let me take classes anymore, but I would like to keep it going for as long as I can, and I dont want to be fussed over. After all, lots of ladies have babies. . . . I asked if her husband was delighted, and she said, Yes, Charles is thrilled. She was glowing as she told me, the start of motherhood shining through. . . .I was thrilled for Diana that it was a boy and, as she told me later, she had done her duty and produced an heir. . . .By September, Diana and I were back in the studio. I was excited to see the Princess again and anxious to hear how she was and if she was loving being a mum. She greeted me with such warmth, and for most of the lesson we talked about babies. . . . Diana told me she absolutely adored her son and wanted to spend all her time with [baby Prince William], that she couldnt sleep because she wanted to keep checking on him.

Related: Why Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle Have Never Worn Princess Diana's Wedding Tiara...and Probably Never Will

Diana evolves as a dancer.

Diana had graduated from traditional black leotard, pink tights, and leather ballet shoes to more comfortable unitards in different colours or matching tights and leotards with white jazz shoes, which were more suitable to the movements we did. They made how she moved so much easier. She had given me a pale-yellow dance outfit as a thank-you present after I had suggested she wear a G-string as underwear. It works so much better, she said, laughing loudly. Looking back at the style for dance in the 1980s is very funny. We looked ridiculous, but we didnt go as far as Jane Fonda with her matching headbands.



courtesy Anne Allan Anne Allan and her daughter Emily on the steps of their Highgate flat as Anne is leaving for the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, Tuesday July 10th, 1984. She is holding the invitation in her hand.

Diana welcomes her second son, Prince Harry.

I couldnt wait to see Diana, and she threw her arms around me and embraced me warmly at our first class back. She looked to be in marvelous shape, although a little thinner, but that can be natural after giving birth, so I didnt think too much about it. . . . She said William was wonderful with his little brother and she loved watching them together. Everyone seems very happy that we now have the heir and the spare! Harrys red hair was a lovely surprise as I know hes a Spencer as well as a Windsor, she said laughing. My daddy is thrilled, but Im not too sure what Charles thinks about that.

Cracks in Dianas marriage to Charles begin to show.

Diana sat on the floor with tears in her eyes, and an outpouring of emotion followed. . . .I could feel the hurt, a helplessness within her. She was very accepting of my comfort, in between saying, You must think me awful. I didnt. . . . Slowly, after a few more minutes of gentle sobbing, she said, I just cant seem to do anything right when it comes to my husband. I do love him so much and want him to be proud of me, but I dont think he feels the same way. I just let her talk, not offering advice, but just listening. She continued, I dont understand why I am not enough for him; I think he prefers an older woman.

There had been tongue-in-cheek comments previously about her thinking her husband was visiting another lady, as she put it, which was hard to hear. But those comments had appeared to be suspicions only, so I had reassured her and reminded her how beautiful she was. This time it was clearly out in the air and needed a response. I asked her why she felt that. What followed was very alarming to hear. I know he is seeing Camilla again. Am I expected to accept that, like the other Princesses of Wales before, one just turns a blind eye to husbands having a mistress! Why does he not love me? I really dont understand. I have tried everything, tried to conform to his wishes even though I dont always agree. Theres no affection between us, and I am always on my own. I just want to be loved. I cant keep going on like this. They are really expecting me to just say nothing and keep going. How do I do that? . . . There would be several other conversations in the future, but in this moment in 1986, I tried to help to heal a wound, to bandage it up so it could have time to heal. But it would leave a scar.

Anwar Hussein/WireImage Princess Diana and Prince Charles in Melbourne, Australia, in 1985

Diana reveals her struggle with an eating disorder.

Her head dropped and, unable to look me in the eye, she said, I am so ashamed, Anne, but I need to tell you that I suffer from bulimia. Her shame was evidently painful for her. Im so sorry I havent been able to admit it to you, until now. . . . Diana explained that her bulimia had started when she had started attending important functions, particularly dinners where she had to sit down to eat. . . . Meeting so many people was terrifying to her and the feeling that she was being judged with every move she made or how she looked or what she said caused her to feel totally inadequate. Although she had gained more confidence over the years, there were still times where she resorted to the cycle of bulimia. . . . Understanding the disease was the way forward, I told her, adding that finding ways not to judge herself would come in time.

Related: Prince Harry Stayed at Althorp, Princess Diana's Childhood Home, During Recent U.K. Visit (Exclusive)

Tensions with Charles escalate behind the scenes.

From the minute the class started, I could tell Diana was distracted and troubled. She tried very hard to work through her feelings, but I could see from her body language and her fatigue after a short routine that this was not something she could throw off. She was dealing with feelings and emotions very deep inside her, and I knew she wanted to express them, but it was very difficultshe felt so vulnerable. In pure despair, she dropped to the floor, sobbing. I was distressed for her. I could feel the pain and turmoil she was in. I let her just cry.

After a few minutes, apologizing profusely for dumping on me when I had enough on my mind, she started to talk through the tears. I just dont know what to do, Anne. I find myself in an unbearable situation. I havent seen Charles for weeks and he doesnt want to talk to me. I thought he would come back to me, and we could work things out. How do I go on when Im not wanted? Her hurt was deep, and she could not see a way through it. My heart was broken for her.

I can still vividly remember the deep anxiety and dread she felt, the emotional conflict within her, and her fear for the future. It was a complex situation and she was searching for honest answers and solutions. The question of separation had been brought up, but I didnt believe that separation was an option, and told her. The palace would never agree, and I honestly didnt think that was what she wanted. Diana wanted Charles to be with her and to love her. Even though she was in her own romantic affair, at this point, Charles was still the man she desired and that was why it was so agonizing for her. Keeping my family together is the most important thing to me, she said, still crying.

corbis/Getty Images Princess Diana dances with John Travolta at a White House dinner in 1985

Allan and Dianas professional relationship ends in 1989 with Allan's move to Scotland. Their contact fades over time, and Allan learns of Dianas Paris car crash while at a Toronto work event.

I prayed that Diana was going to pull through, but I felt such heaviness in my heart. I knew I might be fooling myself. I sat up with [my daughter] Emily until news of her death was announced. Her life ended on August 31, 1997. Like the rest of the world, I was in total shock. My first cohesive thoughts were of William and Harry. How do you tell two young people that they are never going to see their mother again? I sobbed for them. I also wept for Charles, who would suffer deeply, regardless of the divorce. The circumstances of the death were horrendous. . . .On the day of her funeral, I joined millions of other people from around the world in watching the service and procession on television.

Afterwards, I held my own private vigil at home, surrounding myself with candles, flowers, and Dianas dance photos and letters. All I could do was remember and cherish the time we had together. It helped to fill the emptiness I was feeling. I would need a fair bit of time over the next few months to come to terms with her death.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please go to NationalEatingDisorders.org.



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Read the original article on People.
The subpoena comes as Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz campaigns as the Democratic vice presidential nominee.

WASHINGTON  The House Education and Workforce Committee issued subpoenas Wednesday to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Minnesota Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for how they responded to what federal prosecutors have called the largest pandemic fraud schemes in the country.

The subpoenas, obtained first by NBC News, demand that Walz, Minnesota Commissioner of Education Willie Jett, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Agriculture Inspector General Phyllis Fong turn over documents concerning oversight of the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, which is alleged to have misused millions of dollars intended to feed children during the pandemic.

Walz's record has faced new scrutiny since Vice President Kamala Harris tapped him as her running mate last month, though this new request by the Republican-led committee is part of an investigative effort that goes back to 2022.

Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., the committee chair, wrote in a letter to Walz that the committee is requesting this information to show "the extent of your responsibilities and actions addressing the massive fraud that resulted in the abuse of taxpayer dollars intended for hungry children."

A Walz spokeswoman called the alleged fraud "an appalling abuse of a federal COVID-era program," adding: The state department of education worked diligently to stop the fraud and were grateful to the FBI for working with the department of education to arrest and charge the individuals involved.

According to a June state audit report, the Minnesota Education Department failed to properly oversee Feeding Our Future, saying the department's "actions and inactions created opportunities for fraud."

State education officials are tasked with overseeing federal programs that reimburse groups like Feeding Our Future for providing free, nutritious meals to children. The state audit called the Minnesota Education Department's oversight "inadequate."

Jett, the top education official, submitted a written response to the report that put the blame on the individuals involved in the scheme. What happened with Feeding Our Future was a travesty  a coordinated, brazen abuse of nutrition programs that exist to ensure access to healthy meals for low-income children," he wrote. "The responsibility for this flagrant fraud lies with the indicted and convicted fraudsters.

Following the report, Walz said there was no malfeasance at the state level. Theres not a single state employee that was implicated in doing anything that was illegal, Walz said at a press conference in June according to The Minnesota Star Tribune. They simply didnt do as much due diligence as they should have.

In December 2022, Walz announced the addition of an inspector general position at the state department of education, a critical step to ensuring proper oversight of federal funds, he said in a statement at the time.

Prosecutors allege that Feeding Our Future opened more than 250 sites throughout Minnesota and submitted fraudulent attendance rosters of the names of fake children they claimed were receiving the meals.

The U.S. Justice Department has charged 70 individuals in connection to the scheme. Eighteen have pleaded guilty and five were convicted in June.

The state education department reported Feeding Our Future to the FBI in April 2021 on fraud suspicions, according to the audit. The FBI started an investigation the next month.

Prior to that, the education department had notified the USDA inspector generals office in the fall of 2020 during President Donald Trump's administration about concerns over the growth of Feeding Our Future but the agency did not take action, the audit said.

Foxx, along with the Republican leaders of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee and the Agriculture Committee, first requested documents from the U.S. Agriculture Department in September 2022 after federal charges were unsealed in the case concerning Feeding Our Future. At that point, Republicans were in the minority in the House so they did not control committees.

Once in the majority in 2023, Foxx and her fellow committee chairs followed up with USDA. The group of Republicans also requested documents from Jett in June.

Foxx said in letters accompanying the subpoenas that both the USDA's and the Minnesota Education Department's "production of information has been neither timely nor fully responsive."

The top Democrat on the committee criticized the timing of the subpoena and noted in a timeline that it marks the first public outreach to Walz by Republicans. The timing of the Republicans subpoena to Governor Walz is weird, Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., said.

Walz and the state and federal officials have until Sept. 18 to provide the requested documents, according to the subpoenas, though none of them are required to testify.

NBC News has reached out to all of the individuals subpoenaed for comment.
RFK Jr., Kamala Harris

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Vice President Kamala Harris isnt a worthy president because of her word-salad skills and policy flip-flopping  suggesting she cant even put together an English sentence.

I dont think that Vice President Harris is a worthy president of this country, Kennedy, 70, told NewsNations Cuomo Tuesday evening.

We need to have a president who can give an interview, who can articulate a vision, who can put together an English sentence, who can articulate her and defend her policies. And who can engage in a debate with, and regular debates, unscripted appearances.

Kennedy dropped out of the race shortly after the Democratic National Convention wrapped up late last month and endorsed former President Donald Trump, saying he worried that staying in wouldve paved Harris a path to presidency.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. argued that Kamala Harris struggles to articulate her stance on basic issues. NewsNation

It became clear to me that I was not going to be allowed on the debating stage, which was really my only path to victory. I was already being boycotted by all of the mainstream media, by the liberal media, Kennedy said.

If I stayed in the race, Vice President Harris would win, and I did not want that outcome.

Following President Bidens seismic decision to bow out of the race on July 21, Kennedys polling numbers cratered, according to polling aggregates from RealClearPolitics.

The Kennedy family scion  who broke with his famous clans Democratic roots with his Trump endorsement  also dinged Harris on her foreign policies.

RFK Jr. has endorsed Donald Trump for president. Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Repub / USA TODAY NETWORK

Harris speech at the convention made it very clear that she will continue the warfare state, he said.

During Harris address at the Democratic National Convention last month, she vowed to stand by Ukraine in its fight against Russian invaders and ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world.

Former President Donald Trump, 78, has similarly talked about strengthening the US military in the past as well, but he has conveyed skepticism about continuous aid for war-battered Ukraine, something Kennedy has echoed as well. In a split from Trump, Kennedy talked about slashing the military budget.

Harris sat down last week for her first major televised interview since ascending to the nomination. Trump and his allies needled her for sparingly conducting such interviews and taking seldom on-the-record questions from the media.

Ironically, Kennedy has struggled to get his name off key battleground state ballots, including Michigan, North Carolina and Wisconsin. He is mounting legal challenges against several of the states that have refused to strike his name.

Kamala Harris did her first major sit-down interview since becoming the nominee last week. Will Lanzoni/CNN

Trump and Kennedy had corresponded in the run-up to the scions endorsement and there was chatter about him landing a hypothetical administration post. Kennedy is also working with the Trump transition team.

Were not talking about a particular position for me in the government, Kennedy said. Our agreement about it is about a Unity Party, about unifying our party over certain objectives, and this will allow me to continue to disagree with President Trump on issues that I dont agree with him on.

Kennedy said he and Trump see eye to eye on opposition to censorship, the chronic disease epidemic and ending foreign wars.

A staunch backer of Israel, Kennedy also weighed in on Hamas murder of six hostages that officials believe came as Israeli Defense Forces closed in on their position in Rafah tunnels.

I think its time for compassion for the families of the hostages. This was a brutal murder, Kennedy reflected. Its an enemy that does not want to negotiate.

He predicted that Trump wont step away from Israel if he wins a second term in the White House and praised his policy toward the Jewish state as much better in the past than the Democratic policy.

The Post contacted the Harris-Walz campaign for comment.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. slammed Vice President Harriss candidacy Tuesday, saying she is not a worthy president while defending his choice to instead endorse former President Trump.

I dont think that Vice President Harris is a worthy president of this country, Kennedy told NewsNation host Chris Cuomo. I think we need to have a president who can give an interview, who can articulate a vision, who can put together an English sentence, who can articulate her and defend her policies and her record and who can engage in a debate with, and regular debates unscripted appearances, president or vice president.

Harris has recently faced criticism over her lack of media appearances since replacing President Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket, with some arguing she has not clearly laid out her policy visions. She sat alongside her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) for her first major sit-down interview last week with CNNs Dana Bash, during which she experienced no major gaffes and made no major news.

Kennedy announced last month he would suspend his campaign in the battleground states and put his support behind Trump. In doing so, he ripped the Democratic Party and the media for what he claimed was an unfair treatment of his independent campaign.

Well, it became clear to me, Chris, that I was not going to be allowed on the debating stage, which was really my only path to victory. I was already being boycotted by all of the mainstream media, by the liberal media, Kennedy said Tuesday on NewsNations Cuomo.

He added later, I had no way to grow, and our polling was showing that if I stayed in the race, Vice President Harris would win, and I did not want that outcome.

The environmental lawyer last month said he would seek to stay on the ballot in most red and blue states but would attempt to be removed from swing-state ballots where he could make a difference in the White House race.

His name, however, is likely to remain on the ballot in some key states, with officials stating voters will see him appear as a candidate in Michigan, Wisconsin and North Carolina this November.

What the irony is, Chris, we have been trying to get on the ballot in every state, and we succeeded now in doing that. And now were taking ourselves off in the states where we would harm President Trump, Kennedy said in the interview.

The Democrat Party, which was suing us to keep us off the ballot in those states, is now suing us to force us to be on the ballot, he continued. I mean, its, if were talking about principles here, you know, I think that we ought to, I ought to be able to be on the ballots where I want to be on and not be on the ballot where I dont want to be on.

The recent partnership between Kennedy and Trump has further stoked speculation he could be offered a position within a second Trump administration should he win in November. He appeared with the GOP nominee at an Arizona rally last month, and he later revealed he was asked to join the former presidents transition team.

When asked why he believes Trump will give him a position and what that might be, Kennedy said, Im not  were not talking about a particular position for me in the government.

What our agreement [is] about, its about a unity party, about unifying our party over certain objectives, he added. And this will allow me to continue to disagree with President Trump on issues that I dont agree with him on, and him to disagree with me.

The Hill reached out to the Harris campaign for further comment.

NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Reuters) - Snap will concentrate on expanding and diversifying its underperforming advertising business with a focus on augmented reality, CEO Evan Spiegel informed employees in a note on Tuesday.

The announcement comes amid a challenging period for the Snapchat owner, as it contends with major social media players such as Instagram parent Meta Platforms and Bytedance's TikTok for advertising revenue.

"You may be wondering why, with all of the progress we've made in our business over the last year, our share price performance has lagged the overall market. The answer is simple: our advertising business is growing slower than our competitors," Spiegel said in the note.

At the start of August, Snap projected a weak forecast for the current quarter, citing a decrease in advertising spend and is now expected to report fiscal 2024 revenue of $5.34 billion, according to LSEG data.

Snap's stock has fallen around 48% so far this year.

The company will also revamp its market strategy by launching new ad placements powered by machine learning and automation.

It is also developing augmented reality and smart glasses, much like its peer Meta.

"We are investing in creating augmented reality glasses that allow people to interact with computing, the world, and one another in totally new ways," the note said.

In June, Snap launched generative AI tools that enable users to apply more realistic effects when using their phone cameras to film themselves.

(Reporting by Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Editing by Mohammed Safi Shamsi)
(Reuters) -Elon Musk's satellite broadband firm, Starlink, on Tuesday said that it is complying with Brazil's top court order to block access to social media platform X in the country, a day after informing the country's regulator it would not obey the order.

Starlink had emerged as a fresh battleground between Musk and Brazil, as top court judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered the freeze of the company's accounts for possible use to pay fines owed by X, which is also owned by Musk.

"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," Starlink, which has more than 200,000 customers in the Latin American nation, said in a post on X.

On Monday, Brazil's telecom regulator Anatel said it had been informed by Starlink that the Musk-backed company would not obey Moraes' order for all internet providers to block domestic access to X.

An Anatel representative told Reuters, however, that Starlink had backtracked and informed the regulator on Tuesday it would conclude the blocking within hours.

Anatel verified Starlink has already started to cut access to X in Brazil.

X has been blocked in Brazil since last week after Moraes ordered all telecom providers in the country to shut down the social media platform for lacking a legal representative in the country, a decision later upheld by a panel of Supreme Court justices.

In its post, Starlink said it had initiated legal proceedings in the Brazilian Supreme Court explaining the "gross illegality" of Moraes' order, that froze Starlink's finances and prevents it from conducting financial transactions in Brazil.

It added that it continues to pursue all legal avenues, as are others who agree that the judge's "recent orders violate the Brazilian constitution."

Starlink lost the deadline to present a new appeal against the decision to freeze its accounts, a court document showed on Tuesday, and it was not immediately clear what legal instrument the firm would use to request the overturn of the freezing.

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 messages.

Musk denounced the order as censorship. He responded by closing the company's offices in Brazil in mid-August, but the platform continued to be available in the country until Moraes shut it down.

Some Brazilians can still access the service by VPN and other ways.

(Reporting by Luciana Magalhaes in Sao Paulo and Juby Babu in Mexico City; additional reporting by Andre Romani in Sao Paulo and Ricardo Brito in Brasilia; Editing by Maju Samuel and Sandra Maler)
A state of emergency was declared in the city of Rancho Palos Verdes on Tuesday a day after more homes lost power because of the shifting land.

Gov. Gavin Newsoms proclamation of a state of emergency would allow the state government to utilize and employ state resources to provide assistance to almost 300 people who live and work in the area without gas and electricity.

The Governors Office of Emergency Services has been coordinating with the city and county for nearly a year to support the response to the land movement, including providing technical assistance, supporting the local assistance center, facilitating a federal mitigation grant for groundwater work in the area, and helping officials with initial damage estimates, Newsoms office said in a statement.

Under Newsoms directive, all state agencies are to follow the guidance of the Office of Emergency Services and the states emergency plan to keep neighbors safe.

A home that collapsed because of ongoing landslides in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., on Tuesday.

We did think it took him a little too long to respond, but better late than never, I suppose, Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor John Cruikshank said.

Im delighted. The city has been calling for the governor to declare a state of emergency and todays announcement came not soon enough, City Manager Ara Mihranian said.

Meanwhile, those who live and work in the affected area are expected to follow the directions of the emergency officials, the governors proclamation said.

The declaration would also allow the state to provide further assistance to local government under the California Disaster Assistance Act.

After SoCalGas cut off its gas service to the community because of the land movement in early August, Southern California Edison Sunday terminated its electricity supply to 140 homes and 53 businesses in the Portuguese Bend community before expanding the power shut-off to an additional 105 houses in the Seaview community Monday.

(Sunday), Southern California Edison (SCE) notified the city and 105 out of 270 Seaview homes that their electricity service will be discontinued for varying lengths of time, due to the risk of utility equipment igniting a wildfire and other hazards caused by downed wires or damaged equipment impacted by landslide movement, the city said in an update Monday morning.

The power shut-off will continue for at least 24 hours. According to the city, 47 homes will be without power for 24 hours; 40 properties will be without power for one to three weeks; and 20 properties will be without power indefinitely.

Potential solutions on the horizons

With the support of the state and an additional $5 million secured from the county, local leaders are brainstorming what they can do to remedy the disaster. Cruikshank said he is looking for long-term, off the grid solutions for his constituents.

Among those being considered is Teslas powerwall.

Southern California Edison cut off power to more than 200 homes in the area and advised some residents to prepare to evacuate on short notice.

I had a really great meeting with Tesla Energy, the mayor said. I met with them again today; they already came forth with some workable solutions.

Cruikshank did not elaborate on how the city could potentially move forward with Tesla, but that route could take weeks or even months to complete.

Frustration mounts from impacted residents

With many residents in the community living with a lack of utilities, those whove been impacted by the shutoff are demanding resolutions that will help them long-term. In the meantime, however, theyre doing what they can.

I dont have a toilet that works because the grinder pumps are off and I dont have any power or cell, said a resident named Cassie, who was at a community center for those who were affected.

It takes a while to get your head around this, so we are playing it day by day, said David Blenko, whose home lost power Monday.

One resident said it is unclear who is being impacted by the shutoff and who isnt.

People west of us had power and some didnt, said Jill Carlton, who lives in the area. So, theres no defined area, that they can even explain right now. So I have no idea whats going to happen.

Rancho Palos Verdes residents can check the citys website to see if they fall under areas impacted by the power shut-off. Community members can click here to see if the are in an evacuation area.
Shutterstock // Comeback Images

The United States is facing a caregiving crisis.

As America's population ages and adults are staying active for longer, many are choosing to live in assisted-living facilities.

Assisted-living facilities offer 24-hour care but are less hands-on than nursing homes. They can offer the best of both worlds for a generation that values independence. Still, low staffing levels are causing facilities to raise prices and, in some cases, close their doors entirely, exacerbating an already severe care gap.

Residents of assisted-living facilities generally have their own apartments with shared amenities, offering more privacy and autonomy. They are also typically less expensive than nursing homes or home care.

Compare Home Health Care Agencies examined data compiled by the Department of Homeland Security's Geospatial Management Office to find which parts of the country have the highest rate of assisted-living facilities per 100,000 residents over 65. While facilities have varying numbers of beds that can accommodate more patients, the number of facilities is used since bed data was not available for some states.

After dipping in 2020, occupancy rates at assisted-living facilities have largely recovered since the COVID-19 pandemicfaster than nursing homes and independent living communities. However, tough working conditions, like being able to lift patients and deal with stressed and angry family members, combined with low wages, have caused a workforce shortage.

Fewer nurses and other medical professionals on staff can lead to a lack of individual attention and care. To remedy this, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services implemented requirements in April 2024 to increase staff-to-patient ratios; however, senior living facilities say the new staffing rules, which will be phased in over the next five years, are onerous.

The result is a face-off between government regulations and the private sector, which has been criticized for maximizing profits while not meeting patient needs and, in some cases, abuse and neglect.

Compare Home Health Care Agencies

How states are preparing for an aging population

Since states, rather than the federal government, regulate assisted-living facilities, the quality and cost of care can vary greatly depending on location.

In Michigan, there is only one assisted-living facility per 100,000 residents over 65. According to a March 2024 State of Reform report, the state estimated that it is short 36,000 direct care workers, including certified nursing assistants, and that more than a third of nursing homes are turning away new patients every month.

Alaska, on the other hand, has the most assisted-living facilities per capita as more Americans decide to retire in the Last Frontier. In the last decade, the number of residents between 65 and 74 nearly doubled, according to the state's Health Department, and developers have built facilities accordingly. However, the cost of care is among the highest in the nation. Alaskans pay about $7,250 per month for assisted living, 35% higher than the national average.

To rectify disparities, states have tried to boost home-based care by increasing workers' pay and offering training programs. At the federal level, the Senate held its first hearing on assisted-living facilities in two decades in January, calling for increased oversight.

Since then, members of the Senate Special Committee on Aging have requested that the Government Accountability Office examine how much the federal government spends on assisted-living facilities each year. They are also soliciting information on quality and cost of care from families who have navigated the system.

Story editing by Alizah Salario. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Ania Antecka.

This story originally appeared on Compare Home Health Care Agencies and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
Two students and two teachers were killed and nine others wounded Wednesday in a school shooting an hour outside of Atlanta, authorities said.

One suspect, a 14-year-old student, was alive and taken into custody following the gunfire at Apalachee High School, Georgia Bureau of Investigation director Chris Hosey said at a news conference late Wednesday afternoon.

The suspect surrendered to law enforcement immediately after being confronted, Hosey said. He was cooperating with authorities and will be charged with murder and handled as an adult, according to Hosey and Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith.

He gave up, got on the ground and the deputy took him into custody, Smith said.

Follow along for live coverage

Smith lamented the "pure evil" and "hateful event" that occurred at the school. All nine who were taken to hospitals were injured by gunfire in some capacity, he said.

A motive was unclear. Smith said he was not aware whether the victims were targeted or whether there was a connection between the shooter and the victims.

"I don't know why it happened. I may not ever know. We may not ever know," Smith said.

Smith said it is also unclear whether there were any warning signs. Smith said authorities do not yet know how the shooter obtained the firearm and how he brought it into the school.

Earlier, he said it would take multiple days to determine what happened. Every minute, its developing on what were finding, he said.

The first call reporting an active shooter came in around 10:30 a.m., Smith said. Hosey said law enforcement officers and two school resource officers responded to the scene within minutes of being alerted to the shooting.

All campuses of Barrow County Schools, based in Winder, Georgia, went into a "soft lockdown" with most of the activity centered around Apalachee H.S. where police cars, fire trucks and ambulances had all converged.

Students could be seen being directed to the school's football stadium.

Smith said authorities were working to reunite students with their parents.

I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state, Gov. Brian Kemp said in statement.

Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Ga., is placed on lockdown with police on the campus Wednesday.

Eight people, including three with gunshot wounds, were taken to North Georgia Medical Center facilities in Barrow, Gainesville and Braselton, a hospital spokesperson said.

In addition to the patients with gunshot wounds, five people were hospitalized with panic attack symptoms, the spokesperson said.

Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta confirmed that it was treating one gunshot victim.

President Joe Biden said he was mourning those who were killed, as he pushed Congress to pass gun safety legislation.

What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now turned into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart, Biden said in a statement.

Students across the country are learning how to duck and cover instead of how to read and write," he added. "We cannot continue to accept this as normal.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said he was devastated for the affected families and said the Justice Department was ready to provide support.

School has been in session at Apalachee High School since Aug. 1. Schools will be closed for the rest of the week, Barrow County Schools Superintendent Dallas LeDuff said.

The school is Barrow Countys second high school, according to its website, and opened in 2000.

FBI agents from Atlanta were dispatched to the scene to assist local authorities, officials said.
(Reuters) -U.S. Steel would close mills and likely move its headquarters out of Pittsburgh if the $14.9 billion buyout by Nippon Steel collapses, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday citing an interview with the company's CEO.

The steelmaker's CEO David Burritt told WSJ the nearly $3 billion Nippon had pledged to invest in U.S. Steel's older mills was crucial to remain competitive and maintain workers' jobs.

"We wouldn't do that if the deal falls through," Burritt told the WSJ. "I don't have the money."

The deal has come under increasing criticism from U.S. politicians and the United Steelworkers union since it was announced in December.

On Tuesday, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said U.S. Steel should remain in domestic hands, while Republican nominee Donald Trump said he would move to block the deal if elected.

U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel have tried to assuage concerns around the deal and have touted its benefits.

Earlier on Wednesday, Nippon said the core senior management as well as a majority of board members at the U.S. company would be U.S. citizens, if the deal goes ahead.

Burritt told WSJ the expanded Arkansas mill would allow the company to close Mon Valley, its last steelmaking operation in Pittsburgh. The company would likely look to move its headquarters to the South too.

The deal has received all regulatory approvals from outside the U.S. and a greenlight from U.S. Steel's shareholders. It is now under the regulatory review process in the United States.

(Reporting by Aatreyee Dasgupta in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)
Red Hat has established and fostered a culture of collaboration among its partner base, which has seen channel partners thrive in todays competitive environment.

According to Garry Gray, Australia and New Zealand senior director and head of ecosystems at the vendor, Red Hat has a mixture of local partners who either subcontract to, or co-create with, other partners.

Partners will typically call it out early in the customer engagement, so everybody knows, he said at Red Hat Summit: Connect Melbourne on 3 September. These three people are going to compete with one another, or these two are collaborating with one another.

For MSPs, Red Hat has intentionally built a collaborative approach that fosters sustainable business growth and aligning partners strengths, said Gray.

We cant do everything and are not going to try and do everything, he said. Being able to have an ecosystem of partners and other vendors, and it all integrates together.

If you have a mature channel, the channel partners are able to work that out between themselves without having conflict in the channel.

Being able to facilitate mature conversations to help partners identify gaps and bring them together, ensures that projects leverage the unique strengths of each partner.

Wed probably be mature enough to have good conversations about how we can exactly play to our strengths, said Talor Holloway, chief technology officer at Advent One. Red Hat is quite good at bringing people together and saying, You guys have strengths in this area. Weve got a bit of a gap on this project, maybe [someone else] can help.

This type of open communication is particularly valuable in smaller and competitive markets like Australia and New Zealand, allowing partners to focus on areas of expertise without encroaching on each other.

Partners have a clear understanding of each others strengths and gaps, said Holloway. This transparency helps us avoid stepping on each others toes and ensures that we are delivering the best outcomes for our customers.

For Cameron Tuesley, Integral CEO, it doesnt matter how a project is finished, but that it is finished with the best outcome for the end user.

As a partner, were not selling a product, were selling an outcome for a client, he said. Unless we can create that outcome, however we do it, were not successful.

Part of what we do as a partnership, community things, is to try and find the best bits and bring that to the point where we get the outcome.

Greg Southam, DeployPartners sales manager, noted that the idea of collaboration for service, without necessarily always being commercially oriented, is intrinsic to the channel.

[In] my experience, weve probably looked at what the needs of the customer are, and then how we can jointly both meet those needs, he added. If you have a mature channel, then the channel partners can work that out between themselves without having conflict.

To further recognise the value creation of its channel partners, Gray said the vendor will look to introduce new modules for its channel partner program, which launched earlier this year.

When we originally launched our partner program we wanted to ensure we recognised the different partner types and their value creation, he said. Weve recognised that other partner types behave differently, so were introducing new modules for managed services and creation spaces, with more to come by January 2025.

Its about continuing to evolve based on community feedback.

Lilia Guan travelled to the Red Hat Summit Connect Partner Exchange as a guest of Red Hat.
Ingram Micro Australia has implemented Zebra Technologies intelligent cabinet to improve operations at its 42,000 square metre warehouse in Eastern Creek, NSW.

The distributor, which has a distribution agreement in place with Zebra, traditionally used the vendors solutions for inventory management, labelling, delivery signoffs and return handling in its other warehouses.

However, a spokesperson for Ingram Micro told ARN this particular warehouse didnt have a technology solution implemented for operations before, with processes managed manually.

Zebras intelligent cabinet will now provide the distributors Eastern Creek warehouse team with real-time visibility and better tracking of devices that are returned to the intelligent cabinets at the end of each workday.

Ingram Micro director of operations Australia and New Zealand Aaron Kumar said the solution has reduced the combined time spent by our front-line staff in searching for the tools they need to perform their daily tasks.

Other Zebra products Ingram use in its warehouse includes the MC9300 ultra-rugged mobile touch computers for inventory management, ZD421 desktop printers for labelling, ZE500 print engines for inventory verification, L10 tablets for delivery sign-offs and ZT230 industrial printers and DS2278 scanners for return handling and other tasks.
Those arrested include preacher Li Yingqiang and three other church members. The authorities have imposed 14-day administrative detention for the "troublemakers", but the measure is likely to turn into criminal charges without release. In Guangzhou, a 30-year-old Christian woman was arrested for developing a religiously themed music application.

Beijing (AsiaNews)  Chinese police raided the Early Rain Covenant Church, a Protestant community in the southwestern city of Chengdu already banned by the authorities, during Sunday celebration, arresting a preacher, two pastors and a deacon, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported.

The broadcaster spoke to some church members who said that preacher Li Yingqiang and the other three were placed in administrative detention for 14 days, a practice used to hold troublemakers without a trial.

At the time of the raid by dozens of agents, some 50 people were attending the service at the house church. Hongpailou police accuse church members of "engaging in religious activities without permission" and ordered them to disperse.

Raids by law enforcement and the Religious Affairs Bureau against house churches are commonplace, particularly since the start of President Xi Jinping "sinicisation" campaign.

On Sunday, agents took into custody the elder Li Yingqiang, together with Pastors Wu Wuqing, Li Youhong (also known as Yan Hong), and a deacon, Zeng Qingtao.

The police raided the venue around 8.45 am, interrupting worship and locking the faithful inside the church, before informing them that the gathering was "not authorised" and should be suspended.

After taking away the four members, the agents cut off the power supply to the venue and ordered the others to leave.

One follower, who only gave the surname Li for fear of reprisals, said Li Yingqiang and the others are being held at the Chengdu detention centre, and should be released on 16 September.

In the past, Chinese police have used administrative detention to file criminal charges, converting the status of detainees to that of "criminal detention" without releasing them.

The Early Rain Covenant Church made headlines in December 2018 when its premises were searched and forcibly closed on Christmas Eve.

Since then, the church has been banned, unrecognised by the government, but has continued to meet despite stricter restrictions on religious groups in recent years under Communist Party leader Xi Jinping.

Nevertheless, unlike many underground Protestant churches, the Early Rain Covenant Church practises its faith openly, posts sermons and studies online, evangelises on city streets, trains future pastors, and runs a primary school for 40 children. The community has about 500 members and 300 sympathisers.

One of the most controversial incidents involving the church dates back to 24 February 2019 when police arrested 44 people, including parents and 11 children (one was a two-month-old baby) because they had met in different houses to pray.

The communitys leader, Rev Wang Yi, has been in jail since 2018 purging a nine-year sentence in what is one of the most egregious violations of human rights and religious freedom by communist authorities. And he is not alone, several Protestant house church pastors are currently in prison.

Finally, a young Christian woman has been jailed for contributing to the development of a Christian App, called "Song of Songs".

Local sources cited by ChinaAid report that Xin Ruoyu (picture 2) was arrested on 23 August. The 30-year-old, who hails from Guangzhou, and her young son were taken into custody by police during a raid.

At present, she is being questioned in an extrajudicial black room", but no information is available about any charges.

"Song of Songs" is a Gospel-centred app designed and developed specifically for Chinese-speaking Christians.

It offers hundreds of thousands of Chinese and foreign hymns and music videos, various versions of hymn books and sheet music, providing everything needed to pray with religiously themed music and songs.

It also features sermons from well-known pastors from around the world, offers Bible readings in multiple languages, and includes a hymn singing function.
by Nirmala Carvalho

During a public consultation, BJP and civil society representatives spoke out against granting Christian dalits disadvantaged class status, reiterating discriminatory prejudices and cliches. The opinions were collected by a special Commission of Inquiry led by the former Chief Justice.

Bangalore (AsiaNews) - Several politicians and dalit representatives from the southern Indian state of Karnataka have come out against the possibility of considering Christians part of the socially disadvantaged, so-called scheduled castes, who in India are entitled to a range of facilities in education and public sector jobs.

Comments on this issue were made yesterday during the first public consultation of the Commission headed by former Chief Justice of India, Justice K. G. Balakrishnan. The Commission of Inquiry was established in October 2022 to determine whether dalits (also once called untouchables or outcastes) who convert to a religion other than Sikhism or Buddhism can be granted scheduled caste status.

For years, organizations defending the rights of Christian (and Muslim) Dalits have claimed that they are subject to prejudice and discrimination. While since 2004 the Supreme Court has found itself unable to redress petitions in this regard due to a legislative vacuum.

Yesterday's public hearing was attended by about 100 people, of whom nearly 95 percent voted against granting recognized caste status to Christians as well

The leader of the nomadic Banjara community, Peetha Seer Sardar Sevalal Swami, supported the idea that the commission should not favor those who have converted to religions born outside India and that are not rooted in Indian culture.

Similarly, some members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, the ruling party at the national level and in opposition within the Congress-led Karnataka Legislative Assembly) have once again accused Christians of duping Dalits with conversions.

This is a broader conspiracy by Christians and Muslims to usurp the quotas reserved for the recognized castes, said politician Cement Manju, MP for Sakleshpur constituency, a constituency reserved for those belonging to the disadvantaged classes.

Other personalities continued in the same vein, reiterating prejudices against non-Hindu minorities. Eeranna Mori, of the Safai Karmachari Association (which cares for those who work collecting garbage, an occupation traditionally reserved for Dalits) commented, saying that Christians secure a double benefit, as they also receive support from the church to finance their children's education or health care expenses.

Because of these conversions, he insisted, family ties are destroyed. For example, one brother becomes a Christian and another remains a Hindu. The Christian brother immediately breaks off relations. Therefore, religions responsible for breaking up families should not be given the status of a recognized caste.

In contrast, Dalit writer and activist Cynthia Stephen supported the position of granting quotas to Christians, saying that Dalits continue to be considered untouchable even after conversion, while the Dalit Christian Federation stressed that religion is not a valid criterion for granting or not granting status.

At the end of the discussion, Judge Balakrishnan asked the participants to submit their interventions and arguments in written form.
A South Korean TV network reported the incident, while South Korean secret services say they are monitoring the situation. Some experts are sceptical, but during a meeting of the Politburo Kim Jong-un said he would punish those who neglected their duties.

Seoul (AsiaNews)  According to reports from a South Korean TV network, North Korea has executed dozens of officials held responsible for the damage caused by floods that hit the north of the country in July.

Citing an anonymous source in the South Korean government, Chosun TV said that between 20 and 30 officials were shot in recent days, but some experts have expressed scepticism.

This morning, South Koreas spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, said it was "closely monitoring" developments regarding the situation, without providing further details. South Koreas Unification Ministry, which manages relations with North Korea, declined to comment.

Thousands of people are estimated to have died during the floods that hit Jagang particularly hard; the province borders China along the Yalu (Amnok) River. South Korean media reported that bodies were found during clearing soil after waters receded.

North Korea's propaganda machine released pictures of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un overseeing rescue operations, but without reporting casualty figures.

According to (the North) Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), rains damaged at least 4,100 homes and destroyed about 3,000 hectares of farmland in the city of Sinuiju, a commercial hub linked to China by a bridge. About 5,000 people were rescued.

At an emergency politburo meeting in late July, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un said he would punish officials who severely neglected their duties and were thus responsible for the casualties.

The Yonhap news agency reported that the former secretary of the Jagang Provincial Committee, Kang Pong-hun, could be among those executed.

Kang and other party members, including Public Security Minister Ri Thae-sop, were removed from their posts during the emergency politburo meeting.
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4 September 2024 13:31 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

A military operation targeting anti-terrorism, sabotage, and invasion launched by the Azerbaijan Armed Forces about a year ago went down in history as an anti-terrorist measure. The operation which hurt no civilian and lasted for 23 hours and 47 minutes, culminated in the total surrender of the illegal armed forces and the dismantling of the self-proclaimed administration in Azerbaijan's Garabagh. The event ended the separatism that existed in Garabagh for more than 30 years and led to the restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Reflecting on this significant event, we also look at the transformation of the Azerbaijani military, which has played a crucial role in achieving this victory.

In a comment on the event for Azernews, Turkish reserve general Yucel Karauz praised the evolution and strength of the Azerbaijani army. He particularly emphasized the importance of Azerbaijan's army building and having excellent combat tactics for the success of the operations.

"Army establishment is one of the most difficult things in the world sociologically. Because the foundation of army establishment is discipline, education, organization, doctrine, faith, belief, integration with the people, and fighting for the homeland, the nation, and the flag. The Azerbaijani army has become the strongest army in the Caucasus from zero in 1992. In other words, the success achieved in this short period is an exemplary level when compared to the countries of the world."

General Karauz emphasized the rapid development and professionalization of the Azerbaijani military, particularly since 2020. "The Azerbaijani army repeated the dynamic change in its military structure from 1992 to 2020, that is, in 28 years, in the same manner from 2020 to 2024," he noted.

He highlighted several factors contributing to this transformation, including the increase in special operations units, the creation of commando units, the establishment of the National Defense University, and the expansion of the number of professional soldiers.

"In addition, it is very important that the most advanced systems in the world in the defense industry are then included in the army and that this work is done without being dependent on any country," he added.

General Karauz underscored the significance of the reforms implemented under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, stating, "Thanks to the reforms that the Azerbaijani President has put forward as a continuation of the principles from the past to the present, the 24-hour anti-terror operation will instill trust in friends and fear in the enemy."

He concluded by acknowledging Azerbaijan's enhanced role and influence in the Caucasus and Central Asia, asserting, "Azerbaijan has become the main determining factor in the Caucasus. It has started to affect Central Asia by creating a bridge between the Caucasus and Central Asia and by interacting with it. This is related to the power of the state. May Allah always make the Azerbaijani state and nation, General President Ilham Aliyev, and Commander-in-Chief strong and powerful."

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
4 September 2024 19:45 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Some rhetoric, unpleasant expressions, and behaviors toward Azerbaijan have been observed by the Russian State Duma several times. Konstantin Zatulin, known for his staunch pro-Armenian position and actively expressing the interests of the Armenian community of Russia, once again demonstrated his anti-Azerbaijani position and supported terrorism and separatism.

Russian State Duma MP from the Sochi district, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Public Relations... at first glance sounds pretty hefty. This time it looks like Russia's pro-Armenian MP has sharpened his expression of admiration towards the Garabagh junta. To such an extent that he opted to put forth an undeniably ludicrous remark. "I am recording thiswhether you call it a message or a declarationon August 30, the birthday of my old friend Bako Saakovich Saakyan," Zatulin declared. Afterward, he congratulated Armenians who were illegally residing in the temporarily occupied territories of Azerbaijan on the "Independence Day" of the non-existent "Artsakh," then as a fanatic of the Garabagh separatists [Bako Saakyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Ruben Vardanyan, and other separatists] who are awaiting trial in Baku, showed his 'support' by saying, "I pray to God that nothing happens to them and that they return to their families and Armenia as soon as possible." In his introduction, referring to them as citizens of the "unrecognized but existing Nagorno-Karabakh Republic," reminded of a dreamy romantic's belated confession. Sure, the "Artsakh" project existed, but only in the fantasies of Armenian separatists, which predictably burst tragically in the end. The first deputy chairman of the Russian State Duma's committee is discussing the release of separatist ideologues in Garabagh, not any other ordinary person.

Zatulin, infamous for taking bribes and being faceless in his country, is undoubtedly intended to remain a hot topic, considering he went into hibernation mode for a long time with his empty and incoherent comments. Of course, under a certain set of circumstances, Zatulin could come to Baku to visit one of the former "leaders" of the Garabagh junta, Bako Saakyan, in the pre-trial detention center. Unfortunately for Zatulin, he is not allowed to enter our country because of his former participation in parties held in the temporarily occupied territories of Azerbaijan. It is also noteworthy to add that, Zatulin is unique in this regardhe's considered unwelcome not only in Azerbaijan but also in Armenia, may I say that we can also print a list of countries regarding the same issue? So, on 23 May 2010, he participated in a circus performance called elections among the Garabagh separatists. Naturally, no one in the world recognized these elections. At the same time, the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry included Zatulin in the list of persona non grata. The Russian MP was not satisfied with this and in every possible way expanded the list of countries where he is banned from entering. In 2018, Estonia became a new such country. But the real bans came after the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war. First, he was included in the sanctions list of the European Union, then he was included in the sanctions list of Great Britain, after which he fell under the sanctions of Ukraine. As of 30th of September 2022, Zatulin was placed on the US sanctions list. Last but not least came Armenia's decision in late October 2022, when both Zatulin and RTs (Russia Today) Margarita Simonyan were banned from entering the country. That's another way of earning yourself a title: Mr. International persona-non grata.

We would like to bring one point to the attention of the deputy. President Ilham Aliyev visited the Khudavang monastery complex in Kalbajar on September 2, which was liberated from occupation. One of the architectural monuments that was subjected to Armenian aggression between 1992 and 2020. During the occupation, illegal activities were carried out under the guise of "restoration" with the support of the Armenian Apostolic Church and financial backing from the Armenian state. These included falsifying elements and making additions to structures such as the Arzu Khatun and Great Hasan churches, as well as other buildings within the complex, many of which were subjected to acts of vandalism. After the liberation of our lands from occupation, Armenian priests and monks remaining at the monastery, with the assistance of foreign experts, illegally cut out and removed ancient frescoes from the monuments, taking them out of the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In addition, the cross-stones and inscriptions in the form of a cross composition with two circular motifs and a tree of life, located on the bell tower of the Khudavang Monastery complex, were dismantled and looted. All these churches are Albanian and it has nothing to do with Armenians. Zatulin, who admitted that he grew up in Hadrut, which was liberated from occupation, also knew this.

In any case, the fact that a Duma official indulged in such political illiteracy is a disgrace to the name of the Russian state. In addition, Zatulin and his contributors should know that Azerbaijan, as an independent state, regulates the processes on its territory within the framework of the country's legislation. All issues, including the integration of Armenians in Garabagh into Azerbaijani society, should be evaluated in this context. Therefore, people like Zatulin should understand one thing before delivering a piece of nonsense, that it was not and will not be possible to influence Azerbaijan in this method to turn her from its path!

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
4 September 2024 16:44 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Through its strategic policies, Azerbaijan has cultivated robust economic and political partnerships with neighboring countries, European states, Western nations, and Central Asian countries. The nation particularly values its relationships with Turkish states, with Kazakhstan being a prominent and strategic partner in this network.

A major factor in strengthening these relations is the strong personal rapport between the heads of state of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. In recent years, the frequent visits between President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and the Kazakh head of state have become a regular feature of their diplomatic engagement.

These robust relations are also evident in the economic sphere. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan reached $280.6 million in January-June 2024. During this period, Azerbaijan exported $24.5 million worth of goods to Kazakhstan, while imports from Kazakhstan amounted to $256.1 million.

Azerbaijans share in Kazakhstan's total trade turnover was 0.4%, and its share in Kazakhstans total exports was 0.7%. Last year, the trade turnover between the two countries totaled $598.47 million.

There are currently 182 commercial entities in Azerbaijan with Kazakh investment across various sectors, including industry, agriculture, construction, transport, trade, and services. Kazakhstan invested $102.2 million in Azerbaijan, while Azerbaijan invested $205.2 million in Kazakhstan.

A key project enhancing economic relations between the two countries is the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor. This significant initiative connects China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye, and European countries across the Caspian Sea.

Operating since 2014, the Middle Corridor is considered the most efficient and secure route for transporting goods between China and Europe. In 2023, approximately 2.8 million tons of cargo were transported via this route, an 86% increase from 2022. The volume of cargo transportation is expected to exceed 4 million tons in 2024, with around 250 container block trains planned to transit through the corridor by year-end.

Notably, in the first half of 2024, cargo transportation on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route increased by 65%, reaching 2.1 million tons. This growth not only highlights the corridor's importance but also offers unique opportunities for further cooperation among countries across this expansive region.

The Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, established in 1999, plays a crucial role in advancing bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. To date, the commission has held 21 meetings, with the most recent one occurring this year. Beyond bilateral engagements, cooperation between the two countries continues to thrive at the multilateral level, particularly within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). Both nations are committed to expanding and deepening their collaboration within the OTS.

On July 6, an informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States took place in Shusha, where the Garabagh Declaration was signed. This declaration emphasizes the development of stable and multifaceted relations among Turkic states and underscores the importance of leveraging the full potential and opportunities in political, economic, transport, defense, humanitarian, educational, and cultural domains.

It is notable that the combined gross domestic product (GDP) of OTS member countries exceeds $1.5 trillion. The trade turnover within the OTS framework has reached $42.3 billion, while the total trade turnover of Turkic states with the global market is approaching $1.3 trillion. Member countries are actively participating in global economic processes, and being represented in major international organizations.

Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan also maintain a robust partnership in the traditional energy sector. Noteworthy aspects of their cooperation include the transportation of Kazakh crude oil to global markets via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, the processing of Kazakh crude oil in Azerbaijan, and other related activities, which highlight the success of their oil and petroleum product relations.

Furthermore, the road map signed between SOCAR and "KazMunayGaz" in 2023 has significantly enhanced opportunities for expanding their collaboration. This effective mutual cooperation, encompassing oil processing, transit, and commercial relations, has catalyzed Azerbaijan's rapid development, reinforcing its status as a regional energy hub.

In conclusion, Azerbaijan's strategic policies have significantly strengthened its economic and political partnerships with a diverse array of countries, including its key partner, Kazakhstan. The frequent high-level exchanges between the leaders of both nations, coupled with a robust economic relationship characterized by substantial trade and investment, underscore the depth of their bilateral ties. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, exemplifies their successful collaboration and its impact on regional connectivity and trade efficiency.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
4 September 2024 15:38 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Approximately 500 government services have been digitized through the National Electronic Government Platform, says Rashad Khaligov, Deputy Chairman of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, Azernews reports.

Khaligov shared this update at the "Paperless Government: Digitalization and Environmental Impact" event.

Khaligov explained that the platform encompasses a range of state information systems, including those in social services, customs, ecology, agriculture, and other sectors. He highlighted the role of the "Government Cloud" (G-cloud) National Data Center, electronic signature systems, and biometric signature systems, which enable citizens to access information from various state institutions electronically.

This year, the completion of a data exchange project has further enhanced digital document sharing among government agencies, with courts also now participating. Khaligov noted that these advancements contribute to saving approximately 2,000 trees annually, emphasizing the importance of ongoing efforts within the Digital Strategy framework.

He stressed that a key focus for the state institution is to clearly define Azerbaijans digital development strategy and advance the application of digital technologies across all sectors.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
4 September 2024 16:59 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Chairman of the State Urban Planning and Architecture Committee, Anar Guliyev, met with a delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Igor Nazaruk, to discuss collaboration on the restoration of liberated territories, Azernews reports via AZERTAG.

Anar Guliyev highlighted that cooperation between Azerbaijan and Belarus is currently progressing at a high level, creating ample opportunities for implementing joint projects based on advanced practices. The meeting underscored the potential for further expanding these cooperation relations, especially by leveraging Belarusian experience in restoring territories freed from occupation.

Belarusian experts also discussed the progress of a project focused on creating an agrarian town in the village of Kizil Kangarli in the Aghdam district. The discussion emphasized the project's impact on the comprehensive development of settlements in the Aghdam district, the revitalization of rural areas, and the region's economic growth.

Both sides agreed to continue expanding their cooperation, applying Belarus's expertise in the ongoing restoration efforts in Azerbaijan's liberated territories.

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4 September 2024 23:06 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Kazakhstan Aghalar Atamoghlanov, while visiting the Kuryk Port, discussed the operational possibilities of the area with the general director of the port, Serik Akhmetov, AzerNews reports, citing the post shared by the Embassy.

According to the information, ambassador Aghalar Atamoglanov visited the Kuryk seaport, which is considered one of the important transport hubs of the strategically important Middle Corridor.

The general director of the port, Serik Akhmetov, gave detailed information about the operational capabilities of the port area, as well as the transit and transshipment potential.

During the meeting, useful ideas were exchanged on the prospects of preserving and further developing the currently observed positive dynamics in the field of transit cargo transportation along the Middle Corridor.

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4 September 2024 15:00 (UTC+04:00)

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova today said that Moscow expects Armenia to resume its full participation in the Russian-backed CSTO military alliance, Azernews reports, citing TASS.

Yerevan and Moscow, over the past few months, have traded accusations as to whether the CSTO failed to fulfill its security obligations to support Armenia militarily.

In February of this year. Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan announced his government had suspended its participation in the CSTO.

Moscow says the Armenian governments decision contradicts the interests of the Armenian people.

"We hope that for the benefit of the future security of Armenia and the entire region in general, our partnership with Armenia within the framework of the CSTO will be fully restored," the Russian diplomat said.

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4 September 2024 18:03 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Armenia doesnt rule out the possibility of delegating security control of future transport connections with Azerbaijan to private security companies, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan, Azernews reports citing Armenpress.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan earlier said it was possible to delegate the security control of possible connections with Azerbaijan, that are yet to be opened, to a private security company.

Indeed, the prime minister has said that its possible, Safaryan said when asked to comment. We will inform you in case of having additional information. Theres no additional information at this moment.

The private company would have to ensure security control in the Azerbaijani territory as well, Safaryan said.

He said that hiring a private security company for the protection of connections does not violate the sovereignty of a country.

Armenian border guards and customs officers will be stationed on the border, he added.

Safaryan stressed that there is no clarity on the matter yet.

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4 September 2024 15:56 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

On September 4, an event was held to mark the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Azernews reports, citing Azertag.

The national anthems of Azerbaijan and the UAE were played at the beginning of the event.

The UAE Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mohammed Al Bloushi, who spoke next, stated that diplomatic relations between our countries were established on September 1, 1992: "Since then, we have witnessed numerous achievements, developments, and successes in bilateral relations under the leadership of both countries."

Referring to the significance of the Strategic Partnership Memorandum signed between the two countries, the ambassador emphasized that the friendship and brotherhood between the UAE and Azerbaijan are developing on a solid foundation thanks to the political will of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

The ambassador also highlighted that significant projects in Azerbaijan are being implemented by the UAE's major companies, "Masdar" and ADNOC. He added: We take pride in our joint efforts through COP29 to address the global issue of climate change. The UAE supports Azerbaijan with all its experience. We congratulate Azerbaijan on hosting this important international event.

Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadyarov stated that diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the UAE are based on deep and enduring partnership rooted in mutual respect.

He mentioned that Azerbaijan is committed to deepening its relations with the UAE. According to the deputy minister, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyans visit to Azerbaijan earlier this year had a significant impact on our bilateral relations.

One of the most promising areas of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UAE is the alternative energy sector. Azerbaijan is committed to diversifying its energy complex and reducing carbon emissions. By combining our resources, exchanging expertise, and investing in innovative technologies, we will contribute to a more sustainable future not only for our countries but for the entire world, Mammadyarov emphasized.

Recalling that Azerbaijan has started large-scale reconstruction work in its liberated territories, the deputy minister said: Azerbaijans multi-billion-dollar investment aims to create the necessary conditions for the safe and dignified return of former internally displaced persons to their lands. The international communitys voice can play a crucial role in mobilizing more support for Azerbaijans rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, particularly its humanitarian mine clearance initiatives. In this regard, we highly appreciate the invaluable support provided by the UAE during this challenging period. This support is not only about mine clearance but also about restoring hope and creating conditions for the safe return of displaced persons to their homes.

At the end of the event, a video dedicated to the relations between Azerbaijan and the UAE was shown.

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4 September 2024 16:03 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

We strongly condemn the severe travel warning for Azerbaijan issued by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, referring to unfounded claims that French people have been allegedly detained and targeted in Azerbaijan.

Azernews reports that Aykhan Hajizade, the Head of the Press Service Department of the Foreign MInistry of Azerbaijan, said this in a comment on the statement by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France on travel warning for Azerbaijan.

"Such unfounded and biased judgment and statement by France reflect this countrys intention to deteriorate relations with Azerbaijan further.

Allegations of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France that French citizens were unreasonably detained and imprisoned have no basis. This unfounded statement is a distortion of reality.

So far, only one citizen of the French Republic, Martin Ryan, has been detained in Azerbaijan on suspicion of committing an act (espionage) prohibited by Article 276 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Furthermore, it is well-known that another French citizen, Clerk Tego Hugo, has been detained for an act committed in the Baku Metro.

On the other hand, it is apparent that the impediments placed by France on Azerbaijani journalists during their visits to France and even other Schengen countries are entirely in contradiction with the human rights promoted by this country.

Everyone is well aware of international law violations, neocolonial policy, racist, discriminatory, and Islamophobic activities, and human rights restrictions of France, which raises claims about judicial authority and human rights in Azerbaijan and attempts to teach the world a lesson of democracy. Therefore, it would be more beneficial for France to learn from such actions.

We once again demand France to stop the smear campaign against Azerbaijan," he concluded.

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4 September 2024 17:57 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

On September 4, Azerbaijans Minister of Justice, Farid Ahmadov, met with the newly appointed Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Azerbaijan, Qasim Mohiuddin, Azernews reports.

F. Ahmadov congratulated Qasim Mohiuddin on his appointment to the position and wished him success in his future endeavors. The ambassador, expressing gratitude for the warm reception, mentioned that he feels at home in Azerbaijan, just as he does in his own country.

During the meeting, the high value placed on the strategic partnership between the two countries was emphasized. It was noted that reciprocal visits and meetings contribute to the development of cooperation across all fields.

The discussion also highlighted the satisfaction with the development of legal relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, and the implementation of close cooperation on extradition and prisoner transfers. Additionally, it was pointed out that the "Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Law and Justice of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan," signed during President Ilham Aliyev's state visit to Pakistan on July 11 and recently endorsed by a relevant Presidential Decree, would boost the expansion and dynamism of legal cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting included discussions on future prospects for legal cooperation as well as other matters of mutual interest.

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4 September 2024 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

In the global market, the price of a barrel of Azerbaijani oil branded "Azeri Light" has decreased by $3.01, or 3.69%, to $78.55, Azernews reports.

According to auction results, the price of Brent crude oil futures for November stands at $73.40.

The average price of a barrel of oil in Azerbaijans state budget for this year is calculated at $75.

It is worth noting that the lowest price of Azeri Light oil was recorded on April 21, 2020, at $15.81, while the highest price was in July 2008, at $149.66. In Azerbaijan, oil is mainly produced under the "Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli" (ACG) block development contract. SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic) holds a 25% share in the contract.

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4 September 2024 19:34 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will launch a spacecraft to Jupiter's moon Europa in October 2024 in order to determine whether there are living conditions on it, Azernews reports.

The launch of the Europa Clipper mission is scheduled for October 10 from the Cape Canaveral Cosmodrome (Florida). A Falcon Heavy launch vehicle from the American company SpaceX will be used for the launch.

NASA stressed that the mission's objective is to "help scientists determine whether one of Jupiter's ice-covered natural moons can support life." It is expected that the device, equipped with nine instruments and equipment for conducting experiments in zero gravity, will be launched into Jupiter's orbit and will approach Europe several times.

"Research data indicate that under the ice cover of Europe there is an ocean twice the volume of all the oceans of the Earth," NASA said in a statement.

Europa is one of the four largest moons of Jupiter, discovered by Galileo Galilei back in the XVII century. Its surface is covered with ice, under which there is a multi-kilometer ocean of liquid water. Today, planetary scientists consider it one of the likely centers of extraterrestrial life. This is supported by the fact that this reservoir exchanges gases and minerals with ice on the surface, and also contains hydrogen and some other substances that can support the life of microbes.

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4 September 2024 21:32 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The Republic of Korea is considering the possibility of buying kamikaze drones in Poland this year against the background of tests of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of this type in the DPRK, Azernews reports.

Sources among the South Korean authorities reported that the South Korean Defense Ministry sent a request for the purchase of military drones to the Office of Defense Procurement Programs of the Republic of Korea, which is "preparing to announce a tender." An employee of the department pointed out that a South Korean delegation recently visited Warsaw to assess the capabilities of UAVs and their compliance with the requirements of the South Korean army. The official noted that the format of the deal and the tender have not yet been determined. According to media reports, we may be talking about the purchase of about 200 drones.

The official representative of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Korea acknowledged that the department and relevant authorities are considering various options to strengthen capabilities in the field of UAVs, including international transactions. A ministry official, on condition of anonymity, said that consultations around Polish UAVs "have progressed significantly, given their proven effectiveness," including economic ones. The newspaper suggests that, most likely, we are talking about Warmate drones. Their maximum take-off weight reaches 5.7 kg, the practical flight range is 30 km, they can stay in the air for up to an hour, The Korea Times clarifies.

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4 September 2024 23:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Agriculture in Austria is struggling with the effects of the severe drought in recent weeks and months, Azernews reports.

The head of the Chamber of Agriculture, Josef Moosbruger, says that due to the record number of hot days, we are faced with arid fields. The damage to agriculture from the drought is estimated at 150 million euros.

Farmers will also have to contend with extreme weather conditions this year, from hail to floods and drought. After a rainy spring, there is now a "serious drought that leads to high irrigation costs," Moosbruger noted.

According to the head of the insurance company Kurt Weinberger, the total damage to agriculture in Austria currently amounts to 250 million euros, 150 million euros due to drought, 100 million euros due to frost, hail, hurricanes and floods.

The steady heat and lack of precipitation had a significant impact on vegetable production this year. According to the Chamber of Agriculture, this led to losses of up to 80 percent of the crop.

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4 September 2024 19:20 (UTC+04:00)

In his opening remarks at a conference on "Navigating the AI and Media" held by the Association of Balkan News Agencies - Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE) in Istanbul on Wednesday, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev spoke about the role artificial intelligence (AI) could play in the job of the journalist in the future. At the forum, which is taking place ahead of the ABNA-SE 32nd General Assembly (until September 6), Valchev stated that AI could never replace the natural communication between people.

Valchev asked the participants to imagine having computers at a future ABNA-SE General Assembly, trying to calculate what the heads of news agencies would say or how they would vote. While that may be possible in some other parts of the world, "it is inconceivable in the Balkans where life has always been guided by living human emotions". He added that AI replacing God's creation, the human being, was also unimaginable for him.

The head of BTA pointed out that professionals such as journalists who work with large databases can save time if they utilize AI. It is important, however, to note that AI cannot replace a live reporter on the scene, since AI works with previously accumulated knowledge but cannot cover live news. "New technologies can only complement journalists, not replace them," he added.

Valchev listed some uses for AI in the news media. First, they can use AI to pick the really important news and help users navigate through the ocean of news. Second, AI can facilitate the exchange of news articles between agencies that use different languages (he said that ABNA-SE will consider a project including the development of software to ease the exchange of news among the 12 ABNA-SE members. Third, AI can help media outlets find common points between different news articles (such as where the news flows of the 12 ABNA-SE members cross). Fourth, AI can facilitate the combination of various formats for news reporting: text, photos, video, audio, and infographics. Fifth, it can help better manage the news agencies' presence on social networks and other platforms and reach more people, especially more young people. Sixth, AI can help improve the news agencies' databases. Finally, it can help the news agency to better train their staff, he said adding that journalists must be trained how to use AI. "Before we develop AI, we need to develop natural human intelligence," he said.

The Director General of BTA was adamant that AI could never replace human cooperation or turn ABNA-SE into a computer-controlled by algorithm. He proceeded to praise ABNA-SE for its progress of having been registered as a legal entity in Sofia, which is an honour for BTA.

Valchev spoke about Italy's national news agency ANSA joining ABNA-SE in 2023 and added that work is underway to have news agencies of Serbia and Moldova join in as well.

He ended his speech with an extract from a poem by Bulgarian writer Hristo Fotev who was born in Istanbul 90 years ago:

The most important thing is to dare.

To overcome your fear  to jump

Among the forum attendees were Turkiye's Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacir and Serdar Karagoz, head of the ABNA-SE and Anadolu Agency Director General.

The Association of the Balkan News Agencies - Southeast Europe (hereinafter ABNA-SE or the Association) is registered at the Registry Agency of the Republic of Bulgaria as a non-profit association for the pursuit of private-benefit activities under Unified Identification Code (UIC) 207110234.

This Report has been prepared for the General Assembly of the Association and covers the previous calendar year, viz. the period from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

In a post from the ABNA-SE conference on X, Anadolu Agency Director General Serdar Karagoz wrote that the advent of artificial intelligence has brought innovative perspectives to the media world while shaping the future of the sectors ecosystem. "But, while implementing innovations in this transformative process, it is at least as important to preserve our industrys deep-rooted values, authenticity, and ethical standards. We should adopt an approach that not only integrates technology but also moulds it with a human-centered approach. Throughout the conference, the crucial role of collaboration in international media will be at the forefront of our discussions," he said.

On September 19, 2022, BTA became the seat of ABNA-SE which brings together 12 news agencies: Albania - Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA); Bosnia and Herzegovina  Federal News Agency (FENA); Bulgaria - Bulgarian News Agency (BTA); Croatia - Croatian News Agency (HINA); Cyprus - Cyprus News Agency (CNA); Greece - Athens News Agency-Macedonian Press Agency (ANA-MPA); Italy - Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA); Kosovo - KosovaPress News Agency (KOSOVAPRESS); Montenegro - Montenegro Independent News Agency (MINA); North Macedonia - Media Information Agency (MIA); Romania - Romanian National News Agency (AGERPRES); and Turkiye - Anadolu Ajansi (AA).

On October 6, 2022, ABNA-SE was registered at the Registry Agency of the Republic of Bulgaria as a non-profit association for the pursuit of private-benefit activities. The decision for that was made at the 30th General Assembly of the organization, held in Burgas on September 19, 2022 and hosted by BTA. Bulgaria was picked to become the seat of the Association and BTA Director General Kiril Valchev became Secretary General of ABNA-SE. The decision was made unanimously by all member agencies.

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Bandon Cranberry Festival 2024 Hits South Oregon Coast in Sept with Live Music, Eating Contests

Published 8/28/24 at 5:05 a.m.

By Andre' GW Hagestedt, Oregon Coast Beach Connection





(Bandon, Oregon)  When does the Bandon Cranberry Festival 2024 happen?

The little south Oregon coast town gets big on the colorful morsel on September 14 and 15  although a couple of events just before that stretch it out to September 12.

The annual monster-of-a-festival honors the local cranberry industry, one that has not just put the state on the map but especially the southern Oregon coast. There are varied operations from Port Orford up to Bandon, including little towns Sixes and Langlois.

It's quite literally a very colorful place, and the festival is one of the largest on the coast.

The festival got started in 1947  by newspaper accounts  first celebrated in November of that year. A quick history look:

In '47, Bandon's city recorder Wesley Chappel tells the local paper some 174 acres had been planted with cranberry bogs by that time, and that this part of the south Oregon coast had the potential of 14,200 acres. There's a heckuva lot more than that now.

Chappel said much of the reason for celebrating that first cranberry fest was the recovery of the town from '35 fire, which leveled nearly all of it. But he also speculates the idea for it may have come from a time when cranberries in this area were still a hobby. It was not a business for many years.



Bandon. Photo Manuela Durson - see Manuela Durson Fine Arts for more

Neighbors helped hand-pick the ripe, red berries, he recalled to the paper. The men talked of coming elections, the housewives and mothers traded recipes and ideas on child raising  and romance blossomed in the bogs. It was a festive occasion.

Note: times of events have not bee listed yet. Call the Bandon Chamber for more information closer to the event: 541-347-9616.

The celebration technically happens September 14 and 15, but a couple of other events lengthen the party out to September 12. They are considered pre-event happenings. That day, a Thursday, the Cranberry Court takes place, where the queen of the 2024 Cranberry Festival is crowned at Sprague Theater, Bandon City Park.

The following day, September 13, comes the Cranberry Kitchen Contest at the VFW Hall Post 3440. Food dishes made from the local treat are juried. Also happening then is the Old Town Marketplace Farmers Market at the Warehouse, Port of Bandon Waterfront.

On Saturday, September 14, the Bandon Cranberry Festival gets started in earnest with the VFW Auxiliary Craft Bazaar & Bake Sale at the VFW Hall Post.

The Cranberry Festival Parade winds through town on Highway 101 and through Old Town.

There's also the Cranberry Car Show, with Best of Decade Trophies awarded for cars from the 20th century through models that are current. Keeping with the motoring theme, the festival also hosts the Cranberry Motorcycle Show.

At the Oddfellows Hall there's the Quilts by the Sea Quilt Show

Meanwhile, get your food on with the Cranberry Festival Vendor Market.

There's live music on two stages, a Kid's Korner, a pickleball tournament and the famed Cranberry Eating Contest where you can watch people enlarge their faces.

At night, the festivities peak with the Cranberry Evening Dance at the Bandon City Park.

On September 15, go wild with the Cranberry Festival Bike Ride, which starts at the library and then zooms along 12 miles of south Oregon coast countryside and bog territory. The VW Hall hosts an all-you-can-eat breakfast and there's more Cranberry Food Court for the rest of the day's hunger.

More live music hits both stages, a Prancing Pet Parade takes place in Old Town Bandon, there's more cranberry eating contest happening and it all caps off with the Bandon Lions Club Cranberry Run (Run or Walk 1 Mile, 5K, or 10K). https://bandon.com/cranberry-festival-events-2024/ 541-347-9616.

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Bedrock Showing, New Fishing Holes Forming at Oregon Coast Beach, No One Sure Why

Published 8/28/24 at 4:55 p.m.

By Andre' GW Hagestedt, Oregon Coast Beach Connection





(Newport, Oregon)  It's a weird but fun little occurrence: something has scoured out a bunch of sand at one central Oregon coast beach, and it's causing bedrock to show in summer. This unique situation is also creating temporary, tiny bay-like dents in the sand that have opened up all kinds of recreational possibilities, like fishing holes. (Photo CoastWatch / Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition: it's the only shot of this unique event)

The only photo of this temporary summer oddity is from CoastWatch, taken at Holiday Beach early in August. This area  which is a tad south of South Beach  and the beaches from here to about Lost Creek have suddenly seen lots of sand pulled out and bedrock exposed. That is strange in itself since summer brings in lots of sand to the coast and usually only winter storms take it away. So, something different is happening right there. Oregon Coast's Mega-Cool Holiday Beach Near Newport - What You Don't Know

It has geologists a little puzzled  but not entirely blown away.

The other side of this is the giant pools and small bay-like formations these exposed rocks are creating (embayments). It's creating warm pools of water to play around in that are safe  and even extra fishing spots. Some pools after high tides get lots of perch stuck in them.



What this beach normally looks like

Charlie Plybon, Senior Oregon Policy Manager for Surfrider Foundation, lives along this stretch and is watching it. He's seen it from here down to almost Waldport, and agrees it's weird for summer.

Fun tip - these lower beach scours often create deeper pools on the beach at lower tide, he told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. This can in turn create great recreation areas, warmer and safe pools to play in than the ocean. At a rising tide as the ocean covers up these scoured areas of the beach, those deeper areas near the beach tend to attract feeding surf perch and those that like to fish them.



Full frame photo from CoastWatch: it's Nye Mudstone, millions of years old

Summer always brings in tons of sand and expands beaches: all that sand you see gets shifted around, sometimes daily, and then the ocean always gives or takes more, depending on seasons. Seeing bedrock is odd right now: that's not supposed to happen. What you're getting at Holiday Beach down to Lost Beach is a much wider stretch of strand, with the tideline a good hundred feet or more beyond where it normally is  as per usual for summer.

Most often, that's one long, flat chunk of sand leading outward. Now, however, the forward stretch has abruptly been eroded away and you get this slope towards the beach with exposed bedrock.

We have some spots between Thiel and Lost Creek that look quite similar, Plybon said. Over the weekend, I saw many of these areas start to fill back in with sand, but you're right, we typically don't see this type of scouring in the summer months.

Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department said they thought people are seeing minus tides showing the mud shelf and reef getting exposed.

Right now there is a lot of sand from the vegetation line to 50 yards west and when the tide is extremely low they are seeing the reef, OPRD told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. But I am sure it has something to do with the currents.

That stuff you're seeing exposed is Nye Mudstone, a formation that lies on top of the usual Astoria Formation that's seen exposed around northern Newport in the winters. That one yields fossils, said Plybon and Newport geologist Jonathan Allan, with Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI). Nye Formation does not.

Allan didn't think this was that unusual, however, though it is difficult to say exactly why it happened. But there's a few possibilities.

1. The site had simply not fully recovered from the past winter (this is dependent on the summer wave climate).

2. There has been above average along shore sediment transport resulting in hotspots.

3. Rip current embayments may have formed, resulting in localized scour (hotspot) of the beach at these locations.

4. There have not been sufficient winds out of the northwest this summer to drive sand back southward (one would have to evaluate based on surveys of the beach both updrift and downdrift of these areas that have been exposed).

Plybon is leaning towards some kind of recent scouring action since he's some bigger wave action in the area.

Allan said the layers of sand here and on the north Oregon coast are quite thin.



Normally, summer here is a flat beach with no slope

Exposure of the shore (rocky) platforms is not unusual on the central coast, Allan said. Of note, unlike the north coast, large parts of the central coast consist of a thin (several ft thick) veneer of sand on top of the shore platform.

Maybe not UFO category unusual: but it isn't the usual thing in summer, that's for sure. It is certainly fleeting. Plybon said after being around for a few weeks it's already starting to disappear.

In any case, sand levels are still high in the area: the ghost forests (4,000-year-old trees) of this stretch are not showing. It just appears as if a narrow stretch of beach has been eroded.

It's also true that Allan can't be certain why it happened and admits more studying of this area needs to be done by DOGAMI.

This time of year, beach widths are certainly at their widest, especially when you see it on a very low tide as we have been having of late, Allan said. Minor shifts in sand can fully expose the rock like this. Again, this is probably simply related to recent wave activity coupled with sand movement. We havent surveyed in this area for a few years and Im hoping to get down there sometime soon. With data and an actual look at the area I could provide a more definitive perspective.

Perhaps most important is the kooky fun this new features allows: a new fishing spot, and those pools get filled up with warm water that Plybon says are quite a kick. It isn't just humans that love it.

My dogs love to play in them, he said.

It's very temporary though, and going away quickly.

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Details and Twists of Seaside, Part I: Curious Oregon Coast History, Ruins to Whales

Published 9/02/24 at 6:25 a.m.

By Andre' GW Hagestedt, Oregon Coast Beach Connection

(Seaside, Oregon)  One of the all-time tourism faves of this state has a number of aspects that will raise your eyebrows. There's castle-like ruins, a few beach secrets, curiosities of the waves, odd science and some unique historical tidbits that come out of the blue. And what's here that may cajole a certain type of whale to the area?

There's more to Seaside than meets the eye of the visitor. A lot more. The little things you bump into around here may have quite the tell the tale. This is just part one.

Ferris Wheel of Seaside. It's hard to imagine with all those winds, but Seaside once boasted its very own Ferris wheel. This one wasnt towering - it stood at just under 50 feet high. Moreover, it operated exclusively during seasons of calmer weather. Still, it leaves one to wonder how they secured it during windier days and storms.

The Ferris wheel was a highlight of Gayway Park, which operated from 1953 until the early 1980s. Nestled slightly west of where the current little choo-choo train ride that now runs on Broadway, this charming amusement park also featured a small rollercoaster and other delightful attractions.





Necanicum Bird Frenzy. Every so often, spring descends upon the north Oregon coast with a flourish, bringing forth massive schools of baitfish such as anchovies and herring. It's like a culinary parade for regional beasties, especially birds. These little fish surge into the Necanicum River, and sometimes they overflow its banks. It's then that hordes of pelicans (mostly) descend upon the river, their wings a frenzy of motion as they snatch up the little fishies.



Photo courtesy Seaside Aquarium

The same baitfish runs can happen in early fall / late summer, and these can bring a lot of humpback whales to the north coast region, especially Astoria. These can also indirectly result in quite a few orcas (which follow the seals that come in for baitfish).





Lewis and Clark Works Replica. Sometimes it's known as a salt cairn  but apparently that term was sunseted. From January to February 1806, one group from Lewis & Clark's Corps of Discovery went to the beaches of Seaside and boiled sea water for salt. The site is considered to be the exact spot by historians. Look for Lewis & Clark Way to find the replica of the boiling structure. More Lewis and Clark at Seaside





World War II Military Bunker Atop Tillamook Head. Take about a mile and a half hike from Cannon Beach's Ecola State Park  or a little ways over that length from Seaside  and you'll run into an old bunker from World War II. This ancient construct once housed a radar station on top of Tillamook Head.

What's viewable now is a largely moss-covered concrete structure, with a few squarish concrete blocks on top containing slats. It all seems as if for lookout / guard purposes, but no, this is the remnant of the radar itself, what held the massive device.

Inside, the bunker has several rooms  apparently still fairly well kept. There are some areas with notches in the concrete which probably served as tracks for large movable items on platforms.

It's supposed to be closed off. Whatever the case, don't go in there: there's icky bats in there. See the Bunker on Top of Tillamook Head.

More in part II, including a revelation about Seaside's layout, what's underneath, and more.

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Small Quake Rattles Off South Oregon Coast, 130 Miles from Bandon

Published 9/02/24 at 6:25 a.m.

By Andre' GW Hagestedt, Oregon Coast Beach Connection





(Bandon, Oregon)  A small earthquake rattled off the south Oregon coast Monday morning at 11 a.m., when a Magnitude 4.2 shook about 130 miles west of Bandon, according to USGS. It was centered some 14 miles down, which is double the usual six miles these tend to fire off at. (USGS graphic - also shows other quake spots over the year)

The quake caused no damage and it does not appear anyone felt it. However, the USGS site had three claims of people feeling this quake. Yet they were all in areas too far away for that to actually happen, chiming in from northern Washington and Rockaway Beach on the north coast (over 150 miles away).

It did not cause any alerts and was too small to initiate a tsunami. It requires at least a M 7.0 quake for a tsunami to happen.

There have been nine small quakes in that area in the last three weeks, closer to areas like Crescent City, California, Port Orford, and Brookings. However, two were from explosions on land.

Quakes in this region of the south Oregon coast happen all the time. It occurs on a faultline called the Blanco Fracture Line, which to some degree intersects with the greater Cascade faultline but has nothing to do with it. The Blanco area is where two plates are rubbing up against each other and occasionally release pressure in that area.

See Oregon, Coast Earthquake Updates - Live Data Oregon, Washington, California, Tsunamis

Contrary to popular belief, these small but regular quakes in this area do not represent a releasing of pressure from the larger faultline. These have nothing to do with the greater Cascade faultline, which will one day unleash a magnitude 9.0 on the region.

Also in the region: something has scoured out a bunch of sand at one central Oregon coast beach, and it's causing bedrock to show in summer. This unique situation just south of Newport is also creating temporary, tiny bay-like dents in the sand that have opened up all kinds of recreational possibilities, like fishing holes.





The only photo of this temporary summer oddity is from CoastWatch, taken at Holiday Beach early in August. This area  which is a tad south of South Beach  and the beaches from here to about Lost Creek have suddenly seen lots of sand pulled out and bedrock exposed. That is strange in itself since summer brings in lots of sand to the coast and usually only winter storms take it away. Something a bit different is happening.

It has geologists a little puzzled  but not entirely blown away. Bedrock Showing, New Fishing Holes Forming at Oregon Coast Beach, No One Sure Why

If you're in the Pacific Northwest - like Seattle, Medford, Portland, Bandon or Seaside - take a look up. A new satellite will be visible every night from now on - one that looks like a square. Now Visible Every Night Above Washington, Oregon, Coast: Solar Sails of New Satellite

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All photos courtesy Manuela Durson - Manuela Durson Fine Arts













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Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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Mehr Sher, writing at www.carolinapublicpress.org writes:

North Carolina voters looking to either register to vote or cast their ballots in the 2024 general election are navigating new requirements and election rule changes. Carolina Public Press put together a list of frequently asked questions to help voters with this process.

How do I look up my North Carolina voter registration? And how do I register?

You can check your voter registration, status, party affiliation, sample ballot, polling place and election districts and your voter history here.

You can register to vote online, in person at your local NC Division of Motor Vehicles or by mail.

To register, you must meet specific criteria such as being a U.S. citizen, live in the county where you are registering and be at least 18 years old. You will need some specific information and documentation to register to vote.

What is the deadline to register to vote in time to participate in the 2024 general election?

The deadline to register to vote in North Carolina for the 2024 general election is Oct. 11, 2024.

How do I find my county board of elections office?

You can find your county board of elections and their contact information here.

What is an eligible voter ID? How do I get one?

Voters are required to show a valid photo ID when they cast their ballots. For most voters this means having a valid drivers license Examples of other acceptable photo IDs and how to obtain one, such as a free photo ID from a county board of elections or a no-fee ID card from NCDMV, are available here.

All voters will be allowed to vote with or without a photo ID. But those who cant provide one at the polls will have to qualify to vote by filling out an ID exception form with their provisional ballot.

A voters respective county election board will evaluate the circumstances of each provisional ballot after election day and decide whether to accept it or reject it, or partially accept a ballot if a voter wasnt entitled to participate in all contests on the ballot, such as if they voted a ballot for the wrong congressional, legislative or county office districts.

Election results arent finalized until eligible provisional ballots are counted. Voters can check the status of their provisional votes here.

Which polling location is my early voting site?

During election season, you can find your early voting site here and information related to the early voting process here.

How do I get a North Carolina absentee ballot request form?

Registered N.C. voters can request, receive and vote through a mail-in absentee ballot. The option is available to any registered voter in the state and for those who are either in the military, living overseas and blind and visually impaired voters.

Voters can request an absentee ballot either online or by mail. Those who choose to request one by paper will need to either submit the form in person or by mail to their county board of elections.

Can I get a form in different languages?

Voters can register to vote and request an absentee ballot in Spanish.

Additionally the State Boards website is also translatable into 16 different languages, according to the public information director, Patrick Gannon. The languages that are available include Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Hindi. Voters can use the select language link in the top right corner of the homepage.

Can I vote by mail in North Carolina? How do I get a mail-in ballot?

Yes, registered voters can vote by mail in three steps  requesting, completing and returning a ballot. The State Board offers detailed instructions here.

How do I submit my mail-in ballot?

After youve requested an absentee ballot and received one by mail, you can fill it out and submit it either by mail, a commercial courier service, in person at your county board of elections or in person at an open early voting site.

You cannot, however, return an absentee ballot to a polling place in person on Election Day.

What if I need assistance with my absentee, mail-in ballot?

If a voter needs assistance, a near relative or legal guardian can mark the ballot according to the voters instructions or help them fill it out. If either of these parties are unavailable to assist, you may receive help from another person.

Voters who are patients in a hospital, clinic, nursing home or adult care facility can receive assistance from a multi-partisan assistance team, or MAT, a team appointed by a county board of elections to assist voters in facilities with mail-in absentee voting.

This assistance is only available to voters who request it due to a disability, otherwise it is not legal for any owner, manager, director or employee of a facility to assist. The same rules as above apply, which means if theres no request for MAT then a near relative or legal guardian may assist.

In either scenario, if a voter received assistance with their ballot, the assistant must provide their full address and print, sign their name on the back of the envelope.

When should I receive and send in my absentee, mail-in ballot?

Voters should request an absentee ballot as early as possible to be able to ensure they have the time to receive it. The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is by 5 p.m., Oct. 29, but waiting until then could make it difficult to receive and return the ballot on time.

Voters must fill out their absentee ballots completely and mail it to submit to their county board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, which is Nov. 5, 2024.

Which mail courier should I use to send in my ballot?

Voters can either use the U.S. Postal Service or any commercial courier service, according to Gannon, the state boards public information director.

Specific couriers are not specified in the statute, Gannon said. Absentee voters must pay the cost of postage when returning their ballot.

Is mail-in voting secure?

Several processes in place to secure absentee ballots as per state law. Here are some reasons why absentee voting is secure in North Carolina, according to the state board.

How do I track my mail-in ballot?

Absentee-by-mail voters can track their ballots through Ballottrax.

If I request a mail-in ballot, can I still opt to vote in person?

Yes, if a voter requests an absentee ballot, they can simply discard it and vote in person during early voting or on Election Day, Gannon said.

But if a person has mailed in their ballot already, then they should not try to vote on Election Day, even if theyve changed their mind about some votes.

It is against the law to vote twice in any election, Gannon cautioned.

Are N.C. elections secure?

Rampant misinformation appears online, on social media and elsewhere about the security of state election systems and processes.

Here are some facts about election security in North Carolina and the processes in place to ensure integrity, according to the state board.

Some election laws are currently being legally challenged. Will this change the voting process?

Yes, it could. Some of the requirements and processes may change in the coming months, but that also might not.

Some election law changes are being legally challenged and voters will need to keep up with the latest information from the N.C. State Board of Elections to see how the court decisions affect election processes.

Two lawsuits are challenging changes to same-day voter registration, which a federal judge placed a hold on. Theres also a third lawsuit challenging the same provision. The provision in question, part of the new election law Senate Bill 747, would remove same-day registrants from voter rolls if the mail that election officials sent them came back undeliverable.

Previously, the law required two pieces of undeliverable mail. Civil rights groups are critical of this change because some voters may be disenfranchised by error.

In May, a hearing took place in a federal case challenging the constitutionality of North Carolinas photo ID law. The outcome of the courts decision will determine whether N.C. voters will need their IDs to vote in the 2024 general election, but for now it appears that they will.

**********

Home | Beaufort County Board of Elections (beaufortncboe.org)
A few years ago, the connections between Red Chinese spy Fang-Fang and a proiminent Democrat Congressman were revealed, but nohting was done to the Congressman. Now a proiminent Democrat Governor, Kathy Hochul of New York has been found to have a Red Chinese spy who has served as her assistant chief of staff throughout her term.

https://redstate.com/jenvanlaar/2024/09/03/another-chinese-spy-ring-busted-in-the-us-former-aide-to-cuomo-hochul-indicted-n2178876

This all raises more questions about the extensive Red Chinese ties of Democrat VP candidate Tim Walz, who once worked at a government run school in communist China and visits China yearly. Walz even deliberate held his wedding on the day of the Red Chinese crackdown on dissent in the Tiiananmen Square massacre, and then honeymooned in Red China.

Walz was a longtime member of the National Guard, and the regulations ofd the National Guard require approval and sometimes debriefing for trips of people at Walz' level to hostile countries like China. When members of Congress sought answers from the Biden-Harris Department of Defense on whether Walz obtained permission for those trips, they were stonewalled. Similar inquiries with the Minnesota National Guard office have also been stonewalled.

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/sep/3/tiananmen-tim-walz-our-manchurian-vp-candidate/

Indeed, Walz may not qualify for a US security clearance due to his extensive involvement with China.
Medical technology company Olympus has expressed support for new colonoscopy recommendations and quality indicators recently released by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the American College of Gastroenterology.

The ACG and ASGE recently issued new recommendations on quality indicators for colonoscopy in an effort to underscore the importance of early detection and screening for colon cancer, according to a Sept. 4 press release sent to Becker's.

"We agree that current clinical standards must reflect the capabilities that have been enabled by novel techniques and technologies, including high-definition endoscopes that help drive quality improvements," an Olympus spokesperson said in a statement to Becker's. "Furthermore, this guidance opens new opportunities for level setting in situations of suboptimal performance, including the use of assistive devices and enhanced imaging technologies."
As Santa Clara County, Calif., prepares for its $175 million purchase of Regional Medical Center, advocates are pressing HCA Healthcare for reparations, claiming the hospital's service cuts caused harm to the San Jose community, The Mercury News reported Sept. 4.

The county's board of supervisors on Aug. 27 unanimously voted to buy the 258-bed hospital from Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, with Regional Medical Center integrating with the county-operated Santa Clara Valley Healthcare system.

County officials moved to acquire the hospital after HCA said it would downgrade trauma, stroke and certain cardiac services. Initially set to end trauma care on Aug. 12 due to low utilization, HCA later revised the plan.

The county said it will restore trauma services at the hospital and reopen the labor and delivery unit, which closed in 2020. While the deal preserves local healthcare services for the community, some advocates are now calling on HCA to provide a reparations package.

"When you think about when a corporation causes harm, it's not good enough just to stop doing the harm," Darcie Green, CEO of the nonprofit organization Latinas Contra Cancer, told The Mercury News. "You have to also figure out how you repair that with the community."

In response to these concerns, a hospital spokesperson highlighted the investments Regional Medical Center has made in the community over the past 25 years.

"We have invested more than half a billion dollars in the East San Jose community, including being among the first to meet seismic compliance standards in the area and providing approximately $23 million in charity care and uncompensated services in 2023 alone," the spokesperson said. "The proposed acquisition by Santa Clara Valley Healthcare will enhance these efforts, restoring access to more specialized care and improving coordination across the region. We remain committed to being a strong community partner and believe this is the most promising path forward for everyone involved."
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Chris Lopez approved the sale of six Dallas-based Steward Health Care hospitals in Massachusetts to three different health systems during a Sept. 4 court hearing.

"It's the right answer, but it's also the right answer under law," Mr. Lopez said during the hearing. "There are real people in these hospitals right now. There's no greater business justification."

The approval includes the sale of Brockton-based Good Samaritan Hospital and St. Elizabeth's Medical Center to Boston Medical Center for $140 million.

Providence, R.I.-based Lifespan has been approved to acquire Taunton, Mass.-based Morton Hospital and Fall River, Mass.-based St. Anne's Hospital for $175 million and Lawrence (Mass.) General Hospital will purchase Holy Family Hospital in Methuen (Mass.) and Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill (Mass.) for $28 million.

"The Massachusetts hospitals operate at a loss," Steward representative Candace Arthur said during the hearing. "Without the sale, the debtors would have to close the hospitals or continue to operate them to the detriment of the rest of the hospitals, and we would be asking for the profitable hospitals to continue to carry those that are not profitable. We do not think that is in the best interest of any other stakeholders."

Steward representative Ray Schrock said that the goal is to have the sales closed by Sept. 30.

"This is a long awaited and very positive development for the communities and dedicated workforce at these facilities and we look forward to working with all parties to ensure a smooth transition for these facilities to new operators in the coming days and weeks," the Massachusetts Nurses Association said in a Sept. 5 news release.

While the hospital sales received support from state and federal officials, Michael Price, a representative for Steward's "first-in, last-out" lenders, objected to the sale, stating that they cannot support a sale that doesn't provide any collateral to the lenders.

Mr. Lopez also approved $42 million in funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to help keep the hospitals operational during the transition. The funding comes after the state provided Steward, which sought Chapter 11 protection May 6, $30 million in August for hospital operations.

"The funding is vital," Mr. Lopez said. "This is an easy call for me to approve."

Editor's note: This story was updated on Sept. 5 at 9:15 a.m. CT.
Hicksville, Ohio-based Community Memorial Hospital permanently closed its doors Aug. 31 after temporarily shutting down in May due to financial challenges, Bill Cherry, former CEO of Community Memorial Hospital, confirmed with Becker's.

"The decision to close Community Memorial Hospital follows thorough efforts to find a viable path to continue operations," Mr. Cherry said in a Sept. 4 statement shared with Becker's. "Unfortunately, despite all our efforts made, CMH has not been able to identify a sustainable solution. We understand the profound impact this closure will have on the community and we extend our deepest gratitude to the residents of Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana for their unwavering support and trust over the years."

Financial challenges at the hospital stemmed from a fraudulent laboratory agreement that the hospital entered in 2016, which ordered the hospital to pay $25 million back to insurance companies, a spokesperson for the hospital shared with Becker's.

The bad agreement, coupled with issues related to a new electronic health system in 2021 and changes to the Ohio Medicaid payment system in February 2023, left the hospital with financial challenges and liabilities.

In January, Community Memorial's hospital's then-CEO Roy Davis shared that the hospital needed $5 million to return to normal. Mr. Davis had previously given the hospital a "50-50" chance of survival last December.

The hospital also had its Chapter 9 bankruptcy application rejected in late May following the temporary suspension of services.

Operations will continue for physicians providing services in the hospital's medical office building, the hospital spokesperson said.

Becker's has reached out to Mr. Davis and will update this story should more information becomes available.

Editor's note: This story has been updated as of Sept. 4 at 12:40 p.m. CT.
The bankruptcy saga of Dallas-based Steward Health Care is a complex one with no clear end in sight. As the for-profit health system works to offload the remainder of its 31 hospitals, the million-dollar question remains: What happens to the hospitals that don't receive a proper bid?

Bruce Holstien is CEO of Apella Health, a health system management company whose largest client is Spartanburg (S.C.) Regional Healthcare system, a $2.2 billion, non-profit, six-hospital health system.

"I think that you'll see more hospitals closing," Mr. Holstien told Becker's. "There's probably a little bit of leverage in that and some level of negotiation. I think that nearby hospital systems had an interest  and then started to look at it and decided to wash their hands of it and find the best way to make sure those patients at Steward are taken care of at their facilities for an easy transition."

Steward, which sought Chapter 11 protection May 6, closed Boston-based Carney Hospital and Ayer, Mass.-based Nashoba Valley Medical Center on Aug. 31. The closures resulted in 1,243 employee layoffs. It also shared plans to close Trumbull Regional Medical Center and Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital, both in Warren, Ohio, on or around Sept. 20, which would result in 944 additional layoffs.

On a positive note, in Massachusetts, the health system reached agreements with three health systems to offload six of its hospitals. Steward landlord Medical Properties Trust also came to an agreement with the health system to take on operational expenses for its Master Lease I hospitals in Pennsylvania, Ohio Louisiana, Arkansas, Arizona, Texas and Florida.

"When you try to take on these hospital systems, it's almost as if you're just buying the structure, if that even, and reinventing the wheel from scratch," Trishul Kapoor, MD, an attending physician at Lehigh Valley Health Network and Jefferson Health in pain management, told Becker's.

Dr. Kapoor also pointed to "The Predictive Factors of Hospital Bankruptcy  An Exploratory Study," published in Healthcare, which found that while most bankruptcy filings across multiple industries have seen a 53% decrease since 2010, there has been a 305% increase in healthcare bankruptcy filings.

"The question remains, why? It's rather straight-forward," he said. "There are massive technology costs with limited interoperability, persistent decreases in governmental sponsored insurance reimbursement, rising overhead and staffing costs, growing demand from uninsured patients, and evolving competition."

While Steward works to place its remaining hospitals, attention has also turned to the health system's CEO, Ralph de la Torre, MD.

From trips to France to watch the equestrian 2024 Olympic events to owning two luxury yachts, Dr. de la Torre has been notably absent throughout Steward's bankruptcy proceedings.

Ahead of Dr. de la Torre's Sept. 12 subpoena hearing, Mr. Holstien said that optics do matter and that for any healthcare leader, it's important to always remain alert.

"We're always known to be in the public eye," he said. "We're generally the large player in our community. What you do in your private time on the weekends, sometimes that matters too, even though times may be good. You've got to be on guard and know that you do sign up for maintaining and holding the reputation of the institution that you're leading."

While Mr. Holstien acknowledged that Dr. de la Torre is trying to be cautious, other people's livelihoods and healthcare are at stake.

"Community, people, businesses, vendors; you really just have to come out and talk," he said. "You just have to put yourself out there and answer as many questions as transparently as you can."
Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau, Alaska, has narrowed its CEO search to three candidates with varying backgrounds.

The three finalists  Jon Friedenberg, Melanee Tiura, and Joe Wanner  were scheduled to arrive in Juneau Aug. 26 and remain through Sept. 7 for their final interview for their final interview, assessment exercise, and meetings with hospital staff, city officials, and the public, according to an Aug. 22 hospital news release.

Mr. Friedenberg is a healthcare consultant with Friedenberg Healthcare Consulting. He previously served as president and COO of MarinHealth Medical Center in Greenbrae, Calif., and as vice president of El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, Calif., according to the release.

Ms. Tiura is administrator of Providence Valdez (Alaska) Medical Center. She previously served as CEO of Iliuliuk Family and Health Services in Unalaska, Alaska, according to the release.

Mr. Wanner is CFO of Bartlett Regional Hospital. He previously served as the CFO/COO at Wallowa County Health Care District in Enterprise, Ore., according to the release.

Bartlett Regional Hospital is searching for its fourth leader in less than a year. Ian Worden was selected as interim CEO of the hospital in September 2023 and has been serving in that role since October 2023.

Mr. Worden will continue serving as interim CEO through December 2024 to allow for overlap and ensure a smooth transition with the new CEO, according to the release.
Bangladesh capital reels under waterlogging amid heavy morning rain

Xinhua) 13:12, September 04, 2024

DHAKA, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi capital Dhaka experienced heavy rainfall on Tuesday morning, resulting in extensive waterlogging in parts of the city.

Although the rain has ceased, roads, lanes and bylanes in parts of Dhaka went under ankle to knee-deep water, causing traffic congestion and immense hardship to commuters and millions of dwellers.

Dhaka experienced a combination of overcast skies, sweltering heat and sporadic rainfall for several days.

The country's meteorological office said the heavy rainfall started Tuesday as the monsoon became "extremely active" over the North Bay of Bengal.

Omar Faruq, a meteorologist of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), told journalists Tuesday that they had recorded 80 mm rainfall in Dhaka in the last three hours till 9:00 a.m. local time Tuesday.

Because of the serious water-logging problem, activities in the country's business district of Motijheel have been severely affected, with many office-goers, traders and workers falling behind their daily schedules.

As always, rickshaws emerged as a means of relief in many water-logged Dhaka areas.

According to the BMD's weather bulletin, parts of Bangladesh including Rangpur and the Dhaka region may experience light to moderate rainfall with gusty winds in the next 24 hours from 9:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday.

According to the daily disaster situation report by the country's National Disaster Response Coordination Center on Tuesday, floods in parts of Bangladesh have left 71 people dead, affected nearly 6 million people and displaced hundreds of thousands of families.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Corona (Calif.) Regional Medical Center has named Alistair Machoka its CEO.

Mr. Machoka has more than 20 years of healthcare experience, according to a Sept. 3 news release from the hospital.

He most recently served as COO of Southwest Healthcare Inland Valley Hospital in Wildomar, Calif., and Rancho Springs Hospital in Murrieta, Calif., the release said. Mr. Machoka was also COO of Corona Regional Medical Center from 2018 to 2021.

The 259-bed hospital is part of Temecula, Calif.-based Southwest Healthcare.
Northwell Health, based in New Hyde Park, N.Y., is close to finalizing its merger with Danbury, Conn.-based Nuvance Health, with just two approvals remaining, Newsday reported Sept. 4.

Barbara Osborn, a spokesperson for Northwell, stated that the Federal Trade Commission concluded its review in July, clearing the way for the merger to move forward. In August, health executives further solidified the merger by signing an "agreement of assurances," which included specific clinical commitments and concluded antitrust investigations by the attorneys general of New York and Connecticut.

The merger now hinges on approvals from health regulators in both states, who are assessing its potential effects on the quality and accessibility of care. Ms. Osborn noted that the New York Public Health and Planning Council, which oversees healthcare delivery changes, is set to vote on the merger on Sept. 12. Meanwhile, the proposal is also under review by the Connecticut Office of Health Strategy.

If approved, the merger would create a nonprofit regional system, combining Northwell and Nuvance's 14,500 providers and more than 1,000 sites of care.
The National Institutes of Health halted research on "Havana syndrome" Aug. 30 after an internal probe found some patients with the mysterious illness may have been coerced into participating, the Miami Herald reported.

NIH's internal review board found informed consent policies "were not met due to coercion, although not on the part of NIH researchers," a spokesperson told the Miami Herald.

In April, the review board launched a probe into allegations made by some patients with Havana syndrome that the CIA required them to participate in the research as a prerequisite for receiving healthcare, according to CNN. The CIA has denied such claims.

The intelligence agency did not respond to CNN's request for comments on the halted research, though a CIA official told the publication that it takes "any claim of coercion, or perceived coercion, extremely seriously and fully cooperated with NIH's review of this matter, and have offered access to any information requested."

"We greatly value the efforts of the scientific community to better understand these reported health incidents," the official said. "CIA remains committed to ensuring continued access to care for affected officers and to fully investigating any reports of health incidents."

At least 1,5000 U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers have reported symptoms potentially linked to Havana syndrome since the mysterious illness was first identified in 2016, according to CNN.

In March, the NIH published early results from its research, which showed no significant evidence of brain injury among participants. At the time, researchers called the findings a positive development but noted they don't discount many patients' debilitating symptoms.
For $99, U.S. customers can now purchase a 30-day supply of the nation's first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitoring system.

The sensors, manufactured and sold by DexCom, a San Diego-based diabetes care company, have received FDA approval for OTC use. Abbott Laboratories, another key player in the market, is set to release its own system in the summer of 2024, although pricing details have not yet been disclosed.

Experts estimate the market for these products could encompass up to 100,000 people, including prediabetic individuals and those with diabetes who do not use insulin.
The 307-room accommodation beside the new Ulster University campus will welcome its first cohort of students this month.

Belfasts newest student residence has been completed after 15 months of construction and will bring 2m per year to the economy, its been claimed.

The 307-room accommodation beside the new Ulster University campus will welcome its first cohort of students on September 14.

The scheme has created five new full-time jobs plus 180 during construction.

The Edge was developed by ROK Property and Bridges Fund Management. It will be managed by Prestige Student Living with prices starting at 149 per week.

Dylan Lindsay, director at ROK Property said: This marks a significant milestone for us, as our first purpose-built student accommodation scheme in Northern Ireland.

The building will be a major addition to the accommodation offering around the new Ulster University campus and will play a role in helping to meet the needs of the student population in the city centre.

Throughout the design process, sustainability was important to us. We worked to ensure The Edge is Northern Irelands most eco-friendly student block, offering students a stylish yet affordable living experience, with the most flexible tenancies available anywhere in the city.

Guy Bowden, partner at Bridges Fund Management, added: Were delighted that The Edge is finally opening its doors to students this September. In Belfast, we felt there was a clear shortage of high-quality purpose-built accommodation to house the universitys growing student population.

"We set out to meet this need by creating a scheme with best-in-class sustainability credentials that would also support students wellbeing. We hope The Edge will be able to have a lasting positive impact on the lives of students in the city.
Margaret Canning, Belfast Telegraph business editor, Ellen Dickson, VP of Enterprise Health at Telefonica Tech UK&I and Peter Russell, founder of PR Business Growth Services and chair of the judging panel in the Belfast Telegraph IT Awards in partnership with Telefonica Tech

The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 in partnership with Telefonica Tech have been launched in the fifth annual celebration of IT excellence.

The awards, launched at the Telefonica Tech Belfast offices, recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations in Northern Irelands thriving IT sector.

Entries are now open, with submissions closing on Friday October 11 at 10am.

The awards will be judged by a panel of impartial experts who bring decades of IT acumen to the judging process.

Winners will be announced during an awards ceremony on Friday November 15 at The MAC in Belfast.

To kick off the awards, Telefonica Tech hosted a launch event including networking and a panel discussion.

Ellen Dickson, VP of Enterprise Health at Telefonica Tech UK&I, moderated the discussion, which featured insights from past award winners Rob McConnell of Expleo, Stephanie Conville of Codec, and Michael Way of ASOS. The panellists shared their perspectives on the changes of the local IT industry, the challenges it faces, and offered advice for those entering this years awards.

Ellen Dickson, VP, enterprise health at Telefonica Tech UK&I, said: Telefonica Tech is pleased to be the title sponsor for the Belfast Telegraph IT Awards once again.

"These awards are an excellent opportunity to come together and celebrate the achievements of our ever-evolving IT sector here in Northern Ireland.

"It was wonderful to join together as an industry to launch the awards as we welcomed some of the previous winners from the awards for a panel discussion, discussing the insights and challenges in the sector and their advice to anyone entering this years awards.

"Each year, the quality of entrants seems to get better and better, and I have no doubt that myself and the other judges will have a difficult job in whittling down entries to finalists.

She added: This has been an exciting year for Telefonica Tech UK&I, particularly in the health sector, as we support the roll out of Encompass, the health and social care programme, that is creating a single digital care record for every citizen who receives health and social care in the north.

"This is just one example of how IT professionals across Northern Ireland are having a huge impact on our society and economy. I look forward to coming together as a sector and celebrating on the awards night.

Margaret Canning, business editor of the Belfast Telegraph, said: We at the Belfast Telegraph are delighted to launch the 2024 IT Awards in partnership with Telefonica Tech UK&I.

"Thank you so much to Ellen and the team at Telefonica Tech for their support as we run the awards for the fifth year.

Just as the sector has developed significantly in this time, the event has grown from strength to strength and is now attracting entries from companies and individuals form some of the most successful and recognisable names across the industry.

But we are keen to keep on growing the event and want to continue to celebrate all of the achievements and success of what is now one of the leading sectors in Northern Ireland.

Categories

Best Public Sector or Third Sector IT Project: Allstate -> Enter here

This award recognises the most outstanding IT project delivered by or on behalf of an in-house public sector or a not for profit third sector organisation. The award is not limited to any specific type of project, as long as it uses IT to benefit the organisation or its clients.

Best Use of Cloud Services-> Enter here

This award will be presented to a product or service that has delivered measurable benefit to end users in either a single organisation or for a variety of organisations through any mix of private or public cloud offerings.

Cybersecurity Project of the Year: Leaf  Enter here

This award recognises an IT company/organisation or team which has delivered an innovative project in the area of IT security, data protection, information management, risk management, business continuity, cybersecurity or disaster recovery. It rewards a project which demonstrates the highest level of excellence for the organisation or client showing best practice and ongoing improvement.

IT Project of the Year: Ergo  Enter here

This award recognises the most outstanding IT project delivered by any team, organisation or company. The award is not limited to any specific type of project, as long as it uses IT to benefit the organisation or its clients.

Mobile App of the Year: Options  Enter here

The judges are looking for an app which demonstrates exceptional design, high impact and originality. User experience and functionality are also important. Eligible mobile apps run on mobile phones, tables or W8 or other touchscreen devices.

IT Professional of the Year: Hays Recruitment  Enter here

Awarded to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in leadership, innovation and quality in the use and promotion of IT. They will have delivered tangible benefit to their organisation/clients, meeting key objectives for budget, timescales and service.

This is an award for individual members of staff. You may enter this category yourself or nominate a colleague.

Young IT Professional of the Year: APCOA  Enter here

This award is open to an individual working in IT who has not reached their 30th birthday by 31st August 2024. The judges are looking for someone who has demonstrated commitment and initiative in their IT role, who has made a significant contribution to their project team or company and stands out as a high performer in the application and management of IT.

This is an award for individual members of staff. You may enter this category yourself or nominate a colleague.

Best Place to Work in IT - under 100 employees: Vanrath  Enter here

This award recognises the organisation/team with under 100 employees that provides the best employment and career opportunities for IT professionals. Their winner will be a company whose IT employees see it as a great place to work; that grows and retains its IT talent; that offers reward and recognition for personal achievement and that truly stands out from the crowd.

Best Place to Work in IT - 100 employees or more: NI Jobfinder:  Enter here

This award recognises the organisations with 100 employees or more that provides the best employment and career opportunities for IT professionals. Their winner will be a company whose IT employees see it as a great place to work; that grows and retains its IT talent; that offers reward and recognition for personal achievement and that truly stands out from the crowd.

IT Supplier of the Year: CGI  Enter here

The successful entrant will be a supplier of hardware, software and/or IT systems that has achieved significant business success in the past 12 months and can demonstrate high levels of customer satisfaction and business benefits from the users of its products and services.

IT Woman of the Year: Ulster University  Enter here

This award celebrates a woman who has excelled in an IT role and who could be regarded as a role model contributing to a more inclusive sector. The winner will be a talented high achiever who has made a significant impact in the technology industry.

This is an award for individual members of staff. You may enter this category yourself or nominate a colleague.

IT Services Company of the Year: Invest NI  Enter here

Awarded to recognise excellence in the provision of IT services by a private sector organisation, the winner will be a private sector company offering IT services to any organisation/client that has achieved significant business success in the past 12 months and can demonstrate high levels of customer satisfaction and business benefits from its customers and their users.

Development Team of the Year  Enter here

Awarded to the team or department that best demonstrates how its work has helped achieve or exceed objectives and contribute to the overall competitiveness and/or success of the organisation during the previous 12 months. The winning entry will show how important the development team is to the business, and what steps it took to accomplish its goals.

DevOps Engineer of the Year: NB1  Enter here

Awarded to a DevOps Engineer from any DevOps role who has evidenced and demonstrated outstanding commitment and ability within the Systems Development Life Cycle. Your submission must demonstrate your ability and agility to work with the necessary range of individuals involved in the development of the project/system.

This is an award for individual members of staff. You may enter this category yourself or nominate a colleague.

Excellence in Workplace Health and Wellbeing > Enter here

This award will be made to an IT organisation or team and able to demonstrate a commitment to an environment where the employees enjoy policies which make a real difference to their health and well-being.

IT Team or Department of the Year: Tata Consultancy Services  Enter here

Awarded to an IT team or department who have that demonstrates how the development or implementation of its IT strategy has helped to meet objectives, achieve greater competitiveness, or improve services during the past 12 months. The winning organisation will show how IT is fundamental to achieving overall business goals.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champion: expleo  Enter here

Awarded to an individual responsible for the effective and successful inclusion and implementation of DE&I (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) within the business. Demonstrable and supporting evidence must be included to support the application. Examples may include but are not limited to: different groups of individuals, including people of different races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, backgrounds, behaviours, characteristics, experiences and values.

Overall IT Team or Company of the Year 2024: Telefonica Tech (chosen by panel of judges)

This award is given to the IT team or company who have demonstrated outstanding dedication and excellence in providing innovative IT services, as well as wider business excellence this year. The judges will be looking for proven commitment to IT excellence as well as a commitment to sustainability, good working practices, equality, diversity and inclusivity.

Outstanding Contribution to the IT Sector (chosen by panel of judges)

This award goes to someone who, over a period of time, has made an outstanding contribution to the IT sector. This is a non-entry category and will be decided by the panel of judges following careful consideration of those who have extensive experience in their field, work tirelessly to inspire others in the industry and encourage a new generation into the IT sector.
Irish company accused of engaging in dishonest marketing of one of its products

The Grenfell Inquiry report found that the Lakanal House fire in Camberwell, south London, in 2009 foreshadowed the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire (Carl Court/PA)

The Irish building material company Kingspan has been heavily criticised in the final report of the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower disaster in London.

Sir Martin Moore-Bick, who wrote the 1,700 page report, found that Kingspan and two other firms engaged in a deliberate strategy to mislead the market about their products.

Kingspan Water & Energy, a subsidiary of the business, employs nearly 800 people in Portadown.

Cavan-headquartered Kingspan, which reported revenues of around 2bn (1.7bn) for the first three months of this year, produced only 5% of the combustible foam insulation used on the tower.

But it has been accused of knowingly misleading authorities about the results of tests done on its K15 product.

One very significant reason why Grenfell Tower came to be clad in combustible materials was systematic dishonesty on the part of those who made and sold the rainscreen cladding panels and insulation products. They engaged in deliberate and sustained strategies to manipulate the testing processes, misrepresent test data and mislead the market, the report says.

From 2005 until after this inquiry had begun, Kingspan knowingly created a false market in insulation for use on buildings over 18 metres in height by claiming that K15 had been part of a system successfully tested under BS 8414 and could therefore be used in the external wall of any building over 18 metres in height regardless of its design or other components.

That was a false claim, as it well knew, because BS 8414 is a method for testing complete wall systems and its results apply only to the particular system tested. As Kingspan knew, K15 could not honestly be sold as suitable for use in the external walls of buildings over 18 metres in height generally, but that is what it had succeeded in doing for many years.

Who were the 72 victims of the Grenfell Tower fire?

In a statement this morning Kingspan welcomed publication of the report which it said explains clearly that the type of insulation involved was immaterial in the disaster, and that the principal reason for the fire spread was the PE ACM cladding, which was not made by Kingspan.

The company said it had long acknowledged the wholly unacceptable historical failings that occurred in part of our UK insulation business. These were in no way reflective of how we conduct ourselves as a group, then or now. While deeply regrettable, they were not found to be causative of the tragedy.

Kingspan says it has already emphatically addressed the issues, including the implementation of extensive and externally-verified measures to ensure high conduct and compliance standards.

It said its wholly unacceptable historical failings were regrettable but did not cause the tragedy.

The report into the disaster, in which 72 people died, also criticises the British Board of Agrement (BBA), a commercial organisation that certifies the compliance of products with the requirements of legislation.

The Grenfell Inquiry report found that the Lakanal House fire in Camberwell, south London, in 2009 foreshadowed the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire (Carl Court/PA)

It issued certificates of compliance in respect of one of the insulation products used on Grenfell Tower, Kingspans K15, and the Reynobond 55 PE panels used as the rainscreen. These certificates were accepted in the industry largely without question, the report says, but its procedures were neither wholly independent nor rigorous and were not always rigorously applied.

The dishonest strategies of Arconic and Kingspan succeeded in a large measure due to the incompetence of the BBA, its failure to adhere robustly to the system of checks it had put in place, and an ingrained willingness to accommodate customers instead of insisting on high standards and adherence to a contract that was intended to maintain them, the report adds.

As a result of systemic shortcomings and inadequate levels of competence and technical expertise among its staff, its scrutiny of the fire performance of K15 and Reynobond 55 PE was seriously deficient and the certificates it produced for those products were misleading.
Dr Gary McCausland, who also worked with bands like New Order and Happy Mondays, was punk to the core, say friends

Online entrepreneurs and fans of the Madchester music scene were united in grief yesterday following the death of business mentor Dr Gary McCausland.

Dr McCauslands funeral took place on Wednesday following his death last week.

He grew up in east Belfast and attended Grosvenor High, before studying at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. He later completed a PhD in 2017.

In his most recent role, Dr McCausland helped company founders with their start-up businesses in his role at Invest NI.

Previously, his interest in the arts scene led him to get involved in driving the growth of arts venue the Black Box in Belfasts Cathedral Quarter.

And during a period living in England, he worked in production and marketing at the legendary music label Factory Records, helping launch the careers of bands like New Order and Happy Mondays in the US.

He returned to Belfast in the mid-1990s.

A friend said: A punk to his core, Gary relished the challenge of smashing the status quo with creative and novel ways of selling records for the scrappy label, elbowing its way in amongst the established majors.

Rich Dale, chief executive of NI tech company Flowlens, said a stream of tributes on social media had shown his friends impact on the start-up world, and at a personal level.

Mr Dale said: Ive known Gary since 1999 and he has been both a friend and a mentor ever since.

"I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing today if it wasn't for Gary's never-ending support, relentless optimism, quiet determination, timely pints and sanity-preserving perspectives.

Dr McCausland had been the co-founder of Dream Ireland, a place for the development of ideas.

He was described as an expert in creating opportunities for inspiration with a knack for sniffing out enough cash to give these projects a fighting chance.

Martin Neill, CEO and founder of Airpos in Belfast, said: Gary was the first person to ever recognise my ideas backing me in an early tech music product when no-one else would give me the time of day.

"He believed in me, his enthusiasm and vision were unwavering. He changed my life.

"Endlessly pushing forward, always ready to go. The doctor of punk. Thank you, my friend.

Gren Armstrong of Invest NI said: I was delighted when Gary joined the High Potential Entrepreneurship team four years ago  wed worked together before and I knew he was 100% the right person.

We have to support the entrepreneur was his mantra. His strength was in how he engaged with entrepreneurs and talked their language, while in parallel doing his best to get them the support they needed.

Mr Armstrong said Gary had been over the moon to receive a promotion in June.

He added: "Ive been really touched by the many comments from his friends and colleagues across Invest NI, founders and ecosystem partners since last Wednesdays shattering news  the common themes were great guy, always smiling, he understands us, determined to help... he was our friend.

A notice on Funeral Times described Gary as dearly loved son of Myrtle and the late John McCausland.

"Cherished brother of Paula and her husband Stephen, loving father of Joshua and Imogen, much-loved uncle of Ryan and Jade and adored partner of Patricia.

The notice adds that donations in lieu of flowers can be made directly to cancer charity Marie Curie.

News Catch Up - Wednesday 3rd September
Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter has been named the UKs song of the summer 2024, according to the Official Charts Company.

The song, from her Short N Sweet album, marked Carpenters first to top the UK charts where it stayed for seven non-consecutive weeks.

Meanwhile her follow-up single titled Please, Please, Please takes second place in the official songs of the summer countdown, having topped the UK singles chart for five non-consecutive weeks.

Barry Keoghan starred in the music video to Please, Please, Please (Doug Peters/PA)

Irish actor Barry Keoghan stars in the music video for the song, which sees him arrested and in prison.

Carpenter recently became the first female artist  and only third overall  to land both the UK number one album and single simultaneously, while also holding the top three positions on the official singles chart  including a track titled Taste.

Meanwhile Shaboozeys A Bar Song (Tipsy), the breakout hit for the US country artist following his guest feature on Beyonces Cowboy Carter album, has made the third spot on the songs of the summer list.

Rounding out the top five was Billie Eilishs emotional ballad Birds Of A Feather, followed by Irish star Hoziers first UK number one single Too Sweet.

The top 10 also included Eminems comeback hit Houdini in sixth place, and Benson Boones first chart-topper Beautiful Things at number eight.
Dunder and muck: The secret sauce behind one variety in the complex world of rum and how to tell the difference
UK

Fact check: The UK is maintaining ties and keeping its diplomats in Israel
A person arrived at the emergency department of Belfasts Royal Victoria Hospital last weekend with symptoms of the condition.

Its understood as many as 300 people have been contacted by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust as a result.

Measles infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and a rash all over the body. Protection against measles is offered via the MMR vaccine, which is recommended for all babies and young children.

A Belfast Health and Social Care Trust spokesperson said: "Belfast Trust is aware of a confirmed case of measles in an individual who attended the Royal Victoria Hospital Emergency Department.

"In line with guidance from the Public Health Agency, we have written to a number of patients who may have had contact with the person in the emergency department and will continue to work closely with the PHA to ensure all appropriate public health actions are taken."

News Catch Up - Wednesday 3rd September
A DUP MP has broken down as he recalled the story of an elderly constituent who asked him to find the grave of her stillborn son.

The woman in her 80s came to Strangford MP Jim Shannon to ask for his help locating where her son, born 50 years earlier, was buried.

Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday, Mr Shannon said of his constituent: Her son was born sleeping in the early 70s, so she came to see me over 50 years later to find where the Royal Victoria Hospital had buried her son.

It meant something to her, even though it was 50 years later  standing in my office, that wee small woman telling me her story, which is breaking her heart.

Ahead of PMQs, some MPs took part in a debate about baby loss at Westminster Hall.

Among those to speak was Nigel Farage, who said he found it difficult to speak to his niece after her baby was stillborn, because he was worried he would say something that was wrong.

The Reform UK leader said the subject is often a taboo for many families and communities, adding it is something that is very, very difficult to talk about.

Mr Farage said he had never discussed baby loss with his niece, despite being close to her, because he felt too awkward.

Following this, Labour MP Sharon Hodgson said no-one knows what to say to you when youve lost a baby, adding that she believes she made those around her feel very uncomfortable after the traumatic stillbirth of her daughter Lucy.

I must be honest, when my niece had that stillbirth, I didnt feel I could face her and talk about it. I felt too awkward. Would I say something that was wrong? Was it best we just didnt discuss the subject?

On Wednesday, Clacton MP Mr Farage said: Its pretty devastating, it doesnt go away, it doesnt get forgotten, but theres another element to this, which is for those people, particularly the women that go through this, are they able to talk about it? Can they share their experiences?

And a problem shared may not be a problem solved, but it might just make life a little bit more bearable, a little bit easier.

In her contribution, Ms Hodgson spoke about the heartbreak of giving birth to her stillborn daughter who doesnt officially exist.

She said: The experience of giving birth to a stillborn child is incredibly traumatic, as weve heard and Ive previously spoken about. It feels weird that the world around you is not responding as they would if you had given birth to a live baby.

And I felt, actually, that I made everyone around me feel very uncomfortable, or anyone I met uncomfortable, and it is one of the last taboos, as (Mr Farage) spoke about in his remarks also.

No-one knows what to say to you when youve lost a baby or given birth to a stillborn baby, its everyones worst nightmare.

The Washington and Gateshead South MP added: Compounding this grief was the fact that Lucy did not receive a birth certificate or a death certificate.

And, even more upsettingly, that in my records it wasnt recorded as a stillbirth, it was recorded as a miscarriage, because she was just days away from being 24 weeks, three or four days short of the required legal age to be eligible for a death certificate.

And so, because of that, she doesnt officially exist in any official records, other than our own family records.

News Catch Up - Wednesday 3rd September
A fundraiser for a Co Antrim church targeted in an arson attack has raised over 6,000 just hours after it was torched.

On Sunday evening, nine fire-fighting appliances and 49 firefighters attended the Church of the Holy Name in the Station Road area of Greenisland.

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.

Its believed the fire, which is not being treated as hate related, was caused by a bin set alight which later spread to the church hall.

Alliance Councillor Aaron Skinner reacts to Greenisland Church Fire

A fundraiser has since been set up by some members of the community in response to the damage, which has so far raised 6,700 within hours.

"Weve been overwhelmed by the love and support of the community after the devastating fire at the Church of the Holy Name Church of Ireland in Greenisland, the church said.

"Many of you have asked for a way to support us as we seek to rebuild, and one of the suggestions was a GoFundMe page. We would really appreciate the support if you would like to contribute. Thank you.

The funds gained from the GoFundMe profile will go to the efforts to rebuild the church building, with the campaign opened in response to the hundreds of queries the church had received about what the community could do to assist them.

The fire occurred on the week of the churchs 70th anniversary which formally takes place on Wednesday, and just hours after a large celebration took place to honour the community.

"We are devastated" - Greenisland Church gutted in overnight blaze

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Reverend Issy Hawthorne Steele said the plan was initially to have another anniversary service on Wednesday evening to mark the event.

However, this meeting has instead been replaced with a solidarity Stand Together gathering which will take place at 7pm in the neighbouring Greenisland Bapist Church, who have been supporting members of Greenisland Parish, alongside the fellow neighbouring building Greenisland Methodist.

We had initially planned another meeting for the actual anniversary on Wednesday, which has now been replaced by a meeting to talk about the community response to what has happened, said Reverend Hawthorne Steele, who has been at the helm of the parish for three years and a member of the church since she was 7-years old.

"Weve already had people from all kinds of trades who have contacted us offering their services  builders and such.

Firefighters attend major blaze at Greenisland Church

Last night (Monday), firefighters returned to the scene after neighbours spotted signs of smoke coming from the wreckage. This fire destroyed the adjoining church hall and the roof of the main church building.

"There was a concern that smoke was coming from the ridge at the top of the roof, the church said on social media about the damage late last night.

"The crews have broken the tiles to get at the void along the ridge and theyre now cooling it all down with more water.

Unfortunately it means that the roof now looks worse than ever  but it was already damaged, so it had to be done. Again the dedication of these fire crews is just astounding.

The GoFundMe for Greenisland Parish can be found here.
Pictured at the launch of the Police Service of Northern Irelands Student Safety campaign are (from left) Caroline Young, Queens University Belfast, Superintendent Finola Dornan, Duncan Morrow, Ulster University and Dee McDowell, Belfast Met.

As thousands of students begin returning to Belfast, the PSNI has launched a student safety campaign in a bid to encourage safe and respectful behaviour.

The campaign is running in partnership with the two main universities in the city and Belfasts Metropolitan College.

Police said the campaign will provide crime prevention advice directly to students across their social media channels, as they encouraged people to stay safe when out enjoying the citys nightlife and also to respect the local communities they are living and socialising in.

Launching the campaign, Commander for South and East Belfast Superintendent Finola Dornan said: We look forward to welcoming new and returning students to Belfast for the start of this academic year.

"The safety of students and the wellbeing of the wider local community is a priority for us. Your local police are here for you and will be working closely with partners across further and higher education campuses and Belfast City Council in the coming months.

"Our student safety campaign will provide crime prevention advice directly to students and across our social media channels.

"Officers will also be visible and accessible in the local community, reinforcing these messages and ensuring that we are there when needed. We will be working with partners on the ground to prevent harm and address any issues in the local area.

"As part of the Tackling Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Action Plan, we remain committed to creating safer spaces across all of our local communities. We know that it is an incredibly exciting time for our young people finding their own independence, many for the first time, but it can also be daunting.

"Getting out to enjoy the bustling nightlife is a key part of many freshers experience and we want to make sure they are safe when they do. Ask for Angela was launched nearly two years ago, with over 400 bars and clubs signed up across Northern Ireland.

"It is a simple, yet effective, initiative that allows those who may find themselves in a vulnerable situation with a quick and discreet way to access the help they need. Should any issues arise Ask for Angela at participating venues."

Read more Oasis' betrayal of their fans is now complete

The campaign has been launched just weeks after violent disorder sparked by far-right protests brought scenes of violence across the city and Northern Ireland and saw businesses in and around where many students live and socialise attacked.

Caroline Young, vice-president for students and corporate services at Queens University Belfast said: "We look forward to welcoming students to campus as they embark on this exciting next stage of their lives.

"The safety of the Universitys students, staff and the local community is a main priority at Queens. As a major presence in the south Belfast area, we work in close partnership with community and statutory agencies  including the PSNI  and the student body, to deliver on our responsibility to be a good neighbour.

"We want our students to make the most of their time at University, and to enjoy themselves while taking ownership of their safety and protecting the safety of others. We also encourage our students to make use of the range of support services on offer."

Duncan Morrow, director of community engagement at Ulster University, added: Its an exciting time for students as they prepare to begin their university experience, which for many will be the first time they have lived away from home and been responsible for their own safety. To our students, we encourage you all to enjoy student life during your time with us at Ulster University, but to make sure you do so safely. You should be mindful that safety is your own responsibility, but there is a range of support and advice out there from the Police Service of Northern Ireland and from ourselves at Ulster University, as well as the Ulster University Student Union, should you need it. We look forward to beginning the new academic year and wish all of our students a safe and enjoyable experience!

Dee McDowell, head of learner success at Belfast Met, said: Belfast Met is fully supportive of the Student Safety Campaign. As we welcome our new and returning students to college campuses over the coming weeks, we want to ensure that all our students feel safe in their new surroundings and that they show respect to their neighbours. Belfast Met will work in conjunction with all partners in this campaign to promote security for our students and good relations with the wider community.
Watch: Stranded Odyssey cruise ship takes to the waters after three-month delay in Belfast

A couple who are among the stranded cruise ship passengers in Belfast are looking forward to leaving the city after trying a pint of Guinness in every pub.

The Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey liner has set sail for the first time since it arrived in Queens Island back in May to test out repairs to its rudders and gearbox.

The ship was seen out in Belfast Lough on Wednesday as part of the sea trials escorted by two tug boats - one bow and one astern  with precautionary lines attached to the two tugs.

If the trial is successful, the vessel could be disembarking within days to resume its round-the-world voyage after a three month delay.

Angela Theriac said she and her husband Steve are relieved that their prolonged stay is almost over.

"Its time, she said.

"Thank goodness we brought our coats and warm clothes.

The Florida natives managed to squeeze in two additional cruises and a train trip around Spain during their unexpected stopover, but they also spent a lot of time exploring NI.

Weve been to the Giants Causeway, Glenshane Country Farm, Bushmills and Derry/Londonderry, Mrs Theriac explained.

Angela and Steve Theriac at The Dark Hedges near Armoy, Co Antrim.

"We have learned a lot about the history and the conflict and weve had a pint of Guinness in every pub.

Following the first delay, the travellers flew to Barcelona for a 10 day trip around the Mediterranean. When the delay was extended they set off to explore Spain by rail.

When the delay continued the couple booked a 21 day cruise from Copenhagen which included stops in Iceland, Greenland, Scotland and Germany.

"One of the highlights for me was going to Glenshane Country Farm and seeing the sheepdogs being trained, Mr Theriac said.

"They teach them in English and Irish and use hand gestures to signal commands. Ive seen it on TV and on the internet, but it was great to see it in person.

The retired school teacher and former Sherriffs Deputy agreed that overall they have really enjoyed their time here.

When you really stay in one place for so long you could to see how different parts of the world tick, Mrs Theriac said.

"Steve loves the dry humour and banter  theres a lot of great humour here for sure.

Stranded cruise ship passengers Angela and Steve Theriac making the most of their time in NI.

"I was giggling when talking to people because I needed someone to translate, even though they were speaking English.

"But Belfast is such a compact city and surrounded by so much beauty.

The couple have been joking about returning for Christmas dinner due to the amount of friends they have made here.

But their three-and-a-half year itinerary probably wont allow for that.

The couple, who reside in Nicaragua, have rented out their home to buy one of the cabins which range from $99,999 to $899,000.

The reason they say its a 3.5 year cruise is because thats how long it takes to complete the itinerary, Mrs Theriac said.

"But you own the cabin for 15 years or the lifetime of the ship.

Stranded cruise ship passengers Angela and Steve Theriac in Belfast.

"So we can do it in stages if we want, but we havent decided yet  we really want to see the other half of the world.

The couple set up a Youtube account just before they set off called MidLife Cruising which has already racked up almost 10,000 followers and half a million views.

"We just want ordinary people to know that they can do this too, they said.

"People assume its for the very rich, but millionaires we are not.

Mr and Mrs Theriac were among the 62 guests who met the Lord Mayor earlier this week.

Micky Murray welcomed them to City Hall on Monday ahead of their departure.

Angela and Steve Theriac met the Lord Mayor in City Hall on Monday.

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, he said.

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.
Translink issues update on train line reopening after 340m Belfast Grand Central Station unveiled

Company has refused to set date for launch of rail services  but says it will definitely be before Christmas

Watch: Sneak preview of huge Belfast Grand Central Station ahead of Sunday opening

Kurtis Reid Wed 4 Sep 2024 at 18:26

Passengers have been left in the dark over when rail services will depart the new 340m Belfast Grand Central Station.
A police investigation is now underway to establish the circumstances of the crash

A woman who died following a crash outside Ballymena has been named as Eileen Thornton, who was from the Broughshane and Glarryford areas.

The 44-year-old was involved in a single-vehicle collision which happened on the Cushendall Road on Tuesday evening.

Police and paramedics attended the scene shortly after 8pm.

Ms Thornton died later in hospital.

She was the much loved daughter of David and the late Angela, loving sister of Gareth and Gregory, sister-in-law of Jenny and Louise and dear aunt of Dean, Lewis and Courteney.

Her funeral arrangements will be announced later and family flowers only are requested. Donations in lieu, if desired, may be sent to James Henry Funeral Services 100 Broughshane Street, Ballymena BT43 6EE for NI Chest, Heart and Stroke.

PSNI Inspector Cherith Adair from the Police Services Collision Investigation Unit has offered condolences to the loved ones of Ms Thornton.

Our thoughts are with the family at this time and an investigation is now underway to establish the circumstances, she said.

The Collision Investigation Unit is appealing to anyone who may have any information which may assist with our investigation, or who may have been travelling in the area at the time and captured any dash-cam or other footage, to get in touch on 101, quoting reference number 1515 03/09/24.

Ms Thornton was driving a black Peugeot car when the crash happened.

It is the second death on Northern Irelands roads this week, after a man was killed in a car crash in Co Londonderry.

Alan Barr, an Ulster Unionist councillor for the area, said: "Within a 24-hour period, people are hearing the news of another tragic death on our roads.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the woman's family and friends.

"I also want to praise the efforts of the efforts of the emergency services who attended the scene. My sympathies are with them also as they regularly attend scenes of carnage on our roads.

As we enter the darker nights, unfortunately the risk of road traffic collisions increases.

"Therefore, I urge community groups and individuals to engage with organisations such as Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and Road Safe NI, who offer excellent road safety educational programmes.

News Catch Up - Wednesday 3rd September
Children have been deeply traumatised by the war in Ukraine, Irish premier Simon Harris said.

Mr Harris visited the Child Rights Protection Centre (CRPC) in Kyiv on Wednesday, where Unicef is working on the reintegration of children who have been abducted in the occupied territories, some of whom have been taken to Russia and Belarus.

The project has been allocated a further two million euros (1.7 million) as part of the Irish Governments 36 million euro (30.3 million) funding package announced this week.

In addition, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been allocated five million euros (4.2 million), part of which will support high-level international interventions to reunite families with children who were forcibly deported from Ukraine.

Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Harris said we can never let the world forget what happened to Ukrainian citizens as a result of Russian aggression.

The Taoiseach met a mother and her three children (17, 14 and seven) who escaped Russian occupied territory but were forced to leave their father behind.

Mr Harris, who was gifted a bracelet made by Ukrainian children during a meeting with senior staff at the centre, said: I met young children, very young children and older children  and a mother.

All of whom had been deeply traumatised by the impact of war, violence, torture  physical and psychological.

He added: This is a war of real pain, of real agony and of real brutality.

The people of Ireland stand with the people of Ukraine.

The CRPC is designed as a space where returned children are interviewed by psychologists and prosecutors with the minimum amount of retraumatisation.

Taoiseach Simon Harris during a visit to inspect a bombed-out house in Hostomel, Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The children have access to play spaces and are interviewed in child-friendly environments.

The goal of the interviews is to secure information for future prosecutions.

Approximately 350 children have been returned so far, out of an estimated 19,500 that are either in temporarily occupied areas or Russian territory.

It is understood that a large amount of the children were formerly in institutions such as orphanages which were in areas that became occupied by Russia.

Some of the children are physically taken into Russia or other territories.

The Kyiv branch, which opened in May 2023, is the first such centre but it is understood that it is hoped that four to five other sites will open in key strategic locations.

In interviews, children who have been in the occupied territories have reported experiences where their parents have been harassed by Russian forces or detained.

Other children reported seeing their parents showing signs of torture, such as injury.
Irish premier Simon Harris paid tribute to the resilience of the Ukrainian people as he visited regions catastrophically damaged during the early stages of Russias invasion (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Irish premier Simon Harris paid tribute to the resilience of the Ukrainian people as he visited regions catastrophically damaged during the early stages of Russias invasion.

Mr Harris, who is in the Kyiv region to sign a joint declaration of co-operation with Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky, started his trip to Ukraine with visits to Borodyanka and Hostomel.

After travelling into the country on an overnight train, the Taoiseach was greeted at Nemishaieve station.

In a convoy containing Ukrainian armed forces and members of an armed unit of the Irish police, Mr Harris passed military checkpoints to first visit Borodyanka, where he inspected apartment buildings and a playground damaged by bombing in early 2022.

He saw the entire facade of one building collapsed and a disused playground where childrens toys lay on the ground.

Taoiseach Simon Harris arrives at Nemishaieve station for a visit to Kyiv, Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Harris was guided around the site by the head of Kyiv states regional administration, Ruslan Kravchenko, who thanked the Taoiseach for Irelands support for Ukraine.

Mr Kravchenko presented Mr Harris with a medal representing the region.

The Taoiseach was told about the suffering of the people of Borodyanka, some of whom were trapped under rubble after the bombing and not able to be rescued.

Nearby, a Banksy mural depicting a David v Goliath scene is displayed behind protective glass.

Taoiseach Simon Harris speaks to Ruslan Kravchenko, head of the Kyiv State regional administration, during a visit to Borodyanka, Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Directly beside the destroyed buildings, a new playground and creche have been constructed to facilitate the return of childcare in the area.

Part of Irelands 36 million euro (30.3 million) funding package for Ukraine and neighbouring countries will support such projects.

The Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) will be given three million euro (2.5 million) to support the construction of bomb shelters for schools in Ukraine by local companies. It also goes towards rebuilding schools that have been damaged.

Taoiseach Simon Harris inspects a bomb-damaged house in Hostomel, Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

While praising Ukraines continuing efforts towards EU membership and the overall resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of war, Mr Harris was introduced to a German Shepherd dog named Hachi, who was returned to the town after fleeing for three weeks following the shelling and is now tasked with looking after children at a nursery school.

In Hostomel, which was also severely damaged in the early stages of the conflict, Mr Harris was able to see the benefits of Irish funding to the region when he visited a pre-fabricated building that is hosting a family forced to leave their home due to the war.

He met Mykola and Nataliia Anisimov who told the Taoiseach that several families used to live in the neighbouring building, which had been severely damaged by bullets, artillery and shrapnel.

Mrs Anisimov said the area became the front line when Ukrainian forces decided to destroy a nearby bridge to halt the movement of Russian troops.

Taoiseach Simon Harris is set to announce millions in new funding for Ukraine from Ireland (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Her family and others were forced to evacuate the building, constructed in 1966, but are now able to return to the area thanks to the prefabricated home built using funds provided by the Irish Government.

It is part of the UNHCR Core Homes Project, which is on target to build 300 prefab homes for families whose previous homes were destroyed.

Irish funding will be used to build 50 prefab homes in the Kyiv region at a cost of 1.5 million euro (1.26 million).

Mr Harris said the Anisimovs had a lifetime of memories taken from them when their home was destroyed.

He said he was sorry about what had happened and told Mrs Anisimov: The whole of Europe wants to do everything it can to help the people of Ukraine.

While the war is here, it is an attack on all of our values.

Mr Harris said it was important for him to see the effects of the war with his own eyes.

Mrs Anisimov said she was grateful to the people of Ireland for her new home.

Mr Harris signed a Ukrainian flag before continuing his visit to Ukraine.
A 61-year-old man wanted in Northern Ireland in connection with the murder of three police officers in an IRA bomb attack more than 40 years ago has been granted bail by Dublins High Court.

Martin John McCauley is accused of killing RUC officers Sergeant Sean Quinn, and constables Paul Hamilton, and Allan McCloy after a bomb was detonated at the Kinnego Embankment, near Lurgan in Co Armagh on October 27, 1982. The three officers were travelling on the embankment at the time of the attack.

At Dublins High Court today, Mark Lynam SC, for Mr McCauley, told Mr Justice David Keane there was consent to bail subject to conditions.

He said bail had been agreed and independent sureties of 5,000 were to be provided by three individuals who were present in court. Mr Lynam said each of the three parties have given an undertaking not to reduce their bank balances under that amount.

He told the court Mr McCauley must also demonstrate that he has funds of 10,000 available, adding this could not be done until the applicant is released.

The explosion which killed the three RUC officers left a large crater, 12 meters wide, and 3.5m deep, in the road. The 200lb bomb, which had been placed in a drain underneath the road, was detonated remotely by way of a command wire to a vantage point overlooking the road.

The Irish Republican Army later claimed responsibility for the attack.

It is alleged that two IRA members, Eugene Toman and John Burns, detonated the bomb.

Both of those men were shot dead by the RUC in November 1982.

At a previous hearing earlier this month, the court was told that Mr McCauley was arrested by members of the Garda Extradition Unit at an address in Naas, Co Kildare on foot of a warrant issued under the Trade and Co-Operation Agreement between the EU and the UK.

In the warrant seeking Lurgan-born McCauley's surrender, the Northern Irish Authorities claim to have forensic evidence that links the accused to what was described as "a carefully planned attack".

The bail hearing today was told that Mr McCauley has surrendered his passport and driving licence and has agreed to a number of conditions, including that he reside at a particular address and that he provide a number to be contactable on at all times.

Mr Justice Keane remanded Mr McCauley in custody to Thursday, October 10 with consent to bail on the agreed terms.
Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said he wanted to express his gratitude to Ireland meeting Irish premier Simon Harris in Kyiv.

Mr Harris signed a co-operation deal with Mr Zelensky at the Ukrainian leaders office at Horodetskyi House in the city.

The Taoiseach also announced details of a 36-million-euro funding package to organisations working in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

The visit comes a day after 53 people were killed and 200 injured when two Russian ballistic missiles struck a military training facility and hospital in Poltava, 200 miles south east of Kyiv. Elsewhere, children were among seven killed in an overnight strike on Lviv.

The attacks came as Ukrainian forces attempted to secure territory in Russias Kursk border region after a surprise incursion that began last month  and as the Russian army moves deeper into eastern Ukraine.

Taoiseach Simon Harris during a visit to inspect damage to buildings in Borodyanka, Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Harris engagements on Wednesday saw him visit Hostomel and Borodyanka, two areas which had been badly damaged by Russian strikes in the early days of the invasion.

He said: I want to see first hand and with my own eyes the impact of war on the continent of Europe.

Mr Harris saw a prefabricated home, which is now occupied by a family that had previously been displaced, and a newly built kindergarten  both part of projects which Ireland financially supports.

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The Irish Government said the 36 million euro package will provide essential humanitarian assistance, support rehabilitation and eventual reconstruction, and contribute to Ukraines longer-term goals, including peace, stability and political aspirations.

The Taoiseach also expressed Irelands full support for the Ukrainian bid for EU membership while also discussing continued humanitarian assistance.

Mr Harris also visited the Child Protection Centre in Kyiv prior to his meeting with Mr Zelensky, where Ireland supports work towards the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted into Belarus and Russia.

Taoiseach Simon Harris lays a wreath at the memorial in Maidan Nezalezhnosti square (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Following the bilateral meeting, Mr Zelensky told a press conference that he thanked Ireland for its support of work on returning abducted Ukrainian children to the country.

Irelands participation in the reconstruction of Ukraine will be a substantial support for our people and our countries and our European way of life.

I thank the people of Ireland, I know that after the beginning of the invasion of Russia of our land, youve accepted and really have warmly welcomed more than 100,000 citizens of Ukraine.

The deal includes common work on demining Ukraine, which Mr Zelensky said will save Ukrainians and improve the resilience of Europe.

Taoiseach Simon Harris shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

He added that the deal also includes common work on cyber security.

Mr Zelensky said he also really valued that Mr Harris trip came amid severe attacks on Ukraine.

We value that while Ireland is military neutral, Ireland does not stay neutral morally.

We are grateful to you, Mr Taoiseach, and to the people of Ireland for very specific and clear and principled support and a position countering Russian terror.

Mr Zelensky thanked Ireland for financial support and said: It is really important we are together protecting lives, especially now we need it facing the winter when Russia goes on striking our energy infrastructure.

Mr Harris, who earlier laid a wreath to honour Ukraines war dead at Maidan Square, told reporters: The people of Ireland stand with the people of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Asked by members of the Ukrainian media about the Irish Governments decision to decrease financial support for newly arriving Ukrainians in Ireland, Taoiseach Simon Harris said Ireland will always continue to support people from Ukraine.

Mr Harris said the roughly 109,000 Ukrainians who have been welcomed in Ireland made an incredibly positive contribution to Irish society.

However, he said refugee systems are always under review in terms of sustainability.

He noted the changes applied to people who were being provided with free food, accommodation and a right to work.

Pressed on whether he supported a visa waiver for Ukrainians post-war, Mr Harris said he hoped there would be a situation where that would not be necessary due to Ukraine joining the EU.

Asked if he supported Ukraines request to use long-range missiles at Russian targets, Mr Harris said that would be a matter for the countries supplying such weapons as Irelands assistance is around non-lethal aid.

Mr Zelensky said it would be a matter for further discussion with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal but added he was really thankful for the support thus far.

Mr Harris said he was particularly pleased to invite Mr Zelensky for an official visit to Ireland, to which the Ukrainian president nodded.

The latest cash will take Irelands total funding to Ukraine since February 2022 to more than 380 million euros (320 million), including about 130 million euros (110 million) in stabilisation and humanitarian support.

As part of a policy of military neutrality, Ireland does not provide what it characterises as lethal aid to Ukraine, including weapons.

However, the state has provided 250 million euros (210 million) in non-lethal military assistance under the European Peace Facility and has welcomed approximately 100,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.

Irish Defence Forces members have trained hundreds of Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment.
The final report into the Grenfell Tower fire has been published (Yui Mok/PA)

The devastating Grenfell Tower fire which killed 72 people was the result of decades of failure by government and the construction industry to act on the dangers of flammable materials on high-rise buildings, a long-awaited report has found.

The west London tower block was covered in combustible products because of the systematic dishonesty of firms who made and sold the cladding and insulation, inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick said.

He called out deliberate and sustained manipulation of fire-safety testing, misrepresentation of test data and misleading of the market.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the report identified substantial and widespread failings, adding that the Government will carefully consider its recommendations to ensure that such a tragedy cannot occur again.

The seven-volume and near-1,700 page final report of the inquiry into the disaster laid out in damning detail how those in positions of responsibility had not heeded or acted on warnings from earlier fires.

Sir Martin said: We conclude that the fire at Grenfell Tower was the culmination of decades of failure by central government and other bodies in positions of responsibility in the construction industry to look carefully into the danger of incorporating combustible materials into the external walls of high-rise residential buildings and to act on the information available to them.

Addressing the bereaved and survivors on Wednesday when the report was published, he said the simple truth is that all the deaths were avoidable and that those who lived in the tower were badly failed by authorities in most cases through incompetence but in some cases through dishonesty and greed.

Grenfell United, which represents some of the bereaved and survivors of the fire, said the report speaks to a lack of competence, understanding and a fundamental failure to perform the most basic of duties of care as they demanded that some of the construction firms involved should be banned from government contracts.

(PA Graphics)

But they added that while the final publication is a significant chapter in the years since the fire, justice has not been delivered, saying police and prosecutors must ensure that those who are truly responsible are held to account and brought to justice.

The Metropolitan Police said it operates under a different legal framework and so we cannot simply use the reports findings as evidence to bring charges but pledged to go through the report line by line.

A drive within government years before the fire for deregulation meant concerns about the safety of life had been ignored, delayed or disregarded, the report said, despite the deadly Lakanal House fire which killed six people in 2009.

In the years after, the agenda to cut red tape was enthusiastically supported by some politicians in charge, the report said.

Smoke billows from the fire that engulfed the 24-storey Grenfell Tower in west London in 2017 (PA)

By 2016, a year before the Grenfell fire, the Government was well aware of the risks of using combustible cladding panels and insulation, particularly in high-rise buildings, but failed to act on what it knew.

Recommendations from the coroner into the Lakanal House deaths were not treated with any sense of urgency and legitimate concerns were repeatedly met with a defensive and dismissive attitude by officials and some ministers, the report said.

Cladding firm Arconic and insulation firms Kingspan and Celotex faced particularly heavy criticism.

Arconic was found to have deliberately concealed from the market the true extent of the danger of using its cladding product, particularly on high-rise buildings.

Kingspan had, from 2005 and even after the inquiry began in the wake of the fire, knowingly created a false market in insulation for use on buildings over 18 metres, the report said.

Celotex then, in an attempt to break into this market created by Kingspan, embarked on a dishonest scheme to mislead its customers and the wider market, Sir Martin concluded.

He said: One very significant reason why Grenfell Tower came to be clad in combustible materials was systematic dishonesty on the part of those who made and sold the rainscreen cladding panels and insulation products.

The report said these firms had engaged in deliberate and sustained strategies to manipulate the testing processes, misrepresent test data and mislead the market.

Grenfell United has called on the Government to ban Arconic, Kingspan, Celotex and contractor Rydon from central or local government procurement processes and finally start acting in the British publics interest.

While the first inquiry report in 2019 said London Fire Brigades (LFB) performance fell below the standards set by its own policies or national guidance, the final report concluded that although the service understood the lessons from the Lakanal House fire, its failure lay in its inability to implement any effective response.

This failure had many causes, including a chronic lack of effective leadership, combined with undue emphasis on process and a culture of complacency, the report said.

Setting out 58 recommendations, Sir Martin concluded that the construction industry had become too complex and fragmented.

Grenfell Tower Inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick, reading his statement following the publication of the final report (Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA)

He suggested a single regulator should be put in place to be responsible for regulation of construction products, testing and certification, and oversight of building control, and for the Government to bring all functions relating to fire safety into one department under a single secretary of state.

The Building Safety Act, in particular the definition of a higher-risk building, should be reviewed to incorporate the likely presence of vulnerable people, he said.

Having criticised the response of government and the local council for its muddled, slow, indecisive and piecemeal response in the days after the fire, the report recommended the guidance on preparing for emergencies be revised.

The Government has also been urged by the chairman to establish a College of Fire and Rescue, and said the fire and rescue services inspectorate should inspect LFB as soon as reasonably possible.

Met deputy assistant commissioner Stuart Cundy said: I cant pretend to imagine the impact of such a long police investigation on the bereaved and survivors, but we have one chance to get our investigation right.

We will be thorough and diligent in our investigation while moving as swiftly as possible.
The Grenfell Inquiry report found that the Lakanal House fire in Camberwell, south London, in 2009 foreshadowed the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire (Carl Court/PA)

A fatal fire at a housing block in 2009 should have alerted the London Fire Brigade (LFB) to the shortcomings in its ability to fight blazes in high-rise buildings, the final report of the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower disaster has found.

The report found that the Lakanal House fire in Camberwell, south London, foreshadowed the 2017 Grenfell Tower blaze.

It concluded that the LFB failed to implement any effective response to the fire in July 2009, which claimed six lives, despite understanding its lessons.

The report identified several key measures that should have been implemented by the LFB following that incident.

These included making better use of the knowledge it had gained of the dangers posed by modern materials and methods of construction, and providing regular training for its control room operators on handling many fire survival guidance calls at the same time.

The tragic conclusion is that the Lakanal House fire in July 2009 forewarned the LFB about the existence of the shortcomings which revealed themselves once more on the night of 14 June 2017, the report said.

Those shortcomings could have been avoided if the LFB had been more effectively led in a number of respects, particularly in its response to the Lakanal House fire, and if use had been made of its knowledge of the dangers flowing from modern materials and methods of construction.

On any view, that is a serious indictment of an organisation whose principal purpose is to protect the public, and of the quality of its leadership.

Dany Cotton, who was the first female commissioner of the LFB, later stepped down in December 2019 in the wake of criticism over the services response (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Laying the blame at the feet of the LFBs senior leadership, the report said this failure had many causes, including a chronic lack of effective leadership, combined with undue emphasis on process and a culture of complacency.

It named former LFB commissioners Roy Dobson and Dany Cotton as bearing ultimate responsibility for the LFBs inability to take effective action after the Lakanal House Fire.

During the first phase of the inquiry, Ms Cotton said she would change nothing about her teams response on the night of the Grenfell Tower fire.

Ms Cotton, who was the first female commissioner of the LFB, later stepped down in December 2019 in the wake of criticism over the services response.

(PA Graphics)

The report also addressed the issue of the stay put strategy used during the Grenfell Tower fire.

The Grenfell Inquirys final report found that the strategy is only acceptable if there is negligible risk of fire escaping into and spreading through the external wall.

Calculating the risk of fire spread and the time needed for evacuations is a matter for a qualified fire engineer, the report added.

The report made a number of recommendations regarding the LFB in light of its findings.

These include establishing a College of Fire and Rescue to train firefighters, providing firefighters with digital radios, and training on how to respond appropriately to the loss of communications.

The report also recommended that His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services carry out inspections on the LFBs training of incident commanders, its operational planning, its arrangements for implementing change, and its use of control rooms.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) called for the Government to go further than its recommendations.

General secretary Matt Wrack said the deregulation of recent decades must be comprehensively reversed.

He added: The systems for delivering building safety must be brought under public ownership and must be given the resources they need.

The London Fire Brigade said it was now better prepared to respond to high-rise fires but would not be complacent.

Commissioner Andy Roe said the brigade accepted every recommendation from the phase one report, and has since implemented significant changes.

These changes include new equipment, improved training, and better ways of responding to fires in high-rise residential buildings.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, centre, takes part in a demonstration against the University of Copenhagen for co-operating with Israeli universities (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was among six people who were detained in Denmark, police said, after a demonstration against the University of Copenhagen for co-operating with Israeli universities where demonstrators shouted pro-Palestinian slogans.

The group was detained on Wednesday for suspected trespassing after police said they briefly occupied one of the entrances to the university. They were all later released.

Police evicted the demonstrators after they hung an anti-Israel banner from one of the windows of the universitys old administration building in central Copenhagen.
Portrait of a Girl, by the Dutch artist Rembrandt, sold at auction for 1.4 million dollars (Thomaston Place Auction Galleries via AP)

A Rembrandt discovered in an attic has sold for 1.4 million dollars (1.06 million).

The 17th century painting, Portrait Of A Girl, by Dutch artist Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was discovered by art appraiser and auctioneer Kaja Veilleux in an attic in an estate in Camden, Maine.

The painting had been in private family ownership since the 1920s, and the painting stayed with the family after being displayed in Philadelphia, the business said. The owner was not identified.

As to how it ended up in the attic, that, too, was a mystery.

A label on the back of the frame noted that it was loaned to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for an exhibition in 1970.

On house calls, we often go in blind, not knowing what well find, he said in a statement. The home was filled with wonderful pieces but it was in the attic, among stacks of art, that we found this remarkable portrait.

Rembrandt, born in 1606, was a prolific artist who focused on a variety of subjects, from portraits to landscapes to historical and biblical scenes.

Portrait Of A Girl was painted on an oak panel and mounted in a hand-carved gold Dutch frame, said Mr Veilleux.

An auction by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries in Maine yielded a fierce competition on August 24, he said. In the end, a European collector paid 1.41 million dollars for the painting.
Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba has resigned, following an announcement last week from President Volodymyr Zelensky that a cabinet reshuffle was imminent.

Mr Kulebas resignation request will be discussed by lawmakers at the next plenary meeting, the speaker of parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk said on his Facebook page.

The foreign ministers resignation came as at least seven people were killed and 35 injured in an overnight strike on Lviv, city mayor Andrii Sadovyi said on Wednesday morning.

A child and a medical worker were among the dead and others are in a critical condition, he said.

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The attack happened a day after two ballistic missiles blasted a military academy and nearby hospital in Poltava in Ukraine, killing more than 50 people and wounding more than 200 others, Ukrainian officials said, in one of the deadliest Russian strikes since the war began.

The missiles tore into the heart of the Poltava Military Institute of Communications main building, causing several storeys to collapse.

The missiles hit shortly after an air raid alert sounded, when many people were on their way to a bomb shelter, Ukraines defence ministry said, describing the strike Tuesday as barbaric.

Poltava is about 200 miles south-east of Kyiv, on the main highway and rail route between Kyiv and Ukraines second-largest city, Kharkiv, which is close to the Russian border.

A Russian strike hit the Ukrainian city of Lviv (Lviv City Council via AP)

The attack happened as Ukrainian forces sought to carve out their holdings in Russias Kursk border region after a surprise Ukrainian incursion that began on August 6, and as the Russian army hacks its way deeper into eastern Ukraine.

Mr Kuleba, 43, did not give a reason for stepping down.

Four other Cabinet ministers tendered their resignations late Tuesday, making the Cabinet reshuffle likely the biggest since Russias February 2022 invasion.

Mr Zelensky indicated last week that a reshuffle was imminent, with the war poised to enter a critical stage and as its 1,000-day mark looms in November.

The Ukrainian President needs to maintain Ukraines morale amid the grinding war of attrition with its bigger neighbour and steel the countrys resolve for what will be another hard winter.

Mr Kuleba was one of the most recognisable figures on the world stage (AP)

Russia has been smashing Ukraines power grid, knocking out some 70% of generation capacity and rupturing heat and water supplies.

The Ukrainian armys risky but largely successful incursion almost a month ago into Russias Kursk border region countered months of grim news from the front line in eastern Ukraine.

Kursk is not a priority, however, for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who remains bent on pushing his army deeper into eastern Ukraine.

Russias onslaught in Donetsk, where Ukraine is short of troops and air defences, and long-range missile strikes that repeatedly hit civilian areas of Ukraine signal that Mr Putin will remain uncompromising and unrelenting in his efforts to crush Ukrainian resistance.

In other developments, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency, Rafael Grossi, visited the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine, a day after describing the situation at Europes largest atomic energy facility as very fragile.

The International Atomic Energy Agency published a report on Wednesday saying that since Mr Grossis last visit there in February, the plant has been struck by drones, lost power lines and seen significant damage to one of its two cooling towers by fire.
The eccentric captain was killed after posing as an Official IRA man in a South Armagh pub

Captain Nairac a British Army officer abducted and murdered by the IRA in May 1977.

He was snatched after spending a night posing as a Belfast republican at the Three Steps Inn in Dromintee, South Armagh.

Taking on the persona of Danny McErlean, an Official IRA man from Belfast, the eccentric officer even took to the stage to sing rebel songs, delighting the crowd.

But his performance was not perfect, suspicions were eventually aroused leading to him being beaten, abducted and shot.

Three of the suspects fled to the US, another three served lengthy sentences for their roles in the murder.

At the time of his disappearance, it was rumoured that his body was disposed of in a meat processing factory but that theory has been widely dismissed.

Despite that, his body is yet to be found. But a new dig is currently underway near the border in an attempt to find his remains.

Ciaran Dunbar is joined by Alistair Kerr, author of Betrayal: The Murder of Robert Nairac GC to tell the story of Captain Nairacs life and death.
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BENNINGTON  The elderly man who was accused on two occasions of leaving his Siberian husky in a hot car without water was found incompetent to stand trial after a court-ordered evaluation report concluded he lacked the ability to understand the proceedings.

Allan Washburn, 83, was facing two separate cases of cruelty to animals, one in April 2022 and another in June of the same year. He was also facing two charges of unlawful trespass and violating his conditions of release, both in 2022 and recently in 2024. In all, Washburn was facing a possible four years behind bars if found guilty on all dockets.

Washburn, who is a veteran and retired engineer by trade, was forced to forfeit his dog in 2023 after a Bennington Judge ruled that the dog was abused. The husky, who was being fostered, was then adopted to a family permanently. Washburn appealed that decision to the Vermont Supreme Court, which rejected his claim back in August. That decision was then appealed. The case is still ongoing.

In August 2023, Washburn was required to permanently forfeit his dog and pay restitution for the animal's care after a judge found that Chad, the husky, was neglected and treated with cruelty. It was determined that the dog was left in a hot car full of trash and miscellaneous belongings in the two 2022 incidents, with just one window rolled down two inches and without water, food, or room to move.

Since then, Washburn has been charged with several other counts, including violating his conditions of release by having a cat in his car and sleeping in a local commercial parking lot against a no-trespassing order.

In a heavily redacted copy of the court-ordered evaluation, Dr. John Donnelly concluded that It is my opinion with reasonable clinical certainty that the defendant, Allan Washburn, does not have the present sufficient ability to interact with defense counsel via a reasonable degree of rational understanding. Mr. Washburn is very entrenched in believing that he is innocent and was unfairly charged with a crime (a criminal offense he could not identify by name) but informed this examiner that it had something to do with his pet husky, Chad.

Donnelly went on to conclude that Washburn was most likely suffering from moderate symptoms of mental decline, a condition most associated with the elderly.

When asked by this reporter after the hearing, Mr. Washburn did not understand why this was happening and became emotional when talking about his dog. He also did not seem to realize who his official lawyer was.

I just want my dog back, he said.

There will now be a hearing scheduled to determine whether Washburn should possibly be hospitalized depending on if he is found to be a danger to himself or others. The current charges will be dismissed without prejudice, meaning the state can reopen the cases sometime in the future.

It is unclear if Washburn can be compelled to seek help or what the possibilities are for any mental health support systems to be put into place for his possible care.
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Its no surprise that a forestry management plan in South County that includes some targeted tree-cutting and herbicide use has attracted criticism from local residents and environmental activists. At issue is the Department of Conservation and Recreations forest cutting plan at the so-called Cattle Barn Lot in Mount Washington.

Within a 362-acre tract owned by the state, DCR has outlined a 275-acre project area where the agency hopes to achieve one or more of the following objectives: produce immediate and maximize long-term income, enhance wildlife habitat, improve recreational opportunities, protect soil and water quality, or produce forest specialty products.

All worthy goals, by our lights, though the methodology  including application of the herbicide glyphosate to combat invasive flora and establishing a 178-acre logging area to fell trees and promote new growth  has irked some nearby neighbors of the land.

We doubt theres anything we or anyone else could say to satisfy all sides in this debate. The important thing to recognize here, though, is that this debate is an important one precisely because both sides have substantive points  and common big-picture goals for our forests and climate.

Healthy forest management often requires cutting some trees from time to time. That can mean clearing dead or dying trees  of which there are unfortunately plenty due to parasites like the emerald ash borer or spongy moth  as well as felling some healthy ones to strategically make room for newer and more sustainable growth.

Still, we get why the suggestion of toppling trees and applying herbicide near (but not within) a local water source raises concerns among nearby residents. Just as Tip ONeill observed that all politics is local, all nature is personal  so when our neighbors see or hear of an impact to their local slice of nature, its personal.

But forestry management plans like this one with climate change mitigation efforts in mind are personal for all of us. After all, some forests are closer or more visible to you than others, but our rapidly changing climate affects everyone and all who will come after us. Promoting optimum future forest growth is a net good not just for trees but the entire environment over which these sentinels of carbon sequestration preside. That long-term, natural carbon-sink potential is a key piece to the puzzle of managing a climate crisis threatening the entire world, including, yes, our local landscape.

Thats not a license to just do whatever in our Berkshire forests in the name of fighting climate change. A mark in this particular projects favor, though, is that DCRs South Berkshire District Management Forester Tom Ryan advocates it as a Berkshire resident who sees potential benefit to not just state climate efforts but local ecosystems.

Perhaps some locals wary of tree-cutting and herbicide use are still skeptical of DCRs intervention in a beloved forest. But just as they are willing to enumerate the downsides they see in the plan, we should all be willing to put status-quo bias aside and confront the costs of inaction.

It would be great if invasive species never made a foothold in our Berkshire forests. Should we let them keep choking native species? If not, should we eschew herbicide for other removal methods that dont involve chemicals but are unrealistically time-intensive (manual) or costly and disruptive (mechanized)?

It would be nice if smart forest management didnt require cutting any of the majestic trees that we pass by on walks. But what are the costs to carbon sequestration potential in failing to maximize future growth and biodiversity, not to mention the safety considerations in leaving dead and dying trees as potential wildfire fodder?

States climate chief says compromise may be in the works for Mount Washington forest project after top officials tour site Amid unrest in the community about a forestry project and the use of glyphosate, three top Healey administration officials toured the site with a group of DCR staff. The results may bring a solution.

We are not experts in these fields, and so we do not have all the answers  but we do know the above questions deserve raising and answering.

Were heartened to see state officials and local stakeholders confronting their disagreements in a healthy way to find a path of compromise for this project. In a corner of the commonwealth that often feels overlooked by the powers that be in Boston, it was refreshing to see several Healey administration environmental and forestry leaders make the trip to South County and hear residents concerns. And it was encouraging that at least some of those local voices struck an optimistic tone after the meeting.

Mount Washington Select Board Chair Brian Tobin, who previously expressed opposition to the project, said: We do have a lot of common ground, and we can work together on this.

Indeed, our environment is a great place to find common ground. Given that carbon sequestration through forest management is a key component of DCR and Healey administration climate efforts, hopefully state environmental leaders are starting as they mean to go on so that this path toward compromise being sought in the Berkshires can spread beyond.
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A prosecutor has asked a New Mexico judge to reconsider the decision to dismiss an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of a Western film, according to a court filing made public on Wednesday.

Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey said there were insufficient facts to support the July ruling and that Baldwins due process rights had not been violated.

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State District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the case halfway through a trial based on the withholding of evidence by police and prosecutors from the defense in the 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust.

The charge against Baldwin was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be revived once any appeals of the decision are exhausted.



The film set of Rust, at Bonanza Creek Ranch, in Santa Fe, New Mexico (Jae C Hong/AP)

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Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer on Rust, was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal when it went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer but not the trigger and the revolver fired.

The case-ending evidence was ammunition that was brought into the sheriffs office in March by a man who said it could be related to Hutchins killing. Prosecutors said they deemed the ammunition unrelated and unimportant, while Baldwins lawyers alleged that they buried it and filed a successful motion to dismiss the case.

In her decision to dismiss the Baldwin case, Marlowe Sommer described egregious discovery violations constituting misconduct by law enforcement and prosecutors, as well as false testimony about physical evidence by a witness during the trial.

In the request to reconsider, Ms Morrissey argued again that the undisclosed ammunition was not relevant to the case against Baldwin, which hinged on his responsibility to handle a gun safely under familiar industry guidelines.

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No one on the prosecution team ever intentionally kept evidence from the defendant, it simply didnt occur to the prosecution that the rounds were relevant to the case, Ms Morrissey wrote.

She asserted that defence lawyers knew about the rounds but cancelled an opportunity to view them prior to trial.

This is a smokescreen created by the defence and was intended to sway and confuse the court  and it was successful, she wrote.

Baldwins lead lawyer, Luke Nikas, did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Ms Morrisseys filing.

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Movie armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is serving an 18-month sentence on a conviction for involuntary manslaughter.

She was accused of flouting standard safety protocols and missing multiple opportunities to detect forbidden live ammunition on set.

Gutierrez-Reed is seeking the dismissal of her conviction based on the allegations of suppressed evidence that emerged at Baldwins trial.

Separately, Gutierrez-Reed has requested a plea hearing on a felony firearms charge pertaining to accusations that she took a gun into a Santa Fe bar weeks before Rust began filming.

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Defence lawyer Jason Bowles did not respond to a message seeking more information.

Assistant director and safety co-ordinator David Halls pleaded no contest to the negligent use of a deadly weapon and was sentenced to six months of unsupervised probation. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such for sentencing purposes.

It has not been officially determined who brought the live rounds that killed Ms Hutchins to the set, though prosecutors allege that Gutierrez-Reed was responsible.

The ammunition was handed over to a Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office crime scene technician who filed the evidence under an unrelated case number. Three of those rounds resembled live rounds that were collected from the Rust set after the fatal shooting.

The mysterious ammunition was dropped off at the sheriffs office by Troy Teske, of Bullhead City, Arizona, who routinely stored weapons and ammunition for his friend and longtime movie-gun coach Thell Reed  Gutierrez-Reeds step-father and mentor as a film-set armourer.

Ms Morrissey asked the judge to order defence lawyers to show when and how they learned of the ammunition provided by Mr Teske, calling the defence motion to dismiss the case all a ruse.
Taoiseach Simon Harris is to meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv as Ireland prepares to announce millions in new funding for Ukraine.

The visit on Wednesday comes the day after at least 50 people were killed and 200 injured when two Russian ballistic missiles struck a military training facility and hospital in Poltava, 200 miles south east of Kyiv.

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It was one of the deadliest Russian strikes since the war began.

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The incident came as Ukrainian forces attempted to secure territory in Russias Kursk border region after a surprise incursion that began last month  and as the Russian army moves deeper into eastern Ukraine.

Mr Harris, who arrived in Kyiv Oblast on Wednesday morning, will sign a joint Agreement with Mr Zelenskiy on Support and Co-operation during a bilateral meeting in the Ukrainian capital.

The Taoiseach will visit areas bombed by Russia and also meet Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal.

Mr Harris said: I want to see first hand and with my own eyes the impact of war on the continent of Europe.

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The Taoiseach will also announce 43 million in aid to Ukraine, made up of a new allocation of 36 million to partner organisations through its development body Irish Aid, and 7 million to European Investment Bank projects which had been previously flagged.

The Government said the 36 million package will provide essential humanitarian assistance, support rehabilitation and eventual reconstruction, and contribute to Ukraines longer-term goals, including peace, stability and political aspirations.

Mr Harris said: Two and a half years on from Russias full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to face immense challenges.

We have seen the remarkable resilience shown by the people of Ukraine in the face of these challenges.

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That same determination and resolve will be needed to rebuild their country, with support from international partners including Ireland.

We have been unequivocal and steadfast in our support for the people of Ukraine and this additional funding continues to demonstrate that commitment.

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Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin said the funding recognises the particularly horrific impact of the war on women and children.

He said: Irelands assistance in 2024 (includes) prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence, support for maternity services and rebuilding of homes for people forced to flee conflict and now living in collective centres.

The Taoiseach will also express Irelands full support for the Ukrainian bid for EU membership while also discussing continued humanitarian assistance.

One focus of the trip is expected to be work towards the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted into Belarus and Russia.

Ireland is a member of a global coalition working on the issue and the Taoiseach is scheduled to meet several organisations helping affected families.

Mr Harris said the joint agreement makes it clear that Ukraines values are our values and we will stand with the brave people of Ukraine for as long as it takes.

He said: I am very pleased to be in Ukraine to hear at first hand from president Zelenskiy on the situation on the ground and to see for myself the impact it is having on the lives of ordinary Ukrainians.

Russias missile strike and killing of scores of people in Poltava on Tuesday is a grim and horrific reminder of the threat Ukraine is facing every day. We express our outrage and sympathy to the families of those who have died.

The latest cash will take Irelands total funding to Ukraine since February 2022 to more than 380 million, including about 130 million in stabilisation and humanitarian support.

Partners to be supported include the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UN OCHA) which has reach across all regions of Ukraine, including significant funding to national organisations, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for the provision of shelter and protection to millions of displaced people.

Financial commitments to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) will contribute to work on health infrastructure and support for vulnerable women. Ireland will also support the Red Cross network.

It also includes contributions to the World Bank crisis facility for Ukraine and Moldova, which is aimed at addressing urgent needs, and to the International Monetary Fund Ukraine Capacity Development Fund supporting a reform agenda including EU accession.

A partnership with Lithuania will provide for the construction of bomb shelters in schools in Ukraine.

Mr Zelenskiy and Mr Harris previously met at Shannon Airport in Ireland in July, where the prospect of the joint agreement was raised.

They identified demining, energy, humanitarian assistance and food security as areas of possible cooperation.

At the time, Mr Zelenskiy thanked the people of Ireland for their support in hosting Ukrainian refugees, adding: You were with us from the very beginning of the Russian invasion.

After that meeting, Mr Harris announced a 7 million contribution towards the European Investment Banks EU for Ukraine fund, which addresses food and energy security needs, as well as support for refugees.

As part of a policy of military neutrality, Ireland does not provide what it characterises as lethal aid to Ukraine, including weapons.

However, the State has provided 250 million in non-lethal military assistance under the European Peace Facility, and has welcomed more than 100,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.

Irish Defence Forces members have trained hundreds of Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment.
The war in Ukraine cannot fade into the background, the Taoiseach has said during a visit to Kyiv.

His comments come after a mother and her three daughters were identified among seven killed in a Russian strike on Lviv.

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Mr Harris, who had travelled through Lviv on a train hours earlier, described the killings as a vicious terrorist attack by Russia.

He said attacks on civilian infrastructure and homes by Russia was becoming a very regular and sometimes daily occurrence.

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Speaking to reporters, Mr Harris said: This war, this terrorism, this barbarism is still continuing on the continent on Europe and in a country that wishes to be, and I wish to be, a member of the European Union.

It came after Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to Ireland for continued financial support.

Mr Harris signed a co-operation deal with Mr Zelensky following a bilateral meeting at the Ukrainian leaders office at Horodetskyi House in the city.

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The Taoiseach also announced details of a 36 million euro funding package to organisations working in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

The visit comes a day after 53 people were killed and 200 injured when two Russian ballistic missiles struck a military training facility and hospital in Poltava, 200 miles south-east of Kyiv.

The attacks came as Ukrainian forces attempted to secure territory in Russias Kursk border region after a surprise incursion that began last month  and as the Russian army moves deeper into eastern Ukraine.

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Taoiseach Simon Harris during a visit to inspect damage to buildings in Borodyanka (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Harris engagements on Wednesday saw him visit Hostomel and Borodyanka, two areas which had been badly damaged by Russian strikes in the early days of the invasion.

He said: I want to see first-hand and with my own eyes the impact of war on the continent of Europe.

Mr Harris saw a prefabricated home, which is now occupied by a family that had previously been displaced, and a newly-built nursery  both part of projects which Ireland financially supports.

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The Irish Government said the 36 million euro package will provide essential humanitarian assistance, support rehabilitation and eventual reconstruction, and contribute to Ukraines longer-term goals, including peace, stability and political aspirations.

The Taoiseach also expressed Irelands full support for the Ukrainian bid for EU membership while also discussing continued humanitarian assistance.

Mr Harris also visited the child protection centre in Kyiv prior to his meeting with Mr Zelensky, where Ireland supports work towards the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted into Belarus and Russia.

Since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion, Ireland has steadfastly supported Ukraine, providing assistance amounting to approximately 380 million. Today, together with Irelands Taoiseach @SimonHarrisTD, we signed an Agreement on Support for Ukraine and Cooperation pic.twitter.com/ouMPbpWPdW  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) September 4, 2024

He later inspected the Trypilska thermal power plant, a key piece of energy infrastructure which was destroyed by Russia earlier this year.

Following the bilateral meeting, Mr Zelensky told a press conference that he thanked Ireland for its support of work on returning abducted Ukrainian children to the country.

Irelands participation in the reconstruction of Ukraine will be a substantial support for our people and our countries, and our European way of life.

I thank the people of Ireland, I know that after the beginning of the invasion of Russia of our land, youve accepted and really have warmly welcomed more than 100,000 citizens of Ukraine.

The deal includes common work on demining Ukraine, which Mr Zelensky said will save Ukrainians and improve the resilience of Europe.

He added that the deal also includes common work on cybersecurity.

Taoiseach Simon Harris lays a wreath at the memorial in Maidan Nezalezhnosti square (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Zelensky said he also really valued that Mr Harris trip came amid severe attacks on Ukraine.

We value that while Ireland is military neutral, Ireland does not stay morally neutral.

We are grateful to you, Mr Taoiseach, and to the people of Ireland for very specific and clear and principled support, and a position countering Russian terror.

Mr Zelensky thanked Ireland for financial support and said: It is really important we are together protecting lives, especially now we need it facing the winter when Russia goes on striking our energy infrastructure.

Mr Harris, who earlier laid a wreath to honour Ukraines war dead at Maidan Square, told reporters: The people of Ireland stand with the people of Ukraine.

Asked by members of the Ukrainian media about the Irish Governments decision to decrease financial support for newly arriving Ukrainians in Ireland, Taoiseach Simon Harris said Ireland will always continue to support people from Ukraine.

Taoiseach Simon Harris shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Harris said the roughly 109,000 Ukrainians who have been welcomed in Ireland made an incredibly positive contribution to Irish society.

However, he said refugee systems are always under review in terms of sustainability.

He noted the changes applied to people who were being provided with free food, accommodation and a right to work.

Pressed on whether he supported a visa waiver for Ukrainians post-war, Mr Harris said he hoped there would be a situation where that would not be necessary due to Ukraine joining the EU.

Asked if he supported Ukraines request to use long-range missiles at Russian targets, Mr Harris said that would be a matter for the countries supplying such weapons as Irelands assistance is around non-lethal aid.

Mr Zelensky said it would be a matter for further discussion with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal but added he was really thankful for the support thus far.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Harris, who later met Mr Shmyhal for a working lunch, said he was particularly pleased to invite Mr Zelensky for an official visit to Ireland, to which the Ukrainian president nodded.

The Taoiseach also held engagements with representatives of the Irish community in Ukraine.

The latest cash will take Irelands total funding to Ukraine since February 2022 to more than 380 million including about 130 million in stabilisation and humanitarian support.

As part of a policy of military neutrality, Ireland does not provide what it characterises as lethal aid to Ukraine, including weapons.

However, the state has provided 250 million in non-lethal military assistance under the European Peace Facility and has welcomed approximately 100,000 Ukrainians under the EU temporary protection directive.

Irish Defence Forces members have trained hundreds of Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment.
Taoiseach Simon Harris paid tribute to the resilience of the Ukrainian people as he visited regions catastrophically damaged during the early stages of Russias invasion.

Mr Harris, who is in the Kyiv region to sign a joint declaration of co-operation with Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelenskiy, started his trip to Ukraine with visits to Borodyanka and Hostomel.

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After travelling into the country on an overnight train, the Taoiseach was greeted at Nemishaieve station.

Taoiseach Simon Harris arrives at Nemishaieve station for a visit to Kyiv, Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

In a convoy containing Ukrainian armed forces and members of an armed unit of An Garda Siochana, Mr Harris passed military checkpoints to first visit Borodyanka, where he inspected apartment buildings and a playground damaged by bombing in early 2022.

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He saw the entire facade of one building collapsed and a disused playground where childrens toys lay on the ground.

Mr Harris was guided around the site by the head of Kyiv states regional administration, Ruslan Kravchenko, who thanked the Taoiseach for Irelands support for Ukraine.

Mr Kravchenko presented Mr Harris with a medal representing the region.

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Taoiseach Simon Harris speaks to Ruslan Kravchenko, head of the Kyiv State regional administration, during a visit to Borodyanka, Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The Taoiseach was told about the suffering of the people of Borodyanka, some of whom were trapped under rubble after the bombing and not able to be rescued.

Nearby, a Banksy mural depicting a David v Goliath scene is displayed behind protective glass.

Directly beside the destroyed buildings, a new playground and creche have been constructed to facilitate the return of childcare in the area.

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Part of Irelands 36 million funding package for Ukraine and neighbouring countries will support such projects.

The Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) will be given 3 million to support the construction of bomb shelters for schools in Ukraine by local companies. It also goes towards rebuilding schools that have been damaged.

Taoiseach Simon Harris inspects a bomb-damaged house in Hostomel, Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

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While praising Ukraines continuing efforts towards EU membership and the overall resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of war, Mr Harris was introduced to a German Shepherd dog named Hachi, who was returned to the town after fleeing for three weeks following the shelling and is now tasked with looking after children at a nursery school.

In Hostomel, which was also severely damaged in the early stages of the conflict, Mr Harris was able to see the benefits of Irish funding to the region when he visited a pre-fabricated building that is hosting a family forced to leave their home due to the war.

He met Mykola and Nataliia Anisimov who told the Taoiseach that several families used to live in the neighbouring building, which had been severely damaged by bullets, artillery and shrapnel.

Mrs Anisimov said the area became the front line when Ukrainian forces decided to destroy a nearby bridge to halt the movement of Russian troops.

Taoiseach Simon Harris is set to announce millions in new funding for Ukraine from Ireland (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Her family and others were forced to evacuate the building, constructed in 1966, but are now able to return to the area thanks to the prefabricated home built using funds provided by the Irish Government.

It is part of the UNHCR Core Homes Project, which is on target to build 300 prefab homes for families whose previous homes were destroyed.

Mr Harris said he was sorry about what had happened and told Mrs Anisimov: The whole of Europe wants to do everything it can to help the people of Ukraine

While the war is here, it is an attack on all of our values.

Mr Harris said it was important for him to see the effects of the war with his own eyes.

Mrs Anisimov said she was grateful to the people of Ireland for her new home.

Mr Harris signed a Ukrainian flag before continuing his visit to Ukraine.
Jacqueline Wilson returns with her first adults novel since the 1970s

Fiction

1. Think Again by Jacqueline Wilson is published in hardback by Bantam. Available September 12th

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The eagle eyed among you might have spotted that there's a special board design on Think Again featuring lovely foiled dice. This is exclusive to the first print run, so if you want to get your hands on it pre-order now while stocks last! https://t.co/hQZ4FJarim pic.twitter.com/QKXPGB20k7  Jacqueline Wilson (@JackyWilsonHQ) July 25, 2024

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A comforting, engaging, nostalgic, and heartwarming read  the iconic Jacqueline Wilson is back with her latest adult novel called Think Again, a sequel to the Girls franchise. Following Ellie Allards life into adulthood, the novel starts on her 40th birthday, where she finds life is not looking exactly how she had imagined  but there is so much for her to learn and discover, she just doesnt know it yet. Themes of motherhood, friendships, relationships, school, sex, body image, health, and employment are covered in the most relatable way, making you smile and laugh and ask questions to yourself along the way. You never feel alone reading one of Wilsons books and her writing is brilliant and honest. This is a must-read for any Jacqueline Wilson fan  you wont be disappointed.

9/10

(Review by Eleanor Fleming)

2. What A Way To Go by Bella Mackie is published in hardback by The Borough Press. Available September 12th

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From the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of How to Kill Your Family, Bella Mackie returns! 



What a Way to Go is funny and thrilling and features characters you'll love to hate. 



Booksellers, we have *limited* proofs available - get in touch now to request! #WhatAWayToGo pic.twitter.com/tfgQvhXAVW  HarperInsider at HarperCollins (@HarperInsider) July 16, 2024

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After the roaring success of her debut, How To Kill Your Family  soon to become a Netflix series starring Anya Taylor-Joy  Bella Mackie is back with another murder mystery. What A Way To Go begins with the suspicious death of ultra-wealthy Anthony Wistern, a businessman who gets gruesomely impaled at his 60th birthday party. The book is subsequently told from multiple perspectives  from Anthony, looking at proceedings from a kind of purgatory; his odious family members, scrabbling for the inheritance and discovering that their father was no angel; and an amateur sleuth, whos convinced the death is foul play. Mackies latest offering is fast-paced, funny and will have you guessing until the end  it will no doubt be another bestseller.

8/10

(Review by Prudence Wade)

3. Blackwater by Michael McDowell is published in paperback by Penguin. Available September 5th

(Penguin/PA)

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Originally published in 1983, Blackwater I: The Flood is the first in the six-book Blackwater series set in the small community of Perdido, Alabama in the early 20th century. It begins with a catastrophic flood that brings destruction  and something more sinister  to the town. As the waters recede, the focus turns to the efforts of the respectable yet dysfunctional Caskey family, to come to terms with the mysterious newcomer in their midst. While the dialogue is at times somewhat leaden, the horror-inflected southern setting drips with enough atmosphere and charm to keep you engaged.

7/10

(Review by Nick Forbes)

Non-fiction

4. Rosens Almanac by Michael Rosen is published in hardback by Ebury Press. Available September 5th

Have you ever wondered what happened to certain words you used to hear all the time? Perhaps they were words your grandma often said when she lost something, or a phrase your grandad picked up from the war that has died out with their generation. In this book, author, poet and broadcaster Michael Rosen delves into our use of words and some of the reasons we choose to change our language over time, as English continues to evolve. This is a brilliant collection of weird and wonderful words and phrases from all over the UK  and some theories behind their meaning, with a different one selected for each day of the year. Its an enjoyable and light-hearted read which may get you wondering why we no longer use some vocabulary that was once in everyday use.

8/10

(Review by Karen Shield)

Childrens book of the week

5. Life In The Wild: Observing The Mysterious Lives Of 10 Real Animals by Lizzie Daly, illustrated by Chiara Fedele, is published in hardback by DK Children. Available September 5th

(DK Children/PA)

This is a stunning book with delightful colour illustrations that will thrill every wildlife loving child and adult. It takes you through 10 different informative stories, starting with a polar bear and her cub on their journey for sea ice  which will let them hunt for food. Global warming has made this journey longer, with catastrophic results. Other stories include jaguars having to ferociously defend their territories, as well as tales about leopard seals, sharks, crocodiles and more  highlighting their struggles to survive. It is very thought-provoking, highlighting how delicate our planet can be, and why we need to properly care for it.

9/10

(Review by Joanne Brennan)

BOOK CHARTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING AUGUST 31st

HARDBACK (FICTION)

1. The Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer

2. Precipice by Robert Harris

3. The Examiner by Janice Hallett

4. Safe Enough: And Other Stories by Lee Child

5. The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

6. Death At The Sign Of The Rook by Kate Atkinson

7. Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers

8. Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon

9. There Are Rivers In The Sky by Elif Shafak

10. The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves

(Compiled by Waterstones)

HARDBACK (NON-FICTION)

1. Speedy Weeknight Meals by Jon Watts

2. A Voyage Around The Queen by Craig Brown

3. The Greatest Nobodies Of History by Adrian Bliss

4. Pinch Of Nom Air Fryer: Easy, Slimming Meals by Kay & Kate Allinson

5. Truss At 10: How Not To Be Prime Minister by Anthony Seldon

6. Eighteen: A History Of Britain iIn 18 Young Lives by Alice Loxton

7. Imminent:Inside The Pentagons Hunt For UFOs by Luis Elizondo

8. Hitlers People by Richard J. Evans

9. Trelawnys Cornwall by Petroc Trelawny

10. How To Win The Premier League by Ian Graham

(Compiled by Waterstones)

AUDIOBOOKS (FICTION AND NON-FICTION)

1. The Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer

2. Sometimes People Die by Simon Stephenson

3. Atomic Habits by James Clear

4. It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover

5. Precipice by Robert Harris

6. The Satsuma Complex by Bob Mortimer

7. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

8. The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

9. Message Deleted by K. L. Slater

10. Unruly by David Mitchell

(Compiled by Audible)
Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba has resigned, following an announcement last week from President Volodymyr Zelensky that a cabinet reshuffle was imminent.

Mr Kulebas resignation request will be discussed by lawmakers at the next plenary meeting, the speaker of parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk said on his Facebook page.

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The foreign ministers resignation came as at least seven people were killed and 35 injured in an overnight strike on Lviv, city mayor Andrii Sadovyi said on Wednesday morning.

A child and a medical worker were among the dead and others are in a critical condition, he said.





During today's meeting in Brussels with EU foreign ministers, I conveyed a sense of urgency regarding the delivery of already pledged military aid, including air defense systems. I appreciate the readiness of my colleagues to take necessary steps to expedite these deliveries. pic.twitter.com/wvVIT4wqTc Advertisement  Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) August 29, 2024

The attack happened a day after two ballistic missiles blasted a military academy and nearby hospital in Poltava in Ukraine, killing more than 50 people and wounding more than 200 others, Ukrainian officials said, in one of the deadliest Russian strikes since the war began.

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The missiles tore into the heart of the Poltava Military Institute of Communications main building, causing several storeys to collapse.

The missiles hit shortly after an air raid alert sounded, when many people were on their way to a bomb shelter, Ukraines defence ministry said, describing the strike Tuesday as barbaric.

Poltava is about 200 miles south-east of Kyiv, on the main highway and rail route between Kyiv and Ukraines second-largest city, Kharkiv, which is close to the Russian border.



A Russian strike hit the Ukrainian city of Lviv (Lviv City Council via AP)

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The attack happened as Ukrainian forces sought to carve out their holdings in Russias Kursk border region after a surprise Ukrainian incursion that began on August 6, and as the Russian army hacks its way deeper into eastern Ukraine.

Mr Kuleba, 43, did not give a reason for stepping down.

Four other Cabinet ministers tendered their resignations late Tuesday, making the Cabinet reshuffle likely the biggest since Russias February 2022 invasion.

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Mr Zelensky indicated last week that a reshuffle was imminent, with the war poised to enter a critical stage and as its 1,000-day mark looms in November.

The Ukrainian President needs to maintain Ukraines morale amid the grinding war of attrition with its bigger neighbour and steel the countrys resolve for what will be another hard winter.



Mr Kuleba was one of the most recognisable figures on the world stage (AP)

Russia has been smashing Ukraines power grid, knocking out some 70% of generation capacity and rupturing heat and water supplies.

The Ukrainian armys risky but largely successful incursion almost a month ago into Russias Kursk border region countered months of grim news from the front line in eastern Ukraine.

Kursk is not a priority, however, for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who remains bent on pushing his army deeper into eastern Ukraine.

Russias onslaught in Donetsk, where Ukraine is short of troops and air defences, and long-range missile strikes that repeatedly hit civilian areas of Ukraine signal that Mr Putin will remain uncompromising and unrelenting in his efforts to crush Ukrainian resistance.

In other developments, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency, Rafael Grossi, visited the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine, a day after describing the situation at Europes largest atomic energy facility as very fragile.

The International Atomic Energy Agency published a report on Wednesday saying that since Mr Grossis last visit there in February, the plant has been struck by drones, lost power lines and seen significant damage to one of its two cooling towers by fire.
The devastating Grenfell Tower fire in London which killed 72 people was the result of decades of failure by the UK government and the construction industry to act on the dangers of flammable materials on high-rise buildings, a long-awaited report has found.

The west London tower block was covered in combustible products because of the systematic dishonesty of firms who made and sold the cladding and insulation, inquiry chairman Martin Moore-Bick said.

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He called out deliberate and sustained manipulation of fire-safety testing, misrepresentation of test data and misleading of the market.

Irish insulation firm Kingspan faced particularly heavy criticism in the report.

British prime minister Keir Starmer said the report identified substantial and widespread failings, adding that the UK government will carefully consider its recommendations to ensure that such a tragedy cannot occur again.

The seven-volume and near-1,700 page final report of the inquiry into the disaster laid out in damning detail how those in positions of responsibility had not heeded or acted on warnings from earlier fires.

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Mr Moore-Bick said: We conclude that the fire at Grenfell Tower was the culmination of decades of failure by central government and other bodies in positions of responsibility in the construction industry to look carefully into the danger of incorporating combustible materials into the external walls of high-rise residential buildings and to act on the information available to them.

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Addressing the bereaved and survivors on Wednesday when the report was published, he said the simple truth is that all the deaths were avoidable and that those who lived in the tower were badly failed by authorities in most cases through incompetence but in some cases through dishonesty and greed.

Grenfell United, which represents some of the bereaved and survivors of the fire, said the report speaks to a lack of competence, understanding and a fundamental failure to perform the most basic of duties of care as they demanded that some of the construction firms involved should be banned from government contracts.

But they added that while the final publication is a significant chapter in the years since the fire, justice has not been delivered, saying police and prosecutors must ensure that those who are truly responsible are held to account and brought to justice.

London's Metropolitan Police said it operates under a different legal framework and so we cannot simply use the reports findings as evidence to bring charges but pledged to go through the report line by line.

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A drive within the UK government years before the fire for deregulation meant concerns about the safety of life had been ignored, delayed or disregarded, the report said, despite the deadly Lakanal House fire which killed six people in 2009.

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In the years after, the agenda to cut red tape was enthusiastically supported by some politicians in charge, the report said.

By 2016, a year before the Grenfell fire, the UK government was well aware of the risks of using combustible cladding panels and insulation, particularly in high-rise buildings, but failed to act on what it knew.

Recommendations from the coroner into the Lakanal House deaths were not treated with any sense of urgency and legitimate concerns were repeatedly met with a defensive and dismissive attitude by officials and some ministers, the report said.

Cladding firm Arconic and insulation firms Kingspan and Celotex faced particularly heavy criticism.

Arconic was found to have deliberately concealed from the market the true extent of the danger of using its cladding product, particularly on high-rise buildings.

Cavan-based Kingspan had, from 2005 and even after the inquiry began in the wake of the fire, knowingly created a false market in insulation for use on buildings over 18 metres, the report said.

Celotex then, in an attempt to break into this market created by Kingspan, embarked on a dishonest scheme to mislead its customers and the wider market, Mr Moore-Bick concluded.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry has published its final report into the fire (Peter Cary/PA)

He said: One very significant reason why Grenfell Tower came to be clad in combustible materials was systematic dishonesty on the part of those who made and sold the rainscreen cladding panels and insulation products.

The report said these firms had engaged in deliberate and sustained strategies to manipulate the testing processes, misrepresent test data and mislead the market.

Grenfell United has called on the UK government to ban Arconic, Kingspan, Celotex and contractor Rydon from central or local government procurement processes and finally start acting in the British publics interest.

While the first inquiry report in 2019 said London Fire Brigades (LFB) performance fell below the standards set by its own policies or national guidance, the final report concluded that although the service understood the lessons from the Lakanal House fire, its failure lay in its inability to implement any effective response.

This failure had many causes, including a chronic lack of effective leadership, combined with undue emphasis on process and a culture of complacency, the report said.

Setting out 58 recommendations, Mr Moore-Bick concluded that the construction industry had become too complex and fragmented.

He suggested a single regulator should be put in place to be responsible for regulation of construction products, testing and certification, and oversight of building control, and for the Government to bring all functions relating to fire safety into one department under a single secretary of state.

The Building Safety Act, in particular the definition of a higher-risk building, should be reviewed to incorporate the likely presence of vulnerable people, he said.

Having criticised the response of government and the local council for its muddled, slow, indecisive and piecemeal response in the days after the fire, the report recommended the guidance on preparing for emergencies be revised.

The UK government has also been urged by the chairman to establish a College of Fire and Rescue, and said the fire and rescue services inspectorate should inspect LFB as soon as reasonably possible.

Met deputy assistant commissioner Stuart Cundy said: I cant pretend to imagine the impact of such a long police investigation on the bereaved and survivors, but we have one chance to get our investigation right.

We will be thorough and diligent in our investigation while moving as swiftly as possible.
A doctor and a woman dubbed the ketamine queen will face a joint trial in March 2025 following the death of Friends star Matthew Perry, a judge has ruled.

The pair are among five people who are said to have taken advantage of the US actor after he fell back into addiction last autumn.

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Perry had been seeking treatment for depression and anxiety when he became addicted to intravenous ketamine, turning to allegedly unscrupulous doctors.

Matthew Perry died at the age of 54 in October last year (Ian West/PA)

He died from the acute effects of ketamine on October 28th at the age of 54.

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Salvador Plasencia, a doctor from Santa Monica, allegedly used Perrys live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa to distribute ketamine to the actor from September to October last year for $55,000 (50,000).

He is set to face a trial on March 4th next year, District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett ruled in court documents seen by the PA news agency.

Plasencia will stand trial alongside Jasveen Sangha  an alleged drug dealer named by authorities as the ketamine queen  who is said to have sold ketamine to Perry for $11,000 in cash.

The ketamine supplied by Sangha was ultimately the dose that took Perrys life, a Drug Enforcement Administrator previously claimed.

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Matthew Perry (Ian West/PA)

Plasencia is facing a maximum sentence of 120 years in federal prison, while Sangha is facing life imprisonment.

During a previous court appearance, Plasencia denied conspiracy to distribute ketamine; seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two charges related to allegations he falsified documents during the investigation into Perrys death.

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Sangha also plead not guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine; maintaining a drug-involved premises; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute ketamine and five counts of distribution of ketamine.

Plasencia had been due in court on October 8th and October 15th for Sangha, however a Californian judge ruled the pair will face trial together on March 4th, with a pre-trial hearing set for February 19th, 2025.

According to the initial indictment, Plasencia is said to have conspired with fellow doctor Mark Chavez to supply Perry with large amounts of ketamine, writing in a message: I wonder how much this moron will pay and lets find out.

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Dr Mark Chavez, a physician from San Diego, who is charged in connection with actor Matthew Perrys death (Damian Dovarganes)

Chavez, who remains free on bond, will next appear in court on October 2nd for a change-of-plea hearing after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors.

He is expected to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

Perry, who played Chandler Bing in hit US sitcom Friends, died last autumn after receiving several injections of ketamine from his live-in assistant Iwamasa.

Iwamasa previously pleaded guilty on August 7th to conspiring to distribute ketamine causing death  admitting to repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training.

His sentencing has been set for November 6th.

During the last few weeks of his life, Perry turned to street dealer Erik Fleming who is said to have sourced ketamine from Sangha.

Fleming pleaded guilty on August 8th to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death.

He is set to be sentenced on October 30th.

Plasencia is currently on release after posting a $100,000 bond, while a judge denied bond for Sangha.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was among six people who were detained in Denmark, police said, after a demonstration against the University of Copenhagen for co-operating with Israeli universities where demonstrators shouted pro-Palestinian slogans.

The group was detained on Wednesday for suspected trespassing after police said they briefly occupied one of the entrances to the university. They were all later released.

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Police evicted the demonstrators after they hung an anti-Israel banner from one of the windows of the universitys old administration building in central Copenhagen.
Elon Musks satellite-based internet service provider Starlink has backtracked and said it will comply with a Brazilian Supreme Court justices order to block the billionaires social media platform X.

Starlink said in a statement posted on X that it will heed Justice Alexandre de Moraess order despite him having frozen the companys assets.

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Previously, it informally told the telecommunications regulator that it would not comply until Judge de Moraes reversed course.

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Regardless of the illegal treatment of Starlink in freezing our assets, we are complying with the order to block access to X in Brazil, the company statement said.

We continue to pursue all legal avenues, as are others who agree that @alexandres recent orders violate the Brazilian constitution.

Judge de Moraes froze the companys accounts last week as a means to compel it to cover Xs fines that already exceeded three $3 million (2.71 million), reasoning that the two companies are part of the same economic group.

Starlink filed an appeal, its law firm Veirano told the Associated Press on August 30th, but has declined to comment further in the days since.

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Days later, the justice ordered the suspension of X for refusing to name a local legal representative, as required in order to receive notifications of court decisions and swiftly take any requisite action  particularly, in Xs case, the takedown of accounts.

A Supreme Court panel unanimously upheld the block on Monday, undermining efforts by Mr Musk and his supporters to cast the justice as an authoritarian renegade intent on censoring political speech in Brazil.

Had Starlink continued to disobey Judge de Moraes by providing access, telecommunications regulator Anatel could eventually have seized equipment from Starlinks 23 ground stations that ensure the quality of its internet service, Arthur Coimbra, an Anatel board member, said on a video call from his office in Brasilia.

The company has said it has more than 250,000 clients in Brazil, and it is particularly popular in the countrys more remote corners where it is the only available option.

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Justice Alexandre de Moraes (Eraldo Peres/AP)

Already some legal experts questioned Judge de Moraess basis for freezing Starlinks accounts, given that its parent company SpaceX has no integration with X.

Mr Musk noted on X that the two companies have different shareholder structures.

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X has clashed with Judge de Moraes over its reluctance to block users  mostly far-right activists accused of undermining Brazilian democracy and allies of former president Jair Bolsonaro  and has alleged that Judge de Moraes wants an in-country legal representative so that Brazilian authorities can exert leverage over the company by having someone to arrest.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel must keep open-ended control of Gazas border with Egypt, digging in on his stance on an issue that has threatened to derail ceasefire efforts.

The question of Israeli control of the Philadelphi corridor  a narrow strip of land along Gazas border with Egypt, seized by troops in May  has become a central obstacle in the latest negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release.

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Hamas has demanded an eventual full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in the multi-phase truce deal.

Egypt, a mediator in the talks along with the US and Qatar, has also demanded a concrete timeline for Israeli troops to leave the Philadelphi corridor.



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in front of a map of Gaza during a press conference at the Government Press office in Jerusalem on Wednesday (Abir Sultan/Pool via AP)

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In a press conference on Monday, Mr Netanyahu repeated his stance that Israel must maintain its hold on the border to prevent Hamas from rearming by smuggling weapons into Gaza.

Gaza must be demilitarised, and this can only happen if the Philadelphi corridor remains under firm control, he said, claiming Israeli troops had discovered dozens of tunnels under the border.

He said Israel would consider withdrawing from the corridor only when presented with an alternative force to police it.

Earlier, a group representing families of the hostages held in Gaza demanded Wednesday that Mr Netanyahu stop wearing a yellow pin, a global symbol of solidarity with the hostages.

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Stop creating a false impression of support and of striving to bring back the hostages when in reality you are doing everything to torpedo the deal, the group, the Hostages and Missing Families forum, said in a statement.

The demand comes as protests rock Israel over the recent recovery of six hostages from Gaza, whom the military says were shot by their Hamas captors as Israeli forces closed in on the tunnel in which they were held.

The news has escalated calls for Mr Netanyahu to immediately agree to a deal that would free some of the hostages remaining in the strip in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a pause in combat.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets in recent days, calling for a deal and saying time is running out to bring home the hostages alive.

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People attend a rally demanding a ceasefire deal and the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas on Wednesday in Tel Aviv (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Mr Netanyahu pushed back against the pressure, saying his stance was necessary to ensure Hamas doesnt pose a threat to Israel.

I can understand the torment of families, he said. But the responsibility of leaders is not merely to share the sentiment, the emotion, but also to exercise judgment.

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Asked by journalists for a timeline on ending the war, he refused to give one. How long can we do this? As long as it takes to achieve this victory. And I think were getting a lot closer, he said.

Also on Wednesday, Israeli shelling in southern Lebanon killed a woman and wounded two others, including a 12-year-old child, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.

The ministry did not disclose details about the second person wounded in the southeastern town of Qabrikha.

The Health Ministry also said two people in Khiam and three others in Houla were wounded following Israeli attacks over the southern towns.

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah also announced six rocket and artillery attacks on military positions in northern Israel.
A pregnant woman and six children were among 12 people who died after their boat sank trying to cross the English Channel.

The French coastguard confirmed the deaths after up to 65 people were rescued off the coast of Cap Gris-Nez on Tuesday.

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The local prosecutors office said 10 females and two males were killed in the incident, according to the BBC.

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French interior minister Gerald Darmanin wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that dozens of people had been crammed in a boat less than seven metres long.

I came to Boulogne-sur-Mer to meet and thank the emergency services, the police and the sailors who were able to save 51 people from drowning by intervening very quickly and very courageously, he said.

Mr Darmanin described it as a terrible shipwreck, adding: The provisional toll stands at 12 dead, two missing and several injured.

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Je suis venu a Boulogne-sur-Mer rencontrer et remercier les secours, les forces de lordre et les marins qui ont pu sauver 51 personnes de la noyade en intervenant tres vite et tres courageusement.



Une  embarcation  de moins de 7 metres de long ou 70 personnes se sont  Gerald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) September 3, 2024

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All government services are mobilised to find the missing and take care of the victims.

UK home secretary Yvette Cooper branded the incident horrifying and deeply tragic as she said vital efforts to dismantle dangerous and criminal smuggler gangs and to boost border security must proceed apace.

Mr Darmanin said most of the people on the boat were believed to have been from Eritrea, and most of the victims were women.

Speaking to reporters at Boulogne-sur-Mer, where the casualties are being treated, he said as many as 75 people can be put on boats ahead of a crossing attempt.

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These boats go down very, very quickly, this is the reason why a lot of people get killed on these journeys, he said, according to a BBC News translation.

(PA Graphics)

Olivier Barbarin, the mayor of Le Portel near Boulogne-sur-Mer, said that the bottom of the boat ripped open.

All of the people on board the dinghy ended up in the water, many of whom were not wearing life jackets, and several of the migrants needed emergency medical care, according to the French coastguard.

Ms Cooper said she was in touch with Mr Darmanin and was being kept updated on the situation, adding: Our hearts go out to the loved ones of all those who have lost their lives, and all those who have been seriously injured.

The latest casualties mean more than 30 people have died in Channel crossings so far this year.

Before Tuesday, the French coastguard had recorded at least 19 Channel crossing deaths in 2024, including nine since the start of July. Last year, 12 migrants were thought to have died or were recorded as missing.

The International Organisation for Migration, which records Channel crossing deaths as part of its Missing Migrant Project, estimates 226 people including 35 children are missing or have died after attempting the crossing as of January this year.

(PA Graphics)

Ministers have raised fears about people smugglers cramming more and more migrants onto increasingly poor boats to risk the crossing.

Last month in its annual assessment of crime threats to Britain, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said the dangerous journeys were a persistent and high-volume threat and the number of people attempting the crossing  coupled with people-smuggler tactics which see migrants wading out to boats or transferring from taxi boats  had increased the likelihood of fatalities.

Charities and campaigners reiterated calls for urgent changes to curb Channel crossings as they lamented the latest loss of life at sea.

Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said the number of deaths in the Channel this year had been shockingly high and the devastating trend shows the urgent need for a comprehensive and multi-pronged approach to reduce dangerous crossings.

Enforcement alone is not the solution, he added, as he called on the Government to open up more safe and legal routes for asylum seekers.

Terrible naufrage dans le Pas-de-Calais, au large de Wimereux. Le bilan provisoire seleve a 12 personnes decedees, 2 disparus et plusieurs blesses. Tous les services de lEtat sont mobilises pour retrouver les disparus et prendre en charge les victimes. Je me rends aupres des  Gerald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) September 3, 2024

Anna Kettley, deputy executive director of the UK Committee for Unicef, said: We are deeply saddened to learn that children were amongst those that lost their lives in the Channel today.

Every child, no matter where they are from, deserves safety, protection and a chance for a better future.

We urge the UK Government to put the protection of children at the heart of their policies and to ensure there are safe and legal routes to enter the UK.

The incident comes as more migrants arrived in the UK after making the journey and the number of Channel crossings reached the highest seven-day total for the year so far.

Pictures showed men, women and children being brought ashore in Dover, Kent, by lifeboats and Border Force on Tuesday.

UK home secretary Yvette Cooper said that tackling people smuggling gangs must be stepped up (Elena Giuliano/PA)

British Home Office figures show 351 people made the journey in six boats on Monday, taking the provisional total for 2024 to date 21,403.

This is 2 per cent higher than this time last year (20,973) and 16 per cent lower than at the same point in 2022 (25,387), according to PA news agency analysis of government data.

The latest figures also mean 2,109 migrants arrived between August 27th and September 2nd  the highest number recorded for any seven-day period so far in 2024.

The previous highest number of arrivals in a seven-day period this year was 1,758, which occurred as recently as August 26th to September 1st, PA analysis shows.
The leaders of South Korea and New Zealand have strongly condemned the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia as they held a summit to strengthen bilateral ties.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrived in Seoul, the South Korean capital, on his first trip to the Asian country since he took office last November.

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Mr Luxon and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol condemned in the strongest possible terms the expanding military ties between North Korea and Russia, including North Koreas export of ballistic missiles to Russia in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, according to a joint statement.

The two leaders denounced in the most serious of terms North Koreas illegal nuclear and missile development programmes.

They also strongly condemned Russias war against Ukraine and pledged to continue to support the sovereignty of Ukraine and its efforts to secure a just and lasting peace, according to the joint statement.



Mr Luxon paid a silent tribute during a visit to National Cemetery in Seoul (AP)

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During the summit, Mr Yoon and Mr Luxon decided to launch a regular bilateral economic security dialogue to discuss challenges and opportunities.

The two emphasized the importance of strengthening trade and economic connections, noting that the two-way trade volume between South Korea and New Zealand has approximately doubled in the past decade, according to the joint statement.

The US, South Korea and their partners have steadfastly accused North Korea of supplying much-needed conventional arms to Russia to support its invasion of Ukraine in return for military and economic assistance.

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Worries about the North Korean-Russia ties deepened in June, when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a pact stipulating mutual military assistance if either country is attacked.
The US Justice Department has announced criminal charges against Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other senior militants in connection with the October 7 2023 rampage in Israel.

It marks the first effort by American law enforcement to formally call out the masterminds of the attack.

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The seven-count criminal complaint filed in federal court in New York City includes charges of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation, conspiracy to murder US nationals and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, resulting in death.





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It also accuses Iran and Lebanons Hezbollah of providing financial support and weapons, including rockets, that were used in the attack.

The impact of the case may be mostly symbolic given that Sinwar is believed to be hiding out in tunnels and at least two of the other defendants named by the Justice Department are thought to have been killed.

But US officials say at least one person, whom they did not name, is expected to be brought to New York for prosecution.

The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamass operations, attorney general Merrick Garland said in a video statement.

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These actions will not be our last.

Sinwar was appointed the overall head of Hamas after the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and sits atop Israels most-wanted list.

He is believed to have spent most of the past 10 months living in tunnels under Gaza, and it is unclear how much contact he has with the outside world.

Other Hamas leaders charged include Haniyeh; Marwan Issa, the deputy leader of Hamass armed wing in Gaza who helped plan last years attack and who Israel says was killed when fighter jets struck an underground compound in central Gaza in March; Khaled Mashaal, another Haniyeh deputy and a former leader of the group; Mohammed Deif, Hamass longtime shadowy military leader, who is thought to be dead following an Israeli air strike in southern Gaza in July; and Ali Baraka, Hamass head of external relations.
Small businesses buckling under the pressure of rising costs and a sluggish economy have been hit with $7 billion in unexpected costs in the past year, highlighting the financial pressure on the nations engine room.

More than half of small business owners reported their mental health had been affected by the current cost of living crisis, according to research released by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Small businesses have been hit with $7 billion in unexpected costs in the past year. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Theyre drawing up on those cash reserves built over the last couple of years to navigate current economic times, said Rebecca Warren, small business banking executive general manager at CBA. Theyre considering modifying and adjusting their business to adjust to [the circumstances].

Two-thirds of small businesses said they had to deal with unexpected expenses in the past year, with almost half of those hit with equipment repair costs, as well as higher supplier and utilities costs, totalling about $7 billion  on average about $4500 for every business.
Volcano 

Powerhouse Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse, until September 14 It would not be an arts festival if there was not at least one show that was challenging and a little bewildering. In Brisbane Festival 2024, that show is Volcano, a theatre-dance hybrid from Irish director and choreographer Luke Murphy that shows a lot of the influence of that nations great purveyor of darkly funny existential despair, Samuel Beckett. Becketts Godot famously never arrived, but in Volcano, a spaceman eventually does, crawling out of the speaker of an old-time radio into a decrepit lounge room. Its as if the astronaut at the end of the film 2001 found himself the guest of a fleabag motel instead of a palatial suite. Volcano is an experimental dance-theatre piece created by Luke Murphy (left). In Brisbane, the role played by Will Thompson (pictured) is performed by Ali Goldsmith. Credit: Emilija Jefremova Its in this room, fenced from the audience by a wall of glass, that Murphy and co-star Briton Alistair (Ali) Goldsmith act and dance a series of seemingly random scenes. As the program notes explain, the story is presented to the audience as a riddle to solve.

Clips on TV screens offer clues as to whats going on  something to do with The Amber Project and a malfunction of Pod 261. There are references to lighthouse keepers, diving bells and time capsules. The show is in four 45-minute episodes separated by two five-minute breaks and a half-hour interval. It all plays out like a four-part Black Mirror story, with dancing. Murphy and Goldsmith are versatile actors and sure-footed, muscular movers, whether wrestling on the floor, getting funky, or tripping the light fantastic. At times, theyre like a pair of ballet stars; at others, like two party animals off their faces, dancing furiously after everyone else has gone home. Volcano consists of four 45-minute episodes. Credit: Emilija Jefremova There is some off-kilter comedy, such as a wedding speech gone awry, and a rendition of Elton Johns Rocket Man in the spoken-word style of William Shatner (yes, really). Unlike Becketts work, the show does have payoffs and twists  albeit well telegraphed ones. Deeper rewards can be found in the dance moves, where evocations about memory and humanitys precious moments can be found.
If we needed a further reminder of the Liberals woeful ability to carry out basic admin critical to the partys functions, it was on full display again on Tuesday. As the NSW division of the party was spectacularly taken over by the federal arm after its failure to nominate 140 candidates in this months local government elections, a three-man committee was appointed to run the NSW Liberals: two elderly Victorians, and the much younger Rob Stokes, the only New South Welshman.

A hiccup to that plan, which had been voted on and accepted by the Liberal federal executive, was that no one bothered to ask Stokes. The first he heard of his new role was when he read the Heralds story while away for work in New Zealand. Stokes was having none of it, and within an hour he had politely told the office of federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton that he was not available.

Who, me? Couldnt be. Rob Stokes, a former NSW cabinet minister, was appointed to a committee to rescue the NSW division of the Liberal Party  without his knowledge. Credit: Louise Kennerley

Perhaps it was an administrative oversight, just like the one that saw the party miss a well-publicised deadline to nominate candidates for the council elections. Stokes, a former senior NSW cabinet minister, is still a respected figure on Macquarie Street. He is a clean skin, close to state Opposition Leader Mark Speakman, and he was Duttons personal choice to run in Mackellar in next years federal election. (Stokes also politely declined that offer.) Perhaps someone simply forgot to pick up the phone to call him?

The more likely theory, however, is that Stokes was there as window dressing, as one senior moderate Liberal swiftly described his appointment on Tuesday. Of the three-man panel, two were Victorian right-wingers. They are the former senator Richard Alston and the former Victorian treasurer Alan Stockdale, so Stokes moderate view was never going to prevail. Sceptics quickly joined the dots. The federal plan was a Dutton-led right-wing takeover of NSW, backed wholeheartedly by former prime minister Tony Abbott.
More than $100,000 has been raised for the Brisbane family of a baby scalded by hot coffee in a random attack last week.

The nine-month-old suffered serious burns to much of his body while in Hanlon Park at Stones Corner with his mother and friend on August 27.

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A man reportedly came up behind the group and poured the contents of a Thermos on the young child before running away. The baby has since undergone surgery.

The GoFundMe page set up by a friend of the family to help with medical and household costs had raised $117,196 from more than 150 donors as of Wednesday afternoon.

A man wanted for questioning remains on the run eight days after the alleged attack, despite the release of CCTV footage and photos of his face.

Theres no further updates were able to provide at this time, a spokesperson for Queensland police told Brisbane Times.
Brisbanes LNP councillors are demanding Greens councillor Trina Massey repay the $20,000 cost of a six-page community newsletter that had two pages of pro-Palestine content.

The 18 LNP councillors voted that Massey repay to the council the money used to produce, print and distribute her Spring 2024 newsletter.

Labors five councillors abstained, while fellow Green councillor Seal Chong Wah voted that Massey not be required to repay the money.

Gabba councillor Trina Massey has been asked to repay $20,000 to the council. Credit: Trina Massey

If Massey were to repay the money, it could come from her own pocket, or from party funds. She said she was considering her legal options before making a decision.
A convict-era wall unearthed in Adelaide Street by Brisbane Metro workers will now be included in a wall to be built at North Quay.

More than two years ago, 30 metres of stone stairs and wall foundations from the original Moreton Bay penal colony were unearthed.

A worker inspects a 30-metre stone wall discovered under Adelaide Street in February 2022. Credit: Brisbane City Council

The foundations, at the intersection of Adelaide and George streets, are the remnants of Brisbanes original convict hospital, next to the old Supreme Court.

At the time of the discovery, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said heritage architects told him the relics were crucial to understanding Brisbanes early European history.
The LNP has turned down renewable-energy transition commitments from a community alliance representing 32 Queensland organisations, while Labor Premier Steven Miles has promised to refit 32,000 social homes with energy-saving upgrades.

The Queensland Community Alliance  which represents 1.7 million people across its three strong foundations of faith, multiculturalism, and the trade union movement  asked for commitments from both parties across issues ranging from migrant worker support to childcare.

Responding to calls for solar infrastructure funding in rentals and social housing, Miles promised improvements to energy efficiency in 32,000 social houses, including improved fixed appliances, hot water and air-conditioning systems, with the aim of reducing power bills.

Premier Steven Miles agreed to many of the alliances requests, saying his government would commit to an 80 per cent renewables target by 2035. Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt

But he would not commit to funding landlords to put solar on rooftops. We tried that, and it ended up being a taxpayer subsidy.
Indonesian authorities desperate to get their hands on Australian Gregor Haas are using their capture of a woman, whose alleged crimes and life on the run have captivated the Philippines, as leverage in a proposed prisoner deal.

Alice Guo, a former mayor, was arrested at a house near Jakarta in the early hours of Wednesday after fleeing the Philippines weeks ago amid rumours of a mysterious Chinese past and allegations she was involved with an illegal gambling and scam centre. She has denied any wrongdoing.

Alice Guo after her arrest in Indonesia. Credit: Philippines Bureau of Immigration

She had been tracked in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia since failing to turn up at parliamentary hearings into illegal gaming last month, creating sensational fodder for Filipino media and amateur online sleuths who have seized on unproven suggestions of her spying for their enemy, China.

Let this serve as a warning to those who attempt to evade justice, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Wednesday as he thanked the Indonesian police for their co-operation.
Warning: Disturbing content

Palestinian militant group Hamas has published a video showing brief statements by each of the six Israeli hostages before they were killed at the weekend.

It wasnt clear when the clips were recorded but the move deepened the sense of grief felt by many Israelis. It came a day after the funeral of one of the hostages, Israeli-american Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

The hostages killed (clockwise from top left): Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Alexander Lobanov and Almog Sarusi. Credit: AP

On Monday, Hamas released a video of Eden Yerushalmi, a 24-year-old woman who had been working as a bartender at the Nova music festival on October 7 when Hamas crossed the border and attacked people in southern Israel.
New York: A former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul has been charged with secretly acting as an agent of the Chinese government in exchange for millions of dollars in compensation and gifts, including meals of gourmet duck.

Linda Sun, 41, and her husband Chris Hu, 40, pleaded not guilty to criminal charges before US Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo in Brooklyn, after being arrested on Tuesday morning.

Former New York Governor Kathy Hochul aide Linda Sun leaves Brooklyn Federal Court after her arraignment. Credit: AP

Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn said that while working in state government, Sun blocked representatives of the Taiwanese government from meeting with officials, and sought to arrange for a high-level New York state official to visit China.

In exchange, Chinese government representatives allegedly arranged for millions of dollars in transactions for Hu, who had business activities in China.
Facing widespread domestic and international criticism over his claim that he won a July presidential vote, President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela is trying to turn the nations attention toward the one thing almost every Venezuelan loves: Christmas.

The holiday season will begin on October 1 this year, he has announced on his television show, More with Maduro, telling a friendly audience that he was moving up the start of the holiday by way of national decree.

Smells like Christmas! he told the crowd, which included his wife and several top officials. They responded with cheers and applause. The season would begin, he said, with peace, happiness and security.

This is not the first time that Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, has begun the holiday season so early.

But the announcement, coming amid so much national turmoil, only underscored the widening chasm between the governments assertion that Venezuela is flourishing and the reality on the ground. A journalist for Univision, Felix de Bedout, called it part of the dictators delirium.
Mike Zorbas (pictured above), CEO of the Property Council, highlighted the importance of this connection following Federal Education Minister Jason Clares decision to allow 270,000 international student commencements in 2024, bringing student numbers back to around 2023 levels.
Our entry into Queensland is a significant milestone for Rate Money, and were incredibly proud to welcome Julie, Nicole, Sida, and their teams to the Rate Money crew, Gair said. Their expertise will be invaluable as we continue to grow in this vibrant market.
Industry and government must collaborate

Kandelaars stressed the need for close cooperation between industry and all levels of government to unlock the necessary infrastructure and workforce needed to meet the national target of 1.2 million new homes by 2029.
Africa's story beyond stereotypes: From mobile payments to global influence

Xinhua) 13:24, September 04, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- In a move that foreshadowed a global trend, Kenya emerged as an unexpected pioneer in mobile payments nearly two decades ago.

In 2007, Safaricom, Kenya's largest mobile telecommunications provider, launched M-Pesa, a revolutionary system that enabled real-time transactions via simple text messages, without the need for smartphones or high-speed Internet.

Today, M-Pesa is not only one of Africa's premier mobile payment platforms, but has also extended its reach well beyond Africa's borders.

The success of M-Pesa serves as a testament to the broader but almost overlooked reality of Africa: Often reduced to cliched images of vast savannas and majestic wildlife, the continent, home to about 1.4 billion people and spanning 30 million square kilometers, is far more complex and dynamic.

CHALLENGING WESTERN STEREOTYPES

In 2019, when The New York Times sought a new Nairobi bureau chief, its job posting sparked controversy for describing Eastern Africa in stark and conflict-ridden terms. The ad mentioned the "deserts of Sudan" and the "pirate seas of the Horn of Africa," framing the position as one involving coverage of terrorism and "the constant push-and-pull of democracy versus authoritarianism."

Ken Opalo, a Kenyan assistant professor at Georgetown University, said that the ad revealed "a lot about the kinds of stories they want from Eastern Africa."

Opalo's remark underscores a broader issue: For years, Western media have perpetuated a narrative that narrowly focuses on conflicts, disease, and poverty in Africa, often at the expense of a more nuanced and accurate portrayal.

Late Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainaina, in his essay "How to Write About Africa," satirized Western media's tendency to look at Africa through colored lenses: "Never have a picture of a well-educated African in the cover of your book, or in it, unless that African has won the Nobel Prize. An AK-47, prominent ribs, naked breasts: use these."

Ignoring Africa's dynamic progress, the simplistic and sensationalist portrayal, has been creating a narrow and skewed, if not false, view.

What's more, the failure to address the root causes of Africa's challenges -- centuries of colonial exploitation and marginalization -- has further deepened these biases.

As Palestinian writer Mourid Barghouti said, if you want to dispossess a people, the simplest way to do it is to tell their story and start with "secondly." For instance, start the story with the failure of Africa, and not with the colonial creation of the African state.

Analysts argue that this one-sided narrative constitutes a modern form of exploitation.

STORIES WORTH TELLING

Today, Africa is a tapestry of vitality and innovation. From progress in renewable energy to thriving financial sectors and vibrant cultural expressions, the continent is defying outdated stereotypes.

Kenya, for example, leads in renewable energy, with renewables comprising nearly 90 percent of its energy generated and consumed in 2021, up from around 75 percent in 2017 and outpacing many developed nations, according to the International Energy Agency.

Africa's fintech landscape is also burgeoning, with more than 500 African companies providing technology-enabled innovation in financial services. Cities like Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Lagos are now recognized among the top 100 fintech startup ecosystems globally.

African music and literature are also resonating on the world stage. Afrobeats, a genre that originated in Nigeria, has seen explosive growth, as Spotify reported that Afrobeats' global streams in 2022 hit 13 billion, a 500 percent increase from 2017. Meanwhile, Tanzanian author Abdulrazak Gurnah's Nobel Prize in Literature in 2021 highlighted Africa's growing influence in global literary circles.

Botswana's rise is particularly notable. After gaining independence in 1966 as one of the world's poorest countries, it leveraged its diamond resources to achieve middle-income status by the early 1990s and has been gearing up to diversify its economy. Today, Botswana's gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, adjusted for purchasing power parity, is nearing 20,000 U.S. dollars.

Rwanda leads globally in female representation in decision-making roles. More than two-thirds of the country's parliamentary seats and 50 percent of its cabinet positions are occupied by women.

In 2013, the African Union (AU) launched the "Agenda 2063," outlining a visionary plan for the continent's socio-economic transformation over half a century. In February, AU Chairperson and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani said that the AU is committed to translating Africa's vast potential into tangible development projects, advancing the second decade of the Agenda.

A LOUDER GLOBAL VOICE

Despite its progress, Africa continues to grapple with significant challenges, including the impacts of climate change and high financial costs. Yet the continent is increasingly amplifying its voice on the global stage, advocating for fairer global systems and climate justice.

Recent diplomatic initiatives, such as the African peace mission's engagement in June 2023 in the Ukraine crisis, and the inclusion of Egypt and Ethiopia in BRICS in August 2023, underscore Africa's growing influence on the global stage. The AU's accession to the G20 has further enhanced Africa's representation in global governance.

"The AU participation in the G20 will provide us with a unique platform to contribute to global economic governance and decisions," said Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Taye Atske Selassie during the 37th AU summit in February.

"We must therefore ensure that the voice of Africa is heard, that our participation is meaningful, and in the same vein enhance our working relationship with BRICS to advance South-South cooperation," he added.

China remains a crucial partner in Africa's pursuit of unity and self-reliance. Under frameworks such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), practical cooperation between China and Africa continues to increase.

The 2024 FOCAC Summit, scheduled for Sept. 4 to 6 in Beijing, is expected to build major consensus between the two sides and chart a path for implementing high-quality China-Africa cooperation in the next three years.

"Over the last two decades, we've seen the relationship between African countries and China increase significantly. We've seen economic relationships increase. We've seen even the political relationships increase," said Hannah Ryder, CEO of Development Reimagined, an international development consultancy based in Beijing.

"We hope that the next Forum on China-Africa Cooperation can lead to a further strengthening of those," said the Kenyan economist.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Prince Harry hopes his memoir will show everyone tht people can be alike despite him being a prince. (Photo: DoD News Features, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

Prince Harry wants to "rehabilitate" his image in the United Kingdom despite his continued security concerns, a new report claimed. This is despite the fact that the Duke of Sussex departed the royal fold in the year 2020 and is currently establishing a life for himself in the United States.

Harry is turning away from all sorts of Hollywood publicists and is seeking counsel from his old friends and associates. He is clearly reaching out thinking, I need to do something different because what Im doing is clearly not working. In short, he is rethinking the way he operates," an unnamed source told The Daily Mail.

Reports indicate that Prince Harry reached out to Edward Lane Fox, a former private secretary to the royal family, in an effort to seek assistance in repairing his reputation.

If anyone can do it, Edward can. Last time I saw him, I wanted to take him by the shoulders and say, Ed, please bring our boy home. Its the right time now, an unnamed insider told the news outlet.

Beyond the demands of his work, Prince Harry may be compelled to spend more time in the United Kingdom because to King Charles' prolonged fight with cancer. It was earlier reported by OK! Magazine that an undisclosed informant indicated Prince Harry wishes to rebuild his relationship with His Majesty in spite of his health problems.

"There is no doubt that Harry wants to patch things up with the King. His fathers cancer treatment has given things an added sense of urgency, the tipster stated. It added that King Charles is seeking spiritual counseling to help end the ongoing feud with his youngest child.

"Bear in mind that King Charles is very devout. He has been all his life like his mother. Now, we don't know quite where the spiritual nourishment is coming from, if it's the church's spiritual nourishment. I think the advice basically from the Church of England, for instance, is big on forgiveness. Forgive Harry, just, bring him back the fold. It doesn't quite explain in this story where this spiritual advice is coming from, political editor Nigel Nelson told GB News.

When King Charles ascended to the throne, he became the head of the Church of England, and his faith became a catalyst for Prince Harry's royal return.

"That rift sounds like one that's going to be very difficult to mend. If it is mendable who would be in a better position to mend it than their father? So if this was to actually happen, I mean, surely we'd all think it would be really great if Harry could come back and actually be part of that family again. Harry also has to get his act together, so it works both ways, Nigel added.

Despite Charles' religious views, Prince Harry's security battle continues to be a source of tension.

"He gets 'unavailable right now. His calls go unanswered. He has tried to reach out about the King's health, but those calls go unanswered too, a mole said.

"The threat is very real. He needs protection. The idea that the security forces wouldnt allow anything to happen is a very glib dismissal of the reality of the threat the family faces, another tattler added.

Business Times has reached out to Prince Harry for comments.
Centre For Sight, an ophthalmology network in India, has strengthened its presence in Maharashtra by partnering with Laxmi Eye Hospital in Mumbai. This collaboration marks the organisation's 9th centre in the state.

Over the past year, Centre For Sight has invested Rs 300 crore to establish 13 new centres across India, bringing its total to 82. As part of its ongoing expansion strategy, the company plans to open 12 more centres in the coming year, with an additional investment of around Rs 300 crore. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

The partnership with Laxmi Eye Hospital is a strategic move for Centre For Sight, combining their expertise and resources to provide comprehensive eye care services to patients in Mumbai and surrounding areas. Both organisations share a commitment to clinical excellence and patient satisfaction.

The newly added Mumbai centre is part of Centre For Sights growth strategy that aims to deepen its regional reach. The collaboration with Laxmi Eye Hospital, a reputable eye care provider with over three decades of experience, aligns with Centre For Sights mission to offer comprehensive and high-quality eye care services.

Speaking on this partnership, Suhas Haldipurkar from Laxmi Eye Hospital stated, We are thrilled to join forces with Centre For Sight, an institution that mirrors our commitment to clinical excellence. This collaboration will allow us to continue providing top-notch eye care to our patients.

Over the past year, Centre For Sight has not only expanded its network in Maharashtra but has also expanded to other regions. The organisation has added centres through both strategic collaborations and greenfield ventures, including new locations in Srinagar, Sikar, Warangal, Badlapur, Chembur, and Mumbai, as well as Bhiwani, Palwal, Jammu, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, and Gurugram.

Looking ahead, Centre For Sight plans to further its expansion by opening 12 additional centres within the next year, with an investment of approximately Rs 300 crore. This growth is part of its 'Go Deep and Go Wide' strategy, which aims to increase the total number of centres to 150 over the next four years.

The recent investment from ChrysCapital has bolstered Centre For Sights expansion efforts, allowing the organisation to extend its advanced ophthalmic care to a broader audience. Raghav Ramdev, managing director of ChrysCapital, highlighted the investments role in addressing the underserved healthcare market in India.

Mahipal Singh Sachdev, chairman and medical director at Centre For Sight, emphasised that these strategic collaborations and investments are pivotal to meeting the increasing demand for quality eye care. He noted, Our partnership with Laxmi Eye Hospital and other regional centres underscores our commitment to high standards of care and reflects the broader trend of consolidation in the healthcare sector.

With its ongoing investments and strategic partnerships, Centre For Sight is set to enhance its service offerings and reach more patients across India.
Telecom operators have taken decisive action against spam calls by unregistered telemarketers, blacklisting 50 companies and disconnecting 275,000 telecom resources, informed Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Tuesday.

Access Providers have taken stern measures against misuse of telecom resources for spamming and blacklisted over 50 entities and disconnected more than 2.75 lakh (275,000) SIP DID/Mobile Numbers/Telecom resources, Trai said in a release. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

Rising complaints of spam calls

In the first half of this year, the telecom regulator received over 790,000 complaints about spam calls from unregistered telemarketers. In response, Trai has introduced new regulations requiring telecom operators to block promotional calls originating from unregistered sources, utilising various telecom technologies such as session initiation protocol (SIP) and primary rate interface (PRI).

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has observed a significant rise in spam calls, with over more than 7.9 lakh (790,000) complaints reported against Unregistered Telemarketers (UTMs) in the first half of the year 2024 (January to June), the regulator said.

On August 13, Trai issued stringent directives to telecom operators, instructing them to immediately halt promotional calls from unregistered telemarketers.

Taking this issue seriously, Trai had issued stringent directives to all Access Providers on 13th August 2024. It has mandated Access Providers to immediately stop promotional voice calls from unregistered senders or telemarketers using SIP, PRI, or other telecom resources, the statement read.

Blacklisting, bans on telecom resources for non-compliance



Telemarketers found violating these regulations could face a ban on telecom resources for up to two years, along with being blacklisted, the statement added.

Any UTM found to be misusing these resources will face severe consequences, including disconnection of all telecom resources for up to two years and blacklisting, Trai warned.

Trai urged all stakeholders to contribute towards maintaining a "cleaner and more efficient telecom ecosystem" and reiterated that unregistered telemarketers caught misusing telecom resources would face strict penalties, including up to two years of disconnection and blacklisting.

To crack down on spam callers, Trai recently sought industry feedback on whether higher tariffs should be introduced for calls and text messages that exceed a certain threshold.

Trai anticipates that these tough measures will significantly reduce spam calls and improve user experience. The regulator has also urged all stakeholders to adhere to the new regulations to ensure a smooth and efficient telecom environment.

Trais consultation paper

On August 28, the telecom regulator released a consultation paper proposing amendments to anti-spam regulations. Among the suggested changes is the introduction of tariffs for phone calls and text messages sent from ten-digit mobile numbers that exceed a certain daily limit.

In the discussion paper, Trai suggested that telecom subscribers making over 50 calls or sending more than 50 SMS per day should be flagged as potential spam callers for further scrutiny.

(With inputs from agencies)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that Jammu and Kashmir, now a Union Territory (UT), will hold its elections in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, 2024. The results will be declared on October 8, alongside the Haryana Assembly election results.

This marks the first election in the valley since Article 370 was abrogated and the region's "special status" was revoked, halting political activities for five years. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

The last Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir took place in 2014, but the government fell in 2018 when the BJP withdrew its support from Mehbooba Muftis Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration.

Additionally, District Development Council (DDC) elections were also conducted at the end of 2020.

The Lok Sabha elections earlier this year saw an encouraging voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir, with 58.46 per cent participationthe highest in 35 years.

Key information about the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections:

J&K 2024 elections: Assembly constituencies

Jammu and Kashmir now has 90 Assembly constituencies. The BJP plans to contest the elections independently, while the National Conference (NC) and Congress have formed an alliance. Under this alliance, NC will contest 51 seats, Congress will contest 32 seats, and there will be "friendly contests" in five constituencies. Additionally, one seat each has been allocated to CPI(M) in South Kashmir and Panthers Party in the Jammu division.

J&K 2024 elections: Which parties are contesting?

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

The BJP is aiming to make inroads into Indias only Muslim-majority legislature, having announced 45 candidates for the 90 seats in the region. It is uncertain if BJP will contest all the seats, but no alliances have been announced so far.

Since the abrogation of Article 370, the BJP has been active in local elections for grassroots positions but chose not to participate in the Lok Sabha elections. While not officially aligned with any party, BJP has supported several 'independent' candidates or local parties that agree with its stance on Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the revocation of the region's special status.

During the 2020 DDC elections, BJP emerged as the largest party, winning 75 of the 280 available seats. It secured six councils in the Jammu region but failed to win any in Kashmir.

In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, the BJPs main opposition, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), could not unite against the party. As NC and PDP contested against each other for the three Lok Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP focused on Ladakh, Udhampur, and Jammu, where it faced Congress. This strategy worked, with BJP winning both Jammu seats, while an independent candidate, Mohmad Haneefa, won Ladakh, leaving Congress without any wins.

For the upcoming elections, the BJP initially fielded 44 candidates, including several Muslims from the Pir Panjal valley. However, after protests from party workers who felt that "turncoats" were favoured over loyal members, the party made minor changes, replacing Rohit Dubey with Baldev Raj Sharma for the Vaishno Devi seat.

BJP has yet to announce a candidate for Nowshera, previously won by its State chief Ravinder Raina in 2014 and former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta in 2019.

INDI alliance  NC & Congress

In 2020, when prominent leaders in Jammu and Kashmir were released after a year of detention, Congress J&K Chief Taj Mohiudin attended a meeting of the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) at NC veteran Farooq Abdullahs residence. This led to a formal alliance between six political partiesNC, PDP, PC, Congress, CPI (M), and the Awami National Conference (ANC)to continue the fight for J&Ks special status. Initially, Congress distanced itself from the PAGD but later joined the alliance for electoral purposes, resulting in a victory in the DDC elections, where the coalition won 110 of 280 seats.

Congress later formalised the alliance under the INDIA umbrella in July 2023, bringing NC, PDP, and CPI(M) together. Although NC and PDP criticised Congress for prioritising state elections in other regions over creating a united opposition for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, they eventually agreed on a seat-sharing arrangement for the Assembly elections on August 27. NC will contest 51 seats, Congress will contest 32, with one seat each going to CPI(M) and Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party.

NCs manifesto pledges to work towards restoring Article 370 and 35A, reinstating statehood, overturning post-2019 laws affecting J&Ks special status, providing jobs for all unemployed residents, releasing political prisoners, promoting dialogue between India and Pakistan, limiting land ownership to residents, and repealing the Public Safety Act (PSA). The first list of 32 candidates includes Omar Abdullah, who will contest from Ganderbal, reversing his earlier stance of not running until statehood is restored.

Congress has released its first list of nine candidates, with party general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir running from Dooru and former State Unit Chief Vikar Rasool Wani from Banihal. With the departure of its most prominent leader in J&K, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress is relying on ex-chief Rahul Gandhi to rally its base. During his recent visit to Srinagar, Gandhi emphasised the importance of restoring J&Ks statehood, stating, Running Kashmir and Jammu from Delhi doesnt make sense.

PDPs outside support agenda

Although the PDP has left the INDI alliance, Mehbooba Mufti has stated that she would still support them if they adopt PDPs agenda. The partys manifesto mirrors many of NCs promises, including restoring statehood, advocating for India-Pakistan dialogue, enhancing connectivity across the Line of Control (LoC) for trade and social exchange, revoking the PSA, and reassessing "unjust" job terminations. The manifesto also commits to overturning other central laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), and Enemy Act.

Despite its support for the INDIA coalition, PDP has released a list of 21 candidates, some of whom will be running against NC candidates. Mufti has decided not to seek re-election from Anantnag, instead, her daughter Iltija will make her electoral debut from the Bijbehara constituency. PDP has ruled out any alliance with BJP, labelling the Congress-NC alliance as "power-hungry."

PC, DPAP, and Apni Party

Three other notable parties in the race are Sajjad Lones J&K Peoples Conference (PC), former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azads Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), and Altaf Bukharis J&K Apni Party.

Lone left the PAGD in 2021 due to the NC-PDP rivalry, claiming his party was sidelined during seat-sharing talks for the DDC polls. In this years Lok Sabha elections, he challenged Abdullah for the Baramulla seat, reducing NCs vote share by 173,000 votes, leading to Rashids victory. His party has so far announced seven candidates for the Assembly elections.

Azad, who quit Congress in 2022 due to dissatisfaction with the partys revival efforts, launched DPAP to enter J&K politics. Acknowledging the new reality of Kashmir without special status, he campaigned in the Lok Sabha elections on three issuesstatehood, development, and criticising the politics of Abdullah and Mufti. His party did not win any seats, securing only 80,264 votes across the three constituencies it contested. Nevertheless, DPAP is fielding 13 candidates for the Assembly elections.

Altaf Bukhari, who was one of the few J&K politicians not detained in 2019, broke away from PDP along with 30 other leaders to establish the J&K Apni Party. The partys primary demands include restoring statehood, reinstating J&Ks domicile rights, and extending Article 371 of the constitution to the region. The party performed well in the DDC polls, winning 12 seats. Now it has fielded 24 candidates, with Bukhari himself running for the Chanapora seat.

Other parties in the fray

Smaller parties like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), remnants of the J&K Peoples Movement (JKPM), and the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), as well as several independent candidates, are also participating in the upcoming elections.

Importance of the J&K Assembly elections

These Assembly elections are the first to be held since the state was bifurcated into two UTs and its special status revoked. Before the elections, the ECI conducted a delimitation process in 2022, designating 43 seats in the Jammu region and 47 in the Kashmir Valley. Additionally, nine seatsthree in Kashmir and six in Jammuwere reserved for scheduled tribes.

In 2023, Parliament passed several bills modifying J&Ks reservation policies. One-third of the seats have been reserved for women. The Valmiki community has been added to the Scheduled Caste list in J&K, and the Pahari community has been included in the Scheduled Tribes list.

The Pahari community, which is significant in areas like Budhal, Gulabgarh, Surankote, Rajouri, Mendhar, and Thanamandiall seats reserved for STscan now participate in the elections.

List of 24 assembly constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir going for polls in first phase

Pampore

Tral

Pulwama

Rajpora

Zainapora

Shopian

D H Pora

Kulgam

Devsar

Dooru

Kokernag (ST)

Anantnag West

Anantnag

Srigufwara Bijbehara

Shangus Anantnag East

Pahalgam

Inderwal

Kishtwar

Padder  Nagseni

Bhadarwah

Doda

Doda West

Ramban

Banihal

List of 26 Assembly Constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir going for polls in second phase

Kangan (ST)

Ganderbal

Hazratbal

Khanyar

Habbakadal

Lal Chowk

Channapora

Zadibal

Eidgah

Central Shalteng

Budgam

Beerwah

Khansahib

Chrar-i-Sharief

Chadoora

Gulabgarh (ST)

Reasi

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi

Kalakote- Sunderbani

Nowshera

Rajouri (ST)

Budhal (ST)

Thannamandi (ST)

Surankote (ST)

Poonch Haveli

Mendhar (ST)

List of 40 Assembly Constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir going for polls in third phase

Karnah

Trehgam

Kupwara

Lolab

Handwara

Langate

Sopore

Rafiabad

Uri

Baramulla

Gulmarg

Wagoora

Kreeri

Pattan

Sonawari

Bandipora

Gurez (ST)

Udhampur West

Udhampur East

Chenani

Ramnagar (SC)

Bani

Billawar

Basohli

Jasrota

Kathua (SC)

Hiranagar

Ramgarh (SC)

Samba

Vijaypur

Bishnah (SC)

Suchetgarh (SC)

R S Pura  Jammu South

Bahu

Jammu East

Nagrota

Jammu West

Jammu North

Marh (SC)

Akhnoor (SC)

Chhamb
The political storm over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar hospital intensified as Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's handling of the situation. Rijiju's comments followed the unanimous passage of the Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024 by the West Bengal Assembly on September 3.

Rijiju accused Banerjee of exploiting the doctor's tragic death for political gain, alleging that the chief minister had "failed to act" to prevent the crime. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp





Also Read: Bengal to table Bill for death penalty in rape cases today: Details here He pointed out that in 2018, Parliament had passed a stringent law aimed at addressing heinous crimes like rape, including provisions for establishing fast-track special courts (FTSC) to expedite trials and resolve pending cases under the Pocso Act. Despite repeated requests from the Centre between 2019 and 2021, Rijiju claimed the Mamata government did not agree to this centrally sponsored scheme under the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018.

This is an extremely serious matter. Please dont make it a political issue. Very strong laws are necessary but strong actions are more important. When the letter was written, the media had carried this news extensively, but the West Bengal govt failed to act! he said in a post on social media, along with the letter.



The undated letter highlighted that, according to Supreme Court directives, districts with over 100 pending Pocso cases should have an exclusive ePocso court. It noted that 123 fast-track courts, including 20 ePocso courts, were earmarked for West Bengal, and communications urging state intervention were sent on December 12, 2019, March 16, 2020, July 16, 2020, and February 19, 2021.

Rijiju lamented the West Bengal government's inaction, saying, "I am saddened that the chief minister of West Bengal ignored her fundamental duty of providing swift justice for women and children. The letter from 2021 clearly illustrates this. In 2018, Parliament passed stringent laws to tackle heinous crimes like rape. State governments must act."

I feel sad that the chief minister of West Bengal ignored her most sacred duty of providing quick justice for women & children. This letter of 2021 clearly shows it. In 2018, a stringent law was passed by  Parliament to deal with heinous crimes like rape... State govt must act! he wrote in another post on X (formerly Twitter).

Banerjee defended her administration during her Assembly speech, countering BJP claims about mismanagement of Nirbhaya funds. She highlighted that West Bengal ranks third in India for the number of fast-track courts, with 88 such courts, 52 of which are dedicated to women. "We have 392,000 cases ongoing, with 311,000 cases disposed of," Banerjee said.

The controversy escalated as Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari criticised the state governments response as an "eyewash" and demanded Banerjee's resignation. Adhikari also accused the government of attempting to restrict women's night-time work hours through the new legislation, suggesting that Banerjee should step down for failing to ensure a safe working environment for women.





Previously your chief advisor Alapan Bandyopadhyay announced it from Nabanna. Today you gave your assent Home Minister Mamata Banerjee, you must resign for admitting on the floor of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly that Working Women are not safe during night in West Bengal.Previously your chief advisor Alapan Bandyopadhyay announced it from Nabanna. Today you gave your assent pic.twitter.com/rAfwtsNbA0 September 3, 2024

His comments came after the chief minister, in a post on X, hailed the Aparajita Bill as "historic" and essential for addressing gaps in existing criminal laws. She urged collective efforts to tackle the issue of violence against women, stating, "A society that cannot ensure the safety of its women can never be ideal."

A society that cannot ensure the safety of its women can never be ideal.



Today, GoWB passed the historic Aparajita anti-rape Bill to address pertinent issues caused by gaps in the existing criminal laws.



Let us all unite together and address this menace collectively!  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) September 3, 2024

Banerjee also expressed her emotional response to the Bill's passage, highlighting its symbolic importance on September 3, the day the United Nations established its Women Discrimination Committee in 1981.

"This is a model and historic Bill. I am emotionally moved, and I thank everyone involved. It will take time, but I extend my condolences to the family," she said.
The long-awaited Hema Committee report, released on August 19 after being submitted five years ago to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has laid bare the disturbing realities of the Malayalam film industry. The report, which began with the lines, "The sky is full of mysteries, with the twinkling stars and the beautiful moon. But scientific investigation revealed that the stars do not twinkle, nor does the moon look beautiful," exposes the systemic sexual harassment and abuse women face in the industry. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Origins of the crisis: 2017 assault case In February 2017, a well-known Malayalam actor, who had also worked in Tamil and Kannada films, was allegedly assaulted in a moving car. She was kidnapped by five men, filmed during the assault, and later released. The actor filed a police complaint, sparking an investigation that revealed actor Dileep's alleged involvement in conspiring against her.

The case, which remains under trial, saw a turning point when director Balachandra Kumar claimed Dileep possessed the assault footage before it was presented in court. Despite the gravity of the allegations, several witnesses have turned hostile over the years, complicating the case further.

The formation of the Women in Cinema Collective

The aftermath of the 2017 assault led to the formation of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC)  a group of prominent women from the Malayalam film industry, including Manju Warrier, Parvathy, Rima Kallingal, and Remya Nambeesan.

WCC aimed to create a safer, more inclusive workspace for women in cinema. However, many women who supported the survivor faced unofficial blacklisting and lost work opportunities.

Hema Committee formation

In response to the growing outcry, the Kerala government set up the Hema Committee in November 2017, comprising Justice Hema, actor Sarada, and bureaucrat KB Valsala Kumari. The committee invited women from the industry to share their experiences, promising confidentiality. Over 80 women came forward, sharing harrowing testimonies about the hostile work environment.

The committee submitted a 296-page report in 2019, but the government withheld its release for five years, drawing criticism for shielding industry bigwigs. Allegations surfaced that the report's delay was a tactic to protect influential figures in the industry.

What the Hema Committee report unveils

When finally made public on August 19, 2024, the Hema Committee report revealed an industry rife with systemic issues. It detailed the lack of basic amenities such as changing rooms and toilets for women and exposed widespread sexual harassment and exploitation. The existence of a powerful "mafia" or lobby of directors, producers, and technicians was also revealed, with accusations that this lobby controlled the careers of women in the industry, demanding sexual favours in return for work.

One of the most shocking revelations was the report's mention of minors potentially being victims of harassment, as the report referred to some victims as "girls" rather than women.

Though the report did not name specific perpetrators, its findings have sent shockwaves across the industry. Many pages of the report were redacted, fuelling speculation that certain powerful figures are being protected.

Chilling details of sexual harassment and exploitation

The report detailed numerous instances of women being harassed on set, with male actors, producers, and directors allegedly knocking on female actors' doors at night, demanding sexual favours. Those who refused were subjected to mental harassment, such as being forced to repeat intimate scenes multiple times. One actress was reportedly asked to perform a kiss scene 17 times by a director in retaliation for complaining.

The report also highlighted the glaring gender pay gap in the industry, citing an instance where a leading female actor in the film 'Take Off' was paid significantly less than her male counterparts.

Revival of Malayalam film industrys MeToo movement

Since the report's release, more women have begun to speak out. A female actor accused veteran actor Siddique of raping and harassing her when she was 19. Although she first came forward in 2019, her claims were dismissed at the time as publicity-seeking. With the release of the Hema Committee report, the actor has provided more details about the abuse she faced. Following the allegations, Siddique resigned as General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).

In another incident, Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra accused Malayalam director Ranjith of inappropriate behaviour, which led him to step down as chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy.

Actor Minu Muneer also came forward, accusing actors Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Babu, and Jayasurya of abuse on the sets of a 2013 film.

Most recently, a rape case was registered against Malayalam actor Nivin Pauly after a woman accused him of sexually abusing her in a Dubai hotel in 2023. Pauly has denied the allegations, and the case remains under investigation.

Reactions to the Hema Committee report

While some have praised the Hema Committee for its exhaustive investigation, others have downplayed the report, arguing that sexual harassment is not unique to the film industry but prevalent in many sectors.

Veteran actor Revathy, a member of WCC, expressed satisfaction with the report, stating, "This is the first time a state government has undertaken such a study of the film industry. Though delayed, its a positive step. But we have a long road ahead to make the industry safer."

Malayalam star Tovino Thomas also commented on the report, expressing his disappointment at seeing the industry targeted, but stressed the importance of taking strict action against those found guilty.

Renji Panicker and actor-politician Mukesh both reacted to the resignations of Ranjith and Siddique, with Mukesh cautioning against a rush to judgment without concrete evidence.

What lies ahead?

The Hema Committee report has ignited a fierce debate in Kerala and beyond, with the potential to spark further revelations from women in the industry. As the #MeToo movement gains momentum in Malayalam cinema, the report is a crucial step toward exposing the dark underbelly of the industry and holding perpetrators accountable. However, the path to justice remains fraught with challenges as the industry grapples with entrenched power dynamics and systemic exploitation.

With more voices expected to come forward, the Malayalam film industry is on the verge of a reckoning, where the demand for justice and reform grows louder by the day.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday announced a grant of Rs 5 crore each for Kerala and Tripura to support recovery efforts following natural disasters in both states.

Majhi expressed his condolences for the devastation caused by these calamities during telephonic conversations with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha.

The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said Majhi conveyed Odisha's readiness to assist with post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.

Kerala was struck by a severe landslide, while Tripura has experienced significant flooding.

In light of these events, Majhi said, "Odisha will provide Rs 5 crore each from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (SMRF) to support the recovery efforts in both Kerala and Tripura."



Both Vijayan and Saha expressed their gratitude for Odisha's support. Majhi also thanked the leaders for their assistance to Odia residents in their states during recent natural disasters.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari addresses the gathering during the inauguration of phase-two of Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, in Nagpur, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (Photo: PTI)

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said that the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue in Sindhudurg could have been prevented if stainless steel had been used in its construction.





ALSO READ: Nitin Gadkari backs 51% stake to foreign partners in JV tunnel projects Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp During an event organised by the trade association Ficci in New Delhi, the union minister for roads and transportation suggested using stainless steel for all roads within 30 kilometres of the sea.

"...When I was implementing the construction of 55 flyovers in Mumbai, one person took me for a ride. He put some powder coating on iron rods and said those were rust-proof. But there was rusting, he cited the reason for his proposal.

At the event, meant to deliberate the scope of tunnel construction projects in India, Gadkari also said he was okay with supporting foreign partners to hold a majority stake of up to 51 per cent in joint ventures for tunnel construction projects. This approach, he explained, would attract serious and qualified bidders.

Statue collapse controversy spirals

The controversial statue collapse of the revered 17th-century Maratha empire founder has triggered a major controversy in poll-bound Maharashtra. The statue, designed and constructed by the Indian Navy at the Rajkot fort in Sindhudurg, came crashing down last week when winds were blowing at a speed of 45 km per hour, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde explained. He also assured that the statue would be rebuilt.

Following the outrage over the issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged that the incident was disheartening and offered his apology to the public during an event in Palghar on Friday.

Steel versus stainless steel: Which is more durable?

Iron is a base metal derived from iron ore (natural mineral), while steel is an alloy composed of iron mixed with carbon and other elements.

Stainless steel essentially contains chromium (normally more than 10.5 per cent with/without alloying elements). It resists corrosion and maintains strength at high temperatures. It has applications in utensils, architectures and automotive and food processing products as well as medical equipment.

German engineering company ThyssenKrupp, while noting the key differences between steel and stainless steel, says that due to relatively higher carbon strength, steel is less likely to break compared to stainless steel.

Steel is known for its durability, but it is susceptible to corrosion over time. It has high tensile and yield strength, making it resistant to breaking or deforming under stress. This unique property makes steel an ideal material for commercial buildings and infrastructure such as bridges, according to ThyssenKrupp.

On the other hand, stainless steel, which contains low carbon content, is softer compared to carbon steel. As a result, it has lower yield strength and is more prone to bending and denting.
The Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-India) may grant clearance to two more offshore crypto exchanges to resume operations in India by March next year, following its nod to Binance and KuCoin.

The intelligence unit, which deals with anti-money laundering compliance, is reportedly reviewing requests from four crypto exchanges previously banned for non-compliance with anti-money laundering laws in the country. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

We have received requests from four more offshore crypto exchanges to operate in India, and we assume that at least two of them will be permitted to resume operations by end FY25. This would be after undergoing a thorough review of transaction visibility, suspicious transaction reporting (STR), and other related issues, said a source familiar with the matter.



However, the source refused to disclose the names of the crypto exchanges. It also mentioned that FIU-India is examining all aspects of these requests. Any necessary penalties will be imposed, similar to the actions taken with Binance and KuCoin.



Only after complete due diligence, will we allow any crypto exchange to operate in India. We are very strict about compliance, the official added.



An email sent to the finance ministry remained unanswered till the time of going to press.



In response to violations of India's anti-money laundering regulations, FIU-India issued show cause notices to nine offshore cryptocurrency exchanges on December 28, 2023. It was for their illegal operations within the country. Subsequently, the FIU-India requested the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to block the URLs of these exchanges in India.



Exchanges that received notices include Binance, Huobi, Kraken, Gate.io, KuCoin, Bitstamp, MEXC Global, Bittrex, and Bitfinex.

However, in August 2024, Binance registered itself as a reporting entity with FIU-India after receiving a show cause notice from the finance ministry for non-compliance with the country's anti-money laundering laws. Subsequently, it has resumed its India operation. Additionally, FIU-India lifted the ban on KuCoin in March, after imposing a penalty of Rs 34.5 lakh. Currently, there are 48 registered crypto entities.



Business Standard reported last month that the consultation paper on cryptocurrency is expected to be released by September or October this year.

The paper will seek to determine whether to ban or legalise crypto assets in India.

In September 2023, the International Monetary Fund-Financial Stability Board (IMF-FSB) published a synthesis paper presenting guidelines for countries and a roadmap for crypto regulations. The paper offers insights into investor protection, cybersecurity, anti-money laundering, and counter-terrorism financing measures.

A senior finance ministry official had mentioned that the government is closely monitoring cryptocurrency (crypto)-related hacks and frauds in the country. These include a $230-million loss suffered by WazirX due to a cyberattack on July 19.




The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has proposed changes to the methodology for computing household investments in the securities market, aiming to capture the true extent of such savings.

The regulator on Wednesday released a working paper, which stated that household savings going into the securities market arent fully captured under the current methodology of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

The paper states that under the new methodology, household investments in equities will come to Rs 127.8 trillion for the financial year 2023-24 (FY24). In FY23, it came to Rs 84 trillion against the RBI's computation of Rs 23.6 trillion, a stark difference of Rs 60.15 trillion.

Sebi has proposed three changes in the computation methodology  expanding the investor categories, inclusion of new asset classes and some components absent in the existing methodology.

In the category of investors, Sebi has proposed the inclusion of all individuals, Hindu undivided families (HUFs) and non-profit institutions serving households. These include trusts and non-government organisations (NGOs), irrespective of the extent of income or investments.

In investment instruments, it has proposed the computation by including actual amounts instead of assuming a percentage of the total investments.

For example, for household investments through primary issuances, the RBI only computes 35 per cent of those issues in the equity segment and 40 per cent in the debt segment as being mobilised from individuals and HUFs.

When calculating household investments in mutual funds, net flows into MFs and exchange-traded fund (ETF) transactions in the secondary market will also be considered and not just net flows into MFs.

The assets under management (AUM) have to be taken as at the end of the financial year.

Furthermore, investments into new asset classes, such as infrastructure investment trusts (InvIT), real estate investment trusts (REITs), alternative investment funds (AIF), preferential issuances in the primary market, and offers for sale (OFS) executed through stock exchanges are to be included from here on.

Data about resource mobilisation in primary markets will be sourced directly from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi).

For rest of the segments, issue and allotment details will be collected from the stock exchanges. This will then be shared with the depositories for data extraction.

Secondary market transaction data will be collected on a net basis from the three stock exchanges  National Stock Exchange (NSE), BSE and Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India (MSEI).

The holding value of stocks will be sourced from Amfi, depository firms National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) and Central Depository Services Limited (CDSL), the paper states.

The regulator said it could provide granular data for computation to the RBI, which can give it to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). MoSPI is the designated body for publishing data on household savings through its National Accounts Statistics.
1. What's the Piramal Pharma Ltd share price today?

Piramal Pharma Ltd share price was Rs 224.25 at 04:01 PM IST on 8th Oct 2024 . Piramal Pharma Ltd share price was up by 2.58 % over the previous closing price of Rs 218.60 . Piramal Pharma Ltd share price trend:

Last 1 Month: Piramal Pharma Ltd share price moved down by 0.80 % on BSE

Last 3 Months: Piramal Pharma Ltd share price moved up by 45.12 % on BSE

Last 12 Months: Piramal Pharma Ltd share price moved up by 124.48 % on BSE

Last 3 Years: Piramal Pharma Ltd price moved up by % on BSE

2. How can I quickly analyse the performance of the Piramal Pharma Ltd stock?

The performance of the Piramal Pharma Ltd stock can be quickly analysed on the following metrics:

The stock's PE is 747.13

Price to book value ratio is 3.75

Dividend yield of 0.05

The EPS (trailing 12 months) of the Piramal Pharma Ltd stock is Rs 0.30

3. What is the market cap of Piramal Pharma Ltd ?

Piramal Pharma Ltd has a market capitalisation of Rs 29,730 crore.



4. What is Piramal Pharma Ltd 's 52-week high/low share price?

The Piramal Pharma Ltd s 52-week high share price is Rs 244.10 and 52-week low share price is Rs 87.55 .



5. Is the Piramal Pharma Ltd profitable?

On a consolidated basis, Piramal Pharma Ltd reported a profit of Rs 85.27 crore on a total income of Rs 1,099.96 crore for the quarter ended 2024 . For the year ended Jun 2024 , Piramal Pharma Ltd had posted a loss of Rs -88.64 crore on a total income of Rs 1,993.08 crore.



6. Which are Piramal Pharma Ltd s peers in the Health care sector?

Piramal Pharma Ltd s top 5 peers in the Health care sector are Biocon, Ipca Labs., Suven Pharma, Piramal Pharma, Gland Pharma, J B Chemicals &, Emcure Pharma .



7. Who owns how much in Piramal Pharma Ltd ?

Key changes to the Piramal Pharma Ltd shareholding are as follows:
They mistook the victim, Aryan Mishra, and his friends, Shanky and Harshit, for cattle smugglers and followed their car for about 30 km near the Gadhpuri toll | (Photo: PTI)

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Wednesday said the killing of a class 12 student after being 'mistaken' for a cattle smuggler was due to the encouragement given to the agenda of hate, and asked whether Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak up on the incident. The student, Aryan Mishra, was allegedly chased in a car and shot dead in Faridabad on August 23 by a group of five suspected cow vigilantes who claimed they mistook the boy for a cattle smuggler, police sources said on Tuesday. In a post on X, Sibal said, "Shame on us. Aryan (class 12th student). Shot and killed by cow vigilantes in Haryana mistaking him to be a 'cow transporter'! Cause: Encouraging the agenda of hate."



Shame on Us



Aryan ???????????????????????? (class 12th student)



Shot and killed by cow vigilantes in Haryana mistaking him to be a cow transporter !



Cause :

Encouraging the agenda of hate



Will our PM

Our Vice-President

Our Home Minister



Speak up !  Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) September 4, 2024

All the five accused -- Saurabh, Anil Kaushik, Varun, Krishna and Adesh -- were arrested on August 28 and remanded in police custody for two days, Superintendent of Police (Crime) Aman Yadav said in a statement released on Tuesday.



During interrogation, the accused claimed that on the night of August 23, they had received information that some suspected cattle smugglers driving two SUVs were doing recce in the city, according to the sources.

They mistook the victim, Aryan Mishra, and his friends, Shanky and Harshit, for cattle smugglers and followed their car for about 30 km near the Gadhpuri toll on the Delhi-Agra National Highway, the sources said.

The accused told the police that when they asked the boy and his friends to stop their car, the driver accelerated, following which they opened fire and Mishra was killed on the spot near the Gadhpuri toll in Palwal, they said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

"Will our PM, our Vice-President, our Home Minister speak up!" the former Union minister said.
Intel launches Lunar Lake chips to rival Qualcomm in AI PC segment

American chipmaker Intel has introduced its new Core Ultra 200V series processors, also known as Lunar Lake chips. These processors are designed to compete with Qualcomms Snapdragon X Elite and AMDs Ryzen AI 300 series processors for AI PCs. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

Google reveals Android features including Music Search in Circle to Search

Google has introduced new features for Android phones, tablets, and Wear OS watches. Among the updates, the American tech giant has announced the Circle to Search Music feature, along with other enhancements to the Android platform.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold smartphone is now available for purchase in India. Unveiled at the Made By Google event last month, this second-generation foldable device joins Googles flagship series for the year, alongside the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL. It is powered by Google's Tensor G4 chip, featuring 16GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.

GoPro has introduced two new cameras in India: the high-end GoPro HERO13 Black and the entry-level GoPro HERO. The GoPro HERO13 Black boasts features such as Magnetic Latch Mounting, GPS functionality, and swappable HB-series lens options. Meanwhile, the GoPro HERO is noted as the companys smallest camera with a screen.

Google announced the official release of its new Android 15 operating system and is making the source code available on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). While this marks the end of the Android 15 beta testing phase, the new OS is not yet available to consumers.

Instagram is adding comments to stories on its platform. The social media company introduced the new feature, "Comments in Stories," recently during the launch of Creator Lab in India and has confirmed it through a post on their official Instagram account.

Taiwanese electronics company MSI has unveiled a new lineup of laptops at the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) 2024 in Berlin, Germany. The new range includes both gaming and business productivity laptops, powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processors and AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors, each equipped with a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) for AI tasks.

Chinas OnePlus is set to release its new entry-level Nord Buds 3 wireless earbuds on September 17. Before the launch, the company shared several key specifications of the earbuds.

Samsung released the Galaxy A06 entry-level smartphone in India on September 4th. As the newest member of the brands A series, this device is equipped with a MediaTek Helio G85 chipset and features a 5,000 mAh battery.

Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, is rolling out sponsored messages alongside chat threads from friends on the platform. In a note to employees, Snaps CEO Evan Spiegel reflected on the company's 13-year journey and outlined upcoming changes to the platform in the coming months.

The fine print in terms of use agreements, which many users overlook, often includes clauses that allow for such intrusive practices.

On Tuesday, Bloomberg News reported that the US Department of Justice has issued a subpoena to Nvidia as part of its expanding investigation into the company's antitrust practices, according to sources familiar with the matter.

On Tuesday, social media giant Meta Platforms announced that it will disclose to Brazilians how it plans to use their personal data for training generative artificial intelligence (AI), in response to a request from the country's data protection authority.
Five minors have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of an 80-year-old British Indian man from Punjab, who was assaulted in a park in Leicester.

Bhim Sen Kohli was walking his dog near the entrance of Franklin Park in Braunstone Town, Leicester, around 6:30 pm on Sunday when he was violently attacked by a group of young people. The group fled before emergency services could arrive. Kohli succumbed to his injuries on Monday night while being treated at the hospital, according to a report by the Telegraph. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

Authorities have arrested five children  a 14-year-old boy, a 14-year-old girl, and three others, including two girls and a boy, all aged 12  in connection with the murder.

Kohli, a grandfather of two, is survived by his wife, two sons, Baul and Varinder, and a daughter, Susan.

According to police sources, Kohli had previously lodged complaints about youth-related anti-social behaviour in the area, but no action had been taken. Leicestershire Police has stated that they will voluntarily refer the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Before he died, Kohli's daughter stated that he had been urgently taken to the Queen's Medical Centre (QMC) in Nottingham because of the severity of his injuries. She alleged that these injuries resulted from him being pushed to the ground and kicked.

In a statement quoted by the report, Detective Inspector Emma Matts, the senior investigating officer, said, The circumstances surrounding Kohlis death are extremely tragic and upsetting not only for his family and friends, but also the wider community. Our investigation into the assault on Mr Kohli remains ongoing. We continue to keep an open mind around the circumstances surrounding the incident as we work to establish what occurred in the park on Sunday evening.
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, officially inaugurated the Abu Dhabi campus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi on Monday. The first batch of undergraduate students, who will pursue BTech degrees in Energy Engineering and Computer Science and Engineering, were greeted by the Crown Prince. This first batch of 52 students was chosen through the JEE Advanced examination and the newly introduced Combined Admission Entrance Test (CAET) for international candidates. The undergrad batch is diverse, involving Indian, Emirati, and global students. This is the first international campus of IIT Delhi. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

Inauguration of IIT-Delhi's 1st international campus in UAE



IIT Delhi is honoured to have the esteemed presence of HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the inauguration of IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus and launch of strategic partnerships with HEIs in the emirate. Grateful to the UAE leadership for the continuous support. I pic.twitter.com/Nec4oLCaIh September 2, 2024

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, launched strategic partnerships during the event between IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi, its parent campus IIT-Delhi, and prominent Abu Dhabi higher education institutions like Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Khalifa University, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and Zayed University. These coordinated efforts will encourage joint research, scholarly projects, and student and staff exchanges.

The collaboration between Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and IIT Delhi

The collaboration with Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi will make it possible to jointly engage in research projects, exchange postgraduate students, and hold scientific seminars. According to WAM, UAEs official news agency, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence will host internships, conduct joint research, and provide seed project grants.

Sheikh Khaled hailed the opening of the milestone seat of advancement as a critical step in Abu Dhabi's attempts to solidify itself as a worldwide centre for research and development, the National reported. Sheikh Khaled, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, was on hand as multiple deals were made between the Abu Dhabi IIT and some of the emirate's leading universities.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on inauguration of IIT-Delhi campus in UAE

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan focused on the significance of the IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus in strengthening the India-UAE bond. Pradhan said, "The IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi campus symbolizes the India-UAE friendship and reflects our shared vision for leveraging knowledge, science, and technology to promote mutual and global prosperity. It aligns with PM Modi's vision for the internationalisation of India's education system."

India-UAE relationship into new collaborative areas

The Vision Document, which was launched in February 2022, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan outlines a roadmap for expanding the relationship between India and the UAE into new collaborative areas.

It includes the establishment of the IIT campus in the UAE as one of its primary outcomes. In January 2024, the first Master of Technology (MTech) program in Energy Transition and Sustainability was launched at IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi. During Prime Minister Modi's visit to Abu Dhabi in February this year, the inaugural MTech cohort had the opportunity to meet him.

IIT-Delhi: Place for creating successful engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators

IIT Delhi is one of 23 prestigious institutes in India known for producing eminent engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. According to a report, the IIT is frequently referred to as India's MIT and Harvard. Sheikh Khaled visited the campus and recounted its diverse academic program, including courses for energy, engineering and computer science.

According to the release, in July 2023, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed an agreement between the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, IIT Delhi, and India's Ministry of Education to formalize the foundation of IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi.
The panel said the lower court must review whether the content moderation part of the law can be carved out from other provisions.

Elon Musk's social media platform X won on Wednesday an appeal to partially block a California law requiring social media companies to publish their policies for combating disinformation, harassment, hate speech and extremism.

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco overturned a lower court judge's decision declining to pause enforcement of the new California law.

Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The law requires large social media companies to issue public reports describing their content moderation practices and to provide data on the number of objectionable posts and how they were addressed.



Musk sued last year to stop the law from taking effect, claiming it violated speech protections under the U.S. Constitutionas First Amendment.



X and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the decision. The California attorney generalas office, which defended the measure, also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.



X's case is among several legal challenges over the extent of states' authority to regulate social media companies.



The U.S. Supreme Court in May directed lower courts to reassess whether social media content moderation laws in Texas and Florida raised First Amendment concerns.



In X's lawsuit, U.S. District Judge William Shubb in Sacramento refused to block the California law in December, finding it was not "unjustified or unduly burdensome within the context of First Amendment law.a



The appeals court disagreed, holding that the law's requirements were "more extensive than necessary" to justify the state's goal of forcing social media companies to be open about their moderation policies and practices.


The EU drug regulator said in April that its own review had found no evidence that the class of medicines are linked to suicidal thoughts. | Photo: Shutterstock

Britain's health regulator said on Wednesday that the available data does not establish a link between a popular class of diabetes and obesity drugs, including Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, and suicidal thoughts.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) began a review of safety data for the class of drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, more than a year ago after some patients reported suicidal or self-harming thoughts.

Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp "We conclude that the available data does not support a causal association between GLP-1 receptor agonists and suicide, suicidal ideation, self-injury and depression, and therefore no updates to the product information is warranted at this time," it said in a statement.



The UK review began weeks after similar action by the European Union. It included Wegovy and another Novo Nordisk drug, Ozempic, which contains the active ingredient semaglutide and is approved to treat Type 2 diabetes.



The EU drug regulator said in April that its own review had found no evidence that the class of medicines are linked to suicidal thoughts.


The company has said it has more than 250,000 clients in Brazil, and it is particularly popular in the country's more remote corners where it is the only available option | File image

Elon Musk's satellite-based internet service provider Starlink backtracked Tuesday and said it will comply with a Brazilian Supreme Court justice's order to block the billionaire's social media platform, X. Starlink said in a statement posted on X that it will heed Justice Alexandre de Moraes' order despite him having frozen the company's assets. Previously, it informally told the telecommunications regulator that it would not comply until de Moraes reversed course. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Regardless of the illegal treatment of Starlink in freezing our assets, we are complying with the order to block access to X in Brazil," the company statement said. "We continue to pursue all legal avenues, as are others who agree that @alexandre's recent order violate the Brazilian constitution.

De Moraes froze the company's accounts last week as a means to compel it to cover X's fines that already exceeded $3 million, reasoning that the two companies are part of the same economic group. Starlink filed an appeal, its law firm Veirano told the Associated Press on Aug. 30, but has declined to comment further in the days since.

Days later, the justice ordered the suspension of X for refusing to name a local legal representative, as required in order to receive notifications of court decisions and swiftly take any requisite action particularly, in X's case, the takedown of accounts. A Supreme Court panel unanimously upheld the block on Monday, undermining efforts by Musk and his supporters to cast the justice as an authoritarian renegade intent on censoring political speech in Brazil.

Had Starlink continued to disobey de Moraes by providing access, telecommunications regulator Anatel could eventually have seized equipment from Starlink's 23 ground stations that ensure the quality of its internet service, Arthur Coimbra, an Anatel board member, said on a video call from his office in Brasilia.

The company has said it has more than 250,000 clients in Brazil, and it is particularly popular in the country's more remote corners where it is the only available option.

Already some legal experts questioned de Moraes' basis for freezing Starlink's accounts, given that its parent company SpaceX has no integration with X. Musk noted on X that the two companies have different shareholder structures.

X has clashed with de Moraes over its reluctance to block users mostly far-right activists accused of undermining Brazilian democracy and allies of former President Jair Bolsonaro 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.
The head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog on Tuesday described the situation at Europe's largest nuclear power plant as very fragile following fresh attacks near the site in central Ukraine, and vowed to expand the agency's inspections to include critical electricity supplies. Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, was making his 10th visit to Ukraine since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp He was headed to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant after talks in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and top energy officials.



I think the situation I have very often characterised it as very fragile, Grossi told reporters in the Ukrainian capital. The station is again on the verge of being on a blackout. We've had eight of those in the past. A blackout (means) no power: no power, no cooling. No cooling, then maybe you have a disaster.

Earlier, Grossi posted on X that he was on his way to Zaporizhzhia to help prevent a nuclear accident.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, which came under Russian control in the wake of its full-scale invasion, saw artillery shelling in the area on Monday that damaged the facility's power access, according to its operator Energoatom, which blamed Russia for the attacks.

Russian shelling damaged one of the two external overhead lines through which the Zaporizhzhya NPP receives power from the Ukrainian power system, the operator said in a post on Telegram. In the event of damage to the second line, an emergency situation will arise, the Ukrainian agency said, adding that technicians couldn't access the site of the damage because of the real threat of repeated shelling.

Analysts say an explosion at the Zaporizhzhia plant would produce radiation and likely trigger panic, but the radiation risk beyond the immediate blast area would be relatively low and nothing like the scale of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. Also, if the wind is in an easterly direction, radiation could be pushed toward Russia.

The Zaporizhzhia region is one of four along with Donetsk, Kherson and Luhansk in southern and eastern Ukraine that Russia partly, and illegally, annexed in September 2022, seven months after it invaded its neighbour.

The Vienna-based IAEA says ongoing attacks in the Zaporizhzhia area, as well as damage to Ukraine's grid, pose threats to the power supply that's vital to the country's nuclear power stations. The watchdog said its staff at Zaporizhzhia recently had to shelter indoors because of reported drone threats in the area.

Other than Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine has three active nuclear plants.

Grossi, who is traveling with a team of IAEA experts and officials, began a round of meetings in Kyiv with a stop at the Ministry of Energy and talks with the minister, Herman Halushchenko. Grossi said he had accepted a Ukrainian request to expand inspections to include electricity substations providing power to Ukraine's nuclear power plants. He did not give further details but told reporters: This is a new dimension, an important dimension I hope, of our support here, which we discussed and agreed with President Zelenskyy just now. ___ Illia Novikov in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed.
Eaton

News Summary

On September 3, 2024, in Chicago, USA, agreements were signed with Eaton Corporation for an investment of Rs. 200 crores to expand their manufacturing facility in Chennai, including setting up research and development, a global utility engineering centre, and with Assurant to establish India's first global capability centre (GCC) in Chennai.
With COVID-19 relief gone, some U.S. teachers at risk of losing their jobs

Xinhua) 13:30, September 04, 2024

NEW YORK, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of teachers and school staffers across the United States are at risk of losing their jobs as districts balance their budgets and prepare for the shortfall after COVID-19 relief money expires, reported USA Today on Tuesday.

Schools nationwide used most of their relief fund money to pay for classroom teachers and support staff, according to a U.S. Department of Education analysis of district spending for fiscal year 2022.

"Districts across the country are now laying off recently hired educators, teaching assistants, counselors, restorative justice coordinators and other key staff at schools, or they're scrambling to find ways to retain them," said the report.

A recent survey of 190 district leaders by the nonprofit research group Rand found that teacher reductions were "the most common budget cut" officials anticipated.

Conversations about staff layoffs cropped up in at least 28 districts ahead of the upcoming fiscal cliff, according to a tracker of media reports from the Georgetown University-based research center Edunomics Lab, which monitors potential layoffs at districts.

"The post-pandemic layoffs have been widespread. Montana's Helena Public Schools cut 36 positions, including 21 teachers. The Arlington Independent School District in Texas cut 275 positions, including counselors, tutors and teaching support staff," noted the report.

The Biden administration granted schools 189.5 billion U.S. dollars over the past few years through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund under the American Rescue Plan Act. School officials have until the end of September to commit the remainder of their money, and districts will no longer be able to pay for non-teaching staff roles with that money after Sept. 30.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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CARLOW-BASED combo The Mercadonnas have just released their debut single Cead Mile Failte.

The band, comprised of Jack OFlaherty and Mark Wogan, was formed earlier this year, with their debut single released last week.

The song is a powerful introduction to the bands sound  a mix of reverb-soaked guitars, driving basslines and cavernous drums, all underscored by Jacks raw, emotive vocals.

"I wrote this song wondering about who we are and how that's changing," said Jack.

"Historically, Irish people know what it is to be a refugee, a migrant. The Irish diaspora is proof of that. Maybe that's why we pride ourselves so much on the Irish welcome 'cead mile failte' and all that. We give visitors here the welcome that we wish our grandfathers, uncles and grannies had when they had to go abroad. I hope that never changes."

The single is punky and raw and isnt a hundred miles away from the sound of Fontaines DC or the sweeping sound of Future Islands.

The bands sound, described by Jack as "abrasive music for abrasive times", is a reflection of their sharp social insight, signature humour and undeniable pop hooks.

Listen to the song here: https://soundcloud.com/jackflamusic/cead-mile-failte-unreleased-the-mercadonnas
THE hedge-cutting season is underway and Carlow County Council director of services Padraig OGorman is reminding landowners of their legal obligations under the Roads Act 1993. There is a statutory obligation on all landowners and occupiers of land to ensure that roadside structures, trees, shrubs or other vegetation do not present a danger to those using public roads.

In the interest of safety and the protection of those using public roads in Carlow, landowners are asked to ensure that all debris is removed from roads following hedge cutting. They are also remined that hedges provide shelter for nesting birds and small animals and that hedge cutting should only be carried out from 1 September to 28 February, except for essential public health, safety or road works.

Landowners are encouraged to protect wildlife and promote biodiversity on all their hedgerows, including non-roadside hedges. Landowners are also asked to be aware of their responsibilities in relation to invasive species, Japanese Knotweed in particular.

Carlow County Council acknowledged the co-operation of those who are in compliance with their responsibilities, reminding the public that fines of up to 1,270 and/or six months in prison may be applicable to those in breach of regulations.
By David Young, PA

The death of a Nigerian woman who had a heart attack after witnessing a street altercation demonstrates the abject terror being experienced by ethnic minority groups in Northern Ireland, the Justice Minister has said.

Naomi Long said the death of care worker Anu Okusanya, 46, who moved to Northern Ireland just over a year ago, was devastating.

Ms Okusanyas family said she suffered a severe asthma attack that led to several cardiac arrests, when she ran to a neighbours house after witnessing an altercation involving a gang of youths in Newry on August 24th. She died days later in hospital.

Her brother Gbenga said she had been targeted by youths twice herself in recent months and fled the scene because she was fearful of being attacked again.

He said the first time his sister was targeted, youths banged on her door and were terrorising her, and the second time a boy approached her and poured liquid on her.

She thought she was running for her life, but actually, unfortunately she ran into her death, he told the BBC.

He added: She ran into a neighbours house just to take cover and while that was happening the police came, and they saw her struggling, and they advised her to use her inhaler because shes asthmatic.

And she had two puffs of her inhaler and sat down, and she just slumped. She had about three or four cardiac arrests that night within 45 minutes and her brain had lost a lot of oxygen.

There was no oxygen supply to her brain for over 45 minutes. So that caused a lot of brain damage and, you know, a lot of things just happened as a result of all this.

Ms Long said the familys story, which was first reported by the Newry Reporter, was appalling.

I think it speaks to the abject terror that many people from the black and ethnic minority communities in Northern Ireland are living in at the moment, she told the BBC.

They are fearful. The number of people who Ive spoken to over recent weeks who are afraid to go about their normal business in the normal way, who are fearful about using public transport, going out in the evenings with friends after doing a days work, is really horrific.

And, as a society, I think we have got to get to grips, not just with the justice elements of this, and there are justice elements of this, but we have got to get to grips with the prejudice which underlies this kind of behaviour.

We have got to deal with the societal attitudes that allow these situations to develop, and we have got to tackle the misinformation and disinformation about immigration that we see prevalent online, which is fuelling anger and hatred.

And it is just tragic. These circumstances are just appalling, and I really do feel for the family, and Id want to extend my sincere sympathy to them.

PSNI Superintendent Norman Haslett, District Commander for Newry Mourne and Down, said: My sincere condolences, and those of my colleagues, are extended to the family and friends of Anu Okusanya.

When Anu became unwell, after having witnessed an altercation in Newry on August 24th, police officers performed CPR and applied a defibrillator in an attempt to save her life. She was taken to hospital but sadly passed away some days later.

Our enquiries have established that this verbal altercation involved a number of individuals to which Anu was a witness but not directly involved.

My sympathy is extended to Anus loved ones and friends. If anyone has any further information regarding the incident, please contact police using 101.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA, in Kyiv

The war in Ukraine cannot fade into the background, the Taoiseach has said during a visit to Kyiv.

His comments come after a mother and her three daughters were identified among seven killed in a Russian strike on Lviv.

Mr Harris, who had travelled through Lviv on a train hours earlier, described the killings as a vicious terrorist attack by Russia.

He said attacks on civilian infrastructure and homes by Russia was becoming a very regular and sometimes daily occurrence.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Harris said: This war, this terrorism, this barbarism is still continuing on the continent on Europe and in a country that wishes to be, and I wish to be, a member of the European Union.

It came after Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to Ireland for continued financial support.

Mr Harris signed a co-operation deal with Mr Zelensky following a bilateral meeting at the Ukrainian leaders office at Horodetskyi House in the city.

The Taoiseach also announced details of a 36 million euro funding package to organisations working in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

The visit comes a day after 53 people were killed and 200 injured when two Russian ballistic missiles struck a military training facility and hospital in Poltava, 200 miles south-east of Kyiv.

The attacks came as Ukrainian forces attempted to secure territory in Russias Kursk border region after a surprise incursion that began last month  and as the Russian army moves deeper into eastern Ukraine.

Taoiseach Simon Harris during a visit to inspect damage to buildings in Borodyanka (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Harris engagements on Wednesday saw him visit Hostomel and Borodyanka, two areas which had been badly damaged by Russian strikes in the early days of the invasion.

He said: I want to see first-hand and with my own eyes the impact of war on the continent of Europe.

Mr Harris saw a prefabricated home, which is now occupied by a family that had previously been displaced, and a newly-built nursery  both part of projects which Ireland financially supports.

The Irish Government said the 36 million euro package will provide essential humanitarian assistance, support rehabilitation and eventual reconstruction, and contribute to Ukraines longer-term goals, including peace, stability and political aspirations.

The Taoiseach also expressed Irelands full support for the Ukrainian bid for EU membership while also discussing continued humanitarian assistance.

Mr Harris also visited the child protection centre in Kyiv prior to his meeting with Mr Zelensky, where Ireland supports work towards the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted into Belarus and Russia.

Since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion, Ireland has steadfastly supported Ukraine, providing assistance amounting to approximately 380 million. Today, together with Irelands Taoiseach @SimonHarrisTD, we signed an Agreement on Support for Ukraine and Cooperation pic.twitter.com/ouMPbpWPdW  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) September 4, 2024

He later inspected the Trypilska thermal power plant, a key piece of energy infrastructure which was destroyed by Russia earlier this year.

Following the bilateral meeting, Mr Zelensky told a press conference that he thanked Ireland for its support of work on returning abducted Ukrainian children to the country.

Irelands participation in the reconstruction of Ukraine will be a substantial support for our people and our countries, and our European way of life.

I thank the people of Ireland, I know that after the beginning of the invasion of Russia of our land, youve accepted and really have warmly welcomed more than 100,000 citizens of Ukraine.

The deal includes common work on demining Ukraine, which Mr Zelensky said will save Ukrainians and improve the resilience of Europe.

He added that the deal also includes common work on cybersecurity.

Taoiseach Simon Harris lays a wreath at the memorial in Maidan Nezalezhnosti square (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Zelensky said he also really valued that Mr Harris trip came amid severe attacks on Ukraine.

We value that while Ireland is military neutral, Ireland does not stay morally neutral.

We are grateful to you, Mr Taoiseach, and to the people of Ireland for very specific and clear and principled support, and a position countering Russian terror.

Mr Zelensky thanked Ireland for financial support and said: It is really important we are together protecting lives, especially now we need it facing the winter when Russia goes on striking our energy infrastructure.

Mr Harris, who earlier laid a wreath to honour Ukraines war dead at Maidan Square, told reporters: The people of Ireland stand with the people of Ukraine.

Asked by members of the Ukrainian media about the Irish Governments decision to decrease financial support for newly arriving Ukrainians in Ireland, Taoiseach Simon Harris said Ireland will always continue to support people from Ukraine.

Taoiseach Simon Harris shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Harris said the roughly 109,000 Ukrainians who have been welcomed in Ireland made an incredibly positive contribution to Irish society.

However, he said refugee systems are always under review in terms of sustainability.

He noted the changes applied to people who were being provided with free food, accommodation and a right to work.

Pressed on whether he supported a visa waiver for Ukrainians post-war, Mr Harris said he hoped there would be a situation where that would not be necessary due to Ukraine joining the EU.

Asked if he supported Ukraines request to use long-range missiles at Russian targets, Mr Harris said that would be a matter for the countries supplying such weapons as Irelands assistance is around non-lethal aid.

Mr Zelensky said it would be a matter for further discussion with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal but added he was really thankful for the support thus far.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Harris, who later met Mr Shmyhal for a working lunch, said he was particularly pleased to invite Mr Zelensky for an official visit to Ireland, to which the Ukrainian president nodded.

The Taoiseach also held engagements with representatives of the Irish community in Ukraine.

The latest cash will take Irelands total funding to Ukraine since February 2022 to more than 380 million including about 130 million in stabilisation and humanitarian support.

As part of a policy of military neutrality, Ireland does not provide what it characterises as lethal aid to Ukraine, including weapons.

However, the state has provided 250 million in non-lethal military assistance under the European Peace Facility and has welcomed approximately 100,000 Ukrainians under the EU temporary protection directive.

Irish Defence Forces members have trained hundreds of Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment.
Fiona Magennis

A 61-year-old man wanted in the North in connection with the murder of three police officers in an IRA bomb attack more than 40 years ago has been granted bail by the High Court.

Martin John McCauley is accused of killing RUC officers Sergeant Sean Quinn, and constables Paul Hamilton, and Allan McCloy after a bomb was detonated at the Kinnego Embankment, near Lurgan in Co Armagh on October 27th, 1982.

The three officers were travelling on the embankment at the time of the attack.

At the High Court in Dublin on Wednesday, Mark Lynam SC, for Mr McCauley, told Mr Justice David Keane there was consent to bail subject to conditions.

He said bail had been agreed and independent sureties of 5,000 were to be provided by three individuals who were present in court. Mr Lynam said each of the three parties have given an undertaking not to reduce their bank balances under that amount.

He told the court Mr McCauley must also demonstrate that he has funds of 10,000 available, adding this could not be done until the applicant is released.

The explosion which killed the three RUC officers left a large crater, 12 meters wide and 3.5m deep, in the road.

The 200lb bomb, which had been placed in a drain underneath the road, was detonated remotely by way of a command wire to a vantage point overlooking the road.

The Irish Republican Army later claimed responsibility for the attack.

It is alleged that two IRA members, Eugene Toman and John Burns, detonated the bomb.

Both of those men were shot dead by the RUC in November 1982.

At a previous hearing earlier this month, the court was told that Mr McCauley was arrested by members of the Garda Extradition Unit at an address in Naas, Co Kildare on foot of a warrant issued under the Trade and Co-Operation Agreement between the EU and the UK.

In the warrant seeking Lurgan-born McCauley's surrender, the Northern Irish Authorities claim to have forensic evidence that links the accused to what was described as "a carefully planned attack."

The bail hearing on Wednesday was told that Mr McCauley has surrendered his passport and driving licence and has agreed to a number of conditions, including that he reside at a particular address and that he provide a number to be contactable on at all times.

Mr Justice Keane remanded Mr McCauley in custody to Thursday, October 10th, with consent to bail on the agreed terms.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA, in Kyiv

Taoiseach Simon Harris paid tribute to the resilience of the Ukrainian people as he visited regions catastrophically damaged during the early stages of Russias invasion.

Mr Harris, who is in the Kyiv region to sign a joint declaration of co-operation with Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelenskiy, started his trip to Ukraine with visits to Borodyanka and Hostomel.

After travelling into the country on an overnight train, the Taoiseach was greeted at Nemishaieve station.

Taoiseach Simon Harris arrives at Nemishaieve station for a visit to Kyiv, Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

In a convoy containing Ukrainian armed forces and members of an armed unit of An Garda Siochana, Mr Harris passed military checkpoints to first visit Borodyanka, where he inspected apartment buildings and a playground damaged by bombing in early 2022.

He saw the entire facade of one building collapsed and a disused playground where childrens toys lay on the ground.

Mr Harris was guided around the site by the head of Kyiv states regional administration, Ruslan Kravchenko, who thanked the Taoiseach for Irelands support for Ukraine.

Mr Kravchenko presented Mr Harris with a medal representing the region.

Taoiseach Simon Harris speaks to Ruslan Kravchenko, head of the Kyiv State regional administration, during a visit to Borodyanka, Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The Taoiseach was told about the suffering of the people of Borodyanka, some of whom were trapped under rubble after the bombing and not able to be rescued.

Nearby, a Banksy mural depicting a David v Goliath scene is displayed behind protective glass.

Directly beside the destroyed buildings, a new playground and creche have been constructed to facilitate the return of childcare in the area.

Part of Irelands 36 million funding package for Ukraine and neighbouring countries will support such projects.

The Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) will be given 3 million to support the construction of bomb shelters for schools in Ukraine by local companies. It also goes towards rebuilding schools that have been damaged.

Taoiseach Simon Harris inspects a bomb-damaged house in Hostomel, Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

While praising Ukraines continuing efforts towards EU membership and the overall resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of war, Mr Harris was introduced to a German Shepherd dog named Hachi, who was returned to the town after fleeing for three weeks following the shelling and is now tasked with looking after children at a nursery school.

In Hostomel, which was also severely damaged in the early stages of the conflict, Mr Harris was able to see the benefits of Irish funding to the region when he visited a pre-fabricated building that is hosting a family forced to leave their home due to the war.

He met Mykola and Nataliia Anisimov who told the Taoiseach that several families used to live in the neighbouring building, which had been severely damaged by bullets, artillery and shrapnel.

Mrs Anisimov said the area became the front line when Ukrainian forces decided to destroy a nearby bridge to halt the movement of Russian troops.

Taoiseach Simon Harris is set to announce millions in new funding for Ukraine from Ireland (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Her family and others were forced to evacuate the building, constructed in 1966, but are now able to return to the area thanks to the prefabricated home built using funds provided by the Irish Government.

It is part of the UNHCR Core Homes Project, which is on target to build 300 prefab homes for families whose previous homes were destroyed.

Mr Harris said he was sorry about what had happened and told Mrs Anisimov: The whole of Europe wants to do everything it can to help the people of Ukraine

While the war is here, it is an attack on all of our values.

Mr Harris said it was important for him to see the effects of the war with his own eyes.

Mrs Anisimov said she was grateful to the people of Ireland for her new home.

Mr Harris signed a Ukrainian flag before continuing his visit to Ukraine.
An inquiry into sexual abuse at religious schools in Ireland dominates Wednesday's front pages.

The Irish Times, Irish Examiner and Irish Independent lead with the inquiry. Survivors of historical sexual abuse in religious-run schools in Ireland told an inquiry how their childhoods were destroyed when they were raped or assaulted.

Focus Ireland helped 200 families who were either homeless or at risk of being homeless in Cork last year, The Echo reports.

The Irish Daily Star and Irish Daily Mail both lead with the school sexual abuse inquiry.

Wednesdays front page pic.twitter.com/Tsmz1F5RCP  Irish Daily Star (@isfearranstar) September 4, 2024

Wednesday's front page pic.twitter.com/r7bZ8SeT6I  The Irish Daily Mail (@irishdailymail) September 3, 2024

The Irish Sun leads with the controversy over a 336,000 bike shelter at Leinster House.

The Herald leads with a story on the young girl injured in the Parnell Street attack last November being discharged from hospital.

In the North, the Belfast Telegraph leads with a story on raw sewage being discovered near bathing areas.

The Irish News leads with Armagh GAA issuing a warning about a fake Sam Maguire trophy.

The deaths of 12 people killed after a boat carrying asylum seekers in the English Channel ripped open leads Wednesdays UK front pages.

The Guardian and Independent report more than 50 people have been rescued, including two in critical condition, from the terrible shipwreck off Cap Gris-Nez. It is believed only eight people onboard were wearing life jackets.

GUARDIAN: Six children among 12 dead after boat ripped open in the Channel #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/4yPC8OMxbA  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) September 3, 2024

The Daily Mail also leads on the tragedy, asking: How long before the vile people-smuggling gangs are stopped?

MAIL: How long before the vile smuggling gangs are stopped? #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/t8IaTovFJP  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) September 3, 2024

The Daily Mirror splashes on a grandfather killed while walking his dog in a park.

Metro leads on the inquest into the death of a man who overdosed the week after failing a lie detector test on the Jeremy Kyle show.

Tomorrow's Paper Today 



TV KYLE THREW MY DAD UNDER THE BUS



 Suicide victim said star egged on audience to boo him#tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/pkokcuH3js  Metro (@MetroUK) September 3, 2024

In political news, the Daily Telegraph says Angela Rayner is in talks to end Margaret Thatchers right to buy policy, despite previously benefiting from the scheme herself.

The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:



Rayner in talks to end Thatchers right to buy#TomorrowsPapersToday



Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4Oomry pic.twitter.com/9yc76TO78Z  The Telegraph (@Telegraph) September 3, 2024

Campaigners are calling for the criminal prosecution of those responsible for the Grenfell Tower fire, the i reports.

Wednesday's front page: Grenfell guilty must now be prosecuted, urge MPs and survivors #TomorrowsPapersToday



Exclusive from @whazell: https://t.co/1OjnIUFvyr pic.twitter.com/sKPNybPVvT  The i paper (@theipaper) September 3, 2024

Regulators will scale back a regime that would have forced banks to reimburse fraud victims up to 415,000 after pressure from ministers and fintech firms, the Financial Times alleges.

Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Wednesday 4 September https://t.co/rzH8ecurYt pic.twitter.com/4f7WI703JI  Financial Times (@FT) September 3, 2024

Across the pond, The Times reports the United States has refused to follow Britains lead in suspending arms sales to Israel.

TIMES: Starmer and US at odds over Israel arms sales #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/HbgL0mz9fd  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) September 3, 2024

Lastly, the Daily Star claims mobsters are turning their backs on traditional homes in Sicily and New Jersey, instead taking up residence in leafy towns like Woking, Surrey.

The New York Times leads with a story on Russian airstrikes on Ukraine.
AN ACCLAIMED jazz, soul and RnB band is about to return to Ireland to play a concert in Carlow town after a 15-year hiatus.

Big Mamas Door is based in London but is fronted by vocalist Fiona McElroy, who lives in Ballylinan.

Fiona travels over to London on a monthly basis to perform with the band but has now decided to play closer to home. They will perform in The Tower, Dinn Ri, Carlow this Thursday, 5 September, which will be a special gig for Fiona as the last time the band played in Ireland was back in 2009.

The last time I brought the band to Ireland was 2009 and I thought it was time to revisit. A lot has changed, including the line-up, myself excluded, but I'm pretty sure it's the best line-up to date, said Fiona.

The band have developed their own brand of sexy 50s RnB, jazz and soul music, infused with professionalism and passion. They consistently fill renowned venues across London such as Ronnie Scotts and Crazy Coqs at Brasserie Zedel, among others.

Their repertoire, a delightful mix of originals and covers, is led by Fionas vocals, which have been compared to Etta James intertwined with a hint of Patsy Cline, backed by an exceptional band deeply rooted in the iconic sounds of Blue Note, Chess and Atlantic recordings.

The band members are guitarist Andy Knight, double-bassist Franca Shaw, saxophonist Martin Dewhirst, pianist Stephen Walsh and drummer Brad Shaw.

Big Mamas Door will play on Thursday 5 September in The Tower, Carlow.

Theyre also playing on Friday 6 September in Ryans, Kilkenny; Saturday 7 September in Arthurs Blues and Jazz Club, Dublin and on the following night in the Eco Village, Cloughjordon.

Tickets for the Carlow gig are available at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/big-mamas-door-the-tower-carlow-tickets-907146247847?aff=oddtdtcreator
When we talk about the members of our board of directors, its impossible not to notice the breadth of experience and passion each brings. These individuals are more than just leaders  they are the driving force behind our associations success. One such leader is Natalie Hostetler, whose journey from the pharmaceutical industry to a thriving commercial real estate career showcases the unique blend of expertise and dedication that defines our board. As someone who has always been driven by a desire to help, Natalie has taken on a leadership role that not only influences the direction of our association, but also shapes the skyline of Chattanooga itself.What did you do before transitioning into this profession?I have been in commercial real estate for 12 years, and before that I worked in the pharmaceutical industry.Spending all that time in hospitals led me to my passion in real estate, which is medical office building sales and leasing.Youre currently serving in the first year of a two-year Director term. Why did you choose to serve the Association?I love serving in this capacity because I like to help. I have always been a helper, and whether it is being a voice for all commercial agents in the greater Chattanooga area, collaborating with other board members while governing the BOD, or making a new agent feel comfortable at a networking event, I am here to help. I am so lucky to serve with this group, and I feel honored to represent my commercial colleagues in this way.What would you like your fellow realtors to know about what our association offers to its members?The benefits of supporting and being engaged with the National Association of Realtors. Being a major investor in the Realtor Political Action Committee (PAC) has provided me with the most benefits and resources regarding all the wonderful things our PAC does for us.What is your favorite part of being a realtor?I get the opportunity to influence the built environment in the city that means the most to me. Its so cool to impact literally what our Chattanooga skyline looks like. Also, I love that no day is the same and the true joy I derive from interacting with other realtors. I would rather be in a room with ten different real estate agents than ten other people of any profession.What is something Greater Chattanooga Realtors does in the community that you love and want others to know about?Our association does so many things for our community. I love and support Habitat for Humanity and am excited about this years Tee Up and Wine Down fundraiser that our Community Partnership committee is organizing.Have you read any recent books you want to share with others?Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss is the best negotiation book ever. Anyone in sales should read this book.Natalie's story is a testament to the impact that passion and a commitment to service can have on our industry and community. From advocating for fellow commercial agents to playing a role in developing Chattanoogas built environment, Natalie exemplifies the qualities that make our board of directors so vital to our success. As we continue to grow and evolve, leaders like Natalie inspire us to reach new heights, ensuring that our association remains a beacon of excellence in the real estate industry. Thats Who We R.
The Next Door  Chattanooga, a nine-month, six-phase transitional living program funded by the Tennessee Department of Correction, celebrated the graduation of their first resident last week.Officials said, "Kala, who was paroled to The Next Door from the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex last year, has worked diligently to successfully complete each of the six phases of the program. During her time in the program, Kala has obtained a drivers license, secured insurance, received dental care, maintained a job, purchased and fully paid for her own car, sent money to her loved ones and built a savings account."Kala will leave The Next Door to begin the next chapter of her life, and she is poised to succeed, said TDOC Correctional Administrator of Specialized Services Jennifer Boyd.TDOCs partnership with The Next Door highlights its commitment to providing women a safe place to transition back into their communities while offering opportunities they may not have received otherwise.The program offers gender-specific treatment for substance use and co-occurring disorders in a therapeutic environment for women on probation or parole. The Next Door takes a holistic approach to recovery, addressing individual needs within an "environment of faith, healing and compassion to promote successful and safe reentry."
The Salvation Army of Greater Chattanooga announces the upcoming registration dates for the 2024 Angel Tree program. This annual initiative aims to ensure that every child and senior in need within the community experiences the joy of Christmas morning.Chattanooga registration details:Angel Tree registration will be conducted in person only at two Chattanooga locations: The Salvation Army Citadel at 1019 N. Moore Road and the East Lake Corps at 2140 E. 28th St. Families can register during the following dates and times.Chattanooga registration schedule: Monday, Sept.16, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, noon-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, noon-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Cleveland registration details:The Salvation Army of Cleveland will also be holding Angel Tree registration during the same dates at their facility at 437 Inman St. W. in Cleveland. Registration in Cleveland is by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 423-308-3467.Required documents for registration:For families with children:- Identification for all adults in the household;- Birth certificates for all children in the home;- Proof of guardianship (if not listed as the parent on the birth certificate);- Proof of income;- Proof of address;- Childrens clothing sizes;- Three wishlist items per child (no bikes or large items).For senior adults:- Proof of income;- Identification;- Clothing sizes; and- Three wishlist items under $50.Officials said, "The Angel Tree program is a cornerstone of The Salvation Army's commitment to serving those in need during the holiday season. By providing new clothing, toys and gifts, the program ensures that the magic of Christmas is alive for every child and senior in our community. Once registered and accepted, each Angels wishlist is shared with generous donors who fulfill these holiday wishes. The gifts are then distributed to families in time for Christmas, giving parents the joy of placing presents under the tree for their children.""The Salvation Army is committed to ensuring that every child and senior has a joyous Christmas, regardless of their circumstances," said Major Douglas McClure, area commander for The Salvation Army in Chattanooga. "We encourage all eligible families and seniors to come out and register for this wonderful program."For more information, contact The Salvation Army Chattanooga at 423-756-1023 or visit www.csarmy.org.
The first annual Marion County Health Expo will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. CST in the Jasper Courthouse Square. The expo will provide attendees with health resources, education, games and fun for the entire community.The expo is hosted by The University of Tennessees Community Registered Nurse Navigator (CRNN) program, UT/TSU Extension Marion County, the TN Department of Health and Marion County Coordinated School Health.Attendees will sign in to receive a bingo card that they can get signed or stamped by over 30 participating vendors at the expo.Once attendees have submitted a completed bingo card, they will be included in a drawing to win a variety of prizes. Vendors will also have giveaways at their tables for attendees to pick up as they make their way around the expo.Vendors in attendance include Chattanooga Allergy Clinic, A Step Ahead Chattanooga, Cumberland Pediatric Foundation, Centerstone, Health Hero Tennessee, Food City, Nashville Diaper Connection and many others.Community members are encouraged to take advantage of vendors offerings, including healthy recipe taste testing, pregnancy and early childhood education and resources, CT lung screenings for those that meet qualifications, vaccine education and onsite vaccine offerings, mental health screening and support, blood pressure and glucose screenings and much more.We are excited to bring together Marion County community health partners to offer the first Marion County Health Expo, bringing together an array of health resources, education and engaging activities to empower our community, said Stephanie Walker, BSN, RN, Southeast Community registered nurse navigator for The University of Tennessees CRNN program. This is a unique opportunity for everyone to access vital health services, from vaccine education and screenings to mental health support, all in one place. We encourage every community member to join us, take advantage of these offerings and make strides toward a healthier future together."Food trucks will be onsite during the expo, as well as The River 104.9, who will be broadcasting live from the event. There is a Facebook event page entitled Marion County Community Health Expo with vendor spotlights and more information as the event gets closer.
By SA Commercial Prop News

John Donnelly, developer of New Germany Industrial Park; Derek Cranston, chief operating officer of Technovaa South Africa; and Nigel Atherstone, JHI Properties, seen outside the Darvesh groups new premises in New German



The Dubai-based Darvesh Group, which operates in the packaging industry in South Africa, has taken up 11 000sqm of space in New Germany Industrial Park in a lease transaction concluded by JHI Properties KwaZulu-Natal.

Darvesh Groups packaging operation trades in South Africa as Technovaa Packaging Industries.

This follows another recent lease transaction concluded by Atherstone for a logistics company, for the uptake of 3000sqm of space - also in New Germany Industrial Park.

Nigel Atherstone of JHI says, A key factor in selection of this location is the fact that very high power requirements by tenants are easily met, and this is coupled with the prime location of the industrial park about 15km inland from Durban within an existing industrial area. In addition, the new main road currently under construction between New Germany and Riverhorse Valley (in a growth node north of Durban) will open up an important industrial corridor between the western and northern zones.

Situated in Escom Road with a gross lettable area of approximately 165 000sqm, New Germany Industrial Park is a redevelopment by Seardel Group Properties (a division of Seardel Group Trading (Pty) Ltd and part of the JSE listed Seardel Investment Corporation), on a portion of a site which is a total of 270 000sqm of land in extent, which was previously occupied by one tenant, Frame Textiles.

The redeveloped, multi-tenanted modern industrial park has seen the demolition of some 25 000sqm of buildings to make way for contemporary, high-specification factory and warehouse space, spacious new yard areas and internal access roads. Being redeveloped in phases and comprising 165 000sqm of modern warehouse and factory space in total, this is now the largest industrial park in New Germany. A further tranche comprising three large new factories is being redeveloped commencing July this year (2012), as part of the ongoing development project.

Over and above the excellent power supply, this is a highly desirable location with good access and a high level of security. The factories or warehouses range from 1000sqm and are being redeveloped to suit tenant requirements at very keen rentals, ranging from R38 per square metre for warehouse space, R10 per sqm for open yard space and R55 per sqm for office space, with a flexible tenant installation allowance (rental rates exclude VAT). To date there has been a good uptake of space, with a range of enquiries from companies which include motor related businesses, logistics and warehousing operations and road transport operations. Currently we are seeing an increasing demand in New Germany for large industrial and warehousing space ranging from 10 000sqm and upwards, and with large floor plates.

Each individual unit in New Germany Industrial Park has its own internal offices and ablution facilities, industrial waste outlet and separately metered water and electricity. The units can be designed to include docking / dock leveller facilities to suit large scale warehouse or factory space, with ample yard space and parking. The park has 7m wide roadways and 25m diameter turning circles suitable for 22m super-link vehicle reticulation. Tenants enjoy the added benefit of being able to earn BEE points by renting from a verified Level 2 BBBEE landlord.
Its college move-in season, and the celebrities are out in full force. Over the last few weekends, several Hollywood A-listers have dropped their kids off at schools nationwide and lamented how quickly their youngsters grew up. Gwyneth Paltrow is one of those parents. She is officially an empty-nester with her teen son officially off to 

Its college move-in season, and the celebrities are out in full force. Over the last few weekends, several Hollywood A-listers have dropped their kids off at schools nationwide and lamented how quickly their youngsters grew up. Gwyneth Paltrow is one of those parents. She is officially an empty-nester with her teen son officially off to college. So, where do Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martins kids go to school?

Moses Martin is off to the Ivy League

Gwyneth Paltrow is officially an empty-nester now that her kids, including her son Moses Martin, are college students. Over the holiday weekend, Paltrow helped her son move into a Brown University residence hall. Classes at the Rhode Island Ivy began on Sept. 3.

Gwyneth Paltrow with kids, Moses Martin and Apple Martin, at Dodger Stadium in 2013 | Harry How/Getty Images

Paltrow previously opened up about helping Moses pick the perfect school for his academic needs. In October, she discussed the college tour process with Bustle. She said that Moses was incredibly laid back about the decision-making process and didnt hone in on any particular school immediately. She said they went back and toured schools again so that Moses could make a final decision.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk | Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Moses isnt the only incoming college freshman in Paltrows blended family. Paltrows stepson, Brody Falchuk, is also an incoming freshman. According to Page Six, Paltrow was spotted with her husband, Brad Falchuk, in New Haven, Connecticut, in mid-August. Falchuk and Paltrow were on hand to move Brody into his dorm at Yale University. Falchuks daughter, 19-year-old Isabella, attends Cornell.

Apple Martin attends Vanderbilt University

Gwyneth Paltrow isnt new to the college dropoff experience. Moses is her youngest child. The mother of two admitted she had a much different experience during the college hunt for her daughter, Apple Martin. The 20-year-old was set on Vanderbilt University from early on. Paltrow told Bustle that Apple was laser-focused on the school and did everything she could to get there. She insists the 20-year-old never wavered in her decision to attend the Nashville university.

Apple graduated from a private high school in California in 2022. She was classmates with Kate Hudsons son, Ryder Robinson. Since landing at Vanderbilt, she joined a sorority and appeared to be doing fine despite the institutions rigorous academics. She does not maintain a public Instagram account.
Jenelle Evans moved to Las Vegeas to get away from David Eason, although fans suspect she wanted to be closer to August Keen. Now things have soured. Was the move a big mistake?

The Teen Mom: The Next Chapter star appeared to be coming into her own following her separation from David Eason. That has changed, though. Things are looking bleak again. A recent sting of social media uploads suggests Jenelle Evans isnt happy in Las Vegas, and it appears her problems are directly related to the new man in her life.

When and why did Jenelle Evans move to Las Vegas?

Evans spent several weeks teasing a potential move from North Carolina before finally revealing her new home. Initial reports suggested the mother of three was looking to move to Florida. Later, she landed in Las Vegas, Nevada, a choice that Teen Mom: The Next Chapter fans questioned since it took her eldest son, Jace Evans, very far away from his grandmother and friends.

Jenelle Evans | MTV/YouTube

Evans insisted that she was moving to The Silver State to escape David Eason, fearing that he was unstable. Fans familiar with Evans antics are convinced she moved west specifically to be closer to her manager turned love interest, August Keen. It is unclear just how long shes been living in the state full-time, but Evans and her kids have been spotted in Las Vegas starting in late May. Ensley Eason and Kaiser Griffith, Evans two younger children, started school in the state in August.

Teen Mom fans think Jenelle Evans move to Vegas was a big mistake

Teen Mom: The Next Chapter fans have long suggested Evans sudden move from North Carolina to Nevada was a big mistake. If Evans Instagram stories indicate her mood, she thinks it was a mistake, too. Over the holiday weekend, Evans took to Instagram and Facebook to bemoan her current situation.

Jenelle Evans | MTV/YouTube

First, she took to Facebook to tell her followers they needed to remind her that she only needed her kids to be happy. It was the first indication that things between Evans and August Keen were not going well. Later that day, she took to Instagram to insist she was single, was not dating August Keen, and was doing well but needed new friends.

Keen and Evans have unfollowed each other again. It is the second time the friends have unfollowed each other in the last 30 days. The instability of the relationship, the far-flung nature of the new locale, and Evans indecisiveness all suggest the move to Vegas was not only a waste of money but a huge waste of time.

Is a move back to North Carolina possible?

Jenelle Evans has yet to suggest shes planning to move back to North Carolina anytime soon. Still, it seems entirely possible that shell be heading home sooner rather than later, especially if her current situationship is as unstable as it appears to be. It is not the first time Evans has moved states, and it wont be the first time she ran back to North Carolina when things didnt work out.

An overhead shot of Jenelle Evans house | MTV/YouTube

In late 2019, Evans moved from North Carolina to Nashville, Tennessee, during a separation from David Eason. The move lasted only a few months. By mid-2020, she had moved back to the house she owned with David Eason in North Carolina. She still owns the property despite living thousands of miles from it at the moment.
The Cherokee Nation Criminal Law Reform and Planning Task Force reviewed current sentencing requirements, options for alternative sentencing and more.
A San Francisco supervisor said an 8-year-old girl who was shot last week was not the victim of a stray bullet from outside her home, but appears to have been injured by the accidental firing of a loaded gun inside her home. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

An 8-year-old girl who was hospitalized last week after a shooting was not the victim of a stray bullet from outside her home, but appears to have been injured by the accidental firing of a loaded gun inside her home, a San Francisco supervisor said Tuesday.

Ahsha Safai, whose district includes the home on Chicago Way where the shooting was reported Friday, told the Chronicle the young girl was in stable condition Tuesday and is expected to recover.

All signs point to an accidental shooting, said Safai. She was home with her siblings and siblings friends. There was a loaded gun in the home.

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San Francisco police were called to the home just before 5:30 p.m. Friday to investigate a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, police said they found a girl who needed to be transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.

KNTV TV reported that the girls father said he believed she was hit by a stray bullet that came through the house while the family was preparing for dinner.

But on Tuesday, police said they never mentioned a stray bullet.

Safai said there was no evidence to suggest the bullet came from outside the home.

If the bullet came from outside the home, there would be evidence of a drive-by, a video of a car or witnesses, said Safai. None of that exists.

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Safai said that he was told the home was filled at the time with young people ages 8-16. He said the young girl was struck in the back of her head, near one of her ears.
Over the Andes Mountains in Chile, a new species of storm petrel was discovered flying to its breeding grounds. The bird was soaring up from the Pacific Ocean and headed to the west.

Researchers determined it was a new species after taking a closer look at native storm petrels and finding that some of the birds were different.

Many bird watchers who live in towering apartment buildings in Santiago, Chile, or even just office workers staring out the windows of their skyscrapers can see storm petrels flitting through the air every day. The city of Santiago is located in central Chile, about 70 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean.

Imagine that high up over one of the largest cities in the southern hemisphere, storm petrels fly daily from the ocean to the high mountains, said a researcher named Alvaro Jaramillo. Birders see them when watching the full moon over the city.

Storm petrels are nocturnal seabirds that belong to the family Hydrobatidae, sometimes referred to as Oceanitidae, and there are about 20 species of them.

They spend most of their time out at sea and only return to land when its breeding season. They feed on small fish and planktonic crustaceans from the oceans surface.

Jaramillo and his colleagues from Chile, Peru, Hawaii, and New Zealand traveled up to the snow-capped mountains and used mist nets to capture, photograph, and study the birds.

When they compared the genetics of storm petrels in Santiago to other species in South America, they found major differences.

Jaramillo was amazed that the genetically distinct bird was right under everyones noses during all of this time. Storm petrels typically nest on islands, but now, others have been seen in inland deserts and mountains.

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This 17-year-old young man thought he knew exactly where his life was headed. His plan was to finish high school, begin working in construction, just like his dad, and slowly build his career  brick by brick.

Hes also in a relationship, and his 19-year-old girlfriend is already in her sophomore year of college, studying to be a nurse.

We were both young and in love, thinking we had all the time in the world to plan our lives, he recalled.

Yet, in the blink of an eye, everything was turned upside down. Just a few weeks ago, he found out that his girlfriend was pregnant, and he was shell-shocked  particularly because theyd always been safe.

Nonetheless, shes expecting a baby, and now, his vision of his future has totally changed.

To his surprise, though, his girlfriend was actually quite calm in the wake of this situation. She spoke about how theyd make it work together and discussed her intentions to balance both going to school and raising their baby.

However, his girlfriend then dropped a pretty big bomb. She claimed that she wanted to get married prior to their baby being born.

I was floored. Marriage? I love her, but Im only 17 and still in high school. I havent even started my job in construction yet, and marriage just feels like a huge, overwhelming step, he detailed.

He wound up telling his girlfriend that he needed some time to think about it, but it soon became clear that his hesitation was really hurting her.

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Since 2020, the largest iceberg in the world has been drifting north from Antarctica toward warmer waters.

But now, according to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), its course has been interrupted after becoming trapped in an ocean vortex.

The iceberg, named A23a, is slowly spinning around and around in a rotating cylinder of water called a Taylor column. It is near the South Orkney Islands, which is located approximately 375 miles northeast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Each day, the iceberg rotates about 15 degrees.

Its basically just sitting there, spinning around, and it will very slowly melt as long as it stays there, said Alex Brearley, an oceanographer at the British Antarctic Survey. What we dont know is how quickly it will actually come out of this.

The iceberg could continue spinning for a year or maybe even two. Experts just arent quite sure. Previously, A23a was part of Antarctica.

Now, it is an iceberg the size of Rhode Island. In 1986, it split off from the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf on the continents northwestern side, taking the Soviet research station Druzhnaya 1 with it. In February 1987, the Soviets traveled to the iceberg to retrieve their equipment.

After that, the iceberg stayed fixed in place for 34 years in the Weddell Sea off the coast of West Antarctica. However, it started to move in 2020. This past November, A23a floated out into the Southern Ocean, moving at a rate of three miles per day.

According to BAS glaciologist Olivia Marsh, A23a had gotten thin enough to lift off from the ocean floor and be carried away by ocean currents.

The iceberg was predicted to take a path known as iceberg alley to reach the island of South Georgia in the Atlantic Ocean, propelled forward by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.

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In the wild, nearly 12,000 species of birds exist. Humans see them every day, but there are a handful that havent been recorded in a year or even in over a century.

Scientists have updated the list of lost birds and are urging the public to keep a lookout for the rare avians.

Over the last 130,000 years, humans have caused a total of 1,430 bird species to go extinct. The lost birds on the list are not necessarily extinctthey just havent been spotted in at least a decade.

Researchers compiled a full list by analyzing more than 42 million photographs, videos, and sound recordings taken by bird watchers and uploaded to citizen science platforms.

In addition, they examined museum collections, media from search engines, and scientific papers and consulted with local experts.

An analysis that was conducted two years ago described 144 bird species that had not been documented in more than a decade.

However, according to the American Bird Conservancy, recent sightings and some classification technicalities have brought the number down to 126 lost birds.

The 126 lost birds make up roughly one percent of the known 11,849 bird species. Several of them are endangered or critically endangered, so finding them is important in order to prevent them from disappearing forever.

Through more exposure in global ornithological and birding networks, theres great potential to learn more about birds that are poorly known and highly threatened, said study co-author Cameron Rutt, an ornithologist from Louisiana State University and the former lost birds coordinator for the American Bird Conservancy.

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Home News 48% of Evangelical leaders report being blacklisted over beliefs, guilt by association

Nearly half of Evangelical leaders said in a new survey that they have been disinvited, blacklisted or excluded because of their point of view or guilt by association, according to the National Association of Evangelicals.

The NAE's July/August Evangelical Leaders Survey revealed that 48% of Evangelical leaders said they have been canceled by others as a way of expressing their disapproval for the leader or the leaders point of view.

The findings are part of a monthly poll of the NAEs Board of Directors, which includes the CEOs of denominations and representatives of diverse Evangelical organizations, such as missions, universities, publishers and churches.

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Cancel culture is the practice of excluding any person, organization or work as a way of expressing disapproval, NAE President Walter Kim explained.

While it is important to be clear about unacceptable behavior and unorthodox positions, this phenomenon makes it difficult to have meaningful, vulnerable and open dialogue about the real challenges that we face, he said.

Some leaders said the Evangelical leadership should expect to be canceled because it has become commonplace.

However, the reality of cancel culture can make leaders wary of communicating their positions on complex issues for fear of retribution, the association fears.

Last month, Pastor Ed Young of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas, said Facebook removed a paid ad for his sermon Woke or Awake.

Well, I got canceled this week, Young said, according to Church Leaders. Our friends at Facebook just canceled me. Our incredible media team put together these ads, and we showed these ads. And, for some reason, Mark Zuckerberg and his friends didn't dig them.

Many Evangelical leaders think being open and willing for respectful conversations could be the way to engage.

I have made it a policy to welcome comments and open the door to discussion. People have disagreed with statements that I have made and contacted me to share their concerns, Ron Hamilton, conference minister at Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, was quoted as saying.

Those who said they had not been canceled also noted that they might have been unknowingly rejected or not invited due to their beliefs or engagement.

Not to my knowledge! I have no idea whether my views were the reason I was not invited to speak in the first place, Rich Nathan, founding pastor of Vineyard Columbus, was quoted as saying.

Some leaders said guilt by association was also a basis for cancellation.

I served as the primary speaker for an annual event (for about nine years) at a major Christian university. Although my ministry remained consistent  and my views had not changed at all  my relationship with people outside their doctrinal distinctives caused me to be disinvited, Daniel Henderson, president of Strategic Renewal, was quoted as saying.

Kim said while individuals and organizations need to be held accountable for their actions, people should not be punished for holding beliefs that may be different. We need to encourage conversations across differences. Let us open our doors and ask those with differences to pull up a seat at the table. After all, that was the way of Jesus, he concluded.
A convicted investment scammer is on the run after fleeing his sentencing hearing and likely jail time, Santa Clara County officials said. Seng Kui Lim/Getty Images

Law enforcement officials in Santa Clara County are searching for a convicted scammer who fled before he could be sentenced for defrauding tech investors in a scheme involving a robotic medicine dispenser named Homer.

District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement Wednesday that Dennis Fountaine fled the region to avoid prison ahead of a sentencing hearing last month. The 67-year-old was convicted earlier this year of felony grand theft by fraud for stealing more than $350,000 from four investors.

Fountaine scammed investors by pretending to invent a robot named Homer that would help dispense medication for the elderly and disabled, officials said.

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The man pretended he was an inventor, Rosen said, adding that Fountaine had a history of civil judgments against him for breach of contract and fraud in California and Florida.

Fountaine was accused of creating sham companies and websites featuring fake articles to bolster his credibility as an inventor, officials said. Prosecutors believe he continued to attempt to solicit new investors this summer following his fraud conviction.

The district attorneys office is asking anyone with information to contact investigator Justin DeOliveira at 408-792-2420.
Home News Andrew Cuomo to testify before Congress on COVID-19 nursing home policy

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will be required to testify before the U.S. House of Representatives over his government's policy of placing coronavirus patients into nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Chairman Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, announced Tuesday that Cuomo is scheduled to testify before Congress on Sept. 10.

Cuomo previously spoke with the Select Subcommittee in June for a recorded interview held behind closed doors that lasted approximately seven hours.

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"Cuomo owes answers to the 15,000 families who lost loved ones in New York's nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic," stated Wenstrup. "Americans will have the opportunity to hear directly from the former governor about New York's potentially fatal nursing home policies."

Wenstrup contends that "Cuomo was shockingly callous" during the June interview when he was "pressed to explain discrepancies in nursing home death counts." The former governor "repeatedly deflected responsibility for the nursing home directive, and most egregiously, showed little remorse for the thousands of lives lost."

"We hope that during his public hearing next week, Mr. Cuomo will stop dodging accountability and honestly answer the American people," Wenstrup added.

Rich Azzopardi, a spokesperson for Cuomo, denounced the "farce of a committee" and cited a study claiming that New York "had a lower nursing home death rate pro rata than all but 11 states."

"This committee has continued to engage in false political attacks blaming New York for nursing home deaths despite the fact that New York was following guidance from [former President Donald] Trump's CDC and [the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services]," stated Azzopardi, as quoted by The Hill.

"They refuse to look in the mirror at their own anti-science policies that caused hundreds of thousands of unnecessary deaths or call the one witness who is most relevant and was supposed to lead the entire effort: Donald Trump."

In March 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic started to spread globally, the Cuomo administration sent about 9,000 recovering COVID-19 patients to hundreds of nursing homes in New York.

While the move sought to alleviate the burden facing hospitals, it was widely criticized for putting elderly New York residents in danger. Critics blamed the policy for causing thousands of deaths.

In February 2021, The Associated Press reported that as many as 15,000 nursing home residents in New York died from COVID-19 during the time period that Cuomo's directive was in effect.

Cuomo gained more scrutiny when reports surfaced that his administration covered up the actual number of documented COVID-19 related deaths in New York nursing homes.

Former Cuomo aide Melissa DeRosa admitted during a video conference call with state Democratic leaders at the time that the administration was covering up the actual death toll due to the nursing home directive, The New York Post reported.

New York Office of the State Comptroller released an audit in 2022 that found Cuomos Department of Health understated COVID-19 death tolls at nursing homes by over 4,000 deaths.

In April 2022, Daniel Arbeeny, whose 89-year-old father died in April 2020 after developing COVID-19 symptoms at a nursing home in Brooklyn, filed a class-action lawsuit against Cuomo, DeRosa and former New York State Commissioner of Health Howard A. Zucker.
Home News Ed Young says fellowship, worship essential to Christian life

Pastor Ed Young of Fellowship Church said God loves all Christians right where they are, spiritually with Jesus and relationally and physically when it comes to serving others. Still, they should always be attempting to grow in worship.

The 61-year-old pastor told his Grapevine, Texas-based congregation Sunday that there are many forms of worship that are aspects of Christian fellowship. He stressed that all are needed to build the national and global Church.

The first aspect of fellowship in the Church, Young said, is having a foundation built on Jesus.

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In Matthew 7, Jesus said we have a choice. We can either build our lives on the foundation of sand, [where] you will live in a sand trap, or you have an opportunity to build your life on the rock, Young preached in a sermon titled Heres The Church.

The Church is here to glorify God; the Church is here. And we'll be here forever and ever, Young continued.

The pastor emphasized that the Church has a lifelong purpose to allow Christians to live together in a community with the common goal of bringing glory to Jesus.

It's the only thing Jesus ever constructed, the Church. Our foundation is Jesus. There are over 2.2 billion believers worldwide. There are more believers worldwide than in India and China combined, Young said.

We have the juice  to truly go after the world's problems. Universities don't. Governments don't. Parachurch organizations don't. We don't. The Church does. The Church is the hope of the world. The Church has this energy, he added.

Learning and love are two parts of fellowship that the Church should strive to achieve, according to Young.

God's love from above. That's the solution to our pollution. For God so loved the world. Love is not God. God is love. He's the initiative taker. He saw us and did something about it because of His love, Young expressed.

God loves you. He loves you right where you are. But as we said around here, He loves you too much to allow you and me to remain where we are, he added.

Young emphasized that obedience is the secret to the Christian life, adding: "God has the best idea. He has an ideal idea for your life. And the way to discover it is to get involved in the Church."

"You have to know Jesus personally," he continued. "Then, you're a part of the family of God. You're born again into the family of God. You're part of the Church, and part of what's going to happen to you as you discover this ideal will be doing what the Lord Jesus wants you to."

Worship is glorifying God and expressing love to God, Young said. There are different ways and styles of worship that should transcend everything a Christian does.

Don't waste your worship. Realize it's all about Him. It's all about God. It's all about giving Him glory and honor, Young said.

Fellowship is incomplete if a Christian does not allow other believers into their lives through sharing, demonstrating transparency about difficult issues.

Some of us get into these groups or situations or friendships with fellowship and we're like, 'Man, I probably shouldn't share that because if I shared that, they might judge me. And they wouldn't.  Just the opposite is true, Young said.

Young encouraged his congregation to share what they are going through with others in small groups because, many times, support, empathy and sympathy can be the result.

When we share what we're going through, I bet you cash money, somebody in your group or team is going to be like, I struggle with the same situation. I've gone through the same pain or I'm in that same flow with my career, he said.

The Church should be hospitable and innovative to have fellowship that is pleasing to God, Young noted.

We are to be welcoming. We are to be understanding and I just love that about fellowship. People want to do life with one another [in] hospitality, Young said.

The pastor addressed those in the audience that are not regular church attendees. He advised them to make church a priority, as it's necessary for fellowship.

It should be a priority in your life. If not, you're not living for the Lord. We're part of God's family. That's why this is so important; it is God's family, Young said, pointing the congregation to 1 Timothy 3:15.

God is using the Church for His eternal purposes.  The Church will last forever; the school will not last forever, sorry. Your organization will not last forever, your legacy will not last forever. Those trust funds you're trying to give to your kids will not last forever. What's your building? I mean, it's not going to last forever. The only thing that lasts forever is the Body of Christ, he added.
Home News Indonesia authorities close down church's worship space; pastor dragged by mob

SURABAYA, Indonesia  Authorities from Jombang Regency, Indonesia, with a mob of about 50 area residents on Aug. 18, dragged a pastor from his worship site and sealed the shop where his church met, sources said.

The sealing of the worship site was part of a Jombang government effort to recover dozens of shops the government says it owns at a business compound in the Weru area of Mojongapit village, East Java Province.

Pastor Herri Soesanto described the government seizure of the two-story shop-house used by his Good God Church (Gereja Gembala Baik, or GAB) in the Simpang Tiga Shopping Compound, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of Surabaya, as violent and anarchic.

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I was harassed and dragged by a mob that I estimated was about 50 people, Pastor Herri said in a podcast interview with Gus Aan Anshori, son of a leading Muslim cleric. What was disappointing was those people who closed my church were my friends.

Displaying the nearly healed bruises on his hands from the mob pulling him, Pastor Herri said, This is the anarchic act that embarrasses the city of Jombang. The city of Jombang is wise. But the regents actions are violent and anarchic.

The church closure took place under acting Jombang Regent Teguh Narutomo, he said.

I never imagined the violence that government officials made, causing upset among the congregation, said Pastor Herri, adding that he was threatened with jail.

Ownership

Officers also closed dozens of shops in the business compound on claims that the land belonged to the city government.

Responding to Gus Aan Anshoris question about the status of the shop-house, Pastor Herri said that when he and other shop-house owners purchased their sites, the real estate company did not inform them that it was working with the Jombang local government to develop the business compound.

The developer did not tell us about that at all, he said, adding that they had a 2016 building-use rights certificate that they continued using even though it expired in 2016, as it is common in Indonesia to postpone legalities as long as payments are made.

The church tried to extend the validity period of the building-use rights certificate, but officials denied it, instead demanding that they pay rent and back-rent, he said.

In 2022, the local government asked us buyers to pay the rent from 2016 to 2021, with a payment of 19,105,000 rupiah [1,228 USD] per year, he said.

Thus, although the church had bought the property and paid land and building taxes without the developer telling them about the joint plans with the government to develop it, the developers and officials demanded they pay rent, he said.

The church carried out worship services on the front porch of the sealed-off site on Aug. 18 and Aug. 25, where congregation member Anania Budi Yanuari Hidayat spoke to media outlet KBR.

Of course, as believers we feel hurt, shocked, feel like stepchildren, feel like our wealth is worthless in their eyes, said Anania told KBR on Aug. 25, adding that there are hopes the Jombang local government will reconsider and let the congregation hold activities at the site.

Pastor Herri said there has been no solution to the problem.

What is the governments attitude towards religious tolerance if the church is closed now? he said. I ask for the wisdom of the Jombang Regency government. What will happen to our congregation?

Jombang officials said the sealing of the church was necessary to secure local government land.

What is clear is that we secured the place, a high-ranking Jombang official identified only as Syaiful told KBR on Aug. 26. We secured the shop-house assets. If it is used as a place of worship, then it is automatically beyond our power. That is a shop-house for business. We consider it as a shop-house. We did not consider it the place of worship.

Saying the seizure was legal, Syaiful said those who object can take legal action. Even so, the Jombang Regency government promised to find a solution for the congregation, according to KBR.

Ilham Rohim, an official at the Jombang Ministry of Religious Affairs Office, added that the church has never applied for a license to use the site for worship, according to Jatimnews.com.

The Anti-Discrimination Islamic Network (JIAD) coordinator asked the local government to help provide the congregation with a place of worship. The Coordinator of the East Java JIAD Aan Anshori said that officials could provide a place for worship until the congregation finds a permanent location.

Muslims account for 83.3% of Indonesias population, while 11.43% identify as Christian, with the Evangelical population estimated at 3.23%, according to the Joshua Project.

Indonesia ranked 42nd on the Christian support organization Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. Indonesian society has adopted a more conservative Islamic character, and churches involved in evangelistic outreach are at risk of being targeted by Islamic extremist groups, according to the WWL report.

This article was originally published by Morning Star News.
Home News John McCain's son endorses Harris, denounces Trump's Arlington Cemetery visit

A son of former Republican presidential hopeful John McCain denounced former President Donald Trump's visit to Arlington National Cemetery last month and said he plans to vote for Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris.

Jimmy McCain, the youngest son of the late Arizona senator and a former Marine, told CNN in an interview published Tuesday that he considered Trump's recent ANC visit a "violation" of the hallowed cemetery.

"It just blows me away," said Jimmy McCain. "I just think that for anyone who's done a lot of time in their uniform, they just understand that inherently  that it's not about you there. It's about these people who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the name of their country."

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"Many of these men and women who served their country chose to do something greater than themselves.  They woke up one morning, they signed on the dotted line, they put their right hand up, and they chose to serve their country. And that's an experience that Donald Trump has not had."

McCain stated he switched his political affiliation from independent to Democrat and intends to vote for Harris in November. He added that he "would get involved in any way I could" to help Harris' campaign.

Tension between the McCain family and Trump goes back several years. Trump garnered backlash in 2015 when he said that John McCain, a Vietnam War veteran and former prisoner of war, was "not a war hero" because "he was captured," adding that "I like people who weren't captured."

John McCain's daughter, conservative commentator Meghan McCain, while a critic of Trump, has not endorsed Harris and has indicated that she will not despite external pressure to do so.

"Please stop trying to turn me into a progressive. It's a fever dream," McCain posted on X. "I'm a lifelong, generational conservative."

On Aug. 26, the third anniversary of a suicide bombing in Afghanistan that killed 13 American soldiers, Trump went to ANC and laid a wreath in memory of the fallen servicemembers.

The day after, National Public Radio published an article alleging that a "verbal and physical altercation" had taken place between Trump campaign staff and an ANC official over whether it was lawful for the campaign to film and take photographs in that part of the cemetery.

While cemetery officials said filming by political campaigns was prohibited at the grounds, others, including Trump campaign staffer Steven Cheung, claimed they were given permission to do so.

Five family members of two of the 13 servicemembers killed released a statement on Truth Social expressing gratitude to Trump for his attendance at the gathering.

"The president and his team conducted themselves with nothing but the utmost respect and dignity for all of our service members, especially our beloved children," they stated.

"We had given our approval for President Trump's official videographer and photographer to attend the event, ensuring these sacred moments of remembrance were respectfully captured and so we can cherish these memories forever."

The family members of the fallen soldiers concluded by saying that Trump's "compassion and respect meant more than words can express."
Home News New Mexico man charged with attempting to ram car into pro-life activist

A man has been charged with attempting to use his car to hit a pro-life activist who was outside a New Mexico abortion clinic.

Last month, an individual identified as Derek Moore allegedly attempted to strike Abortion Free New Mexico leader Henry "Bud" Shaver while he was protesting outside the Whole Womans Abortion Facility in Albuquerque.

According to the pro-life group Operation Rescue, after the alleged swipe at Shaver with his vehicle, Moore got out of his car and took one of Shavers signs away from him.

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We are glad that Shaver, a long-time friend of Operation Rescue, survived the threat and followed through with filing charges against this individual, said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman in a recent statement.

It appears that this was not the first time he has threatened pro-lifers who are peacefully and respectfully offering hopeful solutions to abortion vulnerable women and girls.

An Albuquerque Police Department report filed on Aug. 15 and posted online by Operation Rescue notes that Moore swerved towards Shaver, then back into the roadway. Shaver told police that other pro-life activists had similar encounters with an individual with a similar description that matched Derek Moore.

For his part, according to the police report, Moore claimed that he got distracted and accidentally got too close to the curb before he swerved back into his lane.

Derek stated he saw someone  obstructing the sidewalk with a bunch of garbage, so he parked his car, continued the police report, with Moore claiming that Shaver was engaging in an illegal protest and obstructing the sidewalk.

Moore was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and larceny miscellaneous under $250.

The Christian Post reached out to the Albuquerque Police Department this week, with a spokesperson confirming the authenticity of the police report posted by Operation Rescue. Additional information on the possible arrest of Moore is pending.

Although the state of New Mexico effectively allows for elective abortion throughout a pregnancy, many local municipalities have banned the procedure, citing federal law.

Last December, the New Mexico Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case surrounding whether the state government can stop multiple localities from banning abortions.
Home News Trump discusses inevitability of death, says he wants religious revival in US 'Without religion, there's no real guardrails'

Former President Donald Trump spoke about his own mortality and the need for a religious revival in the U.S. during a recent interview with Russian-American podcaster Lex Fridman.

During the hour-long interview posted on Tuesday that touched on topics ranging from the 2024 presidential election to the Kennedy assassination and UFOs, the conversation honed in at the end on mortality and the role religion plays in coming to terms with it and the potential of an afterlife.

"One of the tragic things about life is that it ends," Fridman said. "How often do you think about your death? Are you afraid of it?"

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Trump: "Our country is missing a lot of religion. I think it really was a much better place with religion. It was almost a guide. You want to be good to people. Without religion, there's no real guardrails. I'd love to see us get back to more religion in this country." pic.twitter.com/I2O2H5EknE  TheBlaze (@theblaze) September 3, 2024

Trump, who narrowly escaped an assassin's bullet on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, recounted that he has a "very successful" friend in his mid-80s who thinks about death constantly and often reminds him that time is slipping away.

"He said, 'I think about it every minute of every day,'" Trump noted of what his friend said of death. "Then, a week later, he called me to tell me something, and he starts off the conversation by going, 'Tick-tock, tick-tock.' This is a dark person, in a sense, but it is what it is."

Trump went on to note the place of religion in finding peace with the inevitability of death and expressed his desire that America would become more religious like it once was.

"If you're religious, I think you have a better feeling about it. You're supposed to go to Heaven ideally, not Hell, but you're supposed to go to Heaven if you're good," he said.

"Our country is missing a lot of religion," he continued. "I think it really was a much better place with religion. It was almost a guide. You want to be good to people. Without religion, there's no real guardrails. I'd love to see us get back to religion, more religion in this country."

Trump, who claims to be a Christian, has presented himself as a candidate friendly to Christians and has been outspoken in recent months about the importance of maintaining religious liberty in the U.S.

During the National Religious Broadcasters 2024 International Christian Media Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, in February, Trump accused the Biden administration of weaponizing the justice system against people of faith.

"The chains are already tightening around all of us, if you think about it," he said. "Ultimately, the radical Left is coming after all of us, because they know that our allegiance is not to them. Our allegiance is to our country, and our allegiance is to our Creator. They don't want to hear that."

At the Turning Point Action's Believers Summit in West Palm Beach, Florida, in July, Trump urged Christians to vote for him.

"I don't care how, but you have to get out and vote," he said. "Christians, get out and vote just this time. You won't have to do it anymore. Four more years. You know what? It'll be fixed."
Home News Madman shoots up home of Pastor Greg Locke with one of his children inside

Tennessee Pastor Greg Locke of Global Vision Bible Church in Mount Juliet is praising God for protecting his family after a madman allegedly unloaded a barrage of bullets into his home with one of his children inside.

Wilson County Sheriff's Office Capt. Scott Moore told The Tennessean that the shooting, which is being investigated, resulted in no injuries and they havent arrested anyone in connection with the incident. Moore said deputies responded to Lockes home at around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday and found 30 to 40 shell casings around the house, the garage and a vehicle.

Locke called the security footage of the shooting at his home truly horrific in a statement shared on Instagram with photographs of the scene.

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Its 2:00am and for the last 3 hours our home has been a full blown crime scene. According to the security cam footage, we pulled into our driveway exactly ONE MINUTE after a madman unloaded an entire magazine of bullets from an automatic weapon into our house, garage, and my truck, Locke said.

The sound on the video is truly horrific. Detectives will still be here for a good while tonight. Only one of our kids was home and thank God not in the same area of the house. As you can see in the last pics, one of the bullets cut through the headboard of our youngest daughters bed and lodged in her pillow.

He said he and his family had to be escorted to a hotel by security after the shooting and cited Psalm 91 in referencing Gods protection.

We are all being security escorted to a hotel tonight. We have no further details. The only detail that matters is that Psalm 91 is true, and GOD PROTECTED US IN UNIMAGINABLE AND SUPERNATURAL WAYS, he noted. Please pray for the Locke family tonight.

Locke, who began sharing content on his Facebook page in 2015, became an overnight conservative star after he posted a video on Facebook on April 22, 2016, criticizing Target for its then-new policy of allowing men to enter women's bathrooms and dressing rooms. He is also well-known for his outspoken opposition to abortion and Planned Parenthood.

In the summer of 2023, months after revealing that he got too involved with politics to the point where it was overshadowing his ministry, Locke, announced that he scrubbed thousands of videos with billions of views from his Facebook page to minimize some of the collateral damage they caused.

We took [down] thousands  of videos, took about three or four days, deleted every one of them, Locke told his congregation in a Sunday message posted on Facebook. All of them, all the rants. Not because what I said was wrong, but because when I became a man I put away childish things. And I've learned to say things better.

He then promised that his focus would be on Jesus, and he would stay away from politics.

I promise you, my word will be for Jesus, not for any candidate. It just won't. So some of you are going to [have to] get past, or at least if you're going to stick around, you're going to have to get past the notion that, because we're coming into an important year, that I'm about to amp things up, he said.

I am, but I'm not amping it up on politics. I'm not. I'll still spit in the face of Planned Parenthood and call out baby butchers. I'm not going to compromise to the alphabet community, he added. I'm [not] going to lay down the sword. I'm just going to be more meticulous and specialize at who we swing it at.
Home News Suspected shooter in custody after multiple casualties reported at Apalachee High School

Updated at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 4, 2024: The death toll rose to four, and nine others were injured in a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday afternoon. The suspected shooter, who is in custody, is believed to be 14 years old. It's unknown whether he was a student at the high school.

Original:

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp urged residents of the state to join him in prayer Wednesday for the multiple casualties left in the wake of an active shooter incident at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, as investigators confirmed they have the suspect in custody.

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I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state, Kemp said in a statement on X Wednesday morning. We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation.

The Barrow County Sheriff's Office told CNN in a statement that while they have reports of casualties they did not know how many.

Casualties have been reported, however details on the number or their conditions is not available at this time, a statement from the Sheriffs Office said.

A report from NBC News said at least two people have been killed and four others have been injured.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed in a statement on Facebook that they had taken one suspect in custody.

The GBI has responded to a shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County. We have agents on site assisting local, state, and federal law enforcement with the ongoing investigation. One suspect is in custody. We urge anyone near the area to stay clear while authorities investigate. More information will follow.

(This is a developing story)
Archaeologists shine light on complex relationships of isolated Christian community in medieval Spain

(CP) An archaeological study of an isolated Christian community in Spain shines a light on the endogamous community that, despite its proximity to Islamic-controlled regions, had low levels of North African or Middle Eastern ancestries.

Las Gobas is a cave settlement in Iberia that existed from the mid-sixth century to the 11th century A.D. The settlement is notable for the two churches and living areas carved into the caves, which are located north of regions under Islamic rule.

Researchers Anders Gotherstrom and Ricardo Rodriguez Varela, alongside their colleagues at the Centre for Palaeogenetics in Stockholm, analyzed the remains of over 30 individuals buried at Las Gobas. The CPG is a joint venture between Stockholm University and the Swedish Museum of Natural History.

According to a study published Aug. 28 in Science Advances, the team excavated 41 burials and analyzed 39 individual remains. The team genetically identified the sex of 33 individuals, finding that 11 were female and 22 were male. Some of the individuals showed signs of violence, with signs of trauma likely caused by a sword to the skull.

"The presence of consanguinity and violence in the early stages of the necropolis, together with the relatively small variations observed in the Y chromosome, leads to speculation about the possibility that the site was populated in the seventh century CE by a small patrilocal endogamous group that could be, for example, members of an elite with military experience," the study stated.

The study's second phase found more kinship connections and an absence of signs of sword injuries, prompting speculation that the site evolved into a rural farming necropolis. Researchers still found genetic continuity between the two phases, which indicates endogamy was still a practice.

"The geographic location of Las Gobas, surrounded by mountains and relatively distant from urban centers, likely contributes to the community's isolation," the researchers found. "The observed high levels of consanguinity among some individuals from Las Gobas indicate cultural practices of endogamy, which could also limit the gene flow from neighboring communities. This local isolation may, over time, also result in reduced gene flow from Arabs and North Africans on a broader scale."

In a statement to Stockholm University about the research, Varela said that the findings appear to indicate that the community "stayed relatively isolated for at least five centuries."

The author also noted that researchers found low levels of mixing with peoples of North African and Middle Eastern ancestry compared to other medieval inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula.

Research did not observe an increase in such ancestries after the Islamic conquest of Iberia, Varela stated. The Umayyad Caliphate's conquest of the Iberian Peninsula (711 to 726 A.D.) had what the study's researchers described as a "pronounced genetic influence on most parts of Iberia."

In addition to the genetics of Las Gobas, the study assessed the spread of smallpox in the Middle Ages. Researchers analyzed several pathogens, finding that the community's keeping of animals likely led to the spread of bacteria.

Zoe Pochon of CPG said in a statement that the bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae found on Las Gobas human remains can cause skin disease.

The scientist said that the bacterium can cause skin diseases via an open wound making contact with infected animal material. Pochon speculated that this means the Las Gobas community kept animals. One of the individual remains also appears to have been infected with variola virus, which causes smallpox.

"It is amazing how much information we were able to gather on this group of people through our archaeogenetic investigation," Gotherstrom, the study's senior author, stated about the findings.

"An endogamous group, familiar with violence, appears to have established itself in Las Gobas during the 6th or 7th century," he said. "By the 10th century, smallpox seems to have affected Las Gobas, likely spreading through Europe rather than via Islamic routes, as was previously theorized for how smallpox entered Iberia."

 The Christian Post
Mayor Sheng Thao and other top Oakland officials fanned out across the city last week to hear comments from residents as she fights off a recall attempt on the Nov. 5 ballot. Here, she speaks at St. Johns Episcopal Church on Aug. 26. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

A restive crowd stood outside Allen Temple Baptist Church in East Oakland last week as Mayor Sheng Thao walked toward her car after leading a two-hour town hall meeting on public safety.

Shes in over her head, Gay Seraile-Rich called after her. Shes not doing anything for the city. Keep walking.

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The tension was a stark contrast to a town hall two days earlier less than 4 miles away at Fremont High School in Oaklands Fairfax neighborhood, where some people in the crowd of nearly 200 people cheered for the mayor.

The town halls  Thao held four in the space of five days all around the city  served to highlight deeply divided opinions among Oakland residents demanding a leader to address public safety concerns including crime, illegal dumping and homelessness.

Thao is facing a recall vote in November that was organized by political opponents and certified for the ballot in June, just days before her home was raided by the FBI as part of a corruption investigation in which the mayor has not been charged.

The recall attempt, coming less than two years into Thaos first term as mayor, suggests that many Oakland residents think immediate change in City Hall is needed. Opponents of the recall  and residents unwilling to support it  argue instead for stability at a critical moment for Oakland, underscoring the importance of giving elected officials time to demonstrate their effectiveness.

Elliott Jones, the program director for MACRO, speaks during a town hall at St. Johns Episcopal Church in Oakland on Aug. 26. Jones and Oakland city officials met with the public in meetings hosted by Mayor Sheng Thao. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

When you are in a recall, you are running against what people think or how people think you should be doing your job, and where the city should be, said Jim Ross, a political consultant in Oakland. Its basically Sheng Thao versus peoples concerns and frustrations with Oakland, which is just a really difficult situation to run against.

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Over the course of last week, Thao was joined by recently appointed Police Chief Floyd Mitchell; Holly Joshi, the chief of the department of violence prevention; Jestin Johnson, the city administrator; and other top officials at town halls throughout the city to discuss the citys most urgent problems.

This is your village sitting up here, this is your family, Thao said about her team to a group of less than 100 residents at St Johns Episcopal Church in Montclair. These are the people who are helping me run this city.

The local NAACP and retired judge Brenda Harbin-Forte blame Thao for high crime rates, budget woes and business closures and are leading the recall effort, which is mostly funded by Philip Dreyfuss, a Piedmont hedge fund executive.

Harbin-Forte is also running for city attorney and is on the Nov. 5 ballot. Both she and Cynthia Adams, the president of the local NAACP, attended the town hall at Allen Temple Baptist Church.

This is nothing but a sham, Harbin-Forte said at the town hall, criticizing the mayor for asking residents to submit written questions. Shes not interested in hearing from the citizens. All she wants to do is duck and dodge.

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Organizers of the recall attended the town halls each night, passing out flyers that called the events a dog and pony show and holding signs accusing the mayor and some council members of failing the city.

We are like a pitbull, we lock on and we dont let go until we get the results, said Edward Escobar, a recall organizer and San Leandro resident.

This is your village sitting up here, this is your family, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said about her team to a group of fewer than 100 residents at St Johns Episcopal Church in Montclair. These are the people who are helping me run this city. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

Some Oaklanders wondered aloud why Thao didnt mention the FBI investigation, but most were focused on illegal dumping, homelessness and why the city failed to secure millions of dollars by missing a deadline for a state grant to combat retail theft. Illegal dumping service calls jumped by about 20% from the first half of 2023 to the first half of 2024, according to a Chronicle analysis. Oakland also recorded a 9% increase in its homeless population in 2024.

Oakland feels very uncared for, said Chela Terry, a 46-year-old Oakland resident, adding that while she is unhappy with Thao as mayor, she doesnt support the recall.

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Terrys sentiments were echoed by other residents who said they wanted change, but disagreed with the recall.

The majority of the people voted for her, let her finish her term, said Jennifer King, a 67-year-old city resident who added that she was worried about crime and blight. We have to live with our decisions. Thats what democracy is and we dont always get it right.

King, who sat on the bleachers at Fremont High Schools gym, said she feels like shes always on alert due to crime concerns.

Ive never experienced that before, she said, adding that she first moved to Oakland in 1976.

Ener Chiu sits down to write a question to the panel during a town hall with Oakland city officials including Mayor Sheng Thao and Police Chief Floyd Mitchell at St. Johns Episcopal Church in Oakland on Aug. 26. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

About 5 miles away at the downtown Oakland Asian Cultural Center, fewer than 100 people gathered to hear Thao and Mitchell talk about how many police officers the city has. Mitchell told the crowd that the department is young due to attrition, but that officers are committed to protecting the city.

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Michael Mendoza, 36, and Michael Khor, 29, attended the town hall together to hear about the citys plans to address encampments. Thao said the city was working to remove encampments and offer people shelter space. She said the Supreme Court decision giving cities broad power to address encampments allows Oakland to be more vigilant, but she worries that other cities could inadvertently send their homeless residents to Oakland. If that happens, she said she would consider suing cities  similar to statements she made about a year ago about charging cities an impact fee if their homeless residents moved to Oakland to take advantage of its services.
Irish teacher at centre of transgender row imprisoned again

A Christian teacher at the centre of a long-running dispute with a school over his refusal to use preferred pronouns has been imprisoned for a third time.

Enoch Burke was arrested on Monday after defying a court order to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in County Westmeath, Ireland.

A judge at the High Court in Dublin ordered that he be returned to Mountjoy Prison for contempt.

Burke has been imprisoned twice before after continuing to turn up at the school despite court orders to stay away.

He was suspended by the school in August 2022 after he refused to use a transgender pupil's new name and "they" pronoun. The school sought court orders to keep him off the campus after he continued to turn up saying he was ready to teach.

He was imprisoned in Mountjoy in September 2022 after refusing to abide by a court order barring him from entering the school premises.

He was later released but sent back to the Dublin prison last September after continuing to turn up at the school. He was freed this June but was warned not to attend the school as the court order remained in place.

Burke defied the court order again, arriving at the school on 22 August for the start of the new term.

He has so far spent over 400 days in prison and admitted that life behind bars is "very difficult". He told Sky News that he was upholding his religious freedom.

"I teach everyone who's in front of me. I teach every single student," he said.

"But when I am commanded, when I'm told that I can't have my religious belief anymore, when I'm told I have to confess belief in transgenderism, instead of my simple belief, which is male and female, that's just a breach simply of my rights."

The case is to be reviewed on 11 October.
London council consults residents on renewing controversial abortion clinic buffer zone

A council in London is consulting local residents on extending a buffer zone even though there have been no violations of the existing one since it was introduced in 2019.

Richmond Council, which has had a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) around an abortion clinic in Twickenham since April 2019, admits that since its implementation, "there have been no known breaches of the restrictions in the buffer zone area and there have been no further petitions, complaints or concerns raised with the Council".

However, despite the fact that laws already exist to prevent intimidation and harassment, the Council is consulting residents on renewing the buffer zone for a further three years.

The existing local buffer zone or PSPO prohibits "engaging in any act of approval or disapproval or attempted act of approval or disapproval, with respect to issues related to abortion services" and explicitly includes prayer and "any form of counselling or interaction with residents or BPAS clients on the street".

The consultation asks residents whether they agree or disagree with the proposal to renew the buffer zone, whether they agree or disagree that the buffer zone has "been effective in reducing the detrimental impact on the locality", and whether they agree or disagree that should the buffer zone not be renewed, activities prohibited by the buffer zone will return and have "detrimental effects" on the locality.

13,000 payout

The buffer zone consultation will come to a close shortly after a woman who had been arrested twice for silently praying outside an abortion clinic received a 13,000 payout in acknowledgement of her unjust treatment.

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce made a claim against West Midlands Police for two wrongful arrests and false imprisonments; assault and battery in relation to an intrusive search of her person; and for a breach of her human rights both in respect to the arrests, and to the onerous bail conditions imposed on her.

Isabel was first arrested in November 2022 after she told police she "might" be silently praying whilst she was standing on a public street near an abortion clinic in Birmingham. She had no signs or outward expression of political views of any kind. She was in complete silence. Police officers, who had received a complaint from an onlooker, approached her and began to ask her what she was doing.

She was searched, arrested and then interrogated. Police showed her pictures of herself standing near the clinic and asked her if she was praying. Isabel said she "might" have been praying but could not recall if she was praying at these specific moments, or whether she was thinking about something else, such as her lunch.

Even though she was acquitted of all charges in February 2023, she was arrested again, just weeks later for allegedly breaching a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which bans protests outside abortion clinics within a designated area.

While Isabel has received an apology and compensation for her treatment at the hands of the police, two other members of the public are set to face trial for alleged offences in locally imposed buffer zones. A military veteran, Adam Smith-Connor who prayed silently about his own encounter with abortion near a facility in Bournemouth is expected to face trial at Poole Magistrates' Court. A pensioner from Dorset, Livia Tossici-Bolt, is also being prosecuted for holding up a sign within an abortion clinic buffer zone reading "Here to talk if you want".

Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said, "The buffer zone around the abortion clinic in Twickenham was introduced to tackle a problem for which legislation already exists. If the behaviour of these alleged protests is harassment, the council would not simply move them further down the road but want to stop them entirely.

"Where there is harassment and intimidation it should and can be prevented by existing legislation. What these buffer zones do is criminalise offers of help and alternatives to abortion. It is direct viewpoint discrimination."
Pope Francis' trip to south-east Asia will test his health and message

At the age of 87, Pope Francis will embark on an 11-day trip to south-east Asia that will test both his physical health and the core messages of his pontificate, focusing on the poor, the environment and a Catholic Church at the margins.

The papal trip, which will take place Sept. 2-13, presents the most ambitious schedule that Francis has ever faced on an apostolic visit. He will visit four countries  Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore  crossing over 20,000 miles for a total of 44 flight hours.

Francis' age and health struggles, including a brief hospital visit in February, have led some Vatican experts to speculate whether the papal trip might be one of the last. But defying expectations, the pope has already scheduled travel to Belgium and Luxembourg Sept. 26-29.

"I'll be honest: I'm younger than the pope, and I feel that these long trips are hard," said Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, in an interview with Vatican News outlets. "To embrace this hardship is an act of humanity for him. It's not a show to prove what he is still capable of," he added.

In the diverse ethnic and cultural tapestry of these South Asian countries, Francis is expected to bring his message for pluralism and dialogue with Muslim communities as well as an emphasis on poverty and migration. The Argentine pope has increasingly shifted the attention of the Catholic Church toward the Global South, where religion isn't being defeated by the secularism of Europe, and the population has grown consistently for decades.

"Many Western countries are returning to the experience of a church that is like a small flock. It can be positive to look at the churches in many Eastern countries to see how to act when you are in this situation, in a state of smallness," Tagle said.

All four countries that the pope will visit have been previously visited by his predecessors, and many have a long history of martyrdom and missionaries, including the Jesuit St. Francis Xavier. These countries have a "rich and troubled history of evangelization," said Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni during a briefing to Vatican reporters on Friday, adding Francis' visit will acknowledge the past and current challenges.

Indonesia, with its massive archipelago of islands with unique cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds, will be the pope's first stop on his voyage, and it will give Francis the opportunity to address the country's "vocation for pluralism," Bruni explained.

Having landed in Jakarta, Indonesia, the pope will begin his official meetings with state and diplomacy representatives when he will pronounce his first official speech of the trip. On the same day, he is expected to meet with the leaders and faithful of the Catholic community in the country at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption followed by an encounter with young students of the international education organization Scholas Occurrentes.

"The visit has been welcomed with great interest, especially by Catholics in the country, but also by Muslims," said Fr. Markus Solo, a member of the Vatican's Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, during a meeting with Vatican journalists.

Indonesia is considered the largest Muslim-majority country in the world, and Catholics are considered a minority, comprising roughly 3% of the population. Dialogue with Islam is a major element of Francis' efforts as pope, having co-signed a historic document on human fraternity with the Grand Imam of al-Azhar in 2019. The same messages of tolerance and cohabitation will likely emerge on Thursday, Sept. 5, when Francis will take part in an interreligious meeting at the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in south-east Asia.

Francis will also meet with representatives of local Catholic charities that same day, before celebrating Mass at the Galora Bung Karno Stadium.

The pope will step foot on the continent of Oceania for the first time when he arrives in Papua New Guinea on Sept. 6. The next day he will meet with the general governor and then with the representatives of APEC, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation of 21 economies, including China, Russia and Taiwan.

In the afternoon, Francis will also meet with students and children being catered to by Catholic charities, and he will have a chance to meet with Catholic clergy in the country. On Sept. 8, the pope will celebrate Mass at the Sir John Guise Stadium and later get on a plane toward the province of Sandaun for a two-hour meeting with Argentine missionaries.

After a meeting with local youth on Sept. 9, Francis will have a chance to say goodbye to the people of Papua New Guinea during an open-air Mass. Bruni said that these countries "caught between the ocean and the sky" will likely provide the opportunity for the pope to discuss the importance of caring for the environment and to cherish the traditions and teachings of indigenous populations.

When Pope John Paul II visited Timor-Leste in 1989, his visit became a catalyst for independence as global attention centred on its impoverished people. Francis will encounter the youngest country in Asia when he lands on Tuesday Sept. 10, but poverty still afflicts many of its citizens.

Timor-Leste is the only Catholic-majority country in Southeast Asia, and it will offer Francis a chance to speak to numerous faithful in the region who have been longing to see the pope.

Challenging the church's reputation in the young Catholic country are the recent scandals concerning sexual abuse. The Vatican admitted in 2022 that it had applied restrictions on East Timorese Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo in 2020 following reports that he had sexually abused at least six minors in the 1990s. Belo was considered a hero of the Timor-Leste independence and won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1996.

Francis is expected to address the scandals during his visit, and the sex abuse crisis will likely cast a shadow on the trip.

After official and diplomatic encounters, Francis will visit the school for children with disabilities, Irmas Alma. He will also meet with representatives of the clergy and members of the Jesuit community. Francis is expected to celebrate an open-air Mass at Taci Tolu wetlands and meet with young Catholics in the country.

The final destination of the pope's lengthy journey will be Singapore, and the towering iron buildings of the south-eastern financial power will likely be in stark contrast to the jungles and beaches of the other countries. Francis will likely address the challenges of technological and economic development while in Singapore, Bruni said.

Recently elected Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is the first Christian to hold that office in the country.

After a welcoming ceremony at the Parliament House on Thursday Sept. 12, the pope will celebrate Mass at the national stadium. The last day of the trip, the pope will meet sick and elderly people at the St. Theresa house, followed by an interreligious event at the Catholic Junior College.

Most Singaporeans are Buddhists, but there is also a large percentage of non-religious, 20%, and Christians, 18.9%, according to a 2020 census. Over 20% of the considerable Chinese population in Singapore is Christian, and Vatican observers have questioned whether the pope's visit to the country will also offer an opportunity to reach out to authorities in Beijing.

The relations between the Vatican and China have been strenuous, but the two countries have recently signed a controversial deal for the appointment of bishops that is up for renewal in October. The document allows Chinese authorities to compile a list of possible candidates for bishops that the pope can choose from.

According to the Rev. Francis Lim, the Jesuit regional superior for Malaysia and Singapore, it's "unlikely that Pope Francis will mention China while in Singapore." The relations between China and Singapore are mainly economic, he said, and "the government does not have a strong connection with China."

While there is nothing on the schedule concerning a meeting with Chinese authorities, Bruni said that Sino-Vatican relations remain an important subject for the pope. Francis has admitted to his desire to become the first pope to visit China one day, but with his growing age and no official diplomatic relations in sight, this South Asia trip might be the closest he'll ever get.

 Religion News Service
SNP's abortion plans 'deeply disturbing'

The SNP's commitment to enshrining "the right to abortion" in the constitution of an independent Scotland is "deeply disturbing", a pro-life group has said.

The commitment was contained within a resolution proposed by the party's Elgin branch. It was passed by a show of hands at the SNP's National Conference on Sunday. The SNP's website states that when resolutions are adopted, they become SNP policy and "can be taken forward in government or championed at Westminster".

The resolution states that should Scotland become independent, the "right to abortion" would be written into its constitution.

It described legal abortion as "a fundamental aspect of healthcare and bodily autonomy" and said that it "should not be subject to the changing tides of political or judicial decisions".

The resolution claimed that by enshrining abortion into Scotland's constitution, it would safeguard access "against any potential political or legal regression".

Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said that if the proposal were to be realised, it would make abortion on demand legal for any reason up to birth.

She said this would represent a "radical change" and lead to Scotland having "one of the most extreme abortion regimes in the world".

"As one of the delegates made clear, the constitution of a country acts as its foundational document, defining, among other things, the country's basic principles of government and law," said Ms Robinson.

"It is deeply disturbing that SNP delegates have voted to make ending the lives of its unborn citizens one of those foundational principles."

She added, "This is a radical and inhumane proposal that would likely lead to the lives of many more babies being lost to abortion in Scotland."

SNP delegate Peter Grant warned that some supporters of independence may find it "extremely difficult" to back a constitution that enshrines a right to abortion.

"I don't want to see anything put in that constitution that jeopardises the possibility of the constitution becoming the constitution of a real independent Scotland rather than just a theoretical one," he said.
Entering a new market with a different social structure, cultural history, and regulatory issues is never easy for a large retailer, even if the difference seems slight. On the technological front, a key issue when expanding into a new market is the need to build a new technology stack that suits the local consumers. This was a major roadblock for a large American retailer when it started on its journey to enter the Chinese market in 1996.

Growing to its current level of over 400 stores with over $17B in sales and succeeding in the China market requires a new technology stack and strategy. To accomplish this, the retailer turned to Tencent Cloud to support its expansion efforts and employed a four-component smart retail strategy: connect, engage, convert, and be data-driven.

IDC & Tencent 2024

Connect to identify and connect with potential customers using Tencent Ads, WeChat, and other tools in the Chinese market who were unfamiliar with the retailer

to identify and connect with potential customers using Tencent Ads, WeChat, and other tools in the Chinese market who were unfamiliar with the retailer Engage to build a deep relationship with customers across the digital and physical worlds

to build a deep relationship with customers across the digital and physical worlds Convert  to turn shoppers into loyal customers by pushing product purchases through a Mini Program mall and using TenPay as a payment solution

 to turn shoppers into loyal customers by pushing product purchases through a Mini Program mall and using TenPay as a payment solution Data-driven  to focus engagement and marketing efforts using deep customer insights built on a customer data platform (CDP)

The retailer and Tencent employed a smart retail solution, which included Tencent Cloud Mall, data migration, and application migration. This solution supported e-commerce on Weixin through a mini-mall, physical stores, and fulfillment.

It started with a data migration effort at its core, which employed a PaaS solution to get the right data onto the cloud and in the right place, in a way that integrates with the rest of the retailers infrastructure globally. The second stage was application migration, which optimized the retailers domestic applications with security in alignment with its global practices but still supported the domestic Chinese omnichannel business.

Lastly, they created an engagement layer appropriate for the domestic Chinese market focused on Tencent Cloud Mall. This digital commerce platform integrates with the Weixin mini-programs, super-apps, applications, and more. Using a super-app designed for mobile devices, the retailer has an application that integrates with other applications, connecting people across chat and meeting applications and content through search and other means, providing the necessary services digitally, and connecting with the physical stores.

Super-apps like the retailers application function better than standard mobile apps as they are extremely simple and hyper-targeted towards a purpose. As such, these have lower development costs and run better on mobile platforms. These applications are now spreading rapidly across the globe, with Tencent and the retailer at the forefront.

Frank Della Rosa

Research Vice President, SaaS, Business Platforms, and Industry Cloud, IDC
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Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaking during Junes presidential debate in Atlanta, left, and then-Senator Kamala Harris, D-Calif., speaking during a Democratic presidential primary debate in Detroit, 2019. Gerald Herbert, Associated Press

When it comes to the upcoming presidential debate, Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris each have their advantages. Both candidates are under immense pressure to deliver strong performances, and they are already debating things like microphone etiquette.

Contention over bigger issues is sure to be on display when they face each other at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, set for 6 p.m. PST on Tuesday, Sept. 10, broadcast via ABC News as well as major networks and streaming services like Disney+ and Hulu.

Here are the top 12 watch parties and presidential debate-focused events to check out around the Bay Area.

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Supporters watch Vice President Kamala Harris as she delivers her presidential nomination acceptance speech, during a Democratic National Convention watch party at Mannys in San Francisco on Aug. 22. The venue is set to host a disco phone bank for Kamala Harris and a presidential debate watch party. Loren Elliott/Getty Images

Disco Phone Bank for Kamala Harris

Help to mobilize voters by calling people in crucial swing states. There will be special guests offering messages of support, giveaways and brunch options.

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Wine Down Presidential Debate Watch and Letter Writing Party

Join a get out the vote letter writing event and write letters to help reach potential voters for the upcoming presidential election. All materials provided. Follow up the action with a presidential debate watch party featuring drinking games and prizes.

Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club Presidential Debate Watch Party

Gather together as the Academy and the Alice LGBTQ Democratic Club co-host a watch party for the first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Enjoy viewing the historical event with the community. Onsite, organized drinking games, for those so inclined, may help to ease some election season anxiety.

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Supporters watch Vice President Kamala Harris as she delivers her presidential nomination acceptance speech, during a Democratic National Convention watch party at Mannys in San Francisco on Aug. 22. The venue is set to host a disco phone bank for Kamala Harris and a presidential debate watch party. Loren Elliott/Getty Images

KQED Live: Presidential Debate Watch Party

See the face-off between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump as a highly anticipated debate plays out on the big screen at the studios S.F. headquarters. Enjoy refreshments, discussion and interaction with fellow attendees while bearing witness to election history in the making.

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S.F. Dems Debate Watch Party

Join the San Francisco Democratic Club and cheer on Vice President Kamala Harris in her first presidential debate with Republican candidate Donald Trump. Light snacks provided, drinks and additional food available for purchase.

5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10. Free, reservations required. The Halfway Club, 1166 Geneva Ave., S.F. 415-226-9771. www.sfdemocrats.org

The Bay Votes 2024: Presidential Debate Watch Party

KALW, Executive Producer Ben Trefny and the KALW election news team will host a live presidential debate watch party with snacks and refreshments available onsite.

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Supporters watch Vice President Kamala Harris as she delivers her presidential nomination acceptance speech, during a Democratic National Convention watch party at Mannys in San Francisco on Aug. 22. The venue is set to host a disco phone bank for Kamala Harris and a presidential debate watch party. Loren Elliott/Getty Images

Presidential Debate Watch Party at Mannys

The Mannys-sponsored watch party at the Chapel has sold out. If you did not score a ticket, fear not as they have a second event scheduled at its Mission venue. Seating will be available in the living room area and standing room throughout the rest of the cafe as space permits. Snacks and drinks available onsite.

Protect the House Presents: Debate Watch Party

Join the excitement as a local favorite barbecue joint hosts a watch party for the upcoming Harris-Trump presidential debate. Cheer on your favorite candidate and hear their stance on important issues. Enjoy food and drinks and engage in lively discussions with the community.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, pictured at a Moms for Liberty event co-founder Tiffany Justice during an event at the groups annual convention in Washington, 2024. Mark Schiefelbein, Associated Press

Presidential Debate Watch Party at UC Berkeley

UC Berkeleys Institute of Governmental Studies and Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service will host a friendly and informative evening with food and discussion and livestream viewing of the first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. As a nonpartisan organization, IGS reaffirms its stance as a safe place for healthy discourse around politics and voter issues affecting our community.

6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10. Free, reservations required. Institute of Governmental Studies, 109 Moses Hall, UC Berkeley. 510-642-1474.igs.berkeley.edu

Presidential Debate Watch Party at the Monkey House

The classic, intimate Berkeley performance space will host a watch party on a no-bad-seat-in-the-house 8-foot screen. Space is limited and reservations are required for attendance.

6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10. Free, reservations required. The Monkey House, University Ave, Berkeley. 510-898-1979. www.themonkeyhouse.org

Supporters of former president Donald Trump wait for his arrival at the California GOP Fall Convention in Anaheim, 2023. Kyle Grillot, Special to the Chronicle

Presidential Debate Watch Party at the Executive Order

Fitting to its American history theme, the San Francisco bar  dotted with presidential memorabilia and offering drinks with names like the "George Washington"  will host a presidential debate watch party featuring happy hour specials.

Presidential Debate Watch Party at the Patriot House

The American-style gastropub owned by a quartet of Irish sisters will host an informal presidential debate watch party in its lounge.
RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood will leave the animal welfare charity at the end of the year and join the NSPCC, he announced today.

After six years in his current role, Sherwood will become the childrens charitys next CEO in January 2025, replacing Peter Wanless after he departs in December.

RSPCA said it would begin to recruit Sherwoods successor in the autumn, supported by chair Claire Horton and her board of trustees.

Sherwoods upcoming position at NSPCC will be his third charity CEO position, as he previously led relationships charity Relate.

He is also a board member of NCVO and chair of Civil Society Medias Charity Awards judging panel.

Hugely sorry to be losing Chris

Sherwood joined RSPCA as its eighth chief executive in 11 years and at a time when the organisation was being monitored by the Charity Commission over concerns about its governance and leadership.

In his first year, Sherwood pledged to tackle a culture of bullying at the charity after a survey by Unite found that 29% of staff had been bullied and 46% believed bullying was a serious issue in the organisation.

He oversaw RSPCAs sale of its previous headquarters in Southwater, West Sussex, and a shift to a more flexible working policy, as well as a rebrand to coincide with its 200th anniversary this year.

RSPCA chair Claire Horton said Sherwood would be leaving RSPCA in a financially and operationally strong position.

Whilst we are hugely sorry to be losing Chris from RSPCA we are thrilled for him and his new role at NSPCC, she said.

Chris has led the RSPCA through an exceptional six years which have seen his inspiring vision and leadership transform the oldest animal welfare charity into a modern, forward-facing organisation changing the world for the better for every kind of animal.

Chris has spearheaded a seismic transformation, modernising leadership, culture and governance.

His ambitious new strategic direction of partnership working, alongside an exciting refreshed brand, is galvanising the public, charities and organisations, thought leaders and those critical in shaping legislation to tackle the huge challenges facing animals we share our world with  today and in the future.

Sherwood said he had been so honoured to lead the RSPCA, which he said he was leaving with a committed and effective leadership team together with passionate staff, volunteers, branches and supporters.

We have lived through unprecedented times which have seen a global pandemic, cost-of-living crisis and international conflict, all which have impacted people and the animals they rely on, he said.

Together we have created a stronger, modern and sustainable, purpose-driven RSPCA, while protecting animals from cruelty, successfully campaigning to change laws to end live exports, have CCTV in all slaughterhouses, bring in tougher sentences for animal abuse and building a million-strong movement inspired to create a better world for every animal.

Shared values

NSPCC chair Neil Berkett welcomed Sherwood to the charity, and praised his impressive track record in leading some of the UKs best-known charities.

I am confident that Chris will continue to drive forward our clear mission to make sure everyone plays their part in keeping children safe, that every child is safe online and that every child feels heard, he said.

I know he will also keep alive our shared values, continue to foster our unique, collaborative culture and redouble our efforts to take a stand for all children.

Id also like to thank Sir Peter Wanless, who has worked tirelessly over the past 11 years to champion the voices and experiences of children and young people, who need us now more than ever. I wish him the very best of success and happiness in his future endeavours.

NSPCC was founded 60 years after the RSPCA with some support from its members and using the animal charitys head office for meetings.

Today, the charities still work closely with RSPCA officers reporting potential child protection issues they encounter during their frontline work investigating animal cruelty.

Sherwood said: I am thrilled to be joining the NSPCC. I firmly believe in a society where all children are not just protected from harm, but they have the support, kindness and respect needed to live happy, joyful and fulfilling lives and be the best version of themselves.

Its fitting at the close of the RSPCAs 200th year to be joining the NSPCC  a charity which shares heritage with the RSPCA as well as the same desire to create a kinder and more compassionate society.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,




Trust impacts customer satisfaction, loyalty and brand advocacy more than other factors when small businesses choose a commercial insurance provider, a new survey shows.

A J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study showed that among small businesses with the most trust in their insurers, 81% definitely will renew with their carrier, and 79% definitely will recommend their carrier.

The survey measured (in order of importance) trust, price for coverage, product/coverage offerings, ease of doing business, people, problem resolution and digital channels on a 1,000-point scale.

Small-business customers average overall satisfaction with commercial insurers was 697.

Both small business satisfaction and trust were up despite the challenges of premium increases.

In 2024, 36% of small businesses saw a premium increase, up from 34% in 2023. Of those, the insurer initiated 51% of increases, while 16% were due to changing business needs, and 13% resulted from changes customers made to their policies.

When customers were notified in advance and understood the reasons behind a premium increase, trust was 142 points higher than when they were blindsided by unexplained increases, the survey shows.

Insurers ranked with the highest levels of trust also provided personalized products. However, only 55% of small businesses surveyed said theyve received personalized information from their insurer. Personalization drove an average overall trust score of 761, and trust was 106 points lower (655) among those who have not received personalized information.

American Family ranked highest in overall customer satisfaction with a score of 727. State Farm (719) was second and Allstate (716) was third.

The survey was based on responses from 2,817 small commercial insurance customers. It examined overall customer satisfaction among small commercial insurance customers with 50 or fewer employees.
Halliburton Co., the worlds largest provider of fracking services, said a recent cybersecurity attack thats disrupted its business is unlikely to materially impact its finances or operations.

The Houston-based company continues to evaluate the nature and scope of the breach and has activated its cybersecurity response plan, it said in a statement Tuesday. It initially disclosed the attack last month and has notified law enforcement officials.

Halliburton said it has proactively taken some systems offline to protect them and believes the hackers removed information from its systems, according to the statement. Its shares fell as much as 4.2% Tuesday in New York to $29.79, its lowest intraday price in 15 months, amid a decline in oil prices.

The incident has caused disruptions and limitation of access to portions of the Companys business applications supporting aspects of the Companys operations and corporate functions, it said. Halliburton added that it has incurred, and may continue to incur, certain expenses related to its response to this incident.

Chief Executive Officer Jeff Miller is scheduled to kick off the Barclays CEO Energy-Power Conference in New York Tuesday afternoon and is likely to field questions from investors on the incident. The company is grappling with the attack as the oil industry is increasingly relying on digital technologies to drill more efficiently.

Halliburton, which helps oil explorers around the globe identify underground pockets of crude and complete new wells, said it has been communicating with clients and other stakeholders about the attack.

The company continues to provide its products and services to customers globally, the company said in its statement.

Top photo: Halliburton Co. storage tanks in Port Fourchon, Louisiana.

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
The Hawaii Supreme Court will be asked to weigh in on an issue that threatens to thwart a $4 billion settlement in last years devastating Maui wildfires.

Judge Peter Cahill on Maui agreed to ask the state high court questions about how insurance companies can go about recouping money paid to policyholders.

Insurance companies that have paid out more than $2 billion in claims want to bring independent legal action against the defendants blamed for causing the deadly tragedy. Its a common process in the insurance industry known as subrogation.

Related: Judge Bars Insurers From Going After Defendants Who Agreed to $4B Maui Wildfire Settlement

But Cahill ruled earlier this month they can seek reimbursement only from the settlement amount defendants have agreed to pay, meaning they cant bring their own legal actions against them. The settlement was reached on Aug. 2, days before the one-year anniversary of the fires, amid fears that Hawaiian Electric, the power company that some blame for sparking the blaze, could be on the brink of bankruptcy. Other defendants include Maui County and large landowners.

Preventing insurers from going after the defendants is a key settlement term.

Lawyers representing individual plaintiffs in hundreds of lawsuits over the deaths and destruction caused by the fires filed a motion asking the judge to certify certain legal questions to the state Supreme Court.

Related: Hawaiian Electric Pegs Loss at $1.7 Billion From Maui Fire

Given Judge Cahills previous orders, his ruling today is appropriate and we look forward to putting these questions into the hands of the Hawaii Supreme Court, Jake Lowenthal, one of the attorneys representing individual plaintiffs, said after the hearing.

One of those questions is whether state statutes controlling health care insurance reimbursement also apply to casualty and property insurance companies in limiting their ability to pursue independent legal action against those who are held liable.

Lawyers representing the insurance companies have said they want to hold the defendants accountable and arent trying to get in the way of fire victims getting settlement money.

Individual plaintiffs attorneys are concerned allowing insurers to pursue reimbursement separately will subvert the deal, drain what is available to pay fire victims and lead to prolonged litigation.

Its a cynical tactic to get more money out of the defendants, Jesse Creed, an attorney for individual plaintiffs, said in court of the insurance companies.

The insurance companies should be the ones who want to take the matter directly to the state Supreme Court, he said, but they havent joined in the motion because they know it would facilitate the settlement.

Adam Romney, an insurance attorney, disagreed, saying that they just want a resolution that works for all parties.

While we wait to see if the Hawaii Supreme Court will take this matter up, we will continue to work towards a fair settlement through mediation for all parties concerned, Vincent Raboteau, another attorney for the insurance companies, said in a statement after the hearing.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Bad Walters Ice Cream is known for maximalist, nostalgic flavors with add-ins like Rice Krispies Treats and chocolate-dipped potato chips. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Sydney Arkin, owner of Bad Walters Ice Cream, stands in front of a mural she drew in her new ice cream shop in Oakland. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

In 2020, when pandemic supply-chain issues started threatening the availability of many household staples, Sydney Arkin rushed to the store to stock up.

She bought 13 pints of ice cream.

After that, Arkin, then an advertising creative director, taught herself how to make ice cream to ensure she would never run out. Soon, she was selling pints of nostalgic flavors like Froot Loops out of her Oakland home, and her underground ice cream business became one of the Bay Areas most in-demand popups.

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Four years later, Arkin is opening her own whimsical, colorful ice cream shop in Oakland. Bad Walters arrives at 5800 College Ave. in the Rockridge neighborhood on Saturday, Sept. 7. Notably, all of the ice cream and mix-ins will be made from scratch on-site  a rarity for mom-and-pop ice cream shops.

Owner Sydney Arkin started by selling ice cream pints out of her home, and is now opening her own scoop shop in Oakland. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Arkin wants to create maximalist ice cream that doesnt exist anywhere else. Her best-selling flavor, called Campfire, starts with charring marshmallows until theyre blackened, mixing them into a custard base and then swirling it with bourbon fudge and candied Rice Krispies. A new flavor will debut at the shop: marshmallow ice cream with raspberry jam. Everything from Ruffle potato chips dipped in dark chocolate to Ritz Crackers and cereal milk goes into Bad Walters ice cream, like the slightly unhinged magic of an unsupervised child assembling an ice cream sundae.

I try to make flavors that remind me of being a kid without being childcentric, Arkin said. Theres so much good ice cream in the Bay Area. What can I contribute thats not being done everywhere else?

Ice cream cups from Bad Walter's Ice Cream in Oakland. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

There will never be straightforward flavors like chocolate or strawberry in the Bad Walters case. (The only one shes relented to offer she appropriately called Plain Old Vanilla.) Many of the Bad Walters flavors have cheeky names or pop culture references, like Drunk in Love (amaretto frozen custard with raspberry jam and coffee liqueur truffles) and Rich Bitch (dark chocolate frozen custard with chunks of Oreo and olive oil drizzle). There will be five staple flavors and the rest will change often.

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Arkin likes to say: Its the ice cream we dreamed of as kids, but made for adults.

Bad Walters will offer three toppings  sprinkles, fudge and caramel  and house-made waffle cones. There will also be sorbet fizzes on the menu: a rotating flavor topped off with sparkling Topo Chico. A retail freezer will be stocked with pints.

All of the ice cream will be made in a 15-gallon vat pasteurizer in a separate room required under California dairy laws. Bad Walters ice cream uses lactose-free milk, which was initially born of Arkins own food sensitivities, but she also believes it creates a smoother, creamier base.

A portrait of Sydney Arkins late dog, Walter, her business namesake, hangs inside the Oakland ice cream shop. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Located at a prominent corner of College Avenue in the former Smitten Ice Cream space, just a block from the Rockridge BART Station, the space has been transformed into what Arkin described as a 90s Y2K fever dream. The front counter is painted a shocking bright red, contrasting with the lime green wall and pink tiles behind it. A disco ball that looks like its dripping from the bottom like a melting scoop of ice cream hangs from an archway into a long, narrow hallway covered with a colorful abstract mural that Arkin drew herself. People will be able to hang out with their ice cream at a bar railing along the hallway or at outdoor tables. A portrait of the business namesake, Arkins late Chihuahua, Walter, hangs on another wall.

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Ice cream remains Arkins favorite food  the thing that she eats more than anything else. She hopes to bring more Bad Walters to the world through additional shops, as well as selling pints at small, local boutique stores.
Hewlett Packard said it would continue legal proceedings to seek up to $4 billion in damages from British billionaire Mike Lynchs 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 companys value.

Related: Sunk Superyacht Likely to Cost Insurers At Least $150 Million, Experts Say

Lynch, who died in August when his yacht sank off the coast of Sicily, had denied any wrongdoings.

It is HPEs intention to follow the proceedings through to their conclusion, the company said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

Related: Yacht Insurer OMAC Is Hull Carrier for Yacht Sunk Off Sicily, Sources Say

HP had bought Autonomy for $11.1 billion in 2011 in one of the UKs 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 Lynchs family said they did not have any comment to share at this stage.

The company had filed the lawsuit against both Lynch and Autonomys former chief financial officer, Sushovan Hussain.

(Reporting by Bose in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Catarina Demony; Editing by Mark Porter)
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Tuesday it had confirmed the 28th death in the United States stemming from a defective Takata air bag inflator since 2009.

The issue has prompted the largest-ever recall in U.S. history. Over the past decade, more than 100 million vehicles fitted with Takata airbag inflators have been recalled worldwide, including 67 million in the United States.

The agency said the confirmation was based on new information submitted by Honda Motor 7267.T. The death involved a Honda vehicle and occurred in 2018 in Alabama, resulting in fatal injuries to the driver.

NHTSA said that even minor crashes can result in exploding Takata air bags that can kill or produce life-altering, gruesome injuries.

Hundreds of injuries have also been reported in various automakers vehicles since 2009 from Takata air bag inflators that can explode, unleashing metal shrapnel inside cars and trucks killing or injuring drivers or other vehicle occupants.

Honda said on Tuesday it has now confirmed 20 U.S. deaths in Honda and Acura vehicles. The company said it has replaced or accounted for more than 95% of recalled Takata inflators but remains committed to replacing or accounting for all that remain.

The air bag problems have been blamed on propellant that can break down after long-term exposure to high-temperature fluctuations and humidity.

A number of automakers have urged owners of older vehicles this year to stop driving them until they get Takata air bag inflators replaced.

In May, Nissan warned owners of nearly 84,000 older vehicles to not drive certain older vehicles recalled in 2020 but have not been fixed.

Chrysler parent Stellantis last year issued warnings to owners of 29,000 2003 Dodge Ram pickups to immediately stop driving, pending repairs, after one person was killed when a Takata air-bag inflator exploded.

Toyota in January urged owners of 50,000 older Corolla and RAV4 vehicles to get Takata inflators replaced.

(Reporting by Shepardson; Editing by Mark Porter and Marguerita Choy)
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio

Disorderly conduct: Cranston Road

At 1:15 a.m. Aug. 25, officers were dispatched to a home in the 2200 block of Cranston Road on a report of a noise disturbance.

At the scene, officers found a man, 35, screaming while hanging out a second-story window.

The man then fell out of the window.

Police had him taken to a hospital, where he was cited for disorderly conduct-intoxication.

Warrant arrest: Warrensville Center Road

At 9:25 a.m. Aug. 19, an officer stopped a car that displayed expired license plates.

During the stop, it was learned that the driver, a Cleveland Heights man, 41, was wanted on a Macedonia police warrant and was driving with a suspended license.

Police arrested the man on the warrant and cited him for the display of expired plates, driving with a suspended license and driving without a license.

He was then turned over to Macedonia police.

Juvenile complaint: Cedar Road

At 5:25 p.m. Aug. 20, it was reported that two boys were pointing what were found to be toy guns at staff members at Purvis Park Pool, 14260 Cedar Road.

Officers found that the boys are both 10 years old and live in South Euclid.

The boys were turned over to their parents. An investigation is pending.

Sex offense: Warrensville Center Road

At 6:10 p.m. Aug. 20, police took a report from a parent that their 12-year-old daughter may have been sexually assaulted multiple times over the past several months by a known party.

The detective bureau is investigating.

Disorderly conduct: South Green Road

At 10:10 p.m. Aug. 21, police were dispatched to BarNone Wine Beer and Spirits, 2179 S. Green Road, on a report of a physical altercation between two men.

One of the men fled prior to officers arrival. The other man, 29, of South Euclid, was treated for facial injuries. He declined to be taken to a hospital.

Police are investigating.

Making a false alarm: Jackson Boulevard

At 6:40 p.m. Aug. 20, police were called to Jackson Boulevard and Farland Road on a report of a road rage incident in which a male driver was alleged to have brandished and pointed a gun at another male driver.

Through investigation, it was revealed that the reporting party, a Cleveland Heights man, 56, never actually witnessed a gun being displayed.

Police charged the man with making a false alarm.

OVI: Warrensville Center Road

At 1:10 a.m. Aug. 23, an officer observed a car speeding and crossing lanes on Warrensville Center Road.

A traffic stop was conducted and it was discovered that the driver, a Cleveland man, 44, was intoxicated.

Police arrested the man for OVI, speeding and having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Warrant arrest: Warrensville Center Road

At 11:50 p.m. Aug. 24, an officer stopped a car for an equipment violation and learned that the driver, a Cleveland woman, 44, was wanted on a warrant issued by the Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Office.

Police cited the woman and arrested her on the warrant.

Theft: Cedar Road

At 2:25 p.m. Aug. 25, loss prevention at Target, 14070 Cedar Road, reported that a man had been detained for trying to steal a vacuum cleaner.

Loss prevention retrieved the stolen merchandise and stated its intention to prosecute the man.

Euthanized animal: Washington Boulevard

At 8:30 p.m. Aug. 25, officers were dispatched to the 3700 block of Washington Boulevard on a report that a deer was trapped on a fence.

Officers found the animal to be severely injured and euthanized the deer.

Read more from the Sun Press.
Heres a look at some of the top stories trending online today, September 4. They include a look at recent Donald Trump headlines, updates on the war between Ukraine and Russia and much more.

U.S. charges senior Hamas leaders with deaths of Americans in Israel (CBS)

Federal judge rejects Donald Trumps request to intervene in wake of hush money conviction (AP)

Donald Trump Basically Admits to Interfering in 2020 Election, Makes Clear He Wont Hesitate to Do It Again (Vanity Fair)

Trump campaign ordered to stop using classic R&B song (Politico)

Trio of tropical threats emerge in Atlantic as peak of hurricane season nears (Fox Weather)

Deadly Russia strike targets Lviv in western Ukraine, Zelenskyy says (ABC)

Zelensky says Ukraine will hold seized Russia land indefinitely (The Hill)

Ukraine launches major leadership reboot (NBC)

Other trending headlines

The Bachelorette Season Finale Recap: Jenn Tran Got Engaged  But the Relationship Took a Dark Turn (People)

Elle MacPherson reveals she had breast cancer (BBC)

Elton John, 77, reveals hes partially blind after severe eye infection (Today)

The cost of a Costco membership has officially increased for first time since 2017 (USA Today)

Krispy Kreme Is Honoring Barbies 65th Birthday With 4 All-New Doughnuts (Food & Wine)

Fans Express Serious Concern for Rachael Ray After Worrying New Cooking Video (Yahoo)
Brian May, the lead guitarist for British rock band Queen, revealed Wednesday he suffered a minor stroke last week that left him temporarily unable to use his left arm.

May, 77, shared the news of his recent health scare in a video posted to his website and social media, but assured fans that hes OK.

The good news is that I can play guitar after the events of the last few days, and I say this because it was in some doubt, May said in his video. Because that little health hiccup that I mentioned happened about a week ago and what they called it was a minor stroke. And all of the sudden, out of the blue, I didnt have any control of this arm. So its a little scary.

RELATED: Famous Hall of Fame rocker reveals cancer diagnosis

May said that he received the most fantastic care and attention from Frimley Hospital, located in Camberley, United Kingdom. He also added that he was grounded, per doctors orders, meaning hes not allowed to go out, drive, get on a plane or raise his heart rate too high.

You know, I really dont want sympathy, May said. Please dont do that because itll clutter up my inbox and I hate that. So good news is Im OK.

May, a founding member of Queen, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 alongside bandmates John Deacon, Roger Taylor and the late Freddie Mercury. May and Taylor have continued to perform as Queen since Mercury died in 1991.
COLUMBUS, OhioU.S. Rep. Max Miller stated in a new court filing that he filed for divorce last week from Emily Moreno Miller after she abruptly moved into a house she secretly bought, claiming that her husband was using drugs and speaking poorly of her family.

Max Miller, a Rocky River Republican, asked the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court on Tuesday to guarantee him solo parenting time with their 10-month-old daughter, claiming Moreno Miller threatened to not let him see their child if he didnt keep paying her car insurance and homeowner association fees.
UN Security Council to focus on trust, respect for int'l law in September: president

Xinhua) 14:48, September 04, 2024

Samuel Zbogar, representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council and President of the Security Council for the month of September, briefs reporters on the Security Council programme of work for the month of September at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 3, 2024.(Mark Garten/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council's program of work for September will focus on reinforcing weakening trust between nations and respect for international law, the council's president for the month said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, Samuel Zbogar of Slovenia, which holds the 15-member organ's rotating presidency for September, noted the many changes since his country first held the council presidency 25 years ago.

"But there is one thing that remains the same -- the responsibility of the Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security," said Zbogar, representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council.

Therefore, the central premise of Slovenia's presidency will be the urgent need to restore political will and strengthen an eroding global order, he said, adding that this will be reflected in Slovenia's signature event -- an open debate on Sept. 25, to be chaired by Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, which will focus on building trust and recommitting to the purpose and principles of both the Charter of the United Nations and international law.

Zbogar expressed the hope that council members, following the debate, will adopt a presidential statement recommitting to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

The ambassador stressed the unprecedented need to rebuild trust to secure the future, and the importance of full respect for and compliance with the Charter of the United Nations.

Another open debate, to be held on Sept. 9, will focus on the importance of unified Security Council support for peace operations, which will provide an opportunity to reflect on both how to foster trust and rally support for such operations and their future, he said.

Other issues on the council's agenda in September include the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Afghanistan, Zbogar said, adding the meeting on Afghanistan, to be chaired by Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon, will focus on the situation facing Afghan women and girls.

Zbogar also expressed the hope that a mandate extension for the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti will be adopted before September's end.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Christopher Cantor stands in his then-apartment directly above the popular Snail Bar in Oakland in 2022. He has filed a lawsuit against the restaurant and his former landlords. Don Feria/Special to The Chronicle

A yearslong conflict between one of the Bay Areas most popular restaurants and its neighbors has escalated into a flurry of lawsuits.

Christopher Cantor, who lived in the apartment above Oaklands acclaimed Snail Bar and has long complained about noise and crowds from the business, in June sued the restaurant as well as his buildings property management company, Advent Properties, and landlord Gee Whiz LLC for wrongful eviction. He alleges that the building managements continuing failure to stop the relentless noise and harassment from Snail Bar forced him to move out of his home of 22 years in January.

Snail Bar owner Andres Giraldo Florez said he worked to respond to Cantors complaints over the years, including by soundproofing the restaurant and offering reservations to reduce the throngs of people who would wait in line for as long as two hours on the sidewalk. Florez is now trying to convert the two-bedroom apartment into additional dining space for his restaurant, according to city records.

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Six other neighbors sued Gee Whiz LLC separately in small claims court in July, according to court records, alleging that owner Julianne Gee owes them money for allowing issues to occur including amplified music, obstruction of the sidewalks and street, unpermitted events, noise curfew violations, code and Alcoholic Beverage Control violations, and intentionally operating over capacity. The claims do not name Snail Bar, but refer to nuisances from the property at 4935 Shattuck Ave. that have caused emotional and mental distress and deprived them of the quiet use and enjoyment of their homes. Each person is seeking $12,500 from Gee Whiz LLC.

Gee did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Gee Whiz LLC also filed a lawsuit against Cantor last December, according to court records. It is sealed and not publicly available.

The dining room of Snail Bar in the Temescal neighborhood of Oakland. Andria Lo/Special to The Chronicle

Cantors lawsuit, meanwhile, claims his landlord and property manager violated state and local housing and tenant protection laws by failing to address alleged issues in the apartment, including broken windows and lack of heat, as well as dangerous and disruptive conditions caused by Snail Bar.

For more than two years, (Cantor) lived in an ongoing state of anxiety, sleeplessness, and exhaustion because he was unable to work, relax, or sleep at his home without the constant interruption of blaring music, pounding bass, and the noise of boisterous crowds, the lawsuit reads.

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Piper Wheeler, Cantors attorney, told the Chronicle that the alleged issues with Snail Bar were the primary reason Cantor moved out of his long-term home.

Unfortunately he was forced to move out because the landlord and Snail Bar refused to take proper action to solve those problems, she said.

Snail Bar customers sit at tables a few feet away from the entryway to Chris Cantors former apartment in 2022. Don Feria/Special to The Chronicle

Florez launched a GoFundMe fundraising campaign this week to cover legal costs. He said he has consulted with lawyers who have estimated legal fees could cost between $35,000 and $45,000.

Getting slapped with this lawsuit over the fact that were a busy wine bar  its really the last thing we need at this moment, Florez said.

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Meanwhile, hes trying to expand Snail Bar into Cantors old apartment. A permit application filed in August shows he hopes to open a nighttime dining area and lounge space in part to relieve demand that causes overflow on the street outside Snail Bar. The upstairs expansion, the application reads, would allow for less noise on the street as to not disturb surrounding residents (sic).

Dishes at Oaklands Snail Bar, whose success and crowds have caused friction with neighbors. Andria Lo/Special to The Chronicle

Cantor and other neighbors started voicing concerns about the noise coming from Snail Bar soon after it opened in 2021. The natural wine bar and restaurant was an immediate hit, drawing large crowds and national attention. Neighbors complained to the City of Oakland and the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control that Snail Bar customers were drinking in the street and loitering on the sidewalks past the restaurants closing time. The Department of Alcohol Beverage Control investigated these complaints, as well as another one filed in November 2023, but found no evidence of violations, according to a spokesperson.

Cantors lawsuit alleges Snail Bar substantially interfered with his tenancy by playing loud music with pounding bass more than 12 hours a day, encouraging crowds by illegally serving wine to customers on the street, hosting unpermitted events and placing furniture outside without permits, among other issues. (In 2022, Snail Bar was hit with two code violations from the City of Oakland for having more than the permitted number of tables and chairs on the sidewalk, and for putting up unpermitted electric heaters outside.)

Cantor complained repeatedly to Advent Properties, according to the lawsuit, but said they took no action. He is seeking damages at a jury trial, including for economic losses and emotional distress. The case is set for an initial conference in November, according to court records.

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Florez said he has spent thousands of dollars over the last three years to address Cantors complaints and tried our very best to comply with him.

But the tension never subsided, even after Cantor moved out. Last month, Florez filed for a civil harassment restraining order against Cantor in Alameda County Superior Court. The online court record shows the order was dismissed without prejudice on Aug. 29. Cantor said he was never served with the order.

The other six neighbors, meanwhile, asked in their small claims cases for damages based on discomfort, annoyance, and emotional distress, loss of property value, and the willful, deliberate negligence of Gee Whiz LLC. They are scheduled to go to trial in December, according to court records.
New research from University of Southern California health economists finds that Sutter Health began implementing allegedly anticompetitive contracting practices in the early 2000s, after which the large hospital system charged 30% more than other comparable hospitals. Nick Otto/Special to the Chronicle 2020

New research from University of Southern California health economists has found evidence that Sutter Health began implementing allegedly anticompetitive contracting practices in the early 2000s that resulted in prices 30% higher than at comparable hospitals.

The findings echo some of the claims in recent lawsuits  including one that had been resolved in Sutters favor  accusing the health care giant of abusing its market power to charge insurers and consumers higher prices for medical care.

It is of particular consequence to residents of Northern California, where most Sutter hospitals are located, and who previous studies show pay more for medical care than their counterparts in Southern California due to more health care consolidation in the northern part of the state.

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Prior to the early 2000s, Sutters prices were similar to those of other hospitals, according to the study, published in August in the Journal of Hospital Management and Health Policy. But after the early 2000s, when Sutter began adopting a contracting practice known as all or nothing  in which a large health system that owns virtually all the hospitals in a region can compel insurers to contract with all its hospitals or none at all  Sutters prices began to surge, becoming 30% higher than those at comparable California hospitals, the research found.

The contracting tactic prevents insurers from being able to negotiate with individual hospitals for lower prices. It is one  but not the only  way that large systems can leverage their market power to drive up prices that ultimately lead to consumers paying higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs, health policy experts say.

What we show is that these contracting practices do in fact release the health systems from competitive pressures, said the studys lead author Glenn Melnick, a professor at USCs Sol Price School of Public Policy. In doing so, they are able to raise their prices above market levels. That is typical monopoly behavior  you get control of the market and do what you can to protect your power in the market.

Sutter, which has denied anticompetitive conduct, said the analysis is flawed and that Melnick is biased because he was a consultant in antitrust lawsuits against Sutter.

In one of those lawsuits, Sidibe v. Sutter Health, plaintiffs accused Sutter of using its market power to drive up prices for insurers and consumers. The suit, filed in 2012, was thought to have been resolved in 2022 when a jury sided with Sutter. But it was recently revived after an appeals court reversed the decision and sent the case back to the lower court for a new trial.

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The study repackages the same tired allegations a jury unanimously rejected two years ago, Sutter Health said in a statement. Sutter looks forward to retrying this case and prevailing a second time.

Melnick said he was a paid consulting expert early on in the Sidibe case and in a second antitrust suit against Sutter, but is no longer involved.

The study analyzes Sutters prices from the period of 1995 to 1999 to two subsequent periods, 2001 to 2005 and 2010 to 2019. It compares the average difference in price across Sutter hospitals, which are all in Northern California, to comparable non-Sutter hospitals across California, while controlling for other factors that might affect prices.

While the study focuses on one particular contracting practice by one provider and its effects on price in specific periods of time, consolidation in the health care sector and its consequences for consumers is a part of a broader and ongoing problem, policy experts say.

High health care costs top the list of Americans financial worries, according to recent polling by KFF, a nonprofit health policy research, polling and news organization. And ample research shows the more consolidated the health care industry becomes, the more consumers pay for care.

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What a paper like this demonstrates is a compelling problem that needs to be addressed in our health care system here in California: consolidation and an imbalance in market forces is not serving consumers well, said Kristof Stremikis, director of market analysis and insight at the nonprofit California Health Care Foundation. If anyone needed more evidence that consolidation is driving up prices, heres one more piece.

It is especially relevant for Northern California residents, who previous studies have shown pay 20%-30% more for medical services than Southern California residents, even after adjusting for the Bay Areas higher cost of living and wages. This is in part because health systems are more consolidated in the northern part of the state, where giants like Sutter, Kaiser Permanente, UC Health and Dignity Health dominate the market.

The USC study relied in part on previously confidential documents on contracting practices that are not typically available to researchers or the public. Providers consider such information trade secrets. In this case, researchers were able to access the documents because they were part of the Sidibe lawsuit.

From a research perspective it was a gold mine because we got to look behind the curtain, Melnick said.

Its not clear if the findings will factor in the Sidibe case. During the 2022 trial, evidence of Sutters conduct prior to 2006  such as the documents the researchers analyzed for the study  was excluded. An appeals court in June reversed the decision, in part because they found that the pre-2006 evidence shouldnt have been excluded, and sent the case back to the lower court.

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A new trial date has yet to be scheduled but could be in the first quarter of 2025, said Matthew Cantor, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs.

In a separate but similar lawsuit, a union trust that pays for workers health care, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, aka UFCW, and Employer Benefit Trust, sued Sutter in 2014, alleging anticompetitive behavior and overcharging payers. That suit was later combined with another similar case brought in 2018 by then-Attorney General Xavier Becerra, which similarly alleged Sutter abused its market power to raise prices and harm consumers.

Those two cases were combined for purposes of a trial, and were settled in 2019, right before the trial was slated to begin. Sutter agreed to pay $575 million to employers, unions and the government but did not admit wrongdoing.
Former Marine Corps Cpl. Kelsee Lainhart and Donald Trump place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 26 in honor of the 13 service members killed in Afghanistan at Abbey Gate. Alex Brandon/Associated Press

In the early 1970s, my platoon and I were stationed at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., where we provided military honors for dozens of military burials at Arlington National Cemetery and ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. These were solemn, intensely personal affairs that were emotional for attendees and surviving family members.

Nearly four decades later, in 2011, I would become one of those surviving family members, as an honor guard helped me and my family bury my father  a decorated Air Force pilot in three wars  and my mother at Arlington. In the years that followed, I have visited my parents gravesite many times, mostly alone, to remember them in the private way that Arlington Cemetery makes possible.

Even in these partisan times, I never thought this sacred place  where Americans of all types and all generations collectively are honored for their sacrifices  would be corrupted by politics.

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And yet, that is exactly what has happened.

Last week, two members of Donald Trumps campaign team had a verbal and physical altercation with an official at Arlington National Cemetery while the former president was there for a wreath-laying ceremony at the invitation of several Gold Star families. In the days since weve seen photos of a tone-deaf Trump giving a thumbs-up at the graves of fallen Marines and as the backlash has increased, he has tried to rewrite history by calling the altercation a hoax while his campaign has tried to place the blame on the Arlington official.

It is truly disgusting behavior by a former commander-in-chief.

Arlington is such a special place that many men and women who serve in the military, myself included, are not eligible to be buried there. It is mostly reserved for those who served entire careers or were wounded or killed in action. It is a tranquil setting that insulates the grieving from the politics of the moment and allows the dead to be properly remembered.

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Yet none of that stopped the former president from attempting to use it as a political stage for campaign purposes. In an effort to recast himself as a champion of the armed forces, Trump managed to desecrate hallowed ground that belongs to the 400,000 Americans buried there, their families and the nation as a whole.

Of course, none of this is surprising coming from a draft dodger who refers to service men and women, particularly those who have served heroically, as suckers and losers.

Arlington has policies and regulations in place to prevent this kind of disrespectful misuse of its premises. In 1999, when Sen. John McCain was campaigning against George W. Bush for the Republican presidential nomination, his team released an ad showing McCain walking solemnly through Arlington National Cemetery. When the Army soon said that the McCain campaign did not have permission to film in the cemetery and never would because partisan activity is banned, the campaign quickly clarified that the footage had come from one of the senators visits to his father and grandfathers graves and then cut the footage out of its ads. McCain went on to say his campaign had made a very bad mistake.

Meanwhile, the Trump campaign has done no such thing. They were informed of the policies before entering the grounds last week. They just chose not to follow them and when they were caught, Trump, as he often does, deflected  most recently by turning the controversy into an attack on the Kamala Harris campaign.

Not once, in all my visits to Arlington over the past 50 years, have I ever witnessed a ceremony, or heard of one, arranged, in whole or in part, for political gain. What I did see on those visits were families, many in their most vulnerable moments, coming together to honor loved ones who sacrificed so much for our country. Even for the grieving families who invited Trump, his campaigns actions make clear they were the ones being used for his purposes, not theirs.

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This episode follows Trumps earlier comments equating the Medal of Honor, often awarded posthumously, to the Medal of Freedom, which he notoriously gave to a Republican mega-donor. Trump apparently finds it more patriotic for someone to give her money for his campaign than to give her life for her country.

Most Marines will tell you that good character is the cornerstone of good leadership. Its almost impossible to lead without good character because character is the foundation of trust. Its tough to follow someone you dont trust.

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

Trump is devoid of character, as demonstrated by his oft-repeated denigration of military service and as reflected in most other aspects of his public and private life. Therefore, he cant be trusted.

I am a registered independent. In my life, I have voted for Republican and Democratic presidential candidates. In 2024, it is impossible for me to weigh policy differences between the two candidates for president because I cant get past the character issue. Trump has none and cant be trusted to be the commander-in-chief or to lead this nation as president.
Vice President Kamala Harris embraces members of her family after speaking on the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 22. The presidential candidate launched her Fighting for Reproductive Freedom bus tour this week. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Second gentleman Doug Emhoff, left, Vice President Kamala Harris, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz celebrate after Harris accepted the Democratic presidential nomination at the United Center in Chicago on Aug. 22. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Democrats efforts to argue that theyre the true party of family values will reach a new level this week as Kamala Harris reproductive freedom tour makes its way into battleground states  and even red states.

Democrats have used Harris candidacy as an opportunity to hammer what they see as a weakness for former President Donald Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance: They often express support for families but push proposals that could limit fertility treatments, ban abortions and offer fewer benefits to families with children. They particularly see Vances many writings and interviews expressing extremely conservative views about what makes a family legitimate as an opening to exploit.

Harris campaign has an opportunity to position itself to be an anchor for a change  almost like a shift  in how were taking care of families who are the frontline for the economy, for health, for public health, all of that. It starts with the family, Monifa Bandele, chief strategy officer for grassroots advocacy group MomsRising, told the Chronicle.

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Harris campaign will emphasize those points in a Fighting for Reproductive Freedom bus tour launched Tuesday in Palm Beach, Fla. The campaign said the bus will make at least 50 stops leading up to the election with Harris husband Doug Emhoff and running mate Gov. Tim Walzs wife Gwen; lawmakers; celebrities and people who have needed abortions speaking about abortion, birth control and fertility treatment access.

Trumps own position on reproductive rights has been confusing.

He recently claimed his administration will be great for women and their reproductive rights, despite touting in May that I was able to kill Roe v. Wade, much to the shock of everyone.

When asked how he would vote in a Florida ballot measure to prohibit restrictions on abortion before fetal viability, around the 24th week of pregnancy, Trump initially indicated to NBC News he would vote for the measure. Twenty-four hours later, he told Fox News he would vote against it and support the states existing six-week ban.

Trump told NBC on Thursday that he would protect access to in vitro fertilization and mandate the cost be covered for women who need it. Members of his party blocked legislation in June to mandate IVF access.

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Trump thinks women are stupid, and that we can be gaslighted, Sen. Elizabeth Warren told reporters on a campaign call Friday. He seems to believe that he can do one thing when he talks to his extremist base and then turn around and smile at the overwhelming majority of Americans, who want to see access to abortion and IVF protected, and lie about it.

Democrats used prime-time programming at the Democratic National Convention to highlight types of families they see Republicans as criticizing or alienating.

Lawmakers and advocates have sought to highlight the different ways in which a family can exist or be created, especially those Vance has sought to diminish  single-parent families, families that utilized IVF and other fertility treatments like Walzs and blended families like Harris  and Trumps.

Vance has said his comments criticizing childless cat ladies were sarcastic but said he sees Democratic policies as anti-family because he argues they have made prices too high.

Trump has been defensive in response to Democrats criticisms, telling Fox News in July that Vance simply loves family, but emphasized that he personally believed people without children are every bit as good as anybody else. Shermichael Singleton, a conservative commentator and former Trump administration official, said he doesnt expect the Trump campaign to respond to much of the Harris campaigns criticisms on family issues because theyre not trying to win by appealing to women voters. The campaign doesnt think it can win over suburban white women  like Mitt Romneys 2012 campaign attempted  and is instead focused on turning out male voters, Singleton told the Chronicle.

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One of the Harris campaigns top surrogates hammering Trump on family matters has been Emhoff. As he has stepped further into the spotlight since Harris elevation to the top of the ticket, Emhoff has invoked their blended family often. In his speech to the Democratic National Convention, he talked about how Harris has been a mother to her stepchildren and said she officiated his sons wedding and has listened to his daughter whenever she called with the same intensity she handles campaign or foreign policy discussions.

America, in this election, you have to decide who to trust with your familys future, he said. I trusted Kamala with our familys future. It was the best decision I ever made.

Multiple women spoke from the Democratic convention stage and in prerecorded videos displayed for the crowd about their experiences with IVF.

Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth talked about her two daughters, Abigail and Maile, who were both conceived through IVF. She excoriated Vance for voting against a bill that would have guaranteed access to in vitro fertilization nationwide.

My struggle with infertility was more painful than any wound I earned on the battlefield, said Duckworth, a veteran who lost both her legs in combat and walked onstage using prosthetic legs. How dare J.D. Vance criticize childless women on cable news, then vote against legislation that wouldve actually helped Americans start families.

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Democrats have made hay out of Vances comment that leaders of the Democratic Party are childless cat ladies and his questioning of Harris leadership because she doesnt have biological children.

Emhoffs ex-wife, Kerstin Emhoff, hit back at Vances 2021 comments. For over 10 years, since Cole and Ella were teenagers, Kamala has been a co-parent with Doug and I. She is loving, nurturing, fiercely protective, and always present. I love our blended family and am grateful to have her in it, she said in a statement.

Vances insinuation that womens worth is tied to whether they have children was offensive to Candice Vickers, executive director of Family Forward Oregon, which advocates for care worker policies at the state level. Vickers told the Chronicle that she sees the Democrats messaging on families to be more inclusive than the narrow framing advanced by Republicans.

Its insulting to the grandparents, the aunts, the uncles, the nannies, the au pairs who have constantly participated in the care economy, she said. Its not just the mothers job.

Harris spoke about the village that raised her in her convention speech. Harris mother, Shyamala Gopalan, leaned on a trusted circle to help raise us: Mrs. Shelton, who ran the day care below us and became a second mother; Uncle Sherman; Aunt Mary; Uncle Freddy; Auntie Kris. None of them family by blood and all of them family by love, Harris said.

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Republicans have these buzzwords about being pro-family and pro-life and all these things. But when you take a direct hit at such a vital member of the community, it really illuminates whats happening and it helps people see clearly the hypocrisy thats there, Bandele said, referring to Vances comments about childless cat ladies and the importance of community members.

Beyond sound bites and interviews, theres the matter of actual policies.

Harris  who has long worked on improving paid leave, child care and long-term senior care  said that if elected, she would create a one-year $6,000 tax credit for families with newborn children and restore a tax credit that provided up to $3,600 per child in 2021. Her plan would also include expanding the earned income tax credit, which applies to low- and middle-income workers. Those proposals would require congressional approval.

Harris plan to address the care economy is going to be the difference between a slight win and a huge win because these are policies that everyone has been fighting for  or they support, Carol Joyner, executive director of political advocacy group Family Values @ Work Action, told the Chronicle.

Most polling shows broad support for paid family and medical leave, child care affordability and the child tax credit: about 90% of Democrats, 80% of independents and 70% of Republicans, Joyner said.

Harris hasnt released her agenda for paid family leave or child care affordability. During her failed 2020 presidential campaign, Harris called for the government to fund six months of paid family and medical leave for every worker.

Organizers have long said that care and the lack of a strong national care infrastructure is a kitchen table issue. Its an issue that should be discussed outside the realms of gender and its an issue that should be discussed as an economic issue, Jenn Stowe, executive director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, told the Chronicle. Stowe, in her role as senior adviser to super PAC Care in Action, endorsed Harris.

The Republican platform, meanwhile, calls for the child tax credit to be doubled to $2,000, a provision of a 2017 tax law that has since sunset, and to provide tax credits for unpaid family caregivers.

The Republican platform also calls for policies that advance prenatal care, access to birth control, and IVF (fertility treatments) and to shift resources back to at-home senior care, overturn disincentives that lead to care worker shortages, and support unpaid family caregivers through tax credits and reduced red tape. Trump suggested earlier this year that he was open to restricting access to birth control, then backed away from those statements.

Republicans included pro-family policies in their party platform, but we know that they arent interested in action, Stowe of the National Domestic Workers Alliance said.

She said Vances decision to skip an August vote to move forward a bipartisan tax package that included a proposal to expand the child tax credit is one such example. The bill was blocked by Republicans.

Vance told Face the Nation he didnt vote because it was a show vote and would have failed even if he was there.
 

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Investment strategist Anthony Doyle has flagged one Dutch chip stock to play the booming AI trend  and it's not ASML . Instead, Doyle, who's head of investment strategy at the Sydney-headquartered Firetrail Investments, likes BE Semiconductor Industries , which supplies semiconductor assembly equipment. Doyle described BE Semiconductor as a "less favored way to play the boom in AI hardware." It produces the equipment needed for the hybrid bonding process, which forms the permanent bond between chips or wafers. BE Semiconductor holds a 90% market share in the hardware manufacturing space, Doyle added, and counts chipmaking giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co among its clients. Like ASML  the Dutch-headquartered company that makes the high-tech machines relied upon by the world's biggest chipmakers  BE Semiconductor is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam. Shares also trade in the U.S. as an American Depositary Receipt. BESI-NL YTD mountain Besi Investment bank Morgan Stanley is also bullish on BE Semiconductor , describing it as a "virtual monopolist in the nascent hybrid bonding technology currently being adopted by multiple large semiconductor manufacturers." The analysts expect the company's revenue to continue growing in the years ahead. BE Semiconductor's shares are up around 8% over the year to date, after falling when the company forecast flat sales for the third quarter during its latest earnings. ASML's shares, in comparison, are over 30% higher over the last 12 months. According to FactSet data, of 20 analysts covering the stock, 12 give it a buy or overweight rating, and the remaining eight have a hold call. The average price target on the shares is 152.79 euros ($168.95), giving them around 33% upside potential. Morgan Stanley has a target price of 180 euros on the stock, giving it over 55% upside potential. Other stocks to watch Beyond BE Semiconductors, Doyle described TSMC as a "compelling [stock] compared to many other hardware manufacturers" from a valuation perspective. "It's just so dominant, and ... far ahead of the curve in terms of their competition as well," he added. Elsewhere, he's overweight on Europe, naming Air Liquide and Schneider Electric as companies on his radar.
An Airbus SE A350 aircraft operated by Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. on the tarmac at Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong, China, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024.

Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific on Wednesday confirmed it expects to return its Airbus A350 planes to service by the weekend, after an in-flight engine issue triggered a fleet-wide inspection of the aircraft and dozens of flight cancelations.

The airline previously announced that an engine component failure had forced a Zurich-bound flight to return to Hong Kong on Sept. 2. The aircraft involved, the A350-1000 variant of the popular wide-body model, uses Trent XWB-97 engines produced by British manufacturer Rolls-Royce .

Cathay Pacific said Wednesday that 15 of the 48 A350s in its fleet  which also includes the A350-900 variant  were found to have engine fuel lines that required replacement. Six have already been repaired and cleared to operate, while the remaining nine are expected to be back in operation by Saturday Sept. 7, it added.

The repairs have been conducted relatively speedily due to the availability of spare parts and the fact that replacements were conducted while the engines remained on-wing, rather than having to be removed.
Cooking oils made from canola from Canada are offered for sale at a grocery store on April 26, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

China said on Tuesday it planned to start an anti-dumping investigation into canola imports from Canada, after Ottawa moved to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, lifting prices of domestic rapeseed oil futures to a one-month peak.

Canadian Farm Minister Lawrence MacAulay said the move was "deeply concerning." In a post on the X social media network, he said Ottawa was closely following the case and would defend and support the farm sector.

Canada, following the lead of the United States and European Union, announced last week a 100% tariff on imports of Chinese electric vehicles and a 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum from China.

"China strongly deplores and firmly opposes the discriminatory unilateral restrictive measures taken by Canada against its imports from China despite the opposition and dissuasion of many parties," a commerce ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

The ministry said China will also initiate an anti-dumping investigation into some Canadian chemical products.

More than half of canola produced in Canada makes its way to China, the world's biggest oilseed importer. Canola, also called rapeseed for certain variants, is used as a cooking oil and in a wide range of products including renewable fuels.

The Canola Council of Canada said it was confident that China's probe would show that Canadian producers were playing by the rules. In a statement, it said Canadian exports of canola to China last year totaled CA$5.0 billion ($3.7 billion).
Workers are processing chips at a workshop of an optoelectronic technology company in Huai'an, China, on May 11, 2024. Costfoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images

China is ramping up spending on chip manufacturing equipment, surpassing the combined expenditure of the U.S., South Korea, Taiwan and Japan in the first half of the year, according to an industry report Thursday. The outsized investment is driven by Beijing's endeavors for chip self-sufficiency as it hopes to hedge against further risks of Western restrictions that could thwart its access to the critical technology. In the first half of 2024, China splurged a whopping $24.73 billion on procuring chip manufacturing equipment, according to data from SEMI, a global semiconductor industry association. That's more than the $23.68 billion spent by South Korea, Taiwan, North America and Japan combined, during the same period. The U.S. accounted for most of the spending in North America. China's binge-buying has accelerated since the U.S. introduced tighter export restrictions in October 2022. Annual spending surged from $28 billion in 2022 to $36.6 billion in 2023, according to SEMI, which projects the figure to exceed $35 billion this year. The hoarding is likely to extend into the second half of this year, Clark Tseng, senior director at SEMI told CNBC, but he anticipates a slowdown next year to "digest the capacity."

Economies of scale or excess capacity?

Such over-investment will ultimately lead to "inefficient or underutilized capacity in the future," creating pricing pressure for industry peers outside of China, Tseng said. China has more experience in producing older-generation chips, which are built on nodes that are at least 20 nanometers. These chips are widely used in consumer electronics, cars and home appliances. To some extent, China is "well on its way" to being able to produce legacy chips, Alex Capri, a senior lecturer at the National University of Singapore and research fellow at Hinrich Foundation, told CNBC. The world could soon face overcapacity in legacy chips, as already seen in other industries like electric vehicles and solar panels. Companies have found it hard to compete with Chinese firms flooding the market with cheaper products.

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But "China still has a long way to go" when it comes to more advanced and powerful chips, Capri said. Advanced chips have smaller transistors, allowing more of them to be packed onto a single semiconductor and yielding more powerful processing capabilities. Capri noted U.S. export controls effectively cut China off from leading-edge manufacturing technology, known as extreme ultraviolet tools. The restrictions have created a bottleneck that could present a severe setback for China's efforts to progress into more leading-edge chip making. "They are trying to figure out how to build it, but it's almost impossible," Capri said. Still, he noted the exception of Huawei's Mate 60 Pro smartphone, which was launched last year carrying a 7-nanometer chip. While it was a breakthrough for SMIC to manufacture the 7-nm chips without the EUV machines, he said "it was less efficient, much more expensive to do so [than with cutting-edge equipment]."

China is not going away

Capri said Chinese companies could be stockpiling chipmaking equipment in a "preemptive move" against potential risks that Washington could pile further export restrictions on the sector ahead of the U.S. presidential election.
Every weekday the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer holds a "Morning Meeting" livestream at 10:20 a.m. ET. Here's a recap of Wednesday's key moments. Wall Street stabilized Wednesday and moved modestly higher after the worst market decline since Aug. 5. Tuesday's sell-off in stocks brought an end to the market's overbought streak, according to the S & P Short Range Oscillator . Recent declines in Treasury yields culminated Wednesday to end the inversion of the 10-year and 2-year. In addition to the move in bonds, U.S. oil prices dropping below $70 per barrel Wednesday also supported stocks. Jim Cramer characterized the stock market as trying to make a stand. Many chip stocks pulled down by Nvidia' s 9.5% decline Tuesday were in the green. Even Nvidia was up over 1% on Wednesday after losing nearly $300 billion in market value. Advanced Micro Devices was especially strong, gaining more than 4%. AMD, also a Club holding, hired an executive from Nvidia to help expand its artificial intelligence business. It's the latest in a string of efforts by AMD to improve its talent pool. Unless you're Nvidia, fragments of positive news are sending stocks like AMD higher, Jim said. There are lots of new Apple notes Wednesday, including one from Goldman Sachs saying upside surprises at next week's product event could be an iPhone price increase, an earlier-than-expected launch of AI features and apps, new iPad announcements, and better-than-expected carrier promotions. Cramer said T-Mobile has the resources to subsidize the new iPhone to take share. "Watch out Verizon . Watch out AT & T ," he added, suggesting a possible carrier war could boost upgrades. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long AAPL, NVDA, AMD. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
Microsoft's generative artificial intelligence prospects are impressive. But the stock has more to offer investors than just the new tech. Jim Cramer said Microsoft shares could bottom Wednesday  and out of all the megacap tech stocks, this Club name is the one to buy. Microsoft closed at a record high of $467 on July 5. But then, almost immediately, it began to slide. It got no help from its July 30 earnings report and made a recent bottom in the Aug. 5 market plunge. The stock's subsequent recovery stalled out late last month and turned lower once again. Exacerbated by Tuesday's tech wreck, shares on Wednesday were back to where they were around on Aug. 2 at $408 each. MSFT YTD mountain Microsoft YTD Wells Fargo is more aligned with Jim, pointing out three "underappreciated levers"  search, cybersecurity, and enterprise software  that could add to Microsoft's overall revenue growth. The analysts added the stock to their "Signature Picks" list  keeping a buy-equivalent overweight rating and a price target of $515. The Club has a price target of $500 on the stock. Microsoft's search engine Bing could grab more share in the search market from Alphabet , Wells Fargo said in a research note Wednesday, citing last month's antitrust case loss regarding exclusivity deals with device makers like Apple. If Google Search is no longer the iPhone's default search engine, then more business could come to Microsoft. To be sure, search is small at Microsoft compared to Alphabet. Google Search has about 88% market share in the U.S., versus just over 7% for Bing, according to web data provider StatCounter. The numbers worldwide are even more lopsided in Google's favor. Wells Fargo also highlighted Microsoft's cybersecurity business. "Microsoft has quietly become the largest cybersecurity vendor on the planet, continuing to take share in adjacent areas," the analysts wrote. Similar to others in the sector, Microsoft's cybersecurity business can continue to rake in major corporations as clients as the threat of hacks and breaches remains elevated. Microsoft did take some heat when July's CrowdStrike upgrade caused a major global IT outage . In 2023, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said the company's cybersecurity business had surpassed $20 billion in revenue over a 12-month period. Microsoft's customer relationship software suite, dubbed Dynamics, could see more upside as well, Wells Fargo said. The analysts see "significant cross-sell potential." That's because the company already has a massive customer base from its cloud computing business Azure and productivity apps included in Office. Bottom line These three underappreciated areas are encouraging, even though Microsoft's generative AI efforts are still crucial to the Club's investment thesis. While Azure revenue missed expectations last quarter, we still expect a pick-up in the back half of the year, given management's bullish commentary around its outlook. Wall Street firms seem to agree with us. In addition to Wells Fargo's bullishness, Piper Sandler added Microsoft to its high-conviction buy list on Wednesday due to these AI tailwinds. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long MSFT, GOOGL, AAPL, NVDA. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.

Executive Chairman and CEO of Microsoft Corporation Satya Nadella speaks during the "Microsoft Build: AI Day" event in Bangkok, Thailand, May 1, 2024. Chalinee Thirasupa | Reuters
Gov. Gavin Newsom, seen in August, has called a special legislative session to address the states high gas prices. Thien-An Truong/Special to the Chronicle

SACRAMENTO  Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state Assembly have introduced a new version of gas price legislation as part of a special legislative session, even as the state Senate insists it will not convene this fall to consider it.

Newsom has been pressuring lawmakers to send him legislation to require California petroleum refineries to maintain minimum fuel reserves to avoid supply shortages blamed for last years gasoline price spike. But the bill he had backed to do so stalled in the Assembly. Lawmakers did not take it up by Saturday at midnight, the deadline for them to pass bills during this years legislative session.

Once it became clear the proposal would not advance Saturday evening, Newsom announced he was calling a special session for lawmakers to pass legislation to lower gas prices. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas said he was on board. But his counterpart, Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire, said he disagreed and that his chamber would not consider gas price legislation until the start of the next legislative session in January.

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McGuire told reporters repeatedly that his chamber had been prepared to pass the bill, SB950 by Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley. He said that the right time to do so was before the August deadline, and he did not support taking the bill up during the Legislatures fall recess.

When asked why, if he supported passing energy affordability legislation, he didnt want to try to take it up again during a special session he simply reiterated that his chamber had had the votes to pass the legislation in August.

The Senate Democratic Caucus is 100% united that were not going to come back for a special session. Heres why: For weeks we have had the votes. For weeks we were calling for a vote. For weeks, we had consensus within our caucus to be able to provide Californians with the relief they need immediately, he told reporters early Sunday morning shortly after his chamber adjourned for the year.

After SB950 stalled in his chamber, Rivas praised the special session as an opportunity to vet the legislation more thoroughly.

Its our constitutional obligation (and) responsibility to answer that call and ensure that we dig into this work and we find some solutions, and start to bring some relief to hardworking Californians, he told reporters.

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The special session Newsom called Saturday is the second he has convened to address gas prices. In 2022, he called a special session on the same topic that resulted in lawmakers passing a law allowing state energy regulators to cap oil refiners profits.

Californians pay some of the highest gas prices in the country, and gasoline costs soared during the past two years, peaking at $6.43 per gallon in 2022 and $6.08 in 2023. U.S. sanctions on Russian oil after the invasion of Ukraine raised gas prices across the country in 2022, but that didnt fully explain the amounts Californians were paying at the pump, which outpaced increases in other states.

Newsom launched a state investigation into the price surges and created a watchdog agency charged with tracking petroleum markets. Since it began operating last year, the Division of Petroleum Market Oversight found that gasoline prices jumped in 2023 when oil refineries had shut down for scheduled maintenance but failed to backfill supply.

Gas prices have since fallen. On Tuesday, the average price was $4.65 per gallon in California and $3.32 nationwide. But the Newsom administration has said the state must act to prevent future spikes, which the division calculated cost Californian gas customers $650 million last year.

In a joint statement, Newsom and Assembly leaders said Assembly Members Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, and Gregg Hart, D-Santa Barbara, will author the bill.

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Im glad to see the Assembly is moving this important proposal forward, Newsom said.

Even if the Assembly advances the bill, it would also need approval in the Senate to become law.

On Wednesday morning, McGuire released a statement saying he had a productive meeting with Newsom on Tuesday.

Well have more to share soon, he wrote. He not address whether he had shifted his stance on refusing to consider the bill in the special session this year.

The top Republican in the Assembly took to social media to blast the announcement Tuesday evening.

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A Japanese steelmaker seeking to acquire U.S. Steel said Wednesday that U.S. citizens would make up the majority of the board of directors, as the $15 billion proposal faces mounting political opposition ahead of the U.S. election in November.

In a statement detailing governance plans, Nippon Steel said three of the board's independent directors would be U.S. citizens, as would "core senior management members."

In the face of resistance from the United Steelworkers union, President Joe Biden and the two major candidates running to succeed him, Nippon Steel  Japan's largest steelmaker  has argued that the acquisition would benefit both companies and their employees as well as the United States and Japan, a key U.S. ally.

"Nippon Steel continues to believe that the transaction will enhance American national security by reinforcing U.S. Steel and its domestic production capabilities, bringing cutting-edge technologies into the United States, and ultimately making the American industrial base and supply-chain more resilient and better positioned to compete against future pressures from state-supported Chinese competitors," the company said in a statement.

More from NBC News:

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, came out against the deal for the first time Monday at a joint rally with Biden in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania.

"It is vital for our nation to maintain strong American steel companies," Harris said to applause in Pittsburgh, where U.S. Steel is based. "And I couldn't agree more with President Biden, U.S. Steel should remain American-owned and American-operated."

The United Steelworkers union, which says the sale could have major implications for workers, supply chains and U.S. national security, welcomed Harris' opposition to it, saying she "once again made it clear that she will always stand up for steelworkers."

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, last month reiterated a promise in February to block the deal if elected. Biden first expressed opposition to the purchase in March.

In a statement on Monday, U.S. Steel said it remained "committed to the transaction with Nippon Steel, which is the best deal for our employees, shareholders, communities and customers."

Nippon Steel said Wednesday that it would prioritize production at U.S. Steel to meet demand in the American market, and that the company headquarters would remain in Pittsburgh.

It said U.S. citizens would make up an internal officer-level "trade committee" that will make recommendations to the U.S. Steel board on trade matters and document the decision-making process, and that decisions on trade matters would require approval by a majority of the independent American directors "to ensure that such decisions are made without interference by Nippon Steel."

The company also previously said there would be no layoffs or plant closures as a result of the deal, which was announced last December.

The governance policy announced Wednesday is designed "to ensure the benefits of the transaction, while also maintaining U.S. Steel as an iconic American company," Nippon Steel said.
Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel, speaks at the Milken Global Conference 2024 at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on May 6, 2024.

Billionaire investor Ken Griffin's suite of hedge funds at Citadel eked out small gains in what proved a volatile month in August as markets grappled with an emerging growth scare.

Citadel's multistrategy Wellington fund gained about 1% in August, bringing its year-to-date return to 9.9%, according to a person familiar with the returns, who spoke anonymously because the performance numbers are private. All five strategies used in the flagship fund  commodities, equities, fixed income, credit and quantitative  were positive for the month, the person said.

The Miami-based firm's tactical trading fund rose 1.5% last month and is up 14.5% on the year. Its equities fund, which uses a long/short strategy, edged up 0.8%, pushing its 2024 returns to 9.3%.

Citadel declined to comment. The hedge fund complex had about $63 billion in assets under management as of Aug. 1.

Volatility made a strong comeback in August as fears of a recession were rekindled by a weak July jobs report. On Aug. 5, the S&P 500 dropped 3%, its worst day since September 2022. Still, the market quickly bounced back, with the equity benchmark ending August up 2.3%. The S&P 500 is now ahead more than 15% in 2024.

Overall, the hedge fund community recently moved into a defensive mode as macroeconomic uncertainty mounted. Hedge funds on net sold global equities for a seventh straight week recently, driven by sales of communication services plus financial and consumer staples stocks, according to Goldman Sachs' prime brokerage data.
Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder and chief executive officer of Inflection AI UK Ltd., speaks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 18, 2024.

LONDON  Microsoft's hiring of employees from Inflection AI, the artificial intelligence startup started by DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman, has been cleared by the U.K.'s competition regulator and will not face an in-depth competition investigation in the country.

The Competition and Markets Authority said in a statement Wednesday that the U.S. tech giant's deal to acquire "certain assets" from Inflection does count as a "relevant merger situation" in Britain, but that it ultimately "does not give rise to a realistic prospect of a substantial lessening of competition (SLC) as a result of horizontal unilateral effects."

In March, Microsoft announced the hiring of Suleyman from Inflection, along with a number of other key employees at the firm. Suleyman was appointed Microsoft's executive vice president and CEO of Microsoft AI. The newly formed unit of Microsoft focused on its artificial intelligence products, including Copilot, the company's AI assistant, which it integrated into Windows and Microsoft 365

In addition to Suleyman's new role, the Redmond, Washington-based tech giant also selected Karen Simonyan to join Microsoft as its chief scientist, reporting to Suleyman. Both Suleyman and Simonyan were former employees of DeepMind, the Google -owned AI lab.

In July, the CMA referred Microsoft's hiring of Inflection talent for an initial merger investigation, on the grounds that it was assessing the potential that the constituted a merger under U.K. rules and therefore could result in a "substantial lessening of competition" within the AI sector.

However, on Wednesday, the CMA said that, after taking some time to evaluate Microsoft's arrangement with Inflection, it did not find any risk of a substantial lessening of competition. It did, however, maintain its view that the agreement constituted an effective merger.

Microsoft was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC Wednesday.

The CMA had not previously spelled out exactly how the hiring of Inflection AI employees could undermine competition. The regulator said it assessed Microsoft's "entry into associated arrangements with Inflection," in addition to the recruitment of the employees.

On Wednesday, the regulator said that those arrangements included a "nonexclusive licensing deal to utilise Inflection IP [intellectual property] in a range of ways."

Microsoft has not publicly revealed any details of a licensing arrangement with Inflection  only that it took on "several members" of the company's 70-person team. Reuters and The Wall Street Journal reported that the firm paid Inflection $650 million in licensing fees to resell its AI models via its Azure cloud computing platform.

The Inflection arrangement isn't the only pact with a Big Tech company and AI startup that regulators in the U.K. are assessing. The CMA has a separate ongoing probe into Microsoft's multibillion-dollar investment into AI giant OpenAI. It is also investigating whether a tie-up between Amazon and AI company Anthropic constitutes a merger that may harm competition.

Microsoft and Amazon have both denied that any of their partnerships with smaller AI firms constitute mergers, stressing that the companies they're investing in and partnering with are operating independently.

Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission in the U.S. is also reviewing multiple deals between Big Tech companies and AI startups  including Microsoft's arrangement with Inflection.
The Nordstrom department store at the Tysons Corner Center Mall in McLean, Virginia, on August 27, 2024.

Nordstrom 's founding family has offered to take the department store chain private for $23 a share, teaming up with a Mexico-based retailer in its latest bid, a filing showed on Wednesday.

That price would value the company at roughly $3.76 billion. Its shares have gained 35% since Reuters first reported in March that the family showed interest in taking Nordstrom private.

Nordstrom's sales have been stronger of late than some of its peers such as Macy's and Kohl's as it focuses on stocking its shelves with trendier products.

The bidders include CEO Erik Nordstrom, President Peter Nordstrom and Mexican retailer El Puerto de Liverpool, who sent a non-binding letter proposing to form a new entity that would buy the chain, according to the filing.

The company in April confirmed the family's interest in a potential deal and formed a special committee of independent directors to evaluate such a proposal.

The Nordstrom family owned about 54.6 million shares, or 33.4% stake in the company, as of Sept. 4. Liverpool owns 15.8 million shares, or nearly 10% of the shares.

The deal would be financed through a combination of rollover equity and cash from the Nordstrom family and Liverpool as well as $250 million in new bank financing.

In May, Reuters reported that Sycamore Partners had shown interest in taking the company private.

The chain was founded in 1901 by John Nordstrom, the great-grandfather of the current CEO and president.

In 2018, Nordstrom rejected a $8.4 billion bid from the family, saying it was too small and later ended discussions after failing to agree on a price.
A view of Oslo seen from the roof of the Oslo Opera House in Oslo, Norway, on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021.

Norway's $1.7 trillion wealth fund may have to divest shares of companies that violate the fund watchdog's new, tougher interpretation of ethics standards for businesses that aid Israel's operations in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Council on Ethics for the world's largest sovereign wealth fund sent an Aug. 30 letter to the finance ministry, seen by Reuters, that summarizes the recently expanded definition of unethical corporate behavior. The change has not previously been reported.

The letter did not specify how many nor name companies whose stocks might be sold but suggested it would be a small number, should the board of the central bank, which has the final say, follow recommendations that the council makes.

One company has already been identified for disinvestment under the new definition, it said.

"The Council on Ethics believes the ethical guidelines provide a basis for excluding a few more companies from the Government Pension Fund Global in addition to those already excluded," the watchdog wrote, giving the formal name for Norway's sovereign wealth fund.

The fund has been an international leader in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment field. It owns 1.5% of the world's listed shares across 8,800 companies, and its size carries influence.
The rising cost of living, stagnant wages, and lackluster savings are giving workers a reason to be doubtful that the traditional idea of retirement will be achievable in their lifetimes.

Today's workers envision a starkly different retirement from that of their predecessors. They anticipate a considerably more challenging path to financial security. These sentiments resonate across generations even Gen Z workers (the latest to join the workforce) believe the still-working Gen X and boomers will have an easier path to retirement, while Gen X and boomers say the same about older generations.

Vibecession , quiet quitting , and now  the retirement disconnect? It's not entirely surprising that the current workforce's disillusionment with the status quo extends to even how they think about life after work. The days of dedicating half a century to a single company and retiring comfortably with a gold watch are long gone. A new CNBC|SurveyMonkey study illuminates this "retirement disconnect" and suggests that the fundamental idea of retirement may be on the cusp of an evolution.

Traditional retiree dreams, but lowered expectations

Across all demographics, the top three ways workers would like to spend their retirement include traveling, pursuing hobbies, and spending time with family. Working for supplemental income and starting a business are the least popular options.

And yet, when asked what they realistically expect to do in retirement, a persistent gap emerges. More than twice as many respondents believe they'll need to work for supplemental income (31%) than ideally want to (14%). Workers also believe they'll need to care for family members in retirement at a higher rate (31%) than ideally want to (24%). This is true for both men and women workers; 24% of both say they'd ideally spend retirement caring for family, and 28% of men and 33% of women realistically expect to do so.

This gap between idealism and reality may be less surprising when considering that four in ten workers are behind on planning for retirement, with nearly half (48%) citing both debt and not having enough income as the top two reasons. In fact, one in five (21%) current retirees report having no retirement savings. With workers expecting a harder road to financial security than their predecessors and current retirees, it's understandable to adjust expectations accordingly.

Retirement planning shortfalls, working longer

Strikingly, even though 40% of workers report being behind on retirement planning, 71% are confident they'll meet their retirement goals. This may be because more than half of workers (53%) expect to work in retirement. Of that 53%, 27% state they expect to work because they'll need the supplemental income.

From Gen Z to boomers, workers across demographics are consistent about a few things: that their retirement will look different from their parents' retirement (73%) and will be harder to achieve (82%), and that they are concerned they won't be able to afford to fully stop working (69%).

This collective shift in perspective could pave the way for a reimagined retirement that appeals to all workers across generations. The concept of retirement may shift from leaving the workforce entirely to transitioning into different roles or reduced hours. Business leaders must adapt to this new reality, recognizing that the next wave of retirees may not conform to the conventional idea of retirement and that can create opportunities for businesses to harness the strength of a multi-generational workforce.

The retirement disconnect is a complex societal challenge without an easy solution. However, the data makes it clear: workers are actively grappling with the evolving concept of retirement and its implications for their circumstances. The traditional idea of retirement is fading, replaced by something more fluid and dynamic.

By Eric Johnson, CEO, SurveyMonkey

REGISTER NOW Join the free, virtual CNBC's Women and Wealth event on September 25 to hear from financial experts who will help fund your future-whether you are returning to the workforce, starting a new career, or just looking to improve your relationship with money. Register here.
OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever, who left the artificial intelligence startup in May, has raised $1 billion from investors for his new AI company, Safe Superintelligence, or SSI.

The company announced in a post on X that investors included Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, DST Global and SV Angel, as well as NFDG, an investment partnership co-run by SSI executive Daniel Gross.

"We will pursue safe superintelligence in a straight shot, with one focus, one goal, and one product," Sutskever wrote on X in May to announce the new venture.

Sutskever was OpenAI's chief scientist and co-led the company's Superalignment team with Jan Leike, who left in May to join rival AI firm Anthropic. Shortly after their departures, OpenAI disbanded the team, just one year after it announced the group. Some of the team members were reassigned to other teams within the company, a source familiar with the situation told CNBC at the time.

Leike wrote in a post on X at the time that OpenAI's "safety culture and processes have taken a backseat to shiny products."

Sutskever started SSI with Daniel Gross, who oversaw Apple's AI and search efforts, and former OpenAI employee Daniel Levy. The company has offices in Palo Alto, California, and Tel Aviv, Israel.

"SSI is our mission, our name, and our entire product roadmap, because it is our sole focus," the company posted on X. "Our singular focus means no distraction by management overhead or product cycles, and our business model means safety, security, and progress are all insulated from short-term commercial pressures."

Sutskever was one of the OpenAI board members involved in the temporary ouster of co-founder and CEO Sam Altman in November.

In November, OpenAI's board said in a statement that Altman had not been "consistently candid in his communications with the board." The issue quickly came to look more complex. The Wall Street Journal and other media outlets reported that Sutskever trained his focus on ensuring that artificial intelligence would not harm humans, while others, including Altman, were instead more eager to push ahead with delivering new technology.

Almost all of OpenAI's employees signed an open letter saying they would leave in response to the board's action. Days later, Altman was back at the company.

Following Altman's sudden ouster and before his quick reinstatement, Sutskever publicly apologized for his role in the ordeal.

"I deeply regret my participation in the board's actions," Sutskever wrote in a post on X on Nov. 20. "I never intended to harm OpenAI. I love everything we've built together and I will do everything I can to reunite the company."
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his spokesperson Dmitry Peskov at the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting at the Congress Hall in Bishkek on Dec. 9, 2022. Vyacheslav Oseledko | Afp | Getty Images

There was more than a whiff of self-satisfaction from the Kremlin on Wednesday, after Russian President Vladimir Putin's trip to Mongolia at the start of the week went without a hitch  despite an International Criminal Court arrest warrant hanging over the visit. Putin was given the red-carpet treatment, met his Mongolian counterpart, and talked trade ties and bilateral relations with a country it knows needs its investment and won't balk at its invasion of Ukraine. But the real bonus for the Kremlin? Its leader wasn't detained in the process. As a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Mongolia had a duty to arrest and detain Putin as he landed on Mongolian soil Monday night. Since March 2023, he is the subject of an ICC international arrest warrant on war crimes charges related to the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia. The Kremlin says it doesn't recognize the ICC warrant and, in the event of his state visit to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia chose to ignore its obligations to arrest Putin  landing itself in hot water with the court, Ukraine and its European allies, which heavily criticized the decision.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh attend an official welcoming ceremony in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia September 3, 2024. Vyacheslav Prokofyev | Via Reuters

Fresh from the success of the trip  during which Putin and Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh signed agreements regarding energy and petroleum product supplies, the reconstruction of a power plant, and environmental protection  the Kremlin said institutions like the ICC were not be able to curtail Russia's relationships with the "global majority." "This whole story with the ICC ... cannot and will not be a limitation in the development of Russia's relations with partner states that are interested in developing bilateral relations and covering international contacts," Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said, according to Google-translated comments carried by Russian state news agency Tass. "The global majority has a much broader vision of the prospects for international cooperation than the blinkers of the ICC," he added. Peskov concluded that there was "great interest in the country from the global majority." "And we are also interested," he said.

Analysts say that the economically vulnerable Mongolia faced a stark choice between its obligations to comply with the ICC ruling and the need to deepen lucrative ties with its powerful neighbor Russia, on whom it is largely reliant for oil and gas supplies. Mongolia is also on the route of a proposed gas pipeline, known as the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, connecting its top trading partners and neighbors, Russia and China.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is welcomed by Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh with official ceremony in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on September 03, 2024. Kremlin Press Office | Anadolu | Getty Images

Heavily sanctioned by the West for its ongoing war against Ukraine, Russia has been looking for a way to undermine global  and Western-based  institutions. The trip to Mongolia was another way to achieve this. Elena Davlikanova, a Democracy fellow with the Center for European Policy Analysis, commented in analysis on Monday that the fact that Mongolia had chosen not to meet its obligations with the ICC "is the clearest possible demonstration of Western powerlessness in the face of Kremlin realpolitik."

"That will delight Putin, who is wholly contemptuous of rules-based politics. Russia's approach is to win by any means, regardless of the consequences. The West and the institutions it has helped to build lack anything like the same focus or determination," she added. Max Hess, fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, told CNBC Wednesday he believed the trip was more of a symbolic success for Russia than a strategic or tactical one, however, with still no official announcement on big economic projects affecting Mongolia, such as the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline. "The visit by Vladimir Putin to Mongolia is a key effort in Putin's attempts to try to challenge the international order," he said. "The real story, however, is that there's still no announcement on the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, which is supposed to go through Mongolia ... and the parts of the international order that Putin is most keen on challenging are those related to the economy, in particular, because they're the basis for which sanctions are so effective against his regime," Hess noted. CNBC has contacted both the Kremlin and Mongolian government for further comment.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh attend an official welcoming ceremony in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia September 3, 2024. Sofia Sandurskaya | Via Reuters
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Qualcomm launched a new PC processor on Wednesday as it looks to capitalize on electronics makers' desire to put artificial intelligence on their devices. The move ramps up Qualcomm's efforts to challenge the dominance of Intel in the PC processor market at a time when the latter is facing mounting challenges. Qualcomm took the wraps off the Snapdragon X Plus 8-core at the IFA conference in Berlin, Germany. The processor, designed for PCs running Microsoft's Windows operating system, promises to power AI processes with a long battery life. The latest chips expand Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Series for PCs, which it launched last year. The U.S. chip giant said the Snapdragon X Plus 8-core is designed for PCs costing as low as $700 as it looks to expand its semiconductors to more devices. Qualcomm has traditionally designed chips that are used in the smartphones of many of the world's biggest players, including Samsung. But the company stepped up its PC efforts this year when Microsoft announced a Surface Laptop and a Surface Pro tablet with Qualcomm's X Series chips that can run some AI tasks without an internet connection. Microsoft calls these Copilot+ PCs.

In an interview with CNBC, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon said that the company's push into PC chips forms part of a broader "diversification" story for the company away from just mobile chipsets. The company has also been building out its growing automotive business, with AI a key part of its strategy. "We are on a journey to diversify and make sure our technology is now expanding into other markets," Amon said in a TV interview Wednesday. He added that the PC market is "fundamentally" changing due to two things: mobile-PC convergence  in other words, people are coming to expect the same performance they get from their phones around things like battery life  and the convergence of AI with desktop computers. Analysts said Qualcomm's timing to jump into PCs is key. Neil Shah, a partner at Counterpoint Research, highlighted a few converging themes that are helping the company. He highlighted the push toward "on-device AI," where artificial intelligence applications are processed on a piece of hardware rather than via the internet. Qualcomm has designed processors for smartphones that do this. Meanwhile, Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Series is built on architecture from British chip designer Arm , allowing the processors to run complex applications with good energy-efficiency. This is key to extending battery life on devices. "Since the AI boom happened last year, everything has been centered around AI which works well for Qualcomm because they have been ahead in the low powered AI device experiences on mobile," Shah told CNBC.

A view of the logo of Qualcomm at the Mobile World Congress 2024. Ramon Costa | SOPA Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images

"Translating that to the PC form factor was not that difficult." The support of Microsoft has also been important for Qualcomm to hit the mainstream in PCs, since Windows is one of the world's biggest operating systems, Shah said. "The stars have aligned for Qualcomm," Shah said.

PC chip roadmap

The aim for Qualcomm going forward, CEO Amon said, will be expanding the company's AI-focused Snapdragon X line of chips to all personal computing devices, including smaller PCs. "It's about now bringing AI PCs to mainstream," he told CNBC. "We see a great opportunity to expand your desktop market from scale." "Next, we're going to see mini desktops from Qualcomm as well, and we're going to continue to add products and roadmap eventually to have the full range of products." A number of major PC makers have adopted Qualcomm's Snapdragon X series chips for their devices. Companies like Lenovo have launched Copilot+ PCs based on Qualcomm chips and Windows operating system.

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Ukraine's wartime Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba tendered his resignation, Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said Wednesday, amid the country's broadest cabinet reshuffle since the start of the war with Russia.

"The application will be considered at one of the nearest plenary sessions meetings," the Parliament speaker added in a Google-translated post on the Facebook social media platform.

Kuleba, 43, took on the post of Ukraine's minister of foreign affairs in March 2020 and has been a stalwart figure at the forefront of Kyiv's concerted campaign to curry international favor in its efforts to fight back Ukraine's ongoing invasion at the hands of neighboring Russia since February 2022. He was previously appointed as permanent representative of Ukraine to the Council of Europe over 2016-2019.

CNBC has reached out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment.

Kuleba's potential resignation follows similar steps to stand down on Tuesday from a swathe of Ukrainian ministers reported by state news agency Ukrinform, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk, the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanishyna, Minister for Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin and Minister of Justice Denys Maliuska.

The Ukrainian parliament began voting on the government shake-up on Wednesday and has so far not endorsed the dismissal of Vitaliy Koval from the post of chairman of the State Property Fund of Ukraine, according to a Google-translated Telegram update from Yaroslav Zheleznyak, a member of parliament from the Holos party.

David Arakhamia, head of the Servant of the People faction in Parliament, had foreshadowed a wide-spread and "major reboot of the government" this week.

"More than 50% of the staff of the [Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine] will undergo changes," he said Tuesday in a Google-translated post on Telegram. "Tomorrow is the day of layoffs, and the day after tomorrow is the day of appointments."

Kuleba has yet to publicly address his resignation, but on Wednesday issued a statement calling for the international condemnation of Russia after an overnight attack in Lviv that, according to a Google-translated Telegram post from local Mayor Andriy Sadovy, killed seven people and wounded another 64.

"I urge all capitals, ministers, international organizations, and others to strongly condemn Russia's war crime against civilians. We need your statements and actions right now," Kuleba said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized Prop 36, a November ballot measure, and the messaging its supporters have used, during a press conference in Elk Grove on Wednesday. Sophie Austin/Associated Press

SACRAMENTO  Gov. Gavin Newsom blasted supporters of a measure to increase jail time for thieves and drug users, saying Wednesday their argument that it will lead to more treatment is wrong.

In recent weeks, supporters of the measure, which will appear as Proposition 36 on California ballots in November, have said it will usher in an era of mass treatment.

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This effort is about saving lives, Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen told reporters gathered near the state Capitol on Aug. 14. Prop 36 means treatment for those who steal. It means diversion and proven programs to get people on the right track.

That treatment messaging has been pushed particularly by moderate Democrats who support the measure. The initiative, initially spearheaded by Republicans, has divided the Democratic Party, with some moderate Democratic mayors backing it while top state leaders like Newsom oppose it.

Some have argued that this would return us to an era of mass incarceration, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, one of the mayors backing the measure, told the Chronicle last month. But I believe it gives us an opportunity to enter an era of mass treatment.

But that messaging received high-profile pushback Wednesday, when Newsom called their argument specious.

Its about mass incarceration, not mass treatment, Newsom told reporters during a press conference. What an actual insult it is to say its about mass treatment when theres not a dollar attached to it.

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The measure would allow people caught stealing three times to be charged with felonies, regardless of what they stole and how much it cost. It would do the same for drug possession charges and would increase jail time for repeat and organized retail theft.

It would let district attorneys charge people convicted of possessing or selling drugs at least twice with treatment-mandated felonies. If convicted, they would be required to complete drug or mental health treatment or serve three years in state prison. The measure does not contain funding for that treatment.

The nonpartisan Legislative Analysts Office, which estimates how much proposed laws will cost, found the measure will actually reduce the amount the state must spend on mental health and drug treatment, school truancy and dropout prevention, and victim services by tens of millions of dollars each year.

Thats because Prop 36 would roll back parts of Prop 47, a ballot measure passed in 2014 that reduced punishments for drug possession and theft of property worth less than $950 to misdemeanors. Prop 47 required that the money saved by keeping people out of prison for those crimes fund rehabilitation and treatment programs aimed at keeping people from committing crimes in the first place.

If Prop 36 passes, it would cut into those savings by putting more people in prison. That means there would be less money available for those treatment and rehabilitation programs.

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Supporters of the measure acknowledge that it would drive up costs to the state but have argued California needs to crack down on drug possession and retail theft. Some have pointed to Prop 1, an initiative championed by Newsom and passed by voters earlier this year, as a potential funding source for some of the treatment they want. That measure authorized $6.38 billion in bond money to build mental illness treatment facilities and diverted some existing mental health tax revenue to addiction treatment and housing.

Newsom said proponents suggesting Prop 1 will fund the treatment called for in Prop 36 dont know what theyre talking about. He noted that most counties have refused to implement a recent law expanding who is eligible for conservatorship because they say they dont have enough addiction treatment facilities and staff.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks at the beginning of a meeting of the Justice Department's Election Threats Task Force at the Justice Department in Washington, DC on September 4, 2024.

The DOJ said it was seizing 32 Internet domains "used in Russian government-directed foreign malign influence campaigns colloquially referred to as 'Doppelganger,' in violation of U.S. money laundering and criminal trademark laws."

Those employees, Russian nationals Kostiantyn Kalashnikov, 31, and Elena Afanasyeva, 27, remain at large. They are accused of deploying nearly $10 million to publish the RT-curated content through a Tennessee company.

Senior editors at RT were targeted in Wednesday's actions, and two RT employees were indicted in Manhattan federal court for allegedly covertly funding and directing an American company that published thousands of videos to further Russian interests, the Department of Justice announced.

Those alleged efforts include the use of RT, the English-language media network backed by Russia, to influence U.S. opinion.

The Biden administration on Wednesday announced sanctions targeting Russian government-backed efforts to manipulate American opinion leading up to the 2024 election.

An unidentified Russia Today anchor prepares to go on the air in the RT TV studio in Moscow, June 8, 2018.

Several Russian companies, operating under the direction and control of the administration of President Vladimir Putin, "used these domains, among others, to covertly spread Russian government propaganda with the aim of reducing international support for Ukraine, bolstering pro-Russian policies and interests, and influencing voters in U.S. and foreign elections, including the U.S. 2024 Presidential Election," the DOJ said.

"The American people are entitled to know when a foreign power is attempting to exploit our country's free exchange of ideas in order to send around its own propaganda," Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a press conference.

At the same time Wednesday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that it had designated 10 individuals and two entities for their involvement in "Moscow's malign influence efforts" targeting the upcoming American elections.

The individuals designated included RT's editor-in-chief Margarite Simonova Simonyan, deputy editor-in-chief Elizaveta Yuryevna Brodskaia, and Anton Sergeyvich Anisimov, another RT deputy editor-in-chief.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the State Department was taking three actions "to counter Russia's state-backed covert influence operations, the Department is acting to hinder malicious actors from using Kremlin-supported media as a cover to conduct such covert influence activities."

Those actions included introducing a new visa restriction policy on RT's parent company Rossiya Segodnya, and other subsidiaries RIA Novosti, RT, TV-Novosti, Sputnik and Ruptly.

Blinken said the State Department also determined that those entities were subject to the U.S. Foreign Missions Act as they are allegedly effectively controlled by the Russian government.

In July, U.S. intelligence officials told NBC News that Russia was trying to undermine the campaign of President Joe Biden to win reelection this fall.

Biden weeks later dropped out of the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him atop the Democratic ticket.

Harris is set to face Donald Trump, the Republican nominee and former president, in November.

Trump was elected to the White House in 2016. Investigations later found that there was a coordinated effort by Russia to support his candidacy over the then-Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton.

When NBC asked RT's press office about news of the actions Wednesday, RT replied: "1. Ha! 2. Hahahaha! 3. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA."

"4. 2016 called and it wants its cliches back," the RT press office wrote. "5. Three things are certain in life: death, taxes and RT's interference in the US elections 6. We gotta earn our Kremlin paycheck somehow 7. Somewhere Secretary Clinton is sad that it's not because of her."
U.S. Steel shares tumbled more than 17% on Wednesday as the White House is reportedly preparing to block the company's planned sale to Japan's Nippon Steel.

People familiar with the matter told The Washington Post that President Joe Biden was preparing to announce that he will block the $14.9 billion deal. U.S. Steel shares have fallen 41% this year.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, said U.S. Steel "should remain American-owned and American-operated" during a campaign event in Pittsburgh Monday. Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, is also opposed to the deal.

U.S. Steel CEO David Burritt told The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday that the company would likely be forced to close plants and move its headquarters from Pittsburgh if the deal is blocked. Burritt told the Journal that the transaction is crucial to keeping U.S. Steel's older plants competitive and maintaining jobs.

The deal has been under review by the Committee on Foreign Investment, a body that scrutinizes the potential impact of foreign investment in the U.S. on national security. U.S. Steel has not received any update or executive order related to the committee's review, a company spokesperson said.

"We continue to stand by the fact that there are no national security issues associated with this transaction, as Japan is one of our most staunch allies," the U.S. Steel spokesperson said.

"We fully expect to pursue all possible options under the law to ensure this transaction, which is best future for Pennsylvania, American steelmaking, and all of our stakeholders, closes," the spokesperson said.

The bipartisan opposition to U.S. Steel's acquisition by Nippon demonstrates a rising tide of protectionism in the U.S. even toward a company that is based in a close ally such as Japan.

U.S. Steel has 20 million metric tons of annual production capacity. Nippon, headquartered in Tokyo, is Japan's largest steelmaker. The companies combined would have up to 86 million tons of capacity.

A Nippon Steel spokesperson said the acquisition would revitalize the American Rust Belt and benefit U.S. national security "in a way no alternative can."

"Simply put, U. S. Steel and the entire American steel industry will be on much stronger footing because of Nippon Steel's investment in U. S. Steel  an investment that Nippon Steel is the only willing and able party to do so," the spokesperson said.
NSE

Singapore's CapitaLand Investment said on Wednesday it is planning to more than double its funds under management (FUM) in India by 2028, up from S$7.4 billion (INR 458.8 billion) as at June 30."Singapore's CapitaLand, one of Asia's largest diversified real estate groups, plans to more than double its funds under management in India to more than S$14.8 billion (>INR 90,280 Cr) by 2028.Good to see  companies doubling down on investments in ! " Singapore's High Commissioner in India Simon Wong said in a tweet on social media platform X.The global real asset manager announced its growth strategies to achieve the FUM target for India as it celebrates its 30th anniversary with business partners, investors and staff in Mumbai today.India is a strategic market for us and a key contributor to CLIs overall business. India has been one of our fastest growing markets, where our investments have tripled in the last seven years," the company's Group CEO Lee Chee Koon said in an exchange filing."Given Indias strategic importance to CLI, we will also actively explore opportunities to enter adjacent business segments, including renewable energy and real estate private credit to further grow and diversify our income streams."Since CLI pioneered business parks in India 30 years ago, it has built a well-diversified portfolio comprising over 40 IT and business parks, industrial, logistics, lodging and data centre assets across eight cities in India Bangalore, Chennai, Goa, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune.
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Travelers stand in line near the Southwest Airlines counter at the Oakland International Airport in 2020. A lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges that Southwest didnt allow employees to use all of their earned sick leave. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Oakland says Southwest Airlines continues to violate its employees right to take paid sick leave in order to care for themselves or family members, despite a settlement the airline reached with the city in 2020.

In a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Alameda County Superior Court, City Attorney Barbara Parker said Southwest is refusing to allow its workers to use all the sick leave they have earned and retaliates against employees by depriving them of paid leave  and even threatening to fire them  when they try to exercise their rights.

Southwest has continued to violate local and state paid sick leave laws to the detriment of thousands of employees in Oakland, Parker wrote.

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The suit seeks payment of wrongfully withheld sick leave, penalties of up to $2,500 to the city for each violation and a court order requiring the airline to change its practices. Parker said Southwest Airlines has a net worth of $18 billion.

Southwest denied violating the settlement or the law.

Southwest Airlines fully complies with applicable sick leave laws in Oakland and California, as well as with the terms of a December 2020 settlement agreement with the city, said Lynn Lunsford, a company spokeswoman. Although Southwest remains willing to address the citys concerns about sick leave policies, the airline is prepared to vigorously defend itself against these frivolous claims in court.

The 2020 settlement resolved Oaklands suit that accused Southwest of violating a city ordinance that entitles employees to one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours of work and allows them, at the end of a year, to carry unused leave time into the next year. The leave time can be used for themselves, their family members or others they designate.

Without admitting any wrongdoing, the airline agreed to comply with the law, restore year-end sick leave hours it had canceled from 2017 through 2020, and pay the city $53,000. But Parker said in the new lawsuit that Southwest has refused to fully restore those sick leave hours.

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In addition, she said, the airline has been denying employees their rights to use earned paid sick leave, retaliating against employees by disciplining them when they use or seek to use paid sick leave and by discouraging them from exercising their rights, and failing to provide employees with paid sick leave-related records and information required by law.

The suit said one group of employees, which includes mechanics, maintenance workers and technicians, is supposed to get nine days a year of paid leave they can use either for themselves or to care for a family member, along with additional leave time they can take for their own illnesses.

But when one of those workers takes sick leave, the suit said, Southwest automatically deducts the time from their allotted nine-day leave regardless of the reasons for the leave, and the worker often has little or no time left to care for their family members.

And if a worker has less than a full day of sick leave remaining, the suit said, the airline will not allow the worker to take a day of leave and be paid for those hours. So someone who has seven hours of unused sick leave and needs to take eight hours off to care for someone else will be forced to work while their family member is sick or take eight hours off without pay and be assessed with discipline, Parker said.

One unnamed worker had 10.6 hours of unused sick leave and called in sick for a 7.2-hour shift. But the suit said Southwest penalized him because he had only six hours in a category of leave that the company had designated for employees own care  even though all 10.6 hours should have been available.

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Figure 16: Double the defaults (8GB instead of 4GB) this time around, please. Ed Tittel / IDG

The next step is to select the Default Switch option for the Connection field under the Configure Networking heading, as shown in Figure 17. Here again, its important to note the default is Not connected, which means the VM cannot access any networks. Default Switch enables the VM to connect to the networks to which the host PC has access. If you have other switches defined in your host configuration, they should appear in the pull-down menu for this VM setup item (and youll be able to use them, if you like).

Figure 17: Use Default Switch if you want the VM to have network (and internet) access. Ed Tittel / IDG

The next step is to connect a virtual hard disk for the VM to use. Here again well use the default location mentioned earlier. Other options include Use an existing virtual hard disk (this is how the dev environment described earlier gets its contents) and Attach a virtual hard disk later (allows users to otherwise finish configuring a VM without allocating or linking to a virtual hard disk). See Figure 18 for the details for Win11.24H2.vhdx.

Figure 18: This represents the default allocation (127GB) for Hyper-V VM virtual hard disks. Ed Tittel / IDG

Next comes the fun part: providing a file system link to an ISO and electing how (or if) to install that image. This reads Installation Options on the left-hand side. In this case, well link to the ISO I downloaded from the Insider Preview downloads page, and tell it to install the OS from that file, as shown in Figure 19.

Figure 19: The selected radio button instructs the installer to find a specific Windows 11 ISO file. Ed Tittel / IDG

At this point, the wizard is finished, so click Summary on the left to show your work so far. It will show all the settings youve made. Click Finish to complete the VM creation process. Then, youll return to Hyper-V Manager, where you now see a VM named Win11.24H2 in the upper center Virtual Machines pane, as shown in Figure 20.

Figure 20: The new VM, Win11.24H2, is turned off. Thats good! Ed Tittel / IDG

You could try to connect to and start the install process for Win11.24H2 now, but we know one more change is needed  namely, to enable TPM under the new VMs Security settings, as detailed before Figure 11 above. Once youve done so, you can get going on the install for this Windows 11 OS image, as described earlier in this story as well.

Were done with the introduction to Hyper-V Manager and creating VMs. Now its time to dig into some down and dirty details.

A big Hyper-V Manager gotcha: remote VM access

By definition, all VM access is remote  that is, theres no physical mouse, keyboard, or monitor attached to any VM. To interact with a VM, you must map virtual stuff onto real stuff  including the aforementioned peripherals but also CPUs, RAM, storage, networking, and yadda yadda yadda. Remember further that remote access is one of the benefits of VMs: indeed, they should readily support access across any network connection to a parent hypervisor.

Alas, when a remote connection uses the Windows remote desktop protocol (RDP) through Remote Desktop Connection or the Remote Desktop app, and that hypervisor is Hyper-V, things can get interesting. Let me explain how this can present obstacles above and beyond the gotchas Ive already mentioned (issues getting the Windows Installer to start up for an ISO-based install, and the need to enable TPM for that install to actually work).

For starters, you cant start a new Windows 11 VM from inside an RDP session, as it seeks to read and mount the targeted Windows 11 ISO to run its Setup.exe. For whatever odd reason, this works only from a local login on the host PC (not in an RDP session). If you click the Start button shown in Figure 7 in an RDP session, the VM wont boot to run Setup.exe.

Indeed, if you click Start, youll get a black screen in the VM window, instead of running the Windows 11 installer. You must turn off the VM (click Action in the top menu, then click Turn off). Then click the Start button shown in Figure 7 from the physical host PC, using the local mouse or keyboard. Once Setup.exe is running, however, an RDP session shows the VM as youd expect to see it, with the initial Windows 11 installer screen (see Figure 21).

Figure 21: Once Setup.exe is running, you can RDP into the VM, if you wish. Ed Tittel / IDG

The next gotcha that makes itself felt occurs after you elect the Install now option that appears next. You will find you cannot copy and paste a Windows activation key into the Activate Windows prompt shown in Figure 22. Why? Because this only works in an enhanced session inside RDP, and you cant elect that option until after Windows 11 is installed. Indeed, fixing this requires some fiddling to the Windows Hello login options. (Turned on by default, they dont work with an enhanced session that permits copying and pasting from outside the RDP session into that session.)

Figure 22: When you get to the key prompt in Activate Windows, youll discover you cannot copy and paste a text key. Manual entry only! Ed Tittel / IDG

Youll have to enter the 25-character (letters and numbers) string for your chosen Windows key manually. Or you can use the 30-day eval for the Windows 11 developer environment instead (no key required but access doesnt last very long).

But theres one more RDP gotcha to surmount: you cant log in to your new desktop until you uncheck the Enhanced session option in the View menu for the RDP session. Once you do that and log in, click Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, then turn off the toggle under Additional settings that reads For improved security, as shown in Figure 23. Then you can switch back to an enhanced session and log in using a password or a PIN.

Figure 23: Note that Enhanced session in the View menu up top is unchecked. Turn off the toggle under Additional settings. Then you can re-enable that option so that cut and paste will work in RDP. Ed Tittel / IDG

Getting past plain-vanilla VMs

Thanks to our earlier efforts in this story, youve got yourself some working Windows 11 VMs set up mostly using Hyper-V Managers defaults. By setting up the plain-vanilla, all-default Win11.26100 VM via Quick Create and the slightly modified Win11.24H2 VM that follows it through the New Virtual Machine Wizard, you can learn a lot about what makes a VM tick, as well as provisioning defaults.

Those defaults will change according to the configuration of the host physical PC on which Hyper-V Manager runs. That is, machines with fewer cores, less RAM, and less storage will produce default VMs with fewer cores, less RAM, and less storage than those machines with more cores, more RAM and more storage, like the formidable Lenovo P16 Mobile Workstation I used as my test machine, with 24 cores, 64GB RAM, and ~4 TB total storage, 2 TB on the boot/system drive.

In most cases, the defaults that Hyper-V Manager chooses for the VMs it creates on your behalf work reasonably well. For those already familiar with Hyper-V, feel free to change values up or down. IMO, reducing values from their defaults doesnt make too much sense except perhaps for special cases (or underwhelming physical PCs).

For more info on Hyper-V and VMs: Microsoft Learning offers a free 45-minute module entitled Configure and Manage Hyper-V virtual machines for those who want more details. Also, theres a series of tutorials at Windows 11 Forum under its Virtualization heading (54 in all, across a range of VM topics) for those who really want all the minutiae.

Creating VMs with Dev Home (Preview)

When Microsoft released v0.13 of its Dev Home (Preview) developer toolbox on April 23, 2024, I noticed they added support for Environments as something new. Microsoft explains that environments provide  the ability to create, manage, and configure Hyper-V VMs and Microsoft Dev Boxes (see the GitHub Dev Home Preview v0.13 release notes).

Many readers may be indifferent to Dev Boxes (an Azure service to enhance developer productivity through self-service access to preconfigured, project-oriented development environments in the cloud via Azure, for which a subscription is required). If those readers want to use Hyper-V VMs, however, they should NOT be indifferent to its VM capabilities, which require Windows 11 22H2 or later.

Because Im only too familiar with the gotchas outlined in the previous section that can impede creation (and use) of VMs through Hyper-V Manager, I wanted to see if Dev Home (Preview) could do any better. I deliberately used an RDP session to run Dev Home on a remote PC. Inside Dev Home, I opened the Environments option, shown with a small blue highlight bar to its left in Figure 24.

Figure 24: Home Dev Environments shows existing VMs along with New Virtual Machine. Ed Tittel / IDG

Notably, Dev Home brought up all VMs already defined on the P16, and their status (Stopped, Running, Saved); I guess that means they count as Environments from the tools perspective. More notably, clicking the Create Environment button at the upper right sped me through the steps to create a new Hyper-V VM:

Select Microsoft Hyper-V as the environment provider. Enter NewVM2 in the field tagged New virtual machine name. Select the 30-day evaluation for the Windows 11 dev environment as the Windows OS image source (its labeled an Environment below), purely as a test, as shown in Figure 25. Click Create Environment (see lower right, Figure 25).

Figure 25: This screen shows youve chosen the Microsoft-supplied Windows 11 dev environment as your image source for a new VM. Ed Tittel / IDG

Once youve clicked the Create Environment button, be prepared to wait a while. Dev Home must download the Windows 11 dev environment (over 20GB in size), then extract its interior files. On the P16 Mobile Workstation, that took about 15 minutes. Dev Home does report progress during this process, as you can see in Figure 26, which shows the download 76% complete.

Figure 26: Progress in downloading the ISO for the Windows 11 dev environment stands at 76%. Ed Tittel / IDG

When the extraction process ends, the ISO is mounted and the VM ready to launch. Youll see Environment information for your new VM (NewVM2, in this case) like that shown in Figure 27. You must click the Launch button (far right) to start the VM installation process.

Figure 27: Click the Launch button to fire off the Windows installer for the VMs OS. Ed Tittel / IDG

When you do that, a small VM window opens to present you with a Start button to fire things off. Figure 28 depicts that VM window: click that Start button!

Figure 28: Click the Start button to put Setup.exe to work to install the VMs OS. Ed Tittel / IDG

This starts the VM, which fires off the ISO images Setup.exe, at which point youll see a larger VM window labelled Hyper-V and a circular progress indicator. Then, youll be asked to size the VM window for further display (I recommend at least 1680 x 1050). At this point, a login window for a generic User (no password) appears, as shown in Figure 29. Remarkably, this took two minutes or less to complete. Click Sign in to get to the desktop.

Figure 29: Because the predefined User account requires no password, click Sign in and youre done. Ed Tittel / IDG

The next thing youll see is the NewVM2 desktop, a mostly bare-bones Windows 11 install that also includes Visual Studio 2022 and Ubuntu on Windows. Its running the current build as I write this for an Enterprise Evaluation (22621.3447) version. I also checked: you cannot use a valid Windows 11 Enterprise key to activate this install (it rejects all keys).

But here we are, having installed a working Hyper-V VM for Windows 11 from start to finish inside an RDP session! Thus, the Dev Home approach completely sidesteps all gotchas one encounters when using Hyper-V manager, to wit:

Theres no need to stop the VM after its first start, visit its Security settings and check the Enable TPM option as in Hyper-V Manager. Home Dev is smart enough to handle this in the background.

It starts, installs and boots from inside an enhanced RDP session. No local login is required to start up the VM to run setup.exe for the first time.

Built-in support for enhanced sessions also fixes the missing login prompt problem once the VM is up and running. Theres no need to tweak sign-in options, either. In fact, the OS doesnt even show the Only allow Hello logins entry under Additional settings in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options as shown in Figure 4 earlier.

Because enhanced sessions are turned on by default, you can cut and paste strings from outside the RDP session into the RDP session. Thats how I determined that a valid Windows 11 Enterprise key did not work to re-key the Windows 11 Dev image that Dev Home downloads and uses.

Theres just one problem: Dev Home environments dont let you grab an arbitrary local ISO on a drive. You can only use Environments that Microsoft makes available (these are essentially the same as the gallery images shown in Figure 9 earlier in this story).

For any other Windows images you might want to run as VMs, you must use Hyper-V Manager and its quick or slow create processes  that is, unless Microsoft responds to my feature request to add access to local ISOs to Dev Homes existing image options when creating a VM.

Net-Net: It really could be easier

What I learned from digging into Dev Home and its capabilities  especially when using RDP  is that its entirely possible for Microsoft to update and rationalize its Hyper-V VM creation process. Whether or not they choose to do so is up to them. I certainly hope theyll figure this out, and do just that.

Ideally, Microsoft would fix Hyper-V Manager to make it Windows 11-aware (and friendly). And then they might add local ISO access to image selection options in Dev Home. Frankly, Id be happy with either of these approaches (you can always tweak a VM created in Dev Home in Hyper-V Manager through its many Settings categories and options). Although it would be great to see both happen, Im not holding my breath
Monks and the idea of snacking seem diametrically opposed.

I dont think snacking is a sin, but it feels like its getting close, like some sort of gateway sin. Trying to picture a silent monk going to town on a Snickers just doesnt make sense in my head. Youd think hed have to go straight to a confessional and atone with chocolate still on his face. And so, its incredibly surprising to me that a common and beloved snack was cooked up in a monastery by the pious.

Even more shocking is that its a snack that people still actively and frequently eat in the year 2024, when everyones taste buds are desensitized to subtlety by snack foods blasted in powders of various kinds. A snack made by monks seems like something that would only fulfill a craving back when salt was still worth its weight in gold. Something incredibly bland and possibly painful, like gnawing on a briar branch.

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Yet, all the way back in 610 AD (or thereabouts), a monk invented the pretzel.

Now, it was likely not as butter-drenched and heavily salted as the Auntie Annes of today, but it still sounds totally solid. Another point in their favor was that they were of the soft variety, not the vastly inferior crunchy kind. They were merely strips of leftover bread, baked and twisted into the well-known pretzel shape because they (if you squint, I guess) look like arms crossed in a prayer pose.

Either way, they caught on quickly. In fact, pretzels would stay associated with monks for centuries, being given out to the poor as a sort of Church-branded snack.

Public Domain In this 17th century painting, we see pretzels being sold by a weird man and some sort of Dracula.

They expanded even further in their role as a religious treat because their recipe eschewed eggs and dairy, which meant they were allowed during Lent. Not bad as far as religious bread goes, since Id take a pretzel over matzah any day of the week.

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They also hold the distinction of saving the city of Vienna. When the Turks attempted an invasion via tunnel, monks that were baking pretzels in a basement heard the digging and alerted the city. Which is how the pretzel also became, to my knowledge, the only snack food to ever grace an official coat of arms.
Comedian Bert Kreischer has inspired hit movies, battled Russian gangsters and come weirdly close to fronting one of the worst rock bands in history. Now, hes using his social media popularity to investigate imaginary crimes? What are you doing, Bert?

In a recent post, Kreischer filmed himself wandering through a Los Angeles Rite Aid location, bemoaning the drug stores ominously empty shelves. In what feels like the opening narration of a post-apocalyptic B-movie from the 1980s, Kreischer begins the video by stating: This is Los Angeles, everything is gone.

This looks like its been looted, Kreischer suggested while scanning the tragically barren shelves, once plentiful with valuable deodorant sticks. I guess thieves just come in and take whatevers expensive, and just fucking walk out with it. This is crazy. This is unrecognizable.

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Kreischer then waxed poetically about the value of Rite Aid. When I moved to Los Angeles, youd come into Rite Aid, and youd spend the fucking afternoon looking around. Which, to be honest, sounds like an objectively awful way to spend an afternoon.

This is so fucking sad, the proto-Van Wilder concluded, shaking his head, presumably in disappointment at the current state of humanity.

Of course, had Kreischer used the same device that filmed and uploaded the video to just Google the words Rite Aid, he probably would have arrived at the real explanation behind the lack of stock, which in no way involved an army of invisible looters. Rite Aid filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2023, after facing 1,600 lawsuits related to the companys role in contributing to the opioid crisis  including one filed by the federal government, alleging that the company ignored red flags when filling suspicious prescriptions for the addictive pain drugs.

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While Rite Aid has emerged from bankruptcy as of this week, and is now a privately held company, more than 500 Rite Aid pharmacies closed after they filed for Chapter 11. And the stores that remained open have been plagued with empty shelves.

This isnt all that surprising; companies that file for bankruptcy often find that suppliers hold back, worrying about receiving payment.

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This isnt the first time that a celebrity has claimed that empty Rite Aid shelves are the result of thieves, and not Rite Aids terrible business practices, but a ton of people have been ruthlessly dunking on Kreischer online, suggesting that this gaffe might explain why it took him eight years to graduate from Florida State.

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One user photoshopped the comedian in front of a Sears location  clearly another victim of these same nefarious looters.

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If Ryan Reynolds ever gets around to making another Van Wilder movie, perhaps it should be a low-budget indie in which the former party animal aimlessly putters around a drug store.

You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this).
Bob Egelko has been a reporter since June 1970. He spent 30 years with the Associated Press, covering news, politics and occasionally sports in Los Angeles, San Diego and Sacramento, and legal affairs in San Francisco from 1984 onward. He worked for the San Francisco Examiner for five months in 2000, then joined The Chronicle in November 2000.

His beat includes state and federal courts in California, the Supreme Court and the State Bar. He has a law degree from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento and is a member of the bar. Coverage has included the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, the appointment of Rose Bird to the state Supreme Court and her removal by the voters, the death penalty in California and the battles over gay rights and same-sex marriage.
The converted ironworks factory that Ian Schrager is selling has 13-foot ceilings and a wide-open living room, as shown in this listing photo. Photo: Douglas Elliman

Ian Schrager, the hotelier behind the Public hotel brand and founder of Studio 54, listed his Dumbo loft on 31 Washington Street this week for $4.3 million. If sold for that price, it will be almost at a loss  the real-estate mogul bought it for nearly the same amount, $4.26 million, over seven years ago in 2017. (The apartment was purchased by the Schrager Family Trust, which lists both Ian and his brother, Bernard, as trustees.)

The three-bedroom condo is in a landmarked historical building, built in 1986 as an ironworks factory and converted in 2001. The loft itself, which includes 13-foot ceilings, exposed wood beams, and huge windows set in brick walls, still has an industrial feel. The apartment comes with a wide-open living area that makes the enormous kitchen look small  even with its Viking appliances and ceiling-high custom cabinets that we imagine will require a ladder to reach. Theres even an area dedicated to a swing in the living area, in case the scale of the 2,600-square-foot apartment is unclear.

The kitchen in this listing photo has custom cabinets and Viking appliances. Photo: Douglas Elliman

The huge open space shown in this listing photo makes even the enormous kitchen look small. Photo: Douglas Elliman

The bathroom at the center of this listing photo, with its vanity sinks and tiled shower, will be an oasis from the throngs of tourists on your doorstep. Photo: Douglas Elliman

But, buyer beware  the listing notes that the apartment is located on one of the most iconic streets in all of Brooklyn. This is a nice way of saying that the building is at the famed intersection of Washington and Water streets, which serves as the backdrop to every photo on Instagram in front of the Manhattan Bridge. The loft might be huge and historic  but youll still have to step past throngs of tourists and influencers to get to your door every day.
Vendors sell goods along the sidewalk at 24th and Mission streets in San Franciscos Mission District on Sunday. Several candidates are running to represent District 9 on San Franciscos Board of Supervisors and replace Hillary Ronen. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle

When Ryen Motzek first moved to the Mission in the early 2000s, it was the place to be.

The neighborhood was alive with music and youthful energy that made it a magnet for newcomers in San Francisco. There were crowds, late-night bar crawls, restaurants with lines out the door and a lively street scene with food vendors and buskers that made Mission Street feel like San Franciscos second downtown.



But the Mission today is different, he said.

High rents have squeezed out businesses and residents. Storefronts now sit empty. Motzek and others worry about the rise in tents, drug dealing, illegal vending and dirty streets. The challenges facing the Mission are central to the upcoming supervisor race for District 9, which also includes Bernal Heights and the Portola. Residents and business owners hope whoever is elected can revive the neighborhood and clean up the streets.

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The levels of neglect are unconscionable, said Motzek, the president of the Mission Merchants Association. Whatever supervisor steps in needs to help get the neighborhood back to a good baseline  and listen.

A man sleeps on a mattress in San Franciscos Mission District on Sunday. Several candidates are running to represent District 9 on San Franciscos Board of Supervisors. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle

Four major candidates are running to replace Supervisor Hillary Ronen, who is termed out after eight years representing the district. Former state Senate candidate and climate nonprofit director Jackie Fielder and journalist Stephen Torres are running as progressives, while community organizer Roberto Hernandez and teacher Trevor Chandler lean moderate.

Whoever replaces Ronen will have to speak to a neighborhood worried about its future and craft a platform that addresses the areas problems.

Those problems include rampant illegal vending at its two BART plazas that continues despite city officials shutting down one of the plazas, flooding the area with city workers to enforce a ban on the illicit sales and other tactics.



At the same time, homelessness and open drug dealing and use have become more visible in the neighborhood since the pandemic, residents and merchants said. Though the number of tent encampments in the neighborhood is down, the number of people living in vehicles is up.

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And despite property and violent crime continuing to go down in the Mission, its still a concern.

Blighted buildings and a rise in open sex work  which prompted a lawsuit against the city last week  also have contributed to the sense that the neighborhood is in decay, though longtime residents say these issues have always plagued the area.



A redesign of a bike lane on Valencia Street incensed local residents and business owners, one of whom started a hunger strike in protest.

Still, the issues that energized the neighborhood before the pandemic remain, including gentrification, the high cost of living and the loss of its Latino residents. In 2000, Latinos made up 60% of the neighborhoods population, while they now make up about 37%, according to 2020 census data.



San Francisco State University professor Jason McDaniel told the Chronicle the Mission has historically been a stronghold of support for progressive candidates and progressive issues and that he doesnt see that changing in Novembers election.

Jackie Fielder is running to replace Hillary Ronen for supervisor of District 9. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

So far, Fielder has raised the most money, with $392,000 coming from donors and public matching funds. Chandler is close behind her with $308,000 raised from donors and public funds, while an independent expenditure committee has raised $52,500 to back his bid. Hernandez and Torres have raised less.

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Voters in the Portola, which is more moderate, and Bernal Heights, which leans progressive, will influence the races outcome, McDaniel said, but Mission voters will carry more weight.

McDaniel said many Mission voters blame Mayor London Breed and San Franciscos government dysfunction for the neighborhoods problems, which means moderate candidates allied with Breed might have a tougher road.

Case in point: Mission voters rejected two winning ballot measures supported by moderates and Breed in March, one of which gave police more powers and the other that required city welfare recipients to be screened for drug use.

Trevor Chandler, who is running for supervisor in District 9, poses for a portrait on Tuesday. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Still, Motzek  who lives in Bernal Heights  said there are a lot of perspectives in the neighborhood and people who live and work here who feel their voice isnt heard.

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La Corneta Taqueria owner and Mission resident Miguel Garcia said he wants the next supervisor to focus on helping small businesses and dealing with the rampant illegal vending, homelessness and drug dealing outside his restaurant.

He recently saw a 30% drop in sales since the pandemic, which he attributes to customers staying away because of safety concerns and to street vendors nearby offering food that compete with his restaurant.

Garcia added that taqueria owners in the Mission meet regularly to discuss the business  and many are suffering.

Were fighting to survive, said Garcia, who is supporting Hernandez as supervisor because hes a Latino community leader. People dont feel safe to come eat. Now were all suffering because of it.

Roberto Hernandez, a candidate running to represent District 9 on San Franciscos Board of Supervisors, poses for a portrait at Potrero del Sol Park in the Mission on Friday. Hernandez is running to replace Hillary Ronen. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle

Chandler said that frustration around public safety is powering his campaign. He wants to ensure that San Francisco has an accountable, responsive and fully staffed police department. He questioned the notion that he cant win because hes a moderate candidate in a progressive district.

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The district, he said, is just as progressive as weve always been, but people just want results, he said. Theyre tired of progressive words and not seeing progressive results.

Hernandez also said people in the neighborhood tell him theyre worried about public safety and want more police. He would push for more foot patrols and street ambassadors if hes elected.

The number one issue is safety, Hernandez said. People have shared horror stories about car break-ins, garage break-ins, people getting homes broken into, robberies.  Its heartbreaking.

Fielder said she wants to increase the number of foot patrols in the Mission but to do so by getting officers out of their vehicles and walking beats. She also wants to triple the number of neighborhood ambassadors and to hire more emergency room nurses, paramedics, social workers, as well as add more drug and mental health treatment beds.

Everyone is tired of the doom and gloom, Fielder said. We have public safety issues, but theyre not being met with optimism grounded in bold innovative approaches. We need more than just the police.

Stephen Torres, a bartender at Twin Peaks Tavern, sits for a portrait in the Castro in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 27, 2023. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Santiago Lerma, who lives in the Mission, said Mission Street does feel a little more chaotic.

Lerma, a former Ronen aide, said what the Mission needs is experience  which he said is lacking among the current candidates.

A successful future supervisor will have to learn how to pull the levers of power and come to terms with the limits of the role, he said. Lerma said he intended to run for Ronens seat but told the Chronicle he is choosing to spend time with his newborn child and family. He said he isnt endorsing anyone.



Ronen has endorsed Fielder and Torres.
Air New Zealand shareholders are invited to join the Annual Shareholders Meeting 2024 which will be held at the Tekapo Room, Novotel, 30 Durey Road, Christchurch Airport, Christchurch on Thursday 26 September 2024 at 2.00pm. Shareholders can also join the meeting via an online platform.

The Notice of Meeting and Voting Form are attached. An electronic copy of these documents is available on the companys website: https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/annual-meeting.

The Notice of Meeting and Voting Form are being emailed to shareholders who have provided the companys share registrar with an email address and will be mailed in hard copy where the share registrar does not hold a shareholders email address.

Guidance on meeting participation is included in the Notice of Meeting. Shareholders attending online will be able to access the meeting link and Portal Guide from the Companys website, https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/annual-meeting.

Shareholders joining via the online platform will be able to vote and ask questions during the meeting. You will require your shareholder number (found on your proxy form) for verification purposes. Questions can be submitted in advance of the meeting using the proxy form, or during the meeting by asking questions via the online platform. The Chair will answer as many of the most frequently asked questions as possible during the meeting.

Shareholders can also appoint a proxy and direct their votes in advance of the meeting. Please see the Notice of Meeting for instructions.

Ends.

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If you doubt the existence of evil, I have a question. What other word describes the shooting in cold blood, in the back of the head, of six of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza?

Last Thursday, the Israel Defence Forces were on the point of rescuing them. But word reached the Islamist terror organisation  and its despicable response was to murder Alexander Lobanov, 32, Almog Sarusi, 27, Carmel Gat, 40, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, and Ori Danino, 25.

According to the autopsies carried out when their bodies were brought back to Israel, they had gunshot wounds to the head, chest and abdomen, with deep cuts to their hands  the result of months of being bound.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the Bundeskanzleramt in Berlin, Germany on August 28

Mr Lammy walking outside No 10 Downing Street on September 3 donning a bright red tie and a black suit

Grieving

As one of Israels closest allies, you might expect Britains government to have deepened its support for Israel at the moment when the nation was grieving the senseless deaths of these innocent young men and women kidnapped on October 7.

But that is not what happened. On Monday afternoon, at the same time as the murdered hostages were being buried in Israel, Foreign Secretary David Lammy stood in the House of Commons and announced an embargo on the sale of certain arms to Israel (to be precise, 30 out of 350 arms export licences have been suspended).

The timing seems almost too grotesque to be true. The signal that our government chose to send to Israel was that it should be punished for defending itself against terror.

Bad enough that we have turned on our ally  but there is an even worse consequence to our decision.

Hamas  and its paymaster Iran  will reason that Israel can no longer rely on its allies. And, alas, they would be right to draw such a conclusion  not least because this is far from the first example of the new Labour government choosing to stand not with democratic Israel but instead with its terrorist enemies.

Pro-Israel supports waving their national flags in a demonstration in central London

Outside the entrance of the Britain's Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office with signs saying 'Stop Arming Hamas'

On July 19, just two weeks after taking office, Mr Lammy told the Commons that the UK would resume funding to UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East).

This might sound like an innocuous decision  but it was bitterly symbolic.

In January, the previous Tory government had stopped funding this bizarre organisation, after the Israelis provided evidence that some of UNRWAs own employees had participated in the October 7 massacre.

But according to Mr Lammy, all was now well: UNRWA is ensuring they meet the highest standards of neutrality and strengthening its procedures, including on vetting.

This is perverse. The Israelis have published compelling evidence of UNRWAs facilities being used by terrorists in Gaza, with a complex of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad war rooms used for surveillance, as well as a large cache of weapons including parts for tactical drones, rockets, machine guns, mortars, explosives and grenades in UNRWAs headquarters in Gaza City.

Defence

One pro-Israel supporter demonstrating outside the entrance with a megaphone in central London on September 3

Pictured: items left scattered around the Supernova Music Festival site on October 13

And last month, UNRWA belatedly admitted that some of its staff had indeed taken part on October 7. And yet this is an organisation Keir Starmers government now somehow sees as a fit and proper recipient of British taxpayers money.

The restoration of funding to UNRWA was followed by Labours decision to acquiesce in the application by the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for an arrest warrant against the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as his defence minister Yoav Gallant.

Once again, the previous Conservative government had been working alongside Germany on arguments against the arrest warrant: that the ICC has no jurisdiction in Israel and that this was a matter to be resolved by the fair and balanced Israeli courts. But Starmer reneged on this sensible policy.

And now comes the piece de resistance  a ban on the sales of some arms to Israel. Sir Keir Starmers policy towards Israel is indistinguishable from how a Corbyn-led government would have behaved.

Previous Labour prime ministers  Wilson, Callaghan, Blair and Brown  all understood how vital it was not just for Israel to have our support but for us to have Israel as an ally.

Our intelligence services have long enjoyed a special relationship with Israels renowned Mossad.

This relationship is of huge benefit to us in preventing terror on our own shores. Israel is on the front line against Islamist terror  a foe that, tragically, we face here, too.

But that relationship has been put at risk after Starmers decision to throw Israel under the bus.

And it is all the more appalling when you consider that five of the remaining 101 hostages held by Hamas are British citizens.

As Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu put it yesterday: Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britains misguided decision will only embolden Hamas.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking during a news conference in Jerusalem on September 2

Israel's defence minister Yoav Gallant visiting the scene of an attack in Majdal Shams on July 27 where 12 children were killed and around 50 were injured

So what is prompting Labours sinister capitulation?

There are two main reasons. First, most broadly, the modern Left has a visceral hatred of Israel, which it  entirely wrongly  considers to be a white colonialist project. All the worst aspects of the Left come together in its anti-Zionism (often just anti-Semitism).

But there is a more specific explanation for Starmers approach. Monday also saw the formation of a new Commons grouping, the so-called Independent Alliance, comprising Jeremy Corbyn and the four independent Muslim MPs.

While its perhaps a coincidence that this was unveiled on the same day the arms embargo was announced, the politics are closely entwined.

Labour is well aware of the threat posed to it by sectarian Muslim voting, which led to the election of the Independent Alliances MPs in traditional Labour heartlands.

In 37 constituencies in Julys election, more than 20 per cent of voters are Muslim, and in a further 73 seats the Muslim population was between 10 and 20 per cent.

Taken as a whole, there is an electorally significant Muslim population in 110 constituencies.

Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn attending the 138th Durham Miners' Gala on July 13, 2024

Independent MP Ayoub Khan taking to the stand after beating out Labour's Khalid Mahmood in Birmingham during the general election

Adnan Hussain - also an independent MP - being hugged and greeted by friends, family and supporters outside King George's Hall in Blackburn

Indepndent MP Shockat Adam saying 'this is for Gaza' as he wins Leicester South from Labour's Jonathan Ashworth on July 4 (left). Iqbal Mohamed - also an Independent MP - being sworn into the House of Commons (right)

Troubling

A pre-election poll showed why this matters in the context of Israel. One in four British Muslims cited the Israel/Palestine conflict as their most important issue, compared with just 3 per cent of the public overall. Labour is focusing on staving off further Muslim drift away from the party.

This cannot hold.

Israel  a free democracy surrounded by enemies  is engaged in an existential fight against Iran, which operates through its proxies Hamas and the still more fearsome Hezbollah.

Labour might now claim it remains a staunch ally of Israel, but its actions suggest the opposite.

We need to give the Israelis the tools they need to finish the job.

In a fight between good and evil, the British government should instinctively know the right side.

How troubling, to put it mildly, that we cannot now be sure it does.

Stephen Pollard is editor at large of the Jewish Chronicle.
Its a beautiful weekday morning. The sun is already shining at 8am, and the forecast shows not one cloud in the sky all day.

Its unseasonably warm for September, and very probably the last fine day of summer, so what a shame its the first week back at school for my ten-year-old daughter Olivia.

But then, why should she miss out? All it takes is a simple email from me to the school attendance officer, after all. A headache is the best reason to give, Ive discovered, because, unlike a cough or upset tummy, it only lasts a day. A headache means she can go back to school tomorrow with no questions asked. I dont want her to have to lie to adults herself, clearly, though I have no qualms at all about my own lies.

I don't want my daughter to have to lie to adults herself, clearly, though I have no qualms at all about my own lies (file image)

We can go to Whitstable, we can get fish and chips, and a special ice cream at the new gelateria, I tell her. We can play in the sand, and I bet it will be hot enough to swim! And, I add to myself, parking will be easy, and the beach will be, if not empty, then emptier.

It wouldnt be the first time Ive taken Olivia out of school for the day just for fun. I am one of the mothers Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson took direct aim at last weekend, when she vowed to clamp down on the absence epidemic in Britains schools and issue ever steeper fines to parents who allow children to skip classes for the sake of cheaper holidays, to avoid unpopular subjects, for birthday treats or a runny nose.

According to Phillipson, feckless mums like me, quite happy to take kids out of school for no good reason, are significantly diminishing their future earning potential. But what ludicrous hyperbole. As if the entirety of a childs life turns on a couple of school lessons. Little Johnny definitely wont land that high-flying job in the City if he misses six days of Year 5 maths! Education is at best a torch shone into the darkness. The idea that there is a complete set of knowledge that can only be achieved by sitting behind a desk every single day is rubbish.

The curriculum is carefully planned by those on high and handed down to us all as if its the final version of a rounded education . . . until the next government changes it all. School is important, but there are other important lessons in life, too.

I rarely do it more than three days a term. Though of course add that to the days on which she is genuinely poorly, and I confess our attendance percentage seldom creeps over 85 per cent.

Not that its affected Olivias academic performance. Last term her report card showed her reading and maths both at the longed-for greater depth marker.

In fact, I truly believe that by skipping school, I am helping her on several crucial levels  academically, but also mentally and socially. I am teaching her how to be a happier, more self-assertive person. Indeed, one of the reasons I do this is to show Olivia that breaking the rules is not always a bad thing.

At the moment, like most little girls, she is too good, socialised to obey the rules in a way that little boys are not. In among general glowing praise, her report said: Olivia places too high expectations on herself to do well. She is, in other words, on her way to becoming a perfectionist and we all know that perfectionism in girls is often a curse. I dont want her to grow up a people-pleasing young woman who never puts herself first.

I know I am setting a bad example  that is the very point. By taking my daughter out of school when I feel like it, I am instilling a lack of respect for the institution of school in general. The Education Secretary would no doubt think me deeply irresponsible.

I dont want to make it harder for Olivias teacher to meet attendance goals or push kids through tests  I like her and recognise how hard she works  but I dont see bureaucratic government targets as my problem.

I dont agree with them. At school I too felt the pressure to be good, until I snapped in my teenage years and spent the next decade rebelling against every form of authority I encountered.

My 20s were a disaster. But now I have learned how to assert myself without being self-destructive. I have a creative job and more freedom than most people. I am still a rule-breaker, and I want Olivia to know its okay to break the rules too. If Olivia is a bit naughty for a day, I am convinced it will do her good.

Increasingly, society needs creative thinkers as well as people who do whatever they are told. If she learns to navigate a way through school, university, and later the office, while prioritising her mental and physical well-

being, then thats better than showing up to work every single day when she doesnt feel like it.

And so, when we go to the seaside and Olivia worries about being seen by teachers, I tell her were driving an hour and a half from school and, unless theyre skipping,too, her teachers wont be there.

Soon she throws off her fears and we spend the day improving her breast-stroke and paddling in the sea looking for fish and seashells.

Last winter Olivia and I went to the Natural History Museum and wandered around hand in hand. It was quieter than at the weekends, at least before the school trips arrived (Ive been a parent-helper on one of those and let me tell you, not much learning goes on; its all about crowd control). It was amazing to tiptoe past the first T Rex skeleton ever discovered, just the two of us.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson vowed to clamp down on the 'absence epidemic' in Britain's schools

It was even better in the Rothko room at the Tate Modern, one of my favourite places. As we sat there together in the gloomy light, gazing at the huge paintings bearing down on us from every wall, I could see that Olivia was feeling the power of them too. They make me think of sunsets and war, she said. I dont know why, but I feel sad. It would have been quite different on the weekend with all the crowds.

At other times during term time I have taken her to the Lido where we played at being mermaids, and to London Zoo, where we stared for hours at the Leaf-cutter ants. Wherever we go, Olivia peppers me with questions. Her thirst for knowledge is unquenchable, but I give it a go.

She may be off school, but she is still learning. And our relationship is even closer now, thanks to our covert Mummy and me time.

Yes, she might be unlucky and skip a day in school that she cant catch up: last term she missed a Roman workshop. But that was the day I took her to her grandmothers 94th birthday lunch in Wiltshire. I didnt receive a reply from the headmistress when I emailed to ask in advance, so the absence was unauthorised.

Since my mother is in poor health, this birthday is likely to be her last.

Olivia did feel left out at school the next day, when she had to listen to her friends talking about throwing spears and looking at real Roman coins. But Id argue that shed feel even more left out at missing the birthday party.

In this climate, after Phillipsons pledge to get tough, I doubt days off will be granted for anything, even grandmas last party, but that means I simply wont ask for permission in future, but will tell one of my white lies instead.

Olivia is slowly becoming less biddable. Nowadays, when she wakes up with a sniffle, she looks at me hopefully (although she is not allowed to stay home for a cold). Compared to her friend who is never allowed off  even with a broken ankle  she sees going to school as negotiable.

This friends mother works for the NHS and looked askance at me when I mentioned, in a whisper, one of our recent days at the beach. The mum cannot go to the beach on a whim. She is a much better person than me, and lets me know it by the looks she sends in my direction.

If my own mother knew, she would be horrified, too. She would think I was being irresponsible and disrespectful, but I dont care. She would accuse me of being selfish, and she would be right. I make no apology about putting Olivia and myself first.

It is interesting that the Government is concentrating on money in all of this. The bigger fines. The focus on future earning potential. Money is important, especially if you dont have it. But it is also true that there is more to life than money. There are rare sunny days at the beach, there is familial closeness, there is the joy of spontaneity. And there is rule-breaking.

That those things are important, too, is a lesson I intend to teach my ten-year-old before its too late. And if I have to invent a few more headaches to get around the Education Secretarys ever stricter edicts, then that is what Ill do.
A mother who kept training during pregnancy so she could lose her baby weight in two months has advised other pregnant women not to 'neglect your body for nine months'.

Izabela Simonsson, 31, from Copenhagen, Denmark, has always been active and knew she wanted to keep up with her workout routine when she found out she was pregnant with her first baby.

The expectant mother continued performing 60kg deadlifts for the first six months of her pregnancy before dropping down to 40kg in her third trimester.

Izabela was still training three days before she gave birth - at 40 weeks pregnant - to little Gabriela on June 5, 2023.

She lost the baby weight in two months and 'snapped back' to her pre-baby body within four months.

Izabela Simonsson, 31, from Copenhagen, Denmark, kept training during pregnancy so she could lose her baby weight in two months and says you shouldn't 'neglect your body for nine months' (pictured 40 weeks pregnant)

Izabela, a marketing manager said: 'I was still training three days before I gave birth. It's about not neglecting your body for nine months. There are so many benefits. I'm happier when I work out.'

Izabela has always loved training and does a mixture of weights and HIIT workouts.

When she and her husband, Tomas Simonsson, 38, a company owner, found out they were expecting in September 2022 she decided to stick to her routine.

She said: 'I tried to read a lot of books. It stated it's beneficial for baby if mum is healthy.'

Izabela kept safe by sticking to her same workout routine and didn't try anything new while pregnant.

She said: 'I had a really good and uncomplicated pregnancy. In my first trimester I was laying in bed most of the time.

'It's 45 minutes once or twice a week - it doesn't require much time. I maintained the weight throughout the pregnancy.

'I just modified it in terms of weight after the first trimester. It was more mobility at the end. I was doing more cardio and weights.'

She lost the baby weight in two months and 'snapped back' to her pre-baby body within four months (pictured three months after giving birth)

Izabela has always loved training and does a mixture of weights and HIIT workouts (seven months after giving birth)

Izabela gave birth to Gabriela on June 5, 2023, weighing 8lbs 3oz, and stuck to the eight week guideline before going back to the gym

The expectant mother kept lifting 60 kg deadlifts before dropping down to 40 kg in her third trimester (pictured 38 weeks pregnant)

Izabela kept safe by sticking to her same workout routine and didn't try anything new while pregnant

Izabela gave birth to Gabriela on June 5, 2023, weighing 8lbs 3oz, and stuck to the eight week guideline before going back to the gym.

She said: 'I did some good walks. Within three weeks everything was gone. I felt pretty comfortable after two months. At four months I felt more lean.'

She gained around two stone during her pregnancy but managed to shed the weight by three weeks postpartum.

Izabela also believes breastfeeding helped her lose weight but believes there are so many benefits to training while pregnant.

She said: 'It's being the best version for yourself and your baby. Do what you have to do to feel the best.'

Izabela said strangers online were in 'awe' of her 'snapback'. She said: 'There is a misunderstanding from doctors saying you should just lie in bed.

Izabela was still training three days before she gave birth - at 40 weeks pregnant

Izabela's baby little Gabriela was born on June 5, 2023, and now often goes to the gym with her mother

Izabela found out she was pregnant with her second child in July 2024 and is now 18 weeks along and plans to stick to training again, saying 'It's healthy for baby and mum'

'I approached the pregnancy with fitness. Mentally I thought ''oh no, I'll gain 30 kilos and it will take a year to get back into shape''.

'It felt it was impossible to do. It was a little bit of proving doctors wrong. There were comments about why I'm obsessed with how I look.

'People think it's not normal to snapback quickly - people think it's a bad thing. I stay healthy for the baby's sake. It's a different motivation when you become a mum.'

Izabela found out she was pregnant with her second child in July 2024 and is now 18 weeks along and plans to stick to training again, saying 'It's healthy for baby and mum.'
Princess Sofia of Sweden is expecting her fourth child, the palace announced

Princess Sofia of Sweden and her husband, Prince Carl Philip, have made their first appearance since the palace announced her pregnancy.

The soon-to-be mother-of-four, 39, was glowing as she visited a Volvo site with her husband this morning in Varmland, just two days after the Swedish Royal Household announced the happy news.

As they arrived at the site, Sofia was dressed in black flared trousers, a white ribbed sweater and a pashmina around her shoulders. Her baby bump was only barely visible beneath her outfit.

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.

Princess Sofia of Sweden, 39, has made her first public appearance since the Swedish Royal Household announced her fourth pregnancy

The royal, who is already a mother of three sons, arrived at a Volvo site as she arrived in Varmland with her husband Prince Carl Philip

A statement shared by the Swedish Royal Household on Monday 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 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.

The Princess wore her brunette hair in loose waves hanging down her shoulders

The Princess was glowing in a low-key yet chic outfit including a white ribbed sweater and black flared trousers

Princess Sofia of Sweden (pictured with Prince Carl Philip) is pregnant with her fourth child, the Swedish Royal Household has announced

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.
The Munchausen-by-proxy victim, 32, announced that she was expecting in July

Fans have spotted a revealing detail in an ultrasound scan shared by Gypsy Rose Blanchard, urging her to tread with caution over what she shares online.

The 32-year-old mom-to-be and ex-felon posted a photo of her 20-week ultrasound, and spared no details - including her care provider.

'Our sweet baby girl, for our 20 week ultrasound,' Gypsy captioned her social media post.

'She is growing and measuring beautifully.'

But commenters immediately picked up on the fact she had left her care provider's details on the image.

The 32-year-old posted a photo of her 20-week ultrasound, and spared no details - including her care provider

DailyMail.com has chosen to blur the information.

'I strongly advise you to find a new OBGYN immediately,' one user wrote, clarifying what they meant in a further comment writing: 'Yall are misunderstanding my comment.

'FOR HER SAFETY, she should find a new OBGYN because the ultrasound shows the name of her care provider. '

'She's the one at fault for not blurring it. Not the OB,' another pointed out.

'Its gypsy's (sic) fault for the harassment the OB will get for accepting a felon as a patient.'

'Gypsy. For your protection You may want to take off who your care provider is. Its out there for everyone to see,' someone else added.

'May want to blur out your place of service for protection. For your safety dear,' a fourth suggested.

The Munchausen-by-proxy victim, 32, announced that she was expecting her first child with her boyfriend, Ken Urker, in a video shared to her YouTube channel in July

Due to her parole conditions, Gypsy can't even live with Ken, 31, despite their impending parenthood

The Munchausen-by-proxy victim, 32, announced that she was expecting her first child with her boyfriend, Ken Urker, in a video shared to her YouTube channel in July.

Gypsy was famously released from Chillicothe Correctional Center in Missouri in December 2023, after serving the mandatory seven years of her 10-year sentence for conspiring to kill her mother, Dee Dee.

When asked how she planned to tackle the heavy subject with her child in the future, Gypsy candidly stated that the thought has 'plagued' her mind for years.

She stated: 'That question has plagued my mind for a long time.

'And I have come to a point where I understand that, that question with is going to be asked by my child some day.

'I feel like when that time comes, Ken and I will sit down and have that conversation, and I will explain in the most honest way possible.'

She said when the timing is right, she and Ken (pictured) will tell their daughter about her past

The Munchausen-by-proxy victim, 32, has found fame since she was released in 2023, having served the mandatory seven years for conspiring to kill her mother, Dee Dee, in 2015 (pictured)

Commenters immediately picked up on the fact she had left her care provider's information in the image

The Life After Lockup star has currently got another 11 months left of parole after being charged with second-degree murder over the 2015 death of her mother Claudine 'Dee Dee' Blanchard.

Due to her parole conditions, Gypsy can't even live with Ken, 31, despite their impending parenthood.

Gypsy has spoken about the fact that she did not have the typical childhood and would be doing all that's in her power to avoid that similar fate for her own child.

'My mother did not want to see me meet those milestones that every child should have,' she recalled. 'Like going on a first date, or prom or a bike ride. All of those little milestone moments that make life worth living. I didn't get to have that.

'So, I want my child to have all of the things that he or she could ever want in life.'
China-Africa cooperation empowers African countries' drive toward modernization

Xinhua) 08:08, September 04, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is just around the corner.

Themed "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future," the summit, the largest diplomatic event hosted by China in recent years, will highlight the common pursuit of China and African countries in realizing modernization.

To support Africa in accelerating modernization, China has launched plans and initiatives focusing on three key areas: industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent development, yielding tangible results.

FUELING AFRICA'S INDUSTRIALIZATION

The three key areas were announced by China at the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue in South Africa in August 2023.

Under the Initiative on Supporting Africa's Industrialization, China is committed to helping Africa expand its manufacturing sector, achieve industrialization, and diversify its economy by channeling more resources, investments, and financing into industrialization programs.

Through market-driven investments, infrastructure development, and ventures in new sectors, Chinese enterprises are enhancing Africa's industrial system and advancing the continent's industrialization, according to the latest report by the China-Africa Business Council (CABC).

In Tanzania's coastal region, Chinese-invested Sapphire Float Glass Factory both serves the local market and exports float glass to six other African nations. With a designed production capacity of approximately 700 tonnes per day, the factory has created 1,012 direct jobs for locals and 3,857 indirect jobs. Inaugurated in September 2023, the project is expected to generate up to 1,650 direct jobs and 6,000 indirect jobs upon reaching full production capacity.

In Botswana, Chinese firms are playing a key role in the country's green transition efforts. In August, Botswana Power Corporation signed a power purchase agreement with Sinotswana Green Energy, a consortium of Chinese and Botswana companies, to officially launch the nation's first 100 MW solar photovoltaic power station project.

The project, expected to begin power generation by the end of 2025, was hailed a "key milestone" in the country's energy transition.

These cooperation projects illustrate the growing role of Chinese companies in bolstering Africa's industrialization. According to the CABC report, China is diversifying its investments in Africa, covering traditional sectors such as manufacturing, technology, wholesale and retail, agriculture, and real estate, as well as emerging fields like the digital economy, green development, aerospace and aviation, and financial services.

According to the report, titled "China-Africa Investment Cooperation: A New Impetus to Africa's Industrialization," this comprehensive investment approach has helped Africa achieve economic diversification and strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of its economies while providing Chinese enterprises with more investment opportunities.

The participation of private enterprises brings not only additional capital and technological support but also more flexible and efficient business models and management expertise, the report stated, adding that over 70 percent of Chinese enterprises investing in Africa are private companies.

BOOSTING AGRICULTURAL MODERNIZATION

Rwandan student Gatera, 31, is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in food crop cultivation techniques in east China's Anhui Province. Inspired by late Chinese agricultural scientist Yuan Longping, known as "father of hybrid rice," Gatera applied for a Chinese government scholarship and began his master's studies at Anhui Agricultural University in 2019.

China cultivates over 17 million hectares of hybrid rice and is ready to share its globally leading cultivation technology with other countries. Dozens of countries across the globe have engaged in research and demonstration planting of hybrid rice, with nearly 8 million hectares planted annually abroad.

"I want to make crops more affordable and accessible to every Rwandan, just as Yuan Longping did," said Gatera, adding that he aims to develop more heat-resistant crop varieties for his homeland, a landlocked African country facing food shortages.

Gatera checks the maize at a field affiliated to Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, on Aug. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

When asked to comment on the story of the African student, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that China has ensured a secure food supply for its 1.4 billion people after decades of strenuous efforts, and the country deeply understands Africa's hope for zero hunger.

China has pledged to help Africa expand grain production, encourage Chinese companies to increase agricultural investments in Africa, and enhance cooperation in seed technology and other areas of agro-tech.

Driven by the Plan for China Supporting Africa's Agricultural Modernization, China-Africa agricultural cooperation has flourished, yielding notable results in technical assistance and training for agricultural experts, the transfer of advanced technologies, the establishment of agricultural parks, and the promotion of farming projects for juncao and hybrid rice. This cooperation has delivered quality rice and vegetables to the African people and advanced the modernization of Africa's agricultural sector.

Over the past decade, China has established 24 agricultural technology demonstration centers in Africa and introduced more than 300 advanced agricultural technologies, increasing local crop yields by an average of 30 to 60 percent and benefiting over 1 million farmers across the continent.

Currently, over 200 Chinese enterprises are continuing investments in Africa's agricultural sector, with a cumulative investment stock exceeding 1 billion U.S. dollars. These investments span various areas, including agricultural supplies and machinery, farming, processing, and sales. China is also promoting the development of new business models in Africa, such as smart agriculture, e-commerce, and trade, said Xu Jianping, an official of China's National Development and Reform Commission, at a press briefing ahead of the summit.

Lin Zhanxi, a professor of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, lectures Juncao technology to participants of a training class at the China-Rwanda Agriculture Technology Demonstration Center in Huye District, Southern Province, Rwanda, on Aug. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

Since 2012, China has sent more than 400 agricultural experts to Africa and trained over 70,000 agricultural technicians for the continent, he said.

China has also announced plans to assist African nations in promoting improved crop varieties and farming techniques, enhancing mechanization and accelerating the increase in the yield of major grain crops.

NURTURING FUTURE TALENT

Tola Tsegaye Alemu, a 34-year-old Ethiopian, first encountered the innovative use of industrial cameras and artificial intelligence to sort coffee beans at the China-Ethiopia Luban Workshop. This technology, provided by China, is set to become a key component of the workshop's curriculum and could eventually enhance Ethiopia's coffee industry.

Talent development is vital for both China and Africa as they work to improve their economies and livelihoods, making educational collaboration a cornerstone of China-Africa relations.

Tola Tsegaye Alemu, a vocational teacher from Ethiopia, is pursuing his doctoral degree at Tianjin University of Technology and Education. He is currently a leading instructor at the Luban Workshop in Ethiopia, named after an ancient Chinese craftsman. The workshop is dedicated to equipping African people with valuable vocational skills.

"Luban Workshop is a great opportunity for African young people to learn skills. It not only provides training courses but also unique teaching methods," said Tola Tsegaye Alemu.

Tola Tsegaye Alemu (R) operates an industrial robot under the guidance of a teacher in Tianjin University of Technology and Education in north China's Tianjin, on June 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

China has established 17 Luban Workshops across 15 African countries, providing training that has helped many African youths secure jobs in Chinese-invested local enterprises and industrial parks.

Under the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development, China plans to train 500 principals and high-caliber teachers of vocational colleges, and 10,000 technical personnel with both Chinese language and vocational skills for Africa every year.

Under robust national support, Chinese colleges and companies are dedicated to training African talent. Fully funded by China Road and Bridge Corporation, Kenyan student Issa Abdirizak pursued a degree in communications engineering at Beijing Jiaotong University. He now works as an assistant communications engineer at Kenya Railways. The Mombasa-Nairobi Railway in Kenya has not only enhanced transportation but also contributed to the development of a new generation of skilled railway professionals.

The scope of China-Africa talent cooperation is expanding from agriculture and infrastructure to digital industries and healthcare, enabling more African youths to pursue their dreams.

Nigerian student Ifeanyi Christian Onyebuchi, who dreamed of becoming a doctor as a child, is studying cardiothoracic surgery at Wannan Medical College in China. Inspired by the work of Chinese medical teams in Africa, he said, "The intelligence and dedication of Chinese doctors, and China's advanced medical technology have broadened my perspective immensely. I believe with all that, I can become a competent doctor in Nigeria in the future."

Since 1963, Chinese medical teams have been active in Africa, combating diseases and public health crises. Meanwhile, African students and doctors trained by Chinese medical professionals are becoming a crucial force in improving healthcare across the continent.

Zhou Sheng (1st R, rear), a member of the Chinese medical team for anti-malaria service, performs blood tests in a village north of Moroni, Comoros, on Aug. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

To date, China has trained over 220,000 personnel for African countries, tailored to their specific needs. From poverty reduction seminars in Beijing to the establishment of Nigeria's first transportation university and juncao technology training in Rwanda, China's educational initiatives are making a lasting impact.

According to a report by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, China is the second most popular destination for African students pursuing higher education abroad, after France.

According to Zhang Yongpeng, a researcher at the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, as Africa's Agenda 2063 progresses, the demand for talent will grow, and China-Africa cooperation in this area will continue to deepen. He anticipates that both regions will focus on developing talent in emerging fields like the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and green energy.

"The initiatives to assist Africa in industrialization, agricultural modernization, and talent development are formulated based on China's own development experience and the actual conditions of African countries. These initiatives align with the current needs of African nations and represent practical measures for China and Africa to jointly advance modernization," said Wang Lei, director of the Center for BRICS Cooperation Studies at Beijing Normal University.

Over the years, China-Africa cooperation has increasingly highlighted China's role in helping Africa enhance its own development capabilities, thereby supporting Africa's efforts toward self-reliance, Wang noted.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
China further expands development space through institutional opening up

16:00, September 04, 2024 By Li Bin, Sun Haitian ( People's Daily

The Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), as a significant strategic initiative of China's reform and opening up, is creating new prospects.

At the plant of Sinopec Hainan Petrochemical Co., Ltd., imported crude oil is processed into new materials, as well as petroleum and chemicals.

A cargo vessel fully loaded with containers arrives at a container terminal of the Xiuying port, Haikou, south China's Hainan province. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Junqi)

Hainan Xiangliang Fodder Co., Ltd. has benefited from a "reception first, inspection later" policy for its imported grains. The grains, after going through deep processing, are then transported and sold to Chinese inland regions. This approach saves time and warehousing costs for the company, and allows it to enjoy tax exemptions on value-added sales of processed imported goods in China.

Besides, a near-zero carbon demonstration zone has been launched in Boao within the Hainan FTP, and the ocean space resource is being developed and utilized in a multi-dimensional way.

So far, Hainan has released 146 cases of innovation of institutional integration in 17 batches. It is steadily expanding institutional opening up to build itself into a high-standard and high-quality FTP.

Promoting reform and development through opening up is an important means for China to make continuous achievements in modernization.

From the establishment of 22 pilot free trade zones (FTZs) to the emergence of the Hainan FTP, and from the release of the Foreign Investment Law to the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the alignment with high-standard international economic and trade rules and steady expansion of institutional openness have opened up greater space for China's development.

The third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) outlined plans for refining the institutions and mechanisms for high-standard opening up, which involve steadily expanding institutional opening up and a globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas.

Steadily expanding institutional opening up is key to high-standard opening up. It helps build new drivers of opening up, and new momentum and advantages of China's development.

Compared to opening up based on flows of goods and factors of production, institutional opening up is on a higher level. It embodies China's pursuit of a more proactive strategy of opening up.

China's negative list for foreign investment, which was initially launched at pilot FTZs, has been promoted nationwide. From the initial 190 items to the current 31 items in the national version and 27 items in the pilot FTZ version, the shortened negative list for foreign investment has further widened market access, making China's opening-up more attractive to foreign investors.

Photo shows Lujiazui Financial City in east China's Shanghai. (People's Daily Online/Wang Gang)

The China (Shanghai) Pilot FTZ has launched a single window for international trade and a copyright service center to better protect intellectual property rights. The Hainan FTP has built a business service system that is "responsive to all requests, non-intrusive when unnecessary, and faithful to all promises." These approaches have enhanced policy offerings and service quality while reducing burdens on businesses and vitalizing the market.

These measures aim at fostering a business environment that is more solidly based on market and rule of law and is up to international standards, and creating an institutional environment that is transparent, stable and predictable, which will make the Chinese market more attractive to global resources and production factors.

When it comes to steadily expanding institutional opening up, expansion is the goal while the key lies in maintaining a steady approach.

In expanding institutional opening up in the financial sector, it is important for China to align with high-standard international economic and trade rules, streamline restrictive measures, and strengthen risk prevention and control throughout the entire process to better safeguard national financial security.

In furthering opening up the services sector, China attaches equal importance to science-based planning at the top level and the replicable experiences gained from the active exploration in 28 pilot regions.

Earlier this year, the General Office of China's State Council issued an action plan to steadily promote high-level opening up and make greater efforts to attract and utilize foreign investment. In the first seven months of 2024, the number of newly established foreign-invested businesses in China hit 31,654, a year-on-year increase of 11.4 percent, with continuously improved foreign investment structure.

At the Global Free Trade Ports Development Forum during the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2023, an initiative calling for more partnership between FTZs across the globe was proposed and launched by Hainan and other 25 free trade zones and ports across the world. So far, 32 free trade zones and ports have joined the initiative.

By both bringing in high-standard international economic and trade rules and attracting foreign investment, China has promoted mutual learning and integration of its domestic and international rules, amplifying the interplay between its domestic and international markets and resources.

It is believed that as long as China pursues a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up and steadily expands institutional opening up, it will continuously create new opportunities for the world with its own development.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Du Mingming)
A frustrated woman has shared her distressed response to a frat party taking place below her apartment.

Content creator Kenna, who goes by the username 'kennyfromthablockk' on TikTok, shared a video from her fire escape window in New York City.

In the video, Kenna first showed herself holding her hand over her mouth, and then she switched out the P.O.V. to display the party that was occurring in the backyard, under her apartment.

The clip's overlaid text read: 'A literal frat "house???" Just moved in below us in my NYC apartment building...'

She captioned the video: 'Is this my reminder that Ive gotten old? Happy welcome week kids.'

A frustrated woman has shared her distressed response to a frat party taking place below her apartment

The video got more than 3,300,000 views, 415,500 likes, and 903 mixed comments.

Many empathized with Kenna and shared their frustration with her.

One person wrote: 'GIRL MOVE IMMEDIATELY.'

A second person commented: 'Youre never getting sleep AGAIN.'

Some users attempted to find the silver lining in the situation - suggesting ways she could join in the fun.

One person commented: 'I mean I would be so upset, but also like, Id have to just go down and join in at that point.'

A second person added: 'The way I would invite someone over, and people-watch from the fire escape.'

In AEPI's Instagram highlights titled, 'FALL 24', the group posted a photograph of the students gathering in the backyard, and the overlaid text read: 'Back in white'



Other users flocked to the comments to alert Kenna that they were some of the partygoers in attendance, with many users saying that the party was hosted by NYU's Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPI).

One person wrote: 'Omg thats the NYU frat party. I was there haha.'

A second person commented: 'Tell me why I was at that party.'

Kenna posted a follow-up video in which she responded to one comment which read: 'I would lose my mind honestly. I fear Im too old to join, and too young to file a noise complaint if it got too loud, so Id just silently suffer.'

While it is unclear if the frat boys live in the space full-time or if they only occupy the space when throwing ragers, they did make the gesture of apologizing for the noise after they saw their upstairs neighbor's TikTok post.

She captioned the second clip: 'They brought us a peace offering! Very mindful!' @Hatch for Sleep - please help us out.'

The video got more than 3,300,000 views, 415,500 likes, and 903 mixed comments. Many empathized with Kenna and shared their frustration with her

In the video, Kenna showed the plant that she received as a gift, as well as a handwritten letter in cursive from AEPI.

The letter stated: 'Dear neighbor, we saw your video and we hope the party wasn't [insane].

'We will make our best not to disturb you. If you face any concerns about noise or anything else, please text [number] and we shall take steps to fix any problems.

'For any future parties, we will notice you in advance, and [if possible] to work around your schedule to not [disturb] you.

'Please accept out humble gift as a small gesture to try and maintain a healthy and communicating relationship.

'Best, AEPI and the tenants of [address].'

AEPI's Instagram bio reads Alpha Chapter, established in 1913.

In AEPI's Instagram highlights titled, 'FALL 24', the group posted a photograph of the students gathering in the backyard, and the overlaid text read: 'Back in white.'

In the follow-up video, Kenna showed the plant that she received, as well as a handwritten letter in cursive from AEPI

The Rush AEPI's 'invite only' flyer advertised the 'Whiteout Party,' which was taking place in that TikTok on August 31

The Rush AEPI's 'invite only' flyer advertised the 'Whiteout Party,' which was taking place in that TikTok on August 31.

The other frat parties listed featured the 'City Views' party on September 2.

The upcoming ones include the 'Toga Party' on September 7 and the 'Full House' party on September 9.

The flyer featured the names and numbers of the rush chairs, who were Tyler, Alex and Sterling.

This is not the first time that the fraternity has run into trouble.

AEPI previously appeared on NYU's list of 'suspended chapters' which included Alpha Epsilon Pi, and the school's website explained the reasoning being: 'Suspended in Fall 2015 after being found responsible for hazing.'

AEPI most likely used the backyard area, because 'suspended chapters' are not able to use the University's spaces.

In an 'NYU' subreddit from 2021, Redditors responded to the inquiry: 'Are there any FRAT houses at NYU?'

One user commented: 'Yes, there are frat apartments, but theyre unofficial. But theyre essentially frat houses and they function the same way. Dont go there.'
Hailey Bieber's Rhode Skin brand has been praised for its response after being called out for not carrying flattering blush shades that worked on darker skin tones.

In a video posted earlier this month to TikTok by popular US beauty influencer Golloria George, she tested the new Rhode cream pocket blushes, but was met with disappointment.

George shared that the shades, which came in a range of different colors of pinks, oranges and mauves, made her look 'ashy.'

'I just feel like in 2024, if you're gonna drop anything complexion that it should be able to work for any skin tone and complexion, right?' she explained in a video earlier this month, adding that the blushes 'needed some work.'

In a follow-up clip, she tested out the blushes again after receiving some negativity in the comments section, and applied more of the product and with different tools and brushes - but was still met with the same disheartening result.

This summer, Hailey Bieber's beauty brand, Rhode Skin, launched their pocket cream blushes in a variety of colors

'You guys keep saying, "Well, why does this blush look different on this person, oh, well, I saw this person try it, and it worked for them,"' she said.

'For one, I don't know why it looks different on that person, and for two, I have a very different complexion than most people, and not every product is going to look the same on dark skin, because there are different tones of dark skin,' she continued.

'What works on someone else, may not work on me.'

She also called out some of the 'hateful' and 'violent' colorism that was happening in the comments section.

After speaking out, the video made waves in the beauty community, and was met with almost 20 million views in total and thousands of comments, many of which agreed with her.

The review even reached Hailey Bieber herself, prompting the star to reach out personally to George and correct the issue, sending her two new shades of Rhode blushes that appeared to have a new formula.

George showed viewers the new shades in a TikTok posted this week - one a pink-y mauve color, and the other darker cherry, both of which looked gorgeous on her skin.

'This is why I complain,' she said, as she patted and blended the products on her cheeks.

Popular U.S. beauty influencer Golloria George tested out the new Rhode cream pocket blushes, but was met with disappointment

Bieber, who recently gave birth to son Jack Blues Bieber with husband Justin, launched her beauty brand in 2022

'You see how beautifully flushed I am without looking ashy?' George said.

She then encouraged viewers to speak up for themselves.

'This is why you advocate for yourself,' the beauty guru said. 'You see what happens whenever you're not complacent, and that's what we call redemption.'

'Hailey, thank you for reaching out and listening to me and treating me like a human,' she continued. 'This is redemption.'

In a separate comment on the video, which was screenshotted and posted to Reddit, George also shared that the new mom to son Jack Blues Bieber called her on the phone, 'took accountability' and listened to her.

George added that she was also compensated for helping them consult on the shade, and that Bieber 'didn't dismiss' her experience with the previous formula.

George posted the comment to her Instagram story, writing, 'Not only did she listen to Black women, she also recognized the value of our time and energy.'

'Handled with intention,' she continued. 'Muah!!'

The blushes currently come in six colors, including piggy, a light pink shade (left) and spicy marg, a peachy-pink (right)

George's review even reached Hailey Bieber herself, prompting the star to reach out personally to George and correct the issue

Now, the beauty brand, which the star launched in 2022, is being praised by customers for their attentive and personal response to George, who boasts over two million followers on the platform.

In the comments section of George's video, many users shared how grateful they were for her advocacy and Bieber's response before the month was even over.

'That's amazing that Hailey reached out. The color looks gorgeous on you,' one person wrote.

Another agreed, 'This single-handedly made me a Hailey/Rhode fan!'

'Hailey you've got a new fan because all makeup brands need to take note,' someone else typed.

One user admitted, 'That was fast, that was mature and class of Rhode, I love the brand.'

'Hailey not only listened but took your criticism and made change FAST! Bravo to you and kudos to her!!!! Amazing!' another seconded.

This is not the first time that George has gone viral for her powerful voice in the beauty industry, either.

George shared that Bieber personally called her on the phone and spoke to her, even compensating her for her input on the blush shades

In the comments section of George's video, many users shared how grateful they were for her advocacy and Bieber's response before the month was even over

Earlier this year, she shared her issues with the $48 Date Night Skin Tint Serum Foundation by the brand Youthforia.

The brand previously launched a foundation that upset customers because it included only 15 shades, and many influencers spoke out about how the brand was not inclusive.

This spring, the brand introduced 10 new shades, but the darkest shades contained no undertones, according to a cosmetic chemist.

George went viral after she put black face paint on one side of her face and applied the Youthforia foundation to the other to point out how similar they were.

In an interview with Elite Daily last month, George, who is from South Sudan, shared more of her story and thoughts on the beauty industry.

'It finally feels like people are listening,' George told the outlet about her viral Youthforia clip.

She said that she has also started 'shade consulting' with different brands.

'They're probably listening by force a little bit, but they're listening,' she said. 'For a company to actually take accountability, come back, and do it correctly, that's what we want. I definitely do believe in redemption.'
READ MORE: Princess Sofia of Sweden reveals a hint of her baby bump

The King's niece, 34, appeared online in clips from the glamorous occasion

Princess Eugenie has made a surprise appearance in South Korea after attending a lavish art auction led by by K-pop star G-Dragon and Pharrell Williams.

The King's niece, 34, is thought to have attended the glamorous occasion to mark Nothing but a 'G' Thang: The Art and Archive of G-Dragon on Monday, in Seoul.

Eugenie, who was likely invited to the event in her role as an Associate Director for gallery Hauser & Wirth, put on a stunning display in a metallic-themed midi dress from London-based designer Peter Pilotto.

Clips from the lavish party were shared to social media and royal fans were quick to spot the youngest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson in the videos.

The beaming royal was keen to capture special moments, with the footage showing the mother-of-two filming the hosts on her phone as they were speaking.

Princess Eugenie has made a surprise appearance in South Korea after attending a lavish art auction led by by K-pop star G-Dragon and Pharrell Williams

It's unclear if Eugenie travelled solo for her trip to South Korea, or if she was joined on the apparent business trip by her husband, Jack Brooksbank, and their two young children, August, three, and Ernest, one.

Dressed to impress, Eugenie's sleeveless blue and gold gown featured cinched waist detailing, a billowing sheer skirt and a high neckline.

She teamed the impressive look with a pair of glittering golden earrings and a gold leather sandals from Aquazzura.

It's not the first time the royal has worn the stylish dress; in 2019, she sported the ensemble at the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award presentations at Buckingham Palace.

For Monday's lavish occasion, Eugenie opted for a glamorous smattering of makeup and sported loose curls in her hair.

The event isn't the only time that the somewhat unlikely combination of royalty and a K-pop star has occurred.

In November 2023, K-pop royalty met real royalty as King Charles awarded the girl group Blackpink with honourary MBEs.

The monarch appeared to be in high spirits as he held an Investiture for the band at Buckingham Palace, in the presence of The President of the Republic of Korea and the First Lady, during their official State Visit to the United Kingdom.

The King's niece (pictured left), 34, is thought to have attended the glamorous occasion to mark Nothing but a 'G' Thang: The Art and Archive of G-Dragon on Monday, in Seoul

King Charles invested Blackpink members Roseanne Park (Rose), Jennie Kim, Jisoo Kim and Lalisa Manoban (Lisa) as Honorary Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs), in recognition of the band's role as COP26 Advocates for the COP26 Summit in Glasgow 2021.

The group - which in March became the most streamed female band on Spotify - also had the UK in a frenzy when it performed at BST Hyde Park in the summer.

Blackpink were first appointed by the UK Government as COP26 Advocates in January 2021. Non-UK citizens can be considered for an honour for their work within the UK.

The group released a series of videos aimed at encouraging young people to learn more about climate change, which resulted - the government says - in 'significantly increased engagement' with the Summit from a young audience.

The band have subsequently been appointed as global Ambassadors for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Queen Camilla has spoken of the 'joy' reading can give to children as she hosted an event celebrating the 70th anniversary of a leading UK book charity.

The reception marking Book Aid International's anniversary at St James's Palace in London was attended by some 100 guests, including the charity's president Nigel Newton and Lady Caroline Simmonds, the daughter of its founder.

Camilla has been patron of the charity since 2022 and set up her own online book club during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021.

Book Aid International has sent more than 37 million books to schools, libraries, prisons and refugee camps around the world since its founding in 1954.

In an impromptu speech made after she had spoken individually to guests, Camilla told of the 'very, very big difference' being made to people's lives by the accessibility of books.

Queen Camilla has spoken of the 'joy' reading can give to children as she hosted an event celebrating the 70th anniversary of a leading UK book charity

She said: 'I wasn't actually expecting to speak this evening. There's not a lot more I can say, except to say a huge thank you to all of you who support Book Aid.

'I have visited quite a lot of countries on my travels and I have been to libraries which have been recipients of Book Aid, and I have just seen the joy on the children's faces when they receive these books.

'And if we can keep on doing this all over the world, we're going to make a very, very big difference to people reading books, children getting access to books - and it's really thanks to Book Aid and all of you here who have made this possible. So thank you very much indeed.'

The Queen looked elegant in an eye-catching green dress with a peacock feather pattern for the reception.

The charity was founded in 1954 by the Countess of Ranfurly as a library for local children in the Bahamas after she visited the island nation with her husband, who was its governor, and was 'shocked' at the lack of reading material available.

This book scheme was extended to the Commonwealth from 1956 as the Ranfurly Library Service and was renamed Book Aid International in 1994.

Lord Boateng, vice patron of Book Aid International, said access to Lady Ranfurly's library had 'changed my life'.

'Book Aid International, then the Countess Ranfurly's Library Trust, changed my life,' he told attendees.

The reception marking Book Aid International's anniversary at St James's Palace in London was attended by some 100 guests, including the charity's president Nigel Newton and Lady Caroline Simmonds, the daughter of its founder. Pictured, Camilla at the outing

Camilla (pictured this evening) has been patron of the charity since 2022 and set up her own online book club during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021

In an impromptu speech made after she had spoken individually to guests, Camilla told of the 'very, very big difference' being made to people's lives by the accessibility of books. Pictured, The Queen greets Lord Boateng and Alison Tweed, Chief Executive at Book Aid International

The Queen looked elegant in an eye-catching green dress with a peacock feather pattern for the reception

'I was a little boy growing up in the Gold Coast, which became Ghana, and Book Aid International furnished the books and trained the librarians for the first dedicated children's library in sub-Saharan Africa. I went to that library as a six, seven year-old. And it did change my life.'

The Labour peer said the books 'underpinned aspiration' and gave children a 'sense of the possibilities' available to them.

Prince Philip, as Duke of Edinburgh, had been Book Aid International's royal patron from 1966 until his death in 2021.

Poet and novelist Sir Ben Okri, who was invited to the reception as a key supporter of the charity, said books helped 'feed people's minds, feed their spirits, encourage them, open up possibilities, deepen their thinking and release them from stress and fear'.

He said: 'The Queen is one of the great evangelists of the power of books and power of reading. And it's a very special thing because it's not normally a very glamorous area - books are very private things, you read them all by yourself.

'And to have the Queen champion what reading can do is absolutely astonishing and invaluable for our age.'

Other guests invited to the hour-long event included broadcaster David Dimbleby, actor Neil Pearson, author Ken Follet and publisher Sigrid Rausing.

Queen Camilla (right), Patron of Book Aid International, speaks with Mariella Frostrup during the reception

Other guests invited to the hour-long event included broadcaster David Dimbleby, actor Neil Pearson (pictured centre), author Ken Follet and publisher Sigrid Rausing

Book Aid International's Generation Reader campaign, launched in 2023, aims to reach 10 million children across Africa by 2030.

The charity is also supporting libraries in Ukraine, with some 25,000 books already having been donated by publishers.

Camilla's own book club has since become The Queen's Reading Room, a charity which provides educational content around literature and hosts literary festivals, events and a podcast featuring authors and celebrity guests.

Camilla is an avid reader, patron of a number of literary organisations and in March she endorsed new research that said five minutes of reading a day is as valuable to health and wellbeing as walking 10,000 steps and eating five portions of fruit and vegetables.

And in May, she sweetly revealed that she dreams of being a student at Hogwarts, as she helped launch Charleston Literary Festival in Rye.

Earlier on Wednesday, Queen Camilla shared her caring side as she met with cancer patients in Bath - and provided a rare public update on the King's health, assuring well-wishers he is: 'doing very well.'

She was speaking as she officially opened a new Dyson Cancer Centre in Bath, a visit which no doubt had added emotional edge given her husband's own cancer diagnosis.

His Majesty, who is currently holidaying in Scotland, was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of the disease in February and is still undergoing weekly treatment.

There has been no official update for a number of weeks but it is understood King Charles has responded better than even his doctors' most optimistic expectations.

The Queen's visit to the unit at the Royal United Hospitals included a stop at the Macmillan Wellbeing Hub, a non-clinical space designed to provide practical and emotional support to patients, families, and carers.

When Suzy Moon of the Macmillan Partnership enquired about the King's wellbeing, the Queen revealed: 'He is doing very well.'

The trip was Camilla's first since her summer break with the King in Balmoral.
Ten Sass & Bide stores across the country will close from October 6

Beloved Australian fashion label Sass & Bide is set to close 10 stores across the country from October 6.

The brand has been at the forefront of women's designer fashion for 25 years.

The stores impacted include Bondi, Paddington, Miranda and Chadstone in New South Wales, Rundle Street in South Australia, Doncaster and Emporium in Victoria, Karrinyup in Western Australia and Newmarket in New Zealand.

Only a selected few will remain open - including one in Victoria, one in WA and two in Queensland.

Sass & Bide managing director Paula Mackenzie confirmed the news on Wednesday.

'We will be offering all available support to them and will offer redeployment, where possible, for our store team members,' she told Rag Trader.

'These decisions were not taken lightly but they are necessary to ensure the business is repositioned for growth and is sustainable into the future.'

The brand will also reduce support office roles, though an exact number hasn't been revealed.

From October 6, 10 Sass & Bide stores across Australia and New Zealand will close. The Aussie brand's managing director Paula Mackenzie confirmed the unexpected news

The brand has been at the forefront of women's designer fashion for 25 years (pictured 2013)

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Sass & Bide for comment.

Best friends Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton launched the brand in 1999. In September 2013 the two co-founders handed the business over to Myer who bought it for $72.3 million.

At the time Ms Middleton told Vogue Australia it was a joint decision to leave the brand that they built up from a London market stall.

'It was an instinctive decision that we both felt and we've always based our larger decisions in the business on intuition,' she said.

Ms Clarke added: 'We came together, we're leaving together. We just felt that was the perfect cycle.'

Best friends Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton launched the brand in 1999. In September 2013 the two co-founders handed the business over to Myer who bought it for $72.3 million

The Australian franchise of fashion label Dion Lee has also collapsed into liquidation after a major partnership deal collapsed (pop star Taylor Swift centre, wore a Dion Lee Crochet Corset Top at the SuperBowl in February)

It follows the shock news that celebrity-beloved brand Dion Lee owes $35million to creditors after collapsing into liquidation.

The high-end line was a favourite of global superstars, including Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa, and entered voluntary administration in May after a partnership deal collapsed.

On Thursday night creditors opted to put the business into liquidation after receiving no 'acceptable' offers to buy out the brand.

Stores will shut in late September and early October.

Antony Resnick, a liquidator from insolvency firm dVT Group, was appointed as the administrator for the brand.

'The second creditors meeting heard that while there had been interest from potential buyers of the brand no acceptable offer was as yet forthcoming,' the liquidators said in a statement to news.com.au.

Major clothing label Cue Clothing Co, reportedly ended their partnership agreement with Dion Lee and also cancelled their investment in the business according to The Australian.

Cue Clothing Co first became a partner with Dion Lee more than a decade ago and the company was also a shareholder in the business.
A small gold mining town is seeing a spike in property prices as Aussie look for cheaper housing options outside capital cities.

Mount Morgan, 30-minutes from Rockhampton in Queensland, is easily missed on a map but is fast becoming a buyer's haven.

The town is best known for its rich history dating back to 1882 and many fondly describe it as 'perfectly frozen in time'.

Today the quaint town appeals to investors and buyers looking for a relaxed lifestyle, picturesque scenery and a buzzing community.

In the past 12 months, property prices have jumped 13.9 per cent to a median price of $225,000. A year ago it was $197,500.

In 2019 the average house price was a mere $95,000 - a figure almost unheard of across the nation's capital cities.

According to Proptrack, the Mount Morgan is the 13th most affordable suburb in Queensland.

Local John Steinberger said the property price increases has had a hugely positive impact on the town.

Mining town Mount Morgan in Queensland is easily missed on the map or bypassed on road trips, but is increasingly becoming a buyer's haven

The town is best known for its rich history dating back to 1882 and feels like you're stepping back in time. Today the quaint town appeals to buyers looking for a calming, relaxed lifestyle among picturesque scenery

It's located 30 minutes away from Rockhampton in Queensland

'The impact is [people] spend more and people are more content, and you'll see that everywhere around the town,' he told ABC.

'Definitely the prices are cheaper than Rockhampton, it always has been. But it's a catch-up now.

'We've always said this is a place to live, up in the hills here, the quiet lifestyle and relaxed rural setting.'

Locals often visit the railway museum which opened in 1898, the Number 7 Dam (otherwise known as the Big Dam), and the Mafeking Bell made from copper pennies which was held under siege for months during the Boer War.

The Mount Morgan Bread Shop and Wattle Bee Next Mount Morgan are also popular hot spots to grab a morning coffee or a lazy breakfast.

The town offers a quiet, suburban lifestyle compared to busier cities around Australia

The town was established in 1882

The property prices are 'insanely cheap' compared to those in Sydney and Melbourne, with some on the market for as low as $199,000.

One two bedroom, two bathroom property spanning across 1330sqm is currently selling for $340,000.

But there's a key similarity among the cheaper homes - most are in need of a full renovation and sit on large plots of land that requires regular maintenance.

This two bedroom, two bathroom property spanning across 1330sqm is currently on the market for $340,000

This four-bedroom property is listed for $320,000

Another affordable town lies three hours south-east of Mount Morgan.

Bargara has long been a stop-over for people exploring Queensland's southern coast but the spike in property prices proves Aussies are taking the leap and making a permanent sea change to the little-known hub.

The dreamy hideaway is a 15-minute drive from Bundaberg and 280km north of the Sunshine Coast on the very southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.

Aussies are catching on to the relaxed lifestyle Bargara has to offer with its idyllic beaches and easygoing pace.

Stunning beaches with bright blue waters, rocky edges and palm trees line the eastern edge of the town. The other offers all sorts of quirky accommodation like the Absolute Ocean Front Tourist Park which boasts cute kaleidoscopic beach shacks.

House prices have soared by 19.2 per cent in the past year but they still sit well below the $1million mark.
A 39 year-old woman diagnosed with deadly stage four cancer has claimed medics dismissed her disabling pain as 'just a heavy period'.

Emma McQuitty, from North Belfast, visited A&E in February after suffering constant bleeding and aches that even left her unable to walk.

But after 15 hours at Mater Hospital, the mother-of-one, says she was sent home with strong painkillers. Four additional visits over the next six months also saw her dismissed and given co-codamol, she claims.

It was only after the pain worsened in July that she was urged by her worried family to attend Ulster Hospital, run by a separate NHS trust.

Emma McQuitty, from North Belfast , visited A&E in February after suffering constant bleeding and aches that even left her unable to walk. But after 15 hours at Mater Hospital she says she was sent home with strong painkillers. Four additional visits over the next six months also saw her dismissed with co-codamol, she claims

Here, medics discovered she had stage four cancer and the large tumour that had formed on her cervix had spread to her bladder and uterus.

An MRI weeks later showed it was also in her lymph nodes.

The single mum-of-one also says as she prepared to undergo treatment, she suffered kidney failure and life-threatening sepsis.

Recalling her nightmare ordeal, Ms McQuitty told Belfast Live: 'I feel that if doctors listened to my concerns earlier I may not be in the horrendous situation I am now in having to have treatment for stage four cancer and multiple tumours.

'I had been going to A&E for six months and every time I was sent home with co codamol and doctors telling me that I just had a heavy period, when in reality I needed urgent tests and treatment.

'I am just so grateful for the care that I am now receiving at the Ulster Hospital, who have been going above and beyond.

Elimination would technically be achieved when fewer than four women per 100,000 are diagnosed (blue dotted line). For comparison, 9.5 women per 100,000 in England are told they have cervical cancer (pine line), equating to 2,626 annually

Cervical cancer symptoms to look out for include unusual vaginal bleeding, pain during sex and lower back or pelvic pain

NHS cervical screening data, which goes back to 2011, shows uptake was at its highest that year (75.7 per cent) and has fallen over time

'But I know that I have a very tough road ahead of me with my treatment.

'My condition has deteriorated so much that I can barely walk on my own now and need assistance to go anywhere. I just wish that I had been listened to in the first place.'

As it stands, around 3,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year. This is about a 25 per cent drop since the early 1990s.

It leads to around 685 deaths in England annually.

WHAT IS CERVICAL CANCER? Cervical cancer affects the lining of the lower part of womb. The most common symptom is unusual bleeding, such as between periods, during sex or after the menopause, but other signs can include: Pain during sex

Vaginal discharge that smells

Pain in the pelvis Causes can include: Age - more than half of sufferers are under 45

HPV infection - which affects most people at some point in their lives

Smoking - responsible for 21 per cent of cases

Contraceptive pill - linked to 10 per cent of cases

Having children

Family history of cervical or other types of cancer, like vagina Source: Cancer Research UK Advertisement

But just 15 per cent of those diagnosed with stage four cervical cancer survive five years or more after diagnosis, Cancer Research UK says.

A combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is often offered at stage four, to shrink a cancer down to reduce symptoms and help you feel more comfortable.

Surgery is only normally recommended if the cancer is causing a blockage in the kidneys or bowel, according to the charity.

Experts have credited the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine  which became available on the NHS in 2008  for helping to reduce the number of women impacted by the disease.

However, the jab, like all vaccines, does not offer 100 per cent protection.

Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an infection with HPV  a common group of viruses transmitted through sexual contact that usually cause no symptoms.

Cervical screening  offered to women aged 25 to 64  provides another form of defence against the cancer, checking for changes to the cells in the cervix caused by HPV.

If found, these cells can be treated before they turn into cancer.

Ms McQuitty's daughter Codie and a friend have now launched a GoFundMe to help cover the cost of a mobility scooter and other home aids to help her during treatment.

Since its launch a week ago it has already raised more than 5,000.

The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has been contacted for comment.

Cervical cancer screening uptake overall remains low in the UK. Only around 70 per cent of eligible women, roughly 4.6million, turn up for their scheduled test.

Embarrassment is a factor, according to research by cervical cancer charities.

This can be particularly as issue for women from certain cultural backgrounds.

For half of the 1.3 million no-shows every year, getting time off work and finding a convenient time to fit in an appointment are the other reasons they miss it.

Last month, however, NHS England revealed women could soon be offered DIY cervical screening tests, after research found self-testing at home significantly improved screening rates.
Supermodel Elle MacPherson shocked fans with the announcement of her breast cancer diagnosis earlier this week  as well as her controversial decision to opt out of chemotherapy treatment.

But also surprising  for a woman who has spent most of her adult life in the public eye  is that MacPherson, now 60, kept her illness a secret for seven years.

Many celebrities in the public eye, however, choose to keep their cancer battles private and separate from their careers.

Others recovered from the disease decades a go, so rarely speak of their experience.

Here, MailOnline reveals the celebrities that you may be surprised to learn have had cancer.

Elle Macpherson has revealed she secretly battled breast cancer seven years ago but is now in remission after she refused to undergo chemotherapy

Zoolander actor, Ben Stiller opened up about his battle with prostate cancer in 2016, after keeping it private for two years.

The 58-year-old revealed that he had no symptoms and no family history of cancer when his doctor found an 'aggressive' tumour during a routine test in 2014.

Following the advice of his doctor, he underwent surgery to remove the prostate, a walnut-sized gland that sits below the bladder, around the urethra in men, which cleared him of cancer.

He admitted in an interview with Today in 2016 that he does suffer some of the common side effects of the procedure, which sometimes include incontinence and issues with sexual function.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, with more than 50,000 new diagnoses and 12,000 deaths annually.

Ben Stiller revealed that he had no symptoms and no specific family history of cancer when his doctor found an 'aggressive' tumor during a routine test in 2014

Sofia Vergara

Modern Family and new TV miniseries Griselda star Sofia Vergara only publicly discussed her cancer battle two decades after treatment.

The actress, now 52, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the age of 28 after doctors discovered a lump in her neck during a routine checkup.

But she did not share this publicly until a telecast for Stand Up to Cancer in 2021.

The following year she shared a picture of herself that was taken in her first acting class after receiving treatment.

In the post from 2022 she wrote: 'At 28, 'cancer' was not a word I expected to hear.'

'It was just a routine checkup. But the doctors found a lump in my throat, and that word became part of my story.

'I spent countless hours in radiation treatments, and, eventually, in surgery. Today, I get to call myself a cancer survivor.'

The actress, now 52, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the age of 28 after doctors discovered a lump in her neck during a routine checkup

Sofia Vergara reflected on her past battle with cancer in a post shared to her Instagram

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck responsible for making hormones that control the way the body uses energy.

Hormones produced by the thyroid impact nearly every organ in the body and control many of the body's most important functions.

Thyroid cancer may not cause any symptoms at first but as the cancer grows it can cause swelling of the neck, voice changes, difficulty swallowing.

Sometimes, a nodule that can be felt through the skin on the neck, and cause pain in the neck and throat.

It's most common in people in their 30s and those over the age of 60, with women up to three times more likely to develop it than men.

There are around 3,900 new cases in the UK every year and about about 44,020 in the US.

Helen McCory

Peaker Blinders and Harry Potter star Helen McCory swore her friends to secrecy as she battled cancer treatment while continuing charity work in the weeks before her death aged 52.

The actress, who died from breast cancer in April 2021, appeared on TV to promote the Prince's Trust only six weeks before her death.

She also shared her secret struggle with 'very, very few people', according to Carrie Cracknell, who directed Helen McCrory in a stage production of Medea.

McCrory as Polly Gray in Peaky Blinders in 2019. A friend said today that she decided to keep her cancer secret to avoid people focusing on it over her career

Helen McCrory had been married to fellow actor Damian Lewis since 2007 and shared two children with him - daughter Manon, 14, and 13-year-old son Gulliver (the couple are pictured in February 2020)

McCory, who married fellow actor Damian Lewis in 2007  with who she shared two children  wanted to focus on her family and charity work, as well as her acting, rather than her illness.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world.

Each year in the UK there are more than 55,000 new cases, and the disease claims the lives of 11,500 women. In the US, it strikes 266,000 each year and kills 40,000.

The usual first symptom is a painless lump in the breast, although most are not cancerous and are fluid filled cysts, which are benign.

The first place that breast cancer usually spreads to is the lymph nodes in the armpit. If this occurs you will develop a swelling or lump in an armpit.

Louis Walsh

Former X Factor star Louis Walsh revealed he was diagnosed with a 'rare' type of blood cancer four years after the health scare in 2020.

The 72-year-old discussed his health while starring on Celebrity Big Brother this year with Levi and Ekin-Su and confessed that no one knew he was sick.

When asked by the pair how he spent lockdown he said: 'I was sick, and I think nobody knew I was sick. I had cancer. A mild version, a rare one.'

Louis Walsh revealed he was diagnosed with a 'rare' type of cancer in 2020 as he opened up about the major health scare for the first time in March

He was diagnosed with Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (also known as lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma), which is a rare form of low-grade lymphoma (a type of bone marrow cancer).

It is associated in most cases with the presence of an excessive amount of abnormal protein in the blood.

But he has since been given the all clear after receiving treatment in Dublin.

Symptoms of the rare cancer include feeling fatigued, looking pale, bruising easily and weight loss, according to Macmillan.

Around 350 people are diagnosed with the cancer in the UK every year, while it affects around 1,000 to 1,500 people in the US.

Jonnie Irwin

The A Place In The Sun star confirmed in November his lung cancer had spread to his brain after first being diagnosed with the disease in 2020.

He passed away in February at the age of just 50.

But before his death he revealed how he kept his cancer battle a secret for two years to 'pay the bills' and look after his family.

The A Place In The Sun star confirmed in November his lung cancer had spread to his brain after first being diagnosed with the disease in 2020

The reason why Jonnie Irwin kept his lung cancer diagnosis a secret for two years has been revealed

He told The Sun: 'I had to live with it as a secret. It was really difficult living with such a massive cloud above me and pretending to everyone else.

'For the first year and a half I could work. Unfortunately, one of the companies claimed they couldn't insure and didn't renew my contract. It left a massive hole in my income.

'I felt like I'd been thrown on the scrap heap. They'd recruited within a week and then I could see some else doing my job.'

A cancer that has spread to another part of the body is called a secondary cancer or metastasis, according to Cancer Research UK.

Not all lung cancers will spread, but if the cancer does spread there are certain parts of the body that it is more likely to go to, including the brain, bones and the liver.

Headaches, seizures, vision and speech problems can all be signs of a brain tumour, according to the NHS.

While a cough, getting out of breath and losing your appetite are all symptoms of lung cancer.
When my friend Jenna was diagnosed with cancer she knew that she would lose her breast and her hair. What she hadnt expected was to lose a close friend as well.

I told Emma [a mutual friend] about my diagnosis and she looked shellshocked, swiftly finished her glass of white wine, said I cant do this again and fled the house, says Jenna, 55.

She sent me a text later that evening saying: Im really sorry but Ive been through all this with my mum and my auntie and I just cant cope.

I was very upset because I had held her hand for two years through a really messy, bitter divorce and now she wanted nothing to do with me. It was just awful. I felt like a leper.

Cancer is very divisive: when you have that diagnosis, people are either thoughtful or thoughtless, kind or unkind, courageous or cowardly, which is what happened when my husband Harry was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer in 2012 at the age of 71.

Mary Gold and husband Harry, who was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer at the age of 71

The good friends were massively helpful  those who werent I no longer wish to have any contact with. One friend slapped Harry on the back and said: Liver cancer eh? Best have a large gin and tonic! Wont do you any harm now will it? Har har!. When Harry was gravely ill, in his last days, another (former) friend said to me: It will be a huge relief to you when this is all over wont it? Well actually, no it wont.

I was reminded of all this recently when a friend was diagnosed with prostate cancer and I thought to myself, Ive got to get this right. I didnt want to be one of those people who crossed the road when they saw him.

This was something that previously happened to me and Harry in Canterbury, near where we lived. Those people had seen us, we had seen them, but they still moved as far away as physically possible.

I realised I wanted to be nice, humane and helpful. I didnt want to be a cancer coward.

The brutal fact is that around one in two of us will get cancer, so its almost a given it will affect anyones circle of loved ones. To be better equipped to deal with it, we need to consider carefully how to approach it.

According to Dr Anna Janssen, a clinical psychologist and spokesperson for the British Psychological Society, behaving out of character around illness reflects the human instinct to avoid a threat to our survival. Its not exclusive to cancer but applies to many conditions including motor neurone disease and Parkinsons.

As she explains: We dont like to be confronted with anything that reminds us of our own mortality. We find uncertainty challenging, especially these days when we have so much technology, like AI, that offers us an illusion of certainty. Its so much harder to cope with the idea where you think I dont know whats going to happen here.

Mary says friends and family who listened and offered practical help when Harry had cancer were their biggest support

Being told that someone has cancer may also remind us of illness and loss in our own lives, which we dont want to revisit. But we need to acknowledge that and separate our own experiences from whats happening to our friend.

Were also scared of saying or doing the wrong thing, so people hesitate or stay silent, rather than cause offence at an already difficult time. But remember that when serious illness crops up, theres already change and loss for that sick person, and they wont want to lose the relationship they have with you.

Dr Janssen recommends starting off with simple gestures  a hug, a phone call, a text message or a card.

Carry on being the friend youve always been, she says. Listen and let the person who is unwell guide you on what they need.

In our case, friends and family who listened and offered practical help when Harry had cancer were the biggest support and we were massively grateful for whatever was on offer. They brought lovely ready meals from M&S, took our then eight-year-old daughter on outings to the zoo and the seaside and helped with cleaning our house.

These acts of kindness made such a difference to Harrys last days and ensured that ours never became a house of sorrow. When our little girl was in bed we did have a good few sobs but acts of compassion meant that we almost always had something to look forward to. My stepdaughters paid for me to have a spa day and another friend gave us a voucher for Harrys favourite Indian restaurant.

While swerving to avoid speaking to a cancer patient you know is one thing, what I also didnt appreciate was people who put their head on one side and pulled a funny face  cartoon sympathy is very annoying, as is rubbing someones back in a circular motion. There were also people who rattled on about themselves, which was almost a default mechanism, or who talked about relatives who had cancer  and had died from it. Do not do that!

Being thoughtless around cancer is alarmingly common, according to Martin Ledwick, previously head information nurse at Cancer Research UK.

Mr Ledwick, who managed the charitys helpline, says that crossing the street to avoid cancer patients and their relatives is often an instinctive reaction, because people dont know what to say or how to support someone with the disease.

Being thoughtless around cancer is alarmingly common, according to Martin Ledwick, previously head information nurse at Cancer Research UK

Most of us are nice people and we want to help anyone we care about but when someone tells us about a cancer diagnosis, we often bounce into reassurance mode, saying Im sure everything will be all right - when clearly we dont actually know that, he says.

So that is the one thing you shouldnt do.

A better response is just to listen and say: thats really tough.

Dont try to come up with a solution because their life may well go off on a different tangent. Say optimistic things but dont assume that theyll be cured because it may not turn out that way. Just make them feel that somebody cares.

The person with cancer just wants to be heard and thats what they need. The key thing is to be led by them: make realistic offers and dont let your friend down. Offer lifts to hospital, help with shopping and babysitting and make sure you deliver what youve offered. Ask yourself what your skills are and what you can commit to.

If you are considering offering practical things, such as taking a casserole round, Mr Ledwick recommends you check with them first that its ok, and never force an offer.

Theres a lot to be said for just being around for that person, having a chat, be their friend, offer a movie night, he says.

Dont beat yourself up if they turn you down and dont feel useless. Youve offered. Someone going through chemo will feel rubbish and often theyll look rubbish and may want to hide. They might just want to be left alone for a while but dont forget to keep checking back in from time to time to ask how things are.

The resentment I felt towards some people when my husband was ill was natural, Mr Lewdwick says, but for my own wellbeing I should really have let it go. He says: If someone says or does the wrong thing - like crossing the road - dont carry that anger because its bad for you. Focus on the friends who are helpful.

My darling husband died in 2014, two years after his diagnosis. But I like to think that we made the very best of that time  trips in a boat down the Royal Military Canal in Hythe, wonderful meals in the Gurkha restaurants of Kent, where we live, and very happy Sunday lunches with dear friends and family who were not cancer cowards and who didnt cross the road when we needed them most.

Cancerresearchuk.org
Labiaplasty, a controversial cosmetic op that involves shortening or reshaping the vaginal lips, is safe and can boost women's metal health, experts say.

Demand for labiaplasty, which can cost upwards of 4,000 in the UK, is booming with data from US showing the number of ops carried out has increased 200 per cent between 2012 and 2017.

Experts have pinned rising interest in the op, which reduces the size of the labia minora the skin either side of the vaginal opening  on increased exposure to a particular anatomy seen in pornography.

To meet demand techniques using lasers and scalpels have been developed to perform the op, but experts say these methods haven't been assessed in terms of outcomes and complications.

But now, the largest review of women who underwent a procedure, carried out by Hungarian researchers, shows not only is it safe, it has a positive impact on women's psychological health.

Demand for labiaplasty, which can cost upwards of 4,000 in the UK, is booming with data from US showing the number of ops carried out has increased 200 per cent between 2012 and 2017

However, they cautioned that unnecessary labiaplasty should be avoided.

The review, by experts from Semmelweis University in Budapest, examined data from 3,600 women who underwent labiaplasty and found it was, overall, very safe with a complication rate of just 0.5 per cent.

For comparison, some UK studies have found cosmetic ops like breast augmentation have a complication rate of about five per cent, though figures vary by study.

Using a scalpel was found to have a higher risk of complications like bleeding, swelling or haematoma, the medical term for a collection of blood in the body.

However, the authors said that the overall difference between the techniques, in terms of total number of complications, wasn't statistically significant.

What is labiaplasty? Labiaplasty is surgery to reduce the size of the labia minora  the flaps of skin either side of the vaginal opening. It involves cutting away unwanted tissue with a scalpel of laser in procedure that takes about one to two hours. Some women have labiaplasty because they do not like the look of their labia. However the NHS advises that it's completely normal to have noticeable skin folds around the opening of your vagina. As in most cases this does not cause any problems labiaplasty is rarely available on the NHs. Women considering labiaplasty are urged to speak to their GP first who may encourage them to speak to a counsellor or psychologist before undergoing surgery. In the UK, a labiaplasty costs about 2,000 to 4,000, though the cost can vary depending on the extent of the procedure. Labiaplasty is generally only offered in exceptional circumstances, such as to remove cancerous tissue in cases of vulval cancer. Advertisement

But a significant finding was that 95 per cent of women who underwent the operation were satisfied with the results.

Mihaly Andras Geczi an expert in obstetrics and gynaecology from Semmelweis, and first author of the study said: 'Our results demonstrate that labiaplasty is generally safe and ends up with high patient satisfaction rates.'

Fellow author, Levente Sara a fellow expert in obstetrics and gynaecology of Semmelweis, said data also supported some aspects of the op improving women's mental health.

'Considering the extent to which the procedure enhances self-image and sexual life, physicians may decide on psychological grounds as well,' they said.

However, the authors added the medical justification for labiaplasty remains disputed and made more difficult by differing opinions on what constitutes 'normal' labia and what is just natural variation.

'Womens self-image is increasingly tied to perceptions of their genitalia, a trend that significantly influences relationship dynamics and psychological health,' the authors noted.

Further complicating matters is that sometimes it's not the women themselves who are seeking out the surgery independently.

Mr Sara said: 'Many women, especially the young, choose to undergo the procedure at their partners suggestion'.

With demand for labiaplasty predicted to continue he said it was critical for medics to ensure patients are undergoing the op for the right reasons.

However, the authors added it was encouraging that, ethical issues surrounding the surgery aside, it seems to have good safety rating.

The authors, who published their findings in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, also analysed data surrounding radiofrequency labiaplasty, which uses thermal energy to contract the labia.

They found it had lower recovery time, minimal risk of complications, and high patient satisfaction but noted the relative newness of the technique meant data on it was limited and this could change in the future.

Labiaplasty is available on the NHS but only under strict circumstances.

These include the labia being deformed as a result of a birth defect, to repair damage caused by childbirth or as part of removing cancerous tissue if a woman has vulval cancer.
An Oregon hospital is being sued after a nurse allegedly killed nine patients by swapping their fentanyl for tap water.

Lawyers filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford on behalf of living and deceased patients, accusing the institution of negligence and failing to properly monitor how drugs were administered.

The $303million suit comes after Dani Marie Schofield, a former nurse at the hospital, was accused of killing 65-year-old Horace Wilson when she stole his fentanyl supply that was being used to manage his pain and replaced it with contaminated water.

The new complaint mentions 17 other patients who Ms Schofield also allegedly switched medication on, including the families of nine who died.

Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, Oregon, is being sued after nurse Dani Schofield allegedly stole patients' fentanyl and replaced it with water

Pictured here is Horace Wilson, a 65-year-old patient who died after Ms Schofield allegedly replaced his IV pain medication with contaminated water

The hospital is named as the defendant in the new suit. A separate lawsuit from Mr Wilson's family that was filed in February names both the hospital and Ms Schofield.

Asante is accused of failing to monitor medication administration and prevent drugs from being diverted from patients to their employees.

Other claims include failing to adequately screen employees, allowing tap water to have unreasonable levels of bacteria, failing to properly warn and control the use of unsafe tap water, and acting vicariously through the acts of its employees, among others.

Medford police begin investigating the situation late last year after the department said it 'received numerous calls from individuals asking if they or a family member have been impacted by the suspected actions of the former Asante employee.'

According to the lawsuit, the hospital began informing an unspecified number of affected patients in December that a hospital employee had replaced their fentanyl with tap water in intravenous drips.

This led to bacterial infections in each patient, as the water was allegedly contaminated.

The complaint states 'all Plaintiff Patients were infected with bacterium uniquely associated with waterborne transmission.'

All of the patients experienced 'mental anguish,' according to the lawsuit. Nine have allegedly died from the nurse's actions.

Ms Schofield was arrested in June and charged with 44 counts of second-degree assault.

She left her job the following month and has pleaded not guilty. She told The Lund Report: 'The truth will, I'm sure, come out.'

It's unclear exactly why Ms Schofield was stealing the drugs.

One of the victims of Ms Schofield's alleged actions was Mr Wilson. He was admitted to Asante in January 2022 after falling 10 feet from a ladder and damaging his spleen, an avocado-sized organ in the left rib cage that helps filter blood.

Doctors removed his spleen, but within days of the operation, his condition took 'a turn for the worse' after Ms Schofield allegedly put water in his IV.

Mr Wilson was infected with the bacteria staphylococcus epidermidis, which flooded his bloodstream and 'became essentially impossible to eradicate,' according to a separate lawsuit filed by his family for $11.5million.

He then went into multi-organ failure from sepsis, a deadly immune system overreaction that causes the body to attack healthy organs and tissues.

He died on February 25, roughly a month after he was first admitted. Before he died, Wilson recovered enough cognitive function to tell the medical staff in the intensive care unit that he 'no longer wished to live this way,' his family's lawsuit states.
A Florida doctor who cut off the head of a newborn's penis during a circumcision has been linked to at least 14 other serious injuries.

A search of court and official records revealed Dr Berto Lopez, a 64-year-old OB-GYN, was linked to a litany of medical failures, including a mother-of-two who bled to death in the hospital after Dr Lopez went home to 'go to bed.'

And a 31-year-old accused the physician of failing to fully remove her dead fetus, which led to her giving birth to its remains in a friend's bathroom.

Between 1988 and 2021, six patients in connection to his care have died and he's performed two botched circumcisions. In February 2021, his medical license was revoked.

In the latest case, parents said Dr Lopez told them their son's post-circumcision bleeding was 'normal' but when they took him to the hospital the next day, other doctors were 'visibly shocked' by his injuries.

Last month, Dr Lopez was ordered by a jury to pay the family $100million for the injuries their son suffered from.

Dr Lopez told the family the bleeding was normal. But, concerned, the next day they took their newborn son to the ER (Family pictured above)

The review, revealed by The Palm Beach Post, showed Dr Lopez had been named in four disciplinary cases and nine other medical malpractice cases.

In the latest, it was revealed the doctor performed the circumcision, a surgical procedure where a baby's foreskin - the fold of skin covering the head of the penis - is removed, for $250 on February 15, 2021.

This was just 10 days after his medical license had been officially revoked by the state over the death of a pregnant mother-of-two.

The family  who have asked to remain anonymous  were unaware of the doctor's court cases and revoked license, and said if they had known they would have 'run out that door so fast it would have broken'.

Dr Lopez is no longer operating a clinic in Florida, after the order revoking his medical license took effect in February.

But reviews on his clinic page raised alarm bells about his practice years before his license was revoked, with one patient saying he 'always had food on his scrubs and coat' while another said staff at his clinic were 'eating a pizza and drinking a Red Bull on top of the [clinic] keyboard'.

Several patients left reviews saying they would 'never return,' and called the practice 'unprofessional'  with some even suggesting it was a 'scam'.

After he performed the circumcision on the boy, the child's father said there was a lot of bleeding.

He told CBS12: 'At first, I didn't really know what was going on. I wanted to believe the doctor because he said he hit an artery, and that's why all the bleeding was happening.

'It was fairly quickly that we realized that he committed such a horrible injury on our son.'

He added: 'The damage is almost the entire head of the penis has been transected or amputated. In the records, it says more than 50 percent.'

The bleeding took 45 minutes to stop and a day later the parents took their newborn to the ER after having concerns, where a doctor was said by the family to be 'visibly shocked' after viewing their newborn's penis.

The mistake could set up the baby boy for a lifetime of complications.

Long-term health effects from losing the head of the penis can include trouble urinating, loss of sexual function and emotional distress  including anxiety, depression and issues with self-esteem.

Mother-of-two Onystei Castillo Lopez, 40, bled to death while in the care of Dr Lopez after giving birth to her second child

A court case claimed the doctor had gone home, leaving her in the care of a nurse and another doctor who was only available over Zoom

Dr Lopez had had his license revoked on February 5, 2021, because he was found responsible for the wrongful death of a pregnant woman. But his revocation did not take effect until February 22, allowing him to keep practicing in the days between.

In the wrongful death case, it was claimed he had left 40-year-old mother-of-two Onystei Castillo Lopez bleeding in the hospital after he went home to change out of his blood-soaked scrubs and go to bed in January 2017.

Ms Lopez had suffered injuries during childbirth, and went into cardiac arrest and died later that evening from her injuries. Dr Lopez was the doctor who had delivered her baby.

Ms Lopez family's lawyer Gary Cohen previously stated to CBS12: 'Dr Lopez had caused multiple lacerations with a scalpel on her cervix as the baby was being delivered.

'What he needed to do was a full hysterectomy, taking out the entire uterus and cervix, that's where she's bleeding from.'

Administrative hearing Judge Robert Cohen said in 2021 Dr Lopez's decision to leave the hospital, go home, clean up and go to sleep was 'where his failure to complete his care for his patient led, ultimately, to her untimely death.

'Perhaps, his patient still would not have survived, but we will never know that because [Lopez] left her to go home.'

Dr Lopez first faced allegations of misconduct in 1988, when the family of infant Crystal Diane Hicks claimed her death was due to him not performing a timely C-section.

In 1992, records show he was involved in the settlement of a lawsuit from the family of infant Earl Buchanan, who died. Details surrounding the case are not public.

Two years later he was recorded as linked to the death of 18-year-old mother Nakia Gilmore  although the cause of death was not revealed.

Dr Berto Lopez, shown above, has had his medical license revoked

And also in 1994, court documents from the parents of infant Samuel Mercedes  who had used Dr Lopez  show their baby suffered severe birth defects after a neural tube defect was not diagnosed promptly.

In 2002, Florida's medical board heard how he had failed to fully remove a 15-week-old dead fetus from 31-year-old mother Michelle Hirt. The mother explained how this led to her giving birth to the remains in a friend's bathroom.

In April 2011, he faced a lawsuit after a baby boy he was treating suffered severe brain damage leading to cerebral palsy following a delayed C-section.

In November of that year, he faced a lawsuit after baby Matthew Dixson was born with a broken arm and permanent nerve damage because a C-section wasn't performed.

In 2012, documents from the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office show how 56-year-old Joyce Rivers died after her small intestine was punctured during an operation  which involved Dr Lopez  to remove her ovary.

In April 2014, Florida Department of Death documents record how his patient Ashley Perez, a 29-year-old, died from internal bleeding following a C-section after her ovarian stitches gave way.

Three months later, Florida Department of Health documents show a 32-year-old woman identified only as L.R. lost six liters of blood after a tubal ligation  or procedure to seal the fallopian tubes to prevent a pregnancy  failed. She survived the injuries.

In May 2017, he faced a lawsuit over a failed circumcision on another child  known only as R.R.R.  which was settled out of court.

Dr Lopez has not commented publicly on his long list of medical lawsuits.

He has often agreed to pay fines, perform community service and take classes in medical record keeping.

In the latest circumcision case, he failed to show up to court and has not hired a legal team to defend himself  the boy's family said.
If you're turning to bottled water to try and avoid chemicals from your tap, your efforts may be for nothing.

A new study has found water in single-use plastic bottles has the same disinfectants in it as the stuff from the tap.

Researchers found bacteria, lead and byproducts of disinfectants in varying levels in tap, bottled and treated home tap water from San Francisco's bay area.

Previous studies have linked consuming these contaminants in high amounts to neurological problems, cancer and liver damage.

However, the researchers cautioned nearly all the water tested was still below federal thresholds for drinking water quality set by the EPA - meaning drinking water from any of those three sources is probably safe.

Bottled water is popular in the United States, with the average American drinking 45 gallons of it per year in 2020

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Still, the study results come amid a flurry of recent reports released by the EPA about a number of contaminants found in water - including microplastics, forever chemicals and arsenic.

Samantha Bear, a senior research scientist at SimpleLab and lead author of the study, told DailyMail.com: 'We were kind of surprised to see that bottled water and the household treated were not significantly different. That was really surprising. And that tap water was kind of in a league of its own.'

Researchers analyzed drinking water from the San Francisco Bay area - including 100 bottled water samples, 603 tap water samples and 111 samples from treated household water (water that has been filtered at home using a Brita filter).

These included bottles labeled as spring, artesian, mineral, well and purified water and were purchased in July 2022. They did not specify which brands of water were purchased, but they said they were representative of choices in California.

The houses tested were those that purchased a water quality testing kit from SimpleLab Inc.

They analyzed it for contaminants and results of the study were published in the journal The Public Library of Science Water.

The team found in about 53 percent of bottled waters, 61 percent of home treated tap water and 98 percent of untreated tap water tested was linked to at least one health concern.

The most common pollutive agent they found were the byproducts of chlorine used to disinfect water- called trihalomethanes.

These were found in all three water sources - but it was highest in tap water.

Trihalomethanes get into bottled water when they are treated with chlorine to sterilize the product or when the water source that the company uses to bottle its water already has chlorine or its byproducts in it.

Consuming trihalomethanes in high amounts has been linked to developmental delays, reproductive effects, liver damage and an increased risk of cancer.

As such, the EPA has a threshold for the amount of these chemicals allowed into drinking water.

Eight bottled water samples exceeded the legal limits set by California, which is more stringent than EPA guidelines

Ms Bear said being exposed to chemicals, like disinfectant byproducts, is linked to an increase risk of some health conditions, but does not automatically mean you will be harmed by drinking them.

Climate change, aging infrastructure and pollution all contribute to the current struggles people have in securing pristine drinking water, but this has been mostly studied in tap water, Ms Bear said.

In response, Americans have turned to bottled water. The total amounts used have gone from 28 gallons per person per year in 2010 to 45 gallons per person per year in 2020.

But, Ms Bear and her colleagues at SimpleLab, a company that sells home test kits for water and soil, knew bottled water has some of the same additives found in other water sources, and felt people made the bottled water choice on a lack of evidence.

'There is this overwhelming perception that, yeah, bottled water is pristine. It's sterile. There's no bacteria,' Ms Bear said. 'It definitely is generally quite clean, but it's not necessarily... [THE] gold standard, best thing ever.'

Water authorities caution your risk for coming into contact with these chemicals is actually higher in untreated water than in water that's been disinfected, simply because of natural stores of chlorine in the environment.

Untreated tap water had the highest amount of contaminants linked to health risks. Bottled water and household treated water (the same kind one would get from utilities) had about the same levels of chemicals within them, making them more or less equal, Ms Bear said

Other pollutants the researchers found in the water tested included heavy metals like lead.

Lead most commonly gets into water supply through aging pipes or infrastructure. It was detected in 30 percent of household treated tap water and 51 percent of tap water samples.

Frequent exposure to lead can cause neurological, developmental, learning and behavioral problems - most commonly in children.

The study wasn't able to look into other factors that people may be concerned about like - forever chemicals or microplastics.

Ms Bear cautioned though these contaminants are linked to health problems, that's not to say that your drinking water is unsafe.

Even if you find your house has high levels of a pollutant in your drinking water, there are cheap, effective filters you can buy that will significantly blunt your risks.

'I'm a big fan of tap water. I think that it's important that we all have this information so we can all choose what we want to drink and to each their own. Everyone's risk tolerance is different,' Ms Bear told this website.

She added: 'I am glad I have the information about my water to make these choices.'
They're often dubbed the health-conscious generation, but new data suggests Gen Z'ers are more blase about maintaining their health.

A national survey by the Cleveland Clinic found US men aged 18 to 43 are about half as likely to go to annual physicals, more likely to vape, and more inclined to seek help for mental illness compared to older generations.

Part of this is simply the fact younger people worry about their health less. Younger people are also more likely to seek medical help on TikTok and through Google searches than by talking to a primary care doctor.

But it comes at a time when cancers, including colorectal cancer, are rising among younger people at record rates and having a doctor who can screen for disease and keep an eye on patient risk factors is more crucial than ever.

Two out of five Gen Z men say they do not have a primary care provider and many said they are not sure or have never had their blood pressure checked

The Cleveland Clinic surveyed around 1,000 adult men in an educational campaign to encourage them to be more proactive about their health.

The men who participated in the survey were interviewed about their health practices between June 12 and June 25 this year.

Nearly two out of five Gen Z men (those born between 1997 and 2005) do not have a PCP.

Some survey respondents even admitted to never having had their blood pressure taken, cholesterol measured, or body mass index checked.

At the same time, the vast majority of men across all age groups  87 percent were concerned about how their current health habits could affect their overall health in the future.

Dr Petar Bajic, director of the Center for Mens Health at Cleveland Clinic, said: We saw in the survey that men are concerned with how the health decisions they make now will affect them in the future.

Monitoring key indicators in men like blood pressure and cholesterol in addition to sexual health concerns is crucial because we know that these can often signal a larger underlying health condition.

Women are generally more proactive about their health than men. They're also more likely to have health insurance and a regular source of health care. A major survey conducted by the Commonwealth Fund found that three times as many men as women had not seen a doctor in the previous year.

Compared to 61 percent of Gen Xers and Boomers who report getting an annual physical, only 32 percent of Millennials and Gen Z men said the same.

Physicals are suggested to occur annually to maintain overall health and catch potential problems early. They're key for preventive care and help doctors identify trends in a person's health that could indicate disease.

The physical typically entails taking vital signs including blood pressure and respiratory rate, as well as a physical exam of the head and neck, the heart and lungs, the abdomen, the skin, and the nervous system (it's the test that entails hammering the knee to prompt a reflex).

Despite the discrepancies, three-quarters of all men in the study were afraid of getting cancer at some point in their lives. At the same time, screening rates for cancers, particularly colorectal and prostate, are down.

Older men were less likely to smoke or vape. Vaping specifically has become exceedingly popular among young adults while cigarette smoking rates have fallen over the past decade

The only metric in which younger men proved more proactive than older men pertained to mental health care. Older men were slightly less likely to seek out help for mental disorders

The American Cancer Society reported last year that close to 700,000 American men have yet to be screened for prostate cancer, which kills between 32,000 and 35,000 men annually.

And colorectal cancer screening, now recommended to begin as young as 45 years old, is still lower than what doctors would hope to see. Less than 20 percent of people aged 45 to 49 were up to date with recommended screening such as a colonoscopy and blood tests in 2021.

Meanwhile, around 40 percent of men 50 to 75 have not been screened recently, according to tracking by the CDC.

Millennials and Gen Zers were also more likely to vape or smoke. Just 43 percent of younger adults said they avoided both compared to 60 percent of older men.

Older men tend to be more frequent smokers than younger adults ages 18 to 24, who are more likely to vape. About five percent of 18-24 year olds and 13 percent of 25-44 year olds smoke cigarettes compared to 15 percent of 45 to 64 year olds and eight percent of seniors over 65.

The only health metric where younger men came out on top was mental health care.

Millennials and Gen Zers were more likely to seek out help for mental distress than boomers. While slightly over half of older Gen Xers and Boomers said they sought out professional help, nearly 60 percent of Millennials and Gen Z men said the same.

Researchers did not offer an explanation as to why younger men might be more willing to access help, but a decline in stigma about mental illness among younger adults and teens could be encouraging more people to get the help they need.

The survey also asked men where they go for health information. Just five percent of Boomers said they turn to social media compared to 33 percent of Gen Z men.

Many men will try online avenues for answers to their health questions before seeking out a medical doctor. In fact, most men would rather do anything else, including house chores, than go to the doctor.
Blockbuster weight loss jabs do not raise the risk of suicidal thoughts and self harm, health chiefs have ruled.

Last July, the UK's medicines watchdog launched an urgent safety review into Wegovy, Ozempic, Saxenda and other similar drugs to probe the possible link.

The review was triggered by reports of more than a dozen patients experiencing thoughts about self-harm and suicide after taking the injections.

Suicidal thoughts are listed as a potential consequence in leaflets tucked inside the packaging already, but some campaigners have called for clearer warnings.

However the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which polices the safety of medicines in the UK, today said the data 'does not support a causal association'.

Rsearchers in three countries suggested that taking antidepressants and drugs like Ozempic could lead to suicidal thoughts or actions based on drug interactions

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It added: 'Therefore no updates to the product information is warranted at this time.

'The MHRA will continue to closely monitor the risk of severe psychiatric reactions associated with these receptor agonists and will assess new data as it becomes available.'

Semaglutide and liraglutide  the powerful ingredients behind Wegovy, Ozempic and Saxenda  have ushered in a new era of obesity treatement.

The medications, loved by Hollywood stars, spur weight loss by mimicking the actions of a hormone released in the gut after eating, called GLP-1.

As well as telling the pancreas to make more insulin, the GLP-1 hormone feeds back to the brain and makes users feel full.

As a result, semaglutide and liraglutide can stop users from over-eating.

But it is not without side effects, with users commonly complaining of nausea, constipation and diarrhoea after taking the medication.

Wegovy, Ozempic and Saxenda are all manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.

Last July, the MHRA said the review, which also looked at the risk of depression, was initiated after it received five reports of semaglutide patients who had suicidal or self-harming thoughts after taking the drug.

It had also received 12 reports since 2010 of these side effects in patients taking liraglutide.

Last month, a major study also suggested that taking weight loss drugs like Ozempic alongside antidepressants may raise the risk of suicide.

Researchers in New York, Switzerland and Italy combed through a World Health Organization database for reports of suicidal thoughts among people taking the drugs in more than 140 countries.

They found 107 cases of suicidal or self-harm thoughts or actions among those who took semaglutide and 162 from those on liraglutide, suggesting a harmful interaction between the weight loss drugs and antidepressants.

But experts at the time slammed the study for its 'weak evidence' and 'major limitations' based on 'spontaneous reports' of interactions between GLP-1 medications and antidepressants.

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Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy mimic the production of the hormone GLP-1, which helps keep the body full

They also cautioned that the proportion of reports linked to both drugs was too small to determine an association.

Semaglutide has been available on the NHS in the UK since 2019, and in the US since 2017, for type 2 diabetics to manage blood sugar levels.

Another semaglutide drug was also approved in Britain for weight loss in 2022, and in the US in 2021, under the brand Wegovy.

Like any medication, it can cause side effects that vary in both frequency and severity.

Reported problems include nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, fatigue, stomach pain, headaches and dizziness.

Bizarre symptoms, such as hair loss, have also been reported among some patients.

Latest NHS data shows 26 per cent of adults in England are obese and a further 38 per cent are overweight but not obese. In the US an estimated 41.9 per cent of adult population are obese.

Despite the jabs being designed to help overweight patients become healthier, there have also been growing concerns about the number of healthy weight patients taking them for cosmetic reasons.

Some have even needed emergency room care after taking jabs in a bid to become 'beach body ready'.
Homeowners encouraged to have a gas boiler service before winter are being warned not to sign up to a 'rip-off' service plan.

In an advertising blitz, British Gas last week slashed the price of a boiler service by 25 per cent to 69 if you book before September 10.

Yet visit the British Gas website and you discover this is only if you agree to be tied into an 'annual boiler service'.

Boiling point: British Gas is offering a 69 boiler service... but it requires a sign-up to an annual boiler service

A 'one-off' service has a regular price of 99. The gas supplier then encourages you to 'upgrade and save!' with a basic HomeCare plan 'from 14.25 a month' which usually costs 19.

This adds up to 171 for the year before switching to 228. But once you tap in your postcode and provide details of the boiler and number of radiators in the home, the price starts rising towards 300.

Dom Roque, of Dom's Heating and Plumbing in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, says you should never pay more than 100 for a service and a boiler service plan is a 'total waste of money for the vast majority of homes'.

The qualified engineer adds: 'These service plans are a rip-off. We get customers coming to us after being let down by such policies.

'All you really need is a straightforward annual service to ensure problems rarely occur.

Supplier charges

Independent engineer: One-off service 70-110, according to Which? YourRepair: Basic plan, 215.40. British Gas: One-off service, 99; basic plan, 228. Hometree: Basic plan, 229.90. PlusHeat: One-off service, 83.76; basic plan, 263.76. Scottish Power: Basic plan, 276. Compare the Market as of August 23. Basic plans include annual service and free callout.

'On the rare occasion you need parts to be fixed, this will still work out cheaper than an over-priced plan.'

Consumer body Which? believes you should be prepared to pay between 70 to 110 for a one-off service, while a boiler cover package that includes the cost of a service usually works out at 200 to 300 a year.

A Which? spokesman says: 'People with boiler cover pay an average of 270 a year.

'This is 76 per cent more than the average cost of a yearly service including repairs of 153.

'Boiler cover packages often have a cheap introductory offer, but prices ramp up from the second year.

'A one-off service usually works out to be better value for money.'

Which? says the average repair bill may be 196 but you only need to budget for this cost every four years or so.

Tracking down a trustworthy tradesman is a separate challenge  and you need to find a qualified Gas Safe-registered engineer to ensure it is legal.

Mr Roque says: 'A local tradesman is the right choice as they have a reputation they want to keep to retain existing customers as well as attract new ones.

'Word-of-mouth is the best recommendation  so do not be afraid to ask neighbours.

'There is nothing wrong with a comparison service such as TrustATrader but be aware that such websites are primarily used for touting for new business.'

Providers such as Scottish Power might lure you into cheaper plans from 11.50 a month, but with a 99 excess charge if you need to call them out to repair a broken boiler.

This means they can end up being worse value for money than a 'free' callout plan at 23 a month.

A service plan should cover the cost of most parts required for repairs, though check the small print.

For example, PlusHeat does not cover for a replacement boiler flue in its basic package and if a boiler is at least 13 years old it will not cover repairs costing 180 or more.

A British Gas spokesman says: 'It is recommended to get a boiler service once a year to ensure it is working safely and effectively.

'It can be booked as a one-off or part of an annual plan. Options are clearly outlined on our website so a customer decides which service is best for them.'
Warning signs: Jeff Prestridge predicts a rise in capital gains tax in next month's Budget - but says investors can protect against it

If there is one tax that Labour will ramp up in next months Budget, my money is on capital gains tax.

So if you are the owner of a business, buy-to-let property or have assembled an investment portfolio to see you through to retirement and beyond, you need to be aware of what could be coming your way.

In short, a far nastier tax regime when it comes to realising gains from these assets  with tax charges potentially double those that currently apply.

Few people, apart from those wealthy enough to employ expensive tax consultants, will be able to escape its claws, with the Budget only 40 working days away.

However vicious this assault may be, it ticks all of Labours boxes.

For a start, the party deplores the idea of people profiting financially from anything beyond work, especially when those gains are taxed more lightly than employment income  as capital gains tax (CGT) currently is.

So as far as Labour is concerned, hitting individuals with higher taxes on such unearned income is a no-brainer.

It would also allow the Government to claim in the Autumn Budget  somewhat dubiously, I must say  that CGT hikes are not a tax on working people.

Throughout the General Election campaign, Sir Keir Starmer waffled on about this commitment, which was built around not increasing rates of income tax, National Insurance contributions and VAT.

But many working people have investments or own an income-generating buy-to-let property. Hiking capital gains tax rates will certainly constitute a tax rise for these people, albeit only when they come to sell.

Although the Prime Minister and his financial lieutenant Rachel Reeves (pictured) have yet to confirm that a ramping up in CGT is coming our way, it's as obvious as night follows day

Why Labour could raise capital gains tax

Although the Prime Minister and his financial lieutenant Rachel Reeves have yet to confirm that a ramping up in CGT is coming our way, its as obvious as night follows day.

Calls for a more onerous CGT reform have been long-standing.

In late 2020, the now defunct Office Of Tax Simplification published a report arguing that the disparity in rates between income tax and CGT led to decision-making which was not always in the best interests of the economy.

Gianpaolo Mantini, a chartered financial planner at wealth manager Saltus, says this report could now be easily used by Labour to justify a more punishing CGT regime.

In recent days a Left-leaning think-tank, the Institute For Public Policy Research (IPPR), has also had its two pennyworth, arguing that the current tax system would frustrate Labours grand ambition to rebalance the country.

It says the system perpetuates regional inequalities  put crudely, that it favours people who live in the South East and disadvantages those in the North.

The solution? Several reforms are suggested, but the big one is equalising CGT rates with those on income.

It would be a big surprise if Chancellor Rachel Reeves didnt include this tax move in her Budget on October 30.

So how might the CGT regime change  and, more importantly, can you mitigate its effect?

You can if you act quickly.

Where are we now with capital gains tax?

Capital gains tax is charged on the profits made from the sale of various assets.

These include investments, big-ticket personal possessions such as paintings and jewellery, second homes and buy-to-let properties, your own business  even cryptocurrency.

Cars and main homes fall outside the CGT net (for the time being  anything is possible with this Labour Government).

For sales of shares, unit trusts and personal possessions, basic rate taxpayers typically pay 10 per cent (sometimes more) on their gains.

Higher-rate and additional-rate taxpayers pay 20 per cent. For property sales, CGT rates are higher, at 18 per cent and 24 per cent respectively.

The only concession is that 3,000 worth of capital gains can be crystallised in the current tax year, making it free of CGT.

> How capital gains tax works: Read our guide to tax on profits

How a capital gains tax raid could take shape?

It is unlikely the 3,000 annual capital gains tax-free allowance will be trimmed in the Budget, although stranger things have happened in the past.

Under the previous Conservative government, the allowance took a severe haircut, from 12,300 in the tax year ending April 5, 2023, to 3,000 now.

So my money is on it staying at 3,000  its lowest level since the early 1980s.

What is more likely is for Ms Reeves to adopt the IPPR idea and align CGT rates with income tax rates.

So for basic rate taxpayers it would mean a 20 per cent minimum tax charge, while for higher and additional-rate taxpayers they would pay 40 per cent and 45 per cent respectively on gains above the 3,000 tax-free allowance.

How a CGT rise could eat your returns?

The effect of such a change capital gains tax change is best illustrated in pounds and pence.

Take someone who, in the current tax year, has taxable income (after all allowable deductions and their personal allowance) of 30,000.

This means their income is below the upper limit of the basic rate income tax band of 37,700 (add the 12,570 personal allowance and you get to the 50,270 higher rate tax threshold). Income tax rates in Scotland are slightly different.

Let us then say they crystallise a 20,000 gain from the sale of shares. For CGT purposes, the taxable gain is 17,000 (20,000 minus the 3,000 tax-free allowance).

Currently the CGT charge is 10 per cent on 7,700 of the gain (the remainder of the investors basic rate income tax band) with the rest (9,300) charged at 20per cent as it moves up into the higher rate tax band. The total CGT bill is 2,630, a tax rate of 15.5 per cent.

But if Labour heeds the IPPRs advice and aligns CGT rates with income tax rates, the CGT bill would become 5,260  a doubling of the effective rate on their return to 31 per cent.

Painful, very painful but not all is lost.

During the election, Sir Keir Starmer - here with Rachel Reeves - waffled on about commitments and Labour claim CGT hikes are not a tax on working people

How to mitigate the impact of a CGT hike

If the Chancellor increases CGT rates in the Budget, there is a big chance they could come in straight away.

Its a transactional tax, so there is no need for her to wait until the new tax year on April 6.

Although buy-to-let owners can do little between now and the Budget to avoid higher CGT rates (other than hang on to their properties until CGT rates possibly come down under a future government), investors have options  especially if they hold shares outside of tax-friendly individual savings accounts (Isas) and pensions.

If you sit in this camp, you could take 3,000 of investment profits between now and the Budget, escaping CGT altogether (provided you havent taken any gains earlier in the tax year).

You could simply bank the proceeds  or you could sell the shares and then buy them back, resetting their purchase cost for future CGT assessment.

If you do this, you must wait at least 30 days before buying back the shares.

But an even better approach is to sell shares with gains under the 3,000 annual tax-free allowance, and then buy them back in a stocks and shares Isa where future profits are free from CGT (and, just as importantly, future dividends are protected from dividend tax).

The provider of your Isa should do all the hard work for you.

With these so-called bed and Isa transactions, the 30-day rule does not apply  although the repurchase will attract a trading fee and 0.5 per cent stamp duty.

The amount going into the Isa will count towards your annual Isa allowance of 20,000.

Investing platform Interactive Investor says bed and Isa transactions by clients increased by 99 per cent in the three months to the end of August, compared with the same quarter in 2022.

Myron Jobson, personal finance analyst at the platform, says: The threat of a less generous CGT regime has provided the impetus for many customers to shift their investments into their stocks and shares Isa via bed and Isa  shielding their future gains and dividends from the clutches of the taxman.

In a similar fashion, investments can be sold with gains under the 3,000 tax-free allowance and then bought back in a self-invested personal pension, again protecting future gains from CGT.

The only drawback, as Susannah Streeter of Hargreaves Lansdown points out, is that you cant access your pension until age 55 (this will rise to 57 in April 2028).

And don't forget your spouse

If youre married or in a civil partnership, it could be wise to sit down with your other half and  with CGT in mind  work out who should hold any investments.

Dividing investment portfolios  using an interspousal transfer  means two annual tax-free allowances can be used to protect crystallised share gains from CGT.

It also means the lower-rate taxpayer can reduce any CGT bill on gains exceeding their annual tax-free allowance. Again, your broker or investing platform can do all the hard work  for a small charge.

Finally, it goes without saying, that now is the time to fill your boots with Isas.

As Jason Hollands, investment expert at Evelyn Partners says, Isas should be investors first port of call  with pensions not far behind.
Pensioners who want to keep their winter fuel allowance face a gruelling application process that involves answering hundreds of questions on baffling subjects, including if they want to claim pension credit for any children.

And delays in the system mean some applicants are left waiting up to six months before they are approved or rejected.

More than 10 million people will no longer receive up to 300 winter fuel allowance this winter unless they get pension credit, in a cruel money grab orchestrated by the Chancellor.

Around 880,000 people who are entitled to pension credit but havent yet applied could continue to receive their winter fuel payments if they complete the process, the Government has said.

Many pensioners are put off by the complexity of the 24-page claim form

But those who apply face a dizzying list of 243 detailed questions, that range from intrusive and difficult to answer to outright nonsensical.

Applicants are asked to bare their financial souls, divulging the most private details about their incomes and savings  and those of their partner.

Money Mail readers have told of their distress as they are forced to share their most private financial arrangements. This includes a forensic look at the details of every savings account they hold and how much they receive from workplace pensions, down to when the money reaches their account every month.

Pensioners face a list of poorly-worded questions that can appear baffling, including Do you want to claim pension credit for any children or qualifying young people?, and Is the child in prison or custody pending trial or sentence?, or Is the child currently outside Great Britain?.

Until recently, the form even asked if applicants  who must be over pension age  were currently pregnant.

Other questions require pensioners to track down specifics that can be difficult to attain and at first glance appear irrelevant to the criteria required for pension credit.

This includes questions such as When the lease on your home was granted, was it more than 21 years?, Are you in hospital as an inpatient?, Is your partner in hospital? and the exact date both you and your partner left work.

Applicants are also asked to write personal statement- style paragraphs to justify why they think they qualify or, rather vaguely, asked to tell us more about the property or land that they own.

Even those who work their way through the hundreds of questions to complete an application say this is not the worst part of the process.

Many then face lengthy waits to receive the money, as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has warned them of delays due to high volumes of applications and postal delays.

Readers tell us they have been forced to wait up to six months for the vital pension cash to reach their account.

Jessica Beard says Mail readers are shocked at the level of financial detail needed in order to apply for the winter fuel payment

Those most in need will be at risk if they are left without the means to heat their homes during the icy months this winter.

Others complain of unhelpful operators working on the Government helplines and absurd security checks. In one case we spoke to a recently widowed 85-year-old who was turned away for failing a security check because she couldnt remember the exact amount she receives in the state pension down to the last few pence. Operators refused to discuss her application further after this.

Pension credit is a benefit for those over state pension age on low incomes to help with living costs.

It tops up your income in retirement to 218.15 a week if you are single, or to a joint income of 332.95 if you have a partner.

Joanna Elson, chief executive of charity Independent Age, says: Callers to our helpline tell us one of the biggest barriers to claiming pension credit is gathering all of the information they have to provide to make a claim.

Many are also put off by the inaccessibility and length of the 24-page form, she adds.

The DWP is running a pension credit week of action in a bid to boost take-up

and encourage pensioners to check their eligibility.But campaigners and charities warn that the complexity of the application form and the intrusive nature of the questions are putting many off. Dennis Reed, of campaigning group Silver Voices, says: Its so complicated that many older pensioners rely on their sons and daughters to help them fill it in.

But what if they dont have access to family?

The Government campaigns always fall flat because people dont want to have to share all of their private details and declare their income. They dont want to tell the world that they are poor or dont have much in savings. Its embarrassing. And theres a deeply ingrained view among older generations that you should be proud and make do.

Former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb says the questions could be made clearer on the form and echoed Mr Reed. Sir Steve, who is now a partner at consultancy LCP, says: The privacy point is particularly an issue for many older people who may be private about their financial affairs and may not want to talk to a stranger about it.

Nina Hayton, from South Petherton, Somerset, who now receives pension credit, says the form appears designed to put people off.

The 73-year-old retired farm secretary says: The Government just puts obstacles in your way with all this red tape.

The questions demanded facts and figures that you would be unable to answer without having all the paperwork. For many the challenge is a nightmare they cannot face.

Nina had long felt too intimidated to tackle the 24-page form on the Government website but eventually spent half a day filling it in with the help of charity Age UK. However, she then faced a four-month wait before receiving any payments until Money Mail highlighted her plight in December 2022.

There are ways to ease the process; Sir Steve recommends calling the pension credit helpline to apply rather than filling in a paper form.

This is because call centre staff can skip dozens of questions where a section doesnt apply to you, for example, if you dont have any child dependents or if you dont claim any disability benefits.

You can apply for pension credit any time after you reach state pension age, currently 66, and your application can be backdated by three months. Apply online at apply-for-pension-credit.service.gov.uk/start or call the pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.

A DWP spokesman said: To ensure pension credit is accessible for all, applications can be made online, over the phone, or via a paper application form.

For anyone concerned about the paper application process, we would recommend they either claim online  the service is available 24/7 every day of the year and can be completed with a friend or relative  or by telephone where the caller is guided through the claim process.
The FTSE 100 blue chip index is full of household names like BP, Barclays, Lloyds, Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Shell.

But this roll-out of multinational enterprises also contains some less well-known businesses which deserve greater fame  and far more attention from private investors. These are companies with tradition and staying power.

Their products and services may be frankly dull, but the returns that they offer can be anything but unexciting.

These unsung corporate heroes are the Footsies best kept secrets which may be worth digging into if you are weary of big name U.S. tech stocks and want to back British companies.

Major U.S. banks are suddenly seeing the attractions of unloved UK shares, and why should UK investors get left behind in the rush?

Undercover star: Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, says 'boring Bunzl' has richy rewarded investors

Bunzl

Distribution giant Bunzl has been branded boring  but its share price growth tells a different story.

Bunzl supplies the products to businesses that people need and use every day. These are the goods that we cannot live without  which is why, as Bunzl puts it, boring can sometimes be best.

Its range includes loo roll, food packaging, disposable cups for coffee shops and cafes, hard hats to be worn by builders  and bandages to hospitals.

The London-headquartered firms share price is up nearly 24pc in the last year  and analysts have predicted that it has further to go. Last year Bunzl reported profit before tax of 699 million and a 68.3p dividend per share.

Bunzls origins date back to 1854; this 12bn enterprise started out as a Slovakian haberdashery retailer. The company relocated to London in 1938 as Europe headed towards the Second World War.

Bunzl joined the stock market in 1957, its new status reflecting the shift in the companys focus, from haberdashery to paper manufacturing and then to outsourcing and distribution.

Growth has been boosted by a slew of acquisitions  210 in the last 20 years  and Bunzl now operates in 33 countries with around 24,500 employees.

Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: Bunzls success shows how our need for everyday but essential items can be turned into a big flow of profitable revenue.

From food packaging to cleaning chemical and safety equipment, these are ordinary items, a world away from the trend-setting products sold by influencers.

They may sound boring, but they are goods the companys customers cant do without.

Ashtead

Ashtead was founded as a plant hire company in 1947 and has grown into an international equipment company with a market capitalisation of 23.3billion.

The firm, which runs the Sunbelt Rentals brand, floated in London in 1986 but most of its business is now done in the U.S. where, among other services, it provides equipment for film making and TV production.

Indeed Ashtead has been weighing moving its listing to New York, where valuations are higher.

Investors will be keen for a management update when the FTSE 100 giant reports its first quarter results next week.

The companys growth was dented by Hollywood strikes, but analysts still consider it to be a boring but reliable stock pick.

Sunbelt Rentals, which is run by Ashtead

Industrial action by writers and actors, which meant there was a smaller market for Ashteads services on TV and film sets, has ended.

Fears of an economic slowdown in America may also have been keeping the share price subdued.

But official data last week showed the U.S. economy grew 3pc in the second quarter, faster than first reported, which helped to cool recession concerns.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: Shares in the plant and equipment hire specialist are yet to recapture their peak of summer 2021 and they are broadly flat over the past year, to perhaps reflect residual fears of an American economic slowdown.

Shares have fallen more than 2pc over the past 12 months but have started to recover in 2024. Over the past two years they are up 24pc.

The market consensus is that the stock is a buy, suggesting analysts believe shares could return to a peak last seen in 2021.

Ashtead reported a profit of 1.73billion for the year ended April 30 and a dividend of 68p per share.

IMI

Formerly known as Imperial Metal Industries, IMI is a British engineering giant. Its history can be traced back to a Birmingham percussion cap factory opened in 1862, which grew to become Britains largest ammunitions manufacturing company. A percussion cap is a firearm ignition devices.

Over the decades it has made everything from soap to bicycle and car parts to zippers, as well as operating a laboratory for studying metals.

In the 1950s, scientists at the company  then known as Imperial Chemical Industries  discovered how to produce titanium on a commercial scale.

It listed in London as IMI in 1966 and now employs around 10,000 workers in more than 50 countries, with a market capitalisation of 4.8billion.

Last year the firm hit profit before tax of 397million and announced a dividend of 28.3p per share.

In a boost for investors, the company announced a 100 million share buyback at its half-year results in July.

Its share price is up 21.77pc over the last year, and the analyst consensus is buy.

Howdens Joinery Kitchen wholesaler

Howdens Joinery was founded in 1995 as a division within MFI, the now defunct furniture retailer.

Following a split in 2006, it became a standalone business.

The firm sells kitchens, joinery, hardware, tools and bathroom cabinets to trade customers from more than 900 depots worldwide.

In 2015, the London-based firm, which made 328million in profit last year, was given Queen Elizabeth IIs seal of approval with a Royal Warrant of Appointment.

Howdens Joinery was founded in 1995 as a division within MFI

Shares are up 31.46pc over the past 12 months, and Howdens market cap has ballooned to 5.2billion. It announced a dividend of 21pc per share last year.

Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, said the firms recent interim profit had been 44pc higher than the same period in 2019, which represents a full recovery since all lockdowns were lifted.

We view Howden as a high-quality company that is well positioned for a macro recovery in due course and, beyond that, has a clear runway of potential growth, analysts at Deutsche Bank said in a note to clients.

The market consensus from analysts is buy.

Weir Group

Glasgow-based engineering firm Weir Group was founded by two brothers  descendants of the legendary Scottish poet Robert Burns  in 1871.

They set up the company to supply the Clyde shipyard and the steam ships being built there.

Now the company is a supplier to the mining industry and has a market capitalisation of 5.16billion.

An employee at Weir factory, a supplier to the mining industry

In April, the specialist firm said demand for its equipment will endure as the sector pivots to more sustainable methods, as it confirmed it is on track to meet sales and profit guidance.

And last month, Barclays said growth in mining equipment is likely to be unexciting, and said Weir is likely to outperform its rivals in the market.

Last year its profits hit 411m and it declared a dividend of 38.6p per share.

Weirs share price has jumped 9.59pc over the past year and the analyst consensus is that the stock is a buy.

Relx

Relx is one of the biggest companies on Londons stock market with a market capitalisation of 66billion, but its not a household name.

Its bumper valuation means the little-known data and analytics firm is worth more than both mining giant Rio Tinto and drugmaker GSK.

Relx started life as a Kent paper mill in the 19th century before growing into a conglomerate covering print, paper, paint, packaging and publishing.

The Surrey-headquartered firm listed in London in April 1948.

At one point it owned Mirror Group Newspapers, which was later sold to now-disgraced tycoon Robert Maxwell.

Now the company focuses on data and analytics and owns the LexisNexis legal and news database and runs Comic Con events.

Led by Swedish chief executive Erik Engstrom, the firm employs 6,000 people in the UK.

Shares in Relx are up more than 37pc over the past 12 months. It reported profit of nearly 2.5billion last year and a dividend of 54.6p.

The market consensus is buy, with analysts pointing out that Relxs push into AI could unlock further growth.

Richard Hunter, at Interactive Investor, said: The groups heavy reliance on digital products is a boon on two fronts.

Firstly, they are largely removed from the economic cycle, giving them a defensive side and, secondly, the proprietary and specialised areas in which they operate give them something of an economic moat from competitors who would find the business model difficult to replicate.
(PA) - Investors withdrew 1.5billion from M&G in the last six months, as the money manager said it is looking to cut costs across the business by 20million more than before.

The group said the savings would come on top of an existing 200million cost-cutting target, which includes a previously announced voluntary redundancy programme.

Part of the savings will come from a bid to simplify the company by merging its life insurance and wealth management operations into one business.

Chief executive Andrea Rossi said the group's "simplification agenda continues at pace".

He added: "Against the backdrop of a challenging market environment in the first half of the year, we have delivered another resilient financial performance with adjusted operating profit and capital generation nearly matching last year's excellent results."

The 1.5billion in outflows - when investors withdraw more cash than they put in - represents a downturn from 700million of inflows for the same period last year.
Carlos Slim has raised his stake in BT to more than 4 per cent in another vote of confidence in the firm.

The Mexican tycoon bought another 1.1 per cent of the telecoms giant, worth around 150million.

That followed the 3.2 per cent stake the billionaire acquired in June and took his holding in the FTSE 100 group to 4.3 per cent.

It is a further sign international investors believe British companies are undervalued.

Carlos Slim: The Mexican tycoon has upped his stake in BT

Slim's latest investment  through his family business Inbursa  came less than a month after Indian billionaire Sunil Bharti Mittal agreed to buy nearly 25 per cent of the company from embattled French tycoon Patrick Drahi.

Mittal's conglomerate Bharti Enterprises has so far bought a near-10 per cent stake from Drahi's Altice group and is due to complete the purchase of the remaining holding of close to 15 per cent when given regulatory go-ahead.

The arrival of Mittal and Slim on the BT share register has been seen as a vote of confidence in boss Allison Kirkby who has been in charge since February.

In that time, the shares have risen by around a quarter, though are still down a third since late 2019.

The Mail understands BT has met with Inbursa over the summer to discuss the shareholding.

Paolo Pescatore, a telecoms analyst at PP Foresight, said Slim's advance 'shows confidence in the company's strategy and a further endorsement in light of recent developments for mid-to-long growth opportunities'.

In May, Kirkby, 57, outlined a major overhaul at the telecoms group, which included another 3billion of cost-cutting, sending shares up more than 17 per cent in a day.

But Karen Egan, analyst at Enders Analysis, said the latest stake-building comes as Slim cashes in on 'recent weakness' in BT's share price  seeing it as a 'buying opportunity'.

Shares slumped as much as 6 per cent last week after Sky announced it would launch its broadband services on internet provider CityFibre.

The deal is a setback for BT, the country's largest broadband and mobile operator, whose Openreach network is also used by Sky to provide broadband.

Because of this, Egan said: 'I don't think that Slim will be seeking to take control at any point, but sees the investment case in the shares.'

With Mittal, 66, and Deutsche Telekom also sitting prominently on the share register, a full-blown takeover bid is seen as unlikely.

Slim, 84, made his fortune through telecoms giant America Movil, which dominates the Latin American market with 384million customers and saw him become the world's richest man in 2010.

His parents are Lebanese but moved to Mexico as children. His father Julien Slim Haddad opened a dry-goods store in Mexico City before snapping up property on the cheap.

This financial savvy was passed on to his children and by the age of 12, Slim had shares in the Bank of Mexico and was keen to be an entrepreneur.

Starting as a stockbroker, he bought major stakes in Mexican construction, consumer goods, mining and property firms.

A spokesman for BT said: 'We welcome all investors who recognise the long-term value of our business. We have frequent communication with all of our shareholders and meet with major investors on a regular basis.'
The latest auction of green energy licences, capable of delivering electricity to 11million homes, must be considered an advance in the race to deliver net zero by 2030.

But it comes at a heavy cost.

After last year's flop, the strike price agreed by the Government for power to be generated is nearly 60 per cent higher than in 2022.

This doesn't suggest that cheaper carbon-zero promised by Keir Starmer is on its way.

Solar: It is gaining traction but most panels come from China

More worrying, as the Unite union points out, the contracts awarded look unlikely to unleash the green manufacturing revolution promised by a Labour government.

Instead, Labour has placed new oil and gas licences on hold and is chasing away offshore fossil-fuel drilling with its intention to raise windfall taxes on North Sea oil producers.

The main beneficiary of the auction will be the Danish wind pioneer Orsted, which won 70 per cent of the licences.

Quite how Labour's new industrial revolution is going to happen when just 20 per cent of offshore wind manufacturing is in the UK, and there are no rules about local sourcing, is unclear.

The Tories, when they approved the new Hinkley Point super-nuclear plant in Somerset, laid down rules for British sourcing of special steels, complex controls systems and a local workforce.

Other big winners in the offshore auction are Spain's Iberdrola, owner of Scottish Power, and German power utility RWE. The only UK-controlled and listed beneficiary is SSE which has a clear green strategy.

Britain is playing catch-up in zero-carbon manufacture. Solar power is gaining traction but most panels come from China.

Heat pumps are catching on, in spite of teething problems, and are mainly made in Germany.

The one area where the UK does have technological advantage is nuclear energy in the shape of Rolls-Royce small modular reactors (SMRs).

They are snarled up in Whitehall along with the prospects of a potential export market of 250billion to 400billion and thousands of jobs.

There are two theories about the delays. One is that the open auction process has been disrupted by the election.

The second is that Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is listening to climate change extremists and is ice-cold on new nukes. A formal decision is hoped for this month.

Failure to give Rolls-Royce a clear go-ahead would be calamitous for UK manufacturing and jobs.

Flight test for Rolls-Royce

There should be no surprise that the decision of Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific to ground 34 planes after the discovery of an engine fault on its A350-1000 fleet, powered by Rolls-Royce, led to a sharp drop in the engine maker's shares on Monday.

The last time Britain's leading edge manufacturer had problems with its Trent power system, the eventual bill  for repairs and compensation to carriers  came in at a whopping 2.4billion over the period 2017-2023.

The speed with which Cathay is dealing with the current problem, thought to involve a fuel nozzle, suggests Rolls-Royce, which has enjoyed a 116 per cent rise in its shares in the last 12 months, isn't facing a very expensive fix.

Nevertheless, there is capacity for some flight disruption with 88 A350-1000 jets in operation, with Qatar Airways and BA among the biggest carriers affected.

The limited nature of the fix saw the shares bounce back in latest trading with broker Jeffries maintaining its 'buy' recommendation.

Nevertheless, the turbo-charged leadership of chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic has experienced its first air pocket.

Lost trust in TSB

TSB traces its history back to 1810. It has mostly enjoyed stable ownership, firstly as a privatised bank and then as part of Lloyds.

It was after the great financial crisis and the forced marriage of Lloyds with HBOS that certainty was sacrificed.

Floated off again as an independent entity, it fell under the ownership of Spain's Sabadell, experienced a systems meltdown and is now a pawn in the hostile bid by a larger Spanish bank BBVA for Sabadell.

The Bank of England has given its blessing to the deal in spite of opposition in Madrid. The ECB and Spain's anti-trust enforcers have yet to speak.

None of this will be very reassuring to 5million TSB customers whose accounts are being passed around like a parcel at a children's party.

Isn't overseas ownership wonderful?
Fraud and scam complaints hit their highest ever level for a three month period, new data from the Financial Ombudsman Service shows.

Between 1 April and 30 June this year, consumers lodged 8,734 complaints about fraud and scams.

Over half these cases related to customer approved online bank transfers, also known as authorised push payment (APP) scams.

By comparison over the same period in 2023/24 there were 6,094 fraud and scam complaints - representing a 43 per cent jump in cases.

Scam alert: Official data from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) shows complaints about fraud and scams have hit an all-time-high

The rise in cases is due to higher numbers of multi-stage frauds, where customers put in multiple claims due to the number of firms involved.

More people inadvertently using their credit or debit cards to pay fraudsters is also behind the rise in cases as well as more online fraud cases being brought by professional representatives.

Many banks have now signed up to the voluntary Contingent Reimbursement Model (CRM) code which provides additional protection for consumers, and means they are reimbursed unless there are exceptional circumstances.

If a bank has not signed up to the CRM code, customers could be less likely to be reimbursed if they have fallen victim to a scam and lost money.

Of 4,752 APP scam cases received by the Ombudsman in the first three months of this financial year, 2,734 were not covered by the code - with 49 per cent of cases that fall under the code upheld, compared to 36 per cent that do not fall under the code.

New fraud reimbursement rules which come in to force on 7 October 2024 should see the time it takes for scam victims to be reimbursed reduce.

Under the new rules, being brought in by the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), firms will have to reimburse customers who are victims of scams unless the customer has been grossly negligent.

But, the new reimbursement rules were set to cover APP scams up to 415,000 with some exceptions  such as the payment being made abroad.

However, it's believed the payments regulator could water this down and cap it at 85,000.

APP fraud losses came to 459.7million in 2023 the most recent annual fraud report from UK Finance show.

There was a significant rise in complaints where people came across investment opportunities on social media and then inadvertently paid fraudsters using their debit or credit cards, FOS data shows.

There were 1,500 complaints from people who used their cards to pay for investments which turned out to be scams, compared to around 1,100 complaints in the first three months of the last financial year.

Card payments, unlike bank transfers, are not covered by the CRM code or the new PSR rules so customers could have less protection in the event this happens.

Abby Thomas, chief executive and chief Ombudsman of the Financial Ombudsman Service, said: 'Being a victim of a fraud and scam is a horrendous experience  not just financially, but emotionally too. Thats why its disappointing to see complaint levels rising to even higher levels.

'In recent years, we have investigated thousands of cases, returning more than 150million to those who have fallen victim to these crimes.'

Pat Hurley, Ombudsman director for banking, said: 'Fraudsters methods are always evolving, and we continue to see that reflected in the complaints brought to our service.

'We are currently receiving  and resolving  around 500 fraud and scam complaints a week. In all the cases we receive, well look at the individual circumstances and investigate whether a business did everything it was required to do.

'When we do uphold complaints, we expect firms to learn from our findings and apply them to any future interactions with their customers.'
A husband has been left shattered after his wife - and mother to their two children - died at the age of 38 from breast cancer.

Jess Blees passed away just after midnight on August 8 after a brief and brutal second bout of stage four triple negative breast cancer spread to her brain.

Her husband, Cameron Edwards, said her rapid deterioration was 'one of the scariest times of my life'.

Ms Blees, a nurse, was originally diagnosed in August last year while 22 weeks pregnant with her youngest daughter Mila.

Ms Blees gave birth to her 'double miracle' child in November in between rounds of chemotherapy which had 'melted' the tumours away by March.

Almost a year after her first diagnosis, she started experiencing intense migraines and blurred vision.

An MRI in July revealed the breast cancer had spread with four tumours found on Ms Blees' brain and one on her optic nerve.

She was dealt another devastating blow when the cancer spread to her cerebrospinal fluid - leading to a terminal diagnosis.

Melbourne mother-of-two, Jess Blees (pictured with daughter Mira), tragically passed earlier this month after a second bout with a rare cancer

While knowing she wouldn't live a full life, Ms Blees hoped to see her two daughters Evie, 3, and nine-month-old Mila - who were both conceived through IVF - reach primary school.

Mr Edwards said he struggled to watch his wife's condition deteriorate so quickly while trying to prepare their daughters for the reality of her death.

'The hardest part for me is the challenge of telling a three-year-old when, just that night, Jess was passing away,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'Taking her into hospital to see her mum in a situation where, at that point, she was struggling to breathe and and she was effectively in a coma.

'And then Evie, you know, leant over and gave her mum a kiss.'

Mr Edwards added that he is trying to remain strong for his two girls despite having 'lost the love of my life'.

'The thing that really gets me and still gets me now is my girls aren't going to grow up and know their mum,' he said.

'Jess loved them so much.'

Ms Blees is survived by her husband, Cameron Edwards and two daughters, 3-year-old Evie (bottom left) and 9-month-old Mila (bottom right)

While the news of new tumours was disconcerting, Ms Blees remained confident that new treatment methods would help.

Highly accurate gamma knife treatment targeting the tumours helped alleviate some of the pain from the migraines for a day before they returned.

Mr Edwards said doctors were dumbfounded by the almost immediate return of debilitating migraines which couldn't be blamed on the radiaton.

They continued to monitor and attempt to treat the tumours before finding them in the fluid that provides nutrients to her brain, known as leptomeningeal cancer.

Those with the disease are usually given as long as four months to live if treated, but would lead to Ms Blees' death just three days later.

The widowed husband said he's devastated by his wife's blighted luck at every turn of her devastating battle with cancer.

'I'm just keeping myself busy, so I don't fall in a heap,' Mr Edwards said.

'But I think the hardest part is at night time when they go to bed, you're sitting there and you kind of like, "What now?"'

The young mother's second bout with stage four triple negative breast cancer only lasted several weeks after it aggressively spread to her brain

About 300 people attended Ms Blees' funeral, which Mr Edwards said was a reflection of how positive and beloved she was.

'Everywhere she went, she just lit up the room. She was respected and everyone loved her,' he said.

'Just to see someone that positive and upbeat who never let anything get to her just to, unfortunately, be dealt that set of cards that she just suffered.

'Fortunately she didn't suffer for months, but she suffered long enough in that short amount of time.'

A GoFundMe was recently reopened by Ms Blees' sister, Amanda, with the hopes of helping support Mr Edwards and his two daughters after their tragic loss.
A fire today broke out in a London tower block, engulfing multiple floors and sending black smoke pouring into the sky.

Around 70 firefighters battled the blaze in Catford, with 10 fire trucks also rushed to the scene.

Crews received more than 50 calls about the inferno, which was first reported just before 1pm today.

The London Fire Bridge, who had asked the public to avoid the area, said the inferno was under control around 2.30pm.

Shocking footage showed flames leaping from the window of a flat, while smoke could be seen for miles.

A fire today broke out in a tower block in Catford, London

Crews were first called to the inferno before 1pm. The cause of the blaze is unknown

Flames could be seen leaping from a ninth floor flat

A Lewisham local, who did not wish to be named, described the scene from below during the fire at the tower block.

They said: 'Someone was waving from a window on one of the upper floors and we were all shouting "there's a fire, a fire"

'It was mad. It was crazy.'

Employees at the nearby Catford Food Centre, who did not want to be named, described the flames in the apartment block as 'massive'.

They said: 'One of us saw it from our apartment window. My sister told me "there's a fire".

'It's a big apartment block and old. The flames were massive. Everyone was on the road watching and taking videos.'

Locals have posted videos to social media of the blaze, and the outside of the tower block appeared to be charred, too.

One wrote: 'Flats on fire in Catford with people in building. Horrible scenes. Fire brigade at rescue.'

The London Brigade said at 2.25pm there were no reports of any injuries, and they had the blaze under control.

Snaps showed crowds of people gathering on the streets as fire crews on aerial appliances seen working to extinguish the inferno at its level.

London Fire Brigade said: 'Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters are tackling a fire at a block of flats on Rosenthal Road in Catford.

'Two flats on the 9th and 10th floors of the building are currently alight.

'The Brigade's 999 Control Officers have taken almost 50 calls to the blaze.

'The Brigade was called at 1251. Fire crews from Forest Hill, Greenwich, Deptford, Lee Green and surrounding fire stations are at the scene.

'The cause of the fire is not known at this time.'

It added: 'The fire in Catford is now under control.

'There are currently no reports of any injuries.'

It comes on the day of the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry into the 2017 fire which killed 72 people.
You can donate to Daniella's GoFundMe here

The mother of a young girl who 'went up like a Christmas tree' after her knock-off hoodie-nightgown caught fire has urged parents to bin highly flammable dupes bought on Temu.

Daniella Jacobs-Herd, eight, suffered third-degree burns to her hands, arms, chest and face when embers from a firepit set the cheap Chinese replica alight on July 13.

Her terrified sister and father rushed her under the shower as chunks of her skin began falling off while her mother, Hannah Jacobs, called triple-zero.

Daniella, who suffered burns to 13 per cent of her body, was airlifted to Hervey Bay Hospital where she has undergone 15 procedures in less than eight weeks.

'The journey is only just beginning because now she's starting to process her burns,' Ms Jacobs told Daily Mail Australia.

'[The nurses] are slowly reducing the dressings each time they change them so she's seeing more and more of her burns.

'And there's trauma related to that because she remembers the skin falling off. She doesn't think she's going to be beautiful again.'

Ms Jacobs has urged parents to dispose of any cheap dressing gowns they own, warning: 'It's not worth the trauma, throw it in the bin'.

Daniella Jacobs-Herd, eight, suffered third-degree burns to her hands, arms, chest and face when embers from a fire pit lit the gown on fire on July 13

Daniella suffered burns to 13 per cent of her body following the fire at her Queensland home

Daniella (pictured with her mother Hannah) has undergone 15 procedures in eight weeks

She says daughter was given the lilac-coloured knock-off nightwear for her birthday.

But it was purchased on Temu, a popular online Chinese retailer, rather than from the Australian original Oodie store where all products meet strict Australian safety standards.

'I've spoken to parents in the burns unit and there's so many kids who get burnt every month from [items purchased from] cheap brands,' she said.

'They don't say anything about them being so highly flammable, they just say not to put them in the dryer.

'She was just standing near a fire and there was a bit of wind and its goes up like nothing. It melted to plastic onto her skin.

'We've thrown away every single one we own, we had all different types of [hoodies] and we've thrown every single one away.'

Daniella's surgical team told the mother-of-two that knock-off dressing gowns like her purple one from Temu were notorious for burn injuries.

'I was very hysterical in the first few days and they were telling me that it happens quite a lot,' she said.

'It's very common with these sorts of [fake] brands to catch on fire.'

To complicate matters, Daniella is methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) positive - an infection caused by a type of staph bacteria.

'She has to be isolated in a room when she goes to hospital which any eight-year-old doesn't handle very well,' Ms Jacobs said.

'She's autistic and ADHD so in the early days she was ripping cannulas, catheters, feeding tubes out.'

The eight-year-old is currently receiving treatment for her burns at Hervey Bay Hospital

She had been wearing a knock-off Temu hoodie-nightgown when it went up in flames

Daniella's austism and ADHD has complicated her recovery

The mother-of-two said parts of Daniella's recovery had been confronting.

'She's had moments where she's been ripping chunks of skin off,' she said.

'She'll sit there and hold my hand so she doesn't scratch, but then she'll scratch and you'll get handfuls of flesh and blood. It's been very, very overwhelming.

'She's been dosed out on painkillers so she doesn't remember it, but it's very overwhelming to have chunks of flesh in your hand at one in the morning.'

The family are staying at the Ronald McDonald House but are still paying rent and bills for their home in Hervey Bay, which they are yet to return to.

The cost of Daniella's medications, food and new washing powders that won't irritate her 'baby skin' has left the family struggling to make ends meet.

Ms Jacobs is on the NDIS and requires a walker or wheelchair to get around, meaning getting Daniella to her outpatient appointments can be difficult.

The family have started a GoFundMe to ease some financial pressures as Daniella awaits more skin grafts and further down the line, plastic surgery.

Ms Jacobs, her partner and their eldest daughter Ebony, 12, have all been diagnosed with acute stress disorder and are undergoing counselling following the incident.

Temu promised Daily Mail Australia they would launch a full investigation into the incident and said they hoped to hear from the family so they could offer support.

'We are deeply saddened to hear about the accident involving Daniella and extend our heartfelt sympathies to her and her family during this difficult time,' said a spokesman.

'We want to assure them that we are taking this matter very seriously. Even though we have not yet received the purchase order details, we have already initiated an internal investigation.

'Our teams are actively reviewing product listings and seller records related to the type of product involved in the incident.

'We are committed to a thorough investigation and taking appropriate action.'
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Anthony Albanese has ignored questions from a man who approached him on the street and demanded answers over 'who benefits' from Australia's gas industry.

The Prime Minister was walking into the ABC Radio office in Perth on Monday when he was suddenly confronted by a young man.

'Prime Minister, good to see you, I just want to know who benefits from Australia's gas industry?' the man asked.

'What I want to know is where is the money for the gas? How come teachers pay more in tax than the gas industry?'

The PM refused to answer the man while making his way into the building, and on his way out he told the man to 'have a lovely day'.

'Are you gaslighting me?' the man asked when Mr Albanese, surrounded by security, refused to respond.

'Are you toxic?'

Anthony Albanese was ambushed by a man on the street in Perth who demanded answers over who benefits from Australia's gas industry

The man was referencing information from independent thinktank The Australia Institute which claimed teachers pay more in personal income tax 'than the entire oil and gas industry pays in company tax and Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT)'.

'Over the last ten years, ATO data shows that all of Australia's school teachers paid $95billion in personal income tax, an average of $9.5billion per year,' the organisation claimed.

'By contrast, the oil and gas industry paid $12.5billion in PRRT and $33billion in company tax over the last ten years, or an average of just $4.6billion per year.

'The oil and gas industry employs few people and pays barely any tax. Instead, the profits from Australian gas extraction flow overseas to mainly foreign owners. Australians are largely missing out.'

The thinktank also claimed that six out of Australia's ten facilities that export liquified natural gas (LNG) pay no royalties to state or federal government.

'The Commonwealth chooses to collect royalties on gas from the North-West Shelf, but the Commonwealth chooses not to collect any royalties on other offshore projects,' the Australia Institute's executive director Richard Denniss said.

The Australia Institute said exports of royalty-free LNG were valued at $149billion.

The man was referencing information from independent thinktank The Australia Institute which claimed Aussie teachers pay more in personal income tax 'than the entire oil and gas industry pays in company tax and Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT)' (pictured is oil platform in Australia)

'To put this another way: in the last four years alone, Australians have given away the gas that made $149billion worth of LNG, for free,' it said.

Several gas and oil companies paid little or no corporate income tax in the 2020-2021 financial year, including oil giant Chevron that paid just $30 in tax.

The oil company said that was the company wrote off $1.8billion in losses, which negated any taxable income.

Under the PRRT, companies must pay tax on profits from gas projects, but only after covering the initial costs of developing those facilities.

An ATO crackdown saw the tax paid by these companies increase, with the oil and gas industry forecast to pay $17billion in tax this financial year, according to the Australian Energy Producers' latest survey, compared with $16.3billion tax paid last financial year.

Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch said this was a record high for the industry's tax payments, and highlighted the companies spent over $41billion on Australian goods and services this financial year.

Australia was the seventh largest gas producer in the world in 2022.

Exports of liquified natural gas was at a record 81 million tonnes.
The founder of a not-for-profit organisation that ran a string of rallies against male violence has claimed A Current Affair showed up at the domestic violence safe house she is hiding in after 'nearly losing (her) life'.

What Were You Wearing founder Sarah Williams took to social media on Tuesday night to claim the Channel Nine program sent a journalist and camera crew to the DV safe house she has been hiding in, calling the experience 'deeply triggering'.

She made headlines this year at an anti-violence rally in Canberra that she'd organised demanding action from the federal government.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Albanese told the crowd that he had initially been asked not to speak, prompting Ms Williams to say that was 'a flat-out lie' as she started to cry.

The 23-year-old said she is a victim of domestic, family and sexual violence, and has 'never been more scared for her safety' than on Tuesday when she .

'Today, a journalist and camera crew showed up at the house where I've been hiding since I nearly lost my life to domestic violence in 2021. This is the only place I've ever felt safe, a house I was specifically placed in for DV protection,' Ms Williams shared on Instagram.

'I didn't think it could get any worse - I didn't think I could experience any more unethical journalism after a journalist already contacted my perpetrators earlier this year.

'Today, in a single, terrifying moment, the place meant to keep me safe was taken from me.'

Ms Williams (pictured) uploaded a post to Instagram to claim A Current Affair sent a journalist and camera crew to the domestic violence safe house she has been living in

'I've never been more scared for my safety. My right to consent was denied, with my 'no's', 'stops' and 'please leave' ignored.

Ms Williams, an Aboriginal woman, claimed the journalists and crew 'didn't care' when she repeatedly told them she didn't feel comfortable with three non-Aboriginal people - two of them being men - 'showing up at (her) home'.

'To them I wasn't a human, I was just a story,' she wrote.

'I emphasised that you can't just show up at a victim-survivors home, where they live, and confront them aggressively. It's extremely unethical.'

She continued, calling it a 'violation of safety and trust (she's) fought so hard to rebuild'.

'The very act of them showing up at my home, a place meant to protect me, was a breach of my privacy and a reminder of the powerlessness I've endured. It retraumatised me, reopening wounds that I've worked tirelessly to heal.

'No survivor should ever have to relive their trauma because of unethical actions like this.'

Ms Williams asked A Current Affair to 'leave (her) alone' and not put her in 'further danger by sharing where (she) live(s) to the public'.

People have flocked to the comments to call on A Current Affair to do better.

'This is absolutely terrifying, and people truly don't realise how far this can take survivors back into their trauma, let alone the danger it puts them in from others,' one commented.

'Your blatant disregard for supporting victims and keeping them safe is noted!' another wrote, tagging A Current Affair.

Ms Williams wrote in the social media post (pictured) that she her safety and privacy were violated as a result of the actions she claims were conducted by A Current Affair

Another accused A Current Affair of deleting their critical comments regarding the alleged incident.

The alleged incident comes just more than a month after Ms Williams organised a second string of national rallies against male violence.

At the time, she told NewsWire she was deeply concerned by the rate at which women are being killed by predominantly male violence.

According to Sherele Moody's femicide watch 58 women have been killed this year to predominantly male violence.

'Just one (death) is more than enough, but if we keep going at this rate we'll be doubled by the end of the year,' Ms Williams said back in July, when the figure was at 54.

Ms Williams (pictured far right next to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at a rally in February) said she repeatedly told the reporter and the camera crew she didn't feel comfortable with them showing up at her home

'Not enough is being done.'

NCA NewsWire has been told the address attended was the registered business address of the woman whose story they were investigating, and that nothing is going to air at this stage.

NewsWire was also told the journalists were five addresses down from the registered address.

A Nine spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia A Current Affair 'did not attend Ms Williams safe house or enter any property at which she is hiding'.

'We approached Ms Williams on the street at a distance from the address provided on the public register as her business address,' the spokesperson said.

'Our program has a strong and determined history of telling the story of victims of domestic violence and campaigning strongly for safe spaces for victims.'

'These accusations are unfounded. The story will go to air Monday.'
This is the first picture of skipper James Cutfield back home since he was placed under investigation following the sinking of superyacht Bayesian that left seven people dead.

New Zealander Mr Cutfield, 51, is among three people who are being probed by judicial authorities following the tragedy last month.

He was seen for the first time since he flew from Sicily where the yacht sank back to his home in Majorca on a private jet last week.

The 30 million Bayesian - noted for its 72-metre aluminium mast - sank while anchored near the village of Porticello, close to Palermo on August 19.

Chief engineer Tim Parker Eaton, 56, and Matthew Griffiths, 22, are both British and, like the captain, also both being investigated for causing a disaster and multiple manslaughter.

This is the first picture of skipper James Cutfield back home since he was placed under investigation following the sinking of super yacht Bayesian that left seven people dead

British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah both died in the Bayesian tragedy when the superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily

The first autopsies were carried out on lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda (both pictured) and confirmed that they drowned, sources said on Monday

Judy and Jonathan Bloomer died on the Bayesian as it keeled over in the water in August

Recaldo Thomas, chef on the Bayesian, was the first person to be recovered after the yacht sunk

Among those who died were British tech billionaire Mike Lynch, 59, and his daughter Hannah, 18, who was due to start a degree course at Oxford University later this month.

His wife Angela Bacares, Hannah's mother survived and she is listed as the owner of the yacht at an Isle of Man company called Revton.

Both Mr Cutfield and Mr Parker Eaton live on the same road in a sleepy Majorcan village, half an hour from the capital Palma, in villas each with a swimming pool.

Mr Cutfield, who injured his leg in the sinking still had a white bandage on his leg, as he was seen leaving his house in a black Mercedes.

Mr Parker Eaton, who is originally from Clophill, Bedfordshire, purchased his property in 2013 while Mr Cutfield bought his five years later.

Although all three are being investigated by local prosecutor at Termini Imerese it does not mean charges will necessarily follow.

A magistrate will decide if they should face trial once the investigation has concluded and evidence presented to them.

There were signs of life at Mr Parker Eaton's home, where he lives with his partner, but there was no answer at the door while Mr Cutfield also did not respond to attempts to contact him.

The British-flagged Bayesian superyacht (pictured) was owned by tech magnate Mike Lynch

New Zealander Mr Cutfield (pictured), 51, is among three people who are being probed by judicial authorities following the tragedy last month

Chief engineer Tim Parker Eaton, 56, (pictured) and Matthew Griffiths, 22, are both British and, like the captain, also both being investigated for causing a disaster and multiple manslaughter

Matthew Griffiths (pictured) was one of 22 people on board the Bayesian when it sank

The men flew out of Sicily last week on a private jet and Mr Cutfield was reported to have refused to answer questions as per his rights - although he was quoted as telling coastguards they 'didn't see' the storm coming.

Mr Cutfield had been a captain on luxury yachts for eight years and had previously been working on them and involved in building them for the past 30 years in various locations around the Mediterranean.

He said before he worked for the British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, he had worked for a Turkish billionaire.

His brother Mark, who lives in New Zealand, said he was a 'top sailor' in his youth and raced 470s competitively in his youth and he has married wife Cristina in Majorca last year.
Republicans are voicing concerns about Vice President Kamala Harris and her position on Israel, pointing to her foreign policy advisor Phil Gordon as a cause for concern.

Gordon serves as Harris' most trusted advisor on foreign policy issues, as his allies have credited him for his influence of the vice president and her articulation of her carefully woven narrative on the subject.

Harris has defended Israel's right to defend itself but has also criticized them for failing to reduce civilian casualties.

Republicans, however, are concerned that Gordon's views and connections surrounding Iran are worrisome, especially surrounding the issue of Israeli relations with the United States.

Republican GOP Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York warned that Gordon's views on Iran could be a significant problem, telling DailyMail.com in an exclusive statement that his influence is a danger to all Americans.

Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris boards Air Force 2

Republicans will continue to hold Kamala Harris accountable for the radical anti-Israel, Iranian regime puppets within her inner circle that have made the world less safe, she said.

Gordon has worked for three different Democratic administrations beginning with former President Bill Clinton, former president Barack Obama and now in the Biden administration, advising Harris.

Recent news profiles of Gordon reassure readers he is a pragmatist in foreign policy, with heavy skepticism about the ability of the United States to topple dictators in the Middle East and build up democracy.

Already part of the foreign policy establishment, Gordon would continue on the same path but with a dose of skepticism on the limits of American power.

Dr. Phil Gordon speaks on stage during the Council on Foreign Relations' 2024 International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) Conference

Vice President Kamala Harris is flanked by French President Emmanuel Macron and National Security Advisor Phil Gordon (right) attend a meeting

But foreign policy experts in Congress are raising concerns about views on Iran and Israel and are scrutinizing his views on how the United States should interact with them.

When Trump took power in 2016, Gordon was a critic of his foreign policy efforts to challenge Iran.

How Can Trump Help Irans Protesters? Be Quiet, wrote Gordon in 2017, scolding Trump for voicing support for political protesters in the country. He also advised against tightening sanctions against Iran in 2018.

He was even more troubled in 2018 after Trump ended the Iranian nuclear deal.

Weve just thrown that all away, he lamented in an interview with NPR, describing Trumps decision as wrong and misguided.

Chair of the House Republican Conference Elise Stefanik (C), along with House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (L) and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R), speaks at a press conference

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-NY., speaks during the Republican National Convention Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Milwaukee.

This is really a big deal, and it seems that the president has taken this leap into the dark without really a plan or even an explanation as to whats supposed to happen, he added.

Gordon also advised against piling on sanctions on Iran, warning that pressuring the government financially would only lead them to lash out against their neighbors.

Trump frequently boasts that he had pressured Iran to the point of them going broke, unable and unwilling to fund and launch major terrorist attacks.

Gordons repeated soft approach on Iran triggered the interest of Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Stefanik, who both warned in a letter of his ties to pro-Iranian interests.

Gordon also advised against piling on sanctions on Iran, warning that pressuring the government financially would only lead them to lash out against their neighbors

US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's team of advisors (from L) Richard Danzig (National Security), Phil Gordon (Foreign Policy), Wendy Morigi (National Security), Dr. Susan Rice (Foreign Policy), Dennis Ross (Middle East Policy) and David Axelrod (Chief Strategist)

Gordon coauthored some of his opinion articles with Ariane Tabatabai, an official who was a founding member of a pro-Iranian advocacy group, the Iran Experts Initiative. He also delivered speeches to the National Iranian American Council, another pro-Iranian influence group.

Cotton and Stefanik warned in their letter to Harris whether she was aware of Gordons ties with pro-Iranian individuals.

'The Biden-Harris Administration is no stranger to Iran accommodators, appeasers, and accomplices, the letter read.

Gordon served as the White House Coordinator for the Middle East and Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs in the Obama administration.

He has advised Harris to take a more nuanced position on the Israeli and Palestinian conflict without appearing to abandon Israel as an ally.

But Gordon is also working to earn respect from other sides of the political spectrum.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Gordon warned Harris about Bidens plan to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, advising that the administration support the idea of preserving a residual force behind to keep the Taliban from taking over the government.

Despite Gordons advice, Harris resolved to side with President Biden, and she famously stated she was the 'last one in the room' on the pullout decision.

Gordon also advised Obama that it would difficult to force Syrias Bashar al-Assad out of power, according to reports, despite others who believed that backing the Syrian rebels could force him out of power.

But he is also believed to be a hawk on the issue of Russia, fulling supporting the ongoing Ukrainian war without trying to resolve the two countrys differences with concessions or negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The vice president's office did not respond to a DailyMail.com request for comment.
Russian railroads are at the point of collapse. This process began before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. The covid-19 pandemic disrupted ball bearing production worldwide. When production was back to normal, there were problems providing customers with all the ball bearings they requested. Another problem is that Russia has always imported most of its ball bearings, usually from American and West European manufacturers.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, most western suppliers of ball bearings ceased filling Russian orders. This caused a major shortage of the things in Russia as it was in the process of shifting all of its trains to relatively new coil bearings, none of which were produced in Russia. Since ball bearings are used in automotive equipment, which includes tanks and other armored vehicles, these vehicles received priority because Russia needed weapons for its troops in Ukraine. This was a higher priority that supplying Russian railroads. This ball bearing shortage for Russias state owned and operated railroads has, in the last few years gradually reduced service. By 2024 the Russian railroads were much less capable of moving people or freight over the vast Russian railroad system. These disruptions were also felt by essential long-distance routes like the Trans-Siberian line. The net result of all this is a sharp reduction the ability of the Russian military to move men, weapons, equipment and supplies by rail. Trucks, canal boats, high seas shipping and airfreight could not make up for the loss of railroad capacity even if they had enough ball bearings, but they dont because they now suffer from ball bearing shortages too.

Meanwhile, the railroad situation in sanctions free Ukraine is not ideal. One of the transportation difficulties between Ukraine and the NATO countries is the different gauge railroads used in Europe and Ukraine. Europe uses what is known as Standard Gauge. Gauge means the distance between the two rails. Standard gauge rails are 1,455mm apart. The Russian gauge is wider with the rails 1,524mm apart. In other words, Standard gauge tracks are four feet 8.5 inches wide while Russian Gauge tracks are five feet wide. Since Ukraine was until 1991 part of the Soviet Union, all the Ukrainian railroads are Russian gauge. To deal with this problem, Ukraine is building a transshipment point in the west Ukraine town of Uzhhorod which is on the border with Slovakia and near the Hungarian border. Here there are cranes that will quickly lift standard cargo containers from Russian gauge flatcars and load the containers onto European Standard Gauge flatcars. Passenger trains have a similar arrangement where passengers can disembark and walk a short distance to trains with a different gauge.

Until the Ukrainian military drove the Russian Black Sea Fleet away from the west coast of the Black Sea in 2023, the main Ukrainian port of Odessa was unsafe for commercial shipping. Now the Black Sea route from Odessa to the world is open, via the Turkish Bosphorus strait. Before that the best way out was via rail, and that required a transshipment facility where cargo could be transferred between rail cars using different rail gauges.

Ukraine plans to build some European Gauge rail lines to major transportation centers in several Ukrainian cities. Eventually Ukraine wants to convert all its major rail lines to Standard gauge. This will make it easier to handle trade with Europe and, if theres another war with Russia, the Russians will not have all those Russian gauge rail lines available to quickly move troops and supplies into Ukraine on Russian gauge railroads. Instead, the Russians will have to use roads or capture Ukrainian railroad engines along with passenger, cargo, and flatcars so they can use Ukrainian European Standard gauge railroads.

Converting Ukrainian rail lines from Russian to European gauge is not only necessary economically, but also militarily to deter the Russians from invading again, or cripple their logistics if they do.
Free dental care could soon be available to adult Australians amid mounting pressure on the Albanese government to include the treatments in a Medicare overhaul.

Should Labor retain government at the next election but lose its majority in the Upper House - as polls suggest - free dental treatment may have to be granted as part of negotiations with minority parties like the Greens.

The last time this happened in 2010, the Greens pushed to put children's dental services under Medicare, allowing more than three million children to access free care.

Now Greens leader Adam Bandt wants to expand this to all Australians, in a plan that is estimated to cost taxpayers about $45.6 billion.

'As anyone who's ever had a toothache knows, dental care isn't optional,' Mr Bandt said last month.

'It's critical that we expand Medicare so it covers everything, for everyone.'

Even if Labor were to retain its majority, there is a push within the party ranks for dentistry to be included in a reform of Medicare.

Labor's Tasmanian senator Helen Polley said the party 'needed' to move on dental health.

'If I could (add dental to Medicare) tomorrow, I would,' she told The Australian.

'It's very much on my radar and agenda to crank this up next term and talk to my colleagues about it.'

Ms Polley said dental care needed the same support and funding that had been given to mental health services over the past decade.

Free dental care could soon be available to millions of Australians following a push from the Albanese government to create a new Medicare scheme (stock image)

It comes as a growing number of Labor MPs are calling for the issue to be part of the government's agenda in the next parliamentary term (stock image)

A spokesperson for Health Minister Mark Butler said the government was considering including dental policies in the National Oral Health Plan for 2025-34.

Poll Do you think dental should be covered by Medicare? Yes No Do you think dental should be covered by Medicare? Yes 550 votes

No 70 votes Now share your opinion





Labor has invested $220million in the 'dental reform agenda' which includes a study into how much it would cost taxpayers to put adult dental services in the public sector.

Macarthur MP Mike Freelander, a paediatrician, said there was an 'economic divide for who can and can't access dental care' in Australia.

'I do think it's important we get some dental care in the publicly accessible health system, but the Greens' suggestion to cover all dental care is unaffordable at the present time,' Dr Freelander said.

Poor oral health can have a significant impact on Australians, with one in five adults avoiding certain foods due to dental issues and one third feeling uncomfortable with their appearance due to their teeth, the National Oral Health Plan revealed.

According to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, between 2017 and 2018, almost four in 10 people over the age of 15 had avoided or delayed seeing the dentist because of the cost.
An Alabama widow is sharing her heartbreak after her husband died on the operating table when a surgeon allegedly removed the wrong organ.

Beverly Bryan said her husband of 33 years William, 70, underwent an emergency operation in August after he felt a sudden pain in his side while they were visiting their rental property in Florida.

Although the issue was traced to his spleen, the surgeon, Dr Thomas Shaknovsky, allegedly removed his liver by mistake, causing fatal side effects in the process.

The alleged medical mix-up was revealed as Beverly called for civil and criminal proceedings to be brought, saying her husband 'died while helpless.'

William Bryan, 70, (pictured with his wife Beverly) passed away last month after undergoing an emergency surgery where a doctor allegedly removed the wrong organ

Dr Thomas Shaknovsky is accused of mistakenly removing Bryan's liver instead of his spleen. He has not been charged with any crime by law enforcement

According to law firm Zarzaur Law, which is representing Beverly, William was initially reluctant to undergo his fatal surgery but was pushed into it by medics at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Walton County, Florida.

While in hospital on August 18, he asked to be released so he could travel back to see his doctor in Alabama, but was 'persuaded' by Shaknovsky and another doctor to take the surgery, warning of 'serious complications' if he refused, the firm said.

But Shaknovsky wrongfully designated William's liver as his spleen, in a tragic mistake that a surgical pathology report described as 'grossly identifiable', reports the Miami Herald.

When Shaknovsky removed the liver, he tore blood vessels connected to the organ, 'causing immediate and catastrophic blood loss resulting in death', Zarzaur Law said.

Following the surgery, Shaknovsky told Beverly that William's 'spleen was so diseased that it was four times bigger than usual and had migrated to the other side of (his) body', the firm added.

William's passing came after the erroneous removal of his liver tore blood vessels connected to the organ, 'causing immediate and catastrophic blood loss resulting in death'

Although William's spleen was never removed, an autopsy found that it had a small cyst on it.

William's grieving widow now says she plans to file a lawsuit after a pre-litigation process is carried out.

'My husband died while helpless on the operating room table by Dr. Shaknovsky,' Beverly said in a statement.

According to his reported obituary, William was the father of three children, had eight grandchildren, and was a US Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam War.

In her statement, Beverly also accused Shaknovsky of previously removing a patient's pancreas in error in 2023.

In that case, the surgeon 'mistakenly removed a portion of a patients pancreas instead of performing the intended adrenal gland resection', Zarzaur Law said, adding that 'case was settled in confidence.'

According to his obituary, William was a Vietnam War veteran with the US Navy and leaves behind three children and eight grandchildren

Beverly said in her statement that her potential legal action comes as she doesn't 'want anyone else to die due to his incompetence at a hospital that should have known or knew he had previously made drastic, life-altering surgical mistakes.'

According to the Miami Herald, Shaknovsky had no disciplinary cases or public complaints against his file.

Shaknovsky has not been criminally charged in the case of William Bryan.

Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast said in a statement to McClatchy News: 'We take allegations like this very seriously, and our leadership team is performing a thorough investigation into this event.'

'Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family,' the statement added, noting that the hospital 'doesn't comment on specific patient cases or active litigation.'
The lawyer representing senator Linda Reynolds has revealed the astonishing figure she says Brittany Higgins should pay for her social media posts, as the blockbuster defamation trial between the pair comes to an end.

Senator Reynolds' lawyer Martin Bennett highlighted multiple legal decisions to the WA Supreme Court on Wednesday, saying they should be a starting point for the damages Ms Higgins should pay.

He proposed a starting point of $675,000, which was the figure paid out to former NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro.

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.

The posts were critical of Senator Reynolds' handling of Ms Higgins' allegation she was raped in Parliament House in 2019 by her then-colleague Mr Lehrmann.

He 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.

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 Linda Reynolds (right) was hospitalised after she collapsed in parliament. Picture: NewsWire / Sharon Smith

The senator talking to media on Wednesday outside Perth's Supreme Court

On Wednesday afternoon Mr Bennett told the court the starting point for damages should be in the vicinity of $675,000.

Ms Higgins' lawyer Rachael Young finished her closing argument on Tuesday saying the whole matter should be dismissed, but did point out that damages in defamation matters involving politicians usually received much smaller amounts in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Ms Higgins has been forced to sell her home in France to cover legal fees which are expected to be in the millions of dollars for both parties.

Senator Reynolds has said she had to mortgage her Perth home to pay for legal fees and risks losing her home if she loses.

'NAIL THE LIES'

In his final closing arguments, Mr Bennett urged the court to 'nail the lies' which were perpetuated by Ms Higgins since making her rape allegation public in 2021.

Mr Bennett told the court Ms Higgins 'grossly defamed' the senator in her posts, insisting she had mishandled the rape allegation and harassed her.

In a short response, Ms Young told the court there was an entire series of events in 2021 which led to the senator's hurt and distress.

She said these included the lying cow incident, the loss of the defence portfolio and hospitalisation.

Ms Young argued the limitation act set out a short period for defamation, but the senator chose not to sue Ms Higgins because there were criminal proceedings and she wanted to wait.

Ms Young said the court should not make that finding because Senator Reynolds did not give that evidence about the delay.

She said the limitation period would have been over in 2022 and the senator submitted her writ in 2023.

'We say you should not reward the plaintiff in respect to those damages,' Ms Young said.

HIGGINS REPEATEDLY DEFAMED SENATOR: LAWYER

Ms Higgins is not being sued because she was raped, she is being sued because she defamed, the court was told.

Mr Bennett said what happened to Ms Higgins' did not give her a licence to defame.

On three occasions Ms Higgins claimed Senator Reynolds had tried to silence victims of sexual assault, Mr Bennett told the court.

He said Ms Higgins was not speaking out about sexual assault but was defaming his client.

The lawyer told the court it was significant aggravated damages about conduct that was repeated over a number of years.

'If she does not establish the truth, she will always continue to refer to her truth and continue to defame,' he said.

Mr Bennett finished by saying Senator Reynolds was entitled to a substantial amount of damages and to vindicated her reputation from the lies that have been told since 2021.

'The acts of Ms Higgins reveal she will not accept a finding, she did not accept Justice Lee's findings because they did not corroborate with her truth,' Mr Bennett said.

'It is important the court recognises that by a substantial reward, just because Senator Reynolds is a politician does not mean she should receive a smaller reward.'

Brittany Higgins 'probably stole' a designer jacket belonging to her former boss, a lawyer has told the WA Supreme Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sharon Smith

HIGGINS 'STOLE JACKET' FROM SENATOR: LAWYER

Mr Bennett accused Ms Higgins of taking a designer jacket from her former boss.

He told the court the senator believed her junior staffer stole her Carla Zampatti jacket.

Mr Bennett said that as the senator believed Ms Higgins had stolen the jacket, Senator Reynolds could not have been harassing her former staffer.

'She probably did (take the jacket),' Mr Bennett told the court.

Ms Higgins has previously stated she took the jacket from a good will box in the senator's office after she left Parliament House on the morning of the alleged rape.

Mr Bennett said the senator was not harassing Ms Higgins when she gave an interview on Spotlight, telling the court his client could not be criticised for being in a position of safe neutrality when she gave the interview.

At the time, Bruce Lehrmann had not been convicted of any criminal charges in relation to the alleged rape and was in the process of launching his own defamation proceedings, Mr Bennett told the court.

HIGGINS SAID SENATOR WANTED TO 'SILENCE VICTIMS': LAWYER

Mr Bennett told the court it was defamatory of Ms Higgins to say the senator wanted to silence victims of sexual assault.

One of the social media posts Ms Higgins is being sued over by Senator Reynolds suggested the senator wanted to silence victims of sexual assault.

Ms Higgins is defending the post on the grounds it was truthful.

Mr Bennett told the court the senator had spoken out about preventing the media from exploiting victims who had made a complaint.

In doing so, the senator pointed to NSW legislation that prevents victims of sexual assault from speaking to media before a criminal matter is prosecuted.

Mr Bennett told the court no one had said the legislation in NSW was trying to silence victims.

He said it was not a question of silencing victims but rather a complaint should be worked through the criminal justice system.

The senator wants to be paid $675,000 in damages. Picture: NewsWire / Sharon Smith

Justice Paul Tottle interrupted the lawyer, saying the effect of the change in law that was the subject matter of the submission in question, would prevent victims discussing with the media what happened to them.

Justice Tottle said the amendment contemplated by the senator would make it a new offence that would prohibit a person, which was close to silence.

Mr Bennett argued the senator's position was to prosecute perpetrators, and not to make it more difficult.

TEXT MESSAGES 'MOCKED SENATOR': LAWYER

Text messages between Ms Higgins and her husband David Sharaz illustrate how the couple orchestrated a campaign to hurt Senator Reynolds and bring down the Morrison government, the court was told earlier on Wednesday.

Mr Bennett told the court a text conversation between Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz showed the pair 'mocking' the senator for being hospitalised after Ms Higgins went public with her rape allegation.

The senator was hospitalised after she collapsed in parliament. She had faced intense questioning by Labor senators over Ms Higgins' allegations.

Messages were read out in court showing the pair discussing the senator taking time off work, and talking with journalists about her.

'Linda has delayed her return to work hahah' and 'some sh*t Linda you are walking in it,' messages read.

Mr Bennett said the messages 'mock the fact the attack initiated on my client has caused her to go on sick leave'.

He said Ms Higgins told news.com.au political editor Samantha Maiden 'off the record' that she did not think the senator should lose her job.

It had been widely reported in the media that it was no longer tenable for Senator Reynolds to hold the defence ministry.

'Why off the record?' he questioned.

'Did she not want Maiden to publish, we say her genuine honest belief after the allegations she made against Reynolds?' Mr Bennett asked.

Other text messages between the pair revealed Ms Higgins cleared her phone out before she reopened her complaint about the alleged rape with the Australian Federal Police.

Lawyer Martin Bennett (centre) said the senator's name was mentioned more than 100 times in interviews. Picture: NewsWire / Sharon Smith

SENATOR'S REPUTATION

The court was told the defence's claim that by the time Brittany Higgins published social media post in 2022 and 2023 Senator Linda Reynolds reputation was already 'baked in', is wrong.

Mr Bennett argued Senator Reynolds' reputation was called into question after The Project interview and an article was published on news.com.au about Ms Higgins' allegations.

He said the stories attacked Senator Reynolds and made her look like a villain, telling the court dozens of witnesses gave evidence which established Senator Reynolds had a good reputation.

He told the court the onus was on the defence to prove the senator already had a bad reputation.

'The damage was caused by Ms Higgins as a result of The Project interview and Maiden article that created a cloud of suspicion,' he said.

'It is not proof of a bad reputation, there never would have been such suspicion.

'She was vilified for covering up a rape ... and isolating her in a hotel room in WA.'

Mr Bennett said the court should consider higher amounts in his assessment of damage.

SENATOR'S CONDUCT DURING CRIMINAL TRIAL

Mr Bennett said the defence's imputation Senator Reynolds engaged in questionable conduct during Mr Lehrmann's criminal trial focused on the conduct of the senator's partner Robert Reid.

He said it could not be seriously contested because the senator's partner attended the criminal trial each day, and she wanted to know what was said in court.

Senator Reynolds was a witness in the trial and was working in Rwanda when criminal proceedings against Mr Lehrmann started in the ACT Magistrates Court.

During the criminal trial, Senator Reynolds sent Mr Lehrmann's lawyer Steve Whybrow a text message asking if the daily court transcripts could be sent to her lawyer.

Mr Bennett argued it was reasonable for his client to be interested in the criminal trial because she had been slandered for the past 18 months, and was being sued by Ms Higgins in another matter.

Mr Bennett said it was relevant what was being said in the criminal trial for the civil trial, but she did not ask for the transcript herself, she asked for the transcript to be sent to her lawyer.

Mr Bennett added when Mr Reid was seen talking to Mr Whybrow outside the court at the criminal trial it could have been about anything.

He said it did not mean the senator engaged in questionable conduct.

Brittany Higgins' lawyers Rachael Young and Kate Pedersen. Picture: NewsWire / Sharon Smith

HIGGINS' EVIDENCE 'FICTION': LAWYER

Mr Bennett told the court Ms Higgins' evidence during her personal injury claim with the Commonwealth was complete fiction.

He said when she was asked about seeking counselling and being offered support in the wake of her allegations, her answers were wrong.

'The only thing she got right was when the federal election was called,' he said.

'Every paragraph in these particulars is wrong.'

Senator Reynolds was excluded from the mediation proceedings when a $2.4m settlement was made between Ms Higgins and the Commonwealth, the court was told.

The senator has maintained she was never given an opportunity to defend any allegations that were made against her during the settlement.

She believed the Commonwealth had engaged in a level of corruption surrounding the compensation payment.

The senator reported the settlement to the National Anti-Corruption Committee to investigate circumstances surrounding the settlement.

Mr Bennett argued the senator was entitled to provide journalists with a letter she received about the settlement that was marked confidential and privileged.

He told the court not a single sentence in the letter was a scrap of legal privilege or was about Ms Higgins.

He said this was not harassing Ms Higgins, but the senator was concerned about the conduct of the Commonwealth and how the settlement was reached.

HIGGINS MIXED FACT WITH OPINION: LAWYER

Mr Bennett said the concept of a 24 hour news cycle was only a fallacy of thought by people who lived their life on the internet or phone.

He said a social media post created by Ms Higgins mixed fact with opinion, arguing that altered the analysis of the opinion when the underlying facts were wrong.

Mr Bennett said the matter misrepresented the truth and there was no public interest in misinformation.

'You can't gloss over the requirement to act reasonably,' he said.

The trial has now concluded, with the judge to deliver judgment at a later date.
A private school will no longer be able to hold school camps on a South Australian island after a Native Title ruling.

Students at Adelaide's Scotch College had enjoyed going to Goose Island, on the Yorke Peninsula, for school camps since 1966, taking part in activities like snorkelling, kayaking and sailing.

The school's licence to access the island was due to expire in 2027, but trips to Goose Island will now end later this year.

Scotch College was permitted to use the island for camps through a licence agreement with the Department of Environment and Water.

However, in March last year, the Federal Court ruled the Narungga people were Native Title holders of the state's Yorke Peninsula, which includes Goose Island.

Scotch College Principal Trent Driver said he was 'profoundly disappointed' that a request had been made for the school to 'hand the island back to traditional owners for alternative uses'.

'After several months of good faith negotiations and discussions between the College and DEW, we were informed the licence agreement with Scotch will now end in December 2024, and we will not have access to the island for school programs in the years ahead,' he said in a letter to parents on Tuesday, The Advertiser reported.

'The College made every effort to negotiate a collaborative solution and will keep lines of communication open with the Narungga People.'

Scotch College (pictured) had to give up its licence to operate school camps on Goose Island in South Australia after a Native Title ruling was made

The Narungga Nation Aboriginal Corporation (NNAC) had made a request regarding the island, with the organisation's CEO thanking the school for relinquishing their licence.

'For the 60-odd years Scotch College has held their licence to operate on the island we've not really been able to access it, so now we want to develop a three-pronged approach,' Mr Milera said.

'We want to look at how to spiritually reconnect with the island, look at how our Sea Ranger program can play a part in caring for and conserving the environment and also look at the economic opportunities that come from ecotourism.

'This provides an opportunity for everyone to come there and enjoy, while understanding the cultural and spiritual connections to the island.'

School fees for senior Scotch College students cost $30,360 per year.
A couple who were unable to board their Qantas flight during Covid lockdowns and told they were not eligible for a refund because they were 'no shows' have finally won their battle to have the funds returned - after three years of arguments.

Healthcare worker Kieran McGregor and his partner booked their flights through travel agency Expedia and were set to fly from Melbourne to Darwin on July 18, 2021.

When Covid cases began to rise again, Mr McGregor brought the departure date forward to July 16 in hopes of avoiding another Victorian lockdown.

However, then-Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced the state's fifth lockdown on July 15, preventing Mr McGregor and his partner from travelling.

'How could I fly if the state of Victoria was in lockdown and I couldn't move more than 5km from the house?' Mr McGregor told News.com.au last week.

In seeking a refund, they were put into a repetitive back-and-forth with Expedia and Qantas; Expedia blamed Qantas for not issuing the refund while Qantas insisted Expedia had the couple's money.

It was not until last week, more than three years after their missed flight, that the couple were finally issued a refund.

A couple who were unable to board their Qantas flight during Covid lockdowns in 2021 were told they weren't eligible for a refund because they were a 'no show'

Expedia (pictured) blamed Qantas for not issuing the refund while Qantas insisted Expedia had the couple's money

During an exchange on X last year, Expedia said: 'We just got off the phone with the airline, and as per advised, the ticket shows suspended on their end due to a no show.

'Your ticket is no (sic) eligible for a refund, and has no value as per the airline. We apologize for the inconvenience.'

Meanwhile, Qantas told Mr McGregor 'the funds will still remain with the agency that you've booked with' and insisted he contact Expedia for a refund.

Mr McGregor was infuriated by the reaction of both companies, saying his $2,500 claim was nothing compared with the 'billions of dollars in profit' they collect.

The companies have promised Mr McGregor he would be issued a refund this week but it is unclear which one will shoulder the reimbursement.

'For flight bookings at Expedia, we generally follow the policies of our travel partners, so any refund is determined by the airline,' an Expedia spokeswoman said.

'We have looked into this case with Qantas, and we will be contacting the traveller to process the refund.'

A Qantas spokesman said: 'We apologise for the extended delay in resolving this issue and are processing a full refund for their bookings.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Qantas and Expedia for additional comment.

Qantas told Mr McGregor 'the funds will still remain with the agency that you've booked with' and insisted he contact Expedia for a refund (pictured)

Former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce (pictured) last year was grilled over the expiry date of credits issued during Covid

Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson last week announced the company had recorded an underlying profit, before tax, of $2.08billion for the 2023-24 financial year.

The figure was down 16 per cent compared with the year prior.

Ms Hudson described the result as 'strong' and blamed the drop on lower airfares and lower freight revenue.

Qantas last year faced massive backlash over the expiry dates of credits issued for Covid refunds, worth $370million.

Then-outgoing CEO Alan Joyce faced an intense grilling by politicians about the controversy at a Senate hearing in August, 2023.

Shortly after, the airline backflipped over the expiry date decision and scrapped the cut-off amid the growing public outcry.

The huge backlog in travel credits built up during the Covid pandemic when flights were cancelled worldwide amid widespread border closures.

The policy reversal allowed customers who had flights cancelled before October 2021 to retain the flight credits indefinitely or get refunds.

They also offered a limited time deal to double their Frequent Flyer points for flights booked with relevant travel credits before December 31, 2023.

Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson (pictured) last week announced the company had an underlying profit, before tax, of $2.08billion for the 2023-24 financial year

'The Qantas Group will remove the expiry date on Covid travel credits that were due to run out at the end of this year,' a spokesman said at the time.

'Qantas customers with Covid credits can request a cash refund, and Jetstar customers can use their Covid vouchers for flights, indefinitely.

It was the fourth amendment by the airline over its flights refund policy in the wake of the pandemic.
Economist and Columbia University Professor Jeffrey Sachs slammed the government for refusing to explain the details behind the assassination attempt against Donald Trump.

Speaking to Tucker Carlson, Sachs said that the lack of background on what led to Trump being shot is what happens when the government refuses to level with citizens.

'We don't know what happened, it's absolutely shocking, we don't know the story and whether we ever will know the story is, like so many things now that are huge events,' he said.

Sachs - an Ivy Leaguer who has worked with the UN in the past but has been on the outs with liberal elites since promoting the COVID-19 'lab leak' theory - blames Americans' short attention spans preventing them from keeping Washington accountable.

'Assassination attempt on Trump, isn't that weeks ago? That's old news, we don't even talk about that anymore! We have no attention span, we have complete lying from the government, we have secrecy and confidentiality, so we never solve any of these issues'.

Economist and Columbia University Professor Jeffrey Sachs slammed the government for refusing to explain the details behind the assassination attempt against Donald Trump

Speaking to Tucker Carlson, Sachs said that the lack of background on what led to Trump being shot is what happens when the government refuses to level with citizens

He then went on to complain about the government's attitude toward its citizens in return.

'The thing that gets me about Washington is they don't feel they have to respond to anything and you watch the spokespeople... they smirk! Right in your face to tell you you are nothing! We can tell anything to you! They smirk!'

Trump, 78, was shot at a Pennsylvania rally on July 13, with the bullet piercing the skin of his right ear. He says it was 'miracle' and act of God that he survived.

Last week, the FBI revealed that investigators who have conducted nearly 1,000 interviews do not yet have a motive for why 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks shot at Trump during a July campaign rally.

They believe that Crooks conducted 'extensive attack planning,' including looking up campaign events involving both Trump and current President Joe Biden, particularly in western Pennsylvania.

The FBI analysis of his online search history reveals a 'sustained, detailed effort to plan an attack on some event, meaning he looked at any number of events or targets,' Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Pittsburgh field office, told reporters last week.

Once a Trump rally was announced for July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, 'He became hyper-focused on that specific event and looked at it as a target of opportunity,' Rojek said.

Crooks' internet searches in the days leading up to the rally included queries about the grounds where the rally was held, 'Where will Trump speak from at Butler Farm Show?' 'Butler Farm Show podium' and 'Butler Farm Show photos.'

Sachs - an Ivy Leaguer who has worked with the UN in the past but has been on the outs with liberal elites since promoting the COVID-19 'lab leak' theory - blames Americans' short attention spans preventing them from keeping Washington accountable

Trump, 78, was shot at a Pennsylvania rally on July 13, with the bullet piercing the skin of his right ear. He says it was 'miracle' and act of God that he survived

In the 30 days before the attack, the FBI says, Crooks did more than 60 internet searches related to Biden and Trump, including seeking the dates of both the Democratic and Republican national conventions.

FBI Director Christopher Wray has previously revealed that one week before the shooting, Crooks did a Google search for 'How far away was Oswald from Kennedy?'

That's an apparent reference to Lee Harvey Oswald, the shooter who killed President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963.

The new details add to an emerging portrait of Crooks as a highly intelligent and reclusive man who investigators say in the years before the shooting had taken an eerie interest in explosives, violence and prominent public figures but whose internet searches of Democrats and Republicans alike have frustrated efforts to assign a simple political motive or to establish why Trump himself would have been targeted.

'We have a clear idea of mindset, but we are not ready to make any conclusive statements regarding motive at this time,' Rojek said. The FBI has also not found that anyone else had advance knowledge of the shooting or that Crooks had conspired with anyone else.

The FBI found explosive devices in his car and home, and investigators say his internet searches revealed that since at least 2019 he had looked up information about bomb-making materials, including about how remote detonators work.

The FBI has said that Trump was struck in the ear by a bullet or a bullet fragment in the assassination attempt.

Crooks fired eight shots from an AR-style rifle. One rallygoer was killed and two others were injured before the gunman, who was positioned on the roof of a building less than 150 yards away, was killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper.

Also last week, the FBI released images of the rifle Crooks used, his backpack and improvised explosive devices found in his car.
Housing secretary Angela Rayner is preparing to potentially rip up the Right to Buy scheme that allowed her to buy her own council home, as local authorities pile on the pressure to fix a 2.2billion hole in their finances.

Rayner is expected to launch a consultation on whether to axe the landmark scheme brought in by Margaret Thatcher in 1980.

The Telegraph reported that the deputy prime minister attended an 'urgent meeting' with local authorities last month to discuss housing reforms, though it was not clear whether particular policies were discussed.

Right to Buy allowed tenants of council houses to buy their homes from their local authorities at heavily discounted rates.

Rayner benefited from the scheme herself, using it to buy her former council house in Stockport, Manchester, for just 79,000 at a 25% discount.

Housing secretary Angela Rayner (pictured) is preparing to potentially rip up the Right to Buy scheme that allowed her to buy her own council home

Rayner benefited from the scheme herself, using it to buy her former council house in Stockport, Manchester, (pictured) for just 79,000 at a 25% discount

She later sold the property for nearly 50,000 more than she paid for it.

The move comes as more than 100 local authorities called for the scheme to be scrapped for new council houses.

The report, commissioned by Southwark Council, said the policy was creating a '2.2 billion hole in local authority accounts and worsening the country's housing crisis.'

The reported added that Right to Buy massively underestimated that maintenance costs, changing government policy and economic shocks all contributed to the shortfall, and that it was 'a serious problem for the sustainability of England's council housing.'

Shadow housing minister Kemi Badenoch told the Telegraph it was 'no coincidence' that Labour 'wants to destroy one of Baroness Thatcher's most transformative policies'.

She added: 'If Angela Rayner was serious about improving people's lives, she would be finding ways to increase housebuilding, rather than cutting a programme that gets people on the housing ladder and gives them a stake in their communities.'

Chancellor Rachel Reeves promised days into Labour's ascension to government to tear up planning rules in an effort to 'rebuild Britain.'

'Planning reform has become a byword for political timidity in the face of vested interests and a graveyard of economic ambition', she said in one of her first speeches as Chancellor.

'Our antiquated planning system leaves too many important projects getting tied up in years and years of red tape before shovels ever get into the ground.'

'The system needs a new signal. This is that signal.'
Experts are warning insomniacs about the overuse of melatonin tablets as many who take the supplements are complaining of getting the worst sleep ever.

A dramatic rise in the use of sleep aides has occurred as 37 percent of Americans reported suffering from somewhat or much worse sleep in the past year, according to Sleep Foundation.

As a result, scientists are cautioning against using melatonin to cure chronic sleeplessness.

'I would argue that melatonin is the most misused supplement in the world,' saidDr. Michael Breus, popularly known as the Sleep Doctor. 'Melatonin is a sleep regulator, not a sleep originator.'

Melatonin is a cheap and easy-to-make drug that is being mass produced as tablets and gummies. The supplement has been marketed towards those suffering from sleep deprivation.

Sleep experts across the US are warning insomniacs of using melatonin supplement tablets regularly as many complain of getting worse sleep ever.

Dosages range depending on the brand but doctors told DailyMail.com that adults should stick to five milligrams per day.

But according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, researchers have not been able to find strong evidence on the effectiveness or safety of the supplementation for chronic insomnia but instead recommend seeking cognitive behavioral therapy as an initial treatment for insomnia.

Apart from worsening chronic sleeplessness, excessive use of the drug can also cause headaches, next-day drowsiness, nausea and a decrease in body temperature.

Luis F. Buenaver, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University recommends using less than three milligrams of melatonin two hours before bed and foregoing it if it has no effects.

'If melatonin for sleep isn't helping after a week or two, stop using it.

'And if your sleep problems continue, talk with your health care provider. If melatonin does seem to help, it's safe for most people to take nightly for one to two months.

Apart from worsening chronic sleeplessness, excessive use of the drug can also cause headaches, next-day drowsiness, nausea and a decrease in body temperature

Earlier this year, experts sounded the alarm about the sleep supplement as use skyrockets in the US and led to a spike of overdoses in children

'After that, stop and see how your sleep is. Be sure you're also relaxing before bed, keeping the lights low and sleeping in a cool, dark, comfortable bedroom for optimal results.'

Earlier this year, experts sounded the alarm about the sleep supplement as use skyrockets in the US and led to a spike of overdoses in children.

Melatonin, an over-the-counter sleep supplement, has surged in popularity over the past few years. Estimates suggest adult use has increased four-fold, and more than half of parents have given it to their kids.

The vitamin pills - available for $10 per bottle of 30 pills - are said to mimic the effect of natural melatonin, a hormone produced by the body in response to darkness.

The substance tells the brain it is time to sleep by slowing heart rate and lowering blood pressure.

The above graph shows the rise in children suffering overdoses from melatonin

However, melatonin products, which are unregulated by federal authorities, often contain far higher doses of the active ingredient than labels suggest.

The supplement has been linked to a 500 percent increase in overdoses in kids over the past decade.

A 2022 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that the number of children being hospitalized after ingesting melatonin increased 530 percent from 2012 to 2021.

The data also showed that two children died from overdosing on the supplement. Both children were under two years of age, with the youngest just three months old.

It is not clear exactly what happened in the body to cause the deaths, but experts have suggested heart rhythm problems are most likely to blame.
A high-ranking New York government official was allegedly working as a Chinese spy while pumping taxpayer funds into masks and ventilators during the COVID pandemic, it emerged last night.

Linda Sun, an Ivy League graduate who worked for Democratic Governors Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul, was dramatically arrested Tuesday alongside her husband following an earlier dawn raid on her $4million Long Island mansion.

Sun and her husband Christopher Hu are accused of earning millions in kickbacks from the Chinese Communist Party, helping fund a lavish lifestyle that included a $2million Hawaii condo and a 2024 Ferrari.

Now it has emerged that Sun bragged about 'spearheading' the New York government's purchasing of personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to her now-deleted LinkedIn profile.

Meanwhile her husband Hu, who is accused of acting as the couple's money launderer, set up a medical supplies company around the time of the pandemic.

Sun is also alleged to have used her influence to further China's geopolitical agenda by nixing meetings with Taiwanese officials and steering messaging away from criticism of Beijing's persecution of Uyghur Muslims.

Sun and her businessman husband Christopher Hu, left, are also accused of laundering millions of dollars through their alleged espionage to fund a lavish lifestyle

The couple's $4 five-bedroom mansion in Manhasset, New York, was raided by the FBI on Tuesday morning

Such was Sun's reputation with Chinese government officials, she was able to arrange for Nanjing-style salted ducks - prepared by a party official's personal chef - to be delivered to her parents' home.

The bombshell 65-page indictment comes amid growing fears of China's mounting influence across the US - such as buying huge swaths of farmland and pumping millions into schools.

The couple appeared stony-faced as they left court on Tuesday afternoon, with both pleading not guilty as their attorney described the charges against them as 'perplexing.'

Sun's bond was set at $1.5 million, while her husband's was $500,000. They are ordered not to travel beyond New York City, Long Island, Maine and New Hampshire.

The indictment alleges that Sun 'acted as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government while her husband, Christopher Hu, facilitated the transfer of millions of dollars in kickbacks for personal gain.'

Hu is known to own a number of businesses, including a liquor store in Queens, alongside the medical firm set up during the pandemic.

In her now-deleted LinkedIn profile, Sun promoted her role in New York's response to the pandemic, where she boasted of 'spearheading the procurement of COVID-19 PPE' equipment in New York.

At the same time, it was revealed that city officials were severely overspending on pandemic medical equipment, which resulted in $225 million worth of surplus PPE being auctioned off for just $500,000 last year, according to The City.

Over 70 percent of America's PPE equipment was manufactured in China, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Sun is seen above being honored at a People's Republic of China consulate event in an image included in the Department of Justice's indictment

Linda Sun, a former high ranking New York government official, is accused by prosecutors of influencing government on behalf of the CCP

The significant amount of money and power flowing through New York's political scene provided an ideal environment for the CCP to wield influence through Sun, according to the indictment.

Through Sun's time in Albany - before she was fired in March 2023 due to 'misconduct' - she is accused of conspiring with the CCP in various ways, including blocking Taiwanese officials from access to the governor's office.

She is also accused of altering state messaging to be favorable for the Chinese, removing any references to Taiwan, and ensuring officials did not publicly address the CCP's persecution of Uyghur Muslims in China.

In one interaction alleged in the indictment, Governor Hochul was invited to meet with the ambassador of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, to which Sun replied: 'No meeting please... Kindly decline. Do not want her to wade into this China/Taiwan sensitivity.'

In another alleged blocking incident in 2019, Sun was said to have told representatives of Tsai Ing-wen - then-President of Taiwan - that Governor Cuomo was unable to meet during Ing-wen's controversial visit.

She then allegedly wrote to a Chinese government official: 'I already blocked it.'

That same day, she was pictured attending a protest in Manhattan against the Taiwanese premier's visit.

Sun at a 2019 protest against the Taiwanese president's visit in NYC, per prosecutors

Alongside allegedly receiving millions for their actions, it is also claimed that Sun facilitated the delivery of 'Nanjing-style salted ducks.'

The delivery of the specialty ducks occurred on at least three separate occasions, part of a series of pay-offs that prosecutors say tie Sun to the CCP's influence.

It is not clear when prosecutors say Sun began working for the CCP, with her career in New York politics spanning almost 15 years.

She began in 2009 as the chief of staff for New York State Assembly member Grace Meng, who is now a member of congress.

Sun then held posts in the administration of former Governor Andrew Cuomo starting in 2012, including as Global New York Trade Manager, Asian Outreach Director for the Office of the Governor and Queens Regional Representative.

In 2018 the Cuomo administration named Sun as chief diversity officer, before, in September 2021, she was appointed as the deputy chief of staff for Hochul, according to her LinkedIn profile. She remained on the role for about 15 months.

In November of 2022 she moved to a job at the New York Department of Labor, where she served as deputy commissioner for strategic business development, but she departed that job just months later in March of 2023, the profile said.

After leaving state government, Sun went to work as campaign manager for Democrat Austin Cheng in an unsuccessful run for Congress on Long Island.

Hochul's spokesman told the New York Times that Sun 'was hired by the executive chamber more than a decade ago.'

He added that the governor's administration 'immediately reported her actions to law enforcement and have assisted law enforcement throughout this process.'

She was fired in March 2023 after officials uncovered evidence of misconduct.

Prior to her work in government she attended Barnard College before pursuing a masters degree in teaching at Columbia University.

In September 2021, Sun was appointed as the deputy chief of staff for governor Hochul

Sun, seen earlier in her career, was fired by Hochul in March 2023 after 'discovering evidence of misconduct'

Sun's arrest comes after federal prosecutors issued subpoenas to NYC Mayor Eric Adams, his campaign arm and City Hall in a probe into the Democrat's 2021 run that allegedly tied him to the Turkish government.

It also comes just weeks after Queens resident Shajun Wang, 75, was convicted in Brooklyn Federal Court of acting as a spy for the CCP.

Three men in New Jersey were also convicted last summer after stalking a family on behalf of the CCP, according to the Times.
Dubious university 'franchise' courses are signing up students with 'very weak' English and low attainment, an education watchdog has warned.

The Office for Students (OfS) said there was a risk taxpayer money was being wasted on courses that were 'not good value for money' or to fund people who 'do not genuinely intend to study'.

The courses are 'validated' by proper universities but sub-contracted out to external providers, who in some cases appear to be letting standards slip.

The students recruited are disproportionately migrants who have leave to stay in the UK, and 62 per cent are studying business and management courses.

Students on these providers now make up 5 per cent of all students - after doubling to 138,000 since 2019.

The Office for Students (OfS) said there was a risk taxpayer money was being wasted on courses that were 'not good value for money'. (Stock image)

Students have also paid agents or other third parties to falsify English language tests to get onto courses. (Stock image)

They are all eligible for taxpayer-provided tuition fee loans of 9,250 and maintenance loans of up to 13,348 a year.

The OfS compiled a dossier of examples of questionable practices involving third-party courses.

It found students are being recruited via third party agents, with some giving 'inaccurate information' in 'attempts to sign them up'.

Some are offering 'financial incentives' to get students onto courses that are 'not right for them', and claiming the Government will 'pay them to study'.

They have also told students their 'very weak English skills' are enough for the course, without any extra support when they arrive.

Students have also paid agents or other third parties to falsify English language tests to get onto courses.

In some cases, franchised courses have persuaded universities to allow them to lower entry requirements so they can recruit more students.

And once on the courses, some students have submitted assessments written by someone else, 'in some cases with the complicit support of staff members'.

The OfS said: 'Students' opportunities will not be extended if they are recruited onto courses that are poorly delivered, lead to weak student outcomes, or are not well suited to their level of English language proficiency or prior educational experience.'

In 2022-23, 53 per cent of the 4.1 million fraud detected by the Student Loan Company arose in relation to students studying at franchise courses.

Data shows franchise courses have higher drop-out rates than the sector as a whole.

The report added: 'Students have been encouraged to register for courses that they do not genuinely intend to study, to access public funding through maintenance loans.'

The OfS noted that commissioning sub-contractors may be an 'attractive option' to universities facing financial difficulties and wanting to 'generate income' through larger student numbers.

Data shows franchise courses have higher drop-out rates than the sector as a whole. (Stock image)

In some cases, franchised courses have persuaded universities to allow them to lower entry requirements so they can recruit more students. (Stock image)

It added: 'The data and intelligence we hold suggest that this has been at least part of the motivation for some lead providers.'

The OfS vowed to intervene when the use of franchised providers places the interests of students or taxpayers at risk.

David Smy, deputy director for enabling regulation at the OfS, said: 'There are serious risks to public money where these arrangements are not managed properly.'

A spokesman for Universities UK said: 'Franchised provision plays an important role in supporting growth and opportunity.

'However, we are not complacent about the concerns raised recently and we have in place our own franchise governance framework which promotes greater controls in the management of franchised provision.'
September 3, 2024: In August 2024 the upper stage of a Chinese LM (Long March) 6A space launch vehicle broke apart creating a debris field of over 800 objects that were at least 10 cm in size. Objects this size or larger are easy for ground radars to track. This was a rare failure for the current Long March SLV (Satellite Launch Vehicle) rockets. The second stage of this SLV successfully put its 18 satellites into orbit but then, instead of plunging to earth and burning up in the atmosphere, the second stage came apart and created a large debris field.

This was the seventh launch of a LM 6A since 2022 and all were successful in completing their missions of delivering satellites to orbit. Chinese SLV accidents are a major cause of additional debris in space. As of June 2024, LM SLVs have been launched 525 times with a success rate of 96.4 percent.

The Long March series has always been China's main satellite launcher and that is largely because it is based on older Russian designs. That means it is simple, cheap and reliable. This has made China a major player in the satellite launching business where minimum levels of reliability are mandatory. China can handle the mandatory requirements and competes on price.

The U.S. Space Shuttle was retired because it was the most expensive way to get stuff into orbit. Satellites sent up via the Space Shuttle cost $25 million a ton put in orbit. The Russians and Chinese will do it for under $10 million a ton, though insurance can more than double that cost if there have been a number of recent failures with their boosters. The Space Shuttle failure rate was two percent, which was similar to most Western satellite launchers. This low failure rate keeps more reliable American and European boosters in business.

Price competition from the United States has become more intense because the Americans have developed and are increasingly using the SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corporation) launcher technology. The SpaceX reusable rockets, which repeatedly returned to earth and landed intact under their own power, have fundamentally changed the launcher business because these rockets are refurbished and used again and again. This saves SpaceX a lot of money and gives it a major competitive edge over its rivals.

SpaceX is a commercial firm that was founded in 2002 with the goal of breaking into a market controlled by long-time space launch suppliers. By 2002 these veteran firms had formed a legal cartel that monopolized satellite launch services for the U.S. government. After 2006 all this business was to have gone to a government-approved monopoly called the ULA (United Launch Alliance) which is composed of Lockheed Martin (using Atlas 5 rockets) and Boeing (Delta 4). These two firms have dominated U.S. space launches for over half a century and in 2006 they monopolized it. These launchers were similar to the Chinese Long March and Soyuz launchers.

Despite that monopoly, by 2012 SpaceX obtained its first contract to launch U.S. military cargo into space. SpaceX had earlier obtained a NASA contract which included 12 deliveries to the International Space Station at $134 million each. What made all this so noteworthy is that SpaceX is the first privately owned space transportation company. SpaceX developed its own launch rockets without any government help. SpaceX also developed the Dragon space vehicle, for delivering personnel and supplies to the International Space Station.

Suddenly it was obvious that SpaceX rockets were a lot cheaper and as reliable as older American launchers. The ULA, as well as European, Russian and Chinese space launcher operations, had to adapt to avoid losing all their commercial, and some of their military, business. China says it will match the SpaceX tech but so far there has been no visible progress in that area. Despite all that, since 2018 China has developed more capability to put satellites into orbit than anyone else. That edge is deceptive because American and other Western satellite manufacturers are switching to a new satellite tech that employs smaller satellites to do the work of larger ones. While the SpaceX family of launchers can also put conventional large satellites into orbit, SpaceX is specializing in putting lots more smaller satellites up there with each launch. China has a good record in using older launcher designs, but now new American tech is forcing China to adapt or to lose a lot of their foreign launch customers while paying more than their competitors to launch their own satellites.

China has yet to fully explain the delays and failures encountered in developing the latest Long March 5 rocket, which is supposed to be cheaper and more reliable. So far, the Long March 5 is neither. Long March rockets are mainly used for commercial launches and that is big business which China seeks to dominate long-term.

The predecessor of LM 5 is Long March 4C, which has been in service since 2006 and has a failure rate of over five percent. The Long March 5s were initially developed for carrying the heaviest loads; 25 tons low orbit or 14 tons high orbit. The Long March 5 is the heaviest launcher, at 867 tons, and made its first flight in 2016. Since then, it has launched five times with one failure. It is unclear if that one failure was caused by a fundamental flaw in the rocket design. That has slowed down the use of Long March 5. This is a problem because Long March is the only rocket that can lift certain cargoes, like portions of the new Chinese space station, or major space missions like the upcoming second Chinese mission to put robot exploration vehicles on the moon.

While the Russians are also having problems with their satellite launchers, thats because the Russian government has less money to invest in its space program or satellite launchers in general. In addition, Russia has been losing skilled personnel, from manufacturing workers to rocket scientists, since the Soviet Union fell apart in 1991. In the same time period China has been increasing the quantity and quality of personnel as its space and satellite launcher programs grew enormously. China also pays better, for the same skills, than Russia. Whatever problems China is having with the Long March, they are much better able to deal with than the Russians who suffer from a growing list of failures in that area and defense manufacturing in general.

The Long March 3 and 4 have been doing most of the Chinese commercial launches since the 1980s. Currently the largest Long March 3 model weighs over 400 tons and can put 12 tons in Low Earth Orbit or 5.5 tons in a high Geostationary Transfer Orbit. The Chinese took their time to perfect Long March, requiring 28 years to make the first fifty launches, and nine years for the next fifty. So far, Long March has carried out over 330 successful launches.

While military satellites get more media attention, the real business of space, and where the Chinese put most of their efforts, is in commercial satellites. The Chinese have noted that since the 1980s space satellites have gone from big business to huge business. By 2012 there were about 2,000 active satellites in orbit. That changed dramatically as SpaceX increased its launches. By June 2024 there were over 10,000 active satellites up there, 66 percent of which belonged to SpaceX, an American company.

The number of satellites has increased rapidly because of lower launching costs attributed to the SpaceX use of reusable boosters. SpaceX Starlink satellites currently weigh 800 kg each. In some cases, dozens of mini-sats are put into orbit by one launcher.

Since 2001 satellite industry revenues have more than tripled and are now over $400 billion a year. The cost of the satellites is less than ten percent of annual satellite revenues. About four percent of the money comes from launching all those satellites and 36 percent of those launches are military. The U.S. has about a third of the launch business, mainly because of the requirement that U.S. classified satellites be launched by American rockets. About half the satellite launches (and two-thirds of the satellites) were for communications, which generates the most income (mostly for TV, followed by data). The U.S. remains the major manufacturer of commercial satellites, with over half of the market. China sees opportunity in all this and has come a long way in a short time to take advantage of it. Russia and the United States have both been using retired ICBMs as cheap satellite launchers, and that started with older liquid fuel models. China does not have many older liquid fuel ICBMs and has concentrated on developing more reliable and cheaper solid fuel rockets. This is paying off. Moreover, China will sell launch service to just about anyone who can pay, no questions asked.

Space satellites are a relatively new thing. In 1957 the Russian Sputnik was the first satellite ever put in orbit. The U.S. followed in 1958. Since then, ten other nations have done the same. France launched its first satellite in 1965, Japan and China in 1970, Britain in 1971 and India in 1980. Israel launched its first satellite in 1988. Ukraine did so in 1995. Iran claims to have put a satellite in orbit, but there is no conclusive proof. North Korea put a dead (non-responsive) satellite up in December 2012 and South Korea followed with a successful launch of a very active satellite a month later.

In 2015 China predicted that it would be launching 30 satellites a year and accounting for over a quarter of the worldwide launch capability. That prediction proved to be quite accurate. All this momentum has been the result of three decades of effort and an enormous spurt of activity since 2010. In the two decades after 1990 China carried out 30 commercial satellite launches, putting 36 satellites in orbit. Now China puts that many satellites up in about a year.

In late 2015 China successfully began testing another new Long March model: LM 6. This version is optimized for putting multiple small satellites in orbit on the same mission and on short notice. The test launch put twenty small scientific satellites into orbit. LM 6 is a 103-ton liquid fueled rocket that can put a ton of payload into a 700 kilometer high orbit. LM 6 can operate from a standard satellite launch facility or from a TEL (transporter erector launcher) vehicle (which is basically a slightly larger trailer similar to those used for hauling tanks). LM 6 was also designed to be made ready for launch quickly (six days or so) giving it a military capability. That means, if China has to get a surveillance or communications satellite in orbit quickly, LM 6 is the solution. But since 2015 the Long March 6 has launched only four times and the unexpected success of SpaceX has caused China to reconsider the usefulness of LM 6. At the same time China is also developing small surveillance and communications satellites for rapid use for emergency launches. This gives China experience in developing cheaper, smaller satellites, which are more the future than anyone expected.
Thousands of protesters have massed across Israel for the third consecutive day of demonstrations calling for a ceasefire in the war in Gaza amid growing disapproval of the government's handling of the war.

Demonstrators have blocked traffic outside the IDF's military headquarters in Tel Aviv in a bid to put pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet to find a lasting resolution and ensure the return of the remaining hostages.

Others amassed outside the Prime Minister's home in Jerusalem, lighting fires and lifting banners calling to 'stop the war' as unrest grows around the perceived stalling of negotiations with Hamas.

The movement, which has been organising rallies in the city for months, has gained support since Israel's Defense Forces recovered the bodies of six more captives from Gaza on Saturday night, all reportedly executed by Hamas days prior.

Protesters in Tel Aviv were joined by family members of some of those still in Gaza, who spoke critically of Netanyahu before observing a short silence and prayer. The crowd marked the end of the silence chanting 'Everyone! Now!' calling for the full release of hostages.

Many brought signs and flags to the events emblazoned with critical slogans including 'Executed by Hamas / Abandoned by Netanyahu' and 'I added clauses. Hostages died. Sorry', others calling for a permanent ceasefire with Hamas or a new government.

Demonstrators stand around a fire as they protest against the government in Tel Aviv tonight

Thousands of Israelis gather around Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem in protest on Tuesday

A protestor holds a placard during a protest in Tel Aviv on Monday

Israel estimates Hamas is holding about 65 living hostages, and the remains of some 35 others

Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attend a press conference in October

The protests have gathered momentum with Netanyahu insisting that Israel must retain a slice of Gaza known as the Philadelphi Corridor, along the southern border with Egypt.

The demand clashes with Hamas' core condition that Israel fully withdraw from Gaza as part of any ceasefire deal. Israel had appeared more willing to go along with a full withdrawal in previous talks.

But as overseas discussions stall once more, Israeli distrust towards the Prime Minister has risen. Months ago, outlets across the political spectrum began asked whether Netanyahu could be 'prolonging the Gaza war to cling to power'.

US President Joe Biden, who has clashed with the Israeli Prime Minister on a number of issues throughout the war, said in June he believed people have 'every reason' to think this was the case - but assured Netanyahu was doing almost everything to secure the release of the hostages.

Protests calling for a ceasefire, often attended by the families of hostages, have become a regular occurrence in Tel Aviv.

On Tuesday night, Emona Or - the sister of hostage Avinatan Or - said the government needs to 'make sure that they do everything to bring them back alive, not like we saw people returning this week, God forbid.'

Many protesters held blue and white Israeli flags and yellow flags meant to symbolize solidarity with the hostages. 'Seal the deal,' said one poster.

Police briefly scuffled with some protesters, arresting at least one man.

The growing protests came after the recovery of the bodies of six hostages from Gaza on Saturday.

The bodies of Carmel Gat, 40, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Alexander Lobanov, 33, Almog Sarusi, 27, and Ori Danino, 25, were found in an underground tunnel in Rafah, southern Gaza.

Thousands gather around Netanyahu's residence with banners in Jerusalem on Tuesday

Protests in Jerusalem (pictured, Tuesday) and Tel Aviv have been ongoing for months

Thousands protest against Benjamin Netanyahu and his government in Tel Aviv on Tuesday

Protesters set fires during a rally on the second day of demonstrations on September 2

File. Benny Gantz (pictured) has criticised Netanyahu for his Philadelphi Corridor demands

Eli Albag - the father of hostage Liri Albag - spoke to a crowd of protesters from on top of a van in the city.

'The Philadelphi Corridor is the biggest bluff there is,' he told a sea of people waving flags and banners in support.

'Netanyahu thinks Israel's people are dummies. Hezbollah, Iran, the West Bank, Gaza  the most important axis is the Ben Gvir-Smotrich axis. That's the most dangerous axis to the nation of Israel,

'You can't take control over two people, how will you take over 14 kilometres,' he said, referring to far-right ultranationalist ministers Iramar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

Questions mount over who might replace Netanyahu. Benny Gantz was pegged as a possible Centrist alternative before he resigned from Israel's emergency government in June.

Gantz was among two former members of Netanyahu's war cabinet who rejected the Israeli premier's claim that Israel must retain control over the southern border as part of a ceasefire deal.

The former defense minister and military chief of staff said Israel should focus on bringing the remaining hostages held in Gaza back home safely.

Israel estimates that Hamas is holding about 65 living hostages, in addition to the remains of some 35 others.

Gantz told a news conference Tuesday that Israel has the capability of returning to the 'Philadelphi corridor' if needed.

'Philadelphi is an operational challenge, not an existential threat,' he said. 'We need to bring back the hostages, even at a heavy cost.'

The issue of the Philadelphi corridor 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. Some 101 hostages are still being held in Gaza.

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.

Gantz was joined by his political partner, Gadi Eisenkot, another former military chief.

Both resigned from the war cabinet in June, accusing Netanyahu of mismanaging the war and putting his own political survival ahead of the country's interests.

Netanyahu's office dismissed the criticism. 'Those who do not contribute to the victory and the return of our hostages would do better not to interfere,' it said.

Wounded people, including children, are brought to Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital for treatment after the Israeli army attack on a house in Gaza City on Tuesday

Flames are ablaze in a building that was hit by Israeli bombardment in north Gaza City, Tuesday

A Palestinian civil defence member stands near a building on fire that was hit by Israeli bombardment in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood on Tuesday

Smoke rises from the area after an Israeli army attack on Nama University, north of Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza City, on September 3

Parents in Gaza meanwhile face the looming threat of Polio - a debilitating illness that mainly affects nerves in the spinal cord or brain, often leaving children paralysed.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to localised pauses to help health workers administer vaccines after Gaza's first confirmed case left a 10-month-old girl partially paralysed last month.

The World Health Organisation said Tuesday the rollout had 'surpassed its target' in the first two days, vaccinating 161,030 children under the age of 10 - ahead of the projection of 156,500.

The aim is to vaccinate 640,000 children. Around 47 per cent of Gaza's population are children.

Before the war, Gaza had a population of around 2.3 million people. More than 40,000 have been killed during the war, according to figures from the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza. The Ministry does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

Hamas, the de facto governing authority of Gaza since the mid-2000s, launched a shock incursion into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,170 people.
The woman who married into a billionaire family and tried to bully a stranger into giving up her Instagram handle is attempting a rebrand as a lifestyle vlogger.

Katherine Asplundh was busy flaunting her wealth on TikTok in her first summer as the wife of Pennsylvania billionaire Cabot Asplundh, 27, whom she married in April with an extravagant reception in Palm Beach, Florida.

After she tied the knot with her husband - whose family is worth at least $3 billion thanks to their massively successful tree-trimming company - she set out to obtain her desired Instagram handle from an Instagram user who happens to share Katherine's married name.

She badgered the woman to hand over the username and the resulting backlash forced her to temporarily deactivate her Instagram.

But only weeks after the drama, Katherine appears unscathed by the accusations of entitlement, gleefully showing off her glamorous lifestyle in daily TikTok vlogs.

This is the most recent picture of Katherine Asplundh and her newly-minted husband Cabot during a trip to the Jersey Shore, where they both grew up

Katherine poses during her nuptials in her $1,295 silk Mirror Palais dress

Her videos mostly show off her daily routine, with her making breakfast for her husband, doing yoga, sipping cocktails and admiring her expansive yard.

In one of her most recent vlogs on Labor Day, she said her husband stayed home from work and was out doing yard work all day, which left her alone to go grocery shopping.

She showed off the sandwich she made and posed in front of the camera with Cabot as they ate lunch.

They then test drove a Ford Bronco, which can run from nearly $40,000 to over $90,000, before coming home to do more yard work.

More mundane tasks followed, including doing laundry and making dinner, but she ended the video with a trip to a frozen yogurt parlor.

Her TikTok account has a moderate following of 90,000, but interest in the billionaire bride's exploits sharply dropped off in recent months.

Before the beginning of July, Katherine's posts would frequently get views well into the hundreds of thousands.

Now, a video of hers is lucky if it cracks 20,000 views.

Her vlogs mostly show off her daily routine, with many of them involving her making meals for her and her billionaire husband

In one of her most recent vlogs on Labor Day, she said her husband stayed home from work and was out doing yard work all day, which left her alone to go grocery shopping

Cabot's mother Jill, right, made a guest appearance on Katherine's TikTok to show viewers how to make a cucumber watermelon martini

An outlier to that trend was a video she posted on August 23 with her husband's mother, Jill - who is no longer together with Cabot's father - that got nearly 200,000 views.

Jill is seen enthusiastically giving a tutorial on how to make a cucumber watermelon martini, which ends with the two happily drinking what they term 'the most refreshing summer cocktail in the world.'

Katherine's videos have been known to get a slew of negative comments criticizing her, though there are also plenty of ardent followers who enjoy getting glimpses into her ritzy lifestyle.

A video she posted in July 2023 cataloguing her and Cabot's move from New York City to the country got a particularly poor reception.

In a voiceover, she said she was getting out of the city 'to become a farmgirl like she was always supposed to be,' adding that all she actually carried in the move was her 'sweatshirts.'

She also proudly proclaimed that 'we're probably going to live here until we're 95 years old and we're probably going to die in the house.'

Katherine shows off her engagement ring in late December 2022

Pictured: A view of the couple's expansive yard in their country home, which they moved to last summer before they got married

All of this was accompanied by breathtaking views of their home, their perfectly manicured property and their very own pond, complete with a dock.

'Ah yes, the luxury farm house life,' one person wrote in the comments.

'Ahh to be rich,' another wrote.

'I'm sure you guys worked really hard for that,' a third commenter jabbed.

One person asked if these youngsters had jobs to afford this undoubtedly expensive house and land. Someone replied: 'Nope trust fund babies prolly paid by their parents.'

There is, however, a subset of Katherine's audience that heaps positivity on her videos.

A fan of hers commented on her Labor Day TikTok: 'Ty for coming back strong, loving all the content!'

'All because of comments like this thank you,' Katherine responded.

Katherine and Cabot met in Prague while she was studying aboard and connected over growing up on the Jersey Shore.

Two years later, Cabot proposed to her in Mantoloking, New Jersey.

Their star-studded romance culminated in the controversy that severely damaged Katherine's online reputation.

That being, her need to have the Instagram handle that would match her married name.

Katherine tied the knot with Cabot in April in Palm Beach, Florida

A wedding photographer ranked it as the sixth most luxurious wedding venue in all of South Florida; it has three grand halls and two courtyards that can host up to 250 guests

Katherine contacted the account owner of @katherineasplundh, a woman who goes by Kate, to ask if she could purchase her handle. Buying usernames is a practice that is in direct violation of the platform's terms of service.

Kate refused and explained how she feared selling the username would get her 'banned from Instagram' - but this prompted Katherine to launch a tirade of seemingly entitled messages.

Kate then shared screenshots of the alleged exchange to Reddit, where it left users outraged.

The leaked DMs inspired people to take Kate's side, with many creating dozens of fake accounts with various spellings of the billionaire's wife's name.

This meant that every possible username option that included her maiden or married name was now taken.

Katherine folded under this pressure and deleted her Instagram account, which had 14,600 followers at the time. She revived it in June using her old username, @katherinedrisc, created under her maiden name, Katherine Driscoll.

In reaching out to the woman known only as Kate, who shared the messages on social media, the newlywed unintentionally went viral

It seems she's resigned herself to using her old name on Instagram, keeping it in the months after the initial drama.

She also didn't appear to benefit in terms of exposure from the username fiasco, now that she's only edged up to a little over 15,300 followers on Instagram.

Katherine found herself in more hot water when internet users dug up an old TikTok of hers mocking new wives who can't wait to update their name on social media, accusing her of being a hypocrite.

'Something that low key bothers me is when girls get married and it's not even like 10 minutes after they do their vows and they're like 'Oh! going on my Instagram! Let me change my last name already,' Katherine said in the now-deleted post.

She then says she's 'probably going to wait a couple of months' to change her name.'

'I just think it's a little bit a lot when I see girls change it before I even knew they were f***ing married, like chill,' Katherine ironically explained.
A private school in Melbourne was thrown into lockdown after an alleged 'threatening social media post'.

St Bede's College in Mentone, 21km south-east of Melbourne's Central Business District, was put into lockdown at 8.25am on Wednesday.

The lockdown followed a photo being posted to social media last night, which was captioned 'I'm unloading mags on my teacher', according to the Herald Sun.

'Im unloading mags on my teacher,' a blurb over the disturbing image read.

The photo showed what appeared to be a 9mm Glock 18 pistol.

A ziplock bag positioned next to the firearm appeared to contain .22 calibre ammunition, which is not compatible with a Glock 18.

Parents flocked to Facebook on Wednesday morning to mention the incident, with one claiming the photo had spurred on the lockdown.

St Bede's College in Mentone was put into lockdown at 8.25am on Wednesday after this image was allegedly posted to social media

St Bede's College is regarded among Melbourne's elite private schools

'Sadly I believe a kid has posted a photo with a weapon. I hope I've heard wrong. However apparently kids are snap chat about this,' one person wrote to Facebook.

'Can confirm - male posted a photo of a gun and bullets, mentioning of wanting to harm a teacher,' another replied.

A parent told Melbourne radio 3AW his son had hidden in the schools toilets during the terrifying incident.

Parents were reportedly seen anxiously standing by to pick up their children along Dixon St just after 10am.

It is understood students were allowed to call their parents and asked to be picked-up following the lockdown.

A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed the Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit was investigating a 'threatening social media post' reported about 11pm on Tuesday.

'The post did not include threats against any particular school or person,' the spokesperson said.

'Investigations to determine who created the post are underway.

'There is currently no threat to St Bede's College in Mentone.

St Bede's College in Mentone sent a message to students

A text message to parents on Wednesday morning confirmed the lockdown.

'Message from St Bedes College: Mentone Campus is still in lockdown and no further updates. All students and staff are safe,' the text read.

The school has released a statement confirming the lockdown has been lifted.

'To our community, all our students and staff are safe. At 8.25am this morning, St Bede's College Mentone commenced lockdown on the advice of Police as part of a Police Operation,' the statement read.

'At 9.40am the lockdown was lifted, and classes have resumed as normal.

'Thank you to all our community for your cooperation and understanding.'

St Bede's College is a catholic boys school, founded in 1938.

Annual fees to attend the college begin at $9,380 for Year 7 students, with the figure rising to $9,580 for Year 12 students.

The total fees include annual tuition, maintenance and development of the facilities, membership for the parents and friends association, and a laptop.

However the fees don't include uniform, Year 7 to 10 English novels, Year 11 and 12 textbooks, stationery and optional college trips - including ski trips, European History Tours and Indigenous Immersion Tours).

There are 1,900 students across the Mentone and Bentleigh East campuses as of 2023.
A curfew on cats and limits on how many you can have as pets are among the measures the Albanese government is contemplating as it tries to fix the problem of feral felines that kill native wildlife.

Environment and Water minister Tanya Plibersek announced on Wednesday that $60 million of taxpayers' money fund 55 projects intended to protect Australian wildlife.

As many as 5.6million feral cats roam the country, killing about 1.5billion native mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs as well as 1.1billion invertebrates every year.

Feral cats have played a role in two thirds of extinctions of native mammals in Australia, and the projects aim to 'humanely catch and eradicate' the predators.

National parks on Kangaroo and Christmas islands have been used as testing grounds to assess the effectiveness of traps, some equipped with AI, in killing feral cats and other pests.

The funding will also develop 'drone-based thermal cameras' and other tracking technologies using feral cat DNA.

While Ms Plibersek's plan will mostly target feral cats, it will also look to try and limit the impact of household cats which on average kill 186 animals each per year.

A cat abatement plan, to be introduced to parliament in coming months, laid out potential regulations such as household limits on cat numbers, and night-time curfews.

The Albanese Government is 'declaring war' against feral cats in a bid to help curb the about 7million native animals killed each year (file photo)

Ms Plibersek said the government is 'serious about protecting our precious native species'.

'Feral cats are dangerous and ruthless predators, pushing our threatened native species like the greater bilby, numbat, and Gilberts potoroo, to the brink of extinction,' she said.

'Since declaring war on feral cats, we are mobilising artificial intelligence, cat trap technology and strong community action to combat this invasive pest and safeguard Australias biodiversity.

'The projects also help land managers and farmers to better protect land, livestock and native wildlife from feral cats.'

Ms Plibersek's draft plan was agreed to in principle by ministers across Australia's states and territories in November last year.

While it will not force state governments to create new rules around pet cats, the plan does require collaboration across the federal-state levels.

Some local governments had already introduced restrictions and curfews on pet cats but many lack the resources to police those by-laws.

Environment and water minister, Tanya Plibersek, on Wednesday announced $60million in funding across 55 projects which aim to 'humanely catch and eradicate' the predators

Feral cats (pictured) have contributed to two thirds of mammal extinctions in Australia and helped endanger more than 200 other native animals

One idea in the plan was to limit the amount of 'roaming cats' by forcing owners to keep their pets inside between dusk and dawn, when cats are most active.

It also suggested introducing household number limits, cat-free suburbs and requirements for de-sexing and registration.

Local governments would however be empowered to 'set bylaws (such as cat prohibition) to suit local conditions more easily', according to the draft.

Victorian councils can order owners to keep the pets inside during certain hours during the day, including a 24-hour ban on roaming cats across Knox City Council in Melbourne's East.

All cats born after July 2022 have to kept on their owners property in the ACT, which also barred roaming cats in 17 suburbs near wildlife hotspots.

Western Australia and NSW are still developing laws around cat ownership, however Perth councils have indicated 24-hour curfews could be introduced.
Lord Eric Pickles is set to be criticised in a report into the Grenfell Tower tragedy, after he was scrutinised over delays to much-needed fire safety regulations.

The former communities secretary is expected to be the highest-level minister to be personally criticised over systemic failures that caused 72 people to lose their lives in a single night in 2017.

A faulty fridge caught fire and set the 24-storey tower block in Kensington, west London, completely ablaze within hours on June 14 that year.

Lord Eric Pickles giving evidence to the Grenfell inquiry

The fire - the worst residential blaze since the Blitz - triggered mass protests about building standards, following months of concerns from Grenfell Tower residents about the safety following its refurbishment.

Seven years on, the final government report into the tragedy is set to be released. The report's conveners have sent draft sections to witnesses so they can respond before the final publication.

A faulty fridge caught fire and set the 24-storey tower block in Kensington, west London, completely ablaze within hours

Lord Pickles, communities and local government secretary throughout the coalition government of 2010-15, was among the people sent draft sections, the Telegraph reported.

One senior official in his department admitted to the inquiry that there were 'a number of occasions' where reforms could've been made to prevent the tragic loss of life.

The same official wrote in a document that he didn't need to 'kiss the backside' of a coroner who suggested sprinkler systems should be installed in all tower blocks following a fatal fire at a block of flats in 2009.

Pickles himself claimed that implementing the changes would not 'have many any different whatsoever' to Grenfell, however.

He told the inquiry that his civil servants told him that updating building regulations was not a priority.

'I think, though I cant be sure, that certainly affected my judgement in terms of the importance of doing this. It was said that I shouldnt worry, that there wasnt any real issue in terms of safety, people know these kind of things and, you know, we will sort this out.'
More than 15,000 boys may have been sexually abused in Irish schools between the 1960s and 1990s it has been revealed, as a major new investigation is to be launched.

The Government yesterday announced a Commission of Investigation will be established on foot of a 'truly shocking' scoping inquiry that uncovered 2,400 allegations of sexual abuse in over 300 religious schools over four decades.

The claims refer to 884 alleged perpetrators, of whom less than half  around 400  are still alive.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said yesterday the report was a 'harrowing read' as he paid tribute to the 'courage and bravery' of those who came forward. Abuse rates were particularly high in special schools, with 590 allegations involving 190 alleged abusers in 17 schools.

But it is feared those figures are just the tip of the iceberg, with the CSO estimating that as many as 15,300 boys were sexually abused in Irish schools  not just those run by religious orders  during the period in question.

Minister for Education Norma Foley speaking at a press conference in the Government Buildings, Dublin

Speaking yesterday, the Taoiseach said the abuse 'is a shadow of our past that continues to loom large in so many lives, so many families, so many communities'. (Pictured, Taoiseach Simon Harris and the Prime Minister of Luxembourg)

Gardai are now bracing themselves for a deluge of fresh allegations, security sources have told the Mail.

Some survivors expressed the view that 'a paedophile ring was operating' in their school, with multiple staff members involved in either carrying out or facilitating sexual abuse.

The scoping inquiry report, conducted by barrister Mary O'Toole, was commissioned last year following revelations of sexual abuse at Blackrock College in Dublin.

Speaking yesterday, the Taoiseach said the abuse 'is a shadow of our past that continues to loom large in so many lives, so many families, so many communities'.

Noting the report recommended redress be paid to survivors, the Fine Gael leader said: 'It's really important that we get the structure right and that the next steps that we take are absolutely survivor-centred.

'I want to say this on behalf of the Government, and I want to say this on behalf of the people of Ireland: We will get this right.'

Education Minister Norma Foley called the report 'a harrowing document' that 'contains participants' descriptions of appalling sexual abuse and violence'.

She added: 'This includes abuse being perpetrated in front of other children. Many of the survivors who participated in the scoping inquiry are now older.

'They have been able to speak about the lifelong impact of childhood sexual abuse. They told us that it led to the premature end of their childhood.

'It affected their academic performance in schools, it caused mental health issues, abuse of alcohol or drugs. It damaged survivors' relationships with their families and their own children.

'Some survivors were unable to visit their own parents' graves because their abuser was buried nearby in a plot in the same graveyard.

'Our schools should be places of haven, not horror. Our students should be able to experience learning, fun and friendship in school, not fear and certainly not fright.'

In total, there are 2,395 allegations of sexual abuse in respect of 308 schools recorded by the religious orders that ran those schools, according to the report.

Gardai, having reviewed their files in relation to five out of the nine most prolific schools, found there are currently 17 ongoing investigations.

At the scoping inquiry's request, the CSO conducted an exercise to estimate the number of people who have experienced sexual abuse as a child which took place at a school. Using that data, it was estimated that 15,300 men aged 35 and over have experienced sexual violence as a child where the location was a school.

The allegations included 820 claims against the Christian Brothers, 321 against the Spiritans, 295 against the Brothers of Charity and 142 against the Jesuits.

Many of those who gave evidence to the inquiry stated their belief that the abuse was inflicted by an organised paedophile ring.

One said: 'It was very clear there was a conspiracy going on. There were 12 priests present and nine were paedophiles.

'Three were involved with me together on one occasion and [also] apart.'

Describing the school as a 'paedophile ring', he added: 'You wouldn't want to hear what else they did to me. It was an orchestrated machine that ran for years and is still running.'

Education Minister Norma Foley called the report 'a harrowing document' that 'contains participants' descriptions of appalling sexual abuse and violence'

A significant number recounted the sexual abuse had been ongoing, while others said it occurred randomly. (Minister for Education Norma Foley speaking at a press conference)

Others alleged they raised the abuse with school leadership but nothing was done.

They said: 'We were treated like sweets, handed around, that doesn't happen in an environment where they can say they knew nothing.

'It's not about not being Christians, it's not that they let the side down and didn't protect children, but that they facilitated the abuse and colluded. This was concerted, they were aware of it.

'I went to the principal and I told him what had happened. He asked if I was confused about the perpetrator being sympathetic to me.' Many spoke of being sexually abused in the presence of other children or adults, others reported being sexually abused when alone with a teacher, priest or religious brother, other school staff or a visitor to their school.

A significant number recounted the sexual abuse had been ongoing, while others said it occurred randomly, or followed a period of grooming and was often reported as having been accompanied by ferocious violence.

Participants described being molested, stripped naked, raped and drugged amid an atmosphere of terror and silence. A small number of people from a handful of schools reported that they were drugged into immobility or unconsciousness prior to sexual abuse.

While some described how their memories of what occurred may have been affected, most reported that they were aware in the immediate aftermath of these episodes that something had happened, due to pain and physical trauma to their bodies.

A participant said: 'They used drugs to immobilise but still be conscious.' The report also dealt with the lasting impact the abuse had on its victims.

It read: 'As adults, participants said the impact of the sexual abuse led to serious and ongoing difficulties in relationships, mental and physical health problems, addiction issues, lost career opportunities and damage to their sense of place and/or community.

A statement from the Department of Education released yesterday acknowledged that the report recommended giving consideration to a financial redress scheme for survivors. (Taoiseach Simon Harris speaking to the media)

The Government yesterday announced a Commission of Investigation will be established on foot of a 'truly shocking' scoping inquiry'. (Taoiseach Simon Harris holding a joint press conference)

'Many described failed early intimate relationships and marriage breakdowns. Some said that, as a result of the sexual abuse, they decided not to have children, or when they did, it impacted their parenting, with many participants describing the effects of intergenerational trauma on their families. Many spoke with very real sadness of the impact of telling their elderly parents of their experiences.'

A statement from the Department of Education released yesterday acknowledged that the report recommended giving consideration to a financial redress scheme for survivors.

However, both the department and Minister Foley did not commit to a redress scheme but said it is something the Government is looking at. She said: 'The level of abuse is shocking, it is truly shocking.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said: 'The level and scale of the horrific abuse within schools revealed in the report's pages is shocking, and there must be full accountability and justice for those abused.'

The representative body for Catholic orders across Ireland said it is 'deeply sorry' that victims experienced abuse in religious-run schools. A spokesman for the Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious in Ireland said: 'We are deeply sorry that they experienced abuse in religious-run schools.

'We will carefully examine the recommendations.'
The assassination attempt against Donald Trump spurred on a weeks-long courtship that led to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ending his presidential campaign to join forces with the former president.

Kennedy Jr. sensationally dropped out of the race to endorse the GOP nominee, leading to a fierce family feud and endless speculation over how the ex-Democrat formed an unusual alliance with the MAGA leader.

The idea for a partnership came to fruition in the wake of the July 13 attempt on Trump's life. Kennedy received a phone call from his health care advisor, Calley Means, according to extensive new reporting from the New York Times.

The offer was tempting: Trump, like Kennedy's father and uncle, had been shot during a public engagement. Would Kennedy consider talking to Trump and possibly serve as his vice president?

Kennedy initially said no, claiming he didn't want the job but eventually decided to speak to Trump about an alliance.

The assassination attempt against Donald Trump spurred on a weeks-long courtship that led to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ending his presidential campaign to join forces with the former president

Over the six weeks between the shooting and Kennedy's campaign suspension - during which Trump picked Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate - the two parties negotiated endlessly behind the scenes.

The key players included infamous talk show host Tucker Carlson and co-campaign manager Susie Wiles.

Means used Carlson to facilitate the deal with Trump's side of the aisle, which excited team Trump because they'd discovered that Kennedy was a bigger polling threat to Trump than Joe Biden or Kamala Harris.

Trump had, as early as April of this year, thought about offering Kennedy the VP gig.

Carlson, Kennedy and Trump engaged in a group text message that set up an opportunity to speak with one another, which they did while the former president was hospitalized in Pennsylvania.

While Team Kennedy had been considering the partnership too, one member of RFK Jr.'s inner circle was not thrilled: wife and Curb Your Enthusiasm star Cheryl Hines.

Kennedy has publicly admitted to TMZ that his actress wife is not thrilled with the endorsement.

However, Kennedy's team saw that their candidate was not increasing support among Democrats after Joe Biden's disastrous debate in Georgia in late June that eventually led him to drop out of the race.

The key players included infamous talk show host Tucker Carlson and co-campaign manager Susie Wiles

While Team Kennedy had been considering the partnership too, one member of RFK Jr.'s inner circle was not thrilled: wife and Curb Your Enthusiasm star Cheryl Hines

Between that and the Democrats considering RFK Jr. persona non grata, they felt the only chance to have a say in the race was by endorsing Trump.

Kennedy and Trump met on July 15 at the Republican National Convention, with RFK Jr. positioning himself as a public health guru, or even Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The deal was almost blown, however, when RFK Jr.'s son posted video to social media of a phone conversation between Trump and Kennedy.

Trump's team now saw Kennedy as a liar and a leaker and things went south until it was clear that Kamala Harris was in the race and a threat to Trump re-taking the White House.

Kennedy apologized and on August 12, the pair met at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida with Wiles and Donald Trump Jr.

By August 23, Trump and Kennedy were all smiles onstage at an Arizona rally as Kennedy endorsed.

Kennedy suspended his campaign in 10 of the most competitive states, including the seven swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

He and fellow Democrat defector Tulsi Gabbard have been named honorary co-chairs of the Trump transition team.

By August 23, Trump and Kennedy were all smiles onstage at an Arizona rally as Kennedy endorsed

Since then, Kennedy has been in a mad, and largely unsuccessful, dash to get himself off the ballot in key swing states.

A judge in battleground Michigan has ruled that Kennedy, must remain on the presidential ballot despite his push to remove himself  in a ruling that could harm Donald Trump.

Kennedy wants his name off the ballot in battleground states where some polls show him pulling votes from the Republican.

Michigans Democratic secretary of state Jocelyn Benson wrote that a candidate who takes a party nomination shall not be permitted to withdraw.

Kennedy also filed a suit to get off the ballot in North Carolina  a Trump 2020 state which is emerging as a key battleground. Wisconsin rejected an earlier request to withdraw there.

The request for removal of RFK Jr.'s name came after 1.7 million paper ballots were already printed. The state said it would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to produce new ones and the board will start sending out on Friday vote-by-mail ballots.

Meanwhile, his team filed papers to get him on the ballot in Mississippi, a state where Trump is almost certain to prevail.

Kennedy has said he doesnt want to be a spoiler, and wants to get off the ballot in states where he would hand the election over to the Democrats, with whom I disagree on the most existential issues.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is now suing North Carolina to have his name removed from the ballot after the state's election board denied his request to no longer be included after 1.7 million ballots were already printed

If RFK Jr. is ultimately unsuccessful in removing his name from the ballot in North Carolina, it could undermine his decision to suspend his bid in order to benefit the Republican nominee.

'Our polling consistently showed that by staying on the ballot in the battleground states, I would likely hand the election over to the Democrats, with whom I disagree on the most existential issues,' Kennedy told journalists when he announced his withdrawal in Phoenix, Arizona, last month.

The dispute in North Carolina isn't the only state where Kennedy is facing issues removing his name from ballots so soon before Election Day in November.

Wisconsin and Michigan are also refusing him permission.

'Any person who files nomination papers and qualifies to appear on the ballot may not decline nomination. The name of that person shall appear upon the ballot except in case of death of the person,' Wisconsin state's election law states and is cited by the board denying his request to get off the ballot. '

Kennedy has, however, successfully removed himself from the ballot in other battleground states of Pennsylvania, Nevada and Arizona.
An Australian woman's teeth began to rot then 'fell out' after she had cheap dental surgery overseas.

Sydney woman Kim Edwards, 45, flew to Turkey - the mecca for budget cosmetic surgery - and paid $30,000 to get a facelift and dental veneers.

Ms Edwards returned to Australia when the bridge became infected and came close to tissue-killing necrosis.

'Things take time to settle and heal but they hadn't even touched my nose and my teeth, this is gross, but I could smell them rotting,' she told Yahoo.

The 45-year-old was forced to spend another $80,000 fixing her teeth back home, prompting her to warn anyone thinking about going overseas for such treatment.

'It's just a dodgy situation. Instagram is a fraud, TikTok a fraud,' she said.

'Everything's filtered. It's all lies. I try to stop my friends and things from going over.'

Ms Edwards had thoroughly researched the clinics in Turkey before she settled on one that had a 4.9 star rating.

A woman who paid over $100,000 for veneers at a clinic in Turkey has been left gobsmacked after being given the wrong type of surgery which fell out a month later (stock image)

Instead of filing down her real teeth to short points and covering them with a row of porcelain teeth, Ms Edwards was instead given dental bridges.

The more practical approach to teeth replacement, bridges fill in gaps by anchoring a fake tooth to its real counterparts.

Ms Edwards' issues continued to worsen after returning home to Sydney, when her new teeth started to cause infections because she found it hard to clean.

She was then shocked a month later when one of the bridges 'fell out' of her mouth while she was eating lunch.

Ms Edwards contacted the Turkish clinic to find out how to fix the issue only to be blamed for not cleaning the new teeth properly.

After pressing them for answers, she said they 'wiped their hands' of her and blocked Ms Edwards on Instagram.

Having run out of options Ms Edwards turned to the Dental Boutique, a cosmetic dentistry in Sydney's CBD.

The clinic's principal dentist, Dr Ben Hargreave, said the woman's teeth had been 'massacred'.

A Sydney dentist who came to the woman's aid said the Turkish clinic had removed a shocking amount of natural tooth structure, which he described as a 'massacre'

He said the Turkish clinic had removed a shocking amount of tooth structure during the surgery, which would not have happened had she stayed in Australia.

Another 12-hour surgery for Ms Edwards at the clinic to have the bridges removed was followed by a year of wearing false teeth to allow her gums to heal.

After a highly-expensive 18-month ordeal, Ms Edwards has finally been fitted with the veneers she sought.

Now she's urging others not to fall for the picture-perfect presentation of cut-price overseas clinics, and to be aware of what can go wrong.
A Customs and Border Patrol officer has been found guilty of kidnapping a teenage Mexican girl outside of an Arizona school and raping her for hours in his apartment.

Federal prosecutors have said Aaron Thomas Mitchell, 29, approached the 15-year-old girl in his a tactical vest labeled 'Police' as she was waiting for classes to start at a middle school in the Arizona border town of Douglas on April 25, 2022, the Tucson Sentinel reports.

He then 'asked for her papers,' and ordered the teenager to get into his car. Court records obtained by the Arizona Daily Independent show the teenager crossed the border daily from Agua Prieta in Sonora, Mexico to Douglas to attend classes.

Mitchell allegedly told the teen he was driving her to a local police station, but instead pulled over just a few miles from her school and handcuffed her hands and feet.

He then told her 'to do everything he said because he didn't want to have to hurt her,' the girl testified at a two-week-long trial, according to the Miami Herald.

Aaron Thomas Mitchell, 29, was found guilty on Friday of kidnapping a teenage Mexican girl outside of an Arizona school and raping her for hours in his apartment

The two eventually arrived at Mitchell's apartment in Sierra Vista, and he forced the girl inside, and raped her multiple times over several hours.

At one point, the girl said she was given alcohol before Mitchell drove her back to Douglas, according to the Arizona Daily Independent.

He then 'reminded her not to tell anyone,' prosecutors said.

But the girl 'immediately' reported the assault to her friends, family members and law enforcement agencies, ABC 15 reports.

Her description of Mitchell's apartment and physical characteristics unique to the officer led to his arrest the same evening.

During an interview with police, Mitchell 'exclaimed that the victim "better hope I don't get out of here,"' prosecutors said.

An ensuing investigation also found that Mitchell made several online searches on his phone about rape and 'how to stop someone from screaming' while the girl was at his apartment.

He also searched 'how long does it take to smother someone.'

Surveillance footage showed him approaching the girl outside a middle school in Douglas on April 25, 2022

Mitchell was then charged with 18 felonies ranging from kidnapping, obstructing a criminal investigation and multiple counts of sexual abuse and sexual assault, according to the Daily Independent.

Other court records show the Cochise County Attorney's Office obtained a court order at the time requiring Mitchell to undergo testing for various STDs.

That July, a federal grand jury also indicted him on one count of kidnapping a minor.

He then turned himself over to federal authorities in Miami, Florida, where his parents - both retired cops - live.

A federal jury finally found him guilty on Friday of deprivation of rights under the color of law and kidnapping of a minor.

The jury also ruled that his conduct included aggravated sexual abuse, kidnapping and resulted in bodily injury.

Mitchell was a Customs and Border Protection officer for less than a year before the incident

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke applauded the decision, calling Mitchell's actions 'heinous.'

She said he 'had a duty to protect his community, but instead he abused his power, kidnapped, cuffed and restrained a young girl and repeatedly sexually assaulted her in his apartment for hours.

'With this verdict, the jury has done us all a great service by holding accountable this former federal law enforcement official,' she said.

Mitchell - who had been a Customs and Border Protection officer for less than a year -is now facing a maximum sentence of life in prison.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20, but his defense attorney, Laura Udall, said they 'will be filing an appeal of this conviction.'
Premier said the trip was 'entirely appropriate'

Queensland Premier Steven Miles has defended a use a chartered jet for an 11-minute-long flight to deliver a birthday cake to a Labor MP and announce a new security fence.

Mr Miles chartered the government plane from Hervey Bay Airport at 4.22pm on Monday to make the 74km journey to Bundaberg where he landed at 4.33pm.

The premier posted photos of himself to social media presenting a birthday cake to local MP Tom Smith for his 34th birthday.

'Surprised @tomsmithmp with a couple of mud cakes for his birthday. Happy birthday mate!' he captioned the Instagram post.

The following day, Mr Miles announced a new security fence for the Bundaberg East State School if Labor wins next month's state election.

The premier also toured the site of Bundaberg's hospital, which is currently undergoing a $1.2billion upgrade set to be completed in 2027.

Mr Miles' office said the government had already leased the plane, so the trip to Bundaberg had not cost taxpayers any extra money, the Courier Mail reports.

The premier said taking the trip to avoid the notoriously dangerous Bruce Highway was 'entirely appropriate'.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles (pictured left) has defended a decision to take an 11-minute trip on a chartered jet to deliver a birthday cake to Labor MP Tom Smith (right)

Mr Miles posted photos of himself delivering several mud cakes to Mr Smith on his Instagram

'I had been very busy and it would have cost more to have hired a car for that leg of the trip, and the other legs of the trip could not be completed by other transport,' Mr Miles told reporters on Wednesday morning.

'I drive the southern leg of the Bruce Highway every single morning and whenever I'm in the regions we are very often travelling that road.

'So when you look at the trip in totality, it makes sense.'

The plane trip was part of a three-day trip to Hervey Bay and Rockhampton where the premier announced two of seven new satellite hospitals.

The Miles government will spend taxpayers' money on upgrades to 11 existing hospitals, three new hospitals, seven satellite hospitals and a dedicated cancer centre as part of its 'record-breaking' $1.2billion spend on Bundaberg Hospital.

The project will add 121 beds, more emergency department treatment spaces and surgery theatres.

Mr Miles' latest jet controversy came after the government chartered two private jets to simultaneously travel to the same destination - just days after passing a bill enforcing a cut in carbon dioxide emissions.

Mr Miles and staff flew in one jet while Police Minister Mark Ryan and Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski used another for a trip to Townsville to hold a press conference about youth crime.

The private jets, which cost around $6,500 an hour to hire, left Brisbane within 15 minutes of each other for the 2,800km round-trip on April 22.

Mr Miles and his staff flew in an Embraer Phenom 300 while Mr Ryan and Mr Gollschewski travelled in a Cessna Citation CJ2+.

The government justified the decision by saying the runway at the local airport was not long enough to allow for the landing of a plane that was big enough to carry all the travellers.
September 4, 2024: As of mid-2024 China has about 300 of its new J-20 Mighty Dragon stealth fighter in service. This came after China solved a frustrating problem with production of reliable and powerful engines for its J-20 stealth fighter. This allowed mass production of the J-20 to proceed in 2022. For nearly a decade the primary obstacle to mass production has been unreliable locally developed and produced WS10 jet engines. Over the last three years three improved models of the basic WS10 have appeared: the WS-10C (basis model for the J-10), WS-10B3 (with thrust vectoring for greater maneuverability) and WS-15 (with super cruise). There are now over a hundred J-20s in service, all with one of the three WS-10 evolutions. Most are the J-20B model using the WS-10B3 or WS-15 engine. Over the next few years all existing J-20s will be equipped with the WS-15.

In 2022 some of these active-duty J-20Bs were spotted and during 2022 August China conducted air and naval military training operations around the island of Taiwan. The Chinese sent a number of their J-20 stealth fighters aloft armed with air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles carried externally, degrading its stealth capabilities. American and Taiwanese radars and 0ther ELINT (electronic intelligence) equipment got a chance to test the stealth capabilities of the J-20. China has been trying to develop world-class stealth fighters since the 1990s. A decade ago the J-20 appeared, described as a true stealth fighter. It seemed to be, sort of, but eventually turned out to be close but still a work-in-progress. That was promptly confirmed as J-20s flew near Taiwan and were tracked by American and Taiwanese radars.

It wasnt until 2020 that J-20 officially entered mass production. This was not the original J-20A that was prematurely declared ready in 2017, but a much-improved J-20B. In 2018 China admitted that production of the J-20 was stalled and the manufacturer confirmed the reasons why. The details were explained on state run television, in part to help recruit the skilled workers needed to produce the J-20. There is a labor shortage in China, largely because of the decades of low birth rates mandated by the one child policy. The Chinese aircraft manufacturing industry, for both military and commercial aircraft, is booming and workers able to fabricate and assemble components are in short supply. Building the J-20 requires a disproportionate number of skilled workers. Parts of the fuselage are made of alloys that are particularly time-consuming to mold and then fabricate into complex structures. Many of the components come from Chinese suppliers who are still developing and perfecting their production capabilities. In general, the J-20 requires a lot of exotic components and supplies are tight. China also revealed that development of the J-20 has cost $4.4 billion as of 2018, and that the construction cost for each aircraft is $110 million. In addition to the manufacturing difficulties, there were performance problems with the prototypes and six J-20A production models turned over to the Chinese Air Force by 2018.

This came after a late 2017 announcement that the J-20 had officially entered service. At that time, it was obvious, via aerial photos of the factory and air bases, that production of the J-20 was not actually happening. The manufacturer had planned to build three a month initially but from mid-2017 to mid-2018 production turned out to have been zero. At that time there were apparently a dozen more in various stages of completion. By early 2018 it was known that there were several potential problems with the J-20 production but the main ones had to do with stealth, as in the delicate materials on the airframe that make radar detection less effective. The other problem was the engines. In 2018 the WS-10Cs installed were a stopgap and not efficient enough to support super cruise (go supersonic without using the afterburner).

China has had persistent problems developing high-performance jet engines. China has been developing the more powerful and super cruise ready WS-15 engine since the 1990s, for a larger aircraft like the J-20. Despite a lot of effort, the WS-15 was still not able to work reliably enough for service, rather than a prototype aircraft. Officials also confirmed rumors that a WS-15 exploded during a 2015 static ground test. That failure had been a secret, but when an engine this important fails by blowing up, the incident is difficult to hide. It also turned out that the WS-15 design and manufacturing problems were less difficult to fix than those encountered with other components and the skilled labor shortage.

In 2018 no date was given as to when the WS-15 would be available for use or whether it would have the same thrust vectoring. This is the ability to move the hot jet exhaust in different directions in order to make the fighter more maneuverable. The American F-22 uses this. At first, a more powerful and reliable version of the WS-15 for J-20 was believed possible by 2020, but changes in the shape and weight of the WS-15 would require modifications to the shape of the J-20 which in turn required lots of testing to ensure that stealth was not compromised. The factory would have to install new or modified manufacturing equipment and suppliers would have to do the same to produce the new airframe components. Apparently, all of those problems were solved by mid-2020. This included the WS-15 reliability problems. As of 2022 the latest version of the WS-15 had improved performance and reliability sufficiently for regular use in active service squadrons. Chinese engine experts also pointed out that the engines used by the F-22 and F-35 are at least a decade ahead of the tech used in the WS-15. Left unsaid was the fact that China had gone from no locally designed and built fighter jet engines to the WS-15 in a few decades and another decade or so to catch up was expected.

The WS-15 saga was one of repeated disappointments and there may be more of that. Some high-performance jet engines are more reliable than others. Western engine manufacturers have been through this for decades as each new generation of engines was developed. China knows of that history and is resigned to repeating it. In 2018 it was announced that production models of the WS-15 were to be available in 2019. This was a reasonable assumption because the WS-15 has been in development since about 2003 and the first working version appeared in 2008. Based on past engine development experience the WS-15 should have been ready for mass production by 2020, although the skilled labor shortage turned out to be more of a problem than anticipated and delayed things for two years. China overcame these production problems because you cant mass produce the J-20B without mass production of reliable WS-15 engines.

There was another reason for the early 2017 announcement that at least a dozen J-20s had been delivered to the Chinese air force as part of a new fighter squadron. This information was exaggerated and released to help with export sales because at the time Chinese media was reporting that Pakistan had agreed to buy J-20s. Numbers were not announced and there were still questions about how effective the J-20 actually is. Pakistani interest in the J-20 may have more to do with the fact that China is the only major-power ally they have, their main supplier of weapons and, best of all, a neighbor. Pakistan cannot afford many $110 million aircraft and China is not known to be generous with credit or discounts when it comes to high tech gear like this.

while China began offering its 28-ton J-31 stealth fighter to export customers in 2014 as the FC-31, it was not until 2017 that efforts were made to export the more advanced J-20. The manufacturer of the J-20 is CAC (Chengdu Aircraft Company), which also produces the JF-17 and J-10. The JF-17 is a joint effort with Pakistan and Pakistan is the main customer. J-31s are not yet ready for mass production, in part because it has some of the same production problems as the J-20 and China is deliberately putting more emphasis on getting the J-20 into mass production.

The J-31 has undergone a number of modifications and the manufacturer is trying to develop a version that could be used from Chinas new aircraft carriers. As of 2022 the 28-ton J-31 is still in the prototype stage. It made its first flight in 2012, a year after the J-20. The stalled development is due to the fact it is being developed without government assistance, other than access to information of American stealth aircraft obtained by Internet based and other forms of espionage.

The J-20 definitely had a head start on the J-31. Before the originally scheduled J-20 mass production could begin in late 2015, eight prototypes were built. There were at least two original J-20A prototypes, and in 2013 a new J-20B prototype appeared that had several modifications and is estimated to have a max weight of 37 tons. By 2018 several more prototypes have been built along with at least six production models plus over a dozen stalled on the assembly line. All of these were built with the understanding that some major (and time-consuming) refurbishing might be needed once the WS-15 engine was ready for service.

Work on the J-20 began in the late 1990s, and the Chinese went forward on the assumption that it could be 25 years or more before they had a competitive stealth fighter-bomber in service. The twin engine J-20 first appeared to be about the same weight class as the non-stealthy American 30-ton F-15C, but the production model was closer in weight to the F22. By comparison, the U.S. F-35A stealth fighter-bomber is a 31-ton, single engine fighter, while the twin-engine F-22 is slightly larger at 38 tons. The Russian Su-57 weighed in at 37 tons and its production is also stalled over technical issues. The Russians can make more powerful and reliable engines than the Chinese but are still having problems with their other techs like stealth coatings and electronics. At the same time Russia officially put production of its Su-57 stealth fighter on hold and suffers from some of the same production problems as the Chinese.

While the J-20 looks like the American F-22 when viewed head-on, its overall shape, weight, and engine power is closer to the older, non-stealthy American F-15C. In other words, the J-20 is 20.4 meters long, with a wingspan of 13.5 meters. The J-20 has about the same wing area as the F-15C, which is about 25 percent less than the F-22, which is a few percent larger than the F-15 in terms of length and wingspan. Worse for the J-20 is the fact that its engine power is about the same as the F-15C, while the F-22 has 65 percent more power. With the afterburner turned on, the J-20 has more power than the F-15C and nearly as much as the F-22. But because the afterburner consumes so much fuel, you can't use it for more than a few minutes at a time. The afterburner also generates a lot more heat which makes an aircraft more visible to heat sensors. The J-20B was designed to use super cruise with a powerful enough engine, joining the F-22, Eurofighter, and Swedish Gripen as aircraft that can super cruise. The J-20B appears capable of doing lots of engine-dependent things during tests or in theory that it has not been able to sustain in regular service.

The J-20 has some stealth when it's coming at you head on, but from any other aspect, the J-20 will light up the radar screen unless it has effective radar absorbing material on the exterior. For this reason, the J-20 initially appeared to be a developmental aircraft, not the prototype of a new model headed for mass production. China soon made it clear that the J-20 was indeed the basis for a new fighter and would go through as many design and shape changes needed to become combat ready. Based on recent Chinese warplane development projects, especially the J-11, it was believed that the J-20 still has a long development road ahead of it. There were some obvious changes between the first and the later prototypes, but nothing all that drastic. Thus, it was surprising when the J-20 was declared ready for service in 2017 but not so surprising when production was quietly halted because of unspecified problems. Yet the Chinese have been competent and relentless in developing complex technologies and there was no reason to believe they wont get the J-20 working. That has apparently happened and was confirmed as J-20Bs showed up in operational J-20 fighter squadrons. That finally took place in 2021.

The J-20 is only the fourth stealth warplane to fly, the others being the American F-22 and F-35, plus the Russian Su-57. The older U.S. F-117 was actually a light bomber and the B-2 was obviously a heavy bomber. While the shape of the J-20 confers a degree of stealth (invisibility to radar), even more electronic invisibility comes from special materials covering the aircraft. It's not known how far along the Chinese are in creating, or stealing data on, these materials. China would most likely use the J-20 singly, or in small groups, to seek out and attack American carriers. For the J-20 to be a superior fighter capable of that, it would need electronics, including radars and defense systems on a par with the F-35 and F-22 as well as powerful and reliable engines and effective radar absorbing materials.

The J-31 and J-20 are further evidence that China is determined to develop its own high-tech military gear. While China is eager to develop advanced military technology locally, it recognizes that this takes time and more effort than nations new to this expect. Thus, China is trying to avoid the mistakes Russia made in this area. That means having competing designs and developing necessary supporting industries as part of that. All this takes a lot of time and involves lots of little (and some major) failures. The Chinese are doing it right and are willing to wait until they get the military tech that is truly world class.
A bombshell congressional report claims would-be Trump assassin Thomas Crooks was incapacitated by a local cop before he was killed by a Secret Service sniper.

Two months after Crooks shot the former president's ear at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a preliminary report from Rep. Clay Higgins offered a differing narrative to the official one pushed by the FBI.

While it was initially claimed that Crooks was shot in the head within seconds by a Secret Service sniper, Higgins' report claimed it was actually a local SWAT operator who stopped the gunman's hail of bullets.

The congressman said the local cop's shot 'hit Crooks' rifle and fragged his face/ neck/ right shoulder area from the (gun) stock breaking up', which meant Crooks was unable to keep firing before he was killed.

It comes amid mounting scrutiny on the FBI and Secret Service's investigations into the shooting, weeks after Higgins also revealed Crooks' body was mysteriously cremated with approval from the FBI after just 10 days.

A bombshell report claims would-be Donald Trump assassin Thomas Crooks was initially incapacitated by a local SWAT operator before he was killed by a Secret Service sniper

Trump was hit in the ear and an attendee at his fateful Butler, Pennsylvania rally was killed by Crooks' hail of bullets, which was said to have been ended by a heroic officer shooting from the ground

Newly released images of Crooks' AR-style rifle show the stock end of the firearm with a large hole where the bullet struck near the shooter's shoulder

The revelations from Higgins' bombshell report were raised last night by Fox News pundit Jesse Watters, who shared his shock over the response to the assassination attempt with Missouri Senator Josh Hawley.

Watters said the FBI and Secret Service have been offering only a frustrating 'drip drip, drip' of information from their investigations, and noted that 'the real investigative work is being done by Congress.'

He drew parallels between the agencies' official narrative of the shooting - that Crooks was quickly killed by a Secret Service sniper - and Higgins' claim that a local SWAT operator actually hit the gunman first.

'I didn't know that,' Watters said, pointing to Congressional testimony from acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe that made 'no mention' of the local cop's heroics.

'He gave his agency total credit for bringing down Crooks,' he said.

Newly released images of Crooks' AR-style rifle show the stock end of the firearm with a large hole where the bullet purportedly struck near the shooter's shoulder.

Higgins revealed that a 'total badass' local SWAT operator shot out Crooks' gun seconds after he opened fire, which heroically put him into the gunman's line of fire

Secret Service snipers killed Crooks with a bullet to his head, with some noting that FBI and Secret Service officials failed to mention reports of a local cop hitting the gunman first

ALERT: @HawleyMO reveals shocking new whistleblower testimony about the agents assigned to Trump's detail the day he was nearly assassinated. pic.twitter.com/IFR8c25hI1  Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) September 4, 2024

According to Higgins' report, the rally could have been worse had it not been for the actions of local officers.

After Crooks fired eight bullets at the crowd, striking Trump's ear and hitting three rally attendees, one fatally, officers were scrambling to locate the source of the bullets and fire back.

Higgins said the SWAT operator - who he described as a 'total badass' in his report - fired at Crooks from the ground around 100 yards from the AGR building where he had been perched.

'When he had sighted the shooter Crooks as a mostly obscured by foliage moving target on the AGR rooftop, he immediately left his assigned post and ran towards the threat,' Higgins wrote.

The congressman noted that the officer ran into Crooks' possible line of fire and took a 'very hard shot' that struck the end of Crooks' rifle and destroyed the gun's functionality.

'This means that if his AR buffer tube was damaged, Crooks rifle wouldnt fire after his 8th shot,' Higgins wrote.

Seconds later, a Secret Service sniper killed Crooks on the rooftop perch, which 'entered somewhere around the left mouth area and exited the right ear area.'

Representative Clay Higgins, a Republican from Louisiana who was appointed to the bipartisan task force reviewing the assassination attempt, carried out his own 'boots on the ground' investigation

The revelations came as Higgins also staggeringly claimed that Crooks' body was cremated just 10 days after the rally shooting despite investigations still ongoing.

The Louisiana congressman, a former police captain, compiled the report from his own 'boots on the ground' trip to Butler in early August, which was submitted to a 13-member Congressional bipartisan task force investigating the shooting that he is a member of.

In the report, Higgins said that when he visited the town for his own investigation, his request to view the body 'caused quite a stir and revealed a disturbing fact.'

Higgins says 'nobody knew' that the body had been returned to the family, including the county coroner and local enforcement. He writes that the coroner still had 'legal authority over the body' when the FBI made this decision and accuses the agency of 'obstruction'.

'The problem with me not being able to examine the actual body is that I won't know 100% if the coroner's report and the autopsy report are accurate. We will actually never know,' Higgins claimed.

The body of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old who attempted to assassinate former President Trump, was returned to his family for cremation only ten days after the shooting

'Yes, we'll get the reports and pictures, but I will not ever be able to say with certainty that those reports and pictures are accurate according to my own examination of the body.

'Again, similar to releasing the crime scene and scrubbing crime scene biological evidence... this action by the FBI can only be described by any reasonable man as an obstruction to any following investigative effort.'

Higgins states that on July 23, the day that Crooks was cremated, both the Homeland Security Committee and the Oversight Committee had opened investigations into the assassination attempt, while Speaker Mike Johnson had stated he was forming a congressional investigative body.

'Why, then, by what measure, would the FBI release his body to the family for cremation? This pattern of investigative scorched earth by the FBI is quite troubling,' Higgins writes.

His 'preliminary investigate report' was submitted to Task Force Chairman Mike Kelly (R-PA) on August 12 and released to the public on Higgins' website on August 15.

On July 29, the Louisiana congressman was named as one of seven Republican members of a bipartisan group tasked with investigating the attempted assassination of Trump.

The task force consists of 13 members - seven Republicans and six Democrats. Its mission is to determine what went wrong on the day of the attempted assassination and it will make recommendations to prevent future security lapses.

The task force will issue a final report before December 13.
An Indian migrant has revealed Australia's rort-riddled student visa system is regarded by others as a way to secure permanent residency - as the Albanese government prepares to cap the burgeoning number of international students.

Deep Sanghavi moved to Brisbane in 2019 to begin a master's degree in accounting but later found himself a job as a wedding planner.

'An Indian kid might pay around $60,000 to $90,000 just in fees to come to Australia. If you're paying the money you should be thinking about getting the residency otherwise it's a waste.

'The international students pay around four or five times what the Australian kids pay... and we've got to pay the money upfront.'

He said he is in the process of applying for permanent residency, and plans to stay in Australia long-term.

It is not suggested that Mr Sanghavi has acted in any way improperly in relation to his obtaining a student visa to study in Australia, or in relation to his application for permanent residency.

'I've studied accounting, but I'm not working in that field so I'm going to do something related which helps me out for my residency,' he said.

While international students, and migrants more generally, are blamed for pushing up the prices of homes and rents to stratospheric levels, Mr Sanghavi argues their arrival is actually good for Australia.

'The major contributors to the Australian economy are the international students,' he explained.

The main piece of advice Mr Sanghavi would give new Indian migrants looking at making the move would be to focus on their studies and doing what they need to get permanent residency.

Deep Sanghavi moved to Brisbane in 2019 to begin a master's degree in accounting but later found himself a job as a wedding planner.

As of June 2022, there were 753,520 people born in India living in Australia, which is more than double the number recorded in 2012, with many gaining entry through the student visa system. Pictured: Indians in Sydney

Regardless of the high price of accommodation, Indian migrants continue to be wooed by Australia's high wages.

'The pay is definitely better, that's why everyone's out here I feel,' Mr Sanghavi said.

'Because if you do the same kind of work back home you don't get paid good money.'

The federal government in August announced it would set a cap of 270,000 international students, in a bid to stop the widespread rorting of the international education system.

It also has enhanced powers to suspend high-risk education providers.

Known as 'ghost colleges' and 'visa factories', the providers can be issued with warning notices and given six months to improve their practices.

If they fail to do so, the providers will be suspended from recruiting international students.

International student enrolments have jumped from just over 520,000 to more than 810,000 in the past two years which has resulted in shonky education providers trying to 'make a quick buck' by gaming the system, Jason Clare said.

'That growth ... has lured people who really are here to work, not study,' Mr Clare told the Australian Financial Review's higher education summit.

'It's put the reputation of this industry under pressure, that's a fact,' Mr Clare said.

Almost 150 tertiary colleges have already been shut down for failing to show proof they were offering any training to students, while warnings had been given to a further 140 so-called 'ghost colleges'.

In one instance, a college had not delivered any training or assessments for students since 2020.

Skills Minister Andrew Giles said colleges that had not been operating for the purposes of providing quality education had been weeded out and shut down.

'The Albanese government is calling time on the rorts and loopholes that have plagued the VET sector for far too long,' he said.

'Under our government, there is no place for anyone who seeks to undermine the sector and exploit students.'
A convicted Manhattan urologist is facing hundreds of civil lawsuits for allegedly sexually abusing his patients, with court documents detailing the horrors his victims reportedly faced.

Dr. Darius Paduch was found guilty in May of six counts of persuading, inducing, enticing or coercing an individual to travel to engage in unlawful sexual activity and five counts of using an interstate facility to persuade, induce, entice or coerce a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, according to the New York Times.

But the former doctor is now facing a total of 310 individual lawsuits against him and the hospital systems he practiced at, after 143 more male patients came forward, the New York Post reports.

The sheer number of complainants makes it the largest case against a single abuser involving male victims, as newly-filed court documents suggest Paduch abused 'what is believed to be thousands of victims and survivors.'

'Darius Paduch exploited more male patients than any predator in history,' plaintiff Anthony T DiPietro told the Post.

Dr. Darius Paduch, a convicted Manhattan urologist, is facing hundreds of civil lawsuits for allegedly sexually abusing his patients

The victims ranged in age from retirees to minors he saw at New York City-area New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Columbia University and Northwell Health System.

Paduch would inject a serum into their penises to force erections for long periods, perform penile enlargements that led to disfigurement, conduct cystoscopies - in which a tube is inserted through the penis and into the urethra - without anesthesia and force some patients to get on all fours during exams, according to documents filed in the Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday.

During some of the sessions, Paduch walked around with a pen and would point to parts of patients' nude bodies 'as if he were acting as a professor,' the documents say, according to reports.

He would also sometimes measure his patient's erect penises and use 'phallic-shaped sex toys.'

At times, the abuse would even take place in front of nurses, assistants and other doctors, the civil suits allege.

Newly-filed court documents suggest Paduch abused 'what is believed to be thousands of victims and survivors'

One victim also said Paduch squeezed his penis so hard 'it was bruised for weeks afterwards,' and another claimed the doctor prescribed so much needless medicine that he went into liver failure.

In another case, when a 56-year-old patient lay on the exam table, Paduch allegedly unzipped his pants and told the man 'he wanted him to see what an erect penis looked like.'

Court documents also state that one of the alleged victims saw Paduch for more than a decade, starting when he was just seven years old, and another said he was a victim at the age of 13.

'It's worse than I could have ever imagined,' the mother of one of the latest plaintiffs, a patient at Weill-Cornell Medical Center, said in a statement to the Post provided by DiPietro.

'Learning of what happened on those visits has nearly killed me.'

Paduch, who began practicing in the city in 2003, continued to practice through 2023 - though court papers claim his employers knew of his abuse since at least 2017.

'Patients trust these so-called "top hospitals" to provide safe and proper medical care for deeply personal conditions,' DiPietro said.

'Patients don't go into a medical office thinking they are going to be exploited by some deviant in a white lab coat.'

The doctor was found guilty in May of six counts of persuading, inducing, enticing or coercing an individual to travel to engage in unlawful sexual activity and five counts of using an interstate facility to persuade, induce, entice or coerce a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity

Paduch worked for a number of New York City-area hospitals, including Weill-Cornell Medical Center

The attorney originally filed a class action suit against Paduch and his employers last August, several months after the doctor was indicted for telling seven male patients - including two minors - to masturbate while he played porn and performing rectal exams without using gloves.

One section of the indictment accuses the 55-year-old of telling patients that they were masturbating incorrectly and then grabbing their penises.

The indictment also accuses Paduch of touching his victim's penises, pressing himself against them and speaking openly about penis sizes as well as sexual activity.

He 'leveraged his position of trust as a medical doctor for his own perverse gratification,' US Attorney Damian Williams said after Paduch was found guilty in May.

'For years, patients seeking needed medical are, many of them children, left his office as victims.'

DiPietro also said at the time he is 'grateful that Darius Paduch will never be able to do this to a single patient in New York State or any place else ever again.'

Paduch's medical license was suspended last year by the State Department of Health, and is expected to be permanently revoked following his conviction

Paduch's medical license was suspended last year by the State Department of Health, and is expected to be permanently revoked following his conviction.

Still, DiPietro is continuing his civil suits against the doctor and the hospitals he worked for, after a judge in July rejected an effort by Paduch's attorneys to dismiss and seal the class action suit.

The 143 new victims, however, are not part of the civil suit and have filed their own individual lawsuits.

A representative for Weill-Cornell Medicine told the Post the hospital is 'heartbroken for these survivors' and said it has 'implemented enhancements to our policies and training requirements, and launched new patient safety programs to minimize the risk of such abhorrent conduct occurring in the future.'

A spokesperson for Northwell Health also told DailyMail.com that it 'strives to provide the highest level of care to all of its patients, patients families and communities.

'Northwell takes complaints brought to our attention very seriously. We are deeply disturbed by the allegations against Dr. Darius Paduch, who is no longer affiliated with Northwell.

'We are not providing further comment at this time because of the pending civil litigation.'

DailyMail.com has also reached out to Columbia University for comment.

It is unclear whether Paduch has retained a civil attorney to defend himself in these cases, as his criminal attorney, Michael Baldassare, insisted he is innocent of the criminal charges.

'We will continue to fight for him,' Baldassare said following the conviction.
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Anthony Albanese has hit back after it emerged the prime minister had racked up a $3.8million expense bill within a one year period.

The eye-watering sum was revealed following an analysis of the most recent independent parliamentary expenses authority data.

The Daily Telegraph reported $3.8million of taxpayer money had been spent on staff, travel and office expenses in the year to the end of June.

Around $2.5million was spent on travel expenses for his 61 staff members while $102,000 was spent for Comcars, $896,000 for international travel and $253,000 for printing and communications.

The revelation emerged after Mr Albanese had acknowledged many Australians were doing it tough during the cost-of-living crisis.

The prime minister was probed over the expenses during a press conference in Perth on Wednesday and said the data 'come out like clockwork'.

'If they think that the Prime Minister of Australia should drive themselves around, they should say that,' he said.

'In today's world we need security and we need these things to happen, and I think Australians know that.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended his taxpayer-funded expenses bill climbing to more than $3.8million for the past year, saying he would 'much rather drive himself'

'I believe that we should, wherever possible of course, minimise expenditure.'

Australian Taxpayers Alliance president Brian Marlow took issue at the large expense report.

'When the Prime Minister says we're all doing it tough he means everyone except him and his staff,' he said.

'The private sector is going backwards. When you look at what the Prime Minister says versus what he does, it no longer passes the pub test.'

Mr Albanese's office said 'all expenses are in accordance with the relevant rules and guidelines administered by the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority'.

The prime minister fielded a question from journalists on Tuesday about whether the cost-of-living crisis is as bad today as it was in the 1960s.

Mr Albanese responded that growing up in the 60s in social housing with a single mother was 'pretty tough'.

'People who are doing it tough are doing it tough and they deserve respect, and they deserve respect, rather than games, I get that people are doing it tough,' he said.

'Throughout our history, from time to time, there will be people in the community who do it really hard, and they have my thoughts with them.

'Like other politicians, and dare I say it, like senior journalists are in a position of privilege. We accept that.

Revelations of his expenses came after Mr Albanese sympathised with Australians doing it tough

'I grew up in a household where every single dollar mattered, with a mum on an invalid pension struggling for every fortnight to pay she managed to come through.

'I know what it's like to do it tough.'

Despite having risen to a salary of just under $600,000, Mr Albanese said he was still approachable and regularly engaged with Aussies 'each and every day'.

'I walk through supermarkets, I walk through shopping centres and that is a part of the way that you keep in touch with the concerns which are there,' he said.

'And I know people are doing it tough.'

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton racked up $2.8million expenses during the same 12-month period.
A baby boy who endured multiple surgeries after being scalded by hot coffee in a daytime attack at a Brisbane park has finally been released from hospital.

Nine-month-old Luka was with his mother and a friend at Hanlon Park, in Coorparoo, on August 27 when he was allegedly attacked by a man who poured a thermos of coffee over him.

After more than a week in hospital and multiple rounds of critical surgeries, the boy's mother revealed on Wednesday afternoon the toddler was finally home.

A baby burned with coffee has been released from hospital. Picture: Supplied

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

In a social media post, the mother said they had 'been home for a few hours and he's already knocked his head'.

'It's gonna be a great few months. Back to hospital on Friday and then Monday to start the grafting process,' she said.

A photo included in the post showed Luka smiling widely while in his mother's arms, with bandages on his arm and chin.

Baby Luka's third surgery was undertaken on Monday, with earlier procedures revealing he would likely suffer scars under his neck and chest due to the serious burns.

Luka suffered severe burns following the attack last week

The man behind the attack fled the park and despite more than a week of searching by police and appeals to the public, is yet to be located by officers.

After fleeing the park, he went to a church in nearby Tarragindi, where he changed his clothes outside.

He then caught a rideshare car to Brisbane's CBD and travelled to Caxton Street.

Last week, police released images of a man they want to speak to. He is described as being between 30 to 40-years-old.
The lawyer representing Linda Reynolds has accused Brittany Higgins of taking a designer jacket from her former boss, as a blockbuster defamation trial between the pair comes to an end.

Senator Reynolds' lawyer Martin Bennett told the WA Supreme Court on Wednesday during his closing arguments that the senator believed her junior staffer stole her Carla Zampatti jacket.

Mr Bennett said that as the senator believed Ms Higgins had stolen the jacket, Senator Reynolds could not have been harassing her former staffer.

'She probably did (take the jacket),' Mr Bennett told the court.

Ms Higgins has previously stated she took the jacket from a goodwill box in the senator's office after she left Parliament House on the morning of the alleged rape by fellow Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann.

Mr Bennett said the senator was not harassing Ms Higgins when she gave an interview on Channel 7's Spotlight show, telling the court his client could not be criticised for being in a position of safe neutrality when she gave the interview.

At the time, Mr Lehrmann was in the process of launching his own defamation proceedings, Mr Bennett told the court.

Senator Reynolds is suing Ms Higgins and her husband David Sharaz over social media posts the pair made in 2022 and 2023.

The lawyer representing Linda Reynolds has accused Brittany Higgins (pictured with her husband David Sharaz) of taking a designer jacket from her former boss

Senator Reynolds' (pictured) lawyer Martin Bennett told the WA Supreme Court on Wednesday during his closing arguments that the senator believed her junior staffer stole her Carla Zampatti jacket

The posts were critical of Senator Reynolds' handling of Ms Higgins' allegation she was raped in Parliament House in 2019 by her then-colleague Mr Lehrmann.

He 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.

Mr Lehrmann lost a subsequent civil defamation case in April this year when the Federal Court determined, on the balance of probabilities, that he had raped Ms Higgins at Parliament House. He is appealing that decision.

Mr Bennett told the court it was defamatory of Ms Higgins to say the senator wanted to silence victims of sexual assault.

He said the senator had spoken out about preventing the media from exploiting victims who had made a complaint.

In doing so, the senator pointed to NSW legislation that prevents victims of sexual assault from speaking to the media before a criminal matter is prosecuted.

Mr Bennett told the court no one had said the legislation in NSW was trying to silence victims.

He said it was not a question of silencing victims but rather a complaint should be worked through the criminal justice system.

Justice Paul Tottle interrupted the lawyer, saying the effect of the change in law that was the subject matter of the submission in question, would prevent victims discussing with the media what happened to them.

The judge said the amendment contemplated by the senator would make it a new offence that would prohibit a person, which was close to silence.

Mr Bennett argued the senator's position was to prosecute perpetrators, and not to make it more difficult.

Text messages between Ms Higgins and her husband David Sharaz illustrate how the couple orchestrated a campaign to hurt Senator Reynolds and bring down the Morrison government, the court was told earlier on Wednesday.

Mr Bennett said a text conversation between Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz showed the pair 'mocking' the senator for being hospitalised after Ms Higgins went public with her rape allegation.

The senator was hospitalised after she collapsed in parliament. She had faced intense questioning by Labor senators over Ms Higgins' allegations.

Messages were read out in court showing the pair discussing the senator taking time off work, and talking with journalists about her.

'Linda has delayed her return to work hahah' and 'some s*** Linda you are walking in it,' messages read.

Mr Bennett said the messages 'mock the fact the attack initiated on my client has caused her to go on sick leave'.

He said Ms Higgins told news.com.au political editor Samantha Maiden 'off the record' that she did not think the senator should lose her job.

It had been widely reported in the media that it was no longer tenable for Senator Reynolds to hold the defence ministry.

'Why off the record?' he questioned.

'Did she not want Maiden to publish, we say her genuine honest belief after the allegations she made against Reynolds?' Mr Bennett asked.

Ms Higgins has previously stated she took the jacket from a goodwill box in the senator's office after she left Parliament House on the morning of the alleged rape by fellow Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann

Senator Reynolds' lawyer Martin Bennett told the WA Supreme Court on Wednesday that as the senator believed Ms Higgins had stolen the jacket, Senator Reynolds could not have been harassing her former staffer

Other text messages between the pair revealed Ms Higgins cleared her phone out before she reopened her complaint about the alleged rape with the Australian Federal Police.

Mr Bennett said the defence's imputation Senator Reynolds engaged in questionable conduct during Mr Lehrmann's criminal trial focused on the conduct of the senator's partner Robert Reid.

He said it could not be seriously contested because the senator's partner attended the criminal trial each day, and she wanted to know what was said in court.

Senator Reynolds was a witness in the trial and was working in Rwanda when criminal proceedings against Mr Lehrmann started in the ACT Magistrates Court.

During the criminal trial, Senator Reynolds sent Mr Lehrmann's lawyer Steve Whybrow a text message asking if the daily court transcripts could be sent to her lawyer.

Mr Bennett argued it was reasonable for his client to be interested in the criminal trial because she had been slandered for the past 18 months, and was being sued by Ms Higgins in another matter.

Mr Bennett said it was relevant to what was being said in the criminal trial for the civil trial, but she did not ask for the transcript herself, she asked for the transcript to be sent to her lawyer.

Senator Linda Reynolds (right) was hospitalised after she collapsed in parliament

Mr Bennett added when Mr Reid was seen talking to Mr Whybrow outside the court at the criminal trial it could have been about anything.

He said it did not mean the senator engaged in questionable conduct.

Mr Bennett told the court Ms Higgins' evidence during her personal injury claim with the Commonwealth was complete fiction.

He said when she was asked about seeking counselling and being offered support in the wake of her allegations, her answers were wrong.

'The only thing she got right was when the federal election was called,' he said.

'Every paragraph in these particulars is wrong.'

Senator Reynolds was excluded from the mediation proceedings when a $2.4million settlement was made between Ms Higgins and the Commonwealth, the court was told.

The senator has maintained she was never given an opportunity to defend any allegations that were made against her during the settlement.

She believed the Commonwealth had engaged in a level of corruption surrounding the compensation payment.

The senator reported the settlement to the National Anti-Corruption Committee to investigate circumstances surrounding it.

Mr Bennett argued the senator was entitled to provide journalists with a letter she received about the settlement that was marked confidential and privileged.

He told the court not a single sentence in the letter was a scrap of legal privilege or was about Ms Higgins.

He said this was not harassing Ms Higgins, but the senator was concerned about the conduct of the Commonwealth and how the settlement was reached.

Mr Bennett said the concept of a 24 hour news cycle was only a fallacy of thought by people who lived their life on the internet or phone.

He said a social media post created by Ms Higgins mixed fact with opinion, arguing that altered the analysis of the opinion when the underlying facts were wrong.

Mr Bennett said the matter misrepresented the truth and there was no public interest in misinformation.

'You can't gloss over the requirement to act reasonably,' he said.
Russian missiles and drones pounded Ukraine's western city of Lviv in a brutal dawn attack today, killing at least seven people and leaving dozens injured.

Sitting less than 40 miles from the Polish border, Lviv has largely escaped the brunt of two and a half years of war.

But this morning's barrage by Russia's armed forces battered residential buildings with emergency teams discovering the bodies of three children among the dead.

Horrific images circulated on social media this morning showed bewildered victims staggering away from the scene of missile blasts covered in blood and dust as rescuers dragged corpses out of the rubble on makeshift stretchers.

At least 35 people were injured in the indiscriminate attack, according to city mayor Andrii Sadovyi, with the death toll expected to rise sharply.

The attack on Lviv comes just one day after Ukraine suffered one of the most devastating single attacks of the entire war when two Russian missiles scored a direct hit on a military academy and a nearby hospital in the city of Poltava.

At least 51 people were killed and close to 300 injured in the punishing explosions that tore into the heart of the Poltava Military Institute of Communication's main building, causing several stories to collapse.

Some 15 people are still believed to be trapped under the debris, with time running out to save them.

In the wake of the attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to 'hold the Russian scum accountable' and yet again implored Kyiv's US and European partners to help with air defences and allow long-range strikes into Russia.

An injured man walks with paramedics after getting rescued from a residential building damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine September 4, 2024

A drone view shows a residential building heavily damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine September 4, 2024

A view shows a burning residential building damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine September 4, 2024

A view shows a burning residential building damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine September 4, 2024

A police officer and emergency workers carry an injured person rescued from a residential building damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine September 4, 2024

Rescuers work at the site of a residential building damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine September 4, 2024

In his nightly video address delivered later than usual yesterday amid the fallout of the attacks in Poltava, Zelensky spoke about rescue efforts and warned that the death toll could increase as rescuers comb through the debris of the military institute.

'It is known that there are people under the rubble of the destroyed building,' he said. 'Everything is being done to save as many lives as possible.'

Ukrainian officials have not yet specified how many of the victims were civilians or from the armed forces, but the attack was a major blow to Kyiv as it tries to bolster its ranks to hold off a more powerful enemy.

'The Land Forces Command is conducting an investigation to determine whether enough was done to protect the lives and health of the soldiers at the facility,' a statement said.

Air raid sirens were sounded in Poltava ahead of the strike, but Russia's use of ballistic missiles - which hit targets hundreds of kilometres away within a few minutes of their launch - meant the victims had very little time to find cover, the foreign ministry said.

'This is a stunning tragedy for all of Ukraine. The enemy hit an educational institution and a hospital,' Ukraine's first lady, Olena Zelenska, wrote on X.

Some Ukrainians left worried messages on the institute's Facebook page seeking information about their loved ones.

'One of the institute's buildings was partially destroyed, and many people were trapped under the rubble,' the defence ministry said on Telegram.

'Thanks to the coordinated work of rescuers and medics, 25 people were rescued, 11 of whom were taken from the rubble. The rescuers are currently continuing their work.'

US President Joe Biden vowed Washington would continue military aid to Kyiv, 'including providing the air defence systems and capabilities they need to protect their country', but made no mention of allowing long-range strikes into Russia.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the attack on Poltava a 'sickening act of aggression', while German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the brutality of Russian President Vladimir Putin 'knows no limits'.

A drone view shows residential buildings heavily damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv

A general view shows a residential building and burning cars damaged during Russian missile and drone strikes, amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, in Lviv

A rescuer walks along cars damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine September 4

Polish and allied aircraft were forced to scramble for the third time in eight days to ensure the safety of Polish airspace amid this morning's strike on Lviv, which sits less than 40 miles from the border

Poltava's Governor Pronin said yesterday that about 150 residents had donated blood to help treat the wounded.

Defence Ministry spokesman Dmytro Lazutkin told national TV that classes at the institute were underway at the time of the attack in Poltava.

He said the alarm sounded at just after 9am local time, prompting people to rush to the shelter.

'A few minutes after the air alert, explosions sounded,' he said, adding that there were no parades going on at the time.

Russian officials did not immediately comment on the attack on Poltava, but Moscow in recent weeks has intensified its missile and drone attacks on Ukraine after two and a half years of war.

Last week Ukraine was pummelled with the heaviest bombardment to date, and on Monday ballistic and cruise missiles targeted Kyiv causing loud explosions.

In response to last week's incessant strikes, Ukraine sought to hit back with more than 158 drones over the weekend.

The attack successfully damaged an oil refinery near Moscow and a power station, but the majority of the drones were downed by Russian air defences.

Fighting on the ground has also intensified over the past month, with Russian forces advancing in eastern Ukraine while Kyiv's troops continue their large-scale cross-border assault into Russia's Kursk region.

A police officer and emergency workers carry an injured person rescued from a residential building damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine September 4, 2024

Smoke rises as firefighters extinguish a fire on a car damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv

People are seen picking through the rubble after a Russian ballistic missile strike in Poltava

Several stories of the military institute and a nearby hospital in Poltava collapsed

Air raid sirens were sounded in Poltava ahead of the strike, but Russia's use of ballistic missiles - which hit targets hundreds of kilometres away within a few minutes of their launch - meant the victims had very little time to find cover

Polish and allied aircraft were forced to scramble for the third time in eight days to ensure the safety of Polish airspace amid this morning's strike on Lviv, the Operational Command of the Polish armed forces said.

'This is another very busy night for the entire air defence system in Poland due to the observed activity of the long-range aviation of the Russian Federation carrying out strikes,' the Command said on X.

Zelensky yesterday repeated calls for more Western air defences and urged allies to allow their long-range weapons to be used for strikes deeper into Russian territory.

'We keep telling everyone in the world who has the power to stop this terror: Air defence systems and missiles are needed in Ukraine, not in a warehouse somewhere.

'Long-range strikes that can protect us from Russian terror are needed now, not some time later. Unfortunately, every day of delay means loss of life.'

The fatal strikes on Ukraine also come at a time of political upheaval.

Zelensky last week said he was set to reshuffle his cabinet, while the head of his party in parliament said Tuesday that half of the current ministers were likely to be replaced.

Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba tendered his resignation this morning hours after four other officials stepped down from their positions.

Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Olga Stefanishyna; Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin - who has played a prominent role in boosting arms production - Minister of Justice Denys Maliuska, and Minister of the Environment Ruslan Strilets all submitted their resignation yesterday.
Grenfell Tower was covered in flammable materials because of "systematic dishonesty" from those who made and sold cladding and insulation, the final report has concluded.

Here is a summary of the main firms and what the inquiry into the disaster said about them:

Arconic

Arconic Architectural Products made and sold the Reynobond 55 cladding panels with a polyethylene (PE) core which were used in the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower and were later found to have fuelled the blaze.

The phase one report in 2019 concluded the 'principal reason' the flames shot up the building at such speed was the combustible cladding, which acted as a 'source of fuel'.

The final report noted that polyethylene 'burns fiercely' and, when used in cassette form (as in three-dimensional structures), the Reynobond 55 PE was 'extremely dangerous'.

The phase two report stated that, from 2005 until after the Grenfell Tower fire, Arconic 'deliberately concealed from the market the true extent of the danger of using Reynobond 55 in cassette form, particularly on high-rise buildings'.

Responding to the inquiry, Arconic said it was its subsidiary, Arconic Architectural Products SAS (AAP), which had supplied the material used for cladding in the tower's refurbishment, and that it rejects 'any claim that AAP sold an unsafe product' and 'did not conceal information from or mislead any certification body, customer, or the public'.

Celotex

Celotex was the manufacturer of the majority of the insulation boards used in the refurbishment.

Its Rs5000 was one of the insulation components used in the Grenfell Tower rainscreen cladding system and its TB4000 insulation was used to fill gaps in the window surrounds during the refurbishment of the tower.

The inquiry's final report concluded that it had 'embarked on a dishonest scheme to mislead its customers and the wider market' in an attempt to break into a market which had been dominated by Kingspan.

In its response, Celotex said it had 'reviewed and improved process controls, quality management and the approach to marketing within the Celotex business to meet industry best practice'.

Kingspan

The company has long said its K15 insulation product made up 5% of the insulation in the tower block and was used without its knowledge.

But the report found that Kingspan 'knowingly created a false market in insulation' from 2005 onwards for use on buildings over 18 metres tall by claiming its K15 product had been part of a system that had been successfully tested under the BS 8414 cladding fire safety test, meaning it could be used in the wall of any building of that height regardless of its design or other components.

Responding to the report, Kingspan said it had 'long acknowledged the wholly unacceptable historical failings that occurred in part of our UK insulation business' but said these were 'in no way reflective of how we conduct ourselves as a group, then or now'.

Rydon

Rydon was appointed in 2014 as the design and build contractor for the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower.

Along with architect Studio E it was deemed to have taken 'a casual approach to contractual relations'.

The report found Rydon was 'ill-equipped to oversee the work of its sub-contractors and consultants' and that the firm and others appeared to have 'assumed that someone else was, or should be, taking responsibility for critical decisions, such as the choice of insulation, rainscreen panels and other materials'.

Studio E

Architect Studio E was responsible for the design of the external wall and the choice of materials used in the construction.

Its 'failure to recognise' the ACM (aluminium composite material) was dangerous and to warn the tenant management organisation (TMO) against using it 'represented a failure to act in accordance with the standard of a reasonably competent architect'.

Its failure also to recognise that the Celotex insulation was combustible and unsuitable for use in a high-rise meant it 'bears a very significant degree of responsibility for the disaster'.

BRE

The Building Research Establishment had, the report noted, held a trusted position within the construction industry and was recognised both nationally and internationally as a leader in fire safety.

But it added: 'However, from 1991 much of the work it carried out in relation to testing the fire safety of external walls was marred by unprofessional conduct, inadequate practices, a lack of effective oversight, poor reporting and a lack of scientific rigour.'

It had been a government agency providing independent advice and information on building performance, construction and fire safety in the UK, before it was privatised in 1997.

The report said that in some cases there was 'evidence of a desire to accommodate existing customers and to retain its status within the industry at the expense of maintaining the rigour of its processes and considerations of public safety'.

Exova

Exova provided fire safety advice to Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO) for the proposed tower refurbishment.

The final report found that Exova 'bears considerable responsibility for the fact that Grenfell Tower was in a dangerous condition on completion of the refurbishment'.
An Aussie family were told it would cost them $800 to change the name on a plane ticket so they could travel together for an important footy match.

Abby Woodruff and her family wanted fly from Melbourne to Brisbane this weekend to cheer on their beloved Carlton in a must-win AFL elimination final against the Brisbane Lions at The Gabba.

The diehard Blues fans found out at the last minute that Ms Woodruff's father wouldn't be able to make the trip.

The family decided to take their eight-year-old daughter instead.

Ms Woodruff's husband Kade called Jetstar to make the change, only to discover the simple request would cost a hefty amount.

The couple had expected to pay a fee for the change but were shocked by how much they would have to fork out.

'When they said $800, we were gobsmacked,' Ms Woodruff told Yahoo.

The couple considered booking another ticket instead, but found it was going to cost them a whopping $1,250.

Ms Woodruff's (pictured left) husband Kade (pictured right) called Jetstar to make the change only to discover the simple request was going to cost them the hefty amount

'That wasn't really an option,' she explained.

Ms Woodruff said they had already paid $550 for the seat that was booked for her father.

She uploaded a post to Facebook to reveal how much the pair would have to pay, where Aussies were quick to express their fury.

'How can they justify that much?' one person wrote.

'Outrageous,' another person wrote.

Others said they faced a similar situation when they tried to rebook a ticket under the name of a different passenger.

'Had the same problem last year. They said they would cancel the ticket and refund me, but the flight was full so they couldn't rebuy the ticket under a different name,' one person wrote.

A Jetstar spokesman told Daily Mail Australia they didn't charge the extra amount to change the name of the ticket.

'After speaking with Mr Woodruff to get a better understanding of the family's specific circumstances, on compassionate grounds we have transferred their grandfather's fare into the name of another passenger,' the spokesman said.

Jetstar did not charge the extra amount to change the name of the ticket on compassionate grounds (stock image)

Daily Mail Australia understands the process of transferring the booking name to someone else incurs a changing fee.

The fee also includes a fare difference, which is the difference between the original price and the advertised fare, for the same flight when the request to change the name is made.

The purpose of the policy is to prevent customers from purchasing cheaper tickets and selling them at a higher price.

The cost of changing a passenger's name on a ticket is specified in Jetstar's terms and conditions.
Queen guitarist Sir Brian May has suffered a stroke that left him unable to use his arm.

The legendary musician, astrophysicist and animal rights campaigner, 77, announced he was rushed to hospital following the medical emergency in a video shared to his personal website on Wednesday morning.

However, Sir Brian, who looked animated and well in the clip despite the 'scary' episode, said he can still play guitar following what he called his 'little health hiccup.'

He has asked fans not to 'clutter up' his inbox with good wishes, adding that he doesn't want sympathy. The health scare is his second in four years, after he endured a heart attack for which he underwent surgery.

The Queen guitarist was recovering from a ripped muscle and trapped nerve as a result of a gardening injury, when he suffered a heart attack in May 2020.

Sir Brian May has revealed he suffered a stroke last week that left him unable to use his left arm

May is the guitarist in legendary rock band Queen (pictured: John Deacon, Freddie Mercury, Brian May and Roger Taylor Queen in 1970)

Sir Brian revealed he had suffered a 'minor stroke' - but he has reassured fans he can still play guitar, twiddling his fingers for emphasis in the clip

He had been seen in public just days before, appearing on TV's This Morning to discuss his BBC documentary on badger culling on August 23

He quietly revealed the news of his stroke in the early hours of Wednesday morning, with an Instagram post of the video shared at 1.42am UK time.

'I'm here to bring you some good news - the good news is that I can play guitar after the events of the last few days,' he said, twiddling his fingers for emphasis.

'I say this because it was in some doubt because that little health hiccup that I mentioned happened about a week ago and what they called it was a minor stroke.'

The We Will Rock You writer revealed the incident left him temporarily unable to use his left arm and he had a 'very exciting' emergency ambulance journey to Frimley Hospital in Surrey.

He has praised medical staff for giving him the 'most fantastic care.'

'All of a sudden, out of the blue, I didn't have any control over this arm, so it was a little scary, I have to say,' he continued.

'I didn't want to say anything at the time because I didn't want anything surrounding, you know. I really don't want sympathy.

'Please don't do that because it'll clutter up my inbox and I hate that.'

But the animal rights activist, who has campaigned against the culling of badgers to prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis, says he is currently 'grounded' as a result.

'The good news is I'm okay. Just doing what I'm told, which is basically nothing. I'm grounded.

'I'm not allowed to go out - well, I'm not allowed to drive, not allowed to get on a plane, not allowed to raise the heart rate too high... but I'm good.'

The rocker - who also has a PhD in astrophysics after abandoning his studies to pursue a career in music - had been seen in public just days before the scare, appearing on ITV's This Morning on August 23 to promote his BBC documentary on badger tuberculosis.

He was also photographed a week beforehand discussing the documentary at a wildlife centre in Surrey.

Status Quo guitarist Francis Rossi, 75, was among the first fellow rockers to wish Sir Brian well.

He told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'It comes to us, I suppose. We're in our mid 70s, I just wish him well.'

He added of Sir Brian's guitar-playing: 'If he keeps practicing I'm sure it will work (out).'

Brian May pictured at a wildlife rescue centre in Surrey on August 15 - days before he is thought to have suffered a stroke

The Queen guitarist has campaigned on the topic of badger culling for years (pictured in 2016 outside the Houses of Parliament)

The Queen guitarist was recovering from a ripped muscle and trapped nerve as a result of a gardening injury, when he suffered a heart attack in 2020

Sir Brian was able to see the lighter side of the ordeal - captioning a video on the topic 'Sheer Heart Attack after one of Queen's best-known albums

Without missing a beat, Sir Brian also discussed the reaction to the film, which aired the night of August 23, in the video he shared this morning.

'The other news is our documentary has been very much in our minds,' he continued.

'We had some great reactions from farmers particularly - also from wildlife people of course, because were very much in that corner still - but the documentary was really about farmers, as people discovered to their surprise, I think.

'Its no surprise to me that we are not at odds at all with the farmers. We are at odds with the people who have been feeding them the wrong information.'

He has since shared other videos on badgers on Instagram - suggesting the stroke has done little to temper his fervent campaigning.

This is not the first health scare the glam rock guitarist has suffered, having survived a heart attack in 2020.

He had been recuperating from a torn muscle and trapped nerve as a result of a gardening injury when he experienced a sudden onset of chest pains.

Sir Brian reported his concerns to his doctor - who drove him to hospital himself, where the guitarist learned he had a number of blocked arteries.

Sharing a video on social media recounting the experience, he said: 'I was shocked, I thought I was a healthy guy. Everyone says I've got a great blood pressure and I keep fit, I bike, good diet.

'I had - in the middle of the whole saga of the painful backside - I had a small heart attack. I say small, it's not something that did me any harm. It was about 40 minutes of pain in the chest and tightness. It's that feeling in the arms and sweating.

'And you kind of know, you've heard things and you think "this is a heart attack". To cut a long story short, my wonderful doctor drove me to the hospital himself and I had an angiogram (an X-ray used to examine blood vessels).'

Sir Brian went on to reveal that doctors discovered he had three arteries congested and he was in danger of blocking the supply of blood to his heart.

Doctors suggested that he undergo open heart surgery, but Brian opted for the alternative which was to have three stents put inside his heart.

Sir Brian May pictured at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone in July this year

Sir Brian May is married to Eastenders legend Anita Dobson, who played Angie Watts on the BBC soap

Sir Brian continues to perform with Queen - seen here playing the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan last October

He still managed to see the bright side, captioning the video: 'Hmm... Sheer Heart Attack eh?', after one of the band's best known albums.

Recounting the scare, his wife Anita Dobson said she initially thought her husband Brian May's 2020 heart attack was down to him 'overdoing it' after too much exercise.

The EastEnders legend, 73, was later shocked to learn the real extent of his ill health, when he was hospitalised and found to be 'very near death'.

Speaking to the Mail's Richard Eden about Brian's heart attack, Anita recalled: 'He said, "Babe, I think I'm having a heart attack", I said "No, you've been exercising and you've overdone it".'

However, her guitarist husband of 22 years was quick to emphasise things were more serious than she thought, as she added: 'He replied, "No, this is different".'

Sir Brian courted controversy last month after filming BBC documentary, Brian May: The Badgers, The Farmers and Me, in which he blasted the ongoing badger cull, which has killed tens of thousands of the creatures.

It inflamed a BBC bias row amid claims that commissioning the film was 'incompatible' with the broadcaster's impartiality rules.

After the documentary aired, Labour announced that it would end the badger cull within five years and set about vaccinating the animals against bovine TB.

Sir Brian got his start in music forming the band 1984 with school friends in the 1960s before forming Smile with Roger Taylor, who would later become Queen's drummer.

The pair joined forces with a young African immigrant called Farrokh Bulsara - aka Freddie Mercury - to form Queen in 1970, recruiting John Deacon as bassist and creating one of the world's greatest ever rock bands.

Sir Brian was given an OBE in 2005 and knighted last year for services to music and charity.

He was among the surviving members of Queen, alongside Freddie's estate, to benefit from the sale of the band's entire back catalogue to Sony Music for a reported 1billion earlier this year.
September 4, 2024: In 2004 General Atomics (GA), an American firm founded in 1955 to carry out research on practical applications of nuclear power, spun off a subsidiary, called General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GAAS) to work on unmanned aircraft called UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) or drones. Since then GAAS has developed and introduced the MQ-1 Predator, MQ-1C Gray Eagle, MQ-9 Reaper, MQ-9B Guardian, and MQ-20 Avenger. The Avenger was unique because it used a jet engine rather than a rear propeller. Only seven Avengers were sold since its introduction during 2011.

Since then GAAS also developed Gambit, a unique jet propelled drone that weighs about two tons and comes in several variants for reconnaissance, electronic warfare, combat, and testing new manned aircraft sensors in realistic situations without endangering pilots. Gambit also makes heavy use of electronic systems that enable it to operate autonomously, without a ground operator. This means Gambit cannot be jammed. After it completes a mission, it returns to its base. If it cannot return or is damaged, Gambit deliberately crashes.

So far there have been no orders for Gambit, but the U.S. Air Force and Navy are interested and may eventually purchase Gambit when it reaches a point in its development that makes it worth paying more than $20 million for each Gambit.

Meanwhile, in 2022 the U.S. Air Force has announced plans to end its quarter-century propeller-driven large UAV program. This meant that the current MQ-9 Reaper will no longer be purchased and units equipped with it will be disbanded as combat and non-combat losses are incurred. The air force has not yet selected a Reaper replacement but is referring to it as MQ-X and mandated that it must be jet powered.

The five-ton Reaper itself replaced the similar but smaller 1.1-ton MQ-1 Predator. While the last air force Predator was built in 2010, the U.S. Army kept purchasing an upgraded Predator known as the RQ-1C Gray Eagle. Both Predator and Reaper were developed and manufactured by General Atomics.

A decade ago, the air force planned to have over a thousand of these large, armed, Reaper UAVs. That did not happen because most American troops were gone from Iraq and Afghanistan by 2014, so there was less demand for these UAVs and less procurement cash to pay for them.

For over a decade the air force has been seeking a Reaper replacement, mainly in the form of a jet powered UAV. One of the first candidates was the General Atomics Avenger. Development of Avenger began after September 11, 2001. The first flight was supposed to have been in 2007 but there were technical problems that kept coming up. The nine-ton Avenger looked like a larger jet powered version of the five-ton Reaper. Avenger is 13.2 meters long, with a 20.1-meter wingspan and built to be stealthy. The V shaped tail and smooth lines of the swept wing aircraft made it difficult to detect by radar. There is a humpbacked structure on top of the aircraft for the engine air intake. There is an internal bomb bay to hold about a ton of weapons, sensors, or additional fuel to provide another two hours of flying time, in addition to the standard 20 hours endurance. The 4,800-pound thrust engine is designed to minimize the heat signature that sensors can pick up. Total payload is 1.36 tons and total weight of the aircraft is nine tons. Cruising speed is 740 kilometers an hour. The Avenger is designed to fly at altitudes up to 20,000 meters and cross oceans.

Avenger took its first flight in early 2009. Until 2009 the Avenger didn't officially exist and was a secret program. Avenger is, like Reaper, a combat UAV designed to carry weapons as well as sensors. A decade ago, Avengers cost about $15 million each. The air force rejected Avenger in 2012 because it offered marginal improvements over the Reaper. Despite the internal bomb bay, Avenger was expected to be used primarily to carry ground surveillance radar, which could be mounted on the bottom of the aircraft in an aerodynamically smooth enclosure. So far there have been few customers, although it did receive a military designation; MQ-20. Officially the air force bought one and an unidentified U.S. government agency bought up to seven. One Avenger was used in 2016 to drop propaganda leaflets in Syria.

The air force search for a Reaper replacement was suspended until 2022, when the air force announced the revival of an effort to find an MQ-X. Avenger is apparently not a candidate. There are other possibilities. In 2014 the U.S. Department of Defense revealed that a long rumored RQ-180 UAV did indeed exist and was still in development. The RQ-180 weighs more than 12 tons and is a stealthy UAV designed to survive in heavily defended airspace. The earlier RQ-170 was a similar, but smaller, version of the same basic design. RQ-170s were also suspected as being the basis for a larger and stealthier UAV and this is now revealed to be the RQ-180.

Both the RQ-170 and RQ-180 are jet propelled UAVs employing a flying wing design, similar to the X-45s and X-47s built as development aircraft for the U.S. Air Force and Navy. These UCAVs (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles) were built to carry weapons while the similar looking reconnaissance UAVs just carry sensors internally. The RQ-170 and RQ-180 are purely reconnaissance aircraft. The RQ-170 weighs about six tons while the larger RQ-180 weighs at least twice as much. Endurance of the RQ-170 is about six hours while the RQ-180 can stay up three to four times longer. The RQ-180 also carries more capable sensors, apparently some of the ones used in the jet-powered 14-ton RQ-4 Global Hawk. Some RQ-180s have been put into service but only a few have been built so far.

General Atomics continued to update MQ-1 Predator and in 2021 introduced the 3.1-ton Mojave. This is an armed UAV that can carry up to 16 Hellfire ground attack missiles. No one has purchased Mojave yet and it is considered still in development.

There is no military designation because no one has ordered Mojave, which is based on the U.S. Armys MQ-1C Gray Eagle. Technically the Mojave would be the MQ-1D. It uses current Gray Eagle components but with a more powerful 450 HP engine, compared to MQ-1Cs 180 HP, and a new wing design that is optimized for STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) capabilities. There is new landing gear that can handle taking off and landing on dirt roads or open fields. Mohave is heavier, at 1.6 tons, and has a larger payload. This means it can carry more Hellfire laser guided missiles or a more extensive collection of sensors, including a SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) pod and two missiles at the same time. General Atomics has heard from special operations users of Gray Eagle and other larger UAVs that something like Mojave is needed but no one has developed it yet,

The army Gray Eagle has been upgraded several times. In 2017 the U.S. Army started receiving the new MQ-1C ER/Extended Range version and starting in 2018 this was the only model the army will receive. The army has ordered 107 MQ-1Cs since 2010 and plans to eventually have over 150. Currently only about a hundred are in service.

The original MQ-1C Block 1 Gray Eagle weighed 1.5 tons, had a 160 HP engine, carried 135.4 kg of sensors internally, and up to 227.3 kg of sensors or weapons externally. It has an endurance of 30 hours and a top speed of 270 kilometers an hour. MQ-1C has a wingspan of 18 meters and is 9 meters long. The MQ-1C can carry four Hellfire missiles, compared to two on the Predator, or a dozen smaller 70mm guided missiles.

The MQ-1C ER has a better engine, fifty percent more fuel capacity, over 75 percent more endurance, from 30 to 53 hours. Payload increased by 50 percent from 372 kg to 558 kg. The fuselage has been modified to handle the increased fuel load and has greater reliability and stability in the air. The additional internal space makes it easier to install a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) that makes it possible to fly in airspace used by civilian manned aircraft.

The MQ-1C itself is an upgrade of the MQ-1 Predator the U.S. Air Force and CIA used extensively since the late 1990s to redefine the use of aircraft for reconnaissance, surveillance, and airstrikes. Fewer than 500 MQ-1s were produced for the air force and CIA before both organizations moved on to the larger MQ-9 Reaper. Meanwhile the army got a customized upgrade of the MQ-1 into production and found it satisfactory. The MQ-9 is larger than the army needs or can afford but the MQ-1C was the right size and price for the army. A major reason for developing Gray Eagle was the army did not want to depend on the air force for all its UAV needs and, after a major struggle with the Department of Defense bureaucracy, the army got the air force to back off on its efforts to claim control over all UAVs. In this endeavor the army was supported by the navy and marines, who had also had past problems with the air forces efforts to control everything that flew.

The army needed their own large armed reconnaissance UAVs because, when the air force controls UAVs, air force needs take precedence and the army is left to improvise. The army operates their MQ-1Cs like any other aircraft in Army Aviation Brigades. The UAV operators are located with the rest of brigade personnel and troops on the ground have direct contact with the Gray Eagles and easy access to what it is seeing. General Atomics noted that while the Aviation Brigade helicopters could, and often did, operate from just about anywhere, the Gray Eagles still needed a paved surface for takeoffs and landings. A stretch of paved highway would do but that is not always available and when used the highway requires more manpower to keep it clear of debris or any other obstacles. Mojave is much less demanding and the army is considering purchasing some.

While the army accepted the heavier and more expensive ER version, an even heavier 1.9 ton and more capable IGE (Improved Gray Eagle) was developed by General Atomics without a contract and presented to the army, which bought 36 IGEs for intelligence missions and the army Special Forces.

Mohave is an impressive version of the original Predator and may find customers who perceive a need for a large UAV that can operate from just about anywhere. The U.S. Air Force already has units that can be sent just about anywhere and turn an abandoned airfield or any reasonably flat surface into an airbase, complete with radar and traffic control, in less than a day. C-17 and C-130 transports can operate from these improvised air bases, and now so can a large UAV that requires a runway. The air force considers jet-propulsion as a basic requirement for MQ-X. Yet if you want a version of MQ-X that can operate from just about anywhere, it will have to be something like Mojave.

Meanwhile Chinese manufacturers developed cheaper clones of Predator and Reaper and sold them, with or without weapons, to anyone who could pay. That destroyed much of the export market for Predators and Reapers. China and Russia are also developing jet-powered UAVs, with the same lack of success, so far, as the United States.
Downing Street is set to have four resident cats after it emerged Rachel Reeves is following Keir Starmer in getting a new pet.

The Chancellor has been persuaded to draft in a feline by her children after the PM revealed a Siberian kitten is joining his family.

The Starmers already have a cat named Jojo who moved with them from North London after the election - while Larry has been at No10 since David Cameron was premier. Worrying, he has been known to fight with other local mousers.

But the influx of pets might not purely be down to child pressure. One government source said: 'There's a reason why everyone in Downing Street is getting a cat - the place is riddled with mice.'

Downing Street is set to have four resident cats after it emerged Rachel Reeves is following Keir Starmer in getting a new pet

Sir Keir purchased a Siberian kitten which was collected by his daughter on Monday (file photo)

Larry (pictured yesterday) has been at No10 since David Cameron was premier

Larry fighting with Foreign Office Chief Mouser Palmerston, with whom he had a longstanding rivalry until 2019

Sir Keir revealed earlier this week that he had promised his children a German Shepherd when they moved into Number 10.

However, after intense negotiation they decided on a cat, which arrived on Monday.

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 Minister's flat is bomb-proof.

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 Keir's 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 we'd get in the room and sort it out.'

However, Sir Keir said that getting a cat flap was proving 'difficult': 'The problem we've 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 isn't any bigger for two cats than one - and therefore, we're 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 he'll also need a safe, quiet area to retreat to when the energy of a younger member of the team gets a bit too much.'

While there are plenty of cats, Downing Street is now bereft of dogs for the first time in years.

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak had Nova, a Fox Red Labrador, while his chancellor Jeremy Hunt moved in a labrador named Poppy.

Boris Johnson's adopted Jack Russell Dilyn took up residence during his time in power.

Winston Churchill kept two cats, Nelson and Munich Mouser, and a poodle named Rufus at Downing Street.
The United States has said it is time to 'finalise' a deal between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to bow to pressure.

Washington would work 'over the coming days' with fellow mediators Egypt and Qatar 'to push for a final agreement,' said US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

He was speaking after Netanyahu rejected 'concessions' in indirect negotiations with Hamas, despite growing domestic and international pressure following the recovery by Israel's military of six killed hostages from the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.

It comes after the US also expressed their frustration with Sir Keir Starmer over his government's decision to restrict 30 of the 350 arms sales to Israel.

Joe Biden's national security communications advisor, John Kirby, said: 'Every nation can speak for themselves, on how and to what degree that they support Israel. We're going to continue to do what we have to do to support Israel's defensive capabilities.'

Thousands of Israelis gather around Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence with banners to protest last night

Netanyahu has rejected 'concessions' in indirect negotiations with Hamas, despite growing domestic and international pressure

Israeli protestors are pushed back by plain cloths police officer during a demonstration outside the Ministry of Defense last night

The United States on Tuesday unsealed a raft of 'terrorism' and other charges against six Hamas leaders related to the group's October 7 attack on Israel which sparked the war in Gaza.

Those targeted in the February charges include Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar and his predecessor Ismail Haniyeh, who had been engaged in truce talks when he was killed in July in an attack blamed on Israel.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk called for an 'independent, impartial and transparent investigation' into reports that the six captives recovered dead from Gaza had been summarily executed.

Despite increasing grief and fury among Israelis, who have taken to the streets to pressure the government and express concern for the fate of the hostages, Netanyahu said he would 'not give in to pressure'.

The Israeli prime minister 'has been ruining our chances to get a deal with Hamas to return our hostages alive,' Tel Aviv protester Jonathan Edan said Tuesday.

'The only thing he wants to survive is his political career and his coalition,' the 26-year-old told AFP.

The Israeli premier on Monday said 'the achievement of the war's objectives' requires control of the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border, to stop Hamas from rearming.

Egypt on Tuesday rejected accusations its Gaza border was being used to arm Hamas, accusing Netanyahu of seeking to 'distract Israeli public opinion and obstruct reaching a ceasefire deal'.

Saudi Arabia backed Cairo and expressed its 'strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli statements regarding the Philadelphi Corridor', in a foreign ministry statement.

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

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

US President Joe Biden, meeting with negotiators, replied 'no' when asked if he thought Netanyahu was doing enough to secure a hostage deal.

Hamas has long demanded a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and Egyptian officials have objected to an Israeli military presence on the border.

Increasing the pressure on Israel, Britain on Monday said it would suspend some arms exports, citing a 'clear risk' they could be used in a serious breach of international humanitarian law.

On Tuesday, the civil defence spokesman in Hamas-run Gaza said an Israeli raid on a college killed two people and wounded 30.

Israel's military said it had targeted 'Hamas terrorists' at a Gaza City college.

The civil defence agency, witnesses and AFP correspondents also reported air strikes and shelling across southern and central Gaza.

As Israeli forces keep up their bombardment of Gaza, the military said Wednesday it 'intercepted a hostile UAV that approached Israel from the east' of the country bordering Jordan.

Soldiers also pressed ahead with a week-long assault in the occupied West Bank.

Israeli forces have killed at least 30 Palestinians across the northern West Bank since August 28, the territory's health ministry says, while Israel's military reported one soldier killed in the 'counter-terrorism' raids.

Israeli troops have destroyed infrastructure and hindered medics, with the UN's humanitarian agency OCHA saying Israeli forces refused its attempt on Tuesday to reach the community in Jenin.

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

Biden spoke to reporters as he left the White House Monday afternoon for a Labor Day event in Pittsburgh

An AFP journalist saw Palestinian medics trying to pass Israeli troops to reach people trapped in Jenin refugee camp, only to turn back.

'The situation is very catastrophic,' said volunteer medic Faraj al-Jundi, after being denied entry.

'We tried to help with what we could.'

Israel's campaign against Hamas since October 7 has killed at least 40,819 people in Gaza, according to the territory's health ministry. The UN rights office says most of the dead are women and children.

The Hamas attack on Israel 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.

Of 251 hostages seized by Palestinian militants during the attack, 97 remain in Gaza including 33 the Israeli military says are dead. Scores were released during a one-week truce in November - the only one so far.

Abu Obeida, spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, said Monday remaining hostages would return 'inside coffins' if Israel maintains its military pressure on the territory.

With Gaza in ruins and the majority of its 2.4 million residents forced to flee, often taking refuge in cramped and unsanitary conditions, disease has spread.

After the first confirmed polio case in 25 years, a vaccination drive began Sunday amid localised 'humanitarian pauses' in the fighting.

More than 161,000 children have now received a first vaccine dose in central Gaza, the World Health Organization said Tuesday. It aims to fully vaccinate more than 640,000 children altogether.
Shoplifters are using wheelie bins and builders bags to clear entire aisles of food and drink, a Co-op senior executive has revealed.

Paul Gerrard, Co-op's public affairs director, says supermarkets across the UK are seeing their meat, sweets and booze sections ransacked as shoplifting levels surge to record highs.

The supermarket chain boss believes this rise has not been driven by the cost-of living crisis but by people stealing 'huge volumes' of goods to order.

He revealed that Co-op shops had been hit by a 44 per cent rise in shoplifting and a 35 per cent increase in violence and abuse against staff in the last year.

Mr Gerrard told the Lords Home Affairs and Justice committee there were now 1000 incidents in their stores every day - the highest level of crime and abuse the company had ever seen.

Supermarkets across the UK are seeing their meat, sweets and booze sections ransacked as shoplifting levels surge to record highs (pictured: A machete wielding gang eaping over a counter wielding the weapons and grabbing packs of cigarettes in a Co-op store in London)

Co-op shops had been hit by a 44 per cent rise in shoplifting and a 35 per cent increase in violence and abuse against staff in the last year (pictured: CCTV footage of a shoplifter stealing deodorant cans)

Police chiefs have insisted a centralised unit established earlier this year is beginning to 'turn the tide' against prolific shoplifters (pictured: A thief stashing item in his coat in a foiled shoplifting attempt in Sherwood)

He said: 'What is driving a 44 per cent increase in people who are stealing to order huge volumes, people coming into our stores with wheelie bins, people coming into our store with builders bags to steal the entire confectionery section, the entire spirit section, the entire meat section.

'If one of my colleagues gets in the way, there will be a violent threat. There might be a knife, there might be a syringe. I've had colleagues attacked with a medieval mace, we've had colleagues lose their eye, we've had colleagues miscarry.'

Staff have been removed from homes by the Co-op because they had been followed and threatened by the offenders, Mr Gerrard said.

Professor Emmeline Taylor, one of Britain's leading authorities on shoplifting, told the committee that criminals saw the introduction of the 200 threshold for store theft as a 'licence to steal'.

The threshold, introduced in 2014, meant anyone accused of 'low value shoplifting' no longer has to attend court and can plead guilty by post in the same way as a speeding motorist.

It was aimed to free up police time to concentrate on shoplifting by gangs, but offenders told Professor Taylor it was 'a licence to steal as long as they don't pass the 200 limit'.

The City of University lecturer said it also meant the 443,995 shoplifting offences recorded by police last year represented just four per cent of the total 17 million store thefts reported by retailers.

The 200 threshold is set to be scrapped by the Government, after the Tories introduced a specific offence for assault of a shop worker, a policy first proposed by Labour.

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

Paul Gerrard, director of public affairs at the Co-op, said that there had been a shift in approach by police since a new agreement was forged last year with the Government, police and retail industry

Mr Gerrard said that there had been a shift in approach by police since a new agreement was forged last year with the Government, police and retail industry.

Last year, Mr Gerrard criticised the police response to these cases after findings revealed they did not respond to 76% of serious retail crimes reported.

But 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.

'What we've seen over the last 12 to 18 months is the willingness of the police to engage in those partnerships shift significantly,' he said.

'If I look at our partnerships over the first seven months of this year, we are looking at a 200 per cent increase in the number of offenders that the police have managed and we're looking at a 250 per cent increase in prison sentences.'
Britains soft-touch rules for illegal migrants are to blame for the latest English Channel small boat disaster, according to Frances Interior Minister.

Gerald Darmanin spoke out after 12 people including six children and a pregnant woman died when the dinghy they were in ripped in two on Tuesday morning.

It has now emerged that those who lost their lives turned down the chance to be rescued just minutes before disaster struck.

Despite the tragedy, however, more migrants have been spotted making the same perilous journey across the Channel today.

Investigators have revealed that the Abeille Normandie  the Normandy Bee rescue vessel  took 15 people off the stricken boat soon after Mayday calls were put out by some on board.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard the RNLI Lifeboat following a small boat incident in the Channel on Tuesday

France's Minister of the Interior and Overseas, Gerald Darmanin (second right) speaks with mayor of Boulogne-sur-Mer, Frederic Cuvillier (centre) as they arrive on a rescue site following the sinking of a migrant boat attempting to cross the English Channel

A boat thought to be packed with migrants is seen in the sea near the Wimereux beach, France, September 4

The small boat was spotted making the journey just a day after a boat carrying migrants ripped apart in the English Channel

Border Force Ranger picks up a large dinghy in UK waters this morning

Firefighters handle the bodies of migrants who died trying to cross the Channel to England in Boulogne-sur-Mer, northern France on September 3

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Fifteen people got on to the Abeille Normandie, saying they wanted to be rescued as soon as possible, said an investigating source.

The remaining 65 continued on their voyage, and capsized soon afterwards, he added.

A manslaughter investigation has since been opened, as judicial police try to find the people smugglers who provided their faulty dinghy, which split in two.

Judicial police supported by gendarmes are actively searching for the smugglers, who are thought to have charged those on board the equivalent of 1000-a-head for a place on the boat, which was just 26ft long.

It has also emerged that the dinghy had been modified to try to make it go faster in the sea.

Rigid supports were taken out of the bottom of the overcrowded boat, and this made it particularly unstable, says the report.

Axel Baheu, the skipper of the French trawler Murex, was among the first to try and rescue people from the Channel.

Describing the first person pulled out of the sea, Mr Baheu told Le Monde: He was already cold, his eyes were open and foam was coming out of his mouth, he had no pulse.

Mr Baheu heard a phone ringing, saying: It was probably someone calling to see if he was okay or not.

While attacking the people smugglers who provided the faulty boat, Mr Darmanin said in his statement the UK was a place where you can work without papers and where you have little chance of being expelled.

This means that people from all over the world try to get to the country illegally, so as to earn money without official papers.

During a visit to emergency workers in Boulogne-sur-Mer on Tuesday evening, Mr Darmanin said the latest victims were people from the Horn of Africa,.

Only eight of the 80-odd people, most of them Africans from Eritrea, had life jackets, and the boat was struggling in choppy seas

These Eritreans risked the notoriously perilous English Channel crossing to join family, to work there sometimes in conditions that are not acceptable in France, said Mr Darmanin.

Blasting Britain further, he claimed: These people want to go to Great Britain, and it is not the tens of millions of euros that we negotiate each year with our British friends and who only pay a third of what we spend, that will put an end to illegal departures.

Rather than France continuing to pour millions into trying to secure its border with Britain, Mr Darmanin said he wanted to re-establish a traditional migration relationship with our friend and neighbour, the United Kingdom.

He said the best way to do this was through a migration treaty between Great Britain and the European Union.

The latest cross-Channel disaster took place close to the French town of Wimereux, where the local Mayor has frequently argued that such tragedies are all the fault of the British.

Border Force Typhoon collects a small migrant dinghy in UK waters today

Firefighters and Civil Protection agents stand next to bags containing the bodies of migrants

Emergency services have been deployed to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais after a migrant boat capsized

A vessel of the French Gendarmerie Nationale patrols in front of the Wimereux beach, France, September 4 after Tuesday's Channel tragedy

Jean-Luc Dubaele said in April: 'Five dead in January, five dead in April. What are we waiting for?

'Why do the English welcome them? Why do they absolutely want to travel to England? These are the questions that need to be asked.'

He said: 'It is Britain that is responsible for the boats setting off across the English Channel and the deaths that occur in the sea.

'The English pay us to stop the boats setting off but they look after the migrants when they arrive on their shores.

'The English give them accommodation, food, a bank account, and let them work without regulation.

'It is the English who are responsible for every boat that sails across the Channel to England.

'This has been going on for more than 20 years  migrants crossing to England illegally.

'I have been mayor for four years and I've watched as more and more boats leave from these shores and more people die in the sea.

Mr Dubaele has frequently described Britain as an 'immigrant El Dorado', saying easy access to benefits, and a chance to work in the UK's black economy, attracted thousands from around the world.

The stark comments came after a pregnant woman and six children were among 12 people who tragically lost their lives after a boat capsized in the English Channel yesterday.

Frederic Cuvillier, mayor of Boulogne-sur-Mer where casualties were being treated, told the BBC that a pregnant woman was among those who perished after the overcrowded inflatable vessel 'ripped open' off the coast of France.

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Guirec Le Bras, regional prosecutor, said during a news conference that ten women were among the 12 reported to have died - which also included six minors.

He added that those killed were 'primarily of Eritrean origin', but said officials have not yet 'consolidated' enough information to provide further details.

Many of the passengers didn't have life preservers, officials said, with one calling it the deadliest migrant accident in the channel this year.

Some 70 people on board ended up in the water when the bottom of the boat, measuring just seven metres long, 'ripped open'.

Olivier Barbarin, chief of Le Portel, near Boulogne-sur-Mer where casualties were being treated, said: 'Unfortunately, the bottom of the boat ripped open.'

'If people don't know how to swim in the agitated waters... it can go very quickly.'

Mr Barbarin said the boat had set off from the coast at Ambleteuse, around nine miles further north, at around 7am yesterday.

The hull gave way because of the large number of people. There were very few ships around, he said.

A state-chartered vessel, the Minck, had seen the boat in difficulty and went to its rescue said Lieutenant Etienne Baggio, a French coastal official.

He added that search operations, which meant the beach was closed to allow helicopters to land, were still under way last night.

The terrified migrants on board the dingy were also said to have tried to raise the alarm by putting out mayday calls using their mobile phones.

It is one of the deadliest incidents since 27 died after a dinghy sank while heading for the UK in November 2021.

According to the French coastguard, there have been at least 19 deaths in the Channel in 2024 before yesterday. But the International Organisation for Migration estimates 226 people including 35 children are either missing or have died since January.

Rescue workers in helicopters and boats were deployed close to Le Portel, a town of around 9,000, shortly after 11.30am yesterday morning, assisted by local fishermen.

The tragic incident comes after French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to work closer together to dismantle migrant smuggling routes last week

By early evening, Mr Darmanin reported 51 people had been 'saved'.

The French coast guard initially reported 10 people were in critical condition following the sinking. French officials revised this down to two by early evening.

The UK Coastguard yesterday said it has not been involved in the rescue operation.

A spokesperson said: 'HM Coastguard received a report of a small boat in difficulty in the English Channel, in French waters north of Boulogne, at about 6.50am on 3 September.

'The response was coordinated by French authorities. Assistance offered by HM Coastguard was not required.'

The scale of the tragedy prompted Mr Darmanin to call for better relations with the UK to negotiate a 'migration treaty between the UK and the European Union'.

He said: 'The people who go now [are] people from the core of Africa who want to go to the UK and they want to join their families and they actually work in conditions that would not be accepted [in] France.

'And so we really do need to work together to stop these things happening.'

The disaster will pile pressure on the Labour Government to take urgent action to stop the illegal crossings.

The deaths of at least 12 migrants in the English Channel is 'horrifying' and 'deeply tragic,' British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said, following the tragedy.

'What has happened off the coast at Le Portel is a horrifying and deeply tragic incident, and our hearts go out to the loved ones of all those who have lost their lives, and all those who have been seriously injured,' she added.

'I am in touch with my counterpart in France, Gerald Darmanin, and am being kept updated on the situation.

'We pay tribute to the French coastguard and emergency services who undoubtedly saved many lives, but sadly could not save everyone. We will await the results of the French investigation into how this particular incident unfolded.

'The gangs behind this appalling and callous trade in human lives have been cramming more and more people onto increasingly unseaworthy dinghies, and sending them out into the Channel even in very poor weather.

'They do not care about anything but the profits they make, and that is why  as well as mourning the awful loss of life  the work to dismantle these dangerous and criminal smuggler gangs and to strengthen border security is so vital and must proceed apace.

'All government services are mobilised to find the missing and take care of the victims. I go to the elected officials and the emergency services.'

Border security and asylum minister Dame Angela Eagle admitted yesterday that there was a worrying trend that boats are being filled with many more people.

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Theyre always dangerous, this is a very, very busy shipping lane, but the danger and the risk seems to be rising.

Shadow home secretary James Cleverly called on the Government to bring back the Tories Rwanda deportation scheme, which was aimed at convincing migrants they would not be allowed to remain in the UK.

He said yesterday: This is tragic and it cannot continue. It is not enough to talk about smashing the gangs when the real-life consequences are so serious. Labour must re-establish the deterrent to stop vulnerable people being exploited and secure our border.

Former Director General of Border Force Tony Smith said a deterrent, either in the form of a returns agreement or third-party scheme such as Rwanda, was necessary to put people off trying to cross and so break the gangs business model.

Mr Smith told the Mail: Unless it is demonstrated that they wont be allowed to stay, people will think they might as well take the risk.

He said that smashing the gangs will never be enough on its own because people-smuggling is so lucrative, new criminals will always want to take the place of those who are arrested.

Reacting to the deaths in the Channel on Tuesday, Refugee Council chief executive Enver Solomon said: 'The number of deaths in the Channel this year has been shockingly high.

'It is a devastating trend that shows the urgent need for a comprehensive and multi-pronged approach to reduce dangerous Channel crossings.

'Enforcement alone is not the solution. Heightened security and policing measures on the French coast have led to increasingly perilous crossings, launching from more dangerous locations and in flimsy, overcrowded vessels.

'In addition to taking action against the criminal gangs themselves, the Government must develop a plan to improve and expand safe routes for those seeking safety.'

The last deaths reported in the Channel took place on August 11 - when two others perished making the treacherous journey.

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to work closer together to dismantle migrant smuggling routes last week.

The Channel is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes and currents are strong, making the crossing on small boats dangerous.

Earlier on Tuesday, Home Office figures confirmed that 351 migrants had successfully made the crossing into Britain yesterday aboard six dinghies.

These arrivals take the total number of arrivals in 2024 to 21,403 people in 409 boats.
A 17-year-old boy obsessively listened to the same two lines of a Beatles track before massacring his brother and parents on his father's 51st birthday.

The boy, named only as Riccardo, brutally slaughtered his father, Fabio Chiarioni, his mother, Daniela Albano, 49, and 12-year-old brother Lorenzo with a 20cm kitchen knife in Paderno Dugnano, near Milan, Italy, on Sunday.

Riccardo chillingly told police that he slew his family to 'live more freely' after obsessively listening to The Long and Winding Road by the Beatles in the days leading up to killings, local media reports.

He said he listened to the lines 'Many times I've been alone / And many times I've cried' on repeat.

During the shocking attack, the teen first struck his brother while he slept and Lorenzo's screams woke up their parents, who rushed into his bedroom.

The boy, named only as Riccardo, brutally slaughtered his father, Fabio Chiarioni, his mother Daniela Albano, 49, and 12-year-old brother Lorenzo with a 20cm kitchen knife in Paderno Dugnano, near Milan, Italy, on Sunday

Riccardo (bottom left) chillingly told police that he slew his family to 'live more freely' after after obsessively listening to The Long and Winding Road by the Beatles in the days leading up to killings, local media reports

Officers dashed to the family home after the teen called authorities and informed them he had killed his father

The worried father, who did not know his eldest was the attacker, screamed at him for help, only to then slain by his own flesh and blood.

'I stabbed dad while he was yelling at me to call for help', the teen confessed, as reported by Italian outlet Il Difforme.

He added: 'I thought one stab would be enough to kill, then I realised it wasn't like that.'

The boy stabbed his father in the neck several times to kill him fast as he said he did not want his family 'to suffer'.

The boy also told 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'.

Riccardo also said that he thought about going to Ukraine to fight against Russia.

According to local reports, the young boy had initially told authorities the fabricated story that he had witnessed his father, killing his mother, and brother - 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 lying dead in his bed before he launched his attack on 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.

Father Fabio Chiarioni, 51, was killed by his son just hours after celebrating his 51st birthday

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

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.

Speaking to investigators during his confession, he said: 'I realised 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'.

The two brothers are pictured above with their father Fabio during a family holiday

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, hard-working 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 man suspected of senselessly shooting dead four homeless people aboard a Chicago train while they slept has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, authorities have said.

Rhanni S. Davis, 30, will appear in court at noon on Wednesday, according to Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx, who spoke Tuesday evening during a media briefing, calling the shootings a 'horrific, heinous and inexplicable act of violence'.

In sickening new details shared by police yesterday, it was revealed that the four victims were likely asleep in different parts of the train and that there had been no confrontations prior to the mass shooting at the Forest Park CTA Blue Station in Forest Park, Illinois on Monday.

Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins said the victims likely didn't even see the shooter.

'They were shot execution-style as they slept,' he said.

Margaret Miller, 64, and three men including Simeon Bihesi, 28, and Adrian Collins, 60, were fatally shot, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. All of their addresses were listed as unknown.

Rhanni S. Davis, 30, of Chicago allegedly shot and killed four passengers sleeping on a Chicago-area train. He has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder

Forest Park Deputy Chief Christopher Chin, right, stands outside the Forest Park Blue Line train station in Forest Park, Ill., after giving a news conference about four people who were fatally shot on the train early Monday, Sept. 2, 2024

Four people were shot and killed early Monday morning on a CTA westbound Blue Line train to Forest Park, and a suspect is in custody, the Forest Park Police Department confirmed

Police said they were still working to notify relatives of the fourth person killed, so his name has not yet been released.

Preliminary investigation shows the victims were on two different cars as the Blue Line train was headed toward Forest Park, police said.

Officers responded to the scene after a 911 call on Monday morning and cleared the train of passengers before getting on, where they discovered the four victims with gunshot wounds.

Three of them were pronounced dead at the scene and a fourth died while at hospital.

The suspected shooter fled the scene but police found and arrested Davis thanks to video footage from the train, Hoskins said.

Officials also said the incident appears to be isolated and random in nature.

They said that there is no further threat to the public, but investigators haven't determined a motive, police said.

Public records did not have a listed phone number for Davis. A message sent Tuesday to a listed email was not immediately returned.

Officers say that CCTV footage shows that the four victims were likely asleep in different parts of the train and that there were no fights or other confrontations prior to the shooting at the Forest Park CTA Blue Station (pictured) in Forest Park, Illinois

Squad cars of Elmwood Park police, Berwyn police and Cicero police are parked in the parking lot of the Forest Park Blue Line train station in Forest Park, Ill., after four people were fatally shot on the train early Monday, September 2, 2024

Forest Park police Deputy Chief Christopher Chin gives a news briefing outside the CTA Forest Park station, after a shooting, Monday, September 2, 2024, in Forest Park

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson claims he 'inherited' the city's spiraling migrant crisis at a press conference announcing new initiative to tackle the problem

Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins stands outside the Forest Park Blue Line train station in Forest Park, Ill., which remains closed, after giving a news conference about four people who were fatally shot on the train early Monday, September 2, 2024

Forest Park police and the Cook County state's attorney's office did not immediately respond to messages about Davis' legal representation. The Cook County public defender's office said it wasn't representing him.

CTA officials said they were assisting in the investigation and that security footage 'proved to be vital.'

Forest Park police are used to calls to the busy transit stops there, Hoskins said. The CTA's Green Line also ends in Forest Park and runs nearly 24 hours a day.

Over the years, nonprofit organizations have also used the transportation hubs for outreach and providing medical care and other services to homeless people who seek refuge aboard the trains, particularly in winter.

But the mass shooting in the community of 14,000 people has sparked new fears. Hoskins, whose position as mayor is part time, said he couldn't recall a homicide being reported in Forest Park in years.

His teenage son takes the L to school and he watched a little closer than usual at Tuesday morning's drop off.

'People are rattled,' he said. 'We want to make them feel safe.'
Brazil's X ban shows that the world 'isn't obligated to put up with Elon Musk's far-right free-for-all', the country's president said.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told CNN Brasil that he hopes that crisis surrounding X in Brazil - which is one of the platform's biggest global markets - may teach the world that it doesn't have to put up with Musk's antics 'just because he is rich'.

The Brazilian Supreme Court initiated the nationwide shutdown of X on Friday after Musk refused to name a legal representative to the country and voted unanimously to uphold the X ban on Monday.

Musk's company had also refused to comply with a court order to close X profiles accused of spreading fake news before the X was banned in Brazil.

But the ban enraged supporters of the former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, who are taking to the streets on Saturday for a protest.

Musk, who previously aligned himself with Bolsonaro's views, shared an invitation to the march on X, which urges Brazilians to turn out to 'march for freedom, protesting judicial overreach and defending free speech'.

Brazil's X ban shows that the world 'isn't obligated to put up with Elon Musk's (pictured) far-right free-for-all', the country's president said

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (pictured) told CNN Brasil that he hopes that crisis surrounding X in Brazil - which is one of the platform's biggest global markets - may teach the world that it doesn't have to put up with Musk's antics 'just because he is rich'

Internet service providers across Brazil, which is home to 215million people and was one of X's largest markets, completely blocked the platform on Saturday and the country's main news sites stopped posting at the same time

One of the Supreme Court judges behind the ban, Alexandre de Moraes, 55, and Musk have been embroiled in a long feud over free speech, far-right accounts, and misinformation - with the new ban becoming the result of the escalating tensions.

On Monday, Musk shared another invitation to the march on Saturday, which claimed that protesters would 'flood' Sao Paulo's streets to call for the impeachment of Moraes.

Internet service providers across Brazil, which is home to 215million people and was one of X's largest markets, completely blocked the platform on Saturday and the country's main news sites stopped posting at the same time.

A furious Musk took to X following the ban, saying: 'The tyrant de Voldemort is crushing the people's right to free speech,' likening de Moraes to the evil wizard in the Harry Potter series.

De Moraes said X will stay suspended until it complies with the orders to shut down the profiles and appoint a legal representative, and also set a daily fine of 6,790 for people or companies using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access it.

The Brazilian Bar Association on Friday said in a statement that it would request the Supreme Court review the fines Moraes has imposed on all citizens using VPNs to access the platform.

'I've used VPNs a lot in authoritarian countries like China to continue accessing news sites and social networks,' Mauricio Santoro, a political science professor at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, said on the platform before its shutdown.

'It never occurred to me that this type of tool would be banned in Brazil. It's dystopian.'

The war between the two began to escalate earlier this year as Moraes demanded X block users that were seen uploading clearly fake or inflammatory posts.

Moraes ordered the social media platform to block certain accounts implicated on investigations of so-called 'digital militias' that have been accused of spreading fake news and hate messages during the government of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered an immediate ban on X in Brazil which started early on Saturday

An ad by Valor media outlet shows a photo of Elon Musk at a shopping center in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday, September 2, 2024. The sign reads in Portuguese: 'Musk creates profile on X against Moraes to leak confidential decisions of the Supreme Court,' referring to Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes who ordered the platform blocked for having failed to name a local legal representative as required by law

After Musk challenged that decision and said he would reactivate accounts on X that the judge had ordered blocked, Moraes opened an inquiry into the billionaire in early April.

X representatives eventually reversed course and told the Supreme Court that the social media giant would obey the legal rulings.

In April, however, Moraes asked X to explain why it allegedly had not fully complied with his decisions and ordered fines of $20,000 per day for any account X reactivated.

In response, lawyers representing X in Brazil told the Supreme Court that 'operational faults' had allowed users who were ordered blocked to stay active on the social media platform.

Since then, the legal battle between the pair has become increasingly more tense, as last Wednesday Moraes warned musk that X would be banned if the company failed to notify the supreme court who its legal representative in Brazil was.

The platform declined to do so.

On Thursday, Moraes also froze the assets of the company Starlink Holding in Brazil, which Musk also owns, to ensure that fines applied by courts were paid, multiple Brazilian media outlets reported.

The Tesla CEO responded on X by saying that Moraes was 'an outright criminal of the worst kind, masquerading as a judge.'

In a separate post, he labeled the judge a 'tyrant' and 'dictator of Brazil' while adding that President Lula da Silva was his 'lapdog.'

Hours after the judge's decision, Musk said on X that Moraes 'has repeatedly broken the laws he has sworn to uphold'.

Moraes, who rarely gives interviews, and who in his most recent statements on the subject has avoided mentioning Musk or X by name, said on Friday: 'We have a right to defend fundamental rights.

'Those who violate democracy, who violate fundamental human rights, whether in person or through social media, must be held accountable.'
A young mum is lucky to be alive after she was struck by a massive tree which broke her neck in two places with doctors fearing she could have been paralysed.

Stevie Virtue, 30, was on her way home after picking her daughter Paityn up from school in Dingley Village in Melbourne's south-east last month.

The mum-of-two was walking back to her car when she was knocked to the ground by a huge tree on a nearby private property, which fell four metres onto her head.

The tree was uprooted by the strong winds that have lashed parts of Australia's east coast, including Victoria and NSW in recent weeks.

Ms Virtue, who works as a hairdresser and disability support worker, shattered her her C3 and CV vertebrae and also suffered a concussion.

'I remember the tree being on top of me. I remember crying and yelling at my daughter to go get [help]. It was terrifying,' she told Yahoo.

Ms Virtue recalled being unable to move and fearing for her seven-year-old daughter's life after a branch broke off and narrowly missed little girl by two seconds.

'The lollipop lady came over and grabbed my arm and helped me half-crawl away from the tree so nothing else fell on top of me,' Ms Virtue said.

Ms Virtue (pictured), who works as a hairdresser and disability support worker, shattered her her C3 and CV vertebrae and also suffered a concussion as a result of the horror incident

She was rushed to hospital, where doctors feared Ms Virtue could be paralysed.

Ms Virtue is now unable to move for next three months and has to wear a hard neck brace.

She said it could have been much worse and said it was a 'one in a million' chance that the tree didn't land anywhere else on her body.

She was discharged from hospital a week after the horror incident.

She currently can't work or look after her kids.

'It's an absolute nightmare. I'm not allowed to lift anything over a kilo, I feel useless,' Ms Virtue said.

She also struggles to sleep and also cannot care for her elderly mother, who has a disability.

The mum-of-two was knocked to the ground by the huge tree (pictured), which fell on top of her head, as she was walking to her car

Close family friend Kelly Beverly has set up a GoFundMe page to help support the family financially.

'This is understandably going to cause significant emotional and mental turmoil while she [Ms Virtue] takes this time to heal,' Ms Beverly wrote.

'It will also effect her partner, Addison, while he tries to maintain some routine and normality for the girls and support Stevie as much as possible'.

Proceeds will be used to help cover household expenses and help the family maintain their daily routines as much as possible.

In an updated shared on Monday Ms Beverly revealed that her friend has ongoing orthopaedic appointments.

'This will require her to travel into the city which is not ideal when you have lost your independence to drive for 12 weeks,' she wrote.

'While she is struggling to adjust her normal busy lifestyle to a more suitable one for now, unfortunately, her body in other ways is showing her that she needs to slow down even further.

'From pulled muscles and pain now radiating from different parts of her body, this is really defeating for her.

Ms Virtue (pictured far right) said she feared for her seven-year-old daughter Paityn's (pictured centre) life after a branch broke off and narrowly missed her

A slow moving low pressure system brought about wild weather in recent days, with parts Victoria hit damaging wind gusts of up to 130km/h.

The destructive winds brought down trees and power lines, cutting off access to roads and power.

The weather system also brought about isolated showers to parts of South Australia and produced dangerous surf conditions along the east coast.
A federal judge on Tuesday swiftly rejected Donald Trump's request to intervene in his New York hush money criminal case, spurning the former president's bid to overturn his conviction ahead of his sentencing in two weeks time.

Echoing his denial of Trump's pretrial bid to move the case, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein said the defense failed to meet the high burden of proof for changing jurisdiction and that Trump's conviction for falsifying business records involved his personal life, not official actions that the Supreme Court ruled are immune from prosecution.

In a four-page ruling, the judge wrote that nothing about the high court's July 1 ruling affected his previous conclusion that hush money payments at issue in Trump's case 'were private, unofficial acts, outside the bounds of executive authority.'

Hellerstein sidestepped a defense complaint that Trump's state court trial had been plagued by 'bias, conflicts of interest, and appearances of impropriety,' writing that he 'does not have jurisdiction to hear Trump's arguments concerning the propriety of the New York trial.'

The judge's ruling comes after Trump's lawyers had asked the court in Manhattan to seize the case from the state court where it was tried late Thursday.

Pictured: Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump greets supporters following a town hall campaign event on August 29, 2024 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. A federal judge on Tuesday rejected Trump's request to intervene in his New York hush money criminal case

They argued the historic prosecution violated their client's constitutional rights and went against the Supreme Court's recent presidential immunity ruling.

Separately, on Tuesday, the office sent a letter to the trial judge, Juan M. Merchan objecting to Trump's effort to delay post-trial decisions in the case while he was seeking to have the U.S. District Court in Manhattan step in.

Merchan is expected to rule soon on two key defense requests: Trump's call for the judge to delay his Sept. 18 sentencing until after the November election, and his request that the judge overturn his conviction and dismiss the case in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling.

Merchan has said he will rule Sept. 16 on Trump's motion to overturn the verdict. His decision on delaying sentencing has been expected in the coming days.

Trump's lawyers contend that sentencing Trump as scheduled, just two days after Merchan's expected immunity decision, wouldn't give him enough time to weigh next steps, including a possible appeal, if the judge rules to uphold the verdict.

They also argued a Sept. 18 sentencing, about seven weeks before Election Day, would be election interference. In a court filing last week, they raised the specter that Trump could be sent to jail just as early voting is getting underway.

Prosecutors have not staked a position on whether to delay sentencing, deferring to Merchan on an 'appropriate post-trial schedule.' In their letter Tuesday, they said they were open to a schedule that allows 'adequate time' to adjudicate Trump's motion to overturn the verdict while also sentencing him 'without unreasonable delay.'

Trump's lawyers first asked the federal court to intervene last week, but their paperwork was kicked back because they hadn't gotten the required clearance from Hellerstein to file it.

ormer President Donald Trump awaits the start of proceedings on the second day of jury selection at Manhattan criminal court, April 16, 2024, in New York

Former US President Donald Trump (C) gestures to the media and the crowd outside of Trump Tower after a jury found him guilty on all 34 counts in his criminal trial in New York

Trump was convicted of falsifying business records to hide a hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels (pictured)

Hours after they submitted papers Tuesday requesting Hellerstein's permission to proceed, he issued his ruling denying it.

Before dissecting Trump's immunity claims, Hellerstein dispatched quickly of the defense's oft-repeated claims that Merchan had treated Trump unfairly - subjecting him to a gag order and refusing to delay the trial until after the Supreme Court ruled - because Merchan's daughter is a Democratic political consultant.

Merchan last month rejected Trump's latest request that he step aside from the case, saying Trump's demand was a rehash 'rife with inaccuracies and unsubstantiated claims' about his ability to remain impartial. A state appeals court recently upheld the gag order.

'It would be highly improper for this Court to evaluate the issues of bias, unfairness or error in the state trial,' Hellerstein wrote. 'Those are issues for the state appellate courts.'

Instead, he noted, Trump can pursue a state appeal or seek review from the U.S. Supreme Court, whose immunity ruling reins in prosecutions of ex-presidents for official acts and restricts prosecutors in pointing to official acts as evidence that a president's unofficial actions were illegal.

Trump's lawyers have argued that prosecutors rushed to trial instead of waiting for the Supreme Court's presidential immunity decision, and that prosecutors erred by showing jurors evidence that should not have been allowed under the ruling, such as former White House staffers describing how Trump reacted to news coverage of the hush money deal and tweets he sent while president in 2018.

Demonstrators hold placards and flags outside the Manhattan criminal court in May

Trump was convicted in May of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels, whose affair allegations threatened to disrupt his 2016 presidential run.

Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels and was later reimbursed by Trump, whose company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses.

The former president maintains that the stories were false, that reimbursements were for legal work and logged correctly, and that the case against him was part of a politically motivated 'witch hunt' aimed at damaging his current presidential campaign.

Falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years behind bars. Other potential sentences include probation or a fine.

Trump is the first ex-president convicted of a crime.
A female British hiker has been found dead and her British partner is still missing after they were reportedly swept away by water and disappeared when a storm hit the mountains in Majorca.

The 26-year-old woman was found after 10 people were trapped by flash floods near the Torrent de Pareis, a river in the Tramuntana mountain range on Majorca's northwest coast.

Local media reported the her and the missing man, 32, were part of a larger group of five that had ventured out on the hike on Tuesday afternoon as the storm hit.

Three managed to reach the safety of a mountain hut just after midnight on Wednesday morning, with one of them reportedly being 'slightly hurt'.

The rescued tourists told rescuers that the British man and woman had been swept away by water and disappeared on Tuesday afternoon, causing the Civil Guard to launch the search, according to local media.

Police helicopter search team today scouring the area for the missing British hiker

The area where the British hikers disappeared was affected by flash flooding (pictured above) on Tuesday

The Civil Guard said it rescued 10 hikers from several different groups, including those hiking with the woman found dead and the man still missing, who were trapped near the Torrent de Pareis yesterday.

Late this morning the Civil Guard offered more details of the horror discovery and the drama that led to 10 people being trapped following storms and heavy rain.

The force said in its first statement on the tragedy: 'The Civil Guard yesterday rescued 10 people who were trapped in the Torrent de Pareis by a torrent of water.

'Our Greim unit established an operation throughout the day there to prevent possible accidents involving hikers who were in the area given the forecast of heavy rain.

'Given the experiences of previous years, when many visitors ignore weather conditions and end up getting trapped by high water, the decision was taken to establish precautionary measures.

'Thanks to this operation, and with the help of a Civil Guard helicopter, officers were able to save the lives of 10 people who were trapped, without protective clothing, and completely soaked. They were transferred to safety using guides to assist them.

'Once they reached a safe spot the rescued walkers, two Spaniards and the rest French, German and British, told us two members of a group of five who were among those assisted had been swept away by a torrent of water and they had been unable to do anything to save them and didn't know where they were.

The two British hikers went missing during a storm and are believed to have been caught in heavy rain, which caused severe flooding in parts of the island. Pictured: the Civil Guard at the scene in the Tramuntana mountain range)

'A separate search and rescue operation was mobilised until nightfall which began again today with assistance from firefighters. That operation had so far led to the discovery of the body.'

Well-placed sources said the body of the woman - which rescuers at first believed to be that of the missing 32-year-old man - had been spotted by the Civil Guard helicopter. It was located near the spot where the search was focused but it is not yet clear if it has already been recovered by officers on the ground.

A spokesman for a regional government-run emergency response coordination centre added: 'The body of one of the missing tourists has been found.

'Police and firefighters are continuing the search for the second. Psychologists have been activated to assist relatives.'

The operation to try to find the other missing Briton has since been suspended until a storm in the area abates. 'It will be reinitiated once the storm passes,' the Civil Guard said.

Police have been trying to establish the man's whereabouts by triangulating his mobile phone.

Footage from the Civil Guard shows its helicopter flying over the search area near the Torrent de Pareis

The Torrent de Pareis is a riverbed that can be hiked during the dry months but is often affected by flash floods as it collects a large amount of rainwater that falls on the mountain and funnels it down this narrow valley

The 32-year-old British national was found near the spot where police had begun their search near the Torrent de Pareis, a river in the Tramuntana mountain range on Majorca's northwest coast (file image of the Tramuntana mountains)

Civil Guard officers, helicopters, firefighters and dogs are understood to be involved in the ongoing operation.

It was not clear whether the British man and woman were trying to walk the famous trek though the Torrent de Pareis in the Tramuntana mountain range or were simply strolling near the river bed.

The torrent is a riverbed that can be hiked during the dry months but is often affected by flash floods as it collects a large amount of rainwater that falls on the mountain and funnels it down this narrow valley.

The heavy rains that hit Mallorca on Tuesday left between 70 and 100 litres of water per square metre in the Serra de Tramuntana area, according to Ultima Hora.

Local weather chiefs are predicting a worsening of the weather in Majorca, saying the worst effects of the storms that first hit the island yesterday will be felt between 2pm and 3pm local time with heavy rain and winds of up to 75mph.

In Escorsa, where the mountain range is located, the Torrent de Es Raco overflowed, causing emergency teams to rescue a hundred people who had been trapped.
A furious television personality has slammed a 'secretive' energy company's plan to build a giant battery farm next to her home.

Catriona Rowntree is pushing back against a proposed 350MW/700MWh lithium battery farm in the farmland neighbouring her Little River home located between Geelong and Melbourne at the base of You Yangs Regional Park.

She has joined the tight-knit community fight to oppose the ACEnergy's massive 18 hectare project amid fears it will ruin views from the national park and discourage tourists from visiting the area.

The long-time Getaway and Country House Hunters Australia host is 'fighting to protect' her town against the dangerous farm which will ruin views from the park and discourage tourists from visiting the area.

'The state government themselves placed a significant landscape overlay on this very region, because half a million tourists who visit the You Yangs will be looking straight down onto this very property,' Rowntree told Sky News host Peta Credlin on Tuesday.

She accused those at ACEnergy of asking the state planning minister, Sonya Kilkenny, to 'wipe it clean, put a new overlay on it and start afresh'.

Getaway host Catriona Rowntree is fighting against a proposed lithium battery farm which is set to be built next to her home in Little River

ACEnergy's massive 18 hectare lithium battery farm is set to be built at the base of the You Yangs Regional Park

Rowntree said the fact that the area is bushfire-prone should have been enough to disqualify the farm's construction.

'372 lithium freight containers covering nearly 40 acres of land... You've seen how many fires actually happen in this area on our property,' she said.

The consultation phase of the farm's development is set to end this wee.

Rowntree is confident that her community blindsides by the proposal will unite and rally against it.

'I love the fact that the people that tried to push this through did not count on how strongly our community would feel about this,' she added.

Rowntree claims she had a week's notice to state her opposition to the project after receiving a letter in the mail last month.

The notice letter was dated on August 8 but the television star claims not to have received it until August 16.

After finding out about the proposal, Rowntree has been building support to fight the proposal.

The Victorian Department of Transport and Planning is now considering the proposal.

A decision about the farm's future is expected to be made by the end of the year.

Ms Rowntree accused ACEnergy of lying in its proposal for the battery farm which she believes is both dangerous and counterproductive

ACEnergy state on its website that the farm would provide a 'reliable and flexible storage solution' and 'help balance supply and demand' of energy in the area.

Rowntree claimed that ACEnergy had tried to make the the farm's application process 'as difficult as possible' for her community to oppose.

Her local councillors found out about the project at the same time she did because the application was filed as a green energy project which bypassed them.

She said if the council had been informed of the project it 'never would have passed the bar test'.

Rowntree accused ACEnergy's consultants of 'straight out' lying in order to get the application approved and claimed that the proposal was full of inaccuracies.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted ACEnergy for comment.
A Texas school district has been forced to close today after a foaming agent was discovered in the city's water supply.

Residents in Grand Prairie, part of the DallasFort Worth metroplex region, were warned Tuesday night to avoid drinking or using tap water 'until further notice' because of the possible contaminant.

The Grand Prairie Independent School District closed all its schools today 'out of an abundance of caution', a warning on its website states. Classes and extracurricular activities are scheduled to resume as normal on Thursday.

The city confirmed last night that a foaming agent was detected in the water north of I-20, but did not disclose when the water is expected to be safe again.

Officials in Grand Prairie have not disclosed what health effects the containment impacting the water supply poses, if any. However, foaming agents are known to cause diarrhea and gastrointestinal issues when ingested ay high levels.

The Grand Prairie Independent School District closed all its schools today 'out of an abundance of caution', a warning on its website states. Classes and extracurricular activities are scheduled to resume as normal on Thursday. Pictured: A high school in the district

The school distract cancelled Wednesday's classes and school activities just before midnight, citing the 'ongoing water issue in the city'.

District officials added: 'We will resume our regular schedule on Thursday.'

A foaming agent is a surfactant that creates foam, suds or frothing in the water. They typically have a 'soapy' taste, and an oily, fishy, or perfume-like smell, according to KnowYourH2O.

Crews were working overnight to isolate the affected water supply area, Fox 4 reported.

The city also set up water distribution stations in an effort to provide residents with safe drinking water.

The school distract cancelled Wednesday's classes and school activities just before midnight, citing the 'ongoing water issue in the city'

The city confirmed last night that a foaming agent was detected in the water north of I-20. This is a map of the affected area, as shared by the city

Bottled water is available in the front parking lot of Grand Prairie City Hall at 300 W. Main Street, and at various other locations throughout the city.

There was a long queue of vehicles outside the distribution site at city hall Tuesday night, photos shared on social media show.

A list of distribution centers is available online. Residents can also call 972-237-8400 if they have any further questions.
Police are hunting for two schoolboys accused of killing a pregnant woman's unborn child after pushing the mother-to-be off of a bench and causing her to miscarry.

The victim's husband took to social media to claim she had been pushed over by 'two high school students' as she waited for a bus on High Street in Tranent, East Lothian at around 6.20pm last Friday.

The young assailants are then alleged to have run off, leaving her injured. Medics at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh are then said to have told her she had miscarried - leaving her and her family traumatised and heartbroken.

Police have launched an investigation into the assault and say enquiries remain ongoing.

The victim's distraught husband posted an appeal on social media following the incident in a bid to track down the boys, one of whom was wearing shorts.

The incident is said to have taken place on High Street in Tranent, East Lothian as the victim waited for a bus

She was then taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where medics told her that she had miscarried

He wrote: 'I just want to update everyone about the condition of my wife.

'It is with a heavy heart to inform the community that my wife had a miscarriage, pregnancy loss and she is still in the hospital recuperating.

'This is a very traumatic, heartbreaking, and a horrible experience for us, especially to my wife and kids.

'I am making an appeal to everyone, if you have sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, please have a word with them.

'Teach them and remind them everyday how to respect people and behave in public places. Good manners should be taught and start at home.'

The man had previously shared details of the alleged attack in an earlier social media post.

He had written: 'Two high school students wearing black uniform (wearing shorts and the other one is wearing a trouser) pushed my pregnant wife while in the bus stop around 6.20pm at the high street waiting for the bus.

'She even offered (them) a seat and she was nice to them but they were so rude. My wife got hurt, she was angry and told them she was pregnant. They said sorry and ran away. Are there any CCTV in that area?'

On Saturday afternoon the man posted: 'Just an update regarding my post last night, my wife is bleeding now and she is in severe and unbearable pain.

'We are waiting for the ambulance service. This is a call for justice.'

Shocked locals have also taken to social media to express their disgust at the incident and to offer their condolences on the family's loss.

Police Scotland has launched an investigation into the attack. It says enquiries are ongoing

One said: 'Oh my God, that's so terrible. I really hoped she would get better. Love to you all.'

A second added: 'Sorry to hear this, hope they charge whoever did this to your wife and baby.'

And a third posted: 'I'm so sorry for this devastating loss, I hope in time you get justice.'

Councillor Lee-Anne Menzies, who represents the area on East Lothian Council, told the East Lothian Courier: 'I think it's best that everybody doesn't put forward their conjecture and instead just lets the authorities deal with it.

'It's a horrible, difficult time for the family. My sincerest sympathies are with them at this time.

'It's a difficult enough situation without everyone getting involved and voicing their thoughts.'

Mike Falconer, chairperson of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council, said: 'My absolute sincerest sympathies to them, this is absolutely awful.

'Thankfully things like this don't happen often.

'I hope they're able to trace the people responsible and they face up to what they've done.'

Following the alleged assault a Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'We received a report of an assault on High Street, Tranent, which happened on Friday, 30 August. Enquiries are ongoing.'

MailOnline has contacted the force for further comment.
Former Oasis drummer Alan White has dropped a huge hint that he will be joining the band for their sold-out reunion tour in 2025.

Fans have been speculating about who will join Noel and Liam Gallagher on stage next year after they announced they would be reforming the Britpop band for a mammoth tour of the UK and Ireland.

And White, 52, has sent the rumour mill into overdrive after he shared two cryptic social media posts in the last few days.

The first post, shared on Wednesday, showed a drum kit containing a Union Jack flag-themed artwork from his time in Oasis - of whom he was a member of from 1995 to 2004.

Three days later, he posted a black and white video to his 42,500 followers showcasing his drumming skills with the caption 'Can't beat old drums'.

Former Oasis drummer Alan White,52, has sent the rumour mill into overdrive after he shared two cryptic social media posts hinting he would be joining the band for their reunion tour

One post was a black and white video showcasing White's drumming skills with the caption 'Can't beat old drums'

White (left) was the band's drummer from 1995 until 2004 and performed with brothers for their legendary Knebworth shows in front of 250,000 (pictured: The band line-up before the Knebworth show)

Lovers of the 90s band were sent into a frenzy after Liam and Noel Gallagher announced that 'the guns have fallen silent' and they would be returning to play to the nation next year.

There is yet to be any announcements for who will join the Manchester rockers as part of the reformed band - which has six former members, including White.

Co-founder and rhythm guitarist Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs is reportedly on board, but there have also been suggestions that 'no other original Oasis member is expected to join the reunion'.

White had replaced original Oasis drummer Tony McCarroll in 1995 having been recommended to Noel by Mod icon Paul Weller.

He went on to become the band's longest-serving drummer during their most successful years, performing on four albums and playing the iconic Maine Road, Knebworth and Wembley shows.

McCarroll has already ruled out that he will be holding the sticks for the reunion next year, telling MailOnline neither brother had reached out to him about the plans.

He said: 'I'm happy for Noel and Liam. Really happy for themAnd I'm dead happy for the fans more than anything and for those generations who haven't seen Oasis.

'They havent reached out yet and to be honest Im not holding my breath.'

There are also reports that members of Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds will step in to fill the remaining spots for next year's shows.

This includes drummer Chris Sharrock - who played with Oasis on their final album and tour before they split up in 2009.

White (pictured far right with the rest of Oasis onstage at Knebworth) went on to become the band's longest-serving drummer during their most successful years

White had replaced original Oasis drummer Tony McCarroll in 1995 having been recommended to Noel by Mod icon Paul Weller

Original Oasis drummer McCarroll has already ruled out that he will be holding the sticks for the reunion next year, telling MailOnline neither brother had reached out to him about the plans

Noel and Liam Gallagher, pictured here in 2008, have reunited after 15 years apart

Noel and Liam Gallagher proved they had buried the hatchet on their 15-year feud as they met up this summer to pose for a photo together to mark the Oasis comeback tour

Noel, 57, quit the band on August 28, 2009, saying he 'simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer'.

Fans have been pleading with the brothers to regroup since they disbanded, prompted by a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris.

Reunion rumours intensified this month after both brothers teased on social media an announcement for 8am on Tuesday, August 27, amid reports they were ending their disagreement.

Confirming the Oasis Live 25 tour, they said: 'The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised.

The 17-date tour runs from July 4 to August 17, kicking off at Cardiff's Principality Stadium before heading to Manchester's Heaton Park, Wembley Stadium in London, Murrayfield in Edinburgh and Croke Park in Dublin.

An estimated 14 million people tried to buy tickets for the shows - with the band confirming the gigs had sold out by 7pm on Saturday.

Bookmakers put the odds of landing one of the 1.4million tickets at just 14/1 and 97 per cent of applicants have been left ticketless following Saturdays chaotic sale.
A Texas woman has been formally indicted over the allegedly racially motivated attempted drowning of a three-year-old Palestinian-American girl.

Elizabeth Wolf, 42, was arrested in May after she tried to drown the little girl at an apartment complex swimming pool in the Dallas-Fort Worth suburb of Euless 'because she was Muslim'. The girl's six-year-old brother was also hurt in the incident.

Now, three months after the incident, a Tarrant County grand jury has charged Wolf with attempted capital murder of a person under 10 years of age and intentionally causing bodily injury to a child.

The indictment filed on August 15 also included a hate crime enhancement, according to court records that came to light on Tuesday. The enhancement may raise the severity of Wolf's sentence if she is found guilty.

Investigators allege that Wolf, whose representative could not immediately be reached for comment, was drunk at the time of the attempted drowning.

Elizabeth Wolf, 42, (pictured) was charged by a grand jury with attempted capital murder of a person under 10 years of age and intentionally causing bodily injury to a child. The indictment filed on August 15 also included a hate crime enhancement, according to court records that came to light on Tuesday

Wolf approached a hijab-wearing Muslim woman - identified as Mrs H - at the apartment complex pool in May, according to a police report.

Officials said that Wolf began making racist comments and demanded to know where Mrs H's family was from and if the two children in the pool were hers.

After a few minutes, she tried to drown the 3-year-old and attempted to grab the 6-year-old boy, the police report said.

'Wolf tried to grab (the mother's) six-year-old son but he pulled away from her grasp, which caused a scratch on his finger.

'The mother began helping her son when Wolf grabbed her three-year-old daughter and forced her underwater. The mother was able to pull her daughter from the water.

'Her daughter had been yelling for help and was coughing up water,' Euless police said.

Mrs H was able to pull her daughter from the water, police said, and local medics responded to the scene and the children were medically cleared.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) explained that a Black man helped rescue the young girl from the attacker as more people gathered and witnessed what had happened.

Wolf was arrested in May after she tried to drown the little girl at an apartment complex swimming pool in the Dallas-Fort Worth suburb of Euless 'because she was Muslim'. The girl's six-year-old brother was also hurt in the incident

CAIR later confirmed that the children are now safe but severely traumatized.

As Wolf was being handcuffed by police, she allegedly shouted to a witness who was with Mrs H, 'Tell her I will kill her and I will kill her whole family,' the agency reported.

Mrs H also told CAIR that Wolf had allegedly snatched her hijab off her head and began beating and kicking her, preventing her from reaching her daughter as the suspect held her head under water.

In a statement, the distressed mother said: 'We are American citizens, originally from Palestine, and I dont know where to go to feel safe with my kids. My country is facing a war, and we are facing that hate here.

'My daughter is traumatized; whenever I open the apartment door, she runs away and hides, telling me she is afraid the lady will come and immerse her head in the water again.

'Also, my husbands employment is jeopardized due to having to leave work to accompany me and our four kids whenever we have appointments and errands to run.'

A GoFundMe had also been launched to help the family - which has now raised nearly $7,000 more than its original $10,000 goal.

Community leaders, including Texas Rep. Salman Bhojani and Mustafaa Carroll, a spokesperson for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, attend a news conference, Saturday, June 22, 2024, about an alleged hate crime that occurred in Euless, Texas

Human rights advocates have warned about rising threats against American Muslims, Arabs and Jews since the eruption of Israel's war in Gaza.

Other recent alarming US incidents include the October fatal stabbing of a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy in Illinois, the February stabbing of a Palestinian American man in Texas and the November shooting of three Palestinian American students in Vermont.

A former Cornell University student was sentenced in August to 21 months in prison for posting online threats against Jews, and a Jordanian citizen in Florida was charged over threats against businesses over perceived support of Israel.
The US has refused to follow Britain and suspend arms sales to Israel over fears of lawbreaking in its war in Gaza.

Amid a furious row over the decision by David Lammy to suspend a small percentage of export licences, the Biden Administration said it would continue to support the country's 'defensive capabilities'.

The Foreign Secretary on Monday said the UK would suspend 30 out of 350 export licences, citing fears armaments using UK-made parts could be used in breach of international law by the Israeli defence Force (IDF).

It sparked angry criticism from Israel supporters condemning it and pro-Palestinians saying it did not go far enough.

The US was informed of the move in advance, but last night US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said America would not follow suit.

'There's been no determination by the United States they have violated international humanitarian law  we're going to continue to do what we have to do to support Israel's defensive capabilities,' he said.

And US State department spokesman Matt Miller said that it would use its own assessment of whether international law had been broken.

Amid a furious row over the decision by David Lammy to suspend a small percentage of export licences, the Biden Administration said it would continue to support the country's 'defensive capabilities'.

The Foreign Secretary on Monday said the UK would suspend 30 out of 350 export licences, citing fears armaments using UK-made parts could be used in breach of international law by the Israeli defence Force (IDF).

The US was informed of the move in advance, but last night US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said America would not follow suit. (file picture)

And US State department spokesman Matt Miller said that it would use its own assessment of whether international law had been broken.

'They [the UK] had a legal framework that they needed to apply, they applied that legal framework, and it led them to this decision. And its of course appropriate for them to make their own legal judgments, based on their system and their laws,' he said.

'We have reviews that are ongoing. I dont want to prejudge what those reviews will conclude, but we are looking at a number of possible violations of international humanitarian law, and well make our own assessments based on our review of the facts and our own judgments on our laws, as well as international humanitarian law.

Boris Johnson joined Benjamin Netanyahu and Jewish groups in condemning the 'shameful' decision last night.

A major diplomatic row unfolded over the Foreign Secretary's move  with the Israeli prime minister claiming Britain's 'misguided' decision would only 'embolden Hamas'.

But Mr Netanyahu vowed it would 'not change' his country's 'determination' to defeat them.

Mr Johnson questioned whether Labour were abandoning Israel.

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

After the decision on Monday, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said: Days after Hamas executed six Israeli hostages, the UK government suspended 30 arms licences to Israel.

This shameful decision will not change Israels determination to defeat Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization that savagely murdered 1,200 people on October 7, including 14 British citizens. Hamas is still holding over 100 hostages, including five British citizens.

Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britains misguided decision will only embolden Hamas.

The decision has severely strained the UKs relationship with Israel.

Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, claimed the decision issued a terrible message in Israels hour of need.

Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attend a press conference in October

Demonstrators stand around a fire as they protest against the government in Tel Aviv tonight

A protestor holds a placard during a protest in Tel Aviv on Monday

Mr Netanyahu is currently under heavy pressure in Israel over his handling of the war and efforts to recover hostages taken in Hamas terrorists' October 7 attack.

Thousands massed at protests across Israel for the third consecutive day of demonstrations calling for a ceasefire in the war in Gaza.

Demonstrators blocked traffic outside the IDF's military headquarters in Tel Aviv in a bid to put pressure on Netanyahu's war cabinet to find a lasting resolution and ensure the return of the remaining hostages.

Others amassed outside the Prime Minister's home in Jerusalem, lighting fires and lifting banners calling to 'stop the war' as unrest grows around the perceived stalling of negotiations with Hamas.

The movement, which has been organising rallies in the city for months, has gained support since Israel's Defense Forces recovered the bodies of six more captives from Gaza on Saturday night, all reportedly executed by Hamas days prior.

Protesters in Tel Aviv were joined by family members of some of those still in Gaza, who spoke critically of Netanyahu before observing a short silence and prayer. The crowd marked the end of the silence chanting 'Everyone! Now!' calling for the full release of hostages.

Many brought signs and flags to the events emblazoned with critical slogans including 'Executed by Hamas / Abandoned by Netanyahu' and 'I added clauses. Hostages died. Sorry', others calling for a permanent ceasefire with Hamas or a new government.

The US said it is time to 'finalise' a deal between Israel and Hamas to end the war, with Washington working 'over the coming days' with fellow mediators Egypt and Qatar 'to push for a final agreement.
The Grenfell inquiry concluded today - finally - after hundreds of days of evidential sessions, tens of thousands of exhibits, and a cost to the public purse likely totalling up to 1 billion.

And the lengthy probe - launched in the immediate aftermath of the disaster in June 2017 by then-Prime Minister Theresa May - highlighted a series of missed opportunities involving the state, construction firms, and industry bodies.

Inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick criticised the dishonest manufacturers responsible for Grenfells exterior renovation a year before the fire, the serious deficiencies in building standards that allowed combustible material to be used in cladding on the side of the 24-storey tower, and the indifference to fire safety displayed by Grenfells owner, the local council.

He surmised that the path to disaster was set in train by decades of failure in the state and corporate sector.

It resulted in the deaths of 72 men, women and children, including multiple generations of the same families, living in the 120-apartment tower, built in Kensington - one of Londons richest areas.

The fire - the worst residential blaze since the Blitz - triggered mass protests about building standards, following months of concerns from Grenfell Tower residents about safety following its refurbishment.

The first report into what happened on the night itself, published in 2019, identified a litany of failures, including that the principal reason the flames shot up the building at such speed was the combustible cladding which acted as a source of fuel and actively helped spread the blaze.

And todays concluding report - a 1,600-page assessment of incompetence, indifference and dishonesty - again points to multiple missed opportunities to have possibly prevented the tragedy from ever happening.

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Smoke pours from the deadly fire at Grenfell Tower in West London in June 2017

Government

No one administration was to blame for state-level failures. Rather, successive governments - going back to the Tory premiership of the early 1990s, through the New Labour years, the Tory-Lib Dem coalition, and then to Mrs Mays time in charge - failed to identify the risks posed by combustible cladding panels and insulation.

And there were plenty of warning signs.

In 1991, residents at Knowsley Heights in Liverpool escaped with their lives after their tower block caught fire. It had been covered in cladding during a renovation, which blazed when furniture dumped at the base of the building was set alight.

An investigation later found the cladding was illegal.

In 1999, a fire swept through another high-rise block of flats in North Ayrshire, Scotland.

A man died and five others were injured, with witnesses reporting the cladding acting as an effective conductor for the blaze.

And in 2009, six people were killed at Lakanal House in Camberwell, south London, when cladding again caught fire and burned quickly.

The blaze was largely caused by botched and unsafe renovation work.

Even as recently as 2016 - around the time of the Grenfell revamp - the Department for Communities and Local Government was well aware of the risks of combustible cladding, but did not act.

Sir Martin said the Government failed to heed the warning of the Environment and Transport Select Committee in December 1999 - six months after the Ayrshire blaze - that it should not take a serious fire in which people were killed before steps were taken to minimise the risks posed by some external cladding systems.

Sir Martin said that in the years that followed the Lakanal House fire, the Governments deregulatory agenda, enthusiastically supported by some junior ministers and the Secretary of State, dominated the departments thinking to such an extent that even matters affecting the safety of life were ignored, delayed or disregarded.

He added: Our investigations have revealed that some important recommendations affecting fire safety were ignored by the Government in the years leading up to the Grenfell Tower fire.

The Grenfell Tower fire in West London in June 2017 left 72 people dead in a shocking tragedy

Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)

While part of central government, this department came in for particular criticism over the way it handled safety on the state-owned housing portfolio.

It said the DCLG failed to pay due regard to the striking results of a large-scale test in 2001 involving aluminium composite panels with unmodified polyethylene cores, which burned violently.

And it did not take any steps either to ascertain the extent to which panels of that kind were in use, or to warn the construction industry about the risks they posed.

It failed to even publish the results of the damning test.

The department was made aware on many occasions that an old, antiquated product classification for facade products known as Class 0 was inappropriate, but allowed it to remain part of the statutory guidance until after the Grenfell Tower fire.

Sir Martin said: It could and should have been removed years earlier.

Between 2012 and 2017, the DCLG received numerous warnings about the risks involved in using polymeric insulation and aluminium composite panels with unmodified polyethylene cores.

However, despite what they knew, and the warnings it received from some quarters, the department - led by Eric Pickles - failed to amend or clarify the guidance on the construction of external walls.

The 72 victims of the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017 are pictured as follows - (top row left to right) Mohammad Al-Haj Ali, Ya-Haddy Sisi Saye, also known as Khadija Saye, Anthony Disson, Khadija Khalloufi, Mary Mendy, Isaac Paulos, Sheila, Gloria Trevisan, Marco Gottardi, (second row left to right) Berkti Haftom, Ali Yarwar Jafari, Majorie Vital, Yahya Hashim, Hamid Kani, Jessica Urbano Ramirez, Zainab Deen, Nura Jemal, Jeremiah Deen, (third row left to right) Yasin El-Wahabi, Firdaws Hashim, Hashim Kedir, Debbie Lamprell, Ernie Vital, Sakina Afrasehabi, Denis Mur-phy, Raymond "Moses" Bernard, Biruk Haftom, (fouth row left to right) Yaqub Hashim, Mehdi El-Wahabi, Ligaya Moore, Nur Huda El-Wahabi, Victoria King, Mo-hammed Amied Neda, Maria del Pilar Burton, Hesham Rahman, Gary Maunders, (fifth row left to right) Alexandra Atala, Vincent Chiejina, Steve Power, Rania Ibrahim, Fethia Hassan, Hania Hassan, Fathia Ahmed Elsanousi, Abufras Ibrahim (silhouette), Isra Ibrahim (silhouette), (sixth row left to right) Mariem Elgwahry, Eslah Elgwahry (sil-houette), Mohamednur Tuccu, Amal Ahmedin, Amaya Tuccu-Ahmedin, Amna Mahmud Idris, Abdeslam Sebbar (silhouette) , Joseph Daniels (silhouette), Logan Gomes, (seventh row left to right) Omar Belkadi, Farah Hamdan, Malak Belkadi (sil-houette), Leena Belkadi (silhouette), Abdulaziz El-Wahabi, Faouzia El-Wahabi, Fatemeh Afrasiabi, Kamru Miah, Rabeya Begum, (eighth row left to right) Mohammed Hamid, Mohammed Hanif, Husna Begum, Bassem Choukair, Nadia Choucair, Mierna Choucair, Fatima Choucair, Zainab Choucair and Sirria Choucair

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council (RBKC) and the Tenant Management Organisation (TMO)

Grenfell Tower was owned by the council, but run by the TMO - and so, of the two, it was the latter who were particularly singled out for criticism by the inquiry report.

Many of the towers inhabitants were vulnerable due to reasons including health issues, while others were from low-income backgrounds.

Yet two separate reports identified the TMO demonstrated issues with staff attitudes, customer service, and a poor approach to carrying out repairs.

This context perhaps explains why one of arguably the greatest opportunities to prevent the tragedy from taking place was ignored.

The TMO regarded some of the residents as militant troublemakers led on by a handful of vocal activists, including social worker Edward Daffarn - whose prescient blogs on the perilous state of Grenfell foresaw the potential for tragedy.

Sir Martin said the TMO may have found Mr Daffarns style offensive but said: However irritating and inconvenient it may at times have found the complaints and demands of some of the residents of Grenfell Tower, for the TMO to have allowed the relationship to deteriorate to such an extent reflects a serious failure on its part to observe its basic responsibilities.

And when the worst happened, the TMO was catastrophically ill-equipped to deal with it.

The report found its Emergency Plan for Grenfell Tower was out of date and incomplete and did not reflect the changes brought about by the refurbishment.

It also failed to collect crucial information about its vulnerable residents - plenty of who had mobility issues - to enable Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) to be prepared.

It meant that on the night, information available to the TMO about who was in the building and their individual needs in the event of an evacuation was incomplete.

The council failed to properly scrutinise the design or choice of materials used in the refurbishment, and failed to satisfy itself that the building would comply with building regulations on completion of the work.

Grenfell Tower is pictured today as the long-running inquiry's second report is released

London Fire Brigade (LFB)

The first phase of the inquiry found the London Fire Brigade was plagued with institutional failures and its preparation for a Grenfell-style inferno was gravely inadequate.

And it said lives were probably lost because crews and 999 operators wasted the best part of an hour telling the blocks occupants to stay put in their flats  before realising the blaze was wildly out of control.

Todays report added that the Lakanal House fire should have alerted the LFB to the shortcomings in its ability to fight fires in high-rise buildings that revealed themselves once more at Grenfell Tower eight years later.

The report identified that firefighters were unable to distinguish between different types of hydrant while tackling Grenfell, and that there was a lack of proper training in this area.

He also said that it was a significant shortcoming that LFB failed to recognise the possibility that in the event of a fire in a high-rise residential building, a large number of calls seeking help, both from within and outside the building, might be generated.

Sir Martin said: The LFB failed to take any steps to enable it to respond effectively to that kind of demand.

As a result, when faced with a large number of calls about people needing to be reduced from Grenfell Tower, both those in the control room and those responsible for handling that information at the scene were forced to resort to various improvised methods of varying reliability to handle the large amount of information they received.

He said those shortcomings could have been made good if the LFB had been more effectively managed and led.
A 'successful' masseur allegedly used his business as a cover to sexually assault ten female clients while giving them full body massages, a court heard.

Marcelo Oliveira, 45, is accused of 22 counts of sexual assault and six other serious sexual offences between March 2019 and July 2021.

Prosecutors allege he took photos of one women, touched her intimately and told her she had a 'beautiful body' which was the 'best he had ever seen'.

The woman had undergone a 'Brazilian bum lift' abroad and said she was told Oliveira's lymphatic draining massages could help reduce surgical swelling.

He would also pull down women's knickers and touch them while pressing his 'intimate parts' against their bodies, jurors were told.

A 'successful' masseur allegedly used his business as a cover to sexually assault ten female clients while giving them full body massages, a court heard. Marcelo Oliveira, 45, is accused of 22 counts of sexual assault and six other serious sexual offences between March 2019 and July 2021. He denies the charges against him

Prosecutors allege he took photos of one women, touched her intimately and told her she had a 'beautiful body' which was the 'best he had ever seen'. The woman had undergone a 'Brazilian bum lift' abroad and said she was told Oliveira's lymphatic draining massages could help reduce surgical swelling

Olivera describes himself as an aesthetic technician and has offices in Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham and London.

He denies the charges against him.

The trial began on Tuesday at Birmingham Crown Court.

Opening the case, prosecutor Antonie Muller said: 'Oliveira undoubtedly set himself up in massage and was successful. He had customers.

'This case is all about, the prosecution say, of him using the cover of massage to sexually assault and penetrate these 10 women. It is pressing himself, his intimate parts against them, it is touching a leg, it is pulling down knickers.

When questioned, Oliveira claimed he gave lymphatic draining massages which moved fluids around the body for a cosmetic effect and denied touching the women in a sexual way.

His first accuser said she found Oliveiras business, MO Massage, on Instagram after being advised that lymphatic massages could aid her recovery from surgery.

She testified that she received full body massages at her home in Buckinghamshire and at Oliveiras clinic in Knightsbridge, costing 65 per hour.

She said she would strip naked and added: 'He said I had a lot of swelling on my pubic bone and that he would need to massage that to reduce the swelling.

'That happened every session. He would use slow movements. I just thought it was all part of the process.'

She said on one occasion Oliveira had touched an intimate part of her body without warning.

The woman told the court Oliveira would often hold one of her hands during the sessions and would also cover her eyes and play music.

She said: 'He would say I had a beautiful body. It was the best body he had ever seen.

'He would ask about my boyfriend who was sometimes in the next room. He would say I did not need a man.'

Although she initially thought Oliveira might be gay due to his mannerisms, he mentioned he was married with children.

The trial continues.
A grandfather was brutally torn in half and had his head bitten off by a crocodile while he washed himself in a river.

M Yunus, 68, from Aceh province, Indonesia, had told his wife Dimyam, 64, that he was going to bathe in the Peureulak River behind their home on Thursday.

But in a devastating turn of events, the grandfather failed to return home after several hours, sparking concerns that he may have drowned in the water.

When Dimyam went to the river to check on her husband, she stumbled across only his clothes and mobile phone on the grassy banks.

She dashed back to their village and called local police and her family for help while fearing the worst.

M Yunus, 68, from Indonesia, was eaten by a crocodile on Thursday after telling his wife he was going to bathe in a river behind their house

The remains of his body were collected by rescue workers and taken home for a funeral but his upper body, head and arms are yet to be found

Iptu Andi Ananta Grilya Utama, Ranto Peureulak Police Chief, said in a statement: 'Suspecting that her husband had drowned, the victim's wife then informed her son who lives in Langsa.'

Emergency services, rescue teams, and local volunteers scoured the river but failed to find the elderly man's body.

The search was ended on the morning of August 30, when East Aceh Regional Disaster Management Agency personnel finally discovered Yunus's corpse drifting downstream around a mile away from where he had left his clothes.

He was reportedly caught in a wooden branch and the entire upper half of his body was missing.

Authorities believe he was attacked and devoured by a crocodile.

The remains of his body were collected and taken home for a funeral but his upper body, head and arms are yet to be found.

They believe the killer croc had eaten the rest of the grandfather in the terrifying incident.

Farm workers found a massive dead crocodile suspected of killing Yunus along the riverbank on August 31.

It was lying lifeless in the undergrowth at the edge of a palm oil plantation.

A shaken resident, Abdullah, said: 'We thought it was the crocodile that ate Yunus, so we cut it open but we found no human body parts inside.

'People from Bhom Lama and Paya Meuligo villages now feel worried and reluctant to carry out their activities as usual around the river.'

Authorities believe Yunus was attacked and devoured by a crocodile (file photo)

The Indonesian archipelago is home to 14 types of crocs - with a large population of extremely large and violent estuarine crocodiles that flourish in the region's climate.

Conservationists believe that crocodiles have been driven further inland closer to villages due to overfishing reducing the crocodiles' natural food supplies combined with habitat loss from the development of coastal areas into farms.

With uneducated locals in the developing country still using rivers for bathing and primitive fishing, the deadly combination of factors has led to rising numbers of crocodile attacks.

It comes after a grandmother in Indonesia was mauled to death by a 12ft crocodile last month as horror footage showed authorities recovering her body from the belly of the beast.

Halima Rahakbauw, 54, was washing pots in a river in Wali village on the Maluku islands after spending the morning looking for clams when the reptile struck.

After spotting a sandal and part of a leg in the river, villagers reported the incident to police, who found the crocodile eating the woman's body and shot it dead.

In 2018, a mob in Indonesia's easternmost region of Papua butchered nearly 300 crocodiles in revenge after a local man was killed by one of the reptiles.

In 2019 a scientist was dragged by a huge captive crocodile into its enclosure and killed on the island of Sulawesi.
A fruit farmer has warned Britain's food industry is 'in crisis' after a wet summer decimated his crops, as meat bosses issue warnings over the rapidly falling number of abattoirs.

Jonathan Hoskyns, a third generation farmer at North Perrott Farm in Somerset, says the wet weather decimated his apple crop and led to a 75 per cent reduction in the size of his other crop yields.

He claims he and his fellow small-scale fruit growers across Britain are struggling to survive because of spiralling costs, which has meant he has stopped selling his produce to supermarkets.

Mr Hoskyns' outcries come as the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) claim that the falling numbers of British abattoirs now risks 'seriously jeopardising' the country's food security.

It blamed the threat to the abattoir industry on falling farm production, 'increasingly onerous' trade barriers and a 'systemic' labour shortage.

Apple farmer Jonathan Hoskyns says he and fellow small-scale fruit growers across Britain are struggling to survive because of spiralling costs

Rising costs combined with poor weather have left small-scale fruit farms teetering on collapse

Mr Hoskyns can no longer afford supermarkets' below-market rates and will instead produce his own fruit juice

Mr Hoskyns said: 'The wet weather this summer has led to poor germination. We have a full Bramley apple crop but the fruit is much smaller, and other crops are at 50 and even 25 per cent yield.

'We are in a position where we can no longer afford to sell our apples to supermarkets.'

Mr Hoskyns highlighted a 30 per cent increase in the minimum wage in the past three years, combined with fertilisers more than doubling in cost.

In contrast, the price of fruit in supermarkets has increased 23 per cent, not keeping up with their outgoings.

Mr Hoskyns said they have reduced the size of their apple and pear orchards from 50 acres to 15 acres to adapt to the new pressures.

Instead of selling to supermarkets, the fruit farmer says he will instead use all his apples to produce fruit juice which he sells in his farm shop and online.

He added: 'In the last three years, with increases in the minimum wage, our horticultural wages have gone up 30 per cent.

'At the same time, the cost of fertilisers is up over 100 per cent yet the price supermarkets pay for fruit is up just 23 per cent.

'We have adapted and are growing enough apples to sell as fruit juice, but we know of many small, independent fruit farms which have shut in the past five years.

'The industry is in a bit of a crisis but we are trying to circumnavigate that by processing our own fruit at the farm and turning it into apple juice.

'We know what the costs are and we can name the price to sell at a profit.'

According to DEFRA, the production volumes of fruit across the United Kingdom decreased by 12per cent in 2023/24 to 585,000 tonnes.

In January, Kent fruit grower Bardsley England announced it was in the process of being wound down due to 'unsustainable' losses thought to be over 6million.

Elsewhere in the farming industry, the number of British abattoirs has fallen from about 2,500 in the 1970s to just 203.

The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) said the 'worrying' long-term trend of falling livestock numbers and 'huge' drop in abattoir numbers would, left unchecked, jeopardise Britain's food security.

The number of British abattoirs has fallen from about 2,500 in the 1970s to just 203 (file image)

The BMPA said this should worry UK consumers and government alike because a lack of a viable abattoir industry would lead to a sharper decline in domestic farming, a heavier reliance on imported meat and 'the loss of a key pillar of UK food security'.

It said that, although 'contentious', the meat processing industry could survive without British livestock and, if necessary, could replace meat from UK-reared animals with imported meat.

However, British livestock farmers could not survive without abattoirs.

In its first 'Meat Industry Manifesto' the BMPA said: 'If we let this trend continue, Britain is in danger of throwing away one of the key strategically important parts of UK infrastructure and seriously jeopardising the country's food security.

'It will expose the UK to risks beyond our control like wars, climate change-driven shortages and export bans where supplies are suddenly cut off.'

BMPA chief executive Nick Allen said: 'Since we left the EU the British meat industry has come under pressure from increased bureaucracy, tougher trade barriers and worker shortages.

'Government policy has played a dominant role and shaped the current trading environment.

'But many policy decisions have been made in a departmental vacuum, without a full understanding of the impacts and unintended consequences they will have on different parts of the food chain. Often, one problem is fixed, only to create another.

'We see the election of a new Labour Government as an opportunity to re-set how government and industry work together to share on-the-ground intelligence that will help shape pragmatic, workable policies that strengthen Britain's long-term food security.'
A Michigan judge has denied Robert F. Kennedy Jr's request to have his name dropped from the November presidential ballot in the battleground state.

Kennedy, 70, suspended his campaign and endorsed former President Donald Trump in August. Since then, he has launched a crusade to strategically withdraw his name in states - like Michigan - where the race could be close.

At the same time, he is trying to remain on the ballot in states where he is unlikely to make a difference between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, has said that under Michigan law, candidates who are nominated and accept a minor party's nomination 'shall not be permitted to withdraw.'

Kennedy filed a lawsuit against Benson in Michigan's Court of Claims Friday in an effort to withdraw his name. Michigan's election officials had previously rejected his notice of withdrawal.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr (pictured on August 23) must keep his name on the November presidential ballot, a Michigan judge has ruled. Kennedy said Tuesday that 'we're trying to get off the ballot in all the states where I might be a spoiler and cause harm to President Trump'

Kennedy filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (pictured speaking during the Michigan Democratic Party convention on August 24) on Friday in an effort to withdraw his name from the ballot. Michigan's election officials had previously rejected his notice of withdrawal

Kennedy argued in the lawsuit that his notice of withdrawal was timely and the electorate's votes could be 'diminished and rendered invalid' if he remains on the ballot.

He filed a similar lawsuit in North Carolina on Friday, where he is trying to withdraw his name from the ballot.

Speaking on Fox News Channel's The Story with Martha MacCallum on Tuesday, Kennedy said, 'We're trying to get off the ballot in all the states where I might be a spoiler and cause harm to President Trump.'

Michigan Court of Claims Judge Christopher P. Yates concluded that the secretary of state rightly rejected Kennedy's request to be removed from the ballot.

'Elections are not just games, and the Secretary of State is not obligated to honor the whims of candidates for public office,' Yates said in his opinion and order.

Aaron Siri, an attorney for Kennedy in the Michigan lawsuit, said that keeping Kennedy's name 'upends ballot integrity.'

'We agree with the judge that elections are not games, and that is precisely why the court should have let Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. withdraw from the ballot,' Siri said in a written statement.

Kennedy, 70, suspended his campaign and endorsed former President Donald Trump (pictured together at a rally in Arizona on August 23) last month. Since then, he has launched a crusade to strategically withdraw his name in states - like Michigan - where the race could be close

Wisconsin election officials also said last week that Kennedy must remain on the ballot there, rejecting his request to withdraw.

It comes after a different Michigan Court of Claims judge ruled last week that liberal independent candidate for president Cornel West must remain on the ballot, an opinion welcomed by West's campaign.

Kennedy and West, prominent third-party candidates, are at the center of multiple legal and political battles across the country as Democrats and Republicans seek to use the impacts of third-party candidates who could take support from their opponents.

Republican allies in multiple battleground states, such as Arizona and Michigan, have sought to keep West on the ballot amid Democratic fears he could siphon votes from Harris.
The first Tory leadership hopeful will be ejected from the contest today as the battle to replace Rishi Sunak heats up.

MPs will vote this afternoon to whittle down the field, with at least one of the six contenders set to fall when the result comes at 3.30pm.

It should finally give a clear indication of who is best placed to win, with barely half of the 121 politicians still standing after the election rout having publicly declared an allegiance.

The latest poll by the ConservativeHome website has found Kemi Badenoch is favourite among activists, with 34 per cent support compared to 18 per cent for her nearest rival Robert Jenrick.

The latest poll by the ConservativeHome website has found Kemi Badenoch is favourite among activists

There have been claims swirling in Westminster that Mr Jenrick could have stronger backing than many expected

The ConHome panel showed 34 per cent support for Ms Badenoch compared to 18 per cent for her nearest rival Mr Jenrick

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However, there have been claims swirling in Westminster that Mr Jenrick could have 60 MPs behind him.

Mel Stride is seen as the most likely to be ousted this afternoon, with Priti Patel, Tom Tugendhat and James Cleverly the other candidates.

The party's plan is for four candidates to make their cases to Tory members at the conference at the start of October.

After that, MPs will carry out further rounds of voting to select two final candidates to be put to activists, with the winner announced on November 2.

There has been disquiet over the extended timetable as it means Mr Sunak responding to the Budget on October 30.

Several candidates have officially launched campaigns in recent days as MPs returned to Parliament.

Mrs Badenoch, widely tipped as the bookmakers' favourite, complained at her event that the Tories 'talked right but governed left' and 'acted like Labour'.

Mr Jenrick has focused his campaign on immigration, with a promise to introduce a binding cap on the number of legal migrants and to leave the European Convention on Human Rights.

Tom Tugendhat formally launched his leadership bid yesterday

James Cleverly arriving for his launch with wife Susie on Monday

There has been disquiet over the extended timetable as it means Mr Sunak responding to the Budget on October 30

Former security minister Mr Tugendhat's pitch is for a reset with the public, based around restoring honesty to politics, while Mr Cleverly, the shadow home secretary, has said his priorities as prime minister would be to boost national security, reduce migration and restore 'confidence in capitalism'.

Dame Priti promised members she would get the Conservative Party back to its 'winning ways' and touted her credentials in cabinet and her work on immigration and policing.

Mr Stride has not held a launch event, but has made frequent appearances speaking to broadcasters during the early weeks of the contest.
The garage worker who strangled schoolteacher Sabina Nessa is set to spend even longer behind bars after stabbing a prison officer with a piece of porcelain from the toilet in his cell.

Koci Selamaj was serving a life term of at least 36 years for the sexually motivated murder of 28-year-old Sabina, who he targeted as she walked alone through Cator Park in Kidbrooke, south-east London, in September 2021.

Selamaj, 39, was jailed for life in April 2022 and his attack on the two officers at HMP Frankland just a year into the sentence, on May 8, 2023, resulted in him being transferred to Broadmoor top security hospital.

He has been ordered to serve an extra four and a half years after the minimum term on his life sentence has passed - meaning he will not be freed until sometime in the early 2060s when he is 73 years old.

Sabina's killing sparked outrage from politicians and feminist campaigners on social media, following just months after the high-profile abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by twisted former Met Police officer Wayne Couzens.

Garage worker Koci Selamaj, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of Sabina Nessa, has had his jail term extended after attacking prison officers

Sabina, 28, was found dead under a pile of leaves in Cator Park, south-east London in September 2021

Selamaj attacked prison officers at HMP Frankland (pictured) after smashing his porcelain toilet and using a shard as a weapon

Koci Selamaj being booked by the Met Police on suspicion of murdering Sabina Nessa

Newcastle Crown Court heard that prison staff on Frankland's B Wing could hear smashing sounds from Selamaj's cell shortly after he was asked if he would like some lunch.

When staff went to investigate they saw his cell toilet had been 'significantly smashed'.

Prosecutor Peter Sabiston told the court: 'The defendant let out a scream and charged at the officers who were now at the door, brandishing a piece of porcelain which has clearly come from the WC basin.'

Mr Sabiston said one officer suffered a wound to his knee and two to his forearm from being stabbed by a piece of the broken porcelain. Another, who was punched two to three times to the face, suffered swelling under his eye.

The stabbed officer said in a statement he has never been attacked before during his ten years of service and added: 'I'm not scared to return to work as I believe Selamaj has a problem with me and hopefully I won't have to see him again.

'My family have been really concerned since the incident. I love my job but I didn't expect to be assaulted.

'The results could have been a lot worse. His strength is unbelievable, I feel very lucky, it could have been a lot worse.

'He's in prison for murder so I know what he's capable of.'

Both officers spoke of fear and difficulty in restraining the killer during the shocking attack. Selamaj, 39, admitted wounding with intent and assault.

Selamaj, who was slammed as 'cowardly' for refusing to attend his sentencing for Sabina's murder, may never be released.

Judge Penny Moreland sentenced him to a total of four-and-a-half years, which he will serve after the minimum period of the life term.

Selamaj was caught on CCTV near Pegler Square in London (pictured) shortly before murder

Hours before the killing, Selamaj drove to his wife's workplace to ask her for sex, seeming 'very agitated'

The judge said Selamaj will be detained in Broadmoor for as 'long as necessary' and could be transferred to prison.

She said she had to assess whether Selamaj, who has psychiatric problems, poses a risk of serious harm to the public.

Judge Moreland added: 'I have no hesitation in saying, given your previous offence and the circumstances of these offences, given everything I have read about you in psychiatric reports, I take the view you do pose such a risk to members of the public who, after all, also comprise prison staff and other prisoners.'

Dr Jonathan Hafferty told the court that Selamaj has a mixed personality disorder and has commenced psychology work, which is still in the early stages.

Aidan Harvey, defending, said Selamaj is currently serving a 36 year minimum term and any parole hearing at the conclusion of that time will consider the circumstances of this offence, as well as up to date psychiatric reports before any decision is made.

Mr Harvey said Selamaj has been mentally 'unwell' but added: 'He is dangerous, it would be silly to suggest otherwise.'

He added: 'At one stage he was seriously unwell and was hearing voices via electricity in the walls.'

The court heard that Selamaj had a 'good response' to antipsychotic medication.

The shocking murder came after a number of high-profile femicides, including Sarah Everard, 33, who was snatched in London and killed by policeman Wayne Couzens on March 3 earlier that year.

Meanwhile sisters Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, were stabbed to death in a Wembley park by 19-year-old Danyal Hussein on June 6, 2020.

In September 2021 Sabina had been on her way to meet a friend in south London when Selamaj, who had lay in wait for around 20 minutes to select his 'prey for a violent sexual encounter', grabbed her from behind.

The killer had travelled from his home in Eastbourne to carry out the killing. Using an emergency triangle from his car, he beat her unconscious, striking her 34 times.

The killing came after a series of high profile female murders, including Sarah Everard (pictured), 33, who was snatched in London and killed by policeman Wayne Couzens on March 3

Sabina's image was carried by campaigners calling for an end to violence against women (pictured: a vigil in Eastbourne)

A vigil for Sabina Nessa held in London in September 2021. Her death, along with others of lone vulnerable women, sparked outrage and calls for better protection for women and girls

He then dragged her into an area of long grass and asphyxiated her before removing some of her clothes and trying to conceal her body. However, it was found the following evening by a dog-walker.

A year and a half later, it emerged that the Selmanj had been flagged to police just three days before he murdered Sabina, but police chose not to investigate.

Selamaj had beaten and throttled his wife for months - but after she left him, he took a room at the hotel where she worked.

Colleagues of the killer's estranged wife Ionela had called the 101 non-emergency number from the Grand Hotel in Eastbourne after they saw him 'acting strangely' and refusing to pay for his stay at the five-star hotel.

But police did not attend. A call handler completed security checks on Selamaj but saw no reason for officers to show up.

Mr Justice Sweeney, sentencing Selamaj to life at the time, said: 'I have no doubt that the defendant gained considerable pleasure from what he did.'

Broadmoor is a top-security psychiatric hospital in Berkshire and has previously housed notorious inmates such as Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe and gangster Ronnie Kray.
The Justice Department announced criminal charges Tuesday against Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other senior militants over the October 7 rampage in Israel which sparked the war in Gaza.

This is the first effort by American law enforcement to formally call out the masterminds of the attack.

The seven-count criminal complaint filed in federal court in New York City includes charges of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction.

It also accuses Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah of providing financial support, weapons, and military supplies.

Pictured: Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar speaks during a meeting in Gaza City on April 30, 2022. The U.S. Department of Justice has accused Sinwar and other senior militants over the October 7 rampage in Israel

The October 7 massacre, which was carried out by Hamas, sparked the war in Gaza. The charges are the first effort by American law enforcement to formally call out the masterminds of the attack. Pictured: A Palestinian man takes a selfie in front of a burning Israeli military vehicle after it was hit by Palestinian gunmen who infiltrated areas of southern Israel, at the Israeli side of Israel-Gaza border, October 7

Palestinian militants move towards the border fence with Israel from Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023

The impact of the case may be mostly symbolic given that Sinwar is believed to be hiding in tunnels in Gaza and the Justice Department says three of the six defendants are believed now to be dead.

But officials say additional actions are expected as part of a broader effort to target a militant group that the U.S. designated as a foreign terrorist organization in 1997 and has been linked to a series of deadly attacks on Israel, including suicide bombings.

The complaint was originally filed under seal in February to give the U.S. time to try to take into custody then-Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who had been engaged in truce talks when he was killed in July in an attack blamed on Israel.

However, the raft of terrorism chargers were revealed Tuesday as Haniyeh's death and other developments in the region lessened the need for secrecy, the Justice Department said.

'The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas' operations,' Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a video statement. 'These actions will not be our last.'

Sinwar was appointed the overall head of Hamas after the killing of Haniyeh in Iran and sits atop Israel's most-wanted list. He is believed to have spent most of the past 10 months living in tunnels under Gaza, and it is unclear how much contact he has with the outside world.

The impact of the case may be mostly symbolic given that Sinwar (pictured) is believed to be hiding in tunnels in Gaza, the DOJ said

Pictured: Vlada Patapov. People flee music festival after Hamas attack in Israel.She became known as the lady in red - one of the most hauntingly iconic images from the October 7 massacre/ The October 7 attacks have been described as some of the most violent terror attacks in history

Israeli troops search the scene of a rocket attack in the Israeli kibbutz of Kfar Aza on the border with the Gaza Strip on October 11, 2023

Palestinians transport a captured Israeli civilian, center, from Kfar Azza kibbutz into the Gaza Strip on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. The militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel at daybreak Saturday, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations by air, land, and sea and catching the country off-guard on a major holiday

He was a long-serving Palestinian prisoner freed in an exchange of the type that would be part of a cease-fire and hostage release deal.

Haniyeh was also charged.

Other Hamas leaders facing charges include Marwan Issa, deputy leader of Hamas' armed wing in Gaza, who helped plan last year's attack and who Israel says was killed when its fighter jets struck an underground compound in central Gaza in March; Khaled Mashaal, another Haniyeh deputy and a former leader of the group thought to be based in Qatar; Mohammed Deif, Hamas' longtime shadowy military leader who was thought to be killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza in July; and Lebanon-based Ali Baraka, Hamas' head of external relations.

The criminal complaint describes the massacre as the 'most violent, large-scale terrorist attack' in Hamas' history.

It details how Hamas operatives who arrived in southern Israel with 'trucks, motorcycles, bulldozers, speedboats, and paragliders' engaged in a brutal campaign of violence that included rape, genital mutilation and machine-gun shootings at close range.

Israelis embrace next to photos of people killed and taken captive by Hamas militants during their violent rampage through the Nova music festival in southern Israel, which are displayed at the site of the event, as Israeli DJs spun music, to commemorate the October 7, massacre, near Kibbutz Re'im, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023

Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg who was kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack, stand with a poster with the image of Hersh Goldberg on the day family members and supporters use giant loudspeakers to call their captive loved ones over the border from Israel to Gaza, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, at Kibbutz Nirim in southern Israel August 29, 2024

The charges come as Washington expressed that it would work 'over the coming days' with fellow mediators Egypt and Qatar 'to push for a final agreement' after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected 'concessions' in indirect negotiations with Hamas.

Netanyahu is currently facing growing domestic pressure following the recovery by Israel's military of six killed hostages from the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.

Thousands of protests have massed across Israel this week calling for a ceasefire in the war in Gaza amid mounting disapproval of the government's handling of the war.

Hamas's October attack on southern Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,197 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures.

The militants also seized about 250 hostages, around 100 of whom remain in Gaza, The Israeli military believe a third of the hostages to be dead.

Israel's retaliatory military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 40,000 people, also mostly civilians, according to data from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.

The war has caused widespread destruction and forced the vast majority of Gaza's 2.3 million residents to flee their homes, often multiple times, and created a humanitarian catastrophe.

Hamas has accused Israel of dragging out months of negotiations by issuing new demands, including for lasting Israeli control over the Philadelphi corridor along the border of Egypt 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 President Joe Biden in July.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged 'total victory' over Hamas and blames it for the failure of the negotiations.
A mother and her apparent boyfriend have been arrested after police found two young children were found chained up inside a Virginia home.

Wendi Del Cid Rodriguez, 46, and Franklin Viera Guevara, 29, are facing two counts of child neglect, two counts of child cruelty and two counts of abduction after two boys, ages seven and nine, were found chained to a post by their ankles.

The children had visible marks on their ankles that officers said were consistent with the chains, Fox 5 reported.

The apparent couple reportedly told investigators they chained the boys up for 'short periods' of time in an effort to 'scare them' into not leaving the home.

Rodriguez has been released on bond, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for October 2. Guevara remains in the Fairfax County prison without bond.

Wendi Del Cid Rodriguez, 46, (left) and Franklin Viera Guevara, 29, (right) have been arrested after police found two young boys, ages seven and nine, were found chained to a post by their ankles inside the apparent couple's Groveton, Virginia home

Fairfax County police were called to an apartment in the 6700 block of Tower Drive (pictured) on August 15 for reports of alleged child neglect. When they arrived on scene, officers knocked on the door and could hear the sound of chains rattling from inside. The door was opened and officers found two boys chained at their ankles to a post

Fairfax County police were called to an apartment in the 6700 block of Tower Drive in Groveton on August 15 for reports of alleged child neglect.

When they arrived on scene, officers knocked on the door and could hear the sound of chains rattling from inside, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Fox 5.

The door was opened and officers found two boys chained at their ankles to a post. A sleeping cot was placed by the chain.

Police were informed of the alleged neglect after being contacted by the sister of one of the boys, the court documents state.

The child reportedly texted his a picture of his chained ankle to his sister from a roommate's phone. She then called 911.

The boys were left 'unsupervised and restrained' when Rodriguez and Guevara were not home, the roommate told police.

Guevara is scheduled to have a bond hearing today and a competency hearing has been set for next month.
A refurbished nuclear bunker has gone under the hammer for just 15,000.... but potential buyers will be hit by a major catch.

The 14ft underground bunker in Wormhill, near Buxton in Derbyshire, is due to be sold at auction on September 26.

Described as 'in excellent condition', the den was built in the 1950s by the Royal Observer Corps (ROC) to save employees in case of an attack.

It decommissioned in 1991 and will go up for sale with a guide price of between 15,000 and 20,000.

The bunker is one of around 1,500 built in the Cold War period as the population became increasingly anxious about other countries' nuclear capabilities.

Quite why Derbyshire would have been singled out is unknown, but it has left a lasting legacy underneath the Peak District countryside.

The 14ft underground bunker in Wormhill, near Buxton in Derbyshire, is due to be sold at auction on September 26

Described as 'in excellent condition', the den was built in the 1950s by the Royal Observer Corps (ROC) to save employees in case of an attack

The bunker's hatch and ladder takes the occupant 20ft down into a ground studio with cream carpets

The bunker was decommissioned in 1991 and will go up for sale with a guide price of between 15,000 and 20,000

Despite being fully equipped to save people's lives in case of a meltdown, the underground lair has no loo.

But it does come with - perhaps unwisely - a giant picture of a nuclear explosion on one wall.

The bunker's hatch and ladder takes the occupant 20ft down into a ground studio with cream carpets, a sheepskin rug, cream velvet curtains and a double bed with bright yellow throw.

There is lots of storage space nearby - containing a camping gas hob, electric heater and stash of beer.

Hilariously, there is also a thrilling book for the future owner to read - Cold War Secret Nuclear Bunkers.

It also comes with an original pair of binoculars, a telephone and old diagrams and instructions left on the walls.

The bunkers were designed to provide protective accommodation for three ROC employees to survive a nuclear attack.

Whilst staying there they were expected to report on the nuclear bursts and on the fall out of a nuclear attack.

The bunker is one of around 1,500 built in the Cold War period as the population became increasingly anxious about other countries' nuclear capabilities

The bunkers were designed to provide protective accommodation for three ROC employees to survive a nuclear attack

Despite being fully equipped to save people's lives in case of a meltdown, the underground lair has no loo

ROC employees staying there were expected to report on the nuclear bursts and on the fall out of a nuclear attack

There is lots of storage space nearby - containing a camping gas hob, electric heater and stash of beer

Quite why Derbyshire would have been singled out for a bunker is unknown, but it has left a lasting legacy underneath the Peak District countryside

They were provided with enough food and water for fourteen days and had a land line and radio communications available to them.

Most of these sites were decommissioned and sold off in 1993 and many were bought up by telecom companies and now are sites for mobile phone masts.

A description from auctioneers SDL Property Auctions says: 'Fantastic opportunity to buy a piece of past war British history. The once in a generation opportunity is to buy a ROC nuclear bunker otherwise known as A Royal Observer post.

'The bunker is secure, dry and in its original condition, the current owner has refurbished and decorated it in readiness for its new owner.

'There are wall to wall velvet curtains, a cream carpet, a made bed, a log burner, storage and even a rug to make it as homely as possible.'
A former reality TV star has allegedly been shot dead by her husband in their luxury home before he turned the gun on himself.

Authorities found the body of Paulina Lerch, 33, who appeared on Top Model in her native Poland twice, after her family failed to get in touch with her for over a week.

Police suspect her husband Sawomir, 47, shot her dead before killing himself at their home near Poznan City, Poland, on Sunday.

He was reportedly found lying next to Lerch with fatal self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

The house was locked from the inside and a revolver was discovered next to the young couple's dead bodies.

Former Top Model star Paulina Lerch, 33, has been found shot dead inside her home in Poland

Cops believe her husband, Sawomir, shot her dead before turning the gun on himself

Lerch appeared on Top Model in her native Poland twice - in 2010 and again in 2018

The reality TV star was found dead in her kitchen alongside her husband, 47

Sawomir was an alleged drug trafficker and was arrested, along with 30 other suspects, in April and May this year after 60kg of drugs were found stashed in a warehouse.

He was released from custody at the beginning of August.

Lerch kept her marriage to Sawomir, nicknamed Klakson, away from the public eye.

It remains unclear whether Paulina's death was murder or a suicide pact between the pair.

It is also unknown when the shooting took place and investigators are hoping that the autopsy results will shed more light on the circumstances behind their deaths.

Paulina's family said they hadn't heard from her for over a week before her body was found.

They called the authorities out of concern for her wellbeing.

During her time on Top Model in 2010, Paulina was asked to pretend to be a dolphin on the catwalk  with the reaction from the judges sparking outrage.

Despite this, the aspiring model did not give up and appeared on the program again in 2018.

This time, she appeared changed, as she managed to lose almost 20kg over the course of eight years.

Unfortunately, the judges refused to allow her to advance to the next stage for the second time.

An investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Keir Starmer was accused of risking creating a damaging 'split' with the United States today as he faced pressure over suspended arms sales to Israel.

Sir Keir was grilled by Tory leader Rishi Sunak at Prime Minister's Question's over Monday's polarising decision to halt exports of some materiel over fears about how it might be used in Gaza.

The US has refused to follow Britain and suspend arms sales to Israel over fears of lawbreaking amid the bloodshed.

Amid a furious row over the decision by David Lammy to suspend a small percentage of export licences, the Biden Administration said it would continue to support the country's 'defensive capabilities'.

Mr Sunak asked the PM to explain 'how his decision will help to secure the release of the 101 hostages still being held by Hamas', adding:

'He will know that decisions like this also have important and broader geopolitical implications. He mentioned allies. It is essential that we maintain transatlantic unity in the face of terrorist threats and avoid any perception of splits between our two nations.'

Sir Keir replied: 'I acknowledge the importance of working with our allies on all issues, as we have been doing, as I was able to make very clear at the NATO summit that I attended in the early summer. Of course, as [Mr Sunak] and the House would expect, we have talked this through with our allies. They understand; they have a different legal system. That is the point they made.'

Sir Keir was grilled by Tory leader Rishi Sunak at Prime Minister's Question's over Monday's polarising decision to halt exports of some materiel over fears about how it might be used in Gaza.

Mr Sunak asked the PM to explain ' how his decision will help to secure the release of the 101 hostages still being held by Hamas'.

The Foreign Secretary on Monday said the UK would suspend 30 out of 350 export licences, citing fears armaments using UK-made parts could be used in breach of international law by the Israeli defence Force (IDF).

It sparked angry criticism from Israel supporters condemning it and pro-Palestinians saying it did not go far enough.

The US was informed of the move in advance, but last night US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said America would not follow suit.

'There's been no determination by the United States they have violated international humanitarian law  we're going to continue to do what we have to do to support Israel's defensive capabilities,' he said.

And US State department spokesman Matt Miller said that it would use its own assessment of whether international law had been broken.

Amid a furious row over the decision by David Lammy to suspend a small percentage of export licences, the Biden Administration said it would continue to support the country's 'defensive capabilities'.

The Foreign Secretary on Monday said the UK would suspend 30 out of 350 export licences, citing fears armaments using UK-made parts could be used in breach of international law by the Israeli defence Force (IDF).

The US was informed of the move in advance, but last night US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said America would not follow suit. (file picture)

And US State department spokesman Matt Miller said that it would use its own assessment of whether international law had been broken.

'They [the UK] had a legal framework that they needed to apply, they applied that legal framework, and it led them to this decision. And it's of course appropriate for them to make their own legal judgments, based on their system and their laws,' he said.

'We have reviews that are ongoing. I don't want to prejudge what those reviews will conclude, but we are looking at a number of possible violations of international humanitarian law, and we'll make our own assessments based on our review of the facts and our own judgments on our laws, as well as international humanitarian law.

Boris Johnson joined Benjamin Netanyahu and Jewish groups in condemning the 'shameful' decision last night.

A major diplomatic row unfolded over the Foreign Secretary's move  with the Israeli prime minister claiming Britain's 'misguided' decision would only 'embolden Hamas'.

But Mr Netanyahu vowed it would 'not change' his country's 'determination' to defeat them.

Mr Johnson questioned whether Labour were 'abandoning Israel'.

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

After the decision on Monday, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said: 'Days after Hamas executed six Israeli hostages, the UK government suspended 30 arms licences to Israel.

'This shameful decision will not change Israel's determination to defeat Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization that savagely murdered 1,200 people on October 7, including 14 British citizens. Hamas is still holding over 100 hostages, including five British citizens.

'Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britain's misguided decision will only embolden Hamas.'

The decision has severely strained the UK's relationship with Israel.

Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, claimed the decision issued a 'terrible message' in Israel's 'hour of need'.

Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attend a press conference in October

Demonstrators stand around a fire as they protest against the government in Tel Aviv tonight

A protestor holds a placard during a protest in Tel Aviv on Monday

Mr Netanyahu is currently under heavy pressure in Israel over his handling of the war and efforts to recover hostages taken in Hamas terrorists' October 7 attack.

Thousands massed at protests across Israel for the third consecutive day of demonstrations calling for a ceasefire in the war in Gaza.

Demonstrators blocked traffic outside the IDF's military headquarters in Tel Aviv in a bid to put pressure on Netanyahu's war cabinet to find a lasting resolution and ensure the return of the remaining hostages.

Others amassed outside the Prime Minister's home in Jerusalem, lighting fires and lifting banners calling to 'stop the war' as unrest grows around the perceived stalling of negotiations with Hamas.

The movement, which has been organising rallies in the city for months, has gained support since Israel's Defense Forces recovered the bodies of six more captives from Gaza on Saturday night, all reportedly executed by Hamas days prior.

Protesters in Tel Aviv were joined by family members of some of those still in Gaza, who spoke critically of Netanyahu before observing a short silence and prayer. The crowd marked the end of the silence chanting 'Everyone! Now!' calling for the full release of hostages.

Many brought signs and flags to the events emblazoned with critical slogans including 'Executed by Hamas / Abandoned by Netanyahu' and 'I added clauses. Hostages died. Sorry', others calling for a permanent ceasefire with Hamas or a new government.

The US said it is time to 'finalise' a deal between Israel and Hamas to end the war, with Washington working 'over the coming days' with fellow mediators Egypt and Qatar 'to push for a final agreement.
Another Australian city has banned hired e-scooter from its streets.

Townsville Council in Far North Queensland voted this week to end its contract with rental e-bike company Beam Mobility, citing compliance issues and an under-reporting of scooter numbers across the city.

It comes after Brisbane and Darwin suspended its contracts with the e-scooter company over the last week.

At least 300 purple e-scooters will be removed from Townsville over the next four weeks.

Mayor Troy Thompson described the contract with Beam as not 'a good deal for us.'

'To be pretty blunt about it we know its exceeded 300 so I think its important to understand that,' Townsville Bulletin reported.

'But we also have got to establish what exactly was used, and then well get those numbers back as soon as we can.

'Weve got information to say that its not a good deal for us at this time.'

Townsville Council voted to terminate the contract with Beam Mobility after compliance issues and under-reporting the scooter numbers in the city

The number of e-scooters had been capped at 300 when the contract started in 2020 to ensure safety in open spaces and footpaths across Townsville.

At the time Beam e-scooters were introduced into the city, they provided competition against Neuron Mobility, which started operating one month earlier.

The council is now reassessing the options for future e-scooter operations within Townsville.

'Council is continuing its investigation into the companys non-compliance with the contractual conditions, given recent revelations of Beams under reporting of active scooters,' a council statement read.

'Council has communicated this decision to Beam and asked for the prompt removal of all Beam e-scooters from Townsville's public spaces,'

Beam had been operating in Townsville since 2020 and had a cap of 300 e-scooters to operate daily (pictured a stock photo of a rider and a Beam e-scooter)

The Singapore company operates in 37 locations in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe and must pay a registration fee for each electric vehicle and/or a percentage of what riders pay to hire one.

Beam is under investigation in Australia and New Zealand for deploying 'phantom' scooters on the streets to get around the capped numbers.

Brisbane Council will refer the company to the corporate watchdog and haven't ruled out going to the police, after an audit found Beam had an average of 500 extra scooters every day in the CBD.

With a cap of 1800, the company went about 27 per cent over the amount of scooters they were permitted to operate.

The investigation was conducted over 12 months and found ratepayers lost $330,000 in fees.

Beam has recently lost contracts in Brisbane and Auckland, after investigations revealed they exceeded their permitted daily cap (stock image)

The cap in Auckland was found to exceed an average of 40 per cent daily.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Beam Mobility for comment.

It's the latest chapter in what appears to be a revolt against e-scooters in Australian cities.

Hiring electronic scooters in Melbourne's CBD will soon be a thing of the past after a spate of complaints about the popular vehicles, with the mayor saying they clutter the city's footpaths and are a trip hazard.
ABC has been slammed over a 'cruel' finale of The Bachelorette after it forced star Jenn Tran to watch back her ill-fated proposal while weeping uncontrollably.

The network has been accused of humiliating the 26-year-old during Tuesday night's explosive three-hour season end.

Tran, a physician assistant student from Hillsdale, New Jersey, proposed to love interest Devin Strader, 28, in Hawaii, but he broke it off over the phone shortly after the show wrapped and refused to talk to her for months.

Tran was then forced to sit next to Strader and relive the pain of her breakup in front millions of viewers, after show host Jesse Palmer asked if they should watch a video of her proposal.

'Do I have any choice?' Devastated Tran asked before the clip was screened anyway, causing her to collapse into sobs for the duration.

ABC has been slammed over a 'cruel' finale of The Bachelorette after it forced star Jenn Tran to watch back her ill-fated proposal while weeping uncontrollably

Her treatment, especially as the show's first Asian-American lead, has sparked fury at ABC, with many fans vowing to boycott the series entirely.

'I am sick to my stomach! Jenn should not have been put through all that - how dare you ABC,' TikTok user Layla Taremi fumed.

Another, Allie Renee, posted a video through tears claiming she would never watch the franchise again.

'What the producers made Jenn sit through was complete evil,' Renee said.

'Despite how casting works, the fact that so many men went into it expecting a different woman, they set her up for failure from the beginning.

'I just feel like watching after the final rose episode was truly horrific.'

'We waited so long for an Asian-American Bachelorette for it to end like this?' Melissa Hong said. 'I am completely appalled at how they treated her [...] The set seemed so dismissive, so cruel, so overlooked.

'As an Asian-American myself, something I think a lot of us felt is that they didn't give Jenn the time of day. They just skipped over her trauma.

'You just witnessed a woman in the height of her heartbreak, I am just so disappointed. I know it's reality TV but at the end of the day she deserves better.'

Tran was forced to relive the pain of her breakup while sat next to the man who caused it when the show screened her proposal to Devin Shrader during the finale on Tuesday

Viewers took to social media to express their anger with ABC with some vowing never to watch the show again

Even Good Morning America host Lara Spencer admitted she found the finale 'hard to watch' during Tran's first interview since the controversy, which took place Wednesday morning.

During the segment, Tran said she had no regrets proposing to Shrader but that he was clearly not the same man she had fallen for.

The segment ended with the revelation Tran will appear on the next season of Dancing With the Stars and with Spencer mouthing, 'you did great' as their interview closed.

The Bachelorette opened on the final week in Hawaii with Jenn saying she was in love with both Strader and Marcus Shoberg, 32, an Army Ranger veteran from Cloquet, Minnesota. Her family had flown in to support her.

Tran shared with her parents that Strader had already told her that he loved her, but Marcus hadn't said it yet.

She ended up choosing Strader and proposing to him, with the Houston-based freight company owner proposing back.

But during the live finale, Tran said as soon as they left Hawaii, things were different.

She said Strader started to pull away, and she felt secondary to his life - explaining through tears that Strader called her and broke off the engagement.

'Obviously, I failed you,' Devin said. 'Everything I felt for you was real'

Show host Jesse Palmer told Jenn that he was sorry it didn't work out for her

Devin and Jenn kissed after getting engaged in Hawaii

'He had basically said that he didn't love me anymore and didn't feel the same way,' Tran said. 'He regretted getting engaged.'

Palmer said he was shocked. Tran said she didn't understand what changed, and she last saw him a month ago.

She also revealed that he had befriended former Bachelor alum Maria Georgas - who had appeared on the same Bachelor season as Jenn - shortly after their breakup and was seen clubbing with co-star Jeremy Simon, despite being supposedly heartbroken.

As Strader came out and joined Jenn on the stage, she told him that she could try to understand someone who changed their mind, but couldn't understand him ending the engagement on a phone call. She said it was disrespectful that she saw the next day he followed Maria on Instagram.

'It completely invalidated our entire relationship,' Jenn said.

'Obviously, I failed you,' Strader said. 'Everything I felt for you was real.'

Strader said when filmed ended, he had a lot of doubts. Jenn said he hid all his feelings of doubt.

In her first interview since the controversy, Tran said she did not regret proposing to Shrader but did not address the backlash

But even host Lara Spencer acknowledged that the finale was 'hard to watch' before reassuring Tran she had done a good job

'I was regretfully late on letting you know,' Strader said, eliciting groans from the audience.

'I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you,' Tran said. 'You had one foot out the door the entire time.'

Strader said he felt he couldn't live up to her expectations and what she deserved.

It was a far cry from the final scenes of their relationship on the show, when Strader told Tran she was the most important thing in his life.

'I love the thought of forever with you,' he said.
The new US ambassador to Taiwan has warned the island is 'not the only target' of China's 'intimidation and coercion' and declared that American support for the country is 'rock-solid, principled, and bipartisan'.

Raymond F. Greene on Wednesday said Washington will continue to follow through on its commitments to ensure Taiwan can defend itself against threats from Beijing.

China has upped military and political pressure on Taiwan in recent years, and conducted military drills in May around the island days after the inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.

Taiwan, separated from mainland China by the narrow 110-mile (180-kilometre) Taiwan Strait, has its own government, military and currency. But Beijing claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory and has said it will never renounce the use of force to bring the island under its control.

Greene's remarks come at a time of uncertainty over China's intentions toward the island it claims as its own territory and amid conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East that threaten to draw the US in further.

Raymond F. Greene, the top US envoy to Taiwan, (pictured today) vowed that the US will continue to follow through on its commitments to ensure Taiwan can defend itself against threats from Beijing

China claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory and has said it will never renounce the use of force to bring the island under its control. Pictured: Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday, September 2, 2024

'Taiwan is not the only target of PRC efforts to use intimidation and coercion to change the status quo,' Raymond Greene said in his first news conference as director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the de facto US embassy.

'More and more countries are realizing the importance of cooperating with the United States and other like-minded partners to preserve the rules-based international system.'

US efforts to build alliances in the region 'are not meant to prepare for war but to prevent it', Greene added.

China's campaign of confrontation has also extended to remote reefs in Southeast Asia and far-flung Japanese islands.

Beijing has deployed military and coast guard vessels to press its claims to almost the entire South China Sea, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

As China has increased pressures around the island, Taiwan has sought to strengthen ties with friendly countries while ramping up military purchases from the United States, its key ally.

Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 but has remained Taiwan's biggest arms supplier, sparking repeated condemnations from China.

Greene also said that the United States would not 'rule out' weapons co-production with Taiwan in the future.

China has upped military and political pressure on Taiwan in recent years, and conducted military drills in May around the island days after the inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te (pictured on August 23)

Taiwan's Ma Kong (DDG-1805) Kee Lung-class guided-missile destroyer (L) maneuvers as it monitor the movement of Chinese destroyer Xi'an (DDG-153) (R) at an undisclosed location around the waters of Taiwan on May 23, 2024

China on May 23 encircled Taiwan with naval vessels and military aircraft in war games aimed at punishing the self-ruled island after its new president vowed to defend democracy. Taiwan's Mirage 2000 fighter jets prepare for takeoff in this image

China in May published a map of the intended scale of the war games, showing how warships and planes will conduct drills in five areas surrounding Taiwan

Greene made clear that Taiwan was a top priority, especially the security of shipping in the crucial Taiwan Strait that divides the island and China.

The US will 'continue to maintain the capacity to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion against Taiwan,' Greene said.

Greene said the Executive Branch has notified Congress of approximately $38.4billion in Foreign Military Sales to Taiwan since 2010, including over $6.4billion under the Biden administration, along with the equivalent of $345million in transfers of arms from existing US stocks.

Upgraded and new F-16 jet fighters, Abrams tanks and other equipment have arrived or are in the pipeline, while Taiwan is expanding its production of domestic arms including submarines and anti-landing and ground to air missiles.

Greene, a senior American diplomat, arrived two months ago to serve as director of the American Institute in Taiwan, making him America's de-facto ambassador on the island of 23.5 million people that has long retained strong commercial, cultural and political links with the US.

Taiwan was a main issue when US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan visited China last week, aiming to keep communications open in a relationship that has become increasingly tense in recent years.

Sullivan, on his first trip to China as the main adviser to President Joe Biden on national security issues, met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a top general from the Central Military Commission.

Danny Russel, a vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York and who served on the national security council in the Obama administration, said the meeting between Sullivan and Xi was particularly important because Sullivan was seen by the Chinese leadership as 'a direct extension' of the US president and that Sullivan's messaging was viewed as 'coming straight from Biden.'

Sullivan also met one of China's vice chairs of the Central Military Commission, Gen. Zhang Youxia, last week - a rare meeting with a visiting US official.

Taiwan was a main issue when US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan visited China last week, aiming to keep communications open in a relationship that has become increasingly tense in recent years

Sullivan, on his first trip to China as the main adviser to President Joe Biden on national security issues, met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, (pictured together on August 29) Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a top general from the Central Military Commission

'China demands that the United States stop military collusion between the US and Taiwan, stop arming Taiwan and stop spreading false narratives about Taiwan,' a Chinese Defense Ministry statement said, without elaborating on what the false narratives are.

A White House statement said the two had 'recognized the progress in sustained, regular military-military communications over the past 10 months.'

On Taiwan, the US statement said only that Sullivan had raised the importance of cross-Strait peace and stability.

China suspended communication between the two militaries after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022. Talks only gradually resumed more than a year later, after Xi and Biden met outside San Francisco in November.

The US has long been a cheerleader for Taiwan's lively democracy, which stands in stark contrast to China's authoritarian state.
Alleged Chinese spy Linda Sun pushed the Chinese Communist Party's agenda in the New York governor's offices for perks like salted ducks and a 2024 Ferrari, according to prosecutors.

Alleged Chinese agent Linda Sun was arrested Tuesday morning

Linda Sun, who held numerous posts under both governors Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul between 2012 and 2023, was arrested Tuesday morning along with her husband, Chris Hu, at their $4 million mansion on Long Island.

Prosecutors say Sun secretly worked to promote the CCP's interests in NY, particularly when it came to Taiwan, which the CCP considers to be part of China. She is accused of blocking representatives of the Taiwanese government and even attending a protest against the Taiwanese president in NYC in 2018.

In 2020, Sun texted a Chinese official saying: 'I almost had a heart attack when we referred to Taiwan as a country. Thankfully I had the press team correct it immediately.'

Sun pushed the Chinese Communist Party's agenda in the New York governor's offices for perks like salted ducks and a 2024 Ferrari, according to prosecutors

In 2021, when Cuomo was still governor, Chinese officials requested a Lunar New Year video from him. Sun said Hochul, then lieutenant governor, could probably do it and asked for 'talking points of things you want her to mention.'

'Mostly holiday wishes and hope for friendship and cooperation / Nothing too political,' an official told her, according to the indictment.

Sun later told a different official that she had argued with Hochuls speechwriter over the draft, because the speechwriter insisted on mentioning the 'Uyghur situation' in China. She promised that she wouldnt let that happen, and the final speech did not mention the Muslim ethnic minority or the persecution they face in China, according to the indictment.

Sun worked in state government for almost 15 years, first in 2009 as the chief of staff for New York State Assembly member Grace Meng, who is now a member of congress.

She then held posts in the administration of former Governor Andrew Cuomo starting in 2012, including as Global New York Trade Manager, Asian Outreach Director for the Office of the Governor and Queens Regional Representative.

In 2018 the Cuomo administration named Sun as chief diversity officer.

Sun and Hu pleaded not guilty during an initial court appearance on Tuesday afternoon in Brooklyn and were released on bond

Sun is seen at a 2019 protest against the Taiwanese president's visit in NYC, per prosecutors

In September 2021 she was appointed as the deputy chief of staff for Hochul, according to her LinkedIn profile. She remained on the role for about 15 months.

In January 2019, Sun wrote to a CCP official: 'I very much value my relationship with the consulate and have done many things to make the relationship between the state and the consulate flourish during my tenure with [redacted politician.

'Certainly I have managed to stop al relationships between the TECO (Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office) and the state. I have denied all requests from their office.'

Sun allegedly used the proceeds of her illegal work to buy the Manhasset home as well as a $2.1 million condo in Hawaii and luxury vehicles including a 2024 Ferrari.

She received smaller gifts, the indictment said, including tickets to performances by a visiting Chinese orchestra and ballet groups and 'Nanjing-style salted ducks' that were prepared by the personal chef of a Chinese government official

She also received smaller gifts, the indictment said, including tickets to performances by a visiting Chinese orchestra and ballet groups and 'Nanjing-style salted ducks' that were prepared by the personal chef of a Chinese government official and delivered to Suns parents home in New York.

Sun is also accused of obtaining proclamations and invitations from the governor's office for Chinese officials without authorization and even attempting to facilitate an unnamed top NY politician's trip to China.

In return, Sun and her family received substantial economic benefits from Chinese officials, including millions of dollars towards her husband's businesses in NY and China, according to the DOJ.

Sun is seen above being honored at a People's Republic of China consulate event in an image included in the Department of Justice's indictment

Sun is seen posing with All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese (ACFROC) members in more evidence presented by the US government

Her husband Hu is accused of laundering the ill-gotten gains through the bank accounts of a close relative.

According to the indictment, Sun and Hu did not obtain mortgage loans for their Long Island or Hawaii homes when they bought them in 2021 - ' and the acquisitions occurred soon after HU received a series of wire transfers from a PRC-based account bearing the name of the Business Partner totaling more than $2.1 million.'

When a relative messaged Sun expressing concerned that people would wonder how she could afford the Long Island mansion, Sun replied: 'Mortgage.'

Sun and Hu pleaded not guilty during an initial court appearance on Tuesday afternoon in Brooklyn and were released on bond. Sun has been barred from having any contact with the Peoples Republic of Chinas consulate and mission.

Her defense lawyer, Jarrod Schaeffer, said, 'Were looking forward to addressing these charges in court. Our client is understandably upset that these charges have been brought.'

Chris Hu's Queens liquor shop is pictured. Sun and her family received substantial economic benefits from Chinese officials, including millions of dollars towards her husband's businesses in NY and China

In a statement, a spokesperson for Hochuls office said the administration fired Sun after 'discovering evidence of misconduct.'

'This individual was hired by the Executive Chamber more than a decade ago. We terminated her employment in March 2023 after discovering evidence of misconduct, immediately reported her actions to law enforcement and have assisted law enforcement throughout this process,' the statement reads.

Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi downplayed Suns reach in the former governors administration, saying she 'worked in a handful of agencies and was one of many community liaisons who had little to no interaction with the governor.'
Russian missiles and drones pounded Ukraine's western city of Lviv in a brutal dawn attack today, killing at least seven people and leaving dozens injured.

Among the survivors was blood-drenched Yaroslav Bazylevych, who was pictured staggering away from the ruins of his home, his face coated in dust and blood sporting a thousand-yard stare.

Ukrainian officials later revealed Bazylevych's wife Evgeniya and their three daughters, Yarina, Darina and Emilia, were all blown apart and buried beneath the rubble of their family home.

Deeply distressing footage taken at the scene of their destroyed house revealed the corpse of nine-year-old daughter Emilia sprawled next to a wall, her blonde hair poking out from underneath the debris.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Lviv Andriy Sadovyi revealed that Yarina, 21, who had graduated from the city's Institute of Computer Science and Information Technology, worked in the council's office as a programme manager.

'The terrible tragedy and irreparable loss left unhealed wounds in our hearts,' Sadovyi said, before adding: 'I do not know what words to support father Yaroslav. Today we are all with you. Sincere condolences and bright memory.'

This morning's barrage by Russia's armed forces battered residential buildings, leaving rescuers to drag survivors out of the rubble on makeshift stretchers.

Yaroslav is the only surviving member of his family after his wife and three daughters were killed this morning

The devastated father-of-three staggered away from the ruin of his home with blood running down his face and tears in his eyes

A drone view shows a residential building heavily damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine September 4, 2024

Among the survivors was blood-drenched Yaroslav Bazylevych, whose wife Evgeniya and three daughters, Yarina, Darina and Emilia, were tragically killed in a strike on their house

A view shows a burning residential building damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine September 4, 2024

At least 40 people were injured in the indiscriminate Russian attack, according to Sadovyi, with the death toll expected to rise sharply.

The attack on Lviv comes just one day after Ukraine suffered one of the most devastating single attacks of the entire war when two Russian missiles scored a direct hit on a military academy and a nearby hospital in the city of Poltava.

At least 51 people were killed and close to 300 injured in the punishing explosions that tore into the heart of the Poltava Military Institute of Communication's main building, causing several stories to collapse.

Some 15 people are still believed to be trapped under the debris, with time running out to save them.

In the wake of the attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to 'hold the Russian scum accountable' and yet again implored Kyiv's US and European partners to help with air defences and allow long-range strikes into Russia.

In his nightly video address delivered later than usual yesterday amid the fallout of the attacks in Poltava, Zelensky spoke about rescue efforts and warned that the death toll could increase as rescuers comb through the debris of the military institute.

'It is known that there are people under the rubble of the destroyed building,' he said. 'Everything is being done to save as many lives as possible.'

Ukrainian officials have not yet specified how many of the victims were civilians or from the armed forces, but the attack was a major blow to Kyiv as it tries to bolster its ranks to hold off a more powerful enemy.

Evgeniya and her three daughters were all killed in a Russian air strike on Lviv

Firefighters console devastated Yaroslav Bazylevych after his wife and three daughters were killed in a Russian air strike

Deeply distressing footage of his destroyed house shows the body of his nine-year-old daughter Emilia lying next to a wall, her blonde hair poking out of the rubble

Horrific images circulated on social media this morning showed bewildered victims staggering away from the scene of missile blasts covered in blood and dust as rescuers dragged corpses out of the rubble on stretchers

A view shows a burning residential building damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine September 4, 2024

A police officer and emergency workers carry an injured person rescued from a residential building damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine September 4, 2024

Rescuers work at the site of a residential building damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine September 4, 2024

'The Land Forces Command is conducting an investigation to determine whether enough was done to protect the lives and health of the soldiers at the facility,' a statement said.

Air raid sirens were sounded in Poltava ahead of the strike, but Russia's use of ballistic missiles - which hit targets hundreds of kilometres away within a few minutes of their launch - meant the victims had very little time to find cover, the foreign ministry said.

'This is a stunning tragedy for all of Ukraine. The enemy hit an educational institution and a hospital,' Ukraine's first lady, Olena Zelenska, wrote on X.

Some Ukrainians left worried messages on the institute's Facebook page seeking information about their loved ones.

'One of the institute's buildings was partially destroyed, and many people were trapped under the rubble,' the defence ministry said on Telegram.

'Thanks to the coordinated work of rescuers and medics, 25 people were rescued, 11 of whom were taken from the rubble. The rescuers are currently continuing their work.'

US President Joe Biden vowed Washington would continue military aid to Kyiv, 'including providing the air defence systems and capabilities they need to protect their country', but made no mention of allowing long-range strikes into Russia.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the attack on Poltava a 'sickening act of aggression', while German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the brutality of Russian President Vladimir Putin 'knows no limits'.

A drone view shows residential buildings heavily damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv

A general view shows a residential building and burning cars damaged during Russian missile and drone strikes, amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, in Lviv

A rescuer walks along cars damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine September 4

Polish and allied aircraft were forced to scramble for the third time in eight days to ensure the safety of Polish airspace amid this morning's strike on Lviv, which sits less than 40 miles from the border

Poltava's Governor Pronin said yesterday that about 150 residents had donated blood to help treat the wounded.

Defence Ministry spokesman Dmytro Lazutkin told national TV that classes at the institute were underway at the time of the attack in Poltava.

He said the alarm sounded at just after 9am local time, prompting people to rush to the shelter.

'A few minutes after the air alert, explosions sounded,' he said, adding that there were no parades going on at the time.

Russian officials did not immediately comment on the attack on Poltava, but Moscow in recent weeks has intensified its missile and drone attacks on Ukraine after two and a half years of war.

Last week Ukraine was pummelled with the heaviest bombardment to date, and on Monday ballistic and cruise missiles targeted Kyiv causing loud explosions.

In response to last week's incessant strikes, Ukraine sought to hit back with more than 158 drones over the weekend.

The attack successfully damaged an oil refinery near Moscow and a power station, but the majority of the drones were downed by Russian air defences.

Fighting on the ground has also intensified over the past month, with Russian forces advancing in eastern Ukraine while Kyiv's troops continue their large-scale cross-border assault into Russia's Kursk region.

A police officer and emergency workers carry an injured person rescued from a residential building damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine September 4, 2024

Smoke rises as firefighters extinguish a fire on a car damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv

People are seen picking through the rubble after a Russian ballistic missile strike in Poltava

Several stories of the military institute and a nearby hospital in Poltava collapsed

Air raid sirens were sounded in Poltava ahead of the strike, but Russia's use of ballistic missiles - which hit targets hundreds of kilometres away within a few minutes of their launch - meant the victims had very little time to find cover

Polish and allied aircraft were forced to scramble for the third time in eight days to ensure the safety of Polish airspace amid this morning's strike on Lviv, the Operational Command of the Polish armed forces said.

'This is another very busy night for the entire air defence system in Poland due to the observed activity of the long-range aviation of the Russian Federation carrying out strikes,' the Command said on X.

Zelensky yesterday repeated calls for more Western air defences and urged allies to allow their long-range weapons to be used for strikes deeper into Russian territory.

'We keep telling everyone in the world who has the power to stop this terror: Air defence systems and missiles are needed in Ukraine, not in a warehouse somewhere.

'Long-range strikes that can protect us from Russian terror are needed now, not some time later. Unfortunately, every day of delay means loss of life.'

The fatal strikes on Ukraine also come at a time of political upheaval.

Zelensky last week said he was set to reshuffle his cabinet, while the head of his party in parliament said Tuesday that half of the current ministers were likely to be replaced.

Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba tendered his resignation this morning hours after four other officials stepped down from their positions.

Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Olga Stefanishyna; Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin - who has played a prominent role in boosting arms production - Minister of Justice Denys Maliuska, and Minister of the Environment Ruslan Strilets all submitted their resignation yesterday.
Two loggers in the Amazon have been killed by arrows in an attack with an indigenous tribe that has left another two missing.

Members of Mashco Piro, an indigenous community that has long isolated itself away from society, attacked the workers who were opening a trail in the Madre de Dios region of the forest.

FENAMAD, an organization that represents more than 30 communities in the region, said the clash occurred in an area near the Pariamanu River.

At least two workers were killed by arrows, another was injured and two are missing, according to the organization's spokesperson Daniel Pena. FENMAD has also previously lobbied the government to protect the Maschco Piro's forest.

It comes after members of the tribe injured one person in another attack with bows and arrows in August.

The Mashco Piro were sighted brandishing spears on the banks of a river in remote Peru (pictured in June)

Survival International fears the tribe is moving out of the rainforest due to logging in the area (pictured in June)

Members of the Mashco Piro have been seen outside their territory in recent months, according to images released by the NGO Survival International, which said the community is under massive pressure from the logging industry.

In June, images were released showing the Mashco Piro brandishing spears on the banks of a river in remote Peru.

At least four people, including workers and residents of the area, have died between 2015 and 2022 in clashes with the Mascho Piro, according to the Ministry of Culture.

Incredible footage was also captured showing the tribe, showing them stood around in small clusters, some jogging to pick up large spears resting in the dirt. Others talk and gesture to each other and help carry objects along the river.

'These incredible images show that a large number of isolated Mashco Piro live alone a few miles from where the loggers are about to start their operations,' said Survival International director Caroline Pearce at the time.

The Mashco Piro have seldom appeared as a rule and do not communicate much with anyone, according to the NGO.

Tribesmen rest on the banks of the river as others carry spears and stop to interact (pictured in June)

Rare photos show the tribe emerging from the rainforest and interacting on the river banks (pictured in June)

Experts worry the tribe may be pushed out of their homes by logging activity nearby (pictured in June)

The tribe rarely interact even with other tribes, keeping to themselves in a small territory in southeast Peru (pictured in June)

Several logging companies hold timber concessions inside the territory inhabited by the Mashco Piro.

One company, Canales Tahuamanu, has built more than 200 kilometers (120 miles) of roads for its logging trucks to extract timber, according to Survival International.

The company is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, according to which it has 53,000 hectares (130,000 acres) of forests in Madre de Dios to extract cedar and mahogany.

In 2022, members of the Mashco Piro tribe shot two Catahua workers with bows and arrows while fishing on the Tahuamanu River, killing one.

Survival International is now calling on the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to withdraw its certifications of Catahua's operations - and petitoning for support to help protect uncontacted tribes.

The Mashco Piro have also been sighted across the border in Brazil, said Rosa Padilha, at the Brazilian Catholic bishops' Indigenous Missionary Council in the state of Acre.

'They flee from loggers on the Peruvian side,' she said.

The tribe was seen in rare footage from June walking along the banks of a river in the Madre de Dios region of Peru (pictured June)

'At this time of the year they appear on the beaches to take (Amazon turtle) eggs. That's when we find their footprints on the sand. They leave behind a lot of turtle shells.

'They are a people with no peace, restless, because they are always on the run,' Padilha said.

There are more than 100 uncontacted tribes around the world, according to Survival, but many today face extinction due to habitat destruction from outsiders.

It warns the Peruvian government still has not signed into law several indigenous territories which these groups rely on for their survival.

There are similar fears for tribes on the other side of the world. In Indonesia, the Hongana Manyawa face expulsion from their home atop the world's largest nickel deposit on Halmahera Island.

Some came out of isolation for the first time to ask miners for food as they cleared their way through forest to make way for new mines.

Survival International warned they do not know for how long the tribe will be able to survive after the encounter.

Contact with outsiders can be life threatening due to exposure to new diseases isolated people would not have developed resistance to.
Sir Keir Starmer today lashed out at 'depressing' prices facing fans who wanted tickets for Oasis's long-awaited reunion tour as he vowed to take action over 'extortionate' resales.

Fans of the Britpop legends waited hours last week for a chance at buying tickets for gigs in the UK and Ireland through Ticketmaster, and other sites.

But they were shocked to then be offered higher prices for popular tickets often at multiples of the original price, and only reserved for a limited time.

The UK's competition regulator and the European Commission have since vowed to investigate the fiasco amid fierce backlash from fans against the 'dynamic pricing' which sees prices change according to demand in the same way as hotel rooms and flights.

Sir Keir was asked at Prime Minister's Questions if he would back 'urgent action to protect fans against this horrid practice', by Labour MP Emma Foody.

The Prime Minister replied: 'Yes I do.

Sir Keir Starmer today lashed out at 'depressing' prices facing fans who wanted tickets for Oasis's long-awaited reunion tour as he vowed to take action over 'extortionate' resales.

Fans of the Britpop legends waited hours last week for a chance at buying tickets for gigs in the UK and Ireland through Ticketmaster, and other sites.

But they were shocked to then be offered higher prices for popular tickets often at multiples of the original price, and only reserved for a limited time.

'Firstly, it's great that Oasis are back together. I think, from what I've determined, about half the country were probably queuing for tickets over the weekend but it is depressing to hear of price hikes.

'I'm committed to putting fans at the heart of music and ending extortionate price resales, and we're starting a consultation to work out how best we can do this.'

The higher pricing of tickets by various companies has attracted the attention of regulators in the UK and abroad.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it would look at how ticketing platforms adjusted their prices around demand following a previous review recommending a crack down on touting.

On Tuesday, the competition regulator was reported to have launched its review of so-called dynamic pricing following a string of complaints of tickets soaring in some cases to more than three times their listed value.

Oasis had assured on social media that tickets 'can only be resold at face value' via select sellers after touts tried reselling pre-sale tickets for thousands of pounds on Friday.

But it was the retailers that came under fire on Saturday when customers, having waited in some cases up to eight hours to get to the front of the queue, were presented with standing tickets costing more than 350 - far above the expected 150.
All 50 states grow grapes to make wine, but a certified sommelier revealed that some stick out from the rest.

Brianne Cohen, a Los Angeles-based wine expert, always recommends travelers visit five states in particular.

Besides having the best wineries, Cohen also claimed her choices had the best wine-tasting experiences.

The Western US appeared to be the wine favorite, but the expert also selected states in the Upper Midwest and Northeastern regions in an article for Business Insider this week.

Cohen advised traveling wine enthusiasts to visit several wineries, and nearly 10 of them are in a state that 'rules supreme.'

Brianne Cohen, a Los Angeles-based wine expert, always recommends travelers visit five states, one being California

Napa Valley is known for having an abundance of wineries, and is considered one of the most famous wine regions in the world

California

Cohen recommended visiting the Artesa Vineyards and Winery in Napa - a city known for its luxurious wine tastings

California is Cohen's favorite winery state and the home of one of the world's famous wine regions - Napa Valley.

According to Cohen, Napa Valley offers unique wines for 'cabernet-sauvignon enthusiasts' and luxurious tastings.

Sonoma is not as prestigious, but the sommelier noted that it has 'equally good wine.'

Anyone who is looking for casual or lavish wine tastings can also visit Paso Robles, an area with 'world-class wines' in the 'heart of California's Central Coast,' according to Paso Robles Wine Country.

Other fun options for those looking for a beach getaway could include casual tastings in Santa Barbara and Temecula.

Cohen also recommended wine enthusiasts to go to the Artesa Vineyards and Winery, Chalk Hill Estate, and Tablas Creek Vineyard.

Oregon

The Willamette Valley in Oregon is a top tourist destination for wine enthusiasts who enjoy drinks like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

The Willamette Valley right outside of Portland, Oregon, is the state's leading wine region, according to Willamette Valley Wine.

It includes 11 nested appellations, and it's a popular tourist destination for wine enthusiasts worldwide.

The area is also known for its production of Pinot Noirs, but its neighboring wineries also make Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Chardonnay.

Cohen described the valley's wine-tasting rooms as 'more understated and chic' and she advised enthusiasts to visit CHO Wines, Abbey Road Farm Winery, and Brooks Winery when in the area.

The expert also recommended the Rogue and Applegate Valleys in southern Oregon, and her top winery picks in that area are Troon Vineyard and Irvine & Roberts Vineyards.

Washington

Columbia Valley is a go to area for wine enthusiasts in Washington, and it's home to more than 200 wineries

One of the top regions Cohen suggested everyone visit is the Columbia Valley, which covers more than 25 percent of Washington.

Notable state wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are made there, and the area is home to more than 200 wineries.

Its subregions, Walla Walla and Red Mountain, are also great choices, with Walla Walla locally known as 'Napa in Blue Jeans,' according to Wine Folly.

The must-visit wine tasting locations to visit in Washington are Three Rivers Winery, Frichette Winery, and Smak Wines, according to Cohen.

Michig a n

There are about 50 wineries and tasting rooms in the Traverse City Region, which is known for its production of Riesling

Winery enjoyers may like visiting the Traverse Wine Coast, the Old Mission Peninsula, and the Leelanau Peninsula in Michigan.

There are about 50 wineries and tasting rooms in the Traverse City Region, and according to Cohen, it is one of the state's most desirable places to go to.

The Leelanau Peninsula currently has over 20 wineries, while the Old Mission Peninsula has more than 10.

One of the state's most popular wines in production is Riesling, which is a calling card for the Traverse Wine Coast,

Two places Cohen suggested enthusiasts go to when visiting the Traverse Wine Coast are the Brys Estates and Black Star Farms Old Mission.

Everyone who prefers to stay around the Lake Michigan Shore area can also check out family-owned wineries like Cody Kresta Vineyard & Winery and Hickory Creek Winery.

New York

The Finger Lakes Wine Country in New York is home to more than 100 wineries, breweries, and distilleries around Keuka, Seneca, and Cayuga Lakes

New York is known for its hustle and bustle cities, but the Finger Lakes region is a spectacular wine area.

The Finger Lakes Wine Country is home to more than 100 wineries, breweries, and distilleries around Keuka, Seneca, and Cayuga Lakes.

Like Michigan, one of the area's specialties is Riesling, but it's also known for its production of Gewurztraminer.

Wine-tasting experiences are described as a 'world-class experience' in a 'quaint and charming atmosphere,' according to Finger Lakes Wine Country.

Wine enthusiasts in the Northeast who are hoping to see if that experience is true should visit Dr Konstantin Frank Winery, Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard, and Ravines Wine Cellars, according to Cohen.
Horrified residents have uncovered a body in a suitcase behind an apartment complex in Long Island.

Suffolk County Police said officers responded to reports of suspicious activity in a wooded area beside Nassau Road in Huntington at 11:50 am on Tuesday.

A woman who gave her name as Taylor said she made the 911 call after stumbling across a black suitcase with human body parts sticking out.

'I was taking a walk and I just, I smelled something. I saw a whole bunch of flies. I had looked over and I saw the suitcase,' she told News12.

'So then I called it in, I was like I'd rather be safe than sorry. This is out of the ordinary. This is not normal.'

Horrified residents have uncovered a body in a suitcase behind an apartment complex in Long Island

Suffolk County Police said officers responded to reports of suspicious activity in a wooded area beside Nassau Road in Huntington at 11:50 am on Tuesday

'I have dogs to walk at night. Like, I'm nervous,' she added.

Huntington Station resident Flavio Ribadeneyra told the outlet he also noticed a foul smell on Tuesday morning.

'This is unbelievable,' he said. 'You would never think that something like that would happen in your building or around your building.'

Another horrified local, Chris Smocer, said he came across the suitcase while driving past the area with his daughter.

'I came over and I got out of the car and I approached it and I said "Oh my God it stinks here," and the flies... I said, we need to call the police,' he told NBC.

Suffolk County Police have not yet identified a suspect or motive for the murder, but they issued a statement describing the troubling scene when officers first attended.

'Upon arriving, police found a person deceased in a suitcase next to the building,' the department said.

Horrified residents have uncovered a body in a suitcase behind an apartment complex on Nassau Road (pictured), in Huntington Long Island

Suffolk County Police said officers responded to reports of suspicious activity in a wooded area beside Nassau Road in Huntington at 11:50 am on Tuesday

'The identity of the person and a cause of death will be determined by an autopsy to be conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office.'

Forensic investigators could be seen combing through foliage where the suitcase was found throughout Tuesday.

Officials also wheeled a gurney covered over with a white sheet out of the wooded area into a medical examination van.

The scene has been cordoned off with police tape as the investigation continues.

It comes months after dismembered human heads were discovered in Amityville, Long Island in March in a grisly case involving two victims and four suspects.

Suffolk County Police said officers responded to reports of suspicious activity in a wooded area beside Nassau Road in Huntington (pictured) at 11.50am Tuesday

Four people were charged over the murder mystery, which police said at the time may have been linked to a love triangle.

Steven Brown, 44, Jeffrey Mackey, 38, Amanda Wallace, 40, and Alexis Nieves, 33, were all apprehended after human body parts were found in Babylon park.

The four were each charged with first-degree hindering prosecution, tampering with physical evidence by concealing or destroying, and concealment of a human corpse.
Whistleblowers have come forward to reveal to Congress the 'nightmare' situation of how agents were not properly trained to protect Donald Trump against the assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) revealed Tuesday that individuals shared claims that when Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents were reassigned to work on Trump's protective detail they were 'woefully unprepared.'

The HSI agents were given a single two-hour pre-recorded webinar on Microsoft Teams riddled with technical glitches, the whistleblowers alleged of the Secret Service training.

They also describe that the training session has not been updated since the assassination attempt on July 13 at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

And other HSI agents who worked that consequential rally told Hawley's office their training consisted of just 'one power-point presentation.'

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said whistleblowers revealed to him the 'nightmare' training HSI agents received to help with Donald Trump's security detail at the rally where as assassin tried to kill the former president

'This is a nightmare, the only reason we know about this stuff is because of whistleblowers,' Hawley told Fox News during an interview on Jesse Watters Primetime on Tuesday.

Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, opened fire at the rally this summer that rocked the nation.

One bullet grazed Trump's right ear and others hit rally goers, killing one and critically injuring two others. Agents shot and killed Crooks on site in Butler but investigations of the incident have led to more questions than answers so far, according to members of Congress.

The incident led to the resignation of USSS Director Kimberly Cheatle.

As a former president, Trump is given Secret Service protection  but HSI agents were also brought on to assist with his detail and were present at the rally in July.

But those with HSI explained to Hawley the lack of training and preparation they were given to fold into Trump's protective service.

'Imagine 1,000 people logging onto Microsoft Teams at the same time after being informed at the last minute that everyone needed to login individually,' one whistleblower told Hawley, according to a letter the senator sent to USSS Acting Director Ronald Rowe Jr.

'Once it got rolling, the Secret Service instructor couldn't figure out how to get the audio working on the prerecorded videos [which I'm told are the same videos as last year]. All told, they restarted the videos approximately six times,' the continued. 'The content was not helpful.'

Hawley's office continues to communicate with whistleblowers regarding the details surrounding the assassination attempt on Trump.

Multiple groups and lawmakers are trying to take lead on investigating the attack, leading to a lot of conflicting information and confusion over who the commanding authority is on the matter.

The House assigned a bipartisan task force with 13 members to formally probe the events.

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Donald Trump survived the attempted assassination on his life after a bullet struck his ear at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents were part of the protective detail for Trump that day  and whistleblowers now reveal they were only given a single two-hour, glitchy webinar training before assigned to protect the former president

One of the major questions being posed is how Crooks was able to get on the roof of the AGR building at the farm where the rally took place with his father's AR-15 rifle.

Previously, Hawley's office has spoken out against the experience and competence of the lead site agent.

'The site agent, the lead agent, was known to the Trump campaign to be inexperienced, to be ineffectual, to be, frankly, incompetent at their job,' Hawley told Watters. 'I'm also told by whistleblowers that on that day, she was not enforcing the normal security protocols.'

'She was not checking people's IDs. She did not use Secret Service agents,' Hawley went on.

'Most of the agents there that day were not Secret Service agents. They were Homeland Security agents.'
Yesterday I took a call from a senior member of Londons Jewish community. He is a longstanding supporter of Labour, a significant donor, and a champion of Keir Starmer and his efforts to reform his party. Hes lost the community, he told me. All the work hes done over the past few years. Its been destroyed in eight weeks.

On October 10 last year, three days after the appalling Hamas terrorist attack, Keir Starmer turned up at a Labour Friends of Israel reception at his party conference in Liverpool. With his shadow foreign secretary David Lammy at his side, he solemnly declared: In this dark hour, Labour stands with Israel. He added: Labour stands firmly in support of Israels right to defend itself, rescue hostages and protect its citizens.

Keir Starmer leaves 10 Downing Street today

It was all a lie. On Monday the Prime Minister signed off an arms embargo on Israel that will undermine its capacity to defend itself, rescue its hostages and protect its citizens.

There was no robust legal basis for the decision. As Mr Lammy, now Foreign Secretary, admitted to the House of Commons: We have not, and could not, arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law.

It was internally incoherent  systems to allow accurate aerial ground targeting were banned from export, but the aircraft doing the targeting were not. It immediately backfired diplomatically, as Israel condemned this shameful decision. And it produced an equally vigorous backlash from the Corbynite faction within Starmers parliamentary party, which condemned his failure to introduce a ban on all armaments.

But what provoked the anger of leading members of the Jewish community most was the timing of decision. It beggars belief, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis declared, at a time when Israel is fighting a war for its very survival on seven fronts forced upon it on October 7, and at the very moment when six hostages murdered in cold blood by cruel terrorists were being buried by their families.

Over the past couple of months the jury has been out on Starmers premiership. There have been some signs  such as his strong and decisive response to the riots  that he is comfortable and competent when it comes to the day-to-day demands of his new office. Equally, we have seen backbiting, infighting and confusion among his inner-circle on a scale that indicates he has not yet imposed his authority on his government.

But with Mondays arms embargo decision we finally have something definitive to work with. And its this. You simply cannot trust a word the Prime Minister says.

The Jewish community, who were told unequivocally Keir Starmer would be an ally to their relations and friends while they were under barbaric attack. Britains pensioners, who were assured during the election they had nothing to fear, and a lot to gain from a Labour government. They are safe with us, he promised on July 1.

Then on July 29 he despatched his Chancellor Rachel Reeves to announce winter fuel support would be axed for 10 million over-65s. The nations hard-pressed tax payers who were told no fewer than 50 times that: Labour will not raise taxes on working people. And who are now being warned they face a 22billion bill for clearing up the Tories mess.

The Prime Minister has been embroiled in a 'passes for glasses' scandal prompting allegations of cronyism, which he had promised to crack down on before coming to power

Each of these groups have learnt the hard way. Keir Starmer will indeed stand with you - for just as long as it remains electorally expedient. And then when it isnt, he will cast you aside.

To be fair to him, he has never been very good at masking this cynicism. From the moment he unveiled the ten Left-wing Pledges that secured him the Labour leadership, his political principles have always been disposable.

And to be equally fair, this approach has served him well. In five years he has guided his party from the brink of oblivion back to power.

But he needs to be careful. Because now the British people are on to him.

They expect their politicians to play fast and loose with the truth. They still remember Boris Johnsons shocked expression at Prime Ministers Questions as he claimed he had just been informed parties had been taking place in Downing Street during lockdown. They are still searching in vain for the 50 new hospitals that were supposedly being built on the last governments watch.

But the voters remember something else. They remember when Keir Starmer had just been cleared of breaking lockdown rules in Durham, and announced: What you will always get from me is someone who believes honesty and integrity matter. They recall his New Year speech, where he pledged no more VIP fast lanes. No more kickbacks for colleagues. No more revolving doors between government and the companies they regulate. I will restore standards in public life with a total crackdown on cronyism.

And they can see, again, that it was all a lie. Labour donors are being parachuted directly into the heart of government. Starmer pocketing nearly 20,000 in new suits and new glasses, then giving his sugar-daddy an access-all-areas pass to Downing Street. Cronyism at its finest.

But at least now we know. After two months the mist is finally lifting. And we can all begin to see what Keir Starmer is, and what he isnt.

He seems a competent manager. He appears relatively calm, and steady under fire. He inclines towards pragmatism, rather than populism or radicalism.

But he deflects and dissembles and distorts just like all the rest of them. He will embrace an idea or a group or a faction for precisely as long as he deems it in his political interests. And then when it isnt, he will ditch them without a second thought.

Starmer could still prove to be a good Prime Minister. With a little good fortune, and the continuing assistance of his Tory opponents, he could even end up a great Prime Minister.

But we now know for certain what he will not do. He will not restore faith in our politics. He will not end cronyism. He will not place honesty and integrity at the heart of his government.

Because Starmer is not the man he pretended to be. Or that his supporters told us all he would be. He is no knight in shining armour, cantering down Whitehall on a glistening white steed, the flaming sword of truth and justice locked in his steely grip. Instead he is just another middle-aged, north London lawyer, with vaguely progressive leanings who has fought his way up the political ladder, and is damned if hell let anyone drag him down it again.

So now the Jewish community, pensioners and working people have served their purpose. They are expendable. Keir Starmer needs new allies and coalitions - has a need to craft fresh narratives about tough decisions and hard choices and being a candid friend.

But hell be back eventually, trying to court those betrayed groups once more. When election day again hoves into view Keir Starmer will be there  with his pledges and his promises and his commitment to stand in stoic solidarity.

But at least then they will be forewarned and forearmed. Just as we all will be. Each of us of comfortable and sure in the knowledge we once again cannot trust a single word our Prime Minister says.
An outraged family is demanding to know why a Florida rehab facility told them their missing father had signed himself out - days before his body was found rotting in one of its closets.

Elin Etienne, 71, had been at the North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for just eight days before he disappeared.

But staff refused to show the discharge form to his bewildered family who spent a week scouring the city for the former chef before an anonymous staff member called them on Monday to say he had been found dead on site.

'We still have to find out if he was put in the closet,' said niece Rivly Breus.

'We just don't know, and I don't want that to happen to another patient.'

The body of Elin Etienne, 71, was found in a storage closet at Florida's North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center eight days after his family was told he had signed himself out

They watched on in horror as the body of the 'loving, selfless' family man was wheeled away

The 'loving, selfless' family man suffered from dementia and was admitted on August 14 for what was supposed to be a 12-week stay after suffering two strokes which left him unable to walk.

Six days later his family saw him for the last time when Breus brought him flowers, balloons and a new pair of shoes.

On August 22 the family heard that he had disappeared.

'We received a message from someone's personal phone that said we can't find him,' niece Kimberly Etienne told NBC.

'So we called the nursing home and spoke to a nurse and they said he checked himself out.

'When they said he checked himself out, we pleaded with them for the form to verify his signature. They refused.

'So we called the police to do a formal missing person's report.'

The North Miami Police Department began investigating and published a missing person's alert on Facebook as the family began distributing fliers in an attempt to track him down.

But on Monday morning they returned to the rehab center after receiving a second devastating call from an anonymous staff member.

Etienne's nieces Rivly Breus, left, and Kimberly Etienne, right, say the rehab center refused to show then their uncle's signature on the supposed discharge form

The center in North Dade's North East 135th Street insisted it will co-operate with investigators

'They said they found him in a closet and he was already decomposing, and they refused to let us see the body,' said granddaughter Ruth Keisha Etienne.

'And we tried to speak to the nursing home people, but they refused to speak to us.

'They don't want to talk to us. I wonder why?'

The devastated family watched on as his body was wheeled into a coroner's van and more than a dozen members gathered to demand answers at a protest on Monday evening.

They fear he may have spent days dying in the closet without food, water or medication before he was finally found.

'That's horrifying because that means he died alone and he died suffering,' said Breus.

'The entire family is here, and there's been no answers,' Kimberly added.

North Miami Police have begun an investigation as the family tries to piece together how Etienne could have disappeared under the noses of nursing home staff.

'We just got the call saying he went missing, and we are like, OK?' said his granddaughter.

'We went there and talked to them, just trying to get to the bottom of it.

'They told us he signed an AMA, which means he refused medical help, and we were asking for the documents and to see his signature, and they refused to let us see that.'

'They kept on saying that he signed himself out and that he didn't want anything to do with his family,' Breus added.

'That's impossible because he has dementia.'

The rehab center issued a statement on Tuesday insisting that it would co-operate with any investigation by law enforcement or state regulators.

'Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family members affected by this devastating event,' it added.

More than a dozen family members protested outside the center on Monday night demanding to know how the beloved Elin was allowed to die

Etienne, who arrived in the US 30 years ago from Haiti, was remembered by his family as a hard-working and caring man who always put them first

Granddaughter Ruth Keisha Etienne said the center refused to allow the family to see her grandfather's body

Etienne, who arrived in the US 30 years ago from Haiti, was remembered by his family as a hard-working and caring man who always put them first.

'There was no such thing as him coming around and not lighting up a room with a joke, with laughter, with humor,' said Kimberly.

They now fear his body may be too decomposed to return for burial next to his mother on the Caribbean island.

'It's like a movie, a terrible horror film,' Kimberly said. 'Now we have to seek justice because we can't even give him a proper burial.

'He was just an honest person, and this is not the way we wanted to send him off.'
Feature: Bittersweet elixir: Traditional Chinese medicine meets modern milk tea

Xinhua) 16:27, September 04, 2024

CHONGQING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The old adage "good medicine tastes bitter" may no longer hold true in China.

Xi Linjie, a 20-year-old college student, sought help for fatigue at a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospital in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality and was pleasantly surprised with a cup of sweet milk tea.

"The milk tea is infused with TCM ingredients such as tapioca and dried tangerine peel, yet it tastes delightful. It's less sweet than regular milk tea and has a subtle herbal fragrance," she said. "Most importantly, it's beneficial for health."

This innovative milk tea is crafted by the nutrition department of Chongqing Jiangbei Hospital of TCM. Since 2023, the hospital has blended TCM processing techniques with contemporary food production to attract a younger demographic.

"Milk tea is a favorite among young Chinese people. We hope it can act as a bridge for them to gain more knowledge about TCM and to gradually accept TCM," said Liao Changying, director of the hospital's nutrition department. She noted that almost every person who has tried the milk tea shared the special experience with their family and friends.

The hospital has employed various modern technologies to maximize the efficacy of TCM while improving the taste. For instance, to reduce astringency, pharmacists substitute rose petals with rose essential oil; to optimize the effect and flavor of ginseng, they utilize ultrafine grinding and fluid extraction technologies.

The hospital also innovates by incorporating TCM into candies, cakes and canned products.

"Behind the TCM milk tea are numerous experiments and optimizations. It represents the integration of TCM, modern medicine, nutrition and more. Our goal is to help people prevent and manage diseases while enjoying delicious food and drinks," Liao explained.

The TCM milk tea exemplifies how traditional medicine is appealing to the younger generation in a relatable and approachable manner. Nowadays, one doesn't even need to visit a hospital to experience TCM in China.

In Chongqing's Wansheng economic development zone, a TCM night market is held every weekend. Several TCM practitioners offer pulse readings at roadside stalls.

"At these diverse stalls, we can enjoy free TCM diagnoses and acupuncture, and purchase TCM sachets and beverages," said Yang Jian, a 24-year-old local resident. "I never realized TCM could be so close to our daily lives."

Professor Wang Huiwu from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, who attended the night market, was pleased to see many young visitors seeking professional health advice on physical conditioning.

"Over half of the visitors are young people interested in health consultations for body conditioning, which indicates that the younger generation has confidence in TCM," Wang said.

He also suggested that more efforts should be made to integrate TCM with other fields that interest young people, stating, "TCM is becoming a new trend among the youth."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire feel they have been 'left in limbo' over the uncertain future of the high-rise building in west London.

The 24-storey, 120-apartment block, which was engulfed in a devastating blaze that claimed the lives of 72 people in 2017, is still standing in Kensington as a reminder of the horror that took place more than seven years ago.

It is covered in a protective wrapping, emblazoned with a green heart and the words: 'Grenfell, Forever in our Hearts', and is currently being managed by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).

But despite its upkeep, survivors of the horrific inferno feel 'trapped' about the indecision about the tower's future, as it remains unknown when the building is due to be demolished, if at all.

Speaking to the Guardian last year, Kimia Zabihyan, who represents the Grenfell Next of Kin group, said the 'lack of progress' is taking an emotional toll on former residents, who feel like their lives are being 'held in limbo'.

It comes as earlier today, a long-awaited inquiry report found that the fire was a result of 'decades of failure' by government and the construction industry to act on the dangers of flammable materials on high-rise buildings.

Grenfell Tower can be seen today wrapped a plastic sheet, emblazoned with a green heart and the words Grenfell forever in our hearts

Grenfell Tower is pictured on fire shortly after the blaze broke out in the west London apartment block

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Grenfell Tower is pictured six months on from the devastating blaze on 13 December, 2017

The Guardian reported in 2023 that the government had awarded a new 21.3m maintenance contract for the building until 2027. This led some to believe that the building would not be demolished for a number of years until then.

The contract was due to last from July 2024 until July 2027, with the successful contractor responsible to provide maintenance and security for the building during this period.

Earlier this week, the Mail revealed that maintaining the remains of Grenfell Tower and creating a memorial as part of community recovery programme is set to cost the taxpayer more than 340million.

The figure was contained in government documents seen by the Grenfell Next of Kin group.

It came just days before Sir Martin Moore-Bick, chairman of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, published a report examining the causes of the disaster.

The report found that almost every organisation involved in the refurbishment and management building was somewhat responsible for the 'decades of failure' which contributed to the tragedy.

'Unscrupulous' manufacturers involved in the renovation of the 67-metre-tall tower a year earlier - including covering it in highly combustible cladding - were admonished for 'systematic dishonesty' and for 'misleading customers'.

Firefighters are seen tackling the Grenfell Tower fire in the early hours of June 14, 2017

This image shows Grenfell Tower more than six years before the devastating fire which claimed the lives of 72 people in June 2017

The fire made its way up the highly flammable Aluminum Composite Cladding ( ACM ) with much of the building engulfed by flames by 3am

Architects demonstrated a 'cavalier attitude' to fire and safety regulations, while contractors and the cladding specialists did not properly concern themselves with the matter either.

Grenfell United, which represents some of the families, said Sir Martin Moore-Bick's findings made it clear their lawyers were correct to tell the inquiry that corporate bodies, such as Kingspan, Celotex and Arconic, were 'little better than crooks and killers'.

Sir Martin, who today completed his 1,600-page inquiry report into failures in the build-up to the fire, said: 'None of those involved in the design of the external wall or choice of materials acted in accordance with the standards of a reasonably competent person in their position.'

He criticised successive Governments, local council the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) who owned the tower, the tenant management organisation (TMO) who managed Grenfell, and those who manufactured and supplied the materials used in the refurbishment.

He also hit out at those who certified their suitability for use on high-rise residential buildings, the architect, contractors and some of its subcontractors.

He said: 'Not all of them bear the same degree of responsibility for the eventual disaster, but, as our reports show, all contributed to it in one way or another, in most cases through incompetence but in some cases through dishonesty and greed.

The 72 victims of the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017 are pictured above

Sir Martin Moore-Bick who today completed a 1,600-page inquiry report into failures in the build-up to the fire

'The failings can be traced back over many years and our efforts to get to the bottom of what went wrong and why, account for the length of our report and the time it has taken us to produce it.'

Criticising the RBKC, he said: 'Authorities' response: those who lost their homes as a result of the fire were badly let down by the organisations that should have provided the support they desperately needed.

'The primary responsibility for that lay with the council  in the event, it failed to put in place suitable plans.'

He said local voluntary organisations 'filled the gap' helping those most in need.

The final hearing of the second phase of the inquiry took place in November 2022, with families having previously spoken of their long wait and continued fight for justice.

The report's findings are expected to ramp up pressure on police and prosecutors to make speedier progress on getting people before the courts - something many bereaved and survivors have said must happen for justice to be served.

In May, the Metropolitan Police said their investigators need until the end of 2025 to finalise their inquiry, and prosecutors will then need a year to decide whether charges can be brought.

It means victims and their families will likely have waited at least a decade to bring those responsible to account in a UK court.

Bereaved and survivors have described that wait as 'unbearable'.

Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service special crime and counter terrorism division said: 'Our team of specialist prosecutors will then carefully review the file but do not expect to be in a position to make any charging decisions until the end of 2026.'

People attend the service of remembrance to mark the seventh anniversary of the Grenfell Fire, a tragedy in which 72 people were killed in a housing tower fire in London, United Kingdom on June 14, 2024

A survivor of the Grenfell Tower fire disaster has an emotional reunion with one of the firemen from that tragic evening at the anniversary of the disaster this year

According to the update from police and prosecutors earlier this year, the mammoth police investigation into the fire has already generated 27,000 lines of inquiry and more than 12,000 witness statements.

A total of 58 individuals and 19 companies and organisations are under investigation for potential criminal offences, and more than 300 hours of interviews have taken place.

Potential offences under consideration include corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, perverting the course of justice, misconduct in public office, health and safety offences, fraud and offences under the fire safety and building regulations.

Sir Martin's first report, into what happened on the night of the blaze, ruled the tower's cladding panels broke building regulations and actively helped spread the blaze.

And he criticised those he felt contributed to that - cladding manufacturers Arconic, Kingspan, whose insulation product made up around 5 per cent of the insulation in the tower block, and Celotex, who made the majority of the insulation boards used in the refurbishment.

He said French firm Arconic 'deliberately concealed' from the market the true extent of the danger of using Reynobond 55 PE - aluminium panels containing a plastic filling, that were repeatedly used by councils due to its relatively low cost.

The inquiry found Arconic was 'determined to exploit what it saw as weak regulatory regimes' in the UK by continuing to sell this product, despite knowing it performed much worse in a fire than a superior, modified version it also manufactured.

Instead, it allowed customers in the UK to continue buying the unmodified version, and failed to pass on the information about its performance.

Exhausted firefighters rest at the scene of the huge blaze at Grenfell Tower in June 2017

People receive treatment at the scene of the Grenfell Tower fire in West London in June 2017

He said the fatal choice of combustible materials for the cladding of Grenfell Tower resulted 'from a series of errors caused by the incompetence of the organisations and individuals involved in the refurbishment'.

But he also pointed the finger at industry body the British Board of Agrement (BBA), who he accused of incompetence for failing to carry out proper checks on building products used in the refurbishment before issuing compliance certificates.

Sir Martin accused successive governments of an at-times 'complacent and defensive' attitude to safety, while the response to the tragedy from Theresa May's own administration and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea local council in the immediate aftermath was 'muddled, slow, indecisive and piecemeal'.

Sir Martin said both the council - which owned the tower - and the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) which ran it showed a 'persistent indifference to fire safety', particularly that of its many vulnerable residents.

But he reserved some of his most powerful criticism for those responsible for firms involved in the refurbishment.

His first report, into what happened on the night of the blaze, ruled the tower's cladding panels broke building regulations and actively helped spread the blaze.

And he criticised those he felt contributed to that - cladding manufacturers Arconic, Kingspan, whose insulation product made up around 5 per cent of the insulation in the tower block, and Celotex, who made the majority of the insulation boards used in the refurbishment.
Vice President Kamala Harris is traveling to Pennsylvania on Thursday for a week of preparation for her pivotal debate next Tuesday with former President Donald Trump.

Advisors are keenly aware that a bad or stumbling performance could have a significant impact on her presidential campaign.

Voters have yet to hear her defend the first three years of her vice presidency and chart a path forward away from President Joe Biden.

Harris and her advisors plan to focus intently on preparing for the ABC primetime showdown after a campaign event in New Hampshire on Wednesday.

During debate preparations she will be joined by Washington, DC lawyer Karen Dunn, policy aide Rohini Kosoglu, brother-in-law Tony West, campaign chief of staff Shelia Nix, campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond, and her longtime California political strategist Sean Clegg.

Vice President Kamala Harris and her team plan to hunker down for several days to prepare for her debate

Sources close to the Harris team tell NOTUS that Harris is a little rusty on the debate stage as 'strategy sessions have careened sideways' when Harris 'focused too narrowly on minute details, effectively trailing the sessions.'

Harris began preparing for the debate three weeks in advance, holding practice sessions at Howard University in Washington, DC, before plans were set for more intense preparation sessions.

Harris and her team plan to run through full-length mock debates to make sure she is prepared and has her talking points ready.

NOTUS also reports the team is working to make sure Harris remains 'calm' and 'presidential' on the debate stage, even if Trump comes out with vicious attacks.

US Vice President Kamala Harris greets an audience at the White House as she holds prepared notes

Candidates former Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Senator Kamala Harris on the second night of the second 2020 Democratic U.S. presidential debate in Detroit, Michigan, July 31, 2019.

Too much preparation, however, can be a danger. Biden participated in vigorous debate sessions for nine days prior to his first debate with Trump, but lacked energy and stamina to deliver an effective debate performance.

Harris has a mixed debate record, at times coming off perfectly poised and prepared, as she did when she attacked Biden during a Democratic 2020 primary debate about his remarks about segregationists.

But she has also stumbled, for example, when she was attacked by her primary opponent Rep. Tulsi Gabbard on her record as a prosecutor in California.

Harris and her team were mostly satisfied with her vice president debate performance with Mike Pence, even though it was largely overshadowed by the media buzz over a fly that landed on Pence's head for three minutes.

Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Vice President Kamala Harris from a Democratic primary debate in 2019

Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris prepares to depart at Pittsburgh International Airport

Trump, however, represents her greatest challenge  one that she has dreamed of for several years.

Former Harris communications director Jamal Simmons advised Harris' team to get aggressive with the vice president during the debate preparation sessions.

'[S]omebodys gotta be the a**hole here,' he said. 'Somebodys got to sit there and really pepper her and get her to get annoyed and aggravated because thats probably what Trumps gonna do. And what you want her to do is work out that aggravation in prep and not do it when shes on stage.'

Despite her willingness to debate, Harris and her team are still trying to negotiate the rules of the debate with ABC News, according to a Harris campaign source speaking to NBC News.

Among the criteria up for discussion is whether the opponent's microphone is muted when the other candidate is speaking.

Trump and his team anticipate that Harris is preparing to interrupt him to try and 'fact check' his statements.

The former president, however, is aware of Harris and her propensity to get lost into so-called 'word salads' while speaking publicly.

'She has bad moments. The way she talks,' Trump told broadcaster Tucker Carlson in a recent interview, imitating comments the vice president made about school buses. 'It's weird. The whole thing is weird.'
Iconic American beer brand Molson Coors has become the latest corporate giant to announce a major rollback of its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies.

The company behind Coors Light and Miller Lite revealed the sweeping changes in an internal letter to employees, obtained by conservative activist Robby Starbuck.

'Last week I messaged executives from @CoorsLight @MolsonCoors to let them know that I planned to expose their woke policies. Today theyre preemptively making changes,' he announced in a post on X.

The company told Fox Business that it is eliminating DEI trainings and diversity goals for suppliers, as well as moving to tie executives' pay only to business performance and not "aspirational representation goals."

Iconic American beer brand Molson Coors has become the latest corporate giant to announce a major rollback of its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies

The brewing company behind Coors Light and Miller Lite revealed the sweeping changes in an internal letter to employees, obtained by conservative activist Robby Starbuck

Molson Coors is also pulling out of the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index for LGBTQ employees, Fox Business reported.

Starbuck added that the company will also end 'donations to divisive events.'

The company's dramatic U-turn comes after similar moves by other major companies, all of whom have faced intense scrutiny from right-wing activists over their 'woke' policies.

In recent weeks, Jack Daniel's, Harley-Davidson, Tractor Supply, and John Deere, have all reversed course on DEI policies in the face of anger from conservative consumers who eschew the progressive policies.

The company is set to scrap all DEI training programs, ditch defined supplier diversity goals, end donations to divisive events, and pull out of the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index

'Our campaigns are so effective that we're getting multi-billion dollar organizations to change their policies without me even posting just from the fear they have of being the next company that we expose,' Starbuck wrote in his post.

'The landscape of corporate America is quickly shifting to sanity and neutrality. We are now the trend, not the anomaly. We are winning and one by one we WILL bring sanity back to corporate America,' he added.

Just last week, home improvement retailer Lowe's announced its plans to scrap its support for Pride events and other DEI policies in the face of consumer boycotts.

Lowe's announced it would stop cooperating with the Human Rights Campaign and will no longer separate employees into so-called 'resource groups' based on race, religion or sexual identities, according to an internal memo.

The company said it will also stop sponsoring parades, festivals, or fairs, and will instead focus on events related to its business, such as affordable housing and skilled trades education, says the memo.

Last week, Lowe's has scrapped much of its DEI work, according to an internal memo from the company with more than 1,700 stores, including this location in Los Angeles

Starbuck celebrated the move on X, saying Lowe's had bowed to pressure from consumers who reject 'woke' and 'ridiculous' diversity policies in US corporations.

'We are winning and one by one we will bring sanity back to corporate America,' Starbuck said last week.

'Lowe's says there could be other future changes, and there should be. They should eliminate their DEI team in total.'

According to Starbuck, he approached Lowe's last week, telling the firm he planned to target the home-improvement giant over policies such as their employee resource groups and donations to Pride events.

The company responded with preemptive changes, said the Tennessee-based Cuban-American activist.

Anti-DEI campaigner Robby Starbuck claims another scalp with Lowe's climbdown on Pride parades

Lowe's, a $42 billion company with nearly 300,000 employees across 1,700 locations, which is headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, did not answer The Mail's request for comment.

But in a memo to employees Monday, its executives said that, like other firms, Lowe's started to review its DEI policies in the wake of the June 2023 Supreme Court decision to end affirmative action in college admissions.

'We recently decided to combine our business resource groups, from individual groups representing diverse sections of our associate population, into one umbrella organization, says the memo.

'In addition, we are no longer participating in the Human Rights Campaign survey process.'

Many companies that embraced DEI policies in the wake of the cop killing of unarmed black man George Floyd in May 2020 have stepped back from them for fear of irking conservative customers.
A popular ABC presenter has urged travellers to act with caution when using accessible bathrooms overseas after he scalded his arm in a horror mishap.

Charles Brice was taking a shower while staying at a hotel in Berlin last week ahead of covering the Paralympics Games in Paris when he placed his hand on a metal bar to help him relax.

The journalist and digital producer didn't realise the seemingly harmless structure was a mixer that carried hot water.

A quadriplegic, Mr Brice had no idea of the severe damage until he got out of the shower 15-20 minutes later and discovered his hand was covered in 'a pretty nasty burn'.

Blisters formed on his forearm and parts of his skin had either popped up or melted off.

His good friend, well known disability advocate Shane Hryhorec later uploaded a video to TikTok featuring the pair in that hope other travellers can avoid the same fate.

'Don't let this happen to you,' Mr Hryhorec warned on his Wheel around the World account.

Mr Brice recalled: 'I found this ledge which I thought I'd put my arm up and kind of rest and soak in.'

Charles Brice (pictured) was taking a shower while he was staying at a hotel in Berlin last week when he placed his hand on a metal ledge

'It wasn't until I got out of the shower that I realised that that it was hot.

'So hot that it left me with a pretty nasty burn.'

The pair explained that shower mixers in Europe and the UK are installed externally attached to the wall- unlike Australia.

'The hot water tap and the pipe that goes through to mix the hot and the cold together is actually outside the wall,' Mr Hryhorec warned.

Shower mixers are bathroom systems that mix hot and cold water to set the right temperature and water flow.

Mr Brice was told by several pharmacies in the German capital that it would cost him thousands to get the burns treated.

'He said, 'Whatever you do, don't ever lean on the mixer,' Mr Hryhorec told Yahoo.

'Any person with a disability or children, or whoever needs to be careful.

'One pharmacy said it would cost him $3,000 for the material, another pharmacy said it would cost $500 for the material.'

The ABC presenter discovered his arm was covered in burns before blisters began to form as parts of his skin popped up (pictured)

The pair have urged Aussies not to lean on the ledge when they get in the shower.

'So the moral of the story is, don't shower in Europe,' Mr Hryhorec ended the video.

The clip has since attracted more than 25,000 views and 150 comments.

'Thats so dangerous. I can imagine kids accidentally touching that,' one horrified viewer commented.

Another added: 'Thats how the showers are on cruises too. Very shocking when you accidentally touch it.'

Others shared their own horror bathroom experiences while travelling.

'Got the fright of my life when I touched this in Japan, have never seen one before and was not expecting it to be even warm,' one recalled.

Mr Brice had been staying in Berlin to enjoy a brief holiday ahead of his reporting duties for the Paralympic Games, which got underway last week.

Mr Brice (pictured with News Breakfast hosts Lisa Millar and Michael Rowland) urged Aussies not to lean on the ledge when they use accessible showers while they are trevelling overseas

He's a disability advocate and a public speaker, who began his career at the ABC in 2019, where he soon became familiar with News Breakfast viewers as the program's South Australian correspondent.

Earlier this year, Brice packed up his life and moved to Melbourne to become a permanent member of News Breakfast team to spend the next year producing and presenting for the program.

His passion for television news came after he went through a gruelling 14 month stint in rehab following a horror motorbike crash in 2010.

Mr Brice shattered two vertebrae in his neck and completely severed his spinal cord after he hit a bumpy road during the motorcycle ride.

He flew off the bike before he landed head first on the ground.

Mr Brice is also the co-founder of the Wheel To Walk initiative, which has raised more than $300,000 for research into spinal cord injuries.
A tiny Texas county is determined to become a boom town as it brings in new jobs and focuses on population retention.

Kleberg County is located right outside of Corpus Christi and home to 31,000 people, but officials are hoping to make it a modern-day boom town with the introduction of an emergency operation center.

The center will be located right off the JK Northway Expo Center and could potentially bring in around 2,000 jobs.

'Were going to see Kleberg County grow literally overnight once these jobs are created,' Kleberg County Judge Rudy Madrid told Kris 6 News. 'Were calling it a modern-day boom town. Its happening quick and were getting ready for it.'

However, not everyone wants the quiet county disrupted by an influx of new residents, even if growth would be welcome.

'We don't want a lot of traffic, but then of course we can always use some type of growth everywhere,' Monique Gonzalez said.

Kleberg County is located right outside of Corpus Christi and is home to 31,000 people, but officials are hoping to make it a modern-day boom town with the introduction of an emergency operation center

The emergency center will be located right off the JK Northway Expo Center and could bring in a potential of 2,000 jobs. The shelter will be used during natural disasters and will work as a fire training rescue facility and a rural business development center to help out local businesses

The Oxy facility will take up 106,000 acres in the county and will help remove up to 30million metric tons of CO2 from the air each year. It is expected to bring in over 2,000 jobs from construction to operational positions

Gonzalez told the local outlet she enjoys the stillness and quiet of Kleberg County and how 'we take care of our elders' and 'care for our people, especially in a time of need.'

However, she's open to growth, even if it will disrupt the peace a little bit.

'Growth is welcome and we appreciate it,' she said.

Officials expect a lot of growth to happen within the next six months, especially with the emergency center and the arrival of Oxy, a direct air capture facility.

'We just completed our brand new emergency operation center. Construction just completed, we got the green tag. As we speak we are filling it up with furniture,' Madrid said.

The shelter will be used during natural disasters, will be a fire training rescue facility, and and will serve as a rural business development center to help out local businesses.

Not everyone wants the quiet county to be disrupted by an influx of new residents, even if growth would be welcome. 'We don't want a lot of traffic, but then of course we can always use some type of growth everywhere,' Monique Gonzalez said

Officials expect a lot of growth to happen within the next six months, especially with the emergency center and the arrival of Oxy, a direct air capture facility (pictured: county courthouse)

The emergency center will also be used as a bus transit station and will drop off air capture facility workers off at work to make things easier and to encourage people to leave nearby.

The center is set to break ground within the next six months and job fairs and final certification touch-ups will be held for those interested in the project.

The Oxy facility will take up 106,000 acres in the county and will help remove up to 30million metric tons of CO2 from the air each year, according to ESG Today.

It will be one of the world's largest plants and will be located on the old King Ranch.

It is expected to bring in over 2,000 jobs from construction to operational positions.
A 16-year-old girl was tortured and killed after complaining about the quality of the marijuana sold by drug Brazilian drug dealers.

Gabriela Pereira reportedly angered the dealers by criticizing their pot during a livestream Monday in the city of Caceres.

The teenager apparently made hand gestures on the livestream associated with a rival drug crew, further angered the dealers, according to Mato Grosso Civil Police.

Two drug dealers, aged 20 and 24, kidnapped Pereira from her home and took her to another house in the Jardim Primavera neighborhood.

Brazilian teenager Gabriela Pereira was tortured for five hours and later killed by drug dealers after she allegedly criticized the quality of the marijuana they sold

The Mato Grosso Civil Police said the teenager may have had ties with rivals of the drug dealers who killed her

The teen was reportedly tied up and beaten for five hours before she was finally murdered.

Pereira's body was abandoned on a street in the Nova Era neighborhood.

Police located the residence where the victim was tortured and recovered her burned clothes and other belongings in the backyard. They also found blood stains on the floor of the home.

One of the suspects was arrested in the home and confessed to murdering Pereira.

He provided authorities with the whereabouts of his accomplice, who was taken into custody in the Vitoria Regia neighborhood.

Authorities said Pereira made hand gestures that referenced rivals of the dealers who killed her

The second suspect also admitted to torturing and killing the teenager.

Mato Grosso Civil Police Chief Marlon Nogeira, who is leading the investigation, told news outlets that Pereira may have had ties with the dealers' rivals, noting that she had flashed hand signs referring to the other crew in previous photos.

'The victim did a live broadcast criticizing the marijuana used by the faction that ordered her death,' Nogeira said. 'They understood that it favored the rival group.'

The suspects, whose names have not been released, are each facing charges of homicide, torture and criminal organization.
A Texas man was arrested when the Royal Caribbean cruise ship he was on docked in Fort Lauderdale, accused of raping a young woman he met on board.

Juan Campos, 28, is accused of raping a 20-year-old woman on August 28, midway through the Freedom of the Seas vacation.

The woman accused Campos of penetrating her with an unknown object and trying to force her into performing oral sex.

Campos' lawyer argues the sex was consensual and that he stopped when he was asked.

'It was a normal cruise, he was with friends, they met some people on board and next thing you know, he's charged with this crime,' attorney Ed Hoeg told Local 10.

Juan Campos, 28, is accused of raping a 20-year-old woman on August 28, midway through the Freedom of the Seas vacation

Hoeg said Campos' family - a law enforcement family - are shocked by the allegations, noting 'he's a great kid... the family says this guy has no criminal history'

Hoeg said Campos' family - a law enforcement family - are shocked by the allegations, noting 'he's a great kid... the family says this guy has no criminal history.'

'I can tell you that it is my understanding, from speaking to persons other than Mr. Campos, that there are witnesses and evidence which I expect will contradict the narrative detailed in the probable cause affidavit,' Hoeg said.

The ship had spent seven days at sea, traveling through the Bahamas, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

It is understood Campos posted bond, the Miami Herald reports.

The ship had spent seven days at sea, traveling through the Bahamas, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands

The arrest comes amid a court ruling that Carnival cruises must pay a woman $12million after a crew member raped her on board.

That woman, identified only as Jane Doe, was 21 at the time of the assault.

A federal jury in the Southern District of Florida found Carnival liable for damages of $10.2 million in 2022 following her lawsuit for false imprisonment and rape.

Carnival filed several post-trial motions, but last week Judge Kathleen Williams denied their attempts to overturn the jury verdict.

Williams ruled that the company had to pay an extra $2million in interest after dragging the case on for another two years  bringing the total to $12,367,229.90.
Kamala Harris hasn't had many chances to show what type of commander-in-chief she'd be if given the opportunity.

Judging by her reaction to the murder of an American hostage by Hamas, she's not ready for the job  and never will be.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American citizen, was one of six hostages executed by Hamas in Gaza this weekend.

The 23-year-old, a California native living in Jerusalem, was snatched from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7.

A young woman, who huddled with him in a bunker as the terrorists attacked that day, said he protected her by throwing Hamas's grenades out of their hiding place  before one of the bombs blew off his arm below the elbow.

Kamala Harris hasn't had many chances to show what type of commander-in-chief she'd be if given the opportunity.

The 23-year-old, a California native living in Jerusalem, was snatched from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7.

The IDF believes he was executed along with the others as Israeli forces closed in on their captors.

Two weeks since officially accepting the Democratic Party nomination, this was Harris's first real foreign policy test.

But here was her milquetoast tweet on Sunday: 'As [President Biden] said, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes It is long past time for a ceasefire and hostage deal. We need to bring the hostages home and end the suffering in Gaza.'

That, of course, is painfully obvious  and utterly useless.

Everyone in the U.S. and Israel wants the hostages home. And it doesn't take a foreign policy genius to see that peace is always preferable.

But how do we achieve it?

Israel cannot be expected to settle for anything less than the complete destruction of Hamas's ability to stage another October 7.

Yet, for 11 months, an agreement has been maddeningly elusive.

And Harris offers no breakthrough solutions  only banal platitudes and cowardly equivocation.

In March, she threatened 'consequences' for Israel if it entered the southern Gaza city of Rafah to try to rescue the hostages.

'We have been clear in multiple conversations and in every way that any major military operation in Rafah would be a huge mistake,' she said.

A young woman, who huddled with Goldberg-Polin in a bunker as the terrorists attacked that day, said he protected her by throwing Hamas's grenades out of their hiding place  before one of the bombs blew off his arm below the elbow (seen above in hostage video released by Hamas on April 24, 2024).

Here was her milquetoast tweet on Sunday: 'As [President Biden] said, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes It is long past time for a ceasefire and hostage deal.'

In late July, she refused to preside over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the US Congress  one of her few responsibilities as vice president.

After meeting with the Israeli leader in private, Harris insulted him further - saying she'd warned Netanyahu that she 'will not be silent' about 'the dire humanitarian situation' facing the Palestinians.

Just hours before Goldberg-Polin's body was found this week, sources close to the Vice President told the Washington Post that she 'could be open to imposing conditions on some aid to Israel.'

She has managed to give anti-Israel activists the impression from private meetings that she would support an arms embargo against Netanyahu's government.

Her spokespeople deny that  for now.

But her campaign appears happy to keep winking in that direction.

Now, the White House reportedly proposes to present Israel and Hamas with a 'take it or leave it' ceasefire deal.

And what are they doing to put more pressure on Hamas?

Nothing.

Reporters asked President Biden on Monday if he thought Netanyahu had done enough to secure a deal with Hamas to release the captives.

He said 'no' and shuffled off without elaborating.

At least four other American citizens are believed to be still held alive in Gaza; Edan Alexander, 20; Sagui Dekel-Chen, 35; Omer Neutra, 22; and Keith Siegel, 64.

Three others are presumed dead. Their bodies have not been recovered.

Maybe, Mr. President and Madame VP, you should demand that Hamas free the hostages immediately without precondition?

But Harris and Biden dodge the issue  too scared of their own domestic critics to take a side and too unsure of their own power to exercise it with conviction.

Hours before Goldberg-Polin's body was found this week, sources close to the Vice President told the Washington Post that she 'could be open to imposing conditions on some aid to Israel.' (Above) Jonathan Polin and Rachel Goldberg, parents of Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin

In March, Harris threatened 'consequences' for Israel if it entered the southern Gaza city of Rafah to try to rescue the hostages.

In 1853, an American citizen named Martin Koszta was abducted in Turkey by Austrian agents.

As a result of Koszta's imprisonment, American captain Duncan Ingraham threatened to open fire on an Austrian ship in the Turkish harbor if Koszta wasn't immediately surrendered to them.

Lo and behold, he was released.

Today, the Biden White House is working overtime to paint Harris as some sort of shadow president advising Biden and making the tough calls behind the scenes.

The administration is releasing photos of her in the Situation Room and adding her name to official reports of Biden's calls with foreign leaders, such as Netanyahu and China's Xi Jinping.

They're sensitive to the reality that the Democratic Party's nominee for president has scant foreign policy experience, as the world burns around them.

The only international emergencies she has touched  as 'border czar' overseeing America's illegal immigration calamity and as the last person to advise Biden before his calamitous decision to hastily yank US forces from Afghanistan  were unmitigated disasters.

Now, we can add the unending war in Gaza to her resume of fatal failures.
A British husband and his Thai wife were left furious after their extraordinary row with two Chinese tourists, which left his shirt ripped and the police called.

John, 51, and his Thai wife Pookie, 25, have slammed Thai police for allegedly treating them unfairly while investigating an alleged assault in a mall in Phuket, Thailand.

The couple reportedly bumped into Chinese woman Zhang Yise and her mother Wu Kuiyun at the Central Phuket Floresta mall on August 19, sparking a fierce row that later led to police complaints and litigation.

Footage filmed by Zhang shows her following the pair out of the building as both parties hurled expletives at each other.

John warned the Chinese ladies not to touch him or he will 'knock her out' as a furious Zhang tried to stop him from leaving the mall. She replied: 'You stay here! You kill me! You touched me! Stop here, you cannot go, I'll kill you!'

John, 51, pictured with his Thai wife Pookie, 25, can be seen having an argument with two Chinese women

The argument broke out after John reportedly bumped into one of the Chinese women in a mall

The fierce row broke out at the Central Phuket Floresta mall on August 19

John called over security and spat more insults at Zhang and her mother, calling them 'stupid Chinese women, crazy Chinese women'.

John said he called Ekapop Luangprasert, advisor to the Minister of Interior and founder of a social media complaint page, as he felt police investigations were 'not balanced.'

In an August 30 press conference, the British man wearing a hoodie, shades, and a face mask to conceal his identity, said: 'I asked my wife to order us a GrabTaxi because we were about to go home and then this Chinese lady bumps into me. I turn, I said 'be careful', then the younger Chinese lady said 'you hit my mum, you hit my mum, fuck you, fuck you, I call police!' So I said ok call police. But it made me worry a little bit, how is this police? So we wanted to leave.'

John claimed he 'swept Zhang away' with his arm when she allegedly lunged towards Pookie, prompting Wu Kuiyun to then charge at him and punch him.

He said Zhang fell down when he sidestepped her as she was running at him.

He continued: 'I had two very aggressive Chinese women attacking me, trying to get around me to get my wife. I'm just trying to defend myself and protect my wife. Everything I did was to create distance. If I wanted to hurt somebody, they would be in the hospital.'

He criticised the police and described their investigation as 'unfair and not balanced'.

One of the Chinese women can be heard shouting: 'You stay here! You kill me! You touched me! Stop here, you cannot go, I'll kill you!'

Meanwhile, John warned the Chinese ladies not to touch him or he will 'knock them out' as a furious Zhang tried to stop him from leaving the mall

John pictured speaking to media after the shopping mall rage attack in Thailand

He said: 'What I couldn't understand was it was just two people who bumped each other in a shopping mall. And suddenly the police, their only focus is me. Why don't they look at the Chinese also? Why is the focus only farang, farang, farang?'

'Farang' is a Thai term for foreigners of Western descent.

John said that he and his wife were cooperative with police, but still felt they were treated unfairly. They were allegedly being pressured to settle and apologise as the Chinese side was reportedly influential and well-connected.

He said: 'I don't feel safe. We had to move rooms many many times. These people are very connected. We don't feel safe, so when this situation is finished with the court, me and my wife are going to leave Thailand.'

In response to the press conference, Zhang presented video evidence which she claimed disproved John's statements. She said she had tried to apologise to the couple after bumping into them, but John started cursing at her and insulting her.

Police Lieutenant General Surapong Thanomjit, Commander of Region 8 Police, said police have gathered evidence and that both sides will be heard in the court trial.

He said: 'No party should present only their advantages and criticise the other side, nor should they excessively criticise the police officers' actions beyond reality.'
The commander of a Navy destroyer has been relieved of duty about four months after he was seen in a photo firing a rifle with a scope mounted backward.

Cameron Yaste, commanding officer of the destroyer USS John McCain, was removed from his post on Friday and faces a demotion to Naval Officer, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Yaste was relieved of duty 'due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command the guided-missile destroyer' that's currently deployed in the Gulf of Oman, the Navy said in statement. Officials did not elaborate about why Yaste was replaced.

It comes after a photo posted on the Navy's social media in April that showed Yaste in a firing stance gripping the rifle with a backward scope prompted a wave of backlash online and drew attention from other military branches.

The Navy acknowledged the error and said the post had been 'removed until EMI (extra military instruction) is completed'.

A photo posted on the Navy's social media in April showed Cameron Yaste in a firing stance gripping the rifle with a backward scope prompted a wave of backlash online and drew attention from other military branches

Cameron Yaste (left) has been temporarily replaced by Capt. Allison Christy, (right) deputy commodore of Destroyer Squadron 21, which is part of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group that's also in the Gulf of Oman

Yaste has been temporarily replaced by Capt. Allison Christy, deputy commodore of Destroyer Squadron 21, which is part of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group that's also in the Gulf of Oman.

Yates, a Tennessee native, came under fire online after he was seen holding a rifle with a backward scope, meaning the weapon's magnification would be inverted, making it impossible to aim.

'From engaging in practice gun shoots, conducting maintenance, testing fuel purity and participating in sea and anchor details, the #USNavy is always ready to serve and protect,' read the original post's caption.

But social media users quickly pointed out the mistake, with one joking that 'even Hollywood gets this right' in the movies.

Social media users quickly pointed out the mistake, including Rep. Mike Collins, who posted a picture to his official X account of a pistol with its barrel and grip on backward which he captioned: 'Navy's newly issued sidearm'

The Marine Corps also took a dig at the Navy by sharing a photo on its social media of a Marine firing a weapon aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer

Rep. Mike Collins, a Georgia Republican, even addressed the gaffe on his official account by posting a picture of a pistol with its barrel and grip on backward which he captioned: 'Navy's newly issued sidearm.'

The Marine Corps also took a dig at the Navy, military news outlet Stars and Stripes reported, sharing a photo on its social media of a Marine firing a weapon aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer. The caption read: 'Clear Sight Picture.'

The post featuring Yaste was ultimately deleted. 'Thank you for pointing out our rifle scope error in the previous post,' the Navy later wrote on social media. 'Picture has been removed until EMI (extra military instruction) is completed.'

Yates was in charge of the destroyer that is helping protect the San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Middle East.

Yaste was the commanding officer of the destroyer USS John McCain, (pictured in 2017) which helps protect the San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Middle East

The Pentagon sent the carriers to the Middle East to be in position should Israel need help repelling an attack by Iran or other countries, if such a thing happens, military officials said.

The Roosevelt is the flagship of a strike group that has recently included three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, $2billion vessels that are designed to shield carriers from attacks by air, sea and land.
Donald Trump continues to eat away at the Democratic advantage among Hispanic voters, one of the key demographic groups who could decide the outcome of the November election.

That continues despite Kamala Harris experiencing poll gains compared to President Joe Biden's performance before ending his campaign.

Biden won Hispanics by 21 points in 2020, according to exit polls. Vice President Kamala Harris now leads by 13 points among the group  which represents a gain for Trump.

Trump is also outperforming Harris among Hispanic voters on immigration, identified by voters as one of the key issues this year.

Trump leads Harris on immigration policy by 42 to 37, according to a new Reuters / Ipsos poll.

'The Latino vote is probably the most pure swing group of voters in America right now and will be for a long time,' former Bernie Sanders advisor Democratic Chuck Rocha told Reuters.

Former President Donald Trump has gained among Hispanic voters compared to how Joe Biden performed in 2020. He leads Kamala Harris on immigration among Hispanics

Trump's lead on the immigration issue is bigger among the electorate at large: rising to a 10-point edge, 46 to 36.

That comes as Trump has repeatedly spoken at his rallies about an immigration 'invasion' and vowed to carry out a nationwide deportation of people who crossed the border illegally.

Biden won the Hispanic vote by 21 points in 2020, according to an exit poll analysis by Pew Research, so Harris' current 13 point lead among registered Hispanic voters, should it hold through Election Day, would signal an improvement for Trump.

VP Kamala Harris has improved Democrats' poll position since stepping after President Biden ended his campaign

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But Harris had made gains among Hispanics on other issues. She now leads him on the economy by 13 points, with a larger 18 point lead on healthcare and 23 points on climate change.

Those four issues represent that top ones for Hispanic voters. Harris' lead on the economy comes as Trump leads on the economy overall 45 to 36.

Hispanic voters will have an outsized role in two battleground states where Trump is holding an edge over Harris. Trump leads Harris 49 to 44 in a new CNN poll in Arizona, a GOP-leaning state that Biden carried in 2020. And in Nevada, a virtual tossup, Harris led Trump by 48 to 47 percent.
An unruly passenger forced an American Airlines flight to be re-routed after chasing after a flight attendant who asked him to stop vaping.

The Dallas, Texas-bound flight took off from Milwaukee, Wisconsin at around 5.30pm on Tuesday was diverted to Tulsa, Oklahoma due to the disruptive passenger, the airline said without providing further details.

The first class passenger was vaping openly until a flight attendant warned him to stop, saying it was a violation of federal regulations, according to PYOK, an airline news site run by a self-described international flight attendant.

The traveler denied he was vaping and then chased the flight attendant toward the front of the plane, before other passengers stepped in to protect the crew member, PYOK reported.

The Dallas-bound flight took off from Milwaukee at around 5.30pm on Tuesday

The flight was diverted to Tulsa due to an unruly passenger

American would not confirm those details, only stating that the flight was redirected due to a 'disruptive customer.'

Tulsa Airport confirmed that after landing, the individual who 'smelled of alcohol' was met by airport police and transported to Tulsa County Jail.

The flight, which had 103 passengers and five crew member on board, then diverted to Tulsa, where law enforcement was waiting.

'We thank our team for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for the inconvenience,' American said in a statement.

The plan took the skies again and arrived at Dallas Fort Worth Airport an hour behind schedule.

Vaping aboard planes is prohibited by federal rules due to due to their risk of 'smoke, fire and extreme heat', according to the FAA.

Anyone caught vaping during a flight can be fined up to almost $2,000 and once on the ground, charged with a felony crime.
A healthcare assistant who failed to perform mandatory checks on a patient who later took her own life has been jailed for negligence.

Rebecca Welch, 29, lied about carrying out appropriate observations on the welfare of Amelia Rose at Millbrook Mental Health Unit in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.

The mental health support worker was tasked with checking on the 31-year-old patient at ten minute intervals from 1pm on January 31, 2020 - but failed to do any.

A court heard Amelia was found by a charge nurse at 1:53 pm, blue and unresponsive on the floor with a ligature around her neck.

Despite being rushed to King's Mill Hospital, she died the next day.

An inquest later ruled she had most likely caused her own death, opportunities were missed to save Amelia and she had not received the care she should have.

Detectives also discovered Welch had falsely recorded observations every 10 minutes in a log.

(Pictured: Rebecca Welch, 29) A healthcare assistant who failed to perform mandatory checks on a patient who later took her own life has been jailed for negligence. Rebecca Welch lied about carrying out appropriate observations on the welfare of Amelia Rose at Millbrook Mental Health Unit in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire

Pictured: Amelia Rose, 31, who had struggled with mental health issues since 2014 and was moved between different healthcare facilities before arriving at Millbrook Mental Health Unit

At Nottingham Crown Court, Welch was sentenced to 12 months in prison after pleading guilty to wilful neglect by a care worker.

In a statement, Amelia's parents said: 'Our beautiful, fun-loving, caring and intelligent daughter Amelia Rose died aged 31, in what should have been the prime of her life.

'Amelia would have had her whole life ahead of her if she had been given the help she so desperately pleaded for, but in three short days of admission to Millbrook, due to the complete lack of care by Rebecca Welch, she was left to die unnecessarily.

'We will never see the wonderful person she would have become, a loving daughter, sister, aunty and potentially a mother.

'Our lives will never be the same again.'

Detective Inspector Clare Gibson, of Nottinghamshire Police, added: 'Welch's failure to carry out mandatory observations, lost any opportunity to prevent Amelia taking these actions or possible interventions to save her life.

'The creation of false records in an attempt to cover her back was particularly damning.

'I would like to thank Amelia's loved ones for their dignified determination to pursue these criminal charges and hope that today provides them with some closure.'

The healthcare trust responsible for the hospital apologised and said staff would address the findings raised at the inquest.

Ifti Majid, Chief Executive of Nottinghamshire Healthcare said: 'On behalf of the Trust, I again offer our deepest sympathies and apologies to Amelias family and friends for their devastating loss.

Dr. John Brewin, the Chief Executive of the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (pictured), has since apologised and said staff would address the findings raised at the inquest

'Carrying out therapeutic observations is one of the most important interventions that our inpatient nurses and support workers do - ensuring observations are not only carried out as prescribed, but that they are documented accurately, robustly and in line with policy is not optional, it must happen or our patients can come to the most serious harm. As soon as we were made aware of Rebecca Welchs misconduct, she was immediately suspended, a comprehensive investigation was carried out and she was dismissed.

'We have made wide-ranging improvements which include comprehensive observations training for all staff as part of our induction process; renewing our policy to provide clarity and clear guidance; carrying out proactive audits of observations to understand the learning and compliance, this includes qualitative feedback from patients and their families. It is important to note that compliance with observations is monitored each week as part of our Safe Now dashboard.

'Our thoughts remain with Amelias family and friends, and I wish to reaffirm how seriously we take this matter and our commitment to ensuring all our patients are kept safe now and in the future.'

Judge James Sampson, in his sentencing remarks, said that Welch's failure to perform her duties may have cost Amelia her life.

'There is no real excuse or satisfactory explanation other than laziness,' the judge stated.

Amelia had struggled with mental health issues since 2014 and was moved between different healthcare facilities before arriving at Millbrook.

On the day of her death, Welch, instead of checking on her as required, was found sitting in a staff room.

Amelia's mother Yvonne Dooley fought back tears as she delivered her victim impact statement from the witness box.

In it she said: 'She was yo-yo'd between places and let out into the community with little support. She really, really, wanted to get well but she did not know how to cope.

'The inquest showed that Nottingham NHS Trust and especially Rebecca Welch failed to keep promises that resulted in her death. Do these people know or even care about the heartbreak they cause when they don't do their job properly?

'How many times are we going to hear 'lessons will be learned?' I have lost my faith in the system, my Christian faith and my faith in people.

'Rebecca Welch, it may ease your conscience to tell yourself that even if you had done your job properly she still might not have survived but you will never know this. You will have to live with the knowledge you could have saved her.'

Christopher Jeyes, mitigating, said his client had 'understandably' lost her job as a result of her contribution to Amelia's death.

He said: 'There are no words to express how sorry Rebecca Welch is about what happened in January, 2020, and the remorse and regrets she feels.

'She will have to live the rest of her life knowing she failed on that day with tragic consequences. If she had the ability to turn the clock back she would, but she can't.'

For help, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
Congress is again looking down the barrel of a potential government shutdown that could throw Capitol Hill into chaos, and Republican leaders are scrambling.

House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, are plotting a path forward for a must-pass federal funding package due by September 30.

But on a House GOP call Tuesday morning, members expressed concern over how the party should proceed in the funding fight, and whether they should use their leverage to attach a proof-of-citizenship voting law to the funding deal.

The conservative legislation, dubbed the SAVE Act, would require proof of citizenship to vote in the presidential election and it has the backing of Trump.

Time is ticking since if there's no deal in 26 days, the government will be thrown into a shutdown. But that doesn't seem to bother former President Donald Trump.

'I would shut down the government in a heartbeat if they don't get it,' Trump said of the bill on the 'Monica Crowley Show' last week.

Republican Speaker Mike Johnson floated the idea of passing a continuing resolution, or CR, to keep government funding levels where they are until March, according to sources familiar with the Tuesday call.

'It should be in the bill. And if it's not in the bill, you want to close it up,' Trump said. 'So I'm not there but, you know, I have influence.'

The headache for Johnson is balancing Trump's desire for the SAVE Act and the Democrats' vow to block the deal if the law is attached to the funding deal.

Just five Democrats joined all Republicans in voting for the SAVE Act when it came up for a standalone vote in July.

And Republicans, who hold a slim majority, would need to rely on those same members again to pass the short-gap funding bill to fund the government through March 2025, known as a CR.

But Democratic leadership is whipping ardently against the CR with the inclusion of the migrant voting measure.

And the political dynamics since the last vote have shifted.

At the time Joe Biden was still the Democratic nominee and Trump was surging in the polls, possibly prompting some on the left to side with Republicans. That has completely changed with Kamala Harris being placed atop the ticket.

'It's going to be difficult to get this CR done,' one senior House Republican aide told DailyMail.com, who described Johnson's plan to jam the Senate with the SAVE Act.

'We don't have a good track record of forcing things like this and jamming the Senate and jamming the administration.'

They added that the chance of a shutdown are low, under 30 percent, but it still could happen.

'Johnson is going to do whatever it takes to not shut the government down,' the source added.

'It's not good to be thinking about anything other than the election, we don't want to be talking about, you know, how the troops don't get paid.'

In addition, Senate Democrats have signaled that the funding bill, if it contains the voting reforms, will be dead on arrival to the upper chamber.

'As we have said each time we've had a CR, the only way to get things done is in a bipartisan way and that is what has happened every time,' Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote in a recent statement.

Regardless, some Republicans are pressuring Johnson to get the voting law through, believing voters will resonate with the move.

A group of migrants from Asia sit near the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona awaiting a ride from Border Patrol to a processing center. Republicans have said that noncitizens voting in U.S. elections could sway the results

Former President Donald Trump has made immigration and border security central to his campaign, so much so that he visited the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona in recent weeks

'My last election was won by 10,000 votes,' Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said on Fox News Wednesday. 'This is important. If Chuck Schumer decides he doesn't want to bring it, then Chuck Schumer will be deciding that he wants to shut down government.''

'We're saying we want to fund government and we ought to do it through next year. So the next president has the opportunity to make sure he fixes the budget. And we ought to make sure non-citizens don't vote,' Scott added.

Trump said he would shutdown the government over the SAVE Act if he could

Recently, the state of Virginia reexamined its voter registrations and found that over 6,300 noncitizens were on the rolls that 'had attempted to register' to vote, adding credence to Republican's concerns over illegal immigrants voting in U.S. elections.

And the Attorney General of Texas, Ken Paxton, also recently launched an investigation into noncitizen voting in some of the most Latino counties in the state.

'I think you are going to see a CR with the Save Act ... the Senate will have to pass that and also secure our election in November,' Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., said on Wednesday.

'Regarding the spending, look the House doesn't have a willing partner in the Senate. They've moved no appropriations bills through on the floor.'

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., noted how the SAVE Act could have impacted his own election, which he says was decided by 10,000 votes

Though not all Republicans are confident Johnson's plan to put Senate Democrats in a bind will work.

On the Tuesday call, some Republicans reportedly expressed concern that Schumer and the Senate Democrats could strip the SAVE Act from the funding package and flip the script on the GOP, making them seem like the instigators of a potential shutdown.

Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., who occupies a more moderate seat, reportedly spoke up on the call mentioning how if the government does shutdown there could be up to 10 Republicans at risk of losing their seat.

However, the SAVE Act is a central piece to the GOP's messaging on immigration and border security.

It is also an election integrity issue, Republicans say, a popular issue among members.

The bill would close any loopholes that allow people to register to vote without proof of U.S. citizenship or photo ID, require all 50 states to remove any unlawful immigrants from their voter rolls, add penalties of up to five years in prison for election officials who register non-citizens to vote and require proof of citizenship for those who vote overseas.

Democrats claim laws already prohibit noncitizens from voting in U.S. elections

The SAVE Act would require voters prove their identity with IDs, passports, birth certificates or another form of official documentation

Most voting ballots require some kind of proof of identity to register to vote, such as a driver's license.

Not all of those proofs of ID require citizenship - the bill would specifically require ID requirements like passports or birth certificates.

But the risky move of marrying the SAVE Act to the funding bills could backfire as some are wanting individual appropriations bills passed and not another CR.

Traditional Republicans have insisted the House must push forward with passing 12 separate appropriations bills - one to fund each agency of government.

The House, so far, has passed six appropriations bills. It's scrapped plans to vote on others after running into policy disagreements.

The Senate, meanwhile, hasn't passed any.

Even if both chambers passed all 12 bills, they'd then have to come together and negotiate 12 bills that could get a majority vote in both chambers.
A desperate thief was seen perched on cable lines high above a street in Brazil to escape the wrath of residents looking to exact their own justice.

The man was caught on camera balancing on a tangle of lines as angry locals on the ground hurled objects at him after he was caught stealing copper wire in the northern Rio de Janeiro neighborhood of Rocha on Saturday night.

At one point, he can be heard shouting, 'Auntie, call the police,' as he balanced on the cables.

A man in Rio de Janeiro was seen perched on cable lines after being busted for stealing copper wire

The remained high above the street before cops arrived and arrested him

In the clip, a man on the street can be seen attempting to knock him off the cables with a piece of wood

'Don't do that, for the love of God,' he yelled. 'I lost, seriously, call the police.'

The suspect managed to traverse the pole and take a seat, where he remained until police arrived.

Residents were recorded hurling objects at the suspect in the Rocha neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro

Authorities in Rio de Janeiro have spent $710,000 repairing copper wire lines due to theft in 2024

Military Police responded and placed him under arrest.

He was taken to a local police precinct and charged with qualified theft.

According to Rio de Janeiro government figures, authorities have spent nearly $710,000 in repairs to copper wire lines stolen during the first eight months of 2024.

The stolen copper wires amount to 52,493 feet, almost four times the length of the beachfront in the Rio de Janeiro beachfront of Copacabana.
The United Kingdom's Labour Party swept to a landslide election victory in July and now Kamala Harris is looking to see what lessons her campaign can learn from the other side of the Atlantic.

Deborah Mattinson, one of Prime Minster Keir Starmer's top advisers, will reportedly travel to the U.S. to brief the Harris 2024 campaign on the party's winning strategy.

The Labour Party and the Democratic Party have long looked to each other for inspiration, but the direction of travel has usual been from west to east.

But this time, with Starmer ousting the Conservative Party for the first time in 14 year, Mattinson is expected to travel to Washington, D.C., next week.

She was a long history in the Labour Party, and was Starmer's director of strategy for three years while he was the leader of the Opposition, but did not join him in Number 10 Downing Street.

Deborah Mattinson, one of Prime Minster Kier Starmer's top advisers, will reportedly brief the Harris 2024 campaign on the Labour Party's winning strategy

Instead, Politico revealed that she will be passing on lessons to political allies in the U.S.

A former colleague who worked with her on the campaign said she would urge the Harris campaign to 'put the "hope and change stuff" to one side' and maintain a laser focus on winning states.

Her expertise is in winning back disaffected former supporters.

She literally wrote the book on how Labour lost its working class northern heartlandsits Red Wallto Boris Johnson in 2019. 'Beyond the Red Wall' was published in 2020.

And this time around she helped developed a strategy that focused on winning back 'hero voters,' the party's former supporters who voted Brexit and switched to the Tories.

She arrives soon after other top Labour minds were in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention.

Sir Keir Starmer, the British prime minister, is pictured with Labour MPs elected in a landslide victory on July 4. Now American politicians want a slice of his success

Mattinson's message to Harris will be leave aside the feel-good vibes, in favor of remaining laser focused on winning back disaffected supporters in swing states

They included the party's election mastermind Morgan McSweeney and Downing Street communications director Matthew Doyle, along with a cadre of newly-elected MPs, according to Politico.

They bucked a different trend across much of Europe, where hard right parties are on the rise, across Italy, Germany and France, and further afield.

Matthew McGregor, former Labour digital director who also for former U.S. President Barack Obama, said that meant the usual direction of travel, with U.S. consultants from both sides finding work in the U.K., had been reversed.

'Labour is one of the only Western parties that have recently won, or look likely to win, from the center left,' he told Politico recently.
A man is accused of killing more than 80 farm animals during a disturbing shooting in rural California.

Vicente Joseph Arroyo, 39, allegedly committed the horrifying slaughter early on Tuesday morning over the course of three hours, before being found in a crashed car on the property by police.

His victims ranged in species from ponies and goats to guinea pigs, cops said - adding how a host of chickens, birds, rabbits and ducks were killed as well.

A miniature horse was also murdered, as the bloodbath that caused residents nearby to take shelter still remains unexplained. It did, however, end with the suspect's arrest, and multiple long rifles, shotguns and handguns being found at the scene.

An illegal assault weapon was also seized from the weapons cache, as it was revealed some animals survived but were later euthanized. Police in Prunedale issued a statement detailing Arroyo's arrest.

Scroll down for video:

A man is accused of killing roughly 80 farm animals during a shooting spree in Prunedale, California

The suspect, 39-year-old Vicente Joseph Arroyo, allegedly committed the killings over the course of three hours. Cops said he is from Salinas

'The Monterey County Sheriffs Office has arrested a suspect after he began to randomly fire multiple weapons and killed approximately 80 animals during an approximate 3-hour period,' the Monterey County Sheriffs Office said.

'On Tuesday September 3rd at about 3:25am, the Monterey County Sheriffs Office began receiving multiple calls of numerous shots being fired.

'Deputies responded to the scene and upon arrival could hear shots continuing to be fired in the area. A shelter in place order was put into effect.'

The bulletin went on to reveal how 'various calibers of weapons could be heard being fired' during the event, which began in the dead of night as families slept.

The firing of hundreds of rounds from the weapons cache followed 'in an area that was extremely dark and covered in thick vegetation,' cops said.

'This made it difficult for deputies to immediately locate the person or persons responsible for firing the weapons.'

Because of this, assistance was requested from a Monterey County SWAT team, and a drone was deployed by the Seaside Fire Department and Gonzales Police Department, the sheriff's office said.

With use of the drone, the suspect and his crashed vehicle were observed within the property - a vineyard set along the 16000 block of Avery Lane, cops said.

His victims ranged in species from ponies and goats to guinea pigs, cops said - adding how a host of chickens, birds, rabbits, and ducks, were killed as well. One of the slain animals is seen here

A miniature horse was also murdered, as the bloodbath that caused residents nearby to take shelter still remains unexplained. More victims are seen here

It did, however, end with the suspect's arrest - following three hours of straight gunfire that left neighbors horrified

The suspect - seen here - was found in a crashed car on the property. His bail has been set at $50,000

The SWAT team proceeded to approach the suspect in an armored vehicle, statement said, and photos released by the sheriff's office showed Arroyo getting on his knees and surrendering.

Once the scene was secured and Arroyo was identified, the extent of the killing spree was quickly discovered.

Arroyo had killed approximately 80 animals whose bodies littered the property, along with the assortment of rifles, shotguns, handguns, and spent magazines.

Some animals survived but were taken by SPCA to be euthanized, cops revealed - citing the 'severity of their injuries.'

Whom the animals belonged to still remains unknown - as does Arroyo's motive and ties to the property in question.

The scene he left behind, however, left even the most seasoned investigators disgusted - even those from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals called to the horrifying scene.

This included SPCA Investigator Jacob Duarte, who told KSBW-8 he's never seen anything like this in his career.

'Once we arrived, we weren't exactly sure what we were going to see, what we're going to run into until we kind of walked into a pony that was shot to death,' Duarte recalled.

Multiple long rifles, shotguns and handguns were found at the scene, cops said in a statement Tuesday

An illegal assault weapon was also seized, as were several spent weapons magazines

Some animals survived the onslaught survived but were later euthanized, due to the extent of their injuries, cops said

Even the most seasoned of cops said they were left horrified by the crime scene, which along with guns, was littered with animal corpses

Police in Prunedale have yet to discern a motive for the mass killing, but are currently investigating

Of the other sights that followed, he conceded it was '[s]omething I've never seen personally.

'It was, basically, stop, kind of take a breather,' the animal rescue official recalled.

'Let's kind of get a game on. Let's do our job and make sure that there is charges pressed for this individual.'

Cops called to the scene said more of the same, while neighbors to the targeted property recalled being awoken in the night to a steady stream of gunshots.

Deputies also said that Arroyo - whose mugshot has yet to be released - may have recently moved to the rural area.

'It is a horrible scene,' Monterey County Sheriff's Spokesman Andy Rosas said. 'We are very fortunate that no human lives were lost, but we are estimating that almost 100 animals - different types of animals - were killed.

'We don't have any information that the suspect was looking for anyone specific, but it appears from what we see that the animals were the targets.'

He added: 'I've been doing this for 24-plus years, and, fortunately, I've never seen anything like this.'

'I've been doing this for 24-plus years, and, fortunately, I've never seen anything like this', Monterey County Sheriff's Spokesman Andy Rosas said. 'We are very fortunate that no human lives were lost, but we are estimating that almost 100 animals... were killed'

SPCA Investigator Jacob Duarte was left similarly horrified, and told KSBW-8 he's never seen anything like this in his career'

'I just figured a neighbor was scaring away a coyote,' added Jason Maynard, a neighbor. 'Second shot I heard - really not that uncommon out here - same thing. 'But right after that, it was just a barrage,' he recalled. 'B-b-b-boom... [My family and I got] as low as we could get'

Recalling the sheer amount of lives lost, he branded the incident 'tragic'.

'I just figured a neighbor was scaring away a coyote,' added Jason Maynard, a neighbor. 'Second shot I heard - really not that uncommon out here - same thing.

'But right after that, it was just a barrage,' he recalled. 'B-b-b-boom, for like 15 seconds.

'At that point, I knew something wasn't right.'

Motioning with his hands to the vineyard where the suspect was found, Maynard said that was where the nearly three-hour stream of 'gunfire started', spurring him, his wife and kids 'got down and hunkered down on the floor, away from the windows.

'[We were] as low as we could get,' he said.

With the suspect now in custody, a new effort to identify each breed - and the accompanying cost of the lost livestock - begins, Duarte said.

'At this moment, when we were done, we photographed all the animals,' he told KSBW-8.

'We're going to figure out breeds and cost of every single animal if we can.

The local DA said Arroyo, depending on the exact amount of animals killed, could face 10 years in prison. Officials will not know the number until the case is submitted. Investigators said the suspect, who is from Salinas, may have just moved to the area. The investigation is ongoing

'Chickens can go from like $20. Goats, you can get them for $40 to $60. Horses, a couple hundred,' he said. 'That depends on the type of animal.'

The local DA, meanwhile, said that Arroyo, depending on the exact amount of animals killed, could face 10 years in prison. Officials will not know the number until the case is submitted.

In the interim, Arroyo remains incarcerated on $50,000 bail.

He has been charged with willful discharge of a firearm with gross negligence, cruelty to animals, illegal possession of an assault weapon, vandalism, criminal threats and felon in possession of a firearm.
A mother-of-two desperately tried calling for help as she and her children were stabbed to death by her builder husband before he killed himself, an inquest heard.

Michal Wlodarczyk, 39, stabbed wife Monika, 35, son Dawid, three, and 11-year-old daughter Maja to death before turning the knife on himself on June 16 last year at their home in Bedfont, Hounslow, an inquest at West London Coroner's Court was told today.

It was revealed how Mrs Wlodarczyk appeared to be attempting to get assistance, with police finding her lifeless body with a mobile phone pressed close to her ear and chin.

Days earlier the mother-of-two, who was a chambermaid at a Heathrow airport hotel, abruptly rushed out of work an hour early without telling bosses.

She had been sending a string of frantic messages to Maja in which she seemed 'concerned' about her children while also receiving a nine-second phone-call from her husband, coroner Dr Anton Van Dellen said.

Monika Wlodarczyk, 35, (right) was killed along with 11-year-old daughter Maja (left) and son Dawid, three, by her husband Michal at their home in Bedfont, west London, in June last year

Police were called and floral tributes left on June 17 after the bodies were found the day before

Michal Wodarczyk, pictured with his wife Monika and their two children Dawid and Maja, stabbed his family to death before killing himself with the same knife, a coroner has ruled

Just three days before the shocking killings, a neighbour reported being woken up in the early hours of the morning by a female voice, thought to belong to Maja, loudly screaming 'Get off me' in English.

Police forced entry to the property on June 16 to find the entire family dead.

Mrs Wlodarczyk was discovered sprawled between the hallway and the bathroom with Dawid lying next to her, Detective Sergeant Allen Windsor said in a written witness statement read in court.

Mr Wlodarczyk stabbed himself with the same knife while lying on the sofa bed where the couple usually slept in the living room.

The little girl was found in her bedroom with 'an apparent stab wound to her chest and injuries to her arms and hands', the hearing was told.

Police found Mr Wlodarczyk in the living room, wearing only a pair of boxer shorts with an apparent stab wound to the neck and 'a large amount of blood pooling on the duvet' he was on top of.

Next to his left hand was a 19cm long kitchen knife covered in blood.

Forensic investigators identified his bloody fingerprint on Maja's bedroom door and three of his bloody footprints in the living room.

Making a finding of unlawful killing, Dr Van Dellen said Mr Wlodarczyk 'intentionally stabbed' his wife and children, causing their deaths.

Today's inquest at West London Coroner's Court heard that Monika Wlodarczyk appeared to have tried calling for help moments before being stabbed to death

The couple's two children Maja and Dawid are pictured here together

Monika with daughter Maja - the girl's schoolfriends paid tribute after the killings to their 'really beautiful' and 'really kind' friend

Dawid died from multiple stab wounds, Maja from a stab wound to the chest and their mother from multiple sharp force injuries. The three victims all had defensive injuries to their arms and hands.

The coroner concluded Mr Wlodarczyk died by suicide, adding: 'He probably died due to self-inflicted stab wounds to the neck after he had stabbed his entire family, killing them.

'At the time that he stabbed himself, he probably intended that the effect of stabbing himself would be to end his life.'

The alarm was first raised by the Maja's school after she did not attend classes or reply to her friend's messages for days, having last been seen alive on June 12.

School truancy officers called her parents and attended the family home but alerted police when they received no response.

Police kicked down the front door to discover the 'harrowing scene with all members of the family deceased with grievous injuries', Dr Van Dellen said.

He said: 'From the evidence that has been obtained, it is believed that Michal killed his wife Monika, daughter Maja and his son Dawid.

'He then moved Dawid's body post stabbing and laid him next to Monika before he stabbed himself with the same knife whilst laying on the sofa bed, leading to his own death.'

The coroner added: 'I am very grateful to Detective Sergeant Windsor for his extremely detailed report conducted into these tragic deaths.

A coroner has delivered a verdict of unlawful killing, saying Michael Wlodarczyk (left) 'intentionally stabbed' his wife Monika (right) and children, causing their death

Floral tributes were left at the scene of the house in Hounslow, west London in June last year

A card left outside the family home was believed to be from Maja's school teacher, who is said to have called police after she had been absent from class for several days

'I accept his conclusion that Michal murdered Monika, Maja and Dawid before taking his own life.'

He said of Maja: 'It is difficult to comprehend the sheer terror that she must have experienced being repeatedly stabbed by her father in her bedroom.

'A neighbour was awoken at about 04.50 in the morning on June 13 2023 by a female voice screaming in English, "Get off me".

'Given the police description of needing an interpreter to speak to Monika, I consider it is likely that it was Maja screaming.

'What is likely to have happened in my view, is that the children went to sleep that evening, and at some point in the early hours a crisis erupted at home.

'The outcome of that was that the children and Monika were murdered by Michal before he took his own life.

'I have no doubt that the deaths have sent a shockwave not only through the Polish community but all those who knew the family and my thoughts are with all of them.'

Dr Van Dellen said there was 'a history of domestic violence' by Mr Wlodarczyk against his wife, 'including a concerning incident when Mrs Wlodarczyk was 'headbutted' by him on September 8 2016, which led to him being cautioned by police.

She later fled the family home with her daughter to go and see a friend but returned when her husband alerted police and they found her at a train station.

Eleven-year-old Maja Wlodarczyk was found dead along with mother Monika, 35, and brother Dawid, three, after they were killed by father Michal in June last year

Michal Wlodarczyk had a 'history of domestic violence' against his wife, a coroner said - the killer is pictured with his wife Monika and their daughter Maja

Police and forensics at the scene in Hounslow where the four people were found dead

Later, in January 2017, she went to a police station with a friend acting as an interpreter saying she wanted her husband removed from their home, but police told her as the tenancy was jointly in his name they could not do so.

She told police her husband 'gets angry with her and did not like her going to work and tried to stop her from doing so' but stated he was 'not violent and had not made any threats of violence'.

Police recorded the incident as coercive and controlling behaviour and wanted to do a risk assessment, the inquest heard.

Mrs Wlodarczyk is said to have left the police station and failed to return further calls, with the investigation closed later that month.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit www.thecalmzone.net/get-support.
If we are to believe that the first female presidency is truly within reach  then why are Democrats treating their candidate like an incapable little girl, unfairly maligned by masculine forces?

The bad man in question is Fox News host Jesse Watters, who found himself hung out to dry last week after stating on air that, should Kamala Harris win in November, the nation's top generals would 'have their way with her' in the Situation Room.

Immediately, Watters's colleague on 'The Five', Jeanine Pirro, reacted in shock.

'I don't like that. Take it back!' she cautioned.

Yet Watters was unshaken: He'd been speaking 'figuratively', he explained. His comment had not been meant 'in a sexual way', rather he was simply saying that Harris would be overwhelmed by more capable experts during stressful moments of decision making.

Fox News host Jesse Watters found himself hung out to dry last week after stating on air that, should Kamala Harris be elected president, the nation's top generals would 'have their way with her' in the Situation Room.

Simple enough. Though it didn't satisfy the microaggression mob, who screamed 'sexism' and demanded Watters's head on a plate.

In the days following, overly dramatic reports emerged claiming he was fighting to 'save' his decade-long career at Fox.

Reams of articles appeared unscrupulously slamming Watters was a 'misogynist' or even  per the Fox-hating Media Matters site  a 'racist'.

And for what?

Watch the clip for yourself. Any honest person can see his comments for exactly what they were.

And the real purpose of this absurd Watters witch hunt? To distract from the very good point he was trying to make: Harris is way out of her depth  and not least on matters of foreign policy, which are often hashed out in the Situation Room.

Take the Biden-Harris administration's disastrous withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in August 2021.

Days later, in a TV interview with CNN's Dana Bash, Harris boasted about being the 'last person in the room' with President Biden before he pulled the plug  a move which had left 13 American service members dead and all but handed Afghanistan back to woman-hating Taliban terrorists.

For some unknown reason, our wannabe first female president was trying to take credit for the catastrophe. On national TV.

Harris sat down with Dana Bash again last week, but this time she brought along a man to sit by her side and hold her hand.

Never mind that that she was facing a notoriously soft inquisitor on a Democrat-friendly network, or that the interview was helpfully buried during Labor Day weekend, Harris needed her running mate Tim Walz there riding shotgun.

A former public prosecutor  as she keeps reminding us  afraid of a little light cross examination.

The real purpose of this absurd Watters witch hunt is to distract from the very good point he was trying to make: Kamala Harris is way out of her depth.

That interview  from which we gleaned all of nothing about Harris's policy-scant campaign  was her first since assuming the party nomination. She's still yet to take a serious press conference and has no other interviews planned.

On Monday, as Harris boarded Air Force Two, she was seen emerging from her SUV wearing wired headphones in both ears and with her phone held to her ear as if on a call, dodging questions from the watching press.

How brave, how inspiring.

And that's why this juvenile campaign against Jesse Watters does a disservice to women everywhere.

If Harris is really so vulnerable to featherweight interviews, or the clumsy phraseology of a TV host, then she has no place running for president.

And if the Left insist on this rush to kid-glove treatment at the faintest whiff of sexism or unfairness, then they must ask whether they themselves believe women are capable of rising to the top unhindered.

The truth is, Harris's cheerleaders are increasingly desperate, praying for distractions and reasons to return the conversation to hot-button topics like her sex, and away from the blatant issue of her ineptitude.

Like every woman I know, I would love to see the first female president of our great nation. But Kamala Harris, like Hillary Clinton before her, is not up to the job  and that has nothing to do with men like Jesse Watters.
A California councilman is sounding the alarm on his state's lenient crime policies - pointing the finger at Vice President Kamala Harris - after he and a local mayor were attacked in broad daylight by a homeless man.

Marysville City Councilman Dom Belza recounted the shocking incident to Fox News, describing how he and Mayor Chris Branscum were assaulted on August 22 while assessing fire damage to a historic building downtown.

'We were standing on the sidewalk near the site having a casual conversation. An individual was crossing at the crosswalk. And right as he got to the mayor, who had his back turned, the individual reached back and swung and hit him right square in the back,' Belza said.

'There was no communication, no altercation. There was nothing that instigated the punch. It was just a complete random act of violence.'

Mayor Branscum, still healing from the attack, told KCRA-TV: 'I thought I was hit by a car. I was hit so hard. The next thing I know, there's this guy sliding by me, running, and I yelled an expletive at him.'

Derek Hopkins, 36, was arrested for the unprompted attack and now faces eight charges, including felony assault of a public official and felony elder abuse, with his bail set at $50,000

Derek Hopkins, 36, was arrested for the unprompted attack and now faces eight charges, including felony assault of a public official and felony elder abuse, with his bail set at $50,000.

Belza reportedly chased down the fleeing suspect, who landed another punch before the councilman restrained him.

'I saw the attacker take off running down the street, so instinct kicked in, and I ran after the attacker,' Belza said. 'As I was gaining on him, and we were about halfway down the block, he turned around and saw me over his shoulder.'

'After that, I engaged him and took him down to the ground and restrained him until the chief of police was able to get there. We held him in custody until he was officially arrested,' Belza said.

Marysville City Councilman Dom Belza recounted the shocking incident to Fox News Digital, describing how he and Mayor Chris Branscum (pictured) were assaulted on August 22 while assessing fire damage to a historic building downtown

Marysville City Councilman Dom Belza (left) is now pointing the finger at Vice President Kamala Harris after he and the mayor (right) were attacked in broad daylight by a homeless man

Balza claimed the root of the problem is California's 'soft-on-crime' policies - and he boldly pointed the finger at Harris, California's former attorney general.

'In a bigger light and a larger picture of this whole situation, this is something that we're dealing with on a regular basis,' he said.

'Maybe not necessarily where an elected official gets attacked, but where there's many more of these types of crimes and these types of attacks in communities across California.'

'It speaks to a much bigger issue in the state. This attack is really a result of the soft-on-crime policy that California has implemented over the last 10 years,' he said.

The councilman took aim at Proposition 47, a 2014 law that reclassified several felonies as misdemeanors, including shoplifting under $950 and drug possession.

Balza claimed the root of the problem is California's 'soft-on-crime' policies - and he boldly pointed the finger at Harris, California's former attorney general

'Prop 47 is the anchor of that soft on crime,' he said.

Belza pointed out that Harris championed the legislation.

'She was the one who really pushed this heavily, and since then, we've just seen crime go rampant in California,' he said. 'I think we should all be really concerned that if she is running for president, or if she becomes president, that the entire nation is going to deal with the same issues that California is dealing with for the last 10 years.

'That should be a huge, huge concern for all of us.'

Despite California's claims of declining violent crime rates in 2024, Belza remains skeptical.

The councilman took aim at Proposition 47, a 2014 law that reclassified several felonies as misdemeanors, including shoplifting under $950 and drug possession. Belza pointed out that Harris (pictured) championed the legislation

Despite California's claims of declining violent crime rates in 2024, Belza remains skeptical. He argued that changes in crime classification have skewed the data, masking the true extent of the problem (pictured: Gov. Gavin Newsom)

He argued that changes in crime classification have skewed the data, masking the true extent of the problem.

'When you report it [crime] differently, it's not necessarily that the crime is going down,' Belza said. 'What used to be reported as a felony, now is reported as a misdemeanor, and what used to be reported as a misdemeanor is now reported as a lighter infraction crime.

'And so it's not that crime has gone down,' he added. 'I would say the reality is we've seen crime go up to the point where most of our residents in Marysville are afraid to go to the store. They're afraid to walk down the street.'
A new leaked image shows members of vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz's family are supporting his Republican rival.

The photo shared by former Nebraska GOP gubernatorial candidate Charles W. Herbster shows eight people wearing 'Nebraska Walz's for Trump' t-shirts.

A representative for Herbster told DailyMail.com those posing are related to Walz through his grandfather's brother.

'Tim Walz's family back in Nebraska wants you to know something' Herbster captioned the image.

Trump replied to the image on Wednesday by previewing he plans to 'meet' with another member of Walz's family who is not in the image  the governor's older brother Jeff, who the former president says endorses his White House bid.

The photo quickly went viral among MAGA users who say his own family's opposition to his candidacy is proof that people should be wary of voting for a Harris-Walz ticket.

Eight members of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's family in Nebraska posing for an image showing their support for Republican rival Donald Trump

The Kamala Harris-Tim Walz campaign did not respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment on the image and the growing number of family members coming out in support of the Donald Trump J.D. Vance Republican ticket.

The image of the grammatically incorrect t-shirts donned by a faction of pro-Trump Walz family members comes after it was revealed that the Democratic vice presidential nominee's brother warned against people allowing him into the White House.

Jeff Walz, 67, lives in Florida and is Kamala Harris' running mate's older brother. He posted about his brother's character in a Facebook post last week.

'I'm 100% opposed to all his ideology,' he stated in one of the posts.

But Jeff now admits he didn't mean to influence voters with his social media activity.

'It wasn't my intent, it wasn't our intent as a family, to put something out there to influence the general public,' Jeff Walz told NewsNation.

'I was getting a lot of feedback from my friends, old acquaintances, thinking that I was feeling the same way that my brother did on the issues, and I was trying to clarify that just to friends,' he continued.

'I used Facebook, which wasn't the right platform to do that. But I will say, I don't agree with his policies.'

Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday the image of the Walz family and said he plans to meet Walz's brother.

'Thank you very much, Jeff,' the former president wrote. 'It is a Great Honor to have your Endorsement.'

'I look forward to meeting you soon!'

Your browser does not support iframes.

A growwing number of Walz's family are coming out in opposition to his vice presidential candidacy with Kamala Harris leading the Democratic ticket

Trump reposted the image to his Truth Social account on Wednesday and previewed he would be meeting a family member not pictured  Gov. Walz's older brother Jeff

Tim Walz's estranged brother named Jeff (pictured left with wife Laurie) said on Facebook last week that the Minnesota governor is 'not the type of character you want making decisions about your future'

The married father-of-two was urged on Facebook to throw his weight behind the Trump campaign by other users.

Jeff, who lives in Freeport, Florida with his wife Laurie, followed up by responding to others who told him to 'speak up ... at this pivotal moment in history.'

'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 replied.

'The stories I could tell. Not the type of character you want making decisions about your future.'

He noted that it has been eight years since speaking to his younger brother Tim.

Roughly two weeks before the Democratic National Convention last month, Vice President Harris announced that she picked the Minnesota governor as her running mate after narrowing it down to him, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly.

Walz, a former school teacher, was first was elected to public office in 2006 and served as a U.S. representative for Minnesota's 1st congressional district from 2007 through 2019  when he left to become his state's governor.

The governor and his wife Gwen share two children, Hope and Gus.
The death of seven-year-old Mark Tildesley has remained a mystery almost 40 years after his disappearance in 1984.

His body was never found, but detectives believed he was one of 17 boys raped and killed by members of a paedophile ring led by one of Britain's most notorious criminals - Sydney Cooke.

Cooke and his gang, known as the 'Dirty Dozen', are suspected of the abduction and killing of 17 boys in the 70s and 80s. Many of these remain unsolved.

Operating from a flat on the Kingsmead estate in Hackney, east London, the gang hired rent boys or snatched children off the streets and subjected them to sexual torture.

Cooke travelled the country preying on vulnerable youngsters, setting up his children's Test Your Strength machine in fairgrounds and using this as an opportunity to lure boys before drugging them and subjecting them to brutal assaults.

The gang's horrendous crimes are set to be put under the spotlight almost 40 years on from Mark's disappearance in a new documentary airing on C5 later tonight.

Sidney Cooke, 96, (pictured) will remain in jail after the Parole Board decided he still presents 'a very high risk of serious harm to children

Cooke was linked to the disappearance of seven-year-old Mark Tildesley (pictured) in 1984

He has been linked to some of the most horrific child sex murders in the last 50-years through his association with Dirty Dozen members Leslie Bailey, Robert Oliver and Steven Barrell.

The gang paid 5 each to rape another schoolboy named Jason Swift, who vanished from his East London home in 1985. In November that year, Jason's naked dead body was found on a farm in Essex.

For his role in the killing, Cooke was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 19 years in prison.

Dirty Dozen members Leslie Bailey, Robert Oliver and Steven Barrell were also convicted for Swift's murder.

Meanwhile, Bailey was convicted in 1992 of the manslaughter of Mark, but the youngster's body was never found. He is thought to have been raped in Cooke's caravan while visiting a fairground near Wokingham, Berkshire, in 1984.

Bailey was also convicted of the murder of Barry Lewis, six, who was abducted in June 1991 before being sexually abused by up to eight men.

Leslie Bailey (pictured) was jailed alongside Sidney Cooke in 1989 before he was murdered in his prison cell in 1993

Cooke is still in jail. Bailey was murdered in his prison cell in 1993 and Oliver was last reported to be living in a bail hostel in Guildford, Surrey. The whereabouts of Barrell are unknown.

Cooke was released from jail in April 1999, after serving nine years for the manslaughter of teenager Jason in 1985.

After his release he was immediately taken into voluntary custody for his own safety. However detectives, convinced he was responsible for other similar unsolved crimes, kept his file open.

Within months Cooke was accused of abusing two teenage brothers he befriended while working on fairgrounds more than 30 years ago. He was also accused of the rape of a young woman.

In an unexpected move during his 1999 trial at Manchester Crown Court, Cooke suddenly changed his plea to guilty and admitted ten offences against the youngsters and subsequently received two life sentences.

Four charges of rape, a further three of indecent assault and one of buggery were left on the court file.

Cooke was convicted of manslaughter in 1989 over the death of 14-year-old Jason Swift (pictured) in 1985

Robert Oliver (pictured) was jailed for the manslaughter of 14-year-old Jason Swift alongside Sidney Cooke, Leslie Bailey, and Steven Barrell

In March 2023, Ex-detective David Bright, who got Cooke to confess to the murder of Jason Swift, urged officers to quiz Cooke over unsolved murders before he died.

Mr Bright, who does not believe Cooke should be freed from prison, claims Cooke's age could prompt him to 'clear his conscience'.

'There are other children in graves hidden around the country that could have been the result of Cooke and his former cronies,' Mr Bright, a former Essex Police officer told The Mirror.

'At 96 and with all but two gang members dead, he might want to clear his conscience and tell all'.
British champion boxer Callum Simpson has paid tribute to his teenage sister Lily-Rae as he revealed she has died in a crash on the Greek holiday island of Zante.

He posted online a heartfelt message about the tragic 19-year-old, saying: 'Absolutely heartbroken to say that my beautiful little sister, Lily-Rae, was in a road accident while on holiday in Zante.

'She was flown to Athens and spent 10 days in ICU, but despite the best efforts of the medical teams, Lily sadly passed away.'

Callum, a 27-year-old British, Commonwealth and WBA continental champion super-middleweight boxer from Barnsley, shared photographs and a video of the siblings together, on X, formerly Twitter.

He added: 'Even though she used to ring me to complain about being referred to as "Callum Simpson's sister", I know she loved the hype.

Champion boxer Callum Simpson has paid tribute to sister Lily-Rae after the 19-year-old died in a car crash while on holiday on the Greek island of Zante

The super-middleweight sportsman posted about the tragedy on social media

Sharing three photos and a video of the pair together, Callum Simpson told how he was 'absolutely heartbroken' by Lily-Rae's death

Callum's tribute included this photo of the brother and sister as young children

'I will continue to make her proud. Love you always.'

Lily-Rae was taken to the Greek capital Athens in an air ambulance and given emergency treatment but died from her injuries on August 21, it has been revealed.

Further tributes paid to her in response to Callum's social media posts included a friend saying: 'Lily was the most beautiful, funniest, kind hearted girl that would do anything for anyone!'

Others wrote messages including 'So sorry for your loss Callum such a beautiful girl', 'Lily was such a lovely friend' and 'Such a beautiful young lady, taken well before her time'.

Boxing promoter Carl Greaves wrote: 'Thoughts are with you and the family Callum so sad.'

And Chris Wardrope, chairman of the British and Irish Boxing Authority, commented: 'Sorry to hear of your loss Callum. Thoughts are with your family from all at @BIBABoxing.'

The photos Callum posted included one of Lily-Rae helping celebrate his victory over Zak Chelli on August 3 at Barnsley's Oakwell football stadium, which clinched Simpson the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles.

Callum Simpson (right) is pictured with ex-boxer Kell Brook (left) after a super-middleweight bout victory against Portugal's Celse Neves at Manchester's AO Arena in March last year

Messages of condolence and tributes to Lily-Mae have flooded in on X and Facebook

He currently has a record of 15 wins in all his professional fights so far.

Speaking after his victory over Chelli in front of 7,000 fans last month, via a unanimous judges' decision, he said: 'It was amazing. The main thing for me was to not let the occasion get to me.

'I made a lot of mistakes, but a win is a win. I'm nowhere near the finished article, but we're well on our way.

'I want to prove I'm the best in this division. Once I've cleaned up domestically, then we'll push on.'
The family of an aspiring marine who was murdered by an asylum seeker has slammed a coroner's decision to scrap an inquest into his murder, as they claim authorities are trying to 'sweep it under the carpet'.

Tom Roberts, 21, a nightclub DJ, was stabbed in the chest by Afghan Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai outside a Subway in the early hours of March 12, 2022, when he tried to intervene in a row over an e-scooter.

Shockingly, Abdulrahimzai had already murdered two people before being allowed into the UK posing as a 14-year-old orphan.

The asylum seeker, who was actually 19, was placed into two secondary schools in Bournemouth, Dorset, and was expelled from one for carrying a knife in school.

Two days before he killed Mr Roberts he was stopped by police for carrying a machete.

Abdulrahimzai had already murdered two people before being allowed into the UK posing as a 14-year-old orphan

Tom Roberts, 21, (pictured) was stabbed in the chest twice by Afghan Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai

He was jailed for 29 years for Mr Roberts' murder following a trial at Salisbury Crown Court in January 2023.

It later emerged that he was flagged as 'susceptible to terrorism' by the Home Office's Prevent anti-terrorism task group in 2021.

Mr Roberts' family have previously accused the Border Force and Home Office of systematic failures which allowed Abdulrahimzai into the country.

They had pinned their hopes on a full inquest into Mr Roberts' death to publicly scrutinise the failings and ask questions.

However, after a number of pre-inquest review hearings, senior coroner for Dorset Rachael Griffin has now ruled that there is no need for a full inquest to take place.

Mr Roberts' family said they feel like the matter was being 'swept under the carpet' and accused the authorities of a cover-up.

They claim that if immigration officials had carried out proper checks on Abdulrahimzai after he arrived on a ferry in Poole, Mr Roberts would still be alive today.

Dolores Wallace-Roberts, Mr Robert's mother, said: 'I am very disappointed by the coroner's decision not to resume the investigation into his death. It is unfair.

Armed police arresting Abdulrahimzai for murdering Mr Roberts in Bournemouth

The asylum seeker, seen here on bus CCTV, claimed his parents were killed by the Taliban

'The Home Office don't want to engage with us. They are accountable and there is negligence there but they just block any attempts to find out more.

'I have very serious concerns about how Border Force checks the identity of those arriving in England and whether they are criminals and how BCP Council checks the ages of those claiming to be children.

'I have concerns about the response of Dorset Police to a report of someone carrying a machete in a public place and the failure of the authorities to check and share information, which allows the status quo to continue.

'Everything is wrong in this country and it will continue to happen again.'

Mr Roberts' step-father, Peter Wallace, said: 'It feels like everything is being swept under the carpet and it is a bit of a cover-up.

'The Home Office has never apologised to me because if they did they would have to admit their failings.

'It is disappointing that lessons will not be learnt about their complete failures, but they don't want them out in the open.'

Mrs Griffin ruled the inquest did not meet the criteria for Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights, that the state knew or ought to have known of an immediate risk to an individual's life they have to take reasonable steps to deal with that risk.

The Afghan national was convicted of the murder of aspiring Royal Marine Thomas Roberts (pictured), 21, outside a Subway sandwich shop in Bournemouth

The coroner said Mr Roberts and Abdulrahimzai were strangers and although there was an 'emerging pattern of violent behaviour and a risk to others of harm', at the time of the murder the illegal immigrant had not used a knife in an act of violence nor made any threats to kill since arriving in the UK in December 2019.

But the catalogue of mistakes and missed opportunities that would have revealed Abdulrahimzai's murderous past make for damning reading.

Outlining the facts, Mrs Griffin said Abdulrahimzai arrived in the UK on December 26, 2019, hidden in a vehicle on a ferry from Cherbourg and told Border Force officials he was 13, but no age assessment was carried out.

His fingerprints were taken a few weeks later and revealed he had links with Norway and Italy.

The fingerprints were sent to both countries but with no request for any further information. If this had been done it would have revealed his true age.

On January 29, 2020, his foster carer reported that a dentist said Abdulrahimzai was older than he had indicated and while it was felt an age assessment was needed, it was not done because the authorities felt a mental health assessment was needed first.

The age assessment had still not been done by the time Mr Roberts was killed.

From December 21, 2020, and throughout 2021, there were a number of incidents and concerns raised around Abdulrahimzai carrying knives, including allegedly chasing another pupil at his school with a knife, which he denied.

In May 2021 he hurt another student at school, causing injury, and in July of that year, he tried to headbutt his foster carer, who managed to move out of the way.

In September, when he had been placed somewhere else, he was accused of assaulting another child.

A police cordon outside the Subway sandwich shop on Old Christchurch Road in Bournemouth

The police cordoned off Horseshoe Common in Bournemouth following the fatal stabbing in March 2022

In January 2022 the authorities held a meeting confirming an age assessment would be carried out because Abdulrahimzai had been 'bringing females back to his placement' and was refusing to attend school or engage in education.

On the evening of March 10, about 30 hours before Mr Roberts was stabbed, police received a call about a youth carrying a machete-style knife in public.

The coroner's report states that when police attended his address to speak to Abdulrahimzai the gates were locked and they could see a member of staff asleep at his desk but could not gain access and no further action would be taken.

Abdulrahimzai's fingerprints were not shared with Interpol until after Mr Robert's death, which revealed in September 2022 that he had been convicted of a double homicide in Serbia.

Mrs Griffin said there was a system of checks in place when Abdulrahimzai entered the country to check identity and undertake an age assessment so it was not a systemic failure.

She said: 'Whilst it has to be accepted there were missed opportunities to undertake some checks, for example PNC checks and checks with Norway and Italy when Border Force sent updated fingerprints to them, it cannot be said that had these checks been done, the course of events that led to Tommy's death would have been any different.

'It is too speculative and remote to state that there was a causal link between these missed opportunities and Tommy's death.'

Mr Wallace added: 'Tommy's death has torn our family apart.

'There were so many warning signs that Abdulrahimzai should not be here yet the Home Office did nothing about it.

'He was kicked out of Norway and Italy but not here and for that reason I hold the Home Office responsible for Tommy's death.

'If someone had done their job he would still be alive.

'It was so obvious that the guy was just waiting to kill someone and it just happened unfortunately to be Tommy.

'He should have been locked up before he killed Tommy. I'm so angry about it.

'It is not just the Home Office but immigration officials and social workers. Everyone who was involved in him (Abdulrahimzai) being here is guilty because none of them did their jobs. He was flagged up every week and every month.

'He was carrying a knife and threatening people with a knife and nobody did anything.

'He spun some story about coming from a war-torn country. That was all b******s'.

'We will never be able to bring Tommy back but they still let in thousands of people without proper checks and this will keep happening.'

BCP Council said that once immigration services deemed Abdulrahimzai as under 18 years old, it fulfilled its duty of responsibility by taking him into care as an unaccompanied child asylum seeker.

BCP Council leader Millie Earl said: 'In this case, Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai claimed he was a child upon arrival.

'Immigration services carry out an initial age enquiry at point of entry and once an individual claims they are, or is identified as, under 18 they must be treated as a child.

'To follow government guidance and to fulfil BCP Council's duty of responsibility, Abdulrahimzai was taken into care as an unaccompanied child asylum seeker in December 2019.

'Everyone living in our community should feel safe and we will do all we can to ensure that tragedies such as this do not happen again in the BCP area, or nationally.

'This is why we are working with the relevant Government departments and agencies to identify where improvements can be made throughout the national process of assessing and placing asylum seekers.'

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said the force fully co-operated with the inquest process and carried out an internal investigation after reports Abdulrahimzai was seen with a knife two days before Mr Roberts' death.

They said: 'We co-operated fully with the inquest process and carried out an internal investigation by the Force's Professional Standards Department into a report that was made on Thursday 10 March 2022 with information that a member of the public had seen a young person in possession of a knife.

'The young person was identified to be Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai and officers made enquiries at his address to try and locate him during the early hours of Friday 11 March 2022, but they were not able to make contact with him.

'The investigation found that there was no evidence that Dorset Police officers were aware of any direct intention or threat made by Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai to harm anyone and the level of risk he posed was not known.

'There was no misconduct identified for any officers or staff.

'We remain committed to learning from tragic incidents such as this and identified opportunities for improving our response in incidents such as this.

'Youth violence and knife crime is a priority for Dorset Police and extensive work is ongoing to reduce the presence of dangerous weapons on our streets.'

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'Our deepest sympathies remain with the loved ones of Thomas Roberts.

'We will consider the findings of the Coroner's report, but it would not be appropriate to comment further in the interim.'
An Ohio woman was arrested for fatally shooting another woman who was filmed smashing her car windows and throwing rocks at her.

Akira Fletcher, 23, is accused of murdering Nyema Norton, 29, following the altercation in a Cincinnati parking lot.

Fletcher has claimed she was acting in self-defense and posted video to her Facebook account showing the fatal run-in.

In the clip taken in late July, Norton and another woman can be seen arguing with Fletcher while sits inside her vehicle.

'You're going to jail,' Fletcher says, before Norton is seen throwing an object at her.

Akira Fletcher was arrested for fatally shooting another woman who was filmed smashing her car windows and throwing rocks at her

'She just threw another rock at me, as you can see,' Fletcher continues in the clip. 'She's slashing my tires, her and her cousin.'

Fletcher also says that she has a gun in her purse.

As she narrates, the sound of breaking glass is audible and the camera pans to reveal that the car window has been smashed.

The two women start to walk away before Fletcher gets out of the car and continues to argue with them.

'You should be happy you don't get clapped,' she can be heard saying repeatedly.

Fletcher is then seen getting back into the car and appearing to drive away, just before the clip ends.

In a second clip, Fletcher is seen telling the women 'you're going to jail' and 'hit me again' as they approach her shattered driver's side window.

Fletcher then fires a series of shots from her car before the clip ends.

Norton died from her injuries six weeks after the clash, while the other woman survived, Local 12 reported.

She is accused of murdering Nyema Norton, 29, following an altercation in July

Fletcher posted video showing the run-up to the shooting, which showed Norton (pictured) attacking the car

'I was being punched in my face, rocks thrown at me, and Nyema trying to get in my car,' she wrote in her Facebook.

'She busted my driver side window out to attack me, she continued to try and get in my car to stab me and I let her hit me while I was on the phone with 911 asking for help.

'I told them to stop over and over and over again. I never got out my car to fight or anything and I allowed her to punch me more then [sic] once.'

The women had a history of tension, with Norton previously accused of pointing a gun at Fletcher and threatening to shoot her in May.

Criminal defense expert Jay Clark told Local 12 that he believes the clips are evidence of self-defense by Fletcher.

'll be honest with you; I'm kind of surprised they charged her, seeing what I see now.

'You can say she got out and was running her mouth, but words alone are not enough,' Clark said. '[Fletcher] doesn't pull the gun and start shooting until she bends over.'

Fletcher posted the video claiming she had been attacked and was acting in self defense. Pictured: Fletcher's shattered car window

A second woman, identified by Fletcher as Norton's cousin, was also shot but survived

'You've seen [Norton] flatten three of your tires, break at least the back window, that window, at least two, maybe more windows, and now she's picked up the same heavy object and is coming at you with it. Was that an honest belief? I think absolutely.

He added that if Fletcher's tires were flat she could not drive away, Ohio's Stand Your Ground laws means she does not have to.

She has been charged with aggravated murder, murder, and felonious assault.
Posting 'from the river to the sea' on Facebook does not always glorify Hamas and should be allowed to remain online, the social media giant has ruled.

Facebook's oversight board, which includes the former Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger, said the slogan should not be 'automatically removed' by Meta's moderators.

The slogan is highly controversial with critics claiming it is antisemitic because it implies the destruction of the state of Israel.

'From the river to the sea' has been adopted by the Hamas terror group and is used in the group's official charter.

But the panel said the phrase should not necessarily be understood as harmful, violent or discriminatory, The Telegraph reported.

A protester holds a 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free' placard during the demonstration next to Green Park on November 25

The Oversight Board reviewed three cases involving Facebook posts with 'from the river to the sea' (stock image)

Pro-Palestine and climate activists from the group Fossil Free London block the entrances to the headquarters of fossil fuel giant BP in Central London, December 14

The board's co-chairman, Pamela San Martin, said: 'There has been an unacceptable and deeply disturbing rise in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia on and offline.

'But context is crucial. Simply removing political speech is not a solution. There needs to be room for debate, especially during times of crisis.'

The board acknowledged that the phrase can be 'understood by some' as antisemitic or calling for the 'violent elimination of Israel and its people', it also said the phrase can be used for solidarity, equal rights and self-determination of the Palestinian people.

The Oversight Board reviewed three cases involving Facebook posts with 'from the river to the sea'.

They found they did not break Meta's rules involving restrictions on hate speech and incitement.

They also said an outright ban on the phrase would interfere with political speech in 'unacceptable ways'.

A majority of the board said the use of the phrase by Hamas does not make it inherently violent or hateful.

Hamas has been named a terrorist group by the UK and the US and is banned from Meta platforms.

A majority of the board said the use of the phrase by Hamas does not make it inherently violent or hateful (stock image)

Pro-Palestine protesters gather outside a fundraiser for Israel at the Royal Society for Arts attended by Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely on December 14

But a minority of the board argued that because the phrase appears in the group's 2017 charter and because of the October 7 terror attacks, using the phrase in a post should be presumed to be glorifying a banned entity.

The phrase 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free' refers to the land between the Jordan River, which borders eastern Israel, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west.

The ruling added: 'Because the phrase does not have a single meaning, a blanket ban on content that includes the phrase, a default rule towards removal of such content, or even using it as a signal to trigger enforcement or review, would hinder protected political speech in unacceptable ways.'

A spokesperson for Meta said: 'We welcome the board's review of our guidance on this matter. While all of our policies are developed with safety in mind, we know they come with global challenges and we regularly seek input from experts outside Meta, including the Oversight Board.'
The jealous ex who ambushed and then executed his ex-wife and her boyfriend at their Long Island mansion last week tried to kill himself in jail on Monday.

Daniel Coppola, 50, fell on a set of stairs at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverhead on Monday during the attempt to end his own life, Newsday reported.

Coppola was transported to a hospital in Riverhead.

It remains unclear the extent of his injuries but sources told DailyMail.com that he may be paralyzed from the neck down.

Coppola was charged with two counts of second-degree murder on Friday in the brutal slaying of his former wife, Kelly Coppola, 50 and boyfriend, Kenneth Pohlman, 53, at his St. James home on August 28.

Daniel Coppola, pictured, shot the happy couple in a fit of rage, according to prosecutors

Kelly Coppola, 50 and her boyfriend, Kenneth Pohlman, 53

Suffolk County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Vicki DiStefano did not identify the inmate, but said in a statement to DailyMail.com on Wednesday confirming that 'an inmate was injured during a self-inflicted incident.'

'Correction Officers responded quickly and appropriately to get him the medical treatment he needed. He was transported to a local hospital.

She added that 'the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office is unable to comment further on any incarcerated individual's medical conditions or status.'

Coppola's second court appearance was on Tuesday at First District Court in Central Islip. He was not present but, a grand jury indicted him.

His second-degree murder charges will be upgraded to first-degree by Suffolk Supreme Court Justice Anthony Senft during his arraignment on Friday in Riverhead, as per court records.

Suffolk County Correctional Facility is where Coppola attempted to take his life on Monday

Daniel Coppola is pictured with his ex-wife Kelly. A friend called the couple 'high school sweethearts'

Kenny, pictured, was 'soulmates' with Kelly, his father said at his funeral

Coppola's defense attorney David Jason Cohen did not respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

Though he would not confirm the suicide attempt, Cohen told The New York Post in a statement that 'everything about this case is tragic.'

'My heart goes out to all those affected by the multiple tragedies here and may the families and loved ones of all those involved find some peace,' Cohen said.

Kelly and her boyfriend Kenny, were gunned down shortly before midnight in their St. James home late Wednesday night.

Police allege Coppola made a call to his 15-year-old daughter, who was inside the home with her mom, to warn her to get out of the house.

'The daughter was in the house and he reached out to her and told her to get out of the house,' Detective Lt. Kevin Breyer said at a Thursday press conference.

He picked the girl up, put her in his car, committed the murders, drove her from there... As he's driving her, she's communicating with friends via text saying, "I don't know what my father did. I don't know how my mother is."

'They try to reach out to the mother, can't get in touch with the mother, they call 911,' he said.

Coppola was arrested on Thursday on two murder charges and was reportedly being held for mental evaluation after making suicidal statements.

He and his ex-wife had recently gone through a bitter divorce.

At last week's arraignment, Assistant District Attorney Eric Aboulafia said investigators found a typewritten letter in Coppola's home detailing his plan in 'excruciating detail' that clearly showed his 'homicidal rage.'

In the letter, he blamed his ex-wife for his financial woes and said he also planned to kill the attorneys involved in their divorce, including his own - with bullets marked for each.

Kenny had three children and Kelly had one daughter she shared with Daniel Coppola

Kenneth and Kelly lived in this six-bedroom, four-bathroom home worth $1.1 million in affluent Suffolk County

A friend who went to high school - Sachem High School - with the couple told DailyMail.com 'they were high school sweethearts.'

She asked that her name not be used. but said 'both Danny and Kelly were very sweet people.' She added, 'and this is all too shocking.'
A father and daughter have died in a boat crash on a Missouri river that left the remaining family members hospitalized in a serious condition.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the family of six and a friend were riding along Gasconade River around 7pm on Sunday.

Reven Newbound, 30, was driving a 2002 Gaterboat upstream when they struck a root that caused the vessel to crash into a rock bluff.

The young father and his seven-year-old daughter were pronounced dead at the scene.

His wife, 29-year-old Samantha Newbound, was transported to the University of Missouri Hospital by air ambulance. Their three other children - an infant boy, 4-year-old girl and 9-year-old girl - were taken to the hospital by EMS.

Reven Newbound (right), 30, and his seven-year-old daughter (center left) died in a boat crash on a Missouri river that left the remaining family members (pictured) hospitalized

The family was in a 2002 Gaterboat driving upstream along the Gasconade River (pictured) when they struck a root that caused the vessel to crash into a rock bluff

Family friend Taylor McClure, 21, was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

According to the incident report, all four of the children were wearing safety devices while the adults were not.

Reven worked as a laborer foreman at Kolb Grading and was beloved by the community.

'A huge loss. The schools especially. Losing a little girl. Losing your friend. Losing your classmate,' Jeff Arnold, Chief of Owensville Volunteer Fire Department, told Fox 2.

'Reven was a very well known around the community, doing the demolition derbies and such. Overall, well-rounded guy; great loss for the community.'

Reven (right) was well known in the community and participated in demolition derbies

The young mother and her three children are expected to make a full recovery

The family from Owensville had purchased a new home in August, their real estate broker said on Facebook.

Samantha shared a tribute to her husband and daughter Tuesday, saying 'Reality is hitting hard this morning... Reven was one who knew the river so good I was never afraid of him ever putting us in danger, I just dont get why this had to happened to my family. I love you both so much.'

A GoFundMe set up for the family said the mother and her three children are expected to make a full recovery.

'The journey ahead will be long and challenging. We want to ensure that financial burdens are the last thing on Sam's mind during this difficult time,' the fundraiser said.
An American mother who allegedly shot dead two of her children in their Colorado home was begged by her third surviving child not to kill her.

Kimberlee Singler, 36, is wanted in Colorado to face justice for allegedly murdering her daughter Ellianna, nine, son Aden, seven, in their bedroom in December last year. She also allegedly stabbed her eldest daughter, who survived though needed emergency surgery at the time

Westminster Magistrates' Court today heard that after the attack, she fled to London and was arrested in Kensington, west London, by the UK's National Crime Agency 11 days later.

Singler faces extradition back to the US to face two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, two counts of class-two felony child abuse, one count of class-three felony child abuse, and one count of assault.

Wearing a teal cardigan with a white top underneath, Singler sat in the dock busily taking notes during the hearing.

Kimberlee Singler, 36, (pictured) is wanted in Colorado to face justice for her childrens' deaths

Ellianna, nine, (pictured, left) and son Aden, seven, (pictured, right) were found dead in their bedroom in December last year. Singler's eldest daughter (pictured, centre) survived though needed emergency surgery at the time

Singler allegedly killed her children in their home in Colorado (Pictured)

Edward Fitzgerald KC, defending Singler, said she denies being responsible for both the death of her two younger children and the attempted murder of her surviving child.

Her extradition is being challenged on the grounds that if convicted, Singler would face a life sentence without the option for parole, which represents a breach of her human rights.

Mr Fitzgerald argued that a mandatory imposition of a life sentence would create massive problems.

He said Singler had no previous convictions and was a devoted mother.

Mr Fitzgerald referred to the prosecution case in which Singler slashes her wrists and says after the killings: God made me do this.

He asked: Are we to say that this mandatory imposition of that sentence without any consideration of her individual circumstances to life without parole would be fine?

Colorado Springs Police arrived at the scene and spoke with Wentz, who denied all allegations

Autopsy reports show both kids suffered gunshot wounds and cuts to their necks before the deaths

Joel Smith, KC, for the US government, suggested to American defence lawyer David Kaplan, that Singler could run an insanity defence and avoid a life sentence without parole.

He asked: If Ms Singler were able to show that she was suffering from a disease or defect of the mind that either prevented her intending to kill or prevented her from exercising reflection or judgement, she would have a defence?

Mr Kaplan said he had not looked over any reports that mentioned a defect or disease of mind.

Mr Fitzgerald argued Singler could not run an insanity defence.

Mr Kaplan told the court that what qualifies for insanity has continued to get narrower both by statutory and practise.

He said it was highly unlikely that Singler would receive a commutation, i.e. the substitution of a life sentence for a lesser sentence after an application.

Police had responded to a report of a burglary at an apartment complex in Palomino Ranch Point, Colorado Springs on December 19.

Wentz claimed that Singler made allegations of both domestic violence and child abuse against him, which a US county court found unsubstantiated

Singler's ex-husband Kevin Wentz (pictured) identified the bodies, while Singler went on the run for two weeks, sparking an international manhunt

Elianna and Aden were found dead inside the flat. An autopsy recently revealed they had died from gunshot wounds.

Singler and her 11-year-old daughter were also injured.

The mum had initially cooperated with police but vanished, triggering a US-wide hunt.

She was arrested by NCA officers for offences including two counts of murder and one of attempted murder.

She is also accused of two counts of class two felony child abuse, one of class three felony child abuse, and one of assault.

When she first appeared in court on January 1 she did not consent to her extradition to the US.

Singler was involved in protracted a legal battle with her ex-husband Kevin Wentz over parenting time and other issues after divorcing in 2020.

Mr Wentz had shared a picture of himself with his three children in a Facebook group dedicated to the case.

He wrote: Hello group. Im the father. I also want to say she has been arrested.

The hearing continues tomorrow.
A top Chinese envoy has been ousted from New York City after a former aide to state Governors Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo was charged with acting as Chinese spy.

The office of Huang Ping, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in New York, featured prominently in the espionage allegations against Linda Sun.

'I have conveyed my desire to have the consul l general from the People's Republic of China and the New York mission expelled, and I've been informed that the counsel general is no longer in the New York mission,' Hochul said.

He was seen hurrying out of the embassy building on Wednesday, the New York Post reported.

It comes after Hochul's former deputy chief-of-staff and ex-Cuomo aide Sun and her husband were slapped with espionage and money laundering charges.

China's consul general in New York Huang Ping has been expelled after featuring heavily in allegations of espionage against a former New York government official

Linda Sun (pictured), a former aide to state Governors Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo, was charged with acting as Chinese spy

Hochul confirmed she had asked the US State Department to grant Huang's expulsion and take action against the 'dangerous and outrageous actions taken by the People's Republic of China'.

Sun was dramatically arrested Tuesday alongside her husband following an earlier dawn raid on her $4million Long Island mansion.

Sun and her husband Christopher Hu are accused of earning millions in kickbacks from the Chinese Communist Party, helping fund a lavish lifestyle that included a $2million Hawaii condo and a 2024 Ferrari.

Sun is also alleged to have used her influence to further China's geopolitical agenda by nixing meetings with Taiwanese officials and steering messaging away from criticism of Beijing's persecution of Uyghur Muslims.

She and her husband pleaded not guilty to all charges on Tuesday. Her bond was set at $1.5 million while Hu's is $500,000.

Hochul said she has been assisting the Department of Justice with their investigation for months and will continue to work alongside them.

She blasted Sun's actions as an 'absolute betrayal of the trust of two administrations in state government,' which she said included forging her signature on documents.

Hochul also stressed she retains confidence in the vetting process, claiming that Sun had no real influence over her policies as a 'mid-level aide'.

Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed the action against China 's consul general in New York (pictured) on Wednesday

Sun and her businessman husband Christopher Hu, left, are also accused of laundering millions of dollars through their alleged espionage to fund a lavish lifestyle

Prosecutors say Sun secretly worked to promote the CCP's interests in NY, particularly when it came to Taiwan, which the CCP considers to be part of China. She is accused of blocking representatives of the Taiwanese government and even attending a protest against the Taiwanese president in NYC in 2018.

In 2020, Sun texted a Chinese official saying: 'I almost had a heart attack when we referred to Taiwan as a country. Thankfully I had the press team correct it immediately.'

Sun worked in state government for almost 15 years, first in 2009 as the chief of staff for New York State Assembly member Grace Meng, who is now a member of congress.

She then held posts in the administration of former Governor Andrew Cuomo starting in 2012, including as Global New York Trade Manager, Asian Outreach Director for the Office of the Governor and Queens Regional Representative.

In 2018 the Cuomo administration named Sun as chief diversity officer.

In September 2021 she was appointed as the deputy chief of staff for Hochul, according to her LinkedIn profile. She remained on the role for about 15 months.

The couple's $4 five-bedroom mansion in Manhasset, New York, was raided by the FBI on Tuesday morning

Hochul announced she was kicking China of New York on Wednesday and described Sun's actions as 'absolute betrayal'

In January 2019, Sun wrote to a CCP official: 'I very much value my relationship with the consulate and have done many things to make the relationship between the state and the consulate flourish during my tenure with [redacted politician.

'Certainly I have managed to stop al relationships between the TECO (Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office) and the state. I have denied all requests from their office.'

Sun allegedly used the proceeds of her illegal work to buy the Manhasset home as well as a $2.1 million condo in Hawaii and luxury vehicles including a 2024 Ferrari.

DailyMail.com has contacted Hochul, the Chinese Embassy in Washington and the US State Department for comment.

This is a breaking news story, please check back for updates...
A second airplane linked to the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is being held in the Dominican Republic at the request of United States authorities.

The 10-passenger Dassault Falcon 200EX is parked at Dr. Joaquin Balaguer International Airport in Santo Domingo and under 24-hour surveillance, a government source told Diario Libre newspaper.

On Monday, a Dassault Falcon 900 EX, dubbed the 'Venezuelan Air Force One,' was seized by federal U.S. agencies and flown to Florida after its purchase was found to be in violation of sanctions imposed by the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Control and Assets.

The Department of Justice alleges that the first plane was 'owned and operated' to benefit Maduro and allies of his regime in the South American country.

It is unknown how long the aircraft had been in the Dominican Republic.

A a Dassault Falcon 200EX linked to the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was ordered held in the Dominican Republic following a request from U.S. federal authorities

Homeland Security Investigations investigate a luxury airplane on Monday at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport on Monday after it was flown in from the Dominican Republic, where it was seized. The aircraft is tied to the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and was purchased through a shell company based in the Caribbean

The Dassault Falcon 900EX was purchased from a company in Florida between 2022 and 2023 by persons linked to Maduro who had set up a shell company in the Caribbean.

The plane was illegally exported from the United States to Venezuela via the Caribbean in April 2023.

Alex Saab (second from right), an ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, flew on the Dassault Falcon 900EX in December 2023 when he returned to Venezuela after he was swapped for 10 Americans who were jailed in the South American nation

Investigators found that the aircraft performed flights to and from a military base located in Venezuela and has been used to benefit Maduro and his inner circle.

Maduro has used the jet to take trips to other countries.

The holding of the second aircraft in the Dominican Republic came on the same day it was revealed that a US Navy sailor was arrested in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, CNN reported.

The service member, whose name has not been released, is being held by the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service, an official said.

A defense official told CNN that the sailor arrest took place 'while on personal travel to Venezuela.'

Another official added that the serviceman was not on approved leave and that it was unclear why he visiting the South American country.

Spokesman Matt Miller said the State Department was monitoring the situation, but did not comment further.
A white beluga whale suspected of being a Russian spy that was found dead off the coast of Norway suffered 'multiple gunshot wounds', animal rights activists have claimed.

Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported that the body of Hvaldimir was found floating at the Risavika Bay in southern Norway on Saturday by a father and son who were fishing.

The beluga, named after a combination of the Norwegian word for whale - hval - and Russian President Putin's first name Vladimir, was lifted out of the water with a crane and taken to a nearby harbour where experts will examine it.

Animal rights groups said Hvaldimir was found riddled with bullets, adding that he was shot in a 'heinous crime'. One Whale founder Regina Haug vowed: 'We will pursue justice for Hvaldimir.'

However, marine biologist Sebastian Strand told NRK: 'Unfortunately, we found Hvaldimir floating in the sea.

'He has passed away but it's not immediately clear what the cause of death is,' adding that no major external injuries were visible on the animal.

Hvaldimir, a white beluga whale who was first spotted near Russian waters wearing a harness and ignited rumours he may be a Moscow spy, has been found dead

The 14ft whale was first spotted by fishermen near the northern island of Ingoya, not far from the Arctic city of Hammerfest, in April 2019

Hvaldimir was spotted off the coast of Norway in 2019. The whale would follow close to boats

OneWhale worked with the Norwegian government to integrate Hvaldimir into a nearby pod

When Hvaldimir was found he was wearing a harness and what appeared to be a mount for a small camera and a buckle marked with the text: 'Equipment St Petersburg.'

Mr Strand, who has monitored Hvaldimir's adventures for the past three years on behalf of the Norway-based Marine Mind non-profit organisation, said he was deeply affected by the whale's sudden death.

'It's absolutely horrible,' Mr Strand said. 'He was apparently in good condition as of (Friday). We just have to figure out what might have happened here.'

The 14ft whale was first spotted by fishermen near the northern island of Ingoya, not far from the Arctic city of Hammerfest, in April 2019 wearing a harness and what appeared to be a mount for a small camera and a buckle marked with the text: 'Equipment St Petersburg.'

That sparked allegations that the beluga was 'a spy whale'. Experts said the Russian navy is known to have trained whales for military purposes.

The harness and camera mount sparked allegations that the beluga was 'a spy whale'. Experts said the Russian navy is known to have trained whales for military purposes

Over the years, the beluga was seen in several Norwegian coastal towns and it quickly became clear that he was very tame and enjoyed playing with people, NRK said

Hvaldimir was estimated to be between 12 and 20 years old and weighed 2,700 pounds

Over the years, the beluga was seen in several Norwegian coastal towns and it quickly became clear that he was very tame and enjoyed playing with people, NRK said.

Marine Mind said on its site that Hvaldimir was very interested in people and responded to hand signals.

'Based on these observations, it appeared as if Hvaldimir arrived in Norway by crossing over from Russian waters, where it is presumed he was held in captivity,' it said.

Norwegian media have speculated whether Hvaldimir could have been used as 'a therapy whale' of some sort in Russia.
A senior doctor who raised concerns after a deadly microbe was found in a superhospitals air before it even opened was asked if she really wanted to end her career, an inquiry has heard.

Dr Penelope Redding made a series of startling claims at the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry saying microbiologists at the beleaguered Queen Elizabeth University Hospital were warned their careers would be destroyed while bosses urged staff not to blow the whistle regarding concerns about its safety.

She also said there had been a culture of fear and bullying and that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde chief executive Jane Grant tried to stop her whistleblowing.

The 73-year-old was a consultant microbiologist involved in the preliminary planning for the new hospital and one of a number of senior doctors who raised infection control concerns at the facility.

In a shocking witness statement to the inquiry, she revealed that before it even opened in 2015 concerns had been raised about ventilation and other issues.

Dr Penelope Redding made a series of alarming claims at the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry

Dr Redding, who is now retired, said: The results of the air sampling that had been done in the new hospital as part of the commissioning process were giving rise to concerns.

The microbiologists had discovered that, during the air sampling process, there were only three air changes per hour as opposed to the six air changes which were required according to the standards.

They had also isolated micro-organisms, including Mucor in the paediatric haematology/oncology ward.

The now retired doctor said despite these being reported through the proper channels, there was a general concern that they were not being listened to.

The inquiry was told that she reported concerns to the then director of diagnostics, Aileen McLennan, as that was the reporting line in place at that time.

But, her written evidence said: Her response to me was to ask if I really wanted to end my career like this.

The inquiry is investigating whether infections in patients at the 840 million Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow are linked to problems in its construction, ventilation and water supply

Ms McLennan should have reported it further, Dr Redding said, but because she had lost faith in the system she took the concerns further herself.

She said she had discussed the ventilation problems, highlighting the air changes and Mucor which she had been warned had a mortality rate of up to 85 per cent in children.

But her concerns were dismissed, with the mortality figure challenged, and told the ventilation concerns were merely her opinion even though she was not the only microbiologist with concerns.

The probe in Edinburgh, chaired by Lord Brodie, is investigating whether infections in patients at the 840 million campus are linked to problems in its construction, ventilation and water supply.

The inquiry was set up after a number of deaths including that of Milly Main, a 10-year-old cancer patient.

Dr Redding said there was a profound culture of fear and bullying in which people were terrified of speaking up and management told people not to put things in writing.

The retired doctor gave an example saying that when microbiology trainees produced a document detailing concerns after being urged by her to write them down, a meeting was held and she heard a senior medic say he was going to destroy their careers.

Dr Redding was a number of senior doctors who raised infection control concerns at the hospital, and was told how the boards chief executive Jane Grant pleaded with her not to blow the whistle on her concerns.

She told the inquiry: I recall her specifically saying to me that she urged me not to do it.

When she insisted she would, she told the inquiry, she was called by a non-executive director who spent 45 minutes trying to talk her out of it and repeatedly asked me what can we do to stop me doing it.

Dr Redding told the inquiry: The culture and perception within [the health board] at the time was that a whistleblower should be seen as a troublemaker who was to be criticised for raising concerns and causing stress to patients and relatives.

The inquiry continues.
Scotlands beleaguered arts quango is set to be axed after the Mail revealed serious allegations of mismanagement.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson announced a review of Creative Scotland to ensure its operations and structure are optimal to the needs of the culture sector.

The Mail understands the controversial 96million organisation faces being scrapped after a series of controversies including a decision to fund a sex show.

In another development, funding which had been cut for artists was reinstated yesterday, following a backlash by artists who had warned of a looming crisis for the sector.

The review, which will be the first since the public bodys launch in 2010, will examine Creative Scotlands remit and functions.

Harry Potter JK Rowling recently condemned the illiberalism and cronyism within Creative Scotland

Nearly 150 people work for the organisation, including the 24-strong board and senior leadership team headed by Iain Munro - who is on a salary of 125,000-130,000 with a pension pot worth 470,000.

Full details of the review will be set out to parliament in the near future, and will include seeking views from individuals and organisations from all parts of Scotlands culture sector.

Last night a Scottish Government source said: This will not be a review to fix Creative Scotland - Creative Scotland is over.

It is a cumulation of things - there was obviously concern that they didnt absorb any spending cuts in line with other organisations and cut funding to artists.

The latest scandals were the final straw.

The Culture Secretary also confirmed that following a period of necessary due diligence, Creative Scotland had now received funding previously allocated to it in the 2024/25 Scottish budget, including 1.8million for youth music, and 6.6million that will allow its Open Fund for artists to be re-opened.

Leonie Ray Gasson was awarded 84,555 by Creative Scotland to develop film project Rein, which featured a 'non-simulated sex act'

Around 2,000 deeply concerned artists and arts workers signed an open letter criticising ministers for a decision that puts the future of the arts at risk, by failing to support the freelancers who form a large part of the workforce.

Last week musicians including Biffy Clyro, Paolo Nutini, Franz Ferdinand, The Proclaimers, Karine Polwart and Mogwai joined forces to demand immediate reinstatement of the Open Fund to head off a cultural crisis.

Yesterday Mr Robertson said: Scotlands culture is world-renowned and it remains integral to our nation and our economy.

Over the past 14 years, Creative Scotland has had a significant role in supporting that role, distributing 65million of public funding in the last year alone.

With the sector having faced a number of new and enduring challenges since then, the time is now right for us to ensure Creative Scotlands remit and functions remain relevant, in line with our commitments to invest at least 100million more annually in the arts and culture by 2028-29, and to continuous improvement across all our public bodies.

Our investigation at the weekend uncovered serious concern over alleged mismanagement at the quango, which led to JK Rowling condemning illiberalism and cronyism.

It revealed an employee tasked with helping authors tried to prevent at least one bookshop from stocking a book which she deemed to be transphobic.

Arts worker Dr Rosie Aspinall Priest, partner of a Creative Scotland official who helps to make decisions on grants for projects, accused dramatist David Greig, artistic director of the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh, of voicing support for allegedly transphobic views on social media posts, while he was awaiting the outcome of a funding application.

Creative Scotland was also condemned as secretive and ideologically driven in a series of scathing attacks.

The review also comes after bosses at Creative Scotland claimed on Tuesday that confusion over terminology may have led to an earlier decision to fund a sex show.

Creative Scotland chiefs said the funding application for more than 84,000 of public money did not make it clear live sex acts would be featured - despite the inclusion of STI testing for actors and mention of genital contact.

After a public casting call and the subsequent outcry about the shows content, the board of Creative Scotland said the applicant had broken the funding bodys terms, and most of the cash would be paid back.

Quango boss Mr Munro told the Scottish Parliaments culture committee earlier this week that an internal review looking into what went wrong had found that the artist involved was largely to blame - because the scope of the project was changed after funding was secured.

Last night Mr Munro said: Creative Scotland notes the intention to review the way the sector is supported, as announced by the First Minister in the Programme for Government, and we look forward to hearing more details.

Scottish Tory culture spokesman Alexander Stewart said the SNP Government was making Creative Scotland an easy fall guy for their own long-term failure to support Scotlands vital arts sector.

He said: If these reports are true [about abolition of the quango], the SNP must outline why and how they propose to replace Creative Scotland  otherwise the suspicion will linger that this is just a name change for cosmetic effect.

Angus Robertson must come clean on what these reports mean for our arts sector, which is crying out for certainty in the face of swingeing SNP cuts.
When I stood down as leader of the Scottish Conservatives five years ago, I said that it had been the privilege of my life to serve. I still believe that.

The teams I worked with, the campaigns we fought, the difference we made. I know that nothing in the rest of my professional life will be as important as fighting to keep our United Kingdom together as we did during the independence referendum.

Dont get me wrong, I made all the mistakes that there was to make and had to learn more than I ever thought possible, but I believed then - as I believe now - that leading our party, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, is the single best job in Scottish politics.

And while, during the leadership election I fought - way back in 2011 - I was told that our party was in terminal decline, that we were beyond saving and even that we should wind ourselves up and start again, I never believed it.

Former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson wants to stay close to the UK party

Ms Davidson has backed Russell Findlay, left, whilst warning against his leadership rival Murdo Fraser's plan to separate the party from the UK Conservatives

I knew that our message - our values - chime with whole swathes of Scotland and that with a bit of vision, a heap of hard work, an ability to use and appreciates the talents of our whole party and a willingness to connect with ordinary voters, we could start winning again.

And we did. More than doubling our number of MSPs from 15 to 31 and becoming the official opposition in Holyrood.

Electing hundreds more councillors. Yes, in Tory heartlands, but also in places like Ravenscraig in Lanarkshire and Shettleston in Glasgow where no Conservative had been elected for generations.

Ensuring that Scots all across the country could see a good hard-working Tory representative rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck in to serving their local community.

And, after years of returning just one, or even no, MPs to Westminster, finally playing our full part in forming a Conservative government by getting 13 colleagues elected to the mother of parliaments; our best result in 38 years.

None of that success was inevitable. Indeed, I lost count of how many times I was told by opponents or commentators that we were on a fools errand to even try and reconnect with wider Scotland.

But we did succeed and that success came down to three things; a good team, good communication of a positive message and bloody hard work.

And it is for these reasons that I believe our partys best chance for future success lies with Russell Findlay as our new leader.

He has the vision, the grit, the ability and the support to take the fight to the SNP.

To be honest, I find it a bit depressing how the lessons of those years of progress seem to have been forgotten by some of my former colleagues in the Scottish Parliament.

Where has the positivity gone? Where is that uplifting message of hope? What happened to that spirit of teamwork?

And are we really going to replay the stale old argument from 2011 that says we need to split away from the UK party, or create a new party which only contests Holyrood elections?

That idea was put forward by several candidates at the outset of this contest. Then came a slightly different proposal in its place - a commission to examine loosening ties with the UK party.

Does its proponent take our members for fools? Some have called it a Trojan horse plan to split the party by stealth - which is exactly how I see it, too.

This commission - which I believe is really just a backdoor means to separate the party - is entirely the wrong approach to take and I was pleased to see Mr Findlay stand up firmly against it.

At its very core our party is based on the principle that we achieve progress, prosperity and security by working across the whole United Kingdom. Its what makes us Unionists.

So we must put this plan for a party-splitting commission back in its box, nail down the lid and get back to the job of building our party up, not breaking it up.

Instead, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party needs fresh leadership which can reconnect it to those voters who may have drifted over recent years.

And the ability to make a connection with that broad swathe of Scotland which holds conservative convictions but has not yet voted for our party.

We need a leader with the real-world experience to reassure voters they understand their concerns because theyve lived with them too.

A leader with the ideas and drive to take the party forward and to do so by sketching out a positive and appealing platform of policies designed to lift people up, not level them down.

We need to get back to a Scottish Conservative party of aspiration and opportunity, which speaks to mainstream Scotland.

A party which has as its foundational belief a conviction that, no matter where they start in life, an individual should be able to go as far as their own abilities and efforts can take them.

Russell Findlay ticks all the right boxes. He became an MSP after a 30-year career working as a fearless and successful investigative journalist.

That experience ensures he has the natural understanding of the concerns of mainstream voters which is an essential part of effective leadership.

He speaks from the heart and has the strength of character necessary both to make the hard calls and to build, lead and motivate a winning team.

Over the past weeks he has clearly demonstrated he has the ideas, deeply rooted in traditional Conservative values, which can provide that positive and uplifting vision for the future of our party and country.

He has made clear that he is opposed to the plans for a commission and strongly believes the Scottish Conservatives must remain part of the wider UK Conservative family.

He has already won the support of every single sitting Scottish Conservative and Unionist MP, 12 of his MSP colleagues from every corner of Scotland, and scores of Scottish Conservative Councillors across the country.

Its plain that with that unrivalled level of support from the partys elected representatives, and what I know from my own conversations with grassroots members to be wide backing amongst them, only Russell can truly unify the whole of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.

Hes done what anyone serious about leading a political party must do - got out and about across the country, meeting members in their own communities and putting in the hard graft to earn their votes.

Above all, our party needs to be led by a winner - and thats Russell Findlay.

I want whats best for the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party that I was so proud to lead, so proud to serve and so proud to help rebuild.

I want to see it undergo the same renewal we accomplished after 2011 and go on to achieve even greater success.

But that can only happen if our members - both elected and from the grassroots - pull together and work as a team.

And that team can only be built if it is led by the right person, with the right ideas and the right values. The values of decent, hard-working, law-abiding, community-spirited, mainstream Scotland.

I am convinced that person is Russell Findlay.

Its why I have chosen to support him in his campaign to be elected as the next leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.

Its why, when my ballot drops through the letterbox, Russell Findlay will have my vote.

And its why I am urging all my fellow members of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party to vote for him too.
Ruth Davidson has pleaded with the Scottish Tories to rebuild the party rather than break it up as she announced her support for Russell Findlay as next leader.

In an impassioned pitch to members as ballot papers in the leadership contest begin arriving on doorsteps today (THUR), the former Scottish Tory leader said the party can only go through another period of renewal if politicians and activists pull together and work as a team.

Writing in todays Mail, Baroness Davidson of Lundin Links said Mr Findlay has the vision, the grit, the ability and the support to take the fight to the SNP.

She also launched a scathing attack on Murdo Frasers plans for a commission on the party constitution, describing it as a Trojan horse plan to split the party by stealth and a backdoor means to separate the party.

It is the most significant intervention of the campaign so far, as Ms Davidson remains one of the most popular figures in the Conservative movement and was one of its most successful modern leaders in Scotland.

Ruth Davidson says Russell Findlay 'has the vision, the grit, the ability and the support' to lead the Scottish Conservatives

It will significantly boost Mr Findlays prospects of defeating Mr Fraser and Meghan Gallacher.

Ms Davidson, who previously defeated Mr Fraser in the 2011 leadership contest when he proposed the creation of a separate centre-right party, said she was told then that the party was in terminal decline but never believed it a and then led a revival in its fortunes.

She said: None of that success was inevitable. Indeed, I lost count of how many times I was told by opponents or commentators that we were on a fools errand to even try and reconnect with wider Scotland.

But we did succeed and that success came down to three things; a good team, good communication of a positive message and bloody hard work.

And it is for these reasons that I believe our partys best chance for future success lies with Russell Findlay as our new leader. He has the vision, the grit, the ability and the support to take the fight to the SNP.

To be honest, I find it a bit depressing how the lessons of those years of progress seem to have been forgotten by some of my former colleagues in the Scottish Parliament.

Where has the positivity gone? Where is that uplifting message of hope? What happened to that spirit of teamwork?

Mr Findlay, right, is vying with Meghan Gallacher and Murdo Fraser to succeed Douglas Ross as the new Scottish Tory leader

She urged the Scottish Tories not to replay the stale old arguments from 2011 about splitting away from the UK party.

Referring to Mr Frasers plans for an independent commission on the partys constitution, she said: Does its proponent take our members for fools? Some have called it a Trojan horse plan to split the party by stealth a which is exactly how I see it, too.

This commission - which I believe is really just a backdoor means to separate the party - is entirely the wrong approach to take and I was pleased to see Mr Findlay stand up firmly against it.

At its very core our party is based on the principle that we achieve progress, prosperity and security by working across the whole United Kingdom. Its what makes us Unionists.

So we must put this plan for a party-splitting commission back in its box, nail down the lid and get back to the job of building our party up, not breaking it up.

Mr Fraser has been rocked by the scale of the backlash to any prospect of the Scottish Tories splitting from the UK party.

During a leadership debate on STV earlier this week, Mr Fraser denied he wanted to split the party away from Westminster or set up a new one.

Ms Davidson said Mr Findlay, a former investigative journalist, speaks from the heart and has the strength of character necessary both to make the hard calls and to build, lead and motivate a winning team.

She said the party needs to be led by a winner, and added: Only Russell can truly unify the whole of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.

Mr Findlay said: Im thrilled to win Ruths support. I hugely admire the tenacity and grit she displayed to lift our party up, become the biggest opposition party in Scotland, and win over people who had never considered voting Conservative before.

There is only one Ruth Davidson, but Im determined to do what it takes to get our party back winning again.

Im not a career politician. I know how many people in the real world feel that Holyrood doesnt represent them - and Im putting forward common-sense Conservative policies to win those people over.

Im proud to have already gained the support of every Scottish Conservative MP, more MSPs than any other candidate, dozens of councillors and grassroots supporters across Scotland.

If party members elect me, Ill stand up for Conservative values of aspiration, opportunity, decency and the rule of law.

Meanwhile, at a hustings event hosted by the Holyrood Sources podcast yesterday, Murdo Fraser threatened an immediate public split with Kemi Badenoch if they both win their leadership contests.

Ms Badenoch reportedly called herself a devolution sceptic at a campaign event and said there needs to be talk about rolling it back.

Asked if he supported rolling back devolution, Mr Fraser said: No, and I would publicly disagree with Kemi Badenoch on that even if she became Conservative leader in the UK.

Whether that was a throw-away comment, or whether there was any substance behind it, I would seriously publicly disagree with that view.
President Joe Biden will block Nippon Steels proposed $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel, according to reports, in a blow to the key U.S. ally.

Japan's play on a major American industry caused a massive political controversy ahead of the November presidential election, particularly in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, where U.S. Steel is based.

Biden, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have all voiced opposition to the deal.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said he could not confirm the report. He noted there is a review 'process' when it comes to deals like this that is still ongoing.

But, Kirby, added: 'The President has been very consistent on this. He believes that American steel companies ought to be American owned.'

President Joe Biden will block Nippon Steels proposed $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel

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Kirby didn't, however, address a question on whether Biden's blocking of the deal will harm relations with Japan, who has been in a key ally in Washington's attempts to circumvent China's growing economic power and influence.

The decision would be a stunning rejection of a deal proposed by Japan, a U.S. ally, noted The Washington Post, which broke the story.

The deal has been under investigation by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

The CFIUS review is not complete but Biden is prepared to kill the sale if it reaches his desk, Bloomberg News reported.

A decision could be made as soon as this week.

And, if Biden blocks it, Nippon can sue.

Nippon officials have pointed out that the US shouldnt reject a bid from a company based in an allied country, particularly as the deal can create a joint entity that is able to compete with China, which is investing in infrastructure around the world.

US Steel Corporation workers rally outside the company's headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, supporting the takeover by Japan's Nippon Steel

The deal would have created the third-largest global steelmaker.

It's unclear what will happen to US Steel if the deal is blocked.

The company warned Wednesday that failing to complete the deal would imperil thousands of jobs and potentially even relocate its headquarters from Pittsburgh.
This is the moment a terrifying flood surged through a Majorcan resort after a massive downpour that claimed the life of a British hiker and left her partner missing.

Rescue teams on the island recovered the body of the woman, 26, after spotting her backpack from the air as they scoured the area in a helicopter early Wednesday morning.

The 32-year-old man, who has not been named, is thought to have been swept away after torrential rain hit the couple who were with friends on the hike late Tuesday and rescue teams have yet to find her boyfriend.

Video exclusively obtained by MailOnline shows a frothing surge of water cascading through the seafront Es Port restaurant at the mouth of the Pareis river, with staff frantically scrambling to save tables and chairs.

One staff member said: 'It was unbelievable, one minute it was bright sunshine the next minute the sky turned black as if it was night and then it started raining really fiercely.

Water was seen rushing over properties on the island

Police helicopter search team today scouring the area for the missing British hiker

'This time of year the river is just a stream but within less than an hour a huge wall of water came down the side of the mountain and into the sea, it was like Niagara Falls, there was water falling everywhere.'

Relatives of the man were also part of the group of around 10 that had been hit by a massive downpour as they hiked along a path by the Torrent de Pareis, a river running through the Tramuntana area of northwest Majorca.

An official said: 'The British man and woman were a couple. They were here on holiday and staying locally on the island. They also have family here with them and we are helping as best we can.'

Civil guard officers, mountain rescue teams and firefighters were involved in the search which began shortly after the storm barrelled through the area turning dry riverbeds into raging torrents.

Officials at the scene of the search said the group was 'not equipped' correctly but did not go into details although one said: 'We are tired of rescuing tourists from the area who go out in just flip flops.'

Video exclusively obtained by MailOnline shows a frothing surge of water cascading through the seafront Es Port restaurant at the mouth of the Pareis river

Staff were seen frantically scrambling to save tables and chairs

The two British hikers went missing during a storm and are believed to have been caught in heavy rain, which caused severe flooding in parts of the island. Pictured: the Civil Guard at the scene in the Tramuntana mountain range)

He added: 'This is not a stroll in the park. It's a very difficult and technical hike and you need the proper equipment and clothing.

'Some of the group we rescued were soaked to the skin and suffering from hypothermia following the bad weather.

'If you are going to do this hike you need to be prepared and most importantly you need to check the weather before going out.'

Another told MailOnline: 'There was a larger group of people who set off on the hike and the two people later joined them.

'They arrived by scooter to meet up with their friends and the brother of the missing man has been here at the scene but has now left.

The area where the British hikers disappeared was affected by flash flooding (pictured above) on Tuesday

Bad weather has hit Majorca for much of this week

'We found the woman this morning after the helicopter spotted her backpack from the air and we were able to recover her body but the man is still missing.

'The woman was found not far from the trail but the search for the man is proving difficult because of the weather conditions.'

Bad weather has hit Majorca for much of this week and at one stage the search had to be suspended for more than two hours after another storm barrelled through bringing torrential rain and high winds.

Rescue teams said the woman's body had been found close to the start of the hiking trail but there were fears the man could have been washed out to sea.

A firefighter told MailOnline: 'That is a possibility, but we hope that maybe they are alive somewhere of that alive if they have died the body is trapped by a rock or some other debris.'
The Biden administration on Wednesday announced a swingeing plan to try to limit Russian manipulation of the 2024 election, imposing sanctions, seizing internet domains used to spread disinformation, and unveiling criminal charges.

It aims to prevent the Kremlin's using of state-run media and fake news sites to influence American voters.

White House spokesman John Kirby said the conspiracy went all the way to President Vladimir Putin.

'We believe Mr. Putin is witting in these actions,' he told reporters at the White House.

Other departments took action at the same time.

The Biden administration moved Wednesday to rein in a Russian influence campaign targeting the November election. The White House said the plot went all the way up to Vladimir Putin

The Justice Department filed money-laundering charges against two employees of Russian state media channel RT.

It said they used companies and fake personas to pay $10 million to a corporation in Tennessee to produce videos designed to stoke political divisions.

The FBI seized 32 internet domains it said were being used in an influence effort.

And the U.S. Treasury and State departments slapped sanctions on RT, including the network's top editor, Margarita Simonovna Simonyan.

'RT is no longer just a propaganda arm of the Kremlin,' Kirby. 'It is being used to advance covert Russian influence actions.

'Additionally, the Russian government is laundering influence and Information operations through Kremlin-controlled commercial firms such as the social design agency that work extensively at the direction and control of the Russian Federation,

'All of this activity was designed to funnel disinformation through outlets and social media influencers that a certain number of Americans find credible.'

The U.S. company allegedly involved in the scheme is said to be Tennessee-based Tenet Media, which contracted with a number of influential pundits.

Benny Johnson, a conservative commentator who runs Benny Media LLC, confirmed that he contracted with the company, but said that he is a 'victim' in the alleged scheme.

'A year ago, a media startup pitched my company to provide content as an independent contractor. Our lawyers negotiated a standard, arms length deal, which was later terminated,' he wrote on X.

'We are disturbed by the allegations in todays indictment, which make clear that myself and other influencers were victims in this alleged scheme. My lawyers will handle anyone who states or suggests otherwise.'

Others reported to also have been involved with Tenet Media include Tim Pool, Dave Rubin and Lauren Southern.

'We believe Mr. Putin is witting in these actions,' said White House spokesman John Kirby

Kirby urged Americans to be careful about where they got their news, as governments across the globe come to terms with the power of online communications coupled with A.I.

U.S. intelligence agencies believe Putin tried to put his finger on the scales for Donald Trump in 2016, with Russian-backed leaks of emails from Hillary Clinton's campaign, and again in 2020.

Russia's state-controlled Russia Today (RT) television broadcast vans are seen parked in front of St. Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin next to Red Square in Moscow

Employees of RT work in its international studio on December 6, 2019 in Moscow, Russia

This time around, Iran is thought to have been behind a recent hack of the Trump campaign.

Justice Department officials say Putin and his proxies are now targeting specific groups of voters in battleground states, and using bots and A.I. to stoke division.

'Today's announcement highlights the lengths some foreign governments go to undermine American democratic institutions,' the State Department said.

'But these foreign governments should also know that we will not tolerate foreign malign actors intentionally interfering and undermining free and fair elections.'
Morgan Stanley boss Jonathan Bloomer and his wife survived the initial sinking of tech tycoon Mike Lynch's superyacht but tragically suffocated in an air bubble, according to their leaked autopsies.

Seven people were killed when the Bayesian, a 30million superyacht owned by the Darktrace founder, sank last month in just 16 minutes after it was hit by a violent downburst.

Among those who died were Lynch, 59, and his daughter Hannah, 18, who was due to start at Oxford University later this month.

Mr Lynch's wife and Hannah's mother, Angela Bacares, 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.

Ms Barcares is also listed as the owner of the 56m yacht, which is registered with an Isle of Man company called Revton.

Autopsies have been carried out on four of those who died by the local coroner at Palermo's Policlinico hospital and findings have been leaked to Italian media.

Autopsies carried out on Morgan Stanley boss Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy reveal they 'suffocated' in an air bubble and didn't drown, reports claim

An Italian news outlet has claimed the couple's lungs were 'not full of water and neither were their stomachs or trachea'

British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah also both died in the Bayesian tragedy when the superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily

The Italian newspaper La Repubblica claimed the lungs of Morgan Stanley International chairman Jonathan Bloomer, 70, and his wife Judy were 'not full of water and neither were their stomachs or trachea'.

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

They went on to suggest that the couple had 'suffocated' after oxygen ran out in an air bubble below deck that had formed after the yacht sank.

It added that the bubble would have lasted barely any time at all as it would have been 'small and quickly filled with rising levels of toxic carbon dioxide'.

Italian media suggested the fact some of the victims examined so far had no water in their lungs, has given rise to the frightening possibility they had been awake and were warned that the yacht was sinking.

Among others who lost their live in the tragedy were New York lawyer Chris Morvillo and his partner Neda, with autopsies confirming they drowned, according to sources 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.

All the victims in the disaster were passengers except for the yacht's chef Recaldo Thomas.

His body, which was found in the sea close to where the Bayesian sank, was the first to be recovered.

The other victims  apart from Hannah who was found in her cabin  were in another room.

Italian media has also gone on to claim that it was Hannah's mother, Mrs Bacares, who had gone below deck to wake them and inform them the vessel was about to go down.

Hannah (pictured), 18, was due to start at Oxford before tragedy struck the Bayesian superyacht

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

Recaldo Thomas, chef on the Bayesian, was the first person to be recovered after the yacht sunk

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

She is said to have been woken by the fierce storm and gone onto the bridge where she found several crew members.

Mrs Bacares, who was barefoot, then went back below deck to warn the others but cut her feet on glass that had fallen onto the floor.

Fifteen people survived the sinking and autopsies on Mr Lynch, Hannah and Mr Thomas are expected to be carried out on Friday.

Three members of the crew including New Zealand skipper James Cutfield, 51, British chief engineer Tim Parker Eaton, 59, and conational Matthew Griffiths, 22, are being investigated for causing a disaster and manslaughter.

However, this does not necessarily mean that charges will follow, and it will be up to an investigating magistrate to decide if a full trial will take place and that will be after the probe is closed.

New Zealander Mr Cutfield, 51, who is among three currently being probed regarding last month's tragedy, was seen for the first time today since he jetted from Sicily, where the boat sank, to his home in Majorca by private jet last week.

Both Mr Cutfield and Mr Parker Eaton live on the same road in a sleepy Majorcan village, half an hour from the capital Palma, in villas each with a swimming pool.

Mr Cutfield, who injured his leg in the sinking still had a white bandage on his leg, as he was seen leaving his house in a black Mercedes.

The 30 million vessel sank off the coast of the Italian island of Sicily at Porticello near Palermo on August 19

A handout photo made available on August 19 by Perini Navi Press Office shows the 'Bayesian' sailing boat, in Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Pictured: Hannah with her father Mike Lynch who both died on the yacht

Hannah's mother Angela Barcares is listed as the owner of the 56m yacht, which is registered with an Isle of Man company called Revton

Mr Parker Eaton, who is originally from Clophill, Bedfordshire, purchased his property in 2013 while Mr Cutfield bought his five years later.

There were signs of life at Mr Parker Eaton's home, where he lives with his partner, but there was no answer at the door while Mr Cutfield also did not respond to attempts to contact him.

The men flew out of Sicily last week on a private jet and Mr Cutfield was reported to have refused to answer questions as per his rights - although he was quoted as telling coastguards they 'didn't see' the storm coming.

Mr Cutfield had been a captain on luxury yachts for eight years and had previously been working on them and involved in building them for the past 30 years in various locations around the Mediterranean.

He said before he worked for the British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, he had worked for a Turkish billionaire.

His brother Mark, who lives in New Zealand, said he was a 'top sailor' in his youth and raced 470s competitively in his youth and he has married wife Cristina in Majorca last year.

This comes shortly after Matthew Griffiths, who was on board the Bayesian when it was struck by tragedy in the early hours of August 19, told authorities that crew members did everything they could to save passengers, according to Italian news outlet, 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.

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

This is the first picture of skipper James Cutfield back home since he was placed under investigation following the sinking of super yacht Bayesian that left seven people dead

Chief engineer Tim Parker Eaton, 56, has previously insisted all 'doors and hatches were closed' on the doomed Bayesian ahead of a violent storm - he his also being probed

Matthew Griffiths was one of 22 people on board the Bayesian when it was devastated by a freak waterspout. The skipper is also being investigated by authorities

'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, whilst describing the events of that occurred that fateful night.

'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 total there were 15 survivors in the wreckage of the Bayesian yacht, which sunk on the Porticello coast.

Prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano previously said that the yacht 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 16 minutes.

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.

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 British-flagged Bayesian superyacht (pictured) was registered at an Isle of Man company called Revton

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

The Italian National Fire Brigade's cave divers resuming their dives into the sea in the search of the last missing person from the Bayesian shipwreck on August 23

One of the cave divers resuming inspections on the coast of Porticello on August 23 (Pictured)

A helicopter from the Italian Fire Brigade trying to find the final missing person on August 23

'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.
Two giant pythons have been discovered in a British woodland as experts fear more are on the loose.

The non-venemous snakes, which can grow up to six-feet long, are not big enough to kill an adult but could attack children and small pets.

A ball python, also known as a royal python was spotted in Huntsham Wood in Tiverton, Devon on August 30.

And two days later, a similar snake was found in the same area.

Staff from Tropiquaria Zoo, in Watchet, Somerset, came to rescue the animals which appeared to have been well-fed and cared for.

However as the snakes were found close together, experts believe they were likely deliberately abandoned by their owners.

Ball pythons live in grasslands, shrublands and open forests of west and central Africa and would struggle to survive in the wild during a British winter.

'This species is from sub-Saharan Africa and to release them into the British countryside particularly as autumn is coming is cruel and totally unnecessary,' Chris Moiser, director of Tropiquaria Zoo, told Need To Know.

'It would almost certainly lead to the slow death of the animals unless they were recovered quickly.

'In view of the remote location of where they were found, it seems likely that there was no intention that they should be found.

'And we do not know if the owner just released these two or if there are other reptiles still out there.'

A report of animal cruelty was recorded by Devon and Cornwall Police on September 3 but, according to a police statement, there are currently 'no active lines of enquiry.'

Mr Moiser said while he appreciates that even 'responsible, loving owners' may not be able to continue to look after their animals because of the current economic climate and energy costs, there are plenty of organisations that will take them in.

Ball pythons live in grasslands, shrublands and open forests of west and central Africa and would struggle to survive in the wild during a British winter

He said: 'The National Centre for Reptile Welfare, for example, can take them and re-home and can often even arrange collection when the need is urgent and compelling.

'This makes the actions of this owner even more despicable when just a few minutes of research on the internet would have led to a satisfactory and humane conclusion.'

Mr Moiser said, fortunately, abandonment is very rare.

He said: 'The vast majority of responsible owners do re-home through rescue centres if they need to.

'It is the odd case like this that gives the animal rights groups the ammunition to call on the government to legislate against the private keeping of exotic animals, when the great majority of owners are very responsible, care for their animals, and educate friends and family about their pets.

'Many larger zoos would not get involved in this sort of situation.

'Tropiquaria takes the view that as part of our educational obligations, we should help where we can and where our staff knowledge can help the local community (both human and other species) we should do what we can.

'In this case doing so has realistically cost us several hours of staff time, on a limited budget, a few pounds in fuel, and a modest amount in vet bills.'
Campaigners will today deliver a petition to Downing Street with 203,400 signatures calling for private school fees to remain VAT-free.

The Education Not Taxation (ENT) group wants Labour to scrap plans to add the levy, claiming that parents cannot afford it.

It claims many of the signatories are working parents who will have to pull their children out of their schools.

The action comes ahead of a debate today in the House of Lords, where Lord Lexden, President of the Independent Schools Association, will argue against the tax.

ENT said it is backed by parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), who cannot get the attention they require within state schools. The petition, on the Change.org website, includes a number of videos made by parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson (pictured) has claimed the money raised from the levy will fund 6,500 new teachers

Lord Lexden, pictured, President of the Independent Schools Association, will argue against the tax.

One father said: 'There is a misconception that everyone who sends their children to private school is fabulously wealthy  that is not the case. We make incredible sacrifices to send our children to school.'

A mother of severely dyslexic children said: 'It has never been a choice to send my kids to private school.

'It has felt like a necessity that has cost dearly and continues to be a struggle. They need specialist provision and the state does not provide this.'

Sir Keir Starmer has said the new tax will apply from January, which gives parents just four months to find another school if they cannot afford the rise.

Many have been told by their local councils that their preferred choices of state school are full.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has claimed the money raised from the levy will fund 6,500 new teachers.

A spokesman for ENT said: 'Ideally we would like this policy scrapped but, at the very least, we hope to minimise its damage. To that end, we want to work constructively with the Government. We will submit our petition to the Prime Minister's office in the hope our voices will finally be heard.'

The Department for Education was asked to comment.
An outbreak of anthrax has killed at least 50 cattle and one moose in Wyoming, according to the state's veterinarian.

The Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory confirmed that cattle from multiple herds around Elk Mountain in Carbon County tested positive for the disease in an August 31 report.

On September 3, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department confirmed a case of anthrax in a dead moose nearby the cattle.

'We have approximately 50 to 60 head that have died at this time due to anthrax,' Wyoming State Veterinarian Dr. Hallie Hasel told Cowboy State Daily.

'It's in a localized region at this time, but we are still investigating, and there could be other losses that we don't know of quite yet.'

An outbreak of anthrax killed at least 50 cattle and one moose in Carbon County, Wyoming (stock image)

Anthrax is the name of the disease caused by the spores of bacteria Bacillus anthracis and human infections are rare in the US

This recent detection in a moose is the is first confirmed case of anthrax in wildlife in state since in 1956.

'Anthrax is a zoonotic disease, and we are concerned about that. Anybody that thinks they have been exposed to a carcass of an animal that may have died of anthrax, whether it be a cow, horse, moose or deer, they need to contact the Wyoming Department of Public Health or their medical provider as soon as possible,' Hasel said.

Anthrax is the name of the disease caused by the spores of bacteria Bacillus anthracis and human infections are rare in the US, with about five recorded annually.

Hasel said anthrax is a naturally occurring organism in Wyoming's soil and outbreaks can happen under specific environmental conditions.

'We've had a little drought in the region and then extremely heavy rain,' she said. 'This is what we think precipitated (the outbreak) in this particular region.'

'Another severe change in weather could decrease the contamination, and the spore may go away with another change in weather. We don't exactly know how long this outbreak may occur. It depends upon the weather and the soil conditions.'

Ranchers who are concerned about their herds catching the disease are encouraged to contact their veterinarians about getting the anthrax vaccine.

The disease is famous for use as a biological weapon, including in the wake of the 9/11 attacks when it was sent out in the mail. Five Americans were killed during the attacks and 17 became unwell.

This recent detection in a moose is the is first confirmed case of anthrax in wildlife in state since in 1956 (pictured generic Carbon County cattle)

Ranchers who are concerned about their herds catching the disease are encouraged to contact their veterinarians about getting the anthrax vaccine

Those infected start to experience symptoms between one and seven days after exposure, which vary depending on how they were infected.

For those infected in the skin, the disease first causes raised bumps to appear before a characteristic black eschar emerges.

But in patients who have caught the disease via the air, they may have a flu-like illness for two to three days which then disappears before the individuals suddenly start struggling to breathe.

To treat the infection, doctors tend to use antibiotics to kill the bacteria as well as keep patients in the intensive care unit.

Anthrax was first described in the 1700s, but infections believed to have been caused by the disease have been recorded in the Bible and Homer's Iliad.
From Cyprus to Somalia, South Sudan to the Falklands, British military personnel are deployed 24/7 around the world to safeguard our national interests.

They prioritise our security over their comfort. The most mobile and active Armed Forces families move home every two years on average to meet operational requirements.

These soldiers, sailors and airmen are at the edge. They fight bloodthirsty terrorists, intercept international organised criminals and protect the UK's streets by projecting our might around the world  before those problems end up on our shores.

So you would assume they would be at the top of the list for support from the incoming Labour government.

But, thanks to Keir Starmer's divisive plan to tax private schools, the education of their own children is now under threat.

These soldiers, sailors and airmen are at the edge. They fight bloodthirsty terrorists and intercept international organised criminals (stock image)

Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson leaves 10 Downing Street

More than 4,000 military children receive support for their private education to be part-funded by the state, delivered via the Continuity of Education Allowance.

This vital scheme allows some soldiers and diplomats to send their children to boarding school while they are deployed on crucial duties  but within tight rules that ensure the support only goes to those who need it most.

And while the majority of us did not go to private school, there is a very obvious argument that these military families should be helped with the option to send their children there to reduce the pressure on family life, enabling them to continue to serve their country.

I have asked repeatedly, but the Government is refusing to confirm whether these families will be hit by their 20 per cent VAT hike on fees. When I quizzed ministers over the summer recess with a parliamentary written question, they provided no clarity on the situation.

I have since written to the Treasury, which is charged with designing this tax  and I have not yet received a response.

Today I will use a debate in the House of Lords to call on the Government once again to exempt military families from its plan to tax private education.

Clobbering Britain's bravest families with a levy like this is morally objectionable to those of us who care about the welfare of our Armed Forces.

But I was even more alarmed to discover that nearly 70 per cent of Army families surveyed said that if there is no exemption or financial mitigation to cover the full costs of the VAT increase, they could be forced to consider leaving the Army.

Does Sir Keir really want that  just as the world becomes demonstrably more unsafe, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East?

Keir Starmer is a man who benefited from a free private education himself thanks to state support

While the majority of us did not go to private school, there is a very obvious argument that these military families should be helped. (Stock photo of the private The King's School in Gloucester)

I'm worried the Prime Minister's education tax could soon impact our national security. This is a classic example of the ill-thought-out consequences of divisive politics. It is an example of the worst kind of Labour grandstanding  class warfare that the UK should have dumped decades ago.

This is 2024, not 1974, and we should be focused on growing our economy and selling private education as one of the UK's most impressive global exports rather than running ourselves down.

But this Government probably won't see that. So I simply ask that ministers confirm as soon as possible that military families will be exempt from the VAT hike.

If ministers refuse to exempt our Armed Forces heroes, they must provide a rebate or other mitigation so that these families are not forced to consider their position in the services.

It is a supreme irony that Keir Starmer  the man who benefited from a free private education himself thanks to state support  wants to punish the children of our bravest warriors simply because their parents do their utmost to keep our country safe.

Lord Kempsell is the former political director of the Conservative Party and a member of the House of Lords.
Water company bosses face up to two years in jail under new laws aimed at cracking down on record levels of sewage pollution in England's waterways.

Tougher deterrents were needed to stop companies unlawfully spilling sewage in rivers and seas, ministers said.

Regulator Ofwat will also be able to ban bonus payments to water bosses if they fail to protect the environment, customers and their company's finances. Bonus payments of 41 million have been paid to bosses since 2020, despite the ongoing sewage scandal.

Under the proposed new laws, jail sentences of up to two years could be given to executives who fail to co-operate, or obstruct Environment Agency and Drinking Water Inspectorate investigations.

File photo. No river in England is currently rated as being in 'good' overall health

The outfall into the River Thames, at Thames Water's Crossness Sewage Treatment Works, in south east London on July 3

Sewage spills are partly to blame for no river in England being rated as being in good overall health, and beauty spots including Windermere in the Lake District being polluted.

Some water utilities are also creaking under high levels of debt or face criticism over dividends to shareholders and executive bonuses.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: 'The public are furious that in 21st-century Britain, record levels of sewage are being pumped into our rivers, lakes and seas.

'Under this Government, water executives will no longer line their own pockets whilst pumping out this filth.

'If they refuse to comply, they could end up in the dock and face prison time.'

Under the proposals, regulators will be able to issue severe and automatic fines without having to direct resources to lengthy investigations.

Investigations into illegal pollution will also be made easier.

People take part in a protest by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), in Falmouth this May

The Environment Agency will be able to bring civil charges using a lower standard of proof  the balance of probabilities  under the Water (Special Measures) Bill, rather than the standard of beyond reasonable doubt.

Currently, regulators cannot impose fixed financial penalties for most offences and the maximum fine is just 300, meaning it is not cost-effective to penalise frequent minor offences.

The new laws will increase the maximum fine, although the new level will be set after a consultation period.

There will also be a new requirement for water companies to publish annual plans that outline steps they are taking to address pollution incidents.
A young mother accused of abandoning her unconscious newborn baby in the driveway of a home has been charged by child abuse detectives.

The baby was discovered in a critical condition on the driveway of a home in Dandenong North in Melbourne's southeast at 2.40am on Friday.

His mother, 25, has been charged with endangering life and recklessly causing injury by detectives from the Dandenong Sexual Offences and Child Abuse.

She has been bailed to face Dandenong Magistrates Court on December 5.

The baby remains in hospital but his condition is said to have improved.

It comes after shocked housemates of the young mother revealed on Friday they didn't know she had been pregnant.

'We didn't know she was pregnant because we've only known her for three weeks, and we do back-to-back shifts, so we don't get to see each other,' one said.

'We just woke up and there was an incident and we had to call triple-zero, and they came and helped us.

A young mother accused of abandoning her unconscious newborn baby in the driveway of a home has been charged by child abuse detectives (pictured, forensics at the home)

The baby was discovered in a critical condition on the driveway of a home in Dandenong North in Melbourne's southeast at 2.40am on Friday (pictured, police outside the home)

'We are happy that the baby is okay, and we are still praying for her and the baby.

'We are ready to support her when she gets out of hospital.'

The housemate added the mother was a 'lovely woman' who worked in aged care.

A single-storey home that appeared to have been recently sold was surrounded by police tape on Friday as officers visited the scene.
A proud father poses with his wife and three daughters on a warm summer's day. The photograph speaks of familial love, contentment and a moment of peace.

Alas, such happiness is no protection against Russia's murderous aggression in Ukraine.

Following yesterday's missile and drone blitz on the historic city centre of Lviv, only the father, Yaroslav Bazylevych, is left alive.

His wife Yevhenia and their daughters Yaryna, 21, Daryna, 18, and seven-year-old Emilia were all killed when their apartment received a direct hit in the early hours of the morning.

The Reuters news agency took a heartbreaking picture of a dazed and bloodied Mr Bazylevych following rescue workers as they carried the body of one of his daughters on a stretcher.

Before tragedy struck: Yaroslav Bazylevych with wife, Yevhenia, and Yaryna, Emilia and Daryna

A man tries to comfort bloodied Yaroslav Bazylevych after the deadly attack

The Reuters news agency took a heartbreaking picture of a dazed and bloodied Mr Bazylevych following rescue workers as they carried the body of one of his daughters on a stretcher

A drone view shows a residential building heavily damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine September 4, 2024

The bereaved father was one of 64 people injured in the barrage. In total, seven died in this city, a few hours before breakfast time.

By chance, Mail cameraman Jamie Wiseman and I witnessed the attack and its aftermath.

We were on our way to report on the Donbas front line, some 600 miles to the east. But the tragedy demonstrated that nowhere and no one in Ukraine is safe.

All the Bazylevych girls were bright and actively engaged with the world around them. They had hope.

Yaryna was working for the city's civilian authorities in an office that was preparing for 'Lviv  European Youth Capital 2025'.

Daryna  the one holding a bunch of sunflowers in the happy family photo on the right  was a second-year cultural studies student at the Ukrainian Catholic University.

She was a keen civic volunteer, who also studied drama in a theatre studio. Emilia was still at primary school, of course.

All were wiped out in a bombardment of hypersonic and cruise missiles and Shaheed drones.

Lviv's mayor, Andrii Sadovyi, posted the Bazylevych family portrait on Telegram and wrote: 'After today's Russian attack, the only person in this photo who remains alive is the man.

'His wife, Yevhenia, and their three daughters  Yaryna, Daryna and Emilia  were killed in their own home.

A view shows a burning residential building damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine September 4, 2024

Lviv's mayor sent 'heartfelt condolences' to Yaroslav after his family was wiped out during Wednesday's deadly attack

Two and a half years into this terrible war, it is impossible not to be moved by the fate of the Bazylevych family

'In the heart of Europe, Russia is exterminating Ukrainians, entire families. Russians are killing our children, our future.'

The mayor added: 'I don't know what words to use to support the father of the family, Yaroslav.

'We are all with you today. Heartfelt condolences.'

Jamie Wiseman and I were staying in central Lviv, less than a mile from the scene of the tragedy. I was woken by the air raid sirens a little after 5am.

Almost at once, the city's air defences went  thunderously  into action. The sky above the city centre was lit by explosions and the thin beams of searchlights seeking the Shaheed suicide drones that cruised overhead.

The onslaught was brief and deadly. There was a series of huge bangs and one massive explosion that triggered car alarms.

There followed a brief silence ended by the wail of emergency vehicles' sirens. By then, the Bazylevych family had been destroyed.

Jamie and I first approached the scene of the carnage along Zaliznychna Street, near the main railway station.

The wreckage of a Shaheed suicide drone was lying in the middle of the road and the walls of residential blocks and business premises all along Zaliznychna were spattered with shrapnel holes, their windows broken.

The manner in which a row of horse chestnut trees had lost their top branches and the windscreens of parked cards were blown downwards, suggested there had been a large airburst explosion above the street.

More severe damage could be found off Brativ Mikhnovs'kykh Street, a short distance away.

Here, a residential apartment block had lost its entire top storey to a direct hit, leaving collateral damage in the roads all around, including a number of burnt-out cars.

One moving aspect of the aftermath was the teams of old ladies wearing high-vis jackets who went out into the streets with brooms, shovels and refuse sacks, clearing the mounds of broken glass and stone from road and pavement.

Clearly, Lviv has been hurt, but its spirit remains unbroken.

Thousands of other civilians have already perished and many more deaths will come.

But two and a half years into this terrible war, it is impossible not to be moved by the fate of the Bazylevych family  and the abject grief of its only surviving member.

Firefighters console devastated Yaroslav Bazylevych after his wife and three daughters were killed in a Russian air strike

Deeply distressing footage of his destroyed house shows the body of his nine-year-old daughter Emilia lying next to a wall, her blonde hair poking out of the rubble
Late winter and early spring has been marked by wild weather sweeping large parts of Australia, damaging homes and businesses, and causing power outages.

Such unpredictable weather is also occurring around the world and driving huge rises in premiums to the point where the future of insurance is in doubt.

In 2022, floods, hurricanes, hailstorms, winter storms and droughts amounted to more than A$149 billion in insured losses globally.

The full impact and cost of the latest events in Australia will not be known for some time, but it can be expected to be significant.

Extreme weather

Australia is at the forefront of extreme weather effects on insurance premiums thanks to being one of the world's most climate exposed nations.

In the 'great deluge' of 2022, flooding in Queensland and New South Wales amounted to A$5.56 billion in insured losses from 236,000 individual claims.

Households facing insurance stress are paying more than a month in gross income on premiums

One in 25 homes is expected to be uninsurable by 2030

As extreme weather generates ever-greater losses, insurers are reluctant to provide cover in higher-risk locations. Increasingly they are not offering policies, making insurance unavailable, or raising premiums to unaffordable levels.

One insurer reported between 2020 and 2023, their average household premium rose by 56 oer cent.

And the situation is worsening.

Insurance stress

In 2022, 10 per cent of Australian households faced extreme insurance stress, defined as paying more than four weeks' gross household income for a policy.

By 2024, this rose to 15 per cent of Australian households, with the most stressed households facing premiums of up to 9.6 weeks, or 18 per cent of their gross income.

This measure of insurance stress is based on gross household income. Yet premiums are paid from net income after tax. Many households simply cannot afford insurance with the Insurance Council of Australia estimating 23 per cent of households are uninsured.

In June 2024, the Australian Bureau of Statistics noted insurance is one of the main contributors to rising living costs across all household types.

Unsurprisingly, when needing to pay energy bills, put food on the table, and fuel in the car, many Australians have little choice but to let insurance lapse, or buy less insurance than they need to recover after a weather event.

Why we can't rely on insurance

Even for those who are insured, widespread loss from extreme weather means they cannot necessarily rely on their insurance claims to bounce back from disaster.

Large numbers of claims can result in lengthy settlements, as insurer resources are stretched by the complexity of assessing damage, and the increased demand on trades and services, including temporary accommodation.

Excess demand following widespread loss has effects beyond emotionally charged claims processes, as insurers are using cash settlements to resolve claims quickly.

Cash settlements can be offered when the homeowner is underinsured and the policy will not cover full repairs, when there is a lack of trades and services to complete the work, or when homeowners are desperate to get some compensation to help them move on from disaster.

Even for those who are insured, widespread loss from extreme weather means they cannot necessarily rely on their insurance claims to bounce back from disaster

A lack of affordable insurance also has significant negative consequences for Australia's economy

However, there are serious financial implications for homeowners in accepting cash. Recent research reveals cash settlements are often under-quoted and homeowners lack appropriate knowledge and experience to accurately assess the offer.

As a result, this can leave homeowners without enough money to fix their property, potentially leaving them with an unlivable home and large debt.

Economic impacts

A lack of affordable insurance also has significant negative consequences for Australia's economy.

Home insurance is usually required to take out a mortgage. However, about 5% of Australian households with a mortgage are experiencing insurance stress.

Such insurance-stressed homeowners are in a precarious financial situation following extreme weather losses, as they have insufficient funds to repair their home and/or repay their mortgage.

Potential homeowners are also affected, as they may be unable to get a mortgage in higher-risk locations, as banks anticipate insurance will be unavailable or unaffordable.

With as many as one in 25 homes across Australia expected to be uninsurable by 2030 and one in seven homes in the most at-risk localities, this looming mortgage crisis will have wide-reaching implications beyond home ownership.

Mortgages are critical for business lending, to support the rental market and ensure viable communities.

A bleak forecast

The compounding effects of insurance stress, extreme weather, and pressure on banks to take account of climate exposure is likely to limit lending to small business, constrain housing supply, and affect jobs, especially in higher-risk locations.

This complex situation is already evident across cyclone-exposed northern Australia, where the impact of rapidly rising premiums, or a lack of insurance availability, means small business owners, such as tourism and hospitality operators, struggle to meet licensing and regulatory requirements.

This is forcing many to reconsider their future viability.

Given Australia's reliance on home ownership for economic security, a robust rental market to support jobs, and viable small businesses to support vibrant communities, the effects of extreme weather on insurance availability and affordability are set to affect us all.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The maximum banks have to repay to fraud victims is being dramatically slashed  sparking fury from consumer groups.

Customers who would previously have been reimbursed for up to 415,000 will  under new rules coming into force next month  now see the limit capped at 85,000 after a U-turn from the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR).

Consumer group Which? has accused the PSR of 'caving' to pressure from banks and ministers. Spokesman Rocio Concha urged the regulator to stick with the 415,000 limit, saying: 'The PSR's report is clear  victims of high-value fraud, such as investment scams and house purchases, stand to have their lives destroyed by this screeching U-turn.

A person committing fraud (stock image). Customers who would previously have been reimbursed for up to 415,000 will  under new rules coming into force next month  now see the limit capped at 85,000

A woman who has become a victim of fraud (stock image). Consumer group Which? has accused the PSR of 'caving' to pressure from banks and ministers. Spokesman Rocio Concha urged the regulator to stick with the 415,000 limit

'Yet somehow the regulator's conclusion is that these people should be abandoned to provide a small benefit for parts of the finance industry that have been warned over their role in facilitating financial crime. Having previously ruled out a lower threshold because there would be 'significant harm to victims', the PSR has caved in to pressure from payment firms and ministers.'

Nearly a quarter of all money stolen by fraudsters related to cases where victims lost more than 85,000, according to trade body UK Finance. This means thousands of elderly or vulnerable customers could be left deeply out of pocket.

But the PSR insisted the new cap will still see more than 99 per cent of claims covered.
A CNN host got into a testy exchange about Donald Trump's policies with former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on Wednesday.

Kate Bolduan and Ramaswamy sparred, at times with raised voices, while comparing the political agendas of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

The former GOP candidate, who has turned into a devout surrogate for Trump's campaign since dropping his own bid for the White House, tried to clarify some of the former president's positions as Bolduan accused him of flip-flopping.

Then Ramaswamy tore into Kamala Harris's record of policy changes.

Former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy sparred with CNN host Kate Bolduan on Wednesday morning over Donald Trump's policies

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'To use Kamala Harris's own words against her, as I believe we should, she ran for president favoring a tax on unrealized capital gains, favoring an abolition  her words  to abolish private health insurance, a ban on fracking, bans on offshore drilling,' Ramaswamy said.

'These are the kinds of policies that absolutely are not mainstream for most Americans,' he continued. 'And this is where I do think the debate will be useful.'

He also urged 'greater media scrutiny' of Harris, saying she needs to do more sit-down interviews.

An unamused looking Bolduan then sought to clarify how Harris has changed her mind on policies she previously supported, like banning private health insurance and fracking.

'Those are not her positions,' Bolduan interjected.

Ramaswamy slammed Kamala Harris for previously proposing a ban on private health insurance

The former GOP candidate has also been a popular surrogate for the former president

'Vivek, but on banning private health insurance, [Harris] has said she does not believe that, and she does not believe that now,' the host contended.

'On banning fracking, she has made clear ... that she does not support that anymore.'

Referencing a past CNN interview Harris did, the TV host mentioned how the vice president explained her change of heart.

'I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed,' Harris said last week.

In 2019 during Harris's first bid for the White House, she told voters during a town hall, 'Theres no question Im in favor of banning fracking, and starting with what we can do on day one around public lands.'

During the interview Wednesday, the two often spoke over each other during the exchange, trying to interject their point as the other began to speak.

'If evolving on an issue, if evolving on a position  you can even call it flip-flopping on an issue  if that is now not allowed, if that should be, you know, the death knell to a campaign,' Bolduan added. 'Donald Trump's got issues there.'

Donald Trump said he had decided how he will vote in Florida's upcoming referendum on its newly enacted six-week abortion ban. 'I think six weeks is a mistake,' he said. 'And I'll be expressing that soon, but I want more than six weeks'

The Trump Campaign issued a statement clarifying his position

She specifically noted Trump's recent flip-flop on Florida's abortion ban after six-weeks.

Trump previously said in an interview with DailyMail.com, 'I think it should be more than six weeks.'

The next day the former president indicated he would vote against the Florida measure to expand abortion care.

The Trump campaign seemingly issued a statement on the initiative as a result of the DailyMail.com report.

Ramaswamy then tried to explain the former president's position, saying the ballot measure was crafted in a 'vague' way.
Texas officials have launched a manhunt for a young cheerleader who has been missing since yesterday - and her mother suspects the teen's 'emotionally abusive' boyfriend might be involved.

Ava Phillips, 17, was last seen leaving Angleton High School at around 10 am and getting into a white Toyota Corolla after not attending her fourth-period class.

The teenager's mother, Kailey Perez sounded the alarm after her car was found in the school parking lot with her phone, keys and backpack inside.

Perez also told Sergeant Cory Budnick of the Angleton Police Department that it may be possible that Ava is with her boyfriend and headed to Austin, nearly 200 miles away.

Ava Phillips, 17, was last seen leaving Angleton High School at around 10 am and getting into a white Toyota Corolla after not attending her fourth-period class

She later revealed to Click2Houston that the young teenager had recently been 'trying to distance herself from a boy who had been emotionally abusive towards her'.

Perez also noted that she believes he may know her daughter's current location but has refused to cooperate with the family or police.

It remains unclear if the boyfriend is the same boy that Perez said was emotionally abusive to her daughter. Neither one of them have yet been identified by officials.

'She called me from a blocked number. She sounded scared and I dont think shes in control.

'She told me shed come home, but she hasnt. I just want her home safely. She sounds very scared.

The teenager's mother, Kailey Perez sounded the alarm after her car was found in the school parking lot with her phone, keys and backpack inside

In a Facebook post, officials said that the brown-haired girl was seen wearing a gray crop top, black sweatpants, slippers and in a braid

Perez also noted that she believes the boy may know her daughter's current location but has refused to cooperate with the family or police

'Her voice is very shaky. I dont think that shes in control. I think that someones telling her what to say.

'She's a beautiful, sweet girl who would never run away,' the distressed mother said.

In a Facebook post, officials said that the brown-haired girl was seen wearing a gray crop top, black sweatpants, slippers and in a braid.

The Angleton Police Department is asking the public to contact them at 979-849-2383 with any information that could lead to locating the teenager.
Rishi Sunak fears that the Government's suspension of certain arms exports to Israel may damage Britain's relationship with the US.

The UK, in a break with Washington, has ended around 30 out of 350 export licences because of concerns the weapons could be used in violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza conflict.

Sir Keir Starmer claimed yesterday that Britain's allies 'understand' the move and insisted it was a 'legal not a policy decision'.

But former prime minister Mr Sunak warned that it was important for nations to stand together 'in the face of terrorist threats'.

Rishi Sunak warned that it was important for nations to stand together 'in the face of terrorist threats'

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in the West Bank. The UK, in a break with Washington, has ended around 30 out of 350 export licences because of concerns the weapons

A major diplomatic row has unfolded over Labour's decision  with Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it 'shameful'.

Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, stated that the move 'beggars belief' at a time when 'six hostages murdered in cold blood by cruel terrorists were being buried by their families'.

And another former PM Boris Johnson questioned whether Labour was 'abandoning Israel'.

During Prime Minister's Questions yesterday, Mr Sunak said: 'It is essential that we maintain transatlantic unity in the face of terrorist threats and avoid any perception of splits between our two nations.'

The Tory leader then asked Sir Keir: 'So can he, therefore, update the House or tell the House, what engagement he had with the United States prior to taking this significant decision?'

Sir Keir said he had 'talked this through with our allies, they understand, they have a different legal system, that is the point they have made'.

But Mr Sunak said the decision has 'emotional' consequences and also noted Sir Keir's action was taken on the same day as the funerals of Israeli hostages murdered by Hamas. He added: 'I hope the Prime Minister understands the hurt that has been caused and can he take this opportunity to reassure Israel and the Jewish community that the United Kingdom and this House stands behind Israel and its right to self-defence?'

Sir Keir said he would 'continue to stand by Israel's right to self-defence' and he insisted that it 'isn't an Israel issue, it's the framework for all licences that have to be kept under review, it's the same test for all licences'.

The exchange came after the US refused to follow the UK in suspending arms sales.

US President Joe Biden. The exchange came after the US refused to follow the UK in suspending arms sales

Sir Keir Starmer claimed yesterday that Britain's allies 'understand' the move and insisted it was a 'legal not a policy decision'

According to one report, the US had privately warned Britain against the decision amid concerns it could damage attempts to broker a ceasefire.

One minister also allegedly described the move as an attempt to 'please all sides' that ended up 'p****** everyone off'.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby has said: 'We'll let other nations decide for themselves if they're going to support Israel and to what degree.'

The US state department spokesman Matthew Miller added to that on Tuesday, saying: 'It's not that we disagree with the UK position, it's that the UK makes an assessment based on their legal framework.

'We make an assessment based on our own legal frameworks.'
A bomb threat onboard an American Airlines flight forced a pilot to make an emergency diversion on Wednesday.

The fight from Newark, New Jersey was on its way to Dallas-Fort Worth in Texas Wednesday morning when it diverted to Pittsburgh International Airport in Pennsylvania due to 'possible security issue' after a flight attendant found a bomb threat on the bathroom door, WPXI reports.

It was barely legible, scrawled in pink ink, but the flight attendant was able to see it said, 'there's a bomb onboard.'

The pilot was then notified of the threat and made the decision to detour to Pennsylvania, officials say.

An American Airlines flight from Newark, New Jersey to Dallas-Fort Worth in Texas was diverted to Pittsburgh International Airport Wednesday morning

A flight attendant noticed a bomb threat, written in pink ink, on the bathroom door

The last two passengers to use the bathroom were questioned by the FBI upon landing,

Officials and a K-9 unit also searched the plane for a pink pen - but could not find anything.

As of Wednesday evening, there are no suspects in custody and no indication of when the note was written on the bathroom door.
A young boy has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries after being struck down by a car while riding a scooter.

The 11-year-old was riding on McMahon Grove in Glenwood, north-west Sydney, when he collided with a Toyota Corolla hatchback at about 4.30pm on Wednesday.

The boy suffered serious head injuries and was transported to The Childrens Hospital at Westmead where he remains in a stable condition.

It is not known if the boy was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

The Corolla driver, a 39-year-old woman, was subjected to a roadside breath test, which returned a negative result.

She was not injured in the collision.

Anyone with further information about the incident has been urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

An 11-year-old boy riding a scooter was rushed to hospital after being struck down by a car in Sydney
The path to the Grenfell Tower disaster was set in train by 'decades of failure' by both the state and the corporate sector.

Inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick  across 1,694 damning pages  identified a slew of failures he attributed to serial 'incompetence' and 'dishonesty and greed' by 'unscrupulous' businesses.

Together, this toxic cocktail of malpractice, ignorance and money-driven deception resulted in the tragic deaths of 72 people after a faulty fridge-freezer on the fourth floor of the 24-storey block in Kensington sparked a catastrophic blaze which tore through the building  aided by recently installed flammable cladding.

On Wednesday, more than seven years after the blaze  the most catastrophic residential fire since the Second World War  a root-and-branch public inquiry into what happened finally reached its chilling conclusion.

In the report, Sir Martin wrote: 'The simple truth is the deaths that occurred were all avoidable and that those who lived in the tower were badly failed over a number of years and in a number of different ways by those who were responsible for ensuring the safety of the building and its occupants.'

The Grenfell Tower fire in West London in June 2017 left 72 people dead in a shocking tragedy

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The 72 victims of the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017 are pictured as follows - (top row left to right) Mohammad Al-Haj Ali, Ya-Haddy Sisi Saye, also known as Khadija Saye, Anthony Disson, Khadija Khalloufi, Mary Mendy, Isaac Paulos, Sheila, Gloria Trevisan, Marco Gottardi, (second row left to right) Berkti Haftom, Ali Yarwar Jafari, Majorie Vital, Yahya Hashim, Hamid Kani, Jessica Urbano Ramirez, Zainab Deen, Nura Jemal, Jeremiah Deen, (third row left to right) Yasin El-Wahabi, Firdaws Hashim, Hashim Kedir, Debbie Lamprell, Ernie Vital, Sakina Afrasehabi, Denis Mur-phy, Raymond 'Moses' Bernard, Biruk Haftom, (fouth row left to right) Yaqub Hashim, Mehdi El-Wahabi, Ligaya Moore, Nur Huda El-Wahabi, Victoria King, Mo-hammed Amied Neda, Maria del Pilar Burton, Hesham Rahman, Gary Maunders, (fifth row left to right) Alexandra Atala, Vincent Chiejina, Steve Power, Rania Ibrahim, Fethia Hassan, Hania Hassan, Fathia Ahmed Elsanousi, Abufras Ibrahim (silhouette), Isra Ibrahim (silhouette), (sixth row left to right) Mariem Elgwahry, Eslah Elgwahry (sil-houette), Mohamednur Tuccu, Amal Ahmedin, Amaya Tuccu-Ahmedin, Amna Mahmud Idris, Abdeslam Sebbar (silhouette) , Joseph Daniels (silhouette), Logan Gomes, (seventh row left to right) Omar Belkadi, Farah Hamdan, Malak Belkadi (sil-houette), Leena Belkadi (silhouette), Abdulaziz El-Wahabi, Faouzia El-Wahabi, Fatemeh Afrasiabi, Kamru Miah, Rabeya Begum, (eighth row left to right) Mohammed Hamid, Mohammed Hanif, Husna Begum, Bassem Choukair, Nadia Choucair, Mierna Choucair, Fatima Choucair, Zainab Choucair and Sirria Choucair

'Systemic dishonesty' from manufacturers

The report officially lifted the curtain on the businesses responsible for the cut-price refurbishment of Grenfell Tower in 2016, which saw dangerously flammable polyethylene-cored aluminium cladding panels plastered to the exterior of the high-rise building.

Sir Martin said there had been 'systematic dishonesty' on the part of manufacturers involving 'deliberate manipulation' of the testing processes and 'calculated attempts to mislead' clients into thinking that their products complied with guidance  which in fact advised against their use.

The deadly cladding panels  cited as the main reason why flames shot up the side of the building during the Inquiry's first report, published in 2019  were manufactured by French firm Arconic.

The report officially lifted the curtain on the businesses responsible for the cut-price refurbishment of Grenfell Tower in 2016, which saw dangerously flammable polyethylene-cored aluminium cladding panels plastered to the exterior of the high-rise building. Pictured: A composite photograph showing how the fire swept through Grenfell Tower in 2017

Sir Martin said there had been 'systematic dishonesty' on the part of manufacturers involving 'deliberate manipulation' of the testing processes and 'calculated attempts to mislead' clients into thinking that their products complied with guidance

The product was deemed as a low-cost alternative to rival brands, which appealed to cash-strapped councils.

Yet the firm knew about its potentially catastrophic shortfalls during a failed fire test.

However, it did not disclose that detail and obtained a certificate from the British Board of Agrement (BBA) for its cladding in 2008  effectively falsely giving the doomed product the green light for use in high-rise buildings in the UK.

The inquiry report concluded Arconic and its technical manager Claude Wehrle had 'deliberately and dishonestly concealed' that information.

But he declined to give evidence to Sir Martin's probe. In a scathing assessment, the inquiry chairman wrote: 'If Mr Wehrle had given evidence in person he would have had an opportunity to respond to the suggestion... Nonetheless, the evidence we have seen, which includes his statement, leaves us in no doubt that that is what he did.'

Arconic sales manager Deborah French was found by the inquiry to have failed to pass on information about the products' defects to any of her customers.

Other firms admonished included Celotex, which was responsible for the insulation panels that were installed over most of the tower's facade during the refurbishment, and Irish manufacturer Kingspan, who provided the remainder.

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Celotex  owned by the French giant Saint-Gobain  initially struggled to get its material to pass fire safety tests due to their releasing toxic gas.

But Sir Martin said the British-based company manipulated fire tests to make it erroneously appear as though its insulation boards were safe. They were not.

He said Celotex 'embarked on a dishonest scheme to mislead its customers and the wider market'.

Kingspan was also found to have lied about the credentials of its product.

Tests performed in 2007 and 2008 on systems incorporating the then current form of its K15 panels were 'disastrous'.

A senior employee at Kingsplan told another 'all we do is lie' when discussing criticism that their product was not fire-safe.

Regardless, Kingspan did not withdraw the product from the market.

Certification bodies gave credence to cladding

One of the reasons manufacturers were able to exploit the UK market was due to the veneer of respectability bestowed on their ill-performing products by certification bodies.

The British Board of Agrement (BBA) was the commercial organisation charged with certifying the compliance of products with relevant legislation.

Its certificates were accepted in the industry largely without question, but its procedures for establishing a product's claims were 'neither wholly independent nor rigorous,' the inquiry found.

People receive treatment at the scene of the Grenfell Tower fire in West London in June 2017

The BBA issued misleading certificates to both Arconic and Kingspan for their dodgy products because of its own incompetence and lack of proper system checks.

Sir Martin found the underlying problem was that the BBA failed to manage the conflict between 'the need to act as a commercial organisation in order to attract and retain customers and the need to exercise a high degree of rigour and independence in its investigations in order to satisfy those who might consider relying on its certificates'.

Kingspan also successfully obtained a certificate from the industry body Local Authority Building Control (LABC) that backed up its false claims.

Sir Martin said the LABC was consequently also 'the victim of dishonest behaviours on the part of unscrupulous manufacturers'.

'Seeds of disaster sown' in deregulation

Sir Martin accused David Cameron's coalition government of failing to ensure public safety as it embarked on a programme of deregulation of fire standards.

The report found the Department for Communities and Local Government, which was in charge of building regulations, had been an ardent supporter of cutting bureaucracy  leading to concerns it would pave the way for flammable materials to be used in construction.

Civil servants working for then-Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said they felt unable to raise concerns.

Sir Martin said any fears were 'ignored, delayed or disregarded' by the Government, which had 'failed to discharge' its responsibilities to ensure public safety  even after the Camberwell fire in 2009.

The report said: 'It is disappointing that when officials became aware of matters which posed serious risks to life, effective steps were not taken to draw those risks to the attention of ministersThat is where the seeds of the disaster were sown.'

'Serious deficiencies in refurb oversight'

At regular intervals during the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower, other organisations had the opportunity to stop and intervene.

It did not happen adequately to avert disaster.

Rydon was the lead contractor for the 10 million renovation. But Sir Martin said it was similarly culpable as the manufacturers because of its 'casual attitude' throughout the project, and because it gave 'inadequate thought to fire safety'.

Survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire speak to the media after the publication of the inquiry report

Sir Martin said lead contractor Rydon was similarly culpable as the manufacturers because of its 'casual attitude' throughout the building's renovation project, and because it gave 'inadequate thought to fire safety'

Sir Martin said its systems for managing the design work 'did not ensure that its subcontractors and consultants properly understood their different responsibilities'.

And he said Kent-based Rydon did not understand where responsibility for individual decisions lay and as a result it failed to coordinate the design work properly.

Architects Studio E were responsible for the design of the external wall and the choice of materials used in the renovation.

Sir Martin accused them of bearing 'a very significant degree of responsibility for the disaster', of failing to recognise the aluminium panels were dangerous and that the insulation material was combustible.

Although the local Tenant Management Organisation  who ran Grenfell  wanted to reduce the cost by using aluminium composite material rainscreen panels, Sir Martin said it was the responsibility of Studio E to determine whether the use of such material would enable the building to comply with regulations.

Studio E also failed to recognise that Celotex insulation was combustible and not suitable for use on a building over 18 metres in height in accordance with statutory guidance.

And cladding contractor Harley 'failed in many respects to meet the standards' expected of it, Sir Martin said.

The firm 'did not concern itself sufficiently with fire safety,' he said.

The report found its relationship with Arconic meant it was able to offer the contractors a cost reduction and that the flammable panels would be chosen for purely financial reasons.

Sir Martin said: 'Safety of people in the built environment depends principally on a combination of three primary elements  good design, the choice of suitable materials, and sound methods of construction, each of which depends in turn in a large measure on a fourth  the skill, knowledge and experience of those engaged in the construction industry.

'Unfortunatelyat the time of thefire there were serious deficiencies in all four of those areas.'

'Bullying overlord' dismissed residents

Grenfell Tower was owned by the council, but run by a Tenant Management Organisation (TMO)  and so, of the two, it was the latter which was particularly singled out for criticism by the inquiry report.

The TMO was plagued by a poor approach to carrying out repairs, and hostility towards some of the residents in the 120-apartment block.

Addressing the relationship between Grenfell Tower landlords and residents, the report said: 'We have concluded from all the evidence that, from 2011 to 2017, relations between the TMO and many of the residents of Grenfell Tower were increasingly characterised by distrust, dislike, personal antagonism and anger.

'Some, perhaps many, occupants of the tower regarded the TMO as an uncaring and bullying overlord that belittled and marginalised them, regarded them as a nuisance, or worse, and failed to take their concerns seriously.

Occupants of the tower regarded the Tenant Management Organisation, which ran the building, as an uncaring and bullying overlord that belittled and marginalised them

Bereaved relatives attend a press conference today amid the inquiry's damning report

'For its part, the TMO regarded some of the residents as militant troublemakers led on by a handful of vocal activists, principally Edward Daffarn, whose style they found offensive.

'The result was a toxic atmosphere fuelled by mistrust on both sides.'

When the worst happened, the TMO was catastrophically ill-equipped to deal with it.

The report found its Emergency Plan for Grenfell Tower was out of date and incomplete and did not reflect the changes brought about by the refurbishment.

It also failed to collect crucial information about its vulnerable residents.

It meant that on the night, information available to the TMO about who was in the building and their individual needs in the event of an evacuation was 'incomplete'.

The TMO also employed an under-qualified and inexperienced person, Carl Stokes, to carry out fire risk assessments.

His methods 'suffered from serious shortcomings', including often failing to check whether the TMO had taken action to respond to identified risks.

London Fire Brigade officers had also expressed concerns about his competence, but the TMO 'continued to rely uncritically on him', the report said.

Heroic fire brigade 'gravely' unprepared

The first phase of the inquiry focused on what happened on the night, and found the London Fire Brigade was plagued with 'institutional failures' and its preparation for a Grenfell-style inferno was 'gravely inadequate'.

And it said lives were probably lost because crews and 999 operators wasted 'the best part of an hour' telling the block's occupants to 'stay put' in their flats  before realising the blaze was wildly out of control.

Yesterday's report added that a tower block fire in Camberwell, south London, in 2009 which killed six people when cladding caught fire, 'should have alerted the LFB to the shortcomings in its ability to fight fires in high-rise buildings'.

The report identified that firefighters were unable to distinguish between different types of hydrant while tackling Grenfell, and that there was a lack of proper training in this area.

Sir Martin said it was a 'significant' shortcoming that LFB failed to recognise the possibility that in the event of a fire in a high-rise building, a large number of calls seeking help, both from within and outside the building, might be generated.

Ministers ignored warnings from 90s

Sir Martin's report identified plenty of warning signs about the dangers of external building cladding.

In 1991, residents at Knowsley Heights in Liverpool escaped with their lives after their tower block caught fire.

It had been covered in cladding during a renovation, which blazed when furniture dumped at the base of the building was set alight.

In 1999, a fire swept through another high-rise block of flats in North Ayrshire, Scotland.

A man died and five others were injured, with witnesses reporting the cladding acting as an effective conductor for the blaze.

Sir Martin said the Government 'failed to heed the warning' of the Environment and Transport Select Committee in December 1999 six months after the Ayrshire blaze  that it 'should not take a serious fire in which people were killed before steps were taken to minimise the risks posed by some external cladding systems'.
A woman had her car stolen in broad daylight by a man pretending to be a tow truck driver.

Mako Shanks had parked her car outside the Grand Plaza shopping centre, in Browns Plains, Logan, south of Brisbane, on Tuesday only to discover it missing when she walked out an hour later.

While she was inside the shops, a truck driver had hooked her bronze-coloured Holden Commodore sedan to the back of his unregistered and unmarked truck and simply drove away with it.

A passer-by noticed something was wrong and filmed the Commodore being dragged away.

The Commodore's front bumper was ripped off when the truck swerved and sent the car crashing into a power pole.

Ms Shanks blasted the thief, with her car still missing.

'Get a f***ing job. You're nothing but a low life,' she told Seven News.

'It's heartbreaking because you go to work, sweat your guts out, work for what you got, and some low life takes it.'

A man pretending to be a fake tow truck driver stole a Holden Commodore that was parked outside a shopping centre in Logan, south of Brisbane, on Tuesday

Ms Shanks has filed a police report but her car is yet to be found.

It was last seen on Chambers Flat Road in Browns Plains.

Queensland Police said investigations are continuing.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday that the country had faced one of its darkest days after two ballistic missiles killed at least 51 and injured 219.

The missiles hit a military training centre and a nearby hospital in a central region of Ukraine with Zelensky vowing 'Russian scum will pay for this' following the devastating attack.

Zelensky has remained unshaken in the wake of Russia's attempted invasion of Ukraine over the course of a lengthy two-and-a-half year battle, despite not only his own life, but that of his children, wife, and people being under threat.

His wife, Olena Zelenska, 46, has stood defiantly in the face of war alongside her countrymen, supporting her husband, of over two decades, throughout the conflict.

As the Ukraine continues to battle on amid conflict with Russia, MailOnline takes a look at Ukraine's steadfast First Lady who has stood by her husband's side through it all.

Olena Zelenska, 46, has stood defiantly in the face of war alongside her countrymen, supporting her husband of over two decades throughout the conflict

As the Ukraine continues to battle on amid conflict with Russia , MailOnline takes a look at Ukraine's steadfast first lady who has stood by her husband's side through it all (Pictured in 2010)

Constant support: Olena Zelenska with husband Volodymyr Zelensky and their children, Oleksandra and Kyrylo

Who is Volodymyr Zelensky's wife Olena?

A far cry from her life in hiding from Russian threats, and rarely seeing her husband, Olena, 44, started out as an academically gifted student in her earlier years.

Very little is known about her start in life, besides she was born in May 1978 to he mother Olha Kyiashko in Kryvyi Rih - a Russian-speaking region that was then part of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.

Both she and her brave husband Zelensky were born the same year in the very same town, but even though they went to the same school and shared mutual friends. they didn't meet until they attended university.

An astute and academically gifted student, Olena bagged her place as a student of architecture at the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Kryvyi Rih National University, while her husband-to-be studied law.

According to reports, Olena, who boasts stunning high cheekbones and luscious golden blonde locks, was seeing another man when she first met Zelensky in 1995.

The future president of Ukraine, had already locked in on a future in comedy - even though he was only 17-years-old.

He was part of a local comedy troupe that took part in national competitions and found early acclaim. By 1997, at the age of 19, Zelensky and his peers had won a national title.

The same year he assembled brand new team, called Kvartal 95, which preformed throughout Ukraine - and recruited Olena as writer.

Fashionable First Lady: Olena (in 2021; 2019) has been praised for her sleek wardrobe that champions Ukrainian designers

On the world stage: Prince William and Kate welcome Volodymyr Zelensky and Olena to Buckingham Palace in 2020

Cover girl: Olena appeared on the cover of Vogue Ukraine months after her husband became president and used the platform to introduce her plans to campaign for better school meals. Legislation has since been introduced

Olena was initially reluctant for her husband to enter politics but has risen to the role of Ukraine's First Lady

After meeting at university, Olena decided to support her husband's pursuit of a career in comedy and became a writer for his troupe and production company. His most famous role was as a teacher-turned-politician on hit TV series Servant of the People. Pictured, Zelensky (left) with his fellow cast members in the show

When did Olena and Volodymyr Zelensky get married?

In 1997, Olena and Zelensky's reletionship bloomed further with the pair eventually tying the knot eight years later in 2003.

Whilst Zelensky's career went from strength to strenght, Ukraine's brave first lay shied away from the limelight, rarely making media appearances.

The First Lady's 2022 message of defiance: How Olena Zelenska has remained steadfast in the face of war In the hours after the Russian invasion, Olena took to Instagram to show her support for her people - and reiterate her family's commitment to remaining in Ukraine despite the threat to their lives. 'My dear people! Ukrainians! I'm looking at you all today. Everyone I see on TV, on the streets, on the Internet. I see your posts and videos. And you know what? You are incredible! 'I am proud to live with you in the same country! It is said that many people are a crowd. This is not about us. Because many Ukrainians are not crowds. This is an army! 'And today I will not have panic and tears. I will be calm and confident. My children are looking at me. I will be next to them. And next to my husband. And with you. Love you! I love Ukraine.' Advertisement

She gave birth to their daughter, Oleksandra, in July 2004, and their son, Kyrylo, in January 2013.

However in 2018 - in a case where art truly imitated life - Zelensky put threw his hat in the ring for Ukraine's presidency.

The now leader's most famous role is hit Ukrainian TV series Servant of the People, a political satire that debuted in 2015 and went on for three seasons.

It tells the tale of a history school teacher's 'tirade against government corruption', which goes viral, with Zelensky's character Vasyl Petrovych Holoborodko soon finding himself sitting the president's seat.

However, the decision pushed publicity-shy Olena to the forefront, as she previously revealed she 'aggressively opposed the start' of his bid for leadership.

She told a local television station: 'Because this is a very difficult move; it's not even a project, it's another direction in life.'

She explained her husband initially consulted with members of his inner circle to 'protect' her from the details of his political life before committing to the decision.

Like his character, Zelensky ran on an anti-corruption campaign and trounced the pro-Russia incumbent by taking 73 percent of votes.

Poroshenko lost to the television star across all regions of the country, including in the west where he traditionally enjoyed strong support.

It was an extraordinary outcome to a campaign that started as a joke but struck a chord with voters frustrated by poverty, corruption and a five-year war.

At his campaign HQ, as the exit polls came out, Zelensky said: 'I will never let you down. While I am not formally president yet, as a citizen of Ukraine I can tell all post-Soviet countries: 'Look at us! Everything is possible!'

Olena with her husband at his campaign headquarters during the second round of the election in April 2019

Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska at the polling station during the parliamentary election

The couple at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, weeks after the election and with the Pope in February 2020

Olena, who is known for her polished separates and sleek dresses, flies the flag for Ukrainian designers

Olena delivers a speech at an environmental conference in Kyiv in February 2020

The Ukrainian President and First Lady with President Erdogan of Turkey in February 2022

Olena, speaking in December and June 2021, uses her platform to champion causes close to her heart

The President and First Lady with their daughter, 11, and son, eight, in a delightful family photo shared on Instagram

Olena's life as First Lady of Ukraine

Despite originally shying away from the camera's, Olena put her best foot forward when it came to her new role as First Lady of Ukraine.

Two months after she took on the role, she announced her first initiative in a Vogue Ukraine cover shootr: an overhaul of school meals.

The mother-of-two was successful in introducing legislation to improve the nutritional quality and variety of food, noting proper nutrition was key for a child's development, health and overall wellbeing.

Other projects have included introducing Ukrainian audio guides in leading museums around the world to improve the profile of the language and campaigning for greater accessibility for disabled citizens.

Another cornerstone of Olena's work has been women's rights. She initiated Ukraine's accession to the G7 international initiative on gender equality, the Biarritz Partnership, and has promoted the Ukrainian Women's Congress, a platform that works towards equal rights.

Her steadfast support of her husband and the people of Ukraine has not stopped in the face of adversity as the brutal two-and-a-half year war with Russia continues, despite herself and her children being at risk of Putin's aggressions.

In February 2022, she took to her social media to uplift and extend her thanks to the people of Ukraine in a message of defiance in the face of war.

'My dear people! Ukrainians! I'm looking at you all today,' she wrote.

'Everyone I see on TV, on the streets, on the Internet. I see your posts and videos. And you know what? You are incredible!

'I am proud to live with you in the same country! It is said that many people are a crowd. This is not about us. Because many Ukrainians are not crowds. This is an army!

'And today I will not have panic and tears. I will be calm and confident. My children are looking at me. I will be next to them. And next to my husband. And with you. Love you! I love Ukraine!'

Zelenska revealed she is unable to see her husband, President Volodymyr Zelensky, for long periods and said it was 'not normal' that their kids could only speak to their father on the phone in 2022 (the pair are pictured in Kyiv, May 2022)

Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska attend the funeral of Leonid Kravchuk, independent Ukraine's first president, May 17, 2022

Olena Zelenska, says that the war has not changed her husband, but only revealed his qualities, including a determination to prevail, to the world

Are Olena and Volodymyr Zelensky still together?

Olena and Zelensky's marriage has continued to defy the struggles of war, with the First Lady previously revealing to MailOnline in August their 20-year-marriage was stronger than ever..

She told MailOnline: 'I think we are closer and more tied because we have supported each other the way in which we hoped.

'I think I didn't let him down, and he never lets me down,' she said.

'We don't see each other as often as we would like, so every meeting is a joy. We're never tired of each other, we never bore each other. And it makes the family stronger, too.'

However the war has proved challenging for the couple, who have had to live apart from each other as their country is battered by Russian military.

Whilst they are now able to see each other more frequently than at the beginning of the conflict, there are still adversities they face a usual relationship would not.

Ms Zelenska told MailOnline: 'It's not a normal life for any person to live in a country at war. It's a constant psychological burden and pressure.

'I hope when this pressure is relieved, with our victory, we will be able to stay sane and we'll be fine. However, now I think that we are as close as ever emotionally.

'And we understand each other very well. In fact, it is very important that you can respect your nearest and dearest.

'I am sure love is not enough. And I am happy that I can respect my husband because it would have been very hard to stay with him, even given huge love, if I hadn't believed in his honesty.'

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Lord Ashcroft, Olena revealed the war is ' a constant psychological burden and pressure'

As the conflict continues, the First Lady revealed: 'We don't see each other as often as we would like, so every meeting is a joy'

Olena has never shied away from divulging the challenges in their marriage, having previously revealed the pair at put their relationship 'on pause' in June 2022, as they awaited to be reunited with their children.

Explaining the difficulties of going long periods without seeing her husband, Olena explained at the time that it was 'not normal' for their kids to only speak to their father on the phone.

The pair refused to leave Ukraine when Russian troops stomped across the border on February 24 and have instead remained in Kyiv to lead an exceptional war effort, winning plaudits worldwide for their resolute defiance of Russian despot Vladimir Putin.

'This isn't normal. It's not a normal relationship when children cannot see their father and have to talk to him on the phone. So our relationship is on pause just as it is for all Ukrainians,' she told CNN in 2022.

'We... are waiting to be reunited, to be together again, to spend evenings together, to talk to the children about their things.'

The pair were unable to see each other for the first two months of the war as Russian forces were bearing down on Kyiv and Ukrainian's armed forces were engaged in bitter fighting to repel them from the capital's suburbs.

The president remained in his office in Kyiv surrounded by his deputies and security advisers to lead the war effort, while Zelenska and their children Oleksandra, 20, and Kyrylo, 11, where whisked away to an unknown location.

Once Putin's troops retreated from Kyiv and the bulk of the intense fighting was rekindled in the eastern Donbas region following a Russian retreat from the capital, the couple were reunited for a brief time.

They are still unable to see each other regularly, 'but at least I can physically feel him next to me', Zelenska told CNN.

In another interview with Good Morning America, Olena shared more on the couple's forced separation when the invasion of Ukraine first began.

'We say goodbye to each other the very first day. And over the next two months, we only had a chance to speak via the phone. I'm really proud of the fact that the world has uncovered the true identity of my husband,' Olena said.

At the time of the interview, Olena said it was easier to explain to her older daughter - who was 17 at the time - than her then nine-year-old son, who regularly questioned his fathers whereabouts.

Despite not seeing each other for long spells of time, the First Lady says: 'We understand each other very well'

Her pride in her husband goes hand in hand with her concerns for his safety and the wider family - after he was the target of several assassination attempts

'I believe that the children clearly realised everything from the very first moment,' she said.

'My son, well, he tried to keep himself brave enough and courageous. He kept asking about dad, about what he's doing for the sake of defending the country.'

Ukraine's first lady also said her son had taken to giving his father military advice.

'[My son] is a growing up politologist, he knows everything, he gives us military advice, and to his father as well... What tanks, planes, helicopters we need to buy, what we are lacking.

'What countries help us badly, what countries help us well. He is a military expert, you can talk to him about this for months.'
Republican and Trump-critic Liz Cheney revealed she will vote for Kamala Harris during a shock announcement in a battleground state on Wednesday.

The former congresswoman - who was ousted from her seat after she voted to impeach Trump over January 6 - revealed her pivotal decision on the 2024 presidential race at Duke University.

Cheney insisted that independent-minded voters don't have the "luxury" of sitting on the sidelines or writing in an alternative. While the move did not come as a complete surprise, it was still a stunning statement from the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney.

'Because we are here in North Carolina, I think it is crucially important for people to recognize not only is what I have said about the danger that Trump poses something that should prevent people from voting for him, but I dont believe that we have the luxury of writing in candidates names, particularly in swing states,' Cheney said.

Former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney announced that she is backing Vice President Kamala Harris over Donald Trump

'And as a conservative and as someone who believes in and cares about the Constitution, I have thought deeply about this, and because of the danger that Donald Trump poses, not only am I not voting for Donald Trump but I am voting for Kamala Harris.'

Her statement came days after she telegraphed to the New York Times that she would be making her position known within days.

And she delivered it in a state that Harris hopes to pry away from Trump, who won it in 2020.

Trump surrogates responded by pointing to a Fox News interview when Cheney said Harris had 'embraced the radical left's manifesto'.

Harris made an explicit appeal for Republican support at her convention, and lined up GOP speakers including former Rep. Adam Kinzinger and Stephanie Grisham, the former Trump press secretary.

But Cheney notably did not appear (neither did Beyonce, despite the rumors).

The Harris camp has been reaching out to Cheney and other Republicans in an effort to build support

The Harris camp had reached out to the former Wyoming Republican who has called Trump 'unstable' and 'depraved' and who voted to impeach Trump after January 6.

Another recently retired Republican lawmaker, former Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey, took a different path, announcing this week on CNBC that he would not vote for either Trump or Harris, even while acknowledging the contest was a 'binary choice.'

Harris said in her recent CNN interview that she would put a Republican in the cabinet if elected.

Harris is fighting for Republican support in battleground states, including Pennsylvania, where she and Trump are in a virtual tie.

Harris, meanwhile, has been sending signals to Republicans and Independents that she will chart her own course and not adopt all of President Biden's policies. She sent such a signal Wednesday on Capital Gains tax rates, a longtime fixture of Republican interest, while also saying she would continue to provide U.S. arms to Israel and would sign a bipartisan border deal.

The Trump campaign hit back with a clip of Cheney dissing Harris when Biden named her to the ticket, calling he someone whose 'voting record in the Senate is to the left of Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.'
So big that it was cut into nine major stones, the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond was definitely the find of the century.

Unearthed in a mine in South Africa in 1905, it was given as a gift to King Edward VII two years later.

And that is why that the two largest stones from the Cullinan are now at the heart of the Crown Jewels.

Cullinan I - the 530.4-carat Great Star of Africa - was mounted into the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross in 1911 and has remained there ever since.

And the 317.4-carat Cullinan II, often called the Second Star of Africa, sits in the Imperial State Crown.

Other smaller cuts from the Cullinan also feature in the royal jewellery collection.

One find that won't be seen at a Coronation any time soon is the 2,492-carat diamond - the second largest ever discovered - that was found in Botswana last month.

Cullinan I - the 530.4-carat Great Star of Africa - was mounted into the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross in 1911 and has remained there ever since. Above: King Charles III holding the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross and wearing the Imperial State Crown during his Coronation

So big that it was cut into nine major stones, the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond was definitely the find of the century. Unearthed in a mine in South Africa in 1905, it was given as a gift to King Edward VII two years later

King Edward VII had the Cullinan cut by Joseph Asscher & Company of Amsterdam. As well as the nine major parts, there were 96 minor brilliant stones.

The Great Star of Africa was so big that the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross had to be reinforced and strengthened so that it could hold its weight.

The sceptre is held by the monarch during their coronation and features a heart-shaped gold case around the stone.

It represents good governance and the sovereign's temporal power.

The Cullinan II features at the front of the Imperial State Crown, underneath the Black Prince's Ruby.

It features at the front of the regal headpiece, underneath the Black Prince's Ruby.

King Charles most recently wore the crown at the State Opening of Parliament in July.

His Majesty also wore it during after his Coronation in May last year, when he left Westminster Abbey for the procession to Buckingham Palace.

The 317.4-carat Cullinan II, often called the Second Star of Africa, sits in the Imperial State Crown. Above: King Charles III wearing the Imperial State Crown during the State Opening of Parliament this year

And following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, the crown was poignantly placed on the late monarch's coffin during her funeral procession through the streets of London from the Abbey.

Aside from Cullinan I and II, other parts of the stone were also used for royal jewellery too and were part of the late Queen Elizabeth's private collection.

Cullinans III and IV were joined together to create a dazzling brooch.

They were passed down to the Queen from Queen Mary, her grandmother, and weigh 94.4 carats and 63.6 carats respectively.

The pair of jewels were set into Queen Mary's Crown, which was worn by Camilla during the Coronation last year.

Another piece of the large stone - 18.8-carat Cullinan V - was used by Queen Mary in another large brooch.

It was later set into a smaller piece, worn by Elizabeth and then was put into Queen Mary's Crown for Camilla.

In 1908, King Edward VII bought the 11.5-carat Cullinan VI for his wife.

It was later worn as a brooch by Elizabeth when she was younger, with the marquis-cut making it an attractive design.

One find that won't be seen at a Coronation any time soon is the 2,492-carat diamond - the second largest ever discovered - that was found in Botswana last month

The nine stones that Cullinan was cut into, from the top left: Cullinan II, I, III, IX, VII, V, IV, VI, VIII

Cullinan III and IV were often worn in a brooch by Queen Elizabeth when she was younger

An 11.50-carat, marquise-cut stone, Cullinan VI was purchased in 1908 by King Edward as a gift for his wife, Queen Alexandra, and she generally wore it as the pendant to Cullinan VIII

The heart-shaped Cullinan V set in a brooch worn by Queen Elizabeth. It was originally made for Queen Mary to wear

The late Queen Elizabeth wearing the Cullinan V brooch in 2016

The late Queen is pictured wearing her Delhi Durbar necklace, which features the Cullinan VII, for a state banquet in Singapore in 1989

The Cullinan VII is an 8.8-carat marquise-cut diamond set as a pendant hanging from the diamond and emerald-set Delhi Durbar necklace

One of the smaller pieces - Cullinan VII - is 8.8 carats and was worn by the Queen in her personal collection as a hanging pendant in her Delhi Durbar necklace.

The smallest stone out of the nine, Cullinan IX, was worn in a ring by Queen Mary.

When the mammoth Cullinan was first discovered, it was nearly dismissed as rubbish.

But once its value was realised, it was moved out of South Africa and shipped to Britain, before being gifted to King Edward VIII.

Gemologist Sir William Crooks suspected that the enormous stone was actually once part of a bigger diamond.
Fans of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings needn't look any further for their dream property.

Mother-of-five Carol Cavendish has run North Shire, a holiday accommodation and wedding business in Liverton, near Saltburn in the North East since 2010 and is ready for a new challenge.

The entire site, spanning over four acres, is now up for sale via Parker Barras for 1,250,000.

Selling: Mother-of-five Carol Cavendish is parting ways with holiday business North Shire

Carol told This is Money: 'We took over North Shire in 2010 and began planning how we would turn it into a magical wonderland.

'Right from an early age, books and reading have always been important to me  I used them to escape, particularly during stressful periods in my life.

'I've avidly read all the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings books, not just once, but several times over. I would dare anybody to beat me in a Harry Potter quiz!'

Carol added: 'I've put everything into North Shire over the years and I've enjoyed indulging my own love of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings by styling the accommodation as close as I could to the book descriptions, even down to sourcing stained glass windows and Hagrid-style paraphernalia.

'The cottages have continued to be popular with people keen to step into their dream fiction.

'Together with the success of the wedding barn it has been very satisfying but now I'm ready to hand over the keys to new hands and move on to new plans to create more magic ahead.'

Inspired: The Dorm at North Spire is inspired by Hogwarts' Gryffindor dormitory

Fantasy: North Shire - featuring its own hobbit hole - is on sale via Parker Barras for 1,250,000

Carol is writing a children's novel, which she's hoping will be published next year, and later on, turned into a film. She is also exploring the possibility of renovating other older buildings in the area.

Carol told This is Money she will miss seeing the smiles on people's faces coming to stay in one of the cottages or holding a wedding at the venue.

What's on offer at North Shire?

Detail: Every last detail at North Shire has been inspired by Carol's love of reading and design

Magic: North Shire comes with its own fully-equipped wedding venue for up to 450 people

Relaxing: Carol told This is Money she'll miss seeing people smile as they arrive at the property

Scope: North Shire is laden with possibility and comes with planning permission for a further six hobbit-themed huts

North Shire is located on the edge of the North York Moors National Park. It comes equipped with Hogwarts and Hobbit-themed cottages.

There's the Shire House which mimics a subterranean hobbit abode, the Dormitory inspired by the Hogwarts' Gryffindor dormitory and the Groundkeeper's Cottage, based on Hagrid's Hut in the Harry Potter books.

As well as three themes cottages, the property comes with seven shepherd's huts, one more self-catering cottage styled like a French chateau, five static caravan pitches, a fairy-tale themed wedding barn which can host up to 450 guests and the owner's three-bedroom cottage.

North Shire also has planning permission for a further six hobbit-themed huts for buyers wanting to expand the Lord of the Rings connection.
Whether it's a Labrador, Pug or Chow Chow, most owners have proclaimed their dog a 'clever boy' or girl at some point.

But for a genuinely 'gifted' dog, there are two key signs to look for, according to a new study.

Researchers from Eotvos Lorand University say that the first sign is their ability to remember the names of hundreds of objects.

But for them to be considered truly 'gifted', they must also be able to remember some names for at least two years.

According to the researchers, Border Collies are most likely to have these 'special' talents.

Whether it's a Labrador, Pug or Chow Chow, most owners have proclaimed their dog a 'clever boy' or girl at some point. But for a genuinely 'gifted' dog, there are two key signs to look for, according to a new study

Research has already shown that a small number of dogs known as gifted word learners (GWL) have a unique ability to memorise the names of hundreds of objects.

Now, experts have discovered a small group of Border Collies who can remember some of these names for at least two years.

And the hope is that the talented dogs could help scientists understand more about how animals other than humans retain their memories.

Dr Claudia Fugazza, the head of the research group at Eotvos Lorand University in Hungary, said: 'We know that dogs can remember events for at least 24 hours and odours for up to one year but this is the first study showing that some talented dogs can remember words for at least two years.'

Research has already shown that a small number of dogs known as gifted word learners (GWL) have a unique ability to memorise the names of hundreds of objects

For the study, the team analysed the behaviour of five Border Collies - Gaia, Max, Whiskey, Squall and Rico.

These GWL dogs had learned and remembered the names of multiple toys and were tested again two years on.

The researchers said that 'remarkably' four out of five dogs remembered the names of between 60-75 per cent of the toys after two years, with Gaia performing the best.

As a group, the dogs' performance averaged at 44 per cent correct choices, which is significantly above chance level, the team added.

Dr Shany Dror, lead researcher of the study, said: 'We waited two years and then decided to test the dogs again, to see if they still remembered the toy names.

'Because such a long time has passed some of the owners lost a few of the toys. Thus, three dogs were tested on 12 toys, one dog on 11 and one dog on five.

'After two years, we all had a hard time remembering the names of toys. But not the dogs! They did not seem to struggle.'

The research is part of a project known as the Genius Dog Challenge and the scientists are urging owners who believe their dogs know multiple toy names to contact them via email to info@geniusdogchallenge.com.

Dr Fugazza added: 'The findings of our current study cannot be generalised to other dogs because we only tested GWL dogs, individuals that show a special talent for acquiring object words.'
It was long thought to be a myth and dismissed by big tech companies.

But experts have revealed how listening into your conversations has become a multi-billion dollar industry.

Earlier this week, a leak from a leading marketing firm appeared to confirm how companies use microphones on your smart devices to eavesdrop before selling the data to advertisers.

'You can be talking to one of your friends about going on a vacation to Portugal through a phone call, and then a day later or that same day, what do you see? An advertisement for a trip,' data security expert Andy LoCascio told DailyMail.com.

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 leak last week came from a pitch deck given by CMG, a marketing partner of Facebook, Amazon and Google.

The deck - which appears to have been made for prospective clients - detailed CMG's 'Active-Listening,' software, which collects data from people by listening in on their conversations.

Active-Listening software can be enabled through any app on an Android or iPhone, and other devices like smart home assistants can listen in too, LoCacio said.

What's more, these devices are listening practically all the time, not just when you're intentionally using your microphone to make a phone call or talk to Alexa, for example.

'For most devices, there is no device state when the microphone is inactive. It is nearly always active when Siri is present on the device or any other voice activated assistant is present,' LoCascio said.

Companies that want to capture your voice data and sell it often gain access to your microphone through apps.

Typically, apps are granted permission to use your microphone through a clause 'buried in the myriad of permissions you accept when installing a new app,' he added.

That means that many users are consenting to being tapped without even realizing it.

'The problem is, the form of consent is an all-or-nothing Faustian bargain,' data privacy expert and consultant Sharon Polsky said.

'So many websites say 'we collect information from you and about you. If you use our website, you've consented to everything that we do.' You have no way of opting out,' she added.

LoCascio explained that this is how CMG and other companies are getting away with this even in states with wiretapping laws that prohibit recording somebody without their knowledge, like California.

'To be perfectly clear, there are no laws about this. If we give somebody permission to use the microphone on our device, and we click off all the other terms of service that none of us ever read, they can certainly use it,' LoCascio said.

That lack of protective legislation has 'created an entire data broker industry that's now worth billions,' Polsky said.

Google, Amazon and Facebook are explicitly touted as CMG clients, but these tech giants have denied that they are using CMG's Active-Listening software

This industry's rapid growth is owed partly to the development of highly sophisticated large language models, like Chat GPT.

These extremely powerful AI tools have made it easier and faster for advertisers or other third parties to mine our voice data for valuable information, LoCascio noted.

'All I have to do is take one of those transcripts, drop it in the ChatGPT box, and then ask it a simple question. Like, 'please tell me what product and services I could market to somebody based on this conversation,' he explained.

Once that voice data is captured, it can be sold to advertisers to direct and inform their targeted marketing. But it can also be sold to other clients, who could be using it for entirely different reasons.

'They could be capturing those conversations for anything,' LoCascio said.

'It's one thing to say they're doing it for ads, and they can claim that, but they sell that information blindly to other people. And they don't scrub it, so they basically sell an audio transcript,' he added.

Other examples of voice data purchasers include insurance companies, for the purpose of creating personalized insurance rates, and the federal government, Polsky said.

'One of the purchasers of our information - information about us - everything from our opinions, our predilections, our associations, our travel routes, is the government,' she said.

And there are other insidious entities that want to get their hands on our voice data too, such as 'people from the dark web that want to profit from scamming us,' Polsky said.

That means that sharing your social security number or other sensitive personal details could put you at risk of identity theft, LoCascio said.

CMG is 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.

CMG did not respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

The leaked deck details the six-step process that the company's Active-Listening software uses to collect consumers' voice data through seemingly any microphone-equipped device.

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.

As for whether legislators will move to protect the public from this kind of surveillance, LoCascio said it's highly unlikely and probably would not make a meaningful difference anyway.

Turn off an app's mic access in just 3 steps

Step 1: Open the settings app on your phone. Step 2: Scroll to the app that you would like to change the settings for and click on it. This will open a menu that allows you to see everything that app has permission to access. Step 3: If the app has access to your microphone, you will see 'microphone' listed with a toggle on-off button next to it. Toggle that button OFF to ensure that the app can't use your mic. Advertisement

'They can write all the laws they want, but the bottom line is that we all indemnify them the moment we go and click, 'yes, I approve of whatever your terms of service are,'' he continued.

That's why it's important for device users to understand the privacy risks that come with skimming through an app's Terms and Conditions and blindly accepting.

To prevent your voice data from getting captured and sold, LoCasio recommended going through all your apps and deleting everything that you don't regularly use.

Once you have trimmed down your apps, go through the ones that are left and think critically about which ones you trust to have access to your microphone, and which ones you don't.

For the ones you don't, change the settings to prevent them from accessing your mic. That should stop them from potentially eavesdropping on your conversations.

And if you downloaded an app for a specific purpose and it's no longer needed, delete it, LoCascio said.

If you granted microphone access when you downloaded it, letting it sit unused on your phone gives it ample time to begin listening to your conversations at any point.

Polsky added that it's best to keep your phone and other devices turned off when you're not using them.

And at the end of the day, educating yourself about the privacy risks associated with your devices is most important, she said.

'Nowadays, you can't trust anybody,' LoCascio said.
An artifact described as one of the most important archaeological finds of all time will soon be on display in the US.

The Tel Dan Stele, a stone inscribed with ancient Hebrew, is the earliest known archaeological evidence of the existence of King David, a king of ancient Israel.

The monument fragment is being sent loaned from The Israel Museum to Oklahoma's Herbert W. Armstrong College from September 22 through November 25 as part the 'Kingdom of David and Solomon Discovered' exhibit.

The Tel Dan Stele, discovered in 1993, is set to be on display at a college in Oklahoma starting this month

Exhibit curator Brad Macdonald said: 'This is a colossal honor for Oklahoma and the Armstrong Foundation.

'This artifact provides an extraordinary snapshot into biblical history and is possibly Israel's most important archaeological discovery ever.

'This is only the second time the stele has been to America.'

The Tel Dan Stele was discovered in 1993 and carbon dating puts its creation somewhere in the late ninth century BC.

The large rock features several lines of text describing the victory of an Aramean king over a 'king of the House of David.'

The writings corroborate passages from the Hebrew Bible.

For centuries, scholars had either dismissed King David as mythological figures, or disputed the era in which they ruled over the Israelites, as told in the Bible.

'The discovery of the stele caused an earthquake in the archaeological community,' Macdonald said.

'It vanquished the common belief that King David was a fictional character and bolstered the credibility of the Bible as a valuable historical source.

'This is just one reason that it is one of the most important archaeological discoveries ever found.'

Archaeologists believe the stone slab confirms the existence of King David who is said to have been a shepherd boy who became Israel's third and most crucial king around 1000 BC when he united all the tribes of Israel under a single monarch

The large rock dates to the late ninth century BC and features several lines of text describing the victory of an Aramean king over a 'king of the House of David'

David is said to have been a shepherd boy who became Israel's third and most crucial king around 1000 BC when he united all the tribes of Israel under a single monarch.

The Bible also states that Mary, Jesus's mother, was a descended of David's son Nathan.

David was the first king of a united Israel and the founder of a dynasty, according to the Old Testament's Books of Samuel.

However, the most popular Biblical story is about David defeating the giant Goliath using only a stone and a sling.
A newly discovered asteroid is set to hit Earth today when it strikes the atmosphere over the Philippines.

The asteroid is currently will hit speeds of 39,000 miles per hour when it streaks through the sky at 12:45pm ET.

However, the relatively small, three-foot asteroid is predicted to burn up in the atmosphere, with what remains crashing into the sea.

Because of its immense speed, the asteroid is expected to shine bright, bursting into a bright fireball that can be seen by people in the Philippines at 12:46 a.m. local time.

The asteroid, called CAQTDL2, is three feet in diameter and is expected to shine as bright as the moon as it enters the Earth's atmosphere

The asteroid (pictured) was spotted eight hours before it's due to hit Earth, making it the ninth time an object has been accurately discovered before it entered the atmosphere

The NASA-funded Catalina Sky Survey, a project that tracks near-Earth objects, spotted CAQTDL2 early Wednesday.

It was detected eight hours before it is due to hit the earth, which is only the ninth time scientists have accurately reported an asteroid before it struck.

Jacqueline Fazekas at the Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona discovered the asteroid and posted photos as it approached the atmosphere.

Alan Fitzsimmons at Queen's University Belfast in Ireland told New Scientist that the speed at which the asteroid will hit Earth is not unusual.

'Don't be fooled by Hollywood movies where you can see the thing coming screaming through the sky and you've got time to run out the house, get the cat, jump in the car and drive somewhere. You don't have the time to do that,' he said.

Scientists have assured that the asteroid's small size means it will not do any damage when it hits the ground and there is no need for people to evacuate the area.

The European Space Agency (ESA) confirmed the asteroid will strike near Luzon Island in a post on X, adding that 'the object is harmless, but people in the area may see a spectacular fireball!'

The asteroid is expected to strike to the east of the Philippines on Wednesday at about 12:45 EST

According to a 2017 study, only asteroids that span at least nearly 60 feet in diameter are potentially lethal if they heading toward Earth.

The early sighting of the incoming asteroid is unique in that very few have been spotted before they entered Earth's atmosphere, but experts reported that this could be a sign of things to come.

'The really positive aspect about this is that the survey telescopes are now good enough to spot these things coming in and give us a bit of warning,' Fitzsimmons told New Scientist.

This indicates that if a major space rock were to strike the planet and posed a threat to humans, scientists would have ample time to warn people to leave the area.

'So this actually is a really nice demonstration that the current survey systems are doing a very good job' Fitzsimmons continued.

'We're probably averaging about one small asteroid detected before it hits the atmosphere every year now, and the survey systems are only getting better.'

The ESA added in its post that 'this detection is actually great news! This is ... a sign of our improving planetary defense capabilities.'
It's commonly associated with dogsbut cats play fetch too, according to a study.

Researchers have discovered four in 10 cats also enjoy retrieving toys and objects for their owner, with breeds that have links to the Far East most likely to want to play.

An online survey of more than 8,000 cat owners revealed that 41 per cent reported their cat would sometimes, frequently or always retrieve items that they threw - significantly higher than previous estimates.

Scientists found that cats are more likely to display fetching behaviour if they are generally more active and playful, and if they live indoors.

Although cats of all breeds sometimes engage in fetching, it is more common in Burmese, Siamese and Tonkinese cats, they discovered.

Researchers have discovered four in 10 cats also enjoy retrieving toys and objects for their owner, with breeds that have links to the Far East most likely to want to play (stock image)

These breeds originated from cats that were taken to the Far East early during cat domestication, making them genetically distinct from other cat breeds.

Meanwhile, of nearly 74,000 dog owners surveyed, 78 per cent said their pooch would sometimes, frequently or always attempt to fetch sticks, balls or other objects.

They found the dogs that fetch tend to also have a higher overall trainability score.

Fetching was reported for most dog breeds, but some including labradors, golden retrievers, border collies and English cocker spaniels were more likely to engage in the behaviour.

Overall, dog breeds that were developed to herd livestock or as hunting companions are more likely to fetch than other breeds, they found.

Fetching was reported for most dog breeds, but some including labradors, golden retrievers, border collies and English cocker spaniels were more likely to engage in the behaviour (stock image)

The survey also showed that in both cats and dogs, fetching behaviour was less common in females, older animals and individuals with health conditions.

The researchers, from Purdue University in America, said: 'Although cats and dogs are very different in many aspects of their behaviour and in how they ended up being companion animals, we find it fascinating that so many of them share this very interesting behaviour - fetching!

'We hope that our study will encourage further exploration of how fetching is related to play, hunting and social interactions in both cats and dogs.'

Although fetching shows many similarities to natural hunting behaviour, the results suggest that it is more closely related to play than predation, the authors said.

The domestication process selected for many juvenile behaviours to be retained into adulthood, and this might also have been the case for playful fetching behaviours that would have helped wild animals learn how to hunt.

The findings were published in the journal Plos One.
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Hey Upper East Siders, this just in theres a new It Girl hitting the streets of New York, and its name is Aspinal of London.

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Aspinal of London, the luxury bag brand that has caught women's eyes everywhere, including Kate Middleton, Gigi Hadid, and Selena Gomez  just released a new collection inspired by all things NYC. The Hudson Collection features four iconic chic bags ranging in colors and sizes that any New York girl would fight to have on their arm. As fall approaches full steam, we predict that these bags will be on every street corner from the Bronx to Brooklyn and beyond before we know it, so do not miss your chance to snatch one before they sell out.

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Water, water everywhere  and in the case of the Derbyshire spa town of Buxton deep in the Peak District  theres more than a drop to drink.

In fact its just about impossible to escape the sound of ancient springs bubbling 5,000ft below.

Not least thanks to St Anns Well, located opposite our hotel.

This natural warm spring runs with rhythmic repetition around the clock, providing a free source of Buxtons famous natural rich water to anyone who fancies filling up their bottle (some come from around the world to do so).

Its a bit warm, says my husband. Well, it is thermal.

Angela Epstein explores the Derbyshire spa town of Buxton, nestled in the Peak District. Above is the town's River Wye

Angela stays at Buxton Crescent hotel, which has a chemical-free pool filled with mineral waters plus a rooftop pool (pictured)

Buxton Crescent hotel is a Grade I-listed, Georgian building built by the 5th Duke of Devonshire in the 1780s

We find (and hear) yet more water at the fountains curving around Buxton Crescent, a Grade I-listed, Georgian building built by the 5th Duke of Devonshire in the 1780s as a centrepiece for the fashionable Georgian spa town.

Within walking distance is the Grade-II listed Victorian Pump Room, purpose-built in 1894 for visitors to take the waters, and which is a useful place to start as it is now home to the towns visitor centre.

You cant even escape the water during a spot of retail therapy. The Cavendish Shopping Arcade, a hub of independent shops selling boutique clothes, jewellery, locally sourced food and more is housed in a former Victorian thermal baths, where original features are still on display including the plunge pool and a chair used to lower people into the healing waters.

Angela visits St Ann's Well (seen above), a historic well that provides Buxtons famous natural rich water for free

Rich history: The Buxton Opera House (seen above) is one of the UK's leading provincial theatres, reveals Angela

As for nightlife, one of the countrys leading provincial theatres, the Buxton Opera House, features a lively programme of plays and concerts.

The town also hosts the annual Buxton International Festival (buxtonfestival.co.uk) and International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival (gsfestivals.org).

About a mile to the south, you can explore Pooles Cavern, a great carboniferous limestone cave prickling with strange formations formed over millions of years  one of the big local draws.

However, if youre on the claustrophobic side, as I am, there are plenty of hiking trails around the area too, not least in Grin Low Woods, which is peppered with wooden sculptures.

Weary and footsore, we return to our hotel, soak our bones in Buxtons healing waters and retire to bed to the sound of flowing springs as they lull us to sleep with their eternal babble.

Where to stay

The Buxton Crescent Hotel and Spa has a chemical-free pool filled with rich mineral waters plus a rooftop pool. Rooms are spacious and airy. Doubles cost from 180 a night B&B (ensanahotels.com).
Colin From Accounts (BBC2)

Rating:

Dont believe what your eyes tell you  Colin, the border terrier with the wheels on his back end, might look like the cutest dog on telly, but its all done with camera trickery.

The credits at the end of the first episode, as the hilariously argumentative Aussie sitcom Colin From Accounts returned, reveal the star is played by two identical animals: Zac and Buster.

Yes, Colin has a stunt double!

If you missed the first series last year, youve got a treat waiting for you on iPlayer. This romantic comedy, created by its husband-and-wife stars Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall, started strongly and just gets funnier.

Lonely medical student Ashley and bone-idle bar owner Flash Gordon met when she flirtatiously flashed a boob at him on a road crossing, as he drove to work  distracting him so much that he ran over a stray dog. How about that for a set-up?

Pictured left to right: Ashley portrayed by Harriet Dyer, Colin the dog and Gordon portrayed as Patrick Brammall

The comedy starring husband-and-wife duo Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall (Pictured in season one ) 'started strongly and just gets funnier' according to CHRISTOPHER STEVENS

Stricken with guilt, they scraped together 12,000 Australian dollars (6,200) to pay the vets bill, and ended up living together. The dog was christened Colin, because his doleful eyes and unkempt moustache gave him the air of a middle manager in the accounts department.

In a wobbly moment, they allowed a couple with a young daughter to adopt him  and now they will do anything to get him back.

Clearly, new owners Angus and Phoebe dont deserve Colin. Theyve renamed him Peppy, which is a stupid name for a pet who cant walk without stabilisers.

Worse than that, their eight-year-old daughter is called Berlin, which conjures up sex bars and concrete bunkers. Thats a name for a neo-Nazi drag queen, not a schoolchild.

Since it first aired Down Under in 2022, Colin From Accounts has achieved a cult following. This is bound to attract A-list cameos, and Hollywood actor Kevin Bacon was the first to sign up with a birthday video message for one of Gordons co-workers, Brett.

Brett, its time to move out of your parents house, urged Kevin. When I was your age, I had kids, dude. I was a grown up. Brett knew his mum and dad had paid for the message, but he was still flattered.

The first eight-part series saw their complex characters brought together following a fateful car accident and an injured dog (Pictured)

Pretty cool, he mused. But its my home as much as it is theirs. Gordon asked if he was paying rent. Not the point, Brett insisted.

Part of the shows appeal is its inimitable Antipodean mixture of laidback laziness and loud indignation. Australians have two modes  shaking their fists or shrugging their shoulders. Random aggression can erupt at any moment, even in the middle of a safety talk in a hospital.

Gordon and Ashley almost came to blows with Colins adoptive owners, before a smiling jogger trotted over to spread some cosmic calm. On such a beautiful day? he beamed. No, you must smile. Enjoy this moment at every moment.

Seconds later, he was run over by a truck. Heartless, I know, but that made me bellow.
Gemma Arterton oozed glamour on This Morning on Wednesday as she showed off her legs in thigh-skimming miniskirt and sequinned top.

The English actress, 38, wore a silk-look, dark blue, slightly oversized skirt suit, and she rolled up its sleeves.

Gemma looked in high spirits as she posed with fans outside the studio, located in White City, London.

She matched her shirt perfectly to her earrings and she showcased her long legs in sheer black tights.

Gemma, who first found fame in cult film St. Trinians, finished her look with a sexy pair of black stilettos.

Gemma Arterton, 38, oozed glamour on This Morning on Wednesday as she showed off her legs in thigh-skimming miniskirt and sequinned top

The English actress wore a silk-look, dark blue, slightly oversized skirt suit, and she rolled up its sleeves

Gemma looked in high spirits as she posed with fans outside the studio, located in White City, London

On the show, Gemma discussed her new film The Critic, which debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023.

Her period thriller film, distributed by Lionsgate, will now enjoy a UK release date of September 13.

The Critic follows an actress (Gemma) in 1934 London, who finds herself in a dark situation involving a gay theatre critic (Sir Ian McKellen) and his paper's editor (Mark Strong).

The film is based on the 2015 novel Curtain Call by Anthony Quinn and was written by Patrick Marber.

Anand Tucker directs. The Thai-born director has not directed a film since 2010's poorly received romantic comedy Leap Year, starring Amy Adams.

The Critic was produced by the late Bill Kenwright and also stars Mark Strong, Lesley Manville, and Alfred Enoch.

On Monday night, Gemma cut a chic figure as she joined her co-stars 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.

She matched her shirt perfectly to her earrings and she showcased her long legs in sheer black tights

Gemma first found fame in cult film St. Trinians, one of the highest-grossing British independent films

At the This Morning studios, she posed against the programme's advertising boards

As she waited to go on, she crossed her legs and rested her hands on her knees, sitting on a deep dark green sofa

On the show, Gemma discussed her new film The Critic, which debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023

Her period thriller film, distributed by Lionsgate, will now enjoy a UK release date of September 13

The Critic follows an actress (Gemma) in 1934 London, who finds herself in a dark situation involving a gay theatre critic (Sir Ian McKellen) and his paper's editor (Mark Strong)

The film is based on the 2015 novel Curtain Call by Anthony Quinn and was written by Patrick Marber

Gemma recently said that she believed her The Critic co-star Ian McKellen taking a break after his awful for was 'a good thing'

Gemma laughed with This Morning mainstays Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley

Gemma and her The Critic co-stars Ian McKellen and Mark Strong at the film's European premiere on Monday

On Tuesday, Gemma told The One Show that Ian, 85, taking a career break after his horrible fall is a 'good thing' as he works 'non-stop'.

Ian said he was 'looking to take the rest of the year off' after fell off the Noel Coward Theatre stage in June during a Player Kings fight scene.

Gemma said: 'He has such an energy and zest, and loves his work and loves life. So, taking two months off, is what normal people would do, you know? But, just honestly, it was one of the biggest privileges of my working career, working with him.

'He is just the loveliest, warmest, but he pinches himself every day that he's still able to do this job, it's mad to think that because he's so brilliant. He's an icon, he's so down to earth and grateful to be there, and that's why I guess he still works all the time. He just loves the work and he's a lovely man.'
Only Murders In The Building has been renewed for a fifth season at Hulu.

The popular crime show, which stars Steve Martin, Selena Gomez and Martin Short, will have 10 episodes, according to Variety.

Season four debuted last week and will run until October 29.

This season the leads move from New York City to Hollywood to work on a movie about how their podcast was created.

Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria and Zach Galifianakis will play the detective trio in the movie.

Meryl Streep who is back in her old role, and new faces like Melissa McCarthy and Molly Shannon.

Also onboard is Richard Kind and Kumail Nanjiani.

Only Murders In The Building has been renewed for a fifth season at Hulu

The popular crime show, which stars Steve Martin, Selena Gomez and Martin Short, will have 10 episodes, according to Variety

There is a murder to solve as well, of course, as every season involves a murder the pals have to figure out.

Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch), who is Charles' stunt double, has been killed.

But they think that the murder was meant for Charles, not Sazz. Now the three sleuths want to track down the killer.

Only Murders in the Building Season 4 premiered on Hulu on August 27.

Unlike previous seasons, episodes will air on a weekly basis rather than all at once.

'New season. New case. Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez return for Season 4 of #OMITB. August 27. Streaming on Hulu and with Hulu on Disney+ for Disney Bundle subscribers,' it read on Hulu's Instagram page.

In May the first teaser was shared for Only Murders In The Building.

Gomez as well as Martin and Short stepping out of an elevator inside their apartment building.

Zach Galifianakis, Eva Longoria and Eugene Levy will play the detective trio in the movie

The three pals experience several surprises once they land in Southern California

There is a murder to solve as well. Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch) is Charles' stunt double. But an attack meant for Charles killed Sazz

Now the three sleuths want to track down the killer

The former Disney channel star - who portrays the character of Mabel - could be seen in a glittering, gold dress as she talked to both Steve (Charles) and also Martin (Oliver).

'So, what's next podcast wise?' she asked, with Martin replying with, 'What we need, is a, hot fresh, dead body. Preferably, right here or very near to here.'

The scene then jumped to Lynch's dead body after being killed - which occurred at the very end of the third season.

'Somewhere lay a sniper's nest,' Short could be heard saying in a different scene. 'You know this is happening. We might as well just start,' he told Steve.

Only Murders in the Building Season 4 premiered on Hulu on August 27

Here the trio is seen in Beverly Hills in a teaser shared in May

The clip then cut to Selena reading out a message she received on her phone.

'I just got an email that a Hollywood studio wants to make a movie about our podcast.'

Martin, who was sitting on the floor, excited stood up and exclaimed, 'The pictures? Pack your bags b****es! We are going to the movies!'

Text on the screen appeared over different shots of Los Angeles and teased fans: 'Get ready for the starriest season yet.'

Other celebrities include Meryl Streep, Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria, Melissa McCarthy, Zach Galifianakis, Molly Shannon, Kumail Nanjiani, Richard Kind, Michael Curil Creighton and Da'Vine Joy Randolph

A montage of Selena, Steve and Martin attempting to solve the murder mystery appeared during the trailer, such as Gomez looking through a dimly lit kitchen with her phone and a pig running down a hall.

Another scene showed Steve calling out, 'Hello Hollywood!' while the trio stood through the sun roof of a sleek limo while being driven down a street lined with scenic palm trees as they ate what appeared to be In-N-Out.

Towards the end of the trailer, Gomez, Martin and Short sat in a meeting with Hollywood executives, and The Pink Panther actor humorously began to negotiate payment with Molly Shannon.
When actress Alice Evans announced on Twitter that her husband, Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd, had told her he was leaving because he no longer loved her, she fired the starting gun on what would become one of Hollywood's most toxic divorce rows.

Over three years later - with a court date finally on the horizon  the war is still raging and Alice has an explosive version of events to give about her estranged husband and his relationship with their children Ella, 15, and Elsie 13.

She says that Ioan is responsible for the sadly shattered relationship with his children - contending that, shockingly, he recently sent a 'third party' to tell them he no longer wants to see them.

In an extraordinary filing, Alice, 56, says Ioan didn't tell their daughters in person that he had a new partner, Bianca Wallace, 32, that they were living together, or even that they were engaged, instead choosing to make announcements first to his 'fans' on Instagram.

In a sworn statement submitted to the court, Alice says the Fantastic Four actor only has himself to blame for the bitterness which has ensued from his leaving the family and romancing aspiring actress Wallace, formerly an extra on his TV series Harrow.

Alice says Ioan didn't tell their daughters Ella and Elsie in person that Loan had a new partner, that they were living together, or even that they were engaged

The statement reads: 'Glaringly omitted from Ioan's declaration is any responsibility at all for his own behavior that contributed to the high level of acrimony in this divorce.

'Not only did he not tell me in person that he wanted a divorce, he didn't tell the children either. Nor did he tell any of us in person that he had (and was living with) a new partner. He chose Instagram for that. He again chose Instagram to inform the children he was engaged.

'Instead of asking himself what he may have done to estrange himself or alienate them and mend the relationship, he chooses to bang the same drum he has been doing for 3 years - the claim that I am to blame for the estrangement between him and the children. Ioan used this narrative to support his request for a custody evaluation.'

This evaluation was carried out last year with a professional evaluator chosen by Ioan, who interviewed both parents, both children and numerous adults involved in their care.

The warring pair then agreed that Alice should have 100 per cent custody of the children.

In the filing this week she writes: 'I would love for Ioan and the children to mend their relation. But since Ioan has now made it clear to the children through a third party that he 'no longer wants to be a part of their lives', this point is moot.'

Daughter Ella previously filed a 'domestic violence prevention' restraining order against her father and Wallace following an alleged incident at the couple's home, which hinted at family difficulties.

Ioan said Ella poured milk over his and Wallace's bed and wrote 'f***' with a mustard bottle, as well as squirting it over the kitchen counter and floors before running out of their house.

Ella's request for a restraining order was subsequently withdrawn by the teenager during a court hearing.

In the court papers filed last week, Alice added: 'I take issue with Ioan's conclusory statement that it has been impossible for him to co-parent with me. I have done everything ordered by the court and tried consistently over the past three years to encourage an easy co-parenting situation for our children. It appears Ioan is not interested.'

Alice Evans met Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd on the set of 102 Dalmatians and they tied the knot in Mexico in 2007

Noting that he has not seen them since opting to 'step away' she said: 'Before he stepped away, he refused to ever drop them off or pick them up at my house and refused to take them to any of their therapy sessions.

'Prior to May 2023 when he used to FaceTime with them, he would make them show every corner of the room on the camera to 'prove' I was not hiding in the room. He will not even communicate with me regarding their needs.

'At first he hired a private investigator who I was to communicate 'through'. Some time in the past few months he unsubscribed to OFW [Our Family Wizard, a family diary app for divorcing parents] completely. He has no interest at all in co-parenting.'

Ioan's lawyers filed papers last week which revealed that he had spent just nine hours with his daughters this year. His account of the fractured relationship with his children is different  he blames Alice for estranging him from his daughters.

In a sworn statement contained in a filing ahead of a preliminary hearing at Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles on Monday September 9, he said: 'I made the difficult decision to settle my claim for 50/50 custody of the children in part because of Alice's propensity to abuse the family law process in order to stay relevant in the public eye at the expense of me and our children. I spared the children and myself the continuing abuse and settled the custody claim.'

Elsewhere in his declaration he says that Alice blocked attempts by his lawyers to schedule therapy sessions to help the children to reunite with him and adds: 'I believe it was Alice's own constant interference and alienation that caused the reunification therapy to be unsuccessful.'

Alice declares herself 'aghast' at her husband's claim that she was disruptive to reunification therapy sessions, and that she had 'claimed' to have a panic attack, created 'dramatic scenes' and called an ambulance on herself.

Alice wrote: 'To correct his version, I suffered an acute malignant hypertensive episode [a sudden spike in blood pressure] in the parking lot outside the therapist's office. My mother died when she was only three years older than I am now and I absolutely believed I was having a heart attack.

'The reunification therapist, Karin Manger, came into the ambulance with me and was told by the paramedics that my BP was 260 over 200. Ioan was not present. I'm not sure on what basis he is claiming I invented this situation, as my blood pressure was still dangerously high even some 48 hours later, and I am now on three different anti-hypertensive medications.'

He accuses the actress of carrying out a 'long standing smear campaign' against him and his fiancee and says that she 'continues to violate' a restraining order which forbids her to post about them on social media. This is something which Alice point-blank denies.

Alice says that she is 'at a loss' as to why her former husband keeps harping on about social media posts and messages from 2021 and 2022 which led to her getting a restraining order.

'I am remorseful about making those posts and sending those messages. I have not engaged in that conduct for YEARS.

'In fact, Ioan's allegations that I continued to post to social media using fake accounts was addressed by the police and found to be completely false. I sincerely hope that, at least for the sake of our children who have been dealing with this for four years now, Ioan can accept my apology and we can move on to the actual issues that remain to be settled.'

In her filing, made in response to other allegations last week that she had misled people about her finances, Alice submitted a sworn statement which says that her ex-husband has 'totally mischaracterised' her financial position.

She adds that she is indeed broke as she previously attested, saying in a legal filing that her former husband left her 'completely in the lurch' financially, removing her access to a joint account.

She says he even cut off the phone and internet in January 2023 without any warning, before defaulting on the mortgage and forcing the sale of the marital home.

Ella Gruffudd, right, previously filed a 'domestic violence prevention' restraining order against her father and his fiancee following an alleged incident at the couple's home

Alice received a restraining order in February 2022 after she posted a number of abusive messages about Ioan and his now-fiancee Bianca on social media

Further, she says that she had to pawn two watches to make rent in August and has 'no idea' how she will meet her financial obligations in September as Ioan has allegedly 'ignored' her pleas for help.

Ioan says that his former wife is peddling a 'false narrative' and has 'misrepresented' her income.

He says that he earns $14,000 a month and she should get $2,903 of this in child support. Instead, he says she is spending $15,800 a month.

He says that when his ex-wife launched a GoFundMe claiming to be broke she had a total of $86,000 available to her in two accounts. She counters that at that point she owed a huge amount of money to lawyers and needed to foot utility bills, rent and a nanny salary as her husband wasn't paying for any of this.

Ioan claims Alice had enough money in her bank account to pay her rent early in June. She counters that this was actually the May rent, paid almost a month late.

Ioan and Alice met on the set of 102 Dalmatians more than 20 years ago, when they played onscreen love interests Kevin and Chloe. They then fell in love in real life and were married in Mexico in 2007.

Legal wrangling over the divorce has now been going on for more than three years. Alice received a restraining order in February 2022 after she posted a number of abusive messages about Ioan and his new girlfriend Bianca on social media and allegedly sent him more than 100 texts.

Court papers claimed that Alice had falsely branded him a 'child abuser' online and Ioan accused her of setting up anonymous social media accounts  as many as 22 on Twitter/X  which she would use to lambast him to her followers. Alice denies this and says that a police investigation has found such claims 'completely false.'

She remains forbidden from posting about either Ioan or his fiancee until August 2025.

Ioan's fiancee Ms Wallace has, however, made two incendiary posts earlier this year, accusing Alice of abusing hundreds of people. Alice believes that these posts run counter to an order from 2023 requiring all parties not to post derogatory material about each other.

It now looks as if Ms Wallace may enter the fray as she is on a list of witnesses whom Ioan wishes to call next week.

The only thing which both parties seem to agree upon is that they wish that the fighting was over. Could one of the most protracted divorces in Hollywood history be drawing to a conclusion at long last?
The Block's Ricky Recard lashed out at the judges on Monday for a very surprising reason, after they critiqued the bathroom he and his mate Haydn did not complete.

The 'love rat', who last week was unable to finish his bathroom after experiencing problems with his builder, was disappointed the judges did not roast him.

'It feels like somebody walked off at a point they couldn't continue at all. If that's the case, I feel really sorry for the boys,' judge Darren Palmer said, while Marty Fox and Shaynna Blaze agreed.

However, Ricky, 34, was surprisingly disappointed by their understanding attitude, as he wanted to be reprimanded for a job not well done.

'That's 2024 for you. You get participation awards even when you stuff everything up. It's like, "at least they cleaned." No, roast me, damn it!' Ricky told the cameras.

'I felt like we deserved a roasting. I really wanted someone to rip in and say, "you're a disgrace, mate. You've let your team and country down, pull your heads in".'

However, Ricky was later 'pleased' when he found out the judges gave his bathroom work a score of 4/30, and cheerfully said: 'I think that's the lowest score I've ever received in anything!'

Last week, Ricky and Haydn were forced to fire their builder in one of the renovation show's most shocking scenes to date, leading to the incomplete work.

The Block's Ricky Recard (pictured) lashed out at the judges on Monday for a very surprising reason, after they critiqued the bathroom he and his mate Haydn did not complete

The Melbourne mates were left red-faced after foreman Dan inspected their property and told them their builder's waterproofing work did not meet building standards.

After being told it would need to be redone, the furious Yellow Team then confronted their manual labourer, Miller, and bluntly told him his services were no longer required.

'The way the last week or two has panned out has been a f***ing disaster. That wall situation is a disgrace, it is not on,' Ricky and Haydn told him.

'I don't know how we recover from here, Miller. How do we recover?' they asked him, before the builder attempted to blame another subcontractor for not consulting with him.

This led to Ricky and Haydn firing Miller from the project in a tense on-air confrontation, as they told him he had broken their trust.

Ricky, 34, was surprisingly disappointed the judges didn't 'roast' his team for not completing their bathroom in time

It comes after Ricky was forced to hit back at 'love rat' claims made by his jilted ex girlfriend Lauren Smith.

The controversial reality star made headlines this week after it was revealed he dumped Lauren on the eve of a dream overseas trip to hook up with married make-up artist Erin Lee, who he met while filming the reality show.

Appearing on Fifi, Fev & Nick on Tuesday, Ricky said that he was shocked Lauren would air the former couple's dirty laundry in public.

The curious admission came after host Brendan Fevola broached the hot-button topic, and Ricky said being labelled a 'love rat' was a 'bit harsh'.
Justin Theroux recently got engaged to his glamorous younger girlfriend Nicole Brydon Bloom, 30.

But the actor, 53, admitted in a new interview that he still 'protective' over his ex-wife Jennifer Aniston, 55  seven years after their divorce.

He confirmed to The Times that Aniston is still 'very dear' to him as he applauded her for firing back at JD Vance's controversial remarks about 'childless cat ladies.'

'She is still very dear to me so, of course, yeah, I feel protective. But she batted back criticism, as well she should,' Theroux said.

He and Aniston separated in 2017 after secretly tying the knot two years prior at a star-studded wedding held at her $21million Bel-Air mansion.

Justin Theroux admitted in a new interview with The Times this week that he still 'protective' over his ex-wife Jennifer Aniston , 55  seven years after their divorce; seen in 2015

The ceremony was officiated by late-night host and SNL alum Jimmy Fallon and attended by the likes of Ellen DeGeneres and Aniston's Friends co-stars.

The couple waited until February 2018 to publicly reveal their divorce.

In a joint statement, they insisted there was no ill will between them and that they planned to remain friends.

'In an effort to reduce any further speculation, we have decided to announce our separation. This decision was mutual and lovingly made at the end of last year,' they revealed.

'We are two best friends who have decided to part ways as a couple, but look forward to continuing our cherished friendship.'

Jennifer and Justin first met in 2007 but didn't begin dating until 2011 after bonding on set of their rom-com Wanderlust (2012).

After confirming their split in 2018, a source claimed to Page Six that Aniston and Theroux disagreed on where to settle down.

She was reportedly 'more comfortable' in LA while he wanted to make the move to New York.

'Justin doesn't feel as at home in LA, nor with Jennifer's friends, he loves New York, and the edgier crowd in the city,' an insider told the outlet.

He confirmed to The Times that Aniston is still 'very dear' to him as he praised her for firing back at JD Vance 's controversial remarks about 'childless cat ladies'; seen August 29 at the London premiere of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

'She is still very dear to me so, of course, yeah, I feel protective. But she batted back criticism, as well she should,' Theroux said; seen in 2017

It was also alleged that 'problems' began brewing between them due to their conflicting  and often times hectic  work schedules.

But the friendly exes have have since put those problems behind them.

Theroux gave rare insight on their 'friendship' in a 2023 interview with Esquire, revealing that he and Aniston keep in touch through text, FaceTime, and phone calls.

That same year, DailyMail.com exclusively reveled that Theroux was a huge support system for Aniston after she lost her father, Days of Our Lives star John Aniston, in November 2022 at age 89.

An insider told DailyMail.com that Theroux 'comforted' Aniston amid her grief by calling her almost every day to console her.

Theroux's latest quotes about Aniston come amid the whirlwind press tour for Tim Burton's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

He stars alongside Jenna Ortega, Michael Keaton and Wynona Ryder.

Theroux was supported by actress fiancee Nicole as the sequel to the 1989 horror-comedy Beetlejuice premiered at the Venice International Film Festival last week.

The couple  who first sparked up a romance last year  fueled rumors of an engagement after Nicole was photographed wearing a bauble on her left ring finger on the red carpet.

He and Aniston separated in 2017 after secretly tying the knot two years prior at a star-studded wedding held at her $21million Bel-Air mansion; seen in 2012

Theroux recently got engaged to his glamorous younger girlfriend Nicole Brydon Bloom, 30; seen on August 28 at the Venice International Film Festival

A day later, she was seen wearing the ring for a second time at the starry London premiere of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

A source claimed to PEOPLE that Justin proposed to Nicole during their Italy trip. He is said to have presented her with a four-carat emerald cut diamond ring by by Stephanie Gottlieb.

Theroux finally confirmed the engagement news to The Times, admitting that he was 'nervous' to pop the question.

'Of course, I was nervous proposing. It is a question after all, so the answer isnt guaranteed. But it was wonderful,' he told the outlet.

The couple have only infrequently surfaced in public as a couple since they were first spotted together in February 2023.

Nicole and Justin reached a milestone last December when he accompanied her as her date to her twin sister Chrissy's wedding.

She snapped a mirror selfie from the festivities that showed her and Justin beaming on a staircase amid a claque of loved ones including his dog Kuma.

Nicole, like her purported fiancee is a Hollywood performer - an actress known for Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes' new show The Gilded Age.

Prior to his marriage to Aniston, Justin had a 14-year relationship with costume designer Heidi Bivens that collapsed in 2011.

He is said to have presented her with a four-carat emerald cut diamond ring by by Stephanie Gottlieb; the couple seen in London on August 29

A source claimed to PEOPLE that Justin proposed to Nicole during their Italy trip; Theroux seen in Venice on August 28

At the time, a friend of Heidi's told E! News claimed that Heidi had been 'straight-up dumped,' though the outlet made sure to qualify: 'Not to say it's Aniston's fault, maybe the timing was just terrible?'

A source in Justin's camp insisted to Page Six: 'Things were already over between him and Heidi before he got close to Jen.'

Heidi's mother Marilyn spoke to Radar Online in 2016, claiming that Justin initially tried to persuade Heidi he and Jennifer were not an item.

Marilyn asserted: 'Heidi told me what Justin had told her, that something was going to be written about him and Jennifer, that something was going on between them and he wanted her to know that it was nothing, there was nothing to it.'

In Marilyn's telling, Heidi allegedly ultimately discovered that the rumors were true, '[a]nd my sweet Heidi she calls me and says: "Oh mommy." I was going through cancer at the time. It was a time that hurt our family.'
Actor Ashley Hamilton, the ex-husband of late actress Shannen Doherty, was arrested in Beverly Hills, California in connection with accusations he brandished a knife on a hotel employee.

The Los Angeles native, 49, was accused of pulling out a knife on a employee at a hotel August 24 at around 5 a.m., police sources told TMZ.

Hamilton, who has been seen in films such as 2013's Iron Man 3 and 1993's Beethoven's 2nd, 'took a fighting stance' while standing opposite the hotel employee, sources told the outlet.

The employee woke up Hamilton on a couch he had been sleeping on in the lobby of the establishment, and asked him to leave, according to authorities.

Hamilton, the son of actor George Hamilton, 85, engaged in an argument with the worker, authorities told the outlet, and pulled out a pocket knife in the direction of the employee, who contacted 911.

Actor Ashley Hamilton, the ex-husband of late actress Shannen Doherty , was arrested in Beverly Hills, California in connection with accusations he brandished a knife on a hotel employee. Pictured in December of 1993 in LA

The Los Angeles native, 49, was accused of pulling out a knife on a employee at a hotel August 24 at around 5 a.m.; pictured in April 2013 in LA

Police arrived to the scene and found the weapon in the lobby of the hotel, and approached Hamilton, who was wed to Doherty in 1993-1994; as well as model Angie Everhart from 19961997.

Police told the outlet that the employee indicated they wanted to press charges against Hamilton, who was subsequently taken into custody in connection with misdemeanor brandishing.

Hamilton was then transported to a nearby medical facility to determine if he was under the influence.

Police said after Hamilton was cleared at the hospital, officers gave him a citation and released him from custody.

Hamilton told the outlet that he had been 'startled' by the worker who woke him up, and has a scant memory of the incident in general. He said he 'meant no harm to the employee,' the outlet reported.

Hamilton told TMZ that while at the hospital, he informed doctors that he had been taking medication following a diagnosis of squamous cell skin cancer.

He said that he had consumed oxycodone as result of his ailment, as he had dealt with a pair of surgeries and multiple treatment sessions.

Authorities said that the case is headed to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, where officials will determine if further charges will be filed.

Hamilton said that he had been 'startled' by the worker who woke him up, and has a scant memory of the incident in general and that he 'meant no harm to the employee'

Hamilton pictured in LA in September of 2009

Hamilton was wed to Doherty from 1993-1994, and also wed to model Angie Everhart from 19961997

Hamilton spoke to the outlet earlier this summer in the wake of Doherty's July 13 death at 53 as result of breast cancer.

'Shannen was not only my wife, she was my guardian angel,' Hamilton told TMZ July 15. 'Even though things don't always work out the way we hope they will, she stood by my side during some of my darkest times.

'My love and admiration for her lasted far longer than our short-lived marriage.'

Hamilton told the outlet that he had not reached out to Doherty amid her health battle in an effort to provide her with 'space and peace' - a decision he regrets in hindsight.

'Watching her battle that horrific disease with such stoicism was inspiring to many, but even more so to me since I am a cancer survivor,' Hamilton said. 'The world lost a free-spirited soul and my heart aches for her and for all those who loved her. May she rest in peace.'

Doherty earlier this year told 90210 costar Jason Priestley that her marital union to Hamilton impacted her stint on the Fox series, which she was let go from in 1994.

'I was in a really horrible marriage, and there were things that were transpiring in that marriage that made it really hard for me to consistently be on time for work,' Doherty said in January on her podcast Let's Be Clear with Shannen Doherty. 'I didnt even want to leave the house because I was scared that [Hamilton] would go and get drugs.'
Today show host Karl Stefanovic has defended Elle Macpherson's decision to refuse chemo treatment for cancer.

The supermodel, 60, was diagnosed with HER2 positive oestrogen receptive intraductal carcinoma - a type of breast cancer, after undergoing a lumpectomy seven years ago.

However instead of seeking traditional medical treatment, the Australian model went with a 'holistic' approach and is now in remission.

Karl, 50, was interviewing medical expert Dr Michael Bonning on Wednesday's Today show about Elle's recovery.

Bonning said the supermodel's approach was uncommon and that there are some chemotherapy treatments that aren't as brutal on the body as they were in the past.

The doctor then suggested that conventional medicine was the way to go, and said 'you need to work through this with your doctor.'

However, towards the end of the segment, Karl gave some words of encouragement to Elle for sticking to her guns.

'I don't know whether there's a right or wrong answer, and it's up to you. You choose your path. And good on her,' the Today show host said.

Today show host Karl Stefanovic (pictured centre) has defended Elle Macpherson 's decision to refuse chemo treatment for cancer

It comes as Elle has been branded 'shockingly irresponsible' for treating her condition with a 'heart-led holistic approach', shunning the advice of 32 doctors.

Medics suggested a mastectomy with radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, plus reconstruction of her breast.

But Elle decided go down the route of unconventional treatment and enlisted a group of specialists to create a plan that 'addressed emotional as well as physical factors associated with breast cancer'.

The supermodel (pictured in February), 60, was diagnosed with HER2 positive oestrogen receptive intraductal carcinoma - a type of breast cancer, after undergoing a lumpectomy seven years ago

The model rented a house in Phoenix, Arizona and spent eight months there, with regular visits from two therapists, a chiropractor, holistic dentist and a doctor who claims she cured her own cervical cancer using juice cleanses and a 'detox'.

Elle is now in clinical remission, meaning she has no signs and symptoms of the disease.

The mother-of-two admitted her eldest son Flynn, 26, who was 19 at the time of diagnosis 'wasnt comfortable with my choice at all'.

Elle has been branded 'shockingly irresponsible' for treating her condition with a 'heart-led holistic approach', shunning the advice of 32 doctors. Pictured this year

Following her interview with Women's Weekly, fans agreed with Flynn as they blasted the supermodel for being 'reckless' while medics in the cancer field said she was promoting 'dangerous' therapies that could 'cost women their lives'.

Taking to X, fans wrote: 'This is shockingly irresponsible from Elle Macpherson. She was lucky that clearly the lumpectomy removed all the cancerous cells and it hadn't spread, but implying she "cured" cancer holistically is reckless beyond belief.

'Totally agree I'm being treated for BC at the moment and I see people in oncology battling to stay alive I think Elle should be more mindful.'

'This is a worrying message, I'm not against holistic therapy and whatever gives you your best peace but if they hadn't got all the cancer removed I'm not so sure about remission. Cancer is unique to each individual unfortunately.'

Another defended Elle as they said: 'Everyone has to choice to do what is right for them. She isn't recommending people take her approach. As someone who chose the conventional route for breast cancer I would never criticise what anyone else decided. Research, research, research.....and then free will.'
Janette Manrara has spoken up about the Strictly bullying and abuse scandal ahead of the new series starting.

The former professional on the show, 40, has admitted that 'it kills her' to hear some people had a bad experience and admitted that some couples simply 'don't get along'.

The BBC flagship show has been plagued for months by allegations of 'bullying' and abuse by former professionals Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima to their celebrity partners Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott.

An investigation into some claims is now ongoing and the findings are expected to be published in the coming days.

Janette told told The Mirror: 'The controversy around Strictly has made me sad. It's my 11th year on it and I know how hard everyone works. So when you hear someone had a bad experience it does kill you a little bit.

Janette Manrara has spoken up about the Strictly bullying and abuse scandal ahead of the new series starting

The BBC flagship show has been plagued for months by allegations of 'bullying' and abuse by former professionals Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima to their celebrity partners Amanda Abbington (seen) and Zara McDermott

'You just want everyone to have the best time and do their absolute best. And that's not always the case. Some couple's just don't get along.

'But when it gets to the point it has done for some of these people you know it's serious. I'm happy the BBC is taking measures so that it doesn't happen again.'

She added that the spin-off BBC show she presents It Takes Two is a 'safe space' and hopes couples can open up on the show if they've had a tough week.

It comes as BBC bosses are reportedly racing to finish the Giovanni misconduct investigation before the new series of Strictly starts in just two weeks.

The professional dancer, 33, was paired with Sherlock actress Amanda for the long-running BBC show's 21st series in 2023, but she abruptly withdrew just five weeks into the competition.

Giovanni has since been suspended while a BBC probe is conducted over claims of off-camera misconduct made by Abbington, 50, and two other former celebrity dance partners. Giovanni has denied the allegations.

And now it is reportedly a race against time to get the probe done and dusted ahead of the first Strictly show on September 14, claims The Sun.

They report that all the evidence has been reviewed and that we could be days away from an announcement.

The former professional on the show, 40, has admitted that 'it kills her' to hear some people had a bad experience and admitted that some couples simply 'don't get along'

BBC bosses are reportedly racing to finish the Giovanni misconduct investigation before the new series of Strictly Come Dancing starts in just two weeks

She added that the spin-off BBC show she presents It Takes Two is a 'safe space' and hopes couples can open up on the show if they've had a tough week

A source told the publication: 'The BBC is under huge pressure to get this probe done and dusted before September 14 when the new series kicks off.

'It's a ticking time bomb to get it done in time while not leaving any stone unturned. All evidence has been reviewed, and it is looking like we are now days away from an announcement.

'Clearly the BBC are desperate to draw a line under all this and move on. But whatever the verdict it is clear there will be more questions for the corporation to answer and potentially even more historical complaints.'

The newspaper also claims that contestants and BBC employees have set up a WhatsApp group ahead of the announcement and that others could come out with other experiences after the findings are released.

MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment.

Giovanni has denied the allegations.

Amanda previously said she would 'cry and vomit' after returning home from rehearsals with Giovanni.

Speaking to The Times, Abbington claims she has since received death threats from fans of the Italian dancer, whose long-term future on Strictly remains uncertain.

She said: 'I've had the worst experience. The show was tough and horrible, but the aftermath of it I was not expecting. It's been really brutal and it just hasn't stopped.

'It's been awful, just relentless. Death threats and rape threats for just standing up for something that I thought was wrong.'

The actress also admitted she would become nauseous after completing rehearsals with Pernice, a fan favourite who had appeared on Strictly for eight years prior to his suspension.

Janette told told The Mirror: 'The controversy around Strictly has made me sad. It's my 11th year on it and I know how hard everyone works. So when you hear someone had a bad experience it does kill you a little bit'

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

Amanda's husband Jonathan Goodwin, a former escapologist who was left paralysed in 2021 after a TV stunt went horribly wrong, also corroborated her claim of physical sickness.

She added: 'He'd go, 'Yes, you would come home and you'd vomit, you'd cry, and you'd think you were not good enough. You were a shadow, a shell.''

The investigation that began with accusations against Giovanni has since widened after more complaints surrounding the hit show.

It has heaped further turmoil on Strictly, which is deemed to be the jewel in the Corporation's crown and is still watched by more than ten million people.
Paris Hilton rocked her own merchandise while stepping out in New York City on Tuesday.

The heiress-turned-DJ, 43, promoted her upcoming second studio album, titled 'Infinite Icon', sporting a hat and a black leather jacket emblazoned with the album's name, and a t-shirt with her image.

The mom-of-two completed her look with ripped leggings, a pair of sunglasses, and a black purse.

Her blonde tresses were pulled back into space buns and she spruced up her look with diamond earrings.

Infinite Icon is set for release on September 6. This marks her first full-length album in nearly 20 years.

Paris Hilton, 43, rocked her own merchandise while stepping out in New York City on Tuesday

The reality TV star also held a copy of the album cover, as well as a limited-edition Paris Hilton Magazine.

Her album comes nearly two decades after her 2006 self-titled debut, which featured the single Stars Are Blind.

On her Instagram Stories she also shared a clip of her son Phoenix Barron Hilton Reum, 19 months, and daughter London Marilyn Hilton Reum, eight-months-old, traveling with her on a plane.

Paris made sure the whole family was rocking her merch, as Phoenix was clad in a t-shirt that showed his mom in black lingerie and featured her album name.

The sizzling look was a still from the music video I'm Free, her first single from the new album, featuring Rina Sawayama, which she released in June.

She shared a few clips showing the babies her magazine as she leafed through it.

It comes after Paris once again defended her parenting skills after being blasted for not putting a life vest on her son Phoenix as he explored the OTCOTONE luxury catamaran charter they rented to cruise the French isle of Corsica last month.

Paris - who boasts 66M social media followers - had originally captioned her TikTok: 'Watching Phoenix explore the world has been so special to me. I am so grateful to be a #slivingmom!'

The heiress promoted her upcoming second studio album, titled 'Infinite Icon', sporting a hat and a black leather jacket emblazoned with the album's name, and a t-shirt with her image

The mom-of-two completed her look with ripped leggings, a pair of sunglasses, and a black purse

The reality TV star also held a copy of the album cover, as well as a limited-edition Paris Hilton Magazine

The blonde beauty was pictured getting into her car

In the minute-long clip, the toddler sported a maroon outfit while crawling and walking all over the shaky deck of the catamaran including the bouncy nets showing the exposed ocean below.

At one point, little Phoenix called out to 'Mama' while navigating a tiny staircase.

'Momma, please have him wear a life jacket always on a boat! Stuff happens. That's why they're called accidents. With love,' commented TikTok user @debs4saints.

TikTok user @kimmers05 wrote: 'Please from one mom to another... life jacket!'

'Life jackets can never be [too] safe,' TikTok user @s.geo12 commented.

TikTok user @kassiej7 wrote: 'My anxiety not seeing him in a life jacket! Can never be too safe on the water!'

Paris had previously posted an Instagram video on August 5 of herself jumping up and down on the net while holding Phoenix aboard the fancy craft overlooking the port town of Porto-Vecchio.

Hilton defended herself in her reply to fans: 'Hey [mamas], thank you for the advice [and] always caring about my #cutesiecrew. It's a big boat [and] my husband and I are following him around everywhere [and] watching like hawks. My babies are my world!'

November 11 will mark two big celebrations for the 11:11 Media co-founder and her husband Carter Reum - their third wedding anniversary as well as the first birthday of their daughter.

On her Instagram Stories she also shared a clip of her son Phoenix Barron, 19 months, and daughter London Marilyn, eight-months-old, traveling with her on a plane

Paris made sure the whole family was rocking her merch, as Phoenix was clad in a t-shirt that showed his mom in black lingerie and featured her album name

She shared a few clips showing the babies her magazine as she leafed through it

The sizzling look was a still from the music video I'm Free, her first single from the new album, featuring Rina Sawayama, which she released in June

Infinite Icon is set for release on September 6. This marks her first full-length album in nearly 20 years

Paris and the 43-year-old M13 Ventures founder welcomed both of their babies via surrogate, and they employ a full-time nanny called Jean.

Back in 2021, VH1 Secrets of Aspen alum Laura Bellizzi told Page Six that Carter had only seen their 11-year-old daughter Evie 'once since she was born.'

Hilton originally began dating the Illinois-born venture capitalist in Thanksgiving of 2020, but they had technically known each other for 15 years before that.

Aside from her album, Hilton and her former Simple Life castmate Nicole Richie have been hard at work filming their new reality show, Paris and Nicole The Encore.

The troublemaking childhood gal pals famously launched their careers starring in their very own FOX/E! Network reality show, which aired for five seasons spanning 2003-2007.
Simon Baker, the Australian star of The Mentalist, has pleaded guilty to drink driving but skipped Wednesday's court hearing in northern NSW to go surfing in Sydney instead.

The 55-year-old was excused from facing Mullumbimby Local Court in person on Wednesday morning, with his lawyer appearing on his behalf.

Court documents show a guilty plea has been entered for driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol (first offence).

Prosecutors withdrew a lesser count of attempting to drive under the influence of alcohol.

He was busted on Booyung Rd in Nashua, about 30km from Byron Bay, early in the morning on July 20, and was charged by NSW Police last month.

He will appear in court for sentencing on September 11.

It's understood Baker splits his time between Tamarama in Sydney's affluent eastern suburbs and a country property in Nashua, between Lismore and Byron Bay.

The Devil Wears Prada star has frequently been photographed driving around Byron Bay in a 2020 Tesla Model 3.

While his case was heard in Mullumbimby, Baker was spotted looking fit and trim in his wetsuit as he hosed his lawn after an early morning surf at Bondi, 800km away.

Australian star of The Mentalist Simon Baker has pleaded guilty to drink driving but skipped court in northern NSW to go surfing in Sydney 800km away

While his case was being heard in Mullumbimby, Baker was spotted looking fit and trim in his wetsuit as he hosed his lawn after an early morning surf at Bondi

Two days before his court mention, Baker had headed to a workout at the Bondi Icebergs gym.

Baker cut a casual figure in a blue shirt, green shorts and white cap.

Baker earned himself a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his portrayal of Patrick Jane in The Mentalist between 2008 and 2015.

Most recently, he was nominated for a TV Week Logie Award and 11 other awards for his leading role in the Netflix drama Boy Swallows Universe.

Simon Baker pictured walking to Icebergs gym on Tuesday

Baker splits his time between Sydney's eastern suburbs and Nashua in northern NSW

Baker, who played Robert Bell in the Netflix hit, was previously married to Rebecca Rigg, but they separated in 2020 after 29 years of marriage.

They have three children and co-own the property in Nashua.

Baker has a long history in the NSW northern rivers region, having spent much of his youth in Lennox Head.

Following his marriage breakdown, he briefly dated Byron Bay activewear designer Laura May Gibbs.
Jenna Ortega was asked what she'd say if Tim Burton, the director of Wednesday and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, offered her the role of 'Edith Scissorhands' in a sequel to his 1990 film Edward Scissorhands.

'No,' the Emmy-nominated actress - turning 22 on September 27 - told MTV on Tuesday.

'You know what I would say about that specifically as well? I love that there's a lot more female leads nowadays. I think that's so special, but we should have our own.'

Jenna continued: 'I don't like it when it's like a spin-off, like, I don't want to see like "Jamie Bond." You know? I want to see, just like, another bada**.'

Ortega was clearly referring to Lashana Lynch, whose MI6 agent character Nomi took over as 007 in Cary Joji Fukunaga's 2021 film No Time to Die from Daniel Craig's retiring James Bond.

The British 36-year-old was promptly inundated with racist, misogynistic backlash telling the LA Times in 2021: 'I don't have anything to say to the trolls apart from it's none of my business what you think, you have the freedom to live in your truth just like I have the freedom to live in mine.'

Jenna Ortega (R, pictured last Thursday) was asked what she'd say if Tim Burton (L), the director of Wednesday and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, offered her the role of 'Edith Scissorhands' in a sequel to his 1990 film Edward Scissorhands

The Emmy-nominated actress - turning 22 on September 27 - told MTV on Tuesday: 'No. You know what I would say about that specifically as well? I love that there's a lot more female leads nowadays. I think that's so special, but we should have our own'

Longtime James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli told THR that same year that the next person cast as the iconic spy 'will be a man because I don't think a woman should play James Bond.'

'I believe in making characters for women and not just having women play men's roles,' the 64-year-old nepo-baby of Albert R. Broccoli explained.

'I don't think there are enough great roles for women, and it's very important to me that we make movies for women about women. He should be British, so British can be any [ethnicity or race].'

The former Disney Channel star technically taped her Vivienne Westwood skirt suit-clad MTV interview while in Midtown Manhattan back on August 18.

Jenna has been hard at work promoting her role as Lydia Deetz's (Winona Ryder) skeptical daughter Astrid Deetz in Warner Bros. Pictures' highly-anticipated spooky comedy sequel, which hits US/UK theaters this Friday.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice already has an impressive 81% critic approval rating (out of 59 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes.

Original stars Michael Keaton and Catherine O'Hara also reprise their roles from the 1988 blockbuster alongside newcomers Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe, and Danny DeVito.

Ortega has wrapped four episodes thus far on the second season of her hit Netflix series Wednesday, and she was promoted to executive producer on top of reprising her unblinking, deadpan role as Nevermore Academy student Wednesday Addams.

Jenna continued: 'I don't like it when it's like a spin-off, like, I don't want to see like "Jamie Bond." You know? I want to see, just like, another bada**'

Ortega was clearly referring to Lashana Lynch (L), whose MI6 agent character Nomi took over as 007 in Cary Joji Fukunaga's 2021 film No Time to Die from Daniel Craig's (R) retiring James Bond

The British 36-year-old (R) was promptly inundated with racist, misogynistic backlash telling the LA Times in 2021: 'I don't have anything to say to the trolls apart from it's none of my business what you think, you have the freedom to live in your truth just like I have the freedom to live in mine'

Longtime James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli told THR that same year that the next person cast as the iconic spy 'will be a man because I don't think a woman should play James Bond' (pictured February 13)

The former Disney Channel star technically taped her Vivienne Westwood skirt suit-clad MTV interview while in Midtown Manhattan back on August 18

Jenna has been hard at work promoting her role as Lydia Deetz's (R, Winona Ryder) skeptical daughter Astrid Deetz in Warner Bros. Pictures' highly-anticipated spooky comedy sequel, which hits US/UK theaters this Friday

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice already has an impressive 81% critic approval rating (out of 59 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes

Original stars Michael Keaton and Catherine O'Hara (L) also reprise their roles from the 1988 blockbuster alongside newcomers Justin Theroux (R), Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe, and Danny DeVito

'Everything's going well so far. We're sticking to our roots, and it's gotten much bigger - a lot more fleshed out,' the Taste video vixen announced to ET on August 20.

'The characters have really incredible arcs and we have incredible set pieces and storylines. It just feels a lot more exciting from the jump, which audiences will have a lot to see. The first time around it was the pressure of working with Tim for the first time. Everyone loves this character. No one's ever happy about these sort of things. You kind of have to prove yourself a little bit.'

Jenna continued: 'It's a strange feeling, but the second time around, seeing how it was received - obviously there's that pressure to keep pushing it further and making it greater. The first season of a show you're figuring things out, the second season you've found the rhythm now.'

Season two of Alfred Gough and Miles Millar's Addams Family spin-off will also feature Heather Matarazzo, Steve Buscemi, Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Lumley, Thandiwe Newton, Frances O'Connor, and Haley Joel Osment.

Ortega's other upcoming projects include Paramount+ romantic drama Winter Spring Summer or Fall, A24 black comedy Death of a Unicorn, and Sony Pictures' sci-fi film Klara and the Sun directed by Taika Waititi.
Lindsay Lohan took to social media on Tuesday to share a positive message with her nearly 15 million followers.

The 38-year-old actress  who shares a close bond with Jamie Lee Curtis  snapped a closeup selfie that showed her in the final stages of hair and makeup.

There were four black clips in her red-tinged hair, which was styled in a precise center part and soft ringlets that fell around her face.

Lohan was clad in a white robe as a soft smile spread across her beautifully made up face.

She wrote in the caption, 'Have a great week,' adding a single yellow heart emoji and collecting more than 100,000 likes.

Lindsay Lohan took to social media on Tuesday to share a positive message with her nearly 15 million followers

She wrote, 'Have a great week,' adding a single yellow heart emoji and collecting more than 100,000 likes

At the end of August, the Parent Trap sensation posted a photo riding a bike with a huge smile on her face.

She wore denim shorts, green and yellow sneakers, and a black blazer while in character as Freaky Friday's Anna Coleman.

Lindsay wrote in the caption, 'Thats a wrap on FREAKIER FRIDAY! Thank you to the amazing Cast, Crew, producers and everyone @disneystudios who put so much love and effort into making this movie! Cant wait to share it with you all!'

Jamie Lee, 65, also reflected on working on the sequel in a recent Instagram post.

'The last FRIDAY of this FREAKIEST FRIDAY or shall I call it CRYDAY,' she began in the caption.

She noted, 'We still have a couple days left next week, but it's winding down and this morning as I arrived at work and looked at the hundreds of people gathering together to make it for the fans, shooting the movie in California, I'm feeling especially grateful to my ULTIMATE movie daughter, @lindsaylohan without whom we could not have made this movie. Ever.'

She continued: 'Off to wig and work. Thanks for all the LOVE!'

Lindsay replied in the comments: 'So much  and gratitude for YOU and this WONDERFUL experience and Many future fun times together to come!! .'

At the end of August, the Parent Trap sensation posted a photo riding a bike with a huge smile on her face as she wrapped Freakier Friday

Lindsay wrote in the caption, 'Thats a wrap on FREAKIER FRIDAY! Thank you to the amazing Cast, Crew, producers and everyone @disneystudios who put so much love and effort into making this movie! Cant wait to share it with you all!'

Lindsay shares a close bond with Jamie Lee Curtis; pictured in August

Freakier Friday sees Curtis and Lohan reprise their characters Tess and Anna, respectively, more than two decades after they switched bodies in the beloved 2003 film which was a remake of the 1976 film starring Jodie Foster.

In the sequel, Anna now has a daughter and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. But the mother-daughter duo learn that switching bodies was not a once-in-a-lifetime event.

At Disney's D23 conference, Curtis described the movie as 'a love letter to mothers and daughters' while chatting with People.

'It's so beautiful to see the three generations in this,' Lohan added. 'It's so beautiful to see how Anna looks to Tess for advice. But then Tess still wants to kind of come in and give out the advice.'
Steph Claire Smith has hit back at critics under she came under fire for going to the gym with her infant son.

The fitness influencer, 30, came under questioning from followers over her decision as they accused her of not spending quality time with her son Harvey, three.

She had shared a video of herself at the gym with her son in tow, prompting mum-shaming trolls to criticise her for not going without Harvey another time.

One follower commented: 'If it was your day with him, why did you need to go to the gym. Wouldn't you want to do fun things with him?'

In a since-deleted TikTok post and Instagram reel, Steph clapped back at her critics, saying she didn't 'need someone else's judgement'.

She fumed: 'If it's not how you parent, fine, but casting this kind of judgement publicly is just so unnecessary.

'This comment was on my latest reel, where I showed myself getting a gym workout in, and taking Harvey with me for the first time ever.'

Steph also insisted that making time to exercise is not a selfish act for a parent to do and suggested that taking a toddler to the gym was a way to instill a healthy lifestyle.

Steph Claire Smith has hit back at critics under she came under fire for going to the gym with her infant son

She had shared a video of herself at the gym with her son in tow, prompting mum-shaming trolls to criticise her for not going without Harvey another time

'If the way you fit in your movement is, like me, often when Harvey is around, well then you're only teaching them that looking after your body is an important habit to build,' she said.

Steph shares her son Harvey with her husband Josh Miller and is often candid about the realities of parenting on her social media.

Steph frequently shares the challenges she faces as a young mother and business woman.

In January, Steph spoke about the difficulties of parenting he toddler at Christmas time.

She shared an emotional video to social media revealing just how her boy Harvey was turning her family holiday into a nightmare.

'Is your toddler currently in a phase where they like one parent more than the other? Or they're being nice to one parent and then mean to another? Because at the moment Josh is absolutely copping it,' Steph said, her voice trembling with emotion.

'Harvey doesn't want a bar of him and it's quite horrible to watch, and it's been exhausting this holiday.'

In a since-deleted TikTok post and Instagram reel, Steph clapped back at her critics, saying she didn't 'need someone else's judgement'

The social media star shared another parenting struggle last month when she uploaded a screenshot of a wellness app page which showed she only got three hours of sleep.

Elsewhere, Steph he recently revealed she is hoping to expand her family and wants to give Harvey a sibling.

'We aren't one and done,' she said during a fan Q&A session on her KICPOD podcast in July.

'We'd love to have a second child. It's about working out the best timing for our family at the moment.

'[But we are] super excited [to have another]... if we are lucky enough to have a sibling and grow our family...we'll see.

Steph and Josh welcomed their son Harvey back in May 2021.

They married in November 2019 in a festival-themed ceremony along the Murray River, exactly one year after getting engaged at the same location.
Married At First Sight star Alessandra Rampolla suffered a shocking wardrobe malfunction when she attended the Punk Royal Gala 2024 in Sydney on Saturday.

The show's resident sexologist, 50, rocked a bold look at the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, by going braless in a Carla Zampatti green sheer maxi dress which left very little to the imagination.

However, her decision to go ditch her bra on the night meant her nipple was completely visible through the transparent fabric, as she posed for photos alongside her friends.

Alessandra was all smiles as she posed up a storm alongside celebrity facialist Ingrid Seaburn and Pilates instructor Anna Brine at the exclusive event.

The brunette beauty accessorised with a designer Prada clutch and her hair was elegantly styled in loose waves by Jana Bartolo.

The Puerto Rico-born presenter shared a gallery of photos to Instagram of her attending the event and captioned them with some excited words: 'Oh, what a night!'

But one of Alessandra's followers quickly took to the comment section to roast her over the wardrobe faux pas.

'Maybe some nipple shields would be a good idea,' one fan wrote, to which the reality star cheekily responded: '#freethenipple'.

Married At First Sight star Alessandra Rampolla (pictured) suffered a shocking wardrobe malfunction on Saturday, when she attended the Punk Royal Gala 2024 in Sydney. The show's resident sexologist, 50, rocked a bold look by going braless in a Carla Zampatti green dress

Meanwhile, others were supportive of the star's wardrobe mishap.

'Free that nip! Smokin babes,' Larry Emdur's sister Martine commented, to which Alessandra replied: '#freethenipforever.'

Alessandra is one of three relationship experts on MAFS Australia, and alongside Mel Schilling and John Aiken, helps guide couples through their dating challenges.

However, her decision to go braless on the night meant her nipple was visible through the transparent fabric, as she posed for photos alongside her friends

Allesandra's followers quickly took to the comment section to roast her over the hilarious wardrobe faux pas

In March, the bombshell revealed that she'd like to see a major change to Married At First Sight in the future.

The stunner revealed that the famous Intimacy Week may look a little different next year.

During the week, couples on the show explore physical and emotional intimacy as they connect in their marriages.

But Alessandra says that one very important topic of conversation that she hopes will be raised in future during the sessions - money.

Fights over finances are a common reason couples clash and Alessandra says she'd like to include it as a topic during Intimacy Week.

'We talk about intimacy in the experiment a lot and I always talk about how intimacy week especially is not only about sexuality, it's about building trust,' she told Yahoo.
When Kim Kardashian drew up a contract permitting her son Saint West to launch his own YouTube channel on Tuesday, she included a diva clause involving her ambitious daughter North West.

The 43-year-old aspiring attorney stipulated that the eight-year-old vlogger is 'not allowed to film while' the 11-year-old Lion King actress 'is recording music' for her forthcoming debut album, Elementary School Dropout.

'I finally allowed Saint to have a YouTube channel after signing an extensive contract! LOL! Please subscribe!' Kim - who boasts 480.9M social media followers - Instastoried.

'Saint signed a solid contract for this YouTube channel. He better not breach.'

The contract, which was partially obscured, read: 'I, Saint West, agree to follow my mom's rules in order to have a YouTube channel. I am not allowed to comment [on] any personal family information. I am not allowed to film any personal information. I am not allowed to film while North is recording music...

When Kim Kardashian (R, pictured Sunday) drew up a contract permitting her son Saint West (L) to launch his own YouTube channel on Tuesday, she included a diva clause involving her ambitious daughter North West

The 43-year-old aspiring attorney stipulated that the eight-year-old vlogger is 'not allowed to film while' the 11-year-old Lion King actress (pictured May 24) 'is recording music' for her forthcoming debut album, Elementary School Dropout

'I must show my mom or guardian all videos before I post them. I give permission to any grown-up if mom says to delete my video for any reason. If I don't listen to all of the rules, my mom could make my page private or delete my account.'

Kardashian previously asked her fans on Monday to help get West '100K' subscribers since he 'wants to get to 1 million' but she deleted the Instastories, which remain up on her Facebook account.

The Calabasas socialite's ex-husband #3 Kanye 'Ye' West gave little North a guest rap on his song Talking/Once Again, which dropped February 7.

In it, the avid painter rapped: 'It's your bestie. Miss, Miss Westie. Don't try to test me. It's gonna get messy. It's gonna get messy. Just just bless me! Bless me!'

West officially announced her upcoming album during the 47-year-old rapper-designer's Vultures 2 listening party at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ on March 10.

'Hi, it's Northie, and I've been working on an album. And it's called Elementary School Drop Out!' North said onstage to cheers from the crowd.

The title Elementary School Dropout is a direct homage to Ye's 2004 debut studio album, The College Dropout, which went on to be certified four-times platinum and win best rap album at the Grammy Awards.

It's unclear if Kim made her eldest child sign a contract to launch their joint Kim and North TikTok account, which has amassed 19.3M followers since 2021.

Kim - who boasts 480.9M social media followers - Instastoried: 'I finally allowed Saint to have a YouTube channel after signing an extensive contract! LOL! Please subscribe! Saint signed a solid contract for this YouTube channel. He better not breach.'

The contract, which was partially obscured, read: 'I, Saint West, agree to follow my mom's rules in order to have a YouTube channel. I am not allowed to comment [on] any personal family information. I am not allowed to film any personal information. I am not allowed to film while North is recording music...'

Kardashian previously asked her fans on Monday to help get West '100K' subscribers since he 'wants to get to 1 million' but she deleted the Instastories, which remain up on her Facebook account

Saint has uploaded four vlogs as 'TheGoatSaint' in the past 24 hours - three of which were Twitch-like first-person clips of him playing video games and one of which showed him playing games at Dave & Buster's with his buddy Zen.

'This is big! This is big!' West exclaimed while catching a 1,300lb great white shark on a game called Wicked Tuna.

'Oh my goodness! Rewind! That's it, bro! That's it.'

Saint's biggest score was winning 1,000 'Big Bass Bonus Tickets' on a Wheel of Fortune-style game, shouting: 'Yes bro! Yes bro! 200 and then 250 then 1,000! Peace out brother!'

Zen, who was filming, warned him: 'Watch your words.'

'Yeah! Gang gang!' West - whose channel has 2,440 subscribers - replied.

Kardashian is also mother to two younger children - daughter Chicago, 6; and son Psalm, 5 - from her six-year marriage to the 24-time Grammy winner, which ended in 2021.

On November 29, Kardashian and Ye finally settled their divorce and 80/20 custody arrangement, which entails him paying her $200K/month in child support.

The Calabasas socialite's ex-husband #3 Kanye 'Ye' West gave little North a guest rap on his song Talking/Once Again, which dropped February 7

The avid painter officially announced her upcoming album during the 47-year-old rapper-designer's Vultures 2 listening party at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ on March 10

The title Elementary School Dropout is a direct homage to Ye's 2004 debut studio album, The College Dropout, which went on to be certified four-times platinum and win best rap album at the Grammy Awards

It's unclear if Kim made North sign a contract to launch their joint Kim and North TikTok account, which has amassed 19.3M followers since 2021

Saint has uploaded four vlogs as 'TheGoatSaint' in the past 24 hours - three of which were Twitch-like first-person clips of him playing video games and one of which showed him playing games at Dave & Buster's with his buddy Zen (L)

'This is big! This is big!' West exclaimed while catching a 1,300lb great white shark on a game called Wicked Tuna. 'Oh my goodness! Rewind! That's it, bro! That's it'

Saint's biggest score was winning 1,000 'Big Bass Bonus Tickets' on a Wheel of Fortune-style game, shouting: 'Yes bro! Yes bro! 200 and then 250 then 1,000! Peace out brother!'

Zen, who was filming, warned him: 'Watch your words.' West - whose channel has 2,440 subscribers - replied: 'Yeah! Gang gang!'

In the June 6th episode of The Kardashians, the SKIMS CEO admitted she was overwhelmed as a mother with 'screaming' kids 'banging on the door' as she 'hid in a bathroom with the door locked.'

'I'm open to anything at this point because I can't live like this. I ran out of patience and that's what my superpower was, being calm and patient,' Kim lamented.

'Sometimes it gets just a little intense. I want to be more strict like Khloe but I don't know why I have a hard time just saying, "No is no." I don't want to deal with the whining and the tears of not getting their way. They know when to con me. They start with the tears, so I'm like, "Stop, stop. Sure, take the iPad. Just stop."'

Back in May, Kardashian admitted On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast that there were nights she would cry herself to sleep due to the 'f***ing tornado in my house. Like, what just happened?'

Kardashian is also mother to two younger children - daughter Chicago, 6; and son Psalm, 5 - from her six-year marriage to the 24-time Grammy winner, which ended in 2021 (pictured August 2)

In the June 6th episode of The Kardashians, Kardashian admitted she was overwhelmed as a mother with 'screaming' kids 'banging on the door' as she 'hid in a bathroom with the door locked.'

The SKIMS CEO admitted: 'I have a hard time just saying, "No is no." I don't want to deal with the whining and the tears of not getting their way. They know when to con me. They start with the tears, so I'm like, "Stop, stop. Sure, take the iPad. Just stop"'

'With all the moods and the personalities and sometimes they're fighting, and you know, there's no one there. Like, it's [just] me to play good police officer and bad cop,' the thrice-divorced mother-of-four said.

On July 25, Hulu renewed Kim and her famous family's reality show The Kardashians for 20 more episodes, which will likely mean season six and season seven are in the works.

On February 19, showrunner Danielle King's Keeping Up with the Kardashians spin-off won reality show of the year at the People's Choice Awards after winning the best docu-reality series trophy at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards.
Lauren Goodger has revealed her plans to finally undergo a breast reduction as she opened up about her severe battle with anxiety on Tuesday.

The TOWIE star, 37, looked sensational as she took to her Instagram Story in a plunging ivy green and white cross body swimsuit.

Confiding in her followers, Lauren confessed her anxiety has meant she has prevented her from undergoing surgeries and minor treatments.

However now the star has officially started the steps to have her breasts reduced as she admitted she knows it will be 'healthier' for her not to have them anymore.

She wrote: 'I have suffered tremendous anxiety due to things I've been through which led me to being caffeine and alcohol free but also stopped me being able go abroad on holiday or have surgery or so minor treatments I've been so bad with anxiety...

Lauren Goodger wowed in a VERY plunging swimsuit as she revealed her plans to get a breast reduction amid battle with severe anxiety over on her Instagram Story on Tuesday

Confiding in her followers, Lauren confessed her anxiety has meant she has prevented her from undergoing surgeries and minor treatments (pictured with her daughter Larose)

'I've even had panic attacks having hair dyed... I'm talking when you go through something so traumatic it really changes you and it's effected my life massively!

'I hate lifts or trains also some days I can't drive on motorway... But today I've spoke to the amazing @simonsmithsurgeon as I want to take the step to get my implants removed in my boobs...

'I do not want them I just need to get this done and I'm terrified but I know it's also much healthier for me and I don't need them anymore. I can't wait for my natural boobs back xxxx'.

Lauren has always been candid about the many enhancements she has undergone, after she underwent a breast augmentation surgery, transforming her 34D chest size to 34E in 2013.

Last year, Lauren also admitted she had had a Brazilian bum lift back in 2017, but wanted to get rid of it.

In an interview with Closer she admitted: 'I wish I'd never had anything, I want it all out. My bum and boobs make me look bigger and cause me pain. I want to reverse it all and go back to natural.'

Yet there is one heartbreaking reason that has prevented Lauren from booking in with a surgeon to to remove her implants as she admitted she is terrified of leaving her daughter Larose, two.

Lauren confessed: 'I'm always looking at surgeons and if I could, I'd get it all taken out today, but the thought of leaving Larose just gives me anxiety.'

Speaking about getting back to her natural look she said she wants to set a good example to Larose, as she admitted she looks like a different person in every photo of herself.

 Slide me  Lauren has always been candid about the many enhancements she has undergone, after she underwent a breast augmentation surgery, transforming her 34D chest size to 34E in 2013 (pictured left in 2010, right in 2024)

Opening up about her breast reduction, she said in the post: 'I do not want them I just need to get this done and I'm terrified but I know it's also much healthier for me and I don't need them anymore. I can't wait for my natural boobs back xxxx'

Lauren has had an incredibly difficult few years after her second daughter passed away just minutes after she was born with her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck in July 2022

Lauren and Larose marked Lorena's birthday by having a birthday cake and letting off a balloon into the sky beside a plaque honouring Lorena

She continued: 'When you have kids, your boobs blow up! I've got lumps and bumps everywhere and it feels heavy and uncomfortable.... My bum is absolutely mahoosive!'

She has also had an incredibly difficult few years after her second daughter passed away just minutes after she was born with her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck in July 2022.

The star, who is also mother to Larose, two, has since opened up about the heartbreaking loss and said it was the 'most traumatic experience of her life'.

She admitted last month that as time has passed her support system has dropped off and she's never experienced such loneliness.

Telling OK!: 'As time's gone on, after what I went through losing Lorena, people think, "Oh, it's been two years now, she's alright". But it's actually worse because you become lonelier. I've never experienced loneliness like it in my life'.

Lauren said she's lost contact with close friends and explained that while her parents don't see as much of Larose as she would hope, elder sister Nicola is the one always on hand for support.

Telling the publication: 'No one steps up, people have DMed me on Instagram to say 'Exactly the same thing happened to me, as soon as I had this loss [losing a baby] everyone vanished.', I don't know what it does to people, but they step back, they don't step forward'.

She also said how she receives help from with ex, and father of both daughters, Charles Drury, 27, with whom she co-parents however he lives three and a half hours away from her home in Essex.

Saying: 'In an emergency he's unavailable. I meet him twice a week [to pick Larose up and drop her off] halfway'.

If you have been affected by anything in this article, please contact the UK Child Bereavement line on 0800 02 888 40 or the The Lullaby Trust on 0808 8026868
Kate Winslet received a helping hand from her daughter Mia as she departed star-studded LEE after party on Tuesday evening.

Earlier in the evening, Kate, 48, dazzled on the red carpet as she celebrated the premiere of her new warm film.

The English actress turned heads in a plunging black and gold gown as she dazzled while promoting the new film.

To celebrate her success, Kate headed to the after party alongside Nicholas Hoult and Alexander Skarsgard.

She couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she made a giggling exit and linked arms with her son Joe, 20, for support.

Kate Winslet, 48, received a helping hand from her daughter Mia, 23, as she departed star-studded LEE after party on Tuesday evening

To celebrate her success, Kate headed to the after party alongside Nicholas Hoult (pictured) and Alexander Skarsgard

To celebrate her success, Kate headed to the after party alongside Nicholas Hoult and Alexander Skarsgard (pictured)

Kate flashed her ample cleavage in the plunging glitzy garment and was in high spirits at the end of the night.

Meanwhile, English actor Nicholas, 34, made the time to pose for selfies with fans as he made a speedy departure from the after party.

He looked incredibly dapper in oversized grey suit trousers and matching jacket, teamed with a white vest top.

Swedish actor Alexander, 48, who also stars in the movie, cut a trendy display as he exited the venue in a Calvin Klein suit.

His brother Bill Skarsgard, 34, was also in attendance to support his beloved brother at the after party.

Also included in the after party departures, Damian Lewis and his girlfriend Alison Mosshart linked arms on their exit.

The loved-up couple looked smitten as they walked out of the venue after a night of mingling with stars.

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.

Earlier in the evening, Kate dazzled on the red carpet as she celebrated the premiere of her new warm film

She couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she made a giggling exit and linked arms with her son Joe, 20, for support

Kate flashed her ample cleavage in the plunging glitzy garment and was in high spirits at the end of the night - pictured holding hands with daughter Mia and son Joe

English actor Nicholas, 34, made the time to pose for selfies with fans as he made a speedy departure from the after party

He looked incredibly dapper in oversized grey suit trousers and matching jacket, teamed with a white vest top

Swedish actor Alexander, 48, who also stars in the movie, cut a trendy display as he exited the venue

His brother Bill Skarsgard, 34, was also in attendance to support his beloved brother at the after party

Bill signed autographs for fans on his departure

Also included in the after party departures, Damian Lewis and his girlfriend Alison Mosshart linked arms on their exit

The loved-up couple looked smitten as they walked out of the venue after a night of mingling with stars

The couple got a car home shortly after the after party finished

Starring Kate in the titular role, Lee also boasts Josh O'Connor, Marion Cotillard, Andy Samberg, and Alexander Skarsgard.

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.
John Travolta attempted to go incognito when he touched down in Sydney on Wednesday.

The beloved Hollywood star looked world's away from his onscreen persona as he landed in the Harbour City aboard a private jet from New Zealand.

Travolta, 70, hid his famous face behind a pair of designer shades as he waved at fans from inside the aircraft.

The Saturday Night Fever star, who famously holds a pilot's license, stepped off the plane holding a giant blue umbrella as he was greeted by ground staff, who appeared to be sponsored by Bunnings.

He was accompanied by his family, including his 24-year-old daughter, actress Ella Bleu, and his 13-year-old son, Benjamin.

Travolta boarded the flight in Queenstown, New Zealand where he was all smiles.

The iconic actor was dressed casually in a pair of grey pants paired with a black overcoat. He added a checked scarf to look.

John Travolta attempted to go incognito when he touched down in Sydney on Wednesday. Pictured

Travolta, 70, hid his famous face behind a pair of designer shades as he waved at fans from inside the aircraft

The Saturday Night Fever star, who famously holds a pilot's license, stepped off the plane holding a giant blue umbrella as he was greeted by ground staff, who appeared to be sponsored by Bunnings

His daughter, Ella, who is following in her father's footsteps in the acting world, was also spotted disembarking the aircraft

Ella and Benjamin are two of three children Travolta welcomed with his late wife Kelly Preston during their marriage.

Travolta and the late actress, who passed away in 2020, also shared their late son Jett.

Travolta and his daughter were last seen last month he was spotted cheering on team USA gymnasts at 2024 Paris Olympics.

John began the process of learning how to fly when he was just 15, and he eventually obtained his first jet license in 1978  the same year his iconic film musical Grease bowed in theaters and cemented his status as a popular leading man.

His passion for flying is so renowned that he has earned a space on the Wall Of Honor at the Smithsonian's National Air And Space Museum.

Travolta boarded the flight in Queenstown, New Zealand where he was all smiles

The iconic actor was dressed casually in a pair of grey pants paired with a black overcoat. He added a checked scarf to look

He was accompanied by his family, including his 24-year-old daughter, actress Ella Bleu , and his 13-year-old son, Benjamin

Travolta's daughter Ella looked casual cool in a stiped long-sleeved tee and blue jeans

He has been named worldwide ambassador for Qantas and been honored by the American Institute Of Aeronautical Engineers.

In 2002, John led a Washington, DC, extravaganza that kicked off a year of festivities to mark a century of manned flight.

At the following year's Dayton Airshow, he flew his own Boeing 707, with John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, as his passenger.

At the following year's Dayton Airshow, he flew his own Boeing 707 with John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, as his passenger.

Travolta happily chatted to ground staff
This is the hilarious moment Kate Winslet couldn't contain her giggles as she was heckled by a fan who showered her with compliments at the London premiere of her new film Lee on Tuesday.

The English actress, 48, put on a glamorous display as she attended the showing at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square.

She looked sensational in a plunging black and gold gown, which featured pretty capped sleeves and glittery detailing, flaunting her gorgeous curves.

One fan who was particularly dazzled by Kate's red carpet glam wanted to make sure the star knew just how stunning she looked - and wasn't afraid to tell her.

Influencer Sugapuff, who posts under the handle @sugapuffofficial, shared a clip of the funny moment he took his chance and shouted compliments at the actress as she stepped out of car and arrived at the star-studded premiere.

The hilarious moment Kate Winslet couldn't contain her giggles as she was heckled by a fan who showered her with compliments at the London premiere of her new film Lee on Tuesday

One fan who was particularly dazzled by Kate's red carpet glam wanted to make sure the star knew just how stunning she looked - and wasn't afraid to tell her

In the video, Kate emerges from her vehicle, surrounded by security and her team on either side of her as they begin making their way to the red carpet.

Seizing the moment, the excited fan loudly shouted: 'Kate, you look beautiful and glamorous! I love your look.'

The actress whipped her head around upon hearing her name and burst into a fit of giggles, looking to the person she was with to make sure she also heard it.

She then continued on towards the premiere - but now with a huge smile on her face.

Sharing a video of the interaction to Instagram, Sugapuff penned in the caption: 'I told #katewinslet she looked great, it's not everyday you bump into Kate Winslet.'

Viewers wrote in the comments: 'Oohhh she heard you loud and clear,' 'Wow,' and a slew of laughing emojis.

Kate's new film Lee is a 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.

Influencer Sugapuff (pictured above), who posts under the handle @sugapuffofficial , shared a clip of the funny moment he took his chance and shouted compliments at the actress

In the video, Kate emerges from her vehicle, surrounded by security and her team on either side of her as they begin making their way to the red carpet

The actress whipped her head around upon hearing her name and burst into a fit of giggles, looking to the person she was with to make sure she also heard it

Kate looked sensational in a plunging black and gold gown, which featured pretty capped sleeves and glittery detailing, flaunting her gorgeous curves

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.

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 wasn't 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.'
Amy Childs looked displeased during filming for The Only Way Is Essex on Tuesday, after having an awkward run-in with her cousin's ex-boyfriend and his rumoured new partner.

The reality star, 34, headed out for lunch with her fiance Billy Delbosq at the Top Oak Pub in Romford, while shooting scenes for the new series of the ITVBe show.

She put on a glamorous display for the outing, wearing a plunging brown top that showcased her ample cleavage and high-waisted blue jeans.

The mother-of-four boosted her height with a pair of strappy nude high heels and carried a matching clutch, as Billy, 41, guided her inside.

Amy styled her hair in voluminous waves and sported full face of makeup under her trendy sunglasses, while showing her love for her fiance with a gold necklace emblazoned with his name.

Amy Childs looked displeased during filming for The Only Way Is Essex on Tuesday, after having an awkward run-in with her cousin's ex-boyfriend and his rumoured new partner

The reality star, 34, headed out for lunch with her fiance Billy Delbosq at the Top Oak Pub in Romford, while shooting scenes for the new series of the ITVBe show

She put on a glamorous display for the outing, wearing a plunging brown top that showcased her ample cleavage and high-waisted blue jeans

The businessman opted for a casual all-black ensemble made up of a plain T-shirt and cropped trousers as he drove the pair to the pub in his Ferrari.

The couple - who have been dating since 2021 and share one-year-old twins Amelia and Billy together - looked in good spirits as they sat down and tucked into their meal.

However, they soon left the restaurant looking less than impressed after co-stars Joe Blackman and Junaid Ahmed arrived at the same venue.

Joe, 26, beamed as he arrived, wearing a beige knitted jumper with bright white shorts and matching trainers.

While Junaid, 30, complemented him by also sporting white shorts and trainers, teamed with a plain T-shirt and a black Louis Vuitton bag.

Their arrival appeared to be orchestrated to perfection by the TOWIE producers, seeking to rake up the tension for the new series.

Joe recently split from Amy's cousin Harry Derbidge, who like Amy, is an original cast member of the reality show, last month.

And in a shocking twist, Joe has reportedly already moved on with fellow TOWIE star and Harry's pal Junaid, 30.

The mother-of-four boosted her height with a pair of strappy nude high heels and carried a matching clutch, as Billy, 41, guided her inside

Amy styled her hair in voluminous waves and sported full face of makeup under her trendy sunglasses, while showing her love for her fiance with a gold necklace emblazoned with his name

The businessman opted for a casual all-black ensemble made up of a plain T-shirt and cropped trousers as he drove the pair to the pub in his Ferrari

The couple - who have been dating since 2021 and share one-year-old twins Amelia and Billy together - looked in good spirits as they sat down and tucked into their meal

However, they soon left the restaurant looking less than impressed after co-stars Joe Blackman and Junaid Ahmed arrived at the same venue

Last month, The Sun revealed the pair are dating and claimed their connection had sparked Joe and Harry's split.

A source revealed Harry was left 'furious' after he 'discovered text messages between Joe and Junaid' and the discovery led to a blazing row before the couple ended things for good.

The insider said: 'Harry found messages between Joe and Junaid and it led to a huge argument and them splitting.'

Joe and Junaid have also been 'spotted enjoying a string of dates' since they returned to Essex from Cyprus, having reportedly 'grown closer' on the trip.

The source continued: 'Since then Joe and Junaid have been spending lots of time together. They been spotted on dates around Essex and staying at each others, so its only a matter of time before things erupt with Harry.'

And the storyline has begun to play out for viewers on TOWIE, with cast members 'divided' and forced to take sides.

Sunday night's episode saw fans shocked as Junaid broke down in tears as he confessed his feelings for Joe.

He explained to co-stars Dani Imbert and Saffron Lempriere that he had developed a strong bond with Joe on the Cyprus trip.

Joe, 26, beamed as he arrived, wearing a beige knitted jumper with bright white shorts and matching trainers

While Junaid, 30, complemented him by also sporting white shorts and trainers, teamed with a plain T-shirt and a black Louis Vuitton bag

Their arrival appeared to be orchestrated to perfection by the TOWIE producers, seeking to rake up the tension for the new series

Joe recently split from Amy's cousin Harry Derbidge, who like Amy, is an original cast member of the reality show, last month

And in a shocking twist, Joe has reportedly already moved on with fellow TOWIE star and Harry's pal Junaid, 30

Last month, The Sun revealed the pair are dating and claimed their connection had sparked Joe and Harry's split (Joe and Harry pictured)

Junaid insisted: 'I do feel like there's a great connection to the wrong person. But I'm not a bad person. All I want is to be loved and I can't help the connection that we have. Like it's just crazy.

'I just don't want to get hurt and I don't want to hurt anyone else. But it's just hard because I am spending every day with him and there's something going on but I don't know if it's just here. My head is scrambled.'

Dani warned him to put a stop to things, advising: 'I think you need to take a step back from Joe. You are Harry's friend and you are Joe's friend and if you feel like you're crossing that line with Joe, remove yourself from the situation before this gets messy and you start hurting Harry.

She added: 'Harry is your best mate, is it actually worth potentially losing a friend over this?'

Junaid continued: 'Right now, obviously they are together. They're on a break and I'm never going to be that person that gets involved in a relationship when they're still not whatever they are.'

However, the star recently spoke to The Sun, and admitted he is happier than ever and has no regrets, as he teased that the drama will play out on the show.

He said: 'I'm the happiest I've ever been, it will pan out on the show. I knew Harry and Joe's relationship was on the rocks prior to coming to Cyprus and being in Cyprus everyone saw it. On both parts it didn't work out, I get that it's sad 100 per cent and I wish them both well.'

Junaid also revealed that he and Harry would be having several confrontations in the upcoming episodes, saying: 'Me and Harry have a very open and honest conversation, as you can imagine that pans out.'

A source revealed Harry was left 'furious' after he 'discovered text messages between Joe and Junaid' and the discovery led to a blazing row before the couple ended things for good (Harry and Joe pictured filming in Cyprus)

Joe and Junaid have also been 'spotted enjoying a string of dates' since they returned to Essex from Cyprus, having reportedly 'grown closer' on the trip

And the storyline has begun to play out for viewers on TOWIE, with cast members 'divided' and forced to take sides

Sunday night's episode saw fans shocked as Junaid broke down in tears as he confessed his feelings for Joe (pictured with Harry in June)

However, the star recently spoke to The Sun , and admitted he is happier than ever and has no regrets, as he teased that the drama will play out on the show (pictured in July)

He added: 'Me and Joe has some very honest and open conversations about us and where do we go and what does happen.

'There is so much emotion and heartfelt moments in this show, it's hard because I genuinely feel like this is the happiest series I've had. I've lost a lot this series but it's also made me the happiest person I am.

'I don't live my life on regrets, I'm a massive believer that everything happens for a reason and what's meant will be will be.'

Harry and Joe split last month just weeks after vowing to get married in Las Vegas and discussing having children.

Harry had gushed that he and Joe - who already has a son from a previous relationship - had started planning their wedding and even discussed having children.

Speaking to Closer at the time he said: 'He has moved in and we live together now... its going really good. We talk about loads of things. We have planned our futures and I know that will be me forever.

'We want to have kids one day and get married. We will just run away to Vegas. We will see Elvis Presley and do it.

'Me and Joe always talk about a Vegas wedding and about surrogacy. If we never worked out, I would be so sad.'

Harry and Joe split last month just weeks after vowing to get married in Las Vegas and discussing having children

They began dating last year, with Harry revealing their romance on Instagram with a series of loved-up snaps and they previously insisted that their relationship was going from strength to strength

They began dating last year, with Harry revealing their romance on Instagram with a series of loved-up snaps and they previously insisted that their relationship was going from strength to strength.

However, at the start of August a TV insider revealed to The Sun that the couple had broken up, with their shocking split later airing on the reality show.

The source revealed: 'Harry and Joe split up and everyone's so upset for him. They really hoped Harry had found love but things crumbled and it was all caught on camera for the next series.

'Everyone is hoping they can get back together and work it out but it's not looking good.'

Previously Harry had a short romance with Junaid back in April, which was aired on the show, before the pair decided they were better off as friends.

The reality star was also once engaged to boyfriend Dean Rowland, before they went their separate ways in October 2022 and also embarked a brief relationship with Jackson Lonergan.
Florence Pugh and Finn Cole sparked romance rumours on Tuesday night as they slipped out of The Perfect Couple premiere afterparty together.

The pair had been living it up at The Hoxton in London as they celebrated the release of Nicole Kidman's new Netflix series.

However, Florence, 28, apparently went to great lengths to keep his identity secret - with The Daily Mail's Richard Eden reporting they were very low-key in their arrival.

A guest also shared: I saw them holding hands at the after-party at The Hoxton hotel.'

Yet they were keen to make a quick getaway at the end, sneaking out of a side door and sliding into their waiting car.

Florence Pugh and Finn Cole were enjoying each other's company on Tuesday night as they slipped out of The Perfect Couple premiere afterparty together

The pair had been living it up at The Hoxton in London as they celebrated the release of Nicole Kidman's new Netflix series

Florence, 28, looked incredible on the outing, showcasing her figure in a barely-there bralet teamed with a cream suit.

The Oscar-winning actress accessorised with a gold necklace and earrings as she sauntered out of the venue behind an aide.

Meanwhile, Peaky Blinders star Finn, 28, covered up in a burgundy jacket as he relaxed in the backseat, seeming to be feeling camera shy as he held a coat in front of his face.

It's not the first time the pair have enjoyed an outing - having partied at Glastonbury Festival together.

Florence has also 'liked' every Instagram post of Finn's this year and shared her delight when it was revealed he had landed a role in the theatre production of Red Speedo.

She commented on the post: 'Oh my gosh this is unbelievably exciting!' and added she'd be bringing her beloved grandmother, sharing: 'Granny Pat wants to come.. #obvi'.

Finn is best known for playing Michael Gray in the BBC series Peaky Blinders, where he starred alongside his brother Joe.

While Finn has not had any notable relationships, earlier this year, Florence was said to have attracted the attention of Normal People star Paul Mescal.

It's not the first time the pair have enjoyed an outing - having partied at Glastonbury Festival together

Florence, 28, looked incredible on the outing, showcasing her figure in a barely-there bralet teamed with a cream suit

The Oscar-winning actress accessorised with a gold necklace and earrings

Florence sauntered out of the venue behind an aide who led her to the waiting car

Florence seemed in good spirits as she made her way to the vehicle

Florence added to the look with a pair of heeled white boots on the outing

Peaky Blinders star Finn, 28, covered up in a burgundy jacket as he relaxed in the backseat

He held a coat in front of his face while Florence sat alongside him

Florence seemed ready for bed as she relaxed in the back of the waiting vehicle

The duo chatted away on their night out on the town

The pair reportedly enjoyed one another's company after the BAFTA Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday.

A source told The Sun: 'Florence and Paul move in the same circles and have been mates for some time.

'If their friendship moved into something more romantic no one would be surprised.'

Florence split from her photographer boyfriend Charlie Gooch in October last year.

According to The Sun, the pressures of Florence's hectic Hollywood career led her to put an end to the relationship.

A source said: 'Florence and Charlie had known each other for years and things turned romantic at the end of last year.

'But it hasn't lasted. Florence's schedule is so busy and there were other factors at play. She eventually ended it over the summer.

Prior to her romance with Charlie, Florence was briefly linked to Harry Styles who she was said to have kissed while filming their movie Don't Worry Darling.

Finn is best known for his role as Michael Gray in the BBC series Peaky Blinders where he starred alongside his brother Joe (right)

Florence has also 'liked' every Instagram post of Finn's this year and shared her delight when it was revealed he had landed a role in the theatre production of Red Speedo

In August last year, Florence announced she and her ex-boyfriend Zach Braff had split up after three years together.

The actress revealed in an interview with Harper's Bazaar she and the Scrubs star had gone their separate ways.

The pair worked to keep their relationship out of the public eye, with Florence saying they wanted to break up in private.

She said: 'We've been trying to do this separation without the world knowing, because it's been a relationship that everybody has an opinion on.

'We just felt something like this would really do us the benefit of not having millions of people telling us how happy they are that we're not together. So we've done that. I automatically get a lumpy throat when I talk about it.'

Florence did not reveal when exactly she and Zach broke up, but they were still together in April when she wished him a happy 47th birthday on Instagram.

The 21-year age gap between the pair drew attention during their three-year courtship.

In 2021, Florence spoke to The Sunday Times about the cruel comments she received from trolls after wishing Zach a happy 46th birthday.

She said: 'I think it bugs people that it's not who they expected. But it's my life and I'm not doing anything to please people or to make it a better headline or story. I want to also be a person!'

Prior to their split, Florence and Zach were working on the film A Good Person together, which he directed.

Florence split from her photographer boyfriend Charlie Gooch in October last year after a year of dating
Molly-Mae Hague was issued another parking ticket as she headed to her Cheshire office with Luke Shaw's wife Anouska Santos.

The Love Island star, 25, has been teasing a huge announcement in recent days - and fans think they have cracked it.

Molly-Mae's car was seen stamped with a parking ticket on Wednesday as she headed into her office with accessory brand-owner Anouska.

But in the snaps Molly-Mae was also seen carrying a huge bundle of clothing into the office, amid fan speculation that her new secret project is a clothing brand.

This came after an Instagram account with the name Maebe store popped up and quickly amassed a following. The account now has over 68,000 followers and only follows one person - Molly-Mae.

Molly-Mae Hague was issued another parking on Wednesday as she headed to her Cheshire office with Luke Shaw 's wife Anouska Santos

Molly-Mae's car was seen stamped with a parking ticket on Wednesday as she headed into her office with accessory brand-owner Anouska

In the snaps from Wednesday, Molly-Mae looked effortlessly chic in a white vest and high-waisted belted navy trousers.

Among the garments being carried into the office by the influencer on coat hangers, were a cream buttoned coat and a short-sleeved grey knitted top.

She was also carrying a white race-back vest which looked very similar to the one she was wearing in the picture.

In one of the snaps, Anouska could be seen being greeted at the door of the office by Molly-Mae.

Later in the day, Molly-Mae took to her Instagram to share a mirror selfie from inside the office - where a group of people could be seen hard at work in the background - sporting the same outfit.

It is her second parking ticket in less than a week after she was greeted with one as she stepped out during the rainy weather in Altrincham last Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Molly-Mae teased she was making a big announcement in five days as she returned to social media.

The former Love Island star, 25, has barely posted since her heartbreaking split from her fiance Tommy Fury three weeks ago.

But in the snaps Molly-Mae was also seen carrying a huge bundle of clothing into the office, amid fan speculation that her new secret project is a clothing brand

In one of the snaps, Anouska could be seen being greeted at the door of the office by Molly-Mae

It is her second parking ticket in less than a week after she was greeted with one as she stepped out during the rainy weather in Altrincham

Molly-Mae looked effortlessly chic in a white vest and high-waisted belted navy trousers

This came after an Instagram account with the name Maebe store popped up and quickly amassed a following. The account now has over 68,000 followers and only follows one person - Molly-Mae

Later in the day, Molly-Mae took to her Instagram to share a mirror selfie from inside the office - where a group of people could be seen hard at work in the background - sporting the same outfit

But Molly teased her secret project, which she previously said is the 'biggest move of her career', as well as a sweet photo of their daughter Bambi, 20 months.

She wrote: 'Most grown up, gorgeous girl I ever did see'.

Molly-Mae is reportedly growing her own eponymous brand, with a huge focus on lifestyle and beauty content after the success of her tanning range, Filter.

She shared a behind-the-scenes snap of a photoshoot which showed her dressed in a white with a grey blazer and stood in front of a framed photo.

The YouTuber had originally planned to announce the news on September 1, but things have been pushed back by nearly a week in the midst her shock break-up.

Molly-Mae walked away from being the creative director of PrettyLittleThing after just 22 months, before announcing she was focusing on a secret project.

Molly and Tommy met on Love Island in 2019 (pictured) and went on to get engaged last year after welcoming their little girl in January 2023

Molly-Mae broke her social media silence on Tuesday, sharing a low-key photo of herself to her Instagram grid, her first post since announcing she had split from Tommy

Tommy jetted abroad for a holiday in Ohrid, North Macedonia earlier this year where he reportedly kissed a blonde woman in a nightclub

Last year, the reality star teased she had planned an 'absolutely huge' career move.

In a Q and A she wrote: 'I have something absolutely huge coming in 2024. Probably the biggest move in my career so far and I've never been so excited'.

It seems the 5million-a-year wasn't enough to keep her, and she cited a want to focus on being a mum to Bambi as her reason for leaving.

Bambi was born on 23 January 2023 to Molly-Mae and her fiance Tommy, whom Molly-Mae met and fell in love with on Love Island in 2019.
Ina Garten bravely and candidly talked about the childhood abuse she received at the hands of her father.

The 76-year-old celebrity chef - who came under fire this year over her advice to 'undercook your chicken' - opened up about the physical and emotional abuse from her late parents Charles and Florence Rosenberg.

She told People magazine on Wednesday that she was afraid of her father and even believed that he would kill her as he would hit her and pull her hair if she did something he disapproved of.

Ina - who is releasing memoir Be Ready When The Luck Happens - said: 'I was terrified. I was physically afraid of my dad. I literally remember thinking he would kill me if I did something.

Ina Garten bravely and candidly talked about the childhood abuse she received at the hands of her father

The 76-year-old celebrity chef opened up about the physical and emotional abuse from her late parents Charles and Florence Rosenberg; she is seen with her father Charles on her wedding day in 1968

'I was physically afraid of him. And my mother just was unsupportive.'

Ina grew up in Stamford, Connecticut with her older brother Ken, who also was a victim of her dad's abuse, as she says that she spent most of her time locked in her bedroom.

Ina said: 'If there's a threat of violence, you're always afraid, even when it's not happening. So I basically spent my entire childhood in my bedroom with a door closed.

'I think it was just protection. It was just to keep myself safe.'

In her soon-to-be released memoir, she revealed that she did not just suffer abuse from her father but also her mother.

She told People that despite calling her bedroom a 'safe haven', she was not able to make the color what she wanted - which was purple - and was made to have it peach as her mom Florence told her it would 'turn out badly'.

Ina added: 'It was something she said to me a lot. I wouldn't be surprised if she was diagnosed with Asperger's [Syndrome].

'She really didn't know how to have a relationship, which is why I think, as I've gotten older, having relationships is so important to me.'

She told People magazine on Wednesday that she was afraid of her father and even believed that he would kill her as he would hit her and pull her hair if she did something he disapproved of as Ina said: 'I was terrified. I was physically afraid of my dad. I literally remember thinking he would kill me if I did something'

Ina grew up in Connecticut with her older brother Ken, who also was a victim of her dad's abuse, as she says that she spent most of her time locked in her bedroom

In her soon-to-be released memoir, she revealed that she did not just suffer abuse from her father but also her mother as she told People that despite calling her bedroom a 'safe haven', she was not able to make the color what she wanted - which was purple - and was made to have it peach as her mom Florence told her it would 'turn out badly'

The Barefoot Contessa star gushed as she revealed that her personal hell had ended when she met her aforementioned husband when she was 16-years-old as she explained: 'Everything changed when I met Jeffrey.'

They dated for four years until marrying in 1968 despite her mother's reservations.

Ina explained: '[My mother] thought I was too young to get married.

'But it was the first time in my life when I just said to her, "I know you don't think this is a good idea. And for the first time, I'm really sorry to tell you this, but I don't care. I'm doing this."'

She revealed that she was able to make peace with her father before he passed away but was never able to reconcile with her mother.

The television star told People: 'He, in his own way, apologized and my mom never acknowledged it. I think I overcame my childhood just by sheer determination

'I just wasn't about to spend my life like that. And I think, a lot of times, people make a decision to live their lives differently and they end up sliding back into what they feel is familiar and I was determined not to do that. And then I met Jeffrey and he just showed me a totally different way to live.'

Back in June, Ina opened up about her complex feelings toward her father as she shared a snap from her wedding day to Jeffrey Garten in 1968 as he walked her down the aisle.

She (pictured in December 2017) revealed that she was able to make peace with her father before he passed away but was never able to reconcile with her mother.

At the time she wrote: 'My dad and I had a complicated relationship when I was young, but once I got married we were able to change that. Im really grateful for the positive happy times that we spent together, and thinking back he had a huge influence on my life.

'I think that were very much alike. He loved parties, loved his work, treasured his friends, and cared about style. Happy Fathers Day, its a good day to celebrate fathers present and past.'

She previously revealed that her dietician mother restricted her eating as a child, and didn't let her cook - despite her falling in love with the activity from a young age.

The Barefoot Contessa taught herself to be a professional cook by studying Julia Child's cookbook - has spoken out about her strained relationship with her mother on numerous occasions.

In 2017, she told Katie Couric on her Next Question podcast that becoming a cook felt like the 'ultimate rebellion' against her 'obsessive' mother, who spent years controlling her diet.

'My mother was obsessive about food,' she shared at the time. 'So we weren't allowed any carbs, we weren't allowed any butter. We had margarine. And her idea of a great dessert was an apple.'

She reflected on her childhood again in 2021 in an appearance on Al Roker's podcast, Cooking Up A Storm, explaining that she turned to cooking because she 'craved connection' as a kid.

Ina began making frequent appearances on Martha Stewart's show before landing her own Food Network program, called Barefoot Contessa, in 2002 and since then, Ina has released a whopping 13 cookbooks in total and has embarked on a slew of other business endeavors. Her show went on for 29 seasons before coming to an end in 2021

She also revealed how her mom never allowed her in the kitchen, despite her passion for cooking being obvious from a young age.

In 2023, the chef sat down with Katty Kay for an interview with the BBC, she said concerns about balancing motherhood with her career wasn't what led her to the decision and writing her memoir helped her clarify her feelings.

'I'm actually writing a memoir now and I'm kind of looking back at my childhood - it was nothing I wanted to recreate,' she shared.

'Looking back, I realize a lot of my decisions were based on my childhood. That was really the motivating factor. And Jeffrey and I were just so happy together.'

'I don't know, I think my mother just wanted me in my room and she wanted the kitchen to herself,' she explained.

'She said, "It's your job to study, it's my job to cook. Get out of the kitchen." So I kind of always wanted to do it.

'I think what I was craving as a child was connecting with people and I felt that if you feed them, they always show up and you have a good time together. That was the connection I loved so, I kept doing it over and over again.'

To Ina, her marriage to Jeffery in 1968 was when her 'life began,' telling Eater in 2015 she has nothing in her home from her childhood.

When asked more about it, she said, '[My mom] wasn't the warmest, funniest person around.'

Ina began her career off by working as the White House budget analyst, while slowly refining her cooking skills.

She left her government job in 1978 and purchased a food store in New York called Barefoot Contessa.

The acclaimed chef spent more than two decades growing her business, and released her first cookbook in 1999.

Ina's memoir Be Ready When The Luck Happens will be released on October 1st

The book was hugely successful and launched career as a cook.

Ina began making frequent appearances on Martha Stewart's show before landing her own Food Network program, called Barefoot Contessa, in 2002.

Since then, Ina has released a whopping 13 cookbooks in total and has embarked on a slew of other business endeavors. Her show went on for 29 seasons before coming to an end in 2021.

Ina's memoir Be Ready When The Luck Happens will be released on October 1st.
Sharon Stone will be working alongside Kim Kardashian on a new show.

The Basic Instinct has joined the Elizabeth Taylor biographical series from BBC Arts, it was revealed on Wednesday.

Kim - who is a big fan of the legendary Cleopatra movie star - signed up earlier along with Joan Collins.

Paris Jackson - who was Taylor's god-daughter as Liz and Michael Jackson were close pals - will also be on the series.

Previously announced contributors also include Margaret O'Brien, who went to school with Elizabeth on the MGM backlot and leading scientist Dr. Anthony Fauci, who worked alongside Elizabeth in the fight against AIDS.

Sharon Stone will be working alongside Kim Kardashian on a new show. The Basic Instinct has joined the new Elizabeth Taylor biographical series from BBC Arts. Kim - who is a big fan of the legendary Cleopatra movie star - signed up earlier along with Joan Collins.

Elizabeth Taylor stands with her Oscar at the Academy Awards in 1993 in Los Angeles

The series will air unheard recordings of Taylor herself along with the testimony of close friends and family.

Stone first became friends with Elizabeth Taylor through her work campaigning for those with HIV/AIDS.

In the series Stone speaks in depth about Elizabeth's acting craft, their shared history of activism and experiences as women in the Hollywood studio system.

As a friend, Stone notes: 'She was the first person to send me one hundred roses when I had my stroke'.

Paris was 12 when Elizabeth passed away, but has followed in her godmother's footsteps using her platform to help those with HIV/AIDS, and describes how Elizabeth 'kind of paved the way for other people with that kind of integrity and power to come forth', praising her godmother's 'badass approach to life'.

The series will also feature in-depth interviews Elizabeth Taylor's son Chris Wilding, her granddaughter Naomi Wilding, stepson Todd Fisher and daughter-in-law, Aileen Getty, and Taylor's friend, former boyfriend and star of film and TV, George Hamilton.

There are further insights from Sally Morrison, Elizabeth's publicist and friend; Bill Misenhimer, first Executive Director of AIDS Project Los Angeles, who began working closely with Elizabeth in the early years of the AIDS epidemic until she died in 2011; Gianni Bozzacchi, her personal photographer; Jorjett Strumme, her stylist, assistant and friend; Jose Eber, the hair stylist who began working with Elizabeth in the 1980s and became a close friend, and author and journalist, Kate Andersen Brower, who wrote the only authorised biography of Elizabeth Taylor.

In the series Stone speaks in depth about Elizabeth's acting craft, their shared history of activism and experiences as women in the Hollywood studio system. As a friend, Stone notes: 'She was the first person to send me one hundred roses when I had my stroke'. Seen in August

Paris Jackson - who was was Taylor's god-daughter as Liz and Michael Jackson were close pals - will also be on the series

Joan Collins, seen in 2023 in London, will also be making comments on Taylor

Executive Produced by Kari Lia, Hamish Fergusson and Kim Kardashian, the series reveals the life and times of a superstar who transformed not just Hollywood but fame itself. Each episode will examine how she broke down barriers in every part of her life - and the price she paid for defying convention.

A Passion Pictures production for BBC Arts, Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar is distributed internationally by Fremantle. Passion Pictures is a multi-award winning production company based in London. Recent work includes Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, Lady Boss: The Jackie Colins Story and Caroline Aherne: Queen of Comedy.

James House is the Series Director, Jemma Chisnall is the Series Producer and Caroline Sciama is the Producer/Director. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Alistair Pegg.

The series airs on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer this September. A preview copy will be available soon on BBC Previews and images via BBC Pictures.
Kate Winslet's new war film Lee has been slammed by critics, who have branded the flick 'a clunky concoction,' claiming that the actress is 'wasted' on the movie.

Lee is a 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, it also boasts Josh O'Connor, Marion Cotillard, Andy Samberg, and Alexander Skarsgard.

A year after the movie premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, it is finally on its way for UK audiences and premiered in London's Leicester Square on Tuesday.

Here, MailOnline rounds up what the critics have said about it since it's initial release on 9 September 2023.

Kate Winslet 's new war film Lee has been slammed by critics, who have branded the flick 'a clunky concoction,' claiming that the actress is 'wasted' on the movie

Lee is a biographical drama telling the story of American ex-model Lee Miller who took photographs of poignant moments during World War II for Vogue magazine

The Times critic Kevin Maher brutally penned that 'Kate Winslet is wasted' on the movie and 'even she can't save' the biopic, giving it a measly two stars.

He wrote: 'It would help, however, if there were fleshed out supporting characters with whom Miller could interact, grow, develop, clash and defy. Instead she's simply surrounded by a plethora of mid-level co-stars with less than nothing to do.

'Perhaps sensing the limited nature of the storytelling, the film's three credited screenwriters have concocted a clunky framing device that's set in Sussex in 1977 and features Josh O'Connor as an incurious reporter who blandly quizzes the elderly Miller (Winslet in latex) in between then and thens.'

Adding that: 'Winslet, in turn, is forced to pad out the voiceover with needless bromidic fillers such as, 'The months rolled by' and 'We drove for miles'.

Pictured: Noemie Merlant Alexander Skarsgard, Andrea Riseborough, Kate Winslet and Andy Samberg at the UK Lee premiere

Kate Winslet put on a glamorous display as she attended the London premiere of the new war film at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square

Lee: What the critics said

'Kate Winslet is wasted on this clunky concoction. The actress is in somewhat of a purple patch at the minute but even she can't save this biopic. 'It would help, however, if there were fleshed out supporting characters with whom Miller could interact, grow, develop, clash and defy. Instead she's simply surrounded by a plethora of mid-level co-stars with less than nothing to do' -The Times critic Kevin Maher Rating: 'The film plodding along from one Wikipedia paragraph to the next, with little interest if we're enjoying or even paying attention to the lesson. 'Even the structure, with flashbacks interspersed with Miller telling the story to Josh O'Connor's inquisitive interviewer in the 70s, feels expected, and fails to pay off with a strange and unnecessary double twist at the end' - The Guardian critic Benjamin Lee Rating: 'The war scenes speak loudly on their own, with no need to add dramatic emphasis. Alexandre Desplat's score matches that style, with a subtle, piercing beauty. 'If the first half of Lee had been as dazzlingly effective as the second, it might have been a great film instead of a very good one' - BBC Culture critic Caryn James Rating: 'Lee was clunky in parts when it comes to the narrative and plot but it's the characters that really drive home the remarkable emotion and power of this story and I had to wipe away some (read: many) tears as I left the cinema' - Stylist critic Shahed Ezaydi 'Though proficiently realized and expectedly solemn, 'Lee' lacks any formal impetus that can mimic the fury behind the eyes of its heroine. 'What Winslet, also a producer, brings to the screen (a believably complicated cocktail of defiance, fear and despair) feels too honest and emotionally raw for this mannered cinematic portrait of a singular life' - Variety critic Carlos Aguilar 'For many, Lee will be seen as a vehicle for Winslet, and they won't be disappointed by her performance, which, without wishing to jinx this multi-garlanded actor's future, will surely register as one of her best. 'They might, however, have some bones to pick with a film that fully reflects both its subject's bullishness and her many paradoxes' - Deadline critic Damon Wise 'Kuras' film is competent, polished and awards-ready. And while that all makes for a fine viewing experience, the movie also feels at odds with its subject  a restless woman whose passion and hurt drove her to action' - The Hollywood Reporter critic Lovia Gyarkye Advertisement

In agreement, with another two-star review, The Guardian critic Benjamin Lee wrote: 'It's been gratifying to watch a star of her stature scale back and choose challenge over comfort but Lee feels closer to the kind of film Winslet would have picked in the heyday of her Oscarbait era.'

The critic described the storyline as: 'Plodding along from one Wikipedia paragraph to the next, with little interest if we're enjoying or even paying attention to the lesson.'

However, he does praise the actress for making a 'formidable Miller' and 'lifting the film out of anonymity on her shoulders'.

BBC Culture's Caryn James on the other hand had high praise for the biopic and awarded it four stars.

The critic wrote: 'When she becomes accredited as a journalist by the US military, the film truly comes to match the importance of her work, and gives us the measure of its emotional psychological cost.

'The war scenes speak loudly on their own, with no need to add dramatic emphasis. Alexandre Desplat's score matches that style, with a subtle, piercing beauty. If the first half of Lee had been as dazzlingly effective as the second, it might have been a great film instead of a very good one.'

Although, she did critique that it is 'too conventional to match the unconventional Miller, and the film only becomes truly remarkable when its heroine sets off for war'.

Kate Winslet 's new war film Lee has divided the opinions of critics - with some slamming the flick as 'a clunky concoction' and others praising it as 'dazzlingly effective'

The Guardian critic Benjamin Lee wrote: 'It's been gratifying to watch a star of her stature scale back and choose challenge over comfort but Lee feels closer to the kind of film Winslet would have picked in the heyday of her Oscarbait era'

Stylist's Shahed Ezaydi agreed with other critics that 'Lee was clunky in parts when it comes to the narrative and plot'.

But argued that it's 'the characters that really drive home the remarkable emotion and power of this story'.

The critic was also wowed by Samberg, praising his performance as 'the standout part of this film'.

She wrote: 'We typically know him from comedic projects, such as Brooklyn Nine Nine and SNL, but his portrayal of a photographer thrown into a world war and how this changes him as both a man and photographer is truly brilliant  a far cry from his usual funny tendencies.'

Discussing Winslet's performance, Deadline critic Damon Wise reasoned: 'For many, Lee will be seen as a vehicle for Winslet, and they won't be disappointed by her performance, which, without wishing to jinx this multi-garlanded actor's future, will surely register as one of her best.'

He added: 'They might, however, have some bones to pick with a film that fully reflects both its subject's bullishness and her many paradoxes'.

Meanwhile, Variety's critic Carlos Aguilar says that Winslet 'deploys impressive range' and dubs the film as 'respectable'.

BBC Culture's Caryn James on the other hand had high praise for the biopic and awarded it four stars

Stylist's Shahed Ezaydi was wowed by Samberg, praising his performance as 'the standout part of this film'

He penned: ''Lee' lacks any formal impetus that can mimic the fury behind the eyes of its heroine. What Winslet, also a producer, brings to the screen (a believably complicated cocktail of defiance, fear and despair) feels too honest and emotionally raw for this mannered cinematic portrait of a singular life.

'Still, it's partly because of how by-the-numbers the project is that her fantastic interpretation of a woman unconcerned with upholding the status quo stands out so intensely.'

The Hollywood Reporter critic Lovia Gyarkye, was impressed with the war film, but said that the structure, 'although effective, seems incongruous with its subject'.

They wrote: 'The actress injects award-winning cinematographer Ellen Kuras' glossy and conventional biopic with an energy that ushers an enigmatic figure to the foreground...

'Kuras' film is competent, polished and awards-ready. And while that all makes for a fine viewing experience, the movie also feels at odds with its subject  a restless woman whose passion and hurt drove her to action.'

Lee will hit UK cinema screens on 13 September 2024
Selling Sunset's Mary Fitzgerald Bonnet reveals the details of her sexual assault and teenage pregnancy in her new memoir.

The reality TV star, 44, hopes that by laying bare the difficulties she's gone through she will convey to others that 'there is a light at the end of the tunnel.'

Selling Sunshine: Surviving Teenage Motherhood, Thriving in Luxury Real Estate, and Finally Finding My Voice, hits bookstore shelves on September 24.

'There were so many days where I would just cry and say, "Why does it have to be this hard?" But I just wouldn't give up,' she told Us Weekly, adding, 'I wanted to give other people hope.'

In the book, Mary also writes about her recent fertility struggles after suffering a miscarriage last year, saying that she wants 'the bad that happened to me to help other people.'

Selling Sunset 's Mary Fitzgerald Bonnet reveals the details of her sexual assault and teenage pregnancy in her new memoir

And while she got very candid in her memoir, there were some things she left out.

'There were a couple of things I left out that really impacted me,' because she didn't want to 'hurt or embarrass anybody I love'  particularly her son Austin, 27.

Mary got pregnant at 15 and writes about how she was shunned by people in the Indiana town she grew up in.

'Things happen for a reason,' she said.

'Every place I went, I was a baby with a baby, and I was judged. It was really hurtful [but] because of that, I'm able to deal with the criticism we get on the show. I didn't know at the time that that was setting me up and thickening my skin.'

The real estate agent also divulges that shortly after moving to Los Angeles she was drugged and raped by a man she refers to as 'Joe.'

'I still am affected by it,' Bonnet admitted. 'It's something that will probably never 100 percent go away.'

She said that one of the ways it still affects her is that sometimes when her husband Romain Bonnet, 29, touches her she flinches.

'I dont know if that will ever change, but I think Im dealing with it very well by sharing the story,' Mary told the outlet.

'The hardest part was that I blocked a lot of it out [for] survival, so I had to go back, actually relive it, talk about it and try to remember how I felt,' she explained.

The reality TV star, 44, hopes that by laying bare the difficulties she's gone through she will convey to others that 'There is a light at the end of the tunnel.' Seen here in 2023

Selling Sunshine: Surviving Teenage Motherhood, Thriving in Luxury Real Estate, and Finally Finding My Voice, hits bookstore shelves on September 24; seen with her son

'There were so many days where I would just cry and say, 'Why does it have to be this hard?' But I just wouldn't give up,' she told Us Weekly, adding, ' I wanted to give other people hope. Pictured here with husband Romain Bonnet in 2022

In the book, Mary also writes about her recent fertility struggles after suffering a miscarriage last year, saying that she wants 'the bad that happened to me to help other people'

As Selling Sunset fans know, Mary and Romain have been trying to have a baby and have dealt with a miscarriage and several rounds of IVF along the way.

When it comes down to the message she hopes fans get from her book she said she hopes they know to 'keep moving forward.'

'Whatever it is that youre going through, youll get through it, just like everything else in your life. Just keep believing in yourself because I never believed that I would be where I am now either,' she said.

'Stay positive. Pick yourself back up and be happy. Appreciate all the good things  because they will come.'
Katie Holmes enjoyed some leisure time in NYC on Wednesday - as her daughter Suri Cruise continues to settle into college life,

The actress, 45, whose daughter, 18, is studying at Carnegie Mellon, caught the eye in a graphic print top and baggy sweats as she sipped an iced coffee.

The star completed her ensemble with sneakers, a tan handbag and shades.

Her locks were worn in loose waves and she went make-up free for the outing.

The Dawson's Creek alum is currently rehearsing at at the Barrymore Theatre for the new production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town.

Katie Holmes enjoyed some leisure time in NYC on Wednesday - as her daughter Suri Cruise continues to settle into college life

Katie made her Broadway debut in 2008 for a production of All My Sons, and last appeared on Broadway in 2012's Dead Accounts.

'Love working on @ourtownbroadway,' the actress wrote on social media recently.

'We are in rehearsals and having a great time. This is the very talented and kind and funny and wonderful @zoeydeutch and me.

'Come see @ourtownbroadway, preview performances begin September 17. We open October 10! '

She will star as Mrs. Webb, the mother of Deutsch's protagonist Emily Webb.

Richard Thomas, 73, of The Waltons fame will star as her husband Mr. Webb, and Jim Parson's will tackle the role of Stage Manager.

Ephraim Sykes will star as George Gibbs and Billy Eugene Jones will play his father Dr. Gibbs in the contemporary update to the play first performed in 1938.

In an interview with Town & Country magazine for the September issue, Holmes revealed her daughter hopes to join the family business and will study acting and dance at Carnegie Mellon University.

The actress shares her daughter with ex-husband Tom Cruise, 62.

The actress, 45, whose daughter, 18, is studying at Carnegie Mellon, caught the eye in a graphic print top and baggy sweats as she sipped an iced coffee

The star completed her ensemble with sneakers, a tan handbag and shades

Suri Cruise is a freshman at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg. The daughter Katie Holmes told Town & Country magazine last month that she will be studying acting and dance

Suri and Tom inside the Waldorf Astoria Ballroom in New York City in 2012

The Top Gun star is estranged from his youngest child because she is not a member of Scientology, and is considered a 'suppressive person.'

In their divorce, Cruise agreed to pay Holmes $38,000 a month in child support, which ended when Suri turned 18. He also agreed to cover her college costs. Tuition is currently $68,000 a year.

One of the acting courses available at Carnegie Mellon focuses on the films of Stanley Kubrick, which include his works from 1967-1999.

Among those are; Paths of Glory, Lolita, Dr. Strangelove, the Oscar winning 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Eyes Wide Shut, starring Cruise and then-wife Nicole Kidman.
Joey Essex has reportedly been slapped with a near 300,000 tax bill just weeks after landing back in the UK with girlfriend Jessy Potts following his stint on Love Island.

The TOWIE star, 33, also has to return a 30,000 Covid Bounce Back Loan, according to The Sun.

In July, the TV personality was believed to have potentially faced a court battle when his performing arts firm, Joey Essex Management, was given a winding up petition.

A winding-up petition is a legal document filed by a creditor with the court to force a company into liquidation and close it down.

After finding love in the villa with Jessy, Joey claimed he would voluntarily close the company but he reportedly now has a lineup of huge tax bills.

Joey Essex has been slapped with a near 300,000 tax bill, according to The Sun

The TOWIE star, 33, also reportedly has to return a 30,000 Covid Bounce Back Loan just weeks after landing back in the UK with girlfriend Jessy Potts following his stint on Love Island

Joey reportedly has to pay 259,000 for a corporation tax bill and 30,900 in VAT.

He also has to pay 30,000 for a Covid Bounce Back Loan, according to the publication.

The loan was given to struggling business owners by the government to help them during the pandemic.

Joey is also said to owe 11,250 to unnamed trade creditors.

He is reportedly returning a 780,000 loan from the company which means the company which indicates he will have money to cover the tax bills.

Joey has had to sign a Declaration of Solvency document stating: I have formed the opinion that this company will be able to pay its debts in full together with interest at the official rate within 12 months.

Accounts for the firm were several years behind and his three other active companies are JDE Property Limited, Fusey Productions Limited and The Top TT Limited, which he set up in 2023 and is yet to file accounts.

A representative for Joey was approached by MailOnline for a comment.

In July, the TV personality was believed to have potentially faced a court battle when his performing arts firm, Joey Essex Management, was given a winding up petition

After finding love in the villa with Jessy, Joey claimed he would voluntarily close the company but he reportedly now has a lineup of huge tax bills

Joey reportedly has to pay 259,000 for a corporation tax bill and 30,900 in VAT. He also has to pay 30,000 for a Covid Bounce Back Loan, according to the publication

Joey is also said to owe 11,250 to unnamed trade creditors. He is reportedly returning a 780,000 loan from the company which means the company which indicates he will have money to cover the tax bills

The unearthing of his tax bill comes comes after Joey and Jessy, 25, were accused of faking their romance following their stint in the Love Island villa, despite claiming the romance was the 'real deal'.

After missing out on a spot in the ITV2 final and voted 'least compatible' the pair returned to the UK and have busy attending numerous events separately.

While Joey has been raking in a reported 250,000 on a club tour, Jessy has been partying with pals and attending movie premieres.

The couple have appeared together for TV and magazine interviews, where Joey hinted at them starting a family, but have not made an appearance on each other's Instagram grids.

The TV star caused a stir when he entered the villa as the first celebrity contestant.

Despite being labelled as the 'pantomime villain' and well known for his bachelor antics, he later claimed to have settled down with 'exclusive girlfriend' Jessy.

Joey claims the pair have already started thinking about their future despite not the 'L' word to each other yet.

Telling OK! Magazine: 'We've already spoken about kids.'

'We both want a big family. But we're having a bit of a tiff at the moment. She wants four, I want eight.

'Imagine how great that would be? I'm ready. I'd do it tomorrow. Maybe even tonight!'.

The unearthing of his tax bill comes comes after Joey and Jessy were accused of faking their romance following their stint in the Love Island villa , despite claiming the romance was the 'real deal'

After being asked if they've said the 'love' word to each other yet. Jessy said, 'We don't want to rush things.'

Despite the criticism, Joey said he wanted people to focus on him and his new flame as a couple and ignore all the noise around them, insisting he was 'genuine' during his time in the villa.

He added neither of them had played any games and neither could see any red flags despite 'testing each other'.

He said: 'We took our time, had fun and enjoyed each other's company. We weren't jumping to make decisions because the next bombshell was coming in, or because it was Casa Amor, we did things our way. We played it correctly. We weren't in it to win it. We just wanted to be together.'
Gemma Whelan returned to screens this week as DS Sarah Collins for the third season of ITV's The Tower.

Set in south London and based on a trilogy of novels by former policewoman Kate London, the stories centre on a high-rise block where serious crime is endemic.

Three gangs vie for control, with the teenage delivery boys all carrying zombie knives and DS Collins investigating a brutal murder.

And while fans of the series may also know Gemma, 43, as Yara Greyjoy in Game Of Thrones, her career beginnings may come as a surprise to some.

From training as a yoga teacher to battling an eating disorder and welcoming two children with her husband Gerry Howell. Here MailOnline takes a look at her life.

Gemma Whelan returned to screens this week as DS Sarah Collins for the third season of ITV's The Tower (pictured in November)

Set in south London and based on a trilogy of novels by former policewoman Kate London, the stories centre on a high-rise block where serious crime is endemic

The actress was born in Leeds, growing up in the Midland's where she went on to train as a yoga teacher because my mum said Id need something to fall back on  all the faith! she told The Daily Mail's You Magazine last year.

As a teenager, she became anorexic and was hospitalised. She has previously described overcoming the eating disorder as her greatest achievement and said the experience shaped her personality.

Speaking to The Times, Gemma said: 'It's part of my life. If it can help one or two people maybe feel its not hopeless and you can get better, then yeah, Ill share it.

'I am not so private I wouldnt talk about that. Because it really shaped me. It formed so much of my life and the way I live my life and my personality and my approach to things.'

Her career began in comedy, having done stand-up as a module on her performing arts degree at Middlesex University.

As a graduate she would sit down every Monday with an industry printout of small acting roles and send letters and photographs to every one: From my little flat in Greenwich, where I lived in the lounge  me and two boys were sharing it and we couldnt afford a three-bed,' she told You Magazine.

Gemma eventually went on to star as Marian, sister of Anne Lister, in the 19th-century drama Gentleman Jack, and Kate in Upstart Crow, the BBC2 sitcom about Shakespeare, after being cast in Game Of Thrones in 2011.

And while fans of the series may also know Gemma, 43, as Yara Greyjoy in Game Of Thrones, her career beginnings may come as a surprise to some

The actress was born in Leeds, growing up in the Midland's where she went on to train as a yoga teacher because my mum said Id need something to fall back on she told You Magazine (pictured in 2022)

She shares two children with her writer and comedian husband Gerry, who works part-time in patient liaison at Londons Maudsley Hospital (pictured in 2016)

She shares two children with her writer and comedian husband Gerry, who works part-time in patient liaison at Londons Maudsley Hospital.

Gemma previously has explained how her dad had begged her not to have children, just before he died of cancer in 2016.

He said, Will you promise me not to have children? But only because of the state of the world that I would be bringing them into. I mean, the world he left behind was peachy compared to now.

'Seven years ago, Brexit hadnt been finalised, there was still a bit of hope and decent weather; a relative utopia. But I fully agreed with him. Then he passed away and the urge to make my own children was so strong. And just over a year later Frances arrived.

It is strange how it happened. Gerry and I had been together for years, quite content, like, Guess we dont need children, were having fun, arent we? This is fine,"' she told You Magazine.

'But you grow up quickly when you lose a parent. Its a seismic shift. I wanted to make my own family.

The couple rushed through a wedding when she was five months pregnant, Gemma admitted.

Their daughter, Frances, now six, was born a few months later, joined by her brother Freddie in 2021.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain in 2019 on Gemma, 37 recalled how she had to breastfeed the baby on set between takes, as she shot the final episodes for Game of Thrones season 8.

The couple rushed through a wedding when she was five months pregnant, Gemma admitted. Their daughter, Frances, six, was born a few months later, joined by brother Freddie in 2021 (pictured in 2020)

The first series of gritty crime drama The Tower began in 2021 and was praised for the dark human storylines

She said: 'She came on set with me for the whole thing. I was breastfeeding her in between takes when I was taking breaks.

'I was tied in [to her costume]. It's hard to get in to [her costume]!'

The first series of gritty crime drama The Tower began in 2021 and was praised for the dark human storylines that ran alongside the investigation into the deaths of a young woman and a police officer who had fallen from a London tower block.

The show centres around Farlow police station, where we see DS Sarah Collins, played by Whelan, given the unpopular job of investigating her own colleagues after a police officer and a young girl fell to their deaths.
Joker: Folie a Deux - a bold, brilliant sequel

Rating:

Five years have passed since the triumphant opening of Joker at the Venice Film Festival. I still vividly remember reeling out of a morning screening, dazzled less by the unforgiving glare of the Venetian sun than by the movie wed just been shown.

Five years have passed since the triumphant opening of Joker at the Venice Film Festival. I still vividly remember reeling out of a morning screening, dazzled less by the unforgiving glare of the Venetian sun than by the movie wed just been shown.

Last night, here in Venice, came the world premiere of the sequel, Joker: Folie a Deux The director is again Todd Phillips, with Joaquin Phoenix once more in the title role, this time joined by Lady Gaga as what I suppose we must call the love interest, although that would undervalue her wonderful performance.

The film is audaciously different in style from the original, not quite as electrifying, but bold and brilliant all the same.

It begins with a kind of sinister jauntiness with a Joker animation in the style of a Tom & Jerry cartoon, to show that since the events of the first movie, Arthur Fleck along with his murderous alter ego has become a cultural phenomenon in Gotham City. There has even been a TV movie about him.

Joaquin Phoenix is once more in the title role, this time joined by Lady Gaga as what I suppose we must call the love interest, although that would undervalue her wonderful performance

The film is audaciously different in style from the original, not quite as electrifying, but bold and brilliant all the same

Joker: Folie a Deux is released on October 4, 2024 and will premiere at the 81st annual Venice Film Festival

But Arthur is behind bars, waiting to see whether he will be judged sane enough to stand trial for murder, and in the meantime enjoying his celebrity status both with fellow prisoners and even the warders, one of whom, a sadistic Irishman played by Brendan Gleeson, feeds him cigarettes in return for jokes.

Lady Gaga plays Lee, a fellow inmate on her way, we suppose, to becoming Jokers girlfriend Harley Quinn. The pair hit it off at a music therapy class, and are soon mutually smitten, but Lee makes it clear that she loves the dangerously charismatic Joker, clown prince of crime, not the gloomily introspective Arthur.

Indeed, identity confusion is the theme of this film, which delves even deeper than the original into schizophrenia and other types of mental illness.

It's been said that Folie a Deux is a musical. Its not, but music looms large as an expression of Arthur and Lees burgeoning love for one another. It is while watching Vincente Minnellis 1953 classic The Band Wagon that Lee, who claims to have been imprisoned for arson, sets fire to their prison wing.

The ensuing chaos provides an excellent opportunity to escape, yet Phillips and his co-writer Scott Silver toy with our expectations throughout; each time we anticipate which way the narrative is going to go, it confounds us by wheeling off in another direction.

The music is a constant, though, with Lady Gaga giving her interpretation of lovely old Burt Bacharach and even Motown numbers, and Phoenix more than holding his own. There are also a couple of swooning dance routines that make Arthur and Lee look like psychotic versions of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in La La Land.

Eventually, after Arthurs high-profile TV appearance with a smug interviewer played by Steve Coogan, it is time for the trial, with all of Gotham gripped by the subject of multiple personality disorder.

Is Arthur the defendant accused of five murders, or is it Joker? His kindly lawyer (Catherine Keener) wants to make clear it is Arthur; Lee just as urgently wants him to identify as Joker.

Lady Gaga plays Lee, a fellow inmate on her way, we suppose, to becoming Jokers girlfriend Harley Quinn

For those cinema-goers who consider Joker: Folie a Deux to be just another unnecessary Batman spin-off, you should maybe think again

All this is compellingly directed by Phillips, and superbly acted by Phoenix especially, in a role for which he seems custom-made, but by Gaga too. Weve known since A Star is Born in 2018 that she can act, but she really is terrific in a bad-girl role. Theyd have loved her at St Trinians.

As for those cinema-goers who consider Joker: Folie a Deux to be just another unnecessary Batman spin-off, you should maybe think again.

This might not quite be in the top rank of films about mental illness, alongside all-time greats such as Psycho and One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest. But its not too far off.

Joker: Folie a Deux opens in the UK on October 4, 2024.
Brooke Mueller has revealed that she is nine months sober as she was recently involved in a police probe of two people arrested in the Matthew Perry ketamine overdose investigation.

The 47-year-old ex-wife of Charlie Sheen admitted that her her alcohol addiction had a 'devastating' impact on her relationships.

She opened up about her newfound sobriety and said that she and the 59-year-old actor and his ex-wife Denise Richards, 53, "get along" when she isn't drinking.

Brooke has 15-year-old twins Bob and Max with the Platoon star - whom she was married to from 2002 to 2006 - and he has daughters, Lola, 19, and Sami, 20, with former Bond girl Denise, and Brooke has described their modern family as 'pretty unique'.

She told the Hollywood Raw podcast: 'We have a fantastic relationship, and we have this pretty unique modern family over here where Charlie and I both live. And my kids are great.'

Brooke Mueller has revealed that she is nine months sober as she was recently involved in a police probe of two people arrested in the Matthew Perry ketamine overdose investigation

The 47-year-old ex-wife of Charlie Sheen admitted that her her alcohol addiction had a 'devastating' impact on her relationships; the former couple are seen with theirtwin sons Bob and Max in 2011

Brooke moved the twins to Utah after they were put in Denise's care, but she insists she has never had a problem with her.

She said: 'It was not always good. The reason why our relationship wasn't good, it didn't have to do with Denise, it was my addiction.

'And that's why all these relationships I've had with Denise or Charlie, or my mother, or anyone, they're great when I'm sober, but then you can sully it all up, unfortunately. And this is the devastating thing about addiction is that it affects everybody, not just the addict.'

Brooke admits she has been a 'nightmare' in the past and is grateful to Denise for looking after her children when she wasn't able, and she has continued to support her on her journey to sobriety.

She said: 'It's like I have that Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde thing, so it really wasn't anything she did.

'She actually did step up and tried to step up, and was very helpful. In fact, she was really helpful with me recently too, last year.'

Brooke admits she is lucky to be coming out the other side of addiction and has a supportive group around her.

She added: 'A lot of people at my level of addiction don't make it. In fact, most people don't. I worked really hard. It has not been easy. I am sober.

Brooke has 15-year-old twins Bob and Max with the Platoon star - whom she was married to from 2002 to 2006 - and he has daughters, Lola, 19, and Sami, 20, with former Bond girl Denise, and Brooke has described their modern family as 'pretty unique'; Charlie and Denise are seen with their daughters

'I do work a program. I do believe in the Twelve Steps. I have a fantastic sober community here in Malibu of some great women, and set meetings that I go to.'

Meanwhile Brooke was recently involved in the law enforcement probe that led to five arrests last month in connection with actor Matthew Perry's fatal overdose.

Mueller 'aided in the police investigation' into Perry's death last October, TMZ reported on Wednesday, as she was affiliated with both Jasveen Sangha, 41, and Erik Fleming, 54.

Both were arrested in connection with Perry's death last October, as prosecutors said Sangha - nicknamed 'The Ketamine Queen' - sold Perry the drugs that killed him, and Fleming had brought them to him.

The Ellenville, New York-born actress is mother to twin sons Bob and Max Sheen, 15, with the Two and a Half Men alum, 58, who she was wed to from 2008 to 2011.

Mueller at one time had been in a Los Angeles-area drug rehabilitation facility with both Sangha and Friends star Perry, who was 54 at the time of his death on October 28, 2023.

In legal docs reviewed by the AP, prosecutors said that Sangha had been distributing substances such as ketamine from her North Hollywood, California home, including the drugs that led to Perry's death.

She has been charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine, and five counts of distribution of ketamine.

Meanwhile Brooke (pictured 2019 in LA) was recently involved in the law enforcement probe that led to five arrests last month in connection with actor Matthew Perry 's fatal overdose

Mueller had been in an LA-area drug rehabilitation facility with both Jasveen Sangha, 41, and Perry, who was 54 at the time of his death on October 28, 2023. Pictured in LA last April

Sangha - who faces 10 years to life in prison if convicted - has entered a not guilty plea in connection with the allegations, but a magistrate judge said she should remain in custody.

Mueller and Fleming were 'super close' with one another, the outlet reported, and she had also been 'extremely close' with Perry for years, meeting Sheen at one of Perry's parties.

Fleming, 54, who was a friend of Perrys, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death.

Prosecutors said Fleming would procure ketamine from Sangha and give it to Perrys live-in personal assistant Kenneth Iwamasa.

Fleming - who faces up to 25 years in prison - delivered 50 vials of ketamine for Perrys use, including 25 handed over four days before the actors death, prosecutors said.

Mueller's phone and computer were seized by authorities probing Perry's death this past March while she was at a rehab facility, TMZ reported.

Authorities had been able to obtain a search warrant of Mueller's property last spring after demonstrating probable cause of a crime to a court, the outlet reported.

Mueller has not been arrested in connection with the case, TMZ reported, with one insider informing the outlet that she hasn't testified in front of a grand jury, and wasn't granted immunity prior to speaking with law enforcement.

Jasveen Sangha, 41, is accused of distributing substances such as ketamine from her North Hollywood, California home, including the drugs that led to Perry's death

Mueller 'cooperated with authorities and helped their investigation,' a source told the outlet, noting that information she provided led to Fleming's indictment.

The three other people arrested earlier this month in connection with Perry's death include Iwamasa, 59, who has has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, facing up to 15 years in prison.

Dr. Salvador Plasencia was arrested August 15 and charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation

Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, has entered a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Chavez sold ketamine that he had previously obtained by writing a fraudulent prescription to Plasencia, who then sold it to Iwamasa.
Zendaya and Tom Holland matched each other in white tank tops when they were spotted out and about in Los Angeles this week.

The hot showbiz couple sweetly held hands with one another as they strolled through Calabasas, a suburb known as the home of the Kardashians.

They were accompanied by Zendaya's mother Claire Stoermer, who wore a flowy green top over a set of camouflage trousers.

Tom, 28, who achieved worldwide fame as the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Spider-Man, showed off his muscled arms and sculpted torso in his tight sleeveless shirt.

Meanwhile Zendaya, 28, went bra-less underneath her thin white top, which she clashed elegantly against a long set of black shorts.

Zendaya and Tom Holland matched each other in white tank tops when they were spotted out and about in Los Angeles this week

The Dune actress brought the look together with a set of black flats and occasionally accessorized with a stylish highlighter green jacket.

Going for a naturalistic look where makeup was concerned, the Euphoria star swept her locks tightly back into a bun.

Meanwhile Tom, who is signed to play Old Hollywood song-and-dance man Fred Astaire in an upcoming biopic, teamed his tank top with a set of dark jeans.

The couple, as well as Zendaya's mother, were all seen refreshing themselves with iced beverages as they ambled through an open-air market.

They could be seen perusing some of the produce on display, with Claire apparently having a look at the watermelons available for purchase.

Zendaya and Tom were the subject of dating rumors since they wrapped Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017, their first movie together.

However she repeatedly denied that they were an item for years before they confirmed that they were romantically involved in 2021.

'He's literally one of my best friends,' Zendaya said during a 2017 interview, shortly after the release of Spider-Man: Homecoming.

The showbiz hot couple sweetly held hands with one another as they strolled through Calabasas, a suburb known as the home of the Kardashians

They were accompanied by Zendaya's mother Claire Stoermer, who wore a flowy green top over a set of camouflage trousers

Tom, 28, who achieved worldwide fame as Spider-Man, showed off his muscled arms and sculpted torso in his clinging sleeveless shirt

Meanwhile Zendaya, 28, went bra-less underneath her thin white top, which she clashed elegantly against a long set of black shorts

The Dune actress brought the look together with a set of black flats and occasionally accessorized with a stylish highlighter green jacket

Going for a naturalistic look where makeup was concerned, the Euphoria star swept her locks tightly back into a bun

Meanwhile Tom, who is signed to play Old Hollywood song-and-dance man Fred Astaire in an upcoming biopic, teamed his tank top with a set of dark jeans

The couple, as well as Zendaya's mother, were all seen refreshing themselves with iced beverages as they ambled through an open-air market

They could be seen perusing some of the produce on display, with Claire apparently having a look at the watermelons available for purchase

Zendaya and Tom were the subject of dating rumors since they wrapped Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017, their first movie together

However she repeatedly denied that they were an item for years before they confirmed that they were romantically involved in 2021

'He's literally one of my best friends,' Zendaya said during a 2017 interview, shortly after the release of Spider-Man: Homecoming

'This past how many months we've had to do press tours together. There's very few people that will understand what that's like at 20 years old,' she told Variety.

Indeed both Zendaya and Tom have reportedly dated other people in the years between when the rumors started and when the romance was confirmed.

Zendaya was linked to her Euphoria co-star Jacob Elordi in 2019, while Tom was said to have gone into COVID-19 lockdown with English actress Nadia Parkes in 2020.

However in July 2021, Tom and Zendaya became public as a couple when they were spotted kissing in a car after paying a visit to her mother.

Since then, the pair have not shied away from being seen together, but they have been reticent to discuss the details of their relationship in public.

'This past how many months we've had to do press tours together,' Zendaya told Variety: 'There's very few people that will understand what that's like at 20 years old'

Indeed both Zendaya and Tom have reportedly dated other people in the years between when the rumors started and when the romance was confirmed

Zendaya was linked to her Euphoria co-star Jacob Elordi in 2019, while Tom was said to have gone into COVID-19 lockdown with English actress Nadia Parkes in 2020

However in July 2021, Tom and Zendaya became public as a couple when they were spotted kissing in a car after paying a visit to her mother

Since then, Tom and Zendaya have not shied away from being seen together, but they have been reticent to discuss the details of their relationship in public

Tom shed some light on their tight-lipped stance last year when he appeared on a podcast hosted by the self-help guru Jay Shetty

'My relationship is the thing I keep most sacred,' he said, adding: 'I don't talk about it,' and explaining: 'I try my best to keep it as private as possible'

Tom shed some light on their tight-lipped stance last year when he appeared on a podcast hosted by the self-help guru Jay Shetty.

'My relationship is the thing I keep most sacred. I don't talk about it,' he said. 'I try my best to keep it as private as possible.'

He explained: 'We both feel like that is the healthiest way for us to move on as a couple, so I do try to keep as removed from Hollywood as possible.'

'Our relationship is something that we are incredibly protective of and we want to keep as sacred as possible,' he told The Hollywood Reporter the same year.

'We dont think that we owe it to anyone, its our thing, and it has nothing to do with our careers,' the The Crowded Room actor added.
Chinese premier meets Nigerian president

Xinhua) 16:38, September 04, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday met with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit.

Li said China stands ready to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Nigeria, and give full play to the overall planning and coordinating roles played by the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee.

Under the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, China will deepen cooperation with Nigeria in areas of infrastructure construction, finance, agriculture and fisheries, and expand cooperation in marine economy, clean energy and digital economy, he noted.

Li expressed China's willingness to import more quality products from Nigeria, increase bilateral people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation, enhance coordination in multilateral fields, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and uphold international fairness and justice.

China and Nigeria on Tuesday announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Tinubu said that the comprehensive strategic partnership was established on the basis of treating each other as equals as well as reciprocity and mutual benefit.

Nigeria will work with China to enhance exchanges and cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, manufacturing, education and culture, and tap cooperation potentials for greater development in bilateral relations from a new starting point, he added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Michael Keaton used to party hard with Jack Nicholson in the 1990s.

The 72-year-old star met the 87-year-old iconic Hollywood actor when they costarred in 1989's Batman - Michael was Batman and Jack was The Joker.

The Pennsylvania native - who is now in the sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - had some wild times with the three-time Oscar winner.

They hung out at Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills, California with Playboy bunnies.

And Jack took Michael to Paris on a private jet where they started partying after 10pm at night.

But Keaton has now told People that the party scene wasn't for him, and he actually much preferred the intellectual chats the pair had together.

Michael Keaton used to party hard with Jack Nicholson in the 1990s, he told People; seen in 2002

The 72-year-old star met the 87-year-old iconic Hollywood actor when they costarred in 1989's Batman - Michael was Batman and Jack was The Joker

Instead of hitting the clubs and drinking Cristal from the Louis Roederer Champagne House, Michael just wanted to chat with The Shining actor.

'I just really liked him,' said Keaton.

'He's really, really intelligent. Really. A real reader. Just has an innate intelligence, and then a self-taught intelligence... Because he devours books.'

And Jack was an astute conversationalist: 'Always something to talk about. Very opinionated about things when you're in a conversation.'

But a lot of the time Nicholson - who used to date Anjelica Huston and Lara Flynn Boyle - wanted to live the high life.

'He took me to Paris in a jet,' shared Keaton.

'I was like a Boy Scout. I was ready to go out like a normal person. Jack didn't get out of his room until like 10pm or 10:30pm.'

That means they were hitting the Parisian nightclubs like Club Castel at midnight. 'Jack was having a ball. He had the biggest grin on his face,' noted the actor.

But Keaton was not into staying out all night and whooping it up.

They hung out at Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills, California

(L to R) Playboy bunny Sheila Levell, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner and Playboy bunny Holly Madison in 2003

And Jack took Michael to Paris on a private jet where they started partying after 10 pm at night. Jack seen in Paris in 1990.

Roman Polanski, Nicholson and Anjelica Huston in Paris in 1984

Keaton landed the latest cover of People magazine to talk his new movie

'I headed back to the hotel before him and I remember thinking, "This is fun, but it's kind of wasted on me,"' shared the star.

Keaton is also best known for his titular role in 1988's Beetlejuice and admitted that he almost didn't take the role when offered it by director Tim Burton because he 'didn't get the character' and couldn't understand the quirky filmmaker.

He told the magazine: 'I just said, "I don't know what it is, and he'd probably be better off getting someone else because I don't get it.'

'Not like, "I don't get it. I thought it was bad." I literally didn't know what it was.'

However, they quickly hit it off and he has just reprised the role for the sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

He continued: 'My gut said, "This guy is something. For sure, something." Plus, I just liked him. I liked him as a person. I got along with him, and he seemed like my kind of eccentric artist.'
Tammy Slaton reportedly picked up her sister Amy Slaton's children after her sibling was arrested on drug and child endangerment charges at the Tennessee Safari Park zoo.

People has reported that Tammy, 38, retrieved her two nephews, Gage Deon, four, and Glenn Allen, two, after their mother was taken into custody on Labor Day, a law enforcement source shared with the publication.

Amy was arrested at the zoo but the source was unable to confirm if the children were picked up by their aunt at the zoo or at the Crockett County Sheriff's Office later that day.

Amy's friend Brian Scott Lovvorn was with her at the park and was also arrested. He is facing the same charges as her and they were both released from police custody on Tuesday.

The two were 'holding hands' as they left custody and were also picked up by Amy's brother Chris, the source told People.

Tammy Slaton, pictured R, reportedly picked up her sister Amy Slaton's (L) children after her sibling was arrested on drug and child endangerment charges at the Tennessee Safari Park zoo

The 1000-lb Sisters star, 36, who was seen frowning in a mugshot, received medical treatment at the Alamo safari park after reportedly being bitten by a camel

People previously reported that the two children were placed in the custody of a family member following the arrest. It's not yet certain if Tammy is that relative.

The parenting situation will be investigated by the Tennessee Department of Child Services, according to People.

Amy was reportedly bitten by a camel before her arrest. She received medical treatment at the zoo and was pictured being wheeled out of a Tennessee safari park on a stretcher.

The TV personality looked pained as she lay on the stretcher with her right forearm wrapped in a shirt. The nature of the injury is currently unknown.

Police were called to the park for the camel bite but upon arrival, they noted 'suspicious odors' coming from their vehicle, according to the deputies.

A spokesman for the Crockett County Sheriff's Department told People responding officers discovered 'what they believed to be mushrooms' and 'what they believed to be marijuana' inside Slaton's vehicle after smelling marijuana in the car and seeing the drugs out 'in plain sight.'

Slaton and friend Lovvorn were arrested and face charges of illegal possession of schedule I, illegal possession of schedule VI and two counts of child endangerment.

Tammy's two children were in the car when their mother was arrested but were uninjured, the Crockett County Sheriff told Us Weekly.

Tennessee Safari Park co-owner Claude Conley, 44, denied Slaton had been bitten by a camel, telling The US Sun 'there is no bruising. She cut her arm on something, its not consistent with an animal bite.

'Her boyfriend or the man she was with was acting crazy, screaming and yelling and all kinds of stuff.

'He got mad that the police came out there because he just wanted the ambulance to come.'

They were booked into the Crockett County Jail on on $10,000 bond - with a representative confirming the pair were released on Tuesday.

The representative told the publication: 'Amys brother Chris Combs and Hughes bonding company bonded both of them out together from Crockett County jail and they left with Chris.'

They will be arraigned on the charges on Thursday, September 5.

DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Slaton for comment.

Slaton finalized her divorce from ex-husband Michael Halterman last year.

The couple share two children and had reportedly clashed over their appearance on the TLC reality show.

The pair welcomed their first child, Gage Deon, in November 2020 and their second son, Glenn Allen, in July 2022.

'There was no support. There was no love. There was no kindness. There was just mental abuse,' she told People of their marriage. 'I just got tired of hiding it from people.'

A confrontation between her, her sisters and Michael was shown on season five of the series.

Slaton was arrested along with Brian Scott Lovvorn, who is facing the same charges

'That's the day I left,' she said. 'But I was falling out of love with him before that.'

After a lengthy custody battle, the former couple decided to share parenting duties.

Amy rose to fame starring opposite her sister Tammy Slaton on the series 1000-Lb. Sisters. The fifth season of the show premiered late last year.

The star has dropped an impressive 176 pounds ever since having weight loss surgery five years ago.

Slaton introduced fans to a new man before her divorce was finalized and was dating a Michigan man named Tony, the US Sun reports.

By the time her divorce was finalized the couple had been together for around three months.
Bradley Cooper has returned from his luxe Italian getaway with his girlfriend Gigi Hadid, 29.

The Maestro star, 49, was seen in New York City with his daughter Lea De Seine Cooper, seven.

The little girl wore a darling sundress while her dad had on a white t-shirt and khaki pants.

The Alias alum shares Lea with his ex-girlfriend, model Irina Shayk, 38, whom he was in a relationship with from 2015 to 2019.

Cooper and his daughter were also seen with another child, a boy, in the on-the-go snaps.

Bradley Cooper has returned from his luxe Italian getaway with his girlfriend Gigi Hadid, 29. The Maestro star, 49, was seen in New York City with his daughter Lea De Seine Cooper, seven

Over the weekend, the Silver Linings Playbook star was seen kissing Hadid on a luxury yacht in Italy.

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

Lea was also on the weekend getaway to Europe with him and Cooper's mother Gloria also came along.

On Thursday, Cooper and Hadid reached a milestone in their relationship when she was spotted for the first time with Lea as they touched down in Sardinia.

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

On the previous weekend, Cooper and Lea were guests at Taylor Swift's lavish Rhode Island mansion.

In exclusive photos obtained by DailyMail.com, Bradley soaked up the summer sun with his seven-year-old daughter as they stood on a balcony  and at one point, he flashed a big smile during a lighthearted moment.

Insiders claim that the Wedding Crashers star is planning to propose to Gigi.

The little girl wore a darling sundress while her dad wore a white t-shirt and khaki pants. The Alias alum shares Lea with his ex-girlfriend, model Irina Shayk, 38, whom he was in a relationship with from 2015 to 2019

Over the weekend, the Silver Linings Playbook star was seen kissing Hadid on a luxury yacht in Italy. Seen here in February 2024

A source told DailyMail.com that Cooper has plans to propose to the model. 'Bradley has already determined that he is going to ask Gigi to marry him.'

'This is not even a question. They discussed family and marriage early on in their relationship. They have been committed to each other and to their plans for some time and now it is just a matter of when.'

The insider added, 'Bradley only has a couple of projects currently in production but has nothing lined up after that.'

'He wants to take some time away to focus on this and give Gigi the attention and love she deserves.'
Jo O'Meara and Anthea Turner channelled their inner Bohemian Island style as they stepped out in Greek-inspired ensembles for the fifth birthday gala performance of Mamma Mia! The Party on Wednesday evening.

The S Club star, 45, looked trendy in a 90s-inspired look as she wore a fitted white top which featured cut-out panels on the chest to the O2 Arena in London.

She paired her long-sleeve top with a pair of blue skinny jeans adorned with gold studs around the pockets and ankles.

Adding inches to her frame, the blonde beauty finished her look with some classical white heels.

Joining her on the blue carpet, TV presenter Anthea, 64, flaunted her ageless beauty as she graced the backdrop in a blue and white Peasant blouse which featured Greek-inspired patterns on the sleeves.

Jo O'Meara (pictured) and Anthea Turner (right) channelled their inner Bohemian Island style as they stepped out in Greek-inspired ensembles for the fifth birthday gala performance of Mamma Mia! he Party on Wednesday

The S Club star, 45, looked trendy in a 90s-inspired look as she wore a fitted white top which featured cut-out panels on the chest to the O2 Arena in London

Inspired by the show's stars, Donna and Sophie, Anthea paired her top with a pair of boot-cut blue jeans and a flower crown.

In keeping with the film's beachy theme, the blonde beauty finished her look with nude whicker wedges.

She appeared in top spirits as she posed for a snap with fellow presenter Philippa Forrester, 55, who aced the rustic beach look in white flared trousers and a green floral jacket.

Elsewhere, Sandi Toksvig, 66, was the epitome of beach chic, wearing a white linen suit to the gala.

Linda Robson, 66, and her daughter Lauren looked pretty in pink as they arrived in bright pink summer dresses.

Fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes, 83, showcased her quirky style as she stepped out in a dramatic 80s-inspired outfit featuring ruffled sleeves and fringed trousers.

Actress Celia Imrie, 72, looked fabulous in a navy clock with a silver sequin pattern.

The IT Crowd's Katherine Parkinson, 46, put on a sophisticated slip dress and dress coat.

Inspired by the show's stars, Donna and Sophie, Anthea paired her top with a pair of boot-cut blue jeans and a flower crown

In keeping with the film's beachy theme, the blonde beauty finished her look with nude whicker wedges

She appeared in top spirits as she posed for a snap with fellow presenter Philippa Forrester, 55, who aced the rustic beach look in white flared trousers and a green floral jacket

Elsewhere, Sandi Toksvig, 66, was the epitome of beach chic, wearing a white linen suit to the gala

Linda Robson, 66, and her daughter Lauren looked pretty in pink as they arrived in bright pink summer dresses

Fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes, 83, showcased her quirky style as she stepped out in a dramatic 80s-inspired outfit featuring ruffled sleeves and fringed trousers

Actress Celia Imrie, 72, looked fabulous in a navy clock with a silver sequin pattern

The IT Crowd's Katherine Parkinson, 46, put on a sophisticated slip dress and dress coat

Radio host Nick Ferrari, 65, put on a strapping display in a blown blazer, blue shirt and blue trousers

EastEnders' Jo Joyner, 47, opted for a smart casual look for the evening. She stepped out in a vibrant purple blazer and a black blouse

Grace actress Rakie Ayola, 56, was the epitome of chic in a silky, asymmetrical dress with a low neckline

Mamma Mia! The Party is an immersive, interactive theatrical experience inspired by the famous Mamma Mia! musical and film (pictured: Richard Arnold)

Radio host Nick Ferrari, 65, put on a strapping display in a blown blazer, blue shirt and blue trousers.

EastEnders' Jo Joyner, 47, opted for a smart casual look for the evening. She stepped out in a vibrant purple blazer and a black blouse.

Grace actress Rakie Ayola, 56, was the epitome of chic in a silky, asymmetrical dress with a low neckline.

Mamma Mia! The Party is an immersive, interactive theatrical experience inspired by the famous Mamma Mia! musical and film.

It combines dining, live performances, and ABBA's iconic music in a unique setting to transport the audience to a Greek island taverna.

Guests are not just passive audience members; they become part of the show. The performers interact with the audience, creating a lively and immersive environment.

The event is set in a replica of a traditional Greek taverna, complete with rustic decor, Mediterranean colors, and an atmosphere that feels like a warm summer evening on a Greek island.

It combines dining, live performances, and ABBA's iconic music in a unique setting to transport the audience to a Greek island taverna (pictured: Jon Less)

Guests are not just passive audience members; they become part of the show. The performers interact with the audience, creating a lively and immersive environment (pictured: Laura Tobin)

The experience includes a multi-course Mediterranean dinner, featuring dishes inspired by Greek cuisine.

The dining is interwoven with the performances, so the show unfolds around the guests as they eat.

The cast performs the songs live, who sing and dance throughout the taverna.

Mamma Mia! The Party was originally created by ABBA member Bjorn Ulvaeus and first opened in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2016.
The attorney representing Matthew Perry's 'Ketamine Queen' Jasveen Sangha has denied she knew the Friends actor - as a trial date was set for her.

Sangha, 41, an alleged drug dealer, will face trial on March 4, 2025 alongside Dr Salvador Plasencia, who both pleaded not guilty to charges related to Perry's death.

They are accused of illegally supplying the ketamine that led to Perry's overdose on October 23, 2023 aged 54.

Now, Sangha's attorney Mark Geragos has claimed she had 'no connection at all' to Perry in an explosive chat on Wednesday's Today Show.

He said: 'There's no mystery, she isn't connected to Matthew Perry at all.

'People try to make her out to be something that she isn't but there's a whole different side here and story to be told and that will be told at her trial.'

The attorney representing Matthew Perry's 'Ketamine Queen' Jasveen Sangha (pictured) has denied she knew the Friends actor - as a trial date was set for her

Perry died from the 'acute effects of ketamine' and drowning - with the actor having similar quantities of ketamine in his system as a hospital patient under general anesthetic.; Perry pictured November 2022



Sangha was charged in an 18-count superseding indictment in relation to distributing ketamine to the actor in the weeks before he died.

Sangha - who was allegedly known throughout North Hollywood as a dealer to celebrities - was nicknamed the 'Ketamine Queen' because of her alleged prolific activity.

She is charged with conspiracy to distribute ketamine, maintaining a drug-involved premises, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute ketamine, and five counts of distribution of ketamine.

Just hours before she was arrested by police in Los Angeles on August 15, Sangha was boasting about her new haircut and color on her social media.

Sangha shared her lavish lifestyle, allegedly funded by her narcotics dealing, all over Instagram - where she posted snaps from her vacations to Mexico and Japan.

The alleged dealer to the rich and famous would often post images of her wearing Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry and Louis Vuitton sneakers and Chanel clothes - as well as snaps of her indulging in caviar at private jet lounges at LAX.

The dealing 'queen,' who has dual US and British citizenship, also hosted ritzy parties for her friends in Hollywood, and exclaimed that 'family is everything.'

In February 2024, four months after Perry's death, Sangha posted smirking selfies while sunning herself on a trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, where she showed off her beachfront residence while drinking cocktails by the pool.

She also boasted about her health and wellness journey - using IV drips after late-night partying and being a proponent of 'sound healing,' which she called 'absolutely uplifting and cleansing for the heart and soul.'

Just two weeks after Perry's ketamine-overdose death, Sangha jetted off to Tokyo - where she indulged in lychee martinis at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, where suites cost $1,847 a night.

Sangha is just one of five others who were arrested on August 15 in connection to the actor's tragic death, which shocked the world on October 28, 2023.

In an indictment, texts between the defendants revealed that Sangha was known in the community for 'only deal[ing] with high end and celebs' in her drug business.

She is accused of using her North Hollywood residence, referenced in the indictment as the 'Sangha Stash House,' to store, package, and distribute narcotics, including ketamine and methamphetamine.

The indictment states that Sangha 'knew that the unsupervised and improper use of ketamine can be deadly' and in 2019, she allegedly sold the drug to another customer Cody McLaury, who died of a drug overdose.

After a family member of McLaury's sent Sangha a text message saying that her ketamine had killed McLaury, Sangha conducted a Google search for 'can ketamine be listed as a cause of death[?]'

She was also a key player in Matthew Perry's drug-induced death, it's alleged.

Sangha is just one of five others who were arrested on August 15 in connection to the actor's tragic death, which shocked the world on October 28, 2023

Jasveen Sangha, 41, otherwise known as the 'Ketamine Queen' of north Hollywood is also charged. Investigators said they discovered a 'drugs emporium' at her home during a raid in March 2024

The alleged dealer jetted off on lavish holidays after Matthew Perry's death - including to Mexico and Japan

On October 11, 2023, Sangha allegedly used Signal to message defendant Eric Fleming that her ketamine was 'high quality' and offered a sample to Perry, stating: 'It's unmarked but it's amazing  he take one and try it and I have more if he likes.'

According to the indictment, 25 vials of ketamine were bought from Sangha on October 24 to be given to Perry - and 'as part of the transaction, defendant Sangha included ketamine lollipops as an 'add on' for his large ketamine order.'

When 'Ketamine Queen' Sangha found out that Perry had died on October 28, she allegedly called one of the alleged co-conspirators and told him to delete any digital evidence on their cell phones.

When her home was raided in March 2024, police found a litany of evidence relating to her drug dealing - including an 'emporium' of narcotics and 1,978 grams of meth.

An affidavit filed in a Los Angeles federal court by freshman DEA agent Tyler Abrego on March 20 described the raid the day before on Sangha's home.

'During the search, law enforcement seized significant quantities of illegal drugs, including approximately 1,978 grams of orange pills that field tested positive for methamphetamine, 79 bottles containing a clear liquid that field tested positive for ketamine, and various other suspect narcotics,' Agent Abrego wrote.

A handgun was seen in the photo of the seized drugs included in Abrego's affidavit.

The complaint said Sangha was a 'large volume drug dealer' previously identified by the DEA, LAPD homicide detectives and the US Postal Inspection Service.

Agents seized her cell phone, which had 'conversations related to selling pressed methamphetamine pills and ketamine.'

In a text conversation about selling the drug, she asked for a payment of '958,51' to her PayPal, and said: 'I think you'll like these but remember they're double strength'.

Videos recovered from her phone showed her 'cooking ketamine', the agent wrote.

Doctors Salvador Plascencia, 42, and Mark Chavez, 54, Perry's live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, 59, and drug dealer Eric Fleming, 54, have also been charged.

Just hours before she was arrested by police in Los Angeles on August 15, Jasveen Sangha was boasting about her new haircut and color on her social media

Jasveen wrote 'delete all our messages' to co-conspirator Fleming on October 28 - the day Perry died

Sangha is just one of five others who were arrested on August 15 in connection to the actor's tragic death, which shocked the world on October 28, 2023

According to experts, Sangha could face a life sentence over Perry's death.

Former federal narcotics prosecutor Neama Rahmani, president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, said: 'Jasveen Sangha was the source of the ketamine that killed Perry and she could easily receive a potential life sentence over his death.

'There will be a lot of pressure on lower-level defendants and witnesses to flip on the doctor who provided the Ketamine or anyone else who played a role in getting it to Perry unlawfully.

Perry's untimely death shocked the world - pictured 2016

'Some doctors believe ketamine infusions can treat anxiety and depression, but it's one of the most abused party drugs. Perry should not have been using ketamine in a hot tub outside of a therapeutic setting.

'This is a very high-profile case and this is going to send a message to doctors as well as dealers who are profiting from distributing ketamine.'

United States Attorney Martin Estrada said of Sangha and Plasencia: 'These defendants cared more about profiting off of Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being.

'Drug dealers selling dangerous substances are gambling with other people's lives over greed.

'This case, along with our many other prosecutions of drug-dealers who cause death, send a clear message that we will hold drug-dealers accountable for the deaths they cause.'

LAPD Chief Dominic Choi added: 'Bringing these individuals to justice for their role in the untimely death of Mr. Perry required coordination and hard work by a number of people, and I want to thank LAPD detectives and our federal partners for their patience and dedication.

'As the boots on the ground in our communities, on a daily basis LAPD officers witness first-hand the harm that these narcotics can cause, so I'm pleased that our collective efforts have led to the arrest of these individuals.'
Molly-Mae Hague was seen trying on white gowns at a wedding dress shop in her latest YouTube vlog on Wednesday, following her split from Tommy Fury.

The former Love Island star ended her engaged to the boxer, 25, earlier this month after a five-year relationship and Tommy has since been accused of cheating on Molly after alleging sharing a passionate kiss with Danish Milla Corfixen, 20, during a lads' holiday in North Macedonia.

And in her new video, Molly-Mae, 25, opened up about visiting the shop her sister Zoe Rae purchased her main wedding dress from in order to buy a white dress for herself, calling the experience a 'bit weird'.

The influencer explained she was preparing to attend a friend's wedding in Cannes later this week, and she is in need of a white outfit for a white party ahead of the big day.

Molly told her followers: 'Bit weird going to a wedding dress shop during this era of my life but got to do what I've got to do.'

Molly-Mae Hague was seen trying on white gowns at a wedding dress shop in her latest YouTube vlog on Wednesday, following her split from Tommy Fury

The former Love Island star, 25, ended her engaged to the boxer, both 25, earlier this month after a five-year relationship and Tommy has since been accused of cheating on Molly

In the shop, Molly looked elegant in a white backless halter neck gown which featured a thigh-split and tie-up detailing.

Once back home, she said to the camera: 'I secured myself a white dress, which is exciting. It wasn't the dress you actually saw me trying on in that video, but it was kind of similar, a little bit less dressy than that dress because it just feels extremely against the grain to be buying anything white for a wedding.

'Obviously it's a white party so I have to keep reminding myself that.'

Elsewhere in the vlog, Molly-Mae revealed she if feeling 'positive' in her latest YouTube vlog on Wednesday, following her split from Tommy.

In her latest Vlog, Molly-Mae discussed co-parenting daughter Bambi, after previously saying the 20-month-old can 'sense' their split.

Opening up to her followers, the influencer said: 'I've had quite a positive day today, this weekend was a lot more positive than I thought it was going to be.

'We went to the soft play this morning and then Tommy picked Bambi up this afternoon, spent the afternoon with her, so things are going well.

'I've not been feeling too bad so I feel like that is a positive.'

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Molly-Mae looked typically stylish in a slew of stunning Instagram snaps.

She showed off her figure in a white vest top and black wide-leg trousers, teamed with a khaki bomber jacket.

Alongside the snaps, Molly-Mae wrote: 'Days in the office surrounded by women who motivate and inspire me'

Molly-Mae told her followers that she was on her way to find an outfit for her upcoming trip to Cannes at the shop her sister Zoe Rae bought her wedding dress from

Molly said :'Bit weird going to a wedding dress shop during this era of my life but got to do what I've got to do'

Elsewhere in the vlog, Molly-Mae revealed she if feeling 'positive' in her latest YouTube vlog on Wednesday, following her split from Tommy

It comes after Molly-Mae admitted that she's lonely and bedbound in the wake of her split.

In her previous Vlog shared last week, Molly-Mae opened up on life after the break-up, confessing to her fans that weekends are 'horrendous' because it's 'freaking lonely' without her former love.

In another video she shared that she had booked a spa day and was looking forward to getting out of the house.

She explained: 'I couldn't think of anything worse than just sitting at home all day, especially as that's what I've done for so many days now.

'I've just been sort of house bound, bed bound, Zoe's been coming around to help me a lot with Bambi and also Tommy's been having Bambi as well.'

She went on to reveal how she had a professional organiser to come in and sort out her cupboards as 'there was a lot of chaos going on' and she felt like her house' needed a little bit of a sort out'.

The influencer went on to say that she wanted to fix herself some lunch but she hasn't had the appetite, noting: 'The appetite hasn't really been there. It's definitely coming back but I just don't really fancy anything.

Later in the video, Molly-Mae reflected on how tough it has been to keep herself occupied since Tommy moved out.

Speaking to the camera, she said: 'I'm having a day today where I'm trying to stay busy and trying to stay distracted and just trying to find things to do to fill my time.

'And I'm kind of dreading this weekend because I feel like weekends are c**p!

The former Love Island star, 25, ended her engaged to the boxer, both 25, earlier this month after a five-year relationship and Tommy has since been accused of cheating on Molly

It comes after Molly-Mae admitted that she's lonely and bedbound in the wake of her split

'When you're going through a break-up, I feel like weekends are literally the worst because weekends are for me something I really look forward to, especially when you're in a family because it's family time and memory making time.

'You always do nice things and I don't know, the weekends now are the hardest time because it's freaking lonely and just sad really.'

She added: 'I'm not really looking forward to this weekend but I feel like every weekend that passes, it should be getting easier - we hope for that.'

Molly-Mae, who shares 20-month-old daughter Bambi with Tommy, went on to say: 'In break-ups, there are parts of the days that are definitely worst and better than others .

'Mornings - horrendous. Evenings - horrendous. Weekends for me, horrendous. And then when you're busy in the middle of the day and you're not thinking about things and distracted, that is prime time. That is your few hours of like, okay, I'm not thinking about it.

'And then the minute things slow down...'

'As well for me, you're so used to how life is and when you're in a routine and everything is done with your person, and then I don't know, obviously there's a lot of change and it's really... it's pretty crap.'

Molly-Mae then went on to speculate that her fans will wonder why she's making this vlog like 'everything's normal', but that star insisted that this was 'the best way for me to cope with this'.

She added that YouTube and vlogging has been a 'nice distraction' for her amid the heartache and is 'something else to think about' and 'focus on', as well as a 'coping mechanism'.

Molly-Mae concluded her video saying that the period after her break-up will definitely be 'a journey' but she's 'lucky' to have her 'huge online family' supporting her through it.

And in a candid Vlog shared on Friday, Molly-Mae opened up on life after the break-up, confessing to her fans that weekends are 'horrendous' because it's 'freaking lonely' without her former love

It isn't the first time Tommy has lived away from Molly, with the boxer having resided at a plush London flat while training for a fight

Meanwhile, earlier in the vlog, Molly-Mae said she will always love Tommy as she reflects on the 'very real' two weeks since they ended their engagement.

She said in her first video following the shock news that she is 'ready to move forward and look to the future' as she opened up with her followers.

Opening the 'normal vlog', the influence sat on the floor of her 4million Cheshire mansion as she spoke to the camera addressing fans.

She said: 'You might be clicking on this video hoping I'll spill the tea or speak about what's been happening the past few weeks but to be honest with you that was never something that was going to happen and it's not something I ever plan on talking about.

'The last 2 weeks are very real and are real life. It is something we are trying to go through privately as best we can but I haven't really been able to get away from it.

'My coping mechanism has been talking to those who I love and those who have been incredible in this time and then coming on here and pushing forward. I don't feel comfortable talking about it because this is real life, its not drama, its not a publicity stunt, it's actually really sad and deep and I don't feel right to talk about it.'

'Out of respect for Tommy I don't want to talk about it because the last two weeks has been a lot and it has blown out of proportion and the last thing I want to do it fuel the fire and stir the pot when it doesn't need to be. I want to move forward and look to the future.

'The last two weeks have been made easier because of the love from you guys I have been so overwhelmed from the support.'

Molly-Mae went on to say she is 'looking forward to moving on' as she thanked her 'incredible' support system for helping her through the shock break-up.

The mother-of-one confessed she will 'always love' ex Tommy but said the split is 'very sad' and she is excited to move forward as she has 'excited things' coming up.

Meanwhile, earlier in the vlog, Molly-Mae said she will always love Tommy as she reflects on the 'very real' two weeks since they ended their engagement.

She said in her first video following the shock news that she is 'ready to move forward and look to the future' as she opened up with her followers

Elsewhere in the vlog, Molly-Mae went shopping with daughter Bambi before the mother and daughter watched TV together and read a bedtime story.

Later in the 36minute video Molly discussed her future project which she has been working on 'since before she fell pregnant' with Bambi, who is nearly two-years-old .

She admitted she nearly pushed the launch date of the 'secret' project as she wasn't 'mentally strong enough' amid her relationship break down but she said she has 'worked so hard' on it she doesn't want to delay it any longer.

Molly went on to reveal she has pushed the launch date to September 8, by a week to allow herself an 'extra week to recoup' which would have been 'a lot'.
Coronation Street star John Savident has left his wife 21,000 in his will, documented released on Wednesday show.

The actor was known for his booming voice while playing butcher Fred Elliott on the ITV soap.

He passed away on February 21, aged 86, with a statement saying he will be 'sorely missed by all who knew him.'

Documents obtained by The Sun show he left his his entire estate to his wife Rona Hopkinson.

They married in 1962 and went on to have two children and several grandchildren

Coronation Street star John Savident has left his wife 21,000 in his will, documented released on Wednesday show (pictured in 2012)

The actor was known for his booming voice while playing butcher Fred Elliott on the ITV soap (pictured on the programme in 1995)

A statement from his agent to the PA news agency in February said: 'We are sad to announce the death of the actor John Savident who died on Wednesday 21 February, he was a much-loved husband and father of two and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.'

In 1994, Savident arrived on the cobbles and quickly became a fan favourite.

Fred is well remembered by fans for his friend Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls) declaring her love for him just as he was due to marry Bev Unwin (Susie Blake).

His storylines involved his disastrous love life, including three marriages and several failed proposals.

A secret son, Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold), also arrived on the show and the two later developed a close bond as they worked as butchers together.

Savident's character was killed off in 2006, suffering a stroke on the day he was supposed to marry Bev (Susie Blake). His final episode was watched by 11 million viewers.

The actor is survived by his wife Rona Hopkinson - who he married in 1961 and their two children.

ITV Executive Producer for Continuing Drama Iain MacLeod said: 'Everyone at Coronation Street is deeply saddened to learn of John Savident's death. As Fred Elliott, John firmly established himself in the pantheon of Coronation Street greats.

Documents obtained by The Sun show he left his his entire estate to his wife Rona Hopkinson (pictured on Wish You Were Here in 2008)

'His peerless comic timing, combined with a deep pathos arising from his outstanding dramatic skill, made Fred an unforgettable, iconic character that provided great joy to viewers for many years.

'On behalf of everyone here, I would like to extend condolences to John's family and close friends at this sad time.'

His Coronation Street co-star Sue Nicholls said in tribute: 'I am very sad to hear of John's passing. My memories of working with you dear John on the street are a joy, and always will be. God bless you and thank you for being in my life. Much love to you and your friends and family.'

Along with his work in Coronation Street, Savident appeared in several stage shows and appeared on shows including Holby City and The Bill.
Lala Kent has welcomed her second child who was conceived by sperm donor.

The 34-year-old Vanderpump Rules star - who appeared at the Miss USA 2024 pageant last month - already shares a three-year-old daughter with former fiancee Randall Emmett.

The television personality took to Instagram on Wednesday to reveal she had welcomed her second child, who she previously revealed was conceived via donor sperm, into the world the previous day.

She wrote on her Instagram Story: 'Welcome to the world, my love. 9.3.24. (sic)'

Lala Kent has welcomed her second child who was conceived by sperm donor.

The 34-year-old Vanderpump Rules star already shares a three-year-old daughter with former fiancee Randall Emmett

The reality TV favourite has yet to reveal any further details about her new daughter, or share any pictures.

Lala previously insisted that, while she wanted another child 'so badly', she had no desire to find a 'baby daddy'.

Speaking on Vanderpump Rules, she said: 'I want another baby so badly.

'My child is like fully speaking. She's very excited about the thought of a sibling.

She said: 'I don't want a baby daddy. It's not happening. There's no changing my mind.'

Lala split from Randall in acrimonious circumstances, and that influenced her approach to having another child.

She explained: 'I know this is not the norm, and I just feel like going the donor route is the right decision for me.

'I want an absolute with this baby. No matter what, this is my baby. No one can ever come in and take it from me. I don't have to share it on Christmas Day. Just mine.'

The Bravo star is keen to have 'many' children in different ways over the coming years.

She said: 'I think I'm going to get a sperm donor, I'm going to have this baby. Then I'd like to adopt a baby. If I meet a guy later on we can have a baby.

She wrote on her Instagram Story: 'Welcome to the world, my love. 9.3.24. (sic)'

She documented her pregnancy journey including this fully nude selfie

'I'll just have all the kids in the world and I'm going to be so happy.'

In March, Lala took to social media to announce her pregnancy.

The reality TV star posted a photo of her growing baby bump on Instagram.

She captioned the photo: 'Im expanding my pod.'

She recently opened up about a 'terrifying' health scare she experienced during her baby shower last month.

'My arms and legs went numb, and I could not breathe, and [it] took everything in me to not pass out and just make it to my bed,' she recalled on her Give Them Lala podcast.

'I was trying to yell for my mom, but again, I was really struggling, and I was very, very concerned,' added Kent.

She explained, 'I don't know what happened. I've heard that she could be sitting weird, but I felt this overwhelming amount of guilt because I've been complaining a lot about my [body] aching and just wanting it to be done.'

In March, Lala took to social media to announce her pregnancy

Kent called her doctor from bed but ultimately felt better after she 'positioned [herself] in a different way.'

'And all of a sudden I could breath,' she recounted. '[The baby] was definitely active. I said [to the doctor], "She hasn't stopped moving." And he was like, "Oh, OK, I'm less concerned now."'

The Spree actress assumed the baby was just 'positioned weird,' adding, 'He was like, "I really need you to start staying off your feet. Don't overdo it during the day."

'Which I have been,' admitted Kent. 'I think I've been overdoing it since [the] second trimester.'

Kent also co-parents three-year-old daughter Ocean with ex-fiance Randall Emmett, with whom she split in 2021 amid cheating claims.

During an Amazon Live appearance in March, Kent showed off her unborn baby's sonogram and explained why she used a sperm donor.

'The best part about my baby daddy is that he does not exist,' she said amid her custody battle with Emmett, 53.

'I have been pretty open about wanting to really have full control of - I guess not my child, but having them around me all the time.

She recently opened up about a 'terrifying' health scare she experienced during her baby shower last month; seen in July

'My arms and legs went numb, and I could not breathe, and [it] took everything in me to not pass out and just make it to my bed,' she recalled on her Give Them Lala podcast

'I went through a really hard time with my past and just with Ocean,' added Kent. 'For me, my child will never be up for grabs again.'

Kent revealed she's having another daughter after hosting a sex reveal party with friends and family in April.

The Give Them Lala author is expecting to give birth on September 1, she previously revealed on the VPR reunion.

She bought a $3.1 million house in the San Fernando Valley for her growing family, and plans to co-parent with her baby with mom Lisa.

After VPR spin-off The Valley was renewed for season 2 in May, Kent is reportedly 'in early talks' to join the show.

Kent also co-parents 3-year-old daughter Ocean with ex-fiance Randall Emmett, with whom she split in 2021 amid cheating claims

Lala is seen at the Vanderpump Rules reunion which aired in May

'She is very connected with that cast. Those girls are her very good friends and mom crew,' a source told Page Six of her fellow VPR stars Brittany Cartwright and Kristen Doute.

They star on the spin-off with Cartwright's estranged husband Jax Taylor and a cast of new faces.

Regardless, Kent would reportedly remain on VPR, which is 'her home. It's not one or the other.' However, VPR is on hiatus for a year.

Kent was brought to tears on the recent season 11 finale of Vanderpump Rules, during which she almost stormed off set.
Lenny Hochstein and Katharina Mazepa have ended their engagement after one year.

The 58-year-old plastic surgeon confirmed the parting, which came a year after his proposal, to Page Six on Wednesday.

'We recently ended our engagement,' Hochstein told the outlet of his relationship with the 29-year-old model.

Hochstein added, 'I have decided to move forward with my life,' adding that he wishes 'nothing but the best' for Mazepa, a native of Austria, and that he has 'nothing but love and admiration for Katharina and her family.'

Hochstein - who has two kids with ex-wife, Real Housewives of Miami star Lisa Hochstein, 42 - said that he's 'proud of [Mazepa's] growth as a woman.'

Lenny Hochstein, 58, and Katharina Mazepa, 29, have ended their engagement after one year

The former couple was pictured in Miami at an Art Basel bash last December

Hochstein added that he 'will be forever grateful for the time' that he and Mazepa 'spent together.'

An Instagram page for the podcast Cocktails & Gossip under the handle @bravoandcocktails_ featured a clip of Mazepa in a romantic embrace with a man, which she first posted in a video on her Instagram Stories, Page Six reported.

The first image showed Mazepa and the man romantically embracing on a boat, which she captioned, 'You jump I jump ... they say all we need in life might just be a little push.'

According to Page Six, Mazepa 'quickly deleted the footage' and posted another frame to her Stories with the same person, who she tagged into the image as @tomgasp83, with the name Tom Gasp.

She captioned the image (which was still on her Stories Wednesday afternoon): '10 years of friendship with this superhuman ... grateful beyond words for you!'

Mazepa in the image had her arms around Gasp while gazing at him, tagging the image from the French hotel The Maybourne Riviera.

Lenny Hochstein initially proposed to Mazepa during a trip to Ibiza, Spain in July of 2023, which came prior to the finalization of his divorce with Lisa Hochstein.

Mazepa at the time took to her Instagram, captioning the image, 'On top of an ancient pirate cave, overlooking the sunset over breathtaking Es Vedra, he asked to steal me away forever.'

Lenny Hochstein initially proposed to Mazepa during a trip to Ibiza, Spain in July of 2023, which came prior to the finalization of his divorce with Lisa Hochstein

Mazepa was pictured on her Instagram Stories Wednesday with a man she identified as Tom Gasp, tagged at the French hotel The Maybourne Riviera

Lenny filed to divorce Lisa Hochstein after a dozen years of marriage, in May of 2022. Pictured the month before, in April of 2022, in Miami

Lisa Hochstein was publicly critical of the relationship at the time, as she posted to social media, 'Congrats to my current husband and his mistress on their engagement.'

The oceanfront proposal came more than a year after Lenny - who has been nicknamed the 'Boob God' for his plastic surgery skills - filed to divorce Lisa Hochstein after a dozen years of marriage, in May of 2022.

The split has been an especially messy one, with allegations of infidelity made against Lenny, who has been involved in extended litigation surrounding the split on a number of fronts.

Lisa Hochstein - who is mother to son Logan, nine, and daughter Elle, four, with Lenny - has since moved on in a romance with businessman Jody Glidden, as they have been dating for two years.
Jeff Brazier praised his son Freddie after he admitted his ADHD diagnosis left him feeling inadequate in school.

The emotional scenes on Wednesdays episode of Celebrity Race Across The World saw the duo discuss the 20-year-old's struggle.

Fans hailed their heartfelt discussion 'magical' and applauded Jeff's 'incredible' parenting skills.

The TV personality, 45, shares sons Bobby, 21, and Freddie with his late partner Jade Goody who died in 2009 aged 27 after being diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Opening up about his tough experience in school, Freddie, who was just four when his mum passed away, explained how he was diagnosed with ADHD aged 10.

Jeff Brazier praised his son Freddie after he admitted his ADHD diagnosis left him feeling inadequate in school

The emotional scenes on Wednesdays episode of Celebrity Race Across The World saw the duo discuss the 20-year-old's struggle

'I never meant to be disruptive, I don't think I was bad but I weren't good,' he admitted.

Speaking to the cameras, Jeff added: 'I couldn't hazard a guess on how Fred's mind works but I know he's going to do something amazing in his lifetime.

'We need the pioneers, we need the people that give a completely different opinion. That's what Fred's role is gonna be.

'And I see it. I've always seen it and I look forward to him realising it, one day it's all gonna click and fall into place.

Sharing their thoughts on X, fans of the show said: 'The Jeff and Freddie interaction is magical, absolutely glorious TV.'

Others added: 'Freddy opening up on his ADHD diagnosis. He has been through so much. Jeff must be so proud of him'; 'Jeff & Freddy: With each episode that passes by - I adore Freddy & Jeff even more. The bonding with the locals was lovely. Freddy was brave to open up on his ADHD diagnosis at the age of 10. He's been through so much..';

'Ive said it before and Ill say it again, this show is awesome! Great pairings, interesting relationship dynamics and spectacular backdrops. Enjoyed hearing Freddy open up about his ADHD diagnosis. Hope him and Jeff pull it back!'; 'Breaks my heart a little, hearing Freddie feels inadequate. At that age, you should just feel free and have fun, without having those doubts.'

Opening up about his tough experience in school, Freddie, who was just four when his mum passed away, explained how he was diagnosed with ADHD aged 10

Speaking to the cameras, Jeff added: 'I couldn't hazard a guess on how Fred's mind works but I know he's going to do something amazing in his lifetime'

Sharing their thoughts on X, fans of the show said: 'The Jeff and Freddie interaction is magical, absolutely glorious TV'

Last week, Freddie chocked back tears as he revealed having 'no memories' of his late mum Jade during Celebrity Race Across The World.

Freddie opened up about his grief in heartbreaking scenes before paying tribute to the Big Brother star on the anniversary of her death amid their travels in Salvador.

He said: 'I lost my mum when I was four and that was on Mother's Day, which is really hard. I don't really like showing my emotions. I don't even speak to my dad much about my mum either. I just avoid it. I prefer to bottle it up'.

'I don't want to feel like I'm a burden to them. A lot of my memories that I have of my mum have come from watching a documentary, YouTube clips, newspapers, they are not my memories'.

Last week, Freddie chocked back tears as he revealed having 'no memories' of his late mum Jade during Celebrity Race Across The World

Jade tragically died in 2009 aged 27 after being diagnosed with cervical cancer the year before. Freddie was just four when she died, while brother Bobby was five (pictured 2006)

While choking back tears he continued: 'I don't really remember being held by my mum. If I had more memories of her, it would have made it a whole lot harder for me.

'But I think I would rather that than not really remember the things that I had done with my mum. It's just life really and I've kind of accepted that'.

Father and son later agreed to pay tribute to Jade on Mother's Day and headed to a famous beauty spot, with Freddie saying as they searched for it: 'Maybe Mum's pushing us in the direction of where we need to go.'

Before coming across it and adding: 'Thank you, Mother Nature.'
Lily Collins shared a sweet tribute to her husband Charlie McDowell as they celebrated their three-year wedding anniversary on Wednesday.

The Emily in Paris star, 35, shared a trio of black and white photos of her and the director, 41, cozying up in matching t-shirts and jeans, and called their marriage the 'greatest gift' in a gushing Instagram post.

'Happy anniversary to the man who makes me laugh harder than anyone. Three years held in your arms has been the greatest gift,' the actress  who was recently joined by her husband at the screening of His Three Daughters  penned.

'Barefaced and in a basic tee, you make me feel like the most special human on the planet. I adore you @charliemcdowell. More than I know how to say.'

'Here's to countless incredible moments together (plus twinning photoshoots). And to think, the best is still to come' she said at the end of the heartfelt post.

Lily Collins, 35, shared a sweet tribute to her husband Charlie McDowell, 41, as they celebrated their three-year wedding anniversary on Wednesday

Charlie also shared snaps from the photoshoot on his Instagram, writing, 'Happy third anniversary to the best person there is. Love you so much @lilyjcollins. [champagne glass emoji] to many more laughing fits.'

Lily  whose father is renowned English musician Phil Collins  commented underneath, 'Many many more. Ps/- please model more [wink emoji and heart-eye emoji.'

Lily's Emily in Paris co-star Ashley Park commented on the actress' post, writing, 'Oh my heart is legite EXPLODING love and appreciate you and @charliemcdowell in so many ways. An honor to watch you grow and blossom and thrive through so many beautiful and profound chapters of life. '

Podcaster Jay Shetty wrote, 'Love your love.'

Her sister Joely Collins added, 'Happy 3rd anniversary to you both! Love you guys.'

Last year the pair also commemorated their anniversary with Instagram posts.

Collins wrote, 'Two years today and a lifetime to come. I remember this moment, this day, this excitement as vividly as if it were yesterday.'

'And I feel the love, the support, and the magic 100 times more. I adore you and I couldnt be more grateful to be your other half in life and in love,' she continued.

'Happy anniversary to the man who makes me laugh harder than anyone. Three years held in your arms has been the greatest gift,' she penned; they are seen in February in London

'Here's to countless incredible moments together (plus twinning photoshoots). And to think, the best is still to come' she said at the end of the heartfelt post

Charlie also marked the occasion, writing, 'Happy third anniversary to the best person there is. Love you so much @lilyjcollins. To many more laughing fits', to which she wrote back, 'Many many more'

Collins and McDowell  who's the son of actress Mary Steenburgen and Clockwork Orange star Malcolm McDowell  said 'I do' in 2021 after getting engaged in 2020

'You make me a stronger, bolder, and brighter human. Thank you for being the greatest partner I could ever imagine and for making me smile like no other,' she added.

'Heres to another 365 days of memories ahead, wherever in the world we find ourselves,' she said.

'Id walk into the unknown with you any day and every day. With you by my side, its always an epic adventure' the actress concluded.

McDowell responded in a comment, stating, 'Luckiest guy in the world,' with two red heart emojis.

Collins and McDowell  who's the son of actress Mary Steenburgen and Clockwork Orange star Malcolm McDowell  began dating in 2019.

The couple got engaged in 2020 and said 'I do' in 2021 with a ceremony at Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado.

The pair met on the set of the film Gilded Rage.

'It was one of those situations where I knew the second I met him that I wanted to be his wife one day. So, it was just a matter of when, really,' the actress previously shared on Live with Kelly and Ryan.

'It was one of those situations where I knew the second I met him that I wanted to be his wife one day,' the actress previously shared; the pair seen in 2022

The pair met on the set of the film 'Gilded Rage' in 2019; seen in 2024

After Gilded Rage, the couple worked together again on Windfall.

Aside from her flourishing personal life, Lily has also been busy with work.

In the hit Netflix series, Emily In Paris  which was created by Darren Star  she portrays the role of Emily Cooper who moved to Paris to work as a social media strategist.

The first part of the fourth season  which has been slammed by critics as 'deeply annoying'  premiered in August, with the second part set to air on September 12.
Paris Hilton sizzled as the face of Agent Provocateur's latest campaign.

The heiress, 43, stars in the brand's fall/winter 2024 collection and absolutely drops jaws modeling an array of racy looks from the lingerie company.

In shoot captured by photographer Greg Williams, Hilton sent temperatures soaring as she posed by the fireplace and more.

While sitting in the driver's seat of a vintage car, Paris - who will soon be releasing her second studio album - donned a sexy lace bra with matching underwear and garter along with pearl-infused choker necklace bearing the brand's initials.

She tilted her sunglasses away from her eyes with attitude as she placed another hand on the steering wheel.

Paris Hilton sizzled as the face of Agent Provocateur's latest campaign

Among the sizzling looks she donned was a strappy black bra made of pearl beads that served as sleeves.

She donned an especially racy bra and matching bottoms as she posed beside a sink.

But she covered up in a glimmering grey robe decked out with pink straps.

'Its the ultimate tribute to iconic femininity,' Paris said of the new campaign in a statement obtained by Women's Wear Daily. 'AP has always embodied empowerment and elegance to me and to join them in this celebration of legacy is an honor.'

'For me, shes sexy, bold and provocative,' Sarah Shotton, creative director at Agent Provocateur, said. 'Paris is amazing, and shes a huge fan of AP. I made her some wedding lingerie and a special kimono for her. Shes a proper AP girl.'

Paris even attended the launch of Agent Provocateur's Los Angeles store back in 2000.

'Since 1994, Agent Provocateur has rewritten the rules of lingerie, empowering and celebrating women across the globe,' the brand explained on their Instagram Stories of the campaign.

'To kick off our thirtieth anniversary year, global icon, mother, businesswoman, activist, actor and DJ, Paris Hilton stars as The Provocateur.

The heiress, 43, stars in the brand's fall/winter 2024 collection and absolutely drops jaws modeling an array of racy looks from the lingerie company

Among the sizzling looks she donned was a strappy black bra made of pearl beads that served as sleeves

In shoot captured by photographer Greg Williams, Hilton sent temperatures soaring as she posed by the fireplace and more

She seductively lounged by the roaring fire

She donned an especially racy bra and matching bottoms as she posed beside a sink

But she covered up in a glimmering grey robe decked out with pink straps

'Conceptualized by creative director Sarah Shotton and shot in LA by Greg Williams, this is a Hollywood love story between an iconic woman and an iconic brand.'

Meanwhile, Paris was seen departing SiriusXM Studios in New York City on Wednesday.

The socialite looked fabulous in a grey Rolling Stones tank top, pleated leather skirt, and thigh-high boots.

The heiress has been especially busy as of late as she prepares for the release of her second studio album, Infinite Icon.

Infinite Icon is set for release on September 6. This marks her first full-length album in nearly 20 years.

Hilton got into the Western spirit with a cowboy hat

She also rocked a long-sleeve look with heels

'Its the ultimate tribute to iconic femininity,' Paris said of the new campaign in a statement obtained by Women's Wear Daily

Hilton posed in the backseat of the vintage vehicle

Meanwhile, Paris was seen departing SiriusXM Studios in New York City on Wednesday

The heiress has been especially busy as of late as she prepares for the release of her second studio album, Infinite Icon

Her album comes nearly two decades after her 2006 self-titled debut, which featured the single Stars Are Blind.

Aside from her album, Hilton and her former Simple Life castmate Nicole Richie have been filming their new reality show, Paris and Nicole The Encore.

The dynamic duo famously launched their careers starring in their very own reality show, The Simple Life, which aired for five seasons spanning 2003-2007.

Outside of her career, Paris has been married to Carter Reum since 2021 and they share two children together - son Phoenix, one, and daughter London, who will celebrate her first birthday in November.
Jackie 'O' Henderson has weighed in on Elle Macpherson's controversial breast cancer battle, after the model claimed to have holistically treated her disease.

The supermodel, 60, received backlash when she revealed in her memoir she shunned the medical advice of 32 doctors and chose wellness methods to treat her cancer - which was likely removed during a lumpectomy seven years ago.

And on Thursday morning, Jackie invited guest Dr Sam Hay onto KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O Show to slam Elle's shocking claims and urge fans not to follow in the WelleCo founder's footsteps.

'[Elle] is an exception to the rule. I urge people not to listen to the loud voices of celebrities. Listen to your medical team around you,' Dr Sam said.

Jackie then asked, 'What did she do? What was part of her holistic treatment?' to which Dr Sam responded: 'I'm not sure that she's said.'

At this point, co-host Kyle Sandilands jumped in with: 'How can you poo poo it if you don't even know?'

'It's like just being completely clean, Zen, all of that. You're treating your body as a temple,' Jackie explained.

Dr Sam added: 'Doing lots of meditation, eating blueberries, yoga, reiki.'

Jackie 'O' Henderson has weighed in on Elle Macpherson's controversial breast cancer battle , after the model claimed to have treated her disease with 'holistic' treatments

'Is that it? Does that cure cancer?' Kyle asked.

But Dr Sam insisted: 'Well it might make you feel good, and it might help with some of the symptoms, but it's not proven on the whole to cure cancer.'

The celebrity doctor isn't the only medical professional to warn people against turning to the use of only holistic treatments for cancer.

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki appeared on WSFM's Jonesy & Amanda on Thursday morning and told listeners Elle had 'won the lottery' when her cancer went into remission.

The science commentator said Elle's cancer was 'entirely contained' and '95 percent' removed during her lumpectomy seven years ago.

He said the doctors likely recommended undergoing traditional medical treatments to take care of the other five per cent and prevent the cancer from returning.

'She chose to go in a lottery where she had a one in twenty chance of having bad things happen,' Dr Karl said.

'Luckily the nineteen out of twenty worked in her favour, and she was lucky. And I'm so glad that it paid out well for her.

'But ask yourself this, if one in twenty cups of coffee was poisoned, would you drink coffee? No.

'So she went into a lottery, and she came out well. Not everybody will. Nineteen will and one will die.'

On Thursday morning, Jackie invited guest Dr Sam Hay onto KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O Show to slam Elle's shocking claims and urge fans not to follow in the WelleCo founder's footsteps

Elle was diagnosed with HER2 positive oestrogen receptive intraductal carcinoma - a type of breast cancer, after undergoing a lumpectomy seven years ago.

However, instead of seeking traditional medical treatment, the Australian model went with a 'holistic' approach and is now in remission.

Elle has since been branded 'shockingly irresponsible' for treating her condition with a 'heart-led holistic approach', shunning the advice of 32 doctors.

Medics suggested a mastectomy with radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, plus reconstruction of her breast to prevent the cancer from returning after her lumpectomy.

But Elle decided to go down the route of unconventional treatment and enlisted a group of specialists to create a plan that 'addressed emotional as well as physical factors associated with breast cancer'.

The model rented a house in Phoenix, Arizona and spent eight months there, with regular visits from two therapists, a chiropractor, holistic dentist and a doctor who claims she cured her own cervical cancer using juice cleanses and a 'detox'.

Elle is now in clinical remission, meaning she has no signs and symptoms of the disease.
Pip Edwards has left P.E Nation, the athleisure brand she co-founded, to go back to her fashion roots.

The Sydney fashion designer and socialite, 44, on Monday announced her shock return to Ksubi, the Aussie streetwear brand she helped build with her ex Dan Single two decades ago.

The news comes just weeks after the P.E Nation co-founder made the shock announcement she was leaving her post as Creative Director of the popular athleisure label.

'As fate would have it, today I'm announcing my return to Ksubi as Creative Director - a true full-circle moment,' Pip captioned her announcement, which included a photo of herself posing with Ksubi CEO Craig King in black denim and a plain white T-shirt.

'From its inception, Ksubi has been at the core of the global cultural zeitgeist, thriving at the intersection of where fashion, art, and music meet,' Pip continued in her caption.

'Having been part of the original crew 20 years ago, I'm so excited to join the talented team at Ksubi once again and contribute to their already impressive global success. Pip ++.'

Pip's inner circle of influential designers, models, and media personalities, flocked to the comments to congratulate her.

P.E Nation co-founder has left her own brand to return to the Creative Director role of Aussie fashion label, Ksubi

She announced her shock return to Ksubi, the Aussie streetwear brand she helped build with her ex Dan Single two decades ago, on Monday

Melbourne model and 'Queen WAG' Bec Judd wrote: 'How good! I still have my Ksubi jeans from 20 years ago.'

'Amazing!!!!!!,' Pip's bestie and KIIS FM radio presenter Jackie O Henderson commented. 'Sooooo happy for you my beautiful girl. What a team.'

'How wonderful,' Australian journalist and podcast host Jess Rowe said, with a string of heart emojis.

Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid's celebrity stylist Dani Michelle added: 'OMGGGG RUNNING TO KSUBI NOWWW' .

Pip's ex-husband Dan Single founded the edgy denim brand, then known as Tsubi, with his friends Gareth Moody and George Gorrow in 1999.

The news comes just weeks after the P.E Nation co-founder made the shock announcement she was leaving her post as Creative Director of the popular athleisure label

Pip's ex-husband Dan Single founded the edgy denim brand, then known as Tsubi, with his friends Gareth Moody and George Gorrow in 1999. The group opened their first Bondi shop in 2004 with the help of then-singer Sophie Monk

In 2004 she was hired as a 'sexytary' and the unusual position proved to be the opportunity of a lifetime for Pip, who famously once rocked a mullet-and-rat's-tail hairstyle while opening Tsubi's first store in Bondi Beach.

Joining the company would change her life in more ways than one - as not only did she rise up the ranks of Ksubi to become a lead designer, but she also fell in love with Dan and welcomed a child with him, now 18-year-old Justice Single.

Dan now works as a DJ in Byron Bay and is a well-known face on the town's social circuit, going by the stage name 'Dangerous Dan' when he plays sets at local nightclubs and festivals.

Dan and Pip were once the Australian fashion industry's 'It' couple, but split in 2008.

The co-parents shut down speculation they had rekindled their romance in 2022, after the pair were spotted' 'spending a lot of time together' at the Paco Rabanne dinner for Australian Fashion Week.

Ksubi fashion designer Dan and Pip were the Australian fashion 'It' couple in the early 2000s. Pictured here on the red carpet for the 2008 ARIA Awards

In 2008, Pip joined Sass & Bide as a senior creative and accessories designer. Four years later, in 2012, she was hired by General Pants Co. as design director.

Both roles were crucial in developing her design skills, business nous and personal style.

In 2016, she launched P.E. Nation with former business partner Claire Tregoning, cashing in on the burgeoning activewear-as-fashion trend at just the right moment.

She would become the brand's most powerful advertisement, serving as a walking billboard for the label at every given opportunity.

Last month, Pip announced she has taken a 'step back' from the hugely popular fashion label.

The designer revealed that while she will remain a force at the brand, she will no longer hold the creative director position she took over following the departure of co-founder Claire Greaves in March.
Molly-Mae Hague revealed she if feeling 'positive' in her latest YouTube vlog on Wednesday, following her split from Tommy Fury.

The former Love Island star, 25, ended her engaged to the boxer, both 25, earlier this month after a five-year relationship and Tommy has since been accused of cheating on Molly after alleging sharing a passionate kiss with Danish Milla Corfixen, 20, during a lads' holiday in North Macedonia.

And in her latest Vlog, Molly-Mae discussed co-parenting daughter Bambi, after previously saying the 20-month-old can 'sense' their split.

Opening up to her followers, the influencer said: 'I've had quite a positive day today, this weekend was a lot more positive than I thought it was going to be.

'We went to the soft play this morning and then Tommy picked Bambi up this afternoon, spent the afternoon with her, so things are going well.

Molly-Mae Hague revealed she if feeling 'positive' in her latest YouTube vlog on Wednesday, following her split from Tommy Fury

The former Love Island star, 25, ended her engaged to the boxer, both 25, earlier this month after a five-year relationship and Tommy has since been accused of cheating on Molly

'I've not been feeling too bad so I feel like that is a positive.'

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Molly-Mae looked typically stylish in a slew of stunning Instagram snaps.

She showed off her figure in a white vest top and black wide-leg trousers, teamed with a khaki bomber jacket.

Alongside the snaps, Molly-Mae wrote: 'Days in the office surrounded by women who motivate and inspire me'

It comes after Molly-Mae revealed Bambi can 'sense' their split and was suffering with 'attachment issues'

The influencer shared with fans how her daughter was coping with the changes since she kicked Tommy out of their 4M Cheshire mansion.

Saying: ' [Me and Bambi have] actually had a lovely couple of weeks together. I feel so incredibly close to her at the minute. She's quite frankly obsessed with me, it's scary'.

'I can't go to the toilet or leave the room or do anything without her crying her eyes out which is not really ideal. I think she is having a little bit of attachment issues at the minute'.

'She can definitely sense that there are changes and things are strange at the minute'.

It isn't the first time Tommy has lived away from Molly , with the boxer having resided at a plush London flat while training for a fight.

At the time, in June 2022, Molly-Mae was forced to deny the couple had split after he moved into the new apartment.

In her latest Vlog, Molly-Mae discussed co-parenting daughter Bambi, after previously saying the 20-month-old can 'sense' their split

The influencer shared with fans how her daughter was coping with the changes since she kicked Tommy out of their 4M Cheshire mansion

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Molly-Mae looked typically stylish in a slew of stunning Instagram snaps

She showed off her figure in a white vest top and black wide-leg trousers, teamed with a khaki bomber jacket

Alongside the snaps, Molly-Mae wrote: 'Days in the office surrounded by women who motivate and inspire me'

It comes after Molly-Mae admitted that she's lonely and bedbound in the wake of her split.

In her previous Vlog shared last week, Molly-Mae opened up on life after the break-up, confessing to her fans that weekends are 'horrendous' because it's 'freaking lonely' without her former love.

In another video she shared that she had booked a spa day and was looking forward to getting out of the house.

She explained: 'I couldnt think of anything worse than just sitting at home all day, especially as thats what Ive done for so many days now.

'Ive just been sort of house bound, bed bound, Zoes been coming around to help me a lot with Bambi and also Tommys been having Bambi as well.'

She went on to reveal how she had a professional organiser to come in and sort out her cupboards as 'there was a lot of chaos going on' and she felt like her house' needed a little bit of a sort out'.

The influencer went on to say that she wanted to fix herself some lunch but she hasn't had the appetite, noting: 'The appetite hasn't really been there. It's definitely coming back but I just don't really fancy anything.

Later in the video, Molly-Mae reflected on how tough it has been to keep herself occupied since Tommy moved out.

The former Love Island star ended her engaged to the boxer earlier this month after a five-year relationship and Tommy has since been accused of cheating

It comes after Molly-Mae admitted that she's lonely and bedbound in the wake of her split

Speaking to the camera, she said: 'I'm having a day today where I'm trying to stay busy and trying to stay distracted and just trying to find things to do to fill my time.

'And I'm kind of dreading this weekend because I feel like weekends are c**p!

'When you're going through a break-up, I feel like weekends are literally the worst because weekends are for me something I really look forward to, especially when you're in a family because it's family time and memory making time.

'You always do nice things and I don't know, the weekends now are the hardest time because it's freaking lonely and just sad really.'

She added: 'I'm not really looking forward to this weekend but I feel like every weekend that passes, it should be getting easier - we hope for that.'

Molly-Mae, who shares 20-month-old daughter Bambi with Tommy, went on to say: 'In break-ups, there are parts of the days that are definitely worst and better than others .

'Mornings - horrendous. Evenings - horrendous. Weekends for me, horrendous. And then when you're busy in the middle of the day and you're not thinking about things and distracted, that is prime time. That is your few hours of like, okay, I'm not thinking about it.

'And then the minute things slow down...'

'As well for me, you're so used to how life is and when you're in a routine and everything is done with your person, and then I don't know, obviously there's a lot of change and it's really... it's pretty crap.'

Molly-Mae then went on to speculate that her fans will wonder why she's making this vlog like 'everything's normal', but that star insisted that this was 'the best way for me to cope with this'.

She added that YouTube and vlogging has been a 'nice distraction' for her amid the heartache and is 'something else to think about' and 'focus on', as well as a 'coping mechanism'.

And in a candid Vlog shared on Friday, Molly-Mae opened up on life after the break-up, confessing to her fans that weekends are 'horrendous' because it's 'freaking lonely' without her former love

It isn't the first time Tommy has lived away from Molly, with the boxer having resided at a plush London flat while training for a fight

Molly-Mae concluded her video saying that the period after her break-up will definitely be 'a journey' but she's 'lucky' to have her 'huge online family' supporting her through it .

Meanwhile, earlier in the vlog, Molly-Mae said she will always love Tommy as she reflects on the 'very real' two weeks since they ended their engagement.

She said in her first video following the shock news that she is 'ready to move forward and look to the future' as she opened up with her followers.

Opening the 'normal vlog', the influence sat on the floor of her 4million Cheshire mansion as she spoke to the camera addressing fans.

She said: 'You might be clicking on this video hoping I'll spill the tea or speak about what's been happening the past few weeks but to be honest with you that was never something that was going to happen and it's not something I ever plan on talking about.

'The last 2 weeks are very real and are real life. It is something we are trying to go through privately as best we can but I haven't really been able to get away from it.

'My coping mechanism has been talking to those who I love and those who have been incredible in this time and then coming on here and pushing forward. I don't feel comfortable talking about it because this is real life, its not drama, its not a publicity stunt, it's actually really sad and deep and I don't feel right to talk about it.'

'Out of respect for Tommy I don't want to talk about it because the last two weeks has been a lot and it has blown out of proportion and the last thing I want to do it fuel the fire and stir the pot when it doesn't need to be. I want to move forward and look to the future.

'The last two weeks have been made easier because of the love from you guys I have been so overwhelmed from the support.'

Molly-Mae went on to say she is 'looking forward to moving on' as she thanked her 'incredible' support system for helping her through the shock break-up.

The mother-of-one confessed she will 'always love' ex Tommy but said the split is 'very sad' and she is excited to move forward as she has 'excited things' coming up.

Meanwhile, earlier in the vlog, Molly-Mae said she will always love Tommy as she reflects on the 'very real' two weeks since they ended their engagement.

She said in her first video following the shock news that she is 'ready to move forward and look to the future' as she opened up with her followers

Elsewhere in the vlog, Molly-Mae went shopping with daughter Bambi before the mother and daughter watched TV together and read a bedtime story.

Later in the 36minute video Molly discussed her future project which she has been working on 'since before she fell pregnant' with Bambi, who is nearly two-years-old .

She admitted she nearly pushed the launch date of the 'secret' project as she wasn't 'mentally strong enough' amid her relationship break down but she said she has 'worked so hard' on it she doesn't want to delay it any longer.

Molly went on to reveal she has pushed the launch date to September 8, by a week to allow herself an 'extra week to recoup' which would have been 'a lot'.
Inspired by PM Modis Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam initiative, the Chhattisgarh Government has launched the ambitious People for Peepal plantation drive in Nava Raipur

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam (a tree in the name of the mother) initiative, a deep thought process went behind it. One, to cherish the memory of our mothers; and two, to environmental conservation.

The Chhattisgarh government took it as a unique opportunity to give Nava Raipur a new identity. The Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Development Authority launched the People for Peepal plantation drive to transform the city into the first Peepal Tree city in India.We also saw it as an opportunity to address the pressing issue of climate change by establishing Nava Raipur as a Peepal Tree City in the coming years. This drive reflects a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and aims to set a new benchmark for urban green spaces. We envision a city where extensive tree planting and green infrastructure contribute significantly to improving the urban environment and combatting climate change.Echoing the Prime Ministers commitment to Mother Earth, the Chhattisgarh government is together with Modi's vision of nurturing our planet the way our mothers take care of us.

The campaign, kick-started by Narendra Modi this World Environment Day on June 5, will help in reversing land degradation, recharge groundwater, prevent desertification and bring in drought resilience.The People for Peepal campaign aims to plant over 20,000 Peepal trees apart from 80,000 trees of other varieties throughout the city. Peepal or Ficus Religiosa, a large and fast-growing deciduous tree unique to India that is a revered symbol of eternal life, wisdom and spirituality, has been chosen for its significant ecological benefits and cultural importance.

The massive plantation will ensure that Peepal trees become a prominent and recognizable feature across Nava Raipur.In addition to Peepal trees, which are one of the most oxygen-producing trees, the drive will include planting other key species such as Neem, Banyan, and Jamun. These trees are integral to the citys green infrastructure, enhancing biodiversity and providing additional environmental benefits.To boost community involvement, the campaign includes a virtual adoption programme. This initiative allows individuals and organizations to adopt trees virtually, fostering widespread engagement and support for the drive. This approach encourages collective responsibility towards environmental conservation and helps ensure the campaign's success.

The ultimate goal of this extensive plantation drive is to position Nava Raipur as a model city for environmental preservation and to earn recognition as the first Peepal Tree City of India.

By expanding green spaces and promoting biodiversity, the city aims to inspire other urban areas and set a global example for sustainable urban development.

Through this initiative, Nava Raipur seeks not only to address climate change but also to enhance the quality of life for its residents, establishing itself as a leading example of environmental stewardship and green urban planning.

(The writer is the Minister of Finance of Government of Chhattisgarh; views are personal)
As the BJP aims to recruit 100 million new members, it continues to strengthen its dominance, despite facing criticism and internal challenges

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is working to expand on a two-track basis. The first is by recruiting influential leaders from other parties, particularly Congress. Although this may involve a small number of leaders, their influence is significant.

Second, the party is focusing on enrolling a large number of new members.Former Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Chief Minister Champai Soren joined the BJP after current CM Hemant Soren, allegedly involved in a scam, was released last week and resumed his post. This move adds to the trend of influential chief ministers joining the BJP, highlighting the party's strategic success.The BJP embraces well-known leaders from other parties as they bring their influence and workers along. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, imported from Congress, is a classic example. Sarma has become the go-to man in the northeast. According to the National Election Watch-ADR, the main reasons for defections and party switching are the absence of value-based politics, greed for money and power, rewarding political positions, and lack of efficient, honest, and credible leaders. BJP has plans to recruit 100 million new members on a parallel track.

At last week's meeting, the BJP leadership decided that the drive would be in two phases: September 2 to 25 and October 1 to 15.Over the last decade, the BJP has seen significant growth. In the 1980s, upper-middle-class, urban, and Hindus primarily supported the BJP. It has since built a broader political base, showing its increasing influence. The BJP has overtaken Congress and is already the world's largest party, with 180 million members. The Grand Old Party, Congress, has 130 million members.Between 2014 and 2019, around 180 million people joined the BJP nationwide.

Eighty thousand leaders and workers from various parties have joined the BJP, which aims to recruit about 100,000 leaders at national and district levels. Through this drive, the BJP collects data about its members, including their caste, gender, age, residence, and other details.In the last decade, many influential Congress leaders, including former chief ministers and ministers, shifted to the BJP, revealing their frustration, greed and lust for power. The BJP has rewarded some of them with good positions. Notable leaders among them include Himanta Biswa Sarma, Gulam Nabi Azad, Captain Amarendra Singh, Kapil Sibal, Jitin Prasada, R.P.N. Singh, Milind Deora, and Jyotiraditya Scindia. Former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan, Ritesh Pandey, Sangita Azad, and others have recently joined the BJP.

They come from various political parties such as Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party, All India Trinamool Congress, and YSRCP.The BJP has benefited the most from members switching sides, while the Congress has suffered the most since 2014. Even after winning, the Opposition parties are concerned that the BJP will try to persuade their legislators to switchmany defectors at crucial moments, such as during government majority voting.

Why do they defect? If there is a reason for the defectors to leave their respective parties, the BJP also embraces them without hesitating. These leaders fear becoming politically irrelevant when their party loses power. By aligning with the dominant BJP, they hope to gain control and secure a political future for their children.The BJP's successful strategy of attracting leaders from other parties is evident in the ADR analysis. It shows that 22% of re-contesting candidates who switched parties joined the BJP, followed by 10% joining the Congress and 6% joining the BSP. Over the past decade, the BJP has attracted several leaders from other parties, contributing to the rise of leaders like Hemanta Biswa Sarma in the northeastern region.Why does the BJP welcome these defectors? There are three key reasons: First, it weakens the party from which the defection occurs. Second, it allows the BJP to absorb known leaders from established parties, strengthening its ranks.

Third, given the BJP's lack of second-rung leaders, it is easier to absorb the defectors.It is not as if dissenters have not left the BJP. Some, like Kalyan Singh, Shankar Singh Vaghela, and Yediyurappa (all chief ministers), launched their parties but returned to the BJP when they failed. The BJP's deeply ideological glue holds it together.

The BJP's long-time loyal members are unhappy when newcomers get good positions while they have been faithful to the party. This has happened in the past. During Vajpayee's leadership, the party could only accommodate some, and others left. While the party has been expanding, its leadership is still dominated by the Upper caste.

The BJP has strengths but receives criticism for its limited ideology, aggressive attitude, complacency, and arrogance. The BJP's upcoming membership drive will test its strength in the post-2024 poll period.

Though it emerged as the single largest party, it got only 240 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, 32 short of the majority.Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to achieve a "Congress-Free India," but it may be challenging.

You cannot eliminate a 140-year-old party in a day, as the Congress showed revival instincts. The BJP must refrain from repeating the mistakes of the Congress to stay in power.

(The writer is a popular columnist; views are personal)
Indias top military commanders on Wednesday held extensive deliberations in Lucknow on the Governments ambitious plans to create Integrated Theatre Commands and assessed overall national security challenges including the ones along the frontiers with China and Pakistan.

Chaired by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Anil Chauhan, with chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force and other top military officers in attendance, the deliberations primarily focused on setting up of joint command and control centres and logistics nodes, on the inaugural day of the two-day maiden joint commanders conference, being held in Lucknow, officials said.

In his opening address, General Chauhan stressed the need for operational preparedness to meet emerging challenges, underscoring the need of modernisation to stay combat-ready and relevant and achieve strategic autonomy.

The theme of the maiden joint commanders conference is Sashakt and Surakshit Bharat: Transforming Armed Forces. The deliberations on ensuring synergy among the armed forces on various aspects including financial planning, joint logistics infrastructure are taking place amid the Governments ambitious plans to roll out theatre commands.

Under the theaterisation model, the Government seeks to integrate the capabilities of the Army, the Air Force and the Navy and optimally utilise their resources for wars and operations.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will address the apex-level military leadership at the conference on Thursday. The conference is focused on shaping the future of Indias military to adapt to the changing operational milieu, the Defence Ministry said. Reviewing the current security situation and the defence preparedness of the armed forces, General Chauhan emphasised the importance of integration and future planning for enhancing integration across various domains.

Continued on Page 2

Top military brass deliberates on joint command, control centres

The Chief of Defence Staff said integration of the three services is crucial for adapting to the contours of future warfare and conduct of effect-based operations, the Ministry said in a statement.

General Chauhan complimented the three services for initiating numerous measures along the roadmap for integration. He stressed that it was a step by step process, beginning with cross-service co-operation leading to a joint culture and finally achieving integration of forces for conduct of joint operations.

The deliberations also focused on establishment of command and control centres with the requisite infrastructure to facilitate decision making.

As per the theaterisation plan, each of the theatre commands will have units of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force and all of them will work as a single entity looking after security challenges in a specified geographical territory.

The top military brass also reviewed the security situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, especially in eastern Ladakh sector where troops of India and China have been locked in an over four-year standoff, it was learnt.

Separately, General Chauhan is scheduled to chair an apex level tri-service financial conference on Thursday in Delhi.

The conference is aimed at enhancing cohesion and synergy on financial issues of the armed forces and will see the participation of senior officials from the Defence Ministry, Controller General Defence Accounts, integrated financial advisers of the three services and Indian Coast Guard.
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia are all set to join the Congress, amid speculation that they are likely to contest the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections scheduled for October 5. Phogat, is expected to mount challenge for the Julana seat held by the Jannayak Janta Partys Amarjeet Dhanda while Punia is likely to contest from Badli seat. Both Phogat and Punia met Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. They also met Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal. Phogat and Punia joining the Congress at this time is significant because it is both nominating election candidates and is engaged in seat-sharing talks with the Aam Aadmi Party.

Punia is a Tokyo Games bronze medallist, while Phogat became the first woman wrestler to reach the Olympics final, the stage where she was disqualified after being found overweight by about 100 gm in her 50-kg category weigh-in. She subsequently announced her retirement from the sport

The Congress X handle shared the picture of Phogat and Punia with Rahul.

The party as well as the duo have remained tight-lipped about the speculations. However, a clearer picture could emerge in a day or two.

Sources said that Phogat wanted to fight from the Julana seat, but the Congress had initially wanted her to contest from another seat near Gurugram. Sources said deliberations are on to finalise the seats for the two wrestlers with Julana and Badli seats under consideration for Phogat and Punia respectively.

The Congress put out a photograph of Gandhi with Phogat and Punia on its official X handle.

Asked whether Phogat and Punia could contest on a Congress ticket, AICC general secretary in-charge of Haryana Deepak Babaria said there is a possibility and it would become clear by Thursday or Friday. Punia is a Tokyo Games bronze medallist, while Phogat became the first woman wrestler to reach the Olympics final, the stage where she was disqualified after being found over weight by about 100 gm in her 50-kg category weigh-in. She subsequently announced her retirement from the sport. The Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) cleared the names of candidates for 66 seats out of 90 till Tuesday.

Punia and Phogat were part of the protest over sexual harassment allegations against former BJP MP and then Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in 2023.

Both Phogat and Punia have backed the farmers protest. When farmers launched an agitation against the Central governments three farm laws in 2020, Phogat showed solidarity with the protesters. In one of her tweets at the time, she said that farmers just want respect for their hard work. The Olympian wrestler had also participated in the protests. Phogat recently joined farmers at the Shambhu border as their protest for a legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) marked its 200th day on August 31.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday arrived here for his fifth official visit to Singapore aimed at boosting bilateral friendship, deepening strategic partnership and attracting investment from the Southeast Asian country.

During his visit at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong, the prime minister will connect with three generations of Singapores leadership, officials in New Delhi said.

The Prime Minister was warmly hosted by his Singapore counterpart at the iconic Sri Temasek bungalow for dinner.

Welcome PM @narendramodi to Singapore! Delighted to have the chance to catch up over a meal at the Istana, before the official meetings tomorrow, Wong posted on X along with his photograph with Modi.

Fortifying India-Singapore bonds of friendship. PM @narendramodi warmly hosted by PM @LawrenceWongST at the iconic Sri Temasek in Singapore. An evening cherishing the deep and long-standing India-Singapore ties awaits, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.

Modi flew to Singapore after wrapping his visit to Brunei, the first bilateral visit there by an Indian prime minister.

Landed in Singapore. Looking forward to the various meetings aimed at boosting the India-Singapore friendship. Indias reforms and the talent of our Yuva Shakti makes our nation an ideal investment destination. We also look forward to closer cultural ties, Modi posted on X soon after his arrival here.

PM @narendramodi lands in the Lion city, Singapore today. Warmly received by Minister of Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam of Singapore. An action-packed agenda lies ahead, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a post on X.

Modi, who last visited Singapore in 2018, was accorded a warm welcome by the Indian community members when he arrived at the hotel. He interacted with the community members and witnessed a traditional dance performance. He also tried his hand at dhol.

Thank you Singapore! The welcome was truly vibrant, he said in another post.

Modi will hold bilateral talks with Wong on Thursday and witness the exchange of several memorandums of understanding.

The Prime Minister will receive an official welcome at the Parliament House on Thursday and call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

This visit comes days after Wong took over and Modi began his third term as prime minister.

I look forward to my discussions to deepen our Strategic Partnership with Singapore, particularly in new and emerging areas of advanced manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainable development, Modi said ahead of his departure from New Delhi.

The leaders will review the progress of India-Singapore Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement said ahead of his departure for Brunei and Singapore.

Modi is accompanied by Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other government officials.

He would call on Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. Lee will host a lunch for Modi.

Modi will also meet with Singaporean business leaders and interact with those in the countrys semiconductor ecosystem.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav chaired the cabinet meeting today at the Mantralaya, where cabinet approved the Jawad-Neemuch Pressurized Micro Irrigation Project in Neemuch district. The project, with an estimated cost of Rs 4,197.58 crores, will irrigate 1,08,600 hectares of land. It is set to benefit 59,700 hectares across 253 villages in Neemuch tehsil and 48,900 hectares in 212 villages of Javad tehsil within Neemuch district.

The Cabinet approved to authorize the MP Industrial Development Corporation Limited, a subordinate organization of the Department of Agricultural Policy and Investment Promotion, has been approved by the Council of Ministers for the establishment and operation of a Power and Renewable Energy Equipment Manufacturing Zone in the industrial area Mohasa-Babai District Narmadapuram, manufacturing area of ??electrical and renewable energy equipment. Approval was given for reimbursement of 60 percent amount of Rs 56 crore 10 lakh from the amount received under the departmental budget after adjusting, 40 percent amount i.e. Rs 37 crore 40 lakh out of the state governments share amount of Rs 93 crore 50 lakh for the establishment of the manufacturing zone.

As per the decision, units to be established in the Power and Renewable Energy Equipment Manufacturing Zone will be given other facilities in addition to the prevailing Industry Promotion Policy 2014 as amended. In the manufacturing sector of electrical and renewable energy equipment, the electricity rate amount is Rs 4.36 per unit for the first 05 years, and after that, approval of an increase at the rate of 3 percent every year and reimbursement of the difference in the electricity rate approved by Madhya Pradesh Regulatory Commission by the state government, electricity charges will be reimbursed to the units by the State Government for 05 years from the date of electricity connection, in the manufacturing sector of electrical and renewable energy equipment, the water rate amount was approved to be increased by Rs 25 per kiloliter for the first 05 years and thereafter at the rate of 3 percent every year. Approval was given to reimburse the stamp duty and registration fees chargeable on land-related documents to the units being established in the park. Approval was given for the allotment of land to the units in the proposed park.

It was approved that the annual rate of development fee would be Rs 20 per square meter without any increase for 35 years.

Approval was granted to allot land at a token amount of Rs 1 and lease rent at the annual rate of Rs 1 per square metre. Approval was given for the formation of a committee under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary, M.P. Government Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion for allotment of land to the units in the proposed park.

The Cabinet has approved the allocation of Rs 111.04 crores from the state government's budget for establishing the Mega Leather, Footwear, and Accessories Cluster Development Park in the Sitapur Industrial Area (Phase II) of Morena district. The proposal, submitted to the Government of India, outlines the development of this cluster on a total area of 161.7 acres.
Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Wednesday announced that the Delhi Metro's Rithala-Narela corridor will be extended to Kundli-Nathupur in Haryana, stating that the development is aimed at easing the daily commute for thousands of residents traveling between Delhi and Haryana.

Delhi Metro line will now be extended to Kundli-Nathupur in Haryana under Phase-4 of the Delhi Metro project. Commenting on the project, Gahlot stated,

This extension marks a significant step towards improving the daily commute for residents of both Delhi and Haryana.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, by expanding the metro network, we aim to reduce travel time, ease congestion on roads, and promote the use of public transportation, which will also contribute to our ongoing efforts to combat pollution.

The Delhi government has given a principal approval for the extension and will send the proposal to the Centre so that the proposal can move to the tendering stage. The extended project, which will be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 6230.99 crores, is expected to be finished within four years.

The total length of the Delhi portion has been extended from 22.91 km to 23.737 km, while the Haryana portion will cover 2.726 km, making the combined stretch from Narela to Nathupur 26.463 km long. The extension will feature 19 stations between Rithala and Narela, with an additional two stations in Haryana.

The minister said the corridor will connect the rural areas of the Delhi-Haryana border to the main city, as buses are the sole public transport there.

Commuters from these areas will now be able to reach the heart of Delhi within one and a half hours, he said.
The Delhi High Court sought a response from the Tihar Jail authorities on Wednesday after AAP MP Sanjay Singh challenged their decision to bar him from visiting Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been lodged in the prison in the excise policy case. Singh moved the court stating that he had been arbitrarily refused an opportunity to meet Kejriwal on June 4 and June 6. According to Singh, the jail authorities cited rule 588 of the Delhi Prison Rules 2018 and stated that he was an ex-prisoner.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna granted three days to the jail authorities to file their response to the petition, and listed the matter for hearing on September 9.Kejriwal is lodged in Tihar jail under judicial custody in the alleged excise policy scam.

During the hearing, senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing Singh, submitted that his client was a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and he was denied physical meeting on the ground that he was an ex-prisoner.

He claimed that Kejriwal has serious medical health conditions and his family wishes to meet him to check on his health.The way the jail superintendent was dealing with things shows the shocking state of affairs. I am an undertrial and a sitting MP and I am giving an undertaking which I will not violate, he submitted.

He said while denying physical meeting to Singh, the jail authorities have cited Rule 588 of the Delhi Prison Rules which states ex-prisoners and habitual offenders, who apply to see their friends lodged in a prison, may not be permitted such interview by the superintendent unless and until there exist a genuine reason for such interview.

He said the intent of this rule is that bad elements should not come in contact with the inmates and this rule is being misused by the jail authorities.The counsel for the authorities sought a week's time to file response to the petition and the court granted him three days to place his stand on record.

Singh, who is also facing prosecution in the excise policy scam case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate, was granted bail by the Supreme Court on April 2. Earlier, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Kumar Pathak approached the high court seeking a direction to the jail authorities to allow him a physical meeting with Kejriwal in prison.

The jail authorities had permitted Pathak to meet Kejriwal twice in April but refused to give him permission the next time, claiming that certain statements made by him after meeting the chief minister were in contravention of prison rules and mostly politically motivated.The court has already reserved its order on Pathak's plea.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that on the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Ahilya Devi, her public welfare efforts will be highlighted and shared with the people. In today's State Cabinet meeting, her significant contributions to enhancing the nation's cultural pride and promoting good governance were honored.

Yadav, addressing the ministers before the Cabinet meeting today, said that the upcoming cabinet meeting will take place in Maheshwar, Khargone district. He mentioned that a series of events will be organized to familiarize the nation with the works of Lokmata Ahilya Devi. Dr. Yadav highlighted how Lokmata Ahilya Devi not only utilized state resources but also used her personal funds to carry out significant public welfare initiatives. He also discussed the Khasgi Trust of the Holkar family, which traditionally allocated 25 percent of the husband's income to the wife. Lokmata Ahilya Devi constructed temples and public facilities across the country through her personal funds.

The Madhya Pradesh government has established a 14-member committee to oversee various programs aimed at implementing Ahilya Devi's vision for self-reliance and public welfare. A roadmap is being developed in collaboration with the Culture Department and other agencies to organize cultural, social, and spiritual activities in her honor.

Yadav informed the Cabinet members that the Indore-Manmad broad gauge double line, pending for decades, has been approved by the Central Cabinet for the progress of Malwa and Nimar regions of Madhya Pradesh as well as other areas. The Cabinet members congratulated Yadav for this achievement and thanked Prime Minister Shri Modi and Railway Minister Shri Vaishnav. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, while congratulating the members of the Council of Ministers for the approval of the rail project, said that the rail project costing Rs 18,036 crore will be a new lifeline for the state. An economic corridor will be developed.

The nearby districts of the state including Barwani, Dhar, Khandwa, Khargone, and Indore will be benefited. Trains will run here at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour. Districts of the entire state will benefit, which will get short-distance direct connectivity from Gwalior to Jawahar Lal Nehru Port. Aspirational districts like Rajgarh along with many tribal-dominated districts will also benefit from this. This project is a big achievement for Madhya Pradesh.

Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya also participated virtually in the meeting and expressed happiness over the approval of the rail project.

The Chief Minister informed that a Vrindavan Gram will be developed in every development block of the state. These villages will be self-reliant, clean, and pure and will have basic facilities like community halls, and public toilets. There will also be forest produce collection centers in the forest area. Villages will emerge in a new form with the use of alternative sources of energy along with animal husbandry and milk production. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Geeta Bhavans will be started in urban areas, which will also be ideological study centers. The Bhavans will have arrangements for reading etc. There will be a collection of books to give information about Indian culture and literature will be made available to the students for competitive examinations. The Urban Development and Housing Department will prepare the outline of this innovative scheme, after which the activities will start.

Yadav said that the Regional Industry Conclave is generating a large number of employment opportunities in the state. Recently, more than 4 thousand delegates and investors including 15 international delegates participated in the conclave held in Gwalior on August 28. About 400 buyer-seller meetings took place.
Lieutenant Governor and chairman of Delhi Development Authority Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday inaugurated 22 developmental projects in 18 villages of South West Delhi under Dilli Gramoday Abhiyan.

Speaking on the occasion, Saxena said, Dilli Gramoday Abhiyan was aligned with the Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of developing the villages and creating amenities at par with those in the cities.

Further, an official from Raj Niwas said, The development works include installation of street lights on several dark stretches, improvement of roads, renovation of community hall, cremation ground and other such facilities that were planned and executed in consultation with the local residents.

Apart from these development projects, NamoDrone Didi Programme was also launched in the Capital. West Delhi BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat and Vice Chairman DDA Subhasish Panda, were also present on the occasion.

My endeavour is to develop all the villages of the capital in the same way as other areas of Delhi have been developed, Saxena said, while lauding the concerned agencies for prompting responding to the needs of the village residents.

Almost all the unauthorized colonies of Delhi are situated near villages. With the development of facilities in villages, lakhs of people living in these colonies will also benefit. We will soon take appropriate steps to eliminate the problems of roads, drains, sewers and water in Unauthorized Colonies as well, the Lt Governor said.

Another official said that till date, 552 works worth Rs 508 crore have been sanctioned under this Abhiyan, including 78 by DDA. Out of these, 35 works have already been completed, which include provision of lighting arrangement, renovation of community halls, development of roads and development of existing cremation ground.

DilliGramodayAbhiyan was launched in December 2023 to improve living conditions in villages by extending civic amenities. For development of these villages, the Gram Sabha Area Fund to the tune of Rs 960 crore that was lying unused with Delhi Government, was transferred to DDA for undertaking various developmental works in villages of Delhi, he said.
Governor Mangubhai Patel has said that to make Gram Sabhas effective under PESA, the possibilities of providing hand-holding support to them should be examined. The provisions of the PESA Act should be used successfully by all Gram Sabhas. The community should move forward with everyone equally towards development. In this regard, the initiative should be taken at the departmental level for public awareness.

Patel was addressing the review meeting of Panchayat and Rural Development Department held at Raj Bhavan. Minister of State for Panchayat and Rural Development Smt. Radha Singh was also present.

Governor Patel has said that to maintain the pace of development, continuity of supervision, inspection, and investigation work is necessary. He said that for effective implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, inspection of the construction work as well as supervision of the utilization of the allocated amount is necessary. At the same time, solutions to ground realities and practical difficulties should also be explored to improve housing design, ventilation, and lighting systems. He also reviewed the effective implementation of the PESA Act. He said that special emphasis should be given to the empowerment efforts of Gram Sabha under the PESA Act. Gram Sabhas should be motivated to use their rights. Gram Sabha empowerment work must be done in a planned manner with a positive approach and new ideas.

Governor Patel pointed out the need for consolidated efforts to achieve the goal of T.B. eradication by 2025. He said the Nikshay Mitra Yojana should be expanded to ensure the availability of nutritious food for tuberculosis patients. Instructions have been given to coordinate with business and professional organizations in this work. During the discussion on the development efforts of special backward tribes, he said that the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Mahaabhiyan (PM Janman) is a remarkable initiative. The scheme intends to make the lives of special backward tribes happy. For the success of the scheme, development work must be carried out with a sensitive approach and qualitative quality.

In the meeting, Governor Patel was told that Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country to complete the first road and housing under the Pradhan Mantri Janman Yojana. As per the instructions, the department will also prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the supervision and inspection of the houses built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Additional Chief Secretary Panchayat and Rural Development Malay Srivastava, Principal Secretary to the Governor Mukesh Chand Gupta, Additional Secretary to the Governor Umashankar Bhargava, Director Panchayat Raj Manoj Pushp and senior officers were present.
A Bihar based man was nabbed from State Museum Bhopal after he failed to escape with booty worth around Rs 10 crore. The accused remained inside the museum for two days and his legs got fractured after he tried to climb 23 ft to escape.

The man was arrested on Tuesday on charges of theft from State Museum Bhopal. He has been in the museum since Sunday evening. The museum remains closed on Monday. After a day's holiday, when the employees opened the lock of the museum at 10.30 am today, the glass of the gallery in two rooms inside was broken. The valuables were missing.

The home guards and private guards deployed in the museum started the search. The accused was found lying unconscious in the hallway. He has an injury on his leg. A big bag was lying beside him.

Police from Shyamla Hills police station also reached the spot. Around 2000 years old gold coins of Gupta period, British period and Nawabi era were found in the bag. Jewelleries, utensils and other old valuables were also found.

The wall of the hallway near which the accused was found lying is more than 23 feet high.

According to DCP Zone 3 Riyaz Iqbal, 'The accused possibly tried to jump over the wall, and fell in this attempt. More than 50 fingerprints have been found in the museum. In the initial investigation, it seems that the accused was alone inside. We will inquire if he had any accomplice outside.

According to the DCP, the accused Vinod Yadav is a resident of Gaya in Bihar. He seems to be a habitual thief. One of our teams has also left for Gaya. On Sunday, he entered the museum with a ticket and hid inside. The guards deployed for the security of the museum locked the building and came inside the campus. All the stolen goods have been recovered from the accused. Its value would be between Rs 8 crore to Rs 10 crore. Some gold coins weigh 50 to 100 grams. These goods were of only two rooms, there would be things worth more than Rs 50 crore in the entire museum.

According to DCP Riyaz, there are some shortcomings in the museum building. We will give it in writing. There is no alarm system. Most of the CCTV cameras are also not funcational. The doors are weak. They are made of aluminium. There are plastic sheets on the roof in many places, anyone can break them easily.

The good thing is that the home guards and private security guards in the museum were alert. The accused himself said that he tried to leave many times, but every time he saw the guards patrolling, so he had to go back inside.
India and Brunei on Wednesday elevated the bilateral ties to Enhanced Partnership as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah discussing defence, trade and energy among other topics along with exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Modi, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to travel to Brunei on a bilateral visit, was welcomed by Sultan Bolkiah and his close family members at the Istana Nurul Iman, which is the official residence of the Sultan, and the seat of the Brunei government, for the bilateral talks.

Infusing fresh impetus to India-Brunei ties & to Act East' Policy. PM @narendramodi and H M Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei held productive discussions in Bandar Seri Begawan today. They welcomed the elevation of bilateral ties to Enhanced Partnership, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X along with the photos.

The two leaders took stock of bilateral relations including in areas of defence, trade & investment, energy, space technology, health and pharmaceuticals, capacity building, culture and people-to-people ties. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, it added in the post.

In his address, Modi said, Brunei is an important partner in India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision. We respect each others' sentiments and I trust that my visit to Brunei and our discussions will give a strategic direction to our bilateral relations. Modi started his speech by describing how India and Brunei have shared cultural linkages for centuries and that the deep cultural traditions are the basis of the bilateral friendship.

I am sure, our relations will increase day-by-day under your leadership, he added.

At the outset, he greeted the Sultan and the citizens of Brunei on the 40th Independence Day on behalf of 140 crore Indians. He also drew attention to the happy coincidence that India and Brunei are celebrating 40 years of bilateral relations.

Soon after the meeting, Modi said in a post on X: Delighted to meet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Our talks were wide-ranging and included ways to further cement bilateral ties between our nations. We are going to further expand trade ties, commercial linkages and people-to-people exchanges.

Modi's historic visit is an important milestone in the 40-year diplomatic relationship between the two countries that enjoy a friendly relationship marked by mutual respect and understanding on bilateral and multilateral issues, officials said.

Building stronger India-Brunei relations. PM @narendramodi was warmly welcomed at the Istana Nurul Iman by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and his close family members.

Brunei is an important partner in India's 'Act East' Policy and its Vision of the Indo-Pacific, the MEA said in a post on X along with the photos.

The two countries are linked by history, culture and tradition spanning a millennium, the MEA had said ahead of Modi's visit to the South East Asian nation.

Earlier on Tuesday, Modi said he was looking forward to his meetings with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and other members of the royal family to take the historical relationship to new heights.

The Prime Minister said he was looking forward to strong ties with Brunei, as he arrived here on the first leg of his two-nation trip meant to strengthen cooperation in sectors like defence, trade and investment, energy as well as people-to-people exchanges.

As a special gesture, Modi was received by Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah at the airport. He visited the iconic Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque here and also inaugurated the new chancery premises of the High Commission of India. At both places, he interacted with the Indian diaspora.

From Brunei, Modi will travel to Singapore later on Wednesday.
StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Arch Resources (NYSE:ARCH  Free Report) in a research report report published on Saturday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the energy companys stock.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on ARCH. Benchmark reissued a buy rating and issued a $180.00 price target on shares of Arch Resources in a research note on Friday, July 26th. B. Riley lifted their price target on Arch Resources from $192.00 to $198.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $178.25.

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Arch Resources Price Performance

NYSE:ARCH opened at $130.13 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $143.10 and its 200 day moving average price is $156.24. The firm has a market cap of $2.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.03 and a beta of 0.64. Arch Resources has a 52-week low of $116.44 and a 52-week high of $187.60. The company has a quick ratio of 1.77, a current ratio of 2.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07.

Arch Resources (NYSE:ARCH  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The energy company reported $0.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.31 by ($0.50). The firm had revenue of $608.75 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $562.23 million. Arch Resources had a return on equity of 17.91% and a net margin of 9.24%. Arch Resourcess revenue was down 19.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $4.04 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Arch Resources will post 12.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Arch Resources Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.77%. Arch Resourcess payout ratio is presently 5.88%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Arch Resources

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ARCH. CWM LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Arch Resources by 132.0% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 174 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its holdings 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. Lindbrook Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Arch Resources by 99.0% during the 1st 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 last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings 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 valued at $54,000 after buying an additional 330 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Arch Resources during the 4th quarter valued at about $56,000. 88.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Arch Resources Company Profile

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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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Mr Price Group (OTCMKTS:MRPLY  Get Free Report) and Industria de Diseno Textil (OTCMKTS:IDEXY  Get Free Report) are both consumer cyclical companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends and risk.

Profitability

This table compares Mr Price Group and Industria de Diseno Textils net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Mr Price Group N/A N/A N/A Industria de Diseno Textil 15.09% 31.68% 16.27%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

0.3% of Mr Price Group shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Dividends

Analyst Recommendations

Mr Price Group pays an annual dividend of $3.71 per share and has a dividend yield of 28.3%. Industria de Diseno Textil pays an annual dividend of $0.59 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Mr Price Group pays out 44.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Industria de Diseno Textil pays out 61.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Mr Price Group is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Mr Price Group and Industria de Diseno Textil, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Mr Price Group 1 0 0 0 1.00 Industria de Diseno Textil 0 1 1 0 2.50

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Mr Price Group and Industria de Diseno Textils top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Mr Price Group N/A N/A N/A $8.28 1.58 Industria de Diseno Textil $38.90 billion 4.29 $5.82 billion $0.96 27.91

Industria de Diseno Textil has higher revenue and earnings than Mr Price Group. Mr Price Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Industria de Diseno Textil, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Industria de Diseno Textil beats Mr Price Group on 7 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Mr Price Group

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Mr Price Group Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a fashion retailer serving women, men, and children in South Africa and internationally. The company operates through Apparel, Home, Financial Services, and Telecoms segments. It offers clothing, underwear, footwear, cosmetics, babywear, school wear, and accessories; furniture and kids merchandise; sporting, outdoor, and fitness products comprising footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories; women's smart and casual fashion and intimate wear; and home textile and decor products for bedroom, living-room, bathroom, kitchen, and dining-room. The company also provides credit services; insurance products; cellular products and services; mobile devices and accessories; and value-added services. It serves its customers through an omni-channel retail distribution of 2,702 corporate-owned stores and 8 franchised stores in Africa, as well as through its online channels. Mr Price Group Limited was founded in 1885 and is headquartered in Durban, South Africa.

About Industria de Diseno Textil

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Industria de Diseno Textil, S.A. engages in the retail and online distribution of clothing, footwear, accessories, and household products. The company sells its products under the Zara, Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho, and Zara Home brands. It is also involved in the textile manufacturing, logistics, design, insurance, construction, and real estate businesses, as well as provides financial services. The company operates in Spain, rest of Europe, the Americas, Asia, and internationally. Industria de Diseno Textil, S.A. was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in A Coruna, Spain.

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Greencore Group plc (OTCMKTS:GNCGY  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $8.70 and last traded at $8.70, with a volume of 0 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $8.70.

Greencore Group Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $8.66 and a 200-day moving average price of $7.01.

Greencore Group Company Profile

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Greencore Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells convenience food products in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company offers sandwiches, salads, sushi, chilled snacking, chilled ready meals, chilled soups and sauces, chilled quiche, ambient sauces and pickles, and frozen Yorkshire Puddings.

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StockNews.com cut shares of Primerica (NYSE:PRI  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Primerica from $239.00 to $249.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Primerica from $257.00 to $269.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, August 19th. Truist Financial raised their target price on Primerica from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Piper Sandler assumed coverage on Primerica in a research note on Friday, August 30th. They set a neutral rating and a $283.00 target price for the company. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on Primerica from $255.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Primerica has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $275.20.

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Primerica Trading Down 1.0 %

PRI stock opened at $260.71 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $8.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.87 and a beta of 1.09. Primerica has a 12-month low of $184.76 and a 12-month high of $265.27. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $248.65 and its 200 day simple moving average is $239.08.

Primerica (NYSE:PRI  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The financial services provider reported $4.71 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.47 by $0.24. The firm had revenue of $803.38 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $748.88 million. Primerica had a return on equity of 27.81% and a net margin of 14.85%. The firms revenue was up 16.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $3.99 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Primerica will post 17.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Primerica Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 12th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.90 per share. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.38%. This is an increase from Primericas previous quarterly dividend of $0.75. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 21st. Primericas dividend payout ratio is currently 21.91%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Glenn J. Williams sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $222.76, for a total value of $668,280.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 48,322 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,764,208.72. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Glenn J. Williams sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $222.76, for a total value of $668,280.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 48,322 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,764,208.72. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, President Peter W. Schneider sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $261.11, for a total value of $391,665.00. Following the completion of the sale, the president now directly owns 10,259 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,678,727.49. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 7,500 shares of company stock valued at $1,817,595 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.85% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Primerica

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. ORG Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Primerica during the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Primerica by 493.3% during the 1st quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 178 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 148 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Primerica by 45.5% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 192 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $49,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC acquired a new position in shares of Primerica during the 2nd quarter valued at about $71,000. Finally, O Dell Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Primerica during the 4th quarter valued at about $153,000. 90.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Primerica Company Profile

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Primerica, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services to middle-income households in the United States and Canada. The company operates in four segments: Term Life Insurance; Investment and Savings Products; Senior Health; and Corporate and Other Distributed Products.

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Burlington Stores, Inc. (NYSE:BURL  Free Report)  Stock analysts at William Blair boosted their Q3 2025 EPS estimates for shares of Burlington Stores in a research note issued on Thursday, August 29th. William Blair analyst D. Carden now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $1.54 for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $1.32. The consensus estimate for Burlington Stores current full-year earnings is $7.79 per share. William Blair also issued estimates for Burlington Stores Q4 2025 earnings at $3.74 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $1.75 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.83 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $4.31 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $9.42 EPS.

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Burlington Stores (NYSE:BURL  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 29th. The company reported $1.20 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.95 by $0.25. Burlington Stores had a net margin of 4.18% and a return on equity of 47.43%. The firm had revenue of $2.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.42 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.60 EPS. Burlington Storess quarterly revenue was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year.

Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Telsey Advisory Group restated an outperform rating and set a $300.00 price target on shares of Burlington Stores in a report on Thursday, August 29th. Gordon Haskett upgraded shares of Burlington Stores from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $300.00 target price for the company in a report on Monday, August 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of Burlington Stores from $278.00 to $310.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 30th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of Burlington Stores from $227.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, May 31st. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of Burlington Stores from $260.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, May 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $294.94.

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Burlington Stores Trading Down 1.0 %

BURL opened at $265.44 on Monday. 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 companys 50 day simple moving average is $253.20 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $223.83. Burlington Stores has a 1-year low of $115.66 and a 1-year high of $282.49. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 44.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.61.

Insider Buying and Selling at Burlington Stores

In other Burlington Stores news, CMO Jennifer Vecchio sold 494 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $255.37, for a total value of $126,152.78. Following the sale, the chief marketing officer now owns 61,907 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,809,190.59. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.91% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Burlington Stores

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co grew its holdings in Burlington Stores by 7.4% during the 1st quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 56,326 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,073,000 after purchasing an additional 3,867 shares in the last quarter. Amalgamated Bank grew its holdings in Burlington Stores by 416.8% during the 4th quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 37,487 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,290,000 after purchasing an additional 30,233 shares in the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC grew its holdings in Burlington Stores by 19.3% during the 4th quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 631,148 shares of the companys stock valued at $122,746,000 after purchasing an additional 101,950 shares in the last quarter. Boulder Hill Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Burlington Stores during the 4th quarter valued at $2,237,000. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Burlington Stores during the 1st quarter valued at $1,819,000.

Burlington Stores Company Profile

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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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Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO  Free Report)  Telsey Advisory Group upped their Q3 2025 earnings estimates for Victorias Secret & Co. in a note issued to investors on Thursday, August 29th. Telsey Advisory Group analyst D. Telsey now forecasts that the company will earn ($0.68) per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of ($0.72). Telsey Advisory Group currently has a Market Perform rating and a $27.00 target price on the stock. The consensus estimate for Victorias Secret & Co.s current full-year earnings is $2.03 per share. Telsey Advisory Group also issued estimates for Victorias Secret & Co.s Q1 2026 earnings at $0.24 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $0.42 EPS and Q3 2026 earnings at ($0.60) EPS.

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Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, June 5th. The company reported $0.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.11 by $0.01. Victorias Secret & Co. had a net margin of 2.25% and a return on equity of 47.61%. The business had revenue of $1.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.36 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.28 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 3.4% on a year-over-year basis.

A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on VSCO. TD Cowen lifted their price target on Victorias Secret & Co. from $20.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, August 30th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 29th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from $19.00 to $23.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Friday, August 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Friday, May 17th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from $26.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 29th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $23.40.

Read Our Latest Analysis on VSCO

Victorias Secret & Co. Stock Performance

VSCO opened at $23.43 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $1.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.02 and a beta of 2.12. The company has a quick ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.51. The firms 50-day moving average price is $19.72 and its 200-day moving average price is $20.14. Victorias Secret & Co. has a 52-week low of $13.62 and a 52-week high of $30.80.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VSCO. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. by 102.0% in the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,708,766 shares of the companys stock worth $47,864,000 after buying an additional 1,368,103 shares in the last quarter. Bayberry Capital Partners LP purchased a new stake in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in the first quarter valued at about $11,919,000. Marshall Wace LLP increased its position in Victorias Secret & Co. by 1,218.1% during the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 618,195 shares of the companys stock worth $10,924,000 after purchasing an additional 571,295 shares during the last quarter. Lombard Odier Asset Management USA Corp raised its stake in Victorias Secret & Co. by 102.3% during the second quarter. Lombard Odier Asset Management USA Corp now owns 11,573 shares of the companys stock worth $204,000 after purchasing an additional 511,573 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in Victorias Secret & Co. in the 4th quarter valued at about $8,986,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.29% of the companys stock.

Victorias Secret & Co. Company Profile

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Victoria's Secret & Co operates as a specialty retailer of women's intimate, and other apparel and beauty products worldwide. It offers bras, panties, lingerie, casual sleepwear, and athleisure and swim, as well as fragrances and body care; and loungewear, knit tops, activewear, and accessories and beauty under the Victoria's Secret, PINK, and Adore Me brands.

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Shares of The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Hold from the twelve brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $127.25.

A number of equities analysts recently commented on SJM shares. Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of J. M. Smucker from $138.00 to $136.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 29th. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of J. M. Smucker from $123.00 to $121.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 30th. DA Davidson reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $121.00 price target on shares of J. M. Smucker in a research note on Thursday, August 29th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of J. M. Smucker from $140.00 to $130.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 29th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered their price objective on shares of J. M. Smucker from $135.00 to $132.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 29th.

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Insider Activity

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other news, CEO Mark T. Smucker sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.16, for a total value of $1,101,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 78,757 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,675,871.12. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . Company insiders own 3.40% of the companys stock.

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of J. M. Smucker by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 13,471,395 shares of the companys stock worth $1,702,515,000 after acquiring an additional 518,433 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners acquired a new position in J. M. Smucker during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $364,990,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in J. M. Smucker by 8.2% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,783,183 shares of the companys stock valued at $194,435,000 after purchasing an additional 135,158 shares in the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC increased its stake in J. M. Smucker by 14.4% during the 2nd quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 1,526,074 shares of the companys stock valued at $166,403,000 after purchasing an additional 192,075 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Champlain Investment Partners LLC increased its stake in J. M. Smucker by 29.0% during the 1st quarter. Champlain Investment Partners LLC now owns 1,457,995 shares of the companys stock valued at $183,518,000 after purchasing an additional 327,680 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.66% of the companys stock.

J. M. Smucker Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE SJM opened at $118.74 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a current ratio of 0.55. The company has a market cap of $12.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.68, a P/E/G ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.24. The firms fifty day moving average is $116.31 and its two-hundred day moving average is $116.45. J. M. Smucker has a 52-week low of $105.69 and a 52-week high of $144.25.

J. M. Smucker (NYSE:SJM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 28th. The company reported $2.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.17 by $0.27. J. M. Smucker had a net margin of 8.77% and a return on equity of 14.22%. The company had revenue of $2.13 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.13 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.21 EPS. J. M. Smuckers revenue for the quarter was up 17.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that J. M. Smucker will post 9.84 EPS for the current fiscal year.

J. M. Smucker Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 16th were issued a $1.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 16th. This represents a $4.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.64%. This is a positive change from J. M. Smuckers previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. J. M. Smuckers payout ratio is currently 60.67%.

J. M. Smucker Company Profile

(Get Free Report

The J. M. Smucker Company manufactures and markets branded food and beverage products worldwide. It operates in three segments: U.S. Retail Pet Foods, U.S. Retail Coffee, and U.S. Retail Consumer Foods. The company offers mainstream roast, ground, single serve, and premium coffee; peanut butter and specialty spreads; fruit spreads, toppings, and syrups; jelly products; nut mix products; shortening and oils; frozen sandwiches and snacks; pet food and pet snacks; and foodservice hot beverage, foodservice portion control, and flour products, as well as dog and cat food, frozen handheld products, juices and beverages, and baking mixes and ingredients.

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Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE:AAP  Get Free Report)s share price fell 3.7% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $42.05 and last traded at $42.09. 1,409,539 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 20% from the average session volume of 1,766,154 shares. The stock had previously closed at $43.72.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently commented on AAP shares. StockNews.com raised Advance Auto Parts from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Advance Auto Parts from $68.00 to $55.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 16th. Wells Fargo & Company restated a hold rating and set a $60.00 price target on shares of Advance Auto Parts in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. Mizuho reduced their price objective on shares of Advance Auto Parts from $64.00 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 26th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Advance Auto Parts from $51.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have assigned a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Advance Auto Parts has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $58.62.

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Advance Auto Parts Stock Down 3.0 %

The company has a market capitalization of $2.53 billion, a PE ratio of 63.36, a P/E/G ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a quick ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $58.34 and a 200 day moving average of $67.72.

Advance Auto Parts (NYSE:AAP  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 22nd. The company reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.97 by ($0.22). The firm had revenue of $2.68 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.67 billion. Advance Auto Parts had a net margin of 0.01% and a return on equity of 0.05%. The firms quarterly revenue was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.43 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Advance Auto Parts, Inc. will post 2.17 EPS for the current year.

Advance Auto Parts Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 11th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 11th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.36%. Advance Auto Partss dividend payout ratio is currently 144.93%.

Institutional Trading of Advance Auto Parts

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Kovack Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Advance Auto Parts by 0.7% during the first quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. now owns 22,727 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,934,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the period. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. lifted its stake in Advance Auto Parts by 28.0% in the 1st quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 895 shares of the companys stock worth $76,000 after purchasing an additional 196 shares in the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC boosted its holdings in Advance Auto Parts by 8.2% in the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 2,711 shares of the companys stock valued at $165,000 after purchasing an additional 206 shares during the period. Diversified Trust Co grew its position in shares of Advance Auto Parts by 3.5% during the 2nd quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 6,787 shares of the companys stock valued at $430,000 after purchasing an additional 232 shares in the last quarter. Finally, OLD National Bancorp IN raised its position in shares of Advance Auto Parts by 6.8% in the second quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN now owns 3,697 shares of the companys stock worth $234,000 after buying an additional 237 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.75% of the companys stock.

About Advance Auto Parts

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Advance Auto Parts, Inc provides automotive replacement parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items for domestic and imported cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, and light and heavy duty trucks. The company offers battery accessories; belts and hoses; brakes and brake pads; chassis and climate control parts; clutches and drive shafts; engines and engine parts; exhaust systems and parts; hub assemblies; ignition components and wires; radiators and cooling parts; starters and alternators; and steering and alignment parts.

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Cooke & Bieler LP trimmed its position in American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO  Free Report) by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 6,383,530 shares of the apparel retailers stock after selling 74,030 shares during the period. Cooke & Bieler LPs holdings in American Eagle Outfitters were worth $127,415,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in AEO. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its position in American Eagle Outfitters by 299.7% during the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 1,207 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 905 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. acquired a new stake in American Eagle Outfitters during the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its position in American Eagle Outfitters by 40.5% during the 4th quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 2,080 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the period. NBC Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in American Eagle Outfitters during the 1st quarter worth about $59,000. Finally, Federated Hermes Inc. grew its position in American Eagle Outfitters by 54.2% during the 4th quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 2,984 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $63,000 after purchasing an additional 1,049 shares during the period. 97.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Transactions at American Eagle Outfitters

In related news, Director Cary D. Mcmillan sold 2,577 shares of American Eagle Outfitters stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.93, for a total value of $53,936.61. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 7.30% of the companys stock.

American Eagle Outfitters Price Performance

American Eagle Outfitters stock traded up $0.30 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $19.89. The company had a trading volume of 1,306,503 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,645,958. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $20.80 and its 200-day simple moving average is $22.37. The company has a market capitalization of $3.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.65, a P/E/G ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.51. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. has a 12-month low of $14.39 and a 12-month high of $26.44.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.38 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $1.29 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.31 billion. American Eagle Outfitters had a net margin of 4.58% and a return on equity of 20.98%. The businesss revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.25 EPS. On average, analysts expect that American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. will post 1.79 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on AEO shares. TD Cowen cut their price target on American Eagle Outfitters from $25.00 to $23.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 30th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on American Eagle Outfitters from $19.00 to $18.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed a market perform rating and set a $25.00 price target on shares of American Eagle Outfitters in a research report on Thursday, August 29th. StockNews.com downgraded American Eagle Outfitters from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, UBS Group dropped their target price on American Eagle Outfitters from $35.00 to $34.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, American Eagle Outfitters presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $25.33.

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American Eagle Outfitters Company Profile

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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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Aveo Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Core Plus Bond ETF (BATS:JCPB  Free Report) by 0.8% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 66,210 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 504 shares during the quarter. Aveo Capital Partners LLCs holdings in JPMorgan Core Plus Bond ETF were worth $3,067,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Joseph Group Capital Management bought a new position in shares of JPMorgan Core Plus Bond ETF in the 4th quarter worth $35,000. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. bought a new position in JPMorgan Core Plus Bond ETF during the first quarter worth about $56,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of JPMorgan Core Plus Bond ETF during the 2nd quarter worth about $63,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. increased its stake in shares of JPMorgan Core Plus Bond ETF by 50.6% in the 1st quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 2,012 shares of the companys stock valued at $94,000 after acquiring an additional 676 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its position in shares of JPMorgan Core Plus Bond ETF by 3,028.0% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 3,910 shares of the companys stock valued at $182,000 after acquiring an additional 3,785 shares during the period.

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JPMorgan Core Plus Bond ETF Stock Performance

Shares of BATS JCPB opened at $47.74 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.07 billion, a PE ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 0.17. The firms 50-day moving average price is $47.12 and its 200 day moving average price is $46.46.

JPMorgan Core Plus Bond ETF Increases Dividend

JPMorgan Core Plus Bond ETF Company Profile

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 5th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be issued a $0.2049 dividend. This is a positive change from JPMorgan Core Plus Bond ETFs previous dividend of $0.20. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 3rd.

(Free Report)

The JPMorgan Core Plus Bond ETF (JCPB) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond index. The fund is an actively-managed ETF consisting of a broad array of fixed income securities. JCPB was launched on Jan 28, 2019 and is managed by JPMorgan Chase.

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Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (OTCMKTS:AWKNF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,800 shares, a growth of 6.7% from the July 31st total of 4,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 22,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days.

Awakn Life Sciences Price Performance

OTCMKTS:AWKNF opened at $0.10 on Wednesday. The firms 50 day moving average is $0.09 and its two-hundred day moving average is $0.10. Awakn Life Sciences has a fifty-two week low of $0.04 and a fifty-two week high of $0.26.

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Awakn Life Sciences Company Profile

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Awakn Life Sciences Corp., a biotechnology company, engages in the researching, developing, operations, and delivering of psychedelic therapeutics to treat addiction and other mental health conditions in the United Kingdom and Europe. The company has a collaboration agreement with the University of Exeter for exploring the use of ketamine-assisted therapy to treat Severe AUD.

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Raymond James cut shares of Canadian Western Bank (TSE:CWB  Free Report) from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Tuesday, Zacks.com reports. Raymond James also issued estimates for Canadian Western Banks Q1 2025 earnings at $0.93 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $0.94 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $0.97 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $0.98 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $3.82 EPS.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. BMO Capital Markets cut shares of Canadian Western Bank from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and boosted their target price for the company from C$35.00 to C$52.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 12th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Canadian Western Bank from C$52.00 to C$57.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Tuesday. Desjardins lifted their target price on Canadian Western Bank from C$53.00 to C$57.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday. Cormark upped their price target on Canadian Western Bank from C$46.00 to C$47.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, National Bankshares cut their price objective on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$37.00 to C$30.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, June 3rd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$44.10.

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Canadian Western Bank Stock Down 0.1 %

Canadian Western Bank Announces Dividend

CWB opened at C$51.43 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of C$46.94 and a 200-day moving average price of C$35.30. Canadian Western Bank has a twelve month low of C$24.66 and a twelve month high of C$52.80. The company has a market capitalization of C$4.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.31, a PEG ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 1.39.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 26th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 12th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.72%. Canadian Western Banks dividend payout ratio is 41.67%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Canadian Western Bank news, Senior Officer Trent Albert Erickson purchased 4,312 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, June 14th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of C$41.44 per share, with a total value of C$178,680.66. In related news, Senior Officer Jenny Siman sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$46.05, for a total transaction of C$46,050.00. Also, Senior Officer Trent Albert Erickson purchased 4,312 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, June 14th. The stock was bought at an average cost of C$41.44 per share, for a total transaction of C$178,680.66. 0.46% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Canadian Western Bank

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Canadian Western Bank provides personal and business banking products and services in Western Canada. The company offers current, savings, US dollar, chequing, flex notice, organization, business trust, and trust fund investment accounts. It also offers commercial lending and real estate, equipment financing and leasing, aviation financing, and dealership financing products; agriculture lending products and AgriInvest savings account; variable and fixed rate mortgages; line of credit; registered retirement savings plan, consolidation, and vehicle loans; and credit cards.

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THE King Mswati III International Airport is a flagship project of the nation. The main aim of the project is to drive the countrys connectivity with the rest of the world, supporting commerce, industry, trade and tourism alike, among other sectors. As economists, we always look for economic value, all public works projects should contribute towards economic growth and render a good return on investment.Contributing to national development has to be a concerted effort with the whole nation contributing ideas and potential sustainable paths. The airport must be profitable and the nation must reap the benefits.

Infrastructure

I will reference my thoughts based on the plans that the ENHBs attempt to secure 200 billion for a housing estate. The whole infrastructure development is expected to cost well to the tune of 50 billion Emalangeni. This is fine and well, I would advise though that an industrial complex should precede this development. The Sikhuphe area is a designated Special Economic Zone (SEZ), as such the whole area should be structured around industry.

A special economic zone is an area in a country that is subject to different economic regulations than other regions within the same country. The economic regulations of special economic zones (SEZs) tend to be conducive toand attractforeign direct investment. Housing infrastructure will not help us achieve the goal of setting up a SEZ, but it is a critical enabler to ensuring smooth operations of the zone. I agitate that efforts should be made to build the industrial park first, then housing in tandem. Alternatively, we could build the industrial park and the housing estate in parallel.

Connectivity

Also, there is need to ensure that the SEZ is connected to the overall transportation infrastructure in the country. Furthermore, we need to ensure that it is connected to the whole ICT infrastructure. One would expect to have fiber optic broadband infrastructure with 4G capabilities available in the area. This is yet another critical enabler to ensuring that an industrial park booms. The country needs to be able to guarantee investors that connectivity will not be an issue. We acknowledge efforts to link the road infrastructure to the airport, this will facilitate domestic import sourcing into the SEZ.

We also need the railways to come up with a line that will link the airport to the dry port in Matsapha. One might argue that why link the airport to the rail line because we need the airport to be a cargo hub diverting from passenger freight. I agree a 100 per cent with that line of thinking, however, we need to be strategic on the companies that we bring in to operate in the SEZ. Also, those companies need to be able to attract low transport costs for inputs, so that they increase their margins making operations in the zone very attractive. We need to target high value products for operation in the SEZ, food processors also need to be advised to use the zone for speedy transport ensuring that the produce reaches markets fresh, passing all health and safety tests and regulations.

Standards

Among the critical enablers required for an efficient SEZ is standard certification. The country needs to intensify her efforts towards setting up ISO certified labs to ensure that all goods produced in the zone meet the international standards for entry in a number of international markets. This would streamline processes within the SEZ ensuring that the rules of origin work in our favor as a nation. The target should be to export high value products, the SEZ should be reserved for high value products. The tech sector should be among the areas we are most interested in to setup within the SEZ. We encourage the government to further capacitate the Eswatini Standards Authority to ensure that we produce commodities that are compliant with global standards.

Policy alignment

The Special Economic Zone Act of 2018, establishes The Royal Science and Technology Park and the Sikhuphe or KMIII as special economic zones. In my view, the policy needs to be reviewed in line with the newly enacted investor policy and guideline. The incentives incorporated into the Investor Act must be transposed into the SEZ Act of 2018. The benefits enshrined in the 2018 Act must be maintained. The only change that I think need to be made, is to establish the minimum investment thresh hold as defined in the Investor Act. Also, we need to be defining the sectors that can actually benefit or will be given preference.

Also, if possible, we need to ensure that albeit production taking place in a special economic zone, we need to form linkages with local business. This has to go beyond the training levy as enshrined in the 2018 SEZ Act and synchronise with the Investor Policy. We need to align all our policies to ensure that it is easier for investors to understand and take on the opportunities within the SEZ. Also, we need to be cognisant to the fact that we are 4 hours from both the busiest airport in Africa and the Transnet rail link. We need to think competitively.
Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE:CQP  Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 692,000 shares, a decrease of 6.8% from the July 31st total of 742,700 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 153,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.5 days. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Cheniere Energy Partners Trading Down 1.5 %

Shares of Cheniere Energy Partners stock opened at $48.26 on Wednesday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $50.18 and its 200-day moving average price is $49.38. Cheniere Energy Partners has a 12-month low of $45.51 and a 12-month high of $62.34. The company has a market cap of $23.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.42 and a beta of 0.69.

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Cheniere Energy Partners (NYSE:CQP  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $0.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.83 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $1.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.04 billion. Cheniere Energy Partners had a net margin of 32.76% and a negative return on equity of 292.75%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Cheniere Energy Partners will post 4.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Cheniere Energy Partners Increases Dividend

Institutional Trading of Cheniere Energy Partners

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 14th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 7th were given a dividend of $0.775 per share. This represents a $3.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.42%. This is a boost from Cheniere Energy Partnerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.62. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 7th. Cheniere Energy Partnerss payout ratio is presently 66.95%.

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its position in shares of Cheniere Energy Partners by 40.8% during the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 43,345 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,129,000 after buying an additional 12,554 shares in the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp raised its position in Cheniere Energy Partners by 6.9% during the second quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 19,487 shares of the companys stock valued at $957,000 after purchasing an additional 1,255 shares in the last quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in Cheniere Energy Partners by 23.8% during the second quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 6,945 shares of the companys stock worth $341,000 after purchasing an additional 1,336 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy Partners by 980.0% in the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,836 shares of the companys stock worth $90,000 after purchasing an additional 1,666 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Creative Planning bought a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy Partners during the 2nd quarter valued at about $276,000. Institutional investors own 46.55% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have weighed in on CQP. Sanford C. Bernstein assumed coverage on shares of Cheniere Energy Partners in a research report on Monday, June 24th. They set a market perform rating for the company. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy Partners from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $49.25.

View Our Latest Report on CQP

About Cheniere Energy Partners

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Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P., through its subsidiaries, provides liquefied natural gas (LNG) to integrated energy companies, utilities, and energy trading companies worldwide. The company owns and operates natural gas liquefaction and export facility at the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.

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Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBAPJ  Get Free Report) announced a interim dividend on Wednesday, September 4th, MarketIndexAU reports. Stockholders of record on Sunday, September 15th will be given a dividend of 1.256 per share on Sunday, September 15th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.21%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 4th. This is a positive change from Commonwealth Bank of Australias previous interim dividend of $1.25.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Price Performance

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Company Profile

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Commonwealth Bank of Australia provides financial services in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. It operates through Retail Banking Services, Business Banking, Institutional Banking and Markets, and New Zealand segments. The company offers transaction, savings, and foreign currency accounts; term deposits; personal and business loans; overdrafts; equipment finance; credit cards; international payment and trade; and private banking services, as well as home and car loans.

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Community Bank & Trust Waco Texas decreased its holdings in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 3.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 80,032 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 2,889 shares during the period. Community Bank & Trust Waco Texas holdings in Pfizer were worth $2,239,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Larson Financial Group LLC increased its stake in Pfizer by 76.0% in the 2nd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 59,427 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,663,000 after buying an additional 25,658 shares during the period. Wealth Effects LLC grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 36.4% during the 2nd quarter. Wealth Effects LLC now owns 69,074 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,933,000 after acquiring an additional 18,436 shares in the last quarter. Hodges Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 12.4% during the second quarter. Hodges Capital Management Inc. now owns 13,631 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $381,000 after acquiring an additional 1,504 shares in the last quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in Pfizer by 2.1% during the second quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 96,169 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,691,000 after purchasing an additional 1,937 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cozad Asset Management Inc. increased its position in Pfizer by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Cozad Asset Management Inc. now owns 44,417 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,243,000 after purchasing an additional 580 shares during the last quarter. 68.36% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Pfizer Price Performance

Shares of Pfizer stock traded down $0.05 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $28.25. 4,911,225 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 38,330,504. The company has a market cap of $160.08 billion, a PE ratio of -471.67, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.69. The firms fifty day moving average price is $29.01 and its 200 day moving average price is $28.03. Pfizer Inc. has a twelve month low of $25.20 and a twelve month high of $36.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.60.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.46 by $0.14. Pfizer had a negative net margin of 4.66% and a positive return on equity of 8.42%. The firm had revenue of $13.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.96 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.67 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.66 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 26th were paid a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 26th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.95%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio is currently -2,800.00%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PFE has been the subject of several recent research reports. 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. Daiwa America raised Pfizer from a moderate buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Pfizer from $30.00 to $31.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, StockNews.com raised Pfizer from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong 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 $34.54.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on PFE

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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Bank of Santa Clarita (OTCMKTS:BSCA  Get Free Report) and FB Financial (NYSE:FBK  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, dividends, risk, institutional ownership, profitability, analyst recommendations and valuation.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Bank of Santa Clarita and FB Financial, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Bank of Santa Clarita 0 0 0 0 N/A FB Financial 1 2 3 0 2.33

FB Financial has a consensus target price of $42.33, suggesting a potential downside of 10.41%. Given FB Financials higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe FB Financial is more favorable than Bank of Santa Clarita.

Earnings & Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Bank of Santa Clarita N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A FB Financial $461.07 million 4.82 $120.22 million $2.38 19.89

This table compares Bank of Santa Clarita and FB Financials gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

FB Financial has higher revenue and earnings than Bank of Santa Clarita.

Profitability

This table compares Bank of Santa Clarita and FB Financials net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Bank of Santa Clarita N/A N/A N/A FB Financial 15.34% 10.24% 1.19%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

65.4% of FB Financial shares are held by institutional investors. 1.7% of FB Financial shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

FB Financial beats Bank of Santa Clarita on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Bank of Santa Clarita

(Get Free Report)

Bank of Santa Clarita engages in the provision of banking and financial services. It offers real estate, small business administration, commercial and consumer loans, consumer and business checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, trade finance, and money transfers. The company was founded by Frank D. Di Tomaso on October 26, 2004 and is headquartered in Santa Clarita, CA.

About FB Financial

(Get Free Report)

FB Financial Corporation operates as a bank holding company for FirstBank that provides a suite of commercial and consumer banking services to businesses, professionals, and individuals. The company operates in segments, such as Banking and Mortgage. It offers checking, demand, money market, and savings accounts; deposit and lending products and services to corporate, commercial, and consumer customers; and time deposits and certificates of deposits, as well as residential mortgage loans. The company also provides owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied real estate commercial, residential real estate 1-4 family mortgage, multi-family residential, commercial and industrial, construction, land acquisition, residential lines of credit, and land development loans; and consumer and other loans, such as car, boat, and other recreational vehicle loans, as well as manufactured homes without real estate and personal lines of credit. In addition, the company offers mortgage banking services through its bank branch network and mortgage banking offices in the southeastern United States; direct-to-consumer internet delivery channel; and trust, insurance, and investment services, as well as online and mobile banking services. The company operates full-service bank branches and limited-service branches locations throughout Tennessee, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Jackson, Birmingham, Florence, Huntsville, Alabama, Bowling Green, and Kentucky; and mortgage offices throughout the southeastern United States. The company was formerly known as First South Bancorp, Inc. and changed its name to FB Financial Corporation in 2016. FB Financial Corporation was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Fiera Capital Corp grew its position in CAE Inc. (NYSE:CAE  Free Report) (TSE:CAE) by 0.2% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 538,938 shares of the aerospace companys stock after acquiring an additional 928 shares during the period. Fiera Capital Corp owned 0.17% of CAE worth $10,014,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. increased its position in CAE by 45.5% in the 4th quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,600 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management grew its stake in shares of CAE by 52.8% during the first quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 2,018 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 697 shares during the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV increased its holdings in shares of CAE by 142.8% in the first quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 1,202 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 707 shares in the last quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC raised its position in CAE by 3.5% in the 2nd quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC now owns 25,098 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $466,000 after purchasing an additional 857 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale lifted its holdings in CAE by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 33,517 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $632,000 after buying an additional 871 shares in the last quarter. 67.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CAE has been the topic of several research reports. Morgan Stanley lowered CAE from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, August 16th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of CAE from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 22nd. Canaccord Genuity Group reiterated a hold rating on shares of CAE in a report on Wednesday, May 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada raised shares of CAE from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group lowered CAE from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, May 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $28.00.

CAE Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:CAE traded up $0.29 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $17.97. 153,965 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 586,220. The firm has a market cap of $5.73 billion, a PE ratio of -24.60, a PEG ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 1.67. The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. CAE Inc. has a 12 month low of $15.95 and a 12 month high of $25.04. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $17.98 and a 200-day moving average price of $18.93.

CAE (NYSE:CAE  Get Free Report) (TSE:CAE) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 13th. The aerospace company reported $0.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.20 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $1.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.05 billion. CAE had a negative net margin of 7.38% and a positive return on equity of 5.96%. CAEs quarterly revenue was up 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.18 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that CAE Inc. will post 0.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

CAE Company Profile

(Free Report)

CAE Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides simulation training and critical operations support solutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa, and Rest of Americas. It operates through three segments: Civil Aviation, Defense and Security, and Healthcare.

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First American Financial Co. (NYSE:FAF  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday after Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on the stock from $66.00 to $72.00. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods currently has an outperform rating on the stock. First American Financial traded as high as $66.05 and last traded at $65.86, with a volume of 262506 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $63.73.

A number of other research firms have also recently weighed in on FAF. Stephens reiterated an overweight rating and set a $66.00 price objective on shares of First American Financial in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Barclays cut their price target on shares of First American Financial from $65.00 to $61.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of First American Financial from $65.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four 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 $66.75.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

First American Financial Trading Up 3.3 %

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in FAF. Custom Index Systems LLC increased its position in shares of First American Financial by 2.3% during the second quarter. Custom Index Systems LLC now owns 8,218 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $443,000 after acquiring an additional 182 shares during the period. Pacer Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in First American Financial by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 15,560 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $839,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in First American Financial by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 10,327 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $630,000 after purchasing an additional 193 shares during the period. Blossom Wealth Management lifted its holdings in shares of First American Financial by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter. Blossom Wealth Management now owns 6,940 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $374,000 after buying an additional 195 shares during the period. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of First American Financial by 82.3% in the 1st quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 505 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 228 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.05% of the companys stock.

The firm has a market cap of $6.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.20 and a beta of 1.28. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $58.81 and a 200-day moving average price of $57.14.

First American Financial (NYSE:FAF  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The insurance provider reported $1.27 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.13 by $0.14. First American Financial had a net margin of 3.28% and a return on equity of 7.98%. The business had revenue of $1.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.62 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.35 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that First American Financial Co. will post 3.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About First American Financial

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First American Financial Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides financial services. It operates through Title Insurance and Services, and Home Warranty segments. The Title Insurance and Services segment issues title insurance policies on residential and commercial property, as well as offers related products and services internationally.

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Halliburton (NYSE:HAL  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Buy from the eighteen brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation, sixteen have assigned a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $44.88.

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on HAL shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Halliburton from $45.00 to $40.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on Halliburton from $52.00 to $48.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on Halliburton from $47.00 to $40.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 29th. Citigroup decreased their target price on Halliburton from $50.00 to $45.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, June 28th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on shares of Halliburton from $50.00 to $47.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 29th.

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View Our Latest Analysis on Halliburton

Halliburton Trading Down 4.0 %

Shares of HAL opened at $29.85 on Friday. Halliburton has a 1-year low of $29.78 and a 1-year high of $43.85. The firm has a market capitalization of $26.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.33, a PEG ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 1.93. The firms 50-day moving average price is $32.72 and its 200-day moving average price is $35.42. The company has a current ratio of 2.13, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76.

Halliburton (NYSE:HAL  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, July 19th. The oilfield services company reported $0.80 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.80. Halliburton had a net margin of 11.61% and a return on equity of 29.97%. The firm had revenue of $5.83 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.95 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.77 EPS. The companys revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Halliburton will post 3.14 EPS for the current year.

Halliburton Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 25th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 4th will be given a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.28%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 4th. Halliburtons dividend payout ratio is 23.53%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Van H. Beckwith sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.75, for a total value of $367,500.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 273,908 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,066,119. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.61% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Halliburton in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $521,000. Truist Financial Corp raised its stake in Halliburton by 20.9% in the second quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 1,490,642 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $50,354,000 after buying an additional 257,403 shares in the last quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP lifted its holdings in Halliburton by 15.1% during the second quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 4,279,478 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $144,516,000 after buying an additional 560,325 shares during the period. Quarry LP bought a new stake in Halliburton during the 2nd quarter valued at $184,000. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its holdings in shares of Halliburton by 16.3% in the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 41,739 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $1,410,000 after acquiring an additional 5,860 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 85.23% of the companys stock.

About Halliburton

(Get Free Report

Halliburton Company provides products and services to the energy industry worldwide. It operates through two segments, Completion and Production, and Drilling and Evaluation. The Completion and Production segment offers production enhancement services that include stimulation and sand control services; cementing services, such as well bonding and casing, and casing equipment; and completion tools that offer downhole solutions and services, including well completion products and services, intelligent well completions, and service tools, as well as liner hanger, sand control, and multilateral systems.

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WealthBridge Capital Management LLC cut its stake in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (NYSEARCA:IGM  Free Report) by 3.4% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 68,932 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 2,461 shares during the period. iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF makes up approximately 2.1% of WealthBridge Capital Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 9th largest holding. WealthBridge Capital Management LLC owned about 0.14% of iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF worth $6,501,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Montag A & Associates Inc. increased its holdings in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF by 12.8% during the 4th quarter. Montag A & Associates Inc. now owns 211 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $95,000 after acquiring an additional 24 shares in the last quarter. Fortis Group Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Fortis Group Advisors LLC now owns 134 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $60,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Northwest Financial Advisors purchased a new stake in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Strategic Blueprint LLC grew its holdings in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. Strategic Blueprint LLC now owns 2,550 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $240,000 after buying an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. Finally, B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its position in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF by 2.9% during the first quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 4,409 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $380,000 after buying an additional 125 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of NYSEARCA IGM traded down $0.33 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $89.19. The company had a trading volume of 34,339 shares, compared to its average volume of 294,913. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.50 billion, a PE ratio of 7.11 and a beta of 1.53. iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF has a twelve month low of $60.65 and a twelve month high of $98.70. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $92.62 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $88.73.

About iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF

iShares North American Tech ETF, formerly iShares S&P North American Technology Sector Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, of the United States-traded technology companies, as represented by the S&P North American Technology Sector Index (the Index).

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Shares of MEG Energy Corp. (TSE:MEG  Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of Hold by the eleven brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$34.00.

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Scotiabank boosted their price objective on MEG Energy from C$34.00 to C$35.00 in a research note on Friday, July 12th. Raymond James set a C$28.00 price objective on shares of MEG Energy and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 29th. TD Securities upgraded shares of MEG Energy from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, June 7th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on MEG Energy from C$35.00 to C$32.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 15th.

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MEG Energy Trading Down 5.0 %

Shares of MEG Energy stock opened at C$25.50 on Wednesday. MEG Energy has a 1-year low of C$22.79 and a 1-year high of C$33.70. The companys fifty day simple moving average is C$27.84 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$29.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 26.35, a current ratio of 1.54 and a quick ratio of 1.17. The stock has a market capitalization of C$6.87 billion, a PE ratio of 12.14, a P/E/G ratio of 0.17 and a beta of 2.92.

MEG Energy (TSE:MEG  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported C$0.86 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.69 by C$0.17. The company had revenue of C$2.74 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$1.28 billion. MEG Energy had a return on equity of 12.99% and a net margin of 10.43%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that MEG Energy will post 2.4093357 earnings per share for the current year.

MEG Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 17th. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.57%. MEG Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 19.05%.

Insider Activity

In other MEG Energy news, Director James D. Mcfarland acquired 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, August 30th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of C$26.94 per share, with a total value of C$134,700.00. Corporate insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock.

MEG Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report

MEG Energy Corp., an energy company, focuses on sustainable in situ thermal oil production in its Christina Lake Project in the southern Athabasca oil region of Alberta, Canada. The company develops oil recovery projects that utilize steam-assisted gravity drainage extraction methods to improve the recovery of oil, as well as lower carbon emissions.

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Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE:EGP  Free Report) by 25.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 17,930 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 3,585 shares during the period. Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc.s holdings in EastGroup Properties were worth $3,050,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. SYSTM Wealth Solutions LLC boosted its position in EastGroup Properties by 24.2% during the 1st quarter. SYSTM Wealth Solutions LLC now owns 334 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $60,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in EastGroup Properties by 30.2% in the first quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 345 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in EastGroup Properties by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,945 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $724,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in EastGroup Properties by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 31,093 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $5,328,000 after buying an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV boosted its stake in shares of EastGroup Properties by 4.8% during the 1st quarter. Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV now owns 2,730 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $491,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. 92.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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EastGroup Properties Trading Down 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE:EGP opened at $186.03 on Wednesday. EastGroup Properties, Inc. has a 12-month low of $154.75 and a 12-month high of $192.61. The business has a 50 day moving average of $181.97 and a 200-day moving average of $174.05. The company has a quick ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 0.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The stock has a market cap of $9.07 billion, a PE ratio of 40.35, a P/E/G ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.98.

EastGroup Properties Increases Dividend

EastGroup Properties ( NYSE:EGP Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The real estate investment trust reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.05 by ($0.91). EastGroup Properties had a net margin of 37.16% and a return on equity of 8.69%. The firm had revenue of $159.09 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $156.70 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.89 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 13.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that EastGroup Properties, Inc. will post 8.32 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be paid a $1.40 dividend. This is a boost from EastGroup Propertiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.27. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 30th. This represents a $5.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.01%. EastGroup Propertiess payout ratio is 110.20%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on EastGroup Properties from $158.00 to $186.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. BNP Paribas started coverage on EastGroup Properties in a research note on Tuesday, June 4th. They set a neutral rating and a $167.00 price objective on the stock. Wedbush raised their target price on shares of EastGroup Properties from $208.00 to $209.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of EastGroup Properties from $188.00 to $192.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 28th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of EastGroup Properties from $172.00 to $186.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $189.53.

View Our Latest Stock Report on EGP

EastGroup Properties Company Profile

(Free Report)

EastGroup Properties, Inc (NYSE: EGP), a member of the S&P Mid-Cap 400 and Russell 1000 Indexes, is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in major Sunbelt markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina.

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Pettee Investors Inc. reduced its position in Truist Financial Co. (NYSE:TFC  Free Report) by 4.2% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,665 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 425 shares during the period. Pettee Investors Inc.s holdings in Truist Financial were worth $375,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Crewe Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Truist Financial in the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Truist Financial in the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Truist Financial in the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Missouri Trust & Investment Co raised its stake in Truist Financial by 227.2% in the 4th quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 854 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 593 shares during the period. Finally, Rise Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Truist Financial in the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. 71.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Truist Financial Stock Performance

NYSE:TFC opened at $44.41 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $59.47 billion, a PE ratio of -33.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 1.06. Truist Financial Co. has a fifty-two week low of $26.57 and a fifty-two week high of $45.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 0.86. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $41.93 and a 200-day moving average price of $38.95.

Truist Financial Announces Dividend

Truist Financial ( NYSE:TFC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 22nd. The insurance provider reported $0.91 earnings per share 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%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 15.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.95 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Truist Financial Co. will post 3.55 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Friday, August 9th were issued a dividend of $0.52 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 9th. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.68%. Truist Financials dividend payout ratio is presently -157.58%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. HSBC upped their price target on Truist Financial from $40.00 to $41.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 8th. Stephens upped their price target on Truist Financial from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, May 16th. Robert W. Baird cut Truist Financial from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $45.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Wolfe Research upgraded Truist Financial from an underperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on Truist Financial from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $45.30.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on TFC

Insider Activity at Truist Financial

In other Truist Financial news, CEO William H. Rogers, Jr. bought 57,300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 23rd. The stock was bought at an average price of $43.96 per share, for a total transaction of $2,518,908.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 569,271 shares in the company, valued at $25,025,153.16. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, CEO William H. Rogers, Jr. acquired 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, for a total transaction of $2,518,908.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 569,271 shares in the company, valued at $25,025,153.16. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, 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 value of $295,208.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.17% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Truist Financial

(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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Pilbara Minerals Limited (ASX:PLS  Get Free Report) insider Kathleen Conlon purchased 30,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 2nd. The stock was acquired at an average price of A$2.86 ($1.95) per share, for a total transaction of A$85,800.00 ($58,367.35).

Pilbara Minerals Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 2.63, a current ratio of 4.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 17.13.

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Pilbara Minerals Company Profile

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Further Reading

Pilbara Minerals Limited engages in the exploration, development, and operation of mineral resources in Australia. The company primarily explores for lithium. It primarily holds a 100% interest in the Pilgangoora lithium-tantalum project located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is based in West Perth, Australia.

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Founders Financial Securities LLC raised its stake in Pimco Total Return ETF (NYSEARCA:BOND  Free Report) by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 84,947 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 1,584 shares during the period. Founders Financial Securities LLC owned 0.18% of Pimco Total Return ETF worth $7,737,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Legacy Capital Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in Pimco Total Return ETF in the second quarter valued at $219,000. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. boosted its stake in Pimco Total Return ETF by 14.4% in the second quarter. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. now owns 17,742 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,616,000 after acquiring an additional 2,240 shares in the last quarter. Flaharty Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Pimco Total Return ETF by 2.1% in the second quarter. Flaharty Asset Management LLC now owns 214,765 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $19,561,000 after acquiring an additional 4,315 shares in the last quarter. Waterfront Wealth Inc. boosted its stake in Pimco Total Return ETF by 15.9% in the second quarter. Waterfront Wealth Inc. now owns 16,748 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,525,000 after acquiring an additional 2,294 shares in the last quarter. Finally, D.A. Davidson & CO. boosted its stake in Pimco Total Return ETF by 2.8% in the second quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 46,407 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $4,227,000 after acquiring an additional 1,264 shares in the last quarter.

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Pimco Total Return ETF Price Performance

NYSEARCA BOND opened at $93.79 on Wednesday. Pimco Total Return ETF has a 1 year low of $85.10 and a 1 year high of $94.38. The company has a market capitalization of $4.31 billion, a PE ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.18. The company has a fifty day moving average of $92.63 and a two-hundred day moving average of $91.39.

Pimco Total Return ETF Company Profile

The PIMCO Active Bond Exchange-Traded Fund (BOND) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Barclays U.S. Aggregate index. The fund is an actively managed portfolio that aims to maintain a consistent level of dividend income by investing in a broad array of fixed income sectors and utilizing income efficient implementation strategies.

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Plains All American Pipeline (NYSE:PAA  Get Free Report)s stock had its sector perform rating restated by investment analysts at Royal Bank of Canada in a report released on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $19.00 price objective on the pipeline companys stock. Royal Bank of Canadas price objective points to a potential upside of 6.92% from the stocks current price.

A number of other analysts also recently commented on PAA. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Plains All American Pipeline from $21.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Plains All American Pipeline from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Plains All American Pipeline from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, June 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Plains All American Pipeline currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $19.64.

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View Our Latest Report on PAA

Plains All American Pipeline Stock Performance

PAA traded up $0.15 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $17.77. 73,090 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,819,417. Plains All American Pipeline has a 52 week low of $14.25 and a 52 week high of $19.17. The stock has a market cap of $12.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.23 and a beta of 1.61. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $18.03 and a 200 day moving average of $17.50.

Plains All American Pipeline (NYSE:PAA  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, August 2nd. The pipeline company reported $0.31 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.31. The firm had revenue of $12.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.32 billion. Plains All American Pipeline had a return on equity of 11.52% and a net margin of 2.07%. The firms revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.25 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Plains All American Pipeline will post 1.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Plains All American Pipeline

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Creekside Partners acquired a new stake in Plains All American Pipeline during the 2nd quarter valued at $313,000. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its stake in Plains All American Pipeline by 26.5% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 198,990 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $3,554,000 after acquiring an additional 41,638 shares in the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. boosted its position in Plains All American Pipeline by 53.2% during the 2nd quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 3,795 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $68,000 after acquiring an additional 1,318 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its position in Plains All American Pipeline by 16.3% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 6,094 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $109,000 after acquiring an additional 856 shares during the period. Finally, Sei Investments Co. increased its holdings in shares of Plains All American Pipeline by 39.9% in the 2nd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 207,802 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $3,711,000 after purchasing an additional 59,293 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 41.78% of the companys stock.

Plains All American Pipeline Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., through its subsidiaries, engages in the pipeline transportation, terminaling, storage, and gathering of crude oil and natural gas liquids (NGL) in the United States and Canada. The company operates through two segments, Crude Oil and NGL. The Crude Oil segment offers gathering and transporting crude oil through pipelines, gathering systems, trucks, and on barges or railcars.

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STERIS plc (NYSE:STE  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, July 31st, Zacks reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 5th will be given a dividend of 0.57 per share by the medical equipment provider on Friday, September 20th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.94%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 5th. This is an increase from STERISs previous quarterly dividend of $0.52.

STERIS has increased its dividend payment by an average of 8.7% annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend every year for the last 20 years. STERIS has a payout ratio of 22.6% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect STERIS to earn $10.03 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $2.28 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 22.7%.

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STERIS Price Performance

STE stock opened at $243.37 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $24.00 billion, a PE ratio of 63.71 and a beta of 0.83. STERIS has a 1 year low of $195.47 and a 1 year high of $245.81. The companys 50-day moving average is $229.98 and its 200-day moving average is $224.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 2.33 and a quick ratio of 1.49.

Insider Buying and Selling at STERIS

STERIS ( NYSE:STE Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.98 by $0.16. STERIS had a net margin of 7.36% and a return on equity of 13.85%. The company had revenue of $1.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.27 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.00 EPS. The firms revenue was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that STERIS will post 9.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other news, Director Christopher S. Holland sold 473 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $239.68, for a total transaction of $113,368.64. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 582 shares in the company, valued at approximately $139,493.76. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.14% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have issued reports on STE. StockNews.com upgraded shares of STERIS from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. Stephens reissued an overweight rating and set a $260.00 price objective on shares of STERIS in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Needham & Company LLC restated a hold rating on shares of STERIS in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and issued a $265.00 price target on shares of STERIS in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Piper Sandler reissued a neutral rating and set a $225.00 price objective (up previously from $220.00) on shares of STERIS in a report on Friday, May 10th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, STERIS presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $246.00.

View Our Latest Analysis on STERIS

About STERIS

(Get Free Report)

STERIS plc provides infection prevention products and services worldwide. It operates through four segments: Healthcare, Applied Sterilization Technologies, Life Sciences, and Dental. The Healthcare segment offers cleaning chemistries and sterility assurance products; automated endoscope reprocessing system and tracking products; endoscopy accessories, washers, sterilizers, and other pieces of capital equipment for the operation of a sterile processing department; and equipment used directly in the operating room, including surgical tables, lights, and connectivity solutions, as well as equipment management services.

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The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:THG  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, September 3rd, Zacks reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be given a dividend of 0.85 per share by the insurance provider on Friday, September 27th. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.31%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th.

The Hanover Insurance Group has increased its dividend payment by an average of 7.4% per year over the last three years and has increased its dividend annually for the last 19 consecutive years. The Hanover Insurance Group has a dividend payout ratio of 25.1% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect The Hanover Insurance Group to earn $13.54 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $3.40 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 25.1%.

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The Hanover Insurance Group Stock Performance

Shares of THG stock opened at $147.21 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.01 and a beta of 0.68. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $132.73 and a 200 day moving average of $131.34. The Hanover Insurance Group has a 52 week low of $103.82 and a 52 week high of $149.25. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31.

Insider Activity

The Hanover Insurance Group ( NYSE:THG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The insurance provider reported $1.88 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.88. The business had revenue of $1.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.49 billion. The Hanover Insurance Group had a net margin of 4.44% and a return on equity of 12.42%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned ($1.91) EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that The Hanover Insurance Group will post 10.85 earnings per share for the current year.

In other The Hanover Insurance Group news, SVP Warren E. Barnes sold 500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.25, for a total value of $69,125.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 3,013 shares in the company, valued at $416,547.25. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, EVP Richard W. Lavey sold 8,468 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.01, for a total transaction of $1,219,476.68. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 36,281 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,224,826.81. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Warren E. Barnes sold 500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.25, for a total transaction of $69,125.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 3,013 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $416,547.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 10,852 shares of company stock valued at $1,541,491 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. JMP Securities lifted their price objective on The Hanover Insurance Group from $150.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. Bank of America dropped their price target on The Hanover Insurance Group from $161.00 to $158.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on The Hanover Insurance Group from $142.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday, August 13th. Finally, Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of The Hanover Insurance Group from $147.00 to $162.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $157.80.

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About The Hanover Insurance Group

(Get Free Report)

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides various property and casualty insurance products and services in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Core Commercial, Specialty, Personal Lines, and Other. The Commercial Lines segment offers commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile, workers' compensation, and other commercial lines coverage.

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Pzena Investment Management LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Webster Financial Co. (NYSE:WBS  Free Report) by 6.1% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,743,173 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 113,707 shares during the period. Pzena Investment Management LLCs holdings in Webster Financial were worth $75,985,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Webster Financial by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 17,926,270 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $910,117,000 after acquiring an additional 54,841 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its holdings in Webster Financial by 1.6% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 6,237,482 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $316,678,000 after purchasing an additional 95,780 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in Webster Financial by 12.3% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,916,013 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $198,785,000 after buying an additional 430,331 shares in the last quarter. Earnest Partners LLC grew its position in Webster Financial by 11.2% in the 1st quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 3,072,624 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $155,997,000 after buying an additional 308,455 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in Webster Financial during the 4th quarter valued at about $97,217,000. 85.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

WBS has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Webster Financial from $54.00 to $51.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on Webster Financial from $58.00 to $55.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Barclays lowered their price target on Webster Financial from $65.00 to $60.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 24th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on Webster Financial from $56.00 to $51.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of Webster Financial from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and upped their price target for the company from $54.00 to $57.00 in a report on Monday, August 5th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $55.36.

Webster Financial Price Performance

WBS stock opened at $46.69 on Wednesday. Webster Financial Co. has a one year low of $36.36 and a one year high of $53.39. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $45.73 and a two-hundred day moving average of $45.82. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.00 billion, a PE ratio of 9.57, a P/E/G ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.28.

Webster Financial (NYSE:WBS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The financial services provider reported $1.26 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.34 by ($0.08). Webster Financial had a net margin of 19.81% and a return on equity of 11.81%. The business had revenue of $1.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $671.91 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.50 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Webster Financial Co. will post 5.27 earnings per share for the current year.

Webster Financial Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 8th. Investors of record on Monday, July 29th were given a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.43%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 29th. Webster Financials payout ratio is presently 32.79%.

Insider Activity at Webster Financial

In other Webster Financial news, CEO John R. Ciulla sold 8,000 shares of Webster Financial stock in a transaction on Monday, July 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.04, for a total transaction of $384,320.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 237,049 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,387,833.96. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, CEO John R. Ciulla sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.04, for a total transaction of $384,320.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 237,049 shares in the company, valued at $11,387,833.96. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Charles L. Wilkins sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.07, for a total value of $245,350.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 45,157 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,215,853.99. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 14,650 shares of company stock valued at $706,098. Corporate insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock.

About Webster Financial

(Free Report)

Webster Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Webster Bank, National Association that provides a range of financial products and services to individuals, families, and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Commercial Banking, HSA Bank, and Consumer Banking.

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MBABANE  True to the timelines of the civil service salary review exercise, the firms that were engaged for the crucial exercise are now conducting job profiling in government ministries.

This comes after the Minister of Public Service, Mabulala Maseko, on July 3, 2023, commissioned the much-awaited salary review exercise in the public service. The salary review will also include the implementation of Phase II for junior security officers. The ministry has, on July 1, 2024, signed a contract with the consultant (Emergence Growth, partnering with a local company, Umelusi Capital) that was awarded the tender. Work towards this exercise has already commenced for a period not exceeding 12 months, stated the minister.

According to a communique that was issued by the Ministry of Public Service, the process kick-started with job profiling. Job profiling is a process of collecting and analysing information about a job to identify the essential functions, duties and responsibilities required to perform the job successfully.

The exercise will also include job evaluation, where the value of jobs in the public service will be assessed in order to determine the worth of individual jobs and the compensation to be paid to employees who hold those jobs.The purpose of job evaluation is to ensure that employees are paid fairly for the work they do. Job evaluation can be used to set pay grades for jobs, to determine the starting salary for a new employee and to award salary increases.

Kick-start

To kick-start the process, the consultant conducted job profiling exercises for some of the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs staff. More of these consultations have been scheduled all across government, reads the communication. As per the Eswatini Government policy, the remuneration review exercise, which incorporates job evaluation and grading, is conducted every five years.

The last time the exercise was conducted was in 2016. In 2022 government announced that E15 million has been set aside for the exercise.

However, the minister of Public Service as well as the minister of finance stated in separate interviews that after issuing the tender in December 2022, no consultant showed interest and the ones that showed interest did not have the qualities that the government was looking for. The government had to advertise the tender again until July when government finally signed with the two firms. Noteworthy, the exercise will also inform the government on the posts that are still relevant and those redundant.

The Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, recently told Members of Parliament (MPs) during the quarterly budget performance report that over 5 000 to 7 000 jobs were been found redundant in the establishment register. Further, the Minister of Public Service lamented that government needed around E700 million for exit packages for employees who needed to be relieved of their duties in the public service under the exercise Enhanced Voluntary Early Retirement Scheme (EVERS).
MBABANE  Former FSRA CEO Sandile Chief Dlamini and Lindiwe Vilakati want the report on the forensic investigation into circumstances that resulted in the loss of ESWIG investors over E340 million.

Yesterday, their attorney, Mxolisi Dlamini, of Dynasty Inc Attorneys, told Judge Khontaphi Manzini that there had been developments in the form of the forensic report. The Ecsponent Eswatini Forensic Investigation Report was prepared by Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc. for the Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE).

Yesterday, hundreds of investors or their representatives, since some are sickly and others have died, were summoned to the High Court after the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) called to question the authority of SV Mdladla and Associates to represent the investors.

To establish S.V. Mdladla and Associates mandate to appear on behalf of the over 1 500 investors, Judge Manzini ordered that the investors present themselves physically to court.

They were divided into two  one group went to court yesterday and the other will go today. The investors were called one at a time to come forward and confirm authorising S.V. Mdladla and Associates to represent them and present their national identification (ID) cards. The exercise is expected to continue today. However, before this exercise, the attorney representing the former FSRA CEO, Sandile, and Vilakati, submitted that there had been developments in the matter.

He said the issues arose specifically due to an alleged conflict of interest on the part of the investors representatives law firm. Mxolisi said his clients, Sandile and Vilakati, were being sued on their personal capacities. Sandile is out on bail after being arrested following accusations that he received E117 000 kickback. He was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) officers.

Conflict

According to Mxolisi, from snippets of the forensic report, it appeared that there was a conflict of interest as it allegedly seemed like the law firm was the secretary of some of the companies being sued. He also alleged that the law firm was involved in the establishment of Escponent Eswatini (Pty) Ltd, now known as Eswatini Investment Group (ESWIG). My clients need to have the report to make their own assessment on the issue of the conflict. We currently do not have the report, said Mxolisi.

He also told the court that Likhwane Beneficiaries Services filed a separate claim against FSRA. He said Likhwane was among the beneficiaries who are represented by SV Mdladla and Associates in this matter. Mxolisi said the problem was that ESWIG denied the conflict. He said yesterdays business, which was the verification of the mandate granted to the law firm by the investors, should not continue until they received the report.

Meanwhile, S.V. Mdladla and Associates was not implicated in the forensic report, but rather, a question on whether there was no conflict of interest in its involvement in Ecsponent was raised, based on the fact that it allegedly doubled as the companys secretary. The forensic report was tabled by the Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, in the House of Assembly and is yet to be debated by Members of Parliament (MPs).

It came about after over 1 500 emaSwati lost over E340 million after investing in Ecsponent. According to the forensic report, a finding was made that S.V. Mdladla and Associates was involved in the business operations of Ecsponent Eswatini and its related entities from inception.

Additionally, the report states, it was discovered that even though Sidumo Mdladla, a senior partner of the law firm, refuted being contracted by the company and signing a service level agreement, S.V Mdladla and Associates was listed as the company secretary of the company purported to provide secretariat duties. It should be noted that since the report has not yet been adopted by Parliament, the contents remain allegations.



On another note, Lawyer Phesheya Maphalala objected to Mxolisis submissions. He said the last time the parties were in court, it was agreed that when they returned upon the set date, it would be for the investors to prove that they instructed S.V. Mdladla and Associates to represent them in the matter in which they demand their investment from FSRA.

Arguments

Maphalala argued that the parties were not in court to present arguments. He mentioned that the report wanted by Sandile and Vilakati was yet to be debated in Parliament. He said it was commissioned by the investors. Mxolisi pointed out that they could not proceed to the business of the day, until his clients had the report. He said he wished that the judge could have sight of the report.

Judge Manzini said we do not know what is in the report. She said she does not read newspaper articles on matters she is dealing with because she does not want it to interfere with the manner she is dealing with a matter. Judge Manzini wondered how, if Mxolisis clients did not have a copy of the report, they instructed him on the issue that the court should not continue with the verification of S.V. Mdladla and Associates instruction by the investors.

However, Judge Manzini assured the investors that they would do what they set out to do yesterday until the proceedings were exhausted. The judge said they would continue with yesterdays exercise and they would ask for the report later. FSRA was yesterday represented by Simphiwe Mkhumane of Magagula and Hlophe Attorneys.
Dalhousie's Faculty of Management appointed Dr. Mike Smit to the role of dean this summer for a five-year term following an international search.

Dr. Smit, an Information Science professor and researcher at Dal for 11 years, is uniquely positioned to guide the future of management education at Atlantic Canadas largest university. In addition to his impressive list of credentials and awards, he has demonstrated his commitment to, and passion for, the university, the students, the region, and his colleagues.

He has also served as acting dean of the Faculty for the past 18 months.

It is a privilege and an honour to continue to serve this Faculty," says Dr. Smit. "I first came to Dalhousie because I wanted to do cool things with smart people, and its a privilege to do that every day. I look forward to continuing to spend time connecting beyond our walls: with alumni, businesses, government and public institutions, and friends.

Dr. Kim Brooks, Dals vice-chancellor and president, preceded Dr. Smit in the role. She says she is excited to see the Faculty of Managements trajectory during its next chapter.

Through the pandemic, leadership transitions, and a recent restructuring of the Faculty, Dr. Smits leadership has brought a welcome sense of stability," she says. "Even more important than his intellect and institutional knowledge, Dr. Smit has excelled in this role because of his ability to connect with those around him and to lead with levity, joy, and straight-talk, even in the most challenging situations.

A research and community leader



Dr. Smit came to Dal for a BCSc and then a MCSc after which he went to the University of Alberta to complete a PhD and to York University for a postdoctoral fellowship. Quickly establishing himself as a scholar of emerging technology, he used and continues to use his knowledge to explore how data, AI, and management can be used for the public good.

Alongside his career, he has been a community volunteer, a startup co-founder (successfully and, self-admittedly, not-so-successfully), and a STEAM/entrepreneurship summer program director.

Recognition of Dr. Smits reputation as an interdisciplinary researcher and his leadership qualities have drawn him into many high profile and ambitious projects addressing some of the most pressing concerns of our time.

As principal investigator for the Building Bridges research project, Dr. Smit is helping leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool for gathering and analyzing data about Canadas oceans. He recently served as deputy scientific director for the Ocean Frontier Institute, a global leader in ocean research, where he played a key role in launching Transforming Climate Action, a $397-million research program investigating the role of the ocean in climate change.

Some of his prior roles at the Faculty include associate dean academic and acting associate dean of research. In 2022 he was awarded the Lloyd Fraser Award for exceptional contribution to the Dalhousie Senate, and in 2017 he was recognized by the university with a teaching award.

A well-suited match



His interdisciplinary background matches well with the unique Faculty of Management, where in addition to offering undergraduate degrees in both commerce and management, students can pursue graduate degrees in business administration, public administration and information sciences, and digital innovation. New PhD programs in Information and in Management were recently approved by the university Senate, reflecting the growing research intensity in the Faculty.

Dr. Sandra Toze, program director for Information programs, whos worked with Dr. Smit since his arrival at Dal, says his talents are vast. In addition to being optimistic and dedicated, she appreciates his authenticity and inquisitive mind.

The thing that singles Mike out, is thats hes a disruptor who consistently challenges himself and his colleagues to consider, why do we do the things that we do, she says.

Matthew Martel (BMgmt14), a member of the facultys advisory committee, a member of the decanal search committee, and the chief executive officer of the Black Business Initiative, feels there is a lot of support behind Dr. Smit, not just at Dal, but in the community at large.

What I find valuable is that he doesnt just know how to anticipate the needs of the businesses, but he also understands the solutions that businesses are exploring," says Martel. "I hope that he continues to take the lead when it comes to diversity and inclusion, going above and beyond the standards.

Dr. Smit is married and the very proud father of two girls. The eldest of four children, he grew up on a dairy farm in rural Nova Scotia.

Learn more about Dr. Smit here.
MBABANE  A liSwati man is accused of trafficking adult males from the country to South Africa (SA) where he engages them as cheap labour.

*Muzi from Ndzingeni reportedly uses illegal crossings to traffic the victims to the neighbouring country. One of the victims, who were trafficked, *Bheki, revealed that he left behind four emaSwati and three Mozambicans when he escaped. He alleged that the man kept his victims in a number of places. Bheki said their ages ranged between 20 to 30 years, adding that he was the eldest. He said they were kept at an area known as Ngodini, where they worked in a forest to cut logs, among other things. He mentioned that they were also made to work at night, where they would be made to go to other peoples properties to load the logs. When we refused, Muzi would tempt us with money and because of desperation we took anything he gave us, he said.

Money

He said they would share the money and get E200 each at times, adding that there was no regular salary and that the boss would only pay when he chose to. Bheki said they offered to pay him good money, adding that he just needed to avail himself. According to Bheki, his future employer promised to offer him accommodation and food, among other things. Bheki said Muzi found him at Motshane, where he promised him a job and made a good offer that he would operate a folk lift at his company, which is situated in Ngodini, SA.

He stated that on the first day of their meeting, Muzi said he was headed for Johannesburg, promising to come back for him at a later date.

Upon his return, Bheki stated that he came to his home, where he found him with another young man who was also interested in joining him.

However, he said his family was reluctant that he goes with the man, because they did not have his background and further requested that he showed them his identity document (ID) and drivers licence. He said Muzi produced his passport instead of the ID and his family took its picture.

According to Bheki, when they reached their destination, Muzi left him with another person, who was also a liSwati, whom he said would direct them as to what they should do.

He added that Muzi would time and again check on them but later disappeared and after several weeks re-surfaced. During his disappearance, he said the person whom Muzi left them with, told them that he did not owe anyone. This, they said, was after they had questioned him about their salaries. Instead, they said the man changed tune to tell them that he owed no one and that they instead owed him, as he was providing them with food. Reached for comment, Make Shongwe, who is the mother of the trafficked man, stated that her son told her about a job offer he had received from a good Samaritan, while he was at Motshane bus stop.

He said this was after the good Samaritan realised that he could drive a forklift. I asked him what he will use, as he did not have a travel document and he said his future employer would assist him to cross through an illegal crossing. This, she said, made her doubt the authenticity of the job, hence he demanded to see the employer.She said when Muzi eventually came, they forced him to produce some documents that proved his identity, as it was their first time meeting him. Furthermore, she said it was his generosity that was too good to be true, which raised so many questions.

Head of Secretariat-Prevention of People Trafficking and People Smuggling in the Prime Ministers Office, Nompumelelo Lukhele, said they were not aware of the matter. Lukhele requested to be given time to investigate the matter before she could comment any further.

* Not real names to protect victim.
On September 3rd, the Targi Kielce exhibition center transformed into a hive of activity as the 32nd International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) commenced. Esteemed as a prominent regional showcase for the defense sector, this years event carried heightened importance. Fueled by a historic defense budget and a commitment to bolstering its military capabilities, Poland utilized MSPO to showcase its remarkable modernization endeavors.

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A New Era of Defense Spending

Polands commitment to bolstering its defenses is evident in the countrys funding allocation for this purpose. The government has pledged to dedicate a record-breaking 4.7% of its GDP to defense in 2025. This figure surpasses the spending levels of all other NATO members, placing Poland at the forefront of a collective effort to deter potential threats in the region. The plan underscores Polands determination to modernize its armed forces and safeguard national security.

MSPO 2024: A Showcase of Modernization

The MSPO 2024 exhibition serves as a stage for showcasing the tangible results of this ambitious investment. With over 769 exhibitors from 35 countries, the event boasts an array of advanced defense technologies, including cutting-edge fighter jets, armored vehicles, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and sophisticated naval equipment. This years focus is particularly pronounced on collaborations between Polish defense companies and international partners, solidifying Polands growing role as a key player in the global defense market.

Partnerships: A Strategic Imperative

A Shift in Focus: Embracing European Collaboration

Polands commitment to strengthening its defenses extends beyond its borders. The country has forged partnerships with key allies, particularly the United States, which has become Polands leading arms supplier. The American presence is evident in the investments made in American-made equipment: F-35 fighter jets, Patriot missile systems, and Abrams battle tanks. This strong relationship is further cemented by the recent extension of a second $2 billion foreign military financing direct loan agreement to Poland, demonstrating the depth of the strategic partnership between the two nations.

While Poland maintains robust ties with the US, the current government has prioritized fostering closer collaborations with European partners, particularly Germany and France. This shift in focus is evident in the growing presence of European defense companies at the MSPO. These companies actively seek opportunities to secure contracts for projects such as new submarines, advanced fighter jets, and cutting-edge land vehicles, highlighting the potential for a new era of European defense cooperation.

A Glimpse into the Future of Polish Defense

The MSPO 2024 exhibition shows Polands unwavering dedication to investing in its defense capabilities. With a record defense budget, a growing network of international partnerships, and a commitment to technological advancement, Poland is poised to emerge as a leading force in European defense. The countrys dedication to bolstering its security, securing its national interests, and contributing to the collective defense of NATO is evident in the scale and scope of its modernization efforts.

Beyond Spending: A Commitment to Security

Polish leaders emphasize that this significant investment is an investment in security, a commitment to protecting its citizens and upholding the values of freedom and democracy. The event is a reminder of the complex geopolitical landscape, where defense is a shared responsibility within the international community. The MSPO 2024, with its record-breaking attendance and emphasis on collaboration, underscores the importance of collective security and the shared commitment to safeguarding a peaceful future.

A Shared Responsibility for Security

The MSPO 2024 exhibition stands as a powerful testament to the dedication of Poland and its allies to ensuring a secure future. By fostering collaboration, promoting technological innovation, and investing in the defense of shared values, Poland is demonstrating its commitment to a stable and peaceful Europe. As the world grapples with the complexities of the evolving geopolitical landscape, the MSPO 2024 serves as a reminder that collective security is a vital cornerstone of global stability.
The evolution of the constitutional debate in Northern Ireland through the lens of local media will be examined in a seminar next week in Derry.

Commentator and journalist David McCann will present an overview of his report which contextualises recent local political developments and their impact on the news agenda.

This session is part of Holywell Trusts Future Relationship Conversations project, which aims to equip the community with accurate and accessible information on constitutional issues in Northern Ireland and beyond.

The series has already heard from writer Paul Gosling on health services on both sides of the border and from Queens University academics Professor David Phinnemore and Dr Lisa Claire Whitten on the Windsor Framework. Other events to come in the series include a fact-checking session, envisioning the future from a pro-Union perspective, and the constitutional question in the wider UK context.

Holywell Trust Director Gerard Deane commented: This is the fourth event in the latest of our Future Relationship Conversation series, which has been enlightening and helpful in presenting information on topics related to the constitutional question.

We look forward to David McCanns seminar. David, as a regular political commentator and writer, has a great deal of critical insight into how this subject is reported in Northern Ireland and can give context to how journalists approach this important issue."

The seminar will in in Holywell Trust, 10-12 Bishop Street, on Monday, 9th September 2024, from 7.00pm to 8.30pm.
Google and Meta prepare for misinformation war as US elections approach

The US presidential election is scheduled for November 5, and to combat the spread of misinformation, Google has announced several measures across its platforms, covering the search engine, YouTube, Google Play, and generative AI applications.

Google noted that while malicious actors are indeed using AI to accelerate or amplify information warfare, they have not derived too many new strategies. Google stated that, as in previous years, it will roll out a feature in its search engine to help users across the US find voter registration information.

Democracy Works will compile the information from each state election office. When users search for information about candidates on YouTube, a small box will appear showing details like the candidate's party affiliation and linking to the search engine or the candidate's official website homepage.

In the weeks leading up to the election, YouTube's homepage will also display information on how and where to vote. In the app store, Google will provide a certification mark for apps released by official government entities, aiming to direct users toward reliable sources of information as much as possible.

In December 2023, Google announced restrictions on election-related queries in its Gemini program. As more generative AI features are integrated into its products, these election-related restrictions have been extended to other product lines, including the new search AI Overviews, Gemini's image generation feature, YouTube's summary generation function, and the custom chatbot feature Gems.

Google has also expanded the use of SynthID, a digital watermarking technology for AI-generated content, to cover text, voice, images, and videos. This watermark is invisible to the human eye but can be detected by digital systems, even if a filter is applied to the image.

Google stated that operators of political election-related websites can use the Workspace for Campaigns version to quickly deploy a secure core environment. Additionally, Project Shield is available to protect websites from DDoS attacks and issues caused by sudden spikes in traffic.

Google believes that while malicious actors are using AI to accelerate and scale up information warfare, there is no evidence of new strategies being deployed. Google will also use AI to detect problematic content and combat information warfare.

Meanwhile, social media platform giant Meta has been preparing to counter foreign interference and cognitive warfare in recent years. According to its website, since 2017, Meta has removed more than 200 websites involved in coordinated information falsification behavior.

Regarding the 2024 US election, Meta stated that it continues to collaborate with state governments to ensure its platforms like Facebook and Instagram provide accurate information and that users are directed to reliable sources when they click on related information.
SAIC Motor is under severe pressure due to weakening profits and EV tariffs

The EU's announcement of a 36.3% electric vehicle (EV) tariff on SAIC Motor has placed significant pressure on the automaker. Its revenue for the first half of 2024 was surpassed by competitor BYD, and future profits are likely to be further squeezed by the tariffs.

Recently, during the Chengdu Motor Show, an SAIC executive had a major outburst, harshly criticizing Xiaomi Motors and accusing it of copying Porsche's designs. This emotional response from a SAIC executive likely reflects the intense internal and external pressures faced by joint venture automakers in China.

In the past, joint venture automakers like SAIC, partnered with Volkswagen and General Motors (GM), held the leading position in the Chinese market. However, they are now facing pressure from rapidly rising new players like BYD. On the other hand, the external environment is also becoming increasingly harsh, especially with the EU's recent decision to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs, with SAIC facing the highest rate of 36.6%, putting its future export volumes and profits under pressure.

Following a brutal price war in the first half of 2024, BYD, one of the leading forces of the price cuts, has overtaken SAIC to become the top-earning automaker in China for the first half of the year. Previously, SAIC consistently held the number one position in half-year and yearly revenue rankings.

Riding the wave of the EV boom, BYD has become the market leader in market value and dominated sales and profitability. On the other hand, joint venture giants like SAIC and the GAC Group have seen declines in revenue and net profits.

In the first half of 2024, SAIC's revenue was CNY284.686 billion (approx. US$40.4 billion), a year-on-year decrease of 12.8%, while its net profit was CNY6.628 billion, a 6.45% year-on-year drop. GAC, which primarily sells Japanese cars, performed even worse, with a first-half revenue of CNY45.808 billion, a 25.62% year-on-year decrease, and a net profit of CNY1.516 billion, a significant year-on-year decline of 48.9%.

Despite leading the price war, BYD's profitability remains strong in the first half of 2024. Its net profit for the first half of 2024 was CNY13.631 billion, ranking first and a year-on-year increase of 24.44%. Its gross margin for the first half of 2024 was 20%, indicating that BYD still has the capital and space to continue the price war if it chooses to.

Another surprising standout performer is Seres. During the first half of 2024, the price war resulted in polarized performances among major automakers. The Huawei-backed Seres reported a first-half revenue of CNY65.04 billion, a year-on-year growth of 489.58%, and a net profit of CNY1.62 billion, turning profitable and growing by 220.91% year-on-year. In terms of sales, Seres sold 200,900 vehicles in the first half, a year-on-year growth of 348.55%.

In contrast, joint venture automakers like SAIC and GAC were the most affected by the price war. SAIC's first-half sales were 1.827 million units, down 11.8% year-on-year, while GAC's sales were 863,000 units, down 25.8% year-on-year. Once dominant in the Chinese automobile market, joint venture automakers now face brand image challenges and declining market shares, while domestic Chinese brands are thriving.

After being subjected to the EU's anti-subsidy investigation, SAIC remains optimistic, stating that it expects its sales in Europe in 2024 will not be lower than in 2023. However, besides strengthening its core markets in Western Europe and South America, SAIC must also accelerate its expansion into emerging markets like Eastern Europe.
IEDC leads economic delegation to Taiwan, opens new office

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), the US state's leading economic development agency, has sent Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg and an economic delegation to Taiwan this week.

The purpose of the delegation's trip is to promote Indiana's future-focused economy and cultivate partnership opportunities to advance semiconductor R&D, production, and applications in advanced manufacturing, technology, and artificial intelligence. This trip also marks the opening of a new IEDC office in Taipei, IEDC said in its statement.

"Indiana's reputation as a globally engaged, future-focused economy continues to grow, and we can't wait to share our bold vision with industry and government leaders in Taiwan this week," said Rosenberg in the statement. "The state's strategy to cultivate a robust semiconductor ecosystem is already paying dividends for our economy."

"Partnering with economies like Taiwan that boast high-tech, high-growth economies will provide even more opportunities for innovation and industry advancement," Rosenberg continued. "This week's economic development trip to Taiwan and our new IEDC office in Taipei will further solidify new opportunities to grow these sectors and attract robust supply chains in Indiana."

The IEDC's Taiwan office, which officially launched on August 1, builds on recent economic momentum between Indiana and Taiwan following Gov. Holcomb's trip to Taiwan in 2022 and the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two regions that calls for cooperation in academics, economic development, and investment and supply chain resiliency. Taiwan represents a unique opportunity for Indiana as its industry is in line with the state's focus on advancing innovation and building a future-focused economy.

The new Taipei office will focus on strengthening opportunities for investments in high-tech, high-growth sectors, with an emphasis on semiconductors, AI, agtech, and agbioscience. IEDC has appointed Stewart Randall as its Taiwan Advisor, and he will assist with the appointment of an IEDC Taiwan Director in the coming weeks. Stewart has worked in international business development since 2012 and has extensive knowledge of Asia's semiconductor industry.

While in Taiwan, Rosenberg and the delegation will meet with semiconductor industry leaders, such as MediaTek, and will also showcase the state's booming semiconductor industry at the ongoing SEMICON Taiwan.

This trip builds off Governor Holcomb's trip to Taiwan in August 2022, and Indiana's continued momentum in the semiconductor space. Indiana is home to 10 Taiwan-based business establishments, including microelectronics firm MediaTek, and boasted more than US$1.61 billion in trade between the two regions in 2023, with top import and export categories including computer and electronic products, chemicals, electrical equipment, and components and machinery and transportation equipment.

MediaTek is building its first Midwest semiconductor chip design center. in West Lafayette, Indiana, and will collaborate with Purdue University on engineering talent development and innovative research into next-generation computing and communications chip design. Indiana has attracted seven new semiconductor companies since 2022, including SK Hynix, which will invest US$3.8 billion to build an advanced packaging and R&D facility for AI products in West Lafayette.
FOCAC Summit Media Center: Come explore beautiful Beijing virtually

People's Daily Online) 16:58, September 04, 2024

The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is being held in Beijing from Sept 4-6. The summit's media center, the main workspace for journalists, includes a Technology and Culture Interactive Display Area that has become a favorite among foreign journalists.

A foreign journalist, wearing a painted Peking Opera mask, immersed herself in a captivating experience, virtually exploring the stunning beauty of traditional Chinese architecture on an 8K ultra-high-definition screen.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Du Mingming)
Ardee based company ABP Food Group has become the first Irish beef processor to launch in the South Korean market by securing an export agreement with K Meat, a premium meat importer with advanced sales channels across South Korea.

This significant long-term supply agreement has seen ABP deliver three shipments to date from its locations in Monaghan, Tipperary, and Wexford.

The official announcement will be made later this week as part of the trade mission to China and South Korea led by Charlie McConalogue T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and Minister of State, Martin Heydon T.D.

As part of the first leg of the two-nation trip, members of the Ministerial trade mission joined ABP in China to visit its customer Dalin Rongze, a food service business servicing high-quality restaurants in Beijing, and AP Shanghai Food Company Limited in Shanghai, which supplies Fresh Hipo, a retail chain for groceries and fresh goods that has 273 self-operated stores, primarily located in tier-one and tier-two cities in China.

ABP has maintained a constant supply of beef to the Chinese market since the lifting of a restriction on Irish beef imports in May 2020, with all of ABPs seven Irish sites producing beef products for China.

Martin McMahon, General Manager of ABP international sales, ABP Food Group said: Our extended presence in Asia marks a significant step forward for both ABP and the Irish beef sector as a whole. China and South Korea are extremely important markets and there is a great opportunity for quality Irish beef in the food service and retail spaces.

Read Next: Plans for 47 new houses in Ardee

ABP would like to thank and recognise the Department of Agriculture and Bord Bia for their tremendous work in helping to establish and build on this important trade channel. We would encourage continued efforts for further access in both markets.

We look forward to continuing to build upon our customer relationships in South Korea and China and to further grow this market.

Jim OToole, Chief Executive, Bord Bia said: The launch of Irish beef in Korea is the culmination of years of relationship building with Korean trade supported by significant government efforts to gain access. Since access was achieved four months ago, there has been immediate interest from the Korean trade who recognise that Irish beef offers a premium, grass-fed alternative to their existing portfolio. Bord Bia has the in-market expertise to support ABP and other exporters looking to grow their trade in this dynamic market.

We will present a valuable insight study on beef conducted with Korean consumers to better understand their taste preferences. We look forward to fully debriefing Irish beef exporters on this in the coming weeks.

In May 2018, ABP became the first European beef processor to secure a contract in China when it secured an exclusive three-year agreement with Asian restaurant chain Wowprime Corporation. In 2019 the company reached a deal with Beijing Hopewise Ltd to launch a range of premium Irish beef products on JD.com, one of the largest business-to-consumer online retailers in China and a Fortune Global 500 Company.
The Heritage Council has announced details of this years National Heritage Week Awards, inviting nominations from all event organisers in Louth. Every year, the Heritage Council seeks nominations for individuals or groups of people who showcased successful heritage projects and hosted engaging events during the festival.

Among the winners from Louth last year were the Cooley Connect Well for their Hooley Booley Cooley which involved a weekend of events including a hill walk, exploration of booleying and stone heritage, a film, set dancing, and basket making. This event won the County Award for Louth in 2023.

Event organisers, who must put themselves forward for consideration for an award, can submit nominations for the National Heritage Awards here, before the deadline on Tuesday 24th of September 2024. This years National Heritage Week Awards will comprise the county awards, as well as a number of special categories, namely:

Connections, Routes and Networks Award - The Connections, Routes and Networks Award is awarded to an event that made a special effort to incorporate the 2024 theme of National Heritage Week - Connections, Routes and Networks.

Wild Child Event Award - The Wild Child Event Award Is awarded to an event that happened on Wild Child Day, 24th August 2024, that successfully encouraged children and families to get outdoors and explore the natural heritage and biodiversity in their locality.

Water Heritage Day Award (In conjunction with the Local Authority Waters Programme) - The Water Heritage Award is awarded to a Water Heritage Day event, held on 25th August 2024. Events considered include those that explored how a canal, river, lake or sea shaped the heritage of a locality or celebrated water as an integral part of our natural heritage.

Inclusive Heritage Award - The Inclusive Heritage Award is awarded to an event or project that made a special effort to share heritage with everyone in the community, including those who are:

new to heritage

those who do not have local roots

those who have additional accessibility needs

those of varying age categories

Irish Language Award - The Irish Language Award is awarded to an event that took place through the Irish Language and/or encouraged participation or activity in the Irish language.

Sustainability and Climate Award - The Sustainability and Climate Heritage Award is awarded to an event or project that made efforts to incorporate environmentally friendly practices to reduce our carbon footprint and impact on the natural world, or an event that provided education on the impact of climate change and good sustainability practices.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Award  The Micheal O Muircheartaigh Award - The Intangible Cultural Heritage Award is awarded to an event or project that encouraged a greater appreciation of an element of our intangible cultural heritage - crafts, skills, customs and practices.

Heritage Hero Award - Every year the Heritage Council awards the Heritage Hero Award to an individual or organisation that has demonstrated  over a substantial period of time  an outstanding contribution to the protection and promotion of heritage. This award is based on nominations from the public.

County Award - In addition to the National Awards, the Heritage Council also gives a "County Award" to the best event or project in each local authority area as nominated. This award is based on how well the event or project raised awareness about an element of heritage and how they promoted the event and involved the community.

All participants who successfully upload a heritage project on the National Heritage Week website by Tuesday 24th of September 2024 will be considered for a National Heritage Week Award. Projects will be assessed on the basis of their local reach and community engagement, educational value and the level to which they involve different age groups. The awards ceremony will take place on November 15th 2024 at the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin.
An open postcard calling on Louth's five sitting TDs, to support investment in young people in Budget 2025, and signed by 129 people from Louth, is being posted to each TD by the National Youth Council of Ireland.

The postcard addressed to Sinn Fein's Deputy Ruairi O Murchu and Deputy Imelda Munster; Independent TD, Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick; Labour's Deputy Gerald Nash, and Fine Gael's Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, calls on the TDs to do what they can to ensure "young people are supported in Budget 2025 with an investment of an additional 15 million in youth work".

The full text of the postcard reads: "Dear Deputy Ruairi O Murchu, Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick, Deputy Imelda Munster, Deputy Gerald Nash, and Deputy Fergus O'Dowd,

"Were your constituents, and weve signed this postcard to ask you to take a stand for young people in Louth and beyond. We are lucky to have a growing youth population. By 2025 there will be over 1 million under-25s in Ireland, but they need meaningful support.

"Please take whatever action that you can to make sure young people are supported in Budget 2025 with an investment of an additional 15 million in youth work. Your representation could make all the difference."

It is then signed by each of the 129 Louth constituents. NYCI says that 4,891 people signed 156 postcards to TDs in every constituency across Ireland, calling for "a much-needed 15 million investment in youth work in Budget 2025. This support will help to raise awareness and build the momentum needed to ensure that young people and youth work get the attention and investment they deserve".
Irish premier Simon Harris is to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv as Ireland prepares to announce millions in new funding for Ukraine.

The visit comes a day after at least 50 people were killed and 200 injured when two Russian ballistic missiles struck a military training facility and hospital in Poltava, 200 miles south east of Kyiv.

It was one of the deadliest Russian strikes since the war began.

The incident came as Ukrainian forces attempted to secure territory in Russias Kursk border region after a surprise incursion that began last month  and as the Russian army moves deeper into eastern Ukraine.

Mr Harris, who arrived in Kyiv Oblast on Wednesday morning, will sign a joint Agreement with Mr Zelensky on Support and Co-operation during a bilateral meeting in the Ukrainian capital.

He is also due to visit several areas and meet with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

Mr Harris said: I want to see first hand and with my own eyes the impact of war on the continent of Europe.

The Irish leader first stopped off at Borodyanka, where he inspected apartment buildings and a playground damaged by bombing in early 2022.

The head of Kyiv states regional administration, Ruslan Kravchenko, thanked the Taoiseach for Irelands support for Ukraine and presented Mr Harris with a medal representing the region.

A new playground and creche have been constructed to facilitate the return of childcare in the area, which is an example of the type of projects Irish funding for Ukraine supports.

In Hostomel, a couple living in a prefabricated home built using funds provided by the Irish Government told Mr Harris the area became the front line when Ukrainian forces destroyed a nearby bridge to halt the movement of Russian troops.

Mr Harris said that while the war is here, it is an attack on all of our values.

The Taoiseach is to announce 43 million euro (36 million) in aid to Ukraine, made up of a new allocation of 36 million euro (30 million) to partner organisations through its development body Irish Aid, and seven million euro (6 million) to European Investment Bank projects which had been previously flagged.

The Irish Government said the 36 million euro package will provide essential humanitarian assistance, support rehabilitation and eventual reconstruction, and contribute to Ukraines longer-term goals, including peace, stability and political aspirations.

Mr Harris said: Two and a half years on from Russias full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to face immense challenges.

We have seen the remarkable resilience shown by the people of Ukraine in the face of these challenges.

That same determination and resolve will be needed to rebuild their country, with support from international partners including Ireland.

We have been unequivocal and steadfast in our support for the people of Ukraine and this additional funding continues to demonstrate that commitment.

Irelands deputy prime minister and foreign minister Micheal Martin said the funding recognises the particularly horrific impact of the war on women and children.

He said: Irelands assistance in 2024 (includes) prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence, support for maternity services and rebuilding of homes for people forced to flee conflict and now living in collective centres.

The Taoiseach will also express Irelands full support for the Ukrainian bid for EU membership while also discussing continued humanitarian assistance.

One focus of the trip is expected to be work towards the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted into Belarus and Russia.

Ireland is a member of a global coalition working on the issue and the Irish premier is scheduled to meet several organisations helping affected families.

Mr Harris said the joint agreement makes it clear that Ukraines values are our values and we will stand with the brave people of Ukraine for as long as it takes.

He said: I am very pleased to be in Ukraine to hear at first hand from President Zelensky on the situation on the ground and to see for myself the impact it is having on the lives of ordinary Ukrainians.

Russias missile strike and killing of scores of people in Poltava on Tuesday is a grim and horrific reminder of the threat Ukraine is facing every day. We express our outrage and sympathy to the families of those who have died.

The latest cash will take Irelands total funding to Ukraine since February 2022 to more than 380 million euro (320 million), including about 130 million euro (110 million) in stabilisation and humanitarian support.

Partners to be supported include the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UN OCHA) which has reach across all regions of Ukraine, including significant funding to national organisations, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for the provision of shelter and protection to millions of displaced people.

Financial commitments to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) will contribute to work on health infrastructure and support for vulnerable women. Ireland will also support the Red Cross network.

It also includes contributions to the World Bank crisis facility for Ukraine and Moldova, which is aimed at addressing urgent needs, and to the International Monetary Fund Ukraine Capacity Development Fund supporting a reform agenda including EU accession.

A partnership with Lithuania will provide for the construction of bomb shelters in schools in Ukraine.

Mr Zelensky and Mr Harris previously met at Shannon Airport in Ireland in July, where the prospect of the joint agreement was raised.

They identified demining, energy, humanitarian assistance and food security as areas of possible co-operation.

At the time, Mr Zelensky thanked the people of Ireland for their support in hosting Ukrainian refugees, adding: You were with us from the very beginning of the Russian invasion.

After that meeting, Mr Harris announced a seven million euro (6 million) contribution towards the European Investment Banks EU for Ukraine fund, which addresses food and energy security needs, as well as support for refugees.

As part of a policy of military neutrality, Ireland does not provide what it characterises as lethal aid to Ukraine, including weapons.

However, the state has provided 250 million euro (210 million) in non-lethal military assistance under the European Peace Facility, and has welcomed more than 100,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.

Irish Defence Forces members have trained hundreds of Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment.
New Delhi, Sep 4 (UNI) In a significant milestone to develop bilateral naval cooperation, the Indian Navy and the South African Navy have signed an Implementing Agreement (IA) that ensures the safety of the South African Navys submarine crew in times of distress or accident.



This agreement was signed by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff and Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, Chief of the South African Navy, an official statement said here on Wednesday.



The Implementing Agreement underscores a shared commitment to maritime safety and mutual support. Under this agreement, the Indian Navy will provide assistance by deploying its Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) when required, further strengthening the collaborative ties between the two navies.



This partnership reinforces the longstanding maritime relationship between India and South Africa.

UNI RBE CS1901
Improvement works to a pedestrian crossing in Wilton have been welcomed by a newly elected city councillor who believes the revamped crossing will create a much safer environment for those trying to cross this dual carriageway.

Fianna Fail councillor for the citys South West ward Terry Coleman said works to the crossing near Cork University Hospital (CUH) have been completed.

As both a local Fianna Fail councillor and in my role as the chairman of the Wilton Shopping Centre Traders Association, I very much welcome the newly finished upgrades to the footpaths on the centre verge between the Cork University Hospital and Wilton Shopping Centre, Mr Coleman told The Echo.

I have advocated strongly for these upgrades and I am delighted that they are now complete.

The realignment, upgrading and widening of these footpaths on the centre island between the hospital and the shopping centre will make it much safer for the thousands of patients, and staff of the CUH/CUMH to converge while waiting at the lights to cross to the shopping centre daily.

It creates a much safer environment for those trying to cross this dual carriageway.

I appreciate that there was some traffic disruption while the works were being carried out, but the contractors completed the job before the school traffic started back.

Separately, Sinn Fein TD Donnchadh O Laoghaire has welcomed the installation of a pedestrian crossing at Bellevue in Grange.

Many residents and parents of children at Scoil Nioclais had raised with me the need for improved safety measures at Bellevue.

Both in terms of school traffic and ensuring the safety of children, parents and staff at pick up and collection times, but also to prevent speeding outside of school hours, which I know has been an issue for local residents.

I know there was a lot of disappointment when this was not included by the Department of Transport for funding last year, which was hard to comprehend to be entirely honest given the scale of school traffic and the concerns that had been addressed.

I am glad that this year this has been addressed, with the pedestrian crossing, heightened ramps and new signage, Mr O Laoghaire said.

The Cork South Central TD said he wished to commend residents and parents who had campaigned for the crossing.
Lucknow, Sep 4 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday targeted leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav and said it requires a strong heart and mind along with the strength of a bulldozer to operate it.

Speaking after distributing appointment letters to 1,334 junior engineers, computer operators and foremen, the CM said that those who yield to rioters cannot run a bulldozer as their hands wouldn't measure up.

He said that the transparent recruitment process of the UP Subordinate Services Selection Commission, is a process that ensures equal opportunities for all.

Yogi said, "Candidates from every district were represented among those appointed with no distinctions made on the basis of caste or region. Talent and reservation rules were strictly followed in the selection process, instilling confidence in the integrity of the system."

Contrasting it with the scenario prevalent during the previous governments, he said that the leaders in the past, through their anarchic and corrupt activities, pushed the state into the flames of riots, creating a crisis of identity for the youth of the state.

He said, "These leaders, who once incited caste and religious conflicts, now seek to mislead the people of UP by adopting new guises."

The CM said that those who looted the state before 2017 now see their dreams shattered, with even 'Tipu' (Akhilesh) trying to become a Sultan. "When the public entrusted them with power, they left no stone unturned in jeopardising the future of the state's youth, creating an identity crisis for young aspirants, businesses and entrepreneurs," he said.

Yogi assured the youth that the selection process will be fair and based on talent and capability. He pledged to remove any obstacles that might arise and to confiscate the property of those still engaged in dishonesty and corruption, redistributing it among the poor.

The Chief Minister said that the youth were previously denied appointment letters because the 'Chacha and Bhatija' were more concerned with outdoing each other in grabbing the bigger share of extortion, rather than having clear and honest intentions.

He drew a parallel between the havoc caused by these leaders and the chaos currently being inflicted by 'man-eating wolves' in various districts, likening it to the state of affairs before 2017.

It may be noted that under CM Yogi's leadership, the past seven-and-a-half years have seen a transformation in the appointment process. Conducted with transparency and fairness, this process has made over 6.5 lakh government appointments, a feat that was unimaginable seven years ago.

Yogi said, "Seven and a half years ago, this state had the seventh-largest economy in the country; today, it ranks second-largest. If our personnel work with equal dedication and apply the same level of transparency, integrity and honesty to the appointment process, UP can become the number one economy in the next three to four years."

He said, "Achieving this status means every hand will find work, every face will wear a smile, every daughter will be safe, every businessman will be respected, the farmers who feed us will be content, and prosperity will abound."

The CM urged the newly appointed candidates to uphold the same transparency in their work that the state government has demonstrated in its appointment process. He emphasised the importance of avoiding delays in public-related tasks, highlighting the need to achieve the goal of ease of living.

Yogi said, "When the current administration took office, UP ranked 14th in ease of business; today, it stands as an achiever state. Through various reforms, the state has made significant progress, transforming it from a place where no one wanted to invest into a destination that has received investment proposals worth Rs 40 lakh crore. These investments are expected to create jobs for 1.5 crore youth, revive traditional enterprises previously shuttered due to riots, and expand employment opportunities."

The CM said, "The One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, a testament to the state's commitment to economic development and job creation, has become a national brand, providing work to lakhs of people. Besides, connectivity across the state has vastly improved, with expressways, interstate connections, and four-lane roads now linking district headquarters."

He pointed out that the state, which once struggled to pay salaries, is now a revenue surplus state. "Despite being the most populous state in the country, it not only pays salaries and allowances to employees, but also carries out development works, including building roads, providing electricity, and continuing public welfare initiatives," Yogi said.

The Chief Minister said that the double-engine government is providing an annual pension of Rs 12,000 to one crore families in the state, made possible because the state has the financial resources. "This support is not achieved by begging for donations," he said.

Yogi said, "Today, we have expanded from just two operational airports to nine, with work underway on ten more. Four of these are international airports, and we are building Indias fifth-largest airport in Jewar, UP."

The CM questioned why the previous governments led by Congress, SP and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which ruled the state for long periods, failed to achieve this level of infrastructure development. "Without discrimination, they couldnt provide basic amenities like electricity, roads, or jobs. The job sector was plagued by corruption, with those responsible for extortion being as numerous as the characters in the Mahabharata," he said.

UNI AB CS1530 /1623
Hope continues that the facility formerly known as the Before 5 Family Centre on the northside of Cork city might secure Government funding to reopen.

The childcare facility closed in August 2023, citing reasons for the decision including financial challenges, changes in regulations, operational challenges, and recruitment issues.

Following this closure, Northside Community Enterprises (NCE) explored the possibility of resuming a childcare service at the location. NCEs vision, in a proposal to several ministers made earlier this year, is to provide high-quality childcare for families in the area on a full day care basis as well as adult disability service, play therapy, and adult education.

It said it is willing to invest in the project but cannot cover all the costs alone.

In July this year, as reported by The Echo, NCE resubmitted a proposal to Pobal for funding.

In an email updating local politicians this week, NCE said it been working diligently to get adequate and updated costings together for the quantity surveyor appointed by Pobal overseeing its funding proposal.

NCE is very hopeful this funding will be provided to get the facility open to the community and especially the children in the area. We have done our due diligence at this stage and continue to spend our money to keep security, maintenance operational in the building, with the hope of becoming a long term tenant once funds are approved, the email stated.

NCE said it has no timeframe in relation to when a decision on whether state funding might be granted and, as a result, can give no indication of when the facility might open.

The proposed works will take an estimated three to six months, therefore the opening of this facility in 2024 looks highly unlikely, it added.

Fianna Fail councillor in the citys North West ward Tony Fitzgerald commended the work done by NCE to date.

I want to compliment the staff and board of management of NCE and to the staff of Cork City Childcare Committee for the detailed work that they have undertaken to prepare a proposal and plan to comply with regulations with a view to reopening the centre, he said.

I understand now that the matter rests with Mr OGorman, the minister for children, and I know he has taken a very keen interest in the centre and its needs. I would urge him to examine the detailed proposal and grant aid [to] NCE to reopen the centre as soon as possible.

A spokesperson for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth said the minister is aware of the issues facing Northside Community Enterprises, and of the funding that they require to support the reopening of the Before 5 Family Centre.

The minister is looking at what possible solutions can be found to support Northside Community Enterprises with reopening this vital service.

Additionally, both Pobal and the local Childcare Committee are engaging with, and offering support to, Northside Community Enterprises on behalf of the Department in this regard, the spokesperson continued.
A man is due to appear in court today in connection with a drug seizure in North Cork on Monday, where suspected cocaine with an estimated value of 170,000 was recovered.

The seizure was made after gardai stopped and searched a vehicle in the Mitchelstown area.

Following the seizure a garda spokesperson said that as part of ongoing investigations into the sale and distribution of drugs, gardai from the Cork County Divisional Drugs Unit, supported by gardai from the Cork North East Community Engagement Area and the Serious Crime Unit, stopped and searched a vehicle in the Mitchelstown area on Monday.

During the course of the search suspected cocaine with an estimated value of 170,000, pending analysis, was recovered, said the spokesperson.

Gardai confirmed that a man in his 30s arrested in connection with their investigation has since been charged.

He is expected to appear before Mallow District Court this morning, Wednesday 4th September 2024, at approximately 10.30am, said a spokesperson.

Investigations are ongoing, they added.
A Danish national lashed out at staff of Sheilas Hostel on Wellington Rd when he and his pregnant fiancee tried to get back into the premises while visiting Cork for a friends 40th birthday party.

They were refused entry because they did not have the slip with which they were issued to show that they were residents.

Per Kristian Nielsen, aged 53, of Ryesegade, Kobenhavn, Denmark, pleaded guilty to a charge of engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour likely to lead to a breach of the peace. He came over from Denmark to be present at Cork District Court to deal with the case yesterday.

His solicitor, Killian McCarthy, said Mr Nielsen had no previous convictions of any kind in Ireland or in Denmark.

At Cork District Court, Sergeant Dave Delea said: The defendant was a resident at Sheilas Hotel while on a trip to Ireland.

When the man attempted to gain entry to the establishment, staff asked for proof he was a resident. The man became irate and a verbal argument with staff occurred. Staff were refusing him access due to his verbally aggressive behaviour. The man struck out at a member of staff, but there was no injury or no contact made.

Mr McCarthy said: He was present for a holiday for a friends 40th. He was here for one day when this occurred. He was socialising with his fiancee, who is pregnant.

She arrived at the door of Sheilas Hostel before her partner, but was not allowed in as she did not have the slip, Mr McCarthy explained.

When the defendant arrived at the door, he had a similar difficultly gaining access.

All of his belongings were inside the hostel. The staff who were on duty were different to the staff present when he booked in earlier, Mr McCarthy said.

The solicitor added that the defendant was not working due to an Achilles injury and was not on social welfare in Denmark.

Noting that the defendant was charged with engaging in threatening behaviour, Judge Dorgan said he was fortunate not to be charged with assault. However, she appreciated the fact that he had undertaken the cost and inconvenience of returning to Cork from Denmark to meet the case, had pleaded guilty, and had no previous convictions.

The judge said that, in all the circumstances, she would give him the benefit of a dismissal of the charge under the Probation of Offenders Act if he paid 150 to the court poor box. The judge allowed him two months to make this contribution.
Garda enquiries are ongoing following an alleged incident of assault on Patrick Street last weekend.

The incident occurred on Saturday and is understood to have been on an Indian student who recently moved to Cork to study for a Master's Degree.

It is understood a rope was put around the students neck in an apparent chocking attempt.

The student managed to free himself, and a Garda spokesperson said no injuries were reported at the time.

Gardai received report of an alleged incident of assault, which occurred on Patrick Street, Cork City, on the afternoon of Saturday 31st August 2024.

No injuries were reported at the time.

Enquiries are ongoing, the spokesperson said.

Dr Lekha Menon Margassery, president of the UCC Indian Alumni Community and Labour Party member, said she spoke with the distressed student following the incident.

Deploring the incident she said:

As a responsible citizen, I need to take a step forward otherwise nobody is going to know about this. Also, being a Labour Party member the Labour Party has always been against racism.
The Tyndall National Institute, based at University College Cork (UCC), has reached a significant milestone securing funding for 60 EU projects totalling more than 45m.

The funding package, secured for projects under the Horizon Europe framework programme, was celebrated during a recent visit by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick ODonovan TD. Minister ODonovan was welcomed to Tyndall for the launch of its 2023 annual report, taking the opportunity to engage with some of Tyndalls postgraduate students and witness first hand the deep-tech research being conducted at the institute.

The Horizon Europe-funded projects at Tyndall range from developing sustainable, next-generation semiconductor chips to creating a biosensor platform that uses cellular responses to detect environmental pollutants.

Goals

These projects align with the goals of Impact 2030: Irelands Research and Innovation Strategy, which seeks to position Ireland as a global leader in addressing societal challenges through research and innovation.

Through EU funding, Tyndall continues to train early career researchers, provide vital expertise and infrastructure to SMEs, and address global issues in health, agri-food, environment, and energy.

The annual 2023 report also stated that Tyndalls total annual income surpassed 50m, up 19% on 2022, including 47m in funding for 52 new research projects.

Other key successes from the report include direct industry funding of 8m, a record headcount achieved with 533 people, delivery of research and support to more than 50 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), development of a new smart wearable device in collaboration with West Pharmaceutical Services and PA Consulting, and the renewal of the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Professor Award for Stefan Andersson-Engels.

Strength

Minister ODonovan said: Tyndalls success in securing over 45 million in European funding is a testament to Irelands growing strength in research and innovation.

Tyndalls commitment to advancing deep-tech technologies and supporting early career researchers is vital to our national strategy, Impact 2030, which seeks to position Ireland as a global leader in addressing key societal challenges.

Professor William Scanlon, CEO, Tyndall said: Tyndalls continued success in securing significant funding and advancing research reflects its pivotal role in fulfilling the objectives outlined in Impact 2030, driving Irelands ambition to be at the forefront of global innovation.
A 46-year-old woman accused of dangerous driving in Glanmire causing the death of a special needs assistant at Watergrasshill National School in February was served with a book of evidence today.

The accused woman, Jennifer Thomas of 10 Oakfield View, Glanmire, Cork, was charged by Detective Garda Mark Durcan, and she appeared for the first time at Cork District Court in relation to the case.

Evidence was given of her formal arrest, charge and caution on this and other related driving charges last month and of the fact that she made no reply to any of the counts against her.

Det Garda Durcan said the accused was released on station bail to appear today at Cork District Court.

Evidence

After this evidence was given, Det Garda Durcan then served the book of evidence on Jennifer Thomas who wore a black trouser suit and was represented by solicitor Eddie Burke.

Sergeant John Kelleher said the State application was to have the accused woman sent forward for trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on the single charge that on February 11 at L2973, Sarsfield Court, Glanmire, she drove in a manner that was dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of another person, namely Sheila Dunne.

Sgt Kelleher said that on the charge of dangerous driving causing death there could only be an order to send the case forward for trial by judge and jury at the Circuit Court and it was not available for an accused person to opt for a signed plea of guilty at the District Court for sentencing at the Circuit Court.

Judge Mary Dorgan sent the case forward for trial at the sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court commencing on October 29 when it is anticipated that a date will be fixed for a trial.

Alibi warning

Judge Dorgan gave Jennifer Thomas the alibi warning given to all defendants being sent forward for trial.

This requires certain notices of witnesses to be given to the state if an accused person is relying on an alibi defence.

Eddie Burke solicitor, submitted a statement of means claiming the accused was earning less than 250 per week and requested free legal aid. Judge Dorgan said she would need to see a payslip verifying these earnings. Mr Burke said he would renew the free legal aid application at the Circuit Court.

Other charges including one count of drink driving and three counts of dangerous driving will remain at the District Court as they are deemed to be summary charges. Those counts were adjourned until November 27 at Cork District Court.

So the book of evidence contains only the single charge of dangerous driving causing death.

The summary charges consist of allegations that she was under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle at Sarsfield Court, dangerous driving at Hazelwood Road, Sarsfield Court and Sallybrook, not having a driving licence, and the related count of failing to produce it. All counts relate to the same date, February 11.

No details were given in court about the alleged facts that gave rise to the charges.
Gardai in Cork responded to an incident involving a youth who became stuck in a river bank this evening.

Gardai confirmed to The Echo that a youth was assisted after becoming stuck in the bank of the River Bride.

Gardai attended the scene along with units of the fire service.

A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana confirmed that no medical assistance was required and no injuries were reported.
Turn2Me, a national mental health charity, has published a list of eight toxic workplace behaviours that damage mental health, which include micromanagement, bullying or harassment, unreasonable workloads or KPIs, lack of recognition, poor communication, incivility, lack of support, and double standards.

Toxic workplace behaviours not only harm individual employees but can also undermine the overall success of an organisation.

Its essential for employers to actively address and eliminate these behaviours, creating a supportive environment where all employees can thrive.

By fostering a culture of respect, fairness, and open communication, organisations can protect their employees mental health and enhance their productivity and morale.

Here, I explain why these eight toxic traits are so damaging:

1. Micromanagement:

Micromanagement is one of the most damaging behaviours in the workplace. When managers excessively control or monitor every aspect of their employees work, it stifles creativity and initiative.

Employees under constant scrutiny can feel undervalued, leading to stress, reduced job satisfaction, and eventually, burnout.

Turn2Me stated that empowering employees with trust and autonomy is crucial for a healthy work environment.

2. Bullying or harassment:

Whether its verbal abuse, intimidation, or discriminatory actions, bullying in the workplace can have devastating effects on a persons mental health.

Victims often experience anxiety, depression, and a significant drop in self-esteem.

Employers must take a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and harassment, ensuring all employees feel safe and respected.

3. Unreasonable workloads or KPIs:

Expecting employees to consistently handle unreasonable workloads or KPIs (key performance indicators) is a toxic practice that can lead to chronic stress and burnout.

When the demand for productivity exceeds the capacity of the workforce, it not only diminishes the quality of work but also places immense pressure on employees.

Turn2Me advises employers to set realistic expectations and provide adequate support to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

4. Lack of recognition:

Turn2Me said failing to acknowledge employees hard work and achievements can be subtle but very damaging to an employees self-esteem.

When employees feel their efforts go unnoticed, it can lead to feelings of worthlessness and disengagement.

Regular recognition, whether through praise, rewards, or career advancement or upskilling opportunities, is essential in boosting morale and mental well-being.

5. Poor communication:

Inadequate or unclear communication from leadership can create confusion, frustration, and anxiety among employees. When expectations, goals, or feedback are not effectively communicated, employees may feel lost or unsupported in their roles. This can lead to decreased productivity and increased stress levels. Open, transparent, and consistent communication is key to maintaining a healthy workplace dynamic.

6. Incivility:

When staff are undermined, belittled or sidelined, this can reduce their sense of belonging and purpose in the workplace.

Employers should communicate with respect, even if its a negative message or a conversation about poor performance.

7. Lack of support:

Employees who arent given adequate resources, support or care to do their jobs effectively can feel overwhelmed. This can link into the third point of unrealistic KPIs, where an employee is expected to deliver high targets without adequate resources.

8. Double standards:

Employees who see double standards at play in the workplace can feel frustrated. For example, if a director works from home five days a week and has flexi-time but insists that the junior members on their team work five days a week in the office and doesnt accommodate anyone elses request for flexi-time, this could irritate employees and make them feel less valued.

Turn2Me offers up to six free counselling sessions in Ireland and is encouraging anyone who feels like they are suffering from workplace stress to avail of their free services, all available on Turn2Me.ie

About Turn2Me:

Turn2me was founded in 2009 stemming from the very personal experiences of Oisin and Diarmuid Scollard, who lost their brother, Cormac, to suicide in 2003. In 2013, Turn2me gained the support of the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention to deliver counselling online.

In 2019, Turn2me joined forces with ReachOut Ireland to create a space for young people to find information to support their mental health online. As of September 2021, Turn2me offers adult counselling and peer support services to adults living in Ireland. It helps around 10,000 adults living in Ireland every year with their anxiety, grief, and depression. Turn2Me has helped over 130,000 people living in Ireland since 2009.
I dont get it, I said.

My friend and I were talking about the Oasis ticket fiasco, where the price of admission was advertised for between 86 and 150 and then suddenly jacked up to 415 for some buyers because of the demand.

This is crazy!, I said.

How can people even pay 415 for a concert ticket? Last year, we were officially in recession!

But we were only technically in recession, explained my friend, who considers herself a bit of an expert on the economy.

This, she expounded, was because the economy shrank by slightly more than 3% in gross domestic product.

Last March, Paschal Donohoe, the Minister for Public Expenditure, she said, had stated, on radio, that this recession was only a technical matter which made hardly any difference to the lives of listeners.

There had been a further increase in the number of people at work in the country and the public finances were in surplus, he had said, and the technical recession was down to a shrinking GDP (Gross Domestic Product), rather than a shrinking Gross National Income, or GNI. Or so she said hed said, if I had it right.

Oh right, I said, still a bit nonplussed.

Its just a little bit of a technical recession, is it so?.

Now I have a lot of time for Paschal. I feel hes a man who knows his onions.

All the same, whether its technical or not, any mention of recession gives me a bad feeling.

A few weeks ago, the Bank of Ireland said we could yet experience another technical recession this year. The bank revised down its forecast for GDP growth to 1%, reflecting a fall-off in contract manufacturing, which, it seems, is not actually a slowdown in domestic activity, but merely the effect of multi-national firms here contracting third parties abroad to produce goods on their behalf.

(To me, this behaviour should inevitably result in a slowdown in domestic activity here - after all, if multi-national firms here are now getting stuff produced abroad that would otherwise have been produced here, surely that would have a knock-on effect on domestic activity? But then, Im not an economist.)

All the same, thats an awful lot of talk about recession, technical or not, for my liking.

So were in a technical recession, with another one possibly coming down the line at us, but its not affecting us. Is that it?

A few weeks ago, I went for a celebratory lunch with some friends to a not inexpensive restaurant in a small town less than an hours drive from Cork city.

Mid-afternoon, the place was packed to the rafters. And I mean, jammed. Well-dressed families were ordering beautiful food from menus that, though they could not be described as exorbitant, were definitely very expensive. They werent feeling any great sense of recession.

A friend complained about the massive influx of boorish Dubs streaking up and down narrow boreens to their holiday homes at eye-watering speeds in enormous vehicles, refusing to give way or reverse and glaring down their noses at the locals.

They think theyre still on the M50, she snarled.

Note to holidaying Dubs: Youd want to start minding your manners in West Cork. People are getting sick of you.

However unpleasant, snobbish, ill-behaved - and even in some cases unwelcome - they may be, a cascade of wealthy holidaying Dubs in an area cannot be viewed as a sign of recession.

That was July.

In August, I was doing some grocery shopping in a well-known Irish supermarket chain.

I put a hand on a box of well-known, family-brand toothpaste and saw they were charging 7.50 for it. The box looked exactly the same as it always had. It wasnt promising to fix your fillings for you or anything.

I took my hand away. It was a wonder it hadnt one of those electronic security tags attached to it. Charging 7.50 for a tube of toothpaste could be called a lot of things, but hardly a sign of recession.

A visit to the DIY shop left my husband unsettled. The price of a can of paint seemed to have doubled, he reported.

A friend declared she was in a state of shock after going out for a meal with her family.

Her starter - a few prawns with a bit of chilli sauce, if I recall correctly - cost 26.

But heres the thing.

Heres where it all starts to feel a bit schizophrenic.

While were struggling to cope with these crazy prices in this tiny little technical nothing of a recession were having, a lot of businesses seem to be hitting the rocks.

Feels like weve been down this road before, my friend said soberly.

Between September, 2023, and last month, she said, tapping into her phone, there have been nearly 580 restaurant closures.

A few names you might know: The well-known Sage restaurant in Midleton has closed. So has the Cork city landmark Nash 19, along with Burnt and Electric. Two high profile Dylan McGrath restaurants in Dublin have closed unexpectedly. Then theres Ted Baker. And, after more than four decades operating in the town, the medical devices firm Cardinal Health in Tullamore is to begin a phased closure with the loss of 300 jobs.

On top of this are the tiny but worrisome anecdotes filtering back from the frontline.

A retail employee in a rural Cork town said to me they were beginning to fear they could soon be the last business left alive on its main street.

True enough - walk out the door of that shop. Look left or right; small businesses were closing. Customers were only coming in to buy exactly what they needed, she said. No more browsing.

The owner of a well-established family pub told me with a shake of the head that business wasnt so great.

The owner of a small but previously busy supermarket said the same.

A similar sentiment was expressed by the owner of a previously thriving food catering service, who said business had been slowly but steadily decreasing for the past 18-24 months. She was lying awake at night a lot, worrying.

They all seemed to feel that there was an odour of 2007 about the place. That on one side things are increasingly, bewilderingly frenetic, and on the other side everythings going a bit soft around the edges.

Is it just a case of a technical recession thats apparently affecting nobody?

Or are we in another case of The Emperors New Clothes?
Vivienne Clarke

Economist Seamus Coffey of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (Ifac) is urging the Government to stick to the rule that would limit annual growth in spending to five per cent per year.

The perspective we're taking is to ask the Government to stick to the rule. It stated itself back in 2021 that it would limit the annual growth in spending to five percent per year. What the Fiscal Council is asking is for the Government to stick to its own rule, he told RTE radios Morning Ireland.

Mr Coffey explained that the role of the Fiscal Council was to make the Government and the public aware of the implications of policy decisions on the economy.

Ireland has a history of getting fiscal policy wrong.

Ireland has a history of getting fiscal policy wrong, and for that have seen very severe and negative consequences for the economy and for society. We saw it in the 1980s. We saw it post 2008. One of the roles of the Fiscal Council is ensure that we remember the consequences of past mistakes, and to try to ensure that we don't make them again.

In its pre-budget submission, Ifac claimed the Coalition was pursuing an everything now approach to the Budget which will add unnecessary fuel to the price fire. It noted that while energy prices were falling, domestic prices - in terms of rents, food services and medical costs  were accelerating.

If the Government had stuck to its own self-stated rule of limiting growth and expenditure to five percent on an annual basis, the price level would be two per cent lower? Now, if you take a typical household that might have outgoings of around 50,000 a year, the price level being two percent higher, as a result of the Government, exceeding its own rule of limiting spending growth to five percent, is adding 1,000 to the costs for a household spending 50,000 a year.

And now that's as a result of government spending. So yes, households may benefit from the spending and that's a direct benefit. But there is an indirect cost and perhaps an illusion of the full benefit of government spending because prices are higher. And again, we're seeing those price pressures build up in things that must be produced domestically, where those pressures have been felt. And if the government continues to exceed its own self-stated rule of limiting spending growth to five per cent, we will see those domestic price pressures rise even higher.
A night of partying at a Berkeley frat house turned into a nightmare when a young woman fell from the roof, drawing a lawsuit and a strong rebuke for the unofficial celebration.

Delta Kappa Epsilon, a fraternity chapter at UC Berkeley, is facing a serious lawsuit after Jasmine Wang plunged from their rooftop during a party on April 22, 2023.

The DEK party coincided with Cal Day, an open house arranged by UC Berkeley to welcome new students and their families, according to SF-GATE.

Lots of campus organizations throw unofficial parties during this period; however, the party at the fraternity was not promoted by Berkeley, as DKE has not been recognized by the university for over a decade.

In 2009, DKE's recognized status was revoked for "hazing, risk management violations, fire and life safety violations, and non-compliance with prior sanctions," stated Berkeley.

Because the school does not recognize DKE as a compliant fraternity, it is not subject to the university's oversight.

The lawsuit allegedly highlights "copious amounts of alcohol were being served and consumed" at the DKE party, held at its fraternity house at 2302 Piedmont Ave.

On the day of the party, police responded to reports of a woman in her 20s falling from the roof.

Wang was found on the concrete and taken to a nearby hospital for "numerous fractures and internal damage."

Per the legal complaint, the Theta Zeta Chapter was "negligent, careless, and reckless" in maintaining the property and "allowing intoxicated guests onto the roof... without proper safety barriers or railings."

The university issued a warning on their information page that says "students are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to not join such groups," as they hold no jurisdiction over them.

Wang is seeking compensatory damages for her hospital and medical bills, loss of wages, and future earning capacity.

A hearing is scheduled for December 30.

Originally published on Lawyer Herald.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA in Kyiv

Children have been deeply traumatised by the war in Ukraine, The Taoiseach Simon Harris said.

Mr Harris visited the Child Rights Protection Centre (CRPC) in Kyiv on Wednesday, where Unicef is working on the reintegration of children who have been abducted in the occupied territories, some of whom have been taken to Russia and Belarus.

The project has been allocated a further 2 million as part of the Irish Governments 36 million funding package announced this week.

In addition, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been allocated 5 million, part of which will support high-level international interventions to reunite families with children who were forcibly deported from Ukraine.

Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Harris said we can never let the world forget what happened to Ukrainian citizens as a result of Russian aggression.

The Taoiseach met a mother and her three children (17, 14 and seven) who escaped Russian occupied territory but were forced to leave their father behind.

Mr Harris, who was gifted a bracelet made by Ukrainian children during a meeting with senior staff at the centre, said: I met young children, very young children and older children  and a mother.

All of whom had been deeply traumatised by the impact of war, violence, torture  physical and psychological.

He added: This is a war of real pain, of real agony and of real brutality.

The people of Ireland stand with the people of Ukraine.

The CRPC is designed as a space where returned children are interviewed by psychologists and prosecutors with the minimum amount of retraumatisation.

Taoiseach Simon Harris during a visit to inspect a bombed-out house in Hostomel, Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The children have access to play spaces and are interviewed in child-friendly environments.

The goal of the interviews is to secure information for future prosecutions.

Approximately 350 children have been returned so far, out of an estimated 19,500 that are either in temporarily occupied areas or Russian territory.

It is understood that a large number of the children were formerly in institutions such as orphanages which were in areas that became occupied by Russia.

Some of the children are physically taken into Russia or other territories.

The Kyiv branch, which opened in May 2023, is the first such centre, but it is understood that it is hoped that four to five other sites will open in key strategic locations.

In interviews, children who have been in the occupied territories have reported experiences where their parents have been harassed by Russian forces or detained.

Other children reported seeing their parents showing signs of torture, such as injury.
Amy-Jo Crowley, Reuters

The shareholders of Distilled, which owns popular property site Daft.ie, are exploring options for their holdings including a possible sale that could value the business at as much as 600 million, four people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

It would mark the first disposal by shareholder Adevinta since it was taken private last year by a consortium of private equity funds led by Permira and Blackstone.

The Norwegian classifieds group and Irelands Distilled Media Group, which jointly own Distilled, have hired Barclays to advise on their holdings, said three of the people, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Distilled was established in 2015 after the operations of Daft.ie and its sister company, Adverts.ie, were merged with Adevintas Donedeal.ie.

Active discussions among the owners are underway about the future shareholder structure of the business, one of the three people said. Distilled Media might opt to maintain a stake in the entity, but no decision has been made, this person added.

Distilled Media Group declined to comment. Adevinta did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The talks come amid increased takeover activity among real estate classified businesses. REA Group, an Australian property listings company controlled by News Corp, this week announced it is considering an offer for UK-listed Rightmove. UK private equity firm Cinven in June bought Spains Idealista in a 2.9 billion deal.

The owners are hoping that Distilled can fetch a valuation up to 600 million in a sale, a second and third person said.

Bidders could include private equity firms that could help unlock growth from Distilled SCH and make it more efficient, the second person added.

Daft.ie attracts 2.5 million users every month generating 228 million page impressions and lists about 70,000 properties for sale or to rent on its site at any one time, according to its website. It was founded in 1997 by brothers Eamonn and Brian Fallon.

A consortium led by private equity firms Permira and Blackstone last year agreed to take Adevinta off the stock market for about 141 billion Norwegian crowns (11.9 billion).
By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

Minister for Finance Jack Chambers has said the passenger cap at Dublin Airport is a serious risk to economic growth in Ireland.

Dublin Airport is only allowed to fly through a maximum of 32 million passengers a year based on planning conditions from 15 years ago.

Airlines have called for the cap to be lifted to meet demand, while others have questioned whether the cap should be lifted as Ireland tries to reduce its carbon emissions.

Asked about the row, Mr Chambers said that the cap was a serious risk to economic growth, citing analysis by the Dublin Airport Authority and others.

He added: It shows the risk thats in our economy of strategic infrastructure continually being delayed in our planning system.

I fully support the lifting of the cap. I think its important for growth, connectivity, tourism, and so much more, and the quicker it can be progressed through the planning system the better.

Minister (Eamon) Ryan has said he supports the process going through the planning system as it is and our national aviation policy is clear on the importance of growth for Dublin Airport as part of wider economic development.

Dublin Chamber chief executive Mary Rose Burke said 3.46 million passengers went through Dublin Airport in August, making it the busiest month in its history.

She added: To place a cap on the airport due to years-old planning conditions which are now obsolete is nonsensical.

Ryanair boss Michael OLeary warned earlier on Wednesday that there will be 250,000 fewer passengers this Christmas season compared to last year, arguing it was inevitable that prices will be significantly higher as a result.

He said: Many of the people coming home for Christmas will be coming home via Belfast because the Minister for Transport wont get off his backside and do something.

Mr OLeary accused Eamon Ryan of spoofing away and asked other senior figures of government to intervene to remove the cap.

Mr Ryan said that the responsibility does not lie with him and is a matter for the local planning authority.
By Cillian Sherlock, in Kyiv, Grainne Ni Aodha and Cate McCurry, PA

There is need for absolute accountability among religious orders that were at the centre of historical sexual abuse at schools, according to the Minister for Finance.

It was announced on Tuesday that a Commission of Investigation is to be established to examine historical sexual abuse claims in day and boarding schools.

Almost 2,400 allegations of historical sexual abuse were recorded by 308 schools run by religious orders across Ireland, a Government-ordered scoping inquiry revealed.

The 700-page report said the claims were made against 884 alleged abusers in day and boarding schools run by 42 religious orders.

Finance Minister Jack Chambers (PA)

The scoping inquiry said it had contacted 73 religious orders that ran or are still running schools in Ireland, with 42 having records of historical sexual abuse allegations.

Finance Minister Jack Chambers accused the religious orders of being shameful over their handling of the allegations.

The report said 17 were special schools, which recorded 590 allegations involving 190 alleged abusers.

The report, written by senior counsel Mary OToole, recommended the Government approaches the religious orders to contribute towards a redress scheme.

Taoiseach Simon Harris called on religious orders to step up in providing redress for victims of historical sexual abuse, while Mr Chambers said that they should contribute to any redress scheme.

Mr Chambers also accused the religious orders of being shameful over their handling of the allegations.

Its harrowing to hear the experiences that so many young people had in our school system, and I know many more, who Im sure will come forward as part of the next process, Mr Chambers added.

Obviously, Government will discuss the recommendations and the redress scheme.

But I think generally, there should be a contribution made by religious institutions for any redress scheme which might come from this process and they should be part of that.

I think some of the ways theyve been quite defensive on this has been shameful.

The fact that so many victims have waited for so long and have had to use the process that weve had up to this point to have their stories heard and havent had any accountability has been shameful.

Thats why its important that the next stage of this, which Minister (for Education Norma) Foley set out, is progressed quickly.

We need absolute accountability when it comes to the religious orders and their involvement in this over many years.

We need to make sure the terms of references are drafted as part of this process, and that thats at the core.

Separately, as part of any redress scheme, they need to be involved.

Obviously, the legal mechanisms and how thats done will be for further government discussion.

But no religious order should be left behind as part of this. They need to be centrally involved when it comes to accountability and being part of a scheme, so victims are central to any decision-making process in this.

Mr Harris said that victims cannot wait five years or longer for the completion of the Commission of Investigation.

Speaking in Ukraine, he said: I heard, even from a distance of where we are today, Ive heard survivors publicly saying that they want, and Im not speaking for them, but they want a process that is going to find truth and justice in a manner that is a lot more efficient, perhaps, than other commissions and structures have been in the past.

Second thing is, as the Minister for Education said last night, redress has to be a part of the overall offering and consideration the Government gives to this matter.

The minister would have also said this, and I agree with her fully, that when you read the report, others have to also step up here as well. Those who allowed this abuse to be carried, those who carried out the abuse and I think thats really important as well.

I welcome statements of regret and sorrow, and I dont doubt that bona fides from any order, and its important to have those statements than not, but they will be hallow words if theyre just statements saying were sorry.

The reality is we have Mary OToole SC has looked at this and said there is going to be a requirement for redress, and has also said that (religious) orders need to step up too.

I do want to provide, and I think its appropriate that we provide Minister Foley with the time and space to engage with the survivors to get this right.

I think its fair to say that the scoping enquiry process was very survivor-centred, and Id like to see that now carried through to the Commission of Investigation.

But I am aware, and Im going to be honest from the start, if we dont get this right in terms of how we structure it, and we have something that runs for years and years and years without answers, and I know thats the last thing that survivors want, it does merit giving it the time and the engagement to try and put those processes in place.

But I certainly dont think issues of redress can be parked till the very end, and I think Minister Foley was clear on that too.

Everybody has to step up here.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

Climate change has caused Lake Nakurus water levels to rise and flood homes in Kenya, seen on May 16, 2022. James Wakibia / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images

A new World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report has found that African countries are losing a disproportionate amount  an average of two to five percent  of their annual gross domestic product (GDP) due to climate change.

Many of these countries are using as much as nine percent of their national budgets to respond to climate extremes, a press release from WMO said.

Over the past 60 years, Africa has observed a warming trend that has become more rapid than the global average. In 2023, the continent experienced deadly heatwaves, heavy rains, floods, tropical cyclones, and prolonged droughts, said Celeste Saulo, WMO secretary-general, in the press release. While many countries in the Horn of Africa, southern and North-West Africa continued to suffer exceptional multi-year drought, other countries experienced extreme precipitation events in 2023 leading to flooding with significant casualties. These extreme events led to devastating impacts on communities, with serious economic implications.

Adaptation costs for these events is projected to be from $30 to $50 billion each year over the coming decade  two to three percent of the GDP for the region  according to the State of the Climate in Africa 2023 report.

It is estimated that, by the end of the decade, as many as 118 million of those who are extremely poor  getting by on less than $1.90 each day  will be exposed to floods, extreme heat and drought in Africa if no adequate response measures are put in place. This will mean added burdens on efforts to alleviate poverty, as well as significant obstruction to growth, the report said.

This pattern of extreme weather has continued in 2024. Parts of southern Africa have been gripped by damaging drought. Exceptional seasonal rainfall has caused death and devastation in East African countries, most recently in Sudan and South Sudan. This exacerbates an already desperate humanitarian crisis, Saulo said in the press release.

African nations must make accelerated implementation of the Early Warnings For All initiative and increased investment in National Meteorological and Hydrological Services a priority to save the lives of people and their livelihoods. The report said this will help mitigate risks; bolster resilience at national, regional and local levels; build adaptive capacity; and guide strategies for sustainable development.

The report  a supplement to WMOs State of the Global Climate 2023  focuses on climate change impacts and indicators in 2023, the hottest year ever recorded.

The State of Climate in Africa 2023 Report highlights the urgent need for investing in meteorological services and early warning systems to help adapt to climate change and build resilience in Africa. As the impacts of climate change continue to manifest globally, the African continent stands at a critical juncture, said H.E. Ambassador Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, African Union Commissions commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, in the press release.

Between 1991 and 2023, Africa warmed slightly faster than the global average  roughly 0.3 degrees Celsius each decade. The warming trend has been fastest in North Africa  approximately 0.4 degrees Celsius per decade, compared with a rate of 0.2 degrees from 1961 to 1990  and lowest in Southern Africa at roughly 0.2 degrees per decade from 1991 to 2023.

The continents highest temperature anomalies last year were recorded in northwestern Africa, particularly in coastal Mauritania, Morocco and northwest Algeria.

Several countries reported having their warmest year ever recorded, including Morocco, Uganda, Mali and the United Republic of Tanzania. July and August brought extreme heat waves to northern Africa, with Tunisias capital city of Tunis reaching a record 120.2 degrees Fahrenheit, and Agadir, Morocco, recording a new record high of 122.7 degrees Fahrenheit.

Areas of Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia, Zambia and Zimbabwe experienced severe drought last year. The worst drought in four decades hit Zambia, affecting eight of ten provinces and roughly six million people.

Early May 2023 saw severe flooding and landslides on the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, with 574 reported fatalities.

At least 4,700 deaths were confirmed in Libya from flooding after Mediterranean cyclone Storm Daniel hit in September, with 8,000 people still reported as missing.

Flooding affected roughly 300,000 people across 10 nations in September and October, with the greatest impacts felt in Benin, Ghana, Niger and Nigeria.

The development of climate resilience in Africa requires investing in early warning systems and hydrometeorological infrastructure to prepare for the escalation of high-impact disasters. Investments in Africas National Meteorological and Hydrological Services are necessary to improve forecasting capabilities and enhance data collection to bolster the ability of institutions to issue advisories and early warnings for extreme events. Investments in state-of-the-art systems and technologies to enhance lead time and accuracy of climate, weather and hydrological forecasts are especially needed.

From 1970 to 2021, 35 percent of climate, weather and water-related deaths occurred in Africa, but just 40 percent of the population has early warning system access  the lowest rate on the planet.

In September of last year, an Early Warnings for All Action Plan for Africa was launched with the main objective of ensuring that accurate and timely information regarding impending disasters and natural hazards reaches all parts of African society, especially those who are most vulnerable. The warning action plan responds to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres call for every person on the planet to have early warning system protection by 2027.

Africa faces disproportionate burdens and risks arising from climate change related weather events and patterns, which cause massive humanitarian crises with detrimental impacts on agriculture, and food security, education, energy, infrastructure, peace, and security, public health, water resources, and overall socio-economic development, Sacko said in the press release.




Philippines faces global scrutiny over rollout of ASF vaccine



The Philippines is under international scrutiny as it moves forward with a controlled rollout of an African swine fever (ASF) vaccine developed in Vietnam, as experts have expressed concerns regarding the vaccine's safety and efficacy, Sci Dev Net reported.

Ramon Clarete, a professor of economics at the University of the Philippines Diliman who specialises in agricultural productivity, voiced his concerns about the vaccine's deployment. "We really must be careful about this vaccine because the swine industry is a very important industry in agriculture," he stated.

Concerns arise primarily due to a perceived lack of transparency from Vietnam regarding the trial data and the nature of the ASF vaccine, which is based on a live virus that has been weakened by deleting certain parts of its genes. This live-attenuated vaccine could potentially pose a serious risk of mutation and reversion to its viral form.

Baptiste Dungu, a professor at the University of Kinshasa and a vaccinologist with over 30 years of experience in veterinary vaccine research, manufacturing, and commercialisation, highlighted the risks associated with live-attenuated vaccines. He noted that even a slight degree of virulence could cause the disease or other adverse effects.

A study published in Nature tested the virus strain on 10 swine and found that although it did not regain its virulence, a variant of the virus emerged in one swine and eventually spread to the others. This variant appeared to be slightly more replicative and had an increased risk of shedding, according to the study.

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted the vaccine a Certificate of Product Registration under Monitored Release (CPR MR), allowing its controlled use in the country. The FDA emphasised that the CPR MR is issued for new drugs and vaccines that meet stringent safety, efficacy, and quality standards.

The vaccine, named AVAC ASF LIVE, was developed by AVAC Vietnam JSC and imported into the Philippines by KPP Powers Commodities Inc. It is derived from a virus strain known as ASFV-G-MGF, or MGF for short.

However, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a public notice on October 27, 2022, warning against the use of the MGF strain. APHIS cited new information indicating that the strain has the potential to pose a severe threat to animal health or animal products due to its genomic instability, which could lead to a reversion of virulence.

In December 2023, WOAH issued a warning regarding "sub-standard vaccines" following reports of export deals between AVAC Vietnam JSC and Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines. The organisation urged authorities to use only high-quality vaccines with proven safety and efficacy.

Despite these concerns, the Philippines plans to proceed with the controlled rollout, distributing 150,000 doses of the vaccine on a voluntary basis in swine farms. The campaign is set to begin on September 2 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 state television PTV that "the vaccine from Vietnam really works."

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture did not respond to requests for more information regarding the field trials. The FDA stated that the trials have been ongoing in the Philippines for nearly two years and claimed the vaccine has shown 100 percent efficacy with no side effects. However, no trial data has been made public.

Former Agriculture Undersecretary Jose Reano expressed doubts about the credibility of the trials, noting that he had not seen the field trial documents. He urged the government not to rely solely on the vaccine as the primary form of intervention.

The trials were previously scrutinised during a Senate hearing, where Senator Cynthia Villar questioned KPP Powers Commodities Inc.'s involvement, citing a conflict of interest, and calling for independent field trials conducted by the Department of Agriculture.

"I am for the introduction of this [vaccination] if it has been found by experts that it is safe to use," Clarete said, but he added that the FDA should be more transparent about the trials.

The Philippines has been one of the 19 Asian countries affected by ASF since 2019, according to data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation. The disease has spread to 74 of the country's 82 provinces, reducing the swine population from 12.7 million in 2019 to 9.9 million in 2023.

As of July 2023, the hog industry in the Philippines had suffered losses amounting to at least PHP 200 billion (US$3.5 billion), according to Nicanor Briones, AGAP party-list representative and chair of the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines.

- Sci Dev Net
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is set to implement new measures to prevent discrimination based on national origin after a 2020 complaint to the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights highlighted several antisemitic incidents on campus, including swastikas, vandalism of Jewish symbols, and a brick thrown through a Jewish fraternity's window.

The OCR reviewed 139 incidents of discrimination reported to the university between 2015 and December 2023, most involving antisemitic allegations and a few related to anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian or anti-Arab discrimination. OCR found that the university failed to assess whether these incidents created a hostile environment for students, faculty or staff, the education department said on Tuesday.

Examples of the unaddressed incidents include a physical attack on a Jewish student accompanied by antisemitic remarks, flyers linking Jewish individuals to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a rock thrown at an event at the Hillel Center. Additionally, the university's programs handling these complaints lacked coordination, leading to inconsistent application of policies and procedures, the office concluded.

At the time, the university said, "We deplore antisemitic incidents on campus, including those that demonize or delegitimize Jewish and pro-Israel students or compare them to Nazis. ... All Jewish students, including those who identify with Israel or Jewish campus organizations, should be able to participate in campus activities aimed at fighting racism and achieving social justice."

To address these issues, the university has agreed to revise its nondiscrimination policies, ensure equitable law enforcement responses to protests, provide training on discrimination and harassment based on shared ancestry, conduct annual training for faculty, staff and students, and review its response to complaints from the 2023-24 academic year. The university will also administer a climate survey and develop an action plan based on the results, subject to OCR approval.

"The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has now agreed to take the steps necessary to ensure its education community can learn, teach, and work without an unredressed antisemitic hostile environment, or any other hostility related to stereotypes about shared ancestry," Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon said in a statement. "OCR will work with the University in the coming years to ensure its fulfillment of this core federal civil rights guarantee."
The event will take place at 8 AM PT/11 AM ET on LinkedIn.

According to Microsoft, it's time for the "next phase of Copilot innovation." On September 16, the company is live streaming an event called Microsoft 365 Copilot: Wave 2. Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella and corporate vice president of AI at work, Jared Spataro, will host the event on LinkedIn (It is "your AI assistant for work," so it's a fitting platform). The stream starts at 8 AM PT/11 AM ET and is available here.

Spataro first announced Microsoft 365 Copilot in early 2023 to create responses, draft presentations, and break down data  to name a few of its uses. In the year and a half since, CoPilot has folded in Microsoft's chatbot Bing and expanded to serve entire teams, generate images, and reference multiple documents when it writes. It currently costs $360 annually per user.

This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission.
X will permanently avoid training its AI chatbot Grok on the public posts of users in the European Union and European Economic Area following pressure from a regulator in the region. Last month, the company temporarily suspended the practice after Irelands Data Protection Commission (DPC) opened High Court proceedings against it. X has now made that commitment a permanent one, which prompted the DPC to end its legal action.

The DPC, which is the chief EU regulator for X, raised concerns that X may have been violating data protection rules and users' rights. Since May, X had offered users the option to opt-out of having their public posts being used to train Grok, implying that the company had enabled that setting for public accounts by default. Under the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), however, companies are typically required to obtain explicit consent from users before processing their data. X does not have a media relations department that can be reached for comment.
In a surprise move on Tuesday, Cooper Union's outgoing President Laura Sparks announced that graduating college seniors will not have to pay tuition for the next four years.

Current seniors will receive refunds for any fall semester tuition they've already paid and won't be charged for the spring semester. Over the next few years, students in their first, second and third years will also receive full-tuition scholarships during their senior year, according to the private New York City institution.

This decision was made possible by $6 million in grants from three alumni donors. Cooper Union, which was founded in 1859 had been free until 2014, introduced partial tuition due to financial challenges. This year's undergraduate tuition was set at $44,550. In 2018, the university adopted a plan to return to a tuition-free model within a decade.

"In 2018, we began an ambitious journey to provide full-tuition scholarships for all of our undergraduate students," Sparks said. "The response to our plan and the dedication of Cooper Union alumni and New York City funders have been tremendous."

The school, which specializes in architecture, art and engineering, has raised over $114 million in new funds.

"We are so encouraged that Cooper is moving steadily toward tuition-free undergraduate education for all, and we are thrilled by this amazing opportunity to contribute to achieving this goal now for current students in their senior year. It is an honor to be a part of this investment in the future and a joy to witness the impact of doing so," donors and alumni Ross Wisnewski and George Reeves said.

Interim President Malcolm King will take over the leadership of the college as Sparks steps down this week.
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Get access to more TV shows, movies and other streaming content with the help of a VPN.

Google TV is an easy to use operating system that provides access to all of the best streaming services in one centralized location. But even if your smart TV runs a different OS, you can get access to Google TV easily by buying a Chromecast for as little as $30, or a new Google TV box for closer to $100. But here's an open secret: If you use a VPN (virtual private network) with your Google TV set or Chromecast, you can access even more content. Heres how to set up a VPN on Google TV or a Chromecast and why you may want to use one.

Why use a VPN on Google TV or Chromecast?

For streaming purposes, VPNs have one clear benefit: spoofing your IP address to that of a different country so that you can access geo-restricted content. If you use a VPN and connect to a different countrys server, you can access its content library on any streaming platform.

Lets say you live in the US but want to watch some award-winning BBC documentaries on the BBC iPlayer streaming service. All BBC iPlayer content is free if you live in the UK, but blocked everywhere else. Using a VPN, you can connect to a UK VPN server and stream to your hearts content.

VPNs also have considerable security benefits if you use them on your smartphone or PC. Purchasing a single subscription means you can use your VPN on any supported device, so we recommend you purchase one for its flexibility.

What VPNs are available on Google TV?

Google TV doesnt have many apps to install compared to other smart TV systems like Amazons Fire TV OS. Although this may seem like a disadvantage, its actually a blessing in disguise.

With VPNs, you want to ensure you invest in a quality and trustworthy product. There are many untested or free VPNs available that sell your data or falsify their encryption claims. Although this might not be a huge issue for streaming purposes alone, it generally poses massive security and privacy risks.

When installing a VPN on Google TV or Chromecast, we recommend the following VPN services:

We also have a guide to the best VPNs where we explain why we recommend them.

How to set up a VPN on your Google TV or Chromecast

Its easy to use a VPN on your Google TV (and perhaps even easier on a Chromecast). Heres a step-by-step guide on how to install one:

Google TV

Navigate to the Google Play Store on your Google TV. Search for the VPN you want to install (alternatively, search for the keyword VPN to view your options). Install the VPN. Sign up (or login if you already have an account). Navigate the country server list and connect.

Note that you can use your VPN on as many devices as it supports. So, once youve purchased a subscription, its wise to download it on as many platforms and devices you can to maximize your investment.

Chromecast

If you have a Chromecast, you can still enjoy the benefits of a VPN  you just need to use your smartphone or laptop in tandem with the streaming device. Heres how to do it:

Install a VPN on your smartphone or laptop. Make sure your Wi-Fi is enabled. Turn on the VPN on your smartphone/laptop. Connect your smartphone or laptop to your TV via Chromecast. Begin streaming your content.

Additional tip: VPNs also work with screencasting. As long as your smart TV is under the same Wi-Fi as the device youre screencasting from, you can use the VPN securely.

VPN options for other streaming platforms

Don't have Google TV? Good news: Robust VPN options (or alternatives) exist for the other major streaming platforms, too.
It's a short delay that gives us an excuse to convince you to put this on your wishlist.

Phoenix Springs, a very stylish point-and-click game that caught our attention during the Summer Game Fest edition of Day of the Devs, will be arriving a little later than expected. The neo-noir detective title will hit Steam on October 7 rather than the previously announced date of September 16. Calligram Studio plans to bring Phoenix Springs to GOG and Itch.io later in the year and it's in talks with publishers to release console ports as well.

Calligram says it's pushing back the Steam release date by a few weeks after it "lost a bit of momentum this summer." Phoenix Springs, which will cost $20, is being made by a three-person team that said it needed just a little extra time.
A new ruling from Metas Oversight Board regarding the use of the phrase From the River to the Sea found that it does not violate the platforms policies on hate speech, violence and incitement or dangerous organizations and individuals. The board also said in its ruling that the three flagged cases that used the phrase highlight the need for greater access to Facebooks Content Library for qualified researchers, civil society groups and journalists who previously had access to CrowdTangle.

The ruling looked at three pieces of Facebook content containing the phrase From the River to the Sea, a phrase considered by many to be pro-Palestinian that refers to the stretch of land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. The rallying cry is a politically charged one with different interpretations and meanings. Critics of the phrase like the Anti-Defamation League call it an anti-semitic slogan commonly featured in anti-Israel campaigns. Others like US Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who the House censured last year for using the phrase in statements about the Israel-Gaza war, called it an aspirational call for freedom, human rights and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction or hate, according to the New York Times.

The Oversight Board ruled that the phrase itself is not a standalone phrase calling for violence against a group of people, the exclusion of a particular group of people or a blanket stance of support for Hamas. The board also said its vital that Metas platforms assess the context surrounding the use of the phrase while assessing content from its users.

Because the phrase does not have a single meaning, a blanket ban on content that includes the phrase, a default rule towards removal of such content, or even using it as a signal to trigger enforcement or review, would hinder protected political speech in unacceptable ways, the ruling reads.

The board also raised concerns about Metas decision to shut down the CrowdTangle data analysis tool in August in its research on content and called for greater transparency regarding the new system. CrowdTangle was a free research tool used by news outlets, researchers and other groups to learn about the dissemination of information on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Meta replaced the tool with the Meta Content Library, a much more tightly controlled data examination system with stricter access rules. The Content Library restricts access to those who work with a qualified academic institution or a qualified research institution committed to a not-for-profit endeavor, according to Facebooks guidelines.

The Oversight Board recommended that Meta onboard qualified researchers, groups and journalists within three weeks of submitting an application. The board also recommended that Meta ensure its Content Library is a suitable replacement for CrowdTangle, according to the ruling.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard is enjoying what's left of the summer sun with boyfriend Ken Urker months before she's due to give birth.

The pregnant celebrity took to her Instagram account on Sunday to share photos of her enjoying time off on the beach. The 33-year-old wore a red bathing suit with matching red lipstick, her baby bump not visibly showing.

In one Instagram Story, she is seen sitting behind Urker in a kayak. The post was accompanied by the caption, "Kayaking with Ken."

She also shared two images of her rocking the same red suit, with the shore blurred behind her. It was captioned with a smiling face with sunglasses emoji.

In the comments, Blanchard confirmed that she enjoyed the weekend out with her boyfriend.

"I had a wonderful time this weekend at the lake with my family and Ken," she wrote.

In July, Blanchard announced she was expecting her first baby with Urker. While she admitted the pregnancy was not planned, she clarified that they are "very excited."

She added that her due date is set in January 2025.

The mom-to-be was previously married to Ryan Anderson, who she wed while she was in prison for the murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. Shortly after leaving prison, she filed for divorce from her husband of three years.

Previous reports suggested that the online personality was not sure who the real father of her child was: Urker or Anderson?

However, in an interview with "Good Morning America" in July, she ended all speculation by saying she was sure the baby was her current boyfriend's.

In a separate social media post, she also detailed when she believes she conceived.

"Left Ryan March 23rd had a period April 17th, made love with Ken and only him April 27, 28, 29, 30 and conceived on May 4th positive test on May 24th. Ken is the father," she shared.

Within a month, Blanchard said she had rekindled her old flame with Urker, whom she was engaged to in 2018.

Blanchard served seven years in prison for pleading guilty to second-degree murder of her mother. She was granted parole in September 2023 and was released from Missouri's Chillicothe Correctional Center in December.
A Louisville woman is behind bars following police reports that she attempted to break into random cars outside of an Evansville business.

Ricki Smith claims Kanye West, now known as Ye, utilized mind control to make her steal a vehicle with a child inside. She was arrested on August 30 after bystanders contacted authorities about a suspicious woman.

According to 'Complex,' a person working inside a local establishment claimed they witnessed her trying to open various car doors in the parking lot. It was reported that she got one open and sat inside briefly.

The woman who owned that car told police she was taking her child to daycare and had to stop inside a local store. She left the car unlocked and began to walk across the street when she noticed a stranger  Smith  getting into her vehicle.

Rushing back to the vehicle, she grabbed Smith by the hair and pulled her out of the car. Now, the woman maintains that she'd like to file charges, especially due to her baby being in the back seat.

When police asked the seemingly deranged woman why she sat in a stranger's car, she alleged that West, 47, "telepathically" instructed her to steal a vehicle. Smith was taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail, per the outlet.

Officers found that Smith had previously wrecked her car by crashing into a tree off Highway 64 before she decided to abandon the vehicle. Her car was later discovered left alongside the highway.

Ye has spoken openly about mind control in the past. In 2018, he warned his fans of the effects of "mind control" in a rant he shared to Twitter, now X. "I just want to talk about mind control," the 'Vultures' megastar began in a now-deleted video clip dating back to 2018.

"You know, when people try to influence you through social media and try to tell you what to do, or if you post something that's, like, positive on Instagram, it gets taken down if it's not a part of a bigger agenda," the Chicago, Illinois, native stated, per 'USA Today.' "That's like mind control. That's the echo chamber."

At this time, no source has reported that Smith is tied to rapper Kanye West in any capacity.
Barron Trump was seen arriving at New York University on Wednesday, marking the end of a monthslong mystery as to where the youngest son of former President Donald Trump would attend following his graduation from Oxbridge Academy in Florida.

Donald Trump confirmed to the Daily Mail that Barron is enrolled in NYU's Stern School of Business for his freshman year.

Trump told the outlet that Barron considered his own alma mater, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and was accepted to several colleges. However, Barron ultimately chose Stern, which Trump described as "a very high quality place."

The 18-year-old is expected to commute daily from Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan.
Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon's relationship is being questioned by some social media users after eagle-eyed fans spotted an awkward moment between the couple at the 2024 Venice Film Festival.

Pitt made his romance with de Ramon red carpet official Sunday when he appeared hand-in-hand with her at the premiere of his new movie "Wolfs" at the film festival in Italy.

The couple looked loved-up as they posed with their arms around each other alongside Pitt's co-star George Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney.

But following their red carpet debut as a couple, rumors surfaced that Pitt and de Ramon's relationship may just be for PR after a new video of the couple at the Palazzo del Cinema was shared on TikTok and X, formerly Twitter.

RELATED: Brad Pitt, Girlfriend Ines De Ramon Make Red Carpet Debut At Venice Film Festival With George, Amal Clooney

The video appeared to show the audience giving "Wolfs" a standing ovation after the premiere.

In the footage, Amal could be seen putting an arm around her husband and giving him a sweet congratulatory kiss.

As George and his wife were chatting, de Ramon could be seen smiling at Pitt and seemingly preparing to get up from her chair to celebrate with him.

The jewelry designer appeared to grab Pitt's arm, and the actor seemingly squeezed hers in response.

However, instead of kissing or hugging de Ramon, Pitt then quickly turned away from his girlfriend and proceeded to clap and wave at the audience.

RELATED: Angelina Jolie's Veins, 'Unrecognizable' Appearance Spark Health Concerns As Brad Pitt Makes New Romance Red Carpet Official

The video soon sparked speculation among social media users that Pitt may have ignored de Ramon and that this could be proof that their relationship is just for the public eye.

"The way George and Amal kissed and Ines is going to get up from the chair but Brad sees it and absolutely ignores her," one X user claimed. "Yeah, they love each other so much *cough cough* PR."

Another wrote, "This is TOO funny. And they want us to believe they're soulmates when Brad barely wants to interact with her."

"Lmao the way she's about to get up from the chair and [it's] like, 'Is he gonna kiss me or not?'" a third user observed, while another commented, "[Oh my god,] that was embarrassing."

"Hahaha god why [is there] always something that proves their relationship is just for the public eye?" someone else tweeted.

But some pointed out that it was unfair to compare Pitt and de Ramon's relationship with that of the Clooneys, who have been married since 2014.

"George and Amal have been married for a while, while Brad and Ines just started going public. Not the same thing at all," one X user wrote. "Why do you feel the need to judge someone with such shallow insight?"

Despite the doubts surrounding their romance, an unnamed insider recently told People that Pitt and de Ramon are getting serious in their relationship.

"Things have been amazing since they moved in together," the source said. "It's more of a serious relationship than just dating."

They continued, "Brad loves so many things about her. She's great for him."
Judge Greg Mathis is responding to rumors suggesting that he was unfaithful to his wife.

The TV judge's wife, Linda Yvette Mathis, filed for divorce on August 22 after 39 years of marriage. The two have been separated since mid-July.

Since this filing, many speculated the reason behind the surprising split and whether the TV personality's alleged infidelity was to blame. Judge Mathis revealed unfaithfulness was not the reason for their separation during a conversation with 'TMZ.'

The 64-year-old told the outlet that the reason behind the separation was his neglect. He warned other men who don't prioritize their spouse, saying, "Don't neglect your wife. That's what happens, guys." He attributed the speculation about infidelity to neglecting his wife. "Neglect can create suspicion, certainly... She would have a right to suspect infidelity." However, he decidedly confirmed again that,"That's not the reason for this."

The Detroit, Michigan, native confessed how he fell short on a promise that he made to his wife Linda. When he moved his show to Los Angeles from Chicago, he promised that he "committed to staying home more and making my wife more of a priority, but as you see, I haven't."

While Mathis acknowledges that he made a mistake when he came to his treatment of his wife, he believes that there is still hope for them to reconcile. "We're still in the same house, we're maintaining a friendship," he said.

Judge Mathis has credited the support of his wife for his success.

"It was really my family that was the foundation of my success... Linda allowed me to work 15 hours a day, five, six days a week," he said of his spouse, who cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for leaving the marriage. "Our love and support runs deep. That's how the Mathis family rolls."

Gregory Ellis Mathis is a former Michigan 36th District Court judge, television court show arbitrator, author, and motivational speaker.

The judge and Linda married in June 1985 and share four children together: daughters Jade and Camara, and sons Greg Jr. and Amir.
Anna Delvey will appear on season 33 of 'Dancing with the Stars,' but many fans are wondering the current status of her legal woes.

Delvey, whose real name is Anna Sorokin, inspired the Netflix series 'Inventing Anna.' The nuances of the faux socialite is leaving many to wonder what exactly she did.

Here's a timeline of the rise and fall of Anna Delvey.

Who Is She Really?

Anna Delvey, born in 1991, grew up in a middle-class family, according to 'PEOPLE.' While she was born in Russia, she was raised with her family in Germany. When she left her family in Germany, she wanted to pursue a career in fashion.

In the summer 2019, she left home for Paris to study. From there, she took a trip to New York City for New York Fashion Week on behalf of the outlet 'Purple.' It was at this event that she took on the alias Anna Delvey.

The Charade Begins

Delvey began to tell people that she was a German heiress. Using her powers of persuasion and fake identity, she managed to make her way through the lives of the rich and famous without raising too much of an eyebrow.

She stayed in luxury hotels to give off the appearance of great wealth, expenses she would pay off with a credit card which she could not repay. She continuously claimed that she had an over $60 million fortune overseas which gave those around her a sense of security. Her most prevalent scheme was trying to secure investment funds for a members-only club she was establishing, according to 'The Blast.'

She ran this scheme at banks as well. She sought a $22 million loan for her alleged members-only club. While she was unsuccessful at receiving the full amount, she was awarded $100,000. Similarly, this loan was never repaid.

Cracks In The Ship

The truth began to rear its ugly head in 2017. According to 'Town and Country,' several of the checks Anna had cashed began to bounce, including $160,000 in bad checks and transfers amounting to $70,000. Furthermore, she was looking at a bill from a hotel which was around $30,000. She also reportedly owed an individual she personally scammed $35,000. She never paid either of these debts.

Delvey also invited her friend Rachel DeLoache Williams on a luxury trip to Morocco. According to 'Oxygen,' Delvey left the trip, saddling her friend with the $62,000 to be paid.

Anna Arrested

On October 3, 2017, Anna Delvey was arrested. She was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department during a sting operation. According to 'PEOPLE,' Delvey stole an approximate total of $275,000.

Delvey on Defense

In 2019, she was found guilty on eight different charges, including fraud and grand larceny theft. She was sentenced to serve four to twelve years in prison and made to pay $200,000 in restitution and a $24,000 fine.

Facing Deportation

She was released from prison after four years due to good behavior. However, this was not the end of Delvey's legal troubles. During her imprisonment, she overstayed her visa. Therefore, according to 'Oxygen,' she faced potential deportation. She was held in ICE custody.

'Crime Online' reported she was moved to house arrest after several pleas. She was to wait there while she appealed her deportation case. From 2022-2024, she has been making money by selling her artwork. She also made a deal with Netflix with the intent of telling her own life story.

Anna Wins

In August, Delvey won her case and was released from house arrest. On Wednesday, 'Good Morning America' announced the contestants to the new season of 'Dancing with the Stars.' Her pro-dance partner will be Ezra Sosa.

'Dancing with the Stars' premieres Tuesday Sept. 17, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
Rachael "Raygun" Gunn has opened up about her viral performance at the Breaking competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer.

The Olympian quickly went viral for her performance during the event which scored a rare zero points. The 36-year-old was on the receiving end of jokes and mockery for weeks.

Now, Gunn is breaking her silence in her first sit-down interview with Network 10's 'The Project' about her life after the backlash.

During the interview, Gunn revealed she has not watched her performance in full, despite seeing brief clips of it, but "will watch it eventually."

'The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon' aired a comedic skit three weeks ago with 'Saturday Night Live' alum Rachel Dratch, who plays Raygun. "I haven't actually watched the sketch because I don't think I am in a place to watch it," Gunn confessed.

In reference to Fallon, 49, she said she doesn't "know whether to hug him or yell at him."

During the interview, she also apologized for the negative attention that her performance brought to the Australian breaking community. However, she maintains that she is the best in her country at her sport because her "record speaks to that." She has held top rankings in the event in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Not only was Gunn mocked on social media following the event, she became the victim of speculation and rumors. Some suggested that she manipulated the Olympic selection process, but the rumor was shut down by the World DanceSport Federation. She called the conspiracy theories incredibly hurtful and the "energy and vitriol that people had was pretty alarming."

"As soon as I finished my rounds, my media liaison from the AOC said, 'Oh, there's a bit of a storm brewing on social media. You might want to go off socials.' I didn't understand the scale of it," Gunn said in the interview posted Wednesday. "I did preview some comments, and I was like, 'Oh, no,' and this kind of sick feeling started coming out."

She added how it was "really sad to hear those criticisms and I am very sorry for the backlash that the community has experienced, but I can't control how people react."
Silicon metal plant of PCC BakkiSilicon hf. in Husavik, Iceland, 2018; (c) PCC SE; Editorial use only in connection with reporting on PCC. - PCC SE

(Informacion remitida por la empresa firmante)

PCC subsidiary becomes first silicon producer to receive ISCC certification, with an attested carbon footprint of just 3.1 kilograms of CO2e per kilogram of silicon

NEWS AKTUELL // Duisburg, Germany/Husavik, Iceland, September 4, 2024. Icelandic silicon metal producer PCC BakkiSilicon hf. is the first company in its sector worldwide to receive certification of its greenhouse gas balance of silicon metal in accordance with the new ISCC Carbon Footprint Certification (CFC) standard. ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) is a renowned certification system for verifiably sustainable supply chains. PCC BakkiSilicon hf. is nevertheless under strong economic pressure - and is calling for political support - due to the fact that it operates in direct competition with China, where silicon is produced with CO2 emissions many times higher than at PCC's plant in Iceland and in part under conditions of forced labor and then exported at dumping prices.

Following an audit at the production site in Husavik by an independent certification body, the certificate was issued confirming a greenhouse gas footprint of 3,102.56 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per metric ton of silicon metal as manufactured in the twelve-month reference period from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. PCC BakkiSilicon hf. produces silicon metal in Iceland exclusively using electricity from renewable energy sources (predominantly geothermal energy).

"The fact that our subsidiary as a global pioneer in the industry has been audited in line with the ISCC standard for carbon footprint certification (CFC) confirms the validity of our strategy of setting global standards in climate protection with PCC BakkiSilicon hf.," explains Dr. Peter Wenzel, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of PCC SE, the Duisburg-based parent company of PCC BakkiSilicon hf.

"With a certified carbon footprint of 3.1 kilograms CO2 equivalent per kilogram of silicon, our production in Iceland is a factor of around 3.5 below the global industry average of 10.9 kilograms CO2 equivalent - and in our estimation Chinese manufacturers in particular, which dominate the world market with their dumping prices, are still operating with emissions far above this figure."

Silicon is indispensable for the production of photovoltaic modules and also for other high-tech and climate protection applications. For example, the PCC start-up PCC Thorion GmbH is currently developing a highly efficient battery anode material based on silicon nanopowder. Since silicon production is very energy-intensive, the emissions associated with energy supply play an important role in the overall climate balance of these applications and therefore in their effectiveness in protecting the climate. With its low carbon footprint thanks to a manufacturing regime based on renewable energy sources, PCC BakkiSilicon hf. has set the global benchmark in this regard.

"But despite this, the material produced so efficiently in environmental terms by PCC in Iceland is rarely measured by customers in Europe against criteria such as sustainability or climate protection, but still only against price," declares Peter Wenzel. "For years, PCC has therefore been calling for support at the political level against unfair competition from cheap silicon produced under conditions that are harmful to the climate and partly in violation of human rights." Against this background, Wenzel also points out that the construction of the plant in Iceland, which went into operation in 2018, was supported by the German government due to its importance for a raw materials strategy geared to the needs of German industry.

The analysis of the carbon footprint on which the ISCC Carbon Footprint Certificate awarded to PCC BakkiSilicon hf. is based was carried out in accordance with the ISCC guidelines for greenhouse gas calculations and the new certification approach for the carbon footprint of products from silicon metal production. The scope of the certificate covers the system boundaries of "cradle-to-gate", i.e. the entire production process, including raw material and energy supply, transportation and manufacturing. The reference product is one metric ton of silicon metal produced in 2022 and 2023.

Profile of PCC SE

Headquartered in Duisburg, Germany, PCC SE is the parent and investment holding company of the globally active PCC Group with around 3,300 employees. Its Group companies have core competencies in the production of chemical feed stocks and specialty chemicals, silicon and silicon derivatives, and in container logistics. Managed within the Silicon & Derivatives segment, the group company PCC BakkiSilicon hf. located in Iceland operates one of the world's most advanced silicon production facilities. An investor committed to the longer term, PCC SE concentrates on continuously increasing the enterprise value of its portfolio companies through sustainable investments and the ongoing creation of new value. The largest chemical producers of the PCC Group are PCC Rokita SA, a major chlorine manufacturer and Eastern Europe's leading producer of polyols, and PCC Exol SA, one of Europe's most advanced surfactant manufacturers. PCC was founded in 1993 by Waldemar Preussner, sole shareholder of PCC SE, who today holds the position of Chairman of the Supervisory Board. The PCC Group generated consolidated sales of  994 million and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of some  112 million in fiscal 2023, with capital expenditures in the same year amounting to  142 million. For further information on PCC, go to: https://www.pcc.eu.

Press Contact

Susanne Biskamp, Head of Marketing & Public Relations

PCC SE
(Informacion remitida por la empresa firmante)

Mars announces Gabriel Millan as new CFO for Petcare, Millan will join the Mars Petcare Leadership Team and global Finance Leadership Team

Recognized finance leader with over 25 years' experience in Fortune-500/FTSE-100 companies across consumer goods and life sciences, to join Mars from GSK

BRUSSELS, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Mars named Gabriel Millan as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for their leading pet health, services, and nutrition business. Millan, who will join the business in December, will lead the global finance function for the $30B+ Petcare business, reporting to Loic Moutault, President of Mars Petcare.

Millan has over 25 years' experience in corporate finance, strategy, M&A and IT at Fortune-500/FTSE-100 companies across consumer goods and life sciences. He has led global finance organizations with a track record of driving transformation and accelerating talent and diversity within the function.

Loic Moutault, Mars Petcare Global President said: "We're thrilled to welcome Gabriel. His combination of deep finance experience, proven impact and passion for talent development will be real assets to our team. We are confident he will make a significant contribution to our business and in driving our purpose: A Better World for Pets."

On joining Mars Petcare, Gabriel Millan commented: "Mars is an organization I've aways admired, especially the company culture and Principles. I'm eager to contribute to the continued growth of the Petcare business and to help transform the experience of pet ownership for the better."

He joins Mars Petcare from GSK where he is currently SVP, Commercial CFO, overseeing commercial finance and products worldwide. He joined GSK in 2020 as Global CFO Vaccines and Global Health. Prior to joining GSK, he worked at Reckitt Benckiser, a FTSE100 consumer goods company, where he held increasingly senior finance leadership roles in Southern Europe, the UK and the U.S., including CFO, Global Supply and CFO, North America where he led the Consumer Health business. He began his career with Essity Groupformerly SCAa global manufacturer. At Essity, he held a range of corporate finance, M&A and transformation roles over his 15 years with the company, including VP, Finance for South America.

Claus Aagaard, Mars, Incorporated Chief Financial Officer, added: "Gabriel is a well-respected global finance leader with a wealth of experience overseeing finance operations in complex, diverse businesses. His expertise and experience will bring exceptional value to the global Mars Finance community and to Mars Petcare."

Mars Petcare believes that pets make the world a better place and are inspired to deliver on our purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS  a world where they're healthy, happy and welcome. A global leader in pet care, spanning comprehensive veterinary care (including: AniCura, BANFIELD, BLUEPEARL, Linnaeus and VCA), nutrition (including PEDIGREE, ROYAL CANIN, and WHISKAS), breakthrough programs in veterinary diagnostics (ANTECH), wearable health monitoring and pet parent platforms. With over 100,000 Associates helping pets, their owners and pet professionals in more than 130 countries.

About Mars, Incorporated

Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a $50bn+ family-owned business, our diverse and expanding portfolio of leading pet care products and veterinary services support pets all around the world and our quality snacking and food products delight millions of people every day. We produce some of the world's best-loved brands including ROYAL CANIN, PEDIGREE, WHISKAS, CESAR, DOVE, EXTRA, M&M's, SNICKERS and BEN'S ORIGINAL. Our international networks of pet hospitals, including BANFIELD, BLUEPEARL, VCA and ANICURA span preventive, general, specialty, and emergency veterinary care, and our global veterinary diagnostics business ANTECH offers breakthrough capabilities in pet diagnostics. The Mars Five PrinciplesQuality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedominspire our 150,000 Associates to act every day to help create a better world for people, pets and the planet.

For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/gabriel-millan-joins-mars-as-chief-financial-officer-for-petcare-business-302237864.html
Since NBC News declared that the Harris and Trump battle is "fundamentally a dog fight," there's a White House Dog Race song about Kamala and Trump, and articles about this have just been posted on Medium and Substack. The song features the personality traits that they each bring to the dog-versus-dog fight, in response to the comment by Bill Burton, a political consultant who worked on Barrack Obama's 2008 campaign and praised Kamala Harris for running a "perfect" campaign so far. But still he declared: "I still think it's fundamentally a dog fight."

The article about the dog-fight songs are on Medium: https://tinyurl.com/59rw5dtc and Substack at https://gini.substack.com/p/nbcs-description-of-the-white-house

Given the NBC news about the race for the White House being a dog fight, it's fitting that there's a White House Dog Race song about the Harris-Trump battle. It was inspired by applying the Dog Type Personality System, which features four major personality types based on four dog types with different leadership styles. They are the German Shepherd, the dominant-aggressive type; the Golden Retriever, the support-helper; the Pomeranian, the social people-person; and the Border Collie, the detailed-oriented researcher type.

Since Harris and Trump are both German Shepherd types, the result is an even more intense battle between Trump and Harris than with Biden, who was like a Golden Retriever. So who will or should win? The song is completely neutral in describing the dog against dog battle. You can see the song lyrics for the beginning of the song in the articles. A recording of the complete song is at https://youtu.be/9CfMh742MbU;

Plus the song is in a book which features two other songs about the battle for the white house The White House Dog Race Book, published by the American Leadership Press. The other songs are about the Trump vs. Biden race and a White House Dog Race for Anyone Running. The book includes lyrics for all of the songs. It's available on Kindle https://www.amazon.com/White-House-Dog-Race-Book-ebook/dp/B0DC4TKHSL. A paperback is available at https://www.amazon.com/White-House-Dog-Race-Book/dp/B0DD4423J5. You can listen to the song about anyone running in any race at https://youtu.be/rxth8bn79SE.

For more information on how the dog type personality system relates to different types of leadership, on books and films by Gini Graham Scott, and to set up interviews, email or call:

Changemakers Publishing and Writing



San Ramon, CA 94583



925) 804-6333



Changemakerspub@att.net



www.changemakerspublishingandwriting.com

*********

Gini Graham Scott, Ph.D. is the author of over 50 books with major publishers and has published 200 books through her company Changemakers Publishing and Writing (http://www.changemakerspublishingandwriting.com). She writes books, proposals, and film scripts for clients, and has written and produced 18 feature films and documentaries, including Conned: A True Story and Con Artists Unveiled distributed by Gravitas Ventures. (http://www.changemakersproductionsfilms.com). Her latest books include Ghost Story and How to Find and Work with a Good Ghostwriter published by Waterside Productions; The Big Con, I Was Scammed, and Love and Sex in Prison, published by American Leadership Press; and Ask the AI Wizard, published by J. Michael Publishing.
Loading workers employed by Hargreaves Industrial Services at CF Fertilisers Billingham factory in Co Durham are set to strike over pay.

Unite the union, which has announced the industrial action, said workers were 'angry' at the 'derisory pay offer' from Hargreaves.

The workers pack and load ammonium nitrate produced at the Co Durham site for distribution to farmers across the country.

The strikes could potentially cause disruption to CF Fertilisers Billingham operations and impact the supply of fertiliser for farmers.

Unite said that industrial action would escalate if the dispute was not resolved.

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: Both Hargreaves and CF Fertiliser can fully afford to ensure these workers receive a fair pay offer.

"Our members at Billingham will receive Unites total backing during these strikes.

Hargreaves had a turnover of 59 million and made pre-tax profits of 2.9 million in the year ending May 2023.

And CF Fertiliser had a turnover of 252 million in the year ending December 2023 and made operating profits of 30 million.

The workers will strike from 12 to 20 September and from 28 September to 6 October.
Livestock farmers in England are being urged to futureproof slurry infrastructure and nutrient management systems with up to 250,000 of available funding.

Farmers who have been shortlisted for Defras second round of slurry infrastructure grant funding must complete a slurry store location and design assessment.

This must be completed before 30 September 2024 and then submitted to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) for approval.

If farmers missed the opportunity to apply for the second round of funding, which closed in January, a third round is due to soon open.

Defra's grants go toward the cost of building, replacing or expanding slurry storage to achieve six months capacity.

The scheme is open for farmers in England only, offering 50% match funding between 25,000 and 250,000.

Severn Trents senior catchment management scientist, Dr Adam Freer stressed the value of these grants in protecting water quality and improving farm management.

He also advised farmers to explore the funding schemes on offer from water companies across the UK, which are tailored to regional needs and aimed at supporting farmers to protect water quality and improve on-farm efficiencies.

He explained: Our popular STEPS scheme includes several funding options to help farmers improve slurry storage and management in our crypto priority catchments.

This ranges from funding to cover manure stores, which excludes rainwater and reduces storage pressure, to clean and dirty water separation equipment, concreting and precision spreading equipment.

For this years round of STEPS funding, applications are open until 30 November, but works must be completed and funding claimed by 31 December 2024.
Thousands of Scottish farmers have received notification that support payments for 2024 are expected to soon start arriving in bank accounts.

It is anticipated that around 11,500 businesses will receive more than 240 million in support from Scottish government from today (4 September).

Last year, the first run also started on 4 September when around 13,000 farming and crofting businesses saw payments worth approximately 288m delivered.

By 29 November 2023, Scottish government had delivered 95% of expected support payments under the Basic Payment Scheme and Greening, amounting to almost 400m.

Speaking at NFU Scotlands AGM in February, the then-First Minister Humza Yousaf committed to delivering the 2024 payments at the earliest opportunity, matching the 2023 start date.

NFU Scotland President Martin Kennedy said the union welcomed the Scottish government's ambition, particularly against the backdrop of cash flow issues.

That is great news for the Scottish economy," he said, "Across the sector as a whole, every 1 of government funded direct payments into Scottish farming and crofting generates 6 of agricultural output.

The prompt arrival of support payments will be welcome. The constant weather challenges faced by many mean that this is likely to have been a costly spring and summer and cash flow will have been an issue for some."

Mr Kennedy added: The arrival of support payments will also be welcome by the wider rural economy as bills with suppliers are settled and plans for investment made."

Elsewhere in the UK, nearly 260m has been issued to Northern Irish farmers on the first day of direct payments, the Department of Agriculture (DAERA) confirmed.

Direct payments have been sent to over 23,000 farmers, representing 98% of eligible applicants, the department said.
Pig producers are calling on the government to remove the 2kg allowance for personal pork imports to match new measures introduced to protect the sheep sector.

Pork products are increasingly being brought illegally into the UK, often from infected areas, in large quantities in personal luggage and private vehicles.

The National Pig Association (NPA) warned that this presented 'the greatest risk' of introduction of notifiable diseases, such as African swine fever (ASF).

Rules banning imports of pork products above 2kg were introduced in September 2022 to address the growing risk posed of ASF in Europe and elsewhere.

Since then, around 100 tonnes of illegal product has been seized at the Port of Dover alone, but this is widely considered to represent just the tip of iceberg.

The NPA said that the 2kg limit was 'unnecessary' as it made it harder for the authorities to enforce and for travellers to understand, and is instead asking for a total ban.

It follows a recent total ban on personal imports of certain sheep and goat commodities, such as meat, cheese and milk products, to safeguard Britains sheep and goat populations from outbreaks of peste des petits ruminants (PPR).

While PPR does not pose a risk to human health, any outbreak in the UK could be 'very damaging' to the farming industry, Defra said last month.

NPA senior policy adviser, Katie Jarvis said the pig sector was becoming increasingly concerned as ASF continued to spread across Europe, with several new cases reported in Germany over the summer.

Alarmingly, the disease has travelled significant distances across the country, and this spread, as is often the case, is partly a result of human activity.

"The news from Germany has served as a stark reminder of how far this disease can travel, particularly when aided by people.

With that in mind, we believe there should be zero tolerance on personal imports of pork products to minimise the risk of anyone importing a product that is carrying ASF."

She added: As Defra has announced the suspension of personal imports of certain commodities to safeguard Britains sheep and goat populations, we can see no reason at all why this should not be extended to pork products.

The NPA was a signatory to a recent letter to Defra Secretary Steve Reed from the Livestock Chain Advisory Group, a coalition of 26 livestock and meat organisations.

This called for the government to review its spending allocation for checks for illegal meat imports at Dover and to review how the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) is operating.

This is amid growing concerns that flaws in the new border control system, including low levels of inspections, are allowing commercial imports from ASF infected areas into the UK unchecked.
Scottish hill farmers and crofters are being reminded that the upland sheep support scheme - worth 6 million - is now open for applications.

The Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS) is an annual fund, first launched in 2016, which supports sheep production in Scotlands hills and uplands.

Applications for the 2024 round opened on 1 September and will close at midnight on 30 November.

Payment rates on eligible ewe hoggs were 61.38 in 2023 and 61.25 in 2022 with around 1,150 farming and crofting businesses submitting applications annually.

The scheme gives direct support to help maintain sheep flocks in farm businesses reliant on poorer quality rough grazing found in Scotland.

It is seen as a vital source of support for more than a thousand hill sheep farmers and crofters in Scotland.

The Scottish government has committed to SUSSS until at least 2026 and is engaging with the industry on the schemes future beyond that date.

NFU Scotlands Less Favoured Areas Committee chair, Peter Kennedy, said the union wanted to see this level of support for the sheep sector continue into the future.

It is well recognised that the current SUSSS scheme has real merit, and we welcome Scottish government commitment to the scheme until at least 2026," he said.

The role of the scheme must be considered in conjunction with the expected changes to the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme, which delivers an additional 60m per year into our disadvantaged areas.

With 90 percent of Scotlands sheep found on LFA holdings, SUSSS and LFASS are mutually inclusive."

Payments to hill farmers and crofters under the 2023 SUSSS, worth 6.6 million, entered farmers' bank accounts earlier this summer.

Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie said the Scottish government would 'continue to do all we can' to provide the backing needed to protect hill farmers and crofters.

He said: We are fortunate to have an incredible sheep farming sector that is globally renowned, with thousands of jobs dependant on well raised flocks, efficient distribution and enormous retail potential at home and abroad."
Kim Kardashian made her eight-year-old son sign an "extensive contract" before allowing him to set up a YouTube channel.

Kim Kardashian's son has joined YouTube

The 43-year-old beauty - who has North, 11, Saint, eight, Chicago, six, and five-year-old Psalm with ex-husband Kanye West - has "finally allowed" her eldest boy to launch an account on the platform, but compiled a strict list of rules for his posts first.

The 'Kardashians' star shared the handwritten contract on her Instagram Story and wrote: "Saint signed a solid contract for his YouTube Channel. He better not breach."

The document - which was signed by Saint - acknowledged the youngster agreed to follow moms rules.

It stated: I am not allowed to comment any personal family information. I am not allowed to film any personal information. I am not allowed to film while North is recording music.

Kim's caption then obscured the next few sentences, but it then continued: I must show my mom or guardian all videos before I post them. I give permission to any grown up if mom says to delete my video for any reason.

And if Saint breaches the terms, the youngster's stint on the video platform could be up.

The contract concluded: "If I don't listen to all of the rules, mom could make my page private or delete my account."

The Skims founder urged her followers to follow her son on YouTube.

She also shared a screenshot of his account, @TheGoatSaint, and wrote: "I have finally allowed aSaint to have a YouTube Channel after signing an extensive contract! Lol Please Subscribe!!! (sic)"

Kim and former husband Kanye previously disagreed over her granting North permission to use TikTok in 2022.

But the following year, the reality star insisted co-parenting was a matter of "trial and error".

She told Time magazine: She loves making slime videos and doing her little hair tutorials.

I will fight for her to be creative.
Michael Keaton has admitted that the times he used to party with Jack Nicholson were "wasted on him.

Michael Keaton admits wild Jack Nicholsons partying ways were 'wasted on him'

The 72-year-old star says despite the perks of partying with the three-time Oscar winner  whom he met working on 1989s Batman  including travelling on a private jet and going to exclusive bars, that scene wasnt for him, and he actually much prefers the intellectual chats the pair have together.

Speaking to the new issue of PEOPLE magazine about the 87-year-old Hollywood legend  whose wild days included visits to the late Hugh Hefners Playboy Mansion  he said: I just really liked him. He's really, really intelligent. Really. A real reader. Just has an innate intelligence, and then a self-taught intelligence. ... Because he devours books. Always something to talk about. Very opinionated about things when you're in a conversation.

He took me to Paris in a jet. I was like a Boy Scout. I was ready to go out like a normal person. Jack didnt get out of his room until like 10pm or 10:30pm.

Jack was having a ball. He had the biggest grin on his face. I headed back to the hotel before him and I remember thinking 'This is fun, but its kind of wasted on me. 

Keaton is also best known for his titular role in 1988s 'Beetlejuice' and admitted that he almost didn't take the role when offered it by director Tim Burton because he "didn't get the character and couldnt understand the quirky filmmaker.

He told the magazine: I just said, I don't know what it is, and he'd probably be better off getting someone else because I don't get it. Not like, I don't get it. I thought it was bad. I literally didn't know what it was."

However, they quickly hit it off and he has just reprised the role for the sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

He continued: My gut said, This guy is something. For sure, something. Plus, I just liked him. I liked him as a person. I got along with him, and he seemed like my kind of eccentric artist.
Naomi Campbell hit out at legendary editor Anna Wintour in a speech on Tuesday (02.09.24).

Naomi Campbell dismissed Anna Wintour as 'the other woman'

The 54-year-old supermodel was receiving the Fashion Icon Award at Fashion Row's Fashion Show and Style Awards in Harlem, New York, when she branded the Vogue boss the "other woman" in an apparent response to the 74-year-old journalist calling out her renowned lack of punctuality.

Taking to the stage, the New York Post newspaper reports Anna had said to laughs from the crowd: I am a very punctual person, and I have the honour of presenting tonight to someone who is often late."

Harper's Bazaar editor-in-chief Samira Nasr then offered a second introduction to Naomi, and as she accepted her award, the model said: Its so important that Im here today, and Im honoured to be here in Harlem.

"Everythings going to work out the way its going to work out."

Referring to Anna, she said: "It wasnt my choice to have the other woman."

She then gestured to Samira and said: Id much rather have this."

The crowd gasped but Naomi insisted she had to be honest because she has always been unapologetically truthful.

But later in her speech, Naomi praised Anna for offering her support when she was starting out in the fashion industry.

She said: We must still say thank you to Anna Wintour, as she did take the time to come here and give me the award even though I wasnt here.

So thank you, Anna Wintour, for your support in my career from 1987, meeting a young black girl from South London in British Vogue offices and taking a chance in giving me a shoot.

And so, I thank you for your influence and your continuing support in pushing fashion forward also.
August slipped away but not before giving us memorable K-dramas like Love Next Door, DNA Lover, Pachinko Season 2 and the worldwide release of Lovely Runner. Now, its time for a whole new slate of much-awaited Korean series. Topping the exciting list is The Judge of Hell starring Park Shin Hye. Meanwhile, Kim Dong Wook and Park Ji Hwans comedy series Seoul Busters and romantic drama What Comes After Love starring Kentaro Sakaguchi and Lee Se Young are all set to premiere.Here are all the upcoming K-dramas releasing in September 2024:In Seoul Busters, the leader of a top homicide squad passes up the opportunity to go overseas and instead joins the lowest-ranking squad in Songwon Police Station. He then works towards making it one of the best homicide squads in South Korea. The comedy K-drama features Kim Dong Woo, Park Ji Hwan, Seo Hyun Woo and more.Release date: September 11Park Shin Hye and Kim Jae Yeong lead the most awaited K-drama of the month, The Judge From Hell. The show is described as a courtroom drama with a devilish twist. It follows a judge who is deemed cold and vicious. Turns out, shes possessed by a demon whose purpose is to drag criminals to hell. Things get interesting when the demon falls for a kind detective.Release date: September 21Starring Lim Ji Yeon, Choo Young Woo and Kim Jae Won, The Tale of Lady Ok is a period drama set in the Joseon era. It follows a former slave who fakes her identity and poses as a legal expert. When she encounters a storyteller, she soon falls in love. The K-drama will explore her dual life.Release date: September 21To My Haeri starring Jee Eun Ho revolves around an announcer whose voice is popular but remains unknown to the public. She soon develops dissociative identity disorder after the disappearance of her younger sister and her breakup with her longtime boyfriend, Hyun Oh.Release date: September 23In What Comes After Love, Lee Se Youngs Hong meets the charming Jungo played by Kentaro Sakaguchi while studying in Japan. While they are attracted to each other, they are soon separated only to reunite after five years. The series will follow what happens when they meet again in Korea.Release date: September 27After a successful first season, Park Seo Joon and Han So Hees K-drama is back for Season 2. The show takes viewers from 1945 Geongseong to 2024 Seoul. Han So Hees Yoon Chae Ok runs into a man who looks exactly like Jang Tae Sang, however, he seems different. The mystery will unfold in the modern era as their fates collide.Release date: September 27Iron Family is about Lee Da Rim, a beautiful visually impaired woman whose family owns a laundromat and Seo Gang Ju, a man from one of Koreas richest families. The show will see the two meet and fall in love in the black comedy drama.Release date: September 28
Ali Fazal resumes work following a brief paternity leave, all set to dive back into his packed schedules for the upcoming films Lahore 1947 and Thug Life. Ali and his wife, actress Richa Chadha, recently welcomed their baby girl on July 16, 2024. Ali took a short break to support Richa and relish his new role as a father, during this special time.

Expressing his excitement about balancing his personal and professional commitments, Ali said, Becoming a father has been the most fulfilling experience of my life. I cherished every moment of my break, staying close to Richa and our daughter. Now, I am ready to juggle my responsibilities and return to the sets with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

The actor has a packed calendar ahead, including six major projects such as Rakt Bramhand, Metro In Dino and the Hollywood film Afghan Dreamers.




Feature film Tara & Akash: Love Beyond Realms is all set to premiere at Toronto International Film Festival. Co-produced by the National Film Development Corporation, the film intertwines the majestic landscapes of Switzerland with the profound philosophical heritage of India.

The film traces the journey of Tara & Akash which is presented with a captivating script that captures the beauty and spirit of Switzerland's cities, as well as the deep philosophical traditions of India. This compelling narrative first garnered international attention when it secured an official collaboration with Switzerland Tourism, recognising the film's potential to showcase Switzerland's breathtaking landscapes in a unique cultural context.

The film's potential was further validated when it was selected for Film Bazaar, organised by the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa 2023. This prestigious platform not only highlighted the film's artistic value but also led to it winning a co-production deal with NFDC, a major milestone that propelled the project forward. The film also stars legendary actors like Amol Palekar, Deepti Naval, and Brijendra Kala, whose performances added depth and gravitas to the film.



Now, as the film is ready to show to the world, Tara & Akash: Love Beyond Realms is set to make its global debut at TIFF 2024. The film's first screening will be a Market Screening, proudly supported by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and NFDC, underscoring the international significance of this Indo-Swiss collaboration.

Tara & Akash: Love Beyond Realms, a film that intertwines the majestic landscapes of Switzerland with the profound philosophical heritage of India, has been selected for a market screening at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2024, by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India and National Film Development Corporation of India. This selection represents a significant milestone in the film's journey, highlighting its extraordinary path and the culmination of a remarkable creative effort. The titular roles are essayed by Rajasthans Jitesh Thakur and Assams.The film features Former Mr India winner - Jitesh Thakur and former Miss Diva finalist - Alankrita Bora along with Deepti Naval, Amol Palekar and Brijendra Kala in pivotal roles. The film is directed by Srinivas Abrol and produced by Jitesh and Alankrita's production house Whispers from Eternity Films and National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) - under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.Talking about the project, Ritu Sharma - Deputy Director, Switzerland Tourism said, "We are thrilled to have played a part in bringing this film, Tara & Akash, to life amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Switzerland. The WFE team's commitment to excellence, combined with Switzerland's stunning natural beauty, provided the perfect backdrop for this production. The film showcases some of the most beautiful locales of Switzerland, such as Montreux Vevey, Ticino, Murren, and Zurich, as well as some of the most panoramic train routes. Infact Switzerland is almost like one of the leading characters of the film. We are proud to have supported this creative journey and look forward to seeing the film captivate audiences."
Pelangio Exploration Inc. (TSXV:PX)(OTC PINK:PGXPF) ("Pelangio" or the "Company") announces that the Company has hired Grove Corporate Services Ltd. to provide corporate finance, accounting, and administrative support, and is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Donna McLean as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") effective immediately.

Ms. McLean has over 30 years' experience working with numerous publicly traded and private companies, specializing in the areas of financial reporting, controls and administration, and has served as CFO for several junior mineral exploration companies.

Ms. McLean will take over the role of CFO from Sabino Di Paola, who served as Pelangio's CFO from May 2023 to September 2024.

President and CEO Ingrid Hibbard stated:

"Pelangio's Board of Directors and management are grateful for the excellent guidance provided by Mr. Di Paola to the Company during his time as CFO. We wish him the best as he focuses on other opportunities. We are equally excited to have our team bolstered by Ms. McLean's experience in the mining sector and Grove Corporate Services, particularly as we continue to focus on our Manfo Project and collaborate with MFD Investment Holdings SA, which has the right to earn a 10% interest in the Manfo Project by either, investing up to US$1 million in development expenses and completing a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on the project by December 31, 2025, or by achieving a first gold pour by December 2027."

About Pelangio

Pelangio acquires and explores prospective land packages located in world-class gold belts in Ghana, West Africa and Canada. In Ghana, the Company is focused on its two 100% owned camp-sized properties: the 100 km2 Manfo property, the site of eight near-surface gold discoveries, and the 284 km2Obuasi property, located 4 km on strike and adjacent to AngloGold Ashanti's prolific high-grade Obuasi Mine, as well as the Dankran property located adjacent to its Obuasi property. See www.pelangio.com for further details on all Pelangio's properties.

For additional information, please visit our website at www.pelangio.com, or contact:

Ingrid Hibbard, President and CEO

Tel: 905-336-3828 / Toll-free: 1-877-746-1632 / Email: info@pelangio.com

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements herein may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements or information appear in a number of places and can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information include statements regarding the Company's strategy of acquiring large land packages in areas of sizeable gold mineralization, and the Company's ability to complete the planned exploration programs. Regarding forward-looking statements and information contained herein, we have made many assumptions, including about the state of the equity markets. Such forward-looking statements and information are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Such risks include the changes in equity markets, share price volatility, volatility of global and local economic climate, gold price volatility, political developments in Ghana, and Canada, increases in costs, exchange rate fluctuations, speculative nature of gold exploration, including the risk that favourable exploration results may not be obtained, near-term production may not be viable, delays due to COVID-19 or other safety protocols, and other risks involved in the gold exploration industry. See the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statement and information. There can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information referenced herein will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Also, many of the factors are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward- looking statements or information. We undertake no obligation to reissue or update any forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. All forward-looking statements and information herein are qualified by this cautionary statement.



Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Pelangio Exploration Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 3, 2024) - Los Andes Copper Ltd. (TSXV: LA) (OTCQX: LSANF) ("Los Andes" or the "Company") announces that in accordance with the terms of the US$5,000,000, US$4,000,000 and US$5,000,000 eight per cent convertible debentures issued to Queen's Road Capital Investment Ltd. ("Queen's Road Capital") on June 2, 2021, April 4, 2022 and September 2, 2022 (the "Convertible Debentures") the Company has elected to issue 16,879 common shares in the capital of the Company ("Common Shares") at a deemed price of US$6.22 (C$8.48) to Queen's Road Capital as payment for US$104,988 (C$143,066) in interest owing on the Convertible Debentures.

Under the terms of the Convertible Debentures, interest is payable quarterly, five per cent in cash and three per cent in shares, at the greater of: (i) the 20-day volume weighted average price prior to the interest payment date; or (ii) the Discounted Market Price (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V")).

The issuance of the Common Shares as payment for interest owing on the Convertible Debentures is subject to the terms and conditions of the Convertible Debentures as well as the receipt of all requisite approvals, including, without limitation, the approval of the TSX-V.

About Queen's Road Capital Investment Ltd.

Queen's Road Capital Investment Ltd. is a leading financier to the global resource sector. The company is a resource focused investment company, making investments in privately held and publicly traded resource companies.

It is intended that the company will acquire and hold securities for both long-term capital appreciation and short-term gains, with a focus on convertible debt securities and resource projects in advanced development or production located in safe jurisdictions.

Queen's Road Capital Investment Ltd. is listed on the TSX under the ticker: QRC.

About Los Andes Copper Ltd.

Los Andes Copper Ltd. is an exploration and development company with an 100% interest in the Vizcachitas Project in Chile. The Company is focused on progressing the Project, which is located along Chile's most prolific copper belt, into production. Vizcachitas is one of the largest copper deposits in the Americas not controlled by the majors and the Company believes it will be Chile's next major copper mine.

The Project is a copper-molybdenum porphyry deposit, located 150 kilometers north of Santiago, in an area of very good infrastructure. An independent technical report for the PFS, prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, is available on the Company's SEDAR profile.

Los Andes Copper Ltd. is listed on the TSX-V under the ticker: LA.

Qualified Persons

Antony Amberg CGeol FGS, the Company's Chief Geologist, is the qualified person who has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

Certain of the information and statements contained herein that are not historical facts, constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the Securities Act (British Columbia), Securities Act (Ontario) and the Securities Act (Alberta) ("Forward-Looking Information"). Forward-Looking Information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend"; statements that an event or result is "due" on or "may", "will", "should", "could", or might" occur or be achieved; and, other similar expressions. More specifically, Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such Forward-Looking Information. Such Forward Looking Information includes, without limitation, the timing of and ability to obtain TSX-V and other regulatory approvals and the prospects, details related to and timing of the Vizcachitas Project. Such Forward-Looking Information is based upon the Company's assumptions regarding global and Chilean economic, political and market conditions and the price of metals and energy and the Company's production. Among the factors that have a direct bearing on the Company's future results of operations and financial conditions are changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, a change in government policies, competition, currency fluctuations and restrictions and technological changes, among other things. Should one or more of any of the aforementioned risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from any conclusions, forecasts or projections described in the Forward-Looking Information. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise Forward-Looking Information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222077

SOURCE: Los Andes Copper Ltd.
China, Mauritius sign currency swap agreement

Xinhua) 19:41, September 04, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The People's Bank of China (PBOC), the country's central bank, has signed a bilateral currency swap agreement with the Bank of Mauritius, the PBOC said on Wednesday.

The total value of the agreement is 2 billion yuan (about 281.1 million U.S. dollars), or 13 billion Mauritian rupees, the PBOC said in a statement on its website.

The agreement is valid for three years and can be renewed upon mutual consent, according to the statement.

The currency swap arrangement will strengthen financial cooperation between China and Mauritius, expand the use of the two currencies, and promote and facilitate bilateral trade and investment, the statement said.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
Groundbreaking Solution Offers Global Enterprises Alternate Geographical Boundaries to Improve Insights Surrounding Local Audiences, Markets, and Trends

ATLANTA, Sept. 03, 2024, the global leader in IP geolocation technology, today unveiled the Alternate Area Database, an industry-first enhancement to its NetAcuity IP Geolocation solution. This new database offers businesses enhanced geographical segmentation capabilities, allowing NetAcuity customers to utilize alternative boundaries to postal codes for their global IP geolocation needs



Digital Element initially developed the Alternate Area DB with data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which divides the country into Statistical Areas for census, planning, and other data collection purposes. Using the government's Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1) boundaries as the basis for the DB, Digital Element now provides customers with the ability to segment the IP addresses of Australia's 26 million population across 61,000 SA1 zones, compared to the roughly 3,300 postcodes in the country's postal system.

"Traditional postcode-level data has been the industry standard for decades but companies often need an alternate look into the geographies where they do business," said Vinod Kashyap, Chief Product Officer of Digital Element. "This new database enhances current practices by leveraging statistical areas to provide enhanced local insights while maintaining an individual's digital privacy. The global rollout of Alternate Area DB is a big step forward in providing businesses with greater options to support their goals and campaigns."

The introduction of the Alternate Area DB represents a significant step forward in IP geolocation, enabling businesses to gain valuable local insights and make informed decisions, even without a physical presence in those regions. This new capability allows companies to better understand and respond to regional trends globally. In the coming months, Digital Element will continue to expand the Alternate Area DB to include Germany's PLZ8 and France's IRIS statistical areas.

While initially developed to enhance advertising capabilities, the potential applications of Alternate Area DB extend beyond ad tech. Cybersecurity firms can utilize this geographic data to improve their understanding of regional dynamics, and retailers can refine their market strategies with a clearer view of localized demographic information.

Alternate Area DB is now available as a feature upgrade to Digital Element's NetAcuity platform. For more information, visit www.digitalelement.com .

About Digital Element

Digital Element is the global IP geolocation and intelligence leader. In business for more than two decades, the company has unrivaled expertise in leveraging IP address insights to deliver new value to companies in a privacy-sensitive, transparent manner. Digital Element provides clients with innovative solutions to optimize engagement across industries and applications, creating unique value at every consumer touchpoint. Many of the world's largest websites, brands, security companies, ad networks, social media platforms, and mobile publishers trust Digital Element's technology for advertising optimization, localization of content, enhanced analytics, digital rights management and the prevention of online fraud.

Visit www.digitalelement.com for more information on how to bring the power of location to the online world. Follow us on LinkedIn and X @DigitalElement then like us on Facebook
SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In September 2021, the Plan for Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Opening-up of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone (Qianhai Plan) was released to outline the future development of Qianhai. Over the past three years, Qianhai, a hub for high-level opening-up, has been forging ahead with reform and innovation and delivering tangible results, noted by the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone recently.

Through reform and opening-up, Qianhai aims to become a new engine for the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Shenzhen Pilot Demonstration Zone. Institutional innovation is one of Qianhai's distinctive features. To date, Qianhai has gradually established the "Qianhai Model" for institutional innovation in key areas such as investment facilitation, trade facilitation, financial openness and innovation, and legal innovation.

A string of innovative measures have been launched, such as the administrative confirmation system for business registration, one integrated license, a suspension registration system for businesses, and the Qianhai e-Services Hong Kong-Macao Station. Latest statistics show that Qianhai has launched 241 new institutional innovation achievements since 2021, bringing the total to 835, with 36 of these being promoted nationwide, making a cumulative total of 94. According to the institutional innovation index of China's free trade pilot zones released by Sun Yat-sen University, Qianhai has ranked first for three consecutive years.

Innovations in the financial field are viewed as one of the institutional innovations with the most typical Qianhai characteristics. In recent years, a series of financial innovation policies have been implemented here, covering aspects such as finance for people's livelihood, the interconnectivity of the financial market, the development of modern finance industries, the facilitation of cross-border trade and investment, and enhanced cooperation in financial regulation.

"The deep atmosphere of financial businesses in Qianhai enables us to seek cooperation opportunities and achieve win-win success," said Pan Rui, President of WeLab Group in China. "With the successful implementation of numerous financial innovation cases, Qianhai has become a preferred destination for Hong Kong residents and enterprises going north. A growing number of Hong Kong residents and enterprises have gathered in Shenzhen for development. More financial talents from Hong Kong have chosen to stay in Qianhai, contributing to its future development," she added.

"The new Hong Kong Enterprise Loan policy provides a new cross-border financing channel for small and micro enterprises (SMEs) like us to seek development in Qianhai. In the past, the operational and credit records of the headquarters in Hong Kong could not be used to support our Qianhai branch in applying for bank loans. With the implementation of the Hong Kong Enterprise Loan policy and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong cross-border credit investigation cooperation, it has opened up new channels for bank loans," said You Zunni, the head of Gangshun (Shenzhen) International Trade Co., Ltd.

LAiPIC is also one of the beneficiaries of the institutional innovations in Qianhai. In response to the Homecoming Action Plan launched by Qianhai, the company moved its office back to Qianhai in 2019. However, LAiPIC encountered some difficulties on the way back home. At that time, digital and creative companies like LAiPIC could not be listed under the cultural industry or the technological industry. As a result, the company was not entitled to any form of policy support. To address this problem, relevant authorities in Qianhai conducted on-site research at the company and innovatively formulated a wide range of policies for digital and creative industries.

"As the industry evolves rapidly, LAiPIC may not be where it is today without the valuable support or the timely release of support policies," said Quan Xinghui, co-founder of LAiPIC. When the company encountered a bottleneck during its rapid development, the rapid and efficient implementation of these policies enabled it to set a benchmark, significantly advancing the industry's growth.

Qianhai's institutional innovation achievements in key areas such as law, finance, and government affairs have demonstrated its advantages in institutional innovation. This innovation not only helps Qianhai accelerate its comprehensive deepening of reforms but also provides new momentum for Qianhai to advance the comprehensive deepening of reforms in the Greater Bay Area and even China. "Qianhai has unparalleled policy advantages, and we also hope enterprises in Qianhai will continue to benefit from it and embrace greater opportunities," said Pan Rui during the interview.

Source: The Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 3, 2024) - Scotch Creek Ventures Inc. (CSE: SCV) (FSE: 7S2) (OTC Pink: SCVFF) ("Scotch Creek" or the "Company") announces the strategic decision to reduce the size of their claims across three of its projects. The decision follows an extensive review of the exploration data and will enable the Company to concentrate their efforts on areas with the highest potential for success.

Scotch Creek's Technical Director, Mr. Robert D. Marvin commented, "The Scotch Creek team has made the decision to reduce our land position in the Clayton Valley and nearby Miranda property. The retained claims at each of the projects contain what we believe to be the best exploration targets. The exploration results from 2023 and 2024 were compiled to determine which claims could be trimmed from the properties."

This targeted approach ensures that all retained claims are believed to contain the Companies top exploration targets. The Macallan East lithium project located in the Clayton Valley will consist of 87 claims totaling 1,740 acres, while the neighboring Highlands West lithium project will be reduced to 149 claims and 2,980 acres. The Companies Miranda lithium property located in the Jackson Valley will be 170 claims and 3,400 acres and the Cupz property totaling 39 claims and 780 acres.

Cancellation of Issued Options

In conjunction with the reduction of claims, Scotch Creek has also made the decision to cancel all issued options. This measure reflects the Company's commitment to maintaining financial discipline and ensuring that its capital structure supports its strategic goals.

Scotch Creek would like to invite investors and stakeholders to connect with our investor relations team or visit our website to sign-up to receive regular updates and news alerts.

About Scotch Creek Ventures

Scotch Creek is a mineral exploration company, focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of lithium projects located in tier-one mining jurisdictions such as Nevada, USA. Scotch Creek's vision is to secure North America's green revolution future with strategically sourced lithium projects.

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release.

Forward-looking and cautionary statements

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This release may contain statements within the meaning of safe harbour provisions as defined under securities laws and regulations.

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company and certain of the plans and objectives of the Company with respect to the same. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222089

SOURCE: Scotch Creek Ventures Inc.


Green & Smart Building Business Concept

TOKYO, Sept 4, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501) and Hitachi Building Systems, Co., Ltd. today announced that they have newly developed a new model of BuilMirai building IoT solution for small and medium-sized(1) buildings (hereafter, the solutions). The solutions are included in the Lumada(2), improve building management efficiency, maintain and improve operational quality, and enhance user comfort. By launching the solutions, Hitachi and Hitachi Building Systems strengthen their green & smart building business.The solutions are a package of solutions required by small and medium-sized buildings based on the technology, experience, and know-how that Hitachi has accumulated through the development and provision of BuilMirai for large buildings. Hitachi Building Systems will provide the solutions as a service. As a first step, from November 2024, Hitachi Building Systems will begin offering three solutions, all available via smartphones, to pass through security points at apartments, monitor building facilities for malfunctions, and monitor security camera imagery. The company will offer the solutions via monthly subscriptions that customers can select as needed, reducing their investment burden and supporting the GX and DX of small and medium-sized buildings.In the future, Hitachi and Hitachi Building Systems will continue to expand and enhance their menu of solutions and promote the development of a global standard model of BuilMirai in collaboration with GlobalLogic Inc., a Hitachi group company and will accelerate the global expansion of the green & smart building business.In recent years, a variety of social issues and needs have emerged against a backdrop of the rising prices of raw materials and energy, soaring labor costs, labor shortages, and climate change associated with global warming. In the building-related field as well, there has been a significant increase in interest in creating new value for buildings in response to changes in office demand, improving the efficiency of building management, and responding to environmental issues such as the more efficient use of energy.In large-scale redevelopment projects, there is a growing trend of building dedicated smart building systems to address these challenges. However, for small and medium-sized buildings, which are the majority of buildings in Japan, it is difficult to implement GX and DX initiatives due to budget constraints, including installation cost, and there is a dearth of systematic solutions suitable for small and medium-sized buildings.Hitachi has been selling the BuilMirai building IoT solution that serves as a platform for green & smart buildings, to large buildings to date. BuilMirai has been chosen to be the building OS(3) for flagship projects such as BLUE FRONT SHIBAURA (Shibaura Project), and Hitachi and Hitachi Building Systems has developed the solutions to meet the GX and DX needs of small and medium-sized buildings.Overview and Features of the SolutionsThe first in a series of BuilMirai models for small and medium-sized buildings is a set of as-a-service solutions: a security solution that enables security points in apartments to be controlled remotely, a building facility management solution that enables building facilities such as water tanks, pumps, and power receiving and transforming equipment to be monitored remotely, and a monitoring solution that enables security camera imagery from multiple locations to be remotely monitored.1. Very convenient use via smartphonesAll of the solutions can be easily used via a smartphone by apartment residents and building managers at any time and any place.2. Subscriptions allow users to select the solutions they need, reducing the investment burdenCustomers can select the solutions they need and subscribe to the service on a monthly basis, reducing the investment burden.3. Improved security and comfort of apartmentsThe security solution enables users to unlock security points such as entrances and elevators using a smartphone and call the elevator car to the entrance floor. In addition, guests and couriers can be pre-registered to ensure smooth entry by verifying their GPS location and conducting a one-time authentication.The monitoring solution also allows users to remotely unlock entrance security points while viewing security camera images in real time using a smartphone and to record visitors.Hitachi's Green & Smart Building Business InitiativesHitachi and Hitachi Building Systems are global providers of maintenance services utilizing digital technologies such as IoT and AI for more than one million elevators, escalators and other building equipment, taking advantage of more than 2,000 business bases. Leveraging this strength, they help buildings become smarter and more environmentally responsive. The BuilMirai building IoT solution is provided as a platform for green & smart buildings, connecting various building facilities and systems to enable centralized management, analysis, and control of data. This will help improve the efficiency of building management, maintain and improve the quality of operations, and enhance the comfort of users.Hitachi and Hitachi Building Systems are also strengthening their building equipment and systems business, which is a part of their green & smart buildings business. In April 2024, they consolidated the access control system business of the Hitachi Group into the Building Systems Business Unit of Hitachi, which includes Hitachi Building Systems, to strengthen its structure.In the air conditioning equipment business, Hitachi Building Systems and Hitachi Global Life Solutions, Inc. (hereafter Hitachi GLS), which provides air conditioning equipment and the air conditioning IoT solution "exiida," have been strengthening their collaboration since 2022. On July 23, 2024 through the capital restructuring of the air conditioning joint venture announced by Hitachi and Hitachi GLS(4), the Hitachi Group as a whole will accelerate its deployment of solutions in growth areas such as data centers, where demand is expanding in line with the rapid spread of generative AI, and green buildings, where demand is growing due to shortages of power supplies .(1) Lumada: Hitachi's advanced digital solutions and services for turning data into insights that drive the digital transformation of social infrastructure.(2) Buildings with a total floor area of 3,000 m2 or less.Background Behind the Development of the Solutions(3) Building OS: A data integration platform that standardizes data by treating assets in a building as abstract digital assets, and accelerates application development by linking building facilities to a variety of services.(4) News release dated July 23, 2024 titled Hitachi to Announce Capital Reorganization of Air Conditioning Joint VentureIntroduction at Hitachi Social Innovation Forum 2024 JAPANThis solution will be showcased at "Hitachi Social Innovation Forum 2024 JAPAN" held from September 4th (Wed) to 5th (Thu) in Tokyo.Learn more about the solution at the exhibition "EX03-01: Hitachi's Smart Building Solutions to Enrich the Everyday Lives of People Living in Buildings." Security solutions (Smart Security) and monitoring solutions (Smart Monitoring) will be presented.For more information on "Hitachi Social Innovation Forum 2024 JAPAN", please visit the official website at: www.service.event.hitachi/en/regist/About Hitachi, Ltd.Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the 3 business sectors of "Digital Systems & Services" - supporting our customers' digital transformation; "Green Energy & Mobility" - contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and "Connective Industries" - connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company's revenues as 3 sectors for fiscal year 2023 (ended March 31, 2024) totaled 8,564.3 billion yen, with 573 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 270,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at www.hitachi.com.Source: Hitachi, Ltd.Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany, Sept. 04, 2024, leading provider of innovative automation solutions for medication management, is proud to announce the successful implementation of its Closed Loop Medication Management. This milestone marks the first of its kind in Germany, setting a new standard for medication therapy safety in hospitals nationwide.



In partnership with the KERN Katholische Einrichtungen Ruhrgebiet Nord GmbH, Marienhospital Gelsenkirchenhas begun rolling out Deenova's decentralized Unit-Dose System as part of the broader CLMM initiative. This cutting-edge system, which will be fully operational across all KERN-affiliated hospitals by the end of 2024, is designed to create a secure and closed medication management loop, significantly enhancing patient safety and reducing the workload for hospital staff.

Additionally, the new pharmacy workflow at Marienhospital Gelsenkirchenmade possible by the Deenovasystem has received Amtsapothekerapproval. The Amtsapotheker approval is an important certification in Germany, which is issued by recognized pharmaceutical authorities. It confirms that pharmacy workflows meet strict regulatory standards for drug safety and efficiency and that all processes are compliant with national health regulations.

Anette Woermann, Chief Pharmacist at MHG, highlighted the importance of this development: "We have begun implementing a decentralized unit-dose system from the company Deenovain the pharmacy of Marienhospital Gelsenkirchen GmbH,making us the first hospital in all of Germany to do so - we are the pilot hospital in Germany. This new system, which is part of Closed Loop Medication Managementand will be fully operational by the end of 2024. We are thus creating a closed, secure medication cycle in the hospitals we serve, which promises increased patient safety and significant relief for staff in their daily hospital routines".

The innovative CLMM system integrates advanced robotics and software to automate the production of single-dose medications, known as Unit Doses, in the hospital pharmacy. On the wards, automated systems handle the precise distribution of these doses, accommodating even last-minute medication changes ordered by physicians. By scanning patient wristbands and the QR codes on Unit Dose medications, the system ensures a seamless and error-free administration process, greatly improving medication transparency and safety.

Christophe Jaffuel, Chief Commercial Officer of Deenova, also commented on the significance of this achievement: "This milestone is a strong testament to Deenova's commitment to transforming healthcare through innovative solutions. The successful implementation of our CLMM system at Marienhospital Gelsenkirchenmarks a new chapter in medication management in Germany. It highlights our dedication to improving patient safety and operational efficiency in hospitals. We are eager to see the positive impact of Deenova's technology, whether in centralized or decentralized pharmacy workflows, across the country."

About KERN:

In the heart of the Ruhr Metropolis and extending far into the northern Ruhr area, KERN Katholische Einrichtungen Ruhrgebiet Nord GmbH(KERN GmbH) has both its roots and its future. Many of its locations are closely linked to the development of industry and mining in the region and are a testament to the social work and charitable responsibility undertaken by Catholic parishes, both in the past and today.

KERN GmbH is a strong network for medicine, care, and education, and a committed employer of approximately 7,500 professionals at around forty locations in Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Bochum-Wattenscheid, Gladbeck, Bottrop-Kirchhellen, Herten-Westerholt, Dorsten, Marl, and Haltern am See.

About Deenova:

Deenovais leading provider of innovative and automated solutions for medication management and medical devices traceability in hospitals and healthcare institutions. With a strong focus on patient safety, efficiency, and operational excellence, Deenova's systems streamline the entire medication process, from prescription to administration. The company's flagship solution, the Closed Loop Medication Management's commitment to advancing healthcare through technology has made it a trusted partner for more than 100 hospitals across Europe.

For more information on Deenova and the CLMM system, please visit Deenova's website.

Contacts:

Christophe Jaffuel, c.jaffuel@deenova.com,

Martina Buccianti, m.buccianti@deenova.com, +39 0523785311

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a5426687-78eb-4b66-a4ea-64a07eb50988
Key Objectives:

Work to establish a binding offtake agreement for the supply of mixed rare earth carbonates from Australia to the USA through enhanced collaboration

Establish an investment pathway for Ucore into ABx

Bolster relationships between the United States and Australia as both countries strive to enhance critical minerals and clean energy projects

South Melbourne, Victoria and Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - ABx Group (ASX: ABX) ("ABx") and Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) ("Ucore") are pleased to announce the September 3, 2024, execution of a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") that describes the collaborative pathway ABx and Ucore will embark on to advance to:

a binding offtake agreement for the supply of a mixed rare earth carbonate (" MREC ") by ABx to Ucore, and;

an opportunity for Ucore to invest in the ABx rare earths project in Tasmania.

ABx is an Australian public company headquartered in South Melbourne, Victoria, that has established an ionic adsorption clay rare earth element ("REE") resource in northern Tasmania. The grades of the two key heavy rare earths, dysprosium and terbium, are the highest of any clay-hosted rare earths resource in Australia and comparable to the highest in the world. Metallurgical testing by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation ("ANSTO") has confirmed that samples from the resource have the highest ionic proportion of any clay-hosted rare earths resource in Australia.

Ucore is a Canadian public company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with a patent-pending rare earth separation technology, RapidSX. Ucore is currently undertaking heavy and light rare earth element separation at demonstration scale at its RapidSX Commercialization and Demonstration Facility ("CDF") in Kingston, Ontario. Participants include the US Department of Defense and the Canadian Government as Ucore implements its technology transfer plan from demonstration scale to commercial scale at its developing Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex ("SMC") in Alexandria, Louisiana, USA.

Key Features of the MOU:

ABx and Ucore will work toward an arrangement for the preferred annual volume of intermediate rare earth product, which is envisaged to be a MREC, to be supplied by ABx to Ucore. The intent is for Ucore to obtain 'first right of refusal' for 50% of ABx annual volume for a minimum period of five years, subject to the agreement of commercial terms.

The parties will explore potential investment by Ucore into the ABx rare earth project as well as project finance opportunities for the ABx and Ucore projects, which may involve joint approaches to companies active in the rare earth value chain, governments, institutional funds, and private investors.

ABx and Ucore will collaborate to develop and optimise: a comprehensive product flowsheet considering where best to implement collective project efficiencies; and a total project development strategy, including laboratory, pilot, and demonstration plant testing.

ABx and Ucore will share information on global rare earth markets, particularly for the permanent magnet rare earths, with the objective of identifying opportunities for and mitigating risks to the ABx and Ucore projects.

Pat Ryan, P.Eng., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ucore, stated:

"Ucore is excited to engage with ABx as we continue our efforts to establish a Western supply chain comprising diverse global projects. The prospect of securing a stable supply of MREC with high heavy rare earth content from Australia is very appealing to Ucore. This partnership builds on our commitment to establish relationships within the Australian private sector and between US and Australian government agencies as we work to establish rare earth manufacturing in the United States and across the West."

Mark Cooksey, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ABx, stated:

"ABx is delighted to be partnering with Ucore, who are rapidly progressing towards commercial rare earth separation and form a critical element in the establishment of a North American rare earths supply chain. Ucore's progress and strategic importance is evidenced by their demonstration plant in Canada and significant financial support from both the Canadian and US governments.

"This agreement is further validation of the prospects for the ABx rare earth project in northern Tasmania. We are passionate about bringing our project into production as soon as possible to supply the rare earth elements required for the energy transition."

# # #

About Ucore Rare Metals Inc.

Ucore is focused on rare- and critical-metal resources, extraction, beneficiation, and separation technologies with the potential for production, growth, and scalability. Ucore's vision and plan is to become a leading advanced technology company, providing best-in-class metal separation products and services to the mining and mineral extraction industry.

Through strategic partnerships, this plan includes disrupting the People's Republic of China's control of the North American REE supply chain through the near-term establishment of a heavy and light rare-earth processing facility in the U.S. State of Louisiana, subsequent Strategic Metal Complexes in Canada and Alaska and the longer-term development of Ucore's 100% controlled Bokan-Dotson Ridge Rare Heavy REE Project on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska, USA.

Ucore is listed on the TSXV under the trading symbol "UCU" and in the United States on the OTC Markets' OTCQX Best Market under the ticker symbol "UURAF."

Forward-Looking Statements and Cautionary Notes

This announcement includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" by either ABx or Ucore (the "Companies"). All statements in this announcement (other than statements of historical facts) that address future business development and/or acquisition activities (including any related commercial production activities), timelines, events or developments that the Companies expect, are forward looking statements. Although the Companies believe the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.

For additional risks and uncertainties regarding Ucore, its CDF, its planned commercial activities, and its ongoing Programs (generally), see the risk disclosure in Ucore's MD&A for Q1-2024 (filed on SEDAR on August 27, 2024) (www.sedarplus.ca).

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined by the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222083

SOURCE: Ucore Rare Metals Inc.
Siegfried AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

EGS Beteiligungen AG exercises right to convert bond and increases its shareholding in Siegfried to 7.2% registered shares



04-Sep-2024 / 06:30 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





EGS Beteiligungen AG exercised its right to convert also the second of the two convertible bonds issued in December 2020 with a coupon of 1.15% and a nominal value of CHF 40m into shares of Siegfried Holding AG. EGS Beteiligungen AG will receive 48'054 shares and as a result will increase its stake in Siegfried from 6.2% to about 7.2% registered shares. The shares will be delivered from Siegfried's treasury shares without issuance of new shares.



As announced in December 2020, EGS Beteiligungen AG participated in the financing of Siegfried's acquisition of two pharmaceutical production sites in Spain through two hybrid convertible bonds issued by Siegfried. These bonds granted EGS Beteiligungen AG the right to convert the bonds into shares of Siegfried Holding AG when certain conditions are met.



Siegfried's CEO Marcel Imwinkelried: "The increase in the shareholding of EGS Beteiligungen AG through this conversion reflects the confidence of our largest shareholder in our business model and strategy."

Contact Media Contact Financial Analysts Peter Stierli Dr. Reto Suter Head Corporate Communications Chief Financial Officer Peter.stierli@sigfried.ch Reto.suter@siegfried.ch +41 62 746 15 51 +41 62 746 11 35 Siegfried Holding AG, Untere Bruehlstrasse 4 CH-4800 Zofingen

About Siegfried

The Siegfried Group is a global life sciences company with sites in Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, Malta, the USA and China. In 2023, the company achieved sales of CHF 1.272 billion and employed on 31.12.2023 more than 3'700 people at twelve sites on three continents. Siegfried Holding AG is publicly listed on SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: SFZN).

Siegfried is active in manufacturing pharmaceutical APIs (and their intermediates) as well as drug products (tablets, capsules, sterile vials, ampoules, cartridges and ointments) for the pharmaceutical industry and provides development services.







Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements



This media release includes statements concerning the future. They are based on assumptions and expectations that may prove to be wrong. They should be considered with due caution as, by definition, they contain known and unknown risks, insecurities and other factors which could result in a difference in the actual results, financial situation, developments or the success of Siegfried Holding AG or Siegfried Group from the explicit or implicit assumptions made in these statements.

expect more


Regulatory News:

MaaT Pharma(EURONEXT: MAAT the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company and a leader in the development of Microbiome Ecosystem Therapies (MET) dedicated to enhancing survival ofpatients with cancer, announced that it will present two posters at the Society of Hematologic Oncology Annual Meeting taking place September 4-7, 2024, in Houston, Texas, USA. In addition, MaaT Pharma announced that Company management will participate in three investor conferences in September. Details are as follows:

Society of Hematologic Oncology Annual Meeting Presentation

Presentation Title Poster MaaT013: Pooled Fecal Allogenic Microbiotherapy for Refractory Gastrointestinal Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease: Results from Early Access Program in Europe Poster Number: CT-198

Presentation Title Poster MaaT033: A Multicentre, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Phase 2b Study Evaluating The Efficacy And Safety Of Maat033, an Oral, Pooled Microbiome Ecosystem Therapy In Patients Undergoing Allogenic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation to Improve Overall Survival: the PHOEBUS Study Poster Number: CT-200

Session Date Time: Wednesday, September 4, 2024, 6:15-7:30 PM CDT (7:15-8:30 PM EST)

Location: George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, Texas, United States

Data included in both posters have been already presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) in April 2024. The posters will be available on the Posters section of the MaaT Pharma website following the Congress.

Investor conferences

H.C. Wainwright 26th Annual Global Investment Conference Presentation

Date: September 9-11, 2024

Location: New York, NY United States

The presentation will be available on-demand through the H.C. Wainwright conference portal, starting Monday, September 9, 2024.

Lyon Pole Bourse Forum Participation

Date: September 24, 2024

Location: Lyon, France

KBC Securities' Life Sciences Conference Participation

Date: September 26, 2024

Location: Brussels, Belgium

About MaaT Pharma

MaaT Pharma, a clinical stage biotechnology company, has established a complete approach to restoring patient-microbiome symbiosis in oncology. Committed to treating cancer and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), a serious complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, MaaT Pharma launched, in March 2022, an open-label, single arm, phase 3 clinical trial in patients with acute GvHD (aGvHD), following the achievement of its proof of concept in a phase 2 trial. Its powerful discovery and analysis platform, gutPrint, enables the identification of novel disease targets, evaluation of drug candidates, and identification of biomarkers for microbiome-related conditions. The company's Microbiome Ecosystem Therapies are produced through a standardized cGMP manufacturing and quality control process to safely deliver the full diversity of the microbiome, in liquid and oral formulations. MaaT Pharma benefits from the commitment of world-leading scientists and established relationships with regulators to support the integration of the use of microbiome therapies in clinical practice. MaaT Pharma is listed on Euronext Paris (ticker: MAAT).

Forward-looking Statements

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release about future events are subject to (i) change without notice and (ii) factors beyond the Company's control. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by or including words such as "target," "believe," "expect," "aim," "intend," "may," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "project," "will," "can have," "likely," "should," "would," "could" and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control that could cause the Company's actual results or performance to be materially different from the expected results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240903745167/en/

Contacts:

MaaT Pharma Investor Relations

Guilhaume DEBROAS, Ph.D.

Head of Investor Relations

+33 6 16 48 92 50

invest@maat-pharma.com

MaaT Pharma Media Relations

Pauline RICHAUD

Senior PR Corporate Communications Manager

+33 6 14 06 45 92

media@maat-pharma.com

Trophic Communications

Jacob VERGHESE or

Desmond JAMES

+49 151 7441 6179

maat@trophic.eu
BELLEVUE, Wash. and RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nintex, a leader in process intelligence and automation, today announced the opening of its new office located in Riyadh, as part of the company's ongoing investment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the Middle East.

"Saudi Arabia is and will continue to be a critical market for technology as the Kingdom pursues ambitious goals around modernization and infrastructure to realize the opportunities within its Vision 2030 framework. By bringing together the best in automation and AI, Nintex is well-equipped to support key components of the Vision 2030 framework, including the modernization of the public sector, growing investments in technology, and more," said Amit Mathradas, CEO of Nintex. "With our long-standing relationships with Saudi customers and partners and newly expanded footprint in Saudi Arabia, Nintex is demonstrating its commitment to the Kingdom by supporting digital transformation efforts and investing in local talent."

Saudi Arabia office, leadership and hiring

The office location in Al Olaya, the central business district of Riyadh, is part of Nintex's strategic investment in KSA. Additionally, Nintex plans to hire and build out its team with local, valuable talent within the Kingdom. Hiring will span numerous departments and teams, including channel and alliances, customer success, finance, human resources, IT, marketing, sales, technical support, and more.

Nintex is hiring a Vice President and General Manager, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This role will be responsible for spearheading the business operations within the GCC. In the interim, Ayman El-Hattab, Regional Vice President of Emerging Markets at Nintex, will continue to lead Saudi Arabia operations and the company's existing operations in the Middle East as part of his region.

Today, Nintex's process automation and intelligence platform supports Saudi initiatives such as the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) and the National Transformation Program (NTP), and various digital transformation programs in the country.

Nintex K2 product updates

As part of ongoing investments in KSA, Nintex will further invest into its Nintex Automation K2 product offerings. The K2 platform has supported advanced requirements, providing a powerful and sophisticated workflow engine that can scale with complexity and specific governance requirements for important, sensitive, and mission-critical work across organizations of any size. Specific investment areas include:

Translations and localization: Nintex Automation K2 now natively supports Arabic language. In addition to Arabic, K2 also supports French, German, and Spanish for all design experiences. SmartForms also now supports multiple languages in a single view or form, allowing for easier multilingual experiences.

Nintex Automation K2 now natively supports Arabic language. In addition to Arabic, K2 also supports French, German, and Spanish for all design experiences. SmartForms also now supports multiple languages in a single view or form, allowing for easier multilingual experiences. Modern experiences: Investments in SmartForms include highly requested controls and updating default themes for a more modern user experience.

Investments in SmartForms include highly requested controls and updating default themes for a more modern user experience. Integration and modernization: Upcoming investments include new integrations into Nintex RPA, Nintex DocGen, and updated integration points for modern extensibility standards.

Upcoming investments include new integrations into Nintex RPA, Nintex DocGen, and updated integration points for modern extensibility standards. Governance and management: Workflow draft versions can now be managed in the designer. Investments in Live Instance Management (LIM) and additional escalation and exception handling will unlock additional power in the workflow engine.

"Today's announcement is a significant step forward in Nintex's ongoing commitment to Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom's ambitions for digital transformation and growth," said Ayman El-Hattab, Regional Vice President, Emerging Markets at Nintex. "By establishing a Saudi Arabia office, hiring in-market experts, and bolstering our key product for the region, Nintex supports the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals of creating a digital society, digital government, and a future of innovation. We look forward to enhancing how we serve our existing customers and expanding the power of automation to more Saudi organizations in the future."

About Nintex

Nintex is the global standard for process intelligence and automation. Today more than 8,000 public and private sector organizations across 90 countries turn to the Nintex Process Platform to accelerate progress on their digital transformation journeys by quickly and easily managing, automating and optimizing business processes. Learn more by visiting www.nintex.com and experience how Nintex and its global partner network are shaping the future of intelligent process automation.

CONTACT: Tommy Morgan, media@nintex.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/700078/Nintex_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nintex-announces-investments-in-saudi-arabia-including-new-office-in-riyadh-302237116.html
Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - Following the most recent addition, LinkDaddy now offers over 14 well-known cloud hosting providers as part of its Cloud Authority Backlinks service. The agency explains that major technology organizations, such as the newly added provider, have significant domain authority, and creating backlinks on such platforms can therefore improve SEO outcomes.

More details can be found at https://linkdaddy.com/cloud-authority-backlinks.

Cloud Backlinks: High-Authority Content Announced By SEO Firm LinkDaddy

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/219769_a1313b0224dd3bb4_002full.jpg

LinkDaddy now offers a Cloud Authority Backlink package featuring five major cloud providers, along with two additional packages that include different providers. The firm uses a multi-stage process to develop high-quality content and custom HTML pages, which are then published on cloud hosting platforms, creating the associated backlinks.

"Backlinks on major platforms help to improve your domain authority, which translates into better search engine rankings," Tony Peacock, CEO of LinkDaddy, explains. "We have helped hundreds of businesses improve their search engine ranking and drive traffic to their websites, and we continue to foster new partnerships to enhance our capabilities."

With the recent update, LinkDaddy offers an affordable way for businesses of any size to expand their backlinking efforts. The agency points out that smaller organizations often struggle to compete in the digital era, and making high-authority backlinks more accessible is a key goal of the service.

Content development and distribution is another central part of LinkDaddy's latest solution. The firm works with a team of professional writers to develop high-quality campaigns across multiple formats, including articles, videos, slideshows, infographics, and more.

In addition to the growing Cloud Authority Backlinks service, LinkDaddy offers a variety of other SEO strategies, including keyword backlinks, dofollow backlinks, domain power booster, and local SEO backlinks. To date, the firm has created over 11,000 backlinks for approximately 2,850 clients.

Interested parties can find more information by visiting https://linkdaddy.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/219769

SOURCE: Plentisoft




Christine Placet is CFO of Theranexus, and was formerly CEO of Horama and Trophos

Michele Garufi, former Chairman and CEO of Nicox, hands over his Board position after over more than 25 years at the company he co-founded

The Nicox Board has now been entirely renewed to bring in the expertise to support the Company's strategic direction going forward September 4th, 2024 - release at 7:30 am CET

Sophia Antipolis, France







Nicox SA (Euronext Paris: FR0013018124, ALCOX), an international ophthalmology company, today announced that Michele Garufi is stepping down as a member of the Board of Directors. The Board has appointed Christine Placet, a deeply experienced CEO and financial leader in the biotech industry, as a new Board member. The renewal of the Nicox Board brings the appropriate expertise to support the Company's strategic direction going forward.







"I am delighted to welcome Christine Placet to Nicox as a new Board member. I had the pleasure of working with Christine during our time at Trophos, where she played a pivotal role as CFO. Her expertise, strategic vision, and leadership in biotech are invaluable assets to Nicox. I look forward to working closely with her again as we continue to drive the business forward, with the focus on our de-risked compound NCX 470, moving towards topline results from the second pivotal Phase 3 trial, Denali, in H2 2025," said Damian Marron, Chairman of Nicox.







"On behalf of the Board and of Nicox, past and present, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Michele Garufi for his dedicated and unstinting service to the company. Nicox has benefited from Michele's vision, business acumen, scientific expertise and leadership for nearly 30 years, as we have sought to develop innovative solutions to help maintain vision and improve ocular health. We all wish Michele the very best for the future."







Michele Garufi, Co-Founder of Nicox, who served as CEO and Chairman until 2022 commented: "After many years of service at Nicox, this is the right time to hand over to a new generation of leadership. With Damian Marron appointed Chairman and Gavin Spencer as CEO earlier this year, we have a talented and dynamic leadership team in place who have led companies through critical phases of development and executed major financial transactions. I am therefore confident that Nicox is in very capable hands. I wish them every further success as they aim to deliver on the potential of NCX 470 to improve treatment of glaucoma."







Christine Placet joins Nicox with a distinguished career in the biotech industry. She started as an auditor at Ernst & Young and then built up extensive experience of financial leadership in small- and medium- sized companies. In 2004, she joined the biotech company Trophos as Chief Financial Officer, later becoming Chief Executive Officer. Under her leadership, Trophos was acquired by Roche for 470 million in 2015. She then became CEO of Horama (now Coave Therapeutics) in 2016, successfully leading funding rounds and advancing a key product into development. In 2021, she transitioned into consulting and joined Theranexus as CFO in April 2024. She is a graduate of Kedge Business School.




Press release

Lochem, 4th of September 2024

ForFarmers and team agrar join forces in the feed business in Germany





ForFarmers and team agrar, part of the DLG Group, have agreed to combine their feed operations in Germany. The joint venture, which will continue under the name ForFarmers team agrar, has a comprehensive feed portfolio across various species. This agreement is subject to applicable regulatory approvals from the relevant authorities.

ForFarmers and team agrar have been working together for a long time in Germany via their joint venture HaBeMa, a company active in trading, storage and transshipment of raw materials and compound feed production in Hamburg, Germany. The agreement to expand this joint venture is therefore a logical next step.



Profiles of the partners

ForFarmers is a European company that offers feed solutions to the livestock farming industry. With its mission "For the Future of Farming", ForFarmers is committed to a future-proof farming business and making the agricultural sector more sustainable with knowledge, advice, support and products on farm. ForFarmers' feed activities in Germany concerns a broad portfolio of feed products for all species.

team agrar provides services and products in all sectors. In addition to the production of compound feed it includes grain collection and trading, the supply of seeds, fertilizers and plant protection products as well as special agricultural products.

Through team SE, team agrar is part of the DLG Group, a company with comprehensive activities in food, energy, and housing. DLG Group has the strategic ambition of contributing to a more sustainable future and being the preferred partner of farmers.



Joint Venture structure

The 50/50 joint venture, which will continue under the name ForFarmers team agrar, entails ForFarmers' and team agrar's feed activities and employees in the relevant legal entities in Germany:

the joint venture concerns ForFarmers' feed activities in Germany with approximately 250 employees and team agrar's feed activities in Germany that has approximately 130 employees. It involves eight feed production sites, three terminals and the vehicle fleet. The current HaBeMa joint venture, that has 130 employees, is also part of the joint venture.



Out of scope of the joint venture agreement are the activities in Germany of the ForFarmers' brands ForFarmers Thesing, Pavo, Reudink, CirQlar and Vleuten as well as DLG Group's non feed agrar activities, organic feed, Vilofoss activities, construction and energy activities in Germany.

The management of the new joint venture will have representatives of ForFarmers, team SE and HaBeMa and Ernst Friedlaender will be the Managing Director.



ForFarmers will fully consolidate the joint venture (including HaBeMa, which up to now was recognized as share of profit of equity-accounted investees) in its financial results. The joint venture will have an advisory board with equal membership from both shareholders. The first chair will be appointed by team agrar. Going forward, the shareholders will alternately appoint the chairman on regular intervals.



Strategic consideration

The joint venture is in line with the strategic ambition of both partners: to better serve the German market, opening up new growth opportunities and further leverage each other's strengths with the aim to enhance profitability. The joint venture will have a better geographical coverage and can therefore serve its customers better and more efficient. Furthermore, sharing of knowledge and expertise in the areas of procurement, formulation and innovation will be highly beneficial to the joint venture and its customers.



Pieter Wolleswinkel, CEO ForFarmers: "We have worked well with team agrar and DLG Group for many years in our joint venture HaBeMa. I believe joining forces is a great step forward for both parties to extend our market activities in Germany. It will lay a foundation for further growth in an important region for ForFarmers in Germany. This partnership will enable us to enhance our product portfolio to provide local solutions and services to the German market."

Jesper Pagh, interim CEO of DLG Group: "We are very happy to announce that we are expanding our partnership with ForFarmers, a trusted and year-long partner with whom we share both strategic aspirations and values. The partnership aligns very well with our strategic goal of growing our market position, and it will benefit our customers by enabling us to deliver even better solutions in the future."

Ernst Friedlaender, Managing Director ForFarmers Germany: "It offers economies of scale and combining our knowledge and expertise will create synergies in many areas. Furthermore, we value each other's mission and vision and there is a clear cultural fit. We look forward to broadening our cooperation that will contribute to a sustainable and future-proof business."

Bent Nissen, Managing Director of team agrar: "We are taking this very important strategic step to future-proof our feed activities. The partnership signifies our commitment to strengthening the value proposition to our customers by bringing them best-in-class products and service. At the same time, it allows us to leverage synergies, boost competencies, and offers our colleagues new opportunities and perspectives."

This press release is also available via de ForFarmers website via this link.

This press release contains information which qualifies as inside information within the meaning of Article 7, paragraph 1 of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

Note to the editor / For additional information:

ForFarmers, Ilse Niehof-Duivelshof, +31 (0)573 28 88 00

DLG Group, Mette Sehested +45 28 35 10 44

ProfileForFarmers

ForFarmers N.V. ('ForFarmers') offers complete feed solutions to the (organic) livestock farming industry. With its mission "For the Future of Farming", ForFarmers is committed to a future-proof farming business and making the agricultural sector more sustainable. Our goal is clear: to contribute to a good return and a robust long-term business model. How? By leading the way with knowledge, advice, support and products on the farm. Close to the farmers, solution-oriented and with an open view of the future. The result: a contribution to affordable and sustainable food, For the Future of Farming. With sales of approximately 8.4 million tonnes of feed, ForFarmers is a leading player in Europe. The company has production operations in the Netherlands (head office), Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom, and exports to various countries within and outside Europe. ForFarmers has around 2,600 employees and generated revenue of approximately 3 billion in 2023. ForFarmers N.V. is listed on Euronext Amsterdam.

ForFarmers N.V. - P.O. Box 91 - 7240 AB Lochem

T: +31, www.forfarmersgroup.eu

Profile DLG Group / team agrar

DLG Group is a leading European company operating within Food, Energy and Housing, fulfilling some of the most basic needs of people and society. The company is cooperatively owned by 25,000 Danish farmers. Although our roots are Danish, we have a global outlook. From previously operating exclusively in Denmark, DLG Group has grown significantly over the past 20 years, with 7,000 employees, operations in 18 countries and sales to 70 countries across the world.

Driven by our desire to enable a better future for future generations, we develop and deliver solutions and products that can help our customers and owners transition to a greener future, while transforming our own operations.



team agrar GmbH has been deeply rooted in the German agricultural market for many years. As Hauptgenossenschaft Nord AG (HaGe), a large field of activity was successfully established over decades and is now being continued as team agrar. With locations across Germany, team agrar has a strong foundation for successful marketing and trade. Additionally, team agrar provides services for trade and logistics within the team group.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements, for example relating to ForFarmers' legal obligations in terms of capital and liquidity positions in certain specified scenarios. In addition forward-looking statements may, without limitation, contain phrases such as "intends to", "expects", "takes into account", "is aimed at", 'plans to", "estimates" and/or words of a similar meaning. These statements pertain to or may affect matters in the future, such as ForFarmers' future financial results, business plans and current strategies. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties which may lead to material differences between the actual results and performance and the expected future results or performance as implicitly or explicitly contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may result in, or contribute to, deviations from current expectations include, but are not limited to developments in legislation, technology, taxation, jurisprudence and regulations, share price fluctuations, legal proceedings, investigations by regulatory bodies, the competitive landscape and general economic conditions. These and other factors, risks and uncertainties that may affect any forward-looking statements or the actual results of ForFarmers are discussed in the most recently published annual report. The forward-looking statements in this press release relate solely to statements as of the date of this document and ForFarmers accepts no obligation or responsibility whatsoever to update the forward-looking statements contained in this release, regardless of whether these pertain to new information, future events or otherwise, unless ForFarmers is legally obliged to do so.
First long-term offtake agreement signed by Lhyfe in Germany for bulk green hydrogen

Total volume to reach more than 1,200 tons over the five-year period

Nantes (France) and Berlin (Germany), 4 September 2024, 7.30 am CEST - Lhyfe (EURONEXT: LHYFE), one of the world's pioneers in the production of green hydrogen, announced a binding agreement with the leading refueling station developer H2 MOBILITY Deutschland to provide hydrogen for some of its fuel stations in Germany. The hydrogen will be supplied from Lhyfe's future production site in Schwabisch Gmund, the largest green hydrogen production plant in the federal state of Baden-Wurttemberg.

Lhyfe and H2 MOBILITY Deutschland have signed a five-year agreement for the delivery of renewable hydrogen produced from renewable power sources (qualifying as Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin - RFNBO), for the transport sector. The first deliveries of hydrogen will be used in four fuel stations developed and operated by H2 MOBILITY Deutschland across the states of Baden-Wurttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate beginning with the sites Ludwigshafen and Frankenthal.

Luc Grare, Head of Central and Eastern Europe at Lhyfe, said: "This agreement is the realisation of Lhyfe and H2 MOBILITY's shared ambition and common effort to make green hydrogen available in large volumes for the mobility sector, which is decarbonisation ready. With a reliable hydrogen supply and the necessary refueling infrastructure, this partnership enables a shift toward zero-carbon transport at a new scale for the region."

Frank Fronzke, Managing Director and COO at H2 MOBILITY declared: "Our objective is to have green hydrogen throughout the entire H2 MOBILITY Deutschland network by 2028. We are pleased to announce that with the support of Lhyfe we are making significant progress towards achieving this ambitious goal. Green hydrogen is a crucial element in our mission to make the transport sector more environmentally sustainable. With this agreement the first brand new hydrogen refueling stations will provide green hydrogen from 2025 onwards".

Lhyfe produces green and renewable hydrogen through the electrolysis of water, at production units powered by renewable energy. Launched in 2017, the company inaugurated its first site in 2021, and today has four installed sites and several sites under construction across Europe, including Schwabisch Gmund. In Germany notably, Lhyfe aims to become a major player in green hydrogen for mobility and industry by 2025, notably through customer deliveries in tube trailers (bulk).

Pioneer in Europe: H2 MOBILITY station network

Currently, fuel cell vehicles can refuel at 700 bar at around 80 public H2 MOBILITY refueling stations in Germany, including passenger cars and smaller commercial vehicles as well as refuse collector vehicles. Four additional refueling stations are in the planning, construction or commissioning stages. Refueling at 350 bar is possible for buses and trucks at 33 stations. Further expansion will be demand-driven, including along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). Further refueling options for 350 bar are currently being implemented.

About Lhyfe

Lhyfe is a European group devoted to energy transition, and a producer and supplier of green and renewable hydrogen. Its production sites and portfolio of projects seek to provide access to green and renewable hydrogen in industrial quantities, and enable the creation of a virtuous energy model capable of decarbonising entire sectors of industry and transport.

In 2021, Lhyfe inaugurated the first industrial-scale green hydrogen production plant in the world to be interconnected with a wind farm. In 2022, it inaugurated the first offshore green hydrogen production pilot platform in the world.

In 2023, it inaugurated two new sites, and currently has several sites under construction or expansion across Europe.

Lhyfe is represented in 12 European countries and had 195 staff at the end of December 2023. The company is listed on the Euronext market in Paris (ISIN: FR0014009YQ1 - LHYFE). Lhyfe.com

About H2 MOBILITY Deutschland

H2 MOBILITY Deutschland is a pioneer in the development of a public hydrogen refueling station network and Europe's largest operator of public hydrogen stations. Its business areas include technical development, financing, planning, construction, marketing and operation of the stations. H2 MOBILITY was founded in 2015 as a project company with the task of establishing a nationwide basic network for hydrogen refueling stations for passenger cars. The characteristics of the first generation of refueling stations were storage capacities of max. 200 kilograms and a 700-bar dispenser on conventional filling station sites. In 2022, the project company became a long-term, commercially oriented company with the aim of contributing to the energy transition in transport through a high-performance hydrogen refueling station network. In a 2022 financing round, H2 MOBILITY was able to raise 110 million euros in capital for network development. Since then, the largest investor has been Hy24, an international fund manager for the development of the global hydrogen economy. H2 MOBILITY Deutschland has set itself the goal of converting completely to green hydrogen by 2028.

Further information at www.h2-mobility.de/en

Contacts

Lhyfe - Business press relations

Nouvelles Graines

Clemence Rebours

+33 (0)6 60 57 76 43

c.rebours@nouvelles-graines.com Lhyfe - Financial press relations

ACTUS

Manon Clairet

+33 (0)1 53 67 36 73

mclairet@actus.fr Lhyfe - Investor relations

LHYFE

Yoann Nguyen

investors@lhyfe.com

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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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Fordern Sie sofort unseren brandneuen Spezialreport an und erfahren Sie, welche 5 KI-Aktien das grote Potenzial zur Vervielfachung besitzen. Dieser Report ist komplett kostenlos und zeigt Ihnen die aussichtsreichsten Investments im KI-Sektor.

Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report!
From snowboarding with a World Champion at the Top of Europe to being grand marshal of the Mickey & Friends Street Celebration, Klook offers exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences across the globe - for free!

SINGAPORE, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ever dreamed of being grand marshal of the Mickey & Friends Street Celebration? Or perhaps you've imagined snowboarding with a World Champion or swimming with whale sharks under the stars on a private island?

Who says the most epic experiences must break the bank? With the rising cost of living on everyone's mind, Klook is flipping the script on its 10th birthday. Starting today, Klook users can register for a chance to win exclusive, one-off 'Money Can't Buy Experiences' around the world- free of charge!

"We know travelers are always searching for unique, shareable experiences, but rising costs can make these dreams feel unattainable. As the category leader in experiences, we wanted to go above and beyond for our users. That's why, to celebrate our 10th anniversary, we're giving back with these spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that truly embody what Klook stands for-creating unforgettable moments that last a lifetime," said Marcus Yong, Vice President of Global Marketing, Klook.

The five 'Money Can't Buy Experiences' include:

A royal dream comes true at Hong Kong Disneyland: Immerse yourself in a world of enchantment and be the grand marshal of the Mickey & Friends Street Celebration. Cap off the experience with an unforgettable night in the enchanting Cinderella Suite. This is more than an experience; it's a celebration of magical dreams. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a royal dream come true.



Snowboarding down the top of Europe with a World Champion: Join World Champion snowboarder Gian Simmen for a day of snowboarding and gourmet dining at the 'Top of Europe' in Jungfraujoch, Switzerland.



Be a vet for a day at Mandai Wildlife in Singapore: Be a vet for a day at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, where you'll join the veterinary team and explore their state-of-the-art hospital.



Starlit swim with Whale Sharks on a Private Maldives Island: Enjoy a 2-night, 3-day escape at COMO Maalifushi in the Maldives, including a nighttime snorkeling expedition to witness majestic whale sharks.



Dive, Dine, and Groove Underwater in Dubai: Be the first person ever to eat and drink underwater, and experience the world's deepest diving pool at Deep Dive Dubai.

Media assets can be downloaded here

To participate, users can visit Klook and register their interest in the selected 'Money Can't Buy Experiences'. Aspiring winners are encouraged to share their personal stories, explaining why they are the biggest fans or how these adventures align with their aspirations. Submissions close 31 October[1] and Klook will announce the winners in November.

"We're empowering our users to embrace their 'Main Character Energy,' making them feel like the stars of their own adventures. It's all about helping them create those once-in-a-lifetime moments that they'll cherish forever," added Yong.

With the launch of these five exclusive 'Money Can't Buy Experiences', Klook is kicking off its 10th birthday celebrations. This is just the first part of our anniversary festivities-stay tuned for another exciting series of unique 'Money Can't Buy Experiences' that we'll unveil later in October. Stay tuned for additional surprises, deals, and unique adventures, and join us in celebrating a decade of delivering your world of joy with exceptional travel experiences.

For more information and to register, visit https://www.klook.com/tetris/promo/klookturns10/

[1] Please note that entry closes on 22 September for 'A Royal dream comes true at Hong Kong Disneyland' experience

About Klook

Klook is Asia's leading platform for experiences and travel services. We curate quality experiences ranging from attractions and tours to local transport and experiential stays, in over 2,700 destinations globally. Founded in 2014, we are here to inspire and enable more moments of joy for travelers anytime, anywhere.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/who-needs-money-for-epic-memories-klook-offers-free-once-in-a-lifetime-adventures-302237592.html
A 'New Asian tea' company - taking the UK by storm with drinks like 'Yumberry Boom' & 'Cheese Green Tea' - is joining forces with the UK's historic Royal Opera House in unique partnership

LONDON, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A "New Asian Tea" brand rapidly expanding in the UK has launched its most groundbreaking collaboration to date by partnering with the Royal Ballet and Opera with a pop-up store inside the historic London building.

From 04/09-22/09, premium tea brand HEYTEA will offer its best-selling drinks such as 'Cheese Grape Boom' and "Supreme Brown Sugar Bobo Milk Tea", to theatre-goers and tea lovers alike in the Royal Ballet and Opera's Linbury Foyer. No ticket is needed to visit this pop-up which includes a one-off, limited-edition tea inspired by the return of ZooNation's The Mad Hatter's Tea Party to the RBO stage. The limited edition tea is like nothing seen before with 3 very distinct layers: Chocolate Cheese Foam on top, Red BlossomMilk Tea in the middle and Brown Sugar Boba at the bottom. It is designed to be drunk either as 3 separate parts or mixed.

The recent rising popularity in the global bubble tea market saw its size valued at USD 2.46 billion in 2023, with the UK gaining traction. Such is the popularity among UK consumers that HEYTEA is opening 3 new stores in the second half of the year - Leeds, Southampton and London. And a new large concept store was opened on New Oxford Street, London, at the end of July. This takes the total number of UK stores opened by HEYTEA to 12 by the end 2024.

Founded by 19-year-old Neo Nie Yunchen in 2012, the company has grown from a humble 300-square foot tea shop to a pioneer in "New Asian Tea" with over 4,100 stores across 300 cities worldwide. The brand hosted a pop-up store in Paris during the Olympics, and more stores are planned for Australia, the USA and South Korea.

HEYTEA uses the finest fresh ingredients, with no artificial flavours; so the drinks are a healthier alternative to many other milk or bubble teas in the market. HEYTEA has also switched to organic milk and offers customers a 0-calorie sweetener option.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/heytea-launches-limited-edition-tea---made-with-chocolate-cheese-foam-first-of-its-kind-collaboration-302236839.html
LONDON, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trustpilot, the global online consumer review platform, has today announced it has reached a significant milestone with over 300 million consumer reviews now on the platform, helping consumers make the right choices and businesses build trust, grow and improve their services.

54 million reviews were posted in 2023 alone, an increase of 17% year on year, and more than one million businesses have now been reviewed on Trustpilot.

Earlier this year Trustpilot announced two new executive hires: Brian Green was appointed as Chief Revenue Officer and Carolyn Ryan as Chief Strategy Officer. The appointments strengthen Trustpilot's senior leadership team as it continues to deliver on its vision to be the universal symbol of trust.

Trustpilot has also continued to invest in technology and systems to identify and remove fake reviews from the platform, as outlined in its latest Transparency Report. Trustpilot removed 6% of total reviews in both 2023 (3.3 million) and 2022 (2.6 million), with its automated detection systems and reporting from businesses and consumers helping to identify fake reviews.

Adrian Blair, Trustpilot's CEO said: "Reaching this milestone is a vote of confidence from those who have made Trustpilot the valued source of information that it is today. We are hugely grateful to our community of reviewers for trusting us as a reliable platform to share their experiences and feedback. With over a million businesses reviewed on Trustpilot, we remain steadfast in our commitment to be the universal symbol of trust for consumers and businesses."

About Trustpilot

Trustpilot began in 2007 with a simple yet powerful idea that is more relevant today than ever - to be the universal symbol of trust, bringing consumers and businesses together through reviews. Trustpilot is open, independent, and impartial - we help consumers make the right choices and businesses to build trust, grow and improve.

Today, we have more than 300 million reviews on the platform and 57 million monthly active users across the globe, with 117 billion annual Trustpilot brand impressions, and the numbers keep growing. We have more than 900 employees and we're headquartered in Copenhagen, with operations in Amsterdam, Denver, Edinburgh, Hamburg, London, Melbourne, Milan and New York.

For more information, please visit www.trustpilot.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/trustpilot-hits-300-million-consumer-reviews-globally-302237063.html
BEIJING, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For Eric Ngirababyeyi, who is pursuing a master's degree at a university in east China's Jiangsu Province, a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping is one of the best things to have happened to commemorate his school life in China.

In a reply letter last July to Ngirababyeyi and 36 other international students pursuing master's degrees in auditing at Nanjing Audit University, Xi encouraged them to use auditing as a window to better understand China and make contributions to deepen the friendship and cooperation between China and their own countries.

"Based on the education, based on field study, and also based on the good hospitality of this country, we have been planning to write a letter to President Xi for what they did. Honestly, I didn't expect a response in a few weeks like that," Ngirababyeyi said.

Ngirababyeyi worked as an auditor at Rwanda's Office of the Auditor General before coming to China for the international master's program in auditing. Launched in 2016, the program has trained more than 280 people working for auditing agencies in 76 countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Ngirababyeyi noted he and his classmates learned a lot about the auditing, and said they would bring their auditing experience and knowledge back to their countries.

The young Rwandan is just one of the more than 50,000 African students studying in China every year. China has become a preferred educational destination for many young Africans, according to the Chinese Mission to the African Union.

China has trained more than 220,000 personnel from African countries, taking into account their actual needs, said Bai Bin, an official of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), at a recent press briefing.

China's cooperation with Africa in human resource development has been very fruitful. It has not only helped African countries train many talents but also improved their capacity for independent development, empowering them to maintain the momentum of sustainable development, according to the CIDCA.

On August 24, 2023, at the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue, President Xi announced China's launch of the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development. It stressed that cooperation on talent development between China and Africa should be oriented toward modernizing governance capacity, promoting economic and social development, enhancing efficiency through scientific and technological innovation, and improving people's well-being.

President Xi also urged China and Africa to join hands for modernization at the dialogue. China is willing to launch an initiative to support Africa's industrialization, which will support Africa in growing its manufacturing sector and realizing industrialization and economic diversification.

Under the China-proposed BRI, China-Africa cooperation in infrastructure has yielded fruitful results, with high-quality projects playing a pivotal role in advancing Africa's industrial development and economic transformation.

Over the past decade, China has built over 6,000 kilometers of railways and roads, nearly 20 ports, and more than 80 large power facilities in Africa, according to Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.

In 2013, President Xi announced the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith for China's Africa policy. Over the past 10 years, China has stayed committed to this principle.

When addressing the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Xi expressed confidence that the baton of China-Africa friendship would be passed from one generation to the next and that China and Africa, working together, would build an even more vibrant community with a shared future.

Under the theme "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future," the 2024 FOCAC summit is set to be held in the Chinese capital Beijing from September 4 to 6.

The 2024 FOCAC summit is expected to explore ways to strengthen friendship and cooperation and write a new chapter on building a China-African community with a shared future.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-09-04/China-Africa-work-for-closer-community-with-shared-future-1wC60a2YHHG/p.html

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cgtn-jointly-advancing-modernization-building-high-level-china-africa-community-with-shared-future-302237666.html
AI-assisted SaaS platform supported by an Australian investor network, a key figure from one of the UK's leading HR unicorns, and ex-team members from Microsoft, Oracle, and TeamViewer.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / Business Kitz, founded by Australian-Dutch entrepreneur Sarina Eggers, has recently closed an oversubscribed pre-seed round of $3.3 million.

BK logo

Australian investors Sam Ferrier and Rowan Hill from the Rural Bridge network firmly support Business Kitz, "with strong ties to rural communities including mostly family and friends, a commitment to investing in Business Kitz was a clear and strategic decision. The alignment of values made it a perfect fit for our future-focused investment approach," they stated.

The funds raised will be used to further bolster growth and enter the global market in 2024 on a mission to terminate SMEs' back office functions. Launching in January 2024, Business Kitz' SaaS platform has seen exponential growth with the company currently onboarding thousands of customers.

"This is just the beginning," said Founder & CEO Sarina Eggers. "Our platform is the result of extensive conversations with business owners to intimately understand their pain points. We've engineered the platform to overhaul back-office functions by integrating AI that not only replaces outdated processes but also enhances efficiency and builds a seamless centralized business data bank. With strong backing from our investors, we're ready to accelerate product development and transform how businesses operate."

For too long, businesses have been burdened by the inefficiencies of manual document creation, redundant data entry, cumbersome signing processes, and disorganized data storage - issues that waste time, introduce errors and disrupt productivity. Business Kitz will transform back-office operations with an AI-assisted solution that automates document generation, ensures consistency, minimizes errors, streamlines workflows, and eliminates outdated business operations.

As Business Kitz gears up for a seed funding round, the company is focused on expanding its global reach. After six years of refining various products and working with an internal team of engineers from Australia, USA, and Europe to meet the real-world needs of businesses, Business Kitz is ready to scale, bringing unparalleled efficiency and productivity to SMEs worldwide.

Entering this exciting growth phase, the upcoming funding will be used for expanding operations, capturing new markets, and solidifying Business Kitz' position as a global leader. By adopting these next-generation solutions, businesses can look forward to a future of heightened efficiency, enhanced security, and seamless collaboration - empowering teams to focus on impactful work that drives success and enjoyment.

Visit businesskitz.com.au to create a free account or get involved in the seed funding round by contacting us.

Contact Information

Marlise Lachat

Head of Marketing

marlise.lachat@businesskitz.com.au

+ 34 651 337 440

SOURCE: Business Kitz

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - Sienna Resources Inc. (TSXV: SIE) (OTC Pink: SNNAF) (FSE: A1XCQ0) ("Sienna" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has significantly increased its acreage on the Stonesthrow Gold Project in Saskatchewan now consisting of approximately 31,718 contiguous acres prospective for gold directly bordering Ramp Metals Inc (RAMP). Ramp announced (June 17, 2024) multiple zones of gold mineralization, including 73.55 grams per tonne gold and 19.50 grams per tonne silver. Ramp has just announced a strategic investment led by Eric Sprott. Sienna Resources' management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to Sienna Resources may not necessarily be indicative of the presence of mineralization on the company's properties.

Jason Gigliotti, President of Sienna Resources Inc. stated, "We are very pleased to significantly increase our acreage directly bordering Ramp Minerals Inc in Saskatchewan. Sienna is now one of the larger landholders in this exciting new mining camp and with Eric Sprott taking a major stake in the area it shows the promise of this new potentially world-class mining district. Sienna management is currently developing plans to move forward on this large sized new gold project at a time when gold is at all-time highs. Sienna has recently extended its Dragon Uranium Project bordering Cameco in the Athabasca Basin as well. Management is constantly looking at ways to maximize shareholder value. Sienna is coming into a very active period and management is very optimistic about the short and long term growth drivers in place now."





Sienna Resources ownership map



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Recently, (May 23, 2024) Sienna acquired Case Lake West Cesium and Spodumene Pegmatite Project in the Larder Lake Mining division of Ontario, Canada, roughly 100 km north of Kirkland Lake, NE Ontario. This project consists of approximately 2,200 contiguous acres prospective for Cesium and Spodumene Pegmatites directly bordering Power Metals Corp's Case Lake cesium and pegmatite swarm discovery. On May 22, 2024 Power Metals announced "WORLD-CLASS CESIUM RESULTS UP TO 18.13% AT CASE LAKE." This was very exciting news regarding this growing cesium district. Sienna management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to Sienna may not necessarily be indicative of the presence of mineralization on the company's properties.

About Sienna Resources Inc.

Sienna has significantly increased acreage of the "Stonesthrow Gold Project", consisting now of approximately 31,718 contiguous acres prospective for gold. Sienna has also recently acquired the "Case Lake West Cesium and Spodumene Pegmatite Project" in Larder Lake Mining division of Ontario, Canada roughly 100 km north of Kirkland Lake, NE Ontario. This project consists of approximately 2,200 contiguous acres prospective for Cesium and Spodumene Pegmatites. Sienna has also just acquired the 10,357 acre "Uranium Town Project" bordering Denison Mines Corporation, the now 23,134 contiguous acre "Dragon Uranium Project" bordering Cameco Corporation and the 55,440 acre "Atomic Uranium Project" in the world renowned Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan. Also, Sienna recently expanded the "Elko Lithium Project" in Elko County, Nevada. This project consists of approximately 1840 contiguous acres directly bordering Surge Battery Metals' "Nevada North Lithium Project" in Elko County, Nevada who announced the highest grade lithium deposit in the USA. Sienna is also one of the larger landholders in Clayton Valley Nevada. Sienna's Clayton Valley projects include the Blue Clay Lithium Project, the Silver Peak South Project, and the Clayton Valley Deep Basin Lithium Project. Clayton Valley is home to the only lithium production in North America, being Albemarle Corp's Silver Peak deposit. This project is also near Tesla Motors Inc.'s Gigafactory in Nevada. On March 18, 2021, Schlumberger New Energy Venture announced the development of a lithium extraction pilot plant through its new venture, NeoLith Energy in a strategic partnership with Pure Energy. The deployment of the pilot plant will be in Clayton Valley, Nevada, USA. The NeoLith Energy sustainable approach uses a differentiated direct lithium extraction (DLE) process to enable the production of high-purity, battery-grade lithium material while reducing the production time from over a year to weeks. Results from this pilot plant are expected in 2024 and could have a significant impact on the brine prospects within Clayton Valley Nevada as Sienna is located in the deepest section of this brine deposit.

This new acreage was acquired via staking.

Qualified Person:

Mr. Frank Bain, PGeo, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained within this news release.

If you would like to be added to Sienna's email list, please email info@siennaresources.com for information or join our Twitter account at @SiennaResources.

"Jason Gigliotti"

President, Director

Sienna Resources Inc.

Statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical, and consist primarily of projections - statements regarding future plans, expectations and developments. Words such as "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "could", "potential", "should", "anticipates", "likely", "believes" and words of similar import tend to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include uncertainty of exploration and development plans regarding the property; commodity price fluctuations; political or economic instability and regulatory changes; currency fluctuations, the state of the capital markets; uncertainty in the measurement of mineral reserves and resource estimates; the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and management; potential labour unrest; reclamation and closure requirements for mineral properties and the availability of capital to fund the Company's projects, as well as other risks and uncertainties identified under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed on SEDAR. You are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used. The Company cannot assure you that actual events, performance or results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and management's assumptions may prove to be incorrect. These forward-looking statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222073

SOURCE: Sienna Resources Inc.
The new pheromone solutions will target Yellow Stem Borer and Fall Armyworm

These aggressive pests have spread rapidly within Asia's major rice and corn production regions

The collaboration expands options for growers in India, Indonesia and Thailand to farm more sustainably

Syngenta Biologicals and Provivi today announced a collaboration to develop and commercialize new pheromone-based biological solutions to effectively and more safely control detrimental pests in corn and rice crops that serve as a primary food source for 3.5 billion people globally.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240904740859/en/

Syngenta Biologicals and Provivi partner on new pheromone solutions, targeting devastating pests in key crops across Asia (Photo: Business Wire)

The collaboration brings together Provivi's expertise in pheromone-based crop protection solutions with Syngenta's global reach and development capabilities. The two new pheromone solutions will help farmers manage the devastating pests, Yellow Stem Borer (YSB) in India and Indonesia and Fall Armyworm (FAW) in Thailand.

The YSB Eco-Dispenser for India and Indonesia, and the FAW Eco-Granules for Thailand will be available to farmers starting in 2026. These innovative product formulations, made from biodegradable materials, represent significant advancements such as enhanced efficacy, longer duration, and improved environmental sustainability for the benefit of farmers.

Pheromones are natural signaling compounds that effectively control pests by interfering with their mating behaviors, preventing pest reproduction. Because they are non-toxic and species-specific, pheromones do not harm organisms that pose zero threat, therefore helping preserve the diversity and abundance of beneficial insects and pollinators. The benefits of using pheromones in an integrated pest management program include their highly specific target activity and a mode of action, preventing, instead of eliminating, thereby supporting the preservation of biodiversity and the flourishing of non-target species.

The YSB and FAW pests stand out as among the most destructive insect pests in agriculture, threatening a wide variety of crops in many countries and impacting farmers' livelihoods as well as food security. As the dominant pest of rice in Asia, YSB pests can attack rice crops throughout different phases of the plant's life, resulting in crops with "dead hearts" and "white ears" symptoms of dried-up central shoots and chaffy, or unfilled grain, leading to significantly lower yields.

The FAW which is in fact a caterpillar and not a worm is notable for its destructive capacity and rapid spread. Since the discovery of the FAW pest in Thailand in late 2018, farmers in the country have seen yields fall as much as 40 per cent for corn, and in some cases been forced to plough under entire fields. This has severe implications for corn production in Thailand, where the crop is vital for the country's economy, supporting both domestic and export markets.

Syngenta and Provivi have previously collaborated to bring the pheromone-based technology NELVIUM to Indonesia to control rice stem borer insects. The expansion of the pheromone partnership with Provivi is aligned with Syngenta's sustainability priorities, which includes accelerating crop productivity while reducing the impact on the planet, through more sustainable technologies.

Jonathan Brown, Global Head of Biologicals and Seedcare at Syngenta: "Farmers need solutions that effectively address pest pressure while ensuring sustainability on their farms, particularly as pest threats evolve with climate change. We're proud to work together with Provivi to deliver the next-generation in pheromone-based biocontrols that target farmer key pest challenges."

Pedro Coelho, Chief Business Officer at Provivi: "Pheromone-based solutions are non-toxic and species-specific, and safeguard biodiversity by preserving beneficial insects and pollinators. We are excited to work again with Syngenta to broaden the offer of pheromone-based solutions available to farmers in Asia."

About Syngenta Crop Protection AG

Syngenta Crop Protection AG is a leader in agricultural innovation, bringing breakthrough technologies and solutions that enable farmers to grow productively and sustainably. We offer a leading portfolio of crop protection solutions for plant and soil health, as well as digital solutions that transform the decision-making capabilities of farmers. Our 18,300 employees serve to advance agriculture in more than 90 countries around the world. Syngenta Crop Protection AG is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and is part of the Syngenta Group. Follow us on X (@Syngenta, @SyngentaUS), and on LinkedIn.

About Provivi

Provivi is a science-based company that develops scalable and safer insect control technologies targeting the most destructive pests in agriculture worldwide. The company's Nobel prize winning technologies enable a step change in the production of affordable pheromone-based solutions that can be conveniently used by growers for preventive pest control. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, the company also has operations in Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia, and Europe. For more information, visit www.provivi.com and follow us on X (@Provivitm, @ProviviMx), and on LinkedIn.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. For Syngenta, such risks and uncertainties include risks relating to legal proceedings, regulatory approvals, new product development, increasing competition, customer credit risk, general economic and market conditions, compliance and remediation, intellectual property rights, implementation of organizational changes, impairment of intangible assets, consumer perceptions of genetically modified crops and organisms or crop protection chemicals, climatic variations, fluctuations in exchange rates and/or commodity prices, single source supply arrangements, political uncertainty, natural disasters, and breaches of data security or other disruptions of information technology. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors.

2024 Syngenta. Rosentalstrasse 67, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240904740859/en/

Contacts:

Syngenta Crop Protection

media@syngentagroup.com

Provivi

info@provivi.com
Major factors include the region's commitment to reducing plastics and an expanding EV industry

HSINCHU, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- General Silicones, the Taiwan-based silicone components expert behind Compo-SiL, is announcing plans to expand its business in Europe and bring its industry-leading silicone solutions to a broader customer base. With up to 65% of the company's business in the automotive and medical industries, it will focus on bringing its significant know-how and expertise to European customers in these vertical markets.

To consult with General Silicones experts on how silicone can optimize a product design, please contact: gs-ec@gsweb.com.tw

"In addition to Europe's strong commitment to reducing plastic prevalence, the growth of the European EV market is driving significant demand for silicone car components, such as human-machine interface (HMI) keypads and interior trim," commented Michael Lin, President and CEO of General Silicones. "As a key part of the supply chains of several European companies, we are hoping to take our presence here to the next level and help companies in the region to shift away from plastic."

General Silicones specializes in silicone polymer, which is made from sand - the most abundant material on Earth's surface - and is widely known for several advantages. Specifically, it is highly durable and resistant to heat; versatile; safe for external use and biocompatible; and more environmentally sustainable than plastics. The European Environment Agency reports that about 74% of plastics are currently used for non-packaging purposes, including in construction, furniture, textiles and consumer electronics. As the region seeks to reduce its plastic, silicone manufacturers like General Silicones offer a more sustainable, safer alternative.

Consultative approach aimed at reducing total production costs

A key strength that sets General Silicones apart is the soft power and expertise of its specialists and R&D team, who take ownership of customer products as consultants. They often reverse engineer designs, then identify where silicone can be most beneficial, in order to optimize designs and reduce total production costs. The team also focuses on developing long-term partnerships with customers, ensuring continuous success.

One-stop shop with exacting standards

Drawing on over 50 years of expertise, General Silicones is a comprehensive silicone solution provider that upholds exacting standards of quality and sustainability. Its business practices are certified by ISO 9001:2015 for quality management, IATF 16949:2016 for automotive customers, and ISO 14001:2015 for environmental management systems.

These high standards span from the initial design phase to quality management, and the company's materials expertise is significant enough to handle various parts of the silicone supply chain. One subsidiary handles the distribution of silicone for raw materials suppliers, and General Silicones also has its own Compo-SiL brand, a proprietary, patented silicone material. By integrating efforts, the company's customers receive the best possible products and services in a one-stop shop.

Full customization capabilities

From automotive silicone components to medical-grade silicone solutions for healthcare, General Silicones has more than 20,000 product series, underscoring its extensive capabilities for design and production. In addition, all materials are purpose-built and tailored to a customer's needs by adjusting each silicone product's specifications, including click force, FDA compliance, biocompatibility, hardness, and flame retardance.

About General Silicones

Founded in 1970, General Silicones Co., Ltd. has over half a century of silicone manufacturing expertise and caters to a broad range of applications with comprehensive capabilities. As a one-stop shop, the company distinguishes itself by consulting with clients on product designs and advising on optimizations using silicone, aiming to maximize sustainability and minimize production costs. To serve its global customer base, General Silicones has service sites across Asia, including in China and Vietnam.

To learn more: https://www.generalsilicones.com.tw/?lang=en

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VIENNA, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Indulge in the exquisite taste of Julius Meinl's latest limited-edition coffee, Burundi Gakenke 100% Arabica, crafted to celebrate International Coffee Day 2024. Each sip of the single-origin coffee reveals a burst of blood orange flavour, complemented by subtle notes of black tea, and finished with the rich sweetness of caramelised brown sugar.

Sourced from the renowned Gakenke Station in Burundi's Kayanza province, the natural processed Red Bourbon variety is handpicked and sorted before being dried as a whole cherry, imparting a vibrant floral fragrance, rich sweetness, and fruity flavour.

Gakenke Station represents over 1700 smallholder farmers and is operated by the esteemed Burundi-based company Greenco. Greenco provides agrotechnical support and programmes designed to improve the socio-economic and environmental conditions within the community. Part of Julius Meinl's The Originals Limited Edition Series, this specialty coffee represents the finest in coffee craftsmanship and a commitment to sustainable practices, enhancing the well-being of coffee communities for future generations.

Julius Meinl's The Originals Limited Edition series features coffees selected from the freshest micro-lot crops, following Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) standards and roasted in small batches at Julius Meinl's headquarters in Vienna, Austria. The Burundi Gakenke coffee received a notable score of 86 on the SCA scale.

"Every year on October 1st, coffee lovers around the world celebrate the beverage that has become a cornerstone of our daily rituals. Whether it's a pause for reflection, a connection with others, or a spark of creativity, a cup of coffee holds meaning in every moment. This International Coffee Day, our new Limited Edition Burundi Specialty Coffee offers our partners the opportunity to provide their customers with a truly exceptional coffee experience."

~ Christina Meinl, 5th generation family member.

Cascara: A unique coffee-meets-tea experience

As the demand for coffee grows, so does interest in innovative coffee-based drinks. For HoReCa partners looking to offer their guests a sustainable coffee experience that goes beyond the bean, Julius Meinl offers two organic cascara teas: Activitea Cascara Organic Herbal Loose Tea and the new Intensive Cascara Lemon Lime Oolong/Green Tea Bags, launching for International Coffee Day.

The name derives from the Spanish cascara, meaning "husk", referring to the dried outer layer of the coffee cherry. Cascara is typically discarded as waste or composted, but its recent rise in popularity provides coffee farmers with an additional income stream. When brewed, cascara produces a sweet, fruity tisane with a caffeine content that's higher than black tea, but milder than coffee. Known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, cascara is a healthy and sustainable beverage.

Julius Meinl's premium cascara products are certified organic, with cascara sourced from Peru, and can be enjoyed as a hot or cold beverage. Find out more about Julius Meinl's product and service offerings at www.juliusmeinl.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS

About Julius Meinl

Founded in 1862, Julius Meinl is one of the oldest coffee roasters in the world and an iconic Vienna coffee house brand. Dedication to quality has been a family trademark for five generations. With more than 160 years of experience in sourcing, blending and roasting, Meinl is a preferred coffee supplier for Vienna's leading coffee houses. Today, Julius Meinl coffees and teas help create meaningful moments for customers and consumers across the globe, and are sold in over 50,000 hotels, coffee houses and restaurants in 70 countries, plus a growing number of retail outlets.

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The Class Representatives are seeking damages from Mastercard and VISA of over 4 billion on behalf of businesses across the UK.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal has given the go-ahead for the collective action that could see businesses compensated for the unlawful multilateral interchange fees (" MIFs ") set by Mastercard and VISA that applied to transactions involving commercial cards in the UK. The claim alleges that businesses that received payments by commercial cards paid fees much higher than they should have been, causing them significant losses.

") set by Mastercard and VISA that applied to transactions involving commercial cards in the UK. The claim alleges that businesses that received payments by commercial cards paid fees much higher than they should have been, causing them significant losses. The claim period runs from June 2016 to June 2022, with damages continuing to accrue until the date of judgment or settlement. If you think your business received payment by commercial card in that time, you could be included in these proceedings.

LONDON, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Competition Appeal Tribunal (the "Tribunal") ordered that the claims, brought by the Class Representatives, Commercial and Interregional Card Claims I & II Limited, be certified, enabling the Class Representatives to seek compensation for businesses across the UK for the unlawful fees they paid.

The Tribunal dismissed Mastercard's and VISA's objection to the claims being certified, ruling that the cases can proceed as collective actions.

A deadline for involvement in these claims has been set by the Tribunal and businesses are encouraged to register their interest now to stay updated on developments in the proceedings and, if successful, to claim their share of any damages awarded.

For more information about the opt-in and opt-out collective claims, visit commercialcardclaim.co.uk.

Responding to the Tribunal's judgment, Jeremy Robinson, a partner at Harcus Parker Limited, representing the Class Representatives said:

"We welcome the opportunity to hold Mastercard and VISA to account for imposing multilateral interchange fees at an unlawfully high level and causing substantial loss to UK businesses. We are pleased that this important claim will now proceed despite Mastercard and Visa's attempts over the last two years to deny thousands of UK businesses a straightforward and effective route to justice through the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

Although in relation to different types of MIFs, both the UK Supreme Court and the Court of Justice of the EU have condemned similar practices engaged in by Mastercard and Visa. Holding global corporate giants to account through class action litigation is the best way to ensure the likes of Mastercard and Visa do not go on imposing unfair charges on businesses."

Stephen Allen, the director of the Class Representatives said:

"We are fighting to ensure businesses and organisations across the UK economy are properly compensated by Mastercard and Visa for their unlawful multilateral interchange fees.

MIFs operate like a tax on business, increasing the fees businesses have to pay to their banks for accepting commercial card transactions. These claims seek to recover the losses businesses have suffered as a result of Visa and Mastercard's practices and highlight the need for such practices to be abolished.

UK businesses in the travel, hospitality, and retail sectors have been particularly hurt by Mastercard's and Visa's multilateral interchange fees and we are delighted that this claim has been endorsed by leading trade bodies including UK Hospitality and the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)."

MIFs are paid by businesses through fees paid to their banks (known as acquiring banks) upon the acceptance of a commercial card transaction. The losses suffered by businesses throughout the UK are significant, estimated to be at least $4 billion.

If you know your business receives payment by commercial cards, or you would like to confirm whether your business does, then visit the claims website today, register, and find out.

For more information about the opt-in and opt-out collective claims, visit commercialcardclaim.co.uk.

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Overall winner 'To Dear Me' by Gisele Tong, second place: 'One Way' by Egor Kharlamov, and third place: 'Jinx' by Mansha Totla.

Centered around the theme "Synthetic Stories, Human Hearts," the finalist works were selected by an international jury and presented in Venice during the award ceremony organized by Reply and Mastercard.

The winners of the first edition of the Reply AI Film Festival have been announced, the competition for authors of original short films made with Artificial Intelligence (AI), conceived by Reply, a leading international group in the creation of new business models enabled by AI and Digital Media. The awards event, organized in collaboration with Mastercard, was held at the Priceless lounge of the Hotel Excelsior in Venice.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240904521664/en/

Reply presents the inaugural Reply AI Film Festival, an international competition where Artificial Intelligence (AI) serves not only as a catalyst for innovation in the realm of creative storytelling but also as a tool for fostering inclusivity among younger generations in video and film production. (Photo: Business Wire)

The award for Best Short Film was given to 'To Dear Me' by Gisele Tong, which tells the story of a young woman, tormented by memories of her parents' divorce and her mother's loneliness, struggling with love, feeling lost and distrustful, until she realizes that finding her true self is the key to healing and moving forward.

Second place went to 'One Way' by Egor Kharlamov, a story about how life can offer a second chance even when it seems there's nothing left to lose. The film ponders on what the price of this second opportunity is.

Third place was awarded to 'Jinx' by Mansha Totla, thatfocuses on the memories of World War II through the voice of the main character, Jinx Akerkar, and emphasizes on the fragility of life. An intense dedication to those who lost their lives during the war and those who are still affected by that loss today.

The three winning short films were built around the theme "Synthetic Stories, Human Hearts" and were selected from the twelve finalists by an international jury, which was composed of Adam Kulick, Caleb Shelby Ward, Denise Negri, Filippo Rizzante, Flavio Natalia, Julien Vallee Eve Duhamel, Monica Riccioni, Paul Trillo, and Rob Minkoff

To identify the finalists, the jurors reviewed over 1,000 short films submitted from more than 59 countries, including the USA, UK, Italy, Germany, Spain, France, Brazil, China, India, and Korea. AI artists, directors, writers, animators, VFX artists, but also amateurs were in the talent pool who were competing in the contest, preferring the Narratives and Experimental categories, chosen respectively by 38% and 36% of participants followed by Documentary (14%) and Pilots (12%).

"To Dear Me, inspired by the animated short film Liebestraum by Yan Xiaoxuan, is a letter written by the creative team to girls and women everywhere. The story condenses the experiences of the many girls and women around them their mothers, friends, and students. Many of these women carry the scars and flaws of their upbringing, lacking love, yearning for love, but unsure how to love. They often swing between love and hatred, desperately trying to hold onto anyone who loves them, investing all their emotions until they get hurt and become afraid to open their hearts again. They can even lose themselves in a web of false pretenses, doubting if they will ever find true love or even retain the ability to express it properly. With this short film, I want to tell these tender souls around me that even if we lose the love of the world, we must still love ourselves. I encourage them to take a good look at their own lives the good and the bad as these precious experiences have shaped each of us into the unique individuals we are. Rescue your past self and empower your present self. My dear girls, it has not been easy on this journey of growth, but remember to love yourselves well and give yourselves a warm embrace," commented Gisele Tong, who was awarded first place in the competition.

"We are very happy to be part of the festival! This is a great honor and joy for us! Technology is moving forward and the fact that today there is such an opportunity to use artificial intelligence as a tool in the creation of movies and animation, is an incredible breakthrough. A story in a movie can now be told by anyone, that's great! It is important to remember that any technology is a tool in the hands of man, an incredibly powerful tool and let it serve for the benefit of mankind. Thank you to the festival for highlighting the first steps of new opportunities!" commented Egor Kharlamov, the second-place winner.

"The Reply AI Film Festival has been an incredible experience and I'm so happy that my film, 'JINX' was selected as a finalist. The festival team has been so attentive and the appreciation of my work has motivated me to further believe in myself. I was stuck for the past 3 years as I didn't simply want to fill in the gaps of my film with random stock footage of the war. Thus, the most significant thing about my film was the use of AI to create WW2 footage that is authentic to my subject's story. I believe that in the future, AI will transform the filmmaking industry and it'll be interesting to see how we incorporate AI's capabilities with our human vision and artistic intuition," commented Mansha Totla, the third-place winner.

"The winners of the Reply AI Film Festival demonstrate how Artificial Intelligence enables the creation of new narratives, innovative, and visually captivating content, while maintaining the essential human element-the vision, heart, and soul of a film," said Filippo Rizzante, CTO of Reply. "The Reply AI Film Festival has become an important opportunity to highlight innovation and creativity, offering young talent the chance to immerse themselves in new technologies, acquire advanced skills, and create new, more accessible and sustainable creative scenarios."

"We are pleased to have hosted in Venice the awards event of the Reply AI Film Festival, a competition that enhances the creativity of young film talents, offering them a unique opportunity for interaction and expression," said Luca Fiumarella, Head of Marketing Italy at Mastercard. "We are committed to promoting initiatives where technology combines with great passions, creating new opportunities to bring people closer to the world of art and cinema. Our goal is to make artistic production more accessible and inclusive, using technological innovation to fuel creativity and support new generations in pursuing their aspirations."

The Reply AI Film Festival was created by Reply as part of its program to promote new technologies among younger generations. The goal is to foster a culture of innovation and provide a new, stimulating space for experimentation, offering a space where AI can be put to the test as an ally of human creativity and demonstrate that the synergy between people and technologies can enable new scenarios that are more accessible to anyone who possesses the spark of creativity. The competition is part of the Reply Challenges, a program of technological and creative competitions that testify to Reply's commitment to developing innovative educational models capable of engaging new generations. Today Reply's Challenges have a community of more than 150,000 participants

To see the winning short films and finalists, visit aiff.reply.com.

Reply

Reply [EXM, STAR: REY] specialises in the design and implementation of solutions based on new communication channels and digital media. Reply is a network of highly specialised companies supporting key European industrial groups operating in the telecom and media, industry and services, banking, insurance and public administration sectors in the definition and development of business models enabled for the new paradigms of big data, cloud computing, digital media and the Internet of Things. Reply services include: Consulting, System Integration and Digital Services. www.reply.com

Mastercard

Mastercard is an international payments technology company. Our goal is to create connections and promote an inclusive digital economy from which everyone can benefit, wherever they are, through secure, simple, fast and accessible transactions. By being able to rely on secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, and our products and solutions, we help consumers, financial institutions, governments and businesses reach their full potential. With a presence in more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a more sustainable world that offers priceless opportunities for all. www.mastercard.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240904521664/en/

Contacts:

Reply

Fabio Zappelli

f.zappelli@reply.com

Irene Caia

i.caia@reply.com

Mastercard

Giuliana Abbate

E. Giuliana.Abbate@mastercard.com

Omnicom PR Group

Ufficio Stampa Mastercard

T. 02 6241 19

E. mln.mastercard@fleishmaneurope.com
VES001 is a first-in-class oral, brain penetrant, small molecule sortilin inhibitor for treatment of FTD(GRN)

Data demonstrate excellent safety, tolerability profile, dose-proportionality and target engagement with elevations in progranulin in both plasma and CNS

CTA filed for Phase IIa study, first dose targeted for Q4 2024

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vesper Bio ApS ("Vesper" or "the Company"), a clinical stage biotech and world leader in sortilin receptor biology, today announces the successful completion of the Phase I study for its lead candidate, VES001, a potentially disease-modifying treatment for frontotemporal dementia patients with mutations in the progranulin gene (FTD(GRN)).

Frontotemporal dementia is the most common cause of dementia in people under the age of 60. FTD(GRN), which is estimated to account for a quarter of familial FTD cases, is a form of FTD caused by mutations of the progranulin gene (PGRN), a protein responsible for the regulation of cell growth, survival, and repair. Low levels of progranulin are associated with cellular dysfunction, neuroinflammation and neuronal damage across a variety of neurological indications.

VES001 is a first-in-class oral, brain-penetrant, small molecule sortilin inhibitor rationally designed as a potentially disease-modifying treatment for FTD(GRN). Sortilin is a receptor found on the surface of neurons that competes with progranulin receptors for progranulin binding. Progranulin is degraded when binding to sortilin through an internalization process, leading to further reductions in free progranulin and subsequent neuronal damage and cell death. VES001 is designed to cross the blood brain barrier and inhibit this process, binding to the sortilin receptor and stopping progranulin from binding, thereby helping to maintain and normalize progranulin levels. With its unique mode of action and convenient oral daily dosing, VES001 is an ideal, patient-friendly treatment option.

The Phase I study was a two-part trial in 78 healthy volunteers investigating safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic target engagement endpoints across a range of separate dose levels. All endpoints were successfully met, with the top line data from the 7-day multiple ascending dose (MAD) stage re-affirming the findings seen in the single ascending dose (SAD) stage, announced in May 2024.

High levels of safety and tolerability of VES001 were observed across the doses tested, with no serious or treatment-emergent adverse events reported. The data demonstrate that following oral dosing, VES001 exhibits excellent pharmacokinetics and distribution to plasma and the targeted Central Nervous System compartment. Furthermore, VES001 showed strong target engagement evidenced by an increased and accumulating level of progranulin in the volunteers dosed once or twice daily in the MAD stage. Data from this study will be published in due course and when modelled on to the target population, represent a substantial normalization of progranulin concentration after 7 days of dosing.

Vesper Bio has completed a clinical trial application (CTA) seeking to progress VES001 into a Phase IIa proof-of-concept study in a relevant patient population, with dosing expected to start in Q4 2024.

Mads Fuglsang Kjlby, Chief Medical Officer at Vesper Bio, commented: "Vesper Bio is proud of its status as a world leader in sortilin biology. The data generated in our Phase I trial of VES001 demonstrate the potential of sortilin inhibition as a therapeutic approach to the treatment of frontotemporal dementia, and potentially other neurodegenerative diseases."

Paul Little, Chief Executive Officer at Vesper Bio, added: "At Vesper, we are motivated by our patients and their relatives, who inspire our mission to develop innovative therapies that can help fight this awful disease. These promising clinical data coupled with VES001's patient friendly profile bring us one step closer to transforming patient outcomes in frontotemporal dementia."

Notes to Editors

About Vesper Bio

Vesper is a clinical stage biotech and world leader in sortilin receptor biology. Its lead program uses a sortilin inhibitor to rebalance levels of progranulin in patients where the sortilin receptor would otherwise reduce circulating and extracellular progranulin, contributing to disease. Progranulin is a protein that the body uses to regulate cell growth, survival, repair and avoid inflammation. Low progranulin levels are believed to be a factor in cell dysfunction and damage in a range of indications across neurology. By normalizing progranulin levels, Vesper believes its compounds will have a disease modifying effect, protecting and preserving the remaining cells.

Its lead compound, VES001, is a patient friendly, first-in-class, brain penetrant, oral treatment which targets progranulin deficiency, a major underlying cause of fronto-temporal dementia (FTD). As an orally delivered small molecule, VES001 is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and is an ideal dosing method among these patients due to their rapidly declining mental state.

About frontotemporal dementia (FTD)

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), also known as frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), is a group of brain disorders that cause degeneration in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. FTD impacts a person's behavior, judgement, communication and ability to participate in all activities of daily living. It is the most common cause of dementia in people under the age of 60 and is often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's Disease. FTD(GRN) is a form of FTD caused by mutations of the progranulin gene (PGRN), resulting in low progranulin levels. FTD(GRN) is thought to account for a quarter of familial FTD cases.

For further information please visit, https://www.vesperbio.com/.

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Oscillate Plc - Update on Agreement with Quantum Hydrogen Inc.

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, September 04

04 September 2024

Oscillate PLC

("Oscillate" or the "Company")

Update on Agreement with Quantum Hydrogen Inc.

Further to the announcement of 12 July 2024, Oscillate is pleased to announce that the proposed acquisition is progressing, and the Company expects to execute binding commitments in the coming weeks. The Company expects to announce a notice of general meeting during September, in order to allow shareholders to decide and vote on the merits of the acquisition.

The acquisition remains subject to regulatory approval, including amongst other things, a waiver from Rule 9 of the Takeover Code.

Steve Xerri, Executive Director said: "We are now seeking regulatory approval for our documentation, we have worked tirelessly to get this transaction completed within the 60-calendar day due diligence period but there have just been some elements that have taken longer than expected.

We are moving at pace to change the landscape of our Company and expect to execute conditional binding commitments in the coming weeks. We will start a new dawn where we have a portion of our portfolio geared towards a burgeoning market where natural hydrogen gases will assist in decarbonising the world's future energy, for Oscillate to be a part of this, and to have this level of opportunity, it was important to get every element right.

Therefore, I write to you today to advise of this extension, but with a level of confidence that I hope you share in our future.

The process from here is to get communication and deal completion in short order, it would be prudent of me to announce our current staging to give investors the knowledge that we are cognisant of our exact location and I want to inform my investors to show that we are about the here and now and our shareholders remain at the forefront of our thoughts."

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the content of this announcement.

Enquiries:

Company

Oscillate PLC

John Treacy

ir@oscillateplc.com

https://oscillateplc.com

Corporate Adviser

Peterhouse Capital Limited

Telephone: 020 7220 979
The global food safety testing market is experiencing growth primarily owing to increasing consumer awareness about food safety, stringent government regulations on food quality, and rising incidences of foodborne illnesses. Consumers are demanding safer and higher-quality food products, leading to greater adoption of testing methods by food manufacturers and suppliers. Additionally, advancements in technology for rapid and accurate testing are further driving market growth, as they enable quicker detection of contaminants and pathogens in food products.

WILMINGTON, Del., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Food Safety Testing Market by Type (Pathogen and Genetically Modified Organism (GMO), Chemical And Toxin, Heavy Metals, Radioactivity, Others), Technology (Agar Culturing, PCR-based Assay, Immunoassay-based, Scintillation Counters And Geiger Counters, AAS And ICP-MS/OES and Others), Food Tested (Meat And Meat Product, Seafood, Dairy And Dairy Product, Cereals, Grains, And Pulses, Processed Food and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033". According to the report, the food safety testing market was valued at $22.5 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $44.1 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 7% from 2024 to 2033.

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Prime Determinants of Growth

The prime determinants of growth for the food safety testing market include stringent regulatory frameworks, technological advancements, increasing consumer awareness, and the globalization of the food supply chain. Regulatory bodies such as the FDA and USDA enforce strict food safety standards, necessitating regular and thorough testing to prevent contamination and ensure public health. Technological innovations, such as PCR and next-generation sequencing, offer faster and more accurate detection methods, driving market expansion. Moreover, rising consumer awareness about foodborne illnesses and the demand for transparency in food production also fuel market growth. Consumers are increasingly aware about food safety, prompting food producers to adopt advanced testing practices to meet these expectations. In addition, the globalization of the food supply chain has increased the complexity of ensuring food safety, further strengthening the need for comprehensive testing solutions.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024-2033 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $22.5 Billion Market Size in 2033 $44.1 Billion CAGR 7.0 % No. of Pages in Report 200 Segments Covered Type, Technology, Food Tested, and Region. Drivers Rise in Incidents of Food Contamination and Adulteration Increase in Demand for Organic and Non-GMO Foods Strict Regulations and Standards Opportunities Increased Focus on Food Fraud Detection Automation in the Food Processing Sector Restraints High equipment cost associated with testing equipment Concerns About False Positives and Negatives

Segment Highlights

By type, the pathogen segment experiences a high demand in the food safety testing market owing to the increasing incidence of foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. These pathogens pose significant health risks, leading to severe illnesses and even fatalities. Regulatory agencies like the FDA and USDA mandate stringent testing to ensure food safety, driving demand for pathogen detection. Additionally, rising consumer awareness and the globalization of food supply chains further highlight the need for tough pathogen testing to prevent outbreaks and ensure public health

By technology, the PCR-based assay segment is witnessing a high demand owing to real-time polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, polymerase chain reaction is a quick and inexpensive quantitative method for determining the quantity of certain DNA-segments present in samples, which aids in detecting both purposeful and incidental food adulterations caused by biological contaminants. In addition, polymerase chain reaction technology is used extensively throughout the product development process in the agricultural biotechnology sector. The technique is typically used to identify whether a product sample contains genetically modified material as well as to calculate how much of it is contained in a product.

By food tested, the processed segment experiences a high demand as many chemicals are routinely added to processed foods to extend their shelf life and improve flavor & scent. However, the major food producers often include food additives that are bad for health and prohibited by the FDA to improve the food product. Food additives are added to food to enhance flavor, color, and shelf life. In addition, food additives are used in food processing to alter the taste, consistency, and packaging of the meal. To manufacture processed food in the right form, numerous chemicals are added to it. The frequent consumption of these substances adversely affects the health of a person.

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Regional Outlook

North America holds the major market share owing to the high prevalence of sleep disorders, such as insomnia and sleep apnea, and increased awareness about the importance of sleep health. The region benefits from significant healthcare expenditure, a strong presence of key market players, and a growing consumer inclination towards health and wellness products. In addition, the aging population and rising stress levels further drive the demand for food safety testing. The market is expected to continue growing, with ongoing innovations and the expansion of e-commerce platforms enhancing accessibility and convenience for consumers

Key Players

Eurofins Scientific

AsureQuality Ltd

Bureau Veritas SA

DNV AS

TUV SUD AG

Bio-Rad Laboratories

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

ALS Limited

SGS SA

Intertek Group plc

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global food safety testing market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, and agreements to increase their market share in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

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Recent Development:

On August 09, 2023 - ALS Limited strengthened its position as a market leader in food testing services with the acquisition of Proanaliz.

On September 20, 2023 - Natrol launched its first-ever sleep aid supplement without melatonin, Soothing Night, made with effective, clinically-tested ingredients designed to reduce occasional stress and anxiety and promote longer, better sleep.

On January 27, 2023 - Eurofins Scientific acquired Linlithgow-based Express Micro Science, one of Scotland's leading analytical testing businesses with expertise across water, chemistry, agriculture, and food microbiology.

On September 22, 2022 - TUV SUD South Asia, a certification, testing, auditing, inspection and training company and the wholly owned subsidiary of TUV SUD Group, Germany inaugurated its enhanced, ultra-modern seafood, spices and commodity testing lab in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

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BEIJING, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A salon event focusing on paths of cross-border e-commerce enabling county-level industrial belt development was held in Changsha County of Changsha City, central China's Hunan Province, on August 31, 2024.

The event gathered over 100 representatives from enterprises, industry associations, service organizations, as well as e-commerce associations and platforms.

During the event, Changsha County officially inaugurated its export base for second-hand vehicles, with the Hunan Used Car Circulation Association and five other relevant companies jointly signing a strategic agreement, aiming to create characteristic industrial clusters of automobile and auto parts exports in the county.

The second-hand vehicle export base will provide one-stop services including vehicle procurement, supply chain finance, license examination, customs clearance, international logistics, overseas warehousing, overseas after-sales, vehicle consignment, payment, delivery and so on. It is expected that 10,000 vehicles in Changsha County will be exported through the export base within three years, with the value of foreign trade exceeding 2 billion yuan (about 280.8 million U.S. dollars).

An incubation center for digitally going overseas of vehicles and auto parts in Changsha County was also launched at the event, with five enterprises signing the first batch of cooperation agreements. Utilizing its industrial and platform advantages, the county is set to promote the globalization and transformation of its auto industry, through measures including building cross-border e-commerce industrial parks.

The salon event also featured exchanges among participants from various perspectives, introducing the convenient and effective services offered by cross-border e-commerce platforms and addressing common confusions regarding logistics, talents and finance. Field trips and round-table discussions were also organized alongside the event.

So far, Changsha County has opened a total of 20 freight routes, with its cross-border e-commerce covering four modes of import and export. By the end of 2023, the county's cross-border e-commerce import and export volume totaled 17.72 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 21.4 percent.

In the future, Changsha County will continue to make connections between its advantageous resources at home and abroad, and promote cluster development of relevant enterprises, as a bid to accelerate innovative development of cross-border e-commerce and enhance industrial development.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/341906.html

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - Blackrock Silver Corp. (TSXV: BRC) (OTCQX: BKRRF) (FSE: AHZ0) ("Blackrock" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") for its 100%-owned Tonopah West Project ("Tonopah West" or the "Project"), in one of the largest historic silver districts in North America, located on private land in Nye and Esmeralda counties, Nevada, United States, approximately 1 kilometre (km) northwest of Tonopah.

The PEA was prepared by Minetech, LLC ("Minetech") in accordance with Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards - For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves adopted May 19, 2014 (the "CIM Definition Standards") and in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") with an effective date of September 4, 2024.

Highlights of the Tonopah West PEA

(All amounts are in United States Dollars unless otherwise indicated)

At the base case gold price of $1,900 per ounce and silver price of $23 per ounce, the Project commands an after-tax net present value discounted at 5% (" NPV 5% ") of $326-million on a low initial capex of $178-million (including $22-million contingency) with a payback of 2.3 years and an after-tax internal rate of return (" IRR ") of 39.2%

") of $326-million on a low initial capex of $178-million (including $22-million contingency) with a payback of 2.3 years and an after-tax internal rate of return (" ") of 39.2% At a gold price of $2,280 per ounce and a silver price of $27.60 per ounce (base case +20%), the economic profile of the Project escalates to an after-tax NPV 5% of $495-million and an after-tax IRR of 54.0%.

of $495-million and an after-tax IRR of 54.0%. All-in Sustaining Costs (" AISC ") 1 of $11.96 per silver equivalent ounce basis.

") of $11.96 per silver equivalent ounce basis. Over the approximately 8-year life of mine (" LOM "), production from the mining and processing of approximately 4.1 million diluted tonnes of material containing 75.4 million silver equivalent (" AgEq ") ounces (silver/gold ratio of 90/1) which equates to 66.8 payable AgEq ounces. The mine is expected to deliver 424,000 payable gold ounces and approximately 31.8 million payable silver ounces generating $496-million after-tax LOM cash flow.

"), production from the mining and processing of approximately 4.1 million diluted tonnes of material containing 75.4 million silver equivalent (" ") ounces (silver/gold ratio of 90/1) which equates to 66.8 payable AgEq ounces. The mine is expected to deliver 424,000 payable gold ounces and approximately 31.8 million payable silver ounces generating $496-million after-tax LOM cash flow. Tonopah West is situated on patented mineral claims (private land) and benefits from a stream-lined permitting process with only State and County regulators involved.

The PEA is based on an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (" MRE ") with an effective date of August 23, 2024, comprising 6.35 million tonnes grading 2.82 grams per tonne (" g/t ") gold (" Au ") and 237.8 g/t silver (" Ag ") totaling 577,000 ounces of gold and 48.5 million ounces of silver. At a AgEq grade of 492.5 g/t AgEq, the Inferred Resources in the updated MRE represent a total of 100.56 million AgEq ounces.

") with an effective date of August 23, 2024, comprising 6.35 million tonnes grading 2.82 grams per tonne (" ") gold (" ") and 237.8 g/t silver (" ") totaling 577,000 ounces of gold and 48.5 million ounces of silver. At a AgEq grade of 492.5 g/t AgEq, the Inferred Resources in the updated MRE represent a total of 100.56 million AgEq ounces. Recoveries of 96.1% for gold and 88.9% for silver from a 3-stage crushing circuit and processing plant.

Significant expansion potential: PEA excludes NW step out deposit (12 million AgEq ounces) from the mine plan. 3 drills are at site on a 20,000 metre resource expansion and conversion program aimed at de-risking an initial 3 years of production and bridging a one kilometre mineralized strike potential to NW step-out zone that could bring additional ounces online.

The Project incorporates local contract mining and is expected to stimulate the local economy, benefitting the municipality of Tonopah and surrounding communities through direct and indirect employment at the Project, local sourcing of services and supplies and community programs funded by the Company.

Andrew Pollard, President & CEO of the Company, commented: "Four years on from our initial discovery at Tonopah West, completion of this PEA is an important achievement for Blackrock as it outlines the potential for it to be a key driver of domestic growth, increasing America's annual silver production by over 12%2, while doing so at some of the lowest AISC in the world3 at $11.96 per silver equivalent ounce. With a lot more drilling in front of us, our Project already demonstrates a highly positive economic profile with an estimated after-tax NPV5% of $326 million, an after-tax IRR of 39% and a payback period of 2.3 years on a low initial capex of $178-million at a base case of $23 per ounce of silver and $1,900 per ounce of gold. At higher metals prices, the Project exhibits an estimated after-tax NPV5% of $495 million and an after-tax IRR of 54% at a price of $27.60 per ounces of silver and $2,280 per ounce of gold (base case +20%). The PEA outlines substantial silver-gold production of 66.8 million silver equivalent ounces over an initial 7.8-year mine life, averaging 8.6 million silver equivalent ounces annually (averaging 4.1 million ounces of silver and 54.6 thousand ounces of gold) providing for exceptional free cash flow. This PEA represents just this moment in time, with near-mine expansion potential identified to our NW step out deposit (12 million AgEq ounces) that was omitted from this mine plan, and with a 20,000 metre drill program currently underway, the Company aims to link up that mineralization while de-risking our ounces for the early years of the operation. Situated entirely on patented mineral claims adjacent to the town of Tonopah, Nevada, right along US highway 95, Tonopah West benefits from existing infrastructure and a stream-lined permitting process, of which findings from this PEA will be used as a roadmap to kickstart."

A technical report prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 on the Project which includes the PEA and the updated MRE will be filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulators within 45 days of this news release. The technical report will be available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on the Company's website (www.blackrocksilver.com). The results of the PEA are preliminary in nature and include inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them to be classified as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the results of the PEA will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Table 1: Key Economic Parameters of the PEA





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Capital Costs

The estimated capital costs to bring Tonopah West into operation are based on utilizing local and regional personnel and select contractors. Initially, an underground development contractor will be employed to establish the portal and initiate development. As the mine develops, the Company will transition to owner mining. Contractors will be sourced to construct all surface facilities including the process plant. After an initial ramp up period, mineralized material will be processed at a rate of 547,500 tonnes per year in a conventional three-stage crushing and milling plant including a refinery which will produce saleable gold and silver dore bars.

The initial capital expenditure is estimated at $177.8 million for the construction period which includes $22.3 million in contingency costs. An additional $178 million is estimated for sustaining capital, principally associated with underground mining development, additional underground mobile equipment and infrastructure, delineation drilling and accrued reclamation expense over the LOM. The Company has also included $11.7 million of expenditures for exploration access ramps to extend the current mineralization.

Capital cost estimates are based on industry standards and were developed using quotes and estimates provided by mining contractors and vendors.

Table 2: Capital Costs





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Operating Costs

The minable resource is accessed via a newly developed ramp system incorporating existing vertical shafts (rehabilitated) for ventilation and secondary escapeways. The minable resource will be extracted utilizing two mining methods, Sublevel Extraction and Cut and Fill mining techniques. Cemented Rock Fill (CRF) and Hydraulic Fill are intended to be utilized as backfill. CRF media is sourced from the development waste rock, whereas Hydraulic Fill will be obtained from segregated tailings material. The minable resource will be transferred to surface via underground haul trucks.

The study considers a processing plant with a design capacity to treat 1,500 metric tonnes per day. Extraction of gold and silver will be carried out by agitated cyanide leaching to produce a pregnant leach solution. The precious metal pregnant leach solution is separated from the solid material in counter-current decantation thickeners. Process tailings will be dewatered by pressure filtration. Solid tailings waste material from pressure filtration will be transported by dump truck to a lined dry-stack tailings storage area. For this evaluation, 20% of the tails were assumed to be used for backfill in the underground mine. Precious metal values will be recovered from the pregnant solution by Merrill-Crowe zinc precipitation, followed by precipitate smelting. Precipitate smelting will produce gold and silver dore bars.

Table 3: Operating Costs





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A summary of the key operating and financial metrics over the approximately 8-year LOM of the Project according to the PEA is as follows:

Table 4: LOM Operating and Financial Data





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Table 5: Sensitivity to Metal Price, Opex and Capex Variations





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Mineral Resources

The updated MRE was prepared in accordance with the CIM Definition Standards and NI 43-101. The effective date of the updated MRE prepared by RESPEC is August 23, 2024.

Table 6: Tonopah West Inferred Mineral Resource - Effective date August 23, 2024

Cut-off

Grade (AgEq g/t) (1) Tonnes

(kt) Grade Contained Metal Classification(4) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) AuEq

(g/t)(2) Au

(koz) Ag (koz) AuEq

(koz)(3) 190 6,351 2.82 237.8 492.5 577 48,550 100,560 Inferred

1 AgEq cutoff grade is based on total mining, processing and G&A costs of $128.6/tonne and a silver price of $25/ounce.

2 Silver Equivalent grade ratio used is 90:1 based on silver and gold prices of $23/ounce and $1,900/ounce, respectively, and recoveries for silver and gold of 87% and 95%, respectively. AgEq Factor= (Ag Price / Au Price) x (Ag Rec / Au Rec); g AgEq/t = g Ag/t + (g Au/t / AgEq Factor).

3 Rounding as required by reporting guidelines may result in apparent discrepancies between tonnes, grade, and contained metal content.

4 Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resources estimated will be converted into mineral reserves. The quantity and grade of reported inferred mineral resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these inferred mineral resources as indicated mineral resources. It is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to the Indicated mineral resources category.

The MRE encompasses the spatial areas known as Victor, DP, Bermuda and the Northwest Step Out areas. The Victor area is approximately 500-metres by 250-metres while the DPB area is 800-metres by 800-metres. The Bermuda area is a high-grade vein within the DPB area, and the NW step out represents a new extension of the vein zones to west-northwest. The spatial areas are not considered to be significantly different geologically but have been separated for logistical purposes in future mining scenarios. Table 7 presents the mineral resources subdivided by spatial area.

Table 7: Tonopah West Inferred Mineral Resources by Area

Area AgEq cutoff g/t (1) Tonnes Silver g/t Gold g/t AgEq g/t (2) Ounces of Silver Ounces of Gold Ounces of Silver Equivalent(3) Classification(4) Victor 190 2,255,000 258 3.05 532.8 18,698,000 221,000 38,621,000 Inferred DP 190 1,652,000 191.5 2.57 423 10,167,000 136,000 22,462,000 Inferred Bermuda 190 1,409,000 292 3.44 602.7 13,233,000 156,000 27,310,000 Inferred NW Step Out 190 1,035,000 193.8 1.9 365.5 6,452,000 63,000 12,168,000 Inferred TOTAL 6,351,000 237.8 2.82 492.5 48,550,000 577,000 100,560,000 Inferred

1 AgEq cutoff grade is based on total mining, processing and G&A costs of $129.3/tonne and a silver price of $25/ounce.

2 Silver Equivalent grade ratio is 90:1 is based on silver and gold prices of $23/ounce and $1,900/ounce, respectively, and recoveries for silver and gold of 87% and 95%, respectively. AgEq Factor= (Ag Price / Au Price) x (Ag Rec / Au Rec); g AgEq/t = g Ag/t + (g Au/t / AgEq Factor).

3Rounding as required by reporting guidelines may result in apparent discrepancies between tonnes, grade, and contained metal content.

4 Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resources estimated will be converted into mineral reserves. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred mineral resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred mineral resources as Indicated mineral resources. It is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to the Indicated mineral resources category.

The NW step out area contains resources of over 12 million ounces of AgEq which are excluded from the PEA. There is significant exploration potential to expand this zone such that it could become big enough to be included in future mining studies.

To generate the MRE, RESPEC was supplied with three-dimensional vein shapes by Blackrock. These vein shapes were used as geological controls to construct three-dimensional grade domains to constrain the estimate. Silver and gold mineral resources were modelled and estimated as follows:

evaluate the drill data statistically;

create tightly constrained low-, medium- and high-grade mineral-domain polygons for both silver and gold on sets of cross sections spaced at 50-metre intervals;

use the mineral-domain polygons as a basis to create three-dimensional wireframes;

code a block model to the silver and gold domains using the mineral-domain wireframes;

analyze the modelled mineralization geostatistically to aid in the establishment of estimation and classification parameters; and

interpolate grades into models comprised of 1.5(east-west) x 1.5(north-south) x 1.5(vertical)-metre blocks using the silver and gold mineral domains to explicitly constrain the grade estimations.

Drillhole assay samples were composited within the mineralized domains into 1.5-metre length composites. High-grade capping was completed on composite data and established using a statistical analysis for silver and gold. Silver was capped at 1,800 g/t, and gold was capped at 20 g/t.

Specific gravity test work was completed for 92 core samples. Results indicate an average density of 2.49 grams/cm for vein material and 2.36 grams/cm for wall rock.

RESPEC utilized Inverse Distance Cubed (ID) interpolation for the estimation to obtain a localizing effect in the mid- and high-grade domains, and an Inverse Distance Squared (ID) in the low-grade domains where mineralization is more diffuse. All estimates are based on a block dimension of 1.5-metre by 1.5-metre by 1.5-metre blocks.

The original deposit has been depleted by historical mining in the Victor area. Approximately 200,000 tonnes of material were removed from the Victor resource estimate. In the DPB area, no historical mining records were documented.

A cut off for the reported resource of 190 g/t AgEq was selected based an assumed mining costs for underground methods along with processing and G&A costs. At a 190 g/t AgEq cut off, the average grade of the inferred resource is 492.5 g/t AgEq.

The MRE was prepared under the supervision of Mr. Jeffrey Bickel, CPG, an employee of RESPEC, and he has reviewed and approved the technical contents relating to the MRE in this news release.

Mr. Bickel has reviewed the sampling, assaying, and security procedures used at Tonopah West and it is his opinion that they follow industry standard procedures and are adequate for the estimation of the current MRE.

Mr. Bickel completed audits of the database, performed a site visit, and reviewed quality assurance and quality control data. After performing their review, he considers the assay data to be adequate for the estimation of the current MRE.

Qualified Persons

The "Qualified Persons" (as defined by NI 43-101) who were responsible for the PEA and who have verified and approved the contents of this news release are Robert H. Todd, P.E., of Minetech, Jeffery Bickel, C.P.G (AIPG) of RESPEC Company, LLC, Travis Manning, P.E., QP of Kappes, Cassiday & Associates, Thomas H. Bagan, P.E., MBA, SME-RM, an independent consulting mining engineer and Richard DeLong, QP of Westland Engineering and Environmental Inc.

Blackrock's exploration activities at Tonopah West are conducted and supervised by Mr. William Howald, Executive Chairman of Blackrock. Mr. William Howald, AIPG Certified Professional Geologist #11041, is a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 standards. He has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.

The Qualified Persons referenced in this news release are not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, political, or other relevant factors that could materially affect the PEA.

About Blackrock Silver Corp.

Backed by gold and silver ounces in the ground, Blackrock is a junior precious metal focused exploration and development company driven to add shareholder value. Anchored by a seasoned Board of Directors, the Company is focused on its 100% controlled Nevada portfolio of properties consisting of low-sulphidation, epithermal gold and silver mineralization located along the established Northern Nevada Rift in north-central Nevada and the Walker Lane trend in western Nevada.

Additional information on Blackrock Silver Corp. can be found on its website at www.blackrocksilver.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-Looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things: the Company's strategic plans; the results of the PEA; the economic potential and merits of the Project; the estimated amount and grade of mineral resources at the Project; precious metals prices; the PEA representing a viable development option for the Project; the timing and particulars of the development phases as identified in the PEA; estimates with respect to LOM, operating costs, sustaining capital costs, capex, AISC, cash costs, LOM production, mill throughput, NPV and after-tax IRR, payback period, production capacity and other metrics; the estimated economic returns from the Project; mining methods and extraction techniques; the exploration potential of the NW step out area and its inclusion in future mining studies; Project enhancement opportunities; the completion of further expansion drilling; the benefits of the Project to the local economy in Tonopah; and the timing of filing of a technical report in respect of the PEA.

These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; tonnage to be mined and processed; grades and recoveries; prices for silver and gold remaining as estimated; currency exchange rates remaining as estimated; reclamation estimates; reliability of the updated MRE and the assumptions upon which it is based; future operating costs; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); the availability of skilled labour and no labour related disruptions at any of the Company's operations; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled production; performance of available laboratory and other related services; availability of funds; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals for operations are received in a timely manner; the ability to secure and maintain title and ownership to properties and the surface rights necessary for operations; and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: fluctuations in silver and gold prices; fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); fluctuations in currency markets; operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mining (including environmental accidents and hazards, industrial accidents, equipment breakdown, unusual or unexpected geological or structural formations, cave-ins, flooding and severe weather); risks relating to the credit worthiness or financial condition of suppliers, refiners and other parties with whom the Company does business; inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards; employee relations; relationships with, and claims by, local communities and indigenous populations; the ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner; changes in laws, regulations and government practices in the jurisdictions where the Company operates; changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and political, legal or economic developments, including legal restrictions relating to mining and risks relating to expropriation; increased competition in the mining industry for equipment and qualified personnel; the duration and effects any pandemics on the Company's operations and workforce; and those factors identified under the caption "Risks Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form. Forward-Looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Cautionary Note for U.S. Investors Concerning Mineral Resources and Reserves

This news release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Canadian NI 43-101 and the CIM guidelines, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects.

Canadian public disclosure standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and information concerning mineralization, deposits, mineral reserve and mineral resource information contained or referred to herein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this news release uses the term "inferred mineral resources". U.S. investors are advised that, while such term is recognized and required by Canadian securities laws, the SEC does not recognize it. The requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of "reserves" are not the same as those of the SEC, and may not qualify as "reserves" under SEC standards. Under U.S. standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part of an "indicated mineral resource" will ever be converted into a "reserve". U.S. investors should also understand that "inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of "inferred mineral resources" exist, are economically or legally mineable or will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Disclosure of "contained metal" in a mineral resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian securities laws. However, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade, without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards.

Non-IFRS Measures

The Company has included certain non-IFRS financial measures in this news release, such as sustaining capital costs, total cash costs and AISC which are not measures recognized under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. As a result, these measures may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. Each of these measures used are intended to provide additional information to the reader and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. Non-IFRS financial measures used in this news release and common to the mining industry are defined below.

Sustaining Capital Costs

Sustaining capital costs are expenditures incurred during a production phase to sustain and maintain the existing assets so they can achieve constant expected levels of production from which the Company will derive economic benefits. Sustaining capital costs include expenditure for assets to retain their existing productive capacity as well as to enhance performance and reliability of the operations. Reclamation costs are accrued during the LOM and expended at the end of the mine life.

Total Cash Costs

Total cash costs are reflective of the cost of production. Total cash costs reported in the PEA include mining costs, processing, general and administrative costs of the mine, royalties and production taxes, reclamation and bond premiums and refining and treatment charges.

All-In Sustaining Costs (AISC)

Site-level all-in sustaining costs are reflective of all of the expenditures that are required to produce an ounce of silver from operations. All-in sustaining costs reported in the PEA include total cash costs, sustaining capital and exploration.

1 AISC is a non-IFRS financial performance measure with no standardized definition under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Please refer to "Non-IFRS Measures" at the end of this news release.

2 United States domestic production: 32 million ounces in 2023 according to Silver Institute 2024 survey.

3 Lowest-quartile AISC costs per S&P Mining Intelligence as of September 1, 2024.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222093

SOURCE: Blackrock Silver Corp.
Sean Hammond spearheads company's regional expansion with AI portfolio of solutions

LUXEMBOURG, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gcore, the global edge AI, cloud, network, and security solutions provider, today announced the appointment of Sean Hammond, an expert in the convergence of AI and digital media, to head up its fast-expanding UK and Nordics territory.

A skilled sales professional with wide experience and technical knowledge of the digital media sector, Sean Hammond comes to Gcore after three years at Lumen Technologies. He has expertise in helping enterprises and broadcasters to deliver their applications closer to users, a skill that will be essential in his role promoting Gcore's streaming, CDN, FastEdge, and AI Inference at the Edge solutions.

Hammond, who has also worked as Head of Service and Delivery at Simplestream and at StreamAMG, has a clear understanding of how AI innovations are transforming streaming performance and is well positioned to communicate complex applications while also building trusted relationships with Gcore customers.

Fabrice Moizan, CRO at Gcore, said: "The UK and Nordics are strategically important for the growth of our European and international business, and Sean is the ideal manager to spearhead that expansion. He is already proving his enthusiasm for the role, meeting with customers and building rewarding relationships and his customer-centric approach means that their needs are consistently being met."

Sean Hammond commented: "Developing the UK and Nordics for Gcore is a fantastic opportunity, allowing me to bring truly cutting-edge, AI-enabled technology to a burgeoning market. Working with Gcore means being at the heart of the AI revolution, allowing enterprise customers to maximise their opportunities, and compete at the highest level."

Hammond will be part of the Gcore team that will showcase streaming and AI innovations for broadcasting at scale at IBC 2024 (stand 5.H14), highlighting AI advancements in speech recognition and content moderation.

About Gcore

Gcore is a global edge AI, cloud, network, and security solutions provider. Headquartered in Luxembourg, with a team of 600 operating from ten offices worldwide, Gcore provides solutions to global leaders in numerous industries. Gcore manages its global IT infrastructure across six continents, with one of the best network performances in Europe, Africa, and LATAM due to the average response time of 30 ms worldwide. Gcore's network consists of 180 points of presence worldwide in reliable Tier IV and Tier III data centers, with a total network capacity exceeding 200 Tbps.

gcore.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2495118/Gcore_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/gcore-appoints-new-territory-manager-for-uk-and-nordics-302236946.html
Checkout.com's virtual card platform cuts Holiday Extras' manual processing time by more than one and a half days per week

This integration brings financial rewards through interchange fees and improved security with MCC-locked virtual cards

This marks the first time Holiday Extras has implemented virtual cards, revolutionizing their payment processes and enhancing efficiency across the board

LONDON, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Checkout.com, a leading global digital payment solutions provider, has helped Holiday Extras streamline and increase the performance of their payment processes through the use of virtual cards, resulting in increased automation, improved operational efficiency, and positive financial outcomes.

Holiday Extras, the market leader in holiday extras, is used by more than 11 million travelers every year to book airport parking, airport hotels, airport lounges, travel insurance, car hire, airport transfers and more. By integrating Checkout.com's issuing platform, Holiday Extras has automated their booking and payment systems, significantly reducing manual processing and simplifying their robust error-checking systems.

Before partnering with Checkout.com, Holiday Extras relied on entirely manual payment processes with their hotel, hospitality, and airline business partners, which caused inefficiencies. Manual batch bank wire transfers were previously required between Holiday Extras and their partners to confirm bookings and make payments, an area in which the two companies worked together to identify opportunities for technical improvements and significant efficiencies.

Successful implementation of this automated booking and payment system across the business is expected to reduce manual processing time by at least 12.5 hours per week, leading to substantial savings. Furthermore, the ability to lock virtual cards to specific Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) has also added an extra layer of security, reducing decline rates and enhancing overall customer and partner satisfaction.

Checkout.com provides a comprehensive virtual card issuing platform that seamlessly integrates into the booking system of partners. This integration allows Holiday Extras to issue virtual cards automatically to secure room bookings and make automatic payments to partners as soon as a customer makes a reservation on their website.

Holiday Extras is excited to use Checkout.com's travel card proposition, which leverages virtual card technology as part of the Mastercard Wholesale Program, to pay their hotel partners. These cards enhance the partner payment experience, and offer a simpler cost structure as well as more card product and currency flexibility.

"Partnering with Checkout.com has transformed how we manage payments. The integration of virtual cards has not only streamlined our booking and payment processes but also enhanced security and efficiency. We're excited to expand this solution further, improving the experience for partners and the performance of our customer journey.", said Michelle Taylor, Account Payable Team Leader at Holiday Extras.

"At Checkout.com, we are committed to empowering businesses with innovative payment solutions that enhance the performance of payments and fuel growth. Our Issuing platform is designed to simplify complex payment processes, and we're thrilled to see Holiday Extras benefiting from the automation and security. This collaboration enables Holiday Extras to provide an even smoother booking experience for its customers, ensuring secure and efficient transactions every time" said Antoine Nougue, Chief Revenue Officer at Checkout.com.

About Checkout.com

Checkout.com processes payments for thousands of companies that shape the digital economy. Our global digital payments network supports over 145 currencies and delivers high-performance payment solutions across the world, processing billions of transactions annually.

With flexible and scalable technology, we help enterprise merchants boost acceptance rates, reduce processing costs, combat fraud, and turn payments into a major revenue driver. Headquartered in London and with 16 offices worldwide, Checkout.com is trusted by leading brands such as Sony, Shein, Sainsbury's, Wise, Patreon, GE Healthcare, Rail Europe, and The Financial Times.

Checkout.com. Where the world checks out.

About Holiday Extras

Holiday Extras is the UK market leader in airport parking, airport hotels, worldwide airport lounges, destination car hire, airport transfers and holiday insurance. Established in 1983, Holiday Extras makes bookings for over 8 million travellers each year. When booking with Holiday Extras, if plans change, no matter what the reason, Flextras ensures it will always be easy and free to cancel the booking and reschedule for another date. The company has been listed eleven times in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For.???

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/checkoutcom-enables-first-virtual-card-integration-for-holiday-extras-slashing-payment-processing-time-by-more-than-1-5-days-per-week-302237070.html
TAIPEI, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Innodisk, a leading global AI solution provider, continues to push the boundaries of innovation with the launch of its cutting-edge Compute Express Link (CXL) Memory Module, which is designed to meet the rapid growth demands of AI servers and cloud data centers. As one of the few module manufacturers offering this technology, Innodisk is at the forefront of AI and high-performance computing.

The demand for AI servers is rising quickly, with these systems expected to account for approximately 65% of the server market by 2024, according to Trendforce (2024). This growth has created an urgent need for greater memory bandwidth and capacity, as AI servers now require at least 1.2TB of memory to operate effectively. Traditional DDR memory solutions are increasingly struggling to meet these demands, especially as the number of CPU cores continues to multiply, leading to challenges such as underutilized CPU resources and increasing latency between different protocols.

Innodisk's CXL memory module addresses these challenges by overcoming the limitations of conventional DIMM channels and significantly boosting server system performance. The module supports 32GB/s of bandwidth and supports data transfer speeds up to 32GT/s via the PCIe Gen5 x8 interface, ensuring the rapid processing capabilities essential for AI workloads. If equipped with four pieces of 64GB CXL memory modules, the server configured with eight pieces of 128GB DRAM modules can increase its memory capacity by 30% and bandwidth by 40%, which can meet the demanding memory requirements of AI servers without requiring additional DIMM slots, thereby optimizing hardware architecture and reducing system complexity. Furthermore, the CXL memory module enables memory pooling, which optimizes memory resource sharing between CPUs and components, significantly reducing redundant memory usage and enhancing overall system efficiency.

The CXL memory module from Innodisk features the E3.S 2T form factor based on the EDSFF standard. This design allows for flexible memory expansion and easy module swapping within servers, ensuring seamless integration with minimal cost and complexity. CXL is an open standard promoted by major industry players, and it is expected to rapidly develop into a comprehensive ecosystem, which is critical for applications in cloud data centers, networking communications, and edge servers.

Innodisk plans to begin shipping this advanced CXL memory module in Q1 2025. This launch marks Innodisk's commitment to leading the future of computing with cutting-edge solutions.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/innodisk-unveils-advanced-cxl-memory-module-to-power-ai-servers-302237789.html
Regulatory News:

Winamp, a subsidiary of Llama Group SA (Paris: ALLAM) (Brussels: ALLAM), is unveiling its new 'Winamp for Creator' platform, designed to transform the music industry radically. The platform integrates a complete solution for artists and labels to generate revenue and maximize their impact. It brings together all the essential services, from digital distribution to the latest innovations, such as NFT creation and advanced copyright management.

Winamp for Creator embodies the future of music by offering artists unrivaled power to manage their careers. It enables them to connect directly with their fans, create subscriptions, and secure their income via a single, intuitive platform.

'We aim to give artists and labels a platform that is focused initially on capturing different types of revenue and creating a team of collaborators. Before the end of the year, we will be adding various marketing and promotional services, such as centralized management of social networks and the creation of websites and mobile applications. Next up will be performance analysis tools. We aim to provide a comprehensive, integrated management tool that will help you perform effectively in a constantly evolving environment, explains Alexandre Saboundjian, CEO of Winamp.

The legendary Winamp player will also continue its metamorphosis. A new mobile version will be launched at the beginning of September, followed by the opening of the source code for the historic Winamp Legacy version on 21 September, giving the developer community the opportunity to play an active part in the evolution of the player that has marked the history of digital music.

Winamp aims to become a key player in the industry, looking to the future with an innovative technological vision.

About Llama Group

Llama Group is a pioneer and leader in the digital music industry. With extensive expertise across various sectors, the group owns the iconic Winamp platform, the Bridger copyright management company, and the Jamendo music licensing company.

Llama Group's ambition is to build the future of the music industry through sustained investment in a range of innovative solutions and in the talent and skills of people who love music.

The group stands by its brand values: empowerment, access, simplicity, and fairness.

Winamp's vision is a world where a cutting-edge music platform connects artists and their fans like never before.

Bridger's mission is to support songwriters and composers by providing a simple and innovative solution for collecting royalties.

Jamendo enables independent artists to generate additional income through commercial licenses.

Finally, Hotmix offers a bouquet of more than sixty thematic and free digital radio stations.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240904271818/en/

Contacts:

Investors relations

Olivier Van Gulck

investors@llama-group.com
Partnership provides Medicines Discovery Catapult access to CRISPR gene editing technology across a broad range of drug discovery applications

ERS Genomics Limited ('ERS'), the CRISPR licensing Company, and Medicines Discovery Catapult ('MDC'), an independent, not-for-profit drug discovery innovation centre, have signed a non-exclusive commercial-use CRISPR license agreement. The partnership combines ERS's CRISPR/Cas9 patent portfolio with MDC's world-class expertise and technology.

MDC and its partners will benefit from access to ERS' entire CRISPR/Cas9 portfolio the foundational CRISPR/Cas9 intellectual property held by Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier. This will extend MDC's ability to provide breakthrough products and services that help de-risk drug discovery, drive sector productivity and attract investment.

The agreement adds gene editing to MDC's already strong research and commercial capabilities in cellular science and biomarkers. MDC and ERS believe the partnership will lead to the development of unique drug discovery tools and unlock insights that will drive faster, more effective drug discovery research in the UK and beyond.

Professor Chris Molloy, CEO of Medicines Discovery Catapult, commented: "At MDC, we are always looking for the right partnerships to drive innovation across our community, helping them bring medicines to market faster for patient benefit. This agreement with ERS Genomics offers huge potential for entrepreneurial scientists. By using the CRISPR/Cas9 portfolio with our world-class expertise and technologies, we can deliver more breakthroughs together."

John E Milad, CEO, ERS Genomics, said: "We welcome MDC to our family of licensees. Their extensive network of partners and collaborators across the private and public sectors, including CROs, universities, research institutes, and the NHS, will continue to widen access to CRISPR/Cas9 in drug discovery."

ERS Genomics provides licensing to CRISPR/Cas9 technology for companies interested in pursuing its use in their commercial programs. Comprising 100+ patents globally, ERS' portfolio encompasses CRISPR/Cas9 usage in all cells, including bacteria, archaea, yeasts, and algae. ERS Genomics licenses these patents via its direct license from Emmanuelle Charpentier and now has nearly 150 licenses in place worldwide.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240904321742/en/

Contacts:

Media:

Dr Ben Rutter

Zyme Communications

Tel: +44(0)7920 770 935

Email: ben.rutter@zymecommunications.com



Georgia Smith

Medicines Discovery Catapult

Email: media@md.catapult.org.uk
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The Dion Foundation for Children with Rare Diseases will finance expansion in the US of Atamyo's first-in-human trial of ATA-200.

The Phase 1b, dose-escalation study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ATA-200 in children has already received regulatory clearance in Europe.

ATA-200 is a single-injection gene therapy aimed to treat limb-girdle muscular dystrophy Type 2C/R5 (LGMD2C/R5) caused by mutations in the g-sarcoglycan gene

Atamyo Therapeutics and The Dion Foundation for Children with Rare Diseases, today announced a key partnership to expand into the US a first-in-human clinical trial of ATA-200, Atamyo's gene therapy for the treatment of the ?-sarcoglycan related limb-girdle muscular dystrophy Type 2C/R5 (LGMD2C/R5).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240904042951/en/

France-based Atamyo is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of new generation gene therapies targeting muscular dystrophies and cardiomyopathies. The US-based Dion Foundation is a non-profit organization devoted to increasing awareness and allocating funds towards research and development of potential treatments of rare genetic diseases, such as limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.

The Dion Foundation will finance deployment in the US of Atamyo's clinical trial of ATA-200 (NCT05973630). The study, sponsored by Atamyo, has already received regulatory clearance in France and Italy. This multicenter, Phase 1b, open-label, dose escalation study will evaluate safety, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and immunogenicity in children of intravenous ATA-200, a single-dose Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) vector carrying the human ?-sarcoglycan transgene.

"We are so grateful for the opportunity to establish a partnership with Atamyo to help facilitate bringing their groundbreaking research to a clinical site in the US for the very first clinical trial for children with LGMD2C/R5. This is a monumental step for the entire LGMD community," said Courtney Dion, Co-Founder and President of the Dion Foundation.

"We are thrilled by this key partnership and grateful to the Dion Foundation for their financial support which aims to include US patients in the first-in-human trial for ATA-200," said Stephane Degove, CEO of Atamyo. "We are already engaged in the preparation of an IND filing in the US for ATA-200."

Atamyo is a spin-off of Genethon, a non-profit research organization that is a pioneer in developing gene therapies for rare diseases. ATA-200 is based on the research of Atamyo Chief Scientific Officer Isabelle Richard, Ph.D., Research Director at National Center of Scientific Research (CNRS) in France and head of the Progressive Muscular Dystrophies Laboratory at Genethon.

Genethon CEO Frederic Revah observed, "This partnership between the Dion Foundation and Atamyo, a spin-off from Genethon, represents another major milestone in our efforts over the past 30 years to develop gene therapies for rare diseases and bring them to patients worldwide."

LGMD2C/R5 is a rare genetic disease caused by mutations in the gene that produces ?-sarcoglycan, a transmembrane protein that is involved in the connection between muscle fibers and their environment. It affects an estimated 2,000 people in Europe. In the classical form, symptoms appear in early childhood and patients suffer from progressive muscular weakness leading to loss of ambulation before adulthood. Cardiac involvement, typically presenting as dilated cardiomyopathy is reported in approximately half of patients. There is no curative treatment. The management of LGMD2C/R5 is solely supportive.

ATA-200, a gene therapy candidate for LGMD2C/R5, delivers a normal copy of the gene for production of ?-sarcoglycan protein. In preclinical models, a single systemic injection of ATA-200 demonstrated its tolerability and capability to correct symptoms and biomarkers of the pathology. ATA-200 has been granted Orphan Medicinal Product Designation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and it is the first treatment targeting LGMD-2C/R5 to enter clinical trials.

About The Dion Foundation for Children with Rare Diseases

The Dion Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 2023 with the mission to raise awareness of rare and ultra-rare genetic diseases affecting children, such as Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy. We advocate for supportive legislation at both local and federal levels, and we are dedicated to allocating funds for research and the development of potential treatments and cures for these devastating conditions. At the Dion Foundation, we believe that no child should be left behind. Every child matters, and so do the countless others affected by rare genetic neuromuscular diseases.

For more information: https://www.thedionfund.org/contact-us

About Atamyo Therapeutics

Atamyo Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharma focused on the development of a new generation of effective and safe gene therapies for neuromuscular diseases. A spin-off of gene therapy pioneer Genethon, Atamyo leverages unique expertise in AAV-based gene therapy and muscular dystrophies from the Progressive Muscular Dystrophies Laboratory at Genethon. Atamyo's most advanced programs address different forms of limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMD), with two clinical-stage programs targeting respectively LGMD2I/R9 and LGMD2C/R5. The name of the company is derived from two words: Celtic Atao which means "Always" or "Forever" and Myo which is the Greek root for muscle. Atamyo conveys the spirit of its commitment to improve the life of patients affected by neuromuscular diseases with life-long efficient treatments. For more information visit www.atamyo.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240904042951/en/

Contacts:

European contact: contact@atamyo.com

U.S. Contact:

Charles Craig, Opus Biotech Communications

Charles.s.craig@gmail.com, 404-245-0591
Palarum SmartBadge Technology Improves Staff and Student Safety at Mason, Ohio, School

MASON, OH / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / Faculty, administrators and staff are all too aware of the dangerous and sometimes deadly events that have beset the nation's schools. Most safety incidents at schools involve low-threat level events, such as a stranger lurking near school grounds, unidentified visitors walking through the halls or fights breaking out among students. In the most terrifying and tragic of scenarios, armed or active shooters have entered schools with malicious intent and plans to take lives of students and teachers.









Saint Susanna School in Mason, Ohio, is among the thousands of schools in which staff, faculty and students have received training on how to identify, respond to, and intercept various forms of danger. According to Saint Susanna School Principal Daniel Albrinck, the training includes "run/hide/lockdown/fight" protocols for responding to an active-shooter scenario.

During the past school year, Saint Susanna School has also served as a testing site for new technology that offers extra levels of security and safety. Wearing a lightweight, interactive SmartBadge from Cincinnati-based Palarum, a teacher or staff member - with the push of a button on the badge - can instantly notify the closest staff of a problem in progress.

This past year, Saint Susanna staff used the SmartBadge in several real-life safety-related situations. All were categorized as lower levels of emergency, and none involved violence or deadly harm.

"The SmartBadge was very effective for us," said Principal Albrinck. "While intercepting problems from escalating, teachers and staff reported that the SmartBadge system gave them a strong sense of empowerment and safety management. They could respond immediately to a situation by pressing the badge button, issuing the alert, and receiving immediate help from nearby staff. It's especially helpful in a school like ours, which has no onsite safety resource or security guard."

During the trial period, Saint Susanna School used a three-tier system with the SmartBadge, which enables users to alert others as to the severity and location of the problem. A low-threat Tier 1 issue - identified with one push of the SmartBadge button - notifies the nearest three staff members that assistance is needed. A Tier 2 event, indicated by two pushes of the button, may represent a more serious issue or, as Principal Albrinck says, a teacher sensing that "something doesn't seem quite right or that a bigger trouble may be brewing."

A highest threat level at Saint Susanna, categorized as a Tier 3 event, is announced by three button pushes on the SmartBadge. "It notifies everybody wearing the badges that an event of maximum danger is underway, such as an active shooter on school grounds," says Principal Albrinck.

Palarum president and co-founder Patrick Baker says the SmartBadge trial at Saint Susanna School proved its value in enhancing school safety and security. "We've learned much from the St. Susanna experience. We're certainly encouraged enough to continue developing SmartBadge for broader use throughout the educational community."

Supporting Palarum on this school safety collaboration include: RDI, a leading customer contact support provider based in Cincinnati, Ohio; T&M DataCom Service, specialists in low-voltage cabling, electrical, information technology, based in Cincinnati; and, Electronic Precepts, an Original Design and Manufacturer (ODM) service provider headquartered in Seminole, Florida.

About Saint Susanna School

Founded in 1948 by the Sisters of Notre Dame, Saint Susanna is a Catholic school in Mason, Ohio, and is an extension of the Saint Susanna Parish. The school strives to embody the core values and academic guidelines as set forth by its parish community and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The school currently teaches over 614 students in 27 grade-level classrooms. It has earned the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and features a 100% graduation rate, with over 90% of graduates continuing on to Catholic high schools. In partnership with parish and families, Saint Susanna School is committed to building lives in the image of Christ through prayer, worship, service and academics.

About Palarum

Founded in 2014 by Patrick Baker, Palarum has developed several innovative technologies, including wearable technology designed to improve monitoring and care of fall-risk patients in acute care, long-term care and rehabilitation facilities.

Contact Information

Christopher Baker

VP Bus Dev

cbaker@palarum.com

617.513.7003

SOURCE: Palarum, LLC

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Arras Minerals Corp. (TSXV:ARK)(OTCQB:ARRKF) ("Arras" or "the Company") is pleased to provide an update on its exploration activities underway across the project portfolio in NE Kazakhstan.

Highlights

3,547 line-kilometer Heli-TEM survey over the entire 1397 square-kilometer Bozshakol project mineral tenement package announced July 22, 2024 has now been completed

KGK Drill program underway at Aktasty and Maisor licenses (Bozshakol project) targeting high-priority areas to test bedrock under 10-40 m of unconsolidated cover

Ground IP Survey at Elemes project is now 80% completed, high priority targets identified, core drill program now underway at Berezski East and Berezski Central targets

KGK Drill program at Tay project completed

Figure 1. Map of Arras projects in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan

Bozshakol Project:

The Bozshakol Project (Package "A" in Figure 1) is located 56km to the northwest of the town of Ekibastuz and surrounds and covers the potential continuation of mineralization of KAZ Minerals' Bozshakol copper- mine.

The Heli-Tem survey announced on July 22 nd has now been completed. Analysis of data is underway. A 17,000-meter KGK drill program has commenced at the Aktasty and Maisor licenses to test the bedrock at targets identified through geophysics and soil sampling completed to date, and to better understand the subsurface geology that lays below 10-40 m of quaternary cover. This program, along with the Heli-Tem survey is expected to inform on priority drill targets for 2025.

Elemes Project:

The Ground IP Survey at the Elemes project which commenced in July is approximately 80% complete and expected to be finished in September. The survey over the Berezski East and Berezski Central target areas has been completed and drill targets for these areas prioritized. A core drill is now underway at these areas with drilling at the Elemes Project expected to continue across a number of priority targets into November with 5000m planned for this Phase I program. Initial assays are expected in November.

Figure 2. Berezski Target at Elemes Project showing soil geochemistry and exploration targets.

Tay Project:

A 5,424m KGK drilling program has been completed at the Tay Project. This program targeted the Soviet-era IP anomaly that formed the basis to acquire the license earlier this year. The 135 KGK holes successfully tested the top of bedrock across the anomaly returning predominantly basalts and schists.

Following completion of the KGK program, a single line of Ground IP survey was undertaken which confirmed the location of the Soviet IP anomaly with inversion analysis indicating an anomaly at approximately 140m below surface. Given the KGK drill is not able to reach that depth, a single core hole was drilled to test the heart of the anomaly and was drilled to 400 m. Visual results from the hole indicate several zones of chalcopyrite mineralization along fractures within basalts and gabbros. Priority intervals have been dispatched to the assay lab with results expected in October.

Tim Barry, CEO commented, "We are very pleased with how the programs are progressing so far this summer with activity across virtually the entire license package. The Ground IP survey at Elemes has progressed well and we are excited to have a drill turning there now as we begin to test the first batch of new priority targets at this exciting project. Additionally, all the work taking place at the Bozshakol group is advancing this project area to prioritize drill targets and follow-up areas ahead of an expected busy drilling campaign in 2025. At Tay, while we are awaiting assay results, we were surprised to not see more intensive alteration and sulfides in the drill core given how well the IP anomaly was confirmed with our own Ground IP survey. Once assays are received, we will review and decide on next steps at Tay."

Qualified Person: The scientific and technical disclosure for this news release has been prepared under supervision of and approved by Matthew Booth, Vice President of Exploration, of Arras Minerals Corp., a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101. Mr. Booth has over 19 years of mineral exploration experience and is a Qualified Person member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (CPG 12044).

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Tim Barry"

Tim Barry, MAusIMM CP(Geo)

Chief Executive Officer and Director

INVESTOR RELATIONS:

+1 604 687 5800

info@arrasminerals.com

Further information can be found on:

the Company's website https://www.arrasminerals.com or

follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arrasminerals or

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About Arras Minerals Corp.

Arras is a Canadian exploration and development company advancing a portfolio of copper and gold assets in northeastern Kazakhstan, including the Option Agreement on the Beskauga copper and gold project. The Company has established the third-largest license package in the country prospective for copper and gold (behind Rio Tinto and Fortescue). In December 2023, the Company entered into a strategic alliance with Teck Resources ("Teck") in which Teck will sole fund a US$5 million generative exploration program over a portion of the Arras license package in 2024-2025 focusing on critical minerals. The Company's shares are listed on the TSX-V under the trading symbol "ARK" and on the OTCQB under the trading symbol "ARRKF".

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors concerning estimates of Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Resources: This press release uses the terms "measured resources", "indicated resources", and "inferred resources" which are defined in, and required to be disclosed by, NI 43-101. The Company advises U.S. investors that these terms are not recognized by the SEC. The estimation of measured, indicated and inferred resources involves greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic feasibility than the estimation of proven and probable reserves. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that measured and indicated mineral resources will be converted into reserves. The estimation of inferred resources involves far greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic viability than the estimation of other categories of resources. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that estimates of inferred mineral resources exist, are economically minable, or will be upgraded into measured or indicated mineral resources. Under Canadian securities laws, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies.

Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations, however the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, the information contained in this press release may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies that are not subject NI 43-101.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and Arras' future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act, and applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding plans and expectations of the exploration program Arras is in the process of undertaking, including the expansion of the Mineral Resource, and other aspects of the Mineral Resource estimates for the Beskauga project. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about Arras' exploration projects, the industry in which Arras operates and the beliefs and assumptions of Arras' management. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "continues," "may," variations of such words, and similar expressions and references to futureperiods, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond management's control, including undertaking further exploration activities, the results of such exploration activities and that such results support continued exploration activities, unexpected variations in ore grade, types and metallurgy, volatility and level of commodity prices, the availability of sufficient future financing, and other matters discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Management Discussion and Analysis filed on the Company's profile on SEDAR on February 28, 2024 and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed on February 28, 2024 available on www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this release is based only on information currently available and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.

SOURCE: Arras Minerals Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - Argyle Resources Corp. (CSE: ARGL) (OTCQB: ARLYF) (FSE: ME0) ("Argyle" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has successfully upgraded from the OTC Pink Market to the OTCQB Venture Market. The upgrade has been approved by OTC Markets Group and the Company commenced trading on the OTCQB on September 3rd, 2024.

The Company's common shares started trading on the OTCQB under the symbol "ARLYF" as of the opening of the market on September 3rd, 2024. The Company's common shares will continue to trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "ARGL" and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "ME0".

The OTCQB, operated by OTC Markets Group, Inc., is a market designed for developing and entrepreneurial companies in the United States and abroad. To be eligible for trading on the OTCQB, companies must be current in their financial reporting with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pass a minimum bid price test, maintain audited financials through a PCAOB registered firm, and undergo company verification and management certification on an annual basis.

The Company also announces that its common shares are eligible for electronic clearing and settlement in the United States through the Depository Trust Company ("DTC"). DTC eligibility is expected to simplify the process of trading and enhance liquidity of Argyle's shares in the United States. The Company's shares recently began trading on the OTCQB under the symbol "ARLYF".

The DTC is a subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, a U.S. company that manages the electronic clearing and settlement of publicly traded companies. Securities that are eligible to be electronically cleared and settled through DTC are considered to be "DTC eligible". This electronic method of clearing securities speeds up the receipt of stock and cash, and thus accelerates the settlement process for investors and brokers, enabling the stock to be traded over a much wider selection of brokerage firms by coming into compliance with their requirements.

Jeff Stevens, CEO stated, "Cross-trading onto the OTCQB Venture Market as well as Argyle's shares being DTC eligible marks the achievement of yet another important milestone that we set out to achieve. We believe trading on the OTCQB, along with DTC eligibility will provide much greater visibility and transparency to investors which will allow for us to reach a wider audience. We greatly appreciate the support we have received from our partners and shareholders as we continue to execute on our business plan."

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

'Jeffrey Stevens'

President & CEO

About Argyle Resources Corp.

Argyle Resources Corp. is a junior mineral exploration company engaged in the business of acquiring, exploring, staking and evaluating natural resource properties in North America. The Company currently holds an option to acquire up to 100% of the Frenchvale Graphite Property located in Nova Scotia, Canada and owns 100% interest in the Pilgrim Islands, Matapedia and Lac Comporte quartzite silica projects in Quebec, Canada. Argyle is engaged in a research partnership with the National Institute of Scientific Research (INRS), a high-level research and training institute funded by the Quebec government to conduct exploration programs on the Company's silica projects. The Company was incorporated in 2023 and its head office is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the services offered under the contract and successful enhanced market conditions. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", "will be", "intends", "expected" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management of the Company, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different, including receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. Although management of the Company have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222033

SOURCE: Argyle Resources Corp.
Oakville, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - FendX Technologies Inc. (CSE: FNDX) (OTCQB: FDXTF) (FSE: E8D) (the "Company" or "FendX") a nanotechnology company developing surface protection coatings, is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed its pilot manufacturing phase with Dunmore International Inc. and is now moving forward to evaluate the effectiveness of REPELWRAP film in real-world settings.

Dr. Carolyn Myers, CEO of FendX states, "With the completion of our pilot manufacturing phase of development, we are excited to embark on real-world testing at various announced test sites. This next phase is crucial, as it will provide valuable insights into the film's performance in real-world settings, guiding us towards finalizing the film for ultimate commercial production." Dr. Myers continues, "FendX acknowledges the invaluable collaboration and expertise that Dunmore International Corp. and McMaster University have provided in finalizing the pilot manufacturing phase. Their support has been pivotal in achieving this milestone and we look forward to building off this success."

About Dunmore International Corp.

Dunmore International Corp. ("Dunmore"), a Steel Partners Holdings L.P. (NYSE: SPLP) operating company, is a global manufacturer of engineered coated and laminated films and foils with manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Germany. Dunmore offers film conversion services such as coating, metallizing, and laminating along with contract film manufacturing and custom film product development. Dunmore services a diverse group of industries including aircraft, spacecraft, photovoltaic, graphic arts & labels, packaging, and insulation. Dunmore is a subsidiary of Steel Partners and is ISO 9001:2015 and OSHA VPP Star certified.

About FendX Technologies Inc.

FendX is a Canada-based nanotechnology company focused on developing products to make people's lives safer by reducing the spread of pathogens. The Company is developing both film and spray products to protect surfaces from contamination. The lead product under development, REPELWRAP film, is a protective surface coating film that, due to its repelling properties, prevents the adhesion of pathogens and reduces their transmission on surfaces prone to contamination. The spray nanotechnology is a bifunctional spray coating being developed to reduce contamination on surfaces by repelling and killing pathogens. The Company is conducting research and development activities using its nanotechnology in collaboration with industry-leading partners, including McMaster University. The Company has exclusive worldwide licenses to its technology and IP portfolio from McMaster, which encompass both film and spray coating nanotechnology formulations.

ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY

"Carolyn Myers"

Carolyn Myers

Chief Executive Officer and Director

For more information, please visit https://fendxtech.com/ and the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including with respect to: the plans of the Company; statements regarding the Company's plans to embark on real-world testing on surfaces at various test sites and the timing of such testing and expectation of benefits, insights and results from testing; statements regarding finalizing the film for ultimate commercial production scale-up and commercialization; and products under development and any pathogen reduction benefits related thereto. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and involve several risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and that actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include: product candidates only being in formulation/reformulation stages; limited operating history; research and development activities; dependence on collaborative partners, licensors and others; effect of general economic and political conditions; and other risk factors set forth in the Company's public filings which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, the reader is urged to refer to the Company's such filings for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222042

SOURCE: FendX Technologies Inc.
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A Decade of Navigating the Pre-Owned Pilatus Market

OVERLAND PARK, KS / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / JetSwiss Aviation, a leading authority in Pre-Owned Pilatus aircraft sales and ownership, is proud to announce its 10-year anniversary. Founded on a deep-rooted passion for private aviation and an unparalleled knowledge of the Pilatus program, JetSwiss has become synonymous with excellence in the industry.

Don "Bub" Peterson, Founder of JetSwiss Aviation

"Whether it's acquiring their first Pilatus or expanding their fleet, we are committed to exceeding [client's] expectations."





"It all started with a flight in a small plane, piloted by a family friend," said Don "Bub" Peterson, Founder of JetSwiss Aviation. "Seeing the Pilatus firsthand ignited a lifelong passion for these incredible machines and ultimately led to the creation of JetSwiss."

PAST: A PASSION FOR PILATUS

JetSwiss' journey has been fueled by unwavering dedication and a relentless pursuit of perfection in every aspect of Pilatus ownership. Peterson, inspired by Swiss culture and his experience in the Pilatus program, recognized the importance of precision, reliability, and meticulous attention to detail. He applied these principles to create a pre-owned aircraft business model unlike any other.

Over the past decade, JetSwiss has established itself as a trusted partner for hundreds of private clients and high-net-worth individuals seeking to navigate the complexities of aircraft ownership. With a hyper-focus on the Pilatus PC-12, the company leverages its extensive knowledge of the aircraft's history and performance to deliver exceptional value and peace of mind to clients.

PRESENT: A REMARKABLE PRODUCT MEETS UNMATCHED EXPERTISE

"Our business model is deeply rooted in the Swiss culture of precision, reliability, and attention to detail," Peterson added. "We've spent countless hours refining our processes to minimize risks and maximize rewards for our clients. This commitment has resulted in a remarkable 65% repeat and referral business, a testament to our unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction."

JetSwiss' proprietary reports for buying and selling Pilatus aircraft are setting industry standards to a new level. The company's expertise has also made it a key player in the global pre-owned Pilatus market, with involvement in over 20% of worldwide transactions.

"We've built our reputation on transparency, integrity, and unparalleled service," Peterson emphasized. "Our clients trust us to guide them through every step of the aircraft ownership journey. Whether it's acquiring their first Pilatus or expanding their fleet, we are committed to exceeding their expectations."

FUTURE: CONTINUED GROWTH AND IMPECCABLE SERVICE

As JetSwiss celebrates this significant milestone, the company remains focused on its core values and looks forward to continued growth and success in the years to come. New service offerings are currently being developed to further enhance the client experience.

ABOUT JETSWISS AVIATION

JetSwiss Aviation is a leading authority in pre-owned Pilatus aircraft sales and ownership-based in Overland Park, KS specializing in the sale and acquisition of Pilatus PC-12 aircraft JetSwiss provides exceptional support to its clients throughout the entire aircraft ownership lifecycle. For more information, please visit www.jetswiss.com.

Contact Information

Claire Harrison

Marketing Director

pilatus@jetswiss.com

(913) 839-2627

SOURCE: JetSwiss

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - Bullet Exploration Inc. (TSXV: AMMO) ("Bullet" or the "Company") and Gold79 Mines Ltd. (TSXV: AUU) (OTCQB: AUSVF) ("Gold79") are pleased to announce that they have entered into a definitive amalgamation agreement (the "Agreement") dated September 3, 2024, whereby Gold79 will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Bullet (the "Transaction"). The Transaction will create a well-funded gold exploration company focused on the southwest United States. The combined entity will be focused on delivering a maiden resource at Gold79's Gold Chain project in Arizona; exploring Bullet's Jefferson North Gold-Silver project in Nevada to define its scale potential; and continue to work with Kinross to get the maiden drill program at Gold 79's Jefferson Canyon project in Nevada underway.

Under the terms of the Transaction and subject to Bullet shareholder approval, Bullet shareholders will receive one (1) common share of Gold79 (each, a "Gold79 Share") for every three (3) common shares of Bullet (each, a "Bullet Share") held (the "Exchange Ratio"). In addition, each common share purchase warrant and stock option of Bullet outstanding immediately prior to completion of the Transaction shall be adjusted in accordance with the Exchange Ratio and replaced with common share purchase warrants and stock options of Gold79, respectively. Existing shareholders of Gold79 and Bullet will hold approximately 54% and 46%, respectively, of the outstanding Gold79 Shares on closing of the Transaction, on a fully diluted, in-the-money basis (but prior to the completion of the planned equity financing described below). In connection with the Transaction Gold79 plans to raise C$4,000,000 (or such other amount as may be agreed to by the parties).

Ehsan Agahi, President and CEO of Bullet, stated: "This merger is a transformative step for Bullet shareholders, offering immediate exposure to a diverse portfolio of high-potential gold projects in the Southwest U.S. By joining forces with Gold79, we strengthen our ability to advance these assets and unlock their full value. The combined expertise and resources should accelerate our growth trajectory and create substantial value for all stakeholders."

Derek Macpherson, President and CEO of Gold79, commented: "The Transaction between Gold79 and Bullet is a unique opportunity to consolidate exploration companies in the Southwest U.S. The combined entity is going to have multiple projects at various stages of exploration, be well-funded and have improved access to capital. Importantly for shareholders, the planned equity financing should provide the combined entity with the capital necessary to deliver a maiden resource at Gold Chain. We are excited to bring together the teams of these two companies that have complementary skill sets, which we expect to bear fruit as we move the combined entity forward."

Strategic Rationale for the Transaction

Creation of a multi-project SW US Gold Explorer (Figure 1) Gold Chain Project, Arizona Recent drilling returned 9.1m of 51.09 g/t Au (GC23-28) and 44.2m of 2.01 g/t Au (GC23-23). Recently defined a from-surface exploration target of 15.6 to 31.2 million tonnes (Mt) grading 1.5 to 2.5 g/t Au. The potential quantity and grades are conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration drilling to define a mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the exploration target being delineated as a mineral resource. Short path to a maiden resource. Jefferson North Gold-Silver Project, Nevada Recent sampling returned 56.7 g/t Au and 29.9 g/t Au from the East Adit #1 Underground Drive. Maiden drill program scheduled to be completed in the Fall of 2024. Approximately 30 kilometres from Gold79's Jefferson Canyon project providing regional synergies. Jefferson Canyon Gold-Silver Project, Nevada Historical results include 41.2m of 6.4 g/t Au and 402 g/t Ag (drill hole GJ-081, CR Exploration Company (CREC), 1983 to 1985). Partnered with Kinross, operator of the adjacent Round Mountain Mine and a Top Ten Global Gold producer. Permitting advanced for a maiden drill program. Tip Top Gold-Silver Project, Nevada Historical results include 9.14m at 14.42 g/t Au (drill hole T98-14, Dos Amigos 1998, reverse circulation drilling).

Financial Strength to deliver a Maiden Resource: The planned C$4,000,000 equity financing should provide the necessary funds to deliver a maiden resource at the Gold Chain project, while also allowing the Company to advance its other projects.

Increased scale: The combined entity is expected to have a larger market capitalization.

Multiple Exploration Projects: The combined entity will have four exploration stage projects in the southwest United States.

Operational Synergies: The synergy of the combined exploration and management teams of the combined entity is expected to reduce costs and result in a higher percentage of capital raised being used for exploration.

Figure 1: Southwest US Proforma Project Map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4114/222048_cfac6923f479ba0a_001full.jpg

Benefits to Bullet Shareholders

Exposure to Gold Chain: Bullet shareholders gain exposure to the Gold Chain project which is expected to have a short path to a maiden resource.

Gold79 Management Team: Bullet shareholders should benefit from the technical expertise of the Gold79 team, which has had exploration success over the last three years with limited budgets.

Exposure to Partner Funded Project: Bullet shareholders gain exposure to the Jefferson Canyon project, where the next round of drilling is expected to be funded by Kinross and the potential exists for a US$5 million payment to the Company if Kinross exercises their option.

Increased Scale: The combined entity is expected to have a larger market capitalization.

Transaction Details

Under the terms of the Transaction and subject to Bullet shareholder approval, Bullet shareholders will receive one (1) Gold79 Share for every three (3) Bullet Shares held. In addition, each common share purchase warrant and stock option of Bullet outstanding immediately prior to completion of the Transaction shall be adjusted in accordance with the Exchange Ratio and replaced with common share purchase warrants and stock options of Gold79, respectively. Existing shareholders of Gold79 and Bullet will hold approximately 54% and 46%, respectively, of the outstanding Gold79 Shares on closing of the Transaction on a fully diluted, in-the-money basis (but prior to the completion of the planned equity financing).

The Transaction will be effected by way of a three-cornered amalgamation whereby Gold79, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, 1492834 B.C. Ltd. ("Subco"), will amalgamate with Bullet forming Amalco. Amalco will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gold79. Bullet will cease to be a reporting issuer and the Bullet Shares will be delisted from the TSXV.

On the effective date of the Transaction, the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Gold79 will be reconstituted such that three current directors of Gold79 will remain on the Board, and Gold79 will appoint two additional director nominees provided by Bullet. The Company plans to provide additional details on the composition of the go-forward management team, Board and advisory board at a later date.

In addition to the requisite Bullet shareholder approval, the Transaction is subject to applicable regulatory approvals, including the approvals of the TSX-V and the satisfaction of certain other closing conditions customary in transactions of this nature as well as customary interim period covenants regarding the operation of each of the companies' respective businesses. The Agreement also provides for a mutual condition of the parties that a C$4,000,000 equity financing (or such other amount as may be agreed by the parties) be completed immediately following, and contingent upon, the closing of the Transaction. The Agreement contains customary provisions including fiduciary-out provisions in favour of both Gold79 and Bullet, non-solicitation and the right to match alternate proposals for each party. A C$200,000 termination fee may be payable to Gold79 or Bullet under certain circumstances.

Subject to the satisfaction of these conditions, Gold79 and Bullet expect that the Transaction will be completed on or before November 30, 2024. Details regarding these and other terms of the Transaction are set out in the Agreement, which will be available under the SEDAR+ profiles of Gold79 and Bullet at www.sedarplus.ca.

None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Transaction have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any securities laws of any state of the United States (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act), and any securities issuable in the Transaction are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon available exemption from such registration requirements pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act and similar exemptions under applicable securities laws of any state of the United States. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

Additional Information

Further details about the Transaction, including further particulars of the business of Bullet, Gold79, and the combined entity, will be provided in the management information circular of Bullet to be prepared and filed in respect of the annual and special meeting of the Bullet shareholders to be held in Q4 2024.

All information contained in this press release with respect to Bullet and Gold79 was supplied for inclusion herein by the respective parties and each party and its directors and officers have relied on the other party for any information concerning the other party.

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSX-V acceptance and the requisite Bullet shareholder approval. The Transaction cannot close until the required Bullet shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Agreement or in the management information circular of Bullet to be prepared in connection with the annual and special meeting of the Bullet shareholders, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Bullet and Gold79 should be considered highly speculative.

The TSX-V has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

Qualified Person / Quality Control and Quality Assurance

Garry Clark, P. Geo., is a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release related to the Jefferson North project. Mr. Clark is a director of Bullet.

Robert Johansing, M.Sc. Econ. Geol., P. Geo., the Company's Vice President, Exploration for Gold79 is a qualified person ("QP") as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release related to the Gold Chain, Jefferson Canyon, and Tip Top projects. The QP has not verified the historical analytical data or the quality control or quality assurance procedures of previous operators related to historical drill hole intercepts at the Jefferson Canyon and Tip Top projects.

About Bullet Exploration Inc.

Bullet Exploration Inc. is a TSX Venture listed company focused on high-potential gold and silver projects in the Southwest United States. The flagship Jefferson North Gold-Silver project in Nevada, near major producers like Kinross's Round Mountain, spans 1,068 hectares and 132 claims, offering significant exploration potential. Bullet also holds the Copper Canyon Property in British Columbia, targeting a copper-gold porphyry deposit. With a tight capital structure and a long-term vision for growth, Bullet is committed to advancing its projects and creating lasting shareholder value.

About Gold79 Mines Ltd.

Gold79 Mines Ltd. is a TSX Venture listed company focused on building ounces in the Southwest USA. Gold79 holds 100% earn-in option to purchase agreements on three gold projects: the Jefferson Canyon Gold Project and the Tip Top Gold Project both located in Nevada, USA, and, the Gold Chain Project located in Arizona, USA. In addition, Gold79 holds a 32.3% interest in the Greyhound Project, Nunavut, Canada under JV by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited.

Reader Advisory

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. In particular, forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the business of the combined entity, statements with respect to the completion and timing of the Transaction, the conditions to be satisfied for the completion of the Transaction, the completion of an equity financing, the proposed members of the Board, the preparation and filing of a management information circular for the Bullet annual and special shareholder meeting and the timing thereof. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Canada, the United States and globally; industry conditions, including fluctuations in commodity prices; governmental regulation of the mining industry, including environmental regulation; geological, technical and drilling problems; unanticipated operating events; failure to obtain industry partner and other third party consents and approvals, if and when required; competition for and/or inability to retain drilling rigs and other services; competition for, among other things, skilled personnel and supplies; incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; volatility in market prices for commodities; liabilities inherent in mining operations; changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the mining industry; and the other factors described in our public filings available at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222048

SOURCE: Bullet Exploration Inc.
Creates a leading global all-in-one compliance, safety and training platform for peak operational performance serving the aviation, defense and rail industries

BELOIT, Wis. and BRISTOL, England and TEL AVIV, Israel, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Comply365, LLC ("Comply365"), a leading global provider of compliance and safety management solutions for the aviation, rail and defense industries, announced today the acquisition of Qualtero Limited ("Qualtero"), a leading provider of solutions to optimize civil and military aviation training operations. The acquisition will create a leading global all-in-one compliance, safety and training platform for peak operational performance serving the aviation, defense and rail industries with over 140 customers located in over 30 countries on six continents. Terms of the transaction were not announced.

In January 2024, Insight Partners, a global software investor, and Liberty Hall Capital Partners ("Liberty Hall"), a private equity firm focused exclusively on investments in businesses serving the global aerospace and defense industry, announced a strategic growth investment in Comply365 in connection with Comply365's merger with Vistair Limited ("Vistair"). The acquisition of Qualtero represents Comply365's first acquisition since its merger with Vistair.

Commenting on the acquisition of Qualtero, Tom Samuel, Vice Chairman, and Rob Morgan, CEO, of Comply365 said, "We are delighted to welcome the Qualtero team into the Comply365 family. Qualtero is a world-renowned provider of innovative training and qualification management solutions for civil and military aviation, with a stellar global customer base. This acquisition brings together complementary product lines and talent, further bolstering our ability to deliver a unique value proposition to our customers by connecting the dots between operational content management, safety management, training management, and data analytics."

Barak Kirmayer, CEO of Qualtero said, "The acquisition of Qualtero by Comply365 marks a significant milestone in Qualtero's journey. We see immense synergy between the companies' solutions and teams, and with the support of Comply365, we are poised to deliver even greater value and more innovative products to our combined customers."

Henry Frankievich, Managing Director at Insight Partners said, "The acquisition of Qualtero is a natural extension of Comply365's strategy to create a comprehensive compliance and safety platform serving the global aviation, defense and rail industries. We believe that the addition of Qualtero's widely respected training and qualifications management capabilities will enable our customers to achieve the highest levels of operational excellence. We look forward to continuing to work with Liberty Hall to support Comply365 in their continued growth."

James Black, Partner at Liberty Hall Capital Partners added, "With the acquisition of Qualtero, Comply365 extends the value proposition it offers to airlines, defense and rail organizations by expanding its capacity to power operational excellence with a leading training management offering. Along with our partners at Insight, we look forward to supporting Comply365's continued growth, combining the strengths and expertise of both organizations to deliver even greater value to our collective customers."

Legal advice to Comply365 was provided by Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Goldfarb Gross Seligman. Qualtero was advised by DLA Piper and Barnea Jaffa Lande & Co.

About Comply365

Comply365 is a leading provider of Operational Content Management, Safety Management and Training Management in the highly regulated industries of aviation, defense and rail. Comply365 provides a powerful combination of expertise and products underpinned by unified best practices, providing airlines, rail and defense organizations with a single digital platform to elevate operational excellence, transform safety management and training, with closer integration of relevant data sets across domains. By empowering airline, rail and defense organizations with an all-in-one compliance, safety, training and data platform, Comply365 ensures their crews and assets always geared for peak operational performance, unlocking unparalleled financial and operational gains through more streamlined, robust and agile operations. Comply365 is the trusted technology partner of many of the most progressive aviation and defense organizations worldwide with a global customer base of over 120 airlines, defense and rail organizations. For more information, please visit www.comply365.com.

About Qualtero

Qualtero is a premier provider of training management solutions, empowering organizations to deliver impactful training experiences that drive compliance performance and growth. Qualtero specializes in developing innovative solutions for optimizing commercial and military aviation training operations. Its flagship products include Fox, a comprehensive Training Management System, and Qualtero EQMS, the most modern Qualification Management System. These tools help aviation training organizations of all sizes streamline processes, reduce costs, and enhance throughput. Qualtero's team of talented and experienced professionals employ proven methodologies to ensure complete customer success, continuously enhancing its solutions with the latest technology to meet their evolving needs. For more information visit www.qualtero.com .

About Insight Partners

Insight Partners is a global software investor partnering with high-growth technology, software, and Internet startup and ScaleUp companies that are driving transformative change in their industries. As of December 31, 2023, the firm has over $80B in regulatory assets under management. Insight Partners has invested in more than 800 companies worldwide and has seen over 55 portfolio companies achieve an IPO. Headquartered in New York City, Insight has offices in London, Tel Aviv and the Bay Area. Insight's mission is to find, fund, and work successfully with visionary executives, providing them with tailored, hands-on software expertise along their growth journey, from their first investment to IPO. For more information on Insight Partners and all its investments, visit www.insightpartners.com or follow us on X @insightpartners.

About Liberty Hall

Liberty Hall Capital Partners is a private equity firm focused exclusively on investments in businesses serving the global aerospace and defense industry. Liberty Hall's principals have a 25-plus year history of working together and have led the investment of over $2.5 billion in equity capital in over 25 businesses serving multiple segments of the aerospace and defense industry. Liberty Hall was founded in July 2011 as the first, and remains the only, private equity firm focused solely on investments in middle market businesses serving the aerospace and defense industry. Liberty Hall executes a proven and repeatable investment strategy designed to transform middle market businesses into larger, more capable and diverse strategic assets. For more information, please visit http://www.libertyhallcapital.com.

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For immediate release

iSTAR Medical continues to strengthen US presence with appointment of Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Clinical Affairs

WAVRE, Belgium - 4 September 2024: iSTAR Medical, a medtech company delivering breakthrough eye care solutions to patients, today announces the strengthening of its leadership team with the appointment of Richard (Rick) Beckman, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer and member of the Board, and Kristine (Kris) Curtiss as Vice President of Clinical Affairs.

Rick's duties as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) will cross clinical, regulatory, and medical affairs. Additionally, he will be a member of the Board. Rick brings deep insight and experience from his previous roles as a CMO, most recently at Adverum, and has an extensive background in the medical and surgical management of glaucoma as well as in glaucoma pharmaceutical and device development. Based in the US, he will be critical to the successful development of the Company's clinical programs and will report to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Michel Vanbrabant.

Kaweh Mansouri, M.D., who is stepping down as CMO to focus on his appointment as Executive Vice President of the World Glaucoma Association, will continue as a consultant to the Company as a Senior Medical Advisor.

Kris joins the leadership team as Vice President (VP) of Clinical Affairs with over 20 years of clinical research experience and having held senior positions in biotech, medical device, and large pharma companies. She will lead iSTAR Medical's clinical organization including its STAR-V trial and will report to the CMO, Rick Beckman. David Stocker, who held the role of VP of Clinical Affairs will return to his previous responsibilities in the commercial organization as VP Sales, Marketing, and Training.

Michel Vanbrabant, CEO of iSTAR Medical, commented:"We are delighted to welcome Rick and Kris to our leadership team. Their combined global experience in clinical, regulatory, and medical affairs will be instrumental in guiding the Company towards delivering breakthrough eye care solutions to a greater number of patients in additional global territories.

"I want to extend my gratitude to Kaweh for his significant contributions to iSTAR Medical thus far, which has helped us establish a global reputation for MINIject as a safe and effective treatment option for glaucoma patients. We congratulate him and wish him the best of luck with his role as Executive Vice President of the World Glaucoma Association."

Richard Beckman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and member of the Board

Rick, a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship trained glaucoma specialist, is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors. He was previously CMO at Adverum Biotechnologies, ReNeuron, as well as Clearside Biomedical. He was formerly the head of the glaucoma therapeutic area at Alcon. Rick is currently the principal at RLB, M.D., Consulting and serves on the Board of OceanZero US. He holds an M.D. from University of Michigan, completing his ophthalmology residency at Henry Ford Hospital, after which he completed a glaucoma fellowship at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School.

Kristine Curtiss, Vice President of Clinical Affairs

Kris joins the iSTAR Medical team with extensive experience in clinical research and ophthalmology. She was previously VP Clinical Operations at Iveric Bio, Inc., and prior to that she held leadership positions at ophthalmic start-ups including PanOptica, Oraya Therapeutics, and OPKO. During her career, Kris has been a major contributor to 5 successful marketing applications, including Iverzay for Geographic Atrophy and Macugen for exudative Age-related Macular Degeneration. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Delaware and a graduate certificate in Project Management from Rutgers University School of Business.

- Ends -

For more information

Paul van Hagen

Chief Financial Officer, iSTAR Medical

news@istar-medical.com

For media

ICR Consilium

Amber Fennell, Chris Welsh, Kris Lam

iSTAR@consilium-comms.com

About iSTAR Medical

iSTAR Medicalis committed to delivering breakthrough eye care solutions. Our most advanced product, MINIject, is approved in Europe for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma - the leading cause of irreversible blindness - and we are aiming to seek market approval in the US. We believe MINIject's distinctive tissue-integrating capabilities unlock a safer, and more effective option for patients. We are building an exceptional team and pipeline of potentially leading products such as MINIject to establish new treatment paradigms in eye care conditions with the highest patient needs.

iSTAR Medical is an independent company which entered a strategic partnership with AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) in July 2022. The collaboration further supports the role of MINIject in the treatment of glaucoma and accelerates iSTAR Medical's goal to bring MINIject to more patients globally while providing AbbVie the opportunity to further expand its diverse eye care portfolio.

About MINIject

MINIject is iSTAR Medical's innovative MIGS device for patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. MINIject combines the distinctive porous structure of its proprietary STAR material with the power offered by the supraciliary space. As a result, it is designed to enhance natural fluid outflow, reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) and the need for medication, while bio-integrating with surrounding tissue, limiting inflammation, fibrosis and subsequent complications.

About Glaucoma

Glaucomais a progressive disease affecting over 100 million people globally, of which primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form.1,2 IOP reduction, through medication or surgery, helps delay disease progression.3 Medication is generally the first line treatment, but the progressive addition of multiple drops can burden patients with side effects, compliance challenges and costs.2,3 Invasive surgery can present risks with irreversible complications and often requires long-term patient management.2,3 MIGS is the most promising and fastest-growing glaucoma therapy due to its enhanced safety profile.2 MINIject is potentially best-in-class for its promising long-term efficacy and safety.

1 Jonas JB, Aung T, Bourne RR et al. "Glaucoma". Lancet 2017; 390: 2083-93

2 Market Scope, "2023 Glaucoma Surgical Device Market Report", July 2023.

3 "European Glaucoma Society Terminology and Guidelines for Glaucoma", 4th Edition: British Journal of Ophthalmology. 2017;101:1-195 https://bjo.bmj.com/content/101/5/73
Representing Lantronix's Global and Diverse Partner Ecosystem, SmartEdge Winners Deliver Lantronix's Award-Winning Solutions to the World

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 04, 2024Awards, highlighting its top channel partners in North America; Asia Pacific; and Europe, Middle East and Africa.



"This year's SmartEdge Partner Program winners are driving worldwide sales and developing relationships with our mutual customers, contributing to Lantronix's position as a global compute and connect leader that is enabling edge intelligence with award-winning solutions for AI, Embedded, IoT and IT applications," said Kurt Hoff, VP of Worldwide Sales at Lantronix. "We applaud their efforts and look forward to many more years of continued mutual success."

Lantronix's 2024 SmartEdge award winners are:

North America

SmartEdge Partner of the Year: TD Synnex

SmartEdge Innovation Partner: WWT

SmartEdge Software & Services Partner: Charter

Asia Pacific

SmartEdge Innovation Partner: Shanghai Scopecon Technology Co., Ltd.

SmartEdge Software & Services Partner: Sheeltron Digital Pvt. Ltd.

SmartEdge Newcomer: EDOM

Europe/Middle East/Africa

SmartEdge Innovation Partner: Linkwave

SmartEdge Software & Services Partner: SOL

SmartEdge Newcomer: Netsecurity

For over two decades Lantronix has been providing its channel partners with a suite of reliable, secure and easy-to-deploy solutions, including out-of-band management, switches, system of modules (SoM) and trackers. As a global leader, Lantronix helps its customers increase productivity, all while supported by the exceptional Lantronix service team. Lantronix's channel partners serve as an important part of the Lantronix customer support ecosystem.

"Winning the Lantronix SmartEdge channel partner award signifies our exceptional success as a valued channel partner for the EMEA region, bringing advanced solutions to leading organizations throughout the world," stated Albert Windmeisser, line manager at Atlantik Elektronik GmbH.

"We are honored to win the prestigious SmartEdge award from Lantronix, a global leader in technology," stated Steven Chaung, senior director at EDOM Technology Co Ltd. "Validating our position as one of Lantronix's top channel partners in the APAC region, we are grateful to partner with Lantronix in bringing its innovative, award-winning solutions to the world's leading organizations."

"We are very proud to win Lantronix's SmartEdge award, which acknowledges our success as a top channel partner for North America," stated Ryan Abel, chief revenue officer at Charter Communications. "We are pleased to bring Lantronix's exceptional AI, Embedded, IoT and IT solutions to the world."

Lantronix's SmartEdge Partner Program is designed to help Value-Added Resellers (VARs) and Systems Integrators (SIs) drive revenues by differentiating their offerings with Lantronix's innovative Industrial Internet of Things (IoT), Out-of-Band Management (OOBM) and Mobility/Connectivity solutions.

For more information on the Lantronix SmartEdge Partner Program, visit https://www.lantronix.com/partners/.

About Lantronix

Lantronix Inc. is a global leader of compute and connectivity IoT solutions that target high-growth industries including Smart Cities, Automotive and Enterprise. Lantronix's products and services empower companies to succeed in the growing IoT markets by delivering customizable solutions that address each layer of the IoT Stack. Lantronix's leading-edge solutions include Intelligent Substations infrastructure, Infotainment systems and Video Surveillance, supplemented with advanced Out-of-Band Management (OOB) for Cloud and Edge Computing.

For more information, visit the Lantronix website .

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including without limitation statements related to the 2024 SmartEdge Channel Partner Program, including statements about their reliability, security and flexibility industry position. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, future business, financial condition, or performance to differ materially from our historical results or those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement contained in this news release. The potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as the effects of negative or worsening regional and worldwide economic conditions or market instability on our business, including effects on purchasing decisions by our customers; our ability to mitigate any disruption in our and our suppliers' and vendors' supply chains due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other outbreaks, wars and recent tensions in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, or other factors; future responses to and effects of public health crises; cybersecurity risks; changes in applicable U.S. and foreign government laws, regulations, and tariffs; our ability to successfully implement our acquisitions strategy or integrate acquired companies; difficulties and costs of protecting patents and other proprietary rights; the level of our indebtedness, our ability to service our indebtedness and the restrictions in our debt agreements; and any additional factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on Sept. 12, 2023, including in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Part I of such report; in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 2, 2024, including in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Part II of such report; as well as in our other public filings with the SEC. Additional risk factors may be identified from time to time in our future filings. The forward-looking statements included in this release speak only as of the date hereof, and we do not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

 2024 Lantronix, Inc. All rights reserved. Lantronix is a registered trademark. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

Lantronix Media Contact:

Gail Kathryn Miller

Corporate Marketing &

Communications Manager

media@lantronix.com

949-212-0960

Lantronix Analyst and Investor Contact:

Jeremy Whitaker

Chief Financial Officer

investors@lantronix.com

949-450-7241
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (CSE: API) (OTCQX: APAAF) (FSE: A0I0) (MUN: A0I0) (BER: A0I0) (the "Company" or "Appia") is pleased to announce the successful discovery of uranium and rare earth element mineralization during the 2024 exploration program at the Eastside property (Figure 1). These promising assay results, analyzed and verified by the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) Laboratories in Saskatoon, confirm our exploration models and underscore the significant potential of the Eastside property within Appia's Saskatchewan portfolio.

Highlights of the 2024 Assay Results:

Uranium Mineralization: Grab Sample 181213 (Figure 2): U3O8 = 2,523.06 ppm (0.25 wt%), a uranium-bearing zone discovered between "Prospector's Peninsula" and "Highcount Hilltop". Grab Sample 181255 (Figure 3): U3O8 = 673.21 ppm (0.07 wt%), indicating a uranium-bearing zone east of "Highcount Hilltop". Grab Sample 181212 (Figure 4): U3O8 = 644.91 ppm (0.06 wt%), also discovered between "Prospector's Peninsula" and "Highcount Hilltop" further indicating uranium.



Additionally, a total of 20 samples collected from the southwestern portion of the Eastside property exhibited rare earth element (REE) mineralization between 0.01 wt% and 0.25 wt%, further confirming the property's uranium potential.

Rare Earth Element (REE) Mineralization: Channel Sample 181244 (Figure 5): 1.00 meters of TREO = 0.14 wt%, located in the "Prospector's Peninsula" zone, demonstrating rare earth element (REE) mineralization.



Stephen Burega, President of Appia, stated, "We are excited about the results of our 2024 exploration program at the Eastside property. The discovery of uranium and rare earth elements mineralization aligns perfectly with our exploration models, hypotheses, and company initiatives. These uranium and REE concentrations highlight the favorable potential of this property as a valuable project in our portfolio."

Importance of Eastside's Location for Uranium Mineralization:

The Eastside property, located in the Peter Lake Domain east of Wollaston Lake, is strategically significant due to its proximity to the prolific uranium-bearing Athabasca Basin (Figure 6). The Athabasca Basin is renowned for its uranium deposits and nearby rare earth element discoveries, positioning itself as a major source of global uranium production. The Peter Lake Domain, part of this prolific region, is characterized by favorable geological conditions conducive to uranium mineralization. The presence of uranium and REE concentrations in Appia's recently collected samples validates the potential of the Eastside property to host numerous uranium and REE showings, further emphasizing the value of this property.

Next Steps:

Given the encouraging results, Appia plans to return to the Eastside property to expand investigations near its uranium showings and other areas of interest identified during this program. This follow-up work will aim to delineate the extent of uranium and rare earth element mineralization and assess the potential for further discoveries of both minerals. The results from the 2024 program confirm that the Eastside property has potential for further development and could evolve into a prominent asset for Appia. The company remains enthusiastic about future exploration opportunities and the potential to enhance its Saskatchewan property portfolio.

Appia remains committed to transparency and will continue to provide updates as they advance their exploration efforts in northern Saskatchewan. Appia will soon share more developments with shareholders and the public as details become available.

Summary assay tables are presented below. Click here to access the full, detailed geochemical assay results, providing comprehensive information on the highlighted channel and grab samples identified during the 2024 Eastside Exploration Program.







Figure 1 - Highlighted assay results locations superimposed on U-radiometric grid

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Figure 2 - Uranium sample 181213 displaying 0.25 wt% U3O8 hosted within massive biotite

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Figure 3 - Uranium sample 181255 displaying 0.07 wt% U3O8 hosted within granodiorite



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Figure 4 - Uranium sample 181212 displaying 0.06 wt% U3O8 hosted within biotite-rich pegmatite



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Figure 5 - Rare earth element sample 181244 displaying 0.14 wt% TREO hosted within granite

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Figure 6 - Prolific Mines and Exploration Sites (Athabasca Basin, Peter Lake Domain) near Appia's Eastside Property

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Table 1 - U308 (wt%, ppm) Assay Results for the Highlighted Grab Outcrop Samples

2024 Eastside Exploration Program

Sample # Easting Northing Elevation Zone Lithology U3O8 ppm U3O8 wt% 181213 662319 6448962 389.0 Regional Massive Biotite 2523.06 0.25 181255 664232 6448617 403.1 Regional Granodiorite 673.21 0.07 181212 662311 6448949 389.9 Regional Biotite Pegmatite 644.91 0.06 181265 661750 6449528 388.5 Prospector's Peninsula Pegmatite 459.81 0.05 181250 662321 6448964 431.1 Regional Massive Biotite 413.83 0.04 181214 661664 6449263 379.1 Prospector's Peninsula Granite 212.22 0.02 181204 663403 6452326 383.4 Regional Biotite Pegmatite 206.33 0.02 181209 664631 6449197 375.6 Regional Granite 119.08 0.01 181257 664490 6449476 403.5 Regional Granite 110.59 0.01 181262 661730 6449327 429.6 Prospector's Peninsula Granite 58.83 0.01

Table 2 - Composite U3O8% and TREO% Grades for each Channel Line Assayed

Eastside 2024 Exploration Program

Channel ID Zone Total Length (m) Composite

Grade U3O8 (%) Composite

Grade TREO (%) 1 Prospector's Peninsula 1.5 0.014 0.027 2 Prospector's Peninsula 1.6 0.002 0.025 3 Prospector's Peninsula 4.0 0.027 0.028 4 Prospector's Peninsula 8.0 0.006 0.012 5 Prospector's Peninsula 3.5 0.017 0.036 6 Prospector's Peninsula 3.5 0.010 0.053 7 Highcount Hilltop 2.5 0.012 0.022

Note:

-The REEs Thulium (Tm) and Promethium (Pm) are not reported because they are both extremely scarce in nature, and Pm forms as a product of spontaneous fission of U-238.

-TREO = Total Rare Earth Oxide = sum of La2O3 + CeO2 + Pr6O11 + Nd2O3 + Sm2O3 + Eu2O3 + Gd2O3 + Tb4O7 + Dy2O3 + Ho2O3 + Er2O3 + Yb2O3 + Lu2O3 + Y2O3

Table 3 - Location information regarding each channel sample taken during

the 2024 Eastside Exploration Program

Channel ID Zone Starting Sample # Easting Northing Elevation (m) Azimuth (degrees) Length (m) Total Samples 1 Prospector's Peninsula 181219 661752 6449543 383.4 270 2 3 2 Prospector's Peninsula 181222 661754 6449528 385.1 274 1.6 2 3 Prospector's Peninsula 181224 661726 6449322 384.4 308 4 5 4 Prospector's Peninsula 181229 661746 6449343 383.9 304 8 9 5 Prospector's Peninsula 181238 661781 6449393 383.8 319 3.5 4 6 Prospector's Peninsula 181242 661796 6449421 381.9 326 3 4 7 Highcount Hilltop 181246 663349 6448942 375.7 151 3 4

About the Eastside Project

The Eastside Project is strategically located in the Peter Lake Domain, east of Wollaston Lake, within the prolific uranium-bearing Athabasca Basin region of Saskatchewan, Canada. This area is renowned for its significant uranium deposits, surrounding rare earth element plays, and favorable geological conditions that have historically led to high-grade uranium discoveries.

The Eastside Property is located in northern Saskatchewan east of the Athabasca Basin and is situated in close proximity to several known uranium and REE deposits and mineralization trends. The Eastside project area is 4,933.47 hectares in size and is 100% owned by Appia The project area has been identified as prospective for both uranium and rare earth element (REE) mineralization based on previous and current geological exploration.

* Critical rare earth elements/oxides (CREO) are defined here as those that are in short-supply and high-demand for use in permanent magnets that enable modern electronic applications such as electric vehicles and wind turbines. The "magnet alloy" rare earths (CREO) are neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb).

Grab samples were collected using a rock hammer where possible, and sample selection location was determined using handheld scintillometers and spectrometers. The area with the highest scintillometer readings may or may not have been sampled. A total of 34 grab samples were collected during the 2024 exploration program.

Channel samples were collected along channel sample lines spaced at variable distances apart depending on lithological contacts. Sample lines ranged from 1.6 m to 8.00 m in length. A total of 31 samples were diamond saw-cut and collected from 24.60 m of total surface length. Individual sample length intervals ranged from 0.50 m to 1.00 m in length, 2.5 cm wide, and 2.0 to 5.0 cm deep.

All lithogeochemical assay results of grab and channel samples were provided by Saskatchewan Research Council's Geoanalytical Laboratory, an ISO/IEC 17025:2005 (CAN-P-4E) certified laboratory in Saskatoon, SK. All analytical results reported herein have passed internal QA/QC review and compilation.

The technical content in this news release was reviewed and approved by Dr. Irvine R. Annesley, P.Geo., Senior Technical Advisor for Appia and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (Appia)

Appia is a publicly traded Canadian company in the rare earth element and uranium sectors. The Company holds the right to acquire up to a 70% interest in the PCH Ionic Adsorption Clay Project (See June 9th, 2023 Press Release - Click HERE) which is 40,963.18 ha. in size and located within the Goias State of Brazil. (See January 11th, 2024 Press Release - Click HERE) The Company is also focusing on delineating high-grade critical rare earth elements and gallium on the Alces Lake property, and exploring for high-grade uranium in the prolific Athabasca Basin on its Otherside, Loranger, North Wollaston, and Eastside properties. The Company holds the surface rights to exploration for 94,982.39 hectares (234,706.59 acres) in Saskatchewan. The Company also has a 100% interest in 13,008 hectares (32,143 acres), with rare earth elements and uranium deposits over five mineralized zones in the Elliot Lake Camp, Ontario.

Appia has 136.3 million common shares outstanding, 145 million shares fully diluted.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: This News Release contains forward-looking statements which are typically preceded by, followed by or including the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance as they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements and shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For more information, visit www.appiareu.com

As part of our ongoing effort to keep investors, interested parties and stakeholders updated, we have several communication portals. If you have any questions online (X, Facebook, LinkedIn) please feel free to send direct messages.

To book a one-on-one 30-minute Zoom video call, please click here.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222085

SOURCE: Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - North Peak Resources Ltd. (TSXV: NPR) (the "Company" or "North Peak") announces assay results from holes 18-22 of the recently completed 27-hole surface drilling program from the Prospect Mountain North area within its Prospect Mountain Property (the "Property") in Eureka, Nevada. These holes targeted the historic Wabash, Williams and Chicago mine areas (see Figures 1 and 2 below) and strategically followed up on drilling results of the 94-hole program carried out in 1998/1999 by European American Resources (EPAR).

"This 2-ounce gold interval in PM24-022 is located alongside a haulage way of the historic Chicago Mine and sitting as it does inside a 90-foot-wide interval of quarter ounce gold from surface supports the Company strategy of seeking gold where it was previously mined," said Brian Hinchcliffe, Company CEO. "This drilling program at Prospect Mountain North only started in July, so it is still early days, but exciting to be in a gold mining area drilled only once before in 1999, and not mined since 1920 when gold was US$20 an ounce."

Highlights

PM24-022 intersected 27.4m (90ft) @ 7.0 g/t Au (with a 1.5m void @ 0 g/t Au) from surface , including 6.1m (20ft) @ 23.1 g/t Au which includes 1.5m (5ft) @ 56.4 g/t Au & 161.0 g/t Ag .

PM24-021 intersected 53.35m (175ft) @ 1.49 g/t Au (with a 3.0m void @ 0 g/t Au) from surface including 3.0m (10ft) @ 12.8 g/t Au .

PM24-020 intersected 7.62m (25ft) @ 2.08 g/t Au from surface, and 22.86m (75ft) @ 0.49 g/t Au from 19.8m (65ft). This hole targeted higher grades at the SW end of the Williams mine trend and suggests there is potential thickness of mineralization in the direction of the hole.

See Tables 1 and 2 below set out full results and information for these 5 holes of the 2024 Reverse Circulation (RC) drill program at Prospect Mountain North.

Wabash/Williams/Chicago Area - Three (3) holes are reported and discussed here from the 20 holes drilled to date in this west side area. The voids caused by mineralizing fluids has restricted the drilling to five main drill pads from which multiple angled RC holes were drilled.

PM24-022 intersected 27.4m (90ft) @ 7.0 g/t Au (with a 1.5m void @ 0 g/t Au) from surface , including 6.1m (20ft) @ 23.1 g/t Au and 1.5m (5ft) @ 56.4 g/t Au and 161.0 g/t Ag ; it is a twin of the historic EPAR hole PM-W-13 which returned 25.9m (80ft) @ 1.91 g/t Au (with a 3.0m void @ 0 g/t Au) and 4.57m (15ft) @ 5.09 g/t Au. This hole PM24-022 demonstrates that high-grade gold exists in this wide plumbing system which is evident in the recently released Hole PM24-004, which was drilled to the SE and intersected from surface 126.49m (415ft) @ 1.06 g/t Au which included 12.19m (40ft) @ 4.20 g/t Au (see the Company's August 14, 2024 press release); it is located 21m (68ft) from the middle of the 12.19m (40ft) @ 4.20 g/t Au intersection for PM24-004.

PM24-021 intersected 53.35m (175ft) @ 1.49 g/t Au (with a 3.0m void @ 0 g/t Au) from surface , including 3.0m (10ft) @ 12.8 g/t Au ; it is a twin of the historic EPAR hole PM-W-50 which returned 22.86m (75ft) @ 2.78 g/t Au (with a 4.57m void @ 0 g/t Au) including 1.5m (5ft) @ 9.05 g/t Au and 1.5m (5ft) @ 8.4 g/t Au). This hole PM24-021 demonstrates the vertical thickness of mineralization and is located on the same pad as recently released Hole PM24-004. This hole PM24-021 intersected a 53.3m (175ft) of continuous mineralization versus its twin which had only a 22.86m (75ft) intersection in the same area. These results, together with better results of angled holes, show that the historic holes may not have had the ideal orientation and there is some variability in the mineralization.

PM24-020 intersected 7.62m (25ft) @ 2.08 g/t Au from surface, and 22.86m (75ft) @ 0.49 g/t Au from 19.8m (65ft). This hole targeted higher grades at the SW end of the Williams mine trend and suggests there is potential for thickness of mineralization in the direction of the hole. The target was not intersected as the hole flattened substantially during drilling. Hole PM24-010 targeted the same zone but missed it too because it steepened substantially during drilling.

East Side of Property Ridge - Two holes are reported from the east side of the Property ridge and targeted the historic Madrid mine:

PM24-018 intersected 6.1m (20ft) @ 1.46 g/t Au from 192-198m (630-650ft) beneath a prominent line of surface workings. This extends the ore zone downward approximately 121.9m (400ft). This is an important result, opening up the potential for further parallel trends to the Wabash/Williams zones to the east.

PM24-018 and PM24-019 intersected 27m (90ft) at 0.18 g/t Au and 15.2m (50ft) at 0.41 g/t Au, respectively, from 3m (10ft) downhole, consistent with the presence of numerous surface workings and high-grade soil samples, on the slope of the hill above the collars.

See the Technical Report (defined below) for full details of the historic drill results referenced in this press release.

Figure 1: Plan showing drill holes, surface samples, EPAR locations, and interpreted trends

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Figure 2: Section View

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Table 1: Assay Results

Hole ID From To Intercept From To Intercept Au

(g/t) Ag

(g/t) Cu

(%) Pb

(%) Zn

(%) Grams x Metres

(Au) (m) (m) (m) (ft) (ft) (ft) PM24-018 3.05 10.67 7.62 10 35 25 0.33 1.7



0.1 2.5

16.77 18.29 1.52 55 60 5 0.33 3.5

0.1 0.1 0.5

25.91 27.44 1.52 85 90 5 0.30 13.3





0.5

192.05 198.15 6.10 630 650 20 1.46 24.6

0.3 0.3 8.9 incl. v 192.05 195.10 3.05 630 640 10 2.32 33.1

0.4 0.4 7.1 PM24-019 3.05 18.29 15.24 10 60 50 0.41 3.2



0.1 6.2 incl. 4.57 6.10 1.52 15 20 5 1.02 2.3



0.1 1.6 PM24-020 0.00 7.62 7.62 0 25 25 2.08 20.1

0.1 0.5 15.9 incl. v 0.00 4.57 4.57 0 15 15 3.47 31.7

0.1 0.7 15.9

19.81 42.68 22.86 65 140 *75 0.49 10.1



0.4 11.2 incl. 27.44 28.96 1.52 90 95 5 1.03 17.7 0.1

1.0 1.6

51.82 53.35 1.52 170 175 5 1.94 10.0





3.0 PM24-021 0.00 53.35 53.35 0 175 *175 1.49 27.0 0.2 0.1 0.4 79.5

0.00 53.35 50.30 0 175 **165 1.58 28.6 0.2 0.1 0.4 79.5 incl. v 6.10 7.62 1.52 20 25 5 1.25 6.2



0.2 1.9 incl. v 12.19 19.81 7.62 40 65 25 1.46 27.3

0.1 0.6 11.1 incl. v 30.48 32.01 1.52 100 105 5 1.03 14.8

0.1 0.3 1.6 incl. v 38.11 45.73 7.62 125 150 25 6.46 122.6 0.3 0.4 0.5 49.2 incl. 39.63 42.68 3.05 130 140 10 12.81







39.1 which incl. 39.63 41.15 1.52 130 135 5 17.83 305.0 0.2 1.1 0.4 27.1

56.40 60.97 4.57 185 200 15 0.21 7.2



0.1 1.0

89.93 91.45 1.52 295 300 5 0.30 7.3



0.2 0.5 PM24-022 0 27.44 27.44 0 90 *90 7.04 36.5 0.3

0.4 193.2

0 27.44 27.44 0 90 **85 7.45 38.6 0.3

0.4 204.4 incl. v 1.52 25.91 24.39 5 85 *80 7.87 40.3 0.3 0.1 0.4 192.0 incl. v 1.52 25.91 22.86 5 85 **75 8.40 43.0 0.3 0.1 0.4 192.0 incl. 16.77 22.86 6.10 55 75 *20 23.15 100.7 0.3 0.2 0.3 141.1 incl. 16.77 22.86 4.57 55 75 **15 30.87 134.2 0.4 0.3 0.4 141.1 which incl. 18.29 19.81 1.52 60 65 5 56.40 161.0 0.4 0.3 0.4 85.7

35.06 36.58 1.52 115 120 5 0.23 1.5





0.4 Historic EPAR Holes















PM-W-13 0 25.91 25.91 0 85 85 1.91 24.9













0



75 2.16 28.3







incl. 7.62 12.19 4.57 25 40 15 5.09 89.1









54.86 59.44 4.57 180 195 15 0.80 9.1









86.87 88.39 1.52 285 290 5 0.79 2.4

































PM-W-50 0.00 22.86 22.86 0 75 75 2.78 40.0













0



60 3.47 49.9







incl. 10.67 12.19 1.52 35 40 5 9.05 133.0







incl. 16.76 18.29 1.53 55 60 5 8.40 108









54.86 64.01 9.14 180 210 30 0.58 6.2









71.63 73.15 1.52 235 240 5 0.75 13.4











Notes: v = 1 g/t cut-off; * includes "0" grade for voids; ** leaves out voids; Composite intersections are calculated using a 0.2 g/t cutoff for gold with 10m internal dilution for the lower grade intervals. Higher grade intervals included within the lower grade intervals use a 1 g/t Au cutoff with 5m internal dilution; included are intervals >double 0.2 cut-off intersection. True widths are unknown due to uncertainty around orientations of mineralized zones.





Table 2: Drill Hole Coordinates

Hole ID Azimuth Dip Northing Easting Total Depth (m) Total Depth (ft) NAD83 m, Nevada East grid. EPSG: 32107 PM24-018 229 -49 8524456 164944.8 256.066 840 PM24-019 252 -45 8524458 164942.7 170.711 560 PM24-020 46 -46 8524415 164702.8 56.396 185 PM24-021 0 -90 8524546 164714.1 121.936 400 PM24-022 0 -90 8524514 164701.2 38.105 125

Review by Qualified Person, Quality Control and Reports

Mr. Mike Sutton, P.Geo., a director of the Company, is the Qualified Person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, who reviewed and approved scientific and technical disclosure in this press release. The Qualified Person has not reviewed the mineral tenure, nor independently verified the legal status and ownership of the Property or any underlying property agreements.

Drilling and Sampling: Drilling was carried out using a Canadian built tracked MPD1500 RC drilling unit, the rig has jacks and a blade and is capable of working on small pads on steep ground to minimise ground prep. It is capable of drilling to 455m (1500ft) using 4-inch pipe and a 51/4 inch bit. Holes were cased down to 25-80ft with 8-inch steel casing drifted in using a tricone bit. RC drilling uses a hammer, that is not face sampling but samples 4ft away from the hammer. A face sampling hammer was also trialed to compare efficiency.

Under Nevada law dry sampling is not allowed due to dust restrictions so RC drilling is done wet, with water actively pumped down the hole mixing with pulverised sample and coming through the cyclone to an 8-compartment rotary fan wet splitter. Each compartment can be shut off giving control of the amount of split material. Rotary splitter was setup with 1:4 split, with the quarter split going into two calico bags housed in buckets, for an assay sample and a field duplicate for permanent reference. The remainder of the sample falls to the ground and runs into the sump. Each assay sample is for a 5ft (1.52m) interval. The splitter and cyclone are flushed every 4 samples or on noticing a change in colour. Chips were collected from the splitter reject and put into chip trays for reference.

Calico bags are pre-labelled with hole number and footage, with an FD for field duplicate added to the sample number for the field duplicate. The drilling team are responsible for changing the bags and the clearly labelled footage intervals on the bags avoids sample mix-ups. Filled sample bags are laid on the ground in order so a visual check can be easily performed when collecting samples. Samples are loaded into a plastic crate and dispatched daily to the ALS Global prep-lab in Elko Nevada. A standard, a blank and a field duplicate were inserted after every 20 samples, for a QA/QC rate of 15%. Six standards from CDN Resource Laboratories were rotated through the samples. The standards had gold values ranging from 0.433 to 7.34 ppm.

Samples are dried crushed and pulverised and assayed for gold with a 30g fire assay and a 44 element ICP MS suite. Overlimit samples for gold, silver, lead, zinc and copper are automatically re-assayed by suitable methods.

About Prospect Mountain

The Property lies in the Battle Mountain Eureka trend, in an area known as the Southern Eureka Gold Belt, where three styles of mineralization have been identified, gold, silver Carlin style mineralization, Carbonate Replacement gold, silver, lead, zinc mineralization (CRD) and carbonate hosted Porphyry Related Skarn lead, zinc and gold mineralization associated with cretaceous intrusions. At the Property, the CRD mineralization is heavily oxidized to depths of at least 610m (2,000ft) below the top of the ridge line.

A Plan of Operations is in place which covers part of the Property (totalling 81 acres) and entitles an operator to pursue surface exploration, underground mining of up to 365,000 tons per annum and certain infrastructural works. It includes a permit to extract water from a well and to build water containment facilities.

A more complete description of Prospect Mountain's geology and mineralization, including at the Wabash area, can be found in the NI 43-101 Technical Report (the "Technical Report") on the Prospect Mountain Property, Eureka County, Nevada, USA dated and with an effective date April 10, 2023, prepared by David Pym (Msc), CGeol. of LTI Advisory Ltd. and Dr Toby Strauss, CGeol, EurGeol., of Merlyn Consulting Ltd., which has been filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the profile of the Company and on the Company's website.

About North Peak

The Company is a Canadian based gold exploration and development company that is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "NPR". The Company is focused on acquiring historical sites, with low cost producing gold and other metals properties, with near term production potential and 8+ year mine life in the northern hemisphere.

The Company recently acquired an initial 80% interest in the Prospect Mountain Mine complex in Eureka, Nevada (see the Company's May 4 and 23, 2023 and August 25, 2023 press releases).

The Company can give no assurances at this time that its properties and interests will fulfil the Company's business development goals described herein. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, timing and completion of any drilling and work programs on the Property, estimates of mineralization from drilling, sampling and geophysical surveys, geological information projected from drilling and sampling results and the potential quantities and grades of the target zones, the potential for minerals and/or mineral resources and reserves, and statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Property and the Company that may be described herein. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, accuracy of assay results, geological interpretations from drilling results, timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services, future operating costs, and the historical basis for current estimates of potential quantities and grades of target zones, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the quarter ended June 30, 2024, available at www.sedarplus.ca , many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222086

SOURCE: North Peak Resources Ltd.
Kamoa-Kakula achieved new daily production record of 2,096 tonnes of copper on August 31

Phase 3 ramp-up nears completion; hot commissioning of fine-grinding circuit expected to be complete imminently

Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) Executive Co-Chairman Robert Friedland and President Marna Cloete announced today that the Phase 1, 2 and 3 concentrators at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) achieved a combined monthly production record of 40,347 tonnes of copper in concentrate and a combined monthly milling record of 1.1 million tonnes during August.

On August 31, the Phase 1, 2 and 3 concentrators produced a combined daily production record of 2,096 tonnes of copper. This included 1,760 tonnes of copper from the Phase 1 and 2 concentrators, which was also a record.

Ramp-up of the Phase 3 concentrator to steady state production is progressing well, with approximately 350,000 tonnes of ore milled during August. This equates to an annualized throughout of 4.2 million tonnes per annum. The average daily milling rate was approaching the nameplate annualized processing rate of 5 million tonnes by month-end, with the potential to exceed nameplate.

The Phase 3 concentrator recovery rate averaged 77% during August. The commissioning of fine-grinding mills, manufactured by Metso Corporation of Helsinki, Finland, is the final stage required to achieve steady-state production. Hot commissioning of the fine-grinding mills is ongoing and is expected to be complete within the coming days. Once complete, copper recovery rates are expected to reach the concentrator's nameplate target of 86%.

During August, the on-site backup power generation capacity was increased to 135 MW, following the commissioning of an additional 72 MW of generators that were delivered to site in July. With this additional backup power, Kamoa-Kakula can operate Phase 1 and 2 concentrators at full capacity with no grid power if required.

Year-to-date, the combined production from Kamoa-Kakula is approximately 263,000 tonnes of copper, of which 14,000 tonnes was produced by the Phase 3 concentrator. With further improvements in processing throughput and copper recovery following the commissioning of the fine-grinding mills in the Phase 3 concentrator, Kamoa-Kakula expects to continue its recent run of production records and achieve its 2024 guidance of between 440,000 and 490,000 tonnes of copper.

Ramp-up of the Phase 3 concentrator to steady state production is progressing well, with hot commissioning of the fine-grinding mills expected to be complete imminently, boosting recoveries to the nameplate target of 86%.

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The Phase 3 concentrator, showing the rougher, cleaner and scavenger flotation cells in the centre, with the ball mills in the background on the right. The fine-grinding mills regrind scavenger concentrate and high-grade cleaner tailings to improve copper recovery, and increase the concentrate copper grade.

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About Ivanhoe Mines

Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa; the expansion of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC, the construction of the tier-one Platreef palladium-nickel-platinum-rhodium-copper-gold project in South Africa; and the restart of production at the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC.

Ivanhoe Mines also is exploring across circa 1,808 km2 of highly prospective, 60-100% owned exploration licences in the Western Forelands, located adjacent to the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC. Ivanhoe is exploring for new sedimentary copper discoveries, as well as expanding and further defining its high-grade Makoko, Kiala, and Kitoko copper discoveries as the company's next major development projects.

Information contact

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified using words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events, or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this release.

Such statements include without limitation: (i) statements that hot commissioning of the fine-grinding mills is expected to be completed in the coming days; (ii) statements that once hot commissioning of the fine-grinding mills is completed, copper recovery rates at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex are expected to reach the concentrator's nameplate target of 86%; and (iii) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula's production guidance for 2024 of between 440,000 and 490,000 tonnes of copper.

Furthermore, concerning this specific forward-looking information concerning the operation and development of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, the company has based its assumptions and analysis on certain factors that are inherently uncertain. Uncertainties include: (i) the adequacy of infrastructure; (ii) geological characteristics; (iii) metallurgical characteristics of the mineralization; (iv) the ability to develop adequate processing capacity; (v) the price of copper; (vi) the availability of equipment and facilities necessary to complete development and exploration; (vii) the cost of consumables and mining and processing equipment; (viii) unforeseen technological and engineering problems; (ix) accidents or acts of sabotage or terrorism; (x) currency fluctuations; (xi) changes in regulations; (xii) the compliance by joint venture partners with terms of agreements; (xiii) the availability and productivity of skilled labour; (xiv) the regulation of the mining industry by various governmental agencies; (xv) the ability to raise sufficient capital to develop such projects; (xvi) changes in project scope or design; (xvii) recoveries, mining rates and grade; (xviii) political factors; (xviii) water inflow into the mine and its potential effect on mining operations, and (xix) the consistency and availability of electric power.

Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether such results will be achieved. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, however not limited to, the factors discussed above and under the "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and in its current annual information form, as well as unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations.

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this release are based upon what management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release.

The company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors outlined in the "Risk Factors" section in the company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and its current annual information form.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222096

SOURCE: Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.
The Biotech Growth Trust PLC - Appointment of New Director

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, September 04

4 September 2024

THE BIOTECH GROWTH TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

Appointment of New Director

The Board of The Biotech Growth Trust PLC is pleased to announce the appointment of Julie Tankard as an independent non-executive director of the Company, with effect from 3 September 2024. Mrs Tankard has been appointed as the Audit Committee Chair-elect and is expected to succeed the current Audit Committee Chair, Julia Le Blan, after Mrs Le Blan retires at the Company's next annual general meeting in July 2025.

Mrs Tankard is a non-executive director and chair of the audit committee of F&C Investment Trust PLC. She has 30 years of varied finance experience and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. She is a director of Fincom Advisory Limited providing commercial advice to businesses, having previously been the Chief Financial Officer and a Board member of the Port of London where, as well as finance, she was responsible for risk, procurement, legal and information technology. She was also a trustee of a defined benefit pension scheme for six years, working with investment advisors, the scheme actuary and pensions advisory committee. She sits on the Industrial Development Advisory Board and previously chaired the audit committee of Leeds & York NHS Foundation Trust, prior to which she held various senior positions at BT plc.

The Chair of The Biotech Growth Trust PLC, Roger Yates, commented:

"We are delighted to welcome Julie Tankard to our Board. With her extensive and varied experience in finance, she will bring valuable insights to the Board and the Audit Committee, where her leadership will be instrumental in guiding our financial oversight and governance."

Mrs Tankard has also been appointed to the Company's Audit Committee, Management Engagement Committee, Nominations Committee and Valuation Committee with effect from 3 September 2024. Her appointment will be proposed to shareholders for election at the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held in July 2025.

There is no further information to be disclosed under Listing Rule 9.6.13R(2) to (6).

Frostrow Capital LLP

Company Secretary

020 3709 8734
HELSINKI, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2024 Millennium Technology Prize has been awarded to Professor Bantval Jayant Baliga of North Carolina State University, United States, for his innovation that has enabled dramatic reduction in worldwide electrical energy and petrol consumption.

The 1 million global award for technology recognizes Baliga's leadership in the invention, development, and commercialization of the Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT). Since its development in the 1980s, the IGBT has been the most important semiconductor device for making electrical energy use and petrol consumption more efficient and less polluting during the last 40 years. The efficiency improvements and reductions of fossil fuels consumption and cost, achieved by the IGBT, revolutionized the power industry. The technology has reduced global carbon dioxide emissions by over 82 gigatons (180 trillion pounds) in the past 30 years. This is equivalent to setting off carbon dioxide emissions by all human activity for three years, based on the average of the past 30 years' time frame.

Professor Baliga's innovation enables the worldwide green transition and mitigation of global warming by making electrification and the use of renewable energy efficient and profitable. All wind and solar power installations utilize IGBT-based technology to convert the generated electricity into a form that is suitable for consumer and industrial applications. The IGBT is an essential technology in electric and hybrid-electric cars, as well as in most other electric motors in consumer and industrial use.

The IGBT technology is everywhere around us all over the world, reducing energy consumption and making electricity use reliable: in medical diagnostic machines like X-Ray machines, CAT scanners and MRI units at the hospital; in microwave ovens and induction stoves in our kitchens; in air-conditioning and refrigeration for homes and buildings; in portable defibrillators, which were made possible by the IGBTs and are now saving countless lives around the world every year. The performance capacities of modern IGBT have expanded to the point that today IGBT-based power converters and inverters dominate nearly every major application with a power rating between 1kW and 10MW.

Professor Bantval Jayant Baliga, who was granted the title of Progress Energy Distinguished University Emeritus Professor earlier this month, said:

"It is very exciting to have been selected for this great honor. I am particularly happy that the Millennium Technology Prize will bring attention to my innovation, as the IGBT is an embedded technology that is hidden from the eyes of society. It has enabled a vast array of products that have improved the comfort, convenience, and health of billions of people around the world while reducing carbon dioxide emissions to mitigate global warming. Informing the public of this impactful innovation will illustrate the betterment of humanity by modern technology."

Forbes Magazine named Professor Baliga the man with the world's largest negative carbon footprint when he was inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame in 2016.

Baliga and his team are currently working on two new inventions for further improvement of the efficiencies in the fields of solar power generation, electric vehicles, and power delivery for AI servers.

Baliga said: "My first recent invention, the Baliga Short-circuit Improvement Concept (BaSIC), is designed to eliminate the roadblock of poor short-circuit withstand time for Silicon Carbide power MOSFETs used in motor drives for industrial and electric vehicle applications. My second new invention, a Bi-Directional Field-Effect Transistor (BiDFET), enables the matrix converter for power electronic applications. Matrix converters offer unprecedented improvements in size, efficiency, and reliability when compared with existing voltage source inverters. This will have a revolutionary impact on power delivery and management according to power electronics experts."

Professor Minna Palmroth, Chair of the Board of Technology Academy Finland, the foundation awarding the prize, said: "The IGBT has already had and continues to have a major impact on supporting sustainability with improved living standards world-wide, while mitigating environmental impact. The main solution to tackle global warming is electrification and moving to renewable energy. The IGBT is the key enabling technology in addressing these issues".

"I am particularly happy that the prize illuminates an innovation that is at the same time absolutely critical, has an enormous impact, but is not known to the vast majority of people. I think it is a great way to emphasize the power of science and innovation".

Professor Paivi Torma, Chair of the International Selection Committee of the Millennium Technology Prize, said: "Two thirds of the electricity in the world is used to run motors in consumer and industrial applications. Professor Baliga's innovation has allowed us to develop societies with electricity efficiently, while dramatically reducing energy consumption".

"Power electronics is a key enabling technology of any modern society in which automation of processes and energy systems plays an ever-increasing role. For the last 40 years, and still today, the IGBT is the most important power semiconductor device."

The Millennium Technology Prize will be presented to Professor Bantval Jayant Baliga in Finland on 30 October in an Award Ceremony that also celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Prize. The Millennium Technology Prize will be presented by its patron, the President of Finland. The Prize Ceremony will be globally streamed by the Finnish national broadcast company Yle.

About the Millennium Technology Prize:

The 1 million Millennium Technology Prize is the preeminent award focused on technological innovations for a better life. This includes work that improves human well-being, biodiversity, and wider sustainability. Overseen by the Technology Academy Finland, it was first awarded in 2004, and its patron is the President of Finland. Winners are selected by a distinguished international panel of experts from academia and industry. Innovations must be backed up by rigorous academic and scientific research and fulfill several criteria, including promoting sustainable development and biodiversity, having generated applications with commercial viability, and creating accessible socio-economic value.

Past winning innovations range from DNA sequencing that helped to develop COVID-19 vaccines, to ethical stem-cell research and versatile, affordable smart technology. For further information, visit https://millenniumprize.org/ .

Photos of the winner: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1fA477l-rstdCdL7Gn5X3nknWaAlwN4Uy

Video of the winner innovation: https://youtu.be/fPrhSXCRRQM

More information and interview requests:

Ida Rantala, Communications Manager

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Six late-breaking presentations across lung and breast cancer trials of DXd ADCs, including two Presidential Symposia at WCLC featuring datopotamab deruxtecan data

First ever clinical data from Daiichi Sankyo's second ADC platform to be presented at ESMO

Investor meeting to discuss WCLC and ESMO presentations

Daiichi Sankyo (TSE: 4568) will present new clinical research across its antibody drug conjugate (ADC) portfolio with more than 25 abstracts across multiple types of cancer at the IASLC 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (WCLC24) and the 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO24).

Data at WCLC and ESMO showcasing Daiichi Sankyo's progress towards its goal of creating new standards of care for patients with cancer will include six late-breaking presentations, including two back-to-back presentations during Presidential Symposium 1 featuring datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) data at WCLC, and the first presentation of clinical data of DS-9606, a CLDN6 directed modified pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) ADC from Daiichi Sankyo's second ADC platform, at ESMO.

"New data in lung, breast, gastric, ovarian, endometrial and other cancers from several of our DXd antibody drug conjugates demonstrates how we are making substantial progress toward creating new standards of care for patients with cancer," said Ken Takeshita, MD, Global Head, R&D, Daiichi Sankyo. "We look forward to presenting initial clinical data from our second antibody drug conjugate platform at ESMO, which underscores how Daiichi Sankyo is applying our expertise in this technology to craft new innovation for patients."

Progress in Lung Cancer at WCLC and ESMO

Late-breaking data at WCLC to be reported during back-to-back presentations at Presidential Symposium 1 will highlight the first interim results from the NeoCOAST-2 phase 2 platform trial evaluating novel perioperative treatment combinations including one arm studying datopotamab deruxtecan with durvalumab and chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment followed by adjuvant treatment with durvalumab in patients with resectable early-stage (IIA to IIIB) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The second Presidential Symposium 1 presentation will feature results from the application of quantitative continuous scoring (QCS), AstraZeneca's proprietary computational pathology platform, to measure TROP2 in tissue samples collected in the TROPION-Lung01 phase 3 trial that evaluated datopotamab deruxtecan versus docetaxel in patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC treated with at least one prior line of therapy. Overall survival results from TROPION-Lung01 also will be presented as a late-breaking oral presentation.

Other data at WCLC include two oral presentations featuring the interim results from the dose optimization part of the IDeate-Lung01 phase 2 trial of ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd) in patients with pretreated extensive-stage small cell lung cancer and results from the ENHERTU (trastuzumab deruxtecan) monotherapy arm of the DESTINY-Lung03 phase 1b trial in patients with previously treated HER2 overexpressing unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. A trial-in-progress poster from the NSCLC cohort of a phase 1b trial evaluating the combination of datopotamab deruxtecan and valemetostat, a dual inhibitor of EZH1 and EZH2, in previously treated locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC with or without actionable genomic alterations also will be highlighted.

At ESMO, additional data in lung cancer being reported include poster presentations featuring a post-hoc analysis of patients with nonsquamous NSCLC by baseline brain metastases status in the TROPION-Lung01 phase 3 trial of datopotamab deruxtecan and intracranial responses seen in the IDeate-Lung01 phase 2 trial of ifinatamab deruxtecan, as well as a trial-in-progress poster featuring the design of the IDeate-Lung03 phase 1b/2 trial of ifinatamab deruxtecan in combination with atezolizumab with or without carboplatin as first-line induction or maintenance therapy in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.

Continued Innovation in Breast Cancer at ESMO

Late-breaking presentations in breast cancer at ESMO will include a proffered paper session featuring the primary results of the DESTINY-Breast12 phase 3b/4 trial evaluating ENHERTU in patients with HER2 positive advanced or metastatic breast cancer with or without brain metastases, and two mini oral sessions highlighting patient reported outcomes and determination of the HER2 low and HER2 ultralow status of tumors from the DESTINY-Breast06 phase 3 trial in patients with HR positive, HER2 low and HER2 ultralow metastatic breast cancer.

Two proffered paper sessions will highlight results from the ICARUS-BREAST01 phase 2 study of patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) in patients with HR positive, HER2 negative advanced breast cancer with disease progression following two or more treatments and the investigator-initiated ERICA phase 2 trial evaluating olanzapine-based triplet antiemetic therapy for prevention of nausea and vomiting in combination with ENHERTU in patients with metastatic breast cancer. A mini oral session will feature a supplementary biomarker analysis from the DAISY phase 2 trial evaluating ENHERTU in three cohorts of patients with HER2 expressing metastatic breast cancer and a poster presentation will report on an exploratory biomarker analysis of ENHERTU in patients with HR positive, HER2 low metastatic breast cancer from the DESTINY-Breast04 phase 3 trial. A poster reporting on exposure-adjusted incidence rates of adverse events from the TROPION-Breast01 phase 3 trial of datopotamab deruxtecan versus chemotherapy in patients with previously treated HR positive, HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer also will be featured.

Data from Daiichi Sankyo's Second ADC Platform and DXd ADC Data in Multiple Additional Cancers at ESMO

At ESMO, a proffered paper session will highlight preliminary results from a phase 1 trial of DS-9606, a CLDN6 directed modified PBD ADC from Daiichi Sankyo's second ADC platform, in patients with solid tumors known to express CLDN6. Results from the DESTINY-Gastric03 phase 1b/2 trial evaluating ENHERTU monotherapy or ENHERTU combinations with chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy in patients with HER2 expressing advanced/metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction carcinoma also will be presented at a proffered paper session.

A mini oral session will feature results from the TROPION-PanTumor03 phase 2 trial of datopotamab deruxtecan in patients with previously treated recurrent endometrial or ovarian cancer. Trial-in-progress poster presentations will highlight the HERTHENA-PanTumor01 phase 2 trial evaluating patritumab deruxtecan in patients with a broad range of solid tumors including bladder, cervical, endometrial, esophageal, gastric, head and neck, melanoma, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate and a phase 1 trial of DS-1471, a CD147 monoclonal antibody, in patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid cancers.

Investor Conference Call Following ESMO

Daiichi Sankyo will hold a virtual conference call for investors on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 from 8:00 to 9:30 am EDT 9:00 to 10:30 pm JST. Executives from Daiichi Sankyo will provide an overview of the WCLC and ESMO research data and address questions.

WCLC and ESMO Data Highlights

Highlights of data from Daiichi Sankyo's ADC portfolio at WCLC 2024 include:

Presentation Title Author Abstract Presentation (PDT) NSCLC NeoCOAST-2: efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant durvalumab (D) novel anticancer agents CT and adjuvant D novel agents in resectable NSCLC T. Cascone PL02.07 Presidential Symposium 1

Sunday, September 8

8:30 10:00 am Normalized membrane ratio of TROP2 by quantitative continuous scoring is predictive of clinical outcomes in TROPION-Lung01 M.C. Garassino PL02.11 Presidential Symposium 1

Sunday, September 8

8:30 10:00 am Datopotamab deruxtecan vs docetaxel in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: final overall survival from TROPION-Lung01 J. Sands OA08.03 Oral Presentation

Monday, September 9

10:45 12:00 pm Trastuzumab deruxtecan monotherapy in pretreated HER2 overexpressing nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer: DESTINY-Lung03 part 1 D. Planchard OA16.05 Oral Presentation

Tuesday, September 10

1:30 2:45 pm Valemetostat and datopotamab deruxtecan in previously treated, advanced, unresectable, or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC A. Spira P2.10A.04 Poster Session Sunday, September 8 6:15 7:45 pm SCLC Ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd) in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC): interim analysis of IDeate-Lung01 C. Rudin OA04.03 Oral Presentation

Sunday, September 8

2:00 3:15 pm Exposure-response analyses to support phase 3 dose selection for I-DXd (ifinatamab deruxtecan) in extensive stage SCLC patients N. Midde P1.13A.12 Poster Session

Sunday, September 8

12:00 2:00 pm

Highlights of data from Daiichi Sankyo's ADC portfolio at ESMO 2024 include:

Presentation Title Author Abstract Presentation (CEST) NSCLC Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) vs docetaxel in patients with advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastases: results from TROPION-Lung01 E. Pons-Tostivint 1312P Poster Session

Saturday, September 14 SCLC Intracranial response in patients with baseline brain metastases and extensive-stage small cell lung cancer treated with ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd) in the IDeate-Lung01 study M. Johnson 1787P Poster Session

Saturday, September 14 IDeate-Lung03: a phase 1b/2 study of ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd) plus atezolizumab with or without carboplatin as first line induction or maintenance in patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer C. Rudin 1812TiP Poster Session

Saturday, September 14 BREAST Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) in patients with HER2+ advanced/metastatic breast cancer with or without brain metastases: primary results from DESTINY-Breast12 N. Lin LBA18 Proffered Paper Session

Friday, September 13

4:00 5:30 pm HER2 low and HER2 ultralow status determination in tumors of patients with HR+ mBC in DESTINY-Breast06 G. Viale LBA 21 Mini Oral Session

Sunday, September 15

8:30 10:00 am Effects of trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) vs treatment of physician's choice on patient-reported outcomes in hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) low/ultralow metastatic breast cancer: results from DESTINY-Breast06 X. Hu LBA22 Mini Oral Session

Sunday, September 15

8:30 10:00 am Efficacy, safety and biomarker analysis of ICARUS-BREAST01: a phase 2 study of patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) in patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer B. Pistilli 340O Proffered Paper Session

Friday, September 13

4:00 5:30 pm A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of olanzapine-based triplet antiemetic therapy for prevention of delayed and persistent nausea and vomiting induced by trastuzumab deruxtecan in patients with metastatic breast cancer: ERICA study H. Sakai 1816O Proffered Paper Session

Saturday, September 14

2:45 4:25 pm Unraveling the mechanisms of action and resistance to trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd): supplementary biomarker analyses from DAISY trial F. Mosele 343MO Mini Oral Session

Sunday, September 15

8:30 10:00 am Exploratory biomarker analysis of trastuzumab deruxtecan versus treatment of physician's choice in HER2-low, hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer in DESTINY-Breast04 N. Ueno 432P Poster Session

Monday, September 16 Exposure-adjusted incidence rates of adverse events from the TROPION-Breast01 study of datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) vs investigator's choice of chemotherapy in patients with pretreated, inoperable/ metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer H. Rugo 431P Poster Session

Monday, September 16 Treatment patterns and outcomes in HER2 low, HR+ metastatic breast cancer patients previously treated with endocrine therapy in the United States S. Modi 399P Poster Session

Monday, September 16 OTHER SOLID TUMORS Preliminary results from a phase 1, first-in-human study of DS-9606a, a Claudin 6 (CLDN6) directed antibody drug conjugate, in patients with tumor types known to express CLDN6 M. Patel 610O Proffered Paper Session

Sunday, September 15

2:45 4:15 pm Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) monotherapy and combinations in patients with advanced/metastatic HER2 positive esophageal, gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: DESTINY-Gastric03 Y. Janjigian 1401O Proffered Paper Session

Saturday, September 14

8:30 10:00 am Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) monotherapy in patients with endometrial or ovarian cancer: results from the phase 2 TROPION-PanTumor03 study A. Oaknin 714MO Mini Oral Session

Sunday, September 15

2:45 4:15 pm HERTHENA-PanTumor01: A global phase 2 trial of HER3-DXd in metastatic solid tumors T. Powles 690TiP Poster Session

Saturday, September 14 A phase 1, first-in-human study of DS-1471 in patients with advanced/metastatic solid tumors S. Koganemaru 682TiP Poster Session

Saturday, September 14 Claudin-6 expression in primary and recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer: a potential therapeutic target for high-grade serous ovarian cancer D. Shintani 771P Poster Session

Saturday, September 14

About the ADC Portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo

The Daiichi Sankyo ADC portfolio consists of seven ADCs in clinical development crafted from two distinct ADC technology platforms discovered in-house by Daiichi Sankyo.

The ADC platform furthest in clinical development is Daiichi Sankyo's DXd ADC Technology where each ADC consists of a monoclonal antibody attached to a number of topoisomerase I inhibitor payloads (an exatecan derivative, DXd) via tetrapeptide-based cleavable linkers. The DXd ADC portfolio currently consists of ENHERTU, a HER2 directed ADC, and datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd), a TROP2 directed ADC, which are being jointly developed and commercialized globally with AstraZeneca. Patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd), a HER3 directed ADC, ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd), a B7-H3 directed ADC, and raludotatug deruxtecan (R-DXd), a CDH6 directed ADC, are being jointly developed and commercialized globally with Merck. DS-3939, a TA-MUC1 directed ADC, is being developed by Daiichi Sankyo.

The second Daiichi Sankyo ADC platform consists of a monoclonal antibody attached to a modified PBD payload. DS-9606, a CLDN6 directed PBD ADC, is the first of several planned ADCs in clinical development utilizing this platform.

Datopotamab deruxtecan, ifinatamab deruxtecan, patritumab deruxtecan, raludotatug deruxtecan, DS-3939 and DS-9606 are investigational medicines that have not been approved for any indication in any country. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

About Daiichi Sankyo

Daiichi Sankyo is an innovative global healthcare company contributing to the sustainable development of society that discovers, develops and delivers new standards of care to enrich the quality of life around the world. With more than 120 years of experience, Daiichi Sankyo leverages its world-class science and technology to create new modalities and innovative medicines for people with cancer, cardiovascular and other diseases with high unmet medical needs. For more information, please visit www.daiichisankyo.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240903292956/en/

Contacts:

Global/US Media:

Jennifer Brennan

Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.

jennifer.brennan@daiichisankyo.com

+ 1 908 900 3183 (mobile)

Japan Media:

DS-PR@daiichisankyo.co.jp

Investor Relations Contact:

DaiichiSankyoIR@daiichisankyo.co.jp
Kinaset Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing inhaled therapeutics to treat serious respiratory diseases, today announced two oral presentations and a late breaking poster presentation at the 2024 European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress being held September 7-11, 2024, in Vienna, Austria. The presentations demonstrate the potential of Kinaset's lead clinical candidate, frevecitinib (KN-002), to treat all patients with moderate to severe asthma and patients with COPD.

Kinaset's leadership team, including Robert Clarke, PhD, co-founder and CEO, Frazer Morgan, co-founder and Chief Development Officer, and Christopher O'Brien, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, will be attending the conference to engage with industry leaders and partners about its innovations in respiratory disease. Dave Singh, M.D., Professor, University of Manchester, Principal Investigator, and a scientific advisor to Kinaset, will be giving the oral presentations.

Presentation Details:

Oral Presentations

Title: KN-002 reduces fractional exhaled nitric oxide in moderate to severe asthma

Session Title: Airway diseases therapeutics: novel research studies

Session Date and Time: Monday, September 9, 9:30 to 10:45

Presenter: Dave Singh, M.D., Professor, University of Manchester

Location: Lehar 3

Title: Safety and PK of KN-002 in subjects with moderate to severe asthma using ICS/LABA

Session Title: Recent advances in biological treatments for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Session Date and Time: Monday, September 9, 14:15 to 15:30

Presenter: Dave Singh, M.D., Professor, University of Manchester

Location: A1

Late Breaking Poster Presentation

Title: The safety and PK of an inhaled pan JAK inhibitor (KN-002) in subjects with COPD

Session Title: Biological treatments for asthma: novel real-world and clinical studies

Session Date and Time: Tuesday, September 10, 8:00-9:30

Location: PS-11, Board 18

About frevecitinib

The United States Adopted Name (USAN) Council in consultation with the World Health Organization (WHO)'s International Non-proprietary Names (INN) Expert Committee, has approved the drug name frevecitinib for Kinaset's lead drug candidate, KN-002.Frevecitinib is a novel, potent and balanced inhibitor of all JAK isoforms (i.e., JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and TYK2) under development as a non-invasive anti-inflammatory treatment for all patients with eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic asthma inadequately controlled with medium- to high-dose ICS/LABA maintenance treatment plus those with COPD. Frevecitinib, formulated as a dry powder, has demonstrated excellent delivery efficiency enabling the administration of pharmacologically active doses via a single capsule resulting in therapeutic drug concentrations in lung tissue whilst minimizing systemic exposure levels. A Phase 1 clinical study (NCT05006521), involving 49 healthy volunteers, 55 subjects with mild or moderate to severe asthma and 13 subjects with COPD, has been successfully completed. A Phase 2b clinical study evaluating frevecitinib in patients with asthma not adequately controlled on medium to high dose ICS/LABA is planned to begin in 2025.

About Kinaset Therapeutics, Inc.

Kinaset Therapeutics is focused on developing inhaled therapeutics to address significant unmet medical needs in respiratory diseases. With founding investors 5AM Ventures, Atlas Venture and Gimv, the Company is pursuing a patient-focused approach to build a leading respiratory therapeutics company. See more information at the Company's website.

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Contacts:

Company Contact

Roger Heerman Chief Business Officer

info@kinasettx.com

+1 508-858-5810

Media Contact

LA Communications

Lauren Arnold

laurena@lacommunications.net

+1 (617) 694-5387
The first real-world analysis of tinnitus patients treated with Lenire in the United States has been submitted to a journal for peer-review and is now available on an online pre-print server for health services, medRxiv.

Real-world results are consistent with Lenire's large-scale clinical trial results.

91.5% of patients experienced clinically meaningful reduction in tinnitus after 12-weeks of treatment with Lenire.

of patients experienced clinically meaningful reduction in tinnitus after 12-weeks of treatment with Lenire. 89.2% of patients indicated they benefited from treatment with Lenire.

of patients indicated they benefited from treatment with Lenire. 220 patient treatment results were analyzed for the review making the paper one of the largest real-world analyses of tinnitus patients ever conducted.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The first retrospective real-world analysis of US tinnitus patients treated with Lenire, the first and only FDA-Approved bimodal neuromodulation tinnitus treatment device, has been made available on medRxiv, the online pre-print server for health sciences.

The results in the clinical trial paper titled: "Effectiveness of bimodal neuromodulation for tinnitus treatment in a real-world clinical setting in United States: A retrospective chart review" found Lenire's real world effectiveness to be consistent with clinical trial results. This study has been reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB).

The paper is available at: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.08.22.24312175

Tinnitus, which is commonly known as 'ringing in the ears', is a complex neurological condition that causes a perception of sound when there is no external source. It is estimated that at least 25 million Americans are currently living with tinnitus3. Tinnitus is also the most prevalent service-connected disability compensated for by The United States Veterans Administration (VA), with more than 2.9 million veterans compensated in 20234.

The paper, authored by Dr. Emily McMahan, Au. D., of the Alaska Hearing & Tinnitus Center (AHTC) and Professor Hubert Lim, Ph. D. from the University of Minnesota, analyzed the results of 220 patients with moderate or worse tinnitus who treated their tinnitus at AHTC with Lenire between May 2023 and June 2024.

The analysis of 220 individuals is one of the largest ever conducted of real-world patients following their treatment for tinnitus with a medical device. The retrospective analysis of real-world patients revealed that 91.5% of patients experienced clinically meaningful reduction in tinnitus after 12-weeks of treatment with Lenire. 78.0% experienced clinically meaningful reduction in tinnitus after 6-weeks of treatment with Lenire1,5,6.

89.2% of patients said they benefited from treatment with Lenire1, where 96.4% of patients completed 12-weeks of treatment with Lenire1.

"My tinnitus was getting worse and worse to the point it was affecting my sleep and causing me anxiety." said Mike McGaughey, Tinnitus Patient at AHTC. "After 12-weeks of Lenire, I no longer feel tortured by my tinnitus, Lenire has given me a new lease on life."

These positive results and high level of patient satisfaction in the real-world patient environment are consistent with clinical trial results and give new hope to the chronically underserved tinnitus patient population.

"A combination of AHTC's expertise, and collaboration with Lenire creator, Neuromod, has helped us achieve clinical outcomes that have exceeded our expectations and, in many instances, the results of the device's clinical trials," said AHTC founder, Dr. Emily E. McMahan, Au. D. "Lenire is a powerful tool, and the results outlined in this paper highlight how effective it can be with the right support and guidance".

Lenire is the first and only tinnitus treatment device of its kind approved by the US FDA following the success of the device's controlled clinical trial, TENT-A3. TENT-A3's results were recently published in Nature Communications.2

TENT-A3 included 112 clinical trial participants. 70.5% of those with moderate or worse tinnitus had a clinically meaningful reduction in tinnitus after 6 weeks of using Lenire when sound-alone had no clinically meaningful benefit2,5,6.

Over the entire TENT-A3 clinical trial, 82.4% were compliant to bimodal treatment, and 88.6% responded that they would recommend Lenire as a tinnitus treatment2.

"Typically for medical interventions, results experienced by real world patients are not as positive as clinical trial results due to the controlled nature of those trials," said Neuromod Chief Scientific Officer and University of Minnesota Professor, Prof. Hubert Lim, Ph.D. "The real-world results from Dr. McMahan's practice are consistent with clinical trial data. They are a testament to her care for her patients and demonstrate that Lenire can be an effective treatment for tinnitus."

Lenire's real world success is a combination of scientifically proven technology and the expertise of a robust network of leading tinnitus experts. Neuromod, creators of Lenire, train and qualify partner clinics in person and supplement this education with the Lenire Academy learning platform and ongoing clinical affairs support to ensure positive patient outcomes.

"Neuromod operates a practice-enablement program with rigorous partner selection criteria, which ensures the highest level of tinnitus patient care in the real world." said Neuromod USA CEO and Neuromod Devices President of Global Commercial Operations, Eric Timm. "This approach, combined with the expertise of our network of leading tinnitus care professionals, embodied by Dr. McMahan, has ensured our real-world results closely resemble our clinical trial data."

Lenire is available in specialized tinnitus clinics in the United States of America and Europe. Lenire is also a treatment option through Veterans Affairs.

Media Contact

Kevin Knight

kknightpr@gmail.com

+1 (214) 732-9392

References and Notes

McMahan, E.E. and Lim, H.H., 2024. Effectiveness of bimodal neuromodulation for tinnitus treatment in a real-world clinical setting in United States: A retrospective chart review. medRxiv, pp.2024-08; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.08.22.24312175 [preprint] Boedts, M. Beuchner, A. et al. Combining sound with tongue stimulation for the treatment of tinnitus: a multi-site single-arm controlled pivotal trial. Nature communications (2024) https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/tinnitus US VA Benefits Report Fiscal Year 2023: https://www.benefits.va.gov/REPORTS/abr/ As measured by Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). THI is the most widely used clinical standard for measuring the impact of tinnitus on someone's day-to-day life. The THI is a validated instrument that is measured on a scale of 100, the higher the score, the greater the impact of tinnitus. THI scores are categorized into five severity levels: slight, mild, moderate, severe and catastrophic. Patients that are at least moderately affected by their tinnitus have a THI score of 38 and above and fall into the moderate, severe and catastrophic categories. Clinically meaningful reduction in tinnitus is defined as at least 7-points of improvement on the THI scale for the paper.

About Neuromod

Founded in 2010, Neuromod Devices is a global medical technology company with offices in Ireland, and the United States of America. Neuromod specializes in the design and development of neuromodulation technologies to address the clinical needs of underserved patient populations who live with chronic and debilitating conditions.

The lead application of Neuromod's technology is in the field of tinnitus, where Neuromod has completed extensive clinical trials to confirm the efficacy of its non-invasive neuromodulation platform in this common disorder. For more information visit www.neuromoddevices.com.

About Lenire

Lenire is the first non-invasive bimodal neuromodulation tinnitus treatment device shown to soothe and relieve tinnitus in large-scale clinical trials.

Bimodal neuromodulation is the stimulation of nerves with two paired stimuli for therapeutic purposes. The tinnitus treatment device that was used in the study, known as Lenire was developed by Neuromod. It consists of wireless (Bluetooth ) headphones that deliver sequences of audio tones to both ears, combined with electrical stimulation pulses delivered to the surface of the tongue via 32 electrodes on a proprietary device trademarked as Tonguetip. The device's settings can be configured to provide treatment with different combinations of audio and electrical stimuli.

The timing, intensity and delivery of the stimuli are controlled by an easy-to-use handheld controller that each participant is trained to use prior to continuing treatment from home. Patients with tinnitus are prescribed Lenire by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional, such as an Audiologist or ENT Surgeon, after an assessment for suitability and can complete treatment from home in between follow-up appointments with their clinician.

Lenire has CE-mark certification for the treatment of tinnitus under the supervision of an appropriately qualified healthcare professional in Europe and has received a De Novo Approval Grant by the US FDA.

About Dr. Emily E. McMahan Au. D.

Dr. Emily E. McMahan, Au. D. is an audiologist who specializes in Diagnostic Hearing & Hearing Management as well as Tinnitus and Tinnitus Management.

Dr. McMahan attended the University of Cincinnati where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She furthered her professional education by obtaining her Doctorate of Audiology from Salus University in Philadelphia. She completed her residency in Anchorage and has been applying her expertise to her patients in the Pacific Northwest.

Dr. McMahan holds Board Certification in Audiology through the American Board of Audiology. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology.

Dr. McMahan was recently elected to a board position and is the Treasurer for Audiology Practice Standards Organization (APSO) which is a group dedicated to creating a national standard of care for the profession of Audiology.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2496259/Lenire_tinnitus.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/real-world-data-supports-lenire-tinnitus-treatment-effectiveness-shown-in-large-scale-clinical-trials-302237968.html
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - Omai Gold Mines Corp. (TSXV: OMG) (OTCQB: OMGGF) ("Omai" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Joshua Bailey, P.Geo as Technical and Strategic Advisor to the Company, effective immediately.

Mr. Bailey brings over 20 years professional experience in mineral exploration having played key executive leadership roles in corporate strategy and governance, technical and operational execution, transactions and partnerships, and corporate development. Joshua holds an MSc in geology from Laurentian University and an MBA. Previous roles include:

Head of Global Generative and Head of Commercial with BHP Exploration where he led global technical and commercial teams to evaluate hundreds of opportunities, negotiate multiple transactions, and manage multiple partnerships.

Chief Operating Officer and Director with private explorer Exiro Minerals, with a key role in securing partnerships and financing from top-tier private equity firms and senior companies, consolidating large tracts of prospective ground, and assembling a portfolio of projects and royalties across North America.

Vice President of Exploration with Wallbridge Mining where he drove the pivot towards gold in 2014, sourced and led the evaluation and acquisition of the Fenelon gold project, and led the initial successful drilling campaigns of what is now a multi-million-ounce deposit. He also negotiated and managed multiple partnerships over many years.

Chair of the Ontario Prospectors Association, President of the Sudbury Prospectors and Developers Association, and on the Advisory Board of the Mineral Exploration Research Centre at Laurentian University.

Elaine Ellingham, CEO, commented. "We welcome Josh's experience and industry knowledge as we accelerate our work on the Omai project in Guyana. The completion of the Preliminary Economic Assessment in April was a major milestone and we are now well financed to continue on our growth trajectory. Josh's expertise in both corporate development and exploration complements our management and technical teams."

Mr. Bailey commented, "I am thrilled to be working with Elaine and the team to help them further advance and expand the Omai project. Having just returned from a site visit to the project, I am impressed with the excellent work that the team is doing and the support for the project that exists in country. The large scale resource growth potential of the project is clear and it is an exciting time for the company."

Beaver Creek 2024 Precious Metal Summit (Beaver Creek, Colorado)

Omai Gold will be presenting at the Beaver Creek Precious Metal Summit, September 10-13, 2024, in Colorado. Omai Gold's CEO Elaine Ellingham will be presenting Thursday September 12th at 9:00 am, Room 2.

ABOUT OMAI GOLD

Omai Gold Mines Corp. holds a 100% interest in the past producing Omai gold property in Guyana which it is exploring for its resource potential to support large-scale, long-lived, gold production starting at shallow depths. The Company announced a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") on its Wenot deposit at Omai on April 4, 2024, supporting an open pit operation to produce 1.84 million ounces of gold over a 13-year period, with an NPV5% of US$556 million at a US$1950/oz gold price1. An updated NI 43- 101 Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") announced February 8, 2024 for both the Wenot and Gilt Creek deposits includes 2.0 million ounces of gold (Indicated) and 2.3 million ounces (Inferred)1. Once South America's largest producing gold mine, Omai produced over 3.7 million ounces of gold from two open pits between 1993 and 2005 before closing when the average gold price was less than US$400 per ounce. Historic mining only extended to 150-180 metres depth on part of the known deposits and considerable current resource remains at very shallow depths, including along the flanks of the historic pits. As a brownfields project, Omai benefits from good access and a wealth of historical data that provides knowledge of the geology, nature of the gold mineralization on the property, as well as metallurgy and historical recoveries. The Company's priorities through 2024 and 2025 are to: i) Drill to expand the resource base and overall property Mine Plan, ii) Enhance the economics beyond the initial baseline PEA, and iii) Advance permitting, engineering and baseline studies.

1The NI43-101 Technical Report dated May 21, 2024, titled "UPDATED MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE AND PRELIMINARY ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE OMAI GOLD PROPERTY, POTARO MINING DISTRICT NO. 2, GUYANA", prepared under the supervision of Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, President of P&E Mining Consultants Inc., who is a Qualified Person (QP) and is independent of Omai Gold for the purposes of NI 43-101. The report is available on SEDAR+ and on the Company's website.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the timing of completion of exploration, trenching and drill programs, and the potential for the Omai Gold Project to allow Omai to build significant gold Mineral Resources at attractive grades, and forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; the price of gold and copper; and the results of current exploration. Further, the Mineral Resource data set out in the Omai Gold news release are estimates, and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the indicated level of recovery will be realized. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222099

SOURCE: Omai Gold Mines Corp.
NAPLES, FL / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / ("STEK") Stemtech Corporation, the pioneer and trailblazer in the stem cell nutrition sector, is proud to announce that OTC Markets has approved us to quote as an OTCQB stock, symbolizing a commitment to transparency and investor confidence. As we consolidate our footprint in the United States, Mexico, Ecuador, Canada and Taiwan, this milestone is a testament to our dedication to global health through groundbreaking stem cell nutrition, skin care, oral care and as recently announced on August 22, pet care technologies.

The global stem cells market is poised for substantial growth, projected to increase from $14.92 billion in 2023 to $49.26 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.47%. This growth underscores the expanding opportunities within the sector, driven by innovations in regenerative medicine and increasing application across therapeutic areas.

?Stemtech Chairman and CEO, Charles S. Arnold states "with the passage of time, there is an enhanced awareness, and more people are becoming educated about the power, the miracle of stem cells and the benefits of helping your body help itself. Our niche products are reasonably priced, and our life-maintenance system is something everyone should be taking to improve their quality of life".

With decades of research and development, Stemtech is the knowledge leader in the stem cell nutrition industry. Our expertise spans the development of products that naturally enhance the body's ability to renew and repair itself, using scientifically validated approaches that underscore our commitment to quality, efficacy, and safety.

At Stemtech, our focus remains on enhancing human and soon pet health by harnessing the potential of all-natural, plant-based stem cell products, offering solutions that not only meet current health challenges but also anticipate future needs. Join us as we lead the charge in a revolution to naturally enhance anti-aging, longevity, and quality of life worldwide. This, combined with our income-earning business opportunity makes Stemtech a very attractive model for health and wealth.

ABOUT STEMTECH

Stemtech Corporation, a leading stemceutical company with a direct sales distribution model, was founded on April 18, 2018, after acquiring the operations from its predecessor Stemtech International, Inc., which was established in 2005. From 2010 through 2015, Stemtech International, Inc., was recognized four separate times on the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies list. In 2018, Stemtech underwent an extensive executive reorganization, and continued operations under new leadership as Stemtech Corporation. In August 2021, Stemtech became a publicly traded company (STEK) and has expanded business opportunities for its Independent Business Partners (IBPs), who may earn incomes by sharing Stemtech products. Stemtech is well positioned as the pioneer in stem cell nutrition, oral, skin care and soon pet health products, to increase sales in the wellness industry.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include but are not limited to statements identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets," "projects" and similar expressions. The statements in this release are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences, including, but not limited to, results of clinical trials and/or other studies, the challenges inherent in new product development initiatives, the effect of any competitive products, our ability to license and protect our intellectual property, our ability to raise additional capital in the future that is necessary to maintain our business, changes in government policy and/or regulation, potential litigation by or against us, any governmental review of our products or practices, as well as other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our latest 10-Q Report filed on August 27, 2024. We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement, or any information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures at any time. Finally, the investing public is reminded that the only announcements or information about Stemtech Corporation which are condoned by the Company must emanate from the Company itself and bear our name as its source.

Investor Relations:

Gabriel Rodriguez

Email: erelationsgroup@gmail.com

Phone: +1 623-261-9046

Stemtech Corporation

Phone: +1 954-715-6000 ext 1040

Email: invrel@stemtech.com

SOURCE: Stemtech Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Las Vegas, Nevada and Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - Body and Mind Inc. (CSE: BAMM) (OTC Pink: BMMJ) (the "Company" or "BaM"), a multi-state operations-focused cannabis company, is pleased to announce that the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, DEP Nevada, Inc. ("DEP") has closed the previously announced transaction to sell all of its interests in the Body and Mind Ohio processor for total consideration of US$2 million in cash, which was received in early 2024.

Transaction Details

As previously reported on September 6, 2023, pursuant to the equity purchase agreement with LMTB, LLC (the "Purchaser"), DEP agreed to sell all of the issued and outstanding interests, equity, or profit interests (the "Interests") in NMG OH P1, LLC ("NMG OH P1"), which owns and operates the Body and Mind Ohio processor, to the Purchaser. The Body and Mind Ohio processor has now been sold to the Purchaser for a purchase price for the Interests of US$2 million, subject to a working capital adjustment and other customary adjustments.

About Body and Mind Inc.

BaM is an operations-focused cannabis company with active retail operations in Illinois and California, and pending retail operations in Illinois and New Jersey. We work daily to increase our market share through delighting customers while also continuing to hone our operational efficiencies to drive profits. We are primarily guided by the metric of return on investment. Currently, we believe the most significant return on investment projects in front of us are successful retail cannabis store launches in Illinois and New Jersey, which augment our existing retail footprint. We also believe that our team's core operational skillsets will create significant future shareholder value as the cannabis industry matures.

Please visit www.bodyandmind.com for more information.

Instagram: @bodyandmindBaM

Twitter: @bodyandmindBaM

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans, "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as "forward-looking statements". Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation of activities, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labor disputes and other risks. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release.

Certain matters discussed in this news release and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may constitute forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-Looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222091

SOURCE: Body and Mind Inc.
Company Receives Fifth Patent and Notice of Allowance for a Sixth

HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / Camber Energy, Inc. (OTCQB:CEIN) ("Camber" or the "Company") today announced that it received a new patent along with a Notice of Allowance for an additional patent concerning its portfolio of Broken Conductor Protection technologies, which are designed to assist utility companies with wildfire mitigation, public safety and grid resiliency initiatives.

Broken electrical conductors pose a public safety risk due to the possibility of human contact with the conductors and the potential for arcing to ignite wildfires. The Company's technology is designed to detect a broken conductor and de-energize the power line before it touches the ground or nearby equipment, thus reducing the risk of safety hazards caused by a downed, energized power line.

Reducing wildfire risks and ensuring the ability of electric companies to invest in wildfire risk mitigation for the safety of their customers is a top industry priority, as per the Edison Electric Institute.[1]

New & Pending Patent Info.

U.S. Patent No. 12,074,424 "End of Line Protection with Trip Signal Engaging", was issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on August 27, 2024 to the Company's majority-owned subsidiary, Viking Sentinel Technology, LLC, and is in addition to patents previously disclosed by the Company. The Notice of Allowance recently received by the USPTO is regarding patent application No. 17/628,545 entitled "End of Line Protection with Blocking", and the associated patent is expected to be issued in the coming weeks.

Updated Overview of Patents in Wildfire Mitigation & Public Safety Portfolio

The Company's Broken Conductor Protection technology is designed to be an integral component within existing grid protection systems, improving resiliency and reliability, eliminating the need for Public Safety Power Shutdown Programs, and significantly reducing the risk of fires and improving public safety. Learn more about Camber's Broken Conductor Protection Technology at www.camberprotection.com.

About Camber Energy, Inc.

Camber Energy, Inc. is a growth-oriented diversified energy company. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Viking Energy Group, Inc., Camber: (i) provides custom energy & power solutions to commercial and industrial clients in North America; (ii) holds an exclusive license in Canada to a patented carbon-capture system; and (iii) has a majority interest in: (a) entities with the intellectual property rights to patented and patent pending electric transmission and distribution broken conductor protection systems; and (b) an entity with intellectual property rights to a patented medical & bio-hazard waste treatment system using ozone technology. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.camber.energy.

SEC Reports

All figures referenced herein are approximate and all descriptions above are qualified in their entirety by Camber's filings with the SEC and available under "Investors -- SEC Filings" at www.camber.energy.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Any statements that are not historical facts contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements", which statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "projects," "will," "may," "anticipates," "believes," "should," "intends," "estimates," and other words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, involve known and unknown risks, a reliance on third parties for information, transactions that may be cancelled, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in our industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results include risks and uncertainties related to the fluctuation of global economic conditions or economic conditions with respect to the oil and gas industry, the COVID-19 pandemic, the performance of management, actions of government regulators, vendors, and suppliers, our cash flows and ability to obtain financing, competition, general economic conditions and other factors that are detailed in Camber's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Camber cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not complete, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and Camber does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that it may make, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Camber or any person acting its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements referenced above.

[1] https://www.eei.org/en/issues-and-policy/wildfires

Contact Information:

Investors and Media:

Tel. 281.404.4387

SOURCE: Camber Energy, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
The "Europe Baby Food and Infant Formula Market Report by Types Europe Baby Food and Infant Formula Market, Distribution Channel, Country and Company Analysis 2024-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Europe baby food and infant formula market size will reach US$ 14.93 Billion by 2032 up from US$ 9.75 Billion in 2023, with a CAGR of 4.85% during 2024-2032

The growing demand for organic food, along with the growing infant population around the European region, will increase the market demand for Europe Baby Food mainly during the forecast period. The increasing prevalence of organic baby food, coupled with a growing infant population during the forecast period, will drive industrial growth in the Europe Baby Food market. Increasing urbanization and changes in lifestyles have led to increased demand for packaged baby food in a variety of societies and cultures.

The growing population of working women who can focus on the nutritional needs of their babies for a limited time is putting pressure on parents to use baby food. It has become one of the essential foods for the baby of a working mother. The lifestyle of busy mothers is driving the growth of the Europe Baby Food market.

Additionally, growing awareness of nutritional and disposable income growth is driving the Europe Baby Food market growth. Food safety concerns, lower fertility rates, and the practice of feeding babies home-cooked food are the main constraints in this market. The Europe Baby Food market is growing at a faster rate as the number of working women increases and parental interest in nutrition increases.

Convenience, variety, and demand for nutritious baby food are drivers of Europe Baby Food consumption. Raising health awareness to provide nutrition for overall baby development is an important factor driving the growth of the Europe Baby Food market. Additionally, the increase in breastfeeding problems in women, including breast engorgement and nipple infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, has prompted the adoption of baby food products.

Furthermore, the growing preference for organic baby food is contributing to the growth of the Europe Baby Food market. Furthermore, increased urbanization is expected to be a significant opportunity for Europe Baby Food manufacturers. New product development will attract more consumers. There has been an increase in disposable income and the adoption of modern lifestyles in developing countries for infant feeding. The growth of the middle class and the increase in the female workforce are also factors that strengthen the Europe Baby Food market.

The European baby food market is strictly regulated to ensure the safest consumption of baby food. The market has been distorted by strict and changing regulations. Consumers are becoming more aware of the health of their babies, leading to an increased demand for natural and organic baby food. Urbanization, with increased awareness of nutrition, more organized retail marketing, and a marked increase in the female working population, is a key factor driving the growth of the Europe Baby Food market. The growing awareness of organic products and the increased availability of organic products among consumers, agribusinesses, and farmers are two of the main drivers of the Europe Baby Food market growth.

The increasing participation of women in the European workforce is another significant factor driving the baby food and infant formula market. With more mothers engaged in full-time jobs, the time available for breastfeeding and preparing homemade baby food is considerably reduced. This shift has led to a greater reliance on ready-to-eat baby food and infant formula as convenient alternatives that provide essential nutrients for babies' growth and development. The market has responded to this need by offering a diverse range of products that are not only nutritionally complete but also easy to prepare and consume, understanding and catering to the busy lifestyles of working parents.

Scientific research is playing a pivotal role in shaping the market for baby food and infant formula. It is contributing to the heightened awareness among parents and caregivers about the specific nutritional needs of infants. As information becomes more accessible and widespread, parents are gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of balanced nutrition in the early stages of a child's development.

This growing awareness is further supported by a wealth of scientific research, which underscores the vital role of nutrients like DHA and ARA in brain development, as well as the significance of iron, vitamins, and minerals in overall growth and immunity. Furthermore, the market is witnessing a surge in innovation with the introduction of organic and natural ingredient-based products, meeting the demand for healthier and safer options for infants.

Germany Baby Food and Infant Formula Market

Germany's baby food and infant formula market is characterized by a diverse range of products catering to the nutritional needs of infants. The market is influenced by factors such as urbanization, increasing disposable incomes, and changing lifestyles, leading to steady growth. The growing number of working women, and surging parental concerns about infant nutrition are driving the market. The growing concerns regarding the infant's health due to the increasing rate of foodborne illnesses.

Further, rising expenditure on baby care products owing to the growing awareness about baby care among parents is driving the Germany baby food market. In July 2022, Danone launched a new diary plant blend baby formula to meet parents' desire for more plant-based foods.

Key Players Analysis

Abbott Laboratories

Nestle SA

Danone SA.

Hain Celestial Group

Hipp Vertrieb

Organix Brands Company

H. J. Heinz Company

Ella's Kitchen (Hain Celestial Group)

Oliver's Cupboard Brand Ltd

Holle baby food GmbH

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction

2. Research Methodology

3. Executive Summary

4. Market Dynamic

4.1 Growth Drivers

4.2 Challenges

5. Europe Baby Food and Infant Formula Market

6. Europe Baby Food and Infant Formula Market Share Analysis

6.1 By Types

6.2 By Distribution Channel

6.3 By Country

7. Types Europe Baby Food and Infant Formula Market

7.1 Milk Formula

7.2 Dried Baby Food

7.3 Prepared Baby Food

7.4 Others

8. Distribution Channel Europe Baby Food and Infant Formula Market

8.1 Supermarkets and Hypermarkets

8.2 Pharmacies

8.3 Convenience Stores

8.4 Others

9. Country Europe Baby Food and Infant Formula Market

9.1 Germany

9.2 France

9.3 United Kingdom

9.4 Italy

9.5 Spain

9.6 Others

10. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

10.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers

10.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

10.3 Degree of Competition

10.4 Threat of New Entrants

10.5 Threat of Substitutes

11. SWOT Analysis

11.1 Strength

11.2 Weakness

11.3 Opportunity

11.4 Threats

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/tvn4dd

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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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / AllianceBernstein

ESG in Action

Governments, regulators and consumers are pressing for change from carbon-based to renewable energy sources. That shift will involve huge upheaval for the world economy and the businesses that drive it. Investors and companies need a framework to analyze and manage the risks and opportunities of the transition.

The Issue

High greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting companies are under pressure to adapt their business operations to a clean-energy future.

The Investment Case

The transition involves multiple risks for corporates. But it also creates opportunities for them to innovate and to leapfrog competitors by preparing successfully for a low-carbon world.

Engagement Is Key*

Based on our climate transition alignment framework, we assess high GHG emitting companies' transition readiness and engage with their management to help them navigate the new environment. We believe this process is vital to identify transition winners and losers and to support stock and bondholder returns.

Authors

Erin Bigley, CFA | Chief Responsibility Officer

Sara Rosner | Director of Environmental Research and Engagement

Bob Herr | Director of Corporate Governance

Companies emitting high levels of GHG face complex challenges as they prepare for a low-carbon world. Our experience shows how constructive engagement can help support business strategies and investors' returns.

Companies Face Pressure from Transition Risks

According to the International Energy Agency, demand for oil and gas is set to peak by 2030 as energy generation becomes less dependent on hydrocarbons-a scenario creating multiple business risks for heavy industries. High-carbon emitting companies are under pressure from governments and stakeholders to decarbonize their businesses. They must adapt to a raft of new policies, regulations and reporting requirements. Difficulties in securing financing and insurance will likely make it pricier to obtain capital. Products face obsolescence, and assets may be stranded-made less valuable or outdated.

However, these challenges also provide a spur to adopt new technologies and to improve competitive positioning versus peers.

Assessing Exposure: Creating a Consistent Approach

Given the wide-ranging effects of the transition-both positive and negative-on many aspects of firms' business models and operations, analyzing and managing investment exposure is an expansive task.

AllianceBernstein's climate transition alignment framework (CTAF) is one approach to tackling the challenge of pinpointing transition risks and opportunities. It's inspired by several similar frameworks promoted by experts and industry organizations. But AB's CTAF isn't intended to be a mandatory route to net zero emissions, nor a way to assess transition risk through a single backward-looking metric, such as a carbon footprint. Instead, it helps us better understand companies' unique paths for navigating a lower-carbon future.

The CTAF starts by identifying companies in certain high-impact industries (such as airlines, autos, energy and utilities) that are the biggest drivers of financed emissions in actively managed equity and fixed-income portfolios. Investment teams assess these companies on a five-point scale, tracking their journeys from having no awareness of climate risk (Level 0) to full alignment with a lower-carbon world (Level 5).

Engaging for Action: Clarity and Shared Insight

After our CTAF analysis has helped identify the key facts and where a company stands on its trajectory, we're better equipped for the next step: engaging with company management.

Recent engagements include firms across the aerospace and defense, oil and gas, and energy utilities sectors. Dialogues have typically been productive for both sides: using our CTAF approach, we've been clear about progress we'd like to see in companies' management of material climate-related transition risks and opportunities. Management teams have been informative, keen to understand our expectations and receptive to our feedback.

For example, we recently engaged the management team of a US energy company involved in hydrocarbon exploration to gain greater clarity on their plans to reach their stated target of achieving net zero by 2040. The company shared details on their interim target-setting for Scopes 1 and 2 emissions, their exploration of various emissions reduction strategies, and their readiness for expected climate regulatory reporting requirements; we suggested potential starting points for Scope 3 emissions target setting.

That collaborative style of engagement is a far cry from the adversarial approach some might imagine. But in reality, it's important that these occasions enable an exchange of views. Two-way engagement gives investment teams a clearer understanding of the nuances of each company's situation-and helps them put the facts into context. This can go a long way toward highlighting risks and opportunities that can be material to a company's business and performance.

Disclosures are a good example. Investors value meaningful climate-related disclosures both as the basis for making more informed decisions about risks and returns and as proof that corporate management can measure and manage the associated hazards and opportunities. Although companies may be willing to provide the requisite data, these might be problematic to compile, either because of regulatory uncertainties or difficulties in establishing a consistent, robust methodology.

Companies aren't cut from the same mold, so it's also important to consider each firm's specific circumstances, account for its particular industry background and understand its competitive positioning relative to peers. As investors, we want to ensure that companies have a sustainable future-and managing climate risks is part of achieving that future.

We prefer that management makes climate-related changes thoughtfully and achievably in the interests of the business, so our engagements aren't about idealistic target-setting but about managing material risks and opportunities that can stem from decarbonization.

Voting with Purpose: Will a Proposal Enhance Shareholder Value?

Voting at shareholder meetings puts considerable influence in the hands of investors, so it's important that we cast our votes responsibly and constructively. Our touchstone is whether a proposal can enhance shareholder value through better management of business risks and opportunities.

To help gauge its likely impact, we evaluate each proposal's materiality, transparency and prescriptiveness. For issuers that fall under the CTAF, we apply insights and knowledge from our own assessments and engagements to balance the importance of the issues with the regulatory and disclosure constraints companies face.

It's a considered approach that results in a variety of voting outcomes, as these example voting decisions from 2024 highlight.

Vote in Favor-Encouraging Better Disclosure and Accountability: A US utilities firm received a shareholder proposal to report on the feasibility of integrating targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into executive compensation. We believed that supporting the proposal would encourage greater disclosure and accountability from management, which in our view had provided substandard environmental reporting disclosure on these material topics.

Vote Against-Unnecessary Emissions-Reduction Targets: Conversely, at another US utility meeting, we voted against a shareholder proposal asking the company to adopt GHG emissions-reduction targets across its full value chain in alignment with the Paris Agreement. Considering the company's existing comprehensive emissions commitments, backed by state regulators, we believed additional targets were unnecessary.

Abstain-Providing More Time for Progress. A European integrated oil and gas company proposed a commitment to achieving net zero Scopes 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2050-but omitted about half its overall Scope 3 emissions in its "Scopes 1, 2 and 3" target. We expressed our concerns to company management; however, when it came to the vote, we concluded that shareholders' interests were best served by giving the company extra time to address the issue.

The 2024 proxy season saw a prominent focus on shareholder proposals related to Scope 3 emissions disclosure and reductions. We generally abstained on Scope 3-related company meeting proposals for the companies we evaluated using CTAF, reflecting the same attempt to balance the importance of comprehensive emissions disclosures with an acknowledgement of regulatory uncertainty and the challenges of measuring and managing such emissions, which take time and resources to address.

Moving Forward

Implementing the CTAF is a multiyear, ongoing assessment process for us. Over time, we'll apply it to continue monitoring and benchmarking companies' progress in mitigating material climate transition risk-and to inform our voting intentions.

Of course, we'll continue to consider the nuances of each individual situation and proposal. But ultimately, we need the companies we invest in to be well prepared for the risks and opportunities of a low-carbon economy.

Additional Contributors: Cole Moore - Investment Stewardship Associate

*AB engages issuers where it believes the engagement is in the best interest of its clients.

The views expressed herein do not constitute research, investment advice or trade recommendations and do not necessarily represent the views of all AB portfolio-management teams. Views are subject to change over time.

Learn more about AB's approach to responsibility here.





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from AllianceBernstein on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: AllianceBernstein

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/alliancebernstein

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: AllianceBernstein

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - Phenom Resources Corp. (TSXV: PHNM) (OTCQX: PHNMF) (FSE: 1PY0) ("Phenom" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has identified a strong 900 metre (approx. 3,000 ft) long by 220 metre (approx. 720 ft) wide gold in soils anomaly with a large number of values between >0.1 g/t Au up to 2.73 g/t Au (approx. 0.09oz/ton) on the Company's Dobbin Gold Project 80 kilometres southwest of Eureka in central Nevada (see Figure 1). The linear anomaly reflects a northeast- trending structure presumed to be subvertical cutting through gently-dipping Roberts Mountains Formation carbonates, an important host for many Carlin-type gold deposits in central and northern Nevada. Because the 900m long persistent anomaly is open-ended in both directions, addition soil sampling was completed last week to test up to a 1.7 kilometre potential strike length. Multiple areas of black jasperoid rubble and outcrop were noted by soil sampling crews during the recent extensional soil sampling work. These additional results should be available later this month.

Dave Mathewson, Director and Geological Advisor of the Company, states, "The size and strength of this surface gold soil anomaly is rarely found in Nevada and is as good as it gets. Anomalies of this character and magnitude where previously found have led to further gold discovery and ultimately even producing gold deposits. This is a mine deposit-scale anomaly. There are no other words than calling these results a significant discovery indication event. There has, to date, been no drilling anywhere in this area. These geochemical levels of gold and associated pathfinder elements within these permissive Roberts Mountains Formation carbonates strongly suggest the presence of a significant disseminated, carbonate-hosted Carlin-style gold deposit."





Figure 1: Dobbin Gold Soil Anomaly defined by 25m x 25m detailed soil grid sampling

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Dave Mathewson continues, "This Carlin gold deposit-style prospect was first identified and staked by me in 1989-1990 while in the employ of Newmont Exploration, Ltd. At that time, we could not advance the anomaly with trenching and drill testing because shortly after its discovery, the US Federal government imposed an overlapping Federal Wilderness Study Area. Some time after Newmont's departure from the site, the study area shrank to the smaller Table Mountain Wilderness Area, which reopened the anomaly to mineral staking and development. I am very pleased that this extraordinary anomaly has resurfaced, back in my hands again, and for Phenom."

Phenom submitted the samples to ALS Minerals, along with QAQC standards, for gold fire assay and ICP trace element analyses. The samples assayed up to 2.73 g/t gold along with strong Carlin-type pathfinder element values in arsenic, antimony and mercury. The northeast trending soil anomaly is consistent with field mapping of structures and air-photo interpretation. Mapping and sampling indicate the widespread presence of Carlin-type system alteration assemblage of jasperoid and decalcification. Limited rock chip sampling up to 400 metres along strike to the northeast end of the soil anomaly returned pathfinder element values up to 194 ppm arsenic, 103 ppm antimony and 12 ppm mercury, also suggestive that the anomaly is much longer than currently known. Geologic mapping and sampling are ongoing at the project.

Phenom has staked additional claims to increase the size of the Dobbin Property.

About Phenom Resources Corp.

Phenom has 100% interest in the Carlin Gold-Vanadium Project, located six miles south from the town of Carlin, Nevada, and Highway I-80 in Elko County, which hosts the Carlin Vanadium deposit, North America's largest highest grade primary vanadium resource. The Project lies within the prolific Carlin Gold Trend. Approximately nine million ounces comprised of multiple gold deposits, including past producing mines, are present near (5-15km) the Phenom property. The Company has options on three gold projects in Nevada - the King Solomon and Dobbin Properties, which are Carlin Gold-type targets, and the Crescent Vally Property, a Bonanza high grade gold vein-type target.

ON BEHALF OF PHENOM RESOURCES CORP.

Technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dave Mathewson, Director and Geological Consultant of the Company and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to the future operations and activities of Phenom, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, the Company's exploration plans, including ongoing mapping and sampling, future assay results and the impact thereof. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Phenom, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of exploration results, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Phenom does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222079

SOURCE: Phenom Resources Corp.
DUSSELDORF, Germany, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital technologies are rejuvenating historic marketplaces, family businesses, factories and warehouses, a trend vividly illustrated by the second episode of "Being Digi-Sapiens , " a documentary series by Warner Brothers Discovery with support from Huawei.

Episode Two, "Connecting with Others,"follows the Swedish inventor, roboticist, and YouTuber Simone Giertz as she travels across Europe to witness how technology is transforming daily life.

Malaga, Spain: Ubiquitous Wi-Fi as a foundation of a smart city

Malaga City Hall has teamed up with Huawei to lay the foundation of a smart city by providing free public Wi-Fi in one of Malaga's oldest public markets. At the Mercado de Atarazanas, a fresh produce market dating back to the 14th century, stable Wi-Fi connections now allow merchants to take orders online and use digital platforms for invoicing and payment.

Free Wi-Fi offers a valuable new service for customers visiting the market, especially overseas tourists who might otherwise have to pay expensive roaming charges.

Beyond simple convenience, Wi-Fi opens up new opportunities for vendors. Online connectivity lets them operate outside of normal working hours and do business beyond their immediate geographic area, even selling produce in other cities. Building out Malaga's network of Wi-Fi hotspots will encourage entrepreneurs them to start new ventures that stimulate the city's economy.

Including Atarazanas, Huawei technology supports 15 markets in Malaga as one of the initial steps in a digital transformation of the city. Alicia Izquierdo, Councillor for Innovation at Malaga City Hall, says, "The next thing we will do is launch a marketplace platform where it will be possible to do online commerce for all market businesses. The city of Malaga is becoming a smart city."

Landau, Germany: transforming a traditional winery with 5G

In Germany, Simone visits the Lergenmuller family winery. Julia and Victoria, the third generation of owners , explain that technology has simplified the wine-making process by keeping track of what work has been done, and what tasks remain, at each of the hundreds of grape-growing parcels of land within the estate.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called rural villages "the heartbeat of our economy," and the Lergenmuller winery illustrates her point. 5G enables farmers at the winery to monitor everything from the humidity in the soil to pest damage. The information is uploaded to the "Vineyard Cloud," where it is analyzed by artificial intelligence.

Some European countries are experiencing rapid depopulation and are trying to entice digital nomads to swap big cities for the countryside. Whether they succeed depends partly on factors such as digital infrastructure. Providing the chance to work within a technology organization instead of a traditional farm is a way to attract them back.

Waalwijk, Netherlands: Robots powered by low-latency 5G

At the KLG Logistics Center in Wallwijk in the Netherlands, Simone observes 5G-powered robots at one of Huawei's main supply and logistics centers in Europe. Autonomous machines perform repetitive, and potentially risky tasks, such as stacking shipping pallets on high shelves.

While much has been made of the threat robots may pose to human employment, warehouse workers told Simone they were happy to have machines performing such duties for them.

Research suggests that robots are more likely to take over individual tasks than entire jobs - potentially enhancing worker health and safety by doing routine or dangerous work that humans would rather avoid.

To watch the full video, please visit:

Being Digi Sapiens Episode 2 - Connecting with Others | Discovery x Huawei (youtube.com)

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WILMINGTON, Del., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Purchase Order Financing Market by Order Size ($100, 000, Above $100 and 000), Supplier Payment Method (Wire Transfer, Cash Against Document and Letter of Credit), and Application (Manufacturer, Wholesaler, Distributor and Import/export Companies): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033". According to the report, the purchase order financing market was valued at $5.5 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $12.9 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 8.7% from 2024 to 2033.

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130 - Tables

58 - Charts

200 - Pages

Prime determinants of growth

The global purchase order (PO) financing market is experiencing growth due to several factors such as the necessity for businesses facing cash flow constraints to fulfill large orders, the ability to navigate seasonal demand spikes efficiently, and the opportunity to expand customer bases by leveraging purchase order financing solutions. However, purchase order financing presents an opportunity for businesses to enhance their working capital management, secure funding for growth, and maintain healthy customer and supplier relationships. By providing access to immediate capital to fulfill orders, purchase order financing allows businesses to meet high consumer demands, expand product lines, and enter new markets.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024-2033 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $5.5 billion Market Size in 2033 $12.9 billion CAGR 8.7 % No. of Pages in Report 200 Segments Covered Order Size, Supplier Payment Method, Application, and Region Drivers  Tight cash flow  Seasonal demand spikes  Expanding customer base Opportunities  Enabling growth for SMEs  Increase in adoption by SMEs in developing countries Restraint  Short-term funding only  Not 100% financing

Purchase This Comprehensive 200-Page Report (PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/3z5mrOS

Segment Highlights

By order size, the $100, 000 segment is gaining traction. The increasing demand from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for funding to fulfill large customer orders is driving the growth of the $100, 000 order size segment in the purchase order financing market. This threshold of $100, 000 represents a significant order size that many businesses struggle to finance independently, leading them to seek purchase order financing solutions to bridge this gap and capitalize on growth opportunities.

By supplier payment method, wire transfers are growing rapidly owing to the need for secure and efficient transactions in the purchase order financing market. Wire transfers offer a quick and reliable way to transfer funds to suppliers, especially for large orders, ensuring timely payment and smooth order fulfillment.

In addition, by application, the manufacturers segment is experiencing rapid growth in the purchase order financing market due to the need for working capital to cover production costs and fulfill orders. Manufacturers often face cash flow challenges due to the upfront costs associated with production, making purchase order financing a valuable tool to access funds and support their manufacturing operations. This segment benefits from the flexibility and tailored financing options that purchase order financing provides, enabling manufacturers to meet customer demand and expand their production capacity effectively.

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Regional Outlook

Tight cash flow is a major factor, as many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in North America face monthly cash flow challenges. Purchase order financing provides a solution by funding businesses that lack the necessary capital to fulfill large customer orders. Enabling SME growth is another key driver, as PO financing allows SMEs with limited cash flow or credit history to take on larger orders and grow without incurring significant debt. However, the Asia-Pacific region is seeing increased adoption of purchase order financing, especially among SMEs, due to limited access to traditional financing options. Many small businesses in developing Asian countries face tight cash flow and a lack of working capital to fulfill large orders. PO financing bridges this gap by providing short-term funding to cover supplier costs and enable SMEs to grow.

Players: -

OnDeck

Tata Capital Limited

SMB Compass

Star Funding, Inc.

Liquid Capital

King Trade Capital

Express Trade Capital, Inc.

Trade Finance Global

CAPSTONE

Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global purchase order financing market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

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Recent Development:

In May 2023, Setscale, a FinTech startup that revolutionized the purchase order financing for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), raised $9.5 million in seed funding and secured up to $70 million in debt.

In August 2022, Star Funding, Inc. a New York City-based provider of purchase order financing and factoring, announced the completion of a $7, 000, 000 purchase order finance and factoring facility to support a fast-growing supplier of hearing products to Walmart. The publicly traded company was invited to increase its exposure and availability in Walmart stores across the country with branded in-store displays. The company needed a pressing capital injection to satisfy several asset-based financing obligations and working capital to support its in-store role.

Key Benefits For Stakeholders

This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the purchase order financing market analysis from 2024 to 2033 to identify the prevailing purchase order financing market opportunities.

The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.

In-depth analysis of the purchase order financing market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.

Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.

Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.

The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global purchase order financing market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.

Purchase Order Financing Market Key Segments:

By Order Size

$100,000

Above $100,000

By Supplier Payment Method

Wire Transfer

Cash Against Document

Letter of Credit

By Application

Manufacturer

Wholesaler

Distributor

Import/export Companies

By Region

North America (U.S., Canada)

(U.S., Canada) Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Rest of Europe)

(France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

(China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East, Africa)

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About Us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports Insights" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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Arizona Business Community Votes ArmorPoint 10th Best Cybersecurity Company in State

PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / ArmorPoint, LLC a leading provider of managed cybersecurity solutions, is proud to announce that it has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Cybersecurity Companies in Arizona for 2024 by Ranking Arizona. This honor highlights ArmorPoint's commitment to delivering exceptional cybersecurity services and its dedication to helping Arizona businesses protect their digital assets in an increasingly complex threat landscape.

ArmorPoint Ranks #10 in AZ

Ranking Arizona, the state's largest and most comprehensive business opinion poll, is unique in that it is entirely based on public voting. Participants are asked one simple question: "With whom would you recommend doing business?" The results reflect the trust and confidence that Arizona's business community has in ArmorPoint's ability to provide industry-leading cybersecurity solutions.

David Trapp, CEO of ArmorPoint and a proud Arizona native, expressed his gratitude for the recognition. "Being named one of the Top 10 Cybersecurity Companies in Arizona by Ranking Arizona is a tremendous honor. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, who are committed to protecting our clients against evolving cyber threats. As an Arizona native, it's particularly meaningful to receive this recognition from our local community. We are deeply grateful to the Arizona business community for their trust in us and will continue to innovate and provide the highest level of service to meet their cybersecurity needs."

ArmorPoint's comprehensive and fully integrated Cybersecurity Program Management solutions are designed to continuously assess and mature their clients' security posture within a single, cohesive ecosystem that proactively monitors the effectiveness of their security program at every stage of their journey. The company's solutions are tailored to address the unique challenges faced by its clients, offering them peace of mind in an increasingly digital world.

As a recognized leader in the cybersecurity industry, ArmorPoint remains committed to staying ahead of emerging threats and delivering cutting-edge solutions that help businesses secure their most valuable assets. The company's inclusion in Ranking Arizona's Top 10 list underscores its reputation for excellence and its unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction.

About ArmorPoint

ArmorPoint, LLC provides proactive solutions for cyber resilience, not just reactive tools. Specializing in integrated cybersecurity program management, ArmorPoint delivers deep expertise fused with their innovative technology to continuously assess and mature your security posture, transforming cybersecurity from a defensive necessity to a strategic asset driving competitive advantage. Whether you're an MSP, MSSP, or Reseller, ArmorPoint enables you to offer the fully integrated cybersecurity solutions your clients need to build cyber resilience in today's threat landscape. To learn more, visit armorpoint.com.

About AZ Big Media

For more than 35 years, AZ Big Media has been bringing readers the state's most compelling business, real estate and lifestyle news through the print editions of Az Business and AZRE magazines, Ranking Arizona, Az Business Leaders, Experience AZ, People & Projects to Know, Arizona Business Angels and Play Ball.

Contact Information

Ashley Capps

Chief Marketing Officer

acapps@armorpoint.com

(602) 282-3090

SOURCE: ArmorPoint, LLC

View the original press release on newswire.com.
New Offices Reinforce Firm's National Footprint and Commitment to Serving Clients Across Key Regions

MINNEAPOLIS, MN / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / Bowman and Brooke LLP, a nationally recognized trial firm dedicated to product liability defense, is pleased to announce the opening of two offices in Baltimore, Maryland, and San Diego, California. This expansion further solidifies the firm's national footprint and reinforces its commitment to providing exceptional legal services to clients across the country.

Bowman and Brooke Office Openings

Contact Information for Baltimore and San Diego



"We are committed to being where our clients need us most. The addition of these two offices in Baltimore and San Diego is a strategic move that extends our coast-to-coast reach and continues our mission of delivering a top-tier legal defense for our clients where and when they need counsel," said Paul Cereghini, Firm Chair, Bowman and Brooke.

The Baltimore office is centered around Partner Marisa A. Trasatti and Of Counsel Robert E. Scott, Jr. who bring a wealth of experience and an impressive portfolio of product liability, toxic tort and commercial litigation work. Trasatti and Scott will be joined by their staff and current Bowman and Brooke Partner Michelle Noorani. This expansion into Maryland marks a strategic move for Bowman and Brooke as it strengthens its position in the Mid-Atlantic region, offering enhanced support to clients across the Eastern United States.

"Bowman and Brooke's national platform offers immediate resources to our clients and my practice," said Trasatti. "We've worked with several of the lawyers at Bowman and Brooke over the years and we are thrilled to be a part of it." She also noted plans to add lawyers and staff quickly to further deliver optimal outcomes for clients.

In San Diego, earlier this year Bowman and Brooke was pleased to welcome back partners Patrick J. Raue, D. Tucker Dowling and Austin R. Henderson, who focus their practices on defending automotive manufacturers against the ongoing challenges of California lemon law litigation. The significant demands of that litigation led the firm to aggressively expand this team and establish a San Diego office. The San Diego office opens with six attorneys and two staff, bringing the firm's California office count to four with other offices in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Jose.

"Opening the San Diego office is a natural step for us to better serve our clients in California. My return to Bowman and Brooke was driven by the opportunity to build a team here in San Diego where we can leverage our extensive experience to meet the specific needs of our clients in Southern California," commented Patrick Raue, Partner.

With the addition of these two locations, Bowman and Brooke now operates a total of 17 offices nationwide, continuing its legacy of defending clients in complex litigation matters with an expanded team of nearly 170 dedicated and experienced attorneys.

Contact Information

Amanda Walsh

Chief of Business Development and Marketing , Bowman and Brooke LLP

amanda.walsh@bowmanandbrooke.com

612-672-3248

Grace Skogen

Marketing Manager, Bowman and Brooke LLP

grace.skogen@bowmanandbrooke.com

407-804-6233

SOURCE: Bowman and Brooke LLP

View the original press release on newswire.com.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / The Financial Policy Council is pleased to announce its upcoming Power Summit, titled "Brand Acceleration: Leveraging Visibility for Maximum ROI and Lasting Success," on Thursday, September 12, 2024. This exclusive event will take place from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the prestigious Penn Club of New York City.

Moderated by Ziad K. Abdelnour, Chairman and Founder of the Foreign Policy Council, this summit will explore the pivotal role and impact of branding in driving business growth and shaping the broader economic landscape of America. Featuring panelists including Raoul Davis, CEO of Ascendant Group, Nicole Einslein, CEO of Sublime Communications, and Antony Ponnaiya, the Financial Policy Council's resident expert on Entrepreneurship, Branding, and Marketing, attendees will gain invaluable insights into the strategies behind successful branding that will resonate with stakeholders, influences public opinion, and fosters economic prosperity.

The event will feature a panel of top industry leaders who will discuss the following key topics:

Crafting Compelling Narratives: Techniques for developing stories that captivate audiences and highlight the significance of innovative ideas.

Leveraging Leadership: How executives and entrepreneurs can use their personal brands to advocate for economic policies that foster growth.

Strategic Communication: Best practices for communicating complex economic concepts in ways that are accessible and persuasive to the public and policymakers.

Influencing Policy: Methods for bridging the gap between business insights and public policy to create a favorable economic environment.

Case Studies: Real-world examples of successful branding efforts that have driven business success and influenced economic policy.

This event, sponsored by Ascendant Group and Online Biz Builders, is a must-attend for professionals looking to enhance their brand's visibility, maximize ROI, and achieve lasting success. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders and peers while enjoying an open bar and hors d'oeuvres.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024

Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Location: The Penn Club of New York City, 30 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036, Tarnopol Room

Attire: Business Attire Required

Registration:

Space is limited, and the registration deadline is Tuesday, September 10, 2024. The registration fee is $50 and attendees may register here.

Join us for an evening of insight, inspiration, and strategic discussions that will empower you to take your brand to new heights while contributing to the nation's economic success.

For more information, please visit financialpolicycouncil.org.

Contact Information:

Janie Mackenzie

Vice President - Public Relations

janie@ascendantgroupbranding.com

856.473.2166

SOURCE: Ascendant Group

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Ashtead Group Plc - Results of AGM

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, September 04

Ashtead Group PLC

AGM Statement

4 September 2024

ASHTEAD GROUP PLC

("Ashtead" or the "Company")

AGM Statement & Results

AGM Statement & Results

At the Annual General Meeting ("AGM") of the Company held on 4 September 2024 at 11:30am, all resolutions put to shareholders were duly passed on a poll with the required majorities. The full text of each resolution is contained in the Notice of Annual General Meeting. [Resolutions 1 to 17 were passed as ordinary resolutions. Resolutions 18 - 21 were passed as special resolutions.]

As at 18:30 (UK time) on 3 September 2024, the number of voting shares of the Company was 437,298,807 ordinary shares, which was the total number of shares entitling the holders to attend and vote 'for' or 'against' all the resolutions at the AGM. In accordance with the Company's Articles of Association, on a poll, every member present in person or by proxy has one vote for every share held.

ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS Votes for (including discretionary votes) % Votes for * Votes against % Votes against Total no. of votes validly cast % of Issued Share Capital voted Votes withheld ** 1. That the accounts for the year ended 30 April 2024, the directors' report and the auditors' report be adopted. 319,960,902 99.94 176,104 0.06 320,137,006 73.21% 1,729,414 2. That the directors' remuneration report for the year ended 30 April 2024 be approved. 315,461,099 98.02 6,365,837 1.98 321,826,936 73.59% 39,483 3. That the directors' remuneration policy set out in the Annual Report be approved 199,333,758 63.20 116,067,153 36.80 315,400,911 72.12% 6,465,508 4. That the final dividend recommended by the directors of 89.25 US cents per ordinary share for the year ended 30 April 2024 be declared payable on 10 September 2024 to holders of ordinary shares registered at the close of business on 9 August 2024. 321,753,141 99.97 94,135 0.03 321,847,276 73.60% 19,144 5. That Paul Walker be re-elected as a director. 305,384,443 94.89 16,443,749 5.11 321,828,192 73.59% 38,228 6. That Brendan Horgan be re-elected as a director. 321,828,217 99.99 16,145 0.01 321,844,362 73.60% 22,058 7. That Michael Pratt be re-elected as a director. 319,425,228 99.25 2,402,970 0.75 321,828,198 73.59% 38,222 8. That Angus Cockburn be re-elected as a director. 312,819,928 97.20 9,009,864 2.80 321,829,792 73.59% 36,628 9. That Lucinda Riches be re-elected as a director. 276,916,470 86.04 44,913,099 13.96 321,829,569 73.59% 36,849 10. That Tanya Fratto be re-elected as a director. 313,512,063 97.42 8,317,729 2.58 321,829,792 73.59% 36,628 11. That Jill Easterbrook re-elected as a director. 312,704,023 97.16 9,125,769 2.84 321,829,792 73.59% 36,628 12. That Renata Ribeiro be elected as a director. 312,371,694 97.41 8,295,613 2.59 320,667,307 73.33% 1,199,113 13. That Roy Twite be elected as a director. 320,325,295 99.89 344,019 0.11 320,669,314 73.33% 1,197,106 14. That PwC be appointed as auditor of the Company. 320,574,604 99.61 1,246,511 0.39 321,821,115 73.59% 45,305 15. That the audit committee be authorised to agree the remuneration of the auditor of the Company. 321,760,060 99.98 73,929 0.02 321,833,989 73.60% 32,431 16. Approval of the amendment to the rules of the Ashtead Group Long-Term Incentive Plan 2021 197,073,349 62.49 118,317,407 37.51 315,390,756 72.12% 6,475,663 17. That the directors are authorised to allot the shares under section 551 (1) (a) and (b) of the Companies Act 2006. 310,490,547 96.47 11,345,471 3.53 321,836,018 73.60% 30,402 SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS Votes for (including discretionary votes) % Votes for * Votes against % Votes against Total no. of votes validly cast % of Issued Share Capital voted Votes withheld ** 18. That the directors be empowered to disapply the provisions of section 561 (1) to (6) of the Companies Act 2006. 301,169,011 93.59 20,630,839 6.41 321,799,850 73.59% 66,570 19. That the directors be empowered to issue shares on a non pre-emptive basis. 294,463,977 91.56 27,148,512 8.44 321,612,489 73.55% 253,931 20. That the directors be authorised to make market purchases of the Company's shares under section 701 of the Companies Act. 314,106,605 97.61 7,707,185 2.39 321,813,790 73.59% 52,629 21. That a general meeting other than an annual general meeting may be called on not less than 14 clear days' notice. 313,089,701 97.28 8,745,621 2.72 321,835,322 73.60% 31,097 * Includes discretionary votes ** A vote withheld is not a vote in law and is not counted in the calculation of the proportion of votes "for" and "against" a resolution.

The Ashtead Board is pleased to note that all resolutions were passed with the requisite majority of votes and welcomes the overwhelming support of the Company's shareholders for the majority of the resolutions proposed.

The Company notes the level of shareholder support for resolution 3 (Approval of the Directors' Remuneration Policy) and resolution 16 (the amendment to the rules of the Long-Term Incentive Plan). Prior to the AGM, the Remuneration Committee undertook an extensive consultation with its largest shareholders on the proposed Directors' Remuneration Policy (the "Policy") and its implementation.

The Committee received indications of broad support during this process, but also took into account the full range of feedback received. As described in the 2024 Annual Report, the Committee was very mindful of the need to balance sometimes divergent shareholder views with the particular context and circumstances for Ashtead, to ensure that remuneration policy continues to incentivise growth and long-term shareholder value creation. A number of changes were made as a direct result of shareholder feedback at the time. However, the Committee also concluded that the other aspects of the proposals remained appropriately aligned to the Company's stated principles of providing remuneration that is: market competitive; enables the Company to motivate and retain its talented leadership team; and rewards fairly its colleagues' contribution to Ashtead's future success.

The Company will now engage with its shareholders in respect of the implementation of the Policy. In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code the Company will publish an update on this further engagement within six months of the 2024 AGM.

Contact:

Ashtead Group plc

Will Shaw (Investment Manager) - 020 7726 9700

H/Advisors Maitland

Sam Cartwright - 020 7379 5151


EQS Newswire / 04/09/2024 / 22:26 UTC+8



Ficus Technology Holdings Limited



(Incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability)

(Stock Code: 8107)

Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Subsidiary of Shanghai Hero (Group) to Expand Market Presence and Product Line of E-commerce Platform Generating Leads for its Innovative SCM Solutions

(Hong Kong - 4 September 2024) Innovative supply chain management service provider - Ficus Technology Holdings Limited ("Ficus Technology" or the "Company", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group") is pleased to announce that on 4 September 2024, it has reached a strategic cooperation agreement with Shanghai Hero (Group) Cultural Products Sales Co., Ltd. ("Shanghai Hero"), a subsidiary of a well-known state-owned enterprise, Shanghai Hero (Group) Co., Ltd. (????(??)????, the "Shanghai Hero (Group)'') in China, for a period of three years. Pursuant to the agreement, the Group will provide innovative supply chain management solutions ("Innovative SCM Solutions") to Shanghai Hero. The Group intends to create mutual benefits, bolstering revenue for both parties by diversifying the product mix of the e-commerce, Ficus Discovery ( www.ficusdsc.com ) ("Ficus Discovery Platform"), by introducing premium products from Shanghai Hero. Moreover, Shanghai Hero allows the Group to utilize its distuibution channels in increasing the Group's brand recognization, achieving a win-win situation.

About Shanghai Hero

Established in 2011, Shanghai Hero is a state-owned enterprise in China with expertise in stationery, computers, as well as hardware components. Shanghai Hero operates as a subsidiary of Shanghai Hero (Group) which is a distinguished manufacturer renowed for its fountain pen, with its "Hero'' brand well recognized in China.

About Ficus Discovery Platform

Ficus Discovery Platform is an e-commerce platform operated by the Group together with its strategic partner, utilizing a disintermediation model to establish connections between manufacturers and consumers ("M2LC"), thereby facilitating transactions and cultivating a long-term loyal customer base. Leveraging the Group's extensive supply chain resources, innovative supply chain management solutions, digital marketing capabilities, authentication and traceability technologies, the Ficus Discovery Platform is well-positioned to be a trustworthy gateway for brands and manufacturers to access target customers.

Mr. Chan Ting, Chairman and Executive Director of Ficus Technology Holdings Limited commented: "After our recent collaboration with Beijing Ruida, a subsidiary of China Supply and Trade Group Co., Ltd. (??????????????), we are delighted to reach another strategic agreement with Shanghai Hero, an established state-owned enterprise. Their adoption of our Innovative SCM Solutions clearly highlights our capability as well as market potentials. The addition of their products to e-commerce platform operated by us, Ficus Discovery, is also expected to further diversify our product offerings and strengthen our fulfillment capability. We are also looking for additional opportunities and collaborations to further expand our reach and market penetration. We will continue to work hard, and remain optimistic in delivering improving financial results and returns for our shareholders."

- END -

About Ficus Technology Holdings Limited(8107.HK)

Ficus Technology Holdings Limited (formerly known as Vision International Holdings Limited) is an innovative supply chain management service provider, mainly focusing on the sales of apparel products along with the provision of relevant supply chain management services. The Group's advanced supply chain management services include anti-counterfeit, traceability, and marketing functions, capable of protecting brand equity for both apparel and other products.

8107_SHHero Collaboration Press Release_EN_20240904_FINAL

04/09/2024 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


Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - ZEX PR WIRE is excited to announce its participation as a AI PR Distribution Partner at the highly anticipated Dubai AI & Web3 Festival 2024, organised by Dubai AI Campus in partnership with DIFC managed by Trescon. This premier event will take place at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai on 11-12 September 2024, bringing together the most influential minds and innovators from the artificial intelligence, blockchain, and web3 ecosystems.









Figure 1: ZEX PR WIRE Joins Dubai AI & Web3 Festival 2024 as AI PR Distribution Partner

What to Expect at Dubai AI & Web3 Festival 2024?

Dubai AI & Web3 Festival 2024 is set to be a groundbreaking event, attracting over 15,000 attendees, 500+ investors, 100+ exhibitors, and 100+ industry leaders and visionaries. The festival offers an exceptional platform for participants to delve into the latest advancements, strategies, and applications shaping the future of AI and Web3 technologies.

Key Highlights:

Focus Areas: AI-Driven Innovations in Web3 Blockchain Integration and Smart Contracts Ethical AI and Governance Future of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) The Metaverse and Digital Identity





Participants: Tech Innovators and Startups Government and Regulatory Bodies C-Level Executives and Entrepreneurs Venture Capitalists, Investors, and Industry Pioneers Media and Influencers



ZEX PR WIRE at Dubai AI & Web3 Festival 2024

As a AI PR Distribution Partner, ZEX PR WIRE will present its extensive portfolio of PR and marketing services, uniquely crafted to meet the needs of tech-forward industries. We invite attendees to visit our booth to explore how our cutting-edge distribution network and strategic communication solutions can elevate their brand's presence in the dynamic world of AI and Web3. We are eager to engage with trailblazers and leaders to discuss collaborations that will drive innovation and growth.

ZEX PR WIRE is proud to be an AI PR Distribution Partner at the Dubai AI & Web3 Festival 2024. If you're in Dubai, come visit us at Booth No. M9 and let's connect.

About ZEX PR WIRE

ZEX PR WIRE is a leading global PR and marketing agency, renowned for delivering tailored solutions that empower businesses across various sectors. With expertise in content creation, optimization, distribution, and performance analysis, ZEX PR WIRE ensures that its clients' messages reach the right audiences through a vast network spanning over 600 premium global and local news outlets.

Operating across America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, ZEX PR WIRE has successfully syndicated over 15,000 press releases, solidifying its position as a trusted partner in effective communication strategies. Our commitment to excellence enables businesses to strengthen their market presence and achieve their strategic objectives in an ever-evolving global landscape.

As we prepare for Dubai AI & Web3 Festival 2024, we welcome stakeholders to learn more about our offerings and connect with our team. Visit our website at https://zexprwire.com/ or reach out directly via support@zexprwire.com for more information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222107

SOURCE: ZEX PR WIRE
The Integration Advances EcoVadis' Position to Help Organizations Improve Working Conditions, Comply With Regulations and Drive Positive Change at Global Scale

EcoVadis, the globally trusted sustainability intelligence platform, announces the strategic acquisition of Ulula, a leading human rights technology and analytics company aiming to improve working conditions across global supply chains. Ulula's on-the-ground worker engagement platform will enhance the depth and reliability of EcoVadis' portfolio of solutions available to customers across their supply chains, advancing responsible and fair employment practices around the world.

Addressing the evolving risk and compliance landscape

According to ILO data, 63% of the 28 million men, women and children in conditions of forced labor globally are in the private economy largely business supply chains. Anti-slavery and human rights due diligence are at the heart of modern slavery acts, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and its companion Reporting Directive (CSRD), whose impacts will cascade across global value chains. These laws demand unprecedented levels of rigor and verifiable detail to support disclosure on value-chain sustainability performance. In particular, the CSDDD will require all EU and non-EU companies with over 450 million euros of turnover in Europe to implement grievance mechanisms for their supply chain by 2029. The new directive also allows penalties of up to 5% of global turnover for non-compliance.

Bans on products made with forced labor such as the EU Forced Labor Regulation and the US Tariff Act of 1930 Section 307 already dictate tougher due diligence across supply chains, while local jurisdictions continue to adopt modern slavery laws and requirements for grievance mechanisms such as LkSG in Germany, California Transparency Act, and Modern Slavery Acts in the UK and Canada.

Through the Ulula acquisition, EcoVadis seeks to eliminate information gaps from legacy mechanisms by enabling recurring, on-the-ground feedback from workers and communities on labor and human rights conditions.

Strengthening EcoVadis insights

Pierre-Francois Thaler, co-founder and co-CEO of EcoVadis said, "With the acquisition of Ulula, EcoVadis will be well positioned to integrate and scale up supply chain labor and human rights risk due diligence, meeting customer demands for on-the-ground, verifiable data. This complements our in-depth ratings expertise and bolsters our offering to help companies around the world comply with new regulatory requirements."

Ulula which means "reveal" in Chichewa, a Southern African dialect was founded in 2015, after years of engaging with communities and workers in the agriculture, mining and energy industries in 70 countries from the Niger River Delta to the highlands of Peru.

The Ulula platform will significantly enhance the data in the EcoVadis platform to power additional insights through its automated workforce surveys, grievance management systems and analytics dashboards. Companies use the technology to engage their workers and communities directly so they can identify human and labor rights risks across supply chains, build actionable insights based on continuously updated data to address those risks, and facilitate access to remediation.

With the addition of Ulula's proprietary platform, the EcoVadis solution suite solves three problems to get far-reaching and meaningful visibility on workforce practices:

Recurring surveying and expanded sampling of workforce at scale.

surveying and expanded sampling of workforce at scale. Anonymous third-party system ensuring user confidentiality.

third-party system ensuring user confidentiality. Accessible from any device, anytime, anywhere, and is tailored to fit language and cultural specificities.

Antoine Heuty, founder and CEO of Ulula, said, "Ulula and EcoVadis share an ambition to confront and accelerate progress on the devastating scope of threats to human rights and working conditions across global supply chains. Joining forces will enable us to combine Ulula's direct labor and human rights data collection and reliable insights with EcoVadis' global platform and network to accelerate positive impact at unprecedented scale.

The joint roadmap will aim to deliver a consolidated product offering ahead of new regulatory requirements coming into effect.

To help your procurement teams prepare to comply with upcoming human rights due diligence requirements, visit the EcoVadis blog on labor and human rights.

ABOUT ECOVADIS

EcoVadis is a purpose-driven company dedicated to embedding sustainability intelligence into every business decision worldwide. With global, trusted and actionable ratings, businesses of all sizes rely on EcoVadis' detailed insights to comply with ESG regulations, reduce GHG emissions, and improve the sustainability performance of their business and value chain across 220 industries in 180 countries. Leaders like Johnson Johnson, L'Oreal, Unilever, Bridgestone, BASF and JPMorgan are among 130,000+ businesses that use EcoVadis ratings, risk, and carbon management tools and e-learning platform to accelerate their journey toward resilience, sustainable growth and positive impact worldwide.

Learn more on: ecovadis.com, X or LinkedIn.

ABOUT ULULA

Founded in 2015, Ulula a certified B-Corporation is a leading human rights technology and analytics company that aims to improve working conditions across global supply chains and business operations. Ulula's technology connects organizations directly with workers and project-affected stakeholders on the ground via a variety of online and offline communication channels and in any language, ensuring that stakeholders have access to safe and secure feedback channels regardless of their network connectivity, digital literacy or language. Since its inception, Ulula tools have helped over 150 companies in nearly 70 countries reach more than 4 million workers in supply chains across the globe.

Learn more on: ulula.com, X or LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240904562938/en/

Contacts:

PRESS ENQUIRY



Pauline Schu

Head of Public Relations, EcoVadis

pschu@ecovadis.com
Marc Shapiro from Breakthrough Energy Discusses the Impact, Challenges, and American Airlines' Role in Mitigating Aviation's Climate Effects

Originally published in American Airlines' 2023 Sustainability Report

Marc Shapiro is the Director of the Breakthrough Energy Contrails team, one of American's partners on contrail avoidance. Below, he answers our questions on the science behind contrail avoidance strategies, as well as some of the challenges in their implementation.

Prior to joining Breakthrough Energy, Marc worked as an applied scientist and entrepreneur in a diverse set of research and development efforts across fluid mechanics, geospatial analytics and mobile healthcare. In 2020, he started a company to develop geospatial data systems for climate mitigation and adaptation before transitioning to his current work. Marc earned a Master of Science degree in Fluids and Thermal Sciences from Brown University and a Bachelor of Engineering from Dartmouth College.

Marc, how would you compare the warming impact of contrails versus CO2 ?

It's hard to compare them precisely, but CO2 is weakly warming over a long period of time, while contrails are strongly warming over a short period. But not all contrails have the same warming effect. Persistent contrails at night clearly impact the climate the most. By being more precise in our interventions and focusing on those, we have the greatest opportunity to make a difference.

How can we predict where warming contrails will occur?

There are fundamentally two ways to go about this. One involves using physics and meteorology to predict regions or volumes of air that should be avoided. The other uses observational techniques on the ground and from satellites to see where aircraft are actually forming contrails. In our work towards solving this problem, we need both.

What are the scientific challenges?

The type of atmospheric condition that creates persistent contrails is called ice supersaturation, which is a fancy way of saying the temperature is really cold and the humidity is high. Predicting that state is something that models have a hard time doing today. Another challenge is predicting these atmospheric states on as fine a scale as you need. Weather forecasts generally correspond to a grid, say, 25 kilometers by 25 kilometers. In that grid, you might have multiple fluctuations of supersaturation states. So, the model resolves to the average and it's wrong sometimes.

Is there an easy way to describe your model?

Think of it like a weather forecast. We predict the probability that a contrail will form and an estimate of that contrail's severity. The first part indicates how likely it is that an aircraft will form a persistent contrail in a particular area. The second part tells us that if we found a contrail in that area, it would likely have a particular persistence and impact on the climate.

Avoiding a contrail might also result in greater CO2 emissions. How should we look at the trade-off?

There is a cost in added fuel and CO2 that potentially gets added to the atmosphere as a result of avoidance maneuvers. Our models are telling us, though, only a few flights will be affected, and avoidance still results in a net climate benefit even over 100 years. We could reduce these added emissions if airlines had access to SAF. But from an operating standpoint, there's a cost to the airline business in terms of greater fuel use, and no mechanism exists to share that cost right now.

How do you see American's role in helping advance the solution?

The airlines are essentially on the front line of solving this problem because you are the ones that would implement the solution. So, what American is doing in helping us run trials is truly critical to advancing the research. The biggest hurdle to get through right now is not model development. It's having the chance to really test and validate the model. Additionally, having a major airline working on this issue is a valuable signal that it's important.

Read more





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from American Airlines on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: American Airlines

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/american-airlines

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: American Airlines

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - LithiumBank Resources Corp. (TSXV: LBNK) (OTCQX: LBNKF) ("LithiumBank' or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of an initial bulk brine sampling program at Park Place located in west-central Alberta, Canada. The bulk brine sampling program successfully collected 148 cubic meters (m3) of lithium-rich brine from an active gas producing well within the upper 72 m interval of the Leduc Formation from the vertical well 100/12-03-059-23W5/00 (Figure 1). Analysis of the brine samples taken across the 72 m interval ranged from 75.0 - 90.9 mg/L lithium with an average of 83.8 mg/L lithium (Table 1). This is within the range of samples collected and first reported on January 17, 2023.

"LithiumBank continues to achieve critical milestones of the Company's development roadmap that further add value and de-risk the Park Place Project," commented Rob Shewchuk, CEO of LithiumBank. "The bulk brine sample, collected within North America's largest NI 43-101 inferred lithium brine resource, will be processed through the 10,000 l/day Direct Lithium Extraction ("DLE") pilot plant in our Calgary facility where the Company intends to prove the commerciality and effectiveness of our licensed DLE at a large scale."

Table 1: Park Place assay results from well 100/12-03-059-23W5/00

Well ID Sample

Date Sample ID Lithium

(mg/L) 100/12-03-059-23W5/00 04-Jul-24 LB - PP - 12 -03 - preAMGAS -01 83.0 100/12-03-059-23W5/00 04-Jul-24 LB - PP - 12 -03 - preAMGAS -02 90.9 100/12-03-059-23W5/00 04-Jul-24 LB - PP - 12 -03 - preAMGAS -03 88.1 100/12-03-059-23W5/00 04-Jul-24 LB - PP - 12 -03 - preAMGAS -04 87.5 100/12-03-059-23W5/00 04-Jul-24 LB - PP - 12 -03 - preAMGAS -05 75.0 100/12-03-059-23W5/00 04-Jul-24 LB - PP - 12 -03 - preAMGAS -06 76.0 100/12-03-059-23W5/00 04-Jul-24 LB - PP - 12 -03 - POSTAMGAS -06 86.2 Average lithium grade of well 83.8

The LithiumBank DLE pilot facility in Calgary was inaugurated on July 10, 2024 and has since initiated DLE pilot test work with lithium-rich brine from our flagship Boardwalk Lithium Brine Project, located ~50 kilometres north of Park Place. The Company expects to process this Park Place bulk brine sample in 2024.

While in the field the Company adhered to strict Quality Control and Quality Assurance ("QA/QC") protocols. Smaller, one litre, brine samples (6 litres in total) were collected at different locations of the collection stream including before and after oil, gas, and brine separation, before and after brine de-gassing. The sampling was overseen by Mr. Maurice Shevalier, P.Chem, of Matrix Solutions Inc., a Qualified Person ("QP") under National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 regulations. The Company delivered the 1L brine samples to AGAT Laboratories and to Bureau Veritas in Calgary Alberta. The batch of samples included duplicates, blanks, and control samples with known chemistry.

The field bulk sampling program was completed on July 4, 2024 and included collecting 148 m3 of brine from the top 72m of the Leduc formation. The brine passed through an industry standard triple phase separation of oil, gas, and brine from the well as the well is an active gas producer. The brine was then de-gassed using a mechanical separations method, provided by AMGAS. The brine was then transported and stored in Calgary Alberta where LithiumBank has its DLE facility.





Figure 1: Park Place map showing location of bulk brine sample well and NI 43-101 resource estimate area (AOI) entitled: LithiumBank Resources Corp. Park Place NI 43-101 Technical Report, effectively dated June 24, 2024 and authored by the following Qualified Persons: D. Roy Eccles M.Sc., P. Geol., Alexander Haluszka, M.Sc., P.Geo., Maurice Shevalier, M.Sc., P.Chem..

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10140/222101_lithiumbankfig1.jpg

Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no guarantee that all or any part of the mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by geology, environment, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.

Qualified Person

The information that forms the basis for the scientific and technical information disclosed in this news release was prepared and approved by Kevin Piepgrass, P.Geo, who is a Qualified Person (QP) for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. Mr Kevin Piepgrass consents and approves of the inclusion of the data in the form and context in which it appears.

About LithiumBank Resources Corp.

LithiumBank Resources Corp. (TSXV: LBNK) (OTCQX: LBNKF), is a publicly traded lithium company that is focused on developing and de-risking the largest portfolio of lithium brine assets in North America. The Company has completed a NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") at Boardwalk (Jan. 16, 2024), an initial NI 43-101 Resource Estimate at Park Place (June 24, 2024) which are both located in west central Alberta. The Company is currently conducting large scale pilot testing of a licensed Direct Lithium Extraction ("DLE") technology at the Company's facility in Calgary (July 10, 2024). The DLE technology process being piloted is currently being used at a commercial scale for use in other metals. The Company owns 100% of the 2,130,470 acres of brown-field brine hosted mineral licenses within Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding future estimates, plans, objectives, timing, assumptions or expectations of future performance, including without limitation, the Company adding value and de-risking its Park Place Project, the processing of the bulk brine sample through the DLE pilot plant and the expected timing thereof, and the Company proving the commerciality and effectiveness of the Company's licensed DLE at a large scale, are forward-looking statements and contain forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should" or "would" or occur.

Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by the Company and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this press release, including that the Company will be able to add value and de-risk its Park Place Project, that the bulk brine sample will be processed through the DLE pilot plant on the timeline indicated, and that the Company will be able to prove the commerciality and effectiveness of the Company's licensed DLE at a large scale.

These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Important risks that may cause actual results to vary, include, without limitation, the risk that the Company will be unable to add value and de-risk its Park Place Project, the risk that the bulk brine sample will not be processed through the DLE pilot plant on the timeline indicated, and the risk that the Company will be unable to prove the commerciality and effectiveness of the Company's licensed DLE at a large scale.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial outlook that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222101

SOURCE: LithiumBank Resources Corp.
LONDON, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ALL.SPACE, the world's leading multi-orbit satellite communications company, has announced the appointment of Paul McCarter as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. The company's founder and former CEO, John Finney, will continue to support the business as Founder and Board Director.?

Founded in 2013 by industry visionary John Finney, ALL.SPACE is revolutionising satellite communications with its ground-breaking platform, delivering seamless multi-satellite, multi-orbit connectivity from a single mobile device across LEO, MEO, HEO and GEO orbits. Through years of deep-tech innovation, ALL.SPACE ensures seamless communication and data sharing across defence networks, boosting situational awareness and effectiveness.

Paul McCarter, previously the Chief Operating Officer at ALL.SPACE, brings over 30 years of executive leadership experience. Before joining ALL.SPACE, Paul had a first career in the military followed by CEO and Managing Director roles in Racal, Thales, Cobham and Serco, where he led global businesses driving transformative business growth in the technology, manufacturing, and consulting sectors.?

Commenting on his new role, McCarter said: "I am thrilled to lead ALL.SPACE at this pivotal moment. John Finney's vision has laid a robust foundation with our revolutionary satellite technology. Together with John and our dynamic team, I am excited to accelerate our growth and expand our cutting-edge solutions to a broader range of clients."

"It has been rewarding to work alongside and learn from John, collaborating with him to develop a long-term strategy focused on growing our client base as we completed the Company's most recent round of fundraising," said Chris Emerson, ALL.SPACE Chairman of the Board of Directors.

John Finney stated, "I am truly excited about the next phase of growth for ALL.SPACE. Paul's exceptional talent and extensive experience will be crucial in advancing our mission. His transition to CEO has been meticulously planned over a six-month period to ensure seamless continuity for our commercial and defence customers worldwide. In the coming weeks, we will share significant announcements regarding our global offerings, financial stability, and customer support. This is an incredibly exciting time for the company."

In an era of complex global threats and heightened security challenges, ALL.SPACE plays a key role in strengthening defence communications resilience for the US, NATO, and allies.

About ALL.SPACE

ALL.SPACE is an industry-leading global satellite communications company pioneering the development of next-generation technologies. With a vision of delivering ubiquitous connectivity across space, land, air, and sea, ALL.SPACE creates cutting-edge technology solutions that address the complex challenges of today's evolving satellite industry.

Investors in ALL SPACE include Seraphim Space Investment Trust,?AEI HorizonX,?Promus Ventures through its Luxembourg based space investment fund, Orbital Ventures,?SES,?Firmament Ventures,?UK government's Future Fund,?Space?Angels?and?family office investors such as?Waterlow Management Limited.

LinkedIn: All.Space

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2496456/ALL_SPACE_Paul_McCarter.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/allspace-appoints-paul-mccarter-as-chief-executive-officer-to-lead-global-expansion-drive-innovation-and-meet-growing-demand-302238235.html
Novotech, the global full-service clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) that partners with biotech companies to accelerate the development of advanced and novel therapeutics at every phase, has released its latest industry report, Gastric Cancer- Global Clinical Trial Landscape (2024)

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240903559744/en/

This report details the current gastric cancer (GC) research environment as it continues to evolve, as well as offering key insights into the trends that are expected to extend into the near future. The report examines the global state of clinical trials, drug discovery, and emerging therapeutic strategies, while also highlighting the significant progress in understanding and treating GC, showcasing promising therapeutic pipelines with potential benefits for patients and associated organizations worldwide.

The Novotech research analyst team provides these expert reports monthly, highlighting key metrics on the current status of specific diseases and outlining future trends that may impact the development of treatments. This is provided completely free of charge.

Key takeaways from the report:

Global Clinical Trials Surge Since 2019, over 2,000 clinical trials have been initiated globally, with the Asia-Pacific region leading the charge, accounting for 52% of all trials.

Mainland China, in particular, stands out with 48% of the region's trials, reflecting the region's commitment to advancing GC research.

North America and Europe also play crucial roles, contributing 29% and 15% of global trials, respectively. Innovative Drug Development The report identifies 228 drugs in various stages of development, highlighting a robust pipeline aimed at improving GC treatment outcomes.

Notably, 11 drugs have already received approval, with 28 on the market, demonstrating the tangible progress made in recent years.

The most significant focus is on targeted therapies and immunotherapies, with nearly 40% of ongoing Phase III trials investigating Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1) antagonists. Advanced Therapeutic Strategies GC treatment strategies are increasingly shifting toward personalized medicine, with advancements in biomarker-directed therapies and molecular diagnostic techniques.

Perioperative chemotherapy remains the standard for resectable GC, while ongoing research explores the benefits of combining targeted and immunotherapies in both perioperative and adjuvant settings. GC Therapies Attract Significant Funding From 2019 to 2023, GC research attracted substantial venture capital funding, totaling $7.4 billion globally.

China and the United States are the leading recipients, securing $4.53 billion and $2.97 billion, respectively.

This financial support underscores the global commitment to addressing the unmet needs of GC patients and advancing treatment options. Challenges and Opportunities The report highlights ongoing challenges, including the high cost of advanced treatments and the need for better patient selection and tailored therapies.

However, significant opportunities exist in the form of liquid biopsies for detecting circulating DNA and the continued development of genetic and molecular profiling to personalize treatment approaches further. Market Leaders: The report identifies key players in the GC treatment market, including Pfizer, Roche, Merck Co., Eli Lilly and Co., and Sanofi Strategic Insights: The report includes a SWOT analysis, demonstrating the effectiveness of current treatments in managing symptoms and improving quality of life, while also identifying areas where emerging techniques may offer improvements.

With ongoing clinical trials, innovative drug development, evolving therapeutic strategies, and continued investment of capital, the future of GC treatment looks promising.

For more information and to download the full report free of charge, please visit Novotech's website or contact our media relations team.

About Novotech Novotech-CRO.com

Founded in 1997, Novotech is a global full-service clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) focused on partnering with biotech companies to accelerate the development of advanced and novel therapeutics at every phase.

Recognized for its industry-leading contributions, Novotech has received numerous prestigious awards, including the CRO Leadership Award 2023, the Asia Pacific Cell Gene Therapy Clinical Trials Excellence 2023, the Asia-Pacific Contract Research Organization Company of the Year Award since 2006.

The Company offers a comprehensive suite of services including laboratories, Phase I facilities, drug development consulting, regulatory expertise, and has experience with over 5,000 clinical projects, including Phase I to Phase IV clinical trials and bioequivalence studies. With a presence in 34 office locations and a dedicated team of 3,000+ professionals worldwide, Novotech is a trusted end-to-end strategic partner of choice.

For more information or to speak to an expert team member visit www.Novotech-CRO.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240903559744/en/

Contacts:

Toyna Chin

mediacontact@novotech-cro.com

USA: +1 415 364 8135
CEO Michelle Tang awarded Beverly Hills Living Magazine's Innovator of the Year - honoring her remarkable vision & creative approach to boutique fertility and surrogacy services. Situated in the heart of Beverly Hills, IMA ART has unceasingly provided bespoke advisory services, delivering an unparalleled experience for discerning individuals looking to build their families.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / IMA ART Fertility, the world's leading luxury fertility concierge and surrogacy agency, continues to epitomize excellence with its signature white-glove services. CEO Michelle Tang's commitment to compassionate advocacy and exceptional care has set a new standard in the industry, providing bespoke fertility and surrogacy solutions for her clients.









The boutique Fertility Maison's distinctive white-glove approach combines cutting-edge reproductive technologies with an ultra-luxury concierge service. "White-glove" signifies a level of service that goes beyond the standard, emphasizing luxury, precision, and personalized attention. From the moment guests arrive in Beverly Hills, the Co-Founders personally greet and escort VIC's to their luxury hotels. The Co-Founders accompany clients to each IVF clinic appointment.

White-Glove Signature Elements:

Personalized Care: Access to comprehensive tailored fertility treatment plans, and one-on-one attention from the Co-Founders

Luxury Travel Experience: Specialized services for those traveling from abroad, including visa assistance and bespoke travel arrangements.

Concierge Services: Benefit from personalized support, including airport and hotel pick-ups, accommodations, and administrative tasks.

Surrogacy Support: Experience unparalleled guidance and support throughout the surrogacy process, from matching with a surrogate to handling legal and financial matters.

Invitation only Mobile App: Supported by SOC II compliant provider, seamlessly assists clients to communicate their needs and the Co-Founders answers.

Why Choose IMA ART Fertility?

Fertility Excellence: Our team of world-class reproductive endocrinologists and laboratory technicians are dedicated to providing the highest quality care with leading success rates. Fertility treatments include IVF, ICSI, egg freezing, and pre-implantation genetic testing.

Personalized Approach: We understand that every family-building journey is unique, and we tailor our services accordingly.

Luxury Experience: Enjoy the ultimate in comfort, convenience, and discretion.

Comprehensive Support: Experienced international concierge services ensure every aspect of their client's journey is taken care of.

"At IMA ART, we believe building a family is a deeply personal journey, deserving the utmost care and attention. Our white-glove services are designed to provide our clients with an unparalleled experience, from the moment they arrive in California to the day they welcome their baby into their world." - Michelle Tang, CEO & Co-Founder

About IMA ART

The World's First & Only Luxury Fertility Concierge & Surrogacy Agency, nestled in the heart of Beverly Hills. The private firm is a sanctuary of bespoke advisory services offering discreet fertility solutions to an exclusive clientele. The Fertility Maison has redefined the journey for discerning clients expecting savoir faire.

Known for its distinctive approach to parenthood and strict confidentiality, IMA ART blends luxury white-glove concierge services with a deep commitment to personalized care. The firm stands as a paradigm of excellence in Haute Fertility.

Contact Information

Ron Sonnenberg

Co-Founder

ron@imaartfertility.com

(424)-284-1408

SOURCE: IMAART LLC

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Renowned Workers' Compensation Attorney Thomas F. Martin Honored for Exceptional Legal Excellence and Client Advocacy

SANTA ANA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / Thomas F. Martin, a workers' compensation attorney in Orange County, California, is proud to announce that he has been named Workers' Compensation "Lawyer of the Year" in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This distinguished recognition highlights Mr. Martin's dedication to his clients and reputation for exceptional legal skills in the field of workers' compensation.

Thomas F. Martin, PLC

Thomas F. Martin, a workers' compensation attorney in Orange County, California, is proud to announce that he has been named Workers' Compensation "Lawyer of the Year" in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Only one attorney in each field of law in a designated metropolitan area is honored with the "Lawyer of the Year" title.

The Best Lawyers in America is one of the most respected peer-reviewed publications in the legal industry. Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on an exhaustive peer-review process that captures the consensus opinion of leading lawyers regarding the professional abilities of their colleagues.

This award is a testament to the respect and esteem that Mr. Martin has earned from his peers within the legal community for his relentless pursuit of justice for his clients over the last 30 years. He is well known for achieving successful results in complex and challenging work injury cases.

Mr. Martin is also routinely invited to speak to attorney groups about the latest ways to achieve justice for injured workers and often meets with members of the State Legislature to discuss ways to improve the laws for those who are injured on the job.

Contact Information

Thomas F. Martin, Esq.

2107 North Broadway, Suite 206

Santa Ana, CA 92706

Phone: (714) 547-5025

Website: https://thomasfmartin.com

Contact Information

Alex Ribble

Marketing Manager

alex@bigchiefcreative.com

(714) 794-2226

SOURCE: Thomas F. Martin, PLC

View the original press release on newswire.com.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / Increased availability of testing and antiretrovirals has led to global progress in preventing and managing infectious diseases like HIV, tuberculosis (TB), malaria and hepatitis in the last quarter of a century. However, progress is slower in some low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where the needs are greatest, especially among more vulnerable groups like women and children. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and growing impacts from climate change have demonstrated how infectious threats can emerge and have devastating global effects.

At Viatris, we have expanded access at scale to high-quality HIV/AIDS treatment for more than a decade. Our work includes helping to prevent HIV infections, increasing diagnosis and treatment and providing healthcare solutions. We also are working on local manufacturing initiatives with partners to transfer technology to expand access where it is most needed. Over the years, we have continued to seek improvements to existing molecules to better meet patient needs, including introducing novel heat-stable generic formulations, more convenient packaging options and pediatric therapies as well as extended shelf life for certain products.

Number of countries to which we provide access to high-quality and affordable ARVs ~125 Percentage of people on treatment for HIV that use a Viatris product1 ~32%

Viatris has worked to provide in-vitro HIV rapid diagnostic tests for self-testing in LMICs, and during 2023, we continued work to develop a dual oral pill for HIV and birth control in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation. The product is expected to be filed with the WHO PQ approval by the end of 2024. All the above are important components to make progress on the collective goals of preventing HIV infections, expanding treatment and providing healthcare solutions to people living with HIV.

During 2023, we continued our partnership with the international, not-for-profit research and development organization Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) for the development of flucytosine slow-release formulation, a drug used for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis, with the intention to reduce the pill burden and increase treatment adherence.

As part of our strategy to expand access to ARV treatments, we are working with international organizations for pooled procurement, engaging in licensing agreements with originator pharmaceutical companies and the Medicines Patent Pool and participating in government tenders. We provide a single price for all applicable countries supplied via leading global procurement mechanisms, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and the U.S. PEPFAR Program.

Viatris has eight licensing agreements with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) for HIV - including PrEP - hepatitis C and COVID-19. For ARV and infectious disease products, Viatris also has license agreements with Gilead, Viiv Healthcare, MSD, TB Alliance and Otsuka.

Product registrations are an important part of enabling access to patients across geographies. We consistently file our ARV treatments with the U.S. FDA and the WHO Prequalification pathways to enable procurement by PEPFAR, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, as well as other international agencies. Still, many countries require local registration in addition to these global approvals. To meet this need, we have steadily been filing for local market authorizations of our ARV products based on country guidelines across all key high-burden HIV countries.2

Viatris files all relevant ARV products based on country guidelines across key high-burden HIV countries. We have more than 700 registrations of infectious disease products across LMICs.

In 2023, Viatris engaged with WHO to seek scientific advice for regulatory approval of two different medicines improving on existing molecules to better meet needs of people living with and at risk for HIV, building on our long legacy of making relevant improvements in these medicines. In 2023, the shift to consolidate treatments for patients using ARVs continued, meaning that most of the HIV programs across LMICs transitioned to a dolutegravir-based regimen across first-line, second-line and pediatric populations.

Despite significant progress made over the years, the burden of HIV remains high in many countries. Estimates indicate that around 2.47 million people in India are living with HIV.3 Viatris has been a trusted partner to the government over several years in supplying HIV medicines and in 2023, Viatris launched in India a single pill combination HIV treatment of tenofovir alafenamide, emtricitabine and dolutegravir, reaching more than 4,000 patients in the first six months it was available.

In the last two years, Viatris has launched more than 10 new ARVs in South Africa, including a darunavir/ritonavir combination used for difficult-to-treat HIV patients when initial treatments have failed or not been tolerated, as well as the first fixed-dose tenofovir alafenamide combination to be available in South Africa. This has provided patients living with HIV increased access to leading treatments, helping to improve HIV outcomes in the country and contributing to the fight against HIV.

Improving Treatment for Children Living with HIV

Protecting and improving the health of children is a fundamental global health priority. Although significant strides have been made, there are still major disparities globally, with children in LMICs being among the most vulnerable. Complexities around formulations and dosage guidelines can often be hurdles to children accessing the care they need.

We have built strong partnerships with multiple stakeholders to improve access to ARVs, with particular attention to vulnerable populations like children. For example, in partnership with Viiv Healthcare and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Viatris has worked to develop a dispersible form of treatment which will reduce the pill burden in pediatric populations, which hopefully will significantly improve the treatment experience for children living with HIV.

Viatris has more than 150 medicines in the 2023 Essential Medicines List for Children. This represents more than 40% of the total list. Viatris has more than 45% of the anti-infective medicines in the Essential Medicines List for Children. Approximately 65% of children on treatment for HIV use a Viatris product.4

In 2023, we received approval of a single tablet regimen - the fixed-dose combination of abacavir 60 mg/dolutegravir 5 mg/lamivudine 30 mg - that will reduce the pill burden for children living with HIV.

In South Africa, we provided access to leading fixed-dose combinations for children living with HIV by launching Dumiva dispersible and dolutegravir dispersible in 2023, which enable caregivers to provide easy-to-administer medication to children as opposed to syrups that can be difficult for some children to take.

These milestones support the company's sustainability goal to provide ARV therapy equivalent to a total of 30 million patients, including more than 2 million children living with HIV/AIDS, between 2022 and the end of 2025.

The Power of Partnerships in Treating TB

Our work in infectious disease also includes a focus on TB, one of the leading causes of infectious disease deaths worldwide.5 In many cases, TB can be cured with an antibiotic treatment regimen for six months; however, non-adherence is a challenge for TB control and prevention programs. Non-adherence to TB treatment increases the risk of morbidity and mortality and fuels drug resistance, impacting both individuals and communities.

Through our continued partnerships, Viatris has launched pretomanid, specifically approved for adults with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). It's only the third new anti-TB drug approved in the past half-century. It was developed by TB Alliance, a nonprofit organization that develops and delivers new TB treatments.

In 2023, we completed another 57 registrations for pretomanid, and we are awaiting approval in 10 countries, spanning across multiple continents and income levels.

Partnerships like the one with TB Alliance are essential to providing more sustainable access to medicine. Pretomanid reached patients in more than 40 countries in 2023.

Continuing Our Commitment to Prevent and Treat Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and noninfectious agents leading to a range of health problems, some of which can be fatal. For examples, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and viral hepatitis-related deaths. It's estimated that more than 350 million people worldwide live with hepatitis B or C, and for many, testing and treatment are out of reach.6 We have a long tradition of helping to address hepatitis B and C, both through awareness and prevention and in making treatment more available.

Fighting TB in India India leads the world in TB cases, a stark statistic that caused the government to set an aggressive target to eliminate TB in India by 2025.3 As many as 45,000 people are being treated for MDR TB in India. More than 10,000 of those patients were treated with a Viatris product, delamanid, in 2023. Viatris supplied this medicine through participation in a government tender and through India's first order through the Global Drug Facility of the Stop TB Partnership, an innovative public-private partnership.

Examples from our work in 2023 include:

In the Philippines, a partnership with PHILUSA we offered a lower priced product to patients living with hepatitis B.

In Myanmar, in collaboration with Burnet Institute, nearly 800 hepatitis C patients were treated with MyHepDVIR at a subsidized price. This marked one of the largest treatment initiatives ever conducted for hepatitis C in Myanmar, a country that carries a disease burden of 1.3 million people living with hepatitis C.

Collaborated in Bulgaria with the patient organization HepActive to raise awareness of hepatitis B risk factors, diagnosis and treatment adherence and to provide psychological support to patients diagnosed with hepatitis B through webinars and social media campaign.

View the full 2023 Sustainability Report.

Sources

1 Excludes the U.S., EU and other developed markets. Also excludes Russia, China and Mexico, where we do not commercialize ARVs

2 WHO Global List of High Burden Countries

3 India HIV Estimates Report

4 Excludes the U.S., EU and other developed markets. Also excludes Russia, China and Mexico, where we do not commercialize ARVs.

5 WHO Tuberculosis Fact Sheet

6 WHO Hepatitis Fact Sheet

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Viatris on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Viatris

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/viatris

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Viatris

View the original press release on accesswire.com
PRESS RELEASE

Loudeac, 4 September 2024

Revenue growth of 9.4% in Q2 2024

Farming Supplies: growth resumes

Farming Production: sales increase strongly in all regions

WINFARM (ISIN: FR0014000P11 - ticker: ALWF), the number-one French distance seller of goods and solutions and provider of advisory and other services for the farming and breeding industry, today reported its revenue for Q2 2024.

In millions of euros, unaudited Q2 2023 Q2 2024 Change H1 2023 H1 2024 Change Farming Supplies 30.5 32.8 +7.3% 65.6 62.7 -4.5% Farming Production 2.0 2.9 +46.4% 4.7 6.3 +36.0% Other1 0.6 0.6 -5.3% 1.1 1.0 -4.8% TOTAL 33.2 36.3 +9.4% 71.4 70.1 -1.9%

WINFARM generated consolidated revenue of 36.3m in Q2 2024, up 9.4% compared with Q2 2023. This positive performance resulted in particular from a catch-up in Farming Supplies sales after a disappointing first quarter, in which exceptionally heavy rainfall negatively impacted seed orders and delayed the planting of corn plants. Sales were also driven in Q2 by powerful growth momentum in Farming Production, following on from what was already a strong first quarter, up 28.1%.

Over the period, the Farming Supplies business, marketed under the Vital Concept brand, posted revenue of 32.8m, up 7.3%. This increase is particularly notable given the strong growth in Q2 2023, up 10.2% on a like-for-like basis. The Farming Supplies business returned to growth in Q2 2024 after stalling for two consecutive quarters owing to an unfavourable price effect, following several quarters of higher purchase prices and exceptional weather conditions that adversely affected orders.

Business was also driven by the contribution of BTN de Haas (acquired in July 2021), whose catalogue has been expanded with new ranges under the Vital Concept brand that are gradually finding their audience. The Landscaping business posted an increase in sales volumes after the opening of three new depots in H2 2023, though sales in value terms were impacted by a persistently unfavourable price effect.

The Farming Production business, marketed under the Alphatech brand, generated revenue of 6.3m in Q2 2024, compared with 4.8m in Q2 2023, for a like-for-like increase of 46.4%. The Global Export business, accounting for 30% of Farming Production revenue, grew 49% over the quarter, benefiting from the resumed availability of currencies in euros. Sales in Asia, the Group's priority business development region, also grew substantially over the period, by 42%. The commissioning of the new production line in April 2023 has proven decisive in enabling the Group to meet high demand and strengthen its price-volume competitiveness in segments where it already enjoys a strong reputation.

"Other activities", comprising Farming Advisory (marketed under the Agritech brand) and Farming Innovation (marketed by the Bel-Orient pilot farm), a technological showcase and demonstration of the Group's agricultural expertise, posted a slight decrease in sales.

The Group continues to roll out commercial initiatives for the dairy processing unit, having signed new contracts in Q2 2024.

Solid gross margin

WINFARM continued its aggressive commercial strategy aimed at maintaining its leading position in its market. Promotional actions with certain ranges, combined with other fundamental measures aimed at boosting average-basket growth, have already been undertaken with no deterioration in the Group's gross margin rate over the half-year.

Next release:

H1 2024 results on 3 October 2024, after market close.

About WINFARM

Founded in Loudeac, in the heart of Brittany, at the beginning of the 1990s, the Winfarm group is today the leading French player offering the agricultural, livestock, horse-breeding and landscape markets a range of consultancy, service and distance selling products and global, unique and integrated solutions to help them meet the new technological, economic, environmental and social challenges of the new generation of agriculture.

With a vast catalogue of more than 35,000 product references (seeds, phytosanitary, harvesting products, etc.), two-thirds of which are marketed under own brands, WINFARM has more than 45,000 customers in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

By 2025, WINFARM aims to achieve revenue of around 200m and an EBITDA margin of about 6.5%.

For more information about the company: www.winfarm-group.com

Contacts:

WINFARM

investisseurs@winfarm-group.com ACTIFIN, Financial Communications

Benjamin Lehari

+33 (0) 1 56 88 11 11

Benjamin.lehari@seitosei-actifin.com ACTIFIN, Financial Press Relations

Jennifer Jullia

+33 (0)1 56 88 11 19

Jennifer.jullia@seitosei-actifin.com





1 revenue from consulting and training services, marketed under the Agritech brand, and operating activities of the Bel-Orient pilot farm
Press Realse

Paris, 09 :04/2024, 18h 00

Quantum Genomics reviewed its financial situation and announced that it has filed a declaration of cessation of payment today

Quantum Genomics (Euronext Growth - FR0011648971 - ALQGC) provides an update on its financial situation and announces that it has today filed a declaration of cessation of payments with the Paris Commercial Court.

As a reminder, following the failure of the REFRESH Phase III trial on firibastat in October 2022, Quantum Genomics restructured its workforce and supplier debt during 2023, in order to reposition its business.

On April 24, 2024, the Company benefited from a contribution of Exactcure shares, giving it 100% ownership of Exactcure, which is developing an innovative software solution to improve the way drugs are taken. Since its merger with Exactcure, Quantum Genomics has been financing the activities of its subsidiary until it achieves more significant sales.

Against this background, the Company entered several negotiations with investors to raise funds to cover its cash requirements and those of its subsidiary Exactcure. These negotiations have not been successful.

The Company therefore acknowledges that it no longer has sufficient funds available to meet its current liabilities.

As a result, it has today filed a declaration of cessation of payments with the Commercial Court and requested the commencement of judicial winding-up proceedings.

At the same time, Exactcure has also filed a declaration of cessation of payments and is seeking the commencement of judicial winding-up proceedings.

It's crucial to bring to investors' attention that, considering the Company's liabilities and the estimated value

of the assets, any proceeds from the sale of assets should not be distributed to Quantum Genomics' s

shareholders

Regular press releases will be issued as the process continues.

Contacts

Quantum Genomics

contact@quantum-genomics.com

Valfa Communication (EUROPE)

Communication financiere et medias

irquantumgenomics@gmail.com

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Article L. 238-8-II of the French commercial Code and article 223-16 of the AMF (French Financial Markets Authority) general regulation

Regulatory News:

Corporate name of the issuer:

Veolia Environnement (Paris:VIE)

21 rue La Boetie

75008 PARIS

FRANCE

(ISIN code: FR0000124141-VIE)

Information closing

date Total number of shares forming the

share capital Total number of voting rights August 31, 2024 726,148,514 Total number of theoretical voting rights: 726,148,514 Total number of voting rights that may be exercised (1): 715,822,225

Inclusion in the Veolia Environnement Articles of Association of a clause requiring a reporting obligation of the declaration of crossing a shareholding threshold, complementary to the one relating to the thresholds provided by the French law and the regulations in force (article 8).

(1) Number of voting rights that may be exercised number of theoretical voting rights (or total number of voting rights attached to shares) shares without voting rights (number of treasury shares held as of August 31, 2024, i.e. 10,326,289 shares).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240904733099/en/

Contacts:

Veolia Environnement
Toronto, Ontario and New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - Micromem Technologies Inc. (CSE: MRM) (OTCQB: MMTIF) ("Micromem" or the "Company") announces that it has confirmed a meeting with Chevron on September 25, 2024. The meeting will be held in the Chevron offices in Houston. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the current status of the project and go forward strategies.

About Micromem.

Micromem Technologies Inc. and its subsidiaries, a publicly traded (OTCQB: MMTIF) (CSE: MRM), company analyzes specific industry sectors to create intelligent game-changing applications that address unmet market needs. By leveraging its expertise and experience with sophisticated sensor applications, the Company successfully powers the development and implementation of innovative solutions for oil & gas, utilities, automotive, healthcare, government, information technology, manufacturing and other industries. Visit www.micromeminc.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. In particular, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include: our inability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms; risk that our products and services will not gain widespread market acceptance; continued consumer adoption of digital technology; inability to compete with others who provide comparable products; the failure of our technology; the infringement of our technology with proprietary rights of third parties; inability to respond to consumer and technological demands; inability to replace significant customers; seasonal nature of our business; and other risks detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and are not guarantees of future performance. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "plan," "should," "intend," "may," "will," "would," "potential," and similar expressions may be used to identify forward-looking statements.

The CSE or any other securities regulatory authority has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release that has been prepared by management.

###

Listing: NASD OTC-QB - Symbol: MMTIF

CSE - Symbol: MRM

Shares issued: 554,253,660

SEC File No: 0-26005

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222020

SOURCE: Micromem Technologies Inc.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - Tenet Fintech Group Inc. (CSE: PKK) (OTC Pink: PKKFF) ("Tenet" or the "Company"), an innovative analytics service provider, owner and operator of the Cubeler Business Hub, today announced that it has closed a non-brokered private placement financing by selling 39,075,000 units to "accredited investors" within the meaning of NI 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions and under the applicable securities laws, with each unit priced at $0.10 for gross proceeds of $3,907,500 (the "Financing").

Each unit (a "Unit") is comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.20 for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance thereof (the "Expiry Date"). After a period of 12 months from the date of their issuance, if at any time the price of the Common Shares closes at or above $0.30 for 10 consecutive trading days, the Expiry Date of the Warrants will be reduced to thirty 30 days (the "Accelerated Expiry Date"). Any Warrants remaining unexercised after the Accelerated Expiry Date will be cancelled.

Certain qualified individuals and registered investment dealers ("Finders"), who assisted the Company with respect to the Financing, received from the Company, in compliance with securities laws, a cash finder's fee equal to 8% of the gross proceeds raised and a number of finder's warrants ("Finder's Warrants") equal to 8% of the number of Units placed. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder thereof to subscribe for one Common Share at a price of $0.20 during the 36 months following its issuance, subject to the Accelerated Expiry Date conditions.

The securities issued in connection with the Financing are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the closing date of the Financing. Tenet plans to use the net proceeds of the Financing to continue to advance the commercialization process of its ie-Pulse product offering, to catch up on old accounts payables and for working capital purposes.

About Tenet Fintech Group Inc.:

Tenet Fintech Group Inc. is the parent company of a group of innovative financial technology (Fintech) and artificial intelligence (AI) companies. All references to Tenet in this news release, unless explicitly specified, include Tenet and all its subsidiaries. Tenet's subsidiaries offer various analytics and AI-based products and services to businesses, capital markets professionals, government agencies and financial institutions either through or leveraging data gathered by the Cubeler Business Hub, a global ecosystem where analytics and AI are used to create opportunities and facilitate B2B transactions among its members. Please visit our website at: https://www.tenetfintech.com/.

Forward-looking information

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Tenet to be materially different from the outlook or any future results, performance or achievements implied by such statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could affect the forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, holding company with significant operations in China; general economic and business conditions, including factors impacting the Company's business in China such as pandemics and COVID-19; legislative and/or regulatory developments; Global Financial conditions, repatriation of profits or transfer of funds from China to Canada, operations in foreign jurisdictions and possible exposure to corruption, bribery or civil unrest; actions by regulators; uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types of claims and litigation; timing and completion of capital programs; liquidity and capital resources, negative operating cash flow and additional funding, dilution from further financing; financial performance and timing of capital; and other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by Tenet with securities regulators in Canada. Reference should also be made to Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) in Tenet's annual and interim reports, Annual Information Form, filed with Canadian securities regulators and available via the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) under Tenet's profile at www.sedarplus.ca, for a description of major risk factors relating to Tenet. Although Tenet has attempted to identify certain factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking statements reflect information as of the date on which they are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable securities laws. In the event the Company does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that the Company will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222163

SOURCE: Tenet Fintech Group Inc.
As part of its strategic growth, one of the companies owned by NUMERIS Corp., Crypto.ro, is expanding into Spanish and French, enhancing its global presence and accessibility.

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / Crypto.ro, a leading crypto media platform, is announcing its expansion into Spanish and French languages, further strengthening its commitment to providing reliable, up-to-date information to a global audience. This expansion highlights Crypto.ro's mission to make cryptocurrency knowledge accessible to users worldwide, regardless of language or location.

crypto.ro

crypto.ro

With the addition of Spanish and French, Crypto.ro now serves four major languages, catering to millions of users across the globe. The platform's focus on accessibility ensures that anyone, from beginners to experienced investors, can benefit from its resources, no matter where they are.

Crypto.ro's choice of the .ro domain extension underscores its straightforward and memorable approach to branding in the cryptocurrency space. While the domain may hint at Romanian roots, the platform is designed to be a truly global resource, offering valuable content in multiple languages and maintaining a user-friendly interface that's accessible on both desktop and mobile devices.

The latest update introduces several exciting new features aimed at enhancing user experience and delivering comprehensive crypto education. The platform now includes an advanced crypto dictionary, providing clear and concise definitions of industry terms, along with real-time crypto prices and detailed information about major crypto exchanges.

"Expanding into Spanish and French is a crucial step in our journey to serve a global community," said Alex Numeris, CEO of Crypto.ro. "We are dedicated to delivering accurate and insightful content that empowers our users to navigate the complex world of cryptocurrencies with confidence."

As part of its commitment to quality, Crypto.ro has established strategic partnerships with some of the most reputable names in the crypto industry, including Binance, Bitget, Bybit and PrimeXBT. These collaborations ensure that Crypto.ro users have access to exclusive insights, up-to-date exchange information, and opportunities to engage with top-tier platforms in the crypto space.

Crypto.ro is more than just a news platform; it is an educational hub offering everything from beginner guides to expert analysis, helping users at all levels stay informed and make educated decisions.

As Crypto.ro continues to grow, it remains dedicated to its core values of transparency, reliability, and user empowerment. The platform's expansion into new languages and the introduction of innovative features underscore its strong position in the global crypto media industry.

About Crypto.ro

Crypto.ro is a premier crypto media platform that provides comprehensive news, analysis, and educational resources on cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. With a mission to make crypto knowledge accessible to everyone, Crypto.ro serves as a trusted source for millions of users worldwide.

Contact Information:

Alex Numeris

CEO

press@numeris.co

https://numeris.co

Contact Information

Alex Numeris

CEO, NUMERIS

press@numeris.co

SOURCE: NUMERIS

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - Pure Energy Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: PE) (OTCQB: PEMIF) ("Pure Energy" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a Letter of Intent ("LOI") dated August 30, 2024 to acquire up to an 85% interest in the Railroad Valley Property (the "Property"), located in Nye County, Nevada, from Ameriwest Lithium Inc. ("Ameriwest" or "AWLI"). The Property comprises 563 placer mineral claims granted by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management ("BLM"), and is well situated for exploration for lithium-bearing brines.

Pure Energy's LOI with Ameriwest provides for the following terms over six years:

Initial earn-in option over three years to earn a 65% interest in the Property by expenditures in cash and shares of $450,000, plus project expenditures of USD$1.0 million;

Second Option over two years to earn-in to a 75% interest in the Property by expenditures of an additional $500,000 in shares and cash, plus project expenditures of USD$1.5 million;

Third Option over one year to earn-in to a 85% interest by US$1.0 million in cash and shares, and project expenditures of USD$1,000,000.

The 11,201 acre (4,533 hectare) Property is a green fields lithium brine exploration target located in Railroad Valley, Nevada. The North Railroad Valley drainage basin is larger in size and has geologic characteristics to host a lithium brine deposit similar to the one found in Clayton Valley, Nevada, located just 125 mi to the west-southwest. Clayton Valley currently hosts the most advanced and largest lithium-brine pilot plant in the United States, developed at Pure Energy Minerals' Clayton Valley property with our partner, which is currently in operation to produce lithium carbonate (Li2CO3). Clayton Valley also hosts the Silver Peak lithium brine mine operated by Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB). Similarities of the RRV Property to Clayton Valley do not guarantee exploration success at RRV.

Ameriwest has defined a large lithium brine exploration target in the southwestern end of North Railroad Valley. The target is based on gravity, magnetotelluric, and seismic geophysics studies completed by Ameriwest, along with available historic oil well drilling logs and seismic data. Drilling is required next to confirm the presence of a lithium bearing brine, and no mineral resources or reserves have yet been defined on the property. The transaction is subject to the entering into of a definitive agreement and approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

"Pure Energy is pleased to add the Railroad Valley property to its exploration focus, as it shows a number of important markers for lithium brine potential," remarked Joseph Mullin, CEO of Pure Energy Minerals. "We look forward to collaboration with Ameriwest in the exploration of the RRV property, and to continue our efforts in the battery metals arena."

About Pure Energy Minerals Ltd.

Pure Energy is a lithium resource company that has consolidated a preeminent land position at its Clayton Valley Project (the "Project") in the Clayton Valley of central Nevada for the exploration and development of lithium resources. The property comprises 950 mineral claims over 23,600 acres (9,450 hectares) representing the largest land holdings in the valley.

About Ameriwest Lithium Inc.

Ameriwest is a Canadian-based exploration company focused on identifying strategic lithium mineral projects for exploration and resource development. The Company is currently focused on exploring its Thompson Valley lithium clay property in Arizona. The property consists of 17 mineral exploration permits with the Arizona State Department of Lands and 33 mineral claims totaling with the Bureau of Land Management totaling about 9,500 acres (3,800 hectares). A NI 43-101 Technical Report entitled Thompson Valley Lithium Project Exploration Target, Yavapai County, Arizona, with release date January 31, 2023, and effective date January 17, 2023, can be found under Ameriwest's corporate filings on www.sedarplus.ca.

The information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mary L. Little, MMSA QP#01503, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Ms. Little is a director of the Company and therefore is not considered to be independent.

Cautionary Statements and Forward-Looking Information

The information in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include changes in world commodity markets, equity markets, costs and supply of materials relevant to the mining industry, change in government and changes to regulations affecting the mining industry. Forward-looking statements in this release may include future exploration and development of the Clayton Valley and Railroad Valley Projects. Although we believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, results may vary, and we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222138

SOURCE: Pure Energy Minerals Ltd.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - MustGrow Biologics Corp. (TSXV: MGRO) (OTCQB: MGROF) (FSE: 0C0) (the "Company" or "MustGrow") today announced that the board of directors of the Company authorized and approved the grant of a total of 1,575,398 deferred share units ("DSUs") and restricted share units ("RSUs") to certain directors, officers, and consultants of the Company, effective September 3, 2024. This grants of DSUs and RSUs are made pursuant to the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

The DSUs will vest when the holder ceases to be a director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its affiliates, as applicable. On settlement, each DSU will entitle the holder to recive to receive one common share in the capital of the Company or a cash payment equivalent thereof at the discretion of the Company.

---------

About MustGrow

MustGrow is an agriculture biotech company developing organic biocontrol and biofertility products by harnessing the natural defense mechanism and organic materials of the mustard plant to sustainably protect the global food supply and help farmers feed the world. MustGrow and its leading global partners -- Bayer, Janssen PMP (pharmaceutical division of Johnson & Johnson), Sumitomo Corporation, and Univar Solutions' NexusBioAg -- are developing mustard-based organic solutions for applications in biocontrol to potentially replace harmful synthetic chemicals in preplant soil treatment and weed control, to postharvest disease control and food preservation. Bayer has a commercial agreement to develop and commercialize MustGrow's biocontrol soil applications in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Concurrently, with new formulations derived from food-grade mustard, the Company is pursuing the adoption and use of its Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI Listed) and California's Organic Input Material (OIM) Program registered biofertility product, TerraSanteTM, in key U.S. states including California. Over 150 independent tests have been completed, validating MustGrow's safe and effective approach to crop and food protection and yield enhancements. Pending regulatory approval, MustGrow's patented liquid technologies could be applied through injection, standard drip or spray equipment, improving functionality and performance features. MustGrow has approximately 51.6 million basic common shares issued and outstanding and 55.7 million shares fully diluted. For further details, please visit www.mustgrow.ca.

This release does not constitute an offer for sale of, nor a solicitation for offers to buy, any securities in the United States.

Neither the TSXV, nor their Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV), nor the OTC Markets has approved the contents of this release or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

 2024 MustGrow Biologics Corp. All rights reserved.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222171

SOURCE: MustGrow Biologics Corp.
Curtis Bashaw integrates Bitcoin donations into his Senate campaign, emphasizing a modern approach to New Jersey's growth and innovation with the support of NUMERIS, a leading crypto media and data company.

CAPE MAY, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / Curtis Bashaw, a prominent entrepreneur and Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in New Jersey, has officially started accepting Bitcoin donations through his campaign website.

Curtis Bashaw / Bitcoin

This move reflects Bashaw's pro-Bitcoin stance and positions him as a forward-thinking candidate ready to bring new perspectives to New Jersey's growth.

Bashaw has consistently embraced emerging technologies to foster economic development. His decision to integrate Bitcoin into his campaign is a testament to his openness to leveraging emerging technologies to drive economic development in New Jersey. Just as he has built successful businesses through innovation and adaptability, Bashaw aims to apply the same principles to his political platform, ensuring that New Jersey remains competitive and prosperous across different sectors.

"New Jersey has the second-highest percentage of crypto holders in the U.S.," Bashaw stated. "By accepting Bitcoin, I'm aligning my campaign with the future of finance and showing the people of New Jersey that I'm committed to supporting their interests in this rapidly growing space."

Polling Shows Bashaw Gaining Momentum in New Jersey Senate Race

Recent polling by National Research Inc. shows a tight race for the U.S. Senate in New Jersey, with Curtis Bashaw trailing Andy Kim by just 5 points-well within the margin of error. Bashaw's successful entrepreneurial background and his forward-looking policies are gaining traction with voters.

His acceptance of Bitcoin donations further distinguishes him from other candidates, reflecting his values of freedom, transparency, and innovation. Bashaw understands the pivotal moment the U.S. faces in the global race for leadership in Bitcoin and broader economic growth.

"New Jersey has a real chance of turning red this election," Bashaw said. "With the right support, we can lead the state into a new era of growth and opportunity."

About Curtis Bashaw

Curtis Bashaw is a successful entrepreneur with deep roots in New Jersey. Over decades of building and managing businesses, he has developed a keen understanding of what it takes to drive economic growth and create jobs. His leadership style is grounded in being close to his employees and community, ensuring he remains connected to the real needs of the people he serves.

Curtis is running for the U.S. Senate to leverage his business acumen for the benefit of New Jersey, bringing a fresh perspective and a hands-on approach to Washington, D.C. He is committed to fostering innovation, supporting economic growth, and representing the interests of all New Jersey residents.

For press inquiries, please contact:

press@curtisbashawforsenate.com

https://curtisbashawforsenate.com

About NUMERIS

Numeris is a media and data company focused on blockchain technology and AI. Founded and led by Alex Numeris, the company owns and operates several prominent crypto media platforms, reaching over 11 million people annually. Numeris is dedicated to providing insights and fostering innovation within the blockchain and cryptocurrency space, helping to drive the adoption of digital assets and promoting a deeper understanding of this rapidly evolving industry.

For press inquiries, please contact:

https://numeris.co

Contact Information

Alex Numeris

CEO, NUMERIS

press@curtisbashawforsenate.com

SOURCE: numeris.co

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - Lion Copper and Gold Corp. (TSXV: LEO) (OTCQB: LCGMF) ("Lion CG", or the "Company") announces that it has received conditional approval to list its common shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE"). In connection with the listing the Company will voluntarily delist its common shares from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV").

The board of the directors of the Company has determined that this transition is in the best interests of the Company.

The CSE offers a more cost-effective platform with a streamlined regulatory framework that is well-suited for the Company's current stage of development. Despite the change in exchange, we will continue to meet all obligations as a reporting issuer under Canadian securities and SEC regulations.

The Company expects to delist its common shares from the TSX-V on or about September 19, 2024 and list its common share on the CSE on or about September 20, 2024. The Company will remain a "reporting issuer" under applicable Canadian securities laws throughout the process. The Company will retain the trading symbol "LEO" and its shares will continue to be quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol "LCGMF".

About Lion CG

Lion Copper and Gold Corp. is a Canadian-based company advancing its flagship copper projects at Yerington, Nevada through an Option to Earn-in Agreement with Nuton LLC, a Rio Tinto Venture.

Further information can be found at www.lioncg.com

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Steven Dischler

Chief Executive Officer

For more information please contact:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Except for statements of historical fact, any information contained in this news release may be a forward-looking statement that reflects the Company's current views about future events and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the words "may," "might," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "intend," "plan," "objective," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "project," "potential," "target," "seek," "contemplate," "continue" and "ongoing," or the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology intended to identify statements about the future. Forward-looking statements may include statements regarding the TSXV delisting and the CSE listing. Although the Company believes that it has a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our expectations of the future, about which we cannot be certain. The Company cannot assure that the actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release and the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222176

SOURCE: Lion Copper and Gold Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - Deveron Corp. (TSXV: FARM) ("Deveron" or the "Company"), a leading agriculture services and data company in North America, is pleased to announce that further to its press releases of August 15, 2024, the Company has completed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement through the issuance of 22,805,991 units (the "Units") in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.07 per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,596,419.37 (the "Offering").

Each Unit is comprised of one common share (each, a "Common Share") in the capital of the Company and one-half of one whole Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.10 per Common Share until the date that is eighteen (18) months from the date of issuance.

In connection with the Offering, the Company paid StephenAvenue Securities Inc. an aggregate of $35,749.99 and issued an aggregate of 510,713 broker warrants (each, a "Broker Warrant"). Each Broker Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.10 per Common Share for a period of 18 months from the date of issuance.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance and the resale rules of applicable securities legislation. Net proceeds from the Offering will be used for general working capital purposes and for the partial repayment of certain promissory notes.

The Offering constituted a related party transaction within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") as insiders of the Company acquired an aggregate of 7,590,709 Units pursuant to the Offering. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections sections 5.5(g) and 5.7(1)(e) of MI 61-101, as the Company is in financial difficulty and the transaction is designed to improve the financial position of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before the closing of the Offering because the details of the participation therein by related parties of the Company were not settled until shortly prior to closing of the Offering and the Company wished to close on an expedited basis in accordance with the settlement agreement announced by the Company on August 15, 2024.

The Offering was approved by the members of the board of directors of the Company who are independent for the purposes of the Offering, being all directors other than Messrs. Dent, Linton and Irwin. No special committee was established in connection with the Offering, and no materially contrary view or abstention was expressed or made by any director of the Company in relation thereto.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons as defined under applicable United States securities laws unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

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.

About Deveron: Deveron is an agriculture technology company that uses data and insights to help farmers and large agriculture enterprises increase yields, reduce costs and improve farm outcomes. The company employs a digital process that leverages data collected on farms across North America to drive unbiased interpretation of production decisions, ultimately recommending how to optimize input use. Our team of agronomists and data scientists build products that recommend ways to better manage fertilizer, seed, fungicide, and other farm inputs. Additionally, we have a national network of data technicians that are deployed to collect various types of farm data, from soil to drones, that build a basis of our best-in-class data layers. Our focus is the US and Canada where 1 billion acres of farmland are actively farmed annually .

For more information and to join our community, please visit www.deveron.com/investors or reach us on Twitter @Deveron.

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of that phrase under Canadian securities laws. Without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various degrees of risk. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current views with respect to possible future events and conditions and, by their nature, are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific to the Company. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements. The following are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements: changes in the world-wide price of agricultural commodities, general market conditions, risks inherent in agriculture, the uncertainty of future profitability and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. Additional information regarding the material factors and assumptions that were applied in making these forward looking statements as well as the various risks and uncertainties we face are described in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of our annual and interim Management's Discussion and Analysis of our financial results and other continuous disclosure documents and financial statements we file with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities which are available at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company undertakes no obligation to update this forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. The Company relies on litigation protection for forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222160

SOURCE: Deveron Corp.
The demand for heparin is mainly increasing due to the growing incidence of cardiovascular diseases, the expanding range of cancer risk factors such as smoking, radiation exposure, unhealthy lifestyles, and other factors, as well as the rising research and development activities by global market players throughout the forecast period from 2024 to 2030.

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Heparin Market Insights report provides the current and forecast market analysis, individual leading heparin companies' market shares, challenges, heparin market drivers, barriers, trends, and key market heparin companies in the market.

Key Takeaways from the Heparin Market Report

As per DelveInsight estimates, North America is anticipated to dominate the global heparin market during the forecast period.

In the application segment of the heparin market, the coronary artery disease category had a significant revenue share in the Heparin market in 2023.

Notable heparin companies such as Pfizer Inc., Leo Pharma A/S, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd., GSK plc., Sanofi, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Aspen Holdings, Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, Novartis AG, Baxter, and several others, are currently operating in the heparin market.

and several others, are currently operating in the heparin market. In November 2023, the FDA approved a taurolidine plus heparin (DefenCath) catheter lock solution to reduce catheter-related bloodstream infections in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis via a central venous catheter (CVC).

the FDA approved a taurolidine plus heparin (DefenCath) catheter lock solution to reduce catheter-related bloodstream infections in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis via a central venous catheter (CVC). In February 2022, Techdow USA Inc. announced the launch of its Heparin Sodium Injection, USP in the US market.

announced the launch of its Heparin Sodium Injection, USP in the US market. In January 2022, the Ohio biotechnology firm Optimvia Pharmaceuticals developed a cost-effective synthetic method to produce large quantities of heparin, used to make common blood thinner, also striking a deal with the synthetic biology firm Ginkgo Bioworks to scale the process up.

To read more about the latest highlights related to the heparin market, get a snapshot of the key highlights entailed in the Global Heparin Market Report

Heparin Overview

Heparin is a widely used anticoagulant medication that helps prevent and treat blood clots. It works by enhancing the activity of antithrombin III, a protein in the blood that inhibits blood clotting factors such as thrombin and factor Xa. Heparin is administered either intravenously or subcutaneously and is commonly used in medical settings such as during surgeries, dialysis, and for patients with certain types of heart disease. Its rapid onset and short duration of action make it particularly useful in acute settings where quick and reversible anticoagulation is needed.

Despite its effectiveness, heparin therapy requires careful monitoring due to the risk of bleeding complications. One of the most significant side effects is heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a condition where the patient's platelet count drops dramatically, which paradoxically increases the risk of thrombosis. To manage these risks, healthcare providers regularly monitor blood clotting parameters, such as activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), to ensure that the patient remains within a therapeutic range. In cases where heparin use is contraindicated or needs to be discontinued, alternative anticoagulants, such as low molecular weight heparins or direct oral anticoagulants, may be considered.

Heparin Market Insights

In 2023, North America held the largest share of the heparin market compared to other regions. This is attributed to the rising incidence of cardiovascular disorders in the area. Contributing factors include the increasing risk factors related to cardiovascular issues, strong research and development efforts, and a highly promising market for product development and launches, all of which are driving the growth of the heparin market in North America.

Additionally, the growing number of heparin product launches is anticipated to drive the heparin market in North America. For instance, in February 2024, B. Braun Medical Inc. introduced its new Heparin Sodium 2,000 units in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, 1,000 mL (2 units/mL), marking the fifth addition to its range of Heparin premixed bags. This launch underscores B. Braun's dedication to enhancing supply security by producing pharmaceuticals in the U.S. at its Irvine, CA facility.

Given the substantial patient population in North America, the use of heparin for treatment is expected to boost market demand in the coming years. Consequently, these factors combined are projected to contribute to the growth of the heparin market in North America during the forecast period from 2024 to 2030.

To know more about why North America is leading the market growth in the heparin market, get a snapshot of the Heparin Market Outlook

Heparin Market Dynamics

The heparin market is a critical segment within the global pharmaceutical industry, primarily driven by its essential role in anticoagulant therapy. The market dynamics are influenced by a variety of factors including technological advancements, regulatory changes, and shifts in healthcare practices.

One significant driver in the heparin market is the ongoing innovation in drug delivery systemsand formulations. Advances such as low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) have improved the efficacy and safety profiles of heparin therapy, leading to increased adoption. Additionally, the development of more efficient manufacturing processes, such as recombinant heparins, has helped meet the growing demand and reduce dependency on animal sources, which can be susceptible to supply chain disruptions.

Regulatory factors also play a crucial role in shaping the heparin market. Regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and the EMA, impose stringent standards on the production and quality of heparin products. These regulations are designed to ensure the safety and efficacy of heparin, which can impact market dynamics through compliance costs and potential market entry barriers for new players.

Moreover, market dynamics are influenced by global healthcare trends and economic factors. Rising incidences of cardiovascular diseases and an aging population contribute to the increased demand for heparin. However, economic pressures and healthcare cost containment strategies may impact market growth. Furthermore, competition from alternative anticoagulants and biosimilars can also affect the heparin market by offering patients and healthcare providers additional options.

Get a sneak peek at the heparin market dynamics @ Heparin Market Dynamics Analysis

Report Metrics Details Coverage Global Study Period 2021-2030 Heparin Market CAGR ~7% Heparin Market Size by 2030 ~USD 15 Billion Key Heparin Companies Pfizer Inc., Leo Pharma A/S, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd., GSK plc., Sanofi, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Aspen Holdings, Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, Novartis AG, Baxter, among others

Heparin Market Assessment

Heparin Market Segmentation

Heparin Market Segmentation By Source: Bovine, Porcine, and Others

Bovine, Porcine, and Others

Heparin Market Segmentation By Route of Administration: Subcutaneous and Intravenous

Subcutaneous and Intravenous

Heparin Market Segmentation By Application: Coronary Artery Disease, Atrial Fibrillation, Venous Thromboembolism, Renal Impairment, and Others

Coronary Artery Disease, Atrial Fibrillation, Venous Thromboembolism, Renal Impairment, and Others

Heparin Market Segmentation By Geography : North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of World

: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of World Porter's Five Forces Analysis, Product Profiles, Case Studies, KOL's Views, Analyst's View

Which MedTech key players in the heparin market are set to emerge as the trendsetter explore @ Heparin Companies

Table of Contents

1 Heparin Market Report Introduction 2 Heparin Market Executive Summary 3 Competitive Landscape 4 Regulatory Analysis 5 Heparin Market Key Factors Analysis 6 Heparin Market Porter's Five Forces Analysis 7 Heparin Market Layout 8 Heparin Market Company and Product Profiles 9 KOL Views 10 Project Approach 11 About DelveInsight 12 Disclaimer & Contact Us

Interested in knowing the heparin market by 2030? Click to get a snapshot of the Heparin Market Trends

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Fresno, California--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - A'cappella Chocolates, a brand of Made In Nature, and a multi-award winning chocolate and confection company, is proud to announce a new charitable initiative. This initiative marks a significant step in the company's commitment to social responsibility and community support. A'cappella Chocolates is now partnering with nonprofit organizations to release limited edition confections aimed at raising funds for these partner charities.

A'cappella Chocolate X Music for Life and the African Children's Choir Kabalagala Clusters

The first organization that A'cappella Chocolates is partnering with is Music For Life and the African Children's Choir. This collaboration celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the African Children's Choir with the release of a unique, limited edition chocolate confection inspired by the Ugandan staple, Kabalagala, a type of banana pancake. With a limited run of only 1,500 sellable units, this exclusive product is set to make a significant impact.

Each purchase of the limited edition Kabalagala Clusters will contribute direct funds to Music For Life and the African Children's Choir, with the goal of raising over $30,000. This initiative not only supports a worthy cause, but also offers chocolate enthusiasts a chance to enjoy a one-of-a-kind treat. The Kabalagala Clusters are crafted with A'cappella's exclusive chocolate, dried bananas, pure vanilla, a hint of pepper and topped with crispy banana chips.

"We are thrilled to launch this initiative with A'cappella Chocolates and partner with Music For Life and the African Children's Choir. This collaboration allows us to blend our passion for creating exceptional confections with our commitment to making a positive impact in the world," says Strategic Brand Manager of A'cappella Chocolate, Max Debbas. "We believe this limited edition product will not only delight our customers, but provide much-needed support to a wonderful organization."

The limited edition Kabalagala Clusters will be available for purchase at www.AcappellaChocolate.com starting September 6, 2024, with shipments commencing the first week of December. Each order includes two canisters of Kabalaga Clusters, making it an ideal gift for both personal enjoyment and sharing with a friend.

In addition to this special release, A'cappella Chocolates can be found in stores nationwide. This holiday season, two new holiday items will be hitting the shelves in Whole Foods stores in December, offering more opportunities for customers to indulge in the exquisite flavors of A'cappella Chocolates.

A'cappella Chocolate continues to lead the industry with its innovative approach to chocolate and confectionery, combining exceptional quality with a dedication to social responsibility.

This new initiative with A'cappella Chocolate is a testament to the company's ongoing efforts to create meaningful and impactful experiences for its customers and the broader community.

For more on this partnership and for nonprofits that would like to be part of a future collaboration, visit Acappellacharity.com.

About The African Children's Choir:

The African Children's Choir is more than just a choir. It's part of a larger, international, Christian organization called Music for Life, which provides thousands of impoverished children throughout Africa with the education, discipleship, and leadership skills needed to rise above their conditions so they can bring positive, lasting change to their families, communities and countries. Learn more at africanchildrenschoir.com.

African Children's Choir

About A'cappella Chocolate

A'cappella Chocolate, a brand of Made of Nature, is a multi-award winning chocolate and confection company specializing in R&D, Private Label, and experiential products. Brands includes Debbas Gourmet, A'cappella Chocolate.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222162

SOURCE: Acappella Chocolate
Chinese vice premier meets UN chief

Xinhua) 21:19, September 04, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Wednesday met with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative provide a Chinese approach to solving common issues facing humanity.

China will further deepen cooperation with the UN, practice true multilateralism, jointly advance world peace and development, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, he said.

Noting that the three initiatives are highly aligned with the UN purposes and principles, Guterres said the UN expects stronger cooperation with China to foster a more just and equitable global governance.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
Business Kitz, a Sydney, Australia-based provider of an AI-assisted SaaS platform on a mission to terminate SMEs back office functions, raised $3.3M in Pre-Seed funding.

Backers included Sam Ferrier and Rowan Hill from the Rural Bridge network unnamed Australian investor network, a key figure from one of the UKs leading HR unicorns, and ex-team members from Microsoft, Oracle, and TeamViewer.

The company intends to use the funds to further bolster growth and enter the global market in 2024.

Founded by Sarina Eggers, Business Kitz provides a platform to generate, digitally sign and store business documents. The SaaS platform is currently onboarding thousands of customers.

FinSMEs

04/09/2024
Isla Delice, a France-based company which specializes in branded halal meat products, acquired Takul, a British halal brand.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

This acquisition will add the UK to Isla Delices existing core markets of France, Belgium and Spain.

Launched in 2022 by Stonehouse Foods, one of the leading suppliers of World Foods to major multiples and wholesalers in the UK and Ireland, Takul is an halal-exclusive brand that has brought innovation to the nascent British market with initial listings in Tesco and Sainsburys.

Founded in 1990 and led by CEO Eric Fauchon, Isla Delice is a halal brand. The brand, a the market leader in France and Belgium, has built its success on the quality of its products, rigorous halal traceability and its ability to innovate and offer a wide range of modern products that meet the aspirations of todays consumers.

The company has presence in France in over 5,000 points of sale, both major chains and independent shops, it is also present in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.

FinSMEs

04/09/2024
Riyadh Valley Company, the investment arm of King Saud University, made an investment in Raed Ventures third fund (RAED III LP).

Raed Ventures Company is a venture capital firm which invests in startups across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt in sectors including fintech, transportation services, and retail, focusing on software-as-a-service business models.

Read more on VCWire.tech here

FinSMEs

04/09/2024
TippingPoint Biosciences, a San Francisco, CA-based therapeutic company focused on innovative drug discovery targeting the aberrant DNA in cancer cells, raised a Pre-Seed funding of undisclosed amount.

Backers included Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Sontag Foundation, Yuvaan Tiwari Foundation, and BrightEdge.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development effrots.

Led by CEO and founder Dr. Laura Hsieh, formerly a post-doctoral researcher in Dr. Geeta Narlikars lab at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), TippingPoint Biosciences is an early-stage therapeutic company with a novel drug discovery platform to identify first-in-class drugs aimed at treating diseases related to dysfunctional DNA packaging (chromatin). TippingPoint Bio develops a screening platform to enable direct targeting of the defective chromatin in disease cells without affecting healthy cells. The platform can be applied to multiple disease areas like cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and developmental disorders

FinSMEs

04/09/2024
Amid this controversy, a press conference was held in Mumbai, which was attended by Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Patralekhaa, Dia Mirza, and other cast members, including Netflixs IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack director Sinha read more

Director Anubhav Sinhas latest web show on Netflix, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack has been receiving flak for allegedly distorting the facts and changing the real names of terrorists to Hindu names.

Amid this controversy, a press conference was held in Mumbai, which was attended by Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Patralekhaa, Dia Mirza, and other cast members, including the director Sinha.

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While the team in general avoided the topic of criticism, a journalist questioned Sinha about the allegations. While earlier he refused to respond, later he was seen engaging in a heated argument with the reporter.

After his repeated questions, Sinha replied, Kaun? Aap laga rahe hai aarop? Yeh sawaal aapka hai? Yeh jo sawaal aapne pucha, kya yeh aaropo apne lagaye hai? Aapne series dekhi hai?" adding, Mai baat hi nahi kar sakta aapse, aapne series hi nahi dekhi hai. (Who are you alleging? Have you seen the series? Have you? I cant talk to you since you havent watched the series)

7 days of unrelenting terror. Witness the story of the longest hijack in Indian history.

Based on true events - IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, a limited series, is out now, only on Netflix!#IC814OnNetflix pic.twitter.com/kaGrElSoq1  Netflix India (@NetflixIndia) August 29, 2024

The argument didnt go well with netizens and they slammed Anubhav Sinha for his behaviour. While one user wrote, Sorry Anubhav, you cannot speak that way. Youve done no favor by making this series and the journalist isnt obligated to have watched it, another commented, No need for this attitude u want to make controversial films have the capacity to be able to attend to all reactions.

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After the controversy, Monika Shergill, Vice President, Content at Netflix India released a statement, which read, For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, the opening disclaimer has been updated to include the real and code names of the hijackers.
Kollywood actress Radikaa Sarathkumar revealed she received a call from Mohanlal after she shared a harrowing incident of hidden cameras in her changing room.

Speaking with a group of media in Chennai, she shared the details of her conversation with Mohanlal.

Mohanlal called me to ask if such an incident had occurred on any set where he was present, Radikaa shared as per Mathrubhumi. The actress added that she assured the Lucifer actor there were no lead actors on the sets when the incident took place.

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When I realised that people on the set were watching the hidden camera footage, I began shouting. I also contacted the production companys authorities and demanded immediate action, the actress said.

When I was working in a film, I was just crossing a group of four people laughing and sniggering watching a video. So my eyes automatically went that side and I saw that they were watching something inappropriate. I called one of them and asked what they were watching. He said they are watching women who are changing clothes in caravans. I was really really shocked and perturbed because it was concerning my safety now and I did not want to be seen like that by anybody. I think we were being compromised. We had an argument and then they said these are all old videos. I asked them to delete every video they had. There was nothing much I could do because I was leaving for the airport, the actress revealed while talking to CNN News18.

She earlier slammed the silence of male actors across industries over the findings of Hema Committee. Now the onus is on the women. They have to shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding themselves, the 62-year-old actress said. Expressing shock over the statement of Radhika Sarathkumar, RMP leader K K Rema said the cruelties allegedly happening in the film industry were beyond anyones imagination. What kind of cruelty is this cinema world is fast becoming the biggest underworld that is what we understand from all these allegations, she told the media.
Vivek Oberoi, who briefly dated Aishwarya Rai during the shooting of Kyun Ho Gaya Na, alleged that Salman Khan had called 41 times in one night and asked him to stay away from the latter, along with Rani Mukerji and Somy Ali, in an infamous press conference on 1st April 2003. This created a lot of stir at that time. Many celebs, including Kareena Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, reacted to the incident.

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If he had a problem with , why could he not solve it instead of going to the press? I have worked briefly with Salman for a film I finally did not do. He was thoroughly gentlemanly with me. My sister Karisma and Salman are very good friends. In fact, she contacted him immediately after this incident, Kareena had said as per Times Now.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who was a close friend of Salman at that time, described the Tiger star as the best human being I have met in my life. He took a dig at Vivek and said I am very scared of Vivek. I will never be able to work with him now. I may shout at him on the sets and he may call a press conference against me. All the heroines should touch his feet for protecting their dignity, before adding, The film industry functions on fraternal feelings. If there is a problem, we solve it in-house. Vivek has no business talking about Salmans mental state. He should not have talked about his Coca-Cola campaign or Rani Mukherji, Diya Mirza and Aishwarya Rai at a time when he was supposed to be so distraught.

Salmans problem is he thinks with his heart. He gives his life to people he loves. That is why his friends have always stood by him. He is perfectly sane and there is no need to send him to a shrink, as some self-styled psychoanalysts think. As for him getting professionally insecure, Salman will be around for a long time. He has given three of the biggest hits ever (in Bollywood) - Maine Pyaar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Koun! and Karan Arjun. Those who think Salman is getting insecure should examine their career closely, the filmmaker added.

Abhishek, who was not dating Ash then, had said, In the film industry, there is a code of honour whereby all problems are sorted out internally.
As part of his historic trip to Brunei, PM Modi visited the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, on Tuesday. Heres a look at his mosque visits from around the world read more

As part of his trip, PM Modi took a trip to the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday became the first Indian head of the government to visit Brunei.

The Prime Minister arrived at the Bandar Seri Begawan Airport Tuesday afternoon as he began his two-day visit to Brunei Darussalam.

The visit, which coincides with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei, aims at bolstering ties between the two countries.

As part of his trip, PM Modi took a trip to the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.

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As the Indian leader visits the iconic mosque, heres a look at his visits to mosques worldwide, boosting the soft power quotient in various countries.

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Brunei

PM Modis visit to one of the most prominent mosques in the region came soon after the Indian High Commissions new Chancery was inaugurated.

The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque bears the name of the 28th Sultan of Brunei, who is regarded as the architect of modern Brunei and the father of the current Sultan, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, according to NDTV.

PM Modi interacted with numerous members of the Indian community, scholars, and local officials. PTI

Prime Minister Modi was received by Bruneis minister of religious affairs Pehin Dato Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin. Also present was Dato Dr. Haji Mohammad Isham, Bruneis Minister of Health.

Furthermore, PM Modi interacted with numerous members of the Indian community, scholars, and local officials.

PTI

Al-Hakim Mosque, Egypt

PM Modi visited Egypts renowned 11th-century Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo on his visit there last year. The mosque was renovated with the help of the Dawoodi Bohra community in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Al-Hakim mosque in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 25, 2023. PTI

Modi was given a tour inside the mosque on the second day of his visit, wherein the five required prayers as well as Friday prayers are performed, as per Times Now.

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Built in 1012, Al-Hakim is the fourth oldest mosque in Cairo and the second Fatimid mosque to be built in the city. The structure covers an area of 13,560 square metres, with the iconic central courtyard occupying 5,000 square metres, as per another NDTV report.

The Indian prime minister was observed admiring the elaborately carved inscriptions on the mosques walls and doors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Al-Hakim mosque in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 25, 2023. PTI

Istiqlal Mosque, Indonesia

As part of his May 2018 visit to Indonesia, Modi visited the grand Istiqlal Mosque with Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Istiqlal, which is an Arabic word for independence, is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and the third largest Sunni mosque in terms of capacity.

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The mosque, opened to the public in 1978, can accommodate over 120,000 worshippers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited Indonesias grand Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in southeast Asia, with President Joko Widodo. Image Courtesy: @narendramodi/X

The structure, positioned next to Merdeka Square and the Jakarta Cathedral, took 17 years to build.

Among foreign dignitaries who have visited the mosque are former US Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, Britains King Charles III, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and King Salman of Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Indonesias grand Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in southeast Asia, with President Joko Widodo. Image Courtesy: @narendramodi/X

Chulia Mosque, Singapore

Modi visited Chulia Masjid and Sri Mariamman Temple during his visit to Singapore in June 2018.

Located on South Bridge Road in the Chinatown district within the Central area, it is one of the earliest mosques in Singapore, as per India Today.

It was established by Chulias, who were Tamil Muslim merchants from Indias Coromandal coast, in 1826.

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Modi visited Chulia Masjid and Sri Mariamman Temple during his visit to Singapore in 2018. Image Courtesy: @narendramodi/X

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Oman

In February 2018, before departing for India, PM Modi visited the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat.

The mosque, which allows non-Muslim visitors, is one of the highlights of the city. He was accompanied by former King of Oman, Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said and other officials.

In February 2018, before departing for India, PM Modi visited the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat. Image Courtesy: @narendramodi/X

He signed the visitors book and met supporters at the mosque.

The breathtaking structure, which can accommodate 20,000 worshippers, including 750 women, in the prayer hall, is said to be a magnificent piece of modern Islamic architecture.

The mosque also has an Indian connection, as it is built from 300,000 tonnes of Indian sandstone sculpted by 200 craftsmen from India.

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Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, UAE

In August 2015, Prime Minister Modi visited the United Arab Emirates with a focus on investments and terror.

It was also during this visit that the UAE leadership broke protocol to welcome PM Modi, with now President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nayhan of Abu Dhabi turning out with five of his brothers to greet him at the airport in a rare gesture, according to The Hindu.

Modis visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the third-largest mosque in the world after the ones in Mecca and Madina, Saudi Arabia, was the highlight of the first days activities, as per PTI.

Modis visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the third-largest mosque in the world after the ones in Mecca and Madina, Saudi Arabia, was the highlight of the first days activities. Image Courtesy: @MEAIndia/X

The mosque is thought to have the worlds largest marble mosaic, spanning 180,000 square feet of courtyard space.

Built at an estimated cost of $545 million, the structure features 82 domes in seven sizes located inside the worshipping place.

With inputs from agencies
Canadas 24-hour work limit per week for foreign students came into effect this month. Indians, who make up the largest group of foreign students in the country, are dependent on off-campus jobs to sustain themselves and are expected to feel the pinch read more

International students in Canada can work for up to 24 hours a week. Representational Image/Reuters

Already grappling with Canadas housing crisis, life is likely to get tougher for international students in the North American country. The Justin Trudeau-led governments decision to cap the work hours for students came into effect this month.

Indians, who account for the largest group of foreign students in Canada, will have to bear the brunt of the changes, possibly facing financial distress. The new rule comes in the wake of the Trudeau governments decision to restrict the intake of foreign students for two years to address pressures on housing and healthcare.

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Lets take a closer look.

Whats the new rule?

Canadas new federal rule allows international students to work off-campus for up to 24 hours a week. This is a four-hour uptick from the previous limit of 20 hours per week.

During the pandemic, the government had waived the 20-hour work cap for international students.

In a release in April, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said, In developing this change, we looked at the needs of students, policies in other countries, as well as research that has shown that academic outcomes suffer the more a student works while studying. It also strikes the appropriate balance so students have the option to work without compromising academic outcomes.

Looking at best practices and policies in other like-minded countries, most of them limit the number of working hours for international students. Canadas rules need to be aligned, or we will find our programmes attracting more and more applicants whose primary intent is to work and not study, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced at the time.

He said the government needs to support foreign students and ensure they are set up for success and that theyre here properly studying.

Canada has raised the cap on work hours from 20 to 24 hours a week. Representational Image/AFP

The work restrictions are not applicable during school breaks in summer or winter.

Indians to be most affected

Many international students depend on off-campus jobs to pay their rent and cover other expenses. Before the pandemic waiver on the work limit ended in April, they could work without restrictions.

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As most standard shifts are eight hours long, students will be able to work only three part-time shifts per week, noted India Today. Canada has a minimum wage of 17.36 Canadian dollars (Rs 1078) per hour.

The cap on work hours is expected to hurt Indian students in Canada. The North American nation issued a whopping 1,028,850 study permits in 2023. Of these, 37 per cent, or 579,075, of the permits  higher than any other nationality  were issued to Indians.

This is a significant rise from 2018 when 107,070 Indian students got the study permits.

The sky-high rents and a shortage of houses in Canada were already stinging international students. The work restrictions would further make it difficult for them to meet expenses, especially in big cities like Toronto.

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Mixed reactions

While international students have criticised the new rule, professors have welcomed it.

Students say they need to work to sustain themselves in Canada.

ALSO READ: How Indian students contribute crores every year to Canadas economy

Neeva Phatarphekar, a foreign student in Toronto, told CBC News, Thats going to be hard with the rent in Toronto and the groceries and eating out with friends and travelling. I have to think about all of that.

Muriel Kembou, student committee president at College de lIle, said the increase in four hours from the earlier 20 hours would not make a really big difference. But she said it could encourage the students to concentrate on their studies.

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It is up to them to be able to balance it  balance the hours they have to work, balance the way they have to study, Kembou told CBC News earlier.

Deepa Mattoo, executive director and lawyer at the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, said students work because of necessity. Not every student can afford to go to school without that extra income. In any structure, you have to have an equity framework, she was quoted as saying by CBC News.

Moshe Lander, economics professor at Concordia University in Montreal, questioned the 24-hour cap per week, given the amount of time needed to study.

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What student is not going to choose money over studying? And so, its just going to make the education at the post-secondary level a little weaker. It devalues the education a little bit, it devalues the degrees a little bit, he told CBC News.

With inputs from agencies
On the second day of his visit to Brunei, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet with the island nations Prime Minister and Sultan, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. He will also embark on his visit to Singapore and hold talks with PM Lawrence Wong on key areas including trade and investments. Heres what will happen today read more

On the second day of his visit to Brunei, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet with the island nations Prime Minister and Sultan, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. File image/@MEAIndia/X

It is set to be a big news Wednesday.

Its going to be Day 2 of PM Modis Brunei visit, where he will meet Prime Minister and Sultan, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

He will later embark on a visit to Singapore.

The Calcutta HC will hear PILs over the Kolkata doctors rape-murder case.

Rahul Gandhi to begin his campaign for NC-Congress candidates in Jammu and Kashmir.

Tripura Assembly will begin their three-day monsoon session.

Delhi court to pronounce order on jailed Baramulla Lok Sabha MP Rashid Engineers bail plea.

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Heres a glimpse of what will happen today

Day 2 of PM Modis Brunei visit

On the second day of his visit to Brunei, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet with the island nations Prime Minister and Sultan, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

This visit, the first by an Indian prime minister, aims to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, with discussions set to explore new avenues of cooperation in areas such as space and energy.

Upon arriving in Bruneis capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, on Tuesday, Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome and greeted by Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, who also serves as a senior minister in the Prime Ministers Office.

PM Narendra Modi alights in Brunei to a ceremonial welcome. Warmly received by Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah. Image courtesy: MEA

During his visit, Modi inaugurated the new building of the Indian High Commission and paid a visit to the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, which incorporates elements of Mughal architecture.

PM Modi to embark on Singapore visit

After Brunei, Modi will embark on a visit to Singapore.

Modi is visiting the country at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong. He will hold talks with Wong along with Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong on key areas including trade and investments.



During the first visit in six years, Modi will call on President of Singapore HE Tharman Shanmugaratnam and interact with Singaporean leadership. He will also meet with business leaders from Singapore, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

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Calcutta HC to hear PILs over Kolkata rape murder case

The Calcutta High Court will hear the joint hearing of several PILs over the alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and vandalism by miscreants at the institution last month.

The high court had dismissed the matter at the previous hearing in August.

Doctors and students has staged protest against the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, in Kolkata. PTI

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday investigated the crime spot where the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor took place, and also inspected the hospitals emergency building, boys hostel, and the principals office on Sunday, an official said.

Rahul Gandhi to campaign in J&K

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Rahul Gandhi is set to launch his partys campaign for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections by addressing two public rallies in Ramban and Anantnag districts. These rallies will mark the beginning of Congresss efforts for the elections, which are being held after a decade.

Rahul Gandhi is set to launch his partys campaign for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections by addressing two public rallies in Ramban and Anantnag districts. File Image/PTI

Scheduled for September 18, the first phase of the elections will see Gandhi supporting the partys candidates. Alongside him, other prominent leaders like Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are among the 40 star campaigners for the three-phased polls.

The Congress has formed a pre-poll alliance with the National Conference for these elections, the first since Article 370 was revoked in August 2019.

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Tripura Assembly will begin monsoon session

The three-day monsoon session of the Tripura Legislative Assembly is scheduled to begin today.

Speaker Biswabandhu Sen had told PTI that the session will evaluate three Bills, including one aimed at amending an existing law to provide retirement benefits to MLAs who have served even for just a day.

He added that the first day will also feature a special discussion on the devastating floods, which have claimed 31 lives and affected over one lakh people.

Tripura Assembly has a total of 60 seats.

Delhi court to pronounce order on Rashid Engineers bail plea

A Delhi court is expected to announce its decision on the bail plea of Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, known as Engineer Rashid, who is currently jailed in connection with a terror funding case.

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Rashid, who gained prominence after defeating former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Baramulla during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has been in jail since 2019.

The order on Rashids regular bail plea comes after Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh heard arguments in an in-camera hearing on August 28 and reserved his decision.

He was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for his alleged involvement in a 2017 terror funding case. His name surfaced during the investigation of Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, who was accused of funding terrorist and separatist groups in the Kashmir valley.
Siberia is home to a giant hole, ominously called the Gateway to Hell. Also known as the Batagaika Crater, the crater has alarmed scientists as it is growing at a frightening rate. It is a warning of the dangerous repercussions of climate change read more

Often called the Batagaika Crater, it is the shape of a stringray, a horseshoe crab, or a giant tadpole. Reuters

Siberia is home to a giant hole, ominously called the Gateway to Hell.

The deep hole, however, has alarmed scientists as it is growing at a frightening rate.

This enormous crater is a warning of the dangerous repercussions of climate change as it gets deeper and larger.

Heres all we know about it.

The Gateway to Hell

The 200-acre wide and 300-foot deep hole is located in the freezing Yana highlands of Siberia.

Also called the Batagaika Crater, it is the shape of a stingray, a horseshoe crab, or a giant tadpole, as per NDTV.

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The hole, which is officially known as Batagay, is the second-oldest permafrost on Earth.

It began as a tiny slit when the land at the time had frozen completely during the Quaternary Ice Age, some 2.58 million years ago, according to Wion News.

It has now been observed that the deep hole has been expanding faster than expected. Reuters

Then, in declassified satellite photos from the 1960s, it was hardly discernible.

Notably, the Batagaika crater is actually a restrogressive thaw megaslimp, or a pit that occurs when permafrost thaws and causes a sizable landslide that expands as the grounds edges fall backwards into the landslide, according to media reports.

When the people initially spotted Batagay in Yakutia, Russia, they reported hearing horrific noises coming from it, such as loud booms or screams.

Later, according to Wion, the clearing of the forest in the 1960s allowed sunshine to enter the hole and begin to warm the ground below.

Its expanding

The deep hole has been observed to be expanding sooner than anticipated.

This is because of climate change.

It has grown so big that it is visible from space.

At this point, specialists are swarming the deep hole to acquire as much information as possible.

Washington University geophysicist Roger Michaelides views the crater as an exceptional opportunity to study permafrost, which is often submerged beneath the Earths surface, according to Moneycontrol.

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A view of the Batagaika crater, as permafrost thaws causing a megaslump in the eroding landscape, in Russias Sakha Republic in this still image from video taken July 11 or 12, 2023. Reuters

He told Business Insider, Youre talking mostly about frozen dirt underground, which by definition you often cant see unless its been exposed somehow, like in this mega slump.

I think there is a lot we can learn from Batagaika, not only in terms of understanding how Batagaika will evolve with time, but also how similar features might develop and evolve over the Arctic, he added.

Even if theyre a tenth or a hundredth the size of Batagaika, the physics is fundamentally the same, Michaelides further said.

It is also melting

Separately, a study published earlier this year found that the crater is growing deeper because permafrost melt has almost reached the bedrock at the bottom.

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The volume of the bowl-shaped retrogressive thaw slump (RTS) increases by approximately one million cubic metres per year, glaciologist Alexander Kizyakoc wrote in the study, according to the New York Post.

Detail view of the Batagaika crater, as permafrost thaws causing a megaslump in the eroding landscape, in Russias Sakha Republic in this still image from video taken July 11 or 12, 2023. Reuters

Future threats

The adjacent Batagay River will have problems as a result of the fast melting.

Scientists warned that it will worsen riverbank erosion and have an impact on the surrounding ecosystem.

The craters fast expansion also raises the possibility of increased greenhouse gas emissions, the researchers added.

A view of the Batagaika crater, as permafrost thaws causing a megaslump in the eroding landscape, in Russias Sakha Republic in this still image from video taken July 11 or 12, 2023. Reuters

This is because thawed organic carbon is released into the atmosphere, according to NewsX.

They estimate that 4,000 to 5,000 tonnes of previously permafrost-locked organic carbon is currently released annually.

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The number is likely to increase each year.

Some scientists have also warned that this gateway can engulf most of the land and prove dangerous for nearby villages once more areas start to melt, as per NDTV.

Nikita Tananaev, a researcher at Melnikov Permafrost Institute in Yaitsk, who was not part of the study, said that the nearby ecosystems are altering permanently because of leakage from the crater.

This will lead to significant alterations to the riverine habitat, and the effect of sediment escaping the slump (the Batagaika crater) is even seen in the Yana River, the major river in the vicinity, the report quoted him.

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With inputs from agencies
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) Circle allows users to let their family members and friends  even those who do not have their bank accounts linked to UPI  make digital payments. The feature, which will be rolled out soon on Google Pay in India, will also be available on other apps such as BHIM, PhonePe, and Amazon Pay read more

Google made the announcement during the three-day Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

Tech giant Google has introduced new feature in Google Pay  the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) Circle.

Google made the announcement during the three-day Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

Google said it has introduced the feature in partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

But what is the UPI Circle? How does it work?

Lets take a closer look:

What is it?

UPI Circle is a feature that allows users to add family members and friends as secondary users.

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It basically allows the secondary users to make digital payments without linking their bank accounts.

Theres still a segment of the population that relies on cash and/or is hesitant to use UPI, due to various reasons, including limited access to banking services, the Google Pay team was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

As per 91mobiles.com, the secondary users can make payments up to a certain amount without the authorisation from the primary user.

The feature will also be available on other UPI apps such as BHIM, PhonePe, and Amazon Pay.

How does it work?

The primary user must make sure that his or her bank details are entered correctly on the app.

It is necessary for the secondary user to have a functioning UPI account.

The primary user must also have the secondary users mobile number saved on their phone as the UPI will have to link both users, as per the website.

Primary users can also choose between assigning the secondary users full or partial delegation.

In the former, the primary users can set a maximum limit of Rs 15,000 per month which the secondary user can transfer.

Each transaction can be a maximum of Rs 5,000.

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In the partial delegation, the primary user will have to approve every payment request made by the secondary user.

As per Business Standard, the partial delegation request is valid for 10 minutes.

UPI Circle allows users to add family members and friends as secondary users.

The primary users invitation request to the secondary user is valid for only 30 minutes.

If the secondary user hasnt accepted the invite, a new request will need to be made.

After the two accounts are linked, there is a 30-minute cooling off period in which no transactions are allowed.

A primary user can add up to five secondary users.

However, a secondary user can only be part of one UPI Circle.

As per The Hindu, this feature in GPay will be rolled out in India later this year.

Google Pay also introduced autopay option for UPI Lite and support for ClickPay QR on the app.

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As per Mint, the former allows users to set up recurrent payments, while the latter allows users to make payments by simply scanning the QR code.

During the event, which concluded on Friday, Google Pay also launched eRupi (UPI Vouchers), which can be issued by existing UPI users, as well as government and corporate organisations.

It also rolled out Tap & Pay payments for RuPay cards, enabling RuPay cardholders to use their mobile phone for payments.

These functionalities will bring ease, convenience, and simplicity to the way users interact with payments and finance instruments, Google said in a blog post.

Optimistic UPI will grow

Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das August 31 said he is optimistic that the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) will grow further in several countries.

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Das said UPI is already present in many countries through QR codes and the linkage of fast payments systems, and discussions are underway with several other nations.

We expect this to grow further at the global level and internationalise in future, he told reporters.

Das had said that notable progress in this direction has already been made with countries like Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, the UAE, Mauritius, Namibia, Peru, France and a few others for acceptance of RuPay cards and payments through the UPI network.

These endeavours, he said, underscore collaborative efforts for the adoption of Indias initiatives across the globe.

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With inputs from agencies
Linda Sun, a former aide to New York Governors Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo, faces charges of acting as an illegal agent for China. The indictment reveals a scheme involving financial kickbacks, censorship of sensitive topics, and even blocking Taiwanese diplomats in exchange for a 2024 Ferrari Roma, $6 million in real estate and Nanjing-style salted ducks read more

Linda Sun, a former aide to New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, exits Brooklyn Federal court after she was charged with acting as an unregistered agent of Chinas government in New York City, US, September 3, 2024. Reuters

Linda Sun, a former high-ranking aide to New York Governors Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo, has been charged with acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government.

Sun, along with her spouse Chris Hu, is accused of engaging in a web of activities to further Beijings interests in exchange for millions of dollars in illicit benefits. The charges, which were unsealed in a Brooklyn federal court, reveal an alleged scheme that spanned nearly a decade and involved high-level influence, financial kickbacks, and even gourmet meals of Nanjing-style salted duck.

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What are the allegations?

Linda Sun, 41, who served as deputy chief of staff under both Hochul and Cuomo, has been charged with multiple counts, including violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), money laundering conspiracy, visa fraud, and alien smuggling.

Her spouse, Chris Hu, 40, faces similar charges, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of identification. The couple was arrested at their Long Island residence and later pleaded not guilty to all charges during their initial court appearance.

Linda Sun, a former aide to New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, exits Brooklyn Federal court with Chris Hu after Linda was charged with acting as an unregistered agent of Chinas government, in New York City, US, September 3, 2024. Reuters

The indictment alleges that Sun, at the behest of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), engaged in a series of actions designed to further Chinese interests within the New York state government.

These actions included blocking Taiwanese officials from accessing state leaders, ensuring that New Yorks political messaging aligned with Beijings priorities, and arranging unauthorised invitation letters for Chinese officials to enter the US.

According to the indictment, the couple used their illicit gains to fund a lavish lifestyle, including purchasing a 2024 Ferrari Roma and real estate worth approximately $6 million in New York and Honolulu.

Federal prosecutors also revealed that Sun received smaller, yet equally telling, gifts from Chinese officials, such as tickets to cultural events and deliveries of salted ducks prepared by a Chinese government officials personal chef.

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How did Sun aid China?

Suns influence within the New York state government is detailed extensively in the indictment. In one instance, she is accused of blocking representatives from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECO) from meeting with state officials.

TECO, which functions as Taiwans de facto embassy in the US, was reportedly cut off from high-level meetings because Sun, following CCP directives, knew that Beijing opposed any form of Taiwanese diplomacy.

The indictment also highlights how Sun manipulated state government messaging to align with Chinese interests. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sun allegedly ensured that then-Governor Andrew Cuomo publicly praised China for sending medical supplies to New York.

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In a highly publicised incident, Sun arranged for Cuomo to thank Chinese officials for facilitating the donation of 1,000 ventilators, a gesture that was prominently featured in an archived social media post from Cuomos government account: We finally got some good news today. The Chinese government helped facilitate a donation of 1,000 ventilators that will arrive at JFK today. I thank the Chinese government, Jack Ma, Joe Tsai, the Jack Ma Foundation, the Tsai Foundation and Consul General Huang.

Suns influence even extended to censoring mentions of sensitive issues like the persecution of Uyghurs in China.

In January 2021, after Chinese officials requested a Lunar New Year video from the governor, Sun reportedly argued with speechwriters to remove any mention of the Uyghur situation from Hochuls message. The final speech, delivered by Hochul, conspicuously omitted any reference to the Muslim ethnic minority.

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How did Linda Suns former bosses react?

The revelations have sparked outrage and concern among New Yorks political elite. Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her chagrin during an interview with WNYC, saying she was absolutely shocked at how brazen Suns alleged behaviour was. It was a betrayal of trust, Hochul said, adding that her office fired Sun in March 2023 the second we discovered some levels of misconduct.

Hochul said that her administration immediately alerted authorities and has been cooperating with law enforcement throughout the investigation.

Rich Azzopardi, a spokesperson for Andrew Cuomo, downplayed Suns influence during Cuomos tenure, stating that she worked in a handful of agencies and was one of many community liaisons who had little to no interaction with the governor.

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However, the indictment suggests that Suns reach extended far beyond what was previously known, with her actions reportedly shaping key aspects of New Yorks response to both domestic and international issues.

Has China infiltrated US politics?

Suns case is part of a broader effort by the US Department of Justice to root out covert Chinese influence in the United States. In recent years, several cases have emerged where individuals were accused of acting as unregistered agents for foreign governments, including China and Russia.

Just last month, Chinese academic Wang Shujun was convicted in Brooklyn for gathering information on New York-based activists who supported democracy in China and sharing it with Beijing.

Also Watch:

US Attorney Breon Peace, who announced the charges against Sun and Hu, stating the seriousness of the case. As alleged, while appearing to serve the people of New York as Deputy Chief of Staff within the New York State Executive Chamber, the defendant and her husband actually worked to further the interests of the Chinese government and the CCP, Peace said. The illicit scheme enriched the defendants family to the tune of millions of dollars.

The couples activities were reportedly extensive and sophisticated, involving the use of shell companies, encrypted WeChat messages, and iCloud accounts, all conducted in Mandarin. Assistant US Attorney Alexander Solomon described the financial transactions as no ordinary financial fraud, noting the multitude of shell entities involved in laundering the proceeds from Hus business dealings in China.

Sun and Hu have been released on bond  $1.5 million for Sun and $500,000 for Hu  with their travel restricted to New York City, Long Island, Maine, and New Hampshire. Their next court appearance is scheduled for September 25, 2024.

Defence attorneys for the couple have dismissed the charges as overly aggressive and inflammatory. Jarrod Schaeffer, representing Sun, stated that the charges appear to be the product of an overly aggressive prosecution, and said that Sun is eager to defend herself in court.

Our client is understandably upset that these charges have been brought, Schaeffer told reporters. Meanwhile, Seth DuCharme, representing Hu, expressed confidence in their defence, stating, We have a lot of confidence in our case.

With inputs from agencies
Japans overwork culture has forced employees to leave taxing jobs. However, it is not easy for them to walk up to their intimidating bosses, who could resort to bullying to make them stay, and put in their papers. Resignation agencies are helping them out read more

It is hard to survive in a toxic work environment. When your bosses are difficult and work is overwhelming, there comes a time when you would rather quit than continue, prioritising your mental health.

But resigning is even more stressful for some workers in Japan. The East Asian countrys culture of overwork and intimidating bosses are forcing employees to leave their jobs. Those who are not able to hand in their two weeks notice themselves are hiring resignation agents to help them.

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Lets take a closer look.

Japans resignation experts

Japans resignation agencies that quit on behalf of employees first sprung up in 2017. A startup called Exit is seen as a pioneer in the field. It calls up a clients bosses and resigns for them.

Speaking to Al Jazeera in 2023, Exit co-founder Toshiyuki Niino said the idea emerged from his own troubled experiences in quitting a job and Japans larger workplace cultural norms.

They try to make you ashamed and guilty that you quit your job in less than three years, and I had a very difficult time [quitting myself], he said.

According to Niino, most people contact him for his services as they are scared of their boss, or are dealing with feelings of guilt. Exit gets more than 10,000 clients every year.

The popularity of such agencies grew after COVID-19. CNN reported citing human resources experts that working from home during the pandemic forced even some of Japans most loyal workers to rethink their careers.

The popularity of resignation experts has grown in Japan since COVID-19. Representational Image/Reuters

Exits success led to the emergence of competitors like Momuri, which translates to I cant do this anymore. Launched in 2022, the firm charges 22,000 yen (Rs 12,742) from clients to help them resign, negotiate with their companies and recommend lawyers in cases of legal disputes, as per the CNN report.

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The cost of services by these resignation agencies ranges from 25,000 (Rs 14480) to 50,000 yen (Rs 28,959) but it can also be as little as 12,000 yen (Rs 6950) in some cases, according to a South China Morning Post (SCMP) report. They also collaborate with law firms and labour associations to deal with disputes.

Japans toxic work culture

Japans labour force has around 70 million (7 crore) people. Over 12-hour shifts are usual in the country.

Resigning is considered a form of disrespect in Japan. Staff who quit could face bullying, including withholding the employees salary after they give their notice. In some cases, employers go as far as to rip up resignation letters and harass employees to make them stay, as per CNN.

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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, Shiori Kawamata, operations manager of Momuri, told CNN.

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 labour right, she added.

Bosses could also land up at the apartments of their employees, ringing their doorbell repeatedly and not leaving, Kawamata said.

Speaking to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Shinji Tanimoto, chief executive of a quitting firm called Albatross, said people turn to them due to tough bosses, unpaid overtime, and a culture of not being able to utilise their paid time off.

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Yuki Watanabe, who used an alias, told CNN that she approached Momuri as she did not want my ex-employer to deny my resignation and keep me working for longer. The 24-year-old, who used to work for some of Japans largest telecoms and e-payment companies, said she had to work for 12 hours in the office every day, which took a toll on her health.

Yuta Sakamoto, 24, turned to a resignation agency after his boss told him he would be be ruining his future when he tried to quit. I would have been mentally broken if I had continued, he was quoted as saying by WSJ.

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According to a Japan Times report, the demand for these quitting agencies increased after the long Golden Week holiday period from April 29 to May 6 this year. Momuri received 174 such requests on a single day after the break.

As there is the term gogatsubyo, there is a tendency for an increasing number of people to request resignations for psychological reasons (following the Golden Week), given that people had time to take a break and think about various things, Kawamata told Japan Times.

Gogatsubyo refers to post-Golden Week blues or demotivation to return to school or work after the long break.

ALSO READ: What is naked resignation, a growing workplace trend among young professionals in China?

Shift in young employees attitude

Experts say the change in the approach of young people towards work has led to the cropping up of resignation agencies.

The labour shortage in Japan triggered by a fast ageing population and falling birth rates has given more say to workers in the market than the previous generations, reported CNN.

However, this does not mean that workers are walking up to their managers and putting in their papers. Human resources professor Hiroshi Ono, from Hitotsubashi University Business School in Tokyo, told CNN, I think that younger people these days are more non-confrontational owing to social isolation during COVID-19.

The expert had said in an interview with BBC in 2020 that there is less probability of workers in Japan taking time off if their boss does not as they are part of a society that is collectivist and hierarchical.

Japans workaholic culture and the fear of retribution leads to guilt and heres where these resignation agencies come in.

However, these service providers do not want the Japanese to develop a habit of resigning. Kawamata of Momuri told Japan Times, Wed like people to use our resignation service as a last resort that they can rely on as protection so that they can move forward (with their lives).

With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modis trip to Singapore comes ahead of the 60th anniversary of the two nations establishing ties and nearly a decade after the formation of a strategic partnership. Singapore is Indias largest trade partner in the ASEAN and its sixth largest trading partner worldwide read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to meet several senior leaders including President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heading to Singapore today (September 4).

Modi is slated to meet several senior leaders including President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

The prime minister, who is visiting the country at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart Wong, will also meet leaders from the business community.

The trip comes ahead of the 60th anniversary of the two nations establishing ties and nearly a decade after they entered into a strategic partnership.

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But what do we know about ties between India and Singapore?

Lets take a closer look:

Diplomatic ties

Singapore was founded as a trading post by the British East India Company.

Sir Stamford Raffles would choose Sinhapura, a tiny island on the tip of the Malay Peninsula, as the place where the company would make its presence felt in the Straits of Malacca.

In 1819, Raffles made a deal with the Sultan of Johore.

Singapore was governed directly by the British Raj for the first five decades of its existence.

Like India, Singapore too inherited its political, legal and administrative systems from the British.

It remained a British colony till 1963  when it became one of 14 states to join Malaysia.

Singapore was governed directly by the British Raj for the first few decades of its existence. India established ties with Singapore soon after it obtained its independence in 1965. AFP

However, Singapore would soon split from Malaysia and gain its independence on August 9, 1965.

India would establish ties with the new country almost immediately.

However, relations would only be elevated to a Strategic Partnership during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Singapore in 2015.

The countries have also seen a number of high-level trips with Modi visiting Singapore again in 2018 and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar making visits in in November 2021, October 2023 and March 2024.

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Meanwhile, then prime minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong visited India in October 2016 and 2018  the former a bilateral visit and the latter to participate in the Republic Day Celebrations.

Lee also visited New Delhi in September 2023 to attend G20 Leaders Summit

Trade and FDI

Singapore is Indias largest trade partner in the ASEAN.

It is Indias sixth largest trading partner worldwide and accounts for 3.2 per cent of Indias overall trade.

After the two countries signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in 2005, trade has increased from $6.7 billion that year to $35.6 billion in 2022-23.

Overall trade has risen 18.2 per cent from 2021-2022.

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Indias imports from Singapore were at $21.2 billion in the 2023-2024 financial year.

That number was at $23.6 billion in the 2022-2023 financial year.

Indias exports to Singapore totalled $14.4 billion in 2023-2024.

That figure was at $12 billion in the 2022-2023 financial year  a rise of 20.2 per cent.

Singapore is Indias leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI) at $11.77 billion.

Singapores cumulative FDI inflow into India stands at $159.94 billion since April 2000.

That comprises 24 per cent of Indias total FDI inflow.

Indias cumulative outward FDI to Singapore stands at $90.578 billion from January 2008.

India has around 9,000 companies registered in Singapore including six Public Sector Undertakings and nine banks.

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The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) also have offices in Singapore.

Over 440 companies from Singapore are registered in India including the Development Bank of Singapore and United Overseas Bank).

The Enterprise Singapore (ES), Economic Development Board (EDB) and Singapore Tourism Board all have offices in India.

Finance, Science and Technology

Singapore is the first country to integrate Indias UPI for cross-border payments.

India and Singapore also have other initiatives including ONDC - Proxtera Connectivity (making Proxtera first international buyer app connected to ONDC), GIFT Connect (collaboration between the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and the Singapore Exchange (SGX) to create a unified liquidity pool for NIFTY products in GIFT City), Trade Trust (initiative to enable interoperable electronic Bills of Lading (eBLs) for cross-border trade finance transactions).

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Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has also launched a number of Singapores satellites into space.

These include Singapores first indigenous built micro-satellite in 2011, two others in 2016, six in 2015 and nine in 2023.

Indian diaspora in Singapore

There are around 3.5 lakh ethnic Indians in Singapore.

They comprise around 9.1 per cent of the population.

Another 3.5 lakh Indian citizens  around 21 per cent of the populace  work in financial services, IT, construction and marine sectors or are students.

Singapore has the highest concentration of IIT and IIM alumni in any one city outside India.

Singapore has around 1 lakh Indian migrant workers.

Tamil is one of the four official languages of Singapore.

Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu, Bengali and Punjabi are also taught in schools.

What do experts say?

A piece in the New Indian Express noted that the two nations have seen their relations go through several ups and downs.

The article noted that in 1965, fresh off independence, then prime minister Lee Kuan Yew summoned then Commissioner of India Thomas Abraham to ask for help in Singapore building up its armed forces.

However, New Delhi declined to do so  ostensibly out of concern for alienating Malaysia.

Had Lees request been accepted, the first Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force would have been Indians. New Delhi was lukewarm and Lee turned to Israel for help, the piece noted.

The piece argued noted how defence relations are expanding between the countries and the Singapore Air Force is being trained at Barrackpore Air Base.

It also noted Singapores part in the formation of Nalanda University.

Singapore-based political scientist Kanti Bajpai told The Print that Modis trip came amid a resurgence of interest in India from Singapores government.

Singapore is thinking of India seriously once again after a lull over the last 4-5 years. This lull was marked by Covid-19, the shutting down of the Amaravati capital city startup project in Andhra Pradesh, Indias decision to pull out of RCEP which was disappointing to Singapore, among other factors, Bajpai told the outlet.

Though the prime minister said he looked forward to his discussions to deepen our Strategic Partnership with Singapore  particularly in new and emerging areas of advanced manufacturing, digitalisation, and sustainable development  sources told the outlet that further deepening ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership was unlikely.

Both countries are important partners in our Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific Vision. I am confident that my visits would further strengthen our partnership with Brunei, Singapore and the larger ASEAN region, Modi had said.

With inputs from agencies
Bella Nilsson is one of 11 people charged with illegally dumping toxic waste in Swedens largest-ever environmental crime case. The former CEO of waste management company NMT Think Pink  which prosecutors accused of spreading 200,000 tonnes of waste across the country  once styled herself the Queen of trash and was also a stripper read more

Bella Nilsson previously told Swedish media that the company acted in line with the law, and insisted she is the victim of a plot by business rivals. AP

A businesswoman dubbed the Queen of trash is on trial in Sweden.

Bella Nilsson is one of 11 people who have been charged with illegally dumping toxic waste in Swedens largest ever environmental crime case.

Nilsson was former chief executive of waste management company NMT Think Pink  which has been accused of dumping 200,000 tonnes of waste across Sweden.

But what do we know about Nilsson?

Lets take a closer look:

As per BBC, Nisson is now known as Fariba Vancor

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The former stripper, who once styled herself the Queen of Trash, ran Think Pink  a waste management company accused of dumping or burying some 200,000 tonnes of waste from the Stockholm area at 21 sites with no intention of processing it correctly.

Nilssons ex-husband Thomas, the companys founder, and Leif Ivan Karlsson, an eccentric entrepreneur who starred in a reality show about his over-the-top lifestyle, are also among those indicted, along with waste broker Robert Silversten.

Shielding her eyes behind big black sunglasses, Nilsson refused to speak to the media at the courthouse north of Stockholm on Tuesday, pushing away reporters microphones at one point.

The trial is expected to last until May.

High levels of toxic PCB compounds, lead, mercury, arsenic and other chemicals were released into the air, soil and water, prosecutors said.

They say the now-bankrupt NMT Think Pink collected waste with no intention or ability to handle it in line with environmental legislation.

The waste consisted of everything from building materials to electronics, metals, plastics, wood, tyres and toys.

Endangered health of humans, animals and plant life

As per EU News, debris was hidden at sites under construction or demolition and then buried wrapped in plastic bales.

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BBC quoted prosecutors as saying the manner in which the garbage was discarded at the sites endangered the health of humans, animals and plant life.

Think Pink left the piles unsorted and abandoned, according to the charge sheet.

An environmental consultant who helped the company pass inspections, Magnus Karlsson, has been charged as an accessory.

All 11 accused have denied committing any crime.

In its heyday from 2018 to 2020, the companys fuschia-coloured construction waste sacks could be seen on many a Stockholm sidewalk, and the company twice won a prestigious Swedish business prize.

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Nilsson is also suspected of financial crimes, with company funds allegedly spent on holiday trips and private luxury goods_._

Broadcaster TV4 reported that designer shoes and bags had been found when police raided Nilssons apartment.

According to the police investigation, Nilsson and another person are believed to have used company funds to pick up at least 1,000 private restaurant tabs and buy clothes for over 1 million kronor ($97,000), including a wedding dress for 15,000 kronor, TV4 reported.

Think Pink was hired by municipalities, construction companies, apartment co-ops and private individuals to recycle and dispose of building waste.

But the business came crashing down in 2020 when its owners were arrested.

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She has an explanation

Nilsson previously told Swedish media that the company acted in line with the law, and insisted she is the victim of a plot by business rivals.

She has an explanation for all of this, her lawyer Jan Tibbling told the Dagens Nyheter daily on the eve of the trial.

Considered Swedens largest environmental crime case, the investigation runs to more than 45,000 pages, with 150 witnesses due to testify.

Prosecutors have said they had to limit the charges to 21 sites because they were running out of time before the statute of limitations expired.

There may have been a number of sites we havent been able to investigate, but we believe that 21 sites is enough to show that the crimes were systematic, she said.

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EU News quoted Anders Gustafsson, one of the prosecutors in the trial, as calling it as the biggest environmental crime in Sweden in terms of scope and organisation.

Another prosecutor, Linda Schon, described the case files as huge, with so many traces of chats and messages and emails sent to one another.

Its the coming generations that will pay for this crime, Schon told AFP after the first day in court.

There may have been a number of sites we havent been able to investigate, but we believe that 21 sites is enough to show that the crimes were systematic, she said.

The damage that we will see in generations time, that we can only guess, she said.

Schon said the probe revealed how little the public paid attention to such matters.

Dont you think about that when you pay so little for the service? Can what you put in the construction bag even be recycled for that cost? Its the same as turning a blind eye to who sews our cheap clothes and where, Schon told the daily newspaper Dagens Nyheter.

Several municipalities have sought damages for clean-up and decontamination costs, totalling $25.4 million).

One of the biggest claims is from the Botkyrka council, where two Think Pink waste piles burned for months in 2020 and 2021 after spontaneously combusting.

As per BBC, the council south of Stockholm has sought around $12 million in damages.

A fire in Kagghamra forced parents to keep their children indoors due to toxix fumes.

Another was near two nature reserves.

With inputs from agencies
The trial against a 71-year-old French man, who has been accused of drugging his wife and inviting men to rape her, has revealed details that are even more shocking. Authorities found a folder on his computer full of images of his nude daughter. Moreover, the pensioner lured others to his house in Avignon by posting messages like youre like me - you like rape mode read more

Demonstrators hold placards 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. AFP

Amid the political uncertainty in France, theres another matter that has the French saying: Quelle horreur! Harrowing details are emerging from the trial of a 71-year-old pensioner in Avignon, who drugged his wife and invited more than 50 strangers to rape her over 100 times for the last 10 years.

On Tuesday, as the trial against the septuagenarian, Dominique P, proceeded more disturbing details of his crimes emerged which included the messages he wrote to men to invite them to sexually abuse his wife Gisele as well as photographing his daughter naked after drugging her too.

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The trial in the southern city of Avignon, which is due to conclude in December, also involves 50 men, recruited online, who are accused of participating in these acts.

Heres what has emerged from the trial so far.

(Please note the report contains details that readers may find distressing)

Case against Dominique P

As per investigations, Dominique had been crushing sleeping pills into his wifes food and drink to put her into a deep sleep, and then raping her. He also ushered dozens of men into the home to film them raping her, too, said the police, in abuse that lasted nearly a decade.

The wife, Gisele, had no knowledge of her husbands actions and when informed of them expressed deep shock and horror. She and her husband had been together since they were 18. She had described him to the police as caring and considerate. She had no memory of being raped, by him or any other men.

According to her lawyers she was so heavily sedated, she was not aware of the abuse that went on for around a decade between 2011 and 2020.

A court sketch shows Dominique P (right) during his trial in which he is accused of drugging his wife for nearly ten years and inviting strangers to rape her. AFP

Police have identified at least 92 sexual assaults committed by 72 men, with ages ranging from 26 to 74, court documents reveal. Fifty have been identified, and most have been charged with either aggravated or attempted rape and are standing trial alongside Giseles husband.

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According to the police, the crimes only came to light in 2020 when Dominique was caught filming under womens skirts in a shopping centre. After police seized his phone and computer, they found evidence of the rapes. An investigation was opened and the wife was made aware of the abuse she had endured for almost 10 years.

Drugged his daughter too

On Tuesday, in court, it also emerged that Dominique was not only abusing his wife, but also his daughter. The judge in the court revealed that the 71-year-old was also drugging his daughter, Caroline Darian, and taking nude photographs of her.

The judge said that when the police sifted through Dominiques computer files, they stumbled across a sickening folder labelled Around My Daughter Naked. The judge added that as he did with his wife, he rendered Caroline unconscious with tranquilisers before lying her on a bed - partially dressed in her mothers clothes - and photographed her. The pictures had been taken at the family home near Paris, sometime before they moved south to Provence, in 2013.

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Caroline Darian and her brother Florian P arrives to the courthouse during the trial of their father accused of drugging their mother for nearly ten years, in Avignon. AFP

When the judge began reading out the details of the daughters photographs, Caroline, who was in court with her mother, collapsed in tears, and left the court building for around 20 minutes.

She has penned a book And I stopped calling you Daddy which revolves around the case in which she writes that she was haunted by the fear that her father may have invited men to rape her too, adding: Im convinced I was drugged, but hell never admit it.

Youre like me - you like rape mode

The court also revealed that Dominique sent a barrage of depraved messages to over 50 men  such as Youre like me - you like rape mode  when he invited them to sexually abuse his wife.

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Investigations reveal that he met most of the men in a chat room called a son insu, which means without their knowledge on an unmoderated French website, which was shut down after its owner was arrested in June.

It was also revealed that Dominique imposed strict rules on each of the men he invited to rape his wife: Park nearby and walk to the house; do not wear perfume, smoke or drink; cut and clean nails; run hands under hot water before touching her skin; and withdraw at the slightest sign that she could be disturbed.

They were also instructed to undress in the kitchen, so they didnt leave behind clothing which could make his wife suspicious.

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A woman arrives at the courthouse before the trial of a man accused of drugging his wife for nearly 10 years and inviting strangers to rape her at their home in the south of France. AFP

The other rapists

Besides Dominique, 51 other men have also been identified and put on trial in the case. At least 35 of the defendants have pleaded not guilty and 14 guilty, including Dominique. While one defendant is absent, another is on the run, reports The Telegraph.

The men, aged between 26 and 74, come from all walks of life; one has been identified as a forklift driver, another as a fire brigade officer, a third as a company boss and a journalist. Some are single, others are married or divorced, and some are family men.

For many of the accused, they dont believe they did anything wrong other than play-act in a couples fantasy. One was quoted saying they believed it was all a couples game, while another said that the relationship had to take place at night in complete darkness because the woman was shy and hung up despite her desire. She would pretend to be asleep.

Another accused claimed that because the husband was around during the time, there was no rape.

Implications of the case

The case comes at a crucial time for France, which is at a crossroads when it comes to the definition of rape. As per law, rape is defined as an act of sexual penetration committed by violence, coercion, threat or surprise.

However, a number of lawmakers want to amend the word to include that sex without consent is rape, that consent can be withdrawn at any time, and that consent cannot exist if sexual assault is committed by abusing a state impairing the judgment of another.

It also casts light on the use of drugs in rapes. In fact, Dominiques daughter has started an awareness campaign called Mendors Pas, meaning Dont put me to sleep on drug-facilitated sexual assault.

With inputs from agencies
Cesar Watson-King collapsed at his home in South Yorkshires Doncaster after inhaling a can of deodorant as part of the social media challenge called chroming. Cesar, who was rushed to hospital, survived after being placed into a medically-induced coma. But what do we know about the TikTok challenge popular with teens that can prove fatal? read more

The Royal Children's Hospital of Melbourne defines chroming as the practice of inhaling hazardous substances for recreational purposes. Pixabay

A boy in the United Kingdom has become the latest to fall victim of a TikTok trend.

According to a report in Metro UK, a 12-year-old inhaled a can of deodorant as part of a social media challenge called chroming.

The boy survived after being rushed to hospital.

But others havent been so lucky.

Last year, the social media challenge led to the death of a teenage girl in Australia who also inhaled harmful chemicals from a container.

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But what do we know about chroming?

Lets take a closer look:

Also read: Gentle Parenting is burning up TikTok. What is this style of parenting and why is it controversial?

What happened?

Cesar Watson-King collapsed at his home in South Yorkshires Doncaster, as per Metro UK.

Thankfully, his mother Nichola, who was in the home, rushed downstairs after hearing a loud noise.

Nichola, 36, found Cesar having a seizure on the floor of their home.

I had just finished breastfeeding my baby and was drifting off to sleep when I heard a really loud bang. I thought one of the kids had done something. I heard Cesar creeping downstairs and assumed he was getting something to eat. The bang sounded like someone had fallen over. I heard a moaning sound from downstairs and thought Cesar had broken a bone or something. When I went downstairs, I saw him lying on the floor, and his eyes were rolling back into his head. It was terrifying. He was having a seizure, she told the outlet.

Cesar was rushed to the Doncaster Royal Infirmary after Nicholas eldest son called emergency sevices.

Police then told Nichola they found a can of deodorant and other items on the kitchen floor.

I hadnt heard of chroming before this. An older boy had shown him how to do it. When police told me what hed inhaled, I thought he was going to die. I knew the warnings on the back of the cans that say solvent abuse kills instantly, Nichola added.

Cesar was then taken to Sheffield Childrens Hospital where he was placed in a medically induced coma for two days.

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Thankfully, when he was brought out of the coma, he began recovering.

He was discharged after spending eight days in the hospital.

I was over the moon. He was almost back to normal when he was discharged-eating, drinking, having a laugh. He just feels tired. We dont know about long-term damage, but his short-term memory is very bad. He couldnt remember what had happened. If I hadnt heard something that night, I would have found a dead body the next morning. Ive spoken to Cesar and asked him never to do anything like this again. Ive thrown out everything in the house that sprays, Nichola added.

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Cesars case comes around a year and a half after Esra Haynes, 13, passed away from chemical exposure at a sleepover after chroming.

Haynes, a student at Lilydale High School in Melbournes outer east, died on March 31 2023.

She suffered irreparable brain damage and a cardiac arrest, according to The Sun.

Before she passed away, she was hospitalised for a week.

Haynes parents are also alerting others of the risks associated with chroming.

Her father Paul Haynes told A Current Affair, Esra wouldve never have done this if shed had known the consequences. That it could take your life."

"The ripple effect is that this is absolutely devastating, weve got no child to bring home, Andrea Haynes added. While Esras sister, Imogen, told 7News, We definitely have a mission to raise awareness for kids and anyone that does it. We dont want that to happen to anyone else. We dont want another family to go through this, its absolutely horrible.

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In 2022, a 16-year-old from Queensland passed away in 2022 after inhaling deodorant.

In 2021, another Queensland teen also experienced brain damage as a result of chroming.

Following an increase in deodorant thefts and amid worries about chroming, certain Coles and Woolworths stores across Australia began locking up their deodorant cans in 2021, reported New York Post.

In 2019, a 16-year-old from New South Wales died after inhaling an aerosol can.

What is chroming?

The Royal Childrens Hospital of Melbourne defines chroming as the practice of inhaling hazardous substances for recreational purposes.

According to the National Retail Association, even if the term chroming has expanded, the term originated from the practice of sniffing chrome-based paint to achieve a high. A few examples of toxic chemicals are aerosol cans, paint, solvent, permanent markers, nail polish remover, hairspray, deodorants, lighter fluid, glue, cleaning supplies, nitrous oxide or gasoline.

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Nitrous oxide inhalation, popularly known as laughing gas, whippits, and hippy crack, is a common but exceedingly risky way to get high without taking hard narcotics. Nitrous oxide can be purchased legally in single-use silver cracker canisters, pumped into balloons, and breathed; but, doing so recreationally is against the law.

While there are several ways to inhale these drugs, chroming is the generic term for doing so.

Huffing is the act of inhaling something while holding a towel over ones mouth and nose. Bagging is the process of placing the material in a plastic bag and breathing the vapours through the aperture. Taking a direct breath from the container via sniffing or snorting. Spraying is putting the substance directly into your mouth or nose.

American Addiction Centres claim that chroming is common among Gen Z and among groups of people who cannot afford or do not have access to other substances. Post-pandemic, chroming experimentation rates among people 16 to 24 years old have skyrocketed, reported New York Post.

According to The Times, in 2021 these practices were accessible to American youth online. Users of inhalants upload movies to TikTok under the name Whiptok (a play on the word whippit), with clips that have received more than 412.6 million views.

The trend has also been adopted by some celebrities, including Stephen Gilchrist Glover aka Steve-O, who revealed to the New York Times in 2021 that he had a drug addiction and was worried about the impact of social media. He remarked, citing instances of musicians and friends experimenting with nitrous oxide on Instagram, Its definitely more, like, relevant today.

Actor Drake Bell, 36, was reportedly seen in his parked car outside of his Los Angeles home, seemingly inhaling from a fully inflated balloon, according to a recent claim from TMZ. According to the publication, a canister that looked like a nitrous oxide container was found inside the vehicle.

Also read: What is Xylazine, the zombie drug in US thats rotting the flesh of users?

What does chroming do to your brain?

When absorbed into the body, these hazardous substances used to clean your home or repair your car act as depressants, or relaxants by slowing down human brain function, explained American Sunday newspaper Parade. To put it simply, the chemicals enter the air and, if breathed in, are absorbed from the blood and travel to our brains.

These inhalants cause a momentary high, slowing central nervous system brain activity.

Along with a euphoric feeling or high, other symptoms like hallucinations, vertigo, lack of body control, and more are frequently experienced.

If butane or propane is utilised, your brain wont get any direct oxygen, which can result in instant death. But even if alternative materials are used, chroming causes horrendous harm to the brainalmost like melting it, according to Dr Jeremy Hayllar, Clinical Director of Brisbanes Biala Community Health Service, who spoke to Australian source ABC News.

Imagine something made of plastic; now lets say you heat it up and it kind of loses its shape and form. We could make the same analogy with the effects of solvents on the brain. Its not heat thats doing it, but its being dissolved by soluble substances that get into fatty tissue and disrupt them, he said.

What are the side effects?

Slurred speech, lightheadedness, hallucinations, euphoria, nausea, vomiting, and confusion are some of the side effects of chroming. These early symptoms, which resemble those of alcohol intoxication, are frequently brief-lived and happen fewer than six hours after exposure, reported New York Post.

The brain, heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys can all be irreversibly damaged by chroming, which can potentially cause a heart attack, convulsions, suffocation, coma, choking, or even fatal harm.

According to a study published in the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Research, long-term use of inhalants can cause cognitive impairment, including memory loss, difficulty focusing, a lower IQ, and poor judgement. Inhalant abuse can potentially result in an unexpected death. The National Institute of Health states that sudden sniffing death syndrome can occur after just one chroming session.

According to Drug-Free World, a US survey collecting data from 2002 to 2006 indicated that, on average, 593,000 youths between the ages of 12 and 17 had never used inhalants before the poll. 22 per cent of people who passed away from sudden smelling death syndrome were first-time users who had never chromed before.

With inputs from agencies
China is hosting its ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, drawing over 50 African leaders to Beijing amid growing concerns about debt distress and shifting economic strategies. As China repositions its investments, African nations seek to balance their need for infrastructure funding with the risk of deepening debt dependency read more

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivers a speech at the ministerial conference of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, China, September 3, 2024. Reuters

China is hosting the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, a diplomatic event aimed at strengthening ties with African nations.

This summit, held in Beijing, comes at a time of economic challenges for China and growing scrutiny over its involvement in Africa. As China shifts its focus to more sustainable and profitable partnerships, the summit is crucial in reshaping the future of Sino-African relations.

What does China gain from Africa?

For over a decade, China has poured more than $120 billion into African infrastructure projects through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), funding hydropower plants, railways, and roads across the continent.

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This investment has given China unparalleled access to Africas energy and mineral resources, while also helping to export its surplus industrial capacity.

However, these projects have been marred by accusations of creating debt traps, exploitation, and corruption. The situation worsened when several African countries, including Zambia and Ghana, defaulted on their loans, leading to complex debt restructuring negotiations.

Senegals Economy Minister Abdourahmane Sarr, Senegals Foreign Minister Yassine Fall, Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Chinas Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) Luo Zhaohui attend the ministerial conference of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, China. Reuters

Despite these challenges, China remains Africas dominant foreign economic power. The FOCAC summit in Beijing is the first since 2018 and is the largest diplomatic event hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping this year.

Leaders from across Africa, including Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

What is Chinas strategy to woo African leaders?

Chinas lending to Africa surged from $98.7 million in 2000 to a peak of $28.8 billion in 2016, according to Boston Universitys Global Development Policy Center, making China the largest bilateral creditor to Africa. However, the scale of lending has significantly decreased in recent years, dropping to $4.6 billion last year.

In response to the economic slowdown, China is shifting its strategy toward public-private partnerships (PPPs) that aim to generate better returns and reduce the risks associated with state-backed loans.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (C) with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (R) and Senegalese President Macky Sall (L). File Image/AFP

Some recent projects exemplifying this new approach include a $20 billion iron ore mine and railway in Guinea, a $5 billion oil pipeline in Uganda and Tanzania, and a $400 million cash-for-oil loan in Niger.

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Notably, Zambias President Hakainde Hichilema is expected to witness the signing of a $1 billion investment deal to revitalize the Tazara railway, originally built in the 1970s. This project is likely to rely on the PPP model rather than traditional public debt from Chinese state-run banks.

Why has Africa turned to China?

African nations initially turned to China for financing due to the absence of alternatives, as Western institutions like the World Bank and IMF often imposed strict conditions on loans.

However, the mounting debt has strained national budgets, and many China-backed projects have not met expectations, a situation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Zambias default in 2020 brought renewed scrutiny to Chinas role in Africa, and other countries, including Ghana and Ethiopia, are at high risk of debt distress.

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In Angola, which owes China about $17 billion, the largest single debt to any country, the challenges are stark. While some projects like the Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Station in Zambia have been successful, others, such as Nigerias $823 million Abuja Light Rail project, have faltered, with the rail system barely operational and costing Nigeria $50 million annually in loan repayments.

Economists argue that China has learned from these experiences. I see China going through a learning process, Huang Yufan, a fellow at the China-Africa Research Initiative at Johns Hopkins University told Bloomberg. They realise the way they lent before doesnt work anymore. They realise these governments can default and that theyre quite risky.

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What does China see for itself in Africas future?

China is not retreating from Africa but is recalibrating its approach. The new strategy, focusing on public-private partnerships, allows African governments to continue borrowing without adding to their officially-declared sovereign debt.

However, this shift brings new risks. While speaking to Bloomberg, Brad Parks, executive director of AidData, warned, What theyre doing is a lot of creative accounting to still borrow but through much more opaque mechanisms.

Despite these concerns, many African leaders continue to see China as a crucial partner. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, during a bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping, expressed his desire to narrow South Africas trade deficit with China, highlighting the need for better terms for African exports.

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Similarly, Kenyan President William Ruto is seeking funding for several infrastructure projects, including the completion of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).

Also Watch:

The competition for influence in Africa is intensifying. Western powers and Gulf states are attempting to match Chinas presence on the continent. At the 2022 US-Africa Leaders Summit, $15 billion in deals were signed, but many African leaders still see China as a more viable partner for large-scale investments.

As the FOCAC summit unfolds, African leaders will be negotiating not only for immediate benefits but also for long-term stability in their economic relations with China.

With inputs from agencies
Canada has seen a significant surge in visitor visa rejections, with nearly 6,000 foreign travellers turned away in July 2024 alone. The spike comes amid growing public concern over immigrations impact on housing and cost of living, prompting stricter enforcement at the borders read more

In recent months, Canada has seen a significant increase in the rejection of visitor visas, raising concerns and speculation about the underlying reasons. According to government data obtained by Reuters, the number of foreign travellers denied entry at Canadian borders has surged, marking the highest rejection rates since at least January 2019.

In July alone, Canada turned away 5,853 foreign travellers, including students, workers, and tourists. On average, 3,727 foreign travellers were denied entry per month in the first seven months of 2024, reflecting a 20 per cent increase from the previous year.

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The spike in rejections coincides with a broader trend of stricter immigration enforcement under Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus Liberal government. With a federal election on the horizon and the government trailing in polls, there appears to be a concerted effort to reduce the number of temporary residents and possibly permanent immigrants.

This shift is seen by some as a response to growing public concern over immigrations impact on housing shortages and high prices, issues that have become politically charged.

How is Canada rejecting visas?

Border officers have also intensified their scrutiny of visa holders at airports and land crossings. British Columbia lawyer Will Tao noted that he has represented several clients who were disbelieved by border officials regarding the nature of their plans in Canada.

These travellers were often given the option to turn back voluntarily or risk deportation, with some choosing to return without fully understanding the potential consequences for their visa status.

The idea that foreigners are entering Canada without meeting requirements, or are causing the country harm, is trickling down from politicians to front-line officials, Tao told Reuters. This sentiment reflects a broader 180-degree shift in the governments approach to immigration, leading to increased skepticism and stricter enforcement at the border.

What may be behind this development?

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The Canadian government has not publicly acknowledged any specific policy changes driving this increase in visa rejections. However, a spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) stated that the CBSAs role, policy, and practice has always been to assess the admissibility of persons coming to Canada. This has not changed.

The immigration department has similarly attributed the drop in study-permit approvals to a cap announced in January, although the decline began as early as last year.

Public opinion on immigration in Canada has shifted notably in recent years, with polls indicating that an increasing number of Canadians believe the country is admitting too many immigrants.

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This change in sentiment appears to be influencing immigration officials, who are now rejecting more applications than they approve.

In June 2024, the ratio of refused visitor visa applications to approved ones reached its highest point since the height of the pandemic. In several months of 2024, including January, February, May, and June, more applications were refused than approved.

Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller acknowledged the publics concerns, stating, Canadians want a system that is not out of control. He also mentioned that the immigration department is committed to a fair and non-discriminatory application of immigration policy and procedures.

How has this move impacted foreign workers?

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The increased rejection rates are not limited to visitor visas but extend to other forms of temporary residency, including study and work permits. The number of approved study and work permits has dropped from multi-year highs in 2023 and 2022, respectively.

This decline is part of a broader effort by the government to reassess the number of people applying for permanent residency, a move that Immigration Minister Miller described as a necessary step to address public concerns.

At the same time, the government is also scaling back the controversial Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program. Trudeau announced that employers in sectors with an unemployment rate of 6 per cent or higher will no longer be able to hire low-wage TFWs, except in certain food security sectors like agriculture and food processing.

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The program, which was recently criticised by a UN special rapporteur for being a breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery, has seen a significant increase in usage across various sectors, with the number of TFWs hired in the healthcare sector rising by more than 15,000 per cent since 2018.

What next?

With a federal election due within the next year, immigration has become a major political issue, with opposition parties accusing the Liberal government of mismanaging the system.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, whose party currently leads in the polls, criticised the Trudeau government for growing the population at a rate far faster than the construction of new housing. Poilievre pledged to tie Canadas population growth rate to a level below the number of houses built if his party wins the election.

In response, Trudeau defended his governments immigration policies, stating, Canada remains a place that is positive in its support for immigration, but also responsible in the way we integrate and make sure theres pathways to success for everyone who comes to Canada.

Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to the media during an announcement at the Goodyear Canada Inc tire production plant in Napanee, Ontario, Canada, August 12, 2024. File Image/Reuters

However, he also hinted at potential reductions in the number of permanent residents accepted each year, signalling a possible shift in policy after years of increasing immigration levels.

With inputs from agencies
Insurgents in Manipur used weaponized drones to carry out bomb attacks, killing two and injuring nine others. The use of drones to drop explosives has prompted security forces to seek expertise from the National Security Guard (NSG) and form a multi-agency committee to address this new threat read more

In a first known instance of weaponised drones being used to target civilians by insurgents in India, two people were killed and nine others injured in Manipur on Sunday.

The drones, which dropped bombs on civilian areas, were followed by further attacks on Monday, including the destruction of three India Reserve Battalion bunkers in Meikhang village, Imphal East district.

The use of these drones marks a new and alarming development in the conflict. These weaponised drones are capable of operating from distances ranging between 500 meters and 15 kilometers.

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They can carry various types of explosives, including hand grenades and mortar bombs, and are equipped with rotor systems that allow them to hover and capture images, adding to the complexity of the threat.

State DGP Rajiv Singh commented on the unprecedented nature of the attack, stating, This (drone attack) is a new thing. We are in touch with experts, including the National Security Guards (NSG). We have formed a multi-agency committee to make a plan on countering the drone threat. The experts are coming to Manipur. He also noted ongoing operations to address the attacks and indicated that further combing operations are planned.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the drone bombings as acts of terrorism, denouncing all forms of violence. The central government has mobilized 198 companies of central forces in addition to the Assam Rifles to address the situation and provide support to local security efforts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a tour of Southeast Asia where he is visiting Brunei and Singapore read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday played dhol, a traditional Indian drum, during his visit to Singapore.

Upon his arrival in Singapore, Modi was accorded a welcome at his hotel in the form of a traditional Indian dance that also featured dhol. As dancers in traditional attire welcomed him, Modi also joined the drummers in playing the dhol. The agencies have shared the visuals of the moment.

Singapore is the second and the final leg of Modis tour of Southeast Asia. Earlier on Monday, Modi had arrived in Brunei and he arrived in Singapore earlier in the day.

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Watch: Prime Minister Narendra Modi plays 'dhol,' a traditional Maharashtrian drum, in Marina Bay, Singapore pic.twitter.com/DlHjiY1fLs  IANS (@ians_india) September 4, 2024

In Singapore, Modi will holds talks with PM Lawrence Wong. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) upon his arrival in the nation, Modi said he was looking forward to boosting the India-Singapore relationship.

Looking forward to the various meetings aimed at boosting the India-Singapore friendship. Indias reforms and the talent of our Yuva Shakti makes our nation an ideal investment destination. We also look forward to closer cultural ties, said Modi in a post.

In a montage shared by state-run Prasar Bharati, Modi is seen being received by the diaspora chanting his name.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi tries his hands on a dhol. Members of the Indian diaspora welcomed PM Modi on his arrival in #Singapore.



The Indian community at the hotel traditionally welcomed him, with the traditional drum beat of Maharashtra and the Prime minister pic.twitter.com/eFHKviCXek  PB-SHABD (@PBSHABD) September 4, 2024

During his welcome by the diaspora in Singapore, a woman also tied Rakhi on Modis wrist.

#WATCH | A woman ties rakhi to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrives at a hotel in Singapore. Members of the Indian diaspora welcomed PM Modi on his arrival in Singapore. pic.twitter.com/ZgiUsOxa46  ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2024
A recent MakeMyTrip report shows a 32% increase in Indians taking two or more international trips, with emerging destinations like Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan seeing substantial growth. While traditional favorites remain popular, there is a notable rise in last-minute bookings and interest in new travel locations read more

A recent report by MakeMyTrip revealed a notable shift in international travel patterns among Indians. Over the past year, there has been a significant increase in the frequency of overseas trips, with travelers increasingly exploring new and emerging destinations.

The trend reflects changing preferences and behaviors in Indian tourism, driven by improved connectivity and evolving visa policies. We have listed out 7 key things featured in the report:

Rise in international travel

The number of Indians taking two or more overseas trips has surged by 32% year-on-year, while those making three or more international trips have risen by 37%. This increase underscores a growing appetite for international travel among Indians.

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Top destinations

Despite the rise in travel frequency, the most popular destinations for Indian travelers have largely remained unchanged. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Thailand, the United States (US), Singapore, and Indonesia continue to dominate the list. According to MakeMyTrip, these top ten countries accounted for 64% of all searches by Indian travelers.

New destinations

While traditional favorites hold strong, several new destinations have seen remarkable growth in interest. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have experienced dramatic increases in online searches, up by 491% and 404%, respectively. Bhutan, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka have also seen more than double the search volumes compared to the previous year. There has been a 70% increase in the combined search volume for the top 10 emerging destinations, noted MakeMyTrip.

Factors behind the rise

Improved travel policies have contributed to the rise of these new destinations. Indian passport holders can now travel visa-free to countries like Kazakhstan, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. Additionally, other emerging destinations offer convenient electronic visa processes, making travel more accessible and appealing.

Travel behaviors

Travel behaviors have shifted, with December emerging as the most active month for international travel searches. The period from October to December sees the highest search volumes for short-haul destinations, while mid and long-haul destinations are more frequently searched from April to September. This seasonality reflects the varied preferences for travel timing among Indians.

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Last-minute bookings

A significant trend is the rise in last-minute bookings, with nearly half of international flights and 56% of hotel rooms booked less than two weeks before travel. Oman, Nepal, and the UAE are particularly popular for last-minute flight bookings, while Qatar, Oman, and Azerbaijan lead in last-minute hotel reservations.

Duration of stays

In contrast, European destinations tend to have longer booking windows. Travelers planning trips to Europe generally make reservations further in advance compared to other regions, highlighting a more deliberate planning approach for these popular destinations.
The political change and the subsequent anarchy-like situation in Bangladesh following Sheikh Hasinas ouster will have significant geopolitical repercussions in the region read more

(File) Damaged riot gear of security forces is seen next to a burnt vehicle outside a police station, days after the resignation of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on August 8, 2024. Reuters

The orchestrated revolution has struck Bangladesh hard, leading to a regime change in the country. This coup has brought Muhammad Yunus to power, who now leads the interim government under strict military supervision.

The coup has exacerbated the socio-political crisis within Bangladesh and carries significant geopolitical implications for South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. A key aspect of the current political crisis suggests that external state actors and certain international NGOs played pivotal roles in orchestrating this crisis. In this context, three external state actorsthe US, China, and Pakistanare believed to be prominently involved. Likewise, NGOs such as the Soros Foundation are also being cited for their roles in staging the coup that led to the overthrow of the Hasina government.

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One may recall that the Soros Foundation played a prominent role in orchestrating revolutions in the post-Soviet space and during the Arab Spring in the WANA region. Strategically, both the WANA region and the post-Soviet space are considered part of the heartland, as enunciated by British geographer Halford Mackinder in 1919. These regions have undergone significant geopolitical reconfigurations, which have had a profound impact on global geopolitics, as evident from the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war and the Syrian Cauldron. Thus, it is important to underline that the current coup in Bangladesh will have a deep impact on South Asian geopolitics and, more broadly, on the Indo-Pacific region.

Four pertinent questions need to be addressed when considering the geopolitical consequences of the Bangladesh crisis:

Should Bangladeshs strategic location be considered before assessing the geopolitical consequences of the current coup? To what extent have external actorsthe US, China, and Pakistanfomented political turbulence in Bangladesh, and what are the broader geopolitical repercussions? Did the Soros Foundation play a role in ousting Hasina from power? What are the consequences of the current geopolitical developments for South Asia and the Indo-Pacific?

Bangladeshs geo-strategic location

Due to its strategic location, Bangladesh occupies a pivotal position in both global and South Asian geopolitics. It commands a significant portion of the Bay of Bengal and plays a vital role in the Indo-Pacific region. This positions Bangladesh as a strategic gateway, connecting South Asia with Southeast Asia. Bangladesh shares borders with India, China, Myanmar, Nepal, and Bhutan, further highlighting its importance in the Indo-Pacific.

In April 2023, Bangladesh outlined its Indo-Pacific vision, emphasising, As a littoral state of the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh considers stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific to be crucial in realising its Vision 2041. The vision also underscored the importance of a free, open, peaceful, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific for the shared prosperity of all.

Bangladeshs Indo-Pacific vision reflects its desire to integrate more deeply into the regions geopolitics, recognising the significant benefits for Dhaka. For example, due to its strategic location, Bangladesh is a member of BIMSTEC, SAARC, and sub-regional cooperation bodies such as the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) initiative, which fosters trade and connectivity. Thus, Bangladesh has played a crucial role in both regional and global contexts, leveraging its geo-strategic location to enhance geo-economic connectivity over the years.

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Along with this, a key point of contention in the current crisis is St Martins Island, located in the northeastern part of Bangladesh, near the northwest border of Myanmar. Despite being a relatively small strip of land, covering just 8 sq km, the island holds significant strategic importance. It serves as a crucial link between the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, making it a gateway to Southeast Asia. Its proximity to both India and China further underscores its strategic value.

A parallel can be drawn between St Martins Island and Diego Garcia, an island in the Indian Ocean that hosted a US military naval base during the Cold War.

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Thus, the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh can be viewed through a geopolitical lens, as external powers like the US, China, and Pakistan are seeking to exploit the situation to advance their respective strategic objectives. It is essential to examine the geopolitical interests of these three powers to understand the underlying dynamics of the current crisis in Bangladesh.

USs Democratic Geopolitics and the Bangladesh crisis

As numerous studies suggest, the United States is a significant driving force behind the current orchestrated revolution in Bangladesh. Washingtons primary strategic objective is to assert itself as a key player in Asian geopolitics and the Indo-Pacific security architecture. Since the Biden administration began re-engaging with Asia after the setback in Afghanistan in 2021, the US has been striving to re-establish its influence in South Asian geopolitics as part of its broader strategy to counterbalance China.

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It is also worth noting that US policymakers are increasingly focused on exerting greater dominance over the Bay of Bengal, which is viewed as a crucial vantage point in the Indo-Pacific strategy. The concept of the grey zone in Indo-Pacific geopolitics has further deepened Washingtons strategic interest in Bangladesh. This interest is reflected in the US National Defense Strategy 2022, which stated that Washington will promote prosperity and economic connectivity across the Indian Ocean region.

To expand its maritime geopolitical influence and secure greater control, Washington has shown interest in acquiring St Martins Island and developing a naval base there. This would allow the US to ensure its strategic dominance in the region. Controlling the geopolitics of South Asia and Southeast Asia, while simultaneously countering Chinas expansionist policies through a strategy of encirclement, are among the USs key objectives. Establishing greater influence through a friendly government in Dhaka could help Washington achieve these strategic goals.

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Although US policymakers have repeatedly denied having strategic interests in Bangladesh, the underlying currents of US policy suggest otherwise. This was also confirmed by the deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who, after her resignation, remarked, I could have remained in power if I had left St Martin and the Bay of Bengal to America. Hasina had previously expressed her concerns in April 2023, fearing that a regime change might occur under US influence if she did not align with Washingtons strategic interests. She accused the US of trying to eliminate democracy and introduce a government that will not have a democratic existence. Itll be an undemocratic action, as widely reported in Bangladeshi newspapers. Without directly naming the interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus, Hasina implied that they were accompanied by another person who built a business out of accumulating interest on loans. That person was dear to the United States. The US never raised the question of how the head of Grameen Bank, a legally registered social business organisation, had millions of dollars. Did they ever ask about the source of money at home and abroad?

From Hasinas above statement, it is quite clear that she had long anticipated the overthrow of her regime. She even named Yunus as her likely replacement in the above statement, which proved true. Despite maintaining robust ties with Bangladesh, the US administration banned many of Dhakas officials for electoral irregularities, as a means of pressuring the Hasina government. Additionally, Washington repeatedly criticised Dhaka for human rights violations.

It may be recalled here that US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, known for his involvement in regime changes in the post-Soviet space, visited Bangladesh several times, raising suspicions about the USs intent to remove Hasina. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan also accused Lu of orchestrating regime change in Pakistan. In an interview with Voice of America in June 2024, shortly after his visit to Bangladesh in May 2024, Lu emphasised issues of democracy and human rights. He stated, The United States staunchly supports free and fair elections and is firmly committed to promoting respect for human rights. This position of Lu reflects Washingtons desire to have a friendly regime in Dhaka that can carry out the dictates of the United States.

It has also been argued that the Soros Foundation, the organisation responsible for orchestrating the Colour Revolutions in the post-Soviet space as well as the Arab Spring, played a role in the current crisis in Bangladesh. This is supported by the fact that interim Prime Minister Yunus has a close relationship with George Soros. As reported by the Bangladesh newspaper The Daily Star in 2012, the Soros Foundation provided a loan of $11 million to the Grameen Phone network in Bangladesh, which is operated by Grameen Bank under Yunuss leadership. It has also been reported that Soros funneled significant funds into Bangladesh under the guise of aiding Rohingya refugees. Thus, it proves that Yunus is a stooge of Soros.

It is no coincidence that Yunus assumed the role of interim Prime Minister immediately after his return from the US; rather, it was part of a well-planned strategy that orchestrated the revolution in Bangladesh, leading to the current political crisis. It should be noted that China and Russia have been increasing their influence in Bangladesh, which has significantly alarmed the US administration over the years. Although the US government has denied any involvement in the regime change that led to the ousting of the Hasina government, suspicion remains regarding the Biden Administrations role.

The US use of democratic geopolitics, as outlined by American geopolitical thinkers like Alfred Thayer Mahan, Nicholas John Spykman, and more recently, Samuel Huntington, appears to have been employed to overthrow the Hasina government. Washington has a history of using democracy promotion as a tool to expand its geopolitical interests, a strategy that became more evident in the post-1991 era, reflecting the tone and direction of American foreign policy.

Like the US, Chinas role in the current crisis in Bangladesh has also come under scrutiny.

Chinas Middle Kingdom Complex

Like the US, China is eager to strengthen its influence in Bangladesh due to the countrys geo-strategic location. Bangladesh is a part of the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative, and its strategic position makes it crucial in Chinas strategic calculations. The Bangladesh-China-Myanmar economic corridor is particularly significant for China, and Bangladeshs involvement in this corridor highlights its importance. Additionally, China has been involved in constructing key infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, including the Chittagong port.

However, China is wary of US actions in the Indo-Pacific, as any adverse strategic developments in the region could significantly impact Chinese interests. Furthermore, China has long been apprehensive about Bangladeshs close relationship with India under Hasinas leadership. The former Prime Minister repeatedly favoured India, including granting India leverage over the strategic Chittagong and Mangla ports, which greatly displeased China. It has been suggested that China collaborated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to undermine India-Bangladesh relations during Hasinas tenure.

Observers have noted that China appears to have a soft spot for the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh (JIB), and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir. These radical groups played a significant role in orchestrating the revolution that led to Hasinas ousting. During her visit to China in July 2024, Sheikh Hasina expressed her displeasure with the treatment she received from Chinese authorities. She strongly criticised China for failing to fulfil its promises, including financial assistance. This criticism reportedly irritated the Chinese leadership, and Hasinas visit received minimal coverage in the Chinese mainstream media.

A series of developments during Hasinas tenure as Prime Minister strained relations between Bangladesh and China. In this context, China may be pleased with the ouster of the Hasina government. The interim government led by Yunus could align well with Chinese interests, given that the BNP and the radical group JIB are part of the current administration. The invitation extended by Beijing to the caretaker Prime Minister Yunus suggests that China is keen to bring Yunus into its orbit. Chinas policy towards Bangladesh reflects its expansionist ambitions, in line with Beijings longstanding strategic doctrine of the Middle Kingdom complex. This approach could contribute to future political instability in Bangladesh.

The current political standoff in Bangladesh also indicates the involvement of Pakistan and the Sino-Pakistani nexus in orchestrating the recent coup.

Pakistans role in Bangladeshs radicalisation

Like the US and China, Pakistan also played a role in ousting the Hasina regime from power. The JIB and its student wing were instrumental in orchestrating the street protests that led to the regimes downfall. The JIB traces its origins to the radical theology of Pakistans Islamist ideologue Maududi, who opposed Western democracy and advocated for the creation of a theocratic state governed by Sharia law. Even in 1971, the JIB colluded with Pakistan to thwart the creation of Bangladesh. Though it did not succeed, the group remains a significant force in Bangladeshs politics, perpetuating radicalism within the country.

This gave Pakistan an opportunity to leverage its long-standing ally, the JIB, to sow disorder in Bangladesh. Eliza Griswold, a New York Times analyst, explored the rise of radicalism in Bangladesh in an article titled The Next Islamist Revolution? published in January 2005, noting that Jamaat-e-Islami, which agitated against independence in 1971, remains close to Pakistan.

Griswolds observation is supported by the fact that, in the past, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry accused the Pakistan High Commission in Bangladesh of aiding radical groups, according to news reports. This led to the expulsion of Pakistani embassy officials from Bangladesh in 2015. The diplomatic standoff between Bangladesh and Pakistan further escalated when Dhaka recalled its High Commissioner from Islamabad in protest the same year. In 2018, Bangladesh also refused to accredit Saqlain Syedah as Pakistans High Commissioner and subsequently denied visas to Pakistani nationals, fearing it would contribute to further radicalisation in Bangladesh.

Pakistans continuous support to the radical and terrorist groups operating in Bangladesh is one of the factors responsible for irritants between the two countries. During Hasinas regime, Bangladesh repeatedly requested that Pakistan cease its support for JIB radicals and their affiliates, but Pakistan persisted in providing both overt and covert assistance. Hasina had also accused the Pakistan High Commission in Bangladesh and the notorious ISI (the Pakistani intelligence agency) of inciting the JIB and its affiliated group, Islamic Chhatra Shibir, to stir trouble in the country, according to news reports. It is worth noting that just before her ousting, Hasina banned the JIB in Bangladesh, but this action came too late. She might have averted the crisis had she implemented the ban earlier.

Similarly, news reports suggest that Pakistan-backed JIB orchestrated many of the riots during the anti-quota protests that affected Bangladesh. The lifting of the ban on JIB and Islamic Chhatra Shibir by the current Yunus government indicates a troubling trend towards the radicalisation of Bangladeshs political landscape. This shift gives Pakistan a strategic advantage in Bangladeshi politics.

From this analysis, it can be inferred that external powers such as the US, China, and Pakistan played crucial roles in the removal of the Hasina government. This development is expected to have profound geopolitical repercussions.

Geopolitical consequences of Bangladesh crisis

The violent political upheaval in Bangladesh, following the forced removal of the Hasina government, will have profound repercussions not only on the domestic political landscape but also on the geopolitics of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Indo-Pacific at large. This situation can be compared to the geopolitical developments observed in the post-Soviet space and the West Asia and North Africa region.

Regime changes through orchestrated revolutions in these regions elevated geopolitical rivalry between Russia and the US. Similarly, the Bangladesh crisis is poised to trigger a new phase of strategic realignment and security dilemmas in the Indo-Pacific, where China and the US are likely to come into conflict. Bangladesh could become a focal point of this new Cold War, given both Chinas and the USs strategic interests in the region, including control over the Bay of Bengal and crucial ports in Bangladesh and Myanmar, which are key to controlling the Malacca Straits. Consequently, the ripple effects of the Bangladesh crisis are likely to impact South Chinas geopolitics. In this context, an increased US influence in Bangladeshi politics could affect Chinas submarine base at Coxs Bazar.

The radicalisation of Bangladeshs politics, particularly with the tacit approval of the interim Yunus government, will have detrimental effects on Bangladeshs domestic politics and the broader regions of South and Southeast Asia. Prolonged political instability is expected to influence geopolitical developments in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific.

Conclusion

Considering the issues discussed above, it is evident that Bangladeshs geopolitical positioning, coupled with the interests of external powers like the US, China, and Pakistan, has intensified the current geopolitical turmoil in Bangladesh. These external actors have exploited the internal political disturbances within the country, further exacerbating the political stalemate. Thus, it can be stated that Bangladesh is paying a significant price for its strategic location.

The author teaches at the School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
In 1997, Ambassador Ruchi Ghanashyam moved to Islamabad to serve as Indias first woman diplomat in Pakistan. She was posted there when IC 814 was hijacked from Kathmandu and taken to Kandahar via Amritsar and Lahore read more

The evening of 31 December 1999 had finally arrivedthe last day of the century. It was surreal to think that a day later would mark the beginning of not just a new year but a new century. Throughout the year, there had been concerns about the Y2K problem, and the possible havoc if the global software system could not cope with the change of date from ninety-nine to double zero when the year changed from 1999 to 2000.

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These thoughts were far from my mind on New Years Eve as I prepared for a small get together at India House, residence of the Indian high commissioner. I was going alone as Ghanashyam would spend the last evening of the century at Kandahar airport in Afghanistan after the release and departure of the passengers of the hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC 814.

Image courtesy Amazon.in

It was dark when I got out of the house, but it was a short walk to India House. There was always a set of intelligence personnel stationed at the corner of our street.

I saw the Pakistani agent standing outside our gate as I came out. Unlike his predecessor, this agent was often insolent. That evening was no different. Happy New Year, he called out behind me, his greeting sounding more like a catcall. I turned the corner and rushed into India House.

New Years eve at India House was a subdued event. A few of the officers who were left behind in Islamabad had come with their wives. We would have dinner together, wish each other at midnight and leave. Everyone present was conscious that my husband would spend that night in Kandahar, as the Indian team had already reached Delhi with the hijacked passengers. Jaswant Singh, then external affairs minister, had asked Ghanashyam not to return to the guest house where he and the negotiating team had been staying. He did not have access to a phone at the Kandahar airport, and we could not reach him and ascertain his safety or wish him for New Year.

Shanti Parthasarathy, the high commissioners lovely wife, was our gracious and charming hostess. We were good friends and took our morning walks together. She was also my shopping companion. The two of us would often escape to Sunday markets together in my car, leaving our respective husbands behind. Unfettered by spousal disapproval, we invariably ended up buying souvenirs that we didnt need.

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Knowing me well, she sensed my disquiet and tried her best to keep us all cheerful. Her sunny disposition and affectionate nature kept us in good humour, but the conversation eventually turned to the hijacking.

Other passenger flights had been hijacked from India to Lahore or Karachi in the past. In January 1971, the Srinagar to Jammu Indian Airlines passenger flight named Ganga was hijacked to Lahore by two hijackers, Hashim Qureshi and his cousin, Ashraf Qureshi of the National Liberation Front. The passengers were released, but the plane was burnt down. In September 1976, another Indian Airlines plane was hijacked from Delhi by a group of six terrorists. The hijackers were caught after being served with water laced with colourless tranquillizer at Lahore, where they had landed for refuelling for their journey ahead, apparently to Libya, North Africa. The plane was sent back to India with eighty-three passengers onboard. In September 1981, extremists hijacked a Srinagar to Delhi flight to Lahore, but the passengers were freed in a Pakistani commando action. In July 1984, another Srinagar to Delhi flight was hijacked to Lahore, where the passengers were freed following a seventeen-hour ordeal when the hijackers surrendered to the Pakistani authorities.

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In August 1984, a Chandigarh to Srinagar flight was hijacked to Lahore, Karachi and Dubai. The then UAE defence minister negotiated the release of the passengers. Subsequent investigations showed that the pistol recovered from the hijacker was part of a consignment sent from Germany to a PO Box in Islamabad, though the Pakistan Foreign Office denied this. In April 1993, another Indian Airlines aircraft flying from Delhi to Srinagar via Jammu was hijacked, but Pakistan authorities refused it permission to land at Lahore. The plane landed at Amritsar where the hijacker was killed, and passengers were released.

Given the history of hijackings of Indian Airlines flights to Lahore, we had become alert with our contingency plans soon after the news of the hijacking of IC 814 had reached us.

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Being the week of Christmas and New Year, most officers had proceeded on vacation to India with their families. Among those left behind was an experienced officer and first secretary in the Mission, Mr TR Jatav. He had the added advantage of being adept at shorthand. He was designated the record keeper for the crisis. He did an excellent job of shadowing the high commissioner, from room to room, jotting down all important instructions and actions taken by the Mission, while taking note of every phone call, briefly recording the time, details of the caller and the content of the call. His record was invaluable. During those tense days, it was somehow reassuring to see the tall, well-built Jatav rushing behind the high commissioner, always with a notebook and pen in hand, but always calm.

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Those were the days of long and tense hours in the high commission. Following Ghanashyams departure for Kandahar, the already depleted team at the Mission was reduced even more. We had to ensure that there was always an officer at hand to attend to incoming phone calls. For a few days, I went home only to shower and freshen up. The caution was worthwhile, as late one night, the Taliban ambassador in Islamabad called when I was the only officer in the Mission.

When the high commissioner told Ghanashyam about going to Kandahar, he apologised to me saying, Sorry, Ruchi. There is really no one else I can send. His concern was not misplaced. India had no relations with the Taliban. This would be Indias first official contact with the Taliban. There was no way of knowing what kind of reception or treatment Ghanashyam would receive at the hands of the Taliban. That was probably the reason for sending a relatively young officer to Kandahar ahead of the team from India: He was being sent like the proverbial sacrificial lamb to test the waters in Taliban land. This came through in the suo motu statement by the external affairs minister on 1 March 2000 in Parliament on the Hijacking of Indian airlines Flight IC-814:

In view of the ideological orientation of the Taliban, their close linkage with Pakistan, their publicly expressed attitude towards Jammu & Kashmir, and their support to fundamentalist organisations, it was essential that an assessment regarding their approach towards the hijacking, the hijackers and the assistance that could be expected of them in its termination be first established. It was important that there be no misjudgement in this regard, at this critical juncture. After assessment, and as a first step, an official (Ghanashyam) from our High Commission in Islamabad was sent to Kandahar on the morning of December 27. Strengthened by his report from the spot, a team of officials, including doctors and a relief crew, reached Kandahar, from Delhi on 27th evening itself.

The Pakistani establishment seemed peeved at Ghanashyams deputation to Kandahar. A senior representative of the Pakistan Foreign Office was quoted by the Urdu press as claiming that Ghanashyam had been sent to Afghanistan as he belonged to R&AW, Indias intelligence agency. The Pakistani official asked rhetorically, Why has he been sent to Kandahar? Is he going to negotiate a trade agreement with the Taliban?! (Ghanashyam was the commercial counsellor in the Mission. An officer of the Indian Foreign Service, he was posted to Islamabad by the Ministry of External Affairs and was not representing any intelligence agency.)

I wondered if the question reflected the incompetence of the Pakistani establishment or its ignorance about who represented the Indian intelligence agencies in the Mission. Or was it their deep-seated malice? This kind of speculation in the Urdu press heightened our general anxiety about the treatment that Ghanashyam could expect from the Taliban in Kandahar.

In January 2000, we attended a large gathering at a colleagues house that included some Pakistanis. A Pakistani friend who wrote columns for some Pakistani papers cornered me. He started asking me if Ghanashyam was the station chief in Islamabad, and persisted with, So whos the station chief if it is not him? I responded somewhat testily and a bit rudely, When it comes to Pakistan, we have a billion agents in India. All of us are R&AW agents! That was the end of his probing.

A question that people frequently ask me is whether I was afraid when Ghanashyam was sent to Kandahar. Almost twenty-five years later, I sometimes wonder if I should have feared what might happen to my husband in the Talibans den!

At the time of the hijacking, only three countries in the world recognised the Taliban regime that controlled most of Afghanistan: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. As the counsellor (political) at the Mission, I covered and reported on developments in Afghanistan from Islamabad. As a result, I had been writing about the gruesome nature of the Taliban regime and the many killings, floggings, etc., that were reported in the media.

Though I was aware of the violent acts in the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and the presence of the Al-Qaeda there, I was also conscious that the Taliban were predominantly from Pashtun areas. The pre-Islamic informal code of honour, Pashtunwali, which is deeply ingrained in the Pashtun way of life, prohibits harming a guest in their land. Pashtun homes have offered refuge or asylum against enemies for centuries, even at the cost of their own family or fortune. Given my optimistic nature, I chose not to dwell too much on the presence of Arabs, the Al-Qaeda, or its leader Osama bin Laden and other foreign terrorists in Afghanistan. I was reassured that the Pashtun tradition of loyalty to the guest offered a measure of protection to my husband. This belief kept me calm during the last few days of 1999. In hindsight, my faith in the Talibans attachment to Pashtunwali, even if misguided, was borne out by the safe return of my husband.

Our children were sleeping when Ghanashyam left for Kandahar, and I had already left for the High Commission by the time they woke up. Our younger son later wrote in an article that he learnt from the TV that his father had gone to Kandahar. Unfortunately, I was not around to counsel and reassure the children in case they got anxious, but our older son, Anant, told him not to worry and took care of his younger brother. They did not ask me any anxious questions either during or after the hijacking and from what I could make out in my brief encounters with them, they didnt seem too worried.

Were we brave or naive, or simply too busy doing our work? Twenty-five years later, I am still unsure

The above article is an edited extract from Ruchi Ghanashyams book, An Indian Woman in Islamabad: 1997-2000, published by Penguin. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Singapore is an important international arbitration centre trusted by many foreign investors in India. The two nations can work together with the Indian diaspora acting as the bridge read more

Lee Kuan Yew, often referred to by his initials LKY, was a Singaporean statesman and lawyer who served as the first Prime Minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990. His stewardship of the nation was gushingly admired as a benign dictatorship by various people including by our own legal luminary Nani Palkhivala in his post-Budget speeches. Palkhivala was an ardent fan of the Singapore model of disciplined democracy. He minced no words while saying too much of democracy had spoiled India. Many Indians shared his worldview albeit grudgingly  we Indians who spit blithely in public places, dont do so while visiting Singapore was their refrain.

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But there were many who demurred saying it was a city state with a population of just half crore vis-a-vis Indias 145 crore. To put things in perspective, one has to juxtapose Indias per capita income of roughly S$3,000 with Singapores S$113,779. That Singapore has fared far better than India is also apparent from the exchange rate its dollar commands vis-a-vis the greenback or the US dollar. Singaporeans have to pay S$1.32 for getting one US dollar whereas we Indians have to shell out Rs 82 or so. The weak INR is rationalised on the ground that it is necessary to boost exports. But that discussion is for another time and occasion.

Comparisons, it is said, are odious. But the shared history of India and Singapore has invariably stoked the comparison. Ethnic Indians constitute about 10 per cent of the resident population of 5.9 million in Singapore. In addition, among the 1.6 million foreigners residing in Singapore, about 21 per cent or around 3.5 lakhs are Indian citizens, mostly serving in financial services, IT, construction and marine sectors or are students.

Singapore has the highest concentration of IIT and IIM alumni in any one city outside India. There are about 1 lakh Indian migrant workers in Singapore. Tamil is one of the four official languages of Singapore. The above demographic statistics explains why Singapore figures on the top of Indias look east policy. India was among the first to recognise Singapore way back in 1965 when it won independence. India-Singapore relations were elevated to Strategic Partnership during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Singapore in 2015.

Singapore is Indias largest trade partner in ASEAN. It has also been a leading source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the last financial year with an investment of $11.77 billion in 2023 alone with the cumulative figure since 2000 being $160 billion. Singapore is a high-income economy built on a business-friendly regulatory environment and strong investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and public services. The city-state is among the worlds most competitive economies and ranks highest in the 2020 World Bank Human Capital Index. In the most recent World Bank Human Capital Index, Singapore ranks as the best in the world in human capital development. Together with strong financial support from the government, the city-state continues to strengthen the nimbleness and flexibility of its workforce by providing continuing education such as the Skillsfuture.

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Apart from the demographic connect that brings the two nations closer, the other gravitas is friendliness and bonhomie that has characterised the relationship between the two nations. Singapore and India do not share borders whereas China and India do. Frostiness invariably creeps into the relationship with border nations. On the other hand, distance lends enchantment. One may say lack of borders and the presence of sizeable Indian diaspora has made Singapore a unique nation to befriend.

It is against this backdrop Prime Minister Modi will be meeting the new Singapore Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, during his two-day visit to the city state on September 4-5. While PM Modi can be counted upon to make a pitch to the Singapore government for greater FDI from Singapore as well as trade with India, he would be making a direct connect with its CEOs and business leaders including Indians who can do a lot for their motherland. Among the countrys leading industries are electronics, petrochemicals, biomedical sciences, logistics, and transport engineering.

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While NRI remittances have been the mainstay of Indias foreign exchange earnings, sometimes surpassing FDI, the Indian government cannot take smug satisfaction from this alone. The Chinese diaspora played a significant role in bringing FDI into China that morphed it into an industrial powerhouse. Sadly, the same cannot be said of the Indian diaspora which is said to shine abroad while squirming and underperforming in India due to a variety of reasons. They have to do more than remitting money to their parents. There may be quite a few Sundar Pichais and Satya Nadellas lurking in Singapore who must be persistently wooed to give it back to India with greater verve in the form of FDI either themselves or by influencing their employers as Pichai and Nadella have been doing.

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That the semiconductor sector is going to be a key area of discussion is both heartening and appropriate with the Indian government realising the importance of this sector for growth. Computer chips, not potato chips  the war cry given by BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi almost three decades ago  finds greater resonance today with the government keen on stopping the forex outgo on this score and becoming self-dependent in this key area of digital activity.

During the recently concluded India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable, which is a unique forum between ministers on both sides on diverse areas, a number of forward-looking, futuristic areas were identified in digitisation, 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.

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Singapore is an important international arbitration centre trusted by many foreign investors in India. Its stock exchange beckons Indians. The two nations can work together with the Indian diaspora acting as the bridge.

The writer is a senior columnist. He tweets @smurlidharan. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Of the six battleground states, the latest CNN-SSRS poll found that Kamala Harris was ahead in two, Donald Trump was leading in one, and no clear winner could be projected in three read more

Vice President Kamala Harris has higher chances of winning the presidential election, as per a recent forecast. (Photo: AFP)

Kamala Harris is ahead of Donald Trump in six battleground states, according to the latest CNN-SSRS poll.

Of the six battleground states, the poll found that Harris was ahead in two, Trump was ahead in one, and no clear winner could be projected in three.

The states considered as the battleground states in the poll were Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Arizona.

Even as the polls show Harris consistently ahead of Trump nationally, the contest is relatively tighter in battleground states. The poll shows that the race is too tight in Georgia, Nevada, and Pennsylvania and the results there may determine the winner.

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In the US electoral system, there are no nationwide elections like India or the United Kingdom where voters elect lawmakers nationally and the party with most seats wins. The US presidential election is centred around the electoral college. Each state sends a fixed number of electors to the electoral college which has a total of 538 electors.

The US presidential election is therefore a bunch of state elections. The candidate who gets most votes in a state wins all its electors. The campaigns are tailored such that the candidate reaches the majority-mark of 270 electors. While most states are known to lean Democrat or Republican, a bunch of states keep swinging between the two and are called swing states or battleground states. These states are the real deciders of the election and see the fiercest campaigning.

Harris leads but Trump puts up tough fight

Even as Harris is ahead in more battleground states, Trump is also not far behind.

The CNN-SSRS poll found that Harris was leading in Wisconsin and Michigan whereas Trump was ahead only in Arizona. The contest in Georgia, Nevada, and Pennsylvania was too close to be called.

The exact findings are as follows:

Wisconsin : Harris : 50%, Trump : 44%

Michigan : Harris : 48%, Trump : 43%

Arizona : Trump: 49%, Harris : 44%

Georgia : NO CLEAR WINNER

Nevada : NO CLEAR WINNER

Pennsylvania: NO CLEAR WINNER

In the three undeclared states of Georgia, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, up to 15 per cent likely voters said they had not made up their minds about whom to vote for, according to the poll. These undecided voters in battleground states could make or break the fortunes of candidates.

In 2020, Biden won all six of these states even though the victories in Georgia and Arizona were quite narrow  around 12,000 and 10,000 respectively.

Even as Harris leads, Trump fares better on economy

As has been the case for decades, economy remains the most important issue for voters, according to the CNN-SSRS poll.

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Around 39 per cent of likely voters considered economy as the top issue and saving democracy as the next most important issue at 25 per cent, as per the poll.

The poll found that Trump had a lead of 8 per cent over Harris when it came to the ability to handle the economy.

Trump was also ahead among likely voters on handling the immigration whereas Harris, just like Biden, was ahead on abortion and reproductive rights. Harris was also leading in all six states among women by 27 per cent.

The poll further found that likely voters in all states believed that compared to Harris, Trumps policies were more extreme  so extreme that they posed a threat to the United States.
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Singapore, significant advancements in India-Singapore relations are expected, including new collaborations in sectors like semiconductors and defense. Modis visit underscores the growing strategic partnership, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations read more

As India Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to visit Singapore today after a trip to Brunei, significant developments in India-Singapore relations are anticipated. Modis visit comes at a time when both nations are focusing on deepening their partnership across various sectors.

Here are key points to understand about the evolving relationship between India and Singapore:

1. Strengthening bilateral ties

Prime Minister Modis upcoming visit to Singapore, his first since his initial term in office, is poised to elevate India-Singapore relations. This visit is viewed as a timely opportunity to advance the strategic partnership, particularly with Singapores new leadership.

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2. Recent developments

The India-Singapore ministerial roundtable has identified new areas of cooperation, including digitization, sustainability, health, advanced manufacturing, and connectivity. Four Indian ministers participated in the recent roundtable, discussing futuristic areas of collaboration.

3. Economic and trade relations

Singapore remains Indias largest trade partner in ASEAN and the sixth largest globally. It was the top source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in India last year, with investments valued at USD 11.77 billion.

4. Focus on new sectors

During Modis visit, new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed, particularly in sectors like semiconductors. India-Singapore relations are poised for an even bigger takeoff, said Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs.

5. Strategic and defense cooperation

The two countries have a robust defense cooperation framework and are working on setting up a joint working group in defense. This effort highlights the increasing strategic collaboration between India and Singapore.

6. 60th anniversary and strategic partnership

The visit will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore and the 10th year of their strategic partnership. This milestone underscores the depth and growth of their bilateral ties.

7. Brunei visit context

Prior to Singapore, Modi will visit Brunei on September 3-4, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to the country. This visit will commemorate 40 years of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei.

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8. Broader regional impact

Singapore is a key partner in Indias Act East policy and vision for the Indo-Pacific region. Modis visit is expected to strengthen cooperation in defense, trade, energy, and other sectors, reflecting the strategic significance of this partnership.
At least 20 people are missing and feared dead after a boat capsized on the Mekong River in the Golden Triangle region between Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand. The boat, carrying passengers from Laos to Myanmar, encountered strong currents and engine failure, with 16 Myanmar nationals rescued so far read more

At least 20 people are missing, feared dead, following a boat mishap on the Mekong river in the Golden Triangle area between Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, officials told AFP on Wednesday.

The incident happened late Monday during strong currents on the river that divides the three countries, Manop Senakul, the police chief in Thailands northern Chiang Rai province, told AFP.

At least 20 people are missing, he said, adding that a further 16 Myanmar nationals had been rescued.

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Myanmar media reported the boat had been carrying people to Myanmar from Laos when it got into difficulties after its engine failed.

Video uploaded to social media and geolocated by AFP showed people on the Laos side of the river pulling people out of the fast-flowing water.

Most of the missing are from the semi-autonomous Wa enclave in eastern Myanmar, Nyi Rang, spokesman for the United Wa State Army (UWSA), told AFP.

Details are unknown yet as we are still investigating the incident in cooperation with (Laos) authorities, he said.

He did not elaborate on why those from the Wa region were travelling on the river but the incident happened close to the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Laos.

The SEZ is home to a number of Chinese-owned casinos and hotels and has emerged as a suspected hub for cyber scam centres, drug smuggling, gambling and other criminal activities.

The Wa region on Myanmars border with China is virtually locked off from the rest of Myanmar, ringed by checkpoints and tight internal controls, and uses the Chinese yuan and internet services in its territory.

The UWSA also holds territory near the border with Thailand and Laos.

It is the best-equipped of Myanmars dozen or so ethnic rebel groups. Analysts say China supplies much of its weaponry.

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Such incidents are common in Myanmar, a poor country with rudimentary transport and weakly enforced safety regulations.

In 2016, 73 people, including many teachers and students, drowned when their overloaded vessel capsized on the Chindwin River in central Myanmar.

Torrential downpours during the June-October rainy season swell rivers in the Southeast Asian country, making travel and navigation more difficult.
Dermers suggestion ran counter to Prime Minister Netanyahus recent statements about maintaining an indefinite Israeli presence along the Gaza-Egypt border. The Strategic Affairs minister suggested that a different arrangement could be negotiated during a long-term ceasefire read more

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands before a map of the Gaza Strip, telling viewers that Israel must retain control over the "Philadelphi corridor," a strategic area along the territory's border with Egypt, during a news conference in Jerusalem, September 2, 2024. Hebrew onscreen reads, "Philadelphi corridor under Israeli military control". File Image/Reuters

Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a top adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Wednesday (September 4) that while Israel has no plans to leave the Philadelphi Corridor in the first stage of a potential deal with Hamas, a complete withdrawal remains a possibility in later phases of negotiations.

Dermers suggestion ran counter to Prime Minister Netanyahus recent statements about maintaining an indefinite Israeli presence along the Gaza-Egypt border. The Strategic Affairs minister suggested that a different arrangement could be negotiated during a long-term ceasefire.

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Speaking to Bloomberg Television, Dermer stressed that in the initial phase of any agreement, Israel would maintain its position along the corridor, which separates Gaza from Egypt, until a solution is in place to prevent a repeat of the October 7 attacks.

In phase one, Israel is going to stay on that line until we have a practical solution on the ground that can convince the people of Israel that what happened on October 7 will not happen again," Dermer said, referring to the deadly attacks by Hamas militants. That Hamas will not rearm.

Phase one of this deal, what it calls for is to have negotiations over the conditions over a permanent ceasefire," Dermer said. And once youve concluded those negotiations, while youre in a ceasefire for phase one, in order to get to phase two and a permanent ceasefire, thats when you can discuss long-term security arrangements on the Philadelphi Corridor.

Times of Israel had reported earlier in the day that Netanyahu, on Monday (September 2) had dispatched his Mossad chief David Barnea to Doha to inform Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani that the IDF is prepared to fully withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor in the second phase of the deal.

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Hours after that, Netanyahu indicated to the press that the IDF would remain there indefinitely.

Dermer called the report misleading, but did not elaborate further.
More than 50 African leaders are in Beijing today to participate in the China-Africa summit. With promises made in 2021 remaining unfulfilled, they would be keen to know what Xi Jinping says in his speech. read more

African leaders are in Beijing for a China-Africa summit, where Chinas President Xi Jinping is expected to discuss a shared future with the nations on the continent. Xi is likely to focus at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac) summit on Beijings interest in minerals and political support from Global South countries.

The three-day Focac meeting is scheduled to conclude on September 6, advocating for higher-quality, green investments. China is shifting from funding large infrastructure projects to supporting more sustainable public-private partnerships.

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China aims to increase trade and access raw materials like copper, cobalt, and lithium from countries such as Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. After recent debt restructuring agreements with several African nations, China is expected to be more cautious with large loans compared to pre-pandemic practices.

Focac leaders reject debt trap charge

Chinese and African leaders on Tuesday rejected criticism of Chinas debt-laden overseas development projects as they wrapped up a new $60 billion assistance pledge for the continent.

President Xi hosted leaders from across Africa amid criticism that his countrys Belt and Road global trade infrastructure project is worsening debt problems in some countries.

Everything we do with China is perfectly under control, including on the financial and debt side, said Senegals President Macky Sall, whose country took over the co-chairmanship of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) for the next three years.

We shouldnt let our conscience be disturbed by criticism made regarding the nature of our relations with China, Sall said in remarks alongside Xi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to close the triannual FOCAC summit.

For his part, Xi said the summit opened a new chapter in the history of China-Africa relations.

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Ramaphosa, who handed over the co-chairmanship to Sall, said another achievement at the summit was an agreement to work hard to increase Africas value-added exports to China.

Why Africa matters to China

Xis Belt and Road Initiative, though criticised for trapping poorer countries in debt and offering minimal local benefits, remains a key focus. Critics argue that Chinas approach to Africa is colonial and extractive, but Beijing aims to counter this narrative at the summit.

For Xi, cooperation with Africa is not just about trade but also about political influence. His foreign policy seeks to reshape the global order to better align with Chinas needs, including promoting a more authoritarian model of governance.

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Chinas apparent ambition is to become a global rule-maker rather than a rule-taker, challenging the US-led international order. To achieve its geostrategic goals, China has been seeking support from other countries, particularly those with poorer economies and at international forums.

Chinas presence in Africa is growing. African nations frequently support Beijing at the UN, and China enjoys high approval ratings in countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. However, this influence can also challenge African norms related to democracy and human rights.

A push from South Africa

South Africa, as a BRICS member, has joined Chinas New Development Bank and other Chinese-led initiatives. China has also persuaded several African countries to sever ties with democratic Taiwan.

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At the summit, China and Africa are set to launch green and sustainable projects, such as mushroom cultivation and biogas promotion. Beijing also aims to boost Africas capacity for independent development and poverty alleviation.

While China has invested heavily in African infrastructure in the past, the focus is shifting towards healthcare, sustainable development, the digital economy, and innovation. Chinese sovereign lending is at its lowest in two decades, and public-private partnerships are expected to become a more prominent investment model.

(With inputs from agencies)
At the China-Africa summit, Focac 2024, African leaders hope that Beijing would address their concerns about unmet promises made at the previous meeting, and also unveil a plan for a shared future to meet new challenges as geopolitics looks to press a reset button read more

Senegal's Economy Minister Abdourahmane Sarr, Senegal's Foreign Minister Yassine Fall, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) Luo Zhaohui attend the ministerial conference of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, China. Reuters

As the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac) convenes in the Chinese capital Beijing, the elephant in the room will be unfulfilled promises made at previous summits. President Xi Jinping is hosting leaders from 50 African nations as they look to reassess and redefine the strategic partnership with Beijing, against a backdrop of Chinas slowing economy and unmet promises from earlier engagements.

The September 4-6 summit also comes at a critical time when African nations are grappling with economic challenges, political instability, and global geopolitical shifts.

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Unfulfilled promises from 2021

In 2021, China made ambitious pledges to Africa, including a commitment to purchase $300 billion worth of goods by 2024 and substantial investments in infrastructure and economic development. However, China, with its own economy struggling against a global backlash following its poor handling of the Covid-19 outbreak and its subsequent military assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region, fell short of its commitment.

In 2023, Chinese loans to Africa totaled just $4.61 billion, a sharp decline from the $60 billion promised in 2015. This shortfall has raised concerns among African leaders, who are expected to seek clarity from President Xi on the reasons behind these unmet commitments.

One of the most pressing issues is the incomplete infrastructure projects, notably a major rail link intended to connect key East African cities. The delays and unfulfilled promises are fuelling growing scepticism about Chinas role in Africas development.

Shifting focus: A green economy and digital cooperation

Amid challenges and concerns, China looks to keep the focus of the Focac summit at building a narrative around its vision of a green economic future powered by African minerals. This aligns with Chinas broader strategy to secure critical resources for its manufacturing sector, particularly in the context of the global energy transition.

However, Chinas competitors, including the US, UK, India and Russia, are also vying for influence in Africa, complicating Beijings ambitions.

Digital and technological cooperation is another key area of focus at the summit. China is keen to help bridge Africas digital divide, with discussions expected to centre on investments in digital infrastructure and technology transfer. These initiatives are part of Chinas broader effort to solidify its influence in the Global South.

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Geopolitical tensions and Africas dilemma

The Focac summit is also taking place amid rising geopolitical tensions, particularly with the ongoing conflicts in Africa (particularly Sudan), in its neighbouring West Asia, Ukraine, and the Asia-Pacific region with Chinas growing military assertiveness. Africa is also witnessing an intense rivalry among other global powers for their influence in the continent.

African nations are increasingly wary of being caught in the crossfire of these global rivalries, and many are expected to push for a more balanced and independent approach to their foreign relations.

For African leaders, the Focac summit is also about a strategic dilemma. On the one hand, they are eager to deepen cooperation with China, especially for infrastructure development in their respective countries, to boost agriculture output, and tap green energy potential. On the other hand, there is a growing awareness of the risks associated with over-reliance on Chinese investments, particularly given the high levels of debt many African countries are already grappling with.

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Experts have urged African leaders to take a more proactive role in shaping the agenda at Focac 2024, representing their interests more strongly than they have in the previous eight summits. This includes pushing for more sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships, rather than simply accepting Chinese terms. There is also a call for greater African agency in negotiations, with a focus on ensuring that investments align with the continents long-term development goals.

How it may shape the future of Global South

The outcome of the Focac summit will be closely watched. The decisions made could set the tone for a new era of China-Africa relations, one that is more balanced and focused on mutual benefits. However, this will require a shift in how both sides approach the partnership, with African nations taking greater ownership of their strategic goals and China being more transparent and responsive to African needs.

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At the Focac summit, the challenges are immense especially for Africa, but so too are the opportunities for Africa to join the mainstream of development and for China to achieve its global hegemonic goal. As geopolitics continues to realign, the nature of the China-Africa partnership may emerge as a key factor in shaping the future of the Global South.
The Gaza war has been raging on for almost 11 months. More than 40,000 people have lost their lives and many more displaced. With several ceasefire proposals having failed, Israels Netanyahu feels the heat as he is accused of torpedoing a peace deal read more

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands before a map of the Gaza Strip, telling viewers how Hamas has imported arms into the territory since Israel's withdrawal in 2005, during a news conference in Jerusalem, September 2, 2024. The Hebrew on the screen reads, "Gaza after the disengagement, oxygen pipe of Hamas". File Image/AP

Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a tough time defending his Gaza war with the declared objection of total victory over Hamas. But Israeli forces have continued their campaign without achieving Netanyahus goal in Gaza in almost 11 months since the Palestinian armed group carried out raids, killing around 1,200 and taking more than 250 hostages on October 7 last year.

Netanyahu is leading a cabinet with ministers opposing his stand on ceasefire proposals against the backdrop of an ongoing protest by the families of those taken hostage by Hamas, which has meanwhile threatened to kill its prisoners if the Israeli forces pushed deeper into Gaza.

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Several peace proposals have failed primarily over Netanhayus refusal to agree to pull out Israeli forces from the Philadelphi Corridor, an important passage that the Israeli prime minister thinks will help Hamas regroup through bordering Egypt, which opposes Israeli presence on this portion of the border.

Protests at home

Thousands of Israelis have staged anti-government protests this week  one of the largest sit-ins since the onset of the Gaza conflict  accusing Netanyahu of torpedoing cease-fire and hostage release talks to appease his far-right political partners.

The streets of Tel Aviv were filled with thousands of demonstrators, seeking immediate release of hostages held in Gaza. The protests came on the heels of the tragic funeral for Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli American among six hostages recently found dead in Gaza. They were apparently killed by their captors.

The left-leaning Haaretz newspaper condemned Netanyahu, arguing, Hamas was the one that pulled the trigger, but Netanyahu is the one who sentenced [the hostages] to death.

Hamas was the one that pulled the trigger, but Netanyahu is the one who sentenced [the hostages] to death, said an editorial in Israels left-leaning Haaretz newspaper on Sunday.

Government divided, ministers and intelligence chief upset

Netanyahu is leading a sharply divided cabinet, with his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, being the biggest critic of his stand on ceasefire proposals. Their verbal clashes in meetings have made headlines in Israel. Gallant, a former general with a reputation for toughness, has publicly described Netanyahus total victory strategy as unrealistic.

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Despite Netanyahus insistence that all ministers adhere to cabinet decisions, the two men remain at loggerheads.

On the other hand, Netanyahu is under pressure from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who have threatened to topple the coalition if the war with Hamas ends or if Palestinian prisoners, convicted of killing Israelis, are released.

The political impasse is further complicated by reports that Mossad chief David Barnea does not agree with Netanyahus position on the Philadelphi Corridor and his shifting stands on the conditions for accepting a ceasefire deal.

As it happened on Monday this week that Barnea confirmed to mediators during talks with Hamas that Israel was prepared to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor as part of the second stage of the proposed hostage release deal, Netanyahu publicly denounced that stand. He said Israeli forces would not withdraw from the corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border.

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Netanyahus refusal to withdraw Israeli troops from the corridor became a deal-breaker during the last round of ceasefire talks.

Biden chides Netanyahu

US President Joe Biden, who has been the main pillar of support to Israels right to self-defence, has expressed frustration with Netanyahus handling of the ceasefire negotiations. Biden said that he does not believe Netanyahu is doing everything possible to secure a deal, despite recent agreements.

The tension was palpable after the discovery of the bodies of six hostages, including an American, which intensified calls for a ceasefire. Asked if Netanyahu was doing enough, Biden responded, No. He, however, insisted that negotiators remain very close to a deal, adding, Hope springs eternal.

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Bidens frustration had a specific American context. Californias Hersh Goldberg-Polin was among the six hostages found dead Sunday. Biden spoke with the parents of Goldberg-Polin and later put out a statement, saying, 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.

UK restricts arms supply to Israel

In another significant shift, the UK restricted the supply of weapons to Israel. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced a suspension of some arms exports to Israel. This decision affects 30 out of 350 export licences, including components for military aircraft and drones. Some of these include parts for military planes, helicopters, drones, and items that Israel has used for ground operations in Gaza.

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Lammy cited concerns about potential violations of international law and the damage to civilian infrastructure. We recognise, of course, Israels need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods that Israel has employed, Lammy said.

But Netanyahu is defiant

However, amid the mounting domestic and international pressure, Netanyahu has remained defiant. In a series of statements including a televised address, he maintained that Israel was committed to maintaining control over the Philadelphi Corridor.

He described it as a strategic necessity to combat what Netanyahu called the Iranian axis of evil. His combative stance reflects a broader resistance to ceding ground, despite widespread protests and calls for a ceasefire.

In his televised speech, Netanyahu stood before a large map of Gaza as he declared, Israel will not accept the massacre of six hostages. Hamas will pay a heavy price.

His remarks came as tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated against the governments handling of the war and the ongoing hostage crisis.

As the conflict drags on, the Biden administration is reportedly preparing another ceasefire proposal  a final one. Its fate remains uncertain as, for now, Netanyahu looks to be standing between war and peace in Gaza. The US, however, is likely to continue believing Bidens hope springs eternal maxim.
Raymond Greene, the de facto US envoy to Taiwan, stressed that other countries in the region are also facing pressure from Beijing. Most recently, Chinas aggression towards the Philippines has been making waves in the media read more

China has been ramping up pressure on Taiwan, as well as countries located in and around the the South China Sea. Representational Image

The de facto US envoy to Taiwan, Raymond Greene, on Wednesday (September 4) warned that the island territory is not Chinas only target in seeking to change the status quo.

Greene, who is also the director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), stressed that Chinas efforts to change the status quo through intimidation and coercion extended beyond Taiwan. He mentioned that other countries in the region are also facing pressure from Beijing.

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Most recently, Chinas aggression towards the Philippines has been making waves in the media.

The United States is building a latticework of alliances in the Indo-Pacific to enhance our deterrence capabilities, Greene said during a briefing in Taipei.

While Taiwan remains central to these efforts, Greene stressed that more and more countries are joining forces to preserve the rules-based international system. He clarified that these alliances are intended to prevent war, not prepare for one.

Focus on Taiwan, still

Greenes comments do not mean that the US will focus on Taiwan any less.

China has never ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control.

China has increased military and political pressure on Taiwan, including conducting war games around the island in response to the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, who Beijing views as a separatist.

Given the situation, Greene hinted at the possibility of joint US-Taiwan weapons production, stating that Taiwans defence needs are a top priority for US arms deliveries.

The US is now working with a number of partners looking at possibilities of expanding our joint production of military supplies, and Ill not rule out Taiwan being one of those partners in the future, Greene said, though he provided no further details.

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In addition to defence cooperation, Greene said the US is collaborating with Taiwan on emergency response capabilities, including bolstering resilience in communications, cybersecurity, and energy supplies.

With inputs from Reuters
Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egypts leader Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said they wanted to deepen their cooperation as they met in Ankara Wednesday to seal their mended ties read more

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi pose for the media during a bilateral signature agreements ceremony at the Presidential palace in Ankara, on Wednesday. AP

Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egypts leader Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said they wanted to deepen their cooperation as they met in Ankara Wednesday to seal their mended ties.

We will strengthen our cooperation in all areas, said Erdogan, who visited Sisi in Cairo in mid-February when the two leaders said they had turned over a new leaf in their ties.

Ankara and Cairo had cut ties in 2013 after Sisi, then defence minister, ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, an ally of Turkey and part of the Muslim Brotherhood movement.

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Erdogan said at the time he would never speak to anyone like Sisi, who in 2014 became president of the Arab worlds most populous nation.

But relations have warmed over the past two years as their interests aligned on several issues, including the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

On Wednesday, the two leaders signed 17 cooperation agreements, according to the Turkish presidency.

We want to improve our cooperation with Egypt in the domain of energy, especially natural gas and nuclear power, Erdogan said.

Despite the decade of estrangement, trade between the two countries never ceased: Turkey is Egypts fifth-largest trading partner, while Egypt is Turkeys largest in Africa.

The two leaders said Wednesday they want to expand their annual commercial exchanges to $15 billion (13.5 billion euros) in five years from $10 billion now.

According to the Turkish Presidency, the two men also discussed the possible sale of drones to Egypt.

On Gaza, they both called for a ceasefire and greater deliveries of humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinian population.

Sisi also called for a stop to the escalation in the West Bank, where Israeli troops have for the last week been leading a military campaign.

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Sisi said they also discussed Somalia, saying they agreed on the need to preserve the unity and territorial integrity of the country.

Ankara and Cairo have both recently signed military cooperation agreements with Somalia, which is in a standoff with the breakaway region of Somaliland after it signed an accord to lease ocean access to land-locked Ethiopia.
Relations between Ankara and Cairo collapsed in 2013 after Egypts then-army chief Sisi led the ouster of the Brotherhoods Mohamed Mursi, an ally of Turkey who had become Egypts first democratically elected president the year before read more

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) shakes hands with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi during their meeting at Al-Ittihadiya palace in Cairo, Egypt, Feb. 14, 2024. Source: Turkish Presidency via AP.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will hold talks with President Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey on Wednesday in the first presidential level visit in 12 years amid a warming of long-frozen relations between the regional powers.

The visit comes after Erdogan travelled to Cairo in February, his first trip to Egypt since 2012, taking a major step toward rebuilding ties that were severely strained for a decade.

Turkey-Egypt relations will be reviewed in all their aspects and possible joint steps in the coming period to further develop cooperation will be discussed, the Turkish presidencys communications office said in a statement on Tuesday.

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In addition to bilateral relations, there will be an exchange of views on current regional and global issues, especially the Israeli attacks on Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, it added.

Sisi was set to arrive in Ankara at 2 pm (1100 GMT), with a joint press conference scheduled for 5 pm (1400 GMT).

Relations between Ankara and Cairo collapsed in 2013 after Egypts then-army chief Sisi led the ouster of the Brotherhoods Mohamed Mursi, an ally of Turkey who had become Egypts first democratically elected president the year before.

Mursi visited Turkey as president in 2012.

Ties between the two countries began improving in 2020 when Ankara launched a diplomatic charm offensive to ease tensions with its estranged regional rivals, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Turkey and Egypt mutually reappointed ambassadors last year, and Ankara has said it would provide Cairo with armed drones. Erdogan said in Cairo that the countries wanted to boost trade to $15 billion in the short term from $10 billion.

Turkeys state-owned Anadolu news agency said the two countries would sign some 20 agreements to boost commercial ties and cooperate on energy, defence, tourism, health, culture and education. It said deepening cooperation on renewable energy and liquefied natural gas (LNG) was also planned.

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Turkey, which has condemned Israel for its war against Hamas militants in Gaza, has sent thousands of tonnes of aid to Egypt for Palestinians and praised Cairos humanitarian efforts and role as negotiator in ceasefire talks.
Philippe was Macrons first prime minister, having defected from the conservative Les Republicains party to join the presidents team after the 2017 election read more

Former French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who has been a key centrist ally of President Emmanuel Macron, said in a magazine interview published on Tuesday that he himself would seek to be elected as the next president in 2027.

I will be a candidate at the next election, Philippe told Le Point magazine.

Macron, who has nearly three years before his second term ends, is not allowed to run for a third term under the French Constitution. He has been trying to find a new prime minister to form a new government since his decision in June to call a snap parliamentary election resulted in a hung parliament.

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Philippe was Macrons first prime minister, having defected from the conservative Les Republicains party to join the presidents team after the 2017 election.

His time in office saw him have to deal with the violent Yellow Vests street protests in 2018 and the first COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, shortly after which Philippe left as prime minister.
Greta Thunberg and five other activists were arrested after occupying a building at the University of Copenhagen to demand an academic boycott of Israeli universities. The protest was part of a broader movement against Israels actions in Palestine, with similar demonstrations occurring at universities in the U.S. and Europe read more

Greta Thunberg and a group of activists were arrested on Wednesday after occupying a University of Copenhagen building to call for an academic boycott of Israeli universities, Danish media reported.

Images on daily Ekstrabladet showed the 21-year-old climate activist, wearing a black-and-white keffiyeh shawl draped over her shoulders, being escorted out of a campus building by police.

Thunberg meanwhile shared images on Instagram of riot police entering a building where the group Students against the Occupation were staging a protest.

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I cant confirm the names of those arrested, but six people have been arrested in connection with the demonstration, a Copenhagen police spokesman told AFP.

They are suspected of forcing their way into the building and blocking the entrance, he said.

The Students against the Occupation said in a statement posted on Instagram that while the situation in Palestine only gets worse, the University of Copenhagen continues cooperation with academic institutions in Israel.

We are occupying the universitys central administration with one demand: academic boycott now.

Pro-Palestinian protesters have set up encampments at universities around the United States and Europe since last spring to protest against Israels bombardment of Gaza and occupation of Palestinian territories.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Hamas had rejected all elements of a proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza that would help facilitate the release of hostages read more

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures during a press conference at the Government Press office in Jerusalem, on Wednesday. AP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Hamas had rejected all elements of a proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza that would help facilitate the release of hostages.

Hamas has rejected everything I hope that changes because I want those hostages out, Netanyahu told a news conference, casting doubt on the possibility of a breakthrough one day after the State Department said it was time to finalise that deal.

Were trying to find some area to begin the negotiations, Netanyahu said.

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They (Hamas) refuse to do that (They said) theres nothing to talk about.

Netanyahu has come under added domestic and international pressure to seal a deal that would free Israeli hostages after authorities announced on Sunday the deaths of six whose bodies were recovered from a tunnel in southern Gaza.

On Monday, Netanyahu said Israeli forces would retain control over the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border, vowing not to give in to pressure over the issue.

Hamas, whose unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel started the war, is demanding a complete Israeli withdrawal from the area as part of the stalled talks mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt.

At Wednesdays news conference, Netanyahu reiterated his position on the Philadelphi Corridor but also insisted it was not the sole sticking point.

Also unanswered, he said, were questions over how many Palestinian prisoners would be freed in exchange for hostages, whether Israel could veto the release of certain prisoners and where released prisoners should go.

The whole thing has not been resolved, he said.

The October 7 attack by Hamas resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians including some hostages killed in captivity, according to official Israeli figures.

Israels retaliatory military offensive in Gaza has so far killed at least 40,861 people, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

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Most of the dead are women and children, according to the UN rights office.

At protests in several Israeli cities this week, Netanyahus critics have blamed him for hostages deaths, saying he has refused to make necessary concessions for striking a ceasefire deal.

US President Joe Biden said this week he did not think Netanyahu was working hard enough to free the hostages.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, hosted the Delhi edition of Celebrating Greatness of Spirit. The event was held on September 2 at the Indian Habitat Centre. read more

To commemorate the 66th anniversary of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Awards, fondly known as Asias Nobel Prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, hosted the Delhi edition of Celebrating Greatness of Spirit. The event was held on September 2 at the Indian Habitat Centre.

The ceremony was part of the Greatness of Spirit Dialogue and Book Tour, a series focusing on knowledge exchange across Asia. The event was attended by eight Ramon Magsaysay Awardees, hailing from both India and the Philippines. Interestingly, Delhi and Manila are also celebrating the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year.

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The event started with the ribbon-cutting ceremony which was followed by the opening remarks from the Philippine Ambassador to India Josel F. Ignacio. During his address to the gathering, Ambassador Ignacio recalled the legacy of the seventh President of the Philippines, Ramon Magsaysay, after whom the award is named. Even today, 67 years later, any mention of his name to the man on the street, even those born after his time, will be met with reverence and yearning: man of the masses, reform, upliftment of the less privileged, simplicity, integrity in service, the Filipino barong both as solidarity with the common man and as Filipino identity in the most formal of state occasions, the envoy recalled.

The Phillippines Ambassador to India Josel F. Ignacio cuts the ribbon at the Celebrating Greatness of Spirit event hosted by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Delhi.

Emphasising that the meaning of Magsaysay in the Filipino language is to give value, Ignacio said that the honourable award pays tribute to the same cherished values and highest standards of service to the people. During his speech, Ignacio also hailed the strong ties between India and the Phillippines. Filipinos and Indians are in fact, the highest in the hierarchy of values when it comes to serving the people, he said. This cannot be more evident than in the fact that the Magsaysay Awards very first roster of honorees in 1958 included the esteemed peace advocate, Acharya Vinayak Narahari Bhave, also known as Vinoba Bhave, the ambassador furthered. It is pertinent to note that over the years, 58 Indians have been conferred with the award.

The Philippine Ambassador to India Josel F. Ignacio delivers the opening address

The panel of great minds

One of the key highlights of the Monday event was the thought-provoking panel discussion which was moderated by Ramon R. Del Risario Jr, Trustee of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation. The panel comprised of Indian Magsaysay Awardees: Shanta Sinha (2003), Nileema Mishra (2011), Anshu Gupta (2015) and Ravi Kannan R. (2023). The group spoke about varied topics including how the award helped in their work and the need for collaboration between the social actors and the government.

During the discussion, Indian child rights activist Shanta Sinha recalled how the recognition expanded her foundation Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiyas work not only in India but in the continent of Africa as well. She emphasised how the award encouraged more youth volunteers to take part in the endeavour and how her group managed to work in countries like Uganda, Kenya, Morocco and Zimbabwe.

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The event was attended by several Ramon Magsaysay Awardees, hailing from both India and the Philippines. They were presented with their digital portraits specifically commissioned for the seven-volume book series titled Greatness of Spirit: Stories of Love, Courage and Service.

Anshu Gupta, who is the Founder and Director of the Goonj project, recalled that when he won the award in 2015, sweets were distributed in villages. He noted that the award was the recognition of issues and efforts of rural India. When the topic of the need for collaboration was being discussed, the Director of the Cachar Cancer Hospital Dr Ravi Kannan R. called for the creation of a global forum where such conversation can be sustained. He also noted that he used the award money for the creation of a leadership school and other leadership programs, insisting that cancer care need not be this expensive. Nileema Mishra, who received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership in 2011, also stressed the fact that if the discussion continues people will be able to understand more about the work they do.

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Its good of the Magsaysay Award to be in lockstep with changes in society: Ambassador Ignacio

During a one-on-one conversation with Firstpost, Ambassador Ignacio emphasised how awards should recognise the challenges of society and how people are responding to these challenges. He also lauded the Magsaysay Awards for being evolving with the society. While discussing the evolution of the awards, the Filipino envoy also spoke about this years Magsaysay Award winner famous Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki.

I think any award for that matter should be in step with the times and should recognise the challenges of the times and what responses there are to those challenges. I think its very good of the Magsaysay Award to be in lockstep with changes in society, including technology, Ignacio told Firstpost after the ceremony.

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The Philippine Ambassador to India Josel F. Ignacio delivers the opening address

This year, we are recognising Mr. Miyazaki-san of Ghibli Studios and the way he used art and animation to touch people and transform lives beyond Japanese culture, touching lives not just in Asia but around the world with his art, he added. However, Ambassador Ignacio also cautioned about the risks of technology as well. I think that in this present world where a lot of the things we do are based on high technology already, social media, we encounter a lot of risks that come with that. They are transformative in a good way, but theres always a downside, cyber security, cyber crimes, misuse of social media, the ambassador explained.

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So I think with awards focussing on things like this, it sort of helps direct, the hope, is it will help redirect social media and technology to the proper use in the service of mankind and in the service of our social development aspirations, which is as it should be, he added. While lauding the 75-year-long ties between India and the Philippines, the Filipino envoy also praised the presence of Indians in the list of honourees over the years.

The award seeks to propagate values by recognising the service of other people in Asia. Services that demonstrate the highest level of integrity, selfless service, and transformative leadership in their respective communities. I am very proud to say as Ambassador to India, that in these 65-66 years of the award, there have been 58 Indian laureates. And that goes to show the kind of value shared by the Philippines and India, he added.

We want youth to get inspired and do great things: Susan B. Afan

In a brief conversation with Firstpost, Susan B. Afan, President of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, touched upon the evolution of the prestigious award over the years. Well, were so proud that weve been able to continue the legacy of what the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation stands for and thats about honouring ordinary people who do extraordinary things. These are people that have really devoted their lives to certain advocacies, where they have come up with solutions for their communities, she said.

Afan stated that through the seven-volume book series titled Greatness of Spirit: Stories of Love, Courage and Service, the foundation aims to encourage youth to get inspired to do great things for their community. Afan also explained the process of selecting the winners of the grand award. She noted that the foundation has a very rigorous vetting process to ensure that the integrity of the award is sustained. We have researchers all year long that find all these special people and organisations. We also have in-country researchers that help us find them, she told Firstpost. We have a very rigorous vetting process. We have to fact-check. And make sure that these are the people that epitomise what Ramon Magsaysay stands for. Which is all about integrity, love for the common man, compassion, and inclusivity, she furthered.

The foundation president also touched upon the potential India holds. Theres just so many things that are happening in this country. Which I think is so exciting. India has become or is becoming a superpower, she explained. Afan lauded how Indians are excelling in various areas. I think that it is so exciting. I just hope that whatever it is, whatever new product, new technology, or new process thats developed here in India is used for the greater good and is not used not just for individual promotion. But its really used to promote more kindness, compassion, and inclusivity in our world, she concluded.

India and Magsaysay Award

India and the Philippines have shared close ties with each other for time immemorial but India also has a special place in the history of the Magsaysay Awards. As mentioned before, in the last 65 years, 58 Indians have won the prestigious award, the country has the second-highest number of awardees after the Philippines which is home to 65 laureates. While speaking to Firstpost, the Honorary Consul General for the Philippines in Kolkata, Deepak Kumar Khemka, said that he learned a lot from todays event.

Well, I have been a Consul General for the Philippines for the last 10 years. I knew about the awards, but today the event was an eye-opener. It was a wonderful occasion and I think I learnt a lot today. I would be supporting the award in many more ways, he averred. Khemka also lauded the long-standing ties between India and the Philippines, Philippines was one of the first countries to recognise free India in 1947. To honour that, the government of India gave their embassy, two acres of land in Chanakyapuri at one rupees per annum. That was like appreciation of what they have done, the consul general recalled.

The Phillippines Ambassador to India Josel F. Ignacio takes part in the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Celebrating Greatness of Spirit event in Delhi

In recent years, the two nations are much closer and I think in the future, we will have much closer relations than what we have had, he told Firstpost. Khemka also assured that in the future he would love to strengthen collaboration between the social workers and the government. In future, we will work closer together to see how we can develop these relationships and the awards and the people who are doing such fantastic work, he emphasised.

What this year has in store?

On August 31, the foundation announced the winners of the 2024 Magsaysay Awards. The winners included Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, who is critically acclaimed for directing films such as Spirited Away. Miyazaki is known for backing anime films based on difficult themes such as environmental protection and peace and is lauded around the world for making these films comprehensive to children.

2024 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee MIYAZAKI HAYAO, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, through his animated films, he not only entertains but also enlightens audiences, both young and old, on critical issues.



READ here: https://t.co/K7iEdlq1QW#66thRamonMagsaysayAwards @GhibliUSA pic.twitter.com/cLH8M642a7  Ramon Magsaysay Award (@MagsaysayAward) September 2, 2024

Among the other winners selected this year is a Vietnamese doctor, Dr Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong, who has helped seek justice for victims of the powerful defoliant dioxin, known as Agent Orange which was used by US forces during the Vietnam War. Former Buddhist monk Karma Phuntsho  the founder of an educational charity in Bhutan, will also be recognised for his contribution towards harmonising the richness of his countrys past with the diverse predicaments and prospects of its present.

2024 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee NGUYEN THI NGOC PHUONG, a Vietnamese doctor who has dedicated her life to addressing the long-lasting effects of Agent Orange from the Vietnam War. 



READ here: https://t.co/5alVx2PXFS#66thRamonMagsaysayAwards #GreatnessOfSpirit pic.twitter.com/syZ915S9am  Ramon Magsaysay Award (@MagsaysayAward) September 2, 2024

2024 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee KARMA PHUNTSHO, a visionary Bhutanese leader has been instrumental in nurturing Bhutan's entrepreneurial spirit and preserving its rich cultural heritage.



READ more : https://t.co/R9ACYHVexZ#RamonMagsaysayAward #66thRamonMagsaysayAwards pic.twitter.com/zLdXpdPrmp  Ramon Magsaysay Award (@MagsaysayAward) September 2, 2024

Indonesias Farwiza Farhan will be receiving the Magsaysay Emergent Leadership Award this year. Farhan helped lead a group to protect the Leuser Ecosystem, a 2.6-million-hectare forest in Sumatra in Aceh province. Rural Doctors Movement of Thailand will also be awarded for its dedication and struggle to secure adequate healthcare for Thailands rural poor.

2024 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee FARWIZA FARHAN is an Indonesian environmental advocate who spearheads efforts to protect the Leuser Ecosystem in Sumatra.



READ here: https://t.co/f8UcxUtTCs#RamonMagsaysayAward #66thRamonMagsaysayAwards #GreatnessOfSpirit #transformativeleadership pic.twitter.com/fvEUalrOhH  Ramon Magsaysay Award (@MagsaysayAward) September 2, 2024

2024 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees, the RURAL DOCTORS MOVEMENT (RDM) is honored for their vital role in advancing Thailands universal health coverage.



KNOW more about their transformative work here: https://t.co/5iON9cqqui#RamonMagsaysayAward #66thRamonMagsaysayAwards pic.twitter.com/p2djgbCT2h  Ramon Magsaysay Award (@MagsaysayAward) September 2, 2024

The seven-part series of the book Greatness of Spirit which was launched on Monday, will feature stories of over 300-plus Ramon Magsaysay Awardees from 1958 to 2003. The series is part of a fundraising campaign and the proceeds will aim to transform the Ramon Magsaysay Center in Manila, Philippines. The foundation is also planning to develop a comprehensive and engaging experiential Magsaysay Laureate Library and Museum.
The Indian government has formally notified Pannun-led secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) that its ban is being extended by five years and has sought a response within 30 days as to why SFJ should not be declared as unlawful read more

The Indian government has formally notified Gurpatwant Singh Pannun-led secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) that its ban is being extended by five years and has sought a response within 30 days as to why SFJ should not be declared as unlawful.

According to a Hindustan Times report, the notice, sent by Indias High Commission in Ottawa, arrived at SFJs Toronto office on August 29.

In response, SFJs general counsel Pannun reached out to Canadas Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc and Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly, urging them to address what he described as Indias extraterritorial action against a Canadian organisation and interference in Canadas domestic matters, added the report.

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Signed by Jitendra Pratap Singh, Registrar of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal, the notice said the central government in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) and (3) of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act had extended the declaration of SFJ as an unlawful association for a further period of five years from the 10th day of July 2024.

The notice cited a Gazette notification wherein the government constituted a tribunal comprising Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, Judge of the Delhi High Court, for the purpose of adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for extending the declaration, reported Hindustan Times.

It sought a response within 30 days of service of the notice why SFJ should not be declared as unlawful and why order should not be made confirming the declaration made in the notification."

Objections/written statement may be filed/delivered within 30 days and SFJs representatives may appear before the Tribunal on September 26 at 2.30 pm, or appearance could be made through duly authorized and instructed Counsel/Advocate, the notice added.

The letter was sent as required by Indian legal provision and the decision of the government was conveyed to SFJ, Hindustan Times quoted a person familiar with the matter as saying.

Pannun, meanwhile, said that to his knowledge, a similar letter was not received in the US, nor does he recall receiving one in 2019 when SFJ was first banned under the Act.

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In its communication to the Canadian ministers, SFJ highlighted the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the head of its Canadian chapter for the Khalistan Referendum, on July 18 last year.

The letter also referenced Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus statement in the House of Commons three months later, which mentioned credible allegations of a potential connection between Indian agents and the killing.

SFJ condemned the UAPA as draconian and characterised the letter as a direct challenge to the sovereignty of Canada and attempting to silence and intimidate a Canadian organisation in Canada

India, on the other hand, continues to label the allegations made by Trudeau as absurd and motivated.

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With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus new demands, main among them being the Israeli control of Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border, have stalled the peace talks and prevented the signing of any peace deal read more

At a time when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing all-round criticism for stalling the peace deal with his new demands, leaked documents have surfaced that show how he rewrote the peace proposal.

In May, US President Joe Biden outlined a three-phase peace proposal for the end of the war in the Gaza Strip and release of hostages held by Hamas. He announced the proposal in a speech from the White House after Netanyahu accepted it.

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In the first phase, a select class of hostages were to be released and Israeli troops were to withdraw from urban centres. In the next phase, the troops were to withdrew completely in lieu of the release of all hostages. The third phase would mark the end of the war and beginning of Gazas reconstruction.

In July, however, Netanyahu inserted four new demands into the proposal. These new demands, the principal among them being the control of Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border, have stalled the talks and prevented the signing of any peace deal.

Now, Israeli outlet Ynet has published leaked documents that show the extent the original May proposal was rewritten by Netanyahu in July.

The report said the changes were so extreme that the proposal after Netanyahus demands came to be known as Netanyahu Outline. It said Netanyahu dubbed these new demands as non-negotiable.

On his part, Netanyahu maintained that new demands were not new at all, but mere clarifications to the original proposal floated in May, according to the report.

Here is how Netanyahu inserted the four demands and rewrote the peace proposal.

Israeli military withdrawal  Philadelphi Corridor demand

In the May proposal, the Israeli forces were to withdraw from urban centres in phase one and there were three maps outlining the withdrawal, according to Ynet.

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In the July proposal rewritten by Netanyahu, the report said two of the three maps were same, but the third map was new. The third map showed that while the Israeli military presence would be reduced in the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip of land along the Egypt-Gaza border, troops would not entirely vacate the area.

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This demand as outlined in the new map is the biggest sticking point. Even as Hamas and Egypt have both rejected it, Netanyahu has continued to stick to it despite nationwide outrage. A deal to resolve the crisis remains distant as the demand stands rejected.

The Netzarim Corridor demand

In the May proposal, there was no provision of checkpoints along the east-west Netzarim Corridor to be used by displaced Gazans to return home. The Israeli military was onboard with this absence of any checkpoints.

In July, however, Netanyahu inserted the demand to set up checkpoints along the Netzarim Corridor to screen Gazans returning home for weapons and terrorists, according to Ynet.

The report said the new proposal said the return will be guaranteed and implemented in a pre-approved manner, as per an English translation of the leaked text.

New demands regarding hostage-release

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As per the May proposal, 33 hostages from the humanitarian category were to be released in the first phase of the deal. They would comprise women, children, elderly, and sick and wounded. They would be released in lieu of the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

In July, the Ynet reported that Netanyahu made a list of 33 hostages that Israel wanted to be released in the first phase of the three-phase peace plan.

    : "  ,   "https://t.co/EX9t0ntIfE pic.twitter.com/vRmGZiShh4  ynet  (@ynetalerts) September 4, 2024

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Moreover, while it was mentioned in the May proposal that at least 50 Palestinian prisoners with a life sentence would be released either abroad or in Gaza as part of the swap, Netanyahu in July changed the terms to say that such prisoners would only be released abroad and not in Gaza, according to the report.

The issue of Rafah crossing

In the May proposal, certain terms were laid down for the opening of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, which Israel has controlled since May.

Ynet quoted the May proposal as saying: After all Israeli female soldiers have been released, permitting the number to be agreed upon of wounded military individuals to travel to the Rafah crossing to receive medical treatment, and the increase in the number of travelers and ill and wounded through the Rafah crossing and removal of restrictions on travel and return of movement of goods and trade.

In July, however, Netanyahu altered the wording such that proposal stated that arrangements would be made to reopen the Rafah Crossing rather than committing to a definite reopening, according to the report.

Hostages families slam Netanyahu

After the publication of the Ynets report which detailed the extent to which Netanyahu rewrote the original ceasefire, the hostages families said he could no longer claim that he is not torpedoing or thwarting the deal, according to The Times of Israel.

The leaked documents are another nail in the coffin for the deal that would return the hostages, said the Hostages Families Forum in a statement.

The Forum further said, Enough with the deception and the abandonment. Enough about lying to the public and enough with the spins about Philadelphi. For how long will the hostages be murdered in captivity while Netanyahu plays with maps and public opinion?
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus demand for Israel to control the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border has stalled Gaza peace talks read more

Israel had told the mediators about leaving Philadelphi Corridor, but then Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu changed course hours later, according to reports.

The Philadelphi Corridor is a narrow strip 8-9 miles-long (13-14 kilometres-long) along the Egypt-Gaza border. Netanyahus demand for Israel to retain control of the strip has stalled talks for a deal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages. Even amid a nationwide outpouring of grief and anger following the killing of six hostages, Netanyahu on Monday doubled down on the demand.

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Netanyahu said that if Israel left the Philadelphi Corridor, then the Hamas would rearm, revive, and return to mount another attack like that of October 7, 2023.

Now, The Times of Israel and Haaretz have reported that Netanyahus brazen declaration to remain firm on the demand to control the Philadelphi Corridor came just hours after Israeli officials told the mediators that Israel would leave the strip second phase of the three-phase deal.

This means that Netanyahu reversed course within hours of Israeli officials telling mediators about withdrawing from the Philadelphi Corridor.

Notably, Israeli external intelligence agency Mossad chief David Barnea, who has been leading the negotiations, flew to Doha on Monday hours before Netanyahus speech and held talks with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The Times of Israel has reported that Barnea informed Al Thani of the updated Israeli position on the Philadelphi Corridor  which Netanyahu contradicted just hours later.

There are also reports that the Israeli position on Philadelphi Corridor may have evolved since Netanyahus speech on Monday.

Whats latest on Israels position on Philadelphi Corridor?

Even as Netanyahu said on Monday that it was strategic imperative of Israel to control the Philadelphi Corridor, the Kan broadcaster of Israel has reported that Israeli negotiators have maintained that Israel remains committed to vacating the strip in the second phase of the deal.

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The Times of Israel reported that the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) did not deny such reports but instead said that the Cabinet has not yet discussed the second phase of the deal.

Separately, the United States has stated that the original ceasefire proposal outlined in May and the bridging proposal floated last month call for full Israeli withdrawal in the second phase of the deal and Israel has previously accepted both of these proposals. It further said that Israel has also confirmed the withdrawal from all populous areas of Gaza, including from the Philadelphi Corridor, in the first phase of the deal.

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The deal itself, including the bridging proposal that we started working with includes the removal of Israeli Defense Forces from all densely populated areas in phase one and that includes those areas along and adjacent to that corridor [Philadelphi Corridor]Thats the proposal that Israel had agreed to, said White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby to media on Tuesday

Separately, the US Department of State said the Joe Biden administration remained opposed to continued Israeli occupation or presence in Gaza.

In May, Biden had announced a three-state ceasefire proposal endorsed by Israel, which would start with a six-week truce and conclude with the return of all hostages, the end of the war, and the beginning of the reconstruction of Gaza.

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In July, Netanyahu inserted new demands into the proposal, such as the control of the Philadelphi Corridor and setting up checkpoints along another east-west Netzarim corridor in Gaza. These demands have prevented the signing of any peace deal between the two sides.
Harris New Hampshire campaign stop on Wednesday is a rare deviation. She has so far spent most of her time in bigger swing states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Since it is a smaller state, New Hampshire is not considered as pivotal in the election read more

The 2024 United States presidential election is still expected to be a close race. In such a contest, swing states- those that are not decidedly in favour of either Republicans or Democrats- are crucial. As such, both candidates have been focusing on campaigning and holding rallies in swing states.

However, Harris, in her canvassing so far, has skipped the swing state of New Hampshire.

Since President Joe Biden dropped his reelection bid and endorsed Harris, the vice president has focused on big swing states in the US. She has frequented Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, which have been the centerpiece of successful Democratic campaigns. Harris also often visited Arizona, Nevada and Georgia, all of which Biden narrowly won in 2020. Harris has also campaigned in North Carolina, a swing state which she hopes to flip from Trump.

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But New Hampshire is a different story. She has not been there since the pandemic was lifted.

That is set to change quite soon. On Wednesday (September 4), Vice President Kamala Harris is set to tout her plan for an expansion of tax incentives for small businesses in New Hampshire.

This is a pro-entrepreneur promise that may soften her previous calls for wealthy Americans and large corporations to pay higher taxes.

She wants to expand from $5,000 to $50,000 tax incentives for small business startup expenses, with the goal of eventually spurring 25 million new small business applications over four years.

Why has Harris skipped New Hampshire so far?

Harris New Hampshire trip is a rare deviation. She has so far spent most of her time in bigger swing states in Midwest and Sun Belt states.

Since New Hampshire is a smaller state, it is not considered as pivotal in the presidential race.

Another reason New Hamshire is low on Harriss list of priorities could be the fact that the state has tended to swing in favour of the Democrats recently. Biden won New Hampshire by 7 percentage points in 2020. In 2016, Hillary Clinton, too, won the state, although with a much smaller margin than Bidens win.

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The Harris campaign also claims it has a much better foothold here (17 field offices operating in coordination with the state Democratic party) than Trump (1 field office).

So why is she focusing on New Hampshire now?

Some of the states Democrats were angry that Biden directed the Democratic National Committee to make South Carolina the first state to vote in the partys presidential primary this year  displacing Iowas caucus and a first-in-the-nation primary New Hampshire held for more than a century.

Despite that, New Hampshire pressed ahead with an unsanctioned primary. Though Biden didnt campaign in it, or appear on the ballot, he still easily won via a write-in drive.

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Trump had seized on the primary calendar change, posting on his social media account that Harris sees there are problems for her campaign in New Hampshire because of the fact that they disrespected it in their primary and never showed up."

I protected New Hampshires First-In-The-Nation Primary and ALWAYS will.

It is likely that countering that narrative featured among reasons to stop over in New Hampshire.

Trump had also written about the high cost of living in New Hampshire, claiming that their energy bills are some of highest in the country, and their housing market is the most unaffordable in history.

Harris can hit back at such accusations with her tax plan for small businesses, portraying herself as pro-middle class.

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Giving the smaller swing state attention could be helpful if the race comes down to the last few thousand votes.

With inputs from AP
The dramatic arrest of Linda Sun, once a prominent aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and her husband Chris Hu, has unmasked a major espionage scandal teeming with allegations of clandestine activities on behalf of the Chinese government. Linda Sun, 41, stands accused of leveraging her high-ranking position within the New York state government to advance the agenda of the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party, purportedly in return for millions of dollars. Meanwhile, Chris Hu, 40, faces an array of charges including money laundering and bank fraud. Both defendants have entered pleas of not guilty, with Sun securing her release on a staggering $1.5 million bond and Hu on a $500,000 bond. This sensational case highlights both the intricate nature of Chinese espionage and its profound implications for US national security.

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Charges and allegations

Linda Sun faces multiple serious charges, including violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), visa fraud, alien smuggling and money laundering. These allegations suggest that Sun exploited her governmental position to serve the interests of the Chinese government potentially compromising sensitive state information for substantial financial gain. Her husband, Chris Hu, has been charged with money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of means of identification. The involvement of high-ranking officials in such activities raises profound concerns about the vulnerabilities in US national security and the extent of foreign influence in American political and governmental spheres. The case highlights the potential risks associated with insider threats and the need for rigorous security protocols to safeguard sensitive information.

Historical context of Chinese espionage

The arrest of Sun and Hu is part of a broader pattern of Chinese espionage targeting the United States. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) documented 224 instances of Chinese espionage directed at the US from 2000 to March 2023. These incidents demonstrate a sustained effort by Chinese intelligence agencies to infiltrate US institutions and acquire sensitive information. High-profile cases include Jerry Chun Shing Lee, a former CIA officer sentenced to 19 years in prison in 2018 for retaining classified information that led to the dismantling of the CIAs network in China. Similarly, Kevin Mallory, another former CIA officer, was convicted in 2018 for transmitting classified documents to China, receiving a 20-year sentence. Ron Hansen, a former US Army officer and Defence Intelligence Agency employee, was sentenced to 10 years in 2019 for attempting to transmit national defence information to China, illustrating the serious nature of these espionage activities and their impact on national security.

The charges against Sun and Hu reveal not just an isolated instance of misconduct but a continuation of a well-established pattern of Chinese espionage that has targeted the US for decades. In 1950, Qian Xuesen, a prominent scientist and cofounder of the Jet Propulsion laboratory, faced significant scrutiny and was stripped of his security clearance due to alleged Communist Party affiliations. Despite his significant contributions to US scientific projects, including the Manhattan Project, Qian was held under house arrest and later deported to China in 1955. His subsequent role in advancing Chinas space and missile programmes highlights the intricate nature of espionage and the consequences of misjudged actions by US authorities. The case of Qian Xuesen serves as a historical lesson on the complexities and far-reaching implications of espionage activities.

The FBI perspective

The FBI considers counterintelligence and economic espionage efforts from China as significant threats to US economic well-being and democratic values. The Bureaus perspective shows the breadth and complexity of Chinese espionage tactics, which include attempts to influence US lawmakers and public opinion to secure favourable policies for China. These tactics are part of a broader strategy involving predatory business practices, intellectual property theft and cyber intrusions. The FBIs emphasis on addressing these threats highlights the necessity for a coordinated response involving both government and private sectors. The FBIs website even displays mugshots of 37 fugitives wanted for crimes against US interests on behalf of China, illustrating the extensive nature of the espionage threat and the ongoing efforts to combat it.

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Chinas nasty espionage habits

The CSIS study indicates that Chinese espionage incidents far surpass those involving other countries including Russia. The long-term economic and security costs to the US are substantial with estimates running into billions of dollars for commercial and technological espionage. Recent years have seen an expansion in the scope of espionage activities, including the theft of massive quantities of personal information, political coercion and influence operations. The study highlights that 49 per cent of incidents involved Chinese military or government employees, 41 per cent involved private Chinese citizens and 46 per cent were related to cyber espionage activities.

Chinas espionage activities, however, extend far beyond US borders, affecting global dynamics and its neighbouring countries. The extensive and sophisticated network employed by China aims to gather sensitive information, influence political decisions and secure technological advancements creating widespread ripples across the international stage. This covert intelligence-gathering undermines the security of targeted nations and disrupts regional stability. Countries in Chinas vicinity, such as India, Japan and those in Southeast Asia, face heightened geopolitical tensions and security challenges as they navigate the impacts of Chinese espionage. The infiltration of key sectors like technology and defence leads to significant economic and strategic disadvantages fuelling mistrust and rivalry. As China continues to expand its influence through these clandestine operations, the global community grapples with the ongoing struggle to mitigate risks and safeguard both national and international interests.
PM Modi arrives in Singapore for two-day visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday arrived here to deepen strategic partnership with the Southeast Asian country at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong after wrapping his visit to Brunei.

During the two-day visit, his fifth official trip to Singapore, the prime minister will connect with three generations of Singapores leadership, officials in New Delhi said.

The prime minister will receive an official welcome at the Parliament House on Thursday and call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

This visit comes days after Wong took over and Modi began his third term as prime minister.

Ahead of his departure, Modi had posted on X: I look forward to my discussions to deepen our Strategic Partnership with Singapore, particularly in new and emerging areas of advanced manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainable development. Modi, who last visited Singapore in 2018, is accompanied by Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other government officials.

The leaders will review the progress of India-Singapore Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement said ahead of his departure for Brunei and Singapore.

Modi would call on Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. Wong and Lee will host Modi to separate meals.

Modi will also meet with Singaporean business leaders and interact with those in the countrys semiconductor ecosystem.

This visit will build synergies in semiconductor ecosystems of Singapore and India. Both PMs will visit a semiconductor manufacturing facility, officials said.

They said MoUs will be signed for cooperation in manpower skilling in the semiconductor sector.

From skilling centres to training and recruitment by Singapore firms, this will help Indias youth with better skills and opportunities, officials added.
The violence has intensified as fighting between Myanmars ruling junta and the Arakan Army, a powerful ethnic militia drawn from the Buddhist majority, continues to worsen read more

For decades, Rohingya have been persecuted in Buddhist-majority Myanmar. AFP

Around 8,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh in recent months, escaping escalating violence in Myanmars western Rakhine state, according to Bangladeshi officials.

The violence has intensified as fighting between Myanmars ruling junta and the Arakan Army, a powerful ethnic militia drawn from the Buddhist majority, continues to worsen.

We have information that around 8,000 Rohingya crossed into Bangladesh recently, mostly over the last two months, said Mohammad Shamsud Douza, a senior official in charge of refugees for the Bangladeshi government.

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Bangladesh is already over-burdened and unable to accommodate any more Rohingya, he told Reuters on Wednesday.

The Bangladesh government has not previously provided any estimate of how many Rohingya have crossed over in the last few months.

The government will hold a serious discussion at the cabinet within the next two to three days to address the crisis, Bangladeshs de-facto foreign minister, Mohammad Touhid Hossain, told reporters late on Tuesday.

While expressing sympathy for the Rohingya, Hossain said that the country no longer has the capacity to provide humanitarian shelter to additional refugees.

It is not possible to fully seal the border, he said, adding that efforts will be made to prevent further infiltration.

Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh held rallies in camps on August 25, marking the seventh anniversary of the 2017 military crackdown that forced them to flee Myanmar, demanding an end to violence and safe return to their homeland.

Over one million Rohingya currently live in overcrowded camps in southern Bangladesh, with little hope of returning to Myanmar, where they are largely denied citizenship and other basic rights.

The recent surge in violence is the worst the Rohingya have faced since the 2017 Myanmar military-led campaign, which the United Nations described as having genocidal intent.

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Rohingya who recently fled to Bangladesh have urged the government to provide them with shelter.

How long can we stay with relatives in such a cramped space? said a Rohingya refugee who fled to Bangladesh last month with his wife and parents.

We appeal to the government to provide us with shelter and ensure we receive food and other essential assistance.

Last month, Hossain told Reuters Bangladesh cannot accept more Rohingya refugees and called on India and other countries to take greater action.

He also urged the international community to apply more pressure on the Arakan Army to cease attacks on the Rohingya in Rakhine state.
On Wednesday, suspected Boko Haram Islamic extremists opened fire on a market, on worshippers and in peoples homes, residents in northeastern Nigeria read more

Trucks carry the wrapped bodies of people killed by suspected Boko Haram militants, during their funeral in Yobe, Nigeria. Source: REUTERS.

At least 100 villagers were killed in northeastern Nigeria when suspected Boko Haram Islamic extremists opened fire on a market, on worshippers and in peoples homes, residents said Wednesday, the latest killings in Africas longest struggle with militancy.

More than 50 extremists on motorcycles rode into the Tarmuwa council area of Yobe state on Sunday evening and began firing before setting buildings ablaze, according to Yobe police spokesperson Dungus Abdulkarim.

The police blamed the attack on Boko Haram, which since 2009 has launched an insurgency to establish its radical interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia, in the region. Boko Haram has since splintered into different factions, together accounting for the direct deaths of at least 35,000 people and the displacement of more than 2 million, as well as a humanitarian crisis with millions of people in dire need of foreign aid.

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At least 1,500 people have so far been killed in the region this year in attacks by armed groups, according to the US-based Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, or ACLED.

Yobe Deputy Gov. Idi Barde Gubana gave a much lower death toll of 34 from Sundays attack. Contradictory statistics are a common trend in the security crisis, with the death toll from survivors count often higher than the official figure.

The 34 dead cited by the deputy governor were the ones buried in a single village, said Zanna Umar, a community leader, who said they have so far confirmed 102 villagers killed in the attack. Most of the others were either buried before officials arrived, or their bodies were taken to other places for burial.

We are still working to search for more because many people are still missing, said Umar.

Sundays attack is one of the deadliest in the last year in Yobe. The state is less frequently attacked than neighboring Borno, the epicenter of the war with Boko Haram.

Local media reported that the extremists claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was in reprisal for villagers informing security operatives about their activities. A number of Boko Haram members were killed as a result of the information passed on by villagers, the militants were quoted as saying.

Reprisals are rampant in the northeast and villagers sometimes pay the price after military operations, said Confidence MacHarry with SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based security firm.

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This is the first time our community has faced such a devastating attack, said Buba Adamu, a local chief, his voice mixed with grief and fear. We never imagined something like this could happen here.

There are some places (in the region) totally out of the control of the Nigerian army and villagers often live in fear of reprisals, MacHarry said. In such places, he added, Nigerian security forces only go there for operations but do not have enough manpower to remain on the ground.

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was elected last year on a pledge to end the conflict with Boko Haram, condemned the attack in a statement that tried to assure villagers of justice but was silent about security measures.

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Security analysts have faulted Tinubus security policies, saying he has not taken any bold steps so far to resolve the killings and that the problems he inherited, such as inadequate resources and manpower, remain.
During an emergency Politburo meeting held in Sinuiju, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un asked authorities to strictly punish those who he claimed has neglected their responsibilities for disaster prevention read more

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observes rescue efforts in flooded areas near the country's border with China, which has been hit by heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Gaemi, in North Pyongan Province, North Korea. Source: KCNA via REUTERS.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly ordered up to 30 officials of his government to be executed. They are being allegedly punished for failing to prevent the devastating floods and landslides in the summer that resulted in the deaths of around 1,000 people, the South Korean media reported.

Heavy rain and subsequent landslides struck Chagang Province recently causing deaths, injuries, and leaving several homeless.

A report by TV Chosun quoted an official from Kims regime as saying that between 20 to 30 leaders in North Korea had been charged with corruption and dereliction of duty, with the state sentencing them to capital punishment.

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The official said, It has been determined that 20 to 30 cadres in the flood-stricken area were executed at the same time last month."

However, this detail is hard to confirm much like many others due to North Koreas extreme secrecy, but the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) has reported that Kim had ordered authorities to strictly punish officials following the catastrophic floods in July that struck Chagang Province, near the border with China.

As per KCNA, during an emergency Politburo meeting held in Sinuiju, Kim asked authorities to strictly punish those who he claimed has neglected their responsibilities for disaster prevention and caused even the casualty that can not be allowed.

The government officials who were executed were not identified, however, as per KCNA, Kang Bong-hoon, who has been the secretary of the Chagang Province Provincial Party Committee since 2019, was among the leaders dismissed by Kim in an emergency meeting during the flooding disaster.

Heavy rains struck North Korea in July led to landslides and flooding and affected over 4,000 homes and isolated 5,000 residents. Kim personally inspected the affected areas.

The North Korean leader further stated that it will take between two and three months to rebuild the flood-affected areas and has designated parts of three provinces as special disaster emergency zones.
North Korean ruler Kim Jong-Un has created an atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty among the countrys elites with his erratic actions, said a prominent defector read more

The North Koreas elites are tired of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Uns erratic behaviour, according to a prominent defector.

Kim succeeded his father, Kim Jong-Il, as the Supreme Leader of North Korea in 2011 and has ruled the nation with an iron fist. He has frequently made news across the world for punishing officials at whim, including ordering executions. Lately, reports surfaced saying that he ordered execution of 20-30 officials for failing to manage the floods in the country.

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Such erratic behaviour for more than a decade has made North Koreas elites disillusioned and tired of Kim, said Ri Il-gyu, a defector who lives in South Korea, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Following the Korean War (1950-53), while the North Korea became a totalitarian communist state under the dictatorship of the Kim family, the South Korea became a vibrant democracy and an industrial powerhouse. Owing to the abysmal standards of living, poverty, and absence of any civil liberties in their country of birth, North Koreans often try to defect to South Korea. Over the years, several North Korean officials posted abroad have defected to South Korea.

Ri, 52, defected to South Korea in 2016. He was posted at the North Korean embassy in Cuba.

Speaking at the Global Korea Forum in South Korean capital Seoul, Ri said that the North Korean elites have become disillusioned with the regime due to Kim Jong-uns impulsive behaviour, according to The Telegraph.

Ri said that Kims tendency to punish even minor mistakes with dismissals or even execution has created an atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty, as per the newspaper.

However, Ri added that North Koreans were hesitant to revolt because of the draconian surveillance system and the brutal repression of any dissent in the country.

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Ri, who is an advocate of overthrowing Kims regime, said that South Korea should mount an information campaign against Kims regime to recruit officials to build a force for change, according to the newspaper.

Previously, Ri has described Kim as just like any other man in person.

In person, Kim Jong-un is just an ordinary human. Up close, you cant help but think his blood pressure must be extremely high; his face is always red, like hes been drinking, even redder than on screen, said Ri previously, according to the newspaper.
The non-bailable warrant against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has been issued in a case related to arms and liquor recovery read more

A court in Pakistans Islamabad has issued a non-bailable warrant against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

Gandapur is from jailed former premier Imran Khans Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI). The party is facing continuing yearslong crackdown after Imran fell out of favour with the nations all-power military-intelligence establishment.

The court has issued the warrant against Gandapur in a case related to alleged recovery of arms and liquor in 2016.

Rejecting Gandapurs request to be exempted from appearing in court, Judge Shaista Khan Kundi ordered the concerned police station house officer (SHO) to arrest Gandapur and produce him before the court.

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As she rejected Gandapurs plea for exemption from appearance, Kundi noted the contradictory statements seeking exemption. She flagged that while one lawyer for the accused said he could not attend court because he was unwell, another assistant said he could not appear because of the floods, according to Geo TV.

Kundi further noted that it was the eighth instance that Gandapurs statement could not be recorded due to his absence.

The case against Gandapur is related to the alleged recovery of five Kalashnikov rifles, a pistol, six magazines, a bullet-proof vest, three teargas shells, and bottles of alcohol in October 2016, according to Geo TV.

Gandapur was a minister in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government at the time and was booked under illegal arms and anti-drugs laws.

Gandapur is the latest PTI leader to face renewed wrath of the courts as several party leaders, including its leader and former Pakistani premier Imran, remain incarcerated. There are more than 100 cases against Imran. Since the last years attacks by PTI cadres on Pakistani Army establishments, the party has been under a sweeping crackdown.

In the national elections earlier this year, the PTI was barred from fielding its candidates and the party symbol was frozen. In July, the Shehbaz Sharif-led Pakistan government announced the plan to ban PTI.
Taking yet another swipe at China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also called for the upholding of the international laws and the navigation of the seas in the Southeast Asia read more

Taking a dig at China during his visit to Brunei, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that India supports the policy of development, not expansionism.

Modi on Monday arrived on a two-day visit to Brunei, a nation in the Southeast Asia. Brunei is among the several nations in the region with whom China has territorial disputes. While these nations assert sovereignty over the regional waters, China claims the entirety of South China Sea as its own.

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In remarks at the banquet hosted by Bruneis King Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Modi hit out at China without taking name.

Modi said, We support the policy of development, not expansionism.

Modi further invoked the international law regime  again a swipe at China as China rejects international norms in the region.

Through international laws like UNCLOS, we support freedom of navigation and overflight. We agree that there should be a consensus on the code of conduct in the region, said Modi, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

My remarks during the banquet hosted by HM Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. https://t.co/0zodfmvlIB  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2024

Hampering the international navigation rights in the seas and sovereignty of nations in the regions, China has claimed the entirety of the South China Sea as its own. In July 2016, the Arbitral Tribunal of the UNCLOS ruled that China had no historic claim to the waters in the region as it had been claiming and it had breached the Philippines sovereign rights with its actions in the South China Sea.

Modis comments regarding UNCLOS and the navigation of the seas were also, therefore, aimed at Chinese hegemonic designs in the general Indo-Pacific region and specifically the contested waters of the South China Sea.

After a two-day visit to Brunei, Modi emplaned for the second and final leg of the tour to Singapore.
Pope Francis called on Indonesian leaders to address religious extremism and promote interfaith dialogue during his visit to Jakarta. Speaking to political and religious figures, he emphasized the need to counter intolerance and manipulation of religion to foster peace and mutual respect read more

Pope Francis is welcomed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport during the his apostolic visit to Asia, in Tangerang near Jakarta, Indonesia, September 3, 2024. REUTERS

Pope Francis on Wednesday urged political leaders in Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim-majority country, to guard against religious extremism, which he said distorted peoples religious beliefs through deception and violence.

In his first speech during an ambitious 12-day journey across Southeast Asia, where Christians are broadly a small minority of the regional population, the pontiff said the Catholic Church would increase its efforts toward inter-religious dialogue in hopes of helping tamp down extremism.

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In this way, prejudices can be eliminated, and a climate of mutual respect and trust can grow, the 87-year-old pope said in an address to some 300 politicians and religious leaders at Jakartas Merdeka Presidential Palace.

This is indispensable for meeting common challenges, including that of countering extremism and intolerance, which through the distortion of religion attempt to impose their views by using deception and violence, said Francis.

Indonesia has a population of about 280 million people and is estimated to be about 87% Muslim. Freedom of religion is guaranteed in the countrys constitution.

There have been a few incidents of extremist violence in the country in recent years, including suicide bomb attacks in 2021 and 2022 by persons affiliated with the Islamic State-inspired group Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD).

The 2021 incident took place just before the Christian Easter holiday, and wounded at least 19 people.

Francis was greeted by crowds waving small Vatican and Indonesian flags as his car arrived at the presidential palace.

Dorothea Dawai, a school child aged 10, was among the group welcoming the pope. Wearing a green kebaya, a traditional Indonesian dress, she said she hoped to ask for a blessing.

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The pontiff, who suffers from knee and back pain, was seated in a wheelchair as he left his car, and met Indonesia President Joko Widodo outside the building.

The two leaders were saluted by an honour guard playing the Indonesian and Vatican anthems, before heading inside for a private meeting.

Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, is stepping down in October after 10 years in office.

In his public remarks, Francis did not mention any specific violent incidents, but made several references to extremism, intolerance and manipulation of religion.

There are times when faith in God is  sadly manipulated to foment divisions and increase hatred instead of furthering peace, communion, dialogue, respect, cooperation and fraternity, said the pontiff.

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Francis speech came on his first working day of the trip to Southeast Asia and the Pacific, which will also include stops in Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.
Russia is hosting the BRICS Summit on 22-24 October and looks forward to expanding its influence and forging closer economic alliances read more

Russian President arrived in Beijing on a state visit to China on Thursday (Photo: AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday he was expecting Chinese leader Xi Jinping to attend a summit of the BRICS group of major emerging economies in Russia next month.

Putin has looked to the Chinese leader for support since the Ukraine conflict began, with the two boosting trade to record highs as Russia faces heavy economic sanctions from the West.

As agreed, we are expecting Chinese President Mr Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit, Putin said during a meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.

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The BRICS group, an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, represents almost half the worlds population and has since expanded to include other major emerging economies including the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

The group is set to hold a summit in the Russian city of Kazan from the 22-24 October, in what the Kremlin hopes will be a chance to expand its influence and forge closer economic alliances.

Moscow and Beijing both rail against Western hegemony, particularly what they see as US domination of global affairs, and declared a no limits partnership shortly before Moscow launched its offensive in Ukraine.

Last month, Putin said Russias economic and trade links with China were yielding results as he welcomed Chinese Premier Li Qiang to the Kremlin.
Russia has said recently it was set to make changes to the policy setting out the circumstances for its use of nuclear weapons, but has not yet detailed the changes read more

Washingtons escalation of the war in Ukraine and the actions of the collective West have made it necessary for Russia to revise its nuclear doctrine, Russian agencies cited Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on Wednesday.

Russia has said recently it was set to make changes to the policy setting out the circumstances for its use of nuclear weapons, but has not yet detailed the changes.

The existing nuclear doctrine, set out in a decree by President Vladimir Putin in 2020, says Russia may use nuclear weapons in case of a nuclear attack by an enemy or a conventional attack that threatens the existence of the state.

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The revisions come against the backdrop of the challenges and threats provoked by the countries of the so-called collective West, Peskov told the agencies.

Moscow is taking into account the possibility of Ukraine using U.S.-supplied long-range weapons in its attacks deep into the Russian territory, he added.

Ukraine has long urged its allies to let it fire Western weapons at targets far into enemy territory, and those calls have grown louder as Russian steps up airstrikes on Ukrainian energy and other infrastructure as well as apartment blocks.

It is obvious that the Ukrainians will do this, RIA cited Peskov as saying. We are taking all this into account.

At least 50 people were killed and 271 wounded when Russia hit a military institute in Ukraines central town of Poltava with two ballistic missiles on Tuesday, in the years single deadliest attack of the war.
For months, Ukraine has been seeking permission from the United States to hit deeper inside Russia with long-range weapons read more

Russia on Wednesday warned Ukraine that any attack in the interiors with long-range weapons will be met with a very painful and immediate response.

For months, Ukraine has sought permission from the United States to hit deeper inside Russia with long-range weapons. Even as the United States and European partners have provided Ukraine with weapons, they have not allowed their usage in strikes deep inside Russia over fears of an escalation. As things stand, Ukraine may use small arms, artillery, and armoured vehicles inside Russia and missiles in border regions but not in the deep interiors.

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Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said if Ukraine were to strike deep inside Russia, the response would be immediate and extremely painful, according to an English translation by Reuters.

We would like to warn such irresponsible politicians in EU countries and behind the ocean If such aggressive steps are taken by the Kyiv regime, Russias response will be immediate, I think many of that you have already been observing in the last days, and it will be extremely painful, said Zakharova.

The Russian warning comes a day after missiles strikes in Ukraines Poltava city killed more than 50 people and injured more than 200. Following the strikes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy repeated his call for the supply of long-range weapons.

We continue to urge everyone in the world who has the power to stop this terror: Ukraine needs air defence systems and missiles now, not sitting in storage. Long-range strikes that can protect us from Russian terror are needed now, not later. Every day of delay, unfortunately, means more lost lives, said Zelenskyy in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

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West main instigator of conflict

Continuing the Russian tirade against Ukraine and its partners, Zakharova told reporters that the West was the main instigator of the conflict.

We see direct involvement of the West into the conflict in Ukraine. The collective West is the main instigator of the military aggression by the Kyiv regime. They are demonstrating their direct involvement as an interested party with more and more frankness and insolence, said Zakharova, as per Reuters.

Zakharova further said that Ukraine and its Western partners were no longer concerned about escalation and had lost the sense of reality.

They are losing the sense of reality, they are not thinking about the risks of further dangerous escalation of the conflict even when it comes to their own interests. Its not about Ukraine or Ukrainian citizens anymore theyve long forgotten about them they are not thinking about themselves, said Zakharova.
Singapore-headquartered CapitaLand, which is one of Asias largest diversified real estate groups, is planning to more than double its funds under management in India to over S$14.8 billion read more

Moments ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi touching down Singapore for a two-day historic visit on Wednesday, Singapores CapitaLand Investment (CLI) announced to more than double its funds under management (FUM) in India by 2028 from S$7.4 billion (INR 458.8 billion) as of June 30.

This major investment will help CLIs global target of achieving S$200 billion in FUM by 2028.

CLI, which is a leading global real estate investment manager, will be investing around Rs 90,200 crore in the next 4 years. This indicates a firm confidence in the countrys economic growth and real estate sector.

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In a post on X, High Commissioner of Singapore said: Singapores CapitaLand, one of Asias largest diversified real estate groups, plans to more than double its funds under management in India to more than S$14.8 billion (>INR 90,280 Cr) by 2028.

Singapore's CapitaLand, one of Asia's largest diversified real estate groups, plans to more than double its funds under management in India to more than S$14.8 billion (>INR 90,280 Cr) by 2028.



Good to see  companies doubling down on investments in ! HC Wong https://t.co/2xqROjij7o  Singapore in India (@SGinIndia) September 4, 2024

The development is significant as it comes ahead of PM Modis meeting with the business community in Singapore. He will also be meeting President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

The announcement also comes at the time CLI marks its 30th anniversary of operations in India. CEO of CLI, Lee Chee Koon said that India has been one of his companys fastest growing markets where its investments have tripled in the last seven years.

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With Indias GDP forecasted to grow 7 per cent in 2024 and its trajectory to be the worlds third-largest economy in the next five years, the country is attracting global investors for quality real assets, Koon said.

The country is attracting demand from global corporations and institutional investors for quality real assets, Koon further said.

The CLI CEO also said that his company would explore opportunities to enter the renewable energy and real estate private credit segments in the country.

In August this year, CLI launched a fund for business park development in India, which expected to add S$700 million to its funds under management.

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Singapore-headquartered CLI began its journey in India with the development of its first IT park, International Tech Park Bangalore (ITPB), through Ascendas. In 2015, Ascendas merged with Singbridge to form Ascendas-Singbridge, which later merged with CapitaLand in 2019. Following CapitaLands restructuring, CLI was listed in 2021.

CLI has 14 business parks and IT parks spanning 23.5 million square feet of space across Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai, and Gurugram.

With inputs from agencies.
Paetongtarn is the youngest daughter of the divisive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who is still widely seen as wielding power behind the scenes. The new cabinet could deliver its policy proposal to parliament as early as next week read more

Maha Vajiralongkorn (L), the King of Thailand, has given his nod to the country's youngest Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's cabinet. Images from Reuters

Thailands King Maha Vajiralongkorn has endorsed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatras new cabinet, the Royal Gazette showed on Wednesday, with 12 new faces in the 36-member lineup of her coalition government.

Paetongtarn, 38, was elected by parliament last month to become Thailands youngest premier after the shock removal of predecessor Srettha Thavisin by a court.

Her Pheu Thai Party, which, together with previous incarnations, has led governments since 2001, remains the dominant force in the new cabinet, retaining Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira and Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa.

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Deputy premier Phumtham Wechayachai takes on the defence portfolio and has been replaced as commerce minister by top Pheu Thai adviser and former energy minister Pichai Naripthaphan.

Pheu Thai, the populist party of the billionaire Shinawatra family, has 17 of the cabinet positions, which include ministers and deputy ministers, with the remaining 19 divided among coalition partners.

The new cabinet could deliver its policy proposal to parliament as early as next week, the governments chief whip, Wisut Chainarun, told Reuters.

Those include an adjustment of Pheu Thais signature policy to transfer credit of 10,000 baht ($292) to 50 million Thais via a smartphone application, some of which will now be delivered in cash.

Paetongtarn is the youngest daughter of the divisive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who is still widely seen as wielding power behind the scenes.

She is also the second woman and fourth family member to hold the top post, with the other three removed by coups or court decisions.

Pheu Thai will also control the transport, health, tourism and culture ministries, while the Bhumjaithai Party, the second largest in the alliance, received eight cabinet seats, including the ministries of the interior, education and labour.

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Bhumjaithai has said it will push ahead with plans for a cannabis bill to regulate marijuana after its success in de-criminalising the narcotic sparked a boom in marijuana-related businesses.

The quick formation of the cabinet was a good sign and would help ensure a smooth rollout of stimulus measures, said Payong Srivanich, chairman of the Thai Bankers Association.

There are many parties but we believe there is unity. We will work together with the government, he said.

Transferring money to the economic system quickly, especially to vulnerable groups, will create liveliness at the grassroots.
With an IMF mission underway in Ukraine, and financial aid known to be dependent on governance reforms, is Zelenskyys shake-up purely internal, or linked to the need to secure crucial international funding? read more

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the cabinet reshuffle is being done due to a need for 'new energy' in the administration. Images from Reuters

Ukraine is heading toward a major cabinet reshuffle, with several high-profile resignations and dismissals in recent days. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the shakeup as a move to bring new energy into the government, aimed at strengthening the country as it continues its fight against Russias full-scale invasion. But could there be more to this major change than is visible? More specifically, is it possible that the influence of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is behind this move?

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On Wednesday (September 4), Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, one of the most recognizable faces of Ukraine on the international stage, submitted his resignation. This followed a series of other resignations and dismissals on Tuesday (September 3).

Among those who stepped down were Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Olga Stefanishyna, Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin, Minister of Justice Denys Maliuska, and Minister of the Environment Ruslan Strilets.

Additionally, one of Zelenskyys top aides, Rostyslav Shurma, was dismissed via a presidential decree after allegations of abusing his position for personal gain.

While the Ukrainian parliament approved the resignation of four ministers on Wednesday, the removal of the deputy PM and another senior official failed to garner enough votes. Kulebas resignation is likely to be put to vote on Thursday.

President Zelenskyy has framed the reshuffle as a necessary move to inject new energy into his administration, focusing on strengthening Ukraine.

However, the timing of the changes raises the possibility that other factors could be at play, specifically the influence of the IMF.

Could the IMF be behind the reshuffle?

The IMF is one of Ukraines most significant international lenders, playing a key role in supporting the countrys war-torn economy. Its four-year, $15.6 billion lending programme is part of a broader global economic support package, which is essential as Ukraine prepares for its third winter of the conflict.

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Notably, an IMF mission began on Wednesday, just hours after the wave of ministerial resignations, to conduct its fifth review of Ukraines lending programme.

IMF funding is typically provided in installments, contingent on the countrys progress in implementing agreed-upon policy actions, known as prior actions. These commitments often focus on economic measures such as fiscal reforms or restructuring the banking sector, but can also include governance reforms.

Given the widespread public concern over corruption within Ukraines government, a cabinet reshuffle could be seen as aligning with IMFs governance reform criteria.

Governance reform amid corruption concerns

Corruption has long been a significant issue in Ukraine, and during wartime, the need for transparency and effective governance is even more critical. A cabinet overhaul could be an opportunity to address some of these concerns, signalling to international donors, including the IMF, that the country is committed to reforming its governance structures.

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In this context, the cabinet reshuffle could be seen as a move to demonstrate Ukraines commitment to meeting the IMFs governance criteria, ensuring the continued flow of much-needed financial support.

While there is no official confirmation that the IMF is directly involved in the reshuffle, the timing and nature of the changes raise the question of whether Zelenskyys administration is acting in anticipation of the funds expectations.

With inputs from agencies
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday put in his papers in the latest flurry of resignations, marking a significant reshuffle in President Volodymyr Zelenskyys administration read more

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday put in his papers in the latest flurry of resignations, marking a significant reshuffle in President Volodymyr Zelenskyys administration.

Two of Ukraines vice premiers, three ministers, the head of the State Property Fund and a top official in Zelenskyys Presidential Office have all quit within the last day or so.

According to The Hill, Ruslan Stefanchuk, the Speaker of Ukraines parliament, announced Kulebas resignation on Facebook, along with the departure of five other officials.

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These resignations are set to be reviewed in an upcoming parliamentary plenary session, added the report.

The parliament needs to approve the resignations for them to take effect. They are yet to vote on Kulebas exit, but have approved the resignations of the three other ministers and one of the vice premiers on Wednesday. They did not accept the resignation of the property fund head and the deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk, who will remain in their posts, reported CNN.

The Ukrainian parliament is set to vote on Kulebas resignation on Thursday, along with two other resignations not accepted on Wednesday, and will consider new ministerial appointments.

While President Zelenskyy has not elaborated on the reshuffle, he emphasised in his Tuesday night address that the upcoming fall is crucial for Ukraine and that state institutions must be optimised to achieve key objectives.

Autumn will be extremely important for Ukraine. And our state institutions must be set up in such a way that Ukraine will achieve all the results we need  for all of us, Zelenskyy said.

Kuleba and the other resigning officials are expected to be given other roles within the Zelenskyys administration, according to CNN.

This reshuffle comes as Ukraine faces mounting pressure on the eastern front, particularly around the critical city of Pokrovsk.

Zelenskyy likely aims to have his new team in place before his upcoming trip to the US for the UN General Assembly and a meeting with President Joe Biden. Zelenskyy plans to present Biden with a new four-part victory plan, though details are yet to be revealed.

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The last significant leadership change took place in February, when Zelenskyy replaced Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi with Oleksander Syrskyi.

The changes come as Kyiv continues to advocate for the US to lift its ban on long-range missiles capable of striking deep within Russian territory. This move follows Ukraines recent bold incursion into Russian territory, where it now controls nearly 450 square miles.

In response, Moscow has intensified its missile strikes across Ukraine. On Tuesday, attacks targeted a military academy and other sites in Poltava, resulting in 51 deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Over the past few days, Russia has launched hundreds of missiles at various Ukrainian cities, including Lviv, and targeted essential infrastructure such as energy and water systems.

With inputs from agencies
The US is sending Michael Chase, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia to the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, signalling a bid for deeper military-level engagement despite rising tensions. Chases seniority marks an upgrade from last years delegation read more

Washington is willing to show Beijing that it prioritises engagement at the military level with China. File image/Reuters

China is set to host the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum from September 12-14. At the countrys top annual security forum, the United States is eager to show that it prioritises engagement at the military level with China , even at a time of heightened tensions.

Michael Chase, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, is set to be a part of the delegation attending the event in Beijing, Reuters reported, citing a US official.

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Messaging via seniority of delegation

The nuance of Washingtons signalling to Xi Jinpings administration lies in Chases seniority.

He is more senior than the US official who attended the Xiangshan Forum last year. Washington sent Xanthi Carras, China country director in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defence, when the forum resumed last year after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

Reuters, cited the official as saying that Chases attendance was not unprecedented, since the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for China, Chad Sbragia, attended the forum in 2019. Sending someone of Chases rank to such a forum also aligns with the Pentagons historical norms.

In the past, Chase co-chaired US-China military talks in Washington in January - the first such working-level talks since 2022, when most bilateral military engagement was suspended after then-US Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan.

There is hope that someone of a rank as high as Chases going to the Beijing Xiangshan Forum could signal deeper working-level engagement with China amid regional disputes.

Points of contention between China, US

Taiwan and the South China Sea are key points of contention in the US-China relationship. Beijing and Washington have called these core issues and have so far appeared unwilling to compromise on them.

China regularly criticises deployments by the US in the Asia-Pacific region. Here, placement of long-range missiles in the Philippines has been an area that China has actively and aggressively raised its voice against. Beijing is also opposed to US arms sales to the democratically-governed island territory of Taiwan, which China considers its own.

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The US, on the other hand, has expressed concerns about Chinas aggressive actions in the South China Sea, its frequent military manoeuvers in the air and waters surrounding Taiwan, and what it perceives as the lack of transparency in Chinas nuclear buildup.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated that no new agreements had been reached in the South China Sea during his visit to China last week.

With inputs from Reuters
The US is likely to take several actions, including a public condemnation by the White House and an announcement from the Justice Department about law enforcement measures against the covert Russian campaign, according to a report read more

The Biden administration on Wednesday is set to accuse Russia of a sustained effort to influence the 2024 US presidential election by using Kremlin-controlled media and online platforms to spread disinformation targeting US voters, according to a CNN report, citing six sources familiar with the matter.

According to the report, the US is likely to take several actions, including a public condemnation by the White House and an announcement from the Justice Department about law enforcement measures against the covert Russian campaign.

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A major focus will be on RT, the Russian state media network, which the US officials view as a central element in pushing Kremlins propaganda.

The disinformation campaign is reportedly being propagated through both American and non-American voices, added the report, citing sources.

Taken together, the actions would be the Biden administrations most significant public response yet to alleged Russian influence operations targeting American voters.

Following last months accusations against Iran for attempting to hack both the Trump and Biden-Harris campaigns, Wednesdays actions underscore the administrations ongoing concern about Russias role as a major foreign influence threat for the upcoming election, reported CNN.

According to the report, Attorney General Merrick Garland will lead a meeting of the Justice Departments Election Threats Task Force on Wednesday afternoon, with senior law enforcement leaders, including FBI Director Christopher Wray, in attendance.

The Social Design Agency, a Russian company already sanctioned by the Treasury Department for operating fake news sites in Europe, is expected to be named in the announcements, added the report.

RT, formerly known as Russia Today, continues to run global platforms advancing the Kremlins agenda. The Justice Department had previously forced RT America to register as a foreign agent in 2017 due to its involvement in Russian election interference efforts.

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Wednesdays announcements mark the second major push by the Biden administration to counter RTs influence in recent months.

In July, the Justice Department accused an RT employee of orchestrating a disinformation scheme using around 1,000 fake social media accounts to spread false narratives about the Ukraine war. The Kremlin, however, denied financing the scheme.

CNN has also reached out to RT for comments on the expected US announcements.

The media outlet has previously ridiculed US allegations that it acts as a Russian influence agent.

Since Russias 2016 election interference, which involved hacking the DNC and leaking documents to undermine Hillary Clinton, foreign operatives have increasingly targeted US elections.

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According to the CNN report, In the 2024 election, Irans alleged embrace of a similar hack-and-leak playbook that Russia used in 2016 has US officials on heightened alert. In June, Iranian hackers breached the Trump campaign, stole internal documents, and shared them with the media. They also targeted campaign staff by accessing Roger Stones email account.

China is also under scrutiny, with US officials and experts noting its extensive online operations aimed at US voters. Despite Chinese leader Xi Jinpings assurance to President Biden last November that China would not interfere, concerns persist.

Nevertheless, tampering with the US election process remains highly challenging due to robust security measures.

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There is no evidence of any successful efforts, foreign or domestic, to alter vote tallies.

Approximately 97% of voters in the 2024 election will cast ballots in jurisdictions with verified paper records, enhancing election transparency, according to Jen Easterly, director of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

With inputs from agencies
The charges against Yahya Sinwar, the militant groups chief, and at least five others accuse them of orchestrating the Oct. 7 attack, which killed 1,200 people, including more than 40 Americans read more

Yehya Al-Sinwar Gaza Strip chief of the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement, speaks during a rally to mark the annual al-Quds Day (Jerusalem Day), in Gaza. File image/ Reuters

The United States announced criminal charges on Tuesday against Hamas top leaders over their roles in planning, supporting and perpetrating the deadly Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel.

The charges against Yahya Sinwar, the militant groups chief, and at least five others accuse them of orchestrating the Oct. 7 attack, which killed 1,200 people, including more than 40 Americans.

That attack triggered an Israeli assault on Gaza that has killed more than 40,800 Palestinians and laid waste to much of the territory.

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As outlined in our complaint, those defendants  armed with weapons, political support, and funding from the Government of Iran, and support from (Hezbollah) - have led Hamass efforts to destroy the State of Israel and murder civilians in support of that aim, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

The complaint names six defendants, three of whom are deceased. The living defendants are Sinwar, who is believed to be in hiding in Gaza; Khaled Meshaal, who is based in Doha and heads the groups diaspora office; and Ali Baraka, a senior Hamas official based in Lebanon.

The deceased defendants are former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who the group says was assassinated in July in Tehran; military wing chief Mohammed Deif, who Israel says it killed in a July airstrike; and Marwan Issa, a deputy military commander who Israel said it killed in a March strike.

Iran has blamed Israel for Haniyehs death. Israeli officials have not claimed responsibility.

U.S. prosecutors brought charges against the six men in February, but kept the complaint under seal in hopes of capturing Haniyeh, according to a Justice Department official.

The Justice Department decided to go public with the charges after Haniyehs death.
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China's summer travel rush concludes with record railway passenger trips

People's Daily Online) 10:45, September 04, 2024

China's railway operator reported a record 887 million passenger trips during the 62-day summer travel season, up 6.7 percent from last year.

China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway) said that student vacations, tourism and family visits drove the surge in travel between July 1 and Aug. 31.

During the period, daily railway passenger trips averaged 14.3 million, also setting a record high.

By the end of 2023, China's railway network stretched 159,000 kilometers, including over 45,000 kilometers of high-speed rail. In the first half of 2024, China added nearly 980 kilometers of new lines, further increasing capacity.

Passengers are seen on the platform at the Tianjin West Railway Station in Tianjin, north China, July 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

During the summer rush, an average of 10,905 passenger trains operated daily, an increase of 636 trains, or 6.2 percent, from the same period last year.

The railway operator reported Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Xi'an, Wuhan, Nanjing and Zhengzhou as the most popular destinations during the summer travel season.

China's railway authorities introduced "quiet carriages" on 92 high-speed trains to enhance passenger comfort. Travelers can select this option when booking through the official mobile app, agreeing to maintain a quiet environment.

Additionally, some high-speed trains now feature dedicated children's compartments, equipped with playgrounds and mobile libraries.

Railway authorities also provided special services to optimize the passenger travel experience. For instance, Shanghai Railway Station opened a fast-track entrance for travelers with small items to improve efficiency.

This year's travel surge reflects new trends in China's culture and tourism market.

Ancient town tours and museum exhibition trips were popular among tourists during the summer.

This year marked the first summer travel season for a new high-speed rail section connecting Huangshan city in east China's Anhui Province with Nanchang city in east China's Jiangxi Province. This section is part of the larger Hangzhou-Nanchang line, which links several popular tourist destinations. The new connection boosted traffic at Jingdezhen North Railway Station in Jiangxi's "porcelain capital." The station handled over 1.19 million passenger trips during the summer rush, up 78.4 percent from last year.

Tourists lined up to photograph popular porcelain exhibits at the Jingdezhen China Ceramics Museum.

"After visiting the museum, I knew how complex the procedures of making ceramics were," said Jiang Tongfei, a tourist from Hangzhou, which is now linked to Jingdezhen via high-speed rail.

"Tourists visiting Jingdezhen have significantly increased since the Huangshan-Nanchang section of the high-speed railway opened. During this summer, Jingdezhen received 12.06 million tourist arrivals, up 21.7 percent year on year," said Sheng Jingjing, head of the city's culture and tourism bureau.

Tourist trains emerged as a new option for travelers during the summer rush. China Railway Zhengzhou Bureau Group Co., Ltd. launched seven tourist trains from Zhengzhou, central Chinas Henan Province, to popular destinations, including Harbin in northeast Chinas Heilongjiang Province and Kashgar in the northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
NZSIS shares more case studies in release of annual threat environment report

New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

September 03, 2024

The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) has released its annual Security Threat Environment report, with updated assessments on the nature of foreign interference, espionage and violent extremism in New Zealand.

The second annual release of the report features more case studies to illustrate the current range of threats observed by the NZSIS.

Director-General of Security Andrew Hampton said the release of last year's unclassified report was a significant step in raising awareness, and this year's edition goes even further.

"Our independent assessment is about being as upfront as we can about the reality of national security threats facing our country. The point is not to alarm anyone but to alert New Zealanders to the threats so that we can work together to manage them," he said.

"In recent years there has been considerably more public discussion around topics such as foreign interference and violent extremism, which is why our annual assessment is so important. We aim to provide an upfront and factual basis to this ongoing national conversation."

There is a focus in the assessment on highlighting common behaviours and activities associated with foreign interference, espionage and violent extremism in New Zealand.

A number of real-world case studies are included in the analysis from recent investigations that lift the lid on the range of national security threats observed by the NZSIS.

The report contains links to relevant protective security advice to help people and organisations take steps to increase their resilience to these threats. There is also advice on how to respond after witnessing any concerning behaviours or activities.

"When we all understand what's happening and some of the motivations that lie behind these activities, everyone can be better prepared to manage the risks, whether you are a member of a community, business owner or an elected official" Andrew Hampton said.

"This report contains insights anyone can use. It can support sound decision-making or even help someone ask the right questions such as "what might this threat look like in our community" or "what does this mean for our business or organisation?"

Key points from New Zealand's Security Threat Environment 2024: an assessment by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service include:

New Zealand's unique place and role in the Pacific can make us vulnerable to the activities of other states striving for influence and position throughout the region;

A small number of foreign states conduct interference and espionage in and against New Zealand and New Zealanders. These states seek to disrupt the rights of New Zealanders, including their right to freedom of expression;

There are consequences for New Zealand's national security from intentional or unintentional harm caused by people in positions of trust in public or private organisations. The harm could come through acts of espionage, unauthorised disclosure of information, the loss or degradation of a resource or capability, or in extreme cases acts of terrorism;

The most likely terrorist attack scenario in New Zealand is a lone actor, acting with little to no intelligence forewarning; and

There are a small number of people who subscribe to a range of known violent extremist ideologies. Increasingly, we also see individuals whom we assess to support violence from a mixed, unstable, or unclear ideological outlook.

New Zealand's Security Threat Environment 2024 [PDF, 6 MB]

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A former political aide tried to secretly advance China's interests, say prosecutors

Chinese officials allegedly plied the aide with money and favors a including Nanjing-style salted duck.

By Tara McKelvey for RFA 2024.09.03 -- U.S. prosecutors accused Linda Sun, 40, of secretly working to push the interests of the Chinese government while working as an aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.

In exchange, the prosecutors said, Sun's family reaped benefits. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said "the illicit scheme enriched the defendant's family to the tune of millions of dollars."

Sun was arrested on Tuesday in New York and has been charged with failure to register as a foreign agent, money laundering, conspiracy and other crimes.

Her husband, Christopher Hu, 41, who runs a store called Leivine Wine and Spirits in Flushing, Queens, was also arrested. According to the indictment, he helped with kickbacks, facilitating the transfer of millions of dollars. He has been charged with money laundering, conspiracy and conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

The case may be further evidence of how Chinese officials try to influence political policies in the United States, former FBI counterintelligence agent Holden Triplett, co-founder of a risk management consultancy, Trenchcoat Advisors, said.

"This helps to demonstrate how widespread and real this threat is - and also acts as a warning to people and serves as a lesson in what is illegal," Triplett said in an interview.

Sun started working for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2012 and was promoted to the position of director of Asian American Affairs, according to her online posts. She then served as an aide to Hochul. Sun was hired by the state's Department of Labor in 2022, but she left after several months.

Tickets and other gifts

According to court documents, Sun tried to cut out references to Taiwan, a hot-button issue for the Chinese government, in state communications. In addition, prosecutors said, she procured unauthorized letters from the governor's office to help Chinese government officials travel to the United States for meetings with state officials.

In exchange, Sun and her husband received profits from business funneled to his Flushing liquor store, as well as event tickets, a job for her cousin in China and gifts. One of these gifts, salted duck prepared by the personal chef of a Chinese consulate official, was sent to her parents' house, according to the prosecutors.

According to the indictment, the couple laundered the money and used the profits to buy a $3.5 million dollar house in Manhasset and a new Ferrari, among other items.

Sun and Hu pleaded not guilty on Tuesday and were released on bond. Seth DuCharme, a lawyer for Sun, did not respond immediately to a request for comment. Neither did Ken Abell, a lawyer for Hu.

The arrests of Sun and Hu follow a crackdown on the Chinese government's attempt to influence U.S. views and to spy on people in this country. A pro-democracy activist, Yuanjun Tang, was recently accused of working secretly for the Chinese Ministry of State Security.

In August, Shujun Wang, a historian, was found guilty of serving as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the attorney general.

Wang faces up to 25 years in prison and will be sentenced in January.

Some analysts say that the significance of the cases like Sun's and Hu's may be overblown, however. The charges are held up as examples of pernicious Chinese influence on the United States, but they do not always pan out. Or they may not be as damaging as they initially seem.

Alex Nowrasteh, a vice president at the libertarian Cato Institute and the author of a study "Espionage, Espionage-Related Crimes, and Immigration," said that the charges against Sun and Hu seem to indicate a "classic New York state corruption case."

But the allegations, even if they turn out to be true, do not necessarily mean that these individuals posed a threat to the security of the United States.

"It's not the same as a spy trying to steal U.S. nuclear secrets," Nowrasteh said. "This case might be used as, 'Americans should worry more about Chinese espionage.'" In fact, he said, many of these cases, perhaps including this one, have no impact on national security.

Edited by Jim Snyder

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Former aide to New York governor charged with acting as 'undisclosed' agent for China

By VOA News September 03, 2024

A former senior aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul was charged Tuesday with acting as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government.

Linda Sun, Hochul's former deputy chief of staff, is being charged with failure to register as a foreign agent, visa fraud, alien smuggling and money laundering conspiracy, federal prosecutors said in a statement released Tuesday.

Sun was hired by New York state's Executive Chamber more than 10 years ago and was terminated in March 2023 when her alleged illegal activities were discovered. She held positions in several agencies during that time.

Sun is alleged to have acted on behalf of the government of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party while working for the New York state government.

Sun "never registered as a foreign agent," federal prosecutors said, and "actively concealed that she took actions at the order, request or direction of PRC government and the CCP representatives."

Sun and her husband, co-defendant Chris Hu, were arrested at their Long Island home Tuesday before pleading not guilty during their arraignment in Brooklyn federal court in the afternoon.

Hu faces money laundering charges in addition to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of means of identification.

U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said that while Sun worked for Hochul in the deputy chief of staff capacity, she and her husband "actually worked to further the interests of the Chinese government and the CCP."

"The illicit scheme enriched the defendant's family to the tune of millions of dollars," Peace said.

While allegedly working for both the New York state government and China, Sun was successful in preventing Taiwanese government officials access to high-level New York officials said.

Sun is also reported to have changed the messaging of high-level New York state officials about issues of importance to the PRC and the CCP. She also allegedly obtained official New York state proclamations for PRC government officials without proper authorization.

Other charges against Sun include an attempt to facilitate a high-level New York state politician's trip to China and scheduling meetings for visiting Chinese government delegations with New York state government officials.

Sun and Hu received significant economic rewards by working for China, including facilitation of millions of dollars in transactions for Hu's China-based business activities, travel benefits, the promotion of a close family friend's business and employment for Sun's cousin in China. Prosecutors said the benefits also included Nanjing-style salted ducks prepared by a Chinese government official's personal chef that were given to Sun's parents.

Sun and her husband "laundered millions of dollars for the foreign country and used the monetary benefits of this scheme to buy luxury vehicles and million-dollar properties here in New York," said Thomas M. Fattorusso, special agent in charge of criminal investigations at the Internal Revenue Service in New York.

With their laundered money, the couple purchased a $4.1 million house on Long Island, a $2.1 million condominium in Honolulu, Hawaii, and several expensive cars, including a 2024 Ferrari.

Sun never reported any of the benefits she received from China, as was required as a New York state government employee.

Meanwhile, Hu unlawfully laundered money through bank accounts he opened in a relative's name but were entirely for Hu's exclusive use, prosecutors said. In addition, Hu unlawfully used an image of the relative's driver's license to open the accounts.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press.

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EXPLAINED: Who are Vietnam's Montagnards and what are their grievances?

One campaigner is fighting extradition from Thailand, saying Vietnamese authorities will kill him.

By Mike Firn for RFA 2024.09.02 -- Montagnard activist Y Quynh Bdap from Vietnam is on trial at Bangkok's Criminal Court, facing extradition back to Vietnam where he has been convicted of "terrorism" in connection with a deadly 2023 attack, which he denies.

Bdap is a founding member of Montagnards Stand for Justice, or MSFJ, which campaigns for the rights of the indigenous group in Vietnam. Vietnam listed it as a terrorist organization in March.

A verdict in Bdap's trial in Thailand, where he was living when the 2023 attack took place in Vietnam, is due on Sept. 30 at 1 p.m., a court was told on Monday.

Who are the Montagnards?

Montagnard is a term, meaning "mountain dweller," coined by French colonialists to describe a grouping of about 30 indigenous minorities in Vietnam's Central Highlands. Many of them are Christian.

The minorities in the Central Highlands have long been wary of outside interference and have been at odds with various governments, including U.S.-backed South Vietnam before 1975, and the communist government of Vietnam afterwards.

In the 1960s, many Montagnards were part of a group called FULRO, that campaigned for autonomy for indigenous people. During the Vietnam War, Montagnards helped U.S. forces as they tried to interdict North Vietnamese forces and supplies entering South Vietnam. Analysts say Vietnam has never forgiven that.

In the United States, where many Montagnards resettled after the war, their plight is viewed sympathetically. The community in North Carolina is hailed as the biggest population of Montagnards outside Vietnam.

What are their grievances?

Land and religious freedom are at the heart of Montagnard grievances.

Beginning in the 1990s, the government encouraged the migration of ethnic Kinh Vietnamese into the Central Highlands to grow coffee, putting them at odds with the Montagnards who practiced swidden, or slash and burn, agriculture.

Since 1975, more than three million people have moved into the region. According to government statistics in 2019, Montagnards accounted for 39% of Dak Lak province's total population of 5.8 million.

Many Montagnards are Evangelical Christians, and they say that authorities try to stop them gathering to practice their faith and disrupt their church services.

On March 8, villagers in Dak Lak province found the body of preacher Y Bum Bya hanging in a cemetery. The Central Highlands Evangelical Church of Christ released a statement saying Bya was murdered after being beaten and threatened by police.

Frustration over religious persecution and land grabs has sometimes boiled over into violence.

In the early 2000s, violent protests against the confiscation of ancestral lands and religious controls, prompted a brutal crackdown by Vietnamese security forces that saw hundreds of Montagnards charged with national security crimes.

On June 11, 2023, dozens of Montagnards attacked the headquarters of the People's Committee and the police of Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur communes in Dak Lak province. Four police officers, two commune officials, and three civilians died in the attacks.

In January, 100 people were convicted over the attacks, with 10 jailed for life.

Representatives of the minority say they want indigenous land rights and basic human rights and they reject what they say are government attempts to link them to overseas separatists.

What does Vietnam say?

Vietnam does not use the term Montagnard, which it says implies disparagement. It uses the term Degar to refer to non-state sanctioned Protestant Montagnards in the Central Highlands.

Vietnam says it is a multi-religious state with freedom of religion where minorities can "promote their internal resources and jointly develop the country". It says people with "bad intentions" take advantage of the concept of "indigenous people" to spread false information and incite secession.

What does the international community say?

International human rights groups have over the years repeatedly called on Vietnam to end the repression of Montagnards, to allow independent religions organizations to act freely and release all Montagnards imprisoned for peaceful religious or political activity.

On June 14, a group of U.N. Special Rapporteurs wrote to the Vietnamese government raising their concerns about the Dak Lak terrorism trials. They said there had been an "excessive response", an unfair mass trial and reports of intimidation of Vietnamese refugees in Thailand seemed "part of a larger and intensifying pattern of discriminatory and repressive surveillance, security controls, harassment and intimidation."

Rights groups say Thailand has given Vietnamese law enforcement operatives free rein to track down and kidnap activists seeking refuge there.

In April, 2023 Vietnamese blogger Duong Van Thai was allegedly abducted by Vietnamese agents in Bangkok, later emerging at a detention center in Hanoi. In February, 2019, journalist and RFA blogger Truong Duy Nhat was abducted in Bangkok and forcibly returned to Vietnam, where he was jailed for 10 years.

Montagnards who have trekked through border jungles to neighboring Cambodia risk being sent back to Vietnam. In June last year, then-prime minister Hun Sen said that all Montagnards who had taken refuge in Cambodia had been expelled and any new arrivals would be returned to Vietnam in light of the attacks in Dak Lak.

Edited by Taejun Kang.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Political power play or family ties? Views vary on Eswatini-Zuma marriage

By Nokukhanya Musi September 02, 2024

Eswatini's 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 Zuma's homestead at Nkandla in July in accordance with tradition, marking the start of Mswati's 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 king's 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 Swaziland's 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 king's marriage to Nomcebo Zuma will have a lasting impact on the two nations' ties, for better or worse.

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Remarks by President Biden Before Marine One Departure

September 02, 2024

South Lawn

2:20 P.M. EDT

Q Mr. President, what did you learn from your briefing today?

Q Mr. President, (inaudible) about whether you propose a final offer to Israel and Hamas this week?

THE PRESIDENT: It's still being negotiated.

Q What parts are being negotiated?

Q What would you like to see Netanyahu do?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, we're in the middle of negotiations.

Q Can you explain why Netanyahu is not doing enough? Can you explain why you think Prime Minister Netanyahu is not doing enough to help the hostages?

Q Netanyahu just gave a speech. He was very defiant. And he said that he will stay in Philadelphi. Will this halt the agreement?

THE PRESIDENT: We're still in negotiations  not with him  with my colleagues from Qatar and from Egypt.

2:22 P.M. EDT

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Oregon Guard Hones Skills for Large-Scale Combat Operations

By Maj. Wayne Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office September 3, 2024

SALEM, Ore. -- The Oregon Army National Guard's 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted an extended annual training at Fort Johnson, Louisiana's Joint Readiness Training Center.

This intensive training rotation marked a significant shift in focus toward large-scale combat operations while preparing for upcoming peacekeeping deployments.

The 41st IBCT joined 4,900 Soldiers from 25 states and territories in July for a grueling two-week exercise to simulate the challenges of peer-to-peer warfare. This training aligns with the Army's cornerstone doctrinal publication, Field Manual 3-0, Operations. FM 3-0 provides the Army's vision for multi-domain operations and the Army's role in joint operations, emphasizing LSCO against peer threats as the most dangerous form of external threat.

A key aspect of this shift is the move from brigade-centric operations to division-level fights. During the JRTC rotation, the 41st IBCT simulated operating as part of the 40th Infantry Division, practicing the complexities of large-scale combat operations.

The 40th Infantry Division, headquartered in California, is a diverse formation that includes three infantry brigade combat teams, a combat aviation brigade, and supporting units from multiple states, including California, Oregon, Hawaii, Arizona, Washington, Alaska, and New Mexico.

This shift toward preparing for LSCO while still fulfilling peacekeeping missions represents a significant change in focus for the National Guard. As noted in "Large-Scale Combat Operations: The Division Fight," edited by Dennis S. Burket: "The Army's focus on counterinsurgency operations for the last 15 years has atrophied the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct division-level operations in large-scale combat operations against a peer threat."

The 41st IBCT's training at JRTC addressed this concern head-on, ensuring that while the brigade can fulfill its peacekeeping obligations, it's also prepared for large-scale combat.

"We talk a lot about shoot, move and communicate," said Col. Peter Helzer, commander of the 41st IBCT. "But the reality is we need to flip that completely on its head. We have to be able to communicate and move in order to effectively shoot."

Helzer emphasized the importance of focusing on low-density military occupational specialties  the support personnel crucial for maintaining the warfighters.

"Spending our limited training time on the 'cool guy stuff' only gets you so far," he explained. "It's easy to focus on squad and platoon infantry lanes and live fires, but all the low-density specialties that adequately support those operations are equally critical. We don't always exercise these or we take shortcuts. Instead, we need to invest training time to ensure that support training is the best it can be."

Lt. Col. Christopher Markesino, commander of the 141st Brigade Support Battalion, also emphasized the importance of logistics in LSCO.

"One of the key takeaways is to never underestimate the value of sustainment rehearsals," Markesino said. "If you only have 100 minutes to rehearse everything, dedicate time to maneuver, sustainment and medical rehearsals."

The training comes at a critical time for the Oregon National Guard. Elements of the 41st IBCT are preparing for deployments to the Horn of Africa, the Multinational Force and Observers mission in the Sinai Peninsula, and Kosovo Force. Additionally, the 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment has just mobilized for deployment to Iraq and Syria to support Operation Inherent Resolve.

Brig. Gen. Eric Riley, the Oregon Army National Guard land component commander, noted the shift from low-intensity conflict to high-intensity LSCO scenarios.

"Out here, we've learned to be comfortable with the uncomfortable," Riley said.

The lessons learned during this training, particularly the emphasis on logistics and support, will be crucial as these Soldiers deploy to maintain peace and security in some of the world's most volatile regions.

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593rd ESC, 53rd Trans. Bn. command teams visit Army's newest APS worksite

By Cameron Porter, 405th AFSB Public Affairs Officer September 3, 2024

POWIDZ, Poland -- The team of professionals from the 405th Army Field Support Brigade's Poland Battalion hosted the command teams from the 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command and the 53rd Transportation Battalion (Movement Control) at the Powidz Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 worksite recently.

The commander of the 593rd ESC, Brig. Gen. Kevin Cotman, and the ESC's senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Dawadrain Clark Sr., along with Lt. Col. Nathaniel Groves and Command Sgt. Maj. Edgar Zavala from the 53rd Trans. Bn. (MC), visited the U.S. Army's newest, most modern APS site, Aug. 29.

During the site visit, the two command teams received a walking tour of the Powidz APS-2 worksite by the command team of Army Field Support Battalion-Poland, Lt. Col. Omar McKen and Sgt. Maj. Olimpia Valdez, and the site director, George Palmer. While there, the two visiting command teams also observed Polish Provided Logistics Support personnel being trained on servicing and maintaining APS-2 equipment stored at the site.

The 593rd ESC command team from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, along with its subordinate transportation battalion, the 53rd Trans. Bn. (MC), visited the Powidz worksite to better understand APS-2 requirements and capabilities and to take some of AFSBn-Poland's recently acquired best practices back with them to Lewis-McChord, stated AFSBn-Poland in an operational update to the 405th AFSB.

The Powidz APS-2 worksite is comprised of 650,000 square feet of humidity-controlled warehouse space, a vehicle maintenance facility and supporting facilities. In addition, there is a 58,000 square foot earth-covered munitions storage area, nearby. A modernized armored brigade combat team's worth of APS-2 equipment is stored and maintained at the site, plus medical gear and supplies, sustainment and support equipment, and more.

The Powidz APS-2 worksite demonstrates the U.S. and NATO's commitment to maintaining rapid deployment capabilities, playing a crucial role in deterrence through enduring agreements and strategic investments. In addition, it alleviates many of the deployment requirements typically associated with deploying major combat units to Europe from the U.S. It is estimated that APS-2 worksites in Europe, like Powidz, can help reduce deployment timelines for an armored brigade combat team from 60 days to as little as a week or two.

"The Powidz worksite a forward projection platform to be utilized in Europe. It allows an armored brigade to deploy to Europe and receive necessary equipment within 48 hours," said McKen, who is tasked with mission command of the Powidz APS-2 worksite.

The 405th AFSB's APS-2 program enhances U.S. Army Europe and Africa's readiness and capability to support the warfighter while simultaneously promoting stability and security in the region. By providing turn-key power projection APS-2 packages ready to employ at a moment's notice, the APS-2 program is a key component of U.S. Army Europe and Africa's power projection and warfighter readiness missions.

The 405th AFSB is assigned to U.S. Army Sustainment Command and headquartered in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The brigade provides materiel enterprise support to U.S. forces throughout Europe and Africa - providing theater sustainment logistics; synchronizing acquisition, logistics and technology; and leveraging U.S. Army Materiel Command's materiel enterprise to support joint forces.

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New artillery system: Practical testing completed

Swiss Government

Bern, 03.09.2024 -- The Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse has completed the practical testing of the three systems on the shortlist as part of the evaluation of a new artillery system. The tests took place in cooperation with industry and the Armed Forces between January 2023 and June 2024 in Switzerland and abroad. It was checked whether the systems meet the requirements. The results and findings will be evaluated over the next few months and summarised in an evaluation report.

After the pre-evaluation, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse decided to evaluate three systems. These are the systems: Archer mobile howitzer from the company BAE Systems Bofors from Sweden and, from the company KNDS Germany the systems RCH 155 with Boxer carrier platform and AGM Artillery Gun Module with Piranha carrier platform.

The evaluation - a complex and decisive phase

Since the beginning of 2023, the three shortlist systems have been tested and analysed in depth, together with industry and the Armed Forces in practical trials in Switzerland and abroad. Logistical clarifications, technical shooting trials, mobility trials and troop trials were carried out with each of the three prototypes from industry. In particular, it was checked whether the systems meet the project goals and the military requirements, whether suitability for use in a militia army is the case and whether the performance specified by the manufacturers is achieved.



In parallel to the practical testing, official requests for offers are in progress, which pertain to contractual and business aspects as well as life cycle costs. The results and findings obtained from the practical tests will be evaluated over the next few months and summarised in an evaluation report. Together with the offers received, it forms the basis for the subsequent type decision. Procurement is to be requested in one of the next Armed Forces Dispatches.

Goal and purpose of the project

The self-propelled howitzers M109 currently in use are from the 1960s and will have reached the end of their useful life in the next few years. They therefore need to be replaced with a new, modern artillery system. The project "Artillery weapons platform and weapons 2026" (Art WPWM 26) aims to ensure the maintenance and further development of the ability of indirect fire at medium operating distance with increased range, precision and mobility.

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September 3, 2024

Transcript

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds Press Briefing

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY AIR FORCE MAJ. GEN. PAT RYDER: All right. Well, good afternoon, everyone. I have just a few things at the top, then we'll get right to your questions. First, the Department of Defense continues to monitor developments in the Middle East. On Sunday, Sept. 1, Secretary Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, regarding 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 the murder of these innocent civilians. And Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant once again reaffirmed their mutual commitment to swiftly reaching a ceasefire deal to secure the release of all the remaining hostages.

A readout of the secretary's call has been posted to Defense.gov. Separately, on Sept. 1, USCENTCOM forces, partnered with Syrian Democratic Forces, captured an ISIS leader and facilitator, Khalid Ahmed al-Dandal, who was assessed as helping ISIS fighters after escape from a Raqqa detention facility in Syria.

CENTCOM issued a press release with additional details, so I'll refer you to that, but the operation highlights CENTCOM's ongoing efforts to support our SDF partners to mitigate threats of future escapes by ISIS detainees from SDF detention facilities in Syria and to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS.

Turning to the Red Sea. On Sept. 2, Iranian backed Houthis attacked two crude oil tankers transiting this vital waterway. The Panama flagged and owned Greek operated motor vessel Blue Lagoon One was struck by two anti-ship ballistic missiles and the Saudi flagged owned and operated motor vessel Amjad was struck by a one-way attack uncrewed aerial system.

This of course follows the Aug. 21 attack of the Greek owned motor vessel Delta Sounion. These reckless attacks of terrorism by the Houthis continue to destabilize regional and global commerce, while threatening the lives of innocent civilian mariners, as well as maritime ecosystems.

Currently, private companies are examining salvage options in the southern Red Sea for the disabled motor vessel Delta Sounion, which is still on fire and threatens the possibility of a major environmental disaster. The U.S. will continue to work with international partners and allies to protect maritime commerce and mitigate potential impacts to the environment despite the irresponsible and careless actions of the Iranian backed Houthis.

And finally, looking ahead, Secretary Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Brown will travel to Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Thursday to host an in-person meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on Sept. 6. This will be the 24th meeting of the UDCG since Secretary Austin formed the international group in April of 2022. The secretary and chairman will join ministers of defense and senior military officials from nearly 50 nations to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and the continued close coordination by the international community to deliver to Ukraine the support it needs to defend itself.

And with that, I'll be glad to take your questions. We'll go to AP, Tara.

Q: Thanks, Gen. Ryder. I wanted to ask about the two Marines who were assaulted in Turkey, if you could give us an update on their condition and speak in general about their reaction to the assault, not making  escalating it into something bigger and what sort of impact it might have on future shore leave or future port visits in Turkey?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Yes. Thanks for asking the question. So first of all, the two Marines are safe. They were aided by other Marines in the area and subsequently taken to a local hospital for evaluation as a precaution but were not injured and they have subsequently returned to the USS Wasp. I can tell you that local Izmir police and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service are cooperating in an investigation of the incident.

No Marines have been detained by authorities and those involved are cooperating with investigators. In terms of the reaction of the Marines, certainly, very proud of the professionalism of our service members and  and most importantly, that they're safe. This is clearly a troubling incident. We are grateful for the support of the Turkish authorities who are looking into this, and I'll leave it there.

Q: Will it have any residual impact such as leave or the ability to go outside the gate at Incirlik?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: That's really a question for the local commanders and USEUCOM. Of course, every situation is judged based on its own merits. Force protection is always a consideration, and any commander has the authority to  to make those kinds of decisions, but again, I'd refer you to EUCOM for anything on that.

Thank you. Go to Idris.

Q: Over the weekend, Britain suspended 30 arms export licenses to Israel, essentially because they couldn't certify that it would be used under international humanitarian law. Does the secretary believe that every weapon that the U.S. is providing to Israel is being used correctly under international humanitarian law?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Yes, thanks Idris. As you know, our State Department has processes to look into those kinds of questions, the same as we do for any security assistance that we provide to other nations around the world. Those processes are ongoing. As of now, we have not determined at this point that Israel has violated international humanitarian law, but those assessments, to include those of the State Department looking at allegations, are still ongoing.

Q: Just follow up, you mentioned, I think it was the Amjad tanker. The shipping company that owns it said it was not targeted in the Red Sea, had not been hit and was continuing under its own power to its destination.

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: So my understanding it is continuing on. It still has the crew on. As far as any additional questions on that, I'd refer you to CENTCOM.

Q: CENTCOM's statement says it was hit?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Correct.

Q: But they're saying they weren't hit.

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Yes. The information I have is factually correct, as I know it. But of course, again, I'd refer you to CENTCOM for further details. Thank you. Joseph, and then we'll go to Carla.

Q: Thanks. Last week we asked if the Israelis had informed you all ahead of their operations in the West Bank. The department was still trying to gather more information as to what was going on or what they were doing. Do you guys have any answers or information as to what they're trying to do?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Thanks, Joseph. I  I don't have any updates to provide as  as we highlighted in the readout that we put out between  in the call between Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant, Secretary did convey his condolences for the three Israeli police officers that were killed in an apparent terrorist attack in the West Bank.

Also, he expressed his concern over the rising tensions and the increased terrorist activity there. We have, of course, made very clear from a U.S. government standpoint, our policy as it relates to the West Bank and when it comes to settler violence and no expansion of  of settlements.

Q: Just a second one, on  back to the Houthis. Has there  it's been about, I think, eight or nine months since  since the U.S. began strikes on Houthi targets and trying to deter further attacks. We're continuing to see those attacks. I mean, you mentioned two tankers that were hit. We got the Sounion potentially spilling, creating an environmental disaster.

Is there any reevaluation from the department to potentially alter the campaign or to change different types of military operations to further deter or to send a message or degrade further these capabilities of the Houthis?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Yes, thanks. It's a great question and I can tell you that we're constantly evaluating the situation and it goes back to what it is that we're working to do, which is to preserve freedom of navigation and to degrade and disrupt Houthis capabilities, and we're doing that. We are disrupting and degrading, and you can see this in the press releases that CENTCOM puts out in terms of degrading some of their capabilities and also taking self-defense strikes to prevent missiles from launching. That said, obviously, as evidenced by what I read out earlier, some of those missiles and some of those drones are making their way through and we're going to continue to work with the international community to protect those shipping lanes.

But the onus is on the Houthis, again, to look at the impact that they're having, not only in the short-term, but on the long-term as it relates to the environment, the economy and the  the safety of those that are transiting this important waterway. So we're going to continue to keep after it, recognizing that again the strategic objective here is freedom of navigation through this vital waterway.

Thanks. Carla.

Q: Thanks. First a follow up with what you told Tara. You said the two Marines are safe. There had been some social media reports saying that three were assaulted. You're tracking two?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: I was tracking that two  two U.S. Marines from the 24th Maritime Expeditionary Unit.

Q: Thank you, Pat. And then on the Russian ballistic missiles that hit the Military Institute of Communication in Poltava. I'm sorry if I'm messing that up. Does the Pentagon know where those missiles originated, and does this attack, has it shifted the thought process here at the Pentagon of potentially allowing Ukrainians to use ATACMS to hit missile sites inside Russia?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Yes, thanks. I don't have any information to provide in terms of the specific origin of those missiles other than again, as you highlight, these are Russian missile attacks. And again, just demonstrates the brutality, the viciousness of these assaults to include on civilian infrastructure. And as we go into the winter, Russia targeting infrastructure, energy infrastructure, that will be vital as it gets colder in Ukraine.

We have been working very diligently for a very long time now to continue to work with the international community on providing air defense capabilities for Ukraine and will continue to do that. As it relates to our long range strike policy, I don't have any announcements to make in terms of any change in policy.

Q: OK. Thank you. And just one more is USS Georgia in the CENTCOM AOR?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: The USS Georgia is still underway. Thank you. Let me go to the phone here. Go to Wall Street Journal, Lara Seligman.

Q: Hi, Pat, thanks for doing this. I wanted to follow up on the F-16 crash in Ukraine last week. Is the U.S. participating in any way in this investigation and will there be any changes made to the training program after this crash?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Yes, thanks Lara. So like  like any sovereign nation that has any type of incident, they would be the lead for conducting an investigation. And so Ukraine is leading the investigation, so I'd refer you to them to talk about any details associated with that. Broadly speaking, I will tell you, across the aviation community in general and this is a generalized statement here, you're always going to learn from various incidents or engagements that get applied back into lessons learned.

But as it pertains to this particular crash, I just don't have any details or specifics to provide at this time. Let me go to the room here, Eric.

Q: Yes, Pat, do you have an update on the seven U.S. service members who were injured in the raid that U.S. and Iraqi forces conducted late last week?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Yes. I do.

Q: And what caused those injuries?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Yes. Thanks, Eric. I don't have specifics to provide to you today in terms of the causes of the injuries. I'm tracking seven total were injured. Six have returned to duty for minor injuries, in some cases to include suspected TBI. One service member was taken to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center for follow on care, in stable condition,* and that's about all I have on that.

Q: And just as a follow up, U.S. special operations forces took the lead in this operation, in the initial attack, which was carried out over at least two days, and they were targeting apparently a very senior ISIS leader involved in the planning of external operations in the Middle East, Europe and elsewhere.

Can you identify who that leader is and how serious this operation was, given that it's pretty unusual at this point in Iraq for U.S. forces to take the  at least initially, to take a lead in a mission like this?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Yes, I'm not going to have any other information to provide beyond what's in the press release that  that CENTCOM put out. You know, and in that, I would underscore the fact that, again, this operation targeted ISIS leaders to disrupt and degrade their ability to plan, organize and conduct attacks against Iraqi civilians as well as U.S. citizens, allies and partners throughout the region and beyond.

And so, again, we'll continue to work with our partners around the world, to include the Iraqis, when it comes to protecting the homeland and addressing threats like ISIS. Thank you.

Charlie?

Q: Thank you, General. The Ukrainian defense minister was here last week. He said that he set forth specific targets that could be hit within Russia. Zelenskyy once again today pleaded for those longer range weapons and for the permission to use them. Is that under discussion? And when might we hear anything more about it?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Yes. Thanks, Charlie. I don't have any announcements to make in terms of any changes in policy. As I highlighted, Secretary Austin will have the chance to meet with Ukrainian  you know, our Ukrainian partners and international partners this  later this week at Ramstein, where we'll be very focused on, again, better understanding Ukraine's security assistance needs and how best to meet those.

But in terms of any changes to our policy, I'm  I'm not going to have anything to provide. Again, there has been no changes. And as it relates to potential Ukrainian operations, I'm just not going to speculate or talk about potential future ops. Thanks very much.

Yes, sir?

Q: Thank you, General. A quick question about the latest attack that ISIS claimed in Kabul. As you may know, yesterday a suicide attack occurred in Kabul and killed some people and injured more people. So, ISIS claimed the responsibility for that. How  what is the Pentagon's position?

Last week I think you mentioned that ISIS is a threat from Afghanistan. Can we understand the scale of the threats that the Pentagon assess  a  in terms of threats that ISIS posing against the United States national interest, or the United States partners in the region, perhaps?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Yes. Again, I  I've seen the reports about the ISIS attacks in Afghanistan. I'd have to refer you to, you know, the Taliban to talk about that.

Broadly speaking, again, as I just highlighted, as it relates to Syria, ISIS continues to pose a threat, whether it be ISIS-K or ISIS in its other manifestations. So, we will continue to work with international allies and partners to address that threat and take appropriate action. Thank you.

Ennis?

Q: Thank you very much, General. This administration has claimed that Hamas had been largely destroyed. That's why the Israeli government can be confident in signing this ceasefire agreement. But according to the latest statements from the Israeli government, the Philadelphi corridor seems to be the sticking point. Is that also your military assessment, that the retention of that corridor is key to further success or for prevention of further terrorist attacks? Is that your assessment as well, just like the Israeli government's?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: So, I appreciate the question. And as you've seen that  you know, from the White House and others, that is a point of discussion as it relates to ongoing ceasefire negotiations. What I'm not going to do, though, is provide my personal tactical assessment of the battlefield.

I think, taking a step back, a few things here. Number one, we fully support and recognize Israel's right to defend itself and to prevent the kinds of attacks we saw on Oct. 7. And so, I'll leave it up to the Israelis to talk about how best to do that, again, recognizing the fact that we all want to see a ceasefire as quickly as possible and the hostages released and returned home. And so, I know that that will continue to be a topic of discussion within those negotiations, and I'll just leave it at that.

Let me go back to the phone here. Jeff Schogol, Task and Purpose?

Q: Thank you. Military officials recently said the number of ISIS attacks in Iraq and Syria is on pace to double what they were last year. As far as the Defense Department is concerned, is ISIS a growing threat? And I  just clarification, did you say the Georgia has not arrived in the CENTCOM AOR yet? Thank you.

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Yes. Thanks, Jeff. On your last question, the Georgia is still underway. Again, we'll keep you updated in terms of its location and arrival in the CENTCOM AOR.

On ISIS attacks, you know, again, it's  it's not a monolith. And so, without getting into a broader geographic discussion on all the various tenets of ISIS focused on Iraq and Syria, I think ISIS is not the threat that it was ten years ago, but certainly something that needs to be taken very, very seriously.

And as highlighted in the Central Command press release over the weekend, you have over 9,000 ISIS detainees being held in 20 SDF detainee facilities in Syria, which essentially creates a significant challenge for the international community in terms of repatriating those detainees. And so, that work continues in earnest via CENTCOM and our partners in the region as through  as well as throughout the world. Thank you.

Come back to the room. Yes, ma'am, Nat?

Q: Thanks, Pat. I just wanted to follow up on the questions about the deep strike capabilities for Ukraine. Kyiv claims that they need this for their offensive in Kursk. What's the U.S. view on that? Do you agree or disagree with that assessment?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Well, again, I don't have any announcements to make in terms of any change in policy. The policy hasn't changed. We remain committed to supporting Ukraine's ability to defend itself and to protect its sovereign territory, as well as build its ability to deter against future Russian aggression. And so, again, we'll continue to consult regularly with our Ukrainian counterparts on their security assistance needs and ensure they have what they need to defend themselves. Thank you.

Sir?

Q: Thank you very much, General. Just two questions. In 2018, I had filed a story about these two Afghan brothers, one of them was Abdul [inaudible], that they had cheated the Department of Defense for $6 billion and the trial was going on in D.C. about it. Can you give me an update about that?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: I  I really don't have an update. I'd have to refer you to the Department of Justice for any questions on that.

Q: OK. And my second question was about  and I asked you this last month as well, about the 13 soldiers that were killed in Afghanistan at the point of withdrawal. According to my journalism experience, I had suggested that another inquiry should be done, but that's, again, your department's decision on it.

But President Trump  former President Trump went to honor those 13 soldiers at the Arlington Cemetery. None of them  none of the current administration I saw that paid such a visit. Does that upset the Pentagon at all about the current administration and 

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Yes. Well, thanks for the question. So, a few things. First of all, Secretary Austin did issue a statement, of course, on the anniversary of the Abbey Gate terrorist attack.

As it relates to Arlington National Cemetery, as you'll recall, that was a private event hosted by Gold Star family members that had invited former President Trump to that event. Secretary Austin was not invited to that. But of course, he cares incredibly deeply about our Gold Star families as well as all of our soldiers, sailors, airmens  and airmen and Marines who served in Afghanistan, to include the 13 American heroes who died on that day. Thank you.

Sir, and then I'll come back to you, Charlie.

Q: Yes. Thank you, General. Going back to Iraq, this weekend when the Iraqi prime minister received the top U.S. commander, Gen. Kevin Leahy, in Baghdad, he said that the ISIS is no longer pose a threat to the Iraqi state. Do you agree with that statement?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Look, I, you know, have provided my perspective on ISIS. I think it's something that we need to continue to keep an eye on and make sure that it does not resurge to the levels that it did back in 2014.

Look, the Iraqi security forces have done an incredible job in terms of addressing the ISIS threat, but as I highlighted, you still have these challenges in places like Syria, where 9,000, ISIS detainees and that that has to be taken seriously. So again, we'll continue to work with our Iraqi partners as well as others to address that.

Q: And then the recent joint raid between U.S. and Iraq in Anbar, the Iraqi government and even you said that the U.S. has no combat forces in Iraq. But this time, the U.S. Special Forces in Iraq led that operation against ISIS. So has the role of the  U.S. forces' role changed in Iraq?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: No, no, it has not. And again, this was a partnered operation and as I highlighted earlier, the United States will work with partners and allies around the world. And if there is a potential threat against U.S. national security and  and partner security, we'll work together to address that threat. But no, no change.

Let me go to  I'm sorry, Charlie, let me go to Brad and then I'll come back to you.

Q: Thank you. Just to follow up on Ukraine, can you confirm if the U.S. is preparing to send long range cruise missiles to Ukraine? There's been some reports about JASSMs, if I'm pronouncing that correctly.

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Yes, the last question, yes, JASSMs. Yes, you're pronouncing it correctly. I  I don't have any. I saw those press reports. I don't have anything, Brad, to provide on that. Again, no announcements to make.

Q: Says the Air force guy.

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Charlie.

Q: Yes. Thanks again. We haven't discussed Iran and Israel or retaliation in a couple of weeks, yet two carrier strike groups remain. Has there been any change about the perceived threat level there?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Well, what I would tell you, Charlie, is, again, Iran had  has indicated that it intends to retaliate, so we will continue to take that threat seriously, and I'll just leave it there.

Q: Have you seen any changes at all that would have changed in the past 10 days or so, without getting into details?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Right. I think that we need to continue to take that threat seriously and be prepared. Again. I'm not going to speculate or get into potential or hypotheticals, rather, in terms of when and if they may attack other than the fact that they've said publicly that they intend to retaliate.

And so we will continue to take that seriously. Matt.

Q: Thanks, Pat. There are reports that that Russian strike might have come from Crimea. So just to be clear, there are no policy restrictions that would stop Ukraine from striking Russian launch sites on Crimea because the department recognizes that as Ukrainian territory? Is that correct?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: That's correct.

Q: Thank you.

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Let me go to the phone. Heather from USNI.

Q: Thanks. I was just wondering if there's any policy guidance on which ships that CENTCOM might mention get hit by the Houthis. They released something this past day, last night about two ships that got hit by the Houthis, but haven't mentioned other ships in the past, so I was just wondering if you can explain why these two ships were mentioned?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Yes, thanks, Heather. I  I'd refer you to CENTCOM for specifics. I think, again, highlighting this at the top of the briefing, again, just demonstrating the threat that the Houthis continue to pose, not only from a mariner safety standpoint, but also from an environmental and economic standpoint in the Red Sea.

Thank you. Joseph.

Q: Quick, I wanted to ask if there's any updates; there were two civilian Iranian mariners that were rescued by the U.S. military last week. Where are they? What's their status?

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: I'd have to refer you to CENTCOM for any questions on that. OK. Thanks very much everybody, appreciate it.

[* Eds. Note: Two U.S. service members were transported to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany for follow-on care, both of whom are in stable condition. The other five U.S. service members were treated for minor injuries and returned to duty.]

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3893507/

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September 3, 2024

By David Vergun, DOD News

Hamas Must Be Held Accountable for Murdering Civilians, DOD Official Says

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke on Sunday with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant about the six hostages in Gaza murdered by Hamas, including 23-year-old U.S. citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin, said Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder at news conference today.

Austin passed along his deepest condolences to the families of the slain hostages, and "he expressed outrage at their vicious, illegal and immoral execution at the hands of Hamas," Ryder said.

The secretary affirmed that Hamas leaders must be held accountable for the murder of the innocent civilians, and the defense leaders reaffirmed their mutual commitment to swiftly reaching a cease-fire deal to secure the release of all remaining hostages, the general said.

Also on Sunday, U.S. forces in the U.S. Central Command partnered with Syrian Democratic Forces to capture Khaled Ahmed al-Dandal, an ISIS leader and facilitator who was assessed as helping ISIS fighters after he escaped from a detention facility in Raqqa, Syria, the press secretary said.

"The operation highlights Centcom's ongoing efforts to support our SDF partners to mitigate threats of future escapes by ISIS detainees from SDF detention facilities in Syria and to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS," Ryder said.

Yesterday, Iranian-backed Houthis attacked two crude-oil tankers transiting the Red Sea with two ballistic missiles and a one-way attack unmanned aerial system, hitting both vessels. The motor vessel Blue Lagoon 1 is owned by Panama and sails under the Panamanian flag; the operator is Greek. The motor vessel Amjad is flagged, owned and operated by Saudi Arabia.

"These reckless attacks of terrorism by the Houthis continue to destabilize regional and global commerce, while threatening the lives of innocent civilian mariners, as well as maritime ecosystems," Ryder said.

Currently, salvage efforts are underway in the southern Red Sea for the disabled motor vessel Delta Sounion, Greek-owned, which was attacked by Houthis on Aug. 21 and is still on fire and could develop into a major environmental disaster, according to a Centcom news release.

"The U.S. will continue to work with international partners and allies to protect maritime commerce and mitigate potential impacts to the environment, despite the irresponsible and careless actions of the Iranian-backed Houthis," Ryder said.

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Azerbaijan: Statement by the Spokesperson on early parliamentary elections

European External Action Service (EEAS)

03.09.2024

Azerbaijan

EEAS Press Team

Early parliamentary elections took place in the Republic of Azerbaijan on 1 September.

According to the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission, the election took place within a restrictive political and legal environment that did not enable genuine pluralism and resulted in a contest devoid of competition. Despite a voting process that was orderly and assessed to be overall efficiently run, serious irregularities and omissions of important safeguards were observed, particularly in the vote count, raising questions about the integrity of the process. The OSCE/ODIHR mission further noted that the elections took place against the background of continued repression of dissenting voices.

The European Union calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to take on board and implement the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations in relation to these and previous elections. The EU stands ready to assist in this process.

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Think tank warns of accident risks caused by increasing Philippine air provocations

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Sep 03, 2024 10:56 PM

A think tank warned of the risks of uncertainties and accidents more serious than ship collisions amid increasing Philippine air provocations on Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea. Experts emphasized that the withdrawal of Philippine forces and an end to provocations are the only way to resolve the situation.

Beijing-based think tank the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI) analyzed the situation on Monday.

On August 28, the Philippines sent an H-145 helicopter and conducted airdropping of supplies to the Philippine Coast Guard ship MRRV-9701, which has been illegally anchored in the lagoon of China's Xianbin Jiao. The Chinese side monitored the entire situation, according to the China Coast Guard.

Counting more cases, the SCSPI said that the Philippines' incursions reflected Manila's running out of methods in maritime infringement given China's enhanced measures at sea.

Aerial encounters, especially confrontational ones, face much higher risks and uncertainties compared with maritime encounters. If the Philippines continues its aerial intrusions, China will be compelled to take corresponding measures, and in the event of an aerial collision, the consequences would be far more severe than those of a ship collision, the think tank warned.

From a technical point of view, the Philippine aircraft, fixed-wing planes or helicopters, have limited carrying capacities compared with ships, nor are they equipped with advanced avionics and sensors, so they cannot effectively carry out so-called supply or patrol missions, said a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity.

They are just political shows aimed at throwing mud at China, the expert said.

Xue Chen, a research fellow at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, said that China is fully capable of intercepting the Philippines' airdropping should it decides to do so.

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Hezbollah targets four Zionist bases

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 3, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanon's Hezbollah has launched fresh attacks against four Zionist bases which were mainly for intelligent and espionage means, according to local media.

Reports on Saturday say that the bases in northern parts of the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories were directly hit.

They added that technical systems of Al-Asi base were fully destroyed.

Al Mayadeen, Hezbollah's official TV channel, also said that the Lebanese resistance group have launched strikes against two other Zionist bases on Saturday.

It noted that the espionage equipment of the bases had been targeted.

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Iran president affirms full support for Palestinian resistance

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 3, 2024

Shahroud, IRNA -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that his government is prepared to provide unwavering support for the struggles of all oppressed nations worldwide, particularly the Palestinian resistance against the occupying Zionist regime.

The president made the remarks in a powerful message that was delivered during the ninth edition of the International Conference of Mujahideen in Exile, held at Damghan University in Semnan Province on Tuesday.

"From the beginning of my tenure in government, I have declared my steadfast support for the Palestinian people and the oppressed around the world, highlighting my commitment to uphold their rights in all arenas," he emphasized.

Pezeshkian reflected on the nearly half-century legacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has consistently championed justice and the advocacy of rights globally.

He assured that, under the leadership of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei , this mission will be pursued with strength and wisdom by his administration just as it was the previous governments.

The president also praised the late Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian as a distinguished diplomat and a true embodiment of resistance diplomacy.

Amirabdollahian tragically died in a helicopter crash in May, alongside then-President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials.

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Hezbollah stresses using language of force against Zionist regime

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 3, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The head of the religious council of Hezbollah, Mohammad Yazbek, has emphasized confronting the Zionist regime with the language of force.

According to Alahed, Yazbek expressed confidence in victory over the occupiers.

He added that if the Zionist enemy is not confronted, a day will come when everyone will understand that the enemy does not differentiate between people and that the only way to control the enemy is by force.

Yazbek noted that the resistance was formed based on their values to confront the enemy, and that the disappearance of Imam Musa Sadr and his companions was the price for his stances against the Zionist-American project.

On August 25, Hezbollah targeted important positions in northern Tel Aviv in the first phase of a retaliatory response to Israel's assassination of Hezbollah's top commander, Fuad Shukr.

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Israeli forces kill teenager in West Bank, interrogate Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 3, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Israeli forces have killed a Palestinian teenage boy in fresh attacks on the West Bank, and raided the house of the preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque Sheikh Ekrima Sabri.

According to a Tuesday report by Al-Jazeera news channel, during an attack on Tulkarm city in the West Bank, a Palestinian youth was shot dead by the Zionist forces.

Al-Mayadeen reported that the martyr was a young Palestinian named Mohammad Kanaan.

The Zionist occupation forces also attacked the city of Jenin and its refugee camp in the West Bank with wide-ranging military equipment.

The occupiers also raided the city of Qalqilya in the West Bank and its cemetery and are searching for Palestinian resistance fighters in a bid to carry out their clearance operation.

The Zionist forces also stormed the Balata refugee camp in the city of Nablus using a military bulldozer and shot at civilians.

Media outlets of the Zionist regime reported that the West Bank has turned into a battlefield after the recent large-scale military operation, which was launched last Wednesday. The number of martyrs since the onset of this round of attacks reached 31.

The Zionist regime's intelligence forces raided the home of Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, the preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and summoned him for interrogation at the Al Moscobiyeh Center in occupied al-Quds.

This comes as an Israeli military official said on Monday night that the West Bank is on the verge of becoming the second front of the war after the Gaza Strip.

The unnamed Zionist official told the regime's Channel 14 TV that the resistance groups are planning to carry out operations from al-Khalil in the southern West Bank.

The Israeli regime's Minister of Settlements, Orit Strook, said that she had asked the regime's officials to declare a state of war in the West Bank.

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Hamas, Israeli leaders criticize Netanyahu statements

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 3, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has blamed Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for preventing a ceasefire agreement on the Gaza Strip.

In response to Netanyahu's recent statements emphasizing the presence of the Zionist army in the Philadelphia axis in Gaza, Hamas said on Tuesday morning that such stance shows he is not in favor of a truce, the Palestinian Shihab news agency reported.

Netanyahu's Monday night statements were a desperate personal speech aimed at an illusory victory that has no buyer among Israelis, Hamas movement emphasized.

The movement in the continuation said that Netanyahu and the Israeli military authorities have not been able to achieve any of their goals in the war, except for genocide in Gaza.

Hamas also said that Netanyahu is lying to the Zionist community and that his statements that of his American backer are full of lies.

Hamas emphasized that all the Zionist captives could return home immediately and any delay in signing the agreement would mean endangering their lives.

Netanyahu has time and again put forward precondition in the ongoing ceasefire negotiations, which Palestinians, say are aimed at disrupting the talks. Hamas on the other hand made it clear that it remains committed to what were agreed on July 2 under the US president's proposals that stipulated the complete withdrawal of Zionist forces from Gaza among others.

Netanyahu lying to prevent collapse of his coalition

Yair Lapid, the Israeli opposition leader has also reacted to the Prime Minister's statements on Monday night, saying Benjamin Netanyahu is lying to prevent the collapse of his coalition.

What bothers Netanyahu is talking is not the Philadelphia axis, but his axis with Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, and this is his new trick to prevent the collapse of his far-right coalition, Lapid said.

While denying Netanyahu's claim about his opposition to withdrawing from the Philadelphia axis, he emphasized that the Zionist regime withdrew from there 19 years ago and Netanyahu also voted in favor of it.

The head of the opposition parties also said that Netanyahu was the prime minister for 15 years and never thought of taking back the Philadelphia axis and therefore there no point now to insist on that.

When Sharon decided to withdraw from Gaza, I did not agree to leave the Philadelphia axis, when we entered the Philadelphia axis, we saw a strategic change in our favor and Hamas's position in the negotiations changed, Netanyahu said in his statements.

Benny Gantz, a former member of the Zionist war cabinet, also responded to Netanyahu's words and said that whoever does not know how to achieve the goals of the war, including the return of the captives, cannot lead the battle and should leave.

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PM Netanyahu's Remarks from his Press Conference

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Events and Speeches

The 37th Government

03.09.2024

Following are Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks, at the GPO in Jerusalem :

"Citizens of Israel, we are in the midst of an existential war against Iran's axis of evil. The first condition for victory in this existential war is unity among us. We need to stand united as one against a brutal enemy who wants to destroy all of us, without exception - left and right, religious and secular, Jew and non-Jew.

We discovered this not only on October 7, but all throughout the war. But we especially discovered again it in the terrible massacre, the cold-blooded execution of six of our hostages: Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Sasha Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Master Sergeant Ori Danino, may G-d avenge them.

In the last 24 hours, I have spoken by telephone with several of their families. During the conversations, I looked at the photos of these pure souls and my heart, the heart of the nation, was shattered. You see the light shining from their faces. You see the hope. You see the nobility. You hear the stories of their wonderful lives. And all this light is suddenly extinguished. All the purity is brutally cut down by monsters.

I told the families and I reiterate this evening: I request your forgiveness that we did not succeed in bringing them back alive. We were close, but we did not succeed.

I also reiterate this evening: Israel will not overlook this massacre. Hamas will pay a very heavy price.

In the war against the axis of evil, in this specific war against Hamas and in the north, we have set four objectives: Eliminating Hamas, returning all of the hostages, ensuring that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel, and returning our residents securely to their homes on the northern border. Three of these goals pass through one place: The Philadelphi Corridor. This is Hamas's lifeline and armament line.

I would like to take several minutes to explain the significance of the Philadelphi Corridor, what it is, what it means for Israel's security, its meaning and its importance in ensuring that we will not have more and more October 7's, like Hamas has promised.

First of all, I would like to show you what we had in the years up until we left there (slide 1; click here for Hebrew slides): This is the State of Israel. This is Egypt. You see the Gaza Strip. The distance to Tel Aviv is not great; neither is the distance to Be'er Sheva. Of course, the Western Negev is meters away. But we had an international border, which ran from the sea to Eilat. This was the international border of the State of Israel. When you see this enlarged (slide 2), you see that all of these borders, the maritime border is under our control. The entire land border is under our control. Ashkelon, Sderot, the kibbutzim, Kerem Shalom, and at the bottom is the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah crossing; all of them are under our control.

Here is what happened when we left Gaza (slide 3): What happened is that the borders remained in our possession. They tried to break through the maritime border with all kinds of craft, for example the Marmara. We blocked that. The land border is ours, nothing gets in. But the moment we left the Philadelphi Corridor, in effect the Philadelphi Corridor is the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, and the moment we left there, we did not have any barrier to the massive infiltration of weapons, war materiel, machinery to manufacture rockets, and machines for excavating tunnels - all under the aegis of Iran, directed by Iran and financed by Iran. All the things that you see here came in. Gaza became a massive threat to the State of Israel because there was no barrier here (on the Philadelphi Corridor). This is what happened.

Therefore, the question may be asked: If it was so bad, why didn't you occupy it? The answer is that we were constantly trying to attack, of course. After this happened, right after the Disengagement, this arming went on energetically under the Morsi regime, but it went on afterwards, from the Mubarak regime as well through other regimes. This arming went on constantly and we fought it in a series of wars. I led three of them, three operations: Pillar of Defense, Protective Edge and Guardian of the Walls. We fought this and we eliminated thousands of terrorists, and senior commanders, including Hamas chief-of-staff Jabari. But there was no national or international legitimacy to go in, to conquer Gaza, to recapture the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah Crossing. There was neither national nor international agreement.

I am not just talking about the importance of the Philadelphi Corridor now, I said it 20 years ago. Sharon declared the Disengagement at the end of 2003. Several months later, on 26 March 2004, I described my minimal demands. I said that my first condition is control over all of the crossings into and out of the Gaza Strip - on land, sea and air. The Philadelphi Corridor that separates between the Gaza Strip and Egypt will not be evacuated. If Israel gives up control, I said, Gaza will become a terrorist enclave. When I resigned from the Government, when it became clear that they were going to uproot communities and carry out the Disengagement, I gave Prime Minister Sharon a letter of resignation and I told him that at minimum, I demanded that we be responsible for safeguarding the Philadephi Corridor.

This is not new. It was clear that if we did not have this corridor, there would be arming here, that a monster would be created. The axis of evil needs the Philadelphi Corridor. It is for this reason that Hamas is insisting that we not be there and it is for this reason that I insist that we will be there.

Our presence in the Philadelphi Corridor is, first of all, a diplomatic and strategic issue. We must determine the fact that we are there. I am told: 'What is going on, we will soon leave? You can leave for 42 days and return afterwards.' And I say that we have been in this situation before. We were in it when we left Lebanon. With the first rocket, the first missile, 'We will go in and conquer the place and we will have great international support for it.' Thousands of missiles have been fired from there and there was no international support for it. In the Strip, now that we have done this, they said 'What's the problem? With the first rocket, we will go in. The first rocket that is fired above ground or smuggled underground and we will go in.' Twenty years passed and we did not go in.

Whoever says we can go in and it won't be a problem, there's quite a problem. It is not easy to do such a thing. It is not a question of military tactics as it is a question of the great diplomatic pressure that the entire world will use on us. If we leave - we will not go back.

It was very difficult for us to overcome the international pressure, which I withstood, in order to go into Rafah. See what it has cost us. There was considerable pressure on us. They brought us to the ICC a day or two before the decision. They knew that we were going to approve the decision. We have been subjected to an embargo that is spreading. We paid with the lives of our soldiers. But this is nothing compared to what will be directed against us if we leave. Everyone understands the importance of this but do not support us; they want us to finish the war. This, in effect, is what everyone wants - for us to finish the war.

This corridor is different from all other corridors and places. It is central and determines our entire future. Its importance for us is immense. But the world wants an end to the war. The last thing it wants is for us to go in there and we will be under great pressure in the Security Council. On other issues, I do not want to go into detail or give ideas to others. I already know what will be. Why should we go into this trap? We are told that it is possible. I say that this will not bring us the hostages, on the contrary.

When we entered the Philadelphi Corridor we felt a change. For many long months, after the first deal, Hamas did not budge. It insisted 'You must first declare an end to the war.' 'You must commit to leaving the Gaza Strip' - in effect 'You must allow us to control Gaza.' And of course, this did not lead to a deal or the release of even a single hostage. But the first crack came when we entered Rafah, took control of the Philadelphi Corridor, and took control of the Rafah Crossing - Hamas's lifeline. Then suddenly, they started to talk differently. They backtracked a bit afterwards when they thought that Iran or Hezbollah would come to save them. Now they are hoping that international and domestic pressure will come to save them.

But the fact is that the first effective change ahead of a deal has been made possible precisely from taking control of the Philadelphi Corridor. Its evacuation - you leave, you don't return.

I was quoted that we are not leaving for 42 days because we are going to be there for 42 years - I did not say that. I saw that I was quoted on one of the channels - it is incorrect. But I know that if we leave, it could be that we will not return for 42 years, because we left there and did not go back for 20 years.

After we have sacrificed, fought, captured and grabbed them by the throat and this is what can also give us the hostages. By the way, this is also preventing the hostages from being smuggled underground. They could take them and smuggle them during these 42 days, to Sinai, it is only a few meters away. They cross the fence and disappear. They could reappear in Iran or Yemen - no way.

After we have received all of this, we will not give it up, and will not put ourselves into a terrible trap. It is not a question of military tactics - it is a diplomatic and strategic question. Just as there were security people who said 'There is no problem; it is possible to disengage and leave the Gaza Strip' and 'There is no problem; it is possible to leave Lebanon and we can go back immediately'. I think that after October 7, we have learned to be slightly more cautious with our assessments and to understand all of the components in the picture here.

Unfortunately, we are committed with our very souls, and I am committed with mine, to achieve a deal and advance a deal - unfortunately, we have not seen a similar response on the part of Hamas. We agreed to the framework that President Biden submitted on May 31st. We agreed to what they called 'the final bridging proposal' on August 16th. We agreed to all this. Hamas refused the first. Hamas refused the second. Its representative Al-Hiya said yesterday 'Retreat from the entire Strip, an end to the war, leave us in control.' This is their position. I said that they have moved a little but the moment they think that there is any weakness on our part, or some pressure that will break us, they backtrack. Therefore, we are not leaving.

The Philadelphi Corridor is of cardinal importance both in bringing the hostages and ensuring that Hamas will be crushed and that Gaza will never again constitute a threat to us.

Therefore, we have made it clear that this is our position. However, among us voices are beginning to be heard, from inside the Security Cabinet, Government ministers have said 'There is no problem; it is possible to leave.' Even though we have already decided not to. Therefore, I needed to submit this to the Security Cabinet formally, and determine this, and make it clear that there are things we will not compromise on.

I want to make it clear: I am flexible where I can be flexible. I am not insistent where I can be flexible, and I am not flexible where I must be insistent. On this we must all be insistent, otherwise we will receive all of this disaster again.

The axis of evil needs the Philadelphi Corridor - we need to hold it. Therefore, after we approved the Security Cabinet decision, I was simply astounded to hear from among us that we could leave again, but when was this said? After they massacred us and murdered six of our hostages in cold blood? What message does this send to Hamas? Murder hostages - and receive concessions.

That is perfectly legitimate in discussions. Every minister must speak his mind. Whoever is in these discussions a little, and is in them a little too much, I encourage everyone to speak their minds and I do not block anyone - on the contrary. But as soon as a decision is made, it is binding on everyone in the Security Cabinet. It is not do-it-yourself. As soon as a decision is made, it binds everyone.

The message that we will change a vital strategic decision, the idea that we will alter decisions under pressure of a massacre of our hostages, is a terrible message. It is an incentive for terrorism and additional murders; therefore, it will not happen.

It simply will not happen. Of course, Hamas thinks that it will happen, as long as they see the rifts among us. By the way, it is not seeing anything new. It has been using this tactic for an entire year. First of all, this is what we want to occur, The IDF stays here and blocks in order to get us out, not just from there but from the entire Gaza Strip. Hamas has been using this tactic to divide us, to weaken us and in the end, to defeat us.

How does it do this? (Slide 5). Here is a page of instructions that was found by our soldiers in a tunnel for senior Hamas commanders. By the way, the media said that this is Sinwar but I cannot commit to that. I can commit that it was senior Hamas commanders. Here is the original document in Arabic and here is the translation: Increase the distribution of photos and videos of the hostages due to the psychological pressure that they create. Do everything to increase the psychological pressure on Gallant. Continue with the line that Netanyahu is responsible for what happened. Strike at the Israeli narrative that the ground operation serves the return of the hostages. This is Hamas's message sheet. This is Hamas's strategy. It wants to divide us; it is counting on internal rifts.

It thinks that most of the nation will follow this - it is mistaken. I said during the debate over refusal to serve, that on the day of need, we will all line up together. I thought that debate was terrible. It created among our enemies the expectation that we were weak and divided, and that we would be defeated - but on the day the order was given, all of us fought.

Now it is creating the same thing, the same delusion, that we will be defeated on cardinal things that are important to ensuring our future and our existence, that it is possible to sow discord and strife among us and defeat us. I will not give in to this pressure; I have withstood greater pressure. Neither will our people give in to this pressure because most of the public understands exactly what I have said. It is not important what can be seen from bunkers or on TV screens - I say to Sinwar: Forget it. This will not happen.

We need to stand united on our existential interest. We need to act together so that the other side will understand, like it understood about an end to the war; it will also understand here that we will not give in on what is essential.

By the way, we do give in on things that are not essential. I have given great room for flexibility throughout the year and also now. But on existential things, we stand together. As soon as Hamas understands this - there will be a deal. The moment that it understands this - we will ensure both our existence and our future.



Together we will stand, together we will fight, and - with G-d's help - together we will win."

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Jordan calls for complete arms embargo on Israel

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 03 September 2024 6:19 PM

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has called for a complete arms embargo on the criminal Israeli regime.

Safadi on Tuesday praised the British government over its decision to partially suspend some arms export licenses to Israel, calling for a complete weapons embargo on the Tel Aviv regime.

Amid criticisms of the UK's indirect involvement in the Israeli genocide of the helpless Palestinian people trapped in the Gaza Strip, the UK on Monday suspended 30 of its 350 arms export licenses.

"The UK did right to suspend some arms exports licenses to Israel," Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on X, formerly twitter.

"We urge an expansion of this suspension and call on all countries to impose a complete arms embargo on Israel."

"Unless consequences are real, (Israeli prime minister Benjamin) Netanyahu will not end his aggression on Gaza and the West Bank, and will not stop violating intentional law and threatening the security of the whole region," Safadi said.

Jordan's Prime Minister Bisher al Khasawaneh had announced earlier this year that peace with the Israelis remained to be a strategic choice for Amman, in complete disregard for the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Israel has killed over 40,800 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023.

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Iran's president reiterates full support for Palestinian resistance

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 03 September 2024 4:24 PM

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reiterated his administration's unconditional support for the Palestinian resistance in its fight against the occupying Israeli regime.

Pezeshkian made the remarks in a message delivered during the 9th International Conference of "Mujahideen in Exile" which was held in the Iranian city of Damghan in the northern province of Semnan on Tuesday, with guests from different Muslim countries and national and provincial officials in attendance.

"Over the course of nearly half a century, the legacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has consistently championed justice and advocated human rights globally, has been to fully support the oppressed Palestinian nation's resistance against the Zionist usurper regime, as well as the struggle of all the oppressed nations in the world," he said.

The president said from the beginning of his tenure, he has declared his steadfast support for the Palestinian people and the oppressed around the world.

He also said the 14th Iranian government will continue its unwavering support for the Palestinian resistance just as the previous governments.

"I believe that we should always consider ourselves committed to seeking justice and support freedom-seekers and also the oppressed in any circumstance, because justice-seeking on the part of the elite and awakened consciences can lay a good ground for realizing a bright future," he said.

Pezeshkian further praised the late Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian as "a distinguished diplomat and a true embodiment of resistance diplomacy" as well as "a strong and intelligent negotiator."

Amir-Abdollahian passed away in the helicopter crash of May 19, along with late President Ebrahim Raisi and several other officials.

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Apartheid Israel targeting Gaza and West Bank simultaneously: UN expert

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 03 September 2024 4:20 PM

An independent UN expert has warned that Israel's "genocidal violence" in Gaza risks spreading to the occupied West Bank and other parts of Palestine.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the rights situation in the Palestinian territories, said Israel's recent intensification of military assaults in the West Bank marked "a dangerous escalation."

"Israel's genocidal violence risks leaking out of Gaza and into the occupied Palestinian territory as a whole," she said.

"The writing is on the wall, and we cannot continue to ignore it. There is mounting evidence that no Palestinian is safe under Israel's unfettered control."

Systematic aerial and ground attacks on Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarem and Tubas governorates, particularly targeting refugee camps, have intensified in the past few months.

On August 28, Israeli forces launched a full-scale military onslaught against these areas that have already killed dozens of Palestinians.

The increasing violence in the West Bank coincides with unprecedented levels of displacement, depopulation and land confiscation carried out by Israeli soldiers in collaboration with settlers in the occupied region.

"Apartheid Israel is targeting Gaza and the West Bank simultaneously, as part of an overall process of elimination, replacement and territorial expansion" Albanese said.

This continues even after the International Court of Justice concluded that this occupation is unlawful.

"The long-standing impunity granted to Israel is enabling the de-Palestinisation of the occupied territory, leaving Palestinians at the mercy of the forces pursuing their elimination as a national group," warned the expert.

"The international community, made of both states and non-state actors, including companies and financial institutions, must do everything it can to immediately end the risk of genocide against the Palestinian people under Israel's occupation, ensure accountability and ultimately end Israel's colonization of Palestinian territory."

Experts believe continuous genocidal incitements by top Israeli officials, soldiers, armed settlers and others, prove the intent to destroy the Palestinian people under occupation.

Increasingly loud calls by Israeli officials for turning the towns in the West Bank and refugee camps into a "mini-Gaza" are translating into military action causing widespread destruction to the West Bank's urban areas.

The latest wave of aggression is the worst since the Second Intifada in the occupied West Bank more than two decades ago.

According to Palestinian Health officials, Israeli raids across the West Bank have so far left at least 30 Palestinians dead and more than one-hundred-twenty injured.

West Bank's Jenin 'ravaged by violence': UN

The head of UN agency for Palestinian refugees says Jenin has been "ravaged by violence (and) destruction" for a seventh day due to the Israeli military's operation in the Palestinian territory.

"Over more than 150 hours, people have been undergoing an Israeli military operation, armed clashes & the use of explosives by Palestinian armed groups. Residents have limited access to food, water & medicine," UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini wrote on X.

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Israel deluded to think it can wrest control over West Bank: Islamic Jihad

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 03 September 2024 3:26 PM

The Islamic Jihad says the criminal cabinet of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be completely deluded if it believes it is capable of wresting control over the occupied West Bank and annexing it.

The Gaza Strip-based Palestinian resistance movement issued a statement on Tuesday, a week after the occupying entity launched a massive bloody offensive against Palestinians in the West Bank.

"The brutal aggression on the occupied West Bank enters its seventh day, with the criminal 'Israeli' Nazi occupation army continuing its onslaught, committing all forms of war crimes, including field executions, random arrests, brutal torture, hospital sieges, home demolitions, forced displacement of residents, destruction of infrastructure, and the fragmentation of regions, all amid international and Arab silence, which grants the enemy a green light to continue its blatant aggression," the resistance movement said.

In the early hours of August 28, the Israeli military conducted its biggest operation - dubbed "Camps of Summer" - in the West Bank in over 20 years, deploying hundreds of troops and airstrikes on Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas, which are major centers of Palestinian resistance against the occupying entity.

"Throughout the days of this aggression, resistance fighters in the West Bank have been valiantly confronting the onslaught, executing heroic and qualitative operations against the enemy soldiers at every point of engagement, inflicting casualties in their ranks in defense of our people, our land, and our sanctities, fulfilling their duty in the face of this aggression," the Islamic Jihad added.

The ongoing military aggression in the West Bank is currently concentrated in the city of Jenin, whose streets and infrastructure have been damaged by over 70 percent since the onset of the "Camps of Summer", according to its municipality.

The Islamic Jihad further said that the "criminal" cabinet of "Benjamin Netanyahu is deluded if it believes it can advance its plan to extend its control over the occupied West Bank, annex it to the entity, and pave the way for building a synagogue on the ruins of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque. Just as the resistance in Gaza refuses to surrender to the occupation, it will likewise not submit to the occupation in the West Bank, where Tel Aviv "seeks to build the illusion of a Talmudic" regime.

Early last week, Israel's far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir provocatively announced his intention to build a synagogue at the Al-Asqa Mosque compound in the occupied Old City of al-Quds, drawing condemnations from all over the Islamic world.

It was the first time for the Israeli minister to openly speak about building a synagogue inside the complex, strengthening the narrative that the Muslim holy site and Palestinian national symbol is under threat from the occupying regime.

"Netanyahu and members of his" cabinet's "insistence on portraying the West Bank as part of the entity's map, both before and after the Al-Aqsa Flood battle, is evidence that the aggression on the West Bank is part of a premeditated plan that the entity's" cabinet "seeks to implement and make a reality. It has become clear that this plan involves making demographic changes in the West Bank, threatening the security of the region, particularly Jordan and the [Persian] Gulf states," the Islamic Jihad stated.

Israel launched the ongoing war on the besieged Gaza Strip on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians.

The movement also said Netanyahu's "stubborn stance" on repeatedly rejecting a lasting ceasefire in Gaza "is an obvious attempt to buy time and gamble on changes within the United States to reoccupy the Gaza Strip and advance the plan to seize the West Bank to establish a state for those obsessed with Talmudic myths."

The regime's bloody onslaught on Gaza has so far killed over 40,780 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured more than 93,000 others. Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under rubble.

"We call on the Palestinian Authority to reconsider its positions before it loses the last remnants of the illusion of sovereignty over violated areas while continuing to bet on an international community and an Arab stance that have proven to be impotent and complicit," the Islamic Jihad said in its statement.

According to Palestinian health officials, more than 680 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.

The Islamic Jihad also warned Arab countries against normalization of relations with the Israeli regime, urging them "to recognize the true nature of the Zionist project and its goals."

"This racist usurping entity seeks land and does not value all the peace rhetoric, except to the extent that it provides time to fracture the Arab and Muslim front to complete its domination of the region and its peoples," it added.

Since Israel unleashed the current brutal war on Gaza, 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.

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Israeli military classifies West Bank as 'combat zone' as deadly raids intensify

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 03 September 2024 11:15 AM

Israel is reportedly expected to change its policy in the occupied West Bank, designating the occupied Palestinian territory as "the second most critical front, immediately after Gaza" where the regime is waging a genocidal war.

The daily Israel Hayom reported on Tuesday that recent tensions have convinced the occupying regime's top officials that they can no longer view the West Bank as a "secondary arena" requiring stable maintenance.

Although the directive to classify the West Bank as a "combat zone" is still in its initial stages, a series of attacks across the occupied territory are imminent, the report added.

It also noted that Israeli raids "are set to continue in the foreseeable future" as two brigade combat teams are currently deployed in the Jenin refugee camp and the city of Tulkarm.

"The Jenin operation is just the beginning," the report cited security officials as saying.

On August 28, the Israeli military launched a massive West Bank assault, deploying hundreds of troops and conducting airstrikes on Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tubas, which are major centers of Palestinian resistance against the usurping regime.

Local Palestinian resistance forces have been confronting the invading Israeli military since the start of the aggression, which is the largest in the occupied West Bank in more than two decades.

"Our fighters are fighting fierce battles with the enemy forces storming Tulkarm camp and are showering the infantry forces in the camp's alleys with heavy barrages of bullets, achieving direct hits," the Tulkarm Brigades, the local branch of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad's al-Quds Brigades, said on Tuesday.

So far, at least 31 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's West Bank assault, according to the official WAFA news agency.

Israeli forces and settlers have also killed almost 680 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since 7 October, 2023 when the regime launched its brutal Gaza onslaught.

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Day 333 of Genocide: Israeli airstrikes kill two dozen Gazans amid failed truce talks

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 03 September 2024 10:17 AM

Israel continues to commit more massacres against Palestinians in Gaza, as its genocidal war on the besieged strip enters its 333rd day.

Palestinian media reports said dozens of people were killed and injured in Israeli air and artillery strikes that hit residential buildings, tents sheltering displaced people and streets across Gaza on Tuesday.

Gaza's Civil Defense spokesperson, Mahmoud Basal, said an artillery shelling killed one person and wounded many others in the Zeitoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City.

He added that the bodies of four women from the al-Arja family were also recovered after an Israeli strike on the al-Tannour neighborhood, east of Rafah city.

A Palestinian man was also killed in an Israeli attack near al-Fardows school in Mawasi in Gaza's southern city of Rafah.

Another man and his three-year-old son were also killed in an Israeli strike that targeted a tent sheltering displaced people in Gaza's southern city of Khan Yunis in the early hours of Tuesday.

This comes as the death toll from the Israeli attack on a bread queue in northern Jabalia has risen to eight people. A number of people were also injured in the attack that took place on Monday evening.

Also on Monday evening, a bombing in southern al-Mawasi killed two children, and another raid on al-Karama area in northern Gaza City claimed the lives of at least four people.

Polio outbreak and deepening humanitarian crisis

Israel's relentless assaults on Gaza, including its health care and public health infrastructure, and the complete blockade imposed on the strip have also taken a heavy toll on the under-resourced health system in the territory.

On Monday, the aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, stressed that Israel's destruction of Gaza's infrastructure was behind the polio outbreak in Gaza.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, children in central Gaza continue to receive polio vaccines on Tuesday.

The campaign in central Gaza will continue until Wednesday evening, while children in southern and northern Gaza will get their doses starting from Thursday and Monday, respectively.

Some 158,992 children have so far received their doses as part of the campaign that aims to vaccinate 640,000 children under 10.

The campaign began after Israeli agreed to limited pauses in fighting to allow health workers to vaccinate the children against polio, after the first confirmed case in Gaza in 25 years was recorded.

These so-called "humanitarian pauses" are not a ceasefire deal in Gaza that mediators, including Qatar and Egypt, have been trying to secure in the past few weeks.

Netanyahu defies Israeli protesters amid failed truce talks

Anger is rising in Tel Aviv amid the failed Gaza truce talks, with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing mounting domestic and international pressure after the killing of six captives in Israeli attacks.

US President Joe Biden said Netanyahu is not doing enough to secure the release of captives.

Despite international pressure and mass protests in the occupied territories calling for a deal to secure the return of Israeli captives held in Gaza, Netanyahu refuses to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor along Gaza's southern border with Egypt, which is a major obstacle to a ceasefire deal being reached.

"This is the oxygen of Hamas," he said on Monday, adding "No one is more committed to freeing the hostages than me ... No one will preach to me on this issue."

The Israeli opposition has as slammed Netanyahu for blocking a truce deal with his insistence on continued Israeli control of the Philadelphi Corridor and central Gaza's Netzarim Corridor.

The opposition blasted Netanyahu's comments that Philadelphi is essential for Israel to achieve its war aims as "baseless political spin", saying that Netanyahu had years to retake the corridor and didn't bother, and only sent the Israel troopers to do so eight months into the current war.

Netanyahu's remarks came as angry protests took place in the occupied territories after Israeli forces recovered the corpses of six captives at the weekend.

Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians.

The regime's genocidal war on Gaza has so far killed at least 40,786 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 94,224 others. Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under rubble.

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Sept 2: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 03 September 2024 6:19 AM

By Press TV Website Staff

Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 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 Monday, September 2, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Sept 2:

Targeted an Israeli infantry force on the invasion axis in Al-Ghanem neighborhood in Tukarem, occupied West Bank, with a barrage of bullets.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on Sept 2:

Engaged in fierce clashes with invading Israeli forces in the Tulkarem camp, occupied West Bank, using machine guns and explosive devices.

In a joint operation with the Mujahideen Brigades, targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers on the advance axis in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood east of Gaza City with regular mortar shells.

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces that had penetrated Nablus Street in the city of Jenin, occupied West Bank, using machine guns and explosive devices.

Targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers and army vehicles with mortar shells in the axis of advancement east of Rafah city, southern Gaza Strip.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Sept 2:

Detonated a powerful explosive device on Israeli forces and targeted military vehicles at the entrance to Qabatiya in the city of Jenin, occupied West Bank, with a number of pre-prepared explosive devices.

Detonated a highly explosive device on a D9 Israeli military bulldozer in the Madaris axis of Tulkarem camp, occupied West Bank.

Targeted the Israeli occupation forces storming the city of Tulkarem, occupied West Bank, with a barrage of bullets.

Al-Asifah Forces' operations on Sept 2:

Engaged in intense clashes with Israeli occupation forces using explosive devices in Tulkarem camp, occupied West Bank.

Hezbollah's operations on Sept 2:

Israeli military building in the Avivim settlement was targeted with appropriate weapons.

Israeli military building in the Al-Manara settlement was targeted with appropriate weapons.

Israeli soldiers in the Adather Heights were targeted with artillery shells.

The settlements of Ein Yaakov, Ja'aton and Yehiam were targeted with Katyusha rockets.

The Ramtha site in Lebanon's Kfar Shuba was targeted with rockets.

The Zabadin site in Lebanon's Shebaa was targeted with rockets.

The Al-Manara site was targeted with rockets.

The Bayad Blida site was targeted with artillery shells.

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Philippines says 200-plus Chinese vessels have clustered in its EEZ

Up to 71 Chinese coast guard ships and other vessels were spotted at Sabina Shoal alone, from Aug. 27-Sept. 2.

By BenarNews staff 2024.09.03 -- The Philippine military said Tuesday that it had monitored more than 200 Chinese vessels in several areas within Manila's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea during the past week alone - the highest number recorded this year.

According to Filipino officials, a majority of the ships and boats were spotted near Sabina (Escoda) Shoal, a disputed reef and scene of an incident on Aug. 31 where Manila accused the Chinese coast guard of ramming into a Philippine Coast Guard ship at least three times.

"We can attribute the surge [of Chinese vessels] to the attention given to Sabina/Escoda Shoal in the last few weeks," said Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Philippine Navy's spokesman for the West Philippine Sea.

Manila calls South China Sea waters within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) the West Philippine Sea. An EEZ gives a coastal state exclusive rights up to 200 miles from its coastline to regulate fishing activities, as well as explore and exploit natural resources within the zone's waters, seabed and subsoil, according to the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS.

Seventy-one Chinese vessels were monitored at Sabina Shoal, from Aug. 27 to Sept. 2, compared with 53 the previous week, officials said. The Chinese vessels comprised 53 maritime militia boats, nine Navy ships and nine Coast Guard vessels, according to Trinidad.

Sabina Shoal, a reef located 75 nautical miles (140 km) from the Philippine island of Palawan, has been the site of maritime standoffs between Philippine and Chinese personnel in the past weeks.

The latest was on Saturday, when Manila blamed a Chinese coast guard vessel for ramming into the BRP Teresa Magbanua, a Philippine coast guard ship deployed at the shoal since April, amid reports that Beijing may be trying to reclaim land there.

China has repeatedly accused the Philippines of "illegally grounding" the BRP Teresa Magbanua to "forcibly occupy" the shoal, which the Chinese call Xianbin Jiao.

"The Philippines sent its Coast Guard vessel to the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao which has been illegally anchored there for many days now n an attempt to permanently occupy the area. This is the root cause of the current escalatory situation at Xianbin Jiao," Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for China's foreign ministry, said Monday.

"The measures China took at Xianbin Jiao [on Saturday were] aimed at protecting its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. They [were] fully legitimate and lawful."

In addition to the Chinese vessels clustered around Sabina Shoal, Trinidad said 52 others were monitored at the Philippine-occupied Thitu (Pag-asa) Island during the same period, up from 35 the previous week.

There were also 26 Chinese vessels at Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal during the same period, compared with only 23 the previous week, Trinidad said.

Another 54 Chinese vessels were monitored at various South China Sea features that lie within Manila's EEZ, including Iroquois Reef, Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal), Loaita (Kota) Island, and Commodore (Rizal) Reef, according to Trinidad.

Beijing's presence in the territories that lie within Manila's EEZ is illegal, Trinidad said.

He said that the Philippine Navy and the Armed Forces of the Philippines would "continue to perform its mandate to protect our territory as we uphold international law and contribute to regional peace and stability."

The Philippines and China are locked in a years-long dispute over the potentially mineral- and gas-rich South China Sea.

China has refused to heed an international tribunal's landmark verdict, which ruled in favor of the Philippines in 2016 and said there was no evidence to support Beijing's assertion it had exclusive control over the waterway based on historical grounds.

The recent maritime and air confrontations between Manila and Beijing happened despite both sides agreeing to dial down tensions in the South China Sea in July.

Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have territorial claims in the strategic waterway.

Jeoffrey Maitem and Jojo Rinoza in Manila contributed to this report.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news outlet.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Top opposition party official arrested in Phnom Penh on incitement charge

Chin Bunnaroth is leader of the Nation Power Party, formed last year.

By RFA Khmer 2024.09.03 -- A high-ranking official with a new Cambodian opposition party, the Nation Power Party, was arrested Monday and charged with incitement, in what the party said was an attempt to intimidate government opponents.

Chin Bunnaroth, the party's director-general of administration in southern Takeo province, was arrested by six civilian-clothes police officers in Phnom Penh on Monday, according to a National Power Party statement.

No arrest warrant was presented and it was unclear what prompted the "incitement to cause serious social chaos" charge, the party said.

The ruling Cambodian People's Party, or CPP, often puts pressure on police to arrest political opposition members on politically motivated charges - particularly in the run-up to elections to ensure its own politicians retain power or win new seats in contested areas.

Last May's local elections featured a crackdown on opposition activists, including the arrests of three opposition party members on May 9.

The Nation Power Party's president, Sun Chanthy, was one of the three. He was arrested at Phnom Penh International Airport upon his return from Japan, where he had addressed Cambodian supporters. He was also charged with incitement.

Another example of intimidation

Chin Bunnaroth was placed under pre-trial detention at Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh on Tuesday, according to National Police spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeun.

The Nation Power Party called on the government to unconditionally release Chin Bunnaroth. The arrest was another example of the government's use of the courts to threaten and intimidate political activists, the party said in its statement.

Rong Chhun, a prominent labor activist and an adviser to the Nation Power Party, told Radio Free Asia that the arrest appeared to violate human rights principles.

Eventually, arresting political opponents will have a negative effect on Cambodia's international reputation and could severely damage the investment and tourism climate, he said.

"The party's statement is a political issue," Chhay Kim Khoeun told RFA. "I have nothing to say. We just enforce the law by following the court's order."

The Nation Power Party was formed in 2023 by breakaway members of the Candlelight Party, the main political organization opposing the government under the CPP, which has ruled the country since 1979.

The party has stated that it wants to promote a truly democratic Cambodia through free, fair and equitable elections.

Translated by Sovannarith Keo. Edited by Matt Reed.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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EU Blasts Serbia Deputy PM's Plan For Putin Meeting

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service September 03, 2024

The European Union has told Serbia that maintaining ties with Russia during the ongoing invasion of Ukraine is incompatible with the bloc's values and the EU accession process, highlighting a running dispute between Brussels and the candidate country.

The warning followed the announcement of a meeting between Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of an economic forum in Vladivostok on September 3-6.

"The European Union has been crystal clear with our partners: Relations with Russia cannot be business as usual after Russia's unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine," the bloc said in response to a request from RFE/RL's Balkan Service for comment on September 3.

Brussels also said the EU "wants to count on all candidate countries as reliable European partners for common principles, values, security, and prosperity."

Putin's office announced that the Russian president will meet with Vulin on September 4.

Putin will be meeting with Malaysian and Chinese officials the same day.

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic told RFE/RL that he saw the announcement of the meeting in the media, adding that "it is nothing epochal or so terrible" for Vulin to meet with Putin in Russia.

"We have not broken off diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation; it is not forbidden for someone to meet with representatives of the Russian Federation," Vucevic added during a visit to Novi Pazar in southwestern Serbia.

Vucevic also emphasized that Serbia doesn't encourage the war in Ukraine and does not support the violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity. "We have voted for all the resolutions confirming Ukraine's integrity, but we are not giving up our friendship with the Russian Federation, we have not imposed sanctions, we have not expelled the ambassador. On the contrary, we maintain normal communication," Vucevic said.

He noted that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban -- whose policies have angered the European Union -- had met with Putin.

"We will not apologize for our policy or justify it. We can explain our policy," Vucevic said.

Vulin was put under U.S. sanctions over his dealings with Russia, among other things.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on August 31 denied having close ties to Putin, telling attendees at a Prague security conference that his country is no "Trojan horse" for Moscow despite its refusal to join sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine invasion.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/serbia-russia-eu-vulin- putin-warning/33104299.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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Poland Aims at 'World Record' for Military Spending in 2025 - Defense Minister

Sputnik News

20240903

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Poland wants to set a "world record" for military spending next year by ramping up procurement of weapons and military equipment, Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Tuesday.

"Next year, 4.7% of Polish GDP will be allocated to defense. This will be the absolute record and a world record that Poland will set," he said on the margins of a defense industry exhibition in the Polish city of Kielce.

Poland has already earmarked a record-breaking 4.1% of gross domestic product for the military spending in the 2024 budget. Polish media reported in August that the government intended to hike military expenditure to nearly 5%.

Only five allies in 32-member NATO spend more than 3% on their military needs: Poland, Estonia, the United States, Latvia, and Greece. Two-thirds of NATO member states have met the alliance's requirement of spending at least 2% on defense.

 Sputnik

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UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell's opening remarks at the second regular session of the UNICEF Executive Board

UNICEF

As delivered

03 September 2024

NEW YORK, 3 September 2024 -- "Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues, welcome to the second annual session of the UNICEF Executive Board for 2024.

"We have a busy session ahead of us, with critical issues to discuss, and important decisions to take. Thank you in advance for your engagement, and your contributions over the coming days.

"Thank you also to the President of the Board, and to the Bureau, for your leadership and guidance during this session, and throughout the year.

"Excellencies, we are coming together just days before the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, and the Summit of the Future, two key opportunities for us to push children's rights to the top of the global agenda.

"It is imperative that we redouble our efforts. Because despite the tremendous progress we have made over the past two decades, millions of children around the world are still denied their rights to survive and thrive. Until we change this, by ensuring that the rights of all children are protected and upheld , we will not realize the promise of the global goals enshrined in the SDGs, and the Pact for the Future. We cannot fail in our mission to create a safer and more sustainable world for future generations.

"We can do it, but it is a long road ahead of us.

"Today, millions of children affected by conflict and other emergencies are being denied their fundamental rights, their rights to protection and shelter , to quality medical care and education , to nutritious food , and to living with their families in peace and safety.

"Nearly one year on from the brutal attack on Israel, and the start of the devastating war in Gaza, the situation for children in the region almost defies description. Israeli children have been killed and held hostage, and thousands have been displaced from their homes.

"In Gaza, more than 40,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, up to 60 per cent of whom are women and children. All of Gaza's nearly 1.1 million children need humanitarian assistance to survive, and most are now displaced inside an area smaller than 50 square kilometers. Hunger and acute malnutrition are widespread, and thousands of children have suffered grave rights violations.

"At the same time, the collapse of essential water, sanitation and health services has led to disease outbreaks. This includes an outbreak of polio that was first detected in July. We have already seen three suspected cases of paralytic polio in children, and we are deeply concerned that without urgent action, there could be widespread transmission of the disease throughout the Gaza Strip and beyond.

"WHO and UNICEF call on parties to the conflict to implement humanitarian pauses in Gaza so that we can continue the polio vaccination campaigns started over the weekend. Working with partners like UNRWA, we are hoping to reach 640,000 children under age 10 with two doses of oral polio vaccine. The immunizations have begun, but without sustained and predictable humanitarian pauses, the campaign will not succeed.

"After nearly a year of devastation in Gaza, this war must come to an end. Parties to the conflict must immediately agree to a durable ceasefire, facilitate the safe and immediate release of all remaining hostages, and adhere to their obligations under international law to protect children, and the infrastructure they rely on.

"At the same time, the armed conflict in Sudan rages on, ravaging the country's civilian population. Conflict, massive displacement and constraints on humanitarian access have resulted in devastating food insecurity, malnutrition and grave rights violations.

"In August, famine was declared in a camp sheltering hundreds of thousands of displaced people in the North Darfur Region. This marked the Famine Review Committee's first determination of famine anywhere in more than 7 years, and only the third time a famine determination has been made since the monitoring system was created 20 years ago.

"Given the horrific conditions across much of Sudan, we are concerned that without urgent action, famine could easily take hold in other parts of the country.

"The conflict is robbing Sudan's children of their right to protection from harm. Last year saw the highest number of verified grave rights violations against Sudanese children in more than a decade. Darfur, in particular, is one of the most dangerous places for children anywhere in the world. In 2023, the Darfur region accounted for more than 60 per cent of all verified grave rights violations that took place across the country, nearly three quarters of which involved the killing or maiming of children. Rates of gender-based and sexual violence against women and girls have also increased significantly.

"Here, I must reiterate that in terms of the number of children impacted, the humanitarian consequences of the war in Sudan are the most distressing we have seen in the past twenty years.

"If UNICEF and our partners do not get safe humanitarian access to reach all those in need, in both Government and RSF-controlled areas, including through cross-border operations, a devastating crisis will get even worse - with implications for the broader region.

"In June, I visited Port Sudan and saw firsthand how children, especially girls, are impacted every day by a conflict that has left more than half of the country's 24 million children in urgent need of assistance.

"I urge you to continue to advocate on behalf of the children of Sudan, to focus global attention on this crisis, to help us secure both humanitarian access on the ground, and funding, to end grave rights violations , and to push the parties to the conflict and those with influence over them to reach a ceasefire.

"Excellencies, the humanitarian community often speaks of so-called 'forgotten' emergencies. We may not see these crises on social media or major news broadcasts, but they are very real for the children and families living through them.

"In Myanmar, for example, an estimated 3.3 million people - nearly 40 per cent of whom are children - have been displaced by violence. This includes intensifying conflict in Rakhine State where UNICEF has received alarming reports that civilians, particularly children and families, are being targeted or caught in the crossfire, resulting in deaths and severe injuries.

"Or in Haiti, where the number of children internally displaced by violence has increased by an estimated 60 per cent since March - the equivalent of one child every minute.

"These children are at increased risk of violence, sexual assault, exploitation and abuse, and family separation. And many are facing disrupted access to services, including health care, clean water and sanitation.

"In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, nearly 15 million children affected by conflict need humanitarian assistance and protection. We are working hard to contain a surging outbreak of a new, deadlier variant of the mpox virus. Since the start of the year, approximately 9,000 children have contracted the disease, almost 500 of whom have died.

"UNICEF has acted quickly, declaring a Level 3 emergency response, and coordinating with WHO and the Africa CDC.

"We are focusing on the countries with ongoing circulation of mpox, while also ensuring we are prepared to respond in other affected countries. The objectives of our response are to interrupt transmission, prevent morbidity and mortality, and limit the secondary impacts of the outbreak - especially for children.

"In each of the contexts, insecurity and conflict are preventing us from reaching children and families in need, costing innocent lives in the process.

"I would like to pause here to emphasize the unprecedented dangers faced by humanitarian workers in these settings, who are coming under attack at record levels. Since October last year, 250 aid workers have been killed in Gaza alone. While so far in 2024, 187 humanitarians have been killed globally.

"This is unconscionable.

"Parties to conflict have both a moral and a legal obligation to ensure that humanitarian partners can safely reach all those in need. We must redouble our advocacy efforts with the parties, as well as with those who have influence over them, to meet their obligations under humanitarian law.

"Despite the complexities of working on the ground in these crises, UNICEF and our partners stay, and we deliver. Every day we are reaching thousands of children and families with essential services and supplies, including safe water and sanitation, protection and psychosocial support, health and nutrition, medical supplies and vaccines, and education.

"And we continue to invest in early warning systems, anticipatory action, and preparedness measures so that we can respond quickly and effectively to emerging crises.

"Excellencies, here I wish to point out that approximately two-thirds of UNICEF's resources are directed towards our operations in humanitarian and fragile contexts. This is to be expected given the unprecedented levels of humanitarian need we see around the world today, and it underscores the importance of sustaining support for our humanitarian action.

"But core resources - one of UNICEF's most critical revenue streams - have been stagnating. Further reductions in core funding would reduce our capacity in both our humanitarian action and development work, including for critical oversight functions.

"Let me pause here to acknowledge the importance of UNICEF's partnerships in sustaining our work for children. This includes our National Committees, unique within the UN system, who play a critical role in advocacy, and fundraising. National Committee revenue makes up more than half of UNICEF's flexible income, and it is vital to our operations.

"I hope we can count on you to help increase funding for UNICEF, particularly for core resources, and quality thematic funding.

"This past July, I visited the Pacific region where I met with children and young people facing a range of challenges, including the very real and present threat of climate change. I look forward to discussing this topic with you during the Special Focus Session on climate change later this week.

"Excellencies, as you know, the ongoing threats to children's rights go beyond conflicts and the climate crisis. They include discrimination, increasing levels of poverty, and hostility to the concept of children as a distinct group of rights holders.

"Many countries struggle to provide essential services like healthcare and education for children. Despite significant progress made across a range of child wellbeing indicators over the last twenty years, millions of children are still being left behind.

"This November will mark 35 years since the 1989 adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. By ratifying this international legal framework, world leaders acknowledged that all children have inalienable rights. And they promised that governments would protect and uphold those rights, a promise which too often falls short.

"Each of us plays a critical role in ensuring that the rights of every child are realized. UNICEF and our partners in the child rights community, governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector must be stronger advocates for the fulfillment, and protection of children's rights.

"This means supporting the alignment of national legal frameworks with the CRC, and other international standards, and putting those standards into practice. It also means reaffirming children's status as distinct, independent rights holders, and ensuring accountability for violations of children's rights wherever they occur.

"And it means seizing key opportunities over the remainder of the year to advance the child rights agenda. These include the General Assembly, and Summit of the Future later this month, as well as COP-29 in November.

"At both the General Assembly, and the Summit of the Future, we will reiterate UNICEF's call to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. Given that we are currently on track to meet just 15 per cent of the SDGs by 2030, it is imperative that world leaders heed this call to action.

"I hope you will join us in advocating for cost-effective, evidence-based policy solutions that can be implemented across countries regardless of income. These are solutions that can effectively tackle the root causes of inequality, generating benefits for children's overall wellbeing. We know that when we invest in systems that lift up children, communities flourish, and economies thrive.

"More specifically, we will continue to urge governments to increase investment and action in critical thematic areas, which include, ensuring nutrition in the early years to improve survival, growth and development, increasing global immunization coverage, improving access to quality education, and services for adolescent girls to boost life-long economic prospects, expanding climate mitigation and adaptation measures, and strengthening child benefits, and social protection to reduce poverty.

"Excellencies, as part of our efforts to accelerate progress on the SDGs, and to advance the child rights agenda, UNICEF has been developing our Africa strategy. The strategy - which we will present later this week - aims to work with African governments to seize the opportunity of demographic change across the continent.

"Almost 250 million children will join Africa's child population over the next 25 years, and by the year 2100, there will be more children in Africa than anywhere else in the world.

"In line with the SDGs and UNICEF's Strategic Plan, the Africa strategy features several key areas for action: accelerating human capital development, enhancing resilience, climate action and humanitarian action, and renewing commitments to the African Charter on the Rights, and Welfare of the Child.

"The African Union has set bold goals for its children, and young people in its development plans, including the Agenda for Children 2040, and Agenda 2063. We must match these plans with action, investment, and partnership. UNICEF stands ready to deliver.

"We will have an opportunity to engage further on the Africa strategy during our discussions on Wednesday.

"Excellencies, before closing, I would like to say a few words on UN Development System Reform, which UNICEF fully supports.

"As we look to our Strategic Plan cycle, we believe the forthcoming Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review will be critical, especially to ensuring alignment of UN activities with national priorities, and SDG targets.

"UNICEF is recommending that the QCPR incorporate several key additions. These include specific language on child rights mainstreaming, a child-centric approach to digital equality, expanding the framework of PSEA to encompass general safeguarding measures from all forms of harm, addressing the complexities of working across the humanitarian-development nexus, and full support for the new Funding Compact 2.0.

"Excellencies, colleagues, friends, it is sobering to consider how much the world has changed since we met at this time last year, the war in Gaza, famine in Sudan, advancements in artificial intelligence, wildfires, storms and warming seas, disease outbreaks, and groundbreaking vaccines. All of this continues to have profound implications for the world's children, and more changes are sure to come before the year is out.

"UNICEF's mission is to be there for all children during these challenging times, and to ensure that their rights are protected and upheld. Thank you for being our steadfast partners in this mission, and for working hand-in-hand with us until the mission is complete - for every child.

"Thank you, and I wish us all a productive session."

#####

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Gaza: UN humanitarians ahead of polio vaccination target

3 September 2024 - The UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday that 161,030 children under 10 have been vaccinated in central Gaza during the first two days of the UN-led mass vaccination campaign, surpassing the initial target of 156,000. The figure amounts to around a quarter of the total population they aim to reach - some 640,000 children.

"We think that we will need another day tomorrow to actually wrap-up the central zone completely," said Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).

Speaking from Gaza, he explained that day three of the campaign was continuing during the eight-hour daily pauses agreed by the Israeli military and Hamas fighters.

Each "humanitarian pause" is meant to last from 06:00 until 15:00 local time, with the possibility of adding an extra day if required.

Further rounds

The WHO medic explained that vaccination teams will shift to the larger southern zone on Thursday for another three days and most likely a fourth, before they turn to the northern zone. "Four weeks later the process will be repeated for the second round of vaccination," he added.

Reaching the northern part of the Strip remains a concern, as the WHO has tried to get missions to the north over the last two weeks to provide hospitals with essential medical supplies.

"From the eight or nine missions we planned, only three or four could go," he said. An Emergency Medical Team (EMT) was deployed to the Indonesian Hospital and a paediatric doctor to Kamal Adwan Hospital in addition to medications and other supplies.

The journey back to base involved a seven-hour wait for authorization to proceed to the holding point, with an additional 2.5 hours for screening at the checkpoint. Nearly 11 months into the war, the deconfliction process is still not effective, Dr. Peeperkorn maintained.

90 per cent rate

According to the UN health agency, at least 90 per cent of Palestinian children need to be vaccinated for the campaign to be effective and to prevent the circulation of polio within Gaza and globally.

The Gaza Strip had a high level of vaccination coverage across the population before the conflict began in October 2023. Due the impact of the war, routine immunization coverage dropped from 99 per cent in 2022 to less than 90 per cent in the first quarter of 2024, increasing the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases to children, including polio.

Asked about whether it might be possible to assess other deeply worrying health issues such as malnutrition among children while the vaccination teams are working, Dr. Peeperkorn said that there was no spare capacity to do so.

"It's a very intense campaign. You want to do it as quickly as possible over as least number of days as possible. With all the complexities now in Gaza, we decided we cannot add anything in this campaign. If we see that more activities are possible in the second round, four weeks from now, we will definitely do that."

The polio vaccination campaign comes amid the massive destruction of Gaza's healthcare infrastructure, including water and sanitation systems, and after health officials detected the first case of polio in Gaza in 25 years, in a 10-month-old baby in a refugee camp. The virus can cause paralysis and even death in young children.

Relentless danger

While UN humanitarian agencies welcomed the humanitarian pauses in specific areas to allow the large-scale polio vaccination campaign, they emphasized the urgent need for the immediate release of all remaining hostages and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. "Once these children have been vaccinated, they will go back to areas that in the coming week, we imagine, will be bombed again," warned James Elder, spokesperson for the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).

"There is nothing in that, that should be accepted as normal," he continued. "And I think that everyone now accepts that the talks on ceasefires are just talks for us to continually think that there's hope there.

"After 10 months, we might be a little bit naive. So, something has to give, and that again, has to fall on those leaders needing to represent their people."

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UN reports 'lethal tactics' by Israeli forces in West Bank

3 September 2024 - Israeli forces continue to employ "lethal war-like tactics" in the West Bank, including airstrikes, with people being killed, injured and displaced, the UN Spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Stephane Dujarric informed journalists at the regular press briefing in New York that operations have resumed in Tulkarm and continue in Jenin.

"The UN has recorded more than two dozen fatalities over the past week, including children," he said.

He added that on Tuesday, multiple organizations mobilized by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) were set to carry out an assessment in Jenin but were denied access by the Israeli authorities.

"OCHA warns that access impediments are impacting the ability to provide meaningful humanitarian response," he said, noting also that the movement of ambulances and medical teams has been impeded and delayed since the onset of the now week-long operation.

UN envoy visits Gaza

Meanwhile, Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, visited Gaza on Monday.

He described the scale of destruction as "immense", and the humanitarian needs as "colossal and soaring."

"I unequivocally condemn the horrifying civilian death toll in Gaza," he said, condemning also the killing of six hostages in Gaza by Palestinian armed groups.

"Every day that passes puts more lives in danger," he said. "I reiterate my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and urge all sides to reach an agreement that will bring about an immediate release of all hostages and a humanitarian ceasefire."

While in the Gaza Strip, Mr. Wennesland also met with the heads and staff of UN agencies, and visited a polio vaccination centre.



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For more than six days now, #Jenin has been ravaged by violence + destruction

UNRWA

3 Sep 2024

Meanwhile in the #WestBank:

for more than six days now, #Jenin has been ravaged by violence + destruction.

This is causing loss of life & injuries including among civilians + severe damage to infrastructure.

Over more than 150 hours, people have been undergoing an Israeli military operation, armed clashes & the use of explosives by Palestinian armed groups.

Residents have limited access to food, water & medicine.

@UNRWA is working with humanitarian + local partners to deliver urgently needed aid.

I call for the immediate protection of civilians across the West Bank including in the north.

Both the Israeli army & Palestinian armed groups must uphold the protection of civilians + provide access to assistance

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Public Statement by the Chair of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict

Press Release

Security Council

SC/15809

3 September 2024



The Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, in connection with the examination of the sixth report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in the Central African Republic (S/2024/93), agreed to address the following messages through a public statement by the Chair of the Working Group.

To all parties to the armed conflict in the Central African Republic:

Expressing grave concern at and its strongest condemnation of the high number of violations and abuses committed against children in the Central African Republic; notably by armed groups, and urging all parties to the conflict, especially armed groups, to immediately end and prevent all abuses and violations against children including those involving the recruitment and use, killing and maiming, rape and other forms of sexual violence, attacks on schools and hospitals, abduction, and the denial of humanitarian access and to comply with their obligations under international law;

Welcoming the continued implementation of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic (hereafter "the Peace Agreement"), which entailed progress on disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation (DDRR) efforts, community reconciliation and voluntary returns, and the Joint Roadmap for Peace and its expansion to the local level; expressing concern that, despite encouraging steps, the security situation remained fragile, including due to the deterioration of the security situation in the border areas, and violations and abuses continue to be committed against children; calling upon the signatories to the Peace Agreement to uphold their commitments, including its specific provisions to protect children; noting with concern that some armed groups who are signatories to the Peace Agreement continued to be among the main perpetrators of the six grave violations against children; and urging all parties to work with the United Nations to reinforce their efforts to end and prevent violations and abuses against children;

Calling upon all parties to the armed conflict to further implement the previous conclusions of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict in the Central African Republic (S/AC.51/2022/5);

Expressing concern about the challenges faced by the United Nations country task force on monitoring and reporting in the Central African Republic, including as a result of, inter alia, activities by armed groups, an increase in the indiscriminate use of explosive ordnance, as well as fighters living within their communities, which hampered the ability of the country task force to safely monitor and report on the six grave violations; also expressing concern that, as noted in the report of the Secretary-General, the information contained in the report does not reflect the full extent of the six grave violations committed against children in the Central African Republic during the reporting period, and in this regard urging parties to the conflict to ensure United Nations personnel safe and unhindered access to territories under their control, including for advocacy, and monitoring and reporting purposes;

Stressing the importance of accountability for all violations and abuses against children in armed conflict by all parties, and stressing that all those responsible be brought to justice and held accountable without undue delay, including through timely, impartial and systematic investigations and, as appropriate, prosecution and conviction; and underscoring that all victims and survivors must have access to justice, as well as that all children must have access to gender-sensitive, age-appropriate, disability-inclusive, non-discriminatory and comprehensive child protection services; in this regard, welcoming the efforts of the domestic courts and the Special Criminal Court to advance accountability for the six grave violations against children;

Stressing that the best interests of the child should be a primary consideration, and that the specific needs and vulnerabilities of girls and boys should be duly considered, when planning and carrying out actions concerning children in situations of armed conflict, including by taking all preventive and mitigating actions necessary to avoid and minimize harm and to better protect children during hostilities and from the effects of explosive ordnance;

Expressing deep concern about and condemnation of the high number of cases of recruitment and use of children, noting that armed groups were responsible for the majority of cases of recruitment and use; noting that children were used for sexual purposes, as well as in combat and support roles such as cooks, porters, running errands, gathering information, and manning checkpoints; further noting that children joined armed groups to protect their communities or themselves, as a means of survival due to poverty, and due to fears of reprisals; strongly urging all parties to the armed conflict to engage with United Nations and to immediately and without conditions release all children from their ranks and hand them over to relevant civilian child protection actors; urging all parties to the conflict to end and prevent further recruitment and use of children under 18 years of age, consistent with their obligations under international law, including the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict; also noting in this regard the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child; and welcoming positive steps taken by the Government including the signing of the Action Plan against the Trafficking of Children in the Central African Republic, with a focus on preventing the use of children by the Armed Forces;

Expressing concern about the deprivation of liberty of children by parties to armed conflict for their alleged association with armed groups; urging all parties to the conflict to release those children and ensure their full reintegration through child protection programmes; emphasizing that children allegedly associated with parties to the conflict should be treated primarily as victims, including those children who are accused of having committed crimes, and that detention should be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time, in line with applicable international law; urging the Government of the Central African Republic to comply with its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocol thereto on the involvement of children in armed conflict and recalling that the Government has endorsed the Principles and Guidelines on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups (the Paris Principles), and that alternatives to judicial proceedings should be sought for children; welcoming in this regard the release of 57 children who had been detained for their alleged association with armed groups following advocacy measures and a Presidential Decree granting them clemency on 2 December 2022, and calling on parties to the conflict to engage with the United Nations to adopt and implement appropriate handover protocols to facilitate the release of children to civilian child protection actors and prioritize their reintegration;

Encouraging the Government to continue to focus on long-term, sustainable and timely rehabilitation and reintegration programmes and opportunities for children affected by armed conflict that are gender- and age-sensitive and inclusive for children with disabilities, including equal access to health care, psychosocial support and education programmes, as well as to raise awareness and work with communities to avoid stigmatization of these children, to facilitate their return and minimize the risk of re-recruitment, while taking into account the specific needs of children, in order to contribute to their well-being and to sustainable peace and security; welcoming the operationalization of a vocational training centre for children in Ouaka prefecture; further welcoming the fact that implementation of local mechanisms in response to security threats entailed progress on Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration and Repatriation (DDRR) efforts, community reconciliation efforts and voluntary returns while noting with concern that children's access to sustainable socio-economic reintegration programmes was impaired by ongoing fighting, increases in logistical costs for humanitarian interventions and a decrease in funding for long-term reintegration programmes;

Strongly condemning the killing and maiming of children, notably by armed groups, including during targeted killings as a result of gunshots, explosive ordnance, mutilation, physical assault, assault with a machete, shrapnel, burns and rape; expressing concern that during armed confrontation, Muslim and Fulani civilians, including children, were reportedly attacked and subjected to violations, and urging all parties to the conflict to cease and prevent the killing and maiming of children, including refraining from the indiscriminate use of explosive weapons that cause death or injury to children and destroy the vital infrastructure they rely on, noting that deliberately targeting civilian objects, as such, violates international humanitarian law;

Expressing deep concern at cases of rape and other forms of sexual violence perpetrated against children, including gang rape and abduction for the purpose of sexual slavery; noting that cases of rape and other forms of sexual violence continue to be underreported due to stigmatization, the risk of reprisals, a lack of accountability and the absence of adequate support services for victims and survivors; urging all parties to the conflict to take immediate and specific measures to put an end to and prevent the perpetration of rape and other forms of sexual violence against children; and stressing the importance of providing non-discriminatory and comprehensive specialized services for victims and survivors of sexual violence, including mental health and psychosocial support, health, including sexual and reproductive health services, legal and livelihood support and services, including a child-friendly and safe reporting and response mechanism; acknowledging the increased accountability for sexual violence through the gradual operationalization of the military justice system and proceedings before domestic courts, the Special Criminal Court, and other courts; noting with concern that the customary practice of 'friendly arrangements' remained a challenge in addressing accountability for sexual violence and may result in further violations or abuses of children's rights, including child forced marriage;

While welcoming the notable decrease in attacks on schools and hospitals, continuing to strongly condemn attacks on schools and hospitals in violation of international law; calling on all parties to the conflict to comply with international law and to respect the civilian character of schools and hospitals and to end and prevent attacks or threats of attacks against those institutions and protected persons in violation of applicable international law; and expressing deep concern at the verified incidents of military use of schools and hospitals in violation of international law; further calling on all parties to the conflict to safeguard, protect, respect and promote the right to education, including in armed conflict;

Strongly condemning the abduction of children, and expressing grave concern at the increase in abductions of children including for recruitment and use and sexual purposes, for ransom and as retaliation, noting that most cases were attributed to armed groups, and calling upon all parties to the conflict to cease the abduction of children and immediately release all abducted children to the relevant civilian child protection actors;

Strongly condemning the incidents of denial of humanitarian access, including injury, abduction, physical assault, killing, threats, and robbing of humanitarian personnel, extortion, collection of levies by armed groups, access denial, destruction of humanitarian goods, and explosive ordnance attacks; noting that a majority of the incidents were committed by armed groups and unidentified perpetrators; further expressing concern at the insecurity, which regularly prevented the humanitarian community from delivering vital assistance to communities in need, and calling upon all parties to the conflict to allow and facilitate, in line with international law, including international humanitarian law, safe, timely and unhindered humanitarian access, consistent with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, as well as the United Nations guiding principles of humanitarian assistance and to respect the exclusively humanitarian nature and impartiality of humanitarian aid and to respect the work of all United Nations agencies and their humanitarian partners without adverse distinction;

Welcoming the dialogue between the United Nations and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)-Achaye on the release of abducted children; urging the faction to end and prevent all violations and abuses and release all abducted children and to refrain from seeking to recapture released children; welcoming the adoption of a command directive prohibiting grave violations against children by the CPC, and urging the CPC to implement this command directive; further calling upon the Mouvement patriotique pour la Centrafrique (MPC), the Front populaire pour la renaissance de la Centrafrique (FPRC) and the Union pour la paix en Centrafrique (UPC) to swiftly implement their respective action plans; and urging all parties to the conflict to develop, adopt and implement action plans with the United Nations to end and prevent all six grave violations against children affected by armed conflict;

Recalling the Security Council's readiness to adopt targeted and graduated measures against persistent perpetrators of violations and abuses committed against children, and that the Security Council, by its resolution 2693 (2023) renewed until 31 July 2024 the asset freeze and travel ban measures imposed by resolutions 2127 (2013) 2134 (2014), and 2399 (2018), which apply to individuals and entities as designated by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to paragraph 57 of resolution 2127 (2013) ("2127 sanctions committee"), for actions that undermine the peace, stability or security of the Central African Republic, such as:

Being involved in planning, directing or committing acts that violate international human rights law or international humanitarian law, as applicable, or that constitute human rights abuses or violations in the Central African Republic, including acts involving sexual violence, targeting of civilians, ethnic or religious-based attacks, deliberate attacks on schools and hospitals, abduction and forced displacement;

Recruiting or using children in armed conflict in the Central African Republic, in violation of applicable international law;

Obstructing the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Central African Republic, or access to or distribution of, humanitarian assistance in the Central African Republic;

Expressing the readiness of the Working Group to communicate to the Security Council pertinent information with a view to assisting the Council in the imposition of targeted measures on perpetrators;

To all United Nations peacekeeping operations, including the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic and non-United Nations forces present in the Central African Republic and relevant Member States:

Expressing deep distress over continued concern of sexual exploitation and abuse against children by some United Nations peacekeepers, and strongly condemning all acts of sexual exploitation and abuse;

Calling upon the United Nations and relevant Member States to continue to take appropriate action to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse, including the vetting of all personnel and conducting pre-deployment and in-mission awareness training, to ensure full accountability in cases of such conduct, including through timely survivor-centred investigations of all allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse; to hold perpetrators accountable and repatriate units when there is credible evidence of widespread or systemic sexual exploitation and abuse by those units; to take appropriate disciplinary measures; to report fully and promptly on actions undertaken; to ensure that child victims and witnesses are adequately protected during the investigation process; and to facilitate access to medical and psychological support, as appropriate; and in that respect welcoming the appointment and the work of the Field Victims' Rights Advocate by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and the adoption of a victim-centred approach, enabling most child victims to access services and education/vocation training;

Urging further efforts by relevant Member States to take appropriate preventative action, including the vetting of all personnel and the delivery of robust pre-deployment training concerning sexual exploitation and abuse in accordance with the terms of their memorandums of understanding and other agreements with the United Nations;

To neighbouring States, United Nations bodies, regional organizations and all international partners:

Encouraging neighbouring States, regional organizations and all international partners to support the peace process, including to end and prevent violations and abuses against children, in a coherent and coordinated manner and through strengthened partnerships; noting that the long awaited local elections provide an essential opportunity to strengthen local governance and to decentralise the peace process; welcoming the second strategic review meeting to take stock of progress in the implementation of the Peace Agreement with members of the Government as well as regional and international partners, including the guarantors and facilitators of the Political Agreement and the Foreign Ministers of Angola and Rwanda and emphasizing the important role of those guarantors and facilitators of the Peace Agreement in using their influence to enhance adherence by armed groups to their commitments; and welcoming the adoption of the joint road map for peace by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region "Luanda roadmap";

Calling on the international community, and MINUSCA, in conformity with its mandate, the United Nations country team and the Peacebuilding Fund, to provide coordinated support to build the capacities and enhance the effectiveness of the judicial system, including where appropriate and mandated through the provision of financial and technical assistance to the Central African Republic authorities towards the restoration of the administration of the judiciary, criminal justice and building of child protection systems throughout the country.

To community and religious leaders:

Emphasizing the important role of community and religious leaders in strengthening the protection of children affected by armed conflict and fostering reconciliation efforts;

Urging them to strengthen community-level protection and to publicly condemn and continue to advocate ending and preventing violations and abuses against children, notably those involving the recruitment and use of children, killing and maiming, rape and other forms of sexual violence, attacks and threats of attacks on schools and hospitals, abductions and denial of humanitarian access, including on the basis of religion or ethnicity, and to engage with the Government, the United Nations, and other relevant stakeholders to support the reintegration and rehabilitation of children affected by armed conflict in their communities, including by raising awareness to avoid stigmatization of these children.

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Public Statement by the Chair of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict

Press Release

Security Council

SC/15808

3 September 2024



The Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, in connection with the examination of the sixth report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in Somalia (S/2022/397), agreed to address the following messages through a public statement by the Chair of the Working Group.

To all parties to the armed conflict in Somalia mentioned in the report of the Secretary-General:

Strongly condemning all violations and abuses that continue to be committed against children in Somalia in alarmingly high numbers, noting that the majority of violations and abuses verified during the reporting period were attributed to Al-Shabaab, and noting with concern the disproportionate negative impact of pervasive food insecurity, the COVID-19 pandemic, and dire humanitarian situation on children, which further exacerbated existing challenges; demanding that all parties to the conflict immediately end and prevent all violations and abuses against children, including those involving killing and maiming of children, the recruitment and use of children, rape and other forms of sexual violence, attacks on schools and hospitals, abduction, and the denial of humanitarian access, noting that the number of incidents of the six grave violations is underreported due to access challenges, and further demanding that all parties comply with their obligations under international law;

Calling upon all parties to further implement the previous conclusions of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict in Somalia (S/AC.51/2020/6);

Stressing the importance of accountability for all violations and abuses against children in armed conflict and stressing that all those responsible must be brought to justice and held accountable without undue delay, including through comprehensive, independent, timely and systematic investigations and, as appropriate, prosecution and conviction;

Stressing that the best interests of the child should be a primary consideration, and that the particular needs and vulnerabilities of girls and boys, including those disproportionately affected, should be duly considered, when planning and carrying out actions concerning children in situations of armed conflict;

Expressing deep concern at and condemnation of the high number of children recruited and used in armed conflict, the majority of whom were recruited and used by Al-Shabaab, noting that some were as young as 10 years old and that children were used as fighters, and in support roles such as bodyguards, cleaners and to operate checkpoints, and strongly urging all parties to the conflict, in particular Al-Shabaab, to immediately and without preconditions release all children associated with them, to hand them over to relevant civilian child protection actors and end and prevent the further recruitment and use of children, including the re-recruitment of children who have been released, consistent with their obligations under international law and, as applicable, the Optional Protocol to the Convention of the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict;

Expressing grave concern at the continuing high number of children being deprived of their liberty for association or alleged association with armed groups or armed forces, the prosecution of children through military courts, and cases of death penalty imposed on children, urging all parties to the conflict to treat associated children, primarily as victims of recruitment and use, further urging the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) to comply with its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in particular the obligation which states that the arrest, detention and imprisonment of children should be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time, and to prioritize their reintegration, as guided by the Principles and Guidelines on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups (Paris Principles), which it has endorsed; and urging the FGS to consistently implement the standard operating procedures for the reception and handover of children separated from armed groups, endorsed by Somalia in 2014,

Expressing deep concern at the persistent high number of children killed and maimed in Somalia and at the significant increase in number of children killed or maimed owing to the conflict, and increased attacks utilizing improvised explosive devices, predominantly by Al-Shabaab as well as a result of crossfire by all groups, failure to take adequate precautions to protect children during armed conflict and indiscriminate attacks involving explosive devices, including improvised explosive devices, mines and explosive remnants of war, physical assault and shooting, and urging all parties to take special measures to protect children and to respect their obligations as applicable under international law, including the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, in particular the principles of distinction and proportionality and the obligation to take all feasible precautions to avoid and in any event minimize harm to civilians and civilian objects;

Expressing deep concern about the high number of cases of rape and other forms of sexual violence perpetrated against children, predominantly by unidentified perpetrators and Al-Shabaab, including attempted rape, and forced marriage, noting that sexual violence in Somalia is underreported, and strongly urging all parties to the armed conflict to take immediate and specific measures to put an end to and prevent the perpetration of rape and other forms of sexual violence against children, particularly in camps for internally displaced persons where children are at enhanced risk, and stressing the importance of accountability for those responsible for sexual and gender-based violence against children, in particular considering that most perpetrators remained at large or were released when communities opted to use local dispute resolution mechanisms instead of the formal justice system; also stressing the importance of providing non-discriminatory and comprehensive specialized services, such as mental health and psychosocial support, sexual and reproductive health-care services, legal and livelihood support and services to victims and survivors of sexual violence;

Strongly condemning the attacks on schools and hospitals in violation of international law, the majority of which were attributed to Al-Shabaab, and expressing concern that Al-Shabaab continued to exert pressure on communities to adopt its curriculum and that claims of non-compliance in this regard resulted in school closures and abduction of teachers, and calling upon all parties to the armed conflict to comply with international law and to respect the civilian character of schools and hospitals, including their personnel, as such, and to end and prevent attacks or threats of attacks against those institutions and their personnel in violation of international law, and noting the effect that attacks on schools and their use can have on the enjoyment of the right to education, expressing concern at the verified use of a school for military purposes that placed students at risk and interfered with their education and protection support, and calling on all parties to take concrete measures to facilitate the continuation of education of Somali children, consistent with resolution 2601 (2021);

Strongly condemning the high number of abductions of children, including the use of mass abductions as tactics for recruitment and use, predominantly by Al Shabaab, and urging all parties, in particular Al-Shabaab, to cease the abduction of children and all human rights violations and other violations and abuses committed against abducted children, including rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence, including forced marriage of girls to Al-Shabaab fighters, and to immediately release without preconditions all abducted children in their captivity to relevant civilian child protection actors;

Strongly condemning all incidents of denial of humanitarian access, including attacks on humanitarian personnel, looting of humanitarian goods, the majority of which are attributed to Al-Shabaab, and calling upon all parties to the conflict to allow and facilitate safe, timely and unhindered humanitarian access to children, consistent with their obligations under international humanitarian law, to respect the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, as well as the United Nations guiding principles of humanitarian assistance, to respect the exclusively humanitarian nature and impartiality of humanitarian aid and to respect the work of all United Nations agencies and their humanitarian partners, without adverse distinction;

Welcoming the efforts made by the Federal Government of Somalia since the previous conclusions of the Working Group to end and prevent the six grave violations against children affected by armed conflict, in particular the continued engagement and signature by the Federal Government of a road map to expedite the implementation of the action plan to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children by the Somali National Army and the action plan to halt the killing and maiming of children by the Somali National Army, both signed in 2012, as well as the establishment of Working Group on CAAC at the federal and Member State level and calling for the swift and effective implementation of these action plans and the road map, signed in October 2019, by all government security forces, including the Somali National Army and the Somali Police Force, as well as at the federal member state-level;

Recalling that the Security Council, in its resolution 2498 (2019), recalled the financial and travel measures imposed by resolution 2002 (2011), which apply to individuals and entities designated by the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolution 2713 (2023) concerning Al Shabaab consistent with paragraph 43 of resolution 2093 (2013), for actions that threaten the peace, stability or security of Somalia, such as: Recruitment or use of children in armed conflict in Somalia by political or military leaders in violation of applicable international law; Violation of applicable international law in Somalia involving the targeting of civilians, including children and women, in situations of armed conflict, including killing and maiming, sexual and gender-based violence, attacks on schools and hospitals and abduction and forced displacement; Obstruction of the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Somalia or access to or the distribution of humanitarian assistance in Somalia;

Expressing the readiness of the Working Group to communicate to the Security Council and to the Committee pertinent information with a view to assisting them in the imposition of targeted measures on perpetrators;

Expressing grave concern about the high number of cases of the six grave violations against children in armed conflict attributed to Al-Shabaab, the main perpetrator of such violations, as well as clan militia and unidentified perpetrators and the level of insecurity in Somalia linked to Al-Shabaab's activities with devastating effects on children;

Calling upon all non-State armed groups to express their commitment and take active steps to end and prevent all violations and abuses committed against children and to enter into dialogue with the United Nations to prepare, adopt and implement without delay action plans to end and prevent violations and abuses against children in line with Security Council resolutions 1539 (2004), 1612 (2005), 1882 (2009), 1998 (2011) and 2225 (2015);

To community and religious leaders:

Emphasizing the important role of community and religious leaders in strengthening the protection of children affected by armed conflict;

Urging them to strengthen community-level engagement and protection and to publicly condemn and continue to advocate ending and preventing violations and abuses against children, in particular those involving the recruitment and use of children, killing and maiming, rape and other forms of sexual violence against children, attacks and threats of attacks on schools and hospitals, abductions and denial of humanitarian access, and to engage with the Federal Government of Somalia, the United Nations and other relevant stakeholders to support the reintegration of children affected by armed conflict in their communities, including by raising awareness to avoid stigmatization of these children.

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Republic of Korea, U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Conduct Exercise Ssang Yong 2024 Decisive Action

US Navy

03 September 2024

From Maj. George McArthur

POHANG, Republic of Korea -- The Republic of Korea and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are conducting Exercise Ssang Yong 24 from August 26 to September 7 in the Pohang area of Gyeongsangbuk-Do, South Korea, to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance's combat readiness and improve interoperability.

Ssang Yong, held regularly since 2012, aims to enhance combined defensive posture on the Korean Peninsula. This year, the exercise includes more than 13,000 personnel from the ROK and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, as well as the U.K. Commando Force which is participating for a second consecutive year. The exercise also involves the ROK Army Aviation Command, ROK Air Force Operations Command, and the ROK Drone Operations Command.

The primary focus of this year's exercise is to enhance the capability to conduct a combined-joint forcible entry operation, in which coalition forces would swiftly neutralize key enemy facilities to terminate a hypothetical conflict scenario. The ROK-U.S. Navy and Marine Corps conducted joint amphibious operations, followed by land-based operations to rehearse eliminating enemy forces.

Notably, this year's exercise includes the first deployment of a combined ROK-U.S. battle staff, which commands amphibious operations from the Dokdo-class landing transport helicopter ship ROKS Marado (LPH-6112). This combined battle staff is assessing command and control capabilities and is developing lessons learned for future operations.

The exercise features large-scale joint and combined forces, including a division-sized landing force, the ROKS Marado and Dokdo (LPH-6111), the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4), amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA-6), more than 20 naval vessels, 30 aircraft such as the ROK Marine Corps' MUH-1 "Marineon" helicopters, U.S. F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft, and ROK Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters, as well as 40 amphibious assault vehicles, including the Korea Assault Amphibious Vehicle.

Significantly, Ssang Yong 24 is the first time the U.S. Marine Corps' next-generation Amphibious Combat Vehicle is employed in an exercise on the Korean Peninsula, conducting joint amphibious operations with the ROK Marine Corps. Furthermore, the ROK Marine Corps' MUH-1 helicopters have undergone deck-landing qualifications on U.S. vessels for the first time.

The exercise's decisive-action amphibious landing event took place on September 2 along the coastal area of Songra-myeon, Pohang. This phase included simultaneous amphibious and airborne simulated assaults:

 Reconnaissance units from the ROK Drone Operations Command provided real-time intelligence, while reconnaissance forces from the ROK and U.S. Marines, and UK Royal Marines, infiltrated the objective area via sea and air to conduct surveillance and guide precision strike rehearsals.



 Close air support provided by U.S. F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft and AH-1Z Viper helicopters launched from land and sea to neutralize enemy targets, setting conditions for the amphibious assault.

 Amphibious forces including Marines storming the beaches in ROK Assault Amphibious Vehicles and U.S. Amphibious Combat Vehicles to establish a beachhead, followed by the deployment of armored vehicles via U.S. and ROK Navy landing craft including Landing Craft, Air Cushion hovercraft and tank landing ships.

 Airborne forces completed a tactical airdrop from ROK Air Force C-130 transport aircraft, while the U.S. Marine Corps' MV-22 Osprey, ROK Marine Corps' MUH-1, ROK Army CH-47 Chinooks, and ROK Navy UH-60 helicopters rehearsed air assaults maneuvers.

 Following the successful amphibious assault, the ROK Marine Corps' logistics units established a division-level Combat Service Support Area on the beach to sustain land operations.

 The landing forces then transitioned to land-based operations, including simulated CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear)-response elimination operations with combat casualty care exercises to further refine their combined training objectives.

ROK Marine Corps Lt. Col. Cho Hyun-Chul, who participated in the exercise as battalion commander of the landing forces, stated: "This exercise reaffirms the strong alliance between the ROK and U.S. Marine Corps and further strengthens our combined defense posture. Going forward, the ROK and U.S. Marine Corps will firmly retaliate against any provocation from the enemy."

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Gabriel Tiggs, executive officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, said: "Rehearsing this kind of combined joint forcible entry training with an amphibious landing, then follow-on operations, is very important because of how complex they are. The defense of the Korean Peninsula depends on our ROK-U.S. forces to continuously work together, shoulder-to-shoulder, including this Ssang Yong and into the future."

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US issues new call for Israel, Hamas to reach cease-fire pact

By VOA News September 03, 2024

The U.S. on Tuesday strongly urged Israel and Hamas to reach a cease-fire deal to halt nearly 11 months of fighting in Gaza and free the remaining hostages the militants are holding.

"There are dozens of hostages still remaining in Gaza, still waiting for a deal that will bring them home. It is time to finalize that deal," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters after Israeli forces found six hostages over the weekend that Hamas had shot to death in a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

"The people of Israel cannot afford to wait any longer. The Palestinian people, who are also suffering the terrible effects of this war, cannot afford to wait any longer. The world cannot afford to wait any longer," Miller said.

He said that the United States will work "over the coming days" with mediators Egypt and Qatar "to push for a final agreement."

One key point of contention in the negotiations has been Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence that Israeli troops remain at the border between Gaza and Egypt.

But Miller said the U.S. is opposed "to the long-term presence" of Israeli troops in Gaza.

The State Department spokesman said that reaching a cease-fire and release of the 100 or so remaining hostages "will require both sides to show flexibility. It will require that both sides look for reasons to get to yes rather than reasons to say no."

The U.S. plea for an end to the fighting came after Israel's military said it had killed a Hamas militant who participated in the October assault on Israel and was seen in a widely viewed video drinking soda in front of two kids who were wounded in a grenade attack that killed their father.

The Israel Defense Forces identified the militant as Ahmed Fozi Wadia and said he paraglided into the Netiv HaAsara community during the October 7 attack.

Wadia was among eight militants killed in a Saturday airstrike in Gaza City, the Israeli military said.

Netanyahu's office said it will win its war against Hamas with or without arms from Britain, a day after the British government announced it would suspend some arms exports to Israel due to concerns about their use in Gaza.

"Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britain's misguided decision will only embolden Hamas," Netanyahu's office said.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said there was a "clear risk" that some of the weapons could be used to "commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law."

British Defense Secretary John Healey told Times Radio on Tuesday that the suspension of 30 of 350 arms export licenses to Israel "will not have a material impact on Israel's security."

Netanyahu is also facing pressure at home after several days of protests calling on him to agree to a cease-fire with Hamas, especially after the six hostages were found shot to death.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters, "Clearly what happened over the weekend underscores how important it is to get this [cease-fire] done as quickly as possible."

Miller at the State Department said, "There are no winners [in Gaza] in that pain for Israelis, for Palestinians, for the region, has gone on for far too long. It's time to reach a cease-fire that brings the hostages home, that alleviates the suffering of the Palestinian people, and it ultimately brings an end to this war, and that's exactly what we will continue to push to reach."

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.

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 U.S. administration of President Joe Biden 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 dozens of Palestinian prisoners.

Biden on Monday rebuked Netanyahu for his handling of the hostage situation and cease-fire negotiations.

As he arrived Monday 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."

Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people and captured about 250 hostages during the October 7 terror 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.

Hamas has been designated a terror group by the U.S., the U.K. and other Western countries.

VOA's Nike Ching contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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Israel announces killing of Hamas militant seen in October 7 attack video

By VOA News September 03, 2024

Israel's military said Tuesday it killed a Hamas militant who participated in the October assault on Israel and was seen in a widely viewed video drinking soda in front of two kids who were wounded in a grenade attack that killed their father.

The Israel Defense Forces identified the militant as Ahmed Fozi Wadia and said he paraglided into the Netiv HaAsara community during the October attack.

Wadia was among eight militants killed in a Saturday airstrike in Gaza City, the Israeli military said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Tuesday it will win its war against Hamas with or without arms from Britain, a day after the British government announced it would suspend some arms exports to Israel due to concerns about their use in Gaza.

"Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britain's misguided decision will only embolden Hamas," Netanyahu's office said.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said there was a "clear risk" that some of the weapons could be used to "commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law."

British Defense Secretary John Healey told Times Radio on Tuesday that the suspension of 30 of 350 arms export licenses to Israel "will not have a material impact on Israel's security."

Netanyahu is also facing pressure at home after several days of protests calling on him to agree to a cease-fire with Hamas in order to bring home hostages still being held by the militants in Gaza.

"No one is more committed to freeing the hostages than me. ... No one will preach to me on this issue," Netanyahu said Monday, 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 news conference 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."

A general workers' strike Monday also 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.

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 Monday 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.

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.

A spokesperson for Hamas' armed wing said in a statement Monday that if Israel remains committed to using military pressure to free hostages, then those being held will be returned to their families "in shrouds." The spokesperson said those guarding the hostages were given new instructions regarding what to do if Israeli troops approach them, and that the instructions were conveyed after a June Israeli raid that freed four hostages.

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.

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Analysts: China tests US commitment to Indo-Pacific with maritime operations

By William Yang September 03, 2024

China's recently increased maritime and aerial operations near the Philippines, Japan, and Taiwan is part of Beijing's attempt to gauge the United States' commitment to supporting allies in the Indo-Pacific region, say analysts. They noted the increased activity comes as Tokyo and Washington gear up for elections in the coming weeks.

"China sees an opportunity to test the United States' commitment to the broader region. So, it is sending a signal to Washington that if they try to invest more in the Philippines and other relationships in the South China Sea, Beijing will try to complicate their security architecture and their ability to manage many issues at once," said Stephen Nagy, a regional security expert at the International Christian University in Japan.

Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided at least twice since last month near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea. Sabina Shoal lies within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, or EEZ but Beijing says the partially submerged reef is part of its territory.

The latest collision happened shortly after noon on Saturday, August 31. Videos released by both China's state broadcaster CCTV and the Philippine coast guard showed a Chinese coast guard vessel ramming into a Philippine vessel. Each side accused the other of "deliberately" causing the collision.

Meanwhile, Japan's defense ministry says a Chinese military aircraft breached its airspace for the first time on August 26 and a Chinese survey ship intruded into Japan's southwestern territorial waters on August 31.

Tokyo lodged formal complaints to the Chinese Embassy in Japan, describing the series of incursions as "unacceptable," but Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a regular press conference Monday that the Chinese survey ship's activity was "fully lawful and legitimate."

In addition to areas near the Philippines and Japan, China has deployed at least 172 military aircraft and 87 naval vessels to areas around Taiwan since August 26. Some experts say China's concerted activities in the three locations are aimed at "punishing its most vocal adversaries" in the Indo-Pacific region.

"It seems that China believes it enjoys a certain amount of force overmatch and escalation dominance, so it is trying to make examples out of some countries that refuse to accept Chinese dominance in its near abroad," Ray Powell, director of Stanford University's Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, told VOA in a phone interview.

Warnings not enough

The United States and other democratic countries, including Japan, Australia, and those of the European Union, have issued statements to condemn China's maritime aggression following the latest collision between Chinese and Philippine vessels near Sabina Shoal. Some experts, however, say Beijing's persistent aggression in the South China Sea suggests these warnings are insufficient to force it to soften its stance.

"Over the last year, China has disregarded all the warnings from the United States and its allies and continues to do what they have been doing in the South China Sea," Collin Koh, a maritime security expert at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, told VOA in a phone interview.

Koh and Nagy both say the U.S. and its allies need to roll out more forceful measures to counter China's persistent maritime aggression across the Indo-Pacific. These, they say, include conducting more transits through regional waters, increasing the presence of naval vessels in the region and initiating a consultation of the mutual defense treaty between the U.S. and the Philippines.

"More countries need to conduct international transits through the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, regularize the presence of their naval vessels in the Indo-Pacific region, increase the frequency of joint training between Southeast Asian countries and other allies, and consider imposing sanctions on China," Nagy told VOA by phone.

According to reports, two German warships, the frigate Baden-Wurttemberg and its supply ship Frankfurt am Main, are waiting for orders regarding possible passage through the Taiwan Strait during their transit from South Korea to the Philippines.

Since the start of 2024, U.S. naval vessels have conducted at least four transits through international waters in the Taiwan Strait, the 180-kilometer-wide body of water between Taiwan and China's southern Fujian Province. Naval vessels from Canada and the Netherlands have transited through the strait this year as well.

In recent weeks, the U.S. has reiterated its willingness to support the Philippines' resupply missions to the disputed reefs in the South China Sea while deploying extremely long-range air-to-air missiles to the Indo-Pacific, which experts say could erase China's advantage in aerial reach.

While China is trying to test Washington's resolve in the Indo-Pacific region and increase its military activities in the western Pacific, some analysts say it is not clear how long Beijing can sustain the intensity of its maritime operations.

"[While China] can still afford to put more money into defense and press its maritime claims, how much they can do so in the future remains an open question as their economy matures and their demographics provide more of a drain on growth," Ian Chong, a political scientist at National University of Singapore, told VOA in a written response.

Last week, the Reuters news agency reported that China spent $15 billion in 2023, or 7% of its defense budget, on military activities in the waters off its coast in the north and in the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, and the western Pacific Ocean. The data was based on previously unpublished internal research conducted by Taiwan's armed forces, the report said.

With Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party set to elect its new leader later this month and the U.S. presidential election entering its final weeks, Powell at Stanford expects China to maintain the same level of maritime aggression in the Indo-Pacific in the coming months.

"If China sees ways for them to advance their objectives when democratic governments are focused on elections, they do like to take advantage of that," he told VOA, adding that the international community should closely monitor Beijing's activities in the Indo-Pacific region in the next few months.

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Venezuela issues arrest warrant for opposition candidate Gonzalez

By VOA News September 03, 2024

Venezuela has issued an arrest warrant for opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, a move that was condemned Tuesday by several countries, including Brazil, the United States and the European Union.

The warrant comes as the South American country is embroiled in an election dispute. Gonzalez says he is the rightful winner of the July 28 presidential vote, while incumbent President Nicolas Maduro says he was the victor and remains in power.

"There is no denying that there is an authoritarian escalation in Venezuela," Celso Amorim, Brazil's top foreign policy adviser, told Reuters on Tuesday. The arrest of Gonzalez "would be a political arrest, and we do not accept [that there should be] political prisoners."

"This is just another example of Mr. Maduro's efforts to maintain power by force and to refuse to recognize that Mr. Gonzalez won the most votes on the 28th of July," according to White House national security spokesperson John Kirby, who said Gonzalez's warrant was "unjustified."

Josep Borrell, the European Union's foreign affairs chief, posted on X, "Enough of the repression and harassment of the opposition and civil society. The will of the Venezuelan people must be respected."

Gonzalez has been in hiding since the election dispute, but "he has not requested asylum, he has not requested to be treated as a guest in any embassy," Gonzalez's lawyer, Jose Vicente Haro, said outside of his client's house in Caracas.

"He's not at his residence in order to preserve his freedom, his security, his life and to preserve the will of the Venezuelan people," Haro added.

Venezuela's Supreme Court has backed Maduro's claims that he beat Gonzalez in the disputed election.

The court, which includes Maduro loyalists, said that after reviewing materials supplied by the electoral authority, it agreed that Maduro had won a third six-year term.

Gonzalez has ignored several summonses from the Supreme Court.

Venezuela's electoral authority, which declared Maduro the winner of the vote within hours of the polls closing, reported that the president won more than half the votes, but it has not published any results.

The opposition claims that Gonzalez won the election in a landslide. It backed its claims with voting tallies that it said were gathered from 80% of the country's 30,000 voting booths showing that Gonzalez won by a ratio of more than 2-to-1.

On Monday, the U.S., which has urged Venezuelan authorities to release the election results, seized Maduro's airplane  a Dassault Falcon 900EX  in the Dominican Republic. The U.S. says the plane was illegally exported from the U.S., violating U.S. export control and sanctions laws.

"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," U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said.

The U.S. will continue to take moves against Maduro for his actions that "long predate his most recent anti-democratic action," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

"There are a number of things that we have called on him to do  to stop cracking down on dissent, to release the actual tally sheets, which he still has not done, and to get Venezuela back on its democratic path," Miller said. "We are considering a range of options to demonstrate to Maduro and his representatives that their illegitimate and repressive actions in Venezuela have consequences."

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Botswana to hold elections October 30 as President Masisi seeks 2nd term

By Mqondisi Dube September 03, 2024

Botswana, Africa's longest democracy, will hold its general election on October 30, President Mokgweetsi Masisi announced Tuesday. Masisi will seek a second and final term after his ruling party endorsed his candidacy over the weekend.

In a public address, Masisi said Botswana will continue with its long-standing principle of holding regular elections. Masisi's ruling Botswana Democratic Party has been in power since independence from Britain in 1966.

"The constitution of the Republic of Botswana mandates that we, as a nation, hold general elections every five years," Masisi said. "This is not just a legal obligation but a fundamental principle that underpins our democracy, a commitment we have honored, and we will continue to honor in the future."

The president urged voters to turn out in large numbers after previous elections in 2019 experienced voter apathy and low turnout.

Out of a target of 80% set by the country's electoral body, the Independent Electoral Commission registered only 63% of the eligible voters.

Masisi declared October 30 and 31 as public holidays to encourage citizens to vote.

Masisi is seeking a second term, which would be his final one, if he is reelected. The president is allowed two terms in office, according to the constitution

The BDP's main threat is from a coalition of parties, the Umbrella for Democratic Change, or UDC, and the Botswana Congress Party, which has broken away from the opposition alliance.

UDC spokesperson Moeti Mohwasa said they expected the announcement of the election date to come earlier.

"We welcome the date. However, it is regrettable that such an announcement is made at such short notice," Mohwasa said. "We would have liked a situation whereby the date of elections is announced well in advance, but what we are happy with is that after so much suffering under the BDP rule, this will come to an end on October 30."

Mohwasa said the election should be free and fair after his party alleged rigging in the previous poll, claims that were dismissed in court. The ruling party also denied the allegations.

Leonard Sesa, a political analyst at the University of Botswana, said it was right for the president to make the election date public as concerns over a delay were mounting.

"We were going to get worried if it was going to be postponed," Sesa said. "Remember, we are talking about a beacon of shining democracy in Africa. Small things matter when gauging democracy. So, issuing a writ to say October 30, we are on the right track."

Sesa said political parties are not yet ready for the election as they are still battling to field candidates in all constituencies.

"There was a delay for political parties to conduct their intra-party primary elections, within the political parties themselves, and people were worried," he said. "There are some constituencies that all the political parties including the ruling party, have not posted anyone to stand."

In the previous election, the BDP secured a comfortable victory, where its share of the popular vote increased from 47% in 2014 to 53% five years later.

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On-the-Record Press Gaggle by White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby

September 03, 2024

Via Teleconference

12:25 P.M. EDT

MODERATOR: Hey, everyone. Hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend. Kirby has a few words here at the top, and then we'll get into as many questions as we can.

MR. KIRBY: Hey, everybody. Thanks for joining.

First, on the Middle East. As you all know, on Saturday, in a tunnel in Gaza, Israeli forces recovered six bodies of hostages that were held by Hamas, including an American citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin. He and five others were executed. Hamas is responsible for their deaths. And as the President said, Hamas leaders will pay for their crimes.

As you know, the President also had a chance to speak with Hersh's parents, Jon and Rachel, and  as did the Vice President  and they grieve with them and with all the families of everyone killed.

Yesterday, the President and Vice President had a chance to meet in the White House Situation Room with the U.S. hostage deal negotiation team to talk about next steps on our ongoing effort to secure the release of the hostages and to hold Hamas leaders fully accountable.

As for the status of those talks, over the past couple of days, we've heard a lot from Israel, we've heard some from Hamas, and we continue to consult with our co-mediators, Qatar and Egypt.

Just, again, to restate it: We're working on a proposal that will secure the release of the remaining hostages and will include massive and immediate relief for the people of Gaza, and also result in a stoppage of the fighting.

Now, I've seen some press reporting out there about "take it or leave it" and "final proposal" and "text this" and "text that." All I'm telling you is our team is still working on trying to get this to closure, to try to conclude a deal that achieves all of those three things.

And I'm sure you're all curious as to what that proposal says and what's in it, and I'm sure you're also not going to be surprised by the fact that I'm not going to get into that detail.

What I can tell you is we are still actively working on this. We are still in constant consultations with Qatar, Egypt, and Israel. And of course, Qatar and Egypt are in touch with Hamas. And we're going to do what we can to get it done.

I can't tell you what the timeline looks like. I can't tell you, if we get it done, exactly what every little  every little paragraph and context of the final proposal would look like. All I can tell you is those are the three goals, and that's what we're still driving at, and we're still actively engaged in the effort.

The President himself is personally involved in working with our team and in working with leaders around the world to secure this deal, and that's what we're focused on. And the killing over the weekend just underscores the sense of urgency that we have to have in order to get it to closure.

If I can switch to Venezuela.

The United States joins several of our international partners in condemning the unjustified arrest warrant of Edmundo Gonzalez in Venezuela for allegedly inciting violence  which, of course, is not accurate.

This is just another example of Mr. Maduro's efforts to maintain power by force and to refuse to recognize that Mr. Gonzalez won the most votes on the 28th of July.

So, in coordination with those partners, we're considering a range of options to demonstrate to Mr. Maduro and his representatives that their actions in Venezuela will have consequences.

Now, I don't have anything to announce today, but as you've seen, we've already enforced and calibrated our sanctions towards Venezuela in light of overall U.S. interests and the actions and non-actions that are taken by Maduro and his representatives.

In fact, just yesterday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the seizure of an aircraft used by Mr. Maduro and his representatives, based on sanctions and export control violations that were already in place. This action taken by Justice was really done in the overall direction of our broader bilateral engagement with Venezuela.

And then, quickly on Ukraine.

Sadly, we have to yet again offer our deepest condolences to the people of Ukraine after another massive Russian strike, this time in a town called Poltova [sic]  I'm sorry, Poltava  which killed more than 40 people and wounded at least 180 others. Just another horrific reminder of the extent of Mr. Putin's brutality towards the people of Ukraine and the manner in which he's trying to punish them for his own invasion of that country, going after critical infrastructure and trying to make it harder just for them to live and to pursue livelihoods.

As President Biden has made clear, our support for Ukraine remains unshakable, and we're going to continue to be focused on strengthening their military and their air defenses against these kinds of assaults and attacks.

As you saw just 10 days ago, we announced yet another drawdown of military assistance. That included ammunition for HIMARS systems, counter-drone equipment, munitions, Javelin anti-tank and anti-armor systems. And there will be more coming in coming weeks. So we're going to continue to stand by Ukraine as they try to defend themselves against these sorts of attacks.

With that, we can take some questions.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our first question will go to Zeke with the AP.

Q Thanks, John, for doing this. A couple weeks ago, you had said that the U.S. was putting forward a new bridging proposal to close the remaining gaps between the two sides. Is the proposal that's being developed this week, the President is actively engaged in, is that a new proposal or is that just a refinement of what has already been on the table now for some weeks and, really, in essence, some months?

And then, separately, do you have any specific reaction to the Israeli Prime Minister's comments yesterday, sort of drawing the line on holding the Philadelphi Corridor?

And then, can you offer a little bit more clarity on the President's comments that Netanyahu isn't doing enough to get this deal? Is a deal possible while Netanyahu remains in power? Thank you.

MR. KIRBY: The answer to your third question is: Yes, of course, there's a deal possible. And the President wouldn't be personally engaged the way he is and he wouldn't have taken the time over the weekend to meet with his team if he didn't believe that that was, in fact, an outcome that we can achieve.

I won't get into the details of the proposal that we are working on, but we continue to work on it. And it won't come as a surprise to anybody that when you're involved in negotiations, particularly at high stakes like this, there's a lot of back-and-forth, and there's amendments offered and there's amendments rejected, and there's text that changes from time to time. That work continues, and I'm just not going to get into the details of what it looks like or what it may look like if we're successful. But, yes, absolutely, it's possible.

And again, I think  not that we didn't have a sense of urgency before; we certainly did  but the killings over the weekend, the executions is the only way to put it, just underscores for us how important it is to keep that work alive and keep going.

I'm not going to get into a debate with the Prime Minister of what he said over the weekend about the Philadelphi Corridor. The deal itself, the proposal, including the bridging proposal that we started working with  you guys know this; I'm not telling you anything that isn't out there publicly  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. And again, we're going to continue to work on this as hard as we can.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Steve Holland with Reuters.

Q John, what's the strategy behind referring to this as a "final proposal"?

MR. KIRBY: I'm just  I'm not using that phrase, Steve, so I can't  I can't speak to what strategy might be in place.

Q (Inaudible.)

MR. KIRBY: Well, I'm not using that phrase. And there is a  there is a proposal we're working on. It is still being negotiated, which means that the sides are still talking about the text itself.

But we believe  as I said to Zeke, we believe that we can get there. We believe we can close this. And we absolutely have to do it with as much speed as possible, especially given what happened over the weekend.

Q And we've seen a number of protests in Israel in response to the death of the hostages. Are you hoping these protests will put pressure on Netanyahu to do more to try to get a deal?

MR. KIRBY: Well, I'll let the Israeli people speak for themselves, Steve. I'm not qualified nor would I get involved in domestic issues there in Israel.

I think what happened over the weekend should serve as a reminder to everyone how evil Hamas is and how deadly, how lethal the situation is for all those hostages. And it should underscore for everybody, and I think it does  I think it does in Israel; I think it does in the region; it certainly does here, inside the administration and in the United States  how important it is to get this deal in place and to get those hostages released, get them out, get them back with their families, where they belong.

So, again, I won't speak to domestic issues in Israel, and I certainly wouldn't speak for the Israeli people. I can only tell you that, speaking for President Biden, he's going to stay 110 percent focused on seeing if we can't get this over the finish line and to do so as soon as humanly possible.

Q Thank you, John.

MR. KIRBY: Yes, sir.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Selina with ABC.

Q Hi, John. Thanks so much for doing this. I know you don't want to talk about the specifics of this, quote, "final proposal," but senior administration officials are saying that there could be a possibility, if that fell apart, that the U.S. could walk away from leading these discussions. Is that a feasible reality, of the U.S. walking away? Is there any world where that could happen  you know, just considering the stakes that are at play here for the U.S., considering some of these hostages are American?

MR. KIRBY: We want to get them all released, Selina. We want to get them released as soon as possible. Today would be a great day to do that. They should never have been taken in the first place by Hamas. And Hamas bears the responsibility for their taking and for the lives that have already been lost and for the health and welfare of those who are still alive. We want to get them out. We want to get them out now.

I am simply going to refuse to speculate about what might happen or what might not happen as we are involved, as you and I are speaking, in constant consultations to get this deal over the finish line. The less I say, the better on that. And I'm certainly not going to speculate about what might or might not happen.

I'll tell you what needs to happen. What needs to happen is the deal to get closed. What needs to happen is the hostages to get home. What needs to happen is more humanitarian assistance in. And this deal would provide an extraordinary amount of additional humanitarian assistance to the suffering people of Gaza, the people who are suffering in Gaza because Mr. Sinwar decided to break a ceasefire, a deal that was in existence on the 6th of October. And what needs to happen is an end to the fighting. And that's what we're focused on.

Q So, just another follow-up. You've said these similar remarks before about how this needs to happen, it's going to happen, we're close. Why is this time different? Is there a sense that there is a greater sense of urgency that this could actually be achieved?

And number two, the UK is suspending some arms exports to Israel. What is the official White House reaction to that? And does the White House have any plans to follow suit to increase pressure on Israel?

MR. KIRBY: Yeah, I never said it will happen. I've said we believe it can happen. We believe that we're close enough, that the gaps are narrow enough that it could happen. And that remains the case today.

And we have always had a sense of urgency about getting this deal  well, I shouldn't say "always." Since it was  since the President laid it out there publicly at the end of May, we have had a high sense of urgency to get it over the finish line, and we've been working very, very diligently over these last few months to do that. That work will continue. It will continue with the same sense of importance and energy that we've been applying to it.

But, certainly, the work is  the importance of that work is now underscored by the brutal execution of these innocent hostages over the weekend, including an American. Those lives were just recently taken. And I'd be lying to you if I said that the work going on yesterday, today, tomorrow, and the days ahead are not going to be informed or shaped or colored by our own grief and sorrow and shock and outrage about what Hamas did. I couldn't  I couldn't say that it wouldn't be.

So, there has been a sense of urgency; there will continue to be. And, clearly, what happened over the weekend underscores how important it is to get this done as quickly as possible.

On the UK, every nation can speak for themselves on how and to what degree that they support Israel. I'm certainly not going to comment one way or another on the decisions that our British counterparts made.

I can just tell you that, number one, we're going to continue to do we have to do to support Israel's defensive capabilities; that support continues today. Number two, 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.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Felicia with the Financial Times.

Q Hi, John. Thanks. Just to follow up on the UK decision, has there been any conversations between the White House and Number 10 or any other parts of the U.S. or American government about the decision, or any calls to read out?

MR. KIRBY: No calls to read out since they've announced their decision. They did give us a heads up that they were going to  that they had arrived at that decision and were going to announce it. So, we were aware.

Q And are you worried that any other  I guess this is maybe the first major Western ally of Israel's to take this step. Is the U.S. worried that other countries might follow suit?

MR. KIRBY: I'll tell you what we're worried about. We're worried about getting a deal to get the hostages home. We're worried about getting more humanitarian assistance in. And we're worried about finding an end to this conflict. We're also worried about making sure we can continue to help Israel defend itself against what is clearly, and certainly should be a reminder to everybody about what happened over the weekend, a brutal, evil terrorist organization. That's what we're worried about.

We'll let other nations decide for themselves if they're going to support Israel and to what degree. That's their decision. That's what sovereignty is all about.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Karen with the Washington Post. One second. Our computer is malfunctioning.

Karen, you should be able to talk now.

Q Yeah, you've said several times now that the brutal killings over the weekend underscore the importance of getting this deal done. Prime Minister Netanyahu, in his remarks over the weekend, said sort of the opposite, that  he said: What it underscores is that whenever you show flexibility or give something to Hamas, this is what they do, and we've shown flexibility thus far and we're not anymore  basically, he said.

Can you  how do you reconcile those two positions in terms of getting the negotiations completed?

MR. KIRBY: I'm not going to reconcile those two positions, Karen. That's not my job. It's not my place. I speak for this administration and for this President, and he has been rock-solid and consistent in pushing for his team to do everything they can to get this deal in place.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Tamara Keith with NPR.

Tam, you should be able to unmute yourself. Okay, we will try to come back to you later.

Our next question will go to Barak with Axios.

Q Hi. Thank you for doing this. John, two questions. First, if we can go back to what the President said yesterday when he said that he doesn't think Prime Minister Netanyahu is doing enough to get a deal. What did he mean? What do you need Netanyahu to do that he's not doing? Or what is Netanyahu doing that you think is not constructive for reaching a deal?

And the second thing, to go back to what you said about the Philadelphi Corridor. You said that the proposal includes the removal of IDF from all densely populated areas, including the Philadelphi Corridor. So, just to understand, do you mean during the first phase of the deal? Do you mean during the entire deal? Because in the next phases, all IDF forces need to be removed from the Philadelphi Corridor.

MR. KIRBY: Right.

Q And Netanyahu said yesterday that he will not remove the IDF from the Philadelphi Corridor ever. So he did not speak only about the first phase of the deal; he spoke about it indefinite. So, I'm trying to understand better what exactly is the U.S. position on the issue of the Philadelphi Corridor on phase one of the deal, on phase two of the deal, and going forward.

MR. KIRBY: Look, it's all in the proposal, Barak. And you've read the proposal, same as me.

Q Yeah, I know. But, John, the proposal  the last proposal, including the map that the U.S. approved, included the deployment of the IDF along the Philadelphi Corridor. That's what I'm saying. And not only in densely populated areas. And the U.S. signed off on this map. That's why I'm asking what's the exact U.S. position regarding the Philadelphi Corridor. Because I don't think that the map that the U.S. has agreed on is the same  reflects the same position you just said.

MR. KIRBY: I'm not going to get into negotiating this thing in public. You know I'm not going to do that. The deal says that they have to remove IDF from all densely populated areas in phase one, and that includes densely populated areas around  or adjacent to the Philadelphi Corridor, or where it intersects with those densely populated areas. That's what the proposal says. That's the proposal that was put forth at the end of May.

I'm not going to get into amendments one way or another that have subsequently been discussed. I'm not going to negotiate this in public one way or the other.

And as for your first question, the President has in numerous conversations with the Prime Minister, as well as our counterparts in Qatar and Egypt, stressed the importance of doing everything we can to actualize, to conclude the proposal that, again, was an Israeli proposal agreed to at the end of May.

And we  he charged his team on Saturday  I'm sorry, over the weekend he charged his team to do everything that they could to see what we can do to get this over the finish line.

I understand it would be satisfying if I were to give a list of everything everybody should do outside the United States to make that happen, but I hope you can understand I'm not going to do that. We've got to find a way to come to closure on this thing. We are close enough that that is possible. We believe that it's an outcome that can be achieved. But as I've said many times: In order to do that, it requires compromise and it requires leadership from everybody. And I'll leave it at that.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Neria with Israel Channel 13.

Q Hey, Kirby. Thank you so much for doing that. During Netanyahu's speech/press conference last night, he said he told Sinwar forget about the Philadelphi Corridor. I heard some officials saying that this could be the end for a possibility for a hostages deal. So where do you get your optimism from?

And do you think that it was (inaudible) for the Prime Minister to say that?

And another question. I do hear that the American hostages' families are asking the U.S. administration to try and release their hostages in case Israel doesn't want a hostages deal. Can you tell us where does this stand?

MR. KIRBY: I won't speculate about anything, not even the deal that we're working on, at this point. We still believe that that is the best way to get all the hostages back with their families, is to get this deal in place. And as I said earlier, we believe we're close enough and that the gaps are narrow enough to achieve that outcome.

It's not optimism, it's pragmatism. And it's based on just looking at where we are, how far we've been able to come, and an essential belief that, practically speaking, these gaps can be narrowed.

But, look, I can't, nor would I ever, guarantee to you all that  a certain outcome. We just believe that it is an outcome that's possible.

Q But is the U.S. working on such an option of releasing the American hostages?

MR. KIRBY: We are working on a proposal that would release all the hostages, including the American hostages, and that is the proposal that we've been talking about in the region last week, and it was the same proposal that the President met with his team over the weekend to discuss. That is what we're working on.

Q Thank you so much, Kirby.

MR. KIRBY: Yep.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Jacob with the Times of Israel.

Q Hi. Thanks for doing this. To just follow up on a previous question: You said that the offer that Israel agreed to includes a withdrawal of IDF forces from heavily populated areas, including those areas along the Philadelphi Corridor. Does that mean that in areas that aren't heavily populated along the corridor, the U.S. supports or is okay with Israel staying there? That's one question.

Next, just being  you said you're not using the term "final" to talk about the bridging proposal, but Brett had a briefing with us  it was on background  but he said several times that they're calling it a final bridging proposal. So is the White House now walking back from that terminology?

And then, you were asked about, lastly, reports that the U.S. could walk away from the talks. I know in the past you've said "we'll never walk away," but that wasn't your response this time. So I just wanted to see if you're  if there's anything we should be learning from that, how you respond to that question. Thank you.

MR. KIRBY: What I'm hoping you can take away from this discussion today is how seriously we're continuing to try to achieve a successful outcome here. That's what I want you to take away from it.

On the Philadelphi Corridor, I think I could point you to what the Israelis have said publicly about their belief in the need to have some security along that corridor. 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. But the Israelis have said publicly that they believe that even in so doing, that they would need some security along that corridor, and I'd point you to what they're saying about it.

Q And on the terminology about "final" and "not final" bridging proposal?

MR. KIRBY: I've already answered  I've answered the question.

Q Okay, thank you.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Nathan with KAN.

Q Hey, thanks. I'd like to know if the President has any plans of speaking to Netanyahu directly to clarify the issue of Philadelphi in the agreement. He said yesterday that that will happen eventually. But if this is such an urgent issue, can we expect any kind of direct contact between them immediately?

And also, is the U.S. in any kind of contact with the Israeli opposition and with the protest movement in Israel?

MR. KIRBY: I don't have anything on the schedule in terms of another call with the Prime Minister, but I think you can safely assume that there will be additional conversations between these two leaders. And when that happens, we will do what we do every time, which is let you know it's happening and give you a readout when it's happened. I just don't have anything to speak to at this time.

And we are not involving ourselves, nor would we, in Israeli domestic issues. So I'd leave it at that.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Nadia.

Q Thank you, Sam. John, the President said on seven different occasions that we are very close to conclude this deal, we're closer than ever, we're closer than three days ago. I'm just wondering how  what is your understanding of what went wrong? And why do you believe that a deal could be achieved, considering that both Sinwar and Netanyahu are not willing to compromise on fundamental issues?

And my second question is: Some of the families, the hostage families, are actually blaming the administration. They're saying that you did not exert enough pressure on Netanyahu, you didn't use any leverage to make sure that the deal could be concluded a long time ago, and that could have spared the killing of the six hostages, despite the fact that Hamas executed them, but there could have been a way to spare their life. How do you respond to this? Thank you.

MR. KIRBY: We were looking for that way as hard as humanly possible. And we certainly understand the grief, the sorrow, the anger that they feel, because we feel it too. But that doesn't take away the incredible efforts that we expended to try to get this deal finished, and it certainly doesn't diminish the efforts going forward, which will remain consistent, steadfast, and aggressive, to try to get this deal in place.

And when we said at the time, and I've said it many times myself, that we're as close as we've ever been, that the gaps are narrow, those were accurate statements. They were  they were true. But we also never said it was going to be easy. You can be that close. And as I've said before, when you get to that close, when you get to that level of detail, that's when the horse trading gets incredibly difficult. That's when the task of negotiators really intensifies.

And we're still, we believe, in that space right now, where we have gaps that can be narrowed, but there's no guarantee that they will be. We just have to keep working as hard as we have been, and we will. There's not going to be any slackening of effort from the United States to try to see if we can't hammer this out.

Q And how do you respond to the fact that no leverage was used against Netanyahu? Could you have used any pressure, publicly or publicly, to change his position?

MR. KIRBY: We've been working with Israel and Qatar and Egypt  the latter two, of course, have direct communications with Hamas  to do everything we can to find language that works for both sides to bring this deal to a close. And that work was not completely  it was not completely fruitless. We were able to narrow the gaps and get close. But obviously, nothing is negotiated until everything is negotiated, and we haven't concluded.

So it's not like  it's not like we haven't worked hard to move both sides closer to a deal. And as I said, it doesn't diminish the fact that we're going to continue to work hard for that outcome.

MODERATOR: Thank you. And that is, unfortunately, all the time we have today. As always, if we weren't able to get to you, please email the NSC Press distro and we'll try to get back to you as soon as we can. Thanks, everyone.

12:57 P.M. EDT

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Russo-Ukraine War - 03 September 2024 - Day 923

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A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that as the school year begins across Russia, the Russian state is introducing and funding a new military training module. The module is part of a new programme called Foundations of Security and Defence of the Motherland for 15 to 18 year olds. The course has 11 modules, requiring 68 teaching hours. The course will cover a range of topics including combined arms combat and small arms familiarisation. It is aimed at "forming values, acquiring knowledge and skills that ensure readiness to fulfil the constitutional duty to protect the State."

The programme seeks to create and will likely result in a more militarised and security focused society. The new youth strategy which was approved by the government in August 2024 aims at raising the prestige of military service, instilling patriotism, and civic duty responsibility, but primarily prepare pre-conscription age teenagers mentally and physically for military service.

There is additionally an increase in the number of summer camps for children which engage in various military activities. The strategy notes that in the last 30 years youth values had shifted from collectivism to individualism and from statism to cosmopolitanism. It claims that the ideological expansionism of Russia's geopolitical competitors had led to the weakening of traditional values and growth of individualism. The new strategy aims to reverse that process, with the militarization of youth as an integral part of that process.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to withhold the pressure of the Russian occupation troops. The situation in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhivsk directions remains tense - Russia is focusing the main offensive efforts there. In addition, the Russian occupiers are actively attacking the Lyman direction today.

193 combat encounters have taken place so far. Today, Russia launched two missile strikes with three rockets, 62 air strikes, dropping 81 KABs. In addition, Russian forces launched 555 kamikaze drones for strikes and carried out over 3000 shelling at the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

In the Kharkiv direction, Russian terrorists twice unsuccessfully stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of Vovchansk and dropped one air bomb on Makarov and Male Vesele.

Eight times Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions in the Kupans komu direction. Near the settlements of Sinkivka, Glushkivka and Berestove, the Defense Forces units repelled seven assaults. An ongoing battle in the area of Stelmahivki.

In the Lyman direction for today, Russian troops have attacked Ukrainian defenders 27 times in the areas of eight different settlements. Near Grekivka, Nevsky and Novosadovoye, the most clashes occurred - six, nine and five respectively.

Russian forces tried five times with assault actions to push Ukrainian defenders out of positions in the areas of Verkhnyokamiansky, Ivanodarivka and Spirny in the Siversky direction. Got a hard cut and walked away.

In the kramators komu direction Ukrainian warriors fought off seven attempts of Russian zagarbnikiv to move forward. Concentrated the enemy of effort in the area of the time yar, and one attack spent in the areas of andriyivka and kli iivka.

In the Toretsky direction, where the Russian invaders attacked 14 times Ukrainian positions near New York, Nelipivka, and Toretsk, 12 clashes are already completed. Fighting continues in the New York area.

The main efforts of the Russian enemy continue to focus on the Intercession Direction. Here, during this day, the Russian aggressor has attacked Ukrainian positions 60 times. The majority of the fights occurred in the areas of novogrodivka and mikhailivka. Twelve fights are still going on.

According to preliminary calculations, today the Russian occupiers in the Pokrovsky direction lost 155 soldiers killed and 220 wounded. Six cars and one MT-LB were destroyed. Ukrainian defenders also caused significant damage to six artsystems, three cars, one armored machine and a tank.

In the kurakhiv direction zagarbniki are also pretty active - at this time of the day 46 Russian attacks are recorded. Three of them going on. Mainly fighting lasted in the regions of Konstantinivka, Ukrainian and Georgievka. The Russian occupiers apply bronetehniku - destroyed ten bmp, one btr, three motorcycles and damaged a tank.

In the Vremivsky direction today, Russian forces attacked the front edge of Ukrainian defense 10 times in the direction of Vugledara, near Vodyany and Konstantinivka.

Six attacks of Russian zagarbnikiv near robotinyo, small tokmacki and novoandrivka were stopped in the orihivsk direction.

In the Pridniprovsky directions towards the Russian units spent five unsuccessful attempts to break into the island zone.

Today, for effective combat work, we celebrate the soldiers of the 24 separate mechanized brigade of King Danilo.

Defense Forces of Ukraine continue operations in the Kursk direction.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Sever Group of Forces in Volchansk, Bryansk, and Liptsy directions defeated formations of 36th Marine Brigade, 103rd and 114th territorial defence brigades near Liptsy, Dergachi, and Vochlansk (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to over 150 troops, a tank, an armoured fighting vehicle, three motor vehicles, and a 122-mm Grad MLRS combat vehicle.

The Zapad Group of Forces improved tactical situation, engaged manpower and military hardware of 14th, 44th, and 116th mechanised brigades of the AFU and 117th Territorial Defence Brigade near Kupyansk, Petropavlovka (Kharkov region), Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), and Serebryansky Forestry. One counter-attack launched by an assault detachment of the AFU 30th Mechanised Brigade was repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 450 troops, two motor vehicles, a Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, a UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, and two 152-mm D-20 howitzers.

Nine AFU field ammunition depots were destroyed.

The Yug Group of Forces continues to advance into the enemy's defence, hit formations of 24th, 32nd, 100th, 117th, mechanised brigades, 46th Airmobile Brigade, 10th Assault Brigade of the AFU, and 116th Territorial Defence Brigade near Zvanovka, Predtechino, Grigorovka, Chasov Yar, and Belaya Gora (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy lost up to 710 troops, six motor vehicles, a U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system, a U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, a 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and a 122-mm D-30 howitzer.

The enemy lost five field ammunition depots and an Anklav-N EW station.

The Tsentr Group of Forces continues to advance into the enemy's defence, struck formations of 31st and 53rd mechanised brigades, 142nd Infantry Brigade, 95th Air Assault Brigade of the AFU, 109th Territorial Defence Brigade near Druzhba, Panteleymonovka, Rozovka, Selidovo, Grodovka, and Zavetnoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Seven counter-attacks of AFU 59th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 144th Infantry Brigade, 25th AirBorne Brigade of the AFU, 12th and 14th national guard brigades were repelled.

The enemy lost up to 490 servicemen, four armoured fighting vehicles, three pickups, a U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system, and a 122-mm D-30 howitzer.

The Vostok Group of Forces seized more favourable positions, engaged formations of 31st, 72nd mechanised brigades of the AFU, 129th Territorial Defence Brigade near Bogatyr, Vodyanoye, and Ugledar (Donetsk People's Republic). Three counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade were repelled.

The enemy's losses amounted to up to 150 troops, three motor vehicles, and two Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery systems.

The units of the Dnepr Group of Forces hit manpower and materiel clusters of 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, 141st Infantry Brigade of the AFU, 37th Marine Brigade, and 39th Coastal Defence Brigade near Novodanilovka (Zaporozhye region), Berislav, Tokarevka, and Kazatskoye (Kherson region).

The AFU losses were up to 60 troops, two motor vehicles, and a 152-mm Msta-B howitzer.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, UAVs, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Federation Groups of forces destroyed an aircraft armament depot, hit manpower and materiel clusters in 149 areas.

Air defence units shot down a MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force, three U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles and 37 unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, 642 airplanes and 283 helicopters, 30,987 unmanned aerial vehicles, 575 air defence missile systems, 17,811 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,435 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 13,985 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 25,539 units of support motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that over the past 24 hours, units of the Sever Group of Forces supported by Army Aviation and artillery repelled five attacks launched by the enemy's assault detachments in the direction of Borki, Maryevka, Kamyshchevka, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye. The AFU attempts to launch attacks in the direction of Komarovka, Korenevo, Olgovka were thwarted. The AFU losses were up to 25 troops killed and wounded, two armoured fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles.



Aviation and artillery strikes, and troops inflicted losses on manpower and materiel clusters of 22nd, 61st mechanised brigades, 80th, 82nd, and 95th air assault brigades, 152nd Jaeger Brigade, 1st National Guard Brigade, and 1004th Security and Service Brigade near Apanasovka, Borki, Vishnyovka, Viktorovka, Gordeyevka, Kositsa, Krasnooktyabrskoye, Knyazhy Pervy, Kurilovka, Lyubimovka, Martynovka, Mikhailovka, Malaya Loknya, Novovivanovka, Orlovka, Plekhovo, 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 in Sumy region at concentration areas of manpower and military hardware reserves of the 22nd, 41st, 61st mechanised brigades, 80th and 82nd air assault brigades, 92nd Assault Brigaded of the AFU 101st, 103rd, 119th, 129th territorial defence brigades, and 1st, 17th national guard brigades near Belopolye, Vorozhba, Velikaya Pisarevka, Glukhov, Miropolye, Novaya Sech, Novoivanovka, Pavlovka, Pustogorod, Pogrebki, Starye Verki, Stukalovka, Sumy, Khoten, and Yunakovka.

In the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to up to 400 troops and 12 armoured vehicles, three artillery guns, an MLRS launcher, a SAM launch vehicle, an EW station, 12 motor vehicles, and two engineering vehicles.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses were over 9,300 troops, 80 tanks, 38 infantry fighting vehicles, 70 armoured personnel carriers, 561 armoured fighting vehicles, 273 motor vehicles, 68 artillery guns, 20 multiple-launch rocket system launchers, including six of HIMARS MLRS and two of U.S.-made MLRS, eight SAM launchers, two transport-loading vehicles, 17 EW stations, seven counter-battery radars, two air defence radars, eight engineering vehicles as well as two counterobstacle vehicles and one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle.

The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress.




Justice Department Announces Terrorism Charges Against Senior Leaders of Hamas

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Defendants Are Senior Leaders of Hamas Responsible for Planning, Supporting, and Perpetrating Hamas's October 7 Terrorist Attacks in Israel Resulting in the Brutal Murders of More Than a Thousand Innocent Civilians, Including Over 40 American Citizens

Note: The complaint was unsealed on Sept. 3 and can be viewed here.

The Justice Department announced today the unsealing of terrorism, murder conspiracy, and sanctions-evasion charges against six senior leaders of Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization. The charges relate to the defendants' central roles in planning, supporting, and perpetrating the terrorist atrocities that Hamas committed in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 (the October 7 Hamas Massacres), involving the murders and kidnappings of countless innocent civilians, including American citizens, which was the culmination of Hamas's decades-long campaign of terrorism and violence against Israel and its allies, including American citizens. The defendants are either deceased or remain at large.

"The Justice Department has charged Yahya Sinwar and other senior leaders of Hamas for financing, directing, and overseeing a decades-long campaign to murder American citizens and endanger the national security of the United States," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. "On October 7th, Hamas terrorists, led by these defendants, murdered nearly 1200 people, including over 40 Americans, and kidnapped hundreds of civilians. This weekend, we learned that Hamas murdered an additional six people they had kidnapped and held captive for nearly a year, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23 year old Israeli American. We are investigating Hersh's murder, and each and every one of Hamas' brutal murders of Americans, as an act of terrorism. The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas' operations. These actions will not be our last."

"Yahya Sinwar and the other senior leaders of Hamas are charged today with orchestrating this terrorist organization's decades-long campaign of mass violence and terror a including on October 7th. On that horrible day, Hamas terrorists viciously massacred nearly 1,200 innocent men, women, and children, including over 40 Americans, kidnapped hundreds more, and used sexual violence as a weapon of brutality," said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. "Since that horrific day, we have worked to investigate and hold accountable those responsible, and we will not rest until all those who kidnapped or murdered Americans are brought to justice. Our thoughts continue to be with the families of all the victims of this barbaric terrorist attack."

"From the moment Hamas launched its horrific attack on October 7, the FBI has been dedicated to identifying and charging those responsible for these heinous crimes," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. "The FBI has and will continue to relentlessly investigate these attacks on civilians, including Americans. Hamas is a Foreign Terrorist Organization with a long history of violence, and the group's actions have resulted in increased terrorism threats in the U.S. and against American interests throughout the world. Countering terrorism remains our number one priority, and our work continues."

"The core mission of the National Security Division is to protect Americans from violent terrorists and extremist organizations like Hamas," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "The atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel on October 7 are intolerable, and the Justice Department will not rest in our pursuit to hold Hamas accountable for perpetrating its campaign of terror, death, and destruction."

"For decades, Hamas and its leadership have dedicated themselves to the eradication of the State of Israel, and to murdering, maiming, and brutalizing anyone a including dozens of Americans a who stood in their way," said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. "The October 7 Hamas Massacres - in which over 40 American citizens were murdered - is only the latest act of savagery carried out by Hamas. This office has long been dedicated to serving as a bulwark against terrorism, and striking blows against its leaders. Our commitment is clear: if you hurt one member of our community, you hurt all of us a and we stand with all victims of Hamas' reign of terror. We will bring justice to this terrorist organization from the top down for the atrocities they have committed."

According to court documents, Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyya, commonly known as Hamas, is a terrorist organization that was founded in 1987, and has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) by the United States since 1997. From its inception, Hamas' stated purpose has been to create an Islamic Palestinian state throughout Israel by eliminating the State of Israel through violent holy war, or jihad. Hamas also promotes attacks against the U.S. and its citizens and, over more than two decades, Hamas has murdered and injured dozens of Americans as part of its campaign of violence and terror.

The defendants charged in the complaint are all senior leaders of Hamas who have orchestrated, overseen, and supported Hamas's decades-long campaign of terrorism, including the October 7 Hamas Massacres. They and their co-conspirators control all aspects of the terrorist organization, including its political and military branches, known as the Politburo and Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (al-Qassam Brigades).

Ismail Haniyeh was the chairman of Hamas's Politburo from 2017 until his reported death on or about July 31. Prior to 2017, Haniyeh was the deputy chairman of the Politburo and the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Haniyeh was based principally in Turkey and Qatar.

Yahya Sinwar, also known as Abu Ibrahim, 61, is the leader of Hamas. Previously, beginning in approximately 2017, he was the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and is one of the founders of the al-Qassam Brigades. Sinwar is based principally in the Gaza Strip.

Mohammad Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif and al Khalid al-Deif, was the commander in chief of the al-Qassam Brigades, a position he held from in or about 2002 until his reported death on or about July 13. Al-Masri was based principally in the Gaza Strip.

Marwan Issa, also known as Abu Baraa, was the deputy commander of the al-Qassam Brigades from approximately 2007 until his reported death on or about March 10. Issa was based principally in the Gaza Strip.

Khaled Meshaal, also known as Abu al-Waleed, 68, was the chairman of Hamas' Politburo from approximately 2004 to 2017 and is now the head of Hamas' diaspora office a effectively responsible for Hamas' official presence outside of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Meshaal is based principally in Qatar.

Ali Baraka, 57, has been Hamas' head of National Relations Abroad since approximately 2019, and was previously Hamas's representative in Lebanon. Baraka is based principally in Lebanon.

Hamas has pursued its objectives through innumerable acts of brutal terrorist violence, including launching thousands of rockets specifically targeting civilian populations; suicide bombings of restaurants, markets, public transportation systems, and other public spaces; and military-style attacks on towns and residential communities. Hamas's campaign of terrorism has killed and wounded citizens of Israel, the U.S., and many other countries.

On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas committed its most violent, large-scale terrorist attack to date a the October 7 Hamas Massacres. Hamas targeted civilian populations with a barrage of rockets, before waves of Hamas terrorists breached the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, infiltrated Israel, and launched attacks on civilians, by land, sea, and air. Hamas sent thousands of armed fighters into southern Israel, where they carried out the massacres of over a thousand people and the kidnappings of more than 200 others. Hamas terrorists attacked civilians, firing handguns, assault rifles, and handheld rocket launchers, in small residential communities in Kfar Aza, Be'eri, Nir Oz, Nahal Oz, Re'im, Holit, Zikim, Kerem Shalom, Sufa, and others; the Israeli town of Sderot; and a music festival held near Re'im; among other places. Armed Hamas operatives attacked and shot civilians, including children, sometimes with machineguns and sometimes at point blank range, and weaponized sexual violence against Israeli women, including through rape and genital mutilation. Hundreds of civilians, including Americans, and Israeli soldiers, were killed and wounded; other victims, including Americans, were kidnapped, taken hostage, and brought into Gaza by Hamas. As of the date of the complaint, over 40 American citizens were among those murdered, and at least eight American citizens were taken hostage or remain unaccounted for. Most recently, Hamas executed a U.S. citizen who was taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 Hamas Massacres and remained in captivity until he was murdered.

Throughout Hamas' existence, the organization's ability to carry out acts of terrorism, including the October 7 Hamas Massacres, has been fueled in part by the Government of Iran, particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Qods Force (IRGC-QF) a the element of the IRGC responsible for conducting external terrorism operations and providing support to terrorist groups a which has supported, supplied, and trained Hamas, and by the Lebanon-based Shia Islamic terrorist organization Hizballah. Hamas' attacks have played a significant role in the Government of Iran's regional and global campaign of supporting terrorism to weaken and ultimately destroy both the United States and Israel. Hamas' leaders, including the defendants, have been instrumental in Hamas' relationship with the Government of Iran, including through personal communications with leaders in the Iranian regime. Emblematic of this close relationship, Ismail Haniyeh, who had been the chairman of Hamas's Politburo since 2017, was reported killed in Iran on or about July 31, while visiting Tehran to attend the swearing-in of Iran's President. Hamas' leaders, including the defendants, have acknowledged the importance of the support from the Government of Iran and Hizballah to Hamas' ability to carry out the October 7 Hamas Massacres, including the IRGC-QF providing Hamas, among other things, rockets and technical assistance necessary to build rockets, and extensive funding for Hamas' terror wing.

Hamas raises money to fund its terrorist activities through a variety of methods, including by soliciting and receiving cryptocurrency payments, advertising the ostensible anonymity of such transactions. Since 2019, Hamas' military wing has used social media and other platforms to call for cryptocurrency contributions from supporters abroad, including in the United States, to Hamas-controlled virtual wallets, explicitly acknowledging that those payments would be used to fund Hamas' campaign of violence. Through these mechanisms, Hamas has received tens of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency payments to fund its activities.

The complaint unsealed today charges each of the defendants with: conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; conspiring to provide material support for acts of terrorism resulting in death, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; conspiring to murder U.S. nationals outside the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; conspiring to bomb a place of public use resulting in death, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life in prison; conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction resulting in death, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life in prison; conspiring to finance terrorism, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; and conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg, Jacob H. Gutwillig, Sarah L. Kushner, Michael D. Lockard, Ben Arad, and Samuel L. Raymond for the Southern District of New York and Trial Attorneys Alicia Cook and C. Alexandria Bogle of the Justice Department's National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Topics: Counterterrorism

National Security

Components: Office of the Attorney General

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

Office of the Deputy Attorney General

Press Release Number: 24-1088

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Xinjiang resolution combating U.S. sanctions takes effect

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:35, September 03, 2024

URUMQI, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- A resolution opposing a series of U.S. sanctions related to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and providing support for affected companies was unveiled and took effect on Monday, according to the regional legislature.

Passed by the Standing Committee of the 14th Xinjiang Regional People's Congress in August, the resolution stated that the U.S. imposing sanctions on Xinjiang enterprises employing so-called "forced labor," is in fact political manipulation and economic bullying under the guise of human rights protection.

The so-called "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act," which took effect in June 2022, prohibits the entry of Xinjiang goods into the U.S. market in the name of combating "forced labor," damages the rights of Xinjiang enterprises, and causes severe harm to the rights to subsistence and development of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang.

The sanctioned companies involve industries such as textiles and clothing, and silicon-based solar products, which play an important role in promoting high-quality development, creating employment and increasing rural residents' income.

Anwar Abdullah, an entrepreneur and a deputy to the Xinjiang Regional People's Congress, said these labor-intensive enterprises sanctioned by the U.S. are among the most for ordinary people to find jobs and earn money to support their families.

"The purpose of the U.S. is to prevent Xinjiang and its enterprises from developing," he said. "Through sanctions, people in Xinjiang lose their right to development."

The rights of workers of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are guaranteed and people live harmonious lives, the resolution stated. However, neglecting these facts and such progress, the U.S. maliciously slanders the human rights situation in Xinjiang. U.S. unilateral sanctions and the implementation of long-arm jurisdiction violate international law and business ethics, undermine the stability of global industrial and supply chains, and disrupt the international trade order, said the resolution.

The U.S. gross interference in Xinjiang affairs, which are purely China's internal affairs, seriously violates international law and the basic principles of international relations, and is opposed by people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, it added.

The resolution aims to expose to both the international community and the people of Xinjiang, what is clearly a sinister U.S. intention in implementing sanctions against Xinjiang, and to reveal the U.S. suppression of the region's enterprises and its undermining of Xinjiang's social stability and development.

It demanded that the U.S. stop unwarranted sanctions, infringement of labor rights and other wrongdoings. It urged the U.S. to restore a fair market environment for sanctioned enterprises, a development environment in which people in Xinjiang can pursue a happy life, and a fair economic, trade and rule of law environment for the international community.

Xinjiang is committed to supporting the enterprises and industries affected by U.S. sanctions based on false accusations of "forced labor," according to the resolution.

Regional legislative bodies at all levels are urged to expedite the legislation of relevant laws to provide legal support for these sanctioned enterprises and relevant industries.

Local governments are encouraged to help sanctioned companies expand their domestic and international markets, promote their products, boost innovation, and strengthen the appeal of company brands.

In addition, relevant judicial authorities are urged to actively provide legal support to these companies, and to help defend their rights.

Sanctioned companies should make efforts to use legal measures to protect their rights, modernize management, increase technological innovation, improve product quality, enhance core competitiveness, and expand markets while seeking new opportunities, among others.

Cheng Yufeng, head of a silicon manufacturer based in Xinjiang, said that after being sanctioned by the U.S., the company has seen a decline in profits and headwinds in business. However, the company has secured jobs and ensured workers' income does not decline through innovation, expanding domestic business, and other ways, he added.

"With help and care from all walks of life, our enterprise will have more room for development," he said.

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Xi Jinping Meets with Malawi's President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: September 03, 2024 23:31

On the morning of September 3, 2024, President Xi Jinping met with Malawi's President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, who is in China for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two heads of state announced the elevation of China-Malawi relations to a strategic partnership.

Xi Jinping pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the China-Malawi relationship has enjoyed steady and sound development with solid political mutual trust and fruitful mutually beneficial cooperation. China is ready to take the opportunity of implementing the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit to push for deeper and more substantive progress in China-Malawi friendly cooperation at a new starting point and promote the common development of the two countries, so as to continuously benefit the two peoples.

Xi Jinping emphasized that China supports Malawi in exploring a development path suited to its own national conditions, and is ready to share with Malawi opportunitiesabrought byaChinese modernization to help with Malawi's national development. China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Malawi in agriculture, telecommunications, infrastructure and other fields, and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Malawi. The two sides should make good use of the Confucius Institute at the University of Malawi to promote cultural exchanges and forge closer bonds between the people. China supports the smooth operation of the Consulate General of Malawi in Changsha and encourages the two sides to conduct more exchanges and cooperation at the sub-national level. China is also ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Malawi in international affairs and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera said that every timeahe comes to China, itafeels like coming home. Heathanked the Chinese side for the warm and friendly reception. Malawi regards China as its most sincere friend. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera said that in recent years, he has had the honor to maintain close exchanges with President Xi Jinping, leading to positive progress inabilateral cooperation. Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has lifted hundreds of millions of Chinese out of poverty. The Belt and Road Initiative and other major initiatives put forwardaby President Xi Jinping have provided important opportunities for all countries to achieve common development and prosperity. Malawi stays committed to the one-China policy and supports China in safeguarding its own core interests. Malawi also supports strengthening the FOCAC's institutional developmentaand looks forward to taking this summit as an opportunity to further promote Belt and Road cooperation, strengthen regional connectivity and deepen friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between Malawi and China.

During the summit, China and Malawi will sign a number of bilateral cooperation documents on peanut exports to China, news media, development cooperation and other fields.

Wang Yi was present at the meeting.

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Xi Jinping Meets with President of Chad Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: September 03, 2024 23:16

On the morning of September 3, 2024, President Xi Jinping met with President of Chad Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, who is in China for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperationa(FOCAC), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two heads of state announced the elevationaof the China-Chadarelationshipato a strategic partnership.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Chad have actively carried out mutually beneficial cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and FOCAC, and achieved fruitful results.aChina has been Chad's largest trading partner and investment partner for many years in a row, and bilateral practical cooperation has improved the well-being of the two peoples.aChina is ready to work with Chad to uphold the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, strengthen the synergy of development strategies,aand push for new progress in China-Chadarelations.

Xi Jinping stressed that the Chinese sideahighly appreciates Chad's firm support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns and will, as always, support Chad in pursuing an independent development path and safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.aThe two sides should strengthen exchanges, expand consensus on ideas, consolidate political mutual trust and firmly support each other.aBoth sides should adhere to mutual benefit and win-win results and deepen practical cooperation.aChad is welcome to fully leverage the outcomes of the FOCAC Summit, deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation, enhance independent development capacity and achieve common development.aChina is ready to work with Chad to implement the Global Security Initiative, safeguard national security and stability, and work together as aastaunch force for peace.

Mahamat Idriss Deby Itnoathankedathe Chinese side for inviting and warmly receiving him to attend the FOCAC Beijing Summitain China, which fully reflectsathe friendship between Chad and China.aThe Chad-Chinaacooperation based on mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win results has yielded fruitful results.aHe thanked China for providingavaluable assistance to Chad's economic and social development. Chad is firmly committed to further deepening friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation with China.aUnder the wise leadership of President Xi Jinping, Chinaahas witnessed rapid developmentaand increasingly rising international standing.aChad admires China's development achievements, appreciates a series of major ideas and initiativesaput forward by President Xi Jinping, and is happy to see China's continued development and growth. He believes that China's sustained development will bring more opportunities for the development of Chad, Africa and the world, which is crucial to leading the transformations of the worldaunseenain a century.aNoting that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China'saterritory, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itnoasaid thataChad will continue to firmly abide by the one-China principle.

During the summit, China and Chad will sign a number of bilateral cooperation documents covering such areas asathe implementation of the Global Development Initiative, cooperation on human resources development, peanut and sesame export to China, and newsaandamedia.

Wang Yi was present at the meeting.

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Xi Jinping Meets with Chairperson of AUC Moussa Faki Mahamat

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: September 03, 2024 23:22

On the morning of September 3, 2024, President Xi Jinping met with Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC)aMoussa Faki Mahamat, who is in China for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperationa(FOCAC), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the African Union (AU)ais a banner for Africa to seek strength through unity and an important platform for conducting international cooperation.aIn recent years, China and the AU have continued to deepen political mutual trust and maintained close coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs.aXi Jinping said that he isaglad to see that the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aided by China for the AU,ahas been established and put into operation, contributing to Africa'sahealth cause as well asaAfrican people's health and well-being.aChina supports the AU in playing a greaterarole in the cause of China-Africa friendship, and is ready to take this FOCAC Summit as an opportunity to push for more outcomes ofaChina-AU cooperation in various fields and promoteathe building of a China-Africa community with a shared future to a new level.

Xi Jinping stressed that the current transformations of the world unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace.aThe Global South, including China and Africa, is growing stronger, injecting stability and positive energy into world peace and development.aAfrica is an important pole in the world and an important priority in China's diplomacy.aChina is readyato enhanceapolitical exchanges with Africa, deepen strategic mutual trust, strengthen practical cooperation, share development experience and promote common development.aXi Jinping called on the two sides toastrengthenasolidarity and coordination, firmly support each other, advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice and the common interests of developing countries.

Moussa Faki Mahamatasaid that during his eight years as AUCaChairperson, he has witnessed the rapidagrowthaof AU-China relations.aHeathanked the Chinese side, especially President Xi Jinping,afor his outstanding leadership in promoting the development of the Africa-China partnership and the FOCAC institutional development.aFor more than half a century, China has been firmly supporting Africa's struggle against colonialism, imperialism and racial discrimination, providing valuable assistance to African countries in various fields such as infrastructure, health, energy, industryaandasecurity, and taking the lead in supporting the AU's accession to the G20, which the African side highly appreciatesaand sincerely thanks.aFor this reason, the African side firmly pursues the one-China policy and firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests.aThe Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and otheraseries ofamajor initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping are committed to helpingapeople of all countries share peace and development opportunities, which is crucial to strengthening solidarity and cooperation among countries in the Global South and making the global governance system fairer and more equitable.aThe African side expects China to continueaplayingaa key leading role and make greater contributions to helping Africa achieve modernization and world peace and development.

Wang Yi was present at the meeting.

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Xi Jinping Meets with Kenyan President William Ruto

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: September 03, 2024 16:20

On the morning of September 3, 2024, President Xi Jinping met with Kenyan President William Ruto, who is in China for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperationa(FOCAC), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Kenya have a time-honoredafriendship that developed in their strugglesafor national liberation and deepened on their journey toward national rejuvenation.aChina and Kenya have always joined hands and been at the forefront of Belt and Road cooperation,aand completed a number of flagship projectsain connectivity, significantly contributing to regional economic and social development and benefiting the two peoples.

Xi Jinping suggested that the two sides should deepen theaChina-Kenyaacomprehensive strategic cooperative partnershipaby pursuing the goal of becoming "three types of partners". First, the two sides shouldacarry forward friendshipaandabe sincere partners of mutual trust. The two sides shouldafirmly support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty and independently exploring development paths suited to their national conditions. Second, the two sides should uphold fundamental principles whileabreakinganew ground, and be cooperative partners of mutual benefit and win-win results. The two sides shouldaclosely synergize the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Kenya Vision 2030, build an East African connectivity hub and industrial belt, and strengthen cooperation in such areas as digital economy, new energy, economy, trade, poverty reduction and agricultureadevelopment. Third, the two sides should strengthen confidenceaand be strategic partners in upholding fairnessaand justice. The two sides shouldaenhanceacommunication and coordination on international and regional issues, work together to safeguard the common interests of the Global South,aand promote regional peace and stability.

William Rutoathanked China for hosting the FOCAC Beijing Summit, which provides an important platform and opportunity for Africa and China to seek common development in the future.aKenya-China relations are based on deep friendship, mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual benefit.aThe two sides have successfully implemented major infrastructureaconstruction cooperationaprojects such as the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, which has strongly promoted Kenya's economic and social development and become a new symbolafor Kenya-Chinaafriendly and mutually beneficial cooperation.aKenya hopes to take theaFOCAC Summit as an opportunity to push for further development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Kenya and China.aChina is welcome to continue to increase investment in Kenya and expand bilateral practical cooperation in various fields, especially cooperation in connectivity, new energy,ayouthaand other areas.aKenya highly admires and actively supports a series of major global initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping that have played an important leading role in strengthening solidarity and cooperation amongadeveloping countries and countries of the Global South.aKenya firmly pursuesathe one-China policy andais readyatoastrengthen multilateral cooperation with China andarenderafirm supportato each other.

During the summit, China and Kenya will sign a number of bilateral cooperation documents in financing, infrastructure and other fields.

Wang Yi was present at the meeting.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on September 3, 2024

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: September 03, 2024 17:13

At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro SAnchez will pay an official visit to China from September 8 to 11.

At the invitation of the government of the Russian Federation and the government of Mongolia, Vice President Han Zheng will attend the ninth Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia and visit Mongolia from September 4 to 8.

CCTV: You just announced Spanish Prime Minister Pedro SAnchez's upcoming visit to China. Could you share with us the program and your expectation of the visit? How does China view the current China-Spain relations?

Mao Ning: During Prime Minister Pedro SAnchez's visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with him, and Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji will have talks and meet with him respectively. The two sides will exchange their views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest. During the visit, the two sides will hold the China-Spain Forum, the China-Spain Business Advisory Council Meeting, and the China-Spain Business Forum, among other events.

China and Spain are comprehensive strategic partners. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties over half a century ago, the two sides have carried forward traditional friendship, deepened mutually beneficial and open cooperation, and maintained sound and steady growth of relations, which has benefited both sides. China hopes that through this visit, the two sides will further advance bilateral relations, deepen mutual trust through high-level exchanges, address global challenges through high-quality cooperation, and add new dimensions to China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership.

People's Daily: To follow up on your announcement that Vice President Han Zheng will attend the ninth Eastern Economic Forum in Russia and visit Mongolia, can you tell us what China hopes to achieve through this trip?

Mao Ning: Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Putin, China-Russia relations have been moving forward on a high level with steady progress of cooperation in various fields. The Eastern Economic Forum is an important platform for countries in the Asia-Pacific to pool consensus on cooperation and discuss ways to achieve development and rejuvenation together. President Xi Jinping attended the Eastern Economic Forum twice in 2018 and 2021 upon invitation and delivered important speeches. In his remarks, President Xi elaborated on China's proposals for growing China-Russia relations, participating in Far East development, and advancing regional cooperation, which were warmly received.

Vice President Han Zheng will attend events under the framework of the Eastern Economic Forum in Russia and meet Russian leaders. China hopes to work with Russia through this visit to deliver on the common understandings between the leaders of the two countries, deepen Northeast China-Russian Far East cooperation, and jointly advance the development of the region.a

China and Mongolia are friendly neighbors sharing mountains and rivers. This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Mongolia, the 30th anniversary of the China-Mongolia Treaty of Friendly Relations and Cooperation and the 10th anniversary of the China-Mongolia comprehensive strategic partnership. During his visit to Mongolia, Vice President Han Zheng will have in-depth communication with Mongolian leaders on China-Mongolia relations and issues of mutual interest. China stands ready to work with Mongolia to follow the guidance of the important common understandings between the heads of state of both countries, enhance friendship and mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and advance the sustained, steady and sound growth of China-Mongolia relations.

Reuters: China made a pledge at the 2021 FOCAC in Dakar to buy US$ 300 billion of African goods and we understand that that has not been entirely fulfilled. What more can China do to boost its buying from the continent? At this year's FOCAC, how is China positioning itself to attract commitment from African economies to buy more Chinese goods?

Mao Ning: I am not sure where your numbers come from. China attaches great importance to the implementation of the outcomes of FOCAC. According to China's Ministry of Commerce, from December 2021 to July 2024, China's imports from Africa reached US$ 305.9 billion, hitting the targets ahead of schedule. China has been Africa's top trading partner for 15 consecutive years. The 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit will open soon. China will actively implement the important decisions of the third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and share development opportunities created by Chinese modernization with the world. China will continue to observe the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith which guide our policy toward Africa. We will continue to pursue the greater good and shared interests in our cooperation with Africa, expand institutional opening up to Africa and deepen cooperation on industrial and supply chains so as to bring the Chinese and African economies together, connect our development efforts and share our achievements together.

AFP: The New Zealand Intelligence Service describes China as a complex intelligence concern and its operations in New Zealand as complex and deceptive. How does China respond to these allegations by New Zealand?

Mao Ning: China always develops relations with other countries based on such principles as mutual respect and non-interference in each other's domestic affairs. We never interfere in any country's domestic affairs. We hope that New Zealand will view China in a rational and objective light, and create favorable conditions for the sound and steady growth of China-New Zealand relations.

Global Times: It's reported that Chairman of the US House "Select Committee on the CCP" John Moolenaar and several Representatives visited Japan recently. They claimed that the visit was to express support for the US-Japan alliance and discuss ways the US and Japan can work together to combat the "Chinese Communist Party's rising military, economic, and ideological aggression." And they urged the Japanese government to continue its work to push back on the "CCP's malign economic agenda." What is China's comment?

Mao Ning: The committee you mentioned has no credibility to speak of. Driven by a political agenda, the committee has long vilified China and the Communist Party of China. Relevant politicians' remarks are steeped in Cold War mentality and ideological bias, and meant to peddle the "China threat" narrative and encourage bloc confrontation. China firmly rejects this.

China has all along believed that cooperation between countries should be conducive to regional peace, stability and prosperity, and not target or even harm any third party's interests. Ganging up to form exclusive groupings is not what our world needs and will not gain support. China calls on US politicians to view China's development objectively and rationally, stop creating bloc confrontation, stop inciting a new Cold War, and refrain from fanning up tensions in the region.

The Paper: It is learned that the first Seminar on Capacity Building of Artificial Intelligence has opened in Shanghai. Can you share with us more information on this seminar?

Mao Ning: The rapid development and wide application of AI has made it an important driver of the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation. As a major country in the field of AI, China attaches great importance to the development and application of AI, especially on strengthening the capacity building of the vast developing world. China is actively committed to helping fellow developing countries benefit from AI, and ensuring that countries of the Global South have the opportunity to be sufficiently involved in global AI governance. Against this backdrop, China submitted a draft resolution during this year's UN General Assembly entitled "Enhancing International Cooperation on Capacity-building of Artificial Intelligence", which was adopted by consensus and co-sponsored by 143 countries.

As a follow-up action of this resolution, China, together with the UN, is holding the Seminar on Capacity Building of Artificial Intelligence in Shanghai from September 3 to 6. Representatives from nearly 40 countries are participating in the seminar. UN Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres attended the opening ceremony. This seminar will help representatives from the Global South to gain a deep understanding of current progress and trends in AI development through expert lectures, exchanges, visits and surveys, thus bridging the AI divide. China will continue to provide the world with such public goods, take concrete steps to support developing countries in achieving development and use AI to benefit the entire humanity.

CCTV: On August 13, Israeli national security minister Ben Gvir led over 2,000 Jews into the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and said that Jews should be permitted to pray at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound (known to Jews as Temple Mount). The Israeli Prime Minister's Office later issued a statement indicating that there has been no change in Israel's policy of not allowing Jews to pray on the Temple Mount. Palestine and the League of Arab States condemned the act. What is your comment?

Mao Ning: With Gaza still mired in conflict and regional tensions running high, any new dispute concerning the issue of the holy sites of Jerusalem would simply fuel the flames. China is opposed to that and stands for respecting and maintaining the status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem which stems from history. We urge parties, particularly Israel, to stay cool-headed and exercise restraint, avoid any provocation that might fuel antagonism, and prevent further escalation of tensions.

RIA Novosti: It's reported by Bloomberg that TArkiye has formally asked to join the BRICS group, according to people familiar with the matter. What's the Foreign Ministry's comments?

Mao Ning: BRICS is an important platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries. China stands ready to work with other BRICS members to uphold the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation and support more like-minded partners to join BRICS cooperation.

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EXPLAINED: What is the China-Africa summit and why does it matter?

Beijing sees developing countries as the 'base' from which a rising China will extend its global clout.

By Luisetta Mudie for RFA English 2024.09.03 -- Leaders of African countries are arriving in Beijing this week for a China-Africa summit, at which President Xi Jinping is expected to lay out his idea of a "shared future" with African nations, underpinned by Chinese demand for minerals and political support from Global South nations.

On the second day of the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation, which runs Sept. 4-6 in the Chinese capital, Xi is expected to call for higher-quality, "green" investments, as China backs away from its earlier readiness to bankroll major infrastructure projects in favor of more sustainable public-private partnerships.

China remains keen to boost trade and gain access to raw materials from the continent, including copper, cobalt and lithium from Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. But following debt restructuring agreements with Chad, Ethiopia, Ghana and Zambia, the country will likely proceed with more caution when it comes to the big loan packages that were a feature of pre-pandemic cooperation.

African countries remain the primary focus of Xi's flagship economic cooperation program. Yet Xi's Belt and Road Initiative has been widely criticized for ensnaring poorer countries in "debt trap" diplomacy, with Beijing wielding most of the power in partnerships that offer scant gains for local residents.

Critics say China's approach to its economic and trade partners in Africa remains colonial and extractive, and Beijing will want to try to shift that narrative at this week's forum.

Why is China-Africa cooperation so important to Xi Jinping?

For Xi, it's not just about trade and economic ties. There are big political gains to be made too.

Foreign policy under Xi's rule, now likely indefinite, has been about reshaping the U.S.-dominated international order to more closely reflect China's needs and priorities, including exporting a more authoritarian model of governance to countries under Beijing's political influence.

Under Xi's vision, a rising China will spread its wings (in Chinese) and influence globally, to the point where Beijing becomes a rule-maker rather than a rule-taker, as it starts to chafe under the U.S.-led "rules-based international order."

For that to happen, it needs other, often poorer, countries to accept its rules and act as its allies in international institutions, including organizations under the aegis of the United Nations.

Xi Jinping Thought, which has been enshrined in the ruling party charter since 2022, describes this as "reform to the global governance system," which according to the government's China International Development Cooperation Agency, is at a "historical turning point."

"While China has always pursued global preeminence, it initially sought to be unobtrusive and progress stealthily with a low profile," according to a 2023 analysis by Paul Nantulya of the Africa Center for Strategic Studies.

"The Chinese Communist Party has signaled that the era of discretion is gradually being replaced with a bolder and more assertive approach."

How extensive is China's presence in Africa?

Beijing's United Front outreach and influence operations in the continent seem to be working. African countries are consistent supporters of Beijing at the United Nations, voting Chinese nationals into top jobs at several U.N. agencies and backing attempts to rewrite the rulebook on human rights, while excluding democratic Taiwan.

And a Pew Research poll from 2023 revealed that Beijing gets its highest international approval ratings from Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.

"China's quest to 'reform' international governance has found willing partners in the Global South, including Africa, which has played no small part in advancing China's international project," Nantulya writes, warning that Chinese influence can also pose a challenge to "core African norms" and commitments on constitutionalism, human rights and democracy.

However, China's efforts to selectively reshape the workings of the international system -- including its human rights system -- can also undermine core African norms and commitments such as those on constitutionalism, human rights, and democracy, he warns.

As a BRICS nation, South Africa has signed up for China's New Development Bank to offer an alternative to the World Bank, while several African countries have joined its Asia Infrastructure Development Bank since its founding in 2015.

And Beijing's Global Security Initiative, a bid to export Chinese norms and security priorities, was incorporated into an action plan adopted at the last China-Africa summit in Dakar.

In recent years, China has persuaded Burkina Faso, Malawi, Liberia, Senegal and others to cut diplomatic ties with democratic Taiwan, a precondition of diplomatic recognition by Beijing.

What can we expect to see at the China-Africa summit?

According to state media, China and Africa will be launching projects with green and sustainable branding, including growing mushrooms using Chinese technology, biogas promotion and greenhouse cultivation.

Beijing also says it wants to "further increase Africa's capacity in realizing independent and sustainable development as well as help it accelerate poverty alleviation," the China Daily reported.

Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative will also be a prominent feature of the forum.

Chinese companies have helped to build or upgrade more than 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 100,000 kilometers of highways, nearly 1,000 bridges and 100 ports, and 66,000 kilometers of power transmission and distribution lines in African countries, according to state media reports. They have also helped build a 150,000-kilometer backbone communications network.

But experts expect Beijing to move away from its previous focus on eye-watering infrastructure figures in favor of healthcare, sustainable development, the digital economy and innovation.

Chinese sovereign lending, once the main source of financing for Africa's infrastructure, is at its lowest level in two decades, according to Reuters.

Yet public-private partnerships, Beijing's preferred new investment vehicle globally, have yet to gain traction in Africa, the agency reported.

Chinese officials at this week's summit will be wanting to change that.

Edited by Malcolm Foster

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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China introduces resolution opposing US sanctions on Xinjiang

Since 2021, the U.S. has accused China of carrying out a campaign of 'genocide' against Uyghurs in the region.

By Taejun Kang for RFA 2024.09.03 -- China has adopted a resolution condemning a series of U.S. sanctions against the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and providing support for affected companies, state media reported.

The U.S. introduced the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, or UFLPA, in 2022 with the goal of ensuring that American entities are not funding forced labor among ethnic minorities in the region.

As of August this year, Americans were banned from doing business with 73 companies on the act's Entity List, although a broader prohibition on importing any goods produced even in part by the slave labor of Uyghurs was already in place.

All 73 blacklisted companies are accused of either working directly with local authorities in Xinjiang region, where the majority of the mostly Muslim minority live, to forcibly employ imprisoned Uyghurs, or else of sourcing inputs from companies that do so.

The sanctioned companies are involved in industries such as textiles and clothing, and silicon-based solar products.

The Chinese resolution, which took effect on Monday, aims to "expose to both the international community and the people of Xinjiang, what is clearly the U.S. sinister intention in implementing sanctions against Xinjiang, to reveal the U.S. suppression of the region's enterprises and its undermining of Xinjiang's social stability and development," Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday.

"The rights of workers of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are guaranteed and people live harmonious lives," the resolution stated, according to Xinhua.

"However, neglecting these facts and such progress, the U.S. maliciously slanders the human rights situation in Xinjiang," it said.

"U.S. unilateral sanctions and the implementation of long-arm jurisdiction violate international law and business ethics, undermine the stability of global industrial and supply chains, and disrupt the international trade order."

Calling the UFLPA "unwarranted," the news agency said the resolution urged the U.S. to "restore a fair market environment for sanctioned enterprises, a development environment in which people in Xinjiang can pursue a happy life, and a fair economic, trade and rule of law environment for the international community."

Under the resolution, local governments are encouraged to help sanctioned companies expand their domestic and international markets, promote their products, boost innovation, and strengthen the appeal of company brands, according to Xinhua.

Since 2021, the U.S. government has accused China of carrying out a campaign of "genocide" against Uyghurs and other Muslims in Xinjiang, including by sterilizing women, banning the exercise of culture and imprisoning many Uyghurs in high-security internment camps.

Escaped Uyghurs report being forced to work for Chinese companies for little or no money in order to leave the camps.

Beijing denies that any genocide or slavery is taking place and has defended what it says are "poverty alleviation" programs providing training in vocational skills.

"These sanctions have embarrassed Chinese officials and affected the export of Chinese goods," said human rights lawyer Teng Biao.

Biao noted, however, that it was unusual for a resolution related to the United States to come from a regional government, and not the National People's Congress in Beijing.

Xinjiang party members may be trying to obtain economic support for regional industries from the central government, according to China expert Raymond Kuo at the Rand Corporation, a Washington think tank.

"The Chinese economy is not doing great right now," he said.

Edited by Mike Firn. Adds expert comments at end.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Dual U.S. and Iranian Citizen Arrested for Unlawfully Exporting U.S. Technology to Iran

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Gholam Reza Goodarzi, also known as Ron Goodarzi, 76, a dual U.S. and Iranian citizen who resides in Porter, Texas, made his initial appearance today in the Southern District of Texas following his arrest at the George Bush International Airport on Aug. 30. Goodarzi is charged by criminal complaint with smuggling parts and components used in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as other manned aircraft, from the United States to Iran.

"For years, the defendant allegedly used proxy destinations to try to smuggle UAV components and other controlled technology to Iran, even concealing controlled items in his own luggage," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "The Justice Department and our law enforcement partners are committed to vigorously enforcing export controls to protect U.S. national security."

"Smuggling aircraft parts into Iran endangers U.S. national security by potentially enhancing Iran's military capabilities, enabling them to advance their aerial combat potential, increase regional power and threaten U.S. allies and interests in the Middle East," said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. "This prosecution represents my office's core commitment - in partnership with the Justice Department's National Security Division, FBI and Customs and Border Protection - to disrupt and hold accountable Goodarzi's alleged efforts to evade sanctions against Iran, a hostile nation."

"Illegally smuggling sensitive U.S. technology to a foreign nation jeopardizes our national security and undermines the integrity of our trade laws," said Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI's National Security Branch. "The U.S. does not tolerate illegal smuggling of our advanced tech to our adversaries, and the FBI will work with our partners to vigorously pursue and hold accountable those who violate our laws and put our country at risk."

According to court documents, from December 1, 2020, through July 5, Goodarzi illegally exported aircraft-related parts, in addition to oil and drilling components, to Iran. As alleged, Goodarzi purchased U.S.-origin aircraft components from U.S.-based suppliers and then exported them to Iran - typically through Dubai, UAE.

He also traveled to and from Iran multiple times per year and concealed aircraft parts and other items in his checked luggage.

Goodarzi exchanged multiple emails with suppliers and customers, acknowledging that parts could not be shipped to Iran because of sanctions.

The complaint alleges that on several occasions, authorities searched Goodarzi's luggage and found numerous aircraft parts and components hidden within articles of clothing. Some of the items had characteristics consistent with parts for the production of UAVs, as well as parts with electrical motor and generator applications.

Goodarzi does not have the required licenses to export such items to sanctioned countries, including Iran, according to the complaint.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of up to 10 years in prison for the charge of smuggling goods and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI, with assistance from and Customs and Border Protection, is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Winter for the Southern District of Texas and Trial Attorney Christopher Cook of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

This prosecution is being coordinated through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states. Under the leadership of the Assistant Attorney General for National Security and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, the Strike Force leverages tools and authorities across the U.S. Government to enhance the criminal and administrative enforcement of export control laws.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Topic: National Security

Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - Texas, Southern

Press Release Number: 24-1091

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Iran summons UK charge d'affaires over recent sanctions

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 03 September 2024 5:34 PM

Iran has summoned the British charge d'affaires over recent sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom against the Islamic Republic.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that it had summoned the chargA d'affaires of the British Embassy in Tehran "following the recent imposition of sanctions by the UK against three Iranian individuals and one Iranian entity."

The development came just a day after the UK imposed sanctions against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (IRGC-QF) Unit 700 over alleged conduct aimed at destabilizing the UK or any other country.

London also imposed sanctions against three Iranian individuals, namely Hamid Fazeli and Behnam Shahriyari over having alleged intention of destabilizing Israel, and Abdolfatah Ahvazian over the alleged intention of destabilizing the UK.

"The condemnation of these actions, which are contrary to the new UK government's claimed policy of willingness to engage and cooperate, was expressed," the Iranian ministry said it had informed the British chargA d'affaires.

"It was also emphasized that everyone knows the largest source of insecurity in the region is the Zionist occupying regime, which is supported politically and militarily by some who claim to maintain stability in the region, including the UK," the Iranian ministry said.

"The support of these countries for the genocide of Palestinians and their efforts to prevent accountability for [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu, the war criminal, are the basis of instability and insecurity in the region," the ministry stated.

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Iran-linked militia leader wresting control of Iraq's Ninevah Plains after IS defeat

By Dale Gavlak September 03, 2024

The Babylon Brigades, which identifies as a Christian militia in Iraq but has Shiite Muslim members and is closely tied to Iran, is taking over Ninevah Plains towns in the country's Christian heartland, displacing Christian mayors and officials on behalf of Iran after Islamic State was swept out.

A militia leader closely linked to Iran, Rayan al-Kildani, has removed Christian officials in the historic Christian towns of Iraq's Ninevah Plains, said Nadine Maenza, president of the Washington-based International Religious Freedom Secretariat, who recently visited the area.

Maenza told VOA al-Kildani has been working to install local leaders who agree with Iran's vision for Iraq. The militia leader portrays himself to be a Christian.

"He took over the Ninevah Council," Maenza said. "He got his own people elected and then he started buying them off. He removed 15 mayors and directors. He replaced all with his own people. So, he basically took over the Ninevah Plains. There are no more Christian (political) leaders outside of the KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government) control."

Maenza met with some of the mayors who lost their jobs.

Her organization encourages the improvement of religious freedom conditions in 40 countries worldwide, including Iraq. Maenza said local Christians hope an Iraqi Federal Court will rule on al-Kildani's action.

Writing in the Wilson Center's MENA 360 Degree online publication, Maenza said that if al-Kildani continues his campaign, "it will remove the last independent Christian mayors outside of the Kurdistan region and have a devastating impact on the historic Syriac, Assyrian, and Chaldean Christian cities of Bartella, Qaraqosh, Tel Kef and the Yazidi homeland of Sinjar."

Maenza told VOA al-Kildani's moves follow his success last year in having the title of patriarch removed from Patriarch Cardinal Louis Sako, the head of Iraq's largest Christian denomination, the Chaldean Catholics. It is an ancient Eastern rite church in full communion with the Vatican.

Sako accused al-Kildani of trying to take over Christian endowments and properties.

Al-Kildani denies the charge and accuses Sako of the same. But Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani reinstated Sako's title in June.

Some Iraqi clerics, including Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda of Irbil, view al-Kildani favorably. The Catholic online publication, The Pillar, reports that his "diocese has received al-Kildani's assistance in building and pastoral projects, as well as security assistance and political protection."

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned al-Kildani in 2019 for alleged human rights abuses, including intimidation, extortion, persecution of religious minorities, and illegally seizing property.

Michael Knights of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy said al-Kildani's deal-making has raised his profile with the main political blocks running Iraq and supported by Iran.

"Rayan al-Kildani has provided his support for a range of pro-Iran political forces in Iraq to get their own governance appointed and in return he got rewarded with these lower-level appointments in places that he really cared about within the Ninevah Plains," Knights said. "A lot of the folks are angry about Rayan al-Kildani's rise. He has very, very thin credentials to claim leadership of the Christian community in Iraq or control of their property."

Maenza called for the reinstatement of election rules in Iraq to protect the political representation of Christians, Yazidis, and other religious and ethnic minorities in parliament so only minority community members can vote for their own representation.

Since 2009, Iraq has allowed all Iraqis to vote for designated minority parliamentary seats, effectively upending minority control of their own representation. This, observers say, has also encouraged the practice of vote buying from non-Christian Iraqis in the minority quota system.

Al-Kildani's party won four of the five Iraqi parliamentary seats reserved for Christians in the last election. His candidates were backed by Shiite political forces.

Still, Knights urged the U.S., the European Union and the worldwide Christian community to work on tightening sanctions on al-Kildani, whether on his property abroad or by curtailing his ability to travel, as another step to rein in his a and Iran's a growing dominance.

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Israeli Army Ground Forces commander steps down amid Gaza war

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 03 September 2024 10:50 AM

The commander of the Israeli Army Ground Forces has resigned from his position, amid a recent wave of resignations by the regime's high-ranking officers, which has fueled speculation about the potential for a domino effect within various institutions.

The Israeli military said in a statement on Tuesday that Major General Tamir Yadai has stepped down due to "personal reasons."

Yadai has served as the head of the Ground Forces for the past three years.

The Israeli army's chief of staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi and minister of military affairs Yoav Gallant have approved Yadai's request, the statement added.

Yadai is expected to leave the office within the coming weeks, once a replacement officer is found. It is not immediately clear who will be his successor.

Back on June 9, Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz and war cabinet observer Gadi Eisenkot stepped out of Israel's war cabinet.

They joined Netanyahu's administration after Israel launched its onslaught against the Gaza Strip in early October last year, leading to the formation of the emergency coalition, which then established the war cabinet.

Addressing a press conference in Tel Aviv, Gantz called on Netanyahu to hold early elections "as soon as possible."

"Months after the October tragedy, the situation in Israel and in the room of the decision-makers has changed. Netanyahu and his partners have turned unity into a moving call without real-world action. Fateful strategic decisions are met with hesitancy and procrastination due to political considerations," Gantz said.

"Unfortunately, Netanyahu prevents us from reaching true victory. Therefore, today, we are leaving the emergency coalition with a heavy heart, but with a full heart," he added.

Earlier, Brigadier General Avi Rosenfeld, commander of the Israeli military's Gaza Division, resigned from his post over failure to prevent a historic operation by the Gaza Strip-based Palestinian resistance groups early last October.

Rosenfeld submitted his resignation in a letter to the chief of staff of the Israeli army, saying he "failed" in his mission to protect the regime in the face of the Palestinian resistance's Operation al-Aqsa Storm, which was carried out on October 7, 2023.

"I have decided to end my position as commander of the 143rd Division (the Gaza Division) ... as part of my responsibility as a commander," he wrote in his resignation letter.

Israel waged the genocidal war against the Gaza Strip, targeting hospitals, residences, and houses of worship after Palestinian resistance movements launched a surprise attack, dubbed Operation al-Aqsa Storm, against the usurping regime on October 7.

At least 40,786 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and another 94,224 individuals have sustained injuries. More than 1.7 million people have been internally displaced during the war as well.

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Japan - AEGIS Class Destroyer Follow-On Technical Support

Media/Public Contact: pm-cpa@state.gov

Transmittal No: 24-71

WASHINGTON, September 3, 2024 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of AEGIS Class Destroyer Follow-On Technical Support and related equipment for an estimated cost of $150 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Japan has requested to buy follow-on technical support of AEGIS Class Destroyers, which will include sustainment support and services; AEGIS computer software updates; system integration and testing; in-country and on-site engineering support; familiarization; sustainment; all necessary emergent support engineering and technical support services; operational support; system overhauls; system upgrades; on-the-job practical operations and maintenance; combat systems integration; development, testing, and installation of program patches and adaptation data and annual service agreements; technical inquiries by the purchaser; operation; integration; maintenance; field service engineering; problem investigation; technical assistance; solutions to the technical problems arising from post production and testing capabilities; U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $150 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region.

The proposed sale is critical to ensure the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force's (JMSDF) AEGIS Destroyer fleet and computer program test sites remain ready to provide capabilities in the defense of Japan. Specifically, the requested AEGIS computer program maintenance services will provide JMSDF with software patches and adaptation data support that are vital to the effective and safe operations of the AEGIS Combat Systems (ACS) suite. The in-country engineering and emergent support will assist JMSDF to address any malfunctions or faults that may arise with the ACS suite. Japan will have no difficulty absorbing these services and support into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Corporation, located in Moorestown, NJ. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the temporary assignment of five U.S. Government and two contractor representatives to Japan.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.

All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military-Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.

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Kazakhstan To Spend Over $32 Million On Controversial Referendum About Nuclear Power Station

By RFE/RL's Kazakh Service September 03, 2024

The chairwoman of Kazakhstan's Central Commission on Referendums (ORK), Sabila Mustafina, said on September 3 that 15.5 billion tenges (more than $32 million) has been requested for a nationwide referendum on the construction of a nuclear power station in the Central Asian country next month.

The announcement came a day after President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev announced the referendum and signed a decree setting October 6 as the date of the vote.

According to Mustafina, 71 percent of the requested sum would cover compensation for the work of more than 70,000 ORK members, while 29 percent would be used for communication activities, bulletins, and advertisements.

"The government will decide on the allocation of the mentioned sum for the referendum, after our estimations are approved by the Finance Ministry, the National Economy Ministry, and the Justice Ministry," Mustafina said.

Mustafina's deputy Konstantin Petrov said more than 12 million Kazakh citizens are eligible to vote at more than 10,000 voting sites across the country and 78 stations will be set up in different countries for Kazakh citizens residing abroad.

Only one question will be asked in the referendum: "Do you agree that Kazakhstan needs to construct a nuclear power station?"

Many in Kazakhstan expect that the answer will be "yes," considering the country's tightly controlled political environment.

But the push to build a nuclear power plant has been met by significant opposition despite apparent efforts to silence dissent on the issue. In recent weeks, several activists known for their stance against the nuclear power station's construction have been prevented from attending public debates on the matter.

Nuclear-power-related projects have been a controversial issue in Kazakhstan, where the environment was severely impacted by operations at the Soviet-era Semipalatinsk nuclear test site from 1949 to 1991 and the Baikonur spaceport, which is still being operated by Moscow.

Hours before his decree was made public on September 2, President Toqaev reiterated his support for the plan to build a nuclear power station.

There was no official information about the site of the future nuclear station, but a public debate was held last year in the village of Ulken on the shore of the Lake Balkhash in the southeastern region of Almaty about the possibility of constructing a nuclear power station there.

The idea to build a nuclear power station in Kazakhstan has been circulating in the country for years, leading to questions regarding what countries would be involved in the project.

Kazakh officials have tried to avoid answering the question, saying the decision would be made after a referendum.

Shortly before launching its ongoing invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia proposed its Rosatom nuclear agency to be Kazakhstan's major partner in the project.

Kazakh Internet users mostly rejected the idea of Rosatom's involvement, citing the legacy of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster and Russia's gaining control over the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine as examples of Russia's attitude toward nuclear safety.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/nuclear-kazakh-referendum- toqaev-opposition/33104277.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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Baluch Leader Resigns From Pakistani Parliament

By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal September 03, 2024

Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the chaiman of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) and a veteran politician, has resigned his seat in Pakistan's lower house of parliament, the National Assembly.

Balochistan in southwestern Pakistan borders Afghanistan and Iran and is home to Pakistan's Baluch ethnic minority. It has been the scene of a low-level insurgency and brutal army crackdown for years.

"I have resigned as member of the National Assembly," Mengal wrote on X on September 3, according to Radio Mashaal.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad later the same day, Mengal said he cannot serve his people as a member of the parliament and there was therefore no reason to stay in the seat.

A radical group known as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has waged an insurgency there for decades against the Pakistani state, carrying out mostly small-scale attacks against government forces.

But the region was the scene in late August of the deadliest bombings and shootings in years, and the BLA appears to have gained strength.

Pakistani militant groups including the BLA are believed to have obtained U.S. weapons and military equipment since U.S. and international forces pulled out of Afghanistan in 2021, leaving behind billions of dollars' worth of military gear and weapons seized by the hard-line fundamentalist Taliban after it took power in Kabul.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan- mengal-baloch-resignation-parliament/33104133.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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Official reception marking the 85th anniversary of the victory at Khalkhin Gol

The presidents of Russia and Mongolia attended an official reception marking the 85th anniversary of the victory at Khalkhin Gol.

September 3, 2024

15:25

Ulaanbaatar

Speech by Vladimir Putin at the official reception

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, friends,

I am sincerely delighted to visit the hospitable Mongolian land once again and to celebrate, in an impressive setting, the anniversary of our common victory in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol together with our Mongolian friends.

We are paying tribute to Soviet and Mongolian soldiers who fought in those intense and bloody battles. Their feat will forever be remembered by our nations, and it will be emblazoned in the history of Russia and Mongolia. The courage and fortitude of the heroes of Khalkhin Gol stopped a dangerous enemy who hatched far-reaching plans to occupy the whole of Mongolia.

The victory at Khalkhin Gol greatly influenced the destinies of the region and the entire course of World War II. After sustaining the defeat, Japan refrained from attacking the Soviet Union, and our country was able to deploy all its forces, including fresh Far Eastern divisions, against Nazi Germany.

Of course, we remember the substantial support offered to us by the Mongolian nation during World War II, during the Great Patriotic War. Mongolia assisted the front by supplying food, warm clothing and also raised funds to manufacture tanks and aircraft.

Loyal to the traditions of combat brotherhood laid down by our fathers and grandfathers, Russia and Mongolia continue to actively collaborate and to develop their all-encompassing strategic partnership. I would like to stress that Russia has always aimed to strengthen friendly relations with Mongolia; it has perceived and continues to perceive this as one of its foreign policy priorities.

In turn, we appreciate the fact that Mongolia also steers towards mutually beneficial cooperation with us. Our current talks with President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh and other Mongolian leaders have clearly confirmed this. All meetings took place in a traditionally constructive and substantive atmosphere and made it possible to review a wide range of issues and topical regional and international problems, and to chart future prospects of our diverse partnership.

The people of Mongolia have a nice saying: "Choose a new robe but an old friend." I am convinced that we will certainly raise and address the most ambitious objectives, while relying on our time-tested solid friendship. We will actively expand our collaboration in traditional sectors, and we will launch cooperation in new high-tech spheres; we will work hand-in-hand to strengthen the entire range of our bilateral partnership for the benefit of the peoples of Russia and Mongolia.

In conclusion, I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate the President of Mongolia, as well as all Mongolian and Russian citizens who are present here, on the 85th anniversary of the glorious victory in the battle on the river Khalkhin Gol.

I would like to offer a toast to our common victory, to further development of Russian-Mongolian comprehensive strategic partnership, to the health of the President of Mongolia, Mr Khurelsukh, and everyone present here, and for the well-being and prosperity of our nations.

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Conversation with Prime Minister of Mongolia Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene

Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of Mongolia Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene held a meeting at the Government Palace in Ulaanbaatar.

September 3, 2024

13:00

Ulaanbaatar

Prime Minister of Mongolia Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene (retranslated):I would like to express our deep gratitude to you, Mr President Vladimir Putin, for coming here to our country on an official visit. You are also taking part in celebrations marking the 85th anniversary of the joint victory in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol.

Three parties gained the majority of seats after theninth election to the State Great Khural, and they created a coalition government that I was appointed to lead as Prime Minister. After being appointed Prime Minister, I visited the two areas we would like to develop.

Our Mongolian and Soviet fighters defended the sovereignty and independence of our two nations, securing a victory and a historic date for our countries. I believe it is important for current and future generations to have proper understanding of the historical significance of this event.

Also, in connection with the 85th anniversary of the victory in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol, the list for the government's activities for the next four years was supplemented by such large-scale projects as building a tourist cluster at Buir Lake in the area of the Khalkhin Gol river. For that cluster, we want to, first of all, build a 70-km road connecting the Khalkhin Gol with this lake, and also a new small aircraft airport. This cluster would serve to cover the historic event so that tourists can come and learn about our history.

I believe that we could establish this cluster to mark the 90th anniversary of our joint victory at Khalkhin Gol and it would be significant to honour the memories of our ancestors that way.

We have been informed that talks with the President of Mongolia went well and were fruitful. The two sides have already achieved tangible results and signed several important cooperation documents, including on establishing a joint working group which would enable our experts and researchers to work on building a hydropower plant on the Egiin Gol river. There were also documents dealing with proposals and efforts to carry out a project to upgrade and expand TPP-3. In addition to this, there are intergovernmental agreements to ensure stable supplies of oil products from Russia to Mongolia.

We got to see our old friends - Mr Sechin is here. We would like to thank him for his fruitful work. There is also the Russian Chair of the Russia-Mongolia Intergovernmental Commission [Alexander Kozlov], who has been very proactive and effective in his efforts. We are glad to welcome all of them and extend our gratitude for this fruitful work and its results.

Once again, I would like to say that the intergovernmental commission has been very effective and responsive, especially after Mr Kozlov was appointed Russian co-chair. We were able to gain substantial momentum and pick up a higher pace, reaching a whole new level in terms of coordinating our plans and working with our Russian partners. We would like to thank Mr Kozlov for his efforts.

When I attended the Eastern Economic Forum, Mr Mishustin and I discussed ways of further improving the way our intergovernmental commission operates. Russia appointed its new co-chair for the commission right after this conversation. He has recently visited our country and met with the new cabinet. Moreover, he compiled a plan of measures and projects, which we discussed with our new chair of the Mongolia-Russia Intergovernmental Commission. This way, they can monitor every project and every effort, and stages of their implementation.

Recently, we have faced shortage of oil products here in Mongolia, including petrol. In addition, we had to restrict power supply, although we did not waste much time and were able to overcome these challenges quite quickly thanks to the efforts by our ministers in charge of the intergovernmental commission's work. I would like to emphasise this one more time.

We know that during your today's talks with our President you have already done a great deal and achieved tangible results, so I will not elaborate further to save time. First, I would like to learn about your perspective, and after that I will voice my observations and proposals on three matters.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister,

In fact, you and I had a meeting on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok back in 2022. Even at that time we stressed that the relations between our countries rest on an extremely solid foundation.

Today, Russia views Mongolia as a priority country in terms of expanding our relations. We have been proactive in our political contacts, as well as in terms of our scientific, cultural, and educational exchanges. Our foreign ministries and security agencies have been working together and keeping in touch with one another.

As for our trade and economic ties, we do appreciate the fact that the Government of Mongolia and you personally have been pushing for consistent efforts to further strengthen our relations.

You can directly contact the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation [Mikhail Mishustin]. I hope that all corresponding agencies on both sides will work closely together.

It is true that the President of Mongolia and I had very fruitful talks. Several agreements were signed.

Let me note that bilateral trade increased by 21 percent in the first seven months of this year. Of course, our main goal consists of diversifying our economic ties.

I welcome the way you assessed the work of the intergovernmental commission and its Russian side. We have a lot of potential for expanding our cooperation in manufacturing, agriculture, energy and transport. We will also continue promoting and facilitating interregional ties.

Thank you for your warm reception.

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Conversation with Chairman of State Great Khural of Mongolia Dashzegve Amarbayasgalan

Vladimir Putin had a meeting with Chairman of the State Great Khural of Mongolia Dashzegve Amarbayasgalan.

September 3, 2024

12:30

Ulaanbaatar

Chairman of the State Great Khural of Mongolia Dashzegve Amarbayasgalan (retranslated): Mr President, we are delighted to have the opportunity to meet with you. We deeply appreciate your presence at the ceremony marking the 85th anniversary of the victory in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol.

I would like to wish you and members of your delegation a pleasant stay in our country.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Chairman,

I am also very pleased to visit friendly Mongolia.

Together with the Mongolian people we marked a milestone event - an anniversary of our common victory over the aggressors on the river Khalkhin Gol. In those battles we ensured Mongolia's independence and territorial integrity.

We have just noted with Mr President in the course of our talks that Mongolia turned out to be a very loyal and reliable ally of the Soviet Union and Russia during our fight with German Nazis during the Great Patriotic War.

Throughout decades Russia and Mongolia have maintained very close and friendly relations, and today they are effectively developing. Trade is growing. We interact through our parliaments; last year our interparliamentary commission held its first meeting.

We give very much importance to interaction between our government authorities. In today's world and in our countries it is an essential addition to the development of contacts between the executive bodies. Direct interaction between the parliaments creates a very good atmosphere and contributes to the creation of a legal framework for such interaction.

Thank you very much for the warm reception.

Dashzegve Amarbayasgalan: Thank you very much.

This year, we held the ninth parliamentary elections. Formerly consisting of 76 members, the Mongolian Parliament has been expanded to 126 members through constitutional amendments. Representatives of four parties and one union were elected to join the Parliament.

We will certainly pursue a course of regular contacts and cooperation with the supreme legislative body of the Russian Federation, our eternal neighbour.

The Mongolian chapter of the Mongolian-Russian Interparliamentary Group will be co-chaired by two representatives. They are Deputy Chairman of the State Great Khural from the Democratic Party Mr Purevdorj and Deputy Chairman from the People's Party Ms Khurelbaatar Bulgantuya, who is another deputy head of the Mongolian-Russian Interparliamentary Group.

In concordance with your desires, we will focus on having consistent contacts and discussing cooperation between the parliaments and between parliamentary and interparliamentary groups.

We have been informed that your meeting and talks with the President of Mongolia were quite productive and you have reached certain agreements. On behalf of the Parliament, we will focus on measures agreed by the presidents and by our respective ministries.

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EU Expresses Regret That Mongolia Didn't Arrest Putin On ICC Warrant

By Current Time and RFE/RL September 03, 2024

The European Union on September 3 criticized Mongolia for failing to enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to the country.

"The EU regrets that Mongolia, a State Party to the Rome Statute of the ICC, did not comply with its obligations under the statute to execute the arrest warrant," an EU statement said.

Putin met earlier on September 3 with Mongolian President Ukhna Khurelsukh in Ulan Bator on his first trip to a member state of the ICC since it issued an arrest warrant for him in March 2023.

Putin has been sought by the intergovernmental ICC over the illegal deportation and transfer of children from occupied parts of Ukraine to Russia since Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022.

A government spokesman said Mongolia, which is home to more than 3 million people and borders Russia and China, cannot arrest Putin because it is energy-dependent. Mongolia imports 95 percent of its petroleum products and more than 20 percent of its electricity from its immediate neighbors, and these supplies are critical to the country's survival, the spokesman told Politico.

"Mongolia has always maintained a policy of neutrality in all its diplomatic relations, as evidenced by our official statements to date," the government spokesman added.

Mongolian officials rolled out a red carpet and honor guard for Putin at Ulan Bator's international airport as he arrived overnight from the Russian region of Tuva.

Khurelsukh escorted Putin into the Government Palace, where they both paid respects to a statue of Genghis Khan before going inside for closed-door meetings.

The leaders reportedly signed deals on aviation-fuel supplies to Ulan Bator and a feasibility study and renovation work on a Mongolian power plant, and Putin described plans to better link the countries by rail.

Russian media also said Putin invited Khurelsukh to attend an October meeting in the southern Russian city of Kazan of the BRICS group of developing nations.

It is Putin's first trip to Mongolia in five years.

Mongolia joined the ICC in 2003.

Western institutions and officials called for Putin's arrest on his arrival.

"Mongolia, like all other countries, has the right to develop its international ties according to its own interests," European Commission spokeswoman Nabila Massrali said. "However, there is an arrest warrant against Putin issued by the international Criminal Court."

Russian opposition political activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was released from a Russian prison last month in a major prisoner swap between Russia and the West, says Mongolian authorities "must arrest" Putin.

He is one of dozens of prominent Russians abroad who signed an open letter urging Ulan Bator to arrest the Russian leader immediately on his arrival.

"In terms of the International Criminal Court, in terms of the Rome Statute, in terms of international law, Vladimir Putin should be arrested," Kara-Murza told Current Time in Prague on September 1.

The Kremlin said days before the trip that it had "no worries" about the visit.

The former Russian president and currently deputy secretary of its Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, said in a statement on September 3 that the ICC warrant was "illegal." He accused those calling for Putin's arrest of being "madmen."

Putin's visit is timed to coincide with the 85th anniversary of the victory of Soviet and Mongolian troops over the Japanese Army at Khalkhin Gol in 1939.

With reporting by AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-mongolia- visit-icc-arrest-ukraine/33103686.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's answer to a question of the Moscow.Kremlin.Putin programme, Ulaanbaatar, September 3, 2024

3 September 2024 17:32

1613-03-09-2024

Question: You have said that the atmosphere is great. The EU and the US have expressed concern that Mongolia is receiving President Putin.

Sergey Lavrov: I pity them if they are concerned with such a good occasion. Two neighbours, two countries that fought side-by-side during WWII. We were allies with Mongolia at the Battle of Khalkhin Gol, and Mongolia was our ally in the Great Patriotic War.

If people raise questions about our close ties, then perhaps these are the people who have allowed Nazi undertones slip through again. And not just in their remarks, but in actions through their support of the Kiev regime.

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Pacific Fleet's corvette Gremyashchy repels mock air attack off the coast of Kamchatka

03.09.2024

In Avacha Bay, the corvette Gremyashchy of the Pacific Fleet underwent an air defence exercis.

The ship's crew honed its actions in repelling air attacks of the mock enemy during the training in one of the areas in the Avacha Bay.

Shipborne air defence systems timely detected, locked on, and downed aerial targets within the effective range of the air defence systems.

An Il-38 ASW aircraft of the Pacific Fleet Naval Aviation simulated an enemy during the drills.

The air defence exercise was conducted in accordance with the Fleet's combat training plan.

Press Service of the Eastern Military District

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Russia-Mongolia Military Cooperation Includes Supply of Arms, Soldier Training

Sputnik News

20240903

ULAANBAATAR (Sputnik) - Military-technical cooperation between Russia and Mongolia includes the supply of weapons to Ulaanbaatar and the training of military personnel, currently Russia has already trained 340 Mongolian soldiers, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said on Tuesday.

"The supply of weapons and military equipment, repair, maintenance, modernization," Fomin outlined the areas of cooperation, adding "... we are cooperating on the military-technical line. And in the military as well. We teach. We have already trained about 340 people this year."

One of the training sites for Mongolian military personnel is the presidential cadet school in Kyzyl, the official said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Mongolia at Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh's invitation on Monday to attend celebrations of the 85th anniversary of the Soviet-Mongol victory over militarist Japan on the Khalkhin Gol River.

A Sputnik

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Taiwan to explain Resolution 2758 to U.N. member states: MOFA

ROC Central News Agency

09/03/2024 06:38 PM

Taipei, Sept. 3 (CNA) Taiwan's government intends to help the international community better understand United Nations Resolution 2758 this year so that Beijing can no longer misuse it to exclude Taiwan from the U.N. system, a senior Taiwanese diplomat said Tuesday.

Speaking during a press event announcing this year's strategy in pushing for Taiwan's inclusion at the U.N., Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang () said that Taiwan will again invite diplomatic allies to speak up for the country during the upcoming U.N. General Debate, as has been the country's approach since 1993.

Taiwan will also again ask these allies' permanent representatives to the U.N. to submit a joint letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antnio Guterres urging him to rectify the U.N.'s "erroneous interpretation of Resolution 2758."

Resolution 2758 was adopted by the 26th U.N. General Assembly in 1971 to address the issue of China's representation at the international body.

It resulted in Taiwan, officially named the Republic of China (ROC), losing its seat at the U.N. to the People's Republic of China (PRC). Taiwan has since been excluded from participating in the international organization and its affiliates.

Repeating MOFA's argument, Tien said Resolution 2758 only addresses the issue of China's representation at the U.N. and does not mention Taiwan at all.

"The resolution does not authorize the PRC to represent Taiwan in the U.N. system, nor does it mention that Taiwan is part of the PRC," he explained.

The government is thus calling on the U.N. to actively stop China from undermining Taiwan's participation in international organizations by distorting the meaning of Resolution 2758.

Taiwan will also call on the U.N. to find ways to allow Taiwan to participate in its meetings so that the country can contribute to U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, Tien said.

Moreover, the U.N. should "uphold neutrality" and "stop misusing" Resolution 2758 as a pretense to prevent Taiwan passport holders from entering U.N. facilities, he added.

Asked why Taiwan is focused on explaining Resolution 2758 this year, Tien said that Nauru cited the resolution when it broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan earlier this year. The island country in Micronesia said its decision was made "on the grounds of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and the 'one China principle.'"

Tien argued that if Taiwan does not clarify U.N. member states' understanding of the resolution soon, "the cross-strait status quo that neither Taiwan nor the PRC is subordinate to the other will be overturned by the PRC."

The PRC will likely continue to distort the resolution before ultimately using it as a legal pretense to use force against Taiwan by labeling cross-strait issue as an domestic dispute, he added.

Meanwhile, in support of Taiwan's participation in the global body, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung () promoted an article titled "To secure peace in the Indo-Pacific, include Taiwan in the UN system."

The 79th session of the U.N. General Assembly will open on Sept. 10 and conclude on Sept. 30.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/JT

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Turkey releases 5 of 15 detained in assault of 2 US Marines

By Ezel Sahinkaya September 03, 2024

Turkey placed 10 people in pretrial detention Tuesday in connection with an assault of two U.S. Marines in Turkey's western port city of Izmir.

Several members of a Turkish nationalist group, Turkey Youth Union, or TGB, on Monday attacked two U.S. Marines from the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, which docked in the city's port on Sunday, according to the Izmir Governorate.

Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder told reporters Tuesday that the two Marines were not injured and are "safe." He said they were aided by other Marines in the area during the incident and were subsequently taken to a local hospital for evaluation as a precaution before returning to the Wasp.

"This is clearly a troubling incident. We are grateful for the support of the Turkish authorities who are looking into this," Ryder said.

He added that no Marines have been detained by authorities, and that those involved in the incident are cooperating with investigators.

Turkish authorities arrested 15 people on Monday over the incident, and a Turkish court released five of them under judicial control on Tuesday. The remaining 10 were ordered held in pretrial detention until they hear charges against them.

According to a video shared by the TGB on social media, TGB members were seen as they put a sack over a U.S. Marine's head.

"No one will be able to respond to the cries for help from U.S. soldiers. Your hands are stained with the blood of our brave soldiers and thousands of Palestinians. You will leave our lands!" the TGB wrote on X, tagging the X accounts of the U.S. Embassy in Turkey and the U.S. Department of Defense.

"[U.S. soldiers] put a sack over the head of our soldiers in Sulaymaniyah," a TGB member said in the video, referring to an incident in which U.S. troops arrested at least 11 Turkish soldiers in northern Iraq in 2003.

Turkish media reported that the heads of the arrested Turkish soldiers were covered in sacks, and the arrests stirred a diplomatic crisis between Turkey and the United States. The incident is widely known as the "Hood event" in Turkey.

The video also showed several TGB members chanting, "Yankee, go home," a historical anti-American slogan associated with 1960s leftist protests in Turkey.

Reports confirmed

In a statement on Monday, the Izmir Governorate announced that two women and 13 men, who are members of the TGB, physically attacked two U.S. military personnel in civilian clothes.

"Five U.S. soldiers in civilian clothes joined the incident after seeing it from a distance, and our security forces quickly intervened," the governorate said.

The U.S. Embassy in Turkey confirmed reports of the attack on Monday. "We thank Turkish authorities for their rapid response and ongoing investigation," the embassy said on X.

In a statement to VOA, a White House National Security Council spokesperson also said, "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."

On Sunday, Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, or DVIDS, reported that the Wasp was in Turkey "for a regularly scheduled port visit" that "provides an opportunity to further enhance strategic partnership between the U.S. and Turkiye."

According to the DVIDS, the schedule of the U.S. personnel included "tours organized by the ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation team, such as a visit to the Ephesus historical site, snorkeling and scuba diving, and a guided tour of Izmir's cultural sites."

U.S. Sixth Fleet spokesperson and Navy Commander Timothy Gorman told VOA the two assaulted Marines were from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Middle East tensions

The U.S. sent the Wasp to the eastern Mediterranean for deterrence reasons in June amid the increased tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. The USS Bataan and the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford were previously deployed to the region after the October 7 attack.

Omer Celik, the spokesperson for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party, criticized the deployments.

"Every warship, every aircraft carrier sent there by other countries will provide an opportunity that will benefit those who say violence should continue and violence should spread even more to the region," Celik said.

The Wasp participated in bilateral at-sea training with two Turkish navy ships in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea from August 13 to 17. U.S. Marines shared information about the joint training, but Turkey's National Defense Ministry did not publicly announce it.

Later in August, Turkish media reported that the Wasp docked in Cyprus as part of the increased U.S. presence in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party criticized the government for not disclosing the joint training.

VOA Turkish Service's Ogulcan Bakiler from Izmir and Begum Donmez Ersoz from Istanbul contributed to this story. VOA's Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb also contributed.

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UK continues reset with Europe as Minister visits Czech Republic and Slovenia to boost security ties

During a visit to the region, including Czech Republic and Slovenia, Minister Doughty attended the GLOBSEC forum in Prague and the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia.

3 September 2024

Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty returns from Central Europe today, following first visit to the region since the election

visit focused on countering Russian hybrid threats and defending European security

UK reset with Europe also top of the agenda as minister met counterparts from across the region

Security challenges facing Europe were at the top of the agenda during the first visit by Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty to Central Europe, concluding today (3 September).

During a dual-leg visit to the region including stints in both the Czech Republic and Slovenia, the minister attended the GLOBSEC forum in Prague followed by the Bled Strategic Forum at Lake Bled in Slovenia.

European security was front and centre of those conversations, as threats including disinformation, cyber-attacks, organised immigration crime and Putin's illegal war in Ukraine continue to transpire across the continent.

The visit comes as the UK continues work to reset the country's relationship with Europe, an ambition grounded in a new spirit of co-operation intended to strengthen ties, tackle barriers to trade and collaborate in the face of shared global challenges from climate change to illegal migration.

That reset was emphasised by the Prime Minister during a visit to Germany and France last week, and by the Foreign Secretary during his travels to Germany, Poland and Sweden in recent weeks. It has also been the focus of discussions by the European Union Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds in Brussels.

Minister Doughty spoke at the GLOBSEC Forum, the premier Central and Eastern European security forum held in Prague this year, alongside counterparts from the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Moldova.

At a panel event on countering Russian hybrid threats, the minister emphasised work being done by the UK and partners to degrade Russia's network of spies and take action against Putin's destabilising activity. This includes the largest and most severe package of sanctions ever imposed on Russia, and joint efforts in countering Russian disinformation intended to negatively influence elections across Europe.

The minister then travelled to Slovenia for the Bled Strategic Forum, where he made clear that the UK will continue to support Slovenia in tackling the shared challenges of illegal migration and criminal gangs. The UK and Slovenia's continued co-operation in this field follows discussions at this year's European Political Community Summit in July, where the Prime Minister met Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, releasing a joint statement committing to further cooperation on tackling organised immigration crime.

He also focused attention on promoting stability in the Western Balkans, amid increasing tensions and attempted interference from malign actors in the region.

Speaking at a panel event at the Bled Strategic Forum, Minister Doughty said:

As a new government to the UK, we are absolutely clear we are committed to multilateral systems, we're committed to the rule of law, we're committed to NATO. We're committed to Ukraine; we're committed to standing up to Russia; to Iran ... and we're committed to working with our allies whether that's in the EU, whether that's outside the EU in Europe; whether that's across the transatlantic relationship or whether that's around the World. Not only on those security challenges, but also on climate change, on growth and prosperity for people, on tackling poverty, on equal rights, on gender equality.

During the visit, the minister also met Czech and Slovenian counterparts - Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Jan Marian, and Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, as well as Slovenian Foreign Minister Marko Stucin - to emphasise plans to pursue a positive, forward-looking relationship with allies across the region as part of the wider UK-Europe reset.

The visit also builds upon progress made at Blenheim Palace during the European Political Community in July, where European nations underscored the strength of international support for Ukraine, and joint commitment to regional security.

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Russia's missile attack on Poltava: Statement by Congress President Marc Cools

European Council / Council of the European Union

Congress

Strasbourg

3 September 2024

The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Marc Cools, has made the following statement:

"I am appalled by what appears to be the deadliest Russian attack on Ukrainian civilians perpetrated today in Poltava. On behalf of the Congress, I condemn in the strongest terms today's missile attack which caused a massive loss of life and left hundreds injured.

"We grieve with the people and authorities of Poltava, a long-standing Congress partner, and with Congress Vice-President Oksana Derkach, member of Poltava's Municipal Assembly. We express our solidarity with Ukraine's citizens and local authorities who are always the first to face the horrors of senseless and cruel bombing campaigns by the Russian aggressor. We pledge to continue supporting municipalities and regions of Ukraine including through the Cities4Cities/United4Ukraine online platform."

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Foreign Minister Tsahkna: Mongolia had a historic chance to contribute to the end of Russia's war in Ukraine and they decided to pass on it

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

03.09.2024

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said Estonia was very disappointed that Mongolia decided to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"All parties of the Rome Statute are obligated to comply with the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and arrest war criminal Putin if he enters their territory. The fact that the Mongolian government decided to roll out the red carpet instead of arresting him strongly undermines the ICC and the international legal system. Mongolia had the historic chance to contribute to the end of Russia's war in Ukraine and they decided to pass on it. Russian war criminals must be punished."

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Estonian Defence Minister at EU meeting: Ukraine cannot fight with one hand tied behind its back

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence

30. August 2024 - 15:23

At the informal meeting of the European Union Defence Ministers held today in Brussels, member states discussed military support for Ukraine and issues concerning the EU's defence readiness.

"While the Ukrainian success in Kursk is inspiring, we must remind ourselves that they are fighting with one hand tied behind their back. The European Union can do more collectively to support Ukraine militarilyawe must provide them with every opportunity to win. They need more weapons and ammunition, as well as permission to use these weapons to strike military targets on enemy territory," said Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur, who attended the meeting.

In parallel with assisting Ukraine, it is necessary to strengthen Europe's defence readiness. "Only large-scale investments, which will require raising defence budgets to at least 2.5% of GDP, will send a strategic message to Russia about our preparedness. Defence bonds are a quick and effective option to finance both capability development and strengthening the industry. We will continue discussions on this topic with member states," commented Defence Minister Pevkur.

Agreement on the European Peace Facility has stalled in the European Union. The pending package is critically important, as it allows member states to be reimbursed for arms deliveries and to accelerate military aid in the future. "The lagging implementation of the latest European Peace Facility decisions on military aid to Ukraine is embarrassing, and these issues must be resolved immediately. I expect a swift solution from the Hungarian presidency," added Defence Minister Pevkur.

Additionally, the defence ministers discussed the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM). "Our goal is to adapt the training as closely as possible to Ukraine's needs. This is an ongoing process that we are focusing on, including how to equip these units. We are ready to consider all options," said Defence Minister Pevkur.

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Temporary protection for Ukrainians displaced by war to continue

Finnish Government

Ministry of the Interior

Publication date 3.9.2024 14.18

Press release

The Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project to amend the legislation on temporary protection in order to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian nationals and their family members even after 4 March 2025. The project will prepare the necessary amendments to the Aliens Act.

Temporary protection is based on the EU Temporary Protection Directive, which was activated for the first time on 4 March 2022 in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In June 2024, the Council of the European Union decided to extend temporary protection until 4 March 2026.

Temporary protection will continue to be granted not only to Ukrainian nationals and their family members but also to third-country nationals who have been residing in Ukraine under a permanent residence permit or international protection.

However, Finland will no longer grant temporary protection to those third-country nationals fleeing Ukraine who have been residing in Ukraine without a permanent residence permit or international protection. The reason for their stay in Ukraine may have been, for example, work or studies. Temporary protection for these people will end on 4 March 2025. The legislative amendments are based on the decision made by the Government on 7 September 2023.

The provisions of the Aliens Act on temporary protection entered into force in 2004, and they are partly outdated in the current situation. By law, temporary protection can last up to three years, meaning that temporary protection granted on the basis of the war in Ukraine will cease on 4 March 2025. After that, extending temporary protection will require legislative amendments.

Granting temporary protection makes it possible to provide protection to a limited group of people through a swift process that is lighter than the asylum procedure.

In 2022-2024, Ukrainians have submitted a total of about 74,000 applications for temporary protection in Finland. There are around 46,000 Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection in Finland now. Approximately 23,000 Ukrainians are registered in the reception system for asylum seekers, and about 23,000 Ukrainians have been allocated a municipality of residence. Others are thought to have returned to Ukraine or moved elsewhere in the EU.

The term of the project is from 3 September 2024 to 31 March 2025. The project will monitor and take into account what decisions are made in the EU regarding the extension of temporary protection. Finland's national decision must be in line with the decisions of the EU and other Member States. The government proposal is scheduled to be submitted to Parliament during the 2024 autumn session. The legislative amendments must enter into force on 5 March 2025.

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Norway contributes to the donation of drones and air defense

Government of Norway

News story | Date: 03/09/2024

Ukraine will get more drones donated to their frontline, and more air defense to protect the Ukrainian population and important infrastructure from Russian attacks.

- Ukraine has an urgent need for more military equipment to protect itself against the Russian war of aggression. Together with other countries, Norway will do what we can to contribute, says Minister of Defense BjArn Arild Gram (Sp).

Norway contributed NOK 570 million to this donation. The acquisition is made through the British-led International Fund for Ukraine.

The donation is a collaboration between Great Britain, the Netherlands, Lithuania and Norway.

About IFU

The purpose of the British-led fund is to contribute military material to Ukraine through acquisitions from industry. Norway has previously contributed a total of NOK 1.8 billion to the IFU since 2022. Together with Great Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania, Australia, New Zealand and Iceland, over NOK 12.5 billion has been committed in total.

Norway has previously contributed to the purchase of, among other things, air defence, mine-clearing equipment, artillery ammunition, transport vehicles, engineering vehicles, pavers, spare parts and equipment for the maintenance of Ukrainian platforms and small boats.

The support is financed through the Nansen programme.

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Support to the inhabitants of Gammalsvenskby in Ukraine

Government Offices of Sweden

Press release from Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Published 03 September 2024

The Government has approved SEK 2 million in support to the inhabitants of Gammalsvenskby in Ukraine. The village, which was founded by Swedes in 1782, has been under immense pressure since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. The new support will be used to meet the inhabitants' immediate needs during the winter. The initiative also means that the village's children will have the opportunity to attend a summer camp on Gotland next year. The support is a first step in Sweden's commitment to rebuilding the village's cultural heritage in the long term.

Russia continued to bomb Gammalsvenskby during the summer. The people have had a very difficult time and historic buildings such as churches have burned to the ground. The village has been extremely hard hit by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and has been on the front line for the past year and a half. More than 80 per cent of the village's buildings have been destroyed.

"Sweden has been a partner to the inhabitants of Gammalsvenskby for a long time and we continue to stand by the villagers' side. The new funds amounting to SEK 2 million will help support the inhabitants during the coming winter through measures for medicine, heating and electricity. We also intend to help the municipality and villages with reconstruction when the situation allows," says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell.

The support will be used to develop a cultural environment plan for reconstruction and rural development, aimed at making the village an attractive place to visit and live in in the long term. The initiative also includes short-term support - this involves helping the villagers survive the winter through measures for medicine, heating and electricity, and giving Gammalsvenskby's children a break from the war by offering them the chance to attend a summer camp on Gotland next summer.

The support totals SEK 2 million in 2024 and 2025 and is channelled through the Gotland Museum, which works to preserve the Swedish-Ukrainian cultural heritage that is currently found both in Gammalsvenskby and on Gotland.

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IAEA Steps Up Nuclear Safety Assistance to Ukraine, Director General Grossi Announces in Kyiv

International Atomic Energy Agency

80/2024

Kyiv, Ukraine

3 Sep 2024

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will further expand its assistance to Ukraine by taking a more proactive stance to protect the status of vital energy infrastructure to ensure it does not impact nuclear safety. This follows a number of missile attacks that have either directly caused the disconnection of several nuclear power reactors, or led to dangerous instability of the national grid, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said after meeting President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv today.

An IAEA expert team will soon travel to some of the damaged Ukrainian sub-stations - electrical switchyards forming the backbone of the grid - that have been identified as essential for nuclear safety. They will assess the situation at these sites and report back to headquarters for possible follow-up actions.

"The safety of operating nuclear power plants is dependent on a stable and reliable connection to the electricity grid. As a result of the war, the situation is becoming increasingly vulnerable and potentially even dangerous in this regard. I agreed with President Zelensky that the IAEA will widen its determined activities to help prevent a nuclear accident during the conflict and look closer at this important aspect of nuclear safety and security," Director General Grossi said.

"Our experts will apply the Agency's nuclear industrial safety and critical infrastructure protection expertise to assess these sub-stations," he added.

The IAEA already has specialist teams stationed at all of Ukraine's nuclear power plants (NPPs) to help maintain nuclear safety and security during the military conflict. The sub-stations essential for nuclear safety are located in different parts of the country, making the evaluation of these facilities also relevant.

Increased pressure on Ukraine's energy infrastructure over the past six months have caused instability in the grid, posing serious problems for Ukraine's NPPs. Access to reliable supplies of off-site power forms part of the Seven Indispensable Pillars for maintaining nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict outlined by Director General Grossi in March 2022.

On 26 August, widespread strikes targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure caused major fluctuations in the power supply and led to the temporary shutdown or disconnection of reactor units at the Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs, one of which has still not returned to full operation. The off-site power situation at the Khmelnytskyy NPP and Chornobyl site was also affected.

The Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), located on the frontline of the conflict, has suffered eight complete loss of power events during the conflict, forcing it to temporarily rely on diesel generators. Just this week, the plant on Monday evening lost its connection to its sole remaining 330 kilovolt (kV) back-up power line, leaving it dependent on one single 750 kV line.

Director General Grossi will later this week travel to the ZNPP for the fifth time during the conflict, but he also underlined the nuclear safety and security risks at Ukraine's other sites.

"The heightened vulnerability of Ukraine's energy infrastructure is deeply concerning for nuclear safety at Ukraine's nuclear power plants, as we saw last week when several reactors stopped operating because of damage to the energy infrastructure elsewhere in the country," Director General Grossi said.

"Ensuring that the sub-stations can operate normally for safety related purposes is also of paramount importance for energy security in Ukraine, as the country to a large extent relies on the nuclear power plants for much of its electricity generation," he said.

In Kyiv, Director General Grossi also agreed with President Zelensky that the IAEA will provide technical support and nuclear safety advice for Ukraine's plans to purchase equipment from the interrupted Bulgarian project in Belene for the Khmelnytskyy NPP. This will help Ukraine ensure that this ongoing project continues in accordance with safety standards.

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US will likely send long-range missiles to Ukraine; delivery could take months

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 03 September 2024 5:18 PM

The United States has come close to agreeing on supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles despite warnings from Russia that such moves would lead to "spiraling tension."

Despite Washington's initial reluctance to supply US long-range missiles to Ukraine, informed sources cited by media on Tuesday, said the US was now close to agreeing on sending long-range missiles to Ukraine; however, the delivery of them could take months.

Washington's agreement to send long-range missiles will follow the Biden administration's gradual acceptance to provide US tanks and warplanes to the former Soviet republic presently fighting Russia.

Three American officials, who US media said remained anonymous because they were not authorized to talk to the news outlets about the matter, said the inclusion of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) in Kiev's future weapons shipment is expected to be announced.

They said sending JASSMs to Ukraine could significantly alter the strategic landscape of the war by putting more of Russia in range of powerful, precision-guided munitions, an important concern of the Biden administration.

Military analysts George William Herbert of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey in California described the JASSMs as "stealthy".

"They're pretty stealthy, but not completely designed around maximum stealth," Herbert said. "A few years ago, a bunch were fired at Syria after chemical weapons incidents, and Russian air defense systems in the country failed to shoot many down, possibly none of them.

"I would expect that carefully planned missile flight paths would let JASSM be effective almost anywhere in the war area."

Military experts say the JASSMs, which have a range of 400 to 800 kilometers, could push Russian staging areas and supply depots back by hundreds of kilometers.

They say this would extremely complicate Russia's ability to sustain its offensive operations and potentially provide Ukraine with a strategic advantage.

Since the war started in early 2022, the Western countries support Ukraine in fighting a proxy war against Russia have delivered hundreds of shipments of military equipment, including all kinds of weapons and munitions.

The Western countries even supplied long-range missiles, tanks and warplanes to Ukraine despite initial resistance.

Meanwhile, following Kiev's failed operation in Kursk last month, Russian troops have gained momentum simultaneously attacking Ukrainian forces on both sides.

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday that its troops had liberated two more settlements in the Donetsk region, including Ptyche, just 21km southeast of Pokrovsk, and were "continuing to advance deep into the enemy defenses."

Earlier reports said that the Russian troops were also pushing Ukrainian troops out of Kursk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that the Ukrainian forces' incursion into Russia's Kursk region will not stop Russia's armed forces from advancing in eastern Ukraine, vowing to deal with the Ukrainian "bandits" on Russian territory.

"Their calculation was to stop our offensive actions in key parts of the Donbas," Putin told a group of students in the republic of Tyva on Monday, adding that "The result is known... They did not achieve stopping our advance in the Donbas."

Two-and-a-half years have passed since the conflict between the two neighboring countries turned into a full-fledged war.

Moscow launched its special military operation on February 24, 2022, aiming to liberate the Donbas region where the People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk were suffering from regular attacks on them by Ukrainian forces.

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At Least 51 Killed In Russian Missile Strike In Central Ukraine

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service September 03, 2024

At least 51 people were killed and 219 were injured on September 3 in one of Russia's deadliest attacks in a single strike since its all-out invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and the country's Defense Ministry said two missiles struck a building of the Military Communications Institute in a morning attack on the city of Poltava in central Ukraine.

They said two missiles hit the facility just after an air-raid alert and people didn't have time to evacuate to a bomb shelter.

"One of the buildings of the Communications Institute was partially destroyed. People found themselves under the rubble. Many were saved," Zelenskiy said.

Poltava regional Governor Filip Pronin said on Ukrainian television that as many as 15 people may still be under the rubble, adding that search teams were continuing to work at the scene.

The Prosecutor-General's Office announced that it launched an investigation as it released the new death toll of 51 late on September 3.

"At the moment rescuers, an investigative and operational group, and other services are working on the site, and the demolition of the debris is ongoing. The number of victims is being clarified," the Prosecutor-General's Office said on Telegram.

Zelenskiy said earlier that he ordered a "full and prompt investigation" into what happened. He also said he was "grateful to everyone who, from the first minutes after being hit, helps people who save lives."

Zelenskiy and Pronin described the site as an "educational" facility, and the identities of the victims were not immediately disclosed.

The attack is believed to be the deadliest single strike since May 2022, when Zelenskiy said 87 soldiers were killed at a military training center in the northern Cherniv region.

Ukraine's defense readiness came under scrutiny after the strike on Poltava, and some observers questioned why a large number of people were left vulnerable to a single attack.

"A crowd of people at this facility in this number is absolutely unacceptable," said Yuriy Butosov, a Ukrainian activist and journalist. "We have a large number of military installations where there are significant numbers of people. These people in many cases that I have observed spread out so as so that they cannot be targeted by a single blow at the same time," he told Current Time.

Vladislav Seleznev, a Ukrainian military analyst and former spokesman for the General Staff of the Ukrainian military, said Ukraine can blame the Kremlin for the strike on Poltava, but there must also be a clear understanding of Kyiv's responsibility.

"The conversation we need to have is first and foremost about responsibility of officials who did not do anything that could have saved lives lost today during the Russian [air] strike," Seleznev said. "Why do children in Kharkiv attend classes underground or in a metro while [people at] the training center in Poltava did not have such an option?"

He also said the strike shows that Ukraine lacks monitoring systems needed to detect reconnaissance drones.

"Russia is not even trying to hide the fact that they were guiding their Iskander [missiles] toward the training center using a reconnaissance drone. If we had a sufficient amount of such monitoring and eventually strike systems, this kind of tragedy could have been prevented," he said.

In addition, Ukraine must realize the danger faced by all regions close to the front line. "The enemy is using ballistic [missiles] and the time [between their launch and] strike amounts to mere minutes."

Zelenskiy again urged Ukraine's supporters to step up the supply of air-defense systems and long-range missiles that can "defend against Russian terror." he said. "Every day of delay, unfortunately, means more lives lost."

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said emergency responders had saved many people and pulled some from the rubble. He said the impact site was near a residential area and shock waves from the blasts knocked out windows and damaged the facades of high-rise buildings.

After dozens of people reportedly turned up to donate blood, a message distributed via local media urged Ukrainians to avoid queuing up at blood-donation centers.

Mariana Bezugla, deputy head of the Ukrainian parliament's National Security, Defense, and Intelligence Committee, appeared to suggest some sort of gathering had been targeted.

Alluding to a deadly Russian attack on a group of Ukrainian soldiers in the southern Zaporizhzhya region in November, Bezugla said the incident "did not teach [us] anything."

"We have the repetition and repetition of tragedies. Where is the limit?" she wrote on X.

The Ukrainian military confirmed the deaths of at least 19 soldiers from the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade and nine others in that attack.

The incident sparked fierce criticism when it emerged that the soldiers had been gathered for an award ceremony.

Russia did not immediately comment on the Poltava attack.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-poltava- missile-strike/33104226.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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IAEA Chief Meets Officials In Kyiv, Heads To Zaporizhzhya As Nuclear Concerns Mount

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and RFE/RL's Russian Service September 03, 2024

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv on September 3 before a planned visit to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant, where he said the situation is "very fragile."

Grossi said on X that he was on his way to Zaporizhzhya to "continue our assistance & help prevent a nuclear accident." The Zaporzhzhya plant has been occupied by Russian forces since shortly after their country's all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has frequently had its power cut by shelling or been caught in the cross-fire of nearby fighting.

In addition to meeting Zelenskiy, Grossi met with Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko; Petro Kotin, head of state nuclear power company Enerhoatom; and Oleh Korikov, acting head of Ukraine's State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate.

Grossi said they exchanged views on the IAEA's support to Ukraine's nuclear power plants ahead of his visit to the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. The visit follows the IAEA chief's visit last week to the Kursk nuclear power plant in Russia, which is about 40 kilometers from the part of the region that Ukrainian forces have occupied since the start of their August cross-border incursion. Moscow has accused Ukraine of trying to attack the Kursk plant.

Grossi said after meeting Zelenskiy that he wouldn't compare the situation at the two power plants.

Ukrainian officials reported multiple civilian deaths from overnight Russian attacks in Zaporizhzhya and an attack on the country's railway infrastructure.

The number of people injured as a result of a Russian missile attack on the building of a hotel complex in Zaporizhzhya on September 2 rose to six, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported on September 3. Two more women sought medical treatment independently, and one of them was in serious condition with a concussion, the Emergency Service said.

Ukraine's General Staff said early on September 3 that around a quarter of the clashes with Russian forces over the past 24 hours had taken place in the east near the strategically significant Donetsk region town of Pokrovsk, where Russian troops have reportedly made significant gains in recent weeks.

Ukrainian Railways said on September 2 that it was continuing evacuation efforts for families from Pokrovsk, which is now only about 10 kilometers from the front line.

The state rail operator said on September 3 that an enemy drone had struck a locomotive on a Korchakivka-Sumy train but no injuries were reported. It also said overnight attacks had targeted rail infrastructure in the northeastern Sumy and the southern Dnipropetrovsk regions.

Ukrainian officials said an 8-year-old boy and his mother were killed in Russian shelling overnight in the Zaporizhzhya region.

Ukraine's military said on September 3 that it had downed 27 of 35 Russian drones overnight around the country. Antiaircraft defenses functioned in the Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Mykolayiv, Kherson, Chernihiv, and Sumy regions, but two ballistic missiles that hit the eastern city of Poltava killed scores of people at a military training facility and nearby hospital.

The Russian Defense Ministry said early on September 3 that it was deploying more air-defense systems in the southern Belgorod region that borders central Ukraine's Kharkiv region and in the Russian region of Kursk where Kyiv launched its surprise incursion last month.

Meanwhile, Reuters quoted multiple anonymous sources on September 3 as saying Russia's Gazpromneft oil refinery suspended work at the Euro+ combined processing unit in Moscow after a fire two days earlier. The sources said the plant was expected to be back online within six days.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-attacks-russia- zaporizhzhya/33103977.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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With Kursk Incursion, Kyiv Seeks To Show West 'Red Lines Don't Exist,' Khodorkovsky Says

By Ksenia Sokolyanskaya September 03, 2024

PRAGUE -- About three weeks after Ukraine's military launched a surprise incursion into Russia's western Kursk region, the operation remains "an important element of the war," said leading Russian opposition figure Mikhail Khodorkovsky in an interview with Current Time.

The operation on Russian territory, after years of fighting almost exclusively in Ukraine, has proven a morale boost for Ukraine and has struck a blow at Russian President Vladimir Putin's domestic support, Khodorkovsky said on the sidelines of the Globsec international security conference in Prague on September 1.

"The assistance that the [Russian] state is providing to people who have been caught up in it is clearly inadequate," Khodorkovsky said, saying most of Russian society doesn't view the incursion as a military action but rather as a sort of "natural disaster."

"Putin's 10,000 rubles [$110] is just spitting in people's faces. And that is how the public perceives it."

This reaction makes it even more politically risky than before for the Russian government to institute a new mobilization of troops for the war against Ukraine, Khodorkovsky argued.

"Deciding to turn the war into a national effort," he said, "is a decision [Putin] is afraid to make."

Putin's government has used the media to prevent the onset of "war fatigue" by convincing the broad public that "there is no war."

"As soon as he creates the feeling that there is a war, the clock will start ticking," Khodorkovsky added. "How much time is left on the clock, given that the special military operation has already been going on for a while, we just don't know."

For Ukraine, the incursion is part of Kyiv's effort to convince its Western partners there is no sense in establishing "red lines" regarding offensive operations against Russia.

"It is clear that the bureaucracies in all countries -- particularly the United States -- are very cowardly," Khodorkovsky argued. "They need to prove that red lines don't exist or at least that they are not located here. This step has made [Western] bureaucracies very angry, although they haven't shown it yet. But like it or not, they have been shown that any red lines are not where these bureaucracies imagine them to be. That makes [the incursion] very important."

Khodorkovsky, 61, was once Russia's richest man. He was arrested in 2003, ostensibly on fraud charges that supporters say were trumped up to punish him for his political activity and to facilitate the takeover of his business assets by figures close to Putin. In 2005, he was sentenced to nine years in prison. However, Putin pardoned him in December 2013 and expelled him from the country.

Since then, based in London, Khodorkovsky has funded a number of Russian opposition initiatives. In May 2022, the Russian government designated him a "foreign agent."

In April 2023, Khodorkovsky was one of a large group of prominent exiled Russian oppositionists who signed a Declaration of Russia's Democratic Forces that proclaimed the Putin government "illegitimate and criminal" and demanded that Russian troops withdraw "from all occupied territories" in Ukraine.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-war-ukraine-kursk- khodorkovsky-putin-mobilization/33102841.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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Wider Europe Briefing: The Mood Is Somber On Ukraine

By Rikard Jozwiak September 03, 2024

The Briefing: The Globsec Forum In Prague

Over the weekend, the biggest gathering of think tanks in Central Europe, the Globsec forum, took place in Prague. The theme was "Taming The Storm," a reference to the myriad challenges facing Europe -- from Russia's war in Ukraine and the malign influence of China to a potential new American president less invested in the continent and the disruptive effects of artificial intelligence (AI).

Despite the ominous theme, this year's Globsec was actually rather uneventful, especially when compared to last year. Back then, French President Emmanuel Macron stole the show by telling the largely Central European crowd they were right all along about Vladimir Putin and that Paris had got its assessment of the Russian president terribly wrong.

There were also frenetic (and ultimately failed) efforts to get the Serbian and Kosovar leaders to dial down the tension in the region, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised (and subsequently delivered) on a 6 billion euro ($6.6 billion) growth plan for the Western Balkans for the next three years.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of this year's Globsec was that it didn't take place in Bratislava, the forum's home for the previous 18 years. Shortly after coming to power in the fall of 2023, the left-wing populist Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico withdrew both political backing and economic support for the forum, even though he was a big proponent of the event during his previous stints in office.

That appears to be a continuation of Bratislava's concerted effort to target various institutions and follows its taking-over of the governance of Slovak state TV in the spring and, more recently, sacking the heads of prominent cultural institutions around the country.

Prague provided a welcome refuge for the forum this time around -- and the Czech capital will be the host again in 2025 After that, who knows? It looks likely the Czech Republic will have its own populist, Andrej Babis, back in power next fall.

Even though Globsec is under the auspices of the pro-Western Czech President Petr Pavel, I heard from more than a few people at the three-day gathering that Warsaw is being considered as an alternative host.

Von Der Leyen Comes Out Swinging...

With no Macron this time, nor the German chancellor or the Ukrainian president, center stage was taken by the newly re-elected von der Leyen. In an apparent swipe at the governments of Hungary and Slovakia, which both have questioned the usefulness of more financial and military support for Ukraine, she noted that "today, some politicians inside our union, and even in this part of Europe, are muddying the waters of our conversation about Ukraine. They blame the war not on the invader but on the invaded; not on Putin's lust for power but on Ukraine's thirst for freedom. So, I want to ask them: Would you ever blame Hungarians for the Soviet invasion of 1956? Would you ever blame Czechs for the Soviet repression of 1968? The answer to these questions is very clear: The Kremlin's behavior was illegal and atrocious back then. And the Kremlin's behavior is illegal and atrocious today."

Von der Leyen also saved some strong salvos for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who, in July, embarked on a much-publicized "peace mission" to Moscow and Beijing.

"We Europeans have many different histories. We speak many different languages, but in no language is peace synonymous with surrender," she said. "In no language is sovereignty synonymous with occupation. So, those who argue to stop support for Ukraine do not argue for peace. They argue for appeasement and the subjugation of Ukraine."

...And Budapest Hits Back

While most participants at Globsec tended to echo von der Leyen's view, it was interesting to hear a different take from a representative of the Hungarian government. In one of the tensest sessions over the weekend, Orban's political director, Balasz Orban (no relation), hammered home Budapest's point of view.

It would be good, Balasz Orban said, for Europe to stop "endless wars and bring peace." He underlined that this was a view shared around the world and that it was only what he called the "transatlantic liberal elite" who are in opposition to the idea.

He then pointed out that Russia has gained territories, that the war has caused millions of Ukrainian refugees to flee, that hundreds of thousands have died on both sides, that the Ukrainian economy is in ruins and bankrolled by the West. He then bluntly asked how long this could continue.

It was only when he said Ukraine would soon become "Europe's problem," as even the Democrats in the United States would realize that they couldn't finance the war for too much longer, that one of the other panelists, U.S. diplomat Kurt Volker, retorted that that would still be better than Europe having Russia "as your problem."

A Cold Winter Ahead

Amid all the bullish talk at the conference of Ukraine's urgent needs and the West needing to step up, the mood heading into the fall felt decidedly sober.

Sure, many did sense a smidgen of optimism with Ukraine's already weeks-long incursion into Russia's Kursk region. Experts agreed Kyiv could benefit both from the buffer zone it offers and use the hundreds of Russian prisoners of war as a useful bargaining chip in potential future negotiations.

But as the Prague forum took place, there was news of the Russian Army edging closer to the key Ukrainian hub of Pokrovsk, with the path to Ukraine's fourth-largest city Dnipropetrovsk suddenly opening up. The EU's ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, noted that, in the summer, military support from the bloc is at the same level as it was in spring 2022 -- down to a trickle -- and added that Ukrainians "cannot shoot commitments, but need real ammunition." She also warned about the possibility of a "cold and dark winter," with Russia hampering around 70 percent of Ukraine's prewar energy production.

Another telling admittance was from former Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren, who bluntly spelled out that the Ukraine Compact, a security framework signed by all 32 NATO allies at the Washington, D.C., summit in July, was "a bit of window dressing," although she hastened to add that bilateral security deals between Kyiv and various Western capitals were still meaningful. While several European diplomats have confessed this to me privately, it was still a sobering assessment to hear it spoken out loud.

It went on in much the same fashion. In one session, Anders Carp, the deputy CEO of Saab, the Swedish aerospace and defense company, gave perhaps the most chilling comment of the weekend when he noted that European nations must continue to give special training to Ukrainian troops as "many of the Ukrainian soldiers we have trained are now dead."

Outspoken Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur asked whether "we want Ukraine to fight or do we want Ukraine to win," adding that the West is again failing to give the country what it needs.

There are some promising signs. Last week, NATO ambassadors met with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and EU defense ministers met among themselves in Brussels, to discuss the issue of lifting more Western restrictions on Ukraine striking inside Russia.

Despite the meetings, according to EU diplomatic sources speaking on background, there is no real movement on this yet, and Germany, Italy, the United States, and others, remain wary. Speaking about the restrictions, Pevkur said it was "like asking a boxer to fight with one hand behind the back."

Money Issues And Political Will

Ultimately, it all comes down to money and political will in the West. The Estonian defense minister was again blunt, noting that, apart from the issue of cash, the arms industry needed to plan, as there are stringent environmental assessments required for expansion and it often takes more than 18 months to navigate the bureaucracy.

In Russia, he pointed out, there are no restrictions. "If Putin decides that a sausage factory should produce weapons the next day, it's decided," he said.

With that in mind, it was illuminating to listen to Angus Lapsley, who is in charge of defense planning at NATO. While the military alliance now proudly states that a record number of 23 out of 32 allies have reached the target of spending 2 percent or more of national gross domestic product (GDP), Lapsley noted that spending needs to increase by another third, or, in some cases, double. The Cold War average for NATO was 3.5 percent of GDP, he added.

He highlighted numerous capacity gaps that the alliance needed to fill: ammunition, spare parts, air defense, long-range strike capabilities. He also said that even apparently straightforward measures such as improved integrated communications and information systems were necessary, as the militaries of various countries were sometimes unable to even send e-mails to one another.

A Feisty Balkan Clash

One surprise was when Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Ukraine will be a member of the EU by 2030. It wasn't clear if his comment was made in jest, as he was speaking at a rather turbulent session. Sharing the stage with Montenegrin President Jakov Mijatovic, Vucic scoffed at Mijatovic's stated goal that Podgorica will be a member of the bloc by 2028.

Vucic dismissed the idea that a Western Balkan state will join the EU this decade, saying only Kyiv has a chance. The two Balkan leaders then had a testy exchange over whether the Montenegrin language was in fact Serbian, and Vucic slammed Podgorica for recognizing Kosovo's independence in 2008.

Vucic continued in similar combative fashion, dismissing the notion that Belgrade was a Kremlin Trojan horse trying to enter the EU and spelling out that he hadn't been in touch with Russian President Vladimir Putin in over two years (although though people in his entourage had).

The Serbian president said that "the interests of the EU are from time to time different to our interests," adding that the main impediment to Belgrade's continued EU integration was its relations with Kosovo, rather than with Russia.

The EU-sponsored dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, which has been going on since 2011, has not seen much progress over the last few years. Judging from the mood in Prague this weekend, he said, it was hard to believe that will change.

Looking Ahead

The EU's Foreign Affairs Council last week was moved from Budapest to Brussels, following outrage over Orban's trip to Moscow in July. But the bloc's General Affairs Council, which brings together member states' Europe ministers, will take place in the Hungarian capital on September 3.

Some countries, notably the Baltic trio and Finland, have already said they won't send ministers to the event, so we'll see if others follow suit.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/wider-europe-briefing-globsec- ukraine-/33102804.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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Several Ukrainian Ministers Resign As Zelenskiy Says More Changes Coming

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service September 03, 2024

Two Ukrainian deputy prime ministers on September 3 tendered their resignations after three other ministers stepped down as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said more changes to Ukraine's government were coming.

The two deputy ministers who resigned are Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna and Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk.

Speaker of the Parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk said the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) had received separate statements from Stefanishyna and Vereshchuk saying they had decided to resign.

"After almost three years in the government, I submitted my resignation today," Vereshchuk said. She thanked Zelenskiy for his confidence in her and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and colleagues in the government for their cooperation.

Stefanchuk said the statements of Stefanishyna and Vereshchuk had been received and "will be considered at one of the nearest plenary sessions."

Their resignations came hours after Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin, Justice Minister Denys Maliuska, and Environment Minister Ruslan Strilets resigned. Kamyshin, who oversees domestic arms production, said he would continue working in the defense sector but in a different role.

Zelenskiy noted in his evening address that state institutions should be configured so that Ukraine can achieve the best results.

"That is why there will be a number of personnel changes in the cabinet of ministers and the office of the president," he said, indicating that the changes would be coming in the fall.

He said the changes would result in slightly different weight given to individual areas of foreign and domestic policy.

Ukraine needs more interaction between the central government and communities, especially during preparation for the winter season, he said.

Secondly, Ukraine has already achieved significant results in defense production, Zelenskiy said, indicating the reason for the change in Kamyshin's role.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-government- resignations-vereshchuk-stefanishyna-zelenskiy/33104642.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mara Zakharova's answer to a question from Rossiya Segodnya about Ukraine's ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

3 September 2024 09:18

1609-03-09-2024

Question: Will you comment on reports about Ukraine's ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court on the condition that the Court's jurisdiction over war crimes committed by its nationals is limited for a period of seven years? What, in Moscow's opinion, could explain this reservation?

Maria Zakharova: Everyone is all too familiar with the reputation both the Kiev regime and the ICC have. Neither is independent, and neither can be associated with law or justice. It is a case when two negatives don't make an affirmative but raise lawlessness to the square.

The reservation made by Ukraine upon the ratification of the Rome Statute clearly shows the Kiev authorities' real attitude to international humanitarian law and justice. In effect, they want to protect their citizens from the jurisdiction of that court, which is extremely loyal to them, while keeping the ability to initiate criminal proceedings in The Hague against citizens of other countries on the charges Kiev itself falsifies. This move cannot be regarded as anything other than an undisguised intention to give their military a free hand to commit grave war crimes.

All their attempts to evade responsibility are doomed. The Ukrainian criminals who are guilty of committing grave international crimes against their own and Russian citizens, as well as their accomplices, will be called to account and get the punishment they deserve.

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Ukraine Loses Over 9,000 Troops Since Its Incursion Into Border Areas of Russia's Kursk Region

Sputnik News

20240903

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian armed forces have eliminated more than 9,300 Ukrainian servicepeople and 80 tanks during military operations in the border areas of the Kursk Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

"In total, during the military operations in the Kursk region, the enemy lost more than 9,300 servicepeople, 80 tanks, 38 infantry fighting vehicles, 70 armored personnel carriers, 561 armored combat vehicles," the ministry said in a statement.

Over the past 24 hours, Kiev lost more than 400 servicepeople and 12 combat armored vehicles in the Kursk direction, the ministry also said.

Units of the Russian northern group repelled five attacks by Ukrainian troops and thwarted attempts by Ukrainian troops to attack in the Kursk Region, the ministry said, adding that Kiev has lost up to 25 people, two combat armored vehicles and three cars.

A Sputnik

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Ukraine Criminals Guilty of Serious International Crimes to Be Brought to Justice - Moscow

Sputnik News

20240903

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukrainian criminals guilty of serious international crimes against their citizens and citizens of Russia will be brought to justice, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik on Tuesday.

"Ukrainian criminals guilty of serious international crimes against their own and Russian citizens, as well as their henchmen, will be brought to justice and will be punished as they deserve to be," Zakharova said.

Kiev wants to withdraw its citizens from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC), but keep criminal prosecution of foreign citizens, Maria Zakharova said.

"In fact, they want to withdraw their citizens from the jurisdiction of even this court, which is as loyal to them as possible, but at the same time reserve the right to criminal prosecution in The Hague of citizens of other countries on charges made up by Kiev itself," Zakharova said.

Kiev's words on the ratification of the Rome Statute with conditions shows its true attitude to international humanitarian law, the diplomat added.

"Such a step cannot be regarded otherwise than as an undisguised intention to give their military carte blanche to commit serious war crimes," Zakharova added.

Neither Ukraine nor the International Criminal Court have anything to do with law and justice, Zakharova said.

"The reputation of both the Kiev regime and the ICC is well known. Neither of them are independent and have anything to do with law or justice," Zakharova said.

On August 24, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law to ratify the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC. Ukraine will not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction over its citizens for seven years after the adoption of the draft law.

A Sputnik

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Defence Secretary welcomes Ukrainian counterpart to UK and confirms A1bn milestone in UK-administered fund

The milestone comes as the International Fund for Ukraine's largest support package will start delivering this year

3 September 2024

Urgent work to accelerate the delivery of the UK's military support for Ukraine will be discussed between the Defence Secretary and his counterpart, Rustem Umerov, during a visit to London today.

The visit comes during a milestone moment in international support for Ukraine, with eight countries from across the world having now joined the UK to provide more than A1 billion to the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU), in a significant show of unity from Ukraine's allies.

It comes after the Prime Minister announced the IFU's largest ever support package at the NATO Summit in July, with a A300m contract to supply 152mm artillery shells to supply Ukraine's Soviet-era guns. He also confirmed A3bn of UK aid for Ukraine per year for as long as it takes.

The Defence Secretary confirmed today the A300m contract has now been signed and is expected to deliver thousands of shells before the end of the year - providing a significant boost for Ukraine's stockpiles and aligning with the Government's acceleration of military support deliveries.

Denmark, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Norway all confirmed their intent this summer to invest additional money in the Fund to purchase more drones to help on the frontline, as well as vital air defence capabilities to help shield Ukraine's people and key infrastructure from relentless Russian bombardment.

Defence Secretary, John Healey, said:

UK military equipment continues to prove invaluable for Ukraine's war effort. The ongoing defensive operation in Kursk underlines the crucial importance of continued support. And today's milestone for the International Fund for Ukraine shows the value of working with our Allies to deliver that support. Our government is stepping up Britain's support for Ukraine to fight Putin's illegal invasion. We are speeding up deliveries of aid, with a much-needed ammunition package announced by the Prime Minister at NATO set to begin deliveries within months. We will continue to step up our support to help Ukraine achieve victory.

In his first days as Defence Secretary, John Healey met President Zelenskyy and Minister Umerov in Ukraine, where he pledged to accelerate the delivery of the UK's military support for Ukraine.

The artillery ammunition contract, placed by Defence Equipment & Support - the MOD's procurement arm - will deliver 120,000 newly-manufactured shells over the next 18 months, and will stimulate industrial capacity in Europe and safeguard reliable supply chains that will continue to provide Ukraine with vital ammunition.

It follows previous packages of support from the IFU, which have delivered heavy-lift and reconnaissance drones, maritime drones, minefield-clearing capabilities, combat vehicle spares and air defence systems.

The IFU was first launched by Denmark and the UK in 2022 to provide a more efficient way for countries to pool resources to buy equipment and weapons to support Ukraine's most urgent capability needs. The UK has donated A500m to the Fund to date.

With artillery having proved critical to Ukraine's previous battlefield successes, this new investment will support them in further degrading Russia's forces and preventing them from making significant breakthroughs.

Other contributors to the IFU include Australia, Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden. Further deliveries from the IFU's other contracts will continue through the coming months.

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Russian Strikes Will Be Impossible If It Is Possible for Us to Destroy the Occupier's Launchers Where They Are - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

3 September 2024 - 21:26

Dear Ukrainians!

First of all, about the tragedy in Poltava. Rescue efforts are still underway - the rubble is being cleared. All services are involved. As of now, the number of injured is 271 people. Everyone is being provided with the necessary assistance. I am grateful to all the rescuers, doctors, medical nurses and all the Poltava residents who have joined in to help, donated blood, and who provide support. We know that there are people under the rubble of the destroyed building. Everything is being done to save as many lives as possible. According to current information available, this Russian strike killed 51 people. My condolences to all the families and friends. Law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine are investigating all the circumstances of this tragedy. The Russians carried out this strike with two ballistic missiles. The air raid alert was sounded. Everything else - every detail - must be established and verified during the investigation.

Today, I held a meeting of the Staff. We had a substantive discussion about the use of air defense and about the protection of our cities and communities. Steps have been identified to improve the effective use of the systems we already have. We are also working on obtaining additional defense for Ukraine. We are counting heavily on the Patriot that Romania is preparing to hand over; I will be grateful for this step of assistance from Romania. This is something that will truly support our people, our country, our entire region. And of course, we continue to work with all partners for stronger decisions in support of our defense - for long-range decisions that would be able to destroy a significant part of Russian ballistics even before launch. This is one of the key issues of this war in general. The issue of our long-range capabilities and the corresponding permissions from our partners, long-range shells and missiles that we could use. Russian strikes will be impossible if it is possible for us to destroy the occupier's launchers where they are, along with Russian military airfields and logistics. Providing Ukraine with such permissions and such weapons is definitely the biggest step towards a real, just end to this war. Russia simply does not know how to wage war without terror - it is terrorist strikes and the ability to sow destruction that replace both tactics and strategy of war for Russian leaders.

Today I spoke with the Prime Minister of Canada. I informed him about the situation on the battlefield, about the consequences of Russian terror. We discussed what exactly can strengthen our positions. Air defense, defense packages, and equipment needs. It is very important that Justin is ready to convince our partners more actively to provide Ukraine with more long-range capabilities.

Also today, at the Staff meeting, there were important reports on drones - various types of drones used by our Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine. Efficiency of use, priorities... There are experiences that should be shared. There are also mistakes that should be corrected. Our Ukrainian drones must be one hundred percent effective, because this literally means that Ukraine will be one hundred percent effective on the battlefield. And I thank all our people who gain this positive experience of using drones for Ukraine, who share this experience among the military. I thank everyone who produces and supplies drones. And I thank all those who really accurately destroy the occupier and destroy the Russian war potential right there on the enemy's territory.

There was also a long report by Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi on the frontline and the operation in the Kursk region. The Pokrovsk direction - there is a decision that can strengthen our positions. Active actions in the Kursk region continue replenishing the exchange fund for our state.

And one more thing.

Autumn will be extremely important for Ukraine. And our state institutions must be set up in such a way that Ukraine will achieve all the results we need - for all of us. To do this, we need to strengthen some areas in the Government - and personnel decisions have been prepared. There will also be changes in the Office. I also expect that certain areas of our foreign and domestic policies will have a slightly different emphasis. First - we need more interaction between the central authorities and the communities. Especially now, when we are preparing for the winter season. Second - Ukraine has already achieved significant results in defense production. And this should be strengthened at all levels, in particular, to make it easier to attract partner investment in our strategic industries. Third - we need to significantly advance our work with NATO; this requires special interaction. Fourth - the European Union, real membership negotiations, preparation of the relevant parts of the future membership agreement. This is very clear both legal and political work. Personal responsibility for it will be imposed. And fifth - we need to integrate everything that Ukraine has achieved in its relations with partners - trust in Ukraine, strength of the Ukrainian spirit, relations with partners - with the tasks that our state faces in countering Russian propaganda and protecting Ukrainian cultural heritage. We need a new level of simultaneous information work, cultural and diplomatic. And a new level of relations with the global Ukrainian community. Now is the time to give new strength to Ukraine's Governmental institutions, and I am grateful to everyone who will help.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy Met with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi

President of Ukraine

3 September 2024 - 20:01

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi on the eve of his next visit to the Zaporizhzhia NPP temporarily occupied by Russia.

The Head of State thanked Rafael Grossi and his team for their tenth visit to our country during the work of the IAEA monitoring mission at the temporarily occupied Ukrainian plant.

"I am grateful for the IAEA's two years of work at the Zaporizhzhia NPP. We support the Agency's continued monitoring of the situation at the plant," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

The President also briefed his interlocutor on the consequences of the massive Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure with ballistic and cruise missiles, along with kamikaze drones, which led to the temporary disconnection of NPP units from the grid and a reduction in their capacity.

"The shelling of critical infrastructure by the Russian Federation is the largest threat to the safe operation of nuclear power plants in Ukraine. It primarily affects ordinary people," the Head of State emphasized.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the improvement of nuclear safety in Ukraine, particularly in the context of the inadmissibility of shelling Ukrainian NPPs and other energy facilities. A stable external power supply is critical for the safety of nuclear power plants.

The parties agreed on the need to extend the mandate of the current IAEA monitoring missions to nuclear power plants in Ukraine in order to ensure continuous monitoring not only of the condition of nuclear power plants, but also of substations critical for their operation.

As for further technical assistance to our country, the IAEA also assured of its support for the construction of new nuclear power units in Ukraine.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy Urged Justin Trudeau to Intensify Advocacy Among Partners on Long-Range Capabilities

President of Ukraine

3 September 2024 - 18:45

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau.

The Head of State provided information on the ongoing rescue operation at the site of the Russian missile strike in Poltava. Justin Trudeau expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and to all the people of Ukraine.

The interlocutors discussed the continued defense cooperation between Ukraine and Canada. The President conveyed the current needs of the Defense Forces, which include air defense systems and armored vehicles.

The parties also raised the topics of cooperation within the coalition of drones and implementation of the Bilateral Security Agreement signed by the leaders on February 24 this year.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Justin Trudeau to intensify advocacy among partners on granting Ukraine permission and appropriate means to strike military targets on the territory of Russia.

The President and the Prime Minister agreed on further contacts, in particular for the preparation of a thematic conference based on the Peace Formula point "Release of Prisoners and Deportees" to be held in Canada.

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Ukraine and the United Nations Have Extended the Joint Preventive Plan Aimed at Ending and Preventing Grave Violations Against Children in Ukraine Amid War

President of Ukraine

3 September 2024 - 09:25

Advisor - Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights and Child Rehabilitation Daria Herasymchuk, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine Matthias Schmale and UNICEF Representative to Ukraine Munir Mammadzade signed an agreement to continue the cooperation between the Ukrainian government and the UN's National Task Force under the Joint Preventive Plan "Children and Armed Conflicts."

"Every step within the plan, developed jointly with the United Nations, is vital for the protection of our children. We cannot stop until every child is safe," said Daria Herasymchuk.

The extension of cooperation with the UN for another year is one of the steps in implementing Bring Kids Back UA, a comprehensive action plan initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This plan unites the efforts of Ukraine, foreign governments, and international organizations to return home Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.

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Russian missiles kill at least 51 in attack on Ukrainian military training facility, hospital

By VOA News September 03, 2024

U.S. President Joe Biden condemned a deadly Russia missile attack Tuesday on the Ukrainian city of Poltava, calling it "deplorable."

"This assault is a tragic reminder of Putin's ongoing and outrageous attempts to break the will of a free people," Biden said in a statement.

The U.S. leader also reiterated U.S. pledges to provide Ukraine with the air defenses it needs to protect itself.

Ukrainian authorities said the attack killed at least 51 people and injured nearly 300 others in one of the single deadliest strikes since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022.

The attack partially destroyed a building used by the Poltava Military Institute of Communications, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"People found themselves under the rubble. Many were saved," Zelenskyy said in a video posted on his Telegram channel. He said he has ordered "a full and prompt investigation."

Shattered bricks could be seen inside the closed gates of the institution, which was off-limits to the media, and pools of blood were visible just outside.

Hours after the missile strikes, the smell of smoke had spread through town, which is about 350 kilometers southeast of the capital of Kyiv. Roads were covered with glass shards from shattered windows.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry said the missiles hit shortly after an air-raid alert sounded, when many people were on their way to a bomb shelter. It described the attack as "barbaric."

The defense agency said rescue crews and medics saved 25 people, including 11 who were dug out of the rubble.

Poltava Governor Filip Pronin announced three days of mourning, starting Wednesday.

"A great tragedy for Poltava region and entire Ukraine," Pronin wrote on his Telegram page. "The enemy certainly must answer for all [its] crimes against humanity."

The strike came as Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Mongolia. There was no indication that his hosts would heed demands to arrest him on an international warrant for alleged war crimes.

Zelenskyy appealed again for Ukraine's Western partners to ensure swift delivery of military aid. He has previously chided the U.S. and European countries for being slow to make good on their pledges of help.

He also wants Ukraine's allies to ease restrictions on what Ukraine can target inside Russia with the weapons they provide. Some countries fear that hitting Russia could escalate the war.

"Ukraine needs air defense systems and missiles now, not sitting in storage," Zelenskyy wrote in English on Telegram. "Long-range strikes that can protect us from Russian terror are needed now, not later. Every day of delay, unfortunately, means more lost lives."

Elsewhere, officials in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region said a Russian strike on a hotel killed two people and injured two others.

Russian forces attacked areas across central and eastern Ukraine with four missiles and 35 drones, with Ukrainian air defenses shooting down 27 of the drones, Ukraine's military said.

The Ukrainian air force said air defenses shot down the drones over the Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava and Sumy regions.

Chernihiv Governor Viacheslav Chaus said on Telegram that falling debris damaged several buildings on the outskirts of the city of Chernihiv and injured two people.

Oleh Syniehubov, governor of the Kharkiv region, said on Telegram that Russia's aerial attack damaged a house and a transportation facility.

Ukraine's state railway reported a Russian drone struck a locomotive in Sumy.

Russia's defense ministry said it shot down three Ukrainian drones over the Bryansk, Kursk and Kaluga regions.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.

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German far-right surge raises doubts about Berlin's support for Ukraine

By Henry Ridgwell September 03, 2024

The future of German military aid to Ukraine and support for Ukrainian refugees in Germany are being called into question after a surge in support saw the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party emerge victorious Sunday in elections in the state of Thuringia.

The AfD won with 32.8% of the vote, ahead of the Christian Democrats with 23.6%. The newly formed far-left BSW party was in third place with 15.8%. The AfD came in second in the neighboring state of Saxony, just behind the Christian Democrats.

BjArn HAcke, the AfD leader in Thuringia, said it was a "historic victory."

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you and then you win. And today, dear friends, we have won!" HAcke told cheering supporters Monday in the eastern town of Erfurt.

It's the first state victory for Germany's far right since World War II.

Rival parties, however, have vowed not to work in coalition with the AfD, meaning complex coalition talks could lie ahead for control of the state legislature.

Although widely predicted, the results have shocked many of Germany's allies - not least Ukraine. Germany is Ukraine's second-biggest donor of military aid, behind the United States. That is now in doubt, said Mattia Nelles, co-founder of the German-Ukrainian Bureau, a political consultancy based in DAsseldorf.

"Both the far-right and the far-left populist forces were campaigning on cutting German aid for Ukraine, and they were explicitly calling for a reduction in military aid," Nelles told VOA. "They called on the government to finally pressure Ukrainians to start negotiating with Russia. They were for pressuring Ukraine into submission. And that is very unfortunate for Ukraine to have these very vocal forces gaining traction in these regional elections."

In the short term, Nelles said the state election results won't affect the federal government's funding of aid to Ukraine, "but you already see a slight change in the rhetoric of the centrist parties [toward Ukraine]. We have four centrist parties, and some of them already took some of the narratives or the frames that the populist and far-right parties were using," he added.

Germany is set to hold nationwide federal elections next year.

Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the liberal Free Democratic party - part of the ruling coalition - is pushing for aid to Ukraine to be halved in the next budget. His party gained less than 5% in the Thuringia state election and fears a repeat in the 2025 federal elections, noted analyst Liana Fix of the Washington-based Council on Foreign Relations.

"[They] are afraid that they will not get into parliament, which has happened already once before, that they were not able to cross the 5% threshold for the German parliament. So it's really a sort of a fight, a battle for political survival, especially for the liberals who are pushing for this agenda of cutting the budget for Ukraine," Fix said.

Immigration was a major issue driving votes for the far right, with much rhetoric directed at non-European, and especially Muslim, migrants. Germany, however, is also hosting more than 1 million Ukrainian refugees - and the financial cost was under the spotlight during the state election campaigns of both the far right and far left, said analyst Nelles.

"They were both - though on separate notes, different tonalities - campaigning on lesser aid or cutting of aid for Ukrainian refugees in Germany. The question whether and how they should be funded and whether they should be drafted or sent to Ukraine - that is a delicate issue," Nelles said.

"We have males, Ukrainian males, that are legally eligible for the draft. So, there is growing pressure also on the male Ukrainian refugee population in Germany to push them back to Ukraine," he added. "Germany is unable for good reasons to send males back to Ukraine. But the pressure on the government to do so is growing."

The federal government has given no indication that it intends to cut support for Ukrainian refugees or send them back to Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz said last month that Berlin would support Kyiv with military aid "as long as necessary."

Scholz's Social Democrat Party highlighted Monday that German intelligence services had classified the AfD as an extremist party and said its victory in Thuringia must act as a "wake-up call."

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American pizza maker blends East and West in China's Huangshan

People's Daily Online) 15:43, September 04, 2024

"I met my wife, Qiu Tong, from Huangshan, when I was studying in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province," said Adrien Brill, an American, at a promotion event for the Greater Huangshan Area in Beijing. Brill is currently a restaurateur in Huangshan city, east China's Anhui Province.

Adrien Brill speaks at a Greater Huangshan Area promotion event in Beijing. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Jun)

Brill, who has lived in China for 15 years and in Huangshan for seven, said he was drawn to the country from childhood. "I've been exposed to the Chinese language since childhood and always dreamt of coming to China," he said.

In 2009, his dream became reality when he arrived to study. After graduating, he visited Huangshan for the first time with Qiu. They hiked the mountains, explored the lakes and wandered through the streets and alleys, taking in the scenery and cultural landmarks.

Photo shows Adrien Brill and his wife, Qiu Tong. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Jun)

Now an English teacher at Huangshan University, Brill also runs a pizza shop. He said that running the shop, where he bakes pizzas and makes burgers and fries, is his hobby.

Brill explores rural villages with his wife in his free time, creating videos about their experiences and local cuisine. These videos have helped boost his restaurant's popularity.

Adrien Brill shares his experiences in China at a Greater Huangshan Area promotion event in Beijing. (People's Daily Online/Ren Fengtao)

"My handmade pizzas, burgers and taco wraps have become bestsellers," Brill said. As a Huangshan resident, he is focused on promoting innovative Anhui cuisine.

A pizza enthusiast, Brill crafts new dishes using Huangshan's specialty ingredients. His creations include pizzas topped with stinky mandarin fish and hairy tofu, as well as an autumn harvest pizza inspired by the local crop-drying tradition.

Brill speaks fluent Mandarin, easily connecting with locals. He switches seamlessly between Chinese and English when talking with his wife.

Adrien Brill displays a pizza topped with stinky mandarin fish, a local delicacy in Huangshan, east China's Anhui Province. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Jun)

"For me, Huangshan isnt just the world-famous mountain; its my hometown," Brill said. He hopes to spread Huangshan's unique culinary culture through his restaurant.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
CALGARY, Alberta, Sept. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Further to the news release of TransAlta Corporation (TransAlta or the Company) (TSX: TA; NYSE: TAC) dated August 22, 2024, the Company announced today the applicable dividend rates for its cumulative redeemable rate reset first preferred shares Series G (Series G Shares) (TSX: TA.PR.J) and cumulative redeemable floating rate first preferred shares Series H of the Company (Series H Shares).



With respect to any Series G Shares that remain outstanding after September 30, 2024, holders thereof will be entitled to receive quarterly fixed cumulative preferential cash dividends, if, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of TransAlta. The annual dividend rate for the Series G Shares for the five-year period from and including September 30, 2024, to but excluding September 30, 2029, will be 6.77300%, being equal to the five-year Government of Canada bond yield of 2.97300% determined as of today plus 3.80000%, in accordance with the terms of the Series G Shares.

With respect to any Series H Shares that may be issued on September 30, 2024, holders thereof will be entitled to receive quarterly floating rate cumulative preferential cash dividends, if, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of TransAlta. The annual dividend rate for the 3-month floating rate period from and including September 30, 2024, to but excluding December 31, 2024, will be 8.00500%, being equal to the annual rate for the most recent auction of 90-day Government of Canada Treasury Bills of 4.20500% plus 3.80000%, in accordance with the terms of the Series H Shares (the Floating Quarterly Dividend Rate). The Floating Quarterly Dividend Rate will be reset every quarter.

Beneficial owners of Series G Shares who wish to exercise their conversion right should communicate with their broker or other intermediary promptly to ensure their instructions are followed so that the registered holder of the Series G Shares can meet the deadline to exercise such conversion right, which is 3:00 p.m. (MDT) / 5:00 p.m. (EDT) on September 16, 2024.

About TransAlta Corporation:

TransAlta owns, operates and develops a diverse fleet of electrical power generation assets in Canada, the United States and Australia with a focus on long-term shareholder value. TransAlta provides municipalities, medium and large industries, businesses and utility customers with affordable, energy efficient and reliable power. Today, TransAlta is one of Canadas largest producers of wind power and Albertas largest producer of hydro-electric power. For over 113 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud member of the communities where we operate and where our employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Future-Fit Business Benchmark, which also defines sustainable goals for businesses. Our reporting on climate change management has been guided by the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S2 Climate-related Disclosures Standard and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. TransAlta has achieved a 66 per cent reduction in GHG emissions or 21.3 million tonnes CO2e since 2015 and received an upgraded MSCI ESG rating of AA.

For more information about TransAlta, visit our web site at transalta.com .

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain information that is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties (such statements are usually accompanied by words such as may, will, should, estimate, intend or other similar words). Specifically, this news release contains forward-looking information with respect to the Company, the Series G Shares and the Series H Shares, including but not limited to the listing of the Series H Shares and the payment of dividends on the Series G Shares and Series H Shares. All forward-looking information reflects the Companys beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the statements were made and as such are not guarantees of future performance. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date it is expressed in this news release. TransAlta undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information except as required by law. For additional information on the assumptions made, and the risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking information, refer to the Companys most recent Annual Information Form, Annual Report and Managements Discussion and Analysis and the Prospectus Supplement dated August 8, 2014, in each case filed under the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.com.

For more information:
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany, Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deenova, leading provider of innovative automation solutions for medication management, is proud to announce the successful implementation of its Closed Loop Medication Management (CLMM) system at Marienhospital Gelsenkirchen. This milestone marks the first of its kind in Germany, setting a new standard for medication therapy safety in hospitals nationwide.



In partnership with the KERN Katholische Einrichtungen Ruhrgebiet Nord GmbH, Marienhospital Gelsenkirchen (MHG) has begun rolling out Deenova's decentralized Unit-Dose System as part of the broader CLMM initiative. This cutting-edge system, which will be fully operational across all KERN-affiliated hospitals by the end of 2024, is designed to create a secure and closed medication management loop, significantly enhancing patient safety and reducing the workload for hospital staff.

Additionally, the new pharmacy workflow at Marienhospital Gelsenkirchen made possible by the Deenova system has received Amtsapotheker approval. The Amtsapotheker approval is an important certification in Germany, which is issued by recognized pharmaceutical authorities. It confirms that pharmacy workflows meet strict regulatory standards for drug safety and efficiency and that all processes are compliant with national health regulations.

Anette Woermann, Chief Pharmacist at MHG, highlighted the importance of this development: We have begun implementing a decentralized unit-dose system from the company Deenova in the pharmacy of Marienhospital Gelsenkirchen GmbH, making us the first hospital in all of Germany to do so  we are the pilot hospital in Germany. This new system, which is part of Closed Loop Medication Management (CLMM), will be gradually rolled out across the individual hospitals of KERN Katholische Einrichtungen Ruhrgebiet Nord GmbH and will be fully operational by the end of 2024. We are thus creating a closed, secure medication cycle in the hospitals we serve, which promises increased patient safety and significant relief for staff in their daily hospital routines".

The innovative CLMM system integrates advanced robotics and software to automate the production of single-dose medications, known as Unit Doses, in the hospital pharmacy. On the wards, automated systems handle the precise distribution of these doses, accommodating even last-minute medication changes ordered by physicians. By scanning patient wristbands and the QR codes on Unit Dose medications, the system ensures a seamless and error-free administration process, greatly improving medication transparency and safety.

Christophe Jaffuel, Chief Commercial Officer of Deenova, also commented on the significance of this achievement: This milestone is a strong testament to Deenova's commitment to transforming healthcare through innovative solutions. The successful implementation of our CLMM system at Marienhospital Gelsenkirchen marks a new chapter in medication management in Germany. It highlights our dedication to improving patient safety and operational efficiency in hospitals. We are eager to see the positive impact of Deenovas technology, whether in centralized or decentralized pharmacy workflows, across the country."

About KERN:

In the heart of the Ruhr Metropolis and extending far into the northern Ruhr area, KERN Katholische Einrichtungen Ruhrgebiet Nord GmbH (KERN GmbH) has both its roots and its future. Many of its locations are closely linked to the development of industry and mining in the region and are a testament to the social work and charitable responsibility undertaken by Catholic parishes, both in the past and today.

KERN GmbH is a strong network for medicine, care, and education, and a committed employer of approximately 7,500 professionals at around forty locations in Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Bochum-Wattenscheid, Gladbeck, Bottrop-Kirchhellen, Herten-Westerholt, Dorsten, Marl, and Haltern am See.

About Deenova:

Deenova is leading provider of innovative and automated solutions for medication management and medical devices traceability in hospitals and healthcare institutions. With a strong focus on patient safety, efficiency, and operational excellence, Deenova's systems streamline the entire medication process, from prescription to administration. The company's flagship solution, the Closed Loop Medication Management (CLMM) system, is designed to minimize errors, enhance transparency, and improve overall patient outcomes. Deenova's commitment to advancing healthcare through technology has made it a trusted partner for more than 100 hospitals across Europe.

For more information on Deenova and the CLMM system, please visit Deenova's website.

Contacts:

Christophe Jaffuel, c.jaffuel@deenova.com,

Martina Buccianti, m.buccianti@deenova.com, +39 0523785311

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a5426687-78eb-4b66-a4ea-64a07eb50988
Press release

Lochem, 4th of September 2024

ForFarmers and team agrar join forces in the feed business in Germany





ForFarmers and team agrar, part of the DLG Group, have agreed to combine their feed operations in Germany. The joint venture, which will continue under the name ForFarmers team agrar, has a comprehensive feed portfolio across various species. This agreement is subject to applicable regulatory approvals from the relevant authorities.

ForFarmers and team agrar have been working together for a long time in Germany via their joint venture HaBeMa, a company active in trading, storage and transshipment of raw materials and compound feed production in Hamburg, Germany. The agreement to expand this joint venture is therefore a logical next step.



Profiles of the partners

ForFarmers is a European company that offers feed solutions to the livestock farming industry. With its mission For the Future of Farming, ForFarmers is committed to a future-proof farming business and making the agricultural sector more sustainable with knowledge, advice, support and products on farm. ForFarmers feed activities in Germany concerns a broad portfolio of feed products for all species.

team agrar provides services and products in all sectors. In addition to the production of compound feed it includes grain collection and trading, the supply of seeds, fertilizers and plant protection products as well as special agricultural products.

Through team SE, team agrar is part of the DLG Group, a company with comprehensive activities in food, energy, and housing. DLG Group has the strategic ambition of contributing to a more sustainable future and being the preferred partner of farmers.



Joint Venture structure

The 50/50 joint venture, which will continue under the name ForFarmers team agrar, entails ForFarmers' and team agrars feed activities and employees in the relevant legal entities in Germany:

the joint venture concerns ForFarmers feed activities in Germany with approximately 250 employees and team agrars feed activities in Germany that has approximately 130 employees. It involves eight feed production sites, three terminals and the vehicle fleet. The current HaBeMa joint venture, that has 130 employees, is also part of the joint venture.



Out of scope of the joint venture agreement are the activities in Germany of the ForFarmers brands ForFarmers Thesing, Pavo, Reudink, CirQlar and Vleuten as well as DLG Groups non feed agrar activities, organic feed, Vilofoss activities, construction and energy activities in Germany.

The management of the new joint venture will have representatives of ForFarmers, team SE and HaBeMa and Ernst Friedlaender will be the Managing Director.



ForFarmers will fully consolidate the joint venture (including HaBeMa, which up to now was recognized as share of profit of equity-accounted investees) in its financial results. The joint venture will have an advisory board with equal membership from both shareholders. The first chair will be appointed by team agrar. Going forward, the shareholders will alternately appoint the chairman on regular intervals.



Strategic consideration

The joint venture is in line with the strategic ambition of both partners: to better serve the German market, opening up new growth opportunities and further leverage each others strengths with the aim to enhance profitability. The joint venture will have a better geographical coverage and can therefore serve its customers better and more efficient. Furthermore, sharing of knowledge and expertise in the areas of procurement, formulation and innovation will be highly beneficial to the joint venture and its customers.



Pieter Wolleswinkel, CEO ForFarmers: We have worked well with team agrar and DLG Group for many years in our joint venture HaBeMa. I believe joining forces is a great step forward for both parties to extend our market activities in Germany. It will lay a foundation for further growth in an important region for ForFarmers in Germany. This partnership will enable us to enhance our product portfolio to provide local solutions and services to the German market.

Jesper Pagh, interim CEO of DLG Group: We are very happy to announce that we are expanding our partnership with ForFarmers, a trusted and year-long partner with whom we share both strategic aspirations and values. The partnership aligns very well with our strategic goal of growing our market position, and it will benefit our customers by enabling us to deliver even better solutions in the future.

Ernst Friedlaender, Managing Director ForFarmers Germany: It offers economies of scale and combining our knowledge and expertise will create synergies in many areas. Furthermore, we value each others mission and vision and there is a clear cultural fit. We look forward to broadening our cooperation that will contribute to a sustainable and future-proof business."

Bent Nissen, Managing Director of team agrar: We are taking this very important strategic step to future-proof our feed activities. The partnership signifies our commitment to strengthening the value proposition to our customers by bringing them best-in-class products and service. At the same time, it allows us to leverage synergies, boost competencies, and offers our colleagues new opportunities and perspectives.

This press release is also available via de ForFarmers website via this link.

This press release contains information which qualifies as inside information within the meaning of Article 7, paragraph 1 of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

Note to the editor / For additional information:

ForFarmers, Ilse Niehof-Duivelshof, +31 (0)573 28 88 00

DLG Group, Mette Sehested +45 28 35 10 44

Profile ForFarmers

ForFarmers N.V. (ForFarmers) offers complete feed solutions to the (organic) livestock farming industry. With its mission For the Future of Farming, ForFarmers is committed to a future-proof farming business and making the agricultural sector more sustainable. Our goal is clear: to contribute to a good return and a robust long-term business model. How? By leading the way with knowledge, advice, support and products on the farm. Close to the farmers, solution-oriented and with an open view of the future. The result: a contribution to affordable and sustainable food, For the Future of Farming. With sales of approximately 8.4 million tonnes of feed, ForFarmers is a leading player in Europe. The company has production operations in the Netherlands (head office), Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom, and exports to various countries within and outside Europe. ForFarmers has around 2,600 employees and generated revenue of approximately 3 billion in 2023. ForFarmers N.V. is listed on Euronext Amsterdam.

ForFarmers N.V. - P.O. Box 91 - 7240 AB Lochem

T: +31 (0)573 28 88 00 - info@forfarmers.eu , www.forfarmersgroup.eu

Profile DLG Group / team agrar

DLG Group is a leading European company operating within Food, Energy and Housing, fulfilling some of the most basic needs of people and society. The company is cooperatively owned by 25,000 Danish farmers. Although our roots are Danish, we have a global outlook. From previously operating exclusively in Denmark, DLG Group has grown significantly over the past 20 years, with 7,000 employees, operations in 18 countries and sales to 70 countries across the world.

Driven by our desire to enable a better future for future generations, we develop and deliver solutions and products that can help our customers and owners transition to a greener future, while transforming our own operations.



team agrar GmbH has been deeply rooted in the German agricultural market for many years. As Hauptgenossenschaft Nord AG (HaGe), a large field of activity was successfully established over decades and is now being continued as team agrar. With locations across Germany, team agrar has a strong foundation for successful marketing and trade. Additionally, team agrar provides services for trade and logistics within the team group.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements, for example relating to ForFarmers legal obligations in terms of capital and liquidity positions in certain specified scenarios. In addition forward-looking statements may, without limitation, contain phrases such as intends to, "expects, takes into account, "is aimed at, ''plans to, "estimates" and/or words of a similar meaning. These statements pertain to or may affect matters in the future, such as ForFarmers future financial results, business plans and current strategies. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties which may lead to material differences between the actual results and performance and the expected future results or performance as implicitly or explicitly contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may result in, or contribute to, deviations from current expectations include, but are not limited to developments in legislation, technology, taxation, jurisprudence and regulations, share price fluctuations, legal proceedings, investigations by regulatory bodies, the competitive landscape and general economic conditions. These and other factors, risks and uncertainties that may affect any forward-looking statements or the actual results of ForFarmers are discussed in the most recently published annual report. The forward-looking statements in this press release relate solely to statements as of the date of this document and ForFarmers accepts no obligation or responsibility whatsoever to update the forward-looking statements contained in this release, regardless of whether these pertain to new information, future events or otherwise, unless ForFarmers is legally obliged to do so.
Ignitis Group invites to international event Investor Day 2024

Ignitis Group, an integrated renewable energy company and the largest listed entity in the Baltics, invites its retail shareholders to an exclusive event  Investor Day 2024, which will take place on 13-14 September 2024 in Lithuania.

This two-day event will provide a unique opportunity for retail investors to meet with Ignitis Group's management, learn about the groups strategy, financials and business segment development, visit key energy facilities, and engage in networking.

On the first day (13 September), a conference will be held at the Energy and Technology Museum in Vilnius. Later, participants will have the opportunity to visit the Kruonis Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Plant. On the second day (13 September), there will be a site visit to the Taurage wind and solar park.

"This event is a unique opportunity for our shareholders to learn about Ignitis Group's activities and potential. We invite all retail investors to join and become active participants in our growth story," says Aine Riffel-Grinkeviciene, Chief of Staff to CFO and Head of Investor Relations at Ignitis Group.

Registration for the event is mandatory and is open until September 9, 2024. For more information and registration: https://ignitisgrupe.lt/en/investor-day-2024

For additional information, please contact:

Communications

Arturas Ketlerius

+370 620 76076

arturas.ketlerius@ignitis.lt
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. (West Red Lake Gold or the Company) (TSXV: WRLG) (OTCQB: WRLGF) is pleased to provide an update on activities at the Madsen Mine as the Company advances towards its goal of a targeted restart in 2025.



Since acquiring the Madsen Mine project last year, the Company has completed a site-wide operational assessment to make informed decisions about what surface and underground upgrades would underpin a sustainable mining operation.

I have led teams through many mine builds and each build reinforced the lesson that operational readiness is essential to a successful mine startup, said Shane Williams, President and CEO. Operational readiness spans the entirety of a mine, from infill drilling to stope and development planning to budgeting to maintenance and procurement systems to strong staffing and an active safety culture and much more.

Since the Madsen mine was acquired with an abundance of infrastructure, our focus has been understanding what to add to increase efficiency and optionality. The team is doing impressive work on these key deliverables and I am pleased to provide this update on the work underway at site.

Definition Drilling

The Company has been drilling definition holes in the Austin, South Austin, and McVeigh resource areas since October 2023. The definition drilling effort started with one rig and accelerated in April with a second drill. The program has run continuously and over 40,000 metres of drilling has been completed to date.

Definition drilling is fundamental to West Red Lake Golds restart plan. Gold mineralization is high grade and pervasive within the known alteration package at Madsen but requires a high level of definition drilling. This is common is high-grade gold systems.

Tightly spaced definition drill holes to inform an accurate geologic model is an essential step in mitigating continuity risk and enabling mine plans that target mineralization and identify waste. The Company views this feedback loop  definition drilling, resource model updating, stope planning, and mine engineering  as the foundation of a successful mine.

Tailing Storage Facility Dam Lift

A tailings dam lift project got underway in early August. Increasing the dam height by 4 metres will create enough additional tailings capacity for 10 years of operation, assuming a milling rate of 800 tonnes per day.

The tailings dam project is a critical part of the mine restart plan. Sigfusson Northern is the main construction contractor, with JDS Energy & Mining and Knight Piesold Consulting involved in construction management and QA QC/EOR (engineer on record). To date the progress has been excellent: 60% of the work has been completed and the project is tracking ahead of schedule and under budget. This has the project on track to be ready to receive material well before start of the winter period.





Figure 1: Aerial view of progress on the project to increase the height of the tailings dam by 4 metres.

Connection Drift

The Connection Drift is a 1,200-metre haulage way being driven to connect the East and West ramps of the underground mine at Madsen. These ramps, with independent portals, were not previously connected, resulting in substantial inefficiencies in moving mined material to the mill.

The Company raised $10 million via Canadian Development Expense flow-through funds (see May 16, 2024, news release) to finance this project. Dedicated project equipment has been brought on site, including an Epiroc Jumbo drill, and is active underground. The drift was initiated in August, is at 5% completion to date, and is targeted for completion in February 2025.





Figure 2: The Epiroc Jumbo drill brought on site for the Connection Drift project, heading to the portal.

Mine Dewatering and Evaporator Fans

There is opportunity to extend the limits of known mineralization at the Madsen mine to depth. The neighbouring mines operated by Evolution Mining currently mine down to 3000 metres; by contrast, resources at the Madsen Mine have been defined down to only 1200 metres. Multiple historic drill holes that returned notable mineralization from downplunge of the defined resource underscore this potential. And parts of the defined resource, including the 8 Zone that carries the highest grades of the resource areas at Madsen, are below the current water level.

Water dropped below the 13 level of the mine in early July. Mining areas in the first few years of the restart plan are all above the 12 level. However, dewatering of the Madsen Mine is a critical long-term objective because the Company wants to create the option to mine deeper, to access known and potential mineralization.

To this end, two evaporator fans were delivered and installed in August to create additional dewatering capacity. By helping water evaporate, the fans effectively increase the holding capacity of the polishing pond. This additional capacity will ease pressure on the water treatment system in the spring, when natural runoff adds volume to the polishing pond, and through the summer, when dry conditions can suspend the ability to discharge into Coin Creek.

Optimal performance from the water treatment plant throughout the summer, a season that has also seen enough rainfall to keep Coin Creek running and thus allow consistent discharge of treated water, has pulled the level in the polishing pond down 2 metres since March. The pond is on track to reach target minimum operating level by fall. Record daily volumes through the plant, averaging over 5,000 cubic metres of water a day, made this possible even as dewatering in the mine advanced another 46 metres.

Primary Crusher

The Company is pleased to report a procurement deal with Powerscreen of Canada, a dealer for Terex Corporation, for the purchase of a primary crusher. Delivery is expected in October.

The electric primary jaw crusher plant (model CRJ3042) reduces rock from 19.6-inch feed size to 4-inch or less. The crusher can process 145 tonnes of rock per hour. The mill at the Madsen Mine has a nameplate capacity of 800 tonnes per day.





Figure 3: An electric primary jaw crusher plant of the kind West Red Lake Gold procured for the Madsen Mine, loaded for transport from supplier Powerscreen of Canada

Test Mining

Test mining is now underway. The program has two goals: to inform safe and effective mine planning and to produce bulk samples for reconciliation calculations.

A result of Madsen Mines operational history is a range of mining environments, including resource areas with no nearby mining, areas adjacent to empty stopes, and areas adjacent to backfilled stopes. Test mining will assess how to operate in these environments safely and effectively.

A historically uncharted void and small discrepancies between mapped and actual stope locations slowed the program in its early days. After incorporating early learnings, the engineering and production teams have now developed a detailed plan for this test mining program, including a schedule of areas for bulk sampling. Bulk samples will be batch-processed to enable mine-to-mill reconciliation calculations. The Company looks forward to publishing updates on this plan.

Equipment

Mining equipment continues to arrive on site to support underground development, test mining, and the Connection Drift, and in anticipation of equipment needs upon a restart decision being made. Equipment additions of late include a CAT 730C Haul Truck, two Epiroc ST2G LHD (load-haul-dump), a Getman 4000 Anfo Loader, a Manitou MT1440 Telehandler, and a CAT R1700K LHD.

The Madsen mine was acquired with some mobile equipment, though many newer items were removed from site during the CCAA process that predated West Red Lake Gold. Equipment arriving now is thus improving and expanding an existing fleet.





Figure 4: Epiroc ST2G LHD and CAT 730 Haul Truck





Figure 5: Getman 4000 Anfo Loader and CAT 966M Wheeled Loader

Work Force Accommodations and Mine Site Facilities

West Red Lake Gold has placed a purchase order for mine site accommodations and a Mine Dry facility for the Madsen Mine. Permitting with local authorities is underway.

The Company understands the commitments of remote work and wants to ensure that workforce accommodations are of top quality and provide a home away from home for its employees. West Red Lake has partnered with Horizon North to provide 114-person accommodations and mine dry facilities for the Madsen mine site. These facilities are targeted for operation in February 2025.

Horizon North is an industry leader in providing accommodations and services to meet workforce requirements within the mining industry in Canada and serves major mines across Canada.





Figure 6: A drawing of the work force accommodations planned for the Madsen Mine, being built and operated by Horizon North.





Figure 7: A photo of a similar Horizon North facility, taken during an inspection by West Red Lake Gold employees

Site Team

The workforce at the Madsen mine continues to grow, with 48 new positions filled in the last three months. Many posted positions elicit multiple applications from qualified candidates, highlighting the advantage of operating in a well-established mining district such as Red Lake.

Recent hires include several leadership positions that the Company was pleased to fill with strong candidates.

David Towle joined as Mill Manager. Mr. Towle has over 35 years of experience in mill operations and production and has held the roles of Mill Manager and Mill Superintendent on multiple occasions. He recently worked as Commissioning Manager at Ascot Resources Premier project in British Columbia. Previous roles involved managing mill construction and start-up at Lion One Metals Tuvatu project in Fiji, Atlantic Golds (now St. Barbaras) Touquay Mine, and Pretium Resources (now Newmonts) Brucejack Mine.

Mr. Towle has a long history of success with the Madsen Mill. He worked in the facility in 1989 when it was a Placer Dome asset located in Pickle Lake, Ontario; he oversaw moving, rebuilding, and recommissioning the mill at the Madsen site under Pure Gold; and he will now guide the facility through another anticipated restart under West Red Lake Gold.

Gavin Clow joined as Chief Engineer. Mr. Clow is a professional mining engineer with a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Toronto and extensive industry experience. His recent role as Manager Mining Canada at Optimize Group involved overseeing a broad range of operations, from feasibility studies to pit design and project costing. His expertise includes managing open pit and underground mining projects and leading significant initiatives like mine scheduling system creation and feasibility studies. Previous roles at Dumas Contracting, Klondex Mines, and Rambler Metals & Mining grounded his skills in project estimation, production planning, and infrastructure design.

QUALIFIED PERSON

The technical information presented in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Maurice Mostert, P.Eng., Vice President of Technical Services for West Red Lake Gold and the Qualified Person for technical services at the West Red Lake Project, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

ABOUT WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES

West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. is a mineral exploration company that is publicly traded and focused on advancing and developing its flagship Madsen Gold Mine and the associated 47 km2 highly prospective land package in the Red Lake district of Ontario. The highly productive Red Lake Gold District of Northwest Ontario, Canada has yielded over 30 million ounces of gold from high-grade zones and hosts some of the worlds richest gold deposits. WRLG also holds the wholly owned Rowan Property in Red Lake, with an expansive property position covering 31 km2 including three past producing gold mines  Rowan, Mount Jamie, and Red Summit.





ON BEHALF OF WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES LTD.

Shane Williams

Shane Williams

President & Chief Executive Officer

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Gwen Preston

Investor Relations

Tel: (604) 609-6132

Email: investors@wrlgold.com or visit the Companys website at https://www.westredlakegold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT AND FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

The decision to continue with the advancement of the Madsen Mine restart and the Companys operations and plans with respect thereto, as described herein (the Madsen Mine Restart), are based on economic models prepared by the Company in conjunction with managements knowledge of the property and the existing estimate of indicated and inferred mineral resources on the property set out in the report entitled, Independent NI 43-101 Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the PureGold Mine, Canada, with an effective date of July 31, 2022, as amended on April 24, 2024, a copy of which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Madsen Mine Restart is not based on a preliminary economic assessment, a pre-feasibility study or a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly, there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated with the Madsen Mine Restart, in particular: the risk that mineral grades will be lower than expected; the risk that additional ongoing mining operations are more difficult or more expensive than expected; and the risk that production and economic variables may vary considerably, due to the absence of a detailed economic and technical analysis undertaken in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information generally can be identified by words such as anticipate, expect, estimate, forecast, planned, and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. Forward-looking information is based on current expectations of management; however, it is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this news release and include without limitation, statements relating to plans for the potential restart of mining operations at the Madsen Mine, the potential of the Madsen Mine; any untapped growth potential in the Madsen deposit or Rowan deposit; and the Companys future objectives and plans. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market volatility; the state of the financial markets for the Companys securities; fluctuations in commodity prices; timing and results of the cleanup and recovery at the Madsen Mine; and changes in the Companys business plans. Forward-looking information is based on a number of key expectations and assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will continue with its stated business objectives and its ability to raise additional capital to proceed. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking 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. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Additional information about risks and uncertainties is contained in the Companys managements discussion and analysis for the year ended November 30, 2023, and the Companys annual information form for the year ended November 30, 2023, copies of which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking information reflects managements current beliefs and is based on information currently available to the Company. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law.

For more information on the Company, investors should review the Companys continuous disclosure filings that are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e9651475-ed33-41c4-80f2-8f737f7b2242

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Riverside, CA, Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the 6th annual National Pet Bird Day approaches on September 17, 2024, the Bird Enjoyment and Advantage Koalition (BEAK) is eager to invite all bird owners and lovers to join in celebrating the unique joys and benefits of having an avian companion. Established in 2019 by BEAK  a group of bird product manufacturers, retailers and associations formed to address the need for responsible bird ownership and growth  this special day honors the many ways in which pet birds enrich their owners lives, while also educating the public about the responsibilities and commitments that come with having a companion bird.

"Birds are incredible companions who may form deep bonds with their owners, said Brent Weinmann, BEAK Chairman. National Pet Bird Day serves as an opportunity to celebrate these wonderful creatures, share the joy they bring to our lives and educate on the responsibilities of bird ownership. We hope to inspire others to consider welcoming a feathered friend into their homes."

Along with its consumer-facing campaign, MyBird, BEAK encourages bird lovers to participate in the National Pet Bird Day festivities in a variety of ways. For instance, one of the highlights this year is the My Beautiful Pet Bird contest. Sponsored by the World Pet Association (WPA), Higgins Premium Pet Foods and Vitakraft SunSeed, this contest invited bird owners to submit photos or short videos showcasing what makes their pets so special. Through September 13, people have a chance to vote for their favorite entries; the top ten entries as determined by popular vote will be reviewed by a committee of judges, with the top three earning cash prizes of up to $500. The contest winners will be announced on National Pet Bird Day.

In addition to the contest, many BEAK member retailers and manufacturers will be offering special promotions, which will be shared through MyBirds social media channels and email newsletters. At MyBird.org, visitors will find a variety of adorable, National Pet Bird Day-themed social media posts and graphics available for free download. Bird enthusiasts are encouraged to join in the fun by sharing these posts, as well as stories, photos and videos of their pets, on social media using the hashtag #NationalPetBirdDay.

With approximately 5% of U.S. households (or 6.1 million homes) now owning pet birds  a 7% increase over the last five years, according to data from the American Pet Products Association (APPA)  BEAK and MyBird are committed to fostering interest in these remarkable creatures and providing education to enable bird owners to care for their pets responsibly. At MyBird.org, which has received over 4.5 million visitors over the past five years, current and prospective bird owners will find a wealth of resources, including an interactive quiz that helps match users with types of birds that may be right for their lifestyle based on factors such as time, financial commitments, living arrangements and more. Approximately 1.9 million people have taken this quiz! The site also includes fact sheets about popular types of pet birds and locator tools for finding birds available for adoption or purchase, avian veterinarians, bird clubs, and avian boarding facilities.

Stay connected with the latest news on National Pet Bird Day by following @MyBird on Facebook and @MyRightBird on Instagram. To learn more about BEAK and MyBird and to access National Pet Bird Day resources, visit MyBird.org.

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Dublin, Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Myanmar Construction Market Size, Trends, and Forecasts by Sector - Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Institutional and Residential Market Analysis to 2028 (H1 2024)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The construction industry in Myanmar is expected to decline by 2.6% in real terms in 2024, owing to the ongoing civil war, frequent power outages, the depreciation of the Myanmar kyat, and labor shortages and high construction material costs, which have weakened investor and consumer confidence. However, an expected improvement in external demand and public and private investment in transport and renewable energy developments may provide some support to the industry's output in the short term.

According to the statistics of the Ministry of Commerce, in the financial year (FY) 2023-24 (running from April 2023 to March 2024), exports stood at MMK30 trillion ($14.3 billion). The government is planning to increase exports by 16.8% year on year (YoY) to MMY35.1 trillion ($16.7 billion) in the current FY2024-25.



Over the remainder of the forecast period, from 2025 to 2028, the construction industry is expected to register an annual average growth of 3.6%, supported by investment in renewable energy, infrastructure projects, and manufacturing activities. According to the pipeline of projects tracked by the analyst, as of June 2024, Myanmar recorded a pipeline valued at MMK84.7 trillion ($40.3 billion).

Some of the major projects currently under construction are the MMK8.7 trillion ($4.2 billion) India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway project, which is expected to be completed by 2027, the MMK4.2 trillion ($2 billion) Lincang-Qingshuihe Railway Line project, which is expected to be completed by 2028, and the MMK2.1 trillion ($1 billion) Kalewa Coal-fired Power Plant project, which is expected to be completed by Q1 2028.

The growth of the construction industry will also be supported by the government's National Electrification Plan, under which the government plans to achieve 100% nationwide electricity access by 2030, which is expected to drive increased investment in the energy and utilities sector in the coming years.



Scope

Historical (2019-2023) and forecast (2024-2028) valuations of the construction industry in Myanmar, featuring details of key growth drivers.

Segmentation by sector (commercial, industrial, infrastructure, energy and utilities, institutional and residential) and by sub-sector

Analysis of the mega-project pipeline, including breakdowns by development stage across all sectors, and projected spending on projects in the existing pipeline.

Listings of major projects, in addition to details of leading contractors and consultants

Reasons to Buy

Identify and evaluate market opportunities using the analyst's standardized valuation and forecasting methodologies.

Assess market growth potential at a micro-level with over 600 time-series data forecasts.

Understand the latest industry and market trends.

Formulate and validate strategy using the analyst's critical and actionable insight.

Assess business risks, including cost, regulatory and competitive pressures.

Evaluate competitive risk and success factors.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Executive Summary



2 Construction Industry: At-a-Glance



3 Context

3.1 Economic Performance

3.2 Political Environment and Policy

3.3 Demographics

3.4 Risk Profile



4 Construction Outlook

4.1 All Construction

Outlook

Latest news and developments

4.2 Commercial Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.3 Industrial Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.4 Infrastructure Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.5 Energy and Utilities Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.6 Institutional Construction

Outlook

Latest news and developments

4.7 Residential Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

5 Key Industry Participants

5.1 Contractors

5.2 Consultants



6 Construction Market Data



7 Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/82xyau

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
Dublin, Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Iraq Construction Market Size, Trends, and Forecasts by Sector - Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Institutional and Residential Market Analysis to 2028 (H1 2024)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The construction industry in Iraq is expected to grow by 5% in real terms in 2024, as the country undergoes economic recovery. Growth will be channeled through a rise in public and private sector investments into transportation, renewable energy, and housing infrastructure. In early June 2024, the government announced during the fiscal Budget, that capital expenditure would increase by 6% to IQD211 trillion ($162 billion) compared with the previous year's budget.

Of the total, IQD40 trillion ($30.8 billion) was allocated to the energy sector, IQD33.3 trillion ($25.6 billion) allocated to security and defense, and IQD17.3 trillion ($13.3 billion) allocated toward the education sector. To meet this rising oil demand and maintain energy security, Iran signed a five-year gas import contract in March 2024 with the Iraqi government, agreeing to import approximately 50 million cubic meters a day of gas until 2029.



Over the remainder of the forecast period, The analyst predicts the Iraqi construction industry to register an annual average growth of 4.9% during 2025-28. Growth will be supported by investments in energy, water infrastructure, and housing projects, on top of the government's plan to increase renewable energy production to 12GW by 2030.

Among the recent developments in the industry, the Ministry of Electricity signed a contract with the Saudi energy company, ACWA Power, in March 2024 to develop a 1GW power plant inNajaf. Furthermore, in March 2024, the government reported that it is planning to develop a transmission line to connect Kuwait's Al-Wafra station to Iraq's Al-Faw station with a cost of IQD286 billion ($220 million) by 2025.

Previously, in January 2024, the government signed an agreement with a consortium led by the domestic trading company, Sama Baghdad, for the expansion of the Haridariya Power station, in an investment totaling IQD319.8 billion ($246 million). This project is expected to take around 28 months to completed.

In another positive development, in May 2024, the government launched the construction of a sewerage project in the Al-Wahda district, which is expected to cost around IQD1 trillion ($764 million) and have a capacity of around 48,000 cubic meters per day. The project will also include re-development of the current 85km sewage network and 67km of the rainwater drainage network.



Scope

Historical (2019-2023) and forecast (2024-2028) valuations of the construction industry in Iraq, featuring details of key growth drivers.

Segmentation by sector (commercial, industrial, infrastructure, energy and utilities, institutional and residential) and by sub-sector

Analysis of the mega-project pipeline, including breakdowns by development stage across all sectors, and projected spending on projects in the existing pipeline.

Listings of major projects, in addition to details of leading contractors and consultants

Reasons to Buy

Identify and evaluate market opportunities using the analyst's standardized valuation and forecasting methodologies.

Assess market growth potential at a micro-level with over 600 time-series data forecasts.

Understand the latest industry and market trends.

Formulate and validate strategy using the analyst's critical and actionable insight.

Assess business risks, including cost, regulatory and competitive pressures.

Evaluate competitive risk and success factors.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Executive Summary



2 Construction Industry: At-a-Glance



3 Latest news and developments



4 Project analytics



5 Construction Market Data



6 Risk Profile



7 Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/s88jmw

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
Dublin, Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Europe Air Conditioning Market Forecast Report by Equipment End User, Countries and Company Analysis, 2024-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Europe Air Conditioning Market size will surpass US$ 40.79 billion by 2032 from US$ 29.08 billion in 2023, with a CAGR of 3.83% from 2024 to 2032

Growing urbanization, rising temperatures brought on by climate change, and expanding consumer awareness of indoor air quality and comfort are the main factors propelling this industry. The market dynamics are being shaped by important trends like energy efficiency requirements and technology breakthroughs like eco-friendly refrigerants and smart HVAC systems.







The production, distribution, and installation of equipment meant to regulate indoor temperature, humidity, and air quality are all included in the Europe air conditioning market. It covers a broad spectrum of goods, from sophisticated HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems used in commercial and industrial buildings to simple window units for homes. Air conditioners, heat pumps, ventilation systems, and related controls and accessories are important elements of this sector.



Climate trends, economic expansion, technical developments, and laws promoting environmental sustainability and energy efficiency are some of the drivers driving the industry. There is fierce competition in the market, and businesses are always coming up with new ideas to increase consumer comfort, lower their environmental effect, and increase energy efficiency. In general, the global residential, commercial, and industrial sectors rely heavily on the air conditioning market to improve indoor air quality and provide thermal comfort.



Driving Forces of Europe Air Conditioning Market

Heatwaves and Climate Drive the European Air Conditioning Market:



In Europe, air conditioning units are commonly installed and utilized in office buildings. Finding air conditioners in houses is difficult, though. Many of the region's cities are not built to withstand the extreme heat, and some historically significant structures aren't even permitted to have contemporary air conditioning installed. Therefore, most residential and commercial buildings in European countries use portable cooling units as a result of these considerations. In addition, in order to improve energy efficiency, the HVAC sector changes heating and cooling systems on a regular basis. These developments boost energy efficiency, assist households in mitigating climate change, and safeguard the environment.



As a result, the need for air conditioners in both homes and businesses is boosted by the rising temperatures. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projected in 2021 that as record heat becomes more common, the stock of air conditioners in Europe would double in the next 20 years.



Effective Government Policies throughout the Countries:



Europe's HVAC market is being driven by the continent's supportive government policies that encourage the use of renewable energy sources (RES) and limit greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Additionally, policymakers are attempting to formulate measures that can facilitate the management of the power sector and the decarbonization of transportation. The use of renewable energy appliances may eventually become required for large-scale projects in order to receive certification as green and sustainable building units. The adoption of HVAC systems in homes and big business areas may be significantly accelerated by this.



France Air Conditioning Market



Due to France's intention to replace gas and fuel heaters in homes with heat pumps and to establish a manufacturing sector for the device in an effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions, the market is anticipated to grow rapidly. As part of a multiyear environmental plan, the government intends to promote heat pumps as a means of providing residential heating.



There are about 27 heat pump manufacturers in the nation, and the government is concentrating on raising heat pump output to meet the rising demand, which will propel the market's expansion even further. For example, the French government declared in April 2024 that the nation had to manufacture one million heat pumps by the end of 2027. There are two main components to the government's proposal. First off, the government will keep running several programs like ''MaPrimeRenov'' and energy-saving certificates to assist people in buying heat pumps.



Second, in keeping with Europe's newfound willingness to support vital green industries, the government will directly assist manufacturers. Under the French proposal, investment help up to EUR 200 million (USD 213.41 million) per factory will be provided through tax benefits to stimulate industrial construction.

Europe Air Conditioning Company News:

April 2024: In order to improve customer satisfaction, Toshiba Carrier UK introduced embedded building management solutions with centralized HVAC system control and monitoring.

April 2024: Announcing the debut of the Stand by Me Certified Partner program, Daikin Industries Ltd. expands on the Daikin Academy, which provides current Daikin training. Through the program, installers can earn certification as partners and get training on safe and high-quality installation practices.

January 2024: The release of Mitsubishi Electric Europe BV's domestic air-to-water heat pumps was announced. When the outside temperature drops to -25C, the company's Hydrolution EZY monoblock can still generate hot water at up to 60C. There are two power options for it: 10 kW and 14 kW.

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 130 Forecast Period 2023 - 2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $29.08 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $40.79 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 3.8% Regions Covered Europe



Key Players Analysis: Overview, Recent Developments, Product Portfolio, Financial Insights

Daikin Industries Ltd

Robert Bosch GmbH

Mitsubishi Electric Europe BV

Danfoss A/S

Lennox International Inc

Carrier Corporation

Hitachi Ltd

Panasonic Corporation

Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Research Methodology



3. Executive Summary



4. Market Dynamics

4.1 Growth Drivers

4.2 Challenges



5. Europe Air Conditioning Market



6. Market Share

6.1 Equipment

6.2 End User

6.3 Country



7. Equipment

7.1 Air Conditioning/Ventilation Equipment

7.1.1 Single Split/Multi-Splits

7.1.2 Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF)

7.1.3 Air Handling Units

7.1.4 Chillers

7.1.5 Fans Coils

7.1.6 Packaged and Rooftops

7.1.7 Other Air Conditioning/Ventilation Equipment

7.2 Heating Equipment

7.2.1 Boilers/Radiators/Furnace

7.2.2 Heat Pumps



8. End User

8.1 Residential

8.2 Commercial

8.3 Industrial



9. Europe

9.1 France

9.2 Germany

9.3 Italy

9.4 Spain

9.5 United Kingdom

9.6 Belgium

9.7 Netherlands

9.8 Turkey



10. Porter's Five Analysis

10.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers

10.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

10.3 Degree of Rivalry

10.4 Threat of New Entrants

10.5 Threat of Substitutes



11. SWOT Analysis

11.1 Strength

11.2 Weakness

11.3 Opportunity

11.4 Threat

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8qb9kj

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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BOSTON, Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arcadia (arcadia.io), a leading data platform for healthcare, today announced findings from a new study showing 96% of healthcare technology leaders believe effectively leveraging AI provides a competitive edge.1 Additionally, 33% of surveyed decision-makers view AI as vital today, and that increases to 73% who think AI will be essential in the next five years.1

The research aligns with market analyses that quantify AIs potential impact on healthcare. Accenture predicts AI can save the U.S. healthcare economy $150 billion annually by 2026,2 and a modest estimate from McKinsey projects AI can automate 15% of healthcare work hours.3

Arcadias research, conducted with The Harris Poll, also revealed how healthcare leaders use AI. 63% say it can analyze large patient data sets to identify trends and create population health intervention strategies, 58% say AI can analyze individual patient data to identify opportunities to improve health outcomes, and 47% say AI can optimize the management and analysis of electronic health records.1

"Healthcare leaders are thoughtfully preparing to harness the full value of AI in care delivery reform," said Aneesh Chopra, Arcadias Chief Strategy Officer. "As safe, secure data sharing scales in healthcare, technology leaders prioritize data platforms that can organize fragmented patient records into clinically relevant insights at each step of a patient's journey."

Need For Health Analytics Platforms to Support Patient Care

To succeed in a new era of innovation, 83% of health tech decision-makers agree that effectively harnessing data helps organizations stay competitive and resilient despite financial and digital transformation forces.1 Consequently, 84% say their organizations current priorities are tech-related.1

Specifically, 44% prioritize an enterprise approach to data and analytics, 41% focus on augmenting decision-making with AI, and 32% aim to simplify their technical ecosystems.1 Improving the patient experience is a high priority for 40% of respondents, with 35% focused on improving patient outcomes and 29% on bettering patient engagement and care.1

"CIOs and their teams are setting the stage for an AI-powered revolution in patient care and healthcare operations," said Michael Meucci, Arcadias President and CEO. Our findings point to strong consensus among healthcare CIOs that a solid data foundation is required to make the AI-enabled future a reality. CIOs also recognize that a human workforce with evolving talent and skills will shape the real-world impact of AI in healthcare.

Advancing Strategic Goals with AI

Arcadias study found that 96% of health tech leaders are confident in adopting AI but feel pressured to act quickly.1 82% say the heat comes from data and analytics teams, 78% feel pressure from IT and tech teams, and 73% cite urgency from executive leadership.1

However, 40% of leaders cite lack of talent as a top challenge for adopting AI, indicating a shift in the talents and skills CIOs expect from their teams.1 IT leaders surveyed point to increased demand for data-driven decision-making skills (71%), data analysis, machine learning, and systems integration skills (66%), and training and support roles for healthcare staff (59%).1

Evolving Role of Health System CIOs

Healthcare CIOs say their roles also evolve as data and AI play larger roles in their organizations strategies. 87% consider themselves a strategy influencer or leader, emphasizing their involvement in setting, refining, and executing business strategy.1 In contrast, only 13% see themselves as merely strategy implementers.1

While the modern CIO shifts from execution to strategy, some feel restrained by day-to-day operations. 58% are primarily focused on tactical execution, with an emphasis on the day-to-day over long-term strategy development.1 Yet, to be effective, respondents say roughly three-fourths of their time should focus on developing and implementing strategy.1 Foundrys latest State of the CIO Study supports this sentiment, noting that CIOs stature as a strategic business advisor continues to blossomwith 88% of CIOs they surveyed saying their role is becoming more innovation-focused.4

Read Arcadias report, The Healthcare CIOs Role in the Age of AI, to discover AI's transformative potential in healthcare, uncover industry leaders' key priorities, and explore how CIOs are evolving to become strategic visionaries.

____

1 The Healthcare CIOs Role in the Age of AI, Arcadia and The Harris Poll, 2024

2 AI: Healthcares New Nervous System, Accenture, 2020

3 Transforming healthcare with AI: The impact on the workforce and organizations, McKinsey & Company, 2020

4 State of the CIO 2024, Foundry, 2024

About Arcadia

Arcadia helps payers and providers put their data to work so they can transform healthcare. We do that through an interoperable data platform that uses advanced analytics to shape strategies, inform decisions, and facilitate actions. In turn, payers and providers can focus on what matters most  whether thats patient outcomes, operational efficiencies, or financial performance. Were trusted by the institutions driving the future of healthcare, including Southwestern Health Resources, Tandigm, Castell, Rush Health, and Beth Israel Lahey Health. To learn how Arcadia is shaping the future of healthcare with innovative solutions that deliver data-driven insights, visit arcadia.io.

Arcadia is a registered trademark of Arcadia Solutions, LLC.
Salt Lake City, UT, Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HireVue, the pioneer and global leader in Human Potential Intelligence, today announced the winners of its 2024 Customer Excellence Awards. Now in its fourth year, HireVues program showcases exceptional achievements in talent acquisition and management from across North America, EMEA, and APAC.

"Our 2024 Customer Excellence Awards celebrate not just achievements in talent acquisition but the innovation and dedication our customers bring to unlocking human potential, said Geoff Camplin, SVP of Customer of Customer Success at HireVue. Each of these recipients is defying expectations about what good looks like in hiring while having a profound effect on business outcomes. We're honored to partner with each one of them in our mission to connect talent to opportunity."

The 2024 Customer Excellence Awards celebrate a total of 20 outstanding companies across categories ranging from Experience Star which recognizes the use of HireVue to create a standout candidate experience, to the newly added Unlocking Potential category that honors the ways companies use HireVue technology to tap into candidates Human Potential.

Each award recipient has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence in their talent acquisition strategies.

Experience Star:

Lumen Technologies

Schneider Electric

Tetra Pak

William Hill

Impact Star:

AAA MWG

Emirates Group

Philips Electronics

Prudential Financial

Rising Star:

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Citizens Bank

Globe Telecom, Inc.

NEOM

Rock Star:

AT&T

bp

Lowe's Home Improvement

Philips Electronics

Santander

The Estee Lauder Companies

Unlocking Potential:

Dyson Technology Ltd

ICON plc

Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking

Willis Towers Watson, Inc

Winning the Impact Star Award is a testament to our teams longstanding commitment to a recruitment process that cares for candidates just as we care for our members, said Julie Tomasik, Director of Talent Acquisition at AAA Mountain West Group. Since 2022, weve saved over a million dollars in hiring costs thanks to the efficiencies gained with HireVue's automation and assessment tools, allowing our recruiters to focus on more strategic initiatives.

To learn more about the Customer Excellence Awards program visit here.

About HireVue

Human Potential Intelligence is the future of hiring  enabling organizations to elevate the hiring conversation from evaluating candidates credentials to understanding what they are capable of. HireVues deep expertise in science, AI and data, helps companies understand candidates unique skills and potential to match them to jobs where they can excel today, while also suggesting their path to the future. Serving over 1,150 pioneering customers around the globe including over 60% of the Fortune 100, HireVue has hosted more than 70 million video interviews and 200 million chat-based candidate engagements.

HireVue Social Networks

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/hirevue

X: www.twitter.com/HireVue

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HireVue

YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/HireVue

Instagram: www.instagram.com/hirevue/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@hirevue







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PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a division of FullBloom, a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting, today announced plans to hold a free, one-hour professional development webinar: Strategies for Preventing Challenging Behavior in the Classroom.



The session will be hosted by Diane Myers, Ph.D., senior vice president of special education  behavior at SESI, where she leads the companys pedagogical approach to behavior practices. The webinar is designed for school leaders, helping them equip their educators with tools and strategies that enhance outcomes for students with academic and behavioral challenges.

The webinar takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. CT/10:00 a.m. PT.

As students return to the classroom, navigating the surge of challenges can be a significant hurdle, said Myers. With inappropriate behaviors increasing in classrooms across the country, it's important that educators are equipped with effective strategies to address these issues.

During the 9/24 session, Myers will explore a range of topics, including:

Effective behavior management strategies

Techniques to enhance outcomes for students facing academic and behavioral challenges

Ways to optimize classroom environments to maximize educational success



Attendees will take away actionable strategies that can be implemented immediately to create a more conducive learning environment.

The webinar is available to school administrators and leaders free of charge. To register for the Sept. 24 webinar Strategies for Preventing Challenging Behavior in the Classroom, click here.

About Specialized Education Services, Inc.

Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a division of FullBloom, is a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting. SESI partners with school districts to run classrooms, on-site, within district boundaries and standalone schools that meet the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of special education students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Emotional Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, and other challenges. Partnering with over 600 school districts nationwide, SESI serves more than 7,000 students in day schools and in-district classrooms. SESI is accredited by Cognia.
Blagnac, France, 04th September 2024 - 5h35pm,

Montreal, Canada

RESULTS FOR THE 1st HALF 2024

Turnover = 79.1M (+9%)

EBITDA = 4.1M (-7.0%)

Equities = 57.8M in H1 2024 vs 56.8M in H1 2023 (+1.7%)

SOGECLAIR, supplier of innovative solutions with high added value for a safer and less-consuming mobility announces today its results for the 1st half ended June 30, 2024.

The Board of Directors, meeting on September 02nd 2024, approved the 1st semester accounts for 2024 closed on 30 June 2024. The limited review procedures on the half-year accounts have been accomplished.

in M H1 2024 H1 2023 Variation Turnover 79.1 72.6 +9 % EBITDA 4.1 4.4 - 7.0% As % of turnover 5.2% 6.1% Operating income - 0.4 0.3 -0.7M As % of turnover -0.6% 0.4% Net result - 1.0 -0.9 -0.1M Including group share -0.9 -0.6 - 0.3M

Investment in the transformation plan (processes, digital tools, HR, etc.) was stepped up in H1 2024.

Note the rebalancing of structural costs, which weigh on BUs and geographical zones, in favor of the parent company.

By Geographical Area of subsidiaries

in M Europe Africa America Asia Pacific Turnover 56.1 20.2 2.8 EBITDA 1.3 2.1 - 0.9 Operating income - 1.0 1.1 - 1.2

Differences are due to rounding

The holding company generated EBITDA of +1.6M and operating income of +0.7M

Europe/Africa (70.9% of turnover): Delay in signing a defense contract. Commercial aviation activity below plan, due to supply-chain issues in this sector.

America (25.6% of turnover): Business aviation held up well. Reorganization of structure and renegotiation of prices with customers contributed to improved turnover and a doubling of profitability.

Asia-Pacific (3.5% of turnover): Weak order intake in the rail sector weighed on turnover and profitability. A corrective action plan is currently being rolled out, with positive effects expected by 2025.







By Business Unit

in M BU Engineering BU Solutions BU Conseil Turnover 38.1 40.9 0.2 EBITDA 1.7 0.9 - 0.2 Operating income 1.3 - 2.2 - 0.2

Differences are due to rounding

The holding company generated EBITDA of +1.6M and operating income of +0.7M

BU Engineering: Supply-chain-related delays in commercial aviation have given priority to production over engineering, particularly in R&T. Business aviation is doing very well in the America and Europe/Africa, generating turnover and profitability ahead of plan. The space sector is suffering from an unfavorable environment in Europe.

BU Solutions : Rail business profitability fell sharply due to the delay in order intake in previous years, and to the extra cost of developing OKSYGEN software. The Vehicle activity suffered in H1 from the delay in signing a major defense contract.







PERSPECTIVES

The America area, which is driving growth (+25.8% on turnover vs. H1 2023), should continue to perform well in terms of both turnover and result.

The Rail business, which accounted for 1.5M of EBITDA in H1, should significantly reduce its losses, approaching breakeven and returning to profitability by 2026.

After a H1 2024 EBITDA of -0.6M, the Vehicle business should increase its volume of business thanks to the signing of new contracts from H2 2024, and thus return to breakeven by 2025.

Commercial aviation production rates, whose delay cost 0.4M of EBITDA in H1, should only increase from 2025-2026 onwards, given the difficulties associated with the supply chain.

Sogeclair is continuing to invest in its transformation. The first results will be seen in 2025 and should enable to enhance the offer and customer support.





Our markets are dynamic, our technologies are promising for low-carbon mobility and will support our diversification.

Our business growth will be driven in particular by the development of our commercial offering worldwide and the upgrading of our business prices.

SOGECLAIR reiterates its confidence in growth for 2024 and more generally for the execution of its 2030 ONE SOGECLAIR plan, which targets sales of 250 million, with an EBITDA margin of 12%.

Next announcement: turnover for Q3 2024, on October 30th 2024 after closing of the Stock Market

About SOGECLAIR

Supplier of innovative. high added-value solutions for safer and more efficient mobility. SOGECLAIR brings its skills in high-quality engineering and production to a broad range of cutting-edge sectors. notably aeronautics. space. vehicle. rail and defense. Supporting its customers and partners from the design and simulation stages through to the end of the products lifetime. all along the production chain through to entry into service. the collaborators are working worldwide to offer a high-quality. proximity service to all its customers.

SOGECLAIR is listed on Euronext Growth Paris - Indice Euronext Family Business -Code ISIN: FR0000065864 / (Reuters SCLR.PA  Bloomberg SOG.FP)

Contacts: Philippe ROBARDEY. Chairman of the Board / Olivier PEDRON. Chief Executive Officer / +33(0)5 61 71 70 33

Press contact: Louise-Marie Thabard / SOGECLAIR Communication / louise-marie.thabard@sogeclair.com / +336 75 95 12 20

Attachment
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STAX Engineering, a pioneer in maritime emissions capture and control, has closed a five-year deal with Toyota Motor North America, Inc. to service all vessels visiting the Toyota Berth in the Port of Long Beach. Beginning in 2025 to coincide with new California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards, STAX will become the first and only emissions control provider to service roll-on/roll-off (ro-ros) vessels in the state of California.



The Toyota Long Beach Vehicle Distribution Center imports about 200,000 vehicles each year on ro-ro vessels. STAXs patented, flexible exhaust capture system easily attaches to all vessel classes without modification to remove 99% of emitted particulate matter (PM) and 95% of emitted oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Over the lifetime of this new agreement with Toyota, STAX estimated the service will account for approximately 3,700 hours and more than 47 tons of emissions controlled.

Implementing emissions capture and control technology for the ro-ros that are essential to our business represents a major environmental milestone for Toyota, the maritime industry, and the Long Beach port community, Missy Pearlman, General Manager, Toyota Logistics Services at Toyota said. Additionally, STAXs cutting-edge, low-maintenance emissions control solutions reduce Toyotas environmental footprint without disrupting operations, making it a solution to help us reach our own carbon neutrality goals using this technology.

STAX offers an alternative to shore power with land- and barge-based, mobile emissions capture and control technology for shipping terminal and fleet operators without needing costly, time-consuming retrofits. As the first and only provider servicing container ships, ro-ros, and tankers in California, STAX has rapidly grown since its launch in Q1 2024. The company has secured exclusive service agreements at major California ports, including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Hueneme, Benicia, Richmond, and Oakland. Additionally, STAX has partnered with top international companies like NYK Line, Hyundai GLOVIS, Equilon Enterprises LLC d/b/a Shell Oil Products US (Shell), and now Toyota.

We set out to provide an emissions capture and control solution that was reliable, easily accessible, and cost-effective. As we begin to service Toyota, were confident that we can meet the needs of the full breadth of the maritime industry, furthering our impact on the local air quality, public health, and environment, said Mike Walker, CEO of STAX. Continuing to establish strong partnerships will help build momentum for and trust in our technology as we expand beyond the state of California.

To date, STAX has treated at-berth vessels for a cumulative of 5,087 hours and 39 tons of pollutants controlledand counting. To learn more, visit www.staxengineering.com .

About STAX Engineering

STAX's patented, flexible exhaust capture system is designed to fit all ships without modification, even in the most congested ports. Once the exhaust is captured and funneled into the STAX system, it is filtered. STAX removes 99% of particulate matter (PM) and 95% of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) before being released as purified gas. To date, STAX has treated 98 at-berth vessels for a cumulative of 5,087 hours and 39 tons of pollutantsand counting. Learn more at www.staxengineering.com .

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM), creator of the Prius hybrid and the Mirai fuel cell vehicle, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota and Lexus brands, and directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America (more than 49,000 in the U.S.).

Over the past 65 years, Toyota has assembled nearly 47 million cars and trucks in North America at the companys 12 manufacturing plants. By 2025, the companys 13th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.

Through our more than 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.), Toyota sold more than 2.6 million cars and trucks (more than 2.2 million in the U.S.) in 2023, of which more than one quarter were electrified vehicles (full battery, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell).

Media Contact

LaunchSquad for STAX

stax@launchsquad.com
Norcross, Ga., Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PruittHealth, a leader in post-acute care services, today announced it entered into an agreement on September 1, 2024, with Southeast Georgia Health System to manage two of its skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, located in Brunswick and St. Marys, Georgia.

The partnership brings together Southeast Georgia Health Systems track record of clinical excellence and PruittHealths extensive experience in senior health care. Further, the agreement will optimize operational processes, offer new opportunities to staff, and enhance patient care.

Were honored to have the opportunity to serve these South Georgia communities, said Neil L. Pruitt, Jr., chairman and CEO of PruittHealth. Our 55 years of experience, along with our expansive continuum of care, make us uniquely qualified to increase service delivery and provide residents with a broader range of care options.

The Centers will be renamed as PruittHealth  Brunswick at Southeast Georgia Health System and PruittHealth  St. Marys at Southeast Georgia Health System.

We are delighted to announce this exciting partnership with PruittHealth, a respected leader in the senior care industry, said Scott Raynes, president and CEO of Southeast Georgia Health System. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our commitment to enhance the quality of care and services available to our valued residents and ensures that we provide the best possible support and services to the community.

Patients at both locations will have access to skilled nursing services for care after an illness, surgery, or injury, as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapies, with access to additional PruittHealth services, such as home health, prescription services, and outpatient therapy.

To learn more about PruittHealth  Brunswick at Southeast Georgia Health System, click here. To learn about PruittHealth  St. Marys at Southeast Georgia Health System, click here.

+++

About PruittHealth

Founded in 1969, PruittHealth provides an expansive network of post-acute health care and senior services, offering skilled nursing and senior living services, home health care, hospice and palliative care, veteran care, therapy, pharmacy and infusion services, and more. Based in Georgia, the organizations 14,500 employee partners serve approximately 24,000 patients daily in 180 locations in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. For more information about our commitment to caring, visit PruittHealth.com.

In 2024, PruittHealth proudly celebrates its 55th year as a family-owned business.

About Southeast Georgia Health System

Southeast Georgia Health System is a not-for-profit health system comprised of two acute care hospitals, two long term care facilities, two Cancer Care Centers and multiple specialty care centers, including orthopaedic and spine care, joint replacement, breast care, maternity, outpatient rehabilitation, sleep management and wound care. The Brunswick Campus Cancer Care Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and is one of the few centers in Georgia to offer CyberKnife M6 with MLC. Additionally, the Brunswick Campus is accredited by The Joint Commission as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center and the Camden Campus is accredited as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital. The Southeast Georgia Physician Associates medical group includes more than 160 providers working in 20 different medical specialties at more than 50 locations. The Health System is part of Coastal Community Health, a regional affiliation between Baptist Health and Southeast Georgia Health System, a highly integrated hospital network focused on significant initiatives designed to enhance the quality and value of care provided to our contiguous communities. For more information, visit sghs.org.

Attachments
Washington, D.C., Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blue Star Families (BSF), a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting military families and strengthening communities, will host a two-part Campaign for Inclusion (CFI) Report Release and DEPLOY (Diversify and Expand the Pipeline Of Leaders Of Your Military Community) Graduation event. This event will showcase the release of pivotal findings from the 2024 Blue Star Families CFI Research and the graduation ceremony for the 2023-2024 DEPLOY Fellows, Cohort 3. The Unity in Diversity: Fostering Inclusive Communities for Veterans & Military Families event will take place at The Helix, Booz Allens Center for Innovation, on September 10, 2024 at 2 PM ET.

The DEPLOY Fellowship Program is a dynamic one-year, task-oriented paid program designed to build a pipeline of diverse and talented leaders within military and Veteran service organizations. Existing research indicates that military families of color, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and people from a lower socioeconomic status are less likely to hear about support and resources for challenges by which they are disproportionately affected, like financial distress, housing insecurity, and food insecurity.

Culminating their work in the program, each fellow will present innovative capstone projects highlighting their contributions to enhancing the support network for military families. The graduation ceremony will honor their dedication and achievements in advancing the goals of CFI in terms of DEI and community integration.

Blue Star Families remains deeply committed to advocating for change through our Campaign for Inclusion. Our research, which has informed more than 100 stakeholder briefings with more than 2,000 attendees at various levels  local, state, national, and military  continues to drive important conversations and actionable solutions. Blue Star Families is dedicated to integrating these findings into our internal operations, organizational strategies, and community programs as we continue our work to foster a more inclusive military community, said CT Moss, Director of the Campaign for Inclusion at Blue Star Families.

The highly anticipated CFI Research Report, Unity in Diversity: Fostering Inclusive Communities for Veterans & Military Families, will also be presented, providing a comprehensive overview of key findings related to the experiences of diverse military families, with a particular focus on bridging gaps between civilian and military communities and actionable recommendations in each community to cultivate and nurture inclusive environments for all. The release will feature a rich panel discussion with community leaders from each community, as well as distinguished speakers from Department of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs officials, and corporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) partners. This dialogue will address how civilian and military communities can collaborate to support diverse military families and bolster the overall strength of the armed forces.

A sense of belonging is critical for military family resilience, but it can be harder for diverse military families to feel a sense of belonging in communities that lack diversity. This report uncovers the strategies and resources military families use to connect with others and build that sense of belonging, and what communities can do to set the conditions for connection and belonging for all military families, said Jessica Strong, Senior Director of Applied Research at Blue Star Families.

The importance of this research series is further highlighted in policy change as a result of findings. A significant outcome of the 2021 Campaign for Inclusion report was the inclusion of new language in the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act, requiring ROTC programs to collect race and ethnicity demographic data. This policy change, driven by our findings that students of color are underrepresented among ROTC scholarship recipients and officer corps accessions, is a crucial step toward addressing these disparities at their roots.
TORONTO, Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clear Blue Technologies International Inc. (TSXV: CBLU) (FRANKFURT: OYA), the Smart Off-Grid Company, announces that CEO Miriam Tuerk will host and present on the AI/Analytics panel at the upcoming TowerXchange Meetup Africa 2024 conference. The conference is scheduled for September 10 and 11 in Nairobi, Kenya.



Panel discussion to focus on tangible improvements digital infrastructure owners are generating from the application of better monitoring, analytics, automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) /Machine Learning (ML).

With over 50% of Africa lacking mobile connectivity, tower companies have a major role to close the continents infrastructure gap, said Ms. Tuerk. Artificial Intelligence and predictive analytics is a powerful enabler to obtain better performance from infrastructure, accelerating Africas digital, social and economic development. Clear Blue has been at the forefront of these solutions and offers proven, cost effective, environmentally friendly, and easily deployable Smart Power services and solutions to help make this leap in infrastructure. I look forward to exchanging knowledge with government representatives, tower executives, and other stakeholders at TowerXchange Meetup Africa 2024.

Extension of Private Placement Second Closing

Clear Blue today also announces the extension of its non-brokered convertible debenture private placement (the Offering), previously set to end on September 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024. The closing of the initial tranche of the Offering was announced on August 6, 2024, in which gross proceeds of approximately $1.41M were subscribed for. The Company also intends to increase the size of the Offering from $2M to $2.5M collectively across all tranches. Additionally, the Company is correcting the disclosure of the strike price of certain broker warrants issued in the first tranche of the Offering from $0.06 to $0.10, and correcting the disclosure of cash finders fees from $10,080 to $5,740.

About TowerXchange

TowerXchange is an open community for thought leaders in the telecom infrastructure industry. We bring together MNOs, towercos, investors, equipment and service providers to share best practices in passive and active infrastructure management, opex reduction, and to accelerate infrastructure sharing. For more information, visit https://meetup.towerxchange.com

For more information, contact:

Miriam Tuerk, Co-Founder and CEO

+1 416 433 3952

investors@clearbluetechnologies.com

www.clearbluetechnologies.com/en/investors

Nikhil Thadani, Sophic Capital

+1 437 836 9669

Nik@SophicCapital.com

About Clear Blue Technologies International

Clear Blue Technologies International, the Smart Off-Grid company, was founded on a vision of delivering clean, managed, wireless power to meet the global need for reliable, low-cost, solar and hybrid power for lighting, telecom, security, Internet of Things devices, and other mission-critical systems. Today, Clear Blue has thousands of systems under management across 37 countries, including the U.S. and Canada. (TSXV: CBLU) (FRA: 0YA) (OTCQB: CBUTF)

Legal Disclaimer

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described in this news release. Such securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and, accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of persons in the United States or U.S. Persons, as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" and/or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only Clear Blues beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of Clear Blue's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information contained herein may include, but is not limited to, information concerning financial results and future upcoming contracts.

By identifying such information and statements in this manner, Clear Blue is alerting the reader that such information and statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Clear Blue to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information and statements.

An investment in securities of Clear Blue is speculative and subject to several risks including, without limitation, the risks discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Clear Blue's listing application dated July 12, 2018. Although Clear Blue has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.

In connection with the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release, Clear Blue has made certain assumptions. Although Clear Blue believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. All subsequent written and oral forward- looking information and statements attributable to Clear Blue or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described in this news release. Such securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and, accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of persons in the United States or U.S. Persons, as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements.
CHICAGO, Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- nuEra Cannabis , a leading cannabis company in Illinois, is proud to announce a special one-day fundraiser in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month . On September 15, 2024, nuEra Cannabis will be hosting this event to support The Latino Medical Student Association, emphasizing the companys commitment to community engagement and cultural celebration.



The fundraiser will take place across all nuEra dispensary locations in Illinois. 5% of sales of nuEra House of Brand products (such as nuEra, Midweek Friday, Interstate 420, among other brands) will be donated directly to The Latino Medical Student Association , an organization dedicated to uniting and empowering current and future physicians through service, mentorship, and education to advocate for the improved health of the Hispanic & Latina/o/x community in the United States.

This initiative highlights nuEra Cannabis's dedication to giving back to the community and supporting causes that align with the values of diversity and inclusion.

We are thrilled to be part of Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting this fundraiser, said Jonah Rapino, Director of Marketing at nuEra Cannabis . Supporting The Latino Medical Student Association allows us to contribute to the important work they are doing, while also celebrating the rich cultural heritage that is a vital part of our community.

Customers are encouraged to visit any of nuEra Cannabiss dispensary locations on September 15 to contribute to this meaningful cause.

In addition to making a difference, participants can enjoy a wide range of premium cannabis products and expert guidance from the knowledgeable staff at nuEra Cannabis.

About nuEra Cannabis: nuEra Cannabis is a premier Illinois cannabis company, offering a wide selection of premium products and expert staff to guide customers. Known for their commitment to quality and customer service, nuEra Cannabis provides a unique and enjoyable cannabis experience with convenient locations across Illinois. For further information, please visit nueracannabis.com.

Stay connected with nuEra on social media:






Press release Paris, 4 September 2024





This press release may not be distributed or published directly or indirectly in the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan.





Following the launch of its Tender Offers, Credit Agricole Assurances has successfully placed an issue of 750,000,000 euros of Tier 2 subordinated notes at a fixed rate of 4.500% per annum and set the Maximum Acceptance Amount of its previously launched Tenders Offers at 750,000,000 euros.





Following the launch of its tender offers for the two series of undated subordinated notes issued in 2014 (ISIN FR0012222297) and 2015 (ISIN FR0012444750) on 3 September 2024 (the Tender Offers), Credit Agricole Assurances announces today that it has:

(i) successfully placed an issue of Tier 2 fixed rate subordinated notes due December 2034 for a nominal amount of 750,000,000 euros (the New Issue); and





(ii) set the Maximum Acceptance Amount (as defined below) of its Tender Offers at 750,000,000 euros.





The Tender Offers and the New Issue are part of Credit Agricole Assurances active capital management policy, and follow the partial tender offers in respect of the Existing Notes (as defined below) and concurrent issue of Tier 2 subordinated notes by Credit Agricole Assurances in October 2023.

The New Issue has been structured so that the newly issued notes (the Notes) are eligible for Tier 2 capital under Solvency II. The Notes will bear interest at the annual fixed rate of 4.500 % until maturity in 2034. The Notes have been rated by Standard & Poors, with a BBB+ rating, and their admission to trading on the regulated market of Euronext Paris will be sought, subject to the approval by the Autorite des marches financiers of a prospectus detailing the terms and conditions of this New Issue. The transaction met strong investor demand, with subscription intentions more than 4.5 times higher than the total nominal amount of the New Issue. Settlement of the Notes is scheduled for 12 September 2024.

Following the placing of the New Issue, Credit Agricole Assurances also announces that it will set the maximum acceptance amount of its Tender Offers up to the principal amount of the New Issue, i.e. 750,000,000 (the "Maximum Acceptance Amount"). Credit Agricole Assurances may increase or decrease the Maximum Acceptance Amount at its full discretion. Credit Agricole Assurances will announce the final acceptance amount of Existing Notes (as defined below) to be repurchased under its Tender Offers, as well as the allocation between each series of Existing Notes (as defined below) at its sole discretion upon publication of the results of the Tender Offers.

As previously announced, the invitation to qualifying holders of the Existing Notes (the Qualifying Holders) to present their notes for purchase by Credit Agricole Assurances relates to undated subordinated notes issued in 2014 and 2015 by Credit Agricole Assurances, currently grandfathered, with an outstanding principal amount of 620 million (ISIN FR0012444750) and 630 million (ISIN FR0012222297) and bearing interest at fixed rates of 4.25% and 4.50% per annum, resettable on January 13 and 14 October 2025, respectively (the "Existing Notes"):

Designation of the Existing Notes ISIN code Outstanding principal amount First Call Date 4.25% Undated Subordinated Resettable Notes ISIN :

FR0012444750 620,000,000 euros 13 January 2025 4.50% Undated Subordinated Resettable Notes ISIN :

FR0012222297 630,000,000 euros 14 October 2025

The Tender Offers have started on 3 September 2024 and will end on 10 September 2024 at 4:00 p.m. Central European Summer Time (the Expiration Time). The terms and conditions of the Tender Offers are set out in the document entitled Tender Offer Memorandum dated 3 September 2024, which sets out, among other things, the restrictions relating to the Tender Offers (the Tender Offer Memorandum). The results of the Tender Offers (including the total nominal amount of the Existing Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase and the allocation between each series of Existing Notes) will be announced on 11 September 2024 (subject to any extension, withdrawal, termination or change in the timing thereof in accordance with the terms of the Tender Offer Memorandum).

Uptevia is acting both as Tender Agent and Information Agent in connection with the Tender Offers. Qualifying Holders who are eligible to participate in the Tender Offers may contact Uptevia if they have any questions regarding the procedures for tendering their Existing Notes and may request the Tender Offer Memorandum from Uptevia by telephone at +33 (0) 1 73 05 01 22 or +33 (0) 1 73 05 03 28 and by email to sylvie.benacom@uptevia.com, sandrine.manga-ekambi@uptevia.com or CT-service-ost@uptevia.com.

Credit Agricole Assurances is rated A/stable outlook by Standard & Poor's.

About Credit Agricole Assurances

Credit Agricole Assurances, Frances largest insurer, is the company of the Credit Agricole group, which brings together all the insurance businesses of Credit Agricole S.A. Credit Agricole Assurances offers a range of products and services in savings, retirement, health, personal protection and property insurance products and services. They are distributed by Credit Agricoles banks in France and in 9 countries worldwide, and are aimed at individual, professional, agricultural and business customers. Credit Agricole Assurances has 5,800 employees. Its premium income (non-GAAP) to the end of 2023 amounted 37.2 billion euros.

www.ca-assurances.com

Press contacts

Nicolas Leviaux +33 (0)1 57 72 09 50 / 06 19 60 48 53

Julien Bade +33 (0)1 57 72 93 40 / 07 85 18 68 05

service.presse@ca-assurances.fr



Investor relations contacts

Yael Beer-Gabel +33 (0)1 57 72 66 84

Gael Hoyer +33 (0)1 57 72 62 22

Sophie Santourian +33 (0)1 57 72 43 42

Cecile Roy +33 (0)1 57 72 61 86

relations.investisseurs@ca-assurances.fr

Notice relating to the Tender Offers

Qualifying Holders must make their own decisions as to whether to tender their Existing Notes in accordance with the Tender Offers and, where applicable, the nominal amount of the Existing Notes to be tendered. Qualifying Holders should consult their own appropriate tax, financial, accounting and legal advisors regarding the acceptability of the tax, accounting, financial and legal consequences of participating in or not participating in the Tender Offers.

This press release does not constitute an offer to purchase, redeem or the solicitation of an offer to sell any securities.

This press release does not constitute an invitation to participate in the Tender Offers. Such an invitation will be made only by means of documents (including the Tender Offer Memorandum) which will be made available to investors to whom the invitation may lawfully be addressed. The distribution of this press release in certain countries may be prohibited by law.

United States. The Tender Offers are not and will not be made, directly or indirectly, in the United States, or by mail, or by any means or instrument (including, without limitation, transmission by fax, telex, telephone, email and other forms of electronic transmission) of interstate or foreign trade, or any facility of a domestic stock exchange, or to beneficial owners of the Existing Notes that are located in the United States or that are qualified as U.S. Holders (each a  U.S. Holder ) as defined in Rule 800 of the U.S. Securities Act 1933, as amended (the  Securities Act ), and the Existing Notes may not be tendered by such use, means, instrument or facility from or within the United States, by persons located or resident in the United States or by U.S. Holders. Accordingly, copies of this press release, the Tender Offer Memorandum and any documents or materials relating to the Tender Offers are not and should not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise transmitted, distributed or transmitted in the United States or to any of these persons. Any purported tender in response to the Tender Offers resulting directly or indirectly from a breach of these restrictions will be invalid, and tenders made by a person located in the United States or by any agent, trustee or other intermediary giving instructions from the United States or any U.S. Holder will not be accepted.

Each Qualifying Holder participating in the Tender Offers shall declare that it is not a U.S. Holder, is not located in the United States and does not participate in the Tender Offers from the United States. For the purposes of this and the above paragraph, United States has the meaning given to it in Regulation S of the Securities Act and includes the United States, its territories and possessions (including Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, the American Samoa Islands, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands), any State of the United States and the District of Columbia.

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European Economic Area. In any member State of the European Economic Area ( EEA ) (each designated as a  Relevant State ), this press release, the Tender Offer Memorandum and any other documents or materials relating to the Tender Offers are only intended and addressed to qualified investors within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as amended (the  Prospectus Regulation ), in that Relevant State. Any person in a Relevant State who receives any communication relating to the Tender Offers, the Tender Offer Memorandum or any other documents relating to the Tender Offers will be presumed to have acknowledged to and agreed with the Sole Structuring Bank and Sole Dealer Manager, as defined in the Tender Offer Memorandum, and Credit Agricole Assurances S.A. that he is a qualified investor within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation.

Neither this announcement nor the Tender Offer Memorandum constitutes a prospectus within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation.

Notice regarding the New Issue

This press release does not constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for the Notes in the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan, or in any state or jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would be unlawful in the absence of registration or approval under the laws of that state or jurisdiction.

The offer and subscription of the Notes may be subject in certain countries to specific legal or regulatory restrictions; Credit Agricole Assurances accepts no liability for any breach by any person of these restrictions.

This press release constitutes a communication of a promotional nature but does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation. The distribution of this press release may, in certain countries, be subject to specific regulations. Persons in possession of this document are required to inform themselves of any local restrictions and to comply with them. Credit Agricole Assurances accepts no responsibility towards any person in connection with the distribution of this press release or the information contained therein in any country.

European Economic Area

The Notes may not be and have not been offered to the public in any Relevant State, except in accordance with the derogations provided for in Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation. No action has been or will be taken to permit an offer to the public of the Notes other than to qualified investors in a Relevant State.

PROHIBITION OF SALES TO EEA RETAIL INVESTORS  The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to, any retail investor in the EEA. For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or both) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive (EU) No 2014/65 (as amended,  MiFID II ); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) No 2016/97 dated 20 January 2016 on insurance distribution, as amended (the  Insurance Distribution Directive ), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II. No key information document under Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 is available.

MiFID II product governance / target market - The prospectus for the Notes contains a legend entitled MiFID II product governance / professional investors and eligible counterparties only target market describing the target market assessment with respect to the Notes and the appropriate distribution channels for the Notes. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Notes (a  Distributor ) must consider the target market assessment; a Distributor subject to MiFID II is responsible for conducting its own target market assessment with respect to the Notes (by adopting or refining the target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels.

This investment restriction is in addition to the other investment restrictions applicable in each Relevant State.

United Kingdom

This press release is intended only for persons who (i) are located outside the United Kingdom, (ii) are investment professionals within the meaning of section 19(5) of the Order), (iii) are referred to in section 49(2) (a) to (d) (high-equity companies, non-registered associations, etc.) of the Order, or (iv) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement is directed to be undertaken in investment activities (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA in connection with the issue or sale of the Notes, may be lawfully disclosed (the persons referred to in paragraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) together being referred to as the  Authorised Persons ). The Notes are only intended for Authorised Persons and any invitation, offer or contact relating to the subscription, purchase or acquisition of the Notes may only be addressed or entered into with Authorised Persons. Any person other than an Authorised Person shall refrain from using or relying on this press release and the information contained therein.

This press release does not constitute a prospectus and has not been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority or any other regulatory authority in the United Kingdom within the meaning of Section 85 of the FSMA.

The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available and, from that date, shall not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to a retail investor in the United Kingdom. For these purposes, a retail investor means a person having one or more of these qualities: (i) a retail client as defined in Article 2(8) of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as part of domestic law under the EUWA; or (ii) a client as defined in the FSMA and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement the Insurance Distribution Directive, where that client would not be qualified as a retail investor professional client within the meaning of Article 2(1)(8) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of national law under the EUWA. No key information documents required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as part of national law under the EUWA have been prepared.

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This press release may not be published, distributed or transmitted in the United States (or in its territories and dependencies, its constituent states or the District of Columbia). This press release does not constitute a solicitation to purchase or an offer to purchase or subscribe for the Notes in the United States. The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act and may only be offered or sold in the United States in accordance with an exemption regime under the Securities Act. The Notes will only be offered or sold outside the United States within the meaning and in accordance with Regulation S of the Securities Act. Credit Agricole Assurances does not intend to register in the United States or to make an offer to the public of the Notes, in the United States or elsewhere.

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This press release may not be published, communicated or distributed, directly or indirectly, in Australia, Canada or Japan. This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for the Notes in these countries.





Attachment
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - September 3, 2024) - Canadian Metals Inc. (CSE: CME) ("CME" or the "Corporation") announces that it has applied for Canadian Securities Exchange's approval to a 2-year extension (the "Extension") of the term of an aggregate of 15,822,783 post-Consolidation common share purchase warrants originally 79,113,917 common share purchase warrant (the "Warrants"). The Warrants were originally issued as part of a private placement closed on 2 tranches dated December 29, 2022 and January 11, 2023 respectively. Following the 5:1 basis share consolidation of the Corporation effective on April 22nd, 2024 (the "Consolidation"), the number of the Warrants and the exercise price thereof be adjusted accordingly. The terms of the Warrants be as follows:

Issuance Date: December 29, 2022 January 11, 2023 Original Number of Warrants: 73,585,361 5,528,556 Post-Consolidation Number of Warrants: 14,717,072 1,105,711 Original Exercise Price: $0.048 $0.048 Post-Consolidation Exercise Price: $0.24 $0.24 Original Expiry Date: December 29, 2024 January 11, 2025 New Expiry Date: December 29, 2026 January 11, 2027

All other terms of the Warrants will remain unchanged.

About Canadian Metals Inc.

Canadian Metals is a diversified resource company focused on creating shareholder value through the development of large-scale mineral deposits in specific commodities and safe jurisdictions. The company currently has 28,822 hectares of highly prospective land in New Brunswick, Canada, the projects are within and bordering the prolific Bathurst Mining Camp (BMC) and are 100% owned. The properties cover a range of geological target types including VMS style, structurally controlled gold, porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum, and skarn lead-zinc-copper-silver mineralization.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222061
Highlights: Mapping identifies multiple sequences of hydrothermally-altered intrusive rock with stockwork veining, correlating with anomalous copper grades in surface soils and rock chips at the Bambino target.

Discovery of secondary copper mineralization and gossan material three kilometers north of Bambino, identified through follow-up mapping of 'Kill zone' targets around the northwestern soil anomaly.

Initiation of a 300-meter trenching program across the central Bambino anomaly to delineate high-grade zones to aid drill planning.

Collection of 139 additional rock chip samples from across the Bambino and northern anomalies.

Vancouver - Electrum Discovery Corp. ("Electrum" or the "Company") (TSX-V:ELY |FRA:R8N |OTC:ELDCF) is pleased to announce the results of geological mapping, and the commencing of trenching at its Timok East copper-gold project in the Republic of Serbia. The project adjoins the Zijin's Bor copper-gold mining complex. Exploration in the region has recently increased significantly as a result of new investment and expansion of the +1 billion tonne mine, and several new discoveries in the district.

Geological mapping and rock chip sampling completed by Electrum's geology team has revealed zones of hydrothermally-altered intrusive rocks with significant stockwork veining over a 1.5-kilometer NNW striking corridor. These altered intrusive units are strongly associated with surface copper anomalies identified in soils, with an increasing density of stockwork veining corresponding to the highest-grade copper anomalies at Bambino (see Figures 1 & 4).

Alteration assemblages vary within these units, ranging from argillic-altered felsic intrusive rocks to zones that have undergone complete textural destruction, characterized by silica recrystallization and iron-oxide gossan material with boxwork textures. These are elements that may be associated with porphyry copper styles of mineralization.

139 rock chip samples were collected during the mapping phase (see Figure 1). These samples will provide critical understanding of the copper and gold grade distribution across the central Bambino target and test the grade of new occurrences to the north and south.



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Figure 1: Geological map of the Bambino anomaly, highlighting structurally offset, repeating sequences of hydrothermally altered intrusive rock that coincides with increased stockwork veining and copper anomalism in soils.



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Figure 2: Photomicrograph hydrothermally altered intrusive stockwork material in PPL. Sample taken from the center of the Bambino anomaly. Note relic intrusive texture that has been replaced with quartz, sericite and other clay minerals.



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Figure 3: Photomicrograph of hydrothermally altered intrusive stockwork material in PPL taken from the center of the Bambino anomaly. Note argillically altered intrusive stockwork material with micro quartz-iron-oxide stockwork.

Following its successful mapping campaign, Electrum has initiated a 300-meter trenching program across the central Bambino anomaly, with four trenches planned to crosscut intense stockwork zones exhibiting high grade copper in soil geochemistry (see Figure 4). These trenches are planned to expose significant new transects of bedrock, providing key insights into the style of mineralization and grade distribution allowing for more efficient drill targeting.



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Figure 4: Geological map of the Bambino anomaly, highlighting structurally offset, repeating sequences of hydrothermally altered intrusive rock that coincides with increased stockwork veining and copper anomalism in soils.

Follow-up mapping of natural vegetation 'kill zones' around the northwestern anomaly has uncovered secondary copper mineralization in hydrothermally-altered intrusive and metasedimentary rocks, along with boxwork textures in iron-manganese oxide-rich gossan material in both outcrops and float, three kilometres north of Bambino (see Figures 5 & 6). The natural vegetation reduction or "kill" is likely related to the natural weathering of zones with suphide minerals.

These findings indicate similar styles of alteration and mineralization as those observed at Bambino and significantly increase the strike length of the potential target, with copper mineralisation now confirmed in rocks in several locations over 3.5 kilometres strike.

Follow-up mapping and sampling of this area, at additional kill zones and in the three kilometres of unexplored strike between the two anomalies is underway to outline any additional mineralisation and highlight further targets for follow-up exploration.



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Figure 5: Photographs of samples taken from the northern killzones (see Figure 5). Note relict stockwork structure in iron-oxide gossan in sample 1008404. Boxwork textures in iron-manganese oxide gossan in sample 1008405 and secondary copper (malachite) precipitation in clay altered metasedimentary material in sample 1008403.



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Figure 6: Satellite map of Bambino and the north-western anomaly, highlighting 'kill zones' and the location of secondary copper and gossan mineralization.

Oxide staining across the rocks at Bambino is common and includes jarosite, limonite, manganese oxide, martite, malachite, and azurite precipitation. The intensity of stockwork veining varies from weak (<1%) to intense (>10%), with a noticeable increase towards the north. These crosscutting veins range from sub-millimetre to 2 cm in diameter and are typically composed of quartz and iron-manganese oxides, with pervasive copper-oxide staining in some locations (see Figures 2 & 3). Some veins display boxwork textures resulting from the oxidation of sulfides, and the presence of glassy limonite along oxidised veins also indicates original chalcopyrite veining and in situ mineralisation.

Sample Collection, QA/QC, Preparation and Analysis

Rock and soil sample locations were recorded using a Garmin handheld GPS with a nominal accuracy of 3 meters, and the location was then photographed with the labelled sample. Samples will be analyzed using a combination of four-acid digest with an AAS finish for copper and 50g fire assay with an AAS finish for gold analysis. Samples were submitted in batches of 40, made up of 38 samples, one CRM, and one blank. Samples will be prepared and analyzed at SGS Serbia and Bulgaria, certification SRPS ISO / IEC 17025.

About Electrum Discovery Corp.

Electrum Discovery Corp. is an emerging, Canadian-based mineral exploration and development company focused on the prolific Western Tethyan Belt with two main projects spanning 645 square kilometers of prospective exploration ground in the Republic of Serbia.

Timok East extends over 123 square kilometers across the Timok copper-gold region and includes the recently discovered Bambino copper-gold anomaly, located less than five kilometers from the Zijin's Bor Copper-Gold Mining Complex. Novo Tlamino, located in the south-east of the Republic of Serbia, covers 522 square kilometers and includes an inferred mineral resource estimate of 670,000oz AuEq (7,100,000 tonnes at 2.9 g/t AuEq average grade), PEA (2021)1.

Electrum's management team is focused on maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition and advancement of a large portfolio of copper-gold assets, while fostering sustainability, governance and knowledge transfer in the region.

Additional information on Electrum can be found by reviewing the Company's page on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

For more information contact:

Dr Elena Clarici, Chief Executive Officer and Director

T: +1 604 801 5432 | E: info@electrumdiscovery.com | W: electrumdiscovery.com

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by R. Michael Jones P.Eng . Mr. Jones is a non-independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and a director of the Company. He has visited the property and verified the data gathered by technically competent experienced staff by reviewing, the assay certificates, the geological data and interpretation and reviewing the qualifications of the persons completing and compiling the field work.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information. Such statements include Company's expected achievement of specified milestones, results of operations, and expected financial results of the Company. Often, but not always, this forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate", "estimates", "estimated", "potential", "open", "future", "assumed", "projected", "used", "detailed", "has been", "gain", "upgraded", "offset", "limited", "contained", "reflecting", "containing", "remaining", "to be", "periodically", or statements that events, "could" or "should" occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Electrum, to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others, uncertainties inherent in the PEA and exploration results and the estimation of mineral resources; risks related to the failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; risks associated with the results of exploration and development activities, and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; unanticipated costs and expenses; and such other risks detailed from time to time in Electrum's quarterly and annual filings with securities regulators and available under Electrum's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Rock chip and surface results are early stage and there is no assurance that future exploration will find mineralization of further interest. Although Electrum has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking information contained herein are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management. Forward-looking information has been made as of the date hereof and Electrum disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

1 Preliminary Economic Assessment and NI43-101 Technical Report for the Medgold Tlamino Project, January 7, 2021, www.sedarplus.ca. The effective date of the resource estimate is January 7, 2021. Authors of the Reports are: Mr. Richard Siddle, MAIG, of Addison Mining Services Ltd for Mineral Resources; Dr. Matthew Randall, FIMMM, of Axe Valley Mining Consultants Ltd for Mining; Mr. Ian Jackson, FIMMM, of Bara Consulting for Mineral Processing, and Dr. Andrew Bamber, MCIM, of Bara Consulting Ltd for Economic Analysis.

The PEA is preliminary in nature, and it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be characterized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realised.

Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Kamoa-Kakula achieved new daily production record of 2,096 tonnes of copper on August 31

Phase 3 ramp-up nears completion; hot commissioning of fine-grinding circuit expected to be complete imminently

Kolwezi, September 4, 2024 - Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) Executive Co-Chairman Robert Friedland and President Marna Cloete announced today that the Phase 1, 2 and 3 concentrators at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) achieved a combined monthly production record of 40,347 tonnes of copper in concentrate and a combined monthly milling record of 1.1 million tonnes during August.

On August 31, the Phase 1, 2 and 3 concentrators produced a combined daily production record of 2,096 tonnes of copper. This included 1,760 tonnes of copper from the Phase 1 and 2 concentrators, which was also a record.

Ramp-up of the Phase 3 concentrator to steady state production is progressing well, with approximately 350,000 tonnes of ore milled during August. This equates to an annualized throughout of 4.2 million tonnes per annum. The average daily milling rate was approaching the nameplate annualized processing rate of 5 million tonnes by month-end, with the potential to exceed nameplate.

The Phase 3 concentrator recovery rate averaged 77% during August. The commissioning of fine-grinding mills, manufactured by Metso Corporation of Helsinki, Finland, is the final stage required to achieve steady-state production. Hot commissioning of the fine-grinding mills is ongoing and is expected to be complete within the coming days. Once complete, copper recovery rates are expected to reach the concentrator's nameplate target of 86%.

During August, the on-site backup power generation capacity was increased to 135 MW, following the commissioning of an additional 72 MW of generators that were delivered to site in July. With this additional backup power, Kamoa-Kakula can operate Phase 1 and 2 concentrators at full capacity with no grid power if required.

Year-to-date, the combined production from Kamoa-Kakula is approximately 263,000 tonnes of copper, of which 14,000 tonnes was produced by the Phase 3 concentrator. With further improvements in processing throughput and copper recovery following the commissioning of the fine-grinding mills in the Phase 3 concentrator, Kamoa-Kakula expects to continue its recent run of production records and achieve its 2024 guidance of between 440,000 and 490,000 tonnes of copper.

Ramp-up of the Phase 3 concentrator to steady state production is progressing well, with hot commissioning of the fine-grinding mills expected to be complete imminently, boosting recoveries to the nameplate target of 86%.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3396/222096_b502d514f4f858e2_002full.jpg

The Phase 3 concentrator, showing the rougher, cleaner and scavenger flotation cells in the centre, with the ball mills in the background on the right. The fine-grinding mills regrind scavenger concentrate and high-grade cleaner tailings to improve copper recovery, and increase the concentrate copper grade.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3396/222096_b502d514f4f858e2_003full.jpg

About Ivanhoe Mines

Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa; the expansion of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC, the construction of the tier-one Platreef palladium-nickel-platinum-rhodium-copper-gold project in South Africa; and the restart of production at the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC.

Ivanhoe Mines also is exploring across circa 1,808 km2 of highly prospective, 60-100% owned exploration licences in the Western Forelands, located adjacent to the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC. Ivanhoe is exploring for new sedimentary copper discoveries, as well as expanding and further defining its high-grade Makoko, Kiala, and Kitoko copper discoveries as the company's next major development projects.

Information contact

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified using words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events, or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this release.

Such statements include without limitation: (i) statements that hot commissioning of the fine-grinding mills is expected to be completed in the coming days; (ii) statements that once hot commissioning of the fine-grinding mills is completed, copper recovery rates at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex are expected to reach the concentrator's nameplate target of 86%; and (iii) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula's production guidance for 2024 of between 440,000 and 490,000 tonnes of copper.

Furthermore, concerning this specific forward-looking information concerning the operation and development of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, the company has based its assumptions and analysis on certain factors that are inherently uncertain. Uncertainties include: (i) the adequacy of infrastructure; (ii) geological characteristics; (iii) metallurgical characteristics of the mineralization; (iv) the ability to develop adequate processing capacity; (v) the price of copper; (vi) the availability of equipment and facilities necessary to complete development and exploration; (vii) the cost of consumables and mining and processing equipment; (viii) unforeseen technological and engineering problems; (ix) accidents or acts of sabotage or terrorism; (x) currency fluctuations; (xi) changes in regulations; (xii) the compliance by joint venture partners with terms of agreements; (xiii) the availability and productivity of skilled labour; (xiv) the regulation of the mining industry by various governmental agencies; (xv) the ability to raise sufficient capital to develop such projects; (xvi) changes in project scope or design; (xvii) recoveries, mining rates and grade; (xviii) political factors; (xviii) water inflow into the mine and its potential effect on mining operations, and (xix) the consistency and availability of electric power.

Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether such results will be achieved. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, however not limited to, the factors discussed above and under the "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and in its current annual information form, as well as unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations.

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this release are based upon what management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release.

The company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors outlined in the "Risk Factors" section in the company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and its current annual information form.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222096
Vancouver - Red Lake Gold Inc. (CSE: RGLD)("Red Lake Gold" or the "Corporation") is pleased to report that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered common share unit financing (the "Financing") by way of the issuance of three and a half million common share units (the "Units") for proceeds of $192,500.00, the Financing being on terms previously announced by the Corporation (see news release, Red Lake Gold Inc. Announces Financing, dated August 22, 2024).

There were zero finder's fees paid by the Corporation under the Financing and closing of the Financing occurred today, September 4, 2024.

The Corporation intends to use the proceeds of the Financing for working capital purposes and to advance its Whirlwind Jack Gold Project.

The Units issued under the Financing are subject to a customary four-month and one day hold period pursuant to applicable securities laws of Canada.

Following completion of the Financing, the Corporation has 45,239,169 common shares issued and outstanding.

Insider Participation

One Insider of the Corporation (as that first term is defined by securities laws) supported the working capital position of the Corporation by way of participation in the Financing and purchased three and a half million Units, on a direct basis, representing a personal investment of $192,500 into the Corporation's common share equity by the participating Insider.

Regulatory Notices

The Financing is exempt from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101") by virtue of the exemptions contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in that the fair market value of the consideration for the securities of the Corporation to be issued to the Insider does not exceed 25% of its market capitalization.

The Corporation did not file a material change report more than twenty-one days before the expected closing of the Financing as the details of the transaction therein by related parties of the Corporation were not settled until shortly prior to closing of the Financing and the Corporation wished to close on an expedited basis for sound business reasons.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Nicholas Koo

Chief Financial Officer

T: 604.687.2038

Email: info@redlakegold.ca

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the Corporation's ability to successfully close future financings, if any are announced, and, if so, the terms or subscriber composition of such future financings, as well as to the composition or good-standing nature of exploration projects held by the Corporation, including but not necessary limited to the Whirlwind Jack Gold Project. Actual results may differ materially from those currently expected or forecast in such statements.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Post a meme or a photo featuring one of King's quotes (looking at you, Portland, Maine). Or inform residents of government office closures (looking at you, Phoenix).

For the last decade or so, lots of smart people have debated the purpose and value of social media. Do we really need to take pictures of our half-eaten food? How many duck-faced selfies does one person need? Are 280 characters all that's required to express complex thoughts? And if I work in local government, how do I use this tool to tell our story without alienating or angering the people, families and businesses that call our community home?Getting social media right in any environment is hard, but local government  which is, as a result of painful experience, risk-averse  presents unique challenges. Even the most well-intended tweet or status update can easily descend into a rage-filled comment section. Just try posting something on Facebook about an upcoming City Council meeting where a proposal to allow apartment buildings in a single-family neighborhood will be discussed. Seriously. Go ahead. Try it.You will regret it.The result of this (very justifiable) caution is a hesitancy to use social media for one of its most effective purposes. Since its inception, social media has been an incredibly effective tool for community building. It doesn't matter whether that community exists around Kylie Jenner's makeup tips or a shared interest in video games. Either way, those communities are real, and they matter to the people who belong to them.But community building isn't just the domain of social media influencers and gamers.Successful community building is also the difference between a city that attracts and retains a talented workforce and a city that watches its labor pool (and any chance at a vibrant local economy) disappear before its eyes. Simply put, social media illustrates some basic facts about humanity: We all want to belong to something. We all want to feel like we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. And, we all want to live somewhere that feels like home.Unfortunately, most local governments use social media only to push information toward residents rather than to engage them.Need an example? Every year on the third Monday of January, the nation honors Martin Luther King Jr. How do most local governments recognize the importance of Dr. King's contributions?For the most part, local governments:There isn't a city in the United States that would intentionally disrespect King's legacy. Phoenix, Portland and the thousands of other cities that treated that day the same way weren't guilty of dishonoring one of history's most important Americans. What were they guilty of? Failing to capitalize in a meaningful, authentic way to use social media to strengthen their communities.So what should they have done?Rather than use their social media feeds solely to push a message toward their audience, local governments should use it to elevate the people and organizations working hard to create better cities, counties, regions and states. Martin Luther King Jr. Day represents a fantastic opportunity to do that. Instead of merely reminding residents that offices will be closed or posting the same meme as a thousand other cities, why not also feature residents who best embody the spirit of MLK?Digital community-building doesn't begin and end with the sender delivering a message people want to hear. At the civic level, community-building occurs when local governments recognize and elevate the important role residents play.Most local governments have a decent-sized social media following. Twitter and Facebook are excellent ways to learn more about road closures and upcoming events, but those kinds of feeds receive remarkably little engagement.That Jan. 20 tweet from the city of Phoenix informing residents that municipal offices would be closed? It received two likes and eight retweets  in other words, .00029 percent of the city's 34,300 Twitter followers engaged with the post. Typically, a good Twitter engagement rate ranges between .2 and .9 percent. While that latter number might be attainable for Kylie Jenner, it's probably unrealistic for a routine announcement of municipal business, but there is no reason social media should be limited to routine announcements. Clearly there is a lot of room for improvement for local governments that understand the mostly untapped power of social media.Of course, the real objective of approaching social media as a tool for community-building is far more important than the number of likes. A social media strategy centered around community-building can be an important step toward attracting and retaining the workforce, businesses and people that make a city special.
A registered sex offender with an outstanding warrant in a pending assault case has been accused of stalking and terrorizing a woman in Tamuning, according to a magistrates complaint filed in Superior Court.

Antonio Jose Lizama Delos Reyes, 35, was charged Wednesday with stalking and terrorizing as third-degree felonies. He was also charged with assault as a misdemeanor and harassment as a petty misdemeanor.

On April 24, a woman reported to police that a man she didnt know  later identified as Delos Reyes  approached her in an aggressive manner, mumbling incoherently while she was getting out of her car.

She heard him say something to the effect of Ill kill you, and he followed her as she walked up a staircase. Then he began shaking the gate and hitting it with a wrench and hammer, the complaint stated.

The next day, Delos Reyes approached the passenger side door of her car, leaned through the window, began yelling at her and tried to hit her. She yelled, Please leave me alone, and drove away.

She told police the man waited for her outside her apartment and followed her from her car to her apartment. He has thrown numerous items at her but has not been able to hit her, the complaint stated.

The woman said she was afraid to leave her apartment when she is there and afraid to return home when she is out. She said she felt threatened that one day he will actually harm her.

Police interviewed Delos Reyes, who said he talked to the woman to relay a message to someone else, and he admitted chasing the woman up the stairs.

He said he did not remember throwing anything, but If l did, it didnt hurt her because she wasnt bleeding, according to the complaint.

He also said he didnt remember what he threw, but it wasnt to hurt her, the complaint stated.

Documents provided by the Office of the Attorney General show that Delos Reyes has a pending misdemeanor assault case from 2023, with an outstanding bench warrant.

He had a 2015 felony conviction for harassment and a 2011 conviction for third-degree criminal sexual conduct. He is listed on the Guam Sex Offender Registry.

If found guilty of the current charges, he could face more than 11 years in prison.

He was being held on $5,000 cash bail.
Senators met briefly Monday to close out the August budget session by confirming the nominations of Theresa Arriola as director of the Department of Public Health and Social Services and Carissa Pangelinan as the director of the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center.

Arriola and Pangelinan were both unanimously confirmed by the Legislature.

Several senators spoke out in support of Arriolas nomination, but also used their time to outline what they believe her priorities should be for DPHSS.

Speaker Therese Terlaje said the Child Protective Services has reached a crisis level, with an unprecedented amount of children in the system and an unprecedented need for foster homes.

Terlaje and Sen. Joanne Brown also questioned DPHSSs plans for the old headquarters building in Mangilao which was shuttered after an electrical fire in November 2019.

Terlaje said services have greatly decreased since the relocation, which was a very convenient location that had the support of long-time public health staffers who want to see it reopened.

Brown said it was a very busy place, people went there for all kinds of things.

Brown said during her confirmation hearing last month Arriola testified that she wanted to consolidate and provide the services, but that issue with regard to reopening the building, I didnt get a straight answer.

In an interview with the PDN in June shortly after her appointment as the acting Public Health Director, Arriola said her preference was to allow GCC to use the property for a nurse education and training facility.

If somebody else wants to come in and renovate the entire Mangilao center and then we share the building because theyre focused on the nursing program and then follow them to the Public Health nursing needs, then why not? That is the smartest thing to do, she said.

Arriola added that GCC President Mary Okada has a track record of getting things built and getting things going.

There are also two competing bills regarding the use of the former Public Health headquarters.

Bill 221-37 by Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes would designate the property for the construction of a nursing annex for the Guam Community Colleges nursing program and other allied health educational programs. The measure would also transfer the property from DPHSS to GCC.

Bill 222-37 by Speaker Therese Terlaje seeks to designate the DPHSS property to be consistent with the purpose of a central community health center, administrative office for DPHSS, and any other related purpose that the governor approved.
Ron McNinch is a longstanding member of the Guam community and frequently gives his opinion on a wide range of topics.
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A New Orleans resident named Jane was sifting through her Gmail inbox on Tuesday, Sep. 3, when an anonymous message caused her stomach to drop.

I suggest you read this message carefully ... Were talking about something serious here, and I dont play games, the email read, addressed to her full name.

The threats began with a picture of her former house, captioned: I know visiting (address) would be a more convenient way to reach in case you dont take action. Look familiar?

This latest internet scam has targeted victims across the country, using real addresses and photos of their homes  screenshotted from Google Maps  to demand a ransom. If it happens to you, remain calm: The threats are empty.

Scammers claim to hack victims computers using spyware, threatening to release embarrassing footage to friends and family unless the victim immediately wires a sum of money (in Janes case, $2,000 via Bitcoin).

As terrifying as that sounds, police say the footage doesnt exist.

If a citizen receives one of these e-mail scams, DO NOT PAY. The images of the home are from Google maps. Every victim receives the same e-mail word for word, said a representative from the NOPD White Collar Crimes Unit.

While extortionists claim the ability to track your movements, including calls to the police, there is no harm in contacting authorities.

The citizen can file a police report if they desire. If they file a report, police ask that the email NOT be deleted as we can obtain information from it that will aid in the investigation, the NOPD representative said.

Police say if you do not wish to file a report, you can simply delete the email.

What is sextortion?

Although this particular internet scam contains hollow threats, sextortion and revenge porn are very real crimes. Perpetrators may nonconsensually share sexual images in order to demand a ransom, or simply to inflict emotional damage.

The first successful court case related to revenge porn occurred in 2010 in New Zealand, when a man received four months in jail for posting explicit photos of his ex-girlfriend on Facebook. Since then, courts have fought to keep up with rapidly-changing technology.

As of 2024, every U.S. state except South Carolina has adopted laws to fight against revenge porn. The latest psychological threat, however, relates to pornographic images that arent even real.

Only 16 states have adopted laws to fight against deep fake or AI-generated porn, which uses a victims likeness to produce violating sexual content.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, has called for the adoption of the DEFIANCE Act, which would allow victims of deepfake pornography to seek legal recourse. It recently passed in the Senate and is now headed to the House.

Women and girls from all walks of life ... have been victims of this form of image-based sexual abuse, Durbin said. And, sadly, none of them have legal recourse against the perpetrators because the law is not keeping up with technology.

How do scammers get the information?

Personal information like email addresses, cellphone numbers and home addresses are exposed all the time in data breaches , which is likely how these scammers found their victims.

Last month, it was revealed that the call and text message records of nearly all of AT&Ts cellular customers were exposed in a massive leak.

According to CNBC, users should protect themselves by changing all of their passwords, particularly if you have repeated passwords among multiple websites. Ideally, you should enable multi-factor authentication for personal websites to help keep your financial data secure.

Additionally, never share your personal information while using public internet.




Haiti - FLASH : Peligre power plant shut down under threat





On Monday, September 2nd in the afternoon, a group of highly motivated protesters went to the Peligre hydroelectric power plant to protest against a power shortage in the city of Mirebalais and in the Central Plateau in general and to force the shutdown of the hydroelectric power plant, implying that the worst could happen if they refused..



Reacting to this action, Electricite d'Haiti (EDH) draws the attention of the public in general and its subscribers in particular to the fact that the electricity production of the Peligre Hydroelectric Power Plant has been reduced to zero since Monday, September 2nd, 2024.



"This unfortunate situation is due to acts of invasion that border vandalism perpetrated by so-called authorities under the false pretext that the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince cannot be supplied if the Haut and Bas Plateaux are not !



Such actions, far from meeting the electricity needs of the population, only make the difficulties of the EDH more complicated because the operating equipment of the Power Plants is expensive and difficult to repair, maintain or even replace.



The EDH would like to point out that the Central Plateau is deprived of electricity because 2 transformers have irreversibly broken down due to overload and especially the impossibility of providing the necessary technical assistance in time since the West is practically cut off from the rest of the country.



Despite the announcement of an alternative solution proposed by the Central Administration while waiting for the adoption of definitive and lasting measures, the blocking of the Peligre hydroelectric plant was nevertheless inevitable



The EDH urgently appeals to the authorities concerned to not only conduct an investigation to identify, judge and punish the perpetrators of such acts that penalize the population in general, but also to take the necessary measures to secure the Peligre Hydroelectric Plant, a strategic structure for the Haitian State.



EDH reiterates to subscribers in the Centre Department its willingness to resume service as soon as possible once the security environment has been restored for its employees and technicians; it also requests their active participation in protecting the equipment of the Haitian State."



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Haiti - Justice : ULCC submits 7 reports representing 614 million HTG of loss for the State





On Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024, the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) submitted to the courts 7 finalized investigation reports highlighting well-identified and rigorously documented offenses for misappropriation of public property, illicit enrichment, laundering of the proceeds of crime, bribery, abuse of office, insider trading and illegal taking of interest, specifies Hans Jacques Ludwig Joseph, Director General of the ULCC. The State's losses total more than 614 million Gourdes...



These 7 reports include, among others, the former Minister of Planning Aviol Fleurant (2016-2018). The ULCC investigation concluded that Mr. Aviol Fleurant enriched himself illicitly during his time at the head of the Ministry, having been unable to reasonably justify 75 million Gourdes, which represents an increase of more than 253% of his assets, while during this period he and his wife (consultant at FAES) legitimately received 29 million Gourdes...



Odney Pierre Ricot, and the former Director General of the National Office of Old Age Insurance (ONA) are pinned by the ULCC for abuse of office in the context of the disbursement of more than 22 million Gourdes by the ONA for the purchase of food and health kits.



Former coordinator Phanese R. Laguerre and other executives of the National School Canteen Program (PNCS) are accused of embezzlement between 2016 and February 2021. A loss for the State of 250 million Gourdes



In one of its reports, the ULCC uncovered a fuel embezzlement within the National Solid Waste Management Service (SNGRS). Two senior officials, Germain Paulemon, Director General, and Max Alex Joseph, Deputy Director General, are accused of embezzling 197,500 gallons of fuel representing 125 million Gourdes



The ULCC recommends legal proceedings against all former senior officials and executives of the public administration accused in these reports.



Should be noted that these 7 reports bring to 94 the total number of cases transmitted by the ULCC to justice since 2004, for a single conviction!.



In addition, the ULCC filed with the Public Prosecutor's Office requests against 12 diplomats (Ambassadors and Consuls) for failure to declare their assets. According to the law of February 12, 2008, these former diplomats should have declared their assets 30 days before their entry and 30 days after their departure from office, which they did not do.



Ambassadors concerned :

- Leon Charles, Ambassador Permanent Representative a.i. of Haiti to the OAS;

- Rody Jean Yves, Ambassador of Haiti to Mexico;

- Jean Josue Jean, Ambassador of Haiti to France;

- Frantz Bataille, Ambassador of Haiti to Germany;

- Lesly Benoit, Ambassador of Haiti to Vietnam;

- Wedlyne Francois P. Ambassador of Haiti to Chile;

- Garvey Jean-Pierre, Ambassador of Haiti to the Dominican Republic.



Consuls concerned : :

Guerrier Francois, Consul of Haiti in Dajabon;

Walfaud Saget, Consul of Haiti in Aruba;

Ricardo Ralph Jean Philippe, Consul of Haiti in Orlondo;

Jules Samuel Rockefeller, Consul of Haiti in Paris;

Stephane Jules, Consul General of Haiti in Miami



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Environment : Current state of the water sector in Haiti





Several executives from the National Institute of Water Resources (INARHY), of the National Observatory of Environmental Quality and Vulnerability (ONQEV), the Climate Change Directorate, of the Integrated Watershed Management and Development Directorate (DAGIBV), of the National Office of Environmental Assessments, the National Directorate of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DINEPA), of the Ministry of Agriculture, among others, attended a 4-day training workshop on situational analysis in the water sector.



The executives who participated in this training acquired the tools needed to conduct an accurate assessment, including effective analyses and a comprehensive interpretation, of the current state of the water sector in Haiti.



Access to water is a priority for the State, insisted Hugo Coles, Coordinator of the Technical Secretariat of the General Directorate of the Ministry, emphasizing that "the institutional framework associated with this priority is growing day by day, thanks to the multiple efforts made to strengthen the level of strategic organization of the sector, in particular the transformation of the Directorate of Water Resources (DRE) into the National Institute of Water Resources (INARHY), which is set to become an autonomous organization."



Coles reiterated "the commitment of the Haitian Government, alongside technical and financial partners, including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), to improve the well-being of all Haitians, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, particularly in terms of water resource management, systems related to the supply of water resources from the source to the distribution infrastructure to improve the living conditions of the population.



The training on situational analysis is part of the project "Strengthening the climate resilience of the drinking water sector in the South of Haiti, South-East Department" (RESEPSE), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and administered by UNDP.



Executed by Helvetas Haiti, the RESEPSE project is implemented in vulnerable areas of the South-East Department, including watersheds and recharge areas of the drinking water supply systems (SAEP)/captured sources of Cresson in Jacmel, Marre Calebase/Prechet and Cascade Pichon in Belle Anse, Bodarie in Grand Gosier and K-Royer in Thiotte.



The overall objective of this project is to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable rural and peri-urban communities in the department to the expected impacts of climate change on the availability of and access to drinking water.



3 specific objectives are targeted by the RESEPSE project, planned for 60 months (November 2022 to October 2027):



(i) Have a better understanding and awareness of the vulnerability of the water sector in relation to climate change;



(ii) Strengthen regulatory and policy frameworks, as well as institutional capacities at the national, regional and local levels for better management of drinking water in a context of climate change;



(iii) Identify and promote practices for the conservation, management and supply of drinking water adapted to the conditions of climate change.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Barbecue threatens to burn everything

The gang leaders, after the disappointed hope of "negotiations", understood that there was a desire to hunt them down and reconquer their territories... Tuesday, September 3rd, Jimmy Cherizier, alias "Barbecue", the leader of the gang alliance "Viv Ansan", declared that the Chief of Police, Rameau Normil, and Prime Minister Garry Conille had to prepare "We will burn everything that remains".



Dissolution of the CNE, reassuring words from Conille

"I am happy to meet with the General Directorate of the National Equipment Center (CNE) after the Council of Ministers signed a decree for the equipment of this institution to be transferred to the Army of Haiti. Active personnel will not lose their jobs. A team will assess and regularize employees either as contract workers and civil servants of the Army, or in Public Works or other State institutions, or as military personnel according to their profiles and choices. All equipment will have GPS to facilitate their location, so that they can really work for the population," declared Tuesday, September 3rd, Prime Minister Garry Conille.



A fake "career" police officer, arrested

The Haitian National Police (PNH) arrested Stanley Midy in Tabarre for usurpation of title and illegal possession of a firearm. "For several years," this individual pretended to be a PNH agent and deceived people's vigilance. Questioned about the origin of the PNH equipment in his possession, he said he borrowed them from a police officer who believed he was a police officer.



Antony Blinken's quick visit

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to arrive on Thursday, September 5 for a short visit to Haiti to meet with members of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) and Prime Minister Garry Conille.



The 3 advisors make the law at the CPT

No decision or resolution can be adopted at the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) without the agreement of at least 1 of the 3 advisors (Louis Gerald Gilles, Smith Augustin and Emmanuel Vertilaire) accused of corruption in the BNC affair. It should be remembered that the decision-making majority at the CPT is 5 out of 7 members.



32 Haitian scholarship holders in Taiwan

The 32 Taiwan ICDF and Taiwan MOFA scholarship holders for the year 2024 left on August 19, 26 and September 2 respectively. "All our best wishes for their stay in Taiwan" Ambassador Wen-Jiann KU.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Google has upgraded the Play Store. It can now download and update several applications at the same time. This speeds up the update process noticeably.

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The Google Play Store installs two updates at the same time, instead of one after the other as before. (Image: Screenshot / dmk)

Back in the spring, some Android users noticed that the Google Play Store was able to install multiple apps at the same time. The problem was that this only worked when installing new apps and therefore went unnoticed. For a short time, this also worked for some for the update process, but was then turned off again by Google, reports 9to5Google.

Keeping up with the times

Google has now apparently activated the function for everyone. There are often several apps in the Google Play Store under "Manage apps and devices"  "Updates" that require an update. Previously, Google downloaded each of these individually and then started downloading the next app once the installation had started. Now Google Play downloads up to three app updates in parallel and then installs them at the same time. According to 9to5Google, this maximum number of parallel installations also applies to the Apple Store under iOS.

Google itself does not provide any further information on the improved function. It is unclear whether these are merely server-side changes or whether the Google Play system on smartphones has been adapted for this purpose.

Modern smartphones have numerous processing cores and large amounts of main and fixed memory, so parallel installation should have been technically possible for a long time. However, the acceleration of the update process is noticeable. Android has now also arrived at the cutting edge when it comes to the installation mechanism for apps.

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Apple is making it easier to try out Apple Intelligence within the European Union , although the service will not initially be released here. As reported by users of the third beta of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, which was released a few days ago, the USA region no longer has to be selected in order to test the service. Germany can remain as a region  and thus also information such as the form of the date, the currency or the units of measurement.

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Step by step to AI happiness

In Beta 1, Apple initially made it extremely difficult to test Apple Intelligence within the EU. In addition to the US region setting, the US English language setting and a US App Store account, the device also had to be located outside the 27 EU countries  or in a state where the location could not be determined. With beta 2, things got better: Apple removed the hard geo-restrictions and the three requirements of region setting, language setting and US App Store account were sufficient.

With beta 3 of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, it is now even easier: you only need the US English language setting and a US App Store account. The latter can be created very easily by any user, not even a US credit card is required. The other setup step, US English language setting, is a click in the system settings. The last requirement , which should be met by default , is the activation of the Apple ID for developer beta versions, without which iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 cannot be downloaded at all. All you need to do is log in once with this Apple ID at developer.apple.com and accept the developer terms and conditions.

Fear of regulation as a gatekeeper

However, it remains unclear when Apple Intelligence will officially enter the European Union. IOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 are currently expected to be released in October, after iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 are scheduled for September. Apple had already announced that the AI system will initially only be available in US English this year, with other languages planned for next year. However, for it to also run in this way in the EU, the requirement for a US Apple ID would now have to be waived.

When deciding not to bring Apple Intelligence to the European Union for the time being, Apple referred to the interoperability requirements for "gatekeepers" (of which Apple is one) set out in the Digital Markets Act. The company is concerned that this "compromises the integrity of the products" and undermines data protection and security. No specific details were provided when the decision was announced in June , nor have any since. However, the company also emphasized that Apple would try to work with the EU Commission to find a solution to bring the functions to the EU after all. In addition to Apple Intelligence, other new iOS 18 functions were also blocked, such as iPhone mirroring on the Mac and improvements to screen sharing. macOS 15.1 will also have Apple Intelligence on board immediately in the EU, as macOS is not regulated.

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The government has committed 1.8 million to streamline the entry process for foreign talent and an additional 1 million to support international recruitment efforts in collaboration with cities.

The Finland Chamber of Commerce has praised the government for its recent decisions to ease barriers for skilled immigration, despite the challenging economic environment. However, the organization expressed concerns over additional cuts to vocational education, weakened integration support, and the continuation of the "three-month rule" for departure after job loss.

Businesses have consistently told policymakers that the bureaucracy surrounding relocation to Finland needs to be reduced, and it's great to see progress on this front, said Suvi Pulkkinen, a Senior Specialist at the Finland Chamber of Commerce.

However, the Chamber also noted that the governments decision to cut an additional 20 million from vocational education, along with reductions in integration programs, is troubling. Despite the difficult economic outlook, companies still face a skills shortage, particularly for vocational professionals.

The opportunities to develop skills, learn the language, and receive quality education should be strengthened rather than reduced. Without skilled workers and effective integration, the talent shortage could become a bottleneck for future growth, Pulkkinen warned.

The Chamber also advocated for extending the "three-month rule," which requires foreign workers to leave Finland if they lose their job, to 6-12 months. Additionally, they called for the removal of the employer reporting requirement, but no changes were made to these regulations during the budget negotiations.

Its disappointing that the government clings to this proposal, which few experts support. Theres still a chance to reconsider, Pulkkinen added.

HT
Mission nurses vote overwhelmingly in favor of strike

Ninety-seven percent of nurses voted in favor of authorizing a strike at Mission Hospital in Asheville over Labor Day weekend.

Although this display of unity does not guarantee a strike will occur, it does give the unions bargaining team the authority to call a strike if deemed necessary.

This vote has the potential to give the union much more leverage in its negotiations with HCA, the Tennessee-based for-profit hospital chain that acquired the hospitals parent company, Mission Health, in 2019.

The bargaining team is currently considering a one-day strike. The team must provide the hospital with a 10-day work stoppage notice if the team decides a strike is the only way to move negotiations forward. As long as a new contract is not ratified, the strike vote is current.

The next bargaining session between the union and HCA is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 9.

Were hoping that when we go to the bargaining table on the 9th, that HCA sees how serious our nurses are about protecting our patients and our community, Terri Wilson, a nurse at Mission Health and member of the unions bargaining team, told Carolina Public Press. We hope that they have made some movement, and we can come to an agreement on a contract that works for everyone, and that a strike does not have to happen.

The nurses union did not release the total number of votes cast, but did confirm that a majority of nurses at the hospital participated in the vote. The union extended the voting deadline to ensure that this was the case.

All nurses, regardless of whether theyre union members, could place an anonymous ballot in favor of or against a strike. The result  97 prcent in favor of strike authorization  represents a remarkable majority.

According to Wilson, the energy in the cafeteria where the ballots were collected was very supportive of a strike authorization, with most nurses wearing their union buttons. She said the bargaining team was not surprised by the results.

The nurses union has been negotiating with HCA on a new contract since April. The union feels that little meaningful progress has been made. Nurses at the hospital have been working under an expired contract since early July.

Mission 'fully prepared to remain open'

Mission Health downplayed the significance of the vote.

It was fully expected that the union would claim overwhelming support for a strike as this is a common bargaining tactic, especially from this union, HCA spokesperson Nancy Lindell told Carolina Public Press in an email. The union has seemed intent on striking long before bargaining began. As we continue to say, a strike is unnecessary and it would be more productive for the union to bargain in good faith as we have done for months and are committed to continuing, so we can move forward together in caring for patients.

If the union decides to move forward with a strike, Mission Hospital is fully prepared to remain open and provide care for our patients. We have plans in place allowing us to be confident that it will be safe for our patients and for any nurse who makes the personal decision to cross the picket line.

HCA has not shared its plan to keep the hospital operational during a strike with the union. However, Lindell told CPP in June that Mission Health took a proactive measure of contracting nursing staff who can care for their patients in case of a strike.

They havent told us anything for sure, but theyve put out a lot of information that sounds threatening, Wilson said. It seems theyre threatening a lockout or something of that nature.

A lockout is a defensive measure a company can take during a strike: taking back negotiating power by not letting employees back across the picket line when they are done striking. It is only feasible when enough labor is still in place for the company to be operational, which Lindell suggested is the case.

I hope that we can come to an agreement so we dont have to find out what a strike really looks like, Wilson said.

Nurses at Mission Hospital originally voted to organize a union in 2020, a year after HCA acquired the chain. The Asheville facility remains the only unionized hospital in North Carolina. Nurses at other Mission Health facilities are not part of the union and not directly affected by the strike vote.

This strike vote result is essentially unprecedented in the state, particularly in the service sector, according to N.C. State University labor economics professor Steven Allen. North Carolina has the second-lowest percentage of workers who are members of unions in the county, beating only South Carolina in that ranking.

Its really a stretch to think of too many service sector workers in the state who are unionized and have enough unity within the union to be able to go on strike, Allen said. It is remarkable. But Asheville is the bluest chunk of this state, so that might be one reason why this is possible in that region.

The union says three major areas of concern are improved nurse-to-patient ratios, efforts to reduce patient violence against nurses and wages that keep up with the rising cost of living in Asheville. Nurses also want fair meal and rest breaks, improved health benefits and recognition of more federal holidays.

* * * * *

Jane Winik Sartwell is a staff reporter for Carolina Public Press, who focuses on coverage of health and business. She has a bachelor's degree in photography from Bard College and master's degree in journalism from Columbia University. She is based in Wilmington. She may be contacted at jsartwell@carolinapublicpress.org.






Train Tales speaker touts passenger rail service to WNC

Guest speaker Ray Rapp, co-chair of the Western North Carolina Rail Corridor Committee, will discuss Real Prospects for Restoring Passenger Rail Service to WNC during Saluda Train Tales at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at the Saluda Historic Depot and Museum.

Restoration of passenger rail to Asheville has never been closer, according to Ray, and he is eager to share the prospects and hurdles to bringing back passenger service to the mountains after a nearly 50-year hiatus.

Rapp has lectured extensively on regional rail history. As early as his undergraduate career, Rapp was fascinated by the way railroads united the country after the Civil War by linking east, west, north and south.

In ten short years after the arrival of the railroad in 1880, Asheville more than doubled its population and transformed the mountains, he says. Especially fascinating to me was the challenge of building railroads up the Blue Ridge escarpment to the isolated mountain communities. This was done by laying looping tracks up the mountain near Old Fort and creating the steepest standard gauge mainline grade in the U.S.  the famous Saluda Grade.
In offer to buy OppHouse, Carolina Village envisions array of services

Students from FernLeaf Community Charter School visit Carolina Village often to spend time with residents  in crafts, games, interviewing and other activities. The lifecare centers leaders envision similar intergenerational programming at the old Opportunity House. [CONTRIBUTED]

The Opportunity House, the once-robust activity center that served thousands of seniors in Henderson County before falling into physical disrepair and sputtering to an end, could be reborn as a nonprofit facility serving older folks and young children and adults in between.

Carolina Village, the sprawling life-care center, announced last week that it had made an offer to purchase the 19,800-square-foot facility and two acres it occupies at 1411 Asheville Highway. The offer has been accepted by the receiver for the property, Asheville attorney John Noor,

Carolina Village said in a news release. Approval of the sale could come as early as next Wednesday, when Chief Resident Superior Court Judge Peter Knight is expected to take up Noors motion to approve the sale, distribute assets and grant attorneys fees.

The Lightning had not seen a copy of the motion by this weeks print deadline, and Carolina Village did not disclose the amount of the retirement centers offer.

When the Opportunity House board voted to dissolve the nonprofit in June 2022, it said it wanted to liquidate the assets and distribute the money after paying the total amount owed to creditors, which it estimated to be $390,000. The real property is valued on the tax books at $2,117,900, and because Henderson Countys tax collector revoked its nonprofit status in 2022, proceeds from the sale could cover back taxes. In 2022, when the property was valued at $1,897,800, the combined city-county tax bill would have totaled $20,496 a year  not counting interest, penalties and other costs.

Could serve children, seniors and in-between

Carolina Village portrayed the potential new life of the OppHouse as one serving senior health, social and child-care needs. It said its leaders are in discussion with other community non-profits regarding collaborative uses of the facility to serve a broad range of services, from children to seniors. It cited:

Senior wellness: Carolina Village has close partnerships with existing senior services, including Council on Aging, the Congregate Dining program, and others. Several of these services have been displaced recently and Carolina Village aims to provide a permanent location for these services. Other possible uses for the space include geriatric wellness research and training by specially trained health professionals.

Memory care: Alzheimers and dementia services are a significant need in Henderson County, a need that Carolina Village hopes to alleviate in partnership with MountainCare Adult Day.

Health care: Carolina Village, which works closely with local healthcare providers, will continue to do so in this new initiative.

Childcare options: Working closely with the Henderson County Early Childhood Task Force, Children and Family Resource Center and Smart Start Partnership for Children, Carolina Village leaders have talked about creative childcare options in this space, including intergenerational programming. (Carolina Village currently hosts an intergenerational program in which FernLeaf Community Charter School students spend time with residents in crafts, playing games, interviewing and learning.)

On-site housing is not envisioned.

Meaningful engagement across generations

The revival of the Opportunity House is a testament to the collaboration and innovation that make our community so special, Carolina Village Board Chair Trina Stokes said in the news release. As an employer, we are well aware of the need for innovative childcare options, and as a premier provider of services to adults, we understand the diverse needs of those who choose to live and thrive in Henderson County. This initiative is all about meaningful engagement across generations.

Jamie Wiener, executive director of the Children and Family Resource Center, added: We appreciate Carolina Village for acknowledging the gaps in child care in our community. This collaborative project will benefit Henderson County for years to come by creating space for our youngest residents to learn and grow and our oldest residents will have a space to cultivate relationships and improve their well-being.

Lawsuit filed in 2018

The effort to resurrect the OppHouse for public good goes back to December 2018, when the Community Foundation of Henderson County filed a lawsuit asking the court to determine whether the senior center was still operating as a nonprofit. The lawsuit, despite fierce resistance by a handful of insiders who claimed to be the elected board and appointed directors of the organization, resulted in Judge Knights order forcing the OppHouse into receivership and appointing Noor, the receiver, to guide its dissolution, sale and distribution of proceeds and assets.

While the Community Foundation favored the receivership, its attorney, Steven Grabenstein, warned in a court filing that OppHouse leaders should not be rewarded in the process.

We have identified a few issues that we hope will be addressed in the dissolution process, Grabenstein said. First and foremost, we have asked that the receiver and the Court ensure that the proceeds from the sale of OHs property be disbursed to non-profits in Henderson County. Second, we are asking that the creditors claims from OH insiders be closely scrutinized and analyzed by the receiver, the AG and the Court.

The Community Foundation hopes the proposed new programming serves the purpose the Opportunity House was actually meant for, McCray Benson, the foundations president and CEO, said Tuesday. We have people who are interested in being there at next weeks hearing. I think we will have people there.
Retired health director receives Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Henderson County Commissioner Bill Lapsley (left) on Tuesday presented retired Henderson County Health Department Director Steven E. Smith (right) with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award.

Retired Henderson County Health Department Director Steven E. Smith received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award Tuesday during a Henderson County Board of Commissioners meeting.



Commissioner Bill Lapsley presented Smith with the award signed by N.C. Governor Roy Cooper.

This is a pretty significant accomplishment, he said. Its well deserved.

Rebecca McCall, the boards chairwoman, also thanked Smith for his service to the community.

He was here during some of the worst times during Covid. We spent a lot of time in this room discussing situations and making decisions together. We appreciate your guidance and your composure, she said. Enjoy your retirement.

Since 1963, North Carolinas governors have reserved their highest honor, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award, for persons who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments, according to information on a website for the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society. Persons named to The Order become honorary North Carolina Ambassadors with their names and award dates recorded on a roster maintained by The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society.

For more information about the award, visit www.longleafpinesociety.org
Sayam Bandyopadhyays novel, Puranpurush, which won the Yuva Sahitya Akademi Award in 2020, is the latest adaptation of the legend of Faust and is inspired by all the others that have preceded it, from Marlowe to the Mann(s). In the legend, Faust is a successful but dissatisfied man who makes a pact with the devil to sell his soul in exchange for knowledge and power only to regret it later when theres no scope for redemption. A stately home in West Bengal, the sort of mansion that Carnivals protagonist, Rajaram Deb, inhabited. (Shutterstock)

Translated from the Bengali by Arunava Sinha, the books English title, Carnival recalls Bakhtins theory of the carnivalesque, of utter chaos. This sets the stage for the reader to enter the protagonists atypical mind. The novel begins with Rajaram Deb waiting in his room on the dawn of July 6, 1857 for Mephistos associates to arrive and accompany him to the much-anticipated carnival. A landowner, who has slowly lost all desire to engage with the world outside his room in his ancestral mansion, in his youth, Rajaram had wanted to partner with the elite businessman, Babu Dwarkanath Tagore.

168pp, 499; Aleph Book Company

He had lived with his father, Debram, and his aunt in the house where he was born. His mother had died giving birth to him. His aunt later brought a spiritual daughter, Krishnabhabini, to live with them. After his fathers passing, Rajaram had considered contacting Tagore. But his letters had remained incomplete as he found himself scribbling irrelevant details of his life. After the elders died, Rajaram and Krishnabhabini continued to live in the house with a punkah-puller, a charioteer, and a couple who cooked meals and looked after the household.

One day, Rajaram finds a couple of dictionaries: one, an English dictionary with its pages torn; two, an English-to-Bengali dictionary that was given to him by his home tutor. As he browses through the tattered pages of the first, he is enticed by the word, carnival. The meaning of the word in both the dictionaries brings no comprehension. Rajaram was home-schooled and knew English but wasnt well-versed in the language.

One day, his lawyer-neighbour invites him to a feast where a poet and political leader is the chief guest. Rajaram, driven by his excitement to meeting someone who might help him with the meaning of carnival, steps out without caring about dressing up. His only concern is to understand the word he keeps uttering excitedly. As he learns the meaning, an immeasurable ecstasy, Mephisto approaches him with the offer of a Faustian bargain.

Author Sayam Bandyopadhyay (Courtesy the publisher)

Hypnotic prose entices the reader as the twin courtiers of Shakespeares Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, appear in 1857 Calcutta. Bandyopadhyay skilfully creates a plot that culturally adapts the preceding tales of Fausts madness by setting it in colonial Calcutta with a protagonist who could have been aware of the characters he meets if only he were educated in English at Hindu college, which was infamous among the landowner class as a place where the youth created mayhem. This instance of the English canon entering an upper caste Bengali household and meeting with intrigue and resistance, is emblematic of the response to the rise of British colonialism in India.

The pace of the narration aligns with Rajarams anticipation of the carnival and jumps from the present to the past throughout, creating temporal distortions. The ironic presentation of his character brings about a dark humour. The reader can only see him as someone who was tactfully prohibited from joining the tragedy of Faust even as he inhabited it. His lack of ambition for knowledge and power dissociates him from his literary ancestry even as the reader is taken by surprise upon the arrival of Mephisto.

Translator Arunava Sinha (Courtesy the publisher)

Rajarams disinterest in the rising rebellion against the British in India further adds to his anti-heroism. The absurdity of the story and Rajarams mind are showcased in his choice of a kitten over his unborn child as his heir. His class superiority is playfully challenged by the presence of an adjutant stork accompanying Mephisto. The bird refuses to look at or interact with Rajaram. Now endangered, such storks were common in 19th-century Calcutta where they often scavenged through garbage.

The only woman in the story, Krishnabhabini meets a fate thats similar to Hamlets Ophelia and Fausts Gretchen. Yet, she makes an appearance during the most-awaited carnival in ways that evoke fear in Rajaram, making it perhaps a spectacle of vengeance. Rajarams inexplicable desire for the carnival is preceded by nightmares depicting extravagant celebrations, grotesque images, and bloody scenarios. Consider this fever dream of his frenzied mind:

And then the image again the two men perspiring profusely. Strangely, the red on their skin flows with their sweat. They turn alert upon realizing this and have a quick discussion, whose conclusion they convey to the old woman. She gets to her feet, terrified, as though shes trying to stop them. But they kick her, and she is flung to the floor. Then one of the two red men pulls out an enormous sword from his garments, while the other one slaps the young man resoundingly. The man with the sword plunges it into the young mans stomach. Blood gushes out. The old woman stares, transfixed. One of the two men dispassionately asks for the plate the old woman was eating out of. It still holds some food. The man smears the blood flowing from the young mans body on this food. Then both of them stuff the food, now streaked with blood, into the old womans mouth.

The anachronistic presence of legendary literary characters adds to the absurdity of this brilliant Indian adaption of the Faustian bargain. The temporal distortions in the narration, an isolated protagonist and his inexplicable obsessive tendencies, and the overall chaos leaves the reader with an existential question: what happens when theres no one to bear witness to a life?

A deft piece of translation, Carnival is an excellent addition to Indian English literature.

Akankshya Abismruta is an independent writer.
Mangalam Vidya Niketan (MVN) has established itself as a beacon of excellence in education, setting the gold standard for schools under the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) in West Bengal. Since its inception in 2003, with the blessings of Shrimati (Dr) Sarala Birla and Shri B.K. Birla, MVN has been committed to nurturing young minds and preparing them for a bright future. Heres why Mangalam Vidya Niketan is the best choice for your childs education:

A Dynamic and Comprehensive Curriculum

At MVN, we believe that education is more than just academic learningits about developing well-rounded individuals. Our curriculum is designed to be dynamic and engaging, catering to the diverse needs of students at every level. From the Pre-Primary stage, where basic language and numeracy skills are developed through fun-filled activities, to the Senior Secondary level, where students can choose from a wide range of optional subjects in Science, Commerce, and Humanities, our curriculum ensures that every student is well-prepared for the future.

Innovative Learning Environments

Our classrooms are more than just places of learningthey are interactive spaces where creativity and innovation are encouraged. Thematic art, furniture, and installations help create an environment that is both stimulating and conducive to learning. These innovative learning spaces are designed to inspire students to explore new ideas, think critically, and become active participants in their education.

A Strong Focus on Holistic Development

Mangalam Vidya Niketan places a strong emphasis on the holistic development of its students. We understand that education is not just about academicsits about developing character, confidence, and a sense of ones own talents and potential. Our array of clubs, including Creative Cuisine, Social Optimist, Math-e-magic, Twirling Toes, and more, provides students with ample opportunities to explore their interests, develop new skills, and cultivate a love for learning.

Dedicated and Experienced Faculty

Our faculty members are not just teachersthey are mentors, guides, and role models who are dedicated to the success of each student. They spend countless hours creating a curriculum that is both informative and entertaining, ensuring that every student is engaged and motivated to learn. With their guidance, students are encouraged to think freely, try new things, and grow into responsible stewards of society.

Support Systems for Success

At MVN, we take personal care of the growth and development of each student. Our supportive community is dedicated to building lasting character, confidence, and a sense of ones own talents and potential. We believe in creating an environment where students are treated fairly and without prejudice, and where parents are actively involved in their childs progress at every stage.

Beyond the Classroom: Field Trips and Competitions

We believe that learning goes beyond the classroom. Our school organizes frequent field trips that augment the process of hands-on learning, allowing students to explore and learn beyond traditional settings. Participation in intra-school and inter-school activities further develops the spirit of healthy competition and the determination to excel.

A Family-Oriented Approach

Above all, Mangalam Vidya Niketan is a family. We are a closely-knit community of students, parents, and staff who share a frank and open relationship. This strong sense of community ensures that every difficulty is easily discussed and addressed, creating a harmonious environment where students can thrive.

20+ Years of Excellence

For over 20 years, Mangalam Vidya Niketan has been dedicated to imparting quality education to its students. With a strong affiliation to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), MVN continues to uphold its commitment to excellence, preparing students for the challenges of the future.

Mangalam Vidya Niketan is more than just a schoolits a place where your child can grow, learn, and succeed. With our unique programs, dedicated faculty, and supportive community, MVN is the best choice for parents who want to pave the path to their childs success. Visit our website here to learn more about what makes us stand out among the top CISCE board schools in West Bengal.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
Following a series of artificial intelligence (AI) acquisitions alongside layering the Magic Suite product with extensive generative AI functionality, it was perhaps inevitable that those costs will add up. And users will have to pay for the perceived added value. Canva, which can be described as a one of its kind application suite spanning visual communication and workplace tools, has announced changes to the Canva Teams subscription pricing for many countries  in some cases by as much as 300%. The company confirms to HT, that Teams users in India (and indeed Pro users as well) will not be subject to any subscription pricing changes. That is, at least for now. A peek into the Canva AI interface. (Official image)

There has been no surge in pricing for Canva in India, Canva says, in a statement shared with HT. In the US, for example, Canva Teams pricing will cost $500 per year for up to 5 members, up from the present $120 per year pricing. Canva has four subscription tiers  Canva Free, Canva Pro, Canva Teams and Canva Enterprise. In India, the pricing will remain as is. This means Canva Pro will still cost 500 per month per user, Canva Teams will be priced at 380 per person per month while Canva Enterprise pricing hinges on specific requirements.

Also read:Tech Tonic | We must not ignore smart acquisitions as a route to AI domination

For Canva, their argument includes pitching a rapidly revamped and more capable Magic Studio and the Visual Suite, while subscription pricing for most users remained unchanged since its launch in 2020.

Canva Teams has come a long way since launching in 2020, with major enhancements in team collaboration, brand management, the launch of our Visual Suite and our investments in Magic Studio. Our original pricing reflected the early stage of this product and has remained unchanged for the last four years. Were now updating the price for customers on this older plan to reflect our expanded product experience, while those who joined since April are already on the updated rates, a Canva spokesperson told HT.

Subscription price hikes for Canva come a month ahead of rival Adobes annual creativity conference, Adobe Max 2024, which is expected to showcase the companys relentless AI push including their Firefly models, across consumer and business focused platforms such as Photoshop, Lightroom, Acrobat and InDesign.

Also read:Canva acquiring Leonardo.AI will boost its AI suite for consumers and businesses

There is a layer of complexity to when and how the new subscription prices become applicable, because the conditions arent immediately clear. To ease this transition, eligible impacted customers will benefit from 12 months of discounted pricing before the changes take full effect, adds the Canva spokesperson. They also confirm that the cost of Canva Pro subscription in all countries remains unchanged, and that subscription remains available to all users not working in a team environment.

A few weeks ago, Canva wrote the latest chapter of its AI acquisition spree, completing a deal for Leonardo.AI, an Australian company. At that time, HT had reported the Canva will bring Leonardo.AIs foundation model called Phoenix, and a number of tools for developers as well as customers (these include an AI art generator, an AI video generator, a transparent PNG generator), within their fold. A lot of these will find their way within Canvas Magic Studio, which has rapidly adopted versatile tools and capabilities, in the last year.

Canva which now has more than 190 million users worldwide, of which around 20 million are paying premium Pro subscribers, clocking $2.3 billion in annual revenue. Leonardos another 19 million paying business and enterprise customers, join.

Also read:Exclusive | Most cutting-edge tools use AI built in-house: Canvas Cameron Adams

For Canva, in-house development costs too would have increased over time. In May, at the Canva Create 2024 showcase, Cameron Adams, who is Canvas co-founder and Chief Product Officer detailed a mix of AI models that are being used across the product. A large chunk of that underlier is developed in-house. A huge amount of the AI in Canva is developed in-house. Weve got a got a huge team of machine learning engineers, which is close to 100 machine learning engineers within Canva, and theyre constantly working on our own tech, Adams told HT, at the time.

Over the past year, Canvas sped up innovation with smart acquisitions. It needed to find that pace, as it competes with tech giants including Adobe, Google and Microsoft as well as every generative AI platform available. Previously, the acquisition of three apps from UK based Serif (the apps are Affinity Designer 2, Affinity Photo 2 and Affinity Publisher 2), provided a foundation for Canva suites transformation into a fullstack solution for all designers, including professional graphic designers, illustrators and typographers.

Also read:9 in 10 Indian businesses rely on AI for content creation: Canva

In June, Canva released its annual Visual Economy Report, which indicates that 9 out of 10 surveyed businesses and enterprises in India are beginning to take first steps towards the use AI for content creation and visual communication tasks. Alongside, 85% business leaders are realising that resistance towards adopting tech and AI tools for designing communication, shackles creativity.
Narayana Murthy was asked by a 12-year-old at the Teach for India Leaders Week how he could become like the Infosys co-founder. His response was: Don't become like me as Narayana Murthy said, I dont want you to become like me. I want you to become better than me for the greater good of the nation." Narayana Murthy inspired a young student to create his own legacy while emphasizing discipline and teamwork. He recounted pivotal lessons from his past, including the importance of taking responsibility and valuing communal resources, shaping his approach to leadership.

Create your own path and make a difference, Narayana Murthy said as per a Times of India report, asserting that life is not about following in someones footsteps.

Talking about the importance of discipline, he said, My father taught me to manage time through a timetable, which played a crucial role in my securing fourth rank in the state SSLC exam."

Recounting the time when he was a young engineer in Paris and he accidentally erased an entire computer system's memory while testing a program, he said that he was faced with the potential collapse of the project but his then boss Colin immediately joined him and they worked for 22 hours straight to restore the system.

Colin praised my dedication but never mentioned his own sacrifice. He taught me a critical leadership lesson: take full responsibility for failures and share the glory with your team, he said.

Narayana Murthy also shared a lesson from his SSLC days when his headmaster taught him the value of communal resources. His headmaster had said during a chemistry experiment, This common salt belongs to everyone in this school, not just me. We must treat it with care."

He also discussed a lesson in teamwork from his time at IIM-Ahmedabad where he learned to separate the person from the lesson they impart. A professor once told him, The lesson learned is more important than how it's communicated"

which Narayana Murthy said is crucial for maintaining strong team relationships.
Three children died, while one was injured when a wall collapsed at a brick-kiln in Jaspur village of Raipur Rani in Panchkula district on a rainy Wednesday morning, police said. Three children died, while one was injured when a wall collapsed at a brick-kiln in Jaspur village of Raipur Rani in Panchkula district on a rainy Wednesday morning. (Representational photo)

The three children were identified as Rafia, 6, Mohammad Saad, 5, and Zeeshan, 2, and belonged to families of migrant workers employed at the kiln.

The injured child is undergoing treatment at the civil hospital in Sector 6, Panchkula.

The incident took place around 11am when the children were playing while their parents worked at the kiln nearby.

Eyewitnesses said the wall suddenly collapsed, burying the four children. The workers rushed to their rescue and rushed them to hospital, where two of them were declared brought dead and one succumbed to injuries during treatment.

According to the police, the childrens parents belong to Uttar Pradesh and had been working at the brick kiln for 15 years.
Days after denying admission to 12 'single girl child' students to its undergraduate programme, St. Stephens College contended before the Delhi High Court on Wednesday that the quota mandated by Delhi University (DU) is violative of the right to equality before the law. DU admission: Being a religious minority college, St. Stephens follows a different admission process.(Sushil Kumar/HT file)

The counsel for the college, senior advocate Romy Chacko, argued that the quota, which reserves seats for single girl children, is ultra vires Article 14, 15(3) and 15(5) and 30 of the Constitution.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma questioned whether the college had previously raised this issue.

Did you raise this objection anywhere earlier at any stage? Did you challenge this policy ever or write to them or file any case? the judge asked.

Also Read | SC relief to DUs St Stephens in admission of minorities

Chacko admitted that the college had not challenged the policy earlier but was now compelled to do so because of how the university was implementing the quota.

We would have no problem if we were asked to admit one girl child. However, today DU argued that if BA (prog) has 13 combinations, 13 girl child students would have to be admitted, he said, adding the state cannot deny to any person equality before law.

The universitys counsel, advocate Mohinder Rupal, countered that the college had not previously contested the quota and questioned why the college had not challenged DUs admission bulletin if it disagreed with the provision. The judge remarked that the college might need to challenge the policy separately.

The judge orally observed, for this I think you (college) will have to challenge it separately.

According to DUs admission bulletin, one seat in each program at every affiliated college is reserved under the supernumerary quota for a single girl child. The policy requires parents or guardians to declare that the applicant is the only child, without any siblings, to qualify for the quota.

Also Read | St. Stephens college suspends 100 students for not attending morning assembly

The college argued that the policy lacked statutory backing and was an overreach by the university.

Fundamental rights cannot be taken away by an executive order. This has no statutory backing. All these quotas imposed on us have no statutory backing. Therefore, this particular quota is ultra vires Article 14, 15(3), 15 (5) and 30," he argued.

The court listed the matter for Thursday for hearing arguments on some limited points.

The latest issue adds to the ongoing dispute between Delhi University and St. Stephen's College over the revised admission policies and seat allocation criteria.
Faridabad Police said on Wednesday that it was preparing a list of cow vigilante groups active in the area and will closely track their movements as outrage grew over the murder of a teenager last week and the victims family announced its plans to expand protests. A poster put up in Faridabad demanding justice for the killing of Aryan Mishra. (HT Photo)

Aryan Mishra, a Class 12 student, was shot dead allegedly by cow vigilantes after a 50-kilometre chase in Palwal on August 24. Five people arrested in the case said they mistook Mishra and four others in the car to be cattle smugglers.

The gruesome crime underlined the illegal activities of cow vigilante groups and their unchecked patrols in the area.

ALSO READ- Cow vigilantes lynch migrant worker in Haryanas Charkhi Dadri, 7 held

Aman Yadav, assistant commissioner of police (crime), Faridabad, said they were preparing a list of vigilante groups and will track their movements.

They are not allowed to run any operations in the district. If they receive information, it must be shared with the police. Chasing and killing people is against the law, Yadav said, emphasising that the police would take strict action against anyone violating the law.

The family, supported by friends and well-wishers, continues to organise protests and raise

The victims mother, Uma Mishra, said that the family formed WhatsApp groups to gather support. We are planning a large protest with at least 1,000 participants to spread awareness about the dangers of cow vigilantes, Uma said.

Mishras religious prayers are scheduled for September 6 and the family said they will finalise the date for protest after the rituals

Ajay Mishra, Aryans brother, raised doubts about the police investigation. Theres something more to this case thats being hidden, Ajay alleged.

Mishra succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at SSB Hospital on the afternoon of August 24, said police. Based on the complaint of his father, a case was registered under sections 103 (1) (murder), 190 (unlawful assembly), 191 (3) (rioting armed with deadly weapons) of the BNS and section 25 of the Arms Act on August 24, said police. Four of the vigilantes, including Anil Kaushik who is believed to be the person who shot Mishra, were arrested on August 29 and the fifth accused, Saurabh Singh, on August 30.

This case is part of a pattern of violence perpetrated by cow vigilantes, who have increasingly taken the law into their own hands, often with deadly consequences. Despite numerous cases of lynching and killings, these armed gangs continue to operate with impunity. The Supreme Court has repeatedly asked states to act against such gangs, but they continue to go scot-free in states such as Haryana.

The incident also highlighted the expansive activities of nearly 100 cow vigilante groups that operate in Haryana and have no dearth of recruits. Hundreds of young people, employed as well as those without a job, follow wanted criminals such as Monu Manesar (Mohit Yadav) and Bittu Bajrangi (Raj Kumar).

ALSO READ- Unconstitutional: Ex-spokesperson of BJP ally condemns cow vigilante attacks in party-ruled Haryana

Police officials say that most of these young people join the groups for money, power and ideology. In the garb of protecting cows, considered sacred by Hindus, these gangs run an elaborate network funded by extortion and donations, said a police official, requesting anonymity.

The officials cited above said that Manesars had at least 1,000 members and was well funded through extortion, and money from selling seized cattle.

Despite being involved in a series of high-profile murder cases  such as those of Nasir and Junaid in Bhiwani on February 16, 2023  people like Manesar and Bajrangi have a big following, said the officials.

He (Monu Manesar) is our hero and we follow his directions, said Punit Vashisht, a member of Narayani Sewa group which is active in the Gurugram-Nuh area.

Satendra Kumar, a member of the Narayani Sewa group, said a prospective member has to undergo an interview and a group discussion, and demonstrate his love for the country and for the Hindu community.

When I joined, I remember there used to be a handful of young men who wanted to be part of cow vigilantes but now more and more people want to join, he said, attributing the rise to social media popularity.

Ashutosh Bondwal alias Bhola Silani, 30, a member of Gau Raksha Dal Haryana which has over 10,000 members, said they chose members based on courage, boldness and financial backup.

ALSO CHECK- After Faridabad Teen Killed By Cow Vigilantes, PM Modis 2016 Speech On Gau Rakshaks Goes Viral

The members make at least 25,000 a month. Each case gets them 2 lakh which is distributed within the team and some portion of the money goes in the group fund for miscellaneous expenditures, said members. We require a person who has no fear of life and is not emotionally connected with family members. We get the risk form signed that they are responsible for their own life and no one is responsible for any mishap. New comers are sent with the rescue team who are involved in long chase and rescue of cattle in bordering areas of Nuh such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Manesar, Sohna. Many times newcomers leave after they go on raids, said Mohit Kumar alias Monu.

Many members said they left private jobs to join the groups. Abhishek Gaur, president of the Bajrang Dal Haryana said he left his job of territory sales head of a private telecom company to be a part of the cow vigilante group. Many people have left their good jobs to join us and some of them leave within a month as they are unable to handle the pressure and violence. We have hundreds of members who have left their corporate jobs to be part of us.

Aman Yadav, assistant commissioner of police, crime , Faridabad, said that they are yet to verify the data how many people are in different groups who operate as cow vigilantes. There are educated people, businessmen and from affluent families who are part of these operations, he said.
Birupaksha Biswas, the Burdwan Medical College and Hospital doctor who was seen at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9 after the rape and murder of a trainee doctor, was transferred by the West Bengal health department on Tuesday to Kakdwip Sub-Divisional Hospital in South 24 Parganas district, officials said. The distance between Kolkata and Burdwan town is more than 101 km. Health professionals and activists protest in Kolkata on Tuesday. (AFP)

Also Read: RG Kar's ex-principal Sandip Ghosh moves Supreme Court against CBI probe into corruption case

The order was passed shortly after the suspension of former RG Kar Medical College principal Sandip Ghosh who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday night on corruption charges. Ghosh has been interrogated by CBI in the rape and murder case as well and made to undergo a polygraph test.

The health department, headed by chief minister Mamata Banerjee, did not take any administrative action against Ghosh till he was arrested.

Biswas was alleged to be one of the close aides of Ghosh and doctors and medical students, who have been carrying out a relentless agitation since August 9, demanded action against him as well.

Senior doctors from various organisations, including the West Bengal chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), alleged after August 9 that Ghosh was running a racket in the health department with the help of several aides, of whom Biswas was one.

Also Read: Why Kolkata victims counsel thinks Bengal's anti-rape bill is absolutely useless

During the agitation, an audio clip went viral in which Biswas was purportedly heard threatening a final-year medical student that the latter would not get his certificate if he did not follow his orders.

Biswas told the media at that time that the audio clip was created using artificial intelligence and the voice was not his.

Biswas, however, admitted that he went to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 after hearing about the 31-year-old post-graduate doctors death but claimed that he never went to the crime scene, the seminar room of the chest department on the third floor of the emergency building.

Biswas said on Wednesday that he has been transferred to Kakdwip but claimed that it was a routine process.

A merit-based counselling was done six months ago on the basis of my post-graduation marks. I was given the option to go to either Cooch Behar or Jalpaiguri in north Bengal or Kakdwip in south Bengal. I did not want to go to north Bengal and hence opted for Kakdwip, Biswas told the media.

No government official commented on the transfer.
Lucknow: A debate rages among state government employees about advantages and disadvantages of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) vis-a-vis the New Pension Scheme (NPS) and the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) in Uttar Pradesh. For representation only. (Sourced)

Opinion appears to be divided on the matter amid indications that the state government will also implement the UPS in the same format that the Union government may follow.

Though many of them consider UPS a bit better than NPS, they remain in favour of the demand for implementing the OPS which was in effect till 2004. Besides having the provision for contribution by the employees, the UPS lacks the facility of revision as has been the case with the OPS.

The aspect of social security remains missing in UPS. The newcomers to government jobs know what the advantages or the disadvantages (are) and there is no enthusiasm about UPS, said Arjun Dev Bharti, president of the Uttar Pradesh Sachivalaya Sangh, on the phone. He said UPS remains market linked, which does not work in the interest of the employees.

Some others are waiting for the Union governments notification about the UPS. They say the demand for OPS will continue even if the state government goes ahead with the implementation of UPS in the coming months. Though various aspects of the Unified Pension Scheme (to be implemented w. e. f. 1 April 2025) are in the public domain, there appears no clarity about the eligibility factor, whether the UPS will cover all those under the NPS or will it be for those who join service post April 1, 2025.

UPS is being discussed in almost all government offices. We are getting 20 to 25 calls every day from different districts to find out more about the UPS. We are in favour of OPS as the contribution factor in UPS is turning out to be a big disadvantage, said JN Tiwari, president of Uttar Pradesh State Joint Employees Council.

Employees will contribute 10 per cent of their salary to their pension, like the NPS, with the government contributing 18.5 per cent. This shift distributes the financial responsibility, a departure from the OPSs no contribution model, he said.

Hari Kishor Tiwari, president of another faction of the UP State Joint Employees Council, also expressed the same sentiments.

About 80 per cent of our concern has been taken care of in the UPS. We will take a call about other concerns once the Union government issues a notification in this regard, Hari Kishor Tiwari said.

All India Power Engineers Federation chairman Shailendra Dubey said OPS has the provision for commutation of 40 per cent of the pension amount soon after retirement and full pension to employees is restored after 15 years. He said the pension amount, under the OPS, is increased by 20 per cent when the pensioner attains the age of 80 years, 30 per cent at 85 years, 50 per cent at 90 years and 100 per cent at 95 years.

Besides this, the OPS comes for revision with the implementation of the pay commission reports. The UPS is nowhere an alternative to the OPS, said Dubey, adding, all employees of the power sector should also be covered under the OPS.

MAJOR CONCERNS

-UPS, like NPS, needs contributions from employees. This is not the case with OPS.

-UPS appears to lack provision for revision in the pension amount (increase) like provisions in OPS.

-There is confusion about migration from NPS to UPS or who will benefit from UPS. Those representing the employees are still in favour of OPS.
A fierce war of words has erupted between Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav over the controversial use of bulldozers against individuals accused of crimes in the state. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath.

The spat began when Akhilesh Yadav, addressing party workers on Tuesday, declared that if the Samajwadi Party comes to power in 2027, all the state's bulldozers would be directed towards Gorakhpur, the home constituency of Yogi Adityanath.

"As soon as the Samajwadi government is formed in 2027, the bulldozers of the entire state will head towards Gorakhpur," Yadav had said.

Also Read | SP, Cong tore social fabric for political gains: Yogi

How Yogi Adityanath countered Akhilesh

In a counter-attack on Wednesday, Yogi Adityanath dismissed Yadav's threat, suggesting that running a bulldozer requires courage, intellect, and determinationqualities he implied Yadav lacks.

"Not everyone's hands can fit on a bulldozer. It requires both 'dil and dimaag' (heart and mind). Only someone with bulldozer-like capability and determination can operate it. Those who grovel before the rioters will not be able to stand in front of a bulldozer," Adityanath said while addressing an event to distribute appointment letters to newly selected government employees.

Also Read | No saint or yogi can ever be a slave to power: Yogi Adityanath

The chief minister also took a personal jab at Yadav, referring to his nickname 'Tipu' and suggesting that he is now trying to become a 'Sultan'.

Adityanath hit out at the SP's past governance record, claiming that Uttar Pradesh was plagued by lawlessness before the BJP took power in 2017. He accused Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle, Shivpal Yadav, of engaging in extortion during their tenure, saying, "There used to be a competition between 'chacha-bhatija' (uncle-nephew) in extorting money. Areas between them were divided."

"I can see that at this time some man-eating wolves are creating havoc in different districts. More or less the same situation was in the state before the year 2017," Adityanath said.

CM was speaking in a programme organised for the distribution of appointment letters to Junior Engineers, Foreman and Computer operators selected by UP Subordinate Services Selection Commission.
Mumbai: Padma Shri awardee Dr Mahipal Singh Sachdev's Centre For Sight, a leading nationwide ophthalmology network, is expanding its footprint in Mumbai. On Wednesday, Sachdev announced a strategic collaboration with Laxmi Eye Hospital, which has centres in Panvel, Kharghar, Dombivli and Kamothe in Navi Mumbai. This expansion has increased Centre For Sight's presence to nine centres in Maharashtra, including locations in Navi Mumbai and Thane. Padma Shri awardee Dr Mahipal Singh Sachdev made the announcement.(HT Photo)

Centre For Sight has acquired a 51% equity partnership in Laxmi Eye Hospital. Sachdev, chairman and medical director of Centre For Sight, stated, "We are also in talks with at least two other regional eye care hospitals in south Mumbai and hopefully things will be finalised in the next few months for future collaborations. We have already spent between 250 to 275 crore in acquisitions in the last one year."

Currently, Centre For Sight serves over a million patients annually across 82 centres in 40 cities from 15 Indian states, with more than 350 expert doctors and 2,700 professional staff.

Over the past year, the organisation has added 10 brownfield centres through strategic collaborations in various cities, including Srinagar, Sikar, Warangal, Badlapur, Chembur, and now Mumbai. It has also launched six greenfield centres in north India, strengthening its presence in the region.

Sachdev emphasised, "Our strategic collaboration with Laxmi Eye Hospital and other prominent centres in Mumbai underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering the highest standard of eye care. These collaborations not only enhance our capacity to meet the region's increasing needs but also exemplify the broader trend in healthcare, where consolidation is key to extending the reach of world-class services."

Laxmi Eye Hospital, established in 1989, has served more than 2.5 million patients across its four locations. Under the leadership of Dr Suhas Haldipurkar, who has over 40 years of experience, the institute has set new benchmarks in patient care. Dr Haldipurkar commented, "We are proud to join hands with Centre For Sight, an institution that shares our dedication to clinical excellence. Together, we will continue to build on our legacy and provide patients with the best possible eye care."

Centre For Sight aims to add 15-20 centres annually, targeting 150 centres in the next four years. "By collaborating with us, regional eye care hospitals gain strategic, clinical, and technological support, fostering growth and excellence as part of our united team. Centre For Sight is looking to invest 300-500 crore over the next few years to support its expansion plans," Sachdev added.

Raghav Ramdev, managing director of ChrysCapital, a private equity fund that invested up to $100 million in Centre For Sight, said, "The healthcare sector in India is a key area of focus for us given the significantly underserved market and the potential for share gain for organised players."
A Mumbai sessions court has granted anticipatory bail to a man accused of rape, following a hearing in which the accused presented evidence of a consensual relationship with the complainant. The case, registered with the Colaba police station, involved allegations of sexual assault, but the court's decision hinged on a notarized agreement that outlined the terms of a live-in relationship between the two parties. The accused produced an agreement between him and the victim claiming it was a consensual relationship. (HT file)(Getty Images/ only for representation)

During the hearing, the accused provided the court with a copy of a notarized agreement, claiming that the relationship was consensual and that both parties had agreed to live together for a period of 11 months. The agreement, dated August 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, included seven points that the accused argued demonstrated mutual consent.

One of the key clauses stated that the relationship was consensual and that the complainant would not make any allegations of sexual misconduct without consent.

However, the complainant disputed the authenticity of the agreement, saying she had not signed it. Despite her denial, the court considered the document as evidence during the proceedings.

In its detailed order, the court observed that there was no indication of force or coercion in the initial stages of the relationship, as outlined in the First Information Report (FIR).

The court said, "Apart from any document produced by the applicant/accused, it is prima facie a consensual relationship whereas any aspect of force is not made out even in the FIR at the initial stage of the relationship between the parties."

The court highlighted the delay in filing the FIR as another factor in its decision, noting that the relationship allegedly began in October 2023, yet no complaint was made until much later.

"Considering the nature of the offence and accusations, the applicant, accused would not be required for any custodial interrogation. The allegations about any obscene videos of the complainant are not specific. Moreover, the accused can be asked to cooperate in the investigation of such aspects. Considering the nature of the offence and the accusations, the applicant is required to be protected from arrest," the court observed.

The court granted the accused anticipatory bail, setting the bail amount at 25,000 with a solvent surety of the same amount.

The advocate representing the accused welcomed the court's decision, arguing that the case was part of a pattern of behaviour by the complainant.

"We have brought everything to the notice of the honourable session court, and considering all the facts of this case, the court has allowed the anticipatory bail," the lawyer said.

The lawyer also claimed that the complainant had a history of entering consensual relationships and later accusing her partners of rape.

"She also claimed that it's not her signature on the agreement of live in relationship, but we have proved in the court that it's her signature. She had also alleged that my client harassed her but the court did not accept her argument because my client is a resident of Colaba and she resides in Dombivli so the court observed that it is not possible that, he can harass her, and that is why the court has allowed anticipatory bail for my client," said the advocate.

With ANI inputs
Mumbai: Nitesh Rane, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and member of the legislative assembly for Kankavli, has come under fire not only from the opposition but also from within his own party for his inflammatory comments against Muslims. The controversy stems from Rane's recent public addresses in Shrirampur and Topkhana areas of Ahmednagar. (Photo by Anshuman Poyrekar/ Hindustan Times) (Anshuman Poyrekar/HT PHOTO)

Haji Arfat Shaikh, a state BJP leader, has strongly criticised Rane, challenging him to visit mosques if he truly intends to attack Muslims. Shaikh has also called upon party leaders to restrain the outspoken MLA.

In a video shared on social media, Shaikh said that Rane was overstepping boundaries. "He is not the 'Gabbar' (a notorious villain from a Bollywood film) but the 'gobar' (cowdung) of Hindus," Shaikh remarked. He cautioned Rane against using derogatory language about Prophet Muhammad and Islam, warning that if Muslims were to take to the streets in retaliation, Rane "would not even be able to open his mouth".

Shaikh, who heads the Maharashtra State Muslim Khatik Samaj Unit and formerly led the Maharashtra state minority commission, expressed his discomfort in facing his community as a BJP leader following Rane's anti-Muslim comments.

The controversy stems from Rane's recent public addresses in Shrirampur and Topkhana areas of Ahmednagar. Speaking in support of Hindu seer Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj, who had previously made derogatory remarks about Islam and Prophet Muhammad, Rane issued threats to the Muslim community.

In a widely circulated video, Rane can be heard saying, "We will enter your mosques and hit you one by one. I am threatening you in the language you understand. If you say anything against our Ramgiri Maharaj, we will enter your mosques and beat you up one by one. Keep this in mind".

Rane further boasted of being the "Gabbar of Hindus", claiming that when he walks the streets, Muslims shut their doors and windows.

In response, Shaikh said, "He needs to understand what Hindutva is. He needs to understand the Hindutva of Dr BR Ambedkar, Hindutva of Shri Ram, and that of Balasaheb Thackeray. What he has said is not the stand of Hindus in Maharashtra and India".

Shaikh questioned whether Rane's attacks on Muslims were motivated by ambitions of a ministerial position for himself or his father. "If he continues using such language against Muslims, and I resort to my original form of working and politics, he would not be able to utter a word", Shaikh warned.

He appealed to senior BJP leaders, including Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar, to address the issue.

The criticism of Rane extends beyond Shaikh. Sujay Vikhe Patil, former BJP MP from Ahmednagar, has also cautioned Rane against creating divisions based on caste and religion. "If he tries to divide our people (in Ahmednagar), I am here to face him. The district believes in social harmony and we will not allow anybody to disturb it", Patil stated.
Sharad Pawar on Wednesday virtually ruled out that the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will have a declared candidate for the chief minister's post in poll-bound Maharashtra, saying that there was no need for it to contest the upcoming assembly election with a CM face. Sharad Pawar (File Photo/HT)

The decision on who will be the chief minister can be made after the poll results. The candidate will be decided on the basis of which party wins the most number of seats within the alliance, Pawar told reporters in Kolhapur.

The MVA is made up of Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Congress.

The Congress and NCP (SP) have repeatedly rejected Shiv Sena (UBT)'s pitch to have its supremo Uddhav Thackeray as their alliance's nominee for the CM's chair. Formed in November 2019, the MVA governed Maharashtra till June 2022, when the Thackeray-led government collapsed following a rebellion by Eknath Shinde, who also split the then-united Shiv Sena.

Shinde is the chief minister of Maharashtra, having succeeded Uddhav in the top post with support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Meanwhile, veteran politician Pawar, himself an ex-CM of the western state, also stated that according to him, the election process would be over by the 'second week of November.'

The Election Commission is yet to announce dates for assembly polls in Maharashtra.

MVA leaders should sit for talks beginning September 7 to 9. Discussions should also include Peasants and Workers Party, Communist Party of India, and Communist Party of India (Marxist) as well. These parties have some pockets of influence in the state, the former Union minister said.

(With PTI inputs)
Mumbai: While it is common for students of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) to sign its Honour Code before seeking admission, this year they have taken umbrage at the new clauses added to the code that forbids their participation in any political, anti-establishment, unpatriotic discussions, demonstrations, and dharnas that disrupt the institutes academic environment. Their collective ire has been further stoked by a what they consider a draconian clause that emphasises withdrawal and termination of the erring students admissions if he or she flouts this norm. Students term TISSs new code an attempt to subjugate

The students are demanding that the institute either remove this clause or provide clear definitions of the terms used in the Honour Code. They are specifically seeking clarifications on what constitutes unpatriotic discussions.

The Honour Code was instituted in 2017, and over the years TISS, a deemed-to-be university, is known to make changes in its terms and conditions. Its most recent change, allege students, is engineered to suppress student activism on campus.

Their belief is strengthened by current events on campus. In April, Ramadas Prini Sivanandan, former general secretary of Progressive Students Forum (PSF) was suspended for two years and debarred for participating in and addressing a students march in Delhi criticising the National Education Policy (NEP); this was followed by a ban on the left-wing student organisation on August 19.

A student said: In the recent past, several student organisations have objected to events and talks organised by other student groups. Some were forced to cancel the events, even courting the label of being an anti-national.

Apart from demanding a closer study of the fineprint, they have also questioned the need to sign the Honour Code, itself, in the absence of an apex educational body looking over such a mandate. No apex body instructs institutes to have such a code signed by students. While we understand the need to sign policies related to hostel rules, the eligibility criteria, academic integrity, compliance with institutes rules and policies and financial responsibilities, this newly added termination clause is unacceptable, said a student from the Tuljapur campus.

When HT reached out to a TISS official to comment on the sentiment of students, he said: This is a continuous process. As we identify relevant issues, they will be incorporated into the Honour Code. Every institute operates this way. While there is no specific directive from any apex body, we are implementing these measures to uphold decorum on the university campus.
Manipur tribal affairs and hills, horticulture and soil conservation minister Letpao Haokip has refuted the allegation made by Bharat Hindu Mahasena, Delhi, accusing him of masterminding a drone-bombing at Koutruk village in the Imphal West district on Sunday, which resulted in casualties and fatalities. Manipur DGP Rajiv Singh visits the violence-affected areas at Kadangband and Koutruk in Imphal on Tuesday. (ANI)

Letpao is one of the 10 Kuki MLAs of Manipur who signed a demand for a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo community following the Meitei-Kuki conflict that erupted on May 3 last year, the day the Kuki launched an attack on Meitei people and villages. He and the other nine MLAs have been abstaining from the Manipur Legislative Assembly for three consecutive sessions.

In a rebuttal released on Wednesday, the minister said, It has come to my knowledge that a little-known organisation, Bharat Hindu Mahasena, Delhi, has dragged my name and accused me of masterminding the drone-bombing at Koutruk in Imphal West district and put a 1 lakh bounty on my head. Quoting a press release from the so-called Bharat Hindu Mahasena, Delhi, Khongthang News announced that I should surrender to the Bharat Hindu Mahasenas North East headquarters in Shillong within 10 days.

It is hard to comprehend the logic behind involving my name in the recent Koutruk incident, which is already under the scrutiny of the security forces and other agencies. From the beginning, I have been convinced that violence is not the solution to the problem. I firmly believe that an unbiased understanding of the issue, along with logical and mature handling of the matter, is the key to lasting peace in the region.

Since May 3, 2023, violence in the Imphal Valley has been so intense that even we, elected representatives, have not been spared. One of our colleagues is still recuperating from a brutal and frenzied assault by unruly mobs, while the rest of us were forced to leave our homes and hearths in the Imphal Valley. We have already had our share of violence. As such, I am in no way connected to any violence throughout these 14 months of unrest and shall not be associated with it in the future. In light of these facts, there is no question of me surrendering or giving in to someone for actions unrelated to me.

It is very unfortunate that the so-called Bharat Hindu Mahasena, Delhi, has introduced a religious angle to the ongoing conflict when people from both the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities have flatly rejected the interpretation of the Manipur violence in terms of religion. The origin and motives of this organisation need to be investigated by all concerned.

It is also pertinent to question the integrity of the media house that publishes press releases from little-known organisations that resort to wild allegations and spread misinformation. I may be compelled to seek legal recourse against all elements conspiring against me with unfounded and baseless allegations, Haokip said.
Education in Ireland, representing Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), announced its flagship roadshow in India for 2025. The roadshow will be held in five cities: Delhi on September 28, Pune on September 29, Mumbai on October 1, Chennai on October 5, and Bengaluru on October 6.(Handout)

Students who would like to explore and know more about the HEIs in Ireland can register for the upcoming education fairs that are scheduled from September 28, 2024, to October 6, 2024, in Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru.

The education fair which is an official Government of Ireland event aims to offer students and parents an opportunity to engage with representatives from 17 leading Irish institutions. Participants can gain information on courses and post-study work opportunities. The event is an integral part of Education in Irelands national campaign, #StudyEmeraldIsle. Additionally, there will also be a seminar conducted on the study visa application process, presented by the Irish Visa Office, in all cities.

Also Read: Study abroad: Applying to UK Universities? Here are five things every student must know before submitting applications

Irelands new international education strategy, Global Citizens 2030, aims to position Ireland as a top location for international talent and as a thought leader in education, research, innovation and science. These education fairs present the opportunity for Indian students to learn about undergraduate and postgraduate programmes offered by Irish higher education institutions. The fairs are a chance for motivated students to chat face to face with representatives from 17 of Irelands HEIs. The exhibiting institutions are committed to addressing students' queries around entry requirements, course content and post-study career opportunities," said Barry ODriscoll, Regional Manager, India & South Asia for Education in Ireland.

The education fair which is an Official Government of Ireland aims to offer students and parents a unique opportunity to engage with representatives and academics from 17 leading Irish institutions.

The roadshow will be held in five cities: Delhi on September 28, Pune on September 29, Mumbai on October 1, Chennai on October 5, and Bengaluru on October 6, mentioned the official press release.

For more information regarding the venue and more, visit the official website.

Also Read: Study abroad: How policies in popular countries are redirecting students toward alternative options
Currently, 13,35,878 Indian students are studying abroad, according to the latest data released by the Ministry for External Affairs. For all, finding a good university wasnt the only challenge, studying in a good student city was also a consideration. Every year, the QS Best Student Cities ranking offers a comprehensive guide to cities worldwide that excel in providing exceptional student experiences. This ranking evaluates cities based on factors including affordability, diversity, employment opportunities, student satisfaction, and academic excellence. In addition to finding a good university, finding a 'good student city' was also a consideration for many Indian students who are studying abroad(AFP/For representation)

10 best European cities to study as per QS Best Student Cities 2025

While London topped the world's best student city list for the sixth consecutive year, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai were ranked 111th, 113th, 130th, and 140th, respectively, in the QS Best Student Cities 2025 ranking.

Also read: Study abroad: Applying to UK Universities? Here are five things every student must know before submitting applications

Saif Iqbal, Vice President of ApplyBoard, an online platform that connects international students, recruitment partners, and educational institutions and has access to over 1,500 institutions across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Irelands, takes a closer look at the QS ranking worlds Best Student Cities.

Here are the worlds Top 10 Best Student Cities.

1. London, England: London retains its title as the world's best student city for the sixth consecutive year. The city's impressive academic environment, rich cultural diversity, and extensive career opportunities contribute to its top ranking.

 Top universities: Imperial College London (6th globally), University College London (9th), King's College London (40th)

 Employment Opportunities: Ranked 4th globally, London is a hotspot for internships and job placements.

 Affordability: Despite high living costs, London's cultural richness contributes to an affordability rank of 126th.

 Safety: Known for its secure environment.

 Student Mix: London ranks 7th for its diverse student population.

 Number of Universities: 18 in the QS W orld University Rankings.

 Student View Rank: 3rd globally for student satisfaction.

Students should budget between 1,100 and 1,300 per month for living expenses. Affordable neighbourhoods include Barking and Dagenham, while Knightsbridge and Mayfair offer luxury living.

Also read: Chevening Scholarships application window closes on November 5, eligibility criteria and link to apply

2. Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo, ranked second overall, is Asia's top student city and one of the world's most dynamic urban centres.

 Top universities: University of Tokyo (32nd globally), Tokyo Institute of Technology (84th), Waseda University (181st)

 Employer Activity: Leads globally in professional and internship opportunities.

 Affordability: Tokyo's 85th rank is competitive despite high living costs.

 Desirability: Ranked 1st for its high quality of life.

 Student Mix: 79th, offering a diverse atmosphere.

 Number of Universities: 18.

 Student View Rank: 22nd globally.

Students can expect to spend 100,000 to 150,000 per month. Affordable areas include Ikebukuro and Kichijoji, while Roppongi and Shibuya are more expensive.

Also read: Study abroad: How policies in popular countries are redirecting students toward alternative options

3. Seoul, South Korea: Seoul holds the third position, recognised for its excellent educational environment, vibrant culture, and strong career prospects.

 Top universities: Seoul National University (31st globally), Yonsei University (56th), Korea University (67th)

 Employment Opportunities: Ranked 9th globally.

 Affordability: Seouls affordability rank of 91st is competitive.

 Student Mix: 41st, attracting a diverse international student body.

 Number of Universities: 23.

 Student View Rank: 46th globally.

International students face average annual tuition fees of approximately $6,300, with relatively affordable living costs compared to other major global cities.

Also read: Study Abroad: Uncommon programs offered by Glasgows University of Strathclyde

4. Munich, Germany: Ranked 4th, Munich is renowned for its high quality of life, affordable living, and vibrant career opportunities.

 Top universities: Technical University of Munich (28th globally), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen (59th)

 Employment Opportunities: 8th globally.

 Affordability: 54th, indicating good value

 Student Mix: 11th, offering a diverse environment.

 Number of Universities: 2.

 Student View Rank: 10th globally.

International students face average annual tuition fees of approximately $300, with relatively affordable living costs compared to other major European cities.

Also read: US colleges are cutting majors and slashing programs after years of putting it off

5. Melbourne, Australia: Melbourne, ranked 5th, is known for its vibrant culture, diverse community, and outstanding academic institutions.

 Top universities: University of Melbourne (13th globally), Monash University (37th)

 Employer Activity: 20th.

 Affordability: 131st, reflecting its high quality of life.

 Student Mix: 1st for multiculturalism.

 Student View: 2nd globally for student satisfaction.

 Number of Universities: 7.

Students can expect to spend between $1,400 and $3,920 per month on living expenses.

Also read: Australia caps foreign students to 270,000 in 2025 as part of a migration crackdown

6. Sydney, Australia: Sydney, ranked 6th, is celebrated for its vibrant lifestyle, diverse community, and excellent educational institutions.

 Top universities: University of Sydney (18th globally), University of New South Wales (19th)

 Employer Activity: 18th.

 Affordability: 130th.

 Student Mix: 4th for inclusivity.

 Desirability: 4th globally.

 Number of Universities: 6.

Students should budget between $1,400 and $4,000 per month for living expenses.

7. Paris, France: Paris holds the 7th position, known for its historic charm, vibrant culture, and academic excellence.

 Top universities: Universite PSL (24th globally), Institut Polytechnique de Paris (46th), Sorbonne University (63rd)

 Employment Opportunities: 27th.

 Affordability: 74th.

 Student Mix: 7th.

 Desirability: 7th.

Students can expect to spend between 800 and 1,200 per month on living expenses.

Also read: Good news for Indian skilled workers, Germany reduces visa processing time from 9 months to 2 weeks

8. Zurich, Switzerland: Zurich, ranked 8th, is celebrated for its high quality of life, strong educational institutions, and vibrant economy.

 Top universities: ETH Zurich (7th globally), University of Zurich (109th)

 Affordability: 102nd.

 Employment Opportunities: 10th globally.

 Student Mix: 19th.

 Number of Universities: Several top-ranked institutions.

Students should budget between CHF 1,500 and CHF 2,500 per month for living expenses.

Also read: Germany's TUM to charge tuition fee from international students; will other public universities follow the suit?

9. Berlin, Germany: Berlin, ranked 9th, is renowned for its vibrant cultural scene, affordable living, and dynamic educational environment.

 Top universities: Freie Universitat Berlin (97th globally), Hu

 mboldt-Universitat zu Berlin (126th), Technische Universitat Berlin (147th)

 Affordability: 30th.

 Employment Opportunities: 41st.

 Student Mix: 6th.

 Number of Universities: Several top-ranked institutions.

Students can expect to spend between 800 and 1,200 per month on living expenses.

Also read: Strict visa regulations students need to know before applying for US, UK, Australia and Canada

10. Montreal, Canada: Montreal completes the top 10, known for its bilingual environment, cultural richness, and affordable living.

 Top universities: McGill University (29th globally), Universite de Montreal (159th), Concordia University (415th)

 Affordability: 14th.

 Employment Opportunities: 39th globally.

 Student Mix: 10th.

 Number of Universities: Several top-ranked institutions.

Students should budget between CAD 1,000 and CAD 1,500 per month for living expenses.
SBI PO 2024: The State Bank of India (SBI) is expected to release the notification for the Probationary Officers (SBI PO 2024 notification) soon. Once released, candidates can check it on the careers portal of the bank  sbi.co.in/web/careers/. In the last two years, the SBI PO notifications were released in September and registrations started in the same month. SBI PO 2024 notification expected soon (Reuters file photo of SBI logo)

In 2023, the SBI PO recruitment notification was released on September 6 and the application process started on September 7. In 2022, the notification was released on September 21 and the application process started on September 22.

Last year, the exam was for 2,000 vacancies while it was for 1,673 vacancies the year before that.

As aspirants wait for the SBI PO 2024 notification, here are some important details for them based on the last year's recruitment process-

To apply for SBI PO, candidates need a graduation degree in any discipline. Those who are in the final year or semester of their graduation degree course can apply provisionally, meaning they will be required to produce proof of getting the degree at a later stage of the recruitment drive. The cut-off date for submitting the proof of degree by provisionally eligible candidates will be mentioned in the exam notification. In addition to graduation degrees, Medical, Engineering, Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant qualifications will also be accepted. The applicants should be at least 21 years old and not more than 30 years old on the cut-off date. The cut-off date for determining the age limit will be mentioned in the SBI PO notification. Further, age relaxation will be applicable to reserved category candidates. Last year, the SBI PO application fee was  750 for general, EWS and OBC category candidates. There was no application fee for SC, ST and PwBD category candidates.

SBI PO 2024: How to apply when the application process starts
St. Stephens College on Wednesday contended before the Delhi High Court that admitting a student under single girl child quota', fixed by the Delhi University (DU), is violative of the right to equality before law. DU single girl child quota violates right to equality: St. Stephen to Delhi HC(RIshi Ballabh/HT Photo)

The counsel for the college argued that the quota for girl child is ultra vires Article 14, 15(3) and 15(5) and 30 of the Constitution and allocation of seats under this quota goes against these four articles.

764 single girl children, 132 orphans admitted to DU UG courses

The high court asked if the college raised this objection anywhere before.

Did you raise this objection anywhere earlier at any stage? Did you challenge this policy ever or write to them or filed any case ever? asked Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma.

To this, senior advocate Romy Chacko said, This year they agreed that they will only allocate 5 per cent excess of the seats and will allocate one candidate for each program. But today we are actually forced to challenge it on the ground that instead of one candidate they are actually allocating 13 candidates.

We would have no problem if we were asked to admit one girl child. However, today DU argued that if BA (prog) has 13 combinations, 13 girl child students would have to be admitted, he said, adding the state cannot deny to any person equality before law.

The submission was opposed by the counsel for petitioner students and the Delhi University who said this objection was never raised before.

Why did the college not challenge the varsitys bulletin of information for admission if they are aggrieved by this provision? said the counsel for DU.

The judge orally observed, for this I think you (college) will have to challenge it separately.

As per the universitys bulletin for information on admission, one seat in each program of every college is reserved under the supernumerary quota for a single girl child.

The parent/ guardian (in case parents are deceased) will have to declare that the girl child is the only child of the parents and they have no other male/ female child other than the girl child for which the application is being submitted for admissions in the academic session 2024-25, it said.

The colleges counsel contended that there is no law on this and it is a decision taken by the university only.

Fundamental rights cannot be taken away by an executive order. This has no statutory backing. All these quotas imposed on us have no statutory backing. Therefore, this particular quota is ultra vires Article 14, 15(3), 15 (5) and 30," he argued.

He added that the college had agreed for the quota but now the DU is trying to impose something which is contrary to the university bulletin.

The college contended that the varsity was trying to impose quotas against minority institutions.

All these quotas imposed on us have no statutory backing. Today you are trying to impose something which is beyond the universitys bulletin, the counsel said.

Advocate Mohinder Rupal, appearing for the Delhi University, said there are about 7-8 minority colleges under it and only one college is having an issue and others have no problem with respect to allocation of seats.

He said the varsitys bulletin was not challenged by the college at any point of time.

He said the college ought not have played with the career of the petitioner students by refusing them admission when their names were already released by the university in the selected candidates for admission to the college.

Also Check: Teachers' Day 2024: These individuals cannot thank their educators enough, here's why

At the fag end of the days hearing, the court took exception to a submission made by the colleges lawyers that it would be unfair to them in case they are not granted an opportunity to file reply to a counter affidavit filed by the varsity.

The court noted that it heard the arguments in the case from 11:30 AM to 1 PM and from 2:30 PM to 4 PM and during this period, the counsel for the college also addressed arguments.

The court listed the matter for Thursday for hearing arguments on some limited points.

It was the case of petitioners that despite being allocated seats by the university with the college for the courses of BA Economics (Hons) and BA Programme, yet their admissions were not completed within the stipulated time frame.

Also Check: Teachers shape good citizens, says Puducherry CM Rangasamy

The single judge had earlier granted the relief of provisional admission to the six students while noting that there was no fault of these students who had successfully cleared the CUET exam and other formalities and despite being meritorious they were being kept under suspense regarding the fate of their admission.

However, the college challenged the order before the division bench which barred the six students, who were granted provisional admission in St. Stephen's College on the basis of the DU's allotment of seats, from attending classes till pendency of the main petition.
NxtWave in partnership with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), launched NxtWave SkillUp India 4.0, one of Indias tech upskilling initiatives. NxtWave SkillUp India 4.0 is designed to empower youth by equipping them with advanced skills in 4.0 technologies such as AI, ML, and Full-Stack Development.(Handout)

NxtWave SkillUp India 4.0 is designed to empower youth by equipping them with advanced skills in 4.0 technologies such as AI, ML, and Full-Stack Development.

This initiative aims to empower over 30 lakh students across India in 4.0 technologies and connect them with the right career opportunities, informed NxtWave.

We are honored to partner with NSDC, under the guidance of the Skill Development Ministry, to equip deserving students with the tools and skills they need to unlock their full potential. NSDC's unwavering commitment to empowering India's youth is truly inspiring, and we are grateful for their support. Together, we are dedicated to creating opportunities for young minds to explore, innovate, and contribute to Indias growth story. SkillUp India 4.0 is born from our shared vision of nurturing a highly skilled, future-ready workforce, as AI and emerging technologies promise to create vast opportunities in the Indian market," said Rahul Attuluri, Co-Founder and CEO of NxtWave.

Also Read: 75% students placed via campus placement at IIT Bombay

Our Honble Prime Minister has set a visionary goal of making India a developed nation by 2047. This initiative is a significant step towards realizing the Prime Ministers vision of Viksit Bharat, where every young Indian is empowered with the skills needed to shape the future. With initiatives like SkillUp India 4.0, in collaboration with NxtWave, we are not only advancing the Skill India Mission but also positioning India as the skill capital and innovation hub of the world. Today, with 45% of global capacity centers already based in India, we are creating cutting-edge technologies for global giants, said Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC.

NxtWave, under the SkillUp India 4.0 initiative, will conduct a free software job employability test for more than 5 lakh students to assess their skills and connect them with the right opportunities. Additionally, to remove barriers to top software jobs, NxtWave is providing free access to its 2-year Full Stack + AI/ML program, for meritorious students across 500 NIRF-ranked colleges, mentioned the official press release.

Also Read: Could not clear CA exam? Know some fulfilling careers options in finance and accounting and courses around them
Students of a government-run higher secondary school for girls in Bhopal on Wednesday went on a rampage and damaged furniture and other property, alleging harsh punishment by the woman administrator, leading to her removal from the post by authorities. Ruckus at girls' school in Bhopal over 'harsh' punishment; woman admin removed(Reuters/ File photo)

Viral videos showed students damaging classroom furniture in the Government Sarojini Naidu Girls Higher Secondary School, pulling ceiling fan blades, breaking electronic gadgets, and smashing windows and door glasses.

DUs Single girl child quota for admission violates right to equality: St. Stephens to Delhi HC

District Education Officer (DEO) NK Ahirwar confirmed that the school is overseen by the State Open School, with a former armed forces captain, Varsha Jha, managing the administration. Jha has been removed from her position following the uproar.

Students claimed they were subjected to disproportionate punishment for arriving late in the school.

Read this: "Teachers are true nation builders": Uttarakhand CM Dhami on eve of Teacher's Day

"Merely because we got late by 10-15 minutes, the school administration forced us to remove grass from the ground and made us stand in the Sun," a student claimed in a viral video.

Some students felt collapsed because of the harsh punishment, she said.

Students also complained of the poor condition of washrooms and insufficient water supply.

Also Read: Teachers' Day 2024: These individuals cannot thank their educators enough, here's why

Meanwhile, the Congress MLA from the Bhopal Madhya assembly constituency tried to pacify the students.

Former Union minister Arun Yadav claimed students were asked to remove garbage, cut grass, and shift stones for late arrival.

Toilets in the school are dirty and students are not getting clean and safe drinking water, he posted on X.

"If this is the situation of a school in the state capital, then one can imagine the plight of the government-run schools in other parts of the state," Yadav added.

Ahirwar confirmed that the Sarojini Naidu School is overseen by the State Open School, with a former armed forces captain, Varsha Jha, looking after the administration. Jha has been removed from her position following the uproar, he said.

An official inquiry into allegations by students, including ill-treatment and the poor condition of the school's facilities, is underway. Ahirwar assured that appropriate action would be taken based on the findings.

The girls were enraged because of punishment awarded to them by the administration for coming late by 10-15 minutes and resorted to protest, he added.

Responding to students' complaints about being forced to clean toilets, the DEO said action would be taken after inquiry.

"After hearing from students, it seems the behaviour of Varsha Jha was not good towards them. It seems she used to deal with them very strictly," he said.

Madhya Pradesh State Open School Education Board, previously known as MP Open School, was set up considering the need for optional education.
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], September 4 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has extended his heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all the teachers of the state on the eve of Teachers' Day and said that teachers are the "true nation builders." "Teachers are true nation builders": Uttarakhand CM Dhami on eve of Teacher's Day

In his message issued on this occasion, the Chief Minister paid homage to former President, educationist and philosopher Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and said that teachers are the true nation builders, the Chief Minister office stated.

The Chief Minister said that teachers play an important role in building the character of the students and making them worthy citizens.

Teachers' Day 2024: These individuals cannot thank their educators enough, here's why

He said that teachers not only make an important contribution to nation-building by educating the students, but they also play a big role in giving a new direction to society.

"Teachers also have an important participation in the successful implementation of the schemes run by the state government for the development of education," he added.

Also Check: IIT Madras hosts SWAYAM Plus National workshop, 6 new skill-based courses added

The Chief Minister said that only those countries and societies move forward where the teachers are respected.

"We have to make the great Indian tradition of respect and reverence towards our teachers even stronger," he added.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister called upon the students to follow the Indian tradition of respect and reverence towards the teachers and participate in the development of the country and the state by becoming the best citizens.

Read More: 764 single girl children, 132 orphans admitted to DU UG courses

Every year, Teachers' Day is celebrated on 5 September. It's a day dedicated to teachers and the role they play in shaping their students' lives.

The day commemorates the birth anniversary of scholar and Bharat Ratna recipient Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was born on this day in 1888.

He was the first Vice President of the independent India (1952-1962). He was also the second President of India from 1962 to 1967.
An Indian-led college has begun a new management curriculum that goes beyond traditional learning by sending its students to seven countries to build businesses as part of the course. Tetr College of Business launches cross-border undergraduate degree programme(Official website )

Founded by Pratham Mittal, Tetr College of Business has launched the four-year Bachelors programme in Management and Technology with the first batch of around 120 students, half of them from developed countries and half from developing nations.

Complaint filed against Rutgers University for failure to protect students from discrimination

The students from different countries will learn business by building businesses at USA, Italy, India, Singapore, Brazil, UAE and Ghana.

The Middlesex University, a British university, will offer degrees to Tetr students after completion of bachelors programme.

Tetr's first batch commenced on Monday here with the students slated to use the campus of University of Europe till December in the first term to build e-commerce business. In the second term, they will go to India in January and learn at IIT campus.

Check This: Ruckus at girls' school in Bhopal over 'harsh' punishment; woman administrator removed

Mittal, an alumnus of Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, said the new curriculum is structured around four key tenets -- values, exposure, experiences and skills as the students will stay in each country for four to five months.

"We have to give a real-world target to our students. If they are able to do that, the motivation comes within. We want to provide first hands-on experience to run business, Mittal told PTI.

The students will learn business by building businesses as part of their eight semesters. They will stay in each country for four to five months and use campuses of partnered institutes for business bureau education in these countries, he added.

More News: DUs Single girl child quota for admission violates right to equality: St. Stephens to Delhi HC

As part of its four year bachelors programme, students will study at some of the worlds most prestigious educational institutions including SDA Bocconi (Italy), NUS (Singapore), and IIT (India).

As part of curriculum, Tetr will offer students a holistic understanding of how to build brands, investment portfolios, and make data driven decisions rooted in local cultural context as they travel and study across the globe, he said.

Dafana, an Argentina, said she expects her civil engineer daughter to live her experience as this is a new generation concept and hoped, I expect that this new concept (of Tetr) is successful.

Vibhor, from Pune in India, said that he was impressed by the new concept that goes beyond traditional learning through cross-border degree programme.
Actor Charu Shankar is full of excitement as she gears up for the release of her next film, Binny and Family, on September 20. Since the release of Animal in December last year, Charu has been on a roll, acting in Crew and now this film. (Also Read: Pankaj Kapur opens up on generational gap, talks about Binny and Family: There should be effort from both sides) Charu Shankar played Ranbir Kapoors mother in Animal.

It started with a huge fanfare around Animal. Then Crew was released, and people saw me in an out-and-out comic role. Both films were such different aspects of me, and Im grateful both did well, she tells Hindustan Times in an exclusive chat, talking about her bucket list, how she was convinced they were shooting on a haunted set in the UK and more.

Im happy for the love I got for Animal

In Sandeep Reddy Vangas Animal, Charu played Ranbirs character, Ranvijay Singhs mother, Jyothi, someone who sticks up for her son no matter what. My character was so very different from me in both age and personality, says Charu, whos much closer to Ranbir in age, adding, So Im happy for the love I received for my work. As an actor, one often thinks, what if my film becomes a massive hit, what would that feel like? And when it does happen, its hard to put it in words.

Charu is aware of the polarising opinions surrounding the film, after all, it isnt all love that Animal got. The debates around the film continue till today, and it will probably continue to inspire dialogue for a long time to come, she opines. But looking back, one scene stays in her mind, encapsulating the films theme. The first scene we shot together as cast while filming was the scene where they take a family photograph together. The inter-character dynamics there are so raw and tense without any hostility in words, she adds.

I remember giggling for hours when I read Crew

Charu says shes happy she had such diverse experiences working with Tabu, Kareena Kapoor and Kriti Sanon in Crew and the Rocket Boys web series starring Jim Sarbh. In Crew, she played Sudha Mittal, a woman who unwittingly gets the leads in trouble. Crew was a laugh-out-loud comedy film. I remember giggling for hours when I first read the sabzi mandi chasing scene. Comedy is definitely the most difficult genre to crack as an actor and Im glad I got a shot at that, she says.

In Rocket Boys, she played the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. I was playing a well-known historical icon, but from the first day directors Abhay Pannu and Nikhil Advani were clear they didnt want me to copy her accent, voice or body language. I was only asked to imagine the weight of the countrys decision on my shoulders and say lines with that awareness alone, she reveals.

I was convinced we were shooting in a haunted house

In Binny and Family, which stars Varun Dhawans niece Anjini Dhawan as the titular Binny, Charu might play the role of her mother, but its the child she relates with more. Binny and Family is a story I absolutely resonate with because, just like Binny, I had a grandparent move in with me when I was young. My naniji stitched up my fashionably torn jeans, loudly did pranayam in our shared room and was perplexed by my life choices. As time passed, she made an effort to be a big part of my life. Like Binny, when I think of her now, she was equal parts a friend and family, explains Charu.

So, when the actor read the script, she knew it was a film that would have her whole heart and said yes. And as for her lovely co-stars, as she describes themRajesh (Kumar), Anjini and I bonded well. We cooked a lot together while shooting in the UK, and went shopping in those lovely supermarkets. She gave me a lot of makeup tips and even a list of products to purchase from duty-free, recollects Charu, adding, She was also my roommate on sets by default because I was convinced the house we were shooting in was haunted and begged her to let me stay in her room on set. I was too freaked out to be alone.

Haunted houses aside, Charu is excited about the films release and is excited to do good work in the future too. I always look at the script for good writing because of my background in literature. If the story is compelling, the role will be too. Any role that emerges from that is welcome, irrespective of the genre. But theres few genres Id love to explore - someone please cast me in a horror film! And a martial arts film! Always wanted to do one, she rounds off.
Back to bay

On Wednesday evening, the actor was spotted by paparazzi at the Mumbai airport, marking his return to the city. A video shared on social media shows Ranveer walking out of the airport. He wore a chic white hoodie and pyjamas combo, layered with a sleek black coat and topped off with a matching cap. He was also seen covering his face with a mask.

He was seen in a happy mood as he waved at the photographers stationed at the airport before sitting in his car. It is believed he was out of Mumbai to shoot one of his upcoming projects.

The fans got excited to see Ranveer arrive in Mumbai. OMG MEANS DP IS ABOUT TO GIVE BIRTH, wrote one user, with one sharing, My heart jump.

Dad to be soon is in Mumbai, one commented, with another one writing, Finally, Ranveer is in town.

Several reports suggest that Deepika will be delivering her first baby on September 28 in Mumbai, and not London, as was speculated.

About the pregnancy

Deepika and Ranveer are expecting their first child together. They announced her pregnancy in February. In an Instagram post, the couple said the baby is due in September. "September 2024," read the picture embossed with baby shoes and clothing. Deepika and Ranveer, both 38, tied the knot in an intimate wedding ceremony in 2018 at Lake Como, Italy.

Deepika reportedly plans on resuming work in 2025 and would like to dedicate the next few months to her newborn. Her maternity leave will last till March of next year. And after that, shell immediately get busy with filming the sequel of Kalki along with Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan and Prabhas," said a source to News18.

Deepika, Ranveer on work front

On the film front, the couple will be reuniting on the silver screen. They will be seen sharing the screen space this Diwali in Rohit Shetty's ensemble cop drama Singham Again. In the film, Ranveer is reprising his role of Simmba and it is believed that Deepika will be introduced as Lady Singham. They will appear alongside a star-studded cast of Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, and Tiger Shroff.
Fahadh's Bollywood debut in works?

As per the report, a source stated, Fahadh and Imtiaz have done several meetings over the last few months, and their energies have aligned in the right way. Both of them prefer to work in the right set up, and are set to team up for the first time. Fahadh is also excited to debut in the Hindi space with a director like Imtiaz.

Imtiaz is making a pure love story and the casting for the female protagonist is underway. He is excited about the subject and feels this is the right time to tell the story. He has gone ahead to pitch the film to Fahadh because he feels that the actor fits the bill and the story calls for his casting, they added. If Fahad indeed signs on the dotted line, the film is likely to go on floors by the first quarter of next year and release by the end of 2025.

About Fahadh Faasil

Fahadh began his career with Malayalam films, making his official debut with Kerala Cafe in 2009. He appeared in films like Anjali Menon's 2012 buddy movie Bangalore Days, Mahesh Narayan's 2017 survival thriller Take Off, Venu's 2018 adventure thriller Carbon, Madhu C Naryanan's 2019 film Kumbalangi Nights, Dileesh Pothan's 2021 crime drama Joji, and most recently, Jithu Madahvan's gangster comedy Aavesham earlier this year.

Fahadh made his Tamil debut with Mohan Raja's 2017 action thriller Velaikkaran, and susbequently appeared in Thiagarajan Kumararaja's 2019 film Super Deluxe and Lokesh Kanagaraj's 2022 action thriller Vikram. Fahadh also made his Telugu debut with Sukumar's 2021 blockbuster action film Pushpa: The Rise. Fahadh will next be seen in Vettaiyan (Tamil) and Pushpa 2: The Rule (Telugu).

Meanwhile, Imtiaz is basking in the critical success of his latest directorial, Amar Singh Chamkila on Netflix India.
Actor Preity Zinta has shared a new photo featuring herself and her two-year-old son Jai. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Preity posted the picture as the duo spent time with each other. (Also Read | Preity Zinta reveals she tried IVF before opting for surrogacy) Preity Zinta has two kids.

Preity plays with son Jai

In the photo, Preity sat on the couch of her living room wearing a grey T-shirt and denim shorts. Jai had a toy stethoscope with him as he pretended to be a doctor with Preity as his patient. As he placed the resonator on her chest, Preity smiled looking at him. Jai was seen in a red and blue T-shirt and printed pants.

Fans react to Preity's post

Sharing the picture, Preity captioned the post, "Dr Jai to the rescue (musical notes emojis). If you know you know (red heart and nazar amulet emojis)." She also added the hashtags  family, Jai and ting. Reacting to the post, a fan wrote, "Little doctor. Cutest doctor ever. A comment read, "You're in safe hands." "Mommys little world," said a person. "This is so adorable. He is so sweet. Mom and son play time," commented an Instagram user.

About Preity's family

Preity and her husband, Gene Goodenough, welcomed their twins, a boy named Jai and a girl named Gia, via surrogacy, on November 11, 2021. Recently, Preity shared a post expressing her 'bittersweet' feelings as Gia and Jai started their school life. On Instagram, she wrote, "Excited and nervous for my little ones as they start school. Cannot believe it's time already and my mom schedule is jam packed."

"A bitter sweet moment for me as I'm happily lost in my own world, but there is so much turbulence & suffering in the world around us. One can only hope and pray for more love, tolerance & peace around us, so we can all co exist happily & leave a better & safer world for our children. #newmilestones #mommythoughts #ting," she had also added. She also posted an adorable picture in which her kids can be seen holding the paintbrush in their hands.

Preity's next film

Preity is all set to return to the Hindi film industry with Rajkumar Santoshi's directorial Lahore 1947. This project marks an important milestone for Preity as she returns to the silver screen after a hiatus. Lahore 1947, produced under Aamir Khan's banner, marks a significant collaboration between lead actor Sunny Deol and Aamir Khan's Productions.

The film was officially announced last October, garnering attention for its star-studded cast and promising storyline. Shabana Azmi and Ali Fazal have also joined the cast of Lahore 1947 in pivotal roles. The movie will also feature Sunny Deol with his elder son Karan Deol.
On Rishi Kapoor's 72nd birth anniversary, his daughter and jewellery designer Riddhima Kapoor remembered her late father. She wished that Rishi was still around to celebrate the special occasion with his two granddaughters  Riddhima's 13-year-old daughter Samara and her brother Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt's one-year-old daughter Raha Kapoor. (Also Read: Raha Kapoor naps in mom Alia Bhatt's arms as she arrives in Mumbai after wrapping up Alpha shoot. Watch) Riddhima Kapoor called Raha Kapoor a mini version of Rishi Kapoor

Riddhima remembers Rishi

Riddhima took to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday and shared an old picture of her father's birthday. Rishi, looking dapper in a black T-shirt, is seated at the edge of the dining table, about to cut a homemade birthday cake. Colourful balloons with 'Happy birthday' signs can also be seen in the background. Samara sits in Rishi's lap as she looks forward to getting a bite of the birthday cake.

Riddhima wrote along with the picture, Happy birthday Papa (red heart emoji). How I wish you were here celebrating your special day with both your granddaughters. Your bandari Sam is all grown up and baby Raha is the cutest  she is a mini You. Papa I will always cherish the memories we got to share. We miss you so much, and our love for you only deepens with every passing day (red heart emoji)." Rishi's wife, Neetu Kapoor, also reposted Riddhima's wish on her Instagram Stories, along with others.

Riddhima's wish for Rishi Kapoor

Neetu also took to her Instagram handle and shared a picture of a young Rishi wearing a black suit and blowing the candles on his birthday cake. She captioned the post, In remembrance (red heart emoji) would have been 72 today (flower emoji). Riddhima and actor Abhishek Bachchan left red heart emojis in the comment section.

Rishi's longtime friend and filmmaker Rakesh Roshan also remembered the late actor with a picture of him, Rishi, and veteran actor Jeetendra, all wearing black. He wrote in the caption on his Instagram handle, Chintu Gone but never forgotten, your spirits still lives in our hearts (white heart emoji).

About Raha Kapoor

Raha was born in November 2022, over two years after her paternal grandfather, Rishi Kapoor, died in Mumbai in April 2020. Not only Riddhima but Alia has also compared Raha to Rishi. While appearing on Koffee with Karan season 8 last year, Alia told host and mentor Karan Johar that Raha looks a lot like Ranbir's dad".

While Ranbir and Alia hadn't disclosed Raha's face to the public till then, they did so soon after at the extended Kapoor family's annual Christmas luncheon in Mumbai. The internet also claimed that Raha resembled Rishi Kapoor a lot. A fan even used Artificial Intelligence to come up with a picture of Rishi with Raha, which Neetu fondly reposted on her Instagram handle.

Meanwhile, Riddhima will make her screen debut in season 3 of The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt attended the Venice International Film Festival for their separate upcoming movies, Maria and Wolfs, respectively. The two were not seen together at the festival as Jolie arrived for her premiere on August 29 and Pitt arrived with his girlfriend of two years, Ines de Ramon the same day the former flew out. As the former couple look forward to their careers sources revealed that Pitt is not against Jolie and the latter finds the whole situation sad. It has been 8 years to Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's ongoing legal battle. (Image Credit: Alan Davidson/Shutterstock)(Shutterstock)

Also Read: Jennifer Lopez looks to reinvent her image amid divorce from Ben Affleck

Brad Pitt is not rooting against Jolie

After their separate appearances at the film festival, the sources close to the Fight Club actor assert that hes not rooting against a source close to the actress said that the latter finds the whole situation incredibly sad. The festival's artistic director, Alberto Barbera explained Jolie and Pitts events were of course spread out and left no way that they can cross each other.

The conflict between the two has been going on for eight years now.

An Insider informed the media outlet that while everyone looks forward to its conclusion, the former couples close friends found it shocking that they still cant find a resolution and finalise the divorce. Another source added that they hope that the two can resolve the matrimonial side of things while the Miraval case plays out. Hopefully, they can both get on the same page.

Also Read: Ben Affleck frustrated with chatter about his new rumoured Kick Kennedy romance amid JLo divorce

Jolie and Pitt's winery battle

The Miraval case refers to a separate ongoing legal battle between Jolie and Pitt which is concerned with the Chateau Miraval, the French villa and winery they bought back in 2012 for the price of $60 million. They launched the wine in 2013 and sold out the first 6,000 bottles of rose within five hours. In the court filing of the case, Pitt claimed Jolie intentionally sought to inflict harm as she decided to sell her half of the winery to Stoli Group after their split.

In an interview with GQ, he said he is, really just trying to enjoy the people that I love around me and just living. I dont know how to not sound cheesy about it, but just the air is fresh and grass is green, and Ive just kind of become that guy a little bit.

Jolie and Pitt have been together since 2004 and got married in 2014. However, the two called quits in two years after their marriage in 2016.
The first promo of Daniel Craig's historical gay romance-drama Queer released on September 3. The actor recently spoke about filming explicit scenes with his co-star Drew Starkey in the upcoming film. During a press conference at Venice International Film Festival 2024, Daniel said that there is nothing intimate about shooting sex scenes in movies, reported by The Guardian. (Also read: Daniel Craig and Rian Johnson's third Knives Out mystery titled Wake Up Dead Man. Watch) Cast members Drew Starkey and Daniel Craig pose during a photocall for the movie Queer, in competition, at the 81st Venice Film Festival.(REUTERS)

Daniel Craig on his explicit scenes with Drew Starkey

Daniel, while speaking to the media stated that, Theres nothing intimate about filming a sex scene on a movie set. We just wanted to make it as touching and as real and as natural as we possibly could. Drew is a wonderful, fantastic, beautiful actor to work with and we kind of had a laugh. We tried to make it fun.

He further said, When youre rolling around on the floor the second day its a good way to get to know someone. If I wasnt in this movie and I saw this movie, Id want to be in it. Its the kind of film I want to see, I want to make, I want to be out there.

About Queer

Queer is directed by Luca Guadagnino from a screenplay by Justin Kuritzkes, based on the 1985 novel by William S. Burroughs. The story is set in 1940s Mexico City and follows an American expat who becomes infatuated with a younger man.

Lee, played by Daniel, flees from a drug bust in New Orleans and wanders around the city's clubs, where he meets Allerton, a discharged American Navy serviceman and drug user played by Drew. Queer premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2024 where it was in competition for the Golden Lion. The film is co-produced by Luca and Lorenzo Mieli and features actors such as Jason Schwartzman, Lesley Manville, Henry Zaga, Drew Droege, Ariel Schulman, Omar Apollo, Michael Borremans, Andra Ursuta, David Lowery, Lisandro Alonso, and other pivotal characters.
Gladiator 2 is one of the most awaited films of the year. A sequel to the 2000 film Gladiator, the epic historical action drama will see Paul Mescal as the protagonist Lucius Verus this time. Director Ridley Scott addressed why he did not consult with Russell Crowe, who played the starring role of Maximus Decimus Meridius in the original, for the sequel in a new interview with Empire magazine, as reported by Screen Rant. (Also read: Russell Crowe on 'Gladiator' sequel: I'm slightly uncomfortable that they're making another one) Russell Crowe won a Best Actor Oscar for Gladiator.

What the director said

During the interview, Ridley Scott stated the reason bluntly and said, The plot, frankly, was right under our noses. I think it was so close under our noses that we thought it was too simple. I think he's still one of the best actors in the world, and I think we have a good relationship. I hope we do. As long as he doesn't start bitching about how he wasn't consulted. Why would I? He's dead!

He also went on to add, Its the best thing Ive ever made. Its full-bore, brutal action.

More details

For the unversed, at the end of the original Gladiator, Russell Crowe's Maximus dies and envisions reuniting with his wife and son in the afterlife.

Meanwhile, Russell opened up about his doubts on the sequel when he appeared on the US podcast Kyle Meredith With, saying: Im slightly uncomfortable with the fact theyre making another one  because, of course, Im dead and I have no say in what gets done. But a couple of the things Ive heard Im like  no, no, no, thats not in the moral journey of that particular character. But I cant say anything, its not my place, Im six feet under. So well see what that is like.

Gladiator 2 releases in India on November 15.
Jennifer Lopez recently shared various snaps of herself on social media amid her divorce from Ben Affleck. The post included shots of her in a swimsuit to outfits with quotes from poets. One of her photos from the carousel featured a t-shirt with a quote by R.H. Sin Shes in bloom and unbothered out of reach and at peace. A source told Page Six that Lopez is rebranding herself after the split. Jennifer Lopez is rebranding herself after her divorce from Ben Affleck.(@jlo/Instagram)

Also Read: 'Unbothered' JLo wears a message for Ben Affleck amid divorce, 'Shes in bloom and...'

Lopez rebranding herself

The source said to the media outlet, that Lopez is looking to make over her image, as she moves on from her divorce and Affleck. The artists inner circle including her manager for a long time, Benny Medina is tight-knitted. However, she is open to advice from new people.

A source said to the media outlet, She is open to listening to new voices of those around her, in her personal life as she works towards moving on. The source added, She needs advice from some new people to add a new layer and get some new suggestions, in regards to her personal life. Recently, the On The Floor artist reconciled with her former best friend, Leah Remini amid the divorce. Remini also filed for divorce a while ago, from her husband Angelo Pagan after a marriage of 21 years.

J.Lo made headlines several times in recent months as rumours of a split spread like wildfire and she filed for divorce on August 20 which also marked the second anniversary of her Georgian nuptials. A source reported the move was to clarify to the world that Lopez is a woman standing up in her own way.

Also Read: After JLo, Ben Affleck is where he wants to be; she is also moving forward

Lopez after filing for divorce

Lopez cancelled her tour and cited taking time off to be with her children, family and close friends as the reason for cancellation. Being engaged six times and married four times has left some bitterness but she still feels very fortunate about everything in her life. The source previously reported to the media outlet, Shes surrounded by family, friends and her kids. She always manages to have a positive outlook. The divorce is difficult for her, but she always finds a way to move forward.

Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck after spending an entire summer apart including celebrating important holidays and their birthdays apart. The reason for divorce was mentioned as Irreconcilable differences in the official documents.
More celebrities from the Telugu film industry, including Chiranjeevi, Allu Arjun and Mahesh Babu, have come forward to support flood relief efforts in the wake of torrential rain and subsequent floods in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. (Also Read | Pawan Kalyans OG, Hari Hara Veera Mallu birthday updates postponed due to floods in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana) Chiranjeevi and Allu Arjun donated for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana flood relief operations.

Several parts of the two states are reeling from floods, with many areas submerged due to incessant rains and subsequent overflowing of tanks and rivers over the past three days. At least 33 people, 16 in Telangana and 17 in Andhra Pradesh, have been killed in rain-related incidents and floods.

The three actors have pledged 50 lakh each to the Chief Minister's Relief Funds of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In a post on X on Wednesday, Chiranjeevi said he is saddened by the hardships caused to the people due to floods in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

"The loss of tens of innocent lives is very tragic. Under the direction of the Chief Ministers of the Telugu states, both governments are working hard to improve the situation. We all need to be involved in relief efforts in some way.

"As part of this process, I am announcing my contribution of one crore rupees (50 lakhs each to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana CM Relief Fund) to help the relief of the people in the two states. I pray to God that these dire situations will end soon and that all the people will be safe (sic)," he wrote in Telugu on X.

Allu Arjun also announced his contributions to the relief funds for the two states in a post on X. "I'm saddened by the loss and suffering caused by the devastating rains in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In these challenging times, I humbly donate 1 crore in total to the CM Relief Funds of both states to support the relief efforts. Praying for everyone's safety," he wrote.

On Tuesday, Mahesh Babu and Jr NTR had pledged to donate 50 lakhs each towards relief work. Mahesh also urged people to collectively support the measures being undertaken by the respective governments to provide immediate aid and facilitate the recovery process for the flood-affected regions.

"I urge everyone to contribute to this cause. May we rise above this crisis and emerge stronger," he wrote on X.

Jr NTR had posted, "Im deeply moved by the recent floods in two Telugu states due to heavy rains. I pray to God that Telugu people recover from this calamity soon.

"On my part, I am announcing a donation of 50 lakhs each to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governments to help the measures taken by the Governments of the two Telugu States for relief from the flood disaster," he added.
"Youth is not a guarantee of innovation" but Daniel Craig's early presence in film, television and theatres have consistently displayed a varied portfolio of genres and moods, defying his own iconic 007 statement. Needless to say, Daniel's surge in popularity and demand saw an astronomical hike when he entered his James Bond era in 2006 with Casino Royale. The first of 5 Bond titles, Daniel as 007 easily cemented himself as a pop culture indelible, between Casino Royale and his last Bond film, No Time To Die (2021). This undoubtedly aided his journey to unbridled Hollywood glory by enabling him to cast his net wider. Not to minimise his legacy, but his studio cred as James Bond remains unbeaten thus far. The Glass Knives franchise though wildly popular for its whodunnit premise and start-spangled ensemble casts, failed to come even metaphorically close to the undying aura of the Bond legacy. Daniel Craig's filmography receives a major noir update with Luca Guadagnino's Queer

But who was Daniel Craig before he became Bond? His latest passion project, Luca Guadagnino's Queer, which recently premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival also becoming the recipient of a 9-minute standing ovation, holds the answer.

Raw, raunchy, conflicted and complicated  the slowed down chaos that Queer represents, is a dead ringer for some bold choices made by Daniel in the early years of his then-nascent stardom. Even the most dedicated Bond fans of the actor could have missed these wallflower projects which actually carried a reflection of his willingness to push the boundaries with his choice in scripts. John Mayburry's Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon makes for one of the strongest glimpses of this. The Francis Beacon biopic gave a significant amount of air time to the painter's botched romance with thief George Dyer, seamlessly essayed by Daniel. Class and status, addiction and intoxicating love forms the premise of this film, showcasing Daniel's cinematic leanings in the early years of his career.

The same can be said about 2003 Roger Michell film, The Mother. The premise is supremely unorthodox and will in all likelihood challenge your sensibilities when you see an impeccable yet lonely Ann Reid as May, vie for the physical affections of Daniel's Darren, half her age. But Daniel's conviction to the script is what sells the noir story hard, for those who aren't afraid to play spectator to the dark side of cinema.

Coming back to the toast of the town, Queer, intentionally or not, is a thorough throwback to the embryonic Daniel's vision of cinema which intentionally pushes boundaries. He plays a gay American expat in 1950s Mexico City, plagued by a heroin addiction, supplemented by matter-of-factly sexual escapades, the latter being a prime landscape in the film.

If you are in two minds of what a viewing of Queer may hold for you, know that it is akin to seeing a raw Daniel embodying the skill of a seasoned actor. Take the actor's own words for it: "If I wasnt in the movie and saw this movie, Id want to be in it. Its the kind of film I want to see, I want to make, I want to be out there. Theyre challenging but hopefully incredibly accessible".
On Rishi Kapoor's birth anniversary today, actor Meenakshi Seshadri fondly remembers the moment he introduced her to the world of X (formerly Twitter), an event that left fans in awe when a photo of her went viral. Rishi Kapoor and Meenakshi Seshadri met in Mumbai.

Seshadri, who left the film industry in 1995 after marrying investment banker Harish Mysore, returned to Mumbai in 2023 after spending time in the US. Despite her absence, the actor, known for her roles in blockbusters like Damini (1993) and Ghayal (1990), stayed in touch with friends and made occasional visits to India.

In 2015, fans were surprised to see Seshadri's photo on X, posted by the late Rishi Kapoor, who she fondly called by his nickname, Chintu. Recalling this special moment, Seshadri says, I met Chintu ji at his residence in Mumbai when I had come to visit. I used to visit him pretty often because we were neighbours. He was in Pali Hill, I was in Union Park, Khar. I will not say that I was very close to Chintu ji but there was a very good rapport. We have done many movies together.

Kapoors X post read, This is to introduce Meenakshi Seshadari to the X world. I remember the good old days working with her in Damini. Seshadri reminisces about this gesture with warmth: He was sweet to introduce me on his Twitter account. It was very sweet when I decided to start a Twitter account and he supported me with some followers and I thought that was amazing. He comes from such a legendary family of talent but he had no ego. He was so down to earth.

Kapoor died at the age of 67 on April 30, 2020, after a two-year battle with cancer.

Meanwhile, Seshadri also spoke about leaving behind a successful career in Bollywood calling it "a challenging decision". She admits, I will be very honest. It was hard for me to leave India and the creative profession because I loved the creativity and working with other artists. That whole synergy, to give up that aura and start afresh in US, it was not easy for me.

The actor reveals, I tried to convince Harish if he can come to India. He even tried for my sake but it did not work. By the end of that one year that he was in India trying to sort out things, I said 'nahi, I want to go to the US. I want to be where Harish is comfortable, I want to start a family, I am not a young person anymore'. So, after that there was no looking back. I just jumped into American life.

Now, back in the film industry, Seshadri is focused on finding projects that tap into her potential. She explains, Like every other actress, I want to be used very productively and not be wasted. I want to have meaty roles and play a mature character in the sense it should have some depth and integrity," adding, "Also because I left right after Ghatak (1996), the memory of fans is such that they will expect something of high standard. I dont want to disappoint them.
Guide, mentor, friend, confidant and much more  all rolled into one. Such is the role of a teacher who can't be defined by or get limited to any one compartment. Leaving a lasting impression on our minds, these souls are revered throughout our lives. Heres an eclectic mix of teachers from NCR, who prove why their profession is invincible! Sharing their thoughts on Teachers' day are (clockwise from top left) Saloni Khanna, Rohini Ahluwalia, Minu Bakshi, Purnima Gupta, Mamta Gupta, and Racchna Saddi.

Teachers, do not undervalue your profession!

Saloni Khanna, assistant professor, Sri Aurobindo College, Delhi University

Back in school, when she was assigned the role of a principal, she played it so well that that, At the end of the day when my teacher hugged me, I had flashes of all the bullying and botheration that we as students make teachers go through! From that day onwards, I started appreciating their job and realised how important is the role of a teacher, recalls professor Saloni Khanna.

Today, as she mentors several youngsters inching towards their career growth, the one message that she gives them is, I want to tell the students to make as many mistakes as they want... Its okay to make mistakes as everything can be rectified. And to the teachers, I want to say that do not undervalue your profession, which is very powerful. Being a teacher is significant enough and more empowering than being any Bollywood celebrity because its a teacher who can guide young minds and nurture an entire generation to work towards the growth of a nation.

A teacher can accomplish what no ChatGPT can!

Mamta Gupta, Principal, Brain International School, Vikas Puri

It was her dream to become a psychology teacher so when in class XII she played the part of one, who was very close to her heart, Mamta Gupta did nothing short of the best! My teacher hugged me at the end of the day and said, You would be a great psychologist. It truly touched my heart and and enlivened my spirit. My life truly transformed as I took up this subject as a teacher, and it has since been 28 years, says Gupta, who believes how teaching is a mammoth task and a teacher is not only the one who teaches a particular subject but also the one who instills the way of living in students. He/She teaches the young, how to carry their life throughout their journey of school, college and in the coming years as well.

Mention the word teacher, and Gupta is soon to add, Teacher is the oxygen in education, and without this oxygen, no learning can survive. So I would like to say to the teachers, who are nation builders that they are like a potter who have everything in their hands to shape the students the way they desire. The tasks that a teacher can accomplish, no ChatGPT can replace it! Because a teacher is an ultimate source of knowledge and wisdom.

A teacher is the perfume whose fragrance lasts a lifetime

Minu Bakshi, Retired Assistant Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)

Some teachers are not just role models, but also rockstars for their students. Thats how the pupils of Minu Bakshi refer to her multifaceted personality. An artiste and author, Bakshi was a student of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and later joined the varsity as a teacher and still continues to teach, long after her retirement, as she specialises in interpretation. Teaching is a constant learning as teachers play many roles  all in one. They often become role models and inspirational as well. Ive been touched deep down, by not one but quite a few teachers whose memories are etched in my mind. Sometimes just a sentence theyve spoken stays with you and guides you throughout your life, she says recalling her student days.

Its been four decades since she has been a teacher now, and has donated her entire pension fund for the creation of JNU's MB Language Lab that is devoted to teaching the art of interpretation. She says, I believe teachers influence students more than the parents. The way to be a good teacher is to love your students, be patient and nurture them like a mother, discipline them like a father, love them like a sibling, accept them like a friend, teach and impart knowledge to them like a master. Be the perfume whose fragrance lasts a lifetime. Thats when the teacher in you will last long after youre gone!

What keeps her going even now is the feeling of bumping into an old familiar voice, which turns out to be from a soul whose life she impacted years ago. Its an absolutely amazing feeling when after 20 years, somewhere in some part of the world, youre walking on the street and you hear your name called out by a student who you taught 20 years ago. You dont remember them, but they never forget you if youve impacted their life even a slight bit. Thats your reward! For me, thus, everyday is a Teachers Day and every day is Students Day as over the years my students have become like my children. My students have taught me as much as I have taught them.

Teachers shouldnt forget ethics and lose morale

Racchna Saddi, Principal, Sumermal Jain Public School, Janakpuri

Vouching for compassion, love, and care as the most important ingredients that make a teacher, Racchna Saddi strongly believes in the Talisman  rule the heart of the kids and you will be a winner!

Recalling the time when she was in Std II, she says, Mrs Joshi, my school teacher, realised that I didnt have a brother and hence made me tie rakhi to one of the boys in my class, who didnt have a sister. Though it was a small incident, but it shows how my teacher spotted the lacuna in my life as well as in the life of my classmate... Her love and compassion was so impressionable that I still hold her in high regard.

It's been 34 years since she has been teaching, which includes 21 years of serving as a principal, and today she feels that a lot of individuals are taking up the profession not by choice but due to the convenience it offers. She adds, Teaching has certainly become challenging over the years, but that doesnt mean we should forget our ethics and lose our morale... In the Mahabharata, Krishna was the teacher who led Arjuna to win the battle. Even the Kings used to go to gurukul in the ancient times because the enlightened path could be shown to them only by teachers. Today, the children are very fragile and and if the teachers play a strong role in their life then only you can motivate them. Its important to understand their psyche and handle them in a way that even an average child does wonders. So a teacher has to be a mother, guide, philosopher, as well as a counsellor. If we become this, half of problems of mental health today will be resolved and the world will be a much happier place.

Being a teacher comes naturally

Rohini Ahluwalia, Chairperson, Ahlcon International School

Just a mention of Teachers Day is enough to revoke the love that teachers shower on students, and Rohini Ahluwalia shares, I studied in a convent and was in class VIII when one day all my teachers dressed in school uniform to surprise us! They were wearing hats, and we couldnt even recognise them at the first instance, but it always stayed as a positive memory in my mind and Ive tried to carry forward the same love for my students.

In this profession for last three decades, she has been motivating teachers to build a strong connect with their students, and adds, A teacher is not just a teacher but a guru who is also a guide and at times even a parent. So whatever he/she says should be from the heart because the care that teachers bring in, puts the students in the right direction... As teachers, we need to mingle with students, and I always emphasise how a teacher can never be a teacher by learning a degree. Being a teacher comes naturally; like being a parent. If it doesnt then you can only teach a subject academically but can never impart the values because its also through your day-to-day conduct with students that you develop an emotional bond with them.

'Commitment, passion and dedication of teachers uplifts students'

Purnima Gupta, Vice Chairperson, PP International School

Its not just academics that helps in sculpting students careers. I was in grade V when my class teacher, impressed with my random poetry, not just selected my poem to be published in the school magazine but also got my interview published in the same. It was so validating to see my creative pursuits featured in the school magazine that it inspired me a lot, recalls Purnima Gupta, who has been instrumental in encouraging creativity of youngsters for the past seven years.

As the world celebrates Teachers Day, she is reminded of what she calls, beautiful mosaic of growth and knowledge. She adds, Teachers, students, and support staff are like the dots in a carefully crafted pattern  each one unique, yet essential to forming a cohesive, supportive, and dynamic learning environment. Together, they shape the future of our students, turning them into individuals who are truly extraordinary! I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our dedicated teachers for being the guiding force behind this transformation. Its the commitment, passion and unwavering dedication of teachers that inspires and uplifts students, moulding them into the leaders of tomorrow.

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Two educators from Uttar Pradesh, Shyam Prakash Maurya and Ravi Kant Dwivedi, have been flooded with congratulatory messages lately. On Teachers' Day today, Maurya and Dwivedi, who have made it to the winners list of the National Teachers Awards 2024 that's being given to 50 teachers from across the country today (September 5), are excited about the felicitation ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi. Each award carries a certificate of merit, a cash award of Rs50,000 and a silver medal. Shyam Prakash Maurya during a science

My students will fulfil my dream one day

Ek shikshak ka jeevan hi kya agar woh apne vidhyarthiyon ke sapno ko pankh na de sake, says Maurya, assistant teacher in upper primary school, Malhupur of Mandata development block of Belha. Maurya believes its all about continued efforts, and success follows. In his career of 21 years, Maurya has gone out of his way for his students. I wanted to take up civil services, but destiny had other plans for me. When I started teaching, I realised that yahi bacche mere saare sapne poore karenge," says Shyam Prakash Maurya.

A science teacher and district co-ordinator, he has been continuously engaged in developing scientific ability in children also using AI. Technology for a science student is the most essential requisite. Thats why I want to imbibe this in the students of classes 6-8. Jitni jaldi technology ko samjhenge, padhenge utne zyada competition ke liye tayyar honge, says Maurya, who plans to buy another computer for his students from the price money he will receive as part of his award.

We have smart board and computers too, but there's a large number of students so jitna ho utna kam, shares Maurya. Its because of Mauryas efforts that 60 of the schools students are receiving national income scholarships from the government.

Ring in the progress and learning

Padhega India tabhi badhega India is a key mantra for Ravi Kant Dwivedi, a teacher at a primary school Bhagesar, Pahari, in Mirzapur. In all these 15 years I have received so much affection from these kids that I feel jo bhi main inke liye karoon woh kam hai, he says.

Ravi Kant Dwivedi with his students( Ravi Kant Dwivedi)

His students take him not only as a teacher, but also a mentor and guide: I remember one of my students was bitten by a street dog and the child was taken to a village hospital. But, she refused to take injection and start treatment till I reached and stood next to her. That's when I felt how important a teacher can be in a child's life. I have always thought if we, as educators in villages, cant bring students to school, then it will not be possible to take education to every household. Since then, I don't allow my students to take leaves unnecessarily. I stand outside the school gate 30 minutes before and ring a hand bell till the sound riches every nook and corner of the village. I love how students run to the school hearing it, he shares.

On winning the award, Dwivedi adds that they are always welcome, as awards make you feel your work is being noticed". He adds, "It will bring more support for my school and students. When I received the state level award, I got to meet Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He praised me in front of so many people.
A peace agreement was signed on Wednesday between the Government of India, the Government of Tripura, and representatives of two major insurgent groupsthe National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF)  in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah to end violence in the northeastern state. New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah during an event in New Delhi, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.(PTI)

The agreement was formalised at a ceremony held in New Delhi, marking the end of decades of armed conflict in the region.

Amit Shah speaks on peace deal

Union home minister Amit Shah, who presided over the signing, hailed the event as a historic moment.

"This is a matter of joy for all of us that after the struggle that was ongoing for 35 years, you have given up weapons and joined the mainstream," Shah said.

Also Read | Tripura BJP chief Rajib Bhattacharjee elected to Rajya Sabha

He stressed the government's commitment to developing the Northeast, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for bridging the physical and emotional gaps between the region and the rest of India.

Ever since PM Modi became the prime minister, he has worked to remove the distance between the people of Northeast and Delhi, not just through road, rail and air connectivity but also by bringing hearts closer, Shah added.

Also Read | Prohibitory orders in Tripura district after violence over temple idol desecration

The ministry of home affairs, in a statement, said the Modi government has signed 12 important agreements to bring peace and prosperity in the Northeast, of which 3 relate to Tripura.

Due to signing of several agreements by Modi government, around 10 thousand people have given up arms and joined mainstream, it added.

Tripura chief minister Manik Saha and senior officials of the MHA and the state government were also present during the signing of the Memorandum of Settlement with the representatives of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF).
A woman passenger allegedly assaulted a female staffer of the Air India Express at a counter at the Mumbai airport on Sunday. The passenger was later handed over to the police, news agency PTI reported. An argument erupted between the passenger and staff over an issue related to priority boarding at the Mumbai airport. (Pic for representational purpose only)

"On 1st September, a passenger at Mumbai airport misbehaved with a staff member of our ground operations partner. The Duty Manager promptly notified CISF, and the passenger was handed over to the police in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures," an Air India Express spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday.

An argument erupted between the passenger and staff over an issue related to priority boarding. The female passenger was reportedly asked to wait as another fellow passenger was going through her check-in process.

Agitated over being asked to wait for a while, the passenger turned abusive and reportedly assaulted the airline staff.

Also read | Mumbai to partially open coastal road arch bridge this month, linking Nariman Point to Bandra

Reacting to the incident, the airline said, Air India Express reiterates its zero-tolerance approach to any behaviour that jeopardises the safety and well-being of our guests and employees, and those of our partners.

How airlines deal with unruly passengers?

The handling of unruly passenger behaviour is guided by Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) on Handling of unruly passengers issued by India's civil aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

According to DGCA guidelines, unruly passenger behaviour includes but is not limited to, consuming alcohol or drugs resulting in disruptive behaviour, smoking, not obeying pilot instructions, using threatening or abusive language, physically threatening or abusive behaviour, intentional interference with crew duties, and endangering aircraft safety.

Physically abusive behaviour, including pushing, kicking, hitting, inappropriate touching or sexual harassment is classified as a Level 2 offence.

A First Information Report (FIR) is lodged with concerned security agency and the unruly passenger is handed over to them.

The airline can impose an immediate ban of up to 30 days on the concerned person and inform the DGCA to add them to No-Fly list maintained by the regulator. Other carriers can also ban such passengers based on the level of offence.
Amid the ongoing controversy over the series IC-814 - The Kandahar Hijack on Netflix, the chief of the cabin crew of the hijacked flight, Anil Sharma, slammed the OTT show, saying that the makers compromised the story a little too much for comfort and also portrayed him in a poor light. Anil Sharma, chief of cabin crew of the hijacked IC-814(Twitter)

Anil Sharma, in an interview with with News9, also agreed with the outraged masses on social media over the changed names of the hijackers.

According to the then chief of cabin crew, he started watching the Netflix series but could not finish it yet because it was painful.

I think they have compromised the whole story a little too much for comfort. Initially, I thought people were little over outraged..but I realised that there is some substance as to why there is so much uproar about the issue. Nothing convinces me the way things are portrayed, he told News9.

Sharma added that the portrayal of the bureaucratic handling shown in the OTT show is very unconvincing.

One of the negotiators portrayed in the web series - in this case Mr Ajit DovalI met him several times, and he launched my book as well. I know what a serious guy he is when it comes to interacting with people. Here (in the series), they have shown a little buffoonery," he told the news channel.

According to Sharma, the hijackers did not assault anyone - except the junior most flight purser - as opposed to shown in the show.

I find it hard to understand how these things make the script more crisp or to make it more watchable.all that they end up doing is avoidable controversy, Sharma said, as quoted by the TV channel.

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack controversy

The makers of the IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack series have been facing a huge backlash over the changing of names of the hijackers in the series. Angry social media crowd used hashtags like #BoycottNetflix, #BoycottBollywood and #IC814, with users claiming the makers changed the names of the hijackers to 'Shankar' and 'Bhola' to allegedly protect the terrorists who belonged to a certain community.

On the other hand, casting director Mukesh Chhabra said that the perpetrators used nicknames among themselves and that extensive research was carried out for the show.

Amid the massive row, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting summoned Netflix India's Head of Content on Tuesday.

Hours after the meeting, Netflix tweaked the opening disclaimer of the series by including the real and code names of the hijackers.

The series is an adaptation of the book, Flight into Fear: The Captains Story, written by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury. It 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.
Bangladesh wants to resolve the issue of the 1971 war of liberation with Pakistan and strengthen relations between the two countries to ensure a democratic South Asia, Nahid Islam, the broadcasting and IT minister of the interim government, said during a meeting with the Pakistani envoy to Dhaka. Nahid Islam, a student protester who was sworn in as a minister in Bangladesh's interim government. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)

Ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan were at an all-time low during Hasinas tenure, especially after she put several leaders of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on charges of war crimes during the 1971 war.

ALSO READ- Bangladeshi Hindus targeted: 49 teachers forced to resign since Sheikh Hasina's ouster

The comments by Islam, one the leaders of the students movement that toppled the regime of former premier Sheikh Hasina last month, came in the backdrop of a series of meetings between senior players in the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus and Pakistans high commissioner to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmed Maroof.

During the meeting with Islam on September 1, Maroof said Pakistan wants to solve the question of 1971, according to an official statement from Islams office. Maroof said the previous government did not give us any opportunity to discuss [this matter] and kept the 1971 issue alive. He added it could have been resolved long ago, and that Pakistan is interested in establishing relations with Bangladesh.

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According to the official readout, Islam said in response that 1971 is an important issue in the political history of Bangladesh. He added, According to the Awami League, 1971 was the last chapter of history. But we think this is a continuation of history, Islam said, according to the readout.

The liberation war of 1971 marked Bangladeshs struggle to break away from the oppressive regime in erstwhile West Pakistani, and the Pakistani military was accused of widespread atrocities that, according to some accounts, resulted in around three million deaths.

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Bangladesh has long sought an apology from Pakistan for these actions and pushed for international recognition of the genocide. Despite the ups and downs in relations over the past 53 years, no resolution has been worked out to this issue.

Noting that Bangladesh wouldnt have been established without the events of 1947  when the British left India and the country was partitioned  or the Pakistan movement, Islam said: We want to resolve the issue of 1971 with Pakistan. A democratic South Asia requires us to strengthen our relationship with each other.

Bangladesh is interested in maintaining relations with any country while upholding its independence, sovereignty and national interests, Islam said. We are interested in resolving the issues of 1971 in the national interest and developing relations, he added.

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Hasina stepped down and fled to India on August 5 and the interim government took power three days later. Diplomats of countries, including Pakistan, have been meeting the leaders of the interim government to strengthen relations with Bangladesh.

During his meeting with Islam, Maroof alleged that for the past 15 years, Pakistanis were harassed in various ways for political reasons, especially in issuing visas and at the airport. He drew Islams attention to these problems.
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday demanded passage of a resolution in the Odisha assembly to support the continuation of the governments support for the UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science, saying the international science award was a symbol of Odia pride. BJD lawmakers Goutam Buddha Das and Kalikesh Singh Deo opposed the central governments decision to discontinue its support for the UNESCO Kalinga Prize (Odishaassembly.nic.in)

The prize, described by UNESCO as its oldest, was instituted in 1952 with a grant from former chief minister Biju Patnaik who was president of the Kalinga Foundation Trust. Since 2001, the Union science ministry has been supporting this award which carried a cash prize of US$ 40,000. The laureate also receives the Kalinga Chair established by the central government which comprises a certificate and cash award of US$5,000. Apart from the science ministry, the Kalinga Foundation and the Odisha government also contribute towards the US$ 40,000 award money ( 33.5 lakh).

Last month, it emerged that the Union science and technology ministry has withdrawn its contribution to the prestigious award, reportedly as part of a decision to rationalise all science awards.

BJD lawmakers Goutam Buddha Das and Kalikesh Singh Deo opposed the central governments decision during Zero Hour in the state assembly on Wednesday, arguing that the UNESCO prize named after the states ancient name, Kalinga, helped Odisha gain international recognition and prestige.

The UNESCO Kalinga Prize is a unique honour for Odisha, and its discontinuation would be a loss, Das said. Singh Deo said the Odisha government should consider taking on the responsibility to ensure its continuation if the Centre was reluctant to support the award,

BJD chief and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik protested the Centres decision in a letter to union science and technology minister Jitendra Singh last month.

The Kalinga Prize is not just a symbol of Odia pride but it has set a legacy for independent India in the comity of nations globally This prize was made possible with a generous grant of 1,000 pounds to UNESCO from Kalinga Foundation Trust of which Biju Babu was the founder president. UNESCO Kalinga Prize is the only international award from India in the field of popularisation of science. Over the years, it has been a highly coveted prize and has also become a symbol of Odia identity at the international level Kalinga prize is not just an international award but it is a great legacy, which the people of Odisha are proud of and identify with, Patnaik said in his letter.

So far, the prize has been awarded to 72 scientists including seven Nobel laureates such as Julian Huxley, Bertrand Russel, Arthur C Clarke and Fred Hoyle.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday won seven of the citys 12 zonal wards after a string of defections and the support of 10 aldermen nominated by the lieutenant governor, edging towards gaining significant control over the Municipal Corporation of Delhis purse strings and leaving the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on a relatively weaker footing with five zonal wards. Security personnel during the elections, at the Civic Centre, on Wednesday. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)

Wednesdays elections were conducted peacefully, despite the tussle between Delhi mayor Shelly Oberoi and municipal commissioner Ashwani Kumar the previous night. Still, the 8.5-hour long process was conducted under the watchful eye of police, paramilitary personnel and riot control vehicles that packed Civic Centre.

MCD has 12 administrative zones, and each of them has one wards committee to oversee the local zonal affairs, in what is designed to be a decentralised governance model. Each committee is headed by a chairperson and deputy chairman, and it also elects one member each to the powerful 18-member standing committee, which controls the corporations finances. The remaining six are elected directly by MCD councillors.

The elections comprised three sets of polls from each panel  chairperson of a zone, deputy chairperson and a standing committee member. The electoral college comprised of elected councillors from that zone and aldermen nominated by the lieutenant governor.

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The civic body said that of the 12 wards committees, BJP on Wednesday won seven zones  Keshavpuram, Najafgarh, Shahdara South, Shahdara North, Civil Lines, Central and Narela. The AAP won the remaining five  City Sadar Paharganj, Karol Bagh, Rohini, West and South.

The long-delayed elections, held more than 21 months after the MCD polls, will finally allow wards committees to convene and discuss issues plaguing their respective zones. These statutory committees are also empowered to approve projects worth up to 1 crore, said a senior MCD official.

More importantly, Wednesdays elections take the MCD a step closer to the formation of the all-important standing committee, which has not been formed since the December 2022 civic polls, consequently paralysing all key projects and policy issues for 21 months.

The election for the six standing committee members voted for by councillors was held in February last year, with the BJP and AAP winning three seats each. However, one of the BJPs members, Kamaljeet Sehrawat, resigned from her seat after being elected as an MP from West Delhi, leaving that spot vacant.

The BJP now controls nine of the 17 present members in the 18-person standing committee and the AAP eight.

The zonal committee elections unfolded only after drama late on Tuesday evening, when mayor Oberoi wrote to commissioner Kumar and refused to appoint presiding officers for the polls, saying her conscience does not allow her to participate in what she called an undemocratic election process.

This prompted Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena to direct that the deputy commissioners of each zone will perform the role of presiding officers of their respective regions election. Kumar issued an order to this effect later in the evening, though the AAP said the LGs intervention was illegal.

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The zonal committee elections process was fraught since they were announced on August 28. The schedule, prepared and released by the municipal commissioner, fixed the last date to file nominations as August 30 and set September 4 as the polling date, a window that the AAP said did not allow all councillors to file their nominations.

However, the Delhi high court on August 30 refused to consider a plea by two councillors against the elections and declined to interfere in the process.

Anticipating chaos, police officers and security forces thronged Civic Centre, the seat of Delhis civic body. Supporters of political parties were disallowed from entering, and security checks were scaled up.

More than 200 police personnel and paramilitary personnel were deployed, along with two riot control vehicles at both the entrances. Media personnel were also allowed to observe the process at predesignated spots through livestreams.

Hourly slots were fixed for the 12 elections between 10am and 5pm, with polling for two zones held simultaneously at different locations within Civic Centre.

The process for the polls began with the Karol Bagh and City Sadar Paharganj zones. The AAP won both unopposed because the BJP did not field any candidates due to the formers clear numerical advantage.

These were followed by the BJP winning the Keshavpuram zone unopposed as the AAP did not field any candidates. The AAP then won the West Zone, after the BJP withdrew all their candidates just ahead of the election.

Out of the 12 zones, four were decided without any polling. Of the remaining eight, Rohini zone saw a partial election as BJP contestants for the post of deputy chairman and standing committee member withdrew after the AAP candidate won the chairperson poll. The entire polling process was followed for the other seven zones.

To be sure, no anti-defections laws apply in the civic bodys internal polls and AAP councillors crossvoted in favour of the BJP during the elections for Shahdara North, South and Narela zones.

Of the seven zones the BJP won, two will be headed by chairpersons who defected from the AAP on August 25  Sugandha Bidhuri in the Central zone and Pawan Sehrawat in Narela.

During the December 2022 elections, the AAP secured 134 seats in the MCD House, while the BJP got 104. After a raft of defections over the last year, the stands at 127 for the AAP, 112 for the BJP and nine for the Congress. One seat, Sehrawats, is vacant.

The civic bodys focus will now turn to the formation of the standing committee, which will require the 18th member being picked.

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The standing committee can be constituted only after the 18th member is elected and an election among these members is held to elect a chairperson and deputy chairperson. If the mayor wants, a proposal to hold the election for the 18th member can be brought in the next monthly house meeting. The process will likely take a month to a month and a half, added the official.

Another MCD official said that given the parties current standing, it is possible that the AAP and BJP end up getting nine members each in the standing committee.

The seat vacated by Sehrawat is likely to go to the AAP, because the party has a clear numerical majority in the House. Sehrawat was elected based on a proportional voting system. But since only one member is to elected, the election will now be held with simple majority. Both parties may end up winning nine seats each. In such a case, the chairperson will be decided through a toss or draw of lots, the second official said.
Chief of defence staff General Anil Chauhan on Wednesday underlined the importance of jointness in the armed forces with focus on plans to enhance integration across a raft of domains, at a time when Indian military is charting its path towards theaterisation, a long-awaited reform. Chief of defence staff General Anil Chauhan. (File)

Addressing the militarys top brass on the opening day of the maiden Joint Commanders Conference in Lucknow, he said jointness and integration were crucial for adapting to the contours of future warfare and conducting effective operations.

The conference is focused on shaping the future of Indias military to adapt to the changing operational milieu, the defence ministry said in a statement. The three service chiefs and other top military officials are attending the conference. Defence minister Rajnath Singh will attend the conference on Thursday and engage in detailed deliberations with the top military leadership.

The armed forces are ready with the blueprint of the theaterisation model for the best use of the militarys resources to fight future wars, and awaiting the final approval from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as previously reported by HT. Issues related to the creation of theatre commands are expected to be discussed at length during the two-day conference based on the theme Sashakt aur Surakshit Bharat: Transforming Armed Forces.

Speaking in Lok Sabha in July, Modi said the creation of theatre commands to bolster national security was on track, the modernisation of the armed forces was in full swing, and the government was working on reforms to ensure the military was always battle ready.

The China-centric northern theatre command will be based in Lucknow, the Pakistan-centric western theatre command in Jaipur, and the maritime theatre command will be headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram with operational role in the Indian Ocean region.

The CDS complimented the three services for taking several measures to create the roadmap for integration; describing it as a step-by-step process, beginning with cross-service co-operation, leading to a joint culture, and, finally, achieving integration of forces for conducting joint operations.

In May, the government notified the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, with the new law aimed at pushing jointness among the three services.

It will empower the government to notify the setting up of inter-services organisations (ISOs), including joint services commands, and bestow powers on heads of such organisations to act against personnel from any of the three services to ensure discipline and effective discharge of duties.

The armed forces have 17 single-service commands spread across the country. The army and air force have seven commands each, while the navy has three. Creating theatres would involve merging the existing commands.

Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi recently chaired a meeting of his top generals to outline the armys strategy and priorities during the Amrit Kaal (the period leading to Indias independence centenary) and aligning the forces goals with the governments vision of making India a developed country and a significant global player by 2047.

The discussions saw the army brass outline a variety of broad goals to be pursued over the next decade, including theaterisation, reorganisation of the army and its seven command headquarters, and the crucial realignment of command, corps and area headquarters boundaries.
The ministry of education wrote to the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak raising objections to findings by its Internal Audit Wing (IAW) that found the institute had paid around 200% of variable pay to its director Dheeraj Sharma from the financial year 2018-19 to 2020-21, The Indian Express has found. IIM Rohtak director Dheeraj Sharma(IIM Rohtak website)

The audit wing found that variable pay released by the institute was around 200% of Sharma's fixed salary in his capacity as IIM Rohtak's director. Its report found that the formula adopted by the institute was void and went against financial prudence as variable pay can only be a percentage of a person's total salary.

The report also flagged to the ministry that the institute board approved Sharma's variable pay component before the institute's rules were notified under the IIM Act.

The board also considered the institute's financial health while approving variable pay, but the audit report flagged to the ministry that financial health of the institute was irrationally inflated by adding unspent grants-in-aid and the interest earned thereon into the corpus fund of the institute.

The institute in response to The Indian Express denied any wrongdoing in the matter. It claimed to have followed the IIM Act and said the institute paid Sharma only after IIM Rohtak's rules were notified under the act.

It claimed that the payment was approved with complete consensus of all board members and the ministry was informed about the same one -and-a-half years ago. The board secretary also claimed that the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) did not find any discrepancies after due examination.

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The director is already under government scrutiny for allegedly misrepresenting his educational qualifications to secure his term as IIM Rohtaks director in 2017. The institute's board approved his candidature for a second term in February 2022, despite objections by the ministry's representative. The government had acknowledged the issue during a hearing in Punjab and Haryana High Court in March 2022, but only after Sharma completed his first term.

The alleged financial discrepancies were found by the audit wing, when tasked by the ministry to probe following a complaint received by President Droupadi Murmu, the Visitor of all IIMs in India.
Haryana student shot dead: A Class 12 student, Aryan Mishra, was reportedly chased in a car and shot dead in Haryana's Faridabad on August 23 by a group of five persons believed to be cow vigilantes, who claimed they mistakenly thought the boy was a cattle smuggler, news agency PTI reported citing unnamed police sources on Tuesday. Aryan Mishra was shot twice in his neck and chest. (X)

The five suspectsSaurabh, Anil Kaushik, Varun, Krishna, and Adeshwere apprehended on August 28 and placed in police custody for two days, superintendent of police (Crime) Aman Yadav said in a release.

During questioning, the suspects claimed that on the night of August 23, they received information about suspected cattle smugglers conducting reconnaissance in Faridabad with two SUVs.

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They mistook the victim, Aryan Mishra, and his friends, Shanky and Harshit, for cattle smugglers and followed their car for about 30 kilometres near the Gadhpuri toll on the Delhi-Agra National Highway, the sources added.

The accused told the police that when they asked the boy and his friends to stop their vehicle, the driver accelerated, following which they opened fire and Aryan Mishra was killed on the spot near the Gadhpuri toll in Palwal.

Are the accused cow vigilantes?

While the police statement doesn't mention if they were cow vigilantes and the reason behind the crime, NDTV reported that it spoke to the mother of the main accused, Anil Kaushik.

The news channel reported reported that it visited Anil Kaushik's house in Faridabad and spoke to his mother.

Yes, my son was chasing that car that night. He told me he thought there was a cow smuggler in the car. He also said that the first bullet was fired from the Duster. But he did not fire any bullets, I don't know whose bullet hit him (Aryan Mishra). My son is innocent. He protects cows and serves society, NDTV quoted the mother as saying.

HT independently couldn't verify the authenticity of the reports.

NDTV also reported spotting two vehicles parked in the compound of Anil Kaushik's home. The first, a Mahindra Bolero, bore the inscription 'Gau Raksha Dal,' while the second was a cow ambulance with Kaushik's name and the phrase Live for Nation prominently displayed on it.

Accused have been sent to judicial custody

All the accused have been sent to judicial custody after the police remand expired, SP (Crime) Aman Yadav said, adding that the illegal weapon and the car used in the crime have been recovered.

A police officer said that they are also investigating if it was a case of old enmity.

The victim's father claimed that one of the acquaintances who had accompanied his son was part of a conspiracy to get him killed, reported PTI.

The weapon will be sent for forensic examination and the police are trying to ascertain the veracity of statements given by the accused, the police statement said.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday criticised West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over her state governments handling of the trainee doctors rape and murder case. Rijiju pointed out that in 2018, Parliament had passed a law which included provisions for establishing fast-track special courts. (Kiren Rijiju | Facebook)

In a letter shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Rijiju, who was the then law minister, shared a 2021 letter where he said that Parliament had already passed a stringent law in 2018 to deal with heinous crimes like rape.

Rijijus post comes a day after the unanimous passage of the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024 by the West Bengal legislative assembly.

I feel sad that Chief Minister of West Bengal ignored her most sacred duty of providing quick Justice for women & children. This letter of 2021 clearly shows it. In 2018, a stringent law was passed by- Parliament to deal with heinous crimes like rape. State governments must act, he wrote while sharing a picture of the letter addressed to CM Banerjee on X.

Rijiju pointed out that in 2018, Parliament had passed a law which included provisions for establishing fast-track special courts (FTSC) to expedite trials under the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

Department of Justice is implementing this Centrally Sponsored Scheme of FTSCs in pursuance of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018. In addition, as per directions of the Honble Supreme Court of India, one exclusive POCSO (ePOCSO) Court each was required to be set up in districts wherever pendency of POCSO related cases was more than 100, the letter stated.

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The letter also highlighted the pending rape cases in West Bengal as of May 2021 urging the state government to act on it.

As per information available, there are 28559 rape and POCSO Act cases pending in the State of West Bengal as of May 2021... The need for early operationalisation and robust functioning of earmarked FTSCs and ePOCSO Courts needs no special emphasis. It would be highly appreciated if you could review the matter at your level so that the consent of the state government is expedited, and the Department of Justice can consider release of funds as per scheme conditionality, the letter read.

The Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024 will require Presidential assent under Article 254(2) of the Constitution to become law within the geographical jurisdiction of West Bengal.

According to Article 254(2), a state legislature can seek to amend an existing Union law on a subject mentioned in the Concurrent List, but it cannot become law without assent from the President.
NEW DELHI: The All India Professionals Congress (AIPC) on Wednesday announced the appointment of queer activist and historian Mario da Penha as All India head of its newly created LGBTQIA+ vertical, a move that positions the Congress as the first national party to create a representative vertical specifically for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) community. Mario da Penha said the Congress was the only national political party that has some kind of framework for inclusion of queer people in its membership (X/mleccha)

Praveen Chakravarty, who heads AIPC, said the Congress not only wants social justice but also identity justice. The message that Congress wants to send is that we want to ensure complete political representation for queer individuals unlike the BJP government who has taken away their rights with the most recent example being the National Medical Commissions restoration of the outdated curriculum which villainises the queer community, he said.

Penha added that the creation of the LGBTQIA+ vertical at a national level aligns with the partys ongoing efforts to restructure with a focus on greater social inclusivity.

Last week, the Congress carried out a reshuffle which accommodated a large number of leaders from backward classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Over 50% of the 74 secretaries and joint secretaries are from the OBC, SC, and ST categories. Additionally, 12 Muslims and Christians have been appointed, representing 16% of these posts.

This is the moment of shift for Congress. The Congress has not been wishy-washy about the terminology and has just gone and called it the LGBTQIA+ verticals. Theres no hiding behind a more palatable term. This is the structural change that the Congress has envisioned and the leadership knows it starts from within.

Penha said while the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) established an LGBT cell in 2020, the Congress was leading the way among national parties with a dedicated framework for LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Currently, we are the only recognised national party that has some kind of framework for inclusion of queer people in its membership, he said.

The vertical comes against the backdrop of Congresss 2024 general election manifesto which promised to bring a law to legalise civil unions between couples belonging to the LGBTQ+ community, a long-standing demand of the community. The formation of the vertical proves that Congress vision for the community is not limited towards securing a vote bank but also actually working for realising the goals of the manifesto, said Penha.

It was during his time at St. Xaviers College in Mumbai in the 1990s that he took his early steps as a queer activist, a role that he continued through his tenure at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi, and has since included crisis intervention for individuals facing violence. I will bring with me the experience that also includes approaching first the Delhi High Court, and then the Supreme Court on the Section 377 and marriage equality cases, he said.

Penha, who was previously appointed AIPCs Maharashtra coordinator of LGBTQIA affairs committee in 2022, said steps taken by the Bharatiya Janata Party government appeared to be reactive measures rather than proactive steps.

For example, he argued that the move to allow joint bank accounts for queer couples does not provide any new protections and questioned its practical effectiveness. Queer people have been going to banks and opening joint accounts with their partners, even before this circular came out, he said. He also highlighted concerns about the circular on ration cards for the community, questioning how the government plans to define and recognise queer couples without a legal framework for marriage or civil partnerships.

Penha also criticised the National Medical Commissions announcement on Tuesday to reintroduce sodomy and lesbianism as unnatural sexual offences in the forensic medicine and toxicology curriculum for undergraduate medical students. The decision to reintroduce outdated and negative terminology, he said, describing it as a step back for medical education and LGBTQIA+ acceptance. Who uses these words in 2024? he questioned saying that it shows the disconnect of the government from the contemporary understanding of LGBTQIA+ issues.

Da Penha also addressed the importance of intersectionality in LGBTQIA+ advocacy. He acknowledged the diverse challenges faced by marginalised groups within the queer community, such as Dalit and Muslim queer individuals.

The Congress is not a party thats going to stay quiet on queer issues, he said, praising the Congresss openness and willingness to engage with queer communities.

I was part of the manifesto consultations for the general election, he said, recalling that he worked with 16 queer organisations to present their suggestions to the manifesto committee, which included prominent party members such as Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. This engagement led to the inclusion of support for civil unions in the Congress manifesto, reflecting a commitment to LGBTQIA+ rights that Penha insists are more than just symbolic.
CN Annadurai (Anna), the founding president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, was a great democrat during the period of 1967-69 and inherently possessed a democratic consciousness. He held a deep faith in democracy, and believed that in the age of democracy neither dictators can rule nor should be allowed to reign. He also considered that politics without democracy has no purpose or meaning. Anna not only emphasised the idea of democracy, but also set the structural model for developing the democratic process within the party by encouraging establishment of party offices in every district or branch level, and conduct elections for the office bearers and administrators of the party office(s) at corresponding levels of branches, districts and state. CN Annadurai, the founding president of the DMK and former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, was a great democrat during the period of 1967-69

It may be noted that the DMK is one of the few political parties in the country and even across the world to conduct elections regularly for the party officials from the grassroots to the highest party governing council.

The partys organisational dynamism and the election machinery are among the most significant revelations of Annas meticulous efforts in building the structural strength of the party. Anna was not content with the idea of party offices and wanted them to function as knowledge houses with library facilities and debating chambers. Anna, himself being a great writer and orator, led a battery of excellent writers, publishers and orators like EVK Sampath, Nedunchezhian, Karunanidhi, Aasaithambi and Kannadasan. It is observed that at one stage during the period of 1955-1960, the DMK and its supporters managed or published over 400 publications of different size and nature. Anna was even more democratic in publishing the viewpoints of those who disagreed with him and the policies of his party, while other publications chose to print only their views. Anna was able to inspire and draw ordinary people into politics. It is of curious interest that saloons, tea shops and cycle repair shops became assembly points for common people to gather and discuss politics. It was a common sight to witness DMK party members and activists carrying Dravida Nadu and Murasoli copies to discuss the political and party affairs.

Anna was convinced that electoral politics was necessary not only to achieve power but to execute the ideals of Dravidian politics. He wanted the consent of all the members of the party, especially the cadres. He sought the opinion of the party cadres regarding the electoral participation in May 1955 at the Trichy state conference of the DMK. The party cadres who attended the Trichy conference voted overwhelmingly  56,942  in favour of the decision that DMK should participate in the electoral process while 4,203 voted against the electoral participation. In March 1967, Anna consulted MGR and sought his opinion over the formation of his ministry with the names of nine members under his leadership, revealing his respect for others who contributed to the success of the party in the 1967 assembly elections.

Anna was a democrat who believed in political resolution of conflicts through debate and discussion than by any violent means. The Brahmin intellectuals even today agree that Anna and the Dravidian movement was critical of Brahminism, but showed no contempt or hatred towards the Brahmins. It took several years or even decades to understand the background and ideological basis of the Dravidian movement. Anna was the finest exponent and advocate of this ideological tradition with exceptional cultivation of mind and linguistic eloquence. Anna held dialogues with the members of the Hindi Language Goodwill Mission in 1950 and Vinoba about the language rights and Dravida Nadu demand before withdrawal of the demand for separate state after the Chinese aggression in 1962. Anna was a parliamentarian par excellence. It was his innate desire for debate and dialogue(s) endeared him to leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpaye (former Prime Minister of India) then Jan Sangh leader from Uttar Pradesh and Bhupesh Gupta from West Bengal. LK Advani once remarked that the BJPs language policy is an extension of the Jan Sanghs position mentored by the party ideologue Deendayal Upadhyaya. Annas speeches and writings on the subject of language rights had a deep influence and impact upon several leaders across the political spectrum of the national politics, including Vajpayee and his Jan Sangh party. But over the years, the enlightenment of leaders like Deendayal Upadhyaya and Vajpayee seemed to have overtaken by the likes of Amit Shah.

In stating that he was a proud Dravidian, Anna was not against others based on their race, language and culture. At the same time demanded the right to self-determination because of the idea and existence of a sub-nation within the Indian union, i.e., Dravida Nadu. After renouncing the demand for a separate state in 1963, Anna observed eloquently though we have renounced the demand for Dravida Nadu, yet the causes remain as live as ever. Then the demand for state autonomy and current debate on financial decentralisation are critical components of the continuing debate about the idea of India and the working of our federation. The challenges have multiplied with the ways of the Centre in handling the state rights whether in the area(s) of education, agriculture and finance. Anna believed that education is a state subject and the Centre has no right to interfere. Anna and his critique of the working of Indian federation is both significant and relevant even today given the Hindu nationalism advocated by the ruling BJP with demands of One Religion- One Language  One Nation, as a sign of united and strong India.

(Prof Ramu Manivannan is a Fulbright Scholar - Political Scientist - Social Activist in areas of education, human rights and sustainable development. He is currently the Director, Multiversity  Centre for Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Kurumbapalayam Village, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu.)
The president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has urged doctors protesting the rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital to resume their duties and leave the pursuit of justice to the Supreme Court.The sacrifice of the young postgraduate resident of RG Kar has moved the conscience of the nation. The anger and frustration of the entire nation are equally on the fact that she happened to be a budding doctor as well as that she was the only girl child of lower-middle-class parents. The entire nation has adopted her as their daughter, ANI quotes IMA's letter as mentioning. The IMA president stressed the importance of the Supreme Court's response and said that the entire medical community should adhere to the apex court's ruling. Dig deeper. Educationalists, actors, teachers, students, and other professionals take part in 'Maha Michil' to protest against the alleged sexual assault and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital, in Kolkata (ANI Photo)(Shyamal Maitra)

More news on Kolkata rape-murder case Bengal Assembly passes Bill seeking death penalty for rape convicts

A peace agreement was signed on Wednesday between the Government of India, the Government of Tripura, and representatives of two major insurgent groupsthe National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF)  in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah to end violence in the northeastern state. The agreement was formalised at a ceremony held in New Delhi, marking the end of decades of armed conflict in the region. Union home minister Amit Shah, who presided over the signing, hailed the event as a historic moment. "This is a matter of joy for all of us that after the struggle that was ongoing for 35 years, you have given up weapons and joined the mainstream," Shah said. Dig deeper.

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With less than 24 hours left for the first round of Duleep Trophy matches, India D batter Ishan Kishan has opted out of the opening round of the tournament. The reason behind this sudden move is not confirmed but according to an ESPNCricinfo report, Ishan's pullout has to do with an injury he's picked up, probably a hamstring. Although the BCCI hasn't informed anything publicly, Ishan is pretty much expected to miss the first round. India D, captained by Shreyas Iyer take on India C, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, in Anantapur starting Thursday, and with Ishan being a doubtful starter, Cricbuzz has reported that Sanju Samson, who wasn't part of any of the four squads, is likely to be drafted in. Dig deeper.

Health and Lifestyle

Happiness is an elusive emotion that falls short in determining the checklist. Everyone has their own definition of happiness. However subjective happiness may be, this emotion follows a few patterns. An intriguing study published in the journal Motivation and Emotion explored the complexities of happiness and uncovered two fundamental pillars of happiness. Passion and self-regulation are important in defining happiness. This challenges our perception of a happy person, whos always expected to be cheerful and optimistic even when they do things they dislike. Dig deeper.

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Prateek Gupta and Neha Maheshwari moved from Bengaluru to the small European country of Luxembourg in 2020, trading bigger paychecks for superior quality of life. In a conversation with Live Mint, the couple spoke about the perks and the drawbacks of living in Europe vis a vis India. Prateek is a senior analyst with Amazon, while Neha works as a finance manager for a German real estate company. The NRI couple acknowledges that living in India would have resulted in bigger increments, while they could have earned more by moving to the United States or Dubai. Dig deeper.
Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, has approached the Supreme Court challenging the transfer of the investigation into alleged financial irregularities during his tenure to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Sandip Ghosh being taken to Alipore judges district and session court in in Kolkata on Tuesday. (ANI)

Ghosh, who filed his petition on August 27, is set to be heard by the Supreme Court on September 6. However, before the hearing, he was arrested by the CBI on September 2 in connection with the case. His arrest follows widespread public outrage over his handling of the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at the hospital on August 9an incident that has sparked national protests and outrage across West Bengal.

In his petition, Ghosh argued that the Calcutta high court had transferred the probe to the CBI on August 23 without giving him a fair hearing, thus violating the principles of natural justice. He contended that the high court wrongfully excluded him from being heard, citing that he was neither a necessary nor a proper party in the original writ petition. Ghosh asserted that the court should have considered his side before transferring the investigation, as the outcome directly affected his rights.

Ghosh also challenged the high courts decision to link the alleged financial irregularities with the criminal investigation into the rape and murder, both being probed by the CBI. He maintained that the two cases were separate and that the court erred in assigning the financial probe to the CBI simply because the agency was already investigating the criminal case.

The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and including justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, is expected to take up Ghoshs petition on September 6. This bench is also overseeing the suo motu proceedings regarding the doctors rape and murder and has been monitoring the associated investigations.

On Monday, Ghosh was questioned by the CBI for the fifteenth consecutive day before being arrested at the agencys Nizam Palace office in Kolkata. He faces charges of cheating and violations under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Alongside Ghosh, three others have been arrested on similar charges.

Ghosh is accused of various crimes, including illegally using bodies for research, unauthorised sale of biomedical waste, and several financial irregularities, such as awarding contracts without proper tenders.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also registered a money laundering case against Ghosh, based on the CBIs findings. Additionally, the Kolkata Police has filed two first information reports (FIRs) against him.

This marks the first CBI arrest since it took over the investigation into the doctors brutal murder, although Ghoshs arrest pertains to the financial irregularities case.

A Kolkata Police civic volunteer, Sanjoy Roy, was arrested by the city police a day after the crime and handed over to the CBI on August 13.

The Calcutta high court, in its August 23 order, transferred the corruption probe against Ghosh to the CBI, while criticising the West Bengal government for setting up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the matter a year after the allegations surfaced. The court was acting on a plea by Akhtar Ali, a former deputy superintendent of the medical college, who sought an ED investigation into Ghoshs alleged financial misconduct. Ali pointed out that the SIT was only formed after the doctors tragic death.

The high court justified its decision by citing an apparent nexus between the allegations against Ghosh and the locus of the crime, which necessitated a unified investigation by a single agency.

The court directs that the investigation be transferred to the CBI, given the serious nature of the allegations. Splitting the investigation between multiple agencies could lead to inefficiencies, delays, and potential misinterpretation of information, thereby undermining effective enforcement. Handing over the investigation to the CBI ensures consistency, the high court stated in its order.
A decade ago, an aspiring actress, eager to break into Malayalam cinema, was approached by a prominent filmmaker at a public event. He gave her his phone number and they stayed in touch. Over the next few months, he repeatedly met her, abused her over and over again, holding out the promise of a role in an upcoming film to lure her. The sordid saga ended only when the director, backed into a corner, told the woman that the production team had taken over the casting process, leaving him with little say in the hiring. The young woman eventually quit the industry.

Police in Kochi rein in protesters demanding action against actors Mukesh and Siddique. (PTI)
Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday launched two initiatives  a fund aimed at boosting farm-sector startups, and a single-window portal to process investments  as part of a slew of measures being taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in its third term to bolster the farm economy. Shivraj Singh Chouhan (PTI)

AgriSure, a 750-crore fund to support startups, and Krishi Nivesh Nidhi, the portal to speedily clear project proposals, will help to boost farm incomes, Chouhan said at an event in the national capital, attended by bankers, investors and startup incubators.

The minister also gave away awards to scheduled banks based on credit disbursals under the governments agriculture infrastructure fund, which finances rural assets. The first prize went to the State Bank of India, the countrys largest lender, followed by HDFC Bank, which came second, and Canara Bank, which was placed third.

The agriculture sector is the backbone of the Indian economy and farmers are its soul. Agriculture has a share of 16% in the countrys GDP. The farmer is the biggest producer as well as consumer, Chouhan said.

PM Modi aims to double farmers incomes for which the government has adopted a six-pronged strategy, the minister said. These are increasing output, lowering input costs, ensuring profitable prices, crop diversification, natural farming and value addition to crops, he elaborated.

AgriSure is a blended capital fund, with an equal contribution of 250 crore each from the department of agriculture and NABARD, the state-owned rural development bank. An additional amount of 250 crore will be raised through financial institutions, an official said. The fund will be managed by NabVentures, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NABARD.

AgriSure will fund startups and agripreneurs through sector-specific as well as sector-agnostic support through alternative investment funds. The fund will offer both equity and debt support, focusing on high-risk, high-impact activities in the agriculture value chain, according to an official statement.

The Union minister said several programmes have been launched to transform agriculture, including expanding storage and processing to cut down post-harvest losses. Chouhan added the agriculture infrastructure fund had mobilised projects worth 78,000 crore with financing worth 45,000 crore so far.

On August 28, the Union Cabinet had approved an expansion of areas covered by the agriculture infrastructure fund, a central-sector scheme launched in 2020 for financing rural infrastructure.

The 1-lakh crore fund is primarily aimed at creating durable farm assets, from warehouses to processing plants. The fund can also be utilised by agricultural produce marketing committees  government-run market yards  for buying and selling of farm produce to spruce up market facilities.

The fund, which was launched as part of the 20-lakh crore first stimulus package during the Covid-19 crisis, aims to offer medium-to-long term debt financing for investments in rural projects. The financing facility provides loans on easy terms totalling 1 lakh crore over four years, starting with a sanction of 10,000 crore for 2020-21 and 30,000 crore each for the next three financial years.

Borrowers get an interest subvention, where part of the interest is paid by the government, of 3% per annum up to a loan limit of 2 crore for a period of seven years.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for four districts in Telangana  Jayashankar Bhupalapalle, Komaram Bheem, Mancherial, and Mulugu  warning of heavy rain on Wednesday, September 4. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu interacts with affected people during his visit to the flood-affected areas, in Vijayawada on Tuesday, September 3.(PTI)

An orange alert has also been issued for NTR and Krishna districts in Andhra Pradesh. According to the meteorological centre in Hyderabad, heavy rain is expected in parts of Telangana until September 7.

Local media reported the Andhra Pradesh government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in the NTR district on September 4 due to heavy rainfall. The IMD observed a cyclonic circulation over coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and nearby areas between 3.1 km and 5.8 km above mean sea level. The weather body added, A fresh low-pressure area is likely to form over west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal around September 5.

Torrential rains in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh led to the death of 35 people, damaged roads, submerged rail tracks, and flooded crops across thousands of acres. Residents are struggling to meet their daily needs as rescue and rehabilitation efforts continue.

Floodwaters have begun to recede in many areas of both states as there were no heavy rains on Tuesday, prompting the state governments to intensify relief operations in the affected regions. Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy visited some of the flooded areas in their respective states.

Telangana, Andhra Pradesh rain: Latest updates

- Union minister G Kishan Reddy said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah have spoken to Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy, assuring him of all necessary assistance amid the ongoing floods. Reddy noted significant losses, particularly in the Khammam and Mahabubabad areas, where floodwaters have entered peoples homes.

- Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan criticised the former YRSCP government, accusing it of neglecting the Budameru canal stream and ignoring smaller irrigation projects, which he believes worsened the flood impact.

- The Indian Air Force has been conducting relief operations in the flood-hit areas of Andhra Pradeshs Vijayawada district, deploying six Mi-17 helicopters and two Chetak helicopters to distribute relief supplies.

- Residents in some parts of Vijayawada are facing severe power shortages, forcing many to charge their phones at railway stations. There are also reports of private boat operators exploiting flood victims by charging high fees. Around 44,041 people have been accommodated in relief camps.

- Five helicopters, including two from the Navy and three from the Air Force, are actively distributing food and airlifting people stranded in flooded areas. Additionally, 50,000 kg of relief materials have been dropped in the NTR District of Andhra Pradesh.

- South Central Railway announced that restoration work is ongoing in areas where heavy rains have caused breaches.

- Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has allocated 30 lakh from his discretionary funds to the Indian Red Cross Societys Telangana branch to support immediate relief efforts through district branches.

- Telangana government employees have contributed one day of their basic pay, totalling 130 crore, to flood relief measures, and the cheque was handed over to CM Revanth Reddy.

- Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy announced an ex-gratia payment of 5 lakh to the families of those who died in the floods and assured that compensation would be increased for the loss of livestock, including cattle, goats, and sheep.

- Telugu actor and TDP MLA N Balakrishna pledged 50 lakh each to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Actor Mahesh Babu also announced a donation of 50 lakh each to the Chief Ministers Relief Fund for both states in response to the ongoing flood crisis.

(With ANI, PTI inputs)
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, on Wednesday said the opposition INDIA bloc has psychologically defeated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, he claimed has lost confidence. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi addresses a public meeting ahead of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections in Ramban on Wednesday.(PTI)

While addressing a public rally in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district, the Congress leader remarked that Prime Minister Modi had said his party could not be defeated and that he had a direct connection with Bhagwan (God).

Prime Minister Modi openly said he is non-biological, while the rest of India is biological. But in this election, God has given him a direct message, saying he speaks to the public and acts according to their wishes, said Rahul Gandhi.

Prime Minister Modi had earlier said there would be no caste census in the country, but the opposition remained firm in its demand, and now even RSS members are backing it, Gandhi claimed.

I sit in front of him in Parliament and his confidence is gone. The INDIA bloc stood together and fought unitedly. PM Modi wanted to bring people in through lateral entry, but it was opposed, and then the BJP changed its stance, the Congress leader added.

He claimed Narendra Modi is afraid of the people in the country and that there is only a little time left for Narendra Modi and the BJP before they are removed from power.

We want brotherhood in the country, where everyone is respected and people speak to each other with dignity. Vulnerable groups, whether they are farmers, labourers or small business owners should feel they have a stake in this country. We want it to happen in Jammu and Kashmir as well, said Gandhi.

Earlier, the Lok Sabha MP took a jibe at the Centre, saying for the first time in Indian history, the rights of people in Jammu and Kashmir have been taken away by downgrading it from a state to a Union Territory.

In 1947, India adopted the Constitution. Kings were removed and democratic governments were elected. But in Jammu and Kashmir, the affairs are being run by a king, and his name is the Lieutenant Governor (LG), he added.

When are the J&K polls being held?

Jammu and Kashmir will witness polling on September 18, 25 and October 1. Haryana will vote on October 1. Counting of votes for both states will be held on October 8.

The erstwhile state had witnessed an assembly election back in 2014 on 87 seats. People's Democratic Party (PDP) then led by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed had clinched 28 seats while the BJP had sprung up surprise by winning 25 seats.

The then-ruling National Conference (NC) had got 15 seats while the Congress got 12 seats. The PDP and BJP had joined hands to form the government under Sayeed in 2015. After Sayeed's death, his daughter Mehbooba Mufti became CM but the government collapsed after BJP withdrew support in 2018.
India and Brunei on Wednesday expanded their long-standing cooperation in space to satellite development and discussed the potential for long-term LNG supplies, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a veiled swipe at China by saying India backs a policy of development, and not expansionism across the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah in Brunei on Wednesday. (PTI)

Modi, the first Indian premier to make a bilateral visit to Brunei, and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, agreed to elevate four-decade-old diplomatic ties to an enhanced partnership and discussed collaboration in emerging areas such as fintech and cyber-security.

A joint statement issued after talks between the two leaders said, without naming China, that India and Brunei are committed to promoting peace, stability, maritime security, and respecting freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce in keeping with international laws. The leaders also urged all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means and in line with international law.

Speaking at a lunch hosted by the sultan, Modi described Brunei as an important partner in Indias Act East policy and Indo-Pacific vision. We support freedom of navigation and overflight under international laws like UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea]...We support the policy of development, and not expansionism, he said, speaking in Hindi.

Modi added in a post on X that talks between the two sides were wide-ranging and aimed at cementing bilateral ties. We are going to further expand trade ties, commercial linkages and people-to-people exchanges, he said.

A renewed memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the operation of a telemetry, tracking and telecommand station in Brunei for Indias satellites was signed by external affairs minister S Jaishankar and Bruneis transport and infocommunications minister Pengiran Shamhary.

To strengthen our cooperation in the space sector, we have agreed on cooperation in satellite development, remote sensing and training, Modi said in his speech at the lunch. According to the joint statement, Modi expressed deep appreciation to Brunei for continuing to host the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)s ground station. Both leaders appreciated the long-standing arrangement under an existing MoU and the conclusion of the renewed MoU.

Brunei has been a special partner in Indias burgeoning space programme. The two sides signed three MoUs in this field in the past 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.

In the energy sector, the two sides discussed the potential for long-term cooperation in LNG, Modi said. They further discussed cooperation in defence industry, training and capacity building to strengthen defence cooperation, he said.

Two-way trade has dipped after hovering at around $500 million for almost a decade, especially after Indias purchases of crude from Brunei declined in the past two years. Officials said the two sides were exploring the possibility of India securing long-term LNG supplies from Brunei to meet growing domestic demand.

This year, we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of our diplomatic ties. On this occasion, we have decided to commemorate our relations as an enhanced partnership, Modi said. Besides strengthening cooperation in the economic, scientific and strategic sectors, the two sides decided to bolsters collaboration in fintech, cyber-security, agri-industry, pharmaceuticals and health, he said.

Modi and Hassanal Bolkiah also condemned all forms of terrorism and called on states to repudiate it, the joint statement said. They underlined that no country should allow territory under their control to be used for terrorism; no country should harbour terrorists and resolved to work together to bring perpetrators of terrorist acts to justice, it added.

India and Brunei agreed to enhance cooperation to counter linkages between terrorism and trans-national organised crime, and to work together at the UN and other multilateral forums to combat terror.

Royal Brunei Airlines announced it will launch the first direct flights from the capital Bandar Seri Begawan to Chennai from November, and the two leaders said this connectivity will foster stronger people-to-people links and facilitate increased trade and tourism activities.

In a post on X, Modi described his visit to Brunei as productive and said: It ushers in a new era of even stronger India-Brunei ties. From Brunei, Modi travelled to Singapore, where he is set to hold talks with the city states top leadership on Thursday. The two sides are expected to unveil several MoUs, including a crucial one on cooperation in creating a semiconductor ecosystem.
The retirement of a states chief secretary doesnt usually elicit attention from the media. However, on August 31, the last working day of Dr V Venu in Kerala saw him being mobbed by reporters for the precise reason that he was handing over the reins to his spouse and fellow 1990 batch IAS officer Sarada Muraleedharan. Keralas ex-chief secretary Dr V Venu with his wife and new chief secretary Sarada Muraleedharan. (HT Photo)

Succeeding a spouse as the chief secretary of a state has happened before. But the couple being officers of the same batch is a rarity. Its the first such instance in Kerala and perhaps the second in India, Dr Venu told HT over the phone.

Dr Venu has an MBBS degree from the Kozhikode Medical College and served as the sub-collector of Thrissur district in his first posting. Since then, he has served in a variety of roles both in the Kerala government and the Centre. His notable tenures were as director of Kerala tourism and the secretary of the same, joint secretary in the Union ministry of culture, secretary of the cultural affairs department in Kerala, director general of the National Museum in Delhi and as additional chief secretary in Kerala in charge of home and vigilance departments.

The IAS officer, who secured the 26th rank in the civil services exam, counted being at the helm of the states tourism department and handling the Rebuild Kerala initiative in the backdrop of the 2018 floods as some of his proud career stints.

Dr Venu stands out from the rest of the bureaucrats in the state by wearing Kerala-style mundu (dhoti) to work. He also marks his official signature in Malayalam instead of the usual English.

The affable bureaucrat, who takes keen interest in theatre and has acted in key roles in dozens of plays, is a relaxed man post-retirement and is looking forward to simpler pleasures of life.

I will certainly get back to theatre. I have to reach out to old friends and colleagues. I have a few interest areas and I want to keep myself active professionally. I probably wont be taking up a full-time job. I want to explore advisory and mentoring roles and perhaps write a bit, he said.

As a couple who had to handle arduous jobs in the government and raise two children at the same time, Dr Venu admitted that it was a tough ask to have work-life balance.

Particularly in Kerala, officers have a culture of working hard. Work-life balance is often ignored. It was quite stressful especially for Sarada who handled extremely important areas like poverty eradication, waste management, etc. We had to work over 10 hours a day. When we reached home, we tried to switch off and spend whatever little quality time for ourselves, he said, admitting that they were only able to attend few events of their children at school or college.

At the same time, Dr Venu said that he and his wife constantly shared tips and supported each other throughout their careers even though their working styles were different.

Sarada is more of an analytical person and takes time (to study matters), whereas I am a more impulsive person. My attention span is also lower than hers. I have a more broad-based professional experience while she has deeper experience working in key sectors for long periods, such as local governance at the state and central levels, poverty alleviation and womens empowerment, Dr Venu revealed.

He underlined that there will be continuity in governance as Sarada takes over as the states chief secretary from where he left off.

Prior to her appointment as the chief secretary, Sarada Muraleedharan was serving as the additional chief secretary (planning and economic affairs). The 1990 batch officer served in roles such as the district collector of Thiruvananthapuram, director of the scheduled caste department and commissioner of rural development. But her pivotal stint was as the head of the Kudumbashree Mission from 2006 to 2012 during which she brought substantial reforms to Asias biggest women empowerment programme.

Some of the other significant stints include being handpicked by then Union textiles minister Smriti Irani as the director general of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and serving as the CEO of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM).

Muraleedharan, after assuming the post of top bureaucrat in the state, told reporters, I am deeply grateful. I am also happy that now I have an advisor at home (laughs). Usually, its not difficult for me to do welcome speeches. But at a function bidding Venu farewell, it was tough for me to do the speech. I hope to continue the work that Venu has left off.
The political debate over the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital continued with Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday responding to the anti-rape bill unanimously passed by the West Bengal legislative assembly on Tuesday. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee speaks after tabling of the Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment Bill 2024) during a session of the state Legislative Assembly in Kolkata on Tuesday,(PTI)

Sharing a copy of a letter dated, November 11, 2018, on social media platform X, Kiren Rijiju accused chief minister Mamata Banerjee of politicising the woman doctor's death by introducing the Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024, claiming she had failed to act to prevent the crime initially.

The Union minister also pointed out that in 2018, Parliament passed a stringent law to address heinous crimes like rape", which aimed to establish fast-track special courts (FTSC) for the quicker trial and resolution of pending rape and POCSO Act cases.

He further alleged that despite multiple communications in 2019, 2020, and 2021, the Trinamool Congress government did not consent to this centrally sponsored scheme under the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018.

In the letter dated, Kiren Rijiju sought the Mamata Banerjee government's intervention in the establishment of FTSCs for quick trial and disposal of pending rape and POCSO Act cases in West Bengal.

In the letter, it was stated that 123 FTSCs including 20 ePOCSO Courts were earmarked for the state of West Bengal but the consent by the state government was not received.

Rijiju said he felt sad that the West Bengal chief minister ignored her most sacred duty of providing quick justice for women and children.

This is an extremely serious matter. Please dont make it political issue. Very strong laws are necessary but strong actions are more important. When the letter was written, media had carried this news extensively, but West Bengal Govt failed to act! he said in a post on social media.

The Centre's response comes a day after the West Bengal assembly unanimously passed the state anti-rape Bill that seeks capital punishment for rape convicts if their actions result in the victim's death or leave her in a vegetative state and life sentence without parole for other perpetrators.

Other significant features of the proposed 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024' include the completion of probes into rape cases within 21 days of the initial report, a reduction from the previous two-month deadline, and a special task force where women officers will lead investigations.

The Bill was passed after the opposition BJP MLAs lent their support to it even as Suvendu Adhikari alleged that Mamata Banerjee moved the Bill to divert attention from public anger and protests over the gruesome crime.

Amid chaotic scenes on the floor of the House when BJP legislators raised slogans demanding the chief minister's resignation over the crime, Mamata Banerjee also demanded Suvendu Adhikari's resignation for obstructing the proceedings for passage of the Bill.

The proposed law, which requires assent from the Bengal Governor and then the President, when enacted, would mark a significant development in the state's legal framework against sexual crimes.

Speaking during the discussion on the Bill, moved by state law minister Moloy Ghatak at the assembly's special session, Mamata Banerjee termed the proposed legislation as "historic" and demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and the chief ministers of all states that have not been able to implement effective legislations to safeguard women.

The Bill also proposed to amend the newly passed Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 laws, and the POCSO Act 2012 in their application to the state of West Bengal to enhance punishment and to constitute the framework for... expeditious investigation and trial of the heinous act of violence against women and children.

According to the Bill, any fine imposed shall be fair and reasonable to meet the medical expenses and rehabilitation of the victim or their next of kin, if applicable, as may be determined by the Special Court and should be paid within the period fixed by it.

The state government convened a special two-day session of the House for the introduction and passage of the Bill, which was moved in the wake of widespread protests in the aftermath of the alleged rape and murder of a post-graduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.
Union health secretary Apurva Chandra on Wednesday issued a directive to all states and Union Territories (UTs), urging them to provide an action-taken report by September 10 on the implementation of safety and security measures for doctors and healthcare workers. Junior doctors stage a protest on a road near Lalbazar police headquarters in Kolkata on Tuesday. (PTI)

This directive follows a recent Supreme Court order that emphasized the need for immediate remedial actions to ensure the safety of medical professionals across the country.

Also Read | Kolkata rape-murder case: IMA asks protesting doctors to leave justice to Supreme Court

In a letter addressed to chief secretaries and directors general of police of all states and UTs, Chandra expressed gratitude for their participation in a recent video conference on this critical issue. The conference, which took place on August 28, discussed the provision of a safe working environment in all medical institutions in the wake of recent violent incidents, including the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Key security measures suggested

The health secretary outlined several key measures to be prioritised by states and UTs, including the identification of high-risk establishments, security audits, CCTV surveillance, background checks, and bereavement protocols, among others.

Also Read | Kolkata rape-murder case: Doctors gift police commissioner spine; ceasework protest continues | Top points

States and UTs have been urged to identify hospitals with high patient footfall and categorise them as high-priority establishments for security enhancements. The health secretary recommended regular security audits, conducted in consultation with local health and police authorities, to assess and improve existing security measures in hospitals.

Special attention should be given to areas within hospitals that are prone to security breaches, such as emergency rooms, triage areas, intensive care units (ICUs), and labour rooms, according to Chandra.

Proper training and establishment of bereavement protocols for all doctors and healthcare workers to handle intense and emotional grief situations, the top official said.

Also Read | Centre moves Supreme Court against Mamata govt over deployment of CISF at RG Kar Hospital

Chandra noted that several states have already initiated actions in line with the suggestions provided in a previous communication dated August 23. He also acknowledged that some states have gone beyond the ministry of health and family welfares (MOHFW) recommendations, implementing additional measures to enhance security in healthcare settings.
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The president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has urged doctors protesting the rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital to resume their duties and leave the pursuit of justice to the Supreme Court.



The sacrifice of the young postgraduate resident of RG Kar has moved the conscience of the nation. The anger and frustration of the entire nation are equally on the fact that she happened to be a budding doctor as well as that she was the only girl child of lower-middle-class parents. The entire nation has adopted her as their daughter, ANI quotes IMA's letter as mentioning. Protesting junior doctors march towards Lalbazar police headquarters after they were allowed to meet Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal on September 3.(PTI)

Read: Bengal Assembly passes Bill seeking death penalty for rape convicts

The IMA president stressed the importance of the Supreme Court's response and said that the entire medical community should adhere to the apex court's ruling.

The medical fraternity was justifiably on the boil. The resident doctors hit the road with anger and deep sorrow. IMA called for the withdrawal of services barring emergency for 24 hours. Subsequently, the Honourable Supreme Court of India has taken suo moto cognizance of the situation and has formed a national task force The Honourable Court has said to the doctors 'Trust us. Justice and medicine shouldn't stop'. The Highest Court has spoken, the report further quotes the letter .

Also read: The Bengal Bill, overlap with central laws, and legal road ahead

As citizens of India, the entire medical fraternity should abide by the word given by the Honourable Court. Patient care and safety is the prime concern of the medical profession. All doctors of modern medicine should return to patient care leaving justice to the Honourable Supreme Court of India, it added.

Doctors have been protesting in various states, calling for justice for the victims and improved security measures for healthcare professionals.

The incident has ignited a clash between the BJP and the state government, with the BJP calling for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's resignation.

Following a Calcutta High Court order, the case has been handed over from the local police to the Central Bureau of Investigation.



With ANI inputs
Kolkata rape-murder case highlights: Health professionals and activists shout slogans and hold posters as they form a long human chain during a demonstration to condemn the rape and murder of a doctor, along a street in Kolkata.

Kolkata rape-murder case highlights: Junior doctors protesting in Kolkata's Lalbazar area, outside police headquarters met Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal and handed over a letter demanding his resignation for the alleged lapses over the rape and murder of a female doctor inside a medical college. A delegation of West Bengal Junior Doctors Forum met the officer after a 22-hour impasse and also handed over a replica of human spine....Read More

The forum has said their cease-work protest will continue until their demands are met. Workers from various private hospitals also protested across Kolkata by forming a human chain across various zones in the city.

Under increasing pressure to act, the West Bengal government unanimously passed the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024. It seeks to amend central laws at the state level to seek increased punishment for severe crimes against women and children.

The state health department also suspended the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Dr Sandip Ghosh. Facing allegations of lapses and corruption, Ghosh and three others were sent to eight-day CBI custody. The agency has arrested Ghosh in a case related to financial irregularities at the hospital.

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Himachal Pradesh revenue minister Jagat Singh Negi courted controversy by saying Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut visited the flood-hit areas in the state days after the disaster because the rain would have ruined her makeup. Himachal Pradesh MP Kangana Ranaut (HT File)

While speaking in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, Negi took a jibe at BJP leader Kangana Ranaut and pointed out that she only visited the state seven days after dozens of people died in flood-related incidents to shed crocodile tears, while other leaders stayed in the areas overnight to help the citizens.

"Barsat mein aise he nahin aana tha unhone, kyunki makeup kharab hona tha. Pata hi nahin lagna tha ki Kangana hai ki Kangana ki maa hai" (She would have not come during rains as her makeup would have been spoiled and it would have become difficult to recognise whether it is Kangana or her mother)," he said.

This comes after Kangana Ranaut posted pictures of her visit to a flood-devastated region in Himachal Pradesh. The state BJP hit back at Negi for his comments, and questioned his values for insulting women-in-power even inside the Assembly.

Read more: Flashflood alert issued in six Himachal districts

After drawing criticism for his remarks, Negi issued a clarification and said that his comment was just a jibe and not an insult, reported PTI. Slamming Kangana earlier in the day, Negi said she visited the cloudburst-affected areas in her constituency after seven days and shed crocodile tears.

At least 32 people lost their lives and many others remain missing after cloudbursts triggered flash floods in Shimla, Kullu and Mandi districts of Himachal Pradesh on July 31 midnight. The tragedy had occurred in Kullu's Nirmand, Sainj and Malana, Mandi's Padhar and Shimla's Rampur and the worst hit was Samej village on the border of Shimla and Kullu district.

Kangana visited the Mandi district on August 7, a week after the disaster, and accused the state Congress government of doing nothing for the victims.

A total of 153 people have died in rain-related incidents during the ongoing monsoon season from June 27 till September 2 and the state has suffered losses to the tune of 1,271 crore, officials said.

(With inputs from PTI)
The government has no plans to shake up the controversial Agnipath recruitment model that cuts tenure of personnel below officer rank and offers them fewer service benefits as making any changes to the scheme will go against the grain of what it seeks to achieve, and endanger Indias security interests, top officials aware of the matter said on Wednesday. Agnipath was a major departure from the militarys decades-old recruitment system that was scrapped when the National Democratic Alliance government announced the new scheme in June 2022. (ANI)

The recruitment model, a political hot button, was introduced two years ago with the stated objective of keeping the armed forces young and battle-ready.

The scheme is at the core of our strategy to counter China, said one of the officials cited above, who asked not to be named.

The army needs young men to fight in those rugged mountains along the contested border. The average age of our infantry soldiers is 29 but we need them to be closer to 21.

Agnipath was a major departure from the militarys decades-old recruitment system that was scrapped when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government announced the new scheme in June 2022. Only young men and women aged between 17 and a half and 21 are eligible under the scheme that seeks to recruit soldiers for only four years, with a provision to retain 25% of them in regular service for another 15 years.

Those recruited under the scheme are called Agniveers.

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I am consciously saying infantrymen because you cant even take tanks or other combat vehicles to some of those heights. It has to be men carrying heavy loads on their backs, men capable of physical fighting at that altitude, the official said.

The 2020 Galwan Valley skirmish amply illustrated the kind of fighting that can break out while tackling and pushing back the enemy to defend the countrys farthest frontiers, he said. Rival soldiers then fought each other with rocks, batons and clubs wrapped in barbed wire.

As many as 20 Indian soldiers were killed in action in the seven-hour deadly conflict near Patrolling Point 14 in the remote valley on June 15, 2020, when outnumbered Indian troops fought off numerically superior rivals and inflicted heavy casualties on the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA).

According to Indias assessment, PLA suffered around 40 casualties though Beijing later officially claimed that only four Chinese soldiers were killed.

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While the Agnipath scheme will help cut the pension bill, its raison detre is to keep the army ready to counter the Chinese forces, said a second official, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity.

There are only two ways to bring down the average age of soldiers --- by short-term induction or conscription. In a place like India, and with our huge population, we do not need to have conscription like Israel does. So short-term induction through Agnipath is the way to ensure that the army has young men at the peak of their physical fitness, he added.

The military standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh is in its fifth year, with no indication of a resolution to the outstanding problems along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC) although India is hoping that ongoing negotiations will help restore the status quo ante of April 2020.

The comments from the top echelons of the government come at a time when the armed forces are making a case for raising the age limit for Agnipath inductees to 23 and suggesting that at least 50% be retained in service after four years.

We are very clear that the scheme is necessary. This is a matter of national security, said the first official.

In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi brushed aside criticism of the Agnipath model, saying it will boost combat effectiveness and increase the strength of the country.

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Speaking in Dras from a makeshift stage on a helipad named after a 22-year-old Kargil war hero killed in action, he said, Discussions on reducing the age profile of the armed forces had been going on for decades, but there was no political will to make this happen. The average age of Indian soldiers was way more than the global average and that was worrisome.

The PMs comments came at a function organised by the army to mark the 25th anniversary of victory in the Kargil war with Pakistan.

The scheme, which the Opposition Congress has repeatedly called for scrapping, has come under fire from aspirants across the country, especially the northern states, and is believed to have cost the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a chunk of votes across the region in the summers national elections.

Soldiers recruited under the legacy system serve for about 20 years before they retire in their late 30s with pension and other benefits including health care and canteen facilities, which Agniveers released from service after four years are not entitled to.

The scheme is likely to be a major election issue in the upcoming assembly polls in Haryana.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday told Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami that this is not a feudal era where chief minister can act like a king, coming down hard on his decision to appoint an Indian Forest Officer facing departmental proceedings for alleged unauthorised construction and felling of trees at Corbett as the Director of Rajaji tiger reserve. The court, however, refused to take the matter forward after the Uttarakhand government informed that the decision to appoint the officer as Director, Rajaji had been withdrawn. (ANI PHOTO)

A bench headed by justice BR Gavai said, We are not in a feudal era. There is something like public trust doctrine. Heads of state cannot become like kings. When a specific noting is there not to appoint him as Director, Rajaji TR, ...you cannot do anything just because you are CM.

The court, however, refused to take the matter forward after the Uttarakhand government informed that the decision to appoint the officer as Director, Rajaji had been withdrawn. It said, Since the order posting the IFS officer Rahul (who goes by one name only) as Field Director, Rajaji has been withdrawn, and he is currently posted as chief conservator forests (Monitoring, Evaluation, IT and Modernisation), in that view of the matter, no further orders are required.

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After the Uttarakhand High Court directed the state government to take action against officials responsible for the illegal felling of trees and construction inside Corbett Tiger Reserve in January 2022, the state government in April 2022, removed Rahul as the reserves director and attached him to the office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) in Dehradun.

Responding to the court proceedings, Rahul said: I myself requested the state government to discharge me of theresponsibilities of director, Rajaji Tiger Reserve. Though there is no anomaly in my transfer order and it can pass any judicial scrutiny under the rule of law of the country, but the process may be quite lengthy and tiresome and I am afraid that because of this process, I may not be able to do proper justice to my present assignment, which requires focused attention in the multifarious activities of the Tiger Reserve.

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The courts scathing remarks against Dhami came on a report submitted by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) -- the expert body assisting the top court in forest and environment matters -- flagging the order passed last month appointing Rahul as Director, Rajaji. The decision approved by the CM was taken on August 9 overruling the objections noted on the file beginning from the section officer, the Deputy Secretary, Principal Secretary and Forest Minister in the state, who were of the view that Rahuls appointment as Director, Rajaji should be reconsidered in light of the departmental proceedings pending against him.

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The bench, also comprising justices PK Mishra and KV Viswanathan said, Unless he is exonerated in the departmental proceedings, you cannot give him a certificate of good conduct. Pointing to the string of file notings that the CM bypassed, the bench said, When all subordinate authorities point out to the CM that the officer should not be posted at Rajaji, the CM says no without giving any reasons.

Senior advocate ANS Nadkarni appearing for the state said that there is no system that requires the CM to give reasons. He offered to file the affidavit indicating that the CM had enquired about the matter and found that nothing incriminating has been found so far against the officer in the probe conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) so far into the illegal construction at Corbett. Rahul was one of the persons charge sheeted for his alleged role in felling of trees and allowing construction for Pakhro tiger safari inside the critical tiger habitat of Corbett.

On March 6 , the top court heard the issue of tiger safari at Corbett and directed CBI to probe the matter and directed the Uttarakhand government to complete the departmental proceedings against the officials (including Rahul) within six months.

Senior advocate K Parmeshwar assisting the court as amicus curiae pointed out that the Uttarakhand government is yet to finalise the departmental proceedings and in July, requested for three months to complete the enquiry. He further stated that even the CBI investigation is underway and at this critical juncture, there was no justification to post the officer in question at Rajaji, which is another critical tiger habitat.

Abhijay Negi, counsel of the Dehradun-based petitioner Anu Pant who has been pursuing the case related to the illegal felling of trees and constructions in Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) in Uttarakhand High Court said : After Rahul was appointed director Rajaji Tiger Reserve on August 9, petitioner Anu Pant filed a complaint with the SC-appointed central empowered committee (CEC) on August 30. On September 2, CEC sent the matter to SC, requesting an urgent hearing in the matter. 

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Rahul defended himself:

Rahul said,  The matter of illegal constructions and alleged felling of trees has been enquired/investigated/being investigated by almost a dozen agencies but none of the reports, which are in public so far, have made any adverse comment about any commission or omission at my part as Director, Corbett Tiger Reserve. Rather, most of these reports have clearly appreciated my role as supervisory office.

Uttarakhand forest minister Subodh Uniyal in his statement issued on the matter last Thursday said: There have been reports in the media that the Chief Minister has ignored the Minister, Chief Secretary and everyone else to appoint the Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve. This is completely wrong. This decision has been taken unanimously, it has been decided after the consent of the Chief Minister and me.

...
National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah made an emotional appeal to the people of Ganderbal on Wednesday, saying, My turban and my honour are in your hands. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah being greeted by supporters upon his arrival to file nomination from Ganderbal. (PTI)

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister filed his nomination from the Ganderbal constituency for the upcoming assembly polls. While addressing a public gathering, Omar was seen removing his skull cap and asking for the people's support.



Today, I will say only one thing - my turban, my honour, and this cap are in your hands, Omar said. However, the crow responded, saying he didn't have to remove the cap from his head.

Omar Abdullah, who usually addresses public gatherings in Urdu, spoke in Kashmiri and appealed with folded hands. Give me a chance. I appeal to Ganderbal with folded hands that give me an opportunity and I will serve you and represent you, Omar said.

Why is Omar Abdullah contesting from Ganderbal?

Ganderbal is seen as a stronghold for the National Conference, having elected three generations of the Abdullah family. NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah won the seat in 1977, followed by his son Farooq Abdullah, who secured victories in 1983, 1987, and 1996. Omar Abdullah was later elected from the constituency in 2008.

In 2014, Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar won the Ganderbal seat on a National Conference ticket. Prior to that, he had contested more than two elections unsuccessfully on a Congress ticket.

Abdullah was accompanied by senior party leaders and his sons, submitted his nomination papers to the returning officer at the mini-secretariat.

This marks Abdullahs return to the constituency he represented from 2009 to 2014 as chief minister of the NC-Congress coalition government.

In the 2014 assembly elections, he won from the Beerwah seat in central Kashmir's Budgam district but was defeated in the Sonwar seat in Srinagar by then PDP leader Mohammad Ashraf Mir.

Both the National Conference and Congress have entered into a seat-sharing agreement for all 90 assembly seats in the Union Territory.

As per the seat-sharing pact, the National Conference will contest 51 seats and Congress 32, with a friendly contest on five seats. Two additional seats have been reserved for allies, CPI(M) and the National Panthers Party.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for miserably failing to protect the people of Manipur adding that his double engine government has done nothing to mitigate it. Kharge also questioned PM Modi for not visiting the state ever since the turmoil began in the state. (Mallikarjun Kharge | Facebook)

It has been 16 months since Manipur has been engulfed in violence, but your double engine government has done NOTHING to mitigate it. No measure has been taken which instils confidence among the people of all the communities to ensure peace and normalcy, Kharge wrote on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

Kharge also questioned PM Modi for not visiting the state ever since the turmoil began in the state.

Modi ji, why have you been so remorseless? Why have you not bothered to set foot in the state? It is because of your ego that people of all communities are suffering. Your governments rank incompetency and shamelessness has not been able to start even a fundamental peace process!, he said.

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Kharge continued his criticism of the ruling dispensation shedding light on the recent bomb attacks via drones in state capital Imphal.

Bombing through drone attacks have just taken place in Imphal West district and the union home minister seems to be asleep at the wheel. Even your own BJP leaders and their houses are being attacked. Was the Governor removed because she raised her voice against the deplorable conditions of the relief camps?, he added.

Kharge said that the people of Manipur continue to suffer with over 67,000 being displaced.

At least 235 people have been killed. Countless injured. 67,000 people have been displaced and thousands including women and children continue to languish in relief camps with deplorable conditions. Apart from internal turmoil, now a National Security threat also looms large at the borders of Manipur, Kharge said.

Manipur has been witnessing ethnic violence between people from the Meitei and Kuki communities which has claimed over 200 lives toll date since May 2023.
A 42-year-old American doctor has alleged that a yoga instructor raped her multiple times on pretext of teaching meditation, a police officer said. The accused was arrested on charges of raping an American doctor under the pretext of a spiritual relationship that he claimed existed between them in a previous life. (File photo)

The officer said that yoga instructor identified as Pradeep Ullal, 53, heads the Kevala Foundation, which has been running an ashram in Chikkamagaluru for two decades. He has been arrested on charges of raping an American doctor under the pretext of a spiritual relationship that he claimed existed between them in a previous life.

Based on complaint filed by NRI doctor, we booked Ullal under IPC section 376(rape) on Sunday and launched an investigation into the matter, Chikkamagaluru rural police station inspector Sachin Kumar said. The police has registered the case under IPC as the alleged rape took place between 2021 and 2022.

The NRI doctor, a US citizen, came in contact with him through social media and started taking online yoga classes from the instructor. The survivor, originally from Punjab and now settled in California, filed a complaint at Chikkamagaluru Rural police station. She alleged that she was lured into Ullals spiritual teachings and later manipulated into visiting his yoga centre in Mallenahalli multiple times between 2021 and 2022.

According to the complaint, the woman first came into contact with Ullal in 2020 through a mutual friend. She began practising yoga under his guidance online and was later invited to visit his centre in Mallenahalli. During her first visit on November 1, 2021, she stayed for 21 days. It was during this time that Ullal allegedly began his manipulation, convincing her that they had a deep, spiritual connection from a previous life, the woman alleged in her complaint.

She alleged that Ullal, under the guise of performing energy work, and sharing divine love coerced her into sexual acts, claiming these were necessary for her spiritual progress. She returned to California and was called to Mallenahalli again in February 2022, where she stayed for 10 days. During this period, she alleged that Ullal raped her multiple times.

The survivor stated that she visited the centre again in July 2022 for a 21-day stay, during which she was raped two or three more times. The woman also revealed that she became pregnant as a result of the assaults and unfortunately, the pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. Ullal the allegedly manipulated the situation further, referring to the ordeal implying that such events were divinely orchestrated, she alleged.

In addition to the physical and emotional abuse, the woman also claimed that she had been financially exploited by Ullal. She alleged that she had given him gifts worth approximately 20 lakh, including a music system, Kashmiri carpets, two laptops, and various other items. She said that Ullal had deceived many people by presenting himself as a spiritual guide and yoga instructor, police said.

Followed by complaint, we arrested Pradeep Ullal and produced him before JMFC court Chikkamagalurui  investigation officer Sachin Kumar told HT. He has hundreds of followers. We are investigating whether he was involved in similar incidents in the ashram. Currently he is in judicial custody.

When HT attempted to contact Kevala foundation, none picked phone.
A chairperson, deputy chairperson, and a standing committee member from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) were elected unopposed for Karol Bagh and City-Sadar Paharganj zones as the election process for the 12 Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) panels started on Wednesday morning amid heavy police deployment following Lieutenant Governor VK Saxenas late-night intervention. Mayor Shelly Oberoi on Tuesday said her conscience does not allow her to participate in the undemocratic election process. (HT PHOTO)

Members from the remaining 10 zones were due to elect zonal chairpersons and standing committee members as per the hourly slots fixed until 5pm. The election process started hours after Saxena directed MCD commissioner Ashwani Kumar to appoint a deputy commissioner for each zone to preside over it. This followed Mayor Shelly Oberois refusal late on Tuesday to appoint presiding officers to oversee the zonal ward committee elections casting a shadow over the process.

The elections are crucial as they will decide 12 out of 18 members of the standing committee, which controls the MCDs finances. Karol Bagh and City-Sadar Paharganj zones have a majority of AAP councilors. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not field any candidates for these zones. Out of 12 zones, the BJP has a majority in seven zones following Saxenas appointment of 10 aldermen and a series of defections. The AAP has an advantage in five zones.

In a letter to Kumar, Oberoi on Tuesday said her conscience does not allow her to participate in the undemocratic election process. She argued that the scheduling of the elections deprived several councillors of the right to file their nominations.

The MCD regulations allow the commissioner to fix the date for ward committee elections even as the mayor nominates the presiding officers. Kumar submitted a report to Saxenas office saying there was no response from the mayor even though she attended the office on Tuesday afternoon. The mayor herself is blocking the process of election....in view of this...it [is] necessary that suitable directions be issued under section 487 of DMC [Delhi Municipal Corporation] Act so that the deputy commissioner of each zone can act as presiding officer, Kumars report said.

Section 487 deals with the Union governments directions and it has rarely been used in recent years. It says that if the Union government believes that any duty imposed on the Corporation or any municipal authority by or under this Act has not been performed or has been performed in an imperfect, insufficient or unsuitable manner, it may direct arrangements for the proper performance of the duty and municipal authority shall comply with such direction.

The Delhi high court on Friday refused to consider a plea seeking the rescheduling of ward committee elections saying it cannot interfere to direct the MCD commissioner to prescribe the schedule in a particular way. Two AAP councillors sought rescheduling on the grounds that sufficient time was not given to file nominations.

At 9.05pm on Tuesday, Saxena cited the court orders and the commissioners report while ordering Kumar to hold elections as per originally notified schedule on Wednesday. With reference to request of commissioner MCD and in larger public interest and in order to preserve the democratic spirit of municipal body....I direct that the elections be conducted as per schedule notified by commissioner, the order said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for snatching Jammu and Kashmirs statehood and reiterated the pledge to restore it while expressing confidence that the Congress and ally National Conference (NC) will form the next government in the region. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressing a public meeting in Ramban. (PTI)

For the first time in independent India, a state was downgraded to a UT [Union Territory], and rights of the people were snatched. It never happened before, he said.

The Union government in 2019 stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its semi-autonomous status by revoking the Constitutions Article 370 and divided the region into two UTs. The region is going to first assembly elections since 2014 in three phases in September and October.

First of all, the statehood has to be restored because not only they [BJP] snatched your statehood but also your rights, money, and everything, he said at a rally in Ramban, his first ahead of the assembly polls.

Gandhi likened the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor to a monarch although monarchs were removed to pave the way for democracy when India got its independence in 1947. Your wealth is being given away to the outsiders. Our first step in Jammu and Kashmir will be to restore statehood. It should have been given before elections but BJP insisted on polls first, said Gandhi. The Opposition alliance]... will put such pressure on the BJP that they will have to give it back.

He said the people were being denied free electricity within five km of the projects in a river-rich region like Jammu and Kashmir with huge hydopower generation capacity. They [BJP] are giving power to other states but no free electricity to the people here. On the contrary, you are paying more for electricity.

Gandhi blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for unemployment, especially in Jammu and Kashmir. He added that the BJPs ideology and wrong policies have caused unemployment. Jammu and Kashmir has the highest unemployment in the country. Small businessmen...tourism and handicrafts are being crushed. The situation is bad.

Gandhi said the implementation of Goods and Services Tax and demonetisation hit hard small businesses while accusing Modis government of working for the welfare of industrialists Adani and Ambani. The statehood was snatched to help these two friends of Modi, he said.

Gandhi said the Congress-NC alliance government would fill vacant government posts, extend the age for getting government jobs to 40, regularise daily wagers, and enhance their wages. He referred to Modis claims of invincibleness and direct connection with God and added the Prime Minister says none can defeat the BJP. He says he has a direct connection with God and talks to him. The Prime Minister says he is non-biological and talks directly to God but in [Lok Sabha] elections God gave Modi a direct message. We have defused Modi psychologically. I sit in front of him in the Parliament.

Gandhi said Modis confidence has vanished after the Opposition parties joined hands and fought jointly. He maintained Modi was now afraid of the people. Now, little time is left before we remove them from the government. We want communal harmony, brotherhood, and a government where the weak feel part of this nation. The country does not belong to two to three people, he said
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will kickstart his party's campaign for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly election on Wednesday, September 4, with two mega public rallies in the Ramban and Anantnag districts. The rallies are part of the campaign for the Congress candidates contesting in the first phase of the elections on September 18. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in Kashmir during his Bharat Jodo Yatra.(File)

According to Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Tariq Hamid Karra, Rahul Gandhi, who will arrive in Jammu from New Delhi, will first campaign for former Jammu and Kashmir unit party chief Vikar Rasool Wani, who is contesting from the Banihal assembly constituency, reported news agency PTI.

Following this, Rahul Gandhi will fly to the Dooru area of Anantnag district, where he will address another rally in support of Congress general secretary and former minister Ghulam Ahmed Mir, who is contesting the Dooru assembly segment.

Rahul Gandhi will return to Delhi in the evening from Srinagar, Karra said.

Exuding confidence in Gandhi's campaign, the JKPCC chief said it would give a new impetus to the party's outreach during the elections and improve its poll prospects, reported PTI.

The Congress is relying on Rahul Gandhi to reclaim the party's dominance, especially in Jammu, which has gradually shifted towards the BJP. In the recently held Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won both seats in Jammu.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has also confirmed her participation in the party's campaign in the union territory - which will unfold in three phases.

The polling for the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir assembly will be held in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1. The results will be declared on October 4.

Congress-NC alliance

The Congress and the National Conference have entered into a pre-poll alliance for the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which are being held for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370. According to the seat-sharing pact, the NC will contest on 51 seats, while the Congress will contest on 32 seats.

"We have agreed to have a friendly but disciplined contestOver and above these seats, we have left 1 seat for CPI (M) and 1 seat for Panthers Party, Karra had said in a briefing.

(With inputs from PTI)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Madhya Pradesh high court to take immediate steps to reinstate four out of six women judicial officers, who were terminated from duty in May last year primarily for not meeting the required standards of case disposal. The apex court had initiated a suo motu (on its own) petition in the matter last December and directed the high court to reconsider its decision. (HT Photo)

The apex court had initiated a suo motu (on its own) petition in the matter last December and directed the high court to reconsider its decision.

The high court may issue orders as expeditiously as possible so that the officers can rejoin duty on reinstatement, a bench headed by justice BV Nagarathna said.

The court, however, declined the judicial officers request for back wages. Our conscience does not permit to do it. When they did not work as judge, they cannot expect back wages, the bench, also comprising justice N Kotiswar Singh, said.

On August 1, the high court had decided to reinstate four of the six women civil judges on probation  Jyoti Varkade (posted at Harda), Sonakshi Joshi (posted at Morena), Priya Sharma (posted at Indore), and Rachna Atulkar Joshi (posted at Rewa)  without any back wages. However, in case of two other officers  Sarita Chaudhary and Aditi Kumar Sharma  the high courts August 1 resolution said: After considering the ACR gradings, disposal statistics, adverse remarks, complaints made against them and their overall performance, Full Court is of the view that the termination of Sarita Chaudhary and Aditi Kumar Sharma cannot be revoked.

The high court also produced the material against them in a sealed cover before the top court, which kept the proceedings in connection with the two officers pending.

Senior advocate R Basant, appearing for some of the reinstated officers, urged the bench to consider granting them back wages, saying the young and meritorious judicial officers suffered on account of the Covid-19 pandemic, which affected their disposal rate for the period from March 2020 to December 2021.

Justice Nagarathna presiding over the bench shared her personal view that judges should not expect salary for not performing any work. I feel so bad to get my salary during the summer vacation as we have not worked then except for the period when we hold vacation bench. The ones who are reinstated cannot expect to get back wages, she added.

Earlier, the top court initiated a petition after three of the women officers sent a representation to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) claiming to be wrongly denied confirmation in service after end of their probation period. In January, the top court issued notice on the petition and appointed senior advocate Gaurav Agarwal as amicus curiae in the matter.

The remaining three officers moved separate applications and petitions to join the proceedings in the apex court. On July 23, the Supreme Court urged the high courts Full Court to give a second thought to its decision, which led to the culmination of proceedings against four officers.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday clarified that there is no embargo on the Sahara group from selling its properties to deposit around 10,000 crore in the Sebi-Sahara refund account, aimed at returning investors money. Supreme Court of India. (ANI Photo)

The court, while reiterating the importance of transparency, directed the conglomerate to propose a scheme detailing how unencumbered properties would be sold to meet the required deposit, and fixed the matter for consideration on September 5.

There is no embargo on the Sahara group from selling properties. The only condition is you can sell it either at circle rate or circle rate minus 10%. If you want to sell it at a lesser value, all you must do is get the courts permission. Its in nobodys interest that properties go below circle rates, but the only concern is that transactions should be fair, a bench led by justice Sanjiv Khanna told senior counsel Kapil Sibal, who appeared for Sahara.

The bench, also comprising justices MM Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi, directed the group to adduce a list of unencumbered properties that could be put up for sale, adding that it would also involve Sebi in the process to ensure transparency and accountability.

Let them give a list of unencumbered properties. We can then ask you what are the safeguards that you want. We will then devise a module on recovering the rest of the amount, the bench told senior advocates Arvind Datar and Pratap Venugopal, who represented the market regulator.

The case stems from a series of directions issued by the Supreme Court on August 31, 2012, where Sahara group firms  Sahara India Real Estate Corporation Ltd (SIRECL) and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation Ltd (SHICL)  were ordered to refund the amount collected from investors, with a 15% annual interest, within three months. Despite more than a decade passing since that order, the Sahara Group is yet to fully comply, prompting the courts continued scrutiny.

Sebi highlighted that not all of Saharas properties are unencumbered, expressing concern over the ambiguity surrounding the timeline for the groups payment of the outstanding amount. The bench then urged Sibal to present a clear plan detailing how the Sahara Group intends to deposit the 10,000 crore and identify the specific properties that could be sold.

During the proceedings, the bench also stressed the urgency of compliance, observing that it would be prima facie incorrect to say that Sahara was not given enough leeway to alienate properties for depositing money. In one sense, you are a judgment debtor... The court order to deposit 24,400 crore would act as a decree, it said.

The bench also addressed various applications from flat buyers, operational creditors and other parties seeking relief, including refunds. It clarified in all the pleas that the pendency of the matter before the Supreme Court is not an impediment for any other appropriate forum to consider the matters relating to the Sahara group.

The Sebi-Sahara case has seen numerous legal twists since 2012. According to Sebi, Sahara firms have deposited 15,455.70 crore to date, which has been invested in fixed deposits across nationalised banks. As of September 30, 2020, the total amount in the Sebi-Sahara refund account, including interest, stands at 22,589.01 crore. Sebi has said that only 138 crore has been disbursed to investors till date.
Jaydeep Apte, the sculptor and contractor behind the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue that collapsed at Maharashtra's Rajkot fort last month, was arrested from Kalyan in Thane district on Wednesday night, a senior police official said. A statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, erected by the Navy and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, collapses at Rajkot Fort, in Malvan, Monday.(PTI)

The Sindhudurg police had been searching for Apte (24) since the statue, which he made, collapsed on August 26, just nine months after its inauguration. The police had formed seven teams to track him down. After the incident, Malvan police registered a case against Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil for negligence and other offences. Patil was arrested from Kolhapur last week.

ALSO READ- Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse: Sculptor was close to RSS, alleges Congress

The statue's collapse sparked a political row ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, with the Opposition targeting the Eknath Shinde-led government.

Govt vs Oppn over Apte's arrest

BJP leader Pravin Darekar said, "Critics of our government should remain quiet now. While it took some time, the police did their job."

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushama Andhare criticised the government, stating, "The state government shouldn't take credit for Apte's arrestit's their duty. He wasn't some underworld don... he should have been arrested sooner."

Meanwhile, a five-member technical committee visited the Malvan fort to inspect the site. Police have also sent samples of the materials used for the statue and its platform to a forensic lab for analysis.

ALSO READ- 'There was arrogance': Uddhav Thackeray on PM's apology over Shivaji statue collapse

MVA and Mahayuti clash over Shivaji statue collapse

The Maha Vikas Aghadi held a protest march from Hutatma Chowk to the Gateway of India on Sunday, condemning the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue. Opposition leaders attacked both the Union and state governments, with Uddhav Thackeray dismissing PM Modi's apology as "smacking of arrogance." Sharad Pawar called the statue collapse an example of corruption.

Earlier at an event in Palghar on Friday, PM Modi expressed his respect for Shivaji Maharaj, saying, "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a name or a king but a deity. Today, I bow my head at his feet and apologize to my deity."

ALSO READ- Apologise to our deity: PM Modi on Chhatrapati Shivaji statue collapse

The ruling Mahayuti alliance called the incident unfortunate. BJP leader Narayan Rane accused the three opposition partiesShiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCPof trying to create division in the state ahead of the elections.

(Inputs from PTI)
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Wednesday categorically refuted the allegations of a toxic work environment within the organisation under its current chief Madhabi Puri Buch, describing them as misguided and influenced by external elements. Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch. (PTI File Photo)

In a detailed statement, the market regulator dismissed claims that its work culture had become toxic, characterised by harsh language, unrealistic targets, and micromanagement. Instead, the regulator suggested that the grievances raised by some employees, particularly regarding their House Rent Allowance (HRA), had been manipulated by outside forces to undermine SEBI's credibility and its leadership.

Also Read | Congress counters ICICI Banks defence of payments to SEBI chief, poses fresh questions: Let PM respond

What SEBI employees claimed

The statement came in the backdrop of media reports suggesting Sebi employees had written a letter to the Union to the finance ministry on August 6, raising concerns over "toxic work culture". The letter, titled 'Grievances of SEBI Officers - A Call for Respect', accused senior management of using unprofessional language, setting unachievable targets, and micromanaging to the point of monitoring employees' "minute-by-minute movements."

The employees claimed that "shouting, scolding, and public humiliation have become a norm in meetings," and that fear has become the "primary driving force" within SEBI over the past few years. The letter went on to criticise the leadership for focusing on technological advancements while neglecting "best-in-class man management, leadership, and motivation methods."

SEBI acknowledged that employees had expressed concerns, particularly over a 55% increase in HRA, which they had been demanding since the allowance was last set in 2023. However, SEBI suggested that after the media reported on these protests as being purely about working conditions and perks, a group of employees deliberately reframed the issue as one concerning the work environment to gain leverage in their negotiations.

Also Read | ICICI denies paying salary, ESOPs to SEBI chief Madhabi Buch after retirement

SEBI's statement outlined a series of measures it has implemented over the past few years to improve transparency, fairness, and accountability, including the adoption of a new Management Information System (MIS) for Key Result Areas (KRAs).

The claims of an unprofessional work culture in the letter dated August 6, 2024, are misplaced and seem to stem from instances where certain officers underpitched "processing capability" or misreported their achievements of KRAs, SEBI said.

The regulator suspects that junior officers have been receiving messages from outside parties encouraging them to "go to the media, the Ministry, or the Board," possibly for the outsiders' own agendas.

"Sebi apprehends that the junior officers have been receiving messages from external elements outside their group, effectively instigating them to 'go to media, go to the Ministry, go to Board', perhaps to serve their own purpose. In fact, the letter of August 6, 2024, was not sent by the Sebi employee associations to the Government (and a section of the media)," the statement noted.

The regulator said it would not speculate on who those external elements may be or what their motives might be.
Singapore's CapitaLand Investment said on Wednesday it aims to more than double its funds under management in India by 2028 from S$7.4 billion ($5.66 billion) as of June 30. The announcement comes hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Southeast Asian country on Wednesday. Singapore's CapitaLand said the investment will contribute to the company's global target of achieving S$200 billion in FUM by 2028.

This will contribute to the company's global target of achieving S$200 billion in FUM by 2028, the real estate investment manager said.

"The country is attracting demand from global corporations and institutional investors for quality real assets," Group CEO Lee Chee Koon said.

Koon added that CapitaLand would explore opportunities to enter the renewable energy and real estate private credit segments in the country.

Last month, CapitaLand launched a fund for business park development in India, which expected to add S$700 million to its funds under management.

PM Narendra Modi arrives in Singapore

On Wednesday, he arrived in Singapore for a two-day visit aimed at boosting India-Singapore friendship, deepening strategic partnership and attracting investment from the Southeast Asian country.

During his visit at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong, the prime minister will connect with three generations of Singapores leadership, officials in New Delhi said.

Landed in Singapore. Looking forward to the various meetings aimed at boosting the India-Singapore friendship. Indias reforms and the talent of our Yuva Shakti makes our nation an ideal investment destination. We also look forward to closer cultural ties, Modi posted on X soon after his arrival for his fifth official trip to Singapore.

Modi flew to Singapore after wrapping his visit to Brunei, the first bilateral visit there by an Indian prime minister.

PM @narendramodi lands in the Lion city, Singapore today. Warmly received by Minister of Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam of Singapore. An action packed agenda lies ahead, Ministry of External Affair said in a post on X.

The prime minister will receive an official welcome at the Parliament House on Thursday and call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

This visit comes days after Wong took over and Modi began his third term as prime minister.

Modi, who last visited Singapore in 2018, is accompanied by minister of external affairs S Jaishankar, national security advisor Ajit Doval and other government officials.
The National Medical Commission (NMC), the country's apex medical education regulator, has reintroduced sodomy and lesbianism as unnatural sex offences in its revised curriculum for forensic medicine and toxicology for undergraduate students, PTI has reported. A doctor's desk with a stethoscope. (Representative image)

The regulator has also reinstated topics such as the hymen and its types, its medico-legal importance, definition of virginity and defloration, its legitimacy and medico-legal importance.

These topics were removed from the curriculum in August 2022 following a directive from the Madras high court.

The revised curriculum under forensic and toxicology also includes description of legal competencies including Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), besides Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), civil and criminal cases, inquests (police and magistrate's), and cognisable and non-cognisable offences.

However, there was no place for the seven-hour course on disability.

The syllabus was revised as it was time to have a relook at all aspects of the various components in the existing regulations and guidelines, NMC noted in its Competency-Based Medical Education Curriculum (CBME) Guidelines, 2024.

Also Read | Madras HC judge seeks session with psychologist to understand same-sex relationships

The revision was done also to adapt to the changing demography, socio-economic context, perceptions, values, advancements in medical education, and expectations of stakeholders, the commission added.

It also stated that the undergraduate medical programme was designed to create an Indian Medical Graduate (IMG).

The IMG will possess requisite knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, and responsiveness, to function appropriately and effectively as physician of first contact of the community while being globally relevant, NMC said in the document.

As per the document, such a physician should also have 'requisite skills for promotive, preventative, rehabilitative, palliative care and referral services.'
Several parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, which were devastated by heavy rainfall and floods in the last four days, started returning to normal and relief operations picked up momentum on Tuesday, as the fury subsided and floods receded to a considerable extent. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu interacts with affected people during his visit to the flood-affected areas, in Vijayawada. (PTI)

However, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Hyderabad, sounded a yellow alert indicating that heavy rainfall and thunderstorms were very likely to occur at isolated places in Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Suryapet, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Jangaon districts of Telangana on Wednesday and Thursday.

In Andhra Pradesh, the inflows into Krishna river at Prakasam barrage at Vijayawada, which reached the highest-ever figure of 1.14 million cusecs on Monday, receded substantially and reached 776,000 cusecs by Tuesday evening.

According to official figures, 20 people died in the rain and flood-related incidents in Andhra Pradesh, including an electrician who was washed away in flood waters at Vijayawada, while restoring power supply in the affected areas on Tuesday.

In Telangana, the official toll due to rain-related incidents remained at 16, but opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) disclosed a list of 28 people who died due to heavy rainfall and floods. We are sending the list of the deceased to the government. It can verify the deaths. We demand that the government pay ex gratia to the families of all these deceased, BRS legislator and former minister T Harish Rao said.

Meanwhile, relief operations are going on in full swing in both the Telugu states. According to an official statement from the Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday evening, more than 644,000 people were affected due to floods all over the state. As many as 42,707 people were shifted to 193 relief camps.

In all, 48 rescue teams, including 22 teams of state disaster response force (SDRF) and 26 teams of national disaster response force (NDRF) were deployed. Six choppers  two from Navy and four from Indian Air Force  were pressed into service for airdropping food items and airlifting people stranded in inundated area. Similarly, a total of 228 boats were arranged to evacuate people from inundated areas, the official note said.

Several areas in Vijayawada and villages in the downstream of Krishna river in Krishna district, which were submerged in flood water, began returning to normal, as the rescue teams reached out to people stranded in the flood waters.

Similarly, the fiery Budameru rivulet, which caused heavy submergence of several areas in Vijayawada town, also subsided on Tuesday, but all the submerged areas continued to reel under the flood water for the third consecutive day.

Over 250,000 people got trapped in submerged regions with no power supply and drinking water and remained helpless as they could not venture out in nearly ten feet flood water. The people were forced to spend sleepless nights with no power supply, the official statement said.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu continued to tour the flood-hit areas extensively to personally monitor the relief operations. He interacted with the victims and reassured that the government would extend help to the last household affected by the floods.

It is unfortunate that despite our best efforts, the authorities are not able to reach out to the interior localities to supply food and water in the last two days. Today, we set right system of food distribution by appointing 32 senior IAS officers as in-charges of food distribution and evacuation operations. We are pressing drones to carry food, water and medicines to the interior areas, Naidu told reporters, adding that 500,000 food and water packets were supplied to the flood victims.

In Telanganas Khammam town, which was completely ravaged by the floods to Munneru rivulet, situation returned to normalcy on Tuesday but the people were totally devastated to see their houses and properties being destroyed.

According to an official estimate, more than 600 houses were totally destroyed in the floods, while electric lines were snapped and sewerage lines clogged. Khammam received heaviest-ever rainfall of 430 mm in a single day, leaving such a trail of destruction. The main reason for Munneru rivulet overflowing and submerging the colonies was illegal constructions coming up in its catchment areas over the years, chief minister A Revanth Reddy said on Tuesday.

Similarly, several areas in Mahabubabad and Suryapet districts were also completely ravaged by floods. We could avoid further loss of lives due to timely action by the government, the chief minister claimed.

Meanwhile, chief secretary A Santhi Kumari held a high-level meeting with all the officials and asked them to prepare a comprehensive report on the extent of loss of life and properties due to heavy rains and floods.

Many districts in Telangana are still facing heavy rains. The senior officials should depute teams to the districts to make the ground-level assessment of the situation and submit reports to the state government, she ordered.
Telangana flood live updates: Union Minister Kishan Reddy shared a picture of the restoration work on the Grand Trunk route in Telangana on Wednesday.

Telangana flood highlights: Floodwaters in several areas of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have started receding as both states did not experience any heavy rainfall on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the state governments have intensified relief efforts in the affected regions. Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy visited some of the flooded areas in their respective states....Read More

After visiting flood-affected areas, Revanth Reddy held a review meeting with ministers and officials at the Mahabubabad district Collectorate, directing officials across the state to prepare reports on encroachments on water bodies, such as lakes.

Union minister G Kishan Reddy stated on Tuesday that the floods in Telangana cannot be declared a "national calamity" as requested by the state government. However, he assured that the Centre would offer all possible assistance to the state.

Reddy advised the Telangana government to utilise the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for flood relief efforts and mentioned that additional funds would be allocated by the Union government after central teams assess the damage. The Telangana government has already announced an ex-gratia payment of five lakh for the families of those who died in rain-related incidents.

The Telangana state government has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the area and assess the damage caused by the heavy rains. The government estimates the damage at over 5,000 crore and has asked the Centre for immediate assistance of 2,000 crore, according to Reddy.

In neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has instructed all state officials to enhance their efforts in providing relief and assisting flood victims, particularly in Vijayawada, which has been severely affected by the unprecedented rainfall and flooding.

State Finance Minister P Keshav said that the floodwaters in Vijayawada are gradually receding, although rescue and relief operations are still ongoing. Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority Managing Director R Kurmanadh noted that approximately 60 to 70 of the 100 affected colonies remain waterlogged.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has conducted relief operations in the flood-affected Vijayawada district of Andhra Pradesh. The IAF has deployed six Mi-17 helicopters and two Chetak helicopters to distribute relief supplies in the region.

Additionally, 50,000 kg of relief materials have been delivered to the NTR District of Andhra Pradesh.
Senior Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi, who recently resigned as spokesperson of the Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar-led party, on Wednesday slammed cow vigilantes, describing their actions as unconstitutional. JD (U Leader KC Tyagi. (File)

Tyagi's statement came amid outrage over two incidents of cow-related vigilantism in Haryana, where JD(U) ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in power and faces an election in October.

What they (cow vigilantes) are doing is unconstitutional. It is very much against our Constitution, which gives us the right to liberty. If anyone has an issue, then they should complain in police stations. How can an outfit act like a police force? he said during an interaction with PTI.

Stating that no one should be allowed to take law into their own hands, Tyagi also recalled prime minister Narendra Modi taking a similar line years ago.

In Haryana's Faridabad, a 19-year-old student was fatally shot by cow vigilantes on the Agra-Delhi highway on August 23. It later emerged that the attackers opened fire at the victim's car mistaking it to be occupied by cattle smugglers about whom they had been tipped off.

Five suspects are in police custody for allegedly chasing the car and opening fire at it, resulting in the boy's death.

On August 28, a Muslim worker from West Bengal was lynched in Charkhi Dadri on suspicion of beef consumption. Seven people, including two minor boys, were apprehended by police.

The state's ruling BJP, already facing anti-incumbency having been in power here since 2014, has come under attack from the opposition, with Congress' Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accusing the saffron party of climbing the ladder of power by using hatred as a political weapon.

Muslim body Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind has called the attacks an attempt to create communal mobilisation ahead of the election in Haryana.
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia met Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday amid speculation that they might contest the upcoming Haryana assembly elections, scheduled for October 5, on the party tickets, news agency ANI reported citing sources. They are likely to resign from their current positions, ANI added. Vinesh Phogat along with Wrestler Bajrang Punia met Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday.(PTI)

Earlier, after returning from the Paris Olympics, Vinesh Phogat had met with former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda who said the Congress welcomes anyone who wants to join the party.

Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia also met with Congress general secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal in New Delhi on Wednesday. The ace wrestler retired after being disqualified as she was found overweight ahead of her gold medal bout at the Paris Olympics.

The Bharatiya Janata Party is aiming for a third consecutive term in the the Haryana election, while the Congress seeks to reclaim power from the ruling party.

On Saturday, the Election Commission of India rescheduled the Haryana assembly election, moving the polling date to October 5 from the previously planned October 1.

Vinesh joins farmers' protest at Shambhu border

Vinesh Phogat recently joined farmers at the Shambhu border as their protest for a legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) marked its 200th day on August 31.

When asked if she would run in the elections if Congress nominated her from Haryana, the Indian wrestler responded, I don't want to talk about it. I have come to meet my family members (farmers) and if you spin it, their fight and struggle will be wasted. The focus shouldn't be on me, but on the farming community. I am a sportsperson and a citizen of India; elections are not my concern. My only focus is on the welfare of farmers, she told reporters.

Earlier, former Haryana chief minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda dismissed speculations about Vinesh Phogat joining the Congress, calling it a hypothetical question.

A prominent athlete and supporter of the farmers' movement, Vinesh was honoured by the farmers on Saturday. The past month has been challenging for her, as she reached the final of the women's 50kg event but returned to India without a medal.
Alia Bhatt joined the L'oreal Paris family as the global brand ambassador. She became part of an elite group of international stars, including Kendall Jenner, Camila Cabello, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Elle Fanning, Eva Longoria, Viola Davis, and others, who star in the brand's global campaigns. For the announcement, she embraced both the facets of femininity in her announcement look- one boss lady blazer-trouser look and another diva-like grace and glam in a traditional saree. The glam saree was from Gaurav Gupta Couture. Alia Bhatt's saree from Gaurav Gupta Couture radiated opulence and elegance. (Instagram/@gauravguptaofficial)

ALSO READ: Alia Bhatt calls sasu ma Neetu Kapoor her beauty inspiration always'

Alias saree look

Alia looked regal in the beige saree, which had a glamorous and contemporary twist. The ensemble entailed a sleeveless one-shoulder blouse adorned with intricate golden sequin embellishments. The shimmery golden design of the blouse perfectly complemented the pallu. The sublime embroidery, reminiscent of sparkling sand dunes in the sun, contributed to the outfits seamless, fluid vibe.

The form-fitting saree hugged her curves elegantly and, unlike traditional sarees with structured pleats, this one had loose pleats, that further enhanced the breezy look of the saree. The pallu and the blouse featured all the fine intricacy of Gaurav Gupta Coutures craftsmanship. She styled her hair in her signature shoulder-length loose waves, making her look timelessly youthful. For the accessories, she opted for a dainty ring and ear studs, and finished her look with a dewy, soft natural makeup.

ALSO READ: From Alia Bhatt in Heart of Stone to Deepika in Kalki: Bollywood stars who shot for films even through pregnancy

About her work

Alia Bhatt was last seen in Karan Johars Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in 2023, starring opposite Ranveer Singh for the reel chemistry. Next, she will appear on the silver screen in the movie Jigra on October 11, alongside Archies star Vedang Raina. Reprising her role as an action star like her Hollywood debut in Heart of Stone, she will be seen in the YRF spy universes Alpha, alongside Sharvari Wagh.

ALSO READ: Raha Kapoor naps in mom Alia Bhatt's arms as she arrives in Mumbai after wrapping up Alpha shoot. Watch
Fashion shows have returned to Ukraine with a striking statement: war veterans  both men and women  walking the runway with prosthetic limbs. Ukrainian Fashion Week is being held for the first time since the start of the full-scale war in February 2022, with the headline event on Tuesday in Kyiv featuring these veterans. As attendees applauded the models, dressed by Ukrainian designers Andreas Moskin and Andriy Bilous, news broke that dozens of people were killed in a Russian missile strike at a military training facility and a nearby hospital in Poltava, about 350 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Kyiv. Ukrainian war veterans wearing prosthetics takes to the runway to demonstrate outfit by designers Andreas Moskin and Andriy Bilous during Fashion Week show.(AP)

Ukrainian Fashion Week highlights resilience amid war

Ukrainian war veterans wearing prosthetics takes to the runway to demonstrate outfit by designers Andreas Moskin and Andriy Bilous during Fashion Week show.(AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

We wanted to show that Ukrainian fashion is adapting to society, for people with amputations who survived the war, Bilous told The Associated Press. We are showing that people are unbreakable  without limbs, they can be stylish. They need to be loved, respected, and perceived as an integral part of society. Bilous said that he was happy to present his collection at home for the first time in three years. Fashion shows in London, Berlin, Vienna and other European cities had hosted Ukrainian designs while the Kyiv event remained closed.

A Ukrainian war veteran wearing prosthetic takes to the runway to demonstrate outfit by designers Andreas Moskin and Andriy Bilous.(AP)

As models rotated through a spacious dressing and makeup room, they passed numerous reminders of the war: a series of portraits of service members in uniform who are part of the fashion industry, and a display area of military uniforms placed at the center of the exhibition. A black jacket created by the designer Maria Starchak bears an embroidered design of the Mariupol drama theater, in southern Ukraine, where a large number of civilians were killed in a 2022 Russian airstrike. The site was being used as an air raid shelter.

Models with Prosthetic Limbs Make Powerful Statement

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian fashion house Andreas Moskin during the first Ukrainian Fashion Week.(REUTERS)

Iryna Danylevska, co-founder and CEO of Ukrainian Fashion Week, said that the four-day event was aimed at supporting the local industry and also reminding the world of the human cost of war. We are trying to keep the voice of Ukraine heard constantly in the world, Danylevska told the AP.

If people are tired of the way politicians sound, tired of pictures where houses are destroyed, where soldiers are wounded, then this new information carries a new message, she said. Its a message that this is a country of talented people who are being destroyed just because they want to be Ukrainians. Shouldnt we help them?
Teachers' Day is celebrated around the world, though the dates vary by country. In India, it falls on September 5 to honour Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a distinguished philosopher, scholar of comparative religion and philosophy, and the second President of India. Since ancient times, gurus have held a revered position in Indian culture, with their relationship with disciples marked by profound devotion and respect. On this Teachers' Day, let's take a moment to look back at some of the most celebrated teachers and gurus from Indian mythology whose wisdom and teachings have left a lasting impact. (Also read: Teachers' Day 2024: Why India celebrates it on September 5? History, significance and celebrations ) Explore the profound impact of some of Indian mythology's most revered teachers.(Pinterest)

Dronacharya

He is the most renowned teacher in Indian mythology and a key figure in the epic Mahabharata, known for his exceptional expertise in advanced military tactics and divine weaponry. He instructed both the Kauravas and Pandavas in the art of warfare, with Arjuna being his favoured student.

Parshuram

Lord Parshuram, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu, is known for repeatedly annihilating the Kshatriya caste. He exclusively trained Brahmanas in the art of warfare. Despite being a Kshatriya, Karna, the well-known antagonist of the Mahabharata, sought Parshuram's instruction. Upon discovering Karna's deception, Parshuram cursed him to forget all his skills at the hour of greatest need.

Vishwamitra

He was a sage renowned for his fiery temperament and immense power. As the guru of Lord Rama and his brother Lakshman, he imparted the knowledge of divine weapons to them. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in Lord Rama's marriage to Sita Devi.

Ved Vyas

Sage Ved Vyas is widely recognized as the author of the epic Mahabharata, but he also played a significant role within the story. As the grandfather of both the Pandavas and Kauravas, Ved Vyas offered crucial guidance and advice to key characters during pivotal moments in the epic.

Vasishtha

In Hindu mythology, Sage Vasishtha is celebrated as one of the seven great sages. Renowned for his scholarship and teaching, he composed numerous influential texts during the ancient and medieval periods. He is credited with authoring significant works such as the Vasishtha Dharmasutra, Vasishtha Samhita, Agni Purana, Yoga Vasishtha and Vishnu Purana.

Valmiki

Sage Valmiki, renowned for composing the epic Ramayana, also played a crucial role as the teacher of Lord Rama's twin sons, Lav and Kush. According to legend, after completing the Ramayana, he taught it to the brothers, who later recited it, ensuring the epic's preservation and transmission through generations.

Shukracharya

He was the son of Rishi Bhrigu and a devoted worshiper of Lord Shiva, serving as the Guru of the Asuras. In the Mahabharata, he is depicted as a mentor to Bhishma Pitamah, imparting his knowledge of political science and strategy.

Brihaspati

He is revered as the Guru of the Gods and is mentioned in the Rigveda. Known for his special bow, whose string is referred to as the Rta or cosmic order, he embodies the foundational principles of dharma.
A transwoman from Thailand, seeking revenge on her Japanese ex-boyfriend, tricked 73 of his fellow countrymen out of around 30 million baht, nearly 7.5 crore, over 13 years. The transgender woman, identified as Uthai Nantakhan, was arrested in her condo in Bangkoks Bangkapi neighbourhood on August 4. Amy's heartbreak and betrayal led her to seek revenge through scams.(Pexels)

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), police launched an investigation after a Japanese man visiting Thailand reported that a transgender woman called Amy had conned him out of 15 million baht ( 3.7 crore).

As reported by the Thai media outlet Thaiger, the man claimed that he met Amy in Thailand when she posed as a Hong Kong tourist who had lost her passport and purse.

Also Read: 12 men fall prey to Mumbai dating scam, one pays over 61,000: 'Trap laid through Tinder, Bumble'

The man also mentioned that Amy borrowed money from him to pay for a hotel and they quickly formed an intimate relationship after exchanging contact details. After they started dating, he lent money to her for insurance and medical expenses which she never repaid. Allegedly she even tricked the man into buying gold for her which she exchanged for cash before disappearing.

Amy targeted Japanese victims and cited heartbreak as her motive

After investigation, police discovered that all of Amy's victims were Japanese nationals. Amy claimed she had a Japanese boyfriend who broke up with her years ago and the pain and anguish of it made her turn to a life of crime.

When I was in college, my Japanese boyfriend abandoned me during a trip and left me to pay all the bills. I was heartbroken, she told SCMP.

I was also scammed out of money by another Japanese man I dated before, so I really hate the Japanese and wanted to take revenge on Japanese men Amy added.

Police reports show that Amy scammed 73 Japanese men between 2011 and 2024. In Thailand, people found guilty of fraud can be sentenced to up to three years in prison and fined up to 60,000 baht ( 60 lakh).
Prateek Gupta and Neha Maheshwari moved from Bengaluru to the small European country of Luxembourg in 2020, trading bigger paychecks for superior quality of life. In a conversation with Live Mint, the couple spoke about the perks and the drawbacks of living in Europe vis a vis India. Prateek Gupta and Neha Maheshwari moved to Luxembourg for better quality of life

Prateek is a senior analyst with Amazon, while Neha works as a finance manager for a German real estate company. The NRI couple acknowledges that living in India would have resulted in bigger increments, while they could have earned more by moving to the United States or Dubai.

Continuing in India or moving to the US would have given us more career and earning opportunities. But we wanted to taste the superior quality of life, which Europe offers," Prateek explained to Live Mint. Working class Indians dont come to Europe for more money. We can easily earn 1.5-2 times more if we move to the US or Dubai. Needless to say, net savings would also be higher."

Lower taxes, better services

Prateek and Neha pay about 28% of their income as tax, which is 2-3% less than what they would pay in India. However, even the relatively high 28% does not feel too much, thanks to the range of services they get in return.

We have to mandatorily contribute 3% of our individual incomes towards government-sponsored health insurance. At just 3% cost, healthcare is entirely free for us, barring dental care," Neha revealed.

Another feature of Luxembourg taxation that they appreciate is the unemployment fund, to which they both have to contribute 2% of their respective incomes.

Under this scheme, if someone is fired, the government pays 80% of the last drawn salary for two years or until they find another job," said Neha. Think of it this way: at 5% of my annual income, Im covered for two major emergencies - medical and job loss. We dont have to separately build an emergency fund.

Luxury cars, European holidays

For Neha and Prateek, another advantage of living in Luxembourg is affordable European holidays and being able to afford luxury cars. They own a Mercedes Benz A-class, which cost them around 43,000 euros. Adjusted for Purchasing Power Parity, 43,000 euros equates to about 10.3 lakh. However, a similar car in Bengaluru is actually priced at 55 lakh.

I wouldn't easily buy a luxury car in India priced over 50 lakh, Prateek told Live Mint. But these German luxury cars are priced much lower here in Luxembourg and are easily affordable vis-a-vis my income in euros.

Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) is a method for comparing the value of different currencies by looking at how much a set of goods and services costs in each country. By adjusting for price level differences, it provides a more accurate picture of how far money goes in different countries.

For the same reason, holidays in Europe are also affordable as we spend in the same currency we earn in. Of course, the proximity between different countries also makes it cheaper as we can just drive around," Prateek explained.
Dolly Chaiwala's encounter with Bill Gates became a pivotal moment in his journey to fame. He served tea to the tech mogul in his signature style when the latter visited India to attend the first pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. Since then, Dolly Chaiwala has made appearances at various events across India. And now, a podcast claiming he charges 5 lakh for one such appearance has gone viral. A vlogger from Kuwait claimed this during a conversation with digital creator Taiyab Fakhruddhn. The image shows the Kuwait vlogger who claimed Dolly Chaiwala, who went viral for serving tea to Bill Gates, charges  5 lakh. (Instagram/@brewwithabdu, @dolly_ki_tapri_nagpur)

A vlogger who goes by the name AK Food Vlog, shared his personal experience of inviting Dolly Chaiwala. In the video, the vlogger says Dolly charges 5 lakh per appearance. He also claimed that the tea maker stays in 4 or 5-star hotels.

Because I wanted to call him to Kuwait. But the guy has so many demands and I started just questioning my whole existence. I was like Dude, are you serious?, the vlogger says in the video, adding, He wasnt talking to me, his manager was talking to me. He has a manager.

Take a look at the viral video:

Since being posted, the video has gone viral, with over 21 million viewsand the numbers are only increasing. The share has further prompted people to post varied comments.

What did Instagram users say about this video on Dolly Chaiwala?

Cant really blame him, dude. You just got a million views just by taking his name. Hes just really good at marketing, posted an Instagram user. Another added, Genuine question, why would you invite him to Kuwait? A third joked, He is more famous than you. Who are you?

A few expressed their anger and called the food vlogger elitist. Just like this person who wrote, Classic case of elitist mindset. Had it been somebody slightly different looking or coming from slightly different economical backgrounds, these would be completely fair demands. In fact 4-5 star corporate bookings are quite fair considering he would be travelling all the way from India. And you seriously didn't expect him to come alone did you. ? Do better. Be better. The mic should come with a licence.

Who is Dolly Chaiwala?

A tea seller in Nagpur, he became a social media sensation with videos that capture his quirky tea-making style. His signature style involves wearing a waistcoat with gold chains around his neck while sporting a unique hairstyle. His Instagram page, Dolly Ki Tapri Nagpur, has over 4.2 million followers.

What are your thoughts about this Kuwaiti vloggers comment on Dolly Chaiwala?
The daughter of a Frenchman who is accused of drugging his wife and enlisting strangers to rape her stormed out of the courtroom after it was revealed that he kept her nude photos on his laptop. Caroline Darian, daughter of the accused 71-year-old dad, Dominique Pelicot left the trial in tears after Judge Roger Arata told the court that he kept her pictures in a file reportedly titled Around my daughter, naked. She returned to the hearing after 20 minutes. Caroline Darian and her brother Florian P arrive at the courthouse during the trial of their father, accused of drugging their mother for nearly ten years and inviting strangers to rape her. (AFP)

Talking about 40-year-old Darian, Antoine Camus, one of the familys lawyers said, Caroline had to leave. It was absolutely unbearable for her. Even if they are not hearing anything new it was especially gruelling this morning,

Caroline Darian's book

According to the Times, Darians pictures were captured in 2013 in their family home near Paris. In 2022, after the crimes came to light, she also wrote a book titled And I Stopped Calling You Daddy.

Prior to knowing about her fathers crimes, she thought of him as a loving family man, reported the outlet.

The judge also read extracts from her books during the proceedings. Im convinced I was drugged, but hell never admit it, read a part of the book.

What is the 71-year-old man accused of?

The man is accused of drugging his wife, Gisele Pelicot, at night and inviting strangers he met online to rape her. Besides him, 51 other men were identified and charged with aggravated or attempted rape.

How was his crime discovered?

The wife was unaware of the horrible ordeal she went through for ten years. Reportedly, the first assault took place in 2011, and it continued till 2020. The crimes came to light when Dominique was arrested for filming under a woman's skirt at a shopping mall.

During their investigation, the police found evidence of rape and they informed the wife. According to the authorities 92 sexual assaults took place in 10 years by 72 men.

Reportedly, Dominique showed no emotion during the trial. He didnt even look at his family, said a lawyer. Gisele Pelicot and her three children appeared in court to see her now-estranged husband stand trial.
A man accused of repeatedly drugging and enlisting strangers to rape his wife allegedly also gave them a list of rules to follow. 71-year-old Dominique Pelicot is accused of slipping Lorazepam into his wife, Gisele Pelicots food to knock her out and inviting strangers he met online to assault her. Reportedly, police identified 72 men who committed at least 92 sexual assaultsthe perpetrators are aged between 26 and 74. Demonstrators hold smoke bombs during a protest outside the courthouse during the trial of Dominique Pelicot, accused of drugging his wife, Gisele Pelicot, and inviting strangers to rape her. (AFP)

Strict list of rules

According to the Sun, the husband had rules that the men needed to follow to make sure not to wake up Gisele or raise suspicion while they abused her.

The men were asked not to wear aftershaves or to have cigarette odours, and they were also asked to clip their nails, among other disturbing rules.

The alleged attackers were also instructed to park their cars away from the house and undress in the kitchen to avoid accidentally leaving clothes in the bedroom.

Reportedly, the husband also made the alleged attackers wash their cold hands in warm water to avoid waking Gisele during the assaults.

How were the horrific crimes discovered?

The first sexual assault allegedly started back in 2011 and lasted for about ten years. The crimes came to light when police arrested the husband for filming under womens skirts in 2020. During their investigation, the authorities found evidence of rape and made the wife aware of the abuse she had endured for a decade.

Besides Dominique, 51 men were identified, and most of them were charged with either aggravated or attempted rape.

According to the prosecutors, the husband also took part in the rapes and encouraged other men to use degrading language. He also filmed the heinous acts. Reportedly, no money exchanged hands.

The alleged rapists came from different age groups, professions and backgrounds - including a company boss, a journalist, a fire brigade officer and a forklift driver. While some of them are married, some are single or divorced. A few are also family men.

A voice of bravery:

The victim, 72-year-old Gisele Pelicot, waived her legal right to anonymity. Reportedly, she did this "to raise awareness as widely as possible".

"She could have opted for a closed trial, but that's what her attackers would have wanted. For the first time, she will have to live through the rapes that she endured over 10 years," Gisele's lawyer, Antoine Camus told the outlet. He reminded that she has "no recollection" of the horrible ordeal and only discovered it in 2020.

In terms of her mood, there is already a sense of relief that the trial is public, and that she won't be in court alone over four months with her attackers. So that provides some comfort. She's also preparing herself, she knows her words will be highly scrutinised, and will lead to questioning by the defence. So today she's getting ready, she wants to express herself, and she will take the time to do so when it is asked of her and we expect that to happen quite rapidly this week, another lawyer of hers stated.

20 out of the 51 accused men, including Dominique Pelicot, are held in custody. The others are out on bail.
Internet powerhouse Google turns 26 today. Founded on September 4, 1998, by Stanford PhD students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, it revolutionised how we access and communicate information. What started as a small business in a garage has grown into one of the most influential tech companies in the world, impacting almost every aspect of modern life. Google's first office was in Susan Wojcicki's Menlo Park garage.(https://blog.google/)

From its humble beginnings in the garage of Susan Wojcicki - the former CEO of YouTube who died last month after battling cancer - Google has grown into a giant, controlling more than 90 per cent of the global search engine market. Wojcicki rented her garage to Page and Brin for $1,700 a month and joined Google, now known as Alphabet, as its marketing manager in 1999.

Today, it is hard to imagine a day without "Googling" something, as the companys name has become synonymous with online searches.

(Also Read: Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki dies after cancer battle, Sundar Pichai leads tribute)

Google's humble beginnings in a California garage

Like many Silicon Valley success stories, Google started in a small garage in Menlo Park, California. Both Page and Brin were fascinated by information retrieval and decided to build a search engine that was better at organising web data than anything else at the time. This new venture quickly gained attention, attracting investors and technology enthusiasts.

Within a year, the company moved to Mountain View, California, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Google's impact on the internet

Over the past 26 years, Google has grown into a tech behemoth, expanding far beyond its original search engine. From email services like Gmail to cloud computing and the Android operating system, the company has transformed how we use the internet. Googles innovations include advancements in artificial intelligence, advertising, and much more.

(Also Read: Sundar Pichai gives a sneak peek into Googles 25th birthday party)
A female prison officer who earlier created controversy after having sex with an inmate on camera made headlines again and for all the wrong reasons. This time, she was seen showing off her ankle tag while calling it very demure and very cutesy. She quoted the viral TikTok trend while recording a video during a party at a daytime club. 30-year-old Linda De Sousa Abreu, who was caught having sex with a prisoner, shows off her ankle tag. (Screengrab)

30-year-old Linda De Sousa Abreu was caught with serial burglar Linton Weirich in his cell. Following the scandal, she pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office act at Isleworth Crown Court. Police launched an investigation against her after a video of her having sex went viral on social media.

What caused the recent controversy?

In the recent controversial video, De Sousa is stroking her tag with her foot up on a table. She is also heard saying, "Very mindful, very cutesy, very demure."

In conversation with the Sun, a source stated Its disgusting she has no shame, adding, She is laughing her head off and looks happy she has a tag to show off.

The source further told the outlet, She disgraced herself in a public office and now she has no care whatsoever for the punishment. The person added, Clearly if she thinks her ankle tag is like a piece of jewellery, she didnt think it was a big deal."

De Sousa is subjected to strict bail conditions, including leaving her Portuguese passport in police possession. She cannot apply for international travel documents or enter any UK travel ports.

During De Sousas hearing at Isleworth Crown Court, Judge Martin Edmunds also clarified that she was under an electronically monitored curfew between 7 pm and 9 am each day.
A massive 11-foot cobra was caught roaming in an Odisha home. Once the snake was sighted, officials were called to rescue it and send it back to the wildlife. A video showcasing the huge snake has gone viral on social media. Odisha: The officials were seen carrying the massive cobra out of the house. (X/@ANI)

As per ANI, the 11-ft long king cobra snake was rescued from a house in Bangra village and was later released into the Dukra wildlife range, in Mayurbhanj. The short video of the snake shows the officials carrying the snake out of the house and tying it up to carefully transport it.

Range officer, Pithabata Range, Baripada forest division, Srikanta Mohanty told ANI, "The snake was 11 ft long and weighed 6.7 kgs. After examination by a local veterinarian, the snake was released into its natural habitat today morning. The snake had entered the house while chasing a monitor lizard as per the man whose house the snake had entered." (Also Read: Man catches huge king cobra with bare hands. Dramatic rescue captured on camera)

Watch the video here:

Earlier, a gigantic 12-foot king cobra thatscared residents of Agumbe hamlet in Karnataka was rescued. Agumbe Rainforest Research Station (ARRS) field director Ajay Giri posted a video of the rescue on Instagram.

According to Giri, the 12-foot snake was disturbed by some onlookers while it was crossing a road. It sought safety in a bush within a home's compound. Concerned, the homeowners called the forest department, which then notified ARRS of the problem after discovering that a highly dangerous snake was inside their private property. ARRS personnel acted quickly and raced to the scene after realising that the scenario posed a risk to both the occupants and the snake. (Also Read: Heart-stopping video shows huge cobra emerging from toilet in Indore)

Owner of the house and neighbours got worried and informed in-charge forest department officials. ARRS was informed about the situation. Over the call we instructed locals about dos and donts and rushed to the location, said the field director of the research station in his Instagram post.
The recent floods in Gujarat have caused widespread devastation. Social media platforms have been flooded with videos documenting the extent of the damage. Amidst these heartbreaking scenes, a heartwarming moment has emerged that has captured the hearts of many. A viral video shows an elderly dog being rescued from the floodwaters on a makeshift cot by brave individuals wading through deep water. The video, shared on Instagram, has garnered widespread attention. Rescue of an elderly dog in Gujarat floods goes viral.(Screengrab/Instagram@ weareyuvaa)

The video shows houses submerged in the flood and residents carrying a dog on a cot. This video was shared with the caption, An elderly dog was stranded in the Vadodara floods, but the whole community united to rescue it safely.

The video from Gujarat went viral, and people started praising the residents, saying that humanity is still alive.

This wholesome act of compassion and love is truly inspiringa strong reminder to never leave anyone behind in times of need the caption further added.

Take a look at the video here:

Here's how people reacted to the post:

Reacting to the viral video an Instagram user, Reshma Sengupta, commented, "This makes you believe in humanity once again! God bless these people".

A second user, shubhamthatmatters, commented, "Same planet where humanity is doubted every now and then".

Another user, adv.rhythm_sheel_srivastava praising the efforts of the residents commented, "I wish you all succeed the best in your life".

This video was posted on September 3 and since then it has gained more than 13,000 likes and 200 comments.

In the latest spell of rain, Gujarat has received 105 percent of its average annual rainfall within a few days. At least 28 people have died and thousands have been displaced due to the floods. After the recent heavy rains and severe flooding in Gujarat, the state government has started relief and cleanup efforts in different areas.
In 1997, a cargo ship called the Tokio Express was on its way to New York when it was hit by a rogue wave. The ship almost capsized, plunging all 62 of its shipping containers into the sea. One of them contained nearly 5 million Lego pieces that disappeared into the water, leading to one of the most bizarre environmental disasters of our time. Two Lego dragons that plunged into the sea in 1997(Instagram/@legolostatsea)

Nearly 27 years after what has become known as the Great Lego Spill of 1997, Lego pieces are being found across the beaches of Europe today.

The Lego pieces that plunged into the sea contained 79,680 spear guns, 33,427 black dragons, 50,000 brooms and 97,500 scuba tanks, among other things. Some of these toys are easier to find than others - for example, there were only 514 green dragons in the container, and collectors consider them a prized find today. A black octopus is also something of a holy grail for Lego enthusiasts. On the other hand, black Lego dragons are more common.

Documenting the washed-up Lego pieces

Cornwall resident Tracey Williams has been documenting the Lego finds since 2010, according to the New York Times. The very first time I went to the beach, I found a bit of Lego from the spill, and I thought that was quite astonishing, she said.

Williams, the author of Adrift: The Curious Tale of the Lego Lost at Sea, also runs Facebook and Instagram pages on Lego pieces that are still being discovered 27 years after the Great Lego Spill.

In her book, she writes: Over the years, ocean currents have swept the Lego vast distances  its been found in the Channel Islands, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Some oceanographers believe it could have drifted all the way round the world. Most of the Lego from the spill has never been found, however, and is thought to be lying on the seabed.

Over the years, people have found colourful Lego dragons, birds, swords and more. For some beachgoers, finding a Lego piece washed ashore has become something of a quest. Finding a toy piece in the sand is an occasion for joy, but finding a rarer Lego piece - like a green dragon - is considered a momentous thing.

The environmental effect

While finding an unexpected Lego can spark joy, the spill has greater environmental consequences that are not discussed as widely.

A spokesperson for the Lego Group said the company didnt ever want Lego bricks to end up in the sea and called the Great Lego Spill an unfortunate accident.

We are serious about our role in helping to look after the planet, the spokesperson said. We have an ambitious sustainability strategy that aims to leave a positive impact for future generations, according to the New York Times.
A 70-year-old man in Florida died on the operating table due to a grievous surgical error, as reported by the New York Post. William Bryan, who was visiting his rental property with his wife, experienced sudden lower left abdominal pain. In a medical error, a patient has died after a surgeon removed the wrong organ during a procedure at a hospital in the United States.(Unsplash)

The couple reportedly sought medical attention at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Florida, where Bryan was admitted for tests for an abnormality of the spleen. The medical team, led by General Surgeon Dr Thomas Shaknovsky Chief Medical Officer Dr Christopher Bacani, recommended surgery. Despite initial reluctance, Bryan consented to a hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy in August, believing it would address his symptoms. However, the procedure had a disastrous outcome.

Surgical error and attempted cover-up

During the operation, Dr Shaknovsky mistakenly removed Bryans liver instead of his spleen, causing catastrophic blood loss and Bryan's subsequent death. The surgeons reportedly attempted to cover up the error by labeling the removed liver as an "enlarged spleen," according to a statement from the law firm representing Bryan's wife, Beverly.

A post from Zarzaur Law on Facebook details that Dr Shaknovsky cut through major blood vessels while removing Bryan's liver, leading to immediate fatal hemorrhage. The law firm further alleges that the surgeons misled the mans family by claiming that the spleen was severely diseased and had migrated across his body. They also suggested that Bryan's actual spleen was still in place with a small cyst on its surface.

(Also Read: Doctor removes patients lung tumor while operating machine from 5,000 km away. Video surfaces)

History and legal action

Dr Shaknovsky has faced scrutiny before; the law firm revealed that he was involved in a "wrong-site surgery" incident in 2023 where he mistakenly removed part of a patient's pancreas instead of the intended adrenal gland.

Beverly Bryan has retained legal counsel to seek justice for her husband's death. In a statement, she expressed her grief and frustration, demanding that the doctor be held accountable and that he no longer practice medicine. She is pursuing both civil and criminal actions related to her husband's death.

Hospital response and investigation

Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital has stated that it is investigating the incident. North Walton Doctor's Hospital, which had previously been associated with the doctor, has since disassociated from him (and removed all references to him from its website).

The New York Post also noted that a small cystinitially thought to be the cause of Bryan's painwas later found on his spleen.
A woman was arrested in Greece after it was discovered that she intentionally started two wildfires. Reportedly, she did it to watch the firefighters who would come to handle the dangerous situation and also to flirt with them. This outrageous incident led to her arrest and eventual sentencing. The incident of a woman starting wildfires to talk to firefighters occurred in Tripoli, Greece. (Unsplash/Michael Held, Matt C)

Statement by the fire department:

The fire department issued a statement about the womans arrest by the Police Department of Tripoli. A Greek citizen, who is responsible for causing two fires on farmland, intentionally and repeatedly (on August 24th and 25th), in the area of Kerasitsa, in the Municipality of Tripoli in Arcadia, the department said.

According to the statement, the woman did it because she enjoyed watching firefighters and flirting with them.

How did the police identify the woman as the perpetrator?

According to local media, the woman was seen at both fire sites, which raised suspicion. Eventually, after further investigation, they discovered the truth.

A 44-year-old woman in Greece has reportedly started two wildfires because she enjoyed watching firefighters and flirting with them. The unnamed woman received a three-year suspended prison sentence, Dailmail wrote and shared a video of the incident.

Take a look at the video here:

Since being shared, the video has prompted people to post varied comments, with many urging the authorities for strict sentencing.

What did Instagram users say about this incident?

Put her in jail for at least 20 years, wrote an angry social media user. Echoing a similar sentiment, another added, A slap on the hand, there are no consequences to putting these brave heroes in danger intentionally.

A third posted, That woman deserved to go to jail for doing that. A fourth expressed, 3 years for what can kill people?

Similar incidents

Earlier, a 51-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing three fires on farmland. He repeatedly and intentionally started the fires, which landed him in trouble with the authorities and a fine of $1,550.

In Greece, even accidentally starting a wildfire is a criminal act. This is imposed because even the smallest flare can quickly spin out of control and turn into a disaster. Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection of Greece Vassilis Kikilias said, The law is now stricter than ever, and negligence constitutes a criminal act.

What are your thoughts on this incident and the sentence that the woman received for starting the wildfire?
JUST BEFORE Donald Trump became the Republican nominee for president, the party published its foreign-policy goals: Prevent world war three, restore peace in Europe and in the Middle East, and build a great Iron Dome missile-defence shield over our entire country. The last of those promises has become a staple of the Trump campaign. In his speech accepting the nomination, he promised that an American missile shield will ensure no enemy can strike our homeland, adding that it would be built entirely in the USA. FILE - The Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept an attack from Lebanon over the Galilee region as seen from the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, File)(AP)

In an era of wars, weapons proliferation and nuclear threats, missile defence is back in political fashion more than at any time since Ronald Reagans pursuit of space-based systems in the 1980s. It is not just MAGA politicians who are keen. Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, recently promised a European Air Shield.

The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have been terrifying testing grounds for new types of projectilesfrom small drones to long-range hypersonic missilesand for the technologies which knock them out of the sky. As this article was published, Israel, backed by its allies, stood ready to try to counter another possible large-scale aerial attack by Iran, following its firing of 300-odd projectiles at Israel in April. On August 10th and 11th Russia struck Ukraine yet again, using North Korean missiles and Iranian-designed drones.

Missile defences have been put to the test and have acquitted themselves well, bolstering those who would like to build more ambitious shields. But missiles are evolving, becoming more manoeuvrable and harder to track. China is in the midst of a huge missile build-up and proliferation is putting weapons that were once the preserve of countries into the hands of non-state actors, such as Houthi rebels in Yemen. All this means a new generation of sensors and interceptors will be needed, with an enormous price tag.

Start with the basics. The language of domes and shields suggests that one system can parry all aerial threats. In fact air and missile defence consists of interlocking pieces. Sensors, typically radars, detect targets, such as drones and missiles. Data are crunched by computers to work out which projectiles are headed where. The results are fed to guns or interceptor missiles, usually on the ground, or more rarely aboard planes, which then attempt to neutralise the threat, usually by colliding with it or exploding near it.

Each piece plays a distinct role. An anti-drone gun cannot take down a ballistic missile; an interceptor designed to destroy nuclear-armed intercontinental-range ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in space would not tackle a piddling drone. Defences are thus layered on top of one another to cope with threats of different range, speed and trajectory.

Interpreted narrowly, the idea of an Iron Dome over America doesnt make much sense. That Israeli system intercepts small short-range rockets fired by militants in Gaza and Lebanon. It has little relevance to America (unless Wisconsin plans on rocketingChicago, says Jeffrey Lewis, an expert). America does deploy so-called point defences at key areasone such system, which can intercept planes and cruise missiles from a range of 40km or so, has guarded Washington, DC, for almost 20 years.

What Mr Trump is probably endorsing is the more ambitious task of detecting and intercepting nuclear-armed ICBMs fired at America. This is daunting. The missile is vulnerable in its slow boost phase after take-off, but that requires a fast response on enemy territory. It is easier to hit midcourse but by then it has cooled down as it hurtles through space without boosters, making it hard to track with infra-red sensors. Intercepting the warhead on its final approach is tricky because of its speed, of some 7km per second.

Counter-ICBM defence has been a controversial endeavour. After George W. Bush abrogated the US-Soviet Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty of 1972, America spent more than $67bn on the ground-based midcourse defence (GMD) system, which depends on 64 interceptor missiles in Alaska and California, guided by large radars on land, at sea, on destroyers and a repurposed oil platform, and sensors in space. This system is supposed to protect against countries with small arsenals of nuclear weapons. Top of the list is North Korea which, in 2017, tested a missile capable of reaching all major American cities. Critics argue that the scheme is unworkablenine out of 21 intercept tests since 1999 have failedand that it has encouraged an arms race with Russia and China, who say it undermines their own deterrents and gives them an incentive to build more and different missiles to get around it.

Advocates retort that the four most recent GMD tests, the last of which was in December, have been successes. Indeed some would like to take it further. Bob Peters of the Heritage Foundation, a pro-Trump think-tank, argues that Russia or China might consider firing a dozen or so low-yield nuclear weapons against military targets in the continental United States during a war, on the assumption America would be deterred from retaliating on a large scale for fear of inviting further strikes against American cities. Mr Peters reckons that America should thus build defences that could take out upwards of 100 inbound threats, the idea being that adversaries would have to fire many more than that to get some througha far riskier gambit. This idea is horrifying to most arms-control advocates.

Only America has the resources to seriously consider this sort of shield. Most missile defence is about more modest threats and largely non-nuclear ones: conventional missiles fired over hundreds of kilometres, rather than nuclear ones fired over oceans. Recent wars offer encouraging evidence. Last year Israel conducted the first-ever interceptions of Iranian ballistic missiles, fired from Yemen, using its Arrow 2 and 3 systems, which handle long-range threats. The latter was the first wartime interception ever made in space. On April 13th Israel, America and other allies shot down 99% of the 550-plus projectiles fired by Iran and Hizbullah in a single night, the largest missile barrage in history, according to Israels armed forces.

The record in Ukraine, which has been running dangerously short of interceptors, is spottier. Between May and October 2023 Ukraine shot down 73% of Russian missiles, according to the Wall Street Journal. In the subsequent six months that fell to 46%. But Ukraine claims that American-made Patriot batteries have shot down 40% of the advanced air-launched Kinzhal missiles fired by Russia which, if true, would be impressive. Countries often exaggerate the success of their defences. But what is not in doubt is that Patriot and its European ilk have averted heavy casualties and considerable damage. In Israel, thousands of lives have been saved, estimates Moshe Patel of Israels Missile Defence Organisation.

The problem is that the defenders task is becoming harder. Precision guidance, which was rare in the 2000s, is ubiquitous. The Scuds fired by Iran and Iraq in the 1980s, or by Iraq against Israel in the 1990s, were inaccurate terror weapons, good only for hitting cities. The weapons fired by Iran and its militia allies today have pinpoint accuracy. More of them have to be intercepted than would have been the case a decade ago, because more would otherwise hit their target. That risks exhausting interceptor batteries more quickly.

The second issue is that missiles trajectories are also changing. In the past, missiles broadly came in two flavours. Cruise missilesin essence, disposable aircraftwere manoeuvrable and tended to fly close to the ground, making them harder to track on radar, but also slower, because they flew through denser air. Ballistic missiles flew predictable parabolic trajectories, up and down, fast and high, making them easier to spot earlier. The complication, note Jack Watling and Sidharth Kaushal of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a think-tank, is the appearance of weapons which blur these categoriesin some cases precisely because Americas adversaries wanted to confound its defences.

Some things are now fast but also low and erratic: new so-called aeroballistic missiles, like the Kinzhal and North Koreas KN-24, are designed to spend more time within the atmosphere after re-entering it and can jink around during flight. A new generation of hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs), like Chinas DF-ZF, are lofted on rockets but then skim through the atmosphere like cruise missiles. Small suicide drones pose a serious challenge to radars that were designed for bigger and faster aerial threats.

Old threats, too, are returning. China has tested a Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS), essentially a nuclear-armed satellite that plunges to Earth before completing a full orbit, a weapon last operated by the Soviet Union in 1983. And all these are combining in complex ways: Future threats will include missile-drone combinations, spaceplanes, aeroballistic missiles, and other hybrids that strain simple categorisation, argue Tom Karako and Masao Dahlgren of the CSIS think-tank. Israel appears to have used small quadcopters to distract Iranian air defences in April before it used a sophisticated air-launched ballistic missile to take out a radar.

The challenge is not only to intercept all these things, but to do so economically. In the 1980s Paul Nitze, Reagans arms-control negotiator, set out what is now called the Nitze criterion: that a missile-defence system must be cost effective at the margin, so that an adversary could not simply overwhelm any defences with far cheaper missiles. Today the ratio is frequently unfavourable: Ukraine, at home, and America, in the Red Sea, have both had to devote expensive interceptors to take out cheaper Iranian-made drones.

Advocates of missile defence bristle at this sort of comparison. They argue that any calculation must also factor in the cost of failing to intercept the missile: the loss of critical infrastructure in Ukraine, or the disruption to shipping in the Red Sea. On April 14th, the day after Irans barrage, notes Mr Patel, the stock exchange in Israel continued to work and people went to work on that day. Nonetheless the expense involved is formidable. Mr Karako has estimated that building layered defences for Guam, a strategically important American island in the Pacific Ocean which is just over 500 square kilometres, against Chinese missile attack would probably cost roughly $5bn.

Even when it is possible to use cheaper systems, that often entails running more risk. Wes Rumbaugh of CSIS points to the example of the USS Gravelys destruction of an Iranian-made anti-ship cruise missile in the Red Sea in January. The ship used 20mm bullets fired from its Phalanx cannoncheap as chips. But they could only engage the threat once it was dangerously close, within 2km of the $2.5bn ship. The encouraging news is that the cost of many interceptors is coming down. Between 2018 and 2023, notes Mr Rumbaugh, the cost of the navy SM-6 missileswhich were first used in combat in the Red Sea against Houthi drones in Decemberfell every year in real terms. The use of lasers to intercept threats at the speed of light without expending any ammunition at all is promising, too.

More or cheaper interceptors are not the only issue, though. Missile defence is fundamentally a sensing problem, argues Mr Dahlgren. It is impossible to shoot down what you cannot track. But the same technological leaps which are helping missile-makers are also helping the defenders. Hypersonic gliders, for instance, are harder to spot both because they fly lower and, during their glide phase, lack bright rocket plumes. One answer is to take advantage of falling space-launch costs to place lots of sensors in orbit. Infra-red sensors, which are getting steadily better, might spot the glider heating up from air resistance; radio-frequency sensors might detect the charged plasma created as the glider cuts through the air. It is also getting easier to crunch the data produced by sensors, says Mr Dahlgren, giving the example of how the North Warning System, a set of American and Canadian radars, has been souped up with artificial intelligence. Amassing data through international co-operation, such as that between Israel and its Arab partners, will become important.

Despite the bullishness of Mr Trump and other politicians, no missile shield will ever be impermeable. The success that they have enjoyed with short- and medium-range missiles in Ukraine and Israel does not automatically translate into success against ICBMs. As missiles get cheaper, more accurate and distributed to smaller countries and armed groups, the threat will continue to grow. Countries will find that, like Ukraine, they will be forced, in wartime, to choose between protecting their civilian population, critical infrastructure, military bases and frontline troops. What is certain is that the race between missile and the interceptor is entering a new and more uncertain era.

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Toronto: The Government of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was left teetering on Wednesday as the New Democratic Party (NDP) withdrew from the agreement to support it that was entered into in March 2022. Justin Trudeau (left) and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh take part in the federal election English-language Leaders debate in Gatineau, Canada, on September 9, 2021. (REUTERS)

In a video message, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said he had notified Trudeau that he had ripped up the Supply and Confidence Agreement.

That will return Trudeaus ruling Liberal Party government to minority status as the next session of the House of Commons is scheduled to begin later this month. The opposition Conservatives have signalled they plan to bring forth a no-confidence motion against the government. The next federal election is scheduled for October 2025, but the loss of confidence in the House could precipitate mid-term polls.

A release from the NDP said the party is ready for an election, and voting non-confidence will be on the table with each and every confidence measure.

Trudeau was already facing political pressure to survive as PM. According to a survey released on Wednesday, the Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, hold a 22-point advantage over the Liberals, at 43% against 21%. The NDP has suffered due to its support for Trudeau, as the pollster Angus Reid Institute stated, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has seen his own personal popularity suffer in the past two years  perhaps by association with the unpopular Trudeau through the supply-and-confidence agreement signed by the NDP and Liberals in 2022. Favourability of Singh has declined across all demographics and 10 points overall.

Canadians are fighting a battle. A battle for the future of the middle class. Justin Trudeau has proven again and again he will always cave to corporate greed. The Liberals have let people down. They dont deserve another chance from Canadians, Singh said in the message.

The Liberals have 158 seats in the 338-member House and with the NDPs 25 MPs, enjoyed a comfortable majority. But that will no longer be the case when the House reconvenes on September 16.
Toronto: The Indian government has sent a formal notice to the secessionist outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) that the ban upon it is being extended by five years, asking it to respond within a period of 30 days. The letter sent from the High Commission of India late last month to SFJ (Supplied photo)

The registered letter, sent from Indias High Commission in Ottawa, was received at SFJs office address in Toronto on August 29. After receiving the letter, SFJs general counsel Gurpatwant Pannun wrote to Canadas Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc and Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly urging them to aptly respond to Indias extra territorial move against a Canadian organisation and interference in Canadas internal affairs.

The letter signed by Jitendra Pratap Singh, Registrar of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal, said that the central government in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) and (3) of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act had extended the declaration of SFJ as an unlawful association for a further period of five years from the 10th day of July 2024.

It cited a Gazette notification wherein the government constituted a Tribunal comprising Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, Judge of the Delhi High Court of Delhi, for the purpose of adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for extending the declaration.

It sought a response within 30 days of service of the notice why SFJ should not be declared as unlawful and why order should not be made confirming the declaration made in the above-mentioned Notification. It said objections/written statement may be filed/delivered within 30 days and SFJs representatives may appear before the Tribunal on September 26 at 2.30 pm, or appearance could be made through duly authorized and instructed Counsel/Advocate. The letter was sent as required by Indian legal provision and the decision of the Government was conveyed to SFJ, a person familiar with the matter said.

Pannun said that to his knowledge a similar letter was not received in the United States and did not recall getting one in 2019, when SFJ was first proscribed under the Act.

In its letter to the Canadian Ministers, SFJs cited the killing of the head of its Canadian chapter of the so-called Khalistan Referendum Hardeep Singh Nijjar on July 18 last year.

It also mentioned Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus statement in the House of Commons three months later that there were credible allegations of a potential link between Indian agents and the killing.

Describing the UAPA as draconian, it said the letter was a direct challenge to the sovereignty of Canada and attempting to silence and intimidate a Canadian organisation in Canada.

India continues to described the charges made by Trudeau as absurd and motivated.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel must keep open-ended control of Gazas border with Egypt, digging in on his stance on an issue that has threatened to derail cease-fire efforts. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands before a map showing the Gaza Strip, during a press conference for the international media at the Government Press office in Jerusalem. ABIR SULTAN/Pool via REUTERS

Netanyahus comments came as the United States is developing a new proposal for a cease-fire and hostage release, hoping to break a long deadlock and bring an end to the nearly 11-month-old war.

The question of Israeli control of the Philadelphi corridor - a narrow strip of land along Gazas border with Egypt, seized by troops in May - has become a central obstacle in the talks. Hamas has demanded an eventual full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in the multi-phase truce deal.

ALSO READ- Israel agrees 'humanitarian pauses' in Gaza for polio vaccinations

Egypt, a mediator in the talks along with the U.S. and Qatar, has also demanded a concrete timeline for Israeli troops to leave the Philadelphi corridor. And on Wednesday, the United Arab Emirates, which established formal ties with Israel in the 2020 Abraham Accords, also criticized the Israeli stance.

Speaking to foreign journalists, Netanyahu repeated his stance that Israel must maintain its hold on the border to prevent Hamas from rearming by smuggling weapons into Gaza. He said it was a vital part of the war goal of ensuring Hamas cannot repeat its Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Gaza must be demilitarized, and this can only happen if the Philadelphi corridor remains under firm control, he said, claiming Israeli troops had discovered dozens of tunnels under the border.

He said Israel would only consider withdrawing from the corridor when presented with an alternative force to police it.

Bring me anyone who will actually show us  that they can actually prevent the recurrence of smuggling, he said. I dont see that happening right now. And until that happens, were there.

ALSO READ- Exclusive | US alone wont broker peace, regional parties must step up: Ex-Egypt FM Fahmy on Israel-Hamas truce deal

Families of remaining hostages have stepped up their demands that he agree to a deal after Hamas killed six hostages last week as Israeli troops appeared to be moving to rescue them. In angry public statements, hostage families have accused Netanyahu of blocking a deal and potentially sacrificing their loved ones lives for the sake of holding the border strip. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets in recent days, calling for a deal and saying time is running out to bring home the hostages alive.

Netanyahu pushed back against the pressure, saying his stance was necessary to ensure Hamas doesnt pose a threat to Israel.

I can understand the torment of families, he said. But the responsibility of leaders is not merely to share the sentiment, the emotion, but also to exercise judgment.

ALSO READ- Israel accepts ceasefire deal, next step for Hamas to say yes: Blinken

Asked by journalists for a timeline on ending the war, he refused to give one. How long can we do this? As long as it takes to achieve this victory. And I think were getting a lot closer, he said.

Netanyahu repeatedly insisted holding the border would also pressure Hamas to release hostages. At one point, he erroneously claimed the invasion of Rafah in May forced Hamas first release of hostages  which took place months earlier in November under a weeklong ceasefire deal. He then said the deal was the result of our invasion, the military pressure we put on them.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may have ordered around 30 government officials to be executed for failing to prevent the deaths of over a thousand people in recent flooding, the South Korean media reported. The heavy rain and landslides that struck Chagang Province caused numerous deaths, injuries, and left many homeless. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attending a consultative meeting.(AFP file)

North Korean Authorities vowed to take severe action against those who, it is alleged, could have done more to prevent the casualties, Chosun TV reported.

Chosun TV citing a North Korean official reported that those responsible for the unacceptable loss of life will face strict punishment. The report also mentioned that 20 to 30 officials from the flood-affected area were executed simultaneously late last month.

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HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the claim.

Due to North Korea's extreme secrecy, details are hard to confirm, but the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim Jong Un ordered authorities to strictly punish officials following the devastating floods that struck Chagang Province, near the border with China, in July.

In an emergency Politiburo meeting presided in Sinuiju, leader Kim Jong Un asked authorities to strictly punish those who he said neglected their responsibilities for disaster prevention and caused even the casualty that can not be allowed, according to KCNA.

Also Read | North Korea to reopen borders for western tourists after nearly five years of pandemic shutdown

Investigations into the actions of the dismissed Chagang Province Party secretary Kang Bong-hoon are ongoing. Kang, who also served as a former deputy director of the Munitions Industry Department, was known to have accompanied Kim Jong-un during on-site inspections, the report claimed.

The northwestern province was hit by severe floods in July, leaving thousands of residents homeless and resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.

South Korean media suggested that the death toll from the floods could exceed 1,000. North Korean state media reported that the heavy rain flooded 4,100 houses, 7,410 acres of agricultural land, and many public buildings, structures, roads, and railways in the northwestern city of Sinuiju and the neighboring town of Uiju.
Pope Francis commended Indonesians on Wednesday for prioritising large families, contrasting their choice with a growing trend in other countries where people are opting to have pets instead of children. Pope Francis interacts with young people of Scholas Occurrentes at Grha Pemuda Youth Centre in Jakarta on September 4, 2024. (AFP)

Speaking in Jakarta alongside Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, the 87-year-old pontiff praised the nation's family values and said, And your country...has families with three, four or five children that keep moving forward, and this is reflected in the age levels of the country.

Also Read | Pope Francis faces massive backlash for appeasing globalists with grave sin remarks on migrants: 'The Vatican is'

He also noted a worrying trend in other parts of the world, where people increasingly opt for pets over children.

"Keep it up, you're an example for everyone, for all the countries that maybe, and this might sound funny, (where) these families prefer to have a cat or a little dog instead of a child," Francis added, turning to Widodo with a chuckle.

While Indonesia has a higher birth rate than many Western nations, it has seen a decline in fertility rates in recent years.

Also Read | Pope Francis warns against legalising drugs, denounces drug traffickers

This theme of dwindling birth rates and the preference for pets over children, particularly in Europe, is one that Pope Francis has touched on before, where he has warned of homes "filled with objects and emptied of children."

"There is no shortage of little dogs, cats, these are not lacking. There is a lack of children," he said on one occasion.

Pope Francis on Southeast Asia tour

The 87-year-old pontiff, despite health challenges, maintained a busy schedule during the first leg of his 11-day tour of Southeast Asia and Oceania, which will take him to four nations.

Pope Francis praised Indonesias ability to maintain a magnificent mosaic of cultural and religious diversity but warned that this balance must be actively defended.

The visit comes at a time when Indonesia has faced episodes of religious violence, including a 2021 suicide bombing outside a Catholic cathedral. Amnesty International expressed hope that Francis' visit would help curb such acts of intolerance and strengthen religious freedom in the country.
Prince Harry reportedly has no interest to return to the United Kingdom as he is enjoying new sets of amazing friends in the United States. Prince Harry 'rubbing salt in the wounds' of Royal Family. (Photo by Frazer Harrison / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

The Duke and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped down as a senior working member of the Royal Family in 2020 and moved to California, US. Sources close to Harry suggest that he is content with his life in Montecito, California, and is not contemplating a return to royal duties.

King Charles III's younger son's relationship with the Royal Family has been strained, particularly due to his bombshell revelation about the Royals through several high-profile interviews, including a notable conversation with Oprah Winfrey, and has shared his experiences in the tell-all Netflix docu-series and his memoir Spare.

ALSO READ| Prince Harry's surprise visit to UK left many attendees astounded and pleased

Harry's UK return unlikely due to William's deep betrayal feelings

While King Charles is believed to be open to reconciliation, especially after meeting with Harry following his cancer diagnosis, Prince William is said to be less forgiving. According to insiders, difficult William feels deeply betrayed by his brother's actions and is not supportive of the idea of Harry resuming any royal duties, so it's more or less unlikely that Harry will return to the UK, at least in the near future.

Speculation surrounding the Duke of Sussexes' potential return has been further fueled by the upcoming paperback release of his best-selling memoir Spare. However, sources have told The Telegraph that Harry's decision not to include new material or controversial content in the paperback edition is a deliberate choice to avoid further scrutiny and protect the Royal Family from additional backlash.

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Michael Cole, a former BBC royal correspondent, recently weighed in on the situation. He told GB News, According to pals in Britain, he wants to improve his image on this side of the Atlantic so that he can come here more often. Apparently, he even has thoughts of performing minor royal duties.

I think the chances of that are between slim and none. It apparently seems to be his purpose. He has got friends over here. Maybe he renewed his acquaintance with them when he went to his uncles funeral, he added.
Four Indians have reportedly died in a crash involving five vehicles in Texas. The victims, who had connected through a carpooling app, were going to Bentonville in Arkansas last week when the incident took place. Their bodies were charred after the crash led to a fire in the SUV they were in. 4 Indians dead in fiery Texas crash involving 5 vehicles (Pixabay - representational image)

The collision to place just past White Street at around 3:30 pm on Friday, August 31, according to the Collin County Sheriffs Office.

Who were the victims?

The victims have been identified as Aryan Raghunath Orampati, Farooq Shaik, Lokesh Palacharla, and Darshini Vasudevan, according to NDTV. While Orampati and his friend Shaik were on their way back home after visiting a relative in Dallas, Palacharla was going to Bentonville to meet his wife. Vasudevan, a Master's degree graduate from the University of Texas, was on her way to visit her uncle.

Previously, Vasudevan's father took to X and tagged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to seek help in locating his daughter. @DrSJaishankar Dear Sir, My daughter Dharshini Vasudevan holding Indian passport No-T6215559 have been in USA for the last 3 years, 2 years of MS studies and later 1 year of Employment and stays 3150 Avenue of the stars Apt 1110-Frisco,Texas-75034, he wrote.

He added, Yesterday evening she took a car pooling along with 3 others around 3pm till 4pm she was actively messaging and reachable on phone after 4pm no further contacts could be established with her as well other 3 people who were travelling with her.

Vasudevan, who was from Tamil Nadu, was living in Frisco, Texas.

Subhash Chandra Reddy, Orampati's father, reportedly owns a Hyderabad-based firm  Max Agri Genetics Private Limited. Orampati finished his engineering degree at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in Coimbatore. "His parents were in the US in May for his convocation at the University of Texas. After the convocation, they asked him to return to India, but he said he wanted to work in the US for two more years. Fate has struck like this," a relative said.

Shaik was from Hyderabad too, and lived in Bentonville. His father, Masthan Vali, said that he went to the US three years ago. "He went to the US to complete his MS degree. He finished it recently, Vali said.

Vali is a retired private employee and lives with his family in BHEL Hyderabad. "My daughter also lives in US and is handling the situation, he said.

A speeding truck is believed to have rear-ended the SUV the victims were in. The occupants burned to death after the vehicle burst into flames.

Authorities are reportedly dependent on DNA fingerprinting and teeth and bone remains to confirm the victims identities. "DNA fingerprinting will be done to identify the bodies, and the samples will be matched with the parents," a local authority said.
Former US President Donald Trump sat down with podcast host Lex Fridman for an in-depth discussion that covered a wide range of topics, from his views on the 2020 election and future plans for the presidency to his thoughts on marijuana legalization, UFOs, and even Jeffrey Epstein. Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the 2024 Joyful Warriors National Summit on August 29, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by ALEX WONG / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

The podcast, which aired on Tuesday afternoon, is part of Trumps effort to reach a broader audience, including casual voters, independents, and young male voters as he gears up for the 2024 election.

Here are five key takeaways from the Trump and Lex Fridman interview-

Trump warns of a communist ear under Kamala Harris

The former prez warned that if Kamala Harris wins the November election, she would push the United States toward communism.

If we dont win this election, the election coming up on Nov. 5 is the most important election this country has ever had, Trump told Fridman.

Cause if we dont win it, I dont know that therell be another election, and its going to be a communist country or close. He also labelled Harris as a Marxist and argued that the current political climate requires fighting back against what he describes as radical left lunatics.

ALSO READ| Donald Trump pleads not guilty to revised indictment charges

However, Fridman pointed out that many people dont view Harris as a communist; Trump stood with his rant.

Trump reiterates support for medical marijuana

The 78-year-old reaffirmed his support for medical marijuana, while aligning himself with a Florida ballot measure that could legalize recreational marijuana use in the state. First of all, medical marijuana has been amazing, Trump said, citing testimonies from several friends and doctors. Ive had friends, and Ive had others and doctors telling me that it's been absolutely amazing. We put out a statement that we can live with the marijuana. Its gotta be a certain age, its gotta be a certain age to buy it, its gotta be done in a very concerted, lawful way.

Trumps stance on this issue could play a huge huge role in Floridas upcoming Amendment 3, which needs 60% of the vote to pass.

He also hinted that his campaign will release more statements on marijuana in the coming week. whether people like it or not, this will happen through the approval of the Voters, so it should be done correctly, he said.

Reflects on the 2020 election and prepares for 2024

Fridman challenged Trump on his continued claims about the 2020 election being stolen. Trump acknowledged he lost but maintained that the election was fraudulent.

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Trump said, Ive done well with debates. I became president. Then, the second time, I got millions more votes than I got the first time. So I was told if I got 63 million, which is what I got the first time, you would win. You cant not win, pointing to his success in the 2016 election. He expressed confidence in his chances for 2024, despite admitting he lost by a whisker in 2020. Trump also criticized President Joe Biden, calling him the worst president in U.S. history, and reiterated his view that Bidens presidency was the result of a coup by radical leftists.

Hey look, you cant blame him. That was a coup. They took it over. They took over the presidential deal. The whole presidential thing was taken over in a coup. He had 14 million votes. She had no votes. Not one. And no one thought itd be her. Nobody wanted it to be her, the ex-prez stated.

Trump open to releasing information on UFOs and Epsteins client list

Trump suggested he would be willing to push the Pentagon to release more information about UFOs. Oh yeah, sure, Id do that. Id love to do that. I have to do that, Trump told Fridman. But what about Jeffrey Epstein?

He also expressed a willingness to disclose information about Jeffrey Epsteins client list, responding to Fridmans observation that many find it strange the list hasnt been made public since Epsteins death. Yeah, Id certainly take a look at it ... Id be inclined to do the Epstein  Id have no problem with it, Trump said.

ALSO READ| Donald Trump claims he would release UFO footage, Epstein files and more if elected: 'I'd be inclined to do the'

Tension with Joe Rogan over RFK Jr.

Popular podcaster Joe Rogan has shown support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Trump had previously criticized Rogans preference for Kennedy, but in the interview, he downplayed any friction. I dont think there was any tension, Trump said. I think hes good at what he does, but I dont know about doing his podcast.

Trump also praised Kennedy, noting that while he is sort of a liberal guy, he sees potential in him.

Hes sort of a liberal guy, I guess, from what I understand, but he likes Kennedy  this was before I found this out before Kennedy came in with us. Hes gonna be great. Bobbys gonna be great. But I like that he likes Kennedy. I do, too. Hes a different kind of a guy, but hes got some great things going, he concluded.
The United States plans to accuse Russia on Wednesday of a campaign to influence the 2024 presidential election using online platforms to target American voters with disinformation, according to CNN. Biden administration will launch slew of actions against Russia over its efforts to sway American public opinion ahead of November elections. (AP)

Russian state media network RT will be a focus of the announcement, CNN reported, citing six sources familiar with the matter.

According to two senior officials who spoke with NBC News, the Biden administration will launch a slew of initiatives that aim to counted Russian government's alleged sponsored efforts to sway American public opinion ahead of the November election.

The news comes just hours before Attorney General Merrick Garland is due to speak at a meeting of the Justice Department's Election Threats Task Force.

A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment ahead of the election task force meeting.

Russia dismisses accusations "pure rubbish"

A Russian lawmaker called the reported accusations "pure rubbish" and said Moscow does not think it matters whether Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Kamala Harris wins the Nov. 5 election.

The only winner of the U.S. election is the U.S. private military industrial complex, State Duma deputy Maria Butina told Reuters.

The Russian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Moscow has repeatedly said it has not meddled in the U.S. election.

RT responded with ridicule. "Three things are certain in life: death, taxes and RT's interference in the US elections," the media outlet told Reuters.

The Justice Department has previously warned that Russia remains a threat to the presidential election. U.S. officials have said Russia has not shifted its preference from previous American presidential elections, indicating Moscow favors Trump.

U.S. intelligence assessments found that Moscow tried to help Trump in 2016, when he defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton, and in 2020 when he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Moscow has denied the allegations.

Lisa Monaco, the No. 2 Justice Department official, said last month that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his proxies have adopted increasingly sophisticated techniques, targeting specific groups of voters and those in battleground states.

The Justice Department in July said it disrupted a Russian social media campaign with links to RT that covertly spread pro-Kremlin messages.

The FBI last month searched the homes of two Americans with ties to Russian state media, including former United Nations weapons inspector Scott Ritter and Dimitri Simes, an adviser to Trump's 2016 campaign.

The U.S. government has also accused Iran of attempting to influence the upcoming election through cyber operations against both the Trump and Harris campaigns. The Trump campaign has said Iran was behind the leak of internal campaign documents to U.S. media outlets.

U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed that China is not planning to intervene in the presidential race to favor one candidate. But Reuters reported on Tuesday that a social media operation linked to Beijing is impersonating U.S. voters, denigrating U.S. politicians and pushing divisive messages ahead of the election.
Donald Trump has claimed that he would release classified files if he is re-elected to the White House. Speaking to podcaster Lex Fridman, the former president promised that if he is elected in 2024, he will release footage of UFOs, classified documents on former president John F Kennedy, and the so-called "Epstein files. Donald Trump claims he would release UFO footage, Epstein files and more if elected (Photo by ALEX WONG / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

"I'll do that. I would do that. I'd love to do that. I have to do that, Trump said.

"They also are pushing me on Kennedy. And I did release a lot, but I had people come to me and beg me not to do it. But I'll be doing that very early on. But I would do that, he added.

Trump further said that he plans on releasing documents on Jeffrey Epstein, convicted sex offender. Trump has reportedly been photographed with Epstein several times. Trump said, "I don't think I had... I mean, I'm not involved. I never went to his island, fortunately. But a lot of people did."

I'd be inclined to do the Epstein

Trump suggested that Epstein managed to convince so many people to visit him on his private islands because he was "a good salesman. The former president added that he would " certainly take a look at" the files, claiming that the list of clients who visited Epsteins island is being kept confidential in an attempt to protect certain people.

"Now, Kennedy's interesting 'cause it's so many years ago. You know, they do that for danger too, because you know, endangers certain people, et cetera, et cetera. So Kennedy is very different from the Epstein thing. But yeah, I'd be inclined to do the Epstein. I'd have no problem with it, Trump said.

In the podcast, other topics Trump spoke about included the campaign trail, the 2020 election, illegal immigration, and foreign policy in Ukraine and China. He also opened up about what he feels about Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump said in a court filing on Tuesday that he would plead not guilty to criminal charges in a revised indictment accusing him of attempting to overturn his 2020 election defeat. 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. (Photo by ALEX WONG / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

Trump, the Republican candidate in the Nov. 5 presidential election, waived his right to appear in court and instead authorized his lawyers to enter the plea.

What's changed and what remains the same in revised indictment

The revised indictment, obtained last week by Special Counsel Jack Smith, includes the same four charges prosecutors brought against Trump last year. He was accused of attempting to defraud the United States, obstruct congressional certification of the election and deprive voters of their right to a fair vote.

ALSO READ| Where is Trump vs Harris race headed on the poll of polls?

The new indictment dropped and reframed certain allegations after the U.S. Supreme Court determined that Trump has broad immunity from criminal prosecution over official actions he took as president.

The indictment continues to assert that Trump lost the 2020 election but "was determined to remain in power" and sought to subvert the election results. The original charges, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, remain intact. These charges are tied to Trump's actions surrounding the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by his supporters during the joint session of Congress meant to certify the election results.

US district Judge grants Trump permission to skip arraignment

Trump appeared in federal court in Washington in August 2023 to plead not guilty to the charges in the initial indictment.

Prosecutors and Trump's lawyers are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday to determine the next steps after the Supreme Court's immunity ruling.

Keeping Trump's request, District Judge Tanya Chutkan granted him permission not to appear in person at the arraignment. The arraignment will coincide with a status conference scheduled for Thursday, where further developments in the case will be discussed.

ALSO READ| Trump vents out anger as his nephew compares Arlington scandal to end of The Godfather 2: The most embarrassing'

The Supreme Court ruling, handed down in July, established that a former president is immune from prosecution for official acts conducted during their time in office. However, this immunity does not extend to unofficial acts, leaving Trump vulnerable to legal action for his efforts to challenge the 2020 election results.

Trump's legal team has been actively seeking to delay the trial until after the November 2024 presidential election, in which Trump is a candidate, running against current Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee.

{With inputs from wires.}
Christian and Laurie Ann Campbell  a couple in Florida  have sued the Orlando Police Department for allegedly raiding their home in 2020 in an over-the-top fashion over what they call false claims of child pornography. Christian and Laurie Ann Campbell from Florida are suing the Orlando Police Department over 2020 SWAT raid.

A new lawsuit and the SWAT raid video obtained by TMZ show that an astronomical number of officers responded to allegations of the Florida couple being child molesters in August 2020. The pair alleges that the police force gave them a hard time as they detained the wrong person for the misconduct. Footage reveals Christian Campbell being handcuffed in a chair on the front lawn. His wife Laurie was also detained similarly.

Florida couple's $10 million lawsuit against Orlando Police Department

The incident occurred in broad daylight, becoming a moment of public embarrassment for the two. Per the suit, cops even barred Laurie from taking their dog to the vet for treatment, resulting in its death in the aftermath.

Also read | One glass of wine: Dashcam footage of Florida mayor's DUI arrest released after road rage incident

Ariel Mitchell is representing the couple for their $10 million suit, which also states that numerous officers disrupted their early morning calm before they could even get their 18-month-old toddler out of an overnight diaper.

With the ongoing investigations, reportedly after non-existent child porn, the baby was forced to keep the dirty nappy on for hours, with urine ultimately ruining their outfits as well.

The couple is evidently seeking damages for the mortifying incident that happened four years ago. Their lawsuit also foregrounds that the officers involved in the raid marred their reputation and a sense of belonging in the community by falsely informing their neighbours they were child molesters.

A different Florida couple arrested for alleged child sex crimes

In an unrelated case, married couple Kenneth Keene and Lillian Sanderfur from Palakta, a city in Florida, were put behind bars after being accused of child sex crimes in August 2024. The Putnam County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the pair were accused of giving a teenager marijuana and e-cigarettes to solicit sex.

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The official press release also said, Text message conversations between the victim and Keene were also sexualised in nature.

32-year-old Keene was ultimately charged with lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim between 12 and 16 by an offender 18 years or older. Meanwhile, 28-year-old Sanderfur was charged with lewd or lascivious exhibition by an offender 18 years or older with a victim less than 16 years of age, as reported by the Irish Star.
Steve Stich, NASA's manager for the Commercial Crew program, was up-front about the US space agency and Boeing's difference in opinions over the rescue plan for Starliner astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. This screengrab from NASA shows astronauts Suni Williams (R) and Butch Wilmore (C) boarding the International Space Station (ISS) after the docking of the Boeing Starliner on June 6, 2024.(AFP)

After a purported ego tussle, as previously reported by The New York Post, the government body and the aerospace company arrived at the decision that it was too risky for the astronaut duo to be aboard the faulty Starliner during its homecoming journey set for Earth. Ultimately, the Boeing spacecraft is set to embark on the interstellar ride back home uncrewed on Thursday, September 5 and is expected to reach its destination: Earth on September 7.

Meanwhile, Williams and Wilmore will have to wait it out at the International Space Station (ISS) for Elon Musk's SpaceX Crew-9 mission to rescue them in February 2025.

This game plan completely discarded the original mission design, considering the Starliner's defective state due to helium leaks and thruster malfunctions. NASA astronauts were supposed to complete their to-and-fro journey from the ISS to Earth on Starliner. However, since that's no longer the case, with the astronaut's safety being prioritised over anything else, the situation has not transpired in Boeing's favour.

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NASA Associate Administrator James Free, Associate Administrator Ken Bowersox, Commercial Crew Manager Steve Stich and International Space Station Program Manager Dana Weigel speak during a news conference to discuss plans to return two astronauts who remain stranded at the International Space Station, at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, on August 24, 2024. (AFP)

NASA execs admit tension with Boeing over Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore rescue plan

During a teleconference on Wednesday, September 4, NASA's Steve Stich confirmed that the discussion leading up to the final decision favouring Boeing's rival company for the rescue mission led to some tension in the room.

I would say, anytime youre in a meeting of this magnitude, where there's this kind of decision, there is some tension in the room, Stich said of the decision to bring the Starliner home without astronauts.

He set the record straight: "The teams were very split.

Stich also affirmed that Boeing believed in the model that they had created that tried to predict thruster degradation for the rest of the flight." However, NASA saw some limitations in it upon further review.

Their final call was based on whether they had confidence in the Starliner's thrusters. Although NASA's ISS program manager Dana Weigel agreed that Boeing reassured the agency of their belief in the spacecraft, she also accentuated that the MNC corp was not in the same position as them.

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.(AP)

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NASA ultimately had the final say

"Boeing is not in a position, and it would be unfair of them to ask, to weigh into a risk versus risk trade for this scenario that NASA was weighing, which was bringing them home in the Starliner crewed, or coming up with an alternate plan, Weigel said during the press conference. Ultimately, Boeing acknowledged that the ball was in NASA's court.

Despite the tensions in the room comment, Steve Stich highlighted that their disagreement was not the conventional yelling, screaming kind of meeting.

It was a tense technical discussion where we had both sides listening intently to all the data.

These official revelations follow the NY Post report, in which a NASA exec familiar with these heated interactions claimed, The thinking around here was that Boeing was being wildly irresponsible.

Moreover, the head of Boeing's Commercial Crew Program, Mark Nappi, reportedly disseminated an internal mail, saying: I know this is not the decision we had hoped for, but we stand ready to carry out the actions necessary to support NASAs decision.

The focus remains first and foremost on ensuring the safety of the crew and spacecraft. I have the utmost confidence in this team to prepare Starliner for a safe and successful uncrewed return with the same level of professionalism and determination as you did the first half of the mission, Nappi added about the Starliner's uncrewed return mission to Earth.
The US Justice Department sent subpoenas to Nvidia Corp. and other companies as it seeks evidence that the chipmaker violated antitrust laws, an escalation of its investigation into the dominant provider of AI processors. (Image for Ref) A smartphone with a displayed NVIDIA logo is placed on a computer motherboard in this illustration taken March 6, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo(REUTERS)

The DOJ, which had previously delivered questionnaires to companies, is now sending legally binding requests that oblige recipients to provide information, according to people familiar with the investigation. That takes the government a step closer to launching a formal complaint.

Antitrust officials are concerned that Nvidia is making it harder to switch to other suppliers and penalizes buyers that dont exclusively use its artificial intelligence chips, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private.

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Nvidia posts historic one-day loss after US Antitrust subpoena

Nvidia shares, which suffered a record-setting rout on Tuesday, fell further in late trading after Bloomberg reported on the subpoenas. Still, the stock has more than doubled this year  fueled by explosive sales growth at the Santa Clara, California-based chipmaker.

As part of the probe, which Bloomberg previously reported in June, investigators have been contacting other technology companies to gather information. The DOJs San Francisco office is taking the lead running the inquiry, the people said. A representative for the DOJ declined to comment.

In response to questions about the probe, Nvidia said that its market dominance stems from the quality of its products, which deliver faster performance.

Nvidia wins on merit, as reflected in our benchmark results and value to customers, who can choose whatever solution is best for them, the company said in an emailed statement.

Nvidia has drawn regulatory scrutiny since becoming the worlds most valuable chipmaker and a key beneficiary of the AI spending boom. Sales have been more than doubling each quarter, and its eclipsed onetime chip leaders such as Intel Corp.

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Nvidia's RunAI deal draws regulatory heat

In the DOJ probe, regulators have been investigating Nvidias acquisition of RunAI, a deal announced in April. That company makes software for managing AI computing, and there are concerns that the tie-up will make it more difficult for customers to switch away from Nvidia chips. Regulators also are inquiring whether Nvidia gives preferential supply and pricing to customers who use its technology exclusively or buy its complete systems, according to the people.

Nvidia, founded in 1993, made its name by selling graphics cards to computer gamers. But its approach to chipmaking ultimately proved useful for building AI models, a process that involves bombarding the software with data. The company also has rapidly expanded its lineup with a range of software, servers, networking and services  all aimed, Nvidia argues, at speeding up the deployment of AI.

Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang said he prioritizes customers who can make use of his products in ready-to-go data centers as soon as he provides them, a policy designed to prevent stockpiling and speed up the broader adoption of AI.

The success of its products  along with struggles by rivals to field alternative chips  has made Nvidia a crucial part of the supply chain for some of the biggest companies in the world. Microsoft Corp. and Meta Platforms Inc., for example, spend more than 40% of their budget for hardware on the chipmakers gear. During the peak of shortages of Nvidias H100 accelerator, individual components were retailing for as much as $90,000 each.

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Analysts project that Nvidia will chalk up $120.8 billion of revenue in calendar 2024, up from $16 billion in 2020, with most of that money coming from its data center unit. In fact, Nvidia is set to bring in more profit this year than the total sales of its nearest rival, Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

There also are broader regulatory questions about Nvidias practices. Access to AI capabilities has become a key focus for governments around the world, with the technology becoming increasingly vital to economic strength and national security.
As the rift between the members of the royal family continues to grow, a royal expert recently said that Prince Harry missed an opportunity to make amends with Prince William. This comes after the two brothers' reunion at Lord Robert Fellowes' memorial service last month. Despite being gathered together at their uncle's funeral, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex avoided having an awkward run-in, reported BBC. Prince Harry reportedly 'missed an opportunity' to make amends with Prince William(AP)

Royal expert says Prince Harry missed an opportunity to end feud with Prince William

Taking note of their current situation, royal expert Kinsey Schofield told Fox News, Prince William and Harry are currently not on speaking terms, and everything was carefully choreographed so that they wouldnt have to interact with each other. There was nothing joint about this appearance. It was two family members showing their respect in a personal capacity. Off duty, he added.

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Prince Harry and Prince William fell apart after the former's move to the US, along with his wife, Meghan Markle. The rift between the two princes further grew after the release of Prince Harry's bombshell memoir, Spare, in 2023. Theres clearly still plenty of bad blood between them, Schofield, the host of the To Di For Daily podcast, went on while noting that it was significant for the Duke of Sussex to attend the funeral.

Prince Harry has done irreparable damage to his relationship with his brother, Schofield continued, adding, Harry can deny his intention in hurting members of his family through the release of Spare, but quotes like, his alarming baldness, more advanced than my own; his famous resemblance to Mummy, fading with time. That was unnecessary and cruel. That came from a place of envy and bitterness.

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With a paperback release of Spare due in October, I think Harry really missed an opportunity to update the book with a sincere apology for all the hurt that hes caused, he added. Meanwhile, royal commentator Hilary Fordwich told the outlet, The brothers were at the back of the church, apart. They neither spoke to each other nor were seen looking at each other, said Fordwich, who is the founder of Strelmark, LLC, a Washington, DC-based consulting firm.
The sources close to Prince Harry revealed to The Mirror that he will return to the royal family only after an apology from Prince William. They also suggested that he is on a mission to make a success of his life in the United States. Harry is happy with his decision to step down from his duties and settle in California, where he is presently living with Meghan Markle and their two children. However, the Duke of Sussex is open to help with temporary royal duties if asked to do so by the King. Prince Harry expects an apology from his brother Prince William if he is to rejoin the royal fold. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)(AP)

ALSO READ: Prince Harry has no interest to return to UK as he is enjoying

Prince Harrys return depends upon Prince Williams apology

Friends of Prince Harry divulged that he is aware of his brothers feelings about him returning home. Prince William reportedly said there was zero chance for his younger brother to come back after the latter wrote and released his memoir, Spare. Harry accused his brother and King Charles of being desperate to step down from their royal duties if they had the chance.

Since the feud, the brothers have had no contact and maintain silence even when in the same room. Last month, the two were seen at one place during their uncle Lord Fellows funeral in Norfolk. However, the two did not utter a single word to each other during the entire memorial service.

With King Charles and the Princess of Wales on long leaves due to their cancer treatments, the Duke is open to working and assisting his family if the King calls upon him. Prince Harrys friends revealed that he is willing to improve his relationship with his father. However, the duke, who will turn 40 next week, would still seek an apology from his elder brother if he were to represent the family.

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Prince Harry and Prince William feud

The royal brothers have been locked horns since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from their royal duties to have more privacy and freedom. The couple shifted to the US to have a fresh start; however, they have also publicly criticised the royal family on numerous occasions. The continuous criticism led to a conflict between Prince William and Prince Harry. The latters memoir added fuel to the fire as he penned several allegations against the Prince of Wales and other members of the royal family.
A Texas deputy constable who was driving to work in his personal vehicle was fatally shot Tuesday by a man who walked up to his car at a Houston intersection and fired multiple times, police said. Investigators examine the scene where authorities say a Texas deputy constable was fatally shot at a Houston intersection while driving to work on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Lekan Oyekanmi)(AP)

A suspect in the shooting later led authorities on a chase that ended about 60 miles (97 kilometers) away in the waters off Galveston, where the man tried swimming away to evade arrest before being captured with the help of a marine unit, according to the Port of Galveston Police Department.

Who was Maher Husseini?

The deputy was identified as Maher Husseini, who had worked as a Harris County constable since 2021. Investigators were still trying to determine a motive for the shooting and whether the deputy had been targeted, Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz said.

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Police were investigating whether it might have been an instance of road rage, he said.

Its an awful thing for the community, for someone to lose their life, someone thats dedicated their life to public service, Diaz said. It is absolutely tragic.

Texas police are investigating the motive behind the killing

According to preliminary information, Husseini was not in uniform when he was shot, Diaz said. Bullet holes could be seen through the passenger side window of an SUV at the scene.

Husseini was taken to a Houston hospital where he was pronounced dead, Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman said.

Authorities did not immediately release the name of the suspect in custody Tuesday evening. In a statement, Port of Galveston police said the man had led police on a pursuit that ended in a crash, followed by him swimming away.

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Officers later found the suspect in the water and took him into custody. He was taken to a hospital for evaluation, police said.

The dangerous criminal who ambushed and murdered Deputy Constable Husseini will have the full weight of the law brought down upon him," Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement.
The family of Harris' running mate, Tim Walz, is showing support for Donald Trump. In a photo which has recently been making rounds on social media, several members of the Walz family can be seen decked in Trump merchandise. They wore t-shirts that bore the phrase, Nebraska Walz's for Trump. This comes after the Minnesota governor's older brother, Jeff, said he's 100% opposed to his ideologies, New York Post reported last week. Tim Walz's family shows support for his and Kamala Harris' Republican rival, Donald Trump(X, formerly Twitter/ End Wokeness)

Tim Walz's family show support for Donald Trump

The now-viral picture of the Walz family showing support for Trump comes after a series of Facebook comments made by Jeff, who is a registered Republican. Over the past week, Walz's older brother slammed Harris' VP pick, saying that he hadn't spoken to him in eight years.

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My family wasn't given any notice thst [sic] he was selected and denied security the days after, Jeff wrote on Facebook in response to a user's suggestion that he should have a talk with his brother. The stories I could tell, Jeff, who is a registered Republican, continued, adding. Not the type of character you want making decisions about your future.

As Jeff's comments went viral online, MAGA activists suggested he join hands in supporting the Trump campaign. However, he shut down the claims in a recent interview with News Nation, saying, It wasn't my intent, it wasnt our intent as a family, to put something out there to influence the general public.

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Jeff explained that he was merely trying to clarify to his friends that he did not approve of his brother's ideologies. The only thing I took exception to, and I will stand behind this 100%, was that we felt bad that we found out about his being picked as the vice presidential candidate from radio, he went on.

Despite saying that it wasn't the Walz family's intent to dissuade voters, he doubled down on his stand against the Democratic vice presidential candidate's policies. I used Facebook, which wasnt the right platform to do that. But I will say, I dont agree with his policies, Jeff told the outlet.
Donald Trump says he knows nothing about Project 2025. During his recent appearance on the Lex Fridman podcast, the former president discussed the controversial initiative aimed at promoting conservative policies. When asked to comment on it, the GOP nominee said that he disagrees with most of its contents, explaining that he has no role in it. Donald Trump shut down claims that Project 2025 would be a 'blueprint' for his second-term agenda should he win in November(AP)

Trump discusses Project 2025, says it has nothing to do with me'

During his Tuesday interview, the Republican presidential candidate denied having any direct connection to the right-wing agenda. I know nothing about it. And they know that too, He said, adding that the Democrats also know that. Trump explained that he never purposely read it because it consists of ideas he does not approve of.

And I purposely haven't read it because I want to say to you, I don't- I have no idea what it's all about, he went on, adding, It's easier than saying, I read it, and, you know, all of the things. No, I purposely haven't read it, and I've heard about it. I've heard about things that are in there that I don't like.

Project 2025, which was published by the Heritage Foundation, contains a series of controversial initiatives that go beyond the typical right-wing ideology. Some of the most disputed ideas mentioned in it include a total ban on abortion and restricting LGBTQ+ rights. It also suggests firing up to 50,000 federal workers and eliminating agencies like the Department of Education.

Trump continued to say that while there are some things in there that everybody would like, there are things that, uh, I don't like at all. And I think it's, uh, unfortunate that they put it out, but it doesn't mean anything because it has nothing to do with me. Project 2025 has absolutely nothing to do with me, he added.

The former president's comments come after Democrats pitted the conservative agenda on Trump, warning voters about the ill effects of a Republican administration should the 78-year-old win in November. Back in March, the Biden-Harris campaign claimed that Project 2025 was a blueprint for the extreme agenda that would result from Trump's second term, per Washington Post.
Donald Trumps new book, titled Save America, was released on Tuesday, September 3, and is already an Amazon best-seller. Despite the hefty price tag, the former presidents book has landed on the No. 1 spot in Amazons Presidents & Heads of State Biographies category and 13th overall. The book is available only in hardcover for $92.06, which is a 7% discount from the $99 price that was listed by its publisher, Winning Team Publishing. Donald Trump's book Save America becomes Amazon best-seller just hours after release despite hefty price tag (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)(AP)

Trump promoted the book in a Truth Social post, writing, My new book comes out TODAY! Have you gotten your copy? I hand-selected every Photo, from my time in the White House, to our current third Campaign for President of the United States. A MUST HAVE on U.S. History, especially for America First Patriots.

What is the book about?

The book is a collection of pictures, anecdotes, and recollections from Trumps time in office, and his presidential campaigns. Its cover features an iconic image of the former president at the Pennsylvania rally after he survived an assassination attempt, captured by Associated Press photographer Peter shortly.

AP, which obtained excerpts of the book before it was released, reported that it features photos of Trump alongside people like Tiger Woods, Angela Merkel and Kim Jong Un. In the book, Trump has taken aim at Mark Zuckerberg, and defended his 2018 meeting with Russias Vladamir Putin in Helsinki.

Amazon says that in the book, President Donald J. Trump offers an unparalleled look into his four years as the 45th President of the United States, and a vision for his next term! "SAVE AMERICA" is filled with iconic moments from the first Trump Administration. From Historic Summits with World Leaders to candid scenes from the White House, every photo has been selected by President Trump, alongside his words, which provide insight into what will shape his next four years in office.

The book also showcases Trumps major themes and accomplishments, including record-breaking trade negotiations, tax cuts, international diplomacy, and Border security, Amazon adds.
Gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks instilled a state of terror on July 13 with morbid plans of assassinating former President Donald Trump at his Butler, Pennsylvania, rally. Nearly two months later, bombshells continue the chatter, keeping the interest in this narrative more alive than ever. Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures with a bloodied face while he is assisted by U.S. Secret Service personnel after he was shot in the right ear during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania, U.S., July 13, 2024. (REUTERS)

Senator Josh Hawley further fanned the fire on Tuesday evening in an interview on Jesse Watters Primetime, saying that whistleblowers shared an unprecedented piece of information about the day in Butler that left 50-year-old fire chief Corey Comperatore dead and two other attendees injured.

Whistleblowers allege Trump's security detail for Butler rally was woefully unprepared: Sen Josh Hawley

While questioning the preparedness of those entrusted with the Republican presidential candidate's safety at the event, the Missouri lawmaker claimed that most agents assigned to protect Trump on July 13 had minimal training. Hawley added that instead of a great number of Secret Service agents taking charge that day, most personnel on Trump's detail were Homeland Security agents who merely received a two-hour, online webinar before the rally.

And I'm told that half the time, the sounds to the webinar didn't even work, Hawley continued.

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Scoffing at the absolutely outrageous information purportedly dished out by unspecified whistleblowers, Hawley went on, So think about this: the former president of the US is sent out on stage, most of the people there are not trained, they're not qualified. They only got a webinar training, and even that didn't work.

The politician also foregrounded that the Homeland Security agents put on the case did not regularly tend to such events and were reportedly taken off other investigations, including child exploitation cases, to stand in line to protect Trump.

Senator Josh Hawley's letter to the Secret Service acting director in light of the whistleblower's claims

On September 3, the Trump ally also addressed these allegations in a letter to the Secret Service's acting director, Ronald Rowe, amid the ongoing controversy and investigations.

Sharing the letter on X, formerly Twitter, the Missouri Republican penned, When Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents partner with the Secret Service, they should be properly trained. New whistleblower allegations contend this isn't happening and that HSI agents reasoned to candidate detailsincluding former President Trump'sare woefully unprepared for the job.

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Hawley quoted the whistleblower: Imagine 1,000 people logging onto Microsoft Teams at the same time after being informed at the last minute that everyone needed to login individually. Once it got rolling, the Secret Service instructor couldn't figure out how to get the audio working on the prerecorded videos... All told, they restarted the videos approximately six times... The content was not helpful.

As is already known, the former president narrowly escaped death in July when Crooks, perched atop a nearby rooftop, opened fire ahead of the Republican National Convention. The Republican nominee was left with a bloody ear. 20-year-old Crooks, on the other hand, was eventually shot down by a Secret Service sniper.

However, even before the Secret Service stepped in to take action, a Butler SWAT team initiated the counter-attack against Crooks by damaging his rifle, US Representative Clay Higgins recently said.
Kamala Harris has emerged as a strong contender in the presidential race against Donald Trump following President Joe Biden's exit from the election bid in July. Since then her name has climbed high on several polls determing the weather in the battle leading up to November's elections. The Democratic and Republican presidential candidate rivals are tussling with each other in a back-and-fourth tug-of-war, with some polls swinging in favour of one and others deciding otherwise. Former U.S. President Donald Trump in New York City, U.S. May 30, 2024 and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, U.S., July 22, 2024 in a combination of file photos. (REUTERS)

Telegraph poll predicts Harris will win

A new Telegraph poll of swing states recently predicted for the first time that the Harris campaign will prevail on top during the November election process as she's already been widening the gap between her and Trump's numbers for weeks.

A survey conducted by Redfield & Wilton Strategies for the outlet determined that Harris is projected to take charge of the key states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Akin to Biden's victory path in 2020, Harris reportedly also relies on support from the midwestern Rust Belt states. Meanwhile, Trump is projected to dominate the Sun Belt swing states of Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina. They're both tied at 47% for Nevada.

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USA Today/Suffolk Poll also in favour of Harris

Similarly, the latest USA Today/Suffolk Poll shone a bright light of hope on a potential Democratic win. Ahead of the televised debate on September 10, Harris is leading Trump 48-43% within the margin of error. This particular poll of 1,000 likely voters was taken August 25-28, following the recent conclusion of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Harris leads Trump in other polls as well

Meanwhile, the latest polling numbers gathered by the Economist estimate Harris supporters' voting intention peaking at 48% while Trump's trailed at 45%, according to the latest survey on September 2.

As of September 1, the fourth series of poll updates from The Independent's data correspondent implied that Harris (47.1%) has a +3.2 point leader over Trump (43.8%) in an average of national polls.

Voters hesitant about their choices figured into the surveys

While Biden's dropping out of the race resulted in a clear ripple effect for Harris' takeover, a new ABC News/Ipsos poll undertaken up to August 27 also determined that a third of Trump supporters (31%) are now not as confident about their election pick as before. On the flip side, the share of people supporting Harris with reservations was significantly lower (18%).

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Gender gap in the pre vs post-DNC era

Additionally, the gender gap has widened following the DNC, as more women have come out in support of Kamala Harris. While 51% of women were in favour of the Democratic presidential candidate pre-DNC, the number has shot up to 54% post-DNC. On the other hand, 49% of men were pro-Harris pre-DNC, but that statistic shrunk to 46% after the convention.

In addition, Morning Consult polls showed that Harris has a +4 point lead with Independent voters, per surveys conducted from August 16-28. One in five of these voters is still not committed to either candidate.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre clearly dismissed a question regarding Vice President Kamala Harris' alleged use of a southern accent during a recent public appearance. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre holds a press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., September 3, 2024. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz(REUTERS)

The topic arose during Jean-Pierre's daily news briefing on Tuesday when Fox News reporter Peter Doocy questioned the vice presidents apparent shift in dialect during her Labor Day rally in Detroit, which had gone viral over the weekend.

Doocy asked, Since when does the vice president have what sounds like a southern accent? Jean-Pierre, visibly annoyed by the line of questioning, responded, I have no idea what youre talking about.

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White House Press Secretary claims Americans only care about economy

Unfazed, the Fox News reporter pressed on, I mean, do you hear the question that youre  I mean, do you think Americans seriously think that this is an important question? Jean-Pierre shot back, clearly exasperated: You know what they care about? They care about the economy, they care about lowering costs, they care about health care. Thats what they want to heardemocracy and freedomIm not going to even entertain some question about  its just. Hearing it sounds so ridiculous. The question  Im talking about the question  is just insane.

Doocy continued to press if Harris ever uses this purported accent during meetings at the White House. Jean-Pierre, unwilling to engage further, curtly responded, Im just Peter, were moving on. Were so moving on.

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The controversy stems from Harris' Labor Day visit to Detroit, where she addressed a crowd of blue-collar union workers. During her speech, Harris urged the audience, 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.

Netizens were quick to seize on Harris' perceived change in speech, with some conservative commentators labelling it as cringe and fake.
Kinaya Willis, the daughter of Donald Trump's rival Fani Willis, appears sullen in her jail mugshot following her arrest for allegedly driving with a suspended license. Kinaya Willis' arrest comes as a new setback for Fani Willis, the well-known Democratic district attorney for Fulton County, who rose to notoriety after accusing Trump of meddling in the election.(Tyrone Police/AP)

Kinaya, a 25-year-old pregnant woman, was taken into custody on August 24, in Tyrone, Georgia. The mother of the Texas Southern University student is leading a criminal case of 2020 election meddling in Georgia against Trump.

According to a Daily Mail report, Fani's daughter was pulled over by police when they saw her using a telephone while operating a 2010 Nissan Altima.

Pregnant Kinaya Willis shifted to Fayette County Jail after arrest

Kinaya informed the police that she was talking to her mother over the phone about her pregnancy. She further claimed that she was unaware that her license was suspended on May 13. However, police searched Kinaya and handcuffed her at the side of the road.

She was transported to the Fayette County Jail on the charge of operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked license.

According to the report, her mother showed up on the scene to claim her car.

When Kinaya reached the 554-bed jail, which is 30 minutes south of Atlanta, she appeared exhausted and depressed in her booking photo, which was taken before her release.

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What would happen if Kinaya Willis is found guilty

Public records state that Kinaya was ordered to appear in Town of Tyrone Municipal Court for an arraignment on October 24.

If found guilty, she may face a minimum of two days jail sentence, a $500 fine, and a six-month extension of the suspension. However, the consequences can increase to at least 10 days in jail with a fine of between $1,000 and $2,500 if found guilty of a second offense.

Her arrest comes as a new setback for Willis, the well-known Democratic district attorney for Fulton County. She rose to notoriety after accusing Trump of meddling in the election.

In August of last year, she managed to get a grand jury to prosecute Trump and eighteen other people, claiming that their attempts to reverse the results of the Georgia general election violated the anti-racketeering statute of the state.
Cathay Pacific said it will resume full operations by Saturday after replacing defective engine fuel lines on its Airbus A350 planes, a problem that had forced it to cancel dozens of flights this week.

Hong Kong-based Cathay, one of the largest operators worldwide of the A350 jetliner, grounded 48 planes for checks on Monday after a Zurich-bound flight had to return to the city shortly after take-off.

The inspection found that components on 15 of the A350s -- whose engines are powered by British manufacturer Rolls-Royce -- had to be replaced.

"Fifteen aircraft were identified with engine fuel lines that require replacement. Of these, six have already undergone successful repairs and are cleared to operate," it said in a statement.

"The remaining nine aircraft will be repaired and are expected to resume operation by Saturday."

When Cathay had initially raised the alarm Monday, it said "the component was the first of its type to suffer such failure on any A350 aircraft worldwide".

The incident prompted other airlines in the region to carry out similar checks on their A350-900 and A350-1000 models.

Cathay so far have cancelled 90 flights between Monday to Saturday, with mainly regional routes including connections to Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, and Bangkok hit.

Aboard a Cathay A350-900 plane to San Francisco on Wednesday, a Hong Kong passenger surnamed Yuen told AFP that he was "worried but I don't know who I can ask whether this aircraft has been checked".

"I thought it would be cancelled but it wasn't," Yuen texted from the runway.

"I would feel better if Cathay could send us a message saying the plane has been checked but they never did that."

Japan Airlines confirmed that three of their A350 jets turned up no issues, while two more were undergoing inspections Wednesday.

A Thai Airways spokesperson said on Wednesday no problems were found after they inspected their 23-plane fleet of A350s, and the airline was using their planes as normal.

Singapore Airlines said on Tuesday that they were also carrying out checks but that there was "no impact" on flights operating with their A350-900 fleet.

In Europe, Air France -- which uses A350-900 models -- said it was in contact with Airbus and Rolls-Royce.

Both firms "have not advised or mandated airlines to perform any checks", it said.

Airbus and Rolls-Royce have so far said they are cooperating with Cathay, and an ongoing investigation prevents them from commenting further.

Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department said Wednesday it has contacted the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and other relevant aviation authorities to notify them about the case.

Terence Fan, an aviation expert at Singapore Management University, said defective engine lines could affect fuel flow, which is "urgent and of critical importance".

"This seems to be a mechanical issue... one would definitely not want the same to be found in two out of two engines on the same aircraft mid-air," he told AFP.

Fan said a mechanical issue can be fixed quickly by replacing parts, though he called it "a bad sign" the issue hit one-third of Cathay's A350 fleet.

The A350 plane is often deployed in long-haul flights that traverse oceans and sparsely populated areas with few airports to divert to if there are issues.

Last November, Emirates chief executive Tim Clark expressed concerns about the durability and longevity of A350 engines.

Qatar Airways -- which operates 24 A350-1000s, the same type of aircraft Cathay had to return en route to Zurich -- also had a years' long dispute with Airbus over its jets, which was only resolved in 2023.

Qatar grounded the jets in 2021 after paint started peeling on the exterior of some of its A350 planes. Its regulator said there could be a threat to the jet's lightning protection.

Rolls-Royce has defended its Trent XWB-97 engines and said it was taking steps to improve their durability.
Hampton by Hilton Vienna City West makes its debut in the heart of the Austrian capital city.

The Primestar Group is delighted to announce the opening of the newest and largest Hampton by Hilton hotel in mainland Europe: Hampton by Hilton Vienna City West. With 355 rooms, the hotel offers modern comfort and extensive amenities in the heart of one of Europe's most popular city break destinations. Thanks to its central location near the Westbahnhof and Schonbrunn Palace, the hotel is ideally suited for business and leisure travellers, as well as conference attendees.

Vienna has long been an attractive destination for travellers from around the globe, and the new Hampton by Hilton Vienna City West continues this tradition by welcoming both domestic and international guests. With excellent public transport links - the Langenfeldgasse subway station is just a two-minute walk away - guests can easily explore the city's famous attractions. St. Stephen's Cathedral, the State Opera, City Hall, Schonbrunn Palace, and the zoo are all accessible by subway within just 20 minutes.

Nightly room rates start from 84 including breakfastwith fully flexible booking options and free changes or cancellations up to 24 hours before arrival.

The Hampton by Hilton Vienna City Westis also part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton's 24 world-class brands. Members who book directly have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi and the Hilton Honors mobile app. Book direct at Hilton.com, through the Hilton Honors app or through other official Hilton channels for more perks and a price match guarantee. Hilton Honors members can redeem Points using the Points Explorer tool.

Hampton by Hilton Vienna City West is located at Diefenbachgasse 1-3, Vienna, Austria. For more information, or to make a reservation, travellers may visit https://www.hilton.com/de/hotels/viecwhx-hampton-vienna-city-west/ or call +43 1 2350009.

The property is managed by Primestar Hotel Group.

For more information on Primestar Group, please visit https://primestar-hotels.com/.

Hotel website

Hampton by Hilton Vienna City West

Diefenbachgasse 1-3

Wien, 1150

Austria +43 1 2350009

Hotel Website
NOVUM Hospitality, has appointed Samira Said (born Etmenan) as the new Chief Executive Officer, sharing the role with her brother, David Etmenan, who is the current CEO and owner.

Samira Said's new role as co-CEO builds on her extensive experience within the company. Previously, she served as Chief Brand Officer, where she was instrumental in developing the upper-midscale brand, the niu. Her work ensured that each hotel within the niu brand aligned with the company's lifestyle-focused values. Additionally, Samira played a crucial role in the successful completion of NOVUM Hospitality's partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts, a deal finalized in April 2024.

As co-CEO, Samira Said will focus on managing the changes required to integrate and implement the co-branding and rebranding initiatives related to this partnership. She will oversee onboarding and integration processes, particularly in relation to the co-branded Holiday Inn - the niu and the European launch of IHG's Garner TM and Candlewood Suites brands.

In her expanded role, Samira will take on a broader range of responsibilities, including the strategic management of hotel operations, the development of marketing strategies, and the coordination of projects. Her efforts will be directed towards optimizing daily operations at the hotel level, enhancing brand visibility, and increasing customer loyalty. Additionally, she will oversee the overall commercial strategy within the company's cooperation network and ensure the efficiency of its operating facilities.

The introduction of dual leadership at NOVUM Hospitality is intended to improve efficiency in a complex and competitive market environment. The combined leadership of Samira Said and David Etmenan is expected to provide significant advantages as the company continues to establish new brands and integrate innovative processes. The leadership team is further supported by Christian Moll, Deputy CEO, and Dr. Stefan Gneuss, CFO, who will work closely with the co-CEOs.
Benoit Racle joins Accor as the Global Brand President for Accor's Premium brands, bringing over two decades of experience in hospitality, brand management, global operations, marketing and commercial ventures. Racle honed his skills with Starwood and W, leading brand transformation and driving commercial and operational success. In his new role as Brand President, Racle will oversee the strategic direction and growth of the Group's esteemed premium brands, ensuring an unparalleled guest experience through differentiation and excellence. A segment of strategic focus for the Group, Accor tripled Premium brand signings in 2023 compared to 2019. Pullman, Accor's flagship premium brand with a heritage spanning over 150 years and a visionary mindset, has 155 hotels open across 42 countries, and 65 more are in the pipeline. Swissotel is set to more than double, with around 35 existing hotels and 40 in development. Movenpick, with over 120 hotels, has a substantial pipeline of 80 additional hotels underway.

View Benoit Racle's LinkedIn Profile

Benoit Racle is a graduate of EHL in Lausanne - Switzerland
Jean-Yves Minet has been appointed Global Brand President for Accor's Midscale & Economy brands. With over 25 years of executive and operational experience in brand building, from strategy to execution, Jean-Yves forged his career in the beauty industry, focusing on high growth opportunities across categories, distribution channels, consumers, and regions, with a deep expertise in emerging markets. In his new role as Brand President, Jean-Yves will focus on driving brand growth by leading the brand vision, positioning, and operating models of Accor's economy and midscale brands, catering to a vast and varied audience of travelers worldwide.

Accor

Issy-les-Moulineaux

France Website
The Boutique Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) is thrilled to announce the 2024 Boutique Hotel Owners Conference, which will be held September 16-17 at the picturesque Westlake Village Inn in Westlake Village, California. Nestled in the serene Malibu mountains, this year's conference will explore the theme "The Mycelium Network," symbolizing the interconnectedness of the boutique hospitality industry.

The theme of the 2024 Boutique Hotel Owners Conference, "The Mycelium Network," draws inspiration from nature's intricate and interconnected networks. Just as mycelium serves as a vital communication and support system beneath the forest floor, linking plants and trees to share resources and foster growth, this theme symbolizes the deep connections within the boutique hotel industry. It highlights the importance of collaboration, shared knowledge, and mutual support among independent hoteliers. At this conference, attendees will explore how these connections can drive innovation, resilience, and sustainability in the boutique hospitality sector, creating a thriving ecosystem where boutique hotels can flourish together.

The 2024 Boutique Hotel Owners Conference is an exclusive event that brings together boutique hotel owners, operators, developers, and industry leaders from around the world. Against the backdrop of the stunning California landscape, attendees will engage in deep discussions, interactive panels, and collaborative sessions designed to foster innovation, share insights, and strengthen the boutique hotel community.

Watch the recap of last years event here.

This years speakers include Adam Weisblatt, Partner of Last Word Hosptitality; Alex Kirkwood, Founder & CEO of Kirkwood Collection; Alexandra Walterspiel, President & COO of Sensei; Allison Weinberg-Fahey, Shareholder of Greenberg Traurig; Ashleigh Narcelles, VP of Sales & Revenue Strategy of Oliver Hospitality; Cara Federici, CEO of The Madison Melle Agency; Clayton James, Manager Partner of Equite; Cory Schisler, Partner of The Madrona; Deborah O'Donnell, Director of Strategic Sales of DIRECTV HOSPITALITY; Homi Vazifdar, Founder of Canyon Equity; Jon Sakshaug, CEO of Hotel Emma; Ken Cruse, Founder & CEO, Soul Community Planet; Kimberly Walker, Creative Director of Nomada Hotel Group; Kurt Bjorkman, COO, The Ranch at Laguna Beach; Mo Akintunde, Head of Revenue of PeopleVine; Moody Nashawaty, Founder of The Yara Hotel; Peter Wright, Division Manager of Nestle Premium Waters; Raan Parton, Owner of Apolis; Rod Clough, President of HVS Americas; Rydhima Brar, Founder of R/terior Studio; Tara Medina, Co-Founder of MUSA and Vikram Sood, Managing Director of The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe.

This years sponsors include:

DIRECTV HOSPITALITY / Enseo / Greenberg Traurig / Nestle Premium Waters / PeopleVine / Way / Hopper / Mews / Capital One Travel / Eviivo / Jonas Chorum / Soucie Horner

This years supporting partners include:

Boutique Hotelier / Hotel Dive / Independent Hotel Show / BjornQorn / Ghia / Hyperion Essentials / Kin Euphorics / Loco Love / MOSS / MUD WTR/ NomiBrew / OpenHouse / The Aroma Haus / VegoBears

Conference Highlights:

"Connect with Strangers" Series by BLLA : Participate in themed hubs where attendees engage in intimate discussions, brainstorming, and collaborative problem-solving on industry challenges. This innovative series is designed to help participants build meaningful connections, share valuable insights, and drive industry-wide innovation.

: Participate in themed hubs where attendees engage in intimate discussions, brainstorming, and collaborative problem-solving on industry challenges. This innovative series is designed to help participants build meaningful connections, share valuable insights, and drive industry-wide innovation. Interactive Panels : Each panel at the conference is crafted to be a dynamic exchange of ideas. Every attendee has wisdom to share, and these panels encourage active participation, ensuring a rich and diverse dialogue. Topics will range from operational excellence to technology integration in boutique hotels.

: Each panel at the conference is crafted to be a dynamic exchange of ideas. Every attendee has wisdom to share, and these panels encourage active participation, ensuring a rich and diverse dialogue. Topics will range from operational excellence to technology integration in boutique hotels. Scenic Venue: The Westlake Village Inn offers a breathtaking setting for the conference. Attendees can relax by fire pits, enjoy the comfort of cabanas, and be inspired by the natural beauty of the Malibu mountains. The resorts lush surroundings and abundant natural lighting provide the perfect environment for creativity and collaboration.

The 2024 Boutique Hotel Owners Conference by BLLA is more than just an event; its a movement that celebrates the independent spirit of boutique hotels. Join us in Westlake Village to be part of the conversation shaping the future of boutique hospitality.

Registration Details: For more information and to register for the conference, visit BLLAs website.

About BLLA

The official organization for the world's independent boutique lifestyle hotels and leaders who are entrepreneurs themselves, promoting capital, resources, connection, education, and advocacy. As a pioneer in forecasting the boutique movement, BLLA's boutique community currently extends to more than 10,000 verified boutique and lifestyle hotels. BLLA is a catalyst for trends and the future of the boutique lifestyle, exactly what today's traveler is embracing. BLLA.org / Stay-Boutique.com. BLLA is also a capital/partner matchmaker via its Boutique Money Group division.

The corporate manifesto is: Experience the intention behind the brand.
One year after passage, New York Citys unprecedented short-term rental regulations have failed to deliver on their promise to combat the housing crisis. In the wake of stringent measures, consumers are instead facing all-time high hotel prices and residents facing all-time high rents.

New data underscores the consequences of Local Law 18 (LL18), an outlier when it comes to short-term rental regulations.

A more expensive destination for consumers

In the year since these rules took effect, there have been predictable outcomes, including a rise in hotel prices, which risks pricing out everyday people hoping to travel to New York City.

The average hotel prices in New York rose 7.4 percent in 12 months1, compared with an only 2.1 percent increase, nationally, according to data from CoStar.

 Source: Airbnb

Despite the laws promise, rents rise and vacancy rates stay stagnant

Legislators claimed LL18 would protect affordable housing yet an overwhelming body of evidence from the past year shows this approach has not delivered on that promise. Alicia Glenn, the former NYC deputy mayor for housing under Mayor Bill de Blasio, went as far as to say that she never saw data showing that short-term rentals were affecting the housing crisis in a significant way.

Insights one year later, prove that point:

Rent in New York City continues to rise:

Regulators promised that banning Airbnb in New York City would unlock housing. Instead, rent climbed 3.4 percent during the first 11 months of the law, according to StreetEasy, suggesting that other factors are driving up rent prices. In fact, the median asking price of rent downtown Manhattan over the past year reached a peak of $5,000 for the first time in history.

 Source: Airbnb

Vacancy levels remain unchanged: Vacancy rates for apartments in New York City have remained virtually unchanged (at 3.4 percent) since the law took effect, according to Apartment List.

New York remains out of step with other major cities:

While rents may have cooled nationally, the increase in New York rents NYCs rent increase since the law took effect continues to outpace nearby cities like Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, New York Citys vacancy rates also continue to significantly lag behind Chicago, Boston and Washington, D.C.

 Source: Airbnb

New York Citys short-term rental regulations have backfireddisproportionately impacting outer borough communities, driving up travel costs, and doing nothing to solve the housing crisis. Instead of improving affordability, these regulations have priced out everyday consumers and left former hosts struggling to make ends meet. Theo Yedinsky, VP, Public Policy at Airbnb

The outer boroughs are left with almost no accommodation options

With most of New Yorks hotels clustered in midtown Manhattan, LL18 significantly reduced available accommodations in the outer boroughs, condensing travelers, limiting where they stay, and where and how they spend.

Airbnb listings in much of the city served areas without hotel options. Prior to LL18, Airbnb listings were more geographically dispersed across all five boroughs compared to hotels with fewer than half of the total Airbnb listings in Manhattan, while Brooklyn and Queens were home to 37 percent and 13 percent of Airbnb listings, respectively.

In 2023, the typical Airbnb guest in New York City spent an average of approximately $260 per day, with more than a third of spending near their listing2. A lack of available short-term rental accommodations disproportionately hurts the outer boroughs, leading to fewer stays and less spending outside Manhattan.

Organizations like the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce have sounded the alarm about the laws disparate impacts. In a city where the cost of living continues to climb, the loss of income has devastated those who rely on home-sharing to cover essential expenses and small businesses reliant on tourism dollars.

The reality has been a significant setback for Brooklyns tourism and local economy, without the corresponding promised increase in rental housing availability the government hoped for. We hope the City Council carefully revisits the law to support the local homeowners and economic development of communities in the outer boroughs. Randy Peers, President and CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, in an op-ed in the Brooklyn Paper

Those concerns were echoed by the Dominican American Chamber of Commerce.

Local Law 18 has favored large corporations at the expense of middle-class residents and local small businesses. With rent prices surging and many families relying on short-term rentals for supplemental income, the law has created financial strain for individual hosts and a decline in revenue for local businesses that thrive on tourism. Manuel Lebron, CEO and Founder, Dominican American Chamber of Commerce

An alternative path forward: Re-evaluating LL18

Even the bill sponsor, former council member Ben Kallos, said that single families who rent one space should not be worried. One year later, that couldnt be further from the truth. The solution to solving LL18 lies in a more balanced approach that recognizes the value of short-term rentals while addressing one of the root causes of housing affordability  building more homes.

Its time for New York City to re-evaluate LL18 and consider amendments that would at a minimum, allow homeowners to once again host guests. By rolling back parts of the law, the city can increase the supply of accommodations for consumers, support resident hosts, and revitalize local businesses that depend on tourism dollars. A more sustainable, sensible and equitable model benefits residents, visitors, and the broader community  ensuring that regulations support, rather than stifle, community and economic growth. Theo Yedinsky, VP, Public Policy at Airbnb

1. 12-month period reflecting July 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024. 2. According to an internal survey of Airbnb guests in New York City in 2023. Average spend excludes the price of a guests rental.

About Airbnb

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 1.5 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.

About Airbnb.org

Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis around the world. Airbnb.org operates independently and leverages Airbnb, Inc.'s technology, services, and other resources at no charge to carry out Airbnb.org's charitable purpose. The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a program that allows hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since then, the program has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. Since then, hosts have offered to open up their homes and helped provide accommodations to 100,000 people in times of need. Airbnb.org is a separate and independent entity from Airbnb, Inc. Airbnb, Inc. does not charge service fees for Airbnb.org supported stays on its platform.

Airbnb Press

Airbnb Press Office

Airbnb

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At Accor, sustainability is rooted at the center of our design strategy. In practice, that means that the Design & Technical Services teams channel their talent and creativity into ensuring that the strategy and the concepts they create have a positive impact on the environment and society. Our teams have developed specific construction guidelines for sustainability for each of our brands, while a rigorous selection criteria for design, and construction products and suppliers has been set to guarantee that all our partners  from conception to production  share our commitment to sustainability. With circularity and carbon reduction in mind, we have also begun using an eco-design measurement tool to analyze the environmental performance of our design concepts.

Meet Agnieszka, Cluster Commercial Director at Mercure Katowice Centrum and discover the sustainable design built into the hotel

Mercure Katowice Centrum, Poland: A Beacon of Eco-Design

Upon setting foot in Mercure Katowice Centrum, the hotels dedication to eco-design is striking. On its facade stand two plant-covered walls, with the biggest one spanning 260 sqm and containing nearly 7,000 plants  the largest green wall of its kind in the city. The facade not only provides a beautiful welcome to arriving guests but it also has a positive effect on the microclimate  lowering the ambient temperature on hot days, producing oxygen, absorbing carbon dioxide and trapping air pollutants. The lobby features a mural designed by a local artist on the occasion of the COP24  another nod to the hotels commitment to ecology.

The property's guiding design principle of Green & Clean extends into operational systems as well. Sustainable solutions have been integrated across the board to minimize environmental impact, from photovoltaic systems, to in-building energy distribution, recycled materials, state-of-the-art rainwater collection and heat recovery mechanisms, and electric vehicle charging stations. Meanwhile its 268 rooms envelop guests in a calm and harmonious cocoon of natural colors and materials, perfectly in line with the hotels overarching concept. Since its opening in 2021, the hotel has been recognized several times for its sustainability solutions, including the Polish Green Building Association's Green Building Award and the LEED platinum certification and the top prize at the MP Power Awards.

As a beacon of eco-design  for the Group and in the region  Mercure Katowice Centrum sets a high bar when it comes to partnering with local businesses, F&B suppliers and producers as well. The hotel's team is also constantly involved in sustainability campaigns, including city cleanings, to further enhance their positive impact. With a steadfast commitment to environmental responsibility and community engagement, Mercure Katowice Centrum not only exemplifies sustainable hospitality but also inspires others to follow in its footsteps.

About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group

Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5,700 properties, 10,000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry's most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information visit group.accor.com or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.
HSMAI Europes Commercial Strategy Conference - the evolution of HSMAI ROC - reflects the development of marketing, revenue optimization, sales, and other commercial functions into new and evolving commercial strategy organisations inside many hotel companies.

We are thrilled to announce that were returning to the iconic Savoy Hotel in London, where we last gathered in January 2020, for this years highly anticipated Commercial Strategy Conference. Its a pleasure to be back, setting the stage once again for insightful discussions, networking, and the latest industry advancements.

READ MORE AND SIGN UP HERE

Event Highlights

Wednesday, January 15th, 2025:

Pre-Workshops: Participate in our global certification workshops (CRME, CHDM & CHSL) to enhance your expertise. For more information contact us at [email protected]

Venue to be announced

Participate in our global certification workshops (CRME, CHDM & CHSL) to enhance your expertise. For more information contact us at HSMAI Europe Board of Directors Meeting (Internal)

The Savoy Hotel, London

(Internal) Leadership Day: An invitation-only event, where we invite HSMAI Europe Advisory Board members, Rising Leaders Council, Board of Directors members, Student Council and special supporters and sponsors of the region.

The Savoy Hotel, London

Thursday, January 16th, 2025:

Commercial Strategy Conference: It has become one of the most compelling and comprehensive learning exchanges for commercial leaders in the hospitality industry. Join us for an unparalleled professional development experience.

The Savoy Hotel, London

It has become one of the most compelling and comprehensive learning exchanges for commercial leaders in the hospitality industry. Join us for an unparalleled professional development experience. HSMAI Awards Europe 2024: Celebrate excellence in the industry at our awards ceremony.

The Savoy Hotel, London

Friday, January 17th, 2025:

Executive Roundtables (by invitation only): Participate in focused discussions on Revenue, Sales, Marketing, and HR & Talent, allowing you to exchange ideas and best practices with peers.

Venue to be announced

Dont Miss Out on the Super Early Bird Rate!

This year, as last year we are offering you a Super Early Bird Rate if you sign up now. Register by Wednesday 18th September to take advantage of our discounted rate and secure your spot.

REGISTER

We look forward to welcoming you to London this January!

About HSMAI Europe

HSMAI  Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International  is a global organization founded in the US in 1927. HSMAI Region Europe is the European arm of the organisation. HSMAI Europe aims to be a key influencer, pioneer and the go-to industry resource for professional development, commercial strategies and sustainability in the hospitality, travel and tourism industry. Read More

HSMAI Europe

HSMAI Europe
The last couple of years have seen the global payment fraud landscape shifting significantly and at an accelerated pace. The post-pandemic period has brought about a 20% increase in the value of online transactions, driving e-commerce growth for many multi-channel merchants, including online travel agencies (OTAs) and hotels. Yet the flip side of this shift has been the steady increase in the threat of digital fraud, creating a complex landscape of fraud liability and data ownership for all parties involved. The wider e-commerce fraud losses are expected to reach 37 billion* by the end of 2024, highlighting the growing vulnerability of businesses operating online.

One of the primary risks facing the hospitality industry is card testing. This type of fraud often arises from deceptive intent, with fraudsters intercepting card data and using hotel reservations to test the card's validity. This results in no-shows and subsequent chargebacks when the room is then charged to the compromised card, leading to financial losses for hotels.

Adding to this challenge, the industry is also experiencing a significant rise in "friendly fraud" chargebacks, with up to 75% attributed to this issue. This occurs when a legitimate cardholder disputes a charge, often after their stay, claiming service errors or unauthorised use. Chargeback disputes over services or perceived errors are a major drain on revenue and a serious threat, with one 2022 study by Ethoca and PYMNTS.com finding that as many as 71% of e-commerce transaction disputes were initiated due to service errors.

High chargeback rates may lead to lower authorisation rates, as an increase in disputes that are coded as fraud can lead to false declines. Hotels are particularly vulnerable, with an estimated 150 billion in revenue lost annually to fraud and chargebacks. Every 1 lost in chargebacks alone equates to a 3.75 revenue impact due to fees, increased overheads, and other costs. Merchants with consistently high chargeback rates may face consequences such as higher transaction fees, fund withholding, or even suspension of their card services, which underscores the importance of addressing disputes promptly and effectively.

Protecting Your Hotel from Fraudulent Payments

While online fraud poses a significant risk, traditional card fraud remains a persistent threat to hotels, especially given the prevalence of card payments in this sector. The practice of MOTO payments within the hospitality industry, where bookings are made over the phone or through email, creates a unique vulnerability for hotels. These transactions lack the security measures offered by modern technologies like 3DS, leaving hotels exposed. The reliance on card payments, combined with the projected global card fraud losses of 27.4 billion* by 2024, particularly heightens the risk for hoteliers. Europe, especially the UK, Germany, and France, account for a substantial portion of these losses. This highlights the need for hotels in these regions to prioritise robust fraud prevention strategies.

As hoteliers, your priority is to provide exceptional service to your guests, not to predominantly contend with the consequences of fraud. Guestline understands this, and our award-winning GuestPay platform is built to minimise fraud risk with a comprehensive suite of security measures.

Targeted Fraud Detection: Using sophisticated algorithms and tools to identify suspicious transactions and patterns, Guestline system is tailored to the hospitality industry to ensure proactive detection and mitigation measures.

Using sophisticated algorithms and tools to identify suspicious transactions and patterns, Guestline system is tailored to the hospitality industry to ensure proactive detection and mitigation measures. Promoting Secure Payment Options: The use of secure payment options like Apple Pay and Paybylink, which are readily integrated into Guestpay, helps decrease the risk of fraudulent transactions and help shift the fraud liability away from the hoteliers. When MOTO or CNP transactions are necessary, hoteliers should always request ID or the card used at check-in to ensure additional security.

The use of secure payment options like Apple Pay and Paybylink, which are readily integrated into Guestpay, helps decrease the risk of fraudulent transactions and help shift the fraud liability away from the hoteliers. When MOTO or CNP transactions are necessary, hoteliers should always request ID or the card used at check-in to ensure additional security. Automated Chargeback Notifications: Through the GuestPay Hub, hoteliers receive timely notifications about potential chargebacks, enabling proactive and timely action to reduce financial losses.

Through the GuestPay Hub, hoteliers receive timely notifications about potential chargebacks, enabling proactive and timely action to reduce financial losses. Clear Fraud and Decline Codes: Guestline provides clear and informative codes for declined or fraudulent transactions, helping hoteliers understand the reason behind the rejection and take appropriate action.

Guestline provides clear and informative codes for declined or fraudulent transactions, helping hoteliers understand the reason behind the rejection and take appropriate action. 3DS Compatibility: Guestline's platform integrates the latest 3DS authentication protocols, adding an extra layer of security for customers to verify their identity during online transactions.

You might also like:

Guestline's Anti-Fraud Framework: A Comprehensive Approach

Hoteliers trivialise fraud at their peril. The fraud landscape is evolving with more sophisticated attacks, such as account takeovers, and expanding into non-payment areas like loyalty programs. This shift, along with the prevalence of social media, is upping the stakes for the industry, with relatively minor incidence now having the potential for much wider reputational impact.

With years of experience in hospitality, Guestline offers comprehensive solutions to enhance hotel operations and mitigate fraud. Hoteliers should develop a long-term, proactive anti-fraud framework. Here are our key recommendations:

Be Strategic : Establish a clear ownership of fraud metrics across all relevant teams, including fraud prevention, payments, customer operations, and finance.

: Establish a clear ownership of fraud metrics across all relevant teams, including fraud prevention, payments, customer operations, and finance. Accurate, Compliant Data: Maintain a secure, centralised and compliant system to manage fraud-related data. This ensures accurate information is accessible to relevant teams, improving your hotel's ability to defend against fraudulent claims while protecting data privacy.

Maintain a secure, centralised and compliant system to manage fraud-related data. This ensures accurate information is accessible to relevant teams, improving your hotel's ability to defend against fraudulent claims while protecting data privacy. Maintain Hygiene: Hotels must enforce a risk-based 3DS authentication approach on e-commerce transactions or use secure payment links as a safe alternative to MOTO, where possible.

Hotels must enforce a risk-based 3DS authentication approach on e-commerce transactions or use secure payment links as a safe alternative to MOTO, where possible. Fight Tech with Tech: As fraud becomes increasingly sophisticated, Guestline continuously invests in hospitality technology, leveraging experience and expertise to stay ahead.

As fraud becomes increasingly sophisticated, Guestline continuously invests in hospitality technology, leveraging experience and expertise to stay ahead. Look for Patterns: Leverage behavioural analysis and establish fraud measures that go beyond just payment authorisation. Regularly analyse emerging fraud patterns to understand their impact on your hotel.

Leverage behavioural analysis and establish fraud measures that go beyond just payment authorisation. Regularly analyse emerging fraud patterns to understand their impact on your hotel. Engage with the Experts: Stay updated on the latest fraud prevention measures and ensure your systems comply with the highest security directives.

By partnering with Guestline and leveraging our payment technology and years of industry expertise, your hotel can focus on delivering exceptional guest service while effectively managing and mitigating the risk of fraud.

About Guestline

Guestline (an Access Company) provides the hospitality industry with innovative property management, guest engagement, payment and distribution software.

Since 2003, Guestline's cloud-based solutions equip any sized hotel or group with everything to successfully run the business and generate more revenue - from intuitive PMS and booking software to fully unified channel management and payment solutions.

Guestline's feature-rich portfolio includes PMS, CRS, Conference & Banqueting, Channel Manager, EPoS, Internet Booking Engine, GuestPay Payments and GuestStay Guest Experience. With over 500 integrations, Guestline offers its 3,000 clients a flexible, cost-effective, multi-functional system that allows them to stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Discover more at guestline.com

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McLean, VA  The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and Curacity have jointly released a comprehensive white paper on the importance of upper-funnel marketing in the hospitality industry. The white paper, titled, From Last-Click to First Look: A Commercial Strategy Makeover Story for Upper Funnel Marketing, marks a pivotal shift in the industrys approach to brand awareness, offering a roadmap for long-term growth and profitability.

After years of prioritizing last-click attribution, the hospitality sector is beginning to recognize the critical role of upper-funnel marketing strategies in driving brand awareness and customer engagement. Citing insightful interviews with HSMAI members and compelling Curacity case studies, the white paper explores the value of engaging customers from the moment they start dreaming of travel  and ways for commercial strategy professionals to turn their efforts into incremental bookings and revenue.

Staying at the forefront of technology and the importance of a unified commercial strategy has never been more evident. HSMAI is committed to supporting our members in navigating these advancements, leveraging innovative tools like those offered by Curacity to enhance guest acquisition and optimize marketing efforts. Juli Jones, senior vice president at HSMAI

In our relentless pursuit to help hotels unlock new revenue streams through upper funnel marketing, were thrilled to partner with HSMAI to illuminate the ways that hoteliers can earn measurable results and thrive in increasingly competitive landscapes. Hotels can no longer afford a siloed approach between revenue management and marketing, and no one knows this better than HSMAI, which evolved its ROC and Marketing Strategy conferences to one Commercial Strategy Conference last year to reflect the industrys long overdue convergence of these practices. Nick Slavin, CEO and co-founder of Curacity

As the hospitality industry continues to evolve in a digital-first world, the integration of upper-funnel marketing into a unified commercial strategy is no longer optionalit's essential. The insights provided in this white paper offer a roadmap for hospitality professionals to bridge the gap between brand-building efforts and measurable sales outcomes. By embracing these strategies, industry leaders can not only enhance guest acquisition but also secure a competitive edge in an increasingly crowded market. As HSMAI and Curacity continue to lead the conversation, this white paper serves as a crucial resource for those looking to innovate and drive long-term success in hospitality.

The full research paper is available here. For more information on HSMAI and its initiatives, please visit americas.hsmai.org.

About Curacity

Curacity is a marketing platform for hospitality brands. Powered by its proprietary attribution technology, Curacity drives new demand and generates incremental revenue for hotels, resorts, and cruises. It uniquely leverages earned media content distributed across its network of media brands such as AFAR, Conde Nast Traveler, Food & Wine, Forbes, and Travel + Leisure. Headquartered in New York and Stamford, CT, Curacity launched in 2015. The company is listed among the top 20 in travel and hospitality on the Inc. 5000 list and is Digidays Best Content Marketing Platform of 2024. Learn more at curacity.com.

About HSMAI

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners and is the industry's leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals and their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as the Marketing Strategy Conference, Adrian Awards, Sales Leader Forum, and HSMAI ROC. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is a membership organization comprising more than 5,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at hsmai.org.
Hotel Management Agreements Are Increasing in Duration While Management Fees Have Decreased Across Asia Pacific - Image Credit Unsplash+



Comprehensive industry study by JLL and Baker McKenzie draw conclusions from approximately 400 management contracts over 20 years

Hotel management agreements in Asia Pacific now average 17 years

Hotel management agreements (HMAs) are increasing in duration and while management fees have decreased in the past five years, sales and marketing fees have increased across Asia Pacific.

The major findings of the Hotel Management Contract Survey 2024, commissioned and published jointly by JLL (NYSE: JLL) and Baker McKenzie, show that the initial term of HMAs increased by four years on average since 2005 to reach 17.4 years in 2024, however regional operators generally have a shorter term and an appetite for more flexibility.

The 2024 Hotel Management Contract Survey represents the most comprehensive study of its kind in Asia Pacific, comprising of approximately 400 hotel management agreements (HMAs) analysed over the past 20 years. This years survey also included 145 hotel management contracts signed specifically between 2018 and 2023, the largest sample yet in Asia Pacific, to contribute to the 20-year study.

According to respondents, the length of HMAs does differ by market with Maldives and Japan at 26 and 23 years respectively, where there are a higher number of luxury hotel developments and owners prefer to lock in brands for longer. Furthermore, practice in Australia is more tailored to shorter agreements with an average of 15 years as owners prefer shorter terms and unencumbered asset sales.

One factor influencing the duration of HMAs is increasingly the make-up of fees. According to the survey, the average base fee in contracts has come down to 1.6% of revenue from 1.7%. Incentive fees are increasingly based on a sliding scale based on performance against gross operating profit thresholds.

In most markets we have seen hotel management fees come down and increasingly fees are linked to results against agreed performance thresholds, which creates additional incentives to operators to perform. An optimally negotiated management agreement aligns the interest of the hotel owner with the operator through rewarding outperformance, says Xander Nijnens, Senior Managing Director, Head of Advisory & Asset Management, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group, Asia Pacific.

Despite a decline in management fees, the survey affirmed that sales and marketing fees have increased. Compared to previous years, a higher proportion of operators are charging sales and marketing fees at 3% or more of either Rooms Revenue or Total Revenue.

There has been clear progress on curtailing management fees but increasingly these drops are being offset by increases in sales and marketing, program fees and variable costs to the hotels. From our interactions with the market, these fees tend to be seen as mandatory, less transparent, and less straightforward to compare across brands, which is causing some concern with owners, says Nijnens.

Furthermore, a major shift observed in the past 20 years is the including of performance termination provisions in management contracts with 93% of contracts now including this clause. These tend to be based on two performance tests: against revenue per average room (RevPAR) performance of a competitive set, and gross operating profit (GOP) performance against budget, and generally over two consecutive years.

It is clear that not all performance termination provisions are created equally, and it is critical to get into the detail of the mechanism and thresholds to ensure there is a real option to terminate when the operator is not performing, says Sebastian Busa, Head of Commercial Real Estate in Australia and Co-Chair of the Asia Pacific Practice, Baker McKenzie.

In the years ahead, JLL and Baker McKenzie predict that owners in Asia Pacific will have a more diverse set of operating models compared to standard hotel management contracts, with franchise, manchises and white label operators getting further traction.

According to respondents, three major new themes will emerge in the coming decade that will impact HMAs in Asia Pacific.

A rise in alternative operating models: Growth in traction of white label operators, direct franchises, and potential manchises

Sustainability influence: Expect to see sustainability increasingly embedded and legislated into contracts by owners and operators.

Room for terminations: Higher liquidity and hotel sales could put a significant premium on vacant possession assets.

As hotel markets in Asia Pacific mature, we are seeing owners become increasingly savvy in their management contract negotiation and critically considering their branding and operating models. Looking forward we expect this to bring more flexibility into management contracts, we anticipate more ESG provisions, and more termination options to optimise the value of hotels, says Nijnens.
Part of the show poster designed by Mount Greylock student Kaeya Durley. The student-led production of "Steel Magnolias" is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13.

Mount Greylock Students Bring Emotional Story to Stage

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  Since it premiered off-Broadway in 1987, Robert Harling's "Steel Magnolias" has proven to be as resilient as the characters it portrays and the autoimmune disease survivors who identify with the story it tells.

After star-studded 1989 motion picture, a Broadway production in 2005, a TV film remake in 2012 and countless regional productions over the last few decades, the tale of fellowship and heartache in the American South will be told in North County on Friday, Sept. 13, by a group of Mount Greylock Regional School students.

Sophomore Mai Dekel is the ringleader of the six-person cast that will bring the show to life for one night only, but don't call her the show's director.

"I'm kind of running it," Dekel said recently. "I've been the organizer of it. I've been giving everyone their off-book dates. I've been going to all the costuming stuff. But it's definitely more collaborative. We've been giving feedback to each other.

"We're doing any titles like director or anything. We're just calling it Steel Magnolias,' and we're performing it."

Dekel does take credit for the idea to do the play, an inspiration she had after viewing the 1989 Julia Roberts version.

She felt a special connection to the story. Dekel in 2020 was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a condition she shares with the character portrayed by Roberts and the sister of playwright Harling, who inspired him to write the play.

"It was an emotional experience," Dekel said of her first time seeing the film. "When I first saw it, I went in kind of blind to the plot.

"Right off the bat, in the first scene when [Shelby] has a low blood sugar in the salon  that's a powerful and relatable scene for anyone with Type 1."

It was not long before Dekel was able to relate the characters in the play to friends from Mount Gryelock's theater program.

"I came up with the idea maybe in the late spring, I think," she said. "I ran it by a couple of my friends to see if they'd be interested. They responded very positively. I already had a cast in mind."

But in the months that followed, with a rehearsal schedule that worked around cast members' family vacation schedules, the project developed from the collective minds of the actors, Dekel said.

"It's been such a collaborative process," she said. "It's been great to work with all of them. They've been so enthusiastic to come up with new ways to interpret scenes.

"It's been rewarding to see everyone do that. I see the characters and read the play one way, but they come with their own takes on the characters."

In addition to drawing inspiration from the film version of "Steel Magnolias" Dekel was spurred by last fall's Mount Greylock student production of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest." That show was a fund-raiser for The Trevor Project, a nod to the playwright's life in 19th century London.

This month's show will, likewise, double as a fund-raiser for Breakthrough T1D, the organization formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and, more recently, JDRF.

"There have been so many advances [in Type 1 diabetes]," Dekel said. "They're working nonstop on cures and more technological advancements. It's wonderful to be able to reach out to people to donate. Whatever we can give back to them will be amazing."
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Stephen King has lashed out at X owner, tech billionaire and richest person in the world Elon Musk for his support of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Musk has lent his support to Trump for Novembers US election, after previously backing Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy, even going as far as to give the real-estate tycoon and former Celebrity Apprentice host a lengthy interview on the platform formerly known as Twitter.

In a fresh post on 3 September, Musk retweeted polling data claiming that Trump could still triumph over his Democratic rival Kamala Harris and may have a slight lead in the key swing states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina and Georgia.

In response, Musk wrote: A Trump victory is essential to defence of freedom of speech, secure borders, safe cities and sensible spending!

King, who has had run-ins with Musk in the past, had some choice words for the 53-year-old businessman turned right-wing political activist. The author brutally told him: Youre far too bright to swallow this mans bulls**t.

Back in April 2023, King was trolled by Musk after X/Twitter introduced a new policy that wiped all pre-existing blue ticks on verified accounts and would now only be given to those who subscribed to the site.

However, author King, who has been a vocal critic of Musks plan to remove free verification status, was confused to see he still had a blue tick as of Thursday evening.

( X/Twtter )

The author tweeted: My Twitter account says Ive subscribed to Twitter Blue. I havent. My Twitter account says Ive given a phone number. I havent. In response to King, Musk wrote: Youre welcome namaste.

Musk and Trump arent the only conservative figures who King has set his sights on in recent days.

The Shining and Shawshank Redemption author gave a blunt response to discovering that a multitude of his books are now banned from school libraries in Florida, a law which is now being challenged by six major book publishers.

The 76-year-old writer said in response: Florida has banned 23 pf [sic] my books. What the f***?

Stephen King (L) and Elon Musk (R) ( Getty )

Elsewhere, Musk has landed himself in hot water after he shared an AI-generated image of Harris as a communist leader. In retaliation, critics of Musk have since made their own AI images of himself and Trump as both communist and Nazi leaders.
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Lee Daniels has responded to outrage over a shocking scene involving Glenn Close in The Deliverance.

The horror film is currently the most-watched title on the streaming service and has led to many discovering the story of the Demon House, which saw an Indiana family claim they were haunted by a demonic presence and swarms of unkillable flies in 2011.

With the movie, Daniels, whose past credits include Precious and The Butler, has taken a foray into the horror genre  he even claimed strange occurrences plagued production.

The film stars Andra Day, Monique and Close, with the eight-time Oscar nominee playing Alberta, the chain-smoking mother of Days character.

*Spoilers follow  you have been warned*

By the end of the film, Closes character is being exorcised by a priest, which shows the actor disappear into one of her roles in a way film fans have not see before.

As part of these scenes, she utters a phrase that has since gone viral on social media, following the films release on Friday (30 August).

While being possessed by a demon, in a scene reminiscent of The Exorcist, the character sniffs and says to her daughter: I can smell your nappy p****y.

One viewer shared a clip of the film, writing: Lee Daniels you will pay for your crimes for having Glenn Close say this, to which Daniels replied: Had to do it.

open image in gallery Glenn Close in The Deliverance ( Netflix )

Daniels has repeatedly praised Close for her performance, promising viewers ahead of its addition to Netflix: Yall are not ready for Glenn in this.

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Speaking about the role, the filmmaker wrote: Every Black person knows an Alberta. Shes part of the fabric of our community, but weve never seen her on screen before. Thank you Glenn for bringing her magnificently to life.

The Indianapolis Star article the film is based on chronicled claims made by Latoya Ammons, who said her family were haunted by evil spirits after hearing unexplained footsteps in the basement and seeing a shadowy figure of a man pacing back and forth in the living room.

Ammons also claimed that she saw her 12-year-old daughter levitating above her bed one night, and that all three children were possessed by demons who contorted their faces and deepened their voices.

Both the seven and nine-year-old boys were admitted to hospital, at which point the nine-year-old was claimed to have walked backward up a wall and onto the ceiling.

The Deliverance is available to stream on Netflix now.
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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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Storm Yagi, one of the worlds strongest storms this year, made landfall in Chinas Hainan island on Friday, drenching its southern coast.

Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated in Hainan, schools were shut, trading was halted and flights cancelled in Hong Kong and Macau with the super typhoon bringing high winds and rain to the region, having already left a trail of devastation in the Philippines.

The storms windspeeds reached 245kmph, making Yagi the second-most powerful tropical cyclone anywhere in the world for 2024.

Follow the latest updates on Super Typhoon Yagi

The eye of storm reached the northern tip of Hainan island on Friday, weather maps showed.

It is expected to impact a large swathe of China before moving off towards Vietnam and Laos over the weekend.

Infrared image from Japans Himawari-9 satelite shows the eye of Super Typhoon Yagi over the northern tip of Hainan island as it continues to churn westward ( Himawari-9 )

Hainan had relocated 419,367 residents, transport links and businesses have been shut across the region, including the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge, the worlds longest sea crossing.

The storm also closed the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

The typhoons path, as charted by the Japanese Meteorological Agency, shows the storm crossing Hainan and then moving towards northern Vietnam for another landfall.

Typhoon Yagi path ( Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) )

Four airports in northern Vietnam, including Hanois Noi Bai International Airport, have been shut. Along with Vietnam, Laos and Thailand are also bracing for its impact over the weekend as the outer bands of the typhoon bring rainfall and wind gusts.

Visual from Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC) shows location of Super Typhoon Yagi moving close to Chinas Hainan province ( Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC) )

The severe tropical storm intensified into a super typhoon on Thursday morning with wind gusts exceeding 160mph, making it a Category 5 equivalent typhoon by various classifications, and a violent typhoon according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)  its highest storm classification.

Rainfall forecast from AccuWeather shows Yagi is expected to bring up to 16 inches (400 mm) of rain, with some areas possibly receiving as much as 30 inches (760 mm), across southern China, Hainan Island, northern Vietnam, northern Laos, and northern Thailand between Friday and Sunday ( AccuWeather )

The storm has already claimed at least 16 lives in the Philippines, causing heavy rainfall and landslides before moving towards the west.

In the Philippines, where the storm is locally known as Enteng, the damage has been severe. Landslides, floods, and strong winds have caused widespread destruction, particularly in the northern regions.

In the tourist city of Antipolo a landslide killed three people, including a pregnant woman, while floodwaters claimed the lives of four others. The storm also caused extensive disruption to transportation, with flights cancelled and sea travel suspended, leaving thousands stranded.
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A pack of wolves has unleashed terror among villagers in northern India as the animals emerge from tall sugarcane grasses at night and pull away children sleeping out in the open during the humid monsoon season.

At least 10 children have been killed by a single pack in Bahraich in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, marking the latest human-animal conflict that experts say has its roots in factors including loss of habitat and the climate crisis.

Forestry officials told The Independent that a sense of nightly terror is palpable in around 100 villages where the pack has been roaming, as children are picked off and their mutilated bodies are found hours later.

More than 35 villages, mired in rural poverty, offer little to no protection for these children who sleep in doorless, thatched-roof houses in the monsoon heat of above 30C.

Stumped by the fast-escalating problem, authorities are struggling to come up with solutions. Their main advice to scared locals has been for parents to keep their children indoors, especially during the night when the pack is most likely to be out hunting.

Indian authorities capture one of wolves that killed children

We first heard of a child being reported missing on 18 March, but we did not find any pugmarks. In March, we saw a couple of mysterious abductions but it was quiet for the next three months. On 17 July, the horror repeated with another child being attacked, Ajeet Singh, the district forest official of Bahraich, said.

We realised that these wolves have developed a taste for human flesh and that we are in deep trouble, he sys.

The attacks are led by a pack of six wolves, including males who are actively seen hunting and prowling through the fields, Mr Singh says. Four of the animals have been captured, while two are still being tracked.

Thermal drones, cameras, nets and dozens of men are on foot every night and day, combing sugarcane fields, tracking the wolves and capturing them. Were using the best available technology to take them away from the village, he says.

The dense thickets of sugarcane in Bahraich allow wolves to rest and hide completely and makes it difficult for officials to dart them with precision. Around 80 per cent of the fields in Bahraich are of sugarcane, he adds.

Additionally, climate related factors such as flooding of the nearby Ghaghra River have pushed the wolves deeper inside the villages, leaving them hungry for prey, which is not easy to locate in these places, he says.

Local government official Monika Rani and forest department rangers have started patrolling the area on foot and asking villagers to sleep indoors at all costs, despite the heat.

People should not sleep in the open, they should sleep inside their homes or on the roofs, and should be careful for a few days. The pack of wolves is attacking new villages, she told the villagers last week when an infant was attacked.

We have deployed a significant force against the wolves in the villages where incidents occurred or people were injured but our challenge is that the wolves are very clever and keep changing their locations, she said on Monday, just hours before another child was killed by the pack.

Villagers are taking their own set of precautions. We walk in groups whenever we leave the house, we avoid going anywhere alone at night because many such incidents of wolf attacks have taken place recently, one unnamed villager told Reuters.

Akash Deep Badhawan, a senior forest official who led the search and capture of one of the bigger wolves from the pack, says he is going by the animals primal instinct in order to locate them. Loudspeakers, flood lights, elephant dung and urine are being used to deter the wolves from coming near villagers.

We used elephant dung and urine to keep the pack of wolves at bay from residential areas. The burning of the dung cake would create an illusion of elephant presence in the area. Theyre by nature shy animals and avoid confrontations, so we are using that to our advantage, but the sugarcane fields are very dense, interfering with the thermal readings, he says.

This is not a common event. There are only three other documented cases where people had to take such protective measures against wolves  all three between 1997 and 1999, and all in Uttar Pradesh.

Bilal Habib, a senior scientist at the Wildlife Institute of India who has studied wolves for 24 years, says the animals are merely reacting to circumstances.

The [long grass] cover around their houses gives an opportunity to the wolves to be as close as possible, which gives rise to these types of circumstances or events. Once a wolf realises that its very easy to take your children, they can become habitual after that, Mr Habib says.

It is not like she has decided to kill humans. No, its the circumstances which have come together, giving them this opportunity to exploit the young ones, he says.

Once the wolves are captured, and only after authorities establish that they were behind the deaths, the animals should be released far away from human habitation, Mr Habib warns.

More than 90 per cent of Indian wolves live with humans. But if the human-animal conflict rises, villages will likely poison carcasses and kill all the nearby wolves in their villages. We must prevent that from happening.
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North Korea reportedly executed 30 officials last month for their alleged failure to mitigate the devastation caused by floods and landslides that killed over 4,000 people.

The officials were charged with corruption and dereliction of duty, South Korean outlet TV Chosun reported.

The catastrophic flooding hit the Chagang province in July and also displaced more than 15,000 people.

According to North Korean news reports, the flooding caused widespread destruction in the northwestern city of Sinuiju and neighbouring Uiju, with over 4,100 homes, 7,410 acres of farmland, and many roads, buildings and railway lines affected.

The countrys leader Kim Jong-un ordered authorities to "strictly punish" the officials responsible, the North Korean Central News Agency reported.

An unnamed official in the Kim regime told TV Chosun that 20 to 30 cadres in the flood-stricken area were executed late last month. The report could not be independently verified.

After the floods struck, Mr Kim declared that North Korea would not take any international aid, Associated Press reported.

Instead, he asked officials to relocate thousands of displaced residents to the capital city of Pyongyang, where they would receive better care and support. The rebuilding efforts were expected to take around two to three months, during which time the government planned to provide for nearly 15,400 vulnerable people in facilities within Pyongyang.

Mr Kim also dismissed a senior official, Kang Bong-hoon, from his position as Chagang province provincial party committee Secretary, TV Chosun claimed.

In 2019, Chosun reported that Kim Hyok Chol, North Koreas nuclear envoy to America, had been executed for his inability to secure a summit between Mr Kim and then president Donald Trump.

It was later revealed that Kim Hyok Chol was alive and well, CNN noted.

North Korea has a history of public executions, with an average of 10 taking place annually before the Covid pandemic, according to the Korea Times, a South Korean media outlet. The number has since increased to an estimated 100 or more, the outlet claimed.

"North Koreas unstable economy, international sanctions, and the impact of natural disasters have likely contributed, Yang Moo-jin, president of University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said.

Cheong Seong-chang, director of the Reunification Strategy Studies department at the Sejong Institute, told Korea Times: North Korea public executions occur relatively frequently. The executions cover a wide range of cases, including heinous crimes, drug smuggling, and, in rare instances, individuals caught producing and selling prohibited content, including South Korean dramas."

The 2023 North Korean Human Rights Report, compiled from testimonies of 508 defectors, claims a pattern of severe human rights abuses and brutal living conditions endured by citizens.

The report notes that executions are often carried out in public, with residents forced to attend. This practice is designed to intimidate and control the population, experts said.

"The North Korean regime uses public executions as a tool to maintain control and instil fear in its citizens," said Julie Turner, US special envoy for North Korean human rights. "The international community must work together to expose these violations and bring about change."

"In the global community, it is imperative that we unite our efforts to expose the regimes grievous transgressions and institute tangible changes to enhance the lives of the North Korean people," she said in October 2023, underlining that the human rights situation in the country remains "amongst the worst in the world.
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A fugitive former mayor from the Philippines accused of ties to Chinese criminal syndicates and money laundering has been arrested in Indonesia after a police chase across four countries.

Philippine authorities pursued Alice Guo since she vanished in July amid an investigation into these activities in her hometown of Bamban.

This development has been verified by our counterparts in Immigration, who have confirmed that Ms Guo is currently in the custody of the Indonesian Police at Jatanras Mabes Polri, the Philippines Justice Department said in a statement on Wednesday.

Ms Guo, also known as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, was wanted by the Philippine Senate for refusing to appear before a congressional investigation into the alleged criminal ties, Reuters reported. Ms Guo, who says she is a natural-born Philippine citizen, has denied the accusations, calling them malicious.

She was apprehended near midnight on Tuesday in Tangerang City, Jakarta, Indonesia, authorities in Manilla said.

Philippines president Ferdinand Marcos Jr said her arrest is a warning to those who attempt to evade justice.

He wrote on Facebook: Such is an exercise in futility. The arm of the law is long and it will reach you. He said the former mayor will be flown into the Philippines on Wednesday itself.

Last month, Philippine law enforcement agencies, including the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), collectively filed multiple money laundering charges against Ms Guo and 35 others with the Department of Justice.

The AMLC alleged that Ms Guo and her associates laundered over 100 million pesos (approximately 1.3m) in illicit proceeds. Ms Guo ran for office as a Philippine citizen but her fingerprints were later allegedly found to match those of a Chinese national, Guo Hua Ping, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, Indonesias law minister Supratman Andi Agtas said that Ms Guo will be deported, but the time of deportation is still to be determined, according to Reuters.

Ms Guo, who was ousted as mayor of Bamban town in Tarlac province, fled the country in July, travelling to Malaysia and Singapore before arriving in Indonesia in August using her Philippine passport, according to the Philippines anti-crime agency.

A Senate investigation was launched in May after authorities raided a casino in Bamban town in March, revealing what law enforcement described as scams operating from a facility built on land partially owned by the mayor.

Additional reporting with agencies
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Watch as Pope Francis meets bishops, priests and young people during his visit to Jakarta, Indonesia, on Wednesday 4 September.

The pontiff today urged political leaders in the worlds most populous Muslim-majority country to guard against religious extremism, which he said distorted peoples religious beliefs through deception and violence.

In his first speech during an ambitious 12-day journey across Southeast Asia, where Christians are a small minority of the regional population, the pope said the Catholic Church would increase its efforts toward inter-religious dialogue in hopes of helping tamp down extremism.

In this way, prejudices can be eliminated, and a climate of mutual respect and trust can grow, the 87-year-old said in an address to some 300 politicians and religious leaders at Jakartas Merdeka Presidential Palace.

This is indispensable for meeting common challenges, including that of countering extremism and intolerance, which through the distortion of religion attempt to impose their views by using deception and violence.

Indonesia has a population of about 280 million people and is estimated to be about 87 per cent Muslim. Freedom of religion is guaranteed in the countrys constitution.
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Pope Francis kicked off his extensive 12-day tour of four Asian countries on a humble note by opting to use a family car and ditching a luxury hotel stay as he arrived in Muslim-majority Indonesia for the first leg.

The leader of the Catholic Church started the first full day of his trip on Wednesday, packed with meetings with political and religious leaders, with interfaith dialogue and climate change at the top of the agenda.

The packed schedule of the Popes farthest and longest trip to date would test the stamina of most people, let alone an 87-year-old suffering from myriad health problems.

The pontiff was chauffeured in a white Toyota Innova with the special SCV1 number plate, typically used by Vatican embassies for his appearances.

The choice of vehicle was based on the Vaticans specific request for an ordinary, commonly used car, Major General Achiruddin, Presidential Security Force commander, was quoted as saying by the Jakarta Globe. We were happy to accommodate this.

The Indonesian government had arranged for the Pope to stay in a luxury hotel but he preferred to stay at the Vatican embassy in Jakarta instead.

open image in gallery Pope Francis and Indonesian president Joko Widodo attend a welcoming ceremony in Jakarta ( EPA )

However, he will be chauffeured in a custom-made bulletproof tactical vehicle with a detachable roof during the Mass service at Bung Karno Stadium on Thursday which is expected to draw more than 60,000 people.

The Maung MV3, was customised for Francis by the Indonesian state defence company Pindad.

Pope Francis will use the Maung MV3 when greeting the faithful at the Bung Karno Stadium. We hope the vehicle provides the utmost comfort and safety for the Pope during his time in Indonesia, defence ministry spokesman Edwin Adrian Sumantha said.

The vehicle, under construction since May, has been specifically tailored to suit the elderly pontiffs needs.

open image in gallery Pope Francis and Apostolic Nuncio to Indonesia Bishop Piero Pioppo (back to camera) leave after a meeting with Indonesian officials ( AP )

The Pope arrived at the Merdeka Palace on Wednesday morning to meet with outgoing president Joko Widodo and his incoming successor Prabowo Subianto during the first papal visit to Indonesia in 35 years.

He was greeted with enthusiastic cheers by a crowd of people, including children, gathered at the presidential palace as he stepped out of the car and took to a wheelchair.

At a welcome ceremony marked by grandeur and tradition, cannons boomed in the palace grounds, sending a flock of white pigeons into the sky, symbolising peace.

In his address, the Pope urged the Indonesians, three per cent of whom are Catholics, to live with harmony in diversity and fight religious intolerance in the worlds largest Muslim country.

open image in gallery The Pope is visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore over 12 days ( AFP/Getty )

He noted that diversity could become a source of conflict in an apparent reference to episodes of religious intolerance in recent years in the country as well as a broader concern about geopolitical conflicts raging around the world.

This wise and delicate balance between the multiplicity of cultures and different ideological visions, and the ideals that cement unity, must be continuously defended against imbalances," he said.

Political leaders had an essential role to play, the Pope said, assuring Mr Widodo of the Catholic Churchs commitment to increasing inter-religious dialogue.

War will not benefit anyone, war will only bring suffering and misery to the common people, Mr Widodo said. Therefore, let us celebrate the differences that we have. Let us accept each other and strengthen tolerance to realise peace, to realise a better world for all humanity.

A major highlight of the pontiffs Indonesia visit is set to be his meeting at Jakartas iconic Istiqlal mosque, which is connected by a tunnel to the citys Catholic cathedral.

He is expected to meet Nasaruddin Umar, the imam of the mosque, as well as representatives of all six religions officially recognised in Indonesia  Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Protestantism and Catholicism.

The Popes visit comes amid rising concerns over incidents of intolerance in Indonesia. Amnesty International said there were at least 123 cases of intolerance, including the closure or destruction of places of worship, in the country between January 2021 and July 2024.

Amnesty said it hoped the Popes visit would encourage an end to acts of intolerance and discrimination against minority groups and promote respect for religious freedom that is enshrined in the constitution.

The Pope will depart for Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea after his final day of engagement in Indonesia on Friday, before travelling to East Timor and Singapore.
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With his fleet of 7,000 cars and 15,000 haircuts, the Sultan of Brunei couldnt be more different than Indias Narendra Modi, who has made much over the years of his modest upbringing.

Modi is making the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to the tiny, oil-rich nation in Southeast Asia this week, and his talks with the sultan underscore the growing importance of Brunei for Indias geopolitical ambitions in the region.

Modi, who is said to have sold tea at a railway station as a boy, has expressed his intention to strengthen Indias ties with the small country on the northern coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia.

Brunei is an important partner in Indias Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision  policies meant to serve stronger trade and business ties with South East Asia and other Indo Pacific countries.

Who is Haji Hassanal Bolkiah?

The Sultan of Brunei, whose wealth is estimated at $30bn, is known for his lavish lifestyle. His car collection is reportedly valued at $5bn and has 7000 vehicles, including a gold Rolls-Royce that he acquired for his daughters wedding.

He was crowned the 29th Sultan of Brunei in 1968 and is the second-longest reigning monarch after the late Queen Elizabeth II. He resides in the Istana Nurul Iman, the worlds largest residential palace with 1,788 rooms.

The power of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who is also the prime minister of Brunei, extends far beyond that of a typical monarch. According to his official biography, he holds multiple high-ranking positions, including the portfolios of defence, finance, and external affairs.

He was named crown prince at 15 in 1961 and six years later his father Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddin abdicated. Although Brunei was still a British protectorate at the time, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah had already received military training in Britain and studied in Malaysia.

The sultan trained as an officer at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst in the UK between 1966 and 1967, the official website noted.

He is also a qualified pilot and can fly both aeroplanes and helicopters.

This handout picture taken by Brunei's Information Department on 11 January 2024 and released on 12 January 2024 shows Brunei's Prince Abdul Mateen, right, touching his forehead on his father's hand, Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, second from left, after his solemnisation at Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei ( via AP )

Under his rule, Brunei solidified its status as one of the worlds richest nations based on its vast oil wealth with a high per-capita income upon gaining independence in 1984.

The last parliamentary elections in Brunei, a country roughly the size of Delaware in the US, were held in 1968.

The sultans extravagant spending has fascinated outsiders for decades. His palace has an extensive polo complex, complete with around 100 ponies and a stud farm. He reportedly paid Michael Jackson $17m to perform at his 50th birthday party, attended by Britains then Prince Charles. The celebrations went on for over two weeks.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is believed to have a private collection of around 500 Rolls-Royces and during the 1990s, the Bolkiah family was reportedly responsible for nearly half of all the luxury car purchases worldwide.

Prince Abdul Mateen, one of the Sultans 12 children, frequently posts images of his lavish lifestyle on Instagram. Prince Mateen is the sixth in line to Bruneis throne and a pilot and polo player with over 2.4 million followers on Instagram. The Instagram posts of the prince, who has often drawn comparisons in the past with Britains Prince Harry, show a mix of official duties with yachting, travelling in private jets and stays at world-class hotels.

Indias prime minister Narendra Modi (L) and Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (R) pose for pictures prior to a meeting at Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan on 4 September 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiahs younger brother, Prince Jefri Bolkiah, was accused by the state of Brunei on behalf of the sultan of misappropriating some $40bn in state funds, in one of Asias most sensational royal scandals. The sultan sued his younger sibling in 2000 leading to a long-running feud between the two.

Brunei, a small country of about 463,000 people with a predominantly Muslim population, bans liquor, dancing, gambling and homosexuality. The sultan faced increasing international scrutiny, especially after 2019, when Brunei rolled out its interpretation of Islamic laws, or sharia, allowing whipping and stoning to death for those found guilty of adultery, sodomy and rape.

This picture taken by Bruneis Information Department shows the royal powdering ceremony for Brunei's Prince Abdul Mateen's, centre, at Istana Nurul Iman, ahead of his wedding with Anisha Rosnah, in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei ( via AP )

The new measures were met with global outcry and caused alarm and fear among Bruneis gay community. Even though homosexuality was already illegal in the country, the enforcement of these harsher penalties led to calls to boycott luxury hotels owned by the sultan, including the Dorchester in London, the Beverly Hills Hotel, and the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles.

The US, Britain, France, Germany, and other nations, along with several celebrities such as George Clooney, Ellen DeGeneres, and Elton John, protested the law. Seeking to temper the backlash led by celebrities, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah extended a moratorium on the death penalty but critics said other harsh punishments, including whipping and maiming, remained and called for stricter revisions to the law.

Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah looks on as US president Joe Biden reacts to a reporters question during a family photo for the US-ASEAN Special Summit on the South Lawn of the White House on 12 May 2022 in Washington, DC ( Getty Images )

The sultans flying palace is a private aviation fleet of ultra-luxurious planes, including a Boeing 747-8 (V8-BKH), a luxurious, long-range aircraft, a Boeing 767-200 (V8-MHB), another high-end aircraft for long-haul flights, a Boeing 787-8 (V8-OAS), a modern and spacious jet designed for comfort, apart from Sikorsky S70 and S76, helicopters used for shorter journeys and local travel.

The sultan reportedly spends approximately 15,000 for a haircut and arranges for his favourite barber, who works at Londons Dorchester Hotel, to fly first class to Brunei.

The 78-year-old also owns a private zoo with 30 Bengal tigers and a range of exotic birds like falcons, flamingos and cockatoos which can reportedly ride miniature bicycles, play with a ball, sing, and imitate other animals, according to a GQ report.

Observers say the sultans lavish lifestyle contrasts sharply with the lives of commoners, who live in a nation where strict Islamic laws and a state of emergency have long restricted personal freedoms. The sultan is also criticised for promoting a conservative interpretation of Islam that contrasts sharply with the lifestyles of those from the royal family.

The sultan is currently married to Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha. He has 12 children from three spouses. In 2020, Prince Abdul Azim, the sultans 38-year-old son and fourth in line to the throne, passed away. Azim was known for his work as a movie producer in Hollywood.

Azim was also known for his prominent presence on the international party scene, often seen with celebrities such as Pamela Anderson, Janet Jackson, and Mariah Carey.

In a 2017 CNN report, Michael Auslin of the Hoover Institution was quoted as saying: Theyre [the royal family] probably fairly well insulated from criticism, as the Bruneians are living better than almost anyone else in Asia. Here youre talking about oil wealth that has been spread throughout society, the majority are benefiting.

Their lifestyle is literally inconceivable for the vast majority of humanity. Its lavish beyond belief. Take everything you can imagine in the lifestyles of the rich and famous and multiply it.
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A new study has found rising levels of a less-monitored forever chemical in groundwater sources, sparking concerns about increasing contamination of drinking water and its public health effects.

Researchers in Denmark found that levels of trifluoroacetate, or TFA, have been rising in groundwater across the country in recent decades, exceeding the amount permissible under European regulations.

Forever chemicals, officially called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS, are linked to several negative effects on human health but are found everywhere from pesticides and firefighting foams to everyday use products like non-stick cookware and stain-resistant fabrics.

They are called forever chemicals because they fail to break down fully in the environment.

Researchers took groundwater samples from over 100 wells across Denmark and found that the concentration of TFAs has been rising steadily since the 1960s.

TFA forms when fluorinated gases, such as those used in refrigeration, and certain fluorinated pesticides break down in the environment. As these chemicals degrade, they can be carried into groundwater through rainwater and soil.

In recent years, studies from across the world have reported sharp rises in TFA in water sources.

There are many reports of PFAS contamination of groundwater worldwide, particularly from the historic use of firefighting foams and other industrial activities, said Stuart Khan, professor and head of school, civil engineering, at the University of Sydney, who wasnt involved with the research. These chemicals often infiltrate the soil and contaminate groundwater.

Its not surprising to find TFA given its sources, including as a breakdown product of fluorinated gases used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and electronic manufacturing.

The new study found that groundwater samples taken from various periods show a noticeable increase in trifluoroacetate levels over time. For instance, groundwater from before 1960 had almost no detectable trifluoroacetate while samples from the 2000s to the 2020s showed an average concentration of 0.6ppb, or parts per billion.

This level exceeds the European Environment Agencys limit for total PFAS in drinking water, which is set at 0.5 ppb.

 I think this is the first study to show such a trend in groundwater for any PFAS compound, Christian Albers, one of the authors of the research, told The Independent.

He explained that while TFA is less harmful than some other PFAS, its higher levels found in the water and the possibility of unknown future health risks could be worrying.

Britains Health and Safety Executive has identified TFA as a substance of concern, since there are indications that it might cause developmental toxicity.

We are still learning about the toxic impacts of many types of PFAS, including TFA. Some studies suggest that high levels of exposure to TFA may be harmful to fertility and foetal development, but there remains significant uncertainty, Dr Khan said.

The level of risk will be proportional to the level and duration of exposure, with cities that have high levels of industrial activity and poor environmental regulations being most at risk.

The rise in TFA levels could be due to several factors, including changes in how it settles from the air, absorption by plants, and the use of local pesticides, researchers said.

In Denmark, pesticides that can break down into TFA have been used in agriculture since the late 1960s, the study noted. This historical use of pesticides could have contributed to the rising levels of the chemical in groundwater.

"Some particularly high trifluoroacetate concentrations in groundwater less than 10 years old suggest that recent local sources, such as new pesticide applications, could be becoming more important, Dr Albers said.

A study published earlier this year showed PFAS are found in surface and groundwater around the world at levels much higher than many international regulators allow.

Despite the availability of water purification methods, PFAS remain challenging to remove.

Conventional water treatment methods are not effective at eliminating them but advanced technologies like reverse osmosis and ion-exchange processes can help remove PFAS.

But these methods are expensive and not always feasible on a wide scale.
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When the recent allegations came out about Strictly Come Dancing, I barely raised an eyebrow. The much-loved show, a symbol of Britishness on a par with scones, Paddington Bear and the royal family, had previously enjoyed a relatively scandal-free reputation (well, aside from all the celebs getting off with their dance partners). Now, its clean streak was over, tainted by accusations of bullying and abusive behaviour by previous participants; the BBC was forced to apologise and expel two professional dancers from the cast.

My lack of reaction stemmed from the fact that we seem to have reached a point in our national culture where everything that once put the Great in Great Britain has been sullied in one way or another, reduced to a predictably disappointing slurry.

Its why I was similarly unsurprised to see that, across every metric measured, Britons pride in our country has gone down since 2013, according to a new National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) report.

When asked whether they were very proud of Britain for a number of criteria, the 1,600 respondents from England, Scotland and Wales answered in the affirmative thus: 64 per cent for its history, down from 86 per cent a decade ago; 53 down from 69 per cent for the way democracy works; 44 down from 57 per cent for our economic achievements; 48 down from 59 per cent for Britains political influence; and 77 down from 84 per cent for its achievements in sport. The highest amount of and lowest decrease in pride was reserved for the realm of art and literature: 79 down from 80 per cent in 2013.

When one considers the events of the past 10 years, the real surprise is that the decline wasnt greater. We have, after all, been pummelled from every conceivable direction. Brexit stripped us of our political influence on the world stage, tanked the economy and ensured wed have to wait ages at the airport in non-EU queues. Our Tory government during the Covid pandemic will be forever remembered for both their cronyism  handing out lucrative PPE contracts to inexperienced mates  and gleeful breaking of their own lockdown rules with numerous parties (not to mention Dominic I drove to Barnard Castle to test my eyesight Cummings).

Boris Johnson presided over scandal after scandal; Rishi Sunak ruined Adidas Sambas for everyone else on a whim. And good old Liz Truss, with a prime ministerial shelf-life briefer than that of a head of lettuce, further enhanced our international laughing-stock status and sent mortgage rates soaring as a farewell gift.

A rise in far-right rhetoric saw Nigel Farages smug face plastered across our screens just when we finally thought wed seen the back of him, led to disastrous policies such as trying to fly all our asylum seekers to Rwanda, and gave birth to Reform UK to pick up where Ukip left off.

open image in gallery Prince Andrew hasnt helped restore British pride ( AFP via Getty Images )

Then theres the monarchy, traditionally one of Britains most bankable patriotism-fuellers, which has had one of the most chequered decades in recent memory. The death of universally adored Queen Elizabeth II; sex abuse claims levelled at Prince Andrew; Meghan and Harry brought to breaking point and hounded out of the country; a bitter rift between the princes and subsequent tell-all autobiography; rumours of infidelity; speculation over Kates whereabouts followed by the news of both her and the Kings ill health

Even across media and culture, there were blows dealt at every turn, from Phillip Schofields indiscretions and Holly Willoughbys fall from grace by association, to the devastating revelations that national treasure Huw Edwards had indecent images of children on his phone. Harry Potter went from source of national pride to national shame as JK Rowling steadily bludgeoned her own legacy to death with increasingly transphobic rhetoric. Heck, I still havent recovered from the loss of Mel and Sue from the Great British Bake Off  or its move from the BBC to Channel 4 in 2016.

Perhaps the nosedive in Brits propensity to brag about our history is a sign of hope

Our beloved but beleaguered NHS is on life support; our public transport system remains simultaneously dazzling inefficient and inordinately expensive. And, in the last few years, the cost of living crisis has festered beneath it all, prompting the shutting down of small businesses, straining the nations pockets and making every aspect of life just that bit more grey, drab and difficult. The news that Wilko was shutting down last year was, for me, the final straw.

But the biggest pride plunge has come in relation to Britains history. Here, at least, there are some obvious triumphs to hold onto. The Second World War for a start: Churchills rousing we will fight on the beaches speech; a country united to defend freedom against fascism; victory in the face of abominable evil that would change the course of all our histories. Is it just that weve become less interested in this pivotal point nearly 80 years on? Or have we simply become tired of the jingoism referenced in so many films, books and plays  and thats now almost exclusively used by nostalgic proud to be British types who use their so-called patriotism as a flimsy cover for racism?

Perhaps, then, counterintuitively, the nosedive in Brits propensity to brag about our history is a sign of hope. Its been a decade in which the more unsavoury facets of the countrys backstory have taken centre stage. The fact that much of the UKs power and dominance from the 17th to 19th centuries derived from slave labour and colonialism  and the extent to which Britain plundered its wealth from countless other countries  is finally being acknowledged openly instead of brushed under the carpet.

open image in gallery Protesters throwing the statue of Edward Colston into Bristol Harbour in 2020 ( PA )

In 2020, a statue of slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol was toppled, defaced, and pushed into Bristol Harbour during the Black Lives Matter protests. That same year, the National Trust published a report revealing that more than 90 of its properties have connections to slavery and colonialism, shining a light on their warts-and-all reality. Just to be really clear, were not making judgements about the past, what were trying to do is reflect as accurately and comprehensively as we can the histories across a variety of places, John Orna-Ornstein, director of culture and engagement, said at the time.

Its arguably no bad thing that Brits patriotism has reduced when confronted with the sins of the past  and goes hand-in-hand with our growing embrace of diversity. According to the NatCen research, the percentage of people who think it important that someone be born in the UK to be described as truly British has plummeted from 74 per cent in 2013 to 55 per cent in 2023. The proportion who think its important to have British ancestry to be considered truly British has dropped from 51 to 39 per cent.

If racism, prejudice and xenophobia really are on the wane  well, that really is something to be proud of.
Commentary: China-Africa partnership an example for building shared future

08:16, September 04, 2024 By Liu Bowei ( Xinhua

BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- As the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) approaches, the fluttering flags of African nations in the streets of Beijing not only herald the reunion of old friends but also mark a new chapter in future cooperation.

Over the past half-century, the unity and cooperation between China, the world's largest developing country, and Africa, the continent with the largest number of developing countries, have continually delivered mutual benefits.

At its core, this partnership is built on mutual respect, shared aspirations, and a commitment to fostering a common future. In an era of global challenges, the China-Africa partnership offers valuable lessons for building a community with a shared future for mankind.

China's relationship with Africa has deep historical roots, grounded in solidarity and mutual support during Africa's liberation struggles. Today, it has evolved into a multi-faceted partnership encompassing trade, investment, infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and more.

One of the most visible examples is the Belt and Road Initiative, which has seen significant investments in African infrastructure, such as roads, railways, ports, and power plants. These projects are not just about physical infrastructure; they symbolize a bridge connecting two regions committed to shared prosperity.

"To get rich, build roads first." The popular Chinese proverb rings true in Africa. Drawing on its own development experience, China has been dedicated to working with Africa to build transport facilities crucial for economic development.

Over the last quarter century, Chinese companies have helped African countries build or upgrade more than 10,000 km of railways, nearly 100,000 km of highways, roughly 1,000 bridges, almost 100 ports and 66,000 km of power transmission and distribution lines, all of which have created arteries of connectivity across the African continent.

Beyond infrastructure, China is also working with Africa to drive the continent's green transition through investments in hydropower, wind, and solar energy, and addressing key challenges in agricultural technology and food security.

Over the past decade, China has set up 24 agricultural technology demonstration centers in Africa and popularized more than 300 advanced agricultural technologies, which have increased local crop yields by an average of 30 to 60 percent, benefiting more than 1 million farmers in African countries.

China and Africa's shared vision for the future is also reflected in their joint efforts in areas such as healthcare and education. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of these efforts, as China provided substantial medical aid to African nations, including vaccines and healthcare equipment. Meanwhile, through scholarships, vocational training, and cultural exchange programs, China has contributed to the development of Africa's human capital.

These initiatives not only help foster mutual understanding but also equip young Africans with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

China's growing engagement with Africa unsettles some nations in the West. They hence use narratives like "neocolonialism" and "debt trap" as geopolitical tools to smear China and weaken the effectiveness of its development partnerships with developing countries.

However, the reality on the ground suggests a different story. African leaders have repeatedly emphasized that China's approach respects their sovereignty and development priorities. This stands in contrast to the paternalistic and conditional aid often provided by the West.

It is with a spirit of mutual respect and win-win cooperation that China and Africa are addressing global challenges such as climate change, peacekeeping, and sustainable development. African countries, which are among the most vulnerable to climate change, have found a partner in China that is committed to supporting green energy and sustainable development initiatives across the continent.

In a world still marred by power politics and hegemony, one can better appreciate the global significance of the China-Africa partnership that highlights equality, common development and shared benefits.

This partnership is not merely transactional; it represents a vision for a more just and equitable world order. Together, China and Africa can better champion international fairness, genuine multilateralism, and the causes of developing countries.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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Demi Moore has opened up about the health ordeal she faced while making her new horror movie The Substance.

In the film, which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in the summer and earned an 11-minute standing ovation, Moore, 61, plays Elisabeth, a Hollywood star who has been sidelined by the industry due to her age. Elisabeth then decides to undergo an experimental treatment that creates a younger version of herself, played by Maid star Margaret Qualley.

Working on the project, which was directed by Coralie Fargeat, was a full-on experience for both performers, and in an interview with The LA Times, Moore revealed that she was diagnosed with shingles during a break in filming.

To give you an idea of the intensity, my first week that I actually had off, where it was just Margaret working, I got shingles, she told the paper. And I then lost, like, 20 pounds.

Shingles is an infection that causes a painful rash, according to the NHS.

Anyone who has previously had chickenpox can develop shingles. After having chickenpox, the virus remains in the nerve cells of the body and can lie dormant for years until it is reactivated, causing shingles.

open image in gallery The actor says she lost 20 pounds as a result of the illness ( Getty Images )

Potential triggers for this can include a weakened immune system as a consequence of stress, illness, medical treatments or old age. It can take up to four weeks for the shingles rash to heal.

Moores co-star Qualley, 29, revealed that she also dealt with challenges while working on the project. I had crazy acne for a full, long-ass time, she told the paper.

When The Substance premiered at Cannes in May, Moores performance was hailed as a career best, with some critics speculating that the role could earn her the first Oscar nomination of her career.

open image in gallery Moore has earned some of the best reviews of her career for The Substance ( Mubi )

The movie features full-frontal nudity, and Moore described filming those scenes as a very vulnerable experience that required a lot of sensitivity and a lot of conversation about what we were trying to accomplish.

She also credited Qualley with helping her to get through any potentially awkward moments.

I had someone who was a great partner who I felt very safe with, she told a press conference at Cannes. We obviously were quite close  naked  and we also got a lot of levity in those moments at how absurd those certain situations were.
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Jenna Ortega and Winona Ryder have reacted to their sweet interaction at the 2024 Venice Film Festival going viral.

The Beetlejuice Beetlejuice co-stars inadvertently sparked an online discussion about fame and personal boundaries when they attended the international film festival in Venice, Italy, to promote the Tim Burton film. During a photocall, Ryder and Ortega posed with co-star Catherine OHara as photographers were heard shouting at the actors to take off their sunglasses.

The Stranger Things star, who was wearing a pair of thick black frames, then turned to Ortega as she noticeably hesitated to remove her sunglasses. It was then that the 21-year-old Wednesday actor assured Ryder that she didnt need to comply with the photographers demands.

No, you dont have to, Ortega appeared to tell Ryder, who decided to keep her sunglasses on.

A clip of their sweet exchange went viral on X, formerly Twitter, as many fans pointed out the differences between Gen Z celebrities and older Hollywood stars when it comes to setting boundaries.

Its kind of crazy to me that Jenna Ortega is able to have that confidence at her young age and is telling Ryder when Ryder has been in the spotlight since before Ortega was born, one X user responded to the video. But its also generational  Gen Xers didnt grow up learning boundaries and limits like Gen Z.

Theres something very comforting about the younger generation encouraging the older generation (who were raised to please and say yes) to maintain their boundaries no matter what, another fan pointed out.

A third person wrote: I like this aspect of Gen Z women. They dont just do what theyre told just because someone else wants them to. Seeing Jenna and Winona bond has been sweet.

Now, the actors have finally reacted to their wholesome interaction going viral in an interview with Hits Radio UK released on September 4. At one point, the interviewer told Ortega it was so powerful when she assured Ryder that she didnt need to take off her sunglasses for photographers at the Venice Film Festival.

While it seemed that the Scream alum had no clue that the pair went viral, Ryder exclaimed that she had heard about their exchange doing numbers online. Apparently we were viral, the Heathers actor excitedly said. I think its, like, my first viral moment!

Ryder went on to explain the background behind the clip, noting that the photographers were screaming at her to take her sunglasses off. I was like, Uhhh, and Jennas like, No, you dont have to do that. And it was amazing, she recalled.

OHara, who sat beside Ortega and Ryder during the interview, then chimed in: Thats lovely. And sounds so simple, doesnt it?

However, Ortega downplayed the viral moment as she maintained that respecting personal boundaries shouldnt deserve recognition. Thats nothing to praise or applaud. You dont have to take your glasses off. It was hot, they looked cool, she said.

The Schitts Creek actor admitted that she succumbed to the pressure from photographers to take her sunglasses off, but ultimately decided to put them back on during the photocall. Turning to OHara, Ryder acknowledged how the simple gesture was one of the main differences between their generation of celebrities compared to Ortegas generation, saying: We do come from, like, a generation where [youre like], Ugh, okay

Still, Ortega wasnt convinced that personal boundaries were entirely a generational difference, as she told her co-stars: But I also think its much easier to do it for other people. I feel like if I wore glasses and they told me, I think you would have done it like that. Because it is awkward!

Of course, Ryder jokingly added that she wouldve lunged at photographers if they yelled at Ortega to do the same.

In Beetlejuice Beetlejuice  the long-awaited sequel to director Burtons 1988 film, Beetlejuice  Ryder reprises her role as formerly rebellious teen Lydia Deetz, although this time she has a daughter of her own. Lydia also reunites with her stepmother Delia, played by OHara, while Ortega stars as Ryders teen daughter Astrid.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice hits theaters in the US on September 6. Read The Independents two-star review here.
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Volvo has announced it will abandon its ambitious plan to sell only fully electric cars by 2030.

The Swedish company announced on Wednesday it is now aiming for 90-100 per cent of its global sales to be either pure electric or plug-in hybrid at that point.

It said this will allow for a limited number of mild hybrid models to be sold, if needed.

Volvos previous target, set in 2021, was for all its cars to be pure electric by 2030.

Volvo, majority-owned by Chinas Geely, attributed the change in policy to a slower than expected rollout of charging infrastructure, the withdrawal of government incentives in some markets and additional uncertainties created by recent tariffs on electric vehicles.

Volvo Cars chief executive Jim Rowan said: We are resolute in our belief that our future is electric.

An electric car provides a superior driving experience and increases possibilities for using advanced technologies that improve the overall customer experience.

However, it is clear that the transition to electrification will not be linear, and customers and markets are moving at different speeds of adoption.

We are pragmatic and flexible, while retaining an industry-leading position on electrification and sustainability.

open image in gallery The Swedish company said it is now aiming for 90-100 per cent of its global sales to be either pure electric or plug-in hybrid (John Walton/PA) ( PA Archive )

Last month it was announced that the proportion of new cars expected to be pure electric this year has been downgraded due to weakening demand from private buyers.

A forecast issued by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) estimates that pure electrics will take an 18.5 per cent market share in 2024.

In April the figure was expected to be 19.8 per cent.

The overall outlook for how many new cars will be registered this year has also fallen, from around 1,984,000 to 1,968,000.

In July the sector recorded its 24th consecutive month of year-on-year growth.

Some 147,517 new cars were registered in July, up 2.5 per cent from July 2023.

The increase was sustained entirely by purchases for fleets owned or leased by businesses or other organisations (up 13.0 per cent).

Uptake from private buyers continued to diminish, down 11.1 per cent.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: Two years of new car market growth against a backdrop of a turbulent economy is testament to the sectors resilience and the attractiveness of the deals on offer.

Weakening private retail demand, however, particularly for EVs and despite generous manufacturer discounts, is the overriding concern.

More people than ever are buying and driving EVs but we still need the pace of change to quicken, (or) else the UKs climate change ambitions are threatened and manufacturers ability to hit regulated EV targets are at risk.

Achieving market transition at the pace demanded requires greater support for consumers and, with the all-important new numberplate month of September beckoning, action on incentives and infrastructure is needed now.

Under the zero emission vehicle mandate, at least 22 per cent of new cars and 10 per cent of new vans sold by each manufacturer in the UK this year are required to be zero emission, which in most cases means pure electric.

The threshold will rise annually.

Manufacturers risk being required to pay the Government 15,000 per polluting vehicle sold above the limits.

But businesses are not expected to face fines this year because they will be able to use flexibilities such as purchasing credits from rival companies.
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Naomi Campbell has hit back at Anna Wintour after the Vogue editor made a dig at the models notorious lateness while she waited to present her with an award  for which she turned up predictably late.

Campbell, 54, was due to be honoured with the Fashion Icon Award at Harlems Fashion Show and Style event. But reports suggest Wintour eventually left, forcing Samira Nasr, the editor-in-chief of Harpers Bazaar to present it instead.

During her introduction, Wintour said I am a very punctual person, and I have the honour of presenting tonight to someone who is often late.

True to her reputation, Campbell appeared to the awards behind schedule, by which time Wintour had left, according to USA Today.

Campbell hit back at the earlier comments as she said, Yes, Naomis always late. But I believe in my high power, and I want to thank my higher power for having me be here.

She then said she preferred to have Nasr present, jokingly adding, Everythings going to work out the way its meant to work out.

It wasnt my choice to have the other lady [Wintour]. Id much rather have this.

The final remark caused an audible stir in the room as the comment appeared pointed and has been perceived as a dig towards Wintour, by social media users.

open image in gallery Wintour left after Campbell was late to the ceremony ( Getty )

Wintour called Campbell, bold, bright and entirely, unquestionably herself in her introduction. The pair have paid respect to each other in the past, with Wintour fighting to have the model as the first black person on the cover of the magazine in 1989.

Anna gave me such a great opportunity and I had no idea how much she had to fight for that, Campbell told CNN.

Actor Joanna Lumley has previously shared that the model was almost dismissed from the set of Absolutely Fabulous for turning up three hours late in the 1990s.

Speaking to Page Six, Lumley recollected a stern floor manager telling Campbell: Youre working with a lot of very professional actresses. They all pitched up on time, and they know their lines. Darling, youll do that tomorrow, or youre out.

Fortunately, Campbell took heed of the warning and showed up at 9am the following day.

So maybe in her past, nobodys ever asked her to be on time  they just expected her to be a diva, her co-actor Jennifer Saunders chipped in.
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Cambodia's Defense Ministry said Wednesday that China is giving its navy two warships of the type it has had docked for months at a strategically important base being expanded with Beijing's funding, which has raised concerns of China establishing a permanent naval presence on the Gulf of Thailand.

Ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata told The Associated Press that China would give Cambodia two newly built Type 56 corvettes, smaller vessels typically used for coastal patrols, next year at the earliest.

She would not comment on reports that China also planned to hand over to Cambodia newly expanded facilities at Ream Naval Base, including a lengthy new pier capable of accommodating much larger naval vessels than Cambodia has in its own fleet. Maly did say the final phase of construction would soon be completed.

The United States and others have expressed concerns about China's navy establishing a base at Ream, which would give it easy access to the Malacca Strait, a critical shipping route between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean.

Those concerns grew after two Type 56 corvettes docked at the newly built pier in December, and have maintained a presence there on-and-off ever since.

Cambodia has said one of the reasons the Chinese corvettes have been there for so long was that it was considering similar warships for its own navy, and for training.

Maly said the two corvettes being given to Cambodia, the Type 56C variant, came after Cambodia requested China's support.

It is in the aim of strengthening the capacity and ability of Cambodia to protect and maintain peace, stability, security as well as for supporting search and rescue operations and other humanitarian activities, she said.

Chinas Foreign Affairs Ministry would not comment on the ships or the report that Beijing would turn over the newly expanded Ream base facilities to Cambodia, telling the AP in a faxed reply to a query that were not aware of the relevant information.

Controversy over the Chinese activity at the Ream base initially arose in 2019 when The Wall Street Journal reported that an early draft of a reputed agreement seen by U.S. officials would allow China 30-year use of the base, where it would be able to post military personnel, store weapons and berth warships.

Cambodias then-Prime Minister Hun Sen denied there was such an agreement, emphasizing that Cambodias Constitution did not allow foreign military bases to be established on its soil.

Chinese work on the base has continued and Hun Sen's successor as prime minister, his son Hun Manet, has insisted the same thing.

If China's People's Liberation Army Navy, or PLAN, were to be granted preferred, or exclusive, access to Ream in exchange for the warships it is giving Cambodia and for its work on the base, it could be a deft way to work around the constitutional issues, said Euan Graham, a senior defense analyst with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

Its quite a smart move, as it allows Cambodia to maintain its line that it hasnt deviated from the constitution by creating a foreign base. And China has no shortage of warships to donate, he said.

I expect that China may retain a naval complement on board the corvettes, post-transfer. The real question is what level of access the PLAN will have to Ream, and whether that access is exclusive, Graham added.

China currently only operates one acknowledged foreign military base, in the impoverished but strategically important Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti, but many believe that its military is busy establishing an overseas network.

The U.S. has more foreign military bases than any other country, including multiple facilities in the Asia-Pacific region.

Thus far, only Chinese naval vessels have been given permission to use the new pier. In February, two Japanese destroyers were routed instead to the nearby Sihanoukville commercial port. A Royal Australian Navy frigate was also directed to Sihanoukville for a port call ending Wednesday.

Maly said Cambodia had the right to promote cooperation with all partners for its benefit, so long as constitutional regulations were followed.

Cooperation has to comply with the goals and the principles of the Cambodian Constitution especially the protection of its sovereignty, integrity and independence, Maly said.

Cambodia is Chinas closest ally in Southeast Asia, while China is Cambodias most important ally and benefactor, with a strong influence on its economy.

Beyond military projects, China funds numerous others in Cambodia  particularly infrastructure, including airports and roads, but also private projects such as hotels, casinos and property development. Some 40% of Cambodias $11 billion in foreign debt is owed to China.

___

Rising reported from Bangkok.
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Certain dogs can remember the names of their toys for at least two years, scientists have found.

Previous research has shown these rare pooches, known as gifted word learners (GWL), have a unique ability to learn the names of hundreds of different objects.

A new study, published in the journal Biology Letters, now suggests they can remember the names of some of these toys for an extended period of time.

The hope is that the talented dogs could help scientists understand more about how animals other than humans retain their memories.

Dr Claudia Fugazza, the head of the research group at Eotvos Lorand University in Hungary, said: We know that dogs can remember events for at least 24 hours and odours for up to one year but this is the first study showing that some talented dogs can remember words for at least two years.

The findings of our current study cannot be generalised to other dogs because we only tested GWL dogs, individuals that show a special talent for acquiring object words.

For the study, the researchers analysed the behaviour of five border collies: Gaia, Max, Whiskey, Squall and Rico.

These GWL dogs had learnt and remembered the names of multiple toys and were tested again two years on.

Whiskey with a Gifted Word Learner certificate ( Helge O. Svela/Eotvos Lorand University/PA Wire )

The researchers said that remarkably four out of five dogs remembered the names of between 60-75% of the toys after two years, with Gaia performing the best.

As a group, the dogs performance averaged at 44% correct choices, which is significantly above chance level, the team added.

Dr Shany Dror, lead researcher on the study at Eotvos Lorand University, said: We waited two years and then decided to test the dogs again, to see if they still remembered the toy names.

Because such a long time has passed some of the owners lost a few of the toys.

Thus, three dogs were tested on 12 toys, one dog on 11 and one dog on five.

After two years, we all had a hard time remembering the names of toys.

But not the dogs! They did not seem to struggle.

The research is part of a project known as the Genius Dog Challenge and the scientists are urging owners who believe their dogs know multiple toy names to contact them via the projects website.
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Three children found dead at a house in Surrey have been described as full of life and happiness by their grieving mother.

Angelika Swiderska paid tribute to her three sons, Dominik, aged three, and Nikodem and Kacper, both aged two, who died alongside their father Piotr Swiderski, 31, at a house in Bremer Road in Staines on Saturday.

An investigation is being carried out to establish the circumstances of their deaths, though Surrey Police believe it was an isolated incident with no third-party involvement.

In a statement released by the police force, Ms Swiderska said the children doted on their daddy.

Piotr Swiderski and three boys found dead in the house in Staines on Saturday ( Facebook )

Piotr was an amazing husband and father to Kacper, Nikodem and Dominik, she said.

He loved us with all his heart and would have done anything for us. The children doted on their daddy.

Our boys were happy, active children, full of life and happiness. They were always smiling and even when I looked sad, they would say Mummy smile like us.

We are grieving for them all and would like to ask for privacy as we try to understand why this tragedy happened.

I would like to say a huge thank you to all our community for all the messages of condolence, flowers, cards, and teddy bears and for all the kind words about our family.

Angelika Swiderska paid tribute to her three sons, Dominik, aged three, and Nikodem and Kacper, both aged two ( Surrey Police )

Formal identification is yet to take place but Surrey Police has completed a mandatory referral to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), due to previous police contact with those involved.

Surrey Police was called by the ambulance service to the property at about 1.15pm on Saturday.

A floral tribute left outside the house on Sunday read: Rest in peace little ones.

We will always think of you.

Another tribute left by neighbours read: We have no words, but our thoughts and love are with you at this extremely hard time. RIP little angels.

DCI Gareth Hicks, who is leading the investigation, previously 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.

Post-mortem examinations will take place in due course.

An IOPC spokesperson said: We have been notified by Surrey Police about the tragic incident in Spelthorne.

We will be assessing a referral from the force to decide whether any action is required by the IOPC.
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A dog walker who died after being attacked in a park died from a neck injury, police have said.

Bhim Sen Kohli died in hospital after he was seriously assaulted in Franklin Park in Braunstone Town, near Leicester, on Sunday night.

The death of the 80-year-old man, who was discovered lying under a tree by his daughter, has shaken the local community.

It also triggered a murder investigation by Leicestershire Police with five children  a boy and a girl aged 14 and one boy and two girls aged 12  arrested on suspicion of murder.

On Tuesday night, the force confirmed that four had been released with no further action. Only the 14-year-old boy remains in custody.

A post-mortem examination has found Mr Kohli died as a result of a neck injury, pending further tests.

The attack happened close to the park entrance in Bramble Way and a group of young people fled the scene before emergency services arrived, the police said.

A neighbour of Bhims, with whom he would occasionally walk his dog, Rocky, told the Independent that the 80-year-old was gentle and kind and a lovely, kind gentleman that did not deserve this.

The victim of the attack has been named locally as Bhim Sen Kohli ( Facebook )

She said that antisocial behaviour had gripped the area: I actually started to avoid Franklin Park due to feral youth and motorbikes being ridden through there. It was reported to the police many times.

Many of the youth wear masks and have blacked out faces. It has changed so much in this area and we see so little of the police.

His little dog Rocky loved a treat and so many people stopped to say hello to him, the neighbour added.

In an interview with the Leicester Mercury, Mr Kohlis daughter said there had been a lot of antisocial behaviour in the area, and its since been reported by The Telegraph that Mr Kohli had complained to police about it.

Due to prior contact with the victim, Leicestershire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office of Police Conduct.

Detective Inspector Emma Matts, senior investigating officer, said: The circumstances surrounding Mr Kohlis death are extremely tragic and upsetting not only for his family and friends but also the wider community.

We continue to offer support to the family through our family liaison officers, and the local policing teams are in the area to provide reassurance and discuss any issues or concerns.

The family are aware of the significant public interest in the death of their loved one and would like to thank people for their kind words and sympathy. At this stage, the family are asking for privacy at this extremely difficult time.

Our investigation into the assault on Mr Kohli remains ongoing. We continue to keep an open mind around the circumstances surrounding the incident as we work to establish what occurred in the park on Sunday evening.

Officers investigate at the scene of the attack in Franklin Park ( Jacob King/PA Wire )

I would continue to urge anyone who can assist our investigation to come forward.

Following news of the pensioners death, neighbour and long-time friend, who gave his name as Deep, told Sky News: Hes a family man, he was a very nice man.

Its really shocking what happened. Never thought it would happen like this. This is a busy park.

The neighbour told media outlets how Mr Kohli was originally from India and had lived in the UK for many years. He said he had three children and also grandchildren.

Mr Kohli was described as the sweetest man by a friend ( Jacob King/PA Wire )

Friends of Mr Kohli also took to Facebook to pay tribute.

One described him as a perfect gentleman sadly missed. Another said, before he died: The sweetest man. So heartbreaking. Thinking of his family and hoping he comes through this terrible attack.

Nick Brown, the leader of Braunstone Council, said: I got this terrible news this morning. Our thoughts are with his family and friends right now. Our sincere condolences to all who knew him on behalf of Braunstone Town Council.

It is important to allow the family to grieve and the police to get on with their investigation. Braunstone Town has always been a strong community and this horrific event will test us all but we need to come together and support one another at this time.

Additional reporting by PA
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Lucy Letby scribbled notes like I am evil I did this on the advice of her GP and hospital bosses to cope with her feelings of extreme stress, it has been reported.

The NHS neonatal nurse is currently serving 15 whole life sentences for seven murders and seven attempted murders of babies while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Evidence was presented at the initial trial of her morbid fascination with her crimes: searching the victims families on Facebook, hoarding confidential documents about the cases at home and revealing her own thoughts in dense, scrawled notes which included the apparent confession I am evil, I did this.

She also wrote on a scrappy Post-it note found in her house which read: I killed them on purpose because I am not good enough to care for them and I am a horrible evil person.

Hate was also written in block capitals with heavy ink and circled, while the note is headed: Not good enough.

The note found in the house of Lucy Letby was shown at her trial at Manchester Crown Court ( CPS/PA Wire )

A jury at Manchester Crown Court was shown the note on which it is claimed Letby also wrote words such as hate myself, panic, fear, lost and I feel very alone and scared.

But sources close to the case told The Guardian that Kathryn de Berger, head of occupational health and wellbeing at the hospital where she worked, had encouraged Letby to write down her feelings as a way of coping with extreme stress.

The sources also told the paper Letbys Chester GP advised her to write down the thoughts she was struggling to process.

Lucy Letby is led away in cuffs from her home ( Cheshire Constabulary/PA Wire )

David Wilson, who specialises in serial killers, said if they had been written as part of counselling the confession notes should be rendered as having no value in evidence.

He told the publication: Many people will say things when they are under stress and feeling bereft, that seem to imply one thing but mean nothing at all, other than reflecting the underlying stress.

The professor of criminology at Birmingham City University added: I always thought Letbys notes were meaningless as evidence. If they were written as part of therapy you can underline that point three times and write it in bold and capital letter.

When asked about the notes in court, Letby said she often wrote things down to help her understand her feelings. The suggestion of it being a part of counselling was not mentioned.

Former commissioner at the Criminal Cases Review Commission, David James Smith, wrote in The Independent on Tuesday: On first look, it certainly looked like evidence of a troubled mind, but on closer inspection others have since suggested, this could easily be an expression of a deterioration of mental health and self-loathing at the association with the deaths of the babies and the increasing suspicions of doctors who worked with her.

Letby has maintained her innocence since first being arrested in 2018 ( Cheshire Constabulary via Getty )

When asked about the Post-it note  found inside a diary at her home in Chester after her arrest in 2018  Letby told detectives: I just wrote it because everything had got on top of me... I was blaming myself but not because Id done something (but) because of the way people were making me feel.

But like Id only ever done my best for those babies and then people were trying to say that my practice wasnt good, that Id done something.

I just couldnt cope and I just did not want to be here any more.

A growing number of experts have also cast doubts on the rota, which formed a key part of the case and showed Letby to be on duty for every suspicious death or collapse between June 2015 and June 2016.

Letby was found guilty on several counts of murder in 2023 ( PA Archive )

But Peter Green, a former president of the Royal Statistical Society, said: The chart appears to be very convincing, but there are a number of issues with it.

A big thing is that it only describes 25 of the bad events which happened in this period.

It doesnt include any of the events that happened when Lucy was not on duty.

On Monday former Brexit secretary Sir David Davis explained why he believes there is more than reasonable doubt over Letbys conviction and thinks it is highly probable she is innocent.

Letby had refused to appear for sentencing at her first trial last year, but when she was sentenced for the attempted murder of another child following a retrial in July, the 34-year-old stood in the dock of Manchester Crown Court.

As she left to resume her jail term, she paused to say to the court: Im innocent.

Following one of the longest legal cases in British history, she was convicted last summer and handed 14 whole-life orders for her murderous campaign.

Letby lost her Court of Appeal bid in May to challenge her convictions from last year.
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A former police officer has appeared in court charged with 17 sexual offences including two counts of rape, which were allegedly committed against a woman he met while on duty.

Mark Tyrrell, 55, was also charged with three counts of perverting the course of justice relating to allegations he deleted messages, lied to police and pressured his alleged victim to provide a false account.

Tyrrell, who was an officer with Londons Metropolitan Police, is also charged with misconduct in public office for allegedly engaging in an inappropriate relationship with the woman, who he met during the course of his police duties.

Tyrrell was an officer in the Mets Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command, which guards diplomatic premises.

Wayne Couzens, a former officer in the unit, was jailed for life without parole in 2021 for raping and murdering a woman in a case that shocked Britain.

Another former member of the unit, David Carrick, was last year jailed for a minimum of 32 years for multiple rapes and sexual offences committed over nearly two decades.

Tyrrell appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court, where prosecutor Rhianne Neil said he had met the complainant through his work with the Metropolitan Police Service ... through repeat welfare checks.

The complainant made contact to the defendants work email and the defendant responded through his personal mobile phone, Neil said.

The Met said that Tyrrell was arrested in April 2023 and subsequently suspended, before he retired last September. The charges span 2017 to 2023.

Tyrrell was not asked to enter any pleas to any of the charges and will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on Oct. 2.
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Dozens of firefighters tackled a blaze at a high rise block of flats in London on the same day a damning report into the Grenfell tragedy was published.

Ten fire engines attended the blaze at a block of flats on Rosenthal Road, Catford, where black smoke and large flames were seen billowing out of upper storey windows on Wednesday. Two flats on the ninth and 10th floors of the tower block were found on fire, with footage showing dozens of passersby watching the dramatic blaze.

Around 50 calls were made to emergency services by concerned onlookers, before the LFB arrived to tackle the fire in south east London - which was under control by 2:14pm, the fire brigade said in a statement.

The LFB are now investigating the unknown cause of the tower block blaze, which has left a section of the building blackened. There have not been reports of any injuries.

Have you been affected by this incident? If so, email alex.croft@independent.co.uk

The fire is now under control, the fire brigade said ( Councillor James Walsh )

The brigade was first called at 12:51pm, and crews from Forest Hill, Greenwich, Deptford, Lee Green and surrounding fire stations were dispatched to the scene. Rushey Green is closed between Rosenthal Road and Honley Road, the LFB added.

The London Ambulance Service also sent a number of staff to the scene, but have not treated anyone following the fire.

Lewisham Council said on X that council staff remain on the scene to support residents, confirming that no injuries had been reported.

No injuries have yet been reported ( Thomas Chapman )

Speaking out on the fire in Catford, the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission wrote on X: The news reports of a fire in a residential block of flats in Catford are deeply concerning to all of us. Our thoughts are with the residents and community who are affected, and we pray for their safety.

The blaze comes on the day that the 1,700-page report of the six-year long Grenfell inquiry found that government ignorance and corporate greed contributed to the 2017 inferno in which 72 people lost their lives.

Keir Starmer told the House of Commons today that is imperative that there is full accountability, including through the criminal justice process, and that this happens as swiftly as possible.

The highest floors of the Catford block of flats appear burnt out by the blaze ( Councillor James Walsh )

Grenfell Tower was covered in combustible materials due to systematic dishonesty and greed from the corporate cladding firms, the final report concluded.

The inquiry also revealed a deliberate and sustained manipulation of fire-safety testing and data by companies such as Arcon and insulation firms Kingspan and Celotex.

All 72 deaths were avoidable, the report found, with successive governments under David Cameron and Theresa May failing to take action on numerous warnings about the dangers of certain cladding materials from 2012 to 2017.
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Several bones were found after workers dug up tarmac in a historic Sussex city.

Police were called to the discovery of the apparently human remains during roadworks in St Johns Street, Chichester, at around 1.40pm on Tuesday.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: The area has been cordoned off and tests are underway to confirm the nature of the bones.

The discovery is currently being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing.

A box of grey-looking bones, including what appears to be a human pelvis, were retrieved from underneath the road in the city centre.

Police have cordoned off the street while officers carry out an investigation.

Chichester was a Roman and Anglo-Saxon settlement and a major market town through the Norman and medieval periods.

In 1994 some of the oldest human remains ever to be found in Britain were unearthed in a nearby quarry in Boxgrove, Sussex.

The bone was excavated by Dr Mark Roberts, a palaeolithic - Old Stone Age - specialist at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London, in an excavation funded by English Heritage.

That discovery was among the four oldest human bones unearthed in Europe at the time.

There are more than 3,000 palaeolithic sites in England but that was the first time any yielded human skeletal remains of this date.
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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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Muslim survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire were badly failed by the local council and denied their right to halal food while being temporarily rehoused at hotels, a damning inquiry has revealed.

The inquirys final report found the fire that killed 72 people in 2017 was the result of decades of failure by central government and the construction industry to act on the dangers of flammable cladding.

It concluded that Kensington and Chelsea Council should have done more to cater to people from diverse backgrounds. Many of those who lived in the tower had been observing Ramadan, but halal food was not available at all hotels, nor was it possible to observe the requirement to eat at set times.

The findings prompted criticism from Britains leading representative body for Muslim communities which said it pointed to wider structural and systemic issues affecting minoritised communities.

Speaking to The Independent, Zara Mohammed, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: The treatment of minority and faith communities by the council highlights wider structural and systemic issues that must be tackled.

Grenfell remains a stark reminder and trauma for so many, not just the fire but for the way the most vulnerable in our society are treated. Much must be learned now, and for those who have been waiting for justice, meaningful change is essential.

Many of those who lived in the tower had been observing Ramadan, but halal food was not available at all hotels, nor was it possible to observe the requirement to eat at set times ( AFP/Getty )

Issues of race and class have been widely linked to Grenfell. Some 85 per cent of the residents who died in the fire were from ethnic minority and low-income communities, while 40 per cent of residents in high-rise, social housing properties are from these communities.

Dr Shabna Begum, CEO of the Runnymede Trust, linked race, Grenfell and wider housing inequalities - and warned that it was a matter of time until a tragedy of the same scale will happen again.

She went on: The Grenfell fire was a preventable tragedy, marred at every point by structural and direct racism - from those who were killed, to the treatment of survivors, the bereaved, and the wider community, as the latest report from the inquiry confirms.

Seven years since, there is still no justice for the victims and thousands of unsafe buildings still stand across the country. Unless urgent and sufficient action is taken, it is a matter of time until a tragedy of the same scale will happen again.

People of colour are feeling the harshest impacts of the housing crisis, disproportionately live in unsafe and unsuitable homes, and are often funnelled into the poorest quality and least desirable social housing. As a bare minimum, everyone should have access to safe, suitable, affordable housing.

The Grenfell inquiry report highlighted the lack of support for people from migrant backgrounds whose first language wasnt English.

Those who obtained information about the support available were the first to receive assistance, while those who did not were left behind, it said.

That particularly affected vulnerable people, such as those with mobility problems and those who could not speak English. When official communications were eventually released, they were in English. That included communications sent to those who had been placed in hotels.

Speaking to The Independent , Zara Mohammed, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: The treatment of minority and faith communities by the council highlights wider structural and systemic issues that must be tackled ( PA )

People described feeling at a disadvantage because they could not read English well and had significant difficulty in gaining access to services, which they felt created unfairness, according to the report.

Moreover, interpreters were often not provided, and in some cases, were provided but in the wrong language, the report found.

A Black Lives Matter spokesperson told The Independent: The report confirms what we already knowthat we live in a society where a hierarchy of human worth is premised upon the colour of your skin, and where ease in accessing basic social goods such as decent housing is determined by your class and race.

There were also barriers to mental health support for survivors, according to the report.

Psychological support was available from 16 June but many were not told about it, and were unable to obtain counselling services due to language barriers.

Meka Beresford, head of policy at Action for Race Equality, told The Independent that she hoped the learnings and recommendations from this report were taken seriously, as a matter of utmost urgency.

Those impacted by the Grenfell tragedy have been systematically failed at every stage, she said.

The final report published today is clear - if you are Black or Brown, a Muslim, or spoke English as an additional language, you were faced with barriers to even the most basic forms of support following the fire.

Decades of failure predated the tragedy, and we must not wait any longer to put an end to the pervasive institutional racism and Islamophobia in Britain today.

When approached for comment, Elizabeth Campbell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, told The Independent: On behalf of the council, I apologise unreservedly and with my whole heart to the bereaved, survivors and residents of Grenfell for our failure to listen and to protect them.

Councillor Campbell said the council fully accepts the inquirys findings which are a withering critique of a system broken from top to bottom.

We failed to keep people safe before and during the refurbishment and we failed to treat people with humanity and care in the aftermath, she added.

We will learn from every single criticism in the report. We will take time to study it further in detail, listen to the reflections from our communities, and publish a full and formal response in the autumn.
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The long-awaited report into the deadly fire claimed the lives of 72 people at Grenfell Tower has been published seven years after the blaze.

Inquiry chair, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, told bereaved and survivors on Wednesday the simple truth is that all the deaths were avoidable and that those who lived in the tower were badly failed by authorities.

Each of the 72 victims  ranging in age from an unborn baby to an 84-year-old woman  was somebodys father, mother, brother, sister, relative, friend or neighbour. These are their stories from that night.

( PA Wire )

A promise of safety - Rania Ibrahim (floor 23)

Mother of two Rania Ibrahim, 31, died along with her daughters Fethia and Hania Hassan.

Their remains were found together in the bathroom. Three neighbours, Gary Maunders, Fathia Ahmed and Isra Ibrahim, also sheltered in their flat and died

In a video from Facebook, Rania said, The whole building is burning and were on the top floor. In a call to the fire brigade from the flat at 2.42am, the call operator said: The safest place for you at the moment is in the flat  but this was shortly after fire commanders had lifted the stay put strategy and urged survivors to leave.

Five-year-old found five levels below where he lived - Isaac Paulos

One victim, five-year-old Isaac Paulos, was discovered five levels below the flat where he lived with his family after he became separated from them during the fire.

His father Paulos Tekle took his youngest son Lucas and handed Isaac to another resident who was sheltering with his family, and the residents made the descent through thick smoke.

When the party emerged, Isaac was the only member missing, and the other resident said he had lost him in the chaos. Isaac died from smoke inhalation.

Mr Paulos said he had attempted to make final calls to relatives and was planning to jump from their balcony that night. Their lawyer Imran Khan, speaking at the enquiry in 2002, said: Paulos was contemplating him and his wife sacrificing their lives for the lives of their children.

His father said: My son was beautiful, a little boy with so much potential. I will never forget Isaacs big, beautiful eyes, his calm look.

Five-year-old Isaac Paulos was discovered five levels below the flat where he lived with his family ( PA )

The poet on the top floor - Hesham Rahman

Mr Rahmans nephew Karim Mussilhy said his uncle had trouble walking and often used a walking stick, so would have struggled to make it down the stairs from the top floor.

He said: In the early hours of 14 June I was woken up by my wife screaming, Grenfell Tower is on fire, call Uncle Hesham.

My uncles phone kept ringing with no answer. My grandmother heard from him last at around 3am.

Mr Mussilhy added: I remember when my uncle first got his flat in the top floor of Grenfell Tower sometime in 2013 and how happy he was. I remember him being excited about how he was going to decorate and put together his new home.

He liked the fact he lived on the top floor, he said he was closer to God and that also made him happy. My uncle used to express himself through poetry on social media and he wrote some beautiful poems.

Reading from one, he quoted: Remember my presence before my departure. To see a smile on your face when Im gone, a prayer from your heart.

Its not fair. I dont want to die - Gloria Trevisan and Marco Gottardi

Victim Gloria Trevisan, who lived on the 23rd floor with her boyfriend Marco Gottardi, 27, spent her final moments on the phone to her mother.

She told her: I had my whole life ahead of me. Its not fair. I dont want to die.

The pair had moved to London from Venice around for months before the fire to look for jobs after graduating from the University of Padua.

Gloria Trevisan and Marco Gottardi ( PA )

Flamboyant, colourful, passionate - Maria del Pilar Burton

Nicholas Burton, husband of the 74-year-old, known as Pily, told how he lost his wife in the chaos as they were rescued by firefighters at around 3.30am.

He had been unable to carry his wife down 38 flights of stairs because she struggled walk because of her long-term health conditions. Like so many of the victims, they had listened to advice to stay in the flat until help arrived.

Pily spent seven months in hospital with severe burns. She is considered the 72nd victim of the fire, despite dying in January 2018, after experiencing a stroke.

Mr Burton said: She was a unique, beautiful, exceptional person until this tragedy had taken it away.

He added: Pily was well known in our community, she was what people call a real character. A character in the best sense of the word - she was flamboyant, colourful, passionate and friendly.

Everyone on Portobello knew her and when we went to the market on the weekend she would stop and chat all the way along.
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The Grenfell Tower fire that claimed the lives of 72 residents was the result of decades of failure by governments and the construction industry, a damning final report into the disaster has found.

Eighteen children were among those killed in the 2017 blaze that the 24-storey block in flames while scores were trapped inside.

The tower, in Kensington, west London, had been coated in flammable materials because of the systematic dishonesty of firms who made and sold the cladding and insulation, inquiry chair Sir Martin Moore-Bick said on Wednesday.

The excoriating report concluded that all 72 deaths were avoidable, and condemned companies for the deliberate and sustained manipulation of fire-safety testing. Owners of the tower, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), were also criticised, as was the towers tenants management organisation (TMO).

Families and survivors lashed out at the long delay to hold anyone to account, as the Crown Prosecution Service warned that any criminal charges are unlikely to be brought until the end of 2026.

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer pledged the government would write to all companies involved in the failures as the first step to stopping them being awarded government contracts.

The fire at Grenfell Tower was the result of decades of failure, a report has found ( Natalie Oxford/AFP via Getty Ima )

Key findings of the 1,700-page report include:

Those living in Grenfell were badly failed by authorities and the construction industry through calculated dishonesty and greed

Governments as far back as Tony Blairs in 1999 were warned about the safety risk of fires in highrise blocks

Successive governments under David Cameron and Theresa May received numerous warnings about the dangers of cladding materials between 2012 and 2017 but failed to take appropriate action

Fire-safety testing was manipulated, test data misrepresented and the market misled by companies such as Arconic and insulation firms Kingspan and Celotex, the report claimed

Emergency accommodation plans were inconsistent, with families crammed into one room and residents left sleeping in cars or on the grass

The response of the government and RBKC was muddled, slow, indecisive and piecemeal, with little done to cater to people from diverse backgrounds, such as providing halal food for Muslims observing Ramadan

There had been a persistent indifference to fire safety at Grenfell Tower with no finalised evacuation plan

Follow our live blog for all the latest updates here

The 72 victims of the Grenfell fire ( PA Media )

When the blaze broke out just before 1am on 14 June 2017, residents were told to stay put in their flats, in accordance with a fire brigade plan, until it was too late.

It began with a faulty fridge but became the worst structural fire in Britain since the blitz, with survivor groups saying that those responsible have blood on their hands.

All of the victims of the disaster whose bodies were destroyed by fire were dead or unconscious by the time the flames reached them, the inquiry found.

Sir Keir said the seven-volume report identified substantial and widespread failings and the government will carefully consider its recommendations to ensure that such a tragedy cannot occur again.

Grenfell United have called for construction companies involved to be banned from government contracts ( Getty )

Theresa May, who was prime minister at the time of the disaster, said national and local government, regulators and industry must all acknowledge their part in the history and series of events that led to this tragedy.

The inquiry found that by 2016 the government was well aware of the risks of using combustible cladding panels and insulation, particularly in highrise buildings, but failed to act on what it knew.

More than 800 people were left homeless by the fire, with RBKCs leadership wholly inadequate to deal with the scale of the tragedy, leaving many to feel abandoned and helpless.

Families who had lost all their belongings were made to wait days to be allocated emergency accommodation in hotels, with little consideration to groups with particular needs, with one pregnant woman forced to sleep on the floor.

Survivors and local residents holding photographs of their missing or deceased loved ones ( AP )

The second part of the inquiry, which began in November 2022, heard from a number of survivors who recalled absolute chaos and confusion everywhere, with the scene compared to a horror film or akin to a warzone.

One witness, Karim Mussilhy, said he had expected to see people in authority with high-visibility jackets, but saw no one, with little information available from the council in the immediate aftermath.

Many survivors and local residents slept in their cars, while others waited for hours for buses that they had been told would take them to a rest centre, but instead they were made to walk during the early hours to centres that had spontaneously opened nearby.

Survivors were left wandering the estate for hours before being allocated emergency accommodation ( AFP via Getty )

One resident described feeling like cattle just coming through, with interviews lacking in sensitivity and several survivors left distressed after being rehoused in highrise rooms.

RBKC chief executive Nicholas Holgate, who acted as gold commander for the councils response, had no clear plan and was unduly concerned for the councils reputation, the inquiry found. Mr Holgate has previously come under criticism for failing to hand over command to a London-wide group with more expertise until two days after the fatal fire.

A toxic relationship  characterised by distrust, dislike, personal antagonism and anger  was found to have existed between the residents and the TMO since 2011, with those living in the tower viewing management as an uncaring and bullying overlord.

It was found that the TMO had failed to disclose to the local council the outcome of an independent and highly critical report on fire safety in 2013, and no fire strategy had been finalised for the tower despite a consultant recommending one in 2009.

The prime minister said the report had identified widespread failings ( PA )

The London Fire Brigade was found to have failed to provide suitable training to their control operators on handling the magnitude of calls, causing confusion at the scene.

It had failed to realise its shortcomings during the fatal Lakanal House fire in Camberwell in 2009, and suffered from a chronic lack of effective management and leadership, combined with an undue emphasis on process.

Inquiry chair Sir Martin and two other panel members found that unscrupulous manufacturers had engaged in deliberate and sustained strategies to manipulate testing processes, misrepresent data and mislead the market.

Survivor groups and family members have said that companies involved have blood on their hands ( Flavio Valle )

This included companies such as Kingspan, which provided insulation, had not withdrawn their product from the market despite disastrous tests in 2007 and 2008, and their own concern about its fire performance.

The building products company has already apologised for the process and conduct shortcomings identified during the inquiry.

Setting out 58 recommendations, Sir Martin concluded that the construction industry had become too complex and fragmented, and suggested a single regulator should be put in place to be responsible for the regulation of construction products, testing and certification.

In response, the group Grenfell United said: This marks the conclusion of a painful six years listening to the evidence of the deaths of 54 adults and 18 children, our loved ones, neighbours and friends. It is a significant chapter in the journey to truth, justice and change. But justice has not been delivered.

The inquiry report reveals that whenever theres a clash between corporate interest and public safety, governments have done everything they can to avoid their responsibilities to keep people safe. The system isnt broken, it was built this way.

It took 24 hours for firefighters to extinguish the blaze ( AP )

In May, the Metropolitan Police said their investigators need until the end of 2025 to finalise their own investigation, and prosecutors will then need a year to decide whether charges can be brought.

Bereaved and survivors have described that wait, which could stretch to a decade after the fire, as unbearable.

Publication of the report comes just over a week after a major fire in east London at a block that had been undergoing work to have cladding removed as a result of what happened at Grenfell. Although nobody died in the blaze, in Dagenham, the length of time taken to address flammable cladding prompted fierce criticism including from Grenfell United, which said it showed the painfully slow progress of remediation across the country, and a lack of urgency for building safety as a whole.

And just hours after Wednesdays report was published, a fire broke out in a highrise block in Catford, south London.
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Seven years after Britains worst residential fire since the Second World War, a long-awaited report into the deaths of the 72 people killed in the Grenfell Tower fire is finally set to be published.

Families of those killed in the north Kensington blaze in 2017 have insisted the Grenfell Tower Inquirys final report must be a landmark document which prompts widescale change.

A report in 2019, from the first phase of the inquiry, concluded the towers cladding did not comply with building regulations and was the principal reason for the rapid and profoundly shocking spread of the blaze.

Follow our blog for the latest updates on the inquiry

These pictures show how fire swept through Grenfell Tower, top from left: 0130, 0210, 0234; middle from left: 0308, 0323, 0344; bottom from left: 0420, 0443, 0516 ( PA )

This final report, which follows further hearings on the towers 2016 refurbishment, has looked at how the west London block of flats came to be in a condition that allowed the flames to spread so quickly.

Here The Independent takes a look at how the Grenfell fire unfolded on 14 June 2017:

00:50am

It was at 00.50am when a resident at Grenfell Tower realised that a fire had broken out in the 24-storey building.

Uber driver Behailu Kebede heard a smoke alarm going off, and discovered that the back of a large fridge-freezer in the kitchen of Flat 16  on the fourth floor  was on fire, and smoke was rising to the window.

He called 999 and said told the London Fire Brigade: Flat 16, Grenfell Tower. In the fridge. Its the fourth floor. Quick, quick, quick. Its burning. He wakes a neighbour and leaves the tower, having lived there for 25 years.

Police at the scene of the blaze in 2017 ( AFP via Getty Images )

12:59am

The first four fire engines arrive at the scene, led by London Fire Brigade watch manager Michael Dowden, who sees an orange glow at the window of Flat 16 and most others in darkness as many of the buildings other 297 residents sleep.

1:06am

Mr Dowden notices that the fire has by now breached the window of Flat 16. He later told the inquiry that he did not find this out of the ordinary for fires in high-rise flats.

1:09am

Firefighters Charles Batterbee and Daniel Brown reach Flat 16. Batterbee would later tell of how, when he approached the kitchen door, it was pitch black, due to thick, oily smoke surrounding them.

Describing entering the kitchen, he said: I thought: wow. I felt a burning sensation on my arms from my elbow to my wrists, around the back of my neck and head.

It was at this point we knew we were getting close to finding the fire. The change in temperature was significant, I have never felt that level of heat before, either in training or operationally. It felt like it had totally wrapped around me.

The firefighters succeeded in extinguishing the kitchen fire by repeatedly spraying water onto the flames, which appeared to be coming from around the fridge freezer.

But the fire had by this point spread to the flammable cladding on the buildings exterior and had rapidly begun to spread up its east-facing facade.

1:19am

Mr Dowden notices the cladding has caught fire. He later described feeling out of my comfort zone because I didnt have any previous experience to fall back on in terms of ... the way it [the fire] was behaving and reacting.

More than 70 people died as a result of the blaze ( Getty Images )

1:21am

Dr Naomi-Yuan Li, who is on the 22nd floor, calls 999 after smelling something like burning plastic while waiting for a call from her husband, who is in Malaysia on business. The operator says it

In line with the fire brigades stay put policy, based on the belief that the design of high-rise flats will contain the fire long enough for it to be extinguished, the operator tells her to stay inside her flat unless the situation changes.

Four minutes later, Denis Murphy is among residents on the 14th floor to also call 999, and is similarly advised to stay put.

1:26am

The Met Police declares a major incident.

1:30am

Nida Mangoba makes it outside with her family from their flat on the 14th floor, having been woken by the sound of an alarm and seeing orange and yellow flames shooting up the outside of the tower.

By this time, the fire has reached the top of the east side of Grenfell Tower, having climbed 19 storeys above its starting point in Flat 16 before reaching the roof and starting to spread horizontally.

1.31am: The fire brigade increases the number of pumps to 25, having raised this from four to 20 in the space of 16 minutes.

By now, 110 of the buildings 297 occupants have escaped the building.

A damning report into the fire and the circumstances that led to it has been published ( Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

1.42am: The London Ambulance Service declares a significant incident, and three minutes later the first helicopter arrives.

2am: Flames are now travelling across the north and east sides of the tower, affecting flats in the southeast and northwest corners, while a total of 129 people remain inside.

2.20am: The fire starts to spread to the south side of the tower. Over the next 30 minutes, the fire service receives 35 emergency calls relating to trapped Grenfell residents.

2.35am: The fire brigade revokes its stay put advice, telling all residents to leave the tower as a matter of life and death.

3.20am: LFB assistant commissioner Andy Roe, who had taken over command at 2:44am, chairs the first Tactical Co-ordination Group meeting with police, paramedics and local officials.

By this time, 100 people are believed to be trapped in the tower and it is understood that three people have died.

8.07am: Retiree Elpidio Bonifacio, the last survivor to leave the tower, is evacuated. He later told the inquiry he had lost all hope when he was saved by firefighters.
On Tuesday, Damel Carayol took a long-awaited trip. Seven years after the Grenfell fire killed 72 and irrevocably changed the lives of hundreds more, and five years after the first inquiry report was delivered, Carayol picked up his copy of the final findings.

I went with my niece, he says. She took out one of the volumes and the page immediately fell on the names of our two relatives. And this report is more than 1,000 pages long. But there they were: Mary Mendy, Khadija Saye. I said to her, they are around us. Theyre helping to guide us through. Because they want justice as well.

Carayols cousin, Khadija, 24, a talented artist who had been selected to exhibit her work at the Venice Biennale, and her Gambian mother Mary, were trapped on the 20th floor of the tower when the fire began just before 1am on 14 June 2017. At 1.49am, a terrified Khadija posted online asking friends and family to pray for me and my mum. They had tried to escape, but the smoke was too strong.

The report, published on Wednesday, is a landmark moment in the fight for justice for Khadija, Mary and the other 70 victims of the fire, who all have equally harrowing stories. One floor below, Marjorie and Ernie Vital, mother and son, were found fused as they clung to each other while flames engulfed them; four-year-old Fethia, known as Fou-Fou, lived in flat 203 and died alongside her mother and sister. Berkti, 29, and her son Biruk Haftom, 12, were found dead higher up in the building, after climbing up the tower to seek refuge. Berkti was 10 weeks pregnant at the time.

On Wednesday the 1,700-page document blamed decades of failure by successive governments and systematic dishonesty of the multi-million-pound companies, who provided cladding products and material, for each of their avoidable deaths. Sir Martin Moore-Bick, the chair of the inquiry, found that Arconic, Kingspan and Celotex engaged in deliberate and sustained strategies to  mislead the market.

Companies such as Saint-Gobain, who sold their majority share in Celotex, the company that made 95 per cent of the insulation on the tower, earlier this year, and Rydon, the main contractor for the works, are still gaining public contracts, according to The Guardian. Its report this week claimed that deals amounting to 250m between councils, health authorities and housing associations and the companies that were involved in the disastrous refurbishment, as well as their subsidiaries have been made over the last five years.

Only last year the Building Research Establishment (BRE) confirmed it would no longer work with Kingspan  an Irish company who, seven years after Grenfell, is still in operation with a turnover of around 8bn  or Celotex as a direct result of evidence uncovered by the inquiry.

Despite Kingspans insulation only making up 5 per cent of the total, Wednesdays report found that persistent dishonesty on the part of Kingspan in pursuit of commercial gain, coupled with a complete disregard for fire safety on its K15 product, created the conditions for Celotex to move into the market.

Arconic  who produced the aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding found to be the primary cause of the fire and where one director drives an Aston Martin and bought a 7.5m seafront mansion the year after the tragedy  rejected any claim that its subsidiary AAP sold an unsafe product. However, the inquiry heard that Arconic sought to sell more flammable products to the UK when it was restricted in other countries. It made a pre-tax profit of $706m in 2022.

'I don't recall': Grenfell campaigners highlight repeated lack of answers from inquiry

To the disgust of the families wanting answers, four employees of Arconic refused to give oral evidence to the inquiry. Others who bothered to attend continually passed the buck. Countless witnesses called shirked responsibility time and time again, answering, I do not recall or, I do not remember to basic, but pertinent, questions.

The same casual disregard for accountability was seen in internal emails, in which those involved in manufacturing and regulating the materials openly laughed at potentially deadly hazards.

One email between the contractors, fire engineers and architects about the need to install strong fire barriers, which was presented in phase one of the inquiry, says: There is no point in fire stopping, as we all know, the ACM will be gone rather quickly in a fire!

This issue has been burning for a LONG time though, hasnt it? (Get it!!!!) Why is it raising its head again all of a sudden, reads another. The sickening email is from a senior staff member at Local Authority Building Control and refers to the wording of a certificate that wrongly asserted Kingspans insulation could be used on high-rise buildings.

An exchange between Kingspan employees about cladding which did not meet regulations sees one employee say flippantly: All lies mate. All we do is lie in here.

Kingspan, along with Arconic, who produced the violently combustible aluminium composite material (ACM) identified as the primary cause of the rapid fire, are still listed as members of the Aluminium Federation (Alfed), the voice of the aluminium sector.

In a statement on its website, Arconic said its subsidiary, Arconic Architectural Products SAS (AAP), respects the inquiry process and will continue to engage with further legal processes.

Local residents watch as Grenfell Tower is engulfed by fire ( AFP/Getty )

Together with other parties, AAP has made financial contributions to settlements for those affected, as well as to the restorative justice fund, it added.

Karim Mussilhy, a campaigner for Grenfell United, who lost his uncle, Hesham Rahman, in the fire, says the report reads like a badly written horror film. When Rahman got his top-floor flat in Grenfell Tower in 2013, he told Mussilhy that living so high made him feel closer to God.

He, along with the other grieving families, demands an end to a culture that protects corporations from being held accountable, and answers from the governments that allowed them to for so many years.

I recently drove past a development, some flats, and one of the companies that was on the stand in the inquiry was doing the development, Carayol says. My blood just boiled; theyre still free with everything thats come out. I know there hasnt been a guilty charge as such. But its just such a kick in the stomach that theyre still there to make a profit, after all thats happened.

It cant be just us, as the aggrieved, as the bereaved, paying the price. Were paying with our suffering. Who else is going to be suffering from the decisions that these companies make?

As the report sets out the facts, close attention is now being paid to when, how and if those involved will be held to account for the worst UK residential fire since the Blitz.

For most of the survivors, definitely all of the bereaved, they see our justice system as applicable to all, Yvette Williams MBE, a lead campaigner for Justice 4 Grenfell, said on Tuesday. The rule of law is the foundation of any democracy  as long as its applied equally.

If one of us had set fire to the tower, our case would be done and dusted, wed be sitting in an overcrowded HMP. But you can hide behind corporatocracy. You can hide behind your political status. You can hide behind your civil service status, or your public office status. You cant hide if youre a member of the public. Its almost a two-tier system.

My blood just boiled; theyre still free with everything thats come out. I know there hasnt been a guilty charge as such. But its just such a kick in the stomach that theyre still there to make a profit, after all thats happened

Williams says that the criminal investigation  which has been consistently delayed  should have been the priority before a public inquiry began. Instead, we were told at a council meeting that the local authority was told to submit anything they deemed significant to the inquiry. Why werent their offices shut down and computers seized?

Meanwhile, it was residents who were dismissed as militant troublemakers, Moore-Bick concluded today. More than 85 per cent of those who died in the fire were from ethnic minorities, while the majority were from working-class backgrounds  facts that drive right to the heart of the Grenfell disaster. Race and class are so inextricably linked with the tragedy that residents called for the inquiry to include a separate investigation into how the two elements contributed.

The overwhelming feeling yesterday was that corporate greed fed on deeply ingrained imbalances of power, with those whose voices are so routinely dismissed by governance and authorities paying the price. Prior complaints by residents were ignored. Regulations to keep people safe were deemed a burden on the industry. Those who died  and thousands more still at risk in unsafe housing  were not only neglected but actively discriminated against.

Systemic discrimination and stigma around social housing were underlying factors that drove political decisions that prioritised profit over people, campaign groups say. The phase two report found that government officials were complacent, defensive and dismissive about fire safety, ignoring mounting evidence of concerns.

Aspiring artist Khadija Saye (left, with fellow victim Mary Mendy) was trapped on the 20th floor ( Supplied )

Yet little action has been taken. Campaigners like Mussilhy have previously written to lobbying group Alfed  which states on its website that members have their voice heard at the highest level of government  to request that the two companies implicated in the fire be removed. Back in 2021, it responded that it would await the outcome of the inquiry before taking any steps that may be required in relation to any of our members. The Independent has yet to receive a response from Alfed on whether any action will now be taken.

The corporations behaved like that because they knew that they could get away with it, Mussilhy says. But for me, the lobbying that happens  the relationships between these corporations and the government  we have to have more transparency.

In a strongly-worded statement on Wednesday, Grenfell United accused the government of aiding and abetting crooks and killers, and called for Keir Starmer to create something that doesnt exist: a government with the power and ability to separate itself from the construction industry and corporate lobbying, putting people before profit.

The 72 deaths at Grenfell were all avoidable, Moore-Bick said on Wednesday. But, despite everything that Grenfell and the subsequent inquiry have uncovered, there are still more than a million people potentially living in fire-risk flats, according to new data analysis from the i paper  significantly more than previously estimated, due to thousands of properties that are yet to be fully assessed being omitted from data.

And while a nationwide review calling for dangerous cladding to be removed or adapted to meet safety regulations, government estimates show there are still at least 172,000 dwellings in buildings wrapped in highly unsafe, similarly cheap, flammable cladding.

Damel Carayol has been campaigning since the death of his cousin Khadija ( Supplied )

Many who own flats have been handed bills amounting to thousands of pounds and left unable to sell, insure or remortgage their homes until work is complete. Since Grenfell, there have been four more significant cladding fires, the most recent in Dagenham where 80 people had to be evacuated just last week.

The review was done to ensure a disaster like Grenfell never occurred again, but declaring that lessons have been learnt has increasingly fallen flat with campaigners listening to words with little action to back them up.

Wednesdays inquiry  which began in 2017 and cost more than 200m  set out 58 recommendations, including expanding the definition of higher-risk buildings and calling on the government to bring together all the functions relating to fire safety under a single regulator.

It also recommended that fire safety strategies produced by a safety engineer become statutory, and for fire engineers to become formally recognised.

But all of this will be wasted time and money, says Williams, if the government doesn't take appropriate, definitive action.

We spend all of this money and all of this time learning  learning about how we can make people safe and how we can stop the corrupted corporations coming in and taking advantage of our regulations  and then running away when something bad happens again, Williams says.

Theres still no legal requirement for the government to implement any of the recommendations. You write these huge reports and make all these recommendations, but without action, its just a waste of public money.

It just feels like the work is starting or were starting the fight all over again.

The Met police said there would be no criminal proceedings in relation to the Grenfell Tower tragedy for at least 12-18 months. In the meantime, campaigners are clear about what they want.

I want there to be some clear, hard words about how the government knew the dangers of flammable material, knew the dangers of these materials on high-rise buildings, and knew within government that there were some serious concerns, Mussilhy says.

Ultimately, I want to see  I don't want to hear  I want to see some real engagement from the government on how to make sure Grenfell never happens again. Because as weve always said: it's never been a matter of if. It has always been a matter of when another Grenfell happens.
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Just one day after 12 migrants died in a failed attempted crossing of the English Channel, another boat carrying several dozen people appears to be making another attempt from northern France on Wednesday, seemingly trying to head toward Britain.

Journalists on a beach in Wimereux, on the northern French coastline and close to the site of Tuesdays deadly sinking, are broadcasting live video of an inflatable boat carrying people, seemingly migrants, out to sea.

It comes as it was revealed a pregnant woman and six children were among 12 people who died after their boat sank trying to cross the English Channel.

The French coastguard confirmed the deaths after up to 65 people were rescued off the coast of Cap Gris-Nez on Tuesday.

The local prosecutors office said 10 women and two men were killed in the incident, according to the BBC.

French interior minister Gerald Darmanin wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that dozens of people had been crammed in a boat less than seven metres long.

I came to Boulogne-sur-Mer to meet and thank the emergency services, the police and the sailors who were able to save 51 people from drowning by intervening very quickly and very courageously, he said.

Mr Darmanin described it as a terrible shipwreck, adding: The provisional toll stands at 12 dead, two missing and several injured.

All government services are mobilised to find the missing and take care of the victims.

A vessel of the French Gendarmerie Nationale patrols in front of the Wimereux beach, France ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper branded the incident horrifying and deeply tragic as she said vital efforts to dismantle dangerous and criminal smuggler gangs and to boost border security must proceed apace.

Mr Darmanin said most of the people on the boat were believed to have been from Eritrea, and most of the victims were women.

Speaking to reporters at Boulogne-sur-Mer, where the casualties are being treated, he said as many as 75 people can be put on boats ahead of a crossing attempt.

These boats go down very, very quickly, this is the reason why a lot of people get killed on these journeys, he said, according to a BBC News translation.

Olivier Barbarin, the mayor of Le Portel near Boulogne-sur-Mer, said that the bottom of the boat ripped open.

All of the people on board the dinghy ended up in the water, many of whom were not wearing life jackets, and several of the migrants needed emergency medical care, according to the French coastguard.

Ms Cooper said she was in touch with Mr Darmanin and was being kept updated on the situation, adding: Our hearts go out to the loved ones of all those who have lost their lives, and all those who have been seriously injured.

The latest casualties mean more than 30 people have died in Channel crossings so far this year.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin speaks to media after several migrants died as their boat capsized ( REUTERS )

The International Organisation for Migration, which records Channel crossing deaths as part of its Missing Migrant Project, estimates 226 people including 35 children are missing or have died after attempting the crossing as of January this year.

Ministers have raised fears about people smugglers cramming more and more migrants onto increasingly poor boats to risk the crossing.

Charities and campaigners reiterated calls for urgent changes to curb Channel crossings as they lamented the latest loss of life at sea.

Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said the number of deaths in the Channel this year had been shockingly high and the devastating trend shows the urgent need for a comprehensive and multi-pronged approach to reduce dangerous crossings.

Enforcement alone is not the solution, he added, as he called on the Government to open up more safe and legal routes for asylum seekers.

Home Office figures show 351 people made the journey in six boats on Monday, taking the provisional total for 2024 to date 21,403.
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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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Angela Rayner is considering scrapping Margaret Thatchers Right to Buy scheme, it has emerged.

The deputy prime minister and housing secretary attended an urgent meeting with local authorities in August to discuss housing reforms, according to reports.

And a Ministry of Housing and Local Government spokesman told The Daily Telegraph it is working at pace to reverse the continued decline in the number of social rent homes.

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has promised a council housing revolution (Lucy North/PA) ( PA Wire )

The department did not rule out abolishing Right to Buy for newly built council homes in Rachel Reeves first budget this October.

Under Right to Buy, which was introduced in 1980 as one of Mrs Thatchers flagship reforms, the government sells off council housing at discounts of up to 100,000 to sitting tenants.

Ms Rayner bought her council house using the Right to Buy scheme in 2007 with a 25 per cent discount, making a reported 48,500 profit when selling it, albeit eight years later.

And a report on Monday saw more than 100 councils call for the scheme to be axed, claiming it has helped to create a 2.2bn hole in local authority accounts and exacerbated the UKs housing crisis.

Last year, 10,896 homes were sold through Right to Buy while only 3,447 were replaced, resulting in a net loss of 7,449. Since 1991, the scheme has resulted in the loss of 24,000 social homes, according to official figures.

Mondays report, commissioned by Southwark council, said scrapping Right to Buy was among a series of measures which could wake the sleeping giant of housebuilding and help Labour achieve its goal of building 1.5m homes this parliament.

Tories accused Angela Rayner of wanting to trash Margaret Thatchers legacy ( AFP via Getty Images )

The party has previously promised to review the Right to Buy discounts available to those buying their homes, as well as the eligibility criteria for the scheme and how councils use the money from Right to Buy sales.

A government spokesman said: We are facing the most acute housing crisis in living memory and that is why we are working at pace to reverse the continued decline in the number of social rent homes.

We have made clear we will give councils and housing associations the stability they need and will set out further details at the next spending review.

Shadow housing secretary and Tory leadership contender Kemi Badenoch accused Ms Rayner of wanting to destroy one of Margaret Thatchers most transformative policies.

Tory leadership rival James Cleverly added: Margaret Thatcher gave ordinary people the opportunity to have the security and freedom of owning a home of their own.

Angela Rayner wants to take that away.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: We dont recognise these claims and this is not something that the Government is considering.

Right to Buy remains an important route for council housing tenants to be able to buy their own home but its scandalous that only a third of council homes sold under the scheme have been replaced since 2012. That is why we are working at pace to reverse the continued decline of social rent homes.

Increasing protections on newly-built social homes will be looked at as part of our wider review but there are no plans to abolish the Right to Buy scheme.
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Baroness Theresa May, who was prime minister at the time of the Grenfell Tower fire, has warned that all those in authority must accept their responsibility for the tragedy.

She added her voice to those calling for justice as prime minister Sir Keir Starmer apologised on behalf of the state for the events that led to the deaths of 54 adults and 18 children in 2017.

Government, national and local, regulators and the corporate industry must all acknowledge their part in the history and series of events that led to this tragedy, she said.

The review was commissioned by former prime minister Theresa May ( PA )

Rishi Sunak added that the report was a damning indictment of 30 years of failure.

He added: The state let you down and that must never happen again.

With thousands of buildings still covered in the lethal cladding responsible for the rapid spread of the blaze, politicians admitted remedial work needs to be completed more urgently.

Sir Keir acknowledged to the victims' families: I want to say you have been let down so badly before, during and after this tragedy.

Lord David Cameron, whose own government was also found to have ignored years of warnings over the cladding, decided not to make a statement.

Starmer gave a statement to the House of Commons ( PA )

The official report criticised the muddled response by local and central government to the tragedy at the time, and May has previously admitted that her response at the time was not good enough and has apologised.

In a statement on Wednesday, she said: "I would like to thank [inquiry chair] Sir Martin Moore-Bick and his team for the dedication and tenacity they have shown in getting to the truth and for this forensic and powerful final report.

I know that, while necessary, the inquiry process can be immensely distressing for all those involved. I would like to pay tribute to the bereaved families and the survivors for the dignity they have shown in the face of a tragedy so extreme, it is beyond our imagining. 

Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak said the state let Grenfell residents down ( PA )

She continued: A new government is now responsible for delivering the inquirys final recommendations. I hope they will treat this as a priority. I am acutely conscious that while today marks an important milestone, for the families the path to justice has not yet reached its end. More than seven years on, the Grenfell community still needs our support. Perhaps most importantly of all, they need us not to forget. Only then can we deliver the change that Sir Martin has rightly and clearly called for."

Sir Keir, who visited the tower recently to lay flowers, said he intends to speed up the process of removing unsafe cladding from buildings, as it is currently moving "far too slow". He has said that he intends to write to companies that have not carried out remedial work on dangerous buildings and warned that they can lose out on government contracts.

Mother of the House, Diane Abbott, asked why the burned out building is still in place after seven years and asked that victims families do not have to wait another seven years for justice to be done on those responsible.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey, whose party was in coalition government when warnings about claddings were made, said: The report today shames our society. On behalf of my party, I apologise for our role in it.
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Its now been two months since Labour won their landslide victory at the 2024 general election, bringing to an end 14 years of Conservative rule.

Running on a central message of change, Sir Keir has looked to set his party apart from the previous Conservative administration. Standing on the steps of Downing Street on 5 July, the new prime minister said people had voted for national renewal and a return of politics to public service.

You have given us a clear mandate, he added, and we will use it to deliver change, to restore service and respect to politics, end the era of noisy performance, tread more lightly on your lives, and unite our country.

As the new Labour government begins to roll out some of its promised reforms, the new leader now warns that things may get worse before they get better. Sir Keir has made no secret of the challenges to come during his sixty days in power, as his first two months have seens controversial policy decisions, political disagreements, and civil disorder.

Sir Keir Starmer makes his first speech as prime minister outside No 10, July 5 ( REUTERS )

Heres a look back at the past 60 days of Sir Keirs leadership as we head into autumn:

Labours black hole

It was just 20 days after Sir Keir took to the steps of Downing Street that Rachel Reeves revealed a 20bn black hole in public finances, which Labour describe as a shocking inheritance from the previous government. The statement has shaded the partys rhetoric since, with many decisions being traced back to this central problem.

If we cannot afford it, we cannot do it, the chancellor repeated as she announced a range of cost-cutting measures during her speech. Amongst them was the controversial move to means test Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners, marking the first change to the cold weather benefit since it was introduced by Tony Blair in 1997.

Rachel Reeves delivers her black hole speech to Commons on July 20 ( Reuters )

The move has proved divisive. While many have long-argued that fuel payment should be means-tested so that it only goes to older people who need it, campaigners say Labours cut-off point for eligibility is too sharp. Charity Age UK says around 2 million vulnerable pensioners will miss out on the benefit due to the changes.

Criticism has also come against Labours refusal not to scrap the two-child benefit cap which prevents parents from claiming universal credit or tax credit for more than two children. The measure was introduced by previous chancellor George Osbourne in 2017, and has long been criticised by Labour MPs.

The disagreement formed the backdrop to Sir Keirs first in-house fallout, as he suspended seven Labour MPs for supporting an amendment to the Kings Speech in favour of scrapping the two-child benefit cap. This included veteran MP John McDonnell, as well as Coventry Souths Zarah Sultana.

Far-right riots

The prime minister faced with his first major challenge still less than a month after his election success when far-right rioting broke out across the country following the tragic killing of three young girls in Southport on July 29.

The scenes of civil disorder that broke out in Southport the next day were understood to be provoked by misinformation about the identity of the suspect. The following weekend, violence erupted in towns and cities all over the country as police clashed with rioters spreading anti-immigrant and Islamophobic messages.

Riot officers push back far-right rioters targeting a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotheram, August 4 ( Getty Images )

This was the end of the unrest, as planned violence for Wednesday largely did not materialise with anti-racist counter demonstrations forming in their place. Work was already underway to combat further disorder, as hundreds had already been arrested and many sentenced following the weekend.

Responding to the violence, Sir Keir condemned the behaviour of far-right thugs, vowing to deliver swift justice to those involved. Just over a month on, over 1000 people had been arrested following the violence over the weekend and 600 charged in a massive operation conducted by the police and courts.

Some bold changes to come

Amid the challenges it has faced, Labour has also begun the work of enacting bold reforms that it promised ahead of the general election. This includes the planning reforms spearheaded by deputy prime minister Angela Rayner which looks to deliver on the partys promise promise of 1.5m new homes by 2029.

The party has taken steps towards its pledges on workers rights, which were promised to see concrete legislation within their first 100 days. Post-election, there has been talk of including a new right to switch off policy, which would allow employees to ignore bosses calls outside of work, as well as the right to request hours be compressed to four days.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband during a visit to Hutchinson Engineering in Widnes, Cheshire, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (James Glossop/The Times/PA) ( PA Wire )

Transport secretary Louise Haigh has also reaffirmed Labours commitment to renationalise the railways, saying the party will wait for existing contracts to expire or be broken. Meanwhile, energy secretary Ed Miliband says the publicly-owned GB Energy is being established at pace, with more news to come over the next few months.

Taking the punch out of these bold reforms is the admission by Ms Reeves that departments will need to find spending cuts across the board as she looks to plug the public spending shortfall. Its likely this will mean cancellations or pushbacks on some projects as Labour prioritises its central goal of economic growth.

Painful budget on the horizon

Hitting back at criticism to their cost-cutting measures, the new government continues to blame the Conservative government for concealing the true scale of the countrys public spending shortfall. The Treasury audit unveiled by Ms Reeves gives some credence to this claim, with director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, Paul Johnson saying the deficit does genuinely appear to be greater than could be discerned from the outside.

However, many experts warn the extent to which Labour was hoodwinked has been overstated by the party. The IFSs Mr Johnson later said that the underfunding problem was obvious and that Labour knew the broad outline of these challenges before their election.

Sir Keir Starmer set a sober tone ahead of Parliaments return from the summer recess (Stefan Rousseau/PA) ( PA Wire )

In light of all this, critics say the tightly-budgeted, low-cost Labour manifesto perhaps should have prepared for more surprises. With an absolute commitment to not raising income tax, national insurance or VAT, the party is forced to look at more targeted measures which are less able to raise considerable sums alone.

Ms Reeves has now said voters can expect tax rises in her budget at the end of October, which Sir Keir warns will be painful. Experts predict capital gains, pension tax relief, and inheritance tax will all be looked at as Labour attempts to plug its spending shortfall and fix the foundations of the country.

The sense of the whole system isnt working for ordinary people says Luke Tryl, executive director of the More in Common research group. You cant get a doctors appointment, you cant afford the cost of a weekly shop without having to put stuff back.

Its a fairly miserable public mood, and I think the danger with their current strategy is they risk enforcing that.

The fight for public opinion

It is against this backdrop that Labours approval has dropped to a new low. Recent opinion polling by BMG Research shows that the party is on 30 percent, the lowest since September 2021 and only four points ahead of the Conservatives.

The election was truly a decisive parliamentary victory for Labour, winning 411 seats and a majority of 174. This is the largest since Tony Blairs secured the party a 178-seat majority in the 1997 landslide.

However, less convincing is the vote share behind the massive victory. Sir Keirs Labour secured 9,708,716 votes, representing 33.7 percent of the vote to the Tories 23.7. However, this won them 63.2 of seats, with the result being the least representative in British history. Most strikingly, the Conservatives and Reform UK combined secured over a million more votes than Labour.

This has given the party a unique challenge says Mr Tryl, as it tries to win over the electorate by repeating the 2010 Conservative strategy of blaming the previous government for the hard decisions: Voters splintered in all sorts of different directions, he says.

They have other places they can go [...] and thats why I think trying to repeat that playbook is somewhat of a mistake.

Still in the early days of his premiership, time is firmly on Sir Keirs side. The party has navigated some major challenges and seen some successes, including reaching a much-needed pay deal with public sector workers.

But with voter approval reaching new lows as the prime minister promises more gloom to come, many have been left wondering when, or if, things really will start to get better.
With the lowest number of votes from fellow MPs  14 out of 121  Priti Patel has automatically dropped out of the running to be Tory leader.

The remaining five are, in descending order, Robert Jenrick (28 MPs voting for him); Kemi Badenoch (22); James Cleverly (21); Tom Tugendhat (17); and Mel Stride (16). The next round of voting is on Tuesday and the surviving quartet will be on parade at the Conservative conference. Following that, the final two will be chosen by the parliamentary party and the eventual winner will be chosen by the 170,000 or so Conservative Party members.

The new leader will be revealed on Saturday, 3 November. Theres still much to play for

What went wrong for Priti Patel?

Her enthusiasm for taking power away from the MPs and handing it to party activists didnt commend her to colleagues. But there is more to her lack of appeal than that. Dame Pritis greatest strength is her long experience as a minister in successive Conservative governments; unfortunately, that is also one of her greatest weaknesses. Shes been sacked or overlooked by three Tory prime ministers and has found herself in a few scrapes over the years.

One of the strangest was a freelance foreign policy initiative taken while she was international development secretary in 2017. Technically on holiday in Israel, and without the knowledge (let alone permission) of the then prime minister Theresa May, Patel met a number of government officials and reportedly suggested that a portion of Britains aid budget could be diverted to the Israel Defence Forces  an organisation not noted for malnutrition or lack of basic education. She was eventually fired by May.

In 2020, after being made home secretary by the indulgent Boris Johnson, Patel faced allegations of bullying from her former permanent secretary, Sir Philip Rutnam. An employment tribunal was avoided but at some cost to the taxpayer. Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak didnt invite her to join their administrations.

Her showing of 14 votes doesnt suggest shes a must-have for the next shadow cabinet, either. With the arguable exception of Cleverly, Patel is the last of the old Johnson gang that dominated Tory politics in the last parliament  Nadine Dorries, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Ben Wallace having already left the stage.

Who is now the favourite?

Robert Jenrick is leading by a fairly respectable margin but Its more complicated than it looks. In the early rounds, MPs can vote tactically or with their hearts rather than their heads, delivering a false reading. Still, Jenrick leads the pack, and his nearest rivals Badenoch and Cleverly are bunched together so theres no clear challenger.

That will help Jenrick build momentum and strengthen his appeal as the figure most trusted by colleagues (not that all members will see that as a virtue). Since the formal contest began, Jenrick has caught up with Badenoch, the runaway early favourite. Being perceived as a protege of Michael Gove might not help her much but she surprised with her showing when she ran in 2022 and should still do well.

Who lost?

Tugendhat, who campaigned in the first leadership contest in 2022 wont be encouraged by his showing, scarcely above Patel and Stride. Unlike Badenoch, he hasnt apparently made much progress since he had a pop at it two years ago.

Who should be most pleased?

Cleverly, former home secretary and foreign secretary, will surely be chuffed at finishing so near to Badenoch: it gives the impression he is in with a fighting chance of making it to the final two, and thus either the leadership or some other senior role. But its early days.

Also with reasons to be cheerful is Stride. He invariably scores humiliatingly badly with the wider public and Tory membership, partly due to his obscurity, but is clearly a bit more highly rated by his parliamentary colleagues. He never expected to win but to lay down a marker as representative of the Sunak-Hunt camp and to make some claim on the shadow chancellorship, presumably as part of an eventual balanced ticket with the more rightist Jenrick or Badenoch. Stride is also a former Treasury minister, chair of the Commons Treasury Committee and work and pensions secretary, so hes eminently qualified. However, his rivals may have their own plans for the shadow chancellorship. Its notable that another Sunak favourite, Claire Coutinho, is backing Badenoch; Coutinho was occasionally tipped to replace Hunt as chancellor, so this could be a clue to her ambitions.

What happens if Badenoch doesnt make the final two?

Therell be hell to pay. The Tory membership was deprived  greatly, to their irritation  of the chance to vote for Penny Mordaunt after the fall of Truss (MPs chose Sunak instead) and theyll be even more angry if Badenoch isnt on the ballot. However, she remains the bookies favourite to win overall in any event.

Who will win?

If its between Badenoch and Jenrick, it will be fairly close. Theres not that much to choose between them, ideologically. Badenoch seems the more anti-woke and socially conservative, while Jenrick takes an even harder line on immigration. Neither is as relatable as Cleverly or as likely to win over rival voters as Tugendhat, according to polls.

Whats next in the Tory leadership contest?

Stride will probably be next to drop out, and most still expect a Jenrick vs Badenoch play-off. If so, it will probably be the first election where both candidates presented to the membership are on the harder and more radical end of the right-wing spectrum. Both are also in their early forties.

With Sunak vs Truss (2022), Johnson vs Hunt (2019), Cameron vs Davis (2005) and Duncan-Smith vs Clarke (2001), there was much more to differentiate the players on policy and personality than in a Badenoch vs Jenrick scenario.

If the result is close, the winner and runner-up will somehow have to find a way to sublimate their rivalry and avoid any post-campaign bad blood. They will have to work together during some arduous years of opposition. Even then, winning in 2028 or 2029 would be something of a surprise. Cynically, this one might be one of those elections it is better to lose.
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The first major reform to public services by Keir Starmers government has passed all stages in the Commons less than two months after voters installed him into Downing Street.

The historic Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill passed its third reading in Commons as the first step in renationalising Britains railways.

It came as the shadow Great British Railways was also set up in preparation for running the new publicly owned service.

The Tories have accused Labour of putting ideology before value for money but the speed with which the Bill has been passed through has intentionally been a sign to the left that Starmers government has a socialist agenda.

Louise Haigh has taken the Bill through the Commons ( Getty Images )

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: Today, I am firing the starting gun on the biggest reforms to our railways in a generation. I am determined to end the chaos, delay and disruption faced by people on train journeys every day.

Establishing shadow Great British Railways marks a significant step towards delivering a unified railway with passengers at its heart by bringing together track and train, and by progressing the Passenger Railways Services Bill were one step closer to public ownership which will help put our railways back on track.

This Government will direct every penny into creating a stronger, more reliable rail network that works for everyone.

This is about making the railways work for the people that use them  putting passengers first and driving up performance.

Tory shadow transport secretary Helen Whately (Aaron Chown/PA) ( PA Archive )

The Tories had also planned to set up a Great British Rail had they won power again but as a body to work with the private sector.

Shadow transport secretary Helen Whately had accused Labour of putting leftwing dogma before practical solutions.

After the votes she said: Today in Parliament Labour voted against rail passengers (and rural passengers specifically) and a pay review body to help them resist union pay demands.

While were on the side of passengers and taxpayers theyre stuck under the thumb of their union paymasters.

She was further angered when transport minister Simon Lightwood announced that the government is exploring the option of a pay review body for public sector rail workers to end the overcomplicated pay review system after a number of strikes on the network.

The Bill cleared the House of Commons on Tuesday and will go to the House of Lords for further examination.
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Two archery hunters shot and killed a grizzly bear after it knocked down and bit one of them near Yellowstone National Park on Sunday.

The two men were hunting elk in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, west of Henrys Lake in Island Park, when the bear attacked them, Idaho Fish and Game Department said.

The adult male grizzly knocked over and bit one of the men.

The two friends responded by opening fire with their semi-automatic pistols, killing the bear. They phoned 911 soon after.

The injured man was taken by helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The Idaho Fish and Game Department responded to the scene alongside other emergency services.

The injured archery hunter was taken by helicopter to a medical center where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries ( Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The decision to kill the bear was investigated by conservation officers who agreed the hunters had acted in self-defense, the Idaho Fish and Game Department said.

Supervisor Matt Pieron said: I am extremely grateful that both of these individuals survived this encounter. 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.

The archery hunting duo were out hunting elk in an area near Yellowstone National Park ( Idaho Fish and Game Department )

Under the Endangered Species Act, grizzly bears are protected in the lower 48 states.

The Idaho Fish and Game Department reminded other hunters that encounters with grizzly bears can be anticipated in north Idaho and the Greater Yellowstone areas.

Government advice on the Yellowstone website warns visitors to always stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals, including bison and elk.
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A group of Atlantic City casino workers seeking to ban smoking in the gambling halls will launch an advertising campaign featuring their children in response to a judge's rejection of a lawsuit that would have ended smoking in the nine casinos.

The workers, calling themselves Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects, said Wednesday the digital ads will target the districts of state lawmakers who have the power to advance pending legislation that would ban smoking in the casinos.

And a labor union that brought the unsuccessful lawsuit said it would withdraw from the state AFL-CIO over the issue, saying the parent labor group has not supported the health and safety of workers.

On Friday, a state judge rejected the lawsuit, ruling the workers' claim that New Jersey's Constitution guarantees them a right to safety is not well-settled law and that they were unlikely to prevail with such a claim.

The ruling relieved the casinos, which continue to struggle in the aftermath of the COVID19 pandemic, with most of them winning less money from in-person gamblers than they did before the virus outbreak in 2020.

But it dismayed workers including dealers, who say they have to endure eight-hour shifts of people blowing smoke in their faces or just breathing cigarette smoke in the air.

I dealt through two pregnancies, said Nicole Vitola, a Borgata dealer and co-founder of the anti-smoking group. It was grueling. We're human beings. We have an aging workforce.

Whether to ban smoking is one of the most controversial issues not only in Atlantic City casinos, but in other states where workers have expressed concern about secondhand smoke. They are waging similar campaigns in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Kansas and Virginia.

Currently, smoking is allowed on 25% of the casino floor in Atlantic City. But those areas are not contiguous, and the practical effect is that secondhand smoke is present in varying degrees throughout the casino floor.

The workers sought to overturn New Jersey's indoor smoking law, which bans it in virtually every other workplace except casinos.

The ad campaign will be titled Kids of C.E.A.S.E. and will feature the children of casino workers expressing concern for their parents' health and safety in smoke-filled casinos.

I have two kids, aged 17 and 11, said Pete Naccarelli, a Borgata dealer. I want to be there for them when they graduate, when they get married, when they have kids. We do not want to be collateral damage for casinos' perceived profits.

The Casino Association of New Jersey did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. But it expressed gratitude last week for the court ruling, and it said the casinos will work for a solution that protects workers and the financial interests of the industry.

The casinos say that banning smoking will lead to revenue and job losses. But workers dispute those claims.

Workers called on state legislators to advance a bill that would ban smoking that has been bottled up for more than a year. It was released from a Senate committee in January but never voted on by the full Senate. It remains in an Assembly committee.

Sen. Joseph Vitale, a Democrat, promised the bill would get a full Senate vote shortly.

Also Wednesday, Dan Vicente, regional director of the United Auto Workers, said he will pull the union out of the AFL-CIO, saying the larger group has been insufficiently supportive of casino workers' health. The AFL-CIO did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

___

Follow Wayne Parry on X at www.twitter.com/WayneParryAC
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Reddit users are banding together to spread the word about an unorthodox treatment that uses injections of Botox to ease an often-overlooked condition that prevents people from being able to burp.

On pages like r/noburp, which has roughly 32,000 members, individuals are sharing their experience using the muscle-freezing agent to treat retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction, otherwise known as abelchia or no-burp syndrome, a condition that can cause bloating, excess flatulence, and discomfort.

In June, Reddit user Lucie Rosenthal, 26, shared a clip of her laughing with delight after experiencing her first burps after receiving the Botox treatment, which involves injecting 50 to 100 units into a throat muscle that controls access to the esophagus.

Its really rocking my mind that I am fully introducing a new bodily function at 26 years old, she told KFF Health News.

The treatment was first reported in 2019 by an Illinois doctor to treat patients whose upper esophageal sphincter muscles have trouble relaxing.

Patients say a Botox infection to the throat is curing their inability to burp ( Getty Images )

Dr Robert Bastian, a laryngologist outside of Chicago, came up with the procedure after a man who had long struggled with abelchia reached out to see if he might try using Botox as a cure. The medicine was already in use to treat people who had other throat conditions, like difficulty swallowing after a stroke.

It was just kind of a thought, Bastian told Very Well Health.

The doctor added that even after the Botox wore off, patients seemed to still be able to burp with more ease.

To my surprise, people would say to me at six months, at eight months, at 12 months, I can still burp, he said. Its like training wheels...People find that little hook to the burp, and they practice it.

However, despite doctors from Noway to Thailand using the treatment, the procedure remains costly because many insurance companies regard Botox as a red flag.

We hear that in Southern California its $25,000, in Seattle $16,000, in New York City $25,000, Bastian told KFF Health News.

Others have argued the seeming effectiveness of the treatment is a placebo effect, or a symptom of social media-fueled cyberchondria.

Its indisputable, though, that social media seems to have been a key player in the rise of the treatment reaching patients like Rosenthal, bringing further attention to a condition that was subject to little study until recently.

Her Colorado doctor first heard of the Botox method in 2020, when a teen arrived in his office with a bundle of papers about the procedure. Hed found out about the Botox scheme on Reddit.
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The commander of a Navy destroyer thats helping protect the San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Middle East has been relieved of duty about four months after he was seen in a photo firing a rifle with a scope mounted backward.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Cameron Yaste, commanding officer of the destroyer USS John McCain, was removed on Friday.

The Navy said Yaste was relieved of duty due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command the guided-missile destroyer that's currently deployed in the Gulf of Oman.

In April, a photo posted on the Navy's social media showed Yaste in a firing stance gripping the rifle with a backward scope. The image brought the Navy considerable ridicule on social media.

The military news outlet Stars and Stripes reported that the Marine Corps took a dig at the Navy, sharing a photo on its social media of a Marine firing a weapon aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer. The caption read: Clear Sight Picture.

The USS John S. McCain, under repair at a dry dock ( Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The post featuring Yaste was ultimately deleted. Thank you for pointing out our rifle scope error in the previous post, the Navy later wrote on social media. Picture has been removed until EMI (extra military instruction) is completed.

Yaste has been temporarily replaced by Capt. Allison Christy, deputy commodore of Destroyer Squadron 21, which is part of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group that's also in the Gulf of Oman.

The Pentagon sent the carriers to the Middle East to be in position should Israel need help repelling an attack by Iran or other countries, if such a thing happens, military officials said.

The Roosevelt is the flagship of a strike group that has recently included three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, $2 billion vessels that are designed to shield carriers from attacks by air, sea and land.

The U.S. military recently shifted ships in the region. The Pentagon said the aircraft carrier Eisenhower, based in Norfolk, Virginia, is returning home after a deployment of more than eight months countering strikes from Yemens Houthi rebels on commercial shipping in the Red Sea that the Navy says is its most intense mission since World War II. The USS Theodore Roosevelt will take the Eisenhowers place.
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Four people - two students and two teachers - are dead and nine more are injured after a teenage gunman opened fire inside a Georgia high school, authorities say.

Gunfire erupted at Apalachee High School, 50 miles outside of Atlanta, around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Police named the suspect as 14-year-old Colt Gray, who is a student at the school. He is alive and in custody after surrendering to responding officers. He will be charged with murder and tried as an adult, officials said.

The FBI revealed on Wednesday night that it had investigated the suspect, who used an AR platform weapon in the shooting, for allegedly making online threats to carry out a school shooting in May 2023.

The suspect, who was then 13, was found by Jackson County Sheriffs Office deputies and interviewed, according to the FBI. His father told investigators that the family had hunting guns in the house but that the teenager did not have unsupervised access to them.

The boy denied that he had made the threats and the FBI says that there was no probable cause to arrest him or take any further legal action.

Colt Gray, 14, is shown in this police booking photo. He is accused of shooting four people dead at his Georgia high school on September 4. ( via REUTERS )

Hours after the shooting that shook the Georgia community, police identified the victims as two 14-year-old students and two teachers. Mason Schermerhorn, 14, and Kristen Angolo, 14, were the students. While the teachers were named as Christina Irimie and Richard Aspinwall

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith discussed the evil that had taken place at an evening press conference.

I never imagined that I would be speaking to the media in my career over something that happened today  the pure evil happened here today, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said while standing outside the high school.

Hate will not prevail, he added.

Four people were killed after a suspected 14-year-old gunman opened fire inside Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday morning, police said ( Getty Images )

The school received a phone threat earlier in the day, law enforcement officials told CNN. The caller warned that there would be shootings at five schools and that Apalachee would be the first. There have been no other shootings at area schools.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey told a press conference on Wednesday night that there was no evidence of other schools being targeted by the suspect.

Theres no evidence to report that any additional shooter was involved in this incident today, Hosey said. There is no evidence of a list of schools being targeted, Hosey said. However, there is a lot of evidence that is being recovered and evaluated.

As police launch thier investigation to find a motive, students were left recalling the terrifying moments when the shooting started.

Mason Schermerhorn, 14, was identified by his family as one of the victims of the shooting at Apalachee High School ( Social media )

One student told WSB-TV that her teacher was shot while in the doorway of their classroom. She then worked with fellow students to drag them back into the room and barricade the door, the local outlet reported.

Sergio Caldera, a 17-year-old senior, told ABC News he was in chemistry class when gunshots began.

My teacher goes and opens the door to see whats going on, Caldera said. Another teacher comes running in and tells her to close the door because theres an active shooter.

Caldera said someone banged on their classroom door and shouted open up several times. Afterward, he heard more gunfire and screaming.

Christina Irimie, math teacher killed at Apalachee high school in Georgia ( Apalachee High School )

DAnthony Kanzig said he and his fellow students tried to be as quiet as possible as the shooting happened.

I was in class and I just saw hard lockdown on my screen and then you just hear the gunshots and everyone got down, he told WXIA.

Kanzig said students hid under desks and that some were laughing because they thought it was just a drill. Others were crying.

Kids were praying, keeping it as quiet as possible, he said.

Richard Aspinwall, math teacher at Apalachee High School who was killed in Wednesdays mass shooting ( Apalachee High School )

Local and national leaders have also spoken out about the tragedy.

Jill and I are mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short due to more senseless gun violence and thinking of all of the survivors whose lives are forever changed, President Joe Biden said in a statement.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has directed all available state resources to the school, he said.

We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation, Kemp said.

Students walk away from Apalachee High School as an ambulance responds to the school. The 14-year-old suspected gunman is alive and in custody and police plan to charge him as an adult ( AP )

Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris called the incident another senseless tragedy.

Its senseless, it is  weve got to stop it, and we have to end this epidemic of gun violence in our country once and for all, Harris said at a campaign event. You know it doesnt have to be this way. It doesnt have to be this way, so we will continue, of course, to send our prayers and I thought to families and all those who were affected.

Vice presidential candidate Tim Walz also spoke on the incident while at a campaign event in Pennsylvania.

Before we get started, our team just briefed me on this, we have a school shooting going on in Georgia at this time, Walz said. Were on it, and the White House has been briefed on it.

This is tragic. We dont know any of the details on it yet, but its a situation thats all too common and and our hearts are out there right now...Our work needs to be to prevent these in the future as we know, he continued. I know its a little bit of a heavy heart for all.

Former president Donald Trump posted about the shooting on Truth Social.

Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones affected by the tragic event in Winder, GA, Trump wrote. These cherished children were taken from us far too soon by a sick and deranged monster.
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A 62-year-old man has been formally charged with the murder of his neighbors, who disappeared from their California nudist community last month.

Michael Sparks was charged with the murders of 73-year-old Stephanie Menard and Daniel Menard, 79, on Tuesday, according to San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson.

The Menards  and their shih tzu, Cuddles  were first reported missing on August 25. They were last seen at their home on Olive Dell Ranch, a self-described family-friendly nudist resort in southern California.

Sparks will appear in court on Wednesday and is ineligible for bail. The charges come after investigators found human remains underneath Sparkss home on Monday. The bodies are believed to belong to the Menards, the Redlands Police Department said.

From the beginning of this case, what we were impressed by were the community members, the friends and loved ones who learned about the Menards and came forward to indicate that things werent right, Anderson said on Tuesday.

Police have found two bodies believed to belong to Daniel and Stephanie Menard underneath the home of their neighbor, Michael Sparks. The 62-year-old has since been charged with their muder ( Redlands Police Department )

A family member had reported to police that Sparks admitted to killing two people and was threatening to take his own life, according to Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolber.

It was while our teams were on site that the police dispatcher received information from an individual identified as a family member indicating that [Sparks] was involved in the disappearance and had admitted to killing two people and was threatening suicide, Tolber said.

Police first searched Sparkss home on Thursday, breaching his house with a Tac Cat, a vehicle used by SWAT teams to navigate hazardous environments, according to the department.

Officers eventually found the 63-year-old underneath his home, and he surrendered after negotiating with officers, ABC News reports.

Officials then searched his home using cadaver dogs. The cadaver dogs initially alerted police to at least one body on the property on Thursday, but officials had to take several days to evaluate whether it was safe to enter due to extensive damage.

The Menards were last seen on August 24, one day before they were reported missing. Later that day, their unlocked car was found down the road from their home. The couples cell phones, along with Stephanies purse, were found in their house.

There is also still no sign of Cuddles, the police department said on Monday.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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A Missouri man has been charged with the rape and murder of a woman more than 30 years after her body was found in her Indianapolis home.

Investigators say genetic genealogy led to the arrest of Dana Shepherd, 52, on August 20, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department announced on Tuesday.

Hes facing two counts of murder and one count of rape in the fatal stabbing of 19-year-old Carmen Van Huss, who was found dead in her apartment on March 24, 1993, according to the news release.

When Van Huss missed work at Pizza Hut, her co-worker alerted her father and he went to her apartment where he found her body and signs of a struggle, WTHR reported. She had been stabbed 61 times, according to the Marion County Coroners Office,

Over the years, detectives interviewed dozens of people and followed up on hundreds of leads, but the case went cold.

Carmen Van Huss was found stabbed to death inside her Indianapolis apartment on March 24, 1993. However, the case went cold for decades ( Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department )

Then in 2018, a detective submitted a DNA sample to Parabon NanoLabs, a genetic genealogy company, which conducted an analysis that included DNA phenotyping and genetic genealogy.

Five years later, through various investigative methods and information from the genetic genealogy analysis, detectives were able to identify Dana Shepherd as a suspect in the case.

In 2024, after obtaining DNA samples for traditional forensic testing, the Marion County Forensic Services Agency notified Unsolved Homicide Unit detectives that Shepherds DNA profile matched DNA samples found at the scene and on Van Huss body.

At the press conference on Tuesday, deputy police Chief Kendale Adams told reporters that authorities in Boone County, Missouri, surveilled Shepherd and took him into custody.

Detectives attempted to speak with Shepherd, but he refused to talk without legal representation.

Shepherd lived at the same apartment complex as Carmen in 1993, and the units were connected by a shared common area, including a laundry room, according to court documents viewed by WTHR.

He is listed as an employee of the University of Missouri, where he works as a custodian, according to university records, WTHR reported.

Shepherd is being held without bond at the Boone County Jail in Missouri. A hearing will be held in the coming days as prosecutors seek his extradition back to Indiana.

Dana Shepherd, 52, was arrested on August 20 and charged with murder and rape after police used genetic genealogy to identify him as a suspect. ( Boone County Jail )

For 31 years, the family of Carmen Van Huss has been searching for answers and justice," Adams said on Tuesday. "While nothing can ever replace their loved one, we hope that todays arrest brings them some measure of peace."

Van Huss brother Jimmy Van Huss, who was a freshman in high school when his sister was killed, spoke out at the Tuesday news conference.

My sister was a beautiful, 19-year-old art student at IUPUI, he said. She was an art lover, an animal lover, she picked up stray cats all the time. We were really getting close and spending more time together because I was now a freshman in high school and our six-year age difference was not as prominent. She was always happy and everyone loved her.

Jimmy said there are a lot of people who have missed Carmen over the years.

She had a lot of family, a lot of friends. She had cousins that loved her like a sister. She had an aunt and uncle that loved her like a daughter, he said. For my dad to have to find his daughter after what was brutally done to her makes this day bittersweet. I wish he was here to see it.
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A 30-year-old man has been charged with murder after four people were killed execution-style in a mass shooting on a train in Chicago on Labor Day.

Rhanni Davis, 30, from Chicago, was charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Margaret Miller, 64, Simeon Bihesi, 28, Adrian Collins, 60, and a third unidentified man.

Forest Park Police Department were called to reports that three people had been shot while asleep on a CTA Blueline train at around 5.30am local time on Monday morning.

Officers arrived at Forest Park CTA Blueline Station to find four victims suffering gunshot wounds.

Forest Park Deputy Chief of Police Christopher Chin told The Independent that three victims were found in one carriage and were dead on the scene.

The fourth  Collins  was found with abdomen wounds in a separate carriage and was transferred to a nearby hospital. However, he died in hospital soon after.

Chin told The Independent the attack appears to have been random as there was no altercation leading up to the shootings.

As the train approached the first stop, Davis can be seen in the CCTV footage standing in the carriage with the three persons who appeared to be asleep  these victims were not sat together, he said.

Rhanni S Davis in mug shot following his arrest for the shootings ( Forest Park Police Department )

He then killed each of them one by one and then walked into the adjacent carriage where he then shoots Collins who also appeared to be asleep.

Chin said that there was also a woman wrapped in a blanket sleeping in the same carriage as Collins at the time of the shooting.

She was unharmed in the attack.

Police believe she was only spared because the gunman ran out of bullets, Chin said.

In total, six gunshots were fired with two of the victims shot twice.

Davis was arrested within 90 minutes of the shooting after Chicago police officers identified him from surveillance footage on board another CTA Pink Line Train in a separate part of the city, police told The Independent.

In a press conference, Daniel Pater, lieutenant in charge at Forest Park Police Department, said investigators had located the weapon used in the attack  a 9mm Glock 43  and that it belonged to the suspect.

The victims were shot while they slept on a CTA Blueline train ( AP )

The Labor Day incident was branded as an isolated attack and police stressed the absence of an immediate threat to the Forest Park suburban community that houses 14,000 people.

Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins told reporters at The Associated Press that it was unlikely that the victims saw the shooter as: They were shot execution-style as they slept.

The motive for the attack remains unclear.

When asked if the victims were homeless, Chicago Transit Authority president Dorval Carter Jr said: First of all I cant speak to the question of whether these individuals are homeless or not.

I think thats something that the states attorney and the police will speak to at a later time.

What I can tell you, is around the issue of homelessness itself, we have engaged and provided more resources to support people who are homeless on CTA than ever in the history of our agency.

Davis is set to appear in court on Wednesday afternoon.
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A Florida deputy's firearm ended up on the streets after he left it in a gas station restroom, and it was picked up and sold for $40 on CashApp.

The officer entered the public restroom at a RaceTrac convenience store in Oviedo, Florida, at around 5.30pm on August 29 and took off his bulletproof vest and gun belt, according to an affidavit seen by the The Tampa Bay Times.

After leaving the RaceTrac and responding to a call for service, [the deputy] discovered his gun was missing form his gun belt, so he returned to the RaceTrac to check the restroom, officials said. He did not see it in the restroom.

Two men  Chance Byron, 26, and Damari Dennis, 23  are accused of taking the $600 Sig Sauer P320 pistol, according to WESH.

The duo allegedly put the gun up for sale on CashApp, where it sold for $40.

Surveillance video captured two men visiting the restroom after the deputy, with one spotted hiding something in the waistband of his pants when walking out of the store, officials said.

Deputies found the suspects after conducting a license tag search, with Dennis and Byron claiming they found the weapon sticking out of a toilet paper roll.

Chance Byron is accused of attempting to sell the stolen Florida cops gun ( Seminole County Sheriff's Office )

Both stated they did not attempt to contact law enforcement or inform the employees of the RaceTrac gas station that they located a firearm in the restroom, officials said.

Both were arrested on August 30 by the Seminole County Sherrifs Office.

The firearm has since been safely recovered, the Seminole County Sheriffs Office told McClatchy News.

In addition to allegedly trying to sell the stolen weapon, Damari Dennis is accused of possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted Florida felon ( Seminole County Sheriff's Office )

Dennis faces 13 counts, including grand theft of a firearm, dealing in stolen property, and possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted Florida felon, as he was on probation at the time, according to the Times.

Byron meanwhile, faces charges of grand theft of a firearm, failure to report lost or abandoned property, and dealing in stolen property.

The Independent has contacted the Seminole County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) for further details.
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A two-year-old boy was struck and killed by a teenage suspected drunk driver on Labor Day while the toddler was riding his trike outside his home.

The boy's parents were watching their children ride bikes in the cul-de-sac in front of their house in Tavares, Florida, at around 7.15pm on Monday evening, according to an arrest affidavit seen by Fox 35.

While playing, police said a Toyota Tacoma came barreling down the road.

The husband and wife reportedly yelled at the pickup truck in an effort to get the driver to slow down, but saw in horror as their toddler was mowed down, according to authorities.

The trucks front tire ran over the two-year-old before the vehicle appeared to drag him and his trike for a few feet, Fox 35 reported.

The vehicle eventually came to a stop in the road and the familys neighbors rushed over, administering CPR on the boy until first responders arrived.

The little boy was rushed to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.

Joshua Montero, 19, was arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter.

Tavares Police said officers on the scene noticed a strong odor of alcohol on the 19-year-old suspects breath, and that he had bloodshot glassy eyes.

He was detained and transported to the Lake County Jail, where police said he failed a sobriety test, as he is under the national age of drinking, with a breath sample giving results of .062 percent and .057 percent.

While this is not above the legal limit of .08 percent, the affidavit reportedly noted that hours had passed between the collision and when Montero was tested.

He is now being held without bond at Lake County Jail and is due in court later this month,

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the nonprofit leader in a movement to create a world where there are #NoMoreVictims of impaired driving, had predicted a surge in impaired driving collisions over the Labor Day weekend, noting in a press release that driving fatalities have increased by 33 percent since 2019.

The Independent has contacted Tavares Police Department for further details on the ongoing investigation.
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A lawyer for the so-called Ketamine Queen Jasveen Sangha has claimed that she had no connection to late Hollywood star Matthew Perry, as she heads to trial on charges in connection to his death.

Sangha, who has pleaded not guilty, was arrested last month, along with four others, on charges of supplying Perry with the drugs that he overdosed on. On Tuesday, her trial date was set for March 4 2025.

When asked about the mystery link between Perry and Sangha, her lawyer Mark Geragos told the Today show on Wednesday: Theres no mystery, she isnt connected to Matthew Perry at all.

Geragos claimed Sangha has been made into something that she isnt.

People like to make her out into something that she isnt, but theres a whole different side here, a story to be told and it will be told at her trial, he added.

Sangha is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine, and five counts of distribution of ketamine.

Jasveen Sangha, who has been dubbed the Ketamine Queen by prosecutors ( Instagram )

Prosecutors said that Sangha is well-known as the Ketamine Queen in the Hollywood area when unveiling the charges at a press conference last month.

They described Sanghas home in North Hollywood as a drug-selling emporium and called it the Sangha Stash House from which she allegedly packaged and distributed drugs for her high end and celebrity clients.

Friends star Perry was found dead in his hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home on October 28 2023. It was later determined that he had did of an overdose.

Matthew Perry died of an overdose in October last year ( AP )

Sangha has pleaded not guilty to th charges.

One of the other defendants, Dr Salvador Plasencia has also pleaded not guilty to illegally selling ketamine to Perry in the month before his death and will also go on trial in March.

Meanwhile, the three other defendants  Dr Mark Chavez, Eric Fleming, and Perrys live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa have already pleaded guilty to the charges against them.
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Defense attorneys for Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen are banned from bringing up the Odinism cult theory or the names of nearly a dozen other suspects in court when the alleged killer stands trial for the murders of teenage best friends Abby Williams and Libby German next month.

Special Judge Frances Gull issued the ruling Wednesday morning, stating that the burden is on the defense to show a nexus between the other suspects, Odinism, and the murders. He found that the defense failed to produce admissible evidence demonstrating a nexus, however.

Allen, 51, is accused of brutally murdering Libby and Abby on February 13, 2017. That day, the teens had set off on a walk along the Monon High Bridge trail in Delphi, Indiana, with 14-year-old Libby posting a final Snapchat photo of her 13-year-old best friend on the old railroad track.

The next day, their bodies were discovered in a wooded area close to the trail, and both of their throats has been slit. An arrest wasnt made until 2022.

In court documents released last year, Allen maintained his innocence of the 2017 killings and instead claimed that the murders were carried out by a pagan cult hijacked by white nationalists.

Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen, 51, is set to stand trial in October ( Cass County Jail )

Members of a pagan Norse religion, called Odinism, hijacked by white nationalists, ritualistically sacrificed Abigail Williams and Liberty German, his attorneys wrote in the documents viewed by The Independent.

They said that possible Odinism signatures were left behind by the killers at the crime scene, with the victims bodies staged by trees with branches and sticks laid across their bodies in the shape of pagan symbols.

While Allen has no known connection to any pagan cult, his attorneys also took the extraordinary step of naming four individuals they say are involved in Odinism as potential suspects. They insist Allen had nothing to do with the killings.

The ruling on Wednesday is in response to the prosecutors request for the judge to suppress all evidence and expert testimony related to the defenses Odinism sacrifice theory.

The Court will not permit the evidence submitted by the defense in support of their arguments regarding third-party perpetrators in the trial of this cause as the probative value of such evidence is greatly outweighed by confusion of the issues and its potential to mislead the jury, according to Gulls order. The Court will allow that evidence to support an offer of proof at the trial if one is made by Counsel.

This means that during the trial  which is slated to begin in October  the defense will still have a chance to convince the judge that there is a link between Odinism and other suspects with the hope of presenting that argument to a jury.

Best friends Abigail Williams, left, and Liberty German were found dead on a hiking trail near Delphi, Indiana, in 2017 ( Facebook )

The ruling on Wednesday comes just over a week after Judge Gull said she would allow the jury to hear all of Allens confessions that police say he has made since his arrest in 2022.

Indiana State Police Detective Brian Harshman testified during a three-day hearing that Allen has confessed to the murders more than 60 times since his arrest, mostly in jailhouse phone calls to his wife or mother.

Allen first began to confess in late March 2023 when he had an apparent come to Jesus moment, said the officer  who had reviewed around 150 hours of calls.

In the confessions, Harshman said Allen spoke very specifically about some of the details of the crime including his alleged motivations.

Indiana State Police Lt. Jerry Holeman also gave damning testimony about Allens alleged confessions, telling the court a fellow inmate had come forward to claim that Allen had not only confessed  but had revealed his chosen murder weapon.

Allen allegedly claimed he killed Libby and Abby with a boxcutter and disposed of it by throwing it in a dumpster outside CVS.

Allens defense has long argued that his confessions were the result of his poor mental health after being treated like a prisoner of war in state prison while awaiting trial.

Image of Abigail Williams walking across the Monon High Bridge was recovered from her Snapchat account on the day she disappeared ( Snapchat )

Following the 2017 murders, investigators discovered a video on Libbys cellphone showing a man  known as bridge guy  on the trail, saying: Guys, down the hill.

Despite the footage believed to show the killer, for five years, no arrests were made.

Until 2022, when Allen was suddenly arrested and charged with the murders, having been tied to the killings through a bullet found at the crime scene.

Since then, the case has been plagued by delays, controversies, shocking accusations and evidence leaks.

What is Odinism?

Odinism is a pagan Norse religion with origins in ancient Viking and Nordic beliefs and pre-Christian European culture.

Sometimes referred to as Wotanism, it is seen as a racist variant of the pagan religious sect Asatru, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

While Asatru itself is not racist, over the years Odinism has become increasingly tied to white supremacist and neo-Nazi beliefs in the US.

Many followers  known as Odinites  are now said to exist among the white supremacist prison population.

The religion, which revives a pre-Christian pantheon of Norse gods, is appealing to white supremacists because it mythologises the virtues of early northern European whites  seen as wandering barbarians, deeply involved in a mystical relationship with nature, struggling heroically against the elements, the Southern Poverty Law Center explains.

It sings the virtues of the tribe, or folk, strongly emphasizing genetic closeness. And it credits whites with building civilization and an ethic of individual responsibility, even as they boldly slew wild boars, fought for their tribes and explored the far reaches of the known world.
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A former doctor in Florida has been linked to numerous mishandled medical procedures, including an infants botched circumcision and six patient deaths.

Berto Lopez, who spent 33 years working as an OB-GYN - a doctor who cares for pregnant women and womens reproductive organs - in Palm Beach County, was found liable for $100 million dollars last week after he lost a medical malpractice suit stemming from the botched circumcision.

In 2021, Lopez severed an infant's penis, and did so 10 days after the Florida Board of Medicine voted to revoke his medical license, according to USA TODAY.

The child's family and expert witnesses showed jurors graphic and disturbing images of the aftermath of the circumcision. The family's attorney, Gary Cohen, used the phrase "bleeding, scabby mess" to describe what jurors were seeing.

Lopez has been involved in at least 14 serious injuries sustained by women and children in his care, according to The Palm Beach Post, which reviewed court records and other documentation from his time as a physician.

In six cases, people died.

Dr Beto Lopez lost a medical malpractice case in Palm Beach County, Florida that will require him to $100 million to a family of a baby boy whose penis he severed during a botched circumcision ( Palm Beach County )

According to the outlet, Lopez has been named in the four disciplinary cases and nine malpractice suits, including two involving the death of infants, an injury to a third infant and an 18-year-old mom who died during the 1990s.

A typical OB-GYN, on average, faces two to three lawsuits across their career, according to the paper.

Lopezs license was ultimately revoked after the death of Onystei Castillo-Lopez, a 40-year-old woman who was having her second child while in his care.

Castillo-Lopez suffered tears in her cervix while she was giving birth. She ultimately bled out and died.

Lopez reportedly tried to repair the woman's cervix inside of a hospital suite rather than in an operating room, according to the Florida Department of Health. She died a few months later after Lopez performed the wrong procedure to address her cervical bleeding, according to an administrative complaint.

The state's Board of Medicine had, at that point, already restricted Lopez's license following several other deaths and injuries tied to him months earlier. According to the records reviewed by the Palm Beach Post, Lopez did not inform the mother and her husband that his license had been restricted. He has yet to pay the settlement amount he owes Castillo-Lopezs husband.

The doctor also did not inform the parents of the baby who was injured in the botched circumcision, according to the family's lawyer.

"If he did, they would have run out that door so fast it would have broken," Cohen said during the trial.

After Lopez cut off a third of the baby's penis, he insisted to his father that the bleeding was normal and spent 45 minutes trying to stop the blood. The next day, the parents took the baby to an emergency room, where they were immediately sent to a pediatric urologist.

The urologist was "visibly shocked" after seeing what had happened to the child, according to the father.

The boy is now three years old, and his parents say he is traumatized by the experience.

"It's never going to heal and no matter what you do, even if you had the money to try to look into something, theres no restorative surgery that can fix it," the boy's father, Michael Lubben, told WPBF. "Hes not old enough now to realize hes different, but in just a couple of years, he will be."
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The US Department of Justice on Tuesday unsealed a sweeping set of charges against six leaders of Hamas.

The case, originally filed in New York federal court in February, accuses the Hamas officials of a range of terrorism-related offenses stretching from 1997 through the present conflict with Israel that began on October 7.

The Justice Department has charged Yahya Sinwar and other senior leaders of Hamas for financing, directing, and overseeing a decades-long campaign to murder American citizens and endanger the national security of the United States, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement accompanying the announcement. On October 7th, Hamas terrorists, led by these defendants, murdered nearly 1200 people, including over 40 Americans, and kidnapped hundreds of civilians.

The indictment names six Hamas leaders spread across the Gaza Strip, Qatar, and Lebanon: Ismail Haniyeh, the former chairman of the Hamas politburo; Yahya Sinwar, the current leader of Hamas; Mohammad Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, the former commander of al-Qassam Brigades, Marwan Issa, the former deputy commander of al-Qassam Brigades; Khaled Meshaal, head of the Hamas diaspora office; and Ali Baraka, head of Hamass unit for national relations abroad.

After the charges were filed, Issa and Deif were killed in Israeli airstrikes, and Haniyeh was assassinated during a visit to Hamas patron Iran.

The announcement comes as ceasefire talks between Israel and Gaza have failed to produce a concrete resolution and U.S. and Israeli officials face ever-growing pressure to bring about an end to the war.

Israeli soldiers in a tank as it drives along the border with the Gaza Strip on August 7, 2024 in Southern Israel, Israel ( Getty Images )

Israel said on Sunday it had recovered the bodies of six hostages killed in a tunnel under the Palestinian city of Rafah, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American who had become one of the most widely known of the more than 200 hostages captured by the Palestinian militant group.

The discovery prompted yet another round of large-scale protests critical of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the streets of Israel.

In May, the International Criminal Court announced it would seek war crimes warrants for the arrest of Netanyahu, Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Sinwar, Deif, and Haniyeh.
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Elon Musk has used his large platform on X to promote a theory that a free-thinking Republic could only exist under the decision-making of high status males  and women or low T men would not be welcome in it.

On Sunday, Musk re-posted a screenshot of the theory  which appears to have been conceived on 4chan in 2021 on the social media site.

The theory, written by an anonymous user, suggests that the only people able to think freely are high [testostrone] alpha males and aneurotypical people, and that these high status males should run a Republic that is only for those who are free to think.

Elon Musk, owner of X, reposted a theory that claims high status males should run a Republic to maintain a free-thinking democracy ( Getty Images )

People who cant defend themselves physically (women and low T men) parse information through a consensus filter as a safety mechanism, the post reads.

Only high T alpha males and aneurotypical people (hey autists!) are actually free to parse new information with an objective is this true? filter, it adds. This is why a Republic of high status males is best for decision making. Democratic, but a democracy only for those who are free to think.

Aneurotypical is not a word but one can assume the original poster meant neurodivergent people.

Theories like this, which promote hegemonic masculinity, are often criticized for being sexist, exclusionary, not realistic and toxic. They are popular in alt-right communities.

Interesting observation, Musk said, in response to the post.

The screenshot of the theory was uploaded to X by an account called AutismCapital which often posts memes that appeal to right-wing individuals and support Musks endeavors.

It claimed the theory was also known as the Reich effect - seemingly a reference to Robert Reich, the former Secretary of Labor, who wrote an op-ed in The Guardian last week claiming that Musk is out of control and needs to be stopped.

Much of the accounts Sunday content was targeted at mocking Reich while defending the billionaire.

It is unclear if Musk re-posted the theory because he agreed with it or because it critized Reich. Its not unlike Musk to dabble in controversial theories and misleading information on his social media platform.

The SpaceX founder often takes the stance that controversial, and sometimes offensive, posts on X are part of free speech and should be allowed on the platform  even when it includes false or misleading information.

That is, in part, why X was blocked in Brazil on Friday. Musk refused to comply with a legal order in a long-running battle that ignited after the social media site failed to block accounts accused of spreading fake news.

The Independent has asked X and Musk for further comment on his repost.
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A former flight attendant is remembering those killed in the September 11 terror attacks by pushing an airline beverage cart to the World Trade Center site in New York.

Paul Veneto had friends and colleagues who were killed during the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, and is currently walking the 220-mile distance between Bostons Logan Airport and the 9/11 memorial site - which was the flight path American Flight 11 took before it was flown into the north tower.

It is the fourth iteration of the challenge, with Veneto has branded Paulies Push. Each year he has followed a different flight path, including a walk from Newark, New Jersey, to Shanksville, Pennsylvania  the path of Flight 93  last year. That was the longest of the walks, which required him to push his cart 300 miles.

He undertook his first trip in 2021, which followed the flight path of Flight 175, which was the plane carrying his friends and co-workers.

Paul Veneto of Braintree, Massachusetts, pushes an airline service cart in Boston. Veneto, a former flight attendant who lost several colleagues when United Flight 175 was flown into the World Trade Center on September 11, is honoring his friends this year by pushing his cart along the American Flight 11 route from Boston to New York City ( 2020 The Patriot Ledger )

Veneto was working on the day of the terror attacks, and had just arrived in Boston around 8 p.m. on September 10. If the attacks had been planned for a few hours earlier, he might have been among those killed on 9/11.

I came in the night before. I landed at 8 p.m. in Boston, he told News12 Connecticut. I got off the airplane the next morning. I knew the crew that was on that plane that hit the second tower.

Veneto recently passed through Connecticut, where Middletown police and a fire truck joined him as he walked through the city.

Once Veneto finishes this push, he will have completed all of the flight paths. In the future, he hopes to continue the event but to include communities in the push.

Let the community push for the cart for three days  school kids, anybody, he said. And then it goes to the next town, and the next town, so everybody gets involved in it.
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Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, is the latest school across the US to experience a mass shooting as part of the countrys gun violence epidemic, with four killed and scores injured on Wednesday morning.

Apalachee student Colt Gray, 14, has been named as the suspected shooter, and is alive and in custody, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The shooting has prompted scrutiny of Georgias gun laws.

After decades of inaction, Republicans in Congress must finally say enough is enough and work with Democrats to pass common-sense gun safety legislation, President Biden said in a statement. We must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines once again, require safe storage of firearms, enact universal background checks, and end immunity for gun manufacturers.

Heres what you need to know.

What kind of gun was used in the Apalachee school shooting?

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday said the school shooter used an AR-style rifle in the killing.

Earlier in the day, the FBI revealed it previously investigated the suspect for allegedly making online threats to commit a school shooting.

Grays father described keeping hunting guns in the house, but said Gray didnt have unsupervised access to them.

What are Georgias gun laws?

If the shooter was indeed a teenager, they wouldnt have lawful access to buy a handgun, rifle, or shotgun under state law and federal law.

Individuals must be 18 or older to purchase handguns in the state, according to the Giffords Center, and federal law imposes the same age limit for the sale of shotguns and rifles, per the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms.

Police on scene of school shooting ( EPA )

Meanwhile, minors also cannot possess handguns under Georgia law.

Overall, Everytown for Gun Safety ranks Georgia as number 46 of 50 in terms of the strength of its gun laws, describing the states policies as some of the weakest in the nation.

Adults in Georgia dont need a permit to buy rifles, shotguns, or handguns, dont need to register their guns with the government, and dont need a permit to carry rifles and shotguns, according to the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action.

In 2022, Georgia enacted a permitless carry law, repealing provisions requiring people to obtain a license and be subject to fingerprinting and a background check before carrying concealed weapons in public spaces.

How bad is gun violence in Georgia?

Georgia is in the upper third for firearm mortality across the US.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Georgia is ranked 15th in the county, with 19.7 gun deaths per 100,000 residents, putting it just outside the category of the largely conservative, Southern states with the most gun violence deaths.

Have there been other recent mass shootings in Georgia?

Sadly, todays shooting in Barrow County isnt the first time in recent years a mass shooting has occurred in Georgia.

In 2021, Robert Aaron Long allegedly shot and killed eight people across three Atlanta-area massage parlors.

Two years later, military veteran Andre Longore killed four people in Hampton, Georgia, before being killed himself during a police manhunt.
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When Michael and Concetta Clarke divorced in July of last year, he got the $3 million ski house.

The 6,200-square-foot contemporary log home in Upstate New York sits on a third of an acre and boasts six bedrooms, six bathrooms, two fireplaces, a game room, a gym, a wet bar, and a chefs kitchen, as well as climate-controlled wine storage  which has apparently become an irreconcilable flashpoint between the once-happy couple.

Now, Michael is hauling Concetta into court over the destruction of his 400-bottle wine collection, thanks to what he claims was his ex-wifes disinterested malevolence, according to a lawsuit obtained by The Independent.

The wines were stored under climate-controlled conditions at the couples Upstate New York ski house ( Getty Images )

Defendant intentionally inflicted harm on Plaintiff, which resulted in the destruction of Plaintiffs wine collection worth $300,000, and without Defendant having any excuse or justification for her actions, the suit alleges.

Attorney Matthew Keating, who filed the suit on behalf of Michael, did not respond to requests for comment on Wednesday. Concetta does not have a lawyer listed in court filings, and was unable to be reached.

Michael, 45, and Concetta, 44, were married in 2005, and the Brooklyn-born pair were together nearly 20 years before parting ways, the lawsuit states.

At the time of their split, the two jointly owned the ski house in the resort town of Windham, New York, the suit explains. It cites a stipulation in which Concetta allegedly agreed to transfer her interest in the property over to Michael, within 30 days of signing the agreement, and says Michael would thus be solely responsible for paying any and all carrying charges and costs associated with the home, including utilities.

Any items currently at [the home] shall belong to the Husband free and clear of any claim of the Wife, the lawsuit goes on.

The New York State Electric & Gas service for the residence was in both of their names, and Concetta called the provider on September 5, 2023, to remove her name from the account, the suit continues. However, it contends, Concetta simultaneously, with intent and/or negligently, also removed [Michaels] name from the account.

Because Michaels name was no longer associated with the NYSEG account, he stopped receiving any communications from them about it, according to the lawsuit. Weeks later, Michael went to the house and discovered that Concetta had not only taken both of their names off of the NYSEG account, but had altogether disconnected service to the address without providing [him] with any notice, the lawsuit states.

A power cut, and the ensuing temperature fluctuations, caused the wines to go bad, according to Michael Clarke ( PA Archive )

The suit alleges Concetta always knew that [Michael] stored his investment[,] approximately 400-bottle wine collection, worth approximately $300,000, above ground, inside the home under the protection of refrigerated conditions such refrigerated conditions powered by NYSEG electric service.

As a result of her intentional and/or negligent actions, Concetta caused interruption of the power supply resulting in absence of refrigeration, including both elevation of the temperature in the storage room, and daily variation in temperature in the room where the wine collection was stored, causing the destruction of [Michaels] wine collection, according to the suit.

Michael is demanding a total of $600,000 from Concetta, with interest, from October 1, 2023, plus legal costs. She now has three weeks to file a formal response to the allegations.
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Embattled MyPillow pitchman and vociferous election-theft conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell s already-bad financial situation just got worse.

After going all-in on Donald Trumps Big Lie about the presidency being stolen from him, the 63-year-old was dropped by his attorneys over millions in unpaid bills, saw his company evicted from its Minnesota warehouse after failing to pay some $200,000 in rent, was iced out by retailers and was unable to continue advertising his wares on Fox News for stiffing the network. Hes also had his credit line slashed to the bone by American Express, was ordered to pay $5 million to a computer programmer who disproved his claims of voter fraud, was forced to auction off personal possessions and factory gear in a flailing but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to stop the bleeding, and continues to battle multi-billion-dollar defamation suits by Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic, the nations largest voting machine companies, over bogus claims their equipment was rigged.

Election conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell claims he has gone broke thanks to his support of Donald Trumps Big Lie ( Getty Images )

Now, Extend, Inc, a California firm that allows merchants to provide customers with product protection plans, is accusing Lindell, who last year claimed to have been stripped of everything but his house and pickup truck , of promising, then failing, to pay $564,151.39 in outstanding invoices.

In May 2024, after My Pillow failed to make any of the payments outside counsel for Extend sent a letter to My Pillow to demand payment, states a federal lawsuit filed August 30. After repeated further inquiries, Mike Lindell, Chief Executive Officer of My Pillow, emailed on June 23, 2024 that he [w]ill connect this week. But Mr. Lindell did not connect, and never did.

MyPillow has since ignored repeated inquiries and demand for payment, and has not paid any of the amounts due, the suit alleges.

Reached by phone on Tuesday morning, a harried-sounding Lindell professed ignorance about the case, seemingly distracted by loud banging noises audible in the background.

No idea, Lindell told The Independent. But you can go ahead and send  whats the question?

Following a brief hold, Lindell came back on the line, saying, I dont know if we had a conflict with them or whatever. I have no idea right now, Ive got bigger things going on. I have no idea.

Mike Lindells pillow empire has taken a severe financial hit, setting off a domino effect that continues to haunt him ( John Bowden )

The relationship between MyPillow and Extend, Inc. began in November 2022, when the two entered into a contract by which Extend would provide My Pillows customers with certain shipping and product protection services in exchange for a percentage of revenues generated by the sale of those services, the lawsuit explains.

But by March 2024, MyPillow was overdue on amounts it owed to Extend, under the terms of the agreement. At the end of the month, MyPillow exercised a termination agreement and would wind down the relationship with a series of payments to settle its account. In early April, Extend emailed MyPillow an invoice for $110,799.22, to cover services provided the month prior. The lawsuit says MyPillow further consented to a payment schedule requiring a $75,000 payment on April 3, a $100,000 payment on April 17, a $100,000 payment on May 8, a $125,000 payment on May 29, and a $53,352.17 payment on June 12.

Lindell shaved his trademark mustache to infiltrate the DNC, where he was caught on camera initiating a verbal spat with a 12-year-old ( X )

Extend claims in its lawsuit that it waited on Lindell until May, then called in its lawyers. Lindell subsequently vowed to take care of the debt, according to the suit, then disappeared.

My Pillow breached the Termination Agreement by failing to make the payments required, the lawsuit states. As a direct and proximate result of My Pillows breach of contract, Extend has suffered damages.

Lindell, who has not yet filed a formal response to Extends claims, is facing stiff headwinds from all directions. His recent rollout of FrankSpeech, a right-wing social media and video platform, has reportedly been a  total disaster , with Lindell frustrating potential investors by providing them with the incorrect ticker symbol for the penny stock. He was mocked for shaving his trademark mustache and infiltrating last months Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where he was promptly drawn into an embarrassing spat with a 12-year-old online influencer. At the same time, he was somehow able to pay for former New York City Mayor Rudy Giulianis first-class travel to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. (Giuliani is an employee of FrankSpeech, which technically footed the bill, Lindell told CNN .)

Ethan Jacobs, the attorney representing Extend, declined to comment.
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Eighteen patients  nine who survived and the families of nine who died  are at the center of a $303 million lawsuit against an Oregon hospital where a nurse was accused of replacing fentanyl with bacteria-laden water in intravenous drips.

Former nurse Dani Marie Schofield, 36, who worked at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, was arrested in June and charged with 44 counts of second-degree assault. The charges stemmed from a police investigation into the theft and misuse of controlled substances that resulted in patient infections. She pleaded not guilty.

Schofield left her post a month after she was initially charged, telling The Lund Report: The Truth will, Im sure, come out.

The multimillion-dollar wrongful death suit and medical malpractice complaint accuses the hosptial of negligence, claiming they failed to follow safety procedures that would have prevented the nurse from stealing the drugs. Schofield isnt named or listed as a defendent.

A separate suit seeking $11.5 million was filed against Schofield and the hospital earlier this year on behalf of the estate of Horace Wilson, a 65-year-old man who died, after going into multi-organ failure from sepsis, accroding to the Daily Mail. Mr Wilson went into hospital to have his spleen removed after an accident, but took a turn for the worse after his bloodstream became infencted with the bacteria staphylococcus epidermidis, caused by water in his IV, according to the lawsuit.

A spokesperson said the hospital had no comment.

The Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, Oregon, which is at the center of a multi-million lawsuit after one of its nurses was accused of replacing fentanyl with bacteria-laden water ( AP )

According to the $303 million suit, the hospital began informing claimaints in December that an employee had replaced fentanyl with tap water, causing bacterial infections.

All Plaintiff Patients were infected with bacterium uniquely associated with waterborne transmission, the complaint says.

The plaintiffs all experienced mental anguish, according to the suit, which seeks millions of dollars in damages for medical expenses, lost income and the pain and suffering of those who died.

Medford police began investigating the hospital late last year, after hospital officials noticed a troubling spike in central line infections from July 2022 through July 2023 and told police they believed an employee had been diverting fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that has helped fuel the nations overdose epidemic, but it is also used in legitimate medical settings to relieve severe pain. Drug theft from hospitals is a longstanding problem.
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Tucker Carlson has come under fire for platforming a guest who claimed Winston Churchill was the villain of Second World War and that millions of people ended up dead in Nazi concentration camps.

On Monday, the right wing media personality hosted self-proclaimed historian Darryl Cooper on his podcast show  a man who has been accused of being a Nazi apologist for comments which appear sympathetic towards Adolf Hitler.

The two-hour conversation was condemned by many on social media, including Liz Cheney  whereas Elon Musk promoted the video to his 196.5 million X followers, calling it very interesting and worth watching.

The controversial tech billionaire appears to have since deleted his post.The Independent has contacted X for comment.

During the podcast show, former Fox News host Carlson, who hailed Cooper the most important historian in the United States, asked him how he would assess Churchill.

Cooper, explaining that he was being a little hyperbolic, said: I thought Churchill was the villain of the Second World War.

He continued: He didnt kill the most people, he didnt commit the most atrocities I think when you get into it and tell the story right, you see he was primarily responsible for that war becoming what it did.

Elon Musk promoted the interview on X but appears to have since taken the post down ( Elon Musk/ X )

Cooper, after acknowledging this doesnt mean he believes Hitler was WW2s protagonist, went on to explain how the Nazis launched a war they were completely unprepared to deal with.

Six million Jews were systematically murdered by the Nazis in concentration camps by the end of the Holocaust in a calculated plan to eradicate Europes Jewish population.

Cooper sparked fury by downplaying the death camps and for suggesting the Nazis expressed humanity while he cited letters from German soldiers.

[The Nazis] are saying: We cant feed these people, we dont have the food to feed these people. One of them says [in a letter]: Rather than wait for them to slowly starve this winter, wouldnt it be more humane to quickly finish them all off now?

Self proclaimed historian Darryl Cooper was a guest on Tucker Carlsons podcast ( The Tucker Carlson show )

Both conservatives and liberals quickly called out Carlson for giving Cooper a platform for his comments.

Former Republican congresswoman Cheney slammed Carlson for peddling pro-Nazi propaganda.

Actually, this is pro-Nazi propaganda, including, Churchill was the chief villain of WW2 and Hitler didnt want to fight. No serious or honorable person would support or endorse this type of garbage, she said in a post on X.

Conservative commentator Erick Erickson said: Didnt expect Tucker Carlson to become an outlet for Nazi apologetics, but here we are.

And anti-hate organization Anti-Defamation League said: Tucker Carlsons praise of Nazi apologist Darryl Cooper is an insult to the memory of the 6,000,000 Jews who were murdered by Hitlers Nazi regime.

The Republicans Against Trump account also chimed in saying: Tucker Carlson just hosted a Nazi apologist to explain why Hitler wasnt so evil and how Winston Churchill was the real bad guy. This is a reminder that Tucker Carlson got a major speaking slot at the Republican Convention and speaks regularly with Donald Trump.

Tucker Carlson has come under fire for hosting a Nazi apologist on his podcast ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

The Independent has contacted Cooper and Carlson for comment.

Cooper responded to the backlash on X, posting a lengthy thread on X where he said his intention was not to defend the actions of the Third Reich or any of its leaders but to argue of all the belligerent leaders, Churchill was the one most intent on prolonging and escalating the conflict into a world war of annihilation.

Germany and Italy did not want it - in fact, before the conquest of Western Europe, German leaders including Hitler were skeptical that theyd be able to take on Britain in a fight, he added.

We can be skeptical of Hitlers motives for offering peace again and again, and for holding back against British civilians despite months and months provocations, but the fact is that Germany was offering peace, and by all accounts sincerely wanted it.

Cooper has a history of making offensive comments in connection to the Nazis.

Multiple reports cited a photo Cooper posted on X during the Olympic Games in July, where he shared a picture of Hitler by the Eiffel Tower. In the post, which has since been taken down, he appeared to suggest Nazi-occupied France was preferable to modern-day Paris during the 2024 opening ceremony.

This may be putting it too crudely for some but the picture on the left was infinitely preferable in virtually every way than the one on the right, he said.

After deleting that post, Cooper appeared to address the backlash. I like posting provocative s***, seeing how close I can step up to various lines with going over them, he said in a post on X. But there are a few people who, even though they often disagree w/me, try to give me the benefit of the doubt, and when they tell me Ive crossed over, I check myself. Simple.

Following the assassination attempt on Trump in Butler on July 13, Cooper made another bizarre comment about Hitler.

He posted on X the following day: If youre having a bad day, just remember that the Trump shooter is currently wandering around Hell looking for Hitler while the two guys Kyle Rittenhouse dropped figure out how to break the news to him.
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With the future of abortion rights resting on November ballots, polling shows that clear majorities of both Republican and Democratic voters in six swing states reject the idea that the government should be criminalizing abortion care, and overwhelmingly want their elected officials to protect access to birth control.

The results of a new survey, from University of Marylands Program for Public Consultation, show that most Americans in swing states  including up to 93 percent of Democrats and up to 70 percent of Republicans  do not want most abortion care to be criminalized.

In states where Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are focusing their campaigns, most voters appear to be rejecting Republican-led platforms on reproductive healthcare.

Respondents were instructed that criminalizing abortion care could mean prison or fines for doctors or patients. But when asked who should be punished for what they believe is illegal abortion care, nearly half of the respondents who agreed that it should be a crime declined to answer.

Nearly half of states have restricted access or effectively outlawed most or all forms of abortion care in the two years after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v Wade, leaving decisions about reproductive healthcare up to individual states.

In Arizona and Nevada - swing states where voters will weigh in directly on ballot measures about abortion access this fall - bipartisan majorities do not want abortion to be a crime before a fetus is viable outside the womb, including roughly 70 percent of Republicans and 90 percent of Democrats, the survey found.

Supporters gather in Arizona on July 3 after delivering 800,000 petition signatures to the state capitol to get an abortion rights measure on the November general election ballot. ( AP )

Less than half of Republican respondents in swing states of Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin do not believe abortion should be criminalized.

Large majorities in every swing state  from 64 percent to 73 percent  also support some form of a national abortion law, whether that means criminalizing abortion care at any stage of a pregnancy or guaranteeing a right to abortion care.

Following the Supreme Courts 2022 decision in Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization, which struck down a constitutional right to abortion care and gave decision-making power to each state, people dont find that satisfactory, survey director Steven Kull told The Independent.

They seem to think this should be a national, collective decision, and thats independent of what peoples views are, whether they are on the spectrum of complete criminalization to no criminalization at all, he said.

When it comes to birth control, wide majorities of voters in every swing state, and nationally, endorse government-supported policies that reduce unintended pregnancies and abortion.

Up to 80 percent of swing-state Republicans and up to 93 percent of Democrats support requiring schools to provide comprehensive sex education about birth control, and up to 81 percent of Republicans and up to 93 percent of Democrats want the government to ensure nationwide access to birth control, according to the survey results.

The Affordable Care Acts mandate that insurance companies cover long-term birth control is supported by up to 87 percent of Republicans and up to 96 percent of Democrats in swing states, the poll found.

Funding for healthcare clinics to provide low-cost or free birth control is also supported by up to 71 percent of swing-state Republicans and 93 percent of Democrats.

Kamala Harriss campaign debuted a Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour in Florida on September 3. ( AP )

Theres a real consensus to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, and as a strategy for reducing the likelihood of abortion, Kull told The Independent. You had this real big convergence around reducing unwanted pregnancies through greater access to birth control and support for maintaining the provisions in the ACA, Obamacare, that require it.

Unlike traditional polls, the University of Marylands public consultation survey participants go through an online policymaking simulation in which they review arguments on both sides of the issue. They answer a series of questions after weighing the arguments over a 30-minute survey.

A lot of polls ask these very general questions that elicit feelings and often not real clear choices about policy options, Kull told The Independent.

When it comes to abortion, there are questions like, Do you think the government should allow abortion? And thats a very vague question, he said. From some of the other standard polls, you might get the impression that Republicans and Democrats were just really very polarized  that they dont agree on anything  and we found that there are some issues where they are polarized, but two of the really big ones, criminalization and birth control, was quite a lot of common ground.

A growing share of voters in swing states now say that abortion is central to their decision this fall, according to recent, separate polling from The New York Times/Siena College.

Harris has vowed to sign legislation that would protect the right to abortion care nationally, while Trump has repeatedly taken credit for ending Roe v Wade and said he intends to vote against a ballot measure in Florida that would enshrine a right to seek abortion care in their states constitutions.

Voters in at least nine other states will vote on abortion rights measures this November.
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Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo will publicly testify, for the first time, about his controversial nursing home advisory issued during the Covid-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday, September 10, Cuomo will return to a panel before the House Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic to testify about the scandal in which he undersold the number of Covid-related deaths in nursing homes after directing the facilities to accept patients who were suspected of having or did have Covid.

Cuomo testified behind closed doors to the subcommittee in June. A transcript of that has yet to be released.

In a series of posts on X on Tuesday, the subcommittee said Cuomo was shockingly callous while speaking about the nursing home mortality rate and deflected responsibility for issuing the directive.

Andrew Cuomo owes answers to the 15,000 families who lost loved ones in New Yorks nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Representative Brad Wenstrup, chairman of the subcommittee, said in a statement.

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo held daily press conferences during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 ( Getty Images )

Though it has been more than four years since the scandal occurred, Cuomo and his administration have been under state and federal investigations regarding the number of reported nursing home deaths which Cuomos office was found to have underreported by 50 percent.

It ties back to a March 25, 2020 directive that required nursing homes to accept Covid patients from hospitals regardless of their current infection status. That directive was later rescinded.

Facing scrutiny, Cuomo defended his administrations decision, claiming it was issued in accordance with federal government guidance. The former governor later apologized for not acting quickly but has maintained there was no wrongdoing.

The one question that needs to be answered is still being ignored: Why did more people die from Covid in the United States than any other country and how do we make sure it never happens again? It is Governor Cuomos pleasure to join the committee once again to try to get an answer, Rich Azzopardi, a spokesperson for Cuomo told CNN.

A recent report on New Yorks Covid response from the New York State Executive Chamber did not blame Cuomo for issuing the directive and stated that the number of deaths in New York nursing homes was consistent with national data.

It did, however, declare Cuomos decision to consolidate authority to the executive chamber a significant and unnecessary mistake because it caused internal confusion.

A true leader owns up to his mistakes and takes responsibility for wrongdoing. That is not what we saw from Mr. Cuomo during his term as governor nor during his transcribed interview. We hope that during his public hearing next week, Mr. Cuomo will stop dodging accountability and honestly answer the American people, Representative Wenstrup said.
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Barron Trump, the youngest of Donald Trumps children, is embarking on one of the first big adventures of adulthood this fall: going to college.

The 18-year-old, having just graduated from Floridas prestigious Oxbridge Academy, attended his first day at New York University this week.

Barron will now join a long line of young adults to attend school with the weight of their parents presidential legacies on their shoulders  and Secret Service agents watching their every move.

Trump introduces Barron to 2024 campaign

Paul Eckloff, a former Secret Service agent who protected George W Bush, Barack Obama and Trump, along with their families, explained the tricky nature of covering teens to The Independent.

He said the goal of Secret Service agents is to impair the college experience as little as possible while providing the strongest security environment that you can.

Barron Trump at a campaign rally in Miami in July ( AP )

Eckloff is no stranger to the ins and outs of presidential children, having worked with the Bush twins, Sasha and Malia Obama, all of the Trump children and many of the Trump grandchildren. Every child and grandchild of a current president receives Secret Service protection, Eckloff explained.

While the children of former presidents arent guaranteed a detail after they turn 16, Barron currently receives protection, the Secret Service confirmed in a statement to The Independent.

Eckloff tells The Independent that Barron will be going to NYU when social media poses a greater threat than ever  both to his safety and his privacy.

How do agents protect young adults in the age of social media?

People recording a video of a presidential child and then posting it on TikTok or Instagram for the world to see is part of the new reality for security.

The Secret Service has to monitor [social media], Eckloff said. Lets say that a presidents child is at a party and someone tweets out their picture. Now, their location is broadcast on social media, and they could become a target. That can endanger everybody.

This is true for children of current and former presidents alike. In 2017, Harvard University students launched into a social media frenzy when Malia Obama  the oldest Obama daughter  arrived on campus.

Sasha (left) and Malia Obama both faced high levels of scrutiny as they grew up and attended college in the era of social media ( AFP via Getty Images )

Social media users were quick to share photos of the then-19-year-old moving in, sharing her location and movements with the wider world.

The general threat environment that we face in the 21st century is greater than it has ever been, Eckloff said. Peoples location and activities tend to be more publicly known, and social media is more reactive.

Not only can this endanger the students, it can also open them up to high levels of scrutiny.

In 2016, Malia Obama appeared all over the tabloids after she was photographed smoking at Chicagos Lollapalooza festival. (In her next festival appearance, Malia wore a Harvard hat, her future college, and a t-shirt with a homemade smoking kills slogan).

Meanwhile, her younger sister Sasha Obama, then just 15 years old, was being photographed at her summer job waiting tables in Marthas Vineyard.

This issue dates back even before the advent of social media. When President Bill Clintons daughter Chelsea Clinton started at Stanford University in 1997, then-First Lady Hillary Clinton wrote a public address in the Los Angeles Times asking for people to respect the 17-year-olds privacy.

"I cant imagine having any of those private experiences, all part of finding myself, being interrupted by the bright lights of camerasand not because of anything I was or did but because of my parents occupations," Clinton wrote.

Bill, Chelsea and Hillary Clinton leaving Stanford Universitys 2001 graduation ceremony ( Getty Images )

Presidential children typically maintain a high level of privacy while theyre still in K-12 school. Thats because many of them attend prestigious, expensive private schools  and are surrounded by others who understand the need for privacy, especially on the internet.

Theyre used to wealthy kids, Eckloff explained. So there tends to be more discretion for protecting peoples anonymity.

College involves thousands more students and huge campuses to navigate  plus just more access to the masses if the university is in a metropolis like New York City.

How do Secret Service agents navigate campus life?

Secret Service protection for presidential children must be far more discreet than for the Commander-in-Chief. Agents dress in plain clothes and rely on remote technology  such as cameras and alarms  to protect the student.

Protective surveillance is a part of it, which means youre close and watching and waiting to respond, Eckloff explained.

A college campus is an unpredictable environment  especially when theyre in busy urban areas, like NYU is. Students protection also becomes more complicated as they go out with friends or start dating someone.

Thats why Secret Service agents must be adaptable and plan to fail, Eckloff explained.

Planning to fail is where the Secret Service wins, he said. They have contingency plans in place for when things break down.

Secret Service agents must monitor social media more than ever to protect students like Barron Trump, says former agent Paul Eckloff ( Getty Images )

Dorm living is a prime example. Agents are typically always inside the dorm building with students. However, they cant prepare for every possible scenario or completely secure the buildings that could house hundreds of students who are also studying, underage drinking and causing normal college chaos.

They have to be innovative in how they achieve the protection, Eckloff said. You cant secure the entire dorm, its just not realistic.

Ultimately, Eckloff explained, Secret Service agents want to protect the student with as little disruption to their life as possible.

Many kids are experiencing an independent life for the first time, and having Secret Service can hamper that, he continued. Theyre sensitive to it, but they have a job, and its critically important.

I think youd rather have your college experience impacted a little than be kidnapped.
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Ginni Thomas privately shared her support for a religious rights group working against Supreme Court reforms - which were prompted by what many see as her husbands ethical violations, according to a report by ProPublica.

The wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wrote an email to attorney Kelly Shackelford, who runs the First Liberty Institute, which describes itself as the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious liberty for all Americans.

During a private call with the groups donors on July 31, Shackelford read the email from Thomas aloud. Thomas wrote in all caps: YOU GUYS HAVE FILLED THE SAILS OF MANY JUDGES. CAN I JUST TELL YOU, THANK YOU SO, SO, SO MUCH.

Thomas argued that the groups work opposing suggestions that the court be reformed helped some judges.

According to ProPublica, Shackelford said he viewed Thomass support as proof that judges who are unable to fight in the political sphere were grateful for the groups work thwarting Supreme Court reform, which includes proposals such as term limits and a code of ethics.

The attorney said a First Liberty employee in Washington, DC, had recently met with Thomas. It was after the meeting Ginni Thomas sent the email.

Virginia Ginni Thomas, conservative activist and wife of Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, has been accused of backing a group working against Supreme Court reforms. ( Getty Images )

I cannot adequately express enough appreciation for you guys pulling into reacting to the Biden effort on the Supreme Court, she wrote. Many were so depressed at the lack of response by Rs and conservatives.

Shackelford referred to Justice Elena Kagan as somewhat treasonous and somewhat disloyal during the July 31 call following Kagans endorsement of efforts to enforce a new Supreme Court ethics code, adding that the rules would destroy the independence of the court.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said over the weekend that she was also open to having the code be enforceable.

Following the conversation, the group sent a 45-minute recording of the call to a number of supporters. The recording was subsequently obtained by ProPublica and Documented.

The executive general counsel at First Liberty Institute, Hiram Sasser, told ProPublica in a statement that the group is extremely alarmed at the Leftist attacks on our democracy and judicial independence.

Calling it a dangerous threat, Sasser went on to say that its shameful that the political left seems perfectly fine destroying democracy to achieve the court decisions they favor instead of working through democratic and constitutional means.

The Independent has contacted First Liberty for comment and has attempted to reach Ginni Thomas.

Ginni is the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas who has faced ethics allegations after receiving millions of dollars worth of gifts ( REUTERS )

The call on July 31 took place not long after President Joe Biden announced his plans for a number of changes to the nations highest court.

Biden pushed for term limits, an amendment to reverse the courts recent decision on presidential immunity as well as a binding ethics code for the justices.

Shackelford said on the call that the proposals, including adding seats to the court, were part of a push to destroy the court and that the attempts were spearheaded by progressives and those on the extreme left, adding that they were upset at the outcome of a few cases.

Ginni Thomas has been in headlines since it was revealed she sent a large number of texts after the 2020 election pushing former President Donald Trumps unfounded allegations of fraud. Writing to then-Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Thomas claimed that Biden and the Left is attempting the greatest Heist of our History. She also argued that Trump shouldnt concede the election.

Thomas wrote emails to legislators in Arizona and Wisconsin asking them to take on what she claimed were fraudulent results and to send a clean slate of new electors. She also wrote that the nations eyes are on you now.

Please consider what will happen to the nation we all love if you do not stand up and lead, she added at the time.

In 2022, Thomas said she regretted the texts she sent to Meadows.

The wife of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, Martha-Ann Alito, recently came under fire for flying an upside-down US flag at their home in Virginia. The symbol has been used by those pushing the baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen. The flag was displayed at the home as the court was deciding on whether they would hear a case connected to the 2020 election.

Alito told The New York Times that he wasnt part of the decision to fly the flag and that his wife did so to respond to a neighbors use of objectionable and personally insulting language on yard signs.

The effort to impose an ethics code on the court came after the revelations that wealthy GOP donors had handed Thomas and Alito gifts and travel experiences that they did not disclose. After the reporting by ProPublica, Thomas changed his disclosure reports and the court adopted its first-ever ethics code.

Both Thomas and Alito have claimed that they didnt have to disclose gifts and free travel from friends.
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Local residents in Albania are accusing Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump of attempting to take land away from them for two luxury resort projects.

The daughter and son-in-law of former President Donald Trump are looking to invest almost $1bn in the area. Kushner previously announced his plans to build a hotel and a number of beach villas on a part of land that has been farmed by an Albanian family for generations but which was seized from them after the end of the Communist regime in 1991, according to The New York Times.

They are trying to take from us what is ours, Bledar Alexandros Konomi told the paper. Konomi used to help take care of cattle on the part of the mainland where Kushner now wants to build a hotel. His claim to the land is supported by court records.

Kushner is also seeking exclusive development rights on the small island of Sazan, where the Soviet Union stored military supplies during the Cold War.

A second bid to develop the island has been submitted by an Albanian-American developer from New York, documents obtained by The Times show.

Developer Evi Kokalari-Angelakis told the paper that the Albanian government has disregarded her proposal to ingratiate themselves with the former president in the event he returns to office in January.

Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump and Tiffany Trump, daughters of former U.S. President Donald Trump, look on during the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The land they plan on developing in Albania is subject to several disputes ( Getty Images )

Kokalari-Angelakis added that she chose to speak to the paper after Ivanka Trump claimed in July that she and Kushner had made an agreement to develop Sazan, which was used as a submarine base by Italy during World War II.

Opposition party member in the Albanian parliament Agron Shehaj said the process of choosing a developer had lacked transparency, which makes it look like this is a private deal that is in the political interest of the prime minister of Albania.

Prime Minister Edi Rama and Kushner both rejected the notion that the former president had anything to do with the development process.

The fact that such a renowned American entrepreneur shows his interest on investing in Albania makes us very proud and happy, a spokesperson for the prime minister told The Times in a statement. It shows on another level to the U.S. and the world that there is a new rising star in the beautiful Mediterranean world of tourism named Albania.

The projects on the Albanian coastline are not connected to the Trump Organization, which is partly owned by Trump, and it will not be linked to the Trump name.

Kushner, a former White House advisor to Trump, has established an investment company called Affinity Partners, which is supported mostly by funds coming from the Saudi Arabian government.

The former advisor told The Times that his plans had raised Albanias status as a tourist destination.

We want to make something that people can be very proud of, he told the paper.

We have this 1,400-acre island in the Mediterranean and were bringing in the best architects and the best brands, Ivanka Trump said on the Lex Fridman Podcast earlier this summer.

An American real estate executive put in charge of the projects by Kushner, Asher Abehsera, told The Times that while the Albanian government has given preliminary approval to go ahead with negotiations to build the hotel complex on Sazan, which is now controlled by the Albanian military, final terms have yet to be determined.

Both Abehsera and Kushner told the paper theyre not receiving any special treatment.

On the mainland, villagers in Zvernec, near the site where one of the projects is planned, have notified Kushner that they claim to own the land, which is subject to several disputes.

Konomi, a University of Cincinnati professor of statistics, told the paper that its very obvious that a big corruption scheme is going on.

We are confident we are working with the rightful titleholders, Abehsera told The Times. If proven otherwise, we will respectfully withdraw from the purchase.
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Fox News host Laura Ingraham reassured JD Vance that she thinks he's actually a really funny person as the Republican VP candidate continues to field the weird label and defend his series of controversial comments about women.

Speaking to the Ohio senator on Tuesday, the conservative journalist touched on the poll gap between the Republican and Democratic party tickets, specifically with women voters.

I guess they do these polls and they say, oh, your favourability isn't as high as Tim Walz's, there's a gender gap for your ticket compared to Harris and Walz, she said.

How do you go to the undecideds at this point  this shrinking pool of people and convince them that not only are you serious and you're seriously smart, but you're a regular person.

Ingraham then fawned over Vance, trying to personally vouch for his character by saying she has known him for a long time and is actually really fun.

You're really fun, you're really funny, vs the giggle and vibe show that seems to work for a lot of women voters out there, she added again comparing Vance's popularity with female voters to that of Kamala Harris and her own VP pick Tim Walz.

Laura Ingraham (left) told JD Vance (right) on Tuesday that he is really funny, despite what polls suggest ( Fox News )

Vance has been having a tough time proving he is indeed really funny, especially after Walz, during his first speech as Harris running mate, branded him weird.

That buzzword has stuck for the Republican ticket, helped by Vances string of gaffes and awkward moments on the campaign trail.

Last month, Vance stopped by a donut shop in August to buy some sugary fried treats for his campaign team at a photo-op in Valdosta, Georgia.

But he seemed to struggle to make conversation with a pair of employees, who did not seem particularly thrilled to see him.

Im JD Vance, Im running for vice president, he told one worker.

Okay, she responded in the cringe encounter.

An earlier blunder had him getting accused of committing crimes against humanity, after he tried to crack a joke about Swiss cheese while visiting legendary Philly cheesesteak spot Pat's King of Steaks  which only offers American, provolone, and Cheez Whiz as toppings.

I dont like Swiss cheese either, but everybody says its insulting, Vance inquired at the Pats register, referring to John Kerry catching flak for asking for Swiss cheese during a 2004 campaign stop at the same joint.

JD Vance struggles to order at donut shop as employee refuses to be seen with him ( C-Span )

Pats manager Sammy Garcia told The Philadelphia Inquirer his team thought it was funny, but then so did Vance's critics.

Today, in my beloved city of Philadelphia, Democrat Philadelphia representative Brendan Boyle posted on X. JD Vance committed a crime against humanity, topping off his comment with the hashtag #WorstVPpick.

He has also been unable to shake off headlines for his comments and views of women.

Resurfaced videos and audio have captured Vance, who is married with three children, saying professional women choose a path to misery by priotizing their careers over having children, and calling Harris and other Democrats childless cat ladies.

This may be a worry for the Republican ticket, as women proved crucial to President Joe Bidens 2020 victory, with Black and suburban women in particular turning out to vote.

Vances string of controversies has prompted some to question whether the former president has made a mistake with his running mate choice.

In the latest polling, Harris and Walz are enjoying a 3.3 point lead over Trump and Vance.
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Jimmy Kimmel had a hell of a job on Tuesday night, with two months worth of political mayhem to catch up on in his return to the late night comedy show.

One of his biggest takeaways from the summer of presidential campaigns was what he called Donald Trump's huge mistake: picking JD Vance as his running mate.

There are a lot of things Trump isn't good at, one of the thing's he's especially not good at is picking running mates, Kimmel quipped.

He made a huge mistake with this JD Vance, who can't stop stepping in it every  for a guy who wears more eyeliner than Liza Minelli, you'd think hed have a better understanding of women, the comedian joked  referring to the ongoing onlin rumor that he wears eyeliner.

JD Vance looks like someone asked AI to make the Two and a Half Men one person.

Vance has hit headlines for his comments and views of women ever since he was tapped to join Trump on the Republican partys ticket.

Resurfaced videos and audio have captured Vance, who is married with three children, saying professional women choose a path to misery by priotizing their careers over having children, and calling Harris and other Democrats childless cat ladies.

Jimmy Kimmel made his return to his late night comedy show on Tuesday ( Jimmy Kimmel Live )

On Tuesday nights show, Kimmel pointed to the glaring differences between the Republican vice presidential candidate and the Democratic VP pick Tim Walz.

It's even worse for Trump considering the home run team Harris hit with this Tim Walz. I don't know where they were hiding him, he said of Kamala Harriss own choice of a running mate.

He is beautiful. His blood type is corndog batter. He belongs to several 'pickle of the month' clubs.

Tim Walz is the kind of guy who, if you sat next to him on a plane, he'd ask you what brings you to Tampa because he genuinely wants to know what brings you to Tampa.

Swinging back for another dig at the Ohio senator, the Jimmy Kimmel Live host added that, by contrast, JD Vance would just sit there watching you sleep.

Vance being picked for the position was reportedly spearheaded by the GOP presidential candidate's eldest son Donald Trump Jr.

Another good move, dumba**, punched Kimmel, as the audience laughed.

He continued: If Trump loses this election he's going to sue his son to take the junior away.

Trumps supporters could buy sneakers celebrating him surviving the attempt on his life for $299 ( gettrumpsneakers.com )

Kimmel also touched on the new energy within the Democratic party following President Joe Bidens decision to exit the 2024 race, after after his disastrous performance in his debate against Trump in June.

I'm feeling a lot better than I did after the debate, oh that was quite a night. It was like a half nightmare half hospice, he joked, referring to Biden's painful and rambling attempts to answer questions on abortion, healthcare, and foreign policy.

Earlier in the show, Kimmel played a quiz to see how well his audience had been keeping up with the news.

He firstly highlighted the assassination edition sneakers sold by a Trump-owned company for $299, complete with the iconic photo of the former president with blood streaming down his face moments after the attempt on his life on July 13.

The shoes, which went on sale that same month, also feature the slogan FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT emblazoned on the side, along with the Star-Spangled Banner.

He cracked: Yeah that's right, 'fight, fight, fight' on your feet, feet, feet.

Trump released a new batch of digital trading cards ( Collect Trump Cards )

Kimmel also touched on Trumps new batch of trading cards, featuring photos of him dancing and posing with bitcoins, before moving on to his final segment of the quiz.

And number three, did 'Donnie Dumdum' make any of the following crazy statements while I was gone? he asked, before playing a nearly two-minute long montage of Trump's wildest moments this summer.

The compilation included the former president questioning Harriss race, claiming he is better looking than her, and claiming that he draws in crowds larger than Martin Luther King did during his iconic I have a dream speech.

Last night's was Kimmel's first episode since his youngest son, Billy (who was born with a congenital heart disease), underwent his third open-heart surgery at the age of just seven back in May.
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Watch as Kamala Harris campaigns in New Hampshire on Wednesday, 4 September, as she is expected to set out her plans for small businesses if she is elected president in November.

The vice president will speak at a campaign event in Portsmouth while her running mate, Tim Walz, visits Lancaster and Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.

Donald Trump will also be in Pennsylvania, visiting Harrisburg for a town hall moderated by Fox News host Sean Hannity.

The campaign events come with less than nine weeks to go until election day.

On the campaign trail on Wednesday, Ms Harris is expected to propose an expansion of tax incentives from $5,000 to $50,000 for small business start-up expenses, hoping to see 25 million new small business applications made over her first term.

It comes a day after an email leak from a top Donald Trump campaign volunteer claiming that the former presidents campaign no longer thinks New Hampshire is winnable and is pulling back from the Granite State, according to The Boston Globe.
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Trump-backed Senate candidate Tim Sheehy has been caught on tape making offensive comments about Native Americans, according to reports.

Audio recordings, first reported by Char-Koosta News last week, revealed that the Montana Republican made racially-charged remarks about the Crow Tribe, who have land in the southcentral part of the state. At one point, Sheehy accused tribal members of being drunk in the morning.

I rope and brand with them every year A great way to bond with all the Indians while theyre drunk at 8am. Sheehy is heard saying with a laugh in a clip from a fundraiser on November 6, 2023. The remark came after Sheehy said that one of his ranching partners is a Crow member.

The Independent has not independently verified the tapes but has contacted Sheehy for comment.

Sheehy is Trumps pick for Montanas Senate seat and will face Democratic Senator Jon Tester in November.

In another recording, four days later at another campaign event, Sheehy called the tribe a tough crowd. He recalled when he strapped a Sheehy sign to a horse and traversed the Crow reservation. Theyll let you know when they like you or not, if Coors Light cans flying by your head They respect that, he said.

Donald Trump poses and gives a thumbs up with Montana Senate candidate Tim Sheehy, who was caught on audio recordings from last November making racially-charged comments about a Native American tribe ( Tim for MT )

At other campaign rallies, the Republican candidate reportedly claimed that Crow members made fun of him by calling him white boy and threw beer cans at his head when he missed a double-heel shot at their rodeo, Char-Koosta News reported.

Trump, who has endorsed Sheehy, won Montana in 2020 by 16 points. Despite the former presidents support in the red state, Sheehy could see some trouble in November, as Native American voters have been a powerful force in recent years. Indigenous residents make up about 6 percent of the states population, according to the New York Times.

Native American voters are hugely important to the Democratic base, Jim Messina, an Obama White House aide and former adviser to Tester, told Politico in May.

Senator Tester defeated a Republican in 2006, due in part to peeling off some of his rivals Indigenous support. Tester was able to cut into that bloc and really move them towards him, Messina said.

Sheehy is leading Tester by 3.5 points, according to The Hills polling averages.
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A convicted murderer whose life sentence was commuted by Donald Trump on the last day of his presidency has recently been convicted of attacking his wife.

Jaime Davidson was serving a life sentence in a New York jail for his role in a 1990 robbery that led to the death of Wallie Howard Jr., an undercover police officer. Davidson, while not present, planned the robbery that targeted one of his rival drug dealers. Trump, in the final 24 hours of his presidency, commuted Davidsons sentence.

Then, earlier this year, officers in Orange County, Florida, charged Davidson with beating and strangling his wife, who he had been married to for five months, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. A jury acquitted him of all charges except misdemeanor domestic battery and a judge sentenced him in May to three months in jail.

Davidson is appealing the conviction, according to the Tallahassee Democrat. He told the judge he has been working for a delivery company since he was released from prison three years ago and regularly volunteers in the community.

I would never disrespect a woman. Ill walk away. Im a God-fearing man, he said at his sentencing. I dont drink, smoke. I dont gamble. I dont go out.

New York police officer Wallie Howard Jr. Jaime Davidson was set to spend life in prison for his involvement in Howards murder before Donald Trump commuted his sentence in 2021 ( Department of Justice )

While in prison, Davidsons case was pushed back into the spotlight when the former president commuted his sentence. The Trump campaign pointed to recanted testimony when they announced Davidsons commutation.

Notably, witnesses who testified against Mr. Davidson later recanted their testimony in sworn affidavits and further attested that Mr. Davidson had no involvement, the Trump administration wrote in a 2021 statement.

While serving his life sentence, Davidson also tutored more than 1,000 fellow incarcerated people to help them earn GEDs, according to the administrations statement.

White House officials objected to Trumps decision at the time, and Howards family questioned why the president would offer Davidson clemency, The New York Times reports.

President Trump believes anyone convicted of a crime should spend time behind bars, Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to the Times.

The admitted shooter Robert Lawrence, 16 years old at the time  had his life sentence reduced in 2014 and has since been released from prison as well.

Davidson is not the first person who benefited from Trumps judicial policies to find themselves back in cuffs. Just last month, Jonathan Braun, a New York drug smuggler and loan shark who Trump gave clemency, was also arrested. He now faces several assault charges after police say he punched his father-in-law in the head during a domestic dispute.

Braun, whose sentence was commuted in the same wave as Davidsons, has pleaded not guilty.

The Independent has contacted the Trump campaign for comment.
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Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump are set to face off against each other for the first time on the national debate stage on Tuesday and how they perform under the limitations of the rules will be under a microscope.

After several days of back-and-forth, the two candidates finally agreed to comply with the same rules that Trump and President Joe Biden used during the first presidential debate back in June.

That includes muted microphones, no pre-written notes, no live audience, no sitting, and no speaking with campaign staff between commercial breaks.

Though many of the rules are standard for presidential debates, the originally agreed-up regulations could put Harris at a disadvantage since she has a different skill set than President Joe Biden.

Here are the rules for Tuesdays debate in Philadelphia and who stands to benefit.

Muted mics

Microphones will be live only when the candidate whose turn it is to speak is talking. Otherwise, they will remain muted.

This was a rule that Biden and Trump initially agreed upon. But its one that Harris tried to change once she became the Democratic presidential nominee.

Despite Trump saying it doesnt matter to him whether microphones stay on, his team threatened to pull out of the debate if the rules were changed.

Former president Donald Trump during the first presidential debate against President Joe Biden. Audiences and the media agreed that Trump prevailed in the first debate ( Getty Images )

Trump is notorious for interrupting people and making snide comments when he is being attacked. During his civil and criminal trials, judges have scolded the former president for speaking out of turn in the courtroom.

Brian Fallon, a top aide for Harris, wrote on X that Trumps handlers dont trust him to spar live.

Ultimately, Harris agreed to the muted microphone rule but Fallon told ABC News that Harris would be fundamentally disadvantaged.

However, a pool of journalists will be permitted in the hall and can report on remarks that are muted for television audiences, according to AP.

No prepared notes or help

Candidates cannot bring pre-written notes or props to the podium and must stand for the entire duration. They will be given a pen, pad of paper and water bottle. Additionally, campaign staff may not interact with either candidate during the two commercial breaks.

Improvising is neither Harris nor Trumps strong suit but the former president has more experience doing so than Harris.

Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2020 vice presidential debate. Audiences largely considered Harris to be the winner of that debate ( AFP via Getty Images )

Trump goes on long-winded, off-topic tangents at rallies, press conferences and during interviews. But hes good at praising his agenda and policies while tearing down Democrats, although sometimes it results in him making extreme statements.

As a former prosecutor, Harris excels in getting to the point concisely and clearly. But when asked to improvise, she can stumble and say things that are easily misconstrued. In previous interviews, she has been mocked or criticized for misspeaking.

No opening statements

There will be no opening statements during the debate, only closing statements. Trump has won a coin toss and chose the order of statements. Harris will give the first closing statement and Trump will go last.

The former president is at a slight advantage since he can hear all of Harriss talking points before delivering the final word of the debate.

Moderators will ask the questions

Only the moderators of the debate, David Muir and Linsey Davis, will be permitted to ask questions and there will be no live audience.

This means candidates must answer the question in full, and give a rebuttal in a direct and easy-to-understand way, because it will be a slightly more formal setting than previous debates.

Harris has a slight advantage to the former president in this aspect because she is better at remaining on topic and hitting multiple points more quickly than Trump.

The debate will air on ABC News beginning at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
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Vice President Kamala Harris is rolling out an economic plan that looks to capitalize on Americas penchant for entrepreneurship with an ambitious proposal for small business tax breaks and incentives.

Harris unveiled her plan on Wednesday during a campaign stop in North Hampton, New Hampshire at one such small business, the Throwback Brewery. There, co-founder Nicole Carrier credited the Biden-Harris administration with funding its expansion through the American Rescue Plan Act and other programs.

Carrier said she and the vice president share core values as she introduced Harris.

She represents the future, she's smart, she's confident, and she leads from a place of goodness, which is really what we care about most, she said.

The small business owner also praised Harriss small business plans as making it easier for more dreams to become a reality by cutting red tape around starting and growing operations like hers.

After taking the stage to Beyonces Freedom, Harris said small businesses like the brewery are essential to her economic vision of America, which she described as an opportunity economy in which everyone can compete and have a real chance to succeed.

The vice president said she is setting an ambitious goal of having 25 million new small businesses start up during her first four years in office.

Were going to help more small businesses and innovators get off the ground ... To help achieve this, we will help lower the cost of starting a new business, she said, calling small businesses an essential foundation to our entire economy.

Harris said she would expand the existing small business tax deduction to $50,000 per year for new small businesses, calling the expanded deduction proposal essentially a tax cut to  help more small businesses and innovators get off the ground.

To help achieve this, we will lower the cost of starting a new business. So here's the thing, on average, it costs about $40,000 to start a new business in America. That is a great financial barrier for a lot of folks, and it can hold entrepreneurs back, and the current tax deduction for a startup is just $5,000, she said.

The vice president also said her administration would make it cheaper and easier for small businesses to file taxes by creating something similar to the standard deduction that lets many Americans file their taxes with a shortened version of the normal individual income tax form.

Let's just take away some of the bureaucracy in the process to make it easier for people to actually do something that's going to benefit our entire economy, she explained.

Continuing, Harris argued for making the tax code more fair to small businesses by making larger corporations pay a fair share of tax by setting what she called a billionaire minimum tax.

And while we ensure that the wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share, we will tax capital gains at a rate that rewards investment in America's innovators, founders and small businesses. So here's the detail: If you earn a million dollars a year or more, the tax rate on your long term capital gains will be 28 per cent under my plan. Because we know when the government encourages investment, it leads to broad based economic growth, and it creates jobs which makes our economy stronger, she said.

She contrasted her proposal with that of Donald Trump, who with the aid of a Republican Congress enacted massive corporate and high-income tax cuts in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

She said Trumps plan to make those tax cuts permanent would blow up the federal deficit by $5 trillion in addition to the $2 trillion deficit hole he created with that 2017 legislation.

We know how to count, Harris said, adding that Trumps proposal to unilaterally impose a 10 per cent tariff on all imported goods would amount to what she called a national sales tax on everyday products and basic necessities, which will skyrocket the cost for families and small businesses.

We are here to tell him and them: we are not going back. We're not going back... and we will move forward, because ours is a fight for the future and and it is a fight for freedom, she said.
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A federal judge has once again rejected Donald Trumps attempts to move his hush money case out of a Manhattan courtroom, a last-ditch effort to overturn his conviction and avoid sentencing after a jury found him guilty on 34 felony counts this spring.

Trump will be sentenced by New York Justice Juan Merchan on September 18.

The former presidents lawyers had argued in court filings that the case and evidence against him should be tossed out under the Supreme Courts immunity ruling, which determined that presidents are absolutely immune from criminal prosecution for their official acts in office.

For the second time, District Judge Alvin Hellerstein rejected those claims. He wrote on Tuesday that nothing in the Supreme Courts opinion changes his opinion that hush money payments through Trumps then-attorney Michael Cohen to an adult film star were private, unofficial acts, outside the bounds of executive authority.

Trumps attorneys had previously tried, and failed, to remove the case from New York courts before a trial was underway.

A judge has shot down another attempt from Donald Trump, pictured at Manhattan Criminal Court earlier this year, to move his hush money case to federal court. ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

On May 30, a Manhattan jury found the former president guilty on all counts of falsifying business records in connection with a scheme to unlawfully influence the 2016 presidential election by concealing hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, whose story about having sex with Trump threatened to derail his campaign.

Judge Merchan is also preparing to rule on Trumps motion in his court on whether the case should be tossed under the immunity decision.

Shortly after the Supreme Courts decision, Trumps lawyers argued that impermissible evidence in the hush money trial includes Trumps conversations with White House aides who testified at the trial, phone records from his time in office, and posts on Twitter, which they claim was recognized as a formal channel of White House communication in the Trump Administration.

Judge Merchan is expected to issue a decision on those arguments on September 16.

Trumps sentencing is scheduled two days later, though Trump has also pushed Judge Merchan to delay that court date until after Novembers presidential election.
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The political action committee founded by conservative lawyer George Conway is directly targeting Donald Trump with a new advertisement that will air in locations where the ex-president has homes in hopes that seeing the commercial will set off an emotional reaction.

Conways Psycho PAC is making a six-figure purchase of airtime in Palm Beach, Florida and Bedminister, New Jersey media markets  locations where Trump spends most of his time  as well as markets in South Carolina, Florida and Texas, where Trump allies Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz are based.

The minute-long advertisement is narrated by Conway, a retired corporate litigator who once ghost-wrote Supreme Court briefs in the Clinton v Jones case that led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton in the late 1990s. He was formerly married to top Trump confidante Kellyanne Conway but emerged as a fierce critic of the ex-president during the 2020 election cycle.

It begins with him addressing Trump directly as clips of prominent Republicans criticism of the ex-president play in the background.

Hey, Donald? All your friends, all the people that have worked with you, they all think youre nuts, he says.

George Conway narrates his political action committees latest anti-Trump advertisement ( REUTERS )

The advertisement proceeds to show Trump with images of his allies popping up around his head as audio of their attacks on him  many from the 2016 election or the period after he lost the 2020 election  are repeated.

It uses a line from Cruz, the Texas senator who is up for re-election, who in 2016 said of Trump: The man cannot tell the truth, but he combines it with being a narcissist.

Former House Speaker Paul Ryan pops up next, repeating a line in which he called Trump a populist authoritarian narcissist.

Then comes John Bolton, Trumps former national security adviser, who says that Trump is not fit to be president of the United States, and Trumps ex-attorney general, Bill Barr, who says the country cant be a therapy session for a troubled man.

The ad continues with clips from New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, Rubio, the Florida senator who was on Trumps vice presidential shortlist, and former GOP Representative Adam Kinzinger, all uttering various criticisms of Trumps mental state and fitness to be president once more.

It will run for a weeklong campaign that the PAC says is meant to spotlight Trumps erratic behavior and unfitness for the presidency and ensure that voters are fully informed about the dangers of letting a deranged man like Trump back into office.

In a statement, Conway said his group is highlighting the fact that those who are closest to Trump recognize his instability by using the words of Trumps current and former allies against the ex-president.

This campaign is delivering the message that concerns about Trumps mental fitness arent just coming from his opponentstheyre coming from the very people who know him best. And they should not be ignored, he said.
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With just 61 days until election day, Republican strategists are likely keeping a close eye on gender polling as Vice President Kamala Harris continues to enjoy support from a majority of women while former president Donald Trump struggles to hold onto women supporters.

Post-Democratic National Convention, Harris has managed to increase the percentage of women supporting her by three points, according to polling from Reuters/Ipsos.

That could be attributed to Democrats push for reproductive freedoms, including abortion, which is among a top concern for voters this election cycle.

Meanwhile, Trump is losing support from women and instead picking up more from men. The former president had a five-point increase in support from men post-DNC.

But Trump still only holds a roughly five-percentage point lead over Harris among men while Harris holds a 13-percentage point lead over Trump among women.

View more

Preliminary polling shows 54 percent of women support Harris, while 41 percent support Trump  a larger gap than during the 2020 election.

The real challenge right now for Republicans is whether they can perform sufficiently well among men to overcome the deficit among women, Whit Ayres, a Republican pollster told The Hill.

Historically women support Democratic candidates more often than Republicans. But Ayres said that the traditional gender gap could become a gender chasm.

In the 2016 presidential election, 54 percent of women supported Hillary Clinton while 41 percent supported Trump.

In 2020, that gender gap narrowed with 55 percent of women supporting Biden while 44 percent supported Trump

Donald Trump holds a rally in Pennsylvania on August 30. The group of supporters pictured behind him are mostly men ( REUTERS )

Current preliminary gender data shows that Trump and Harris are divisive on generational lines. A New York Times/Sienna College poll found that voters 18 to 29 are likely to have the largest gender gap.

A poll of voters in six swing states conducted in August found that young women favored Harris by 38 points while men favored Trump by 13 points.

Young women are more likely to be liberal than other age groups of women. Some cite exposure to the #MeToo movement, and watching their federal right to an abortion be revoked in 2021 as catalysts in their ideology.

For Trumps campaign, controversies like JD Vance calling women without children childless cat ladies or Trumps ties to people at the Heritage Foundation, which published Project 2025, add fuel to the fire of young women supporting liberal candidates.

Some pollsters predict that the 2024 presidential election will be defined by its large gender gap  unless Republicans manage to narrow that gap with support from women.

So far, Trump and his campaign have tried to do that by advocating for reproductive freedoms like access to IVF, the abortion pill and refusing to instill a national abortion ban.
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A picture of Australias ambassador to Iran posing with purple cupcakes to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community has led to a diplomatic spat between Tehran and Canberra.

Iran summoned Australias ambassador over the Instagram post shared on the annual "Wear It Purple Day" after it was deemed "norm-breaking, Irans semi-official ILNA news agency reported on Tuesday.

Irans foreign ministry said the post was disrespectful and contrary to Iranian and Islamic cultural norms, according to state news agency IRNA.

A series of pictures of ambassador Ian McConville with his family, smiling and wearing a purple bow tie, were shared on the embassys official Instagram account on Monday.

It was to mark Wear It Purple Day, an annual celebration of LGBTQIA+ youth founded in Australia.

Celebrating Wear it Purple Day with a splash of purple in every corner, and some delicious cupcakes made with love, the post said.

Today, and every day, were dedicated to creating a supportive environment, where everyone, especially LGBTQIA+ youth, can feel proud to be themselves.

Australian foreign minister Penny Wong responded with support to human rights at home and abroad ( @australiainiran )

Homosexuality is illegal in Iran, governed by Islamic clerical authorities that impose strict interpretation of Islamic law. Same-sex activities are a punishable offence with punishments ranging from flogging to the death penalty.

Director of the regional department at the Iranian foreign ministry "strongly condemned the action of the Australian embassy in posting such content that was against the accepted norms", according to Irans Mehr news agency.

"The content published by the Australian embassy is insulting and contrary to Iranian and Islamic tradition, customs and culture," the diplomat said, adding that the move violated international law.

Mr McConville said the Australian embassy had no intention of offending the Iranian people and their values, according to IRNA.

He added that the Islamic Republic was not mentioned in the post.

Reacting to the row, Australian foreign minister Penny Wong said: "Australia is a proud advocate for human rights. At home and in the world, we work to advance these principles."

The bi-lingual post on Instagram remains live on the account and has received hundreds of supportive comments.

Mr McConville is a senior career diplomat who was appointed as the ambassador to Iran in April of this year. He had previously been posted in South Korea and Nigeria and at the United Nations.

The row comes after Irans ambassador to Australia was called in last month by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade over a post on X stating that wiping out the Zionist plague out of the holy lands of Palestine happens no later than 2027.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese denounced the remarks as hateful and anti-Semitic.
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The president of East Timor sees Pope Francis' upcoming visit as a prime opportunity to promote Asia's youngest country on the world stage, not a time to confront the legacy of abuse by influential members of the clergy in the deeply Catholic nation.

During an interview Wednesday with The Associated Press, President Jose Ramos-Horta also predicted progress soon on a major energy project with Australia, and urged China and the United States to act as benevolent superpowers as they compete for influence in the Southeast Asian country.

The 74-year-old former independence fighter and Nobel laureate returned to the presidency in 2022 with campaign pledges that included tackling poverty, creating jobs and improving political stability.

Francis is due to arrive Monday in the impoverished and youthful nation of 1.3 million people, also known as Timor-Leste, following visits to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Walls are still being dabbed with fresh paint and banners and billboards seemingly everywhere have been hoisted to welcome the pope.

An estimated 700,000 people are expected to participate in a papal Mass the following day in the seaside capital, Dili, and many others are likely to line the streets try to catch a glimpse of the pope.

The visit is a reward for the depth of faith shown by Timorese, some 98% of whom identify as Catholic, and recognition of the progress toward peace the country has shown in recent years, Ramos-Horta said.

There's another benefit for the little-known nation, a former Portuguese colony wedged between Indonesia and Australia: The popes visit is the biggest, the best marketing anyone can aspire to to promote the country, to put the country on the tourist map, he said.

The visit comes just days after the president and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, a fellow former resistance leader, hosted United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to mark the 25th anniversary of a U.N.-backed referendum that led to East Timors independence from neighboring Indonesia in 2002.

It will be the first time Pope Francis has encountered the Timorese faithful since the Vatican acknowledged in 2022 that Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, another hero in the country's struggle for independence, had sexually abused young boys.

Meanwhile, a popular American missionary priest revered for his role saving lives in the liberation fight, Richard Daschbach, is serving a 12-year sentence in a Timorese prison for molesting disadvantaged girls.

The pope has met with abuse victims in other countries, but it's not clear if he will do so or address the matter publicly in East Timor.

Belo and Ramos-Horta shared the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts toward a just and peaceful solution to the conflict in East Timor," which was deeply scarred by a brutal Indonesian occupation and bloody liberation struggle that followed the country's break from Portugal in 1975.

Both men still command respect, alongside other independence heroes, given their and the church's resistance to the occupation, in which as many as 200,000 people were killed. Many Timorese doubt or are willing to look past the serious charges involving Belo, who was secretly sanctioned by the church and is banned from voluntary contact with minors.

We leave it entirely to the pope and the people around him on how to manage this, Ramos-Horta said when asked whether Francis should address the history of sex abuse during his visit, adding that he knows that the Vatican takes it seriously.

What is a concept of justice is fairness. People, yes, continue to deeply respect Bishop Belo for his courage, his contribution to their struggle. He sheltered people, he saved people and people dont just forget that  or castigate him, ostracize him," the president said.

No further condemnation is needed because the Vatican has already taken action, Ramos-Horta said. Having the pope raise the matter during his visit would be like trying someone twice.

East Timor struggles with high levels of unemployment and malnutrition, and 42% of the population lives below the national poverty line. Nearly two-thirds of the countrys citizens are under 30 years old, making youth job creation a high priority.

The oil and gas industry is the bedrock of the economy and the main source of government revenues. But a major offshore site is tapped out and the country needs new reserves to come online to fill the gap.

Ramos-Horta said he is hopeful a breakthrough could come very soon, possibly in the next three months, on plans for the exploration of a natural gas field that is key to East Timors financial future.

Development of the promising offshore Greater Sunrise gas field, shared between Australia and East Timor, has been stalled for more than two decades  mainly over the question of which country the fuel should be piped to.

Australia's Woodside Energy, which has the largest stake in the project after East Timor's national oil company, said in response to questions Wednesday that the companies and governments have continued to make progress on various aspects of the negotiations.

It added that it remains committed to developing the field if there is fiscal and regulatory certainty necessary for a commercially viable development to proceed.

Timorese officials believe that piping gas into their country would deliver more benefits for their people despite the added logistical challenges. That remains the aim, Ramos-Horta said, adding that any alternative would have to be a very persuasive proposal.

The presidential palace where the interview took place and several other key government buildings were constructed with help from China, which wants to deepen its influence among Pacific island nations.

China is one of East Timors top trading partners. In 2023, the two countries boosted their ties by reaching a comprehensive strategic partnership.

I understand the suspicion on the part of the United States, their fears, in relation to China, he said. But I do not see China as a threat to anyone," he added later.

Ramos-Horta said he welcomed Beijings help in areas such as improving agriculture, water management and food security, but saw no need for closer security ties with China.

He did, however, highlight the positive role played by the United States Peace Corps in East Timor and said he would welcome additional help from U.S. military engineers on the ground. U.S. Navy Seabees construction personnel are continuously based in East Timor, building and renovating schools and clinics.

The U.S. might fear China. We dont fear (them) and we dont fear also the U.S. I see the two superpowers as benevolent superpowers. Or they should be benevolent superpowers, he said.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
I want to see the clear blue sky that is not raining drones and missiles if I make it out of Russia alive, says Hardeep Gill*, a 24-year-old Indian man caught in the middle of the first major European conflict since the Second World War, fighting for a country that isnt his own.

Gill, from a city in Punjab, is one of nearly 100 Indian nationals who have found themselves fighting alongside the Russian army in Ukraine, many of them ensnared by human traffickers tasked with recruiting foreign fighters to bolster the ranks of Vladimir Putins army.

Gill speaks to The Independent from a frontline location in southern Ukraine, talking in Hindi via WhatsApp voice notes for fear of being caught by his Russian superiors.

I could die any moment. I am in a dangerous place where we are being attacked by drones constantly, Gill says.

Like many in Indias Punjab state, Gill grew up with dreams of settling abroad and wanted to pursue further studies in the UK. After he was denied a visa, he claims he left for Russia in mid-December on a tourist visa for the sake of getting a foreign stamp in his passport, hoping that travel experience would bolster his chances of securing a trip to the UK in the future.

His plans unravelled, he says, when a taxi driver in Russia overcharged him, robbed him of his money and belongings, and left him stranded. With no support system and no knowledge of the language, he wandered the streets, before finding his way into the hands of recruiters who inducted him into the Russian army.

Now Gill has been deployed to the front line, digging trenches and assisting soldiers in a war that is not his own.

Dozens of Indian nationals have been deployed in the Russian army ( Supplied )

I am unable to recall and think clearly about what happened before I came here, how my life was and what I was doing. My mind is clouded due to the sound of constant blasts, he says.

All I want right now is to return home and meet my parents, my family. But thats a distant dream now as my seniors here tell me they have received no orders to release me from duty.

Gills situation is dire, and he is not the only Indian feeling abandoned on the front lines in Ukraine. Indias foreign ministry has identified 91 citizens recruited by the Russian army, eight of whom have been killed.

There was widespread positive media coverage in India of a July visit by prime minister Narendra Modi to Moscow, suggesting he had secured a pledge from Putin to discharge all Indians fighting in Ukraine.

Kirti Vardhan Singh, minister of state for external affairs, later told parliament that 12 Indians have already left the Russian armed forces while 63 are seeking an early discharge.

Yet the ministry has not disclosed the names of any of those who have supposedly returned alive, and Gill claims not a single Indian recruit has actually been discharged by Russia. No one has returned from Russia yet, not alive. These are rumours and false news. I take updates from my commanders almost every day about the orders from higher up for my release, but all they tell me is they cannot release me until they receive the orders, he says.

The Independent has approached the Indian foreign ministry for comment.

Tejpal Singh, 29, from Punjab, India, died during a missile attack ( Supplied )

The reality of Gills day-to-day life is bleak. He is at the front line for 14 to 15 days at a time, digging trenches and providing support for soldiers.

He returns to the base for just two days of rest before being deployed again.

I will be deployed again tonight and I dont know if I will return. I might be talking to you for the last time, he says.

Food is scarce and Gill has not had a proper meal in days, surviving on little more than bread. Sustained attacks from the Ukrainians make every moment a fight for survival.

The Ukrainian side is attacking constantly. It is a dangerous situation. I cant tell you what all I have seen during my days here. It is horrific. People are dying and the fear of death is everywhere, he says.

Indian nationals say they fear being killed before they are evacuated from the war zones ( Supplied )

India enjoys close diplomatic and economic ties with Russia, a relationship that has spanned decades and remained resilient despite global geopolitical shifts. Modis visit to Russia was supposed to emphasise this camaraderie, with the prime minister giving Putin his trademark bear-hug greeting despite objections from Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky.

Yet neither Modis visit nor New Delhis strong relationship with Moscow have yet proved any help to Gill.

Another Indian recruit is Umair Mir*, 32, from Kashmir. The commerce undergraduate became a father shortly after he was recruited into the Russian army but is yet to meet his son, who is already six months old, his brother Afnaan Mir* tells The Independent.

We have shared pictures and videos of his son but as a new father he aches to hold his newborn in his arms and his wife is miserable here, Afnaan says.

Mir, who previously worked drilling borehole wells in India, says he was duped by a YouTuber who promised him a job in Dubai but arranged for him to be sent to Russia instead on 14 December. Others who ended up fighting in Ukraine have also said they were tricked by the same YouTuber  who has posted videos saying Russias army needs helpers but has denied any knowledge or involvement in anyone being posted to the front line.

He has been on the front line for the last two months and I have been running from pillar to post here for eight months but nothing is happening. We have been abandoned by the Indian government and we are receiving no help, Mirs brother says.

We have now left it to God. We have no hopes from the government. He will survive if God wills.

Mir and some of the other Indian men with him are now waiting for their contract with the Russian military to end in December.

In a message to The Independent from the war zone, Mir says: This is a dangerous place. They have told us to make a bunker here. The war is raging.

I cannot call you as they will get to know and confiscate my phone or even beat me up, he says, referring to the Russians.

Indians are being used for support work like digging trenches ( Supplied to The Independent )

As Mir and Gill cling on to hope, a family in Punjab is waiting in agony for the body of their loved one to arrive from Russia.

Tejpal Singh, 29, from Amritsar died on 12 March but his family only came to know about his death on 9 June, three months after he was killed by a missile strike.

His widow Parminder tells The Independent that he was killed during his deployment in the Zaporizhzhia region, two-thirds of which was captured by the Russian army in the first weeks of the war.

Tejpal Singhs family learned of his death three months after he was killed ( Supplied )

His children, a six-year-old boy and a three-year-girl, do not know their father has died in a foreign country and will never return.

Parminder claims her husband travelled to Russia on a tourist visa after a friend in the Russian military asked him to come and join as a helper.

He went there on 12 January and sent us a picture of himself in Russian military uniform after four days. He told me, I am finally in uniform, she says, recalling their conversation and his lifelong dream of serving in the army.

They last spoke on 3 March after he was taken to Tokmak city in Zaporizhzhia.

Everything went silent for a month and we became worried, she recalls. He had asked us to wait if he doesnt call and we waited for a month. I then contacted some people there and got another contact who told us he has died. We got to know on 9 June, she says.

Parminder is now in the process of arranging for a DNA report that will be sent to Russia to confirm the identify of her husbands body. The only hope we have is of getting his body, so that we can give him the farewell he deserves, his widow says.

* Names changed to protect identities
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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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At least seven people  including four members of the same family  have been killed in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv as Russia continued its relentless aerial barrage.

The drone and missile attack came as Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that his nation needed new energy, as he ordered a major government reshuffle at a crucial juncture in the fight against Moscows invasion.

Foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba was the highest-profile figure among six ministers to submit their resignations. We need new energy today, and these steps are related only to the strengthening of our state in different directions, Mr Zelensky said. Beyond the president, 43-year-old Mr Kuleba was the best-known face of Ukraine overseas, meeting world leaders and lobbying for military and political support in fluent English. First deputy foreign minister Andrii Sybiha is among the frontrunners to replace him.

The reshuffle is said to have been planned for months but enacted at a time when Moscow has increased its attacks on Ukrainian cities from the air. The strike on Lviv, not far from the border with Nato member Poland, also injured more than 50 and destroyed historic buildings, mayor Andriy Sadovyi said. It came a day after the wars deadliest attack this year, when Russia hit a military institute in the central town of Poltava with two ballistic missiles, killing more than 50 and wounding more than 200.

Moscow has been pounding Ukraine with hundreds of missiles and drones over the last 10 days, with some experts claiming they are in response to Kyivs cross-border incursion into Kursk which began more than three weeks ago.

Seven people were killed and more than 30 injured in a Russian air attack on Lviv, western Ukraine, on Wednesday ( via Reuters )

One man, Yaroslav Bazylevych, lost his wife and three young daughters when their home was struck in the Lviv attack. In the centre of Europe, Russia is eliminating Ukrainians by [killing off] entire families. The Russians are killing our children, our future, Mr Sadovyi said via social media.

Mr Bazylevychs daughters were seven, 18 and 21 years old, Mr Sadovyi said. Earlier, the mayor said three children had been killed in Wednesdays attack.

Videos from the site showed emergency service workers carrying out bodies from a damaged residential building as one woman pleaded for information about her daughter and granddaughters. The emergency services said 53 people, including seven children, had been injured.

Resident Ihor Tokarivsky told The Independent that he was woken around 4am by the explosions. There was plenty of firing by what I think was our anti-aircraft defences and two huge explosions, one after the other.

A 14-year-old girl was killed in the barrage just a day after one of Moscows deadliest attacks on Ukraine ( AFP/Getty )

Mr Tokarivsky, 69, a retired industrial safety inspector, said his wife, their son, daughter-in-law and five-year-old grandson were in the house at the time.

Nobody slept after that or, I suppose, anywhere else in the city. Weve heard some children are among the killed.

We can only imagine the grief their parents and grandparents must be feeling right now and thank God our grandchild is alive.

He added: What does [Russian leader] Vladimir Putin think hes achieving? His forces didnt aim their missiles at military targets, they hit civilians in a peaceful city.

Dmytro Kuleba offered to stand down on Wednesday just days after Volodymyr Zelensky promised a major government reset to strengthen Ukraine ( AFP/Getty )

Everyone knows their purpose was to cause terror and Putin has made it clear they want to destroy us as a nation, a people.

All the Russians do by these actions is to make us hate them more and make us more determined to fight them and to take revenge.

Ukraines air force said Russia launched two Kh-47 M2 Kinzhal missiles during an overnight attack involving 13 missiles. Air defences shot down seven of them as well as 22 of 29 drones across the country, it said.

Mr Zelensky said allies could help stop the terror by providing more air defences and again urged them to allow the use of long-range Western weapons deeper into Russian territory.

People stand in the street near the Poltava Military Institute of Communications after Tuesdays Russian missile attack in Poltava ( Global Images Ukraine/Getty )

Mr Zelensky is said to have not always appreciated the way his foreign minister Mr Kuleba often dealt with Western allies independently, leading him to offer to stand down on Wednesday. Five ministers stepped down on Tuesday, with more resignations and appointments expected over the next few days as Kyiv continues to struggle with Russian attacks on its towns and cities.

Mr Zelensky said: Autumn will be extremely important for Ukraine. And our state institutions should be configured so that Ukraine achieves all the results that we need  for all of us.

Those who handed in their resignations on Tuesday included strategic industries minister Alexander Kamyshin and justice minister Denys Maliuska.

Environmental protection minister Ruslan Strilets, deputy prime ministers Olha Stefanishyna and Iryna Vereshchuk, and the head of Ukraines State Property Fund Vitaliy Koval also resigned.

David Arakhamia, the parliamentary leader of the ruling Servant of the People party, said: As promised, a major government reset can be expected this week. More than 50 per cent of the Cabinet of Ministers staff will be changed.

Tomorrow, we will have a day of dismissals and the day after that, a day of appointments, Mr Arakhamia added.
Dmytro Kuleba is one of Ukraines most recognisable faces to Western officials, seemingly never afraid to speak his mind. It is that independence that has contributed to the foreign minister becoming the highest-profile member of president Volodymyr Zelenskys cabinet involved in another major shake-up of Ukraines top brass. One which will end up the largest of the war.

Kuleba has offered his resignation as part of what is seen as a political reset for Kyiv engineered by Zelensky and his close circle. A number of other ministers also submitted their resignations on Tuesday. Zelensky has said that the cabinet overhaul is part of an effort to give new strength to Ukraines government and, in the process, solidify Zelenskys ability to guide policy.

Kuleba, a career diplomat, has been in the foreign ministry since 2020 and saw numerous reshuffles of both the cabinet and military in the more than two years since Russia invaded in February 2022. Zelensky has replaced the defence minister, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the heads of Ukraines foreign and domestic intelligence services and the national security office during that span, often at points when the situation on the battlefield has been difficult.

Ukraines cabinet has a number of acting ministers, who cannot vote on decisions, and Zelensky was clear that his nation needs a solid government as winter approaches. Autumn will be extremely important for Ukraine. And our state institutions must be set up in such a way that Ukraine will achieve all the results we need  for all of us, Zelensky said in his evening address on Tuesday. To do this, we need to strengthen some areas in the government  and personnel decisions have been prepared.

Injured Lviv resident Yaroslav Bazylevych (centre) is led away by medics after losing his wife and three daughters during yesterdays missile and drone strike ( Reuters )

The reshuffle comes at a crucial point. Ukraine has been slowly losing territory in the eastern Donetsk region to a Russian advance, while drone and missile attacks on the countrys energy infrastructure have led to rolling nationwide blackouts, which are likely only to worsen as we head towards winter. An audacious cross-border assault into Russias Kursk region, where Kyivs forces have taken about 1,000 square kilometres of territory in around three weeks, has given a much-needed morale boost and reminded Western allies that Kyiv can still surprise its enemy, despite being significantly outgunned and at a troop disadvantage.

The timing of the cabinet reshuffle  which is said to have been in the works for months  may be partially aimed at backing up that assault, with Zelensky showing allies like Washington and London that he will make the decisions required to give Ukraine the best chance against Moscow. With US elections in November  which could bring significant changes to support from Kyivs largest military aid provider if Donald Trump is re-elected  and with Zelensky soon to visit the UN General Assembly in New York, Ukraines president will be acutely aware his every move is being watched. The US has also long pushed for Ukraine to work to phase out corruption and improve governance  while there has been no suggestion that any of the officials involved face any such allegations, that may have been a consideration.

Part of the rationale for the Kursk offensive was to counter Russian gains in the east by seizing territory that could be used in any future peace negotiations. Any such talk will only be better served by a settled cabinet, although opposition politicians have expressed concern about how closely it is being shaped in Zelenskys image. Kulebas successor is not yet known but is expected to be announced on Thursday.

Russian president Vladimir Putin will step up rocket and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities ( Reuters )

Several Ukrainian media outlets, citing unnamed sources, have said Kulebas deputy, Andrii Sybiha, would become the countrys chief diplomat. More than half the current cabinet will undergo changes, said Davyd Arakhamiia, a leader of Zelenskys party in the Ukrainian parliament. Ministers will be resigning on Wednesday and new appointments will be made Thursday, he said.

Russias revenge for the Kursk offensive has been to step up its aerial assault across Ukraine. A strike on the western city of Lviv on Wednesday, in which at least seven people were killed, underscored how all of Ukraine is at the mercy of Moscows long-range capabilities. That followed another strike on the central city of Poltava on Tuesday in which more than 50 people were killed and more than 200 injured. Zelensky knows the horrors his people are being subjected to  and will face more of in the coming months  so wants to look proactive. He has repeatedly called for Western allies to allow Kyiv to use its weapons deep inside Russia itself but Washington in particular has so far left those pleas unanswered.

As winter sets in, movement on the front line will be difficult and Russia will step up its rocket and drone attacks on cities. Zelensky knows how tough that will be for civilians and troops and that Kyiv will need support from its Western allies more than ever. This reshuffle is part of the presidents attempt to showcase his strength and control of the situation in which Ukraine finds itself. He will hope it works.
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The U.N. childrens agency says a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza reached 189,000 children, surpassing its target and providing a rare bright spot in nearly 11 months of war.

UNICEF said Wednesday that more than 500 teams deployed across central Gaza this week, administering the vaccine to children under 10.

It said Israel and Hamas observed limited pauses in the fighting to facilitate the campaign. U.N. agencies now hope to expand the campaign to the harder-hit north and south of the territory. They hope to vaccinate a total of 640,000 children.

The campaign was launched after Gaza had its first reported polio case in 25 years  a 10-month-old boy, now paralyzed in the leg.

Health experts have warned of disease outbreaks in the territory, where the vast majority of people have been displaced, often multiple times, and where hunger is widespread.

Hundreds of thousands of people are crammed into squalid tent camps with few if any public services.

___

Here's the latest:

Greta Thunberg among 6 detained at anti-Israel demonstration in Denmark

COPENHAGEN, Denmark  Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was among six people who were detained in Denmark, police said, after they demonstrated against the University of Copenhagen for cooperating with Israeli universities and shouted pro-Palestinian slogans.

The group was detained Wednesday for suspected trespassing after police said they briefly occupied one of the entrances to the university. They were all later released.

Police evicted the demonstrators after they hung an anti-Israel banner from one of the windows of the universitys old administration building in downtown Copenhagen.
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Russian scientists are working on new anti-ageing treatments on the orders of a close aide of President Putin, who is reportedly consumed by the idea of eternal life.

Research institutes have been ordered to report on efforts to combat cellular ageing and osteoporosis, cognitive and sensory disorders and to boost immune systems.

The Russian leader is due to turn 72 in October.

3D bioprinting, a technology which scientists hope will enable organs and tissue to be printed, is also a keen interest of the health ministry.

Russian president Vladimir Putin was yesterday welcomed in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia ( EPA )

A Kremlin source told The Times that Mikhail Kovalchuk, 77, who has reportedly been pushing forward the anti-ageing research, is crazy about eternal life.

Kovalchuk is the chief of the Kurchatov nuclear research institute and a senior member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, who is overseeing a state-backed research programme into genetics, the Times reported.

The Kremlin source said Kovalchuk ran to the president [with the idea] of the programme,

A source at the national medical research centre indicated that either Putin or Kovalchuk was pushing for research into prolonging lifespans, saying the big boss set the task while the officials rushed to implement it in every possible way.

According to one researcher, scientists have been asked to urgently send all our developments on the work ordered by Kovalchuk.

Kovalchuk is crazy about eternal life ( AFP/Getty )

One research centre employee described his order to develop remedies to combat ageing while hundreds of thousands of young Russians are being sent to die in Ukraine as cynicism.

Issuing sharp words towards the Russian leadership, the researcher told The Times: As if we have no one to put back on their feet but these boneheads.

Russian multimillionaire Dmitry Itskov has also made efforts towards prolonging the human lifespan. He is funding a project aiming to transfer a human consciousness into a computer, effectively allowing the consciousness to live forever after the human body dies.

Itskov aims for the first transfer of consciousness to be done by 2035.
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A forever war will carry on in Gaza for as long as Benjamin Netanyahus government is in power, the countrys opposition leader has warned.

Yair Lapid, leader of opposition party Yesh Atid, said the Israeli prime minister was offering Israel years of war and destruction with no end date to the conflict.

It comes as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas  that would also see the release of hostages held in Gaza  remains elusive. The war was triggered when Hamas launched a bloody attack inside Israel on 7 October, killing around 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. In response, Israel has bombarded Gaza from the air and ground. More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in the offensive, health officials in the strip have said.

Mr Netanyahu leads a coalition government propped up by far-right factions who are committed to destroying Hamas and continuing the war. On Wednesday, national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for an end to indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas. A country whose six hostages are murdered in cold blood does not negotiate with the killers, but ends the talks, stops the transfer of fuel and electricity, and crushes them until they collapse, he wrote on X/Twitter.

Mr Lapid said: What Mr Netanyahu is saying, what his cabinet is telling us, is that we are in a new version of Lebanon [which shares a border with Israel].

It took us 18 years to leave Lebanon and they are offering us the same thing: years of war, years of economic crisis, years of destruction and fear and violence.

Yair Lapid warned a forever war would carry on in Gaza for as long as Netanyahus government remained in power

This is what the government is offering us. A war that will go on and on. A forever war that has and will never have an end date, Mr Lapid said.

It prefers the war. Because it frees it from the need to face the challenges. We do know how to face these challenges. Weve done it before, well do it again, better. Its time to change the government and end the war, he added.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Israel in recent days after six hostages, including an American-Israeli citizen, were found dead on Sunday. They had been shot by Hamas militants just before soldiers were able to rescue them from a tunnel, Israels military said.

The protesters chanted Now! Now! and urged Mr Netanyahu to bring home the remaining 101 hostages, about a third of whom Israeli officials believe to be dead.

In response, the 74-year-old Mr Netanyahu has sought to deflect the building pressure. He has said no one can preach to me on the issue and claims that nobody has been more committed to returning hostages than he is.

On Monday, Mr Netanyahu said he was ready to carry out the first phase of the ceasefire  a plan that would include the release of some hostages and a partial pullout of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets of Tel Aviv in recent days to demand a ceasefire and to bring remaining hostages home ( Reuters )

But he rejected a full withdrawal from the embattled region, saying he saw no other party that could control Gazas borders.

He has previously pledged total victory over Hamas and blamed it for the failure of the negotiations which have dragged on for months.

Meanwhile, the UN childrens agency has said a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza reached 189,000 children, surpassing its target and providing a rare bright spot in nearly 11 months of war. Unicef said more than 500 teams deployed across central Gaza this week, administering the vaccine to children under 10.

It said Israel and Hamas observed limited pauses in the fighting to facilitate the campaign. UN agencies now hope to expand the campaign to the harder-hit north and south of the territory. They hope to vaccinate a total of 640,000 children.

The campaign was launched after Gaza had its first reported polio case in 25 years  a 10-month-old boy, now paralysed in the leg.
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The Earth will be hit by a tiny asteroid today, astronomers have said.

But the tiny asteroid  which is roughly one metre in size  will burn up in the atmosphere as it arrives.

That means it should pose no risk to anyone on the ground. But it should provide them with a show: the asteroid may be visible as a fireball as it burns up in the sky.

The object was found only this morning, by the Catalina Sky Survey. It shared images of the object as it flew towards Earth.

It is just the ninth time that we have spotted an asteroid before it hit the Earth.

It has been given the name 2024 RW1. It had previously been referred to as CAQTDL2.

It will arrive at around 17.08 UTC, or 6.08pm UK time, on Wednesday, 4 September, astronomers have said. It will land in the Philippines, near Luzon Island.

The European Space Agency was able to provide a fairly detailed estimate of where the object will impact.

open image in gallery ( European Space Agency )

But it also warned that the nearby tropical storm might make it difficult to see the fireball.

Earth is hit by objects from space fairly frequently, and almost all of them are too small to make it through the atmosphere and pose any danger. Because they are so small, it is difficult and rare to see them in advance, however.

Some impacts do cause significant damage. Perhaps the most dramatic of recent times was the Chelyabinsk meteor, which fell to Earth over Russia in 2013, injuring around 1,500 people, damaging thousands of buildings and causing tens of millions of dollars in damage.

Space agencies have been working to protect Earth from the danger that a larger object could present if it came towards the Earth, including testing spacecraft that could be used to shove it off course. But Nasas simulations have sometimes suggested that the Earth would not be safe from such a collision.
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People think of aging as a gradual process but now scientists have discovered that waves hit at specific points in life.

A new study, from Stanford Universitys Department of Genetics, has identified biomechanical shifts that occur at 44 years old and then again at 60.

We had all these people of various ages and we wanted to see, Well, are there times when there are more changes than others? Dr Michael Snyder, senior author of the study and professor of genetics, told The Independent on Tuesday.

Snyder and his team followed a diverse group of 108 Californians, between 25 and 75 years old, for about two years, collecting blood, stool, skin, mouth, and nose samples every three to six months.

The researchers tracked changes in more than 100,000 molecules and microbes, conducting clinical laboratory, gut health, and other tests.

In approximately 47 samples from each participant, the scientists examined molecular changes in skin and muscle elasticity and strength; the ability to process caffeine and alcohol; and immune system regulation. The averaged results were compared between older and younger people.

The scientists said that 81 percent of molecules changed in at least one of the two age waves.

Dr Snyder said it was already known that health risks rise and the immune system declines in our sixties.

open image in gallery A woman uses a resistance band in a workout class. A new study, from Stanford Universitys Department of Genetics, has identified biomechanical shifts that occur at 44 years old and then again at 60. ( (Alamy/PA) )

But, the forties was, at least at the time, a surprise, he told The Independent. You can argue  in hindsight  it makes sense.

The researchers saw skin and muscle mass change; an elevation in the risk of cardiovascular disease; a shift in fat, and caffeine and alcohol metabolism changes for people in their forties. For those in their sixties, kidney function decline, carbohydrate metabolism shifts, and more changes to skin and muscle mass were observed.

I think the most obvious explanation is decline and activity and nutrition lifestyle. So, we know that the lifespan is about 16 percent genetic and the rest, then, should be environment and lifestyle, said Snyder.

So, my guess is that is part of whats catching up with them is the lack of activity  We could definitely eat better. My guess is that nutrition and exercise are some of the key factors for your forties.

The professor, who has collected data on himself as part of his research, says hes a big believer in strength training, which helps to produce valuable hormones that increase energy production.

Snyder also advised that people drink more water to stave off kidney function decline, and for those at high risk of cardiovascular disease to take statins medication.

One way to think about it is like your car. Your car gets older over time. We certainly see that and recognize it. But, certain things tend to wear out. You know, you need to change your tires after about five-to-six years, he said.

Snyder is a founder of January AI, a company which monitors sugar levels in blood, says problems could be solved with access to big data.

Were in a world where you can now track a lot of this stuff at a personal level and then, I think, modify your behavior so that you can improve your health  take more control over your health, he said.
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Social media startup Bluesky has seen a huge surge in new users following a complete ban of X. formerly Twitter, in Brazil.

The X rival saw two million signups after a Brazilian Supreme Court judge ordered the Elon Musk-owned platform to be blocked in the country for failing to appoint a new legal representative.

Fridays ruling, which was upheld by other judges of the Supreme Court on Monday, resulted in new all-time-highs for activity on Bluesky, the app announced.

Two million new people in the last week! A very warm welcome, stated a message posted to the official Bluesky account, alongside an accompanying message in portuguese.

Bluesky, which was founded by former Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey, offers similar functionality to X but is based on a decentralised framework that is aimed at transparent communication between users.

Its underlying architecture is also designed to limit influence from corporations, governments or individuals, while also putting users in control of their own data.

The app previously saw an influx of new users shortly after launching on Android and iOS in 2023, largely driven by Mr Musks takeover of Twitter. The rush of signups forced Bluesky to temporarily block new users from joining.

The decision to ban X in Brazil saw Bluesky top the app charts in the country, just ahead of fellow rival Threads. Data from app intelligence firm Appfigures revealed that downloads of Bluesky in Brazil were up more than one million per cent following the ban.

User numbers are still relatively small compared to X, with the company revealing in May that it had around 6 million users. X had an estimated 20 million users in Brazil before the ban was introduced.

Brazil president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva bid farewell to his X followers ahead of the ban being implemented last week, sharing links to his official accounts on other social media platforms, including Bluesky.
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A staff member at a five-star hotel in Egypt has been seriously injured following a fight with tourists who refused to pay for a service.

Two Egyptian hotel workers and three Arab-Israeli tourists were also hurt after the fight broke out in the Red Sea town of Taba, near the Israeli border on Friday (30 August).

The mass brawl reportedly started after several tourists refused to pay for hotel services and verbally insulted staff at the Accor hotel chains Movenpick Resort.

The luxury Movenpick Taba has 424 rooms, three pools, four restaurants and a private beach for guests to use.

One of the Egyptian workers is believed to have sustained serious injuries, with six of those involved taken to hospital with head trauma or stab wounds, report local news channel Al-Qahera.

Footage shared on X/Twitter from a hotel room balcony shows dozens of men shouting and throwing chairs as a man is seen on the floor.

The Egyptian prosecution office has since ordered the detention of two Israeli citizens for assault and displaying force towards hotel workers, according to Reuters.

Local authorities are investigating the cause of the violent incident.

The Independent has contacted the hotel for further information.

Anne Wahl-Pozeg, senior vice president of communications for Europe and North Africa for Accor, told The Mirror: The safety and security of our guests and team members is our highest priority. We confirm that an incident occurred on 30 August involving a guest and a team member.

At this point in time, we understand that there has been causalities but we are unable to give further details. The matter is now under investigation by the relevant authorities, and we are fully cooperating with them. Our thoughts are with those who have been affected and their family and friends.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
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Italy is set to launch tenders for lucrative contracts to manage bars, restaurants and other facilities on the countrys beaches by June 2027, a draft bill showed on Wednesday.

The move is a long delayed response to a European Union demand for Rome to open the sector to newcomers.

For almost two decades, the European Commission has been locked in a legal tug-of-war with Italy over its beach concession practices, accusing the peninsular nation of lacking transparency and breaching competition rules.

open image in gallery People enjoy a sunny day at an establishment on the beach in Tuscanys Castiglione della Pescaia, Italy ( LaPresse )

Licences to rent out sun loungers and beach umbrellas are traditionally family-controlled and passed down from one generation to another in Italy. Rival entrepreneurs say they have been unfairly deprived of a slice of a major business.

Under the legislation, which is expected to be discussed on Wednesday by Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis cabinet, existing business licences remain valid until September 2027, the draft seen by Reuters showed.

A separate decree to be issued by March 2025 will set out criteria for compensation to be awarded to operators who lose their concessions, the draft said.

The sum to be paid by the newcomer is equal to the value of investments made and not yet amortized at the end of the concession.

open image in gallery Umbrellas and sun beds are set at the Venezia beach establishment in Ostia, near Rome ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The issue remains a flashpoint for tensions within the ruling coalition and the approval of the measures could be delayed, a political source told Reuters.

The European Union ordered Italy to put its 28,000 beach licences up for public tender in 2006, but successive Italian governments of all colours have dragged their feet, despite pressure from Brussels.

Italys beach managers on Aug. 9 opened two hours later than normal in parts of the country in protest at the proposals.

They argue that keeping beach concessions in the family keeps costs for beachgoers down and prevents Italys 7,500 km (4,660 miles) of coastline from falling into the hands of big chains that might not respect local traditions.

Tourists can sometimes pay more than 30 euros a day to rent loungers and umbrellas. Italys beach clubs generated an overall revenue of 2.1 billion euros ($2.29 billion), according to the latest figures published by consultancy Nomisma in 2023.

open image in gallery Tourists sit on the beach of the sea town of Porto Empedocle, in southern Sicily, Italy, ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The government received an average of 102 million euros per year from operating licenses between 2016 and 2020, under the latest data from Italys Audit Court.

Economists, however, say beach concession owners have long exploited their privileged position, returning to the Italian state only a tiny portion of their proceeds over the years.

According to the Italian Court of Auditors, from 2016 to 2020 the Italian public administration received around 97 million euros each year from the countrys 12,166 beach concessions. This means that, with an average revenue estimated at 260,000 euros, those businesses have been paying only around 7,600 euros a year for their concessions.

Competition would advantage everybody, particularly in this area where were not talking about private properties, but about public domain that these businesses are getting almost for free, said economist Pietro Paganini.

Paganini also said that Italian governments of all political orientations have for years protected the owners of beach concessions, as they represent a precious pool of votes.
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Romes famous Constantine Arch near the Colosseum has been damaged by a lightning strike during a violent thunderstorm, loosening fragments from the ancient structure.

The fragments from Tuesdays lightning strike were immediately gathered and secured by workers at the Colosseum Archeological Park, officials said. The extent of the damage was being evaluated.

The recovery work by technicians was timely. Our workers arrived immediately after the lightning strike. All of the fragments were recovered and secured, the park said in a statement.

The honorary arch, more than 20 meters (nearly 70 feet) in height, was erected in 315 A.D. to celebrate the victory of Emperor Constantine over Maxentius following the battle at Milvian Bridge.

It is about 25 metres (82 feet) high and is located in the same pedestrian area where the Colosseum stands, a major tourist hotspot.

A lightning strike hit the arch right here and then hit the corner and we saw this fly off, a tourist told Reuters, pointing to a large block of stone fallen to the ground.

open image in gallery Workers inspect the 315 A.D Arch of Constantine, near the Colosseum, in Rome, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, after lightning struck it during a storm ( AP )

Video images showed other blocks of stone and rubble lying around the monument, and archaeological park staff working to collect them.

All fragments were recovered and secured. Damage assessments have already begun and the analyses will continue tomorrow morning, the archaeological park said.

The arch was hit on its southern side, where pre-scheduled conservation work had started two days ago and which will now also focus on repairing the damage, it added.

open image in gallery Workers on site with cranes gather up fragments and secure broken areas of the 315 A.D Arch of Constantine ( AP )

The accident took place during a heavy thunderstorm that felled trees and branches and flooded several streets of the Italian capital.

The Civil Protection agency said 60 millimetres (2.36 inches) of rain fell on central Rome in less than one hour, about as much as would normally fall in a month during autumn.

The freak weather was a so-called downburst, Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said, referring to the kind of severe storm, featuring powerful downward winds, believed to have also caused last months sinking of British tech tycoon Mike Lynchs yacht off Sicily.

The event that hit Rome is truly unprecedented, because it was so powerful and concentrated in a very short time and in some areas of the city, starting from the historic center, Gualtieri said in a statement.
Sir Keir Starmer mistakenly called Rishi Sunak the prime minister nine weeks after winning the election and taking the role himself.

The pair clashed over the governments decision to suspend some arms exports to Israel during the first PMQs after summer recess on Wednesday 4 September.

In the House of Commons, Mr Sunak suggested the move beggars belief and asked Sir Keir to explain how Labour arrived at the decision.

Responding to the question, he said the UK worked with their allies before suggesting the prime minister knows the framework.

He then repeated the mistake to jeers from the benches.
Airport will breach cap this year  but it is not clear what sanctions it will face

The DAA, which operates Dublin Airport, could submit a planning application in November seeking a temporary increase in its annual passenger cap to between 35 million and 37 million, if an anticipated ruling by An Bord Pleanala this Friday goes its way.

It comes as the DAA conceded on Wednesday that it will this year likely breach the 32-million cap by as much as one million passengers.

Apart from being instructed to adhere to the cap, its unclear what sanctions could be imposed on the airport operator by Fingal County Council if it breaches the limit.

The 32-million cap was imposed by An Bord Pleanala when Terminal Two was given permission

DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs said he understands that An Bord Pleanala could issue a determination on Friday in relation to a so-called relevant action that, if approved, would remove the numerical cap on the average number of flights permitted between 11pm and 7am.

That cap came into effect when Dublin Airports new runway opened in 2022.

If An Bord Pleanala sanctions a change, it would see the cap replaced with an annual night-time noise quota, effective between 11.30pm and 6am.

A move to a night-time quota has also been recommended by the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) that operates under Fingal County Council.

Last year, the council issued an enforcement notice against the DAA for breaching its night-time flight quota. That action was stayed pending the outcome of the relevant action.

DAA boss Kenny Jacobs in Terminal One. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Mr Jacobs said he doesnt know what kind of sanctions could potentially be imposed on the DAA if the enforcement proceedings resumed in relation to the flight quota.

He said that if the noise quota is approved, the planning application to increase the passenger cap on a temporary basis would be made in November  and hes confident of a quick decision.

The interim application doesnt involve us building anything, he said.

If we lodge an interim application in November, subject to the relevant action upholding the ANCA recommendation, I would hope that it would be three to six months in which it could go through the planning process.

The DAA has separately previously applied to raise the Dublin Airport passenger cap to 40 million as part of a wider 2bn-plus infrastructure development planning process. That could take up to three years to be ruled on.

Its not a perfect solution, but its much better than being stuck at 32 million

The 32-million passenger cap at Dublin Airport was imposed as part of the planning granted in 2007 to build Terminal Two. The DAA said the airport will breach the cap despite its efforts to curtail growth to adhere to it.

The airport could have handled 35 million passengers this year if growth hadnt been throttled, according to Mr Jacobs.

Next year, it could have been a 37-million-passenger airport, he added.

He acknowledged that if the airports cap is raised on an interim basis, it will only be sufficient to handle additional growth for about two years.

Its not a perfect solution, but its much better than being stuck at 32 million when theres demand out there for 37 million next year, he added.

Mr Jacobs said that if the DAA is granted permission for its infrastructure development plan, it will  within six months of securing that  apply to have the then 40-million cap raised again.
A Co Kildare stud farm operator is one of three parties to stall plans for a new helicopter search and rescue (SAR) base at Weston Airport.

This follows Tony Doyle and two other third parties lodging appeals to An Bord Pleanala against South Dublin Co Councils decision to grant planning permission to Weston Airport operator, the John Collison co-owned Weston Airport Academy Ltd, for the SAR base at the airport near Lucan.

The SAR base at Weston Airport is to be the home for Coastguards 116 helicopter and is to form part of Bristow Irelands network of search and rescue bases that also include bases at Shannon, Waterford and Sligo.

Bristow Ireland requires the Weston base after the firm won the tender to supply Irelands coast guard helicopter search and rescue services.

The overall contract is worth 800m over 10 years to the Houston, Texas-headquartered aviation firm.

A planning report lodged with the application has stated that it is intended the SAR base at Weston Airport will be operational from July 1, 2025.

The base will comprise a hangar with capacity for two helicopters along with supporting infrastructure and according to the planning report by KPMG Future Analytics, will further enhance the commercial viability and effectiveness of the airport with a specialised services offering that will not result in any intensification or material change to the existing airport.

The proposed facility is likely to accommodate 550 to 580 flights per annum.

However, a question now hangs around the firms plans for Weston Airport following the three appeals lodged.

Stud farm operator Tony Doyle told the council the prospect of night-time fights at Weston Airport will have a drastic consequence for us, our animals and the people looking after them.

Others to appeal are John Colgan and Helen and John Shackleton. In their appeal, the Shackletons state: Search and rescue helicopters are by their nature large and extremely noisy. We are already subject to extensive noise and disturbance from the existing activities.

They add: We are not assured by the recent accident involving a helicopter flying out of Weston. There was also an accident involving a light aircraft some years ago and while these occurred well away from the airport it is always there in the back of your mind that something could happen.

The board is due to make a decision in January.
Could Ireland follow Brazils ban on Elon Musks X? We have the power

Were used to social media platforms being banned in countries such as China and Russia, but not in large western democracies. Its a genuinely radical step

Blocked: Brazils Supreme Court has upheld a ban on Elon Musks social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, this week

Adrian Weckler Wed 4 Sep 2024 at 03:30

Is X being banned in Brazil a dry run of what will happen in Ireland and the EU?
Facing an economy crippled by the cost and destruction of the war, by August 2022 Ukraine agreed with creditors to pause payments on its bonds. Photo: Getty

Just a few months after Russia invaded Ukraine, the countrys financial adviser, Rothschild & Co, handed Kyivs debt chief a thick black folder detailing major sovereign debt restructurings of the past 30 years.

For Yuriy Butsa (40) it would prove essential reading. He hadnt been involved in the debt rework Ukraine required in 2015 after Russia annexed Crimea and it wasnt long before he would need to draw on the expertise.
This frame grab from video released by the Ansar Allah Media Office, the media arm of Yemens Houthi rebels, shows explosions striking the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion in the Red Sea. Photo: Ansar Allah Media Office via AP

Salvagers abandoned an initial effort to tow away a burning oil tanker in the Red Sea targeted by Yemen's Houthi rebels as it was not safe to proceed, a European Union naval mission said, leaving the Sounion stranded and its one million barrels of oil at risk of spilling.

While a major spill has yet to occur, the incident threatens to become one of the worst yet in the Iranian-backed rebels campaign that has disrupted the $1trn (0.91trn) in goods that pass through the Red Sea each year over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. It also has halted some aid shipments to conflict-ravaged Sudan and Yemen.
Actor Daniel Craig arrives for the press conference of his new movie Queer at the Venice Film Festival. Photo: AP

Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig attend the "Queer" red carpet during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 03, 2024 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

In a clear break from his James Bond past, Daniel Craig brought his latest role to the Venice Film Festival yesterday, playing a drug-addicted gay American in Luca Guadagninos new movie Queer.

The womanising of the debonair Bond is long gone as Craigs character, often drunk and dishevelled, falls for a younger man in 1950s Mexico, with intimate love scenes between the two men that are likely to cause a buzz in the cinema world.

Craig (56) said he was not worried about the sometimes explicit sex sequences making headlines. I dont think about it. No, I mean, whats the point? You know, I cant control it, he said.

Guadagnino, who won international recognition with his 2017 same-sex coming-of-age story Call Me by Your Name, said he hoped the public would look beyond the sex.

I think Daniel has been so beautifully naked in terms of the soul in this movie that this is going to be the thing that people will connect with, no matter how naked he is on the screen, the Italian director said.

Craig made five Bond films, the last, No Time To Die, coming out in 2021, but he said he had long hoped to work with Guadagnino, swapping the big-budget blockbuster for a small-scale indie production shot entirely in a Rome studio.

I just wanted to work with him for so long I met him 20 years ago and we always said wed work together eventually, and we did, he said.

Craigs wife, British actress Rachel Weisz, arrived with him in Venice for the world premiere of Queer.

His character, William Lee, lives a solitary life in Mexico City, cruising the bars, before he becomes infatuated with a quiet bisexual, played by Drew Starkey, who joins the seedy US expat community. Craig said he and Starkey (30) did movement and dance classes together to gain greater intimacy.

It broke the ice with the two of us, Craig said. We worked very hard together and so we just sort of threw ourselves into it, into kind of, you know, into the whole thing.

The film is based on an unfinished novel by US author William S Burroughs, with Guadagnino and screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes giving the story a conclusion, leading the two characters into the jungle in search of a hallucinogenic drug.

It was a long time in the wishing. You know, I read the book when I was 18, Guadagnino said, adding that he bought the rights to the work just two years ago. So something that was really a wish for 33 years became a movie that happened in six months.

Queer is one of 21 movies competing in Venice for the Golden Lion award, which will be awarded on Saturday.
Pictured are representatives from K Meat with ABP beef products shipped from ABP locations in Monaghan, Tipperary, and Wexford.

The Larry Goodman-owned ABP Food Group has announced it has become the first Irish beef processor to launch in the South Korean market by securing an export agreement with K Meat, a premium meat importer with advanced sales channels across South Korea.

This significant long-term supply agreement has seen ABP deliver three shipments to date from its locations in Monaghan, Tipperary, and Wexford.

The official announcement will be made later this week as part of the trade mission to China and South Korea led by Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and Minister of State, Martin Heydon.

As part of the first leg of the two-nation trip, members of the Ministerial trade mission joined ABP in China to visit its customer Dalin Rongze, a food service business servicing high-quality restaurants in Beijing, and AP Shanghai Food Company Limited in Shanghai, which supplies Fresh Hipo, a retail chain for groceries and fresh goods that has 273 self-operated stores, primarily located in tier-one and tier-two cities in China.

According to ABP it has maintained a constant supply of beef to the Chinese market since the lifting of a restriction on Irish beef imports in May 2020, with all of ABPs seven Irish sites producing beef products for China.

Martin McMahon, General Manager of ABP international sales, ABP Food Group said: Our extended presence in Asia marks a significant step forward for both ABP and the Irish beef sector as a whole. China and South Korea are extremely important markets and there is a great opportunity for quality Irish beef in the food service and retail spaces.

Jim OToole, Chief Executive, Bord Bia said: The launch of Irish beef in Korea is the culmination of years of relationship building with Korean trade supported by significant government efforts to gain access. Since access was achieved four months ago, there has been immediate interest from the Korean trade who recognise that Irish beef offers a premium, grass-fed alternative to their existing portfolio.

"Bord Bia has the in-market expertise to support ABP and other exporters looking to grow their trade in this dynamic market. We will present a valuable insight study on beef conducted with Korean consumers to better understand their taste preferences. We look forward to fully debriefing Irish beef exporters on this in the coming weeks.

In May 2018, ABP became the first European beef processor to secure a contract in China when it secured an exclusive three-year agreement with Asian restaurant chain Wowprime Corporation. In 2019 the company reached a deal with Beijing Hopewise Ltd to launch a range of premium Irish beef products on JD.com, one of the largest business-to-consumer online retailers in China and a Fortune Global 500 Company.
Children are hiding food to take home or asking for extra at mealtimes at community creches that are recording the highest levels of poverty.

An anonymous snapshot survey of community and not-for-profit childcare services caring for almost 6,000 children reveals that over a third say children are showing up hungry.

Staff at one in ten services have seen children hiding food to take home or asking for more.

More than two in five of the services said they work with children who are experiencing food poverty. A total of 22pc said they observed unhealthy food in lunchboxes.

Community and not-for-profit early years providers make up about a quarter of the early years system.

Some 78pc of services reported that they have a waiting list and the longest was three years.

The average waiting list across the services is 17 months.

The Childrens Rights Alliance revealed the findings as it called on the Government to commit 50m in Budget 2025 for community providers to help the most marginalised children.

Mick Kenny, a community childcare manager in Kilkenny, said it was difficult to read stories about an expensive bike shed at Leinster House when he felt the money could be much better spent.

Youre just sort of heartbroken because youre thinking, What could that money do to make a difference in the lives of children and families? he said, at an event organised by the alliance at the Ark in Dublin yesterday during End Child Poverty Week.

"So often we hear of different government expenditures like the bike shed, or the photocopier, or money going to places, that youre thinking, do you know, that could be spent better other places.

He was speaking to other providers who were helping families buy food, and items like head lice medication that they could not afford. Charity workers told how some children might only have their nappy changed once a day due to higher living costs, neglect and other issues.

Poverty can be very hidden, said Mr Kenny. He said often children would come in with lovely clothes and fantastic runners, because of pressure to keep up with the Jones, but might be hungry.

Over 94pc of the services surveyed care for children from a migrant or ethnic background, 72pc for traveller children and 66pc for children living in homeless accommodation. All of the services work with children with additional needs.

Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Childrens Rights Alliance, called on the government to ramp up investment in a new model of early years provision that aims to support young children experiencing poverty, called the Equal Start programme.

She said the survey of childcare services tells a startling story.

What is clear from just this small window into the sector, there are thousands of very young children in need of specific, wraparound supports to give them the best start in life, she said.

She said access to affordable childcare is not enough to combat the adverse childhood experiences at play.

Of this small sample of services supporting shy of 6,000 children, a third reported the need for security and a safe home environment, with others highlighting some children do not have access to public healthcare in their community, she said.

When asked if the alliances 50m demand is realistic, Department of Children official Colm O'Connell said the budget process is ongoing and the department will put forward its case but may not get anything near that.
An Army officer has been fined three days pay and been reprimanded after pleading guilty to a charge of having unauthorised military equipment in his possession at the Curragh Camp three years ago.
A father of three allegedly caught with almost 58,000 worth of sedative tablets in his attic has been denied bail after gardai said he absconded to the UK.
Courts

Unacceptable behaviour for visitors to our country, judge says, as tourists arrested trying to sell cocaine to garda
The man was arrested after getting off a bus at the Square Shopping Centre in Tallaght

A convicted killer has been arrested on suspicion of carrying out seven armed robberies in a crime rampage across Dublin in recent days.

The violent criminal, who is aged in his 40s, is this evening being quizzed in relation to several terrifying raids in Clondalkin and other parts of the city.

The man is suspected of using syringes and knives to threaten staff, and the businesses targeted included shops, off-licences and a garage.

Its understood that gardai were able to connect the crimes as the suspect made little effort to conceal his identity during the raids.

In one raid a worker was assaulted while in another incident a staff member had a knife held to their throat.

The suspect was arrested during a garda operation this morning after getting off a bus at the Square Shopping Centre in Tallaght.

The criminal is suspected of going on a crime rampage in recent days and has been linked to raids in Clondalkin, the south-inner city, and Rathmines.

Significant efforts have been underway to locate this man. He had gone to ground but following good police work he was arrested this morning, a source told the Irish Independent.

He is an extremely violent individual and the belief is that he was planning more raids in an effort to pay off a debt owed. Thankfully any further crimes as part have now been prevented.

The investigation is being led by gardai in Clondalkin but guards from across the city will want to interview this man for offences in their districts.

He has a significant number of previous convictions including manslaughter in relation to a fatal stabbing.

The suspect has also been investigated for more than a dozen aggravated robberies over the past two decades and has served several prison sentences.

A Garda spokesperson confirmed the arrest saying: On Wednesday 4th September 2024, gardai have arrested a man as part of an investigation into a number of armed robberies throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Region.

Following reports of seven armed robberies of convenient stores and petrol stations in Rathmines, South Circular Road, Clondalkin and Ronanstown over a recent period, an incident room was established in Clondalkin Garda Station under the supervision of a Senior Investigating Officer.

This investigation involved Gardai attached to the Ballyfermot, Tallaght and Clondalkin Garda Stations.

Gardai attached to Clondalkin Divisional Detective and Community Engagement Units with assistance of Garda members from Tallaght, arrested the suspect in the Tallaght area earlier today.

The man, aged in his 40s, is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in the Dublin Region.

He can be detained for up to 24 hours before he must either be charged or released from custody pending a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Many hospitals are finding it increasingly difficult to appoint surgeons who will provide general paediatric surgery, according to a new report.

The Royal College of Surgeons report said 21 hospitals provide general paediatric surgery in the country, but 18 others are having problems appointing these doctors.

The issues are highlighted in a new model of care for Ireland, launched yesterday, aiming to address the increasing challenges in this area, including the growing number of doctors who are specialising in particular forms of surgery.

The plan sets out recommendations on how service improvements in providing general paediatric surgery could be achieved. It would designate both regional and local paediatric surgical facilities, with operating procedures suitable for each site.

The key principles include a national network of hospitals providing safe surgical care for children supported by Childrens Health Ireland (CHI), which oversees the three Dublin childrens hospitals.

The aim is that children and families benefit from being able to access appropriate elective and acute surgery, close to home. Regional general paediatric surgeons will decide where surgeries will be delivered.

Children who require transfer to Dublin should be transported in a timely and safe manner with senior surgeons regionally, and with CHI coordinating the transfer. There should be acute surgery for children provided locally in an appropriate environment.

The Royal College of Surgeons said that its training programme for surgeons will include giving them the necessary experience to support the rollout of expertise to regional and local level.

An audit and peer-review process will be developed to assure the quality and safety of care. Complex surgeries will continue to be delivered through CHI, in Dublin. But CHI has indicated capacity issues for general surgery in the new National Childrens Hospital will arise unless a significant proportion of the low acuity operations in the childrens hospitals are redirected back to regional and local hospitals.

Each regional hospital undertaking general paediatric surgery must have one designated lead anaesthesiologist who has a subspecialty interest in paediatric anaesthesia.

Dr Ciara Martin, national clinical adviser and group lead for children and young people in the HSE, said: Its important to have a networked approach to surgical care, that is underpinned by national standards and supported training and education for the teams of nurses and doctors delivering care in all of our national hospitals.

It is important for those delivering care to children and young people, and even more so it means that patients and their families can be confident of the care they receive wherever and whenever they need it.

Surgeon Ken Mealy, chair of the working group for the general paediatric surgery model of care, and co-lead of the national clinical programme in surgery, said: There is an emphasis on safety, workforce planning, training and quality assurance of service provision, to ensure that all children who require acute or elective general paediatric surgery are managed in an appropriate environment by staff with the requisite skills.
Baby Zakhar was born during a Russian attack on a suburb near Kyiv

Host family Sandy and Maggie Blackley with Olena (far left), and Alyona, who are pictured with their two children, Vlad and Vova

From left, Alyona Holubinka and Olena Zverova with their friend Ira, hours before she gave birth during a Russian bombardment

Three young Ukrainian mothers who sheltered in Ireland after the Russian invasion but decided to return to their homeland have revealed that one of them gave birth during a Russian air attack.

Alyona Holubinka and Olena Zverova sheltered in Ireland for almost two years after the Russian invasion. During their stay, they were visited in Cork by their friend, Ira, from Ukraine.

Now, Alyona has spoken of the trauma that Ira went through as she gave birth last month during a Russian airstrike.

Ira, who was heavily pregnant, met with Alyona and Olena outside Kyiv when she suddenly went into labour.

Hours later she gave birth to her son Zakhar, as Russian rockets and drone strikes hit the area around the hospital.

On this awful night, my friend Ira gave birth to her son Zakhar, said Alyona, who added that Ira had visited her and Olena in Cork last November. Hours before the delivery, we were with Ira and we were all smiling but crying on the inside.

Ira delivered a boy under the sounds of explosions and air defence.

Once the baby was out, Iras husband had to urgently take her to the corridor on his hands (and knees) due to the heavy explosions nearby.

I look at this absolutely gorgeous baby and cry instead of smiling. This is not how new humans should come to this world.

In some countries, children have the luxury to get a decent welcome. But it feels like we are worthless in this world.

Alyona and Olena decided to return to Ukraine because they missed their husbands, who were both in essential jobs and could not leave the country.

They said that sheltering from Russian artillery, missile and drone strikes is a near daily occurrence  and civilians often walk the streets with debris from Russian missiles lodged in buildings and even trees.

Thousands of people have been left homeless by attacks which obliterate houses and apartment blocks.

And with winter approaching, Russia is once again targeting the Ukrainian power network.

For two years, Alyona and Olena and their two young children stayed with Sandy and Maggie Blackley at their home in Fermoy in north Cork.

Mr Blackley was so appalled by what was happening in Ukraine that he became active in the Helping Irish Hosts movement that was set up to link Irish families with Ukrainian people seeking shelter from the war.

He also volunteered to help drive a 4x4 to Ukraine as part of a special aid convoy last winter. There is no single place in Ukraine that can be considered as safe, said Mr Blackley.

And this is me not even starting to talk about the mine that a guy found walking his dog in the park in Kyiv, a grenade found at the playground in Hostomel town (Kyiv suburb) or cluster munitions that are now spread everywhere.

Mr Blackley and fellow campaigner/author, John Connors from Tipperary, said the only thing standing between Ukraine and losing its territory to Russia is foreign aid.

It will be absolutely tragic if Ukraine is now forgotten about, said Mr Blackley.

Almost 110,000 Ukrainian refugees, mostly women and children, have arrived in Ireland since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

However, thousands have returned home despite the ongoing threat posed by Russian attacks.

Ukraine is fighting to defend Europe and democracy from Vladimir Putin  that is the reality, said Mr Blackley.

Ukrainian hospitals and psychological support services have been so overwhelmed by the conflict that the rehabilitation of badly injured soldiers revolves around each being given a companion dog which they must then care for.

That is the reality of Putins attack on Ukraine, where thousands of young soldiers and civilians have been left with life-changing injuries, said Mr Blackley.

Mr Connors, a respected Tipperary-based author and historian, was so moved by the stories he had heard from survivors of the siege of Mariupol that he wanted to do something to help.

He wrote a book entitled Mariupol  A City Named Grief and Fear.

Over our history, Irish people are no strangers to hardship and conflict. I think that is why we are so moved by what is going on in Ukraine, said Mr Connors.

Mariupol, a city of 450,000 people, was virtually levelled during the early stages of the war.

A Ukrainian division fought for weeks to defend the city against overwhelming odds and that defiance resulted in a three-month siege which ended at a giant steelworks in the city.

That delay of the Russian advance bought critical time for Ukraine to muster its military resources and make efforts to repel the invasion.

After the siege, the population of Mariupol was reduced to less than 100,000.

It is a story of extreme tragedy. A lot of the people from Mariupol who came to Ireland for safety were just not able to talk about what happened there, said Mr Connors. Some people have described Mariupol as probably the greatest war crime of the millennium.

I got involved when Ukrainian refugees came to Ireland. There was great demand for accommodation and I was approached and asked if I could help a couple from Ukraine. That couple just happened to come from Mariupol.

Mr Connors decided to write the book to help the humanitarian effort in Ukraine with all proceeds going towards the repair of ambulances on the front line.

Ukraine had dropped from all the headlines because of Gaza. All tragedies are equal but some people think the war in Ukraine is over. It is far from over.

Because of the inertia of the free world, if you want to call it that, it has left Ukraine under fierce pressure and Russia is getting an advantage on the front line.

Both have called for the West to support Ukraine and to do everything possible to help the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom.
The campaign to ban trade between Ireland and the Israeli-occupied West Bank has received a major boost with two leading experts saying there is no legal impediment on the Government imposing the ban.

Two of the worlds leading experts on EU trade law said the Government is legally entitled to pass the Occupied Territories Bill and ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements.

The legal opinion was written by Professor Takis Tridimas, who worked as a legal adviser in the European Commission and Parliament, and Professor Panos Koutrakos who is a leading academic on EU law.

The professors say that the Occupied Territories Bill is compatible with EU law and is further strengthened by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling against Israel in July. They question legal advice given to the Government by former Attorney General Seamus Woulfe.

"It is striking that the AG should have ignored the judgements in [two cases] where the European Court of Justice expressly held that Member States may deviate from EU law, including on public policy grounds in order to protect fundamental rights... The analysis and conclusion in the AG Opinion that the Occupied Territories Bill is inconsistent with EU law [is] not only unconvincing but also at odds with settled ECJ case-law, they said.

The Bill, first tabled in 2018 by Independent Senator Frances Black, would ban trade with the illegal Israeli settlements built on occupied Palestinian land. It was passed by the Seanad before being introduced to the Dail by Fianna Fail, where a majority of TDs also voted in favour of the legislation.

Two Governments, including the sitting Coalition, refused to pass the Bill based on advice from Justice Woulfe who said the ban would breach EU law.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said he asked the current Attorney General Rossa Fanning for fresh advice in light of the ICJ ruling that the Israel was illegally occupying areas of Palestine.

The ICJ found that all states must now abstain from entering into economic or trade dealings with Israel concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territory or parts thereof which may entrench its unlawful presence in the territory, and take steps to prevent trade or investment relations that assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation created by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Ms Black said since she introduced the proposed trade ban six years ago the plight to the Palestinian people has rapidly deteriorated.

While the world is focused on the horrific, genocidal war in Gaza, across the West Bank were also seeing one of the biggest land grabs in decades  more homes destroyed, families displaced, settlements built. How can we repeatedly condemn this as illegal but continue to trade in the goods produced? Its clear hypocrisy and it must stop, she said.

Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Gary Gannon said it is now essential the Government enacts the Occupied Territories Bill.

Israel has been engaged in a relentless annihilation of Gaza for nearly a year, while the western world sits idly by. The death toll stands at more than 40,000 people; more than 100,000 are injured or missing, presumed dead under rubble; and once eradicated diseases like polio are now making a return for the first time in 25 years, Mr Gannon said.

What is the international community waiting for before there is action? Our own government have offered strong words of condemnation of Israel  but, what have they actually done?

Our trading relationship with Israel remains virtually unchanged, we have retained diplomatic relations with the State of Israel and no travel sanctions to Ireland have been imposed on those committing this genocide. This level of craven inaction is not just inexplicable, it is disgusting, he added.

There are now more than 750,000 Israeli settlers living in over 140 illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian territory in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. There are a further 191 illegal settler outposts with 23 of those established in 2023 alone.
Finance Minister Jack Chambers has confirmed that the burden of inheritance will be lowered in his fiscal package for next year.

He said no decisions had been taken as part of Budget 2025, which will be presented to the Dail in less than a month, "but I would say that there is, I think, consensus within government that the present [exemption] threshold around inheritance tax is too low".

Adult offspring are currently entitled to inherit just over one third of a million euro (335,000) from the parental estate before paying tax at 33pc on the balance.

Mr Chambers said the entry rate for the tax was too low, "particularly as property prices have recovered, and I am working on options to maybe shift some of that as part of Budget 2025.

"But no decisions have been taken on either the rate or the threshold."

He added however: "I think it's important [to make changes], since the economy is strong, and particularly as there's been no changes of this for many years, whereas we've seen improvement in property prices.

"And I think it is we are at a point where there should be changes to Capital Acquisitions Tax [including Inheritance tax], more generally.

"The specifics around that we'll see on Budget day."

Meanwhile, Minister Chambers said no religious order could evade its responsibility following publication of the report into sexual abuse in religious-run schools yesterday.

They should "make a contribution" to the compensation of victims through the redress programme called for in the scoping report, he said.

"My sympathies are with all of the victims, and I commend them for their courage as part of the process that we've had up to this point," he said, adding that he had watched Prime Time last night, and heard the harrowing experiences "that so many young people had in our school system".

"I know many more will come forward as part of the next process.

"Obviously, the Government will discuss the recommendations, but I think generally there should be a contribution made by religious institutions for any redress scheme which might come from this process. They should be part of that."

He said he believed the religious orders "have been quite defensive on this". It was shameful that so many victims have waited for so long to have their stories heard, he said.

They "haven't had any accountability, and that's why it's important that the next stage of this, led by Minister Foley, is progressed quickly".

Asked if the orders should be legally compelled to pay, he said: "We need absolute accountability when it comes to the religious orders and their involvement in this over many years.

"They need to be involved, and obviously the legal mechanisms and how that's done, both for the process itself and the redress scheme will be for further Government discussion.

"But no religious order should be left behind as part of this. They need to be involved when it comes to accountability and being part of the scheme."
Labour Party finance spokesperson Ged Nash said laws on donations should be tightened. Photo: Arthur Carron

Sinn Fein has been called a partitionist party after it emerged it circumvented Irish law to accept a 44,000 political donation left to the party in a deceased persons will.

The party used a legal loophole to transfer money left to Sinn Fein by Kilkenny man Michael Dollard to its political operation in Northern Ireland, where there are no limits on donations.

Irish electoral laws prohibit political parties from accepting donations of more than 2,500 from any single donor.

Labour Party finance spokesperson Ged Nash said when it comes to cash, Sinn Fein have shown themselves to be as partitionist as they come.

A bequest of almost 18 times over the Republic of Ireland limit has been made to Sinn Fein in this jurisdiction by a deceased citizen of this Republic, Mr Nash said.

They have, within the existing law, exploited the loophole this government should have closed off, with the party in the North stuffing the money into their bag, claiming it will only be spent there.

Mr Nash said he proposed introducing amendments to the recently enacted Electoral Reform Bill which would have prevented Sinn Fein from transferring money across the Border.

However, the Louth TD said his proposals were rejected by government ministers, who wanted to leave the work on international donations to the Electoral Commission.

Inaction from Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Greens has allowed this to continue unimpeded. I will be writing to the commission to establish their plans to stamp this out and to level the funding playing pitch, he said.

Fine Gaels general election candidate in Carlow-Kilkenny, Catherine Callaghan, called on Sinn Fein to return the money to Mr Dollards estate.

Sinn Fein should return this money, if they hold any value in the democratic system we have in this country, Ms Callaghan said.

Their approach to these matters calls into question their seriousness about achieving a united Ireland, if they can drop their principles for the sake of a few quid.

Mr Dollards will, which was signed in 2018, left a 12th of his estate to Sinn Fein, registered to Parnell Street in Dublin city centre.

To avoid strict Irish laws on political donations, Sinn Fein registered its Northern Ireland operation to the same address in Dublin.

This means the party could accept the full amount left to it by an Irish citizen, even though other political parties are prohibited from taking such large donations.

There are no limits on donations in the North but any amount above 7,500 (8,900) must be registered with the UKs Electoral Commission.

Mr Dollards donation to the party was registered with the commission earlier this year.

The donation is separate from the almost 4m (4.75m) Sinn Fein is expected to ultimately get from the estate of reclusive millionaire William Hampton. The party has been lodging donations from the English man since 2019, when it emerged he had left the party 1.5m.

A worldwide search for bank accounts linked to Mr Hampton, who had mental health issues, has been going on since the first donation was revealed.

A Sinn Fein spokesperson confirmed the party registered its Northern Ireland operation to its address in Dublin.

The party cannot accept donations over 2,500 in the south, and did not do so, they said.

Sinn Fein gratefully accepted the donation in the north, logged the donation with the Electoral Commission, as per our regulatory obligations, and it will be used to the benefit of the party in the north.
Education Minister Norma Foley became emotional as she spoke about the harrowing Scoping Inquiry report yesterday. Photo: Arthur Carron/Collins

The scale of the extreme and violent sexual abuse suffered by children in religious schools in Ireland is likely to grow beyond the almost 2,400 allegations held in official records.

The Government yesterday published a distressing and harrowing report into the systemic alleged sexual abuse carried out by at least 884 alleged abusers in day and boarding schools run by 42 religious orders across Ireland.

It found that religious orders across Ireland have records of 2,395 allegations of abuse across 308 schools. Half of those who have been accused of sexual abuse have died.

The report has already warned that there is reasonable cause to believe that further allegations of sexual abuse in schools will emerge, and that the numbers of allegations will exceed the number recorded in the religious orders records.

The report names hundreds of schools, including primary, secondary and special schools. It also details the total number of allegations and number of alleged abusers at each institution.

In graphic and difficult testimony, survivors of child sex abuse detailed how they were raped and assaulted in the middle of classrooms, in dormitories and showers and in some cases even in their own homes after abusers had gained the trust of their parents.

The report heard from many survivors who said that their childhoods stopped the day the abuse started.

The shocking report  written by senior counsel Mary OToole  found evidence of a high prevalence of alleged abusers in particular special schools, while survivor testimony also said children would be isolated or targeted for their vulnerabilities.

The Scoping Inquiry mostly covers allegations from the 1950s through to the 1980s and mostly involves men who are now aged in their 50s, 60s, and 70s.

The report recommended that the Government approach the religious orders to contribute to a redress scheme.

A commission of investigation will now be established, Education Minister Norma Foley confirmed yesterday.

A high-level group will start working on the terms of reference immediately and Ms Foley said there was an openness to widening it out to include other schools.

It is estimated the commission could take five years to complete its work.

The Government has also been asked by the scoping report to institute redress  which would likely cost the Exchequer well over 1bn based on other models.

Gardai have been briefed on the outline of the report, but the scale of cases is now expected to mushroom.

Speaking at a press conference at Government Buildings, Ms Foley, who became emotional, said there is a moral obligation on religious orders to contribute to compensation for the truly shocking abuse perpetrated.

Ms Foley added a redress scheme for survivors will also be considered.

The report highlights how abuse at school affected survivors trust and left them feeling that due to the power of the Catholic Church, there was no one they could tell, including their parents.

Our schools should be places of haven, not horror, Ms Foley said.

Ms Foley added: Today is about shining a light on the actions of abusers during a dark, distressing and horrific period in our history. These were the people who were meant to build up children and young people in their care.

Instead, they broke them down. These abusers betrayed trust, they betrayed innocence, they betrayed the beauty and joy that should be at the core of childhood.

Taoiseach Simon Harris, speaking after the reports publication, vowed there would be justice for victims and said: I want to say this on behalf of the Government, and I want to say this on behalf of the people of Ireland: we will get this right.

Survivors said the abuse they suffered led to mental health issues in adulthood such as anxiety or depression, addiction issues, and damage to their sense of community.

One person told the inquiry: It happened in the 60s, but really, its happened every day since. You live with it every day. I try to move on, but it hits me in the face.

Many described having PTSD and failed intimate relationships or marriage breakdowns, and some said that as a result of the sexual abuse, they decided not to have children.

The representative body for Catholic orders across Ireland last night said it is deeply sorry that victims experienced abuse in religious-run schools.

The Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious in Ireland (AMRI) said it welcomed the report and acknowledged the courage and bravery of the victims and survivors.

It said it worked with those of its members who are involved in running schools to facilitate the fullest co-operation in the inquiry. We will carefully examine the recommendations and respond accordingly, it added.

Helplines: If you have been affected by the contents of this article, the organisation One in Four provides services to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. One in Four can be contacted by calling 01 662 4070 or by completing the form at www.oneinfour.ie/contact
Tanaiste Micheal Martin insisted that Ireland had reached "a turning point" in terms of the recruitment challenge facing the Defence Forces.

Mr Martin said he was hopeful that personnel numbers would show an increase over the coming months after targeted measures to persuade people to join the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps - and for experienced, skilled personnel to remain in service longer rather than be poached by the private sector.

The Fianna Fail leader was speaking as he formally commissioned two new ships, LE Aoibhinn and LE Gobnait, into the Naval Service fleet.

The two inshore patrol vessels were acquired from the Royal New Zealand Navy for 26m and arrived in Cork harbour last May for commissioning.

One will be operational shortly and will allow the Naval Service to have two ships deployed at any one time - with another offshore patrol vessel in port ready for immediate operational duties.

The second inshore patrol vessel will be ready for operational duties early next year.

The vessels were built in 2009 for New Zealand but were extensively refurbished for navy operations out of Dublin in the Irish Sea.

Lake-class inshore patrol vessels, the 55 metre ships are smaller than Naval Service offshore patrol ships and will have significantly lower crewing needs, making them attractive to the Government given the personnel challenges facing the navy.

Instead of a heavy cannon, both are equipped with two 12.7mm machine guns.

Each vessel is designed to be operated by a crew of 24.

In March, the Naval Service had 722 personnel - almost 300 below its establishment strength with numbers having fallen from 936 in 2019 to 875 in 2021 and then 798 in 2022.

Mr Martin said initiatives such as the patrol allowance, tax measures and free healthcare for all Defence Forces recruits had raised morale.

"I was happy in the last number of days to secure agreement with Finance Minister Jack Chambers for the tax credit will remain now for the next five years, he said.

Mr Martin said the role-out of new technology now allows for the identification of every ship and aircraft in Irish air and waters.

But the Naval Service has been effectively reduced to one-quarter of its fleet as personnel and specialist shortages hit.

The loss of experienced Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs), engineers and marine specialists - who can earn far more in the private sector through the growth in the offshore wind energy and cruise liner trades - has hit the navy particularly hard.

Such is the personnel shortage facing the service that operations by its four most capable vessels, the 90 metre 1,900 tonne Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), have been severely hampered over the past 18 months.

Over recent weeks, just one Naval Service vessel was operational at any one time.

Until the purchase of the two former New Zealand Navy vessels, the Naval Service fleet had a fleet of six ships - LE Niamh, LE Roisin, LE Samuel Beckett, LE James Joyce, JE William Butler Yeats and LE George Bernard Shaw.

The longest commissioned ship is the LE Roisin which entered service in September 2001 having been built at Appledore Shipyard in the UK.

The youngest ship in the Navy inventory is LE George Bernard Shaw which entered the fleet in October 2018.

A number of Naval Service vessels have been tied-up at Haulbowline Naval Base over recent months because of crewing issues.
Health

At least seven HSE workers have been sacked after receiving court sentences over the past 10 years
A WOMAN has been charged with dangerous driving causing the death of a mother-of-two and special needs assistant.

Jennifer Thomas (46) appeared before Judge Mary Dorgan at Cork District Court.

Thomas of Oakfield View, Glanmire, Co Cork is charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Sheila Dunne (54) on February 11, 2024.

The charge, which is brought contrary to Section 53 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 alleges that Jennifer Thomas did, on February 11 last on the L2973 road at Sarsfield Court in Glanmire, drive in such a manner that was dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of an individual, namely Sheila Dunne.

The defendant appeared in court wearing a black trouser suit.

She did not speak during the brief hearing.

Thomas also faces a number of summary charges.

These include being under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of a vehicle at Sarsfield Court, dangerous driving at Hazelwood Road, Sallybrook, not having a driving license and failure to produce a driving license.

Detective Mark Durcan of Mayfield Garda Station gave the court evidence of arrest, caution and charge.

He said that, in response to all of the charges put to her, Thomas made no reply.

Judge Dorgan was told that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has instructed that the dangerous driving causing death charge be dealt with on indictment before a judge and jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

The State applied for the matter to be returned to the next sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court after the service of the book of evidence in the matter.

The book of evidence was served and defence solicitor, Eddie Burke, told the court there were no matters arising at this stage.

Gardai applied for the defendant to be remanded to the next sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court on October 29 next.

An application for free legal aid was made and Judge Dorgan noted that the defendant was working with a copy of her pay slip now required by the court.

Mr Burke said the application for free legal aid could be renewed before the Circuit Criminal Court when all the relevant documentation would be available.

Gardai confirmed that there was no objection to Thomas being remanded on continuing station bail.

Judge Dorgan remanded the defendant on bail to appear before Cork Circuit Criminal Court on October 29 for trial.

The court was also asked to set a date for the summary matters after that.

Judge Dorgan adjourned all other matters until a hearing before Cork District Court on November 27.

Sheila Dunne died in Cork University Hospital (CUH) on February 13, two days after she was rushed to hospital having suffered injuries in a traffic incident as she travelled home.

The special needs assistant was originally from Limerick and was predeceased by her husband, Ted.

She was the mother of two children, Lilley and TJ.

Her Requiem Mass heard that she was a highly valued member of staff at Watergrasshill national school.

Locals hailed her work at the school and said she was "priceless" and "one-in-a-million" whose total devotion to the education and happiness of her special needs pupils was legendary.

Heart-breaking tributes were paid at her Requiem Mass in the Sacred Heart Church in Glounthaune.

Fr Patrick Fogarty said family was everything to Sheila and she held a great sense of pride for her two children Lilley and TJ who she adored.

Im told Sheila met the love of her life 30 years ago on Valentines Day. Sadly, Ted was taken from us three short years ago. They had a wonderful loving relationship and today they are reunited, he said.

Sheila's daughter Lilley said her mother had a beautiful, amazing life and did amazing things.

She sounds too good to be true but she really was, the word no wasnt in my moms vocabulary, she said

It was her lifes mission to make sure TJ was happy, if I can be half the mom to him that you were, I can be happy. You were his world and he was unbelievably happy to have your love. Im going to mind TJ, hes going to mind me and together we will mind Esther (Sheila's mother).

You will always be the best mother I could have wished for and I know you and dad are both up in the sky looking down on us every step of the way, she said.

A family friend told the Requiem Mass that if there was an Academy Award for Special Needs Assistants then Sheila Dunne would have easily won it.
Our drinks expert marvels at the versatile styles of Macedonian wines

With some 300 local grape varieties to play with, Greek wine is certainly diverse in style. Common to much of it, however, is an abundance of sunlight to ripen those grapes, often tempered by cooling conditions such as sea winds or high altitudes. These terroirs help preserve the grapes freshness and encourage the development of aromatic phenols, which ripen slower than the fruit sugars. The result is that while Greek wines may taste of many different things, they all tend to really taste of something, even the simpler or more subtle expressions.

Ive featured Greek wines here over several Septembers, in part because, as summer wanes into autumn, their sense of bottled sunshine has strong appeal. This time last year I was also inspired by a new specialist importer bringing an excellent range into the Irish market  and I look forward to featuring more wines from Oinos Wines here over the coming months. For todays round-up, I was prompted by another importer, Cassidy Wines, introducing several new Greek wines to their portfolio. It was also a good excuse to highlight that there are still bottles of Aldis excellent-value Assyrtiko on the shelves (while stocks last).

Along with aromatic Malagousia, Assyrtiko has become one of Greeces leading varieties, helping to prove the potential of modern Greek wines. The best Assyrtiko comes from the steep volcanic slopes of Santorini, where a mixture of basalt, ash, sand and pumice bring a distinctive minerality and intensity to the wine.

Splash out on Gaias supple, complex and racy Wild Ferment Assyrtiko (OBriens Wine, 38.95) to see what I mean. However, a combination of high demand, high production costs (steep slopes are tricky to tend) and high land prices in an island beloved by tourists means that Santorini expressions dont come cheap.

Gaias refreshing Monograph Assyrtiko (OBriens Wine, currently 15.95; from 18.95) shows that the high-altitude region of Nemea on the large peninsula of Peloponnese can also produce appealingly crisp Assyrtiko. Meanwhile, Aldis Assyrtiko, from the far north of Greece in Macedonia, offers real bang for your buck and a great introduction to this charming varietal style.

Ive featured four more wines today from Macedonia, which between them make a strong case for the versatile styles offered by Greeces indigenous grape varieties. Malagousia features in a perfumed and textural single-varietal, single-vineyard white wine as Wine of the Week, and again in a herbaceous blend with Assyrtiko. Macedonia excels at red wines, and todays two showcase contrasting styles for autumns fickle weather.

Wine of the week

Alpha Estate Single Vineyard Turtles Malagouzia

Alpha Estate Single Vineyard Turtles Malagouzia 2023 Florina (Macedonia), Greece, 13pc, 25.99

From a single vineyard at 670m high where local turtles nest, this charming single-varietal expression of Malagousia offers subtle aromas of nutty apricot kernel, white tea, wild blossom and heady eastern spice. The textured palate is balanced by a tightly wound acidity that starts lively and bright with lovely lemon tart tang and finishes crisp with pink grapefruit pith. A gastronomic wine to pair with roast birds and shellfish, or mezze-style dishes. Barnhill Stores, Dalkey; Kellys, Clontarf; theallotment.ie

Athlon Assyrtiko

Athlon Assyrtiko 2023 Macedonia, Greece, 12pc, 9.99

This medium-bodied Assyrtiko with a touch of Chardonnay balances weight and freshness, marrying white peach flesh and kernel aromas, ginger spice on the fleshy, soft-edged palate, finishing with crisp citrus peel and some green apple zing. Think grilled calamari, herby lamb or cheese-based dishes. Its a limited-edition offer, so snap it up while you can. Aldi

Manolesakis Estate Exis White

Manolesakis Estate Exis White 2023 Drama (Macedonia), Greece, 12.5pc, 22.99

This Malagousia-Assyrtiko blend sets out its stall with big, bold aromas of wild brush that conjure warm evenings on Macedonian hills. All those herbal notes of sage and bay and its pink grapefruit zest would appeal to fans of herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo. Barnhill Stores, Dalkey; Kellys, Clontarf; theallotment.ie

Manolesakis Estate Exis Red

Manolesakis Estate Exis Red 2023 Drama (Macedonia), Greece, 12.5pc, 22.99

A blend of fresh Moschomavro and aromatic Limnio, this light and juicy red gives crunchy red and blue fruit (think cranberries, bilberries and mulberries) with herbal complexity, light silky tannins and a mouthwatering finish that could handle tomato-based fish or fattier lamb. Barnhill Stores, Dalkey; Kellys, Clontarf; theallotment.ie

Alpha Estate Axia

Alpha Estate Axia 2021 Florina (Macedonia), Greece, 14.5pc, 25.99

Greeces beloved Xinomavro (black-sour) meets fleshy Syrah for a big and broody yet elegant red with black olive, black tea and aged-leather aromas layering over ripe black fruits, drinking rich and spicy with earthy tannins and a dry finish; think bold pairings with beef or aubergine dishes. Barnhill Stores, Dalkey; Kellys, Clontarf; theallotment.ie
The Kamala Harris campaign has announced itself as the 'clear underdog'. Photo: Reuters

The path to the presidency for both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump this autumn is becoming much clearer.

The Democratic vice-president and the Republican former president will devote almost all of their remaining time and resources to just seven states.

And their campaigns will try to focus their messages on three familiar issues  the economy, immigration and abortion  even in the midst of heated debates over character, culture and democracy.

The candidates will debate next week in what will be their first meeting ever. The nations premier swing state, Pennsylvania, begins in-person absentee voting the week after. By the end of the month, early voting will be underway in at least four states with a dozen more to follow by mid-October.

In just 63 days, the final votes will be cast to decide which one of them will lead the worlds most powerful nation.

Privately, at least, both camps acknowledge that victory is no sure thing as they begin the eight-week sprint to election day. Harris and Trump are neck-and-neck in most national polls.

The Harris campaign still put out a memo over the weekend casting itself as the clear underdogs in the contest.

Theres not a scenario here thats easy, Harris senior adviser David Plouffe said in an interview. The pathway to beating Donald Trump, the pathway to 270 electoral votes for Kamala Harris, is exceedingly hard, but doable. And thats just a reality.

Trump, meanwhile, rejects any indicators that suggest Harris is ahead even as he lashes out at her in deeply personal and sometimes apocalyptic terms, declaring that our country is finished if she wins.

Just over a month ago, Trump allies suggested Democratic-leaning states like Minnesota, Virginia or even New Jersey might be in play. Neither side believes that is still the case this weekend.

In replacing Biden as the partys nominee, Harris breathed new life into the Democrats political prospects, especially across the Sun Belt states of Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and North Carolina. All four states have significant numbers of African-Americans and Latinos, traditionally Democratic constituencies who were down nationally on Joe Biden but appear to have come home to rally behind Harris.

Lindsey Graham was among the senior Republican officials who brokered a peace between Trump and Georgia governor Brian Kemp, whose feud threatened to undermine the Republican effort in the state. Graham told The Associated Press he was worried about Georgias shift leftward.

Trump was up five or six points, and all over the course of a month its become much more competitive, he said.

Republican pollster Paul Schumaker said even a slight uptick in the black vote has the potential to give Harris the edge in North Carolina.

If Kamala Harris could get them to turn out at the rate of Republicans in rural North Carolina, game over for Republicans, Schumaker said of black voters.

At the same time, Trump remains decidedly on offence in the Midwestern battlegrounds of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, which form the so-called Democratic blue wall that he narrowly carried in 2016 and barely lost in 2020.

Those seven states will draw virtually all of the candidates attention and resources over the next eight weeks.

Trump is investing more advertising dollars in Pennsylvania than any other state through election day.

A Trump victory in Pennsylvania alone would make it much more difficult for Harris to earn the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency. Harris team insists she has multiple pathways to victory.

Harris team is on pace to outspend Trumps camp two-to-one in television advertising over the next two months. And even before Biden made way for Harris, the Democrats wielded superior campaign infrastructure in the states that matter most.

The race may ultimately be decided by whichever candidate can most successfully cast themselves as the change candidate given that about seven in 10 voters say the country is heading in the wrong direction.

Trump was the face of change when he won the 2016 election. And even after serving in the White House for four years, he continues to energise millions of frustrated voters who embrace his brash leadership style and unwillingness to follow the traditional rules of politics.

Harris has been Bidens vice-president for nearly four years, yet the historic nature of her candidacy  she would be the first woman president  allows her to make a convincing case that she represents a new direction for the country, said veteran Democratic strategist James Carville.

Still, hes worried about his partys severe underperformance in the so-called blue wall states in recent elections.

Ill feel good after the election, Carville said. Lets get the hay in the barn. Theres still a lot of hay out there in the field.
Ireland could boast of being a youthful society during the dynamic Celtic Tiger years  when half the population was said to be under 30. Now, the latest statistics reveal that Ireland is ageing: the number of people aged 65 and over has increased by more than 40pc during the last 10 years. It will double again by 2051  because of increased life expectancy and falling fertility.
Their childhood stopped the day it started. The it referred to was being molested, stripped naked, raped and drugged, amid an atmosphere of terror and silence.

As many as 40,000 children may have suffered such acts, according to the Scoping Inquiry report. Those believed responsible were members of our holy orders. The excoriating report was ordered following harrowing accounts of abuse at Blackrock College. But a dam-burst of allegations led to it being extended to include some 308 schools, with claims against 884 alleged abusers.

For several decades, there has been a void in both compassion and justice when it came to making the church fully atone for the suffering its members inflicted on the children it undertook to care for. Those charged with protecting them, preyed on them.

That the majority did not abuse and were honourable is a point that needs making. But even they, though blameless, find themselves cast in the shadow by the behaviour of the institution as a whole. Systemic cover-ups and the tendency to fall back on the law, rather than follow its own teachings on compassion, have left a terrible void where trust and faith once flourished.

Pain and isolation were intensified by the denial and distancing from full responsibility. Those in desperate need of help met a conspiracy of betrayal and silence.

Though wronged and marginalised, there was nowhere to turn, and no safe place. The report says: For some, this has led to lifelong estrangement or difficult family relationships.

Survivors, we are told, can sometimes find forgiveness for those who did them even the most profound harm, if they see genuine restitution on the part of the guilty. But when the abusers are all long dead, having avoided responsibility for the trauma they left in their wake, it is surely up to the State to do what it can to address the hurt, and attempt to right a monstrous wrong. Delivering the report, Education Minister Norma Foley spoke of the lasting impact on the lives of those survivors, which cannot be overstated.

The key recommendation is the setting up of a Commission of Investigation which has been accepted by the Government. But perhaps more urgent still is addressing the immediate needs of survivors and offering them restitution, in as much as that is possible. Recognising the harm done is crucial.

We also need to ask: how did a patina of piety become so irresistible as to compel total, unquestioning obedience that allowed abuse to become so pervasive? How, too, was it possible for paedophiles to unleash such devastation in classrooms all over the country, with impunity?

A state constitutionally committed to cherish the family nonetheless failed to prevent the most heinous crimes against innocent children. If our State has a dark conscience over decades, it can only be addressed by admitting new light. If  and it is hard to conclude otherwise  there has been a calculated history of secrecy, we owe it to survivors, and to ourselves, to take the lid off, once and for all.

Helplines: If you have been affected by the contents of this article, the organisation One in Four provides services to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. One in Four can be contacted by calling 01 662 4070 or by completing the form at www.oneinfour.ie/contact
How can spending 335,000 on a bicycle shed for Leinster House, while a huge number of people sleep rough throughout the city and suburbs, many of them for years, be justified?

That money could provide well-designed public showers and toilets in our capital. This is a need we highlighted first 18 years ago.

A few weeks ago, we wrote to all city councillors again pointing out this need. Incidentally our recent correspondence merited just five responses from 61 elected councillors.

A bicycle shed that will hold 18 bikes for the chosen few, it appears, is more important.

Politicians and aspiring politicians should not be surprised that people have become cynical, this worrying fact threatens our democracy.

Alice Leahy, Alice Leahy Trust, Dublin

Once again the taxpayer is saddled with the cost as politicians act concerned

The good old taxpayer is being saddled with the extraordinary cost of building a Leinster House bike shed.

Eamon Ryan tells us that questions must be answered regarding the matter. Little point though in closing the stable door after the horse has bolted?

Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9

Greens will pay a heavy price for their attitude in the general election

I dont know why Eamon Ryan is shocked at the price the OPW paid for a small, underused bike shed. He only has to look around the country to see the vast expense spent on so-called active travel projects.

Thanks to the Green Party, government authorities have had oodles of taxpayer money thrown at them to waste on grandiose schemes.

Critics have been shouted at for being climate change deniers and denying cyclists the same rights as car owners.

But the Greens dont see this as squandering taxpayers money, but saving the planet. With an attitude like that, the next general election cant come soon enough to vote them out.

Jason Fitzharris, Swords, Dublin

Never mind Eamon Ryan, maybe the OPW can shed some light on this issue

Eamon Ryan is seeking an explanation as to why 335,000 was spent on a bicycle shed. Surely the OPW can provide a spokes-person?

Noel Kelly, Doonbeg, Co Clare

All political party election claims should also explain the cost to the taxpayer

The auction politics for the next election have started, with the latest salvo from Sinn Fein being its claim of investing 39bn in housing.

Leaving aside the merits or otherwise of its plan, it is likely the present holders in Government will counter or put forward what they perceive as a better plan.

Many of the taxpayers, who have paid the full market price for their homes, will have to subsidise the difference between the cost of these new homes and affordability.

All election manifestos should include the net cost estimates of such proposals to the taxpayer.

In addition, all parties propose building a substantial number of social houses, which is laudable.

However, this is against a backdrop of 103m owed in unpaid rent for social housing as of December 2022, when rent may be as little as 65 a week.

This colossal sum will increase dramatically unless there is a significant adjustment in the rent collection management system

.

Philip Reilly, Castleknock, Dublin 15

Women of Christianity were squeezed out by men of narrow learning

Margaret Lyngs endorsement of Mary McAleeses stance (Inspirational McAleese is right to take on church over the role of women, Irish Independent, Letters, September 3) is indeed great news.

The important role that women play in the ministry of Jesus is fully explained in two invaluable books on Christianity.

The Meaning of Mary Magdalene: Discovering the Woman at the Heart of Christianity by Cynthia Bourgeault, an Episcopal priest who works closely with Franciscan priest Richard Rohr in lecturing on spirituality, is one.

Mary Magdalene: A biography by Bruce Chilton, a professor of religion in Barrytown, New York, is the other.

Two enlightening books which open doors, foolishly closed by men of narrow learning, and worse, an absolute ignorance of what sexuality is.

Declan Foley, Melbourne, Australia

Closing the orgasm gap in Hollywood requires two  lets not forget Harris

I find it interesting that Kirsty Blake Knox can write a whole article about Nicole Kidmans new film Babygirl and yet fail to even mention the name of the young actor that matches the prolific Australian-American actress step-for-step in this full-on romp (What is the Hollywood orgasm gap and will Nicole Kidmans sex scenes in Babygirl really close it?, Irish Independent, September 3).

His name is Harris Dickinson and readers may remember him from the 2022 black comedy hit Triangle of Sadness. The 28-year-old has already built up an impressive resume with starring roles in films such as Where the Crawdads Sing and more recently playing one of the Von Erichss brothers in The Iron Claw.

Reducing the celluloid orgasm gap usually involves a male co-star of some repute. Harris Dickinson may be about to hit the big time.

Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry

Trumps toddler tantrums led to him finally saying something that is true

It was interesting to hear ex-US president Donald Trump state that he had every right to interfere with the 2020 election.

I wasnt sure if my understanding of interfere was right, so I looked it up and the first definition was to prevent (a process or activity) from continuing or being carried out.

That was what he did on January 6, 2021  or at least attempted to do. The sad reality was the number of deaths that happened to protect the democratic process.

The approach of throwing a tantrum to get what you want used to be limited to two-year-old children, although, post Covid, it is becoming more common. 

Two-year-olds are often self-indulgent, spoilt, and lack the maturity to always accept what others say. What is Donald Trumps excuse?

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia
Pearce Doherty (left) and Eoin O Broin at the launch of "A Home Of Your Own", Sinn Fein's comprehensive housing plan, at the Royal College of Physicians, Dublin. Picture date: Monday September 2, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH Housing. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

After a disastrous local election campaign earlier this year, Sinn Fein has taken the summer to regroup and create a plan to change its fortunes, as a general election looms. Its first act, the release of a plan to tackle the ever-worsening housing crisis,

with an eye to spending 39bn in total over five years by building 300,000 homes.

To put things into perspective, that is nearly twice what the current coalition Government spends on its Housing for All plan. It didn't take long for critics to gave their opinions, with Taoiseach Simon Harris calling the state intervention model "an almost Frankenstein arrangement".

He was referring to SFs affordable homes initiative, which will strip out the cost of the land from the final price of the house, because the State will continue to own the land on which the dwelling is built. Are we talking about a situation now where you can own a home, but you won't own the land on which the home is built? he asked.

The Sinn Fein policy, A Home of Your Own, would give more powers to local authorities to help deliver 125,000 social and affordable homes. The party has also promised action to speed up planning permission  a major drag on developments  so that 175,000 private homes are built for sale or tenancies.

Today on The Indo Daily, Denise Calnan is joined by Phillip Ryan, Political Editor with the Irish Independent, to discuss whether Sinn Fein's bold and brash new housing plan is in any way realistic, and will it be enough to get them in reach of power this time around.
The Government yesterday published a distressing and harrowing report into the systemic alleged sexual abuse carried out by at least 884 alleged abusers in day and boarding schools run by 42 religious orders across Ireland. It found that religious orders across the country have records of 2,395 allegations of abuse across 308 schools. Half of those who have been accused of sexual abuse have died.

The report said 17 were special schools, which recorded 590 allegations involving 190 alleged abusers. The report says that sexual abuse happened between the 1960s and the early 1990s, with the highest number of reported incidents occurring in the early to mid-1970s. The report heard from many survivors who said that their childhood stopped the day the abuse started.

Gardai have been briefed on the outline of the report, but the scale of cases is now expected to mushroom. Speaking at a press conference at Government Buildings, Education Minister Norma Foley, who became emotional, said there is a moral obligation on religious orders to contribute to compensation for the truly shocking abuse perpetrated. Ms Foley added a redress scheme for survivors will also be considered.

The report highlights how abuse at school affected survivors trust and left them feeling that due to the power of the Catholic Church, there was no one they could tell, including their parents. Our schools should be places of haven, not horror, Ms Foley said.

On this extra episode of The Indo Daily Kevin Doyle is joined by Irish Independent news correspondent Ellen Coyne to explain the findings of the report into sexual abuse at religious-run schools.
The Dublin City Councils shakeup to the waste disposal system aims to tackle issues with litter in the city centre.

Katie Cantwell, owner of KC Peaches, supports the ban but said smaller businesses may struggle. Pic: Conor McCabe

Businesses in Dublin city centre have shared mixed reactions to the move by Dublin City Council to ban the use of plastic bags for waste disposal later this month.

While some broadly support the idea to help clean up the city, many business owners are calling for more detailed implementation plans to address potential challenges.

From September 16, commercial premises in designated areas will no longer be allowed to use plastic bags for waste collection. The new strategy aims to address problems such as unsightly litter and waste bags torn open by seagulls.

Businesses along key streets, including Dawson Street, Grafton Street, Georges Street, and Temple Bar, will need to use alternative methods, such as wheelie bins for waste collection.

They are required to be fully compliant by January 1, 2025, and will need to adjust waste presentation times and practices to align with the updated guidelines and participate in associated litter awareness campaigns.

DublinTown, an organisation representing 2,500 businesses from St Stephens Green to Parnell Street, has criticised the current plastic bag collection system, saying it hasnt worked for a long time.

It looks unsightly and definitely isnt the image we want to create in the evening time, DublinTown CEO Richard Guiney said.

The bags have been ripped open by seagulls, and now theres the new phenomenon of bags being opened to check for plastic bottles or containers that could be returned for deposits.

However, Mr Guiney acknowledged that while the change is beneficial for the city, the tight timescale for implementation might lead to a degree of confusion.

Katie Cantwell, Managing Director at KC Peaches, which has locations on Nassau Street, Dame Street and St Stephens Green, expressed support for the ban, but raised concerns about premises lacking space for bins.

I love the idea of getting rid of plastic bags, she said. But there must be a solution for premises that cant accommodate wheelie bins.

Smaller premises may not have the facilities for wheelie bins, so while I dont think its a bad idea, we need a workable solution for those with no other option, she added.

The use of plastic bags for waste collection will be banned on certain city centre streets from September 16

Oliver Cruise, owner of Network Cafe on Aungier Street, also supports the councils move and said his business is fortunate to have space for wheelie bins.

The city is actually very dirty, and any measures to improve cleanliness are positive, he said.

Every city with a similar system has faced issues with people emptying bags to find bottles, and we also have a seagull problem.

However, Mark Doherty, who runs Sitstil hair salon on Drury Street, told the Irish Independent this will create problems for his business with no designated area for wheelie bins.

DCC, as usual, has come up with an idea to improve the city but hasnt had the decency to consult with the people the decision affects most  the businesses, he said.

The private company we purchase waste bags from is as much in the dark as we are. They did suggest we house a wheelie bin in the salon that can be picked up at random intervals during the day.

Most small businesses cannot come up with the extra space for a wheelie bin, nor can we wait for a collection truck to arrive at any particular time.

Imagine interrupting a high-end colour service to lug a wheelie bin up a set of stairs and into a truck.

It shows a complete lack of respect from those sitting in a room on Marrowbone Lane as to how our city needs to be looked after, he added.

Marcus Mac Innes, owner of Industry & Co on Drury Street, said that while the idea sounds great, the reality is that retail and hospitality businesses are facing significant problems with refuse collection.

Buildings are old and dont accommodate wheelie bins, leaving many businesses facing a costly challenge to accommodate this new scheme, he said.

Its death by a thousand cuts and these popular initiatives can lead to significant challenges which ultimately may prove the final straw for some.
Residents of Sandymount are raising their concerns and calling for urgent action from Irish Water in response to a troubling pattern of sewage contamination at Sandymount Strand.

Their demands come amidst growing concerns about public health and the environmental degradation of this once popular beach, which has become increasingly hazardous due to frequent discharges of raw sewage.

David Turner, chairman of the Sandymount and Merrion Residents Association (SAMRA), told the Irish Independent that raw sewage has been discharged onto the beach approximately 10 to 12 times each year.

Turner describes the situation as disgraceful and said that the sewage contamination has made the beach unsafe and unsuitable for public use.

A spokesperson for Irish Water acknowledged the challenges posed by the outdated sewer system in Sandymount, built in the early twentieth century, and said it is working to address the issue.

The area has reportedly become inundated with unpleasant smells, including sewage, algae, and dog poo, further exacerbating the public health threat.

Residents and beachgoers have been left grappling with the consequences of these frequent discharges.

Turner notes that the sewage includes not just human waste but also sanitary products, condoms and other debris, creating a dangerous environment for anyone who might come into contact with it.

The raw sewage released onto Sandymount Beach creates an immediate public health hazard, he said.

If a private company were found to be polluting like this, it would be shut down immediately.

Irish Waters inaction means people are unknowingly exposing themselves to hazardous conditions on the beach, leading to illnesses that could have been prevented.

The situation has been ongoing for decades, with Irish Water failing to provide even basic measures like hazard signage or a clear timeline for improvements.

Its shocking that despite having evidence and public outcry, theres been no significant response or change from Irish Water or the EPA, he added.

The Sandymount and Merrion Residents' Association has taken formal steps to address the problem, writing letters to Dublin City Council, Irish Water, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last May.

The letters outlined the persistent issues and called for immediate action.

There is a glaring lack of engineering solutions, signage and automatic cleanup procedures, a SAMRA spokesperson said.

They argue that while responsibilities are clearly dividedIrish Water handles technical and operational aspects, and Dublin City Council manages cleanup above the high-water linethere has been a failure to address the problem effectively.

What matters is that Irish Water has known about this problem for years but has not taken the necessary actions to resolve it, Mr Turner said.

We need them to erect signage and provide a clear timeline for system upgrades and ensure regular clean-ups of the most affected areas.

Having previously called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to treat the sewage on the beach as a serious health issue, the residents' association said they now feel that the agency is turning a blind eye to the situation.

A sample of the contaminated water could highlight the severity of the issue and force action, but Irish Water and the EPA are failing to address the problem adequately, Mr Turner added.

In response, Irish Water has acknowledged the issue and outlined their ongoing efforts to address it.

A spokesperson from Irish Water said: We are committed to continuously maintaining, upgrading, and developing critical water and wastewater infrastructure to protect and enhance the environment while enabling communities to thrive.

The spokesperson highlighted that Irish Water operates over 1,000 wastewater treatment plants and 26,000 kilometres of public sewers, treating 1.2 billion litres of wastewater daily.

Irish Water acknowledges that while the primary responsibility for monitoring and managing bathing water quality lies with local authorities, its operations can still affect water quality.

They said: While primary responsibility for the monitoring and managing of bathing waters lies with local authorities, Irish Water recognises that its activities can impact bathing waters in some locations.

The utility pointed out that factors such as dog and bird faeces, runoff from roads, upstream agriculture and misconnections also play a role in water quality issues.

In response to the Sandymount situation, Irish Water is engaging with various stakeholders, including the Dublin Bay Bathing Water Taskforce and the National Bathing Water Expert Group.

A spokesperson added: We are continuing to work proactively with all stakeholders to support improvements in bathing water quality, protecting and enhancing our coastal and inland waterways.

They also acknowledged the challenges posed by the outdated sewer system in Sandymount, built in the early twentieth century.

The sewer system in Sandymount was built in the 1900s and, as was typical at the time, it carries both wastewater from homes and businesses and water that is drained off roads and pavements.

Irish Water is assessing the combined network to understand its current limitations through a Drainage Area Plan and local monitoring, they added.

Since 2021, incremental improvements in bathing water quality at Sandymount Strand have been recorded, with 100pc of samples meeting the required standards in 2023, up from 75pc in 2021.

Dublin City Council added that bathing water at Sandymount Strand is experiencing its best quality in recent years, with 93pc of samples meeting the required standards in 2024.

The council attributes this improvement partly to responsible dog ownership reducing dog fouling, which was a major cause of poor water quality in past seasons.

DCC also continues to monitor water quality throughout the year, taking 20 samples at each designated location.

A Task Force was established in 2019 to address water quality issues, resulting in incremental improvements in both Merrion and Sandymount Strands.

Regarding sewerage issues, DCC said Irish Water is responsible for all foul and combined sewage matters and would handle any drainage infrastructure queries.

Additionally, DCC has erected public notices to acknowledge improvements and continues efforts in cleaning and managing the beach area.

"Regarding signage at the Ailesbury Outfall, Dublin City Council did fabricate and install two warning signs following a request by SAMRA in 2021, a spokesperson said.

Primary signage was installed on the outfall wall, visible to users on the Strand with the other visible to users of the promenade. Due to the coastal elements and the force of the bi-daily tide, the sign visible from the promenade was repeatedly destroyed within a number of weeks.

The primary signage attached to the outfall wall remains intact and is highly visible to pertinent users on the beach. The team has reviewed the existing signage and has not been able to identify a suitable additional area below the high tide level that would allow for the erection of a sign to notify beach users that would remain in place for any significant period of time.

"I will request that Irish Water also examine the matter to add additional signage within this area.

We are aware that Uisce Eireann operational teams have committed to visiting the outfall location after a discharge form the Ailesbury pumping station to clean the area, subject to other emergency work talking precedence, they added.
The building that has been the home of Barnacles Seafood Bar & Restaurant in Salthill, Galway, has landed on the market.

Brought to the market by Create Real Estate, the premises is located on a prime site in Upper Salthill and the firm say it could represent what would be a fantastic opportunity to leave your mark on Salthill's dynamic hospitality scene.

The premises offers two bar areas with a capacity of up to 200 patrons, and a restaurant area with seating for 130 guests.

Outside, a canopied seating area provides an additional space for guests to enjoy Salthill's vibrant atmosphere while dining or enjoying drinks al fresco.

The interior features several function areas perfect for private events, parties, and gatherings. The property also includes a fully equipped kitchen, ready for immediate use.

Barnacles Seafood Bar & Restaurant in Salthill, Galway

Estate agent Mary Kavanagh said: Reflecting the charm of a traditional Irish pub, the decor is enhanced with unique elements, including artifacts from Galway's famous Druid Theatre, creating a distinctive atmosphere that appeals to both locals and visitors.

With attractive lease terms, this is a rare opportunity to take over a hospitality business in one of Galway City's most popular areas, she added.

Barnacles Seafood Bar & Restaurant in Salthill, Galway

Two years since the opening, Barnacles Seafood Bar & Restaurant recently announced they will close their doors in Salthill for the last time on September 15.
10 schools in Kerry have been listed as locations where historical sexual abuse took place in the report published by the Scoping Inquiry this week.

The schools named in the report were: Tralee CBS (Primary), Cahersiveen CBS (Primary), Cahersiveen CBS (Secondary), Tralee CBS (Secondary), Scoil Mhuire Milltown (amalgamated with the girls school, Nagle Rice, NS) and Scoil Mhuire na Mainstreach in Killarney.

These six schools were provided in information gathered by the Scoping Inquiry from the religious orders.

Shockingly the records gathered from the religious orders show that Tralee CBS Primary School had a total of 27 allegations of historical sexual abuse, with six alleged abusers while CBS Primary in Cahersiveen has 6 allegations, with 5 alleged abusers.

The CBS secondary schools at The Green, Tralee, had one allegation and the CBS in Cahersiveen also had one allegation against one abuser at each school.

There was one allegation at Scoil Mhuire Milltown and one alleged abuser and that was also the case for Scoil Mhuire na Mainstreach in Killarney.

Aside from the information gathered from the religious orders, participants in the report who told their horrific stories, named four other schools as locations were they were abused.

These included Presentation Convent, Listowel, Scoil Naomh Eoin, Balloonagh, Tralee (the Mercy primary), Presentation Convent Primary School, Dingle, and St. Johns Secondary School, Sisters of Mercy, Balloonagh.

Elsewhere, the report outlines that there were 820 allegations at 132 schools run by the Christian Brothers; 329 allegations at six schools run by the Spiritans and 294 allegations at three schools run by the Brothers of Charity.

Dozens more religious orders are also named in relation to allegations of abuse.

Over 800 people have been accused of more than 2,300 instances of historical sexual abuse at 308 religious schools in Ireland, according to the records.

The Government-appointed scoping inquiry said it had contacted 73 religious orders that ran or are still running schools in Ireland, with 42 having records of historical sexual-abuse allegations. The report said 17 were special schools, which recorded 590 allegations involving 190 alleged abusers.

The report says that sexual abuse happened between the 1960s and the early 1990s, with the highest number of reported incidents occurring in the early-to-mid-1970s.
Cllr Michael Cahill will run for Fianna Fail in Kerry in the next general election

Linda Gordan Kelleher who has been added to the ticket for Fianna Fail for Kerry in the next general election.

In a surprising move Killarney-based solicitor Linda Gordon-Kelleher has been added to the Fianna Fail ticket to contest the next general election in Kerry.

Aged 39 and a mother of four, she is married to Kerry County Council member, Niall Kelleher who represents the Killarney Municipal District.

He had in fact withdrawn his name from convention last month in bid to support Norma Foley he said at the time.

Cllr Michael Cahill  the countys longest serving councillor - has also been added to the ticket.

He and Linda will join Education Minister, Norma Foley, to run for the party in the next General Election. Deputy Foley was elected at convention to run. Following interviews Fianna Fail have now selected two more candidates.

Linda said she is looking forward to working with Minister Foley and Cllr Cahill in the months ahead.

She was born and raised in Killarney and has deep roots both in the town and throughout South Kerry.

She attended the Intermediate School in Killorglin and her parents ran a hospitality business in the area for eight years.

As well as being a practicing solicitor, Linda runs an outsource business process company with her husband and is also a farmer with a keen interest in sustainable and regenerative farming practices.

I have been politically active for most of my adult life and have a passion for fairness, equality, democracy and justice at local, regional and national level, she said.

I have been involved in canvassing for every election  both national and local  since 2011 and I have had the privilege of being a Director of Elections on three occasions, Linda added.

She said the changes since 2014 on the electoral map, making Kerry one five-seater constituency, have shown the raw need for a Government TD committed to delivering for the area and making representations on behalf of the people of Killarney and South Kerry at Government level.

Cohesion is the crux of getting work done and the voice of a second Government TD will work to the benefit of the people of the constituency in getting their needs addressed in a speedy and informed manner, Linda said.

Killarney is my home, my passion, the jewel in the Kingdom, and the gateway to south and mid Kerry.

There is no argument that it has been neglected and under-represented over the past number of years and, given the opportunity, I will change that, she pledged.

Cllr Michael Cahill, meanwhile, has said he is over the moon to be chosen. He believes his experience speaks for itself having served the people of Kerry for 34 years. His late father was a councillor before him and between they have worked for the people of Kerry for 65 years.

"I am over the moon. I just go the news. This is my first time contesting a general election and I look forward to working with the team in Kerry.

I have shown myself to be a consistent vote getter in local elections for over 30 years, which proves that I have been delivering for the people of South, Mid and formerly West Kerry for many years now and they know that they can trust me to represent them and their families.
When Daniel OConnell Summer School Director Maurice Bric spoke to The Kerryman last week ahead of the newest edition of the school, he spoke at length about its popularity, which he attributed not only to its interesting and varied content but also its informality and the brevity of its lectures.

Maybe that is indeed the winning formula, but whatever it is that has made the school so well-attended, it definitely did the trick again in 2024.

Id say we had 200 to 250 in attendance in both places, in Cahersiveen [the Ring of Kerry Hotel] and in Derrynane House, and for the first time ever we had waiting lists for tickets! a delighted Maurice told The Kerryman. The knock-on effect of that is a number of people watched online. On Friday, which is livestreamed, numbers were way, way up, and we had people from all parts of the world: England, Australia, America, but a significant number of Irish people as well. I would say this was the best year ever.

The content was as eclectic and captivating as ever. A lecture on Irish revolutionary Fionan Lynch was presented by Fionans son and grandson, and the unique dynamic of having related co-presenters bouncing off one another made it one of the highlights for Maurice.

He mentioned many other segments, too. These included Eugene OSullivans tribute to a GAA star and Olympian from The Glen, Eamon Fitzgerald, and another he pointed to was Billy OConnells lecture, built on memories of his playing days with St Marys GAA club going back about 60 years.

One of the things thats important to us is our interaction with the GAA, Maurice said. We decamp from the lecture theatre down to St Marys grounds, and this year we had Billy OConnell simply talking about what it meant to play for the Marys when he was growing up, and that brought in a whole bunch of people from that generation.

You had lads in their 60s reminiscing on matches they played in their teensI thought that was rather special, aside from the content, the whole informality of it.

These are the kinds of things that give this school added value, I think.

Maurice had thank yous to offer to everyone who took part and helped to make the event a success. These included the locals, whose support is as important, if not more important even, than the funding that helps the school run year after year.

That is something thats very important to me because I dont want the school to be seen as a thing thats formal and only for academics, he said. I like to keep it interesting but light touch, and all kinds of people turn up to this, they enjoy it, and they come back  thats the thing, they come back.

Maurice added that next years school occurs 250 years on from The Liberators birth, so thoughts have already turned to providing a strong schedule to complement that anniversary.
Exclusive | Kerry reaction to Scoping Inquiry  The Taliban could learn a lot from the Catholic Church

Edward Walsh first spoke to The Kerryman in 2022 about the abuse he witnessed in Tralee's secondary and primary schools.

Edward Walsh.

Stephen Fernane Kerryman Wed 4 Sep 2024 at 11:54

Tralee native Edward Walsh has said he is not in the least bit surprised by the shocking findings contained in the Scoping Inquiry into historical sexual abuse at schools run by religious orders.
1 Superheroes The Script

2 Prayer In C Lilly Wood & The Prick and Robin Schulz

3 Ugly Heart G.R.L.

4 Stolen Dance Milky Chance

5 Chandelier Sia

6 Lovers On The Sun David Guetta feat. Sam Martin

7 Shake It Off Taylor Swift

8 Rude Magic!

9 Black Widow Iggy Azalea feat. Rita Ora

10 Ghost Ella Henderson

Ten years ago, the Script were sitting on top of the Irish singles chart with a song frontman Danny ODonoghue said was written for the unsung heroes out in the world.

Superheroes was the Irish bands third Irish number one hit, following For The First Time in 2010 and Hall Of Fame (with will.i.am) in 2012.

The song, written by ODonoghue and bandmate Mark Sheehan in collaboration with songwriter James Barry, was the first track written for The Scripts fourth studio album No Sound Without Silence.

Released as the albums lead single, it reached the top ten in many countries, including Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, South Africa and the UK.

It had certified sales of over a half a million in the US where it peaked at 73 in the Billboard Hot 100. USA Today declared Superheroes song of the week, with music critic Brian Mansfield stating The Script continues to display its biggest strength: making pop music with heart and power.

A feature of the release was the music video, shot on location in Johannesburg, South Africa. by frequent Robbie Williams collaborator Vaughan Arnell.

The choice location was inspired by the song, with Danny ODonoghue telling Capital FM, We went to Johannesburg to shoot the video, there were about 200,000 people in the township and its a pretty poor area. We went down and we set up a stage and basically this carnival atmosphere ensued.

We had an amazing, amazing time, he added. We spent a few days there and spent a lot of time with the people in the township, because they are our superheroes, people who are going through the hardest of times but can keep their head held high. Thats basically what the song is about.

He told The Sun: We are good at sitting around and talking about issues late at night. That song came from that. Theres people being bullied and sold to the sex slave trade, yet they remain optimistic and positive. Theyre unsung heroes.

The Scripts eponymous first album debuted at number one on the UK charts in 2008. Since then, theyve become one of Irelands leading musical exports. 2012s Hall Of Fame charted in over 30 countries and is their biggest selling single to date.

Mark Sheehan, Script co-founder and Danny ODonoghues best friend since the age of 12, died last year aged 46 after a brief illness.

The Scripts seventh studio album Satellites - the first since Sheehans passing - was released on August 16. To promote the album, the band have embarked on a world tour which will include dates in the US, Europe, Australia and Asia in 2024 and 2025.
Hampstead (2017) Film4, 6.55p.m.

This delightful drama from writer-director Joel Hopkins  whose previous works include Last Chance Harvey and The Love Punch, both of which feature later-life romances at their core  was inspired by the story of Harry Hallowes who successfully claimed ownership of half an acre of Hampstead Heath after setting up home there for several years.

Brendan Gleeson plays Donald, a homeless man who has built his own shack on the Heath. Although happy with his lot, his life is turned upside down by his chance meeting with an American widow (Diane Keaton) living nearby.

James Norton plays Keatons son, while Jason Watkins, Lesley Manville, Phil Davis and Simon Callow are also among the impressive supporting cast.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

Get Carter (1971) BBC4, 10.45p.m.

Jack Carter (Michael Caine) isnt a happy man. Hes not the sort you should cross either. When his brother is killed in their hometown of Newcastle, Jack journeys north to take revenge. Vindictive, ruthless and determined to get his man, he investigates the areas underworld, uncovering a complex case of lies, backhanders and double-dealings involving a series of unsavoury characters.

Despite being a flop on its initial release, Get Carter is a gritty, low-budget masterpiece which continues to win new fans. Its a must-see for newcomers, but even if youve seen it a thousand times, its still worth a look. At any rate, youll be quoting its best-known lines for weeks afterwards.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Lady Macbeth (2016) BBC2, 11.05p.m.

She had a breakout year in 2019 thanks to Midsommar and Little Women, but Florence Pugh first gained critical attention for her role in director William Oldroyds gripping adaptation of Nikolai Leskovs 19th-century Russian novella Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk, which moves the action to Victorian England.

Teenage bride Katherine (Pugh) is sold by her father as part of a property deal and she is consigned to a miserable, loveless marriage to a swarthy brute called Alexander (Paul Hilton). When Alexander is unexpectedly called away to deal with an explosion at a colliery, Katherine seeks out excitement in the company of rebellious groomsman Sebastian (Cosmo Jarvis). After Alexander returns, the forbidden lovers forge a murderous pact that will allow them to retain their lofty position in the household.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Gladiator (2000) ITV, 10.40p.m.

Director Ridley Scott collected five Oscars, including Best Picture, for this muscular and gore-laden sword-and-sandals epic. The hero of the day is Maximus (Russell Crowe), a general in the army of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), who is adored as much by his men as he is by the Emperor.

Conniving heir to the throne Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) murders the Emperor in a fit of jealousy and orders the immediate execution of gallant Maximus, the sole threat to his rule. The hulking hero escapes with his life and is forced into slavery, training as a gladiator under the debonair Proximo (Oliver Reed).

Crowe shoulders leading man duties with relish, lending Maximus an unexpected emotional depth and complexity opposite Reed in his final performance. A belated sequel is out later this year, featuring our very own Paul Mescal.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

The Queen (2006) ITV3, 9p.m.

Before he created the Netflix drama The Crown, Peter Morgan wrote this compelling account of the aftermath of the death of Princess Diana, which won Helen Mirren an Oscar for her tour-de-force portrayal of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The film begins in May 1997 with the landslide victory of New Labour. Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) and his wife Cherie (Helen McCrory) visit Buckingham Palace so he might be officially invited by the Queen to take up the position of Prime Minister. The tension during the encounter is evident, but the gulf between the royal family and government widens following that fateful night in Paris.

Mirren elegantly captures the sadness, fortitude, anger and frustration of a monarch struggling to reconcile her private thoughts of Princess Diana with the publics immense outpouring of grief.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Cop Land (1997) ITV4, 11p.m.

Sylvester Stallone shed pounds from his wage packet and piled them on to his midriff to star in this gripping thriller, which reminds us that theres more to him than Rocky and Rambo. He plays Freddy Heflin, a portly, half-deaf New Jersey sheriff patrolling a small town that has become a haven for New York police officers.

Freddy idolises his cop neighbours, so he faces a major integrity crisis when an Internal Affairs investigator (Robert De Niro) arrives to look into a potential police cover-up. Harvey Keitel, Robert Patrick, Michael Rapaport and Ray Liotta round out an outstanding cast.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

The Children Act (2017) BBC2, 11.05p.m.

The Honourable Mrs Justice Maye (Emma Thompson) is a slave to the law at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. She must deal with the urgent case of 17-year-old leukaemia patient Adam Henry (Fionn Whitehead). The boy and his parents (Ben Chaplin, Eileen Walsh) are Jehovahs Witnesses and it is contrary to their faith to accept blood.

Without a transfusion, Adam will die and senior staff at the hospital are concerned that Adam is being influenced by his parents. Aided by her fastidious clerk Nigel (Jason Watkins), Fiona must deliver her ruling while attempting to resuscitate her marriage to husband Jack (Stanley Tucci).

Adapted for the screen by Ian McEwan from his 2014 novel, The Children Act is an intelligent and sensitively handled drama, with a heartrending performance from Thompson.
Bray's Martello celebrates 25 years of success amid challenging time for pubs

Wicklow establishment defies national trend of pub closures, as the Duggan family reflects on a quarter-century of running a thriving seaside venue in Bray, adapting to changing times and remaining at the heart of the community

John Duggan, sitting with Fioina Doyle and Tara Byrne, with men from Bray and Avoca Men's Sheds, at the unveiling of the becnh dedicated to Sinead O'Connor, at the Martello in July on the first anniversary of her death. Photo: Leigh Anderson.

Tom Galvin Bray People Wed 4 Sep 2024 at 03:30

Despite the closure of more than 2,000 pubs in Ireland since 2005, Brays Martello Hotel is bucking the trend as it prepares to celebrate 25 years in business this week doing what it does best  throwing a big party.
Cattle Sale - August 28: Good trade for quality forward store bullocks and heifers. Plainer lots a bit easier.

Sample prices - Bullocks: 1 x Lim 490kg made 1,480; 1 x Lim 560kg made 1,440; 3 x Lim 480kg made 1,300; 1 x AA 400kg made 850.

Sheep Sale - August 31: Much bigger sale of sheep. Butcher and factory lambs similar to last week. Suffolk X Ewe lambs were a better trade making up to 176. Heavy store lambs made from 85 to 128. Lighter store lambs made from 65 to 90. Cast ewes made from 70 to 150. Hogget ewes made up to 240. 3 & 4 year breeding ewes made 130 to 190

Lambs: 10 x 35kg made 176; 10 x 37kg made 176; 1 x 64kg made 165; 10 x 50kg made 156; 10 x 49kg made 155; 6 x 49kg made 154; 12 x 49kg made 154; 10 x 33kg made 152; 5 x 44kg made 151; 10 x 35kg made 151; 9 x 46kg made 147; 12 x 46kg made 145; 8 x 48kg made 142; 12 x 34kg made 140; 3 x 47kg made 139.

BLESSINGTON

Sheep Sale - August 27: Massive sale with 4,000 sheep on offer. The fat sheep trade was similar to last week. There was a very strong trade for breeding hoggets and Suffolk cross ewe lambs.

Heavy Lambs 150 to 161 or 103 to 113 over /kg; Factory Lambs 128 to 150 or 88 to 108 over /kg; Store Lambs 80 to 126 or 70 to 100 over /kg; Heavy Ewes 160 to 216 per head; Lighter Ewes 68 to 154 per head; Suffolk X Hogget Ewes 250 to 330 per head; Suffolk X 3/4yr Old Ewes 200 to 240 per head; Suff X Ewe Lambs 140 to 220 or 110 to 180 over /kg.

Cattle Sales  August 29: Very strong trade for all classes. There was a lot of customers for good quality store cattle.

Continental Store Bullocks 560 to 1,260 over /kg; HE/AA Store Bullocks 420 to 1,040 over /kg; FR Store Bullocks 360 to 600 over /kg;

Continental Store Heifers 500 to 1,120 over /kg; HE/AA Store Heifers 420 to 940 over /kg;

Beef Cows 620 to 960 over /kg; Feeding Cows 300 to 560 over /kg.

CARNEW

Sheep Report - August 29: Large entry of sheep with 4,128 head on offer. There was a very strong steady trade throughout the sale. 45kg + Over: 136188. 40kg44kg: 123148. 35kg39kg: 97146. 30kg34kg: 77120.

Prices - Hoggets: 1 x 66kg, at 188; 3 x 60kg, at 167; 7 x 57kg, at 166; 2 x 53kg, at 167; 15 x 54kg, at 164; 12 x 51Kg at 163; 1 x 48kg, at 162; 1 x 50kg, at 161; 19 x 52kg, at 160; 2 x 54kg, at 159; 3 x 48kg, at 158; 13 x 50kg, at 158; 6 x 51kg, at 158.

Ewes: 2 x 97kg, at 251; 1 x 108kg, at 238; 1 x 100kg, at 236; 1 x 110kg, at 216; 1 x 102kg, at 212; 13 x 94kg, at 209; 2 x 92kg, at 204; 20 x 91kg, at 199; 1 x 98kg, at 198; 9 x 84kg, at 195; 10 x 84kg, at 177; 6 x 83kg, at 170; 12 x 81kg, at 166; 7 x 52kg, at 161. Breeding Hoggets: 230280. Aged Ewes: 165-214.

Cattle Report - August 31: Large sale with 1,112 head on offer. All stock met a very active trade which led to a full clearance. This week saw a lot more activity online than ringside due to the fine weather, with many farmers battling it out online, anxious to buy stores. Bull weanlings met a lively trade with exporter demand to the fore with most farmers in fields cutting corn.

There was a large entry of 100 runners in ring 2. They were all well reared, quality stock which sold from 450 to 600 with lesser quality, lesser reared calves sold between 250 and 400.

Prices - Cows: LMX728kg, at 2,110; LMX694Kg at 2,010; LMX748kg, at 2,050; LMX792kg, at 2,140; LMX720kg, at 1,940; LMX496kg, at 1,320; LMX482kg, at 1,210; HEX774kg, at 1,920; BBX460kg, at 1,100; BBX408kg, at 940; HEX684kg, at 1,620.

Bullocks: LMX618kg, at 2,070; LMX382kg, at 1,230; LMX664kg, at 2,140; LMX590kg, at 1,890; CHX380kg, at 1,210; CHX -542kg, at 1,720; LMX514kg, at 1,630; CHX322kg, at 1,010; CHX642kg, at 2,010; BBX484kg, at 1,510; LMX334kg, at 1,040; LMX540kg, at 1,680; CHX702kg, at 2,160; CHX600kg, at 1,840.

Bulls: CHX352kg, at 1,160; CHX304kg, at 1,000; CHX344kg, at 1,130; CHX348kg, at 1,140; CHX422kg, at 1,380; CHX378kg, at 1,220; CHX  360kg, at 1,150; LMX  490kg, at 1,500.
Wicklow town is set for a major jobs boost as EDF Renewables and Fred Olsen Seawind have submitted a planning application with An Bord Pleanala for Codling Wind Park, having already selected the county towns port as the location for the projects operation and maintenance base.

Codling Wind Park, based between 13km and 22km off the coast between the towns of Greystones and Wicklow, will have a capacity of up to 1,300 megawatts (MW) and will be able to supply over 1 million Irish homes with clean renewable energy.

In 2021, it was announced that Wicklow Port had been identified as the preferred home for Codling Wind Parks operation and maintenance base, the long-term facility from which the offshore wind farm will be operated and serviced. The new base will provide offices, warehousing and vessel berthing facilities, as well as an operations control centre. This will enable the safe operation and maintenance of Codling Wind Park over its expected 30-year operational lifetime.

Cllr Gail Dunne said: The planned location of these facilities at Wicklow Port will provide an economic boost for the area, and will also involve major investment into the development of port facilities. It is envisaged that the project will create over 1,000 jobs during construction and 75 long term operations and maintenance jobs, which is great news for Wicklow town.

Creating local jobs so people dont have to commute to and from work is something we have been crying out for. There was a lot of disappointment a few years ago when it was announced that SSE Renewables had selected Arklow Harbour as their maintenance base rather than Wicklow Port, so it was great news for the town when Codling decided to locate their maintenance and operations base in Wicklow Port. It will provide a lot of opportunities for Wicklow and surrounding areas.

Wicklow Harbour was selected following a detailed technical study of potential port options along the east coast and engagement with relevant port authorities and stakeholders. The new facility will see the creation of 75 new, long-term, local jobs in a variety of maintenance, technician, engineering, administration, and other roles. Additional potential benefits include training, retraining and apprenticeship opportunities in the local area.

Earlier this year the project announced a further 25pc reduction in the number of wind turbines which would be required to deliver the project. While the original estimate for the number of turbines required was 420, this was later reduced to 100. In April the project confirmed that the maximum number of turbines would be 75.

Subject to planning permission and all other necessary permits and consents being received, Codling Wind Park could begin construction in 2026-27. Construction is expected to take two to three years to complete.

Upon receiving a positive planning outcome, Codling Wind Park would move forward to construction and start generating power by 2030.

The project will also establish a Community Benefit Fund (CBF) worth up to 200m to fund local community-based projects. The aim of the fund is to share the benefits of the development with local communities and deliver economic, environmental, social, and cultural benefits to local people and organisations over a twenty-year period. The fund wont become available until after the project has received planning and begun construction.
Dermot Bannon has revealed that he survived a pulmonary embolism while on holiday just last month.

The RTE presenter (52) discovered he had a blood clot in both lungs while holidaying with his family for a week in Portugal.

The architect and Room to Improve star said it all started on the third day of the holiday when he took his two sons, Tom (12) and James (16), to a water park.

"We went away for a week's holidays, and now, thank God it was only a week's holidays," he told The Ray D'Arcy Show on RTE Radio 1.

"As the day went on in the water park, I was getting more and more tired. I was literally putting it down to old age.

"That evening, we got back to where we're staying, and I just said: 'I'm going to go for a quick sit down on the bed'. And I was in agony.

"Got into the bed and I couldn't lie on my side, couldn't lie my back, couldn't lie on my front. I was there just: 'I bet I broke a rib on one of the water slides'. So I googled that and, of course, as soon as you google it, 'Yes, I definitely did'.

Bannon was the only one insured on the rental car so he drove himself to hospital in Lagos. The medical team did an X-ray and thought it was a lung infection.

The Malahide native said the symptoms subsided but a week after he returned to Ireland, they came back.

"The pains came back, but more severe. Lying in bed at four o'clock in the morning, really sharp pains down my side, he said.

He decided to visit the clinic the next day to get it checked.

"I went up to there, and she said: 'Yeah, you have a bit of a lung infection. It hasn't cleared up, but there could be something a bit more sinister. Id like you to get a blood test done'. And I said: 'Grant. Next week?' She says: 'No, maybe now', he said.

They did a blood test and CT scan in the hospital.

"I had what was known as a pulmonary embolism, which was a blood clot that came from my leg, had worked its way up, and was in both my lungs, he said.

"If you don't do something, the pressure in your heart can cause a cardiac arrest because this oxygen is restricted.

"I was getting the news bit by bit, how this could have turned out if I hadn't acted the way I did. You can die from it.

"It's a clot. Unless they dissolve, they're blocking oxygen from going everywhere, and the pressure can build up because your heart has to work so much to try and pump oxygen around your body.

He added the biggest health issue he had had prior to this was a root canal.

He said it was a week after being in the hospital before the reality of the situation hit him and sank in. He's now on blood thinners now and has upcoming appointments to monitor his health.

Bannon said he was putting everything down to "just getting a bit older". His dad had a heart attack at the age of 50.

"Because of that, I watch my food, I'm always doing a bit of exercise. I'm generally really good," he said.

Super Spaces starts tonight on RTE One and RTE Player at 9:35pm.
Kate Winslet has said photographer Lee Miller, who she plays in a new biopic, faced so many challenges as a woman in war photography.

The 48-year-old actress was speaking to the PA news agency at the London premiere of Lee at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square on Tuesday.

Lee follows Millers life, from her beginnings as a fashion model to eventually working as a war photographer for Vogue magazine during the Second World War.

Kate Winslet says her character faced so many challenges (James Manning/PA)

Winslet told PA: Lee faced so many challenges. I mean, first of all, she was doing a job that was largely reserved for men.

So shes told repeatedly, no, you cant go, they wont send women, no women in the press briefing, we dont let women into combat. I mean it was absolutely endless.

Even at the point that she got her US war accreditation, and was out there in France already, trying to do her job, she still kept being told no.

So I think she was one of those early reportage photographers who really knew about searching for the truth, revealing the truth, and the way in which she photographed was exceptional.

She didnt use a camera that you hold up to your eye, the Rolleiflex sits somewhere between the heart and the stomach, and by doing that, she was able to form a connection with people.

So it meant that she could actually have conversations and form connections with people, and also look around her all the time.

She constantly had her eye on what was the next best scoop and trying to be the first one to get that scoop, and so often she was, she was unbelievable.

Lee will be released in the UK on September 13, and also features Andy Samberg, Alexander Skarsgard and Andrea Riseborough.
The Indo Daily: You will die in prison  My life-changing time as an Iranian state hostage
Israels Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the UKs shameful decision to suspend some arms exports because of concerns they could be used illegally in Gaza.

The UK has suspended around 30 out of a total of 350 licences after a review found there was a risk they could be used in violation of international humanitarian law.
Greta Thunberg has said her Aspergers syndrome was her superpower, helping her focus on her campaigning efforts. Photo: Getty

Danish police on Wednesday apprehended activist Greta Thunberg at a Copenhagen protest against the war in Gaza, a spokesperson for the student group organising the demonstration said.

Six people were detained at the scene at the Copenhagen University after some 20 people had blocked the entrance to a building and three entered, a police spokesperson told Reuters.
Swedish police said on Wednesday a teenager had been shot in an attempted murder at a school near Stockholm and that a suspect had been apprehended.
Israelis public protests heap pressure on leader Netanyahu to end war and free hostages

Murders of six hostages at the weekend ups the heat on the prime minister as critics say he is using the war to stay in power and rail against the judicial system

Protesters on Monday during a rally on the second day of demonstrations demanding a Gaza deal in Tel Aviv, Israel. The bodies of six Israeli kidnap victims were recovered from tunnels beneath Gaza at the weekend. Photo: Getty

Tia Goldenberg Wed 4 Sep 2024 at 03:30







Israel remains on the boil in the wake of the murders of six hostages in Gaza just as troops were closing in on their location.
Live Blog: RG Kar protest: Kolkata stages second night vigil seeking justice India Blooms News Service | @indiablooms #RGKarRapeMurder, #KolkataDoctorProtest, #RGKarProtest, #NightVigil, #SupremeCourt

In a rare show of citizens' solidarity, Kolkata is observing its second-night vigil by turning off lights and coming out on streets with candles in their hands in demand of justice for the 31-year-old junior doctor who was brutally raped and murdered at RG Kar Hospital even though there is a strong disappointment among protesters over the cancellation of the Supreme Court hearing on September 5.

Protesters chase away actress Rituparna Sengupta with Go Back slogans in Shyambazar Tollywood actress Rituparna Sengupta had to face the wrath of the protesters as she met with "go Back" slogans by protesters at Shyambazar 5 points where a sea of people have turned up to seek justice for the RG Kar rape-murder victim. She got back in the car hurriedly and drove back as local people shouted Go Back slogan and also called her thief from distance. Rituparna Sengupta just got booed in shyambazar. She was forced to go back by hundreds of people shouting "Go back"#shyambazar #rituparnasengupta #RGKarProtest #Abhaya #nightreclaim #wewantjustice #KolkataDoctorDeathCase pic.twitter.com/IlPeXmuxfD  Supriyo Paul (@Supriyopaul_60) September 4, 2024

We shall overcome someday: Protesters chant as they demand justice for RG Kar victim We shall overcome someday



Thousands of people waved their mobile flash lights and joined in chorus to sing We shall overcome at 8B bus stand area in Jadavpur with the hope that the RG Kar Rape and Murder victim will get justice on a night when West Bengal is voicing its anger pic.twitter.com/QEVrlUly4K  India Blooms (@indiablooms) September 4, 2024

A group of attackers targeted protesters demanding justice for Kolkata rape and murder victim in Mathabhanga:Reports Suspected TMC supporters in presence of local block president attacked people protesting RG Kar rape and murder case at Mathabhanga region in Cooch Behar. The attackers even removed justice for RG Kar graffiti from road #kolkata #kolktadoctordeath #KolkataDeathCase pic.twitter.com/9dWCbcaWhe  India Blooms (@indiablooms) September 4, 2024

'Azadi' chants were raised by protesters demanding justice for Kolkata Rape and Murder victim Protersters raised 'Azadi' chants as people from different walks of life joined the demonstration demanding justice for RG Kar Medical College doctor who was raped and murdered in the state-run hospital last month. The incident triggered massive protests across the country. People in West Bengal are observing the second night of protests seeking justice for the female doctor. People sung Azadi at 8B bus stand area in South Kolkata to protest against the Rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkatas state-run RG Kar Medical College Hospital #Kolkata #KolkataDeathCase #KolkataDoctorCase #KolkataDoctorDeath #RGKarCase pic.twitter.com/ncmZ4PluoV  India Blooms (@indiablooms) September 4, 2024

Holding candles in their hands, protesters demand justice for victim in Academy of Fine Arts Protests demanding justice for Kolkata doctor who was raped and murdered in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital swept the Academy of Fine Arts area in Kolkata on Wednesday night.#Kolkata #KolkataDeathCase #KolkataDoctor #KolkataDoctorCase #RGKar #rgkarincident #RGKARmedical pic.twitter.com/eW3va1Za89  India Blooms (@indiablooms) September 4, 2024

Protesters demonstrate in Jadavpur 8B Bus Stand Jadavpur 8B bus stand area is witnessing another night of protest demanding justice for the Kolkata rape and murder victim. #KolkataDeathCase #KolkataDeathCase #Kolkata #KolkataDoctorCase #KolkataDoctorDeath #RGKarCase pic.twitter.com/hRJvlA6g1t  India Blooms (@indiablooms) September 4, 2024

RG Kar victim's family raises strong allegations against Kolkata Police The family members of the victim, who joined the protest at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital have raised serious charges against the Kolkata Police questioning why the body was cremated in such a hurry despite the sensitivity of the case. They alleged that the parents were taken to Principal's room and were asked to sign a white paper without being given proper information. The victim's father said, "We were informed so late about the incident. Our daughter's body was taken for cremation even without our knowledge. Why was the police in such hurry? The police have been lying since the very beginning. They did not even let me pay for my daughter's cremation." People lighting candles at their homes in expressions of the solidarity with the protest demanding justice The parents alleged that they were offered money. "DC North took me to a deserated lane outside my house and offered me money. I not only declined the money but gave her a befitting reply," the victim's father said. During a press meet, Abhaya's aunt even alleged that she was pushed to a corner. The family has urged the media to bring out more information and proof in the case that might be helful in the investigation.

People throng in huge numbers to protest at Kolkata iconic Shyambazar 5 Points People demonstrated in Shyambazar area in North Kolkata which is located close to the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital where the PG trainee doctors body was recovered. West Bengal is observing another night of protest demanding justice for the victim.#RGKARmedical #kolkata pic.twitter.com/QaNpjrZ6Fu  India Blooms (@indiablooms) September 4, 2024

We thank people for coming out in huge numbers to support our protest: Junior doctors The junior doctors, who have organised this second night vigil across Kolkata, have thanked people for coming out in huge numbers to express solidarity in seeking justice for RG Kar victim. The protesters promised to continue thier fight until justice is delivered.

RG Kar victim's family members join protests The family members of RG Kar rape-murder victim have joined the protest. They have raised strong allegations against the Kolkata Police claiming that they were not allowed to see the victim's corpse. They even said the parents were made to face massive harassment and were separated from the rest of the family.

Justice will be delivered no matter how long it takes, protesting citizen says amid SC's cancellation of hearing Amid SCupreme Court's caneclleation of hearing in RG Kar case, a protester told a local news channel: "Justice will be delivered no matter how long it takes. We will not stop our fight. We will ensure that we are delivered with justice." Kolkata observing another night vigil on Wednesday night demanding justice for RG Kar Rape and murder investigation #rgkar #RGKarDoctor #KolkataDoctorDeathCase #KolkataHorror #reclaimthenight pic.twitter.com/ZiDCxlZURW  India Blooms (@indiablooms) September 4, 2024

Protesters light candle outside Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata Protesters are seen standing outside the Academy of Fine Arts with candles in their hands. Protests demanding justice for Kolkata doctor who was raped and murdered in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital swept the Academy of Fine Arts area in Kolkata on Wednesday night.#Kolkata #KolkataDeathCase #KolkataDoctor #KolkataDoctorCase #RGKar #rgkarincident #RGKARmedical pic.twitter.com/eW3va1Za89  India Blooms (@indiablooms) September 4, 2024

Kolkata observes night vigil In solidarity with protesting doctors, citizens have turned up in huge numbers across the city demanding justice a day ahead of the scheduled Supreme Court hearing which now stands cancelled.
Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Kolkata/IBNS: After the historic 'Reclaim the Night' protest on August 14, Kolkata and its neighbouring districts are on Wednesday set to witness a similar event demanding justice for the 31-year-old trainee doctor, who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last month.

On the intervening night of August 14 and 15, hundreds of thousands of people came out on streets across the state demanding justice for the victim and to denounce the cover-up attempt.

The West Bengal junior doctors, who are on ceasework since the crime was discovered on August 9, have urged all citizens of the country to come out on streets in their own locality and form a human chain from 7 pm to 10 pm.

They have also appealed to people to turn off their lights at home and light a candle in solidarity for an hour from 9 pm, on the night before the crucial Supreme Court hearing on the case.

Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

The Supreme Court will on Thursday resume its hearing on the case that has sent shockwaves across the country, bringing the Mamata Banerjee government under the scanner over police's alleged cover-up of the incident.

The Central Bureau of Investigation, which is now in charge of the probe, will submit the status report to the court on Thursday.

In the last two hearings, the top court lashed out at the state administration for its lapses, urged junior doctors to resume work and restrained police from any action on peaceful protests.

The CBI on Monday arrested ex-RG Kar Medical College principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh in connection with a corruption case linked to the state-run hospital. The arrest is, however, not related to the rape-murder incident, which took place on the intervening night of August 8 and 9.

The only arrest in the crime was made so far by the Kolkata Police, which swiftly nabbed civic volunteer Sanjoy Roy. Sanjoy has denied committing the murder.

Junior doctors and 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.

Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

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: Narendra Modi X page

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Singapore on Wednesday after completing his visit to Brunei.

Modi said he is looking forward to boosting the relationship between India and Singapore.

"Landed in Singapore. Looking forward to the various meetings aimed at boosting the India-Singapore friendship. Indias reforms and the talent of our Yuva Shakti makes our nation an ideal investment destination. We also look forward to closer cultural ties," Modi posted on X after arriving in Singapore.

Modi will visit Singapore on Sept 4 and Sept 5.

Landed in Singapore. Looking forward to the various meetings aimed at boosting the India-Singapore friendship. Indias reforms and the talent of our Yuva Shakti makes our nation an ideal investment destination. We also look forward to closer cultural ties. pic.twitter.com/SG2IttCKEg  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2024

He is visiting the country at the invitation of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

"From Brunei, I will travel to Singapore on 4 September. I look forward to the opportunity to meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. I will also meet with leaders of the Singapores vibrant business community," Modi earlier said leaving for Brunei and Singapore.

"I look forward to my discussions to deepen our Strategic Partnership with Singapore, particularly in new and emerging areas of advanced manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainable development," Modi said.

Modi said both the nations are part of India's Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific Vision.
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab

Mumbai/IBNS: Actress-MP Kangana Ranaut's film Emergency, which is based on the 1975 Emergency period which was called by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, got no relief from the Bombay High Court on Wednesday, media reports said.

The High Court has refused to ask the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a certificate to the makers citing a Madhya Pradesh High Court order.

Despite the court setback, Kangana Ranaut, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi, claimed on X, "High court has blasted censor for illegally withholding the cirtificate of #emergency."

Today I have become everyones favourite target, this is the price you pay for awakening this sleeping nation, they dont know what I am talking about they have no clue why I am so concerned, because they want peace, they dont want to take sides. They are cool, you know  Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) September 4, 2024

The film faced a setback after a top gurdwara body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) 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 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.

"The government is taking it (the concerns) seriously," they added.

Meri film mein sabse important hai desh bhakti ka gaana 

Here it is.. pic.twitter.com/PlLblEuQRY  Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) August 31, 2024

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.
Photo courtesy: Congress X handle

Chandigarh/IBNS: Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia on Wednesday joined the Congress ahead of the assembly elections in Haryana, media reports said.

Phogat and Punia are set to contest the upcoming Haryana polls.

The two met Leader of Opposition and Congress top leader Rahul Gandhi.

The wrestlers' joining comes at a time talks are underway between Congress and Aam Aadmi Party for a seat-sharing deal in the state.

The Congress and AAP had entered into a seat-sharing deal in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections that had offered a blow to the ruling BJP.

It is also significant because both Phogat and Punia led the protests against former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who has been accused of sexually assaulting several women wrestlers.

Brij Bhushan was denied a ticket by the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Also last week, Phogat had visited the Delhi-Haryana border and met the farmers who were camped there protesting against the central government.
Photo Courtesy: Narendra Modi X page

PM Narendra Modi arrived at the Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan on Wednesday, where he was warmly greeted by Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei.

Prime Minister thanking Sultan for his gracious invitation stated that the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian Head of Government to Brunei reflected Indias deep desire to boost bilateral ties.

He highlighted that his visit was in keeping with Indias commitment to strengthen its Act East Policy, now in its 10th year.

"The two leaders welcomed the elevation of bilateral ties to Enhanced Partnership," read a statement issued by the Indian government.

The leaders held bilateral talks covering a range of topics including defence, trade & investment, food security, education, energy, space technology, health, capacity building, culture as well as people-to-people exchanges.

They agreed to explore and pursue collaboration in areas such as ICT, fintech, cyber security, new and emerging technologies and renewable energy.

The Prime Minister and the king also exchanged views on regional and global issues.

Both leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and called upon states to repudiate it.

Both leaders reiterated their commitment to work closely together in mutually beneficial areas to further strengthen the ASEAN  India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The King also appreciated Indias support for Brunei Darussalams efforts in hosting the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change.

The two leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of an MoU on Cooperation in the operation of Telemetry, Tracking and Telecommand Station for Satellite and Launch Vehicles by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Bruneis Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Shamhary Pengiran Dato Mustapha.

They welcomed the upcoming commencement of direct flight connection between Bandar Seri Begawan and Chennai.

"A Joint Statement was adopted after the talks," read the statement issued by the government.
Photo courtesy: RG Kar website/Pixabay

New Delhi/Kolkata/IBNS: The Supreme Court of India will not be hearing the suo motu case over the RG Kar rape and murder case on Thursday as per the schedule, an official notice stated this evening, even as Kolkata is observing another night vigil today with people gathering at various points of the city to keep unwavering pressure on the authorities and judiciary for fair investigation and justice in the case.

The hearing was cancelled as Chief Justice DY Chandrachud will not be holding the court on Thursday.

Supreme Court hearing the RG Kar case on Aug 22. IBNS file photo.

The announcement is a major blow to the junior doctors and protesters, who had been waiting with bated breath and expecting justice for the victim of the brutal rape and murder that took place at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

The official notice released by the apex court, reads, Hon'ble the Chief Justice of India will not be holding the Court on 05.09.2024 (Thursday). Hence, sitting of Chief Justice's Court comprising Hon'ble the Chief Justice, Hon'ble Mr. Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Hon'ble Mr. Justice Manoj Misra stands cancelled and the matters listed before this Bench will not be taken up for hearing.

It is, however, not yet announced when the hearing will be scheduled.

Meanwhile, massive protests are taking place across Kolkata seeking justice for the victim.

The protesting doctors have called for people to light a candle in solidarity. As per reports, the victim's parents have also joined the protesting doctors.
In images videograb of TMC supporters attacking protesters in Cooch Behar & a glimpse of citizen's night vigil

Kolkata/IBNS: Amid a massive peaceful night vigil across West Bengal seeking justice for the junior doctor, who was brutally raped and murdered at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, a suspected group of Trinamool Congress supporters attacked protesters at Mathabhanga in Cooch Behar.

The TMC supporters, in fact, attacked the protesters in the presence of the local block president.

Suspected TMC supporters in presence of local block president attacked people protesting RG Kar rape and murder case at Mathabhanga region in Cooch Behar. The attackers even removed justice for RG Kar graffiti from road #kolkata #kolktadoctordeath #KolkataDeathCase pic.twitter.com/9dWCbcaWhe  India Blooms (@indiablooms) September 4, 2024

They also removed Justice for RGKar graffiti from the road.

In a rare show of citizens' solidarity, Kolkata is observing its second-night vigil by turning off lights and coming out on streets with candles in their hands in demand of justice for the 31-year-old junior doctor who was brutally raped and murdered at RG Kar Hospital even though there is a strong disappointment among protesters over the cancellation of the Supreme Court hearing on September 5.

The hearing was cancelled as Chief Justice DY Chandrachud will not be holding the court on Thursday.

The announcement is a major blow to the junior doctors and protesters, who had been waiting with bated breath and expecting justice for the victim of the brutal rape and murder that took place at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

The junior doctors, who have organised this second-night vigil across Kolkata, have thanked people for coming out in huge numbers to express solidarity in seeking justice. The protesters promised to continue their fight until justice is delivered.
In recent years, the once-radical fervor of Khalistani separatism, which sought to carve out a Sikh homeland from India, is increasingly finding itself at odds with the Sikh diaspora across Europe, the United States, and Canada.

A significant shift in sentiment is emerging as pro-India Sikhs, who form a substantial portion of the diaspora, push back against the divisive and disruptive activities of Khalistani elements, particularly those associated with the controversial group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).

The most recent flashpoint in this escalating tension occurred in Italy, where two prominent Gurudwara CommitteesGurudwara Singh Sabha (GSS) in Flero, Brescia, and Gurudwara Sri Kalgidhar Sahib (GSKS) in Torre de Picenardi, Cremonafound themselves at the center of a disturbing incident involving SFJ activists.

The committees had come under fire from SFJ for attending the Indian Independence Day celebrations at the Consulate General of India in Milan, an act seen by the radical group as a betrayal of the Khalistani cause.

SFJ activists Ranjit Singh aka Jitu Bhagat, and his brother Jaswant Singh, both based in the Cremona area, allegedly orchestrated a smear campaign against the committee members.

By circulating a video taken from the Consulates webpage and posting it online with derogatory comments, the SFJ aimed to intimidate and shame the Gurudwara officials who had participated in the Independence Day event. They asked a US national of Indian origin (https://www.tiktok.com/@bajwasingh3600) to post the video with nasty comments. However, the attempt backfired spectacularly.

Rather than cower under pressure, the Gurudwara Committees and the broader Sikh Sangat (community) responded with a unified and decisive stance. During a gathering on August 18, 2024, the Sangat condemned the actions of SFJ and the two brothers, and in a symbolic act of defiance, removed all furniture belonging to the brothers from the Gurudwara Sahib.

They went further, destroying all Khalistani banners and flags that had been placed in the Gurudwara by the SFJ sympathizers. This act was not merely a rejection of the SFJs ideology but a powerful assertion of the Sikh communitys alignment with a united India.

The incident in Italy is not isolated. Across the United States, Canada, and other parts of Europe, similar patterns are emerging. Pro-Khalistani rallies, which were once met with either apathy or muted resistance, are now encountering organized opposition from within the Sikh community.

During the August 15 Independence Day celebrations, pro-India Sikhs in several cities confronted and disrupted pro-Khalistan protests, signaling a growing weariness with the separatist rhetoric and a desire for harmony and stability.

This shift has profound implications. It underscores the growing disillusionment with SFJs methods, which often involve online harassment, intimidation, and the exploitation of Sikh religious sentiments for political ends.

The international Sikh community, deeply rooted in values of justice, peace, and mutual respect, is increasingly rejecting the divisive narratives propagated by Khalistani elements.

Moreover, the backlash against SFJ and other pro-Khalistani groups highlights the broader diasporas connection to India.

Many Sikhs abroad maintain strong ties to their homeland, where they have witnessed firsthand the economic growth, social progress, and efforts at reconciliation that have marked Indias recent history.

The idea of a Khalistan, once a rallying cry for a beleaguered minority, now seems out of step with the realities of a globally connected world where identity and allegiance are far more complex and intertwined.

The actions of the Gurudwara Committees in Italy serve as a potent reminder that the Sikh diaspora is not monolithic. While there will always be diverse perspectives within any community, the increasing resistance to Khalistani extremism signals a pivotal moment. Sikhs across the globe are asserting their identity not as pawns in a separatist agenda, but as proud members of a global community committed to peace, unity, and the betterment of all.

As the world watches, the message is clear: the days of Khalistani extremism dominating the discourse among the Sikh diaspora are waning. The growing chorus of voices opposing these radical elements, as seen in Italy, marks the beginning of a new chapterone where the Sikh community can focus on building bridges, not walls, and where the true spirit of Sikhi can flourish unencumbered by the divisive politics of a select few.

(Image and text courtesy: Khalsavox.com)
Thai transgender woman frauds 73 Japanese men. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

A Thai transgender woman, who was dumped by her boyfriend, created a fraud scheme to take revenge and scammed 73 Japanese nationals of nearly 30 million baht (US$880,000).

She performed the scam for 13 years.

The Thailand Police recently launched a probe after a Japanese man visited the country and reported about the transwoman, who was named as Amy, conned him.

The 36-year-old man met Amy in Thailand in January when she posed as a Hong Kong tourist who had lost her passport and purse, according to the Thai media outlet Thaiger as quoted by South China Morning Post.

The Thai transwoman reportedly paid hotel bills after taking money from him.

The man dated her several times and lent her money for insurance and medical expenses, but she never repaid him, South China Morning Post.

She reportedly even tricked man to buy gold for her which she even exchanged for cash and then disappeared.

Police arrested the transwoman on August 4 in Bangkok.

The identity of the transwoman was revealed as 49-year-old Uthai Nantakhan.

Police said she always pretended to be a tourist from Hong Kong or Taiwan.

She would claim she had lost her purse and needed money to renew her passport, or pretend to have contracted Covid-19 to get cash for treatment, reported South China Morning Post.

Police found all her victims were Japanese men.

Police said she also lured victims into investing in fake businesses and later claimed the business had failed to escape with the invested money.

She told the police that she was dumped by her Japanese boyfriend when she was studying in college.

When I was in college, my Japanese boyfriend abandoned me during a trip, and left me to pay all the bills. I was heartbroken, she told the newspaper.

I was also scammed out of money by another Japanese man I dated before, so I really hate the Japanese and wanted to take revenge on Japanese men," she said.

In Thailand, people convicted of fraud can face up to three years in prison and a maximum fine of 60,000 baht (US$1,800), the newspaper reported.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

A 40-year-old Pakistani female school teacher was shot dead in front of her father for allegedly refusing a marriage proposal.

The suspect shot dead the teacher in Jangdara Totalai area of Buner and escaped from the scene.

The local police have registered a first information report (FIR) and launched an investigation into the murder, ARY News reported.

The victim's father told the news channel that the suspect had previously attacked their daughter and they informed the police about it but no step was taken.

Pakistan is witnessing a rise in criminal incidents in recent times.

A similar incident occurred in Mardan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on June 8 a female teacher was reportedly killed in the name of 'honour'.

According to details, the incident occurred in the Tazagram area of Mardan district in which the 22-year-old woman was killed after being dragged out of a car, reported RY News.

Police said the teacher was killed in the name of honour just nine months after she had a court marriage.

The attackers are still at large.
Photo Courtesy: Taslima Nasreen Instagram page

Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen has criticised Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus-led interim government and said the sentiment on the ground is 'anti-India, anti-women and anti-democracy'.

Nasreen, whose books are banned in Bangladesh, told The New Indian Express: "The interim government led by Md Yunus will make things worse as the violence after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina was referred to as celebration. Temples were vandalised, museums and statues of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were broken and minorities like Hindus were targeted. "

"The sentiment on the ground is anti-India, anti-women and anti-democracy. Radicalisation has gone up manifold in the country. Islamists have asked people to boycott Indian products," she said.

Taslima Nasreen said Bangladesh is witnessing a rise in intolerance.

"There is no freedom of expression. Human rights are being violated and soon women will be left without any rights after the imposition of Sharia law. Hizb ut-Tahrir, Jamaat-I-Islami and radicalised students are gaining prominence with each passing day," she told the newspaper.

Nasreen worried that women will be badly hit in the South Asian country.

"The increasing prominence of radical Islamists will take away the rights of women by imposing restrictions and controlling them under the Sharia law. Universities have already begun to issue diktats on Islamic dress code," she said.

Bangladesh witnessed a massive political upsurge in recent months with students protesting against the job quota issue and soon the demonstration turned into a massive movement demanding the ouster of former PMSheikh Hasina-led government.

The violence led to over 300 deaths.

Amid the violence demonstrations, PM Sheikh Hasina fled to India last month and she is still present in the neighbouring nation.

Hasina had returned to power for another term after winning the general polls in January.

Following the ouster of Hasina-led government, Muhammad Yunus-led interim government has taken charge of the country.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

Tibetans-in-exile recently marked the 64th anniversary of Democracy Day in Dharamshala to mark the day of establishing democracy for Tibetans.

The day marked the inception of the Tibetan democratic system in exile.

On this day, the Tibetan parliament-in-exile was established in 1960 following the arrival of the Dalai Lama and 80,000 Tibetans in exile in Dharamshala, reported ANI.

While speaking to ANI, a resident of Dharamshala expressed his pleasure on the occasion and said the day is very special for Tibetan people.

In 1960, Dalai Lama declared the democracy system, started some members of parliament from the different regions of Tibet and then set up the democracy parliament system. A huge number of people from the three regions and also five sectarians of Tibetan Buddhism in Tibet. Since that, we have got a democracy system, as gradually we have the increased members of parliament from different regions, he added.

In early 1959 during the Tibetan uprising,their spiritual leader (Nobel Peace Winner) spiritual leader Dalai Lama and his retinue fled Tibet with the help of the CIA's Special Activities Division, crossing into India on 30 March 1959.

He is based in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh since then.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

A police officer was killed after unknown gunmen shot at his car in Quetta City in Pakistan on Tuesday.

Sub-Inspector Amanullah was on his way to the Amir Muhammad Shaheed police station for duty when his vehicle came under attack near his home in the Killi Deeba area, reported Dawn News.

The policeman was injured in the incident.

He later died in Civil Hospital.

The cop, who was working as an investigation officer, received multiple bullet injuries, hospital officials told Dawn News, adding that the body was handed over to the police after completing medico-legal formalities.

Police have termed the incident as 'targeted killing'.

An investigation into the incident is currently underway.

Initially, the incident appears to be an act of terrorism, but the police will investigate all aspects of the case, a senior police officer told Dawn News.

The attackers escaped the spot after the firing.

A case has been registered against the unknown attackers.
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has been charged by the US. Photo Courtesy: IDF X page

The US Justice Department on Tuesday formally announced criminal charges of terrorism and murder conspiracy against six senior leaders of Hamas, including Yahya Sinwar, in connection with last year's October 7 attack in Israel, mindlessly killing and kidnapping American and Israeli citizens in a rampage that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.

The charges relate to the "defendants central roles in planning, supporting, and perpetrating the terrorist atrocities that Hamas committed in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 (the October 7 Hamas Massacres), involving the murders and kidnappings of countless innocent civilians, including American citizens".

The attack it said was the culmination of Hamass decades-long campaign of terrorism and violence against Israel and its allies, including American citizens. "The defendants are either deceased or remain at large," read the statement issued by the US Department of Justice.

The Justice Department has charged Yahya Sinwar and other senior leaders of Hamas for financing, directing, and overseeing a decades-long campaign to murder American citizens and endanger the national security of the United States, said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.

On October 7th, Hamas terrorists, led by these defendants, murdered nearly 1200 people, including over 40 Americans, and kidnapped hundreds of civilians. This weekend, we learned that Hamas murdered an additional six people they had kidnapped and held captive for nearly a year, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23 year old Israeli American.

"We are investigating Hershs murder, and each and every one of Hamas brutal murders of Americans, as an act of terrorism. The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas operations. These actions will not be our last.

According to AP, the impact of the case may be mostly symbolic given that Sinwar is believed to be hiding in tunnels in Gaza and the Justice Department says three of the six defendants are believed now to be dead.

Yahya Sinwar and the other senior leaders of Hamas are charged today with orchestrating this terrorist organizations decades-long campaign of mass violence and terror  including on October 7th. On that horrible day, Hamas terrorists viciously massacred nearly 1,200 innocent men, women, and children, including over 40 Americans, kidnapped hundreds more, and used sexual violence as a weapon of brutality, said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.

Since that horrific day, we have worked to investigate and hold accountable those responsible, and we will not rest until all those who kidnapped or murdered Americans are brought to justice. Our thoughts continue to be with the families of all the victims of this barbaric terrorist attack.

From the moment Hamas launched its horrific attack on October 7, the FBI has been dedicated to identifying and charging those responsible for these heinous crimes, said FBI Director Christopher Wray.

The FBI has and will continue to relentlessly investigate these attacks on civilians, including Americans. Hamas is a Foreign Terrorist Organization with a long history of violence, and the groups actions have resulted in increased terrorism threats in the U.S. and against American interests throughout the world. Countering terrorism remains our number one priority, and our work continues, he said.

The core mission of the National Security Division is to protect Americans from violent terrorists and extremist organizations like Hamas, said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Departments National Security Division.

The atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel on October 7 are intolerable, and the Justice Department will not rest in our pursuit to hold Hamas accountable for perpetrating its campaign of terror, death, and destruction, he said.

For decades, Hamas and its leadership have dedicated themselves to the eradication of the State of Israel, and to murdering, maiming, and brutalizing anyone  including dozens of Americans  who stood in their way, said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York.

The October 7 Hamas Massacres  in which over 40 American citizens were murdered  is only the latest act of savagery carried out by Hamas. This office has long been dedicated to serving as a bulwark against terrorism, and striking blows against its leaders. Our commitment is clear: if you hurt one member of our community, you hurt all of us  and we stand with all victims of Hamas reign of terror. We will bring justice to this terrorist organization from the top down for the atrocities they have committed.

According to court documents, Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyya, commonly known as Hamas, is a terrorist organization that was founded in 1987, and has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) by the United States since 1997.

"From its inception, Hamas stated purpose has been to create an Islamic Palestinian state throughout Israel by eliminating the State of Israel through violent holy war, or jihad," the US Department of Justice said in a statement.

"Hamas also promotes attacks against the U.S. and its citizens and, over more than two decades, Hamas has murdered and injured dozens of Americans as part of its campaign of violence and terror," the statement said.

"The defendants charged in the complaint are all senior leaders of Hamas who have orchestrated, overseen, and supported Hamass decades-long campaign of terrorism, including the October 7 Hamas Massacres," the statement further said.

They and their co-conspirators control all aspects of the terrorist organization, including its political and military branches, known as the Politburo and Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (al-Qassam Brigades).

Ismail Haniyeh was the chairman of Hamass Politburo from 2017 until his reported death on or about July 31. Prior to 2017, Haniyeh was the deputy chairman of the Politburo and the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Haniyeh was based principally in Turkey and Qatar.

Yahya Sinwar, also known as Abu Ibrahim, 61, is the leader of Hamas. Previously, beginning in approximately 2017, he was the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and is one of the founders of the al-Qassam Brigades. Sinwar is based principally in the Gaza Strip.

Mohammad Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif and al Khalid al-Deif, was the commander in chief of the al-Qassam Brigades, a position he held from in or about 2002 until his reported death on or about July 13. Al-Masri was based principally in the Gaza Strip.

Marwan Issa, also known as Abu Baraa, was the deputy commander of the al-Qassam Brigades from approximately 2007 until his reported death on or about March 10. Issa was based principally in the Gaza Strip.

Khaled Meshaal, also known as Abu al-Waleed, 68, was the chairman of Hamas Politburo from approximately 2004 to 2017 and is now the head of Hamas diaspora office  effectively responsible for Hamas official presence outside of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Meshaal is based principally in Qatar.

Ali Baraka, 57, has been Hamas head of National Relations Abroad since approximately 2019, and was previously Hamass representative in Lebanon. Baraka is based principally in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, a U.S. official on condition of anonymity, told US wire service The Associated Press there was no reason to believe the charges would affect the ongoing negotiations.

National security spokesman John Kirby said the recent executions of six hostages, including one American, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, by Hamas underscore the sense of urgency in the talks, reported AP.
Photo courtesy: X page video grab

At least four people died and nine others were injured after a gunman opened fire at a school in the US state of Georgia on Wednesday.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation said one person has been taken into custody.

The Bureau said reports that the suspects have been neutralized are inaccurate.

"Four dead. An additional nine taken to various hospitals with injuries. Suspect in custody and alive. Reports that the suspect has been neutralized are inaccurate," the bureau posted on X.

According to reports, students were evacuated from Apalachee High School in Barrow County following the shooting incident.

The school is located in Winder town.

Witness describes the horrifying moment of attack

Senior Sergio Caldera, 17, said he was in chemistry when the gunshot was first heard.

"My teacher goes and opens the door to see whats going on. Another teacher comes running in and tells her to close the door because theres an active shooter," Caldera told ABC News.

He said the teachers locked the door and the students ran to the back of the room after hearing the gunshots.

At some point, Caldera said someone pounded on his classroom door and shouted "open up!" multiple times. When the knocking stopped, Caldera said he heard more gunshots and screams, ABC News reported.

Another student named Kyson Stancion told ABC News, " I was scared because Ive never been in a school shooting."

He said his classmates were crying and the teacher was trying to keep them safe.

President Joe Biden, Kamala Harris briefed on shooting incident

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the shooting incident.

In a statement, Joe Biden said: " Jill and I are mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short due to more senseless gun violence and thinking of all of the survivors whose lives are forever changed. What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now turned into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart."

"Students across the country are learning how to duck and cover instead of how to read and write," he said.

In his strong message, Biden said such situations could not continue to happen as normal.

"We cannot continue to accept this as normal," he said.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp posted on X: " I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state."

Gun shootings in various schools and colleges across the USA have occurred for the past two decades.
Goli Soda - The Rising is going to stream very soon on OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar. The upcoming Tamil series is about to release on September 13. Goli Soda - The Rising is actually the next installment from filmmaker Vijay Miltons Goli Soda series. Goli Soda was released in 2014, and then its second part, Goli Soda 2, was released in 2018. The movie series is all about a group of four boys who live in a market. Here's the trailer for the upcoming part and everything else you need to know about it:

Plot

As per the trailer, the upcoming series is set in a market area, and seems to be gangster drama that will involve the group of youngsters.

According to the official storyline shared by the makers, Goli Soda Rising is set in the Koyambedu market area with four boys rising from obscurity to find their own identity but soon they realise that the pursuit of identity is endless.

Also Read: Bhagavan Dasante Ramarajyam OTT release date Prime Video: When to watch the Malayalam film

Cast and crew

Goli Soda - The Rising will be released in several regional languages like Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, Marathi, and Hindi. The series has been produced by Ramesh Krishnamoorthy, with Vijay Milton as the creator. Songs in Goli SodaThe Rising are said to be composed by S. N. Arungiri.

OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar has been releasing many Tamil series since sometime. With Goli Soda-The Rising being the latest addition to the list, there are movies and shows like My Perfectt Husband, Chutney Sambar, Heart Beat, and Uppu Puli Kaaram that you can stream in the meantime before Goli Soda - The Rising gets released.



For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack by Anubhav Sinha is streaming on Netflix. Ever since the show got released, it has been surrounded by controversy. Be it the characters that have been portrayed or the storyline, everything is being questioned by audiences and critics. The show has sparked debates on different issues all over the internet, but if you are someone who is still unaware of what's going on, here are all the updates on how Netflix and its makers have reacted and what all the viewers who are against and speaking for the show are saying.

IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack controversy explained with 7 updates so far:

1. Changes in opening disclaimer

Following the controversy about the names of the terrorists used in the series, OTT platform Netflix India has finally decided that will carry the revised version of the opening disclaimer for the show IC814: The Kandahar Hijack now. The changed disclaimer will have the original as well as code names of the hijackers.

Vice President of Netflix India, Monika Shergill, has said that the changes in the disclaimer will be made to assist viewers who are unaware about the 1999 hijacking in undesratning the issue easily.

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Netflix India issues an official statement addressing the controversy around its original, IC814- The Kandahar Attack- "... For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking of the Indian Airlines flight 814, the opening disclaimer has pic.twitter.com/KpfFuWJXtB  ANI (@ANI) September 3, 2024

The decision came on Tuesday after Shergill had a meeting with Sanjay Jaju, the information and broadcasting secretary in New Delhi. The meeting was organised after there were concerns raised by viewers and critics over the show. The objection raised also included that there is the use of Hindu code names by the hijackers, and it has been portrayed in the Netflix show.

2. Inspiration from 'Flight Into Fear' by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury

Wondering how the controversy surrounding IC 814 started? Well, the show sparked debates all over the internet regarding accusations that the makers of the show have altered facts like names of the real hijackers like Shankar and Bhola to whitewash their images. The show is said to be inspired by Flight to Fear book by Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury.

3. Government document on the 1999 hijack

Soon after the controversy erupted, a government document by the Home Ministry got released that clarified that the hijackers actually used nicknames such as Bhola, Shankar, Doctor, and Burger while they were on board IC 814 aircraft.

Also Read: Kangana Ranaut slams Netflix's IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack after Emergency's release date is postponed

4. The #BoycottNetflix trend on X (former Twitter)

Adding more fire to the controversy, there was a social media trend that got started using the hashtag #BoycottNetflix, since a section of audiences and critics questioned Netflix for running such a controversial show.

5. Is Netflix selective with its choices of shows?

Following all the controversy where viewers have pointed out their opinions, there are also political figures like opposition leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who actually accused the controversy over the Netflix show of being selective in nature.

This is not the first time that any show, especially a Netflix series or film, is being backlashed in India. The platform has even sparked controversy for its content, including Tandav and Annapoorani, for allegedly hurting religious sentiments in the past.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Once anime gained popularity in Japan, it spread to India and eventually to the broader population, and now Nirmala Sitharaman has also experienced the enchantment of anime! Do you want to know how? After Hayao Miyazaki won the Ramon Magsaysay prize, the Union Finance Minister acknowledged the anime director and co-founder of Studio Ghibli on her X account. She also mentioned in her tweet that she is a huge fan of Kiki's Delivery Service and My Neighbor Totoro. She continued, Anime have much for adults and Miyazaki serves them like a magician.

Since we wholeheartedly agree with Nirmala Sitharaman's evaluation of the filmmaker and Studio Ghibli's output, we suggest the five anime films below that are considered true masterpieces.

Co-founder of #StudioGhibli #HayaoMiyazaki gets the Ramon Magsaysay award.

His masterpieces are My Neighbour Totoro and Kikis Delivery Servicecan watch them any number of times.

Anime have much for adults and Miyazaki serves them like a magician. https://t.co/ymBxbxUoPG  Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) September 1, 2024





5 Studio Ghibli anime that are a must-watch

My Neighbour Totoro





The 1988 Japanese fantasy film My Neighbor Totoro, which Studio Ghibli animated for Tokuma Shoten, was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It is narrated by Noriko Hidaka, Chika Sakamoto, and Hitoshi Takagi and is about two young sisters in postwar rural Japan and their encounters with friendly wood spirits.

Kikis Delivery Service - Netflix





Based on Eiko Kadono's 1985 novel of the same name, it was animated by Studio Ghibli for Tokuma Shoten, Yamato Transport, and the Nippon Television Network. Minami Takayama, Rei Sakuma, and Kappei Yamaguchi provide the voices for the characters. Following Kiki, a young witch with her cat Jiji, as she establishes a flying courier business in the port city of Koriko, is the plot of the narrative.

Howl's Moving Castle - Netflix





Hayao Miyazaki is the writer and director of the 2004 Japanese animated fantasy film Howl's Moving Castle. It is mostly based on British author Diana Wynne Jones' 1986 book. Toshio Suzuki produced the movie, Studio Ghibli animated it, and Toho handled distribution. Takuya Kimura and Chieko Baisho provided the Japanese voices.

Spirited Away - Crunchyroll





Spirited Away tells the story of Chihiro "Sen" Ogino, a ten-year-old girl who accidentally enters the world of kami, or Japanese Shinto ghosts, while relocating to a new neighborhood.

Castle in the Sky





The original Japanese version has Mayumi Tanaka, Keiko Yokozawa, Kotoe Hatsui, and Minori Terada in voice acting roles. The movie centers on two orphans, Sheeta and Pazu, who are being hunted by the army, a gang of pirates, and government agent Muska. They are looking for Sheeta's crystal necklace, which holds the secret to entering Laputa, a fabled flying palace with cutting-edge technology.

Internet reacts to Nirmala Sitharaman lauding Miyazaki

When Nirmala Sitharaman took to X and praised Miyazaki, the internet was surprised in the best way possible. People started writing about how they did not expect her to watch anime!

One wrote, You watch anime???

Another added, Wow didn't expect this tweet.

Wow didn't expect this tweet  Priyam Raj (@priymrj) September 1, 2024

A third went on to add, We got Indian politician praising Anime Culture."

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


The world is cruel, as demonstrated by documentaries based on true crimes and real-life murders. There are a ton of documentaries and docuseries available on OTT platforms like Netflix that provide you with insights into these horrific events. Watch these five films on OTT for a terrifying experience if you're interested in watching documentaries of that kind. House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths, American Murder: Laci Peterson, Curry & Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case, and other titles are on this list.

True crime documentaries on OTT based on real-life murders

House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths - Netflix





The three-part documentary, which was created by Leena Yadav and Anubhav Chopra, investigates the hypothesis behind the deaths of eleven members of the same family on June 30, 2018. The true-crime documentary series, dubbed as the Burari deaths by the media, debuted on October 8, 2021. Anubhav Chopra and Leena Yadav are the series' directors.



American Murder: Laci Peterson - Netflix





When Laci Peterson disappeared, she was eight months pregnant, which led to a tragic search. This documentary series explores the murder case from 2002.



American Nightmare - Netflix





Bernadette Higgins and Felicity Morris are the directors of the true crime television series American Nightmare. The show centers on Denise Huskins' abduction in March 2015 from the Vallejo, California, house she lived with her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn. Huskins was dubbed "the real Gone Girl" by the media, and Quinn and the Vallejo police department believed the kidnapping was a fabrication.

Curry & Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case - Netflix





This true-crime documentary explores the six horrifying deaths that occurred inside the same family as well as the remarkable case of Jolly Joseph.

Capturing the Killer Nurse -Netflix





The 2022 true crime documentary Capturing the Killer Nurse tells the story of serial killer Charles Cullen and how authorities were able to establish that Cullen was killing patients while employed as a nurse in American hospitals and nursing homes. Tim Travers Hawkins is the director of the movie, which is based on Charles Graeber's 2013 book The Good Nurse.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Honouring all teachers for their invaluable contribution to shaping the minds of the future generation of the country, we observe Teachers' Day on September 5th every year. The date was selected to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr S. Radhakrishnan, a scholar, teacher and India's second president. As we get ready to celebrate all the teachers around us, let's take a look at 5 Bollywood celebs who have donned the hat of educator as well. And no, we are not talking about playing the role of a teacher in a film but actually teaching in real life!

Bollywood celebs who were real-life teachers

1) Kiara Advani

Kiara Advani is a well-known name in the B-town now. But before her debut in the movie business in 2014's Fugly, Kiara taught at a nursery school. In an interview with Radio City, the Kabir Singh actress shared that her mother owns a nursery school where she used to teach and even changed children's diapers.

2) Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar is known for his excellent physique and rigorous workout routine. From Sooryavanshi to Brothers, there are several movies in his portfolio where he displayed his skills and performed dangerous stunts on his own. The superstar is a black belt in Taekwondo and trained in martial arts during his stay in Thailand. Before he got his big acting break, he used to teach martial arts in Mumbai.

3) Anupam Kher

Bollywood stalwart Anupam Kher has always amazed us with his acting prowess. A graduate from the prestigious National School of Drama owns and teaches at an acting school in Mumbai. Fun fact: Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone, also once took classes at the veteran actor's school.

4) Sanya Malhotra

Sanya often delights her Instagram followers and fans with expertly choreographed dance videos on popular and trending songs. So, we are sure it will come as no surprise to you that the Dangal actress began her career as a dance teacher in a Delhi school after her graduation where she was actually part of her college's dance and choreography society.

5) Nandita Das

Celebrated actor, director and also teacher, Nandita Das has always had an interest in education along with theatre. Before her success on the silver screen, the Kamli actress used to impart knowledge to the young minds of our country by teaching part-time at the Rishi Valley School in Andhra Pradesh.

Also Read: From Kiara Advani to Saif Ali Khan, 6 Bollywood celebs who prove Leos belong in the spotlight

For more on lifestyle, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle.


The US job market is facing a severe downturn, leaving even highly educated graduates struggling to find employment and burdened with mounting student loans. As the reality of the situation sinks in, many are now cautioning prospective students against making the move. But is it really as dire as it seems? One Redditor who moved to the US for his Master's in January 2023 shares his personal journey of setbacks and hardships, highlighting the challenges many face today. His candid advice to those considering a similar path: "People flocking to the US, think twice."

Check out the Reddit post here:

"I came to the USA in January 2023 for my master's degree, driven by hopes for a better future," the Redditor recounts.

Leaving behind a decent-paying job, they took on a $20,000 loan to chase their aspirations.

Despite initial hardships and having to carefully weigh every small purchase, they eventually landed an internship that covered most of their expenses.

Luck seemed to favour them when the company extended a full-time offer.

But the tide turned abruptly when they were laid off, a setback that severely impacted their finances.

"I've had to sell my vehicle at a $4,000 loss+ repairs, I've still not paid off my student loan and I'm relying on them for financial support to cover my remaining $12,000 loan from my bachelor's degree in India," they admit.

Credit: Pixabay | Representational image

Currently, they're actively job hunting, but describe the market as "brutal," with past work experience offering little advantage in securing new roles.



They caution those eyeing the US for study or work: "Job hunting feels like an uphill battle, and if you're from a middle-class family, the financial burden can be overwhelming if things don't go as planned."

Looking ahead, they're not optimistic: "Companies are cutting jobs, experimenting with AI, and focusing on boosting their stock prices, while job seekers face rejection after rejection."

Also read: 'No future after education is over': Indian engineer warns students against higher studies in USA, says dreams will be shattered

Their story echoes a broader sentiment, with others like Suren, an Indian engineer in the US, issuing similar warnings: "Dreams will be shattered."

For more information on exams, results and careers, please visit Indiatimes Education.
In October 2022, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, bought Twitter for $44 billion and celebrated with the tweet, "The bird is freed." Soon after, he rebranded it as X. But how has the platform changed since then, and does it have the 'X' factor even now?



the bird is freed  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 28, 2022

But, it must be noted that Musk isn't the sole owner of X Corp.; it's fully owned by X Holdings Corp. (XHC). According to court filings, XHC's investors include Bill Ackman, Larry Ellison, Marc Andreessen, Sean Combs, and over 20 Fidelity-related funds and trusts.

Here's how Twitter has changed since the 53-year-old billionaire took over:

It's a private affair

When Elon Musk took control of Twitter in late 2022, one of his most significant moves was transitioning the platform from a publicly traded entity to a private company.

Under Musk's ownership, the social media giantnow rebranded as Xwas delisted from the stock market, meaning its shares are no longer available for public trading.

All under fire

Musk's overhaul of Twitter began with the dramatic ousting of top executives, including Indian-origin CEO Parag Agrawal, CFO Ned Segal, and General Counsel Sean Edgett.

Credit: Forbes

This shake-up quickly cascaded down the ranks, resulting in layoffs that saw more than half of the company's 7,500 employees depart.



The legal team for Agrawal and the other dismissed executives later said: "Under Musk's control, Twitter has become a scofflaw, stiffing employees, landlords, vendors, and others. Musk doesn't pay his bills, believes the rules don't apply to him, and uses his wealth and power to run roughshod over anyone who disagrees with him."

Pay to get ticked

Another major shift under Musk's leadership has been the new fee for the iconic "blue checks" that verify users' identities.

Credit: Reuters

Now, anyone willing to pay can get a blue check, while those who don't pay have had their verification removed.



According to Sacha Altay, an experimental psychologist from the University of Zurich, this change has led to a rise in hate speech and misinformation on the platform, as reported by DW (a German broadcaster).

Twitter becomes X

One of the most notable changes was the rebranding of Twitter to X.

In July 2023, Musk transformed the platform by replacing the iconic blue bird with the new X logo, marking a dramatic shift from Twitter's familiar identity.

Credit: Unsplash

Block's a no

In August 2023, Musk revealed a significant policy change: users would no longer have the option to block accounts on the platform.

While blocking is now restricted, users can still mute accounts and block individuals in their direct messages.

Despite the numerous changes, the name Twitter seems to linger. News channels often refer to the platform as X but add "formerly known as Twitter," and even Musk himself recently made a slip-up by posting a meme on X that still referred to the platform as Twitter.

Also read: Elon Musk's Twitter slip-up: Even the boss can't stop using the old nameusers say 'rebranding is going so well'

So, while Musk claimed to have set the bird free, it seems that the Twitter of old has transformed, and what we're seeing now is not just a new chapter but a reinventionlike a phoenix rising from the ashes.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Elon Musk is the world's richest man, an advocate for free speech, a visionary businessman, and an innovator who is willing to take risks that not many would. Elon Musk is a transphobic, vaccine skeptic, and conspiracy theorist who is increasingly becoming more despotic.

AP

How Elon Musk became a household name

It seems like there are two sides to Musk that don't complement each other. But that is how Musk has always beenthe rich guy whom you love to hate.

Initially, his antics, like smoking marijuana during a podcast with Joe Rogan, promoting a meme crypto coin called Dogecoin, or challenging fellow billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, were played down as eccentric behavior.

The most powerful individual

But soon the world learned that this is who Musk is, and as his wealth increased, so did his influence on the world. This has left many wondering if he has become too powerful, much more than what a non-state actor should have.

Apart from Tesla's dominance in the world of EVs, Musk's SpaceX has a near-monopoly in launching rockets to space. But it is another ability of SpaceX that has raised some eyebrowsStarlink, a satellite-based internet service that can be deployed anywhere around the world.

CREDIT: AP

There is no denying that Starlink has been a game-changer and has helped to bring the internet to some remote parts of the world that would have never had access to it otherwise.

Can Musk decide who has access to internet

Starlink proved to be crucial for Ukraine in the initial days of the war after Russia invaded the country in February 2022. Musk rushed to activate Starlink over Ukraine after the Russian attack left the country's communication infrastructure in tatters. However, in September 2023, there was a concerning development when Starlink services were allegedly turned off in Crimea to disrupt a planned Ukrainian military attack there.

This was allegedly done to avoid complicity in a "major act of war." Musk has since rejected the reports; however, it acted as a wake-up call for many countries who were potential Starlink customers, who expressed apprehension that the service may be turned off at the decision of just one person.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Taiwan, which is facing a similar threat of a Russia-like invasion from China, was one such country, and instead of relying on Starlink, the island nation decided to create a satellite-based internet service of its own.

Musk's Twitter takeover

Another reason many believe that Musk has become too powerful is his takeover of Twitter, which he has since renamed X. While X is much smaller than most of its competitors, it is still used by the whos who of the world.

But Musk's takeover, which was followed by the unceremonious firing of then Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal and a large chunk of its staff, left the platform with little to no regulation on content.

Musk also changed policies at will to suit him, including how he banned an account that tracked his private jet. There were also reports that Musk forced engineers to tweak the algorithm to boost his own posts on X.

CREDIT: Reuters

Twitter, from social media to Musk's personal campaign tool

The social media platform's role has also come under scrutiny during the US presidential elections, where Musk has openly backed Trump and has been posting in his support. Many fear that Musk could be boosting the reach of pro-Trump posts on X.

Musk has also been accused of spreading misinformation on X about the recent riots in the UK. He has also been vocal about the developments in Venezuela and Brazil, where he has called on people from the two countries to rise up against their governments.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Every year on September 5, we celebrate Teacher's Day to honour the important role of teachers. Its a day for students and the community to say thank you and show appreciation for the teachers who dedicate their lives to educating young people.



Teacher's Day is always on September 5. This date is chosen to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was a great philosopher, scholar, and the second President of India. Dr. Radhakrishnan was not only a fantastic teacher but also made important contributions to education and philosophy.

The tradition of Teacher's Day began in 1962 when Dr. Radhakrishnan became President of India. On his birthday, his former students and friends wanted to celebrate. Dr. Radhakrishnan suggested that instead of celebrating his birthday, the day should be used to honour teachers and the important work they do. He felt that teachers are crucial in shaping a nation's future and deserve recognition.

Since then, September 5 has been celebrated as Teacher's Day in India and many other countries. On this day, students show their thanks to their teachers with cards, flowers, gifts, and special events at schools and colleges.

Teacher's Day is very important because it allows us to appreciate the hard work of teachers in building a better society. People show their gratitude in many ways, like giving cards and gifts and organizing cultural programs at schools and universities. This day reminds everyone of the vital role teachers play in our lives.

Be sure to note down some Teachers Day messages, greetings, and quotes to share with your favourite teachers.

Here are some wishes, messages, and quotes to share with your teachers, principal, father, friends, and boss on Teacher's Day. Each of them has played a significant role in our lives:

Teachers Day wishes, messages and quotes for father

Happy Teacher's Day 2024, Dad! Your lessons go beyond books and are always full of love and wisdom.

To the best teacher and the best dadthank you for guiding me with your strength and wisdom. Happy Teacher's Day!

"Education is the key to success in life, and teachers make a lasting impact in the lives of their students." - Solomon Ortiz

Dad, your guidance and support make every day a learning experience. Wishing you a wonderful Teacher's Day!

Happy Teacher's Day 2024 to my amazing father! Your lessons have shaped my life in the most meaningful ways.

Dad, your wisdom and patience have been the greatest lessons of all. Happy Teacher's Day to a true teacher and a great father!

To my father, who teaches with heart and soulHappy Teacher's Day! Your guidance is a gift I cherish.

Happy Teacher's Day, Dad! Your words of wisdom and loving advice have been my greatest life lessons.

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." - Albert Einstein

Dad, you've taught me more than any classroom ever could. Thank you for being my teacher and my hero. Happy Teacher's Day 2024!

On Teacher's Day, I celebrate you, Dad, for all the life lessons you've taught me and the love youve shown.

Happy Teacher's Day to my father! Your guidance has been the foundation of my success and happiness.

Teachers Day wishes, messages and quotes for teacher

Happy Teacher's Day! Your dedication and passion for teaching make every lesson a joy.

Thank you for your endless patience and guidance. Happy Teacher's Day to an inspiring teacher!

Wishing you a wonderful Teacher's Day! Your wisdom and encouragement have made a big difference in my life.

Happy Teacher's Day 2024! Your lessons are not just about academics but about life itself. Thank you!

To the teacher who has made learning exciting and enjoyableHappy Teacher's Day! Your impact is truly lasting.

Your support and belief in me have helped me grow in so many ways. Happy Teacher's Day to a fantastic teacher!

Happy Teacher's Day! Your kindness and dedication inspire us every day. Thank you for being such an amazing teacher.

On Teacher's Day, I just want to say how much I appreciate your hard work and the difference you've made. Thank you!

Wishing you a Happy Teacher's Day! Your passion for teaching and commitment to your students is truly inspiring.

Happy Teacher's Day! Your lessons extend far beyond the classroom, and your influence will be remembered always.

Teachers Day wishes, messages and quotes for maths teacher

Happy Teacher's Day! Your ability to make complex problems seem simple is truly remarkable. Thank you for making math enjoyable!

To my amazing math teacher, Happy Teacher's Day! Your patience and dedication have turned numbers into an adventure.

Wishing a fantastic Teacher's Day to the teacher who makes math feel less like a puzzle and more like a discovery!

Happy Teacher's Day 2024! Your passion for math and your clear explanations have made learning a pleasure.

To the math teacher who turns equations into exciting challengesHappy Teacher's Day! Your guidance is truly appreciated.

Happy Teacher's Day! Your knack for engaging in teaching math has made a huge difference in my understanding.

Thank you for making math lessons something to look forward to. Happy Teacher's Day to a teacher who truly adds value!

Happy Teacher's Day 2024! Your enthusiasm for math and your creative teaching methods inspire us every day.

To the math teacher who makes every formula and problem-solving session interestingHappy Teacher's Day! Your efforts are valued.

Wishing you a Happy Teacher's Day! Your skill in teaching math with clarity and enthusiasm helps us solve life's problems.

Teachers Day wishes, messages and quotes for principal mam & sir

Happy Teacher's Day to an incredible principal! Your leadership and dedication inspire us every day. Thank you!

Wishing a wonderful Teacher's Day to our esteemed principal. Your vision and guidance make our school a great place to learn.

Happy Teacher's Day, Principal [Name]! Your commitment to education and support for both teachers and students is truly admirable.

To our outstanding principal, Happy Teacher's Day! Your leadership and passion for education set a shining example for us all.

Happy Teacher's Day! Your dedication and hard work in leading our school make a lasting impact on our academic journey.

Wishing a Happy Teacher's Day to the principal who makes every day at school inspiring and motivating. Thank you for all you do!

To our principal, Happy Teacher's Day! Your guidance and support create a positive learning environment that benefits everyone.

Happy Teacher's Day to a principal who leads with wisdom and compassion. Your efforts in shaping our school are truly appreciated.

Wishing you a fantastic Teacher's Day, Principal [Name]! Your vision and dedication help us achieve our best every day.

Happy Teacher's Day to our esteemed principal! Your leadership and encouragement foster a thriving educational community.

Teachers Day wishes, messages and quotes for class teacher

Happy Teacher's Day! Your support and guidance have made every lesson memorable. Thank you for being such a wonderful teacher.

Wishing you a joyful Teacher's Day! Your dedication and kindness make each day in class a true learning experience.

Happy Teacher's Day to the teacher who makes every subject interesting and every student feel special. Thank you!

To a fantastic class teacher, Happy Teacher's Day! Your encouragement and patience make a world of difference in our lives.

Happy Teacher's Day! Your passion for teaching and your care for each student shine through every day. We appreciate you!

Wishing you a wonderful Teacher's Day! Your ability to make learning fun and engaging is something we truly value.

Happy Teacher's Day! Your dedication to teaching and your personal touch in the classroom are greatly appreciated.

To my inspiring class teacher, Happy Teacher's Day! Your hard work and enthusiasm make learning something to look forward to.

Happy Teacher's Day! Your patience, creativity, and encouragement have a profound impact on all of us. Thank you for being an amazing teacher!

Wishing you a Happy Teacher's Day! Your guidance and kindness make the classroom a place where learning and growth thrive.

Happy Teachers Day wishes, messages and quotes for the boss

Happy Teacher's Day! Your guidance and leadership make a big difference. Thank you for being an inspiring boss.

Wishing you a wonderful Teacher's Day! Your wisdom and support in the workplace are truly appreciated.

Happy Teacher's Day! Your mentorship and encouragement help us grow professionally. Thank you for being an amazing boss.

To a great leader, Happy Teacher's Day! Your advice and leadership skills are greatly valued and make a positive impact on our team.

Happy Teacher's Day! Your ability to teach and lead by example inspires us every day. Thank you for your exceptional guidance.

Wishing you a joyful Teacher's Day! Your support and expertise help us succeed and thrive in our roles. We appreciate all you do.

Happy Teacher's Day! Your leadership and mentorship have helped shape our careers and made our work environment better.

To a wonderful boss, Happy Teacher's Day! Your insights and encouragement are invaluable to our growth and success.

Happy Teacher's Day! Your teaching and guidance in the workplace make you a remarkable boss. Thank you for everything.

Wishing you a Happy Teacher's Day! Your dedication to leading and mentoring us makes a big difference in our professional lives.

Teachers Day wishes, messages and quotes for friend

Happy Teacher's Day to a friend whos always been a great teacher in lifes lessons. Thanks for your guidance and wisdom!

Wishing a wonderful Teacher's Day to my friend who inspires me with their knowledge and support every day!

Happy Teacher's Day! Your advice and insight make you not just a friend but a true mentor. Thanks for everything!

To my amazing friend, Happy Teacher's Day! Your ability to teach and share knowledge is something I deeply admire.

Happy Teacher's Day to a friend whos always there to offer wise advice and help me learn from lifes experiences.

Wishing you a joyful Teacher's Day! Your guidance and encouragement in our friendship have been invaluable.

Happy Teacher's Day! Your lessons go beyond the classroom and into every aspect of life. Thanks for being such a great friend!

To a friend who teaches me something new every dayHappy Teacher's Day! Your wisdom and support mean a lot to me.

Happy Teacher's Day! Your ability to offer advice and help me grow makes you a wonderful friend and mentor.

Wishing you a Happy Teacher's Day! Your insightful advice and thoughtful guidance make you a friend like no other.

Teachers Day wishes, messages and quotes for Hindi teacher in English

Happy Teacher's Day! Your passion for Hindi has made learning the language both enjoyable and meaningful. Thank you for your dedication!

Wishing a wonderful Teacher's Day to my Hindi teacher! Your love for the language and your insightful lessons are truly appreciated.

Happy Teacher's Day! Your ability to make Hindi come alive in the classroom is something I deeply value. Thanks for being an amazing teacher!

To the best Hindi teacher, Happy Teacher's Day! Your guidance has made the beauty of Hindi literature and grammar so accessible and enjoyable.

Happy Teacher's Day! Your enthusiasm for teaching Hindi and your patience in explaining complex concepts make you a fantastic teacher.

Wishing you a joyful Teacher's Day! Your dedication to teaching Hindi and your creativity in making the language engaging are truly inspiring.

Happy Teacher's Day to a Hindi teacher who makes every lesson exciting and meaningful. Your impact on our learning journey is immense.

To my inspiring Hindi teacher, Happy Teacher's Day! Your commitment to helping us appreciate and understand Hindi is greatly valued.

Happy Teacher's Day! Your lessons in Hindi not only teach the language but also enrich our understanding of culture and expression.

Wishing you a fantastic Teacher's Day! Your skill in teaching Hindi with passion and clarity has made a lasting impression on us.

Teachers Day wishes, messages and quotes from parents to teacher

Happy Teacher's Day! Thank you for your dedication and the positive impact you have on our child's education and development.

Wishing you a wonderful Teacher's Day! Your hard work and commitment make a significant difference in our child's learning experience.

Happy Teacher's Day! We deeply appreciate the time and effort you invest in helping our child grow and succeed.

To a fantastic teacher, Happy Teacher's Day! Your encouragement and support mean the world to us and our child.

Happy Teacher's Day! Your passion for teaching and dedication to your students are truly inspiring. Thank you for all that you do.

Wishing you a joyful Teacher's Day! Your influence extends beyond the classroom and greatly contributes to our child's growth and happiness.

Happy Teacher's Day! We are grateful for your patience, understanding, and the positive impact you've made on our child's education.

To an amazing teacher, Happy Teacher's Day! Your dedication and care for your students, including our child, are truly appreciated.

Happy Teacher's Day 2024! Your commitment to nurturing and educating our children is something we value immensely. Thank you for being such a great teacher.

Wishing you a Happy Teacher's Day! Your efforts to make learning enjoyable and your support for our child are deeply appreciated.

Teachers Day wishes, messages and quotes from students

Happy Teacher's Day! Thank you for making every class fun and for always being there to help us learn and grow.

Wishing you a joyful Teacher's Day! Your patience and support make you the best teacher we could ask for. Thank you!

Happy Teacher's Day! Your passion for teaching inspires us every day. We appreciate all the effort you put into helping us succeed.

To the best teacher ever, Happy Teacher's Day! Your guidance and encouragement make a huge difference in our lives.

Happy Teacher's Day 2024! Thanks for being not just a teacher, but a mentor and a friend who helps us navigate through learning and life.

Wishing you a wonderful Teacher's Day! Your enthusiasm for teaching and dedication to your students is truly inspiring.

Happy Teacher's Day! Your kindness and support make learning enjoyable and exciting. Thank you for everything you do for us!

To my amazing teacher, Happy Teacher's Day! Your lessons go beyond textbooks and inspire us to be better every day.

Happy Teacher's Day 2024! Your encouragement and wisdom mean a lot to us. Were grateful for the positive impact you have on our education.

Wishing you a Happy Teacher's Day! Your hard work and dedication dont go unnoticed. Thank you for being such an incredible teacher.

Teachers Day wishes, messages and quotes from kids

Happy Teacher's Day 2024! You make school fun and exciting. Thank you for being the best teacher ever!

Wishing you a super Teacher's Day! I love your classes and how you make learning so much fun.

Happy Teacher's Day! Thanks for teaching us cool things and always being kind and helpful.

To the best teacher, Happy Teacher's Day! You make every day at school awesome and special.

Happy Teacher's Day 2024! Im so glad youre my teacher because you make learning exciting and fun!

Wishing you a Happy Teacher's Day! Thank you for all the great lessons and for always helping us understand.

Happy Teacher's Day! Youre the best teacher because you make learning fun and interesting every day.

To my favourite teacher, Happy Teacher's Day! I love coming to school because of you and all the fun we have.

Happy Teacher's Day 2024! Thanks for being so nice and teaching us so many amazing things.

Wishing you a Happy Teacher's Day! Youre the coolest teacher ever, and Im grateful for everything you do!

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

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Teachers Day is a special occasion celebrated across the world to honour and appreciate the dedication and hard work of teachers. In India, it is celebrated on September 5th every year and commemorates the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a respected scholar and teacher who later became the President of India. On this day, students express their gratitude and respect towards their teachers through various activities, including sharing some of the most common and funny dialogues that teachers often use in the classroom.



Here are 30 of the most common and funny dialogues that almost every student has heard from their teachers:

1. "Silence! Class control se bahar ho rahi hai."

("Silence! The class is going out of control.")

This is a classic line that teachers use when the classroom noise level hits the roof. It's a gentle reminder that it's time to settle down and focus.

2. "Main yeh dobara repeat nahi karungi/karunga."

("I will not repeat this again.")

Every student knows this one. It's often followed by the teacher repeating the same thing one more time, just to make sure everyone gets it.

3. "Tumhe yeh mazaak lag raha hai?"

("You think this is a joke?")

This dialogue usually comes up when the class is having a bit too much fun, reminding students that the lesson is serious business.

4. "Agar padhai nahi karni toh class se bahar jaa sakte ho."

("If you dont want to study, you can leave the class.")

A stern warning that often gets students to sit up straight and pay attention.

5. "Mere paas piche bhi aankhein hain."

("I have eyes at the back of my head.")

Teachers seem to have an uncanny ability to know whats going on, even when they arent looking directly at you.

6. "Yeh classroom hai ya fish market?"

("Is this a classroom or a fish market?")

When the noise level gets out of hand, this is the go-to line for many teachers.

7. "Kya main apne fayde ke liye padha raha hoon?"

("Do you think I am teaching for my own benefit?")

A gentle nudge to remind students that the lessons are for their future, not the teachers.

8. "Late kyun aaye ho?"

("Why are you late?")

Being late to class is never a good idea, and this is the first question youll hear when you walk in late.

9. "Itna hansne ki kya baat hai? Class ke saath joke share karo."

("Whats so funny? Share the joke with the class.")

When students are laughing secretly, the teachers curiosity kicks in with this dialogue.

10. "Apna homework complete karo, warna main tumhare parents ko bulaungi/bulaunga."

("Complete your homework, or I will call your parents.")

This is a powerful line that ensures most students will rush to complete their assignments.

11. "Maine yeh sau baar padha diya hai."

("I have taught this a hundred times.")

A teachers frustration shows when students fail to remember something thats been repeated many times.

12. "Yeh tumhara aakhri warning hai!"

("This is your last warning!")

Usually, after a few reminders, this is the final one before serious consequences follow.

13. "Main tumse ek hi sawaal puchhungi/puchhunga. Agar tumne answer de diya toh tum baat kar sakte ho."

("I will ask you only one question. If you answer it, you can talk.")

A clever way to test whether students are paying attention or just chit-chatting.

14. "Sona hai toh ghar pe so, meri class mein nahi."

("You can sleep at home, not in my class.")

A quick wake-up call for those students who doze off during lessons.

15. "Main deewaron se baat kar raha hoon kya?"

("Am I talking to the walls?")

When teachers feel like their words arent being heard, this dialogue comes out to express their exasperation.

Celebrate Teachers' Day by sharing these funny teacher sayings images with friends

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These common and funny dialogues have become a part of every students school life. They not only bring back memories but also highlight the unique bond between teachers and students. Teachers play a vital role in shaping the future of students, and these dialogues, while humorous, also reflect their concern for their students' well-being and education. On Teachers Day 2024, lets take a moment to appreciate our teachers for their tireless efforts and the impact they have had on our lives.

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Attraction works differently for everyone. There are no rules when it comes to who and what can a person be attracted to - romantically or otherwise. People's love and sexual inclinations evolve alongside society. Nowadays, many individuals prefer pairs to singles. Known as "symbiosexuality," researchers believe this new condition is becoming more widespread.

This novel concept challenges the notion that human attraction and desire are limited to one-on-one interactions. Let's learn more about it.

What is Symbiosexuality?

A new study conducted at Seattle University in the United States suggests that people may be more romantically and sexually attracted to a pre-existing pair than to an individual.

The study, published in the Archives of Sexual Behaviour, defines this new form of sexuality as "attraction to the energy, multidimensionality, and power shared between people in relationships." According to NDTV, they "love" the love between the two people in the relationship and want to immerse themselves in it.

Dr Sally Johnston, an adjunct professor of anthropology and sociology who led the study, emphasized that it is a real desire for the "whole" of the connection.

The concept of symbiosexuality arose from academic and cultural discourses recognizing that certain people are more drawn to the relationships of others than to other people.

The study author also discovered that people who identify as symbiosexuals are extroverted and seek intimacy, caring, and attention. They are also less inclined to feel jealous.

Symbiosexuality can be found in a variety of age groups, racial groups, socioeconomic classes, and gender identities. According to the survey, some participants who identify as queer and sexually open expressed a preference for queer and non-heterosexual relationships.

How did people on the internet react to the study?

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Also read: 'Abhay Deol is queer', say fans as actor discusses sexuality and says 'embraced all experiences'

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

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The CEO and co-founder of Tesla, Elon Musk is the richest person in the world with a net worth of $241.7 billion, as of today according to Forbes. He is one of the most influential entrepreneurs of our time. Known for his innovative ideas and groundbreaking ventures, Musk has played a crucial role in shaping various industries through his leadership in multiple companies.

From electric cars to space exploration, Musks companies have made a significant impact on the world. But just how many companies does Elon Musk own, and what are the benefits of each?



Elon Musk's Companies: A Glimpse into His Empire

Elon Musk is the mastermind behind several high-profile companies, each pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation. As of 2024, Elon Musk owns and leads six major companies across various sectors. These include SpaceX, Tesla, X (formerly Twitter), The Boring Company, Neuralink, and xAI. Let's dive into each of these companies and understand their significance.

SpaceX: Revolutionizing Space Exploration

Credit: Reuters

Musk's Role: Founder, CEO, and Lead Designer



Company Value: Estimated at over $200 billion, as of June 2024, reported in Bloomberg in 2024

SpaceX is at the forefront of space exploration, founded by Musk in 2002. The company designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft to reduce space transportation costs. This ambitious mission includes plans to colonize Mars, making interplanetary travel a possibility. In 2024, SpaceX continues to push the envelope with innovations like the Starship spacecraft, which is designed for missions to Mars and beyond.

Tesla: Pioneering Sustainable Energy

Credit: Reuters

Musk's Role: Technoking of Tesla and CEO



Company Value: Approximately $672.79 Billion as of September 2024, according to Companies Market Cap.

Tesla is another jewel in Musk's crown, widely recognised for revolutionising the electric vehicle industry. Founded in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, Musk joined Tesla in 2004 as an early investor and eventually became its CEO. Tesla's mission is to accelerate the worlds transition to sustainable energy, and it continues to lead the market with its innovative electric vehicles and energy storage solutions.

Neuralink: Bridging the Gap Between Humans and AI

Credit: Reuters

Musk's Role: Co-founder



Company Value: Valued at around $5 billion as of mid-2023, reported in geeksforgeeks.org.

Neuralink is a neurotechnology company co-founded by Musk in 2016. The company's goal is to develop brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that could potentially restore vision, motor function, and more. In 2024, Neuralink made headlines by successfully implanting its brain chip in a human patient, marking a significant milestone in the field of neurotechnology.

X (formerly Twitter): The Evolution of Social Media

Credit: Reutes

Musk's Role: Executive Chairman and Chief Technology Officer



Company Value: Valued at around $28.5 billion in mid-2024, according to geeksforgeeks.org.

In October 2022, Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion and rebranded it as X Corp in 2023, aiming to transform it into an "everything app." X is envisioned to go beyond traditional social media, incorporating features like instant messaging, social media, and even mobile payments. Despite facing challenges and controversies, X Corp continues to evolve under Musk's leadership.

The Boring Company: Tackling Traffic with Tunnels

Musk's Role: Founder and CEO

Company Value: Estimated at $5.675 billion as of April 2022, reported in geeksforgeeks.org.

The Boring Company, founded in 2016, focuses on solving urban traffic congestion through innovative tunnel construction. The company has completed several projects, including a test tunnel in California and the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop.

xAI: Pushing the Boundaries of Artificial Intelligence

Musk's Role: Founder

Company Value: Estimated at $24 billion as of mid-2024, reported in geeksforgeeks.org

xAI is Elon Musks newest venture, launched in 2023 to explore the true nature of the universe through artificial intelligence. xAI is set to compete with other leading AI companies like OpenAI, which Musk co-founded but left in 2018. The company is already making waves in the AI industry, planning to build one of the worlds largest supercomputers to support its ambitious projects.

Companies Elon Musk No Longer Owns

While Musk currently owns several successful companies, he has also been involved in other ventures that he no longer owns. His first company, Zip2, was sold to Compaq in 1999 for $307 million. X.com, which later became PayPal, was sold to eBay for $1.5 billion in 2002. Additionally, Musk co-founded SolarCity, which Tesla acquired in 2016, and was also a co-founder of OpenAI, from which he stepped down in 2018.

The Benefits of Elon Musk's Companies

Each company owned by Elon Musk offers unique benefits that contribute to their respective industries. SpaceX is pushing the boundaries of space travel, Tesla is leading the charge towards a sustainable future, and X Corp is reshaping social media. The Boring Company is revolutionizing urban transportation, Neuralink is advancing human-computer interaction, and xAI is exploring the frontiers of artificial intelligence.

Elon Musk's empire spans across multiple industries, from space exploration to artificial intelligence. His companies, including SpaceX, Tesla, X Corp, The Boring Company, Neuralink, and xAI, are all at the cutting edge of technology, each contributing to a better future in their own way. Understanding the scope of Elon Musks companies and the benefits they provide gives us a glimpse into the future he is helping to shape.

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Maria Menounos, a well-known Greek-American TV presenter and social media personality, has been appointed as the Ambassador for the region of Attica. In this role, she will be responsible for promoting the region in the United States.

Menounos and her husband recently met with the Governor of the Attica

Region, Nikos Hardalias, in Athens

The Governor expressed his enthusiasm about Menounos' appointment, stating that she is a prominent figure in the Greek Diaspora and will be a valuable asset in their efforts to promote Attica internationally.

During their meeting, Ms. Menounos and Mr. Hardalias discussed various topics, including major development projects planned for Attica and strategies to enhance the region's tourism product. Ms. Menounos, known for her love for Greece, shared her proposals for opening new communication channels to make Attica a top destination for American tourists and businesses.

Ms. Menounos' diverse background, which includes acting, hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, and running her own online podcast series network, makes her well-suited for the role of ambassador.

The Governor expressed confidence in their collaboration, emphasizing their shared commitment to moving Attica forward.

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A woman, identified as Esther Obidigwe and her two children, Ozioma, Obuka, have been arrested for allegedly beating their 75-year old father at Awba, in Ofemili, Awka North local government area, Anambra state.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the victim, Mr. Romanus Obidigwe reported his family at the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, on Tuesday.

Narrating his ordeal at the ministry, Obidigwe, a retired senior civil servant, said that he had suffered much in the hands of his wife and children, including sexual starvation.

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He said: My family has been in the habit of beating me. In this particular incident, my daughter, Ozioma sold my firewood without my consent and when I accosted her, she, her mother and brother pounced on me, tied me up and used a rod to inflict injuries on me.

It took the intervention of a neighbour before they stopped, after which they locked me out of my compound.

They have since stopped feeding me which I accepted in good fate, yet, they usually steal from me especially my first son. He even went to the extent of claiming my benefits at the Local Government Area I retired from.

Just for peace to reign, I submitted to my wifes compulsory no sexual relationship since the year 2000 till date.

Reacting to the incident in a press statement issued on Wednesday, by Chidimma Ikeanyionwu, the Media Aide to the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, disclosed that the accused family members have been arrested after the victim reported to the ministry.

The statement read: Anambra State government through the security operatives, has arrested one Esther Obidigwe, Ozioma Obidigwe, and Obuka Obidigwe for beating their 75-year-old father, Romanus Obidigwe.

READ MORE: Gunmen Attack, Set Ablaze LG Secretariat In Anambra

Sharing his experience with his family at the office of the commissioner, Obidigwe, a retired senior civil servant stated that his family has been in the habit of beating him constantly.

But what caused that particular incident was that his daughter, Ozioma, sold his firewood without his consent and when he tried to know why she did so, they pounced on him, tied him up and used a rod in inflicting injuries on him.

Obidigwe further revealed that the trio has since stopped feeding him of which he accepted as good fate and that they usually steal from him especially his first son, Obuka who had gone to local government where he retired from to claim his benefits.

He also noted that it took the intervention of a neighbour before they stopped, after which they locked him out of his compound.

During questioning on why they inflicted injuries on their father, his son, Obuka, denied being present when the incident happened while his wife, Esther, confessed to the crime whereas the daughter, alleged that it was what the father wanted to do to her that turned against him.
he Nigeria Police Force has urged British national, Andrew Wynne, to come out of his hiding and surrender to security agents.

Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had earlier reported that the police declared Wynne and his Nigerian collaborator, Lucky Obiyan, wanted for allegedly plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubus administration and placed a 20 million naira bounty on them.

However, Wynne on Monday, in an interview with Channels Television, said that he was not aware he had been labelled a fugitive.

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Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said that the British national was contacted many times and he refused to show up even after his bookshop was invaded.

Adejobi said the Zoom interrogation suggested by Wynne would not be accepted by the police based on the gravity of the allegations preferred against him.

READ: Police Declare Briton, Nigerian Wanted For Attempting To Overthrow Tinubus Govt

He said: He (Wynne) has been contacted several times. He has been so faceless. We went to invade that bookshop. As he asked questions, he came out.

If you have a genuine business, are you not going to ask the police what we went to do in his shop or his office?

Up till now, he has not shown up. We have been able to trace his private school. We visited his school; has he shown up? We have interrogated staff and people working with him.

Has he shown up? So where is he and why is he hiding and speaking from hiding that he has no case to answer?

As I said, it is not a subject of debate or argument. We have done what we should as a responsible security institution.

We have established an offence or offences against him, and we have even declared him wanted. His accomplices have been charged in court.

Let him come out. At least those people worked for him. As a good leader, as a businessman, as a smart man who mobilised and organised sleeper cells to cause problems in Nigeria.

He should have come out as a good leader. So let him prove to his followers that he is a good leader. Let him come and meet us.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of self-acclaimed whistleblower, Isaac Bristol Tamunobifiri, in Kuje correctional facility.

Bristol, also known as PIDOM, was arraigned on nine counts brought against him by the Inspector General of Police, bordering on alleged money laundering, cybercrime, and disseminating classified secret documents.

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In the money laundering allegations brought against him, the police claimed that the funds PIDOM obtained were derived from unlawful activities.

The ninth charge on the court document accused PIDOM of tampering with evidence by destroying his Tecno Phantom X phone and attempting to flush it down the water system of the hotel where he was arrested.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges levelled against him.

The defendants counsel, Deji Adeyanju, after taking his plea, applied for a bail application, which was objected to by the prosecutions counsel.

After listening to the submissions of the lawyers in the suit, Justice Nwite adjourned to September 23 for ruling on the bail application, while he ordered that he be remanded in Kuje correctional centre.

In a charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/456/2024, PIDOM was accused of mobilising and soliciting support to unduly compel the government to act or abstain from certain acts through the #Endbadgovernance protest, false money-laundering allegations against President Bola Tinubu, and unlawfully obtaining, retaining and disseminating classified secret documents in contravention of the official Secret Act 1962.

Meanwhile, the police have said a discreet investigation revealed that an investigative journalist, David Hundeyin and one Michael Alade are accomplices of PIDOMNigeria.

Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, addressing journalists in Abuja, on Tuesday, said PIDOM was arrested following a petition from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Adejobi added that when operatives of the National Cybercrime Centre stormed PIDOMs hotel, he resisted arrest, locked himself up, destroyed his phone and flushed it down the toilet.

He said, The operatives of the Nigerian Police National Cybercrime Center have apprehended an anonymous hacker in connection with alleged criminal conspiracy, offences against the Official Secret Act, leakage of classified and restricted documents, acts likely to cause breach of public peace, sedition, fraud, and tax evasion.

READ ALSO: Police Charge Whistleblower PIDOM To Court On Nine Counts After 28-Day Detention

The discreet investigation was initiated to identify those responsible for the leakage, which led to the identification of Bristol Isaac, Michael Temidayo Alade and David Hundeyin who are suspects in connection with the alleged crimes.

The principal suspect, Bristol Isaac, was apprehended at a hotel in Port Harcourt by National Cybercrime Center detectives.

In an attempt to resist arrest, the suspect locked himself in the hotel room, smashed his phone, and flushed it down the toilet to destroy evidence. He also refused to surrender his phones password, claiming he had forgotten it, thereby concealing information. Subsequent investigations after his arrest revealed several suspicious activities between the principal suspect and his accomplices.

Adejobi also said the suspect illegally accessed police-restricted document data.

He said, Investigations also revealed that the suspect was responsible for leaking a sensitive restricted document generated from the Office of the President to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The suspect had also illegally accessed police-restricted document data and posted directives from the Office of the Inspector General of Police and many other restricted documents to jeopardise the security network in Nigeria.

The complaints filed by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation alleged that an anonymous blogger using the Twitter handle at PIDOM Nigeria published and distributed a restricted document on a sensitive matter of national security.

The police spokesman said PIDOMs arrest was to protect national security and maintain public order.

He said, So the Nigerian Police National Cybercrime Center has done well in this regard to identify this man and subsequently apprehended him to protect national security, maintain public order, and identify and apprehend those engaged in criminal activities threatening the stability of our nation.

When asked to clarify if the police were on the trail of Hundeyin and Alade, Adejobi said, Im sure they are working assiduously to see how they can get them.

Perhaps they must have sent an invitation letter to them. Or they must have contacted them one way or the other. I dont know the plan the team has.

But Im sure since they have fingered them, they want to interrogate them for further action. The police will do the needful to make sure everyone involved in such crimes will be brought to book after thorough interrogation and investigation.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has warned traditional rulers, reportedly involving in illegal mining with criminals in some parts of the country.

The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at the two-day first International Anti-Corruption and Climate Change Conference organised by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda.

Olukayode also added that the severe environmental damage in the Niger Delta, including oil spills and pollution, was driven by corruption, not just natural causes.

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The EFCC Boss described illegal mining as a major environmental problem affecting some parts of the country.

READ MORE: EFCC Nabs 14 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Benue

He said: When we are talking about environmental degradation, what is going on now with the illegal mining, in another five years it is going to be much, worse than the degradation that oil and gas exploration has caused.

So let us begin to have that at the back of our mind. It (illegal mining) is a major problem that we are grappling with.

You need to see the pictures of some of the environmental damage that illegal mining is causing, not even from foreigners alone, but particularly by our own indigenous people, in their environment. In some cases, supported by some traditional rulers.

The Niger Delta today is riddled with cases of oil spills, pollution and damage to the ecosystem. This cannot be blamed on natural occurrences alone. Corruption is at the root of climatic disruptions.
The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, has expressed disappointment over Nigerias continued inability to generate more than 6,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

This is despite the countrys plan to increase the countrys power generation capacity to 50,000 MW by 2020.

Speaking at the 32nd Engineering Assembly organized by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Governor highlighted that this plan was part of Vision 20:2020, which aimed to position Nigeria among the worlds 20 richest countries.

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In 2009, when Vision 20:2020 was formed, I was a member of the power committee.

READ ALSO: Garba Shehu: Power Generation Now 13,000 MW  It Was 2,500 MW Under Jonathan

At that time, we were generating about 6,000 MW of power, and we committed to increase this to 50,000 MW by 2020, using various sources like hydro and gas turbines. The goal was to become the 20th largest economy. However, 15 years later, we are still generating less than the 6,000 MW we had back then, Governor Sule lamented.

He emphasized the importance of moving away from fossil fuels and adopting cleaner energy sources, which Nigeria possesses in abundance.

Sule also urged the country to explore mining as a significant source of revenue, noting that Nasarawa is one of the four states contributing over N1 billion to the federation account.
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has claimed that several Fulani people have been killed, attacked and treated differently in Nigeria.

Sanusi led this out during a meeting with the leadership of the Fulani organization, Tapital Pulaku Njode Jam Nigeria, on Tuesday at his palace.

The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, added that it was high time for the government to provide a permanent solution to the crisis in the country.

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He said: But this can be done only if the Federal Government will give me full support to achieve my mission because they have the might and what it takes to make my strategy work, while I will provide the ideas and the methodologies of how to go about it.

No doubt, Fulanis in Nigeria have suffered heavy attacks, isolation, killing and destruction and the rustling of their cows, these rejections indeed were carried all across the country and something needs to be done to arrest the situation.

READ MORE: Kano Affected Most By Protest Consequences  Sanusi

However, it is not untrue that there are some bad eggs amongst the Fulanis who have thrown the good names of the People into the trash and subjected them to what they are suffering today.

This is the time that the Government together with us will have a permanent solution to the crises more specifically between them and the farmers and also where they are suspected to be carrying out other crimes.

I on my own, Im ready to help the Government achieve the desired mission of having peace and prosperity among the Fulanis and indeed other Nigerians, their suffering should stop, I believe together we will do it.
Some gunmen, suspected to be political thugs have reportedly killed two security personnel at Isiala-Mbano LGA headquarters in Imo state.

It was gathered that the criminals invaded the area at about 8:30pm on Tuesday and shot sporadically.

A witness told PUNCH that the attackers killed two security officers on duty and set some sections of the council building and vehicles on fire.

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He added that the attack might be due to the All Progressives Congress primary election held in the 27 LGAs and 306 wards of the state.

READ MORE: Imo Pastor Bags Eight-Year Jail Term For Raping Members Wife

The source said: Two security personnel at Isiala-Mbano council headquarters have been shot dead. The hoodlums also set ablaze a larger portion of the council building and several vehicles parked on the premises.

APC is having their primaries today for the September 21 local government council election. The assailants may have thought the exercise was held at the council headquarters.

They stormed there around 8:30pm and shot the security men on sight to death. Many others escaped with various degrees of injuries.

There is palpable fear in Umuelemai, the LGA headquarters, because people, as I speak, have run away to neighbouring villages for fear of being killed. Government and police should come to our rescue.
A yet-to-be-identified man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting an officer of the Lagos State Environment and Water Resources while on duty at Berger along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

It was gathered that the suspect, on Tuesday, was said to be defecating around the median on the expressway when the officials stationed close to the Berger bridge rushed to confront him.

A source who refuse to reveal his identity, told PUNCH that the culprit, in an attempt to resist arrest, attacked one of the officials and injured him in the process.

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He said: He was caught just like others but resisted arrest and decided to fight with them. He hit one of the civilian officials with an object on the head which caused him to start bleeding.

READ MORE: 16 Arrested In Lagos For Open Urination, Defecation, Other Offenses

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed the incident via his X handle on Tuesday, noted that the suspect had been remanded in prison but would be charged in court.

Tokunbo wrote: One individual was arrested at Berger for injuring one of the civilians employed by the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources while on duty at Berger.

He has been remanded in prison custody and will appear again in court on October 29, 2024.
Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Chairman of the Silverbird Group, has pledged to bring the Miss Universe pageant to Nigeria in 2025 if Chidimma Adetshina wins the international title.

In a statement on his X page on Tuesday, Murray-Bruce assured that his company will leave no stone unturned in ensuring a successful hosting of the event, learning from the challenges faced during their previous attempt to host Miss World in 2002.

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He expressed his determination to see Nigeria reclaim its position on the global stage, stating that nothing can stop the country from achieving this feat.

READ MORE: Despite Living In South Africa For 23 Years, I Was Rejected Because Of My Name  Chidinma Adetshina

With confidence and enthusiasm, Murray-Bruce promised to make Nigerias hosting of Miss Universe 2025 a reality if Adetshina emerges victorious.

Bruce wrote: If Chidimma Adetshina clinches the @MissUniverse crown, rest assured, The Silverbird Group will spare no expense or effort to bring the next Miss Universe pageant to Nigeria in 2025. Weve learned from the pastthose who remember our attempt to host Miss World in Nigeria in 2002 know the challenges we faced. But let me make this clear: what happened then will not repeat itself. Nigeria is set to reclaim its rightful place on the global stage, and there isnt a force on earth that can stand in our way.

SEE POST:
Peter Obi, Labour Partys 2023 presidential candidate, has appointed Yunusa Tanko as Interim National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement.

Before this appointment, Tanko served as the spokesperson for Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State, and the media director for the now-defunct Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation.

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The activist-turned-politician, was the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in 2015 before becoming the presidential candidate for the National Conscience Party in 2019.

Obi explained via a Tuesday statement that Tankos selection resulted from a consensus decision to zone the position to the northern part of Nigeria.

He highlighted Tankos leadership qualities and track record as key factors in the appointment.

READ ALSO: Obidient Movement Bigger Than Labour Party  Tanko Yunusa

His words: Last week, I held an X Space to announce the start of a series of engagements that will help establish this structure. To drive this process, I set up a team to manage these conversations. This team was tasked with holding a series of consultations and engagements.

Moving forward, it is crucial to have leadership in place to support this building process. After extensive consultations within the movement and reviewing feedback from Obidients through the ideas submitted, there is a consensus that the position of national coordinator should go to the North.

From the nominations submitted by key stakeholders in the movement and shared with the engagement team, Dr. Tanko Yunusa emerged as the most nominated candidate for this role.

Obi clarified that all positions filled at this stage are interim until the structure is fully developed.

Remember, we have over one million leadership positions to fill as we work to build a Nigeria that works for everyone. Please be thoughtful in your nominations to help us onboard people with the competence, character, and capacity to lead, he added.
The Zone 16 Police Command headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has paraded ten individuals for alleged Internet fraud, possession of charms, illegal substances, and participation in diabolic ritual activities.

Speaking to journalists at the commands headquarters in Yenagoa on Tuesday, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Ewhoborwo Emonena Gunn, said the suspects were apprehended in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Gunn identified the suspects as Ive Godwill (m) 23, Princewill Oguama (m) 20, Anyanwu Oluebube (m) 19, Tochukwu Ajaegbu (m) 27, Daniel Samuel (m) 21, and Akanimoh Joshua (m) 22 years.

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The others are Chukwunye Ubeh (m), 19, Peter James (m), 28, Gentle Nelson (m), 22, and Ruth Kossiwa (f), 22.

They were detained on Monday at No. 4 Peterson Avenue, Ogbogoro, Port Harcourt, and would be arraigned and prosecuted once the investigations are completed, according to Gunn.

His words: Their arrest followed the conduct of a covert operation by the operatives upon the receipt of intelligent information, wherein hard drugs and charms were recovered.

The suspects upon interrogation confessed to have been involved in a series of fraudulent activities as evidence speaks volumes. The suspects will be arraigned and prosecuted once investigations are concluded.

READ MORE: NSCDC Intensifies War Against Oil Thieves, Uncovers Illegal Refinery In Rivers

Gunn stated that the AIG in charge of Zone 16, Paul Alifa Omata, has reiterated his officers commitment to protecting the lives and property of inhabitants in Bayelsa and Rivers states.

According to him, the police are carrying out their constitutional mission, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding all residents safety and security.

Ruth Kossiwa, the lone female suspect, told reporters that she was visiting her lover of one month when she was arrested among others on Monday morning.

In another event, men from Zone 16 discovered a Beretta pistol and some rounds of.9mm calibre ammunition at Okaki Junction in Yenagoa, where a group of armed bandits was terrorising people.


The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has urged investors and owners of Distribution Companies (DisCos) in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry to propose solutions to improve the sector rather than excuses for its current state.

Sanusi Garba, Chairman of NERC, stated this during a meeting between the Commission and the DisCos investors.

As revealed on Commissions X, Garba assured of NERCs support, and encouraged them to bring forward transformative ideas and suggest regulatory interventions that could lead to rapid and positive changes within the sector.

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Barth Nnaji, the Chairman of Aba Power, suggested using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to monitor meters.

He emphasized that even when meter bypassing occurs, meters remain a crucial tool in reducing collection losses.

READ ALSO: Tarrif Hike: Labour Unions Shut Down NERC Head Office (Pictures)

He added, Once you have metered, you can also invest in the intelligence to reduce infractions.

Yusuf Ali, NERCs Commissioner for Planning, Research, and Strategy, discussed the role of metering and AI in improving sector performance and highlighted the Commissions intention to create a regulatory environment that fosters investor confidence.

Dafe Akpeneye, NERCs Commissioner for Legal, Licensing, and Compliance, clarified the Commissions role in issuing orders allowing states to take over electricity regulation within their jurisdictions.

He noted, People may misunderstand the Orders and think NERC doesnt want to let go. We issue the Transition Orders shortly after we receive the requests. Once they take over, the state governments are 100% responsible for setting their states regulations and the tariff.


Binance Holdings Limited, on Tuesday, expressed dissatisfaction on how the Federal Government is going about the dispute with the cryptocurrency exchange company.

The company was particularly concerned about the treatment of its detained executive, Tigran Gambaryan.

Gambaryan was on Monday arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged money laundering.

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During court proceeding, Gambaryan, who was visibly in discomfort and distressed, was denied a wheelchair and had to enter the court on crutches.

His lawyers had filed a new bail application on medical grounds, as well as alleged restricted access to him for trial preparation.

But the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, opposed the bail application.

The company however condemned the decision of the Nigerian Government to deny Gambaryan a wheelchair during Mondays proceedings.

In a statement by Binance, the company said it was deeply disturbed by the viral video showing the unacceptable treatment of Gambaryan by the Nigerian authorities.

READ ALSO: Court Summons Cardoso Over Detained Binance Executive, Gambaryan

The company said the health of Gambaryan was deteriorating quickly and urged the government to release him.

The statement read: A video circulating shows the mistreatment and pain hes enduring. The judge ordered that Tigran be allowed to use a wheelchair, with the bail hearing continuing on September 4th. We are sharing an official statement from Binance on this matter.

We are extremely distressed by the video of Tigran in court yesterday. This video is just a snapshot of Tigrans current reality. His health is rapidly declining and we are deeply concerned about the long term consequences of this unjust detention

The company said the government did not have to continue incarcerating Gambaryan for it to resolve the issues it is having with the government of the West Africa nation.

Nigeria does not need to keep Tigran in order for us to settle any alleged past issues. We continue to implore the Government of Nigeria to let Tigran return home and let us continue in our engagements.

Our recent resolutions with Brazil and India demonstrate how historical issues can be resolved through constructive dialogue and adherence to legal standards. This is the international standard of doing business, the statement added.
A long time ago, in a galaxy not so far away, a deceptively simple idea started to take hold within the development community: Software, given its immense potential as an engine of change, should be made free and open to everyone. Unsurprisingly, this ideamost commonly associated today with the open source software movementwas initially met with fierce resistance from the business community.

However, over the past 40-odd years, the open source software movement has come quite a long way. What was once famously referred to as a cancer by then-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has become the very definition of mainstream, with more than 78% of businesses using open source software in their day-to-day operations, and a whopping 96% of software containing at least some open source components. Meanwhile, as of 2022, Microsoft itself had released more than 1,200 open source projects and joined more than 20 open source organizations.

From free and fringe to open source and mainstream

This dramatic rise of open source wasnt the result of some sudden wave of enlightenment. On the contrary, it was a very conscious and calculated effort by pragmatic advocates to make the idea more palatable to the corporate community. In order to do so, these boardroom whisperers thought it would be best to redirect the focus of the movement away from the philosophical, ethical, and sociopolitical, and instead towards the more practical, free-market-friendly benefits associated with permissive licensing. Unlike the Free Software Movement that predated it, the advocates of open source went to great lengths to convince the profit-motivated masters of Silicon Valley and elsewhere that such a licensing model was anything but charitable. And in no way were they being misleading. The now-highly-familiar open source licensing model has very real, dollars-and-cents advantages to businesses developing software.
Kristen Sabatino pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and related crimes during a hearing Monday at the Montgomery County Courthouse Read more

Montgomery County Court Judge Wendy Rothstein spared no words for Kristen Sabatino on Monday: She had repeatedly failed to protect her son, and that cost the child his life.

Were here because a 6-year-old boy is no longer with us, she said of Dominic Lyons as Sabatino pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a child, and conspiracy to possess drugs in connection with his July 2023 overdose on opioids.

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His mother was supposed to nurture and protect him, Rothstein said. Instead, his mother endangered him.

Sabatino, 32, declined to speak before Rothstein sentenced her to 2 to 5 years in state prison, followed by five years of probation in connection with Dominics death and for violating her probation in a 2017 case in which she was found overdosed on top of her then-infant son.

Police in Norristown were called to Sabatinos apartment on Willow Street on July 16, 2023, for reports that Dominic was unresponsive. Medics found him cold to the touch, and he was pronounced dead not long afterward.

Blood tests revealed the boy had high levels of fentanyl and xylazine in his system  doctors later concluded he must have ingested the narcotics.

Detectives found evidence that between August 2022 and her sons death in July of the following year, Sabatino had routinely asked her boyfriend, Matthew Santiago, to purchase fentanyl and other drugs for her. Drug paraphernalia was found strewn about the apartment that Sabatino and Santiago shared with Dominic and their daughter, who was 3 years old at the time of their arrests.

Santiago, 35, pleaded guilty to similar charges late last month, and Rothstein sentenced him to two to five years in state prison.

Dominics father, Hussein Lyons, addressed Sabatino in court on Monday and chastised her for her silence and lack of an apology.

No one is addressing this in the courtroom, not even to say sorry, he said. To be a parent and show no emotion is disgusting.

Afterward, Sabatinos attorney, Scott Frame, said he was satisfied with the sentence negotiated with prosecutors.

Were just happy that Kristen is going to get the treatment that she needs after all these years, Frame said. I think it was a good result, and she can move on with her life.

Sabatino had been previously arrested for drug possession, including in 2017, when police in Upper Providence Township found her overdosed on heroin with her head resting on the then-infant Dominics chest, according to court records. Officers revived her with naloxone. Dominic was not injured.

 READ MORE: Coatesville couples recklessness exposed their 8-year-old son to the narcotics that killed him, DA says

She later pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child and was sentenced to seven years probation.

At the time of Dominics death, Sabatino was already under supervision from the county Office of Children and Youth for a 2022 incident in which she overdosed on oxycodone while driving and caused a crash. Her then-13-month-old daughter was in the car at the time.

Deputy District Attorney Brianna Ringwood said after Mondays hearing that while no sentence could bring Dominic back, she believed justice had been served.

I do think that what we saw today is a mom who made a lot of choices that led to where we are, and she accepted responsibility by pleading guilty, Ringwood said. Unfortunately, her acceptance of responsibility for her life choices came too late to save Dominic, but Im hoping there is some good that can come out of this, as far as treatment and recovery.
In a predawn heist, a crew of six thieves stole three large pallets of crabmeat worth $42,000 from a tractor-trailer in South Philadelphia early Wednesday, police said, the latest in a rash of cargo thefts across the city.

Officers responded to a report of a theft from the back of a tractor-trailer on the 600 block of Packer Avenue around 3:30 a.m., police said. The 49-year-old truck driver said he was sleeping inside the truck when he felt movement coming from the back of the tractor-trailer.

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When he went to check what was happening, the driver told police, he saw six men stealing boxes of crabmeat from the truck. After loading the stolen seafood into three different cars  a white van, a burgundy SUV, and a gray car  the crew split up and fled toward Oregon Avenue, said Police Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore.

Wednesdays theft of thousands of pounds of crab was not the first seafood heist in the city in recent months.

In April, after attacking a truck driver who was awakened by an alarm signaling a theft, a crew of thieves stole about $30,000 worth of snow crab, police said. The truck driver had been dozing in a Walmart parking lot when about a dozen thieves broke into the truck, assaulted the man, and stole boxes of crab.

And in October, thieves stole about $73,000 worth of crab clusters from a truck on the 1800 block of Germantown Avenue, police said. Officers responded to reports of a theft about 1:45 a.m. on Oct. 5 and found that 184 cases of crab clusters had been hauled from the back of a tractor-trailer.

Police continue to investigate the crimes and no arrests have been made, said Vanore.

Cargo thefts have been on the rise in Philadelphia over the last year, he said, with 110 this year alone. Such thefts can be elusive, and police have made only a dozen arrests in such cases in the last year, he said.

Most of the thefts  which range from stolen appliances and electronics to food and alcohol  are generally concentrated in Northeast Philadelphia and South Philadelphia neighborhoods with warehouses where tractor-trailers load and unload cargo, he said.

In some cases, thieves may be getting tipped off to valuable deliveries, Vanore said, but many of the thefts are crimes of opportunity, with crews grabbing whatever they can get.

I dont think theyre picky, he said. I think theyre taking whatever they can.
Pennsylvania schools arent required to test a minimum number of water outlets, which doesn't give an accurate picture of the lead in the water, PennEnvironment says. Read more

Despite a Pennsylvania law setting new requirements around addressing lead in school drinking water, a report released Wednesday highlights loopholes in the law  and says schools, and the state, are failing to adequately protect children from a contaminant that can cause nervous system damage and learning disabilities.

The findings, which come from a series of Right-to-Know requests sent to nine districts  including three in the Philadelphia suburbs  show problems with both frequency and methods of testing, as well as how results are reported, according to PennEnvironment, an environmental research and advocacy group.

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Its the tip of the toxic lead iceberg, I think in some ways, said Stephanie Wein, a clean water advocate with PennEnvironment.

Heres what the report found, and how some districts are avoiding testing their water or publicizing test results:

What does Pennsylvania law require?

Starting in the 2018-19 school year, schools have been required to either test drinking water for lead annually or discuss lead issues in the school facilities at a public meeting. Districts with results that exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys standard must report them to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which posts the elevated levels and how districts are addressing them.

That provision allowing districts to not test is a problem, PennEnvironment says  as is the fact that schools are not required to test a minimum number of water outlets, such as sinks or drinking fountains, or to report the results directly to parents or others in a district.

What are some Philly-area districts doing?

PennEnvironment sent Right-to-Know requests to nine of the largest districts across the state, including Norristown, Upper Darby, and West Chester. (Other districts included in the review were Altoona, Bethlehem, Harrisburg, Hazleton, Scranton, and York.)

The responses from each of the districts indicated flaws with the law and how districts are following it, according to PennEnvironment. Norristown has not tested its water for lead since 2019, the report says, and has instead simply held the required meeting in which they stated their intent not to test, thus satisfying the requirements of the law. It said the district appears to be planning to test in 2024-25. (Norristown said it was fully compliant with the law; its superintendent, Christopher Dormer, said in a statement Wednesday that the health, safety and well-being of our students, families, and community members is and will continue to be our top priority.)

In West Chester, according to the report, no testing was performed in 2020-21, though all school drinking water fountains were closed that year. Testing was conducted in 2021-22, but wasnt in 2022-23; instead, the subject was discussed in a March 2023 school board committee meeting, where minutes indicate the committee was advised that testing was completed last year and would continue to be tested on a 2-to-3-year cycle.

Testing so infrequently provides no real protection, the report says, because lead is a moving contaminant absorbed into water from pipes and fixtures; how quickly that absorption happens depends on environmental factors.

Molly Schwemler, a West Chester spokesperson, said the district had proactively chosen to conduct these tests, as well as testing for copper concentrations, across all of our facilities every other year and has also addressed water testing in a public setting. She said that in April 2024, Criterion Laboratories Inc. tested drinking water outlets in each of our 17 schools. We are pleased to report that all samples showed lead levels well below the EPAs action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb). Schwemler said there was a single initial exception, located in the East High School Concession Building, but following a re-test of the system, lead concentrations were also below the EPA level.

While Upper Darby is testing two outlets in each school  the nurses office and kitchen  PennEnvironment says that sample size is useless as a basis for determining whether that system contains lead contamination, again because of the way lead is absorbed into water.

The report also says it couldnt find any discussion of lead in drinking water on Upper Darbys website, and while it found some reference to testing in board minutes, it didnt find test results.

Upper Darbys superintendent, Dan McGarry, said the district tests annually  testing 65 locations last year  and made a public presentation in February on its test results, available in online school board documents. There was no lead detected, according to the district.

Were doing exactly what the law requires, McGarry said.

What do advocates say needs to happen?

The report  which also found that some elevated test results from districts were missing from the state education departments website  said Pennsylvania policymakers need to adopt a new approach to lead in schools, shifting from a test-and-fix model to requiring that schools replace drinking fountains with lead-filtering water bottle filling stations, and install lead-capturing filters on all other taps used for drinking, cooking and beverage preparation. There should be one filtered outlet for every 100 students and staff, the report said.

By installing filters, you dont need to tear out every pipe, Wein said. Though lead-containing infrastructure always remains a risk, she said, the filters provide peace of mind that, 24/7, our water is being treated, our kids are being protected.

Wein noted that Philadelphia schools have been installing filters, with a new City Council requirement that the district remove lead from its drinking water by 2025. The district has received federal money for the effort.

Legislation introduced in the Pennsylvania House and Senate would require school districts to install filters by 2026; under the proposal, the department could award up to $10 million in grants a year for three years to support the requirement.
State Representative Elizabeth Fiedler introduced and championed legislation that will provide state grants for solar panels on Pennsylvania schools. Read more

Coming to a school near you: solar panels on roofs.

School districts, under a new law, will be able to apply for state funds to purchase and install the panels, generating energy savings that can be invested back into classrooms.

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State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D., Philadelphia) on Wednesday touted the program she introduced and shepherded through the legislative process, gathering in Philadelphia City Council chambers with lawmakers and labor and environmental leaders for a pep rally of sorts.

We know that our schools need more resources  they need more teachers, more guidance counselors, up-to-date textbooks, technology, science. They need so much, said Fiedler, whose children attend a Philadelphia public school.

Solar for Schools will allow any district that wins a grant to reap real benefits over the life of the solar panels. Many, including Philadelphia, have expressed interest, Fiedler said, and applications should be available by mid-October.

Were not talking about a few dollars, said Fiedler. Were talking about millions of dollars over the life of the panels.

We know it will go a long way

Fiedler spent the last year and a half working on the legislation, inspecting school roofs, learning about the economics and technical aspects of solar panels, talking to districts that have gone the solar route and those that aim to do so.

Savings, she said, vary; the Steelton-Highspire school system in Dauphin County offsets 100% of that districts annual electrical energy consumption for its two school buildings. Even at the tiny district of less than 2,000 students  some individual Philadelphia schools are larger than that district  savings of up to $1.6 million over 20 years are projected.

The program, initially funded with $25 million of state money, will allow districts, community colleges, and career and technical schools to apply for grants to cover up to 50% of the cost of solar panels. Funds currently available through the federal government can pay for 30% to 50% of the remainder of the cost, with districts potentially able to install the solar panels without any money from their operating budgets.

We know it will go a long way in our public schools, said Philadelphia Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson, another parent of children in the district.

Energy costs represent a significant chunk of school operating expenses, especially in districts like Philadelphia, which are rife with old buildings.

Opportunities for jobs and students

Emily Schapira, CEO of the Philadelphia Energy Authority, a technical adviser on the bill, called it a landmark piece of legislation, not just because it could move schools toward using a cleaner, more efficient source of energy, but also because of the jobs potential.

Solar jobs in the residential sector pay well and are incredible training for union jobs, Schapira said. We cannot wait to expand that work to commercial projects at our schools to create more opportunities for labor, to create even more  middle-class opportunities.

Those opportunities could even come for Philadelphia students. Mayfair Elementary, a K-8 school in the Northeast, has an innovative middle school solar career and technical education program; a solar program that had been based at Frankford High will soon move to Randolph High, another district school.

Those in the labor movement and environmentalists dont always see eye to eye, but Solar for Schools bridged the gap, leaders from both camps said Wednesday.

We dont have to choose between protecting our environment and creating good-paying, family-sustaining union jobs, said Molly Parzen, executive director of Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, who championed the bill.

I just have to say a lot of times labor gets pitched against environmentalists, but when we sit down together and just talk, were able to come up with new ideas to move our city into the future, said T.J. Lepera, political director for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98, another proponent of Solar for Schools.

State Rep. Jordan Harris (D., Philadelphia), the Democratic chair of the Appropriations Committee, acknowledged that $25 million will not fund all Pennsylvania schools solar projects.

But, he said, We believe that we need to continue to invest in it.
Anthony Bing, a 64-year old veteran, in his home in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. Bing submits regular urine tests for drugs and alcohol. For over a year, his urine tests have come back positive for alcohol, even though he isn't drinking any alcohol. Doctors recently helped him figure out why. Read more

Good morning. Our big read today tells the tale of faulty drug tests and a bona fide medical mystery at the VA. We also have news on Phillys increasingly crowded insurance market, and Jefferson Healths SEAL team of elite nurses.

 Plus, can you guess how many new medical doctors graduated in the Philly region this spring? For a chance to be featured in this newsletter, or to share your tips, questions and suggestions, email us back.

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If someone forwarded you this newsletter, sign up here.

 Aubrey Whelan and Alison McCook, Inquirer health reporters, @aubreywhelan and @alisonmccook

We were tempted to give Agatha Christie a byline on this weeks big read: A man claims hes sober, yet his urine keeps testing positive for alcohol. Can his doctor keep him out of prison?

Last fall, Aaron Schwartz, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania and primary care doctor at the VA Medical Center, got a frantic call from one of his patients, saying a social worker was telling him that his urine was testing positive for alcohol, a violation of his probation.

The patient  a disabled Navy vet  insisted he was sober. But no one believed him.

Luckily, Schwartz believed him, and had a suspicion about what might be causing the urine to test positive for alcohol. But he needed proof.

Read more about Schwartzs unconventional experiment to test an unconventional hypothesis, and the profound flaws it revealed in the way urine is tested for alcohol.

The latest news to pay attention to

Exclusive data dive

This weeks number: 981.

Thats the number of new MDs who graduated from Philly-area medical schools this spring, number crunching by our colleague Abraham Gutman found.

The largest classes were at Jefferson and Drexel, each with more than 250 grads.

Cooper-Rowan medical school in Camden, the newest school in the region, graduated just over 100 students.

The data comes from the Association of American Medical Colleges. It also breaks down grads by gender, showing a roughly 50/50 split in most schools.

These MDs arent the only newly-minted physicians in the Philly area: the region has two DO schools, PCOM and Rowan-Virtua, which, combined, graduated more than 400 students last year.

This week, we bring you some inspection news, along with our typical rotation approach to reporting on hospitals. Thats because when newsy inspections land, we report the findings in real time. Last week, our colleague Sarah Gantz wrote about two Main Line Health hospitals cited by Pennsylvania health inspectors for failing to report two instances of child abuse.

One citation involved a girl who came to Lankenau Medical Center after being sexually and physically assaulted by three people. In another, a 17-year-old girl was raped and sought help at Bryn Mawr Hospitals emergency department.

In both instances, hospital staff failed to uphold their responsibilities as mandated reporters under Pennsylvania law, which requires them to report suspected abuse against an underage patient.

Sarah also took her customary look at Nazareth Hospital in Philadelphia, where between January and June, state inspectors found no safety violations.

Robyn Faye is an OB-GYN at Jefferson Abington Hospital whos been certified as a sex counselor through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT).

Later this year, shell become the co-director of Abingtons new menopause center. She spoke with our colleague Wendy Ruderman about age, intimacy, and why hormones act like a lava lamp during the months and years leading to menopause.

There were some sweeping staff switch-ups at one of the nations biggest Medicaid insurers, AmeriHealth Caritas, headquartered in Newtown Square.

Kelly Munson  who became CEO in February  announced the changes last week, which come after the managed care organization failed to win state Medicaid contracts in Florida and Texas.

The companys general counsel, chief medical officer, and chief development officer are all out, and its chief financial officer will retire at the end of the year. Instead, two senior executives from the largest Medicaid insurer (Centene Corp.) will take on leadership roles at AmeriHealth Caritas.

Check out Harold Brubakers story for more details on major moves at the organization.

Did you see an uptick in patient calls about food poisoning after the Labor Day weekend? We wouldnt be surprised, given that it is a holiday associated with BBQ parties, and most people dont use meat thermometers to check if their burgers are safe to serve.

A recent survey of nearly 1,500 U.S. adults by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania also found that most people dont know what temperature to cook different cuts of meat to kill bacteria and viruses.

See if you can beat our readers knowledge about how to cook meats safely by taking our quiz.

What other key aspects of food safety you think are too often ignored? For a chance to be featured in this newsletter, email us back.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
Anthony Bing, a 64-year old veteran, and wife Priscilla Bing (left with container of his medication) described their experience last month at their home in Kensington section of Philadelphia. Anthony Bing has to submit to regular drug and alcohol testing. He says he's been sober for months, but his urine keeps testing positive for alcohol. One UPenn doctor cracked the case. Read more

At least once a week, every week, for years, Anthony Bing, 64, has made his way from his home in Kensington to the Philadelphia County Probation and Parole Office, where he would pee in a cup.

He is one of the hundreds of Philadelphians who, as part of their probation, have to submit to regular urine tests for drugs and alcohol. A Navy veteran, Bing has received testing since 2018 through a court program designed for veterans with addiction or mental health challenges who have been charged with crimes.

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Everything seemed to be going OK until August 2023, when Bing got a call from a social worker. His urine was positive for alcohol.

Bings first reaction was disbelief: He says he hasnt had a drink since Dec. 2022. His wife, Priscilla, is a former nurse, and told the social worker the test had to be wrong. I know for a fact he wasnt drinking, she said.

But no one believed them.

A lot was at stake. If Bing violated the terms of his probation, they worried that he could go to jail, and lose some of the income the couple depended on from the VA and Social Security.

Desperate, they called Bings primary care doctor at the VA Medical Center, Aaron Schwartz, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

Schwartz believed Bing. But he knew they would need to convince the court that Bing hadnt violated his probation. To get proof, Schwartz performed an unconventional experiment to test an unconventional hypothesis.

The results would reveal profound flaws in the way urine is tested for alcohol  affecting not only Bing and the hundreds of other Philadelphians on probation, but anyone else (especially those with a common medical condition) who must submit urine tests to prove they are sober.

A medical mystery

If Bing was telling the truth about not drinking, Schwartz needed to find another explanation for why there was alcohol in his urine.

Luckily, he had a theory.

When Bing came to see Schwartz at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Woodland Avenue, the doctor ran the test again. This time, Bings urine came back negative for alcohol, as well as for a breakdown product of alcohol. If positive, this would indicate Bing had been drinking in recent days.

But Bings urine did contain something curious: gram-positive organisms, which can convert sugar to alcohol.

Schwartz then called the probation office that collects the urine tests, and asked about their procedures. They said that, unlike at the VA clinic, they sent the urine samples to an external lab once per day. So samples could sit for hours, unrefrigerated, before being tested.

Schwartz tried to replicate those conditions: He left the same urine sample that had tested negative at room temperature for 24 hours, then had it retested. It was positive.

That was the moment when I thought I think weve cracked this, Schwartz said.

The missing link

When Bing first walked into Schwartzs office in 2020, he was dealing with uncontrolled diabetes. After Schwartz learned about Bings problems with his urine, he found examples in the scientific literature where patients with uncontrolled diabetes  who had sugar in their urine  also had positive alcohol tests, despite being sober.

Schwartz had prescribed Bing medication that had gotten his diabetes under control, so his diabetes couldnt be causing the problem. But what about his diabetes medication?

Bing was taking the diabetes drug Jardiance, a top-selling drug, which has been prescribed nearly 60 million times as of August 2023. Jardiance works by causing the body to flush excess sugar into the urine, so it can be excreted.

And that, Schwartz concluded, was the explanation for why Bings urine kept testing positive for alcohol: The Jardiance was adding sugar to his urine, and that sugar, if left at room temperature, was turning into alcohol.

The Philadelphia Courts are not convinced, noting that Bing has failed other types of tests, too. His urine tested positive for alcohol even after an instant test, so a delay in testing couldnt explain the results, according to a spokesperson for the courts, which oversee the urine drug and alcohol testing for people on probation.

In response, Schwartz said Bings urine could produce unreliable results, even without a testing delay. Because urine can sit in the bladder for a while before being excreted, there is time for the gram-positive organisms to convert extra sugar to alcohol.

Im not surprised this is still a problem with instant testing, Schwartz said.

Doctors call the phenomenon urinary auto-brewery syndrome, in which excess sugar in the urine (say, from diabetes) can turn into alcohol while inside the body. In a 2020 case report in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the syndrome caused a 61-year-old woman with diabetes to fail the urine alcohol tests required for a necessary liver transplant.

Urine tests for alcohol could be misleading  especially for people with diabetes taking Jardiance, said Kenichi Tamama, medical director of the clinical toxicology laboratory and professor of pathology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and author of the 2020 case report. We will likely see cases similar to Bings case more in the future.

At first, Schwartz felt good that he had confirmed his hypothesis about why Bings urine kept testing positive for alcohol, knowing that it could help keep Bing from facing repercussions. But Schwartz also realized that if this had happened to Bing, it was likely happening to others.

This is kind of a cool, interesting, medical mystery case. But it also probably is very important to a lot of people in this country.

A bigger problem

Schwartz called a friend of his who could offer some insight into the implications of his findings for other people on probation: Tamar Lerer, now the forensic practice lead at the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender.

When Lerer heard about Anthony Bing, she felt a combination of pride and horror  pride for her friend, who stepped up to help show how Bing could be telling the truth, and horror at how many other people on probation could be having the same experience, without someone like that in their corner. Its truly terrifying, she said.

So Schwartz and Lerer began trying to get the word out about the risks of misleading test results if people have diabetes or their urine isnt tested immediately. Schwartz published a report in the highly regarded medical journal, the New England Journal of Medicine. He and Lerer wrote about Bings case in MedPage Today.

The probation program Bing was participating in was one of many that have launched in recent years, as courts have tried to divert nonviolent offenders from incarceration, which is expensive and often offers little hope for rehabilitation. But these programs can adopt a hard line with participants, and violations of the terms of their probation could result in prison.

In Philadelphia alone, Bing is one of nearly 500 people on probation who are required to submit to regular drug testing, including alcohol.

Many ended up before a judge with personal stories like Bings.

After serving in the Navy from 1981 and 1986, Bing had held a series of jobs, including working with people with disabilities. But he began using drugs.

In 2018, after pleading guilty to aggravated assault and attempted burglary (about which he declined to share details), Bing was sentenced to a short stint in prison, and five years of probation.

Legally blind and partially paralyzed, Bing attended dozens of required court check-ins, and participated in treatment classes offered by the VAs Addiction Recovery Unit. And at least once a week, every week, for years, he went to 714 Market St. and peed in a cup.

Ever since August 2023, his urine has continued to test positive for alcohol. Schwartz has written multiple letters to the court, hoping to save Bing from violating his probation. Please stop testing Mr. Bings urine for ethanol, especially several hours after collection, Schwartz wrote in May.

The spokesperson for the Philadelphia courts said Bing hadnt been sanctioned for the positive test results, but didnt elaborate further.

Bings probation period is set to end in November  which cant come soon enough for him and his wife, who always worries whether Bing will leave his next court hearing in handcuffs. Its like living on pins and needles, said Priscilla Bing. (She sits in on interviews with her husband, who often cant recall details or facts from his experience due to PTSD.)

The whole ordeal has been exhausting, said Priscilla Bing. Were basically being persecuted needlessly over a medication that is life sustaining, because he has a disease that requires him to take it, she said.
The stewards of the SS United States, the 990-foot dead ship that has sat across from the South Philadelphia Ikea for decades, struck a tentative agreement last week to sink the vessel off the warm gulf waters of Florida. Now, that deal appears to be in limbo just as the deadline to reach an agreement nears.

The five-person Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners was supposed to ratify the contract Tuesday that would approve up to $9 million to buy, transport, and eventually sink the ship to create an artificial reef with its hollowed-out frame along Northwest Floridas Destin-Fort Walton Beach shores.

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But just as the meeting got underway, County Administrator John Hofstad said there had been a wrinkle with pier operators and asked the vote be postponed by two weeks to work out issues.

A spokesperson for the SS United States Conservancy directed questions to the Okaloosa commissioners. Nick Tomecek, Okaloosa Countys public information officer, said the county continues to work with the conservancy and until a deal is finalized it would be inappropriate to make any additional comment.

Craig Mills, an attorney for Penn Warehousing, the ships landlord  which has been itching to rid itself of its long-standing tenant  said he had not heard about the delay and had no insight on what Okaloosa County is doing.

Okaloosa County has been keen on making Destin-Fort Walton Beach the dive capital of the state of Florida and artificial reef capital of the United States since 2022, according to county Tourist Development Department documents.

The county looked to neighboring Pensacola for inspiration. The USS Oriskany, an 888-foot ship, was sunk in 2006 off the Pensacola shore to become the largest artificial reef in the world.

According to the Okaloosa tourism departments pitch to its county board, the Oriskany acquisition has made the region a fishing and diving destination, drawing about 10,000 visitors annually. Those visitors, said the Tourism Development Department, spent an annual $3.6 million on lodging, food, and other local services as of 2015.

The commissioners decision to postpone a vote on the deal comes at a critical juncture for the SS United States Conservancy.

The conservancy had been in a rent dispute with its Pier 82 landlord since 2021, when Penn Warehousing doubled the ships daily dockage fee. The issue went to federal court, and a judge gave the conservancy until Sept. 12 to come up with a plan to move the ship.

The ships stewards had long tried to save the vessel from the scrapyard, hoping for a white knight to step in and help them redevelop the ship into a multipurpose floating hotel and museum. Over the years, the financing to rehabilitate a ship that is incapable of self-propulsion and requires environmental remediation proved to be a hard sell.

The conservancy was adamant and hopeful that it could, at the very least, find a temporary berth by its September deadline to continue exploring redevelopment options. Yet some options  the Philadelphia Navy Yard, the Virginia Port Authority, and the Maryland Port Authority, to name a few  were quickly ruled out due to a lack of suitable docks.

As recently as the weekend, the conservancy was open about how reefing was not its first choice and it stressed that despite some media reports, the deal was far from done.

There are multiple discussions underway and many unresolved matters that make the outcome and timing uncertain at this point, read a conservancy statement on Instagram last week.

Should the terms of the agreement stick, the SS United States is slated to be sold for $1 million with the project reaching up to $9 million for towing, cleaning, and sinking the ship. The tourism department said that it has identified about $5 million in partnership contributions to help offset costs but that the county would provide up to $1 million as partial support for a land-based museum the conservancy has long advocated for.

In a brief to the county commissioners, the tourism department said it identified three areas that have the depth, clearance requirements, and permitting to make the sinking of the SS United States work. The three locations, which were not specified other than to say they were 25 miles from shore, would be able to accommodate divers of varying skill levels.

The board does not meet again until Sept. 17, past the judges deadline to have a plan ironed out. Whats more, the tentative purchase and sale agreement stated the deal was wholly contingent upon approval of this Agreement by the Board on or before September 4.
"Farmer Norm" Schultz cutting into a Stayman apple to look at the color of the seeds as a guide for when these can be picked at Linvilla Orchards. Read more

Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

Welcome back, Philly. Expect high temps near 80 on this sunny Wednesday.

That forecast is a reminder that its still summer for another 18 days. Yet the turning of the calendar and start of the school year may have your mind on cooler weather and shades of orange. Todays top story offers plenty of options for engaging in the regions quintessential fall activity: apple picking.

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And as Philly lawmakers return to City Hall, we examine the issues expected to drive the political conversation this session  including that Sixers arena proposal, which suddenly has competition at the Fashion District.

 Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

If youre hoping to keep the doctor away, extend brat summer into the fall, or just enjoy a quaint day outside, youre in luck: Greater Philadelphia offers a slew of orchards where you can handpick your own apples.

 Take a bite: Find dozens of varieties, from the juicy Honeycrisp to the sweet-tart Pink Lady, at 10 local farms.

 Hitch a ride: Take a hayride at Duffields Farm in Sewell, N.J., or Grims Orchard & Family Farms in the Lehigh Valley.

 Go hungry: Delcos Linvilla Orchards, Chester Countys Highland Orchards, and others sell fresh apple cider donuts and cider, too.

Reporters Hira Qureshi and Nick Vadala have the guide apple picking near Philly.

Plus, when does fall officially begin? What is the autumnal equinox? When do clocks fall back in 2024? We have the answers to your season-changing questions.

Thursday marks the beginning of Philadelphia City Councils fall session, and its set to be an active one.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker could issue her first veto on a bill to overhaul how the city contracts with nonprofits, for instance. Council could also consider changes to the citys tax structure after the mayors inaugural budget plan in the spring left rates flat.

But the most contentious challenge to be discussed is whether to build a Sixers arena at 10th and Market Streets. That proposal has new competition: The teams Wells Fargo Center landlord, Comcast Spectacor, last week presented a plan that would instead turn the struggling Fashion District mall into a biomedical research facility.

Meanwhile, New Jersey is offering up to $400 million in tax credits and $500 million in loans to support an arena in Camden, rather than Philadelphia.

Reporter Anna Orso has the story on Councils return.

What you should know today

 Trivia time

The stewards of the SS United States, facing its eviction from a South Philadelphia pier, struck a tentative agreement last week with a Florida group. Though the deal now appears to be in limbo, what does it propose?

A) Sinking the vessel to create an artificial reef

B) Repurposing it as a floating hotel

C) Scrapping it for parts

D) Rehabbing it for use as a cruise ship

Think you know? Check your answer.

What were...

 Testing: Our financial literacy with this (surprisingly tough!) quiz.

 Watching: The Eagles season opener at one of these 21 bars, restaurants, and venues.

 Reading: Mike Africa Jr.s new book, On a MOVE.

 Unscramble the anagram

The Supreme Court justice with a new memoir titled Lovely One.

JOANN JAW BIRKENSTOCK

Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Juanita Cortes Otalora, who solved Sundays anagram: Peter Pan. The budget bus company is taking over Megabus Philly routes.

Photo of the day

 One last seasonal thing: The kid above exemplifies how excited I feel about the return of the Philly Specials.

Thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer. Back at it tomorrow.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
Ms. Fabbri spoke Italian and studied art in Venice and Milan, and elsewhere around the world. Read more

Anne R. Fabbri, 98, of Wayne, retired museum director in Chester, Oceanville, and Philadelphia, former adjunct professor of art at Villanova and Drexel Universities, and prolific freelance art critic for the Daily News and other publications, died Sunday, Aug. 25, of cancer at her home.

An expert on modern art, Renaissance art, and art history, and an energetic champion of artists and their creations, Ms. Fabbri spent seven decades addressing what her family said in a tribute is the importance of art and the interplay between art, culture, and modern life.

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She was an innovative director and curator at the Deshong Art Museum in Chester from 1980 to 1982, founding director and curator at the Noyes Museum in Oceanville, Atlantic County, from 1983 to 1991, and director and curator at the Paley Design Center in Philadelphia from 1991 to 2000. All three museums, reorganized now under new management, thrived under her guidance, and she won the 1991 John Cotton Dana Award from the New Jersey Association of Museums for her significant contributions to the growth and development of its museums.

Her positive energy was contagious, said artist and longtime friend Susan Howard. Whether at a party or art opening, Anne was busy forging connections between artists, collectors, dealers, and administrators.

At Paley in the 1990s, Ms. Fabbri created a Meet the Neighbors series of exhibits that featured local artists in Philadelphia. In a 1993 review of her show Artists of Germantown and Mount Airy, Inquirer art critic Edward J. Sozanski said it was as strong as any you might find in Philadelphias first-rank galleries.

She represented Noyes at a 1989 regional conference about making connections in the art world, and routinely celebrated Black and Latino artists, and postmodern photographers. She was also chair of the advisory committee for the citys Art in City Hall program from 1999 to 2010 and helped many local artists exhibit in public places.

Sculptor Roy Wilson said: Whether as a director including us in her exhibitions, as an art critic reviewing our shows, or simply as an advocate providing advice and support, Anne reaffirmed for all of us that our work was important.

In the early 1970s, Ms. Fabbri taught modern art and the history of art at Villanova, and, as acting chair of the fine arts department in 1972 and 73, initiated an artist-in-residence program and organized lectures and exhibits on campus. At Drexel in the mid-1970s, she taught Renaissance art, Baroque art, and art of the 20th century. Later, she lectured at Rosemont College, Moore College of Art & Design, and Main Line Night School in Radnor.

In the 1960s, she was a guide at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. She was always intellectually curious, said her son Jay Butera.

She appeared often in Inquirer and Daily News stories about art, and wrote hundreds of freelance analytical previews, reviews, and features on art for the Daily News, Bulletin, Broad Street Review, Philadelphia Style magazine, and other publications. In 2000, she wrote in the Daily News that painter Al Gury expresses his appreciation of life and nature in such a way that we can feel what he means when we look at his paintings.

She served on the board of directors for the Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and the Massachusetts-based Muse Art Foundation. She was on the advisory committee of the Main Line Art Center and active with other art associations, councils, panels, and commissions.

Anne had boundless curiosity and an unusual ability to connect with people, said fellow writer Peggy Payne. To be friends with her was a profound pleasure.

Anne Rita Fabbri was born Oct. 7, 1925, in Norristown. She was a top student at Norristown High School and later inducted into its alumni hall of fame.

She studied philosophy, political science, and economics before switching to art history, and graduated with a bachelors degree from Harvard Universitys Radcliffe College in 1947. In 1971, she earned a masters degree in the history of art at Bryn Mawr College.

She also earned fellowships in journalism and art history from the National Endowment for the Humanities at the University of California, Berkeley, and Princeton University, and studied American decorative arts at the Winterthur Institute in Delaware.

She married Joseph Butera, and they had daughter Ginny and sons Ray and Jay, and lived in Plymouth Meeting. After a divorce, she moved to Philadelphia and then Wayne. Her former husband died earlier.

Ms. Fabbri spoke Italian and traveled to Venice and Milan, and more than two dozen other countries to study art and architecture. Her lifelong love of nature deepened as she aged, and she made memorable journeys to the Grand Canyon, Valley Forge National Historical Park, and other places.

She enjoyed opera and jazz, and had season tickets to the Philadelphia Orchestra. I was always in awe of Annes passion, not only for art but for life, Susan Howard said. Her signature expression was carpe diem, and she sure did seize life every day with a smile.

In addition to her children, Ms. Fabbri is survived by five grandchildren, a brother, and other relatives. A sister died earlier.

A celebration of her life is to be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Goodhart Hall Music Annex at Bryn Mawr College, 150 N. Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr, Pa. 19010.

Donations in her name may be made to the Bryn Mawr Hospital Foundations Nursing Leadership and Excellence Fund, 240 N. Radnor Chester Rd., Suite 340, Radnor, Pa. 19087.
Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance will be joining political commentator and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson at the Giant Center in Hershey on Sept. 21 as part of Carlsons first Live Tour.

Vance, who said he will be in Pennsylvania a lot before Election Day, will appear as a special guest at Carlsons show. Carlson has come under recent scrutiny for having Darryl Cooper, a Holocaust revisionist, on his show on X on Monday.

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Senator Vance doesnt believe in guilt-by-association cancel culture but he obviously does not share the views of the guest interviewed by Tucker Carlson, William Martin, a Vance spokesperson, said in a statement to The Inquirer, citing former President Donald Trumps and Vances support for Israel and the Jewish community.

The scheduled appearance comes as the GOP, without evidence, tries to paint Vice President Kamala Harris as antisemitic, and just weeks after former President Donald Trump said Harris didnt select Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as her running mate because he is Jewish.

During a two-hour conversation with Carlson, Cooper said U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill was the chief villain of World War II. Churchill rallied and led a coalition that would go on to defeat Adolf Hitlers Nazi Germany in the war.

Cooper added that Hitler did not want to fight and was chiefly responsible for launching a war in 1941 where the Germans were unprepared to deal with the millions and millions of prisoners of war, of local political prisoners, and so forth that they were going to have to handle.

Carlson, who said he was a follower of Coopers work, did not push back on these comments, and he prompted Cooper to defend his stance on Churchill.

Coopers appearance on Carlsons show attracted a lot of backlash online. Former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney (R., Wyo.), a staunch Trump critic, called Coopers remarks pro-Nazi propaganda, adding: No serious or honorable person would support or endorse this type of garbage.

This is not the first time that Carlson has platformed dangerous rhetoric, including his own promotion of narratives that align with the Great Replacement Theory, which is an unfounded, racist theory that there is a plot to diminish the influence of white people.

Vance has been the main character in many of his own controversies, including when he referred to the government as being run by a bunch of childless cat ladies during an interview with Carlson in 2021. Vance has also exchanged text messages with Charles Johnson, a far-right media personality and Holocaust denier, the Washington Post reported.

Chuck Johnson spam texted JD Vance, Martin told Politico in early August. JD usually ignored him, but occasionally responded to push back against things he said.

Carlsons Live Tour features some of the most fascinating and recognizable guests, responding to everything that is happening in real time, according to the event page. Tickets are being sold on Ticketmaster for up to $125.

Though not an official Trump campaign event, Vances appearance with Carlson will mark his fifth scheduled stop in Pennsylvania since he became the vice presidential nominee.

You all of Pennsylvania are gonna get sick of me over the next two months, because I practically live here in the state of Pennsylvania, because this is such an important state for us, Vance said at a campaign stop in Erie on Aug. 28.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, arrive for a campaign rally at Temple University's Liacouras Center on Aug. 6. Read more

Vice President Kamala Harris will head to Pennsylvania on Thursday as former President Donald Trumps campaign focuses on Arizona and Wisconsin.

Harris has maintained a strong presence in the commonwealth this week, starting with a Labor Day rally in Pittsburgh. On Wednesday, Harris running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, touched down in Lancaster to begin a two-day tour of the state in what serves as his first solo visit to Pennsylvania since signing on to the campaign.

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Walz will appear in Erie on Thursday before joining Harris for a rally back in Pittsburgh, the campaign said in a statement. Additional details about the Pittsburgh rally and Walzs scheduled stop in Erie were not immediately available.

On Saturday, Walz will be in Washington to give the keynote address at the Human Rights Campaigns annual national dinner, the Harris-Walz campaign announced.

Harris is reportedly slated to spend plenty of time in the Pittsburgh area ahead of next weeks presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, according to the Washington Post. Harris, the publication reports, will be in the Pittsburgh area to prepare for the Tuesday debate, and also meet with voters in the region.

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff will also pay a visit to Pennsylvania this week, with his schedule bringing him to the Keystone State on Saturday for campaign events in the Allentown area, the White House said. Ahead of his Pennsylvania visit, Emhoff is slated to deliver remarks at campaign events Thursday in Los Angeles and Friday in Chicago, according to the campaign.

Harris focus on Pennsylvania comes after the Trump campaigns presence in the commonwealth last week. The state remains a contentious one, with a recent Franklin and Marshall poll of Pennsylvania voters indicating that roughly 3% are undecided amid what appears to be a neck-and-neck race for president.

Trump was slated to appear at a town hall hosted by Fox News host Sean Hannity on Wednesday in Harrisburg. Trumps campaign schedule showed no additional events in Pennsylvania this week as of early Wednesday afternoon.

Instead, the campaign appears to be focusing on other swing states  largely in the form of what it refers to as its Team Trump Agenda 47 Policy Tour. On Thursday, that tour is scheduled to hit Milwaukee with appearances from North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil (R., Wis.).

While Trump is not slated to appear at that tour stop, he will be in Mosinee, Wis., Saturday for a rally at the Central Wisconsin Airport. Trump is expected to speak around 1 p.m., according to his campaign website.

Trumps running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R., Ohio), is scheduled to appear at a campaign event Thursday in Phoenix. Later this month, on Sept. 21, he is slated to attend a planned Hershey stop on conservative commentator Tucker Carlsons ongoing live tour.
Federal authorities in Philadelphia announced on Wednesday the dismantling of a wide-ranging, Russian-backed misinformation network targeting voters in Pennsylvania and five other swing states ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

The network  known colloquially as Doppelganger and which prosecutors said was run by a top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin  sought to dupe Americans in key demographics into believing Kremlin-produced propaganda it spread online had been produced by legitimate American news outlets.

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The campaign also sought to enlist the aid of unwitting influencers in America and other countries to spread disinformation, sow social media discord, and advance the campaign of former President Donald Trump, whom the programs backers viewed as more supportive of Russian interests.

The takedown of that effort  involving the seizure of more than 30 internet domains by agents from the FBIs Philadelphia field office  was just one of a sweeping series of steps President Joe Bidens administration announced Wednesday to fend off attempts by Russia to meddle ahead of Novembers vote.

Taken together, they amounted to the most significant public response yet by U.S. authorities to Russias alleged efforts to undermine the integrity of the election.

Protecting our democratic processes from foreign malign influence is paramount to ensure public trust, U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero said in a statement detailing the Doppelganger seizures.

In Washington, the Treasury Department announced new sanctions against a Russian-based nonprofit tied to the Doppelganger network, and Attorney General Merrick Garland unveiled an indictment against two Russian employees of state-owned broadcaster RT, who he said had paid a Tennessee company to spread nearly 2,000 English-language videos supportive of Kremlin interests.

Court filings in that case and the Doppelganger seizures were careful not to specifically name the Trump campaign as an intended beneficiary of the misinformation effort, and there was no allegation that anyone in the campaign was aware of or involved in the effort.

The Justice Department will not tolerate attempts by an authoritarian regime to exploit our countrys free exchange of ideas in order to covertly further its own propaganda efforts, Garland said in a statement Wednesday.

The investigation, he added, is ongoing.

For months, intelligence agencies have warned that Russia remains the primary threat to the integrity of the 2024 election  despite recent headlines about efforts by other foreign governments to shape the outcome of the vote.

Last month, federal authorities accused Iran of hacking Trumps campaign and attempting to breach the campaigns of Biden and Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris.

Officials have also raised alarms about threats from China, which they have accused of maintaining a vast network of social media accounts aimed at targeting U.S. voters.

But ever since the U.S. was caught unprepared in the 2016 presidential election by Russias sophisticated social media campaign to influence voters  a push that included organizing fake campaign rallies for Trump in Pennsylvania and other swing states  U.S. intelligence efforts have focused on Russia as a priority.

 READ MORE: 'Paint Philly red': How Russian trolls sought to influence Pa.'s 2016 vote

An FBI affidavit unsealed Wednesday in federal court in Philadelphia outlined the Doppelganger scheme, drawing on reams of planning documents and meeting notes by Kremlin officials as they mapped out their 2024 strategy. All references in the Russian documents to specific candidates or U.S. political parties were redacted.

The conspirators specifically targeted the Commonwealth of Pennsylvanias citizens  in order to influence the electorate in this, and other districts, the affidavit said.

According to the court filing, the effort had been overseen since at least 2022 by Sergei Kiriyenko, a former Russian prime minister and Putins first deputy chief of staff. He and several of the entities cited in the court filings have already been subjected to U.S. sanctions for their roles in spreading misinformation.

Their primary goal, agents said, was to pass off inflammatory or fake news stories  supporting Russian interests or backing Trump  as work produced by legitimate American media outlets.

Plotters registered domain names similar to those of well-known media brands  like washingtonpost.pm and foxnews.cx  and posted stories under the names of real journalists who worked for them.

For instance, investigators said, one story featured on the spoofed Washington Post website  run under the headline White House Miscalculated: Conflict with Ukraine Strengthens Russia  sought to diminish public sentiment for Ukraine amid Russias ongoing invasion of the country.

Its time for our leaders to recognize that continued support for Ukraine is a mistake, that story read. It was a waste of lives and money.  For the sake of everyone involved in the conflict, the Biden administration should just make a peace agreement and move on.

The Doppelganger network also focused on ensuring those stories went viral, going so far as to create fake social media accounts posing as U.S. citizens to spread them and seeding the comments on other social media posts with links back to the propaganda they had posted.

The aim of the campaign, according to one Russian planning document quoted in the FBI affidavit unsealed Wednesday, is securing Russias preferred outcome in the election.

In another planning document, Doppelganger plotters outlined a scheme they dubbed The Good Old USA Project aimed at targeting voters from specific demographics in the U.S. with fake news and spoofed social media posts.

They included Hispanics, American Jews, conservatives, and the community of American gamers, users of Reddit and image boards such as 4chan (the backbone of right-wing trends in the U.S. segment of the internet), according to Kremlin planning documents included in Wednesdays filings.

In order for this work to be effective, it warned, you need to use a minimum of fake news and a maximum of realistic information. At the same time, you should continuously repeat that this is what is really happening, but the official media will never tell you about it or show it to you.
The ABC presidential debate in Philadelphia is less than a week away and the battle over the microphones is still not over. At least not for Vice President Kamala Harris campaign.

Harris team is still pushing to have live mics for the duration of the vice presidents debate with former President Donald Trump, likely seeking to portray an unfettered look at the Republican nominee, who could interrupt Harris or articulate falsehoods at any given moment on the stage at the National Constitution Center on Sept. 10.

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We are running for President of the United States. Lets debate in a transparent way  with the microphones on the whole time, Harris wrote in a post on X Saturday.

The Trump campaign wants the mics to be muted when a candidate is not speaking, which would muffle interruptions from Trump when Harris is speaking.

Harris prosecutorial debating style has typically fared well in creating off-the-cuff, and sometimes viral, moments on the national stage the last several years, whether she was debating former Vice President Mike Pence behind a plexiglass, pandemic-era partition or sharing the stage with almost a dozen other Democrats. She could be hoping to create more notable moments at next weeks debate.

Heres how Harris has dealt with interruptions and high-pressure moments at debates in the past:

Kamala Harris to Mike Pence: Mr. Vice President, Im speaking

Harris coined this viral line while debating Pence during the 2020 vice presidential debate.

What spurred this moment was Pence interrupting Harris answer about COVID-19. Mr. Vice President, Im speaking, Harris repeated throughout the night when Pence interrupted her.

At one point, Pence interrupted Harris response on President Joe Bidens tax plan. Harris responded, If you dont mind letting me finish, we can then have a conversation, OK?

These moments made national headlines as one of the key moments of the vice presidential debate and even inspired a Saturday Night Live skit dedicated to the line (and the infamous fly that landed on Pences head during the debate).

The instance further highlighted Harris skills as a debater and served as the most recent debate moment in which Harris seemed unfazed by a spontaneous remark from an opponent. In the present day, Harris is ready to deal with Trumps constant lies and interruptions in real time, Brian Fallon, the Harris campaigns senior adviser for communications, said in a statement.

Unmuted mics have created some quotable instances for other Democrats in the 2020 debate cycle, specifically when Biden said, Will you shut up, man? when Trump continuously interrupted him during a presidential debate.

America does not want to witness a food fight, Harris told Democrats

Harris showed she could cut through the noise on the debate stage as far back as the second 2020 Democratic presidential primary debate.

It all started when then-candidate Biden and U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell of California got into a back-and-forth about new vs. old leadership in the Democratic Party. From there, a squabble erupted on stage and Harris tried to break it up.

Hey, guys, you know what? America does not want to witness a food fight. They want to know how were going to put food on their table, Harris told her fellow Democrats, resulting in applause erupting from the audience and even garnering a small clap from Biden.

This served as one of Harris headlining moments on the debate stage that year, catching the eyes of pundits and the public before she eventually became Bidens running mate later that election cycle.

Under pressure from some misleading claims by Tulsi Gabbard

One of Harris biggest opponents in 2019 was former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii who sought to target Harris record as Californias attorney general.

Gabbard has since left the Democratic Party and is a member of Trumps 2024 transition team while helping the former president with his debate prep. During a Democratic primary debate in July 2019, she said she was concerned about Harris record as attorney general.

The former representative cited what she claimed to be Harris policies on marijuana and bail at that time. Gabbard also alleged that Harris blocked evidence that would have freed an innocent man from death row until the courts forced her to do so.

Some of Gabbards claims were misleading or lacked context, according to fact-check analysis from PolitiFact. Harris quickly responded to this swipe on her record, though some thought her response was lackluster and donors wished the campaign had a more sharp response to Gabbards remarks.

I am proud of that work, Harris said at the debate of her efforts in criminal justice reform. And I am proud of making a decision to not just give fancy speeches or be in a legislative body and give speeches on a floor, but actually doing the work of being in the position to use that power that I had to reform a system that is badly in need of reform.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said she learned last week about the allegations against Mustafa Rashed, a well-known City Hall lobbyist. Read more

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has suspended her campaign spokesperson, Mustafa Rashed, after learning that he is under investigation for allegations of domestic violence.

Rasheds wife said that on June 20 he struck her in the face and swung me across the room in the couples Brewerytown home, resulting in injuries to her face and back, according to a temporary protection-from-abuse order filed against him. Rashed has not been charged with a crime, and police are still investigating.

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A lawyer for Rashed, a well-known lobbyist and political consultant, called the allegations unsubstantiated and untrue.

Notably, Mr. Rashed has never committed or even been accused of anything like this before, his attorney Nick Liermann said. He looks forward to resolving this deeply personal matter and clearing his name in a court of law.

Rashed plans to fight the allegations at a Sept. 30 court hearing regarding the protection-from-abuse order, which was granted temporarily based on his wifes account alone, as is standard in Pennsylvania. In the meantime, he has stepped down from his role at the firm he owns, Bellevue Strategies, and Parker said she will not use the firm for campaign work until the case is resolved.

Parker said she learned about the allegations last week.

There is no excuse  ever  for domestic violence, Parker said in a statement. I was dismayed to learn about these allegations. While this matter is pending within our judicial system, neither Mustafa nor his firm will serve as spokesperson for my campaign.

Rasheds wife declined to comment, and she had no attorney listed in the PFA order. The Inquirer is withholding her name due to the nature of the allegations.

Rashed is one of the most prominent lobbyists in City Hall, and he has frequently been quoted in news outlets, including The Inquirer, as an expert on local politics. The Inquirer hired Rasheds Bellevue Strategies to consult on DE&I communications for three months in the first quarter of 2023.

His lobbying clients have included major corporations like Starbucks and Amazon; civic institutions, including the Urban League of Philadelphia and the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia; and government agencies, including the Philadelphia Parking Authority and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp., according to his lobbyist registration paperwork filed with the city.

Rashed and his firm have strong connections with the Parker administration. Three members of his firm served on the mayors transition team. And Jessica Cosme Platt, who recently launched a separate communications firm with Rashed called Bellevue Public Affairs, is married to one of Parkers top aides, Chief Deputy Mayor Aren Platt.

A judge on June 25 granted a temporary protection-from-abuse order against Rashed that was requested by his wife. In the order, Rasheds wife described the incident, saying, He hit me in the face and swung me across the room and broke the coffee table and I hurt my back.

She said she saw a doctor the day after the incident and has photos of her injuries, according to the order.

Liermann provided Rasheds account of the incident in his statement: On June 20th, Mr. Rashed entered his home and found his wife with another man. After removing the man from the home, Mr. Rashed left the property.

Rashed has video, documentation and testimonial evidence that will allow him to show that the allegations are provably untrue, Liermann said.

In the order, Rasheds wife said she filed a police report three days after the incident. Miguel Torres, a department spokesperson, confirmed police responded to a report for a domestic incident on June 23 at 2:30 p.m. on the block where Rashed and his wife live. Philadelphia police do not typically identify crime victims or confirm investigations involving people who have not been charged.

Torres said a 47-year-old woman had bruising and swelling to the right eye and said she had been physically assaulted by a 49-year-old man three days earlier. Torres said the investigation is active and ongoing.

The couple are in divorce proceedings, Liermann said, and Rashed began a leave of absence from his company on July 1 to focus on his childrens well-being. The firm, he said, is in the capable hands of the predominantly female executive team.

Rashed has served as a spokesperson for Parkers campaign as recently as Aug. 19. Rashed was working with the campaign in a personal capacity, Liermann said, and not on behalf of the firm.

Temporary protection-from-abuse orders, known colloquially as restraining orders, are approved by judges. They can make it illegal for someone to visit or contact another person, and they last until a hearing is held on a request for a longer-lasting, permanent PFA.

Permanent orders can last up to three years in Pennsylvania. During a hearing for a permanent PFA, scheduled for later this month in Rasheds case, both the accuser and the accused may be heard and can share their accounts.

Staff writer Chris Palmer contributed to this article.
The Braille version of the policy document was developed in collaboration with the National Association of the Blind (NAB), furthering accessibility for those with visual impairments.
In 2013, she shifted her focus to financial planning, primarily helping retirees and those nearing retirement. Through her work, she has addressed the need for stronger protections in retirement villages, over-50s communities, and the strata sector, particularly around insurance and legislation.
Meanwhile, the property and casualty (P&C) segment saw its BOP decline by 1% in US dollar terms but grew by 3% in local currencies. The group cited a higher combined ratio, which rose by 0.7 percentage points to 93.6%, largely due to catastrophe-related claims.
To address these issues, the ICA has also launched a three-month advertising campaign, Its Our Policy, focused on raising awareness of the varied career paths available in the insurance industry. The campaign, set to run in Queensland and New South Wales, will feature personal stories from industry professionals to showcase the different opportunities the sector offers.
Chris Price (pictured above), head of travel in the accident and health team at SiriusPoint, said the ability for policyholders to customize their coverage on the go and receive real-time flight and baggage delay support via parametric products makes Gigasures offering distinctive. He added that SiriusPoint looks forward to supporting the insurtech in its growth.
The insurance industries in both Australia and New Zealand are grappling with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and how to use them effectively, safely and compliantly. However, in each country, the approach to AI from the government, so far, is quite different.
Under Levitz's leadership, Alera Group noted that it has grown from $150 million in revenue to nearly $1.4 billion in 2023. Since Blue joined as president in 2018, the company has accelerated its growth, increasing revenue by almost 330%. During this period, Alera Group integrated more than 125 offices and expanded its team to over 4,400 employees.
Davis also highlighted the differences between FFAs and other care models, such as group homes or schools, where oversight is continuous. In addition, she pointed out that time-limited demands from plaintiffs' attorneys place significant strain on NIACs resources and often do not allow enough time to verify claims. In one instance, she said NIAC was preparing to settle for the policy limit, only to discover the plaintiff had no standing.
Ty Petway, CEO of US Assure, said that choosing the right partner after 47 years of independence was crucial. He said that Ryan Specialtys focus on underwriting and its employee and partner-centric culture aligned with US Assures values.
His most recent role was as global relationship leader for the east region. He has 12 years of experience in the insurance sector, having started his career at Travelers Insurance.
The 2024-1 series of the private catastrophe bond is a renewal of previous deals focused on reinsurance for wildfire risks. The coverage is provided on an indemnity trigger basis for a US property casualty insurer with significant wildfire exposure in California.
A Northeastern University student and her parents are suing a sorority, its chapter president and a landlord after the student fell from a window and suffered critical injuries at a party.

Sarah Cox, then a junior at the university in Boston and a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority, fell from the window at a party in March 2023, according to court filings. The filing states the kitchen of the apartment where the party was taking place was crowded and that Cox fell at least 20 feet (6 meters) to a driveway below.

Coxs injuries are catastrophic and she will require one to one care 24 hours per day and seven days per week on a permanent basis, the lawsuit states. Cox and her parents are seeking $10.2 million in their lawsuit, The Boston Globe reported.

The lawsuit, which was filed in a Massachusetts court in March, says the defendants were negligent by not taking steps to prevent the fall and injuries. The landlord failed to stop tenants from granting access to too many people at one time, and the sorority chapter president should have known that alcohol was being consumed at the party and that could create unsafe conditions, court papers state.

As a direct and proximate result of this defendants breach of these duties, the plaintiff, Sarah Cox suffered catastrophic and permanent injuries and continues to suffer from such permanent and catastrophic injuries, the papers state.

James Kelly, the attorney listed on the Cox lawsuit, did not respond to requests for comment. Attorneys for the defendants also did not respond to requests for comment.

Defendants are seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed. The case is due to return to court next month, the Globe reported.

Defense attorneys wrote in court papers that the Cox family has not said how or why she fell from the window and that they dont have evidence to prove negligence.

Plaintiffs merely allege that all defendants were somehow responsible for the myriad of alleged behavior without any allegations of what actually caused the fall, wrote the attorneys, William Eveland and Ellen Mannion in court papers in June.

The lawsuit states the sorority used the apartment as its sorority house, and that Cox was a member of the sorority. The lawsuit names both the national sorority and its Northeastern University chapter.

A GoFundMe set up on behalf of Cox had raised nearly $130,000 of its $150,000 goal as of Wednesday. The GoFundMe states that Sarah had hoped to become a doctor and had just returned from her third international medical mission trip, which was dedicated to helping people with limited access to medical care.

The GoFundMe states it was set up by Coxs brother, Syed Ali, who wrote that the money raised will be used for medical expenses and long-term rehabilitation.

She has a long road to recovery but were praying she makes it through this and gets back on track towards her life goal of helping others, Ali wrote.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Education Universities
Polands biggest insurer PZU needs a strategy to tackle its ownership of stakes in two banks, which is complicating its valuation, the state assets minister said.

Globally, insurers are focusing on core business and are spinning off banking operations, Jakub Jaworowski said in an interview with a small group of journalists.

State-controlled PZU is the largest shareholder in Pekao SA and Alior Bank with 31.9% and 20% respectively.

It is problematic for PZU to own stakes in two banks that compete with each other in some areas and makes it challenging for analysts to value the insurers shares, Jaworowski said.

The current situation in PZU, as I look at it a bit as a consultant and based on some benchmarks, is unusual because other groups do not have such a structure, Jaworowski said.

And it is doubly extraordinary, and it seems that the current situation is not good for PZU for many reasons.

He said it was up to PZU, not the government, to address the issue in a new strategy the insurer is working on.

Jaworowski also said Poland had no plans for asset sell-offs.

When asked if the ongoing sale of Citigroups retail arm in Polish lender Bank Handlowy was an opportunity to increase the governments share in the banking sector, Jaworowski said that would be hard to justify.

If any such specific cases arise, we will analyze them, Jaworowski said.

It is very difficult to imagine that something like this would happen now, because we are already at such a high level of state participation in the banking sector that it would be difficult to justify a further increase.

(Reporting by Marek Strzelecki, additional reporting by Anna Koper; editing by Barbara Lewis)

Topics Carriers
British insurer Aviva said on Saturday its India unit is actively engaging with local authorities in connection with alleged tax evasion practices.

Reuters reported on Friday that an Indian tax agency has found that Aviva India breached local regulations capping commissions to sales agents with a system of fake invoices and clandestine cash payments between 2017 and 2023.

Avivas India business paid about $26 million to entities who purportedly provided marketing and training services, but they did not perform any work and were actually a front for channeling funds to Avivas agents, the tax agency said in a Aug. 3 notice reviewed by Reuters.

UKs Aviva Conspired to Dodge India Compensation and Tax Rules, Agency Says

The fake invoices were alleged to have been used by Aviva to claim tax credits and evade $5.2 million in taxes in India. The company faces as much as $11 million in penalties, which is roughly its 2023 profit from selling life insurance in the country.

In a statement on Saturday, a UK-based spokesperson for Aviva referred to the matter as an industry wide issue, adding its Indian joint venture was actively engaging with the relevant authorities.

Aviva holds 74% in its India joint venture with Dabur Invest Corp, a prominent local firm.

The case is part of a broader investigation into over a dozen Indian insurers for alleged evasion of $610 million in unpaid taxes, interest and penalties.

Aviva said it faces a small potential tax claim and there has been no adverse ruling or penalty against Aviva.

(Reporting by Aditya Kalra; editing by Mike Harrison)

Photo credit: VisMedia via Aviva
As the market for in-house insurance surpasses a record $200 billion, the underlying reasons for that boom show how a hotter, less stable planet is redrawing the risk map for corporations.

Captive insurance, where companies create their own coverage vehicles, is on the rise, according to insurance broker Aon Plc. Companies are using it to work around restrictions or to avoid prohibitively high prices imposed by external insurers. And its a development thats particularly pronounced in sectors tied to climate change.

Oil and mining firms are now using their captives to a greater degree, John English, chief executive of captive and insurance management at Aon, said in an interview. Thats as coverage from outside insurers becomes unaffordable or unappetizing from a price and capacity perspective. In fact, a number of insurers and reinsurers have simply turned away from fossil-fuel firms, he said.

UK Insurers Call for Rule Change to Establish Captive Insurance Regime

Its the latest sign that climate change is upending the norms that underpin how markets function, as the economic cost of covering its fallout balloons. A recent report by Aon noted that the market for captive insurance has grown significantly over the past few years, with roughly a quarter of the almost 3,000 companies it surveyed saying theyve resorted to such arrangements. In 2021, the figure was 17%.

Climate change is having an amplifying effect on all the risks we know, said Peter Carter, head of climate and captives at broker Willis Towers Watson. And captives are playing a role as a shock absorber, he said.

How Does Captive Insurance Work:

A captive arrangement typically functions as a special-purpose vehicle thats created to insure, or reinsure, the risk of the parent company thats setting it up. Companies transfer premiums to their own insurance SPVs. The construction can sometimes be used to split coverage with external insurers, or make use of alternative-risk transfer solutions like parametrics.

Captives offer tax benefits, and companies using them can reinvest surplus cash from their premiums. Captive insurance is used to cover a range of risks, spanning environmental to the threat of cyberattacks. Data on captives doesnt capture the full extent to which companies are doing insurance in-house. Thats because a company can also opt for self-insurance, where it sets money aside to cover future losses without creating a regulated SPV.

The global market for captive insurance surpassed $200 billion in premiums last year, marking an all-time record, according to data shared by WTW.

Thats as extreme weather pushes mainstream insurers from the US to Europe to raise prices to levels that make their services increasingly inaccessible. Sectors affected by the development span utilities to operators of renewable-energy farms.

As a result, were seeing lots of firsts in weather, said Anna Pereira, senior vice president at Strategic Risk Solutions, a captive-insurance specialist and the former head of captive and insurance banking at the Bermuda office of HSBC Holdings Plc.

Some large insurance companies in the US are not writing certain types of business or within certain geographies that are highly exposed, and pricing has increased significantly, she said.

At the same time, a growing number of insurers and reinsurers are turning down fossil-fuel companies, as they seek to comply with climate policies and the transition to cleaner energy. Globally, 46 insurers now have some form of restriction on coal, oil or gas companies, according to Insure Our Future, a coalition of nonprofits.

BHP Group Ltd., TotalEnergies SE, Enel SpA, BP Plc, Glencore Plc and Shell Plc have all created in-house entities to cover their risk, according to company filings. Other commodity companies now relying on the captives market include Thungela Resources Ltd., the spinoff from Anglo American Plc. Australian coal producer Whitehaven Coal Ltd. has said its in the process of setting one up.

In some cases, government-funded programs are stepping in as commercial insurers retreat. North Dakota, meanwhile, is recommending that companies turn to captives. In the state, which is home to 10% of American crude oil reserves and one of the worlds largest lignite coal deposits, the few insurers still willing to cover pure-play coal companies are raising rates and limiting policy renewals, according to an analysis by Bank of North Dakota.

The rise of captives may be bad news for the climate, according to Ariel Le Bourdonnec, insurance campaigner at nonprofit Reclaim Finance.

Captives are a shadow part of the insurance industry that enables the continued underwriting of polluting assets, he said. Ultimately, the development could delay the green-energy transition, he said.

And companies doing their own insurance may underestimate the risks they face. The most notable example in recent history is BP, which in 2010 relied on its captive-insurance vehicle, Jupiter Insurance Ltd., to cover the Deepwater Horizon oil rig. When that rig exploded and sank, killing 11 people and causing the biggest offshore oil spill in US history, BPs captive insurance arrangement was limited to $700 million, and no reinsurance arrangement existed. BP is still counting the cost, which has since soared into the tens of billions of dollars.

Aons English said theres a risk of captives prolonging the life of high-emitting assets if one does it blindly. But such arrangements also help to give companies time to adapt to a changing regulatory environment, he said.

Theres a period of time that one needs to phase this stuff out, English said. The question then becomes, what does that phasing look like?

Photograph: Fire boats battle a fire at the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, on April 21, 2010. Photo credit: U.S. Coast Guard via Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Carriers
The Clear Group, the London-based independent insurance broker, announced the acquisition of the managing general agency, Accelerate Underwriting.

Financial terms of the deal, which is its fourth involving an MGA, were not disclosed.

Established in 2015, Accelerate Underwriting is a 19 million GWP MGA, which underwrites non-standard, specialist and niche commercial products, including care homes, guest houses, unoccupied properties, boats and pleasure craft.

The business has access to both Lloyds and non-Lloyds capacity and currently insures more than 160,000 businesses and individuals. Accelerate writes the bulk of its business through its AcceleRATER, an online trading platform specifically designed to create and transact non-standard insurance business.

Accelerate Underwriting Managing Director Scott Brown and his team of 10 will all join the Clear Group, and will work closely with Mandy Hunt, MD of Clear MGA to build and grow its MGA proposition for brokers.

The business will continue to operate from its London office on Fenchurch Street.

This is another key acquisition for Clear as we build at pace a market leading MGA proposition for brokers. Accelerate has a tremendous reputation among its broker partners which is underpinned by its specialist underwriting and technological capabilities, commented Mike Edgeley, group CEO of the Clear Group, in a statement.

It also has an outstanding management team under the leadership of Scott which has a track record for delivering a great service and strong organic growth which make Accelerate a perfect fit for Clear, he added.

The addition of Scott and his team continues to bolster our MGA broker offering, and Im delighted to welcome them to the group. They are unquestionably a natural complement to our existing skillset, and together we will continue to develop and strengthen our position in the MGA sector, according to Hunt.

What attracted us to Clear was its exciting strategy to build a really strong and specialist MGA capability for brokers, said Accelerates MD Brown. As an entrepreneurial business, it was also important to ensure we joined forces with a partner which shares our cultural values and ambitions for the future. Clear was the perfect fit in this respect and we look forward to working with our new colleagues on what is such an exciting future.

Source: The Clear Group

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Underwriting Insurance Wholesale
Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announced an Arkansas City woman has been sentenced to 18 months of probation for insurance fraud.

Misty Jane Dial, age 33, pleaded guilty in the District Court of Cowley-Arkansas City on July 9 to one felony count of attempted fraudulent insurance act and one felony count of making false information.

After being involved in an accident, Dial submitted fraudulent documentation to her insurance company in order to obtain funds for medical care and lost wages that she had not actually received nor lost. She was sentenced on August 27 to 18 months of probation with 10 months of underlying prison time if her probation is violated. Dial also was fined $500.

Topics Fraud Kansas
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. (AP)  A man drove his car through a restaurant patio where a group of medical workers were celebrating in a Minneapolis suburb on Sunday, killing two people and injuring at least four, police and hospital officials 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 additional details on a potential motive. They also did not identify the victims. But in a written statement on Monday, Annelise Heitkamp, a spokesperson for Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, said one of the people who died and the four who were injured worked at the facility.

Following the tragic incident at Park Tavern, were grieving the loss of a loved and respected colleague and friend to many here at Methodist Hospital and HealthPartners, Heitkamp said. Our thoughts are with our colleagues family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

The statement did not disclose the deceased peoples names. It said all four of the injured hospital workers were nurses. Dr. Thomas Stark, who works at Methodist Hospital, told KSTP-TV that the group of colleagues went to Park Tavern, which is near the hospital, on Sunday night to celebrate with one of the nurses, who was leaving her role 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.

One person who witnessed the episode told KARE-TV that the driver struck the back of his vehicle before mowing directly into a crowd of about 30 people on the patio. Park Tavern owner Phil Weber told the news station that the second person who died is Kristina Folkerts, a server at the restaurant.

Folkerts, 30, had a longstanding connection to the Park Tavern, Weber said. Before Folkerts mother died, she was also a server at the restaurant. She passed when Folkerts was 14, and restaurant employees came to the teenagers aid and would occasionally babysit her. Folkerts is survived by three young daughters.

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.

Photo: Police are shown at the scene where a car drove into the patio seating area of Park Tavern in St. Louis Park, Minn., Sunday night, Sept. 1, 2024. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Auto
Resilience, headquartered in New York, named Rebecca Jones as senior vice president of engineering and Jeremy Gittler as global head of claims.

Jones takes over leadership responsibilities for the companys engineering team and software delivery efforts. She brings over 20 years of experience leading growth market technology initiatives for various SaaS companies, most recently serving as senior vice president of technology at Disco and including previous roles as advisor, chief technology officer head of engineering at Trove and vice president and director of engineering at Credit.com.

Gittler will lead the companys Global Claims team. Before joining Resilience, he held underwriting and claims leadership positions at global commercial insurance provider AXA XL, where he launched and built its cyber claims team. Earlier in his career, he handled complex cyber and technology claims at AIG and worked as a litigation attorney at Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP.

USG Hires McMahon, Buck and Gudenkauf

USG Insurance Services, Inc., headquartered in Tampa, Florida, made three new hires to its teams in Texas, Arkansas and Georgia.

Thomas McMahon joins the USG Arlington, Texas office with over 25 years of industry experience. He most recently served as a broker and sales manager for FloodFlash and previously worked as an agency sales manager for AFR Services.

Kelly Buck joins the USG team in Little Rock, Arkansas, as a producer/broker on their personal lines team. With over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, she most recently served in personal lines underwriting at Risk Placement Services.

Tara Gudenkauf joins USGs Atlanta team as a producer/broker. With 20 years in the E&S insurance industry and 38 years overall in commercial insurance, Gudenkauf has worked in commercial, professional, workers compensation, transportation/garage, and personal lines. She most recently served as senior vice president of underwriting at Southern Insurance Underwriters, Inc. and previously served as a vice president at Jencap.

Topics Claims
With less than three months to go until the general election, politics seem to be a hot topic for discussion these days! However, todays political climate is more divisive than ever, and there are many reasons why you may not want these discussions in your workplace. You also may wonder if you can prohibit your employees from wearing or displaying election-related posters, pins, hats, shirts, and other types of clothing, accessories, or political adornments.

Although private, non-governmental employers generally do have the right to regulate the speech, dress, and conduct, of their employees in the workplace, that right is not without limit. In fact, in some circumstances employees have a right to engage in certain types of speech while at work. Therefore, employers need to implement their workplace policies and procedures carefully to ensure they dont incidentally infringe on their employees protected rights.

What Rights Do Employees Have?

While the First Amendment guarantees citizens the protection of free speech from intrusion by the government, this right does not apply to private workplaces. So, unless you are a government employer, your employees do not have a federal constitutional right to free speech while at work.

Yet, despite the lack of federal constitutional protection, many states have enacted laws that do protect private sector employees political expression in the workplace. For example, in Colorado employers may not threaten to discharge employees because of their memberships in or connections to a political party; in North Carolina it is unlawful for an employer to take adverse action against an employee for any vote they have or may intend to cast; and in Connecticut employers are prohibited from taking adverse action against employees for exercising their First Amendment free speech rights, with certain limitations.

In addition to these state and local laws, the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) also generally protects an employees right to engage in concerted activities, such as speech at work, for the purpose of attempting to improve terms and conditions of employment. So, even though the NLRA doesnt specifically protect political speech, if those discussions were to implicate working conditions or wages, for example  even if not explicitly  then they could potentially be protected.

Best Practices for Employers

First and foremost, even though political affiliation is not a protected category at the federal level, political discussions and other activities can easily cross over into other themes, such as race, sex, and religion.

Therefore, employers need to make sure any policy is drafted and implemented in a neutral and consistent manner. This means that if you choose to allow your employees to express support for a certain political cause or party you do not restrict other employees from expressing their support for an opposing cause or party. Similarly, before disciplining an employee, employers should ensure they are not inadvertently showing preferential treatment for a protected characteristic. And if you are going to implement a policy that prohibits political messaging in the workplace (such as a dress code policy which expressly prohibits employees from wearing clothing or accessories with any messaging, slogans, logos, or advertising), then the policy should be limited to political messaging that is unrelated to the workplace to ensure you dont run afoul of the NLRA.

Moreover, while employers likely cannot stop political conversations from happening altogether, they can (and should) have policies regarding bullying, unlawful harassment, and hate speech, which set expectations on what is, and is not, appropriate workplace conduct.

If you have questions or need assistance developing your workplace policies or practices regarding speech in the workplace, please contact your Akerman labor and employment attorney.

Reprinted with permission from Akerman and Emily C. Ayvazian.

This information is intended to inform firm clients and friends about legal developments, including recent decisions of various courts and administrative bodies. Nothing in this Practice Update should be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion, and readers should not act upon the information contained in this Practice Update without seeking the advice of legal counsel. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Topics Commercial Lines Business Insurance
RAGLEY, La. (AP)  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.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Louisiana
BOCA CHICA  It wasnt just a day at the beach.

But it never is on this small strip of sand near the Texas-Mexico border, not since SpaceX began launching rockets here.

On this particular Saturday in August, about a dozen people traveled here to celebrate what the beach meant to them and raise awareness about the harm they see the new space industry doing to the environment.

An art installation of fabrics waving in the wind met the crowd as they approached the water and splashed into the waves. It was meant to evoke memories of families spending time here in decades past.

For a few hours, the beachgoers were treated to quesadillas, oysters, and a variety of casseroles as they lounged under tents appreciating the beach that has undergone drastic changes in less than a decade.

A SpaceX rocket launch platform towered behind them.

The beach was once considered a local secret but is now at the center of a struggle between locals who want to preserve it as it once was and those who see it as a site for innovation.

Members of the ENTRE Film Center, a local film center and regional archive, hosted the gathering at Boca Chica to celebrate the beach and motivate people to fight for its preservation, which they view as being in jeopardy since the arrival of Elon Musks SpaceX.

This is the peoples beach, this is our beach, said Nansi Guevara, a visual artist who created the art installation. And were gonna fight to protect it.

ENTRE is among a coalition of Rio Grande Valley groups that have scrutinized the activity at Starbase, SpaceXs Boca Chica headquarters, and have spent years pushing back on attempts by the company to expand its operations here.

This summer, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have noted environmental concerns over SpaceXs proposal to increase the number of launches per year here.

The concerned groups continue to challenge the company and the government agencies over fears of the environmental impact and increasing denial of beach access to the public.

The Federal Aviation Administration was set to hold public hearings in August on SpaceXs proposal to launch its Starship/Super Heavy rocket 25 times per year from Boca Chica. However, the coalition urged the agency to restart its public participation process.

In a letter to the FAA, they called for a full environmental impact statement, in English and Spanish, that takes into account all the potentially adverse effects of SpaceX. They also asked for more time for the public to review the reports.

SpaceX is an issue thats constantly changing, that is getting rubber-stamped permits by regulatory agencies that have really broken processes, said Bekah Hinojosa, co-founder of the South Texas Environmental Justice Network.

A spokesperson for SpaceX declined an interview for this story.

The FAA, ultimately, postponed the public hearings after the agency became aware of allegations first reported by CNBC that SpaceX violated the Clean Water Act at the Boca Chica Launch Site and was unable to confirm the accuracy of SpaceXs license application and its draft environmental assessment, according to an agency spokesperson.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality also confirmed that it cited SpaceX for violating regulations. The state reached an agreement with SpaceX to address the issue. The formal agreement is pending approval from the commission or its executive director.

SpaceX responded to the allegations in a post on X, stating it was working with the environmental commission to obtain an individual permit for its water deluge system after previously operating under a Texas Multi-Sector General Permit, which regulates the discharge of stormwater used for industry. The company also noted that both TCEQ and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have allowed their operations to continue.

The CNBC report also raised concerns about traces of mercury in the non-stormwater discharge. However, SpaceX said there was a typo in the permit application and assured that mercury levels were well below state and federal water quality criteria.

Christopher Basaldu, a member of the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe, doesnt take SpaceX at its word and believes the environmental harm on the area is undeniable. The tribe considers Boca Chica to be sacred land and is currently suing the Texas Park and Wildlife Department for agreeing to a land swap deal with SpaceX.

As part of the deal, the Texas Park and Wildlife Commission agreed to give 43 acres of Boca Chica State Park to SpaceX in exchange for 477 acres adjacent to Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge.

SpaceX has always been polluting, Basaldu said. And I think people are kind of brainwashed into thinking that rockets  constructing rockets, testing rockets and blowing up rockets  that somehow thats not causing pollution.

He added that if SpaceX were to receive FAA approval to launch rockets 25 times a year, that would prompt more frequent shutdowns of State Highway 4, the only road that leads to Boca Chica, limiting access to residents.

If theyre launching 25 times a year, thats basically every other week, so it looks like they are going to shut down Highway 4 for half of the year, he said.

In addition to limiting beach access due to SpaceX launches, another change to the area is the arrival of Musk and SpaceX superfans who gather along the road adjacent to the launch site.

On that same Saturday, a brown pickup truck with the words Base Camp Zero emblazoned on the side sat parked across the launch site. A large tent covered the truck where Calvin Wehrle heated food on a hot plate.

Wehrle, a Galveston resident, travels to Boca Chica several times a year. He camps out for weeks at a time, hoping to get a front-row seat to rocket launches.

As a former member of the Galveston Sierra Club, Wehrle thinks environmentalists are in a losing fight against SpaceX and advises that they work with the company to preserve what they can.

Ive seen this happen and I made the mistake of fighting that, Wehrle said. And a lot of this development, you cant win.

But Basaldu, who wants nothing short of the complete dismantling of SpaceXs operations at Boca Chica and the restoration of the wildlife habitat areas, believes a complete reversal of what SpaceX has done can be accomplished.

Shut it down, take it apart, Basaldu said. Human hands made it, built it; human hands can tear it down, too.

Reporting in the Rio Grande Valley is supported in part by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/04/space-x-south-texas-environment/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

Photo: Space X rocket launch platforms loom over members of the ENTRE Film Center gathered to celebrate and preserve Boca Chica Beach near Brownsville on Aug. 31

Topics Texas Aerospace
Florida authorities have charged a Miami-area nurse practitioner and two others with creating false medical reports and attempting to defraud an auto insurance carrier out of more than $47,000.

Local news reports said that investigators with the state Department of Financial Services zeroed in on Ace Medical & Rehab Center after receiving complaints that people associated with the clinic were misleading insurance companies.

Clinic owner Yanirma Toledo, 42; nurse practitioner Maylett Leiva-Santana, 42; and therapist Lensky Jose Hernandez-Santiago, 43, were charged this week with the alleged scheme, Local10 TV news in Miami reported.

Investigators created their own fake crash report and had two undercover witnesses go to the clinic. The patients received checkups but no actual therapy, authorities told the news outlet. The clinic then billed insurance companies for multiple therapy sessions that never happened. United Auto Insurance Co. was billed for $47,310 for fake injuries, authorities said.

The trio is face prosecution on racketeering, theft, insurance fraud and conspiracy charges. They were booked into jail Tuesday in Miami.

Property Claims: How One Florida Engineer Tried to Blow the Whistle on Plaintiffs Expert Witnesses

Topics Auto Fraud Claims Numbers
Vancouver, British Columbia - September 4, 2024 (Newsfile Corp.) (Investorideas.com Newswire) Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (TSXV: DV) (OTCQX: DOLLF) (the "Company" or "Dolly Varden") is pleased to announce the closing of the first tranche of its previously announced bought deal financing for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of $28 million (the "Offering"). Pursuant to the closing of the first tranche of the Offering, Dolly Varden sold:

a) 11,500,000 common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") at a price of $1.00 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $11,500,000, issued under a prospectus supplement dated August 21, 2024 to the Company's final short form base shelf prospectus dated April 25, 2023 ("Prospectus Offering"), including the full exercise of the over-allotment option under the Prospectus Offering; and b) 12,960,000 Common Shares that qualify as "flow-through shares" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act") (each, a "FT Share") at a price of $1.25 per FT Share for gross proceeds of $16,200,000, on a bought deal private placement basis ("Private Placement Offering").

Mr. Eric Sprott, through 2176423 Ontario Ltd., participated in the Prospectus Offering.

The Offering (including today's completed Prospectus Offering and Private Placement Offering) is being completed on a bought deal basis pursuant to an underwriting agreement dated August 21, 2024 (the "Underwriting Agreement") between the Company and a syndicate of underwriters co-led by Research Capital Corporation, as co-lead underwriter and sole bookrunner, and Haywood Securities Inc., as co-lead underwriter, and including Raymond James Ltd. (collectively, the "Underwriters").

Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the second tranche of the Offering will consist of the further issuance by Dolly Varden of 1,440,000 FT Shares on a bought deal private placement basis at a price of $1.25 per FT Share for further gross proceeds of $1,800,000, not including any exercise of the Over-Allotment Option (as defined below). The second tranche of the Offering is expected to close in the second half of September. Completion of the Offering remains subject to the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") to list the Common Shares and the FT Shares. The Exchange conditionally approved the Private Placement Offering on August 22, 2024 and the Prospectus Offering on August 23, 2024.

The Company granted the Underwriters an option (the "Over-Allotment Option") to increase the size of the Offering by up to an additional number of FT Shares that in aggregate would be equal to 15% of the total number of FT Shares to be issued under the Offering, to cover over-allotments, if any, exercisable at any time and from time to time up to 30 days following the closing of the Offering.

The net proceeds from the sale of Common Shares will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. The gross proceeds from the sale of FT Shares will be used for further exploration, mineral resource expansion and drilling in the combined Kitsault Valley project, located in northwestern British Columbia, Canada, as well as for working capital as permitted, as Canadian Exploration Expenses as defined in paragraph (f) of the definition of "Canadian exploration expense" in subsection 66.1(6) of the Tax Act and "flow through mining expenditures" as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Tax Act that will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" and "BC flow-through mining expenditures" as defined in subsection 4.721(1) of the Income Tax Act (British Columbia), which will be incurred on or before December 31, 2025 and renounced with an effective date no later than December 31, 2024 to the initial purchasers of FT Shares.

The FT Shares issued pursuant to the Private Placement Offering are subject to a hold period in Canada expiring on January 5, 2025. The Common Shares issued pursuant to the Prospectus Offering are not subject to a statutory hold period.

In connection with the closing of the first tranche of the Offering, the Underwriters received a cash fee equal to $1,385,000, representing 5.0% of the gross proceeds of the Prospectus Offering and Private Placement Offering. Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Underwriters will receive a further cash fee equal to 5.0% of the gross proceeds of the second tranche of Offering and any exercises of the Over-Allotment Option.

This press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification or registration under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements and applicable U.S. state securities laws.

About Dolly Varden Silver Corporation

Dolly Varden Silver Corporation is a mineral exploration company focused on advancing its 100% held Kitsault Valley Project (which combines the Dolly Varden Project and the Homestake Ridge Project) located in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia, Canada, 25kms by road to tide water. The 163 sq. km. project hosts the high-grade silver and gold resources of Dolly Varden and Homestake Ridge along with the past producing Dolly Varden and Torbrit silver mines. It is considered to be prospective for hosting further precious metal deposits, being on the same structural and stratigraphic belts that host numerous other, high-grade deposits, such as Eskay Creek and Brucejack. The Kitsault Valley Project also contains the Big Bulk property which is prospective for porphyry and skarn style copper and gold mineralization, similar to other such deposits in the region (Red Mountain, KSM, Red Chris).

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. These forwardlooking statements or information relate to, among other things the expected use of proceeds from the issuance of the Common Shares and the FT Shares, the expected closing date of the second tranche of the Offering and other statements that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company's business and results of operations; and the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company's securities, regardless of its operating performance.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

For further information: Shawn Khunkhun, CEO & Director, 1-604-609-5137, www.dollyvardensilver.com.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

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Minister Charlie McConalogue said he is confident of a good outcome for Irish dairy in an anti-subsidy investigation as he met with Chinese Government ministers this week in Beijing.

Chinas Ministry of Commerce announced recently that it had begun an investigation into imports of dairy products originating from the EU, examining 20 subsidy schemes operating in a number of countries including Ireland, Italy, Croatia, Austria, Belgium, and Finland.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner during a trade mission to Shanghai, China, Minister McConalogue said he met the countrys agriculture minister and other Government ministers, providing him with a good opportunity to engage with them and to raise the Irish position in relation to the dairy investigation.

While discussions on trade matters are led by the European Commission, Mr McConalogue said he is confident that European and Irish dairy exports are fully compliant with World Trade Organisation rules and he provided these assurances to his counterparts.

He said that as a result, he expects that we can reach a good outcome.

It was timely the visit here this week, its important to have regular visits to our markets because it gave me that opportunity to state to my counterpart our view on the matter, Mr McConalogue added.

Irish dairy exports to China were valued at over 450m in 2023, according to Bord Bia.

Irelands largest dairy export category to China in 2023 was infant food, valued at 277.5m. Milk and cream has grown strongly in recent years, now valued at 43.5m.

Mr McConalogue along with Minister of State with responsibility for new market development Martin Heydon is this week leading trade missions to both China and the Republic of Korea.

This is Mr McConalogues second visit to both countries in the past 18 months.

Along with the 2024 Ireland-China dairy seminar taking place in Shanghai on Wednesday, beef is a key focus of the visits to both countries, with a number of events being hosted by Bord Bia to help educate customers there on beef produced in Ireland.

Ireland secured re-access to the Chinese market for beef exports earlier this year following a ban due to an atypical case of BSE being detected in a cow.

The opening of the South Korean beef market to exports from Ireland was announced in May this year.

ABP Food Group has this week become the first Irish beef processor to launch in the South Korean market by securing an export agreement with K Meat, a premium meat importer with advanced sales channels across South Korea.

This long-term supply agreement has seen ABP deliver three shipments to date from its locations in counties Monaghan, Tipperary, and Wexford.

The official announcement will be made by the Government ministers later this week as part of the trade mission.

According to Jim OToole, Bord Bias consumer research has identified the Republic of Korea as a priority market for Irish beef, given it is the worlds fourth biggest beef importer, purchasing 500,000 tonnes a year.

This represents opportunities for Irish beef suppliers, particularly for cuts such as short rib and the outside and inside skirt which are popular in Korean BBQ, Mr OToole said.

Since access was achieved four months ago, there has been immediate interest from the Korean trade who recognise that Irish beef offers a premium, grass-fed alternative to their existing portfolio. Bord Bia is currently running an EU co-funded campaign to promote Irish beef and lamb in the Republic of Korea, Japan, China, and the US.

This campaign is valued at 4.8m over the three years of 2022, 2023, 2024.

Drinks campaign

A drinks campaign has also been launched in China during this trade mission, targeting the rising middle class.

In the last four years, Bord Bia has invested over 1m in Spirit of Ireland, which is a global programme aimed at customer-facing staff selling Irish spirits in off-licenses and bars.

It was first launched internationally by Bord Bia in 2022 in the US and has since featured in Nigeria, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, the UK and Singapore.

Bord Bia is hosting 17 Irish spirits companies in Shanghai for the Spirit of Ireland launch, with them engaging with local distributors at the event.

Irish spirits are now exported to over 130 countries worldwide.

Bord Bia began promoting Irish whiskey in the Chinese market in 2020, and in the last five years, Irish whiskey exports to the region have grown more than 280%.

This new campaign in China aims to reach a growing, younger middle class with increased spending power across major Chinese cities.

The programme focuses on the cask finish and flavours of Irish whiskey.

According to Bord Bia, while Shanghai, Beijing and Guangdong are home to 50% of the middle class in China, the country has experienced substantial growth in other major cities, where consumption has seen double-digit growth.

Irish whiskey production has doubled in the last five years, and global exports exceeded 1bn in 2022.
A primary school in Limerick is so worried about hungry pupils from homeless families it is lending small fridges to improve access to food, the principal told an event on child poverty.

Traci Tobin, principal of St Michaels Infant School in Limerick City, said in her 26 years teaching in a Deis school, parents' stories now are the most desperate, thanks to a huge increase in homelessness.

My school has a number of desk-top fridges which we loan to parents and families who end up in hotel accommodation, through no fault of their own, and when they move into hubs they give us back the fridges and we give them out again to other families, she said.

They also send food to the families and she told the event: I remember going shopping and thinking what is the easiest thing to cook in a hotel room.

Joe OBrien, Minister of State for Community Development, Integration and Charities with Tanya Ward, CEO of the Childrens Rights Alliance, and Denise Charlton, CEO of Community Foundation Ireland.

Other families also face challenges, with one mother telling Ms Tobin money spent on activities this summer meant less money for groceries.

Eoghan OByrne, principal St Marys national school, also in Limerick, said food poverty became obvious during the covid-lockdowns because so many families rely on schools to feed their children.

Children can have breakfast, hot lunch and eat at an afterschool service through a mix of State, charitable and philanthropic funding at the school.

So thats three hot meals a day. If youre looking at a family of three or four, thats 12 hot meals a day and if you put that in a week thats 60 meals possibly a week that a family is reliant on statutory agencies to provide, he said.

Its so obvious the impact of food poverty on our children, and when they dont have food coming in you can see that. Theyre detached, theyre withdrawn, theyre emotionally dysregulated.

Parents trust the school as a safe place to get help, he told the event in Dublin.

Eoghan OByrne, principal, St Marys NS, Limerick, and Nessan Vaughan, chair of SVPs National Social Justice Committee and of the Vincentian MESL Research Committee, at a Children's Rights Alliance event discussing food poverty and children.

In one family, the mum passed away with cancer, we provided food support to the grandmother and single dad, he said.

In the last two years, they used 10,000 in funding from the Childrens Rights Alliance to provide Christmas vouchers from SuperValu  not valid for alcohol, lottery tickets or tobacco  and a local butcher.

Holiday hunger

Both principals called for more support for summer camps, warning many children face holiday hunger when term-time supports stop.

Ms Tobin, also a member of the Irish National Teachers Organisations central executive committee, said summer funding had dropped significantly.

This meant we had to prioritise fun events or food, that should never happen. The hot meal scheme should be extended without affecting the grant that you get to do little trips with the children, she said.

Minister of State for Charities at the Department of Rural and Community Development Joe OBrien also spoke on the issue of holiday hunger.

He said the department did a survey of youth services currently offering food as part of plans to address this.

The Childrens Rights Alliance, which hosted this event, is calling for Budget 2025 to be a children's budget.

It is now widely accepted holiday hunger happens, it said, but it currently receives little to no governmental support.
A book of evidence was served on Tuesday on a 31-year-old Cork man who is accused of carrying out a robbery at a shop at Blackpool in Cork and a similar offence at a garage shop.

Detective Sergeant Kieran OSullivan originally arrested Aidan Cullinane, of 2 St Josephs Park, The Lough, Cork, and brought him before Cork District Court.
A 46-year-old woman accused of dangerous driving in Glanmire causing the death of a special needs assistant at Watergrasshill national school in February was served with a book of evidence today.

The accused woman, Jennifer Thomas of 10 Oakfield View, Glanmire, Cork, was charged by Detective Garda Mark Durcan, and she appeared for the first time at Cork District Court in relation to the case.

Evidence was given of her formal arrest, charge and caution on this and other related driving charges last month and of the fact that she made no reply to any of the counts against her. Det Garda Durcan said the accused was released on station bail to appear today at Cork District Court.

After this evidence was given, Det Garda Durcan then served the book of evidence on Jennifer Thomas who wore a black trouser suit and was represented by solicitor Eddie Burke.

Sergeant John Kelleher said the state application was to have the accused woman sent forward for trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on the single charge that on February 11 at L2973, Sarsfield Court, Glanmire, she drove in a manner that was dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of another person, namely Sheila Dunne.

Sgt Kelleher said that on the charge of dangerous driving causing death there could only be an order to send the case forward for trial by judge and jury at the circuit court and it was not available for an accused person to opt for a signed plea of guilty at the district court for sentencing at the circuit court.

Judge Mary Dorgan sent the case forward for trial at the sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court commencing on October 29 when it is anticipated that a date will be fixed for a trial.

Judge Dorgan gave Jennifer Thomas the alibi warning given to all defendants being sent forward for trial. This requires certain notices of witnesses to be given to the state if an accused person is relying on an alibi defence.

Legal aid

Solicitor Eddie Burke submitted a statement of means claiming the accused was earning less than 250 per week and requested free legal aid. Judge Dorgan said she would need to see a payslip verifying these earnings. Mr Burke said he would renew the free legal aid application at the circuit court.

Other charges, including one count of drink driving and three counts of dangerous driving, will remain at the district court as they are deemed to be summary charges. Those counts were adjourned until November 27 at Cork District Court.

So the book of evidence contains only the single charge of dangerous driving causing death.

The summary charges consist of allegations that she was under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle at Sarsfield Court, dangerous driving at Hazelwood Road, Sarsfield Court and Sallybrook, not having a driving licence, and the related count of failing to produce it. All counts relate to the same date, February 11.

No details were given in court about the alleged facts that gave rise to the charges.

The late Sheila Dunne was remembered at her funeral mass at the Sacred Heart Church in Glounthaune as someone who had a great sense of pride in her two children, Lilley and TJ. Her late husband, well-known local DJ Ted Dunne, died three years ago.
The garda investigation into a suspected petrol bomb attack at Murphys Rock pub in Ballyvolane late on Sunday night resulted in a 32-year-old man being brought before Cork District Court on an arson charge this afternoon.

Detective Garda Kevin Motherway arrested Stephen McCarthy of Bay 10, Spring Lane halting site, Cork, and brought him before the court on seven charges.

The first count states that on Sunday, September 1, at Murphys Rock, Ballincollie Road, Dublin Hill, Cork, he committed arson in that he damaged by fire property, namely doors, windows, blinds, and exterior and interior paint, intending damage or being reckless as to whether it would be damaged.

Stephen McCarthy was also charged with two counts of having a knife at the same time and place. He is charged with driving without insurance or a driving licence. He was further charged with possession of cocaine when searched at Mayfield garda station and having the drug for sale or supply.

Det Garda Motherway indicated that there was an objection to bail being granted to Mr McCarthy.

As the detective was about to outline the grounds for the objection to bail, defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said the defendant was not applying for bail at the moment.

He is reserving his position with this application. He may make the application on a later occasion. The situation will be a remand in custody for seven days, Mr Buttimer said.

Judge Mary Dorgan remanded Stephen McCarthy in custody until September 11 when he will appear in court by video link from prison.

In court today the defendant had signs of recent cuts and abrasions to his face.

Mr Buttimer was appointed to represent him on free legal aid.

Det Garda Motherway said during the brief hearing that when the accused was arrested, charged, and cautioned on Tuesday afternoon, September 3, he made no reply to any of the charges.

Because the application for bail did not proceed there was no evidence given in relation to the alleged incident that gave rise to the seven charges.
The cut in financial support to Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland is to be discussed by the Taoiseach and the Ukrainian prime minister in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Mr Zelenskyy made the comment after he and Simon Harris signed an Agreement on Support and Cooperation between Ireland and Ukraine outside the presidential palace in Kyiv on Wednesday.

The agreement aims to support Ukraines EU membership and to support continued humanitarian assistance. Mr Harris also announced a 36m humanitarian funding package for Ukraine.

Mr Harris vowed in Kyiv that Ireland and Europe would never allow the atrocities committed by Russia in Ukraine to be normalised or forgotten.

Ireland will always stand with Ukraine. Europe will always stand with Ukraine," he said.

And Ireland will never allow the brutal Russian aggression against Ukraine to fade from peoples memories, Mr Harris said.

Children were murdered, likely in their beds last night, Mr Harris said, commenting on a deadly strike on the western city of Lviv early on Wednesday morning.

The hypersonic missiles and drone attacks killed seven people close to the time that the Taoiseach was passing through the city.

A mother and her three daughters were among the victims.

Taoiseach Simon Harris at the memorial in Maidan Nezalezhnosti square during his visit to Ukraine. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

The attack came after Russia's deadliest single attack on Ukraine this year which killed 53 people in a strike on a military institute in the central city of Poltava this week.

Explosions were also heard on Wednesday over Kyiv as air defences targeted Russian missiles.

Mr Harris said he had visited a couple whose house was destroyed by Russian attacks early in the war outside Kyiv, which not only took their home but a lifetime of memories from them.

But Irish aid had paid to build a new home for them and to give them some hope.

At a visit to the Childrens Rights Protection Centre in Kyiv, Mr Harris said he learned how children were being impacted by the war, including suffering and witnessing physical and psychological torture.

This is a war of real pain, real agony and real brutality, he said.

But Ireland would stand with Ukraine and its shared values of freedom and democracy, he said.

Mr Harris said he hoped Ukrainians would never need to apply for visas in Ireland, even after the current Temporary Protection Directive ends, as he hopes Ukrainians will be EU members.

Mr Harris said some 109,000 Ukrainians had come to Ireland, which was 2% of Irelands population.

We will always keep social welfare under review, he said, referencing the recent social welfare cutbacks to Ukrainian refugees. However, he added the scaled-back payments would only apply to those with free accommodation and free meals.

Taoiseach Simon Harris and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Ukrainians who register for temporary protection and State accommodation from March would only be accommodated there for a maximum of 90 days.

And weekly payments would drop for all Ukrainian refugees in State accommodation centres to 38.80 for an adult and 29.80 for a child from September 9. Those not in State accommodation can apply for social welfare benefits like Irish citizens.

Mr Harris said he was very conscious Ireland was only supplying Ukraine with non-lethal supports when asked if he would support supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles to target Russia.

Mr Zelenskyy said using long-range missiles would save lives in Ukraine.

We need the permission to use long-range missiles, but permission for these depends on coalition partners, Mr Zelenskyy said.

The US, United Kingdom, France and Germany were the only countries capable of supplying them with the long-range missiles needed, he said.

But Ireland is now providing vital funding to de-mine Ukraine and to fight cyber threats, Mr Zelenskyy said.

Ireland is also helping Ukraine to bring back deported Ukrainian children who were the victims of Russian war crimes.

Mr Zelenskyy said he hoped Ireland would play a substantial role in the reconstruction of Ukraine after fighting has ended.
Ciara Bowe describes the journey to the scan that would determine whether her unborn twins survived major fetal surgery as the longest walk she has ever endured.

Now, five months after Tadhg and Cathal Fitzgibbons perilous journey into the world, Ciara is embarking on a very different walk. The fundraiser  a metaphorical trek from Cork University Maternity Hospital to the Rotunda  aims to acknowledge their frontline heroes.

Tadhg and Cathal were diagnosed in the womb with the rare condition, twin-to-twin syndrome (TTTS). Picture: Chani Anderson

After clocking up more than 8km a day Ciara and her boys are on track to meet their 253km target. This number marks the distance between both hospitals which will now benefit from vital funds raised by the miracle infants and their mum.

The trio has raised more than 31,000 to date which will be split between both hospitals. Ciara joked it was no small feat considering the boys slept through much of the fundraiser.

The mother of three is often joined by her two-year-old son Seamus and husband Thomas on the walks through Ballincollig in Cork. Dubbed the Twins Trek of Thanks", the ritual became a deep-seated part of their daily routine.

Ciara with her baby twins Tadhg and Cathal. 'These babies were exceeding expectations like nobody could ever have predicted.' Picture: Chani Anderson

We hope to reach the Rotunda soon. Its a metaphorical journey so every day we mark where we are on the map and post this to social media. We have received so many messages of support from people following us on our walk.

Her sunny disposition is in stark contrast to before the twins were born. Neither she or Thomas had any idea at the time about the fate that awaited their unborn children. Ciara detailed the moment they discovered something was very wrong.

Dubbed the Twins Trek of Thanks, the ritual became a deep-seated part of the family's daily routine. Picture: Chani Anderson

Tadhg and Cathal were diagnosed in the womb with the rare condition, twin-to-twin syndrome (TTTS). This meant the siblings shared a placenta in addition to a network of blood vessels supplying oxygen and nutrients vital to early development.

The imbalance makes the twin receiving less of both extremely vulnerable to organ failure and malnourishment. In turn, the recipient twin runs the risk of cardiac complications due to an overworked heart stemming from excess blood.

Ciara recalled feeling struck by the statistics with an earth-shattering force.

If untreated there was a 90% chance that both babies would die, she told the Irish Examiner.

With the surgery, we had a 75% chance of saving one baby and a 50% chance of saving them both. They spotted concerns in a routine scan which led to a diagnosis of TTTS.

Tadhg Fitzgibbons. His mother Ciara said: 'It really hit me when they said that the purpose was to protect the bigger baby who we now know to be Tadhg.' Picture: Chani Anderson

"Looking back I was very naive. I knew it was serious but I didnt really comprehend just how serious it was.

"I was told I would need to go to Dublin for treatment. I asked the consultant if I would get a letter in the post but he had already arranged an appointment for me in the Rotunda for the next day."

Ciara said the gravity of the situation really hit home after a conversation with the medical staff.

Cathal Fitzgibbons. 'The consultant told us that he would never get over the comeback of the small baby,' his mother said. Picture: Chani Anderson

"It really hit me when they said that the purpose was to protect the bigger baby who we now know to be Tadhg," she said.

"I remember asking the consultant if it was considered a good outcome for me to only come home with one child. He replied that he was afraid it might be. I was advised to hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

"The following day I was in the Rotunda with their specialist team. It was caught at stage two of the five stages which was very early. The following week they were conducting fetal surgery which I had to be awake for. They lasered off all the connecting blood vessels between the twins. They were happy with how the surgery went.

Nonetheless, it would be hours before Ciara and the medical team would know if her twins survived the risky operation.

The first thing I had to do the next morning was go for a scan to make sure both babies had survived the surgery. I always describe that as the longest walk of my life.

"There were two strong heartbeats and little signs of improvement less than 12 hours later. I was then discharged back to the care of CUMH where I was scanned every week.

Ciara with her baby twins Tadhg and Cathal. 'We walk through rain and shine.' Picture: Chani Anderson

The mum and her unborn children were not out of danger yet, as Ciara explains.

They could never determine the success of the surgery based on any one scan. There was never going to be that eureka moment where they said 'oh look it worked. Everything is okay now'.

The mother of three is often joined by her two-year-old son Seamus and husband Thomas on the walks through Ballincollig in Cork. Picture: Chani Anderson

"They needed to track the babies. They were fairly confident at this point that the big baby was safe. However, they were trying to establish if the smaller baby had enough independent blood vessels to not just survive but to thrive and grow at an acceptable rate.

"Every week they scanned the measurements. The consultant told us that he would never get over the comeback of the small baby. He admitted that he hadnt known if he would make it to surgery, never mind get through it.

"I dont think anybody counted on the stubborn genes and the number of novenas and candles lit by both our mothers during that period. These babies were exceeding expectations like nobody could ever have predicted.

Ciara faced their last hurdle with astounding tenacity.

International research suggested that we shouldnt go beyond 34 weeks to deliver the babies since surgery had compromised the placenta. They were born on March 14 and were 6lbs 6ozs and 5lbs 9ozs which was phenomenal for 34-week-old twins who had been through that much trauma in the womb.

"The only challenge was learning how to feed but this was more of a developmental issue. After 11 days they were discharged from neonatal.

Seamus Fitzgibbons, 2, is the very best big brother to twins Tadhg and Cathal. Picture: Chani Anderson

The staff in both the Rotunda Hospital and CUMH are never far from Ciaras mind.

I vowed that if the babies made it this far we would do something to show our gratitude to the people who helped us. We want to support them like they supported us. I couldnt climb the Galtees with the twins so this seemed like the next best thing.

"We walk through rain and shine. A lot of the time the twins are asleep. As we travel along the route Im getting so many gorgeous messages from people across the country telling us heartfelt stories about what they have been through. A lot of the messages come from the mothers of premature babies.

Ciara with her baby twins Tadhg and Cathal Fitzgibbons. 'If untreated there was a 90% chance that both babies would die.' Picture: Chani Anderson

Ciara is looking forward to ending their journey to the Rotunda Hospital on a positive note.

If we had been diagnosed 10 years ago we would have had to travel to the UK. If you go back 20 years this surgery wasnt common at all. We feel so grateful to both hospitals. All we can do is offer them this small gesture to show our appreciation.

To donate to the fundraiser visit idonate.ie.
I didnt get tickets to Oasis. Or to be more accurate, the person I charged with getting tickets didnt.

I rang an old college friend at ten past eight on Saturday morning when the 160,000 tickets had just gone on sale to see how he was getting on, and his response is unprintable because, as he huddled over his laptop, he told me how he didnt need me heaping pressure on him.

With old friends, no matter who you become in your adult lives, you continue to perform your larval 18-year-old selves with a semi-violent affection because you have carried part of each other through the world, only getting to live those parts together.

In 1996, when Oasis played in Cork, around the time they were considered to have peaked, a vivid memory is making lasagne and garlic bread with a green salad pre-concert before I and my guests tripped off to Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Lasagne would have been old-school fare then, but I recall rationalising that it would act as soakage for the inevitable revelry.

You may not give a toss about the prospect of an Oasis reunion or you may regard it as the second coming. Discussing the desire to bag tickets with the generation above me, it was clear that they didnt get what the fuss was about. Cue some muttering about there being people soft enough in the head to pay 6,000 for a ticket, which is the price some of the tickets are retailing at from ticket touts. Agreed, it is lunacy, but they fail to understand its not necessarily about the music. Many of us are not die-hard Oasis fans; there were so many other great bands during the Madchester era  Blur, The Stone Roses, The Happy Mondays.

The announcement that Oasis would reform 15 years after their split in Paris prompted something psychological. To paraphrase an Oasis song, it was a case of Lets Look Back in Nostalgia. It was about more than simply having a chance to dance badly with other members of Gen X upon whose faces time has also played a tune. It was about getting in a time machine and returning to a simpler time.

Liam and Noel Gallagher performing at Marlay Park, Dublin, in 2005. Picture: IrishPhotodesk.ie

The sunlit nineties felt like an Edenic period. The boom had not reached its zenith, with the self-aggrandisement and unchecked rabid individualism that would lead to the human catastrophe of the Great Recession which cannibalised so many lives.

The Great Recession was like an avalanche waiting to happen as we, the minor characters at the start of the disaster movie humming in the van  or in this case the front row of the concert  had no idea that we were about to be killed off. Political error, economic slaughter, failure, and humiliation were on their way, but not yet.

When Noel and Liam took to the stage Leeside, it was a time when everything felt possible, when there was genuine reason to hope. It was pre 9/11. A ceasefire had been brokered in the North. Mary Robinson was in the Aras embracing community and inclusivity in her term and promising a better Ireland for women. Clinton was in the White House with his Third Way philosophy and the good ol boy Southern charm we found hard to resist. He was well on his way to becoming a neoliberal and deregulating the finance industry but that was not yet evident.

It was when we stayed up to watch Tony Blair sweep to power, incorrectly assuming the vulpine-smiled, big-haired ghost of Thatcher had been dispatched. It felt as if liberalism based on a notion of the social contract was in the ascendant, guaranteeing a brighter future of democracy and egalitarianism. Another major miscalculation, because the liberalism being enacted was entirely divorced from the social and economic reality it would produce.

Looking back, it was a time of hope more than knowledge, with what transpired to be a wildly optimistic view of globalist capitalist forms, which resulted in the rights of humans taking a bath in favour of the rights of corporations for which we are still paying the price.

That recession fomented a lack of social trust in systems which sometimes feel ineradicable and which has brought us a deeply damaging populism and in some quarters a disrespect for democracy.

During this Age of Innocence, I remember watching Noel Gallagher on The Late Late Show, how he said his mother Peggy told him he had to go on the show. Never mind that he was a superstar, for his Mayo mother the Late Late and Gay Byrne was still it.

Byrne introduced Gallagher as a very special guest from the biggest band on the planet, described him as Irish and marvelled that tickets were retailing at 150 or 200 a go (because it was three years before the euro came in). It was a major event when somebody famous came to Ireland and we all watched the same terrestrial television, which provoked bonding moments through a shared experience and a shared social reality. The proliferation of media options had not yet split us with peoples viewing being siloed on their laptops and phones.

On the Late Late, Noel sings Wonderwall with his guitar. Gay stands silhouetted in the background in a suit and tie listening and if you watch the clip on YouTube, its strangely affecting. A baby-faced Noel is yet to get married; he now has two divorces behind him. Noel talks about his musical process, sticking his music down on little tape recorders. Remember those?

Gay mentions to Noel that Chris De Burgh had the same musical method, and the look on Noels face is hilarious. He confines himself to saying does he? because his mother was watching from the Point, where he had just played, and presumably all his family in Charlestown, Co Mayo. For someone who was famous for his acid wit and swearing, he was scrupulously polite.

In a world of climate change, oligarchs, mob oratory, and an online ecosystem of hate, its easy to focus on the troubling, but every political era produces disappointment and disillusion, and our challenge is to refuse to let this negativity metastasize.

The bromide that art alone will save us is half-assed nonsense. But music can bring us together, bridging gaps between cultures, beliefs, and languages giving solace from a sense of belonging to something. Music allows you to dream, to escape for a fleeting moment, to access that more hopeful side of your psyche which is crucial as you age.

On Saturday night, I popped in the headphones, turned the volume to maximum, and played my favourite Oasis song, Supersonic. For a moment, thanks to the biblical drumbeats, the great guitar tone, the euphoric chorus, and the lyric , I need to be myself, I cant be no one else, Im feeling supersonic, I was a young woman again with everything to play for, no major mistakes made yet, smiling up at that stage, full of hope.
For many of us, September marks a fresh start. A time when a certain rhythm and routine returns to our lives.

In Ukraine, two-and-a-half years on from the launch of Russias brutal full-scale invasion, that rhythm is upended daily by Russian attacks on Ukraines civilian population, including hospitals, schools and energy infrastructure.

More lives are lost every day. In Ireland, children return to school this week following the summer break. In Ukraine, children attend lessons in bunkers and basements across the country, trying to maintain normality and education in the face of ongoing Russian attacks.

Ireland is a militarily neutral country. But we have never been politically or morally neutral in the face of violations of international law, or international crimes.

Quite the opposite. Our position is informed by our core values, and by the principles that drive our foreign policy  support for human rights, for international humanitarian law, for a rules-based international order and the right of all countries to choose their own path.

We cannot stand by when Russia, or any other country, disregards these principles. We stand with Ukraine as it defends itself in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Today, during his visit to Kyiv, the Taoiseach will sign with President Zelenskyy a comprehensive bilateral agreement on support and co-operation between Ireland and Ukraine. This new agreement is a political and practical declaration of Irelands support to Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Today, during his visit to Kyiv, the Taoiseach will sign with President Zelenskyy a comprehensive bilateral agreement on support and co-operation between Ireland and Ukraine. Photo: AP/Evgeniy Maloletka

It encompasses the breadth and depth of our existing policy and financial commitments to Ukraine. It is fully aligned with Irelands priorities and our policy of military neutrality, and commitment to non-lethal support under the European Peace Facility.

This bilateral agreement, and the 25 other bilateral agreements that Ukraine has signed with partners, also sends a clear signal to Russia that we will not waver in the face of the ongoing brutal aggression in Ukraine.

Let us not forget what this war is about. Russias war is not just a threat to European security, but is having global impacts. This agreement signifies Irelands determination to defend the fundamental principles that are the foundation of a rules-based international order.

Today, together with the Taoiseach, I will announce a significant new package of support for Ukraine, worth 36 million, which will contribute to essential humanitarian assistance, support rehabilitation and eventual reconstruction and contribute to Ukraine's longer term goals.

This will bring Irelands total funding to Ukraine since February 2022 to over 380 million, including approximately 130 million in stabilisation and humanitarian supports.

Recognising the particularly horrific impact of the war on women and children, our assistance in 2024 prioritises prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence, support for maternity services and rebuilding of homes for people forced to flee conflict.

We will also work with Lithuania to build bomb shelters for schools in Ukraine and to rebuild destroyed schools to ensure that children can continue their education.

Rescue workers extinguish a burning electrical substation hit by a Russian bombing in Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine, on Monday. Photo: AP/Evgeniy Maloletka

In supporting Ukraine, we have worked together with our European partners. We have been clear that Ukraines future is in the European Union. The Irish people have demonstrated deep compassion and support for Ukraines struggle, not least in welcoming almost 110,000 Ukrainians, who have been forced to flee Russian violence and persecution, and have sought sanctuary in Ireland.

Let us be clear. The path to peace is for the aggressor, Russia, to immediately and unconditionally withdraw all its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine.

This has been made clear by the overwhelming majority of UN Member States, including Ireland, in multiple resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly.

Respect for the principles underlying the UN Charter, including the principles of respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, must form the basis for achieving peace in Ukraine. Over 100 countries reaffirmed these principles at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, which Switzerland hosted in June.

Ireland will continue to use its voice and work with global partners to demand an end to Russias brutal war.

Finally, I want to pay tribute to the heroism of the Ukrainian people. Ordinary civilians continue to bear the brunt of this conflict as they go about their daily lives, while Russia continues its indiscriminate attacks.

They have persevered with immense courage and resolve, despite the severe challenges they face. I saw this first hand when I visited Kyiv in October last year, with my EU Foreign Ministerial counterparts.

As we continue to support Ukraine in the period ahead, we will be inspired by that courageous Ukrainian spirit, and dogged determination to defend the fundamental values that we share.
Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba has resigned, following an announcement last week from President Volodymyr Zelensky that a cabinet reshuffle was imminent.

Mr Kulebas resignation request will be discussed by lawmakers at the next plenary meeting, the speaker of parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk said on his Facebook page.

The foreign ministers resignation came as at least seven people were killed and 35 injured in an overnight strike on Lviv, city mayor Andrii Sadovyi said on Wednesday morning.

A child and a medical worker were among the dead and others are in a critical condition, he said.

During today's meeting in Brussels with EU foreign ministers, I conveyed a sense of urgency regarding the delivery of already pledged military aid, including air defense systems. I appreciate the readiness of my colleagues to take necessary steps to expedite these deliveries. pic.twitter.com/wvVIT4wqTc  Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) August 29, 2024

The attack happened a day after two ballistic missiles blasted a military academy and nearby hospital in Poltava in Ukraine, killing more than 50 people and wounding more than 200 others, Ukrainian officials said, in one of the deadliest Russian strikes since the war began.

The missiles tore into the heart of the Poltava Military Institute of Communications main building, causing several storeys to collapse.

The missiles hit shortly after an air raid alert sounded, when many people were on their way to a bomb shelter, Ukraines defence ministry said, describing the strike Tuesday as barbaric.

Poltava is about 200 miles south-east of Kyiv, on the main highway and rail route between Kyiv and Ukraines second-largest city, Kharkiv, which is close to the Russian border.

The attack happened as Ukrainian forces sought to carve out their holdings in Russias Kursk border region after a surprise Ukrainian incursion that began on August 6, and as the Russian army hacks its way deeper into eastern Ukraine.
European aid sent to Lebanon in an attempt to regulate migration by sea is funding practices that violate human rights, according to a global watchdog report.

As part of a policy to contain migration, authorities in Cyprus have physically pushed Syrian refugees back to Lebanon, and Lebanese security agencies have deported them, the Human Rights Watch report said.

The report, based on interviews with 16 Syrians who tried to leave Lebanon via smuggler boats, found that 15 of them suffered human rights violations at the hands of Lebanese and/or Cypriot authorities.

Rights groups have frequently criticised the tactics of authorities in both Lebanon and Cyprus in dealing with would-be migrants and asylum seekers.

Officials from the two countries deny violating any laws but say they are overwhelmed by the migration they are facing.

Breaking

1/7 New report from @hrw finds #Lebanon and #Cyprus pulled back, expelled and forced refugees back to Syria, underwritten by funding from the #EuropeanUnion for so-called "border management" projects. The EU should stop outsourcing abuses.https://t.co/Ms2KGn3esm pic.twitter.com/NimSL4gH3f  Nadia Hardman (@Nadia_Hardman) September 4, 2024

Lebanon, which has been in the throes of a severe financial crisis since 2019, hosts around 775,000 registered Syrian refugees and hundreds of thousands more unregistered, the worlds highest refugee population per capita.

Lebanese political officials have pushed for western countries to resettle the refugees or assist in returning them to Syria  voluntarily or not.

At the same time, Lebanon has an agreement with Cyprus to halt the smuggling of migrants and has received substantial funding from the European Union and European countries for border control.

In some cases, Syrian refugees who were caught by the Lebanese army attempting to leave to Cyprus by sea have been driven to the Lebanon-Syria border and dumped on the Syrian side, Human Rights Watch said.

Allegedly, some of them were then detained by the Syrian army, while others were extorted by smugglers for passage back to Lebanon.

Cyprus, meanwhile, suspended processing of Syrian asylum applications in April. Human Rights Watch accused Cypriot authorities of forcibly turning back boats carrying asylum seekers coming from Lebanon.

In some cases, Cypriot authorities forcibly prevented asylum seekers from landing, and in other cases they made it to shore but were not given the opportunity to claim asylum and instead were detained and then returned to Lebanon, where some were then deported to Syria, the report said.

Both Lebanese and Cypriot authorities used excessive force at the time of arrest and during detention, Human Rights Watch said.

The state's capacity to host additional migrants is overstretched,

The European Union and European countries gave Lebanon some 16.7 million euro (14 million) from 2020 to 2023 for border management mainly in the form of capacity-building projects explicitly aimed at enhancing Lebanons ability to prevent irregular migration, the report said.

In August, the European Union allocated another 32 million euro (27 million) to continue implementing border management enhancement projects in Lebanon through 2025, it said.

Cyprus deputy ministry of migration and international protection denied carrying out so-called pushbacks. It noted that Cyprus is a small frontline country that has received massive migrant flows over the last few years.

The states capacity to host additional migrants is overstretched, the statement said.

Therefore, we aim to strike a balance between our legal obligations and the realities on the ground.

Lebanons General Security agency told Human Rights Watch that between January 1 2022, and August 1 2024, it recorded 1,388 people, including 821 Syrians, on 15 departing boats, who were caught attempting to leave Lebanon.

General Security maintained that every deportation of which it had knowledge and on which it coordinated, was subject to international human rights law standards.

Acting director-general Beate Gminder of the European Commissions directorate-general for migration and home affairs said the commission takes allegations of wrongdoings very seriously, but that it is the responsibility of national authorities to investigate any allegations of violations of fundamental rights and to prosecute wrongdoing.
Rachael 'Raygun' Gunn has apologised to the breaking community while claiming her record speaks to being Australias best B-girl, in her first sit-down interview since her controversial appearance at the Paris Olympics made global headlines.

The Australian breakdancer was at the centre of an international wave of controversy after she was knocked out of the round-robin stage of the event for her performance routine that included hopping like a kangaroo and flailing on the floor.

In the interview, which aired on Wednesday night [in Australia], Gunn apologised to the breakdancing community after the criticism she had damaged the art forms reputation.

Theres been a portion of very angry and, you know, awful responses, not only attacking me but attacking my husband, attacking my crew, attacking the breaking and street dance community in Australia, my family, she told The Project.

The energy and vitriol that people had was pretty alarming.

Gunn also inspired a sketch on US comedian Jimmy Fallons The Tonight Show, something she described as evoking mixed emotions. She added she was not in a place yet to watch it.

I dont know whether to hug him or yell at him because  what a platform he ended up giving me, honestly, she told host Waleed Aly about Fallon.

I havent actually seen the sketch because I dont think Im in a place yet to watch it, but I will watch it at some point.

Call from Richard Branson

The 36-year-old also revealed Richard Branson had called her in the wake of the performance to tell her he thought it was plucky and courageous and fun  asking her if she would perform on a cruise with musician Boy George.

Rachael Gunn lost all three of her round-robin battles by a combined score of 54-0, prompting a hostile response to her performance. Picture: Elsa/Getty Images

Gunn also addressed the disapproval from within the breaking community, with some claiming she had set back the progression of the sport.

It is really sad to hear those criticisms, and I am very sorry for the backlash that the community has experienced, but I cant control how people react.

When asked if she thought she was the best female breaker in the country, Gunn responded: I think my record speaks to that.

Asked by Aly if there was irony in the fact Gunn has written about how breakdancing came from marginalised communities, yet a white person was sent to the Olympics, Gunn said: Theres a number of white B-girls in Australia.

Gunn said she qualified for the Olympics by winning the Oceania qualifier, where she didnt know the judges.

I was super nervous about it, to be honest, because even though Id won all these competitions in Australia I was nervous about winning this one because it was all new judges, she said.

She said she knew when she qualified she would struggle against the other countries.

As soon as I qualified, I was like, 'Oh my gosh, what have I done?' Because I knew that I was going to get beaten, and I knew that people were not going to understand my style and what I was going to do.

Gunn lost all three of her round-robin battles by a combined score of 54-0, prompting a hostile response to her performance.

More than 40,000 people signed an anonymous Change.org petition claiming Gunn had manipulated Olympic qualification processes.

The AOC clarified in a statement the qualifying event in Sydney in October 2023 was conducted by the sports international governing body World DanceSport Federation, as approved by the International Olympic Committee.

Gunn was legitimately nominated by DanceSport Australia to the committee after winning the qualifying event and had no responsibility for any funding decisions in the sport, the AOC said.
Danish police detained activist Greta Thunberg at a Copenhagen protest against the war in Gaza and Israel's occupation of the West Bank on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the organisers of the demonstration said.

Thunberg was later released from detention, according to Danish media reports, and the daily Ekstra Bladet showed video footage of her walking out of a police station.
About 70 firefighters are tackling a blaze at two flats on the ninth and 10th floors of a tower block, London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.

The brigade has received more than 50 calls to the fire in Catford, south-east London, as images on social media showed flames and smoke billowing from the building.
The presidents of Turkey and Egypt on Wednesday found common ground on the war in Gaza as they continued to mend long-strained relations, emphasising the need for a permanent ceasefire and guaranteed delivery of humanitarian aid.

Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi spoke during the Egyptian leaders first official visit to Ankara after years of tensions between the regional powers.

Turkey and Egypt have a common stance on the Palestinian issue, Mr Erdogan said after he and Mr el-Sissi oversaw the signing of co-operation agreements.

The end of the genocide that has been going on for 11 months, the establishment of a permanent ceasefire as soon as possible, and the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid continue to be our priorities.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, left, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the presidential palace in Ankara (Francisco Seco/AP)

In February, Mr Erdogan made his first visit to Egypt for more than a decade after the countries agreed to repair ties and reappointed ambassadors. He said the countries wanted to boost bilateral trade to 15 billion dollars (11.4 billion) in the coming years.

Relations between Egypt and Turkey, a long-time backer of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood group, soured a decade ago after the Egyptian military ousted President Mohammed Morsi, who hailed from the Brotherhood, amid mass protests against his divisive rule. Egypt also outlawed the group as a terrorist organisation.

In recent years, Ankara has stopped its criticism of Mr el-Sissis government, aiming to improve strained relations with Egypt and other Arab nations while seeking investments during an economic downturn. In November 2022, Mr Erdogan and Mr el-Sissi were photographed shaking hands at the World Cup in Qatar.

The Egyptian foreign minister then travelled to Turkey in 2023 to show solidarity after a deadly earthquake struck parts of southern Turkey and Syria.

We should work together to prevent humanitarian crises, especially by addressing regional issues together

This is Mr el-Sissis first visit to Turkey since he was elected president in 2014, a year after he led the militarys overthrow of Mr Morsi.

We should work together to prevent humanitarian crises, especially by addressing regional issues together, Mr el-Sissi said. We should work more intensively, especially with our brothers in Gaza and Palestine. In this context, both Turkey and Egypt emphasised that an urgent ceasefire should be established as soon as possible.

Mr Erdogan, a vocal critic of Israels military actions, accused Israels government of condemning the people of Gaza to hunger and thirst.

Israel and its supporters are responsible for every innocent person who dies from hunger, thirst or lack of medicine, he said.

He also told reporters that Turkey wanted to co-operate with Egypt on natural gas and nuclear energy.

Mr Erdogan welcomed Mr el-Sissi at the steps of his airplane at the airport in Ankara, a gesture he rarely makes.

Mr el-Sissi said on Facebook that his trip to Turkey and Mr Erdogans February visit to Cairo mirror the joint will to start a new era of friendship and cooperation between Egypt and Turkey.

Egypt, together with Qatar and the United States, a key Israel ally, has been working for months to try and broker a ceasefire and the return of the remaining more than 100 hostages held by the Palestinian militant Hamas group. The negotiations have stalled following new Israeli demands.

Egypt opposes any Israeli presence along the Gaza side of its border, claiming it would threaten the decades-old peace treaty between the countries, a cornerstone of regional stability. Hamas had asked to have Turkey added as a guarantor in the ceasefire talks, but the proposal was not accepted.

The war began with Hamass October 7 assault on Israel in which the militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 hostages.
Boeing will attempt to return its problem-plagued capsule from the International Space Station later this week  with empty seats.

Nasa said on Wednesday that everything is on track for the Starliner capsule to undock from the space station on Friday evening.

The fully automated capsule will aim for a touchdown in New Mexicos White Sands Missile Range six hours later.

Nasas two stuck astronauts who flew up on Starliner will remain behind at the orbiting lab. They will return home with SpaceX in February, eight months after launching on what should have been a weeklong test flight.

Thruster trouble and helium leaks kept delaying their return until Nasa decided that it was too risky for them to accompany Starliner back as originally planned.

Its been a journey to get here and were excited to have Starliner come home, said Nasas commercial crew programme manager Steve Stich.

Nasa astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore before their liftoff on the Boeing Starliner capsule to the international space station (Chris OMeara/AP)

Nasas Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are now considered full-time station crew members along with the seven others on board, helping with experiments and maintenance.

To make room for them on SpaceXs next taxi flight, the Dragon capsule will launch with two astronauts instead of the usual four. Two were cut late last week from the six-month expedition, which is due to blast off in late September. Boeing has to free up the parking place for SpaceXs arrival.

Boeing encountered serious flaws with Starliner long before its June 5 liftoff on the long-delayed astronaut demo.

Starliners first test flight went so poorly in 2019  the capsule never reached the space station because of software errors  that the mission was repeated three years later. More problems surfaced, resulting in even more delays and more than a billion dollars in repairs.

The capsule had suffered multiple thruster failures and propulsion-system helium leaks by the time it pulled up at the space station after launch. Boeing conducted extensive thruster tests in space and on the ground, and contended the capsule could safely bring the astronauts back. But Nasa disagreed, setting the complex ride swap in motion.

The stuck astronauts  retired Navy captains  have lived on the space station before and settled in just fine, according to Nasa officials.

Nasa hired Boeing and SpaceX a decade ago to ferry its astronauts to and from the space station after its shuttles retired. SpaceX accomplished the feat in 2020 and has since launched nine crews for Nasa and four for private customers.
1371138342::cfb49c8e-2422-11e5-99a3-d7f5c6e8b241

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
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
By Leonie Fleischmann, City, University of London | 

(The Conversation)  As the war in Gaza rages on, the situation in the West Bank has deteriorated. On August 28, Israeli forces began carrying out raids on the cities of Jenin and Tulkarm in the north of the territory, as well as the Al-Fara refugee camp located slightly further south. The raids have since been ramped up.

The UN has reported that 12 Palestinians were killed in the first four days of the operations. And details have emerged of widespread destruction, with 80% of the Jenin refugee camp left without access to water.

The operations have been described by the Israeli military as counter-terrorist measures, following an attempted suicide bombing in Tel Aviv on August 18. A young militant commander called Mohammed Jaber, as well as Hamas commander Wassem Hazem, have both been killed as part of the operations.

Israels ongoing raids have led to retaliation. This included two car bombs that were detonated in the Gush Etzion area of the West Bank on August 30 by Palestinian militants. The militants were shot dead by Israeli troops and two people were taken to hospital.

The incursions into the West Bank have occurred against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, and are in line with the Israeli governments aim to eradicate Hamas. But operations in the West Bank billed as counter-terrorist measures by Israeli forces are certainly not new.

Israel last staged a large-scale incursion into Jenin in July 2023. The operation, which saw a barrage of drone strikes and the deployment of hundreds of troops, lasted two days and caused significant damage to Jenins crowded refugee camp.

I wrote at the time that the waning influence of the Palestinian Authority in the camp had created a power vacuum. This vacuum was filled by militant groups such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Both groups were responsible for the murder and abduction of Israelis on October 7.

The Jenin refugee camp has long been seen as the centre of Palestinian resistance. Palestinians in the West Bank have experienced a history of displacement and disenfranchisement. And this has seen little improvement even after the Palestinian Authority was given administrative duties as part of the Oslo peace process of the 1990s.

The violence and poverty experienced by young people as a result of the Israeli military occupation has pushed many into joining the militant groups. According to Palestinian analyst, Mohammed Daraghmeh, Palestinian militant groups have been growing in the northern West Bank since 2022. But this growth has increased significantly since October 7.

Israel has chosen to respond with further violence. On a visit to Jenin on August 31, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff, Lieutenant general Herzi Halevi, asserted that he would not let terror take a foothold in the West Bank. He said that the IDF will move from city to city, from refugee camp to refugee camp to eradicate it.

Israeli forces have conducted several major raids in the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 652 Palestinians have been killed in the territory during this period.

These deaths cannot be attributed solely to the Israeli military. Israeli settlers have also engaged in violent attacks against Palestinians, with little intervention from the army. This violence arguably only serves to further encourage resistance and militant defiance among Palestinians.

Obligations under international law

These latest Israeli incursions into the West Bank have been condemned by the international community. A UN statement released on August 28 emphasised that Israel, as the occupying power, is bound by international law to protect the Palestinian population.

But my own research has found that, even if international laws of occupation are followed, they can rubber stamp counterinsurgency measures.

Certain clauses within the international laws of occupation recognise the legitimacy of the occupying force to protect its own security against what is likely to be a hostile population. Israel can therefore argue that it is not violating international law by conducting these counter-terrorist raids.

Indeed, the application of international humanitarian and human rights law can allow certain violations of rights to be justified in the eyes of the law. But the human rights concerns in the West Bank, which are already numerous, are growing.

They include not only the destruction caused by Israels regular incursions into areas that are supposed to be under the control of the Palestinian Authority. They also encompass the continued building of illegal Jewish settlements, and the Israeli armys failure to protect Palestinians against settler violence.

Its no surprise, then, that there has been a shift towards calling Israels occupation of the West Bank inherently illegal. Most recently, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israels continued presence in the occupied territories is unlawful and should come to an end.

Unless pressure is placed on Israel to end its occupation, the cycle of violence will only continue.

Leonie Fleischmann, Senior Lecturer in International Politics, City, University of London

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.



Bonus Video added by Informed Comment:

Al Jazeera English Video: Occupied West Bank raids: Child killed in drone attack in Tulkarem
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - Pure Energy Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: PE) (OTCQB: PEMIF) ("Pure Energy" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a Letter of Intent ("LOI") dated August 30, 2024 to acquire up to an 85% interest in the Railroad Valley Property (the "Property"), located in Nye County, Nevada, from Ameriwest Lithium Inc. ("Ameriwest" or "AWLI"). The Property comprises 563 placer mineral claims granted by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management ("BLM"), and is well situated for exploration for lithium-bearing brines.

Pure Energy's LOI with Ameriwest provides for the following terms over six years:

Initial earn-in option over three years to earn a 65% interest in the Property by expenditures in cash and shares of $450,000, plus project expenditures of USD$1.0 million;

Second Option over two years to earn-in to a 75% interest in the Property by expenditures of an additional $500,000 in shares and cash, plus project expenditures of USD$1.5 million;

Third Option over one year to earn-in to a 85% interest by US$1.0 million in cash and shares, and project expenditures of USD$1,000,000.

The 11,201 acre (4,533 hectare) Property is a green fields lithium brine exploration target located in Railroad Valley, Nevada. The North Railroad Valley drainage basin is larger in size and has geologic characteristics to host a lithium brine deposit similar to the one found in Clayton Valley, Nevada, located just 125 mi to the west-southwest. Clayton Valley currently hosts the most advanced and largest lithium-brine pilot plant in the United States, developed at Pure Energy Minerals' Clayton Valley property with our partner, which is currently in operation to produce lithium carbonate (Li2CO3). Clayton Valley also hosts the Silver Peak lithium brine mine operated by Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB). Similarities of the RRV Property to Clayton Valley do not guarantee exploration success at RRV.

Ameriwest has defined a large lithium brine exploration target in the southwestern end of North Railroad Valley. The target is based on gravity, magnetotelluric, and seismic geophysics studies completed by Ameriwest, along with available historic oil well drilling logs and seismic data. Drilling is required next to confirm the presence of a lithium bearing brine, and no mineral resources or reserves have yet been defined on the property. The transaction is subject to the entering into of a definitive agreement and approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

"Pure Energy is pleased to add the Railroad Valley property to its exploration focus, as it shows a number of important markers for lithium brine potential," remarked Joseph Mullin, CEO of Pure Energy Minerals. "We look forward to collaboration with Ameriwest in the exploration of the RRV property, and to continue our efforts in the battery metals arena."

About Pure Energy Minerals Ltd.

Pure Energy is a lithium resource company that has consolidated a preeminent land position at its Clayton Valley Project (the "Project") in the Clayton Valley of central Nevada for the exploration and development of lithium resources. The property comprises 950 mineral claims over 23,600 acres (9,450 hectares) representing the largest land holdings in the valley.

About Ameriwest Lithium Inc.

Ameriwest is a Canadian-based exploration company focused on identifying strategic lithium mineral projects for exploration and resource development. The Company is currently focused on exploring its Thompson Valley lithium clay property in Arizona. The property consists of 17 mineral exploration permits with the Arizona State Department of Lands and 33 mineral claims totaling with the Bureau of Land Management totaling about 9,500 acres (3,800 hectares). A NI 43-101 Technical Report entitled Thompson Valley Lithium Project Exploration Target, Yavapai County, Arizona, with release date January 31, 2023, and effective date January 17, 2023, can be found under Ameriwest's corporate filings on www.sedarplus.ca.

The information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mary L. Little, MMSA QP#01503, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Ms. Little is a director of the Company and therefore is not considered to be independent.

Cautionary Statements and Forward-Looking Information

The information in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include changes in world commodity markets, equity markets, costs and supply of materials relevant to the mining industry, change in government and changes to regulations affecting the mining industry. Forward-looking statements in this release may include future exploration and development of the Clayton Valley and Railroad Valley Projects. Although we believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, results may vary, and we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Multiple targets for Cabacal-type Cu-Au repeats identified along the 10km Mine Corridor

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 /Meridian Mining UK S (TSX:MNO) (Frankfurt/Tradegate:2MM) (OTCQX:MRRDF) ("Meridian" or the "Company") is pleased to announce further strong results from its Cabacal Cu-Au-Ag project ("Cabacal"). Wide zones of Cu-Au-Ag mineralization continue to be defined, highlighted by CD-535 returning 21.6m @ 3.1g/t AuEq / 2.1% CuEq, and CD-529 returning 16.1m @ 2.8g/t AuEq / 1.9% CuEq ("Figure 1"), within the open pit area1. Further results from Cabacal, Santa Helena and the Mine Corridor drill programs are pending.

A detailed review of the Cabacal drill program's results has identified multiple structural inflexions along the 2km strike length of the deposit, within which, the bulk of the Cu-Au-Ag mineralization is found. The Company has reviewed its geophysical data, and identified multiple signs for repeats of these structures, down dip of the mine and importantly extending along the 10km Mine Corridor ("Figure 2"). These new targets can be considered prospective for repeats for Cu-Au mineralization, and exploration programs to drill test these structures are advancing.

Highlights Reported Today

Meridian reports further broad, shallow copper, gold, and silver results from the Cabacal deposit; CD-535 (CCZ): 21.6m @ 3.1g/t AuEq / 2.1% CuEq from 85.0m; Including: 7.2m @ 5.5g/t AuEq / 3.7% CuEq from 99.4m; CD-534 (CCZ): 25.9m @ 1.4g/t AuEq / 0.9% CuEq from 80.8m; including: 2.1m @ 5.1g/t AuEq / 3.4% CuEq from 82.2m; 4.2m @ 2.9g/t AuEq / 2.0% CuEq from 102.6m; CD-529 (ECZ): 16.1m @ 2.8g/t AuEq / 1.9% CuEq from 92.1m; including: 4.9m @ 4.3g/t AuEq / 2.9% CuEq from 98.0m; CD-517 (SCZ): 33.4m @ 1.0g/t AuEq / 0.7% CuEq from 103.2m; including: 4.4m @ 1.9g/t AuEq / 1.3% CuEq from 119.1m; and 5.5m @ 2.4g/t AuEq / 1.6% CuEq from 130.4m.

Multiple new targets for Cu-Au mineralization host structures generated in Cabacal Mine Corridor; Identification of structural flexures hosting strongest Cu-Au mineralization within the Cabacal deposit increases the ability to target exploration efforts towards the VMS belt for further potential discovery; Multiple untested greenfield targets with the potential for Cabacal repeats following the trend of the district scale tonalite intrusion, initially identified over the 10km Mine Corridor; and Down dip extension of local flexures to be tested for potential underground extensions of Cabacal Cu-Au deposit.



*See technical note for true thickness estimate and separate AuEq and CuEq equations.

1 See Cabacal Gold-Copper Project NI 43-101 PEA March 30, 2023, https://meridianmining.co/cabacal/

Mr. Gilbert Clark, CEO, comments: "It is pleasing to report once again that drilling at Cabacal has intercepted ten's of meters of robust copper-gold-silver mineralization starting at shallow depths. We have taken a large step forward in opening the belt's exploration upside by unlocking the local structural "inflexions" that host Cabacal's mineralization. Understanding this local control on mineralization has allowed our geologist to identify, target and rank our belt's exploration upside. As our programs have shown, Cabacal is one of the very few advanced Cu-Au VMS belts, where the emerging greenfields upside remains intact, largely untested and is centred around a stand-alone asset; the hub and spoke development model."

Figure 1: Cabacal drill highlights

Cabacal Drill Results

Cabacal's drill programs2 continue to deliver a flow of solid gold-copper-silver results across the deposit("Table 1"; Figure 1"). CD-535's 21.6m @ 3.1g/t AuEq including 7.2m @ 5.5g/t AuEq showed the presence of strong intact zones of mineralization in the southern sector of the mine where further definition is ongoing in areas of wider spaced drilling. The focus of drilling is now contributing to final stages of mine planning and on targeting areas where data has been historically lost in whole or in part, along with some infill of areas of wider spaced drilling.

Cabacal Analogue For Near-Mine Exploration

The drilling to date has now provided a good framework for evaluating the geometric relationships between mineralization and rheological contacts - particularly the interface between the mine sequence and the felsic volcanic footwall (the "TAC"), where better grades are associated with inflexions in the contact and intersections between the northwest Mine Corridor trend and cross-structures. In developing gold exploration targets in particular, the Meridian team has scrutinized the developing datasets for inflexions and intersections in basement trends, as it has become increasingly apparent that the Cabacal deposit and the gold overprint event is particularly precipitated at sites where the TAC flattens and is locally deflected from a north-western to a more east-western strike orientation. Aerial magnetic data shows a number of analogue deflections of similar character to that evident at Cabacal ("Figure 2").

Figure 2: Mine Corridor magnetic map.

The gravity data shows Cabacal localized in a northwest-striking gravity low, again with a slight counterclockwise rotation from the dominant regional trend ("Figure 3"). A second gravity low, virtually undrilled, is positioned to the southwest of Cabacal and , separate regional inflexions are seen in the gravity pattern in the southern sector of the Chiquito region, and in the Sucuri area where the belt deflects to an east-western trend. These initial prospects will now be subject to a full suite of field exploration techniques including diamond drilling.

2 Meridian Mining News release of January 10, 2024.

Figure 3: Gravity map of the Cabacal Mine Corridor and adjacent Alamo licence to the east.

About Meridian

Meridian Mining is focused on:

The development and exploration of the advanced stage Cabacal VMS goldcopper project;

The initial resource definition at the second high-grade VMS asset at Santa Helena as first stage of Hub and Spoke development strategy;

Regional scale exploration of the Cabacal VMS belt to expand the Hub and Spoke strategy; and

Exploration in the Jauru & Araputanga Greenstone belts (the above all located in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil).

The Preliminary Economic Assessment technical report (the "PEA Technical Report") dated March 30, 2023, entitled: "Cabacal Gold-Copper Project NI 43-101 Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment, Mato Grosso, Brazil" outlines a base case after-tax NPV5 of USD 573 million and 58.4% IRR from a pre-production capital cost of USD 180 million, leading to capital repayment in 10.6 months (assuming metals price scenario of USD 1,650 per ounces of gold, USD 3.59 per pound of copper, and USD 21.35 per ounce of silver). Cabacal has a low All-in-Sustaining-Cost of USD 671 per ounce gold equivalent for the first five years, driven by high metallurgical recovery, a low life-of-mine strip ratio of 2.1:1, and the low operating cost environment of Brazil.

The Cabacal Mineral Resource estimate consists of Indicated resources of 52.9 million tonnes at 0.6g/t gold, 0.3% copper and 1.4g/t silver and Inferred resources of 10.3 million tonnes at 0.7g/t gold, 0.2% copper & 1.1g/t silver (at a 0.3 g/t gold equivalent cut-off grade). Santa Helena mine area generated an initial Exploration Target with a tonnage range of 3.2 -7.2 Mt grading between 3.0 - 3.2g/t AuEq*, which gives a potential high-grade metal inventory range of between 306,000 to 763,000 AuEq ounces, located within 10km of the proposed Cabacal mill site.

Readers are encouraged to read the PEA Technical Report in its entirety. The PEA Technical Report may be found on the Company's website at www.meridianmining.co and under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The qualified persons for the PEA Technical Report are: Robert Raponi (P. Eng), Principal Metallurgist with Ausenco Engineering), Scott Elfen (P. E.), Global Lead Geotechnical and Civil Services with Ausenco Engineering), Simon Tear (PGeo, EurGeol), Principal Geological Consultant of H&SC, Marcelo Batelochi, (MAusIMM, CP Geo), Geological Consultant of MB Geologia Ltda, Joseph Keane (Mineral Processing Engineer; P.E), of SGS, and Guilherme Gomides Ferreira (Mine Engineer MAIG) of GE21 Consultoria Mineral.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Meridian Mining UK S

Mr. Gilbert Clark - CEO and Director

Meridian Mining UK S

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: +1 778 715-6410 (BST)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeridianMining

Stay up to date by subscribing for news alerts here: https://meridianmining.co/subscribe/

Further information can be found at: www.meridianmining.co

Technical Notes

Samples have been analysed at ALS laboratory in Lima, Peru. Samples are dried, crushed with 70% passing 85% passing 200m. Routine gold analyses have been conducted by AuAA24 (fire assay of a 50g charge with AAS finish). Highgrade samples (>10g/t Au) are repeated with a gravimetric finish (AuGRA22), and base metal analysis by methods ME-ICP61 and OG62 (four acid digest with ICP-AES finish). Visible gold intervals are sampled by metallic screen fire assay method AuSCR21. Samples are held in the Company's secure facilities until dispatched and delivered by staff and commercial couriers to the laboratory. Pulps and coarse rejects are retained and returned to the Company for storage. The Company submits a range of quality control samples, including blanks and gold and polymetallic standards supplied by Rocklabs, ITAK and OREAS, supplementing laboratory quality control procedures. Approximately 5% of archived samples are sent for umpire laboratory analysis, including any lots exhibiting QAQC outliers after discussion with the laboratory. In BP Minerals sampling, gold was analysed historically by fire assay and base metals by three acid digest and ICP finish at the Nomos laboratory in Rio de Janeiro. Silver was analysed by aqua regia digest with an atomic absorption finish. True width is considered to be 80-90% of intersection width. Assay figures and intervals are rounded to 1 decimal place. Gold equivalents for Cabacal are calculated as: AuEq(g/t) = (Au(g/t) * %Recovery) + (1.492*(Cu% * %Recovery)) + (0.013*(Ag(g/t) * %Recovery)), and Copper equivalents are calculated as: CuEq(%) = (Cu(%) * %Recovery) + (0.670*(Aug/t * %Recovery)) + (0.0087*(Ag(g/t) * %Recovery)) where:

Au_recovery_ppm = 5.4368ln(Au_Grade_ppm)+88.856

Cu_recovery_pct = 2.0006ln(Cu_Grade_pct)+94.686

Ag_recovery_ppm = 13.342ln(Ag_Grade_ppm)+71.037

Recoveries based on 2022 metallurgical testwork on core submitted to SGS Lakefield

Qualified Person

Mr. Erich Marques, B.Sc., FAIG, Chief Geologist of Meridian Mining and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed, and verified the technical information in this news release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information or forward-looking statements for the purposes of applicable securities laws. These statements address future events and conditions and so involve inherent risks and uncertainties, as disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Meridian's most recent Annual Information Form filed on www.sedarplus.ca. While these factors and assumptions are considered reasonable by Meridian, in light of management's experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, Meridian can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Meridian disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise.
TORONTO, Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dore Copper Mining Corp. (the "Corporation" or "Dore Copper") (TSXV:DCMC; OTCQB:DRCMF; FRA:DCM) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement offering of: (i) up to 20,952,381 common shares in the capital of the Corporation (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.105 per Common Share for gross proceeds of up to $2,200,000; (ii) up to 960,000 common shares in the capital of the Corporation that will qualify as "flow-through shares" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and section 359.1 of the Taxation Act (Quebec) (the "Traditional Flow-Through Shares") at a price of $0.125 per Traditional Flow-Through Share for gross proceeds of up to $120,000; and (iii) up to 11,500,000 common shares in the capital of the Corporation that will qualify as "flow-through shares" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and section 359.1 of the Taxation Act (Quebec) (the "Charitable Flow-Through Shares" and together with the Traditional Flow-Through Shares, the "Flow-Through Shares") at a price of $0.20 per Charitable Flow-Through Share for gross proceeds of up to $2,300,000, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Corporation of up to $4,620,000 (collectively, the "Offering").

The net proceeds from the sale of the Common Shares will be used for exploration and development activities, feasibility study work, permitting activities and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Corporation will use an amount equal to the gross proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale of the Flow-Through Shares, pursuant to the provisions in the Income Tax Act (Canada), to incur, directly or indirectly, on or before December 31, 2025, expenses ("Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Corporation's projects in Quebec that are eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" (as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada)), which will qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" (as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada)), and renounce all the Qualifying Expenditures in favour of the applicable subscribers of the Flow-Through Shares effective December 31, 2024. In addition, with respect to Quebec resident subscribers who are eligible individuals under the Taxation Act (Quebec), the Qualifying Expenditures will also qualify for inclusion in the "exploration base relating to certain Quebec exploration expenses" within the meaning of section 726.4.10 of the Taxation Act (Quebec) and for inclusion in the "exploration base relating to certain Quebec surface mining exploration expenses" within the meaning of section 726.4.17.2 of the Taxation Act (Quebec).

In connection with the Offering, the Corporation may engage certain arm's-length parties who may receive a cash finder's fee payment and/or warrants to purchase common shares in the capital of the Corporation in consideration of securities that are sold to subscribers introduced by such parties. Any cash finder's fee payment and/or warrants will be subject to the approval of, and will be issued in accordance with the rules of, the TSX Venture Exchange.

The Offering is expected to close on or about September 20, 2024, or such other date as the Corporation may determine and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals including the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The Offering will be made by way of private placement in each of the provinces of Canada pursuant to applicable exemptions from the prospectus requirements and, in the case of the Common Shares, such other jurisdictions, in each case in accordance with all applicable laws, provided that no prospectus, registration statement or other similar document is required to be filed in such jurisdiction. The securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws.

The securities offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities law, and may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, within the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons, absent registration or an exemption from such registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Dore Copper Mining Corp.

Dore Copper Mining Corp. aims to be the next copper producer in Quebec with an initial production target of +50 million pounds of copper equivalent annually by implementing a hub-and-spoke operation model with multiple high-grade copper-gold assets feeding its centralized Copper Rand mill1. The Corporation has delivered its PEA in May 2022 and is proceeding with a feasibility study.

The Corporation has consolidated a large land package in the prolific Lac Dore/Chibougamau and Joe Mann mining camps that has historically produced 1.6 billion pounds of copper and 4.4 million ounces of gold2. The land package includes 13 former producing mines, deposits and resource target areas within a 60-kilometer radius of the Corporation's Copper Rand Mill.

For further information, please visit the Corporation's website at www.dorecopper.com or refer to Dore Copper's SEDAR+ filings at www.sedarplus.ca or contact:

Technical report titled "Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Chibougamau Hub-and-Spoke Complex, Quebec, Canada" dated June 15, 2022, in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The Technical Report was prepared by BBA Inc. with several consulting firms contributing to sections of the study, including SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd., SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. and WSP Inc.



Sources for historic production figures: Economic Geology, v. 107, pp. 963989 - Structural and Stratigraphic Controls on Magmatic, Volcanogenic, and Shear Zone-Hosted Mineralization in the Chapais-Chibougamau Mining Camp, Northeastern Abitibi, Canada by Francois Leclerc et al. (Lac Dore/Chibougamau mining camp) and NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Joe Mann Property dated January 11, 2016 by Geologica Groupe-Conseil Inc. for Jessie Ressources Inc. (Joe Mann mine).

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the terms of the Offering, the use of proceeds of the Offering, the timing and ability of the Corporation to close the Offering, the timing and ability of the Corporation to receive necessary regulatory approvals, including the acceptance of the Offering from the TSX Venture Exchange, the renunciation to the purchasers of the Flow-Through Shares and timing thereof, the tax treatment of the Flow-Through Shares, the Corporation's ability to meet its production target, the commencement, timing and completion of a feasibility study, and the plans, operations and prospects of the Corporation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; the price of gold and copper; and the results of current exploration. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Corporation 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.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Vancouver, British Columbia - TheNewswire - September 4, 2024: Headwater Gold Inc. (CSE: HWG) (OTCQB: HWAUF) (the "Company" or "Headwater") is pleased to announce the acquisitions of two additional epithermal vein projects, Rock Creek and Hot Creek, in Northern Nevada. Both projects have been acquired through claim staking on open ground managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Highlights:

Two New Projects in Northern Nevada: Headwater has acquired the Rock Creek and Hot Creek epithermal gold projects by claim staking on BLM land. Both projects are 100% owned and are royalty free.

Large Epithermal Gold Systems: Both projects host widespread epithermal alteration footprints indicative of large hydrothermal systems. High-level silica alteration, including hydrothermal vent breccias and opalized sediments are present indicating the systems are likely fully preserved.

Untested High-Grade Targets: Historical surface sampling and drilling indicate the widespread presence of near-surface anomalous gold mineralization on the properties. Limited drilling has been completed in the target epithermal boiling zones at depth.

Caleb Stroup, the President and CEO of the Company, states: The acquisition of the Rock Creek and Hot Creek projects significantly enhances our portfolio of high-potential epithermal gold projects in Northern Nevada. The historical datasets from these projects provide a strong foundation for a systematic modern exploration effort with the geological characteristics pointing towards untested potential for high-grade precious metals at depth. We are particularly excited about the potential at Rock Creek where the Main Vein target remains open along strike in both directions as well as down dip. These 100% owned and royalty free acquisitions align perfectly with our strategy of maintaining a large, active portfolio of high-grade epithermal projects and provide our shareholders with exposure to significant upside potential.

Rock Creek Project

The Rock Creek project is located along the eastern margin of the Northern Nevada Rift, which hosts multiple high-grade epithermal gold mines such as Midas, Fire Creek and Hollister. Headwater acquired Rock Creek by staking 103 unpatented mining claims on BLM land. Headwaters land position adjoins private land and mining claims controlled by Nevada Gold Mines (NGM) and captures the along strike and down dip projections of the three principal vein systems in the district: the Main Vein, SW Vein and SE Vein. These principal structures occur within an approximate 5 kilometre (km) by 1.5 km epithermal alteration cell. An outcropping hydrothermal vent breccia cemented by chalcedonic silica in the center of the zone is interpreted as the upper parts of a well-preserved epithermal system. Historic rock sampling1 has returned gold values locally up to 34.2 g/t where the Main Vein projects south on to Headwater claims and the northernmost historic drill hole1 testing the Main Vein, also on Headwater claims, returned 27.43 m grading 0.89 g/t Au, including 4.64 g/t Au over 1.53 m suggesting strike potential in both directions.

Figure 1: Map of the Northern Nevada Rift showing the location of 100% owned Headwater epithermal gold projects on a hill shade base (top) and a regional Reduced To Pole aeromagnetic map (bottom).

Future exploration at Rock Creek will focus on compiling and digitizing historical datasets to create a comprehensive 3D model, additional geological mapping, surface sampling and potential geophysical surveys to refine targets.

Hot Creek Project

The Hot Creek project consists of 52 unpatented mining claims staked by Headwater in the Tuscarora District. The project hosts a widespread zone of silica flooding in Tertiary sediments in the immediate hanging wall of a silicified range front fault. Historical shallow drilling1 results include grades up to 1.04 g/t Au over 12.2 m and 0.34 g/t Au over 117.3 m along a range front fault. The majority of the historic drill holes at Hot Creek were relatively shallow and did not adequately test for the presence of high-grade feeders at depth along the range front fault or subsidiary structures.

Future exploration at Hot Creek will focus on refining the geological model, identifying new high-potential zones and conducting additional geological mapping and surface sampling.

About Headwater Gold

Headwater Gold Inc. (CSE: HWG, OTCQB: HWAUF) is a technically driven mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and discovery of high-grade precious metal deposits in the Western USA. Headwater is aggressively exploring one of the most well-endowed and mining-friendly jurisdictions in the world with a goal of making world-class precious metal discoveries. Headwater has a large portfolio of epithermal vein exploration projects and a technical team of experienced geologists with diverse capital markets, junior and major mining company backgrounds. The Company is systematically drill testing several projects in Nevada and in August 2022 and May 2023 announced significant transactions with Newmont Corporation where it acquired a 9.9% strategic equity interest in the Company and entered into earn-in agreements on several of Headwaters projects, including Spring Peak and Lodestar which continue under partnership towards a goal of discovering a Tier-one scale gold deposit in Nevada.

Headwater is part of the NewQuest Capital Group which is a discovery-driven investment enterprise that builds value through the incubation and financing of mineral projects and companies. Further information about NewQuest can be found on the company website at www.nqcapitalgroup.com.

For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.headwatergold.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Caleb Stroup

President and CEO

+1 (775) 409-3197

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For further information, please contact:

Brennan Zerb

Investor Relations Manager

+1 (778) 867-5016

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Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Scott Close, P.Geo (158157), a Qualified Person (QP) as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

1Historical drill intercepts and surface samples cannot be relied upon and are treated by the Company as historical in nature and not current or NI 43-101 compliant.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding future capital expenditures, exploration activities and the specifications, targets, results, analyses, interpretations, benefits, costs and timing of them, Newmonts anticipated funding of the earn-in projects and the timing thereof, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as pro forma, plans, expects, may, should, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, believes, potential or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks related to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Companys exploration plans and the proposed expenditures for exploration work thereon, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, the risk that Newmont will not elect to obtain any additional interest in the earn-in projects in excess of the minimum commitment, the ability of the Company to obtain the required permits, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, the Companys limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys prospectus dated May 26, 2021 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Companys profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by law.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 /Arras Minerals Corp. (TSXV:ARK) (OTCQB:ARRKF) ("Arras" or "the Company") is pleased to provide an update on its exploration activities underway across the project portfolio in NE Kazakhstan.

Highlights

3,547 line-kilometer Heli-TEM survey over the entire 1397 square-kilometer Bozshakol project mineral tenement package announced July 22, 2024 has now been completed

KGK Drill program underway at Aktasty and Maisor licenses (Bozshakol project) targeting high-priority areas to test bedrock under 10-40 m of unconsolidated cover

Ground IP Survey at Elemes project is now 80% completed, high priority targets identified, core drill program now underway at Berezski East and Berezski Central targets

KGK Drill program at Tay project completed

Figure 1. Map of Arras projects in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan

Bozshakol Project:

The Bozshakol Project (Package "A" in Figure 1) is located 56km to the northwest of the town of Ekibastuz and surrounds and covers the potential continuation of mineralization of KAZ Minerals' Bozshakol copper- mine.

The Heli-Tem survey announced on July 22 nd has now been completed. Analysis of data is underway. A 17,000-meter KGK drill program has commenced at the Aktasty and Maisor licenses to test the bedrock at targets identified through geophysics and soil sampling completed to date, and to better understand the subsurface geology that lays below 10-40 m of quaternary cover. This program, along with the Heli-Tem survey is expected to inform on priority drill targets for 2025.

Elemes Project

The Ground IP Survey at the Elemes project which commenced in July is approximately 80% complete and expected to be finished in September. The survey over the Berezski East and Berezski Central target areas has been completed and drill targets for these areas prioritized. A core drill is now underway at these areas with drilling at the Elemes Project expected to continue across a number of priority targets into November with 5000m planned for this Phase I program. Initial assays are expected in November.

Figure 2. Berezski Target at Elemes Project showing soil geochemistry and exploration targets.

Tay Project

A 5,424m KGK drilling program has been completed at the Tay Project. This program targeted the Soviet-era IP anomaly that formed the basis to acquire the license earlier this year. The 135 KGK holes successfully tested the top of bedrock across the anomaly returning predominantly basalts and schists.

Following completion of the KGK program, a single line of Ground IP survey was undertaken which confirmed the location of the Soviet IP anomaly with inversion analysis indicating an anomaly at approximately 140m below surface. Given the KGK drill is not able to reach that depth, a single core hole was drilled to test the heart of the anomaly and was drilled to 400 m. Visual results from the hole indicate several zones of chalcopyrite mineralization along fractures within basalts and gabbros. Priority intervals have been dispatched to the assay lab with results expected in October.

Tim Barry, CEO commented, "We are very pleased with how the programs are progressing so far this summer with activity across virtually the entire license package. The Ground IP survey at Elemes has progressed well and we are excited to have a drill turning there now as we begin to test the first batch of new priority targets at this exciting project. Additionally, all the work taking place at the Bozshakol group is advancing this project area to prioritize drill targets and follow-up areas ahead of an expected busy drilling campaign in 2025. At Tay, while we are awaiting assay results, we were surprised to not see more intensive alteration and sulfides in the drill core given how well the IP anomaly was confirmed with our own Ground IP survey. Once assays are received, we will review and decide on next steps at Tay."

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical disclosure for this news release has been prepared under supervision of and approved by Matthew Booth, Vice President of Exploration, of Arras Minerals Corp., a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101. Mr. Booth has over 19 years of mineral exploration experience and is a Qualified Person member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (CPG 12044).

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Tim Barry"

Tim Barry, MAusIMM CP(Geo)

Chief Executive Officer and Director

INVESTOR RELATIONS:

+1 604 687 5800

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Further information can be found on:

the Company's website https://www.arrasminerals.com or

follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arrasminerals or

follow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/arrasminerals

About Arras Minerals Corp.

Arras is a Canadian exploration and development company advancing a portfolio of copper and gold assets in northeastern Kazakhstan, including the Option Agreement on the Beskauga copper and gold project. The Company has established the third-largest license package in the country prospective for copper and gold (behind Rio Tinto and Fortescue). In December 2023, the Company entered into a strategic alliance with Teck Resources ("Teck") in which Teck will sole fund a US$5 million generative exploration program over a portion of the Arras license package in 2024-2025 focusing on critical minerals. The Company's shares are listed on the TSX-V under the trading symbol "ARK" and on the OTCQB under the trading symbol "ARRKF".

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors concerning estimates of Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Resources

This press release uses the terms "measured resources", "indicated resources", and "inferred resources" which are defined in, and required to be disclosed by, NI 43-101. The Company advises U.S. investors that these terms are not recognized by the SEC. The estimation of measured, indicated and inferred resources involves greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic feasibility than the estimation of proven and probable reserves. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that measured and indicated mineral resources will be converted into reserves. The estimation of inferred resources involves far greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic viability than the estimation of other categories of resources. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that estimates of inferred mineral resources exist, are economically minable, or will be upgraded into measured or indicated mineral resources. Under Canadian securities laws, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies.

Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations, however the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, the information contained in this press release may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies that are not subject NI 43-101.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and Arras' future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act, and applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding plans and expectations of the exploration program Arras is in the process of undertaking, including the expansion of the Mineral Resource, and other aspects of the Mineral Resource estimates for the Beskauga project. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about Arras' exploration projects, the industry in which Arras operates and the beliefs and assumptions of Arras' management. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "continues," "may," variations of such words, and similar expressions and references to futureperiods, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond management's control, including undertaking further exploration activities, the results of such exploration activities and that such results support continued exploration activities, unexpected variations in ore grade, types and metallurgy, volatility and level of commodity prices, the availability of sufficient future financing, and other matters discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Management Discussion and Analysis filed on the Company's profile on SEDAR on February 28, 2024 and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed on February 28, 2024 available on www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this release is based only on information currently available and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.
Highlight intersection 22m at 5.6% CuEq

New Gold and Silver-Rich Zone Identified at Tesla, Potentially Strengthening at Depth

Tesla Zone now Measures 1,200m Along Strike and up to 700m Down Dip and Remains Open in All Directions

Summer Drill Campaign Ongoing, Testing High Priority Regional Targets and Further Definition at Tesla

VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 4, 2024 /CNW/ - Foran Mining Corporation (TSX: FOM) (OTCQX: FMCXF) ("Foran" or the "Company") is pleased to announce assay results from new step-out holes drilled to expand the Tesla Zone, part of Foran's 100%-owned McIlvenna Bay Property in Saskatchewan. Several holes intersected wide zones of high-grade mineralization and confirm the extensions of the Tesla Zone down-dip, which was interpreted from borehole EM modelling. In addition, several assay results also contain significant gold-rich intersections adjacent to the lower sulphide lenses, which may represent a previously unrecognized mineralization style at Tesla. Following our release of the Tesla Exploration Target on July 15, 2024, these new intersections suggest that the Tesla Zone remains open for potential expansion with further drilling.

Key Highlights:

Hole TS-24-24w1, drilled as a 200m step out from previous drilling into the Tesla Zone, intersected multiple massive to semi-massive lenses, highlighted by: 11.7m grading 0.30% Cu, 21.97% Zn, 21.1 g/t Ag and 0.09 g/t Au (7.00% CuEq), including 6.4m grading 0.18% Cu, 28.60% Zn, 16.8 g/t Ag and 0.08 g/t Au (8.85% CuEq); and 13.8m grading 0.16% Cu, 9.11% Zn, 82.2 g/t Ag and 0.30 g/t Au (3.41% CuEq), including 3.4m grading 0.32% Cu, 14.60% Zn, 47.9 g/t Ag and 0.59 g/t Au (5.17% CuEq).

Hole TS-24-24w4, drilled as a wedged hole from TS-24-24w1 that intersected mineralization approximately 100m along strike to the north and a further 100m up dip, also returned multiple massive to semi-massive sulphide zones, highlighted by: 29.8m grading 0.67% Cu, 10.53% Zn, 16.4 g/t Ag and 0.22 g/t Au (3.96% CuEq), including 22.4m grading 1.13% Cu, 14.30% Zn, 25.8 g/t Ag and 0.35 g/t Au (5.63% CuEq).

A newly identified zone of gold and silver-bearing veining has been identified above the lower Tesla lenses. This zone appears to connect with a gold intersection in previously released hole HG-23-01 and may be strengthening with depth. Recent intersections include: 9.4m grading 1.82 g/t Au and 142.0 g/t Ag, including 4.7m grading 2.61 g/t Au and 197.9 g/t Ag in hole TS-24-24w1; and 2.0m grading 2.06 g/t Au and 88.9 g/t Ag in hole TS-24-24w4.

Hole TS-24-20w1, drilled in the downdip central portion of the Tesla Zone as a wedged hole from TS-24-20 for metallurgical sampling. The hole intersected multiple massive, semi-massive and stringer sulphide zones of similar high tenor to its parent hole, highlighted by: 29.0m grading 1.10% Cu, 6.98% Zn, 34.8 g/t Ag and 0.08 g/t Au (3.30% CuEq), including 9.0m grading 1.84% Cu, 8.15% Zn, 53.3 g/t Ag and 0.24 g/t Au (4.50% CuEq); and 11.2m grading 0.22% Cu, 11.23% Zn, 29.5 g/t Ag and 0.05 g/t Au (3.72% CuEq), including 5.3m grading 0.25% Cu, 16.99% Zn, 36.6 g/t Ag and 0.06 g/t Au (5.51% CuEq).

Tesla drilling continues with three land-based rigs now completing navigation drilling infill holes from the Tesla footwall to tighten drill spacings in the central part of the zone.

Erin Carswell, Foran's Vice President, Exploration, commented: "The Tesla Zone continues to surprise us, with the latest down-plunge expansion drillholes to the north displaying intense, thick intersections of high-grade mineralization and a parallel zone of gold-bearing veins that we are only beginning to understand. Using TruScan XRF scanning data we have been able to trace pathfinder elements from this gold zone into the gabbroic host rocks of neighbouring holes, which we will now sample for laboratory assays with the hope of delineating a larger zone of precious metals mineralization. Having now concluded this season's Tesla expansion drilling, navigational drilling of the central Tesla Zone has commenced to tighten our intersection spacing, while at the same time our regional targeting program is underway with one helicopter-supported drill rig testing select summer-accessible targets from our large pipeline of high-priority prospects. We look forward to continuing to extrapolate our learnings from Tesla to the district scale as we pursue our goal to make further new discoveries in Saskatchewan."

Tesla Zone

Since its discovery in 2022, the Tesla Zone has now been intersected by 39 drill holes and wedges. Using borehole electromagnetic data as a primary targeting tool, multiple lenses of mineralization are now confirmed over 1,200m in strike length and 500-700m in dip extent. This release contains the results of seven new Tesla drill holes (see Figure 1 for collar locations), including six land-based Tesla step-out holes that targeted northward, down-plunge expansion of the zone and one ice-based hole that was drilled to duplicate results of TS-24-20 for metallurgical purposes.

The new results presented here continue to demonstrate the continuity of mineralization across the Tesla Zone and build on the success of the winter 2024 program, which grew the Tesla footprint and allowed the development of an Exploration Target range of 28-45 million tonnes grading 2.2-3.2% CuEq (Table 1 below). Please also see Table 2 for a complete list of new assay composites.

Table 1 - 2024 Tesla Exploration Target**

**The potential quantity and grade of this Exploration Target is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource in this area and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource.

Notes: 1. Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") definitions for mineral resources were followed; Cu = copper, Zn = zinc, Ag = silver; Au = gold, CuEq = copper equivalent 2. Exploration Target is based on the results from 32 drill holes using a Cu cut-off grade of 0.3% Cu for the copper-dominated lenses and a Zn cut-off grade of 1.0% Zn for the zinc-dominated lenses to define the wire frames for the mineralized zones; Assays within these lenses were composited into 1m composites, with Zn capped at 20% and Cu capped at 7% 3. CuEq grades were derived using provisions for metallurgical recovery based on life of mine (LOM) metallurgical recovery rates derived from test work on blended ores for the McIlvenna Bay Deposit completed as part of the 2022 Feasibility Study: 91.1% Cu, 79.8% Zn, 88.6% Au and 62.3% Ag. Metal prices used are US$4.00/lb. Cu, US$1.50/lb. Zn, US$1,800/oz. Au, and US$20.00/oz. 4. A specific gravity of 3.59 g/cm3 was applied to massive sulphide lenses, and 3.00 g/cm3 was applied to stockwork lenses in the Exploration Target volume based on the results of 85 density measurements of mineralized drill core

Robust Mineralization Continues Down Plunge

The results of five new drill holes (TS-24-24w1, -24w2, -24w4, -25 and -25w1) confirm that robust mineralization continues to expand the Tesla Zone down-plunge and northward beyond the previous northernmost drill hole (HG-23-01).

TS-24-24w1 intersected the prospective stratigraphy approximately 250m down plunge from HG-23-01, with TS-24-24w2 drilled as a proximal wedge to obtain additional material for metallurgical testing. Both holes intersected multiple wide, massive to semi-massive sulphide zones over approximately 160m of core length in each hole. These dominantly consisted of strong red-brown sphalerite mineralization with pyrite and local galena that returned high grade zinc composites, including 11.7m grading 21.97% Zn (7.00% CuEq) and 13.8m grading 9.11% Zn (3.41% CuEq) in TS-24-24w1 and 11.9m grading 21.41% Zn (6.91% CuEq) and 10.2m grading 15.57% Zn (5.34% CuEq) in TS-24-24w2. In the intervening areas between the massive sulphide lenses, these holes also cut several intervals consisting of moderate to strong quartz-carbonate-albite alteration and veining hosted in gabbro and lesser felsic volcanic rocks that returned significant gold and silver assays, including 9.4m grading 1.82 g/t Au and 142.0 g/t Ag in TS-24-24w1 and 12.45m grading 1.14 g/t Au and 101.1 g/t Ag in TS-24-24w2.

TS-24-24w4 was drilled as a second wedge hole from the TS-24-24w1 pilot hole, designed as a step out to test the large area between TS-24-24w1, HG-23-01 and TS-24-25 (described below). TS-24-24w4 successfully intersected the Tesla Zone approximately 100m to the north of HG-23-01 and 100m up dip from the pilot hole where it returned multiple sulphide zones, including a wide composite interval consisting of a stringer sulphide zone directly overlaying a massive sulphide lens that graded 10.53% Zn, 0.67% Cu and 0.22 g/t Au or 3.96% CuEq over 29.8m. This interval was followed downhole by several narrower sulphide lenses, including 2.3m grading 6.54% Zn, 82.2 g/t Ag and 1.22 g/t Au (3.38% CuEq), and two intervening zones of moderate to strong quartz-carbonate-albite alteration and veining, highlighted by a 2.0m zone grading 2.06 g/t Au and 88 g/t Ag.

Drill hole TS-24-25 was drilled as a further 250m step-out hole along strike from TS-24-24w1 where it appears to have clipped the lower edge of the plunge of the Tesla zone. The hole intersected an upper zone of strong quartz-carbonate-albite alteration and veining, returning a 4.46m interval grading 1.35 g/t Au and 145.5 g/t Ag (1.67% CuEq), followed by a lower massive sulphide zone consisting of strong sphalerite mineralization which returned 8.22% Zn, 103.2 g/t Ag and 0.48 g/t Au over 2.33m. Subsequently, TS-24-25w1 was drilled as a wedge from TS-24-25 which intersected the Tesla Zone approximately 170m up dip and a further 50m along strike from TS-24-25. TS-24-25w1 appears to have successfully intersected a more central portion of the Tesla Zone returning multiple zones of massive to semi-massive sulphide zones generally consisting of strong red-brown sphalerite and pyrite and associated stringer zones, as highlighted by 2.3m grading 13.11% Zn (4.36% CuEq), 5.8m grading 5.24% Zn (2.13% CuEq) and 7.1m grading 9.49% Zn, 172.7 g/t Ag and 0.43 g/t Au (3.98% CuEq).

Significance of Newly Identified Gold & Silver-Bearing Vein Zone

The recognition that the quartz-carbonate-albite vein zones described above seem to be consistently present in the northernmost drillholes has raised questions about where else they may occur at Tesla and McIlvenna Bay, and what might control the thicker intersections and higher grades of precious metals. Due to their dominantly sulphide-poor and wispy nature (Figure 3), it is possible that such zones are present in other holes and may have not been sampled for laboratory assays. To test this theory, TruScan XRF data is being reviewed to assess the potential presence of lead anomalism, which could serve as a pathfinder for the vein system. To date, three drillholes have been identified as demonstrating this anomalism and requiring follow-up sampling, including hole TS-23-13w1 which lies up-dip of the currently modelled gold zone as shown in the cross section in Figure 4.

Table 2  2024 Assay Results (this release only)

*Denotes intersection from previously released drillhole

Hole Zone From_m To_m Interval_m Cu % Zn % Ag g/t Au g/t CuEq % HG-23-01* QV 1583.0 1588.6 5.6 0.03 0.15 33.0 0.61 0.58 MB-24-293 CS 846.4 849.5 3.2 0.64 0.70 10.5 0.11 0.91 MB-24-293 CS 897.0 900.4 3.4 1.07 0.04 6.3 0.01 1.02 MS-24-293 MS 985.0 985.9 0.9 4.46 0.19 24.2 0.18 4.34 MS-24-293 MS 1040.9 1041.5 0.6 1.25 4.45 3.4 0.01 2.49 TS-24-16w1* QV 1508.9 1511.7 2.8 0.01 0.02 49.7 0.97 0.87 TS-24-16w2 MS 1476.9 1481.2 4.3 0.13 3.05 8.5 0.02 1.08 TS-24-16w2 MS 1606.9 1611.5 4.6 0.22 4.13 26.3 0.08 1.60 Including MS 1609.4 1611.5 2.1 0.32 6.59 27.0 0.08 2.44 TS-24-16w2 MS 1659.6 1668.9 9.3 0.42 2.39 37.2 0.60 2.39 Including MS 1666.4 1668.9 2.5 0.50 8.45 31.1 1.08 3.75 TS-24-19 MS 1261.3 1263.7 2.4 0.03 5.68 76.1 0.46 2.35 TS-24-19 MS 1501.3 1501.7 0.4 0.15 10.90 18.3 0.09 3.53 TS-24-20w1 MS 1326.5 1329.1 2.6 0.71 5.40 27.9 0.04 2.41 TS-24-20w1 MS 1347.8 1356.5 8.7 0.69 5.50 28.1 0.36 2.61 Including MS 1347.8 1350.9 3.1 0.23 13.12 40.3 0.23 4.46 TS-24-20w1 MS/CS 1398.5 1427.5 29.0 1.10 6.98 34.8 0.08 3.30 Including MS 1399.5 1408.5 9.0 1.84 8.15 53.3 0.24 4.50 And MS 1413.6 1418.5 4.9 0.73 13.87 32.5 0.02 4.98 TS-24-20w1 MS 1459.2 1470.4 11.2 0.22 11.23 29.5 0.05 3.72 Including MS 1459.2 1464.5 5.3 0.25 16.99 36.6 0.06 5.51 TS-24-22 MS 1442.8 1443.5 0.7 0.16 12.20 125.0 0.15 4.46 TS-24-22 QV 1474.9 1476.0 1.1 0.10 0.02 237.5 2.21 2.48 TS-24-23 CS 790.6 793.5 2.9 0.96 0.23 7.8 0.10 1.04 TS-24-23 CS 798.3 799.3 1.0 0.56 0.30 5.9 0.02 0.63 TS-24-24w1 MS 1611.5 1623.2 11.7 0.30 21.97 21.1 0.09 7.00 Including MS 1612.5 1618.9 6.4 0.18 28.60 16.8 0.08 8.85 TS-24-24w1 QV 1739.3 1748.7 9.4 0.13 0.03 142.0 1.82 1.84 Including QV 1740.3 1745.0 4.7 0.14 0.04 197.9 2.61 2.57 TS-24-24w1 MS 1759.2 1773.1 13.8 0.16 9.11 82.2 0.30 3.41 Including MS 1759.2 1762.6 3.4 0.32 14.60 47.9 0.59 5.17 TS-24-24w2 MS 1608.6 1620.5 11.9 0.27 21.41 43.0 0.11 6.91 Including MS 1610.7 1617.9 7.2 0.19 25.77 57.1 0.11 8.22 TS-24-24w2 QV 1732.3 1744.7 12.5 0.08 0.03 101.1 1.14 1.21 Including QV 1734.8 1737.6 2.8 0.14 0.02 185.7 2.24 2.30 TS-24-24w2 MS 1751.7 1761.8 10.2 0.20 15.57 72.1 0.30 5.34 Including MS 1758.2 1760.9 2.7 0.15 21.91 139.2 0.38 7.56 TS-24-24w2 MS 1772.9 1775.5 2.6 0.44 8.38 86.1 0.45 3.56

Table 2  Continued

Hole Zone From_m To_m Interval_m Cu % Zn % Ag g/t Au g/t CuEq % TS-24-24w4 MS 1477.4 1480.9 3.4 0.59 4.59 10.7 0.27 2.12 TS-24-24w4 MS/CS 1513.2 1543.0 29.8 0.67 10.53 16.4 0.22 3.96 Including CS 1513.2 1520.6 7.4 1.09 1.18 18.7 0.28 1.60 And MS 1520.6 1543.0 22.4 1.13 14.30 25.8 0.35 5.63 TS-24-24w4 QV 1661.2 1663.2 2.0 0.11 0.03 88.9 2.06 1.72 TS-24-24w4 MS 1663.2 1665.4 2.3 0.37 6.54 82.2 1.22 3.38 TS-24-24w4 QV 1668.4 1671.0 2.6 0.47 0.82 46.2 0.80 1.35 TS-24-24w4 MS 1707.7 1708.5 0.8 0.56 11.00 66.9 0.30 4.28 TS-24-25 QV 1674.0 1678.4 4.5 0.07 0.50 145.2 1.35 1.67 TS-24-25 MS 1709.5 1711.8 2.3 0.05 8.22 103.2 0.48 3.26 TS-24-25w1 MS 1512.8 1516.4 3.7 0.35 4.65 13.6 0.05 1.80 TS-24-25w1 MS 1520.1 1522.4 2.3 0.31 13.11 17.4 0.12 4.36 TS-24-25w1 MS 1631.8 1637.1 5.3 0.06 3.52 40.3 0.52 1.60 TS-24-25w1 MS 1639.8 1645.6 5.8 0.24 5.24 38.0 0.29 2.13 TS-24-25w1 MS 1670.0 1677.1 7.1 0.10 9.49 172.7 0.43 3.98 Including MS 1671.6 1675.0 3.4 0.09 14.78 171.9 0.35 5.50

Note 1: Composite widths are presented as core lengths. Additional drilling will be required to confirm the geometry of the mineralized zones, but generally true widths are thought to be 80-85% of core length. Intervals generally composited using a 0.5% Cu cut-off grade in stringer zones, except MB-24-290 from 1050.8-1098.3m that used a 0.3% Cu cut-off grade. Copper Equivalent values calculated using metal prices of $4.00/lb Cu, $1.50/lb Zn, $20.00/ounce Ag and $1,800/ounce Au and LOM metallurgical recovery rates derived from test work on blended ores for the McIlvenna Bay Deposit completed as part of our April 2022 Feasibility Study: 91.1% Cu, 79.8% Zn, 88.6% Au and 62.3% Ag (MS  massive / semi-massive sulphide, CS  Copper Stockwork/Stringer, QV  quartz-carbonate-albite alteration/veining). To date no metallurgical test work has been completed on the Tesla Zone or Bridge Zone mineralization.

2024 Summer Drill Program

A large summer exploration program is underway at site with four drill rigs scheduled to continue drilling at Tesla and other regional targets through to November 2024. The drills will be split between testing high priority regional targets, continued definition / infill drilling of the upper parts of the Tesla Zone and expansion drilling focused on the potential down plunge extension of the Zone. Of the planned summer drilling, approximately 7,500m is planned to test regional geological and electromagnetic target areas located within trucking distance of the McIlvenna Bay Project, while a further 8,000m of drilling has been allocated to Tesla, with at least two drills completing holes from the southern footwall side of the mineralized zone where dry land is available. Directional drilling technology is being employed to ensure that the drillholes intersect the Tesla Zone at the proper angle and a series of wedged holes will be completed from each pilot hole drilled to achieve multiple intersections into the mineralization from each fence. This drilling is expected to achieve additional intersections between the current wide spaced drill holes and provide the increased drilling density and definition of the zones necessary as we work toward a future resource estimate.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Drilling was completed using NQ size diamond drill core and core was logged by employees of the Company. During the logging process, mineralized intersections were marked for sampling and given unique sample numbers. Sampled intervals were sawn in half using a diamond blade saw. One half of the sawn core was placed in a plastic bag with the sample tag and sealed, while the second half was returned to the core box for storage on site. Sample assays are performed by the Saskatchewan Research Council ("SRC") Geoanalytical Laboratory in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. SRC is a Canadian accredited laboratory (ISO/IEC 17025:2017) and independent of Foran. Analysis for Ag, Cu, Pb and Zn is performed using ICP-OES after total multi-acid digestion. Au analysis is completed by fire assay with ICP-OES finish and any samples which return results greater than 1.0 g/t Au are re-run using gravimetric finish. A complete suite of QA/QC reference materials (standards, blanks, and duplicates) are included in each batch of samples processed by the laboratory. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data.

Qualified Person

Mr. Roger March, P. Geo., Principal Geoscientist for Foran, is the Qualified Person for all technical information herein and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this release.

The Company's head office is located at 409 Granville Street, Suite 904, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C 1T2. Common Shares of the Company are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") under the symbol "FOM" and on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol "FMCXF".

About Foran Mining

Foran Mining is a copper-zinc-gold-silver exploration and development company, committed to supporting a greener future, empowering communities and creating circular economies which create value for all our stakeholders, while also safeguarding the environment. The McIlvenna Bay Project is located entirely within the documented traditional territory of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, comprises the infrastructure and works related to development and advanced exploration activities of the Company, and hosts the McIlvenna Bay Deposit and Tesla Zone. The Company also owns the Bigstone Deposit, a resource-development stage deposit located 25km southwest of the McIlvenna Bay Property.

The McIlvenna Bay Deposit is a copper-zinc-gold-silver rich VHMS deposit intended to be the centre of a new mining camp in a prolific district that has already been producing for 100 years. The McIlvenna Bay Property sits just 65km West of Flin Flon, Manitoba and is part of the world class Flin Flon Greenstone Belt that extends from Snow Lake, Manitoba, through Flin Flon to Foran's ground in eastern Saskatchewan, a distance of over 225km.

The McIlvenna Bay Deposit is the largest undeveloped VHMS deposit in the region. The Company announced the results from its NI 43-101 compliant Technical Report on the Feasibility Study for the McIlvenna Bay Deposit (the "McIlvenna Feasibility Study") on February 28, 2022, outlining that current mineral reserves would potentially support an 18-year mine life producing an average of 65 million pounds of copper equivalent annually. The Company filed the McIlvenna Feasibility Study on April 14, 2022, with an effective date of February 28, 2022. The Company also filed a NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Bigstone Deposit resource estimate on January 21, 2021, as amended on February 1, 2022. Investors are encouraged to consult the full text of these technical reports which may be found on the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca.

The Company's head office is located at 409 Granville Street, Suite 904, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C 1T2. Common Shares of the Company are listed for trading on the TSX under the symbol "FOM" and on the OTCQX under the symbol "FMCXF".

Forward Looking Statements

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, as defined under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or to the future performance of Foran Mining Corporation and reflect management's expectations and assumptions as of the date hereof or as of the date of such forward looking statement. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "continues", "forecasts", "projects", "predicts", "potentially", "intends", "likely", "anticipates" or "believes", or variations of, or the negatives of, such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our views, calculations and expectations in respect of the Tesla Exploration Target, including in respect of our estimates regarding its tonnage and grade range; expansion potential of the Tesla Zone, including expansion directions; our exploration plan's current focus and objectives, including in respect of targets, number of rigs, timing, conducting additional drilling at Tesla, and expected results; our expectations and plans regarding and interpretation of the newly discovered gold and silver-rich zone; our use of technology and drilling techniques; our pipeline of drilling prospects; our ability to make new discoveries in Saskatchewan; our intention to work towards a future resource estimate in respect of the Tesla Zone; and our commitment to a greener future, empowering communities and creating circular economies which create value for all stakeholders while safeguarding the environment. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date specified in such statement.

Inherent in forward-looking statements are known and unknown risks, estimates, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. These factors include, but are not limited to, management's belief or expectations relating to the following and, in certain cases, management's response with regard to the following: the Company's reliance on the McIlvenna Bay Property the Company is exposed to risks related to mineral resources exploration and development; the Company has no history of mineral production; the Company's operations are subject to extensive environmental, health and safety regulations; mining operations involve hazards and risks; mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates are based on interpretations and assumptions that may not be accurate; uncertainties and risks relating to the 2022 Feasibility Study; and the additional risks identified in our filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include: the accuracy of mineral reserve and resource estimates and the assumptions upon which they are based, including geotechnical and metallurgical characteristics of rocks confirming to sampled results and metallurgical performance; success of the Company's projects, including the McIlvenna Bay Project; availability of funds for the Company's projects; availability of equipment; sustained labour stability with no labour-related disruptions; that infrastructure anticipated to be developed, operated or made available by third parties will be developed, operated or made available as currently anticipated; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner; and the ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and should note that the assumptions and risk factors discussed in this press release are not exhaustive. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements, unless required by law. Additional information about these assumptions, risks and uncertainties is contained in our filings with securities regulators.
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 4, 2024) - Gold79 Mines Ltd. (TSXV: AUU) (OTCQB: AUSVF) ("Gold79" or the "Company") and Bullet Exploration Inc. (TSXV: AMMO) ("Bullet") are excited to have entered into a definitive amalgamation agreement (the "Agreement") dated September 3, 2024, whereby Gold79 has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Bullet (the "Transaction"). The Transaction will create a well-funded gold exploration company focused on the southwest United States. The Company will be focused on delivering a maiden resource at its Gold Chain project in Arizona; exploring the newly acquired Jefferson North Gold-Silver project in Nevada to define its scale potential; and continue to work with Kinross to get the maiden drill program at Jefferson Canyon in Nevada underway.

Under the terms of the Transaction and subject to Bullet shareholder approval, Bullet shareholders will receive one (1) common share of Gold79 (each whole share, a "Gold79 Share") for every three (3) common shares of Bullet ("Bullet Share") held (the "Exchange Ratio"). In addition, each common share purchase warrant and stock option of Bullet outstanding immediately prior to completion of the Transaction shall be adjusted in accordance with the Exchange Ratio and replaced with common share purchase warrants and stock options of Gold79, respectively. Existing shareholders of Gold79 and Bullet will hold approximately 54% and 46%, respectively, of the outstanding Gold79 Shares on closing of the Transaction, on a fully diluted, in-the-money basis (but prior to the completion of the planned equity financing described below). In connection with the Transaction Gold79 plans to raise C$4,000,000 (or such other amount as may be agreed by the parties).

Derek Macpherson, President and CEO of Gold79 stated, "The Transaction between Gold79 and Bullet is a unique opportunity to consolidate exploration companies in the Southwest U.S. The combined entity is going to have multiple projects at various stages of exploration, be well-funded and have improved access to capital. Importantly for shareholders, the planned equity financing should provide the Company the capital necessary to deliver a maiden resource at Gold Chain. We are excited to bring together the teams of these two companies that have complementary skill sets, which we expect to bear fruit as we move the combined Company forward."

Ehsan Agahi, President and CEO of Bullet stated, "This merger is a transformative step for Bullet shareholders, offering immediate exposure to a diverse portfolio of high-potential gold projects in the Southwest U.S. By joining forces with Gold79, we strengthen our ability to advance these assets and unlock their full value. The combined expertise and resources should accelerate our growth trajectory and create substantial value for all stakeholders."

Strategic Rationale for the Transaction

Creation of a multi-project SW US Gold Explorer (Figure 1) Gold Chain Project, Arizona Recent drilling returned 9.1m of 51.09 g/t Au (GC23-28) and 44.2m of 2.01 g/t Au (GC23-23). Recently defined a from-surface exploration target of 15.6 to 31.2 million tonnes (Mt) grading 1.5 to 2.5 g/t Au. The potential quantity and grades are conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration drilling to define a mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the exploration target being delineated as a mineral resource. Short path to a maiden resource. Jefferson North Gold-Silver Project, Nevada Recent sampling returned 56.7 g/t Au and 29.9 g/t Au from the East Adit #1 Underground Drive. Maiden drill program scheduled to be completed in the Fall of 2024. Approximately 30 kilometres from Gold79's Jefferson Canyon project providing regional synergies. Jefferson Canyon Gold-Silver Project, Nevada Historical results include 41.2m of 6.4 g/t Au and 402 g/t Ag (drill hole GJ-081, CR Exploration Company (CREC), 1983 to 1985). Partnered with Kinross, operator of the adjacent Round Mountain Mine and a Top Ten Global Gold producer. Permitting advanced for a maiden drill program. Tip Top Gold-Silver Project, Nevada Historical results include 9.14m at 14.42 g/t Au (drill hole T98-14, Dos Amigos 1998, reverse circulation drilling).

Financial Strength to deliver a Maiden Resource: The planned C$4,000,000 equity financing should provide the necessary funds to deliver a maiden resource at the Gold Chain project, while also allowing the Company to advance its other projects.

Increased scale: The combined entity is expected to have a larger market capitalization.

Multiple Exploration Projects: The combined entity will have four exploration stage projects in the southwest United States.

Operational Synergies: The synergy of the combined exploration and management teams of the combined entity is expected to reduce costs and result in a higher percentage of capital raised being used for exploration.

Figure 1: Southwest US Proforma Project Map

Benefits to Gold79 Shareholders

Better Access to Capital: Bullet's management and directors along with its existing shareholders are expected to improve the Company's access to capital as it works to deliver a maiden resource at Gold Chain.

Adding a Quality Project in a well understood district: Bullet's Jefferson North project is close to Gold79's existing Jefferson Canyon project. Gold79's understanding of the geology of this area is expected to allow the Company to quickly advance this project.

Increased Scale: The combined entity is expected to have a larger market capitalization.

Improved Team: Management and directors from Bullet are expected to be selectively added to Gold79's management team and board of directors. These additions are expected to improve the skill set of the combined team.

Benefits to Bullet Shareholders

Exposure to Gold Chain: Bullet shareholders gain exposure to the Gold Chain project which is expected to have a short path to a maiden resource.

Gold79 Management Team: Bullet shareholders should benefit from the technical expertise of the Gold79 team, which has had exploration success over the last three years with limited budgets.

Exposure to Partner Funded Project: Bullet shareholders gain exposure to the Jefferson Canyon project, where the next round of drilling is expected to be funded by Kinross and the potential exists for a US$5 million payment to the Company if Kinross exercises their option.

Increased Scale: The combined entity is expected to have a larger market capitalization.

Transaction Details

Under the terms of the Transaction and subject to Bullet shareholder approval, Bullet shareholders will receive one (1) Gold79 Share for every three (3) Bullet Shares held. In addition, each common share purchase warrant and stock option of Bullet outstanding immediately prior to completion of the Transaction shall be adjusted in accordance with the Exchange Ratio and replaced with common share purchase warrants and stock options of Gold79, respectively. Existing shareholders of Gold79 and Bullet will hold approximately 54% and 46%, respectively, of the outstanding Gold79 Shares on closing of the Transaction on a fully diluted, in-the-money basis (but prior to the completion of the planned equity financing).

The Transaction will be effected by way of a three-cornered amalgamation whereby Gold79, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, 1492834 B.C. Ltd. ("Subco"), will amalgamate with Bullet forming Amalco. Amalco will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gold79. Bullet will cease to be a reporting issuer and the Bullet Shares will be delisted from the TSXV.

On the effective date of the Transaction, the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Gold79 will be reconstituted such that three current directors of Gold79 will remain on the Board, and Gold79 will appoint two additional director nominees provided by Bullet. The Company plans to provide additional details on the composition of the go-forward management team, Board and advisory board at a later date.

In addition to the requisite Bullet shareholder approval, the Transaction is subject to applicable regulatory approvals, including the approvals of the TSX-V and the satisfaction of certain other closing conditions customary in transactions of this nature as well as customary interim period covenants regarding the operation of each of the companies' respective businesses. The Agreement also provides for a mutual condition of the parties that a C$4,000,000 equity financing (or such other amount as may be agreed by the parties) be completed immediately following, and contingent upon, the closing of the Transaction. The Agreement contains customary provisions including fiduciary-out provisions in favour of both Gold79 and Bullet, non-solicitation and the right to match alternate proposals for each party. A C$200,000 termination fee may be payable to Gold79 or Bullet under certain circumstances.

Subject to the satisfaction of these conditions, Gold79 and Bullet expect that the Transaction will be completed on or before November 30, 2024. Details regarding these and other terms of the Transaction are set out in the Agreement, which will be available under the SEDAR+ profiles of Gold79 and Bullet at www.sedarplus.ca.

None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Transaction have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any securities laws of any state of the United States (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act), and any securities issuable in the Transaction are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon available exemption from such registration requirements pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act and similar exemptions under applicable securities laws of any state of the United States. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

Additional Information

Further details about the Transaction, including further particulars of the business of Gold79, Bullet and the combined entity, will be provided in in the management information circular of Bullet to be prepared and filed in respect of the annual and special meeting of the Bullet shareholders to be held in Q4 2024. 

All information contained in this press release with respect to Gold79 and Bullet was supplied for inclusion herein by the respective parties and each party and its directors and officers have relied on the other party for any information concerning the other party.

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSX-V acceptance and the requisite Bullet shareholder approval. The Transaction cannot close until the required Bullet shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Agreement or in the management information circular of Bullet to be prepared in connection with the annual and special meeting of the Bullet shareholders, any other information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Gold79 and Bullet should be considered highly speculative.

The TSX-V has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

Qualified Person / Quality Control and Quality Assurance

Robert Johansing, M.Sc. Econ. Geol., P. Geo., the Company's Vice President, Exploration for Gold79 is a qualified person ("QP") as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release related to the Gold Chain, Jefferson Canyon, and Tip Top projects. The QP has not verified the historical analytical data or the quality control or quality assurance procedures of previous operators related to historical drill hole intercepts at the Jefferson Canyon and Tip Top projects.

Garry Clark, P. Geo., is a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release related to the Jefferson North project. Mr. Clark is a director of Bullet.

About Gold79 Mines Ltd.

Gold79 Mines Ltd. is a TSX Venture listed company focused on building ounces in the Southwest USA. Gold79 holds 100% earn-in option to purchase agreements on three gold projects: the Jefferson Canyon Gold Project and the Tip Top Gold Project both located in Nevada, USA, and, the Gold Chain Project located in Arizona, USA. In addition, Gold79 holds a 32.3% interest in the Greyhound Project, Nunavut, Canada under JV by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited.

About Bullet Exploration Inc.

Bullet Exploration Inc. is a TSX Venture listed company focused on high-potential gold and silver projects in the Southwest United States. The flagship Jefferson North Gold-Silver project in Nevada, near major producers like Kinross's Round Mountain, spans 1,068 hectares and 132 claims, offering significant exploration potential. Bullet also holds the Copper Canyon Property in British Columbia, targeting a copper-gold porphyry deposit. With a tight capital structure and a long-term vision for growth, Bullet is committed to advancing its projects and creating lasting shareholder value.

Book a 30-minute meeting with Derek Macpherson here.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This press release may contain forward looking statements that are made as of the date hereof and are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions which involve risks and uncertainties associated with our business including the proposed Transaction and proposed private placement or any future private placements, the uncertainty as to whether further exploration will result in the target(s) being delineated as a mineral resource, capital expenditures, operating costs, mineral resources, recovery rates, grades and prices, estimated goals, expansion and growth of the business and operations, plans and references to the Company's future successes with its business and the economic environment in which the business operates. All such statements are made pursuant to the 'safe harbour' provisions of, and are intended to be forward-looking statements under, applicable Canadian securities legislation. Any statements contained herein that are statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution readers of this news release not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as a number of factors could cause actual results or conditions to differ materially from current expectations. Please refer to the risks set forth in the Company's most recent annual MD&A and the Company's continuous disclosure documents that can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Gold79 does not intend, and disclaims any obligation, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Highland Copper Company Inc. (TSXV: HI; OTCQB: HDRSF) (Highland or the Company) is pleased to announce the appointment of Wynand van Dyk as Project Director for the Copperwood project (Copperwood or the Project).

Dr Wynand van Dyk is a senior executive with 30 years of experience in mining, metallurgy and capital projects. Wynand began his career with De Beers in South Africa, followed by numerous years at Hatch working as a project manager and lead process engineer for the mining division. He then spent approximately 10 years with Lonmin Platinum (subsequently acquired by Sibanye-Stillwater) focusing on design, construction and commissioning of key capital projects including the development of multiple processing plants and tailings dam expansions. At Lonmin, Wynand also managed the deployment of Lean 6 sigma across the organization, in addition to holding key managerial positions, particularly the Senior Manager for the Base Metal Refinery and Senior Technical Manager for the companys Process Division. Most recently, Wynand held the position of Vice President, Engineering, R&D and Development at Itafos, a phosphate mining and fertilizer company based in Houston, Texas.

In addition to Wynands corporate experience, he has regularly consulted for international mining clients on EHS, operational risk management, process optimization, 6 sigma strategic alignment and project management. Wynand held the position of Adjunct Associate Professor at Stellenbosch University Engineering Faculty, Industrial Engineering Department. Concurrently, he was Adjunct Professor at University of Cape Town Engineering and Built Environment Faculty, focusing on risk, project management and the link to organizational resilience. Wynand holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering (Extractive Metallurgy) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering, both from the University of Stellenbosch.

Barry OShea, CEO of Highland Copper, stated, We are incredibly pleased to have Wynand join at this pivotal time for Highland and the Copperwood project. With permitting and feasibility study complete, we have transitioned to early site works and detailed engineering. Wynands experience in project design and development will be critical in advancing Copperwood to a construction decision. Highland remains well positioned to take advantage of long-term copper fundamentals while operating in the supportive Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Wynand van Dyk, Project Director, stated, I am absolutely thrilled to join the Highland Copper team as Project Director. During my visit to the site and through my own due diligence, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication and passion of this team. Their commitment to creating a sustainable mining project that not only meets the highest environmental standards but also adds lasting value to the Upper Peninsula is truly inspiring. I am fully committed to working alongside such a driven group to ensure that our efforts drive shareholder value and leave a positive and lasting impact on the community and the region for generations to come.

Highland Copper also announces that Company Director Caroline Donally has tendered her resignation to focus on personal endeavours. Following Ms. Donallys departure, Highland Copper will have seven Board members. The Company does not intend on replacing Ms. Donally.

Steve Hicks, Chair of Highland, stated, I would like to thank Caroline for her contributions with Highland and wish her the best in the future.

In relation to the hiring of the Project Director, as well as a grant to another executive officer, Highland has approved the grant of 1,950,000 incentive stock options and 83,242 Restricted Share Units. The options are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.12 per share for a period of up to five years and will vest as to one third immediately and one third on each of the first and second anniversary of the grant. The Restricted Share Units and Deferred Share Units will vest as to one third on each of the first, second and third anniversary of the grant.

About Highland Copper Company

Highland Copper Company Inc. is a Canadian company focused on exploring and developing copper projects in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, U.S.A. The Company owns the Copperwood deposit through long-term mineral leases and 34% of the White Pine North project through a joint venture with Kinterra Copper USA LLC. The Company also owns surface rights securing access to the Copperwood deposit and providing space for infrastructure at Copperwood as required. The Company has 736,363,619 common shares issued and outstanding. Its common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "HI" and trade on the OTCQB Venture Market under symbol "HDRSF".

More information about the Company is available on the Companys website at www.highlandcopper.com and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information or media requests, please contact:

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.highlandcopper.com
Project 2025: Authoritarian Rule

and Foreign Policy Mayhem

A Far-Right Conspiracy in the Open

Guest Commentary by Mel Gurtov



Project 2025, the far-rights ambitious policy planning guide published as Mandate for Leadership, is designed to dismantle the Deep State and install a president and proven loyalists who will carry out Donald Trumps authoritarian agenda. Now the Project supposedly is no morebut not really. Trumps campaign, concerned about the bad press Project 2025 was getting, ordered that it be disconnected. But make no mistake about it: While Trump may disagree with some of the projects recommendations, its designed with him and only him in mind.

Trump claims to know nothing about Project 2025, but his name appears in the document more than 300 times CNN counts at least 140 people who worked on the Project 2025 document and who previously worked for the Trump administration and Trump maintains close ties to the Heritage Foundation, which published the document. If there is another Trump presidency, the contributors to Project 2025, many from the Heritage Foundation and others from a far-right network in Washington called the Conservative Partnership Institute, will populate his administration.

In this two-part analysis, I explore those chapters of Mandate for Leadership that concern international affairs and US foreign policy. In part 1, I will note the authoritarian aspects of the document and then look at its policy proposals with regard to China and Russia. In part 2, I will examine what the paper has to say about trade, nuclear weapons and military spending, North Korea, the Middle East, and Latin America.

The Plan to Reorder America

Most of the US media and Democratic lawmakers attention has, rightly, been devoted to the domestic side of Project 2025s agendaits plans for putting the justice department at the service of the President, getting rid of the department of education as a step toward emasculating public education, making America unwelcome for immigrants of color, prohibiting abortion nationwide, giving the fossil fuel industry whatever it wants, and containing public dissent.

Ideas about foreign affairs track that agenda because they all depend for implementation on an all-powerful executive and a bureaucracy that has been purged of liberals and leftists. (Large swaths of the State Departments workforce are left-wing and predisposed to disagree with a conservative Presidents policy agenda and vision, says the document).

Project 2025 proposes three essential tasks of governance to promote its cause: reasserting the dominant role of the President in policy making, dismantling key government agencies concerned with social welfare, and replacing many civil servants who dont pass the loyalty test (they will be reclassified as ordinary workers) with political hacks loyal to the Chief Executive. The plan seeks ways around the governments sprawling bureaucracy, in and of itself an aim in common with all previous administrations.

But it differs dramatically in its bowing to Trumps authoritarian impulses. Every page of the document stresses that officials and other personnel must align their views with the Presidents, with the strong implication that failure to do so will result in dismissal or reassignment. Its a formula for limiting policy debate within or between agencies to what the President has already decided.

China and Russia Policy

Project 2025 is absolutely obsessed with China. As was once true of US views of the Soviet Union, now China is believed to lurk behind every problematic situation on every continent. China gets so much attention, says the author of the section on the State Department, because it is the defining threat.



Thats Kiron K. Skinner, who formerly was in charge of Trumps policy planning at the State Department and then joined the Heritage Foundation staff. Similarly, writes Christopher Miller in the section on the defense department, Beijing presents a challenge to American interests across the domains of national power. (Miller, a retired Special Forces colonel, was Trumps acting defense secretary for about three months.)



Moreover, the military threat that China poses is especially acute. He portrays China as an immediate threat to Taiwan and US allies in the Pacific, not to mention a nuclear danger as well--all with no compelling evidence. Nevertheless, Miller urges as the highest priority conventional force planning construct to defeat a Chinese invasion of Taiwan before allocating resources to other missions . . . Those other missions probably include Ukraine.



Skinner takes Bidens China policy to task for coddling China. She argues that some foreign policy professionals knowingly or not parrot the Communist line. Global leaders including President Joe Biden have tried to normalize or even laud Chinese behavior.



Actually, the opposite is true. Biden has likewise exaggerated the threat from China, and labeled Xi Jinping a dictator. When Skinner writes that China is a country whose aggressive behavior can only be curbed through external pressure, she has chosen to ignore how, under Biden, the US has lined up several countries in East Asia, including Japan, India, South Korea, and Philippines, in coalition against China--which is why Beijing accuses the US of again pursuing a containment policy.



The Projects treatment of Russia is a far cry from its analysis of China. Russia is a threat only with respect to Ukraines security. There is no consideration of Vladimir Putins belief in Russian exceptionalism, his policy ideas, his human rights record, or his imperial ambitions. (The Project 2025 paper gives more space to the Arctic than to Russia.)



Skinner notes three strands of conservative thinking about Ukraine policy and concludes:



Regardless of viewpoints, all sides agree that Putins invasion of Ukraine is unjust and that the Ukrainian people have a right to defend their homeland. Furthermore, the conflict has severely weakened Putins military strength and provided a boost to NATO unity and its importance to European nations.



Skinner concludes that US support of Ukraine should continue, provided it is fully paid for limited to military aid (while European allies address Ukraines economic needs) and have a clearly defined national security strategy that does not risk American lives.



Some Trump Demurrers



Donald Trump has never spoken of Ukraines right of self-defense or the importance of NATO unity in the face of Russian aggression. Nor does he subscribe to fully paying for the Ukraine mission. Trumps main concern is relations with Russia and Europe, not Ukraines security. He has said many times that Putin is a great friend, that Putin wouldnt have started a war with Ukraine if Trump had been President, and that he, Trump, will arrange a peace agreement very quickly.



That may be why Ukraine is not even mentioned in the Republican Partys platform, which refers simply to restoring peace in Europe. In short, Trump wants to get rid of the Ukraine problem by appeasing Russia. Hes only on the same page as Project 2025 in arguing that Europe and NATO should be treated in transactional termsthat is, insisting the Europeans pay more for defense and give more in terms of trade.



Trump may also not be entirely on board with Project 2025 when it comes to Taiwan. As he has demonstrated in the past, financial gain and vindictiveness are hallmarks of his approach to international relations, whether dealing with friends or adversaries.



Recall that Trump entered office in 2017 believing that both Japan and China had ripped off the US in trade relations. Then he distanced himself from NATO, arguing that its members either need to pay more for their defense or sacrifice US support. So when he was asked in an interview with Bloomberg News in June 25 what his policy would be on Taiwan, his thoughts were not about defending the island, which Republicans in Congress consider the first priority, but this: They did take about 100% of our chip business. I think, Taiwan should pay us for defense. You know, were no different than an insurance company. Taiwan doesnt give us anything. That doesnt mean Trump will abandon Taiwan he could simply be prodding it to pay more, just as he has demanded of NATO.



Cold War II



In summary, Project 2024 is less a serious, objective analysis than an ideological document. It upgrades the level of international threats to US interests, with China the central enemy supports a huge expansion of presidential power urges greater emphasis than under Biden on nuclear weapon modernization and expansion leaves to allies the main responsibility for confronting Russia pushes for major increases in the US military budget and argues for strengthening the US defense industrial base and increasing US arms sales abroad.



Dont look for diplomatic initiatives, human rights issues, environmental concerns, the role of international law, or discussion of poverty, autocracy, or democracy. If a Trump-Project 2025 agenda were implemented, we can expect widening crises in central Europe and the Middle East, new arms races with Russia and China, another trade war with China, and new tensions in the Taiwan Strait.



A stable genius will be in charge. Anyone who did not live through the first Cold War will have another opportunity.



According to CNN, CNN cannot definitively fact check what Trump might or might not know. But its clear that Trump has extensive connections to Project 2025.



A large number of people who served in Trumps administration were involved in crafting Project 2025. CNN reported in July that at least 140 people who worked in the Trump administration had a hand in the project, including more than half of the people listed as authors, editors and contributors to the policy document. For example, six of Trumps former Cabinet secretaries played a role in the project. So did Tom Homan, the acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief early in the Trump administration, whom Trump has recently said he plans to make part of a second Trump administration.



Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance wrote the foreword for a forthcoming book by a leader of Project 2025, Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts. A Vance spokesperson told Axios in July that the foreword has nothing to do with Project 2025 and that Vance has previously said that he has no involvement with Project 2025 and has plenty of disagreements with what theyre calling for.



Trumps stance on Project 2025 proposals: Its not clear how much of the extensive Project 2025 policy document Trump supports and how much he rejects. Trump has said that some of the document is absolutely ridiculous and abysmal, but he has also said many of the points are fine. He has not specified which proposals he rejects and which he finds acceptable.



Russell Vought, the Trump-era Office of Management and Budget director who is one of the former Trump administration officials involved in Project 2025, said last month in a hidden-camera video secretly recorded by a British journalism organization: I see what hes doing is just very, very conscious distancing himself from a brand. Its interesting, hes in fact not even opposing himself to a particular policy.



CNN reported in July: Project 2025 includes many policy priorities that are aligned with those of the former president, especially as they relate to cracking down on immigration and purging the federal bureaucracy by making it easier to dismiss civil servants and career officials. But Project 2025 has lately become a lightning rod for other ideas Trump hasnt explicitly backed, including a ban on pornography and the exclusion of the morning-after pill and mens contraceptives from coverage mandated under the Affordable Care Act.



A spokesperson for Trumps campaign told CNN in August: President Trumps campaign made it clear that only President Trump and the campaign, and NOT any other organization or former staff, represent policies for the second term.



Mel Gurtov, syndicated by PeaceVoice, is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Portland State University and blogs at In the Human Interest.
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Kennesaw State students research put focus on accessibility in software interfaces

KENNESAW, Ga. | Sep 4, 2024

The trajectory of Vignesh Mullagurus academic journey truly began taking shape four years ago.

In 2020, as student experiences shifted online out of necessity, Mullaguru was unexpectedly ushered into an era of discovery.

Mullaguru, who recently earned a degree in interactive design from Kennesaw State University, had always been interested in design. As a student at Johns Creek High School, Mullaguru thought he might leverage that interest into a career in architecture.

However, as his high school career progressed and teachers increasingly relied on programs such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams to deliver lesson plans, Mullaguru couldnt help but notice the gaps in technology.

The idea of accessibility began to occupy space in Mullagurus mind.

I didnt know there was a specific field called UX or UI, but I was always thinking about it subconsciously, especially when I was in Zoom meetings online, Mullaguru said. I realized that a lot of students had trouble joining Zoom meetings, first of all. A lot of people never used Zoom and found it difficult to navigate. But when we used Google Meet or some other platform, it was a lot easier. I started making comparisons between the product-market fit and analyzing the UX/UI in that aspect.

User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) are fundamental components of the overall online experience. UX refers to creating designs that are useful, usable and engaging, while UI is concerned with the look and feel of those experiences.

These ideas are at the crux of Mullagurus research, which is primarily concerned with making sure the UX/UI experience is accessible for all.

Ive seen a lot of people struggle to use smartphones and that motivated me, Mullaguru said.

Mullaguru presented his research, Designing a Virtual Reality Prototype for Designers: A Model for Accessibility Testing, at the Spring 2023 Symposium of Student Scholars, hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research.

The project aims to use simulations based in virtual reality to help designers increase their empathy and knowledge for users requiring designs that are accessible and inclusive.

Through Mullagurus VR-based prototype, uniVRsal, users can create designs that are graded for accessibility through the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, which is a set of standards developed by the World Wide Web Consortium to enhance the accessibility of web content for people with disabilities.

Mullaguru conducted this research under the guidance of Laura Palmer, professor of technical communication and rhetoric.

In fact, Mullaguru contacted Palmer before he had started his first class at KSU.

My first meeting with Vignesh was an email, Palmer said. He'd looked at my research on Google Scholar and wrote me; he discussed a bit about what I'd written and indicated he'd like to be my research assistant. Now, that's normal for a grad student, but this was an 18-year-old undergrad, who'd done dual-enrollment and was coming to KSU for the first time in the fall. Needless to say, I was curious about whom I'd be meeting in a couple of weeks.

Palmer proved to be essential in guiding Mullagurus research experience.

After presenting at the Spring 2023 Symposium of Student Scholars, Mullaguru shared his work at the Association of Computing Machinerys Special Interest Group on Design of Communication (SIGDOC), a national conference hosted in Orlando, Fla.

Mullaguru gained research experience in high school through a dual-enrollment program but admitted to being somewhat intimidated prior to SIGDOC because he had never presented at a research conference.

I went to Spring 2023 Symposium of Student Scholars, and I was a little bit more comfortable because it was just other KSU students and faculty, Mullaguru said. But when I was going to Orlando, I didnt really know what to expect because I had never been out of the state to do a research presentation.

Mullagurus poster naturally stood out given his background in visual communication. So, through the 90-minute poster presentation, Mullaguru fielded inquiries from conference-goers who were initially lured by his poster and ended up staying to chat with Mullaguru about his project.

By the end of the conference, Mullaguru had won first place in the undergraduate research division and pocketed $500 in prize money. The award means Mullaguru will have an opportunity to present his research at a larger ACM conference in June.

Dr. Palmer definitely helped guide me through that, Mullaguru said. If she hadnt, I dont think I would have won anything.

In addition to his excellence in the classroom, Mullaguru also established the UX/UI Design Club at KSU, serving as president for 1 years and helping grow the club to 240 students.

It was just me and a few other friends starting out, so we had to do a lot of marketing and promotion, Mullaguru said. But we were able to host some cool events and had guest speakers come from Microsoft, Google and Home Depot, so we were able to get that industry connection. When you take classes in UX/UI you understand the theory, but talking to industry professionals shows you how design works in an industry environment.

Mullaguru now plans to embark on an internship with Dicks Sporting Goods as a product design intern before enrolling in the fall at the University of Michigan, where he will pursue his masters degree in human computer interaction.

All of us in the Office of Research celebrate Vignesh's impressive achievements, Scarpinato said. As he continues his educational path, we send him our best wishes."

This article also appears in the current issue of Summit Magazine.

 Story by David Roberts



Photos by Matt Yung

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The universitys vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.






Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - An 80-year-old man has died after a group of five teenagers allegedly attacked him in a park in Leicestershire, UK.

The man was walking his dog near an entrance to Franklin Park on Bramble Way, in Braunstone Town, when he suffered a serious assault around 6.30pm on Sunday evening, September 1. He died in hospital on Monday night.

Aged from 12 to 14, the teenagers were arrested on suspicion of his murder.

The children believed to have attacked him, fled the scene before emergency services arrived, police said but they were later tracked

Detective Inspector Emma Matts said: Sadly, following the death of the victim last night, this has now become a murder investigation.

Officers are continuing to work at speed to establish the details of the attack and we have made a number of arrests as we continue to understand what has happened.

We still need people who were in the area to come forward if they have seen anything or have any information which could assist.

Were you in the area of Franklin Park or Bramble Way around 6.30pm on Sunday night? Did you see the attack itself?

From the description given did you see the victim before the incident or possibly a group of young people leaving the area after?

A scene preservation will remain in place at the park while our investigation progresses.

Local officers are also in the area carrying out reassurance patrols and can speak to anyone in the local community who has concerns.






Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - Sixty percent of African youths want to leave the continent because unchecked corruption threatens their future, according to a poll of more than 5,600 youngsters in 16 countries released Tuesday, September 3.

Corruption is seen as the single greatest hurdle they face to achieve their own potential and a better life, said the Johannesburg-based Ichikowitz Family Foundation which commissioned the poll of 5,604 people aged 18 to 24

The 2024 African Youth Survey, which the foundation says is unparalleled in scope and size, was conducted via face-to-face interviews in January and February in countries ranging from South Africa to Ethiopia.

Most of all, they dont believe their governments are doing enough to address this scourge and because of it almost 60% are looking to emigrate in the next five years, it said.

North America was the top pick for emigration for this age group, followed by Western European countries such as Britain, France, Germany and Spain.

More than half (55 percent) of those polled said Africa was headed in the wrong direction, although there was a modest rise to 37 percent in Afro-optimism from the 2022 survey.

They want tougher sanctions against corrupt politicians, including banning them from standing for office. They also want a different form of government, the foundation said.

Almost one in three believe that non-democratic systems, from the military or one-party rule, could be preferable under certain circumstances.

Although about two-thirds of those interviewed believe in democracy, around 60 percent were in favour of an African-infused form.

About 72 percent of youths polled said foreign influence by countries such as China, France and the US was an issue.

They are concerned about their countries being exploited by foreign companies especially their natural mineral wealth being mined and exported without any further benefit to the people, said the foundation.

Most youths said a Donald Trump victory in the US presidential elections would be a far worse outcome for Africa than a win by Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

Africa is home to nearly 420 million youth aged 15-35, one-third of whom are unemployed, the African Development Bank says.




Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi has ordered Acting Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli to appear in court physically on Thursday and provide answers over the disappearance of two brothers and an activist.

Bob Njagi, Jamil Longton, and his brother Aslam Longton were allegedly abducted two weeks ago in connection with protests in Kitengela by people believed to be security officers.

Masengeli had earlier been summoned to appear in court earlier but he refused to honor the summons, saying he was busy serving Kenyans elsewhere.

Mugambi had on August 28th directed the IG, DPP, AG, DCI, and NIS to immediately disclose the whereabouts of the three.

The summons for the police boss comes at a time when President William Ruto has constantly denied abduction and police killings during his two-year tenure as the country's head of state.

The Judge urged Masengeli to appear in person on Thursday.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - The controversial Indian firm, Adani Group, is quietly taking over control of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) despite ongoing protests from workers and Kenyans online and in various forums.

Adani, handpicked by President William Ruto in a Sh 97 billion deal, has now incorporated a local firm called Airports Infrastructure PLC, as per filings with the National Stock Exchange of India.

According to their filings, the new subsidiary will take over, operate, maintain, develop, design, construct, upgrade, modernize, and manage the airports. This is an indication that the deal is already on the runway ready for take-off.

A State House consultant has reportedly been paid Sh 150 million for arranging a meeting between President Ruto and officials from the Adani Group.

In the Sh 97 billion deal, some senior government officials in the Ruto administration are set to pocket 30 percent of the money as kickbacks, amounting to Sh 30 billion.

This is why, despite public outcry, the government cannot halt the takeoverthe billions are set to line the pockets of Rutos allies.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - City preacher Bishop Pius Muiru of Maximum Miracle Centre church held a special church service last Friday at his church in Odeon, where he gave his followers alleged anointed nails.

Muiru claimed that the 3-inch nails had been dipped in anointing oil and prayed for.

He instructed his followers to pick up 7 nails each and nail them on their business premises and houses.

Muiru, who is among the founders of the prosperity gospel in Kenya, claimed that the nails had special powers and told his followers to expect miracles.

The video has sparked reactions on social media, with most people accusing the renowned preacher of misleading his brainwashed congregants.

These are the same people who will tell you to buy anointing oil and stop meds for chronic illnesses. Some of these pastors send our patients to early graves, Dr Austin Omondo wrote.

"And brainwashed sheep will do this and wait for a miracle. We have a long way to go, another X user wrote.

Watch the video.

Pastor Pius Muiru ladies and Gentlemen.

We've a long way to go as a Country! pic.twitter.com/fBoeN1KHgB  Omwamba  (@omwambaKE) September 4, 2024

The Kenyan DAILY POST.






Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - A 10-year-old boy is being held on two counts of first-degree murder, after he allegedly gunned down a one-time Louisiana mayor and his adult daughter after fighting about credit card charges on video games, according to cops and neighbours.

The boy was arrested after former Minden Mayor Joe Cornelius Sr., 82, and his daughter Keisha Miles, a 31-year-old mom of three, were found dead with multiple gunshot wounds inside his home early Sunday, September 1, the towns Police Chief Jared McIver said.

The boy was a relative of Cornelius and Miles, the chief said, without specifying the exact relationship.





The boy allegedly confessed to the fatal shooting while showing no remorse, KSLA reported.

A neighbor told the outlet he heard eight gunshots ring out around 6:30 a.m. Sunday after Cornelius and the 10-year-old had gotten into a loud argument.

I think thats what happened. He was arguing with him; I heard them hollering and stuff, the unidentified neighbor told the outlet, adding that he thought the boy may have autism.





Joe got to arguing with him. The boy just pulled a gun out, the neighbor continued.

I mean, Joe used to be a sheriff, so he has guns because he worked for the sheriffs department and the boy knew where it was. Its a sad thing.

Police have not confirmed the nature of the argument or if the boy has autism.

Cornelius was a longtime member of the Minden city council and was appointed mayor in 2013 after the previous mayor died.





He was highly respected in the community, the neighbor said. He was with the sheriffs department. He was mayor for a little bit. He used to work at the funeral home and stuff like that. He was a good man.

Cornelius also worked at a funeral home, ran youth programs, helped launch local black history observations and was known for his community activism.

Joe Cornelius years of service to Minden were marked by his commitment and dedication to the betterment of our community, current 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.

Miles left behind three children, her 17-year-old son wrote in a GoFundMe to raise money for her funeral.






Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - Four people were shot dead while they were sleeping on a Chicago Transit Authority train in a suburban village on Monday morning, September 2, according to police.

Police responded to a report of a shooting at the CTA Blue Line Station in Forest Park, located just west of Chicago in Cook County, around 5:30 a.m. and found four men shot, ABC Chicago reported.

Three victims were declared dead at the scene while a fourth was rushed to Loyola University Medical Center where they died from their wounds, Deputy Chief Christopher Chin told The Post.

The shooter fled the scene. However, a suspect armed with a gun was later taken into custody on a CTA Pink Line train in Chicago, according to ABC.

Charges are still pending, cops said.

Police said the shooting happened on two different train cars. Three victims, who were not sitting with each other, were found dead in one car and the fourth victim in a second.

Watching the video, it appeared that all four of our victims were asleep at the time that the shooting occurred. We dont believe that theyre all [connected] Chin told The Post.

Chin explained that Forest Park is the terminus of the CTAs 24-hour-service Blue Line, which runs from Chicago OHare International Airport to the village of about 14,000 people.

Its not uncommon to, lets say, in the winter months to have people who are either homeless or down on their luck or just, you know, maybe they get kicked out of their apartment or they got into an argument with their significant other, Chin said.

So people just either spend the night on the train or just hang out there.

The victims names will be released pending proper family notification, according to police.

Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins told ABC Chicago that there has been a surge in police calls at the station for issues like drug overdoses.

Over the last two years, our number of responses has increased exponentially, Hoskins said.

The mayor proposed additional security on trains.

The CTA has installed a new zero eyes security system, which monitors platforms 24/7 surveillance in select stations, according to the outlet. However, Forest Park is not one of those stations.

Were calling on our leadership, countywide, statewide, to invest more resources to support a small community like Forest Park, Hoskins said.

The CTA condemned the heinous and egregious act of violence that should never have occurred and said it would continue working with law enforcement as the investigation continues.

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 agency told The Post in a statement.




Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has exposed a nefarious plot by President William Ruto to silence the young generation in the country, who have been demanding accountability and good governance from his administration.

In June and July, millions of young protesters took to the streets, nearly toppling the Ruto regime.

According to Kalonzo, Ruto's new plan to stop protests involves equipping youths who join the National Youth Service (NYS) with basic firearm handling skills.

Kalonzo accused Ruto of being scared, alleging that he wants to use the NYS to kill and abduct young protesters who oppose his administration.

To ensure that there will be no nationwide protests now he wants to arm the young men and women in the NYS. This is clear because they have announced it openly, Kalonzo said.

This we shall not accept. The idea of the National Youth Service was not to create another military force but a service to help in building the nation while at the same time sharpening their vocational skills and knowledge to serve the country, Kalonzo added.

The Kenyan DAILY POST








Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - Nearly a year after fleeing the U.S., a Kenyan man accused of murdering his girlfriend pleaded not guilty Tuesday and was ordered held without bail.

Kevin Kangethe was wanted for allegedly killing his girlfriend, Margaret Mbitu, whose body was found in an SUV at Boston Logan International Airport on Oct. 31. She was reported missing by her family.

Kangethe took a Lyft ride on Oct. 30, 2023, from his Lowell home to Mbitu's workplace, where he met her as she was getting off at about 11 p.m., prosecutors said in court Tuesday.

He then allegedly drove her back home in the vehicle she was driving, which prosecutors said was registered to him but was being used at the time by the victim, after meeting her at work.

Sometime between leaving her job and arriving at his home, prosecutors said he "brutally attacked" her in the car with a knife, causing multiple sharp force injuries to Mbitu's body, according to prosecutors, who said there were 10 wounds just to her face and neck alone.

Prosecutors said Kangethe then drove around looking for a place to dispose of the body, answering two calls from family and coworkers asking where she was. He told them she had suffered an injury and couldn't come to the phone. Eventually, they said he discarded her cellphone in a dumpster in Chelsea. That phone was used by investigators to help them track him and collect surveillance video.

Kangethe left her body face down in the front seat of the heavily tinted car from the time of her death until some 30 hours later, when he drove the car to Logan Airport, prosecutors said.

Mbitu's body was found in the front seat, face down with the seat reclined, prosecutors said. They said her body was covered with random items to make it harder to see her. He then took a one-way flight to Kenya's capital, Nairobi, prosecutors said.

In the 30 hours Mbitu's body was in the car, the vehicle was parked four times at the suspect's home, according to prosecutors. The suspect was allegedly seen on video driving the car at different locations in Lowell and several neighboring towns.

Once in Kenya, an arrest warrant was issued and with the help of Kenyan authorities, Kangethe was found in Nairobi in January of this year. However, he escaped the Kenyan jail shortly after for almost a week.

He was later found again and arrested and remained in Kenya until this past week when he was extradited.

In court Tuesday, Mbitu's family members were seen visibly anguished and in tears as prosecutors detailed the events leading to her death. They later made media statements about the development in Mbitu's case.

Mary Kinyariro, a cousin, read a personal statement on behalf of Mbitu's sister.

"It has been a long journey coming. Today gives us hope and represents a step forward toward justice," the statement read in part.

"We will continue to fight until this coward is locked up and never sees light again or gets to harm any other family and take their loved one away from them," she continued.

The family also recalled not just their loss, but who Mbitu was in life.

"Today, we remember her kindness, her generosity, her smile and her infectious laugh, which lit up every room she offered," said cousin Joel Muhoro. "We think about her dreams of being a business owner, of becoming a nurse practitioner to help care for others and we remember the hole left in our lives."

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said this was "just the beginning of a long road to justice" for Mbitu and her family.

"She was deeply loved, she was a caregiver, a nurse beloved by every patient that she served, a beautiful soul and a wonderful daughter and a loving sister," Hayden said.

Hayden took a moment to thank partners across the local, state and federal levels who were involved with the investigation, as well as international partners in Kenya.

"The extradition of Kevin Kangethe has been a long time coming for all of those gathered here today, especially the Mbitu family," said Matthew O'Brien, special agent in charge of the U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security Service Boston Field Office.

Kangethe's attorney spoke briefly in court, but his voice was not audible on the video recording.

He is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 5 for a pretrial hearing.

Via NBC News.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Wednesday, September 4, 2024  Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwah may have lied about President William Ruto consulting them before appointing his Cabinet.

This is after Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thangwa denied claims that he attended a consultative meeting alongside Kiambu MPs which resolved to forward the name of current Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja for appointment to the broad-based cabinet.

As an MP representing Kiambu County as their senator, I want to clarify that I was not consulted in the selection of the new cabinet secretary from our county, nor was I invited to participate in the process, Thang'wa posted.

The lawmaker further reiterated that even if he had been consulted, he would not have proposed the current CS as he does not know him and is not familiar with his track record.

Thang'wa further stated that had he been consulted, he would have settled on a political heavyweight like the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) which proposed the names of Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya, John Mbadi, and Opiyo Wandayi.

I could have recommended prominent figures from Kiambu, including Moses Kuria, Kabogo, Waititu, Nyoro, Maara, Waikenda, Jungle, Wakanyi, he argued.

On Tuesday, Ichungwah while addressing his constituents during a political event, claimed President Ruto consulted Mt. Kenya MPs extensively which he used as a basis to flog DP Gachagua for angling for more Mt. Kenya appointments.

Ichung'wah described Gachagua as an opportunist, accusing him of blackmailing President Ruto with unrealistic appointment demands.

For several months now, Gachagua and Ichung'wah have been embroiled in a political supremacy war over the DPs push for Mt. Kenya unity.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - Residents of Malindi have ganged up against a foreigner who is allegedly preying on young boys and girls in the area.

The wealthy man from South Africa is said to be enjoying police protection after dishing out bribes, even as he continues with his rogue behaviours.

Furious residents chased him down along the streets of Malindi, forcing him to jump off his BMW X5 and flee.

The residents torched his luxurious vehicle after he escaped their dragnet.

It is alleged that senior DCI officers in the area, including the regional DCI officer, protect him.

The residents have vowed to hunt him down and teach him a lesson for destroying the future of their children.









Watch the video.

Malindi residents say the police and DCI have been protecting the South African paedophile by receiving bribes to shield him from prosecution.



They formed a vigilant group and went after him. He escaped their dragnet, but his BMW X5 didn't. https://t.co/iNu6oaLtrW pic.twitter.com/89dZqQ1FSn  Saddique Shaban (@SaddiqueShaban) August 31, 2024

In a GTA-like scene, the people of Malindi whose children have been ruined by the South African paedophile chased him down along the streets of Malindi, all the way to Mida Creek in Matsangoni.

The suspect got away before irate mob caught up with him. pic.twitter.com/qfsxLKLcuq  Saddique Shaban (@SaddiqueShaban) August 31, 2024

The Kenyan DAILY POST.






Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - A mother who claimed that she sold her six-year-old son to a woman at a grocery store is wanted in the missing boys assumed murder.

Cindy Rodriguez Singh, 39, has been named a capital murder suspect in the homicide of her son, Noel Alvarez, announced FBI Dallas.

Noel, who had disabilities including chronic lung disease, was last seen in October 2022.

Officers with the Everman Police Department did a welfare check for the boy in March 2023, during which Rodriguez Singh "lied to officers when she explained that the boy was living with his biological father in Mexico, and had been there since November 2022," stated FBI Dallas.

But a couple of days later, Rodriguez Singh, her husband and six other young children got on a flight departing for India, and Noah was not with them.





Rodriguez Singh told Noels grandmother that she sold him to a woman at Fiesta Market, which is a Latin-American supermarket chain, according to a search warrant seen by Law&Crime.

Days before Noels apparent death, his mom called him "evil, possessed, or having a demon in him," said Everman Police Chief Craig Spencer.

"We are truly unified with the common goals of seeking justice for Noel and sharing the message that there is no such thing as a throw-away child," stated Spencer.

Rodriguez Singh was last seen on March 22, 2023, when the family flew to India, and is believed to have connections to that country and Mexico.

She is described as being 5-foot-1 to 5-foot-3 and 120 to 140 points, of medium complexion with brown eyes and hair and with tattoos on her back, right arm and hand and both legs.





FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Chad Yarbrough and Spencer announced a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Rodriguez Singh.

"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," stated Yarbrough.

"The community of Everman needs justice for Noel."

Anyone with information on Rodriguez Singhs whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI Dallas field office.




Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - Commissioner of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) Johnson Muthama has appealed to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi to secure the release of a Kenyan female truck driver kidnapped in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In a statement, Muthama noted that Grace Wanza Munyao was kidnapped on August 27, 2024, by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), but Mudavadi seems to be doing nothing to secure her release.

"I am asking Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who also serves as the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, to urgently secure the release of Grace Wanza Munyao, a Kenyan citizen and truck driver who was kidnapped by the FDLR, one of Kinshasa's coalition forces, on August 27, 2024," Muthama remarked.

According to the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a political-military coalition, Munyao, who hails from Machakos County, was kidnapped at noon on August 27 in the Kiseguro area, DRC.

AFC further added that FDLR and other rebel groups have violated a ceasefire agreement and continued to threaten local agricultural activities through kidnappings.

Principal Secretary of the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu, acknowledged the incident.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - A notorious man behind the theft of laptops in offices in Nairobi was caught on camera stealing a laptop at an office in Kilimani a few days ago.

The suspect has been previously arrested and charged in court in connection with the theft of laptops in offices but he keeps stealing after securing his release on bond.

In the footage, the suspect is seen walking into an office while pretending to speak on the phone.

He crosses paths with other staff members who were unaware of his mission.

After surveying around, he stole a laptop and wrapped it in a newspaper, before walking out confidently.

All this happened in less than 5 minutes.

The robbery incident happened on Friday, August 30th around 2:00PM.

A reward of Ksh 50,000 will be given to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the thief.

Nairobis most notorious Laptop thief caught again stealing from a Kilimani Office despite previous arrests pic.twitter.com/ellto7LHwT  DAILY POST  (@dailypost_ke) September 4, 2024





The suspect has previously been arrested in connection with laptop theft in different offices.

See photos.









The Kenyan DALY POST.






Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - Prince Harry reportedly has 'no interest' in leaving the United States and returning to royal duties in Britain.

The Duke of Sussex is said to have sought advice from trusted former aides on how to mastermind a return to the UK nearly five years after he and his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, stepped down as senior royals and decamped to Montecito.

However, sources close to Harry told the Daily Telegraph that he is settled in California with Meghan, 43, and their children Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.

They also claim that Harry has an 'amazing' new set of friends in the United States and several projects on the horizon.

He is currently preparing for a trip to New York where he will take part in engagements connected to his various charities, including the Halo Trust and the Diana Award.

The Mail on Sunday revealed last week the Duke had turned away from his 'Hollywood publicists' and resorted to texting former confidantes 'from his old life' on how to mastermind a return from exile in the US.

It marks the first stage in a potential strategy to 'rehabilitate' Harry and repair his relationship with his father King Charles following his cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

However, sources told Daily Telegraph that Harry and Meghan, who have spent the past four years living in self-imposed exile in California with their two children, are not seeking a permanent return.

The newspaper also revealed that the couple have parted company with yet another American PR adviser. Christine Weil Schirmer joined the Sussexes in 2020 as head of communications but left quietly late last year.

She is the tenth staff member to have left the couple in three years and last month took up a job with PR giant Brunswick advising clients on reputation management.

Last month, the Sussexes' chief of staff Josh Kettler suddenly quit his job after three months.

'Harry is turning away from all sorts of Hollywood publicists and is seeking counsel from his old friends and associates,' said a source.

'He is clearly reaching out thinking, "I need to do something different because what I'm doing is clearly not working". In short, he is rethinking the way he operates.'




Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - Businessman Jimi Wanjigi has told President William Ruto to prepare for a fight or flight because he is going after him.

Speaking during a press briefing yesterday, Wanjigi said he is going after the Head of State in the political and legal arena.

William Ruto, I am coming for you. I am coming for you in the political arena, in the legal arena, and with the constitution of Kenya. Know it today and every day that you pretend you are a president of this republic, said Wanjigi.

The renowned business mogul blamed Ruto for being responsible for the illegal abductions in the country, saying he has turned the National Police Service (NPS) into a political militia.

Wanjigi said that President Ruto took an oath of office to protect Kenyans and defend the constitution but has instead violated it.

For avoidance of doubt, President Ruto is solely responsible for the abductions, enforced disappearances, and murdering of the young people of this country-The Gen Z.

"He has turned police into his political militia. Kenyans must never forget Ruto was a suspect at the International Criminal Court (ICC), Wanjigi claimed.

He went ahead to compare Ruto to some of the worst dictators in the world due to his cruelty.

Rutos cruelty, brutality, and dictatorship can only be compared to that of Adolf Hitler, Slobodan Milosevic, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Omar Al Bashir among other such sadistic despots, Wanjigi added.

Wanjigi vowed to continue demanding justice for those abducted and killed during the anti-government protests.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - Russian President, Vladimir Putin has visited Mongolia, a member of the international court that issued an arrest warrant for him.

The official visit, in which he is to meet today, September 3, 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.





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.

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.




Wednesday, September 9, 2024 - Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi has accused President William Ruto of being solely responsible for the killings and abductions of youths during the anti-government protests in June and July.

In a statement on Tuesday, Wanjigi accused President Rutos administration of illegally using State machinery to spread terror amongst Kenyans through abductions, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.

While terming the President as a Constitution delinquent, Wanjigi claimed the Head of State used the police and military to terrorize Kenyans leading to the deaths of more than 60 youths and over 100 abductions.

President Ruto has not only violated the Constitution of Kenya but also contravened the oath of office he took, Wanjigi said...

He has become Constitution delinquent. For the avoidance of doubt, President Ruto is solely responsible for the abductions, enforced disappearances, and murdering of the young people of this country Gen Z.

"He has turned police into his political militia, he said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, September 4, 2024  President William Rutos deal with Indian company Adani Holdings to take over Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has raised tension both in Kenya and India.

The ongoing negotiations, which have already sparked protests in Kenya, are now being linked to growing unrest in India, where opposition leaders warn the situation could escalate into a diplomatic crisis.

This development comes as a 16-member Kenyan delegation touched down in Mumbai earlier this week to conduct due diligence on the Ksh246 billion investment proposal from Adani Group, which is seeking to modernise JKIAs aging infrastructure.

Under the proposal, Adani is seeking a 30-year exclusive concession at JKIA, which includes a clause preventing the Kenyan government from constructing another airport during this period.

Additionally, Adani wants authority over any upgrades across Kenya's 38 airports.

The proposal also stipulates tax exemptions, control over airport fees, and significant influence over the hiring and firing of airport personnel.

In India, the proposal is being scrutinized not just for its business implications but for the potential geopolitical fallout.

Jairam Ramesh, a senior figure in the Indian National Congress, has cautioned that the protests in Kenya against the Adani Groups involvement could quickly morph into a broader anti-India sentiment.

The proposed takeover of Nairobi airport by the Adani Group has sparked widespread protests in Kenya. This is a matter of grave concern for India, Ramesh said in a statement.

The protests could easily convert into anger against India and the Indian Government, especially given the well-known friendship between Adani and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ramesh pointed to previous controversies involving Adani projects in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, which have similarly triggered unrest and damaged Indias reputation in those countries.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has dismissed reports that he was ejected from a plane that ferried President William Ruto and his delegation, among them former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, to China.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Dishi na County kitchen in Umoja, Sakaja clarified that he was not scheduled to travel.

"There's a lot of propaganda. I hear people saying I've been removed from a plane, which plane and I had this function here today? So forget those things that you see, focus on work, Sakaja clarified.

The clarification comes after a renowned blogger claimed that Sakaja was unceremoniously removed from the plane hours before Ruto jetted out of the country.

Ruto flew out of the country on Sunday night to attend the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.

At the same time, Governor Sakaja dismissed the alleged plot to kick him out of office through an impeachment.

The Nairobi County boss said his administration is focused on delivering to the Nairobi locals adding that he will not be distracted by naysayers.

"We will not be distracted by naysayers. Our focus is on delivering what we promised. Those are baseless distractions," he stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, September 4,2024 - Kisii County Senator, Richard Onyonka has blasted President William Rutos Head of Creative Economy and Special Projects, Dennis Itumbi, after he defended the government over accusations of bad governance, corruption, and overtaxing Kenyans.

Onyonka, in an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, claimed that the government can run the country without overtaxing Kenyans like President William Ruto and his cronies are doing.

But Itumbi came to the defense of Ruto, saying that there is no way that the government can fund free education, health, and other projects without over-taxing Kenyans.

" We need no taxes, Kenya has enough money to fund free education, Free Health and still build roads, provide water and service debt," Hata kama ni popularity politics, Itumbi told Onyonka.

In a quick and strongly worded response, Onyonka urged Itumbi, whom he labeled as a "Statehouse gatekeeper," not to defend a failing government.

I understand how much you gov't gatekeepers get when some of us talk about how BROKEN THE SYSTEM IS! Yes, Kenya needs no ADDITIONAL TAXES on Kenyans, for us to run our Education, Health, and Infrastructure! What we need is to stop the WASTAGE & CORRUPTION!, Onyonka stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - Kisii County Senator, Richard Onyonka, has revealed how late former President Mwai Kibaki prudently used taxpayers' money to steer the country forward when he took over in 2002.

Onyonka, speaking on Tuesday, highlighted that Kibaki, known as the father of Kenyas economic renaissance, managed a budget of Sh 633 billion in his first two years in office. Despite inheriting empty treasury accounts, Kibaki ensured the country ran smoothly.

Onyonka questioned why President William Ruto is unable to make education free, given that he has allocated Sh 633 billionthe same amount Kibaki used to run the entire countryto the education budget.

The senator stated that if the money is used effectively, education should be free from primary through to university level.

"University education, primary school education, and secondary school education in Kenya must be free.

"Why do I say so? Look at the amount of money we are giving the Ministry of Education Sh633 billion a year.

"That is the money President Kibaki ran this country the first year he took office and his second year.

"He paid teachers, doctors, lawyers, paid everybody who would run this country.

"That is the budget of the Ministry of Education only.

"Where is the money going? The money that you people are supposed to get as capitation for you to go to school for free is being eaten by gentlemen and ladies, Onyonka stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - Azimio Leader Raila Odinga is among the leaders who accompanied President William Ruto to Beijing for the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit.

More than 30 African Heads of State and over 40 Foreign Ministers, including Kenyas Foreign PS Dr. Korir Singoei, have gathered in China for FOCAC.

In a statement yesterday, PS Singoei clarified Railas role in China after Kenyans accused him of being a freeloader out to lobby for his African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid.

According to Singoei, Raila was not in China to lobby but would primarily seek to understand the areas of potential partnership and make contacts with the key actors who manage AU-China relations.

Raila is not in China to lobby but will accompany the president at the state banquet hosted by President Xi for African leaders tomorrow (today) evening.

He will also attend the opening ceremony of the FOCAC summit on the 5th of September morning. It is expected that he will, with the President, meet select African Heads of State, said the Foreign Affairs PS.

President Ruto, who arrived in China on Monday, is leading the Kenyan delegation at the summit.

His agenda includes pitching Kenya as a prime investment destination, focusing on infrastructure, healthcare, and technology sectors to major Chinese corporations.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - Spain captain, Alvaro Morata will reportedly hand half of his earnings during his marriage to his ex-wife after their divorce.

The former Chelsea striker, 31, and Alice Campello, 29, separated in mid-August after seven years of marriage and four children together.

An argument on the pitch following Spain's Euro 2024 final win over England reportedly caused the split between Morata and his model wife.

They have insisted they still love each other and have sought to dismiss any rumours or 'bulls***' after Morata was accused of being in explicit photographs with another woman.

According to Marca, the duo had a 'fight' on the pitch after Spain had beaten England in the Euro 2024 final in Germany, and things escalated.

It is reported that Alice was keen for only herself, her children and her friends to be on the pitch to celebrate with Morata, and didn't want the Spain captain's parents or family present, leading to the slide of their relationship.

Lawyers are said to be working on the divorce papers, with the separation mutually agreed.

Morata recently signed for AC Milan in Italy after two years at Atletico Madrid, and recently revealed that he felt compelled to 'flee' his homeland.

'I am tired of people saying that I was unfaithful to Alice because I didn't even go to the national team party so that this type of rumour wouldn't arise,' Morata told D Corazon on La 1 via AS of reports of potential reasons for their separation.

'Since then I haven't spoken to anyone out of respect for her and so that this type of news doesn't arise.

'I am devastated. I have fled Spain because I cannot bear the pressure and criticism any longer.'

Morata insisted that he and Campello have a 'very good relationship because of our four children' but that their break-up is irreversible.

According to Alexis Rivas on Vamos a Ver, the couple married under a community property agreement, meaning earnings during the marriage must be divided evenly between the two.

That's seemingly not an issue for Morata, however, who is reportedly not wanting to fight for anything extra and is willing to give up half of his earnings to Alice.

It is reported that Morata has been struggling with the separation and doesn't want any issues in the divorce, not demanding any profits from Alice's business.

Both parties are said to be keen to avoid court.




Wednesday, September 4, 2024  Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi may be sabotaging President William Rutos bottom-up agenda.

This was revealed by a Member of the National Assembly's Trade Committee, who accused Mbadi of deliberately sabotaging key development projects across the country.

Speaking when they met senior officials from the Treasury, the UDA allied MP took a dig at the officials for failing to release the appropriated funds to State Departments.

The committee, led by Embakasi North MP John Gakuya, who is allied to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, particularly pointed to the industrialization and manufacturing sector as the biggest casualties.

Our biggest concern as a committee is that the National Treasury has decided to kill industrialization and the manufacturing sector by starving the state departments of funds," argued Gakuya.

Aldai MP Marianne Kitany (who is also in UDA), questioned the Treasury team in particular on why they denied state departments and their agencies development funds despite them being critical in the generation of revenue in the country at a time when the government is struggling to raise money.

"For the government to collect more revenue in the key sectors of the economy, it has to invest funds to spur growth in the various sectors. How do you project to get revenue when you are not investing?" Inquired Kitany.

The blame game came at a time when the fate of key projects remained unknown due to the Treasurys failure to release allocated funds as per the budget provisions.

The Treasury Officials, led by Benard Ndungu (the Director General in charge of Accounting Services), responded by stating that the delays were occasioned by the shortfall in revenue and scarcity of money resources that was occasioned by debts borrowed by Kenya.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - A violent bully who battered his girlfriend in the middle of the street got a taste of his medicine when some of the witnesses he dared to jump in did just that and battered him in return.

Ryan Parker, 32, turned up drunk at the womans home in east Hull and began hurling insults, telling her she was a waste of space who deserved to die. He then sent her to the floor with a hard slap across the face.

He proceeded to punch and kick her while shouting out to onlookers through the open door, threatening anyone who wanted to intervene, before his terrified partner managed to run outside and scream for help.

After abusing one neighbour who tried to step in as he continued the attack while brandishing a knife, several others turned the tables and set upon him, the citys crown court heard.

Parker, of east Hull, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning ABH, possessing a knife and using threatening words or behaviour on July 28.

He was jailed for 20 months and given a six-year restraining order barring any contact with the woman.

Oliver Shipley, prosecuting, said Parker and the woman had been in a relationship for about 14 years at the time but it was turbulent and got worse over time. He arrived at her home angry and aggressive after playing darts at a pub.

He told the court he became abusive before launching the appalling physical assault.

"The defendant was threatening anybody who tried to help," Mr Shipley said.

"She eventually managed to get out of the property through the door and out into the street, where she screamed for help. The defendant continued his behaviour on the street while in possession of a knife."

The woman later said that she was scared for her life and worried for those of her children.

"I do not want Parker anywhere near my property or my children," she said. "I am truly broken and shocked about the whole situation."

Defending, Ben Hammersley said Parker suffered injuries in the incident after he was set on by others.





"He suffered a fractured eye socket and a fractured cheekbone," he told the court.

Parker was treated by paramedics at the scene and he was taken to hospital. He had been left with a scar near his eye.

"When he came to, having been knocked unconscious, he was fearful that he was still being assaulted," Mr Hammersley said.

"This was an isolated incident. He has no desire to contact her whatsoever."

Deputy circuit judge Timothy Clayson told Parker: "You became abusive to her before becoming violent.

"She described you slapping her, pushing her around and trying to force her out of the door, in the course of which she was caused to fall to the floor.

"She described violence to the face with numerous punches to the face. All of this was fuelled plainly by excessive drink. It was a sustained assault. This is a very serious matter.

The overall offences here are so serious that only immediate custody is appropriate. There was a serious risk of disorder by your production of this knife.




Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - Drama ensued in Nairobi Central Business District after matatu operators confronted a police officer, accusing him of harassing them and collecting bribes.

An altercation ensued between the police officer and the operators, leading to a fight.

The officer was overpowered and injured before his colleagues came to his rescue.

A video shared online shows the injured officer being whisked away as the furious operators bay for his blood.

Blood was oozing from his head after being injured during the fracas that occurred along a busy street in River Road.

Watch the video.

Traffic policeman injured in altercation with matatu crew on River Road, Nairobi. pic.twitter.com/bftPid9QNF  Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) September 3, 2024

The Kenyan DAILY POST.






Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - 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 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 a student, who was transitioning, by their new name and using "they" pronouns.

Burke publicly criticised the school's demand that he uses 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.

Now, Mr Burke, who is appealing his dismissal from the school, has been put in jail again for going to the school.

The Evangelical Christian teacher was yesterday, September 2, placed inside a Garda (police) 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 put behind bars at Mountjoy Prison last night 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."

Mr Burke 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, 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".

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.
My daughter Amelias first bottle of formula was a turning point. The innocent act triggered a terrifying anaphylaxis that catapulted us into a world of food allergies. As a young mother, the diagnosis was a gut-wrenching blow. Every food label became a riddle to decipher, and every social event a logistical nightmare, as we didnt want our daughter to grow up facing the social exclusion, bullying, and isolation that all food allergy families encounter at some point.

Our daughters allergies, and later our sons, were a constant battle. Accidental exposures led to repeated hospitalizations, and the weight of protecting our children became overwhelming. Desperate for solutions that were not available in Australia, we turned to Dr. Douglas Jones, a renowned allergist in Utah, where many Australians had traveled to access his life-changing protocols. As we prepared for treatment, COVID-19 slammed Australias borders shut, trapping us in a country ill-equipped to handle our childrens needs.

This adversity ignited a spark. We decided to bring Dr. Joness expertise to Australia, establishing the countrys first oral immunotherapy (OIT) program. It was a daunting task, but the hope of helping other families outweighed the fear.

Building our clinic was a rollercoaster. Initial skepticism turned into cautious optimism as families witnessed their childrens progress. With each successful graduation, our community grew stronger. The journey was transformative, not just for our children but for the countless families who have joined us.

Through it all, Ive learned the power of collaboration. By partnering with Dr. Jones and assembling a dedicated team, weve challenged the status quo. Our story is a testament to the impact one doctor can have when they join forces with a local community and dedicated parents. Amelia will soon graduate from her milk program, having already graduated from her egg program, reaching food freedom. Her brother was successfully desensitized to walnut and pecan allergies last year and now consumes them daily as part of his maintenance protocol.

Today, as OIT gains traction in Australia with the latest peanut rollout for babies, Im driven to share our experience. My goal is to ensure every child with food allergies has access to this life-changing treatment, no matter their age or allergen. By raising awareness and inspiring others, we can create a future where food allergies are no longer a life sentence. We have done this Down Under for many families whose children had multiple food allergies and no hope of reversing them locally.

Our journey has been arduous, but the rewards are immeasurable. Witnessing our daughters freedom from fear is a testament to the power of hope, resilience, and the unwavering support of a community, as well as a dedicated medical practitioner from the U.S. who embarked on a mission of changing the world with usone food freedom at a time.

This story is a powerful narrative of hope, resilience, and advocacy. It highlights the importance of transnational collaboration in addressing global health challenges. By sharing your personal experience, youve inspired others to believe in the possibility of overcoming adversity.

Nina Markovic Khaze is a post-doctoral researcher.
Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire former New York City mayor, has once again demonstrated his commitment to equality and social justice. Through his Bloomberg Philanthropies, he announced a monumental $600 million donation to four historically Black medical schools in the United States. This follows his Greenwood Initiatives $100 million gift in September 2020, aimed at reducing student debt for these institutions.

Other major donors have also made significant contributions to HBCUs. MacKenzie Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has donated over $500 million to HBCUs since their divorce. The Lilly Endowment announced a $100 million gift to the United Negro College Fund, and the billionaire couple Ronda Stryker and William Johnston donated $100 million to Spelman College. Additionally, Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings and his wife, Patty Quillin, contributed $120 million.

These donations are crucial lifelines for HBCUs, which today are grappling with severe funding shortages more than ever before. Despite being heavily reliant on government funding, these schools typically receive far less financial support than other institutions. Last year, the federal government notified sixteen states that they had illegally underfunded Black colleges for decades, with the cumulative toll approaching $13 billion, according to the Biden administration.

In recent years, America has witnessed a troubling regression in civil rights and social justice, with political and policy battles often resembling a zero-sum game of us versus them. Recent challenges to affirmative action aim to dismantle policies promoting diversity and equal opportunity in education and employment. Simultaneously, numerous states are enacting laws that restrict voting rights, disproportionately affecting minority communities and undermining decades of progress toward fair access to the ballot box.

Efforts to limit the teaching of Black history in many conservative-leaning states by conflating it with critical race theory further erode hard-fought gains in civil rights and equality.

Despite their small endowments, historically Black medical schools are significant engines of social mobility for their graduates and vital contributors to public health in underserved communities. There used to be seven historically Black medical schools in the United States, but the Flexner Report of 1910 advocated for closing all but two, citing funding shortages resulting in staffing and other issues. Only Howard University College of Medicine and Meharry Medical College remained open.

Today, only about 5 percent of U.S. doctors are Black, but HBCUs play an outsized role in their education. Graduates of HBCUs account for half of the countrys Black doctors, who are more likely than their peers to practice in medically underserved communities of color. The critical question remains: why should there be schools that cater specifically to Black students and not others? Perhaps, a historical perspective may offer some insight.

In 1837, James McCune Smith became the first Black American to receive a medical degree, achieving this milestone not in any U.S. university but at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Despite applying to several medical schools in the United States, racist admissions practices barred him from acceptance. For a century after the abolition of slavery in 1865, almost all Southern colleges and universities prohibited African Americans from attending, as mandated by Jim Crow laws. While conditions were somewhat better in other parts of the country, quotas often limited Black admissions.

The Morrill Act of 1890 was a game changer, requiring states to establish separate land-grant institutions for Black students in the former Confederate states, leading to the founding of many public HBCUs. These institutions receive federal funds to support teaching and research, serving underserved communities.

HBCUs were established out of necessity to provide educational opportunities to freed slaves and their descendants in the face of systemic exclusion and discrimination. From their origins in the pre-Civil War era through the challenges of Reconstruction, segregation, and the Civil Rights Movement, HBCUs have been instrumental in advancing the education and empowerment of Black Americans.

They remain essential institutions in American higher education, producing a significant percentage of Black professionals, including doctors, engineers, and educators.

Helping vulnerable populations is crucial for any nation, as it improves public health, reduces poverty, and lowers crime rates. By investing in education, health care, and purposeful social programs, a nation fosters a healthier, more productive, and safer society, ultimately benefiting everyone.

Mayor Bloomberg and others like him recognize that the lasting impact of over 400 years of slavery cannot be erased overnight. However, their efforts to build a more inclusive society, where people of every race and background have a fair shot at life, are not just highly commendable but very necessary. These philanthropic actions benefit all of humanity.

Osmund Agbo is a pulmonary physician.
The police are set to launch an investigation into an incident in which opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) President, Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) was reportedly injured during a confrontation with security operatives in Kira municipality on Tuesday evening.

Kyagulanyi had been invited for a thanksgiving ceremony in Bulindo, Wakiso District where his aides claim he was shot and injured in the left leg

However, police say he stumbled into a vehicle.

In a statement issued shortly after the incident, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said as Kyagulanyi left the venue, his team moved out of their vehicles and embarked on a procession up to Bulindo town, despite police advice against the same.

He explained that despite police guidance, they insisted on proceeding and closing the road, leading to police intervention to prevent the procession.

During the ensuing altercation, it is alleged that he sustained injuries. Police officers on site claim he stumbled while getting into his vehicle, causing the injury, whereas Hon. Kyagulanyi and his team assert that he was shot, Kituuma said in a Tuesday statement.
Buganda Road Magistrates Court on Wednesday issued criminal summons against Kira Municipality MP, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, and Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor, Doreen Nyanjura, for their failure to appear in court for a mention hearing related to a common nuisance case against them.

Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi issued the summons, requiring them to appear before the court on October 2, 2024.

Ssemujju is jointly charged with 14 other members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party from the Katonga faction. The group, including two other MPs, is accused of disorderly conduct and obstructing pathways while planning an unauthorized procession to the Kenyan High Commission offices in Kampala. Their aim was to demand an explanation regarding the arrest of 36 of their party members in Kisumu, Kenya.

The 36 members, including a woman, were extradited to Uganda by Kenyan authorities and were subsequently charged with terrorism on July 29, 2024.

Other individuals involved in the incident include Kabale Municipality MP Kamara Nicholas, Doreen Nyanjura, and Kaija Harold.

According to the prosecution, the 14 suspects engaged in disorderly behavior and blocked pathways along Katonga Road in Kampala on August 5, 2024, causing inconvenience to others and constituting a common nuisance.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Abbas Byakagaba, has criticized both investigators and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for consistently targeting lower-ranking officers for corruption while allowing senior officials to evade accountability.

Byakagaba expressed his frustration on Wednesday during a two-day coordination meeting with the DPPs office at the CID headquarters in Kibuli. The meeting aimed to enhance Ugandas socio-economic transformation through efficient prosecution of offenses.

The two institutions must collaborate and strengthen partnership in order to achieve their objective of contributing towards law and order but by extension towards supporting the development of this country, he said.

The general public has been frustrated that we go for small fish but ofrecent, we see this trend changing and we shall support your efforts to ensure s corrupt-free society, he added.

The IGP noted that the public is growing weary of this selective approach to justice and is demanding to see big fish brought to trial. He emphasized the importance of this meeting between the police and the DPP, as both institutions are crucial to maintaining law and order in the face of evolving criminal activities, including money laundering, cybercrime, and human trafficking.
A 24-year-old man, Mr. Kenneth Niwamanya, has been remanded by Buganda Road Court for allegedly forging the signature of the First Lady, Janet Kataaha Museveni.

The Chief Magistrate, Ronald Kayizzi, heard on Wednesday that Niwamanya had long desired to have the First Lady, who is also Minister of Education and Sports, become the patron of his organization, Umoja Youth Initiative Development Uganda.

To achieve this, he allegedly created To Whom it May Concern letters bearing a scanned signature of the First Lady and used them to solicit funds, claiming to organize a function at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.

Niwamanya, a resident of Bulenga in Wakiso district, is accused of committing the offense on August 22, 2023. He was arrested at the Ministry of Education offices in Kampala while carrying the forged letters.

Although he denied the charges, Niwamanya was unable to secure bail due to a lack of sureties. The Court remanded him to Luzira prison until September 23, 2024, as investigations continue.
Members of Parliament (MPs) on the Agriculture Committee are urging the government to abandon its plans to merge the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) with the Ministry of Agriculture. The committee is set to meet with President Yoweri Museveni at State House to discuss the matter.

Kimanya Kabonera MP, Dr. Abed Bwanika, emphasizes that the importance of coffee to the national economy is too significant to be jeopardized by such a merger. He argues that it would undermine specialized efforts in coffee management and hinder the sectors progress.

Bwanikas comments come in response to the governments renewed push to complete the rationalization and merger of its agencies as part of a cost-saving initiative and to prevent the duplication of roles within ministries, departments, and agencies.

The most important loss we are going to have when we rationalize UCDA, is we are going to lose market because the authority is an accredited body by international bodies. When we rationalize UCDA, we are going to lose these accreditations, he said.

Bwanika insists that merging the Coffee Development Authority would be detrimental to the coffee sector, which is one of the nations top revenue-generating crops.
By Khalil Ibrahim Manzil

The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has denounced the Uganda Police Forces (UPF) behavior during an incident involving Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, aka Bobi Wine, as grossly inappropriate and substandard. The Commissions Chairperson, Ms Mariam Wangadya emphasized this in a phone interview with KFM on Wednesday.

Wangadya further urged the police to always exercise utmost professionalism and care while performing their duties. While she noted polices claims that Bobi Wine stumbled while getting into his vehicle, the UHRC did not confirm whether they were caused by bullets or a teargas canister, describing the situation as deeply troubling.

The polices account suggests Bobi Wine fell, but we havent confirmed whether bullets or teargas canisters caused his injuries, Wangadya said.

I currently cannot confirm the exact cause, but our team is investigating. I request that supporters of the National Unity Platform and all Ugandans take this matter seriously, she added.
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IMAGINE, being just 25 years old and being responsible for a population nearly the size Newbridge.

Well, that is the case of Kildare town native Mark Dunne who, as President of the Students Union for the South East Technological University (SETU), is responsible for the well-being of 18,000 students across three campuses.

Mark is now into his second year in the full-time job, having been re-elected last March, and he came to the attention of the Kildare Nationalist after he emailed us to warn about the accommodation scams which tend to proliferate around the end of August.

Unfortunately, when you get to the end of August and term about to start, you start to see the accommodation scams, he said.

Usually, it is overseas student, but its not exclusive, and even Irish students have been coned out of handing over money, he said.

Its not good to see, but it happens, he said.

The scams are targeted primarily at international students, but also parents can be scammed when seeking accommodation.

Fortunately, around the country student unions are beginning to raise awareness with the USI [Union of Students in Ireland] and Threshold [the housing charity], and were beginning to get through, he said.

To avoid being scammed, firstly physically view the property where possible, dont just jump on Skype.

Second, make sure the keys youre given fit the lock, and make sure there is a proper contract.

If its all written in block capitals, its probably dodgy.

Also when transferring funds, make sure its a secure transaction, so that if in the case you are scammed, you can trace the account.

The month down, month in advance is kind of what were looking at, he said in reference to the most popular method of scam.

Sadly, people are handing over a 1,000 and thats never seen again.

Inspect the property in advance, use an electronic fund transfer [EFT], and make sure its an Irish bank account youre paying into, and check for an Irish IBAN on Revolut.

Satisfy yourself the property is legitimate, and trust your instincts. If it seems too god to be true, it probably is, he said.

Mark is a past pupil of Athy Community College, doing the Leaving Certificate in 2017, before taking law at IT Carlow, before entering student politics after he graduated in 2021.

In the long-term Mark would hope to go to Blackhall Place to train as a solicitor, but in the meantime would like to work as a legal executive.

Its not quite a solicitor, but youre still doing all the paperwork, he smiled.

For the time being Mark works across all three campuses, spending two days a week in Carlow, two days a week in Waterford, and one day in Wexford.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA, in Kyiv

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said he wanted to express his gratitude to Ireland meeting Taoiseach Simon Harris in Kyiv.

Mr Harris signed a co-operation deal with Mr Zelensky at the Ukrainian leaders office at Horodetskyi House in the city.

The Taoiseach also announced details of a 36 million funding package to organisations working in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

The visit comes a day after 53 people were killed and 200 injured when two Russian ballistic missiles struck a military training facility and hospital in Poltava, 200 miles south-east of Kyiv. Elsewhere, children were amongst seven killed in an overnight strike on Lviv.

Taoiseach Simon Harris during a visit to inspect damage to buildings in Borodyanka, Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The attacks came as Ukrainian forces attempted to secure territory in Russias Kursk border region after a surprise incursion that began last month  and as the Russian army moves deeper into eastern Ukraine.

Mr Harris engagements on Wednesday saw him visit Hostomel and Borodyanka, two areas which had been badly damaged by Russian strikes in the early days of the invasion.

He said: I want to see first hand and with my own eyes the impact of war on the continent of Europe.

Mr Harris saw a prefabricated home, which is now occupied by a family that had previously been displaced, and a newly built kindergarten  both part of projects which Ireland financially supports.

Taoiseach Simon Harris lays a wreath at the memorial in Maidan Nezalezhnosti square (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The Government said the 36 million package will provide essential humanitarian assistance, support rehabilitation and eventual reconstruction, and contribute to Ukraines longer-term goals, including peace, stability and political aspirations.

The Taoiseach also expressed Irelands full support for the Ukrainian bid for EU membership while also discussing continued humanitarian assistance.

Mr Harris also visited the Child Protection Centre in Kyiv prior to his meeting with Mr Zelensky, where Ireland supports work towards the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted into Belarus and Russia.

Following the bilateral meeting, Mr Zelensky told a press conference that he thanked Ireland for its support of work on returning abducted Ukrainian children to the country.

Taoiseach Simon Harris shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Irelands participation in the reconstruction of Ukraine will be a substantial support for our people and our countries and our European way of life.

I thank the people of Ireland, I know that after the beginning of the invasion of Russia of our land, youve accepted and really have warmly welcomed more than 100,000 citizens of Ukraine.

The deal includes common work on demining Ukraine, which Mr Zelensky said will save Ukrainians and improve the resilience of Europe.

He added that the deal also includes common work on cybersecurity.

Mr Zelensky said he also really valued that Mr Harris trip came amid severe attacks on Ukraine.

We value that while Ireland is military neutral, Ireland does not stay neutral morally.

We are grateful to you, Mr Taoiseach, and to the people of Ireland for very specific and clear and principled support and a position countering Russian terror.

Mr Zelensky thanked Ireland for financial support and said: It is really important we are together protecting lives, especially now we need it, facing the winter when Russia goes on striking our energy infrastructure.

Mr Harris, who earlier laid a wreath to honour Ukraines war dead at Maidan Square, told reporters: The people of Ireland stand with the people of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Asked by members of the Ukrainian media about the Irish Governments decision to decrease financial support for newly arriving Ukrainians in Ireland, Taoiseach Simon Harris said Ireland will always continue to support people from Ukraine.

Mr Harris said the roughly 109,000 Ukrainians who have been welcomed in Ireland made an incredibly positive contribution to Irish society.

However, he said refugee systems are always under review in terms of sustainability.

He noted the changes applied to people who were being provided with free food, accommodation and a right to work.

Pressed on whether he supported a visa waiver for Ukrainians post-war, Mr Harris said he hoped there would be a situation where that would not be necessary due to Ukraine joining the EU.

Asked if he supported Ukraines request to use long-range missiles at Russian targets, Mr Harris said that would be a matter for the countries supplying such weapons as Irelands assistance is around non-lethal aid.

Mr Zelensky said it would be a matter for further discussion with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal but added he was really thankful for the support thus far.

Mr Harris said he was particularly pleased to invite Mr Zelensky for an official visit to Ireland, to which the Ukrainian president nodded.

The latest cash will take Irelands total funding to Ukraine since February 2022 to more than 380 million, including about 130 million in stabilisation and humanitarian support.

As part of a policy of military neutrality, Ireland does not provide what it characterises as lethal aid to Ukraine, including weapons.

However, the state has provided 250 million in non-lethal military assistance under the European Peace Facility and has welcomed approximately 100,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.

Irish Defence Forces members have trained hundreds of Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment.
Applegreen, one of Irelands largest roadside hospitality brands, has opened a new M&S Food shop in its existing location at Bennettsbridge Road, Kilkenny City.

The addition of the M&S range in store involved a redevelopment of the Kilkenny location.

The introduction of the retailer is part of Applegreens continuous development to bring the best customer experience to Irish customers as they enjoy their journeys across Irish roads.

The opening of M&S Food at Applegreen Kilkenny marks the 16th location for Applegreens highly successful partnership with M&S Food. A further five M&S Food at Applegreen shop-in-shop stores are planned before the end of 2024.

The Kilkenny store will now offer over 400 M&S products, including Irish customers favourite M&S Food ranges, such as fresh fruit and salads, quality Irish sandwiches and lunches, fresh flowers and dinner options.

Popular M&S favourites, such as Percy Pig sweets, M&S cookies, and Colin the Caterpillar cakes will also be available in-store.

Applegreen Kilkenny will also feature Click & Collect services for M&S Clothing and Home product ranges, providing customers with the option of ordering quality clothing, home and beauty essentials online at www.marksandspencer.com/ie, and collecting their purchases at the Kilkenny store.

Applegreens partnership with M&S Food complements the companys leading roadside proposition in the Irish market and brings the M&S Food range to a wider Irish customer base.
Six Kikenny institutions have been named in the report on allegations of sexual abuse at schools run by religious orders.

The 700-page damning report, released on Tuesday, names 308 schools across the country where a total of 2,395 allegations of historical abuse against 884 alleged abusers were reported.

The scoping inquiry from the Government revealed it had contacted 73 religious orders that ran or are still running schools in the State, adding that approximately half of the alleged abusers are now believed to be dead.

Seventeen allegations of abuse against four alleged abusers were reported at Kilkenny CBS, Kilkenny (Primary) run by the Christian Brothers.

Eight allegations of abuse against three alleged abusers were reported at De La Salle NS, Kilkenny run by the De La Salle Brothers

Seven allegations of abuse against three alleged abusers were reported at St Joseph's College, Freshford, Kilkenny (PostPrimary) run by the Mill Hill Missionaries.

Four allegations of abuse against two alleged abusers were reported at Callan CBS, Kilkenny (Primary) run by the Christian Brothers.

Two allegations of abuse against two alleged abusers were reported at Callan CBS, Kilkenny (Secondary) run by the Christian Brothers.

Two allegations of abuse against two alleged abusers were reported at Kilkenny CBS, Kilkenny (Secondary) run by the Christian Brothers.

Schools in Dublin, Limerick and Cork have also been named in the report including schools run the The Christian Brothers, The Congregation of Sisters of Mercy, The Carmelite Fathers, and the Jesuits.

READ NEXT: Permission granted for the amalgamation of two Kilkenny schools

The allegations of abuse goes back as far as the 1970s.

The report, written by senior counsel Mary O'Toole, who was appointed by the Minister for Education Norma Foley, has recommended that the Government approach the religious orders to contribute towards a redress scheme.

In 2023, the Spiritan Congregation apologised to victims of abuse and that an independent group would engage with survivors at its schools and institutions.

Meanwhile, the representative body for Catholic orders across the country has issued an apology, stating it is "deeply sorry" for the abuse that victims experienced in these schools and that it "welcomes" the publication of the report.

A spokesperson for the Association of Leaders and Missionaries and Religious Orders of Ireland (AMRI) has said,

"We acknowledge the courage and bravery of the victims and survivors.

"We are deeply sorry that they experienced abuse in religious-run schools.

"We are acutely aware that sharing personal, sensitive, and traumatic experiences can cause additional pain and suffering.

"We recognise that we can never know the depth of the pain and suffering survivors have endured and continue to endure.

"AMRI actively worked with those of its members who are involved in running schools to facilitate the fullest cooperation in this inquiry.

"We will carefully examine the recommendations and respond accordingly"
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A new report from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) shows a continuing decline in the number of pubs in Kilkenny and across Ireland.

In Kilkenny, 49 pubs have closed since 2005, according to the report - representing a 21.7% decrease in public houses between the years 2005 and 2023.

Anthony Morrison, Chairman of Kilkenny City and County Vintner Federation told Kilkenny Live that the current challenges facing the industry are wide-ranging, and in many cases worsening.

The cost of doing business in general is very high at the minute, he said.

Meanwhile, excise duty on wine, beer, spirits and cider continues to undermine any recovery in the sector while the cost of public liability insurance is causing havoc for publicans across the country.

Add to this commercial and water rates, as well as other regulatory impositions.

Whats unfortunate here is that these costs are hampering the progress of small business owners and publicans across Ireland.

Our level of hard work, energy, commitment and innovation needs to be recognised and supported.

We are the heart and soul of local communities. In many instances, we are the last man standing in villages and towns stripped of post offices, bank branches and garda stations. This is a responsibility we dont take lightly. We know people depend on us and it is our duty to be there for them.

Morrison is calling on the Government to introduce supports for publicans, who he says are vital to the very identity of Ireland.

We dont want to start seeing international news stories being shared about how Irelands pub culture is collapsing. Its so vital for tourism too, which brings in so much revenue for the Government, so we hope they start acknowledging the urgency of the situation facing local publicans at present both here in Kilkenny and across Ireland.

Author of the report, Professor Tony Foley said this analysis verifies the consistent trend we have been seeing with pub numbers in every part of the country.

There is clearly a variation on closures between counties which broadly sees rural areas adversely impacted, he said.

The continuing decline is taking place against a backdrop of societal change and cost of business strains.

Consumption of alcohol has notably decreased, how we socialise is changing, the types of drinks we consume are changing, particularly the rise of low-alcohol and alcohol-free products.

We are also seeing that with many pubs, which are often small, family-run businesses, sustaining business is becoming harder and harder.

Fostering commercial sustainability is crucial to safeguarding rural Irish pubs. Irelands drinks and hospitality businesses are operating in an environment where the costs of doing business are ever rising.

Energy, insurance, and other cost line items continue to rise, many by double digits. The sector is also faced with one of the most regressive excise tax environments for small and medium enterprises in Europe.

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Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said he wanted to express his gratitude to Ireland meeting Irish premier Simon Harris in Kyiv.

Mr Harris signed a co-operation deal with Mr Zelensky at the Ukrainian leaders office at Horodetskyi House in the city.

The Taoiseach also announced details of a 36-million-euro funding package to organisations working in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

The visit comes a day after 53 people were killed and 200 injured when two Russian ballistic missiles struck a military training facility and hospital in Poltava, 200 miles south east of Kyiv. Elsewhere, children were among seven killed in an overnight strike on Lviv.

The attacks came as Ukrainian forces attempted to secure territory in Russias Kursk border region after a surprise incursion that began last month  and as the Russian army moves deeper into eastern Ukraine.

Mr Harris engagements on Wednesday saw him visit Hostomel and Borodyanka, two areas which had been badly damaged by Russian strikes in the early days of the invasion.

He said: I want to see first hand and with my own eyes the impact of war on the continent of Europe.

Mr Harris saw a prefabricated home, which is now occupied by a family that had previously been displaced, and a newly built kindergarten  both part of projects which Ireland financially supports.

Since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion, Ireland has steadfastly supported Ukraine, providing assistance amounting to approximately 380 million. Today, together with Irelands Taoiseach @SimonHarrisTD, we signed an Agreement on Support for Ukraine and Cooperation pic.twitter.com/ouMPbpWPdW  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) September 4, 2024

The Irish Government said the 36 million euro package will provide essential humanitarian assistance, support rehabilitation and eventual reconstruction, and contribute to Ukraines longer-term goals, including peace, stability and political aspirations.

The Taoiseach also expressed Irelands full support for the Ukrainian bid for EU membership while also discussing continued humanitarian assistance.

Mr Harris also visited the Child Protection Centre in Kyiv prior to his meeting with Mr Zelensky, where Ireland supports work towards the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted into Belarus and Russia.

Following the bilateral meeting, Mr Zelensky told a press conference that he thanked Ireland for its support of work on returning abducted Ukrainian children to the country.

Irelands participation in the reconstruction of Ukraine will be a substantial support for our people and our countries and our European way of life.

I thank the people of Ireland, I know that after the beginning of the invasion of Russia of our land, youve accepted and really have warmly welcomed more than 100,000 citizens of Ukraine.

The deal includes common work on demining Ukraine, which Mr Zelensky said will save Ukrainians and improve the resilience of Europe.

He added that the deal also includes common work on cyber security.

Mr Zelensky said he also really valued that Mr Harris trip came amid severe attacks on Ukraine.

We value that while Ireland is military neutral, Ireland does not stay neutral morally.

We are grateful to you, Mr Taoiseach, and to the people of Ireland for very specific and clear and principled support and a position countering Russian terror.

Mr Zelensky thanked Ireland for financial support and said: It is really important we are together protecting lives, especially now we need it facing the winter when Russia goes on striking our energy infrastructure.

Mr Harris, who earlier laid a wreath to honour Ukraines war dead at Maidan Square, told reporters: The people of Ireland stand with the people of Ukraine.

Asked by members of the Ukrainian media about the Irish Governments decision to decrease financial support for newly arriving Ukrainians in Ireland, Taoiseach Simon Harris said Ireland will always continue to support people from Ukraine.

Mr Harris said the roughly 109,000 Ukrainians who have been welcomed in Ireland made an incredibly positive contribution to Irish society.

However, he said refugee systems are always under review in terms of sustainability.

He noted the changes applied to people who were being provided with free food, accommodation and a right to work.

Pressed on whether he supported a visa waiver for Ukrainians post-war, Mr Harris said he hoped there would be a situation where that would not be necessary due to Ukraine joining the EU.

Asked if he supported Ukraines request to use long-range missiles at Russian targets, Mr Harris said that would be a matter for the countries supplying such weapons as Irelands assistance is around non-lethal aid.

Mr Zelensky said it would be a matter for further discussion with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal but added he was really thankful for the support thus far.

Mr Harris said he was particularly pleased to invite Mr Zelensky for an official visit to Ireland, to which the Ukrainian president nodded.

The latest cash will take Irelands total funding to Ukraine since February 2022 to more than 380 million euros (320 million), including about 130 million euros (110 million) in stabilisation and humanitarian support.

As part of a policy of military neutrality, Ireland does not provide what it characterises as lethal aid to Ukraine, including weapons.

However, the state has provided 250 million euros (210 million) in non-lethal military assistance under the European Peace Facility and has welcomed approximately 100,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.

Irish Defence Forces members have trained hundreds of Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment.
We are blessed with an abundance of heritage gems to visit across the county of Kilkenny. From unique buildings to fascinating walking trails, one is truly spoiled for choice.

Lets start with a walking trail first, to get the legs going. Its technically more of a hike, but a hike that can be done by people of all ages, including families - Tory Hill in South Kilkenny.

Legend goes that the hill got its name during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. Many of the young rebellious Irishmen of the district were seemingly branded as tories (toiraidh), meaning outlaws or bandits, because they often made raids on the attackers, taking shelter in the cover of the hill between raids.

These days, you can follow in their footsteps and let your imagination run wild. There are two looped walks that you can take from the nearby carpark, both of which are worth doing (youll want to visit again anyway).

Keep an eye out for Lough Cullen on your way up, the only lake in Kilkenny - home to legends of witchcraft and ghost hurlers.

READ NEXT - American professors amazing life story and links to Kilkenny

Each looped walk will take you about an hour and a half to complete, giving you plenty of time to check out some other nearby heritage gems including Kilmogue Portal Tomb.

Also known as Leac An Scail, the tomb is noted for being the tallest dolmen of its kind in Ireland. A jewel of local heritage, it can be found pitted amongst the sloping green hills of South-West Kilkenny.

Constructed all the way back around 4000-3000 BC, it has held up so incredibly well throughout the millennia.

Once again, its in a wonderfully peaceful spot and new car parking facilities were recently installed for those seeking better access to the attraction.

Also in South-West Kilkenny, The Lingaun Valley is home to some of Irelands most important heritage sites including the megalithic double passage tomb at Knockroe where hundreds of people gather to celebrate the solstice on December 21.

Other notable sites in the valley include the Killamery High Cross, which was also commissioned by Cerball in the 8th Century, Kilkieran High Crosses, which date back to St Kieran, Kilmacoliver Stone Circle, Carrigadoon Hillfort, Owning Portal Tomb, Lamogue Ogham Stone and the Ahenny High Crosses, which were commissioned in the 8th Century by Cerball mac Dunlaighe.

Although St Canices Cathedral and Round Tower in Kilkenny City gets a lot of deserved attention, many people may not be aware of the wealth of history and heritage that is present at other round towers across the county.

My personal favourite lesser-known round tower to visit is in Tullaherin, on the backroads between Bennettsbridge and Kilfane.

The round tower sits on a site that features two ogham stones and a church that dates back to between the 11th and 13th Century.

Its a great place to reflect and there is signage at the site to explain some of the history. Its rarely ever busy.

Also rarely busy is Kilree Round Tower and High Cross near Kells. Many people visit Kells Priory, one of the largest medieval monuments in Ireland, but arent aware of the round tower and high cross literally just down the road.

If youre looking for a guided tour thats slightly off the beaten track, its well worth paying a visit to Jerpoint Abbey.

Founded in the 12th Century, Jerpoint Abbey is one of the best examples of a medieval Cistercian Abbey in Ireland.

Children can explore the abbey with a treasure hunt available in the nearby visitor centre that houses an excellent exhibition.

From April 1 to September 30, Jerpoint Abbey is open from 9am to 5.30pm, with last admission 45 minutes before closing.

If you ever visit the quaint Kilkenny town of Thomastown or you drive through it on your way to the picture-perfect village of Inistioge, its definitely worth a pause to take in the view of Grennan Castle from the designated roadside viewpoint and picnic area youll meet along your journey.

With the foundation of Thomastown, the eminent Anglo-Norman settler Thomas fitz Anthony built this fine fortress.

Although it now stands in ruin, it is an impressive and unique construction in its style and shape, and is a huge part of the history of charming Thomastown.

Perhaps youre more in the mood to explore some social history? It could well be worth your time paying a visit to the Coal Mining Museum in Castlecomer Discovery Park.

The museums coal mining exhibition comprises a 45-minute tour through Castlecomers coal mining past that takes the visitor on a journey through time.

Finally, if you cant leave the city for whatever reason, dont forget to visit Talbots Tower, an historic gem that is often overlooked or missed by visitors and locals alike.

It is the only surviving complete defensive tower of the city wall circuit in Kilkenny and has undergone an impressive programme of restoration, conservation and interpretation.

Talbots Tower can be accessed via Lower New Street and there is ample seating at the site where you can sit back for a moment and use your imagination to travel back through centuries of history.

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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, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eight analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $102.38.

Several brokerages have recently commented on AER. Susquehanna upped their price objective on shares of AerCap from $100.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. TD Cowen restated a buy rating and set a $125.00 price target on shares of AerCap in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on AerCap from $95.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 9th. Barclays increased their target price on AerCap from $111.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on AerCap in a research report on Friday, June 7th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $103.00 target price for the company.

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AerCap Stock Down 5.1 %

Shares of NYSE AER opened at $92.45 on Friday. AerCap has a 1 year low of $57.30 and a 1 year high of $98.79. The company has a market capitalization of $18.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.01, a P/E/G ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 1.83. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $93.69 and a 200-day simple moving average of $89.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.69, a current ratio of 0.29 and a quick ratio of 0.29.

AerCap (NYSE:AER  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The financial services provider reported $3.01 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.41 by $0.60. The company had revenue of $1.96 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.89 billion. AerCap had a return on equity of 15.12% and a net margin of 42.02%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.56 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that AerCap will post 11.33 earnings per share for the current year.

AerCap Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 5th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 14th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.08%. AerCaps payout ratio is 6.51%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AER. Inspire Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of AerCap by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 8,150 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $708,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of AerCap by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 6,919 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $645,000 after acquiring an additional 129 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. increased its holdings in shares of AerCap by 89.9% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 283 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 134 shares during the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV increased its holdings in shares of AerCap by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 4,935 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $460,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC raised its position in shares of AerCap by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 6,613 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $491,000 after acquiring an additional 154 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.42% of the companys stock.

AerCap Company Profile

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AerCap Holdings N.V. engages in the lease, financing, sale, and management of commercial flight equipment in China, Hong Kong, Macau, the United States, Ireland, and internationally. The company offers aircraft asset management services, such as remarketing aircraft and engines; collecting rental and maintenance rent payments, monitoring aircraft maintenance, monitoring and enforcing contract compliance, and accepting delivery and redelivery of aircraft and engines; and conducting ongoing lessee financial performance reviews.

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Shares of Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS  Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the twenty-two analysts that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, twelve have assigned a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $80.65.

A number of research analysts recently commented on FIS shares. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on Fidelity National Information Services from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Fidelity National Information Services from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $79.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Susquehanna boosted their price objective on shares of Fidelity National Information Services from $86.00 to $88.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on Fidelity National Information Services from $78.00 to $82.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, May 7th. Finally, William Blair reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Fidelity National Information Services in a research note on Tuesday, May 7th.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Fidelity National Information Services

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other Fidelity National Information Services news, Director Jeffrey A. Goldstein purchased 719 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 15th. The shares were bought at an average price of $76.81 per share, for a total transaction of $55,226.39. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 9,771 shares in the company, valued at $750,510.51. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock.

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Fidelity National Information Services by 19.1% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 68,658,572 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $5,093,093,000 after purchasing an additional 11,023,109 shares during the last quarter. FIL Ltd raised its position in Fidelity National Information Services by 27.3% during the 4th quarter. FIL Ltd now owns 12,877,515 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $773,552,000 after purchasing an additional 2,758,049 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 8,619,320 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $506,753,000 after acquiring an additional 121,154 shares in the last quarter. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 6.8% in the 4th quarter. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC now owns 8,422,766 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $505,956,000 after acquiring an additional 537,180 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Fidelity National Information Services in the 4th quarter worth about $478,594,000. 96.23% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Fidelity National Information Services Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of FIS opened at $82.64 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. Fidelity National Information Services has a 12 month low of $46.91 and a 12 month high of $83.14. The firms 50 day moving average is $76.98 and its 200-day moving average is $74.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $45.97 billion, a PE ratio of -8.08, a P/E/G ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.06.

Fidelity National Information Services (NYSE:FIS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The information technology services provider reported $1.36 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.23 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $2.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.49 billion. Fidelity National Information Services had a return on equity of 13.63% and a net margin of 7.72%. The companys revenue was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.55 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Fidelity National Information Services will post 5.08 EPS for the current year.

Fidelity National Information Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 24th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.36 per share. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.74%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 10th. Fidelity National Information Servicess payout ratio is -14.08%.

Fidelity National Information Services Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc engages in the provision of financial services technology solutions for financial institutions, businesses, and developers worldwide. It operates through Banking Solutions, Capital Market Solutions, and Corporate and Other segments. The company provides core processing and ancillary applications; mobile and online banking; fraud, risk management, and compliance; card and retail payment; electronic funds transfer and network; wealth and retirement; and item processing and output solutions.

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KB Home (NYSE:KBH  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Hold by the thirteen brokerages that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $72.88.

A number of research firms have weighed in on KBH. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on shares of KB Home from $74.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, June 20th. Zelman & Associates reiterated an underperform rating and issued a $69.00 target price on shares of KB Home in a research note on Monday, May 13th. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of KB Home from $86.00 to $89.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of KB Home from $69.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, June 20th. Finally, Wedbush upped their price target on shares of KB Home from $64.00 to $67.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, June 20th.

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KB Home Stock Performance

Shares of KBH stock opened at $80.94 on Friday. KB Home has a 52-week low of $42.11 and a 52-week high of $88.31. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $77.89 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $71.26. The company has a market capitalization of $6.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.71, a PEG ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 1.80.

KB Home (NYSE:KBH  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, June 18th. The construction company reported $2.15 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.78 by $0.37. The firm had revenue of $1.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.64 billion. KB Home had a net margin of 9.43% and a return on equity of 15.66%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that KB Home will post 8.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

KB Home Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 8th were paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.24%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 8th. KB Homes dividend payout ratio is presently 13.23%.

Institutional Trading of KB Home

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of KBH. Manchester Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of KB Home by 433.0% in the 4th quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 485 shares of the construction companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 394 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new position in shares of KB Home in the 4th quarter worth $47,000. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of KB Home in the 1st quarter worth $60,000. Plato Investment Management Ltd increased its holdings in shares of KB Home by 72.0% in the 1st quarter. Plato Investment Management Ltd now owns 1,080 shares of the construction companys stock worth $77,000 after buying an additional 452 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tortoise Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of KB Home by 625.3% in the 2nd quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 1,117 shares of the construction companys stock worth $78,000 after buying an additional 963 shares during the last quarter. 96.09% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About KB Home

(Get Free Report

KB Home operates as a homebuilding company in the United States. It operates through four segments: West Coast, Southwest, Central, and Southeast. It builds and sells various homes, including attached and detached single-family residential homes, townhomes, and condominiums primarily for first-time, first move-up, second move-up, and active adult homebuyers.

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Shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR  Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the twenty ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have issued a hold recommendation, ten have issued a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $154.00.

Several research firms recently issued reports on DLR. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on Digital Realty Trust from $122.00 to $120.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on Digital Realty Trust from $143.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Argus downgraded Digital Realty Trust from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Mizuho began coverage on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. They set an outperform rating and a $170.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $123.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th.

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Insider Buying and Selling

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Digital Realty Trust

In other Digital Realty Trust news, Director Jean F. H. P. Mandeville sold 600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.26, for a total transaction of $90,156.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 9,055 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,360,604.30. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . 0.17% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in DLR. Gilman Hill Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Gilman Hill Asset Management LLC now owns 6,179 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $940,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC increased its stake in Digital Realty Trust by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC now owns 6,301 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $848,000 after buying an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Gradient Investments LLC raised its holdings in Digital Realty Trust by 75.2% during the second quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 177 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares during the period. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC lifted its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 0.6% in the second quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 12,014 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,820,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Garrison Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 3.6% in the second quarter. Garrison Asset Management LLC now owns 2,277 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $346,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.71% of the companys stock.

Digital Realty Trust Price Performance

DLR opened at $149.79 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $49.04 billion, a PE ratio of 41.61, a P/E/G ratio of 4.84 and a beta of 0.59. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $151.37 and a 200-day moving average price of $146.09. Digital Realty Trust has a 1 year low of $113.94 and a 1 year high of $162.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.78 and a quick ratio of 1.78.

Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.63 by ($1.43). Digital Realty Trust had a return on equity of 5.93% and a net margin of 20.58%. The firm had revenue of $1.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.38 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.68 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down .7% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Digital Realty Trust will post 6.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Digital Realty Trust Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be given a dividend of $1.22 per share. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.26%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. Digital Realty Trusts payout ratio is 135.56%.

Digital Realty Trust Company Profile

(Get 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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Shares of European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust (TSE:ERE.UN  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the seven brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$3.25.

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. TD Securities increased their target price on European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust from C$3.25 to C$3.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Ventum Financial increased their price objective on European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust from C$3.00 to C$3.25 in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. CIBC boosted their target price on European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust from C$3.00 to C$3.50 in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Finally, Raymond James raised shares of European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their price target for the stock from C$2.75 to C$3.25 in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th.

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European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust Stock Down 2.9 %

European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust Company Profile

Shares of ERE.UN stock opened at C$2.69 on Wednesday. European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust has a 12-month low of C$2.12 and a 12-month high of C$2.82. The company has a quick ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 256.06. The firm has a fifty day moving average of C$2.61 and a 200-day moving average of C$2.43. The company has a market capitalization of C$247.48 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.16 and a beta of 1.26.

(Get Free Report

European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust  ERES is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust. ERESs REIT units are listed on the TSX under the symbol ERE.UN. ERES is Canadas only European-focused multi-residential REIT, with a current initial focus on investing in high-quality multi-residential real estate properties in the Netherlands.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Grupo Simec (NYSEAMERICAN:SIM  Free Report) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report published on Sunday morning.

Grupo Simec Price Performance

SIM stock opened at $27.49 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $4.23 billion, a PE ratio of 13.95 and a beta of 0.29. Grupo Simec has a 52 week low of $26.00 and a 52 week high of $35.81.

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Grupo Simec (NYSEAMERICAN:SIM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 22nd. The basic materials company reported $1.39 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $487.42 million during the quarter. Grupo Simec had a return on equity of 16.68% and a net margin of 24.90%.

About Grupo Simec

Grupo Simec, SAB. de C.V. manufactures, processes, and distributes special bar quality (SBQ) steel and steel alloys products in Mexico, the United States, Brazil, Canada, Latin America, and internationally. The company produces I-beams, channels, structural and commercial angles, hot rolled bars, flat bars, rebars, cold-finished bars, electro-welded wire mesh and mesh panels, and wire rods, as well as semi-finished tube rounds and other semi-finished trade products.

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Hitachi, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:HTHIY  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $50.25 and last traded at $47.89, with a volume of 222587 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $48.98.

Hitachi Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $111.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.45, a P/E/G ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a current ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $75.20 and a 200-day moving average of $50.58.

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Hitachi (OTCMKTS:HTHIY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The conglomerate reported $2.43 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.28 by $2.15. Hitachi had a return on equity of 11.90% and a net margin of 7.21%. The business had revenue of $14.19 billion for the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Hitachi, Ltd. will post 1.5 earnings per share for the current year.

About Hitachi

Hitachi, Ltd. provides digital system and services, green energy and mobility, and connective industry solutions in Japan and internationally. It operates through seven segments: Digital Systems & Services, Green Energy & Mobility, Connective Industries, Automotive System, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Hitachi Metals, and Others.

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Jacobs Engineering Group (LON:J  Get Free Report)s stock had its house stock rating reaffirmed by equities researchers at Shore Capital in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, LSE.Co.UK reports.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on J. Berenberg Bank reiterated a hold rating and set a GBX 150 ($1.97) price objective on shares of Jacobs Engineering Group in a research note on Friday, August 23rd. Canaccord Genuity Group restated a buy rating and set a GBX 250 ($3.29) target price on shares of Jacobs Engineering Group in a report on Tuesday, August 6th.

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Jacobs Engineering Group Stock Performance

Jacobs Engineering Group Company Profile

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc is challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the worlds most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

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Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF  Get Free Report) had its price objective boosted by research analysts at Jefferies Financial Group from $215.00 to $220.00 in a report issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the apparel retailers stock. Jefferies Financial Groups price objective suggests a potential upside of 57.53% from the companys current price.

Other research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and upped their target price for the stock from $167.00 to $194.00 in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $208.00 target price on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in a research report on Wednesday, August 28th. Citigroup upgraded shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $190.00 target price for the company in a research report on Friday, August 30th. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from $193.00 to $165.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 29th. Finally, Argus lowered shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $179.14.

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Abercrombie & Fitch Price Performance

Insider Buying and Selling

NYSE:ANF traded down $3.28 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $139.66. The company had a trading volume of 1,582,956 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,711,951. Abercrombie & Fitch has a 52-week low of $49.24 and a 52-week high of $196.99. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $159.55 and its 200-day moving average price is $145.89. The company has a market capitalization of $7.14 billion, a PE ratio of 17.33 and a beta of 1.54. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20.

In other Abercrombie & Fitch news, Director Kenneth B. Robinson sold 1,300 shares of Abercrombie & Fitch 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 sale, the director now owns 5,880 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,009,066.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 3.77% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Abercrombie & Fitch

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 146.3% during the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 863,100 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $153,494,000 after acquiring an additional 512,700 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch during the 4th quarter valued at $37,632,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 2,036.5% during the 2nd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 419,560 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $74,615,000 after acquiring an additional 399,922 shares during the period. Hennessy Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch during the 4th quarter valued at $32,897,000. Finally, Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. grew its position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 613.3% during the 1st quarter. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. now owns 356,610 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $44,694,000 after acquiring an additional 306,616 shares during the period.

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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Midland Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Invesco Senior Income Trust (NYSE:VVR  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 23,222 shares of the investment management companys stock, valued at approximately $100,000.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its holdings in Invesco Senior Income Trust by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,994,320 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $8,177,000 after buying an additional 13,883 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Invesco Senior Income Trust by 3,283.1% in the 2nd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 1,290,275 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $5,561,000 after acquiring an additional 1,252,136 shares in the last quarter. Adapt Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Invesco Senior Income Trust in the 1st quarter worth $4,946,000. Advisors Management Group Inc. ADV increased its holdings in Invesco Senior Income Trust by 8.6% during the 2nd quarter. Advisors Management Group Inc. ADV now owns 1,093,297 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $4,712,000 after purchasing an additional 87,007 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Edmonds Duncan Registered Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Invesco Senior Income Trust by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Edmonds Duncan Registered Investment Advisors LLC now owns 619,851 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $2,672,000 after purchasing an additional 11,843 shares during the period.

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Invesco Senior Income Trust Price Performance

Shares of VVR opened at $4.30 on Wednesday. Invesco Senior Income Trust has a twelve month low of $3.75 and a twelve month high of $4.46. The company has a 50 day moving average of $4.29 and a 200-day moving average of $4.27.

Invesco Senior Income Trust Announces Dividend

About Invesco Senior Income Trust

The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 16th were given a dividend of $0.043 per share. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 12.00%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 16th.

(Free Report)

Invesco Senior Income Trust is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Invesco Ltd. It is co-managed by Invesco Advisers, Inc, Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, Invesco Asset Management Limited, Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Invesco Australia Limited, Invesco Hong Kong Limited, Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc, and Invesco Canada Ltd.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VVR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco Senior Income Trust (NYSE:VVR  Free Report).

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Shares of NIPPON STL & SU/S (OTCMKTS:NSSMY  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $7.40 and last traded at $7.45, with a volume of 53446 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.78.

NIPPON STL & SU/S Price Performance

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $7.31 and a 200-day simple moving average of $7.56. The company has a current ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The stock has a market cap of $7.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.81, a P/E/G ratio of 3.94 and a beta of 1.35.

About NIPPON STL & SU/S

(Get Free Report)

Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation engages in steelmaking and steel fabrication businesses worldwide. It operates in five segments: Steelmaking and Steel Fabrication, Engineering and Construction, Chemicals, New materials, and System Solutions. The company offers steel plates; hot- and cold-rolled steel sheets and coils, coated steel sheets, color coated steel sheets, electrolytic tin plates, and electrical steel sheets; bar and rod materials; and structural steel products.

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Korea and Ethiopia have held a policy consultation meeting on envisioned joint projects in energy, transportation and health care fields through the cooperation fund, Seoul's finance ministry said Wednesday.

During the meeting held in Addis Ababa on Tuesday, the two nations chose energy, transportation and health and medical sectors as key cooperation fields under the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) framework and discussed candidate projects, according to the finance ministry.

The move came as Korea and Africa renewed the EDCF Framework Arrangement that calls for increasing Seoul's support for Africa to $1 billion from $300 million during the inaugural Korea-Africa Summit hosted by President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul in June.

"The two sides agreed to further boost government-level cooperation in an effort to boost the effectiveness of such joint projects," the ministry said in a release.

Korea plans to hold policy consultations with other African nations, including Tanzania and Morocco, it added.

Korea launched the EDCF program in 1987 with the purpose of supporting economic and social infrastructure projects in developing countries. (Yonhap)
All senses awakened at Anicka Yi's largest Asia exhibit at Leeum

By Kwon Mee-yoo

To step into Anicka Yi's latest exhibition, "There Exists Another Evolution, But In This One," at the Leeum Museum of Art, visitors first pull aside a thick black curtain and are immediately hit with an unfamiliar scent. This isn't just any fragrance  it is part of Yi's multisensory artwork "Walking on Two Paths at Once."

From the very first breath, Yi invites viewers to consider the politics of smell  a recurring theme in her work. She challenges the notion that authority is linked to sterility, reminding us that power often lacks odor while certain scents are historically tied to marginalized groups.

The fragrance, created in collaboration with French perfumer Barnabe Fillion, is designed to evoke the mysterious depths of the sea or the vastness of outer space. Made from ingredients such as seaweed, it provides a sensory awakening that prepares visitors for the exhibition's deeper exploration of the connections between biology and power.

"Scent has maybe been a precursor to art  Scent is described as mysterious, inscrutable because it's invisible. You can't see the molecules," she said Tuesday during a press preview of the exhibition.

For Yi, smell was one of humanity's earliest senses, essential for survival. Despite its invisibility and often being regarded as less significant and feminine compared to other senses, Yi challenges this notion.

"People seem to be uncomfortable with smell," she said, "which I'd like to shift that relationship."

Known for installations that meld biology, technology and sensory experiences, the Korean American artist consistently pushed artistic boundaries through her experiments with living organisms and ephemeral materials. The exhibition features 33 of Yi's works, both old and new, highlighting the overarching themes of her career and the future directions she aims to explore.

One of Yi's most recognizable pieces is her "tempura-fried flowers," perfectly exemplifying her use of transitory materials. These delicate flowers are fried and then preserved with resin, highlighting the passage of time as their colors slowly fade and they begin to emit an odor.

For Yi, using organic materials underscores a larger concept  she is not the sole creator of her works. The flowers, bacteria and microorganisms she uses are her collaborators, constantly altering the form and texture of the art as time passes. This concept of shared authorship is key to understanding Yi's broader philosophy of interconnection and interdependence.

Her "Kelp Pods" and "Radiolaria" series further blur the lines between living organisms and machines. Inspired by ancient planktonic life forms, the "Radiolaria" series combines organic, fluid shapes with moving mechanical components such as lights and fiber optics, while "Kelp Pods" series features mechanical moths encased within cocoon-like shells crafted from kelp.

"Another You" is a new piece centered on genetically engineered bacteria that Yi developed in collaboration with microbiology researchers from Ewha Womans University and Columbia University. The bacteria, programmed to express fluorescent proteins in different colors, represent a continuation of the artist's investigation into the relationships between human and non-human life forms.

Over the course of the exhibition, the bacterial installation will evolve, change shape and develop new patterns in ways that the artist cannot fully predict or control, symbolizing the ongoing collaboration between the artist and her living materials.

Yi acknowledges the importance of control in her artistic practice, but also recognizes its fluidity.

"I think there are aspects of control that we have to strive for, at least initially," she said. "Anyone who's ever tried to make an artwork knows that the idea you have, which is an abstract idea, and how that translates into physical objects ... can vary from similar to nothing that resembles the initial idea at all."

The artist embraces this unpredictability, especially when working with living materials like bacteria. In her view, it's important to create a structured framework while allowing space for chaos.

"We actually work very rigorously to try to establish a very robust framework because we know we're going to invite a lot of chaos and a lack of control," she said.

This framework provides a necessary balance, allowing her to maintain certain physical aspects of the work while knowing that her "more than human collaborators," such as microorganisms, will have their own agenda. "They're not necessarily interested in performing for me."

Yi's recent works take this fusion even further, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into her creative process.

Her latest series of paintings, "Quantum Foam Paintings," is developed with the help of AI trained on her studio's past works. These pieces, with their glowing, undulating surfaces, appear to radiate light from within, evoking organic textures and a sense of spaciousness.

Her new video work, "Each Branch of Coral Holds Up the Light of the Moon," delves into the concept of emptiness, exploring the continuation of art beyond the artist's biological existence. Set in a meditative, spiritual atmosphere, the piece raises provocative questions about whether Yi's artistic legacy can persist through technology after her passing. At the core of this work is her studio's "digital twin" software  an algorithm trained on her previous artworks.

Yi's pursuit of teaching AI creativity is not a departure from her previous work but an expansion of it.

"I'm interested in trying to teach AI about creativity and what better way to do that than to start with my own creative practice and my own creative DNA?"

This initiative is part of a broader vision where Yi sees the role of artists as crucial in steering the discourse around creativity, algorithms and AI. "This is something that I think artists should be really driving," she said.

The exhibition runs through Dec. 29.
By Park Han-sol

In Korea, a wet monsoon in the summer is followed by another kind of downpour in the fall  a deluge of art.

September ushers in a season where the country is swept up in a whirlwind of art exhibitions and two major biennales, all coinciding with the return of Frieze Seoul.

Now in its third iteration, the four-day mega-fair landed at COEX in Gangnam District, Seoul, Wednesday, drawing 117 galleries from 32 countries and throngs of art lovers from around the world.

High-profile attendees ranged from Hans Ulrich Obrist, artistic director of Londons Serpentine Galleries, and actor Lee Jung-jae to Kim Woong-ki of Global Sae-A Group, the owner of Kim Whankis Universe 5-IV-71 #200, the most expensive Korean artwork ever auctioned.

This year, the event has doubled down on its focus on Asia-based exhibitors, with 64 percent of the participants operating in or having a presence in the region.

Amid the prolonged market slowdown, transactions involving blockbuster international artworks in the six- and seven-figure range have declined. However, Korean artists have made significant strides, highlighted by PKM Gallerys sale of a geometric color painting by abstract modernist Yoo Young-kuk for $1.5 million (2 billion won).

Despite reporting notably lower sales compared to previous editions, many international blue-chip dealers with spaces in Seoul emphasized their deepening engagement with the Korean art community beyond the fair itself, demonstrating that their participation extends beyond mere transactions.

Frieze is a smaller component for us this week, as we have put much of our attention to our Seoul spaces exhibition and the museum shows of our artists, Pace Gallerys CEO Marc Glimcher told The Korea Times.

He was referring to the gallerys headline show, Correspondence: Lee Ufan and Mark Rothko, at its Seoul location, as well as two museum exhibitions featuring its creatives: the Scandinavian duo Elmgreen & Dragset at the Amorepacific Museum of Art and Kylie Manning at Space K.

The fair is really to highlight these, he added.

By the end of the VIP preview day, the exhibitor reported sales including a small-scale polished bronze Love sculpture by Robert Indiana for $550,000 and a new figurative painting by Manning for $100,000.

A day before Frieze Seoul opened, powerhouse dealer Thaddaeus Ropac announced that Lee Kang-so, regarded as one of Koreas foremost experimental artists, has joined its roster. The gallery also represents emerging Korean abstractionist Chung Hee-min.

Since we opened our space (in Yongsan District), on the one hand, weve focused on bringing European artists to Korea, but on the other hand, we wanted to really engage with the art world here. So every time I come here, I visit artist studios. That was how I met artists like Chung, the Austrian gallerist said.

Chung will have her first European show at the exhibitors London outpost this October in time for Frieze London.

As for Lee Kang-so, he was one of the artists that always felt a bit underappreciated internationally, Ropac continued. His work spans performance, installations, paintings and sculptures. The huge variety of his work aligns well with Joseph Beuys, who really marks the start of our program in Europe, and what he was doing in the late 1960s and 70s. Lee felt like a natural fit for our program.

The gallerys opening day sales included a Georg Baselitz painting for 1 million euros and a Lee Kang-so brushwork for 250 million won.

At Hauser & Wirths booth, sculptures and canvas works by marquee artists slated to exhibit in Korea took center stage. Featured creatives included Nicolas Party, whose show recently opened at the Hoam Museum of Art, as well as Mark Bradford, who will be at the Amorepacific Museum of Art, and Louise Bourgeois, set to come under the spotlight at the Hoam Museum next year.

They are cornerstones of our program who are doing exhibitions here, James Koch, partner and executive director, told The Korea Times. Building long-term relationships with (local) institutions is important for us, and artists are interested in showing their work here.

The majority of the dealers sales were made to private collectors in Korea and broader Asia, including Partys Portrait with Curtains, which sold for $2.5 million and was the highest sale on the first day of the fair.

One of the standouts at the booth of Paris-headquartered Perrotin, which operates a space in Gangnam District, is Into the Red, a striking red silk painting created specifically for Frieze Seoul by rising London-based Korean artist Kim Hun-kyu.

Drawing inspiration from classical Buddhist painting techniques, Kim populates his canvas with a dizzyingly intricate array of animated characters and objects, all rendered in traditional Korean pigments.

While the gallery has been spotlighting veteran Korean artists over the years  such as dansaekhwa (monochrome painting) master Park Seo-bo and sculptor Shim Moon-seop  its collaboration with an emerging talent signals another direction in its broadened approach to discovering the countrys creatives, the exhibitor noted.

German dealer Meyer Rieggers participation in Frieze this year coincides with the opening of its Seoul branch, the gallerys first outpost in Asia. Co-founder Jochen Meyer cited Koreas strong art history, its gallery system that is close to the Western model and the lack of censorship as elements contributing to the citys enormous potential for contemporary art.

Inaugurating its Seoul space is a solo exhibition featuring recent works by veteran German artist Horst Antes. At its fair booth, the gallery is showcasing a 1970 painting by Antes to foster a dialogue between his past and present pieces, Meyer remarked.

And Beijing-based Tang Contemporary Art is staging a compelling thematic presentation that positions the rising Korean art star Woo Kuk-won in conversation with Chinese creatives like Ai Weiwei and Yue Min-jin, who offer a visceral commentary on todays social climate.

The showcase features Zhao Zhaos Spread, a piece made from cotton that evokes his youth during a period of forced labor in Chinas Xinjiang. Also highlighted is Li Weis unsettling hyperrealist sculpture, which depicts six world leaders  Obama, Putin, Merkel, and others as seven-year-olds lounging on a sofa.

This years Frieze Masters section, dedicated to art from the Middle Ages to 20th-century masterpieces, has increased the presence of galleries showing historical Asian art.

Asia Art Center, based in Taipei and Beijing, has mounted a solo presentation of Taiwans most celebrated sculptor Ju Ming. The display features copper sculptures from his signature Tai Chi Series  boxy metal pieces in dynamic postures inspired by the martial art.

I think this is a great chance for galleries and collectors to see more master artists from Asia, because its really a rare opportunity we can promote these figures in an international fair, said Harvey Liu, the gallerys senior marketing and sales specialist.

Unlike participation in events like Frieze New York or Art Basel in Basel, which often entails hefty shipping and operational costs for Asian galleries, Frieze Seoul provides an opportunity to globally spotlight regional masters closer to home, he added.
By Yi Whan-woo

The national debt that the government cannot afford to repay with its current financial resources, and will therefore need to rely entirely on taxpayers money in the future, is expected to approach nearly 900 trillion won ($670.44 billion) next year, according to the government, Wednesday.

In its 2024-28 fiscal management plan submitted to the National Assembly, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said the debt without payment resources is estimated at 883.4 trillion won in 2025.

This amount represents an increase of 81.4 trillion won, or 10.1 percent, from the estimated 802 trillion won for this year.

The portion of the national debt without available payment resources will also grow, rising from 67.1 percent in 2024 to 69.2 percent in 2025.

"To put it simply, nearly 70 percent of the national debt will require repayment through taxpayers' money," the National Assembly noted.

In financial terms, debt without payment resources differs from debt with payment resources. The former refers to debt that cannot be covered by available funds, while the latter includes debt, such as government bonds, issued to address deficits.

It requires additional tax revenues for financing, thereby placing pressure on the countrys fiscal management.

The debt without payment resources has grown significantly over time, surpassing 300 trillion won for the first time in 2015.

The amount saw a double-digit percentage increase during the 2020-22 pandemic era and is expected to surpass the 800 trillion won mark for the first time.

Moreover, the amount is forecast to go above 1,000 trillion won in 2027 to reach 1,024.2 trillion.

The ratio of debt without payment resources to the total national debt has also increased over time, rising from 51.7 percent in 2013 to 60.6 percent in 2020.

The Seoul-based civic group, Peoples Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, assessed that higher expenditures relative to income "inevitably increases both debt without payment resources and the total national debt."

The group pointed out that the country's fiscal deficit exceeded 100 trillion won in the first half of the year.

This deficit was driven by a decline in corporate taxes, which constitute a significant portion of the government's total tax revenue.

Under these circumstances, the government front-loaded nearly 50 percent of its annual spending in the first six months, while its cumulative revenue decreased by 300 billion won during the same period.

In terms of annual tax collection, the government gathered 344.1 trillion won in 2023, which was 56.4 trillion won below the projected 400.5 trillion won.

Although the 56.4 trillion won shortfall was the largest on record, the government is expected to face another shortfall in tax revenue in 2024, which could reach up to 20 trillion won, depending on economic conditions in the latter half of the year.
By Robert Browell

One of the flagship policies introduced recently by the Korean government is the Opportunity and Development Zone, which provide a range of generous incentives to companies that invest in these designated regions throughout the country.

The key policy objective of introducing these zones is to encourage investment in regions outside the Seoul metropolitan area.

The hope is that this will stimulate economic development and job creation in relatively underdeveloped regions and address the imbalance between Seoul and other regions with respect to the levels of investment.

Benefits on offer

The special zones offer a range of unprecedented benefits not available in existing economic zones.

Specifically, a 100 percent corporate income tax exemption for five years, followed by a 50 percent exemption for the following two years, is a significant tax-related benefit of investing in these zones and is not available for investments in existing economic zones.

There are also tax breaks for companies that dispose of existing properties for the purpose of moving to one of the zones, and tax reductions for up to 10 years on acquisition and property taxes on buildings acquired within the zone.

In addition, the zones offer a regulatory sandbox that should reduce various regulations that have previously presented obstacles to investment.

This allows companies to request the easing of certain regulations that will be reviewed by the authorities and accepted if considered appropriate.

Furthermore, local and central governments have stated that they will increase the financial subsidies available to investors and improve the residential and educational infrastructure in the regions.

Designated zones so far

Local governments must apply to create an Opportunity and Development Zone in a particular area focusing on an industry sector considered to be important for the region.

The Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development has so far officially designated 20 areas as special zones across eight major cities and provinces, such as Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province.

This decision, made during the council's meeting on June 20, marks the first designations from the applications by local governments and submitted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy since April.

Over 200 corporations are poised to invest approximately 26 trillion won ($19.4 billion) in these zones, according to data compiled by the government.

The companies that have announced investments in the zones so far are mainly Korean. However, foreign companies are also eligible to benefit from the generous incentives on offer.

With the sought-after Korean consumer and business base and investment infrastructure, coupled with these generous incentives, Koreas special zones can be attractive investment locations in Asia.

It is, therefore, important for foreign companies to fully consider the potential benefits when deciding on where to invest.

How to benefit

Companies wishing to benefit from the opportunities on offer should first review whether their investments are eligible for support and the potential options available.

The Opportunity and Development Zone adopts a bottom-up approach led by local governments rather than the central government. Therefore, engagement and active participation with the local governments is particularly important.

Since the process is led by local governments, there is also flexibility in the approach that can be adopted.

Companies planning to invest can, therefore, make various customized requests depending on their industry and so additional benefits may also be available.

It remains to be seen whether the government can reduce the regional imbalance between Seoul and the rest of the country, but the introduction of these attractive zones is a notable step towards trying to achieve this goal.

The benefits and concessions provided should be very enticing to companies making investments in Korea and the region, so foreign companies should make sure that they also seize the opportunity presented by this initiative.

Robert Browell is a tax partner at Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers and chairperson of the Taxation Forum at the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK). Any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers or the ECCK.
The head of Korea's financial regulator on Wednesday called for coordinated pan-industry efforts to curb the rise in household debts.

Lee Bok-hyun, chief of the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), insisted the efforts to limit the increase in household loans may fail unless all lenders joined such efforts.

"I understand the banking sector, too, has recently begun taking voluntary steps to manage risks, recognizing the importance of maintaining household loans at a safe level," he said in a meeting with bank officials, customers and financial experts.

"There, however, exist concerns for the balloon effect as information on loans circulates at a rapid rate, and so there need to be coordinated efforts by all financial institutions, including not only banks but also insurance firms and small lenders," to curb household loans, Lee added.

Major lenders here have recently increased their lending rates, while household loans extended by the five largest banks here  KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH Nonghyup  jumped by more than 9.6 trillion won ($7.15 billion) from a month earlier in August, the largest on-month increase since January 2016.

Banks have also been required to apply tightened curbs, known as the stress debt service ratio (DSR), to their mortgage loans starting this month, reducing the amount of a mortgage loan each borrower can take out.

Lee reiterated the need to limit the rise in household loans as part of efforts to prevent real estate speculation through a method known as "gap investment" but insisted such efforts must not limit actual or legitimate demand for loans that occur in the "process of normal real estate transactions."

"For instance, I believe it is desirable to help protect the legitimate opportunity of consumers (to take out loans) once they are confirmed to have engaged in loan counseling or applied for a loan before the steps to tighten rules on household loans were taken," he told the meeting, according to the FSS.

"The financial authorities, too, will carefully monitor transactions over bank counters while closely communicating with the financial sector to make sure there are no innocent victims, and also help stabilize the housing market by pushing for the smooth restructuring of real estate project financing loans." (Yonhap)
By Lee Yeon-woo

Global crypto companies are announcing major partnerships during Korea Blockchain Week (KBW) 2024, driven by the country's enthusiasm and growth potential in the Web 3.0 sector.

One of the most notable examples is Ripple, a first-generation altcoin widely popular in Korea. Ripple's CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, said the company aims to capitalize on opportunities in Korea, which he described as a massive market.

He mentioned that a large portion of Ripple transactions facilitated by exchanges take place in Korea and Japan. He also highlighted strong retail enthusiasm and abundant liquidity as Korea's key advantages.

Ripple is actively exploring opportunities in custody services, particularly through partnerships with commercial banks such as Hana Bank.

At the same time, it announced that Yonsei University has joined its blockchain academic research program, the University Blockchain Research Initiative. It also hosted a hackathon in Seoul on Sunday, following the launch of its Korea fund in June, to foster innovation in the blockchain market.

"We are doubling down on this region and will continue to do so," Garlinghouse said on Wednesday during his speech at KBW 2024.

BitGo CEO Mike Belshe also announced that Hana Financial Group and SK Telecom have become major shareholders and strategic partners in BitGo Korea, which was established earlier this year.

These entities stated that the strategic partnership marks a significant step in the institutionalization of digital assets.

BitGo Korea could provide the infrastructure for the custody of underlying assets related to financial products, such as security token offerings, real-world assets and exchange-traded funds, the company said.

"BitGo will actively bring its cutting-edge technology and operational expertise developed in the global market to contribute to the institutionalization of digital assets in Korea while prioritizing user protection," said Lee Young-ro, the newly appointed CEO of BitGo Korea.

Alex Blania, CEO of Tools for Humanity, the company behind Worldcoin, visited Korea for the first time and held several press meetings. He introduced the Worldcoin project and addressed misconceptions about it in the Korean market.

Additionally, Blania signed an agreement with the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea to help businesses benefit from AI in a safer operational environment.

"Korea is a truly unique market, with sustained strong interest in digital assets," said Jeon Seon-ik, founder and CEO of Factblock, a co-organizer of the event. "This year, the daily trading volume of cryptocurrencies has exceeded that of the KOSPI, and in Bitcoin trading, the amount of Korean won has even surpassed the U.S. dollar."

He added, "In terms of both scale and participation, Korea plays a crucial role on the global stage."
By Park Jin-hai

Kelly Shin, launched in 2017 by designer Shin Soo-jin, is the most conspicuous star among Seoul Fashion Week's newcomers this year.

This premium line from the renowned brand DINT has gained rapid popularity as "the brand loved by Korean celebrities," especially after its outfits were worn by stars in hit dramas such as "The Glory" (2022) and "Queen of Tears" (2024).

Earlier this year, the brand received significant attention when Lee Boo-jin, CEO of Hotel Shilla, was spotted wearing DINT during a publicity stunt, highlighting its status as an affordable yet fashionable local brand.

Shin, a former wedding dress designer, agrees her brand's meteoric rise has been helped by K-dramas' global popularity.

"With the global popularity of K-dramas, the fashion of the leading actors has garnered significant attention. We have been receiving numerous inquiries from overseas customers about celebrity outfits and since last year's Paris pop-up store, we've seen a substantial increase in international customers visiting our stores to make purchases," the designer said told The Korea Times before her show at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, Tuesday.

DINT and its haute couture version Kelly Shin are characterized by vivid colors, maxi length and bold designs. The designer said the brands' designs are especially crafted to make every woman feel extraordinary at any occasion. With a strong emphasis on balance, the aspiring designer aims to create a look that is both sophisticated and understated by pairing bold colors with simple designs, or intricate details with basic color palettes.

Shin said her former profession as a wedding dress designer has been greatly incorporated in the design philosophy.

"On the day you walk down the aisle with your beloved, every detail matters. After working years in the industry striving to make the bride the center of attention, such pursuit of creating unforgettable moments and enhancing a bride's beauty is also reflected in my current brands' designs," she said.

"Designs can be explained by the concept of a 1/4 inch. I pay meticulous attention to even the smallest details, as a mere 1/4 inch can significantly alter the overall look of a garment."

Kelly Shin's 2025 Spring/Summer collection, titled "To the Shore," draws inspiration from the ocean  from its deepest depths to the sandy shore. Reflecting elements like coral reefs and the shimmering imprints left by ripples in the sand, the collection transitions seamlessly from deep-sea mysteries to beachside splendor. Shin employs vibrant colors and dynamic patterns to bring to life the liveliness of nature.

DINT is expanding into Southeast Asia, using Singapore as its hub, and Europe as well. After a successful pop-up last year, Shin is now preparing for its second Paris pop-up, this time featuring the high-end Kelly Shin label. The designer will showcase Kelly Shin's new S/S collection at the Forbes France-hosted Onirique Fashion Show later this month.

Shin is optimistic about the future of Korean fashion, believing it holds immense potential.

"K-fashion is a dynamic industry brimming with creativity and innovation, and I see it poised for substantial growth. Through our pop-up stores in global markets and collaborations with local brands, we're actively strengthening the international presence of K-fashion," she said.

"DINT has played a pivotal role in shaping the identity of K-fashion, thanks to its distinctive brand identity and captivating brand story. I aspire to see our fashion labels expand beyond Korean borders, contributing significantly to the growth of K-fashion as a leading global force."
Military readiness of the South Korea-U.S. alliance weakened "counterintuitively" during former President Donald Trump's personal diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, a former top U.S. envoy to Seoul said Tuesday.

Retired Adm. Harry Harris, who served as the U.S. ambassador to South Korea from 2018-2021, made the remarks, citing the suspension of major South Korea-U.S. military drills, which was aimed at facilitating diplomacy with Pyongyang during Trump's time in office.

Harris' remarks came amid speculation that the Republican presidential candidate might revive his leader-to-leader engagement with Kim should he return to the White House. In his recent stump speech, Trump said "getting along" with Kim is a "good thing."

"The outcome of (Trump's diplomacy with Kim) was the summits in Singapore, Hanoi and along the DMZ ... the snap summit if you will," Harris said via a video link during a forum hosted by the Korea Development Institute School of Public Policy and Management, the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and other institutes.

"Counterintuitively again during this time, I think our military readiness actually decreased because of the prohibition against military exercises  significant military exercises, large-scale military exercises on the peninsula," he added.

Shortly after the first-ever summit between the U.S. and North Korea in Singapore in 2018, Trump unveiled a plan to stop "provocative" and "expensive" war games with the South, which Pyongyang has decried as an invasion rehearsal. Later, the allies suspended major combined exercises to back diplomacy to encourage North Korea's denuclearization.

Harris also recalled the former Obama administration's approach toward Pyongyang, which has been dubbed a policy of "strategic patience"  a term that refers to the U.S. waiting patiently until the North shifts towards denuclearization while heaping pressure on it through sanctions, diplomatic isolation and other measures.

"I will note that the Obama administration's policy was one that we have now since termed as strategic patience, and it was characterized by nonviolent coercion against North Korea, which is to say sanctions, and dramatically increased the sanctions regime against North Korea in the face of North Koreans' missile testing and the like," he said.

"Counterintuitively, perhaps, I think our miliary readiness actually increased during this time as we increased our training and exercising with the South Korean military, as well as our planning against any provocation from North Korea."

The former ambassador also said that the North Korean leader is unlikely to renounce his regime's nuclear weapons, while claiming that Kim has been sticking to four goals  getting sanctions relief, keeping his nuclear arsenal, splitting the Seoul-Washington alliance and "dominating" the Korean Peninsula.

"I think it's naive to think he's ever going to give up his nuclear weapons," he said. "I think we have to adjust our thinking to this new reality."

Harris also touched on a period of tension between Seoul and Washington over defense cost-sharing negotiations during Trump's presidency.

"In this case, Washington was seeking a 500 percent increase in ... financial support from South Korea," he recounted.

He also voiced concerns about what he termed an "alliance of convenience" between North Korea, China, Russia and Iran.

"I am worried about that. I think it's real and I think it's something that South Korea and the U.S. must face," he said. (Yonhap)
The United States reiterated Tuesday that it will continue efforts to hold North Korea accountable for its support for Russia's war in Ukraine, as concerns linger that arms transactions between Pyongyang and Moscow could prolong the war in the war-torn Eastern European nation.

Matthew Miller, the State Department's spokesperson, made the remarks in response to a question about possible ramifications of the North's support for Russia.

"We've already seen the impact for Ukraine of North Korea supporting that war when it comes to transferring weapons that have shown up on the battlefield," Miller said during a press briefing.

"We will continue to take action to hold Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine and to hold North Korea accountable for its support for that war," he added.

Deepening military cooperation between Russia and the North has raised concerns about its implications for security on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.

Washington has accused Pyongyang of providing Russia with ballistic missiles, munitions, related materiel and other pieces of equipment for use in Ukraine.

It is suspected that the North has been seeking assistance from Moscow, including fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles and ballistic missile production equipment, in return. (Yonhap)
North Korea has launched a nationwide vaccination campaign for children and pregnant women with the support of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), years after they missed out on essential vaccines due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The campaign aims to inoculate over 800,000 children and 120,000 pregnant women with life-saving vaccines, including those for diphtheria, measles, rubella, and hepatitis, UNICEF said in a release Tuesday.

"This campaign is a major milestone in our efforts to vaccinate every child in the DPRK and protect them from common childhood diseases," said Roland Kupka, UNICEF's acting representative for the country. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

According to UNICEF, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant decline in immunization rates within the reclusive regime.

The rates  which had exceeded 96 percent before the pandemic  dropped to below 42 percent by mid-2021, leaving countless children at risk of deadly diseases.

In July, over 4 million doses of essential vaccines were delivered to North Korea to commence the vaccination program, UNICEF said.

Of them, 2 million doses will be used in the current catch-up vaccination campaign, while the remainder will be distributed to health centers nationwide to support routine immunization efforts.

Between 2021 and 2023, UNICEF supported three previous catch-up vaccination campaigns in North Korea, reaching nearly 1.3 million children who had missed key vaccinations during the peak of the pandemic, the agency said. (Yonhap)
South Korea's spy agency said Wednesday it is closely monitoring signs of North Korea executing multiple officials to hold them accountable over heavy flood damage earlier this year.

At an emergency party politburo meeting in late July, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he will punish officials for the damage from heavy rains that flooded areas in the northern provinces of Jagang and North Phyongan and displaced thousands.

The National Intelligence Service said it is closely monitoring the situation after detecting signs of the executions.

Kang Pong-hun, the former chief secretary of the Jagang Provincial Committee of the North's ruling party, is believed to be possibly among the executed officials.

Kang and other senior officials, including Public Security Minister Ri Thae-sop, were dismissed from their posts over the flood damage during the politburo meeting, according to the North's state media. (Yonhap)
North Korea has shown no response to South Korea's new unification vision as it has apparently yet to institutionalize leader Kim Jong-un's policy of "two hostile states," the new secretary general of Seoul's advisory council on unification said Wednesday.

Last month, President Yoon Suk Yeol unveiled a vision for unification with North Korea that focuses on promoting freedom in the unification of the two Koreas, in addition to expanding access to outside information within the reclusive nation, and proposing an official dialogue channel.

North Korea has kept mum about Yoon's "unification doctrine," as Kim redefined inter-Korean relations as those between "two states hostile to each other and labeled South Korea as his country's invariably principal enemy."

Tae Yong-ho, a prominent North Korean defector and the chief of the secretariat of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC), said the North's silence seems to be due to its unpreparedness in fully theorizing Kim's policy of beefed-up animosity toward the South.

"I believe North Korea has not yet fully established the theoretical framework to justify the policy internally," Tae told a press conference.

Touching on defections by North Korean elites, Tae suggested that more defections from North Korean diplomats and their families might occur in the future, without providing further details.

"Since these defections are still ongoing, it's not appropriate to disclose the country or the incident. However, I've heard that in some cases, children of diplomats ran away to South Korea, prompting their parents to pack up and return to Pyongyang," he said.

Among North Korean defectors with so-called elite backgrounds is Ri Il-gyu, a former counselor of political affairs at the North Korean Embassy in Cuba. He defected to South Korea with his family last November.

Tae took office in July, marking the first time that a North Korean defector has been appointed to a deputy ministerial position.

"My appointment as the head of the (PUAC) secretariat demonstrates that South Korea is not exclusive and evaluates people based on their abilities, even for bureaucratic positions," Tae said.

Tae previously served as a North Korean deputy ambassador to Britain before defecting to South Korea in 2016. In 2020, he was elected as a lawmaker for the affluent Gangnam district in Seoul as a member of the ruling People Power Party but failed to secure a second term in the April parliamentary elections.

As part of key projects for this year, Tae said the PUAC plans to establish a special committee aimed at assisting North Korean defectors to help them better settle in South Korea. (Yonhap)
The health ministry on Wednesday began deploying military doctors and public physicians to hospital emergency rooms suffering from staff shortages, but concerns about further disruptions to the health care system have grown, officials said.

The government deployed 15 military doctors to assist in emergency rooms of five hospitals, including Ewha Womans University medical center in Seoul and Ajou University Hospital in the city of Suwon, on the day, and plans to send around 230 military doctors and public physicians to other thinly stretched hospitals across the country.

The move came as a majority of Korea's 13,000 junior doctors have left their workplaces since February in the form of mass resignations in protest of the government's decision to drastically increase the medial school admission quota starting next year to address the shortage of doctors.

The monthslong action has put a strain on the country's medical system, prompting major hospitals to cut back on surgeries, outpatient treatment services, and the operation of emergency room operations.

As of Wednesday, four hospitals, including the Ewha medical center and Kangwon National University Hospital in Chuncheon, have shortened operation hours of emergency rooms, up from three a day earlier.

The Ewha hospital has limited its nighttime operation on Wednesdays, and the Ajou hospital took a similar step on Thursdays.

Soonchunyang University Hospital in the central city of Cheonan also plans to partially suspend emergency care services for children, the ministry said.

"Hospitals are mobilizing medical staff for emergency care, but many appeared to have suffered mounting difficulties," Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo told a press briefing.

He earlier told a radio interview that the government has been taking measures to disperse patients to different hospitals and it can overcome such challenges.

Doctors and some experts, however, have said mobilizing military doctors will only be a stopgap measure, and the health care system is on the verge of collapse.

"Military and public doctors will not be able to play a major role, as some of them are not well experienced, and nobody is sure about who will shoulder legal responsibilities for possible medical malpractices," a hospital official said.

The situation is feared to worsen during the upcoming Chuseok holiday in mid-September.

St. Mary's Hospital of the Catholic University in Seoul is mulling the suspension of nighttime ER operations during the holiday due to the shortage of medical staff, according to hospital officials.

Others point to a possible medical service vacuum in rural areas and for service personnel.

"When we mobilize public medical staff, we carefully consider the overall situation and take steps to minimize the impact on affected regions. We will continue to make all-out efforts," a health ministry official said.

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.

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. (Yonhap)
The heads of Korean and Japanese financial regulators have agreed to boost their cooperation in dealing with growing uncertainties in the global financial market, Seoul's Financial Services Commission (FSC) said Wednesday.

The agreement was reached between FSC Chairman Kim Byoung-hwan and Ito Hideki, commissioner of Japan's Financial Services Agency, at a meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday.

The two "agreed on the need to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries to effectively deal with the volatility in the global financial market," the FSC said of the meeting in a press release.

"They noted there exists the strong possibility of the volatility in the global financial market further expanding in the future since the monetary policies and economic conditions of major economies, including the United States, the European Union and Japan, stand at an inflection point while many other factors that can affect the global economy, such as the U.S. presidential election, lie ahead," it added.

Kim and Ito also shared a view that cooperation between the countries can play an "important role" in dealing with market volatility in a timely manner and agreed to hold detailed discussions on ways to promote close cooperation in the future, according to the FSC.

The two also exchanged views on ways to develop their countries' respective financial markets as Seoul is pushing for a corporate value-up program, while Tokyo is seeking to promote Japan as a leading asset management center.

Kim's visit to Japan follows the seventh round of Korea-Japan shuttle meetings, held in Seoul in December.

The heads of financial regulators agreed to hold the eighth round in Tokyo before the year's end.

Kim also visited three Japanese firms that have disclosed their corporate value-up efforts  Concordia Financial Group, INPEX and Softbank  to discuss ways to encourage Korean companies to follow suit, according to the FSC.

He also met with officials from the branch offices of nine Korean financial firms in Japan before returning home. (Yonhap)
First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun has met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell in Washington and discussed the bilateral alliance, North Korea and other issues, officials said Wednesday.

The talks took place Tuesday (local time) as Kim was visiting Washington to attend a meeting of foreign and defense officials of the two countries on discussing the allies' efforts to deter North Korea's military threats, known as the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG).

At the one-on-one talks, Kim explained to Campbell South Korea's new unification doctrine, unveiled by President Yoon Suk Yeol on the occasion of this year's Liberation Day on Aug. 15, the foreign ministry said in a release.

Campbell reaffirmed the U.S.' support for Yoon's goal to open a "serious and sustained" diplomatic path forward with North Korea.

They also agreed to beef up high-level talks for close coordination to implement key outcomes reached from their bilateral and trilateral summits with Japan, the ministry said.

The fifth EDSCG meeting will take place on Wednesday. (Yonhap)
President Yoon Suk Yeol and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon condemned growing military ties between North Korea and Russia and agreed to enhance security cooperation during their summit Wednesday, Yoon's office said.

Yoon and Luxon discussed ways to expand relations in areas across trade, investment, security and technology, and pledged to work together on regional and international issues to upgrade bilateral relations to a "comprehensive strategic partnership," the office said.

Luxon was on an official two-day state visit to South Korea, the first since he took office in November 2023.

The two leaders "strongly" denounced North Korea's continued nuclear and missile development, as well as its growing military ties with Russia, urging Pyongyang to give up its nuclear ambitions and improve its human rights situation, according to the office.

"Both sides condemned in the strongest possible terms the increasing military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, including the DPRK's export and Russia's procurement of ballistic missiles in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions," a joint statement said, referring to North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"Both sides further expressed concern over what the DPRK may gain in exchange for its provision of weapons to Russia," it added.

Yoon recognized New Zealand's contributions to the monitoring of United Nations sanctions on North Korea and its role as a member state of the United Nations Command (UNC), which oversees the enforcement of the 1950-53 Korean War armistice.

Luxon expressed support for Yoon's unification doctrine that pursues peaceful unification with North Korea based on liberal values, the office noted.

In June, New Zealand announced plans to increase its troop presence in the UNC from 12 to 53 soldiers in support of peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula, and the navies of the two nations conducted joint drills.

They also expressed "serious concerns" over recent developments in the South China Sea and stressed the importance of preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the statement said. The regions have become flashpoints amid China's growing assertiveness.

The leaders also reviewed the significant increase in two-way trade since the implementation of a free trade agreement in December 2015, which reduced tariffs on most goods traded between the two countries.

They agreed to explore opportunities to further enhance the trade deal and launch an economic security dialogue channel to facilitate regular discussions, the office said.

South Korea and New Zealand have stepped up diplomatic and military engagement in recent years as members of the four Indo-Pacific partners of the Northern Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO), along with Japan and Australia.

In June, the leaders of the four nations issued a joint statement condemning the increasing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow and committed to support for Ukraine and contributions to global security. (Yonhap)
Trump's reelection may weaken US security umbrella, Kim Tae-hyo says

By Lee Hyo-jin

Kim Tae-hyo, a key foreign policy aide to President Yoon Suk Yeol, suggested that a potential return of former U.S. President Donald Trump could weaken the U.S. security umbrella, in a rare expression of concern by a government official regarding the potential victory of the Republican candidate, analysts said Wednesday.

However, some of Kim's remarks about the U.S. elections, such as his assertion that Democratic nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris "may need more heavyweight advisers on her foreign policy team," could be seen as controversial, observers noted.

"If Trump is reelected, there is a possibility that the U.S. security umbrella may be weakened, as it may seek to discuss the costs associated with the deployment of strategic assets provided to us," Kim, the principal deputy national security adviser, said during a forum hosted, Tuesday, by The Sejong Institute, a Seoul-based think tank.

The remarks were made during his lecture on the theme of U.S. presidential elections and South Korea's foreign policy strategy.

Kim stressed that the trilateral cooperation framework established between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan during the 2023 Camp David summit will likely remain solid under a potential Trump administration.

Regarding North Korea, Kim suggested that Trump might be keen on holding another summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. However, he anticipated a low possibility of Washington striking any surprising new deals with Pyongyang, given the significant decrease in Trumps expectations following the failed summit in Hanoi in 2019.

The security adviser's lecture drew considerable attention, as he is widely regarded as the architect of Yoon's foreign policy.

His remarks, a rare instance of a senior official in the Yoon administration addressing the U.S. presidential campaign in detail, appeared to diverge from the governments official position that the South Korea-U.S. alliance remains steadfast despite changes in leadership.

In previous briefings and media interviews, Yoon and his aides have generally avoided discussing the U.S. elections in detail. They have specifically downplayed concerns that Trump might again insist on a substantial increase in Seoul's contribution to the cost of stationing U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) or threaten to withdraw the troops.

Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean studies at Ewha Womans University, commented that Kim may have been a little too candid, but he said what needed to be said.

"As Trump and his aides have hinted multiple times, if elected, Republicans may seek to weaken the extended deterrence that has been strengthened under Biden," Park said. "With just two months left until the elections, the security adviser expressed publicly that our government is closely watching these comments and plans to take appropriate response to potential shifts in U.S. policy."

"Kim's remarks directly conveyed the existing concerns among South Korean officials regarding a potential Trump return. Trump has made some blunt comments about the alliance with South Korea and touted his friendly ties with Kim Jong-un during his campaign, which have at times unnerved Seoul officials," a local foreign policy analyst told The Korea Times on condition of anonymity.

However, the analyst noted that some of the security adviser's comments might be perceived as inappropriate for a senior official.

"Even if these were his personal opinions, the straightforward remarks seem ill-suited for a senior government official, especially when the government should be engaging in low-key diplomacy with both Team Trump and Harris," he said.

"Particularly, his comments about Kamala Harris could be perceived as somewhat offensive."

Regarding the Democratic candidate, Kim expressed concerns during the lecture that her diplomatic and security advisers may lack charisma. He said, "The names of the advisers on her foreign policy and security team, as well as those advising on social issues, are unfamiliar."

Kim added, "When dealing with these individuals, I feel like I need to teach them," suggesting that it might take time for a potential Harris administration to carry out solid policy initiatives of its own.

It is unclear what Kim meant by "teach," but it could be interpreted as implying that Harris might lack experience with Korean Peninsula affairs compared to incumbent President Joe Biden or former President Barack Obama.
Trilateral cooperation among Korea, the United States and Japan will continue to advance even with new administrations in Washington and Tokyo following their elections, Seoul's top diplomat said Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul made the remarks as the U.S. and Japan are set to pick their new leaders in the coming elections on Nov. 5 and Sept. 27, respectively. The three countries have bolstered their security cooperation under the current leaders following their landmark Camp David trilateral summit in August last year.

"The Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation functions as the most crucial cogwheel that operates in tandem with the Korea-U.S. alliance," Cho said in a speech at the Trilateral Executive Dialogue (TED), a government-business dialogue platform on economy and security issues.

"I am confident that the partnership will continue to strengthen even under the leadership of new governments, as there is a widespread consensus on its significance," Cho said.

Cho called for efforts from the parliaments and business communities of the three countries to play an active role to help further advance the trilateral cooperation framework.

"I believe the role of the parliaments and businesses as the driving force of the partnership is more important than anything else. We need the active support from the businesspeople who are well aware of the importance," Cho said.

With bolstered three-way cooperation, the countries should be able to address key security issues together, like establishing reliable supply chains and fostering good environments for investment, Cho said.

"Our government will continue efforts to attract foreign investment by improving flexibility in the labor market and digital regulations, and also by enhancing the predictability of tax enforcement across various sectors," he said.

TED was launched in November last year to promote policy discussions between the government officials and businesspeople of the three countries. More than 100 people from public and private sectors attended Wednesday's event, including a U.S. delegation comprising senators. (Yonhap)
Yoon, Czech special envoy reaffirm mutual strategic partnership

By Anna J. Park

The Czech Republics antitrust authority has begun to look into Koreas selection as the preferred bidder to build two nuclear power plants in the country, following appeals from U.S. and French bidders.

The complaint is feared to further challenge the $18 billion deal secured by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) in July, in addition to U.S. bidder Westinghouse's protest over intellectual property (IP) issues related to the nuclear plant construction technologies.

The antitrust body, the Office for the Protection of Competition (UOHS), announced Tuesday (local time) that it launched investigation into the bidding process for the largest procurement deal in the Czech Republic's history  the construction of two 1,000 megawatt nuclear reactors valued at approximately $18 billion. This investigation follows appeals filed by Westinghouse and French energy company Electricite de France (EDF). EDF was one of KHNPs main competitors in the final stages of the bidding for the contract.

"Last week, the UOHS received submissions from Westinghouse Electric Company LLC and Electricite de France challenging the procedure of the contracting authority Elektrarna Dukovany II, in the tender for the construction of a new nuclear power plant," the UOHS said in its official statement.

The UOHS noted that EDF claimed there was a violation of the tender conditions and requested the cancellation of the contracting authority's actions related to the bid evaluation. Westinghouse challenged the contracting authoritys procedures, arguing that they were conducted outside the legal framework under the so-called security exception. The U.S. firm also alleged violations of fundamental public procurement principles and errors in the selection of KHNP as the preferred supplier.

"In both cases, administrative proceedings have been initiated, the length of which cannot be predicted at present, given their substantive and procedural complexity," the UOHS said. "Until the first instance decisions are issued, the office will not provide any further information on the progress of these administrative proceedings."

The UOHS announcement came while Czech National Security Advisor Tomas Pojar is in Seoul meeting with President Yoon Suk Yeol and other Korean officials, ahead of Yoon's visit to the Czech Republic later this month.

Despite protests from U.S. and French energy firms, Yoon and Pojar reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation across a wide range of areas.

During their meeting at the presidential office in Seoul on Wednesday, Yoon highlighted that the Czech government's selection of KHNP as the preferred bidder for the new nuclear reactors underscores the strong commitment of both countries to deepening their partnership. He also pledged to collaborate actively to ensure the successful completion of the Czech nuclear power project, according to the presidential office.

Yoon expressed his hope that his upcoming visit to the Czech Republic will further strengthen the strategic partnership established in 2015 and result in tangible outcomes that expand mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

In response, Pojar emphasized that the Czech Republic seeks to deepen comprehensive cooperation with Korea beyond the nuclear energy sector, extending into areas such as industry, investments, defense, transportation, and research and development (R&D).

Pojar also expressed confidence in finalizing the contract with Korea for the nuclear power plant construction project, the presidential office said.
A state agency has received requests for the deletion of about 940,000 deepfake and other illegal images, but one-third of them still remain undeleted, gender ministry data showed Wednesday.

That raises calls for revising related regulations to ensure that companies must comply with such requests at a time when deepfake sex crimes are on a sharp rise and have sparked fears among women that anyone can fall victim.

According to the data submitted to Rep. Kim Nam-hee of the main opposition Democratic Party, the Advocacy Center for Online Sexual Abuse Victims under the gender ministry received requests for the deletion of 938,651 cases of illegal content.

Of them, however, 269,917 cases, or 28.8 percent, remain undeleted.

The number of such requests has also been on a steady rise from some 166,000 cases in 2021 to some 206,000 in 2022 and about 243,000 last year. Through June this year alone, a total of about 165,000 such requests have been received, but some 42,000 cases remain undeleted.

"Three out of 10 cases of illegal content were not erased, causing issues like their recirculating online," said Rep. Kim, adding exceptional measures are necessary as the government's measure to toughen self-regulation of platforms has proven insufficient. (Yonhap)
Experts, envoys say what drove nations economic miracle now threatens its very existence

By Jung Min-ho

A simple calculation highlights the severity of Korea's demographic crisis. Last year, around 230,000 babies were born in the country. To sustain its current population, approximately 760,000 births are needed annually.

This means that even if the government were to admit an equal number of immigrants as the annual number of newborns in a desperate attempt to offset the shortfall, the overall population would still decline if current trends persist.

Experts and foreign diplomats at a roundtable hosted by The Korea Times on Aug. 29 described Korea's demographic crisis as an existential threat to the nation, potentially more urgent than climate change. They argued that Korea's economic success over the past 70 years, driven by an intense focus on work at the expense of other aspects of life, has contributed significantly to this crisis. While they believe that changing this trajectory is feasible, they emphasized that it requires a courageous shift in societal attitudes and policies.

The low birthrate in Korea, as the government said, is a national crisis. I think that is very true. What is happening is a slow-motion catastrophe, Dutch Ambassador to Korea Peter van der Vliet said. The population pyramid is turned upside down. There will be fewer and fewer working-age people that can support the growing number of the elderly people. That creates a tremendous pressure on society, economy, labor market, pension system, public finances, public services such as social welfare.

In 2023, Koreas fertility rate  representing the average number of children a woman is expected to have over her lifetime  fell to a historic low of 0.72. Current data indicates that this rate, already the lowest globally, is projected to decline further, potentially dropping below 0.7.

To reverse the trend, the government has injected more than 360 trillion won ($283 billion) into relevant policies since 2006, only to no avail.

Yi In-sill, president of the Korean Peninsula Population Institute for Future, a think tank, said thats largely because there is a larger, more fundamental problem that remains in place  the Korean culture of workism which is sustained by work-centered social norms and laws accumulated for decades.

When it comes to policies, Korea is not falling behind, compared to other member states of the OECD, she said. But after the Korean War (1950-53), most national laws and policies have been introduced chiefly to promote economic development  All this, of course, has helped bring prosperity. But now, in a new era, Korea faces a choice between staying on this unsustainable path and striking out a new one. I dont think theres the right answer for this question. But we as a country should decide which way to go.

She said this complex issue would require a comprehensive and multidimensional approach, including efforts to change the widespread perception that puts career above family life.

For instance, if a worker wants to take maternity leave after child birth, she must submit an application form. In a society that values family life over work, the process should be reversed: Everyone should automatically receive several months off to spend with their babies, and those who wish to continue working should be required to apply for an exception.

Participants of the roundtable argued that promoting a family-centered perspective  where work schedules and styles adapt to family life rather than the other way around  is crucial for addressing Korea's declining birthrate. They suggested that legislation and other measures should reinforce this approach. Additionally, they recommended that Korean policymakers consider flexible working arrangements, a strategy that has successfully addressed similar issues in other countries.

A poll conducted in April shows the ideal number of children young people wish to have is 1.8, which shows a discrepancy between their hope and reality, said Kim Sang-hee, director general of the child policy division of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. By and large, they ask for policies that would help them keep both work and family life.

All participants of the roundtable discussion agreed that fostering an environment supportive of working women  who represent a significant portion of the workforce in 21st-century Korea  should be a central focus of national efforts to prevent the countrys demographic decline.

They said, all women in Korea are naturally expected to do most of the housework and become the primary caretaker of children regardless of their education levels and whether they wish to continue to pursue their career ambitions. A healthy society should not require individuals to sacrifice one aspect of their lives for the other, emphasized Johannes Andreasson, deputy head of mission at the Embassy of Sweden in Seoul.

In Sweden, women can choose to have children or they can choose work. They do not have to select one of them, Andreasson said. In Korea, many women graduate from universities. If they get married, they (are pressured to) take care of children, its economic waste. Its a waste of human potential.

'Prepare for smaller, more diverse population

Regardless of the government's efforts and the success of its policies, Korea is likely to face an inevitable future: its population will become smaller and more diverse, with a growing proportion of immigrants over the coming decades.

By allowing more foreigners to work here for longer periods, policymakers have already introduced many plans to offset labor shortages caused by Koreas demographic cliff.

The roundtable participants said Koreas immigration policy over the next few years could be one of the most consequential and contentious political decisions for its future, as shown by the cases in many other countries, adding that it should be sustainable and responsible

In the Netherlands, a state committee for its population policies has concluded that shaping moderate population growth until 2050 is vital for the well-being of its people and economy, said the Dutch ambassador.

The fertility rate in the Netherlands is around 1.5, well below the replacement rate of 2.1, he said. The only reason our population is still growing is because of immigration. This is a politically sensitive issue, which can pose challenges for our social cohesion and society. But immigration, whether you like it or not, is part of how to tackle this demographic puzzle. So it should also be part of the discussion (in Korea).
Agency calls for education investment, cites Korea's digital education as model

By Jung Da-hyun

Amid a global learning crisis where millions of children are unable to read a simple sentence, UNICEF is advocating for the use of digital technology as a solution. It also emphasizes the need for countries to significantly increase their education budgets, considering it a critical long-term investment.

"Korea can lead by example, given its strong educational infrastructure and high literacy rates, which are supported by robust government backing," Pia Britto, UNICEF's Global Director of Education and Adolescent Development, said in a recent interview with The Korea Times.

At the same time, she underscored the importance of adequately informing students and parents on how to use digital technology effectively in the education field, acknowledging potential concerns about its integration into learning.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated an already dire learning crisis," Britto said, expressing concern over the growing challenges global society faces.

According to UNICEF, seven out of 10 children living in low- and middle-income countries cannot read or understand a simple sentence by age 10. Despite attending school, many of these children fail to acquire the basic skills necessary for success in education and later in life.

The situation is particularly alarming in sub-Saharan Africa, where nearly 90 percent of children lack basic reading comprehension skills. Globally, the number of children out of school stands at approximately 250 million.

"The heart-breaking reality is that most children who cannot read by age 10 will struggle ever to master the skill," Britto said, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this crisis.

"Catching up becomes increasingly difficult, making it crucial for every country to prioritize this learning crisis."

In response to the global learning crisis, education and economic leaders, including UNICEF, convened at an official development assistance conference organized by Korea's Ministry of Education on Thursday.

The conference brought together international organizations to explore how key stakeholders in the development and humanitarian sectors can collaborate to tackle global education inequality through the use of digital technology.

UNICEF and other participants focused on how digital tools can play a pivotal role in closing the education gap.

Britto highlighted that Korea's educational framework can be a potential model for addressing the crisis.

"Korea's integration of information and communication technology has modernized its education system," she said.

"This emphasis on digital learning tools and platforms offers a blueprint for other countries looking to enhance their educational infrastructure and accessibility."

Britto further noted that by sharing technical expertise and providing assistance in education technology, countries like Korea can help developing nations modernize their education systems.

"Korea's advancements in digital learning tools and platforms can serve as a valuable resource," she added.

Key to digital education success

Recently, Korea has been advancing its public education system with a plan to embrace cutting-edge technology.

On June 8 this year, the education ministry announced the AI Digital Textbook Promotion Plan, an initiative designed to increase educational accessibility for all students and accelerate the ministry's digital transformation efforts.

Under this plan, AI-powered textbooks will be introduced for subjects such as math, English, informatics and Korean starting next year.

These digital textbooks are expected to offer significant benefits, including personalized learning experiences tailored to each student's data.

The initiative also includes features like screen captions, subtitles and multilingual translations to support students and teachers in special education and those from multicultural backgrounds.

Education authorities believe these advancements will enhance the overall learning experience and ensure that education is more inclusive and accessible to all.

While emphasizing the advantages of digital technology in expanding access to education, Britto also stressed the importance of aligning understanding between stakeholders, including the government, students, teachers and parents.

"Digital technology has the potential to bridge educational gaps, such as by helping children with disabilities through features like text-to-audio conversion," she said.

"However, for the successful implementation of these tools, it is crucial that the intention behind their use is clearly communicated and embraced by the public, including students, teachers and parents."

As a nongovernmental organization, UNICEF emphasizes that addressing the global learning crisis requires strong cooperation and support from governments, local leaders and communities.

Britto mentioned Korea's educational history as a powerful example on the global stage, particularly for countries grappling with severe learning challenges.

"To improve education systems for children, it's essential to establish effective initiatives supported by flexible financial resources," she said.

She emphasized that governments need to view education budgets as long-term investments.

"It's like steering a massive ship  significant outcomes can't be expected overnight. This is a long-term goal, and Korea serves as a model that proves it can work."
The government proposed raising the pension contribution rate to 13 percent from 9 percent and differentiating the pace of raising the contribution rate by age group, Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong said, in what would be the biggest overhaul of the ailing pension system in 21 years.

Details of the proposal by the health ministry came less than a week after President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged to reform the pension system, presenting sustainability, fairness and income security as three key principles.

Under the proposal, wage earners will be required to pay 13 percent of their income, compared with the current 9 percent.

In an unprecedented measure, the pace of the increase in the rate will be differentiated. Starting next year, the contribution rate for people in their 50s will be increased by 1 percentage point per year.

That for people in their 40s will be increased by 0.5 percentage point per year. For people in their 30s and 20s, the contribution rate will be increased by 0.33 percentage point and 0.25 percentage point per year, respectively.

The reform proposal, however, is subject to approval by the National Assembly, where the main opposition party holds a majority. Nevertheless, it marked the first major government plan in 21 years to reform the pension system.

If the reform becomes a law, it would mark the first increase of the pension contribution rate in 27 years.

"The reform focuses on bolstering the sustainability of the pension so that all generations can share the benefits of the system," Cho said in a statement.

"We have reviewed detailed measures to further secure the retirement lives of the people by considering equity among generations," he said.

In another major change, the nominal income replacement rate, which indicates the proportion of pre-retirement monthly wages covered by the pension, will be held at 42 percent without an additional cut.

The rate, initially set at 70 percent when the pension system was introduced in 1988, reached 50 percent in 2008, with the rate decreasing 0.5 percentage point annually, with a target of reaching 40 percent by 2028.

The government, however, said it has decided to maintain the 42 percent rate set for 2024, in response to public sentiment that income security is as important as the financial stability of the fund.

Established in 1988, Korea's pension system was originally designed to guarantee a certain amount of income after retirement. With the nation rapidly aging and its birth rate plunging, worries have grown that the younger generation would not receive pension benefits despite their contributions.

Under the current system, the pension system is expected to go into a deficit in 2041 and completely run out in 2055, according to the National Pension Service.

The reform also includes plans to improve the investment returns of the fund.

As of 2023, the pension's average annual investment return was 5.92 percent, with the amount of the fund under management standing at 1,036 trillion won ($771.9 billion).

The government said that the long-term investment return, currently set at 4.5 percent, will be raised to 5.5 percent.

To achieve this target, the government announced that the NPS will diversify its portfolio by including overseas and alternative investments. Additionally, it plans to recruit experts and establish overseas offices to support these initiatives.

The government said that through such reforms, the depletion of the fund could be delayed until 2072.

The government also said it plans to adopt what it calls an automatic adjustment mechanism, which adjusts the amount of pensions or the pension eligibility age depending on demographic and economic conditions.

"While the national pension currently raises payments each year based on inflation, if the new adjustment mechanism is applied, payments will also take demographic factors such as life expectancy and birth rates into account," Cho said.

Health authorities noted that 24 out of the 38 members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development currently operate such a scheme.

Another proposal included in the reform plan is to clarify the government's commitment to guaranteeing pension payments, as the existing law only states the obligation to provide necessary policies for the fund's sustainability.

The government added that it will also raise the monthly basic pension provided to low-income seniors, currently set at 300,000 won, to 400,000 won, which was one of the Yoon government's policy goals.

Experts urged lawmakers to make efforts to ensure the future financing of the pension system.

"The National Assembly should take the lead in reaching an agreement," said Choi Young-jun, a professor of public policy studies at Yonsei University. "It would be appropriate for the administrative branch and the presidential office to humbly accept the result after lawmakers take responsibility and come up with a final resolution."

Lee Dah-mi, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Health and Social Welfare, said the odds of reforming the pension system would be low unless there is a consensus at the National Assembly. (Yonhap)
Survey finds urgent need for better compensation, in addition to rights protection

By Jung Da-hyun

Nearly nine out of 10 teachers in their 20s and 30s are considering leaving the profession and changing jobs due to inadequate pay, a survey showed Wednesday.

"It's difficult to save money on my monthly salary alone, so I tried studying for a finance certificate, thinking I wouldn't be able to prepare for retirement with this job," said a 31-year-old elementary school teacher in Seoul, surnamed Lee.

Her experience reflects the growing dissatisfaction and increasing departure of young educators, highlighting the urgent need for better compensation and stronger protections of teachers' rights to attract and retain top talent in the field.

According to a recent survey released by the Korean Federation of Teachers Association, 86 percent of teachers in their 20s and 30s have considered quitting and changing jobs due to low pay.

The survey of 4,603 teachers from kindergarten through high school showed that only 0.7 percent were satisfied with their salary. In contrast, 93 percent expressed dissatisfaction, with 65 percent stating that they were extremely dissatisfied.

A 39-year-old high school teacher in Gyeonggi Province, who wished to be identified only by his surname Oh, recalled a Gen Z colleague frequently expressing frustration and talking about leaving the profession to study at Kyung Hee University's College of Oriental Medicine.

"While some complaints from students and parents may be difficult to address, there's a prevailing sense that teachers are left to handle these challenges alone," he said.

Oh added that this makes the job less appealing for younger teachers, especially when considering their working conditions and pay.

Gwak Tae-un, a 27-year-old high school teacher in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, expressed concerns over the inadequate compensation for homeroom duties, noting that the allowance is insufficient given the intensity of the work.

"Junior teachers are often tasked with responsibilities that others avoid, such as homeroom duties and handling school violence, leaving them exposed to challenging conditions without adequate compensation," she said.

The basic salary for first-time teachers in Korea ranges from 2.19 million won ($1,632) to 2.25 million won as of this year. While additional allowances, such as extra pay for homeroom duties, can supplement this salary, various deductions often leave the teachers with a net income of around 2 million won even after years of service.

The average after-tax income for new teachers stands at 2.31 million won, which falls short of the 2.46 million won monthly cost of living for a single household, as reported by the Minimum Wage Commission under the Ministry of Employment and Labor for 2023.

Reflecting growing dissatisfaction, the number of young teachers leaving the profession is increasing steadily.

According to the Ministry of Education, the number of elementary, middle and high school teachers with less than 10 years of experience who quit rose from 448 in 2020 to 576 in 2023.

When asked about solutions to the problem of junior teachers quitting, a slight majority of respondents, 53.9 percent, said improved treatment is crucial. Additionally, 37.5 percent emphasized the need for stronger protections of teachers' rights.

Experts emphasize that in a capitalist society, the importance of wages and working conditions cannot be overlooked, stressing the need for measures to improve teachers' treatment.

Park Nam-gi, a professor at Gwangju National University of Education, pointed out that teachers' salaries have not increased significantly compared to other professions.

"The pay for young teachers should be enhanced, as the Teachers' Status Act encourages special treatment for educators," he said.

The Special Act on the Improvement of Teachers' Status mandates that the state and local governments provide favorable remuneration to teachers, but Park argued that this is not being followed adequately.

Park Joo-ho, a professor at Hanyang University's Department of Education, acknowledged that while teachers' salaries may not see rapid increases due to their status as public employees, other improvements are necessary.

"Expanding training opportunities and supporting teachers in obtaining advanced degrees can help cultivate talented educators," he said, adding that increasing allowances is also critical to addressing teachers' dissatisfaction.
Reform plan focused on funds sustainability, fairness for younger contributors

By Jung Min-ho

The government is seeking to gradually increase the pension premium rate from the current 9 percent of income to 13 percent and the pension's income replacement rate from 40 percent to 42 percent through a major reform designed to restore public trust in the funds sustainability, particularly among young people.

The reform plan, announced on Wednesday by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, includes measures to enhance fairness among different age groups by increasing pension premiums more gradually for younger contributors compared to older ones.

Pension reform has been delayed for many years as previous administrations hesitated to address the unpopular issue, which involves higher premium rates for smaller benefits in the long term amid the nations demographic crisis.

The plan is subject to approval by the opposition-controlled National Assembly. If passed, it would mark the first increase in the pension contribution rate in 27 years.

The nations pension fund, one of the worlds largest with 1,147 trillion won ($855 billion) in assets, is projected to be depleted by 2055. Payments are expected to exceed contributions starting in 2041 due to the declining number of newborns, who are future contributors.

Under the plan, the ministry aims to increase the pension premium rate to 13 percent, with adjustments varying by age group. For instance, the rate for a subscriber in his 50s would rise by 1 percentage point annually starting in 2025. In contrast, those in their 20s would see an increase of 0.25 percentage point annually, while subscribers in their 30s would experience a 0.33 percentage point increase, and those in their 40s would see a 0.5 percentage point increase.

The ministry explained that this approach is necessary for young contributors because a uniform increase in premium rates would impose a heavier financial burden on those who will be paying premiums for more years before receiving pension benefits.

The reform focuses on bolstering the sustainability of the pension so that all generations can share the benefits of the system, Health and Welfare Minister Cho Kyoo-hong said in a statement.

The government also aims to increase the pensions income replacement rate  the percentage of a workers pre-retirement income that is paid out by the pension  to 42 percent from the current 40 percent. This is lower than the proposals previously suggested  43 percent by the ruling People Power Party and 45 percent by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea.

In another notable change, the ministry said it would review the adoption of an automatic adjustment mechanism, a system designed to modify benefit levels based on factors such as demographic and economic conditions.

Such systems have been adopted by 24 out of 38 members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for the stability of their pension funds, according to the ministry.

As part of its efforts to boost public confidence in its pension system, the ministry also plans to codify the governments commitment to providing pension payments into law. Currently, the law only states that the government is responsible for "implementing necessary policies" to ensure the funds stability and sustainability.

Improving the investment returns of the fund is also part of the reform plan. As of 2023, the pensions average annual investment return was 5.92 percent, with the amount of the fund under management standing at 1,036 trillion won.

The government hopes to increase the long-term investment return from its current rate of around 4.5 percent to 5.5 percent through improved allocation strategies.

To many, the reform plan may sound inadequate to address the countrys high poverty rate among elderly people, which is more than 38 percent, according to government data.

The ministry said it aims to lower the rate with another key pillar of its welfare system: basic pension, which is given to 70 percent of all citizens aged 65 years or older based on income levels.

It announced plans to increase the basic pension for all beneficiaries to 400,000 won per month by the end of 2027, up from the current 330,000 won.
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has proposed a bill mandating a special counsel recommended by the Supreme Court chief justice investigate the military's response to a Marine's death last year.

The bill, proposed Tuesday, mandates that the chief justice recommend four candidates to the special counsel. They will be narrowed down by the opposition parties to two, from which the president will make the final appointment.

The special counsel will be tasked with looking into allegations the presidential office and the defense ministry inappropriately interfered in the military's investigation into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was killed during a search mission for victims of heavy downpours in July 2023.

The latest bill is similar to the "third party" bill that ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon proposed but gives opposition parties more authority to choose among the recommended special prosecutors.

The bill also allows the DPK to exercise veto rights and demand that the chief justice make the recommendations again if the candidates are deemed unsuitable.

Han hinted that the PPP is unlikely to support the DPK's proposal.

"I looked at (the bill) but not much has changed," he said.

Han earlier suggested that the special counsel be chosen by a "third party," such as the chief justice, and not by the rival parties or the president, to ensure more fairness.

A similar bill had initially passed through the previous National Assembly but was scrapped in a revote after President Yoon Suk Yeol vetoed it.

The DPK proposed another bill after the new National Assembly came into office in late May, but it was also discarded in July following Yoon's veto.

Last month, the DPK proposed its third bill, expanding the scope of the probe to include first lady Kim Keon Hee. (Yonhap)
The floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) urged President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday to endorse a bill to investigate the first lady and the military's response to a Marine's death last year.

Rep. Park Chan-dae made the remarks during his address at the National Assembly, saying that it is "only fair and common sense to be punished if you do something wrong, even if you have power."

"It is unfair to get impunity and privileged treatment while being questioned just because they are the spouse of the president," Park said.

First lady Kim Keon Hee has been accused of involvement in manipulating the stock prices of Deutsch Motors, a BMW car dealer in Korea, between 2009 and 2012. She has denied the allegations.

Park called on Yoon to endorse another opposition-led bill that calls for a special counsel to look into allegations that the presidential office and the defense ministry inappropriately interfered in the Marines' investigation into Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was killed during a search mission for victims of heavy downpours in July 2023.

Park also stressed that Kim Hyoung-suk, the new director of the Independence Hall of Korea, and Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo should be immediately dismissed, condemning them as "anti-national" officials denying Korea's identity.

Both figures recently came under fire for their previous remarks justifying Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule.

On Korea-Japan ties, Park criticized Seoul's "submissive" diplomacy toward Japan.

"Despite Japan's blatant claims over the easternmost islets of Dokdo and their ongoing historical distortions, our government is continuing to push forward for an alliance with Japan," he said.

Noting the recent protracted walkout by trainee doctors, Park strongly criticized Yoon and called on the government to retract its plan on increasing the medical school quota.

He proposed forming an emergency council among the rival parties, the government and the medical community to work together to reach a compromise amid the "desperate situation where the emergency medical system is virtually collapsing."

Park also called for a revision to the Constitution to change the current single five-year presidential term to a maximum of two successive four-year terms. (Yonhap)
The industry ministry said it has hosted a forum with the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Wednesday to discuss ways to expand the use of carbon-free energy sources on the sidelines of the climate industry exposition.

The event took place alongside the World Climate Industry Expo, which kicked off in the southern port city of Busan for a three-day run through Friday, aimed at promoting Korea's Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) initiative, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

"The joint declaration made by Korea and the IEA will accelerate the global promotion of the CFE initiative and will serve as a key milestone in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050," Second Vice Industry Minister Choe Nam-ho said during the forum.

On the previous day, Korea and the IEA issued a statement acknowledging the CFE Initiative as "an effective means to accelerate progress towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050."

During the forum, Fatih Birol, the chief of the IEA, noted the importance of using a mix of energy sources, including nuclear power and clean hydrogen, to achieve carbon neutrality.

Birol highlighted that the CFE initiative is a good example of achieving carbon neutrality and energy security simultaneously.

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, meanwhile, also hosted the CFE Leader Roundtable at the event, inviting representatives from 24 countries and 10 global organizations to discuss ways to address the soaring energy demand amid the boom of the AI industry while cutting carbon emissions. (Yonhap)
The World Climate Industry Expo kicked off in the southern port city of Busan for a three-day run on Wednesday, inviting energy experts from home and abroad to discuss sustainable development through carbon-free energy sources.

The event, hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the International Energy Agency (IEA), aims to find ways to promote Korea's Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) initiative, announced by President Yoon Suk Yeol last year, to address climate change.

The CFE initiative focuses on achieving carbon neutrality by harnessing carbon-free sources, including nuclear and hydrogen.

Under the theme "Ushering in a carbon-free energy era with climate technologies," the organizers will host 11 conferences on the sidelines, with 537 businesses also displaying their latest achievements in the climate industry.

Major events include a joint forum by the industry ministry and the IEA, along with other events covering agenda items such as green growth, climate change response, and artificial intelligence.

A workshop session will also be held for member countries of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation to introduce the CFE initiative, with Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power holding a forum on the use of clean hydrogen.

On the previous day, the industry ministry and the IEA also announced a joint statement supporting the CFE initiative as "an effective means to accelerate progress towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050." (Yonhap)
By Lee Hyo-sik

September has brought some much-needed relief to all of us as the weather finally started to cool down.

August was just brutal because of the unprecedented heat wave. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, it was the hottest month as the average nationwide temperature reached 28 degrees Celsius, the highest since 1973 when the agency introduced the current weather monitoring system.

In addition, the number of tropical nights, or nights when the lowest temperature was 25 degrees or higher, reached 11.3 days last month, the first double-digit monthly figure. So far this year, the number of tropical nights has been 20.2 days, the most recorded in over half a century, while the number of days when the daily high was 33 degrees Celsius or higher stood at 23.2, the third-most after 31 days in 2018 and 29.6 days in 1994.

In August, it was literally impossible for me to fall asleep every night without air conditioning running full-blast, and this was pretty much the same for everyone else. We will all find out soon how much more we have to pay for last months electricity bill, compared to previous years. It will be brutal!

But the happy news is that we now can go to sleep without air conditioning on, thanks to the cooler weather. But when we think about next summer and beyond, the chances are we will likely brace for an even stronger heat wave amid the worsening climate change caused by human-made carbon emissions. They make our planet not only hotter but also more unpredictable and extreme, which will surely wreak greater havoc on our daily lives.

A recent ruling by Koreas Constitutional Court timely raised the alarm that we need to take more aggressive and proactive action to reduce carbon emissions.

On Aug. 29, the court ruled that Koreas carbon reduction law does not conform to the Constitution as it fails to protect people's basic human rights beyond 2031. It asked the government and the National Assembly to revise the law by Feb. 28, 2026. Otherwise, the current law will cease to have effect.

The court ruled unanimously that the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth for Coping with Climate Crisis was incompatible with the Korean Constitution in four constitutional complaints filed by youth and civic groups. The act stipulates that Korea reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030, compared to 2018 levels. But it does not set further targets after 2030.

The environmental and civil rights groups welcomed the ruling, saying that Korea should enact more drastic and comprehensive laws to reduce its carbon emissions. Song Doo-hwan, the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, said in a statement that the ruling is the first of its kind in Asia and recognizes the government's lack of response to the climate crisis and that it could infringe upon human rights.

Some may argue that no matter what we do here in Korea, it wouldnt make much difference to the ongoing climate change unless other countries also take more steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions. But lets do our part first and ask our counterparts around the world to do the same.

Lets take buses and subways and ride bicycles more instead of driving a car. Lets use less plastics, consume more locally produced foods and reduce food waste. There are so many things that we can do in our daily lives to lessen carbon emissions.

Unless we all act together to stop global warming, we may soon have to endure tropical nights not only in summer but all year around.

The writer is politics & city desk editor at The Korea Times.
By Chun In-bum

Recent comments and accusations suggesting that the Yoon Suk Yeol administration may be creating a situation to declare martial law have reignited interest in the topic within South Korea. Conspiracy theorists and some politicians have gone as far as to accuse the administration of plotting a "palace coup," citing the appointment of key figures, such as the new minister of national defense, the head of military intelligence and other military leaders who share the same alumni network as President Yoon. While these claims are largely speculative, they reflect a deeper unease in the country's political landscape, fueled by memories of past authoritarian rule and ongoing tensions in inter-Korean relations.

Martial law in South Korea refers to a legal framework under which the administrative and judicial powers of the state are transferred to a military commander. Under the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, the president has the authority to declare martial law, as stipulated by the Martial Law Act, in circumstances of war, armed conflict or other national emergencies deemed equivalent in gravity. The objective of martial law is to meet military requirements or maintain public safety and order when the normal functions of government are perceived to be inadequate.

Martial law is divided into two types: emergency martial law and security martial law. Emergency martial law grants the government sweeping powers, such as suspending the warrant system, restricting freedom of the press, curbing publication rights and limiting assembly and association, as well as overriding the authority of civilian courts and government agencies. When martial law is declared, the president must notify the National Assembly immediately. If the National Assembly demands its termination by a majority vote, the president is legally obligated to comply. While the National Assembly retains legislative authority, there are exceptional circumstances under which a military regime can temporarily assume control, particularly in the event of a coup that disrupts the normal constitutional order.

Martial law has a troubled history in South Korea. It was first declared on Oct. 21, 1948, in response to the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident, a rebellion by South Korean soldiers who refused to suppress a left-wing uprising. Since then, it has been used by various regimes as a mechanism to maintain power, often at the expense of civil liberties. One of the most infamous instances occurred in 1979, following the assassination of President Park Chung-hee. Martial law was declared nationwide, leading to the suppression of pro-democracy movements and widespread human rights abuses.

These historical abuses of martial law have left a deep imprint on South Korean society, creating a strong public aversion to any suggestion of its reimplementation. The memories of authoritarian rule, censorship and political persecution are still fresh for many citizens, particularly for those who lived through the turbulent decades of the 1960s to 1980s. The last declaration of martial law, in 1979, marked a period of intense social and political repression and the eventual rise of a democratic movement that culminated in the democratic reforms of the late 1980s.

The current accusations against the Yoon administration, suggesting a potential "palace coup" or the preparation for martial law, are emerging against a backdrop of severe political polarization and public distrust. Critics argue that recent appointments of military leaders closely associated with President Yoon's network could be a move to consolidate power over key security institutions. These accusations are fueled by conspiracy theories, often spread on social media, that suggest an orchestrated effort to undermine democratic processes.

While these theories lack substantial evidence, they reflect the broader anxieties of a politically divided nation. South Korea remains deeply polarized, with factions both on the left and the right engaging in heated debates over the direction of national policy, governance and responses to external threats, particularly from North Korea. In such a climate, even unfounded rumors can gain traction, feeding public mistrust and intensifying political tensions.

Despite the heightened rhetoric, the likelihood of a successful coup or the declaration of martial law in contemporary South Korea remains low. The country is now one of Asia's most vibrant democracies, with strong institutions, an independent judiciary and a civil society that actively participates in political discourse. Recent history has demonstrated the South Korean people's commitment to democracy and their refusal to tolerate authoritarian governance. The 2016-17 candlelit protests, which led to the impeachment and removal of President Park Geun-hye, are a testament to this enduring democratic spirit.

For any attempt at a coup or martial law to be successful, it would require more than just control over military appointments; it would demand the complicity of the broader military establishment and, crucially, a passive or supportive public. However, recent events have shown that South Koreans are highly vigilant and ready to mobilize in defense of their democratic rights. Public opinion polls consistently show a strong preference for democracy over any form of authoritarian rule, and the military itself has undergone significant reforms since the democratic transition of the late 1980s, making it more professional and less prone to political manipulation.

While the idea of a coup or the imposition of martial law in today's South Korea may serve as a compelling plot for a novel, the practical realities make such an event unlikely. The speculation about a "palace coup" or authoritarian takeover feeds on existing political tensions, conspiracy theories and a polarized public discourse. However, the country's robust democratic institutions, legal safeguards and the demonstrated resolve of its people to resist any erosion of their freedoms significantly diminish the likelihood of such a scenario.

Nevertheless, it remains essential for South Koreans to remain vigilant. History has shown that unchecked ambition and political opportunism can sometimes lead to extreme measures, even in seemingly stable democracies. While the chances of a coup or martial law are slim, the importance of maintaining democratic norms and ensuring that power is exercised transparently and accountably cannot be overstated. As South Korea continues to navigate its complex political landscape, the vigilance of its citizens will remain the strongest safeguard against any threats to its democratic integrity.

Chun In-bum (truechun@naver.com) served as a lieutenant general of the ROK Army and commander of Special Forces Korea.
Opposition leaders emergency rule claim is misleading

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), has introduced the issue of martial law into the national political debate. The public will soon judge whether his concerns are justified. During a meeting on Sunday with Han Dong-hoon, head of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), Lee raised the topic of martial law. He noted that there had been discussions about it in the past, specifically referencing a 2017 proposal that included plans to arrest and detain opposition lawmakers to prevent them from obstructing the declaration of martial law. While Lee framed his comments as simply mentioning ongoing discussions, he implied that there might be a conspiracy within the ruling bloc to impose martial law. In response, Han demanded that Lee provide concrete evidence to support his claims or be held accountable. The presidential office condemned the comment, and publicly asked if Lee's comments were an attempt to build a case for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.

For a country that has endured periods of authoritarian rule and martial law, where pro-democracy activists and citizens risked their lives to build a democratic society, the reemergence of such ideas is deeply troubling. The claims have been bolstered by Rep. Kim Byung-joo, Supreme Council member Rep. Kim Min-seok, and others. However, when a party leader and potential candidate for the 2027 presidential election speaks on the matter, his words carry even more weight.

According to the DPK, reports are being submitted to the party regarding the current situation. The party is also revisiting a similar scenario from 2017, during the Park Geun-hye administration, when the former Defense Security Command drafted a contingency plan that included the possibility of martial law amid Parks impeachment crisis. Former President Moon Jae-in, who succeeded Park, ordered a special investigation into this matter in 2018. This investigation, which involved over 200 individuals, ultimately resulted in no conspiracy charges being filed.

Viewed in the most positive light, Lee's comment could be seen as evidence that Korea's democracy is vibrant and resilient. It reflects the freedom to bring even the most contentious or speculative political discussions from social media and the broader political sphere into the national debate. This openness suggests that the democratic process is robust to handle diverse and provocative ideas, including those driven by political maneuvering.

In the context of Korea's democracy and its per capita national income approaching $40,000, discussions about martial law could be seen as politically opportunistic, potentially disrespectful, and harmful to the public discourse. While the possibility of martial law does exist within the framework of the Constitution  for instance, it can be declared during wartime or national emergencies  the ruling bloc understands that even the suggestion of such measures could jeopardize the administration. Under the Constitution, the president has the authority to impose martial law, but it must be lifted immediately if the National Assembly votes to repeal it by a majority. The DPK holds 170 of the 300 seats in the legislature.

The DPK's concerns about potential martial law are also fueled by contentious reshuffles in key national defense and counterintelligence positions. Yoon has appointed Kim Yong-hyun, his former chief of the Presidential Security Service, as the new defense minister, and Yeo In-hyung as the chief of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, formerly the Defense Security Command. Both Kim and Yeo, along with Yoon, are graduates of the same high school. Additionally, Yoon has reassigned Shin Won-sik, the former defense minister who faced criticism for intelligence failures, to the role of National Security Council director. This move, critics say, exemplifies a troubling trend of nepotism.

As the main opposition party, the DPK is within its rights to scrutinize the president's frequent reshuffles and the perceived narrow talent pool from which he draws his appointees. Its understandable that the DPK leader, facing judicial risks, might feel the need to rally the party and its core supporters. However, even in Korea's deeply polarized political landscape, there is a need for a baseline of political decency. The nation's political history has been marked by fearmongering and the real imposition of martial law, most recently in 1979. Both the country and its leaders must learn from these historical experiences to avoid repeating past mistakes.




Swedish firm rolls out FH Aero with improved fuel efficiency

By Park Jae-hyuk

Korea needs to subsidize the purchase of heavy-duty electric trucks as soon as possible to keep pace with the international communitys efforts to transition to carbon neutrality, a senior executive from the Volvo Trucks headquarters in Sweden said.

Johan Selven, vice president of sales and marketing at Volvo Trucks International, told The Korea Times in an interview that the authorities should boost environmental initiatives by offering incentives to electric truck buyers concerned about the uncertain value of such vehicles.

You can increase the number of electric truck drivers because that has been done in Sweden, Germany and other countries where the authorities offered incentives, he said.

Electric trucks are still relatively more expensive, but the government can ease the burden for customers.

His remarks came as the Swedish firm began talks with the government over subsidization of the purchase of the FH Electric, which will likely be Koreas first heavy-duty electric truck next year.

With the aim of having 50 percent of new cars be fully electric by 2030 and selling carbon-neutral products only by 2040, the company introduced the truck to Korean consumers last year at the EV Trend Korea trade show in Seoul.

Volvo Trucks Korea CEO Park Gang-serk said that the global tendency of cutting subsidies to the purchase of passenger electric vehicles (EVs) cannot be a reason for the government to refuse incentives to buyers of heavy-duty electric trucks.

Korea and many other countries have reduced subsidies for buying an EV. Fears over battery fires have also triggered controversy over continuous subsidization.

In response to concerns over fires, Selven mentioned safety systems on the companys vehicles.

All our vehicles go through extremely thorough safety testing in all aspects, he said.

When introducing electric trucks, we are also offering education and training to fire departments.

The vice president added that the partnership between Volvo Trucks and Samsung SDI remains solid, as the Swedish firm does not only buy batteries from the Korean company, but also work together for the development of technology.

Based on battery technology evolvement, Volvo is always looking into all kinds of different battery technologies, he said.

I cannot talk about if there are other suppliers potentially for the future, but Samsung is definitely the full-range supplier to our heavy-duty electric range today.

On top of its efforts for electrification, Volvo Trucks has also tried to make its internal combustion engine trucks more environmentally friendly.

The FH Aero, launched in the Korean market this month, is an example of such efforts, as drivers can save fuel by 5 percent compared to previous models.

It can be used with liquefied natural gas or even with liquefied biogas, Selven said.

We extended the length of the vehicle by 24 centimeters to allow improved aerodynamics. We are determined to provide the market with more fuel-efficient solutions, so that it reduces the fuel consumption together.

The vice president explained that a camera monitoring system replaced its rear-view mirrors, supporting a night vision function enabling drivers to see backward of their vehicles when it is dark outside.

Another feature to mention is a security system, he said.

If a driver is sleeping in the cab and someone is walking alongside, the truck can detect and identify the movement.

According to Volvo Trucks, the new product is also equipped with semi-autonomous driving technology, which keeps the car in the lane and maintains distance from the vehicle in front of it.

Selven said Volvo Autonomous Solutions has conducted research and development to upgrade the companys self-driving technology.

However, he believes the technology will not replace truck drivers.

A driver is the one performing more efficient and safe transports, he said.

Drivers will still have an essential function for customers to take cargos safely. They will also be a more important part of the logistics flow.
Conrad Shawcross reimagines whisky aging with Time Chamber

By Ko Dong-hwan

Renowned British sculptor Conrad Shawcross unveiled a thought-provoking art piece created in his latest collaboration with the global premium whisky brand Royal Salute, according to Pernod Ricard Korea, a Korean arm of global wine and spirit distributor, Wednesday.

Shawcross, the youngest living member of the Royal Academy of Arts in London, known for his mechanical sculptures rooted in philosophical and scientific concepts, has handcrafted 21 limited-edition Time Chamber bottles for the spirit brand. Pernod Ricard Korea unveiled one of these bottles at the Korea International Art Fair (KIAF) Seoul, held at The Platz inside COEX from Wednesday to Sunday.

The bottle, evoking the infinite star system and the flow of time, is the second piece from The Art of Wonder, a project Royal Salute launched in 2022 to collaborate with visionary British artists on innovative designs for its Scotch whiskies. Inspired by the maturation of aged whisky and the essence of time, the 47-year-old artist depicted galactic space with an imposing glass disc and an arrow-shaped crystal vector of time that pierces the disc and functions as a decanter.

Inside the Time Chamber is Royal Salutes Scotch whisky, aged over 53 years, from Strathisla Distillery in Scotland, making it the oldest among the brands whiskies. Crafted by the brands Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop, the whiskys aging dates back to Queen Elizabeth IIs 1953 coronation.

Shawcross said that the primary focus of this project is on how time influences change.

Theres 53 years that the whisky will remain in cask. The whisky is essentially being changed by time. There are chemical reactions with the wood, with the air, with everything thats happening within those casks, he said.

According to Shawcross, the varying textures and colors of each of the 21 limited-edition Time Chamber bottles represent the passage of time and its distinct effects on different things.

Depending on how fast the blower spins the discs, there are different waves, different ripples and different effects on the surface, what Id call aberrations. These are usually the things that glass blowers will try and avoid, Shawcross said.

But to me, they became very akin to the formation of early star systems or galaxies or black holes. The bottle itself is this vessel which contains this very precious whisky which is a beautiful juxtaposition of flavors and experiences. So I wanted to create this capsule that encapsulates this sort of journey to this point.

Miguel Pascual, head of marketing at Pernod Ricard Korea, said that Royal Salute has expanded its brand into contemporary art by reinterpreting the concept of time and the effort invested in whiskies through collaborations with artists.

Time Chamber is valued at more than 150 million won ($112,000).
Top execs of Hyundai, SK, LG underscore partnership in AI, battery, mobility

By Lee Min-hyung

Business leaders from major conglomerates here agreed to deepen their partnership with the U.S. and Japan, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI), batteries and future mobility during their annual trilateral gathering, Wednesday.

Top executives from Hyundai Motor, SK, and LG expressed a shared perspective on the sidelines of the Trilateral Executive Dialogue (TED), a policy discussion platform focusing on economic and security issues between government officials and business leaders from the three countries.

More than 100 representatives from both the public and private sectors, including seven U.S. senators, attended the event held in Seoul. This was the second such gathering, following the inaugural event last November.

During the event, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun discussed the automakers efforts to strengthen its comprehensive relationship with the two major economic powerhouses. The carmaker has been a main sponsor of the event for two consecutive years.

Jose Munoz, global president and chief operating officer at Hyundai Motor, emphasized that the automaker will focus on expanding its global presence by teaming up with the participants of the event. In particular, he met with Tetsuo Ogawa, president and CEO of Toyota Motor North America, to discuss their potential collaboration in hydrogen and autonomous vehicles.

HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun also expressed the company's intention to enter the U.S. Navys maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) market in the foreseeable future.

We will enter the market soon after thoroughly reviewing its profitability, he told reporters during the event.

This move intensifies the rivalry with Hanwha Ocean, as the shipbuilding arm of Hanwha Group recently secured an MRO contract from the U.S. Navy for a dry cargo and ammunition ship  the first such order among Korean companies  while HD Hyundai chose not to bid on the project.

On the same day, Lee Jae-yong, the executive chairman of Samsung Electronics, also met with the seven U.S. senators and U.S. Ambassador to Korea Philip Goldberg to discuss ways to enhance their bilateral business collaboration.

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who was absent for the TED, exchanged ideas on how to elevate economic relations by inviting the U.S. senators to the conglomerates headquarters the previous day, according to the group.

He underscored SK Groups role in strengthening the bilateral economic relationship between Seoul and Washington.

SK is building a semiconductor ecosystem both in Korea and the U.S., Chey said during his meeting with the U.S. delegation. This will contribute to strengthening the AI leadership from both countries. SKs energy business, including batteries, is rapidly growing on the global scale. The energy business is very important for both sides in terms of national security."

Cheys absence at this years TED was covered by SK On Vice Chairman Yu Jeong-joon. SK On is the battery-making arm of SK Innovation.

A group of other ranking business and government officials, such as LG Corp. President Hong Bum-shik, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo, also attended the event.

Cho expressed confidence in expanding the trilateral partnership with the U.S. and Japan, even with the anticipated inauguration of new governments in both countries.

The trilateral collaboration will continue to be strengthened, even if Japan and the U.S. launch new governments in the latter half of this year and early next year, respectively, Cho said. Korea, for its part, will also keep playing our role proactively in line with our enhanced national power and reputation, and will not passively accept the ongoing geopolitical changes.
A federal judge on Tuesday swiftly rejected Donald Trumps request to intervene in his New York hush money criminal case, spurning the former presidents attempt at an end-run around the state court where he was convicted and is set to be sentenced in two weeks.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellersteins ruling  just hours after Trumps lawyers asked him to weigh the move  upends the Republican presidential nominees plan to move the case to federal court so that he could seek to have his conviction overturned in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Courts presidential immunity ruling .

Hellerstein, echoing his denial of Trumps pretrial bid to move the case, said the defense failed to meet the high burden of proof for changing jurisdiction and that Trump's conviction for falsifying business records involved his personal life, not official actions that the Supreme Court ruled are immune from prosecution.

In a four-page ruling, Hellerstein wrote that nothing about the high court's July 1 ruling affected his previous conclusion that hush money payments at issue in Trumps case were private, unofficial acts, outside the bounds of executive authority.

Hellerstein sidestepped a defense complaint that Trump's state court trial had been plagued by bias, conflicts of interest, and appearances of impropriety," writing that he does not have jurisdiction to hear Mr. Trumps arguments concerning the propriety of the New York trial.

A Trump campaign spokesperson suggested he would seek to appeal Tuesday's ruling. Trump and his lawyers will continue to fight to move this Hoax into federal court where it should be put out of its misery once and for all," spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement.

The Manhattan district attorneys office, which prosecuted Trump's case, declined comment. Earlier Tuesday, the office sent a letter to the trial judge , Juan M. Merchan, objecting to Trumps effort to delay post-trial decisions in the case while he was seeking to have the U.S. District Court in Manhattan step in.

Merchan is expected to rule soon on two key defense requests: Trumps call for the judge to delay his Sept. 18 sentencing until after the November election, and his request that the judge overturn his conviction and dismiss the case in the wake of the Supreme Courts ruling .

Merchan has said he will rule Sept. 16 on Trumps motion to overturn the verdict. His decision on delaying sentencing has been expected in the coming days.

Trump was convicted in May of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels, whose affair allegations threatened to disrupt his 2016 presidential run. Trump has denied her claim and said he did nothing wrong. His lawyers contend the case was tainted by violations of Trump's constitutional rights and that the verdict is vitiated by the Supreme Court's immunity ruling.

Falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years behind bars. Other potential sentences include probation or a fine.

Trumps lawyers contend that sentencing Trump as scheduled, just two days after Merchans expected immunity decision, wouldn't give him enough time to weigh next steps, including a possible appeal, if the judge rules to uphold the verdict.

They also argued a Sept. 18 sentencing, about seven weeks before Election Day, would be election interference. In a court filing last week, they raised the specter that Trump could be sent to jail just as early voting is getting underway.

Prosecutors have not staked a position on whether to delay sentencing, deferring to Merchan on an appropriate post-trial schedule. In their letter Tuesday, they said they were open to a schedule that allows adequate time to adjudicate Trumps motion to overturn the verdict while also sentencing him without unreasonable delay.

Trumps lawyers first asked the federal court to intervene last week, but their paperwork was kicked back because they hadnt gotten the required clearance from Hellerstein to file it. Hours after they submitted papers Tuesday requesting Hellerstein's permission to proceed, he issued his ruling denying it.

Before dissecting Trump's immunity claims, Hellerstein dispatched quickly of the defense's oft-repeated claims that Merchan had treated Trump unfairly  subjecting him to a gag order and refusing to delay the trial until after the Supreme Court ruled  because Merchans daughter is a Democratic political consultant.

Merchan last month rejected Trumps latest request that he step aside from the case , saying Trumps demand was a rehash rife with inaccuracies and unsubstantiated claims about his ability to remain impartial. A state appeals court recently upheld the gag order.

It would be highly improper for this Court to evaluate the issues of bias, unfairness or error in the state trial, Hellerstein wrote. Those are issues for the state appellate courts.

Instead, he noted, Trump can pursue a state appeal or seek review from the U.S. Supreme Court, whose immunity ruling reins in prosecutions of ex-presidents for official acts and restricts prosecutors in pointing to official acts as evidence that a presidents unofficial actions were illegal.

Trumps lawyers have argued that prosecutors rushed to trial instead of waiting for the Supreme Courts presidential immunity decision, and that prosecutors erred by showing jurors evidence that should not have been allowed under the ruling, such as former White House staffers describing how Trump reacted to news coverage of the hush money deal and tweets he sent while president in 2018. (AP)
Two ballistic missiles blasted a military academy and nearby hospital Tuesday in Ukraine, killing more than 50 people and wounding more than 200 others, Ukrainian officials said, in one of the deadliest Russian strikes since the war began.

The missiles tore into the heart of the Poltava Military Institute of Communication's main building, causing several stories to collapse. It didn't take long for the smell of smoke and word of the deadly strike to spread through the central-eastern town.

People found themselves under the rubble. Many were saved, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video posted on his Telegram channel. He ordered an investigation.

Shattered bricks were visible inside the closed gates of the institution, which was off-limits to the media, and small pools of blood could be seen just outside hours later. Field communications trucks were parked along the perimeter. Roads were covered in glass from shattered apartment windows.

I heard explosions ... I was at home at that time. When I left the house, I realized that it was something evil and something bad," said Yevheniy Zemskyy, who arrived to volunteer his help. "I was worried about the children, the residents of Poltava. Thats why we are here today to help our city in any way we can.

By Tuesday evening, the death toll stood at 51, according to the general prosecutor's office.

Filip Pronin, governor of the region that bears Poltava's name, announced on Telegram that 219 people were wounded. Up to 18 people may be buried under the rubble, he said.

Ten apartment buildings were damaged, and more than 150 people donated blood, Pronin said.

He called it a great tragedy" for the region and all of Ukraine, and announced three days of mourning starting Wednesday.

The academy trains officers in communications and electronics, as well as drone operators, honing some of the most valued skills in a war where both sides are fighting for control of the electronic battlefield.

The enemy certainly must answer for all (its) crimes against humanity, Pronin wrote on Telegram.

The Kremlin offered no immediate comment on the strike. It was not clear whether the dead and wounded were limited to Ukrainian military personnel, such as signal corps cadets, or if they included civilians.

Since it embarked on its full-scale invasion in early 2022, the Russian military has repeatedly used missiles to smash civilian targets, sometimes killing scores of people in a single attack.

Some of the deadliest such assaults included a 2022 airstrike on a theater in Mariupol that killed hundreds of civilians sheltering in the basement and a strike that same year on the train station in Kramatorsk that killed 61. Apartment buildings, markets and shopping centers have also been targeted.

Poltava is about 350 kilometers southeast of Kyiv, on the main highway and rail route between Kyiv and Ukraines second-largest city, Kharkiv, which is close to the Russian border.

The attack happened as Ukrainian forces sought to carve out their holdings in Russias Kursk border region after a surprise incursion that began Aug. 6 and as the Russian army hacks its way deeper into eastern Ukraine.

The missiles hit shortly after an air-raid alert sounded, when many people were on their way to a bomb shelter, Ukraines Defense Ministry said, describing the strike as barbaric.

Rescue crews and medics saved 25 people, including 11 who were dug out of the rubble, a Defense Ministry statement said.

The strike came on the day that Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Mongolia. There was no indication that his hosts would heed demands to arrest him on an international warrant for alleged war crimes.

Zelenskyy repeated his appeal for Ukraines Western partners to ensure swift delivery of military aid. He has previously chided the U.S. and European countries for being slow to make good on their pledges of help.

He also wants them to ease restrictions on what Ukraine can target on Russian soil with the weapons they provide. Some countries fear that hitting Russia could escalate the war.

Ukraine needs air defense systems and missiles now, not sitting in storage, Zelenskyy wrote in English on Telegram.

Long-range strikes that can protect us from Russian terror are needed now, not later. Every day of delay, unfortunately, means more lost lives, he said. (AP)
The Justice Department announced criminal charges Tuesday against Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other senior militants in connection with the Oct. 7, 2023, rampage in Israel, marking the first effort by American law enforcement to formally call out the masterminds of the attack.

The seven-count criminal complaint filed in federal court in New York City includes charges of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, resulting in death. It also accuses Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah of providing financial support, weapons, including rockets, and military supplies.

The impact of the case may be mostly symbolic given that Sinwar is believed to be hiding in tunnels in Gaza and the Justice Department says three of the six defendants are believed now to be dead. But officials say additional actions are expected as part of a broader effort to target a militant group that the U.S. designated as a foreign terrorist organization in 1997 and has been linked to a series of deadly attacks on Israel, including suicide bombings.

The complaint was originally filed under seal in February to give the U.S. time to try to take into custody then-Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, but it was unsealed Tuesday after Haniyeh's death in July and other developments in the region lessened the need for secrecy, the Justice Department said.

"The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas operations, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a video statement. These actions will not be our last.

The charges come as the White House says it is developing a new cease-fire and hostage deal proposal with its Egyptian and Qatari counterparts to try to bring about an agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the nearly 11-month war in Gaza.

A U.S. official, who was not authorized to talk publicly about the case and spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press there was no reason to believe the charges would affect the ongoing negotiations.

National security spokesman John Kirby said the recent executions of six hostages, including one American, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, by Hamas underscore "the sense of urgency in the talks.

We are investigating Hershs murder, and each and every one of the brutal murders of Americans, as acts of terrorism, Garland said in the statement. We will continue to support the whole of government effort to bring the Americans still being held hostage home.

Sinwar was appointed the overall head of Hamas after the killing of Haniyeh in Iran and sits atop Israels most-wanted list. He is believed to have spent most of the past 10 months living in tunnels under Gaza, and it is unclear how much contact he has with the outside world. He was a long-serving Palestinian prisoner freed in an exchange of the type that would be part of a cease-fire and hostage release deal.

Haniyeh was also charged.

Other Hamas leaders facing charges include Marwan Issa, deputy leader of Hamas armed wing in Gaza, who helped plan last year's attack and who Israel says was killed when its fighter jets struck an underground compound in central Gaza in March; Khaled Mashaal, another Haniyeh deputy and a former leader of the group thought to be based in Qatar; Mohammed Deif, Hamas longtime shadowy military leader who was thought to be killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza in July; and Lebanon-based Ali Baraka, Hamas head of external relations.

The charges are yet another tool for the U.S. to respond to the threat Hamas poses to the U.S. and its ally Israel, said Merissa Khurma, Middle East program director at the Wilson Center think tank in Washington.

If Sinwar is found and brought to justice for planning the October 7 attacks, it would be a significant win for the U.S. and for all those who lost loved ones, she said by email.

However, with Sinwar in hiding, Khurma doesnt see the charges adding more pressure on Hamas. She noted that the chief prosecutor of the worlds top war crimes court sought arrest warrants for Hamas leaders like Sinwar and it didnt change their behavior or weaken them in the cease-fire negotiations.

She said the case was still important for the U.S. because many of those killed or kidnapped were Americans and because the country doesnt recognize the International Criminal Court.

During the Oct. 7 attacks, militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took about 250 people hostage. Roughly 100 hostages remain, a third of whom are believed to be dead.

The criminal complaint describes the massacre as the most violent, large-scale terrorist attack in Hamas' history. It details how Hamas operatives who arrived in southern Israel with trucks, motorcycles, bulldozers, speedboats, and paragliders engaged in a brutal campaign of violence that included rape, genital mutilation and machine-gun shootings at close range.

Israels retaliatory offensive has killed over 40,000 Palestinians , according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count. The war has caused widespread destruction and forced the vast majority of Gazas 2.3 million residents to flee their homes, often multiple times, and created a humanitarian catastrophe.

Hamas has accused Israel of dragging out months of negotiations by issuing new demands, including for lasting Israeli control over the Philadelphi corridor along the border of Egypt 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 President Joe Biden in July.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged total victory over Hamas and blames it for the failure of the negotiations. (AP)
Elon Musk's satellite broadband firm, Starlink, on Tuesday said that it is complying with Brazil's top court order to block access to social media platform X in the country, a day after informing the country's regulator it would not obey the order.

Starlink had emerged as a fresh battleground between Musk and Brazil, as top court judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered the freeze of the company's accounts for possible use to pay fines owed by X, which is also owned by Musk.

"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," Starlink, which has more than 200,000 customers in the Latin American nation, said in a post on X.

On Monday, Brazil's telecom regulator Anatel said it had been informed by Starlink that the Musk-backed company would not obey Moraes' order for all internet providers to block domestic access to X.

An Anatel representative told Reuters, however, that Starlink had backtracked and informed the regulator on Tuesday it would conclude the blocking within hours.

Anatel verified Starlink has already started to cut access to X in Brazil.

X has been blocked in Brazil since last week after Moraes ordered all telecom providers in the country to shut down the social media platform for lacking a legal representative in the country, a decision later upheld by a panel of Supreme Court justices.

In its post, Starlink said it had initiated legal proceedings in the Brazilian Supreme Court explaining the "gross illegality" of Moraes' order, that froze Starlink's finances and prevents it from conducting financial transactions in Brazil.

It added that it continues to pursue all legal avenues, as are others who agree that the judge's "recent orders violate the Brazilian constitution."

Starlink lost the deadline to present a new appeal against the decision to freeze its accounts, a court document showed on Tuesday, and it was not immediately clear what legal instrument the firm would use to request the overturn of the freezing.

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 messages.

Musk denounced the order as censorship. He responded by closing the company's offices in Brazil in mid-August, but the platform continued to be available in the country until Moraes shut it down.

Some Brazilians can still access the service by VPN and other ways. (Reuters)
Norway's $1.7 trillion wealth fund may have to divest shares of companies that violate the fund watchdog's new, tougher interpretation of ethics standards for businesses that aid Israel's operations in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Council on Ethics for the world's largest sovereign wealth fund sent an Aug. 30 letter to the finance ministry, seen by Reuters, that summarizes the recently expanded definition of unethical corporate behavior. The change has not previously been reported.

The letter did not specify how many nor name companies whose stocks might be sold but suggested it would be a small number, should the board of the central bank, which has the final say, follow recommendations that the council makes.

One company has already been identified for disinvestment under the new definition, it said. "The Council on Ethics believes the ethical guidelines provide a basis for excluding a few more companies from the Government Pension Fund Global in addition to those already excluded," the watchdog wrote, giving the formal name for Norway's sovereign wealth fund.

The fund has been an international leader in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment field. It owns 1.5 percent of the world's listed shares across 8,800 companies, and its size carries influence.

Since the start of the war in Gaza in October, the fund's ethics watchdog has been investigating whether more companies fall outside its permitted investment guidelines. The letter said that the scope of exclusions was "expected to increase somewhat" under the new policy.

Among the companies that the watchdog could be looking at are RTX Corp, General Electric and General Dynamics. According to nongovernmental organizations, they make weapons used by Israel in Gaza, where its military offensive has killed nearly 41,000 Palestinians. The companies did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

The fund held investments worth 16 billion crowns ($1.41 billion) in Israel as of June 30, across 77 companies, according to fund data, including companies involved in real estate, banks, energy and telecommunications. They represented 0.1 percent of the fund's overall investments.

New legal opinion

On Gaza, the council is focusing on weapon producers in countries not participating in the Arms Trade Treaty, a 2014 agreement on conventional weapons trade. "This mainly concerns American companies," the letter said, without naming any.

It added, "There are very few relevant companies remaining in the fund" partly because many U.S. defense manufacturers were already barred for producing nuclear weapons or cluster munitions.

The fund's ethical rules are set by Norway's parliament. The updated ethics definition by the watchdog results partly from a July opinion by the International Court of Justice regarding Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories.

The court took positions on "several new facts and legal issues" that could make "companies with a less direct connection to violations of norms" in breach of the ethics rules, the letter said without providing examples.

The new definition of ethical breaches is based on the ICJ finding that "the occupation itself, Israel's settlement policy and the way Israel uses the natural resources in the areas are in conflict with international law," the letter said.

The fund previously divested from nine companies operating in the occupied West Bank under its prior policy. Their operations include building roads and homes in Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank and providing surveillance systems for an Israeli wall around the West Bank.

The Council on Ethics makes recommendations to the board of the central bank, which operates the fund. The bank often follows the watchdog's advice to exclude firms, but not always.

The bank can also put a company on notice to change its behavior or ask the fund's management to engage with it directly. Companies designated for disinvestment are not named until the fund has sold the shares. (Reuters)
Volkswagen has "one, maybe two" years to turn its main car brand around, its finance chief said on Wednesday, as the auto giant weighs its first-ever plant closures in Germany and its powerful unions threaten a fight.

Delayed for several minutes when he took to the stage as staff whistled and shouted "Auf Wiedersehen" - German for 'goodbye' - Arno Antlitz appealed to the joint responsibility of staff and management to cut spending if the brand is to survive the shift to electric cars.

To a packed hall of thousands of workers and more outside watching on a screen, Antlitz said Europe's car market had shrunk after the pandemic and the company was facing a shortfall in demand of about 500,000 cars, equivalent to about two plants.

"The market is just not there," he told the meeting at Volkswagen's Wolfsburg headquarters. He added he did not expect sales to recover and that the core VW brand had "one, maybe two" years to cut spending and adjust output.

The comments reflect mounting challenges for Europe's car giants, including Stellantis and Renault, amid high labour and energy costs as well as rising competition from lower-cost Asian rivals shipping more cars to the region.

In response, works council chief Daniela Cavallo said management had "massively damaged trust", and compared its threat to close plants to a "declaration of bankruptcy".

Cavallo urged CEO Oliver Blume to explain why the group was prioritising spending on a 5-billion-euro software partnership with U.S. start-up Rivian over protecting German jobs.

The prospect of site closures at one of Germany's most storied companies has raised more red flags for Europe's largest economy, which is battling weak export demand and high costs.

Fresh from a drubbing in regional elections that saw a surge in far-right support, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has made Volkswagen a top priority, a source familiar with the matter said.

Labour Minister Hubertus Heil promised support, telling RTL/ntv that "Germany must remain a strong car country". He did not give details but Scholz's cabinet on Wednesday agreed tax measures to boost demand for EVs, which has lagged expectations, a source familiar with the matter said. His Social Democrats may also lobby the government for support on energy prices.

Late last year, the three-way coalition prematurely ended a subsidy scheme to boost demand for EVs.

Underscoring the tough backdrop, business sentiment in the German automotive industry slid further into negative territory in August, the Ifo economic institute said on Wednesday.

Volkswagen, whose brands also include Audi, SEAT and Skoda, said on Monday it was considering closing factories in Germany and ending a job guarantee at six of its plants in a drive to deepen a 10 billion euro ($11 billion) cost-cutting plan.

It is targeting a 6.5% profit margin at the VW brand by 2026, up from 2.3% in the first half of this year. The brand accounted for the majority of group car production last year.

Blume's decision to challenge the unions is a departure from his image as a team player who keeps labour on side.

Some investors and analysts speculated the spectre of plant closures could be a negotiating tactic to get rid of job guarantees and drive down wage demands.

"He definitely won't manage to get rid of job guarantees, cancel wage increases and close plants. But we can't rule out that he will manage one or two of those goals," said Moritz Kronenberger, portfolio manager at VW shareholder Union Investment.

Still, union representative Thomas Knabel said there would be no talks unless Volkswagen took plant closures off the table.

"I cannot imagine negotiations that would work under the Damocles Sword of plant closures," he said.

While management blamed financial pressures on a worsening German economy and new competitors, unions said the carmaker's production strategy was inefficient and decision-makers had been too slow in investing to produce a mass-market electric vehicle.

Whatever the cause, the company must make quick decisions about where to cut costs, investors and analysts said - a challenge for a firm of its size and with a complex power structure formed over its 87-year history.

"In difficult times, management and unions have an ability to get to consensus," Jefferies analyst Philippe Houchois said. "But it's not going to be smooth." (Reuters)
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BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Four ancient Chinese irrigation sites were honored on Tuesday as World Heritage Irrigation Structures (WHIS), according to the Ministry of Water Resources.

Granted by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) during the 75th International Executive Council Meeting, the inclusion of the four irrigation projects has brought the total number of Chinese irrigation projects on the list to 38.

The four newly enlisted heritage projects include the Karez Wells in Turpan of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Huizhou Weirs in east China's Anhui Province and the Wuyuan Weirs in east China's Jiangxi Province (joint application), the Fengyan Terraces in Hanyin County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, and the Jufeng Weirs in Xiushan County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

The Karez Wells in Turpan of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are ancient irrigation projects created to draw shallow groundwater for irrigation to adapt to the local conditions of extreme drought and high evaporation. The Karez Wells have a history of over 600 years and currently still irrigate about 6,667 hectares of farmland.

The Huizhou Weirs in Anhui Province consist of more than 500 weirs with five boasting a long history of over 500 years. The Wuyuan Weirs in Jiangxi Province have 1,181 weirs with a history of over a century. These ancient weirs contain profound historical, cultural and aesthetic value.

With an irrigation area of around 3,467 hectares, the Fengyan Terraces in Shaanxi Province were built on steep slopes and have sound irrigation and ecological systems.

Established during the Qing Dynasty, the Jufeng Weirs in Xiushan County in Chongqing Municipality are efficient models of ancient irrigation works in mountainous regions.

The WHIS designation, established by the ICID in 2014, aims to protect and promote irrigation projects of historical value and scientific experience. The WHIS list now covers 177 projects from 20 countries.
On 3 September the faction of Bolivias ruling left-wing Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) that is loyal to former president(2006-2019) announced the expulsion from the party of Presidentand Vice President

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On 3 September Argentinas Presidentissued a decree restricting access to public information, triggering criticism from the media and civil society organisations.

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On 3 September demonstrators blocked access to Mexicos lower chamber of congress in protest against Presidents judicial reform, forcing deputies to relocate to discuss the initiative.

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Krispy Kreme released four new doughnuts for a limited time to celebrate Barbies 65th anniversary.

The doughnut chain has made four new doughnuts available for purchase starting Tuesday featuring unique designs and fabulous flavors inspired by Barbie, according to Mattel.

The limited-edition doughnuts, called the Barbie x Krispy Kreme Collection, is packaged in a special pink box and features the following four doughnuts:

Barbie Pink Doughnut  an Original Glazed Doughnut piped with pink buttercream, sprinkled with sparkly pink sugar and topped with Barbie sunglasses

Malibu Dream Party Doughnut  an unglazed shell doughnut filled with Cake Batter Kreme, dipped in Malibu blue icing and sparkly graham sand, topped with a Barbie DreamHouse piece and piped with a white cloud

Barbie Berries n Kreme Doughnut  an unglazed shell doughnut filled with Strawberry Kreme, dipped in white icing, drizzled with purple and pink buttercream and topped with a Barbie heart

Barbie Sweet 65th Doughnut  an Original Glazed Doughnut, dipped in chocolate icing and topped with Barbie Sweet 65th sprinkles

Krispy Kreme is not just releasing special doughnuts to mark the anniversary.

The doughnut shop is also giving away a select number of Barbie Fashionista dolls with Krispy Kreme accessories and a denim jacket.

Heres how to enter for your chance to win one of these dolls:

From Sept. 4-6, any fan who comments and tags a friend on the Barbie x Krispy Kreme social competition post on Krispy Kremes social channels  @krispykreme on Instagram  will be entered into a separate giveaway for a chance to win.

From Sept. 6-8, Krispy Kreme Rewards members who purchase a Barbie x Krispy Kreme dozen at participating Krispy Kreme shops and scan their Krispy Kreme Rewards app at checkout will be automatically entered in a giveaway for a chance to win. Krispy Kreme Rewards members may also enter without a purchase.

Plus, all customers who wear pink and visit an eligible Krispy Kreme location on Sept. 7, can score a free Original Glazed Doughnut.

This offer is limited to one doughnut per customer in-store only.

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Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
A Nazareth man is facing 25 felony child pornography charges after allegedly uploading images from his borough home computer.

Harvey Gehret, 77, of the 500 block of South Green Street, also is facing a one count felony criminal use of a communications facility charge.

An agent with the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Offices Child Predator Section on March 6 received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children indicating someone was uploading child pornography to a Microsoft server using BingImage, court records say.

BingImage, according to court records, is a service that provides similar images to an image provided by a user via an upload or using a URL.

Microsoft provided in its cybertip the users upload IP address, in which the agent on May 7 obtained an administrative subpoena requesting the Internet provider provide the users name, birthdate and address. All matched Gehret, court records state.

Authorities just after 6:40 a.m. Wednesday served a search warrant on Gehrets home, in which they examined Gehrets computer at the scene, according to court records. Investigators found on Gehrets computer the 25 images depicting child pornography, as well as multiple teen websites on the browser, according to court records.

Gehret in an interview with authorities allegedly admitted to viewing child pornography and stated the last time he viewed was the evening prior.

Gehret was arraigned Wednesday morning before District Judge John C. Capobianco, who set bail at $150,000 unsecured. He is due back in court for a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Oct. 7. A judge will then determine if theres enough evidence to send the case toward trial at the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas.

There was no attorney information immediately listed in court records for Gehret. He also didnt immediately respond to a message left on his social media account seeking comment Wednesday.

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
Story by Colin Deppen of Spotlight PA

This story first appeared in PA Local, a weekly newsletter by Spotlight PA taking a fresh, positive look at the incredible people, beautiful places, and delicious food of Pennsylvania. Sign up for free here.

Travis McHenry had never heard of a micronation when he started his first, almost by accident, in the Kittatinny mountains of northeast Pennsylvania.

My friend, her parents owned a house in the Stillwater area of Columbia County, and they had issues with their neighbors for years, he told PA Local by phone. I was 14 or 15 years old and felt like maybe I could solve this problem.

McHenry says he put up No Trespassing signs decorated with skulls and crossbones. He patrolled the property line with a pellet gun. After he says he was shot at with a real gun, he proposed declaring the land an independent country, the Kingdom of Casbah.

The friends parents initially humored him but eventually told him to knock it off, he recalls. The friend group that had begrudgingly gone along for the ride grew up and moved on.

The fiefdom was over but only a prelude.

Years after Casbahs quiet collapse, McHenry would orchestrate one of the largest land grabs in history, staking a completely symbolic claim to a 620,000-square-mile, Alaska-sized chunk of melting Antarctica and proclaiming it the newest (and maybe biggest) micronation on Earth: Westarctica.

McHenry, a Bloomsburg University alum, would appoint himself monocratic ruler without ever setting foot there, and 2,300 people (and counting) would voluntarily become fully remote Westarctica citizens. Online elections held last year crowned a new prime minister, the third ever.

No one lives in the area, aside from the occasional transient scientist. Antarctica is the only continent without a native population. No established nation has a territorial claim there either, for good reason. More on that in a minute.

Technically nothing is stopping you from launching a new country of your own. Theres also nothing requiring anyone else to recognize it as such, leaving micronations a sort of strange role-playing exercise  a bizarro world of nations unto itself, the loosely governed lands of make-believe.

Micronations are not real nations or legally binding. Theyre mock states. Some say performance art. Micronationalists call it a lifestyle.

There have been hundreds of micronations on Earth, with names like the Republic of Slowjamastan and Principality of Islandia. Together they form a tapestry of self-proclaimed sovereign territories with varied founder motives  some militantly anti-government, others merely subversive, experimental, self-determinist, or doing it for the LOLs.

While the advent of the internet turbocharged the movement, it isnt new.

Scholars point to Scott County, Tennessee, which, angered by the states joining of the confederacy, declared itself the independent State of Scott in 1861. (It remained officially unrecognized but didnt abandon its claim until 1986.) John Lennon of The Beatles, facing deportation, conceived the intangible micronation of Nutopia with Yoko Ono in 1973.

President Kevin Baugh of Molossia, maybe the most high-profile micronation in existence today, told PA Local of his contemporary counterparts: I dont necessarily think its  role-playing. Maybe theres a certain amount of that, but really for most micronationalists its the exploration of what makes a country a country. And we explore that every single day.

Baugh, a U.S. Army vet and benevolent dictator whos banned spinach and onions in Molossia because he doesnt like them, acknowledges its all a little tongue-in-cheek. McHenry said humor also works to keep extremists at arms length.

The Republic of Molossias citizenry includes Baugh, his wife, their four dogs, and dozens of extended family members who live outside the walls of the 11-acre domain, which draws its fair share of tourists and news crews to a dusty strip of land an hour south of Reno, Nevada.

Molossia briefly expanded into Pennsylvania in 2006, when McHenry offered Baugh an annex, so to speak, on family land in Columbia County, a short drive from Ricketts Glen State Park. McHenry says the land was granted to an ancestor by William Penns son, John.

Baugh and McHenry called it the Protectorate of New Antrim.

The arrangement weathered a dispute over a Molossian tobacco ban that McHenry resented, a showdown with another micronation  dramatized in the official lore and dubbed the Battle of Lake Jean  and ended when McHenry left to pursue acting in Los Angeles in 2009. (Hes currently splitting his time between Pennsylvania and Brazil, where his fiancee lives.)

Westarctica started years before the Molossia Accord, but McHenry had stepped away for a time, he says amid scrutiny from his higher-ups in the U.S. Navy.

I just wanted a place where I could be alone, McHenry told Conde Nast Traveller in 2016 of his South Pole venture. The plan backfired spectacularly and McHenry was ultimately deluged with administrative tasks, emails, and social media notifications.

Jordan Farmer, a fellow military veteran and health care technology worker based out of Tucson, went down the micronation rabbit hole after seeing a 2017 Vice News documentary on the annual MicroCon gathering. He would go on to serve as Westarcticas prime minister and remains a citizen and administrator of a members-only Facebook group.

Micronationalism saw a huge surge in popularity during the 2016 to 2020 time period, especially from those here in the United States, and I think a lot of that had to do with a sense of hopelessness with the way political discourse was headed at the national level, Farmer said.

I think the types of people we [meaning Westarctica] attract are a little more eco-minded, those who are concerned about climate change.

Westarctica, founded almost 20 years ago on the continents western tundra, lists a climate change-focused mission on its website and the goal of initiating related conversations via one of the most fragile ecosystems on the planet. While awaiting international recognition from the United Nations or a member state, with no takers so far, McHenry has made it a climate-focused nonprofit.

Those applying for citizenship are digitally vetted. There are no associated fees. Farmer notes that other micronations charge hundreds or thousands of dollars for theirs, often providing dubious travel documents to justify the cost.

We ask for a brief description of why theyre trying to join and its obvious some people are trying to immigrate out of their current nation, places like Pakistan, and as much as we feel for those people, were not in a place to do anything for them, Farmer says. We dont provide passports. We cant help them get a Visa. And so we let them know.

McHenry says Westarctica citizens run the gamut, from high school grads to PhD recipients.

Most, he adds, are looking for something a little extra in their lives, something just a little different from the daily humdrum existence. Theres a sense of belonging too and occasional real-world meetups  called icebreakers  to reinforce it.

Westarctica is structured like a constitutional monarchy with McHenry at the helm and dressed like a junta leader. It remains a top-down enterprise but the inner circle has grown alongside the to-do list.

McHenry says the citizenry has embraced his political omnipotence. Its also possible no one else wants to lead. (In Molossia, there are no elections because Baugh says, No one is interested in this job.)

McHenry plans to vote in Novembers U.S. presidential election. He leans Democratic.

But the same citizenship that allows him to cast that ballot may be standing in the way of legitimizing his claim to Westarctica, he theorizes, citing conversations with lawyers.

McHenry points to a 65-year-old, scientific research-minded treaty in which 12 countries  the U.S. among them  barred claims to the same slice of Antarctica by their governments and citizens. Fifty-seven countries have ratified the treaty in total.

I would have to go to a place where The Antarctic Treaty is not valid, you know, some sub-Saharan country or something, and make the claim again, McHenry said. Then it could be considered legally valid, but whether the claim was recognized [by the international community] would be another story

It probably wouldnt be. The hurdles to micronation actualization are many, and the diplomatic risks for established nations recognizing upstarts almost always outweigh any reward.

McHenry isnt planning to renounce his U.S. citizenship, and he isnt giving up on his Westarctica quest either, claiming the eponymous nonprofit is now registered with the NGO branch of the United Nations, calling it a first foot in the door.

Not everyone is concerned with chasing formal recognition. For some, the payoff is elsewhere.

We do have those in our community who treat it as, Oh, thats absolutely our goal, Farmer said. But I think most of us realize thats a pipe dream. Its not something thats likely to ever happen. This is more about making a statement.

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Eagles assistant general manager Jon Ferrari said Monday that the players are being advised to try to stay awake during their 9-hour flight to Sao Paulo that will take off Wednesday morning and land in South America in the early evening.

That way, he said, they can get a bite to eat when they land, go to bed and wake up Thursday ready for their final full day of preparation ahead of Friday nights season opener against the Green Bay Packers.
Uisce Eireann has launched a new free-to-use Text Alerts service which will provide water supply updates for over 23,396 households in Laois.

The text alert system will be the first time that all of Uisce Eireanns customers will be able to sign up and receive notifications for their area. The service provides customers with details of supply interruptions that are expected to last longer than four hours. It will also include details on planned and unplanned outages and boil water notices should they be needed to protect public health.

Research carried out by IPSOS B&A on behalf of Uisce Eireann shows that almost three quarters of its customers want to hear about water services with over half of businesses indicating they are interested in being regularly notified.

Recently Uisce Eireann came under fire over a failure to notify householders about a widespread water outage in Mountmellick. At a July Council meeting councillor Paddy Bracken said that Uisce Eireann should have notified householders and businesses about the planned water outage on Thursday, July 18 as a website notice was not sufficient. Cllr Bracken also asked the council to send an official letter of complaint to Uisce Eireann which was agreed at the meeting.



Geoffrey Bourke, Head of Customer Operations at Uisce Eireann said: As Uisce Eireann carries out its day-to-day operational work and maintenance alongside a billion-euro worth of capital investment each year, we are aware that these works can have short-term impacts on water services to our customers. This Text Alerts service along with our current supports including the dedicated online outage portal on water.ie means homes and businesses are kept fully up to date on what to expect and when.



We are supporting our customers with timely, accurate information which helps to keep all customers up to date on outages to the water supply network.



In the past year, our figures show that we had more than two million interactions with customers via a range of channels including phone calls, texts and emails.



From our research, while over half of customers are aware of who to contact in the event of a water outage, we are committed to ensuring that all are fully aware and have information provided in an ease of access manner.



We are confident that the roll-out of this new service will play a crucial role in driving even more awareness of our work in communities across Ireland to deliver a clean, safe and reliable water supply. The service is easy to use, and I encourage people to avail of it by following the registration steps through water.ie.

Customers can sign up to the text alert by inputting their Eircode and mobile number via the Uisce Eireann website water.ie.
Five Traveller students will graduate from the Bachelor of Social Science Community and Youth Work at Maynooth University.

The graduates all work for Traveller organisations and began the part-time in-service course in 2020.

This is a significant achievement for the students involved given that less than one percent of Travellers gain third level degrees, and fewer than 31% successfully complete the Leaving Certificate, said Anastasia Crickley, former Head of Department of Applied Social Studies at Maynooth, and current Chairperson of Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre.

The success of these students shows that Maynooth has continued to seek to create the conditions for students from marginalised and minority communities, including Travellers, to thrive, Ms. Crickley continued.

Patrick Reilly, who is the coordinator of the Eastern Region Traveller Health Unit Mental Health Programme and works with Pavee Point, left school early due to negative experiences.

I left school before the Junior Certificate. I felt that the teachers had low expectations for me and other Travellers. I was given the opportunity through my work in Traveller Health to go back and do the Community and Youth Work degree later in life. I am delighted to be graduating today. I would have loved to have the same support when I was at school, he said.

The degree is a professionally recognised qualification and connects academic coursework to practise, including two external placements.

Each student graduating had a diverse education background. Some had very few years of formal schooling, while others had completed their Leaving Certificate. Despite these varied starting points, and challenges which arose during the pandemic, they all shared a common goal: to enhance their skills and progress to undergraduate education.

This initiative enabled us as Traveller workers to complete a degree, taking into account gaps in formal education and our core work in community development. said Bridget Nevin, Primary Health Care Coordinator at TravAct. Initiatives like this where Travellers are supported are needed to bridge the gap until all Travellers have the same equality of access, participation and outcomes as anyone else.

This innovative pilot initiative is the result of a partnership between by the Eastern Region Traveller Health Unit (ERTHU), Pavee Point, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Applied Social Studies in Maynooth University (MU), sought to promote Traveller participation in higher education and to support Traveller employment opportunities within the HSE.

This collaboration has been the cornerstone of this programme's success and is further testament to the impact that strong partnerships can have in driving meaningful and lasting change., said Martina Queally, Regional Executive Officer for Dublin and South East at the HSE. I wish to further commend the graduates on their hard work, dedication, and resilience throughout this journey. The knowledge, skills, and experiences they have gained will not only enrich their own work but will also inform and shape the development of future programmes and opportunities for Travellers..

Pavee Point has seen education as key to the realisation of Traveller and Roma rights since its foundation in 1985 as Dublin Travellers Education and Development Group and has long campaigned for actions to address gaps in Traveller and Roma education outcomes. The organisation welcomed the first Traveller and Roma Education Strategy (TRES) launched earlier this year which aims to increase higher education completion rates for Travellers and Roma.
Thomas McCann today becomes the first Irish Traveller man to earn a PhD at Maynooth University when he was conferred with a Doctor of Social Science. His doctoral research focussed on community work and the Traveller struggle for human rights in Ireland.

Thomas will be conferred this afternoon along with five Traveller undergraduate students who will also receive their Bachelor of Social Science Community and Youth Work degrees at MUs conferring ceremony. The four-year degree integrates academic coursework with practical experience.

This is the second day of four days of conferring ceremonies being celebrated at Maynooth University, with more 2,300 students receiving parchments.

In 1985, Thomas became the first Traveller student in the University, participating in the first Traveller education programme run by Dublin Travellers Education and Development Group, now Pavee Point. On completing this programme, he secured a place on the first MU undergraduate professional programme in Community Work and Youth Work.

I was trying to find a coherent framework to support my political activism, and community development work offered this to me. Thats why I started out on this journey, said Thomas, who went on to found and manage the national Traveller Counselling Service .

After earning a degree as a psychotherapist and studying for a Masters in Clinical Supervision in Trinity College Dublin, Thomas decided to return to MU to undertake a PhD.

My aim was to stimulate something new in terms of thinking and to go beneath the surface and explore issues such as systemic racism against Travellers, intergenerational trauma and internalised oppression. These are values that are important to me, he said. I have strong values in terms of human rights and inclusion and the department in MU shared similar values.

He plans to continue to build on his research and further develop the areas he has been working on.
Kildare Library Service will host its first Climate Readers Day on Saturday, September 28 from 10am  4pm at Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge.

Eco Lines will bring together writers, thinkers, makers and feelers to explore what it means to make art in a bruised, burning, beautiful world. From the soil to the sea; seeds to stories; from the feminine to fiction; restoration to rainforests  the festival will hold space for the many various factors that play a part in how, and why we create.

What does it mean to create at a time like this?How do we navigate the myriad crises our planetary home is facing in fair, sustainable, creative ways?

Eco Lines is curated by Kerri ni Dochartaigh and hosted by Kildare County Council Library Service in partnership with The Irish Writers Centre.

The festival line up @ Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge:

10:15am - 11amSea See // Whale Wail: women on water, grief, ancestry and hopeJoin Alice Kinsella and Eleanor Hooker in conversation, chaired by Kerri ni Dochartaigh, as they discuss women and water, in all their melancholy, mystery and magic.

11:20am - 12:20pm

RESTORE, REPAIR, REMEMBER: on finding the way back..Eoghan Daltun, Samuel Arnold and Aoife Hammond in conversation discuss the land and how we might write a new story of relation to our planetary home. Chaired by Kerri ni Dochartaigh.

1pm - 2pm

HEAD, HEART, HANDS: healing through one-anothernessKerri ni Dochartaigh joins Jennie Moran and Jesse Gilbert in conversation on interconnectedness; community and ecologies of care. Chaired by Nidhi Zak Aria Eipe.

2:30pm - 3:30pmInvisible, imagined, Illuminating: fiction, non-fiction and all that lies betweenSinead Gleeson and Molly Hennigan in conversation, exploring creative choice and the navigation of lived experience. What does it mean to write at these times? Chaired by Kerri ni Dochartaigh.

To book tickets for any of the events taking place in Riverbank Arts Centre visit https://www.riverbank.ie/events

A series of creative writing workshops will take place in Newbridge Community Library as part of the festival. The line-up includes:

11am - 1pm

Poetry of Irish Biodiversity in a Time of Crisis with Jane RobinsonTo survive shifting climatic and seasonal changes, wild animals and plants need robust and bio-diverse populations. Human and industrial activities have caused them to decline. If insects are down by 70%, what happens to insectivores such as swallows, bats and blue tits? If the pollinators decline, will there be enough berries for the fruit-eaters?

Each participant will write and hone a new poem to celebrate their favourite species of native plant or animal. As writing prompts you will use: first-hand experience, photos, natural prompts (pine cones, feathers, flowers, leaves etc.) and field guides. Discussions and feedback are tailored to suit the experience of participating writers.

Places are limited. Applications via MS Form by Friday, September 20 https://forms.office.com/e/4C3ixjQpbW

2pm - 4pm

The Environment as Metaphor in Creative Nonfiction with Ryan DennisAt its core, climate writing is about bringing the challenges of global warming to the forefront of the readers imaginative consciousness. While cli-fi is an emergent and fast growing field, often opportunities to invoke climates concernsexplicitly and implicitlyare often overlooked in creative nonfiction. This workshop will consider techniques to draw thematic meaning from environmental issues in personal essays and memoirs, as well as how to approach the subject as a topic in creative nonfiction. With prompts and writing exercises, participants will leave prepared to write a creative essay that seamlessly promotes awareness of climate change.

Places are limited. Applications via MS Form by Friday, September 20 https://forms.office.com/e/uZqVHaTLsx
1,000 a year has been added to the average household bill in Ireland as a result of Government overspending, according to the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (Ifac).

The State's budgetary watchdog has released its annual pre-Budget statement ahead of Budget 2025 next month, warning that the Government is adding needless pressure to the economy.

The Council notes the unprecedented strength of Irelands workforce.

"Employment is at record rates. Wages are finally starting to outpace price increases. This is providing much-needed relief to households after years of high costs," their statement read.

"But with jobs rates so high, there are pressures. Prices remain high even if falling energy prices have brought some relief. Looking at the data, the Council highlights how domestic prices continue to rise rapidly. This includes rent, food services, and medical costs."

READ NEXT: Gardai issue statement as three teenage girls go missing from Kildare

The Council describes the Government's everything now approach as "needlessly adding to these pressures. The approach has seen the Government expand in all areas of its budget. This means tax cuts, higher day-to-day spending, and a continued ramp-up in capital plans.

The Council says that the Government is adding "unnecessary fuel to the fire" by not prioritising. Drawing on Central Bank research, it says the breaches of the rule have added 1,000 to yearly household expenses.

"This looks set to be a lasting increase," Ifac says.

Overruns and untargeted cost-of-living supports could see the Budget rise to double pre-Covid packages.

As well as adding to pressures, the Council says the Government risks having to reverse its promises later on.

"The boasts of a surplus are misleading," they claim.

"The surplus is entirely driven by taxes from a handful of foreign multinationals. Without these, Ireland would be facing a

large and growing deficit. This would be further exacerbated by overruns. The Government might be forced to renege on its promises if things change suddenly.

"For example, if corporation tax revenues suddenly shrank or if exceptional job numbers reversed. A reversal like this could come at a time when the economy most needs support."

This, the Council says, would repeat Irelands past mistakes. One how this can be solved, The Council says the Government simply needs to stick to the rule.

"This will help keep living costs down for households. It will also help avoid needless job losses in the next downturn.

"As for infrastructure deficits, the Government needs to look beyond just providing more money. One option is to focus on areas that require less workers. It can also look at planning, regulations, and ways to encourage the private sector. This includes giving private investors more certainty and more incentive to play their part."

Commenting on the report, Seamus Coffey, the Councils Chair noted: The Government continues to make big promises. This is driving up prices and making it harder for people to afford the basics. Price increases may have slowed, but there are many areas where pressures remain high.

"If we are to learn from past mistakes, now is the time for the Government to stick to its own rule rather than to have to hit reverse later on, and potentially in the next recession.
The Presentation Brothers secondary school in Carrick-on-Shannon has been named in the Report of the Scoping Inquiry, set up to examine historical sexual abuse, with one allegation relating to the school.

The scoping inquiry was set up to investigate instances of historical abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders in Ireland.

The full list of schools named in the report was made public today, however the exact dates that allegations were made have not been disclosed.

Most of these allegations were taken from the records of some 42 religious orders who currently or previously ran schools in Ireland. The full list of schools mentioned in the report appear below this article.

The Presentation Brothers school in Carrack-on-Shannon, named in the report, was established in 1898 but later amalgamated with the Marist sister's secondary school to become Marymount College in the 1970s.

Minister for Education Norma Foley announced that a Commission of Investigation will be established following a recommendation in the report which outlines 2,395 allegations of historical sexual abuse, involving 884 alleged abusers in 308 schools between the years 1927 to 2013.

The establishment of a State inquiry into historical sexual abuse is one of a number of recommendations made by Senior Counsel, Mary OToole in her report to the Minister.

The Inquiry also organized a Survivor Engagement process where those who had experienced sexual abuse in religious order run schools were invited to come forward and share their views regarding an appropriate State response.

Participants reported experiences of sexual abuse in primary, post-primary and special schools, both public and private, run by religious orders across the country.

The report accounts alleged instances of sexual abuse, rape and sexual assault and is deeply distressing to read.

Minister Foley said: The Report of the Scoping Inquiry is a harrowing document, containing some of the most appalling accounts of sexual abuse. The scale and horror of what people described in their interviews with the Scoping Inquiry is shocking, and the lasting impact on the lives of those survivors cannot be overstated. I have been deeply moved by the courage, fortitude and openness of all those who have shared their experiences.

I am thinking of all those who came forward today as part of the Scoping Inquiry process and indeed those who are not in a position to do so at this point in their lives. I wish to remember and acknowledge in particular the late Mark Ryan, who, with his brother David, was instrumental in the establishment of the Scoping Inquiry. He is very much in our hearts today, and I am mindful that the first anniversary of his passing is approaching in the coming weeks.

I am announcing today that the government has accepted the principal recommendation of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry, which is for the establishment of a Commission of Investigation. Historical sexual abuse is a profoundly serious matter and needs to be examined in detail.

One of the most compelling aspects of the Report is that older participants provided devastating accounts of how sexual abuse in childhood has affected their entire lives, from their schooldays through adolescence, early adulthood and right through to later years.

I am pleased to note that the report states that current child protection measures in schools are robust and effective and I am conscious that the safety of children today is a matter of paramount concern to survivors and all of society.

The Scoping Inquiry report further recommends that consideration be given by Government to establishing a redress scheme for survivors of historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders.

Further recommendations relate to improving the experience of survivors in legal processes and the establishment of dedicated support services for survivors, particularly in relation to the Commission and potential participation in that process.

The Scoping Inquiry commissioned independent expert reports on child protection in our schools and restorative justice as part of its work.

Minister Foley said: I also want to acknowledge that there are many other people whose work and advocacy have brought us to this important moment, and to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed to this process in any way, whether through their own participation or their support for a family member or friend. I also want to thank the Scoping Inquiry team, the Lead, Mary OToole, and the survivor engagement lead, Kieran McGrath for their diligent work in producing what is a very detailed and thorough report.

If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in the Report of the Scoping Inquiry, information on support is available below. Further information on support is available on the Scoping Inquirys website.
Irish premier Simon Harris paid tribute to the resilience of the Ukrainian people as he visited regions catastrophically damaged during the early stages of Russias invasion.

Mr Harris, who is in the Kyiv region to sign a joint declaration of co-operation with Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky, started his trip to Ukraine with visits to Borodyanka and Hostomel.

After travelling into the country on an overnight train, the Taoiseach was greeted at Nemishaieve station.

In a convoy containing Ukrainian armed forces and members of an armed unit of the Irish police, Mr Harris passed military checkpoints to first visit Borodyanka, where he inspected apartment buildings and a playground damaged by bombing in early 2022.

He saw the entire facade of one building collapsed and a disused playground where childrens toys lay on the ground.

Mr Harris was guided around the site by the head of Kyiv states regional administration, Ruslan Kravchenko, who thanked the Taoiseach for Irelands support for Ukraine.

Mr Kravchenko presented Mr Harris with a medal representing the region.

The Taoiseach was told about the suffering of the people of Borodyanka, some of whom were trapped under rubble after the bombing and not able to be rescued.

Nearby, a Banksy mural depicting a David v Goliath scene is displayed behind protective glass.

Directly beside the destroyed buildings, a new playground and creche have been constructed to facilitate the return of childcare in the area.

Part of Irelands 36 million euro (30.3 million) funding package for Ukraine and neighbouring countries will support such projects.

The Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) will be given three million euro (2.5 million) to support the construction of bomb shelters for schools in Ukraine by local companies. It also goes towards rebuilding schools that have been damaged.

While praising Ukraines continuing efforts towards EU membership and the overall resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of war, Mr Harris was introduced to a German Shepherd dog named Hachi, who was returned to the town after fleeing for three weeks following the shelling and is now tasked with looking after children at a nursery school.

In Hostomel, which was also severely damaged in the early stages of the conflict, Mr Harris was able to see the benefits of Irish funding to the region when he visited a pre-fabricated building that is hosting a family forced to leave their home due to the war.

He met Mykola and Nataliia Anisimov who told the Taoiseach that several families used to live in the neighbouring building, which had been severely damaged by bullets, artillery and shrapnel.

Mrs Anisimov said the area became the front line when Ukrainian forces decided to destroy a nearby bridge to halt the movement of Russian troops.

Her family and others were forced to evacuate the building, constructed in 1966, but are now able to return to the area thanks to the prefabricated home built using funds provided by the Irish Government.

It is part of the UNHCR Core Homes Project, which is on target to build 300 prefab homes for families whose previous homes were destroyed.

Irish funding will be used to build 50 prefab homes in the Kyiv region at a cost of 1.5 million euro (1.26 million).

Mr Harris said the Anisimovs had a lifetime of memories taken from them when their home was destroyed.

He said he was sorry about what had happened and told Mrs Anisimov: The whole of Europe wants to do everything it can to help the people of Ukraine.

While the war is here, it is an attack on all of our values.

Mr Harris said it was important for him to see the effects of the war with his own eyes.

Mrs Anisimov said she was grateful to the people of Ireland for her new home.

Mr Harris signed a Ukrainian flag before continuing his visit to Ukraine.
The family of a young woman who lost her life after being involved in a collision have set up a fundraiser in her memory.

Hannah Frawley, aged 25, from Caherelly, Grange, Count Limerick died on Sunday, August 11.

In her memory, the family has set up a fundraiser to raise funds for Bru Columbanus, which provides home from home accommodation for the families of patients in Cork hospitals.

Before she passed away, the young woman was in the ICU in Cork University Hospital for 12 days.

Before she died, Hannah spent 12 days in the ICU in Cork University Hospital. While she was there Bru Columbanus provided accommodation for her parents, which was a huge support as they were only minutes away from the hospital, wrote Hannahs mother, Liz Frawley, on the fundraiser page.

Every year, Bru Columbanus provides this kind of support for hundreds of families with critically ill patients in hospital. Bru Columbanus is entirely funded by donations. In memory of Hannah, Team Hannah are completing the Walk for Bru on 28th September. Your donation would be greatly appreciated and will go directly to this great fund. We hope you can help by donating whatever you can.

So far, 13,870 have been raised. You can donate to the fundraiser here.

Ms Fawley is survived by her parents Ger and Liz and her brother Luke.

She is also survived by her grandmother Kathleen, her brother Lukes fiancee Ellen, her partner Chase, uncles, aunts, extended family and friends.

She was a passenger in a car involved in a single vehicle collision on the R503 at Drominboy, Lisnagry, County Limerick on July 30.

The man who was driving the car, also aged in his 20s, and Ms Frawley were both brought to hospital for treatment.
Minister for Finance Jack Chambers has said the passenger cap at Dublin Airport is a serious risk to economic growth in Ireland.

Dublin Airport is only allowed to fly through a maximum of 32 million passengers a year based on planning conditions from 15 years ago.

Airlines have called for the cap to be lifted to meet demand, while others have questioned whether the cap should be lifted as Ireland tries to reduce its carbon emissions.

Asked about the row, Mr Chambers said that the cap was a serious risk to economic growth, citing analysis by the Dublin Airport Authority and others.

He added: It shows the risk thats in our economy of strategic infrastructure continually being delayed in our planning system.

I fully support the lifting of the cap. I think its important for growth, connectivity, tourism, and so much more, and the quicker it can be progressed through the planning system the better.

Minister (Eamon) Ryan has said he supports the process going through the planning system as it is and our national aviation policy is clear on the importance of growth for Dublin Airport as part of wider economic development.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said there are constraints on passenger numbers and encouraged leaders in aviation to come forward with suggestions.

He added: Im not a fan of a passenger cap, right, but Im also very conscious that in relation to the specific planning issue that is a matter for that planning process.

What Im saying is be that as it may, are there other conversations that we can have about strategic national asset that is Dublin Airport, and indeed others airports, and I do think there is a need for people who have an expertise in this, including those who run our airports, to come forward with considered proposals.

Speaking from Ukraine, Mr Harris said that some organisations took their eye off the ball on the issue.

He added: I dont think its helpful to get into too much of a history lesson, but I do need to make one point. Its clear many organisations, including the DAA in the past, took their eye off the ball in relation to this and how weve ended up with this peculiar construct where such strategic decisions are now matters for planning authorities almost exclusively.

I cant interfere in the planning process, I dont want to say anything to cut across that, but I am open for business in terms of hearing ideas.

It would be very helpful instead of people diagnosing the problem, instead of people telling us how challenging the situation is, if people now apply to themselves to sending forward solution suggestions, thats what leaderships about, and if they do that, Id certainly be willing to engage directly with them.

Ryanair boss Michael OLeary warned earlier on Wednesday that there will be 250,000 fewer passengers this Christmas season compared to last year, arguing it was inevitable that prices will be significantly higher as a result.

He said: Many of the people coming home for Christmas will be coming home via Belfast because the Minister for Transport wont get off his backside and do something.

Mr OLeary accused Eamon Ryan of spoofing away and asked other senior figures of government to intervene to remove the cap.

Mr Ryan said that the responsibility does not lie with him and is a matter for the local planning authority.

Dublin Chamber chief executive Mary Rose Burke said 3.46 million passengers went through Dublin Airport in August, making it the busiest month in its history.

She added: To place a cap on the airport due to years-old planning conditions which are now obsolete is nonsensical.
Abbott Initiates Clinical Study to Evaluate the Use of Its Deep Brain Stimulation System to Manage Severe Depression





The U.S. FDA granted Abbott Breakthrough Device designation to explore deep brain stimulation (DBS) for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) as an option to improve the lives of people with this debilitating condition

Approximately 2.8 million Americans each year are diagnosed with TRD, a form of major depressive disorder that has not responded to two or more treatments1

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) announced today it has initiated a pivotal clinical trial, called the TRANSCEND study, to evaluate the use of the company's deep brain stimulation (DBS) system to manage treatment-resistant depression (TRD), a form of major depressive disorder. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Abbott Breakthrough Device designation to explore use of DBS for TRD under its Breakthrough Devices Program, which expedites the review of innovative technologies that can improve the lives of people with life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating diseases or conditions.

"As we have learned more about the intricacies of the brain, it is now clear that 'psychiatric diseases' like major depressive disorder are similar to other neurological conditions ? we can see identifiable structural and functional changes in the brain," said Brian Kopell, M.D., lead neurosurgery investigator, and director of the Center for Neuromodulation and co-director of the Bonnie and Tom Strauss Center for Movement Disorders at Mount Sinai Health System. "So, it is not surprising that deep brain stimulation research has demonstrated promise for people suffering with treatment-resistant depression, as it has for patients with medically complicated Parkinson's disease over the past two decades. We are eager for Abbott's TRANSCEND trial to gather further evidence about the impact neurostimulation could have for people who need different treatment options than are currently available."

A form of major depressive disorder (MDD), TRD occurs when a person has not been able to find relief from their symptoms even after trying different antidepressant approaches, which can range from talk therapy to oral medications to transcranial magnetic stimulation. Up to a third of individuals diagnosed with MDD ? approximately 2.8 million Americans each year ? have TRD or difficult-to-treat depression.1 Each time a person fails a treatment, the chance of finding relief with the next treatment drops, and by the fourth failed treatment, as many as 83% of patients will relapse.1

DBS works like a pacemaker, sending small, targeted electrical pulses to a specific part of the brain with the goal of relieving symptoms. As part of the TRANSCEND study, doctors will place electrodes ? called leads ? in an area of the brain that impacts depression. These leads are connected to a device called a stimulator that is placed under the skin in the chest. The stimulator will send electrical pulses to the leads with the goal of adjusting activity in the brain and reducing symptoms associated with depression. Previous open-label studies exploring the use of DBS for TRD have shown at least a 50% sustained improvement in symptoms of depression for three out of four people over a period of two to eight years.2

"Treatment-resistant depression is a debilitating condition affecting 2.8 million Americans each year," said Pedro Malha, vice president, neuromodulation, Abbott. "The goal of Abbott's TRANSCEND study, in collaboration with top clinical research centers, is to develop the clinical evidence necessary to determine whether DBS is a safe and effective treatment for treatment-resistant depression, which could provide people with a new treatment option that will allow them to live fuller lives."

About TRANSCEND

The TRANSCEND (Treatment ResistAnt DepressioN Subcallosal CingulatE Network DBS) study is a prospective, multi-centered, double-blind, randomized and sham-controlled clinical trial. It will enroll 100 people, ages 22 to 70, who have failed a minimum of four different types of antidepressant treatments at up to 25 centers nationwide. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the treatment arm or control arm of the trial. Once a participant has received their Abbott DBS device, those in the treatment arm will have the system turned on while those in the control arm will not. Neither the participant nor the study researcher will know if their device has been turned on.

Once a participant has completed 12 months in the study, all participants will have their DBS system turned on and followed for an additional two years. The study's success will be evaluated based on the number of months participants in the treatment group experience improvements in their Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores compared to those in the control group. MADRS is used to measure a person's depression by looking at a range of symptoms, such as sadness, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, as well as difficulty concentrating and starting or completing daily tasks.

Dr. Brian Kopell has consulted on DBS technology for Abbott's neuromodulation business.

About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.











1 Rush AJ, Trivedi, MH, Wisniewski SR, et al. Acute and longer-term outcomes in depressed outpatients requiring one or several treatment steps: a STAR*D report. Am J Psychiatry. 2006;163(11):1905-1917. doi:10.1176/ajp.2006.163.11.1905.

2 Crowell AL, Riva-Posse P, Holtzheimer PE, et al. Long-Term Outcomes of Subcallosal Cingulate Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression. Am J Psychiatry. 2019;176(11):949-956. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.18121427.

SOURCE Abbott

4 september 2024 at 09:00

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Fintactics Announces New Strategic Partnership with Ethos Invest and Arbah Capital to Invest in Early Stage FinTech Businesses





Fintactics, a Saudi based, leading venture builder specializing in financial technology, today announced a new strategic partnership with Ethos Invest, a global investment firm, and Arbah Capital, a prominent investment firm licenced by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) in Saudi Arabia in relation to its Fintactics Financial Technology Fund.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Fintactics, a Saudi based, leading venture builder specializing in financial technology, today announced a new strategic partnership with Ethos Invest, a global investment firm, and Arbah Capital, a prominent investment firm licenced by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) in Saudi Arabia in relation to its Fintactics Financial Technology Fund.

The fund, targeting $40 million ( 150M SAR ) in commitments and managed by Arbah Capital, aims to make Shariah-compliant investments in early-stage FinTech companies primarily in the Kingdom, but also in the Middle East and the rest of the world.

This collaborative effort marks a significant milestone in fostering innovation within the Saudi financial services industry and leverages the expertise of each organization: Fintactics' proven track record in building successful ventures in the country, Ethos Invest's global investment expertise, and Arbah Capital's deep understanding of the regional financial landscape.

The fund, targeting $40 million (150M SAR) in commitments and managed by Arbah Capital, aims to make Shariah-compliant investments in early-stage FinTech companies primarily in the Kingdom, but also in the Middle East and the rest of the world. The targeted fundraising would put the fund at the forefront of private venture capital funds in Saudi Arabia, in terms of size.

The partnership signifies increasing global confidence in startups in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia has rapidly become a leading hub in the FinTech industry and for venture capital in the region, ranking first across MENA for total venture capital funding in the first half of 20241. This significant growth can be seen in light of efforts taken under Vision 2030 to develop Saudi's venture capital ecosystem.

Early Investments Showcase Commitment to Supporting Innovative Founders

The team are already engaging actively with startups in the venture capital ecosystem and have built a strong pipeline of deal opportunities in the Kingdom and globally.

Several investment opportunities have been secured for the fund and it is envisaged that capital will be deployed into a number of exciting FinTech businesses later this year.

Building a Thriving Ecosystem

"We are delighted to announce this new strategic partnership with Ethos Invest, which is a real vote of confidence in the burgeoning Saudi FinTech sector," said Haitham Alsahfy, Co-Founder & CEO of Fintactics. "It underscores the immense potential of the FinTech sector and our commitment to backing innovative companies that are reshaping the financial landscape in the region and globally."

"By combining Fintactics' venture building capabilities with Ethos Invest's global reach and Arbah Capital's regional expertise, we are uniquely positioned to identify and nurture the next generation of financial services leaders."

Kevin Cunningham, Partner at Ethos Invest, added, "By combining Fintactics' venture building capabilities with Ethos Invest's expertise and Arbah Capital's regional knowledge, we are uniquely positioned to identify and nurture the next generation of financial services leaders in Saudi Arabia. The fund aligns with our broader mission to help build new businesses that leverage cutting edge financial and technology solutions to make people's lives better."

Waleed Al-Rashdan, CEO of Arbah Capital, concluded, "This fund represents a strategic investment in the future of finance. We are excited to collaborate with Fintactics and Ethos Invest and join forces in fostering a vibrant FinTech ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and beyond. We are confident that our collaboration will unlock tremendous opportunities for regional and global financial innovation."

About Fintactics Ventures

Fintactics Ventures, headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is a premier fintech dedicated VC fund and venture studio with a vision to redefine the future financial landscape. This venture-building entity is dedicated to fostering, propelling, and investing in innovative startups not just in Saudi Arabia but extending to the broader MENA region and Globally. Through its endeavors, Fintactics cultivates a technologically-driven ecosystem, significantly advancing growth both on a regional and local scale.

About Ethos Group

Ethos Invest is part of the Ethos Group whose mission is to build a digital ecosystem of ethical financial service firms that solve the values- and faith-based compromises made by millions of customers globally, improving their financial wellbeing in the process. The Ethos Group and its subsidiaries, is currently undergoing a rebranding process, and will have a new name in due course.

About Arbah Capital

Arbah Capital is the First Islamic Boutique Investment firm in Eastern Region of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and thus embarked on an ambitious and visionary mission to provide investment solutions to their investors.

1 H1 2024 Saudi Arabia Venture Capital Report. MAGNiTT Report, Sponsored by SVC

Media Contact

Jessica Joyce, PR Novo LLC, 1 (325) 221-3634, [email protected], https://prnovo.com

SOURCE Fintactics Ventures

4 september 2024 at 09:05

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Dell Technologies and Red Hat Announce Collaboration to Fuel Open Source AI Workloads on Dell PowerEdge and Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI





Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL) and Red Hat, Inc., the world's leading provider of open source solutions, are bringing Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI (RHEL AI), a foundation model platform built on an AI-optimized operating system that enables users to more seamlessly develop, test and deploy artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (gen AI) models, to Dell PowerEdge servers. This joint effort establishes RHEL AI as a preferred platform on the Dell PowerEdge R760xa server.

This collaboration helps organizations more readily implement successful artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) strategies to scale their IT systems and power enterprise applications across their businesses. Dell and Red Hat are providing a more consistent AI experience on optimized, AI-enabled hardware solutions, all delivered on the trusted platform of RHEL AI on Dell PowerEdge. This initiative aims to simplify the AI experience for users by continuously testing and validating hardware solutions, including NVIDIA accelerated computing, with RHEL AI.

RHEL AI brings together open source-licensed Granite large language models (LLMs) from IBM Research, InstructLab model alignment tools based on the LAB (Large-scale Alignment for chatBots) methodology and a community-driven approach to model development through the InstructLab project. The solution is packaged as an optimized, bootable Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) image for individual server deployments across the hybrid cloud and is included as part of Red Hat OpenShift AI, Red Hat's hybrid cloud machine learning operations (MLOps) platform, for running models and InstructLab at scale across distributed cluster environments.

RHEL AI on Dell PowerEdge servers will be available in Q3 2024. Test drive the solution in Dell Customer Solution Centers located globally.

Supporting Quotes

Joe Fernandes, vice president and general manager, Generative AI Foundation Model Platforms, Red Hat

"AI by nature requires extensive resources spanning enabled servers, compute power and GPUs. As organizations evaluate and implement gen AI use cases, it is imperative that they build on a platform that is able to scale with their business while also providing the agility to experiment and develop AI-driven innovations. By collaborating with Dell Technologies to validate and empower RHEL AI on Dell PowerEdge servers, we are enabling customers with greater confidence and flexibility to harness the power of gen AI workloads across hybrid cloud environments and propel their business into the future."

Arun Narayanan, senior vice president, Dell Technologies

"Validating RHEL AI for AI workloads on Dell PowerEdge servers provides customers with greater confidence that the servers, GPUs, and foundational platforms are tested and validated on an ongoing basis. This simplifies the gen AI user experience and accelerates the process to build and deploy critical AI workloads on a trusted software stack."

Bob Pette, vice president, Enterprise Platforms, NVIDIA

"In today's fast-paced market, it is critical for organizations to be equipped with validated and trusted AI-enabled solutions to kick-start their gen AI use cases. Red Hat and Dell will extend gen AI capabilities for customers with an optimized experience for NVIDIA accelerated computing, including NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs, with Dell PowerEdge servers and RHEL AI."

Additional Resources

Learn more about RHEL AI

Connect with Dell on X and LinkedIn

Connect with Red Hat

About Dell Technologies

Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL) helps organizations and individuals build their digital future and transform how they work, live and play. The company provides customers with the industry's broadest and most innovative technology and services portfolio for the data era.

About Red Hat, Inc.

Red Hat is the world's leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to deliver reliable and high-performing Linux, hybrid cloud, container, and Kubernetes technologies. Red Hat helps customers integrate new and existing IT applications, develop cloud-native applications, standardize on our industry-leading operating system, and automate, secure, and manage complex environments. Award-winning support, training, and consulting services make Red Hat a trusted adviser to the Fortune 500. As a strategic partner to cloud providers, system integrators, application vendors, customers, and open source communities, Red Hat can help organizations prepare for the digital future.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company or its parent International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Red Hat, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, the Red Hat logo and OpenShift are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries. Linux is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries.

4 september 2024 at 09:15

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Norfolk Southern reaches tentative collective bargaining agreements with all general committees representing SMART-TD





Early agreements now cover nearly 65% of company's union workforce

ATLANTA, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) has reached a tentative agreement with its final general committee of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers - Transportation Division (SMART-TD). SMART-TD is the company's largest labor union, representing train conductors across the company's 22-state network. The latest agreement ensures coverage for all Norfolk Southern conductors and brings the total union workforce covered by early tentative agreements to nearly 65%.

The agreement, which is subject to ratification, comes four months before the opening of the next collective bargaining round and provides a 3.5-percent average wage increase per year over the next five years. Under the tentative agreements, covered railroaders will also receive more vacation earlier in their career and have enhancements made to an already robust suite of health care benefits.

"At Norfolk Southern, we're working closely with our labor leaders to support and reward our workforce, giving our valued employees the pay, health care, and vacation improvements they deserve without the multi-year wait that often accompanied previous bargaining rounds," said Alan H. Shaw, Norfolk Southern President and CEO. "We know that railroading is more than just a job; it's an opportunity for a fulfilling career capable of providing a good life for employees and their families. We appreciate the partnership with SMART-TD and look forward to reaching additional agreements with all of our unions."

"I am proud that now all our SMART-TD General Chairman have been able to negotiate the significant pay, health care, and vacation benefits of this agreement for all conductors on Norfolk Southern," said Jeremy Ferguson, National President SMART-TD. "We thank Norfolk Southern for stepping up at the bargaining table and partnering on a deal that will truly improve the lives of our dedicated members."

Over the past two weeks, Norfolk Southern has reached tentative agreements with nine of its 13 unions, which, in addition to SMART-TD, include the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA), the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED), the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Division/TCU (BRC), the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers - Mechanical Department (SMART-MD), the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers ? Transportation Division Yardmasters (SMART-TD Yardmasters), the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and Blacksmiths (IBBB), the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers (NCFO), and the Transportation Communications Union/IAM (TCU).

About Norfolk Southern

Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and Norfolk Southern originates more automotive traffic than any other Class I Railroad. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports in the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com .

SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation

4 september 2024 at 09:51

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CIBC Innovation Banking Provides Growth Capital Financing to threatER





CIBC Innovation Banking announced today that it has provided a growth capital financing facility to threatER, a cyber defense category leader focused on eliminating cyber threats before they reach the network. This growth capital will support threatER's scale-up as they strive to help medium-sized businesses and enterprises, especially in financial services, healthcare and legal, protect their business from cyberattacks and increasingly sophisticated digital bad actors.

threatER's unique cybersecurity solution blocks traffic from all known bad actors from entering and leaving your network while allowing traffic to and from known good locations, all in real-time. By blocking known bad traffic at scale, threatER is not only making a company's network, data and users more secure, it's also making their existing security infrastructure more efficient.

With over 350 customers across the globe, threatER is dedicated to helping enterprises improve their network security posture while also improving performance on their network and reducing costs and alerts. Leveraging state-of-the-art and patented technology, threatER blocks harmful traffic from entering and leaving corporate/cloud networks while allowing healthy traffic in and out of networks, all in real-time while achieving low latency and full data analytics transparency.

Brian McMahon, CEO of threatER, said, "Our ability to swiftly complete this transaction reflects both investors' confidence in our cyber-strategy as well as our proven ability to execute on our business plans. This additional financing will allow threatER to fully implement our expansive roadmap as we break through the profitability milestone."

Ben Shephard, Executive Director at CIBC Innovation Banking, said: "threatER has demonstrated in the market, through daily use, how their product adds value to their customers, protects customer operations, and provides a potent tool that IT departments can deploy to shield their infrastructure. We are excited to work with threatER and be a part of their mission."

threatER was recently named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Companies for 2024. threatER said that the financing will be used for general working capital and success-based expenditures related to its expanding network protections to an organization's security stack.

"threatER provides much needed innovation with next-generation software architecture and a data-driven solution to proactively combat cyberattacks and protect enterprise customers. We are excited for CIBC to partner with threatER for this next phase of growth," Joyce Shen, Investor, Tenfore Holdings and threatER Board Director.

About CIBC Innovation Banking

CIBC Innovation Banking delivers strategic advice, cash management and funding to innovation companies across North America, the UK, and select European countries at each stage of their business cycle, from startup to IPO and beyond. With offices in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Durham, London, Menlo Park, Montreal, New York, Reston, Seattle, San Francisco, Toronto and Vancouver, the team has extensive experience and a strong, collaborative approach that extends across CIBC's commercial banking, private banking, wealth management and capital markets businesses.

About threatER

threatER is a comprehensive cybersecurity platform that provides active network defense by automating the enforcement, deployment, and analysis of cyber threats at scale. threatER offers a wide range of solutions to proactively and automatically safeguard organizations against cyber threats. Their patented solution effectively blocks all known threats, enabling the rest of the modern cyber security stack to do its job more efficiently. Your security stack is better with threatER. For more information, find us at threatER.com.

4 september 2024 at 10:05

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Habitat for Humanity Canada announces new SVP People and Impact





TORONTO, Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Habitat for Humanity Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Coviello as Senior Vice-President, People and Impact, effective today. In this new role for the organization, Karen will lead Habitat's affiliate partnership strategy, as well as lead the organization's people and culture strategy.



"Habitat's impact is local, tangible and fueled by communities coming together in every part of our country. That is the foundation for how we will raise our impact for affordable homeownership. Karen's new role elevates this goal across our organization and brings a focus to how we continue to grow our capacity and joint strategy with our network and partners," said Pedro Barata, President & CEO.

The main engine of Habitat for Humanity's impact in Canada is 45 local Habitat organizations, located in communities from coast to coast to coast. Supported by the multi-faceted efforts of a national office, local Habitats bring communities together to help families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership.

Karen's immediate priorities will include leading a series of strategic planning rounds with local Habitats to co-create new approaches to increasing network collaboration and impact. Supporting the continued operational success of local Habitats and the organization's social enterprise ? a network of over 100 Habitat ReStores across the nation - will remain front and centre to Karen and her team.

"I am excited about this challenge, and I know our team and local Habitats are ready to take our work to a new level," said Karen Coviello. "Having led a local Habitat organization myself, I know how challenging it can be to lead in a complex housing environment that is influenced by so many macro forces. And I also know the power that comes from working together from the ground-up, to build a Canada where everyone has access to a safe and affordable place to call home."

Activating a renewed people and talent strategy that continues to place equity, diversity and inclusion, and Reconciliation at the heart of Habitat's mission will be fundamental to Karen's new role on our Executive Leadership Team.

About Karen Coviello

Born and raised in the beautiful city of Saskatoon, Karen joined the Habitat Canada team in January 2021 as the VP Affiliate Success. Karen's professional roots lie in primary education, where she developed a passion for creating the space for others to flourish. Her proven talents are geared to create a successful learning organization: developing effective stakeholder engagement strategies, curriculum and workshop design, strategic planning, and guiding organizations through change initiatives.

Prior to joining Habitat Canada, Karen was the Habitat Waterloo Region CEO, served as a Waterloo City Councillor, and was a professor in Conestoga College's Business School. She was also the co-founder and principal of The Talent Business Solutions, a successful Waterloo start-up focused on delivering strategic management support to help not-for-profits grow, compete, and embrace change. Karen is an avid community volunteer, currently serving as the President & Chair of the Board of the YW of Kitchener-Waterloo.

About Habitat for Humanity Canada

Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national charitable organization working towards a world where everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home. Habitat Canada brings communities together to help families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership. With the help of volunteers, Habitat homeowners and 45 local Habitats working in every province and territory, we provide a solid foundation for better, healthier lives in Canada and around the world. Habitat for Humanity Canada is a member of Habitat for Humanity International, which was established in 1976 and has grown to become a leading global non-profit working in more than 70 countries. For more information, please visit www.habitat.ca

For more information:

Jennifer Fowler

Director, Communications

Habitat for Humanity Canada

C: 437-317-8581

E: [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9b2f6d20-7508-43eb-9c71-29e44d38c1c0

4 september 2024 at 12:35

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Federal government invests in retrofits to create a Cultural Hub at Tom Davies Square





GREATER SUDBURY, ON, Sept. 4, 2024 /CNW/ - Municipal office spaces at Greater Sudbury's City Hall will transform into the green and inclusive home of a Cultural Hub at Tom Davies Square after an investment of over $25 million from the federal government. Federal funds come from the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program (GICB) and the Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP).

The funding was announced today by MP Viviane Lapointe, MP Marc G. Serre, and Mayor Paul Lefebvre. When complete, the Cultural Hub at Tom Davies Square will be home to the Art Gallery of Sudbury, the new central library, and the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association. The facility will be a unique and exciting community space that provides residents with a variety of cultural and educational services in one convenient centralized location, and supports the City's commitment to accessibility, environmental sustainability, multiculturalism, Indigeneity, social inclusion, and culture.

This retrofit, funded through the GICB program, enhances the unique features of the existing facility while ensuring it becomes an accessible space. The Cultural Hub will be equipped with rest area seating, tactile guidance systems, charging stations for mobility devices, and voice announcements for floor identification. Sustainable upgrades include energy-efficient LED lighting and improved insulation to minimize heating and cooling loss.

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) funds announced today have helped support the planning, design and engineering costs of this future transformational public space. The FedNor funds are provided by the Northern Ontario Development Program, through which FedNor invests in projects led by municipalities, First Nations, and other organizations and institutions that support community economic development, diversification, job creation and self-reliant communities in Northern Ontario.

Quotes

"This $25 million is a pivotal investment in our downtown and in our arts and culture. It's also a decisive investment in our future economy and the revitalization of our downtown area. The Cultural Hub will be a gathering space that promotes art, culture, technology, knowledge, and innovation. This investment is also about economic growth and community development. The renovation and construction of the Hub will create numerous jobs in the short term, and once completed, it will continue to support our local economy by attracting tourists, cultural events and businesses to Sudbury."

Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

"By creating an accessible, contemporary venue for arts, culture, and language, the Cultural Hub at Tom Davies Square will be a key destination in Greater Sudbury, enhancing the local economy and tourism, and offering a welcoming space for all visitors."

Marc G. Serre, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and to the Minister of Official Languages, and Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt

"The Cultural Hub Project at Tom Davies Square is a transformative opportunity for our community, allowing us to create a unique cultural destination that reflects our vibrant spirit. With today's funding announcement, we are not only revitalizing this space but also advancing our commitment to sustainability by developing a world-class, energy-efficient facility. On behalf of the City of Greater Sudbury, I express our sincere gratitude to the federal government for their generous contribution of over $25 million. This support is pivotal in our mission to enrich the lives of our residents while upholding our dedication to environmental stewardship."

Paul Lefebvre, Mayor, City of Greater Sudbury

Quick Facts

The federal government is investing $24,908,530 in this project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program at Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada and $275,000 through FedNor's Northern Ontario Development Program.

in this project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program at Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada and through FedNor's Northern Ontario Development Program. The total project cost for the Cultural Hub is $65 million , with almost $37 million in municipal funding provided by the City of Greater Sudbury .

, with almost in municipal funding provided by the . These enhancements are expected to reduce the facility's energy consumption by an estimated 29% and greenhouse gas emissions by 315 tonnes annually.

The GICB program was created in support of Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. It is supporting the Plan's first pillar by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and helping develop higher resilience to climate change.

Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. It is supporting the Plan's first pillar by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and helping develop higher resilience to climate change. The program launched in 2021 with an initial investment of $1.5 billion over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades.

over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades. Budget 2024 announced an additional $500 million to support more projects through GICB until 2029.

to support more projects through GICB until 2029. At least 10% of funding is allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities, including Indigenous populations in urban centres.

The GICB program launched its third intake of applications on August 1, 2024 , for small and medium retrofit projects with eligible costs ranging from $100,000 to $2,999,999 .

, for small and medium retrofit projects with eligible costs ranging from to . Applications for large retrofit projects, ranging from $3 million to $25 million in eligible costs, to upgrade existing community buildings or to create new, energy-efficient buildings will be accepted starting on September 4, 2024 .

to in eligible costs, to upgrade existing community buildings or to create new, energy-efficient buildings will be accepted starting on . Both intake streams will close on October 16, 2024 at 15:00 Eastern Time .

at . For more information, please visit the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada website at: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada - Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program.

Associated Links

Green and Inclusive Community Buildings

https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/gicb-bcvi/index-eng.html

Strengthened Climate Plan

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario

https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/plan/prog-proj-on-eng.html

To find out more about FedNor's programs and services, please visit: fednor.canada.ca

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

4 september 2024 at 15:15

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New Jersey American Water Granted New Rates by New Jersey Board of Public Utilities





The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) today approved a settlement between New Jersey American Water and the N.J. Division of Rate Counsel and BPU Staff for new water and wastewater rates for New Jersey American Water. The approved rates represent a total annualized revenue increase of approximately $79.5 million.

The company's rate request was filed on January 19, 2024, and was primarily driven by more than $1.3 billion in infrastructure investment in treatment system and distribution upgrades since its last rate filing.

"We are committed to making appropriate investments to continue to provide safe, reliable services, while maximizing efficiencies to balance the impact to customers," said Mark McDonough, President, New Jersey American Water. "Our effective capital planning helps keep water and wastewater services compliant with state and federal regulations, reliable amidst the challenges of climate and other impacts, and affordable for the 2.9 million people we serve."

The new rates will become effective September 15, 2024. With the approved rate increase, the average bill for most water customers with a 5/8" meter using 5,642 gallons per month will increase approximately $5.33 per month. The bill for an average wastewater customer will increase approximately $5.68 per month, depending on the service area. Even with the new rates, the cost of high-quality, reliable, water and wastewater service will remain among the lowest household utility bills.

The company's proposed Universal Affordability Tariff was also approved as part of this rate filing and will be incorporated into the company's H2O Help to Others assistance program. Underscoring the company's commitment to affordability, this new tariff will provide discounts on both the monthly fixed service charge and the monthly usage charge for income-eligible customers. More information about this and other assistance programs can be found at www.newjerseyamwater.com under Customer Service & Billing, Bill Paying Assistance.

Customers will receive information about the new rates in their next New Jersey American Water bill. Information will also be available on the company's website at www.newjerseyamwater.com under Customer Service & Billing, Your Water and Wastewater Rates, or by calling 800-272-1325, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About New Jersey American Water

New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.9 million people. For more information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com and follow New Jersey American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram.

4 september 2024 at 16:20

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Major Drilling Announces First Quarter 2025 Results





MONCTON, New Brunswick, Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Major Drilling Group International Inc. ("Major Drilling" or the "Company") (TSX: MDI), a leading provider of specialized drilling services to the mining sector, today reported results for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, ended July 31, 2024.



Quarterly Highlights:

Revenue of $190.0 million, an increase of 13.1% from revenue reported in Q4 of fiscal 2024, down 4.5% compared to the same period last year.

Revenue from seniors and intermediates up 7% year-over-year, while junior funding remains limited.



EBITDA (1) of $34.3 million (or $0.42 per share), down from $40.3 million for the same period last year.

of $34.3 million (or $0.42 per share), down from $40.3 million for the same period last year. Net earnings of $15.9 million (or $0.19 per share), down from $21.8 million (or $0.26 per share) for the same period last year.

$15 million strategic investment in technology to provide AI digital core logging and drillside orebody intelligence.

Industry leading net cash(1) of $76.9 million, after strategic investment.

"For Q1 fiscal 2025, Major Drilling's globally diversified operations ensured that we were able to increase our revenue over the previous quarter and maintain a solid level of activity, despite the continued market slowdown in junior financing and a dip in overall global drilling activity this quarter," commented Mr. Denis Larocque, President & CEO of Major Drilling. "We were particularly pleased with the results from our Australasian and Chilean operations, which helped offset a slowdown in North America driven by the lack of junior financing."

"The Company delivered solid financial results in the quarter, generating $34.3 million in EBITDA bolstered by strong performance in Australasia," commented Ian Ross, CFO of Major Drilling. "During the quarter, we were pleased to announce that our 2021 McKay acquisition successfully met all of the EBITDA milestones in their earnout period, and the final contingent payment will be made in Q2. This acquisition has provided tremendous stability in our Australasian region and we are pleased to see them achieve the full earnout. In anticipation of increased activity levels, we continued to modernize our drill fleet, spending $21.3 million in capex, including 7 new drills and support equipment. This enables us to field more rigs into the busiest markets, while disposing of 4 older, less efficient rigs, bringing Major Drilling's total fleet count to 609 drills. The Company also made a $15 million strategic investment in DGI Geoscience Inc./KORE GeoSystems Inc. as we look to evolve our industry-leading specialized services by offering valuable incremental downhole data to our customers," concluded Mr. Ross.

"I am thrilled about our new partnership, which positions Major Drilling at the forefront of technological advancements in the drilling industry," said Mr. Larocque. "The value of this transaction lies in integrating geological solutions, including AI, with our specialized drilling services, creating a unique offering that incorporates the latest advanced technology. This move continues our progression in drilling innovation and aligns with our growth strategy as we invest in the future of mining. We believe that combining these services, including our Rock5 technology, will solidify our position as the preferred contractor for mining companies."

"As we enter the second quarter of fiscal 2025, we anticipate a slight decline in our revenue run rate relative to our first quarter, primarily due to subdued activity levels in North America. Market conditions, particularly for juniors, remain challenging, with a continued lack of funding translating to decreased activity levels. However, the recent strengthening of gold and copper prices has shown signs of improved financing and investor sentiment."

"The significant improvement in gold prices has bolstered the financial positions of most senior mining companies. This financial boost is likely to lead to increased exploration budgets over time, given a decade-long decline in gold reserves. Recent improvements in copper pricing and demand, that build on already strong levels, are expected to drive additional exploration efforts."

"Further, as global demand for electrification continues to rise, the need for vast quantities of copper and battery metals will intensify around the world, putting pressure on the current supply and demand dynamics. We anticipate this will result in significant additional funds flowing into copper and other base metal exploration projects to meet the pending deficit. Our goal is to assist our customers in discovering the metals essential for advancing a green economy. Many of these new mineral deposits are in challenging-to-access areas, necessitating complex drilling solutions, thus sustaining the demand for Major Drilling's specialized services."



"Major Drilling is uniquely positioned to respond to, and benefit from, these market dynamics. Supported by our strong financial position, successful recruitment and training efforts, and technological advancements, we continue to be the operator and employer of choice in our industry," concluded Mr. Larocque.

In millions of Canadian dollars (except earnings per share) Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Revenue $ 190.0 $ 198.9 Gross margin 22.1 % 24.6 % Adjusted gross margin (1) 28.9 % 30.1 % EBITDA (1) 34.3 40.3 As percentage of revenue 18.0 % 20.2 % Net earnings 15.9 21.8 Earnings per share 0.19 0.26

(1) See "Non-IFRS Financial Measures"

First Quarter Ended July 31, 2024

Total revenue for the quarter was $190.0 million, down 4.5% from revenue of $198.9 million recorded in the same quarter last year. The favourable foreign exchange translation impact, when comparing to the effective rates for the previous year, was approximately $1 million on revenue, with minimal impact on net earnings as expenditures in foreign jurisdictions tend to be in the same currency as revenue.

Revenue for the quarter from Canada - U.S. drilling operations decreased by 14.1% to $87.2 million, compared to the same period last year. Drilling activity has been reduced as lack of junior financing continues to impact this region.



South and Central American revenue decreased by 3.5% to $49.8 million for the quarter, compared to the same quarter last year. The region saw growth in Chile, driven by copper exploration, but was offset by seasonal slowdowns and project delays in other countries.

Australasian and African revenue increased by 15.9% to $53.1 million, compared to the same period last year. Demand for specialized services in Australia and Mongolia has driven the growth in the quarter.

Gross margin percentage for the quarter was 22.1%, compared to 24.6% for the same period last year. Depreciation expense totaling $12.9 million is included in direct costs for the current quarter, versus $11.0 million in the same quarter last year. Adjusted gross margin, which excludes depreciation expense, was 28.9% for the quarter, compared to 30.1% for the same period last year. Margins are down slightly from the prior year due to a more competitive environment in Canada - U.S.

General and administrative costs were $18.5 million, an increase of $2.0 million compared to the same quarter last year. The increase from the prior year was driven by annual wage adjustments implemented at the start of the fiscal year and increased non-recurring professional fees related to strategic corporate initiatives.

Foreign exchange loss was $0.8 million, compared to a loss of $1.6 million for the same quarter last year. While the Company's reporting currency is the Canadian dollar, various jurisdictions have net monetary assets or liabilities exposed to various other currencies.

The income tax provision for the quarter was an expense of $4.9 million, compared to an expense of $7.2 million for the prior year period. The decrease from the prior year was driven by reduced profitability.

Net earnings were $15.9 million or $0.19 per share ($0.19 per share diluted) for the quarter, compared to net earnings of $21.8 million or $0.26 per share ($0.26 per share diluted) for the prior year quarter.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

The Company's financial data has been prepared in accordance with IFRS, with the exception of certain financial measures detailed below. The measures below have been used consistently by the Company's management team in assessing operational performance on both segmented and consolidated levels, and in assessing the Company's financial strength. The Company believes these non-IFRS financial measures are key, for both management and investors, in evaluating performance at a consolidated level and are commonly reported and widely used by investors and lending institutions as indicators of a company's operating performance and ability to incur and service debt, and as a valuation metric. These measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other publicly traded companies and should not be construed as an alternative to other financial measures determined in accordance with IFRS.

EBITDA - earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization:

(in $000s CAD) Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Net earnings $ 15,871 $ 21,773 Finance (revenues) costs (664 ) (682 ) Income tax provision 4,915 7,176 Depreciation and amortization 14,139 11,989 EBITDA $ 34,261 $ 40,256

Adjusted gross profit/margin - excludes depreciation expense:

(in $000s CAD) Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Total revenue $ 190,042 $ 198,884 Less: direct costs 148,062 149,875 Gross profit 41,980 49,009 Add: depreciation 12,860 10,951 Adjusted gross profit 54,840 59,960 Adjusted gross margin 28.9 % 30.1 %

Net cash ? cash net of debt, excluding lease liabilities reported under IFRS 16 Leases:

(in $000s CAD) July 31, 2024 April 30, 2024 Cash $ 85,850 $ 96,218 Contingent consideration (8,997 ) (8,863 ) Net cash $ 76,853 $ 87,355

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this news release that address future events, developments, or performance that the Company expects to occur (including management's expectations regarding the Company's objectives, strategies, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and businesses) are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by future or conditional verbs such as "outlook", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "project", "expect", "intend", "plan", and terms and expressions of similar import. All forward-looking information in this news release is qualified by this cautionary note.

Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon various estimates and assumptions including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management related to the factors set forth below. While these factors and assumptions are considered reasonable by the Company as at the date of this document in light of management's experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, these statements are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information.

Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that include, but are not limited to: the level of activity in the mining industry and the demand for the Company's services; competitive pressures; global and local political and economic environments and conditions; the level of funding for the Company's clients (particularly for junior mining companies); exposure to currency movements (which can affect the Company's revenue in Canadian dollars); the integration of business acquisitions and the realization of the intended benefits of such acquisitions; efficient management of the Company's growth; currency restrictions; safety of the Company's workforce; risks and uncertainties relating to climate change and natural disaster; the Company's dependence on key customers; the geographic distribution of the Company's operations; the impact of operational changes; changes in jurisdictions in which the Company operates (including changes in regulation); failure by counterparties to fulfill contractual obligations; disease outbreak; as well as other risk factors described under "General Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's MD&A for the year ended April 30, 2024, available on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more risk, uncertainty, contingency, or other factor materialize or should any factor or assumption prove incorrect, actual results could vary materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information.

Forward-looking statements made in this document are made as of the date of this document and the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available, as a result of future events, or for any other reasons, except as required by applicable securities laws.

About Major Drilling

Major Drilling Group International Inc. is the world's leading provider of specialized drilling services primarily serving the mining industry. Established in 1980, Major Drilling has over 1,000 years of combined experience and expertise within its management team. The Company maintains field operations and offices in Canada, the United States, Mexico, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Major Drilling provides a complete suite of drilling services including surface and underground coring, directional, reverse circulation, sonic, geotechnical, environmental, water-well, coal-bed methane, shallow gas, underground percussive/longhole drilling, surface drill and blast, a variety of mine services, and ongoing development of data-driven, high-tech drillside solutions.

Webcast/Conference Call/Annual General Meeting Information

Major Drilling Group International Inc. will provide a simultaneous webcast and conference call to discuss its quarterly results on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 8:00 AM (EDT). To access the webcast, which includes a slide presentation, please go to the investors/webcasts section of Major Drilling's website at www.majordrilling.com and click on the link. Please note that this is listen-only mode.

To participate in the conference call, please dial 416-340-2217, participant passcode 2773514# and ask for Major Drilling's First Quarter Results Conference Call. To ensure your participation, please call in approximately five minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call.

For those unable to participate, a taped rebroadcast will be available approximately one hour after the completion of the call until Sunday, October 6, 2024. To access the rebroadcast, dial 905-694-9451 and enter the passcode 1681673#. The webcast will also be archived for one year and can be accessed on the Major Drilling website at www.majordrilling.com.

Major Drilling Group International Inc.'s Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 3:30pm EDT in person at McCarthy Tetrault, 66 Wellington St. West, 53rd Floor, Clarkson Room, Toronto ON M5K 1E6, and virtually at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/MDI2024.

For further information:

Ian Ross, Chief Financial Officer

Tel: (506) 857-8636

Fax: (506) 857-9211

[email protected]

Major Drilling Group International Inc. Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share information) (unaudited) Three months ended

July 31

2024 2023 TOTAL REVENUE $ 190,042 $ 198,884 DIRECT COSTS (note 10) 148,062 149,875 GROSS PROFIT 41,980 49,009 OPERATING EXPENSES General and administrative (note 10) 18,509 16,510 Other expenses 2,956 2,871 (Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment (391 ) (237 ) Foreign exchange (gain) loss 784 1,598 Finance (revenues) costs (664 ) (682 ) 21,194 20,060 EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAX 20,786 28,949 INCOME TAX EXPENSE (RECOVERY) (note 11) Current 5,503 6,643 Deferred (588 ) 533 4,915 7,176 NET EARNINGS $ 15,871 $ 21,773 EARNINGS PER SHARE (note 12) Basic $ 0.19 $ 0.26 Diluted $ 0.19 $ 0.26





Major Drilling Group International Inc. Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (in thousands of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) Three months ended July 31 2024 2023 NET EARNINGS $ 15,871 $ 21,773 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translations 2,784 (8,299 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives (net of tax) (23 ) 22 COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS $ 18,632 $ 13,496





Major Drilling Group International Inc.

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

For the three months ended July 31, 2024 and 2023

(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

(unaudited)

Retained Other Share-based Foreign currency Share capital earnings reserves payments reserve translation reserve Total BALANCE AS AT MAY 1, 2023 $ 266,071 $ 105,944 $ (37 ) $ 3,696 $ 76,903 $ 452,577 Exercise of stock options 529 - - (146 ) - 383 Share-based compensation - - - 101 - 101 Share buyback (note 9) (451 ) (840 ) - - - (1,291 ) Stock options expired/forfeited - 1 - (1 ) - - 266,149 105,105 (37 ) 3,650 76,903 451,770 Comprehensive earnings: Net earnings - 21,773 - - - 21,773 Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translations - - - - (8,299 ) (8,299 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives - - 22 - - 22 Total comprehensive earnings - 21,773 22 - (8,299 ) 13,496 BALANCE AS AT JULY 31, 2023 $ 266,149 $ 126,878 $ (15 ) $ 3,650 $ 68,604 $ 465,266 BALANCE AS AT MAY 1, 2024 $ 262,679 $ 151,740 $ (18 ) $ 3,630 $ 75,801 $ 493,832 Exercise of stock options 397 - - (109 ) - 288 Share-based compensation - - - 42 - 42 263,076 151,740 (18 ) 3,563 75,801 494,162 Comprehensive earnings: Net earnings - 15,871 - - - 15,871 Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translations - - - - 2,784 2,784 Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives - - (23 ) - - (23 ) Total comprehensive earnings - 15,871 (23 ) - 2,784 18,632 BALANCE AS AT JULY 31, 2024 $ 263,076 $ 167,611 $ (41 ) $ 3,563 $ 78,585 $ 512,794





Major Drilling Group International Inc. Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) Three months ended

July 31

2024 2023 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Earnings before income tax $ 20,786 $ 28,949 Operating items not involving cash Depreciation and amortization (note 10) 14,139 11,989 (Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment (391 ) (237 ) Share-based compensation 42 101 Finance (revenues) costs recognized in earnings before income tax (664 ) (682 ) 33,912 40,120 Changes in non-cash operating working capital items (4,035 ) (16,124 ) Finance revenues received (costs paid) 664 682 Income taxes paid (6,127 ) (4,965 ) Cash flow from (used in) operating activities 24,414 19,713 FINANCING ACTIVITIES Repayment of lease liabilities (723 ) (319 ) Repayment of long-term debt - (20,000 ) Issuance of common shares due to exercise of stock options 288 383 Repurchase of common shares (note 9) - (1,291 ) Cash flow from (used in) financing activities (435 ) (21,227 ) INVESTING ACTIVITIES Investment in associate (note 8) (15,205 ) - Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (note 7) (21,251 ) (16,274 ) Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment 1,213 293 Cash flow from (used in) investing activities (35,243 ) (15,981 ) Effect of exchange rate changes 896 (1,020 ) INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH (10,368 ) (18,515 ) CASH, BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD 96,218 94,432 CASH, END OF THE PERIOD $ 85,850 $ 75,917





Major Drilling Group International Inc.

Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

As at July 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024

(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

(unaudited)

July 31, 2024 April 30, 2024 ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 85,850 $ 96,218 Trade and other receivables (note 14) 124,922 122,251 Income tax receivable 4,846 3,803 Inventories 110,295 110,805 Prepaid expenses 10,971 9,532 336,884 342,609 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (note 7) 245,668 237,291 RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS 6,643 4,595 INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATE (note 8) 15,205 - DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSETS 2,904 2,872 GOODWILL 22,677 22,597 INTANGIBLE ASSETS 1,963 2,219 $ 631,944 612,183 LIABILITIES CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and other payables $ 85,152 $ 86,226 Income tax payable 4,755 4,367 Current portion of lease liabilities 1,662 1,395 Current portion of contingent consideration 8,997 8,863 100,566 100,851 LEASE LIABILITIES 4,946 3,321 DEFERRED INCOME TAX LIABILITIES 13,638 14,179 119,150 118,351 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Share capital 263,076 262,679 Retained earnings 167,611 151,740 Other reserves (41 ) (18 ) Share-based payments reserve 3,563 3,630 Foreign currency translation reserve 78,585 75,801 512,794 493,832 $ 631,944 $ 612,183

MAJOR DRILLING GROUP INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED July 31, 2024 AND 2023 (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share information)

1. NATURE OF ACTIVITIES

Major Drilling Group International Inc. (the "Company") is incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act and has its head office at 111 St. George Street, Moncton, NB, Canada. The Company's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX"). The principal source of revenue consists of contract drilling for companies primarily involved in mining and mineral exploration. The Company has operations in Canada, the United States, Mexico, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Statement of compliance

These Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting ("IAS 34") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") and using the accounting policies as outlined in the Company's annual Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended April 30, 2024.

On September 4, 2024, the Board of Directors authorized the financial statements for issue.

Basis of consolidation

These Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by the Company. Control is achieved when the Company is exposed or has rights to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee.

The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the period are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations from the effective date of acquisition or up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate.

Intercompany transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation, where appropriate.

Basis of preparation

These Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared based on the historical cost basis, except for certain financial instruments that are measured at fair value, using the same accounting policies and methods of computation, with the exception of those detailed in note 4 below, as presented in the Company's annual Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended April 30, 2024.

3. APPLICATION OF NEW AND REVISED IFRS

The Company has not applied the following IASB standard amendment that has been issued, but is not yet effective:

IAS 21 (as amended in 2023) - The Effect of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates - effective for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2025, with earlier application permitted. The amendments contain guidance to specify when a currency is exchangeable and how to determine the exchange rate when it is not.

The Company is currently in the process of assessing the impact the adoption of the above amendment will have on the Consolidated Financial Statements.



4. MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

With the exception of the policy detailed below, all accounting policies and methods of computation remain the same as those presented in the Company's annual Consolidation Financial Statements for the year ended April 30, 2024.

Investment in associate

Associates are companies that the Company has significant influence over and are accounted for under the equity method. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee, but is not control or joint control over those policies. Significant influence is presumed when the Company has an ownership interest greater than 20%, unless certain qualitative factors overcome this assumption. In assessing significant influence and the ownership interest, potential voting or other rights that are currently exercisable are taken into consideration.

Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method and are initially recognized at cost, inclusive of transaction costs. The Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the Company's share of the income or loss and equity movement of equity accounted associates. The Company does not recognize losses exceeding the carrying value of its interest in the associate.

5. KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGMENTS

The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with IFRS, requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that are not readily apparent from other sources, which affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised, if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods, if the revision affects both current and future periods. Significant areas requiring the use of management estimates relate to the useful lives of property, plant and equipment for depreciation purposes, inventory valuation, determination of income and other taxes, recoverability of deferred income tax assets, assumptions used in compilation of share-based payments, provisions, contingent considerations, impairment testing of goodwill and intangible assets and long-lived assets.

The Company applied judgment in determining the functional currency of the Company and its subsidiaries, the determination of cash-generating units ("CGUs"), the degree of componentization of property, plant and equipment, the recognition of provisions, the determination of the probability that deferred income tax assets will be realized from future taxable earnings, and the determination of whether the Company exerts significant influence with respect to its investment in associate under the equity accounting method.

6. SEASONALITY OF OPERATIONS

The third quarter (November to January) is normally the Company's weakest quarter due to the shutdown of mining and exploration activities, often for extended periods over the holiday season.

7. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Capital expenditures for the three months ended July 31, 2024 were $21,251 (2023- $16,274). The Company did not obtain direct financing for the three months ended July 31, 2024 or 2023.

8. INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATE

On July 22, 2024, the Company purchased shares in DGI Geoscience Inc. ("DGI") for $15,000 in cash consideration, a 39.8% equity interest (that provides the Company with 42.3% of the voting rights). DGI and its subsidiaries are privately held entities, headquartered in Canada, focused on downhole survey and imaging services as well as using artificial intelligence for logging scanned rock samples.

In addition to the equity interest, Major Drilling's representation on the DGI Board of Directors gives the Company significant influence over DGI. While there are special approval rights granted to the Company as part of the investment, these are more protective in nature and therefore, would not result in control, or joint control of DGI. As a result, the Company concluded that the equity method of accounting is appropriate for its investment in DGI.

The Company incurred costs of $205 for this investment, relating to external legal fees and due diligence costs. These amounts have been recorded as part of the cost of the investment in associate in the Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

As this transaction occurred late in the current quarter, the Company is in the process of finalizing the valuation of assets related to this investment. The Company is within the initial measurement period and any changes to provisional amounts will be reflected in future financial statements.

9. SHARE BUYBACK

During the prior year quarter, the Company repurchased 145,300 common shares at an average price of $8.89 under its Normal Course Issuer Bid.

10. EXPENSES BY NATURE

Direct costs by nature are as follows:

Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Depreciation $ 12,860 $ 10,951 Employee salaries and benefit expenses 68,185 68,353 Materials, consumables and external costs 56,821 61,066 Other 10,196 9,505 $ 148,062 $ 149,875

General and administrative expenses by nature are as follows:

Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Amortization of intangible assets $ 271 $ 266 Depreciation 1,008 772 Employee salaries and benefit expenses 9,997 8,923 Other general and administrative expenses 7,233 6,549 $ 18,509 $ 16,510

11. INCOME TAXES

The income tax provision for the periods can be reconciled to accounting earnings before income tax as follows:

Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Earnings before income tax $ 20,786 $ 28,949 Statutory Canadian corporate income tax rate 27 % 27 % Expected income tax provision based on statutory rate 5,612 7,816 Non-recognition of tax benefits related to losses 202 638 Utilization of previously unrecognized losses (702 ) (1,364 ) Other foreign taxes paid 125 146 Rate variances in foreign jurisdictions (61 ) 122 Permanent differences and other (261 ) (182 ) Income tax provision recognized in net earnings $ 4,915 $ 7,176

The Company periodically assesses its liabilities and contingencies for all tax years open to audit based upon the latest information available. For those matters where it is probable that an adjustment will be made, the Company records its best estimate of these tax liabilities, including related interest charges. Inherent uncertainties exist in estimates of tax contingencies due to changes in tax laws. While management believes they have adequately provided for the probable outcome of these matters, future results may include favourable or unfavourable adjustments to these estimated tax liabilities in the period the assessments are made, or resolved, or when the statutes of limitations lapse.

12. EARNINGS PER SHARE

All of the Company's earnings are attributable to common shares, therefore, net earnings are used in determining earnings per share.

Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Net earnings $ 15,871 $ 21,773 Weighted average number of shares: Basic (000s) 81,817 83,026 Diluted (000s) 82,016 83,303 Earnings per share Basic $ 0.19 $ 0.26 Diluted $ 0.19 $ 0.26

The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended July 31, 2024 excludes the effect of 105,000 options (2023 - 205,000), as they were not in-the-money.

The total number of shares outstanding on July 31, 2024 was 81,839,086 (2023 - 82,958,679).

13. SEGMENTED INFORMATION

The Company's operations are divided into the following three geographic segments, corresponding to its management structure: Canada - U.S.; South and Central America; and Australasia and Africa. The services provided in each of the reportable segments are essentially the same. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Company's annual Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended April 30, 2024. Management evaluates performance based on earnings from operations in these three geographic segments before finance costs, general corporate expenses and income taxes. Data relating to each of the Company's reportable segments is presented as follows:

Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Revenue Canada - U.S.* $ 87,153 $ 101,452 South and Central America 49,824 51,638 Australasia and Africa 53,065 45,794 $ 190,042 $ 198,884

*Canada - U.S. includes revenue of $31,848 (2023 - $36,689) for Canadian operations.

Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Earnings from operations Canada - U.S. $ 7,806 $ 14,885 South and Central America 6,113 9,990 Australasia and Africa 11,437 7,887 25,356 32,762 Finance (revenues) costs (664 ) (682 ) General and corporate expenses** 5,234 4,495 Income tax 4,915 7,176 9,485 10,989 Net earnings $ 15,871 $ 21,773

**General and corporate expenses include expenses for corporate offices and stock-based compensation.

Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Capital expenditures Canada - U.S. $ 8,172 $ 9,011 South and Central America 6,025 4,069 Australasia and Africa 7,000 3,125 Unallocated and corporate assets 54 69 Total capital expenditures $ 21,251 $ 16,274





Depreciation and amortization Canada - U.S. $ 6,340 $ 5,916 South and Central America 3,201 2,567 Australasia and Africa 4,374 3,314 Unallocated and corporate assets 224 192 Total depreciation and amortization $ 14,139 $ 11,989





July 31, 2024 April 30, 2024 Identifiable assets Canada - U.S.* $ 278,853 $ 277,092 South and Central America 173,250 169,773 Australasia and Africa 217,723 208,030 Unallocated and corporate liabilities (37,882 ) (42,712 ) Total identifiable assets $ 631,944 $ 612,183

*Canada - U.S. includes property, plant and equipment as at July 31, 2024 of $60,919 (April 30, 2024 - $62,991) for Canadian operations.

14. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Fair value

The carrying values of cash, trade and other receivables, demand credit facilities and trade and other payables approximate their fair value due to the relatively short period to maturity of the instruments. The carrying value of contingent consideration and long-term debt approximates their fair value as the interest applicable is reflective of fair market rates.

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:

Level 1 - quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2 - inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly (i.e., as prices) or indirectly (i.e., derived from prices); and

Level 3 - inputs for the assets or liabilities that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

The Company enters into certain derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to market risks, comprised of share-price forward contracts with a combined notional amount of $8,654, maturing at varying dates through June 2027.

The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market inputs whenever such inputs exist. A financial instrument is classified to the lowest level of the hierarchy for which a significant input has been considered in measuring fair value.

The Company's derivatives, with fair values as follows, are classified as level 2 financial instruments and recorded in trade and other receivables (payables) in the Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. There were no transfers of amounts between level 1, level 2 and level 3 financial instruments for the three months ended July 31, 2024.

July 31, 2024 April 30, 2024 Share-price forward contracts $ (682 ) $ (595 )

Credit risk

As at July 31, 2024, 96.6% (April 30, 2024 - 95.9%) of the Company's trade receivables were aged as current and 3.5% (April 30, 2024 - 3.5%) of the trade receivables were impaired.

The movements in the allowance for impairment of trade receivables during the periods were as follows:

July 31, 2024 April 30, 2024 Opening balance $ 4,149 $ 3,303 Increase in impairment allowance 580 1,607 Recovery of amounts previously impaired (433 ) (552 ) Write-off charged against allowance - (135 ) Foreign exchange translation differences (3 ) (74 ) Ending balance $ 4,293 $ 4,149

Foreign currency risk

As at July 31, 2024 the most significant carrying amounts of net monetary assets and/or liabilities (which may include intercompany balances with other subsidiaries) that: (i) are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the respective Company subsidiary; and (ii) cause foreign exchange rate exposure, including the impact on earnings before income taxes ("EBIT"), if the corresponding rate changes by 10%, are as follows (in $000s CAD):

Rate variance MNT/USD ARS/USD IDR/USD USD/CLP USD/ZAR USD/CAD Other Net exposure on monetary

assets (liabilities) 11,622 7,352 6,117 (19,136) (4,399) (3,622) (422) EBIT impact +/-10% 1,291 817 680 2,126 489 402 47

Liquidity risk

The following table details contractual maturities for the Company's financial liabilities:

1 year 2-3 years 4-5 years Total Trade and other payables $ 85,152 $ - $ - $ 85,152 Lease liabilities (interest included) 1,963 3,421 2,083 7,467 Contingent consideration (undiscounted) 8,997 - - 8,997 $ 96,112 $ 3,421 $ 2,083 $ 101,616

4 september 2024 at 17:00

News published onand distributed by:
The first delivery of mpox vaccines will arrive in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday, September 5, the African Union's health watchdog said. "We are very pleased with the arrival of this first batch of vaccines in the DRC," Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told Agence France-Presse (AFP), adding that more than 99,000 doses were expected.

Another flight carrying the rest of the 200,000 jabs is scheduled to arrive before the end of the week, Africa CDC confirmed. These first vaccines come from the laboratory of Danish drugmaker Bavarian Nordic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the DRC's government plans to start rolling out the jabs at the weekend.

The vast central Africa country of around 100 million people is at the epicenter of the mpox outbreak, with cases and deaths rising. More than 17,500 cases and 629 deaths have been reported in the country since the start of the year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

"We thank the European Union, through the European Health Emergency Response Authority, for immediately responding to our call for solidarity," Kaseya said. The WHO declared an international emergency over mpox on August 14, concerned by the surge in cases of the new Clade 1b strain in the DRC that spread to nearby countries.

In Africa, mpox is now present in 13 countries, including Burundi, Congo-Brazzaville and the Central African Republic, according to figures from the Africa CDC dated August 27. Outside the continent, the virus has also been detected in Sweden, Pakistan and the Philippines.

Formerly called monkeypox, the virus was discovered in 1958 in Denmark, in monkeys kept for research. It was first discovered in humans in 1970 in what is now the DRC.

Mpox is caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact. The disease causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions.

Read more Subscribers only Mpox: French health authorities recommend booster shot to combat risk of new outbreak
A 35-year old Asian man charged with the rape of a female at a local authority operated leisure centre in Ennis has been sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court.

At Ennis District Court, the man - who cant be identified for legal reasons - is charged with the single count of rape of a female at the Active Ennis Leisure Centre at Sandfield Rd, Ennis on August 13th 2022, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990.

The Active Ennis Leisure Centre is owned and operated by Clare Co Council and consists of a swimming pool and gym and is used by thousands of people every month.

In court today, Garda Emmet Roche gave evidence of serving the Book of Evidence being served on solicitor, Daragh Hassett for the accused.

Judge Alec Gabbett told the accused through an interpreter that if an alibi formed part of his defence his solicitor, Mr Hassett was to inform the State in writing within 14 days.

Read Also: Limerick gardai seize cannabis plants in house search

Judge Gabbett sent him forward for trial on bail to appear before the next sessions of the Central Criminal Court.

Judge Gabbett said that this could be Limerick or Dublin. Judge Gabbett granted legal aid to the accused for Mr Hassett and a senior counsel and junior counsel to represent him at the Central Criminal Court.

At the accused mans first court appearance in June, Det Garda Conor Flaherty of the Clare Garda Division Protective Services Unit (PSU) gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

He said that he met the accused before court by arrangement at Glentworth Street, Limerick and charged him with the single count.

He said that the accused made no reply after charge.

The mans address on the charge sheet is an address used by the State to accommodate International Protection (IP) applicants in Limerick.

Solicitor, Daragh Hassett for the accused, previously told the court that his client now lives and works in Co Cork.

Mr Hassett said that bail conditions have been agreed and they include that the accused stay out of Ennis and have no contact with the alleged injured party.

Det Garda Flaherty said that the accused has also agreed to surrender his passport to a Co Cork Garda station.
THE CASE where a Garda is charged with the unauthorised disclosure of Garda PULSE personal data on 14 individuals to a co-accused charged with a drug trafficking offence is a complex matter, a court has heard.

At Ennis District Court, Shane Flanagan (39) of Lifford Rd, Ennis today made his second court appearance where he is facing 14 separate counts of disclosing personal data on the Garda PULSE Information system to another person on dates between January 12, 2020 to September 24, 2020.

A Book of Evidence was due to be served on Mr Flanagan today and solicitor, Tara Godfrey told the court the Book of Evidence was expected and anticipated.

However, Sgt John Burke told the court that the Book of Evidence is not yet ready as it is a complex matter.

Sgt Burke said that State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey requires more time to draw up the Book of Evidence and he asked to extend time to September 25 to serve the book.

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Acting as agent for Mr Flanagans solicitor, Dan OGorman, Ms Godfrey said the accused is not prejudiced by the extension of time as the next call over date for cases at the circuit court is after the September 25 date.

The charges relate to Mr Flanagan allegedly disclosing the personal data without authorisation from the Garda PULSE system to Colm Meere (43) of Knockanean, Ennis, of 14 separate individuals.

Only their initials are provided on the charges in order to protect their identity.

The individuals' initials are listed as LL, FS, LMc, RN, SH, DC, WS, LG, GL, NC, KR, KD, DD and IS.

Mr Flanagan is charged under the Data Protection Act.

Mr Flanagan's co-accused, Colm Meere is facing companion PULSE charges where he is charged with inciting Shane Flanagan to disclose personal data from the Garda PULSE Information system on the same 14 individuals on dates between January 12 to September 24, 2020.

Those charges are also under the Data Protection Act.

Mr Meere is also facing a drug trafficking charge where on April 14, 2022, at Henry Garda Station, Limerick within a 161 D vehicle did possess a number of articles - a tick list, bag sealer, tin foil, scissors, baggies, mobile phone, purple folder, and a number of Dunnes Stores bags in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that these articles were in your possession for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation, facilitation or instigation of a drug trafficking offence.

The charge is under the Criminal justice Act 2007.

In court this Wednesday, solicitor for Mr Meere, Daragh Hassett said that while his client may be a co-accused in theory, he would be looking for a separate trial for his client.

Judge Gabbett said that this application could be made when the cases come before the circuit court and Mr Hassett agreed.

Judge Gabbett further remanded Mr Flanagan and Mr Meere on bail to Ennis District Court to September 25 for the serving of a Book of Evidence.
THE SUN was shining in Fedamore last Friday afternoon as Croi na Coille Community National school welcomed its first students and their families.

It was an exciting day as the children were introduced to their new school surroundings in the village of Fedamore in east County Limerick, which includes a beautiful mini woodland which both staff and students will get to explore and cherish.

Last May it was announced that the new Croi na Coille school would be established as a Community National School in the former Fedamore National School under the patronage of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (ETB).

The school is co-educational and multi-denominational and is underpinned by the ETBs core values of academic excellence, care, respect, equality, and community.

Speaking about the schools first day in its new home, George OCallaghan, chief executive of Limerick and Clare ETB, said: This is a very exciting time for the Fedamore community, offering families living in the surrounding areas a new school choice that will cater to the diverse needs of the community whilst also embracing inclusivity and providing a dynamic learning environment where all students can flourish.

READ MORE: PICTURES: Limerick school celebrates first day in new multi-million euro campus

According to the schools newly-appointed principal Jacintha Mullins, Croi na Coille will strive to promote a child-centred approach by embracing the principles of developing the whole child.

We emphasise the importance of physical, emotional, social and spiritual development as much as intellectual development. We deliver the National Primary School curriculum balancing academic learning with outdoor learning, nature-based play and Forest School activities, she explained.

Ms Mullins also spoke about the future of the school in Fedamore and the shared vision between parents and educators to create an environment that will inspire children to embrace the outdoors, cultivate a love for learning, foster creativity, encourage hard work, and build resilience.

We are at a very exciting time in education, with the growth of the community national school model, the development of our new national curriculum and the emphasis and importance that is being placed on our responsibilities towards our environment. I am very excited to be leading this new and developing school in Fedamore, she said.
FIVE Limerick producers have been announced as finalists in the Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards 2024.

They will all take part in the three-day event in Dingle from October 3-5 to celebrate food and drink producers from all over Ireland.

Mike Cantwell of LEO Limerick told the Limerick Leader: I am delighted to see that Limerick has five worthy finalist producers in the Blas na hEireann awards this year, showcasing the fantastic array of locally produced food and drink available in Limerick.

LEO Limerick is committed to growing the food sector in Limerick city and county in a sustainable manner and adding to the comprehensive range of food and drinks already produced as highlighted in our new food and drink producer directory published earlier this year.

The Blas na hEireann awards are a celebration of best in class for these food businesses and we are delighted to be involved by sponsoring the overall Best in Limerick award.

The five finalists shortlisted from Limerick across a range of different categories are; Ballyhoura Apple Farm, Glen Aine Foods, Glenstal Foods, Kearney's Home Baking Ltd and Tim's Table.

Now in its 17th year, Blas na hEireann saw another record-breaking year across all categories along with many new producers entering the awards for the first time this year. During the judging, which took place in June and July, over 3,000 entries were judged, a testament to the number of brilliant producers across the country.

Speaking as the finalists were announced, Blas na hEireann chairperson, Artie Clifford said: I started the awards after 30 years in the food industry, and I knew there was a need to celebrate the amazing food and drink being produced on the island of Ireland.

Seventeen years later, it continues to delight me the number of new producers entering each year along with so many familiar faces returning year on year.

We are an island of phenomenal producers and should be very proud of that, being able to showcase the very best of the best in Dingle each year is a real privilege for the whole Blas team.

This years Blas na hEireann awards in Dingle will see the return of Eat Ireland in a Day market and the Blas Village where the 2024 finalists will get the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with customers and meet key industry buyers.

READ MORE: Former Limerick pub to be sold to the highest bidder

This year's focus will be on sustainability with a commitment to encourage zero-waste throughout the three days of the awards in line with the Dingle Food Festival ethos.

One new element at Blas will be the removal of any single use cups and the introduction of the first electric van delivering food and drink to the awards from across the country. These new initiatives are supported by Bank of Ireland in partnership with Blas.

Judging took place during June and July and the winners of the awards will be announced on October 4.
THE TWO main Government parties are expected to partner their sitting Dail TDs in Limerick with female running mates in the upcoming general election.

With Ireland set to go to the polls later this year or early next year, parties are focusing on their candidates to put before the people.

Its the first election with a directive in place that at least 40% of a partys candidates must be female.

Both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have reacted to this locally.

READ MORE: Limerick gardai seize cannabis plants in house search

Already in the Limerick County constituency, Fianna Fail has picked Adare councillor Bridie Collins to run alongside Minister of State Niall Collins in the three-seater.

In the Limerick City constituency, where there are four seats up for grabs, one of Senator Maria Byrne or Cllr Olivia OSullivan look set to join OPW Minister Kieran ODonnell on the Fine Gael ticket, with the convention next Monday, September 9.

Newly elected councillor Noreen Stokes, meanwhile, has confirmed she is seeking the Fine Gael nomination in Limerick County to run alongside Minister for Further and Higher Education Patrick ODonovan.

In the city, Limerick Live understands veteran TD Willie ODea will be paired with former Limerick Chamber boss Dee Ryan.

She performed very credibly for the party at the summers mayoral election - finishing behind John Moran and Helen O'Donnell.

Its the first time in recent memory the big two parties will select as many women to contest the two Limerick constituencies.

In the city in particular, there is a sense that the fourth and final seat is very much up for grabs, which has sharpened the resolve of the main parties to pick strong running mates.

The feeling among Fine Gael in particular is that given the initial popularity of Taoiseach Simon Harris, their party could be well-placed to gain this seat. It is this - and the gender quota - which has put the focus on Ms Byrne and Cllr OSullivan of Caherdavin.

Cllr OSullivan is being backed by two prominent figures within the party locally: former Na Piarsaigh GAA club chairman Timmy OConnor and Alan Kavanagh.

Both men were part of former Finance Minister Michael Noonans election campaigns from 2002 to his last run in 2016.

Mr Noonan has long been politically close to Senator Byrne, and publicly endorsed the former mayor in the 2020 election.

Although she missed out then, she survived until the seventh count where her transfer helped running mate Mr ODonnell over the line.

Everyone in Limerick knows three seats are gone. The fourth one is the one which is up for grabs, said one Fine Gael figure.

There hasnt been a challenged convention of Fine Gael in Limerick in a long number of years. You have to start looking at doing things differently and you need to start looking at new candidates, they added.

One person not contesting the general election is Fine Gael councillor Daniel Butler, who got the highest vote in the metropolitan district in the local election.

Any ticket we put forward needs to be gender balanced, and whoever is joining the minister would have to be a woman I'd think. It's the political reality we have to operate in, he said.
FOCUS IRELAND has launched its 2023 Annual Report, showing the charity provided support to 450 families in Limerick who were either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. These figures were revealed shortly after the Department of Housing showed there are currently 442 adults homeless in Limerick and 110 families homeless in the Mid West area for July 2024.

Nationally, the charity had a 12.5% rise in the number of people it supported in 2023 (18,000 people) compared to 2022 (16,000). The report also showed Focus Ireland helped 1,757 households to either keep their home (657 households) or support their exit from homelessness (1,100) households), an increase of nearly 10% on the previous year (1,598).

Focus Ireland Mid-West Service Manager Kate McGrath said: 2023 was another effective year for us in Limerick with Housing First in particular going from strength to strength. In Limerick to date, we have had an 85% tenancy sustainment rate, with 54 tenancies created in total. Some customers have had more than one tenancy for various reasons, with a total of 40 customers housed through the project.

"Our Housing First staff in Limerick work with people who have experienced long-term homelessness and who have complex support needs. It offers people a home with the wraparound health supports and connections to community supports that are needed to ensure that people maintain their housing and improve their overall health and well-being.

Speaking about the national picture, Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said: This was another challenging year, as homelessness continued to rise sharply. By year end, a total of 13,318 people, including 3,962 children, were homeless, with many thousands more at risk of becoming homeless. I believe that it is vital to continue to emphasise that homelessness is not inevitable. It is possible to end homelessness with the right policies in place.

READ MORE: Limerick gardai release woman arrested over murder of Kevin Sheehy

"To this end, Focus Ireland remained committed to its overall objective of ending homelessness in Ireland through prevention and sustained exits. We worked to support the most vulnerable families in 2023, and the Family Centre, Family Homeless Action Team and other family services proved highly effective in supporting 486 families with children out of homelessness.

Focus Ireland Annual Report 2023 highlights include:

1,851 families engaged with our services, an increase of 11% compared to 2022 (1,668)

1,757 households to either keep their home or support their exit from homelessness

Over 4,223 children were supported across our services

164 young people were supported to exit homelessness

486 families were supported out of homelessness

657 households were supported to keep their homes

Focus Ireland Life President & Founder Sr Stanislaus Kennedy sent a strong message to the current government. She said:

"Homelessness inflicts severe trauma on everyone, but it is especially devastating for children. It is utterly unacceptable that over 4,400 children are currently homeless. We must all take greater action to stop this crisis. Children who are homeless face the risk of losing their childhoods. Our specially trained staff work tirelessly to support families and children through targeted services, helping them navigate homelessness and transition to secure housing."

She added: The aim must be to end long-term homelessness, as opposed to managing it through providing more emergency beds. This is why Focus Ireland is calling on more ambition from the Government, there must be an increase in the annual social housing targets for homelessness prevention. We have proven before that we can deliver social housing, and Ireland must do it again."
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India  Business Wire India

VTEX (NYSE: VTEX), the composable and complete commerce platform trusted by 2,600 global enterprise brands and retailers, has acquired Weni, a leader in customer service solutions fueled by advanced AI. This acquisition strengthens VTEX's ability to deliver a seamless, end-to-end customer experience platform tailored to the customized needs of its global enterprise brands and retailers. B2B and B2C businesses powered by VTEX will benefit from intuitive support options, driving sustained business success through a deeper, more connected commerce experience.



VTEX has shown remarkable economic impact with enterprise brands seeing USD $5.8M in cost savings after migrating from legacy systems to VTEX. The addition of Weni tackles a critical consideration in the commerce platform ecosystem by enhancing efficiency and improving customer experiences, while also addressing the high costs associated with outdated call center systems. VTEXs acquisition of Weni caters to the diverse preferences of our global enterprise customers, offering support through various mediums, including instant messaging and other channels for tailored support. "Some retailers spend 10% or more of their revenue on customer support. Our goal with Weni is to offer an innovative end-to-end CX solution that continues to validate our recognition as leaders in B2C and B2B commerce by IDC, increasing the return on investment that brands receive with VTEX," said Alexandre Soncini, VTEX co-founder responsible for the acquisition.



Weni will continue to operate as an independent business unit. This new unit will deliver a specialized and opinionated CX solution to ensure zero-friction onboarding and seamless collaboration for enterprise brands and retailers. By leveraging hyperautomation and advanced data analytics, Weni by VTEX will optimize conversational channels, enhance customer satisfaction, and reduce operational costs. The solution includes two key components: Auto-pilot, an AI-powered agent tailored for retail that minimizes escalation to human agents, delivering high consumer confidence and speeding up resolution times; and Co-pilot, a humanized customer service tool that boosts CX reps' efficiency by seamlessly integrating AI with human oversight.



In line with VTEXs commitment to efficiency and measurable outcomes, Weni by VTEX will be offered as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution. The pricing model is outcome-based, with a success fee tied to AI agent-resolved customer interactions. This innovative approach ensures that VTEX and its customers are aligned to drive cost reductions and enhance customer experience.



VTEX and Weni already share customers who have found success on both platforms, such as Grupo Cencosud, a leading retail conglomerate with a presence spanning across the Americas (including Latin America and the United States) and China. The publicly traded multinational company leveraged Wenis solution by implementing an intelligent communication channel to deliver intentional, data-informed messages to its customers. This resulted in a 30% increase in customer satisfaction. By delivering an innovative approach to enhancing their customer experience with Weni, Grupo Cencosud transformed each interaction into an opportunity for increased sales and deeper brand loyalty.



"The acquisition of Weni represents a significant milestone in VTEXs strategy to be the backbone of connected commerce, offering a complete, data-driven, AI-powered CX platform," said Alexandre Soncini, VTEX co-founder. This aligns with what we believe is the future of digital commerce, which we call Concierge Commerce. While in-store sellers are empowered with tools to engage in the omnichannel journey, Wenis solution extends this exclusive and efficient customer service. This unification of channels makes the consumer feel that the entire purchasing process is personalized and well-supported, much like a concierge service, Soncini added.
The government plans to set up a special purpose vehicle to develop an ecosystem for aircraft manufacturing over the next five years, aiming to scale up the manufacture and export of locally made planes, the civil aviation minister said on Wednesday.

Also read | The sky is the limit for Indian aviation, but can homegrown talent keep up? To strengthen the idea of building our planes, we want to form a team in the sense of an SPV (special purpose vehicle) and we are trying to see who can come together, who are the important people in this industry  experts, technicians, government, Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu told journalists.

We want to inform the industry that the government is strongly pushing into the idea of India manufacturing their own planes

We want to inform the industry that the government is strongly pushing into the idea of India manufacturing their own planes, he said on the sidelines of the 10th PHD Chamber of commerce and industry Global Aviation and Air Cargo Summit 2024 in New Delhi.

Nascent ecosystem The manufacturing and assembly ecosystem in the field of civil aviation in India is still at a nascent stage as the all the aircraft operated by airlines in India are assembled overseas.

In March 2022, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd had introduced Hindustan 228a 19-seater aircraft, designed by Dornier of Germany, that can be operated in semi-prepared and unpaved airstrips.

Among the commercial airlines of India, state-run Alliance Air has one of these Dornier 228 aircraft in its fleet of 22.

Also read | Small-town India is jet-setting overseas like never before There have been some instances and the major player in this has been HAL which has already manufactured 19-seater aircraft which is with Alliance Air, but we want to do it on a big scale where we are not only catering to the demand in the country but also become an exporter of those planes, Naidu said.

While the manufacturing ecosystem is yet to take off in the civil aviation field, it received a boost in October 2022 when the foundation stone was laid for the first India-made military aircraft, the C295, by a private company. The Vadodara-based manufacturing facility is a collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems Ltd and Airbus Defence and Space S.A. Spain to manufacture C-295 transport aircraft.

The first India-made C295 is expected in September 2026.

Prepared to collaborate Naidu said the civil aviation ministry is confident of collaboration with original equipment manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing for know-how and expertise. The ministry will chalk out a plan, address the concerns of the global industry and bring in reforms over the next five years through this SPV for the sole purpose of building an aircraft final assembly line in India, he said.

These plans come at a time when India has emerged as one of the fastest growing aviation markets of the world but with a low single-digit air penetration rate, which gives a significant scope for growth.

The domestic aviation market has more than doubled to a passenger traffic of 152 million passengers in 2023 from 61.4 million passengers in 2013. Indian airlines such as IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air also expect to induct capacity of more than 1,500 aircraft over the next decade in line with an anticipated rise in air travel demand.
Mumbai: Lured by India's fast-growing economy, Singapore-based CapitaLand Investment is looking to more than double its $5.7 billion in funds under management here over the next four years.

The growth will be driven by investments in data centres, renewable energy and private credit for real estate, in addition to existing business park, industrial and logistics, and hospitality assets, top executives of CapitaLand told Mint in an interview.

While the fund is bullish on India, some concerns over taxation, capital repatriation and currency volatility continue to bug overseas investors, the executives said.

When CapitaLand acquired Ascendas from Temasek in 2019, the India business was about 3.5% of the Singaporean investor's total asset base. Today, that has gone up to 7%. Investments in India are likely to go past 10% of the total funds under management for CapitaLand by 2028, according to Andrew Lim, the funds group chief operating officer.

Also Read: Singapores CapitaLand Investment to invest over  90,200 crore in India by 2028 The real estate investment manager also wants to tap the booming local capital markets in India and is evaluating several options for this, Sanjeev Dasgupta, the chief executive of CapitaLand Investment India, said. One option would be to park its renewable energy assets into an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) when they become operational, he said.

Ascendas pioneered the concept of business parks in India three decades ago with an IT park at Whitefield in Bengaluru, the executives said. Even today, CapitaLand derives around 90% of value in India through such parks. However, it surrendered its early lead to peers like Blackstone and Brookfield that have emerged among the largest landlords in the country.

When people like Blackstone and Brookfield came in, they brought the big cheques. At that time, we (Ascendas) did not have big cheques. We were a developer, and we were building from the ground-up, said Manohar Khiatani, senior executive director, CapitaLand Investment.

Also Read: Al Gore firm, CapitaLand eye Radiance acquisition Now, CapitaLand wants to close this gap with its peers through organic and inorganic growth opportunities, he said.

To be sure, Brookfield has similar plans of doubling its bet on Indian real estate sector over the coming five years with investments of $10 billion, as per news reports.

23.5 mn square feet of real estate in India CapitaLand has about 23.5 million square feet of real estate across 14 business and IT parks in India. About 16 million square feet are in the pipeline, according to Dasgupta.

Similarly, it has about 9.1 million square feet of logistics and industrial parks, with another 14 million square feet in the pipeline, he said.

However, a large part of the growth in the next four years will come from the fast-growing data centre and renewable energy businesses, he said.

CapitaLand has four under-construction data centres in India across Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai with about 244-gigawatt capacity. It is betting on getting business from hyperscalers, who would prefer its newer architecture data centres over existing infrastructure, according to Dasgupta.

Also Read: The headaches of Indias largest office landlord As an adjacency to these power-guzzling data centres, the company is looking at entering the renewable energy sector. Sticking with its core expertise of developing and running an asset efficiently, the fund will be operating its own assets instead of contracting third-party experts, he said.

The investment firm is also keen on lending funds to real estate developers in India. Local regulations have made it difficult for banks to lend capital to developers for purchasing land parcels or for projects pending regulatory approvals. Meanwhile, the local bankruptcy laws have improved as well, further making the case for CapitaLand to enter this business, according to Dasgupta.

While India remains an attractive investment destination for global capital, Lim said that some concerns remain around high taxation, limitations on repatriation of capital overseas and currency volatility.
US Steel has cautioned that failing to merge with Nippon Steel would risk thousands of US union jobs.

US Steel has stated that it would close some steel mills and will most likely move its headquarters out of Pennsylvania, a politically important city, according to a report by Reuters.

This announcement comes at a time when Nippon's planned acquisition of the US steelmaker is receiving growing opposition.

Also Read | Harris to Say US Steel Should Remain Domestically Owned, Run

Why is this deal politically important? Vice President Kamala Harris said that she wants US Steel to be "American owned and operated.

Former President and US Republican Party Presidential candidate Donald Trump has promised to stop the deal if he is elected to power.

Pennsylvania is a politically important location, which could determine the result of US Presidential Elections 2024.

"We want elected leaders and other key decision makers to recognize the benefits of the deal as well as the unavoidable consequences if the deal fails," the report said quoting US Steel CEO David Burritt in a statement. Employees will conduct a rally outside the headquarters in support of the deal on Wednesday, September 4, the statement added.

Also Read | Trump to reiterate he will stop US Steel sale to Nippon

"US Steel will largely pivot away from its blast furnace facilities, putting thousands of good-paying union jobs at risk (and) negatively impacting numerous communities across the locations where its facilities exist, CEO Burritt said.

The failure of the deal would raise "serious questions about US Steel remaining headquartered in Pittsburgh, he added.

The company would likely move its headquarters to the south if the deal fails, the report said. However, United Steel workers criticised CEO Burritt for "making baseless and unlawful threats."

"Todays pathetic attempt to orchestrate a rally in downtown Pittsburgh shows that US Steel is becoming increasingly desperate to save the deal," the report said quoting Union workers.

Also Read | Investors need to temper their expectations: Nippon India Mutual Fund CIO

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to the report. The Harris campaign refused to comment on the report.

Last week, Nippon Steel stated that it wants to invest over $2.7 billion in union-represented facilities at Mon Valley Works in Pennsylvania and Gary Works in Indiana to aid those communities.

If the deal does get clearance, US Steel said that it "would not make the same financial commitments." The steelmaker has cut jobs in recent years, including in Michigan.

Nippon stated that if the deal is approved, the core senior management and a majority of board members at the US company will be US citizens, the report said.
Entod Pharmaceuticals has received approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to market eye drops for the treatment of presbyopia, as per PTI.

The Mumbai-based drugmaker informed on September 3 that it has received final approval for PresVu eye drops. The company plans to introduce it in the domestic market in the first week of October.

The approval follows an earlier recommendation by the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

PresVu is the first eye drop in India specifically developed to reduce dependency on reading glasses for individuals affected by presbyopia, a common age-related vision condition that typically impacts those over 40.

Also Read | Ciplas MK Hamied steps down after 47 years of service from company

"This DCGI approval is a major step forward in our mission to transform eye care in India. PresVu is more than just a product; it's a solution that stands to improve the lives of millions by offering them greater visual independence," Entod Pharmaceuticals CEO Nikkhil K Masurkar said.

According to industry estimates, 1.09-1.8 billion individuals globally are estimated to be affected by presbyopia.

The condition occurs as a natural consequence of ageing when the eye's ability to focus diminishes, leading to difficulty in focusing on close objects.

Asked about the company's future plans, Masurkar said the focus will be to cater to demand in domestic and emerging markets like Africa and South East Asia.

He noted that the company aims to innovate products in India and then out licence them in the US market.

Entod currently does not have a presence in the US market.

"The majority of the exports to the US are basically low-cost generics. We want to change that scene, because we don't get excited by that. What we get excited about is to do something completely innovative and be the global innovator, and then out licence to these countries. So yes, that is our future plan," Masurkar stated.

The company's agenda is to supply medicines to countries where they don't have access, where affordability is a challenge, he added.

"Like Africa is a classic example of that, where we are also focusing quite aggressively on Africa and introducing new molecules which have never been introduced by the so-called big pharma," he said.

India's Pharma Market Scenario Besides, India is a huge market and is yet to be tapped fully, he said.

"Beyond India, we as a company are looking at more countries of the global south where we can create an impact," he added.

Masurkar said the company, which has its manufacturing infrastructure based in Maharashtra, is focused on three therapeutic areas -- ENT, ophthalmology and dermatology.

In future, the company may get into the mental health segment, he added.

"If we were to enter a different segment, it would probably be something to do with mental health, which I think has huge scope in India," Masurkar said.
New Delhi: Healthcare chain Centre for Sight has announced a strategic collaboration with Laxmi Eye Hospital to increase its footprint in Maharashtra to nine centres, including locations in Navi Mumbai and Thane.

The Delhi-based company also said on Wednesday it has allocated 300-500 crore for further expansion across west India over the next few years. It plans to add around 15-20 centres a year over the next four years, for a total of 150. It currently has 82 centres across 40 cities.

As part of the collaboration, Centre For Sight has acquired a 51% equity stake in Laxmi Eye Hospital, the company told Mint.

Also read: Why GST Council cannot ignore the health insurance row next week

The investment underscores the growing interest of risk investors in single-specialty healthcare providers in India. The broader eyecare industry has received investments of more than $1.05 billion over the past couple of years.

Dr Mahipal Singh Sachdev, its chairman and medical director said in a statement, These collaborations not only enhance our capacity to meet the region's increasing needs but also exemplify the broader trend in healthcare, where consolidation is key to extending the reach of world-class services.

Laxmi Eye Hospital serves around 2.5 million patients across four locations  Panvel, Khargar, Dombivili, and Kamothe.

Not done yet Centre for Sight will continue to look for more collaboration opportunities in west India to deepen its presence there. We are actively looking to add more centres in Gujarat and Maharashtra, where post-covid single doctor setups are now willing to sell to corporate chains, Dr Sachdev had told Mint in May.

Over the past year, the eyecare chain has added 10 brownfield centres through strategic collaborations in various cities including Srinagar, Sikar, Warangal, Badlapur, Chembur, and now Mumbai. It has also launched six greenfield centres in north India.

Also read: Why Tata Capital Healthcare Fund is wary of healthtech bets

By collaborating with us, regional eye care hospitals gain strategic, clinical, and technological support, fostering growth and excellence as part of our united team. Centre For Sight is looking to invest 300-500 crore over the next few years to support its expansion plans, the company said.

Private equity firm ChrysCapital recently picked up a minority stake in the eyecare chain for $100 million at a valuation of $350-400 million. Centre for Sight said it would use the funds to accelerate its expansion.
Mumbai/New Delhi: French spirits maker Pernod Ricard has put up its Imperial Blue whisky brand for sale in India, as it aims to give greater focus to its premium brands such as Glenlivet, Jameson and Chivas Regal.

The world's second-largest wine and spirits seller has hired Goldman Sachs to find buyers for the brand which sells 20 million cases in India every year, three people familiar with the plan said on the condition of anonymity. Pernod Ricard could earn as much as 5,000 crore from the sale, one of the three people said, while a second person said the sale plan was initiated three weeks ago.

Pernods plan to sell Imperial Blue comes two years after rival Diageo sold a bunch of low-margin brands including Haywards, Honey Bee and Romanov, reflecting multinational liquor makers' preference for premium brands that sell less but earn more.

Likely suitors

Goldman Sachs declined to comment, while a spokesperson for Pernod Ricard did not respond to emailed queries.

The brand would be of interest to private equity as well as other alcohol companies," one of the people cited above said, adding the process is still in the early stages.

Also read | Pernod Ricard India aims to triple net sales in the next decade, says CEO

From Seagram, to Pernod

Imperial Blue was originally owned by The Seagram Co. Ltd, a Canadian liquor maker. Pernod Ricard came to own the brand in India in 2001, after the French company and Diageo jointly acquired Seagram's global spirits and wine businesses a year earlier. Other Seagram brands owned by Pernod include Royal Stag and Blenders Pride. Imperial Blue competes with top-selling whiskies in India such as McDowells No1 from Diageo, Royal Stag from Pernod, and Officer's Choice from Allied Blenders and Distillers.

It could be a margin play," the third person said, referring to relatively lower margins from brands such as Imperial Blue and Royal Stag. "Many multinationals want to get rid of their low margin profile businesses. Margins on 20-million-odd cases do not sit well with the margin profiles of large MNCs. Pernod has been reducing focus on the brand for a year now," the person added.

A transaction like this may not find too many suitors given its large size, the person said. A few homegrown companies which operate in this price segment could look at it, which is why they are choosing to dispose of the lowest entry price point for their whisky portfolio in India," the person added.

Demand in India

Pernod clocked total net sales of 11,598 million in FY24, down 1% over the previous year, earnings released last week showed. It reported a 9% sales decline in the US and a 10% decline in China, but a 6% growth in India, attributing it to "broad-based and accelerating performance underpinned by strong consumer demand."

Also read | Jean Touboul replaces Paul-Robert Bouhier as Pernod Ricard India MD

Pernod Ricard India posted a consolidated revenue from operations of 25,039 crore in FY23, up from 22,741 crore in FY22, according to data sourced from Tofler. In FY23, India surpassed China as its second-largest market by net sales, after the US. Jean Touboul, CEO, Pernod Ricard India, said in an interview with Mint in February that the company was expecting to return to low-double-digit growth" from next fiscal.

In its earnings report, Pernod Ricard said that it was continuing active portfolio management notably with disposals of some strategic local brands". It added that its India sales are premiumizing on the back of strong growth on international brands such as Jameson, Absolut and The Glenlivet. It also said it had seen significant growth of Seagrams whiskies, led by the higher-style whiskies Royal Stag and Blenders Pride and successful launch of the Single Malt Longitude 77", it said last week.

Challenges

However, Pernod Ricard has also been facing regulatory challenges in India. In July, Reuters reported about the French companys failed attempt to sell alcohol in Delhi. Pernods licence in Delhi was rejected as tax authorities suspect violations of its liquor policies.

Pernod is also facing two antitrust cases in India, and contesting a tax demand for nearly $250 million for alleged undervaluation of imports, the Reuters report said.

Indias organized liquor industry may record revenues of 4.45 trillion in FY24, according to a 2023 report by ratings firm Crisil. The country has a clutch of homegrown large liquor companies such as Radico Khaitan, Allied Blenders and Distillers, John Distilleries, Tilaknagar Industries and Inbrew Beverages Pvt. Ltd.

And read | Pernod Ricard not scaling back India business, says COO
The Supreme Court has directed the Sahara Group to disclose details about its current executives and shareholders, along with a list of unencumbered properties that could be sold to raise 10,000 crore.

This amount is to be deposited into the Sebi-Sahara refund account for returning investors money. The government launched the Sebi-Sahara platform in July last year to initiate the refund process for millions of small depositors affected by Sahara Groups collapse.

A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, M.M. Sundresh, and Bela M. Trivedi also ordered Sahara Group companiesSahara India Real Estate Corporation Ltd (SIRECL) and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation Ltd (SHICL)to refund funds collected from individual and group investors to the Securities and Exchange Board of India.

The repayment must include 15% annual interest, calculated from the date of subscription until the date of repayment, and should be completed within three months.

This directive follows a Supreme Court order from 31 August, 2012, mandated that SIRECL and SHICL refund the collected amounts with 15% annual interest within three months. Despite the passage of over a decade, Sahara Group has not fully complied, resulting in continued court scrutiny.

During the hearing on Wednesday, senior advocate Arvind Datar, representing Sebi, raised concerns about the Sahara Groups leadership and its plan to comply with the courts order following the death of group founder Subrata Roy in 2023.

The bench then stressed the importance of understanding the current organizational structure, including the names of directors and shareholders.

The court stated that on 5 September it will first hear and address the sale of properties and subsequently consider the refund of money to investors. It requested a list of all encumbered and unencumbered properties of the Sahara Group, excluding Aamby Valley, to facilitate necessary directives.

Also read | Investments are safer today thanks to the travails of Sahara investors

Mounting liabilities Earlier, the Supreme Court had expressed dissatisfaction with Sahara Groups failure to deposit the full payment as ordered, noting that there was no restriction on selling properties to meet the remaining 10,000 crore out of the 25,000 crore deposit mandated by it. However, properties must not be sold below the circle rate, and court permission is required for sales below this rate. (Circle rate, or guidance value, is the price below which a property cannot be registered.)

Sebi reported that under the 2012 Supreme Court order, Sahara Group firms had deposited 15,455.70 crore, and the amount had been invested in fixed deposits with various nationalized banks. As of 30 September, 2020, the total amount, including interest earned, in the Sebi-Sahara refund account was 22,589.01 crore.

Sebi stated that Sahara Group and its firms SIRECL and SHICL were in gross violation of court orders regarding the full deposit of collected amounts along with interest.

The market regulator noted that out of the total outstanding principal liability of 25,781.32 crore, only 15,455.70 crore had been realized from Sahara and its properties. The remaining 10,325.62 crore (principal) is still unpaid.

As of 30 September, 2020, the total net liability of Sahara Group was 62,602.90 crore, including 15% interest as directed by the court.

The fall of Sahara In 2010, Sebi barred Sahara India Pariwar chief Subrata Roy, SIRECL and SHICL from raising public funds due to alleged illegal collection through optionally fully convertible debentures (OFCDs). The Sahara Group appealed to the Allahabad High Court, which issued an order preventing Sebi from taking further action until a court decision was reached.

The Delhi High Court subsequently issued a warrant against Roy for alleged investor deception in a housing project, though proceedings were temporarily halted.

The Supreme Court then directed the disclosure of Sahara India Real Estates OFCD scheme details and ordered immediate refunds, including 15% interest. On 4 March, 2014, Roy was arrested for failing to comply with the Supreme Courts summons and sent to Tihar jail.

Between 2014 and 2016, Roy was granted bail multiple times and released on parole on 6 May, 2016.
Cipla Ltd announced the resignation of its Vice Chairman and Non-Executive Director, MK Hamied, citing "age and health" as the reasons. The pharmaceutical giant made the disclosure in a stock exchange filing, noting that Hamied's resignation will take effect at the close of business hours on October 29, 2024.

"Vide letter dated 3rd September 2024, effective close of business hours of 29th October 2024, Mr. M K Hamied has resigned from the position of Vice Chairman and Non-Executive Director of the Company due to age and health," Cipla stated in the filing.

In conjunction with this announcement, Cipla's Board has approved the appointments of Adil Zainulbhai and Abhijit Joshi as Additional Directors (Non-Executive), effective from September 3, 2024. Additionally, Kamil Hamied, a member of the promoter family, will join the Board as a Non-Executive Director starting November 1, 2024.

Reflecting on his 47-year tenure with the company, MK Hamied expressed pride in Cipla's growth and evolution. "These past 47 years at Cipla have been truly a remarkable chapter in my life. Over the decades, I have seen the Company grow and evolve in ways I am immensely proud of," he said in his resignation letter.

Hamied also acknowledged the contributions of key employees, Board members, and his daughter, Samina, in transforming Cipla into a professionally managed organization. He expressed confidence in the future leadership, saying, "I am pleased to see that Kamil Hamied will be joining the Board as a Non-Executive Director to maintain continuity while representing the promoter family."

On the day of the announcement, Cipla's shares on the NSE saw a modest increase of 0.2%, closing at 1,650 per share.

In his farewell message, Hamied expressed mixed emotions about leaving the company but remained optimistic about its future. "While it is difficult to say goodbye to the organization that has brought me so much fulfillment, I feel proud to have worked with such a talented team at Cipla. I take with me fond memories from my tenure at this organization, and I am sure Cipla will continue to thrive and achieve greater heights in the years to come," he said, adding his gratitude to the Board for their "unwavering support and guidance."
Tech billionaire Elon Musk's older answer to what question he asks candidates or applicants has recently gained attention and pushed the spotlight on job interviews.

The particular question seeks to distinguish the truth tellers from the liars, according to a New York Post report.

At the 2017 World Government Summit, Musk, who now owns auto major Tesla, space exploration company SpaceX and social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), said he has a favourite question for candidates at interviews.

The Question to Ask The question? This: Tell me about some of the most difficult problems you worked on and how you solved them.

His reasoning? This: "Because the people who really solved the problem know exactly how they solved it. They know and can describe the little details.

Musk is looking to check if a candidate can truly solve a problem they claimed to have solved, as per a CNBC report. Of course you want to make sure if there was some significant accomplishment, were they really responsible, or was someone else more responsible? Usually, someone who really had to struggle with a problem, they really understand [the details], and they dont forget, Musk told Auto Bild.

Also Read | Paris Paralympics 2024: Badminton Gold medalist Nitesh Kumar reveals strategy

Is This A Fair Assessment? Science Says Yes The NY Post report noted that Musk's theory can be proved using the Asymmetric Information Management (AIM) approach. In the field of Applied Cognitive Psychology, AIM encourages those speaking the truth to give more details.

As per the CNBC report, using AIM can increase chances of detecting liars by 70 per cent.

Cody Porter, one of the authors of a study on the subject, published in the Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition in December 2020, and Senior Teaching Fellow at the University of Portsmouth, said that small details are the "lifeblood" when determining facts to check.
Dheeraj Sharma, the director of IIM Rohtak, has allegedly received significantly more variable pay than his salary and the government has written to the institution seeking a response while flagging objections from its Internal Audit Wing (IAW).

According to the Indian Express report, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has flagged objections of its IAW about 3.2 crore variable pay paid to Sharma for the period of three years.

The institute paid the amount for 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21.

The probe by the IAW found that the amount paid to Sharma, who is reportedly facing scrutiny for allegedly misrepresenting his educational qualifications, is significantly more and the procedure adopted for making payment of variable pay is 'void'.

In its report to the ministry, the IAW noted that variable pay is more than 200% of the Directors total emoluments, when any system allows variable pay to be a percentage of a persons total emoluments.

President Droupadi Murmu, in her capacity as visitor of all IIMs, had received a set of complaints. Following that, those complaints were forwarded to the government in 2023 and and IAW was tasked to probe them. The complaints also alleged irregular issuance of mobile phones to faculty, and allegations of financial irregularities.

The ministry has also asked IIM Rohtak to take appropriate action and identify the persons and officers involved in the decision. Further, it has directed too outline what it is doing to limit the directors variable pay and its plans to recover the excess amount paid.

However, responding to a query, the institute told the newspaper that variable pay paid to Sharma was done as per the IIM Act, adding that the variable pay was approved by the board with complete consensus of all the attendee board members.

Also Read | 7 crucial steps for getting an education loan for overseas studies
Girl students of a government higher secondary school in Bhopal on Wednesday created a ruckus in protest against harsh punishment by the woman administrator.

Viral videos showed hundreds of students protesting, damaging classroom furniture, pulling ceiling fan blades, breaking electronic gadgets, and smashing windows and door glasses.

The incident took place at the Sarojini Naidu Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Bhopal.

According to students, for being 10-15 minutes late, they were subjected to harsh punishments such as removing grass from the ground, forcing them to clean toilets, and making them stand in the Sun.

Merely because we got late by 10-15 minutes, the school administration forced us to remove grass from the ground and made us stand in the Sun, a student said in a viral video.

Some students had collapsed because of the harsh punishment, she added.

The students also raised the issue of the poor condition of washrooms and insufficient water supply at the Madhya Pradesh government school.

Following the uproar, the woman administrator  former armed forces captain Varsha Jha -- was removed from her position by the authorities.

Jha was appointed only a month ago. She has reportedly apologised to the students.

According to local media reports, the students are also upset about the school timings. They claim school finishes at 6 pm which makes it difficult for many girls who live far away.

The Director of the Madhya Pradesh government's Education Department also visited the school to take stock of the situation.

An inquiry has been ordered to look into allegations, including ill-treatment and the poor condition of the school facilities.

On allegations of students being forced to clean toilets, District Education Officer (DEO) NK Ahirwar said that action would be taken after an inquiry.

The girls were enraged because of the punishment awarded to them by the administration for coming late by 10-15 minutes and resorted to protest, he said.
Haryana Assembly Elections: On Wednesday, the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) alliance issued a list of 19 candidates for the upcoming Haryana Assembly Elections 2024. Haryana's former Deputy Chief Minister and JJP leader, Dushyant Chautala, has been fielded from Uchana.

The JJP released a list of 15 candidates on Tuesday, while ASP named four candidates.

Also Read | Vinesh Phogat to contest from Julana, Punia from Badli as Congress candidates

Among the 15 candidates are Dushyant Chautala and Digvijay Chautala. According to the list, Digvijay Chautala will contest from Dabwali as a JJP candidate.

On September 2, Dushyant Chautala had said he will file his nomination papers from the Uchana Assembly constituency on September 5, the very first day of filing of nominations.

Chautala had earlier also hit out at BJP in Haryana and said BJP is contesting the elections by "borrowing" candidates from other parties. He made the remarks amid the issue of a number of JJP rebel MLAs joining the BJP in recent days.

Also Read | Congress ready to give AAP 7 seats in Haryana, final announcement soon

JJP and Chandra Shekhar Azad's Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) have formed an alliance for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. The coalition will contest all 90 Assembly seats, with JJP aiming for 70 and ASP targeting 20.

Previously, former JJP leaders Sunil Sangwan, Sanjay Kablana, and Devender Singh Babli joined the BJP, predicting a third term for the party in Haryana.

The election for Haryanas 90-member legislative assembly is scheduled for October 5, with the final date for nominations set for September 12 and vote counting on October 8. The BJP and Congress, among other parties, are finalizing their candidates.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, JJP received only 0.87% of the vote share and failed to secure any seats. In the 2019 Haryana Assembly elections, the BJP, which won 40 seats, formed a coalition with the JJP, which secured 10 seats, while Congress obtained 31 seats. The BJP-JJP alliance was dissolved earlier this year.

The 2024 Haryana elections are expected to feature a four-way contest among the BJP, Congress, JJP, and AAP.
DUBAIPalestinian militant group Hamas suggested it would execute Israeli hostages if the country doesnt agree to its terms for an end to the war in Gaza.

Hamass implied threat on Monday could be an attempt to widen the rifts in Israeli society over the captives and increase pressure on Isreals Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a cease-fire deal.

But killing more hostages could cost the U.S. designated terrorist group one of the most powerful bargaining chips it has as it tries to negotiate for its own survival after months of punishing warfare.

After saying for days that Israel had killed the hostages with its bombing campaign in Gaza, Hamas issued a new statement Monday suggesting it had executed them and would do so again if Israels military attempted further rescue missions.

Without a negotiated end to the war, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and his fighters wont be able to leave the tunnels in which they are hiding without risk of being killed by Israel. Instead, they will need to persevere as Israeli forces penetrate more deeply into Hamass subterranean lairs.

Hamass believed execution of six hostages last week sparked protests and a general strike by Israelis who want their government to agree to a cease-fire and hostage-return deal. But there are also many Israelis who view the killings as another reason the war must go on until Hamas is completely destroyed.

For Hamas, having fewer living Israeli prisoners also makes it harder to win the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jailssomething Sinwar has used as a justification for the groups Oct. 7 attack that killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israel, and abducted more than 240 civilians and soldiers.

Freeing Palestinian prisoners is also important to sustaining the groups legitimacy after 11 months of war has destroyed most of Gaza and, according to local authorities, resulted in the deaths of more than 40,000 Palestinians. The figure doesnt distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Of the remaining 97 hostages taken on Oct. 7 to Gaza, 33 of them have been declared dead by Israel. In talks with mediators, Hamas has said they may have no more than 30 living hostages in total, including 12 women, elderly or injured people, according to Arab mediators.

Hamas has managed to survive an 11-month-long offensive by a militarily superior foe. But as the Israeli military continues to expand its control, taking over key crossings and borders, dismantling tunnels and killing senior leaders, Hamass survival is under growing threat.

This is an outcome of the chaotic situation that Hamas finds itself in," said Kobi Michael, a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies, a security think tank in Tel Aviv, of the threat to execute more hostages. Hamas cannot operate any more as an organized military."

Even so, Hamass goal in the war is simply survival. If Sinwar and others can achieve a cease-fire and emerge from hiding, they can claim victory and will likely be seen as the leaders of the Palestinian cause. In the absence of a cease-fire, Hamas could drag Israel into a prolonged occupation of Gaza that is likely to sap the strength of its military and prove unpopular among Israelis in the long term. Either way, the war has created a new generation of Palestinians who are openly hostile to Israel.

Israel says it has largely ended the Hamass ability to function as an effective military, although militants continue to fight Israeli soldiers. Hamas says it can no longer communicate within the Gaza Strip, and its leaders in Qatar have largely lost touch with those in the area, according to Arab officials.

Israel says Hamas militants have started moving into humanitarian zones, a sign that it has fewer places to hide. Last week, the Israeli army said it rescued a hostage after his captors had fled.

Israel announces killings of militants nearly daily. On Tuesday, the Israeli military said an airstrike killed eight Hamas members, including one who led an attack on an Israeli community on Oct. 7 when Hamas killed a father in front of his two young boys.

Hamas says it is able to quickly recruit new fighters, but they wont have the same level of training as the ones who were killed.

Theres no secret about the fact that Hamas has been weakened," said Mkhaimar Abusada, associate professor of political science at Al-Azhar University in Gaza and now based in Cairo. But it hasnt been weakened to the point that they are going to surrender."

The Israeli military is also taking greater control inside the strip, damaging the influence of Hamas as a civilian administrator.

Earlier this week, Israel facilitated the vaccination of thousands of children in Gaza against the polio virus. Gazans also say there is an increased Israeli presence in two major corridors that run across the strip, a reminder of the days before Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005.

I never thought we would see Israelis between us again, but here they are, they can come in and out any minute," said Badr Abu Yousef, a 29-year-old electrician in Gaza City.

Some Arab negotiators said they believe Hamass threats reflect growing disarray inside the organization. Hamas has told negotiators for months that it needed a pause in fighting to track and collect the hostages held by it and other groups.

On Monday, Hamas senior official Khalil al-Hayya said that Hamass armed wing lost contact with U.S.-Israeli citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the six hostages killed, and his guards, after releasing a video of him in April.

But then on the same day the group released a video on its telegram channel saying it had recorded Goldberg-Polins final words.

These conflicting messages will have great implications on the already complicated talks," said one Arab mediator. Israel has always been suspicious of Hamas claims that they did not have information on all the hostages."

In Israel, Netanyahus government faces criticism from many Israelis for failing to agree to a deal and for failing to communicate a clear postwar plan for Gaza.

Israeli military officials have said the army has caused enough disruption to Hamas in Gaza, including killing its top two military leaders, and that the group cant repeat the scale of attacks on Oct. 7.

Netanyahu has insisted that Hamas in Gaza be destroyed, militarily, and that Sinwarwho so far has successfully evaded Israeli forcesbe killed.

Killing Sinwar, of course, would be a huge victory, but it isnt going to address, ultimately, the security problem inside Gaza," said Sanam Vakil, a Middle-East expert at the U.K.s Chatham House think tank. The failing of Israels strategy is that theyre not willing to think about any other solution besides a military one."

The Israeli military has become frustrated with Netanyahus demand in cease-fire negotiations that Israel retain control of the Netzarim and Philadelphi corridors. His critics allege the prime ministers calculations are political: far-right members of his coalition have threatened to topple the government if he agrees to end the war. Polls show Netanyahu wouldnt be re-elected if elections were held now.

But Netanyahu argues that pulling Israeli troops from Philadelphi, which divides Gaza from Egypt, and Netzarim, which cuts across the enclave, would allow Hamas to reconstitute, undermining his war aims.

Political analysts and mediators who talk with Hamas say the group is unlikely to agree to those cease-fire terms, which would see it give up hostages in return for circumstances that hasten the groups demise.

There is no doubt that the death of many Israeli prisoners made the card Hamas has weaker," said Istanbul-based Ibrahim Al-Madhoun, a political analyst close to the group. But Hamas is not giving up."

 Abeer Ayyoub and Fatima AbdulKarim contributed to this article.

Write to Rory Jones at Rory.Jones@wsj.com and Summer Said at summer.said@wsj.com
Mumbai: HDFC Bank turned down a proposal by Japanese lender MUFG to buy a stake in HDB Financial Services (HDBFS) as it feared missing a listing deadline and was unsure about onboarding a co-promoter, two people aware of the development said.

MUFG, or Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, was reportedly in line to buy a 20% stake in HDBFS. HDFC Bank currently owns 94.6% in the non-banking financial company (NBFC).

Some HDFC Bank board members were keen on the deal, but after much debate, the board took a collective call to not risk missing the listing deadline, the people cited above said on condition of anonymity. HDBFS is mandated to go public by September 2025, as per guidelines of banking regulator Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The people added that getting a new investor would take about four-five months from now, and another couple of months would be needed to file the IPO papers of HDBFS with Sebi. The approval process would also take another few months, pushing the IPO to August-September 2025.

Nobody can predict how the market conditions would be by the time the IPO was approved, and there would be no choice but to go ahead to avoid missing the deadline," said the first person cited above.

The IPO documents are now expected to be filed in the next three months," the second person said. HDFC Banks board had given an in-principle nod to start HDBFSs listing process on 20 July.

Further, HDFC Banks board also appears to be reluctant to have another company as a co-promoter. The people cited above said MUFG did not want a small stake, which would have meant sharing the promoter tag with it, an outcome the board wanted to avoid.

People realised that having a co-promoter alongside HDFC Bank might not have much of an advantage at this stage. If the bank needs a strategic investor later, it will think about it then," said the second person.

An email sent to HDFC Bank remained unanswered till press time, while a spokesperson for MUFG declined to comment.

HDFC Banks board also appears to be reluctant to have another company as a co-promoter

The listing background

In September 2022, RBI had released a list of 16 upper-layer NBFCs including HDB Financial Services, Tata Sons, Piramal Capital and Housing Finance, and L&T Finance, among others.

The regulator said in its 2021 guidelines that upper-layer NBFCs must be listed within three years of being identified as one. A few, such as Piramal Capital and Housing Finance and Aditya Birla Finance, have tried to sidestep this by announcing mergers with their listed parents.

Why HDBFS is important

HDBFS reported a loan book of 90,218 crore as on 31 March, up from 70,031 crore in the same period last year.

The NBFC is focused on niche customer segments, and complements HDFC Banks product portfolio and customer coverage.

Furthermore, HDB also supports HDFC Bank in sourcing and collection of the latters retail loan portfolio and provides outsourcing services to the bank," Care Ratings said in a statement on 7 March.

The Economic Times had reported on 23 August that the board of HDFC Bank rejected a proposed $2-billion purchase of a 20% stake in HDB Financial Services by MUFG, citing unnamed HDFC Bank executives.

MUFG is among the 44 foreign banks operating in India, with five branches. As on 30 June, it had fund-based loans of 19,564.5 crore and another 5,580 crore in non-fund-based facilities. India allows foreign banks to operate either as a branch or wholly owned subsidiary of the parent. All except two  DBS Bank India and SBM Bank India  work as branches.
The workplace is undergoing a transformative revolution. With the rapidly changing demands of globalisation and the rise of AI, talent is asking for more personalized brand experiences. It goes way beyond just basic perks. This has pushed businesses to radically rethink how they manage and attract talent. In this fast-paced environment, employees with skills like adaptability, tech-savviness, and people management are more sought after than ever. Yet, despite the high demand, companies are finding it increasingly difficult to keep these valuable team members on board.

Shine has just launched an exciting new campaign under our new social media property title HR Pulse where top HR and Talent Acquisition experts will be sharing their insights on the most effective retention strategies in todays competitive landscape. This initiative offers a unique opportunity to delve into how companies are investing in talent management, providing invaluable perspectives not only for employers but also for job seekers curious about what makes an employer truly stand out.

Also Read | How the CCI has erred in punishing Make My Trip-Goibibo and OYO

Also Read | Globalisation at record high despite pandemic and geopolitical conflict: Report

To understand how organizations devise retention strategies better, we connected with Sonali Misra, the VP of Talent and Head of HR at Bain & Company (India). With 21 years of experience spanning top-tier organizations in management consulting, travel, and IT, Sonali is a seasoned HR leader. Her passion lies in collaborating with leadership teams to refine and elevate their talent strategies while also mentoring the next generation of HR professionals.

Experts from the interview: What are the most effective retention strategies that you have implemented so far? I will talk about not only what I've seen at Bain but also bring to bear some of my experiences prior to Bain, which was with GE Magnum Technology Solutions, MakeMyTrip, and then at Bain. I don't look at retention strategies per se. Anything to do with retaining an employee in an organization is a more holistic consideration, and it is really about the talent value proposition that an organization brings to its employees. So I think it's more about the entire employee experience when they work in the organization, right from when they are looking at joining, through campus or laterally, to how they grow and develop.

Heres the video:
The initial public offering (IPO) of Boss Packaging Solutions Limited garnered overwhelming interest and robust subscriptions. With the bidding period now concluded, investors eagerly await the IPO allotment, which is expected to be finalised today.

The SME IPO, valued at 8.41 crore, opened for subscription on August 30 and closed on September 3. The price was set at 66 per share.

Investors can check the Boss Packaging Solutions IPO allotment status online through the official portal of the IPO registrar, Kfin Technologies.

The company will credit the equity shares on September 5 into the Demat accounts of investors who have received the allotment, while those whose applications have been rejected will get the refunds on the same day. Boss Packaging Solutions IPO will list on NSE SME with a tentative listing date fixed as Friday, September 6, 2024.

Investors can check their status online by following the steps below. Step 1: Go to the IPO registrar website of Kfin Technologies - https://ris.kfintech.com/ipostatus/

Step 2: Select one link and then the Initial Public Offering (IPO) from the menu; the name will be assigned once the allocation is finished.

Step 3: To discover the current status, click on the PAN, demat account, or application number.

Step 4: Enter the required information, such as your application number, PAN (Permanent Account Number), or Demat Account number.

Step 5: Enter the 'captcha' to verify that you are not a robot.

Step 6: Click submit after completing the captcha.

Also Read | The IPO frenzy isnt a sign of a robust stock market

About the IPO The Boss Packaging Solutions was a fresh issue of 12.74 lakh shares. The minimum lot size for an application was 2,000 shares, and the minimum investment required by retail investors was 1.32 lakh.

The IPO closed with overwhelming demand, with the SME issue being subscribed 136.21 times.

The IPO received bids for 16.45 crore shares against the 12.08 lakh shares on offer. Specifically, the subscription breakdown was notable across different segments: the retail investor segment saw a subscription of 165.29 times while the 'others' category was booked 103.80 times.

The company plans to allocate the net proceeds from the issue to several key objectives, including purchasing machinery, funding its working capital requirements, and covering general corporate purposes.

Fedex Securities Pvt Ltd is the book-running lead manager of the Boss Packaging Solutions IPO, while Kfin Technologies Limited is the registrar. B.N. Rathi Securities is the market maker for the Boss Packaging Solutions IPO.

Review The company has posted growth in its top lines for the reported periods but marked static bottom line for the last two fiscals. A small post-IPO equity base indicates a longer gestation period for migration. Though the company is operating in a highly competitive and fragmented segment of packaging and sticker machines, considering current fancy for the segment, well-informed investors may park moderate funds for the long term, said Dilip Davda, Contributing Editor at Chittorgarh.com.

Also Read | Aeron Composite share price hits upper circuit after listing at a 20% premium

About the Company Established in January 2012, Boss Packaging Solutions Limited specializes in the manufacturing, supplying, and exporting a wide range of packaging, capping, and filling machines. Their product lineup includes self-adhesive sticker labelling machines, conveyors, turntables, web sealers, and sleeve applicators. The company offers comprehensive packaging solutions, including labelling, packing, filling, sealing machines, and full packaging lines, catering to industries such as edible oil, lubricants, chemicals, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and more.

Between the financial years ending March 31, 2023, and March 31, 2024, Boss Packaging Solutions saw a 17.67 per cent increase in revenue, while profit after tax (PAT) grew by 0.53 per cent.

Also Read | What drives SME IPO mania? 6 key points to know before applying for an issue
Capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) employees have reportedly written a letter to the government raising concerns over toxic work culture'. According to a report by The Economic Times, it is up to the market regulator to sort out HR issues within the institution. According to the letter dated August 6, accessed by ET, officials said, "Shouting, scolding and public humiliation have become a norm in meetings."

SEBI reportedly told the business daily that employee matters have already been addressed. "Engagement with the employees to resolve their issues is a continuous process," the market regulator told the newspaper.

The complaints against the market watchdog come as SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch is mired in multiple allegations. Earlier this week, the opposition Congress had raised questions over Buch's compensation from ICICI Bank, where she had worked before joining SEBI in 2017. The Congress alleged that the SEBI chief held an office of profit at the private lender and received 16.8 crore in substantial benefits from the bank and its subsidiaries.

Congress attacks SEBI chief on prior salary benefits On Tuesday, Congress leader Pawan Khera urged the SEBI chief to come out clean, give a clarification and respond to the party's charges.

Pawan Khera questioned, How can the retirement benefits be more than the salary she drew with ICICI? Her average annual salary at ICICI was 1.30 crore. However, her average pension and other retiral benefits turned out to be 2.77 crore. How is it even possible?

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter) to post a series of questions for the SEBI chief and the ICICI Bank's clarification. Why has this so-called "retiral benefit" been non-uniform both in terms of its frequency and amount?'' asked Ramesh.



-''Even if we were to assume that the Rs. 5.03 crores she received from ICICI in 2014-2015 (soon after her superannuation) was part of her "retiral benefit" and that she got nothing in 2015-2016, why did this so called "retiral benefit" resume in 2016-2017 and continue until 2021?''



- The average salary drawn by Madhabi P. Buch from 2007 up until 2013-14 (right before her superannuation from ICICI) is Rs. 130 lacs per annum. However, the so-called retiral benefit given by ICICI to Madhabi P. Buch from 2016-17 to 2020-21 averages to around Rs. 277 lacs per annum. How can a person's "retiral benefit" be more than her salary as an employee?''

Following the allegations, ICICI Bank issued a clarification via a notice to the stock exchange, asserting that the payments made to Buch after her exit from the bank were purely retirement benefits, not salary or employee stock options.

The Congress leader countered ICICI's clarification that employees, including retired ones, had the option to exercise Esops up to 10 years post-vesting. Citing ICICI Bank's ESOP policy, which allows former employees to exercise their options within a maximum of three months post-termination, Khera asked, "Where is this 'revised policy' under which Madhabi Puri Buch was able to exercise ESOPs eight years after her voluntary termination?"

Adani-Hindenburg-SEBI row Last month, US short-seller Hindenburg Research accused Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch of owning stakes in offshore funds that were used to allegedly inflate Adani Group stocks, which was under investigation for allegedly rigging stock prices. The Sebi chief and her husband denied the allegations, terming them baseless and an attempted character assassination.

In its blog post, Hindenburg alleged that Madhabi Puri Buch and Dhaval Buch had invested in IPE Plus Fund 1, a Mauritius-registered fund, and Global Dynamic Opportunities Fund, a Bermuda-based fund.

It added that a company controlled by Vinod Adani had invested in the Global Dynamic Opportunities Fund, which then invested in IPE Plus Fund 1. Anil Ahuja, who had served as a director of Adani Enterprises, was the fund's founder and chief investment officer. Vinod is the elder brother of Adani Group's owner, Gautam Adani.
Buy or sell stocks for today: Domestic equity benchmarks, Nifty 50 and Sensex , took a breather after days of relentless rally to settle flat on Tuesday, following profit-taking in metal, oil and information technology (IT) shares amid a lack of fresh triggers and weak global trends.

Breaking its 10-day winning streak, the 30-share BSE Sensex slipped 4.40 points, or 0.01%, to settle at 82,555.44 in a range-bound trade. During the day, it dropped 159.08 points, or 0.19%, to 82,400.76. The broader Nifty50 of NSE eked out meagre gains of 1.15 points to close at a fresh peak of 25,279.85, marking a record 14 straight day of gains.

Also Read: Stocks to buy: Alembic Pharma to Hindustan CopperSMC Global Securities lists four stocks to bet on this week

In the 10-day rally, Sensex soared 2,135 points or 2.61%. Nifty has surged nearly 1,141 points or 4.59% in 14 straight days. The Nifty50 rose 4.7% in its thirteen-session rally, its longest ever, until Monday. Both benchmarks hit lifetime highs in the previous session.

The BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices rose 0.19% and 0.54%, respectively. BSE-listed firms' overall market capitalisation (mcap) rose to nearly 465.52 trillion from nearly 464.85 trillion in the previous session.

Market analysts believe a healthy consolidation period is needed to return valuations to more comfortable levels. Global cues have been muted as investors await US macro prints to gauge the size of the potential Fed rate cut this month.

The US jobs data due on Friday is a key number that will impact the Fed's monetary policy, which will be announced on 18 September. Crude oil prices crashed 5% on Tuesday, to hit their lowest levels in nine months after reports emerged that a deal was in the offing to resolve a dispute that has halted Libyan production and exports.

The Libya news compounded an earlier price fall tied to weak Chinese economic data. Brent crude futures were last down $3.51, or 4.5%, to $74.02 a barrel, the lowest level since December. The global benchmark had slipped below $74 per barrel during the session, completely erasing its gains made in 2024 so far.

Also Read: RIL bonus issue: Reliance stock to outperform Nifty 50 in near-term? Heres what JMs technical analysis reveals

Intraday trading tips for Wednesday

Vaishali Parekh, Vice Presidentof Technical Research at Prabhudas Lilladher, said, As mentioned earlier, we maintain our near-term target of 25,600 for Nifty index with support of 25,000 zone remaining intact.''

For Bank Nifty, the Prabhudas Lilladher expert added that ICICI Bank has been picking up with a strong bias maintained, whereas Axis Bank and SBI have shown signs of improving bias.

Regarding stocks investors can buy, Vaishali Parekh recommended three intraday stocks for today: ICICI Bank, LIC, and Power Finance Corp.

Also Read: GIC Re OFS: Govt to sell 6.8% stake in insurer, floor price set at 395/share; Check key dates, share size

Stock market today

For Nifty 50's outlook today, Parekh said, Nifty has taken a breather near 25,300 zone with consolidation witnessed maintaining the bias and sentiment strong and further rise is anticipated in the coming days."

Bank Nifty has gradually picked up and would need a decisive breach above 51,800 levels to further strengthen the trend and expect further rise for next targets of 53500 and 55,100 levels in the coming days," she added.

According to the expert, Nifty50's support for the day is seen at 25,150, while the resistance is seen at around 25,400. Bank Nifty's daily range is seen at 51,300-52,200.





Stocks to buy today

1.Power Finance Corp (PFC): Buy PFC at 560, Stop Loss 548

2.Life Insurance Corp (LIC): Buy LIC at 694, Target 720, Stop Loss 680

3.ICICI Bank: Buy ICICI Bank at 1,250, Target 1,285, Stop Loss 1,230

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations provided in this analysis are those of individual analysts or broking companies, not Mint. We strongly advise investors to consult with certified experts before making any investment decisions, as market conditions can change rapidly and individual circumstances may vary.
The initial public offerings (IPO) of Gala Precision was subscribed over 201.41 times on the final day of bidding on September 4. According to chittorgarh. com, the public issue has become the most subscribed IPO of FY25 so far.

The issue attracted bids for 44,78,95,196 shares, significantly surpassing the 22,23,830 equity shares on offer, within a price band of 503-529, as per data from the stock exchanges.

The Non-Institutional Investors Portion was oversubscribed 414.61 times, the Qualified Institutional Buyer Portion by 232.54 times, and the Employee Portion by 258.99 times. The Retail Portion saw a subscription rate of 91.94 times.

On Tuesday, the second day of bidding, the Gala Precision Engineering IPO was subscribed 52.21 times, according to BSE data. Non-institutional investors subscribed 132.93 times to their allotted portion, while retail investors saw a subscription rate of 44.21 times. The quota for qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) was subscribed 5.06 times, and the employee portion was booked 117.89 times. On the first day of bidding, the Gala Precision Engineering IPO had a subscription rate of 10.84 times.

Gala Precision IPO details The IPO includes a fresh issue of 2.56 million shares and an offer for sale (OFS) of 616,000 shares by existing promoters and shareholders. The total issue size, at the upper price band, amounts to 167.93 crore, with the fresh issue accounting for 134.34 crore and the OFS for 32.58 crore.

The Gala Precision Engineering IPO is priced between 503 and 529 per equity share, with each share having a face value of 10.

Gala Precision Engineering, a company that manufactures specialized springs such as disc and strip springs (DSS), coil and spiral springs (CSS), and special fastening solutions (SFS), has secured an investment of 50.29 crores from anchor investors. The minimum lot size for the IPO is 28 equity shares, with additional shares available for purchase in multiples of 28.

Gala Precision Engineering's IPO has allocated up to 50% of the public issue for qualified institutional buyers (QIB), at least 15% for non-institutional investors (NII), and a minimum of 35% for retail investors.

The company plans to utilize the net proceeds for various objectives, including setting up a new facility at Vallam-Vadagal, SIPCOT, Sriperumbuddur, Tamil Nadu, to manufacture hex bolts and high tensile fasteners; funding capital expenditure for purchasing machinery, plant, and equipment in Wada, Palghar, Maharashtra; repaying or prepaying certain borrowings, either fully or partially; and for general corporate purposes.

Link Intime India Private Ltd is the registrar for the Gala Precision Engineering IPO, and Pl Capital Markets Private Limited is the book-running lead manager.

Gala Precision GMP today The grey market price for Gala Precision Engineering's IPO is currently at a premium of 260, as reported by investorgain.com. Based on this premium and the upper end of the IPO price band, the estimated listing price for Gala Precision Engineering shares is 789 per share, reflecting a 49.15% increase over the IPO price of 529.

Grey market activity over the last ten sessions suggests that the IPO GMP is trending upwards, leading to expectations of a strong listing. According to experts from investorgain.com, the GMP has ranged from a low of 0 to a high of 268.
Indias equity market has been soaring to new heights, and a select group of stocks could be the key to unlocking substantial returns. Earlier this year, Jefferies, a global investment bank, identified 11 growth" Indian stocks poised to deliver compounded annual returns between 15% and 25% over the next five years.

With India already ranking among the top five equity markets globally by market capitalization, Jefferies bullish outlook sees the Indian stock market surpassing the $10 trillion milestone by 2030. This optimistic forecast is fuelled by increasing domestic flows, infrastructure investment, and consistent GDP growth.

This article takes a closer look at these stock picks and their performance since the reports release on 18 March 2024.

Stocks in focus

Amber Enterprises: With market capitalization of 15,080 crore, Amber Enterprises specializes in manufacturing heating and ventilation equipment. Jefferies notes that the company stands to benefit from significant growth potential, given that air conditioner (AC) penetration in India is just 7%, compared to the global average of 30%.

Amber's leadership position in AC outsourcing, where it has increased market share from 22% to 29% over the past five years, and its diversification into higher-margin components are expected to drive future revenue and earnings growth.

View Full Image (Source: Screener.in)

Jefferies projects Ambers share price to rise to 9,740 by March 2029, from its current level of 4,483. The stock has already gained 34% since the report was published.

Ambuja Cement: Is Indias second-largest cement producer with a market capitalization of 1.52 trillion. Since an ownership change in 2022, Ambuja has focused on capacity and volume expansion, as well as efficiency improvements. Jefferies has a five-year price target of 1,250, higher than the current trading price of 617.90.

Further, Jefferies expects Ambuja Cement to grow its Ebitda (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization) by 19% annually through fiscal 2030 as it is positioned to benefit from solid cement demand.

View Full Image (Source: Screener.in)

Ambuja's current capacity is 75mtpa, which is expected to almost double to 140mtpa in the next five years. The stock has been up 5.8% since the report was published.

For more such in-depth analyses, read Profit Pulse.

Axis Bank: Jefferies projects that Axis Bank will grow its adjusted earnings at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18% between FY24 and FY29, leveraging an improved deposit franchise and enhanced digital and lending platforms.

Axis Bank deposits are set to increase due to the expansion of its wealth segment, corporate salary accounts, and improved branch productivity. In addition, Jefferies expects the integration of Citibank India to bring cost and revenue synergies.

View Full Image (Source: Screener.in)

Jefferies has a five-year price target of 2,810 for Axis Bank, higher than the current price of 1,181. Shares of the Indian banking giant have risen 11% since the report was published.

Bharti Airtel: Jefferies believes Bharti Airtel is well-positioned due to consistent market share gains, a favourable pricing environment, and potential for further increases in average revenue per user (Arpu) amid moderating capital expenditures.

The telecom sector has seen significant consolidation over the past five years, with Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio now controlling 80% of the market. Jefferies forecasts Bharti Airtels revenue and Ebitda to grow between 12% and 13% annually through 2030, driving free cash flow growth by 21% and boosting return on capital employed (RoCE) by over 20%.

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The five-year price target for Bharti Airtel is 2,530, up from its current trading price of 1,560. The stock has gained 27% since 18 March.

JSW Energy: Jefferies is optimistic about JSW Energy due to the companys growing focus on renewable energy. By FY30, 81% of JSW Energys capacity is expected to come from renewable sources, up from 42% in FY23. JSW Energys pioneering efforts in green hydrogen production and energy storage position it well as India transitions to clean energy.

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Approximately 85% of JSW Energys operating portfolio is tied to long-term power purchase agreements, providing stable earnings and insulation from commodity price volatility. Jefferies five-year price target for JSW Energy is 1,100, compared to its current price of 697. The stock has surged 43% since 18 March and 73% so far in 2024.

Larsen & Toubro: One of the largest beneficiaries of Indias capex upcycle is Larsen & Toubro (L&T). Despite a weak capex environment between FY10-19, L&Ts equipment and construction business achieved a CAGR of 12% in revenue and 10% in Ebitda. Jefferies now expects growth to accelerate to 20% between FY23 and FY26.

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L&Ts sectoral and geographical diversification is anticipated to help the company perform well across market cycles. As the market leader in infrastructure, L&T has the scale and balance sheet strength to capitalize on opportunities. However, the stock has gained less than 5% since the report was published.

Macrotech Ltd (Lodha): Is a key beneficiary of the current housing upcycle, which is underway. Between FY21 and FY24, Lodha has grown sales at a CAGR of 35%, demonstrating a steady stream of project additions in key regions. Moreover, it has a 600 million sq. ft township in suburban Mumbai, which is seeing rapid infrastructure development.

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With the property upcycle expected to last another five years, Jefferies has a five-year price target of 3,000 on Macrotech stock, higher than the current trading price of 1,251. The stock has gained less than 20% since the report was published in March.

Max Healthcare: Jefferies outlined that Max Healthcare has the potential to generate 2.5x returns in the next five years due to the sustained growth momentum in the hospital business. It expects Maxs Ebitda to grow at a CAGR of 20% between FY24 and FY30 as new brownfield beds are added and most of them breakeven in less than 12-15m, while profitability of existing hospitals remain elevated."

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The long-term growth story for Max Healthcare remains intact, given the recession-resistant nature of this business, strong execution capabilities, and quality financial and operating metrics.

The five-year target price for Max Healthcare stock is 1,925, higher than the current trading price of 882.70. The stock has risen over 20% since 18 March.

State Bank of India (SBI): Jefferies expects India's largest lender, in terms of customer deposits, to leverage its robust deposit franchise, improved digital offering, and leadership across lending segments to expand its loans by a CAGR of 13% in the next five years. A focus on profitability should drive profit margins higher, as Jefferies forecasts EPS (earnings per share) to expand by 18% annually.

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The five-year target price for the SBI stock is 1,860, higher than the current trading price of 818.95. Since the report was published, the stock has risen more than 10%.

TVS Motor Company: The company is set to benefit from a revival in two-wheeler demand as its attractive product proposition has helped it gain market share across multiple segments. Jefferies estimates that the companys earnings per share will grow at a CAGR of 26% through 2030 due to strong volume growth and margin expansion. Additionally, its rising investments in overseas entities should result in geographic diversification.

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The five-year target price of TVS stock is 5,000, higher than the current target price of 2,788. Shares of TVS have gained over 35% since 18 March.

Zomato: Indias leading food delivery and quick-commerce platform, Zomato rounds out the list. Jefferies points to strong growth potential in food delivery, with higher margins expected as the industry matures.

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Zomatos quick commerce arm, BlinkIt, has surprised the market with its rapid adoption, expanding its product range beyond groceries and staples. Despite being under-penetrated, Indias food services market shows promise for significant growth, with online food delivery penetration at 13%, compared to 50% in developed markets.

Jefferies has set a five-year price target of 400 for Zomato, compared to the current trading price of 248.60. The stock has nearly doubled in 2024, up 57% since 18 March.

The takeaway

Most companies on this list are blue-chip giants with strong competitive moats and robust fundamentals. However, given the dynamic macroeconomic environment, Jefferies' price targets may be subject to revisions, either upward or downward, depending on future developments.

Note: The purpose of this article is only to share interesting charts, data points and thought provoking opinions. It is NOT a recommendation. If you wish to consider an investment, you are strongly advised to consult your advisor. This article is strictly for educative purposes only.

Aditya Raghunath has over 15 years of experience in the field of finance and financial writing. His interest extends to global stocks as well. He has studied commerce at the Mumbai University, and done his management in finance and from the prestigious TA Pai Management Institute.

Disclosure: The author owns shares in State Bank of India.
There are businesses where making money is easy and others where its hard. Where do you think the diamond & jewellery industry fits? Is it easy or hard to make money here?

I think its hard.

Jewellery companies are not exactly known for their wealth creation abilities. But why is this? Why are jewellery companies unable to create a lot of value for their owners or shareholders?

It has to do with the structure of the industry.

We have done some analysis and found that on average, raw material expenses account for 94% of gross sales for jewellery companies. If you have only 6 left over on sales of 100 after paying for raw materials, youre skating on very thin ice.

And the less said about the net profit margin the better. The average net profit margin of listed jewellery stocks in India stood at a mere 1.5% between FY14 and FY23.

The diamond and jewellery industry has earned on average a measly 1.5 on sales of every 100 in aggregate over the past 10 years. Honestly, I don't know of any other industry where profit margins are this low.

To make matters worse, starting a jewellery business needs a huge upfront investment. The business is also quite cyclical. Demand soars during the wedding and festive seasons and slows down dramatically for the rest of the year.

Capital requirements are also huge. The business requires you to maintain a large inventory, which locks up a big portion of your capital.

This combination of large capital investment and low profit margins has been the undoing of most Indian jewellery companies.

The average return on equity earned by listed jewellery companies between FY14 and FY23 stood at 13%. This is indeed below par. You are not considered a decent business if your average return on equity is less than 15%.

The outlier

However, there is one jewellery company that's not just a decent business but a great one. It has been one of the biggest wealth creators in the last couple of decades.

I am talking about none other than the big daddy of the jewellery market  Titan Company Ltd.

What makes Titan special? Well, it accounts for just 10% of the aggregate revenue of listed jewellery stocks in India, but brought in almost 60% of the entire sectors profits in FY23.

Titan's 25% return on equity is also significantly better than that of the overall industry. It has done this consistently over a decade. Thats because Titan has managed to do something its peers have struggled with. It has been able to charge a hefty premium at its Tanishq outlets. Customers have been more than willing to pay this premium in exchange for the trust and the credibility it commands.

I asked one of my jeweler friends why Titan's jewellery was more expensive than the competitions. His one-word answer was brand".

You see, jewellery is a tricky business. You could end up with a substandard product if you don't buy from a trusted jeweller. Titans strength is that it has managed to position itself as one of the most trusted brands. This, along with its presence across India, its unique designs and its economies of scale have allowed Titan to earn margins that are almost twice the industry average.

So the verdict is clear. To be a wealth creator like Titan, you need to be able to charge a hefty premium from customers in exchange for trust and reliability.

The challenger

Is Kalyan Jewellers up to the task? A look at the company's operating margins and net profit margin offers no indication that it has Titans pricing power. Operating margins have averaged 7% over five years, versus 11% for Titan. Net profit margins have averaged just 1.3% versus almost 7% for Titan. Its return on equity has averaged close to 10%, which is not only significantly below Titans but also below that of a decent business.

However, Kalyan Jewellers is trading at almost 100 times its latest 12-month earnings. That means the stock is even pricier than Titans, which is trading at 90 times earnings.

It appears that investors expect Kalyan Jewellers to have the same success as Titan or perhaps even better. However, there are no signs of that right now. Kalyan Jewellers remains an average business at best and will need a miracle to be in the same league as Titan.

Do you agree? Or do you believe that Kalyan Jewellerss future will be much better than its past?

The company is expanding aggressively, largely through the franchise model. It is also pursuing aggressive measures to reduce debt. But it all boils down to how much of this expected growth is already baked into the stock price.

As we saw, the stock price assumes a very rosy future for Kalyan Jewellers. Should the company fail to live up to expectations, the stock could take a severe beating, so its best to be wary.

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 Azad Engineering, a leading manufacturer of aerospace components and turbines, surged 8 percent in today's session, reaching 1,624 per share. The rally followed global brokerage firm Investec's initiation of coverage on the stock with a buy rating and a target price of 1,850, indicating a potential upside of 23 percent from Tuesday's closing price.

Investec highlighted that Azad Engineering is the only Indian company providing 3D airfoils to global OEMs, emphasising the high entry barriers within the industry. The brokerage projects Azad's profit after tax (PAT) to grow at a 40 percent CAGR over FY 2024-2027, driven by recent order wins, diversification, and reduced finance costs.

Earlier, domestic brokerage ICICI Securities also raised its target price for Azad Engineering to 2,450 per share, maintaining a 'buy' ratingmarking a record target for the stock. It said the company's enhanced cost efficiencies and product quality have led to a larger share of wallets from clients.

In our view, Azad is on a long runway of significant earnings growth, with significant TAM still available, said the brokerage.

Steady order wins Azad Engineering has secured multiple orders in recent months, positioning itself strongly in the market. The company signed a five-year agreement with Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co to manufacture and supply critical rotating components for advanced gas and thermal turbine engines, meeting their global demand.

Additionally, Azad secured a prestigious national pride contract from the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a leading R&D organisation under DRDO and the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, for the end-to-end manufacturing, assembly, and integration of a complete Advanced Turbo Gas Generator Engine.

Further strengthening its portfolio, the company entered a seven-year contract with Rolls Royce to produce and supply critical engine parts for their defence and military aircraft engines.

Azad also signed a five-year agreement with a subsidiary of Baker Hughes to supply highly complex and critical components for the oil and gas sector, along with another five-year supply agreement to provide medium-to-high-complexity precision machined components for oil field services. The contract is extendable by an additional three-year and one-year term.

In a transformative collaboration, the company also established a contract with GE Vernova's Steam Power business to supply high-complexity rotating airfoils for the nuclear, industrial, and thermal power industries. This phase one agreement is valued at approximately USD 35 million over seven years. These contracts underline Azad's strong market position and growth potential in the industry, as per the company's recent exchange filing.

Robust performance in the June quarter, driven by Aerospace and Defence segment For the quarter ending in June, the company reported a 29.6 percent year-on-year increase in consolidated revenue from operations, reaching 984.1 million. The Energy and Oil & Gas segment grew by 13.4 percent in Q1 FY25, driven mainly by additional capacity. The company began executing oil and gas orders in FY24 and is expected to see rapid growth in this segment during FY25.

The Aerospace & Defence segment experienced significant growth, recording a 231.7 percent year-on-year increase in Q1 FY25, reaching 182.1 million, primarily due to the execution of domestic orders. The company's recent order wins, including those from Rolls Royce and GTRE, are expected to further boost growth in this segment.

Additionally, profit after tax surged by 131.5% year-on-year to 171.3 million, up from 74.0 million in the same period last year.
Stock Market News: At the beginning of Wednesday's trading session, the domestic benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, followed the weak global trend and started lower, with both indices opening in negative territory.

The Nifty 50 index dropped by 0.75%, or 189 points, opening at 25,089.95 points, while the Sensex opened with a loss of 703 points, down 0.85% at 81,851.82 points.

Global stock markets experienced downward pressure following the decline in US markets ahead of the Fed rate cuts, falling by over 2% on Tuesday.

The chief investment strategist at Geojit Financial Services, Dr. V K Vijayakumar, said that September has often been an uncertain month for world markets. For the past four years, this has been the case. Based on preliminary patterns, it appears that this may also prove to be the case this year. Growth worries were the cause of yesterday's selloff in US markets. The notion of a gentle landing, which has supported the US mother market and subsequently other markets, appears to be under jeopardy due to signs that US manufacturing is contracting. There is now a tiny doubt regarding this situation.

Nifty 50 Outlook by Sagar Doshi, Senior Vice President- Research, Nuvama Professional Clients Group Nifty 50 has been closing at record highs for the past 7 trading days, however the index is on a 14 day consecutive green closing which is a record not seen in past 17 years. Last such consecutive run up was seen in October 2007. A caution with strict trailing stock loss is advised for leveraged longs at these levels on Nifty 50. Tuesdays session had an inside bar formation wherein the index traded within its previous days range. Support continues to remain sub 24,950 and hence any dips near 25,100 are likely to allow a good risk reward entry for fresh longs for target of 25,420/25,550.

Bank Nifty Bank Nifty on the contrary had an outside bar formation wherein both of its high and lows in Tuesdays session breached its previous days high and lows allowing a 1 month high closing on the index. Structurally, for a trade at CMP, Bank Nifty offers better risk reward than Nifty 50 and is giving signs of outperformance going forward. 52,100 / 52,450 on the upside remains open for now with 51,200 odd acting as support levels for the ongoing base on the index.

Top Stock Recommendations by Sagar Doshi On top stock recommendations for Wednesday, Sagar Doshi has recommended three stocks:

REC Ltd (BUY): LCP :  627; Stop Loss :  605; Target Price :  675 REC Ltd has given a fresh breakout of the consolidation pattern in the daily charts. Higher high retest confirms strong move likely to unfold. Momentum continues to remain strong on the stock with medium term outlook on charts showing a fresh upside.

Prism Johnson Ltd (BUY): LCP :  177; Stop Loss :  167; Target Price :  210 Double Inside bar breakout on monthly chart suggest new momentum to lead prices higher. Daily chart also showing falling trendline breakout with strong volume . Equal weighted mid Cement index showing momentum whereas Prism Johnson leading pack suggesting new rally to unfold.

L&T Finance Ltd (BUY): LCP : 172; Stop Loss : 164; Target Price : 190

Post major Breakout in NBFC stock LTF showing sign of reversal . Taken a support at 50 DMA on weekly chart and formed reversal pattern. momentum likely to continue to 190.

Also Read | Indian stock market: 7 key things that changed for market overnight
In the last few years, with a shift towards remote working and our increased dependence on technology, I have been hearing more clients talk about struggling with brain fog and a constant feeling of exhaustion. As a therapist who largely works online since the pandemic, there was a time when I struggled with this too. What helped me overcome it is what can be described as the science of soft fascination. The idea of soft fascination and being in nature go hand in hand.

Soft fascination has to do with activities and experiences that allow us to be in a space without an attention overload. There is ease, and these moments dont demand our complete attentional capacity. These are moments where there is a lightness in the mind, attention can drift, and as a result, there is scope for the mind to wander. This experience allows for introspection and provides a window for problem solving.

Think about the act of looking at the clouds, listening to the waves, staring at the sea or just being in the presence of mountains and greeneryall these offer us a chance to experience soft fascination. Thats why some of us tend to take refuge in nature when we get overwhelmed or feel attentional fatigue.

Rachel and Stephen Kaplan, both psychology researchers at the University of Michigan, US, proposed the attention restoration theory in the 1980s, introducing the concept of soft fascination as part of the larger framework. The researchers studied the impact of nature on people and their well-being. They found that being in nature serves a restorative purpose where our capacity for attention is renewed. This allows us to deal with mental fatigue, which may have emerged from being involved in tasks that require a high degree of alertness, attentional capacity and in turn focus.

I like this explanation by science writer Annie Murphy Paul, author of the 2021 book The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain: Scientists theorize that the soft fascination evoked by natural scenes engages what is known as the brains default mode network. When this network is activated, we enter a loose associative state in which we are not focused on any particular task but are receptive to unexpected connections and insights. This state allows for novel ideas to form and feels deeply calming , in turn creating a safe space where one feels centered.

Sometimes when I fall into a pattern of ruminative thinking, the act of looking out of my window and watching trees and birds feels like a shot of energy and allows my mind to experience awe and expansiveness. This also helps me create a sense of distance from big all-consuming feelings. At other times, going to the market or taking a leisurely stroll in a relatively quiet lane is rejuvenating and allows for a certain clearing of the head and makes me feel like the brain fog has lifted.

Psychologist Lisa Damour, in her work, has also observed that activities that feel routine but do not demand a lot of our attentional resources can be perceived as soft fascination. She cites folding clothes and going for a long shower as examples. For me, listening to music also serves as a soft fascination activity. The trick is to avoid multi-tasking and simply enjoy gentle activity without distractions such as phones or podcasts, and allow your mind to truly wander and relax. In a culture obsessed with productivity, give yourself permission to pause and embrace soft fascination. Its time to slow down and mindfully build moments of soft fascination into your daily life.
The central government on Wednesday, September 4, approved a proposal for a Centralised Pension Payment System (CPPS) for the Employees Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995. The move is expected to benefit more than 78 lakh people.

The Centralised Pension Payment System will be an important shift by establishing a national-level centralised system that will allow pension disbursement through any bank or branch across India, the Union Ministry for Labour & Employment said in a statement.

The approval of the Centralised Pension Payment System marks a significant milestone in the modernisation of the EPFO. By enabling pensioners to receive their pensions from any bank, any branch, anywhere in the country, this initiative addresses the long-standing challenges faced by pensioners and ensures a seamless and efficient disbursement mechanism, Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said.

Also Read | How traditional life insurance products supercharge your pension plan strategy

Efforts on to modernise EPFO This is a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to transform the EPFO into a more robust, responsive, and tech-enabled organisation, committed to serving the needs of its members and pensioners better, he added.

This new scheme will be introduced on January 1, 2025, as part of EPFOs ongoing IT modernisation project, Centralised IT-Enabled System. The government plans to enable a smooth transition to an Aadhaar-based payment system in the next phase of CPPS.

The government expects that CPPS will benefit over 78 lakh pensioners from the Employee Pension Scheme under the Employees Provident Fund Organisation. Additionally, advanced IT and banking technologies are expected to provide seamless and easy access to funds.

According to the government, the centralised system will ensure the distribution of pensions across India without any need to transfer Pension Payment Orders (PPO) from one office to another, despite the change in location or bank branch. This will be beneficial for pensioners who move to their hometown after retirement.

The pensioner will not be required to visit the branch for verification at the time of pension commencement, and the pension will be credited immediately.

The CPPS is a paradigm shift from the existing decentralised pension disbursement system, with each Zonal/Regional Office of EPFO maintaining separate agreements with only 3-4 banks, the statement said.
Actor and BJP politician Kangana Ranauts said on Wednesday the court blasted the censor board for not issuing certificate to her upcoming movie Emergency.

Kangana said this soon after Bombay High Court refused to pass any order in the wake of a directive by the Madhya Pradesh HC directing CBFC to consider objections to the movie before certifying it.

High court has blasted censor board for illegally withholding the certificate of Emergency, Kangana said in a tweet.

The film was scheduled to release on September 6 but will now be pushed back for two weeks as the HC directed the censor board to consider the objections raised against the film and then certify it by September 18.

Kangana, who plays former Prime MinisterIndira Gandhiis 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.

The films producer Zee Entertainment Enterprises had moved the Bombay HC seeking a direction to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue certificate for the biographical drama Emergency, helmed by actor-MP Kangana Ranaut.

The plea claimed that the censor board was ready with the certificate but was not issuing it apprehending law and order unrest after the movies release. A division bench of Justices B P Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla on Wednesday accepted the producers contention that the certificate was kept ready but not issued.

The bench said once the certificate was issued online to the makers of the film, the CBFC's contention that the certificate was not issued as it was not signed by the chairperson is incorrect.

The Madhya Pradesh HC on Tuesday heard petitions filed by Sikh groups claiming that the film contains scenes that may hurt their religious sentiments and may hence cause unrest.

During the hearing of the petition filed by Zee Entertainment, the Bombay HC on Wednesday said that while it was with the petitioner on the issue it cannot grant any relief in the wake of the order passed by the Madhya Pradesh HC.

High court has blasted censor board for illegally withholding the certificate of Emergency.

The Madhya Pradesh HC has given the CBFC a direction. If we give any relief today then it would be directly in contravention to that order. We will be asking CBFC to breach another HC order if we pass any order today. We cannot do that. Judicial propriety demands that of us, the bench said.
A female passenger allegedly attacked an Air India Express staff member at the Mumbai airport on September 1, leading to her immediate handover to the police, PTI reported.

In a statement released on Tuesday, an Air India Express spokesperson detailed the incident: On 1st September, a passenger at Mumbai airport misbehaved with a staff member of our ground operations partner. The Duty Manager promptly notified CISF, and the passenger was handed over to the police in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.

The altercation arose over a dispute concerning priority boarding. The passenger was instructed to wait as another traveller completed her check-in process, which led to the dispute.

Frustrated by the delay, the woman passenger became verbally abusive and reportedly assaulted the airline staff member.

Responding to the event, Air India Express reiterated its strict policies on passenger behaviour: Air India Express reiterates its zero-tolerance approach to any behaviour that jeopardises the safety and well-being of our guests and employees, and those of our partners.

Protocol for handling unruly passengers Airlines in India manage disruptive passenger behaviour following the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) on Handling of Unruly Passengers issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The DGCA defines unruly passenger behaviour to include actions such as consuming alcohol or drugs that lead to disruptive conduct, smoking, ignoring pilot instructions, using threatening or abusive language, physical threats or abuse, intentional interference with crew duties, and any actions that compromise aircraft safety.

Physical aggression, including pushing, kicking, hitting, inappropriate touching, or sexual harassment, is classified as a Level 2 offense.

In such cases, a First Information Report (FIR) is filed with the appropriate security agency, and the unruly passenger is handed over to law enforcement authorities.

Airlines may impose an immediate ban of up to 30 days on the offending individual and notify the DGCA to add them to the regulators No-Fly list. Additionally, other carriers may also choose to ban the passenger based on the severity of the incident.
It has been almost two weeks since a Class 12 student was mistaken for a cattle smuggler and killed by five people on the Delhi-Agra highway in Haryana's Faridabad.

The probe into the killing of the 20-year-old Aryan Mishra has shed light on the probable working style of cow vigilantes in the country.

Also Read | Former Pune corporator murdered by 12 men | Crime caught on camera

The Haryana police arrested five people on August 28 and 29 in connection with the case, among whom one belongs to an organisation dedicated to cow protection, Times of India reported.

What happened on 23 August? Along with four of his neighboursHarshit, his brother Shanky, their mother, and Kriti SharmaAryan Mishra of NIT Colony went out at night on August 23 to have noodles near Vardhaman Mall.

Their vehicle  Duster  was chased by a Maruti Swift. Shanky, accused in an attempt to murder case, thought they were either being chased by police or the ones they attacked earlier.

Also Read | Why did the CBI arrest Sandip Ghosh and 3 others in RG Kar Hospital rape probe?

He asked his brother to step up the accelerator. As the Duster sped, the Swift kept up the chase, TOI quoted an officer as saying.

After chasing the Duster for about 29 kilometres, the attackers opened fire on the occupants of the Duster, in which Aryan Mishra was injured. He was seated in the front.

Soon, Harshit pulled the car over near Gadpuri toll plaza. Following this, the accused  Anil Kaushik, Varun, Krishna, Adesh, and Saurabh  came out of the Swift and shot Aryan directly in the neck from a close range.

They took a close look at Aryan and fled, probably realising it was a mistaken identity. Plus, there were women seated behind, the police officer added according to TOI.

Following the incident, Aryan was taken to SSB Hospital in Faridabad and was pronounced dead on August 24 afternoon.

Faridabad Police's Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Aman Yadav said that all the accused were arrested based on CCTV footage and all hail from Faridabad. However, he added that there is no evidence to indicate that Anil and his friends are cow vigilantes or linked with any such organisation.

Who is Anil Kaushik? According to details, Anil Kaushik is the founding president of 'Live For Nation', which claims to protect cows and operate an ambulance.

He also has other vehicles at his Parvatiya Colony office in Faridabad, which are supposedly used in cow vigilantism.

Also Read | Manipur BJP leader claims his murder was planned on WhatsApp group
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday slammed the Eknath Shinde government over the Badlapur incident, where two minor girls were allegedly sexually assaulted.

Raut also questioned the State government's silence regarding the disappearance of CCTV footage from the school involved in the case.

Addressing a press conference, Raut said, The Chief Minister (Eknath Shinde) and Home Minister (Devendra Fadnavis) are not talking about this, we are talking about this. Who made the CCTV footage disappear from the school? The head of the institution must have done this. Why did he do it? Just to save a constable or is there some other mystery behind it? What is the government doing?

Last month, Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar revealed that CCTV footage from the past 15 days had gone missing from the Badlapur school where two minor girls were allegedly sexually assaulted. Kesarkar emphasized the need to investigate the disappearance of the footage and the underlying motives.

He also proposed installing panic buttons in schools, similar to CCTV systems, to enhance safety. Additionally, a report from the Women and Child Welfare Department and the Education Ministry regarding the Badlapur sexual abuse case had previously been submitted to the Education Minister.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Bombay High Court proposed three names for forming a committee to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for police, hospitals, and schools in handling cases of sexual assault involving minors.

On August 31, a Thane Court had approved the Special Investigating Team's request for a test identification parade of the accused in the Badlapur case. The parade, conducted in the presence of the Executive Magistrate, allowed the survivors to identify the accused. The case involves the alleged sexual assault of two four-year-olds within their school in Badlapur, Maharashtra.

The SIT developed a psychological profile of the suspects to aid in further investigation.

The case of the alleged sexual assault has triggered widespread outrage across the state, leading to numerous protests nationwide.

On August 17, the police arrested a school attendant in connection with the abuse of the girls.
IC-814 The Kandahar Hijack Row: Cabin crew head, Anil Sharma, of the Indian Airlines aeroplane IC-814, has defended the use of aliases Bhola and Shankar for the hijackers in the Netflix original docu-series IC-814 The Kandahar Hijack. Sharma's remarks come amid a controversy that broke out over director Anubhav Sinha using the aliases of the Pakistan-based terrorists in place of their original names.

Anil Sharma, who was onboard the hijacked Kathmandu-Delhi Indian Airlines flight IC-814, said, "They (the terrorists) had these names right from the beginning, and it should be borne in mind that the names were not given by filmmakers," Sharma remarked.

"Why they kept two names by which we know our Hindu gods, cannot be speculated because the issue is 24 years old, maybe they had some mischief in their minds because the other three had very neutral names... " Sharma added.

Sharma also lashed out at the makers of IC-814 The Kandahar Hijack and said, 'I don't think I feel very comfortable with this arrangement'.

Anil Sharma flagged that Anubhav Sinha, director of IC-814 The Kandahar Hijack, could have added the disclaimer about the real and code names earlier before the I&B ministry intervened. "Why couldn't they do it earlier? Why is it that each time, there has to be an outcry about Hindu sentiments being hurt before collective action is taken? They could have done this in the beginning, " Sharma said in a video.

WATCH VIDEO OF IC-814 CABIN CREW HEAD ANIL SHARMA

"They have even changed the names of the pilots, flight engineers, and even my name. Two hostesses have been changed, and five cabin crew have not even been shown." Sharma added.

The head cabin crew of the hijacked flight also lashed out at OTT giant Netflix and said, "Initially, Netflix was becoming very aggressive about it but now they have backtracked and put a disclaimer".

Netflix updates disclaimer to include real, code names of hijackers Netflix India issued an official statement on Tuesday addressing the controversy surrounding the Anubhav Sinha-directed IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack. The OTT platform's content head for India announced that the disclaimer of the web series has been updated to include the real and code names of the hijackers.
A class 12 student was allegedly shot dead on August 23 after being chased in a car by a group of five in Haryana's Faridabad on August 23. The five accused, suspected to be cow vigilantes, reportedly claimed they mistook the boy for a cattle smuggler.

Police sources told news agency PTI that the accused claimed during interrogation that on the night of August 23, they had received information about suspected cattle smugglers driving two SUVs and doing recce in the city.

"They mistook the victim, Aryan Mishra, and his friends, Shanky and Harshit, for cattle smugglers and followed their car for about 30 kilometres near the Gadhpuri toll on the Delhi-Agra National Highway," the sources said.

Sources added that the accused told the police that when they asked the boy and his friends to stop their car, the driver accelerated, following which they opened fire. "Mishra was killed on the spot near the Gadhpuri toll in Palwal," they said.

Also Read | CBI arrests TMC leader Anubrata Mondal in connection with cattle smuggling case

Superintendent of Police (Crime) Aman Yadav said on Tuesday that the five accused  Saurabh, Anil Kaushik, Varun, Krishna and Adesh  were arrested on August 28 and remanded in police custody for two days.

The SP said all the accused have been sent to judicial custody after the police remand expired. He added that the illegal weapon and the car used in the crime have been recovered.

A police officer said they were also investigating if it was a case of old enmity.

Also Read | 43 arrested in UP for cattle smuggling: Police

The victim's father claimed that one of the acquaintances who had accompanied his son was part of a conspiracy to get him killed, news agency PTI reported.

"The weapon will be sent for forensic examination and the police are trying to ascertain the veracity of statements given by the accused," the police statement said, "without mentioning if they were cow vigilantes and the reason behind the crime".
About 1.96 million foreign nationals entered China via visa-free polices from July to August, a 117 percent year-on-year increase, the National Immigration Administration announced on Tuesday.

A total of 110 million visits by domestic and foreign tourists have been recorded from July to August, marking a 30 percent increase compared to the same period last year, the National Immigration Administration added. Among them, foreign nationals made 10.89 million entries and exits, a 52.8 percent year-on-year increase.

Mainland residents accounted for about 55.38 million entries and exits, marking a 28.1 percent increase from the same period last year. Residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan had about 44 million entries and exits, a 27.6 percent year-on-year increase.

During the period, the average daily crossings reached nearly 1.78 million. The highest daily entry and exit volume was recorded on August 24, reaching nearly 2.24 million, accounting for 97.2 percent of the historic peak.

Additionally, the authorities also inspected a total of 5.64 million entries and exits of transportation planes, vehicles, ships and trains, a 32 percent increase from the same period last year.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his government over bulldozer actions in the state and asked if the map of the Chief Minister's residence is approved.

Akhilesh's remarks come a day after the Supreme Court asked how anybody's house could be demolished just because he was an accused.

These people used to scare others with bulldozers and used to demolish people's houses in various places, but is the map of the Chief Minister's residence approved? Tell us when it was passed, show the papers, asked the SP chief.

Also Read | Aparna Yadav is the new vice chairperson of UP womens panel

Referring to what the Supreme Court said on the bulldozer action, Akhilesh Yadav accused the Yogi government of deliberately running the bulldozer on those from whom CM wanted to take revenge.

Will the government apologise for the bulldozer operation that was going on till now or not? asked Akhilesh.

On Wednesday, Yogi Adityanath took a swipe at Akhilesh Yadav, saying, not everyone has the heart to handle a bulldozer, while referring to the SP chief's remark that after 2027, he will order all bulldozers to Gorakhpur.

Reacting to that, the SP chief quipped that as far as heart and mind are concerned, he wants to say that there is no brain in a bulldozer, and it runs by the steering. The people of Uttar Pradesh can change the steering of someone's bulldozer, said Akhilesh.

On Monday, while hearing various petitions relating to authorities' use of bulldozers to demolish properties, the SC said that authorities cannot demolish the properties of the accused even if he is convicted and further questioned this practice.

The court also asked concerned parties to submit suggestions that the top court could consider in framing pan-India guidelines.

During the hearing, a bench of justices, BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, remarked, Even if he is a convict, still it can't be done without following the procedure as prescribed by law.
Kolkata:West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee may have been hoping for a breather after the state assembly unanimously passed the anti-rape Aparajita Bill on Tuesday. The Bill was hurriedly cobbled together by the Bengal government amid strident protests in the state over the brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata on 9 August.

Among other things, the legislation seeks the death sentence for persons convicted of rape if their actions result in the victims death or leave the victim in a vegetative state. It will have to be signed by the governor and the president to become law.

Banerjee was counting on swift passage of the Bill to take some of the oxygen out of the protests that have roiled the state since the rape-murder at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. However, the protesters appear to be in no mood to relent. Hours after the Bills passage, a 15-km-long human chain across Kolkatas Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, an important thoroughfare, was alive with song, slogans, and cries for justice. Thousands of people got off work early to join the human chain and lend their voices to the protest.

A day later, junior doctors across the state continued their stir. Their weeks-long strike has crippled health services at state-run medical facilities, which the poor, in particular, depend on.

For Banerjee, who is no stranger to this turf, having led many such protests herself against Bengals Left Front government in the years before she became chief minister, this is a moment of reckoning. It is by far the toughest challenge she has faced over a long political career.

At the receiving end

Banerjee has been a politician for over 40 years. As the leader of the opposition for two-thirds of that time, she had faced it all wearing her trademark chappalspolice batons, insults, forcible eviction from the state headquarters by the Left regime, attacks by Left front hoodlums, and isolation as the lone representative of her party in parliament.

View Full Image West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee speaks after tabling the Aparajita Woman and Child Bill, on 3 September. (PTI)

As chief minister, she has tangled with the union government, central investigative agencies and the governors appointed by the centre on numerous occasions. And she has had ugly faceoffs with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the electoral battlefield.

But those were all battles in the political arena. Never before in her 13-year stint as chief minister has she faced sustained pressure from the public on such a scale. Every other day Kolkata and its hinterlands and even some towns have witnessed marches, processions, and candlelight vigils. Sometimes there are as many as 22-23 protest rallies on a single day in the city. Many of them call for Banerjees resignationshe is in charge of both the home and health ministries in the state.

It is all the more galling for the chief minister that all this has come to pass barely three months after the people gave her a thumping victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, sending 29 MPs from her Trinamool Congress party to parliament.

Spontaneous combustion

Banerjee, at one point, tried to draw parallels between the protests against her government and those in Bangladesh, which forced that countrys leader, Sheikh Hasina, to flee. CPI(M) and BJP are indulging in cheap politics. They think they can do a Bangladesh here," she said at a programme on the eve of Independence Day.

View Full Image People take part in a protest march in Kolkata on 1 September. (PTI)

But while political parties may have been trying to reap some gains from the tragedy, the protests have largely been apolitical in nature on the surface. This is a spontaneous movement. Why do you think people are joining us in hundreds everyday, helping us with food, water bottles and mental strength? It is because they realise no one is safe in this state," said Dr Subhendu Mallick, a senior resident doctor at R.G. Kars state medicine department. If a junior doctor can get raped at her second home, no girl or woman is safe here. The state cannot duck its responsibility of giving protection."

Kolkata is no stranger to rallies and processions by the people. In the past, the city had witnessed them when the Left Front government awarded land to the Tata Group in Singur for its Nano car project. Again, in 2007, there were protests after the police firing in Nandigram over land acquisition for a chemical project. The Trinamool Congress was at the forefront of both agitations. When the party toppled the Left and took over the reins of power, it had to face protests over a series of rape cases in 2012, 2013 and 2022.

But political analysts and social scientists see a marked change in the way people have reacted to the latest incident. The unusual thing this time, they say, is that the people have consciously left behind their political preferences and identities. Realizing that politicians would, as usual, divide rather than unite people, they have been firmly kept out.

From the beginning, the junior doctors on strike inside the R.G. Kar compound and throughout the state have consciously barred political banners, festoons or party slogans. The same is true of protests by the public, which has tried to prevent the peoples movement from turning into a political slugfest. A couple of times when political banners popped up in the sea of humanity, they were pulled down.

When the BJP, the principal opposition, sensed a big political opportunity and threw its weight behind a 12-hour bandh called by student group Chhatra Samaj on 28 August, the doctors made it a point to take out separate marches demanding the resignation of police commissioner Vineet Goyal, the principal, and the perpetrators of the crime. The Chhatra Samaj is backed by rightwing outfit Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the BJPs student wing.

It was a conscious decision to let the people at large decry the incident and denounce the authorities responsible, rather than politicians doing so," said Dr Aniket Mahato, a resident doctor. Bringing in political parties and their different agendas would have been damaging to the single purpose of delivering justice."

Others believe the anger goes beyond the latest incident. According to Prasanta Ray, social scientist and professor emeritus at Presidency University, The flareup is the outcome of a deep seated disillusionment and dissatisfaction over many areas of governance." At least one out of every two people shouting for justice, he believes, has a legitimate reason to do so. She/he may have lost a school teachers job to an ineligible candidate for refusing to bribe the system. Or he could be one of those facing the brunt for being on the wrong side of the party or system. The ground was ready, it just needed a cause," said Ray. The tragedy in R.G. Kar was the spark that lit the powder keg.

Cracks within

For the first time, the Trinamool Congress, which has remained united in the face of many challenges and overtures, appears to be a divided house. Rajya Sabha member of parliament (MP) Sukhendu Shekhar Ray, who demanded the custodial interrogation of Sandip Ghosh, the principal of the R.G. Kar Medical College, and the police commissioner, got a summons from the Kolkata Police.

Another former MP, Santanu Sen, who tried to flag the irregularities under the patronage of the principal and the north Bengal lobby, was stripped of his role as the partys spokesperson. Party insiders say serious differences have cropped up between the top bossesBanerjee and her nephew Abhisekover the handling of the situation and the attempt to protect those allegedly at fault.

Trinamool MP Jawhar Sircar, too, accepted that the protests were genuine. Theres an undeniable public outrage against the heinous crime and the initial handling by the college authorities and the police," he said. The question now is whether this will lead to lasting solutions, and better systems of accountability or wether it will be hijacked by a political party. After all, the record of unpunished rapes and murders in a state ruled by that party is far worse than Bengals record."

Missteps aplenty

Meanwhile, nearly a month since the junior doctors rape and murder at her alma mater, investigators are yet to identify the culprits. Other than arresting a civic volunteer on the basis of CCTV footage, the state and central investigating agencies havent made much headway in bringing the culprits to book. In fact, they are yet to ascertain whether it was a case of rape or gang rape. Principal Ghosh, his bodyguard and two vendors have been arrested to face charges of financial irregularities dating back to 2021.

Aside from the law and order aspect, the people, it appears, hold Banerjee squarely responsible for trying to shield those close to her party, especially Ghosh, from the fallout of the incident. According to various medical associations, the former principal wielded a lot of clout through his connections in the top echelons of the Trinamool Congress.

View Full Image Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital, was taken to a CBI court in Kolkata on 3 September. (Hindustan Times)

Banerjees government appointed Ghosh as the principal of another premier institution a few hours after he verbally expressed his desire to resign from medical service, owning moral responsibility for the incident at R.G. Kar. As news spread that Ghosh would be joining as principal of Calcutta National Medical College, students broke out in revolt. The state government had to beat a retreat when the High Court censured Ghosh and asked him to go on leave. He was arrested by the CBI on 2 September and suspended by the government only thereafter, on 3 September.

Last year, the hospitals deputy superintendent, Akhtar Ali, had lodged complaints with the vigilance commission, anti-corruption bureau and the health department against Ghosh. He cited the leasing of government assets without necessary approvals, nepotism in selection of vendors (and claiming 20% commission from them), and sale of biomedical waste to two Bangladeshi nationals, among other violations. The whistleblower was transferred the very day he submitted a 1,000-page report as the member of a committee formed to investigate the irregularities.

Though Ghosh was transferred from R.G. Kar twice over his alleged involvement in misappropriation of funds and corruption, he was reappointed quickly. On one occasion, a senior doctor at the hospital told Mint, Ghoshs bouncers took control of his office room and prevented the newly appointed principal, Manas Banerjee, from occupying it. Banerjee was appointed principal after Ghoshs exit.

Ask anybody at R.G. Kar, and theyll tell you how Ghosh threw his weight around by claiming proximity to the chief minister.  A resident doctor

It was not unusual for the principal to strut around with such bouncers and namedrop the chief minister to flaunt his power, say insiders. It is an open secret. Ask anybody at R.G. Kar, and theyll tell you how Ghosh threw his weight around by claiming proximity to the chief minister. Students were scared of antagonising him because they felt their career would go for a toss," said a resident doctor, seeking anonymity.

One of Ghoshs lawyers Mint spoke to said that the allegations made above were untrue.

Aside from protecting Ghosh, the state government has made other missteps. An order transferring 42 doctors, billed as the biggest reshuffle in the health department, but allegedly to punish voices of dissent, drew the ire of the medical community. The government was forced to backtrack within 24 hours following protests in a few hospitals over the transfers.

Time for introspection

While calls for Banerjee to resign as chief minister have been growing louder by the day, Kingshuk Chatterjee, associate professor of history at Calcutta University, said it is unlikely the government will fall over this issue. If that happens, it would be a case of one straw breaking the camels back," he said, adding that it would defeat the peoples mandate to an elected government.

There are instances though, in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, where public outrage has pulled down chief ministers. When the party in power creates a repressive atmosphere by using state machinery, the principal political opponent is likely to gain some ground piggybacking on popular disenchantment," he added. The habit of politicizing comes naturally to political parties and people because it yields quick results."

Being a leader who has risen to power through mass movements against land acquisitions in Singur and Nandigram, as well as political excesses and bloodbaths in Netai and Sainbari, Banerjee has been in the thick of the action in numerous protests. Now, with the chappal on the other foot, she will have to go back to her roots to understand the widespread anger against her administration. Failure to do so will cost her dearly.
PresVu eye drops, developed at Entod Pharmaceuticals' R&D centre in India, received final approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on Tuesday, September 3, marking a significant advancement in the treatment of presbyopia, reports said. The Mumbai-based company's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nikkhil K Masurkar, described Presvu as a revolutionary treatment for presbyopia.

"PresVu emerges as the first-of-its-kind eye drop in India designed to eliminate the need for reading glasses among individuals aged 40 to 55 with mild to intermediate presbyopia, providing a viable alternative to traditional interventions like reading glasses," Masurkar said in a post on LinkedIn four months ago.

Masurkar said in his LinkedIn post in May that PresVu was previously approved by the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). The approval comes following successful multi-centric phase 3 clinical trials carried out in India by ENTOD, he had posted.

Also Read | Pharmexcil asks Indiana Ophthalmics to recall contaminated eye drops after complaint by Lanka

Why is it called PresVu, and what's Presbyopia? Entod Pharmaceuticals developed PresVu to reduce dependency on reading glasses for individuals with Presbyopia. They are the first to introduce eye drops of this kind in India.

Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus on nearby objects, explained Mayo Clinic. It's a natural part of ageing that usually becomes noticeable in the early to mid-40s and worsens until about age 65.

This therapy is not just thoroughly tested for efficacy and safety in Indian eyes but is also US FDA approved, CEO Masurkar had said.

When will PresVu eye drops be available in India? According to news agency PTI, the Mumbai-based drugmaker plans to introduce PresVu eye drops in the domestic market in the first week of October.

Masurkar was quoted as saying that the company will focus on meeting demand in domestic and emerging markets, including Africa and Southeast Asia. He said the company aims to innovate products in India and then out-licence them in the US market.

Also Read | Sunita Williams to return in 2025? Health risks astronauts may face in space

How much will PresVu eye drops cost in India? In a statement on Tuesday, the company said a single vial of PresVu eye drops will retail for 345, The New India Express and The Print reported. The vial is designed to last about a month.
Sam Pitroda, the chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, has claimed that Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, has all the qualities to become the future prime minister, and he is more intellectual compared to former PM Rajiv Gandhi.

Pitroda, the Gandhi family confidant, made the remarks in an interview with PTI from Chicago, ahead of Rahul's visit to the US later this month.

Describing both Rahul and Rajiv as custodians of the idea of India, Pitroda added that the Congress leader is more of a strategist as compared with his father.

Also Read | Sam Pitroda re-appointed as chairman of Indian Overseas Congress

Similarities and divergences between Rahul and Rajiv Stating that he had the opportunity to see many prime ministers, such as Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao, Manmohan Singh, VP Singh, Chandra Sekhar and HD Deve Gowda from very close quarters, Pitroda added, The difference between Rahul and Rajiv maybe is that Rahul is much more intellectual, thinker, Rajiv was a little more doer. They have the same DNA, they have the same concerns and feelings for the people, they genuinely believe in building a better India for everybody, they are genuinely simple people. They don't have big personal needs.

Pitroda further added that they are products of different times, different tools, and different experiences. Rahul has gone through two big shocks in life, (death of) his grandmother and his father. So they have had different paths to travel.

Also Read | 7 Sam Pitroda remarks that left Congress red-faced

What does Pitroda think about Rahul as PM? On whether he sees qualities of a future PM in Gandhi, Pitroda emphatically said, "Absolutely, no question about it."

Pitroda further noted that it is for the people to decide.

"From my personal experience and I may be biased, I think he is very capable. He is a decent human being, he is well educated, he has the right DNA and I see him as the custodian of the idea of democracy that the Congress has always promoted," Pitroda told PTI.

On Rahul Gandhi's US visit Rahul Gandhi will visit the US from September 8-10. He will hold numerous interactions in Washington DC and Dallas during the trip.

Pitroda said Gandhi is not coming to the US in his official capacity but will have a chance to interact with various people on Capitol Hill at an "individual level."

 Rahul Gandhi will have interactions with the media at the National Press Club.
A 46-year-old man produced before a court a "live-in relationship agreement" to secure pre-arrest bail in a rape case filed against him by his partner in Mumbai. According to a report, the man claimed that the agreement states the couple would not file any case of sexual harassment against each other. However, there was a twist in the case.

The woman, 29, told a Mumbai court that the signature on the "live-in relationship agreement" was not hers. Police are trying to verify the so-called relationship pact.

As per the report, the man was granted bail in the rape case on August 29.

How the case unfolded According to the NDTV report, police said the accused works as a government employee, while the woman is a caregiver for the elderly.

The woman alleged that the accused had promised to marry her and had raped her multiple times during the time they were living together. The prosecution said the 30-year-old woman met the accused on October 6, 2023. The woman was a divorcee and the man proposed marriage to her.

The woman eventually discovered that the accused was involved with another woman, India Today reported. The woman further claimed that the accused blackmailed her with obscene videos and insisted on continuing their relationship.

She further alleged that she got pregnant, but the accused forced her to take abortion pills. Later, she found out that the man was already married, the report added.

The complaint was filed on August 23, 2024, accusing the man of repeatedly raping her under the false promise of marriage.

However, the accused's lawyer called it a "case of fraud".

The man's lawyer reportedly told the court that the accused "is a victim of circumstances" and that "the agreement shows that both of them had agreed to be in a relationship". The lawyer said, "The agreement was made, the woman signed it..."

The man was granted pre-arrest bail by a Mumbai court in the rape case after the court examined a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) presented by the accused, which claimed that the two had entered into a contractual live-in relationship for 11 months from August 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, India Today reported.

Why did judge grant bail to accused? As per the report, Judge Shayana Patil reviewed all evidence and statements, and noted that the relationship appeared to be consensual initially and that both parties were adults. The judge observed the delay in filing the FIR, considering the relationship allegedly started in October 2023 without any immediate complaint.

The judge also noted that the document presented was merely a xerox copy with a notary stamp, with no concrete evidence to ascertain its authenticity.
Making a 'watertight' case, the Bengaluru Police on Thursday filed a 3,991-page chargesheet in the Renukaswamy murder case involving Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and his friend Pavithra Gowda.

The chargesheet mentions that actor Darshan's fan Renukaswamy had sent obscene photos and derogatory messages to Pavithra Gowda for believing she was destroying the actor's family life, said reports.

The Bengaluru Police also submitted several photographs from the crime scene, forensic reports of bloodstains on Darshan's clothes, Pavithra's footwear and circumstantial evidence in a chargesheet submitted to the 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court. Police said that it was a massive investigation.

Whats in the chargesheet?  The 3,991-page chargesheet comprises seven volumes and 10 files.

 231 witness statements and technical and electronic evidence.

Also Read | Darshan Thoogudeepa admits borrowing money to destroy evidence in murder case

What CP B Dayananda said?  Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda said that a watertight chargesheet was prepared after probing all aspects related to the case.

 We have arrested 17 people in this case who are in judicial custody. There are three direct eye witnesses.

 27 witnesses have given their statements before the court and other witnesses have recorded their statements before the police.

 Several materials pertaining to the investigation were sent to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Bengaluru and Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Hyderabad.

 56 police officers are among the witnesses in the case.

What did Police statement say?  The police said that the chargesheet against the 17 accused has been filed on the basis of the accounts of eye-witnesses, circumstantial, technical, scientific and other evidence collected by the investigators, reported PTI.

 The evidence collected has been submitted to the court under section 173 (8) of CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure), which gives unrestrained right to the investigating agency for further probe.

Where are Darshan and Pavithra lodged? Accused Darshan Thoogudeepa, his friend Pavithra Gowda and 15 others, are currently under judicial custody in different prisons in the state.

Also Read | What we know about Renukaswamy murder involving actor Darshan

How was Renukaswamy's murder executed?  Pavithra had instigated Darshan to punish Renukaswamy.

 On June 9, the body of Renukaswamy, a resident of Lakshmi Venkateshwara Layout, was found near a stormwater drain next to an apartment in Sumanahalli.

 He was called to the location on the pretext that Darshan wanted to meet him. A member of Darshan's fan club from Chitradurga had brought him to a shed in R R Nagar.

 Renukaswamy was allegedly tortured and murdered. Darshan beat him with a belt.
Sandip Ghosh, the former Principal of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College, who has been sent to eight-day CBI custody, is having tough time and was unable to sleep on the first night in the lock-up, said a report.

Ghosh and three others have been arrested in connection with RG Kar Medical College and Hospital financial irregularities case.

During his first night in CBI custody, Ghosh was restless and tense and remained awake throughout the night, reported India Today quoting sources.

Citing the observance of Kali Puja, Ghosh also requested a vegetarian meal. Following that, he was served a vegetarian dinner.

Ghosh will be presented before Alipore Judges Court during the next hearing on September 10.

Also Read | Sandip Ghosh moves SC challenging HC order for CBI probe into graft case

Tight security outside lock-up Report said that Ghosh is confined to a lock-up on the 14th floor of the building, where the CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch operates.

Four armed CRPF personnel are keeping watch on the lock-up where Ghosh is likely to remain till the next hearing.

Ghosh moves SC challenging HC order Meanwhile, Sandip Ghosh has moved Supreme Court, challenging the Calcutta High Court order for CBI probe in financial irregularities at the institute during his tenure.

Ghosh, through his advocate Siddhartha Chowdhury, has approached the apex court against the high court's August 23 order.

As per the cause list of September 6 uploaded on the apex court website, his plea is slated to come up for hearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud.

On August 23, the high court ordered the transfer of the probe into the alleged financial irregularities from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Also Read | Sandip Ghosh suspended by WB Health Department with immediate effect

On September 2, the former RG Kar principal was arrested along with three others.

On Tuesday, the West Bengal health department also suspended Ghosh.
Telangana's Asifabad saw communal tension flare up on Wednesday as protests against alleged sexual assault of a woman, who belongs to the ST Gondu caste of Devuguda village, intensified. An auto-rickshaw driver, Sheikh Makhdhoom, had allegedly attempted to sexually assault the 45-year-old woman on August 31.

The driver had then beat the woman with a stick when she raised an alarm. The driver intended to kill the woman and left her on the side of the road when she fell unconscious.

On September 1, the woman's younger brother filed a complaint in Sirpur U Police Station against the accused. A case was registered under the SC/ST act for attempted rape, and murder.

DSP Sadayya Panthati took up the investigation of the case, and nabbed the accused driver on Tuesday.

Communal tension erupted in Jainoor town of Asifabad district in Telangana, where agitated mob attacked and torched commercial establishments.

According to Telangana Today, a mob of aorund 5,000 people gathered in Jainoor as part of a bandh call given by various tribal organisations condemning the crime. They set the commercial establishments on fire, pelted stones on religious structures.

The tribal rights organisations also staged a rasta-roko in Jainoor on Tuesday demanding capital punishment for the accused.

AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi raised an alarm over the communal tensions, and wrote to Telangana DGP over the chaotic situation. He appealed for peace and said nobody should be allowed to take the law into their own hands.

I have spoken to @TelanganaDGP regarding incidents of communal disturbances in Jainoor, Asifabad District, the @TelanganaDGP assured me that it is being monitored &additional forces are being send and action will be taken against people who take law in their hands, he said in a post on X.

BJP also slammed the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government in Telangana. Taking to X (formerly twitter), they said, As the perpetrator belongs to a minority community, the Revanth Sarkar has the upper hand.
Top Events of the Day: Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues his diplomatic mission in Southeast Asia with crucial engagements in Brunei and Singapore. On the second day of his historic visit to Brunei, Modi is set to hold high-level talks with Sultan, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation. Following this, the Prime Minister will head to Singapore for meetings with key leaders and business figures, to strengthen economic ties.

Adani Enterprises' NCD issue worth  800 crore Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) is set to launch its first public issuance of secured, rated, listed, and redeemable non-convertible debentures (NCDs) today, September 4, 2024. The company aims to raise 800 crore through this maiden issue, marking a significant step in its fundraising efforts.

ECOS Mobility IPO listing date today ECOS (India) Mobility & Hospitality Ltd is poised to make its debut on the stock market today following the successful conclusion of its initial public offering (IPO). The shares of ECOS Mobility will be listed on both major stock exchanges, the BSE and the NSE, marking a significant milestone for the company.

Day 2 of PM Modis Brunei visit On the second day of his landmark visit to Brunei, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to engage in crucial discussions with the nations Prime Minister and Sultan, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. This historic visit, marking the first by an Indian Prime Minister, is expected to open new avenues for cooperation in key areas such as space and energy. Upon his arrival in Bandar Seri Begawan, Modi received a ceremonial welcome and was greeted by Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah. The visit has already seen the inauguration of the new Indian High Commission building and a tour of the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, a significant site incorporating elements of Mughal architecture.

PM Modi to embark on Singapore visit Following his Brunei visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is preparing to head to Singapore, where he will meet with his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong. The visit will include talks with senior Singaporean leaders, including Lee Hsien Loong and Goh Chok Tong, focusing on enhancing trade and investment ties. During this visit, Modi will also call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and engage with key business leaders. This is Modi's first visit to Singapore in six years.

HC to hear PILs over Kolkata rape-murder case The Calcutta High Court is set to hold a joint hearing on multiple PILs related to the alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and subsequent acts of vandalism by miscreants last month. The case, which had been dismissed in a previous hearing in August, is now back in focus. Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its probe, recently visiting the crime scene and inspecting key areas of the hospital, including the emergency building and the boys' hostel.

Also Read | PM Modi congratulates Deepthi Jeevanji on winning bronze at Paralympics 2024

Rahul Gandhi to campaign in J&K Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is gearing up to launch his partys campaign for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections with two public rallies in the Ramban and Anantnag districts. These rallies will kickstart the Congresss efforts for the first elections in the region since Article 370 was revoked in August 2019. Rahul Gandhi, along with other prominent leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, will be among the 40 star campaigners for the Congress-National Conference alliance.

Tripura Assembly's monsoon session begins The Tripura Legislative Assembly is set to commence its three-day monsoon session today. Speaker Biswabandhu Sen has announced that the session will focus on three key Bills, including one proposing amendments to provide retirement benefits to MLAs serving even a single day. The first day of the session is also expected to include a special discussion on the devastating floods that have recently hit the region, claiming 31 lives and affecting over one lakh people.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted extremely heavy rainfall likely over Gujarat region on Wednesday. Check here:

West and Central India In an official release, IMD said, Heavy rainfall is expected to be isolated but intense over Gujarat Region on the 4th.

In the coming week, isolated heavy rainfall is anticipated for Konkan & Goa and the Gujarat Region. For West Madhya Pradesh and Saurashtra & Kutch, heavy rainfall is likely from the 3rd to the 7th. East Madhya Pradesh is expected to see heavy rain on the 4th and 5th, while Vidarbha will experience it on the 3rd and 4th. Chhattisgarh will have heavy rainfall from the 4th to the 9th, and the ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra are forecasted to see heavy rain on the 3rd and from the 6th to the 9th, IMD added.

IMD said that low to Moderate flash flood risk is likely over a few watersheds & neighbourhoods of East Rajasthan, West Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat Region on 03rd & 04th September.

Meanwhile, rain continued to lash parts of Rajasthan even though the local weather office predicted that the monsoon would remain active this week, PTI reported.

South Peninsular India Fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall is expected over Coastal Karnataka, Kerala & Mahe, and Lakshadweep. Scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rain is likely in Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam and Telangana. At the same time, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, North Interior Karnataka, Rayalaseema, and Interior Karnataka may see isolated to scattered rainfall throughout the week.

Isolated heavy rainfall is anticipated on the 3rd over Kerala, Mahe, and Interior Karnataka, as well as Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Coastal Karnataka, until the 7th. Additionally, Telangana is expected to experience isolated heavy rain on the 4th of September.

East & Northeast India

IMD predicted fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall is likely over Northeast India, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim. Scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rain is expected in Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha throughout the week, said IMD.

Moreover, Isolated heavy rainfall is anticipated over Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura over the next 7 days.

Arunachal Pradesh is expected to see heavy rain from till the 6th, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands on the 4th. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim are likely to experience heavy rain on the 4th and 5th, Bihar on the 4th, and Odisha from the 5th to the 7th of September.

Northwest India IMD said, scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall is expected over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Isolated to scattered rainfall is likely in Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh, and Delhi throughout the week.
A yoga teacher has been arrested in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, for allegedly raping a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) under the pretext of having a relationship with her in her previous birth, police said on Wednesday.

Based on a complaint by the woman, the police registered a case against the Pradeep Ullal (54) of Kevala Foundation in Mallenahalli in that district.

The complainant hails from Punjab but is settled in California, USA.
New Delhi: The health ministry has sought action taken reports from the states and union territories by 10 September on the measures they have taken to ensure safety, security and a safe working environment for doctors and healthcare workers in medical institutions.

This comes after directions by the Supreme Court following the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case. The crime sparked huge outrage in the medical community.

The Honble Supreme Court has inter-alia directed to hold a meeting with the Secretaries and Directorate General of Police so as to ensure that the State/UT governments put into place certain basic minimum requirements pending the receipt of the report of the National Task Force to assuage the concerns of the doctors over their safety at their workplace. the health ministry said in a letter to all states/UT government issued on 3 September as seen by Mint.

State/UT governments must take remedial and appropriate action within two weeks of the meeting held on 22 August between the Union and health ministry and state/UT authorities.

The ministry of health has suggested a few key points-such as identification of high-risk establishments. Every district/territory should identify hospitals with high footfalls and consider them as high-priority establishments for security improvements.

Also read | Health ministry orders enhanced security in central hospitals after Kolkata tragedy

Hospitals should focus on high-risk areas and pay special attention to areas with a high incidence of security breaches, such as emergency rooms, triage areas, and intensive care units (ICUs) and labour rooms.

The Central government has suggested timely security audits for improvement, CCTV surveillance, integration with local police, hiring security personnel having technical and soft skills and employing security personnel in the identified high-risk areas of the hospitals, constitution of a security committee and routine security checks.

Proper training and establishment of bereavement protocols for all doctors and healthcare workers to handle intense and emotional situations, the ministry suggested along with development of patient facilitators inside the hospitals.

The National Task Force is supposed to submit an interim report within three weeks of the Supreme Court order dated 20 August and the final report within two months.

The apex court in its 20 August order said that medical professionals on night duty are not provided adequate resting spaces.

More often, doctors rest in the patients room or in available public spaces. Duty rooms are scant. Separate duty rooms for male and female medical professionals are conspicuous by their absence in most health care establishments.

It said that lack of security personnel in medical care units is more of a norm than an exception.

More often than not, medical professionals, which includes young resident doctors, interns and nurses are left to handle unruly attenders. Open access to healthcare facilities leaves medical professionals vulnerable to undesirable elements. There is an absence or lack of properly functioning CCTV cameras to monitor ingress and egress to the hospital and to control access to sensitive areas, the court said stressing other deficiencies in the hospitals.
Mumbai: The Delhi High Courts judgement in the case of Tiger Globals capital gains tax exemption from share sales will give confidence to entities in Mauritius that invest in India and set a precedent for legal disputes, a top official of the island countrys premier industry body said.

It's a landmark case for entities using Mauritius for investing in India and elsewhere because it sets a precedent in terms of a lot of questions that have been raised," Samade Jhummun, the chief executive officer of Mauritius Finance, told Mint. Mauritius Finance is the government-backed body that represents the countrys financial services sector.

Last month, the Delhi High Court overturned an order of the Authority of Advance Rulings denying Tiger Global Management the benefits of the pre-2017 India-Mauritius Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) on the capital gains made from selling its investments in Flipkart in 2018. From April 2017, India and Mauritius dropped a tax provision that exempted Mauritius-based entities from capital gains taxes in India.

Tiger Global claimed nil withholding tax on the capital gains on its Flipkart stake sale since the entities that had invested in Flipkart were based in Mauritius and established before 2017.

However, the quasi-judicial body had decided in favour of the taxman, ruling that the investment was routed through Mauritius merely to avail tax benefits and there was not enough substance to the business there otherwise. It denied the tax benefits to Tiger Global despite pre-2017 investments from Mauritius being grandfathered  meaning that they are exempted from taxation as per the new DTAA.

The ruling that Tiger Global did not have sufficient substance in Mauritius was despite the fact that the funds used to invest in Flipkart held tax residency certificates, which are issued by the local tax authorities and can be used as proof for availing DTAA benefits.

Reasoned judgement

The favourable ruling by the Delhi High Court on 28 August has sent a clear message to Indian and Mauritian authorities that documentation issued by the authorities in other jurisdictions is not to be questioned, Jhummun said.

The ruling will also allay fears of those using Mauritius to invest in India in the future, he said. Mauritius-based entities still benefit from beneficial taxation rates on income from interest, dividends as well as on gains made from derivatives.

It sends a message, and it gives an opportunity to investors to better understand how things are being assessed and what is the interpretation if a case goes to court," Jhummun said.

Indian tax experts agreed.

The Delhi High Court judgement in the case of Tiger Global is an extremely well-reasoned judgement and has laid down detailed reasoning why the India-Mauritius tax treaty exemption should apply for shares acquired prior to 1st April 2017," said Ketan Dalal, managing director of Katalyst Advisors.

He said that even when the facts of the case are not as strong as they were in the Tiger Global case, and a Mauritius entity has been used like a passthrough for tax purposes with little local substance or decision-making, the capital gains should still be exempted from taxation based on prior circulars issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes in 1992 and 2000.
As the country's medical fraternity battles to establish laws for their safety at the workplace, a nurse in Bengaluru faced hostility for not speaking in 'Kannada', Karnataka's native language.

A nurse was "scolded" by a patient's family member for not knowing the local language, so much so that they asked her to "go back" to her hometown.

A social media user posted on Reddit narrating an incident at Apollo Bannerghatta. The Redditor 'Ashwin_or_lose' saw a nurse getting scolded by a patients daughter because she didnt speak Kannada. She "was told to go back to her home state.

He said the nurse was helping the patient get into a wheelchair when her daughter asked a question in Kannada. But when the nurse didnt understand and asked to repeat, the daughter burst out.

The Redditor suggested that bigger hospital chains assign nurses based on the language comfort of the patient.

However, he said, scolding general nurses is not worth it. Bring your dissatisfaction to the management of any. Being a Karen to nurses who are already overworked is not it.

Check out the post here:

This, however, is not just an isolated instance of non-Kannadigas facing hate in the city. There are countless instances of North Indians being harassed by auto drivers and other locals for not knowing the language.

Here is how the netizens reacted: Several users reacted to the post, which has now garnered over 950 upvotes. A few of them also shared their experiences at the hospitals in Bengaluru.

I am a kannadiga... I love to speak my mother tongue... But imposing a language on anybody is not the right way... Language should be learnt out of personal interest and need... If language can help you in better communication then why not learn or make an attempt... Also please don't make conclusions that all kannadigas expect you to talk in kannada... Most of your kannada friends/colleagues talk to you in your own language... Please do appreciate them as they're making your lives easy... Also out of genuine interest you can ask them to teach some kannada words... This will create a culture of inclusiveness, a user said.

Appollo Bannerghatta road has some of the nicest nurses that genuinely care for you and are patient with scared people like me. While they may not know Kannada, most of them speak decent English. But what's most important is their ethic towards work and behaviour which I found to be much more professional and gentle as compared to other hospitals. Not sure why language should be a barrier between two people, even when two people dont know a common language there is always a way to communicate and figure out. Secondly just because the nurse doesn't know Kannada, it implies nothing about her knowledge of her work. If language is a compulsory factor to get jobs, half of us Indians shouldn't be accepted in Western countries considering the pathetic English most of us speak, a user shared.

Once admitted in hospital for long, I was cared for by a Mallu nurse. She didn't know a lot of English. I don't know Malayalam. But she was proficient at work. Very timely and professional. Very good at her work. I would never want someone speaking my language instead of professional like her... Language is secondary, healthcare is more important. Doctor incharge knew English which was enough, shared another user.
Teachers' Day is celebrated on September 5 each year across India. This day marks the birth anniversary of the first vice president and second president of India, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He was known to be a distinguished scholar and a teacher. In 1954, he was awarded Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India, and honorary membership of the British Royal Order of Merit in 1963.

Why is Teachers' Day celebrated? Dr Radhakrishnan was visited by a few students on his birthday when he became the President of India in 1962. The students visited him to celebrate his birthday. He asked the students to dedicate the day to teachers. From that day onwards, September 5 was observed as Teachers' Day in India.

Schools and other educational institutions across India celebrate Teachers' Day on September 5, to pay tribute to Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and all teachers who guide the students.

Here are a few messages students can share with their teachers on WhatsApp to thank them for their guidance- 1. I was lucky to have a teacher as wonderful as you are. Happy Teachers' Day.

2. A good teacher is like a lamp, lighting the way for others to shine. Happy Teachers' Day.

3. You are a fantastic teacher and Im forever grateful to have learnt from you.

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4. On this special day, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your wisdom, which goes beyond the four walls of a classroom. Happy Teachers' Day.

5. Words will never be enough to express the knowledge you have imparted in my life. Happy Teachers' Day.

6. Today is the day to celebrate the sacrifices of teachers. To one such teacher, I wish you a very Happy Teachers' Day.

7. You are not just a teacher but my role model. Thank you for showing me what it means to be a true leader.

8. Dear teacher, thank you for constantly telling me and inspiring me to do my best. Happy Teacers Day.

9. My teacher is the star who taught me how to shine. Happy Teachers' Day.

10. I found a guide, friend, and philosopher in one person, who is my teacher. Happy Teachers Day.

Here are a few images and GIFs to share on Teacher's Day

A fun doodle on teachers and students.

Teacher's Day 2024

Happy Teacher's Day 2024

Happy Teachers Day 2024

Happy Teachers Day 2024

Happy Teachers Day 2024

Here are a few quotes to share on Teachers Day 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. APJ Abdul Kalam

Also Read | Navya Nanda pays tribute to teacher after cracking IIM entrance exam

2. I have always felt that the true text-book for the pupil is his teacher. Mahatma Gandhi

3. Teachers are the most responsible and important members of society because their professional efforts affect the fate of the earth. Helen Caldicott
Prince William and Kate Middleton will soon have to deal with a big jump in their children's school expenses. Starting in 2025, school fees for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at Lambrook School will rise because of a new VAT rule, GB News reported.

This rise is due to the government's decision to end the VAT exemption for private schools. All families with children in private education across the UK will see a 20% fee increase.

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"Fees detailed are the current fees for the Michaelmas Term 2024, these are exempt from VAT. Fees are subject to change from January 1 2025 in respect of the Lent and Summer 2025 terms," says Lambrook School's website, as per the publication.

The Prince and Princess of Wales will have to pay much more now for their children's education. The entire cost will now amount to nearly over 88 lakh (nearly 80,000) each year.

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Prince George, who attends middle and upper school, will have his fees raised from 28.5 lakh (25,950) to 34.2 lakh (31,140), the publication reported.

Princess Charlotte's fees in the lower school will increase from 26.3 lakh (23,904) to 31.5 lakh (28,684.80).

Prince Louis, who is in the first year of primary school, will see his fees go up from 17.9 lakh (16,302) to 21.5 lakh (19,562.40) annually, as per the publication.

The new VAT rule means that any fees paid for the January term at Lambrook School, starting from July 29, will now include additional tax. This move is part of a larger trend of rising costs in private education.
Starting October 1, New Zealand is set to raise its fee for international tourists nearly thrice. The popular tourist attraction is increasing its International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) from 1,800 (NZ$35) to 5,178 (NZ$100).

This fee hike aims to cover the costs that tourism imposes on local communities, such as the strain on infrastructure and the upkeep of natural sites. Matt Doocey, the country's Minister for Hospitality and Tourism, explained that the additional funds would help manage these impacts.

The Government is serious about enabling the tourism sector to grow as part of our overall goal of doubling exports in 10 years. International tourism plays a hugely important role in the New Zealand economy, with international visitors spending over NZ$11 billion ( 5,180 crore) in the year ending March 2024, Doocey said.

The IVL was introduced in 2019 to ensure that international tourists contribute to the expenses typically covered by New Zealand taxpayers.

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A consultation by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) revealed that 93% of participants favoured increasing the IVL. The additional charge would reasonably help offset tourism costs, according to an official statement.

New Zealand expected to remain a popular destination The new rate for the IVL is still competitive with countries like Australia and the UK, as per the statement. New Zealand will remain a popular destination for travellers worldwide, the Department of Conservation hopes.

The NZ$100 IVL represents a small portion of the average tourist's total spending in New Zealand, likely having minimal impact on overall visitor numbers, the statement added.

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US News: Four Indians have died in a tragic five-car accident in Texas last week, NDTV reported. The deceased were carpooling to Bentonville in Arkansas on August 30 when the deadly car pile-up occurred.

The deceased were identified as Aryan Raghunath Orampati, Dharshini Vasudevan, Farooq Shaik, and Lokesh Palacharla, the report said.

The SUV they were travelling in caught on fire after a speeding truck rammed into it, and all four bodies were charred beyond recognition, the report said, adding that authorities used DNA testing to confirm their identities. They also used information from the carpooling app to help identify them.

A long weekend in the US delayed the identification process, and kept families uncertain.

According to the report, Orampati and his friend Shaik were returning to Arkansas from a visit to his cousin in Texas, Palacharla was on his way to meet his wife, and Vasudevan was en route to visit her uncle. Vasudevan had finished a Masters Degree from the University of Texas and was working in the US.

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More About The Victims Orampati's father Subhash Chandra Reddy owns a Hyderabad-based firm named Max Agri Genetics. Aryan acquired his engineering degree at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in Coimbatore, as per the NDTV report.

A relative told the publication that Orampati's parents travelled to the US in May to attend his convocation at the University of Texas, and that he wanted to work in the US for a few years before returning.

Orampati's friend Shaik, also hailed from Hyderabad, while Darshini hailed from Tamil Nadu.

Speaking to the publication, Shaik's father Masthan Vali said his son went to the US in 2021 to complete his MS degree. "My daughter also lives in US and is handling the situation," he added.

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Darshini's Father Sought Jaishankar's Help The report noted that Darshini's father Vasudevan had approached External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar via social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) on August 31, seeking help after they were unable to contact her.

"Dear Sir, My daughter Dharshini Vasudevan holding Indian passport No-T6215559 have been in USA for the last 3 years, 2 years of MS studies and later 1 year of Employment and stays 3150 Avenue of the stars Apt 1110-Frisco, Texas-75034.," he wrote.

"Yesterday evening she took a car pooling along with 3 others around 3pm till 4pm she was actively messaging and reachable on phone after 4pm no further contacts could be established with her as well other 3 people who were travelling with her," he added.
A Zomato delivery agent is winning praise across social media for beautifully balancing his job and the responsibility of his toddler kid. Zomato's partner, Sonu's story, was shared by a Starbucks store manager on LinkedIn after he visited his outlet to pick up an order with his daughter in Delhi.

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Sonu is a single parent; hence, he often brings his daughter when picking up an order and delivering it to another place. Moved by his dedication to his child and his job, Starbucks store manager Devendra Mehra offered the little girl a small treat of babyccino. The small treat was a gesture of love and respect for the father-daughter duo.

In his LinkedIn post, Mehra said the two reminded the Starbucks team of the strength and resilience of the human spirit, evening difficult times.

Also Read | Travelling to New Zealand to get more expensive: Fees now nearly 3 times more

Today, a Zomato delivery boy came to our store, Starbucks Khan Market, New Delhi, to pick up an order. He touched our hearts. Despite facing challenges at home, he continues to work hard while caring for his little 2-year-old daughter with him during the work. He is a single parent raising his daughter. Seeing his dedication and love for his child was truly inspiring, Mehra wrote in his LinkedIn post.

Screenshot of Starbucks Store Manager Devendra Mehra's social media post applauding Zomato delivery agent Sonu.

While underlining the strength and resilience of human spirit, Mehra wished Sonu and his daughter all the best in the post and expressed the feeling of gratitude for being able to re-experience kindness and empathy with the small moment.

The post, which was shared on 1 September, has received nearly 300 comments and more than 11,000 likes.

As a cafe owner, I truly admire this Zomato delivery partner's commitment to his work and his role as a loving father. His story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the lengths parents will go to provide for their children. It's heartwarming to see businesses like Starbucks recognizing and supporting individuals who go above and beyond, not just in their jobs but in life [sic], wrote a user on the post.

Food delivery giant, Zomato, also responded to the post and wrote, Thank you so much for sharing this touching story about Sonu. Were deeply moved by his dedication and the strength he shows in his work. Well ensure your heartfelt appreciation is passed on to Sonu. His resilience and commitment truly embody the spirit of our team.

Stories likes these makes heart so full. See if you can find this man again as we can do fund raising for his daughters education. I would be the first one to contribute [sic], read another comment on the post.
A survivor of IC 814 hijack has recalled her ordeal on board the fateful journey from Kathmandu to New Delhi in 1999.

Pooja Kataria from Chandigarh, who was on the flight, said that the hijackers were named Burger, Bhola and Shankar. Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha has used these code names of the hijackers in his Netflix series  IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack, triggering a row with many, including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders accusing Sinha of allegedly shifting the blame away from Pakistani terrorists involved in the hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight.

"There were 5 terrorists on board the aircraft. Half an hour after the flight took off the terrorists declared that the flight was hijacked. We were nervous. We were asked to keep our heads down. We didn't even know we were in Kandahar. People were having panic attacks, so one of the terrorists named 'Burger', who had a friendly approach, helped people, and made them play 'Antakshari'. Terrorist 'Doctor' gave a lot of speeches on converting to Islam. There other terrorists were named 'Bhola' and Shankar, Kataria told news agency ANI.

The controversy prompted Netflix India to issue an official statement on September 3 addressing the controversy surrounding series. The OTT platform's content head for India said that the disclaimer of the web series has been updated to include the real and code names of the hijackers.

"The series was made for entertainment purposes, I don't know why people are getting offended...Maybe the (Indian) govt could have tried a commando attack on the aircraft in Amritsar, then then it could not have flown outside India," Kataria said.

The hijackers who eventually demanded the release of three jailed terrorists Masood Azhar, Omar Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar in exchange for about 150 hostages, had directed Captain Sharan to fly the aircraft to a series of locations, including Amritsar, Lahore, and Dubai. Ultimately, they forced Captain Sharan to land the plane in Kandahar, Afghanistan which was then under Taliban control.
China's spy agency has warned its students with access to sensitive data against falling for "handsome men" or "beautiful women" who might lure them into spying for foreignentities and compromising national security.

In a statement posted on WeChat, the Ministry of State Security on Wednesday released detailed cautions to students whom it said could be manipulated in a number of ways to give up information.

The ministry said that foreign spies are working to lure loyal Chinese to betray their country -- often in lurid and unusual ways -- since opening a WeChat account last year.

State security departments have found that workers of foreign espionage and intelligence organisations have carried out targeted wooing and infiltration of young students, it added.

However, the agency did not reveal specific details of any countries that have targeted Chinese students.

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"They take advantage of the characteristics of young students' strong curiosity and willingness to try new things," a statement said.

The foreign spies lure young Chinese students with high-paying part-time opportunities in the name of market research or academic exchanges, it also said.

Further, the Chinese spy agency said that after students show interest, foreign intelligence agencies offer so-called free training and guidance through social media, telephone, or video conferencing.

They even put on the disguise of handsome guys and beautiful women who are intimate and considerate, dragging young students into the trap of love with false feelings.

In another advisory this month, the agency had warned the public to beware of wolves in sheep's clothing, foreign intelligence agents pretend to be good Samaritans.

In June, the agency had accused Britains spy organisation MI6 of recruiting a couple who worked for the central government of China to spy for the UK.
Two ballistic missiles blasted a military academy and nearby hospital Tuesday in Ukraine, killing more than 50 people and wounding more than 200 others, Ukrainian officials said, in one of the deadliest Russian strikes since the war began.

The missiles tore into the heart of the Poltava Military Institute of Communication's main building, causing several stories to collapse. It didn't take long for the smell of smoke and word of the deadly strike to spread through the central-eastern town.

People found themselves under the rubble. Many were saved, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video posted on his Telegram channel. He ordered an investigation.

Shattered bricks were visible inside the closed gates of the institution, which was off-limits to the media, and small pools of blood could be seen just outside hours later. Field communications trucks were parked along the perimeter. Roads were covered in glass from shattered apartment windows.

I heard explosions ... I was at home at that time. When I left the house, I realized that it was something evil and something bad," said Yevheniy Zemskyy, who arrived to volunteer his help. "I was worried about the children, the residents of Poltava. Thats why we are here today to help our city in any way we can.

By Tuesday evening, the death toll stood at 51, according to the general prosecutor's office.

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Filip Pronin, governor of the region that bears Poltava's name, announced on Telegram that 219 people were wounded. Up to 18 people may be buried under the rubble, he said.

Ten apartment buildings were damaged, and more than 150 people donated blood, Pronin said.

He called it a great tragedy" for the region and all of Ukraine, and announced three days of mourning starting Wednesday.

The academy trains officers in communications and electronics, as well as drone operators, honing some of the most valued skills in a war where both sides are fighting for control of the electronic battlefield.

The enemy certainly must answer for all (its) crimes against humanity, Pronin wrote on Telegram.

The Kremlin offered no immediate comment on the strike. It was not clear whether the dead and wounded were limited to Ukrainian military personnel, such as signal corps cadets, or if they included civilians.

Since it embarked on its full-scale invasion in early 2022, the Russian military has repeatedly used missiles to smash civilian targets, sometimes killing scores of people in a single attack.

Some of the deadliest such assaults included a 2022 airstrike on a theater in Mariupol that killed hundreds of civilians sheltering in the basement and a strike that same year on the train station in Kramatorsk that killed 61. Apartment buildings, markets and shopping centers have also been targeted.

Poltava is about 350 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Kyiv, on the main highway and rail route between Kyiv and Ukraines second-largest city, Kharkiv, which is close to the Russian border.

The attack happened as Ukrainian forces sought to carve out their holdings in Russias Kursk border region after a surprise incursion that began Aug. 6 and as the Russian army hacks its way deeper into eastern Ukraine.

The missiles hit shortly after an air-raid alert sounded, when many people were on their way to a bomb shelter, Ukraines Defense Ministry said, describing the strike as barbaric.

Rescue crews and medics saved 25 people, including 11 who were dug out of the rubble, a Defense Ministry statement said.

The strike came on the day that Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Mongolia. There was no indication that his hosts would heed demands to arrest him on an international warrant for alleged war crimes.

Zelenskyy repeated his appeal for Ukraines Western partners to ensure swift delivery of military aid. He has previously chided the U.S. and European countries for being slow to make good on their pledges of help.

He also wants them to ease restrictions on what Ukraine can target on Russian soil with the weapons they provide. Some countries fear that hitting Russia could escalate the war.

Ukraine needs air defense systems and missiles now, not sitting in storage, Zelenskyy wrote in English on Telegram.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tendered his resignation on Wednesday, part of the biggest government reshuffle of the 30-month war against Russia.

More resignations and appointments are expected over the coming days after five ministers stepped down on Tuesday, in what a senior ally of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy cast as the start of a government "reset" ahead of the winter.

Kuleba's resignation letter was posted on Facebook by the speaker of parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

The speaker said lawmakers would shortly discuss the request. Parliament expects to vote on the resignations later on Wednesday in what is usually a politicial formality.

Zelenskiy has said changes to the government, which come at a crucial juncture in the full-scale conflict, are necessary to strengthen it and achieve results needed by Ukraine.

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"Autumn will be extremely important for Ukraine. And our state institutions should be configured so that Ukraine achieves all the results that we need - for all of us," he said on Tuesday.

Russian forces are advancing in the east of Ukraine, Ukrainian troops have made a bold incusion into Russia's Kursk region and Moscow has intensified drone and missile attacks in recent weeks.

David Arakhamia, a senior lawmaker for Zelenskiy's party, said on Tuesday there would be a "major government reset" that would see more than half of the ministers change.

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Brunei Darussalam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that India and Brunei have centuries-old ties and Brunei is important for India's Act East Policy.

PM Modi met with Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah for "wide-ranging" discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.

I express my heartfelt gratitude to you and the entire Royal Family for your kind words, warm welcome and hospitality. I convey my greetings to you and the people of Brunei on the 40th anniversary of Independence on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians," he added.

During the talks, PM Modi emphasized plans to expand trade ties, commercial linkages, and people-to-people exchanges between India and Brunei. Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and his family warmly welcomed PM Modi at the Istana Nurul Iman.

PM Modi said, We have centuries-old cultural ties. The basis of our friendship is our great cultural tradition. Under your leadership, our relations have been growing stronger day by day. The memories of your visit to India as the Chief Guest on our Republic Day in 2018 are still remembered with great pride by the people of India.

PM Modi who arrived in Brunei on Tuesday on a bilateral visit had said that he is looking forward to strong bilateral ties, especially in boosting commercial and cultural linkages.

It is also a happy coincidence that this year we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of our bilateral partnership. Brunei being an important partner in India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision is a guarantee of a bright future for us, PM Modi added, said PM Modi.

We respect each other's feelings. I am confident that my visit and our discussions will provide a strategic direction for our relations in the times to come. Once again, on this occasion, I express my heartfelt gratitude to you, he further added.

Moreover, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal termed Brunei an "important partner" in India's 'Act East' Policy and its vision of the Indo-Pacific.

In a post on X, Jaiswal stated, Building stronger India-Brunei relations. PM @narendramodi was warmly welcomed at the Istana Nurul Iman by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and his close family members. Brunei is an important partner in India's 'Act East' Policy and its Vision of the Indo-Pacific.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the new Chancery of the High Commission of India in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei's capital. The chancery complex reflects a deep Indianness, skillfully combining traditional motifs with lush tree plantations. According to a press release from the Prime Minister's Office, the design honours India's rich cultural heritage while creating a serene and welcoming environment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to Brunei represents a key milestone in the 40-year diplomatic relationship between the two countries. This visit underscores the deepening friendship and cooperation between India and Brunei.

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Brunei on Tuesday on a bilateral visit and said he is looking forward to strong bilateral ties, especially in boosting commercial and cultural linkages.

Upon arrival, PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome. He met Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at his official residence, Istana Nurul Iman Palace.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, Delighted to meet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Our talks were wide ranging and included ways to further cement bilateral ties between our nations. We are going to further expand trade ties, commercial linkages and people-to-people exchanges.

Istana Nurul Iman, meaning Palace of the Light of Faith, was commissioned by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in 1981. This magnificent palace is not only a symbol of Brunei's splendour but also holds the title of the world's largest residential palace, as recognized by Guinness World Records.

The palace has hosted notable events, including the 28th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, which was held virtually from this magnificent venue.

The Istana Nurul Iman Palace spans an impressive 200,000 square meters. The palace features 1,788 rooms, including 257 bathrooms, ensuring both ample space and privacy. Its 44 staircases, crafted from 38 different types of marble, enhance the palaces opulent design. Additionally, there are five luxurious swimming pools for relaxation and a mosque that accommodates 1,500 worshippers, underscoring the palaces role as a center of governance and spirituality.

Architecturally, the palace blends Brunei's Islamic culture with Malay traditions. Its striking white exterior is accented with golden domes, including a central dome adorned with 22-carat gold. The interior, designed by Khuan Chew, who also worked on Dubai's Burj Al Arab, is embellished with gold and marble.

A Ministry of External Affairs release highlighted Brunei as a key partner in India's 'Act East' Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision. It noted that India and Brunei share a friendly relationship characterized by mutual respect and understanding on both bilateral and multilateral issues, with historical, cultural, and traditional ties spanning a millennium.

This visit marks the first bilateral trip by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei and coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

During his visit, PM Modi will engage in comprehensive discussions on various aspects of the bilateral relationship and explore new areas for collaboration with Brunei's leadership.

Following this visit, PM Modi will travel to Singapore for the second leg of his two-nation tour on September 4-5, where he will meet with his Singaporean counterpart, Lawrence Wong.

The trip will also include meetings with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and former Prime Ministers Lee Hsien Loong and Goh Chok Tong.

This visit marks Modi's fifth trip to Singapore and his first since 2018. During his stay, Modi will participate in a business roundtable with local leaders and engage with semiconductor industry players. He will be accompanied by Indian Foreign Minister and National Security Advisor.
In recent days, the streets of Calcutta and Kerala have witnessed many protests against violence aimed at women. Will these protests change the attitudes of individuals or society at large towards women?

Violence against women is a very complex behavioural issue. The incident that happened in the Kolkata hospital and the incidents that occurred in the Malayalam film industry represent two ends of the problem spectrum.

A man with evil intentions, a hapless woman, a desolate place, night-time: the tragic incident that took place in the Kolkata hospital was an unfortunate confluence of multiple factors within a small time span.

For example, had there been another person in that hospital seminar hall, the perpetrator may possibly have been deterred from his evil act. Will street protests prevent the coming together of various factors, much like in any open system, and stop the next violent act against a woman?

It is almost impossible to create situations where no girl will ever be alone in a desolate spot at night. What we most acutely need to change is the behaviour of those inclined towards such evil perpetrated on women. That too is not easy. So, is there any space for optimism?

The Malayalam film industry presents a different context compared to the Kolkata hospital. Various players and work situations in the film industry are interconnected with some degree of consistency. Their actions, even by perpetrators, are relatively organized.

So, while I am not so optimistic in the short-term of preventing yet another random convergence of factors, as it seems to have happened in Kolkata, I am confident that in a context like the Malayalam film industrys, where the actions of perpetrators are less unpredictable, the protests taking place on the streets will make an impact. Some results are already evident.

Given a hearing by an inquiry committee, several female actors of the Malayalam film industry spoke up about the exploitation they have faced. After the publication of the panels truncated report, a female actor from Kolkata also spoke about the bad experience she suffered in the Malayalam film industry.

All this gave many other women in Kerala the confidence to file formal complaints against the whos-who of the film industry. Until now, perpetrators seemed under the illusion that their victims would never complain about the harassment theyre subjected to.

That illusion is now being replaced with a sense of uncertainty and fear: What if she complains? Can this deter perpetrators of sexual violence and create a safer environment for women, not just in the film industry but in other work environments as well? Yes, it can.

My confidence stems from the observation that nakka bandis or temporary police check-posts manned by police personnel do prevent major terror attacks.They are able to do this because such check-posts take advantage of a key aspect of a terrorists thinking.

Studies have found that organized terrorist organizations seek 100% certainty in their missions. In other words, they tend to turn back from their evil attempts the moment they realize that their much-planned mission could get exposed before its execution.

The police personnel posted at a nakka bandi do not any have sophisticated surveillance instruments. Most of them do not even have a baton in their hands. But they do have an eye for the fleeting look-away of a guilty person.

Even a trained terrorist is not fully confident of getting past the gaze of an experienced policeman at a nakka bandi. This creates a sense of what if I am spotted? uncertainty in a terrorists mind. And this element of doubt can be enough to prevent even a trained terrorist from venturing further to execute an evil plan.

Reputations and stardoms are built in the film industry over many years. Once built, film stars will want to preserve their reputation at all cost. Anything that could endanger their star value is then deemed avoidable.

Recent events in the Malayalam film industry have created a what if she speaks up? sense of dread among those who presumably had a sense of impunity. So, many stars who have exalted images to protect can be expected to think multiple times before indulging in sexual violence against anybody in the industry.

A few years ago, Parvathy Thiruvoth, a courageous young female actor of the Malayalam film industry spoke up against a misogynist character played by a cinema superstar. She was attacked virulently by the stars fans on social media platforms.

But things have changed. Thanks to the recent scandal, any script writer will probably think again before creating such a character. In changed times, the same superstar would be uncertain of how audiences will react to such a misogynist character.

It is often believed that changes in societal behaviour happen only if the majority supports them. But the case of the Malayalam film industry also shows that if a small but determined minority steps forward to effect a behavioural change, it could happen.

It took only a small minority of women in the Malayalam film industry to smash the sense of assurance that powerful perpetrators most likely harboured: that their victims would never speak up.

We often tend to go for predictable and assured solutions. However, we have noted that even an ordinary policeman at a nakka bandi or a junior artist in a film industry can make a significant difference by creating a what if sense of uncertainty in the most confident of evil minds. This is a solution to many a human behaviour problem.
Dunzo's latest round of job cuts has left the struggling quick commerce startup with a skeletal staff and its survival in grave doubt. This situation highlights a typical case of a first or early mover failing to capitalize on the market it helped discover, joining the ranks of firms like Meru, Indiaplaza, and Foodpanda.

Quick commerce, or instant grocery delivery, has taken off over the past three years, becoming a rare bright spot for internet startups during a prolonged funding winter. Last month, Zepto's valuation reached a stunning $5 billion, just three years after its inception. Goldman Sachs forecasts that India's quick commerce market will grow from $5 billion currently to $42 billion by the end of the decade. Despite Dunzo's role in discovering the potential of this market, it has long fallen behind competitors like Zepto, Swiggy's Instamart, BigBasket, and Zomato-owned Blinkit.

One of the main factors behind Dunzos downfall was the spread of its business and the absence of focus on a core business for many years. It was founded as a marketplace platform by chief executive Kabeer Biswas and three others in 2015. It built a cult brand among millennials in Bengaluru for reliably delivering anything from cigarettes and groceries to parcels and flowers, any time of the day. It charged very little and kept delighting its niche user base. Compared with other delivery startups like Swiggy, its growth was relatively slower but it also burned much less cash. Dunzo still hit a peak valuation of $775 million in January 2022, when it received $240 million in funding, mostly from Reliance, which owns about a fourth of the startup.

By then, it had become clear that the general purpose, consumer-to-consumer business of delivering parcels had few takers. Swiggy and Zomato were utterly dominant in food delivery while loads of specialty startups handled medicine deliveries. That left the fast-growing, nascent market of groceries and Dunzo pivoted accordingly.

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It spent big on marketing during the 2022 IPL to push its instant groceries service. It invested heavily on setting up dark stores to deliver speedily; its old model of picking up items from local grocery stores was unsuitable for instant delivery. Dunzos move seemed to make strategic sense. Not only was the instant groceries market exploding, its largest investor Reliance was eager to expand its online groceries service too. If Dunzo succeeded, it would be an obvious target for Reliance.

However, within six months of the January 2022 funding round, Dunzo scaled back its consumer business to focus on its business-to-business service, which burned less cash. Despite subsequent job cuts to conserve funds, the company's efforts were in vain.

Focus deficiency

The problem was that Dunzo was simply not built for focus and hyper-efficiency (in terms of delivery speed and consistency, not margins  all grocery services burn substantial cash). Dunzos rivals, Swiggy, Zomato, BigBasket, had spent years learning how to operate dark stores. Their core businesses were stable and scaled up. In comparison, Dunzo lacked scale and clarity in its core business.

Additionally, Dunzo had functioned as a marketplace with little experience in running its own stores. Managing inventory is a different ball game than relying on third parties. The laggard in a fast-growing market, Dunzo didnt have the time, the capital or the team to make the switch. The brand it had painstakingly built held little value in the face of fierce competition. Such is the nature of most consumer internet businessesswitching to another platform is seamless and costs nothing.

Dunzo can take some solace in the fact that even India's two largest e-commerce firms, Flipkart and Amazon, have struggled with grocery delivery so far, despite nearly a decade of efforts. These giants are now scrambling to launch their quick commerce services. It may not be too late, but the lesson from Dunzo's collapse for Zepto, Instamart, and others is clear: brand value and track record count for little in the grocery delivery market.
Warren buffetts birthday present arrived early this year. On August 28th, two days before America Incs favourite great grandpa turned 94, his bricks-to-motor-insurance conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway, reached a market value of $1trn. It became only the eighth American company to claim that title and, as a child of the Nebraskan heartland, the first not to emerge from the west-coast tech scene. Its class-A shares now change hands for $715,000, 55,000 times what they were worth when Mr Buffett took control of a struggling textile mill in 1965. In that period the total return, including dividends, of the S&P 500 index of Americas biggest firms has risen just 400-fold. When Berkshires longtime shareholders wish Mr Buffett many happy returns, his customarily folksy response might be: right back at ya.

Amid all the celebrating, though, spare a thought for those who poured their savings into Berkshire shares more recently. If you blew $200,000 on one ten years ago, you would have more than tripled your money. That would have been a better investment than buying a house in America, whose average value has doubled in that time. But it is roughly what you would have got if you had put the cash in the S&P 500. If you invested instead in Apple, as Berkshire did in 2016, you would be a millionaire nearly twice over.

Look at most individual years since the financial crisis of 2007-09 and the picture is similar. Between 2010 and 2023 Berkshires annual return averaged 13%, compared with 15% for the S&P 500. As Mr Buffett himself admitted in his latest letter to shareholders, We have no possibility of eye-popping performance." Investors would be forgiven for asking: why not? And if not, some may wonder, then what is the point of Berkshire?

Mr Buffett has a simple response to the first question: Size did us in." He is not wrong. Among Berkshires operating units are Americas second-biggest freight railway (BNSF), its third-biggest auto insurer (GEICO), one of its largest electric utilities (BHE), plus a plethora of manufacturing and retail brands (from Duracell batteries to Pilot lorry stops). Together these employ nearly 400,000 people (albeit only 26 at Berkshires head office in Omaha). In 2023 the group brought in sales of $360bn and a profit of $37bn (on its preferred operating measure). When the sums get this huge, it gets hard to make them huger. And earnings this rich are hard to reinvest profitably.

Mr Buffetts knack for doing so, time and time again, explains his mythical status among American capitalists. Now his methodfind a good business run by capable managers, let them get on with it, pocket the cashflows, repeatis showing its age. Good businesses big enough to move the needle at Berkshire are scarce. Worse, Mr Buffett appears to be losing his touch. A $32bn takeover in 2016 of Precision Castparts, a maker of aircraft components, was a flop. When it comes to Berkshires sizeable portfolio of publicly traded shares, a deal to take control of Kraft-Heinz, a pedlar of ketchup, has left a red stain. Exclude its investment in Apple and the value of its stock holdings rose by just 50% between the start of 2019 and June this year, compared with an increase of around 120% for the S&P 500.

But size isnt the only problem. Just look at those west-coast tech firms. Apple and Microsoft generate roughly triple the profits of Berkshire. Nor is it just a question of ageboth giants are just a decade younger than Mr Buffetts Berkshire. The problem is that he and his company are stuck in the past.

Berkshires operating units and its equity portfolio are (with the exception of the Apple stake, which Mr Buffett has been selling down) proudly old-economy. Berkshire, in Mr Buffetts own words, is not big on newcomers". Yet what counts as entrenched and reliablethe sort of old that Berkshire is big onchanges constantly. The conglomerates reluctance to digitise things like rail scheduling or deploy software that lets safer drivers pay lower premiums has dented its margins relative to nimbler rivals. Microsofts business software, Amazons e-emporium, Googles search and the trios data centres are no less integral to 21st-century infrastructure than a railway or a power plant, and far more lucrative.

The world around Berkshire has changed in other ways. The information advantage Mr Buffett once enjoyed by doing the legwork to identify takeover targets is gone when you can Google any firms 10-K filing, says Gregg Warren of Morningstar, a research firm. Berkshires cash is no longer the only source of succour for big companies in a spot of bother now that $2.2trn in dry powder is burning a hole in private-equity barons pockets.

More candlelight, please

Berkshires corporate governance looks even more out of dateand not because the average age of board members is 68. Mr Buffetts straight-talking shareholder letters conceal an opaque organisation that discloses no more than the regulatory minimum and rarely engages with investors (besides an annual love-in when the boss takes questions from a fawning audience). Its bare-bones corporate website offers no email or phone number; any questions or comments can be posted to an address in Omaha.

Mr Buffett is likely to leave any big moves to his anointed successor, Greg Abel, who currently oversees Berkshires non-insurance businesses. But given that the nonagenarian looks spry and rejects unforced retirement, he should at least drop his stubborn refusal to pay a dividend (which Berkshire did once, in 1967) and reluctance to buy back shares unless they look cheap (which the slowing pace of repurchases hints they are not). This may have made sense when he could redeploy excess capital effectively. Now that his firm is sitting on nearly $280bn in cash, has no idea how to spend it and no debt to speak of, insistence that he is a better steward of shareholders money than they are seems questionable. As birthday-party favours go, a fat payout would work a treat.

 2024, The Economist Newspaper Ltd. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
At the dawn of the internet, almost all web-based businesses were located in the US. In order to protect the nascent online space, the US government enacted Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a provision that shielded network operators from being punished for what their users posted.

As the internet spread around the world, other countries followed suitas a result of which social media platforms enjoy similar immunity wherever they operate.

Last week, as he stepped of his private jet in France, Pavel Durov, billionaire owner of the messaging app Telegram, was denied that immunity.

He was arrested and charged with operating a platform that was being used to commit a litany of crimes. With that, he has joined a small but growing club of tech CEOs who have been held responsible for what others do on their platforms.

There has always been a tension between social media platforms and the nations in which their users reside. Platforms want their users to have the freedom to post whatever they choose, so that the widest cross-section of interests are available on their sites.

Nations, on the other hand, want the content on these platforms to comply with national laws, and are often willing to go to considerable extents to ensure as much. For the most part, this manifests itself through take-down notices or instructions issued to platforms to remove illegal content.

Most laws offering network service provider immunity also stipulate that those protections will fall away if platforms do not take down content they know is illegal. Telegram had obstinately refused to comply with takedown notices, which is why Durov was arrested when he set foot in France.

I thought this was going to be the biggest tech story of the week, until 12:01 on Saturday, when access to X (formerly Twitter) was suspended in Brazil. Anyone attempting to access it even through a VPN was liable to be fined nearly $9,000 a day.

This order marked the culmination of an increasingly belligerent exchange between X owner Elon Musk and Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the person vested with the sole responsibility for keeping the Brazilian internet free of online misinformation.

As part of his investigations, Justice de Moraes had ordered 140 accounts on X to be shut down, ruling that they were being operated by right-wing conservatives who were using them to question the 2023 election loss of former President Jair Bolsonaro and to sympathise with a mob that stormed Brazils Congress.

While X initially indicated it would comply, Musk did a sudden volte face, accusing Justice de Moraes of destroying free speech for political purposes and calling him an evil dictator cosplaying as a judge." In response, Justice de Moraes extended his investigation to include Musk himself and threatened representatives of X in Brazil with arrest.

He then froze the finances of another Musk company that provided Starlink satellite internet services in an attempt to collect the $3 million worth of fines he had levied against X.

If there is anything these incidents teach us, it is that countries around the world have finally reached the end of their tether when it comes to the manner in which content moderation is currently been carried out online.

They are no longer willing to let tech companies determine what content their citizens get to consume. And an increasing number of them are willing to take stern action if required to ensure compliance, even if that means denying the immunity these companies have historically relied on.

As inconvenient as this might be, companies with global ambitions should be able to reorganize their operations to make sure that their operations align with the requirements of each country in which they operate.

But there is also a less-known development that I fear will have a much more serious impact on how we consume content online. One that internet businesses might find much harder to adjust to.

In a judgement filed last week, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled that recommendations generated by TikToks algorithm constitute expressive activity and as a result should be treated as first-party speech."

Since Section 230 only protects platforms from any liability that arises from third-party content, this meant that TikTok would not be immune from the consequences of recommendations generated by its algorithm.

The US judgement was issued in a case brought by the mother of 10-year-old Nylah Anderson, who, after watching a video on the Blackout Challenge (a TikTok trend that encourages users to record acts of self-asphyxiation), ended up hanging herself.

While the video that resulted in her daughters death was created by a third party, TikToks algorithm had recommended and promoted it on a For You page uniquely curated for Nylah. For this reason, Nylahs mother was convinced that TikTok should be held liable for her death.

Today, almost all the content that we are presented with has been shaped, in some way or another, by an algorithm. That is the only way, in this age of abundant content, that anyone can reasonably hope to figure out what to consume next.

If algorithmic recommendations are going to be treated as first-party speech and therefore denied immunity, web companies will balk at using them. This will have a significant impact on how the online world works. And I am not sure we are ready for it.
What unites Barmer and Ladakh Parliamentary constituencies, going by the 2024 Lok Sabha election results? Both are vast and desolate regions with strikingly similar voting behaviour patterns despite their stark climatic differences.

Barmer, located in the hot Thar Desert of western Rajasthan bordering Pakistan, contrasts sharply with Ladakhs cold Himalayan desert that borders China. Yet, in the 2024 general elections, these constituencies revealed notable parallels in polling patterns and political strategies.

Ladakh, the largest Lok Sabha constituency by area (173,266-sq-km), and Barmer, the second largest (71,601-sq-km), are dominated by two socially powerful communities.

In Ladakh, the electorate is broadly split between Buddhists in Leh and Shia Muslims of Kargil district in Suru valley. Barmers political landscape is shaped by local Jat and Rajput communities. For decades, the Lok Sabha representatives of both constituencies have hailed from these dominant groups.

In this summers elections, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress fielded candidates from the dominant communitiesi.e., Jats in Barmer and Buddhists in Ladakhfor the two respective Lok Sabha seats.

This led to triangular contests in both constituencies, with independent candidates from the next-dominant communities also entering the fray.

In Barmer, Ravindra Singh Bhati, a Rajput and former member of the BJP- affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), fighting as an independent candidate, posed a significant challenge, while in Ladakh, Mohmad Haneefa, a Shia Muslim and National Conference rebel, stirred the political waters.

The 2024 electoral outcome: The Barmer Lok Sabha seat was won by Congress candidate Ummeda Ram Beniwal with a vote share of 41.74%. Independent candidate Ravindra Singh Bhati polled 34.74% votes and was the runner-up in this constituency, pushing the BJPs Kailash Choudhary to a distant third with just 16.99% of all votes polled.

The Ladakh Lok Sabha seat was decisively won by the independent candidate Mohmad Haneefa, who got a vote share of 48.15%, followed by the Congresss Tsering Namgyal with 27.59% and the BJPs Tashi Gyalson with 23.58%.

Vote-splitting impact: A closer look at the results reveals interesting trends. In Ladakh, there are almost an equal number of Shia and Buddhist voters, but the split in Buddhist votes benefitted the independent Shia candidate.

Conversely, in Barmer, Jat voters consolidated support around the Congress candidate due to the weaker prospects they perceived of the BJPs Jat candidate, even as a split in the pro-BJP vote between the BJP candidate and the ex-ABVP independent candidate contributed to the Congresss victory.

In the assembly election held in November 2023, the BJP had secured a vote share of over 35% and emerged victorious in five out of eight assembly constituencies falling under the Barmer Lok Sabha seat, the Congress won just one assembly constituency, while the two BJP rebels won as independents in the remaining two assembly seats within the Barmer Lok Sabha constituency.

Though the BJP candidate came third in polling for the Barmer Lok Sabha seat during the 2024 Parliamentary election, one should not conclude that the BJP does not have a support in the region.

The party performance in assembly elections held just a few months earlier does indicate sizeable BJPs support in Barmer as a Lok Sabha constituency.

What seems to have worked against the BJP during Lok Sabha polls was tactical voting against the BJP candidate, resulting in his defeat at the hands of the Congress candidate in Barmer.

Tactical voting: This phenomenon played an important role in the victory of the Congress candidate from the Barmer Lok Sabha seat and of the independent candidate from the Ladakh seat.

Voters often defected from their preferred parties, influenced by the first-past-the-post electoral system, concerns about wasted votes and strategic calculations about the winnability of candidates.

There is also a psychological effect that leads to concerns that votes will be wasted; the typical Indian voter has a keen interest in the outcome and does not want his or her vote to be wasted. This strategic deviation led to a significant chunk of BJP voters supporting the independent candidate in Barmer to prevent a Congress win.

While how many voters actually vote for parties other than their most favourite one is still an open question, the propensity of voters to desert their favourite party appears true when strategic considerations enter the picture.

In the context of Ladakh and Barmer, tactical voting yielded divergent outcomes in terms of ideological and community representation. In Ladakh, despite two candidates of the same ideological background, one of them won comfortably, whereas in Barmer, both candidates aligned with the same ideology lost.

Further, while Ladakhs election saw both candidates from the dominant community lose, Barmer witnessed one of the two candidates from the dominant group triumph.

This nuanced electoral behaviour underscores the complexity of Indian politics, where electoral dynamics, community identities, party ideologies, psychological factors in the context of wasted votes, perceptions of winnability and strategic voting intersect in unexpected ways, shaping the political landscape of regions as distinct and diverse as Barmer and Ladakh.

These are the authors personal views.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will address two public rallies in Ramban and Anantnag districts today, September 4. The two public rallies will kickstart the Congress party's campaign for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls being held after a gap of 10 years.

These rallies are part of the campaign for the party's candidates contesting in the first phase of the elections on September 18.

Besides Rahul Gandhi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are among the 40 star campaigners of the party in the upcoming three-phased Assembly polls.

Polling to elect 90 members of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly will be held on September 18, 25, and October 1. "Rahul ji will kickstart the party's campaign from tomorrow. He will address two public rallies in Ramban and Anantnag districts in support of Congress candidates on Wednesday," Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Tariq Hamid Karra told PTI.

Rahul and Kharge were in Jammu and Kashmir last month ahead of NC-Congress alliance announcement.

The Congress and the National Conference have entered into a pre-poll alliance for the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, being held for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution in August 2019.

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Karra said Rahul Gandhi will arrive in Jammu from Delhi on Wednesday and then fly to the Gool area of Ramban district to address a rally in the afternoon. He will campaign for former Jammu and Kashmir unit chief of the party Vikar Rasool Wani, who is contesting from the Banihal assembly constituency. Polling for the seat will be held in the first phase on September 18.

Gandhi will then fly to the Dooru area of Anantnag district, where he will address another rally in support of Congress General Secretary and former minister Ghulam Ahmed Mir, who is contesting the Dooru assembly segment.

Rahul ji will kickstart the party's campaign from tomorrow.

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha will return to Delhi in the evening from Srinagar, he said.

According to the seat-sharing pact reached by the National Conference (NC) and Congress, the former will contest 51 seats and the latter 32 seats. The two parties will have friendly contests on five seats and they left one seat each for the CPI(M) and the Panthers Party.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government has granted absolute powers to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) to constitute any authority, board and commission such as the Delhi Commission for Women and the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission.

In a notification issued on Tuesday, the Union Home Ministry said the Delhi L-G can also appoint members to such authority, board, commission or statutory bodies.

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The new Presidential order is likely to trigger a fresh showdown between the lieutenant governor and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government in the capital.

L-G V K Saxena appoints MCD presiding officers Soon after the gazette notification was made public, L-G V K Saxena appointed presiding officers for MCD ward committee polls after Mayor Shelly Oberoi refused to do so saying her conscience does not allow her to participate in an "undemocratic election process".

The notification has been issued in pursuance of clause (1) of article 239 of the Constitution read with section 45D of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 (1 of 1992).

"The President hereby directs that the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi shall, subject to the control of the President and until further orders, exercise the powers of the President under clause (a) of section 45D of the said Act for constitution of any authority, board, commission or any statutory body by whatever name it may be called, or for appointment of any Government officer or ex officio member to such authority, board, commission or any statutory body," the notification said.

Article 239 of the Constitution relates to the administration of the Union territories.

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"Save as otherwise provided by Parliament by law, every Union territory shall be administered by the President acting, to such extent as he thinks fit, through an administrator to be appointed by him with such designation as he may specify," reads the notification.

Earlier Order In 2023, the President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill 2023, which ruled that all transfers and postings of officers will now be done by the National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA). This panel is chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with two senior Delhi government bureaucrats as members.

"Notwithstanding anything contained in Part VI, the President may appoint the Governor of a State as the administrator of an adjoining Union territory, and where a Governor is so appointed, he shall exercise his functions as such administrator independently of his Council of Ministers," the Article 239 says.

Section 45D of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023 relates to power to appoint authorities, boards, commissions or statutory bodies.

Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, any authority, board, commission or any statutory body, by whatever name it may be called, or any office bearer or member thereof, constituted or appointed by or under any law made by the Parliament for the time being in force, applicable to the National Capital Territory of Delhi, shall be constituted or appointed or nominated by the President, reads the notification.

"and any law made by the Legislative Assembly of National Capital Territory of Delhi for the time being in force, the Authority shall recommend a panel of suitable persons for constitution or appointment or nomination by the Lieutenant Governor, in accordance with the provisions of section 45H," it says.

'Wasting Taxpapers' Money' The latest Presidential order came on a day when AAP leader and minister Saurabh Bharadwaj hit out at L-G VK Saxena, alleging that he was planning to "waste" taxpayers' money to boost his image through social media and called it a "conspiracy" to influence voters before assembly elections in the national capital.

LG sir has such a desire to become famous. Instead, he wants to become famous by paying from Delhi taxpayers money. It is a matter of shame.

LG sir has such a desire to become famous. Instead, he wants to become famous by paying from Delhi taxpayers money. It is a matter of shame, PTI quoted Bharadwaj as saying.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her government of neglecting crimes against women in the state.

Amid the controversy surrounding the anti-rape bill in Bengal, Rijiju released a letter dated November 11, 2021, addressed to the West Bengal government, urging the establishment of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) for handling rape cases and those under the POCSO Act.

In a post on X, Rijiju wrote, I feel sad that Chief Minister of West Bengal ignored her most sacred duty of providing quick Justice for women & children. This letter of 2021 clearly shows it. In 2018, a stringent law was passed by- Parliament to deal with heinous crimes like Rape.. State Govts must act !

What did the letter say? The letter reads, As per information available, there are 28559 rape and POSCO Act cases pending in the State of West Bengal as on May, 2021. As the safety and security of our women and children is of paramount concern both for the Central and State government, the need for early operationalization and robust functioning of earmarked FTSCs and ePOSCO courts needs no special emphasis.

A letter dated November 11, 2021, addressed to the West Bengal government, urging the establishment of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) for handling rape cases and those under the POCSO Act.

It further stated, 123 FTSCs including 20 ePOSCO Courts were earmarked for the State of West Bengal based on case-load. The consent of the State government is, however, still awaited for setting up of these FTSCs and ePOSCO courts.

In another post, Rjiju wrote, This is an extremely serious matter. Please don't make it political issue. Very strong laws are necessary but strong actions are more important. When the letter was written, media had carried this news extensively, but West Bengal Govt failed to act!

The Union minister also highlighted that in 2018, Parliament enacted a stringent law to tackle heinous crimes such as rape, which included provisions for establishing Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) to expedite the trial and resolution of pending rape and POCSO Act cases. He alleged that despite numerous communications in 2019, 2020, and 2021, the Trinamool Congress government did not agree to implement this centrally sponsored scheme under the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018.

Meanwhile, Suvendu Adhikari reposted Rijiju's post quoting, This letter of 2021, sent by the then Union Minister of Law & Justice; Shri Kiren Rijiju Ji, highlighted the lackluster attitude of the WB Govt regarding establishing Fast Track Special Court's and POCSO Courts. Even after pursuing the matter directly with the Chief Minister of West Bengal herself, she ignored the issue which was very much required for ensuring quick Justice for Women & Children.

Adhikari further added, "CM Mamata Banerjee it's time to Walk the Talk, everyone knows that whatever you are saying or doing now is mere eyewash."

In December 2017, Madhya Pradesh became the first state in India to enact a law stipulating that individuals convicted of raping girls aged 12 or younger could face the death penalty by hanging.

The West Bengal Assembly unanimously passed the 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024' on Tuesday.

This development follows the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor last month at the RG Kar Medical Centre and Hospital on August 9.

Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her support for the West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment Bill 2024, stating that the bill is intended to secure the dignity of women and warning that if Bengal is mistreated, it will have a ripple effect.
Kolkata doctor rape case: On Tuesday, the West Bengal Assembly unanimously passed the Aparajita Anti-Rape Bill, which proposes capital punishment for rapists if the victim is found dead or in a vegetative state. This legislative step now awaits the assent of the Governor of West Bengal and the President of India to become law.

The Constitution of India does not mandate a specific time frame, or an obligation for the President or Governor to approve such bills. Given that criminal law falls under the Concurrent List, the Aparajita Anti-Rape Bill requires approval first from the Bengal Governor and then from the President of India to be enacted.

Anti-Rape Bills Awaiting President's Assent Before the West Bengal Assembly passed the Aparijita Anti-Rape Bill, with Opposition BJP's support, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) had passed the Maharashtra Shakti Bill in 2020.

In 2019, Andhra Pradesh Criminal Law Bill was introduced by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP)-led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, provisioning death sentences for rape and gang rape offences.

Neither of the Bills have got presidential assent till date.

Andhra Pradesh Disha Bill, 2019: Proposed Provisions Following the rape and murder of a 26-year-old veterinarian in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh became the first state to introduce a Bill mandating capital punishment for certain offenses against women and expediting trials to within 21 days. The bill includes the following provisions:

 The bill provides for the death penalty for rape and gang rape cases where there is sufficient evidence.

Also Read | Andhra Pradesh passes Disha Bill, rape case convicts to get death penalty

 The bill provides for life imprisonment for other sexual offenses against children.

 The bill provides for the establishment of special courts to try cases against women and children.

 The bill provides for the establishment of an electronic registry to keep track of women and children offenders.

 The bill provides for expedited trials, with investigations completed in seven days and trials completed in 14 working days.

 The bill provides that appeals against sentences must be disposed of within six months.

Maharashtra Shakti Bill, 2020: Proposed Provisions The Uddhav Thackeray helmed Maharashtra Assembly had in December 2021 unanimously cleared the (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, 2020, on crimes against women and children. The Shakti Criminal Laws (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill of 2020 was based on Andhra Pradesh's Disha Act. The key features of the bill included:

 The Maharashtra Shakti Bill introduced the death penalty for rape, gang rape, and causing severe harm through acid use in Maharashtra

 The Maharashtra Shakti Bill also increased the minimum punishment for acid attacks on women and sexual assault of children.

Also Read | Draft Shakti Bill sent to Joint Select Committee of Maharashtra Assembly

 The Maharashtra Shakti Bill provided for a prison term of 1-3 years and a fine of 1 lakh for false or wrongful complaints.

 The bill proposed shorter timelines for the investigation, trial, and disposal of appeals for certain offenses.
The killing of an American-Israeli hostage has added new urgency to the White Houses attempt to halt the fighting in Gaza with an updated final proposal designed to get Israel and Hamas to reach a cease-fire agreement.

But administration officials acknowledge this proposal might not be the last, particularly with seven American citizens still among the Hamas-held hostages.

Hamass execution of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old born in California, along with five other hostages, increased pressure on President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convince Hamas of the need to pause the fighting and exchange hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners in Israel. The killings occurred as the U.S., in coordination with Arab mediators, was updating the agreements text before presenting it to the warring parties as soon as this week.

U.S. officials said the next iteration is likely to be more detailed than the so-called bridging proposal" delivered last month, coming after the negotiating parties spent weeks inching closer to a final framework. There is expected to be more specificity on how the hostage-for-prisoner swaps will go, what could trigger a restart in hostilities and how long Israeli forces can remain in the Philadelphi corridor, on the Gaza-Egypt border, to stop Hamas from smuggling weapons into the enclave.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Tuesday that the fresh agreement would secure the release of the remaining hostages," lead to massive and immediate relief for the people of Gaza," and stop the fighting. He said Biden, who attended a Situation Room briefing on the status of negotiations Monday, is personally invested in the effort.

The killing over the weekend just underscores the sense of urgency that we have to have in order to get it to closure," Kirby continued.

Netanyahu, facing hundreds of thousands of protesters at home urging him to make a deal, directed his ire at anyone in the U.S. or Israel trying to force his hand. No one is more committed to freeing the hostages than me," he said Monday, restating his demand that Israel control the Philadelphi corridor before striking a bargain. This is the oxygen of Hamas."

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the other key player in the talks, also appears reluctant to sign an agreement, U.S. officials have said, even as Hamas insists it wants an indefinite end to the fighting.

Sinwar seems to have little interest in concluding a deal, is indifferent at best to casualties on the Palestinian side, and may feel that time works in his favor as public and international pressure builds on [Netanyahu] as long as he continues to hold hostages," said Michael Singh, who served as a top Middle East official in George W. Bushs White House.

The U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday announced criminal charges against Sinwar and other militants in connection with the groups Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, citing the murder of Goldberg-Polin

We are investigating Hershs murder, and each and every one of the brutal murders of Americans, as acts of terrorism," Attorney General Merrick Garland said.

Most of the draft deal has been agreed to, U.S. officials said, adding that Hamas was still the least willing to say yes. Negotiators in Washington and other capitals confirm the deal on offer gives Hamas most of what it wanted, with the Israelis making many concessions to reach a bargain.

Netanyahu has also long been a roadblock to reaching an agreement. Earlier on Monday, before attending the Situation Room briefing, Biden responded no" when asked whether Netanyahu was doing enough to reach an agreement.

But the sticking point over how long Israeli troops can patrol the Philadelphi corridor has halted diplomatic momentum. An earlier version of the accord required Israel Defense Forces to withdraw from all densely populated areas" of the corridor in Phase One of the deal. During his Monday news conference, Netanyahu said it was a strategic imperative" for Israel to control that region. Withdrawing forces during any part of the six-week fighting pause would allow Hamas to rearm and rebuild, the prime minister maintained.

International pressure on Israel has only grown in recent days. The U.K. suspended 30 of 350 arms-export licenses to Israel over fear that the weapons London provides might be used in violation of international law, British Foreign Minister David Lammy said Monday.

The Biden administration is unlikely to follow suit, as it has staunchly resisted withholding arms from Israel during the war except for one shipment of 2,000-pound bombs. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Tuesday that assessments on whether Israel was violating international humanitarian law with U.S.-provided weapons would be completed as soon as possible."

Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, suggested that, despite the complications, there was some reason for optimism even if he couldnt guarantee a deal would get done. We believe that we can get there," he said.

The U.S. isnt likely to walk away from the talks, since it wants the war to end, two senior administration officials said. And analysts closely monitoring the diplomacy agree that negotiations could continue. The idea that this is a final offer lacks credibility unless there is an or else for Hamas," said Singh, now the managing director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

If the U.S. cant persuade Sinwar to make a deal, he continued, then this will be just the latest offer, not the last."

Write to Alexander Ward at alex.ward@wsj.com
New Delhi: The Union government has classified a life-threatening condition that affects the kidneys, bladder, or the urinary tract under the National Policy for Rare Diseases, making patients eligible for financial assistance of up to 50 lakh.

The condition is called primary hyperoxaluria and the financial assistance for medical treatment will be available where kidney transplants are required.

The decision follows a recent review of the National Policy for Rare Diseases by a health ministry panel.

The government has incorporated primary hyperoxaluria (only for transplants) under the group 1 category, which deals with disorders amenable to one-time curative treatment.

The group 2 category deals with diseases requiring long term or lifelong treatment with relatively lower cost of treatment, while group 3 covers diseases for which definitive treatment is available.

Also read | How prepared is India for an Mpox outbreak?

The financial assistance to these patients suffering from above mentioned rare diseases (primary hyperoxaluria) shall be provided as per the provisions envisaged under the NPRD, 2021, the health ministry said in a recent communication.

The Union government introduced the National Policy for Rare Diseases in March 2021 to focus on treatment for patients suffering from any category of rare diseases, with a provision for financial support of up to 50 lakh.

Last month, Union minister of state for health, Anupriya Patel, informed Parliament that 63 rare diseases had been included under the national policy for rare diseases on the recommendation of the Central Technical Committee for Rare Diseases, and that 1,118 patients had benefited from it.

Also read | Centre reads out riot act to psychotropic drug makers

Among other health conditions classified under the National Policy for Rare Diseases are osteopetrosis that causes bone diseases; Fanconi Anemia that causes bone marrow failures, tumours and other abnormalities; Laron Syndrome that causes growth hormone insensitivity; and immune deficiency disorders such as severe combined immunodeficiency and Wiskot Aldrich Syndrome.

The Union government has established 12 centres of excellence situated at premier government hospitals with facilities for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of patients with such rare diseases.

The government released about 109 crore to these institutes over the last three years, but only 53 crore was used.

The spokesperson for the Union health ministry didnt immediately reply to Mints queries.
Sunita Williams stuck in space: International Space Station (ISS)'s former commander Chris Hadfield has warned, several noises I'd prefer not to hear inside my spaceship, after strange noises were detected inside Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore's Starliner spacecraft.

NASA had earlier issued a clarification and confirmed that the issue stemmed from an audio configuration problem between the spacecraft and the space station.

Chris Hadfield, the commander of the ISS in 2013, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, There are several noises I'd prefer not to hear inside my spaceship, including this one that @Boeing Starliner is now making.

The unsettling sounds, which went viral on social media, drew concern from space enthusiasts, including former astronaut Chris Hadfield.

Taking to microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), NASA Commercial Crew had said, A pulsing sound from a speaker in Boeings Starliner spacecraft heard by NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore aboard the International Space Station has stopped. The feedback from the speaker was the result of an audio configuration between the space station and Starliner.

Also Read | Supermassive black hole: NASA shares stunning image of Andromeda Galaxy

Despite NASA's explanationthat the noise was due to the complex audio system used to connect various spacecraft and modulessocial media continued to buzz with theories and fears. Some users compared the sounds to a horror show, while others scrutinized Hadfield's comments given his extensive space experience.

NASA later clarified that the pulsing sound had ceased, but that did little to quell the growing speculation online.

Also Read | NASA explains reasons behind mysterious noises coming from faulty Starliner

One X user remarked, You saying this hits a lot differently than nearly anyone else saying this, while another suggested, That is some Stanley Kubrick level horror show right there.
A new review commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) has found no evidence linking mobile phone use with an increased risk of brain cancer. Published on Tuesday, September 3, the review analyzed data from 63 studies conducted between 1994 and 2022, newswire Reuters reported on Wednesday, September 4.

The findings indicate that despite the surge in wireless technology usage, there has not been a corresponding rise in brain cancer rates. This holds true for individuals who frequently make long phone calls or have used mobile phones for over a decade, the findings indicate, according to the Reuters report.

Also Read | What is Mpox? Know symptoms of monkeypox and what to do if you get infection

The review was conducted by 11 researchers from 10 countries, including the Australian governments radiation protection authority. Co-author Mark Elwood, a professor of cancer epidemiology at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, noted that none of the major questions studied showed increased risks, as quoted by the Reuters report.

Also Read | The far-reaching ripple effects of a debunked cancer study

The research evaluated various cancers, including brain cancer in adults and children, as well as cancers of the pituitary gland, salivary glands, and leukaemia, concerning mobile phone use and exposure to radiofrequency from other sources like TV baby monitors and radar.

The review builds on previous findings by the WHO and other international health organizations, which have consistently reported no definitive evidence of harmful health effects from mobile phone radiation. However, as per the Reuters report, they have called for ongoing research.

IARC classifies mobile phone radiation as carcinogenic The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) currently classifies mobile phone radiation as "possibly carcinogenic" (Class 2B), a designation used when a potential link cannot be ruled out. According to the Reuters report, the IARC advisory group has recommended re-evaluating this classification in light of new data.

Also Read | Dying cancer patient will spend her final moments with the highest bidder

The WHO's detailed evaluation of this issue is expected to be released in the first quarter of next year.
A few months ago, it might have seemed that the stakes of the artificial-intelligence investment wave couldnt have gotten much higher. Well, they have.

Sequoia Capital last September published a report arguing that Nvidia infrastructure would have to collectively generate $200 billion in lifetime revenue to justify companies spending on those advanced AI systems over the course of just one yearand the spending wasnt anywhere near that mark.

Given the torrid growth since then at Nvidia, whose dominant role in AI infrastructure makes it a good proxy for how much companies are spending on AI chips and systems, I asked Sequoia Partner David Cahn to update his research.

AIs $200 billion question is now AIs $600 billion question," Cahn answered.

For those who want to run the numbers, Cahn arrived at his original $200 billion figure by taking investor estimates for Nvidias data-center revenue in the final quarter of 2023 and multiplying it by four to arrive at a run rate of $50 billion.

He calculated that Nvidia customers would spend an additional $50 billion on energy, buildings, backup generators and the like. Finally, he assumed that Nvidia users would seek a 50% gross margin on these investments, which would require the infrastructure to drive $200 billion in revenue.

But some investors are now forecasting that Nvidias run rate for data-center revenue will reach $150 billion by the end of its fourth-quarter, according to Cahn.

That would imply the infrastructure will need to generate $600 billion in lifetime AI-related revenue.

AI is also driving enormous spending on data centers to house the clusters of Nvidia AI systems, which the company describes as robot-assembled supercomputers that weigh 70 pounds and contain 35,000 parts.

The clusters of systems needed to train the new AI models until now could fit into existing data centers. But the coming generation of models are aiming for a 10-fold increase in model size, Cahn said in a blog post, and to house one of these models, you need to build an entire new data center."

Construction of new data centers costs time as well as money, so the expected return on these investments wont appear until late 2025 or early 2026. No wonder investors are nervous. (Nvidia shares fell 9.5% Tuesday amid a broader selloff in chip stocks. Investors continued to chew on last weeks earnings report which, while robust, showed Nvidias supercharged growth beginning to slow.)

The bull case

CEOs believe they can make AI pay off despite the staggering costs.

The network equipment company Nokia is collaborating with Nvidia on projects including developing ways for AI to play a bigger role in the evolution of networks.

AI is helping complex 5G radios become continuously self-learning and self-adjusting in the realm of power consumption management, for example, optimizing for current and expected traffic, Nokia Chief Executive Officer Pekka Lundmark told me.

This is the first application of AI in the radio network and this is already in production, but there is a lot more to come," Lundmark said.

Intuit embraced AI shortly after the appointment of CEO Sasan K. Goodarzi in 2019. The financial software company, known for products including TurboTax and QuickBooks proclaimed its strategy to be the creation of an AI-driven expert platform."

Weve transformed our platform from a place where our customers do the work, to an AI-driven expert platform where AI does the work for them," Goodarzi said.

AI was a driving force behind Intuits plan, announced in July, to cut 10% of its workforce, or 1,800 jobs. It said the goal was to accelerate innovation in critical growth areas such as generative AI, and that it also planned to hire about 1,800 new people primarily in engineering, product and customer-facing roles.

To justify a sufficient return on the worlds total AI investment, AI must drive revenue on a comparable scale, transforming not just companies but entire industries and ultimately the economy in its wake.

But the extraordinary scale of AI investments already under way across many industries isnt without precedent.

As a nationforget about the worldwe pumped trillions of dollars into modernizing the electrical infrastructure, the energy infrastructure in order to create the economy we have today," said Intuit Chief Data Officer Ashok Srivastava, an adjunct professor in the engineering department at Stanford University and a former chief data scientist at Verizon.

If AI is a parallel to that, I do envision a lot of money going into revolutionizing the way systems operate. And the companies that really build those new applications are the ones that are going to succeed in the future," Srivastava said.

Cahn said he believes the $600 billion AI spending challenge will be met, but that it will take time. Ultimately, the value in AI will accrue to companies that connect the underlying technology to end-customer value, according to Cahn.

The best products will require as much intuition about how customers want to interact with AI as theyll require technical expertise," he said.
Is there a special someone you just can't get out of your head? Do you find yourself daydreaming about them when you should be working or studying? Does it feel different this time?

Well, you might be in love  but how can you be sure? Interestingly, scientists have made a lot of progress in understanding what love is and have started to pin down what it means to "fall in love." They have even pinpointed what love looks like in the brain and shown that the related cell activity looks very different from that tied to friendship or lust.

Studies led by Helen Fisher , a senior research fellow at the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, and other researchers have identified both psychological and physical characteristics often associated with being in love.

Several signs can indicate a person is in love, scientifically speaking. And though studies have historically focused on monogamous, heterosexual relationships, a small 2010 study published in the journal PLOS One suggested that romantic love is indistinguishable in the brains of straight and homosexual people.

Related: Why does heartbreak hurt so much? Science has the answer

Unique brain activity

Romantic love produces a different response in the brain than the love we have for our pets or beautiful things in our surroundings, research suggests. (Image credit: Alavinphoto via Getty Images)

Thinking about your romantic partner can trigger brain activity that looks very different from other forms of love, a study suggests.

In 2024, Finnish researchers asked 55 parents who were in committed, loving relationships to listen to recordings of scenarios involving love for six things: romantic partners, children, friends, strangers, pets and nature. They then asked the participants to imagine themselves in these situations while recording their brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). As a point of comparison, several scenarios involved not love but mundane, everyday situations, such as looking at an unremarkable view from a bus window.

Thinking about love for others generated higher levels of activity in areas of the participants' brains related to social cognition than did love for pets or nature, the team found. These brain regions included the temporoparietal junction at the sides of the back of the head, as well as structures along the midline of the forehead. Overall, the most intense brain activity was induced by thoughts of the participants' children, closely followed by those about a romantic partner.

Special meaning

More dopamine is released in the brain when you're in love. (Image credit: Eva-Katalin via Getty Images)

When you're in love, you begin to think your beloved is special. Fisher told Wired in 2022 that the first thing to happen when you fall in love is that the person takes on special meaning, contrary to a platonic  meaning nonromantic  relationship. Everything about the person you're in love with becomes special, such as their car, house or taste in music.

"When you're madly in love with somebody in a romantic attraction, you are obsessed, and in a platonic attraction, you don't think about them night and day," Fisher said.

Focus on the positive

Being in love can alter the focus of a person's thoughts. (Image credit: FG Trade via Getty Images.)

People who are in love tend to idealize their partners, focusing on the positive qualities of their beloved while overlooking their partner's negative traits. It's not clear whether this is necessarily a good thing in long-term partnerships. A 2011 study published in the Journal of Family Theory & Review looked at studies about idealization in relationships and couldn't determine whether it was a good predictor of marital satisfaction.

Fisher's research has suggested that those who are in love also focus on trivial events and objects that remind them of their loved one. She found that most men and women reported recalling trivial things that their partners said and did, and they would also replay these moments in their heads.

This focused attention is also thought to result from elevated levels of the chemical messenger dopamine in the brain and spinal cord, as well as a spike in norepinephrine, a chemical associated with increased memory in the presence of new stimuli, particularly emotionally arousing stimuli .

Emotional instability

Those in love can experience a range of emotions. (Image credit: Getty Images)

As is well known, falling in love can lead to wild swings in mood. When extreme, these swings can somewhat parallel the behavior of people with substance use disorders, in that the need to seek out and be with the person can prompt harmful behaviors, according to a 2017 article in the journal Philosophy, Psychiatry, & Psychology .

Fisher has argued that romantic love should be considered akin to an addiction  but that "love addiction" is positive when the love is reciprocated, nontoxic and appropriate, and negative when the opposite is true. "Symptoms" of love addiction include cravings, withdrawals and relapses, similar to drug dependence, she argues. That said, not everyone agrees with comparing love to addiction, even in a metaphorical sense, as doing so can downplay the seriousness of substance use disorders.

Intensifying attraction

Romantic attraction is associated with central dopamine (Image credit: Tara Moore via Getty Images)

Going through adversity in a relationship can intensify romantic attraction, according to Fisher's research. For example, separated lovers may experience anxiety if they aren't able to see each other, and they show elevated dopamine levels when reunited. That's because when a reward of dopamine in the brain is delayed  in this case, through separation  the dopamine-producing neurons in the so-called midbrain become more productive. In other words, absence really can make the heart grow fonder.

Related: Brain signature of desire uncovered in lovesick rodents, and it may be in people, too

Intrusive thinking

Intrusive thinking can come in many forms. (Image credit: Getty)

People who are in love can spend a lot of time thinking about their partners. One small study of 10 women and seven men who reported having recently fallen madly in love reported spending more than 85% of their waking hours musing over their beloved, according to a 2016 study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology .

Being in love also prevents people from focusing on other information, according to a study published in 2013 in the journal Motivation and Emotion . The researchers found that passionate love among students correlated with decreased efficiency and worse performance on tasks provided by the researchers.

Emotional dependency

People have evolved to show signs of emotional dependency in a relationship. (Image credit: Hinterhaus Productions via Getty Images)

People in love regularly exhibit signs of emotional dependency, including possessiveness, jealousy and fear of rejection. For instance, Fisher and her colleagues looked at the brains of individuals viewing photos of someone they were still in love with despite being rejected by that person.

The study involved only a small sample of rejectees, but brain scans taken using fMRI showed activation in several brain areas, including forebrain areas such as the cingulate gyrus, that have been shown to play a role in cravings in people addicted to cocaine. Broadly speaking, the brain's reward system lights up in anticipation of a variety of rewarding stimuli  from food to social interactions to sex  so this overlap isn't necessarily surprising.

"Activation of areas involved in cocaine addiction may help explain the obsessive behaviors associated with rejection in love," the researchers wrote in 2010 in the Journal of Neurophysiology .

Planning a future

The hormone oxytocin helps create bonds between people. (Image credit: Maskot via Getty Images)

Longing for an emotional union with a beloved, seeking out ways to get closer, and daydreaming about a future together are also signs of love. According to an article in The Harvard Gazette , when the brain's serotonin levels begin to return to normal levels after spiking at the start of a relationship, the hormone and neurotransmitter oxytocin increases in the body. This chemical messenger is associated with more mature relationships and helps cement pairings, research suggests.

Lucy Brown , a neuroscientist at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, told Live Science in 2011 that the drive to be with another person is sort of like our drive toward water and other things we need to survive.

"Functional MRI studies show that primitive neural systems underlying drive, reward recognition and euphoria are active in almost everyone when they look at the face of their beloved and think loving thoughts," Brown said. "This puts romantic love in the company of survival systems, like those that make us hungry or thirsty.

"I think of romantic love as part of the human reproductive strategy," she added. "It helps us form pair-bonds, which help us survive. We were built to experience the magic of love and to be driven toward another."

Feelings of empathy

Feelings of empathy are heightened when people are in love. (Image credit: Catherine Falls Commercial via Getty Images)

People who are in love have a great deal of empathy for their partner, feeling the other person's pain as their own and being prepared to sacrifice anything for the other person, according to Fisher's research.

That empathy can benefit the relationship. For example, empathy can motivate supportive behaviors that help alleviate a partner's suffering during difficult times, as well as help a partner celebrate their successes, according to a 2017 study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships .

Related: Humans can 'smell' each other's emotions  but we don't know how

Aligning interests

People in love may adopt their partner's interests. (Image credit: Pipat Wongsawang via Getty Images)

Falling in love can result in someone reordering their daily priorities to align with those of their partner.

While some people may attempt to be more like a loved one, another of Fisher's studies, presented in 2013 at the "Being Human" conference, found that people can be attracted to their opposites, personality-wise.

For instance, her research found that people who were highly analytical, competitive and emotionally contained were often drawn to mates with personalities who tended to be "empathetic, nurturing, trusting and prosocial, and introspective, seeking meaning and identity," Fisher said at the time.

Still, most evidence shows that people aren't really attracted to opposites in the context of relationships. Rather, like attracts like. And data suggest those who perceive themselves to be more like their partners are likelier to stay together, and be happier, than people who see themselves as very different from their partners.

Craving an emotional union

Sex isn't the most important aspect of a relationship for many people. (Image credit: Thomas Barwick via Getty Images)

While research suggests that the desire for sexual union is important to many people in love, it's not the be-all and end-all. In fact, Fisher's 2002 study published in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior found that 64% of people in love  the same percentage for men and women  disagreed with the statement "Sex is the most important part of my relationship with [my partner]."

The longing for an emotional union is often reported as the most important factor in relationships and appears to supersede sex.

Out-of-control feelings

A lack of control over your feelings is a common sign of love. (Image credit: skynesher via Getty Images)

Fisher and her colleagues found that individuals who report being in love commonly say their passion is involuntary and uncontrollable. For her book " Love and Limerence: The Experience of Being in Love " (Scarborough House, 1998), psychologist Dorothy Tennov asked 400 men and women in Connecticut to respond to 200 statements on romantic love. Many participants expressed feelings of helplessness, saying their obsession was irrational and involuntary.

Loss of the spark

Signs of love can differ over the course of a relationship, and the dynamics between people in a relationship can change over time. (Image credit: Vladimir Vladimirov via Getty Images.)

The initial state of being in love doesn't always last. It may withers and die or evolve into a long-term relationship that psychologists call "attachment." When this happens, your cortisol and serotonin levels return to normal, and the negative, stressful aspects of love, such as anxiety, tend to go away, according to Harvard Medical School .

If there are physical or social barriers inhibiting partners from seeing one another regularly  for example, if the relationship is long-distance  then the intense romantic love phase generally lasts longer than it would otherwise.

Fisher and colleagues published a 2012 study in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience that found that, for some individuals, the activation in reward pathways in the brain seen in new love may even be sustained in long-term relationships coupled with attachment. In other words, you can be madly in love with someone for decades, if you're lucky.

Hypomania

You might have more energy and be more active if you're in love. (Image credit: Luis Alvarez via Getty Images)

Several studies have found that the early stages of intense romantic love are associated with hypomania , a period of elevated mood levels where people can also experience things like increased energy and confidence, as well as increased irritability and disinhibition, all while sleeping less. (This is not to be confused with hypermania, which ramps this up to a higher intensity and has additional effects.)

A 2007 study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that young lovers scored higher on a scale of hypomania, with increased positive-mood states in the mornings and evenings, compared with those who were uncoupled. A 2015 study in the International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice suggested romantic love was not entirely joyful, though, and also came with the darker sides of hypomania, including poor sleep quality.
The Wolf Lodge Inn Steakhouse, an iconic staple of the Coeur dAlene area for decades, burned down Monday afternoon.

Firefighters were alerted to an attic and chimney fire shortly after noon. Engines and firefighters from 11 different fire agencies responded to the blaze, Kootenai County Fire Chief Christopher Way said. By the time the fire was contained at 2:44 p.m., the North Idaho steakhouse had been leveled, though nearby buildings were undamaged by fire.

Water had to be trucked to the fire due to the lack of a nearby hydrant, Way said. Twenty fire engines, ladder trucks or tenders were brought to the scene.

I cant remember the last time we had a four -alarm fire, Way said.

Three firefighters sustained minor injuries. A person inside the building sustained burns and was transported to the hospital, Way said. The injured civilian was identified by staff as an assistant manager of the restaurant who was injured attempting to put out the fire before it spread.

He did everything he could and was, I would say, heroic in his attempt, said Travis Anderson, who has worked at the Wolf Lodge for a month shy of 22 years and arrived roughly 20 minutes after the fire started.

The Wolf Lodge was a convenience store when it was built in 1938, and had been a steakhouse just off Interstate 90 since 1982 when it was converted by Wally and Patti Wickel.
Sept. 18, 1939  Aug. 25, 2024



Gary Francis Willard was born to Francis Julian Bill and Stella Willard in 1939. He grew up with two brothers; Rodney and Dave Willard. Gary married his wife Anna Marie Haeg in 1960, and welcomed their first of five children in 1961. He went to the University of Idaho, graduating with a Civil Engineering Degree in 1962, and started work shortly after with the Army Corps of Engineers at the John Day Dam. In 1966, they moved to Lewiston where Gary worked in several engineering roles at Dworshak Dams construction from start to finish. He then served as Assistant Resident, Resident and Chief on Little Goose Dam and on various projects along the Lower Snake River while still living in Lewiston. They moved to Walla Walla in 1989 where he became the Chief of Construction for the Walla Walla District until he retired in 1997, after 35 years of service.

Gary was a strong, intelligent, caring and loving person, father and grandfather; always there for words of wisdom, a loving embrace, or whatever you may need. He was an avid hunter; going out with his boys and his grandkids every season. He also enjoyed working on the farm with one of his best friends, who just happened to be his wifes brother, Clarence.
The word of the year seems to be weaponized. Like so many overused words, its impact wanes, and certainly any politician repeating it over and over to accuse the opposition of injustice in an election year loses credibility.

The term is tossed recklessly about like the latest fad toy. We should all give it a rest. Im starting to dislike the innocent word almost as much as the many inane commercials incessantly repeated on television.

Forgive me, but weaponized has been weaponized. Yes, it is absurd and annoying to use the annoying to describe the annoying, but how fitting. It seems everything in an election year can be used as a weapon.

This is not a new concept. Politicians have been pulling out the figurative and sometimes, but rarely, literal daggers over much of recorded history. Lets not forget what Romes Senator Brutus did to Caesar. In 1804, U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr shot former Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton during an infamous pistol duel. According to History.com, in the years before our Civil War, members of Congress commonly carried weapons to work and sometimes used them. There was the caning of U.S. Sen. Charles Sumner on the Senate floor, a fatal duel with rifles in Maryland by two U.S. House members, a large-scale fistfight on the U.S. House floor and a fatal knifing by the Arkansas Speaker of the House, on the House floor, for an insult during a debate.

Perhaps less shocking but more dangerous on a larger scale are the weapons of insults, twisted truths, outright lies, influence peddling, campaign finance smoke screens, election district gerrymandering, judicial bench stacking, Constitutional misinterpretations, spiritual opportunisms, dog-whistle messages, pork barrel projects, graft, unflattering photos and videos, out-of-context soundbites and now artificial intelligence applications used to create deep fakes.

These weapons influence vulnerable voters (apparently all of us) who may fall prey to or who may be smothered by such tactics. Some will vote and some will drop out in defeat. Herein lies the real danger, and its more grotesque than the bloody conflicts in the various government chambers mentioned above: If you immerse voters in all of this weighty garbage, as they sink further toward the bottom, so does our representative democracy.
"When you give back to your community, especially to those that are truly in need, you can't help but just feel honored to be a part of it," said Kadi Brown, President of Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors.
Longford Gardai are continuing with their investigations after cash was stolen during three burglaries in the county inside 24 hours.

On August 20 the front door of the Village Inn Take away in Lanesboro was forced open.

The culprits gained access to the till, where an amount of cash was stolen.

On the same date, three males were involved in a burglary at Tasty Kebab in Lanesboro. Again, the front door was forced open with a sum of cash stolen.

Three suspects made good their escape in a waiting dark coloured BMW type car.

Also read: 'Frightening that somebody would stoop so low'. Anger in Longford as vandals 'do unbelievable damage'

Also on August 20, the Castlecoote Lodge public house, Castlecoote, Co Roscommon was burgled.

The culprits smashed glass in a rear emergency door to gain entry. A pool table was forced open and contents taken.

An amount of cash was also taken from the premises during the burglary, which occurred at approximately 1.30am.

Also read: 'Crazy speed': Driver caught travelling at 177km/h during National Slow Down Day

In the early hours of August 20, the Oasis licensed premises in Legan, Co Longford was broken into.

Entry was gained through a side door, which was forced. All rooms were gone through with an amount of cash taken from charity boxes.

Also read: Uisce Eireann launches new free-to-use Text Alerts service for Longford customers

Roscommon Longford Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Damian Bartley explained that burglary and vandalism are on-going security concerns for retail and commercial premises.

Sgt Bartley added, "The physical protection of a retail premises from burglary and vandalism follows the crime prevention principle of protect from the perimeter inwards. Ensuring that premises are well protected and present a high risk to the prospective offender can reduce the opportunity for burglary.

"Well protected premises with good security procedures will deter the criminal from attempting to enter or damaging the premises. In the event of a robbery, the offender will have less time available to commit the crime and the chances of being apprehended are increased."

Also read: Community wishes Bon Voyage to Longford girl as she heads off on Australian adventure

Crime Prevention advice:
A young man has died and two people were hospitalised following a tragic Roscommon two-vehicle road crash.

Gardai are currently at the scene of a fatal two-vehicle road traffic collision, that occurred on the R280 at Arigna, Co. Roscommon yesterday, Tuesday, September 3 at approximately 8.20pm.

A male driver (20s) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A woman (50s) and male child were brought to Sligo University Hospital for treatment of injuries believed to be serious but not life-threatening.

Also read: Longford Gardai investigating as cash stolen during three burglaries inside 24 hours

The scene is undergoing technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators.

The road remains closed with local diversions in place.

Also read: Longford wedded bliss! A honeymoon in the Seychelles and a marriage ceremony in Vietnam

Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area at the time of the incident between 8pm and 8.30pm, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai.

Also read: Uisce Eireann launches new free-to-use Text Alerts service for Longford customers

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Castlerea Garda Station on (094) 9621630, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Also read: Longford planners refuse to grant permission for completion of housing development
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: September 04 2024

Our 2024 season is a symphony of brilliance, featuring timeless masterpieces by Beethoven, Mahler, Brahms, and more.

Prepare to be dazzled by the virtuosity of The New American Sinfonietta - The Hamptons Festival of Music resident orchestra! Our 2024 season is a symphony of brilliance, featuring timeless masterpieces by Beethoven, Mahler, Brahms, and more.

Friday, September 6th at 8PM:

Beethoven's Egmont Overture: Experience the dramatic power of Beethoven's Egmont Overture, a masterpiece that sets the stage for the evening. Feel the surge of emotion as the orchestra brings this iconic piece to life.

Mahler's Lieder: Immerse yourself in the emotional depth of Mahler's lieder, sung by the renowned baritone Thomas Dreeze. Let the haunting melodies transport you to another world.

Brahms' Serenade No. 1: Relax and enjoy the serene beauty of Brahms' Serenade No. 1, a masterpiece of youthful Brahms. Savor the delicate interplay of instruments as the orchestra creates a harmonious soundscape.

Tuesday, September 10th at 6PM*:

Stravinsky's Pulcinella Suite: Discover the playful and energetic world of Stravinsky's Pulcinella Suite. Be captivated by the rhythmic vitality and infectious melodies that will have you tapping your feet.

Ravel's Le tombeau de Couperin: Experience the delicate beauty and elegance of Ravel's Le tombeau de Couperin. Let the intricate harmonies and lyrical melodies transport you to a bygone era.

Victoria Bond's Bridges: Victoria Bond's Bridges is a captivating orchestral work that invites listeners on a sonic journey through time and space. Inspired by real-world bridges, Bond has crafted a piece that is both evocative and thought-provoking.

Ginastera's Variaciones Concertantes: Enjoy the virtuosic brilliance of Ginastera's Variaciones Concertantes. Marvel at the technical skill and musicality of our orchestra as they bring this dazzling piece to life.

Saturday, September 14th at 8PM:

Barber's Adagio for Strings: Be moved by the poignant beauty of Barber's Adagio for Strings. Let the haunting melodies and emotional depth of this masterpiece touch your soul.

Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante: Experience the virtuosity of Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante, featuring Richard Roberts, concertmaster and Richard Young, principal viola. Witness the incredible interplay between violin and viola as these two masters showcase their talents.

Beethoven's Symphony No. 8: Conclude the festival with the joyful and energetic Symphony No. 8. Celebrate the power of music with this uplifting and inspiring masterpiece.

*Note: The start time for the September 10 concert has been changed from 8pm to 6pm to avoid conflict with the televised Presidential debate.

"This season," says Maestro Palmer, "we celebrate the transformative power of music. We offer solace through familiar favorites and spark curiosity with new discoveries. Join us for an unforgettable season that will touch your hearts and minds."

"Prepare to be transported to a world of sound and emotion. Our 2024 season is a symphony of passion and inspiration. Be captivated by the power and precision of our musicians. Our 2024 season is a must see!" Michael Yip, executive director

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to witness the virtuosity of our orchestra and experience the timeless beauty of classical music. Tickets are now on sale at thehamptonsfestivalofmusic.com/2024tickets

Mark your calendar! The Hamptons Festival of Music MainStage orchestra concerts take place on 6, 10 & 14 September 2024 at Festival Hall, LTV Studios in Wainscott, NY.

ABOUT MAESTRO MICHAEL PALMER



Michael Palmer (born May 8, 1945, in Indianapolis, Indiana) is an American orchestral conductor. Palmer began his professional career at age 21 when he became Assistant Conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in 1967 under its legendary Music Director, Robert Shaw. Palmer was later named the ASOs Associate Conductor. In that capacity, he founded and became the first director of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra in 1974. In 1975 Palmer was one of the first young American conductors selected as an EXXON/Arts Endowment Conductor by the National Endowment for the Arts.



Palmer left the ASO in 1977 to become Music Director of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra (19771990), followed by the posts of Music Director of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra (19891997) and the American Sinfonietta (19912002), with whom he toured Europe for 10 consecutive seasons. Beginning in 1993, he served as Founder and Artistic Director of the Bellingham Festival of Music (Bellingham, Washington) and, as of 2023, is now Conductor Laureate.



Palmer also was Guest Conductor for three seasons for the Houston Symphony Orchestra (19781981) and Co-Principal Guest Conductor of the Denver Symphony Orchestra (19791982) and has made international appearances as a conductor in Canada, Europe, and China. He has also held academic conducting posts as Director of Orchestras for Wichita State University (19992004) and Distinguished Professor of Orchestral Studies at Georgia State University (20042023).



ABOUT THE HAMPTONS FESTIVAL OF MUSIC



The Hamptons Festival of Music (THFM) is the brainchild of Maestro Michael Palmer, who has established, maintained, and sustained the Bellingham Festival of Music, the premier orchestral music festival in the Pacific Northwest, for over 29 years. (www.bellinghamfestival.org)

Maestro Palmer recognized the artistic gravitational pull of Long Islands East End, which is deeply rooted in the works of many legendary artists. He set in motion plans to create a similar yet unique classical music and festival experience, specifically serving the local, year-round residents in East Hampton and the surrounding hamlets and villages.

Following the success of its inaugural pilot and sophomore seasons, THFM returns to the Hamptons for a third consecutive year to provide concertgoers the opportunity to experience full orchestral concerts in the intimate performance space at LTV Studio 3. Festival performances will present audiences with unforgettable experiences of live performances of some of the greatest classical masterworks.

THFM features internationally recognized guest artists performing with The New American Sinfonietta, the resident orchestra of THFM. This orchestra comprises top orchestral musicians from across the US, Canada, and abroad, including many who hold principal positions with leading orchestras and ensembles.

WEBLINKS:

For more information about Maestro Michael Palmer, visit: maestropalmer.com

For more information about THFM, visit: thehamptonsfestivalofmusic.com

FESTIVAL CONTACT:

E-mail: contact@thehamptonsfestivalofmusic.com
A forested area burned due to Hezbollah attacks earlier in 2024. (Seth Frantzman, LWJ)

Hezbollah launched more than 100 rockets at Israel on September 4, the largest escalation since the group launched several hundred rockets on August 25.

The attacks took place amid shifts on other fronts as Israel handles Iranian-sponsored threats. For instance, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq claimed to launch a drone targeting Israel, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is in its second week of extensive operations against terrorist groups in the West Bank. The Hezbollah attacks also happened as Israel reportedly continued to seek a way to reduce tensions and clashes in the north during talks with US officials.

The attacks on September 4 began in the morning when sirens sounded in the community of Shamir in the Huleh Valley due to a drone threat. Just before noon, rockets targeted Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel near Lebanon. The city was evacuated in October 2023 due to Hezbollah attacks. Footage and reports said there were several rocket impacts in Kiryat Shmona. Later in the day, Hezbollahs attacks spread to the west near the community of Shtula, which sits directly on the Lebanese border and has frequently been targeted by anti-tank missile fire over the last 10 months. In the evening, Hezbollah shifted its targeting back to the area near Kiryat Shmona.

The IDF said that the first large barrage, around noon, included 65 rockets. The IDF Aerial Defense Array successfully intercepted some of the projectiles, and some fell in open areas. A number of projectiles fell in the area of Kiryat Shmona. A number of fires were ignited by fallen projectiles, and the Israel Fire and Rescue Services are operating at the scene, the IDF said, also stating that it had carried out retaliatory strikes.

Later in the day, the IDF said Hezbollah launched around 30 rockets. Some of the projectiles were intercepted, and some fell in open areas. The Israel Fire and Rescue Services are currently operating in the area to extinguish a fire that erupted in the area of Kfar Blum due to the fall. No injuries were reported, the IDF stated.

The IDF said it struck Hezbollah rocket launchers in Kounine and Qabrikha and Hezbollah terrorists operating out of a structure in Houla, all in southern Lebanon. The IDF hit the structure in Houla, but it was unclear if there were casualties.

Hezbollah claimed it had targeted an IDF post in northern Israel and a barracks located near Beit Hillel, which is not far from Kiryat Shmona. The group typically makes similar statements claiming to target specific military locations after an attack using unguided rockets.

The latest escalation by Hezbollah was not entirely unexpected. The group has been increasing its attacks slowly over the past week. On September 3, it carried out drone attacks, and the IDF intercepted one of the drones. Hezbollah also targeted the Bedouin village of Arab al-Aramshe with rockets. On September 2, the group launched around 30 rockets at northern Israel, the IDF said in a statement that day. There was a similar attack on September 1. In all those incidents, the IDF carried out various retaliatory strikes targeting military infrastructure and other Hezbollah sites. IDF artillery also fired on Kfarchouba and Chebaa in southern Lebanon, the IDF said on September 1.

In addition to Hezbollahs attacks on September 4, the IDF said it intercepted a drone flying toward Israel from the east, referring to the attack carried out by an Iranian-backed group in Iraq.

While Israel focuses on multiple fronts, including Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi HaLevi hosted the Italian chief of the defense staff, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, on September 3. Dragone also met with IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Amir Baram.

During the visit, the Chief of the Defence Staff received strategic and security briefings from IDF officers, with a focus on the situation along the northern border and recent operational events, the IDF said. The meeting was one of several the IDF has held with foreign militaries during the war, geared toward deepening relations with Western allies.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
We are very excited to announce the release of the Italian edition of History of Philosophy, a Marxist Perspective, by our editor-in-chief, Alan Woods. We congratulate our Italian comrades on producing this translation, which has made this important text accessible to an entirely new audience.

Buy your copy of the new Italian translation of History of Philosophy here!

Buy your copy of the original English-language version here!

There is no better time for the publication of this work. Global capitalism has entered an era of instability without precedent. Some might ask: what is the connection between the current situation, and a book on philosophy? In fact, this connection both exists and runs deep.

Balances that have been maintained for a long time are now shaken. Living forces (in the economy, in international relations, in the class struggle, in the relationship between man and nature) are colliding, and are apparently out of control. Faced with this scenario, it is easy to become disoriented if one is not able to understand the connection between these apparently chaotic events; and rationally understand that, beneath this chaos, there is a bigger process underway.

We need to equip ourselves with a way of thinking, a philosophy in fact, that is able to deeply understand reality and its movement, to be able to predict the evolution of the world situation and therefore to be able to act consciously on it.

Such a philosophy was made available to us by the brilliant work of Marx and Engels. Mastering Marxism and applying it in the study of reality and human activity is not only an enlightening experience for anyone, but an obligation for those who want to try their hand at transforming this reality by engaging in revolutionary struggle.

Marxism, however, did not come out of Marx's head fully formed. It is the result of a long development of human thought, in which different visions of the world have confronted and clashed, starting from the fundamental opposition between materialism and idealism that runs through the entire history of philosophy.

Alan Woods's work traces this long and fascinating development, from the first Ionian materialists to classical Greek philosophy, through the dark years of the Middle Ages and the obscurantism of the Church, from Arab philosophy to the Renaissance and the great modern philosophers, up to the Hegelian dialectic that Marx would take up again, putting it on materialist bases, giving rise to dialectical materialism. This is a true journey of discovery that brings us face to face with giants of thought.

In this journey, applying the Marxist method, Alan Woods does not limit himself to enunciating the fundamental ideas of each philosopher, but shows how, in the succession between different schools, in which each denies the previous one, amidst so many mystical and ultimately erroneous aspects of each, a rational core is nevertheless preserved that contributes to the overall process. This process is inevitably linked to the development of the productive forces throughout the history of human civilization. Thus, ingenious intuitions of antiquity can only find fulfillment millennia later with the development of science and modern technology; and at the same time certain ideas can only arise on the basis of a certain level of material development of humanity.

This approach has nothing to do with that mixture of arid schematism and vacuous postmodernist navel-gazing that dominates philosophy faculties and that mortifies many young people who enter them, moved by the hope of better understanding the world. This text will also be a breath of fresh air for them.
Dear Eric: When I was in my very early 20s, some 27 years ago, I dabbled in drugs. My car was stolen one night, and with it my drugs. I didnt know what to do, fearing I would be arrested myself for the drugs.

I had to come clean to my dad, the owner of the car. He called his attorney and then the cops. The attorney told us to keep quiet about the drugs, dont answer any questions other than the car theft, and if directly asked about the drugs, to refer the questions to him.

The thief was apprehended by the police. They searched my car and found the drugs. The thief was adamant they werent his. When they questioned me, I panicked and lied, denying all knowledge of them. The thief ended up getting charged for my drugs and received an additional two years.

He went to jail; I went on vacation to a very private drug rehab clinic. Ive been clean ever since. I try not to think of it anymore but occasionally I do and have a great deal of remorse about it. Coming clean all these years later to the cops doesnt make sense, not that I could even be charged all these years later. An apology to this car thief (who had a significant arrest history, including for drugs) doesnt sound like a good idea either. Any advice on how to put this behind me?

 Reformed Remorse

Dear Remorse: Im a little curious about why the apology is a no-go for you. Yes, his actions and your actions put him in jail, so hes not a blameless victim. But you played a crucial role. If you want to make amends, an apology is how you start. You may not want to get involved in this persons life again, but the fact is you have been for the last 27 years.

Look, it doesnt come without its risks. He could be angry; he could lash out. But he could also be understanding or forgiving or phlegmatic.

One way to put this behind you is to just forgive yourself and move on. Thats also an option. You made a mistake and took the advice you were given. But I think this other person is going to keep riding around in the passenger seat of your guilt until you address it.

(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.
Hold the toppings, because Thursday is National Cheese Pizza Day.

The holiday, which is celebrated every year on Sept. 5, honors pizza in its simplest form, and several Boston-area restaurants are getting into the cheesy spirit.

Below you can find a list of pizza shops offering free slices and pies in honor of National Cheese Pizza Day.

The official pizza of the Boston Red Sox will be offering a free Lil Sals 7-inch cheese pizza when people buy an extra-large cheese pizza online using the code CHEESE. Extra toppings are not allowed and the offer is only valid Thursday at Sals locations in Billerica, Chelmsford, Boston, Derry, New Hampshire and Manchester, New Hampshire.

Dedham House of Pizza is celebrating National Cheese Pizza Day by offering customers a free cheese slice on orders $30 and more. Orders can be placed on the mobile app or online. The restaurant is located at 376 Washington St. in Dedham.

Buy one large cheese pizza at any New York Pizza location and get one large cheese pizza free. Orders can be placed in-store, by phone or online . New York Pizza has locations in Bostons South End, Theatre District and Central Square in Cambridge.

Pantry Pizza is offering one free cheese slice with a purchase of any other slice in honor of National Cheese Pizza Day Thursday. This offer is limited to one per person and orders must be placed at the shop located at 931 Dorchester Ave.
Actor Jason Momoa will test out his bartending skills at three Boston bars next week, and you can join him for a drink.

Momoa, who will be in town celebrating his vodka company Meili Vodka, will first be at View Boston atop the Prudential Center from 4:15-5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9.

The Aquaman star will be joined by Meili Vodkas co-founder Blaine Halvorson for a cocktail atop New Englands highest rooftop bar. The event is open to the public, but people must buy tickets to attend.

Momoa and Halvorson will then scoot over to Nautilus Pier 4 in Seaport for a Meili Vodka Launch Party from 5-5:30 p.m.

Attendees will get a sneak peek of restaurants fall beverage menu including the cocktail, I Want Somoa, made with Meili Vodka, toasted sesame syrup, Yuzu lime soda and served with a Thai basil garnish.

The party is open to the public and walk-ins are welcome. Reservations can be made through OpenTable.

Read More: 8 rooftop bars in Boston worth checking out this summer

Afterwards, the Game of Thrones star will hop over to the Rooftop at The Envoy Hotel at 6 p.m. to have cocktails with another crowd.

Sip on craft cocktails featuring Meili Vodka and listen in as the duo shares the inspiring story that brought this spirit to life, the rooftop wrote on Instagram.

The event is first-come, first-serve until capacity. People can make a reservation online.
Lovers of the night and cooler temps rejoice: September is here with the most rapid loss of daylight for any time of year. In Springfield, we lose a total of one hour and 20 minutes  more than 2 minutes and 45 seconds each day.

Shorter days do not particularly thrill this skywatcher, but the clearer air that opens our nighttime window into the great beyond makes up for that. If you too mourn the shortening of days and end to summer at 8:44 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22 (the autumnal equinox), think of this month as a gentle reintroduction to the night. To those who pay attention, watching the stars reclaim their sparkle, and the moon reassert its dominance, can be a spectacular and memorable experience.

There are also wild cards, like the northern lights (aurora borealis), which around the equinoxes are slightly more likely to make appearances in our parts. Our chances this year are further enhanced as the sun ramps up toward its 11-year solar maximum, getting there probably within a year.

It is unlikely that we will see anything like the historic geomagnetic storm of May 10-11, but the possibility of any activity is worth keeping in mind. Most auroras are fainter than depicted in pictures, so dark skies are important.

Speaking of which, the moon is a couple of days past new so its waxing crescent is just now appearing in the west after sunset. Stargazing is best after it sets and that comes quickly for the next few evenings as the moon chases the sun down below the horizon. In the coming week, however, the moon starts each night higher and stays up later, thickening and brightening as it does. On the morning of the 11th, it reaches first quarter phase, and we see it half sunlit.

After that, dark skies come too late at night for most of us, but moons in the days surrounding full phase in September hold a special place in the hearts of many skywatchers. I myself welcome its illumination for our earlier evenings, and how it eases our transition to night.

Our next full moon comes on the evening of Sept. 17. This is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox and thus our Harvest Moon. This year, it occurs just hours before the moon is nearest to Earth in this orbit, so we get the bonus of a so-called Super Harvest Moon.

Yes, it will be slightly larger and brighter than usual, but dont be fooled by the hype. The difference is not enough for most people to notice. Regardless, I look forward to this and the coming full moons of fall.

If stargazing is your thing, the best views come when the moon is not up and skies are darkest. Right now, the Milky Way spans the sky from roughly northeast to southwest in early evening, so if skies are clear, get out from under any artificial lights, let your eyes adapt to the dark and try to wrap your mind around its magnificence.

If you miss that and the moon start to interfere, the naked eye planets can be easily observed even under bright moonlight. This weekend, Saturn reaches opposition, meaning most directly opposite the sun in our sky. This is when we on Earth pass most directly between Saturn and the sun, and when we are closest to it. Like any planet at opposition, this is when it shines brightest in our sky.

Saturn is the second largest planet in our solar system and no matter when we see it in our sky, it is the farthest planet most of us will ever see without a telescope. Still, it is thousands of times closer than the closest stars. We see all planets by reflected sunlight, which diminishes in strength the farther out a planet is.

Saturn is currently about 898 million miles from the sun (roughly 806 million miles from Earth) so the suns light takes 1 hour 20 minutes to reach there, and another hour and 20 minutes to get back to us on Earth. That makes the sunlight we see illuminating Saturn more than 2 1/2 hours old by time it reaches our retinas.

We have to more than double that for Uranus, the next planet out. Technically, Uranus is at the limit of human eyesight, but few claim to have seen it.

At opposition, Saturn behaves similarly to a full moon, rising in the east as the sun sets in the west, and cresting highest in the south around midnight. This time, it doesnt quite reach halfway up, but that is the best time to see its rings through a telescope. Its largest moon Titan is also visible telescopically when favorably positioned.

Titan is the second-largest moon in the Solar System and has a denser atmosphere than Earth. Below the thick orange haze, rivers and lakes of liquid methane carve their territory out among hills of ice, making Titan resemble Earth more than any other world in the Solar System. But it is very cold, about -290 degrees Fahrenheit.

In 1997, NASA launched the European Space Agencys Huygens probe to Titan. In 2005, it dropped into Titans atmosphere and parachuted to the surface, recording images and data all the way to a soft landing. It remains one of the most spectacular space missions of all time, and those images are worth revisiting often.

Now NASA is developing an even more spectacular mission to that distant alien world: the Dragonfly robotic rotorcraft is to be launched in 2028 and arrive in 2034. If successful, it would be the first powered and fully controlled flight on any moon. It will takeoff and land vertically to move between exploration sites, and pay special attention to conditions that might apply to life, past present or future.

As the Earth turns and Saturn slides westward, bright Jupiter, the Solar Systems largest planet, can be seen ascending in the east. Jupiter has the largest moon in the Solar System, Ganymede. To Jupiters lower left, dimmer Mars glows with a reddish tint. Mars is the only planet in the Solar System that is completely inhabited by robots.

One robot, NASAs Perseverance Mars rover, captured an image in July of a rock with small light patches surrounded by thin dark rings. Similar leopard spots on Earth are believed to have been produced by living microbes, so finding these on Mars is at least tantalizing.

Jupiter and Mars float amid the bright stars of winter. To their lower right, the Orion constellation is fully above the horizon by 3 a.m. These make a dazzling celestial collection in the morning sky.

Just before dawn, Sirius, the brightest nighttime star of all, appears in the southeast, a final punctuation mark reminding us that winter is on its way.

Find rise and set times for the sun and moon, and follow ever-changing celestial highlights in the Skywatch section of the Weather Almanac in The Republican and Sunday Republican.

Patrick Rowan has written Skywatch for The Republican since 1987 and has been a Weather Almanac contributor since the mid 1990s. A native of Long Island, Rowan graduated from Northampton High School, studied astronomy at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in the 1970s and was a research assistant for the Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory. From 1981 to 1994, Rowan worked at the Springfield Science Museums Seymour Planetarium, most of that time as planetarium manager. Rowan lives in the Florence section of Northampton with his wife, Clara, and their cats, Eli and Milo.
Two people died in June due to heat in Massachusetts, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Previously Massachusetts was among states that did not track heat-related deaths where exposure to extreme heat was a secondary factor.

States like Massachusetts dont track heat deaths because they dont have to and because no one has really fought for them to do it, Eric Klinenberg, a sociologist at New York University who studies how cities respond to climate change, told WBUR in 2023. And the reason is that historically weve largely failed to recognize how dangerous the heat can be.

University of Washington public health scientist Kristie Ebi, who helped write a United Nations special report on extreme weather, told PBS that heat is the silent killer.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) began working with the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) to track all Massachusetts deaths in which heat was a cause of death, either as a primary or contributing cause.

As of Sept. 4, two people had died due to heat in the commonwealth.

The first person, a Quincy resident, died on June 18 at Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton.

It is unclear when the person was impacted by the heat. However, it was in the upper 80s the previous week.

Then a Haverhill resident died on June 21 at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen.

Although officials did not provide information on when the person became sick, there were multiple days in the 80s around that time.

Massachusetts has reported nearly 30 people have died due to heat over the past decade, and the frequency of these deaths is increasing as the climate changes. For these people, heat was listed as either the main or contributing cause of death, including excessive natural heat, excessive heat of man-made origin or effects of heat and light.

Additionally, hundreds of people in Massachusetts have to go to the hospital each year because of heat-related illnesses, according to WBUR.

But the numbers arent complete as death certificates dont always reflect the role heat played  and it expands beyond Massachusetts, experts told the Associated Press.

In 2023, more than 2,300 people died in the U.S. due to excessive heat, according to their death certificates, PBS reported. It was the highest number in 45 years, according to the AP.

Many experts say a standard decades-old method known as counting excess deaths could better show how extreme heat harms people.

You want to look at the number of people who would not have died during that time period and get a true sense of the magnitude of the impact, Ebi told PBS.

She said this was important to include people who would not have had a fatal heart attack or renal failure without the heat.

In Massachusetts, it will expand beyond deaths to include heat stress hospitalization and emergency department data, the Department of Public Health said.

Massachusetts is developing new heat-related impact measures using near real-time data, including information from emergency departments, ambulance trip records and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather data. This information will hopefully be used to better track and respond to extreme heat events, according to the Department of Public Health.

A government website warns that the most serious climate-related health hazards in Massachusetts result from an increased number of very hot summer days, increased precipitation leading to flooding, increased storm-related inland and coastal flooding and rising sea levels.

Climate change is expected to increase the number of days over 90 degrees Fahrenheit each year, which may increase hospitalizations for heat-related illnesses, the website states. Climate change may also alter existing patterns of environmentally related diseases (e.g., asthma) and result in new health threats, such as tropical mosquito-borne illnesses.

In 2005, there was an average of about nine days above 90 degrees. By 2030, Massachusetts is predicted to have more than 22 days above 90 degrees. By 2070, that number will increase to more than 40 days.
A necklace that has been in the Museum of Fine Arts Bostons collection since the 1980s, will soon be returned to Turkey after museum officials determined it had been looted from a tomb there.

The necklace, made of gold and carnelian, a reddish stone, is believed to have been stolen from a tomb near the village of Kendirlik, Bintepeler, in 1976, the museum announced Wednesday.

The museum purchased the necklace from a dealer in London in 1982 and was told that it came from Asia Minor, another name for the ancient region of Anatolia, now known as Turkey. No other history of its ownership was shared at the time, museum officials said Wednesday.

According to the museum, curators were alerted to the potential looting by scholars who shared literature about a 1976 archaeological excavation at Bintepeler, a site with more than 100 burial mounds known as tumuli. The excavation by Manisa Museum, an archaeological museum in the nearby city of Manisa, was conducted after the museum received reports of looting at Bintepeler.

From the burial site and from a local inhabitant, archaeologists recovered beads and other fittings that are nearly identical to those in the MFA necklace, museum officials said. It is likely that the MFA necklace originated at the same tumulus.

The beads found in 1976 are currently housed at Manisa Museum, but the necklace is believed to have been smuggled out of the country.

Museum of Fine Arts Boston curators conducted their own research about the necklace and last fall, they contacted the Turkish Ministry of Culture of the Republic through the Turkish Consul General in Boston. Experts in Turkey conducted their own scientific and archival research and concluded that the necklace had likely come from Bintepeler.
UPDATE: Mass. corrections officer facing rape charges suspended without pay

Editors note: The story has been updated to include the corrections officer was accused of purchasing underwear for inmates.

A 49-year-old corrections officer in Framingham is facing multiple charges in connection with raping a woman in the prison and buying underwear for inmates, according to the Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryans office.

Joao Gomes, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was indicted in Woburn Superior Court and arrested Wednesday. He is charged with four counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault and battery. He is also charged with three counts of delivering articles to prisoners in a corrections institution.

In 2020, the police reform law included that law enforcement officers who have sex with or indecently assault a person in custody can be charged with rape or indecent assault and battery.

This is the first case in Middlesex County charged under the updated statute.
Vice President Kamala Harris will be appearing in New Hampshire on Wednesday to talk with voters about her new plan to support small businesses across the country.

While in the Granite State, the vice president and Democratic nominee will explain how her plan would expand support for Americans who start a small business, cut unnecessary red tape, and set a bold goal of 25 million new business applications in her first term, according to a statement from the Harris campaign.

Harris visit to New Hampshire is also expected to make a stop at Throwback Brewery in North Hampton, outside Portsmouth, the AP wrote. The brewery received support through a small business credit, with solar panels installed using federal programs championed by the Biden administration, the campaign told the AP.

Her proposal for small businesses are in stark contrast to Donald Trump, who thinks billionaires and big corporations, not small businesses, power our economy and whose Project 2025 agenda would jack up prices for typical middle-class families by nearly $4,000 a year, cost over 3 million American jobs, and hurt everyone but the richest Americans, the campaign statement read.

While both candidates are using this week to prepare their economic messaging ahead of the Sept. 10 ABC News debate, Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to slam Harris over her trip.

Comrade Kamala Harris sees there are problems for her campaign in New Hampshire because of the fact that they disrespected it in their primary and never showed up, the former president posted Tuesday. Additionally, the cost of living in New Hampshire is through the roof, their energy bills are some of highest in the country, and their housing market is the most unaffordable in history.

Trump has called for cutting the corporate tax rate to 15%, while Harris  who has spoken little in terms of policy over the month she has been the nominee  has not suggested that she would stray away from the Biden administration on tax policy.

This election is a choice between two very different economic visions, the Harris campaign wrote. One that builds up the middle class and expands opportunity and one that helps billionaires and corporations at the expense of working families.
A Quincy man was sentenced to prison after he hit a man with his car multiple times and yelled at a group of people, including children, threatening to kill them.

John Sullivan, 78, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 18 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, according to acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levys office. In April 2024, Sullivan pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

On Dec. 2, 2022, Sullivan saw an Asian American group he had never met before outside a post office in Quincy. He then yelled go back to China at the group, which included three children under the age of 12, and threatened to kill them, according to officials.

Sullivan drove his car into a man in the group, causing the man to land on the hood of the moving car and remain there while Sullivan drove the car about 200 feet in traffic. Sullivan slammed on his brakes, stopping the car abruptly, which caused the man to slide off. Sullivan then accelerated, hitting the man a second time and causing him to fall face-first into a 10-foot-deep construction ditch.

Officials said the man was injured but did not specify the extent of his injuries.

Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division, called the incident a nightmare, adding that there is no way to undo the damage Mr. Sullivan caused with his hateful, repulsive, and violent behavior, but hopefully todays sentence provides some measure of comfort.

Every single man, woman and child living in Massachusetts has a fundamental right to be free from acts of hate and violence. The conduct here is truly despicable and this office will dedicate whatever resources are needed to vigorously prosecute these types of hate crimes. Fueled by his hate of Asian-Americans, John Sullivan twice used his car to strike and injure an innocent man. He engaged in these acts of hate in front of the victims friends, including three children under the age of 12, who all watched in horror, Levy said. These violent acts of hate spread fear throughout our community and will never be tolerated.
First-time candidate and public defender Allison Cartwright declared victory against Boston City Councilor Erin Murphy in the race for clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County.

This is not a victory for me, this is a victory for us, Cartwright told supporters on Tuesday in a video shared by Politico on X. This is a victory for democracy, a victory for the independence of our courts, and especially our states highest court.

While no official results were available as of 10 a.m., Bostons unofficial election results show Cartwright with 59.56%, or 30,358, of the vote. Murphy so far received 20,500 votes, or 40.22%.

Over the course of her campaign, Cartwright received support from Boston Mayor Michelle Wu; U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District; Boston City Councilors Ruthzee Louijeune and Ben Weber; and from current SJC for Suffolk County clerk Maura Doyle, the Boston Globe reported.

On behalf of everyone, I just want to express our gratitude to you for being willing to step up in this moment to share your leadership, your heart, your wisdom, your family time, with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Wu told Cartwright in front supporters. We are so grateful for all that you represent.

Roslindale lawyer Christina Fitzgerald told MassLive that she voted for Cartwright, as this was the race that brought Fitzgerald out to the polls.

I was excited to vote for her, she said. Its an important year to be voting, a lot of political issues get decided by the courts.

Because of this, Fitzgerald added, Good people make sure the courts are being run efficiently.

Dorchester resident and lifelong Democrat Vincent Baker drummed up support for Murphy. He told MassLive that she taught his children at Richard J. Murphy School, where voters gathered Tuesday morning.

Shes a very organized person, a sane person, Baker said. I align with her politics, and she did a great job with the council [and shes] the hardest working person.
Concord public defender Mara Dolan has won the Governors Council 3rd District race against incumbent Marilyn Petitto Devaney.

The AP called the race at 1:36 a.m. Dolan received 45,274 votes, or 52.2%, while Devaney received 41,478 votes, or 47.8% of turnout.

Dolan claimed victory in an X post at 2:10 a.m.

We did it!!! @AP has declared me the winner of the Democratic primary for Governors Councillor, District 3, she wrote. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard on this campaign. I am incredibly proud to be your Democratic nominee.

We did it!!! @AP has declared me the winner of the Democratic primary for Governors Councillor, District 3. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard on this campaign. I am incredibly proud to be your Democratic nominee. #mapoli pic.twitter.com/haKJVkqH06  Mara Dolan (@MaraDolan4GC) September 4, 2024

Devaney, of Watertown, has served on the council since 1999, describing herself as a diligent representative who fully investigates each nominee. She said she missed only two council meetings in more than two decades of service, both due to family deaths, including her husbands.

She would be the first public defender elected to the council, Dolan wrote on X in July. She enjoyed the support of the Boston Globes Editorial Board, which said she would bring a different viewpoint and professional outlook to the council. Four council colleagues meanwhile endorsed Devaney, according to the State House News Service.

The race was a rematch of the 2022 Democratic primary that saw Devaney narrowly prevail, 50.8% to 49.1%.

The 3rd District race was one of three Governors Council races during Tuesdays state primary. The AP called for Tamisha Civil as the winner of the 2nd District race, while incumbent Christopher Iannella won the 4th District race.

The elected body, also known as the Executive Council, serves a low-profile, but very important purpose in state government: It acts on pardons and commutations; confirms judicial nominations, and gubernatorial appointments to a host of boards and commissions, according to the states website.
With 40 votes between two Democrats running for the 25th Middlesex District, state law could prompt a recount.

The race between 12-year incumbent state Rep. Marjorie Decker and union leader Evan MacKay appeared close enough for a recount with 99% of the votes counted, according to AP results. As of 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, MacKay has received 3,354, or 50.3%, of the vote, while Decker has received 3,314 votes, or 49.7% of the vote.

Recounts can be requested if the margin of victory is not more than half of 1% of the votes cast for the office, according to Massachusetts state law.

But MacKay declared victory early Tuesday night and told supporters Our movement has won this election, while at a bar in Cambridge, the Boston Globe reported.

Decker did not concede and her campaign called MacKays declaration of victory irresponsible, the Globe wrote.

Its reckless and its incorrect, Democratic consultant Jason Cincotti told the Globe. We are waiting for all the votes to be counted.

Were Decker to lose, it would be notable given the low number of incumbents who face a serious primary challenge. Her last primary challenge was in 2018 against Lesley Phillips, according to Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvins office.

Im not going away, trust me, Decker told supporters in a speech on Tuesday, the Globe wrote. I dont know how to go away.

MacKay, who uses they/them pronouns, thanked campaign volunteers for helping them challenge impossible odds.

This is a wake-up call to the political establishment, they said, the Globe wrote. Weve shown that our movement is mighty.

Decker served 14 years on the Cambridge City Council before she was elected to the Legislature . She worked as a teacher and then was executive director of the Equal Justice Coalition before joining the City Council in 1999. Gun safety, tackling climate change, labor and worker rights and maternal health and reproductive rights are among her areas of focus, according to her website .
Missing Lawrence woman Carol Flaz was found dead in a wooded area of Haverhill early Tuesday evening, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker announced Tuesday night.

Authorities have arrested 35-year-old Lawrence resident Cristian Montero on witness intimidation and misleading an investigation charges in connection with the case, and they expect to charge him with Flazs murder as the investigation continues, Tucker said during a press conference. The district attorney declined to specify Monteros relationship to Flaz Tuesday night, but said they lived in the same apartment building.

Flaz, a 37-year-old mother of two, was reported missing on Aug. 31, Tucker said. She was last seen leaving her home at 590 Broadway around 9 a.m. that day.

Lawrence police searched Flazs apartment and then her building, Tucker said. After coming up empty, the district attorneys office joined in the search, and Massachusetts State Police air wings and K-9 units were utilized in the search for Flaz.

This was essentially a round-the-clock effort to try to locate Carol Flaz, Tucker said. I want to make sure that the people of Lawrence know that this case was at the forefront.

The investigation into Flazs disappearance led police to search the area around Kenoza Lake in Haverhill on Tuesday, authorities said. A state police K-9 unit led a trooper to her body during the search in the early evening.

Its not the result that we expected, but at least having found the body of Carol Flaz, it brought the family some comfort and some resolution, Tucker said.

The district attorney declined to say whether Montero was arrested prior to the discovery of Flazs body, but said he expects the charges against him to be upgraded to murder once Flazs autopsy is complete. Tucker said his office will make a case against Montero based on the forensic and digital evidence recovered by investigators, as well as the location of Flazs body.

Both Lawrences and Haverhills police chiefs, as well as Tucker and Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena, offered their condolences to Flazs family during the press conference.

Its a sad day for the city of Lawrence, DePena said.

Officials also tried to reassure Lawrence and Haverhill residents of their safety.

We do not believe that this was a random act, Haverhill Police Chief Robert Pistone said. We dont believe that theres any continuing danger to any of the members of our community.

Montero is due to be arraigned in Lawrence District Court Wednesday morning. More information about the case will be shared during the arraignment, Tucker said.
A motorcyclist died on Sunday after a crash in Lanesborough, Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrues office confirmed to MassLive.

At around 12:42 p.m., Shugrues offices Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit were assisting Lanesborough police at a crash site, Shugrues office said in a short statement.

The crash happened between a motorcycle heading eastbound on Route 7 onto the Route 8 connector to Mall Road, Shugrues office said.

The motorcycle appears to have crossed into the oncoming lane where the motorcycle collided with an SUV, the statement read.

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead. No information was provided about the other driver, and the motorcyclist has not been publicly identified.

The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.

MassLive reporter Susannah Sudborough contributed to the reporting of this story.
A man was rescued Tuesday in Bridgewater after he became buried up to his waist in coal, trapping him in the train car where he was working, officials say.

At 9:05 a.m. Tuesday, Stiles & Hart Brick Co., the mans employer, notified the Bridgewater Fire Department that the 26-year-old Brockton man had been trapped in a coal-filled train car and needed medical attention, according a press release from the department.

The man was rescued using industrial vacuum equipment, officials said.

Keolis Commuter Services, which operates the MBTA commuter rail, shut down the train tracks during the rescue to give access to first responders until the scene was cleared around 2:30 p.m.

Abington Fire Chief Jack Glynn wrote in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday that the rescue was time consuming but that the advanced rescue techniques required to extricate him were performed flawlessly and praised the members of the Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team for their work.

First responders work to rescue a man who was trapped inside a train car in Bridgewater after becoming buried in coal. (Courtesy Bridgewater Fire Department)Bridgewater Fire Department

These professionals train for the most extreme of circumstances with equipment that is mastered by only a handful, he wrote.

According to Glynn, the worker was treated by a paramedic on the scene while he was trapped, and once he was extricated from the coal he was flown by helicopter to a Boston hospital for further treatment.

It was not immediately clear what caused the man to be buried in coal.
Two days after an Israeli-American slain by Hamas was laid to rest in a Jerusalem cemetery, calls for justice an ocean away continued to reverberate.

The death of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, who had family in Newton, is an unspeakable tragedy, U.S Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-4th District, said Wednesday.

Hersh had connections to Massachusetts, and indeed to my hometown of Newton, Auchincloss said after an unrelated event in Brookline.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin was one of six hostages killed by Hamas last week. His body was found in Rafah in Gaza, according to published reports.

Goldberg-Polins parents, Rachel and Jon, made national headlines with their emotional plea for their sons release, along with others still held in captivity in Gaza, during last months Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Speaking to reporters after an unrelated event in Brookline on Wednesday, Auchincloss, who is Jewish, said he was able to meet with the couple and Goldberg-Polins aunt.

 ... Their courage in the face of the worst nightmare imaginable should harden Americans resolve to seek the return of all hostages, including the four American living hostages who remain in these terror tunnels.

Rachel Goldberg-Polin is a Brandeis University graduate. Friends of the family also live in Brookline, where there is a growing memorial, News 7 in Boston reported.

His aunt is a Newton resident, according to The Boston Globe.

Auchincloss said Wednesday that its important to clearly, unequivocally state where culpability lies for this atrocity.

U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-4th District, holds a news conference in Brookline, Mass., on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024 (John L. Micek/MassLive).John L. Micek

Hamas had these six young hostages film videos to their family members, he said. They then executed them. This is an organization that exists on the other side of the line that separates civilization from barbarity. And they can have no place in post-war governance in Gaza.

... The fact that Hamas is executing Americans while it continues to hold four Americans hostage, underscores that this is not Israels fight alone, he continued. This is Israel and the free world together, against the barbarism of Hamas and its patron, Iran.

Israels military announced Sunday that the bodies of Goldberg-Polin and the five others had been discovered in an underground tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip.

Israeli forensics experts said they had been shot at close range and died on Thursday or Friday, shortly before Israeli troops reached the tunnel in southern Gaza where they were held, The Associated Press reported.

Their deaths sparked protests by hundreds of thousands of people in Israel, with many saying the hostages could have been returned alive if a cease-fire deal had been reached.

Three of the six hostages, including Goldberg-Polin, were reportedly scheduled to be released in the first phase of a cease-fire proposal discussed in July.

On Wednesday, Auchincloss said work toward a ceasefire must continue. But any deal must both get the hostages home and ensure that Hamas can have no role in postwar governance in the region.

Because if Hamas is part of governance in Gaza, going forward, there will be more hostages, and this cycle of depravity will not end, he said. Because they will violate further ceasefires, as they have in the past.
By the time the dust had settled on Massachusetts primary election on Tuesday, voters got some notable surprises in what had been expected to be a pretty low-key day.

In what could become an extraordinary upset, graduate student Evan MacKay declared victory in their race against long-serving state Rep. Marjorie Decker in the Cambridge-based 25th Middlesex District.

The Boston Globe reported that MacKay led by just 40 votes early Wednesday, raising the possibility of a recount.

Decker did not concede the race. But she did deliver an emotional speech reflecting on her time in the Legislature, the newspaper reported.

If the result holds, it would represent a remarkable rebuke in a political culture that favors incumbents, most of whom still appear set to cruise to re-election in November.

Also, in a race that no one really saw coming, public defender Allison Cartwright declared victory over Boston City Councilor Erin Murphy in the race for clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County, according to Politico.

It was a campaign, as Commonwealth Beacons Michael Jonas reported, for a job that no one had heard of, and probably couldnt explain, even if they had.

A competitive campaign for Governors Council also injected some drama, with incumbent Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney apparently losing to challenger Mara Dolan in a rematch of their 2022 Democratic primary contest.

Unofficial tallies showed Dolan taking 52.2% of the vote to DeVaneys 47.8%, the Associated Press reported. The wire service called the race for Dolan at 1:36 a.m. on Wednesday.

It all happened on a night in which Secretary of State William L. Galvin had forecast around 15% turnout.

A primary held the day after the Labor Day holiday, even if not by design, seemed destined to hold down in-person turnout.

Still, Galvins office had sent out 992,813 mail-in ballots, as of early Tuesday morning. Of those, 468,520 had been returned, his office said in a statement.

But even for those surprises, there were still some constants.

Consider:

All nine Democratic members of the states U.S. House delegation, facing no competition, effectively had the night off, even if their names were on the ballot.

Meanwhile two incumbents, U.S. Reps. Stephen Lynch, D-8th District, and Bill Keating, D-9th District, appear poised to face Republican opponents this fall.

In the race for U.S. Senate, John Deaton, a Swansea lawyer with ties to, and some pretty hefty backing from, the crypto-currency industry, handily won a three-way GOP primary.

Hell now have to run what is widely expected to be an uphill race against incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., this fall.

In the Legislature, at least one closely watched race that was initially thought to have the potential for competition turned out to be much ado about not much.

In the Somerville-based 27th Middlesex District, unofficial tallies showed incumbent Democratic state Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven defeating challenger Kathleen Hornby, a former legislative staffer, with 68.9% of the vote.

Early on, conversations with poll workers and voters across the state pointed to a sleepy day. By late afternoon, things had started to pick up.

Around 4:30 p.m., at Newman Elementary School in Needham, Precinct D Warden Theodora Eaton said that turnout started picking up after a rather slow morning.

Eaton said that ballots were still being collected from the Town Hall, as voters placed some of them at the red ballot box on Highland Avenue.

In Boston, 35 people had cast ballots at the polls in City Hall by 3 p.m., and 12 had voted at the City Hall Pavilion on Congress Street by 3:25 p.m.

We had a rush for a while at mid-day, said Janet Maloof, an election official who has volunteered for the past 15 years.

Meanwhile, the voters who did show up in person knew the assignment.

Among them was lawyer Christina Fitzgerald, of Roslindale, who turned up to vote for Cartwright for Supreme Judicial Court clerk.

I was excited to vote for her, Fitzgerald said. Its an important year to be voting, a lot of political issues get decided by the courts.

Because of this, she added, Good people make sure the courts are being run efficiently.

Earlier in the day, at Richard J. Murphy School in Dorchester, Vincent Baker, a lifelong resident of the citys largest neighborhood, was volunteering for Murphy.

Erin was my childrens teacher here at the school. Shes a very organized person, a sane person, Baker told MassLive. I align with her politics, and she did a great job with the council [and shes] the hardest working person.

Tuesday also was a reminder that these contests serve, in their way, as a dress rehearsal for the November general election when one giant race, the fight for the White House, will be atop the ballot.

Things are likely to be anything but sleepy. And the capacity for surprise probably still will be equally bottomless.

MassLives Adam Bass and Anne Brennan contributed additional reporting.
The city of Cambridge updated its results of the closely watched 25th Middlesex District race and the new unofficial tallies show incumbent state Rep. Marjorie Decker ahead of challenger Evan MacKay.

The updated tallies show Decker ahead with 3,472 (50.3%) votes compared to MacKays 3,431 (49.7%).

The latest figure represents the addition of hand-counted ballots, according to the citys election commission.

Unofficial results earlier Wednesday morning showed MacKay received 3,354, or 50.3%, of the vote, while Decker received 3,314 votes, or 49.7% of the vote.

MacKay declared victory after the polls closed but Decker did not concede.

Decker previously described MacKays declaration of victory as irresponsible and told the Boston Globe that it was reckless and incorrect.


"Words can't express the joy and pride that I felt." Sulayman Njie, a Gambian young man, studied in China and returned home to work for a Chinese company. He has witnessed how the company's solar energy storage solution has brought clean energy to his motherland. #GLOBALink
All 40 seats in the state Senate and 160-member House, both controlled by Democrats, are up for grabs this campaign season.

Even so, just about two-thirds of state House and Senate incumbents appear set to cruise to reelection this fall, according to an analysis by State House News Service.

That means that the electoral drama, such as it is, will be unfolding in a handful of key legislative races across the Bay State this primary Tuesday.

Last month, MassLive ran down the legislative contests worth watching from the Berkshires to Boston, and all points between.

Heres what we know about what happened in those same races on Election Day.

The House Chamber at the Massachusetts State House was in disarray Aug. 12, as work began on a renovation of the audio-visual systems, including the roll call machine and microphone-speaker system. (SAM DORAN / STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE)State House News Service

In the state House:

1st Bristol District:

Theres a three-way Democratic primary for the seat being vacated by Republican state Rep. Jay Barrows, a 17-year incumbent who announced his retirement on March 5.

1st Plymouth District

Four Democrats and two Republicans are competing for the seat held by GOP Rep. Matthew Muratore, whos running for the closely watched Plymouth and Barnstable state Senate seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Susan Moran.

27th Middlesex

This is one of those all the marbles kind of races, pitting an entrenched incumbent against a surprise challenger whos turned what could have been a sleepy contest into a real race.

Two Democrats, incumbent state Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven, and Kathleen Hornby will face each other in the Sept. 3 primary. Because there is no Republican candidate, the winner of the primary is effectively the winner of the Nov. 5 general election.

A view of the Massachusetts state Senate chamber at the State House in Boston, Mass. (MassLive photo by John L. Micek).

In the state Senate

1st Suffolk District

Incumbent Democratic state Sen. Nick Collins, whose district includes Bostons largest neighborhood, Dorchester, faces a challenge from entrepreneur and advocate Juwan Skeens.

2nd Bristol and Plymouth District

Veteran Democratic state Sen. Mark Montigny, whos been in office for more than 30 years, will face his first primary challenger since 2008, in Molly Kivi, an accountant making her first bid for public office, according to The New Bedford Light.

Once again, because theres no Republican candidate on the ballot, the primary winner also is the likely winner of the Nov. 5 general election.

Plymouth & Barnstable District

Theres only one Democrat in the race to succeed Sen. Susan Moran, whos giving up the Cape Cod-based seat shes held since 2020 to make a run for Barnstable County Superior Court clerk.

But state Rep. Dylan Fernandes, D-Barnstable/Dukes/Nantucket, whos stepped up to replace her, has attracted some pretty high-profile support in the closely watched Senate contest.

On the Republican side of the aisle, former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., is backing state Rep. Mathew Muratore, R-1st Plymouth, whos one of the two GOP candidates for the seat, Politico reported.
Trying multiple food items at The Big E can easily put a dent in your wallet. But this year, theres a new option to help satisfy your taste buds and your budget.

On Monday, Sept. 16, The Big E is going to have Three-Buck Bites with at least 70 vendors participating.

Participating vendors will have one sample-sized item available to buy for $3, according to The Big E. This will allow fairgoers to try multiple food items at a discounted price.

But it only lasts one day of the 17-day fair.

The Big E returns to West Springfield Sept. 13 and lasts until Sept. 29.

More than 1.4 million people attended The Big E in West Springfield in 2023, making it one of the largest fairs in North America.

See below for all the food options available during Three-Buck Bites.
SPRINGFIELD  Pioneer Valley Transit Authority workers ratified their mediated contract Tuesday, after coming to the brink of a strike over the weekend.

Workers represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 448 voted 125 to 65 in favor of the new contract, which ultimately split the difference between what the union sought and what management was willing to give.
Oliver Chadwick of Worcester loves to walk. Heading out to buy groceries at the Big Y near his home, going to work and walking in a loop to help reset his mind after work are all essential parts of his life in the city.

But he doesnt always feel safe doing so, he told MassLive. Hes had several near misses with cars speeding down the road, he said.

This is what happened to me the other day Chandler Street, he said. I was at a crosswalk and the car in the closest lane to me let me go. I walk out into the street and the car that was going the other way didnt stop at all. I could see the guy looking down at his phone, he just blew right through the crosswalk without stopping If I hadnt been looking for that and I walked, I almost certainly would have been hit by that guy.

Chadwick said these incidents have become frequent and believes one way to reduce crashes is by reducing Worcesters 30 miles per hour speed limit  a proposal the Worcester City Council will consider in the coming weeks.

During a meeting on Aug. 27, City Councilor-at-Large Donna Colorio announced the traffic and parking subcommittee will hold an emergency meeting on Sept. 4 to review a proposal that would lower the citys statutory speed limit to 25 mph from 30 mph and establish 20 mph safety zones in sensitive areas.

The proposal is being considered as multiple serious crashes have taken place in the city.

On June 24, a 1-year-old girl suffered a head injury after being hit by a car near 243 Lincoln St. A 13-year-old girl was struck and killed by a vehicle on Belmont Street on June 27. Another 13-year-old was seriously injured after being hit by a car while crossing Shrewsbury Street on July 29.

These recent crashes prompted Batista and Mayor Joseph Petty to issue a statement declaring a road safety crisis on Aug. 1 to draw attention to the serious and worsening problem of traffic violence and rally the community behind actions to address it. This year, more than 2,800 motor vehicle crashes have taken place in Worcester, 51 of which caused serious injuries or deaths. More than 90 of those crashes have involved pedestrians or cyclists, according to the statement.

The City Council subcommittee will also review a public, online survey about the proposal that was launched by the Department of Transportation and Mobility in June of this year.

The survey, which was sent as a communication to the City Council at their meeting, contained 1,512 unique responses and found that 51% responded in favor of reducing the citys statutory speed limit while 43% opposed and 6% were undecided. The survey found that 70% supported the creation of 20 mph safety zones in specific areas of the city. Twenty-four percent were opposed to safety zones and 6% were undecided. These areas include parks, playgrounds, hospitals, senior citizen housing and childcare centers, according to the communication.

Colorio, who chairs the sub-committee, told MassLive she intends to move the proposal out of the subcommittee at the Sept. 4 meeting and put it in front of the entire council for a vote on Sept. 10.

City Manager Eric Batista submitted the proposal to the council on Dec 5, 2023. In his letter to the Council, Batista wrote that the recommendation to lower speed limits is part of Vision Zero, a street safety movement that aims to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on Worcesters roadways. In a letter to Batista that same day, Stephen S. Rolle, the commissioner of Worcesters Department of Transportation and Mobility, cited a study from the National Association of City Transportation Officials that found pedestrians struck by vehicles traveling 35 mph are five times more likely to die than a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 20 mph. Rolle wrote that over the past decade, Worcester experienced more than 5,300 crashes that have resulted in confirmed injuries, including 958 crashes that resulted in serious injuries or deaths.

In urban environments where pedestrians and bicyclists are present, higher speeds are directly and exponentially linked to increased risk of severe injuries and deaths, Rolle wrote. Lowering statutory speed limits to 25 mph has shown to be effective at reducing speeding  particularly excessive speeding  which will have a positive effect on the safety and access of all roadway users and vulnerable roadway users in particular.

If approved, Worcester would follow in the footsteps of Boston and Springfield, as both cities had their speed limits lowered to 25 mph in 2017. The 25 mph speed limit would apply to all public streets in Worcester that are not subject to special speed regulations that establish regulatory speed limits, according to Rolle. Rolle wrote the excluded streets include interstate highways, state highways under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and local arterial corridors subject to special speed regulations, such as a section of Main Street and Stafford Street.

Support and opposition from residents

The proposal to lower Worcesters speed limit has divided some city residents.

Chadwick, who supports the proposal, told MassLive the proposal could reduce pedestrian deaths in Worcester as well as near-misses, like the ones he has experienced.

A lot of people have worked hard to get us to this point, Chadwick said. Trying to get any change or progress in local politics, especially in Worcester, is like pulling teeth.

Yenni Desroches, another Worcester resident, told MassLive she also supports lowering the speed limit.

Most of the streets I walk on are the city standard 30 mph streets, she said. Its harder to get over 30 when theres as many stop signs as there are in our neighborhood. Theres only one spot we dont have a stop sign on my corner and we definitely have had kids almost get hit as cars speed up.

Worcester resident Sue Cahill believes Worcesters 30 mph speed limit it should stay the same. She told MassLive that the city needs to do more to enforce the current laws against speeding rather than change the speed limit.

We should keep at standard of 30, Cahill told MassLive. Reducing the speed limit will not correct the issue of pedestrian accidents. Enforcement of the current speed limit will. People will still speed regardless unless enforcement happens.

Al Dancy, another Worcester resident, said that he supports making changes to the citys traffic laws but that he wants to see enforcement of the current laws in place.

I think a logical approach to the issues were seeing is to first require our police to enforce the laws that we currently have on the books, Dancy said.

The road to lower speed limits

It has been almost nine months since the proposal to lower the speed limit was first proposed to the council. After the proposal was sent to the traffic and parking subcommittee, five separate meetings were held in each of the citys five districts to gauge public opinion and hear feedback, according to Colorio.

Colorio said the meetings had a combined total audience of approximately 40 people and was disappointed about what she felt was a lack of public participation. She requested an online survey to get more public opinion  which the council voted in favor of on May 7, according to the council minutes. The Department of Transportation and Mobility then launched the survey in June and compiled the data in August, Colorio said.

During the Aug. 27 council meeting, a group of people spoke in support of the proposal during the public comment period  asking the council to quickly move forward on its approval.

We need to make progress and stop holding, said School Committee member Sue Mailman, who spoke at the meeting. All of these things are going to send a message to the public.

Desroches told MassLive that the City Council needs more urgency regarding pedestrian safety and should let the Department of Transportation and Mobility do its job.

Its like they have no sense of urgency, she said. Commissioner Rolle is champing at the bit to make improvements.

Colorio told MassLive she felt the timeline was reasonable and gave the public enough time to weigh their thoughts on the issue.

I think we had a really good job by holding these meetings and I think the survey went a step further, Colorio said. I feel confident moving forward.
The Green Climate Fund has approved $151 million in financing for a major resilience programme supported by the African Development Bank to address climate vulnerability in the Horn of Africa.

The approval was granted at the Funds 39th Board meeting and comprises a $90.7 million grant and a $60.3 million loan. The financing will support the Bank Groups Building Climate Resilience for Food and Livelihoods in the Horn of Africa programme, benefitting 4.6 million people across Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

The Horn of Africa is most susceptible to climate-related risks, such as erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and increasingly frequent droughts and floods. These conditions have exacerbated socioeconomic challenges and threatened the livelihoods of agro-pastoral communities reliant on rain-fed agriculture. Climate change has led to increased livestock, crop and human diseases, and land degradation, reducing productivity.

Dr. Martin Fregene, the Banks Director for Agriculture and Agro-Industry, said the Bank is commitment to building climate resilience. The mobilisation of the Green Climate Fund support shows the continued commitment of the African Development Bank Group to scale up climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture systems in the Horn of Africa, thereby improving food security in one of the most vulnerable regions of the planet.

These resources will further help consolidate the Feed Africa Strategy and complement the Country Food and Agriculture Delivery Compacts presented at the Dakar 2 Feed Africa: Food Sovereignty and Resilience Summit. This will support the reduction of poverty and food insecurity while contributing to accelerated sustainable economic growth in the region, Fregene added.

The new financing will support community-driven and gender-balanced resilience solutions. These include sustainable land management practices, access to climate-smart technologies and best practices, renewable energy, capacity-building for cooperatives, agribusiness and micro, small and medium enterprises, credit and climate services, early warning, and index insurance.

Dr Anthony Nyong, the Banks Director for Climate Change and Green Growth, said, The Bank has had a long-standing commitment to action on climate change and is committed to ensuring that we streamline low-carbon and climate-resilient economic development in all key sectors of our work. He noted that the new resources will bolster the Banks efforts to mitigate climate change impacts and build resilience, particularly in agrarian communities.

Beyond community benefits, the Green Climate Fund financing will contribute to significant carbon emission reduction, potentially sequestering 14.1 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent over the projects 25-year lifetime  equivalent to lifetime emissions of 600,000 cars.

The African Development Bank will administer the new financing and monitor the programme, which will begin in the first quarter of 2025. The five target countries, through their respective ministries responsible for finance and agriculture, will implement it over six years with the project interventions expected to benefit targeted communities for 25 years.
VC4A, the leading ecosystem builder in emerging markets, announced that it will co-host the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit (#AESIS2024) on November 28-29, 2024 once again in Cape Town.

Now in its 11th year, the Summit remains Africas premier gathering for early stage investors seeking an opportunity to network with and build lasting relationships with the broader investor community. VC4A extends an invitation to investors, policymakers, financial institutions and fellow ecosystem builders to join us in Cape Town for a disruptive investor-led experience.

For a decade, VC4A through its platform has remained a driving force in putting Africas startup ecosystem on the global investment map. The organization spotlights the continents high-potential, high-growth startups who have secured $850M till date through its annual investment readiness program, the VC4A Venture Showcase (www.VentureShowcase.VC4A.com/). #AESIS2024 is further proof of its commitment to providing a suitable sub-ecosystem for all players and drivers to thrive. Tailored exclusively for investors, the Summit is the top destination that offers rich networking opportunities and high-potential investment prospects.

The Africa Early Stage Investor Summit is co-created with long-term partner, the African Business Angel Network (ABAN). Through 10 editions till date, the Summit has grown exponentially with more than 2,500 investors from 90 countries worldwide participating. As co-creators and hosts, VC4A makes possible the curation of a world-class agenda, selecting high-potential startups for the showcase segment, and facilitating connections between investors and entrepreneurs. Through our extensive network and deep understanding of the African startup ecosystem, VC4A ensures that the Summit delivers value to all attendees.

Vincent Hoogduijn, CEO at VC4A, comments on the significance of #AESIS2024:

As the leading gathering for early-stage investors in Africa, AESIS is a pivotal platform where key players shaping the continents investment landscape come together to connect, collaborate, and create lasting impact. AESIS is more than just a discussion forum  its a catalyst for action. Looking at 2024 and beyond, it is essential to continue mobilizing capital, fostering innovation, and driving impactful investment to support the growth of Africas most promising startups. By building a dynamic community of investors and entrepreneurs together, we can accelerate the growth trajectory of Africas entrepreneurial ecosystem and unlock its full potential. 

Opportunities for Africa-focused investors at #AESIS2024

The theme for #AESIS2024 is aptly  Pioneering Pathways: Innovating Investment Mobilization in Africa.  This topic bridges the Summits mission to empower investors to make informed decisions, support promising ventures, and drive positive change across the African continent.

For eleven years, the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit (#AESIS2024) has evolved to meet the dynamic needs of the African startup ecosystem. It all began in 2013, when a mere total of $2M was invested in young ventures in Africa. The Summit emerged as a response to the critical challenge of funding shortages facing promising businesses. Since then, it has been the mission of co-hosts, VC4A and the African Business Angel Network (ABAN), to create new pathways for African startups by addressing the capital shortage, forging new trails for investors, connecting key stakeholders, and delivering capital into the hands of African innovators.

As capital mobilization remains an ongoing need, the AESIS community aims to drive the charge of exploring innovative investment models to address the most pressing challenges. The Summit continues to be a powerhouse in African venture capital, connecting key stakeholders responsible for over 90% of investments into early stage ventures across the continent. In 2023, these investments totaled an impressive $2.9B. As Africas most active early stage investment facilitator, #AESIS2024 is uniquely positioned to observe and influence emerging trends going into the future.

The 2024 edition this year will feature a varied program with keynote speeches, panel discussions, masterclasses and networking events. Attendees can expect to hear from leading industry experts and seasoned investors on the continent. The Summit will also showcase a curated selection of high-potential African startups, offering investors first-pick exclusive access to new deal flow.
Politics is a strange game, and American politics is stranger than most. The battle for the White House has been suddenly thrown wide open, and a charismatic black woman is now as likely to occupy the Oval office as is the hectoring braggart who, a short time ago, had one hand on the prize.

Little more than a month ago, an anguished Democratic Party awaited its annual convention in Chicago with trepidation, thinking a frail and ailing Joe Biden would lead them over the cliff of certain defeat. The atmosphere was akin to a funeral home, with the last rites about to be invoked on the corpse of presidential ambition.

And then along came Kamala Harris and the minor miracle of Joe Biden stepping back to allow the coronation of the new candidate. Euphoria and jubilation swept away the despondency and all of a sudden there was a pep in the step and it looked that, far from all being lost, victory was a new possibility. Delegates left the convention walking on air, and the excitement has not died down since. The tables were turned, and Donald Trump, who was expecting to devour his rival for breakfast, was now on the back foot.

So far, Ms Harris has the wind in her sails, but whether the momentum alone will carry her through to November remains to be seen.

To the chagrin of her opponent, she has not been overly pressed so far on her policies, although last week she and her running mate, Tim Walz, did sit down for their first big interview, which was aired on CNN.

Harris has apparently decided, at least for now, to stick broadly to the Biden version of a managed economy, with a few additional ingredients added to the mix. A promised subsidy to help new house purchasers sounds attractive, but economists warn that its unintended effect may be to merely lead to an increase in house prices. And on foreign policy, she has avoided giving hostages to fortune by coming down too absolutely on the issues she will face if elected to office.

But Harris has played what will prove to be a master card in the selection of her running mate. Nobody personifies the regular American guy than does Mr Walz  he is the guy who lives down the street, the neighbour who keeps an eye on your house when youre away, the guy who shares his lawnmower, the small-town football coach, the ex national serviceman, the ordinary Joe. Donald Trump and JD Vance he is not, and never will be, and for the first time in generations, small-town America has a candidate it can identify with.

Kamala Harris will be portrayed as a West Coast liberal, with all the cachet of elite superiority that implies for the ordinary voter. It is an image of which mainstream Americans are deeply suspicious, an almost alien species in the eyes of many. And that is why Walz is the perfect counter balance on the party ticket. For middle America, he  not she  is one of us. And while millions will be marking their ballot papers for Harris, in their hearts they will be voting for Walz.

But there is one other thing. If Harris wins, she needs to do so by a sufficient margin to avoid the charge by her opponent of the vote being rigged. A razor-thin victory would unleash a crisis to make the storming of the Capitol four years ago look harmless. It will not be enough for Harris to merely win; democracy will need to win by an even greater majority.
Westival (Westport Music and Arts Festival) has this evening launched it 2024 programme with Irish band Pillow Queens announced as the big headline act. The launch commences the 49th year of the West of Irelands longest running music and arts festival.

This year's festival will take place from October 23 to 28 at venues all over the town, and tickets are now available at the newly launched website, www.westival.ie.

Pillow Queens, who recently played support to Snow Patrol at their sold out gig at Thomond Park in Limerick, take Westival's headline spot with the first date in their highly anticipated Irish tour. Other highlights across the weekend include John Spillane, Sundays Child Theatre, Maxine Peake, Alan Friel, Achill Sound, Custom House Gallery, Easkey Britton, Clew Bay Folk Club, Westport Jazz, and a diverse programme of theatre, visual art, film, literature, workshops and fun for all the family.

Westival announced its diverse programme of events this evening at the launch in McGing's Bar on High Street, continuing their commitment to being the cultural cornerstone for the region by platforming the diverse and burgeoning creativity that the west of Ireland represents.

Westival invites locals to join them and take part in celebrating what Westport has to offer, as they present their 49th year of the programme. Selected events will be ticketed, and are available online to book from today from www.westival.ie. Please see end of this article for the full festival programme.

Speaking at the launch, Festival Director Sarah Byrne said: Coming into my third year with the festival, I am immensely proud as we present this years programme. As we look towards Westivals 50 year celebration in 2025, we will begin the next chapter of the festival with a clear and bold direction that celebrates the vibrant, unexpected, and intimate culture of the region.

This programme also coincides with the announcement of our new Three Year Plan 2025 - 2027 for Westival - celebrating and supporting art out West, which we will be sharing publicly in the coming weeks.

It has been a labour of love for the entire community and artists, showcasing the North West as a creative melting pot, and exploring the contemporary cultural identity unique to this part of the world. So start booking your tickets and join us for our 49th festival in Westport this October!

Also speaking at the launch of this years festival, Chair of the Westival board Eugene Dowd says: We're back and better than ever with the 49th year of Westival - Westport Music and Arts Festival. We cannot wait to present our diverse festival programme to the regional community. It has been a privilege and a joy working with the local community to make this festival come to life, and we hope that you will enjoy it as much as we enjoyed creating it. See you at the festival!

Full Festival Programme:

Music

Pillow Queens

The Castle Late Night Venue, Fri 25th October, 10pm

John Spillane

Town Hall, Fri 25th October, 8pm

Ukraine Ensemble

Matt Molloys, Sat 26th October

Achill Island Basking Shark Fishermen

Grove House

Westport Jazz Event

Grove House, Sat 26th October, 6pm

Westport Festival of Chamber Music Event

Grove House, Sun 27th October, 5pm

Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival Event

Clew Bay, Sat 26th October, 8pm

Theatre

Chicken

Town Hall, Sat 26th October, 8pm

Was I Not a Girl

Clew Bay, Thurs 24th October, 7pm

The Super Secret Shameful Show

Clew Bay, Sun 27th October, 6pm

Film

Stop Making Sense

Town Hall, Sun 27th October

Western Front Studios

W Cinema, Wed 23rd October

Woken Screening

W Cinema

For The Family

Boss Rob Kids

The Clock Tavern, Sat 26th October, 11am & 2pm

Kid Disco

The Clock Tavern, Sat 26th October, 2pm

Little Top Circus Skills

Clew Bay, Mon 28th October, 11am

Workshops

Forristal Woodwork

Teach Scoile, Sat 26th October, 11am

Boss Rob Adults

The Clock Tavern, Sat 26th October, 9:30pm

Lina Stein: Milliner Workshop

Town Hall, Sun 27th October, 11am

Melanie Whelan: Kids Workshop Illustration

Town Hall, Sat 26th October, 1pm

Elizabeth Healy: Revenant Songs

Clew Bay, Sat 26th October, 12pm

Writing

The Philosopher's Hat Club

Savoir Fare, Fri 25th October, 6:30pm

Windows on Westport / Writer's Walk & Workshop

The Clock Tavern, Sun 27th October, 3:30pm

Library Poetry Event

The Library, Sat 26th October, 1pm

Easkey Britton

Poetry Competition

Grove House, Thurs 24th October, 8pm

Festival Parlour Discussion

Clew Bay, Mon 28th October, 3:30pm

Kelly Michels

The Clock Tavern, Mon 28th October, 2pm

Visual Art

Custom House: Women Mayo Artists

Custom House, Wednesday 23rd October

McGings Exhibition

McGings, from Wednesday 23rd October

Fintan Friel

Town Hall, from Wednesday 23rd October

Genevieve King

Clew Bay, from Thursday 24th October

Objects That Make Us

Custom House

An Exhibition in Cornrue
Ballyglass RNLI came to the aid of a lone sailor last night, Tuesday, September 3, off the North Mayo coast.

The sailor was somewhat incapacitated by a knee injury.

The all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch just before 5pm by Malin Head Coast Guard to assist the lone sailor on an eleven-meter yacht. The lifeboat was underway shortly after under Coxswain James Mangan.

The yacht was located four miles North-West of Eagle Island off the North Mayo coast and approximately 14 nautical miles from the lifeboat station.

The weather conditions at the time were tricky with a small craft warning in place, a north-westerly wind force and sea state choppy and swelly.

When the Ballyglass lifeboat with five crew onboard arrived at the scene, they assessed the situation and communicated with the sailor who was fit to sail into Broadhaven Bay single-handed, but required help to moor.

The lifeboat proceeded to escort the yacht to calmer waters in Broadhaven Bay, where one volunteer was safely transferred to the casualty vessel to bring her to the nearest safe moorings at Ballyglass pier.

There, the lifeboat crew were met by Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit and the ambulance service, who took over the care of the casualty.

Speaking following the call-out, Ballyglass RNLI Coxswain James Mangan said: "We were pleased with the safe return of all, and we would like to wish the sailor well and commend and thank our colleagues from the ambulance service and Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit and our own shore crew.
by Fern Siegel , September 4, 2024



Sandals Resorts has selected Leo Burnett as its agency of record supporting its Caribbean resorts, including the adults-only Sandals Resorts and family-friendly Beaches Resorts.

The win follows a competitive review. Previously, Sandals worked with HH Advertising.

First work from Burnett is expected in early 2025.

Adam Stewart, executive chairman of the Sandals Resorts companies, said: The Sandals brands and Leo Burnett represent very similar narratives: both family-led, founder-driven brands fueled by innovation. This next chapter is brimming with excitement and opportunity as we bring forward the best of the Caribbean together.

Unique Vacations Inc. will manage Leo Burnetts support of the brands under the direction of Tony Cortizas, Chief Marketing Officer.

Britt Nolan, President-Chief Creative Officer of Leo Burnett, added: Theres so much more to their story than people know. ... and were super-excited to help write their next chapter and show the world more.

Sandals Resorts has 18 beachfront settings in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Curacao and Saint Vincent and The Grenadines.
by Colin Kirkland , September 3, 2024

On Monday, Brazils Supreme Court upheld Justice Alexandre de Moraes order to ban X in the country after the social-media platform refused to name a legal representative by last Thursday night, effectively costing the app its largest Latin American user base and subsequent ad dollars.

The decision to officially ban the app in Brazil was unanimous among the five justices, who found that X was repeatedly spreading misinformation and harmful content that is in violation of the countrys internet laws.

In April, Justice Moraes began investigating Musk for obstruction of justice after he publicly declared that would not comply with a court order to suppress the accounts of seven commentators who Moraes believed to be spreading false reports and hate speech with regard to the current government and the outcome of Brazils presidential election in 2022.

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In response to the request to block the anti-government accounts, X claimed the request was made in secret, was illegal and did not align with the platforms free speech moderation approach.

Last week, X officially shut down its Brazilian office and removed its employees there to avoid arrest of local staff members by the government.

Since failing to appoint a legal representative in Brazil, Musk has called Moraes a dictator, posting that the judge is destroying free speech for political purposes.

Unfortunately, the illicit conduct was repeated in the current investigation, making it clear that X Brasil failed to comply with several court orders, as well as the willful intention of exempting itself from responsibility for complying with the court orders issued, with the disappearance of its legal representatives in Brazil for the purposes of subpoena and, subsequently, with the aforementioned message about the possible closure of the Brazilian company, Moraes stated in the most recent court ruling.

Justice Flavio Dino -- also on the panel -- noted that X seems to believe its above the law, adding that the size of a bank account does not give rise to outlandish immunity, according to an English translation by The New York Times.

On Monday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula accused Musk of spreading a far-right ideology through his ownership and use of X.

The seven X accounts identified in the Brazilian Supreme Courts request are all linked to former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who has been banned from running for office for eight years for undermining Brazilian democracy by claiming the 2022 election was rigged, which resulted in attacks on Brazils Congress, presidential palace and Supreme Court that have been compared to the January 6 insurrection in the U.S.

Musk was a public supporter of Bolsonaro and even arranged multiple business deals during his presidency, including for the allocation of internet services via Musks satellite communications company Starlink in Brazil.

Last week, Moraes ordered a freezing of Starlinks finances in Brazil, ultimately preventing the business from conducting financial transactions in the country. Musk claimed that this too was illegal and has pledged to provide free internet access to its 250,000 Brazilian customers while X accounts remain blocked.

However, under the court ruling, any X users using Starlink or a virtual private network (VPN) to access the social-media platform could face a fine of up to 50,000 reais, or about 9,000 dollars.

Overall, the ban of X in Brazil has cut off around 20 million users, immediately reducing Xs monetizable daily active user count from 250 million to 230 million.

Paired with the 5 million users the company reported losing in Europe this year, Xs total user base is down at least 10% in 2024.

The significant user drop will directly impact Xs ad revenue -- which is reportedly down around 83% compared to what it had been before Musk took over the app in late 2022.

While some major advertisers have resumed a percentage of their ad spend on X since a widespread advertiser exodus occurred earlier this year in response to antisemitic posts, the platform may be facing another round of advertiser cuts.

This week, the World Bank ceased all paid advertising to X after a CBS News investigation found promoted advertisements from the organization appearing under a racist post from an account that prolifically posts pro-Nazi and white nationalist content.

The World Bank Group had already reduced its paid marketing on X while working with the platform to implement the strongest safety protocols X offers for our content, a spokesperson for the World Bank told CBS News on Friday, adding, This latest incident is entirely unacceptable, and we are immediately ceasing all paid marketing on X.
by Ray Schultz , September 3, 2024

Gannett Satellite Information Network Inc. is planning to lay off 74 employees in Massachusetts by November 14, according to a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act) filing with the state.

The planned layoffs will start on November 1.

Companies are required to warn employees 60 days prior to a mass layoff.

Presumably, the affected employees work on Reviewed, the review site Gannett announced it is closing.

After careful consideration and evaluation of our Reviewed business, we have decided to close the operation, said spokesperson Lark-Marie Anton in August.

However, the NewsGuild of New York, which represents Gannetts unionized employees, criticized the closure.

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We are deeply troubled by Gannetts decision to shutter Reviewed, says Susan DeCarava, president. We are concerned for the future of dozens of workers represented by The NewsGuild of New York working at Reviewed, and about the broader impact of this announcement on the media industry at large.

Gannett claims the shutdown has nothing to do with allegations that Reviewed published AI-written reviews.

Another interpretation is that Googles constant algorithm changes have degraded Revieweds business model.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, September 4, 2024

Privacy advocacy groups are urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to sign a bill that would require browser developers to offer a tool that allows consumers to easily opt out of online behavioral advertising.

This bill is vital to ensure that millions of Californians have a practical way to manage their privacy choices, Consumer Reports, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, Digital Content Next, and others say in a letter sent to Newsom late last week.

The California Chamber of Commerce says it plans to seek a veto, arguing that the bill will lead to significant confusion and compliance problems as downstream businesses receive conflicting signals, and even more complicated as states adopt different standards for these signals.

That group, along with the Association of National Advertisers and other business organizations recently urged lawmakers to reject the bill.

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The best known universal opt-out mechanism is the Global Privacy Control -- a tool created by privacy advocates that sends opt-out signals to every site consumers visit.

Without such a control, people who don't want to receive ads targeted based on cross-site data can click on individual companies' opt-out links, or use a tool created by an ad industry organization to opt out of many ad-tech companies' behavioral-targeting platforms.

The advocacy groups say the site-by-site opt-out approach is intensely cumbersome for consumers, citing a 2020 Consumer Reports investigation concluding that many consumers have trouble opting out from companies' individual sites -- often because they can't find the opt-out links, or the procedure is burdensome, or the companies aren't complying with the law.

AB 3048 will ensure that consumers have the ability to use their privacy rights by requiring that browser vendors and mobile operating systems include an easy to locate and use setting that enables the consumer to send an opt-out preference signal, Consumer Reports and the other advocacy groups write. This bills approach will help reduce opt-out friction and make it easier for California residents to control their data.

California's Consumer Privacy Rights Act gives consumers the right to reject cross-context behavioral advertising -- meaning ads served based on activity across different sites. The law includes provisions discussing global opt-out signals, but those provisions appear ambiguous.

The state privacy agency has interpreted the statute as requiring companies to honor opt-out requests that consumers transmit through browser-based tools.

But ad and business organizations dispute that analysis. Instead, the groups contend, California's law allows companies to choose between placing opt-out links on their home pages or honoring a browser-based signal.

That structure "allows businesses the opportunity to implement the most effective method for their particular situation, the California Chamber of Commerce, Association of National Advertisers, American Association of Advertising Agencies and other business groups argued in a recent letter to state lawmakers.

Some developers including Mozilla, Brave and Duck Duck Go have already built the Global Privacy Control into their browsers.

Google's Chrome doesn't include the specific Global Privacy Control setting, but offers a do-not-track setting, which sends a no-tracking request to all websites consumers visit, but the California privacy agency has suggested that this older do-not-track command isn't equivalent to an "opt-out preference signal.

Apple used to include a do-not-track setting in Safari, but disabled the setting in 2019 due to concerns that ad-tech companies would exploit the signal for device fingerprinting -- a tracking technique that identifies users based on characteristics of their browsers.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, September 4, 2024

The nonprofit Internet Archive infringed copyright with its 13-year-old e-book lending program, which involved digitizing books and loaning the digital versions to consumers, a federal appellate court ruled Wednesday.

In a 64-page opinion, the appellate judges rejected the Internet Archive's argument that its lending program was protected by fair use principles.

A ruling in the Internet Archive's favor would allow for widescale copying that deprives creators of compensation and diminishes the incentive to produce new works, Circuit Judge Beth Robinson wrote in an opinion joined by Steven Menashi and Maria Araujo Kahn.

The decision comes in a legal dispute dating to June 2020, when Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, John Wiley & Sons, and Penguin Random House sued the Internet Archive over two different initiatives -- the 13-year-old controlled lending program, and the national emergency library, which only operated between March 2020 and that June.

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The controlled lending program involves loaning one digital copy at a time for each hard copy that has been scanned and digitized.

The emergency program was launched during the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, when libraries across the country shuttered. That short-lived program offered downloads of the same scanned hard copy to multiple users at once.

The publishers contended that both programs were unlawful, arguing that copyright principles don't allow the Internet Archive to copy and distribute digital book files.

U.S. District Court Judge John Koeltl in the Southern District of New York sided with the publishers, ruling in March 2023 that both programs infringed copyright.

The Internet Archive, referred to in the opinion as IA, appealed to the 2nd Circuit, arguing that its lending program is protected by fair use principles for several reasons. Among others, the nonprofit said the program was transformative -- one of the factors that goes into fair use decisions -- because it enables more efficient access to books for rural residents who live far from brick-and-mortar libraries, as well as people with mobility issues or disabilities that make it difficult to read print books.

The appellate judges rejected that argument, writing that the digital library offers few efficiencies beyond those already offered by publishers own eBooks.

We conclude that IAs use of the works is not transformative, Robinson wrote.

IA creates digital copies of the works and distributes those copies to its users in full, for free. Its digital copies do not provide criticism, commentary, or information about the originals, Robinson added. IAs digital books serve the same exact purpose as the originals: making authors works available to read.

Numerous outside organizations weighed in on the dispute, including the groups Center for Democracy & Technology, Library Freedom Project, and Public Knowledge, which sided with the Internet Archive. Specifically, they argued that the Internet Archive's lending program could protect readers' privacy better than commercial e-book retailers.

Those groups wrote in a friend-of-the-court brief that libraries traditionally protect privacy, but that lending programs operated by Barnes & Noble, Amazon and other commercial providers collect detailed information about readers, including their annotations and bookmarks.

Others, including the Authors Guild and National Writers Union sided with the book publishers, arguing that the Internet Archive's lending program deprives writers of income.
About Hodgkins Lymphoma

Hodgkins lymphoma or Hodgkins disease has the distinction of being the first cancer to be cured by chemotherapy or by radiotherapy.

Hodgkins lymphoma is a cancer that primarily affects the lymphatic tissues, and weakens the immune system of the body, making it more prone to infections.

The cancer was called 'Hodgkins Disease' until the year 2001, when WHO Classification for Lymphomas was published and the term 'Hodgkins Lymphoma' was preferred over 'Hodgkins Disease'.

The lymphatic tissues are found in the lymph nodes and other related organs including the spleen, the bone marrow and the thymus, which together make up the immune and the blood- cell producing systems.

The lymph nodes, are small, bean-shaped organs, found beneath the skin in the neck, underarm, and the groin. These nodes are interconnected by the lymph vessels, which contain a watery fluid called the lymph. The lymphocytes, which fight infections, are produced and stored in the lymph node.

Lymphomas are of two types: Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Hodgkins lymphoma (HL) can occur in both children and adults. The treatment for both the groups vary. Hodgkin lymphoma may also occur in patients who have Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). This group has to undergo a different type of treatment.

Hodgkins Lymphoma begins when a newly developed B-lymphocyte changes, becomes cancerous and goes on to multiply several folds to form tumors or lymphomas.

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"Malignant lymphomas represent clonal malignancies in which the majority of cells are frozen at a single stage of normal lymphocyte differentiation" Source: Norman Levy, MD - Lecture

Hodgkins lymphoma can be initiated anywhere in the lymphatic tissues but most often, in the upper part of the body, particularly in the neck, under the arms or the chest. It involves the spreading of the disease from one group of lymph node to the other and can go on to spread throughout the body. Symptoms appear very gradually, as the disease progresses.

Advances in cancer research in the last few decades has now resulted in cure at the early stages of Hodgkins lymphoma by radiation and in the later stages by combination therapy (radiation with chemotherapy). In fact Hodgkins Lymphoma is the first such cancer that has this distinction of procuring a cure.

Thomas Hodgkin, a British Physician, first described the condition as far back as 1832 and hence was named after him.
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Dengue and severe dengue



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#Karnataka declares #denguefever an #epidemic & imposes fines on commercial establishments to curb the spread. #publichealth #mosquitobornedisease 

Karnataka Government Imposes Fines on Commercial Establishments for Dengue Prevention

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Dengue and severe dengue - (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue)

The Karnataka government declared dengue fever ) an epidemic and updated the state's epidemic disease regulations accordingly."In exercise of power conferred by Section 3, of the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020, the Government of Karnataka hereby notifies Dengue fever, including severe forms of Dengue fever, as an epidemic disease, the state," read a notification.Following the amendment, the authorities across the state will now have the power to impose fines on violations. The provision was existing only in Bengaluru and Mangaluru civic agencies till now. The government has also stipulated a fine of Rs 400 in urban and Rs 200 in rural areas in households -- both indoor and outdoor if mosquito breeding is found.For commercial establishments, offices, schools, colleges, health care facilities, restaurants, hotels, eateries, lodges, resorts, homestays, amusement parks, malls, supermarkets, petty shops, tender coconut vendors, factories, industries, puncture repair shops, solid waste collection yards, plant nursery, cinema theatre, convention halls and any such structures of urban area Rs 1,000 is levied as fine and the fee amount of Rs 500 is fixed in rural areas.For active construction sites, abandoned construction sites and vacant sites and open lands, if mosquito breeding is found, Rs 2,000 is imposed as a fine in urban areas and Rs 1,000 is imposed as fine in rural areas. The competent authority or its authorised officer shall have power to levy and recover the penalty as specified in these regulations, the order states.Minister for Health Dinesh Gundu Rao stated, the main objective of the notification is that the people, until now have been told to initiate precautionary measures at their own level."Now, all Deputy Commissioners were given authority and also made as 'competent authority'. They will initiate action on houses, places and establishments when the dengue guidelines are not followed by imposing fines. We are initiating action to contain dengue cases and the disease has come under control to a certain extent. Still, the rise and fall of numbers is reported daily," Rao stated.The rainy season is still there and penalising powers are given to authorities across the state, he stated. In case of repeated violations, 50 per cent or more fine is imposed, he added."Our officers can issue warnings. No one will swoop on people to impose fines. First they will warn, and if it is continued, they will impose a fine. The people need to cooperate if dengue cases need to be dealt with effectively.""The cost of the treatment is lesser and free treatment is being given to the people. The rates for the lab testing are fixed by the government. There is no crisis as such presently. Basically, the dengue fever is generated from the mosquitoes which thrive in breeding grounds. To address the basic concern the fine is levied," he stated.Source-IANS
Since Shraddha Kapoor was revealed to be Stree at the end of the first part, many might have assumed that she played Stree for all the horror scenes too, where she appears as a haunted decaying corpse.

Stree 2 has been gaining a lot of appreciation since its release. Starring Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana and Abhishek Banerjee, it has been shattering box office records and winning over the audience too.

 Instagram/Bhumi Rajgor

In the 2018 film, Flora Saini had played Stree, but Bhumi replaced her in Stree 2. You might also remember her as the girl who played Kiara Advanis sister in Satyaprem Ki Katha.

Bhumi spoke to Times of India and shared, "Initially, I had auditioned for another role in Stree 2. But they loved my audition and when I was offered the titular role, I went blank. To be sure, they asked me to scream at the top of my voice. It was the funniest audition of my life! However, the makers told me, 'Since you will be playing a ghost, aap ki shakal nahi dikhegi (your face wouldn't be visible)."

She went on to share, "My family was apprehensive because they said nobody would know that I was in the film. But I did not want to let go of the opportunity to work with such terrific co-actors, who are so grounded. I learnt a lot by watching them and Shraddha (Kapoor) was really sweet to me. My only regret is that I did not have any scenes with Pankaj (Tripathi) sir."

A video of Bhumi has been circulating on social media where she can be seen ending a stunt and being praised by Shraddha Kapoor also kisses her hand.

Just like Stree was played by Bhumi Rajgor in Stree 2, Akshay Kumars villain, Sar-Kata, was also played by 34-year-old Sunil Kumar, who is also known as The Great Khali of Jammu because he stands tall at 7ft. 6 inches.
(L-R) Phill Bird - TMHUK Commercial & Logistics Solutions Director; Adam Hughes  Founder and MD of Spartan Forklifts; Nick Duckworth TMHUK Managing Director.

Toyota Material Handling UK (TMHUK) has announced the appointment of a new addition to its national dealer network. Bradford-based Spartan Forklifts became an official Toyota dealer on September 1st following a signing ceremony held at the companys West Yorkshire premises.

Established in 2009, Spartan is known throughout the industry for the excellence of its after sales support service and its commitment to delivering consistently high levels of customer care.

The company supplies new and refurbished materials handling equipment to a large customer network, although it is particularly active in West Yorkshire and the surrounding areas.

Joining the Toyota dealer network means that Spartan can now offer the full Toyota range of quality new and used forklifts and warehouse equipment, as well as genuine Toyota parts and operator training and safety courses.

Spartan Forklifts founder and Managing Director Adam Hughes commented: Becoming part of the Toyota dealer family is very exciting for everyone at Spartan. Working with the worlds leading forklift truck manufacturer will allow us to upscale our operation significantly and extend our service support to customers that operate some of the UKs largest MHE fleets.

Sam Gray, Dealer Manager of TMHUK, said: Toyota has a dedicated, strategically positioned dealer network and we are extremely pleased that Spartan is now part of it. Adam and his team have developed an impressive business, and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship between our two companies.
Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico is investigating the environmental toll after 7,000 gallons of chemically contaminated water spilled on the facility over the summer, according to a public announcement by the base.

The tainted water contained PFAS -- per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances commonly known as "forever chemicals" because they do not break down in the environment and build up in the body. The substances are linked to a variety of health conditions and have polluted numerous military facilities and water supplies across the U.S.

The spill happened at the fire training area on base between July 9 and July 15, the base said in a press release Friday, and thousands of gallons of water containing PFAS leaked into a nearby retention pond.

Read Next: US Sailor Is Detained by Venezuela in Latest Case of Service Member Held Overseas

"We understand the concerns of our community, our airmen, and their families," Col. Robert Johnston, the 27th Special Operations Wing and Cannon Air Force Base commander, said in the news release. "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."

PFAS, which have been used by the Air Force and other service branches in firefighting foam, have potential adverse health effects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including kidney and testicular cancer, increased cholesterol levels, and changes in liver enzymes.

Over the past decade, there has been more public outcry about PFAS and related chemicals leaching into water systems in communities near military installations.

Since 2015, the Air Force has found that 191 of 204 of the service's installations and sites had released PFAS into the environment, the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center said in a press release this summer.

The contaminated water involved with the July spill had been removed from emergency vehicles as part of the Department of the Air Force's "effort to eliminate legacy PFAS-containing aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) from its inventory," Cannon Air Force Base said in a news release.

Wells that provide drinking water for the base are located upstream "and are not affected by the release," it said. Additionally, base officials do not believe off-base wells will be affected.

The water was deposited in a lined retention pond, and base leaders were not notified of the release of the PFAS water until early August. The liquid was recovered, and the sediment was removed and relocated to containers. The base said it was waiting for notification of where it can be properly disposed of.

The retention pond's liner was inspected by a contractor on Aug. 23, and it was revealed that there were tears in various spots. The Air Force notified the New Mexico Environment Department the day after the tears were discovered.

Cannon is sampling the area to weigh the environmental effect. Johnston, the base commander, also ordered all waste chemicals to be relocated to a central location at the installation until they can properly be disposed of.

"Johnston has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the improper deposit," the base said in the news release. "Additionally, he has appointed a task force to examine and review all current environmental compliance training, policy and procedural guidance to ensure strict adherence to applicable requirements moving forward."

The Department of the Air Force is expected to provide a public update on its efforts and investigation into the PFAS leak on Nov. 12.

The New Mexico Environment Department has announced, as part of an ongoing project, it is offering free PFAS blood tests between Sept. 12 and Sept. 18 to residents who have lived or worked in the area immediately around the base, according to the agencys website.

The news of the PFAS spill at Cannon comes as the Environmental Protection Agency has cracked down on the chemicals and has set new standards, to which the Air Force will adhere, Military.com previously reported.

But it has also sought to dodge some instances in which local communities and the EPA are asking the service to be held accountable for environmental contamination.

Military.com reported last month that Air Force lawyers had pushed back against an emergency order to clean up contaminated drinking water in Arizona by citing a recent Supreme Court ruling that restricts regulatory agencies.

Related: Air Force Bucks EPA Order to Clean Up 'Forever Chemicals' in Arizona, Citing Supreme Court Ruling
An 18-year-old soldier was reunited with his biological father at a training installment in Missouri, U.S. Army officials said.

Pfc. Brayden Sumare arrived at Fort Leonard Wood in July to complete his initial entry training when he said he noticed something oddly familiar about his bay leader whom everyone called Pops, according to an Aug. 28 news release from the Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office.

Sumare offered only his last name to the bay leader who was filling out a roster of new arrivals, according to officials.

Brayden Hunter Sumare? the bay leader responded, according to the release.

How did you know that? Sumare asked, bewildered that the bay leader knew his full name, according to the release.

Im William Reeves, the bay leader  Sumares biological father  responded, officials said.

Army officials said the father and son had met four years prior for the first and only time but looked very different, with Reeves sporting long hair and a full beard instead of his present buzz cut and clean-shaven face.

It was unbelievable, Reeves said. What are the chances we both joined the Army and were at Fort Leonard Wood at the same time for our training?

As I watched him interact with other people, I saw familiar mannerisms. It was like looking in a mirror, Reeves told Army officials. I got to learn a lot from him, and I think that is really cool.

Sumare called seeing Reeves one of those weird life things but said he was glad he could help his biological father prepare for basic training.

I got to tell him goodbye, good luck and give him a hug, Sumare said. I think it is awesome that he joined.

Reeves told Army officials that he and Sumares mother were young when Sumare was born and that their lives had gone in different directions.

Reeves said he supported them financially but didnt want to disrupt the strong family unit Sumare had with his mother and adoptive father, according to the release.

Sumare is completing advanced individual training with Company C, 58th Transportation Battalion, learning the military occupational specialty of 88M Motor Transport Operator, officials said.

Reeves is with Company D, 35th Engineer Battalion, training to become a 12C Bridge Crewmember, according to officials.

I like to joke  I am going to build the Armys bridges, and he is going to drive his truck over it, Reeves said.

Fort Leonard Wood is about a 140-mile drive southwest from St. Louis.

___

(c)2024 the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.)

Visit the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.) at www.mercedsunstar.com

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PEORIA  For the next two weeks, members of Germany's Air Force will participate in joint exercises with American forces across the country, called Proptoberfest, strengthening the relationship between the two militaries.

Their first stop, though, was in Peoria at the 182nd Airlift Wing of the Illinois Air National Guard.

Performing military exercises with NATO partners "enhances adaptability and preparedness because we're going to be operating throughout the world," said Col. Rusty Ballard, commander of the 182nd.

Ballard, who is originally from Oreana in Macon County, first joined the Army National Guard more than 30 years ago before joining the Air National Guard, he said.

"Threats from all over the world are coming closer to home every day, so we may need those allies," Ballard said.

Strong bonds

Last summer, the 182nd participated in Air Defender 2023, the largest air exercises ever conducted between joint NATO forces.

The 182nd led the aircraft operations for the C-130 Hercules, a tactical troop transport plane used by the U.S. and other countries.

"Air Defender, last year, was more of a holistic approach to an exercise," said Maj. Joseph Chambers, chief of tactics for the 182nd.

That included everything from transport to fighter aircraft and intelligence gathering  "every single platform you could have not only in our inventory, but in all the NATO countries' inventories that we had," Chambers said.

The 182nd worked closely with Germany's Air Transport Wing 62 based out of Wunstorf Air Base, which is about 18 miles from Hanover, Germany, and wanted to return the favor by inviting them to the U.S., Ballard said.

"What we're trying to do is build this relationship based on that previous exercise," he said.

Twenty-two members of Air Transport Wing 62 arrived last weekend with an A400M Atlas, a multi-purpose transport aircraft made by Airbus, Ballard said.

On Tuesday, they worked alongside some 40 members of the 182nd and with two U.S. crafts, including the C-130 Hercules the 182nd used in Air Defender, he said.

"Just like Air Defender, it's getting together to do all the tactics, techniques and procedures that NATO allies do together," Ballard said. "So a lot of mission planning, studying tentative threats, formation flying from point A to point B, supplemental fuel operations, air drops and various other tactics."

Modern and multi-faceted

Proptoberfest was initially slated to include multiple A400M Atlas aircraft, Ballard said, but Germany could only spare one.

But even one of the new aircraft affords a good amount of interoperability training for the joint forces, said Lt. Col. Dimitri Wilk of Air Transport Wing 62.

"The A400 is the most modern airlifter in the western world at the moment. ... It has all the state of the art features in the flight deck (and) in the cargo hold you wish to have for a new airlifter," Wilk said.

The A400M Atlas can serve as a tanker aircraft or troop transport, but another unique feature is its ability to take off from unpaved roadways and climb at a steeper angle than other such aircraft, he said.

"The most important thing if you're in a threat environment is to get out of (small-arm weapons') range, and the faster you climb, the faster you're out of their range," Wilk said.

Onward and upward

From Peoria, Air Transport Wing 62 will travel to Fort Huachuca in Arizona for low level mountain flying, Ballard said.

"From there, we're going to go to Colorado Springs to a high density altitude mountain flying course, land on some unapproved landing surfaces, and then go to California, fly over the Pacific Ocean, down to San Diego and drop some Navy SEALS," he said.

"We wanted to be an accommodating host, just like they were to us, and show them a little bit of the U.S. and what we can provide to them for training," Ballard said.

Proptoberfest is also a major morale booster for troops on both sides, both commanders said.

"It promotes team cohesiveness. It gives somebody something to look forward to," Ballard said.

And it's fun, Wilk added.

"We (would) love to be here more days to see more of Illinois, but, as you heard from Col. Ballard, we have to depart to and see a lot more of the United States. And (there is) a lot of work to do and a lot of fun with the work," he said.

___

(c)2024 The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Ill.)

Visit The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Ill.) at www.pantagraph.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
When you open a Marine Corps tactical publication, you might expect to find the following: lessons on how to fight and win battles, a recap of the service's heritage, and a profusion of spirit unique to the Corps.

"Sustaining the Transformation," the service's latest tactical publication issued Wednesday, is no different in those ways, and its chief concepts are familiar to the service. In fact, Gen. Eric Smith, the commandant of the Marine Corps, essentially says in the foreword that the publication's principles have "endured for nearly 250 years."

But to say it's like most other Marine Corps literature would be a mistake. Inside the 130-odd pages is an uncharacteristically reflective guide for Marines to follow as they embark on their careers, as well as concepts that break with the public perception of Marines -- that is, if you're learning about them only from movies and TV.

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Can a junior Marine question whether their training is best preparing them to fight? Are there times for individuality in an organization known for its strict adherence to conformity? Is there a life after the Corps, according to the Corps itself?

In "Sustaining the Transformation," the answer to those questions is "yes."

"I know it's difficult for someone who may read this; they may be thinking the only focus is to make sure your only mission is to ensure that the Marine is ready to fight," Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlos Ruiz told Military.com in a recent interview. "Yes, agreed. But these are not pieces of furniture. These are people."

The publication is broken down into 10 chapters, including its foreword and conclusion. The bulk focuses on each level of Marine, from junior enlisted Devil Dog to field-grade officer. Writers offer guidance on how to succeed through critical and often difficult career moments, complete with parables and reflections supported by anthropologists, writers and psychologists.

"Regardless of rank, and in the absence of any other Marines, all Marines are at least leaders of themselves," the publication says, for example. Its message is succinct: "Know your Marines and look out for their welfare."

When a Marine joins a new unit, they may have a hard time fitting in and finding friends. When a junior Marine reaches the rank of noncommissioned officer, they may lose those same friends. When a new lieutenant takes command of a platoon, they should be humble -- seeking mentorship -- but confident in their own lived experience. Senior noncommissioned officers and field grade officers are not above mentorship themselves, the publication says.

"Even a senior staff noncommissioned officer who has been in 15-something years, there are still things they need to think about in leading Marines at new levels of responsibilities," retired Marine Maj. Ian Brown, who co-hosts War on the Rocks' "Marine Pulse" podcast and recently interviewed Ruiz about the publication, told Military.com on Friday. "And, oh, by the way, they deserve mentorship too; they deserve somebody guiding and helping them."

Empathy, spiritual health, investing "sacrificially" -- all concepts within "Sustaining the Transformation" that make it more of a mirror to the institution and its people, rather than a straightforward edict. It also charges leaders with removing obstacles that block subordinates from achieving those ideals.

"I want to leave behind the stigma that, if you ask for help, that you're not good, that we're just going to shove you away and you're broken, so there's no recovery for you because you sought mental help, you were having a hard time for a short period of time." Ruiz said. "I want to leave that behind."

He also wants to do away with the leader who "hides behind" their chevrons and uses fear and intimidation. He wants to examine oddities in the Marine Corps, ones that have fallen under the guise of standards for decades but may no longer be appropriate in a 21st-century service.

"There are some things that maybe we should take a look at and say, 'Those no longer apply,'" Ruiz said. "It doesn't mean we're less disciplined. It just means that we need to let go of some baggage in order to move forward."

Ruiz told Military.com that the publication was made for Marines by Marines -- junior and senior. The writing group convened in the summer of 2021 aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, and has spent the last three years curating the publication. It was published Wednesday in tandem with "Leading Marines," a slightly shorter volume that supports the core concepts expressed in "Sustaining the Transformation," but through a lens of leadership.

In an information age in which good and bad actors seek to influence the force, the senior enlisted leader wanted a new -- but rooted -- way for Marines to understand their service, straight from the institution itself.

It is a revision of a same-titled publication from 1999, which was published under the leadership of Gen. Charles Krulak, the 31st commandant of the Marine Corps. It was updated in 2014. That publication served as the foundation for the new guidance, but it generally stopped at the early career stages of the Marine Corps. This one goes further.

Ruiz said that the first 30 days at a unit should be just as important as the last, when Marines are often seen by their peers and superiors as having a foot out the door. He said that it's important to see that Marine through to the next chapter of civilian life, because the experience they had in the Corps may influence the next generation of Marines looking to don the Eagle, Globe and Anchor themselves.

"I speculate that part of why the new version shifts away from this is a larger recognition of changing demographics, challenges in recruiting and retention," Brown said. "[It's] a realization that we can't just fill the gaps in the force by just recruiting our way out of it. We need to retain, and if we're going to retain, that means you need to take a look at what keeps you in, what sustains you to stay in the Marine Corps."

Brown said he wouldn't be surprised if some veterans of the service might be wary of the new publication. For Ruiz, it's just a part of the conversation -- one tied to ideas and values that have always been.

"When one hesitates, the other one will not and then the other one will follow. When one stumbles, the other one picks them up. It's always existed," Ruiz said. "So to that veteran who may think this is soft, I think the reason why they still are connected and would care about that is because of the people that they spent their time with in service."

At the same time, the publication also doesn't shy away from the service's failures. Between recent examples of Marine triumph, such as a junior logistics officer leading her convoy through 50-plus hours of heavy fighting, lie warnings about complacency.

It references attacks on Marines in Beirut, Lebanon, in the early 1980s in which "Marine senior leaders assumed force protection and security procedures were adequate and being handled by forces outside their command. Their failure to assess the capabilities and limitations of both friendly and enemy forces resulted in a deadly enemy attack."

Other examples include a 2013 incident in which a Marine was killed during a training event, and troops being killed by negligent weapon discharges.

"At the very least, complacency creates low morale and missed opportunity," it says. "At worst, it costs lives."

Between the original guidance in 1999, published on the eve of the Global War on Terror, and the recent iteration, the literature represents a book end to that conflict in some ways, with an eye forward.

While Ruiz said that Marines are ready to take on the Middle East if called upon to do so again, that past experience does not guarantee success for the future.

"It is what matters to us, especially as a senior enlisted leader, is that the morale, the proficiency, the discipline, the training of the Marine, continues to evolve to meet the needs of the next fight," he said. If Marines are training based on past experiences, "we're gonna get our ass kicked, and we need to evolve quickly to make sure that we're ready for the next fight."

"You might have done really good 20 years ago," he said. "It ain't gonna be good enough in 10 years."

Related: After a Decade, the Marine Corps Releases New Deception Doctrine
An enlisted American sailor was detained by authorities in Venezuela on Friday and is still being held by the nation, a U.S. official confirmed to Military.com.

The official said Wednesday that the sailor was "not authorized to travel, meaning not on official travel or approved leave" when they were detained. The State Department is working with the Venezuelan authorities to secure the sailor's release, they said.

This sailor is now the third enlisted service member to be held by a hostile country in the span of just over a year: A U.S. soldier was briefly detained in North Korea, and another soldier is imprisoned in Russia. The news of the sailor's detention also comes just days after the Department of Justice announced the seizure of a private jet that was used by Venezuela's leader, President Nicolas Maduro.

Read Next: Astronauts Stuck on Space Station Will Be Brought Back Home by Space Force Guardian

The sailor's detention, which was first reported by CNN, seems to be the latest in a series of events that has showcased the growing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. Those tensions have been building since Venezuela's July 28 election between Maduro and Edmundo Gonzalez, which officials from several countries say was stolen by Maduro.

On Monday, a judge aligned with Maduro's government issued an arrest warrant for Gonzalez after the opposition leader published voting tallies claiming to show Maduro lost the election, according to The Associated Press.

The State Department has long warned U.S. citizens not to travel to Venezuela, citing "a high risk of wrongful detention."

The travel warning also notes that Venezuela's "security forces have detained U.S. citizens for up to five years" and the U.S. "is not generally notified of the detention of U.S. citizens in Venezuela or granted access to U.S. citizen prisoners there."

The unnamed sailor is just the latest in a string of service members to find themselves in the jail of a hostile nation after failing to heed travel warnings.

In May, Staff Sgt. Gordon Black was arrested in Russia and has been in prison there ever since.

Black was assigned to the Eighth Army at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, and was supposed to travel to an Army base in Texas, but he instead flew to Russia to meet his girlfriend, Aleksandra Vashchuk. Social media posts showed that the pair were in a relationship for at least a year while she was in South Korea.

Russian state-run media reported that while Black was in the Russian port city of Vladivostok he and Vashchuk got into an argument, during which he grabbed her by the neck and stole 10,000 rubles -- around $115 -- and spent the money on his hotel room.

The 34-year-old soldier was convicted of stealing and making threats of murder by a Russian court in June, and was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison.

Before Black, Pvt. Travis King drew international attention in July 2023 when he left a tour group and dashed across the Demilitarized Zone into North Korea, which detained him for about two months.

King was also stationed at Camp Humphreys in South Korea and was supposed to board a plane back to the States after a spate of arrests by South Korean authorities led to jail time for him there.

The two cases suggest that the consequences for the sailor now detained in Venezuela will largely depend on whether U.S. officials are able to secure their return.

Lawyers for King said that the soldier reached a plea deal with the Army just last week over some of the charges he faced in the wake of his dash into North Korea.

Meanwhile, the only action the Army has taken on Black was to place him on "CCA," or "Confined Civilian Authority," status on May 13 -- just days before he pleaded guilty in his case.

Related: Army Private Who Ran into North Korea Will Plead Guilty to Desertion, 4 Other Charges as Part of Plea Deal
A new quality assessment of U.S. hospitals by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services gave nearly 58% of Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers the highest four- or five-star ratings -- down 9% from 2023.

The VA scores were still significantly higher than private medical centers, only 40% of which earned four or five stars. The department announced Tuesday that its hospitals also outperformed non-VA facilities on patient satisfaction surveys, which gave 79% of VA hospitals four or five stars, compared with 40% of non-VA hospitals.

Despite the drop in overall scores from last year, VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal told reporters Friday that the ratings were "great news" for veterans and the VA employees who treat them.

Read Next: Enlisted US Sailor Detained in Venezuela as Tensions Between the 2 Countries Simmer

"We're offering more care to more veterans than ever before, and we are exceeding on all metrics, both patient experience metrics and overall hospital quality and patient safety metrics, when we are comparing apples to apples with civilian-sector hospitals," Elnahal said.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, examines hospital mortality, safety of care, readmission rates, patient experience, and timeliness and effectiveness of care to award stars on a five-point scale.

This year, 35 VA hospitals earned a five-star quality rating, one more than last year, and 15 of the 35 also earned five stars on CMS' patient survey ratings.

"Veterans [are] able to see how VA hospitals are comparing to other options they may have in the civilian sector," Elnahal said. "[If] they have Medicare or private health insurance, they can get care at both options. What this will allow is for them to compare, including -- if they qualify for community care, as supported by VA -- choices in the civilian sector."

The new star ratings, which can be found on the Care Compare website, mark the second year the VA was included in the database by CMS, a federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency gave star ratings to 109 VA facilities, with the remaining VA hospitals or medical centers not being rated, either because they don't meet qualification thresholds or the level of metrics needed to assess them.

CMS does not assess specialty hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, or some inpatient care facilities, such as psychiatric hospitals.

In addition to the 35 VA hospitals that earned five stars, 27 earned four stars, 23 earned three stars, 14 earned two stars and 10 earned one star -- up from nine last year but with fluctuations on the one-star list.

Elnahal said the Veterans Health Administration considers these metrics, alongside its internal monitoring systems, when reviewing hospital performance.

"What we do is offer focused attention and support from our headquarters, national improvement office, to those medical centers scoring at the lowest levels on this scale and on our internal scale," Elnahal said. "What this does is it highlights essentially more medical centers that maybe our internal system isn't flagging, and ultimately allows us to get an up-to-date picture as more comprehensive of where we are on this."

The facilities receiving the lowest ratings were the VA Southern Arizona Health Care System in Tucson; Bay Pines VA Health Care System and West Palm Beach VA Medical Center in Florida; Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana; VA New Jersey Health Care System; Syracuse VA Medical Center and VA New York Harbor Health Care System in New York; VA Pittsburgh Health Care System; Providence VA Medical Center in Rhode Island; and VA Caribbean Health Care System in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

New to the one-star list were the VA medical centers in Tucson, New Jersey, Syracuse and New York Harbor Health Care. Those that received one star on last year's list but have since increased their ratings include the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in The Bronx, New York; New Mexico VA Health Care System in Albuquerque; and the Memphis VA Medical Center, Tennessee, all of which are now two-star facilities.

A one-star rating signifies that the facilities performed well below the average for specific measurements, such as death rates for patients with heart failure, surgical complications and pneumonia; readmission rates for certain ailments; hospital-acquired infections; patient satisfaction; and more.

The data for this year's star ratings was collected between July 2019 and March 2023, according to the VA.

According to CMS, its reviewers rated 4,658 hospitals in the U.S., and of those, just 8% received five stars. Star ratings are "limited in scope," CMS officials said, by the data sources from which they are derived.

Among the criticisms of the rankings from advocacy groups and industry associations such as the American Association for Physician Leadership, is that they don't take into account the socioeconomic status of patients or the surrounding community, which may not have access to routine health care and have worse health outcomes for acute and chronic conditions.

CMS also crunches the numbers in a way that may put smaller facilities or hospitals that have a low number of cases or incidents that meet its eligibility criteria at a disadvantage when it comes to the ratings.

VA officials have noted, however, that surveys of veteran patients not only show positive response to VA services but that trust in VA health care remains high.

"Our most recent outpatient survey results show that 92% of veterans trust the care that they get in our clinics and ambulatory settings, so both inpatient and outpatient trust are at all-time highs, and we are beating the private-sector averages on inpatient trust," Elnahal said.

In a statement released Tuesday, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said the metrics help the VA convey its message that it provides quality health services.

"We've made millions more veterans eligible for VA health care under the PACT Act -- and now, we want to make sure that every one of them gets timely access to the world-class care they deserve," McDonough said. "Whenever a veteran sets foot in a VA facility, we want them to know that they are getting the very best care this nation has to offer -- and we won't ever settle for anything less."

Related: A Decade After Scandal, VA Health Care May Be at Another Crossroads
Title: Mate SE carriers?







(Carrier Conundrum: Which Networks Welcome the Huawei Mate SE?)

Chen Jie: OPPO

Internet forums, social media, etc., seem to be filled with peoples opinions on whether or not their carriers supportMate SE. While some argue that its a no-brainer decision for consumers, others point out that carrier neutrality rules dictate that phone manufacturers can only sell to certain networks.

So, who is the first to accept theMate SE? Lets explore this topic further and look at how the current landscape ofcarrier neutrality varies.

First up, lets consider whether Microsoft is the carrier of choice forMate SE. According to sources from Microsoft, they have a strong relationship with the company and would likely offer the best deals forMate SE users. However, this would require Microsoft to negotiate the contract directly with carriers like China Mobile and China Unicom, which might prove challenging.

Secondly, lets take a look at the carrier neutrality status of other companies like Huawei, which currently represents no more than 15% of the global market share. While this could be acceptable for some consumers, it may not align with carrier neutrality regulations.

Finally, lets talk about the development process forMate SE. While there has been a lot of excitement about the device, many carriers have expressed concerns over its safety and privacy implications. Therefore, its important to note thatMate SE is still in the early stages of development, and it will likely face challenges in terms of consumer adoption.







(Carrier Conundrum: Which Networks Welcome the Huawei Mate SE?)

In conclusion, carrier neutrality rules dictate that phone manufacturers can only sell to certain networks, and carriers are expected to follow these rules in order to remain competitive. However, while some argue thatMate SE is worth considering as a potential competitor, others point out that carrier neutrality rules must be followed to ensure consumer and protect the privacy of consumers. As carriers continue to evolve, well see how this issue develops, and what decisions will be made forMate SE.

Inquiry us

if you want to want to know more, please feel free to contact us. (nanotrun@yahoo.com)
The Diamondbacks announced that first baseman Christian Walker has been reinstated from the injured list. He has been out since the end of July due to a strained left oblique. Hell take the roster spot of outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who is heading the other way. Gurriel has been placed on the 10-day IL due to a strained left calf, retroactive to September 2.

The Snakes get one of their lineup regulars back but lose another. Walker hit 23 home runs and produced a batting line of .254/.338/.476 before landing on the IL, production that translated to a 122 wRC+. He also routinely gets strong grades for his defense at first base, so hes been worth 2.7 wins above replacement on the year despite his absence, per the calculations of FanGraphs.

Gurriel departed Sunday game due to some tightness in his calf and was sent for an MRI. Its unclear exactly how much time the club expects him to miss, but the IL placement suggests he needs at least a week or so to rest up. He has 17 home runs and a line of .274/.316/.428 this year, leading to a 104 wRC+. He has strong defensive grades in the outfield as well, leading to a 1.8 fWAR tally on the year.

Subbing in Walker for Gurriel is a slight upgrade for the club in a vacuum, but it will be an interesting roster fit for manager Torey Lovullo to work out. The Snakes acquired Josh Bell to help cover first base in Walkers absence and he has played well since that trade, with a .283/.356/.453 line and 125 wRC+. The designated hitter slot is usually taken by Joc Pederson, who is hitting .280/.400/.533 for a 157 wRC+ this year.

Pederson is faring well in his limited looks against southpaws this year but has notable career splits and has generally been shielded from opposing lefties. Bell is a switch-hitter and should at least be able to take the short side of a platoon with Pederson, but its unclear if hell be able to get more playing time beyond that. Pederson is a poor defender and hasnt been put out into the field at all this year. He got 204 innings in the field with the Giants last year but produced -5 Defensive Runs Saved and -4 Outs Above Average in that limited time.

With Gurriel out, the Snakes have an opportunity to move Pederson out there while opening the DH slot for Bell/Walker, but they will have to weigh the defensive hit against the offensive gain. Randal Grichuk has strong numbers against lefty pitchers this year, 128 wRC+ against them compared to a 96 wRC+ without the platoon advantage. Theoretically, he could take the field against southpaws with Bell as the DH, then Pederson could take the field against righties. Though perhaps they might simply prefer to have Grichuk out there since hes a stronger defender than Pederson, perhaps factoring in the pitcher and opposing lineup, calculating whether they think the left fielder will see a lot of action on a given day.
HAYNES TOWNSHIP, MI  The remains of a 144-year-old shipwreck rest in three feet of water in Lake Huron.

The Marine City passenger ship caught fire on Aug. 29, 1880. Five people were lost.

The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary marked the 144th anniversary of the shipwreck with a Facebook post.

While sailing just off Sturgeon Point in Alcona County, passengers and crew members noticed smoke coming from the engine room. The fire quickly engulfed the ship. Panicked passengers began to leap into the water to escape the fire.

RELATED: Michigans shipwreck alley has 7 shallow sites perfect to snorkel, paddle

Fortunately, the heroic actions of the vessels crew, nearby vessels, and the Sturgeon Point Lifesaving Station prevented a total disaster, the post said. The entire crew survived, but 5 of the nearly 150 passengers were listed as lost.

The steamer was burned down to the waterline.

What remains of the Marine City now rest in about three feet of water north of the Sturgeon Point Light.

RELATED: Maritime heritage trail spanning 5 counties gets new signs featuring Lake Huron shipwrecks

While the fire devoured most of the upper hull and cabins, the lower hull, boiler fragments, and machinery remain to be explored by snorkelers, paddlers, and even beach walkers, officials said.

The 4,300-square-mile sanctuary protects a nationally significant collection of nearly 100 historic shipwrecks in Lake Huron.
In just 24 hours since its release, a Detroit Lions-themed Nike running shoe has sold out, leaving many fans scrambling to find a pair.

On Tuesday, the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus hit the Fanatics website at $149.99. The sleek Honolulu Blue and Silver shoe was offered, giving fans plenty of options to show their team spirit.

By Wednesday afternoon, the excitement had apparently reached a fever pitch, with no sizes left to purchase on Fanatics. At this time, theres no further plan to restock the shoe.

But theres still a glimmer of hope. If youre determined to score a pair, the official Nike online store has a limited stock available.

The Lions open the 2024 season on Sunday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field.
Chicago alternative/rock music festival Riot Fest runs from Friday, September 20 through Sunday, September 22. Get tickets to attend the festivals longtime home venue featuring artists like Fall Out Boy, Pavement, and Slayer.

Fall Out Boy performs in London, England, on March 16, 2023.Redferns

Purchase single, two, and three-day tickets on Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, StubHub, and Ticketmaster  plus, find passes via the Riot Fest website.

Now happily returned to its Douglass Park home in Chicagos North Lawndale and Little Village neighborhoods, Riot Fest is set to begin on Friday, September 20. This years festival was originally meant to be held at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, reportedly due to unsuccessful negotiations with the Chicago Park District, Our exodus is solely because of the Chicago Park District. the fest released in a statement two months ago.

Although, with recent fan and city support, the fest was able to make yet another switch last month, posting a Were Back. announcement on the website on August 14. Citing their commitment to the parks surrounding communities, festival goers, and the city itself at the core of the last-minute venue change, festival organizers appear eager to make this year in Douglass Park beneficial for both Riot Fest and Chicago, Were not just coming home  were coming back stronger, with an even greater purpose and doubling down on our commitment to Chicago, our fans, and our community. Riot Fest was born and bred here; its where we belong.

Headlining the three-day music festival on Friday is Fall Out Boy, followed by Beck and Pavement on Saturday, and Slayer on Sunday. The lineup also includes an array of pop-punk, alternative, metal, alternative rock, and straight up punk artists, featuring Rob Zombie, The Offspring, Sum 41, St. Vincent, Descendents, Dr. Dog, Sublime, Lamb of God, Mastodon, and more.

Find both single-day, two-day, and full-festival passes available on Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, StubHub, and/or Ticketmaster, as well as through the official Riot Fest ticket provider.

Single & 3-day tickets:

3-day pass  Vivid Seats from $206 | SeatGeek from $207 | StubHub from $154

Fri, Sept 20  Vivid Seats from $116 | SeatGeek from $128 | StubHub from $83 | Ticketmaster from $278

Sat, Sept 21  Vivid Seats from $110 | SeatGeek from $123 | StubHub from $85

Sun, Sept 22  Vivid Seats from $125 | SeatGeek from $149 | StubHub from $84 | Ticketmaster from $176

2-Day tickets:

Friday/Saturday  Vivid Seats from $211 | SeatGeek from $230 | StubHub from $117

Friday/Sunday  Vivid Seats from $268 | StubHub from $177

Saturday/Sunday  Vivid Seats from $289 | SeatGeek from $317 | StubHub from $173
CHARLEVOIX COUNTY, MI -- Drivers who fail to stop for school buses in Charlevoix may end up receiving a visit from the local police thanks to the districts newly acquired buses. According to UpNorthLive, the buses are equipped with multiple high-definition cameras that cover the front and back of each bus, allowing for quality images to be captured.

The cameras will capture pictures of license plates that can then be turned over to police as evidence. Those pictures will be specifically helpful for bus drivers who encounter other motorists who fail to stop when buses are picking up or dropping off students.

Motorists are supposed to slow down when school buses have their yellow lights flashing and are required by state law to stop 20 feet away from school buses that have their red lights activated. However, drivers dont always follow the law, which can put students and other drivers in danger.

Charlevoix Public Schools Transportation Supervisor Ken Rogers said the goal is not to try to get more people to receive tickets, but to make them motorists more aware of school buses and to remind them to start slowing down when they see yellow lights.
Ten Michigan colleges and universities are featured in this years Best 390 Colleges rankings for 2025, from smaller private schools to large public institutions.

The publications rankings are based on student surveys on multiple topics, including academics such as classroom experience, quality of life, diversity, life in the college town, extracurriculars and social scenes. The methodology can be found here.

This ranking is different than the Princeton Reviews ratings system, which scores schools from 60-99 on a variety of metrics.

The Best 390 Colleges ranking list schools alphabetically. The ranking includes:

Albion College

Calvin University in Grand Rapids

Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti

Hillsdale College

Kalamazoo College

Kettering University in Flint

Lawrence Technological University in Southfield

Michigan State University

Michigan Technological University

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Each school has a summary of what students said in the surveys. For instance, Albion College was described as providing undergraduates with a rigorous but rewarding academic experience replete with huge opportunities.

In a story about the rankings from Eastern Michigan University, officials highlighted those students found professors to be accessible, that students are active on campus with diverse interests and that new housing is available through the $200-million Welcome Home 2025 project.

The full rankings can be found here.

In addition to the student surveys, Princeton Review also listed which Michigan universities have the best return on investment. University of Michigan ranked No. 7 overall among public universities, while Michigan Technological University ranked No. 33.

If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools.
ANN ARBOR, MI  A 21-year-old University of Michigan student is in critical condition after he was struck by a vehicle Wednesday afternoon while riding a scooter.

Police closed the intersection of Hill and Packard streets, blocks from campus, around 12:45 p.m. Sept. 4 after a crash between the man and the moving car, said Chris Page, spokesperson for the Ann Arbor police.

The man was taken to the hospital.

The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and is cooperating with police, Page said. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be factors in the crash.

A similar crash between a scooter and a car on Oakland Avenue and Hill Street resulted in the death of a 21-year-old man in July 2023.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page, the Ypsilanti-area news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.
ANN ARBOR, MI -- If youre looking for quality Texas barbecue in Michigan, then you may want to check out a restaurant in Ann Arbor, according to a recent list released by Texas Monthly.

Ricewood, in Ann Arbor, has made the list of the top 53 places - outside of Texas - to get your fix for barbecue. The magazines national list features places that Texas Monthlys barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn decided are the best after traveling to 37 states during 16 months to try 149 Texas-style barbecue places.

Related: Michigans Best Local Eats: Ricewood keeps barbeque simple with salt and pepper rub, Asian-style sides

Ricewood, owned by Gabe Golub and his half-brother Frank Fejeran, has locations in the York complex at 1928 Packard St. and at 245 N. Maple Road.

I was over the moon, Golub said. Daniel Vaughn is without a doubt one of the most prestigious barbecue reviewers in the world. (This is) pretty equivalent to a Michelin Star in the Texas-barbecue world.

Texas Monthly has become known for a list it releases every four years of the top 50 barbecue places in Texas. The magazines next list is coming out in 2025.

This is the first year Texas Monthly released its list for the United States of Texas Barbecue. Restaurants that were considered had to be a part of the lower 48 states, consider themselves Texas-style joints and have permanent locations with predictable hours.

I think anyone that is into Texas barbecuing and that kind of culture knows Daniel Vaughn and understands what it means to be written up in Texas Monthly, Golub said.

Related: Ricewood opens second real barbecue location in Ann Arbor

Ricewood has become known for its rice bowls, its sandwiches withs pulled pork or barbecued brisket and its meat by the pound like spareribs and pork belly.

Although rice bowls dont sound like a traditional Texas barbecue offering, Vaughn wrote, he said Ricewoods owners have made it so by adding a half a pound of smoked meat to the bowls.

Sliced brisket is the most popular topping for the rice bowls, but I preferred the slices of pork belly so tender they melted in my mouth, along with some lightly pickled cucumbers and house-made kimchi, he wrote.

Vaughn went on to share that each rice bowl is topped with a sweetened vinegar habanero sauce that comes in three levels of heat made with a recipe from Fejerans mom.

Ricewood prepares its meat early in the morning and trims all the meat by hand while keeping seasoning to a minimum with salt and pepper and wood smoking it.

The mention in Vaughns article is a really big deal for the business and just reaffirms that Ricewood is on the right track with creating super consistent and high quality meals, Golub said.

For us, its just about keeping it going and keeping the quality up and keeping our standards where they need to be, he said. If he ever comes out with that list again, I would love to be in the top 10. I would love to keep elevating what we do until were ranked in the No. 1 spot.

The lists top 10 includes restaurants like Palmira Barbecue in South Carolina, Prime Barbecue in North Carolina, Owens & Hull in Georgia and Moos Craft Barbecue in California.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- Theres a new gym in Washtenaw County that aims to be a resource for children, especially those with special needs.

We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym opened at the end of August at 4370 Varsity Drive, Suite A, just outside Ann Arbor, in Pittsfield Township. The sensory-friendly gym is the first in Michigan for the international franchise that began in California in 2010.

The gym caters to children with autism, special needs and neurotypical development, but any child is welcome.

Every franchise location offers classes, day camp opportunities, arts and crafts and open play. It costs $16 for open play, and $15 for each sibling after that. Customers can also purchase monthly memberships.

I think the thing I am most excited about is providing a resource, said owner Robin Hall.

The location has 12 pieces of therapeutic equipment designed to help with many of the sensory processing issues that children on the spectrum may face. The space has sensory swings, a rock wall, zip sliders, a teen lounge and a calming room for when children are overstimulated.

We want to make sure that its inclusive of as many special needs as possible, Hall said, adding there is a mix of play equipment that can be found in other indoor play spaces too.

This is Halls first real adventure into entrepreneurship, she said.

She decided to open the franchise location after struggling to find a comfortable play place for her 5-year-old son, Donovan, who has autism spectrum disorder with moderate support needs.

We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym during its grand opening on Aug. 31 at 4370 Varsity Drive, Suite A.Photo Courtesy Robin Hall

Hall has a degree in civil and environmental engineering and worked as a municipal engineering consultant for several years before getting a masters in business administration from Michigan State University. She has spent more than 10 years in technology sales.

After a stressful encounter with a play space, Hall began to search for nearby businesses that could work for her three children. She was left with only a few options and an advertisement for We Rock the Spectrum.

Hall decided to take a risk and run her own franchise.

Its really challenging when you have a special needs child to find a place for them to be themselves and not have to apologize for their behavior, she said. Having a place where they can just be themselves is critical.

The new locations main goal is to become a place where you never have to say youre sorry, Hall said.

Neurotypical children and adults can be integrated into their play (as well) so they are more comfortable and can know what to expect, so its not as ostracized, she said.

The new indoor play place will also be a spot for birthday parties, private events and field trips. Hall plans to work with local organizations, schools and nonprofits for future collaborations.

She intends to open two more gyms in Michigan over the next couple of years. She isnt sharing the locations, but Hall said others are opening in Grand Rapids, Escanaba and elsewhere.

Within the next couple months, the location is to offer more events and programming, including special activities for holidays.

The new gym is open 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday through Sunday with open play ending at 2 p.m. Learn more online, on social media or by phone at 734-623-9422.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A 66-year-old man who robbed the same bank twice -- the second time just days after being released from jail -- has been sentenced to prison.

John Leon Tipton was sentenced to 12 to 30 years prison Wednesday, Sept. 4, for armed robbery. Police say he robbed a Fifth Third Bank branch at 28th Street SW and Michael Avenue on March 22.

He robbed the same bank on Aug. 11, 2022.

In court Wednesday, Tiptons attorney said his client has worsening dementia and a prison sentence seems like a sad last chapter for him.

Tipton used a walker to help him enter and leave the courtroom.

According to court records, he robbed the bank in March just days after his March 7 jail release for the previous robbery.

Judge Christina Elmore noted that Tipton has 14 prior felonies and nine misdemeanors.

Elmore said Tipton caused fear among bank employees.

The police investigation showed that Tipton walked into the branch in March and told a teller he needed cash. Then, the conversation became more serious.

You told her I have a pistol and Im going to kill you if you dont give me all the money, Elmore said.

After getting away with cash, police tracked down Tipton later the same day in a hotel parking lot. He had some of the stolen cash with him.

Tiptons attorney, in talking about his clients past, said he did have some good periods in his life that included faithful service to his country.

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OTTAWA COUNTY, MI  A motorcyclist suffered serious injuries Tuesday, Sept. 3, when he lost control of his motorcycle on I-96 and crashed.

The man was taken by Life EMS ambulance to Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital.
SAGINAW, MI  Every time Mya Palacio hears a siren, shes transported to the day her father was killed while riding his motorcycle through rural Saginaw County.

Losing my father was the worst pain Ive ever felt, Palacio told Saginaw County District Judge Terry L. Clark on Sept. 3. Life without my dad doesnt make sense.

She appeared before the judge nearly a year to the day after her 54-year-old father, Kevin J. Palacio, was killed along with his beloved friend, Amanda L. Klich, 45, on Sept. 19, 2023.

Seated nearby and awaiting sentencing was 23-year-old Jenna E. Vargas, who in July pleaded guilty to one count of reckless driving, a 93-day misdemeanor. In exchange, prosecutors dismissed two counts of reckless driving causing death, a one-year misdemeanor.

After visiting a relative in East Lansing, Vargas had been driving an SUV north on M-52 (South Oakley Road) near Harris Road in Brady Township. Kevin Palacio and Klich rode a motorcycle heading in the opposite direction.

Vargas crossed into the southern lane to pass another vehicle and crashed into the motorcycle. First responders pronounced Palacio and Klich deceased at the scene, while Vargas was uninjured.

Since her fathers death, Mya Palacio has been beset with panic attacks, unable to breathe with her heart seemingly beating out of her chest.

He wasnt just a dad but my hero, the one person I knew had my back through thick and thin, the grieving daughter continued. I looked up to my dad for everything. I aspire to be more like him  loving, kind, and gracious.

She described her fathers love as the strongest force in the universe. He loved hosting family gatherings and had a forgiving nature, something his daughter said shes struggling to adopt.

Kevin Palacios sister, April Palacio, sobbed as she spoke, with Clark telling her to take her time. Her brother was killed two days before her birthday, permanently staining the date for her. Their mother is also bereft, often saying she wants to be with her late son, she said.

We are so heartbroken, confused, and numb, April Palacio said through her tears. Its like we dont even know how to navigate this life anymore without Kevin. Everything is different and nothing will ever be the same again.

Vargas looked at April Palacio and nodded along as she spoke. Her attorney, Sara K. Coaster, faced Palacios family and offered them her condolences. She recalled Vargas visiting her office the day after the crash.

The young woman I saw in my office was a shell of a human being, catatonic and devastated, Coaster said. She knew the loss she had caused. She knew the holes she caused in these two families and the ripple effect is absolutely devastating.

Vargas has been diagnosed with PTSD since the crash. She had no drugs or alcohol in her system when the crash occurred and she was not using her phone at the time, Coaster said.

Speaking for herself, Vargas likewise described Sept. 19, 2023, as the worst day of her life.

It breaks my heart to go on with my life like everything is fine cause its not, she said. Ive struggled immensely with survivors guilt and felt I didnt deserve to be happy because of the fatalities and the families I ruined.

She added she did not expect forgiveness, stating her pain is a fraction of what Palacio and Kilchs families feel.

Vargas told the deceaseds relatives she will carry the burden of their deaths forever.

That day did change me and I can either allow it to tear me down or I can become a better person because of it, she said. It was a terrible accident, but it was my accident.

Judge Clark told the Palacios he feels their pain. He encouraged them and Vargas to continue participating in therapy so they can overcome their pain.

Saying he struggled with fashioning Vargas sentence, Clark ordered her to pay a fine of $500  the maximum allowed  along with $675 in fines and costs. He gave Vargas until Nov. 3 to pay the debt in full. If she fails to do so, shell have to spend 92 days in jail.

Before Vargas left the courtroom, Clark again encouraged her to forgive herself.

You will carry this, he said. I dont know how you do overcome this. I honestly dont. Its gonna take a whole lot of therapy for you to move forward.
SAGINAW TWP, MI  Police have arrested a man who left a womans dead body in a Saginaw Township hotel. What caused the womans death, though, remains unknown.

The matter began about 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1, when police responded to Rodeway Inn & Suites, 4930 St. Marys Lane. A person there had called 911 after a man he knew only by his nickname invited him into room 324.Once inside, he saw a deceased woman under covers on a bed, according to Saginaw County Central Dispatch recordings available on Broadcastify.com.

The caller told dispatchers the man had told him the woman died of natural causes.

The man left the scene before police arrived, entering some woods near the hotel and Interstate 675, police said.

Inside room 324, officers found the body of 46-year-old Teressa M. Johnson. Her body bore several injuries, police said.

Police erected a perimeter, deploying a drone and K-9 units in hopes of locating the man who fled. Around 4 p.m., a tipster called police to report spotting the man near the Speedway at 2215 Tittabawassee Road. Officers responded and arrested the man after finding him in a wooded area.

After interviewing the 46-year-old man, police lodged him in the Saginaw County Jail on single counts of assault with intent to murder and concealing the death of an individual. MLive is not divulging his name until he has been arraigned in court.

An autopsy has been conducted but the pathologist did not rule Johnson died of a homicide, Saginaw Township Police Detective Sgt. Chad Brooks said. Further analysis is pending to determine Johnsons cause and manner of death.

Brooks described Johnson and the male as transients who stay at various locales in campers and hotels. The man is a registered sex offender in the state of Florida, though his convictions stem from crimes that occurred in Genesee County. He was sentenced to prison in 2012 after pleading no contest to second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

The registry lists Midland County as the pairs last known address.
SAGINAW, MI  Responding to social media-based uproar that included misinformation and confusion on the first day of classes at the brand-new Saginaw United High School, district leaders issued a statement attempting to provide clarity.

Social media users on Tuesday, Sept. 3, complained some children were rejected enrollment at the $85 million school on its first day. Some comments seemed to suggest teenagers were turned away and given no other options, which led to uproar in comments shared on multiple Facebook group pages.

That uproar amounted to confusion about the status of those students and failed to recognize school policy that provides a path to enrollment at Saginaw United High, Superintendent Ramont Roberts said in a statement uploaded to the districts Facebook page the next day.

Accompanying that statement, the district on its Facebook page uploaded a letter sent to parents in February that explained students who did not meet academic credit criteria for the new school would be enrolled at The Success Academy, a district-operated alternative school at 1000 Tuscola.

There, students would receive the opportunity to elevate their academic credit status to meet the criteria necessary to later enroll at Saginaw United, as explained in the letter from February.

Saginaw Public Schools takes the academic preparation of students seriously, Roberts said in his statement. As such, we have found that intervening early in a students high school career is the most successful approach to ensuring that a student graduates on schedule.

The February letter  which district officials said was delivered to parents of impacted students  featured the Saginaw Public Schools letterhead and a subject that read, Urgent: Academic Progress Notification.

This letter is to inform you that, based on first semester grades, your child is not meeting the minimum credit requirements necessary to stay on track for graduation, the letter read.

The letter cited a board policy that outlined how a student lands in the Success Academy as well as alternatives to the measure, including summer school.

That board policy  policy no. 5410  was adopted by the Saginaw Public Schools Board of Education in September 2019, district records show.

The credit requirements to attend Saginaw United for freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors were listed in the letter sent to parents last winter.

It is our hope that his clears up any confusion regarding the enrollment process for Saginaw United High School and our intention to make certain that all students stay on track to be academically prepared and graduate on time, Roberts said.

About 1,100 students began classes at Saginaw United High Tuesday, nearly four years after voters approved the $100 million school bond that largely paid for construction of the five-story, 212,000-square-foot building across the river from downtown Saginaw.

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A large patch of wildfire smoke is moving into Michigan now. Heres the forecast for its movement across our state.

With the clear skies now we can definitely get a good look at the smoke location on the satellite imagery. The smoke is moving southeast out of southern Canada, the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin into northwest Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

Smoke shows up on satellite as milky white area moving from Minnesota to the northern half of Wisconsin into the Upper Peninsula and northwest Lower Michigan.NOAA

The best computer model we have at forecasting the movement and thickness of upper-level smoke is just below. When the model shows orange and red over the sky its noticeably thick smoke. Aqua and blue are thinner patches of smoke.

Smoke forecast from 5 p.m. Tuesday, September 3 to noon Thursday, September 5.NOAA

Wildfire smoke should thicken over Lower Michigan skies tonight. Wednesday will ba a hazy day with lots of wildfire smoke in the air. Everything then shows the smoke rolling out of Michigan during Thursday.

This wont be a long lasting bout with smoke in the air. We are now into the time of year when the strong westerly jetstream winds carry storm systems through the Great Lakes every few days. The next strong cold front will bring a line of thunderstorms through Friday. The rain and northern wind after the frontal passage will scour the smoke out of the air.

Also it will be unstable in the chilly northwest wind flow this weekend. This makes clouds over Michigan and doesnt allow us to see wildfire smoke.

But tonights sunset, tomorrow mornings sunrise and Wednesday nights sunset could be stellar smoky sky shows from nature. Keep your eye on the sky as dusk and dawn approach.
On September 3, the 75th International Executive Council meeting of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) was held in Sydney, Australia, and the 2024 (11th batch) World Heritage Irrigation Structure (WHIS) was released. The Huizhou Weirs (hui ba) were successfully made the list. This marks the third such honor for Anhui Province.

The World Heritage Irrigation Structure is a cultural heritage conservation project overseen by the ICID, with evaluations beginning in 2014. Unlike the UNESCO World Heritage List, the World Heritage Irrigation Structure focuses on exploring and promoting the history of irrigation development and its impact on civilization, learning from the sustainable irrigation wisdom of ancient peoples, and protecting precious historical and cultural heritage.

The Huizhou Weirs are part of an ancient irrigation system in Huizhou. The ancestors of Huizhou "built weirs to block water, excavated ponds to store water, and constructed channels to divert water," with the Huizhou weirs as the core of a sophisticated irrigation system that includes mountain ponds, channels, water inlets, water streets, and wells, all harmonizing with nature.

Since the Eastern Jin Dynasty, more than 500 ancient Huizhou weirs have been built, accumulating water sources that are channeled into fields and villages for production and daily living.

This ancient irrigation heritage culture that still exists today embodies a unique management system characterized by "multiple water sources, efficient complementarity, upper ponds and lower weirs, systematic flow control, community water coexistence, interception, storage, and drainage, three-dimensional flood prevention, ecological circulation, and harmonious human-water relationships," still playing an essential role today.

By restoring the ancient water transport functions of the Huizhou Weirs along the Fengle River and linking cultural relics and natural landscapes along the route, a dynamic belt is formed. Today, ancient irrigation projects like Leihui Weir and Luhui Weir attract numerous tourists for sightseeing and photography, becoming popular check-in spots that showcase the new vitality of irrigation heritage in its preservation and transmission!





Source: anhuinews.com
Amcor plc (NYSE:AMCR  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Thursday, August 15th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Friday, September 6th will be paid a dividend of 0.125 per share on Thursday, September 26th. This represents a $0.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 6th.

Amcor has increased its dividend payment by an average of 2.1% annually over the last three years. Amcor has a payout ratio of 67.6% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Amcor to earn $0.77 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.50 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 64.9%.

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Amcor Stock Down 1.2 %

AMCR opened at $11.30 on Wednesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $10.38 and a 200-day moving average of $9.85. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.11, a P/E/G ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.86. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. Amcor has a 1-year low of $8.45 and a 1-year high of $11.45.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Amcor ( NYSE:AMCR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 15th. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.21. Amcor had a net margin of 5.35% and a return on equity of 25.45%. The company had revenue of $3.54 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.30 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.19 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 3.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Amcor will post 0.75 earnings per share for the current year.

Several analysts have recently weighed in on AMCR shares. Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on Amcor in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. They set a hold rating and a $10.80 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Amcor from $9.80 to $10.50 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, August 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Amcor from $10.00 to $11.10 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on Amcor from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, August 16th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price objective on Amcor from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Amcor currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $10.73.

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Amcor Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Amcor plc develops, produces, and sells packaging products in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia Pacific regions. The company operates through two segments, Flexibles and Rigid Packaging. The Flexibles segment provides flexible and film packaging products in the food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical, fresh produce, snack food, personal care, and other industries.

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Shares of Azul S.A. (NYSE:AZUL  Get Free Report) shot up 5.1% on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $2.70 and last traded at $2.67. 2,254,708 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 24% from the average session volume of 1,815,116 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.54.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AZUL has been the subject of several recent research reports. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Azul in a research report on Friday, May 24th. They set an equal weight rating and a $7.40 price objective for the company. Barclays lowered their price objective on Azul from $10.00 to $4.50 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of Azul from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on shares of Azul from $8.00 to $6.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Azul currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $9.60.

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Azul Stock Up 1.2 %

The company has a market cap of $1.08 billion, a PE ratio of -1.11 and a beta of 2.00. The companys fifty day moving average is $4.14 and its 200-day moving average is $5.67.

Azul (NYSE:AZUL  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, August 12th. The company reported ($1.23) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.60) by ($0.63). The business had revenue of $800.65 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $791.43 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned ($0.81) earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Azul S.A. will post -1.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Azul

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Signaturefd LLC increased its stake in shares of Azul by 35.9% in the second quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 10,649 shares of the companys stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 2,812 shares in the last quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Azul by 19.4% in the first quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 18,699 shares of the companys stock worth $145,000 after acquiring an additional 3,042 shares during the period. Aigen Investment Management LP bought a new stake in Azul during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $214,000. Coronation Fund Managers Ltd. raised its stake in Azul by 16.0% during the 1st quarter. Coronation Fund Managers Ltd. now owns 24,961 shares of the companys stock valued at $194,000 after purchasing an additional 3,450 shares during the period. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP lifted its holdings in Azul by 310.0% in the 1st quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 31,813 shares of the companys stock worth $247,000 after purchasing an additional 24,054 shares in the last quarter. 0.82% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Azul

(Get Free Report)

Azul SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides air transportation services in Brazil and internationally. As of December 31, 2023, the company operated approximately 1,000 daily departures to 160 destinations through a network of 300 non-stop routes with an operating fleet of 183 aircraft and a passenger contractual fleet of 189 aircraft.

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BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:FNGD  Get Free Report)s share price gapped up before the market opened on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $26.85, but opened at $27.40. BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN shares last traded at $26.63, with a volume of 339,371 shares trading hands.

BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN Trading Down 2.3 %

The firms fifty day moving average price is $24.52 and its 200 day moving average price is $31.20. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.12 billion, a PE ratio of 37.73 and a beta of -5.03.

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Institutional Trading of BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN stock. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. purchased a new position in shares of BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:FNGD  Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 1,165 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $43,000.

About BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN

The MicroSectors FANG+ Index -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (FNGD) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the NYSE FANG+ index. The fund tracks -3x the daily price movements of an index of technology and consumer discretionary companies. The note uses derivatives to achieve its -3x exposure. FNGD was launched on Jan 25, 2018 and is issued by REX Microsectors.

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Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE:BKD  Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 12,970,000 shares, a drop of 6.6% from the July 31st total of 13,880,000 shares. Approximately 7.5% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 2,000,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 6.5 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have issued reports on BKD. StockNews.com downgraded Brookdale Senior Living from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Friday, June 7th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $9.00 target price on shares of Brookdale Senior Living in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Finally, Macquarie initiated coverage on shares of Brookdale Senior Living in a report on Friday, June 28th. They issued an outperform rating and a $7.50 price target on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $7.50.

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Brookdale Senior Living Trading Down 0.5 %

Shares of BKD opened at $7.08 on Wednesday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $7.27 and its two-hundred day moving average is $6.78. The stock has a market cap of $1.37 billion, a PE ratio of -9.19 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.21, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. Brookdale Senior Living has a 12 month low of $3.62 and a 12 month high of $8.12.

Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE:BKD  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported ($0.17) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.13) by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $777.54 million for the quarter. Brookdale Senior Living had a negative net margin of 6.75% and a negative return on equity of 51.31%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned ($0.15) EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Brookdale Senior Living will post -0.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Brookdale Senior Living

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. nVerses Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Brookdale Senior Living during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in Brookdale Senior Living during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Brookdale Senior Living during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $52,000. Sei Investments Co. acquired a new position in shares of Brookdale Senior Living in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $81,000. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Brookdale Senior Living by 25.0% during the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 13,966 shares of the companys stock valued at $92,000 after buying an additional 2,790 shares during the last quarter.

Brookdale Senior Living Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Brookdale Senior Living Inc owns, manages, and operates senior living communities in the United States. It operates in three segments: Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). The Independent Living segment owns or leases communities comprising independent and assisted living units in a single community that are primarily designed for middle to upper income seniors.

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China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited (OTCMKTS:CMHHY  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $14.76 and last traded at $14.76, with a volume of 0 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $14.76.

China Merchants Port Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $14.76 and a 200 day simple moving average of $13.51.

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China Merchants Port Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 12th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 25th were paid a $0.5644 dividend. This is an increase from China Merchants Ports previous dividend of $0.54. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 25th.

China Merchants Port Company Profile

China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited, an investment holding company, operates as a port operator in Mainland China, Brazil, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and internationally. The company operates through Ports Operation, Bonded Logistics Operation, and Other Operations segments. It engages in the container, and bulk and general cargo terminal operation; logistic park operation, ports transportation, and airport cargo handling; and property development, holding, and investment activities.

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Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of Hold by the eleven analysts that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have issued a hold recommendation and three have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $130.18.

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Choice Hotels International from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and set a $120.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Friday, July 19th. UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $126.00 to $125.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Truist Financial dropped their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $146.00 to $144.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $114.00 to $112.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $137.00 to $134.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 12th.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Choice Hotels International

In other Choice Hotels International news, insider Patrick Cimerola sold 13,259 shares of Choice Hotels International stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.08, for a total transaction of $1,658,435.72. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 23,461 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,934,501.88. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . In related news, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 13,117 shares of Choice Hotels International stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.45, for a total value of $1,632,410.65. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 69,171 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,608,330.95. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Also, insider Patrick Cimerola sold 13,259 shares of Choice Hotels International stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.08, for a total transaction of $1,658,435.72. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 23,461 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,934,501.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders own 24.02% of the companys stock.

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of CHH. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Choice Hotels International by 77.2% in the 2nd quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC now owns 4,105,796 shares of the companys stock valued at $488,590,000 after buying an additional 1,788,563 shares in the last quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. grew its stake in Choice Hotels International by 144.2% in the 4th quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 939,114 shares of the companys stock valued at $106,402,000 after buying an additional 554,479 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Choice Hotels International by 7.7% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,738,088 shares of the companys stock valued at $345,957,000 after buying an additional 195,956 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC grew its stake in Choice Hotels International by 917.2% in the 2nd quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 161,799 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,254,000 after buying an additional 145,893 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in Choice Hotels International by 51.5% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 266,950 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,767,000 after buying an additional 90,765 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 65.57% of the companys stock.

Choice Hotels International Stock Performance

Shares of CHH opened at $126.45 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 177.75, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.99. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $124.11 and a 200-day moving average of $120.72. The company has a market cap of $5.97 billion, a PE ratio of 27.14, a P/E/G ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 1.23. Choice Hotels International has a one year low of $108.91 and a one year high of $134.44.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $1.84 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.86 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $435.20 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $438.29 million. Choice Hotels International had a net margin of 15.42% and a negative return on equity of 3,953.67%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.75 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Choice Hotels International will post 6.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Choice Hotels International

(Get Free Report

Choice Hotels International, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a hotel franchisor in the United States and internationally. It operates through Hotel Franchising & Management and Corporate & Other segments. The company franchises lodging properties under the brand names of Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Clarion Pointe, Sleep Inn, Ascend Hotel Collection, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, MainStay Suites, Suburban Studios, WoodSpring Suites, Everhome Suites, Cambria Hotels, Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Radisson, Park Plaza, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Radisson Inn & Suites, Park Inn by Radisson, Radisson Individuals, and Radisson Collection.

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Corpay, Inc. (NYSE:CPAY  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,980,000 shares, a decrease of 7.5% from the July 31st total of 2,140,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 459,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.3 days. Currently, 3.0% of the companys stock are short sold.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on CPAY shares. Raymond James lowered their price objective on shares of Corpay from $330.00 to $311.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 8th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on shares of Corpay from $360.00 to $350.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, May 9th. Bank of America dropped their target price on Corpay from $331.00 to $310.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Wolfe Research upgraded Corpay from an underperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $310.00 price target on shares of Corpay in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $332.50.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Corpay

Corpay Trading Down 0.4 %

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of CPAY. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Corpay during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Corpay in the 1st quarter worth $31,000. LGT Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Corpay during the second quarter worth $33,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Corpay in the first quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, RFP Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Corpay during the first quarter valued at about $35,000. Institutional investors own 98.84% of the companys stock.

NYSE CPAY opened at $314.37 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $286.64. Corpay has a 1-year low of $220.39 and a 1-year high of $319.94.

Corpay (NYSE:CPAY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $4.55 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.51 by $0.04. Corpay had a return on equity of 38.93% and a net margin of 26.41%. The company had revenue of $975.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $973.84 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $3.85 earnings per share. Corpays revenue was up 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Corpay will post 17.81 earnings per share for the current year.

About Corpay

(Get 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.

Further Reading

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Arkema (OTCMKTS:ARKAY  Get Free Report) and Superdry (OTCMKTS:SEPGY  Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, risk, earnings, valuation, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and profitability.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Arkema and Superdrys 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 Arkema $10.30 billion 0.67 $452.40 million $5.06 18.05 Superdry $655.98 million 0.01 -$177.94 million N/A N/A

Arkema has higher revenue and earnings than Superdry.

Volatility & Risk

Analyst Ratings

Arkema has a beta of 1.27, suggesting that its stock price is 27% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Superdry has a beta of 2.4, suggesting that its stock price is 140% more volatile than the S&P 500.

This is a summary of recent recommendations for Arkema and Superdry, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Arkema 0 0 1 0 3.00 Superdry 0 0 0 0 N/A

Profitability

This table compares Arkema and Superdrys net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Arkema 3.80% 8.18% 4.30% Superdry N/A N/A N/A

Summary

Arkema beats Superdry on 7 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

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.

About Superdry

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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.

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Fortem Financial Group LLC decreased its holdings in shares of General Electric (NYSE:GE  Free Report) by 8.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 3,212 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 300 shares during the period. Fortem Financial Group LLCs holdings in General Electric were worth $511,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in General Electric by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 88,444,222 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $11,288,136,000 after purchasing an additional 550,996 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors increased its position in shares of General Electric by 9.9% in the 1st quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 59,100,643 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $10,373,936,000 after acquiring an additional 5,309,543 shares during the period. Capital World Investors raised its stake in General Electric by 2,818.1% in the 1st quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 12,749,560 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $2,237,930,000 after acquiring an additional 12,312,648 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in General Electric during the 4th quarter worth about $1,193,159,000. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board grew its stake in General Electric by 221.6% during the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 7,121,741 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,250,079,000 after purchasing an additional 4,907,530 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.77% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on GE. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on General Electric from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of General Electric from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, June 28th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of General Electric from $201.00 to $209.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 1st. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of General Electric from $192.00 to $205.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded General Electric from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, General Electric currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $190.38.

General Electric Stock Performance

NYSE GE opened at $164.28 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $178.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 53.86, a PEG ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.21. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $165.56 and a 200 day moving average of $163.07. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95. General Electric has a twelve month low of $84.42 and a twelve month high of $177.20.

General Electric (NYSE:GE  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The conglomerate reported $1.20 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.44 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.68 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that General Electric will post 4.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

General Electric Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 25th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 11th were issued a dividend of $0.28 per share. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.68%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 11th. General Electrics payout ratio is 36.72%.

General Electric Profile

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General Electric Company, doing business as GE Aerospace, designs and produces commercial and defense aircraft engines, integrated engine components, electric power, and mechanical aircraft systems. It also offers aftermarket services to support its products. The company operates in the United States, Europe, China, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa.

Further Reading

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Founders Financial Securities LLC lifted its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Free Report) by 21.8% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,254 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,452 shares during the quarter. Founders Financial Securities LLCs holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $2,384,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund raised its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 217,657 shares of the companys stock worth $26,946,000 after purchasing an additional 865 shares during the last quarter. Octavia Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 4.3% during the second quarter. Octavia Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 7,632 shares of the companys stock worth $951,000 after buying an additional 312 shares during the last quarter. Next Level Private LLC lifted its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 1.5% in the second quarter. Next Level Private LLC now owns 25,847 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,200,000 after buying an additional 381 shares during the period. Privium Fund Management UK Ltd bought a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. in the second quarter valued at approximately $3,074,000. Finally, Naviter Wealth LLC grew its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 5.1% during the 2nd quarter. Naviter Wealth LLC now owns 21,215 shares of the companys stock worth $2,642,000 after acquiring an additional 1,020 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.07% of the companys stock.

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Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Performance

Shares of MRK stock opened at $116.58 on Wednesday. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 12 month low of $99.14 and a 12 month high of $134.63. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $120.58 and its 200-day simple moving average is $125.27. The firm has a market cap of $295.27 billion, a PE ratio of 129.53, a P/E/G ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80.

Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement

Merck & Co., Inc. ( NYSE:MRK Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $2.28 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.16 by $0.12. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 21.99% and a return on equity of 40.69%. The firm had revenue of $16.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $15.87 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted ($2.06) EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 7.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 8.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company 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 $0.77 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 16th. This represents a $3.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.64%. Merck & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio is presently 342.22%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MRK has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. UBS Group cut their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $148.00 to $142.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Merck & Co., Inc. to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $140.00 to $125.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $132.00 to $134.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, July 11th. Finally, Argus raised shares of Merck & Co., Inc. to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, June 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and four have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Merck & Co., Inc. presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $134.58.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on MRK

Merck & Co., Inc. Company Profile

(Free Report)

Merck & Co, Inc operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It operates through two segments, Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. The Pharmaceutical segment offers human health pharmaceutical products in the areas of oncology, hospital acute care, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular, and diabetes under the Keytruda, Bridion, Adempas, Lagevrio, Belsomra, Simponi, and Januvia brands, as well as vaccine products consisting of preventive pediatric, adolescent, and adult vaccines under the Gardasil/Gardasil 9, ProQuad, M-M-R II, Varivax, RotaTeq, Live Oral, Vaxneuvance, Pneumovax 23, and Vaqta names.

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Founders Financial Securities LLC lessened its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV  Free Report) by 0.8% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 104,314 shares of the companys stock after selling 868 shares during the quarter. Founders Financial Securities LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF were worth $8,758,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Raymond James & Associates increased its position in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 0.9% during the second quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 16,095,735 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,351,398,000 after acquiring an additional 146,632 shares during the last quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp grew its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 4.4% during the first quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 3,947,820 shares of the companys stock valued at $329,959,000 after purchasing an additional 167,538 shares during the period. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 5.2% during the second quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,658,707 shares of the companys stock valued at $307,185,000 after purchasing an additional 182,050 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 1.0% during the second quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,202,043 shares of the companys stock valued at $268,843,000 after purchasing an additional 31,625 shares during the period. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers grew its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 270.9% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 1,895,974 shares of the companys stock valued at $158,465,000 after purchasing an additional 1,384,833 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Stock Performance

BATS:USMV opened at $90.83 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $86.85 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $83.89. 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 capitalization of $26.61 billion, a PE ratio of 25.30 and a beta of 0.59.

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility (USD) index. The fund tracks an index of US-listed firms selected and weighted to create a low-volatility portfolio subject to various constraints. USMV was launched on Oct 18, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock.

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AGF Management Limited (TSE:AGF.B  Get Free Report) insider AGF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN TRUST acquired 16,100 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was purchased at an average price of C$7.97 per share, with a total value of C$128,317.00.

AGF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN TRUST also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, June 10th, AGF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN TRUST bought 400 shares of AGF Management stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost of C$8.35 per share, for a total transaction of C$3,340.00.

On Thursday, June 6th, AGF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN TRUST purchased 124,500 shares of AGF Management stock. The shares were acquired at an average cost of C$8.46 per share, with a total value of C$1,053,270.00.

AGF Management Trading Down 0.5 %

TSE:AGF.B traded down C$0.04 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting C$7.87. The stock had a trading volume of 46,499 shares, compared to its average volume of 62,936. The businesss 50 day moving average is C$8.10 and its 200-day moving average is C$8.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 14.60, a quick ratio of 1.75 and a current ratio of 1.58. The company has a market cap of C$505.96 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.99, a P/E/G ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.71. AGF Management Limited has a one year low of C$6.30 and a one year high of C$9.05.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on AGF.B shares. Scotiabank set a C$10.75 price objective on shares of AGF Management and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, June 27th. Desjardins raised their price target on AGF Management from C$11.50 to C$12.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, June 24th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$10.96.

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AGF Management Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

AGF Management Limited is one of Canada's premier investment management companies with offices across Canada and subsidiaries around the world. 2007 marks AGF's 50th anniversary ofproviding Canadians with innovative investment solutions across the wealth continuum. AGF's products and services include a diversified family of more than 50 mutual funds, the evolutionary AGF Elements portfolios, the Harmony asset management program, AGF Private Investment Management, Institutional Account Services and AGF Trust GICs, loans and mortgages.

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Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX  Free Report) by 3.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 46,100 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after buying an additional 1,517 shares during the quarter. Larson Financial Group LLCs holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $3,550,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of BSX. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Boston Scientific by 542.1% during the first quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 366 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 309 shares in the last quarter. First Foundation Advisors purchased a new stake in shares of Boston Scientific in the first quarter worth $25,000. Triad Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Boston Scientific in the 2nd quarter worth about $26,000. RiverPark Advisors LLC bought a new position in Boston Scientific in the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Lynx Investment Advisory bought a new stake in Boston Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. 89.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Boston Scientific Price Performance

BSX stock traded up $1.23 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $82.37. The companys stock had a trading volume of 502,141 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,067,556. The companys fifty day moving average is $77.12 and its 200-day moving average is $73.25. Boston Scientific Co. has a 1 year low of $48.35 and a 1 year high of $82.39. The company has a market capitalization of $120.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 68.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44.

Insider Transactions at Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific ( NYSE:BSX Get Free Report ) last issued its 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 during 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 revenue for the quarter was up 14.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.53 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Boston Scientific Co. will post 2.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other news, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 6,983 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.30, for a total transaction of $539,785.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 42,908 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,316,788.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 20,949 shares of company stock valued at $1,627,877. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on BSX shares. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $77.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. StockNews.com downgraded Boston Scientific from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, August 28th. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on Boston Scientific from $78.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Boston Scientific in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $90.00 target price for the company. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $73.00 to $78.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $85.38.

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Boston Scientific Company Profile

(Free Report)

Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through two segments, MedSurg and Cardiovascular. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions, such as resolution clips, biliary stent systems, stents and electrocautery enhanced delivery systems, direct visualization systems, digital catheters, and single-use duodenoscopes; devices to treat urological conditions, including ureteral stents, catheters, baskets, guidewires, sheaths, balloons, single-use digital flexible ureteroscopes, holmium laser systems, artificial urinary sphincter, laser system, fiber, and hydrogel systems; and devices to treat neurological movement disorders and manage chronic pain, such as spinal cord stimulator system, proprietary programming software, radiofrequency generator, indirect decompression systems, practice optimization tools, and deep brain stimulation system.

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Lennar (NYSE:LEN  Get Free Report) had its price target lifted by equities researchers at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $183.00 to $230.00 in a report released on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the construction companys stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods price target would indicate a potential upside of 29.46% from the companys previous close.

Several other research analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. Argus raised their target price on Lennar from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, June 27th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an underperform rating and set a $145.00 target price on shares of Lennar in a research note on Thursday, June 20th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Lennar from $185.00 to $195.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. Citigroup restated a neutral rating and issued a $164.00 target price (down previously from $174.00) on shares of Lennar in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Lennar from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Lennar has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $172.06.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Lennar

Lennar Price Performance

Shares of NYSE LEN traded down $0.72 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $177.66. The company had a trading volume of 206,983 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,072,680. The stock has a market capitalization of $48.79 billion, a PE ratio of 12.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.60. The company has a current ratio of 4.93, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. Lennar has a twelve month low of $102.90 and a twelve month high of $186.60. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $167.17 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $161.49.

Lennar (NYSE:LEN  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, June 17th. The construction company reported $3.38 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.20 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $8.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.57 billion. Lennar had a return on equity of 15.93% and a net margin of 11.58%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Lennar will post 14.16 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lennar

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. D1 Capital Partners L.P. raised its holdings in Lennar by 428.9% in the 2nd quarter. D1 Capital Partners L.P. now owns 2,420,000 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $362,685,000 after acquiring an additional 1,962,447 shares during the period. Pacer Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Lennar by 15.1% during the 2nd quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 3,021,856 shares of the construction companys stock worth $452,886,000 after buying an additional 396,951 shares in the last quarter. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI bought a new position in Lennar in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $61,807,000. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Lennar by 157.5% during the 1st quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 575,003 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $98,889,000 after acquiring an additional 351,698 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP raised its holdings in Lennar by 20.9% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 2,015,641 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $302,084,000 after buying an additional 348,553 shares during the last quarter. 81.10% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Lennar Company Profile

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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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Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MUFG  Get Free Report)s share price gapped down before the market opened on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $10.76, but opened at $10.43. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group shares last traded at $10.45, with a volume of 206,243 shares traded.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Stock Down 2.9 %

The business has a 50-day moving average price of $10.67 and a 200-day moving average price of $10.36. The company has a market capitalization of $122.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.90 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (NYSE:MUFG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported $0.30 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.27 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $22.61 billion for the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group had a return on equity of 7.46% and a net margin of 11.73%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. will post 0.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Company Profile

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of MUFG. Rise Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group in the first quarter valued at about $27,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 133.0% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,648 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 2,082 shares in the last quarter. Principal Securities Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group during the 1st quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, Addison Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 123.4% during the 2nd quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 4,609 shares of the companys stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 2,546 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 13.59% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc operates as the bank holding company for MUFG Bank, Ltd. that provides various financial services in Japan, the United States, Europe, Asia/Oceania, and internationally. It operates through Digital Service Business Group; Retail & Commercial Banking Business Group; Japanese Corporate & Investment Banking Business Group; Asset Management & Investor Services Business Group; Global Corporate & Investment Banking Business Group; Global Commercial Banking Business Group; and Global Markets Business Group segments.

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Murray Income Trust PLC (LON:MUT  Get Free Report)s share price crossed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 873.09 ($11.48) and traded as low as GBX 871.76 ($11.46). Murray Income Trust shares last traded at GBX 872 ($11.47), with a volume of 142,757 shares.

Murray Income Trust Stock Down 0.2 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.60, a current ratio of 2.92 and a quick ratio of 3.64. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 873.05 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 856.95. The stock has a market capitalization of 922.77 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,197.22 and a beta of 0.80.

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Murray Income Trust Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 12th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be paid a dividend of GBX 10 ($0.13) per share. This is a positive change from Murray Income Trusts previous dividend of $9.50. This represents a yield of 1.12%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 15th. Murray Income Trusts dividend payout ratio is currently 5,694.44%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Murray Income Trust Company Profile

In related news, insider Angus Franklin acquired 1,838 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 6th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 865 ($11.37) per share, for a total transaction of 15,898.70 ($20,905.59). Corporate insiders own 0.86% of the companys stock.

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Murray Income Trust PLC is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Aberdeen Fund Managers Limited. It is co-managed by Aberdeen Asset Managers 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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New World Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Shopify Inc. (NYSE:SHOP  Free Report) (TSE:SHOP) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 4,238 shares of the software makers stock, valued at approximately $280,000.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Shopify by 9.0% during the 4th quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC now owns 4,121 shares of the software makers stock worth $321,000 after purchasing an additional 341 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC raised its position in shares of Shopify by 7.5% during the 4th quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 31,572 shares of the software makers stock worth $2,459,000 after purchasing an additional 2,208 shares during the last quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System raised its position in shares of Shopify by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 39,786 shares of the software makers stock worth $3,099,000 after purchasing an additional 334 shares during the last quarter. Lincoln National Corp raised its position in shares of Shopify by 11.2% during the 4th quarter. Lincoln National Corp now owns 7,907 shares of the software makers stock worth $616,000 after purchasing an additional 794 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Welch & Forbes LLC raised its position in shares of Shopify by 86.7% during the 4th quarter. Welch & Forbes LLC now owns 91,673 shares of the software makers stock worth $7,141,000 after purchasing an additional 42,581 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.27% of the companys stock.

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Shopify Stock Down 0.6 %

NYSE:SHOP traded down $0.44 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $70.82. 1,555,182 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 10,002,370. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $66.80 and a 200 day simple moving average of $68.71. Shopify Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $45.50 and a fifty-two week high of $91.57. The company has a current ratio of 7.32, a quick ratio of 7.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10. The company has a market capitalization of $91.26 billion, a PE ratio of -417.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 2.35.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Shopify ( NYSE:SHOP Get Free Report ) (TSE:SHOP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The software maker reported $0.26 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.20 by $0.06. Shopify had a net margin of 16.40% and a return on equity of 10.88%. The firm had revenue of $2.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.01 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned ($0.08) EPS. Shopifys revenue for the quarter was up 20.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Shopify Inc. will post 0.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Several research firms recently weighed in on SHOP. Loop Capital upped their price target on shares of Shopify from $68.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, August 16th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Shopify from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the company from $78.00 to $82.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on shares of Shopify from $87.00 to $77.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 9th. KeyCorp initiated coverage on shares of Shopify in a report on Thursday, July 25th. They issued an overweight rating and a $80.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Shopify from $97.00 to $90.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have assigned a hold rating, twenty-three have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $77.30.

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Shopify Company Profile

(Free Report)

Shopify Inc, a commerce company, provides a commerce platform and services in Canada, the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, China, and Latin America. The company's platform enables merchants to displays, manages, markets, and sells its products through various sales channels, including web and mobile storefronts, physical retail locations, pop-up shops, social media storefronts, native mobile apps, buy buttons, and marketplaces; and enables to manage products and inventory, process orders and payments, fulfill and ship orders, new buyers and build customer relationships, source products, leverage analytics and reporting, manage cash, payments and transactions, and access financing.

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Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund trimmed its holdings in Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV  Free Report) by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 19,959 shares of the companys stock after selling 121 shares during the quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Funds holdings in Elevance Health were worth $10,815,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bank & Trust Co bought a new stake in shares of Elevance Health during the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Elevance Health during the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Palisade Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Elevance Health during the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Elevance Health during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Register Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Elevance Health during the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. 89.24% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. TD Cowen cut their price target on Elevance Health from $624.00 to $589.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 19th. StockNews.com downgraded Elevance Health from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, June 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Elevance Health from $628.00 to $631.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Robert W. Baird assumed coverage on Elevance Health in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. They set an outperform rating and a $649.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Elevance Health from $600.00 to $620.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $604.29.

Elevance Health Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of ELV opened at $562.29 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $130.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.84. Elevance Health, Inc. has a 1 year low of $431.38 and a 1 year high of $567.26. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $533.34 and its 200-day simple moving average is $526.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 1.49 and a quick ratio of 1.49.

Elevance Health (NYSE:ELV  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 17th. The company reported $10.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $9.99 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $43.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $42.99 billion. Elevance Health had a return on equity of 20.64% and a net margin of 3.89%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down .4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $9.04 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Elevance Health, Inc. will post 37.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Elevance Health Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 25th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 10th will be issued a dividend of $1.63 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 10th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.16%. Elevance Healths payout ratio is presently 24.64%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Gail Boudreaux sold 34,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, July 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $500.98, for a total value of $17,033,320.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 126,709 shares of the companys stock, valued at $63,478,674.82. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Elevance Health news, Director Ramiro G. Peru sold 753 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $531.52, for a total value of $400,234.56. Following the sale, the director now owns 8,744 shares in the company, valued at $4,647,610.88. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Gail Boudreaux sold 34,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $500.98, for a total value of $17,033,320.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 126,709 shares in the company, valued at approximately $63,478,674.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 35,058 shares of company stock worth $17,588,116 over the last three months. 0.35% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Elevance Health Profile

(Free Report)

Elevance Health, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a health benefits company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Health Benefits, CarelonRx, Carelon Services, and Corporate & Other. It offers a variety of health plans and services to program members; health products; an array of fee-based administrative managed care services; and specialty and other insurance products and services, such as stop loss, dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental health insurance benefits.

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Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund lessened its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Free Report) by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 299,555 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 8,100 shares during the period. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Funds holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $17,791,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,623,044,000. Capital World Investors lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 26,319,775 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,295,459,000 after purchasing an additional 263,176 shares during the period. Sanders Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Sanders Capital LLC now owns 25,218,016 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,241,231,000 after purchasing an additional 781,772 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 18,941,772 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $932,352,000 after purchasing an additional 596,521 shares during the period. Finally, California State Teachers Retirement System lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 5,905,934 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $290,690,000 after purchasing an additional 25,896 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 75.90% of the companys stock.

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Wells Fargo & Company Stock Down 0.2 %

NYSE:WFC opened at $58.37 on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company has a twelve month low of $38.38 and a twelve month high of $62.55. The company has a market cap of $203.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.17. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $57.41 and a 200-day simple moving average of $57.87. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11.

Wells Fargo & Company Increases Dividend

Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Friday, July 12th. The financial services provider reported $1.33 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.29 by $0.04. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.30% and a net margin of 15.17%. The business had revenue of $20.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.29 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.25 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up .8% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.15 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th were given a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.74%. This is an increase from Wells Fargo & Companys previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.85%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of Wells Fargo & Company to a hold rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $62.00 to $59.00 in a research note on Friday, August 16th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $64.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $65.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. Evercore ISI reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $67.00 price objective (down from $70.00) on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a report on Monday, July 15th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, July 11th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $60.41.

Read Our Latest Report on WFC

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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Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE:PEB  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Reduce from the seven ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and five have issued a hold rating on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $14.42.

PEB has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. Truist Financial reduced their price target on shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from $16.00 to $15.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 30th.

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View Our Latest Analysis on PEB

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Stock Down 1.4 %

Shares of PEB opened at $13.12 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $13.14 and a 200 day moving average price of $14.37. Pebblebrook Hotel Trust has a one year low of $11.39 and a one year high of $16.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 0.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -12.86, a PEG ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.84.

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE:PEB  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.58 by ($0.42). The business had revenue of $397.11 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $396.29 million. Pebblebrook Hotel Trust had a negative return on equity of 3.40% and a negative net margin of 6.75%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.62 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Pebblebrook Hotel Trust will post 1.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 15th. Investors of record on Friday, June 28th were given a $0.01 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 28th. This represents a $0.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.30%. Pebblebrook Hotel Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -3.92%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Jon E. Bortz acquired 66,000 shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust stock in a transaction on Monday, August 5th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $11.98 per share, with a total value of $790,680.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,319,284 shares in the company, valued at $15,805,022.32. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Phillip M. Miller sold 3,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.29, for a total transaction of $46,515.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 13,098 shares of the companys stock, valued at $174,072.42. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jon E. Bortz acquired 66,000 shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 5th. The stock was bought at an average price of $11.98 per share, with a total value of $790,680.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,319,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,805,022.32. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 2.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in PEB. Quarry LP raised its stake in Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 2,376.9% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 4,508 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 4,326 shares during the last quarter. Algert Global LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust during the second quarter worth about $167,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its position in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 3.8% in the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 65,587 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $902,000 after buying an additional 2,407 shares during the last quarter. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 38.1% during the second quarter. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. now owns 1,963,388 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $26,997,000 after buying an additional 541,573 shares during the period. Finally, Earnest Partners LLC boosted its position in Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 1.0% during the second quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 5,036,155 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $69,247,000 after acquiring an additional 51,677 shares during the last quarter.

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust ("REIT") and the largest owner of urban and resort lifestyle hotels and resorts in the United States. The Company owns 47 hotels and resorts, totaling approximately 12,200 guest rooms across 13 urban and resort markets.

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Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 8,120,000 shares, a drop of 5.4% from the July 31st total of 8,580,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,520,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 5.3 days.

Digital Realty Trust Trading Down 1.2 %

NYSE DLR opened at $149.79 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.78 and a quick ratio of 1.78. The companys fifty day moving average price is $151.37 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $146.09. Digital Realty Trust has a 12 month low of $113.94 and a 12 month high of $162.58. The company has a market capitalization of $49.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.84 and a beta of 0.59.

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Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly 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 firm had revenue of $1.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.38 billion. Digital Realty Trust had a return on equity of 5.93% and a net margin of 20.58%. The firms revenue was down .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.68 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Digital Realty Trust will post 6.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Digital Realty Trust Dividend Announcement

Insider Activity at Digital Realty Trust

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a $1.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $4.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.26%. Digital Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio is currently 135.56%.

In other news, Director Jean F. H. P. Mandeville sold 600 shares of the firms 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 completion of the sale, the director now owns 9,055 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,360,604.30. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Digital Realty Trust

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in DLR. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new position in Digital Realty Trust in the second quarter worth approximately $48,000. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 2.3% during the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 32,379 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $4,923,000 after buying an additional 714 shares in the last quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC boosted its position in Digital Realty Trust by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 12,014 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,820,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares during the period. Chase Investment Counsel Corp purchased a new position in Digital Realty Trust during the 2nd quarter valued at about $2,927,000. Finally, Regal Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 4.5% in the 2nd quarter. Regal Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,921 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $292,000 after purchasing an additional 83 shares during the period. 99.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have weighed in on DLR. Argus downgraded shares of Digital Realty Trust from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. TD Cowen dropped 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 research note on Friday, July 26th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on Digital Realty Trust from $165.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 12th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Digital Realty Trust from $155.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $144.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, June 3rd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $154.00.

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Digital Realty Trust Company Profile

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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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Sweetgreen, Inc. (NYSE:SG  Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $29.27, but opened at $30.19. Sweetgreen shares last traded at $31.23, with a volume of 575,118 shares.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on SG shares. William Blair restated an outperform rating on shares of Sweetgreen in a report on Wednesday, May 15th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Sweetgreen from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, August 9th. Piper Sandler restated a neutral rating and set a $39.00 price target (up previously from $33.00) on shares of Sweetgreen in a report on Monday, August 19th. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of Sweetgreen from $39.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Sweetgreen from $35.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, June 7th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Sweetgreen presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $38.20.

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Sweetgreen Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $3.47 billion, a PE ratio of -33.55 and a beta of 2.32. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $29.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $26.22.

Sweetgreen (NYSE:SG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported ($0.13) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.11) by ($0.02). Sweetgreen had a negative net margin of 14.33% and a negative return on equity of 19.34%. The business had revenue of $184.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $180.79 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned ($0.20) EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 21.0% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Sweetgreen, Inc. will post -0.75 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Sweetgreen

In other news, CFO Mitch Reback sold 9,156 shares of Sweetgreen stock in a transaction on Friday, August 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.61, for a total transaction of $335,201.16. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 379,181 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,881,816.41. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, insider Adrienne Gemperle sold 6,225 shares of Sweetgreen stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.40, for a total transaction of $207,915.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 112,685 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,763,679. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Mitch Reback sold 9,156 shares of Sweetgreen stock in a transaction on Friday, August 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.61, for a total transaction of $335,201.16. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 379,181 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,881,816.41. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 371,116 shares of company stock valued at $13,248,867 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 21.52% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sweetgreen

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Baillie Gifford & Co. raised its stake in Sweetgreen by 6.2% during the 2nd quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 12,326,336 shares of the companys stock worth $371,516,000 after acquiring an additional 721,740 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Sweetgreen by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 8,420,947 shares of the companys stock worth $212,713,000 after acquiring an additional 70,395 shares in the last quarter. Driehaus Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Sweetgreen by 231.8% during the 2nd quarter. Driehaus Capital Management LLC now owns 2,688,403 shares of the companys stock worth $81,028,000 after acquiring an additional 1,878,216 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in Sweetgreen by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,763,572 shares of the companys stock worth $53,151,000 after acquiring an additional 39,823 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hood River Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Sweetgreen by 42.6% in the second quarter. Hood River Capital Management LLC now owns 1,643,028 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,521,000 after purchasing an additional 490,806 shares during the period. 95.75% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Sweetgreen Company Profile

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Sweetgreen, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates fast food restaurants serving healthy foods at scale in the United States. The company also accepts orders through its online and mobile ordering platforms, as well as sells gift cards that do not have an expiration date and can be redeemed. The company was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

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Tesco PLC (OTCMKTS:TSCDD  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $14.50 and last traded at $14.35, with a volume of 762082 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $14.15.

Tesco Stock Up 1.4 %

The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $12.79 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.84.

About Tesco

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Tesco PLC, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a grocery retailer. The company operates through convenience and hypermarket store formats, as well as engages in the wholesale business. It also provides retail banking and insurance services. The company operates in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

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Shares of Urban Logistics REIT (LON:SHED  Get Free Report) were down 0.2% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as GBX 118 ($1.55) and last traded at GBX 120 ($1.58). Approximately 464,634 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 59% from the average daily volume of 1,124,844 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 120.20 ($1.58).

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 142 ($1.87) price objective on shares of Urban Logistics REIT in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd.

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Urban Logistics REIT Price Performance

Urban Logistics REIT Increases Dividend

The businesss fifty day simple moving average is GBX 121.60 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 118.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 46.83, a quick ratio of 2.30 and a current ratio of 1.67. The stock has a market cap of 449.84 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -841.43 and a beta of 0.82.

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 19th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 27th were given a GBX 4.35 ($0.06) dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 3.55%. This is a positive change from Urban Logistics REITs previous dividend of $3.25. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 27th. Urban Logistics REITs dividend payout ratio is presently -5,714.29%.

Insider Activity at Urban Logistics REIT

In related news, insider Bruce Anderson bought 23,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 9th. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 119 ($1.56) per share, with a total value of 27,370 ($35,989.48). Insiders own 4.37% of the companys stock.

Urban Logistics REIT Company Profile

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Urban Logistics REIT plc (the "Company") and its subsidiaries (the "Group") carry on the business of property lettings throughout the United Kingdom. The Company is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales and listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.

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Haemonetics Co. (NYSE:HAE  Free Report)  Stock analysts at Zacks Research boosted their Q3 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Haemonetics in a report released on Wednesday, August 28th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the medical instruments supplier will post earnings per share of $1.22 for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $1.20. The consensus estimate for Haemonetics current full-year earnings is $4.58 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Haemonetics Q4 2025 earnings at $1.21 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $4.55 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $1.19 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.22 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $1.40 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $5.10 EPS.

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A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on HAE. Needham & Company LLC raised Haemonetics from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $112.00 price target for the company in a research report on Wednesday, June 12th. Citigroup lowered their price target on Haemonetics from $94.00 to $85.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Barrington Research lifted their price target on Haemonetics from $107.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Finally, JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and set a $125.00 price target on shares of Haemonetics in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $107.50.

Haemonetics Stock Down 0.7 %

Haemonetics stock opened at $75.07 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 3.76 and a quick ratio of 2.33. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.78, a PEG ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 0.29. Haemonetics has a 1-year low of $70.74 and a 1-year high of $97.97. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $82.91 and a 200-day moving average price of $84.00.

Haemonetics (NYSE:HAE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The medical instruments supplier reported $1.02 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.03 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $336.17 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $335.08 million. Haemonetics had a return on equity of 21.86% and a net margin of 8.61%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 8.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.05 EPS.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Haemonetics

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of HAE. Quarry LP purchased a new position in shares of Haemonetics in the 2nd quarter valued at about $39,000. TFO Wealth Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Haemonetics by 29,450.0% in the 4th quarter. TFO Wealth Partners LLC now owns 591 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 589 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd increased its stake in shares of Haemonetics by 184.8% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 675 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 438 shares in the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Haemonetics in the 2nd quarter valued at about $82,000. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board purchased a new position in shares of Haemonetics in the 2nd quarter valued at about $83,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.67% of the companys stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Anila Lingamneni sold 2,136 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.00, for a total value of $192,240.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 21,410 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,926,900. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, insider Stewart W. Strong sold 4,312 shares of Haemonetics stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.15, for a total value of $393,038.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 18,196 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,658,565.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Anila Lingamneni sold 2,136 shares of Haemonetics stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.00, for a total value of $192,240.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 21,410 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,926,900. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.80% of the companys stock.

About Haemonetics

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Haemonetics Corporation, a healthcare company, provides suite of medical products and solutions in the United States and internationally. The company offers automated plasma collection systems, donor management software, and supporting software solutions including NexSys PCS and PCS2 plasmapheresis equipment and related disposables and solutions, as well as integrated information technology platforms for plasma customers to manage their donors, operations, and supply chain; and NexLynk DMS donor management system and Donor360 app.

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Charles Brice suffered severe burns after leaning on a hot bar in the shower with a warning now issued to travellers of the risks.

ABC presenter Charles Brice (right) was in Europe when he scalded himself in the shower, with friend and advocate Shaun Hryhorec (left) now warning other travellers. Source: Wheel around the World/charlesbrice

WARNING  GRAPHIC IMAGE: ABC presenter Charles Brice has learned the hard way about a key difference between Aussie and European bathrooms after severely scalding his arm, causing his skin to "melt off".

Brice had flown to Europe last week to ready himself to report on the Paris Paralympic Games and snuck to Berlin to enjoy a holiday before coverage began. However, while taking a shower he leaned on a seemingly harmless bar in an accessible shower, only noticing the severe damage it caused after he was out of the shower and looked down.

Now he and his friend Shane Hryhorec, a disability advocate known online as Wheel around the World, are warning Aussies to be mindful of the risks associated with using European bathrooms.

"Charles sent me a message and I nearly vomited," Hryhorec told Yahoo News. "I was having my breakfast and the picture of his arm covered in blisters popped up and the skin melted off. He said, 'Whatever you do, don't ever lean on the mixer'."

Brice sent his mate Shane Hryhorec (right) a picture of his arm after he scalded it in a shower in Berlin. Source: Supplied

Mixers are a part of the shower system that "mix the hot and cold water together" and unlike in Australia, these are externally attached to the wall in places like Europe and the UK. As hot water is run through the shower system, the mixer becomes hot and can scald bare skin. As a quadriplegic, Brice had no idea he was being scalded until he caught sight of the damage.

Tourist faced 3,000 euros for burn-specific dressing

Brice visited several pharmacies in Berlin in search of treatment and was told he would likely need to cough up "several thousand euros" to get a burn-specific dressing.

"One pharmacy said it would cost him $3,000 for the material, another pharmacy said it would cost $500 for the material. So, you know, purchasing some medical things in Europe like burn sheeting can be very difficult," he said.

The pair are now warning people online to be mindful of the risks that mixers pose to anyone who don't know how hot to the touch they can get.

"Any person with a disability or children, or whoever needs to be careful  the lesson of it is pretty much don't lean on the mixer," Shane warned.

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A major mission to install a power line under the Black Sea has been launched by Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary and Romania.

The joint venture is aimed at bringing more renewable energy into the European Union from the eastern Caucasus.

Approved by leaders of the four countries in 2022, the project gained momentum after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and spotlighted the EU's reliance on Russian energy as prices sharply rose.

The 27-nation bloc has since pushed to wean itself off Russian energy.

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Which countries would the Black Sea power line connect?

The cable would link Azerbaijan, which is seen as having substantial potential to generate power at Caspian Sea wind farms, to EU members Romania and Hungary via Georgia.

Government ministers from the four countries launched the joint venture at a meeting on Tuesday (3 September) in Romania's capital.

The project is intended to help strengthen energy security and drive down electricity prices for consumers.

Romanias Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja said the project was of strategic importance for his country and the EU.

If you look at the energy map of Europe over the past few months  you see that on the eastern flank essentially we are paying a very high price recently - and thats because there is not enough diversification," Burduja said.

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A boon for green energy?

Azerbaijans Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said the harnessing of renewable energy would help tackle climate change issues.

The undersea line is important for energy security, he said, but at the same time it is going to provide the green energy ... which is very high on the agenda of the international community.

Bulgarias deputy energy minister also joined Tuesdays meeting, and there were discussions about the EU member joining the infrastructure project.

Burduja and Shahbazov said the next meeting on the project would be at a UN climate change meeting later this year in Azerbaijan.
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The eight-year-old's mother said her daughter's skin began 'falling off' after a gust of wind caused her clothing to catch on fire.

A distraught mother has detailed the terrifying moment the clothing her daughter was wearing went up in flames while the family was enjoying "a little celebration" around a bonfire at their home last month.

Daniella Jacobs-Herd, 8, was with family and friends at their Walliebum property, in the Fraser Coast region of Queensland when a "gust of wind blew flames" from the fire, causing the hooded, blanket-like garment to catch fire. The incident, on July 13th, left the little girl screaming in agony as her parents rushed to her aid.

The material, which Daniella's mother, Hannah Jacobs, described as "cheap and nasty" and "made from so much plastic", allegedly "melted to her skin" with her arms, chest and face suffering serious third-degree burns. The knock-off clothing item was reportedly purchased on rising Chinese e-commerce site Temu.

Since then, the eight-year-old has undergone multiple surgeries to repair the damaged skin and to prevent long-term scarring after being rushed to the local hospital in Hervey Bay, before being transferred to Queensland's Children's Hospital for surgery.

The little girl has undergone multiple surgeries after suffering from significant burns across her face, arms and chest. Source: GoFundMe

She's also undergone a major procedure for skin grafts to help repair the third-degree burns covering 13 per cent of her little body. Her mother said she has "quite significant burns on her right chest" and will require ongoing grafts and surgery into the future as they prepare for a long and painful recovery.

Fire causes little girl's skin to 'fall off'

Immediately after the incident, Hannah rushed her daughter into a cool shower where her skin was already "falling off".

"The whole household was very distraught because she was screaming bloody murder," she told 7News. "No one could look at her without crying."

The family was at home enjoying a celebration when wind blew fire, causing Daniella's clothing to catch fire. Source: GoFundMe

In the meantime, the family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with the unexpected medical costs. They say they're "struggling with everyday bills" including rent as they support their daughter's recovery in hospital.

"Shell have scarring but theyve tried to minimise the scarring as much as possible," said Hannah. "For the next six to 12 months, we have to constantly do dressing changes and everything."

The mum is warning other parents about the perils of buying similar cheap Oodie-like products.

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Air India to build mega aircraft maintenance hub in Bengaluru, to generate 1,200 jobs
September 04, 2024 / 22:48 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Ajeet Singh Yadav, Sundar Singh Gurjar, Sharad Kumar, Mariyappan Thangavelu and Deepthi Jeevanji, who have won medals in the Paralympic Games.

The PM shared his happiness about Indias best-ever performance in the Paralympics.

PM told the players that their performance has motivated the youth of the country and it is their contribution that different sports are gaining popularity.

PM also asked the players to celebrate their victories without worrying about the colour of their medals, as everyone of them has made the country proud.
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While the fishermen initially appeared to be complying with regulations, investigators found something hidden inside their boat.

A Victorian man had his 2014 Toyota Hilux (pictured) seized and he was fined $20,000 over illegal fishing activities. Source: VFA

A repeat offender had his $25,000 Toyota Hilux ute seized and was fined $20,000 after being caught carrying out illegal fishing activities in Victorian waters. In a third crushing blow, the man in his 60s has been banned from fishing for the next five years.

The penalties were in relation to illegal hauls of native species that have restrictions on how many can be caught  golden perch and abalone. He was already serving a two-year fishing prohibition when he was nabbed in 2023 on Lake Hume, near the NSW border.

Golden perch are a fish the Victorian Fisheries Authority purchases from breeders each year to stock the states waterways, and there is a five-fish bag limit on the lake. When he and another man were asked by fisheries officers to produce their catch they initially appeared to be complying with regulations.

They presented 10 golden perch as their catch of the day. The bag limit is 5 per person so all appeared well, VFA acting director of enforcement Paul Shea said.

Further investigation however revealed another 12 golden perch concealed under the boats floor, making a total of 22 goldens ranging in size from 39 cm to nearly 60 cm.

Related: Anglers banned from catching iconic Aussie fish after numbers plummet

Fisheries officers found golden perch hidden inside the boat they inspected. Source: VFA

Second illegal find after search warrants issued

Officers seized the 5.1 metre boat on the spot, but it was later returned to the offender after he faced Sunshine Magistrates Court last week.

Prior to facing court, the man was served with two search warrants and more than 200 abalone were discovered at one of his premises. He subsequently pleaded guilty to five charges and was convicted.

Earlier this year, the other man pleaded guilty to charges in the Wodonga Magistrates Court and was ordered to pay $850 to a court fund. He must also undertake good behaviour for 12 months and he was forced to forfeit his fishing equipment. Authorities hope the severity of the convictions will serve as a warning to other fishermen who break the law.

A haul of abalone was found at the man's home after search warrants were issued. Source: VFA

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As Micron advances its $100 billion project to build chip fabs in central New York, it will open an office in downtown Syracuse  and add its logo to the city's skyline.

Scott Gatzemeier, corporate vice president of front end U.S. expansion at Micron Technology, announced the plans for a Syracuse office in a blog post Wednesday. The office will be inside One Lincoln Center on West Fayette Street.

Micron employees on various teams, including government and public affairs, operations, facilities construction and procurement, will work in the space. The company also plans to establish a street-level area for a welcome center.

"This space will serve as the hub for people from across the region to drop in to learn more about the project to access recruiting resources as we build up our local workforce," Gatzemeier said.

An opening date wasn't announced, but Micron said more information will be released once the office is ready. E. Smith Contractors, a Black-owned construction firm in Syracuse, will work with Micron on the office project.

There will be one more addition coming to One Lincoln Center: Micron's logo. The logo will be on top of the building, which is one of the tallest in Syracuse.

Gatzemeier explained that Micron chose downtown Syracuse for its office because it is "an ideal hub at the core of central New York for collaboration on community initiatives, building out the local supply chain and workforce development."

Micron announced in 2022 that it would invest $100 billion over 20 years to build a mega chip manufacturing plant in the town of Clay, Onondaga County. The project will be supported by federal, state and local incentives, including funding from the CHIPS and Science Act  a federal law that was signed by President Joe Biden to boost domestic semiconductor chip manufacturing.

Through the CHIPS and Science Act, Micron will receive $6.1 billion to support its expansion projects in central New York and Idaho.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who ushered the CHIPS and Science Act through Congress, called Micron's decision to open an office in Syracuse "a major milestone" in the project.

"When I wrote my CHIPS and Science law, it is days like this I envisioned, with new companies locating manufacturing and management upstate," Schumer, D-N.Y., said. "With Micron beaming atop Syracuse's One Lincoln Center, it is becoming clearer by the day that the sky is the limit for growth in central New York, and Syracuse's future will shine brightly for all to see."

Local leaders also celebrated Micron's plan to open a central New York office. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, who also played a pivotal role in bringing Micron to the region, said the office and signage will be a "visible reminder" that central New York will be a hub for semiconductor chip technology.

Construction won't begin on Micron's chip fabs until next year, but the company has already hired employees in central New York. It is accepting applications for other positions. More information can be found at micron.com/about/careers.
Auburn Police Department

 Sean M. Van Houten, 52, of Union Springs, was charged Aug. 30 with driving while intoxicated first offense, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of at least .08 of 1% first offense.

 Hayden R. Powers, 27, of Auburn, was charged Sept. 1 with two counts of petit larceny.

 Eric M. Dailey, 35, of Auburn, was charged Sept. 2 with third-degree assault.

 Christopher M. Demcovich, 50, of Owasco, was charged Sept. 2 with second-degree aggravated harassment.

 Daniel P. Palmieri, 38, of Auburn, was charged Sept. 2 with false personation and resisting arrest.

 Kevin P. Dooley, 36, of Skaneateles, was charged Sept. 3 with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

 Terrance B. Hines, 44, of Auburn, was charged Sept. 3 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

 Seraphin K. Moniz, 30, of Auburn, was charged Sept. 3 with fourth-degree criminal mischief, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree falsely reporting an incident and resisting arrest.

 Marvin G. Reveal, 42, of Auburn, was charged Sept. 3 with second-degree criminal trespass.

New York State Police

 Justin G. Defilippis, 42, of Weedsport, was charged Aug. 30 with driving while intoxicated first offense, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of at least .08 of 1% first offense.

 Sean M. Limpert, 30, of Syracuse, was charged Sept. 2 with driving while intoxicated first offense and aggravated driving while intoxicated first offense.

 Kohlton A. Pascal, 31 of Memphis, was charged Sept. 2 with fourth-degree criminal mischief and third-degree menacing.

 Andrew P. Clark, 42, of Auburn, was charged Sept. 3 with driving while intoxicated first offense, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of at least .08 of 1% first offense and aggravated driving while intoxicated first offense.

Onondaga County Sheriff's Office

 Chase A. Towers, 20, of Cato, was charged Aug. 16 with resisting arrest, second-degree harassment and disorderly conduct.

The records page: Blotter, restaurant inspections and more Visit the records page of auburnpub.com to see The Citizen's latest blotter, restaurant inspections and property transfers.
By MSU Public Relations | Sep 4, 2024

collage of photos from Food exhibit in Wrather Museum that is currently on display.

MURRAY, Ky.  Murray State University Libraries, in collaboration with Racer Dining by Sodexo, is excited to announce the Kentucky Food Tasting Festival, a unique culinary event that will be held on Sept. 9 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the Murray State University Quad. The festival is being hosted in conjunction with the Smithsonian FOOD Exhibit at the Wrather West Kentucky Museum.

Attendees can sample a variety of foods showcasing highlights of American and Kentucky cuisine and view Smithsonian's FOOD exhibit, carefully curated by Murray State University students. The festival will include music, lawn games and five immersive food stations.

The event is open to both students and the general public. Murray State students are invited to attend using their meal plan, with flex and meal swipes accepted. Community members are invited to join the celebration at a cost of $15 per person. For more information and to purchase a ticket, please visit bit.ly/foodexhibit.

As a special incentive, attendees who visit each food station and take the time to explore the Smithsonian FOOD Exhibit at Wrather West Kentucky Museum will be entered into a drawing for exciting door prizes. Wrather Hall will remain open on the evening of Sept. 9 until 7 p.m.

Its a real treat for visitors whenever Kentucky Humanities helps engineer a collaboration between Wrather Museum and Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, and were absolutely delighted by our most recent one, FOOD, that is open to the public for the fall 2024 semester, said Dr. Jeff McLaughlin, Murray State University Libraries Special Collections and Exhibits director. All of our companion programming came together through the efforts of Murray State students, either those in the museum studies minor or paid workers at the museum, and they have gained valuable experience that will help prepare them for careers in cultural institutions after graduation. Theres something for the entire community here, and we especially encourage parents of school-aged children in particular to bring the family out to enjoy a Smithsonian exhibit right here at home.

For more information and to purchase a ticket, please visit bit.ly/foodexhibit. In the case of inclement weather, the celebration will be moved indoors at Pogue Library.

Wrather Hall opened in 1924 as the first permanent building on Murray States campus and served as a central hub for campus life. In 1982, it was rededicated as the Wrather West Kentucky Museum, which today continues to preserve the history and culture of west Kentucky and the Jackson Purchase. Following a major renovation in 2022, Wrather remains a vital part of Murray State Universitys heritage, hosting both permanent and rotating exhibits, free of charge, to the public. The museum is open Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m., with additional hours on select evenings and weekends. Class visits can be scheduled by appointment via Meg Smith (msmith223@murraystate.edu).

This event and future programming are made possible through the generous support of local sponsors. For more information on sponsorship opportunities or to support the Wrather West Kentucky Museum, contact Brandon Anderson, director of development for Murray State University Libraries, at banderson26@murraystate.edu or 270-809-3001.
Calaveras, CA Women who are the primary wage earners for their families can now apply for financial assistance through the Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women. The awards, which provide cash grants to help women continue their education or training, are open for applications until November 15. Soroptimist International of Calaveras County will award recipients between $1,000 and $3,000 in cash. These local winners may also advance to the Soroptimist Region level, where they could receive up to an additional $5,000. The program culminates with three finalists each receiving $10,000.

Recipients of the Live Your Dream Award can use the funds to cover various education-related expenses, including tuition, books, childcare, and transportation. Each year, the Live Your Dream Award program distributes over $2.8 million in cash grants to women who serve as the head of their households. Since its inception in 1972, the program has provided more than $40 million, helping tens of thousands of women improve their lives and those of their families.

Founded in 1947, the Calaveras club is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas, a global volunteer organization dedicated to providing women and girls with access to education and training for economic empowerment. The organization also runs LiveYourDream.org, an online community offering volunteer opportunities to support women and girls. For more information on the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards and to apply, visit here.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- The China Automobile Dealers Association ("CADA") recently released the latest "China Automobile Dealers Inventory Alert Index" (VIA), showing that in August 2024, the VIA for Chinese automobile dealers reached 56.2%, representing an year-on-year decrease of 0.7 percentage points and a month-on-month decline of 3.2 percentage points.

Despite the improvement, the index remains above the boom-bust threshold that indicates a healthy market, signaling ongoing concerns in the automotive circulation industry.

The enhancement in industry sentiment can be partly attributed to the strengthened vehicle trade-in policies, which have significantly driven sales. Since the beginning of August, the average daily number of applications for scrappage and renewal subsidies has exceeded 10,000, contributing to a month-over-month increase in terminal sales. Additionally, with the back-to-school season approaching, there has been a sustained rise in family car purchases.

However, several factors have tempered market demand. High temperatures across many regions and the traditional cultural observance of the Zhongyuan Festival (the day for the deceased in Chinese tradition) have had a cooling effect on the market. The CADA added that adjustments in retail sales discounts have led to a cautious consumer outlook, with many potential buyers adopting a wait-and-see approach.

Looking at the indices by brand type, in August, the VIA for luxury & imported brands reached 59.3%, growing 5.7 percentage points over the previous month. Meanwhile, mainstream joint-venture brands, and China's self-owned brands recorded readings of 56.4% and 51.8%, down by 3.8 and 10 percentage points, respectively.
Yves here. As most of you know, protestors in Israel came out en masse to pressure the Netanyahu government into negotiating a ceasefire deal to secure the release of Hamas hostages after six were killed. While this article reports that the defense ministry and security forces are even more opposed to the hardliner refusal to reach an agreement with Hamas than before, Netanyahu is using the death as yet another pretext not to come to an agreement with Hamas, that it would effectively be rewarding them.

Keep in mind that Hamas did not kill the hostages for sport. Hamas claims that Israel shot them during an attempted rescue; Israel says the reverse. Alastair Crooke explained why given the givens that Hamas would have felt it necessary to execute them. Starting at 30:20:

Ive done hostage negotiations. And this is the basic rule. You start in a hostage negotiation. The hostage takers say, If we detect any signs of an attempt at a military release, we kill the hostage immediately. And so, all those negotiators have to be so careful. If they heard an aircraft they werent expecting, they heard an engine sort of nearby, they can just go kill the hostages. I dont think that Hamas was quite as trigger happy as that, but undoubtedly, the attempt to rescue them, the sense that they attempted to pre-empt an attempted Israeli rescue, like I think on the 8th of June when 274 Palestinians were killed and four hostages were released. So they decided they wanted to pre-empt that. Im sorry to say, its an unpleasant fact of hostage life.

A point the Anglosphere media generally skips over is what a farce these negotiations have been. Hamas has made clear it will not give up hostages for anything less than a long-term, as in expected to be permanent, ceasefire. Israel keeps insisting it will persist in the war until it destroys Hamas, which really means ethnically cleanse Gaza, and since no neighboring state will take in lots of Palestinians, that means genocide. Weve had the intelligence-insulting spectacle of the Biden Administration acting again and again as if a deal is nigh, when nothing fundamental has changed on the Israel side. Indeed, the Hamas side has complained that when they make concessions, Israel adds new demands.

Part of the reason for continuing this sham is that the Administration seems to believe, and may be correct, that Hezbollah and Iran will hold off on retaliation and escalation if hostilities look about to end. You can be sure the US would try to make the charge that theyd mendaciously attacked on the eve of a deal if either one were to make a big move.

It would be nice to hope that the big protest, and prospect of more, would force Netanyahu to relent. But the settler-brownshirts appear to be in the ascendant, witness the big escalation in West Bank. This article describes how the power struggle in the street is between the liberal Ashkenazi and the one-time underclass of the Middle Eastern Jews in Israel, the Haredim, who recently got a majority of seats in the Knesset. Sadly, the balance of forces, politically and physically, seems to favor the hardliners.

By David Hearst, the Editor of the Middle East Eye. Originally published at Middle East Eye; cross posted from Common Dreams

The recovery of six further dead hostages has set off a tidal wave of fury in Israel.

Demonstrations, not seen since the protests over judicial reform, are shaking the country.

Israelis are calling it an uprising.

Tens of thousands of Israelis have walked out of their jobs in a general strike. Both the defence minister, Yoav Gallant, and the security establishment are in open conflict with their prime minister.

Opposition leaders Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid called for people to go onto the streets. And they have. The main highways around Tel Aviv are blocked.

However the hostages diedHamas initially indicated they were killed by Israeli gunfire, the Israeli army says they were executed at close range just before an attempt was made to free themthe blame for their deaths has settled firmly on Benjamin Netanyahu and the ultra-right-wing clique that props up his government.

Four of the six hostages were on Hamas humanitarian list of captives and would have been released in the first stage of a hostage deal had Netanyahu not refused to withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor separating Egypt from Gaza.

This is not speculation.

Undermining a Possible Deal

Israeli security chiefs who repeatedly warned Netanyahu about what would happen to the remaining hostages if he continued to scupper a deal are saying so themselves.

Three days ago, a regular cabinet security briefing turned into a shouting match between Gallant and Netanyahu, Axios reported.

Gallant reportedly told the meeting: We have to choose between Philadelphi and the hostages. We cant 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, Israeli army Chief of Staff General Herzi Halevi and Mossad Director David Barnea, the head of the Israeli negotiating team, all confronted Netanyahu and his proposal to vote on a resolution to maintain full Israeli control along the border with Egypt that they said would undermine a possible deal with Hamas.

We warned Netanyahu and the cabinet ministers about this exact scenario but they wouldnt listen, a senior Israeli official told Axios. The vote went ahead with the majority in favour.

However the hostages met their deaths, what the families of the hostages clearly understood is that this group of hostages were alive shortly before the armys attempt to rescue them.

A deal for the return of the hostages has been on the table for over two months. If it werent for his [Netanyahus] thwarting, the excuses and the spins, the hostages whose deaths we learned of this morning would probably be alive, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement.

The deaths of the hostages have also reverberated across the US, in the same way that the Hamas attack on 7 October did.

Not least because the parents of one of the dead, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a US citizen, spoke on stage at the Democratic National Convention as thousands in the audience chanted Bring them back.

In response, the outgoing US President Joe Biden vowed to make Hamas pay for these deaths and the partys presidential nominee Kamala Harris said that Hamas must be eliminated.

Both know that the responsibility for the hostages deaths lies with them too.

The Brutal Truth

Biden clearly and unequivocally called for a permanent ceasefire four months ago. The UN passed a resolution for a comprehensive three-stage ceasefire in June.

It is Bidens first duty as commander in chief to make sure a key security ally in the Middle East abides by US policy, especially an ally as dependent on the supply of US arms as Israel is.

The brutal truth of these killings is that if Biden had been prepared to enforce his own policy with an arms embargo, a ceasefire would now be in place and many of the remaining hostages, Americans and Britons among them, would be freed.

If anyone should be looking at himself in the mirror at Goldberg-Polins death, it should be Biden.

For Harris to meekly follow in these footsteps is folly. She should remember what her own generals have said about the impossibility of defeating Hamas in Gaza.

It could nevertheless be that these deaths are the tipping point that forces Netanyahu to U-turn in negotiations, which still remain deadlocked.

The US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told the families of the US hostages held in Gaza that the US will present Israel and Hamas with a take-it-or-leave-it final offer on a ceasefire deal.

This has been said many times before, and one reason why US officials have lost all credibility with independent negotiators Egypt and Qatar.

However, if what results is a phased Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor, and Netanyahu buckles under the domestic and international pressure, he knows full well he will be tipped into another crisis.

End of Ashkenazi Control

Its not just the likelihood that Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister, and Itamar Ben Gvir, the national security minister, the two of the most extreme in his government, will walk out as they have repeatedly threatened to do.

Netanyahu knows that Israel is split down the middle. He has more than half of the country demanding he finish the job that David Ben Gurion, Israels first prime minister, failed to complete.

This uprising, like the demonstrations against the judicial reforms last year, is one of the last throws of the dice for the liberal Ashkenazi elite.

They sense they are losing control of the country they built. They have already lost control of the army and the police force to the settlers. Not much is left in their exclusive hands and there has been an exodus of Israelis and money to Europe over the last year to prove it.

Netanyahu is not solely acting out of personal political survival. He, too, senses Israel is on the cusp of a right-wing revolution. That is why every political instinct tells him the stakes are so high. If it happens, it will be totally at odds with a Democrat US presidency.

Unravelling in Real Time

Biden should also be looking himself in the mirror at what is happening in the Occupied West Bank.

Unable, for a variety of reasons not least military preparedness, to open a second front against Hezbollah in Lebanon, Netanyahu has turned his attention on the three towns in the north of the West Bank in a full-scale military operation called Operation Summer Camps designed to force a population transfer.

As night follows day, attacks have begun on Israeli troops all over the West Bank and particularly in the southern Hebron area.

Biden and Harris should take note of who shot three Israeli policemen dead in response to the army operation in the north.

The shooter was a member of Fatah and a former Palestinian presidential security guard. Furthermore, Muhannad al-Asood, a resident of Idhna in Hebron, who was born in Jordan and was a citizen of the country, returned to his native West Bank in 1998 with his family after obtaining family reunification.

Asoods personal history carries a clear warning for the consequences of how Palestinians in the West Bank will react to the opening of a second front of this war in the occupied territories, using much the same weapons and techniques in Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas as they did in Gaza.

Asood was not a member of Hamas or Islamic Jihad or part of any known local resistance group. He made an individual decision that resistance was the only answer to Israels military offensive.

There are hundreds of thousands of armed, unaffiliated Palestinians like him in the West Bank and Jordan who are coming to the same conclusion.

Furthermore, tensions between Jordan and Israel are mounting exponentially.

The launch of the offensive was accompanied by a war of words between Israels foreign minister, Israel Katz, and hisJordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi.

Katz not only told Jenins residents to leave in a temporary evacuation. He repeatedly accused Jordan of the build-up of arms in the camps, claiming it was unable to control its own territory.

Iran is building Islamic terror infrastructure in Judea and Samaria, flooding refugee camps with funds and weapons smuggled through Jordan, aiming to establish an eastern terror front against Israel. This process also threatens the stability of the Jordanian regime. The world must wake up and stop the Iranian octopus before its too late, Katz tweeted on X.

All lies, his Jordanian counterpart retorted.

Safadi wrote: We reject the claims of the extremist racist ministers who fabricate threats to justify the killing of Palestinians and the destruction of their capabilities. The Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people, and the Israeli escalation in the region constitute the greatest threat to security and peace.

We will oppose with all our capabilities any attempt to displace the Palestinian people inside or outside the occupied territories.

A Larger Conflagration

Now in its fifth day, the stage is set once more for an operation in the occupied West Bank which could last as long as Gaza and which the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is powerless to stop.

Palestinian teenagers are fighting back. Wael Mishah and Tariq Daoud were born after Oslo. They did not see the First or Second Intifadas.

Both had been released during a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas in November. On his release Mishah talked of the plight of children being beaten and abused in Israeli prisons.

Mishahs short journey was preordained. He went from being a prisoner to being wanted, to confronting [the occupation], then a martyr, his mother said.

He was killed by a drone at dawn on 15 August as he fought an Israeli raid on Nablus. There are thousands more like him who are being driven to battle.

Another fighter killed by Israel was the commander of the Tulkarm Battalion, Mohamed Jaber, known as Abu Shujaa. He was described by Israel as its most wanted militant but he was only 26 years old, and born four years after Oslo. Abu Shujaa was a refugee in Nur Shams Camp who came originally from Haifa. Killing him will inspire many more to join as he himself was inspired by others.

Even with the obvious reluctance of Hezbollah and Iran to get involved, all the ingredients are there for a much larger conflagration.

An Israel in the grip of an ultra nationalist , religious, settler insurgency; a US president who allows his signature policy to be flouted by his chief ally, even at the risk of losing a crucial election ; resistance that will not surrender; Palestinians in Gaza who will not flee; Palestinians in the West Bank who are now stepping up to the front line; Jordan, the second country to recognise Israel, feeling under existential threat.

For Biden or Harris, the message is so clear, it is flashing in neon lights: the regional costs of not standing up to Netanyahu could rapidly outweigh the domestic benefits of being dragged along by him.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Chinese automaker Changan Automobile officially registered its German subsidiary, Changan Automobile Deutschland GmbH, in Munich, marking a significant step in its European expansion, the automaker announced on September 3.

Photo credit: Changan Automobile

The new entity will not only handle sales, marketing, and service but will also focus on customer insights, market research, technical directives, homologation, and local product engineering, reinforcing Changans presence in Europe.

On August 31, Changan Automobile hosted its 2024 Middle East and Africa Brand Event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where it introduced three major brands and detailed its future product lineup for the region. The company also announced plans to enhance localized operations and services, underlining a comprehensive strategy for its renewed presence in the Middle East and Africa.

In fact, Changan Automobile is actively expanding its global footprint, with a new factory in Thailand set to begin local production in Southeast Asia. The DEEPAL new energy vehicle brand has started presales in Latin America and plans to enter Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. In the first seven months of 2024, Changan's overseas sales reached 228,000 units, up 67.6% year-over-year. The automaker aims to achieve annual overseas sales of 1.2 million units by 2030.
Giant pigeon to visit New York BoingBoing. We have the same type of pigeons here as in NYC except they are on average a bit smaller. Due to the heat?

Engineers Gave a Mushroom a Robot Body And Let It Run Wild ScienceAlert (Chuck L)

Oyster shells repurposed as magic Seawool Taipei Times (Robin K)

If new technologies snarl your airline experience, here are old-school strategies to cope The Conversation

No Screens Before Age of Two, Swedish Health Authority Tells Parents Guardian

Having Your Tubes Tied May Not Be as Reliable For Birth Control as You Think ScienceAlert (Chuck L)

Companies are crafting new ways to grow cocoa, and chocolate alternatives, to keep up with demand Associated Press (Robin K)

Mpox Outbreak Hits Iowa Prison As Multiple Inmates Infected Vice

#COVID-19

Climate/Environment

China?

South of the Border

European Disunion

Old Blighty

Starmer to face test next week as MPs vote on limiting winter fuel allowance Guardian

Gaza

New Not-So-Cold War

Big Brother is Watching You Watch

Trump

Kamala

James Carville: Kamala Harriss Best Strategy to Defeat Trump New York Times Via e-mail, DLG, Reality Czar, as a cook, took exception to the idea of washing greens in a bathtub. It appears black cooks very much agree. From a 2022 article, Woman Seen Cleaning Collard Greens In Bathtub: Black America Responds. Note the disapproval included the use of soap in the viral video, which one assumes was deemed necessary because bathtub.

Why vote for Trump? Why vote for Harris? Amazons Alexa gives shockingly different answers YouTube (Micael T)

Our No Longer Free Press

AI

The Bezzle

Watch: Flamethrower robot dog spits fire at YouTuber after bark command fail Interesting Engineering. Micael T: Both horrifying and hilarious. Why do we need these robots but also a new type of Darwin Award Sports, preferrably for spoiled rich kids that can afford this 100K robots. The action at 7:19

Guillotine Watch

Robbie Robertson estate battle holds lessons for inheritance disputes SF Chronicle

Class Warfare

Antidote du jour. Tom H: Junkyard cat at the local salvage shop in Berkeley, CA, fast asleep in the middle of everything.

And a bonus (Chuck L):

Honey badger vs 3 Leopards pic.twitter.com/fGy2VBnR9m  Nature is Amazing  (@AMAZlNGNATURE) September 3, 2024

A second, atypical bonus (Shiela M):

A video that made our day better, the little girl dances wonderfully pic.twitter.com/9WkYvURFuj  Enez Ozen (@Enezator) July 13, 2024

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
One lead story in the Wall Street Journal today, How Immigration Remade the U.S. Labor Force, tries to get its arms around the immigrant impact on the US economy using data. On the one hand, the Journal gets points for trying to mine a wide range of sources, such as immigrant court records, a KFF Health News/Los Angeles Times survey to CBO data to Census Bureau surveys.

On the other (and this admittedly reflects the propensities of these sources, to go into drunk under the streetlight mode with the information they gathered) is that these compilations are inherently questionable given how large the population of illegal immigrants is relative to the total, and how most of them understandably are trying to stay under the radar. Even with less than ideal information, the story early on flags why there is a controversy: the inflows have risen considerably under Biden:

Since the start of 2021, net immigration to the U.S. has totaled roughly 9.3 million people, according to estimates by the Congressional Budget Office. Thats more than three times the net number of people that entered the country over the previous four years

This chart gives a sense of the nature of the problem:

To clarify the categories, from the interactive chart:

.

Lawful permanent residents generally refer to green-card holders. Net inflows of this group have been relatively steady from year to year. The nonimmigrant group includes temporary workers, student visitors and officials of foreign governments. Negative net immigration in a group means it got smaller from the year before, the result of things like people leaving the U.S. and changes in status. The biggest net increase has been in the other foreign nationals category, which includes people who entered the U.S. undetected, as well as those who were paroled into the country and are awaiting proceedings in immigration court.

Before we go any further, yours truly is very leery of the pretend precision in this article. Conservatives are not crazy when they contend that the number of undocumented immigrants could well be higher than the estimates. I regard it as a chart crime to include such squishy figures from that taken from populations where the officials have much more solid counts. Theres no way (and no attempt) in any of the many charts and tables to indicate that the illegal immigrant data has vastly higher error bands than that from the other groups.

For instance, in the early 2000s, a unit of American Express asked me to identify long-term trends that they should keep in mind or use in marketing strategies. Obviously there are tons of firms and mavens who pretend to do that for a living. They were asking me to dig through a huge raft of this crystal-balling and pick out forecasts that seemed sound.

One of three I identified was demographic change. This study came right after the 2000 Census results were released. Demographers were shocked at the magnitude of the population increase. They had expected the US to follow other advanced economies who were having declining birth rates and show only a modest increase. The much-greater-than-anticipated rise was due primarily to the heretofore unrecognized magnitude of illegal immigration, and secondarily not allowing enough for the increase in the Hispanic population, which had higher birth rates.

The fact that so many experts had been blindsided by this change told me how bad the information capture had been, and how intrinsically difficult it would be to do much better. Even though there are no doubt concerted efforts to come up with better estimates, they are always going to be very squishy.

Mind you, many of the findings seem intuitively correct. However, when I was at McKinsey, once in great while, the studies would attempt to give theorizing more solidity by representing it as a graphic. I would beef that the charts should be labeled, McKinsey intuition.

Again, these tables have some underpinning but should have stronger caveats. So I would treat them as probably directionally correct but would be leery of quoting figures. The magnitude of the undocumented migrant segment is so large and so difficult to dimension with great confidence that it makes it hard to generalize to the entire immigrant population. That problem is worse if the critics are correct and the illegal immigrant numbers are much larger than shown in the estimates here.

Some examples below, based on Census Bureau monthly household surveys. The Journal acknowledges the probable incompleteness:

The number of post-2020 immigrants who participate in the monthly Census survey is small and demographers believe unauthorized immigrants are less likely to respond when the government calls to ask questions. But looking at the people who do respond to the monthly Census allows some inferences about their characteristics.

Small samples also reduce reliability. Nevertheless:

As the article explains:

Recent migrants are younger and more likely to be of working age than U.S.-born Americans. Of foreigners who arrived since 2020, 78% are between the ages of 16 and 64, compared with 60% of those born in the U.S., according to the monthly census data. That helps explain why they are also more likely to be in the labor force. Of recent immigrants age 16 or older, 68%the participation rateare either working or looking for a job, compared with 62% for U.S.-born Americans. In raw numbers, that likely amounts to more than five million people, equal to roughly 3% of the labor force.

The article also shows how different data sources, using different sampling methods, come to different conclusions:

The 12 largest source countries for newcomers assigned immigration-court hearings since late 2020 are in Latin America or the Caribbean, the TRAC data show, led by Venezuela at 14%, Mexico at 13% and Honduras at 8.5%. Monthly census data paint a slightly different picture, suggesting that Mexico is the most-common country of origin, followed by Venezuela and India.

Admittedly, the comments on this story present sample bias of their own. But it was instructive to see some arguing against illegal immigration in order to support US wages and thus provide for stronger social programs:

Claude King Misleading article again from WSJ, illegal immigration hurts the low income groups and degrades the quality of workers available.

Legal immigration is what we need, along with an energy policy that supports on-shoring production.

Our government has favored the Globalists profits over whats good for the country.

Hiding behind cheaper prices and low quality instead good jobs and reduction of entitlements which are used to buy votes.

Some objected to not including other information sources (note I have not verified that the claim below is accurate but it didnt elicit pushback in a pretty feisty se of comments:

Micky Murray The article is incorrect because they list total immigration in 2024 at less than 4 million. The correct YTD number is over 8 million according to the department of homeland security. and the real number is even higher when you include the known and unknown gotaways. So it is easily over 10:million.

The article depicted the immigrants on average having higher levels that natives of those lacking a high school degree, but also doing a smidge better on the proportion with a college eduction. A comment on skill levels:

JoNg TiffMia Ive hired many of the illegal immigrants that have moved into my area. Many are hard working but unskilled to a level that is unbelievable. They have no idea how to paint a house or dig a hole, much less a trade that requires some level of skill and training. If there are millions of new workers with limited English and very low skill, who is going to pay for the training and upskilling of these people? On top of this, the undocumented nature of these folks means they have endless problems navigating life in the USA. One example, a Honduran worker I hired needed some medicine for his diabetes. He thought it was a prescription that he couldnt get in the US so he had his daughter ship it from Honduras, only to have UPS hold the package because they couldnt verify who the recipient was. He couldnt navigate the UPS customs process so I helped him do it, only to find out that they were paying hundreds of dollars to ship an herbal creme that was available over the counter on Amazon for $25 and could be shipped to me by tomorrow. Just that small experience made me realize having a life as an undocumented worker is completely untenable to have millions of people under this status, permanently. Therefore, I conclude that Americans will be forced to realize this is reality at some point and we will have to accept that ALL of these people will eventually become documented Americans at some point. Itll just take until the next Dem president, house and senate. Thats the reality.

I have to differ with the claim that illegal immigrants will be regularized at some point. I had a friend back in the day who had gotten partway through the legal immigration process and then stalled out due when his US wife stopped cooperating. Obama had developed an amnesty program, and he joked that he would be the only person to qualify, since it required paying all taxes due. Hed gotten as far as getting a SSN and so was compliant. I suspect the tax demand will remain a sticking point.

And a reader pushed back, objecting to likely labor exploitation:

Marc Jones Take a look at Europe. It is tearing itself apart as it tries to do what you wish. Look in the mirror. Is this about you being magnanimous or just being greedy? Those illegals you hire, do you pay them enough such that they can live without housing and food subsidies? Do you have them all enrolled in a healthcare program, so they can pay for what is necessary when they and their families are sick or injured. Are you making donations to your local school district so the extra educational services their children require are not dropped on the backs of taxpaying citizens? I have been listening to this rap my whole life. It always sounds great. But when I turn it over and look closely, the picture changes.

These comments do not quite amount to a sea change, but they do seem to represent a much lower level of defense of migration as a presumed good thing than I recall seeing in the Journal in the past. The comments included observations that were shades of Brexit, on how high and low wage immigrants both were contributing to high housing prices. So if nothing else, the level of cheap sloganeering to at least somewhat reasoned arguments was an improvement from what Ive often seen at the Journal before. One can take that as progress of sorts.
Atlantic Council, funded by U.S. taxpayers, ATTACKED Telegram two months before Pavel Durovs arrest

Evidence has emerged to suggest that the Atlantic Council, an American deep state think tank, may have had a hand in the recent arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov.

On June 21, 2024, the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensics Research (DFR) Lab held a conference called "Another Battlefield: Telegram as a digital front in Russia's war against Ukraine" that, like its name suggests, framed the very existence of Telegram as a Russian weapon against Ukraine and, ultimately, the West.

If you are interested, here is the roughly hour-long footage from the conference so you can see and hear for yourself the Atlantic Council's anti-Telegram agenda:

We know from the recently unearthed Twitter Files that the Atlantic Council has a lot of power over censorship in the United States. The DFR Lab controlled by the Atlantic Council was described by Michael Shellenberger in his testimony before the Judiciary Committee as "one of the most established and influential full-time censorship institutions in the world."

The Atlantic Council would not exist as it currently does, by the way, without funding from U.S. government agencies, which themselves are funded by U.S. taxpayers and the Federal Reserve's money-printing machines. Notorious Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Pinchuk is also a major funder of the Atlantic Council.

(Related: The globalist deep state will not stop at just Durov: their goal is to stamp out all free speech and those who promote or facilitate it worldwide.)

Need to target or destroy someone? Just claim they're Russian assets

At one point, Tucker Carlson interviewed Durov. This prompted Radio Free Europe, a network that was controlled by the CIA for the first 20 years of its existence, to run a hit piece  see Mike Benz's tweet below  claiming that the Russian government is secretly in charge of Telegram and that Ukraine must seize control of the platform instead.

2 weeks after Tucker interviewed Pavel, the CIA-founded Radio Free Europe (run directly by the CIA for its first 20 years), ran a long piece insinuating Russia was secretly controlling Telegram & Ukraine must seize control of it instead as a military intelligence imperative. pic.twitter.com/w1sL1YpWRM  Mike Benz (@MikeBenzCyber) August 28, 2024

Every time Durov gets any kind of major attention, in other words, the powers that be are ready at the helm to smear him and the Telegram platform as Russian assets. It sounds a whole lot like the media's constant Russia, Russia, Russia! nonsense from Donald Trump's first presidential terms.

Fast-forward to the late summer of 2024 and now Durov is in custody after landing in his private plane at Bourget airport in France. He is being charged with all sorts of crimes that Telegram users, and not Durov himself, are accused of committing.

It sure looks like the Atlantic Council is at least partially responsible for what is now happening to Durov, as is the U.S. military-industrial complex and the many intelligence agencies that keep it operational and in control of Western hegemony.

The reason why they hate Durov so much is that unlike Mark Zuckerberg and other establishment social media platform heads, Durov is unwilling to compromise his users' privacy. Durov never complies with government orders for private data because he knows this type of warrantless intrusion is wrong and only accelerates the world's plunge into tyranny.

There is clearly an identifiable pattern at work where deplatforming and hit pieces are no longer enough: The deep state is now resorting to warrantless arrests, indictments and imprisonment to punish Durov and others like him who value the right to free speech and privacy.

Is the U.S. government and Israel behind this ongoing persecution of Pavel Durov? Find out more at Tyranny.news.

Sources for this article include:

Revolver.news

NaturalNews.com
Democrat influencers Brian and Ed Krassenstein accused of owning p#rn-linked website domains but say they never directly hosted adult or illegal content

A report from the Daily Mail has accused Democratic Party influencers, twin brothers Brian and Ed Krassenstein, of owning multiple pornographic website domains

The Krassenstein brothers of Fort Myers, Florida, used to be small-time entrepreneurs who ran investment web forums that were indiscriminate about the kind of investment opportunities they hosted, including apparent Ponzi schemes, according to media reports.

In the past few years, the twins shot to prominence on social media over their tendency to reply to the tweets of former President Donald Trump during his first term. Their tweets praising Democrats and criticizing Republicans were regularly viewed by millions. (Related: Media personalities ATTACK RFK Jr. for endorsing Donald Trump.)

Now, the 42-year-old twins are being accused of having a long history of owning domains that appear to indicate use for porn websites.

The accusation comes from conservative scientist and writer Dr. Simon Goddek, who posted a series of pictures on X revealing that the Krassensteins bought multiple porn website addresses and profited from them, he says.

Among the pictures, Goddek noted that Ed's email and username were used to purchase domains that trafficked in potentially illegal sexual activity, including "17onlygirls.com." Ed's email was also connected to the domains "porn4.us," "bigboobfilm.com" and "homosexuals.co.in."

Uncovered messages prove Krassensteins negotiated to gain ownership of adult websites

Furthermore, Goddek was able to uncover screenshots from 2007 of messages between the Krassensteins and the owner of several porn websites indicating that the twins were attempting to negotiate over the purchase of three porn domains: "teenpies.com," "teenpie.com" and "teenporn101.com."

The messages dated back to Sept. 17, 2007, and were on the website Web Hosting Talk. They come from a user called "edbri871"  a username that matches with Brian's Pinterest username and the email the brothers used to register other porn site addresses  and were in reply to a user offering to sell 16 adult domains, including the aforementioned teen porn domains.

"What price are you looking for these? Did you have them parked and if so what were they making?" wrote edbri871. The owner of the domains continued the conversation in private messages that Goddek was unable to uncover.

In other messages on the same website, user edbri871 signed off with the name "Brian."

In a statement, Ed confirmed that he and his brother were regulars on the Web Hosting Talk Website and that they were frequent users of the site to "purchase sites that are established and earning a regular monthly profit," adding that he and his brother were particularly interested in  sites that are aimed towards young adults/teens."

In a statement, the brothers denied having ever "run a porn site of any kind." However, they did admit to buying website addresses in bulk.

"We never hosted any porn site in [our] lives," claimed Brian in a reply to Goddek. "What we did do 18 years ago was buy and sell huge portfolios of domain names. We owned upwards of 15,000 domain names, not websites, and brokered them."

Goddek found this claim questionable at best, replying: "It's written in black and white. There are screenshots showing that you were purchasing teen porn domains (which you call portfolio lol) with traffic."

"The evidence is hitting you right in the face, yet you continue to claim it's not true," added Goddek. "Enough with the lies."

Brian further responded by claiming that, between 2001 and 2011, he and his twin brother "operated a massive domain name brokerage and parking business" that saw investors buying and selling up to 15,000 web addresses. He claims that "less than 0.2 percent" of the websites bought and sold by the business were "adult-oriented."

"Most of these were immediately dropped as soon as we were able to," he added. "None of them were ever developed into websites or porn sites."

In a statement to the Daily Mail, Ed denied he and his brother ever purchased teenage porn-oriented domains, claiming that he or his brother may appear as registrants for certain adult website domain names because they would temporarily hold on to those sites as middlemen for other buyers and sellers, not because they own the web addresses themselves.

Ed added that he does not remember ever negotiating with a user for a package of 16 adult domain names, suggesting that the screenshots could have been fabricated.

Watch this clip from Red Voice Media discussing how Brian and Ed Krassenstein are accused of pushing harmful rhetoric online for profit.

This video is from the Red Voice Media channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Deep state TAKEDOWNS now targeting pro-Trump influencers.

Jack Black's band cancels tour after bandmate makes insensitive joke to crowd about Trump shooting.

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill ridiculed for criticizing size of Trump's ear bandage.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

RollingStone.com

Brighteon.com
Kamala Harris used fake letter to deceive public into thinking Tucker Carlson praised her push for gun control

Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Aug. 28 shared a handwritten letter on X, formerly Twitter, supposedly written to her by a certain Tucker, lauding her push for gun safety legislation

Her response caught people's reaction as controversial and "insinuating." She told the letter sender: "Tucker, thank you for writing to me. While we may not agree on every issue, we both know that every person in our nation should have the freedom to live safe from gun violence. Most Americans stand with us in support of commonsense (sic) gun safety legislation."

Harris apparently tried to imply that she was replying to a letter from former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson.

However, analysts argue that the signature from the letter looks nothing like Carlson's and the content seemed to have been lifted from an artificial intelligence application. Netizens also note that Carlson always dates his letters.

Meanwhile, the conservative commentator reacted to the letter posted and replied to by Harris.

"People think I sent a handwritten letter to Kamala Harris endorsing gun confiscation? That's moronic," Carlson said. "I'm carrying a gun right now, as I always do. There are few things I hate more than the Democratic Party's attempt to disarm the American population. That's what dictatorships do."

Harris, Democrats planning to "kill" Second Amendment

Grassroots Ohio-based gun rights organization Buckeye Firearms Association listed in an article on its website how Democrats, under the leadership of Harris, plan to kill the Second Amendment.

"If you're planning tyranny, at least don't put it in writing. That seems to be the guiding principle behind the Harris-Walz administration's 2024 Democratic Party Platform. In terms of gun control, their once radical ideas are now missing or appear watered down," the writeup read.

The Democrats want universal background checks; "assault weapon" and standard-capacity magazine bans; mandatory safe-storage laws; the repeal of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act and increased red-flag laws; funding for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; funding for the Federal Bureau of Investigation for more background checks; and funding for the Centers Disease Control and Prevention, "because the gun violence epidemic is a public health crisis."

Most of these plans are unconstitutional, according to the group. For example, Minnesota governor and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz likes to conflate the semi-automatic AR-15 with the select-fire M4, which he falsely claimed to have carried into battle. Harris has said numerous times she wants a "mandatory buyback" of AR-15s, which is nothing more than a smokescreen for mandatory confiscation. (Related: Harris-Walz tandem's first order of business: Ban AR-15s.)

Last year, President Joe Biden put Harris in charge of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which Biden said would "centralize, accelerate and intensify work to save more lives more quickly." The Office has no website, its budget has never been made public and the staffing levels are not known as it operates in secret and without oversight.

Moreover, Biden has issued nearly 40 anti-gun executive orders, including one that bans homemade firearms. Harris will likely issue more and will have plenty of help doing so  Barack Obama is a longtime mentor of Harris, and the former president is the driving force behind many of the current administration's gun control schemes.

Visit SecondAmendment.news to read similar stories.

Watch American commentator Jesse Watters slam Harris for her "stale script."

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Kamala Harris calls for renewal of so-called "assault weapons" ban to hurriedly DISARM Americans before the election.

Sources include:

Modernity.news

BuckeyeFirearms.org

Brighteon.com
Hungary cautions against long-range missile strikes targeting Russia

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has cautioned against allowing Ukraine to use Western weapons for long-range strikes into Russia, warning of increased escalation risks.

"If long-range attacks hit Russian territory, the risk of escalation will only rise," Szijjarto wrote on Facebook last week ahead of an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels. "We dont want this."

The meeting, initially scheduled for Budapest, was moved to Brussels by the EU's top foreign policy official, Josep Borrell, in response to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbans recent peace efforts involving Ukraine, Russia and China.

At the meeting, Borrell advocated for lifting restrictions on Western weapons to Ukraine, arguing that these weapons must be fully utilized to target Russian bombing sites; otherwise, they are ineffective, according to POLITICO.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also pushed for the removal of all restrictions on Ukraines use of Western arms.

Additionally, Hungary opposed Borrell's proposal to sanction Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir for their rhetoric, which Borrell described as "incitement to war crimes." (Related: Hungary hops off "NATO Train," calls Wests escalation of war in Ukraine "hopeless.")

Following the meeting, Szijjarto criticized Borrells proposals as "reckless," reaffirming Hungary's stance on peace. "We do not want more weapons in Ukraine, more deaths, or further escalation of the war. We seek common sense and peace," he said.

Borrell, Ukraine want to strike Russia with Western weapons

Meanwhile, Borrell escalated pressure on Ukraine's supporters to lift the restrictions on Western weapons used against Russian targets.

Addressing reporters ahead of an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, Borrell emphasized that current curbs on using such weapons against Russia must be lifted according to international law.

"The weaponry that we are providing to Ukraine must be fully utilized, and the restrictions have to be lifted to allow Ukrainians to target the places where Russia is bombing them," Borrell stated. "Otherwise, the weaponry is useless."

On Aug. 29, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that it had destroyed 60 out of 74 Russian attack drones and two out of five missiles during an overnight operation.

However, 14 drones were unaccounted for and are believed to have fallen within Ukrainian territory. The head of Kyivs military administration, Serhiy Popko, noted that falling debris from the attacks had damaged windows and caused a fire in a residential building, which was later extinguished.

Ukraine is actively seeking additional air defenses and support from its Western allies to counter Russia's intense drone attacks.

Specifically, Ukraine has requested 25 Patriot air defense systems to bolster its airspace protection. Ukraine is also advocating for the removal of restrictions on Western weapons to enable strikes on Russian military targets.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who spoke alongside Borrell, warned that if Russia emerges victorious, it will be due to the failure of Western allies to make bold decisions.

"The success of Russia depends on one thing: the preparedness of partners to make bold decisions. If decisions are taken, Ukraine will be successful on the ground. If not, do not blame Ukraine; blame yourselves," Kuleba said.

Kuleba also emphasized that Ukraine seeks to strike only "legitimate military targets" within Russia. "If we are supplied a sufficient number of missiles and allowed to strike, we will significantly reduce Russias ability to inflict damage on our critical infrastructure and improve the situation for our forces on the ground," he added.

In line with its strategy, Ukraine's military confirmed that it had attacked an artillery depot and two oil storage facilities in Russia on Aug. 28. These assaults were aimed at disrupting key energy, transport and military infrastructure crucial to Moscow's war effort.

Learn more about the situation in Ukraine at UkraineWitness.com.

Watch this episode of the "Ron Paul Liberty Report" as co-hosts former Texas Rep. Ron Paul and Daniel McAdams discuss Hungary's call for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

This video is from the channel What Is Happening on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Hungary BLOCKS EU military aid for Ukraine after Kyiv blacklisted Hungarian bank for keeping Russian branches open.

EU tyrants vote to punish Hungary for Orbans "peace mission"  why do they hate peace so much?

EU threatening to SABOTAGE Hungarys economy if Viktor Orban continues to block military aid for Ukraine.

Sources include:

Antiwar.com

Aljazeera.com

Brighteon.com
Israel purchasing ads on Google searches for UNRWA to discredit UN humanitarian aid agency

Google Search users who try to find information online about Israel's war in Gaza are now being met with targeted advertising that aims to discredit the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

According to reports, Israel is purchasing these ads for placement atop Google Search results for "UNRWA" and "UNRWA USA" in an attempt to discredit the humanitarian body as having ties to Hamas.

A report from Wired explains that an Israeli government advertising agency is behind the scheme, the goal of which is to redirect all Google Search users to a special Israeli government propaganda page claiming that UNRWA is a Hamas entity.

The Israeli government says that UNRWA has not declared whether or not employing Hamas members violates its neutrality claim. UNRWA in response says the Israeli government is lying and that it does not employ Hamas members.

(Related: During a recent raid on Hamas tunnels in Gaza, Israel Defense Forces [IDF] killed five out of the six Israeli hostages who were inside  they all "suffocated to death" because of Israel's weapons.)

Google catering to Israel's propaganda efforts at UNRWA's expense

Back in January, a number of Western countries suspended their financing of UNRWA after Israeli accused 12 of the organization's 30,000 employees of playing a role in the October attack on Israel that precipitated the Netanyahu regime's crusade against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

A UN commission put together what is known as the Colonna report to look into Israeli's allegations. It found that Israeli authorities had not provided "any supporting evidence" to definitively link UNRWA staff members to Hamas.

After the report was published, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Sweden and Canada all restored funding to UNRWA, which the same commission is urging to strengthen its internal audit function and improve external oversight of its project management operations.

These Israeli propaganda ads on Google were first spotted by UNRWA staff members who tried to appeal to the tech giant to remove the ads, which UNRWA says are full of misinformation. As of this writing, Israel's anti-UNRWA ads are still appearing on Google.

When searching Google for "UNRWA," the very first result is a sponsored ad from "GovExtra," an Israeli government entity, claiming that UNRWA's neutrality has been "compromised" by Hamas.

"UNRWA" and "UNRWA USA" are not the only two search terms that pull up that sponsored ad. Israel identified some 300 different search terms related to UNRWA that have also been tied to the propaganda article featured as the first result on Google.

Between May and July of this year, Google users who tried to search for information about UNRWA were met with Israel's sponsored result 44 percent of the time. Compare that to UNRWA USA's own advertisements, which only appeared 34 percent of the time.

According to Mara Kronenfeld of UNRWA USA, the agency has spent thousands of dollars and lots of staff time trying to outbid Israel's advertising on Google, to no avail. Even so, UNRWA continues to receive donations by supporters, including 78,000 who gave money to the agency just in the month of August so far this year.

"There is an incredibly powerful campaign to dismantle UNRWA," Kronenfeld said, expressing concern that the general public will get the wrong idea about the agency thanks to Israel's propaganda efforts.

"I want the public to know what's happening and the insidious nature of it, especially at a time when civilian lives are under attack in Gaza," she added.

The latest news about Israel's efforts to control the war narrative can be found at Prophecy.news.

Sources for this article include:

MiddleEastEye.net

Wired.com

NaturalNews.com
Kyivs Russia incursion plan required Western intel, meaning the U.S. knew in advance what Ukraine was going to do

Washington keeps getting caught in lies as the Western establishment pretends to not be backing Ukraine with its incursion into Russia.

A senior U.S. intelligence officer acknowledged this week that Kyiv had access to a consortium of satellite imagery that the Zelensky regime used to plan and execute their invasion into Russia's Kursk Region, a claim that Washington denies as false.

According to the powers that be here in the United States, nobody knew in advance that Ukraine was planning the invasion, even though it has already come out that both the U.S. and Great Britain "provided Ukraine with satellite imagery and other information," to quote a New York Times report.

The Times included a caveat claim that the satellite imagery and other intelligence was not meant "to help Ukraine push deeper into Russia, but to allow its commanders to better track Russian reinforcements that might attack them or cut off their eventual withdrawal back to Ukraine" because it was supposedly delivered after the start of the incursion.

Vice Admiral Frank Whitworth, who directs the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), commented that the Times may be confused. The paper's sources could have been referring to the commercial satellite imagery that the U.S. has been giving Ukraine access to for years through the Global Enhanced GEOINT Delivery (G-EGD) portal, operated by the space company Maxar.

"There were over 400,000 accounts in that particular portal," Whitworth said at a recent discussion panel hosted by the Intelligence and National Security Alliance. "And so, the availability of commercial imagery is sustained."

"If that is what they are using for purposes of this particular campaign, this limited campaign in Kursk, then I'll defer to them to confirm that. But the availability is always there."

(Related: The U.S. Navy component of the West's military-industrial complex is having to sideline replenishment ships because there are not enough crew members available  because many Navy servicemen quit or were killed due to Wuhan coronavirus [COVID-19] "vaccine" mandates.)

Ukraine wants control of captured Russian territory "for some period of time"

Speaking at the same event was CIA Deputy Director David Cohen, who revealed that based on the conversations that he and his agency have had with Ukraine, "there seems to be intent on retaining some of that [captured Russian] territory for some period of time."

In other words, Ukraine is using U.S. intelligence to advance its anti-Russia agenda, which crosses the red line that Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about in his repeated warnings against the U.S. helping Ukraine to take Russian territory.

The purpose of the panel, by the way, mostly centered around discussing how Washington uses commercial solutions to enhance its espionage and military capabilities, as well as how it plans to make even more use of this strategy in the future.

Russia already considers Ukraine's proxy war against Russia to be a product of the U.S. Russia recognizes that Ukraine is less a country and more a de facto private military corporation that is fighting for Washington's interests an nobody else's, especially not the American people Washington supposedly represents.

Russian officials are making it abundantly clear that they consider the U.S. and other NATO member states to be parties in direct conflict with Russia, which means this is already, in many ways, a world war in motion.

"Isn't that an act of war?" asked a commenter about the U.S. sharing satellite imagery and other intelligence with the Ukrainian military.

"We are way beyond point out individual 'acts of war' nowadays," responded another.

"Russia has ample cause to declare a justified war against the West, from the destruction of Nord Stream to the seizure of financial assets, to the funding, training, and arming of Ukraine, to attacking nuclear early warning radar sites  any single one of these could have started a war. The only reason there is no war is because Russia does not find it convenient at the moment."

If the U.S. is not careful, Russia could retaliate for all the lying and deception. Learn more at WWIII.news.

Sources for this article include:

NYTimes.com

NaturalNews.com
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

Teslas China factory delivers over 86,000 vehicles in August

Tesla's Gigafactory Shanghai delivered nearly 86,700 vehicles in August 2024, up 17% month-on-month, with over 63,000 units sold in China, which represented a 37% surge from a year ago, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association.

Photo credit: Tesla

FAW Toyotas August auto sales reach 72,086 vehicles

FAW Toyota sold 72,086 vehicles in August this year, with the new Avalon contributing 9,264 units, which soared 178% month on month.

Geely SMILE makes global debut

On September 3, Geely's new A0-segment pure electric vehicle, the SMILE (known as the Xingyuan in Chinese), made its global debut. The SMILE is set to officially hit the market in October.

Pony.ai starts testing autonomous cars on Guangzhous newly opened expressways

The Guangzhou city recently opened its second batch of intelligent connected vehicle (ICV) testing routes on expressways, including routes linking key transportation hubs like Guangzhou South Railway Station and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. Pony.ai, which previously obtained the first ICV expressway testing permit in Guangzhou, has begun autonomous driving tests on these newly available routes.

Greater Bay Technology, Victpower team up in cell transaction, energy storage, robotics fields

Guangzhou Greater Bay Technology Co., Ltd. (Greater Bay Technology), a Chinese supercharging technology developer, and Victpower Group recently signed a strategic cooperation agreement, Greater Bay Technology announced on Sept. 3 via its WeChat account.

FAW Jiefang posts 7.84% YoY rise in H1 2024 revenue

On August 30, FAW Groups commercial vehicle arm FAW Jiefang released its financial results for the first half of 2024 (H1 2024), showing robust growth. The company achieved a semi-annual revenue of 35.602 billion yuan, which rose 7.84% year on year.

DFZK teams with Dynisma for advanced driving simulator development

Chinas testing equipment and technology service company Beijing Oriental Jicheng Technology Co., Ltd. (DFZK) recently announced that it has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Dynisma, a leading provider of motion simulators in the UK. The partnership aims to explore new technologies and applications for advanced driving simulators, fostering development and mutual benefits.

Changan Automobile sets up German subsidiary

Chinese automaker Changan Automobile officially registered its German subsidiary, Changan Automobile Deutschland GmbH, in Munich, marking a significant step in its European expansion, the automaker announced on September 3.

Chinas vehicle inventory alert index in Aug. 2024 drops both YoY, MoM

The China Automobile Dealers Association ("CADA") recently released the latest "China Automobile Dealers Inventory Alert Index" (VIA), showing that in August 2024, the VIA for Chinese automobile dealers reached 56.2%, representing an year-on-year decrease of 0.7 percentage points and a month-on-month decline of 3.2 percentage points.
Avengers star Mark Ruffalo sides with Brazilian dictator censoring X/Twitter, blasts weird tech bro Musk

Left-wing Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo has sided with Brazilian president Lula da Silvas judiciary for blocking Elon Musks social media platform X, making it largely inaccessible on both the web and through its mobile app.

(Article by Simon Kent republished from Breitbart.com)

X missed a deadline imposed by Brazilian Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF) Minister Alexandre de Moraes to name a legal representative in Brazil, triggering the nationwide suspension.

De Moraes, the equivalent of what in the United States would be a Supreme Court justice, subpoenaed X and its owner, Elon Musk, in a post made on the site itself on Wednesday night  a move the STF itself reportedly described as unprecedented, as it marks the first time the Brazilian top court has subpoenaed someone on social media.

It marks an escalation in the months-long feud between Musk and radical leftist de Moraes over free speech and alleged misinformation, as Breitbart News reported.

The court order, which de Moraes digitally signed, came one week after X announced the closure of its office in Brazil. The decision, according to Xs global government affairs team, was in response to de Moraes allegedly threatening to arrest the platforms Brazilian legal team if it did not comply with his censorship orders, as noted by Breitbarts Christian K. Caruzo.

Avengers star Ruffalo has now supported the ban and taken Musk to task for refusing to cooperate with Brazils authorities. He wrote on X:

@elonmusk 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, de Moraes wrote. Because he is a weird and entitled billionaire tech bro. Tax him

What an idiot  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 31, 2024

Other users of X also added their response to that of Musk, accusing Ruffalo of siding with a foreign authoritarian government over free speech.

Others pointed out the irony of Ruffalo criticizing free speech while using the X platform to express his views.

So Mark Ruffalo comes on ? to post against free speech while exercising his free speech by posting on ?? ?  CommonSense (@6hSense) August 31, 2024

Bernie Bro Ruffalo sides with a foreign authoritarian government against his own countryman over free speech. In a just world, this post would end this clown's career. pic.twitter.com/DwaRkaPr72  The Right King Todd (@RightKingTodd) August 31, 2024

The row began in April, with the judge ordering the suspension of dozens of X accounts for allegedly spreading disinformation.

Reacting to the decision, Musk said at the time: Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is destroying it for political purposes.

The social media network is said to be used by at least a 10th of the nations 200 million inhabitants.

By Saturday morning some users had reported access to the platform was no longer possible, the BBC reports.

The head of Brazils telecommunications agency, which has been tasked with suspending the platform, said he is proceeding with the compliance to do so, according to Reuters news agency.

Justice Moraes has also given companies such as Apple and Google a five-day deadline to remove X from its application stores and block its use on iOS and Android systems.

Meanwhile, the bank accounts of Musks satellite internet firm Starlink have been frozen in Brazil following an earlier order by the countrys Supreme Court.

Read more at: Breitbart.com
NO FREE SPEECH ALLOWED: NYU declares Zionists a protected class that cannot be criticized

To prevent students, faculty members and others from voicing any kind of opposition to Israel's war in Gaza, New York University (NYU) has changed its "hate speech" and harassment guidelines to prohibit anyone from criticizing Zionism.

Anyone who identifies as a "Zionist" will now receive special treatment at NYU, which plans to punish anyone who is caught uttering "discriminatory comments" about this protected class of people.

"For many Jewish people, Zionism is a part of their Jewish identity," the new NYU guidelines state.

"Speech and conduct that would violate the NDAH (non-discrimination and anti-harassment policy) if targeting Jewish or Israeli people can also violate the NDAH if directed toward Zionists."

The NYU chapter of Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine (NYU FSJP) released its own statement condemning the move. By equating Judaism with Zionism, students and faculty who oppose what they see as a genocide taking place in Gaza no longer have a voice on campus.

NYU FSJP also feels as though the new rules set a dangerous precedent in that other ethnonationalist movements such as Hindu nationalism and Christian nationalism may also receive special protection against criticism.

"The new guidance sets a dangerous precedent by extending Title VI protections to anyone who adheres to Zionism, a nationalist political ideology, and troublingly equates criticism of Zionism with discrimination against Jewish people," the group said.

At NYU, it's "discrimination" to criticize a genocidal ethnostate. https://t.co/R9ub3A2ZrY  Briahna Joy Gray (@briebriejoy) August 26, 2024

(Related: Congress passed a bill earlier this year that lays the groundwork for the nationwide criminalization of all criticisms against Zionism, Israel, and Jews in any context.)

In 2020, NYU made loosely defined "antisemitism" off-limits

You may recall that NYU is one of the campuses where pro-Palestinian protests broke out over the past year following the October 7 attack on Israel that resulted in the Netanyahu regime waging war on the entire Gaza Strip.

Protesters against Israel's actions were calling on NYU to stop investing in companies that profit from the war, which prompted the school to retaliate by sending in law enforcement to break up their demonstrations.

Some NYU alumni are also upset about the school's ties to Israel. A group of them released a statement back in March stating that they will withhold more than $3 million in donations after students and faculty who organized to protest the war were persecuted by the school.

"The new NDAH guidance represents an intensification of NYUs year-long effort to censor criticism and criminalize protest of Israels ongoing genocide in Gaza," NYU FSJP said in its latest statement about the matter.

Issues first arose back in 2020, it turns out, when NYU adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of "antisemitism," which experts say conflates all criticism of Israel, meaning the Israeli government, with "antisemitism."

Other issues that some NYU students have with their school is a study abroad program that allows students to travel to and learn in Tel Aviv. There is also an NYU Abu Dhabi campus that, like the main campus in New York, is reportedly cracking down on opposition to Israel's war on Gaza.

Reports indicate that pro-Palestinian protesters at NYU Abu Dhabi were taken into custody and interrogated at government security offices "based on surveillance of their personal association, private email exchanges, and private social media posts." In other words, NYU Abu Dhabi spies on its students and faculty.

"And people wonder why university credentials are losing prestige and why people don't respect academics anymore," wrote someone on X. "If there was a slogan to represent American culture over the last 50 years it would be 'seed corn is delicious!'"

Coming up with the concept of "hate speech" is how the globalists are sidestepping the First Amendment. Learn more at Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

MiddleEastEye.net

NaturalNews.com
Russia introduces new Shared Values Visa for Westerners escaping woke liberal home countries

Russia has introduced a new Shared Values Visa (SVV) aimed at Westerners who want to escape the woke liberalism in their home countries

LifeSiteNews reported that on Aug. 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a decree approving the SVV. The new visa allows foreigners seeking "humanitarian support"  particularly conservative Westerners fed up with "destructive neoliberal ideology"  to relocate to Russia on a temporary basis.

According to the pro-life news outlet, the SVV program is part of a larger effort marketed to Westerners promoting Russia as a bastion of traditional values. The program, which will start accepting applicants this month, does not require potential visa grantees to have knowledge of Russian history or the ability to speak the Russian language.

"Applications may be based on the rejection of their countries' policies 'aimed at imposing destructive neoliberal ideas on people, which run counter to traditional Russian spiritual and moral values,'" Russian state-run news agency TASS reported. "The values are listed in the foundations of Russia's state policy in this field, while the Russian government is expected to compile a list of countries imposing unhealthy attitudes on their citizens." (Related: Putin designates Russia a "safe haven" for those seeking to escape liberal values, offers Westerners easy residency.)

Meanwhile, the immigration consultancy firm MoveToRussia.com clarified some aspects of the SVV in a post on X. Visa recipients can apply for and be granted a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) valid for three months. They can later apply for a Permanent Residence Permit (PRP), and later apply for citizenship five years after gaining the PRP.

According to the program's post, foreigners can only obtain a TRP through quotas under standard circumstances  excluding "special circumstances" such as the SVV. Such quotas usually get filled up at "the first two months of each year." Those who wish to bypass the process of obtaining the three-month TRP can get the permanent document directly by investing in Russia.

Russia: The last sanctuary against the degenerate West

The idea for the SVV first emerged in February, during the "Strong Ideas for a New Time" forum in the Russian capital Moscow that Putin attended. It was put forward by Irene Cecchini, an Italian student at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. According to her, Moscow should ease entry rules for those who share traditional cultural and family values.

Putin agreed with Cecchini's proposal but noted that each case requires an individual approach. "It's a good idea to focus on traditional moral values when welcoming people who want to live here," the Russian leader said.

According to Putin, Russia has recently been seeing "more and more supporters around the globe"  mainly due to its policy of protecting traditional values. He added that such values are held in high esteem not only by Russians but also by "healthy people" everywhere, including in the West.

"The SVV is seemingly part of a larger, anti-woke push by the Russian government under Putin, who has not been shy about expressing disdain for what he has called the 'satanic' West," LifeSiteNews mentioned.

Putin has decried "Western globalist elites" for embracing LGBT ideology at various times over the past five years. These twisted practices include allowing homosexual couples to adopt children and permitting "sex change operations." Both of these are illegal in Russia, alongside the promotion of LGBT propaganda.

During the World Youth Festival in March, Putin remarked that everyone is equal because they are born to a "mother and father." He emphasized the importance of heterosexual relationships, adding that "it is always a male and a female parent" that allows for the formation of families.

The Russian leader denounced those who promote "cancel culture" during the Valdai International Discussion Club in the Russian resort city of Sochi in 2021. He equated them to the Bolsheviks who instigated the 1917 Communist Revolution in Russia that deposed the ruling Romanov family.

Head over to RussiaReport.news for similar stories.

Watch this clip from the "Reese Report" about Russia becoming a haven for traditional family values through the Shared Values Visa.

This video is from the Puretrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Russia's highest court designates "international LGBT movement" an extremist organization.

While America embraces LGBT drag queens and pedophilia, Russia to BAN sex change surgery.

Russian federal agents shut down 'My Little Pony' convention on grounds it is 'LGBTQ propaganda': report.

Russia, which is now far more Christian than America, just introduced new law criminalizing "LGBT propaganda."

Putin exposes the truth about evil, SATANIC western leaders who PILLAGE the world and destroy human freedom.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

TASS.com

X.com

ThePressUnited.com

Brighteon.com
U.S. school districts rushing to spend pandemic relief funds as deadline looms

Many school districts across the United States may be forced to return millions of dollars to the U.S. Treasury if they fail to spend their remaining post-Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) relief funds this September.

In 2021, the Department of Education distributed a total of $122 billion in three phases as part of the American Rescue Plan's Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) program to aid in learning recovery, rebuilding the educator workforce and ensuring safe school operations.

However, the Edunomics Lab of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., which tracks the spending of ESSER funds, recently reported that nine school districts each have a remaining balance of more than $30 million.

Syracuse City in New York has the smallest remaining balance among the nine school districts, having used 68.4 percent of its allocated $108.86 million. Clark County in Nevada has the largest despite already spending 95.4 percent of its $1.2 billion allocation. Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) in Wisconsin has used 72.5 percent of its $786.41 million in ESSER funding, with plans to spend the remaining amount in the coming months. (Related: Atlanta prosecutor sentenced for STEALING pandemic relief funds.)

In an email to the Epoch Times, the Education Department confirmed that there would be no extension of the expenditure deadline beyond Sept. 30, nor would any leftover funds be transferred to a reserve account. Fortunately, school districts can request additional time to liquidate their funds if the expenditures are approved by the Sept. 30 deadline.

Now, many school districts are racing against time to allocate their remaining funds effectively.

For instance, Hillsborough County Public Schools in Florida has spent 85.3 percent of its $766.23 million in ESSER funds, with plans to allocate the remaining $19 million toward curriculum, school supplies and IT improvements. Dallas Independent School District (DISD) has spent 66.9 percent of its $846.78 million allocation. Unlike other districts, the remaining balance of DISD is attributed to funds from the first two phases of ESSER, with over $61 million left to be spent.

Other major school districts with remaining balances above $30 million include Minneapolis, which only spent 62 percent of $249.40 million; Newark, New Jersey, which spent 83.4 percent of $277.08 million; DeKalb County, Georgia, which spent 76.7 percent of $486.57 million; and Stockton, California, which spent 79.6 percent of $241.56 million.

School districts not submitting reimbursement claims despite already spending their ESSER funds

According to a news release from the Edunomics Lab, some districts failed to spend their grants on time and had to return the money in the previous rounds of ESSER funding. Some districts have already spent their ESSER funds but have not yet submitted claims for reimbursement to their respective State Education agencies.

And now, with the final phase deadline fast approaching, many districts are "cutting it close." However, the lab stated that waiting until the last minute could be risky  leaving little time to address issues if an expense gets denied, if there is an accounting error, or if staffing challenges arise in the finance department.

"With one month left on this 42-month grant, many districts are cutting it close. Is it worth spending ESSER down to the final penny? Depends on who you ask. Spending for the sake of spending can seem wasteful," the news release said. "Then again, try telling a kindergarten teacher that you send the money back instead of replacing that dirty old circle-time rug that little Sophia threw up on last week. Or the PTA chair who spent countless hours getting the kids to sell chocolate to pay for honor roll prizes."

The news release also highlighted the dilemma faced by districts as they balance the need for responsible spending with the risk of losing vital funds.

Corruption.news has more stories about the embezzlement of COVID-19 relief funds.

Watch this Fox News report that talks about five agents of the Internal Revenue Service being charged with COVID-19 relief fraud.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Forensic accounting expert: HALF of pandemic relief funds ended up in the hands of Americas ENEMIES.

Former CT Dem state rep pleads guilty to STEALING pandemic relief funds.

Government lost as much as $100 billion to stimulus money fraud during COVID-19 pandemic.

Government report reveals criminals stole BILLIONS from unemployment benefits during pandemic.

Government watchdog flags potentially fraudulent pandemic loans amounting to $5.4B.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

US19.Campaign-Archive.com

Brighteon.com
CIA Director David Cohen believes Ukraines incursion into Russia will continue for some period of time

Ukraine's cross-border incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast is likely to continue "for some period of time."

This is according to Central Intelligence Agency Director David Cohen, who spoke about Ukraine's recent offensive into Russia at the recent Intelligence and National Security Summit in Maryland on Aug. 28.

Earlier in August, Kyiv began its surprise offensive into Russian territory, deploying up to 10,000 troops armed with Western-supplied heavy weapons. The Ukrainian forces have managed to seize some border areas, leading to the deaths and injuries of dozens of civilians. However, they have been unable to advance farther into Russian territory.

When asked whether he and his colleagues at Langley were caught off guard by Ukraines incursion, Cohen declined to provide a direct answer. He noted that the full significance and implications of the attack "remain to be seen."

Reports suggest that Ukraine did not consult its Western allies before initiating the operation, leaving them uncertain about its ultimate objectives. (Related: NATO doubts Ukraines ability to maintain control of Kursk amid fierce battles.)

"They are remaining in Russia, building defenses, and, as best as we can tell from our conversations, there seems to be intent on retaining some of that territory for some period of time," Cohen remarked, without elaborating on the specifics of the discussions.

Cohen also mentioned that Ukraines actions "have the potential to change the dynamic" of the conflict, though he acknowledged that Russia will likely "mount a counteroffensive to try to reclaim that territory."

"Our expectation is that this will be a difficult fight for the Russians," Cohen added. "It's still early days in this, so we'll have to see how it all plays out."

The Ukrainian leadership has offered varying explanations for the operation in Kursk. Initially, President Volodymyr Zelensky's office claimed that capturing Russian territory was necessary to strengthen Ukraine's position in eventual peace talks with Russia and to pressure Moscow by intimidating the Russian public into accepting Ukrainian terms.

Later, the messaging shifted, with Zelensky describing the need to create a "buffer zone" within Russian territory to preempt any future Russian attempts to enter Ukraine's Sumy Oblast from Kursk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the incursion and the resulting harm to Russian civilians have made negotiations with Ukraine impossible. Previously, he had offered a ceasefire in exchange for political and military concessions.

Ukraine claims Kursk incursion has dealt a blow to Putin's reputation

Ukraine claims that its ongoing incursion into Kursk has delivered significant military and political results.

Ukrainian media claim that Ukrainian forces have advanced as far as 35 kilometers (21.7 miles) into Russian territory, capturing over 90 settlements, including the strategic town of Sudzha. Ukraine also claims to have destroyed key bridges, captured hundreds of Russian soldiers and, perhaps just as importantly, supposedly dealt a blow to Putin's reputation and caused frustration among Russian citizens by highlighting weaknesses in Russia's military.

According to Ukrainian media reporting on the incursion, Moscow has had a blow to its international reputation after repeated attempts to downplay the massive operation as a mere "terror attack" and Ukraine's supposed success has shifted focus away from Russian gains in the contested Donbas region, diverted resources away from these and other fronts and boosted the morale of the depleted Ukrainian Armed Forces and its benefactors in the Western world.

Military analysts agree that, if Russia is unable to dislodge Ukrainian troops from Kursk, the captured territory could strengthen Kyiv's position of power in potential peace negotiations and offer Ukraine a bargaining chip in exchange for Russian-occupied areas of southern and southeastern Ukraine.

Kyiv is also celebrating exposing to the world the supposed limits of Russia's military capabilities that have led to some of the biggest Russian defeats since the beginning of the conflict in February 2022, especially the capture of large numbers of Russian prisoners of war, which have raised hopes for the eventual return of Ukrainian soldiers still held in Russian captivity.

Watch this video discussing how the Russian Armed Forces are causing severe casualties against elite Ukrainian and alleged NATO soldiers in Kursk.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Russia launches over 200 drones and missiles targeting critical energy infrastructure in Ukraine.

PUTIN: Ukraine tried, but failed, to attack Russian nuclear power plant in Kursk.

Russia declares federal emergency in Belgorod as Ukraine intensifies attacks on Kursk.

Analyst: Ukraines attack on Kursk IMPOSSIBLE without U.S. support.

Ukraine wants to start talks using Kursk nuclear plant seizure as ultimatum  Akhmat head.

Sources include:

RT.com

KyivIndependent.com

Brighteon.com
When Trump wins, expect the ABSOLUTE WORST reactionary revolt in U.S. history, wrought with destruction, mayhem and millions of election denial sufferers

Barring the biggest election steal ever perpetrated, Donald J. Trump should win by a landslide this upcoming November, as his robust platform for fixing America is currently the only chance this nation has to avoid absolute chaos, collapse and a complete communist takeover by the Left. Yet, one thing is for sure  there will be NO peaceful transition of power. In the past, there have been many lame duck sessions when the incumbents lose power at the polls, and next-to-nothing progressive takes place by either chamber of Congress or POTUS for nearly three months.

In the past, many lawmakers have used special meetings during the lame duck session to deal with war-related matters, key trade deals, negotiating government budget allocations and the impeachment of government officials (while they still have the chance). Last minute negotiations like these can end with massive government shutdowns, like what happened over Trumps border wall (was to be part of a spending bill) in 2018.

One could say that Sleepy Joe Bidens entire time in office has been a lame duck session, besides printing trillions of dollars, instigating World War III and keeping the U.S. southern border wide open. Instead of the typical 60-day lame duck session, its been more of a 4-year lame duck session, and expect four more years of the same, should Kommie Kamala take over.

Talk about a lame duck, according to the Republican National Committee, demented Joe Biden has spent more than a years worth of days (382) on vacations. Thats 40 percent of his presidency as a lame duck accomplishing absolutely nothing while America burns to the ground under his thumb. Thanks Joe.

Democrats are infamous for calling Trump fans extremists, but wait until Trump wins in November, and watch the extreme lawlessness of the Left unfold

If you thought the Antifa and BLM riots were bad, you havent seen anything yet. Multiply those by a thousand, and spread them beyond just the already lawless Democrat-run metropolitan cities of America, and youve got mass-media gas-lit chaos in the suburbs and the countryside. Homes and businesses will get destroyed. Peoples lives will get decimated. The fake news industrial complex will fuel this, hoping it somehow keeps the communists in power.

Accomplishing nothing during the upcoming lame duck session will prove to be worse than any other lame duck session ever, because the profuse bleeding of the economy and proxy wars overseas will continue. Accomplishing nothing means millions more illegal immigrants, criminals, mental cases and terrorists will flood into America, especially knowing that Trump will seal the border wound as quickly as possible.

Communism in America is no joke. These evil dictators wont just sit on their hands for three months; instead they will be conspiring to illegally maintain power by any means, including purposely starting World War III, and most likely trying to assassinate Trump, Vance and RFK Jr. Obama, with the help of multi-billionaire George Soros (and his son), will fund mayhem and upheaval across America when Trump wins. Expect the most violent protesting ever seen in America. This will make January 6th look like a company picnic.

Election denialism will run rampant across the nation for the Democrats and Liberals who thought Kommie Kamala has even the slightest chance of winning 80 to 90 million votes, when shell be lucky to win 20 million. Get ready to hear Russia, Russia, Russia on all the fake news platforms a million times again. It may be the only headline the dolts at MSM can think up. Tune your apocalypse dial to Preparedness.news for updates on real news about surviving and thriving past November 5th.

Sources for this article include:

Censored.news

NaturalNews.com

TheGatewayPundit.com

BrennanCenter.org
Brazils supreme court orders SHUTDOWN of Elon Musks X to silence speech they cant control

Brazil's supreme court has ordered that Elon Musk's X platform be shut down in the Portuguese-speaking South American nation.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes of the country's Federal Supreme Court (STF) issued the edict on Aug. 30 after Musk failed to comply with his initial 24-hour order to name a representative in the country. According to CBS News, X hasn't had a representative in Brazil since early August.

In his Aug. 30 order, de Moraes gave internet service providers and app stores five days to block access to X. It will remain blocked until it complies with his orders. Furthermore, people or companies who use virtual private networks (VPNs) to access X will be subject to daily fines of 50,000 Brazilian reais ($8,900). (Related: VPNs from local iOS App Store in Brazil DISAPPEAR amid spat between government and X platform over censorship issues).

"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," the magistrate wrote. CBS News pointed out that de Moraes' ruling "further escalates the months-long feud between [Brasilia and X] over free speech, far-right accounts and misinformation."

The suspension was widely anticipated, according to NTD News, with X saying on Aug. 29 that it expected to be shut down in Brazil over "illegal orders" to censor political opponents.

"Soon, we expect [that] de Moraes will order X to be shut down in Brazil  simply because we would not comply with his illegal orders to censor his political opponents," the platform formerly known as Twitter said in a statement.

X also claimed that the magistrate had threatened to imprison X's legal representative in Brazil and that he later froze all her bank account. Musk, who has accused Brazil of censorship, was included in a criminal inquiry into individuals who allegedly spread false information about Brazil's election and justice system.

X denounces Brazil's effort to curb free speech

Musk has yet to issue a public statement on the suspension. He did praise reporter Glenn Greenwald's analysis of the case in which Greenwald characterized de Moraes' demands as part of a broader trend in which regimes exert online platforms to stifle dissent.

"It is genuinely remarkable the lengths to which not just Brazil but countries throughout the democratic world are now willing to go to prevent the internet from being a free exchange of ideas where human beings can organize freely and privately because they recognize that is the one threat to establishment power and the status quo ruling class prerogatives," Greenwald said in his analysis.

In turn, Musk praised the analysis for articulating "well" the "evil tyranny" at play in the suspension order. X said in its Aug. 29 statement that it plans to publish all of de Moraes' demands and all related court filings in the coming days in the interest of transparency.

"Unlike other social media and technology platforms, we will not comply in secret with illegal orders. To our users in Brazil and around the world, X remains committed to protecting your freedom of speech."

While Musk has accused Brazil of censorship, Brazilian authorities say that X is breaking the countrys internet laws. Earlier this year, the STF justice ordered X to block certain accounts amid investigations into so-called digital militias accused of spreading fake news and hate messages during the government of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

According to market research group Emarketer, some 40 million Brazilians  roughly one-fifth of the population  access X at least once per month.

Visit Censorship.news for similar stories.

Watch this report from the BBC about X being suspended in Brazil by virtue of de Moraes' Aug. 30 order.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Comedian Bassem Youssef quits X over "safety concerns" after Gaza posts.

Democrats trying to censor AI-created memes before election.

Russia's ambassador to Washington warns that Americans will be under TOTAL CENSORSHIP as Election Day approaches.

Republican VP pick J.D. Vance calls for Google breakup over CENSORSHIP activities.

Federal appeals judge: Facebook's CENSORSHIP of RFK Jr. and Childrens Health Defense directly benefited government.

Sources include:

NTD.com

CBSNews.com

Brighteon.com
Former teacher gets 5 years in prison after threatening judge over pro-parental rights ruling

A homosexual former teacher has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for threatening a judge over her decision against a challenge to Floridas parental rights in education bill.

(Article by Matt Lamb republished from LifeSiteNews.com)

U.S. District Judge William F. Jung today sentenced Stephen Jay Thorn (66, Pensacola) to five years in federal prison for transmitting a threat to harm a federal judge and members of the judges immediate family, the Department of Justice announced on August 28. Thorn entered a guilty plea on May 16, 2024.

Pro-LGBT news outlets have reported Thorn is gay.

Thorn reportedly left the hateful messages for Judge Wendy Berger, who had ruled against a challenge to Floridas Parental Rights in Education bill, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022. The law generally forbids teachers from discussing sexual topics with students in grades kindergarten through third. The bill has been modified to allow for some discussion of sexual topics, drawing criticism from parental rights groups, LifeSiteNews previously reported.

Dishonest media outlets and opponents have labeled it the Dont Say Gay bill.

Thorn was angry that Berger ruled against a challenge and left threatening messages in 2022.

Lets see how you would like it if somebody endangered your children in school or your grandchildren in school, Thorn said, as reported by Reuters. You are an embarrassment to the judicial system.

Thorn said he had looked up where the judge, her husband and two children lived and said the judge was very easy to track,' Reuters reported.

Im a retired teacher. Ive taught in Florida. Ive taught in California. I have seen the sheer hell those kids are put through and you have the gall to say thats part of middle school or high school is to be picked on, Thorn said in his voicemails, WFLA reported.

The Florida outlet also reported:

This is for that stupid redneck, ****, judge, [redacted], Thorn said in one message. You are a cruel person. You think that its okay for LGBTQ kids to be bullied, which is what that law is allowing, thats what its saying that theyre second-class citizens. Listen dumb***, youre easy to track you down. Thorn added, Im not a vindictive person and I wouldnt hurt anyone just like youve hurt a whole community, thousands of LGBTQ kids in the state of Florida, a state of 22 million people, you ******* vicious ****.

In his apology letter, Thorn said he overreacted and should have waited. He also said he used to advise LGBT clubs in school and has an adult son who is homosexual.

He wrote:

I realize now that rather than react to one of her rulings rashly and angrily immediately after reading a newspaper article about her ruling, I should have waited a minimum of 72 hours to make my point with her in a polite and professional manner, instead of handling it the way I did. I am not attempting to justify my overreaction to her ruling, but please understand it was not coming from a place of malice in my heart and/or mind. I dont feel this is necessarily the time or the place to go into my reasons for leaving her the voicemail message I did, but suffice it to say I spent a large portion of my teaching career advocating for LGBTQ+ public school students, and volunteering for LGBTQ+ youth advocacy organizations in both Florida and in California. I am also the parent of two adult sons, one of whom is gay. Consequently, this factored into my overreaction, as well.

Prosecutors sought 30 months in prison, but Judge Jung doubled the sentence.

Threatening harm against public officials, or their families, is an intolerable offense, U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg stated in the news release. My office takes such threats seriously and is committed to investigating and federally prosecuting anyone who threatens this sort of violence.

Read more at: LifeSiteNews.com
Israeli trade union goes on NATIONWIDE STRIKE, putting pressure on Netanyahu to secure ceasefire deal

An Israeli trade union's decision to go on a nationwide strike has put additional pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure a ceasefire deal with Hamas.

The Sept. 2 strike organized by the Histadrut trade union  the country's largest  led to widespread closures of schools and government buildings. It also caused a temporary suspension of flights at Ben Gurion Airport.

Histadrut's strike, the first since the Oct. 7 Al-Aqsa Flood attack by Hamas, underscored the growing frustration among Israelis with the governments handling of the hostage situation and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. It also followed a harrowing weekend where the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recovered the bodies of six more hostages from Gaza  including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. The latter's abduction garnered international attention due to his family's high-profile campaign for his release. (Related: Israelis flood streets in protest against Netanyahu's stalling of Gaza ceasefire deal.)

The bodies were found in an underground tunnel in Rafah and forensic examinations indicated that the hostages had been executed by Hamas terrorists in recent days. The Israeli Health Ministry reported that the hostages were killed by multiple short-range gunshots, a revelation that has further fueled public anger and grief.

In Tel Aviv, tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets, blocking major intersections and waving Israeli flags as they chanted slogans against Netanyahu.

Demonstrators climbed atop bus stops and other structures. Many held signs accusing Netanyahu of being a "murderer" and a "criminal," with some explicitly blaming him for failing to secure a deal that could have saved the hostages.

The mood was one of both mourning and outrage, as protesters demanded immediate action to end the bloodshed and bring the remaining hostages home.

"Bibi is the prime minister, he holds the key for the deal. He can keep on putting more and more obstacles and demands, but that's not relevant," said Tel Aviv resident Ori Elman. The sentiment was echoed by many others who accused Netanyahu of prioritizing military objectives over the lives of Israeli captives.

The strike and protests highlight the deep political divisions within Israel, as not all regions or businesses participated in the shutdown. The Israel Labor Court issued an order to disband the strike on the afternoon of Sept. 2, which Histadrut complied with.

Netanyahu and his coalition still rejecting ceasefire offers

Several members of Netanyahu's governing coalition, particularly those from far-right factions, continue to reject any form of ceasefire, insisting that military action is the only way to ensure Israel's security.

Netanyahu has faced mounting criticism for his refusal to give up Israeli military control of the Philadelphi corridor, a narrow strip of land between Gaza and Egypt that has become a focal point in cease-fire negotiations. The prime minister argues that maintaining control over the corridor is essential to prevent Hamas from smuggling weapons through underground tunnels, but this stance has been a major sticking point in talks mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt.

The prime minister's insistence on this point has led to accusations that he is deliberately sabotaging potential deals that could secure the release of more hostages.

In a Sept. 1 video statement, Netanyahu acknowledged the ongoing negotiations but blamed Hamas for the lack of progress. "Whoever murders hostages does not want a deal," he said, vowing to continue military operations until all Israeli hostages are freed and Hamas is defeated.

Meanwhile, the conflict in Gaza has continued to escalate.

Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 40,786 people and injured over 94,224 according to Gaza's Health Ministry, as the IDF intensifies its offensive in response to the Oct. 7 attacks that killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel. The humanitarian toll has been staggering, with entire neighborhoods in Gaza reduced to rubble and tens of thousands of civilians displaced.

Visit IsraelCollapse.com for more stories related to Israel.

Watch this ABC News report about the U.S., Qatar and Egypt calling for renewed negotiations between Hamas and Israel.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Israel launches a series of large-scale military operations in West Bank.

Israel issues new demands in 11th hour of ceasefire talks; Hamas deal "ruined."

Israel calling up 15,000 reserve troops amid rising Gaza casualties.

Sources include:

NPR.org
GLOBAL EMERGENCY UNFOLDING: Japan will unleash Bill Gates-approved, SELF-REPLICATING mRNA vaccines starting next month

Bill Gate's diabolical plan to change vaccines is being expedited once more. After supporting lockdowns and vaccine mandates to capitalize on his global mRNA vaccine initiatives, he now wants the world population to take vaccines with "longer duration and greater coverage." This is the promise for a new class of "self-replicating" vaccines that are designed to amplify in people, all on their own.

By October 2024, Japan will become the first nation to introduce this controversial new type of COVID-19 vaccine called a self-replicating vaccine. The vaccine, known as Kostaive (ARCT-154), is a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine (saRNA) that replicates within the body, creating copies of foreign proteins and GENES for long-term encoding and long-term manipulation of antibody responses.

New saRNA vaccines replicate genes for long term manipulation of the individual's immune response

This new class of saRNA vaccines goes beyond the traditional antigen/adjuvant based vaccine model and takes the process of mRNA vaccines a step further, integrating the GENES needed for the replication and synthesis of the spike protein-encoding RNA. Unlike mRNA vaccines, which only produce the spike protein necessary for immune response as long as the mRNA persists, saRNA vaccines are engineered to create copies of themselves and the proteins they encode. This "biological printing press" could theoretically amplify the vaccines presence and multiply its effects within the body indefinitely.

If these saRNA vaccines are anything like the mRNA vaccines, then the heart and brain damage they impose will be ongoing and unstoppable  a precursor to suffering and early death. To make matters worse, the shedding process will be guaranteed for months and possibly years after vaccination, turning vaccinated individuals into toxic factories for spreading biological warfare.

Self-replicating vaccines pose global risks to humans and other species

The Japanese government approved Kostaive in November 2023, following a series of sham clinical trials that demonstrated its potential efficacy against the latest advertised version of COVID-19.

Dr. Daniel Nagase, a prominent critic of the new vaccine technology, has voiced severe concerns about the potential global risks with this new technology, especially when it comes to prolonged occupational exposure to the shedding process of these foreign proteins and genes. According to Dr. Nagase, the artificial genes introduced by these vaccines could spread beyond human hosts, potentially contaminating the environment, negatively affecting other people and other species. He warned that this could lead to a "worldwide disaster," particularly if these foreign genes enter ecosystems and transmission occurs between species.

Nagase warns that once vaccine campaigns begin, it will be virtually impossible to prevent the multiplied vaccine from entering the bodies of others.

Alphaviruses, the foundation for the saRNA vaccines, are known for their ability to cross species barriers and survive outside of hosts. This characteristic raises fears that the genetic material from the vaccine could recombine with other viruses or spread through insects like mosquitoes, further complicating containment efforts. There are 32 alphavirus species that infect various vertebrates, including humans, rodents, fish, birds and larger mammals, as well as invertebrates. These viruses can be either species-specific or capable of infecting multiple hosts. Mosquitoes are the primary means of transmission between different species, including vertebrates and humans.

Earlier this year, thousands of Japanese citizens protested against the World Health Organizations Pandemic Treaty and the introduction of mRNA and replicon vaccines. A letter from Motoyoshi Tokuna, addressed to various embassies in Japan, echoed these fears, suggesting that immediate evacuation and entry bans are necessary to prevent the spread of replicon vaccine genes. The letter warned that once these genes are introduced into the environment, controlling their spread could become nearly impossible.

This next phase of transhumanism will introduce new genes to control immune systems and enable the runaway manufacture of biological weapons in people.

Sources include:

Newsweek.com

ExposeNews.com

MDPI.com

NaturalNews.com

Nature.com

ScienceDirect.com

ScienceDirect.com

Brighteon.com
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On September 2, NIO announced the launch of its 2,500th battery swap station in China, located in Tongliao, Inner Mongolia. This marks the first such facility in the eastern part of Inner Mongolia, further expanding NIO's extensive battery swap network.

At the Chengdu Motor Show 2024, NIO ' s co-founder and president, Mr. Qin Lihong, unveiled plans to enhance the battery swap infrastructure along the 318 Sichuan-Xizang Highway. The company aims to add nine more stations to the existing five, ensuring complete coverage from Chengdu to Xizang.

NIO's 2,500th battery swap station in China; photo credit: NIO

Currently, NIO has established 36 electric vehicle charging and battery swap stations along the G318 Highway, covering key locations such as Chengdu, Ya'an, Tianquan, Linzhi, and Lhasa. The new stations will be strategically located in places including Xinduqiao, Litang, Batang, Zuogong, Bomi, and others, with an average distance of 223 kilometers between each station.

On August 20, NIO announced the Power Up Counties plan to expand the charging and swapping network to counties across China, with the aim of providing convenient, efficient and extensive services.

According to this plan, NIO intends to achieve full battery swap coverage in 1,200 county-level regions across 14 provincial-level administrative divisions by June 30, 2025. The first phase will include Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Macao, Guangdong, Hubei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, Henan, Sichuan, Anhui, and Fujian. By December 31, 2025, NIO plans to expand the coverage to 27 provincial-level regions, reaching over 2,300 counties.

Starting in 2026, NIO aims to complete the coverage in more than 2,800 counties nationwide, ensuring that its battery swap stations are accessible in virtually every county across China.

As of September 2, NIO has deployed 2,500 battery swap stations (838 stations located along expressways), 3,968 charging stations with 23,202 charging piles across China. Additionally, NIO has had access to over 1,038,000 third-party charging stalls.
Massachusetts governor accused of secretly spending $1 billion on ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Massachusetts Republicans are accusing Gov. Maura Healey of secretly spending over $1 billion on illegal immigrants.

This accusation came after Healey warned that the state no longer has the resources nor the space to house migrants in its emergency shelter system, which is expected to reach maximum capacity very soon.

"We are not ending the right-to-shelter law. We are being very clear, though, that we are not going to be able to guarantee placement for folks who are sent here after the end of this month," Healey stated during a recent press conference. (Related: Democrats want zero-down mortgages made available in Californiabut only for illegal aliens.)

"I want to assure you that we will continue to engage, assess, and serve every family who appeals for help as best we can," she added.

The number of families housed in the state's shelter system has doubled over the past 12 months to 7,000. The total number of people being accommodated is now above 21,000, and over 50 percent of that population is composed of illegal immigrants. Those figures are expected to exceed 7,500 families comprising around 24,000 people by the end of August.

The Bay State has become increasingly attractive to a large number of migrants as it is the only state required by law to provide shelter to homeless families following the implementation of the 1983 "right-to-shelter: law.

Last month, Healey was forced to declare a state of emergency and deploy the states national guard to assist in dealing with the influx of migrants into Massachusetts.

Republicans demanding investigation into $1 billion migrant spending

Republicans have formally requested information from the Massachusetts state government regarding $1 billion in expenditures on the migrant crisis. The Massachusetts Republican Party has called upon Healeys administration to provide a comprehensive cost breakdown detailing the financial impact on state residents.

"The Healey-Driscoll Administration has shrouded nearly $1 billion spent in secrecy, leaving Massachusetts residents in the dark," said state party Chairperson Amy Carnevale. "They have withheld critical information on 600 incidents involving police, fire and EMT. Blocking journalists at every turn, the administration has obstructed the flow of information to the public."

Carnevale has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking detailed information on the allocation of funds for migrants. The request demands the names of government and private entities involved in providing housing, the specific locations of migrant housing, correspondences related to public safety issues, and relevant police or incident reports.

The request follows a report by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) highlighting the strain on state resources due to the increasing number of migrants. CIS projects state spending on migrants reaching $1.8 billion over the next two years and warns that the state may have already spent over $1 billion on its Emergency Assistance shelter program for migrants.

In addition to the immediate costs of housing migrants, the CIS reports that spending on education, social services, health care and public safety have increased due to the sudden influx of an estimated 355,000 migrants in Massachusetts.

Illegal aliens in Massachusetts are filling hotels and motels across the state, with whistleblower claims detailing how migrants are being lavished with benefits in one of the hotels now "closed to the public," at the behest of the state and the nonprofits with which it partners.

Visit Migrants.news for more stories about the migrant crisis in the United States.

Watch this video discussing California's plan to provide illegal immigrant homebuyers with $150,000 in down payment assistance.

This video is from Newsclips on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

FAKE NEWS: Mainstream media trying to help Kamala win by reporting that shes taking a more hardline stance on immigration.

Kamala Harris promises to CLOSE all migrant detention centers and release criminal illegal aliens on Day 1 if she becomes president.

Kamala Harris to reduce illegal immigration by LEGALIZING it, not stopping it.

Biden administration rushing to process citizenship requests AT THE FASTEST RATE in 10 years.

Biden administration opposes bill that would require PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP for voting in federal elections.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

MassLive.com

Brighteon.com
Trucking company owner claims MONKEYPOX VACCINE secretly being distributed ahead of November elections

The business owner issued this warning during a recent episode of "The Alex Jones Show" on InfoWars. He reached out to Jones to spread awareness, telling the InfoWars founder that the order to distribute the monkeypox injection came from Big Pharma.

"All of a sudden, [my company] was blowing up with [inquiries] about 'Can you help us?' 'Can you send more trucks and drivers?' It is for the next three to four days and into next week," he disclosed. "They must be pumping out a large volume of this what they called mpox (not monkeypox) vaccines."

The trucker answered affirmatively when Jones clarified if the orders specifically pertained to monkeypox vaccines. The caller continued: "Specifically it will go onto our trucks to the airports and then onto cargo aircraft, possibly for a worldwide distribution, or at least throughout the country."

Another caller named David, a retired Department of Homeland Security employee, also exposed the secret distribution of the injections. David started a trucking company after retirement and shared to Jones that he also received calls from Cardinal Health. He was asked to transport the vaccines from La Vergne, Tennessee directly to Memphis, then Indianapolis and into an aircraft to be shipped throughout America at a record pace.

David told Jones: "I think, like the COVID-19 scare, this is going to be the next big scare, keeping people from the polls and inside their homes, forcing them to take a vaccination to keep their job, to buy groceries or whatever it might be."

Jones also confirmed that he talked to a reliable source who confirmed that infrastructure is being set up for a lockdown, civil unrest and civil emergency, which he said is a politically correct term for "martial law."

The distribution of the monkeypox vaccine coincided with the increasing attention on the disease, particularly after the outbreak that occurred in recent years. The timing of these shipments, just as the country prepares for the 2024 presidential election, has led to speculation about whether the vaccine is being stockpiled or prepared for wider use soon, YourNews reported.

UNICEF allows immediate access to mpox vaccines for countries with "high cases"

Meanwhile, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) recently launched an emergency tender for monkeypox vaccines to help countries hardest hit by the recent outbreak of the disease.

"The emergency tender is designed to secure immediate access to available mpox vaccines as well as to expand production," the UN agency said in a statement issued along with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Gavi vaccine alliance and Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Related: Fearmongering as policy: WHO's Tedros mulls public health emergency declaration over hyped-up MONKEYPOX outbreak.)

Depending on the production capacity of manufacturers, agreements for up to 12 million doses through 2025 can be made, according to the statement. UNICEF also plans to set up conditional supply agreements with vaccine manufacturers. This will enable UNICEF to purchase and ship vaccines without delay once countries and partners have secured financing, confirmed demand and readiness, and the regulatory requirements for accepting the vaccines are in place.

The statement added that WHO is reviewing information submitted by manufacturers on Aug. 23 and expects to complete a review for an emergency use listing by mid-September. The agency is reviewing applications for emergency licenses for two vaccines made by Bavarian Nordic and Japan's KM Biologics.

On Aug. 14, WHO declared an international emergency over monkeypox amid the "surge in cases" of the new Clade 1b strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that spread to nearby countries. More than 18,000 suspected cases of monkeypox have been reported in the DRC so far this year, with 629 deaths.

Several outbreaks of different monkeypox clades have occurred in different countries, with different modes of transmission and different levels of risk. In the past month, over 100 laboratory-confirmed cases of Clade 1b have been reported in four countries neighboring the DRC that have not reported monkeypox before  Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. But experts believe the true number of cases to be higher as a large proportion of clinically compatible cases have not been tested.

Watch this video featuring the two callers warning Alex Jones about the secret nationwide distribution of monkeypox vaccines.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

WHO warns that new monkeypox strain is a global emergency.

Media now pushing comically bizarre COVID-monkey-AIDS-pox disease as latest threat to society.

Stock price of monkeypox vaccine maker INCREASES after WHO emergency declaration.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

YourNews.com

GlobalNation.Inquirer.net

Brighteon.com
NATO reaffirms stance of not directly engaging Russia despite Ukraines pleas

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has reiterated its desire to avoid direct involvement in Ukraine's conflict with Moscow amid Kyiv's efforts to get the military alliance to help its struggling air defenses by shooting down Russian missiles and drones.

Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski reiterated NATO's stance as he addressed the press on Monday, Sept. 2, following reports that Kyiv is repeatedly asking Western allies to help intercept Russian missiles and drones as the state of its air defenses  mostly supplied by NATO  deteriorates. (Related: Russia launches over 200 drones and missiles targeting critical energy infrastructure in Ukraine.)

The NATO spokesperson reiterated that the alliance is not a party to the conflict and focuses on preventing escalation. Although individual member states can protect their own airspace, they must closely consult with NATO to ensure broader implications are considered.

However, Sikorski did endorse the idea of shooting down certain Russian targets over Ukraine, arguing that it would be a legitimate act of self-defense if these hostile projectiles entered Polish airspace, due to the risk of missile or drone debris causing injury to Polish citizens.

He emphasized that NATO membership does not override each nation's duty to protect its airspace.

Warsaw and Kyiv signed a defense pact in July that committed both nations to explore the feasibility of allowing Poland to intercept Russian missiles and drones. However, Polish Minister of Defense Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that such an action would require Poland to seek NATO's approval.

Outgoing NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana confirmed that the alliance respects each member's sovereign right to national security but stressed the importance of consulting before engaging in actions that could affect the alliance as a whole.

He praised Poland for its adherence to this consultative process and emphasized NATO's commitment to supporting Ukraine while avoiding actions that might escalate the conflict.

Before this, Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov was busy getting NATO to agree to the concept of an "air defense shield" helmed by NATO.

NATO boosts materiel support for Ukraine

Ukraine was the focal point of last July's NATO summit in the United States, where the alliance unveiled plans to boost support for Kyiv and offer an "irreversible" path to eventual membership. Announced measures include establishing a new NATO command to coordinate training and arms deliveries, sending F-16 fighter jets and introducing a new security compact. These steps reflect efforts in Western capitals to provide long-term support as Russia's aggression persists.

Andriy Yermak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed satisfaction with the summit outcomes, noting that "the alliance made real steps forward." However, the summit also exposed a key challenge in Western strategy: While military aid has been crucial for Ukraine's defense, it has not been sufficient for a decisive victory.

Liana Fix, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, criticized the approach, stating that it only supports Ukraine to maintain its position rather than secure outright victory. Allies on NATO's eastern flank, including the Baltic states and Poland, have advocated for increased support, but wealthier allies like the United States have been cautious to avoid escalating tensions with Moscow.

The renewed support comes amid ongoing Russian airstrikes targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure, causing extensive power outages. The day before the summit, Russia struck a childrens hospital in Kyiv, underscoring the urgent need for NATO's measures. Michael Kofman from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace highlighted that these new steps, particularly in air defense, are crucial to counter Russia's advantages.

In announcing the new military aid package, the White House said the U.S. and its allies will be providing Ukraine with five new air defense systems, a move seen as essential to help Ukraine mitigate the damage caused by Russian drone and missile strikes.

Yet, officials acknowledged that additional measures are needed for Ukraine to turn the tide. Royal Netherlands Navy Admiral Rob Bauer, NATO's Military Committee chair, emphasized the importance of not only coordinating training but also ensuring Ukraine can recruit enough soldiers to sustain its defense.

Watch this clip from CNN discussing how Kyiv is seeking Washington's approval to strike targets within Russia using American-supplied missiles.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Russian official warns U.S. will face WORSE CONSEQUENCES for backing Ukraine's strikes on Kursk.

Ukrainian military shoots down its own F-16 fighter jet provided by U.S. earlier this year.

South Africa halts delivery of artillery shells to Poland over concerns they could be sent to Ukraine.

Ukraine escalates long-range strikes, sends drones to attack Russian military air base.

Putin fuels World War III fears with deployment of nuclear-capable bombers near NATO borders.

Sources include:

RT.com

ForeignPolicy.com

Brighteon.com
Attempted robbery in downtown San Francisco results in 49er Ricky Pearsall getting SHOT

San Francisco Mayor London Breed confirmed this week that 49ers first-round draft pick Ricky Pearsall was shot numerous times during an attempted robbery downtown.

The following video footage captured by a witness shows Pearsall walking to an ambulance in stable condition after police said he was shot near Union Square:

Video of 49ers draft pick Ricky Pearsall walking to ambulance after police say he was shot near Union Square. Video from witness. @KTVU pic.twitter.com/luhulILUQ7  Zak Sos (@ZakSNews) September 1, 2024

Breed revealed that the wide receiver was met by the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) "immediately" following the incident and that "an arrest of the shooter was made."

"My thoughts are with Ricky and his family at this time," Breed added in a tweet. "We will provide more updates, including on his condition, as I receive them."

(Related: Crime is so bad in some parts of San Francisco that area retailers are erecting large barriers around their properties and having their employees personally escort customers in and out of their stores to keep an eye on them.)

Shooter apprehended with gun, then released, three days before targeting Pearsall

According to law enforcement sources, the kid who shot Pearsall is just 17 years old. He is a known gang member in Tracy who, believe it or not, had been apprehended with a gun just three days before he ended up back on the street putting bullets into Pearsall's chest.

"Why is Gavin Newsom silent?" asked Kevin Dalton, who ran for an office in the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to represent California's District 1.

"If this happened in Florida or Texas, he would've been virtue signaling for 15 straight hours now."

SFPD later confirmed that there was actually a second male subject injured, who was found at the scene and transported to a local hospital after receiving emergency medical attention. SFPD released the following full statement:

Statement from SFPD on todays shooting of Ricky Pearsall: pic.twitter.com/WRiDq241ik  Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2024

Pearsall's mother is convinced that "God shielded him" from dying because all of the wide receiver's vital organs were untouched by the shooter's bullets.

"Update on my baby boy: First and (foremost) I want to thank GOD for protecting my baby boy," Pearsall's mother Erin further 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."

"He is in good spirits right now," she added. "Life is so precious my friends. Please love (each other). My son was spared today by the grace of GOD. Please pray for my baby."

Breed reportedly went personally to San Francisco General Hospital to keep an eye on Pearsall and to provide updates to the public about his condition and recovery progress.

"It's really sad how crime-ridden San Francisco has become," one distressed commenter wrote about how the once-great California coastal city with one of the world's most visited architectural wonders, the Golden Gate Bridge, has become a near-constant crime scene.

"1,000% this guy was arrested for a prior violent crime and released with a slap on the write," wrote another about San Francisco's soft-on-crime approach to maintaining order.

You may recall that earlier this year, Breed claimed that San Francisco's crime and homelessness numbers have been plummeting as of late. Apparently, Breed fudged the numbers to make it appear as though things are improving in and around his city when the truth is that crime is wildly out of control and worsening.

San Francisco might want to rethink the way it runs itself or else the city's crime problems will only get worse. Learn more at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
Robert Reich calls for the arrest of Elon Musk for resisting censorship

We have previously discussed the anti-free speech views of Clintons former Labor Secretary, Robert Reich, who has tried to sell citizens on the perfectly Orwellian view that more freedom means tyranny when it comes to the freedom of expression. He also demanded that former president Donald Trump be banned from ballots as a traitor  all in the name of protecting democracy from itself. Last week, Reich wrote a column declaring Elon Musk out of control in his refusal to censor citizens and appeared to call for his arrest.

(Article republished from JonathanTurley.org)

Reich has long been a prominent voice in the anti-free speech movement discussed in my recent book, The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage. Indeed, he has given a voice to the rage in calling for others to be silenced or arrested.

Elon Musk has long been the primary target of Reich and his allies after dismantling the censorship system at Twitter, now X. Reich called Musks purchase of Twitter with a pledge to reduce censorship to be dangerous nonsense.

Notably, Reichs friend, Hillary Clinton, was one of the first to call for a crackdown on Musk after his purchase of Twitter. Hillary Clinton and other Democratic figures turned to Europe and called upon them to use their Digital Services Act to force censorship against Americans.

Reich has always shown a chilling fluidity in how free speech is protected and argued that public interest should be able to trump the right of any citizens in espousing views that he believes are dangerous.

In denouncing Musk, Reich encouraged a campaign to counter his efforts to resist censorship. He wrote that Musk may be the richest man in the world. He may own one of the worlds most influential social media platforms. But that doesnt mean were powerless to stop him.

Like Hillary Clinton, Reich is calling on foreign governments and censors to silence American citizens including Musk: Regulators around the world should threaten Musk with arrest if he doesnt stop disseminating lies and hate on X.

He even appears willing to undermine national security programs to stop unfettered free speech. He called for the U.S. government to cut off contracts with his companies despite their critical role in various national security efforts, including the possible rescue of the stranded two astronauts currently in space.

None of that matters to Reich who appears to view free speech as a greater threat to our nation: Why is the US government allowing Musks satellites and rocket launchers to become crucial to the nations security when hes shown utter disregard for the public interest? Why give Musk more economic power when he repeatedly abuses it and demonstrates contempt for the public good?

Reichs call to regulate speech in the public interest is the Sirens Call of every authoritarian regime in history. He will presumably tell us what speech is no longer tolerable for public policy reasons. Our Indispensable Right will, according to Reich, be safely in the hands of the European censors who can protect us from errant and dangerous thoughts.

As he explained earlier, the kinds of things that we do about this is, focus less on thinking about free speech, but thinking about how the times have changed. In this way, speech regulations can keep us moving towards how we recommend content and  how we direct peoples attention is leading to a healthy public conversation that is most participatory.

The healthy public conversation with Robert Reich increasingly appears to be his talking and the rest of us listening.

Read more at: JonathanTurley.org
Trump says hell VOTE NO on Floridas pro-abortion amendment

Former President Donald Trump has stressed that he would vote against an amendment to the Florida Constitution enshrining legal abortion before fetal viability.

He expressed his support for the heartbeat abortion ban on Aug. 30, providing some hope to pro-lifers. Trump told Fox News that day: "The Democrats are radical, because the nine months is just a ridiculous situation. All of that stuff is unacceptable, so I'll be voting no for that reason."

The former president initially incurred the wrath of pro-lifers already dismayed with his refusal to share his opinion on the amendment and his prediction that it would succeed. "I think the six-week [window] is too short, there has to be more time. [I'm] going to be voting that we need more than six weeks," he told NBC News on Aug. 29.

Trump's Aug. 30 remarks effectively supported Florida's heartbeat-based ban on infanticide, which prohibits abortions after six weeks. It also appeared to suggest he was open to voting in favor of the ballot measure aimed at overturning the law. (Related: Pro-abortion Trump says Floridas new heartbeat law to protect unborn children from murder is a "terrible mistake.")

According to LifeSiteNews, Trump's answer during his Aug. 29 interview with NBC News provoked a wave of declarations on social media from pro-life activists and pro-lifers who would turn their backs on the real estate mogul. This prompted the Trump campaign to go on damage control mode.

"Trump has not yet said how he will vote on the ballot initiative in Florida. He simply reiterated that he believes six weeks is too short," Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

The air was later cleared with the former president's Aug. 30 remarks.

Floridians to vote on the heartbeat law amendment in November

Floridians will vote on Amendment 4 when they head to the polling places on Election Day in November. The measure, which would provide a state constitutional right to abortion before viability, will require 60 percent of voters in favor of it to pass.

Formally titled "Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion," Amendment 4 states that "no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patients healthcare provider." If enacted, it would require abortion to be allowed for any reason before fetal viability and render post-viability bans effectively meaningless by exempting any abortion that an abortionist claims is for "health" reasons.

While Trump's opposition to the amendment comes as a relief to many pro-lifers, it does not fully allay discontent with his opposition to federal pre-born protections he previously supported. These include support for mailing abortion pills into pro-life states to be taken without medical oversight and a new proposal to mandate insurance coverage for embryo-destructive in vitro fertilization treatments.

Live Action founder Lila Rose, who has received intense pushback for trying to pressure Trump to re-adopt his former pro-life stances, responded by thanking the former president. "If Trump starts talking like [he did] at the March for Life [and] said 'Together, we must protect, cherish and defend the dignity and sanctity of every human life,' he may just win this election," she noted.

Visit Trump.news for similar stories.

Watch this video about Donald Trump clarifying his position on abortion in his home state of Florida.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Abortions drop to ALMOST ZERO in Texas after state's near-total ban on infanticide.

Iowa Supreme Court UPHOLDS states heartbeat law, says theres no right to abortion in state constitution..

"Unmistakable presence" of EVIL causes some doctor to stop performing ABORTIONS.

Post-Roe infanticide numbers continue to rise, thanks to TELEHEALTH ABORTIONS.

British Labour government to ban "silent prayer" near abortion clinics.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

NYPost.com

Brighteon.com
Turkey, a strategic NATO ally, applies to join BRICS

In a major show of the shifting global power structure, Turkey reportedly wants in on the BRICS economic bloc.

Bloomberg dropped the news that, according to people familiar with the matter, Turkey wants to expand beyond its traditional Western allies. A geopolitically important NATO member, Turkey's embrace of Russia and its allies as opposed to the United States and its allies is a sign of the times and an indicator of much more to come.

Ankara is said to have submitted its BRICS application "some months ago." Certain "rifts" formed between NATO and Turkey after Russia invaded Ukraine and Turkey took Russia's side rather than NATO's.

Ever since Moscow took aim at Kiev, Ankara has reiterated its position that a diplomatic solution is needed rather than indefinite war. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan does not approve of the West's continued funneling of cash and weapons to the Zelensky regime.

Erdogan has said unequivocally that Turkey "will not be a party to this war," period. This stance has put the Mediterranean nation at odds with the U.S. and NATO, especially as Turkey draws increasingly closer to forging new economic ties with Russia and its allies, abandoning the West it once supported.

(Related: Turkey is just one of dozens of countries that are applying to join BRICS in 2024.)

Turkey tired of waiting to join EU

Another reason why Turkey is shifting gears has to do with the unbelievably long amount of time the country has waited to join the European Union (EU). For decades, Turkey has been pushing to join the EU, but to no avail.

In 1999, Turkey was declared a candidate for EU admission, but this was called off by the European Parliament a full 20 years later in 2019 due to allegations of human rights violations.

Thus far, Turkish leadership remains coy about the new effort to join BRICS. The last time we heard anything definitive about this was back in June when top Turkish diplomat Hakan Fidan revealed that Ankara is interested in joining the economic bloc.

Founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China  South Africa joined in 2011  BRICS is a Russia-chaired economic power bloc that is showing signs of eventually overtaking the NATO-led Western power structure that currently dominates most world affairs.

The reason why your television set and news feed has shown so much aggression against Russia in recent years is because the Western power structure is scared to death of Russia expanding and gaining any further power.

The biggest threat to NATO by far is Russia and its allies, which are growing increasingly disillusioned with the way the West is running things. Plainly and simply, Russia wants its territory back from Ukraine and the West does not want to give it back, in large part because Ukraine is ground-zero for Western money laundering, human trafficking and biological weapons development.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did confirm that Turkey is definitely interested in joining Team BRICS, as are the nations of Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran.

"Okay, then strip Turkey of all its NATO weapons," wrote one commenter about this latest development. "You can't have it both sides."

"BRICS is the current moving salvation train," suggested another. "It makes all the sense for Turkey to apply to join."

Others expressed concerns about Turkey possibly being the "Trojan horse" to enter BRICS while secretly continuing its allyship with NATO and the West.

"Wake up, Turkey  the West has just been using you because you have a large army," one of them said. "You are only good enough to fight for them; nothing else. Dump NATO and you will be even more welcome into BRICS+."

More and more countries are setting their sights on joining BRICS as Western hegemony fades. Learn more at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

Bloomberg.com

NaturalNews.com
Ukraine launches HUNDREDS of drones targeting energy infrastructure in Russia, including a major oil refinery in Moscow

Ukraine hit a major oil refinery in Moscow and other targets across Russia with drones in one of its biggest aerial drone operations since the beginning of the conflict. Kyiv also declared the expansion of its campaign of drone attacks on energy facilities, emphasizing the vulnerability of strategic infrastructure targets deep inside Russia.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed on Sunday, Sept. 1, that its air defenses had intercepted or taken down more than 150 drones attempting to strike targets in 15 regions.

According to the ministry, 46 drones were destroyed over the border region of Kursk, where a major Ukrainian force is currently attempting a major offensive, 34 over Bryansk Oblast to the northwest of Kursk, 28 over nearby Voronezh Oblast and 14 over Belgorod Oblast.

The ministry added that many more drones were shot down over a score of other Russian regions, including Kaluga, Lipetsk and Ryazan Oblasts.

Media reports confirm that at least one Ukrainian drone detonated over a major oil refinery in Moscow owned by state-controlled energy giant Gazprom, while another struck a power station in the neighboring Tver Oblast.

Videos posted on social media showed huge explosions overwhelming parts of the oil refinery's vast complex, located southeast of the city center. The Telegram channel of Russian online publication Baza, which is allegedly affiliated with Russian security services, confirmed that witnesses heard loud blasts close to the Knakovo Power Station in Tver.

Tver Oblast Gov. Igor Rudenya said there was a fire in the town of Konakovo but electricity and gas supplies were not affected.

One of the drones that hit the Moscow refinery damaged an "adjacent technical facility" at the plant, said Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Emergency services had extinguished the flames.

Sobyanin added that there were no casualties, and the operation of the plant was not impacted.

Russia and Ukraine targeting each other's military and energy infrastructures

Russia and Ukraine have been conducting regular strikes against targets connected to the enemy's military and energy industries. (Related: Ukraine escalates long-range strikes, sends drones to attack Russian military air base.)

Recently, Russia fired what Ukraine described as the biggest rocket-and-drone bombardment of the war, leading to temporary blackouts in several Ukrainian cities.

Ukraine has in the past months hastened the speed and enlarged the size of its drone strikes on Russia, as well as on energy facilities deep inside the country. It has struck Russian air defenses and fuel and ammunition stores.

"It's completely justified for Ukrainians to be able to respond to Russian terror precisely where it's necessary," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are trying to maintain control over a major portion of Kursk Oblast. At the same time, Moscow's forces are moving ahead in eastern Ukraine, threatening the city of Pokrovsk in the contested Donetsk Oblast.

The surge of attacks on refineries and other petroleum infrastructures are aimed at interrupting fuel supplies to the frontlines and hurting Moscow's most significant export industry.

Drones hit a major refinery operated by Lukoil, Russia's second-biggest oil company in March, along with oil-storage tanks in a region near the Ukrainian border and a town near St. Petersburg that hosts another huge refinery.

The effect on Russia's military fuel supply from the attacks is hard to estimate.

Refineries are vital for Russia's war effort as tanks, ships and planes require refined products like gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. The Gazprom-owned refinery in Moscow is one of Russia's biggest, and any damage to its operations could generate further turmoil in Russia's exports of fuels.

Follow UkraineWitness.com for more news about Ukraine's ongoing war with Russia.

Watch the video below about Ukraine launching a large-scale drone attack inside Russia.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Russia launches over 200 drones and missiles targeting critical energy infrastructure in Ukraine.

IAEA blames Ukraine for drone strike at Kursk nuclear power plant, warns of "nuclear incident" risk.

Russian official warns U.S. will face WORSE CONSEQUENCES for backing Ukraines strikes on Kursk.

Russia declares federal emergency in Belgorod as Ukraine intensifies attacks on Kursk.

Russia says Ukraine's drone attack on nuclear plant was designed to set it on fire.

Sources include:

WSJ.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
2019 Chevy Silverado LTZ

A federal appeals court has ordered General Motors to face a class action lawsuit that claims the company knowingly sold hundreds of thousands of vehicles with bad transmissions.

Per Reuters, the issue concerns the 8L45 and 8L90 eight-speed automatic gearboxes sold from model years 2015 to 2019, involving approximately 800,000 cars and trucks including Chevy Silverados, Colorados, Camaros, and Corvettes, various GMC products like the Sierra and Yukon, as well as Cadillacs such as the CTS, CT6, and Escalade. Even after repairs, the transmissions apparently shudder and shake in higher gears and hesitate and lurch in lower ones. Originally filed back in 2018, the lawsuit also accuses the automaker of instructing dealerships to assure customers that harsh shifts were normal.

GMs counterargument is that most class members never experienced problems and that there were too many differences among class members to justify group lawsuits.

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The judge, however, isnt buying it. According to Circuit Judge Karen Nelson Moore, Exactly how, and to what extent, each of the individual plaintiffs experienced a shudder or shift quality is irrelevant to the issue of GM concealing known defects. In other words, its not really a crime to make bad products (as long as youre not hurting anyone). Lying about it, however, is a whole different ball game.

What exactly the outcome will be for owners of these cars remains to be seen, but the case is Speerly et al v. General Motors LLC, 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 23-1940. The law firm representing consumers is Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll.

Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach him here: chris.tsui@thedrive.com
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But, Forrester senior analyst Alvin Nguyen said Tuesday, it is unrealistic to expect another organization like Huawei to displace Nvidia quickly, because it will take time and effort from both a hardware and software perspective.

The difficulties being reported today about Huaweis software in its attempts to replace Nvidia are unsurprising: The software ecosystem that Nvidia has developed has been around for a long time, Nguyen said via email. Nvidia introduced CUDA, its software platform for programming GPUs, in 2006.

One researcher told the FT that Huaweis code made its Ascend chips difficult and unstable to use, hampering testing.

When random errors occur, it is very difficult to find out where it comes from due to poor documentation. You need talented developers to read the source code to see what the issue is, which slows everything down. The coding is imperfect, the researcher told the FT.

A Chinese engineer with knowledge of Baidus use of Huaweis chips said they crashed frequently, the FT reported.

In its report, the FT said that Huawei has been sending its engineers to customer sites to help them transfer their training code written for Nvidias CUDA to Huaweis CANN.
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has escalated its antitrust investigation into Nvidia by issuing subpoenas to the company and others in the industry. This move marks a significant step forward in the probe, signaling that the government may be closer to filing a formal complaint, reports Bloomberg.

Citing sources familiar with the matter, the report said that the DOJ is particularly concerned about Nvidias business practices, which allegedly make it difficult for customers to switch to other suppliers. The company is also accused of penalizing buyers who do not exclusively use its AI chips, a practice that could stifle competition in the rapidly growing AI market, the report added.

This investigation follows a previous inquiry where the DOJ issued questionnaires to industry players. The San Francisco office of the DOJ is leading the investigation, which is now focusing on Nvidias acquisition of RunAI, a software company specializing in AI computing management. Regulators are scrutinizing whether this acquisition could further entrench Nvidias dominance, making it even harder for customers to choose alternative chip providers.
Chinese, Mauritanian presidents elevate bilateral ties

Xinhua) 08:22, September 04, 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, 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. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, 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 ties to a strategic partnership.

Xi emphasized that the two countries have always respected each other and treated each other as equals, with solid political mutual trust, fruitful cooperation and profound people-to-people friendship.

China is willing to advance Belt and Road cooperation with Mauritania, deepen cooperation in fields such as fisheries and infrastructure, leverage the role of China-aided demonstration centers, and enhance cooperation on the cultivation technology of mushroom grass, he said.

Xi lauded Ghazouani's active contribution to the preparations for the upcoming FOCAC summit as the rotating chairman of the African Union.

He said China is ready to work with Mauritania to build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future, raise the voice and representation of Global South countries in global governance, and jointly safeguard international equity and justice.

Ghazouani thanked China for its valuable assistance to Mauritania's economic and social development.

Mauritania looks forward to coordinating closely with China to make the upcoming summit a success and promote peace and development in Africa and the world at large, Ghazouani added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, 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. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

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Hear us out before drawing a knee-jerk conclusion.

A report out of the UK sheds some light on a possible and disturbing new trend: county councils there might be trying to ban motorcycles from public roads slowly. The reasoning is reportedly that getting rid of motorcycles will save motorcyclists lives.

This is like the old saying about burning down the village to save the village. And while it might seem overly alarmist to say motorcycles could be banned from public roads in the UK, US, or anywhere else by justifying the lives saved by just such a measure, weve seen in 2020 all kinds of radical changes to public health enforcement using the same reasoning.

photo credit: Harley-Davidson

One of the counties in England thats been cited by British Motorcyclists Federation, Trail Riders Fellowship, Motorcycle Action Group, and Vintage Motor Cycle Club is Oxfordshire. Statements about the safety, environmental impact, and space requirements of motorcycles have reportedly been brought up by county officials. And while bike enthusiasts and others have been able to address these concerns, they could easily pop up anywhere else.

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Just look at the NHTSA page about motorcyclist safety, which declares motorcycle riders are still over-represented in traffic fatalities. Measures to make drivers more aware, teach motorcyclists to ride more defensibly, and to boost helmet usage have had only small effects. All it takes is a push from politicians or bureaucrats to make riding a bike in public the enemy of the people.

Yes, before 2020 we wouldve written this kind of talk off as alarmist, a wild conspiracy theory developed by people with overactive imaginations and too much time on their hands. But after watching sweeping, unquestioned health policies enacted in many areas with little to no discussion about whether or not they should even be put into place, coupled with the reluctance to roll most of those back because if they save just one life theyre worth the sacrifice, we can see the same possibly happening with motorcycles.

Story continues

Another potential avenue thats been cited for potentially banning motorcycles from public roads is these so-called zero emissions zones. Instead of overtly stating motorcycles pollute and therefore are banned, theyve been completed omitted from plans for these zones in different areas.

photo credit: Harley-Davidson

That might seem like an odd way of getting rid of a vehicle which is far more fuel efficient than something with four wheels, but theyre not zero emissions and so the concern seems justified. Plus, county councils have argued the engines on motorcycles pollute more than car engines. While there are electric motorcycles on the market, just like with electric cars theyre out the financial reach for most. There are other design shortcomings of electric bikes people can debate all day long.

Another attack being leveled at motorcycles by city and county councils has been their size. That one feels like its out of left field, but the reasoning is that motorcycles are apparently far larger than bicycles, so they require more space to park. With the advent of electric bicycles, it seems some feel motorcycle are no longer welcome in dense urban areas. Thats shocking since one would think theyd be warmly welcomed as an alternative to cars.

Think this couldn't happen in the United States? Consider this: Governor Newsom of California has declared new gas-powered vehicles will be banned from his state in just 15 years. This move has been hailed by some as a solution to climate change. What would it take to start banning gas-powered vehicles from certain cities and counties?

As for banning "dangerous" vehicles from US roads, we've seen calls for that as well. Motor1 and others questioned if the Dodge Demon should be legal to drive on public streets. This concern isn't so far-fetched after all.

What were talking about isnt necessarily sweeping and sudden legislation that bans motorcycles from all roads. No, its more likely going to be a subtle, gradual thing where theyre disinvited from certain areas of different cities and counties. That ban then slowly grows over time as public opinion turns against the perceived dangers of bikes, including environmental. In other words, everyone needs to stay alert and be watchful for anti-motorcycle bias since it seems it might be growing.

Source: British Motorcyclists Federation

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MADISON, Wis.The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents has informed Dr. Joseph Gow of his upcoming personnel matters review hearing as it relates to his ouster as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UW-La Crosse) in December 2023, via a notice letter sent to Gow that was reviewed by AVN.

Dr. Gow was outed as an adult content creator alongside his spouse, Dr. Carmen Wilson, and was immediately removed from his position and placed in a tenured role as a professor of communications focusing on media studies. Gow and Wilson starred in self-produced amateur content under the shared user name "Sexy Happy Couple."

However, UW System and UW-La Crosse administration officials want Gow removed from any position and to deny him tenure due to claims of reputational harm. In a June disciplinary hearing, a panel of his fellow faculty at UW-La Crosse reached a ruling recommending that Gow be terminated and submitted the recommendation to the interim chancellor, who in turn submitted the administrative and ethical charges to the Board of Regents.

Now, the Board of Regents has scheduled a hearing for Friday, September 20 to review Gow's status of tenure and employment.

The letter sent to Dr. Gow's attorney reads, "Please hold Friday, September 20 ... on your calendars for a hearing before the UW System Board of Regents [...] for the purpose of oral arguments on the matter of [the chancellor's] recommendation to dismiss with cause Professor Joseph Gow from his tenured faculty position at UW-La Crosse."

Gow is currently represented by attorney Mark M. Leitner of Laffey, Leitner & Goode LLC on behalf of the nonprofit Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).

Dr. Gow and his counsel will appear before the Board of Regents' Personal Matters Review Committee. Following the scheduled hearing, the committee might not announce their decision. The hearing committee will reportedly issue a confidential recommendation that will then be forwarded to the entire board for consideration.

That means Gow might not know if the board has terminated his tenure and position until they have their regularly scheduled meeting, which is also at the end of September. A public hearing might be expected but with a private votesomething that may violate open records and meeting laws in Wisconsin.

AVN has reported extensively on Dr. Gow's case.

Gow hinted during the June hearing that he would potentially bring legal action against the university system. He also recalled fielding initial legal assistance from FIRE. At the time, the group had yet to allocate an attorney on his behalf. Now, that assigned attorney is Leitner.
Few scenes in 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' are fictitious, says cabin crew member Anil Sharma

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mid the controversy surrounding the Netflix series 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack', which tells the story of the hijack of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 by Pakistan-based terror outfit Harkat-ul-Mujahideen in 1999, Anil Sharma, who was present in the hijacked Airbus aircraft as chief steward, and saw the series of events unfolding in front of his eyes, said on Tuesday that some of the scenes in the web series are fictitious.

After the series was released, several social media users accused its creators -- Anubhav Sinha and Trishant Srivastava -- of changing the names of two hijackers to 'Bhola' and 'Shankar', thus hurting Hindu sentiments.

Interacting with IANS about the controversy, Sharma said the names -- Bhola and Shankar -- of two hijackers presented in the web series are 'imaginary', and not their real names.

"That (actual identities) should have been highlighted. The intent of the makers of web series did not seem good to me. No crew member was injured or stabbed. The hijackers also never slapped any air hostess," he told IANS.

Sharma said that he realised the seriousness of the situation only after he and his colleague were asked to 'handle a body' (to dispose) at the Dubai airport. He was referring to a passenger who was stabbed by the hijackers.

"A lot of things have happened... and my remarks are not going to change anything," he said.

Sharma further said that though it is easy to criticise Jaswant Singh (then External Affairs Minister) over his role in the matter, the latter's visit to Kandahar "made a positive impact".

"However, India paid a heavy price after the release of three terrorists. A lot of terrorist attacks took place in India afterwards and Pakistani involvement was also there," he said.

Sharma also called for setting up a decision-making body over certain controversial scenes so that no provocation happens.

Stopping short of directly criticising the web series makers, he added that everything cannot be measured by profit-making parameters and the conscience should realise that "something wrong is being done".

Earlier, facing flak from different quarters, Netflix India on Tuesday updated the opening disclaimer for the series to include the hijackers' real as well as code names.

Monika Shergill, Netflix Vice President (Content, India), said in a statement: "For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, the opening disclaimer has been updated to include the real and code names of the hijackers. The code names in the series reflect those used during the actual event."

On December 24, 1999, five hijackers took control of an Indian Airlines flight after it took off from Kathmandu en route to Delhi, and diverted it to Kandahar in Afghanistan after making landings in Amritsar, Lahore, and Dubai.

The Indian government had to release three terrorists -- Masood Azhar, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, and Mushtaq Zargar -- to secure the safe release of 154 hostages.

The Union Home Ministry in January 2000 revealed the real names of the hijackers - Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, and Shakir. The ministry also said during the hijacking, they referred to each other by code names -- 'Bhola', 'Shankar', 'Chief', 'Doctor', and 'Burger'.

aks/cbt/pgh/arm

 Few scenes in 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' are fictitious, says cabin crew member Anil Sharma

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PM Modi meets Sultan of Brunei, discusses bilateral ties

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rime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei at his official residence Istana Nurul Iman and held bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening the bond between India and Brunei.

The meetings also focused on reinforcing India's commitment to its 'Act East' policy and advancing its vision of the Indo-Pacific.

PM Modi was warmly welcomed by Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and his close family members.

Following the meeting, PM Modi is scheduled to attend an official luncheon hosted by Sultan Bolkiah before departing for Singapore later in the day, marking the second leg of his two-nation visit.

The Prime Minister shared details of his meeting on social media platform X, stating, "Delighted to meet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Our talks were wide-ranging and included ways to further cement bilateral ties between our nations. We are going to further expand trade ties, commercial linkages, and people-to-people exchanges."

Later in the day, PM Modi will head to Singapore, where India is exploring enhanced cooperation in areas such as digital technology, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity, and advanced manufacturing.

The Prime Minister arrived at Bandar Seri Begawan Airport on Tuesday afternoon, marking the beginning of his two-day visit to Brunei Darussalam.

This visit is significant as it is the first-ever bilateral trip by an Indian Prime Minister to the Southeast Asian nation, and it coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei.

Upon arrival, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome and was warmly received by Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Office of Brunei.

As he arrived at his hotel, PM Modi received an enthusiastic reception from members of the Indian community in Brunei, including several children.

The Prime Minister also visited the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, a renowned structure in the region named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei, who is also the father of the current Sultan Bolkiah.

During his visit, PM Modi interacted with local officials, scholars, and members of the Indian community who had gathered in large numbers at the venue.

Additionally, PM Modi inaugurated the new Chancery of the Indian High Commission in Brunei, receiving a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora.

The new facility, located at the Jalan Duta Diplomatic Enclave adjacent to the US Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan, was lauded by PM Modi as a symbol of the strong ties between the two nations.

Prime Minister Modi expressed his appreciation for the Indian community in Brunei, acknowledging their role as a living bridge between the two nations, further strengthening bilateral relations.

The visit focuses on exploring new avenues for cooperation in multiple areas, including defence, trade and investment, energy, space technology, health, capacity building, culture, and vibrant people-to-people exchanges.

Last month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Brunei's Foreign Minister Erywan Pehin Yusof on the sidelines of ASEAN meetings in Vientiane, where they jointly launched the logo commemorating 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

 PM Modi meets Sultan of Brunei, discusses bilateral ties

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Reese Witherspoon honours English teacher with 100th pick for her book club

H

ollywood star Reese Witherspoon paid a tribute to her high school English teacher with 100th pick for her book club.

Witherspoon took to Instagram, where she posted a picture of her teacher holding the book "The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year" by Margaret Renkl, whom she met at her old Tennessee high school.

She even announced that September's book is "The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year". She founded the book club in 2017 under her media company Hello Sunshine.

Witherspoon captioned the images: "Our 100th @reesesbookclub pick, #TheComfortOfCrows by @margaret.renkl is a beautiful love letter to nature and the world around us. Divided into fifty-two chapters, it follows the creatures and plants in Margaret's backyard over the course of a year, capturing both the joy of nature's ongoing pleasures and the grief of fleeting moments."

She added: As my high school English teacher (!!), Margaret had a profound impact on my life, making it incredibly special to have her as our 100th author. I'd love to hear about a teacher that had a positive impact on you in the comments below."

"Thank you all for reading with me, 100 books later. Listen to #TheComfortOfCrows on @applebooks our official audiobook partner, all month long!"

"The Comfort of Crows" is a meditation on the changing world outside our windows, in 52 chapters, accompanied by illustrations by Renkl's brother, Billy, that follow the creatures and plants in her backyard over the course of a year.

Withersppon made her screen debut in 1991 with "The Man in the Moon." She was then seen in films such as "Freeway", "Cruel Intentions", "Legally Blonde", "Sweet Home Alabama", "Walk The Line", "Water For Elephants", "Wild" and "Big Little Lies" to name a few.

 Reese Witherspoon honours English teacher with 100th pick for her book club

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Kim orders execution of 30 officials for 'failing' to prevent deaths in floods: Report

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orth Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has ordered the execution of 30 officials for their alleged failure to prevent flooding and landslides that claimed 1,000 lives, local media reported.

Around 20 to 30 leaders, charged with corruption and dereliction of duty, have been sentenced to capital punishment, TV Chosun reported, quoting a North Korean official.

Similarly, around 20 to 30 cadres in the flood-stricken area were executed at the same time late last month, the official told the television network.

Earlier, Kim had ordered authorities to "strictly punish" the officials after the floods and landslides caused high mortality and displaced over 15,000, as per the North Korean Central News Agency.

Heavy rain pummelled the North border city of Sinuiju and Uiju County in North Phyongan Province flooding 4,100 houses, 7,410 acres of agricultural land, and many public buildings, structures, roads, and railways, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

South Korean media outlets have reported that the number of those who died or went missing could exceed about 1,000.

Recently, Kim visited Uiju County to meet flood victims and offered support, the KCNA said.

During the visit, he denounced South Korean media's reports on North Korea's severe flood damage as "fabrications" and "politically motivated false propaganda".

Though North Korea was offered assistance from China, Russia and even South Korea, Kim refused assistance.

Kim, while expressing gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for offering assistance for rain damage recovery, said he will seek help when necessary.

He said North Korea plans to pursue rehabilitation work according to the already-established plan as state measures have been taken.

North Korea's public executions have surged since the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, there were 10 public executions per year which mounted to 100 annual public executions, according to the Korea Times.

 Kim orders execution of 30 officials for 'failing' to prevent deaths in floods: Report

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IAEA head says to step up nuclear safety assistance to Ukraine

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hief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that the agency will step up assistance to Ukraine to protect the country's energy infrastructure, which is vital to the safety of its nuclear power plants (NPPs).

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi on Tuesday announced the move in a statement after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, reports Xinhua news agency.

The move followed "a number of missile attacks that have either directly caused the disconnection of several nuclear power reactors or led to dangerous instability of the national grid," according to the statement.

The United Nations nuclear watchdog will soon dispatch an expert team to some of the damaged Ukrainian sub-stations, "electrical switchyards forming the backbone of the grid," and assess the situation there, the statement read.

"The safety of operating nuclear power plants is dependent on a stable and reliable connection to the electricity grid," Grossi said. "The situation is becoming increasingly vulnerable and potentially even dangerous in this regard."

According to the statement, strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on August 26 "caused major fluctuations in the power supply and led to the temporary shutdown or disconnection of reactor units at the Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs, one of which has still not returned to full operation."

Grossi will also travel to Zaporizhzhia NPP, one of the largest NPPs in Europe, later this week to assess the nuclear safety situation there, the statement said.

The IAEA currently has expert teams stationed at all of Ukraine's NPPs to help maintain nuclear safety and security, according to the agency.

 IAEA head says to step up nuclear safety assistance to Ukraine

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Australian govt boosts funding for war on feral cats

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he Australian government has committed additional funding to prevent feral cats from harming native species.

Tanya Plibersek, the Minister for the Environment, on Wednesday, announced more than 60 million Australian dollars (US$40.1 million) in new funding for the government's war on feral cats.

The funding has been allocated to 55 projects across the country aimed at preventing the ecological destruction caused by invasive feral cats.

According to the government, feral cats kill a combined 1.5 billion native mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs in Australia every year as well as 1.1 billion invertebrates, Xinhua news agency reported.

Feral cats have contributed to two-thirds of Australia's mammal extinctions and posed a threat to over 200 threatened species, Plibersek said.

"Feral cats are dangerous and ruthless predators, pushing our threatened native species like the greater bilby, numbat, and Gilbert's potoroo, to the brink of extinction," she said in a statement.

"We are mobilising artificial intelligence, cat trap technology and strong community action to combat this invasive pest and safeguard Australia's biodiversity," she said.

The federal government declared war on feral cats in 2023 and released a draft national action plan to prevent them from spreading further. Plibersek said that the finalised plan will be released soon.

New projects that will receive funding include traps for feral cats equipped with artificial intelligence (AI), humane animal nets and an AI-supported audio deterrent that emits a high-pitched sound to act as a virtual fence.

Researchers will also receive funding to explore drone-based thermal cameras and eDNA technologies to track feral cats in the Christmas Island National Park off the coast of Western Australia in the Indian Ocean.

 Australian govt boosts funding for war on feral cats

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PM Modi holds delegation-level talks with Sultan of Brunei, later departs for Singapore

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rime Minister Narendra Modi and Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei on Wednesday held delegation-level talks on a wide range of issues, including defence, trade & investment, food security, education, energy, space technology, focusing on strengthening the bilateral relations between the two nations.

This significant meeting at Istana Nurul Iman was followed by the signing and exchange of Memoranda of Understanding between India and Brunei, marking a milestone in their diplomatic engagement.

The two leaders saw the signing and exchange of an MoU on Cooperation in the operation of Telemetry, Tracking and Telecommand Station for Satellite and Launch Vehicles by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Brunei's Minister of Transport and Infocommunications H.E. Pengiran Dato Shamhary Pengiran Dato Mustapha.

Later, PM Modi departed for Singapore, continuing the second leg of his two-nation visit.

"My visit to Brunei Darussalam was productive. It ushers in a new era of even stronger India-Brunei ties. Our friendship will contribute to a better planet. I am grateful to the people and Government of Brunei for their hospitality and affection," the Prime Minister said in a post on X.

Addressing the banquet hosted by Sultan Bolkiah, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and extended his heartfelt congratulations to Brunei on the 40th anniversary of its independence.

"On behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and the people of Brunei. Our centuries-old cultural ties form the foundation of our friendship. Under your leadership, our relations are deepening day by day," PM Modi stated.

Reflecting on the longstanding ties between the two countries, the Prime Minister recalled Sultan Bolkiah's visit to India as the Chief Guest on Republic Day in 2018, a memory cherished by the people of India.

He also expressed his happiness at meeting Sultan Bolkiah at the start of his third term as Prime Minister, particularly during the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei.

"Brunei's partnership is crucial for India's 'Act East' policy and Indo-Pacific vision, which guarantees a bright future for both our nations," PM Modi emphasised. He expressed confidence that the talks would provide a strategic direction for future relations.

PM Modi also reaffirmed India's commitment to its 'Act East' policy and vision for the Indo-Pacific.

Following the meeting, PM Modi took to social media to express his satisfaction with the discussions, posting, "Delighted to meet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Our talks were wide-ranging and included ways to further cement bilateral ties between our nations. We are going to further expand trade ties, commercial linkages, and people-to-people exchanges."

Prime Minister Modi's visit to Brunei is historic, being the first-ever bilateral trip by an Indian Prime Minister to the Southeast Asian nation.

Upon his arrival at Bandar Seri Begawan Airport on Tuesday afternoon, he was accorded a ceremonial welcome and warmly received by Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Office of Brunei.

During his visit, PM Modi also paid a visit to the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, an iconic structure named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei, also known as the Architect of Modern Brunei. He later inaugurated the new Chancery of the Indian High Commission in Brunei, where he was warmly welcomed by the Indian diaspora.

The visit focuses on exploring new areas for cooperation, including defence, trade and investment, energy, space technology, health, capacity building, culture, and vibrant people-to-people exchanges.

 PM Modi holds delegation-level talks with Sultan of Brunei, later departs for Singapore

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Vinesh, Bajrang call on Rahul Gandhi amid talks of debut in Haryana polls

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restlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, on Wednesday, met the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi here with speculations of Vinesh contesting Haryana Assembly polls on a Congress ticket intensifying.

Their meeting comes a day after the Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) convened to finalise the list of candidates for the October 5 elections.

It is learnt that Congress may offer either the Charkhi Dadri or Julana seat to Vinesh Phogat.

Sources said the CEC has shortlisted 59 candidates, comprising 27 of partys 28 sitting legislators, amidst talks of the Congress have a pre-poll alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Commenting on the ongoing speculations regarding Phogat's political future, All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Haryana, Deepak Babaria, said that the final list of candidates would be released by September 4.

But he had clarified that there was no discussion on either Vinesh or Bajrangs candidature at the meeting.

Sources said that AAP is demanding at least 10 seats, while Congress is offering only seven.

However, the ruling BJP in the state launched a scathing attack on the potential alliance between Congress and AAP, saying it is the weaker organisation that feels the need to make compromises.

Ever since Vinesh Phogat, 29, who missed out on an Olympic medal in Paris after she was disqualified for being overweight hours before her final bout in the 50 kg category, returned to India, Congress leaders have been meeting her. Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda was the first politician to reach IGI Airport in Delhi to welcome her.

Vinesh Phogat, on August 23 met Deepender Hooda and his father and two-time Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda along with her wrestler husband Somvir Rathee at the Congress leaders' residence in Delhi.

Vinesh Phogat had also joined protesting farmers at the Shambhu protest site on the Punjab and Haryana border on August 31. When asked about contesting the Haryana elections, she replied: I will not talk about politics. I have come to meet my family.

With as many as 2,556 leaders expressing their interest in getting tickets for the polls, the Congress is actively finalising the names, sources said.

The elections in Haryana are scheduled to take place in a single phase on October 5, with the counting of votes set for October 8.

 Vinesh, Bajrang call on Rahul Gandhi amid talks of debut in Haryana polls

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In Singapore, PM Modi flaunts drumming skills before Indian diaspora

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rime Minister Narendra Modi reached Singapore on Wednesday, as part of his two-nation tour and was given a warm welcome by the Indian diaspora on arrival.

PM Modi also shared some light moments with the Indian community, even as they came in large numbers to welcome him on arrival to the Southeast Asian nation.

PM Modi tried his hands at 'dhol' and displayed his drumming skills while the excited Indian diaspora cheered for him. A video of the heartwarming moment has also gone viral on social media.

Among other viral clips, PM Modi could be seen giving autographs to one of the individuals while others are trying to click selfies and photos with him.

A woman also tied rakhi to PM Modi's wrist, amidst cheers from the excited crowd.

Notably, this is PM Modi's fifth official visit to Singapore. Prior to this, he wrapped up a visit to Brunei, the first visit by an Indian PM for a bilateral visit.

Accompanied by Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and other officials, PM Modi will be holding key meetings with Singapore's top leadership including President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

Earlier in a post on X, PM Modi wrote: "Landed in Singapore. Looking forward to the various meetings aimed at boosting the India-Singapore friendship. India's reforms and the talent of our Yuva Shakti make our nation an ideal investment destination. We also look forward to closer cultural ties."

PM Modi is set to receive an official welcome at the Parliament House on September 5 and call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

Singapore PM Wong and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong will host separate meetings for PM Modi.

PM Modi will also participate in a business roundtable with Singaporean business leaders organised by the Singapore Business Federation, where he will interact with Singapore's semiconductor ecosystem players and engage students from Singapore in the India Ready Talent Programme, who did internships in India and the Odisha World Skills Centre interns in companies in Singapore.

 In Singapore, PM Modi flaunts drumming skills before Indian diaspora

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PATTAYA, ThailandBruce, CEO of Adult Site Broker and host of the "Adult Site Broker Talk" podcast, will attend the TES Affiliate Conference in Prague.

Adult Site Broker is offering a 20 percent discount on the show for a limited time. Sign up for TES here by this Thursday and use code "ASB20percentuntil6september" to claim your discount.

Im excited to return to Prague after last years fantastic show," Bruce said. "I cant wait to see our adult industry family and conduct some business.

Adult Site Broker, the ethical broker, helps sellers and buyers in the adult space get together to work out equitable deals. Its affiliate program, ASB Cash, pays 20 percent of the broker commission on all referred deals closed. "Adult Site Broker Talk" has a new episode every Wednesday. It features the movers and shakers of the adult industry and has been running for over two years.

To make an appointment with Bruce to either buy or sell adult websites, contact him on the Adult Site Broker website.
Use public transport to reduce pollution: Kailash Gahlot on launch of premium bus fleet

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elhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Wednesday introduced a new premium bus policy, highlighting the launch of a fleet of electric buses as a significant step towards promoting environment-friendly transportation in the national capital.

"I believe the long wait to introduce a premium bus policy is finally coming to an end. We have secured licences from two companies, with Uber launching the service. Today, we are inspecting the buses at the Rajghat depot," Gahlot told IANS.

Emphasising the initiative's importance, Gahlot said, "This marks a significant change and a great initiative for public transportation. This shows how public and private sectors can make transportation more efficient."

He also underscored the environmental benefits, stating, "Because these are electric buses, they will also help reduce pollution."

Gahlot mentioned that the government's involvement in this initiative is minimal, limited to issuing licences under conditions that the buses are modern, comfortable, and air-conditioned and that each operator deploys a minimum of 25 buses.

"Hopefully, we will flag off these buses in the next 10 days," he added.

He also urged the public to adopt this comfortable public transport option instead of private vehicles, which would help reduce traffic congestion and pollution.

The ticket booking system for these buses will be fully online, enhancing convenience for the passengers.

In addition to the bus policy, the Transport Minister also discussed the extension of the Narela Metro corridor, which had previously been halted.

"Earlier, the Metro corridor was halted at Narela. It has now been extended to the Delhi-Haryana border and further to Kundli and Nathupur villages, connecting these rural areas with the entire city of Delhi. My best wishes to all the residents there," he said.

Addressing the potential alliance between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the upcoming Assembly elections in Haryana, the AAP MLA welcomed the idea proposed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying AAP is open to any coalition that can prevent the BJP from coming to power.

"If a coalition can prevent the BJP from coming to power in any way, both parties should come together. From what I have seen from news reports, Rahul Gandhi voiced this idea, and our party welcomes it. AAP will surely move forward with this dialogue. Whatever agreement is reached, both parties will definitely achieve positive results if they contest the polls together," he said.

 Use public transport to reduce pollution: Kailash Gahlot on launch of premium bus fleet

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PM Modi meets counterpart Lawrence Wong at iconic Sri Temasek in Singapore

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rime Minister Narendra Modi met Singapore PM Lawrence Wong at the historic Sri Temasek bungalow - the official residence of the Singaporean Prime Minister - for a "private dinner" on Wednesday, a few hours after his arrival in the country on the final leg of his two-nation tour.

The ongoing visit at the invitation of Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong is PM Modi's fifth visit to Singapore. He had last visited the country in 2018.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Modi will receive an official welcome at the Parliament House, call on Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and meet Prime Minister Wong. PM Modi will also meet Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

Following the bilaterals, the PM is scheduled to participate in a business roundtable with Singaporean business leaders organised by the Singapore Business Federation, interact with Singapore's semiconductor ecosystem players, and engage students from Singapore in the India Ready Talent Programme who did internships in India, and the Odisha World Skills Center interns in Singapore companies.

PM Modi arrived in Singapore Wednesday afternoon after wrapping up a historic two-day trip to Brunei, the first bilateral visit by an Indian PM to the southeast Asian nation.

Upon his arrival in Singapore, PM Modi was received by Singapore's Minister of Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam.

At the hotel, members of the Indian diaspora gave a rousing welcome to the Prime Minister with traditional Maharashtrian dance and drums.

Adding to the excitement of those present at the venue, including several children, PM Modi also tried his hand at the dhol.

Expressing his enthusiasm, PM Modi shared on X, "Landed in Singapore. Looking forward to the various meetings aimed at boosting the India-Singapore friendship. India's reforms and the talent of our Yuva Shakti make our nation an ideal investment destination. We also look forward to closer cultural ties."

During his stay, PM Modi will participate in several meetings aimed at further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The discussions are also expected to focus on deepening cultural connections and fostering stronger people-to-people ties.

Key areas of enhanced cooperation under consideration include digital innovation, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity, and advanced manufacturing.

"I look forward to the opportunity to meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. I will also meet with leaders of Singapore's vibrant business community. I look forward to my discussions to deepen our Strategic Partnership with Singapore, particularly in new and emerging areas of advanced manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainable development," said PM Modi in his departure statement on Tuesday.

Last week, a high-level Indian delegation, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, had participated in the second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) held in Singapore.

PM Modi's visit is expected to further enhance the relationship between India and Singapore, emphasising both economic and cultural collaboration.

"Singapore is India's largest trade partner in ASEAN and it is a leading source of foreign direct investment. Singapore is India's sixth largest trade partner worldwide and the largest source of FDI during the last financial year. Investments have also been very large since 2000 till now we have had cumulative FDI of about 160 billion US dollars. There will be an interaction with business leaders during Prime Minister's visit and this will be an important element of the visit as the CEOs will be listening to India's growth story first hand from the Prime Minister and the opportunities that it presents for them," said Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary East at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) before PM left for the two-nation visit.

 PM Modi meets counterpart Lawrence Wong at iconic Sri Temasek in Singapore

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Bombay HC to CBFC: Decide on certification to 'Emergency' by Sep 18; no release on Sep 6

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he Bombay High Court on Wednesday ordered the Censor Board to decide by September 18 any representations by Sikh bodies, groups or individuals who have objections to the September 6 release of the film, "Emergency".

A division bench comprising Justice Burgess Colabawalla and Justice Firdosh Pooniwalla asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to take its decision on the objections by the Jabalpur Sikh Sangat and/or others vis-a-vis the film starring Kangana Ranaut, the Bharatiya Janata Party MP who is playing the lead in the film.

While pointing out that the CBFC lacked powers on deciding representing the objections or any unrest pertaining to the film's release, it declined to pass any orders directing the Censor Board to immediately issue the Censor Certificate on grounds of judicial propriety.

Justice Colabawalla and Justice Pooniwalla noted that on September 3, the Madhya Pradesh High Court had already ordered the CBFC to take a decision on the objections by the Jabalpur Sikh Sangat before certifying the film, and refused to pass any directions that could breach the MP court's directive.

Accordingly, declining the petitioner's plea to direct the CBFC to issue the certificate, it ordered the Censor Board to consider any objections by September 18, stalling the film's release.

The plea was filed by Zee Studios, the co-producer of the film "Emergency", citing a CBFC email of August 29 to the producer, Manikarnika Films, owned by Ranaut, informing them about the "successful certification" of "Emergency" but when they went to pick up the certificate they were not handed it over. Opposing the arguments, the CBFC counsel Abhinav Chandrachud said the email was a 'system-generated' communication and the Censor Certificate is issued only after it is signed by the Board Chairman.

Zee Studios Senior Counsel Venkatesh Dhond argued that, citing unrest against the film, the CBFC had withheld the certificate, and that it had nothing to do with the law-and-order situation.

He further contended that some groups had raised objections to the film merely after viewing the trailer of the film, to which the court concurred.

Justice Colabawalla wondered how such groups learn that the film is offensive to some communities without even watching it and reiterated that the CBFC had no powers to go into matters of unrest, representations, etc.

Moreover, the Supreme Court has also passed an order saying that just because of some law-and-order situation, a film's release cannot be stalled.

The court observed that after such emails are issued by the CBFC, they could not accept its counsel Chandrachud's submissions that the Censor Certificate cannot be issued without the Chairman's signature.

The judges also directed the CBFC to comply with the MP HC's orders on the representations by September 18, asking them not to delay its decision further as films are usually released on Fridays and huge amounts of money is invested.

Based on India's Emergency period (1975-1977), the film "Emergency" is co-produced, written and directed by Ranaut, in which she has played the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and others starring in the movie include Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahim Chaudhary, Anupam Kher, Satish Kaushik, Vishak Nair, plus others, and the screenplay by Ritesh Shah.

 Bombay HC to CBFC: Decide on certification to 'Emergency' by Sep 18; no release on Sep 6

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IANS Analysis: Purges in China under Xi Jinping

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wo months ago, President Xi Jinping dismissed two former Chinese defence ministers, marking one of the most significant purges during his tenure.

Li Shangfu, a former close aide to Xi Jinping, and his predecessor Wei Fenghe were both expelled from the Communist Party of China due to allegations of corruption.

Over the past 12 years, such purges have become increasingly common in Chinese political life. They serve multiple purposes, including addressing the pervasive corruption undermining Chinese institutions; however, their primary function is to signal to other officials that similar consequences could befall them should they act in ways that displease Xi Jinping.

It is important to note that purges are a fundamental strategy employed by leaders of Communist totalitarian regimes.

Prior to Xi Jinping, Joseph Stalin had perfected the technique of eliminating officials perceived as threats to his authority.

Similarly, China has a longstanding tradition of purges, notably under Mao Zedong, with Deng Xiaoping being one of the most significant figures to be ousted during that era. Deng later ascended to the position of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and amended its constitution to limit the presidency and general secretary to two terms.

In contrast, Xi Jinping has altered this rule, reflecting the numerous changes that have occurred in China over the past decade. To fully grasp the implications of purges, it is essential to identify the prominent individuals who have been adversely affected by these actions.

Whom Xi Jinping purges

To comprehend the individuals targeted by Xi Jinping's purges, it is essential to examine the CPC's recruitment and training mechanisms. The party systematically cultivates its future leaders, politicians, and bureaucrats from a young age, drawing heavily from Confucian principles.

These trainees often come from families with deep Communist roots, with many being third-generation members whose fathers and grandfathers were active in the party. Xi Jinping himself is no exception, as his father, Xi Zhongxun, was unjustly purged by Mao for 16 years, forcing Xi Jinping to spend his childhood in relative obscurity for someone of his stature.

Notably, he did not attend the elite schools operated by the CPC. This background likely contributes to his distrust of those who held power before his tenure and his desire to surround himself with loyal supporters. To consolidate his authority fully, Xi Jinping has found it necessary to place his allies in key decision-making positions.

Purging other officials on various criminal charges has proven an effective means of creating vacancies and opportunities for his loyalists to ascend.

By taking these actions, Xi Jinping has effectively suppressed any potential opposition or dissent within the CPC, resulting in the removal of several notable figures. One such individual was Bo Xilai, who was once regarded as one of China's most promising politicians before his abrupt downfall.

At 64 years of age, Bo served as the Party Secretary of Chongqing and was a member of the Politburo. He faced serious allegations, including corruption, abuse of power, and complicity in the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood by his wife, Gu Kailai.

In 2013, Bo was sentenced to life imprisonment, marking one of the most sensational political scandals in recent Chinese history.

Another significant figure was Zhou Yongkang, previously considered one of the most powerful individuals in China. As a former member of the Politburo Standing Committee and Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, Zhou was convicted in 2015 for bribery, abuse of power, and leaking state secrets.

His trial was unprecedented, as it was the first time a former member of the Politburo Standing Committee had been prosecuted in the history of the People's Republic of China. Zhou also received a life sentence, further illustrating Xi Jinping's strategy of consolidating power by eliminating potential rivals and dissenters within the party.

Similarly, numerous CPC officials, including Ling Jihua, a close associate of former President Hu Jintao, Xu Caihou, the former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Sun Zhengcai, a Politburo member once regarded as a potential future leader of China, have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms under Xi Jinping's regime.

In addition to these high-profile cases, Xi Jinping has also targeted prominent figures from various sectors, including actors, industry leaders, and mid to senior-level military officials, who have faced purges during his administration.

What objectives purges serve

For Xi Jinping, the primary objective of purging senior officials and rivals is to eliminate any obstacles to his authority. However, the recent expulsion of loyalists, such as the former Defence Minister, indicates a shift in his strategy.

These purges are advantageous for both Xi Jinping and the CPC, as they hold individuals accountable for their transgressions. Furthermore, such actions serve a populist function; when wealthy Chinese figures are removed, the public often perceives it as a form of justice being enacted by the authorities.

Prior to Xi Jinping's leadership, the CPC was regarded as an untouchable entity in Chinese politics. Xi Jinping has effectively embodied the party, viewing rivals who could otherwise contribute with equal loyalty as threats that must be eradicated.

Nonetheless, a critical question arises: In a system centred around a single individual, how can these purges be rationalised as a pursuit of justice? There may come a time when the discontent stemming from these purges among CPC officials leads to Xi Jinping's downfall, particularly as the fragile state of the Chinese economy exacerbates this crisis.

(Lt Col JS Sodhi, Retd, is the Editor of Global Strategic & Defence News, and the author of 'China's War Clouds: The Great Chinese Checkmate'. The views expressed are personal)

 IANS Analysis: Purges in China under Xi Jinping

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Researchers at UC Merced used fruit flies to uncover a cellular process common to many organisms that could dramatically impact the understanding of cancer and aging.

Department of Molecular and Cell Biology Professor Fred Wolf, then-graduate student Sammy Villa and Genentech Vice President and Senior Fellow in Physiological Chemistry and Research Biology Vishva Dixit, discovered a mechanism that cells use to tune how much protein they make through the process of translating RNA into protein.

"This mechanism may be responsible for changes in protein translation in stress, cancer, and aging," Wolf said.

Their work is detailed in the journal Nature Communications.

Wolf and Dixit have a working relationship dating back to when Wolf was an undergraduate and a technician in Dixit's research lab at the University of Michigan. They stayed in touch after Wolf went to graduate school at Berkeley and Dixit went to Genentech, a member of the Roche Group and a pioneer in biotech industry.

"Vishva knew I was an expert in Drosophila (fruit fly) genetics, a resource that was not available at Genentech," Wolf said. Normally, Wolf's lab focuses on understanding the brain circuits and genes that control animal behavior, particularly how alcohol affects the brain and motivation is represented in it.

He and his researchers use Drosophila, a popular choice among researchers because they are inexpensive to work with, reproduce quickly and abundantly and it is easy to alter their genetics to test ideas. Research centered on the fruit fly has led to many sophisticated tools, Wolf said.

But Dixit wanted to understand the function of the protein OTUD6.

He asked us to use the awesome power of the fly model to discover its function, and we took up the challenge. Vishva granted me seed funding to start generating flies with mutations in OTUD6 and testing the mutant flies for any problems they might have. The project really got going when the paper's first author, Sammy Villa, joined my lab in 2018. Sammy took on the project and his skills in molecular biology and biochemistry were instrumental to the success of the project." Professor Fred Wolf, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, UC Merced

At first, the researchers had no idea what they were looking for. When they first made flies that were mutant for OTUD6, they expected to see something obvious such as the shape or number of wings or reproductive abnormalities. Instead, the flies appeared normal.

"We stressed the flies in as many ways as we could conceive of and found they were susceptible to chemical stress, for example, oxidative stress," Wolf said. "This allowed us to search for how OTUD6 contributed to resilience to stress."

The researchers looked for all proteins interacting with OTUD6 to discover what it does and found it reduced the ribosomes' protein production by half. The modification lets cells produce more protein.

"We were quite surprised by the huge impact OTUD6 had on how much protein was made in cells: Making flies mutant for OTUD6 cut protein production in half. That's a big difference," Wolf said. "The amount of protein produced in cells is known to affect how long animals live, with less protein being made correlating with longer lifespan. Our OTUD6 mutants lived twice as long. We think this is because there is less protein being made."

The amount of protein generated can also have a huge impact on some types of cancers.

Some types of OTUD6 in humans is found in increased levels in many cancers, and many cancers have increased protein production. The researchers stressed that they have no direct evidence for a link, but increased OTUD6 might contribute to cancer cell growth and proliferation.

Cells can change their amount of OTUD6 to change how much protein is made.

"It has been known for years that there are two other ways for cells to actively tune how much protein is made, and we think we discovered a third way," Wolf said.

The team is interested in finding out how the cell changes the amount of OTUD6 present in cells, which could help understand how this new pathway is initiated and could lead to new ways of manipulating protein production to positively affect lifespan and possibly even cancer outcomes.

Wolf is affiliated with the Health Sciences Research Institute and the Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Machines. Villa was a USDA Future Farmers scholar while at UC Merced and is now a postdoctoral scholar at Calico Life Sciences in South San Francisco.
More hospitals and clinics now offer patients ketamine therapy for severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions that haven't responded to other treatments.

While ketamine is a safe medication when used with medical supervision, it does have a little-known complication: it may be very harmful to a developing fetus. It should not be used during pregnancy.

But a new study suggests that ketamine prescribers aren't paying enough attention to this risk and should do more to make sure that patients receiving ketamine aren't pregnant and are aware of the need to use contraception while undergoing a course of treatment over multiple months.

The new article in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry was written by researchers from the University of Michigan's academic medical center, Michigan Medicine. It reports the results of a survey and document review conducted of ketamine clinics nationwide, and a review of records from the ketamine clinic for depression at U-M Health.

In all, they found a wide variation in policies, practices and warnings about ketamine use related to pregnancy and reproduction. This is despite the fact that the 119 clinics that answered the survey report treating a total of more than 7,000 patients with ketamine per month, and estimate that a third of patients they serve are female and pre-menopausal.

Key findings

More than 75% of responding clinics said they have a formal pregnancy screening process, but only 20% actually require a pregnancy test at least once prior to or during treatment.

More than 90% of clinics said they note that pregnancy is a contraindication to ketamine treatment in their informed consent documents and/or conversations. But less than half of clinics reported discussing specific potential risks with patients.

The researchers also looked at informed consent documents on the websites of 70 other ketamine clinics. In all, 39% did not include language about pregnancy in their documents, and those that did were generally vague.

When it came to contraception counseling, only 26% of the clinics that answered the survey said they discuss the potential need for contraception with ketamine patients. Less than 15% of the clinics specifically recommend or require contraception use during treatment.

This is especially striking, the authors say, because more than 80% of clinics reported prescribing long-term maintenance ketamine, with nearly 70% of these saying their patients receive care for more than six months and many saying patients receive ketamine for a year or more.

The review of records from 24 patients treated with ketamine at U-M's clinic in the past showed all had taken a pregnancy test before beginning treatment and weekly during treatment, and but only half had documentation in their records that they were using contraception.

Inspiration for the study

Lead author Rachel Pacilio, M.D., a psychiatrist who recently joined Michigan Medicine as a clinical assistant professor after completing her residency at U-M Health, said the idea for the study came to her during a rotation in the perinatal psychiatry clinic.

Patients who were pregnant or had recently given birth asked her about ketamine as an option for their treatment-resistant depression. They had heard of the potential positive impact of the drug when given intravenously as an off-label use of a common anesthetic, or as an intranasal spray of esketamine that's marketed as Spravato and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

There was little guidance available to prescribers other than the general recommendation to avoid ketamine in patients who are pregnant, because of the unknown potential impact on a fetus or a breastfeeding newborn. That sparked our interest in surveying clinics to see how they were handling this during their intake processes, initial treatment courses, and during the maintenance therapy phase. As far as we know, this is the first time this has been looked into." Rachel Pacilio, M.D., lead author

Variation in oversight

Clinics offering intravenous ketamine require specialized staff and post-administration monitoring for each session. And the FDA specifically requires least two hours of in-person observation after dosing of intranasal Spravato to ensure safety and monitor for complications.

By contrast, other formulations of ketamine can be administered outside the clinical setting with minimal oversight. Some clinics surveyed reported prescribing sublingual ketamine for at-home use.

The new study did not include online, direct-to-consumer ketamine providers that offer treatment exclusively via telehealth consultations. It is unknown how these companies address reproductive and other safety concerns despite their growing popularity among patients.

"These data suggest that a large population of patients could be pregnant, or could become pregnant, while receiving ketamine treatment via multiple routes of administration. This risk increases with the duration of therapy which can last weeks for the initial course and a year or more for maintenance," said Pacilio. "Many patients do not know that they're pregnant in the first weeks, and animal studies of ketamine are very concerning for potential harm to the fetus during this time."

She noted that while many psychotropic medications have been studied extensively and found to be safe for use in pregnancy, including a variety of antidepressants, antipsychotics and other psychiatric drugs, there is no data to support the use of ketamine for psychiatric illness in pregnancy.

Pacilio pointed out that the FDA's risk mitigation program for Spravato, the nasal form of ketamine, does not include any provisions about pregnancy. A warning issued by the FDA last fall about the risks of compounded forms of ketamine available online also does not mention precautions about pregnancy.

"The variability in practice that we see among clinics in the community in this study is stark," said Pacilio. "The field is really in need of standardization around reproductive counseling, pregnancy testing and the recommendation for contraception during ketamine treatment."

If someone becomes pregnant while undergoing ketamine treatment, and has to stop receiving the drug for the remainder of the pregnancy, they are at risk for a depression relapse that could continue after the baby is born. Perinatal and postpartum depression are major risk factors for a range of issues in both the birthing parent and the infant.

Need for standard guidance

After sharing their findings about U-M patients in the new study with leaders of the U-M Health ketamine clinic, Pacilio said that the clinic began recommending the use of highly-reliable forms of contraception to patients who could become pregnant while receiving ketamine treatment.

Small standalone community clinics offering ketamine therapy may not have the same resources that a large clinic like U-M's does, so standard guidance could especially benefit them.

Interventions including improved patient education with an emphasis on the requirement for pregnancy prevention for the duration ketamine treatment during the informed consent process, routine pregnancy testing before and during treatment for appropriate patients, and effective contraceptive counseling are needed. Many of these could be easily implemented and have the potential to positively impact public health.

"Ketamine is a really effective, potentially lifesaving, treatment for the right patients, but not everyone is a good candidate for it," she said. "As psychiatrists, we need to ensure this treatment is being delivered in a way that benefits patients while preventing harm."

In a commentary in the journal about the U-M team's findings, psychiatrist and journal editor Marlene Freeman, M.D., wrote that based on the new findings, "It is imperative that best practices for women of reproductive age for the use of ketamine and esketamine are determined and utilized." She added that this is especially important in light of the changing landscape of abortion-related laws.

Freeman also noted that those who have used ketamine in any form during pregnancy, as well as other psychotropic medications, can join the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications during pregnancy and help provide much-needed information on the impacts of these medications.

In addition to Pacilio, the study's authors include Jamarie Geller, M.D., M.A., a psychiatry fellow at U-M, and faculty members Juan F. Lopez, M.D.; Sagar V. Parikh, M.D. and Paresh D. Patel, M.D., Ph.D.

The study was funded by U-M Department of Psychiatry.
A new study has found that regular mobile phone use was positively associated with incident cardiovascular diseases risk, especially in current smokers and individuals with diabetes. In addition, this association was partly attributed to poor sleep, psychological distress, and neuroticism. The article in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, published by Elsevier, details the results of this large-scale prospective cohort study.

Yanjun Zhang, MD, Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China, explains, "Mobile phone use is a ubiquitous exposure in modern society, so exploring its impact on health has significant public health value. Radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by mobile phones cause dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress, and are therefore expected to affect a variety of organs such as the heart and blood vessels. However, whether mobile phone use is associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases remains uncertain."

Co-investigator Ziliang Ye, MD, Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China, adds, "We aimed to assess the prospective association of regular mobile phone use with incident cardiovascular diseases and explore the mediating effects of sleep and mental health. We found that compared with non-regular mobile phone users, regular mobile phone users had a significantly higher risk of incident cardiovascular diseases."

The study included 444,027 individuals from the UK Biobank without a history of cardiovascular diseases who self-reported on the frequency of their mobile phone use from 2006 to 2010. Regular mobile phone use was defined as at least one call per week. Using linked hospital and mortality records, the composite outcome of incident stroke, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure was ascertained over a median followup time of 12.3 years. Researchers also investigated the role of sleep patterns, psychological distress, and neuroticism.

Co-investigator Xianhui Qin, MD, Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China, notes, "We found that sleep patterns, psychological distress, and neuroticism may be potential mechanisms of the association between mobile phone use and cardiovascular diseases. A poor sleep pattern and poor mental health may adversely affect the development of cardiovascular diseases through disrupted circadian rhythm, endocrine and metabolic disruption, and increased inflammation. In addition, chronic exposure to RF-EMF radiation emitted from mobile phones could lead to oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Therefore, RF-EMF radiation exposure from mobile phones in combination with smoking and diabetes may have a synergistic effect in increasing cardiovascular diseases risk."

An accompanying editorial contextualizes the findings of the study. Given that the recruitment window of this study (2006-2010) occurred before the widespread use of modern smartphones, which are now more commonly used for other activities (e.g., entertainment, text messaging/email, social networking, etc.), the generalizability and current relevance of these findings require careful consideration.

Co-author of the editorial Nicholas Grubic, MSc, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, ON, Canada, concludes, "While the current study suggests that using a mobile phone may moderately increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, more conclusive evidence with valid measurements of mobile phone use is needed before this association becomes a concern for the general public. Maintaining responsible mobile phone habits should be a valuable component of an all-encompassing approach to supporting cardiovascular health. Before diving into hours of mindless 'doom-scrolling' on your smartphone today, consider redirecting this time toward a more heart-healthy activity."
Valley fever is an emerging fungal disease in the western United States that most often causes flu-like symptoms, but can also cause dangerous or even deadly complications. By analyzing data on reported cases of Valley fever in California, which have increased dramatically over the last two decades, researchers from the University of California San Diego and the University of California, Berkeley, have identified seasonal patterns that could help individuals and public health officials better prepare for future surges in Valley fever cases.

The findings also have important implications for how the changing climate can exacerbate the threat of infectious diseases. The findings are published in The Lancet Regional Health - Americas.

The researchers collaborated closely with the California Department of Health (CDPH) to analyze all reported Valley fever cases in California from 2000 to 2021. By comparing these to seasonal climate data, they discovered how the disease cycles seasonally across different California counties and identified how these cycles are influenced by drought periods. The researchers found that while most cases occur during the period from September to November, there were differences in seasonal patterns and timing between counties and years.

Most seasonal infectious diseases show a peak in cases every year, so we were surprised to see that there were certain years during which few or no counties had a seasonal peak in Valley fever cases. This made us wonder what was driving these differences in seasonality between years, and based on the timing we observed, we hypothesized that drought might be playing a role." Alexandra Heaney, PhD, Study First Author and Assistant Professor, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California-San Diego

The researchers found that on average, counties in the San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast regions had the most pronounced seasonal peaks, though the peaks started earlier in San Joaquin Valley.

"This is valuable information to time public health messaging aimed at educating the public about the symptoms of Valley fever and how to protect themselves," added Heaney.

Valley fever is caused by spores from the soil-dwelling Coccidioides fungus. People contract Valley fever by inhaling infectious spores that become aerosolized when the soil is disturbed by wind or human activity. Valley fever is most likely to affect people who are exposed to airborne dust frequently, including those who work outdoors. However, the disease is not contagious.

Valley fever has long been a problem in the American Southwest, but the number of cases has skyrocketed in recent years, tripling from 20142018 and again from 20182022, according to the CDPH. However, because it is still relatively rare, and because it causes similar symptoms to other respiratory infections, including COVID-19, Valley fever is often misdiagnosed. When left untreated, the fungus can cause severe damage to the respiratory system and spread to other parts of the body, such as the skin, bones and even the brain, the latter of which can be deadly.

"Knowing when the Valley fever season starts and how intense it will be can help health care practitioners know when they should be on high alert for new cases," said corresponding author Justin Remais, Ph.D., professor at UC Berkeley School of Public Health. "This is the first study to pin down exactly when disease risk is highest in all of California's endemic counties, as well as places where the disease is newly emerging."

The researchers observed that during drought periods, seasonal peaks in Valley fever cases are less severe. However, when the rains return, these peaks are particularly high. One hypothesis to explain this pattern is that droughts allow heat-resistant Coccidioides spores to outlast their less-hardy competitors. When rains return, the fungus is able to proliferate widely with less competition for moisture and nutrients.

Another hypothesis suggests that the links between Valley fever and drought may be due to drought's impact on rodents that host the Coccidioides fungus. Because rodent populations decline during droughts, and because dead rodents are thought to be an important source of nutrients for the fungus, it may be able to survive and spread more easily in drought conditions.

"This work is an important example of how infectious diseases are influenced by climate conditions," said Heaney. "Even though droughts appear to decrease Valley fever cases in the short term, the net effect is an increase in cases over time, particularly as we experience more frequent and severe droughts due to climate change."

Individuals can help protect themselves against Valley fever during dry and dusty periods by minimizing time outdoors and wearing face coverings that can block dust. The researchers also emphasize the need for more thorough monitoring of the Valley fever fungus, which can be difficult to detect.

The team is now expanding the range of their analyses to include other Valley fever hotspots in the United States.

"Arizona is much dustier than California and has very different climate dynamics, and about two thirds of cases in the United States occur in Arizona, so that's where we're looking next," said Heaney. "Understanding where, when, and in what conditions Valley fever is most prevalent is critical for public health officials, physicians, and the public to take precautions during periods of increased risk."
Aviation regulator DGCA has ordered a probe into the incident of an aircraft engine part found outside the Delhi airport, sources said on Wednesday.

While the sources mentioned the metal part might be of an Air India Express aircraft that made an emergency landing at the airport on Monday, the airline said at this time, it cannot confirm if these metal pieces were from its aircraft.

The sources in the know said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a probe into the incident.

One of the sources said probably, the parts are of a broken blade of an aircraft engine.

When contacted, an Air India Express spokesperson said its flight IX 145 encountered an engine issue after takeoff from Delhi on September 2.

The flight was bound for Bahrain.

The failure was managed in accordance with laid-down procedures, and a precautionary landing was conducted at Delhi, the spokesperson said in a statement.

Further, the spokesperson said the matter has been reported to the regulator and other concerned agencies and is currently under investigation.

We are aware of reports of metal pieces being found at Shankar Vihar. At this time, we cannot confirm if these metal pieces are from our aircraft. The investigation is ongoing to establish the facts, the spokesperson added.
OYO Rooms, a well-known name in budget accommodation, has been ordered to pay Rs 16 lakh in compensation following a court ruling over poor service. A student had taken legal action against the company after a hotel booking was cancelled, disrupting her studies and leading to significant distress.

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Tamil Nadus Thoothukudi directed both OYOs founder, Ritesh Agarwal, and a guest house in Chennai to pay over Rs 16 lakh in damages jointly. The student had initially booked a hotel room in Chennai in 2022, but the reservation was cancelled upon arrival. The booking was crucial for her younger sister, a law student preparing for the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET).

Despite having an online booking, the hotel refused to honour it, and OYO did not provide any alternative accommodation. Consequently, the student had to book a guest house at a higher cost, causing significant inconvenience.

In her petition, the student highlighted that the ordeal negatively affected her sisters mental state and exam performance, resulting in her missing out on admission to the prestigious National Law University (NLU). The Consumer Courts ruling on July 25 acknowledged the mishandling by both OYO and the guest house, noting that it severely impacted the students future prospects.

The courts order includes:

Rs 6,797 for booking and travel expenses

Rs 1.23 lakh for the sisters course fees

Rs 10 lakh for the distress, wasted time, and disrupted aspirations

Rs 5 lakh for mental anguish endured by both the complainant and her sister

Rs 10,000 for legal expenses

The court stressed that the negligence of OYO and the guest house turned the sisters hard work and aspirations into a mirage. The verdict was issued ex-parte as neither OYO nor the guest house representatives attended the court proceedings.

An spokesperson for OYO said, The order does not accurately reflect the actual circumstances surrounding this particular booking. The complainant had reserved a hotel that ceased to be a part of OYOs network just a few hours after the booking was made. The guest was promptly informed about this development, and we immediately offered alternative accommodation at another hotel.

OYO was neither involved in the litigation nor part of the court proceedings. We plan to appeal against the order and present the facts from our side, the spokesperson added.
The Beatrice Bakery Co. is making cool fruitcakes.

The local company is one of 16 competitors in the third annual Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska contest, sponsored by the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and the NE Manufacturing Alliance.

The company was nominated for Grandma's Original Fruitcake, which it calls "a holiday favorite packed with raisins, cherries, pineapple, walnuts, almonds, and pecans in a batter rich with bourbon, rum, and brandy."

"We're definitely a high-end premium cake," said CEO Rebecca Pearson.

Pearson said the company has been interested in joining the contest for a couple of years  "We're excited about it."

"You need to get it together to post on social media, and you have to be able to provide some information ," Pearson said. "So this year, we got it together and were able to get some marketing out and managed to get" a nomination.

The company ships around the world, with the bulk of its sales in the United States. Pearson said the company in the past has produced 900,000 pounds of fruitcake in a year. Deb Cyrus, the company's small retail manager, said the bakery is the No. 1 purchaser of alcohol in the state of Nebraska.

Pearson said the company employs as many as 50 people during the peak season.

The company's website says the recipe dates back to 1917, discovered by the Lantz brothers of Germany, who found it in their grandmother's cookbook.

Searching for a bigger facility for their successful business, the Lantz brothers came to the firm's current facility Beatrice in 1964. After several name changes, the company became nationally known as Beatrice Bakery Co. in 2002.

The recipe, however, is still the same.

Pearson said the company has plans to help encourage people to vote for Grandma's Fruitcake in the contest.

"That's a fun thing to do, and you know, we're in there with a lot of other manufacturing type items, (a) broad range of them," she said.

People are invited to vote in the tournament-style contest when voting opens on Sept. 11 at nemanufacturingalliance.com. The weekly winners will advance to the next round in the bracket until the overall winner is revealed on Oct. 29 at the Nebraska Chamber's Manufacturing Summit in La Vista.

Beatrice Bakery Co.'s first-round opponent is a convertible checkout counter made by Lozier Corp. of Omaha. Other nominated items are: Valley center pivot (Valley Irrigation, Valley), Barrel Aged Lord of Ord (Scratchtown Brewing Co., Ord), toilet paper (Outlook Nebraska, Omaha), autonomous feed truck (ALA Engineering, Scottsbluff), 9mm Luger +P Critical Duty (Hornady, Grand Island), Conti SilentSync (ContiTech, Lincoln), hand-painted wallpaper (Vahallan, Lincoln), sugar (Western Sugar Cooperative, Scottsbluff), insulin syringes (Embecta, Holdrege), automated meat processing system (Marble Technologies, Lincoln), USB charger (Lester Electrical, Lincoln), Simply Sunflower Oil (Simply Sunflower, Ord), BonnaVilla modular home (Chief Industries, Aurora) and MIRA - miniRAS (Virtual Incision, Lincoln).
Singapores CapitaLand Investment (CLI) has announced plans to more than double its funds under management (FUM) in India by 2028, aiming to increase its current FUM of S$7.4 billion (INR458.8 billion) as of June 30.

This effort aligns with CLIs broader goal of reaching S$200 billion in FUM by 2028 globally.

This big investment announcement by the leading Singapore group has come at a time when PM Narendra Modi has landed in Singapore. It will invest around Rs 90,000 crore in the next 4 years.

High Commissioner of Singapore posted on X handle, Singapores CapitaLand, one of Asias largest diversified real estate groups, plans to more than double its funds under management in India to more than S$14.8 billion (>INR 90,280 Cr) by 2028.

Singapores CapitaLand, one of Asias largest diversified real estate groups, plans to more than double its funds under management in India to more than S$14.8 billion (>INR 90,280 Cr) by 2028.Good to see companies doubling down on investments in ! HC Wong https://t.co/2xqROjij7o  Singapore in India (@SGinIndia) September 4, 2024

The announcement coincides with CLIs 30th anniversary in India, reflecting the groups confidence in the countrys growth potential and its strategic focus on geographic diversification.

CLIs journey in India began 30 years ago with the development of its first IT park, International Tech Park Bangalore (ITPB), through Ascendas. In 2015, Ascendas merged with Singbridge to form Ascendas-Singbridge, which later merged with CapitaLand in 2019. Following CapitaLands restructuring, CLI was listed in 2021.

What Does It Mean?

CapitaLand Investment, a leading global real estate investment manager, aims to significantly increase its investments in India by 2028. This indicates a strong vote of confidence in the countrys economic growth and real estate sector.

Increased foreign investments can contribute to job creation, economic growth, and infrastructure development in India. CapitaLands investment plans could have a positive ripple effect on the Indian economy.

The influx of foreign investment can lead to increased competition among developers, potentially resulting in better-quality projects, lower prices, and improved customer service.

Overall, CapitaLands decision to expand its investments in India is a promising sign for the countrys real estate market and economy. It reflects the growing confidence of international investors in Indias potential and highlights the opportunities available for real estate development and growth.

PM Modis Visit To Singapore

During his trip to Singapore, his fifth visit and the first since 2018, PM Modi will meet with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and former Prime Ministers Lee Hsien Loong and Goh Chok Tong. He will also engage in a business roundtable with local business leaders and hold discussions with key semiconductor industry players.
The Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan (KPB) announced the final results for the Kerala Teachers Eligibility Test (KTET) 2024 April session. All the candidates who appeared for the test can check and download the result through the official website, ktet.kerala.gov.in by entering their registration number and date of birth.

The examination for the April session was administered on June 22 and June 23 at various centres across India. It was conducted in two shifts on both days: the first shift from 10 am to 12.30 pm and the second shift from 2 pm to 4.30 pm.

KTET 2024: How to Check Result?

Step 1: Navigate to the official website, ktet.kerala.gov.in.

Step 2: Upon reaching the homepage, look for the Kerala KTET April Session 2024 result link and click on it.

Step 3: Enter your login details such as Registration ID and Date of Birth.

Step 4: Select your category  I, II, III and IV.

Step 5: Follow the process as suggested on the website.

Step 6: The Kerala KTET April Session 2024 result will be displayed on the screen.

Step 7: Take a printout of the result for future reference.

Along with the final result, the KPB has also released the rectified answer key for Category I, II, III and IV.

Applicants who clear the KTET written examination are eligible to apply for teaching vacancies in Kerala schools based on their category and qualifications. The KTET certificate is a mandatory requirement for applying to these positions.

KTET 2024: Passing Criteria

To pass the Kerala TET 2024 exam, candidates belonging to the General category must score a minimum of 60 per cent marks in Categories I-II and at least 50 per cent in Categories III and IV.

However, for SC/ST/OBC/PH candidates, the passing marks are 55 per cent for Categories I- II and 50 per cent for III and IV.

The Kerala TET exam is administered by the Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan twice in a year which assesses individuals skills and abilities for teaching in Keralas lower primary, upper primary and high schools. Note that the Kerala TET score is valid for a lifetime.

For any additional information, candidates are advised to visit the official site at ktet.kerala.gov.in.
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the exam dates for the Junior Engineer(JE) Paper 2 exam. As per schedule, the commission will administer Paper 2 of the Junior Engineer (Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical) exam on November 6, 2024. Candidates can check the SSC official website, ssc.gov.in.

The official announcement reads, The Commission has decided to conduct Paper II of the Junior Engineer (Civil, Mechanical & Electrical) Examination, 2024 on the 6th of November, 2024. This year, SSC announced 968 openings for Junior Engineer positions in departments like Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical. The Staff Selection Commission announced 1324 SSC JE openings in total last year.

SSC JE 2024: Steps to Download Admit Card

Step 1: Go to ssc.gov.in, the SSCs official website.

Step 2: From the homepage, click the JE (paper 2) admit card link.

Step 3: The screen will change to a new page.

Step 4: Enter the requested credentials including the registration number and password and click submit.

Step 5: The screen will display your paper 2 admit card.

Step 6: Review the information, download it, and print it off for your future records.

On August 20, the commission announced the Paper 1 results. The dates of the SSC JE (Paper 1) exam were from June 5 to June 7. Following the successful completion of Paper 1, qualified candidates will be allowed to take the SSC JE (Paper 2) test.

SSC JE 2024: Exam Pattern

Tier 1 and Tier 2 comprise the two portions of the SSC JE exam. The General Intelligence and Awareness, Reasoning, and subject-specific (Electrical, Civil, and Mechanical) questions consist of the SSC JE Tier 1 exam. The SSC JE Paper 2 will take two hours to complete and will be worth 300 marks, consisting of 100 questions in total. It will mostly cover General Engineering in the chosen subject and be conducted in a computer-based method.

On the SSC official website, the commission will shortly provide additional information on Paper 2, including the admit card and the entire exam schedule. Candidates should visit the Staff Selection Commissions official website for additional information.

The SSC JE exam is held for engineering graduates seeking government employment. The Staff Selection Commission administers the SSC JE exam every year to find junior engineers for Group-B (non-gazetted) positions in level-6 (INR 35,400-1,12,400) of the seventh Central Pay Commission pay matrix, which are distributed across several government ministries in India.
Since the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A in 2019, the first assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir holds enough significance for every political outfit.

While the National Conference wants to prove itself as the oldest outfit, PDP is keen to showcase that people are still with the Muftis despite an aberration in 2014 when it formed an unusual coalition with the BJP. The BJP, which is finding it tough to field candidates in the Valley, wants to project that the larger mandate is for New Kashmir which chooses development over extremism. Such is the enigma of this election that at least four members of the banned Jamat are considering fighting as independents.

In the 90-seat assembly election, the BJP is likely to field 60-70 candidates leaving the Valley where it will back strong and like-minded independents, say sources. After four lists, the party has announced a total of 51 names so far. So, what makes the BJP confident despite leaving 20-30 seats uncontested?

It turns out that the BJP is betting big on a former J&K government employee-turned-politician whom the Centre has imprisoned in Delhis Tihar Jail in connection with a terror funding case.

Sheikh Abdul Rashid, better known as Engineer Rashids, spectacular victory crushing former chief minister Omar Abdullah and Peoples Conference leader Sajjad Lone from Baramulla seat this Lok Sabha election by getting 4,72,481 votes, has made him a force to watch for this assembly election. His Awami Ittehad Party has finalised 18 candidates so far and plans to announce a total of 35-40 across North Kashmir  Rashids main base  and Central Kashmir.

I cant give you the exact number of candidates we will field in total as the political affairs committee is seized of the matter. It is their prerogative. But it can go up to 35 to 40, Firdous Baba, chief spokesperson of AIP, told News18.

BJP hopes that Engineers version of democracy, which seems to resonate with the people of North Kashmir, will divide votes among AIP, National Conference-Congress alliance and the PDP, making it easy for the saffron party.

Even in South Kashmir areas like Pulwama, Tral, Zainapora in Shopian, and Anantnag, residents would often boycott voting and in many cases, pockets would see substantial low turnout. Boycott calls by Hurriyat Conference would resonate in these seats as it did in the 2014 election when the late Syed Ali Shah Geelani made such an appeal.

Engineer Rashids strand of politics appears to resonate here apart from the 30 seats of North and Central Kashmir where people are tired of both the available options  NC and PDP. If Rashids party puts up a good fight and retains its Baramulla track record in a few North and Central Kashmir seats, it would very well end up being a hung assembly once again  leaving BJP with the choice of post-poll alliance bargains or the option to repeat Presidents Rule once again.

This is the propaganda of our opponents and nothing else. They cant digest our win. People are more inclined to our brand of politics which traditional parties (NC and PDP) cant accept. First, they call us secessionist, Islamic radicals or accuse us of harbouring separatist ideology. When that argument failed, they attached the BJPs tag to us. They should introspect. Both NC and PDP have been in alliance with the BJP. If anyone has the moral authority to comment against BJP in Jammu and Kashmir, its us. We are the flag bearers of anti-BJP ideology in the Valley, Baba told News18.

While he may be factually right about both NC and PDP cosying up to the BJP separately in the past, and the Valleys residents talking about a new political option where Rashid is seen as someone who sacrificed his crucial years for the people of Kashmir, the electoral outcome  if it goes as speculated  is bound to help BJP.

In 2014, of 46 seats in the Valley, 25 went to PDP and 12 to NC while Congress managed only four, leaving the rest for independents. Among the three districts that constitute Engineers core area  North Kashmir  Kupwara, Bandipora and Baramullas 15 assembly seats, PDP and NC won 10 seats. In Central Kashmirs Srinagar, Bugdam, and Ganderbals 15 assembly seats, NC and PDP won 14 seats. The wins in these areas pumped up the total tally of PDP to 28 and NC to 15. Now, the BJP hopes that AIP will make a significant dent in the traditional J&K parties in these six districts which will restrict their total tally.
After the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress leadership consistently rejected the idea of an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Haryana. Senior leaders like Bhupinder Hooda, Kumari Selja, and Randeep Surjewala were vocal in their opposition, citing differences in ideology and local political dynamics.

Despite this initial resistance, the political landscape in Haryana has shifted. The Congresss central leadership has now initiated talks with AAP for seat-sharing in the upcoming assembly elections. So, what really changed and what is the Congress planning to achieve through this alliance?

The decision of the Grand Old Party to align with AAP in the upcoming Haryana assembly elections is driven by a blend of strategic goals, primarily centered around strengthening its leadership within the Opposition, consolidating anti-BJP votes, and maintaining the momentum of the INDIA bloc beyond the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Rahul Gandhi, as the leader of the Congress and a key figure in the Opposition, is aiming to showcase his ability to bring together diverse political entities under a unified front. By aligning with AAP, Gandhi is positioning himself as a leader who can build consensus and lead a cohesive opposition, an essential quality as he continues to be the face of resistance against the ruling BJP.

One of Congresss primary objectives in this alliance is to prevent a division of votes among the opposition parties. In a state like Haryana, where the BJP has a significant presence, any split in the anti-BJP vote could be detrimental to the overall oppositions chances. By joining forces with AAP, Congress aims to pool their resources and voter bases to create a formidable challenge to the BJP, thereby enhancing their chances of success in the assembly elections.

Apart from this, the alliance also serves as a statement that the INDIA bloc, which came together for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, is not just a one-time arrangement but a continuing political strategy.

By maintaining this alliance in state elections, Congress signals its commitment to a long-term opposition coalition that can counter the BJP at both national and regional levels. This move reinforces the message that the Opposition is united not only for national elections but also for state-level contests, ensuring that the anti-BJP narrative remains strong and cohesive across the country.

With talks being initiated with AAP now, the Congress is also planning to incorporate the Samajwadi Party and Left in the alliance and giving only a few seats to AAP. Sources within Congress said former chief minister Bhupinder Hooda told the leadership in the CEC meeting that he is hesitant about an alliance with AAP but if this is what the leadership wants, then only a reasonable number of seats must be given as the Left and SP should also be accommodated.
Tejasswi Prakashs latest video is dedicated to women who want to make their boyfriends mouths shut. But it isnt through a shocking argument or a sensual dress, but engaging him in a long skincare routine. Seemingly engrossed in the monthly skincare routine together, Tejasswi Prakash was seen pulling a funny prank on boyfriend Karan in their latest Instagram story together.

It begins with Tejasswi Prakash interacting with her fans as she says, Aapne boyfriend ke muh bandh karne ke tareekein agar aapke paas kam ho, toh mein 2-3 tareekein aapko dikhau. Aaj ke ek tareeka ye hain. (If youre running out of ways to shut your boyfriends mouth, I can show you 2-3 ways). As the former Bigg Boss winner proceeds to share one of the tips, she shifts the camera towards Karan Kundrra who is seen lying on the bed with a thick layered face mask on.

Despite his face, lips and eyes covered, Karan Kundrra tries to mumble, teasing Tejasswi by showcasing his middle finger. The actress, then, cutely remarks, Face pack laga rahe hain, phir bhi uska barbar kam nahi (Despite the face mask being applied, he is not stopping to blabber).

Tejasswi then asks women to get doctors on their side and tell them to apply the mask on the mouth. Next, she playfully winks. Before the clip concludes, she says, Thats it, girls. Take your guy for some nice skincare, ye hai aaj ke tip me.

Tejasswi Prakash and Karan Kundrra have been dating for a while now and are totally smitten by each other. Earlier this year in June, speculations about their breakup spread like wildfire. However, the duo proved that their love is still strong by dropping a bunch of pictures on Instagram from their London vacation. It featured the couple posing for some adorable pictures in front of Big Ben in London.

One of the pictures is a solo shot of Tejasswi as she flaunts her radiant beauty in a cute strapless pink dress. Along with the photos, Tejasswi wrote, Karan: I click her the best. or Tejasswi: Love is feeling known. Select your favourite caption.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tejasswi Prakash (@tejasswiprakash)

Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash met during their stint in Bigg Boss 15 with the actress even emerging as the winner of the show. Since then, the couple have been together, setting some major couple goals.
Balochistan, a troubled southwestern province in Pakistan, has been witnessing heightened violence for the past one week that has killed more than 70. The coordinated attacks carried out by the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) highlight the Baloch insurgency  a pain point for the Pakistan government.

Where is Balochistan?

The province is located in the southwestern Pakistan, and covers nearly 44% of the countrys total land but is home to only 6% of the countrys 240 million population.

It shares a volatile border with Iran and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, and a vast coastline along the Arabian Sea.

Balochs remain the largest ethnic group, followed by the Pashtuns. The province has derived its name from the Baloch tribe, which has lived in the region for centuries.

Balochistan is considered the richest Pakistani province in terms of natural resources, including gas and minerals and is a crucial part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The project in the region is part of Chinese President Xi Jinpings Belt and Road Initiative, with deep-sea port in the city of Gwadar, near the Gulf of Oman.

Whats Behind the Latest Unrest?

The situation in Balochistan began to deteriorate from July 27, with rallies, demonstrations, sit-ins, and protests being witnessed in various parts of the province against the government after it blocked the main highways ahead of a political gathering organised by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) in Gwadar.

The government started arresting people, using batons and firearms on participants who were marching towards Gwadar. In response, the BYC decided to turn its rally in Gwadar into a sit-in. Hundreds of people have been arrested, with many facing charges of sedition.

What Does the Latest Attack Signal?

The scale of attacks shows the increasing capabilities of insurgents to operate with greater freedom. According to former Indian high commissioner to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, targeting of Punjabi workers introduces a new ethnic dimension, signalling that the Baloch radicals are looking to provoke and challenge the primarily Punjabi army, as reported by The Economic Times.

Nearly half of those killed in the violence by the BLA were Punjabi workers. They were targeted because many of the Baloch people resent the perceived exploitation of their region and its resources by the Punjabi establishment.

The anti-Punjab sentiment started in the traditional domination of the Punjabi elite in the civil bureaucracy and the composition of the Punjabi-dominated army.

Bisaria said the latest series of attacks represents a security meltdown and possibly a coalescing of the Afghan/ Pashtun and Baloch insurgencies. TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan) and BLA are coordinating, if not colluding, as per the report by The Economic Times.

The coming together of TTP and BLA could be a nightmare for Pakistan, which is already facing attacks from the Pakistan Taliban in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. TTP has cheered attacks by Baloch militants, accused Pakistan army of carrying out massacres in Balochistan and said groups like BLA and TTP have a common enemy.

How China is a Factor?

The insurgency in Balochistan has gained traction since Gwadar port was leased to China for the Belt and Road Initiative in Pakistan.

Beijing has invested tens of billions of dollars in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship Belt and Road project launched in 2015 that links Chinas western Xinjiang region to Gwadar on the Arabian Sea with a network of roads, railways, pipelines and power plants.

Although anti-China sentiment is rife in Balochistan, but militants are angry by what they say is the states exploitation of the regions rich mineral resources, with little of the development reaching to the people of the province.

China has also been accused of arming Pakistan against Baloch separatists, who have been targeting Chinese engineers and workers at CPEC facilities, and of working with Islamabad to exploit the natural resources of the province, while supporting the marginalization of the local people.

Chinese Consul General in Karachi Yang Yundong expressed Beijings view on the protests in Balochistan, as quoted by The Diplomat. We hope that all the political parties and social organisations take their overall national interest into account and to set aside that difference and focus on construction and economic development and to take the peoples interest as a top priority.

What is Pakistan Thinking?

Pakistan considers political activities in Balochistan to mobilise the Baloch people to demand their rights as detrimental to its interests. Thus, it denies space to protesters for peaceful dissent and struggle for rights, as per a report by The Diplomat.

A Baloch activist told Voice of America that Gwadar is being called a game-changer for Pakistan and China, so it was important to tell them and the international media that this land belongs to us the crackdown shows Baloch are not allowed to enter Gwadar.

Pakistan should look for options to politically address the Baloch discontent instead of suppressing the locals with militarist approach. It should look at addressing the grievances of the local populations, who believe they are being denied benefits of the exploration of Balochistans mineral resources.

Pakistan should also find a way to engage civil rights groups like the Baloch Yakjehti Committee that want to peacefully raise issues like enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

With Baloch people largely considered secular, the Pakistan government should ensure that they dont work with TTP, which is driven by extremist ideology.

What Do Protests Mean for India?

Pakistan has accused India of funding the BLA. India will continue to monitor the situation in Balochistan closely as it seeks to prevent any disruption to the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Recent terrorist attacks in Jammu have prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to caution Pakistan against using terrorism or proxy warfare against India. India contends that Pakistan needs to reflect on why there has been a rise in attacks in both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan since the Afghan Talibans return to Kabul, as per a report by The Economic Times.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei Darussalam, for a state visit on September 3. This is the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to Brunei, and underscores a milestone in the 40-year diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

PM Modi will hold talks with the countrys top leadership and discuss ways to boost bilateral ties.

He will also meet Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other esteemed members of the Royal family. As a special gesture, the PM was received in Brunei Darussalam by the Crown Prince, Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah.

The prime minister inaugurated a new Chancery of the High Commission of India and visited the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque.

PM Modis 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 and people-to-people exchanges and explore avenues for cooperation in newer sectors, the Ministry of External Affairs press release stated.

Why Brunei is Important for India

Brunei is an important partner in Indias Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision. The Act East Policy was formulated as the next step to the Look East Policy which originated in the 1990s. The policy seeks to make India deepen its relations with other countries like those in Southeast Asia.

PM Modi had said that the 10-member ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) was the central pillar of Indias Act East policy. Brunei, which is also an ASEA member, is one of the largest producers of oil in the region.

In the key area of maritime security, India-Bruneis cooperation is seen as part of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). Brunei presents investment opportunities, particularly in enhancing its deep-water Muara port, which could offer India geostrategic and geoeconomic benefits.

PMs visit could also bolster the bilateral trade, defence and cultural exchanges. Bilateral trade reached $286.2 million in the fiscal year 2023-24. Defence cooperation remains a cornerstone of the relationship, with regular exchanges, training, and joint exercises.

India and Brunei signed an agreement in August 1997 for setting up of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)s TT&C station in Brunei. This was established in 2000 and has been functioning since. Its geographical location near the equator makes it an attractive site for satellite ground stations and space monitoring infrastructure.

The cooperation agreement with Brunei is the latest in several arrangements India has made with other countries to establish satellite TT&C ground stations, as well as receiving stations for Indian Earth observation and remote sensing satellites, according to Spacewatch website.

About Brunei Darussalam

The population of Brunei is roughly 450,500, according to official estimates. Almost two-thirds of Bruneis population are classified as Malay, which comprises a number of indigenous groups including the Dusun, Belait, Kedayan, Murut, and Bisaya (Bisayah).

A tenth of the population is Chinese. The rest are non-Malay indigenous people like the Iban (or Sea Dayak), are of South Asian descent and temporary workers from Asia and Europe.

According to the MEA, the first phase of Indians arriving in Brunei started with the discovery of oil in the 1920s. There are at present around 14,000 Indians residing in Brunei. The contribution of Indian doctors and teachers to the growth and development of Bruneis healthcare and education sectors has been well acknowledged, it added.

Though the official language of Brunei is Malay and English is a second major language. Many Chinese citizens speak local dialects and learn Mandarin in school.

The population is mainly Sunni Muslim, though the Chinese follow Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, or Christianity. Some indigenous peoples are Christian, while others have their own religions.

Bruneis more than one-fifth of population is under the age of 15 while half of its people are under the age of 30.

Who is Bruneis Monarch?

Bruneis Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah was crowned as the 29th Sultan of Brunei on August 1, 1968, making him the longest-reigning monarch in the world at present. The Sultan of Brunei remains on the list of wealthiest individuals. His estimated net worth is around $30 billion.

According to TIME magazine, the Sultan reportedly owns more than 600 Rolls Royce, and his house  Istan Nurul Iman, the worlds largest palace  cost over $350 million.

According to an article in the BBC, He is one of the worlds richest individuals and in a country where the standard of living is high, appears to enjoy genuine popularity amongst his subjects. More recently however, he has faced criticism over the introduction of Islamic Sharia law in the country.

He also is among the few monarchs with absolute power over his nation. In 1984, Sultan Bolkiah appointed himself prime minister. In 1991, he introduced the Malay Muslim Monarchy which refers to the monarch as the defender of the faith.

PM Modi met Sultan Bolkiah on the sidelines of 25th ASEAN Summit in Myanmar in November 2014, and at the 2017 East Asia Summit in the Philippines.

In 2014, Brunei became the first nation in East Asia to adopt Sharia law, which prescribes stoning for adultery. In 2019, it introduced death punishment for gay sex.
A 22-year-old from Assam, Bishal Phukan, has been accused of orchestrating a massive financial scam involving approximately Rs 2,200 crore. Hailing from Dibrugarh, Phukan attracted attention with his opulent lifestyle and high-profile expenditures, drawing investors from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh with promises of 30% returns on investments in just 60 days.

Phukan allegedly established four companies through his fraudulent activities, spanning the pharmaceuticals, production, and construction sectors. He also invested in the Assamese film industry and acquired several properties. His deceptive practices came to light following the exposure of a significant stock fraud case in Guwahati.

The investigation intensified after Dipankar Burman, the owner of DB Stock Broking Company, went missing, leading to growing suspicion surrounding Phukan. As soon as the police launched an investigation into his activities, Bishal took to Facebook to reassure the public that he had returned all the money to his investors and claimed their funds were secure.

Despite his attempt to calm the situation, Dibrugarh Police raided Phukans residence on the night of September 2, leading to his arrest along with his manager, Biplab. Both individuals are facing charges under a non-bailable case.

The police also seized documents linked to the scam. According to reports, the police are now on the lookout for Assamese choreographer Sumi Borah, who is said to have been linked to Phukans network.

CM Orders Probe, Warns Investors

In response to the gravity of the situation, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has ordered a comprehensive investigation into all trading fraud cases to ensure justice and accountability.

He also urged people to avoid fraudulent online stock market investments, saying that claims of doubling money without an effort are usually fraudulent.

I want to tell the people that there is no such system of investing money in the stock market through these online trading firms. Fraudsters are misleading the people. I urge the people to stay away from fraudsters. Police have now registered cases against the illegal brokers. We will try to bust the entire racket in the state, Sarma said.
A 27-year-old woman died after being hit by an SUV in Malad area of Mumbai, police said on Wednesday. The accident occurred in Gudiya Pada locality on Tuesday night, following which the police arrested the SUV driver, who is a merchant navy officer.

The woman, identified as Shahana Kaazi, was walking when she was hit by a Ford Endeavor around 10 pm.

After the accident, the accused himself took the woman to a nearby hospital, where she died during treatment, the official of Malad police station was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

The accused, Anup Sinha, was booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and was placed under arrest. His vehicle was also seized by the police.

The accused, reportedly, has an office in Andheri and was on leave when the incident occurred.

The police have collected his blood sample to ascertain whether he was driving under the influence of liquor, the official said.

(With inputs from PTI)
The Centre and the northeastern state of Tripura signed a peace pact with two insurgent groups, the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF), on Wednesday (September 4) in New Delhi. The 12th peace agreement in the Northeast was signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who expressed happiness about the development and said it would help 328 cadres give up arms and return to the mainstream.

Centre and Govt of #Tripura sign a peace pact with Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) in the presence of Union Home Minister @AmitShah.HM #AmitShah says, "Ever since #PMModi became the PM of the country, through peace and dialogues, he pic.twitter.com/MCF1rIC4oV  All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) September 4, 2024

This is a matter of joy for all of us that after the struggle that was ongoing for 35 years, you have given up weapons and joined the mainstream, home minister Shah said, referring to the cadres who gave up arms, while addressing mediapersons at the event.

#WATCH | Delhi: A Memorandum of Settlement between Govt of India, Govt of Tripura, NLFT (National Liberation Front of Tripura) and ATTF (All Tripura Tiger Force) signed at the MHA, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Tripura CM Manik Saha and others. pic.twitter.com/GtdGmirV0d ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2024

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and senior officials of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the state government were also present during the signing of the Memorandum of Settlement.

It is a matter of great satisfaction that the members of NLFT and ATTF have decided to join the mainstream for participation in the development journey spearheaded by our Prime Minister, Manik Saha said at the signing of the memorandum of settlement.

The home minister also said that Rs 250 crore has been approved for those areas that were impacted by the operations of the ATTF and NLFT. He said the focus will lie on regions that are predominantly inhabited by indigenous communities of the state.
In an alarming incident highlighting ongoing security concerns on Railways, a Greater Chennai Police head constable has been arrested for allegedly molesting a medical student at Saidapet railway station in Tamil Nadu. The head constable, identified as Kamal Kannan, was reportedly involved in the incident on August 25 at approximately 9 pm. Kannan, who was allegedly intoxicated, approached the student, who was waiting for a train.

According to reports, he began speaking to her before molesting her. The students screams attracted the attention of other passengers, who intervened and handed Kannan over to the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

The RPF conducted an initial investigation before transferring Kannan to the Government Railway Police (GRP) who then seized the accuseds mobile phone. Despite being instructed to report for further questioning, Kannan failed to appear at the GRP station and has since gone missing. A search is currently underway, and a special team has been formed to locate him. Efforts to find him at his residence were unsuccessful.

Following the allegations, the Chennai Police have suspended Kannan from his duties. This case has further intensified scrutiny of railway security across the area.
The hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814 was an event that completely changed aviation security, with the sector becoming the top priority for the government, sources have told CNN-News18 amid the row over the Netflix series which has rekindled conversations about the 1999 incident.

On December 24, 1999, five masked men hijacked the aircraft  IC 814  40 minutes after it took off from Kathmandus Tribhuvan International Airport, bound for New Delhi. The hijackers forced the captain of the flight to fly the plane into Pakistani airspace. As the flight did not receive clearance to land there, the aircraft then landed in Amritsar, with hardly any fuel left.

After the plane refuelled in Amritsar, the hijackers again forced the pilot to fly to Lahore. After much efforts and clearance, the flight landed in Pakistan, was refuelled and the aircraft took off for Dubai, where too, it was denied permission to land. Later, as the flight landed in the UAE, 27 of the 176 passengers onboard were released. The hijackers, however, had fatally shot 25-year-old Rupin Katyal on the flight.

Government sources said it was after the 1999 hijacking that the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Airport sector was raised and NSG marshals became an integral part of flights.

The CISF, which till then was restricted only to security of government buildings and installations, was tasked to secure airports across India. Before this, airports were manned by local state police but the government then realised the need to bring in a central force to take single command. This is when the CISF Airport sector was raised and it became the biggest unit of the force.

The sources added that National Security Guard (NSG)  whose job was to manage anti-hijacking operations  was not sent to Amritsar in 1999 because the decision was not taken apart from delay from Manesar to the airport.

To overcome the loophole, an anti-hijack unit is now always stationed at the airport which is ready to fly within five minutes of an alarm, they added. NSG hubs were also opened across India for such operations to reduce time, with the 26/11 terror attack also being an important contributing factor.

After the 1999 hijacking, it is mandatory that air marshals travel in sensitive flights in any numbers and are fully equipped. According to sources, even the crew is not aware of these air marshals, with operational details being out of the public domain.

The IC 814 hijacking also changed rules for flights between India and Nepal, with Indian Airlines suspending all flights to and from Kathmandu for five months. The flights resumed on June 1, 2000.

The airlines retained the same flight number IC 814 till the IC code was changed and retired after the merger of Indian Airlines and Air India.

However, an extra drill has been added at the Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu where after security and immigration check-in, just before entering the flight, Air India and other private airlines check each and every passengers baggage again at the ladder. This is unique and only happens on Kathmandu flights to India.
The drones used by militants to drop bombs in Imphal Wests Senjam Chirang Maning Leikai and Koutruk, which led to two deaths, appear to be the ones that are commonly available in the market and used for photography or delivery, senior government officials told CNN-News amid apprehensions that foreign powers were meddling in Manipurs internal conflict.

A Manipur government officer, speaking to CNN-News18, said: Prima facie, it looks like a delivery drone modified to carry a bomb. It seems a hook was added to carry the crude bomb and the hook releases on the press of a button.

Officials said similar delivery drones have been sighted in the last 16 months. Such drones were used for surveillance by both Meitei and Kuki groups since violence began 16 months ago, a police officer told CNN-News18.

Had a meeting with the members of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed in response to the tragic and brutal killing of (L) Ngangbam Surbala Devi by the Kuki militants at Koutruk. The grief and frustration felt by the community are deeply understood, and the Government is pic.twitter.com/8vyIpoRwo1  N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) September 4, 2024

Manipur Police has commissioned a group of experts to study the drone that was seized from Kharam Vaiphei, Kangpokpi district, on September 2. Sources told CNN-News18 that experts from IIT have been called in to examine the seized drone.

Anti-drone tech deployed

Officials confirmed that Assam Rifles has set up anti-drone equipment with a range of 8-10 kilometres. The newly deployed equipment is similar to what was already in place on the Bishnupur- Churachandpur border in the state. Manipur Police has also reached out to NSG which has expertise in anti-drone technology.

There is a host of anti-drone technology available but it is expensive. The DRDO-manufactured ones can cost up to Rs 10 crore. So, it may not be feasible to deploy this over a large area. But we will discuss with Manipur Police about the other options, an NSG official said.

BSF uses tripod-mounted anti-drone guns. Officials said anti-drone equipment of both BSF and CRPF are being considered for procurement.

Kuki Groups Deny Role

Manipur Police has blamed Kuki groups for the attacks but Kuki Student Organisation denied their involvement.

In a statement, KSO said: Since December 2023, the utilisation of drone bombs against the Kukis by Meiteis has been mentioned but nobody paid heed. Claims that members of KNF received specialised drone attack training in Myanmar need to be corroborated with evidence.

BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh alleged that Kuki organisation ITLF was accepting donations to procure drones. In a post on X, Singh, who is the son-in-law of chief minister N Biren Singh, called for a ban on ITLF under UAPA if it was established that the organisation was indulging in drone terror. An ITLF spokesperson, however, told CNN-News18 that the receipt out on social media was fake. A top Manipur Police officer said the allegation will be investigated.
Mayiladuthurai district has been known widely in Tamil Nadu for being the place where many films have been shot. Due to this fact, the natives feel proud of their district. According to Local 18 Tamil Nadu, one of the films shot here was the Oru Thalai Raagam, directed by EM Ibrahim. It was the debut film of the noted actor and Silambarasan TRs father, Thesingu Rajendar. Thesingu Rajendar played an uncredited role in Oru Thalai Raagam. Another film that was filmed at this place was the actor Jiiva starrer film Seeru. Only a few scenes of this project were shot in the Mayiladuthurai district.

Rathina Shiva, Seerus director was also born in Akkur, a small town in this district. Rathina Shiva directed another film Rekka, headlined by Vijay Sethupathi and shot some of his scenes at the Pearless Cinema Hall in the Mayiladuthurai district. Other scenes were filmed at the Dharumapuram Aadheenam temple and a few other temples in the Mayiladuthurai district. A couple of scenes from the Oru Oorla Rendu Raja starring Vimal and Priya Anand in important roles were filmed at the Mayiladuthurai Junction. It is a major railway station in Tamil Nadu.

More about Mayiladuthurai

Mayiladuthurai derives its name from an ancient legend that states that the divine goddess Parvati changed herself as a peacock. She did this to attract the attention of Lord Shiva with her miraculous dance performance. Mayiladuthurai district was known as Mayurapuram and Mayavaram till the 18th century. According to the historical records, Mayiladuthurai is an ancient city with a historical and cultural legacy spanning thousands of years. It is surrounded by many spiritual sites, including the Navagraha temples, and the famous Pancha Murthy festival rising to the banks of the Cauvery. Mayiladuthurai boasts of being the hometown of Kambar, who wrote one of Indias oldest epics, the Kamba Ramayanam (also called Ramavataram).

As visible in the Local 18 visual, there is a huge tower in the Mayiladuthurai district. The farmers working here have worked hard to maintain its lush green environment. The architectural styles of this districts churches, temples, etc are also praiseworthy and show the meticulous work of the artists.
The multi-starrer Netflix series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, which relives the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight by terrorists, has created a buzz around the country and reignited conversations about the incident from about 25 years ago. Now government sources have told CNN-News18 that a phoney call in the name of union government joint secretary J Lal had allowed the plane to take off from Amritsar and leave Indian airspace.

THE IC 814 FLIGHT HIJACK

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. 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 captors.

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, Masood Azhar, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar.

According to the government sources, that bogus call in the name of union government joint secretary J Lal led the staff at Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar to remove barricades and allow the aircraft to fly away.

After touching down in Amritsar, the captain wanted fuel in the plane and, sources said, there were no visible efforts at a rescue operation as people didnt recognise it as the missing plane. The captain knew it was a hopeless situation but tried his best to secure the plane and passengers, they added.

THE ROLE OF THE BOGUS CALL

Meanwhile, they said, a call came from the Crisis Management Group, asking that the plane be immobilised and tankers slowly moved in so the hijackers would think they were coming for refuelling.

These CMG calls were identified as Rubey Lal and another was from the union cabinet secretary himself, who wanted the plane to remain on the ground so the National Security Guard (NSG) could be put into action and the local Punjab police were alerted.

However, said the sources, a call came, asking for the aircraft to be refuelled immediately and airport staff acted on these directions swiftly, without realising that it was someone pretending to be the joint secretary from the ministry of civil aviation with the name J Lal. He also directed authorities to give a clear path to the flight immediately.

The sources said the Amritsar airport, which was short on staff in the evening, and amid all the chaos, allowed the plane to fly away, frustrating the governments plans. Sources said according to various theories this was either someone from Pakistan who wanted the aircraft to go out of Indias hands or someone from PM Vajpayees office who didnt want commando action because their relative was on the flight.
As protests over the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital continue, the city experienced a unique and powerful display of civic solidarity on Wednesday evening when residents turned off their lights for an hour from 9 pm to 10 pm and came down to the streets with candles.

The junior doctors at the state-run hospitals of West Bengal urged everyone to switch off all the lights and light a candle or a diya as a symbolic lights out protest titled Let There Be Light, Let There Be Justice.

At 9 pm sharp, prominent landmarks such as the Victoria Memorial and Raj Bhavan, along with homes across the city, its suburbs and districts, plunged into darkness as part of the protest.

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: People switch off their lights as a symbol of protest against the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape-murder incident.(Visuals from Jadavpur) pic.twitter.com/sSeFHH5DuA  ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2024

In Kolkata, protests were held at prominent landmarks, including Shyambazar five-point crossing, Moulali, New Town Biswa Bangla Gate, Rashbehari crossing, Behala, Garia, Ballygunge, Hazra crossing and Jadavpur 8B bus stand.

Lights at West Bengals Raj Bhawan were also switched off as a symbol of protest against the horrific rape and murder case in Kolkata.

#WATCH | Kolkata: Lights at West Bengal Raj Bhawan switched off as a symbol of protest against the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape-murder incident. pic.twitter.com/RdFV1L6MjI ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2024

The Governor of West Bengal, CV Ananda Bose, also extended his support to the protest against the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder incident by switching off the lights of the Raj Bhavan and lighting a candle. He also said, When light is fear , darkness is dear.

Kolkata | The Governor of West Bengal CV Ananda Bose supported the protest against the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape-murder incident by switching off the lights of the Raj Bhavan and lighting a candle(Image Sources: Raj Bhawan) pic.twitter.com/nLMsSks6aN  ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2024

Along with the people, BJP leaders, including Sukanta Majumdar and Agnimitra Paul, also switched off the lights of their homes as a symbol of protest during a protest rally on Wednesday.

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: BJP leaders carry out a candle protest to protest against the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape-murder incident.(Visuals from Dharmatala) pic.twitter.com/bqQnaXTOTF  ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2024

As a mark of solidarity, doctors at AIIMS, Delhi, also carried out a candle protest on Wednesday.

The resident doctors from major hospitals, including the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences Delhi (AIIMS), Safdarjung and Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, held a candlelight march in the national capital, intensifying their call for justice and solidarity with their fellow healthcare professionals.

The candlelight march, where all the RDA members, faculty members and nursing staff participated in a silent protest at the AIIMS was part of the larger #JusticeForRGKar movement, underscoring the collective demand for justice, said a spokesperson from the AIIMS Resident Doctors Association.

#WATCH | Delhi: Doctors at AIIMS, Delhi carry out a candle protest to protest against the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape-murder incident. pic.twitter.com/b1UssHEgvt ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2024

RG Kar Doctors Father Says He Begged Cops To Allow Him See Daughters Body

The deceased doctors father spoke to the media about the rape-murder incident and said, They told me she has committed suicide. We waited for three hours to see our daughter, we literally begged the police to allow us to see her.

He further questioned, Why were they late in conducting the post-mortem? Why was the First Information Report (FIR) registered late?

What Triggered These Massive Protests Across the Country?

On August 9, the body of the on-duty postgraduate trainee was found in the seminar room of the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The incident has triggered nationwide outrage.

A civic volunteer was arrested shortly after the doctors body was discovered. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has also arrested former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, for alleged financial misconduct at the medical establishment.

(with agency inputs)
Teachers Day is celebrated across India on September 5 every year. The day marks the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was an esteemed educationist, the first Vice-President of India and the second President of India. West Bengal for many years has seen chief minister Mamata Banerjee celebrate the day by giving awards to deserving teachers. However, say sources, things may be different this time.

The state government is not organising Teachers Day in a big way this year and Mamata Banerjee will also not participate in the programmes, said sources. School education minister Bratya Basu will lead the muted celebrations, they said.

Speaking to News18, Basu said, We all are upset with the RG Kar Hospital rape-murder case and we are all seeking justice from the CBI now. There is nothing to celebrate. We will, therefore, only do a small programme.

There is a chance, observers say, that teachers may hold a sudden protest over the heinous crime in Kolkata last month and thats why the state government has opted for low-key celebrations.

People from all fields and professions, including teachers, have participated in protests following the incident.

Is there any apprehension that there may be widespread protests and thats why the CM is not coming? asked Bharatiya Janata Party leader Agnimitra Paul.

The Supreme Court will also hear matters related to the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case on Thursday, which is expected to remain in focus.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei for a bilateral meeting on wide-ranging topics and discussed trade ties, commercial linkages and people-to-people exchanges. He also announced that a direct flight between the two nations will be launched soon.

I express my heartfelt gratitude to you and the entire Royal Family for your kind words, warm welcome and hospitality. I convey my greetings to you and the people of Brunei on the 40th anniversary of Independence on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians. We have centuries-old cultural ties, PM Modi said.

The basis of our friendship is our great cultural tradition. Under your leadership, our relations have been growing stronger day by day. The memories of your visit to India as the Chief Guest on our Republic Day in 2018 are still remembered with great pride by the people of India, he added.

The Prime Minister further stated, I am extremely happy that I have had the opportunity to visit Brunei at the beginning of my third term and to discuss the future with you. It is also a happy coincidence that this year we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of our bilateral partnership. Brunei being an important partner in Indias Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision is a guarantee of a bright future for us.

He said, India and Brunei have made significant development in Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiahs regime and the two nations celebrate a deeply historical and cultural engagement.

The leaders held talks covering a range of topics including defence, trade and investment, food security, education, energy, space technology, health, capacity building, culture as well as people-to-people exchanges.

They agreed to explore and pursue collaboration in areas such as Information and Communications Technology (ICT), fintech, cyber security, new and emerging technologies and renewable energy.

The Prime Minister and Sultan also exchanged views on regional and global issues. Both leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and called upon states to repudiate it. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to work closely together in mutually beneficial areas to further strengthen the ASEAN  India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Modi, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to travel to Brunei on a bilateral visit, was welcomed by Sultan Bolkiah and his close family members at the Istana Nurul Iman, which is the official residence of the Sultan, and the seat of the Brunei government.

#WATCH | Brunei Darussalam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Sultan of Brunei, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and the close members of his family.(Source: DD News/ANI) pic.twitter.com/DN1Z5aavDD  ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2024

The two leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of a pact on cooperation in the operation of telemetry, tracking and telecommand station for satellite and launch vehicles by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Bruneis Minister of Transport and Infocommunications HE Pengiran Dato Shamhary Pengiran Dato Mustapha. The Sultan also hosted an official lunch honouring PM Modi.

Delighted to meet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Our talks were wide ranging and included ways to further cement bilateral ties between our nations. We are going to further expand trade ties, commercial linkages and people-to-people exchanges, Modi said in a post on X.

Delighted to meet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Our talks were wide ranging and included ways to further cement bilateral ties between our nations. We are going to further expand trade ties, commercial linkages and people-to-people exchanges. pic.twitter.com/CGsi3oVAT7 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2024

PM Modis historic visit is an important milestone in the 40-year diplomatic relationship between the two countries that enjoy a friendly relationship marked by mutual respect and understanding on bilateral and multilateral issues, officials said.

Building stronger India-Brunei relations. PM @narendramodi was warmly welcomed at the Istana Nurul Iman by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and his close family members.

Brunei is an important partner in Indias Act East Policy and its Vision of the Indo-Pacific, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X along with the photos.

The two countries are linked by history, culture and tradition spanning a millennium, the MEA had said ahead of Modis visit to the South East Asian nation.

Earlier on Tuesday, Modi said he was looking forward to his meetings with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and other members of the royal family to take the historical relationship to new heights.

The Prime Minister said he was looking forward to strong ties with Brunei, as he arrived on the first leg of his two-nation trip meant to strengthen cooperation in sectors like defence, trade and investment, energy as well as people-to-people exchanges.

As a special gesture, Modi was received by Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah at the airport. He visited the iconic Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and also inaugurated the new chancery premises of the High Commission of India. At both places, he interacted with the Indian diaspora.

From Brunei, Modi will travel to Singapore later on Wednesday.
Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, on Wednesday challenged the Calcutta High Court order transferring the corruption case against him to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

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 (SIT) to the CBI.

The CBI had arrested Ghosh along with three others in connection with the alleged financial irregularities at the government hospital whose administration is facing intense scrutiny after the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor there last month.

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.

The officials said that the three others arrested along with Ghosh are Afsar Ali (44)  his security guard  and hospital vendors Biplav Singha (52) and Suman Hazara (46).

The doctor said that the principles of natural justice were not applied in his case.

He also sought the expunging of certain remarks. The hearing has been set for Friday.

The direction from the Calcutta HC came in response to a petition by former deputy superintendent of the facility, Dr Akhtar Ali. Ali had urged the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to launch probes into multiple counts of alleged financial misconduct at the state-run institute during Ghoshs tenure.

The direction from the Calcutta HC came in response to a petition by former deputy superintendent of the facility, Dr Akhtar Ali. Ali had urged the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to launch probes into multiple counts of alleged financial misconduct at the state-run institute during Ghoshs tenure.

Ali claimed in his petition to the court that he had lodged complaints efore the state vigilance commission and anti-corruption bureau filed over a year ago against Ghosh but instead of a redressal, it led to his own transfer from RG Kar.

Ali moved the High Court amid speculations on whether the alleged rampant corruption at the institution was in any way connected to the RG Kar medics death, with the victim being privy to these misconduct and threatening exposure.

Sandip Ghoshs arrest 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 medics alleged rape and murder.

Ali in his petition alleged that Ghosh illegally sold unclaimed corpses, trafficked biomedical waste and passed tenders against commission paid by medicine and medical equipment suppliers.

He alleged that students were pressured to pay amounts ranging between Rs.5 and 8 lakhs to pass exams.

(with inputs from PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in Singapore on Wednesday for a trip that is aimed at taking India-Singapore relations to the next orbit, with Singapore already making moves to further up its investments in India.

PM Modi will participate in a round table with Singaporean business leaders and interact with Singapores semiconductor ecosystem players during the trip. This comes after Singapore High Commission officials earlier this week made site visits to four locations in Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh where the Modi government has recently announced the setting up of new industrial parks.

On Wednesday, Singapores Capital Land announced it will double its finds under management in India to more than Rs 90,280 crore by 2028. The Singapore High Commission said it was good to see companies doubling down on Investments in India.

Landed in Singapore. Looking forward to the various meetings aimed at boosting the India-Singapore friendship. Indias reforms and the talent of our Yuva Shakti makes our nation an ideal investment destination. We also look forward to closer cultural ties. pic.twitter.com/SG2IttCKEg Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2024

According to DPIIT, Singapore remains the number one foreign investor in India. Singapore has topped the investment chart nine years in a row.

Taking India-Singapore relations to the next orbit

It was under PM Modi that India and Singapore elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership in 2015. This visit elevates the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, taking the bilateral relations to a new orbit, government sources said. India is also looking to build synergies in semiconductor sector and skilling with these ecosystems in Singapore.

Both prime ministers will visit AEM holdings; get briefed on the Semiconductor ecosystem in Singapore and exchange views on the upcoming Semiconductor ecosystem in India, sources said. MoUs will be signed and cooperation will happen in manpower skilling in Semiconductor sector.

Singapore and India will also increase cooperation in skilling. From skilling centres to training and recruitment by Singapore firms, this will help Indias youth with better skills and opportunities.

Whats on PMs Table

The PM will be connecting with all three generations of leadership in Singapore. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will host PM Modi for a meal. The prime minister will meet Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Former PM and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong will also host PM Modi for a meal. Modi will also meet former PM and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. The visit comes soon after PM Lawrence Wong took over and PM Modi has entered his third term.
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Chauth, is an electrifying festival that lights up India with its vibrant celebrations, especially in Maharashtra. This jubilant celebration commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the cherished elephant-headed deity renowned for his wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. Lord Ganesha represents not only intelligence and spiritual growth but also embodies abundance and success.

This year, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are set to begin on September 7 and will culminate with the grand immersion of the idol on September 17. Cities will be awash with magnificent pandals and beautifully crafted Ganesh idols as people prepare to invite Lord Ganesha into their homes with great enthusiasm and devotion. Celebrities also join in the festivities and add their own flair to the celebrations.

Here are celebrities who welcome Ganpati Bappa every year.

Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan is one of the stars who fully embrace the spirit, welcoming Lord Ganesha with open arms. Last year, he celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi by inviting the deity into his home and sharing joy with his fans through social media. SRK posted a heartfelt message alongside the photo of the Ganesh idol, stating, Welcome home Ganpati Bappa Ji. Wishing you and your family a wonderful day honouring Lord Ganesha. May Lord Ganesha bless all of us with happiness, wisdom, good health and lots of Modak to eat!!!.

Shilpa Shetty

Shilpa Shetty knows how to make Ganesh Chaturthi sparkle with both tradition and style. Each year, she warmly invites Lord Ganesha into her home, turning her celebrations into a grand spectacle. Last year, Shilpa was seen dancing excitedly with her husband Raj Kundra. Her sister Shamita Shetty and kids Viaan Kundra and Samisha Kundra joined in, grooving to the beats of the dhol. In 2021, she embraced sustainability by bringing an eco-friendly Ganesh idol in her home.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shilpa Shetty Kundra (@theshilpashetty)

Shraddha Kapoor

Shraddha Kapoor is always at the forefront of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations and her enthusiasm for Ganpati Bappa is truly infectious. Last year, she decked out her home with vibrant flower decorations along with abhog offeringof modaks. Shraddha shared some heartwarming photos of herself in a gorgeous red and green saree, beaming with joy as she hugged the Lord Ganesha idol. In one of her snaps, she is seen happily devouring a plate of modaks, perfectly capturing her festive spirit. She captioned the post with, Ganpati Bappa Morya. My favourite 10 days of the year.

Sonali Bendre

Sonali Bendre is a devoted participant in Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, ensuring she warmly welcomes Ganpati Bappa into her home each year. Recently, she attended an exhibition by the Divyaj Foundation to promote eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Her celebrations from last year show her donning an exquisite white saree while holding a plate of modaks. She also shared a beautiful picture of Ganesh idol decorated with flowers.

Sonu Sood

Sonu Sood, known for his big heart and generosity, makes sure to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with both joy and a spirit of living. The actor in an interview shared that there is a long-standing tradition of welcoming Lord Ganesha into his home, a custom his family has followed for over 20 years. He also revealed that he discovered about the rituals after relocating to Mumbai.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonu Sood (@sonu_sood)

Salman Khan

Salman Khan, a devotee of Ganesh Chaturthi, continues his cherished tradition of welcoming Ganpati into his home each year. Last year, he shared a heartwarming video on Instagram featuring his family coming together to celebrate the festival.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salman Khan (@beingsalmankhan)

In the video, Salman and his loved ones, including his sister Arpita Khan and her husband Aayush Sharma, performed the aarti for Lord Ganesha.
Looks like Alia Bhatt is all set to begin working on Love and War soon. On Wednesday, the actress visited director Sanjay Leela Bhansalis house in Mumbai when she was snapped by the paparazzi. In a video that surfaced on social media, Alia was seen getting down from her car as she walked towards Bhansalis residence. She sported a white suit and looked simply yet prettiest as ever. Alia was seen flaunting her smile as she also waved at the paparazzi.

Soon after the video was shared online, netizens rushed to the comments section asking if Alia Bhatt is beginning to work on Love and War soon. In the film, she will be reuniting with her actor-husband Ranbir Kapoor. It also stars Vicky Kaushal in the lead.

Earlier this year, in an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, Alia talked about Love and War and her reunion with Ranbir when she said, I, as an audience, am more excited to see him [Bhansali] and Ranbir collaborate, again, after so many years. I am like, wow, whats that going to be like? Talking about reuniting with Vicky Kaushal, Alia continued by saying, Vicky and I coming together again; Ranbir and Vicky created magic with Sanju. So, it is a lot of combinations.

At the end of the day, the intention is to keep your head down and work hard. Not let the other excitement get in the way, because the excitement about the film and the material is the most important. When you are on set, you just have to give your 180 percent, the actress added.

Meanwhile, Alia is currently also shooting for her Spy Universe movie  Alpha. In the much-awaited film, she will be seen sharing the screen with Sharvari Wagh.

Besides this, Alia Bhatt also has Jigra with Vedang Raina in her pipeline. She will also be seen in Jee Lee Zara with Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra. However, there is no update on the films shoot schedule as of now.
Bigg Boss Marathi season 5 is hosted by actor Riteish Deshmukh. Every episode, ever since it premiered in July, has become a topic of hot discussion. Currently, the show is the talk of the town again with its routine drama and gameplay. Every task has glued the audience to the screens as they wait for every update. Recently, the makers of the show have dropped a new promo, which will see Nikki Tamboli and Vaibhav Chavan engaging in a heated argument, after the actress called him a traitor. The new promo has revealed a new twist with a task. Housemates have to be strategic as they will have to perform their tasks well. A new promo revealed that those who have performed poorly would be labelled as trash by their fellow contestants. This brought everyone to wonder about who will get nominated this week.

As per the new promo, the nomination task will see tensions erupting between Nikki Tamboli and Vaibhav Chavan. The clip begins with Vaibhav nominating Nikki and she accuses him of being the biggest traitor in the house. Vaibhav quips, For you, I am a traitor. Now see how I show my betrayal to you. Go to the trash and sit. What you say makes no sense. As their clash escalated, Vaibhav went ahead and confirmed his nomination against Nikki.

The caption read, Nomination task heats up with fierce argument between Nikki Tamboli and Vaibhav Chavan. BIGG BOSS Marathi, at 9 pm, only on Colors Marathi and free on Jio Cinema. Fans showered their support for Nikki Tamboli and expressed their love for her. A user wrote, Nikki is on fire. Another commented, We stand by you, Queen Nikki. You go girl. We are with you, keep rocking.

Every step of the way, contestants patience and gameplay is being tested as the show springs up new twists and turns.
Expanding his investments in real estate, BTS star J-Hope recently purchased two luxury apartments in Seoul. According to multiple South Korean media reports, J-Hope purchased a penthouse in the opulent Afer Hangang apartment complex for 12 billion KRW (approx Rs 75 crore) in cash and later bought another unit right below it. The lower-floor apartment cost him around 10 billion KRW (approx Rs 62 crore), states Allkpop. The total worth of his recent purchases stands at around Rs 1,377 crores.

He reportedly completed the transfer of ownership registration in June this year and made the purchase without a loan. The penthouse comes with an area of 273.86 square meters along with three rooms and four bathrooms. Similarly, the unit below the penthouse has a floor area of 232.86 square meters and comes with three bedrooms and three bathrooms on a single floor.

Following his recent purchases, the BTS members now own four luxurious properties, including two in Afer Hangang and two in Trimage.

Amid these reports making the rounds on the internet, BTS fans are hailing J-Hope for his purchases. A fan wrote, This is what it means to be a real rich man. He is always humble and polite, and treats everyone very carefully. He really worked very hard to create .Not only the main dancer and choreographer, he is also like a caring brother to the group. You deserve respect we always support you.

This is what it means to be a real rich man. He is always humble, polite, and treats everyone very carefully. He really worked very hard to create .Not only the main dancer and choreographer, he is also like a caring brother to the group. You deserve respect we always support you pic.twitter.com/S2OkZcQaqS Elynur06 ~~ j-hope Hobi JHOPE (@elynur06) September 3, 2024

Another commented, Result of a lot of work and dedication, our Hobi deserves the whole world.

result of a lot of work and dedication, our Hobi deserves the whole world   Hoba (@respectjhope) September 3, 2024

In 43 days he will be discharged from compulsory military service with honours as a sergeant and squad leader and will finally be able to enjoy the fruits of his hard work, a comment read.

A fan added, Hoseok is the one who is best at managing his finances. And that is why he is the richest among BTS members.

Hoseok is the one who is best at managing his finances. And that why he is the richest among BTS members. My husband material hoseok is  mrs_bts 17Oct24HOTS World Tour 25 (@mrshope180294) June 21, 2024

J-Hope, who joined the military in April 2023, is expected to get discharged later this year in October. While ARMYs are eagerly waiting for his return, he didnt fail to entertain everyone. In March, J-Hopes Hope On The Street premiered on Amazon Prime Video. The six-episode docuseries presents his journey and passion for dance.
Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan starrer popular show Humsafar has a special place in the hearts of fans. The show has a huge fan following across the globe. And now there is a report coming in that the iconic show Humsafar will be getting a stage adaption in India. Yes, you are reading right, and scroll down to read more details on it.

In an exclusive information by Zoom, theatre and film actor Imran Zahid confirmed the news and said, Weve approached Pakistans HUM TV regarding the stage adaptation rights for the Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan starrer Humsafar serial. We are currently in discussions with Momina Duraid, the creative head of HUM TV and CEO of MD Productions, who also happens to be the creator of Humsafar.

Imran further said, It will be performed free of charge, with no monetary gain, as part of an initiative to promote Indo-Pak peace following recent decisions by the Indian High Court and Supreme Court. The final announcement is expected in a few days. Additionally, I should mention that Sultana Siddiqui, the founder and president of HUM TV, and also Momina Duraids mother-in-law, is involved in the discussions. I wanted to share this news with you ahead of time.

Fawad Khan and Mahira Khans The Legend of Maula Jatt, which premiered in Pakistan in October 2022 and revolutionised South Asian cinema, might finally make its way to Indian theatres on September 20, 2024, according to Bollywood Hungama. Zee Studios has reportedly secured the rights to the film, marking the first Pakistani release in India in years. Originally set for a December 30, 2023 release, the films Indian release was postponed after distributors withdrew just before its premiere.

Back then, an INOX official had told PTI, We have been informed by the distributors that the release of the film has been postponed (indefinitely). We were told this two or three days ago. Zee Studios had acquired the rights to The Legend of Maula Jatt as they were expecting the film to do well. But because of the resistance from certain sections, the decision was made to not release the movie.

Fawad Khan, known for his performances in Hindi films like Khoobsurat and Kapoor & Sons, is set to return to Bollywood after an eight-year break. Following the 2016 Uri attacks, Fawad paused his Indian cinema career due to the ensuing border closures but is now making a comeback.
Following the release of the Hema Committee report on harassment in the Malayalam film industry, Sandalwood is now dealing with its own set of sexual harassment charges. A pro-women campaign has started in Kannada cinema, demanding similar measures to address issues of sexual harassment and inequality.

The Film Industry for Rights and Equality (FIRE) has written to the Karnataka government to establish a committee headed by retired judges to investigate these concerns within the industry. It is said that 153 people from the film industry and various sectors have signed this petition asking Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take action on the issue.

It also demanded recommendations to ensure a healthy and equitable work environment for women in the Kannada film industry. We propose that a retired judge of the High Court or Supreme Court who has demonstrated a strong commitment to gender justice over her/his years of service be appointed to head the committee. FIRE is willing to assist in the selection process and be a point of contact if the government requires us to., read the letter.

FIRE stated that it has been the first film industry in the country to establish an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in the Kannada cinema and advocate for survivors of sexual harassment. It came into existence after the Metoo movement, in which then-actress Shruthi Hariharan accused multilingual actor Arjun Sarja of sexual harassment.

While talking to Indian Express, Umesh Banakar, Kannada Film Producers Association, said, On behalf of the producers association, I welcome the move as the intentions of the demands are to provide a women-friendly environment in the industry.

On behalf of the film industry, actors Vinay Rajkumar, Kishore, Ashika Ranganath, Sruthi Hariharan, Amrutha Iyengar, Aindrita Iyengar, Sihi Kahi Chandru, Sangeetha Bhatt, Samyuktha Hegde, Pooja Gandhi, Manvita, Dhanya Ramkumar, and Meghana Gaonkar are said to have signed.

The Hema Committee Report, which exposed the dark side of the Malayalam film industry, is now being discussed all over the country. Many actresses have spoken and complained about their exploitation. As the Hema Committee report was published in Kerala, there was an uproar in the film industry. Actors like Radhika Sarathkumar, Khushboo, Ranjani, Amala Paul and Samantha also shared their views on this report.
Joker: Folie A Deux was unveiled to the public at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, serving as director Todd Phillips much-anticipated follow-up to his 2019 smash hit, Joker. The film reunites Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck/Joker, and introduces Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, a new and pivotal character in this twisted narrative. As reviews pour in, early reactions to the film are a mixed bag.

Phillips first Joker explored the psychological unraveling of Arthur Fleck, leading to his transformation into the Joker. Folie A Deux picks up where the first film left off, with Arthur institutionalised at Arkham Asylum. Its here that he meets Dr. Harleen Quinzel, played by Lady Gaga, who soon becomes Harley Quinn, the Jokers lover and partner in crime. While the concept is exciting on paper, the execution has left some critics underwhelmed.

The Hollywood Reporters David Rooney commends Phoenixs performance but calls the sequel uneven. He praises Lady Gagas portrayal of Harley Quinn, yet expresses disappointment that the films story feels narratively thin and at times dull. Rooney remarks that Phillips had the support of classic Scorsese films like Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy in the original, which gave it a solid backbone. In contrast, Folie A Deux relies on a weaker story structure and more abstract conceits.

joker 2 starring lady gaga and joaquin phoenix received an 11-minute standing ovation at the venice film festival pic.twitter.com/ZUQU6rMcSJ pop culture gal (@allurequinn) September 4, 2024

Jo-Ann Titmarsh from the Evening Standard echoes these sentiments, critiquing the films lack of energy. Despite its fascinating and complex main character, the film is ultimately dull and plodding, she writes, lamenting that the films tone is flat, missing the frission of excitement that such a story demands.

Critic Allison Willmore from Vulture points out that despite Joaquin Phoenixs dedicated performance, Arthur Fleck is no longer as compelling. She feels that the character has turned into a punching bag for the world around him, as well as for Phillips, who subjects him to numerous humiliations that undercut the viewers empathy. Willmore suggests that Arthurs descent into chaos has become more of a joke than a tragedy.

However, not all reviews are purely negative. The Independents Geoffrey Macnab acknowledges that Phillips brings a sense of fun to his direction, utilising musical numbers and Hollywood references to add flair. Macnab praises Phoenixs powerful portrayal of Arthur, noting that his performance maintains the audiences emotional investment in the character, despite his flaws and instability.

Empires John Nugent also finds value in the films musical elements, stating that Phoenix and Gagas haunting renditions of songs, such as Burt Bacharachs Close to You, add layers of emotional depth to the narrative. In particular, Phoenixs performance of For Once In My Life is a standout, blending menace with heartfelt passion, setting the tone for Arthurs continued descent.

While Joker: Folie A Deux may not have reached the same heights as its predecessor, critics universally agree that Joaquin Phoenix remains a formidable force on screen. As for Lady Gaga, though her talents shine, some feel her role could have been better utilised. The film, set to release on October 2 in India and October 4 in the US, will soon face its biggest test: the audience reaction.
Kangana Ranauts Emergency has been facing issues ahead of its release. The film, which was supposed to hit theatres on September 6, has now been postponed because of not getting certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). On Wednesday, the Bollywood actress took to her X (formerly known as Twitter) account and alleged that CBFCs decision to withhold Emergency certificate is illegal.

Kangana Ranaut reacted to Bombay High Courts order on the delay in clearance of her upcoming film Emergency by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). She shared a post by Live Law and wrote, High court has blasted censor for illegally withholding the certificate of #emergency.

This comes hours after the Bombay High Court refused to pass any order in the wake of a directive by the Madhya Pradesh HC directing CBFC to consider objections to the movie before certifying it. The High Court directed the censor board to consider the objections raised against the film and then certify it by September 18.

Last week, Kangana opened up about Emergency not getting a clearance from CBFC and shared that she will fight for her movie. Its getting too late. I hope the film comes on time. Otherwise, I am determined to fight for it. I am determined to even go to court to protect my film. To save my right as an individual. You cant change history and scare us by threats, she told IANS.

We have to show the history. An almost 70-year-old woman was shot 30-35 times in her house Someone must have killed her. Now you want to show it Because apparently, you think you can hurt someone. But you have to show the history. So how did she die? the actress added.

Kangana Ranaut is not just playing the lead in Emergency but is also directing it. Besides Kangana, the film also stars Anupam Kher, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry and Shreyas Talpade among others. While Shreyas Talpade will be seen playing the role of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Anupam Kher will be seen as Jayaprakash Narayan. Late actor Satish Kaushik will also be seen as Former Deputy Prime Minister of India, Jagjivan Ram.

However, the film has been facing boycotts and ban calls. Several Sikh organisations have accused the film of presenting the community in the wrong light. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Akhal Takht have also demanded an immediate ban on the film, claiming it tries to character assassinate Sikhs by creating a narrative against them.
Tamil actress Radikaa Sarathkumar revealed she got a call from Mohanlal after she opened up the harrowing incident about hidden cameras in her changing room. The actress spoke with a group of media in Chennai and shared details about her chat with Mohanlal. She revealed he called to ask if she was subjected to the incident on a movie/set that he was a part of.

As quoted by Mathrubhumi, Radikaa shared, Mohanlal called me to ask if such an incident had occurred on any set where he was present. She added that she assured him there were no lead actors on the sets when the incident took place. She also shared more details about the incident.

When I realised that people on the set were watching the hidden camera footage, I began shouting. I also contacted the production companys authorities and demanded immediate action, she said.

For the unversed, Radikaa Sarathkumar first opened up about the hidden camera incident in an exclusive chat with CNN News18. When I was working in a film, I was just crossing a group of four people laughing and sniggering watching a video. So my eyes automatically went that side and I saw that they were watching something inappropriate. I called one of them and asked what they were watching. He said they are watching women who are changing clothes in caravans. I was really really shocked and perturbed because it was concerning my safety now and I did not want to be seen like that by anybody. I think we were being compromised. We had an argument and then they said these are all old videos. I asked them to delete every video they had. There was nothing much I could do because I was leaving for the airport, she said.

She added that she is still is scared to use the caravan.
Malayalam actor Nivin Pauly held an emergency press conference on Tuesday night to address the allegations of rape against him. At the press conference, the actor said that he is unaware of the woman who has accused of the sexual crime and assured that he wasnt at fault. He added that he will fight the case legally and would go to any extent to prove the truth.

I saw the news just now. I dont know that girl, and I havent seen her. This is a baseless allegation. The news is affecting us because I have a family. I called for this press conference at this time because I am 100% sure that I am not at fault. An FIR has been registered, and I will handle the case according to the law and will fight against it. I will go to any extent to prove the truth. This will take time," he said, as reported by ANI.

Kochi, Kerala | On the sexual assault allegation case against him, Malayalam actor Nivin Pauly says, "I saw the news just now. I dont know that girl, and I havent seen her. This is a baseless allegation. The news is affecting us because I have a family. I called for this press pic.twitter.com/S09hnnOnvv ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2024

Watch the video below:

For the unversed, the Kerala film industry was in shock after Nivin Pauly was accused of rape. A case was filed against him for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman under the pretext of offering her a role in a movie. According to the Malayalam regional channel Reporter Live, the complainant has named six members to have sexually assaulted her under the pretext of offering an acting opportunity. The incident happened in Dubai in last November.

Nivin Pauly has been named the sixth accused in the complaint, and Malayalam producer AK Sunil has been named as the second accused. Oonnukal police has registered the case. Theyll be transferring it to the SIT formed by the government to probe these new allegations.

The Banglore Days actor immediately issued a statement and called the claims baseless.

The accusations against Nivin Pauly surfaced in the ongoing wave of MeToo movement in Kerala film industry.
Late actor Rishi Kapoor is no more with us but his family never misses any special occasion to celebrate. Riddhima Kapoor took to her social handle and shared a throwback photo along with a sweet note for her father. She also mentioned that Raha Kapoor, daughter of Alia and Ranbir, is a mini Rishi Kapoor.

Taking to her Instagram stories, Riddhima Kapoor wrote, Happy Birthday Papa. How I wish u were here celebrating your special day with both your grand daughters. Your bandari Sam is all grown up and baby Raha is the cutest-she is mini you. Papa I will always cherish the memories we got to share. We miss you so much and our love for you only deepens with each passing day. In the photo, Rishi Kapoor is seen sitting with his granddaughter and trying to blow the candles.

Take a look here:

Neetu Kapoor also took to her social handle and remembered late husband, Rishi Kapoor. She posted a series of throwback pictures of Rishi on Instagram. In a picture, Neetu can be seen posing with husband Rishi, daughter Riddhima, and granddaughter, Samara. She also reposted Riddhimas Instagram story which features Rishi and Samara hanging out together in the past. In another Instagram story, the Jugjugg Jeeyo actress blended two pictures of the late actor including his younger and older versions.

Rishi Kapoor was born on September 4, 1952. Rishi was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2018 and went to New York for his treatment. He returned to Mumbai in 2019. Later, Rishi Kapoor breathed his last on April 30, 2020, before completing his film, Sharmajee Namkeen. It was released posthumously after his demise and Paresh Rawal stepped into his shoes to finish the 2022 film. His notable films include Bobby, Kabhi Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony, Naseeb, Prem Rog, Agneepath, Mulk, Kapoor & Sons, and more. His absence has left a void in the Kapoor family and the film industry.
Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia are one of the most loved couples in Bollywood. They made their debut with the romantic drama Tujhe Meri Kasam. And now to increase excitement among fans, the makers are all set to re-release the film on September 13, 2024. The news has left all their fans excited. Originally released in January 2003, Tujhe Meri Kasam was a huge success, enjoying over 100 days in theaters.

Excited about the re-release, Riteish Deshmukh shared, Im overjoyed that Tujhe Meri Kasam is coming back to theaters. This film was not just my debut but also the start of something beautiful in my life. Its amazing to revisit those early days and share this special moment with our fans once again. See you on the 13th September. Genelia Deshmukh mentioned, Im thrilled that Tujhe Meri Kasam is returning to theaters! This film holds a very special place in my heart as it marked the beginning of my journey in the film industry and with Riteish. Im so excited for fans to experience the magic of this love story all over again.

This is a golden opportunity for fans to experience this romantic classic on the big screen once again. Since the film isnt available on any OTT platform, the re-release promises a fresh and nostalgic viewing experience like no other. The film was directed by K. Vijaya Bhaskar and produced by Late Shri Ramoji Rao.

Recently, many films including Rockstar was re-released and they earned more than their original release time. News18 Showsha breaks down the trend, dissecting why re-releases are in vogue and how they benefit the exhibition sector and the film business along with film buffs. Producer and film business expert Girish Johar calls this a gamble thats paying off. He says, The first and foremost reason is the lack of new releases. Multiplexes have the space to run re-releases, and producers are keen to promote their previous films and go all out in promoting them if they have the funds.

According to Johar, producers are playing on nostalgia, and its working. Certain films have a lot of relatability, and some have iconic status in terms of their storytelling and music. Maine Pyar Kiya is celebrating 35 years of its release. This amps up the recall value too. People still want to watch these films because their memories are still etched in their minds. Thats why most of the re-released films are doing decently well, he states
Ishaan Khatter is making waves with his Hollywood debut in the upcoming web series The Perfect Couple. The six-episode series, starring Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber in lead roles, is set to premiere on Netflix on September 5. The actor is currently busy with promotions in Los Angeles where he has been captivating fans with his stunning looks. Recently, Ishaan took to Instagram to share a series of photos showcasing his impeccable style that captured everyones attention.

In the first photo, Ishaan strikes a confident pose in a three-piece suit, which includes a black blazer, a white shirt layered under a black corset, and a white tie. A stroke of kajal and an earring on one ear complete his stunning look. In the next photo, Ishaan strikes a funny pose with Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor. Another image shows Ishaan posing with the entire team of the series on a beach-inspired carpet. Theres also a photo of Ishaan giving autographs to fans. Additionally, he is captured posing with Jack Reynor, Sam Nivola and Billy Howle. In the last two photos, Ishaan looks dashing as he strikes some stellar poses for the camera.

In the caption, Ishaan wrote, London you were beautiful! Now for LA. September 5th, we perfect the couple.

Earlier, Ishaan posted pictures from the London promotions, where he flaunted his suave style. In the photos, Ishaan sported a black vest top with zipper elements and paired it with matching trousers and stylish accessories. In the last image, Ishaan is captured sipping on a drink while striking a candid pose. Hello London. The Perfect Couple UK premiere this evening. Bring the energyyyyyy, Ishaan wrote.

During an interview with PTI, Ishaan Khatter spoke about the series and said, Ive shot a large part of it and its my foray into Hollywood. Its been a great experience. Of course, Nicole is one of the most iconic film stars that we all know and love in India as well.

The Perfect Couple revolves around a lavish wedding that takes a dark turn before it even begins. Just hours before the wedding, a body is found in Nantucket Harbor, turning everyone in the wedding party into a suspect. Apart from Ishaan Khatter, the web series also stars Nicole Kidman, Dakota Fanning, Eve Hewson, Liev Schreiber, Meghann Fahy and more in significant roles.
Varsha Usgaonkar, a renowned actress in Marathi cinema, has recently shared the secret behind her timeless beauty. At 56, her radiant and youthful appearance has been a topic of curiosity among fans. During her time on Bigg Boss Marathi 5, Varsha finally revealed her beauty secret, putting an end to the speculation. In an interesting turn of events on Bigg Boss Marathi, Varsha Usgaonkar, who recently earned the title of captain for the week, was honoured with a special celebration by her housemates. To mark the occasion, they decided to prepare a treat that has a special place in Varshas heart: caramel custard.

Varsha took a moment in front of the camera to share her joy and the secret to her radiant appearance. She explained that, given the abundance of milk, eggs and sugar available, they decided to whip up some caramel custard, a dish that is both simple and indulgent. Varsha also highlighted the personal touch added to the celebration by mentioning Janhvi, who took the time to make the dessert herself. This act of kindness and effort made the occasion even more special for Varsha. She expressed her happiness, stating, I am very happy eating caramel custard. Today, I feel that captaincy has been truly celebrated in this house.

While speaking to the camera, she also hinted towards what makes her look youthful.

Varsha said, Now you may have known the secret of my beautiful looks. The biggest secret of my slimness is that I eat all the foods I like without compromise. However, along with that I do pranayama and yoga every day and eat only home-cooked meals. This is the secret of my beauty

Many fans were taken aback to learn that Varsha Usgaonkar enjoys her Varsha Usgaonkar, Varsha Usgaonkar Bigg Boss Marathi, Bigg Boss Marathi 5
The District and Sessions Court will announce its judgment on Malayalam actor Mukeshs anticipatory bail plea, amid charges of rape and sexual misconduct, on September 5. Following the explosive Hema Committee report, the Malayalam film industry has been thrown into a whirlwind of controversy and scandal. The report has sparked a significant storm, revealing a disturbing pattern of repeated sexual harassment accusations against several actors. According to a complaint from a female actor based in Kochi, the Maradu Police in Ernakulam filed non-bailable charges, including rape, against Kollam MLA Mukesh. The actress alleges that Mukesh sexually assaulted her at a private hotel in the Maradu area. He has been charged under IPC sections 376 (rape), 354 (outraging modesty of women), 509 (words, gestures, or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman), and 454 (trespassing).

The Special Investigation Team is actively investigating the matter. Mukeshs anticipatory bail plea was heard by the Kerala High Court on September 3. The court has adjourned the case and will deliver its verdict on Thursday, September 5.

In a similar development, the Kerala High Court has also postponed the judgement on the anticipatory bail petition filed by actor Edavela Babu to Thursday.

Malayalam director Ranjith has filed a bail petition with the Kerala High Court in connection with sexual harassment allegations. The case involves claims made by a Bengali actress about an incident that allegedly occurred 15 years ago. Ranjith has also claimed that the sexual harassment allegations against him stem from his exclusion from the state award-winning film Baleri Manikkam. He also alleges a conspiracy to oust him from his position as president of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy.

Since the release of the Justice Hema Committee Report earlier this month, the Malayalam film industry has been rocked by multiple sexual assault allegations. Several actresses have come forward with accusations against prominent male figures in the Malayalam industry that have led to the filing of seventeen cases so far. Popular Malayalam actors facing these accusations include Siddique, Edavela Babu, Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and the renowned director Ranjith.

Not only this, Mohanlal has also resigned from his role as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).
India is at a crucial juncture in its history. Currently, the worlds fifth largest economy, India is slated to emerge as the worlds third most powerful economy in a few years from now. That would place India right below the United States and China. Notwithstanding the strategic implications of what that entails, India has a long road ahead of it. It is a road that requires an all-hands-on-deck economic approach, one which cannot be blemished with major wars and conflicts  at least not with China. Needless to say, if push comes to shove, India will not shy away from protecting its interests militarily. However, that is a scenario which should only be explored after all diplomatic efforts fail.

There are signs that India and China are making diplomatic headway in resolving the conflict along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Efforts to that end have picked pace since July, when EAM S Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, twice. Soon after, the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs met twice, with their latest meeting in Beijing offering a glimmer of hope for Sino-India bilateral relations. Such a thaw will obviously need to be accompanied by disengagement between both sides from the two major flashpoints in Ladakh  the Depsang Plains and Demchok.

The statements put out by both China and India reflect the progress being made to resolve the border dispute and get bilateral ties back on track. After the working group meetings between India and China, the Chinese foreign ministry put out a statement saying both sides had agreed to work together to turn over a new leaf in the border situation at an early date." Meanwhile, India in its statement said that the two sides had a frank, constructive and forward-looking exchange of views on the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to narrow down the differences and find early resolution of the outstanding issues."

If disengagement is achieved soon, a one-on-one meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping cannot be ruled out. In Russia, PM Modi reportedly accepted President Putins invite for the BRICS summit, which is scheduled for October. It is speculated that a meeting between PM Modi and Xi could take place on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. Such engagement between India and Chinas top leadership will come as a major sign of tensions between both countries easing. It would also allow India more leverage to deal with the West, which under the leadership of a hawkish US, has been getting under New Delhis skin lately.

While China has been pushing India to allow bilateral relations to progress despite the border tensions, New Delhi has maintained that the two cannot be dehyphenated. That progress is being made to disengage in Ladakh also shows that Indias persistence and strong-headed approach is paying off.

In an interview with Newsweek during the heat of the Lok Sabha election campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made a very interesting pitch. He said, Through positive and constructive bilateral engagement at diplomatic and military levels, the two countries will be able to restore and sustain peace and tranquillity at the borders." He went on to add, Stable and peaceful relations between India and China are important not just for our two countries but for the entire region and the world."

The remark was welcomed by China, and it would not be an overstatement to argue that efforts to resolve the border dispute have picked pace after PM Modis pitch in April. Of late, Chinese state media has also adopted a more nuanced coverage of India, especially given the rise in tensions between Washington and New Delhi over a host of issues. China, for what it is worth, appears to be appreciative of Indias decision to balance ties between the West and the East, especially between Washington and Moscow. China has its own interests to worry about in the event India wholeheartedly joins the Western camp, and therefore, any signs of New Delhi being cautious are bound to be welcomed by Beijing.

Also, in July, India laid out its annual economic survey which hit the headlines for its perspective on China and how New Delhi should interact with it. The office of the Chief Economic Adviser offered two approaches that India can adopt: increasing imports from China or attracting more foreign direct investment (FDI) from the country. The Economic Survey also said, To bolster Indian manufacturing and integrate into the global supply chain, India must connect with Chinas supply chain."

Simultaneously, there has been a noticeable movement in Chinese investment proposals in India. For instance, in March, a joint venture between MG Motor India and Chinas JSW Group was finalised, with SAIC Motor divesting a 51 per cent stake. By May, the government began selectively approving Chinese investment proposals with Indian firms, and by July, plans were announced to form an inter-ministerial panel to expedite the approval process, requiring proposals to meet criteria such as excluding Chinese nationals from management and ensuring Indian firms hold majority stakes. Simultaneously, the government moved to fast-track visas for Chinese technicians. By late August, the panel had approved several Chinese investment proposals in the electronics sector.

Why India and China Need Not Escalate Further

It is a widely believed notion that neither India nor China can afford a war with each other at this juncture. For India, the focus over the next several years has to be on the economic front, while China itself combats the stress of a stagnating and indebted economy, apart from a demographic crisis that is only set to worsen. However, beyond war and conflict, there is another reason why India should do all in its power to restore normalcy in ties.

Indias supply chains are reliant on China, like most other countries in the world. Nearly two-thirds of Indian imports of electronic components, such as circuit boards and batteries are sourced from China. Similar is the case with solar batteries, used in the manufacture of solar panels. New Delhi also depends on China for many of its important pharmaceutical imports.

Unless India is able to set up alternative chains, any disturbance to these and the many other supply lines would have a cascading negative impact on the Indian economy. However, setting up alternate supply chains and decoupling from a manufacturing giant like China requires time and patience. So, it is in Indias best interest to settle the border dispute in the interim.

Also Read: Straight Talk | After Bangladesh, Civil War-Torn Myanmar on Edge, India Must Act with Strategic Prudence

What happens 20 years down the line can neither be predicted, nor controlled. All that we as a nation can do is prepare. A conflict with China may be inevitable, but it need not be imminent. Kicking the can down the road would be a prudent approach for now. India needs time not just to decouple its supply chains from China, but also to further modernise and strengthen its military so that it can fight on multiple fronts at once.

As India navigates its path towards becoming a global economic powerhouse, maintaining stable relations with China is crucial to avoid disruptive conflicts that could derail its progress. While tensions at the border persist, recent diplomatic engagements offer a glimmer of hope for resolution.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have traded barbs at actor Naseeruddin Shah over his comment that how he feared a wave of islamophobia during the 1999 Kandahar Hijack of Aircraft IC814 with over 200 people on board.

Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde said that the actor has a penchant for making controversial statements time and again which create doubts in the minds of the people.

It is shocking the Naseeruddin Shah is speaking not about the safety and lives of 200 passengers on IC 814 which was hijacked to Kandahar but about Islamophobia after living in India for 74 years and living amongst the rich and famous. He has a penchant for making controversial statements time and again, these kinds of divisive statements create doubts in the minds of communities, she said.

Maharashtra cultural and forest minister and BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar on Wednesday said that it does not matter to him that what Shah has said but the point is that cinema should portray a clear and truthful image of the facts. He said that it is to be noted that who were the terrorists.

While referring the demolition of unauthorised structures erected on government land around the tomb of Afzal Khan, the 17th century general of the Adil Shahi dynasty of the Bijapur kingdom in 2022 and the burning of effigy of Ravana every year, Mungantiwar said that the BJP dont discriminate people or evils on the basis of the religion unlike others.

We dont see everything according to the religion but who has committed the crime, that has to be seen, he said.

He also refereed to freedom of speech and expression and said that some people over the years have used the constitutional right to show things which have had hurt the sentiments of a larger group. But when these things go against them, they give cry for mercy and appeal to the constitution.

What Naseeruddin Shah said?

Shah had claimed that he was left disturbed after the 1999 Kandahar Hijack of IC814. On Tuesday, the actor was speaking at a press conference for his recently released show when he recalled fearing a wave of islamophobia after the shocking incident took place in 1999. The veteran actor mentioned that he was terribly concerned and added that it left him with a feeling of unease for a long time.

I was about 50 when this happened, end of the previous century. I remember being extremely disturbed because I feared that it would provoke another wave of Islamophobia. Luckily, at that time, it didnt. I remember feeling terribly concerned about the situation and what it would lead to. I was left with a feeling of unease. I could not pinpoint why I felt this but I did feel that the passenger and pilot went through a horrific time. No closure. I remember feeling this, Naseeruddin had said.

WHATS THE CONTROVERSY?

IC-814 The Kandahar Hijack, which features Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Dia Mirza, Arvind Swamy and Dia Mirza has been well-received by critics. However, a section of social media users has demanded for the boycott of the series for allegedly hiding the real identities of the terrorists involved in the 1999 incident.

In the series, the terrorists have been named Bhola, Shankar, Doctor, Burger and Chief. The series seemingly hinted that the terrorists had codenames. However, the hijackers were Muslims from Pakistan. This has irked many, who have called it whitewashing.

Following the backlash, Netflix agreed to update the disclaimer of the series and mention the real names of the hijackers. The decision came after officials of the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry met Netflix representatives over the alleged misrepresentation of facts in the new series.
Union minister and former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday reacted to wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punias meeting with Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and said that the meeting proved that the last years wrestlers protest was politically motivated.

I think our athletes got trapped in a political maze during the protests. What started back then is reaching its climax now. These people (wrestlers) are urging a ticket from the Congress. It means that the entire protest was politically motivated news agency ANI quoted Khattar as saying.

#WATCH | Haryana polls | Union Minister ML Khattar says, I think our athletes got trapped in a political maze at that time (wrestlers protest). It is reaching its climax today, the same people are urging Congress for a ticket. It means that the entire matter was political pic.twitter.com/6y0rJgDSYq ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2024

The BJP leaders remark came hours after the wrestlers met the Congress leader amid the speculations that the wrestlers could join the grand old party and contest the upcoming Haryana assembly elections.

The speculations rose after Congress shared the photograph of Gandhi with Phogat and Punia on its official X handle. In the picture, Gandhi stands with his arm around Punias shoulder while holding Phogats hand.

Sources in Congress said the party has offered ticket to Vinesh and told Punia that he would be accommodated in the government if it comes to power.

Punia and Phogat were part of the months-long protest over sexual harassment allegations against former BJP MP and then Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in 2023.

Responding to the speculations, All India Congress Committee (AICC) in charge of Haryana Deepak Babaria on Tuesday said that no discussion on either Vinesh or Bajrangs candidature was done in the meeting.

Vinesh Phogats or Bajrang Punias names are not among them. I think, there will be clarity over this by the day after tomorrow, said Babaria when asked if the names of Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia are among the 32 candidates that have been finalised earlier.

Voting for the 90-member Assembly in Haryana will be held on October 5 and counting of votes would be done on October 8.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday responded to Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadavs after 2027 UP polls, all bulldozers will turn towards Gorakhpur remark and said not everyone could handle a bulldozer, adding, it takes brains and courage.

Speaking at an event to distribute government job appointment letters in Lucknow, the Chief Minister said, Not everyones hands can fit on a bulldozer. Iske liye dil aur dimaag dono chahiye (it takes both brains and courage). Bulldozer jaise shamta aur pratigya jismein ho wahi bulldozer chala sakta hai (One should have stamina and resilience like a bulldozer to handle it).

CM Yogi has given a befitting reply to Akhilesh Yadavs statement and said that courage is needed to run a bulldozer@DhantaNews Avantika Singh #UttarPradesh pic.twitter.com/jLXHPV6n8H News18 (@CNNnews18) September 4, 2024

Akhilesh Yadav had, on Tuesday, claimed that his party would wipe out the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in UP in 2027.

Soon after the Samajwadi Party comes to power in the state, all the bulldozers will turn towards Gorakhpur, he said, as per a statement issued by the party, without further elaborating on it.

According to the statement, while speaking to the party workers at the Lohia auditorium at the partys state headquarters, Akhilesh said, In the 2027 UP assembly polls, the BJP will be wiped out and those UP results will have consequences on the national politics.

Akhilesh Responds To Yogis Retort

Responding to CM Yogi Adityanaths fresh retort, Akhilesh Yadav said, Bulldozer chalane me dimag nahi, steering lagta hai (Driving a bulldozer requires control over steering wheel, not brains).

He went on to say, UP aur Dilli wale kab steering badal de malum nahi (you never know when the higher-ups in UP and Delhi will change the steering wheel.

He said, UP government used bulldozers to satisfy its ego. Bulldozer par court ka bulldozer chala (court has bulldozed bulldozer action in UP).

Yadav also asked if the UP government would apologise for its actions.

Supreme Court On Bulldozer Action In UP

Uttar Pradeshs bulldozer politics has been in the news for a while now, especially after the Supreme Court on Monday said there was a need for guidelines over bulldozer actions against accused individuals in various cases, and said a structure cannot be demolished even if one or all occupants of the house have been convicted or found guilty in a case.

We propose to lay down certain guidelines on a pan-India basis so that the concern with regard to the issues raised (on bulldozer actions) are taken care of, a bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan said.

The SP chief hailed the Supreme Courts observation, saying using bulldozers was unconstitutional and the bulldozer of justice has finally been set in motion.
The Google Pixel 9 flagships have launched before the new iPhones this year, which has to be a first from the company. The lineup now has three models, and a Pixel foldable as well. The Pixel 9 Pro moniker now features a 9 Pro XL variant which is close to being an iPhone 15 Pro Max rival, at least with its price tag and dimensions.

But as years go by, people want Google to answer this; do their phones match with the best in terms of performance? Thats what the company strives to offer with the Pixel 9 series, in particular the Pixel 9 Pro XL which is priced at Rs 1,24,999 and looks to offer the richness of Gemini AI and the usual flagship traits. But does it succeed in being better than its rivals? We used the new model to find out.

The Real Flagship Style

Pixel flagships have carried their own design style but Pixel 9 series takes the focus on premiumness to the required level. Right from the moment you take out the Pixel 9 Pro XL out of the box, you get the obvious refinements and design upgrades that make it feel premium. The dimensions are also echoing the value of an XL device, but it is the overall balance in the design that truly stands out.

The aluminium finish on the frame and the sharper edges are very iPhone-sque and thats not a bad thing at all. The matte finish on the back panel made of glass is our favourite kind which doesnt catch smudges and not that glossy either.

In terms of the numbers, the 9 Pro XL weighs 221 grams and comes with a thickness of 8.5mm. These figures are comparable to the iPhone 15 Pro Max (221 grams and 8.3mm), while lighter than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (8.6mm and 233 grams). Make no mistake, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is heavy and big but Google knows there are buyers for such phones these days.

Even the camera module looks more accomplished rather than the work-in-progress nature of the Pixel 8 Pro. It has to be said that Google has finally hit the right notes, in its ninth effort with a flagship Pixel phone.

Actua-lly Bright And Big Display

The Pixel 9 Pro XL features a large 6.8-inch OLED or Actua display as Google calls it in its marketing notes. The panel offers LTPO technology which means the 120Hz refresh rate on the screen is adaptive based on what you are doing on the phone.

The screen gets Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection which seems to handle all the sharp objects in your pocket without causing major damage to the display. The bezels on the screen are still bigger for our liking but one cannot deny the pleasantness of seeing their symmetry on the panel. The screen resolution is the same as Pixel 8 Pro but the extra level of brightness (peak levels up to 3000 nits) makes a big difference in all conditions, especially outdoors.

The XL display further accentuates the viewing experience and the angles add further gloss to the eyes. The other main improvement is the use of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor within the display on the 9 Pro XL which is quite the step up from the optical sensor on its predecessor and the results were evident during our tests.

Tensor G4 Shows Promise But Not Enough Power

Now, coming to one of the biggest pain points of using a Pixel phone over the years. The Tensor G4 chipset is once again using the Samsung Exynos chipset which is made on the 4nm process. However, the performance levels of the G4 chipset puts it closer to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and 2 rather than the current 8 Gen 3 version. The G4 is nowhere close to Apples A16 SoC let alone the A17 Pro variant.

The benchmark scores tell us the same story and the numbers are indicative of how Google prioritises experience than power-packed performance. You dont notice major stutters or heavy strain on the phone but gaming is never going to be its strongest suit, and power users will feel underwhelmed by its ability to handle everything at once.

The company claims that the SoC has been tuned to work effectively on AI features and tools, while optimising the stock Android OS to deliver a fluid experience.

The latter is no doubt a strong point and most people would agree. However, the former continues to be a big con on our checklist for Google. The efficiency levels of the G4 are far better than the G2 and the G3 but the comparison within its family cannot be justified for what the Pixel 9 Pro XL costs. Yes, it does come with 16GB RAM by default now but thats more to compensate for the heavy computing that the AI models will need. Google says the Pixel phones can last for years, but it needs the hardware to vouch for those claims and we are uncertain of that coming true.

The major downgrade with the Pixel 9 series this year is that you get Android 14 out of the box at launch. The early release of the Pixel 9 phones has worked against Google, so you will have to wait another few weeks to get the Android 15 update alert pop up on the device. Google does promise 7 years of OS updates for the Pixel 8 series and higher models and we are hoping that it lives up to the promise for the Pixel 9 series, starting with Android 15 and not 14 for the users.

Camera Upgrades Once Again Reliant On AI Magic

Google hasnt upgraded the sensors on the Pixel 9 Pro as you get the same triple camera system of 50MP wide sensor, 48MP periscope telephoto lens and 48MP ultrawide lens. We often say the megapixels dont deliver the results but in Googles case the improvements are more linked to the software progress.

The cameras offer high-quality images once again but the colour tuning seems to have been tweaked which results in different output. The brighter colours from a Pixel camera generally look natural but this years focus has shifted and the profile is a mixed bag. Having said that, you can see the crispness and details in the image, even though the zoom levels on the Pixel flagships dwarfs in front of Samsung and Apple models.

The cameras also have new AI tools along with the older ones like Magic Editor. You have the Add Me feature which lets you click two images and add another person to the same frame with a different shot and then let the Google AI do its thing. So, the next time you have someone living far away and wants to feel included in the photo, the Pixel 9 Pro XL could be the weapon of choice to make it work.

The front camera has moved away from the 10.2MP sensor to a larger 42MP shooter that is finally offering images that the Pixels deserve.

Pixel 9 Pro XL offers images that most people will like but it is not the benchmark anymore with brands like Vivo and Xiaomi pushing the envelope while Apple and Samsung inching closer to these standards that will only excite buyers in the near future.

Lets Talk AI

Googles main reason to advance the Pixel 9 series launch this year was to showcase its development in AI and upstage Apple before its iPhone 16 event in September. The Gemini AI upgrades were fully on display at the launch event last month and some of them include the Pixel Studio, Pixel Screenshots, Gemini Live and more.

Gemini is going to be Googles default assistant in the future and the AI-powered avatar shows its early promise which is still some far away from fulfilling its potential. Google is integrating Gemini into a One plan that costs over Rs 2,000 per month, and gives you the benefit of Gemini in products like Gmail, Google Docs and Sheets among others. Pixel 9 series buyers get 1 year of Google One AI plan bundled for free which gives them enough time to see if the AI is worth their money once the freebie period ends.

The Pixel Studio helps you generate AI images based on text prompts and using Googles preset of image descriptions. The app will ask you to download the AI model that is credited with helping you generate these images. Similarly, you have the AI-powered Screenshots which is more helpful and lets your images get summarised and also searchable based on the keywords included.

Does The Battery Finally Deliver?

Pixel 9 Pro XL with its 6.8-inch display packs a 5060mAh battery which may sound like a lot but it is just 10mAh more than the 5050mAh unit on last years 8 Pro. The charging speeds have gone up from 30W to 37W in the wired mode but you need the right tool to benefit from the upgrade. You also have 23W wireless speed via the Pixel Stand or 12W with any Qi charging unit. Google has not upgraded to Qi2 with the Pixel 9 for some odd reason and Googles explanation didnt make much sense either.

Does the minor bump improve the battery life on the 9 Pro XL? The good news is, yes it does but not by a big margin. It can last through a day on a single charge with moderate usage but heavy tasks do take a toll on the battery, which thankfully doesnt heat up so much.

The main concern is still regarding the charging speeds on the Pixel 9 phones which compared to 120W or even 80W speeds is painfully slow. You need a good part of 1 hour to get the phone charged from 10 percent to 68 percent and the rest of the juice takes even longer. Googles decision to not support fast charging through other adapters is an old-fashioned move that does not please us one bit. It is high time these premium phones offer a better charging ecosystem.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL finally shows the flagship mettle we have craved and that display adds further gloss to the package. The Tensor G4 is capable but still falls short compared to the rivals, which also becomes clear with the average-ish battery life. The cameras have got more purpose but some of the versatility gets overshadowed by the AI features which makes clicking photos moot.

The new XL phone in the market shows Google finally values the flagship standards.

But the price tag of Rs 1,24,999 for the Pixel 9 Pro XL in India is steep and there is no sidestepping that. So, until Google establishes a support network rivalling Samsung and Apple, it will face a challenge in getting peoples money in the country but at least the brand is now working in the right direction which gives us hope.
A 99-year-old man from Shanghai, China, is facing backlash after changing his mind about a property promise he made years ago. Tan agreed to give his home to a colleague, Gu, in exchange for his care and companionship. The elderly man said he no longer got along with his children and would not leave the house for them. The deal was made before he decided to remarry when he was 93.

Now, Tan regrets his decision and wants to leave the property to his new wife, instead. Despite his attempts to cancel his agreement with Gu in court, the judge rejected his request. As per the South China Morning Post, the Chinese court decided that Gu would receive the property as originally agreed after Tans death.

Tan promised to give his property to Gu in 2005 under certain conditions. He asked him and his family to keep in touch regularly, visit him on a weekly basis, buy him clothes and groceries, and care for him when he was sick. In return, Tan mentioned that Gu, and not his children, would inherit his flat and everything in it. Tan even acknowledged that Gu provided more care and support than his family, and made his life better.

During that time, the 99-year-old also signed a contract with Gu to sell his flat for 200,000 yuan (approximately Rs 23 lakh). The report didnt specify the size of the flat, but in 2005, the average price per square meter in Shanghai was around 6,700 yuan (approximately Rs 79000), according to the Shanghai Statistics Bureau. Although they had a contract, Gu did not initiate the payment and Tan did not move out of the flat. When Tan remarried in 2018, he regretted his decision to sell the property.

Between 2019 and 2021, Tan reportedly sued Gu multiple times, claiming he wasnt aware that his property had been transferred in his colleagues name and even asked to cancel the contract. In response, Gu demanded Tan leave immediately and pay rent starting in 2006.

To prove his points, Gu also presented messages and photos from his family, showing they spent time with Tan during family trips. Gu also mentioned that Tan stopped communicating with him after 2019.

Meanwhile, the court sided with Gu and passed the verdict that Gu would take the home, once Tan dies.
Over 700 wild animals are set for slaughter in Namibia to alleviate food insecurity among the population affected by the countrys worst drought in a century. As declared by the nations Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, 83 elephants, 60 buffalo, 30 hippos, 100 blue wildebeest, 50 impala, and 300 zebras are to be slaughtered. The UN estimates that the drought has caused almost 84% of the nations food supplies to run out.

This exercise is necessary and is in line with our constitutional mandate where our natural resources are used for the benefit of Namibian citizens, a statement from the countrys environment ministry read.

According to a press release, the culling will only occur in national parks and community areas with ecologically sound wildlife populations.

As per officials, the culling endeavour will reduce animals in regions where their numbers exceed available grazing and water, thereby reducing pressure on water supplies.

Additionally, it seeks to lessen the possibility of elephants and humans getting into conflict, which may arise during droughts when animals come into touch with humans in their quest for food and water.

Environment Ministry official Romeo Muyunda told AFP that around 157 of the overall 723 animals targeted for culling had already been killed.

According to DW, analysts blame the El Nino weather conditions  exceptionally severe this year  for the prolonged dry spell. Due to the ongoing drought, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi declared states of emergency a few months ago.

According to the UN, children under the age of five are experiencing acute malnutrition and, in certain situations, mortality as a result of the present drought.

In August, the World Food Program reported that over half of Namibias population, or 1.4 million people, were suffering from severe food insecurity due to a 53% decline in cereal production and a 70% decline in dam water levels from the previous year.

The U.S. aid agency stated that July through September is the peak of the lean season, when food is scarcest, as it announced an additional $4.9 million in assistance last month.
A man was allegedly compelled to sell his three-year-old son to secure his wife and newborn childs release from a private hospital after he was unable to pay its fee, officials said.

The incident sparked outrage and prompted swift action from authorities after they were informed, with police arresting five people on Saturday including a couple who took the child.

Harish Patel, a resident of Barwa Patti, had sought medical care at the hospital for his wifes delivery, police said. According to locals, it was the sixth child of Patel, who is a daily wager.

However, when he was unable to immediately pay the hospital fee, the mother and the newborn were not allowed to leave by the hospital staff. In his desperation, the father agreed to sell his three-year-old son under a fraudulent adoption deed for a few thousand rupees on Friday, the police said.

Upon learning of the incident, police launched an investigation and arrested five individuals involved in the crime including the alleged middleman Amresh Yadav, the adoptive parents Bhola Yadav and his wife Kalawati, a fake doctor Tara Kushwaha, and a helper at the hospital Suganti, Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar Mishra said.

A police constable, who allegedly failed to take action in the case, has also been taken off active duty and sent to police lines by the SP.

The child was safely rescued and returned to his parents, the officer added.
Tech giant Google turned 26 on Wednesday, September 4. It was in 1998 when two PhD students  Larry Page and Sergey Brin  established the business in a small garage in Menlo Park. More than two decades later, Google has now become a constant companion for many internet users.

The journey started in the garage of Susan Wojcicki, who earlier served as the CEO of YouTube and died last month after battling cancer for a prolonged period.

Larry Page and Sergey Brin rented Wojcickis garage to open their business. They used to pay a monthly rent of $1,700 for the space. The parent company has been renamed Alphabet with the Google search engine being a subsidiary of it. Impressed by the business idea, Wojcicki later joined Page and Brin as the marketing manager of their start-up in 1999.

On this day in 1998: Google was incorporatedLarry Page, Sergey Brin's first office in Susan Wojcicki's garage: pic.twitter.com/WTr6foNWN4  Jon Erlichman (@JonErlichman) September 4, 2017

In the early days, Larry Page and Sergey Brin tried to learn the concept of information retrieval. The duo then decided to develop a search engine and it was only meant for organising data available on the internet. Their idea impressed many technology enthusiasts and a lot of investors shifted their focus to Google. Thanks to financial aid, Page and Brin opened a new office at Mountain View in California and the rest is history.

The name Google is now not only limited to a search engine. The tech behemoth has taken over the other sectors as well. Apart from linking up with the Android operating system, Google currently has its own mail service (Gmail), cloud storage, photo gallery as well as a video streaming platform. The company has also started working on artificial intelligence (AI) and has already made significant progress in this regard.

The journey of Google might have started on September 4 but the company celebrates its anniversary every year on September 26. Google Inc. was incorporated on September 4, but for more than a decade weve celebrated our birthday on September 27, with an annual Doodle, of course, it said earlier in a blog post.

Google logged an annual revenue of 305.63 billion U.S. dollars last year and those earnings were mostly generated by advertisements on different platforms.
A recent Instagram reel has captured the hearts of many internet users, highlighting the efforts of a pilot who took on the challenge of making an in-flight announcement in Hindi, despite not being fluent in it. Captain Pradeep Krishnan, an IndiGo pilot from Tamil Nadu, was operating a flight from Chennai to Mumbai when a passenger requested that he makes the announcement in Hindi.

Taking on the challenge, Krishnan gave his shot, delivering an announcement that was both endearing and impressive. In the video posted by Krishnan on Instagram, he says, Namaskar, mera naam Pradeep Krishnan hai. Mera first officer ka naam Bala hai. Hamara lead ka naam Priyanka hai. Hum aaj Chennai se Mumbai jaayenge, 35,000 mein udayenge, pura distance 1,500 kms hai, pura time one hour ek ghante thirty minutes hai, jaane ke time turbulence hoga, hum seat belt daalenge, main bhi daalenge. Dhanyawad (Namaskar, my name is Pradeep Krishnan. My first officers name is Bala. Our lead is Priyanka. Today, we will be flying from Chennai to Mumbai at an altitude of 35,000 feet, covering a distance of 1,500 kms. The total time of the flight is one hour and 30 minutes. There might be turbulence during the journey, son please your seat belts fastened. I will also wear a seat belt. Thank you).

The caption shared by Krishnan, who is also a content creator, along with the video reads, A very sweet passenger asked me to make an announcement in Hindi. indha vechuko!!!!! i genuinely tried.

Krishnans attempt at making a Hindi announcement quickly became a viral sensation, racking up more than 1.3 million views online. The pilots charming effort had social media buzzing, with users flooding the comment section with their reactions.

One user remarked, Thats the sweetest announcement.

Another enthusiastically commented, Id love to hear this live on my flight from or to Chennai! Sounds a lot fun.

Some wished they could have witnessed the passengers reaction, writing. You should have taken a video of passengers expression Missed it I wish I was there in this flight

Another appreciating the effort wrote, Very well tried to speak Hindi captain.

Haha feeling Good.. speaking Hindi actual hindi is not easy.. Hindi is a very complete language in itself..Nice try, one user noted.

The playful comments didnt stop with one viewer quipping, His Hindi is as good as my English.

Even actor-entrepreneur Parul Gulati joined the conversation, humourously commenting, He had me at udaayenge.
In a striking tale of revenge, a transgender woman from Thailand made headlines for orchestrating a sophisticated scam over the past 13 years. Her story, now gaining widespread attention on social media, reveals an elaborate scheme driven by personal vendetta.

The saga began when the 49-year-old woman, identified as Uthai Nantakhan, was deceived by her Japanese boyfriend. Devastated by the betrayal, she vowed to exact revenge not on the individual who wronged her, but on an entire community. Her target: Japanese men.

Over the course of more than a decade, Nantakhan successfully scammed 73 Japanese men, amassing a staggering sum of over Rs 7 crores and 38 lakhs. Her modus operandi involved posing as a tourist from Hong Kong, feigning lost documents, and staying with her victims under false pretenses. She would then convince them to buy gold items, only to abscond with the money after selling the gold.

Nantakhans elaborate deception finally unraveled on August 4, when she was apprehended by police in Bangkok. During questioning, she confessed to her long-running scheme, revealing that the betrayal she experienced in college had fuelled her relentless quest for revenge.

This unusual case has captivated public attention, highlighting a unique and extreme reaction to personal betrayal.
Looking forward to a beach getaway but dont want to break the bank? Well, we heard you and present here a charming and budget-friendly beach town in Europe that you can definitely visit with your family and friends Sun, sand, and surf  this place offers all in one place. Also, it was ranked among the best budget beaches in Europe by travel experts from Omio, a booking platform for buses, flights, trains and ferries.

Plaza Jastarnia

Nestled in the picturesque town of Jastarnia, located in Polands Pomeranian Voivodeship, this hidden gem offers once in a lifetime beach experience. Its in the 10th position on the list by the booking platform.

Situated north of Gdynia, this place is on a peninsula that juts off into the Gulf of Gdansk.

Interestingly, you need to pay 11.16 (around 1,230) to use a sun lounger for a day, while an ice cream will cost you on an average 1.81 (nearly 200), which is a delicious bargain.

Unlike other popular beaches in Europe that come with a hefty price tag, as expected, Plaza Jastarnia places itself as an affordable option, making itself accessible to a wide range of visitors.

Meanwhile, if you talk about tipples, then a pint of beer here comes with a price tag of 3 (around 330), while you just need to spend 45p.

Other key attractions

While the charming beach in Jastarnia is well known for its pristine white sands and crystal clear water, there are several other places in the city and nearby areas to explore, making it a perfect getaway for travellers seeking relaxation and adventure.

The small town of Jastarnia, located on the Hel Peninsula, has plenty of charm. During a visit to this city, people also get to witness the Hel Biking Trail which provides a fun escape into nature. There is Gora Libek, which gives beautiful views of the Gulf of Gdansk.

Further, if you are planning to stay here for a couple of days, then visiting the gorgeous port city of Gdansk can also be on your itinerary.

After World War II, the centre of this city was reconstructed and became popular as the colourful Long Market. Also, on display is the Neptune Fountain as well as the scenic river embankment.

To learn more about its history, people can also visit the Museum of the Second World War or even the National Maritime Museum.

How to visit Jastarnia?

The best way to reach Jastarnia is by flying to Gdansk, roughly two hours drive from Jastarnia. You can also reach by train.
A 44-year-old woman from Tripoli, Greece, is facing legal trouble after she intentionally set not one but two wildfires on farmland in Kerasitsa. As per reports, the incidents happened on August 24 and 25, while the woman was arrested on August 26 by the Police Department of Tripoli. Investigators revealed that her unusual motive was to catch the attention of firefighters, so that she could meet and flirt with them. As per the police department, the woman was spotted at both fire sites, which sparked suspicion among the firefighters. Following the investigation, the woman was arrested.

As per the local media Skai TV, she has been sentenced to 36 month in prison and a fine of 1,000 (approximately Rs 92000). Meanwhile, the womans prison sentence has been put on hold. However, if she commits another crime within a specified period, she will be asked to serve this sentence along with the new one. Fortunately, the fires that the woman started only damaged small plots of land and were quickly controlled by the fire department. On the other hand, no injuries were reported, thanks to the fast response from firefighters at both scenes.

The recent wildfire in Kerasitsa happened weeks after Greece battled severe wildfires in Athens. Residents and tourists in the capital were advised to evacuate as hundreds of firefighters tackle a massive blaze triggered by strong winds and dry conditions from intense heat waves. To address the rising number of fire incidents, new penalties have been introduced for those who accidentally start fires.

Speaking with BBC, George, a 36-year-old volunteer firefighter, said, It was like hell. It was like a war. We dont have the resources to beat those conditions. Meanwhile, his partner, Georgia added, I think the future for us and our children is not very good. We love summer but not like that. Were doing everything to destroy our planet. We have created cities that might not be exactly in the right place and in the right type. When I was a kid, I remember, the mountains facing the capital were green.

Alex Krokidas from the NGO Thalpos pointed out that the psychological effects of these fires would remain for a long time. He explained that trauma can have delayed effects, as people might experience anxiety or flashbacks after the events. Meanwhile, Greek officials have defended their response to the recent fires, stating that they acted quickly despite facing extreme and challenging conditions.
Four Indians, including a woman, died after the SUV they were travelling in burst into flames in a multi-vehicle crash in Texas, the United States. The fire left their bodies severely charred, and authorities are now using DNA testing to confirm their identities.

The accident took place on Friday (August 30). The four had connected via a carpooling app and were on the way to Bentonville, Arkansas.

According to a report with The Times Of India, at least five vehicles were involved in the multi-vehicle crash.

While the four Indians died on the spot after a speeding truck rammed their SUV, three others sustained injuries in the accident, the report stated.

The deceased were identified as Aryan Raghunath Orampati and his friend Farooq Shaik from Hyderabad, Lokesh Palacharla from East Godavari in Andhra Pradesh, and Dharshini Vasudevan from Tamil Nadu, the report quoted the city police as saying.

Orampati and his friend Shaik were returning home after visiting a relative in Dallas. Palacharla was heading to Bentonville to meet his wife, while Vasudevan, a masters degree graduate from the University of Texas, was travelling to visit her uncle, it stated.

Mastan Vali, the father of Farooq Shaik, told TOI that his son had been in the US for the last three years and recently completed his M.S. course. His daughter, who also resides in the US, is working with the authorities there regarding Farooqs remains, he said.

SOCIAL MEDIA POST BY DHARSHINIs FATHER

On August 31, hours after Dharshini died in the car crash, her father, in separate X posts, sought help from the Minister of External Affairs, in locating his daughter.

In the post, Vasudevan mentioned her daughter was travelling from Frisco to Bentonville, and that his family had been unable to reach out to her for nearly 12 hours.

Tagging EAM S Jaishankar, Vasudevan wrote, Dear Sir, My daughter Dharshini Vasudevan holding Indian passport No-T6215559 have been in USA for the last 3 years, 2 years of MS studies and later 1 year of Employment and stays 3150 Avenue of the stars Apt 1110-Frisco,Texas-75034. (sic).

The travel was from Frisco to Bentonville (her uncle home) since its a long weekend she pre booked for the travel. We parents are really worried and its almost 12 hours we dont the status of our daughter. Please help, his second post read.

The accident had not been reported at the time of Vasudevans tweet.
A former state official who authorized the deletion of the late North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjems email account has died.

Current Attorney General Drew Wrigley told the North Dakota Monitor on Tuesday that he had been informed of Troy Seibels death, but said he did not have additional information.

Seibel was serving as Stenehjems chief deputy attorney general when Stenehjem died in office in January 2022. Seibel resigned from the position two months later, after Wrigley had been appointed attorney general.

Seibel was later named in an investigation that looked into the deletion of Stenehjems emails as well as cost overruns for remodeling a building leased by the AGs office.

Liz Brocker, former executive assistant for the attorney generals office, has said Seibel directed her to have information technology staff wipe Stenehjems state email account immediately after his death.

Brocker also had Seibels emails deleted after his resignation in March 2022. The deletion of the emails was discovered after media open records requests connected to the building project.

Seibel was a point of contact on the construction project, which aimed to move several divisions into one building. Seibel told The Bismarck Tribune in March 2022 there was nothing improper with the construction project, and he attributed the cost overruns to unforeseen material costs due to supply shortages.

Wrigley has said the deletion of the emails was done without his knowledge. He said Tuesday he had not had contact with Seibel since early 2022.

A Montana investigator said his probe into the building project and deletion of Stenehjems and Seibels emails was hampered by a lack of subpoena authority. The investigation led to no charges.

An ethics complaint related to the building lease led to the misdemeanor conviction of state Rep. Jason Dockter, R-Bismarck, for a conflict of interest-related crime.

Some copies of Stenehjems emails were eventually discovered during the federal investigation into former state Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks. Holmberg, who resigned his legislative seat, pleaded guilty last month to a federal child sex tourism charge.

Prosecutors sought a search warrant for Stenehjems cellphone data because Holmberg called and left a voicemail for Stenehjem, a former Grand Forks legislator, after federal investigators searched Holmbergs home.

Stenehjem emails that have been publicly released so far provided little insight into the building lease or Holmberg case. Wrigley has said additional emails will be made public following the conclusion of the Holmberg case.

Before becoming chief deputy attorney general, Seibel served as commissioner of labor and human rights under Gov. Jack Dalrymple.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, during a briefing on Tuesday, was quick to dismiss a question about United States Vice-President and Democratic Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris apparent new Southern accent which has sparked a meme fest on social media. Jean-Pierre called the question insane and ridiculous.

Harris was trolled by internet users and several Trump supporters and compared to Looney Tunes character, Foghorn Leghorn, for adopting a fake accent while addressing a Labour Day rally in Detroit last week.

According to a Fox News report, Jean-Pierre was taking questions from reporters during her daily news briefing when a journalist brought up Harris new accent that went viral over the weekend.

Since when does the Vice-President have what sounds like a Southern accent? the journalist asked.

A visibly irritated Jean-Pierre said, I have no idea what youre talking about.

Well, she was talking about unions in Detroit using one tone of voice, she used the same line in Pittsburgh, and it sounded like she at least had some kind of Southern drawl, the journalist pressed.

I mean, do you hear the question that youre  I mean, do you think Americans seriously think that this is an important question? Jean-Pierre pushed back.

You know what they care about? They care about the economy, they care about lowering costs, they care about health care. Thats what they want to heardemocracy and freedomIm not going to even entertain some question about  its just. Hearing it sounds so ridiculous. The question  Im talking about the question  is just insane.

Doocy went on to ask whether Harris invokes the purported accent in meetings at the White House.

Im just  Peter, were moving on. Were so moving on, Jean-Pierre said.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un executed multiple government officers after flooding in the country in July killed thousands in the countrys Jagang province.

South Korean media reported in August that the number of dead and missing in the North could be as high as 1,500, but Kim dismissed the reports as a grave provocation and an insult to the flood-stricken people who are all safe and well.

According to a report by news agency TV Chosun, Kim Jong Uns officials shot dead 20 to 30 regional government officials in the flood-stricken area.

He had warned attendees at an emergency party meeting in July that those who severely neglected their duties, which in turn led to casualties, would be strictly punished.

Kim said it would take about two to three months to rebuild homes and stabilise the areas affected by floods. Until then, his government plans to accommodate some 15,400 people  a group that includes mothers, children, older adults and disabled soldiers  at facilities in Pyongyang, North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency said Saturday.

State media reports said heavy rains in late July left 4,100 houses, 7,410 acres of agricultural fields, and numerous other public buildings, structures, roads and railways flooded in the northwestern city of Sinuiju and the neighbouring town of Uiju.

Traditional allies Russia and China, as well as international aid groups, have offered to provide North Korea with relief supplies, but the North hasnt publicly expressed a desire to receive them.

Expressing thanks to various foreign countries and international organizations for their offer of humanitarian support, (Kim) said what we regard as the best in all realms and processes of state affairs is the firm trust in the people and the way of tackling problems thoroughly based on self-reliance, KCNA said.

Kim made similar comments earlier in the week after Russian President Vladimir Putin offered help, expressing his gratitude but saying that the North has established its own rehabilitation plans and will only ask for Moscows assistance if later needed.

While rival South Korea has also offered to send aid supplies, its highly unlikely that the North would accept its offer. Tensions between the Koreas are at their highest in years over the Norths growing nuclear ambitions and the Souths expansion of combined military exercises with the United States and Japan.

(with inputs from AP and AFP)
Amid the unrest in Bangladesh, award-winning Bangladesh author, Taslima Nasreen, on Tuesday said Muslims in Bangladesh love Pakistan and hate India, and that they were asking the people of the country to boycott Indian products.

Her post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) was accompanied by a picture, which showed apparent Bangladeshis holding a flag of their own country and Pakistan.

Bangladeshi Islamists love Pakistan and hate India. Do they know at all that Pakistan killed us and India saved us in 1971? They have been brainwashed to believe in Muslim brotherhood, (sic), her post read.

(It was not clear when and where the picture shared by Nasreen was taken.)

Bangladeshi Islamists love Pakistan and hate India. Do they know at all that Pakistan killed us and India saved us in 1971? They have been brainwashed to believe in Muslim brotherhood. pic.twitter.com/RqnJtCLchW taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) September 3, 2024

In another post, Taslima Nasreen shared a picture of a man wearing a T-shirt, with a teach your child to hate India print on it.

Bangladeshi Jamate Islami helping poor people wearing a t shirt that says teach your child to hate India. Islamists ask people to boycott Indian products. Anti India anti Hindu Wahabi Islamists are growing in Bangladesh, the author wrote.

Bangladeshi Jamate Islami helping poor people wearing a t shirt that says teach your child to hate India. Islamists ask people to boycott Indian products. Anti India anti Hindu Wahabi Islamists are growing in Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/oWJmunIKID taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) September 1, 2024

(News18 could not independently verify the authenticity of the picture).

X USERS RESPOND

Reacting to Nasreens post showing Bangladeshis with Pakistans flag, an X user wrote, They dont how Paki soldiers went house to house raping, and killing, hence reading history is sometimes beneficial.

Another user claimed the picture was clicked while many attended a flood relief fund in Dhaka, and that Taslima Nasreens statement was distorted.

Ms Nasreen is totally right. Also, without India, there would be no Bangladesh and countless more Bangladeshis would have been dead. But who cares about history, right? another post read.

A fourth reaction, by a Pakistani national, read, They know that without Pakistan movement, theyd have been getting butchered for eating beef. Religion isnt the point but being masters of your own destiny. Its sad that things didnt work out between Pak and Bengal but they still owe their freedom to Pak movement.

Very soon Bangladesh will turn into an Islamic State, another comment on the authors post read.

TASLIMA NASREENs STANCE ON REPORTED ATROCITIES

This was not the first time the Bangladeshi author, activist and physician spoke on the issue.

Nasreen, who has been living in exile in India for many years now, had on September 1 said officials from the previous government (of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas regime) were being harassed, imprisoned and killed.

Her statement followed reports of teachers belonging to the minority communities being forced to resign from their positions across education institutions, in the aftermath of political chaos in the country that ended with Hasinas ouster in August this month.

In Bangladesh,teachers are forced to resign.Journos, ministers,officials of the former govt are getting killed, harassed,imprisoned. GenZ burned down industries of Ahmadi Muslims.Mazars & dargahs of Sufi Muslims are demolished by Islamic terrorists. Yunus says nothing against it, (sic), Nasreen wrote on X.

In Bangladesh,teachers are forced to resign.Journos, ministers,officials of the former govt are getting killed, harassed,imprisoned. GenZ burned down industries of Ahmadi Muslims.Mazars & dargahs of Sufi Muslims are demolished by Islamic terrorists. Yunus says nothing against it. taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) September 1, 2024

(According to a report with the Daily Star  a Bangladeshi English-language newspaper, as many as 49 teachers from the minority communities were forced to resign across the country.)

NO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN BANGLADESH: NASREEN

On September 3, Nasreen, in an interview with The New Indian Express, said she was afraid the radical elements in Bangladesh would bring Sharia law, and women in the country would have no rights.

There is no freedom of expression. Human rights are being violated and soon women will be left without any rights after the imposition of Sharia law, she said during the interview.

Sheikh Hasina encouraged the radical elements, which eventually became Frankenstein and led to her unceremonious ouster. However, the present government is worse than Sheikh Hasinas autocratic rule, she added.

Also commenting on the present interim government, headed by its chief advisor, Muhammad Yunus, the Bangladeshi author said, The interim government led by Md Yunus will make things worse as the violence after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina was referred to as celebration. Temples were vandalised, museums and statues of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were broken and minorities like Hindus were targeted.

The interim government said that it was a reaction of the students who were celebrating the victory of the new dispensation. The sentiment on the ground is anti-India, anti-women and anti-democracy. Radicalisation has gone up manifold in the country. Islamists have asked people to boycott Indian products, she added.

WHAT HAPPENED IN BANGLADESH

Bangladesh witnessed massive student protests in mid-July this year, over the controversial quota system that reserved 30 per cent of jobs for the families of veterans who fought the 1971 liberation war.

The uprising forced Sheikh Hasina, the 76-year-old daughter of Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, to resign and flee to India on August 5.

An interim government led by 84-year-old Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took over a day later.

The unrest has left more than a thousand people in the country dead so far.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba resigned Wednesday, following an announcement last week from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that a Cabinet reshuffle was imminent.

Kulebas resignation request will be discussed by lawmakers at the next plenary meeting, Speaker of parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk said on his Facebook page.

The foreign ministers resignation came as at least seven people were killed and 35 injured in an overnight strike on Lviv, city Mayor Andrii Sadovyi said Wednesday morning.

A child and a medical worker were among the dead and others are in critical condition, he said.

The attack happened a day after two ballistic missiles blasted a military academy and nearby hospital in Poltava in Ukraine, killing more than 50 people and wounding more than 200 others, Ukrainian officials said, in one of the deadliest Russian strikes since the war began.

The missiles tore into the heart of the Poltava Military Institute of Communications main building, causing several stories to collapse.

The missiles hit shortly after an air-raid alert sounded, when many people were on their way to a bomb shelter, Ukraines Defence Ministry said, describing the strike Tuesday as barbaric. Poltava is about 350 kilometres (200 miles) southeast of Kyiv, on the main highway and rail route between Kyiv and Ukraines second-largest city, Kharkiv, which is close to the Russian border.

The attack happened as Ukrainian forces sought to carve out their holdings in Russias Kursk border region after a surprise Ukrainian incursion that began August 6 and as the Russian army hacks its way deeper into eastern Ukraine.
Like so many other slasher franchises, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has traveled a long and winding road of sequels, remakes, requels, prequels, and legacy sequels. In the last fifty years the franchise certainly has seen some serious ups and downs. While some of the sequels were wildly entertaining and the remake was even pretty damn decent, the bad entries are notable. Despite best intentions to craft a direct legacy sequel to Tobe Hoopers iconic original, Texas Chainsaw missed the grade. Because hes the better franchise voice than I and he has some particularly strong feelings about this entry, Ill let Mr. Es review stand:

Many generally good, fairly interesting ideas are put to complete and utter waste in this latest installment in the 'Texas Chainsaw' franchise. Altogether ignoring the several sequels since Tobe Hooper's seminal slasher classic, which is a rather bold move in and of itself, the script, which apparently required four writers to crank out, picks up soon after the events of the 1974 horror favorite. "Final Girl" survivor Sally (Marilyn Burns) escapes on the back of a pickup truck and informs local authorities, which quickly develops into a lynching mob outside the Sawyer house. Inside, Bill Moseley, Gunnar Hansen (the original Leatherface), and family take refuge when things suddenly escalate into a shootout and bonfire.

It's an engaging, and even somewhat provocative start to an already familiar story, and as an added bonus, serves as an important plot element that eventually grows to a promising twist. And I'm not referring to the lone survivor of the fire caused by the redneck vigilante gang: a little baby girl literally stolen from the dead arms of her mother. She later grows up to be the voluptuous Alexandra Daddario, who learns about being adopted the same day she inherits the Sawyer-Carson estate and all its assets, including the responsibilities and liabilities it entails, which, of course, turns out to be more than she can handle. With friends Ryan (Tremaine Neverson), Nikki (Tania Raymonde) and Kenny (Keram Malicki-Sanchez) in tow, she travels to Newt to reclaim her birthright and legacy.

The twist isn't her being a member of that sadistic, coldblooded family  we obviously know that going in  but it's what she does with the knowledge of her family's history which amuses. As she slowly warms up to the idea of Jedidiah "Leatherface" Sawyer (Dan Yeager) being her long-lost cousin, the small Texas town is forced to confront the sins of its past, making another titillating twist revealing the real monster of this whole silly affair. Mayor Burt Hartman (Paul Rae) was the ringleader of the prologue's stereotypical lynch mob, who in the present day abuses his power to get his way. Sheriff Hooper (Thom Barry) was pretty much useless in controlling the situation at the start, and he largely feels ever more neutered at handling the current blood-drenched mess.

Again, some fairly good ideas with the potential to deliver at least a decently entertaining horror flick, particularly with the added 3D cinematography. Unfortunately, director John Luessenhop, who has yet to make anything of real note, completely wastes the possibilities by failing to include a single moment of suspense or scares, relying too much on explicit gore. Granted, some of the fault originates with a screenplay so badly written that I can't imagine Leatherface doing any worse if tasked to write his own autobiography. Some characters, like lawyer Farnsworth (Richard Riehle) and Deputy Carl (Scott Eastwood), are bought into the mix but then altogether forgotten at pivotal moments while very specific dramatic devices, like Ryan and Nikki's secret affair, are mentioned but never addressed or serve a useful purpose. And finally, it would seem everyone involved failed basic arithmetic since no one took notice of the blatantly obvious age discrepancy in Daddario's character, making her quite a bit older than the filmmakers clearly desire her to be.

Making matters worse is the rather chauvinist depictions of the only two supposedly well-rounded female characters. In both Daddario's Heather and Raymonde's Nikki, the women are little more than objects oozing with a heaping amount of sexual desire, either for male characters or the camera's lustful gaze. No matter the situation, whether running for their lives or facing the end of Leatherface's chainsaw, showing plenty of cleavage takes priority over creating a frightful environment. What could have been a clever twist by movie's end is swiftly ruined by Heather readily accepting the role of dutiful, silent homemaker. Added to that is the idiotic notion that the blood and mayhem could have been avoided if she only bothered to read the letter first; the same goes for the producers and studio execs who greenlit this ultimately asinine sequel.







Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray

Following some of its fellow horror films, Texas Chainsaw revs up for another run on Blu-ray as a single-disc Blu-ray + Digital SteelBook from Bloody Disgusting exclusively at Walmart. The BD-50 disc inside is the exact same one from 2013, only without its 3D Blu-ray counterpart. The disc is housed in a lovely black SteelBook with orange highlights. The disc loads to an animated main menu with standard navigation options.
Commander Cameron Yaste of the USS John McCain was relieved of duty after a controversial incident involving a rifle with a backward-mounted scope. This decision came four months after Yaste was photographed holding said rifle and was confirmed on Friday, as reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune. The Navy cited a "loss of confidence in his ability to command" the destroyer, which is on deployment in the Gulf of Oman.

The photo, posted on the Navy's social media back in April, sparked criticism and ridicule. The image showed Yaste in a firing stance with the scope mounted backward. Stars and Stripes noted that the Marine Corps subtly mocked the incident by sharing the photo with the caption "Clear Sight Picture." The Navy eventually removed the photo.

Captain Allison Christy, deputy commodore of Destroyer Squadron 21, has temporarily taken over command of the USS John McCain. This squadron is part of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, also stationed in the Gulf of Oman. The deployment of these carriers aims to provide support to Israel against potential threats from Iran or other Middle Eastern adversaries, according to Pentagon officials. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has expressed grave concerns about the situation at Europe's largest nuclear power plant, situated in central Ukraine. Rafael Mariano Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), highlighted the site's "very fragile" condition following recent attacks and announced plans to expand inspections to electricity substations the power the country's nuclear plants. Grossi shared his remarks while in Kyiv, after discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and energy officials, in what marks his 10th visit to the country since the Russia-Ukraine conflict's February 2022 start.

On Monday, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was impacted by artillery shelling in the vicinity, damaging its power access. Energoatom, the plant's operator, attributed the shelling to Russia, stating that one of the two overhead lines supplying power was compromised. The firm warned that further damage would create an emergency situation, and technicians face threats of continued shelling, hindering repairs.

Analysts warn that a potential explosion at Zaporizhzhia could lead to radiation exposure, although they believe it wouldn't be anywhere near as severe as the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. Grossi is traveling with IAEA experts and began his Kyiv visit at the Ministry of Energy. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
Attorneys representing both living and deceased patients of an Oregon hospital filed a $303 million lawsuit against the facility on Tuesday after a nurse was accused of replacing prescribed fentanyl with nonsterile tap water in intravenous drips. The wrongful death and medical malpractice complaint accuses Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford of negligence. The suit says the hospital failed to monitor medication administration procedures and prevent drug diversion by their employees, among other claims, reports the AP .

Dani Marie Schofield, a former nurse at the hospital, was arrested in June and charged with 44 counts of second-degree assault. The charges stemmed from a police investigation into the theft and misuse of controlled substances that resulted in patient infections. She has pleaded not guilty. Schofield isn't named or listed as a defendant in the complaint filed Tuesday. A separate suit was filed against Schofield and the hospital earlier this year on behalf of the estate of a 65-year-old man who died.

The 18 plaintiffs in the new suit include nine patients and the estates of nine patients who died. According to the suit, the hospital began informing them in December that an employee had replaced fentanyl with tap water, causing bacterial infections. "All Plaintiff Patients were infected with bacterium uniquely associated with waterborne transmission," the complaint says. All of the plaintiffs experienced mental anguish, according to the suit, which seeks millions of dollars in damages for medical expenses, lost income, and the pain and suffering of those who died.

(More fentanyl stories.)
Lawyers for South Carolina death row inmate Freddie Owens contend that state prison officials have not provided sufficient details about the drug slated for his execution, which is scheduled for September 20. Owens' attorneys argue they need the full report from state scientists who tested the sedative pentobarbital, rather than the brief summary provided. The state maintains that a 2023 shield law restricts the release of detailed information about the drug, citing security concerns regarding the compounding pharmacy involved.

The legal battle occurs as South Carolina prepares for its first execution since 2011, amid complications in obtaining lethal injection drugs. Owens' execution has sparked significant debate over the adequacy of information provided to condemned inmates about their method of execution. His attorneys have recently requested a delay of his execution, citing new evidence, including possible juror bias and allegations that Owens' co-defendant, Steven Golden, lied.

As the execution date nears, Owens faces a Friday deadline to choose between lethal injection, electrocution, or the firing squad. His lawyer, Gerald King Jr., insists that Owens cannot make an informed decision without the full drug report, arguing for transparency in the testing procedures and storage conditions of the lethal injection drug. A University of South Carolina pharmacy professor supports this stance, emphasizing that the state's current disclosure is insufficient for determining the drug's stability and potency. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
As billionaire Mike Lynch's family continues to grieve his death, and that of six others, after his superyacht Bayesian sank off the coast of Sicily on Aug. 19, they have another ongoing issue to contend with. People reports that Hewlett Packard Enterprise, which had sued Lynch for fraud after he sold his Autonomy business software firm to them in 2011 for $11 billion, plans to proceed with a 2015 complaint against Lynch. "It is HPE's intention to follow the proceedings through to their conclusion," the company said in a statement on the suit, which seeks damages of up to $4 billion from Lynch's estate.

This means that Lynch's widow, Angela Bacares, who survived the yacht's sinking along with 14 others, now inherits the complaint and could be liable for damages that HP seeks. Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, and others were aboard the Bayesian to celebrate Lynch's recent US acquittal in a separate criminal case related to the 2011 sale. HP won a seven-year-long civil suit against Lynch and his former CFO, Sushovan Hussain, in 2022, claiming Lynch had overvalued Autonomy by billions before selling it to them. The last damages hearing in that case was in February.

The New York Times reports that Lynch had planned to appeal the decision. Not everyone agrees that Hewlett Packard is making the right move. "Legally they are obliged to act in their shareholders' best interests, but morally continuing the claim is questionable," attorney Oliver Embley tells the Guardian. "And from a publicity perspective it could backfire on them. Effectively they would be suing his widow, and that does not look good optically." Charles Elson, founding director of the University of Delaware's Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance, says he believes HP would be shielded from a shareholders' suit if the firm dropped its complaint against Lynch's estate. (More Bayesian sinking stories.)
Iranian blogger Hossein Shanbehzadeh is no stranger to incarceration. A longtime critic of Iran's leadership, he was jailed in 2019 for online comments insulting supreme leader Ali Khamenei. But he's now been hit with a 12-year sentence "for doing next to nothing," Vice reports. According to Iran International , the sentence stems from an X post in response to a tweeted photo from Khamenei. After Khamenei shared a photo of himself with Iran's national men's volleyball team in May, Shanbehzadeh replied with a single period . That comment drew more attention than you might think and brought in twice as many likes as Khamenei's original tweet.

Shanbehzadeh was arrested in Ardabil a few weeks later after his X account was allegedly taken over by someone else, per RFE/RL. The prosecutor's office claimed Shanbehzadeh was in touch with Israeli intelligence officers and was arrested when trying to flee the country, but Shanbehzadeh's lawyer said these were more false claims leveled against regime critics in an attempt to shut them up. Shanbehzadeh was ultimately sentenced to five years for alleged pro-Israel propaganda activity, four years for insulting Islamic sanctities, two years for spreading lies online, and one year for anti-regime propaganda, NPR reports.

Shanbehzadeh will only need to serve the longest of the terms, or five years, according to lawyer Amir Raisian. Still, he intends to appeal. Raisian said the judiciary presented no evidence of pro-Israel propaganda activity, a charge that was apparently based on Shanbehzadeh's "private chats." Evidence presented in support of the other charges included Shanbehzadeh's use of the hashtag #NoToExecution, his support for political prisoners, and his campaign against mandatory headscarves for women, Raisian said. It's unclear if his tweeted period came up during trial. Such proceedings are largely held behind closed doors. (More Iran stories.)
Just one day after 12 migrants perished when an inflatable boat disintegrated during an English Channel crossing, dozens more attempted the journey on a similarly fragile vessel. French patrol boats closely monitored this inflatable, laden with around 40 to 50 migrants, as it struggled through the waterway. The boat was spotted in Wimereux, where Mayor Jean-Luc Dubaele expressed frustration, stating, "The smugglers  a criminal network  continue with insistence to send people to their deaths in the channel." He urged for a collaborative effort with Britain to resolve the issue.
"When IC 814 gets hijacked on its way to Delhi, hundreds of lives are at stake as the country faces its longest and most alarming aviation crisis," reads the show description for the new Netflix miniseries IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. The show has created a mini-crisis for Netflix, which was accused of portraying the hijackers as Hindus. IC 814 is fiction but is based on the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 by Islamist militants, who forced the plane to fly to various locations before landing in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in what ended up being an eight-day crisis.

The New York Times reports that director Anubhav Sinha said his intention was to depict the event "exactly in the manner in which it happened"which, per the government, included two of the hijackers going by the code names "Shankar" and "Bhola." (The BBC reports the other code names used were Chief, Doctor, and Burger.) Shankar and Bhola are common names for Hindu men, and their use fueled an angry reaction on social media, with some arguing the series' use of the code names de-emphasized the fact that the hijackers were Muslim.

A national official from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party complained on X, "Decades later, people will think Hindus hijacked IC-814." The criticism led Netflix to edit its opening disclaimerwhich notes Netflix "does not make any claims of authenticity or historical correctness" regarding the show's eventsto include the hijackers' real names: Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, and Shakir. The BBC reports the hijacking ended after the Indian government agreed to release three Pakistani militants. (More Netflix stories.)
The NAACP has joined lawmakers and students urging the University of South Carolina to call off a Sept. 18 "roast" of Vice President Kamala Harris starring two leading far-right figures as "roastmasters." The event, advertised with what the Post and Courier calls a "vulgar misspelling" of Harris' name, will feature Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes and right-wing British commentator Milo Yiannopoulos. It was organized by the campus chapter of Uncensored America, which calls itself an organization "dedicated to fighting for freedom of speech."

In a letter to university president Michael Amiridis, the NAACP said it was calling for the roast to be shut down "because of the blatant sexist and racist nature of the event, the advertisement for it, and the potential for violence on campus because of the proposed event," the Hill reports.
The suspect in Wednesday morning's school shooting in Georgia is just 14 years old, officials say. Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey told reporters at an afternoon news conference that the teen student will be tried for murder as an adult, NBC News reports. He said the four people killed at Apalachee High School include two students and two teachers. At least nine other people were injured. Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said the teen surrendered when he was confronted by a school resource officer. "The shooter quickly realized that if he did not give up, that it would end with an OISan officer involved shooting," Smith said.

CNN reports that law enforcement officials say there was a phone threat to the school earlier in the day. The officials say the caller warned that there would be shooting at five schools and Apalachee would be the first. The high school is in Winder, around 50 miles from Atlanta.
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TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: editor@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrains Cabinet has approved a crucial memorandum for introducing regulations on the transfer and transplantation of human organs. The move, aimed at advancing healthcare and saving lives, was based on a memorandum from the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs.

This signifies Bahrains commitment to becoming a leader in organ transplantation legislation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

Way forward

MP Dr. Maryam Al Dhaen, who initially proposed this legislation in June last year, emphasized the importance of prompt action to establish a legal framework that supports organ donation.

Dr. Al Dhaen expressed her determination to push this vital issue forward in the upcoming parliamentary session, highlighting that clear legislation is essential for enhancing the countrys healthcare system and saving lives.

Talking about the need for a legislation to regulation organ donation in Bahrain, Dr. Al Dhaen stated, Organ transplantation in Bahrain is a vital step to save the lives of patients and instil hope in their souls.

There is no doubt that the existence of organized legislation will save many patients suffering from serious health conditions.

I am optimistic about the approval of the esteemed Cabinet of Ministers of a draft resolution aimed at issuing the executive regulations of the Decree-Law on the Transfer and Transplantation of Human Organs, which is expected to contribute to improving the health system.

Pointing out that reports indicate that a large number of patients in Bahrain require kidney and liver transplantations, the MP added that a right legislative foundation will result in significant reduction in waiting times, improve quality of life, and enable more patients to return to their normal lives.

Continuing reforms

Laws related to organ transplantation are witnessing continuous improvements, according to MP Maryam.

The government is keen for the Kingdom of Bahrain to be a pioneer in this field, and we look forward to accelerating legislative procedures, she said.

Further action

While action has been initiated, more needs to change to make organ donation a reality, says MP Maryam.

I believe that we urgently need to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation through effective awareness campaigns, work on enacting laws that keep pace with scientific progress in the medical fields, in addition to investing in the fields of medicine and biotechnology, and enhancing cooperation with the GCC countries to benefit from successful experiences in this field.

Through this, the Kingdom of Bahrain will have the opportunity to improve the lives of patients and reduce waiting lists for organ transplants, the MP stated.

She also highlighted the role the media can play in creating public awareness and cited the example of an Arabic newspaper that showcased numerous inspiring human stories related to organ donation.

Need of collaboration

By learning from the successes of advanced nations, Bahrain can establish a comprehensive system to support these critical medical procedures, ultimately easing the burden on the healthcare system, the MP noted.

She also highlighted the importance of collaboration with other GCC countries, pointing to successful legislative examples in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Dr. Al Dhaen expressed optimism that the draft law will be enacted swiftly, bringing tangible benefits to patients in Bahrain and solidifying the Kingdoms position as a regional leader in healthcare innovation.
AFP | Jakarta, Indonesia

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: editor@newsofbahrain.com

Pope Francis arrived in Muslim-majority Indonesia yesterday to kick off a four-nation tour of the Asia-Pacific that will be the longest and farthest of the 87-year-olds papacy.

The head of the worlds 1.3 billion Catholics touched down in capital Jakarta for a three-day visit devoted to inter-religious ties, and will then travel to Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.

The 12-day tour will test the pontiff s increasingly fragile health, but he is often energised by being among his flock and he emerged from the 13- hour flight smiling and waving.

I thank you for coming on this journey. I think it is the longest one (flight) I have done, he told reporters aboard his chartered plane after landing, according to an AFP journalist.

He disembarked in Jakarta in a wheelchair to an honour guard, greetings by Indonesian officials, including the religious affairs minister, and a traditional bouquet from two children.

The pontiff was then picked up from the red carpet by a civilian Toyota car, choosing a modest vehicle over one of luxury typically used by world leaders.

He had no official engagements scheduled Tuesday following the long flight from Rome, but the Vatican said he hosted a meeting with a group of orphans, migrants and homeless people at its Jakarta mission shortly after he arrived.
MONTREAL, Sept. 4, 2024 /CNW/ - Fitzrovia, Canada's largest developer of purpose-built rentals, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Le Smith and C-Lofts, two premium apartment buildings in downtown Montreal just steps from McGill University and Concordia University campuses. The company will deliver a multi-million-dollar capital improvement program across both buildings to bring the signature Fitzrovia rental experience to residents including upgraded amenities, hotel-quality hospitality, and enhanced property management.

Fitzrovias acquisition of Le Smith and C-Lofts adds over 700 premium rental suites to its growing portfolio in Montreal. (CNW Group/Fitzrovia) Transforming downtown Montreal: Fitzrovia's investment in Le Smith and C-Lofts will bring enhanced amenities and the companys award-winning customer service to residents. (CNW Group/Fitzrovia) Fitzrovia acquires Le Smith and C-Lofts, with plans for a multi-million-dollar capital improvement program to upgrade the communitys amenities and common spaces. (CNW Group/Fitzrovia)

"With record low vacancy rates and rising housing demands driven by immigration, young people entering the rental market and people seeking to downsize, Montreal needs more quality rental supply and we believe our award-winning rental operating approach is resonating in the city," said Adrian Rocca, CEO and Founder, Fitzrovia. "We are investing today to transform these buildings with carefully planned upgrades, including new world-class amenities and resident-focused programming, setting a new standard for rental living in the Montreal market."

Le Smith is a 24-storey building located at 2100 Rue de Bleury St. with 160 units and C-Lofts is a 22-storey building at 375 Rue de la Concorde St. with 157 units. Fitzrovia will also open its Montreal corporate office, a 12,000 square foot newly renovated space in the heart of downtown at 2001 Robert Bourassa Boulevard in early 2025. Designed by Fitzrovia's in-house VP of Design, Bahar Joshan Poosh, the expanded office will support Fitzrovia's growing team of Montreal-based employees to best serve local residents across its four rental communities, including Stanbrooke at Stanley and Sherbrooke and Maddox Dorchester at St. Mathieu and Rene-Levesque.

About Fitzrovia

Fitzrovia is Canada's largest developer of purpose-built rentals with over 8,800 units completed, acquired or under development in Toronto and Montreal. We deliver high quality rental supply to the housing market across the affordability spectrum, including our flagship Fitzrovia Collection communities, Maddox modern vintage communities and Waverley premier student accommodations. We distinguish ourselves through our vertically integrated operating model where we own and manage the full process from land acquisition through to design, construction, leasing and award-winning property and asset management. We put our residents first and relentlessly innovate to exceed their expectations with world-class hospitality, amenities, and customer service. Our vibrant rental communities inspire and connect our residents while delivering long-term cash flow and capital appreciation for our investment partners. As a proud Canadian company, we are consistently recognized as one of the Best Places to Work by The National Apartment Association. The future of rental living is here. Visit www.Fitzrovia.ca and follow @FitzroviaLife on Instagram.

SOURCE Fitzrovia

For media inquiries contact Ryan Funt, VP of Marketing at Fitzrovia, [email protected] and Michelle Kelly, [email protected]
Torrance, United States / California, September 4th, 2024, CyberNewsWire

AI SPERA, a leading Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) company, has achieved PCI DSS v4.0 certification for its flagship search engine solution, Criminal IP. This accomplishment builds on last years attainment of PCI DSS v3.2.1 (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) certification and marks a significant milestone in the companys ongoing efforts to enhance security, further solidifying its leadership in the global market.

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is an international information security standard established by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), which includes major global card brands. PCI DSS certification is a critical requirement in the financial industry for preventing credit card fraud and data breaches. Companies that earn this certification are verified as capable of securely managing customers payment information.

AI SPERAs newly acquired PCI DSS v4.0 certification represents the latest version of this standard, featuring enhanced security requirements that address emerging threats and technological advancements. Key assessment areas include maintaining secure networks and systems, protecting cardholder data, managing vulnerabilities and malware threats, enforcing strong access control measures, conducting regular monitoring and testing, and managing information security policies. Criminal IP has been rated at the highest level across all these criteria.

The CTO of AI SPERA stated, Achieving the highest level of PCI DSS v4.0 certification showcases our capabilities and commitment as a global security service provider. We will continue to prioritize protecting customer payment data while offering secure and trustworthy services.

About AI SPERA

AI SPERA, renowned for its advanced solutions, has expanded internationally, with Criminal IP as its flagship offering. Operating in more than 150 countries, Criminal IP is backed by enterprise-grade security solutions like Criminal IP ASM and Criminal IP FDS. Strategic partnerships with global leaders such as Cisco, VirusTotal, and Quad9 have significantly enhanced Criminal IPs capabilities. Recently, AI SPERAs Criminal IP has entered the marketplace of major US data warehousing platforms, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Snowflake, expanding its global reach for threat data.

Contact

Michael Sena

[email protected]


A North Buffalo manufacturing plant with over a century of history has a new owner.

Wieland Group has bought the Aurubis Buffalo copper facility from Aurubis AG. The deal closed Aug. 30 and was announced Wednesday. The sale price was not disclosed.

Germany-based Aurubis has owned and operated the Military Road plant since 2011. The facility has about 500 employees. About 360 of them are represented by United Steelworkers Local 593. The union declined to comment on the sale.

The Buffalo plant supplies customers with strip and sheet metal made from copper and copper alloys. Its output is used in everything from electrical products and electronic connectors, to heat exchangers and architectural products.

Wieland called its acquisition of the Buffalo plant a strategic fit.

This transaction is consistent with Wielands strategy to strengthen its North American footprint and expand capabilities and capacities for semi-finished products, Wieland said in a statement.

Wieland said it is also modernizing a rolled products facility in East Alton, Ill., and commissioning a recycling facility in Shelbyville, Ky.

Wieland did not respond to a request to comment on its plans for the Buffalo plant.

For Aurubis, selling the Buffalo plant was part of a strategic shift that the company had signaled several years ago.

Aurubis will be concentrating even more strongly on primary copper production, recycling and the multimetal portfolio of its smelter network, said Meino Hauschild, a company spokesman. With the sale of the Buffalo site, we continue to reduce the scope and complexity of its flat rolled product area.

Dustin Snyder, who previously served as vice president of human resources at the Aurubis Buffalo plant, and then president of its U.S. manufacturing division, said he viewed the sale as a positive development for the Buffalo site.

Aurubis primary business is recycling, so the strategic future for the manufacturing side of things really wasnt certain, said Snyder, who is now managing director of Wayforward, a human resources consulting firm. Wieland is much more invested in the manufacturing side of the metals business, especially in North America.

Snyder said the Buffalo plant is a vital source of jobs and production.

Theres a bunch of really brilliant, talented people working at the Buffalo plant, he said. I think this (sale) has a tremendous impact from a jobs and workforce standpoint, keeping skilled manufacturing and engineering here in Buffalo.

Its impact extends beyond the Buffalo area, he said. The product lines coming out of the Buffalo plant are so diverse and so important to a lot of critical industries that the ripple effect is staggering, both here and across the U.S.

Wieland, which is also based in Germany, tried to acquire the Buffalo plant before.

In 2018, Wieland appeared on track to buy Aurubis flat-rolled products division, including the Buffalo plant. But the following year, European regulators scuttled the deal, citing concerns about reduced competition and the impact on the prices of copper products used by European manufacturers.

The Buffalo manufacturing operation traces its origins to 1907, and has endured a number of ownership changes. For a long time, the plant was known as American Brass. It has also operated at different points under the ownership of Atlantic Richfield, Outokumpu and Nordic Capital. Local investors owned the plant during part of the 1980s.

State Sen. Sean Ryan, D-Buffalo, said he was pleased to see the company acquiring the Buffalo plant is in the metals industry  rather than an investment firm without a background in the industry  and seems financially strong.

Hopefully we will continue the cycle of investment rather than just profit taking from that plant as it is an important part of our economy, Ryan said.

 Matt Glynn
Residents in several southern New Jersey towns reported detecting various foul smells on Tuesday night, though the cause may have been linked to routine mosquito spraying in a neighboring county.

Some residents said on social media the smell was chemical-like while others said the scent was citrus in nature and others across the Delaware River in Philadelphia complained their neighborhood smelled like cat urine. Some posted photos of a plane flying low and spraying chemicals as the possible culprit.

A foul odor has been reported in areas of Clementon and the surrounding communities, officials in Clementon, Camden County posted on social media on Tuesday night. It is confirmed that the odor is traveling from Hammonton, Atlantic County. A short time ago officials conducted mosquito spraying like we do in our area as well. Please know that although the odor is foul it is deemed safe at this time.

Atlantic County officials said aerial spraying was conducted in Hammonton from 6 to 9 p.m. using Fyfanon as part of an ongoing effort to control the areas mosquito population, but there was nothing unusual about the flight. Fyfanon is the trade name for Malathion, an artificial insecticide with a low odor, according to the products maker and government officials.

No issues related to last nights spray in Hammonton, an Atlantic County spokeswoman said in an email Wednesday morning.

Police in Winslow Township in Camden County also reported numerous calls to complain about the smell and warned that additional spraying is scheduled for early Thursday in Winslow and Waterford.

We were inundated with calls about the odor last night which originated in Hammonton and want to direct all calls and questions in regard to upcoming mosquito spraying to the Camden County Mosquito Control Commission, Winslow police said.

Officials in Gloucester Township in Camden County mentioned a chemical smell resulting from crop dusting incident in a post on X, formerly Twitter, but then quickly deleted the information.

Police in Hammonton and Gloucester Township couldnt immediately be reached Wednesday morning.
Two years to the day after he was shot dead by Englewood police, the mother of Bernard Placide, Jr. gathered with civil rights leaders at his grave in Paramus on Monday to demand justice for her son  and press for change in the way New Jersey police respond to 911 calls involving emotionally-disturbed persons.

Placides mother, Myrlene Laurince, laid fresh flowers on her sons grave, then turned to the small gathering and asked the question that has been haunting her for two years.
Cape May County and 16 towns say the writing on the wall  when it comes to what rising seas will mean for construction at the Jersey Shore  should not call for new drastic development regulations.

A set of mandates, called the Resilient Environments and Landscapes or REAL rules, are currently open to public comments and on track to take effect later this year. The rules, which are based on Rutgers University sea level rise projections for the coming decades up to 2100, require new structures to be built 5 feet above existing FEMA flood elevation levels.
As the calendar flips to September, Nancy Patterson plans a birthday party for New Jerseys second-oldest lighthouse, situated where the Maurice River meets the Delaware Bay.

This year, instead of preparing to welcome hundreds of visitors to the East Point Lighthouse, Patterson is uncertain the building will be open for sightseers past the end of the week, saying a lease agreement to use the historic lighthouse appears to be ending with little chance for renewal.

Patterson, president of the Maurice River Historical Society, which has been the lighthouses caretaker for about 50 years, told NJ Advance Media the organization is poised to lose access to the lighthouse on Friday.

An agreement with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, which has been incrementally extended in recent years, is now coming to an end, Patterson said. Volunteers have gradually left the nonprofit while the fate of the agreement remains in limbo, she said.

Theyre trying to kill us slowly, Patterson said days before the group anticipated losing access to the lighthouse on Friday.

A spokesperson for the DEP was but did not immediately return a request for comment from NJ Advance Media.

At the base of the Heislerville Wildlife Management Area, with field lengths of marshes, the East Point Lighthouse has been actively warning ships of the shoreline with a restored beacon beginning in 1980. Its listed on both New Jersey and the U.S. registers of historic places. Because the lighthouse sits in a wildlife management area, the DEP controls the lighthouse, allowing the nonprofit historic society to operate it under an agreement.

Historical records date the lighthouses beginnings to 1849, on land known then as Haystack Island. Designed by Alexander Parris, a pair of local brick-laying brothers built the Cape Cod-style structure. Its tower light became still by 1941, and New Jersey assumed the building by the 1950s.

The historical society saved the building from demolition in the 1970s. Through its stewardship, the society led a $650,000 restoration completed in 2017, helping secure funding from the New Jersey Historic Trust Fund and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Starting with what Patterson described as a fading shell of a building, the nonprofit she leads restored the lighthouse to its former glory, operating it for about 50 years.

East Point Lighthouse in Heislerville Wildlife Management Area.Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media

The lighthouses conservation also includes moves in recent years to defend the building from encroaching seawater. The barrier between the water and the lighthouse has noticeably washed away from repeated storms over about 80 years, bringing the bay ever closer to the lighthouse grounds.

This would be at least the second time the historical society has been left with no choice but to close the lighthouse to visitors. Negotiations between state officials in 2021 led to an interim lease agreement, reopening the lighthouse to visitors after it had been briefly shut down.

Local state and federal legislators have, in the past, helped mediate talks between the state DEP and the historical society, Patterson said, citing U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd Dist., and State Sen. Michael Testa, R-Cumberland.

The East Point Lighthouse is a beloved community institution that we must save, Van Drew said in a statement to NJ Advance Media. The NJDEP trying to close the lighthouse on the day before its anniversary celebration is cruel and unacceptable. I have reached out to them again and requested that the state extend the current license while we continue to work towards resolution on a long-term lease.

The historical society has been readying the lighthouse to celebrate its 175th anniversary next week. The public and dignitaries alike attend the event, enjoying the grounds while touring the building and its museum.

I cant even order a cake, Patterson said.

The light houses value to South Jersey, particularly Cumberland County, is priceless, in part because it is the last remaining land-based lighthouse on the Delaware Bay, Patterson said. It marks the shoreline for boats sailing at night, and hosts special events, including the Butterfly Festival, a yearly event with family-friendly activities.

Its successful, Patterson said. We have visitors coming from all over the country and all over the state. Its really important for Cumberland County, especially in an area thats very, very depressed.

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Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
Three Ocean County men have been indicted for their alleged roles in a multi-million-dollar mortgage fraud scheme, and were accused of fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 economic disaster loans, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Tuesday.

Arthur Spitzer, 37, of Toms River was charged with eight counts of wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, one count of bank and wire fraud conspiracy, two counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of lying to a bank and 12 counts of money laundering, Sellingers office said.

Investigators said Spitzer orchestrated a scheme to take mortgages out on properties in New Jersey and Brooklyn, New York that he did not own and that did not have existing mortgages, or had low mortgages relative to their market value.
Labor Day has come and gone, which means two things: Kids are back at school, and opposition research is dropping. And in the North Carolina governors race, things are getting ugly fast.

In just 24 hours, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson, an extremist who has been heartily endorsed by Donald Trump, is facing allegations that he was a regular at video porn shops in the 1990s and 2000s, and that his wife tried to stiff the Girl Scouts out of $3,000 worth of cookies.

This, already on top of allegations that, while acting as a middle man for schools trying to get funding to provide lunches, Robinsons charity allegedly skimmed at least some of that cash.

As part of his campaign, Robinson  who has been called MAGAs Great Black Hope  has crusaded to remove what he considers pornography  references to the LGBTQ community  from school and public libraries because, he says, it grooms and indoctrinates youngsters.

Robinson, the current Lt. Governor, also has said that some folks need killing, particularly liberals.

In most polls, Robinson trails Democratic candidate Josh Stein leads by 6-10 points, and GOP analysts are concerned that Robinsons poor showing could put the state in play for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. And now, the polling could get even worse for Robinson.

In a report published on Tuesday, five men who worked at or patronized a pair of 24-hour video-pornography stores in Greensboro  Gents Video & News and and I-40 Video & News  told the North Carolina Assembly that Robinson would frequently visit the shop after working for a nearby pizza shop.

Louis Money, a former employee who insisted he had no political agenda, said Robinson would often purchase two or more previews, which consisted of a viewing in a private booth, over the course of a night. He also purchased hundreds of bootleg porn videos that Money sold, he said. Most were just straight American porn, he said.

And I dont trust anybody that doesnt like good old American porn, Money said. He should be judged on everything else, but he should not be judged for this.

While Robinson has demanded that books containing LGBTQ references be banned, Money said Robinson had a different take years ago: I know he might have problems with gay people, but I dont think he has problems with lesbians, Money said.

But that wasnt the only scandal to hit Robinson on Tuesday.

Notesfromthechalkboard.com reports:

According to public records obtained from Guilford County Court, the wife of Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson was sued by Tarheel Triad Girl Scouts over money owed in Guilford County Small Claims Court in 2003  and the Girl Scouts won.

In September of 2003, the Girl Scouts filed suit against Yolanda Hill due to a $2,956.03 bad check. The matter was heard the following month, and court documents indicate nobody attended on behalf of the defendant. The magistrate found in favor of the Girl Scouts and tacked on fees and damages as permitted by state law on returned checks for a grand total of $3,486.03.

Robinson and Hill had to pay the Girl Scouts attorney fees as well.

At a campaign stop on Tuesday, Robinson refused to answer questions about either scandal, and his campaign has denied the porn shop allegations.

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ARLINGTON, Texas  Aaron Boone predicted the Yankees might get creative on how they set up their rotation when two injured starters return this weekend, and thats what theyre doing.

Instead of demoting someone to the bullpen, the Yankees plan to piggyback Nestor Cortes with one of the returning starters this weekend, either Luis Gil on Friday or Clarke Schmidt on Saturday, and then give the left-hander another start next week when hey go with six starters for a turn.

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Cortes still could end up in the bullpen in the final two weeks of the regular season if the Yankees stick with their plan to go back to five starters.

Of course I want to start because Im a starter, but at the end of the day, whatever gives us the best chance to win, Cortes told NJ Advance Media. However they line it up, Im going to accept it.

His next start will be at Yankee Stadium against the Red Sox, probably next Thursday or Friday in the first or second game of a four-game series.

Cortes is 8-10 with a 4.09 ERA in 28 starts with a team-high 159 innings. He allowed one run over 20.2 innings in a stretch of three starts before allowing five runs over four innings in a loss to the Cardinals last Sunday in the Bronx.

The Yankees announced their decision Tuesday after Cortes and Gil were informed of the plan in a pre-game meeting.

This weekend, Gil (12-6, 3.39 ERA, 24 starts) is returning after being sidelined since Aug. 21 with a lower back strain and Schmidt (5-3, 2.52 ERA, 11 starts) is rejoining the Yankees after being sidelined since May 27 with a right lat strain.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Cloudy this morning with showers during the afternoon. High 58F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 38F. Winds light and variable.
Common Council members voted Tuesday to override Mayor Byron Browns veto of legislation that changes the annual deadlines for the city budget.

The lawmakers voted 7-2 to override the mayors veto, with Council President Christopher Scanlon and North District Council Member Joseph Golembek Jr. voting no.

The Council in July voted 8-1 to amend the City Charter by requiring the mayor to submit his proposed budget to the Council on April 8, nearly a month earlier than the existing May 1 deadline. It also voted to set the deadline for the Council to approve the city budget to May 26, four days later than the existing deadline.

Brown vetoed those amendments to the charter in a message he sent to the Council on Aug. 30.

In his letter, Brown said it would be difficult to present an accurate budget by April 8 because the State Legislature often misses its April 1 deadline for passing a state budget, which includes millions of dollars in funds for the city.

Without knowing how much state aid Buffalo will receive, the citys mayors will have a difficult time making accurate funding projections in the mayors proposed budget, Brown said.

Council members changed the deadlines after criticizing the Brown administration for not sharing enough fiscal information with the Council this year before Brown proposed a 9% increase in the tax levy in his budget.
Chef of Steel: Chris Pappas

Title: Chef/owner of Provecho in Crown Point

Location: 110 S. Main St., Crown Point, IN 46307

Age: 34

Its no wonder Chris Pappas is so dangerous in the kitchen. He was trained by the CIA.

That is, of course, the Culinary Institute of America. Pappas studied at the Institutes Hudson Valley campus in Hyde Park, NY, did externships in the Bay Area and returned to NWI to take over the family restaurant business.

Now hes the executive chef and owner of Provecho Latin Provisions, one of the most exciting restaurants on Crown Point's historic downtown square.

The wheels were already turning when photographer John Watkins and I visited Pappas in Provechos kitchen.

These wheels, visually striking and visible from the dining area, are part of an impressive and exquisite Argentinian wood-smoked grill. Pappas turns the mechanism to raise and lower the grill grates, depending on the desired level of heat.

Pappas, fascinated by regional food histories and cooking styles, suggested that a lot of the more familiar menu items on Provechos shareable menu  say, habanero guacamole or short rib tacos  are designed to allow diners to ease into the more expansive offerings.

Many people come in and have no idea what to expect, Pappas said. You can lure them in with a familiar ingredient.

For example, Pappas suggested, a diner might be unfamiliar with tamales, but theyll see it has pork or beef and so are willing to give it a try. When they end up enjoying it  Pappas is quite confident of this  something special happens.

My favorite thing as a chef is to give that person their first experience (of a dish), Pappas said. Youre expanding their palate, their ideas (about food).

It didnt take much to lure me into expanding my own palate. The afternoon we visited Provecho, it was freshly prepped Spanish octopus going over the fire.

Its Pappas favorite thing to eat on the menu, and Provechos octopus is accompanied by rainbow fingerling potatoes, grilled zucchini and a mix of sauces including a base of almond and tomato picada, and salsa de molcajete made with saffron olive oil, garlic, parsley and cilantro.

I was turned off octopus, semi-permanently, trying some for the first time a little over 10 years ago, at a counter-service restaurant in Sydney, Australia that was something of a tourist trap. The sauce couldnt overcome the sense that I was chewing on a rubbery octopus toy.

The meal Pappas prepared was definitely not that. He made a believer out of me. The tentacle meat, marinated in mojo de ajo, had a nice char and was firm but tender, almost like swordfish. Definitely not rubbery, and the juices from the grilled lemons on the plate were definitely worth the squeeze.

The key to grilling good octopus, Pappas explained, is not to rush it. Provechos octopi go through a steady process to become plate ready. The meat is first braised, low and slow, for at least 45 minutes.

Its ready when you take a tentacle and youre able to push through with just your two fingers, Pappas said.

When its ready to be grilled, the octopus  and all meat at Provecho  gets a circulating hot water bath to help jumpstart the cooking process.

And then it hits the fire, powered by cherry and oak wood.

Pappas, who has travelled extensively throughout Latin America, said he loves seeing how similar ingredients, such as plantains, are used in different countries. Often cool things happen with geography, depending on how mountainous a country is, whether its landlocked or has a lush coast.

I really enjoy the history of it, Pappas said. Rice, beans, salsa: those three ingredients never existed before (the Columbian era). Latin America would never be the way it is without (the cultural and historic influence of) food.

And thanks to chefs like Pappas, the food landscape of Crown Point and NWI will never be the same again.

Pappas On Cutting His (Pork?) Chops in California: I got an opportunity to work with Alice Waters at Chez Panisse in Berkeley. I basically held off going back to school, I ended up loving it so much. I was there unpaid for a year, worked some side gigs to cover room and board. I lived across from the restaurant in a room inside an old womans house.

Pappas Favorite Food Country: Belize. But Pappas says hes travelled all over Latin America, including throughout Mexico. He next plans to visit Costa Rica later this year.

Pappas On Being Part of Crown Points Fine Dining Renaissance: A few years ago there was nothing here. It was fun to be part of a new movement, the transition of the square. Its rewarding to have a restaurant where I was born and raised. There were some growing pains. But Crown Point is a great place to have a business and to raise a family. The downtown area is attracting a lot of people to move to NWI.

Pappas Other Projects: Pappas runs three restaurants, a food truck, and a catering company under the umbrella of the Meraki Hospitality Group.

When Pappas returned to Crown Point with his CIA degree, he took over his fathers Crown Point restaurant, Pappas Restaurant and Bar, which was originally founded in 1971.

After opening Provecho, Pappas also created a more casual Japanese noodle cafe, Ramen District, which is housed inside the historic Crown Point courthouse, smack dab in the middle of the square.

Pappas catering business now does all the caterings, including weddings, inside the historic Crown Point courthouse.

Over the past 10 years, Pappas company has grown from 30 to over 250 employees. While Pappas said his moving further and further away from the kitchen itself is not ideal, he loves his staff and is proud to have created a sustainable enterprise amid the often volatile restaurant scene.

There can be chaos, Pappas said of the culinary world, but there can also be fun times.
LAKE STATION  A local resident and his pets died Tuesday in a house fire in the 3500 block of California Street, according to Fire Chief Chuck Fazekas.

The identity of the man has not yet been released, but the Lake County Coroner's Office said an autopsy is planned for Wednesday.

Unconscious driver strikes, kills bicyclist in Porter County, cops say The 54-year-old Florida man was northbound on Ind. 49 when around 7:30 a.m. he experienced a health issue, turned eastbound on Porter Avenue and lost consciousness, according to Chesterton police.

Firefighters were called to a single-family home around 5 a.m. Tuesday, Fazekas said.

A male resident of the address died, as well as dogs and cats, he said.

Area firefighter dies, remembered as 'first to offer a helping hand' "His untimely passing leaves a significant void at Morgan Fire and within the community he faithfully served," according to a statement from the department.

"We are committed to thoroughly investigating the cause of the fire to prevent future tragedies," the department reported.

Firefighters from Hobart and New Chicago reportedly helped battle the blaze.

"Please keep the affected family in your thoughts and prayers," the Hobart department asked.

The worker shortage isn't over. Here are the states where it's most acute. The worker shortage isn't over. Here are the states where it's most acute. A shortage that's slowly improving Industries where finding workers is hardest States with the largest labor shortages
VALPARAISO  During an online conversation with a convicted sex offender, a Portage girl informed the man she was not 14, but actually just 12, according to Portage police.

"You're still okay with me then?" she asked.

"Of course," he wrote back, going on that he would be fine if she was much younger. "It's actually better."

Man, pets die in Region house fire, department reports "We are committed to thoroughly investigating the cause of the fire to prevent future tragedies," the department reported.

Police say that man was Daniel Roberts, of Indianapolis, who was booked Tuesday into the Porter County Jail and is charged with three counts of vicarious sexual gratification, eight counts of child solicitation and four counts of possessing child pornography.

The allegations stem back to October when the then-12-year-old girl reported to a school counselor about having sex with an adult male, according to a charging document.

She reportedly told investigators she had been chatting with the man, later determined to be Roberts, on the messaging app Snapchat. Police said they found sexually explicit videos, photographs and conversation saved on the app between the girl and Roberts.

The girl reportedly informed Roberts on July 31, 2023 that she was 14 and he proceeded with a sexual conversation.

Unconscious driver strikes, kills bicyclist in Porter County, cops say The 54-year-old Florida man was northbound on Ind. 49 when around 7:30 a.m. he experienced a health issue, turned eastbound on Porter Avenue and lost consciousness, according to Chesterton police.

"Do you like dirty talking about our ages?" he allegedly asked.

Roberts goes on to repeatedly ask the girl to send photos of herself performing sexual acts, which she does, according to police.

When asked by Roberts why she claimed to be 14 rather than her actual age of 12, the girl replied, "Most guys I've talked to wouldn't go under 13."

"I'd go way under 13," Roberts allegedly responded.

Area firefighter dies, remembered as 'first to offer a helping hand' "His untimely passing leaves a significant void at Morgan Fire and within the community he faithfully served," according to a statement from the department.

The sexual conversations continued through October, according to police.

Investigators used Roberts' Snapchat information and other Facebook photos to identify him. They said they also learned he had an active warrant for a probation violation out of Colorado stemming from a 2019 conviction involving charges of sexual exploitation of a minor via telecom internet and sexual assault involving a child.

The case is pending before Porter Superior Court Judge Mike Fish.
The prosecution of a New Mexico man charged in a string of killings that shook Albuquerques Muslim community moved toward a conclusion on Tuesday, even as questions about his motive appeared likely to remain unanswered.

Accused of murdering three men in 2022, the man, Muhammad Syed, was convicted of first-degree murder earlier this year in one of the killings, and on Tuesday morning in an Albuquerque courtroom, he pleaded no contest to second-degree murder charges in the other two deaths.

The three victims were all Muslims, and initially, the killings were feared to be anti-Muslim. But Mr. Syed is also Muslim, and his arrest led to speculation that the killings might have been connected to a sectarian dispute between Sunni and Shiite Muslims.

Neither his trial earlier this year nor the plea agreement on Tuesday has shed light on what the motive was. By pleading no contest, Mr. Syed chose to forgo another trial, while neither admitting nor denying guilt.
A 30-year-old Chicago man has been charged with murder in the deaths of four passengers who were fatally shot on Monday as they slept on an L train in the suburb of Forest Park, Ill., the authorities said on Tuesday.

The man, identified by the police as Rhanni S. Davis, faces four counts of first-degree murder, said Deputy Chief Christopher Chin of the Forest Park Police Department.

This wasnt a robbery. It didnt appear that he was in a fight with anybody else, Mr. Chin said in an interview on Tuesday. This was a random act of violence. He shot and killed four victims when literally they were sleeping on the train.

On Tuesday evening, Kim Foxx, the top prosecutor in Cook County, which includes Chicago and Forest Park, decried the shooting as inexplicable as she announced charges in the case.
A deputy constable in Houston was killed on his way to work early Tuesday afternoon when a man walked up to his car at an intersection, shot the deputy multiple times and fled, the police said.

The shooting happened around 12:35 p.m. in the western part of the city, the police said at a news briefing.

Before shooting the deputy, the attacker had gotten out of a car, which he used to flee, said Noe Diaz, chief of the Houston Police Department.

The deputy, Maher Husseini, who was driving a vehicle that was not a patrol car when he was shot, was taken to Ben Taub Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
As soon as Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was permitted to speak out publicly under Supreme Court tradition, she delivered the keynote address from the pulpit of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. It was September 2023, the 60th anniversary of the Ku Klux Klan bombing that killed four young Black girls as they arrived for Sunday morning services.

I was a little Black girl at one point, Justice Jackson said in an interview on Tuesday. And I just really felt very strongly that I should be a part of that event and use whatever platform I have to bring attention to it and to the court.

This week, Justice Jackson is speaking out again with the publication of her new book, Lovely One, which traces her childhood from Miami to Harvard  where she performed as a scene partner in drama class with Matt Damon  and ultimately to the Supreme Court. She began writing the memoir, for which she received a $3 million book deal, almost immediately after joining the Supreme Court two years ago.

I wanted to take a moment before launching into that journey, this new chapter of my life, I wanted to look back, she said in an interview. Seated at the far end of a conference table in the offices of Random House, her publisher, the justice, in cat-eye glasses and a teal blazer, described the process of publishing the book as being shot out of a cannon.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday turned down a request from Oklahoma to restore millions in federal family-planning grants that the Biden administration withheld after the state announced that it would no longer provide access to abortion counseling services.

Oklahoma had sought emergency relief after a divided three-judge panel of an appeals court in July temporarily paused the funding as a lower-court dispute played out over whether state officials could refuse to refer pregnant women to counseling services that presented abortion as an option.

The courts brief, unsigned order gave no reasons, as is common when it acts on emergency applications. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Neil M. Gorsuch dissented, saying they would have reinstated the grants.

The case was the latest instance in which the justices have addressed a dispute over restrictions on abortion after they overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Since then, 22 states, including Oklahoma, have either banned or limited access to the procedure.
Jimmy McCain, a son of the Vietnam War P.O.W. and longtime Republican senator John McCain, said Tuesday that the campaign of former President Donald J. Trump had committed a violation of a sacred place when it clashed with an official at Arlington National Cemetery.

Mr. McCain, a first lieutenant in the Arizona National Guard, told The New York Times that he was very shocked by the confrontation at the cemetery last week, saying it could be an extremely triggering event for the families of service members buried there.

Arlington National Cemetery is a very sacred place for not only veterans, but for their families, Mr. McCain said. He added, Its very hallowed, sacred ground, and it should be left that way.

The altercation occurred during a visit by Mr. Trump for a wreath-laying ceremony honoring 13 U.S. troops killed in the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Federal law prohibits taking photographs or filming for political purposes in that part of the cemetery, and the Armys public affairs office defended a cemetery official who it said was pushed by a member of Mr. Trumps staff after trying to prevent the campaign from filming in the restricted area.
Ugandas top opposition figure, Bobi Wine, was shot in the leg by the police on Tuesday, his political party said, calling it an escalation of a government campaign of intimidation against a prominent critic who challenged the countrys autocratic leader in a run for the presidency in 2021.

It was not immediately clear whether a bullet or a tear-gas canister was the projectile that had hit Mr. Wines leg, Mr. Wines international lawyer, Bruce Afran, said in a phone interview. Mr. Afran said that Mr. Wines wound does not appear to be life-threatening and that he was receiving treatment at a hospital in the capital, Kampala.

Mr. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, rose to prominence in recent years to become the leading challenger to the government of President Yoweri Museveni, a key Western ally who has won six terms in office in elections often marred by allegations of fraud and rigging.

Mr. Wine, 42, a musician-turned-lawmaker and the subject of an Oscar-nominated documentary, The Peoples President, challenged Mr. Museveni, 79, for the presidency in the most recent national elections, three years ago. During the campaign, Mr. Wine was repeatedly beaten and detained, and security forces surrounded his house as the results trickled in.
Nearly 61 years ago, Dale Carpenter Sr. showed up on Lemmon Avenue in Dallas, hoping to film John F. Kennedy as his motorcade passed. But the presidents car had already gone by, and he recorded only some of the procession, including the back of a car carrying Lyndon Johnson and the side of the White House press bus.

So Mr. Carpenter, a businessman from Texas, rushed to Stemmons Freeway, several miles farther along the motorcade route, to try again.

There, just moments after Kennedy had been shot, he captured an urgent and chaotic scene. The presidents speeding convertible. A Secret Service agent in a dark suit sprawled on the back. Jacqueline Kennedy, in her pink Chanel outfit, little more than a blur.
Its a familiar lineup for this seasons Dancing With the Stars.

There are the athletes: the former N.F.L. receiver Danny Amendola and the Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik. There are the reality TV stars: Jenn Tran of The Bachelorette and a Real Housewives cast member, Phaedra Parks. There are the actors whose stars have dimmed: Eric Roberts and Tori Spelling.

But there is also an eye-opening choice: Anna Sorokin, the fake heiress convicted of larceny and theft who was announced along with the rest of the cast for season 33 of the show on Good Morning America on Wednesday. The season starts Sept. 17.

Sorokin masqueraded as Anna Delvey, claiming to be a wealthy German heiress, and she used that identity to con people in New York City society out of large sums of money, a jury found. She was sentenced to four to 12 years in prison in 2019 and released in 2022.

Id be lying to you and to everyone else and to myself if I said I was sorry for anything, she told The New York Times in 2019.
Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous nights highlights that lets you sleep  and lets us get paid to watch comedy. Here are the 50 best movies on Netflix right now.

Almost Half

Nine weeks before Election Day, late-night hosts on Tuesday celebrated Kamala Harriss lead in the polls.

Forty-eight percent, Stephen Colbert said, referring to a recent USA Today survey in which Harris led Donald Trump, 48 percent to 43 percent. That really restores my faith in almost half of humanity.
For nearly 20 years, Franklin Leonard has made it his mission to help undiscovered writers find an audience.

In 2005, he started the Black List  an annual survey of Hollywoods best unproduced screenplays. Over the years, the Black List evolved to include a website that has hosted tens of thousands of scripts, TV pilots and plays, and became an indispensable tool for studios and producers. More than 400 screenplays that landed on the Black Lists annual survey have been produced, including acclaimed films like Spotlight, Slumdog Millionaire and The Kings Speech.

Now, Leonard is tackling another industry in which writers struggle, and mostly fail, to break through: publishing. He's adding novel manuscripts to the Black List, aiming to crack the perennial problem of the slush pile.

Aspiring novelists can now post manuscripts on the Black List, where they can potentially get discovered by the literary agents, editors and publishers who subscribe to the site.
Zelensky plans a major reshuffle of Ukraines government

Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky, laid out plans for the broadest reshuffling of his cabinet since the war began two years ago. The countrys foreign minister was one of half a dozen senior officials who offered their resignation yesterday, and a new list of minsters is expected today.

Zelenskys overhaul comes at a precarious moment in the war. Russian attacks across Ukraine have increased, killing dozens over the past week. And Ukrainian forces are still trying to maintain control of territory that they have seized in western Russia now that their incursion into the Kursk region has slowed.

His announcement did not appear to signal fundamental shifts in domestic or foreign policy, but may suggest hes planning for a new phase of the war, some analysts say. But some critics are worried that such changes could further concentrate power in Zelenskys office, depending on who is named to fill the posts.
A website called Savannah Time describes itself as your trusted source for conservative news and perspectives in the vibrant city of Savannah. Another site, NioThinker, wants to be your go-to destination for insightful, progressive news. The online outlet Westland Sun appears to cater to Muslims in suburban Detroit.

None are what they appear to be. Instead, they are part of what American officials and tech company analysts say is an intensifying campaign by Iran to sway this years American presidential election.

Iran has long carried out clandestine information operations against its adversaries, especially Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United States, but until now most of its activities were conducted under the shadow of similar campaigns by Russia and China. Its latest propaganda and disinformation efforts have grown more brazen, more varied and more ambitious, according to the U.S. government, company officials and Iran experts.

Irans efforts appear intended to undermine former President Donald J. Trumps campaign to return to the White House, according to the officials and companies, but they have also targeted President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, suggesting a wider goal of sowing internal discord and discrediting the democratic system in the United States more broadly in the eyes of the world.
TikTok is pushing to improve information about the upcoming U.S. presidential election on the app, it said Wednesday.

The company will expand a landing page on how elections work and why they can be trusted and run new in-feed videos about media literacy. It will also increase security requirements for verified accounts from politicians and governments in the United States. Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald J. Trump and their vice-presidential nominees each have TikTok accounts as of two weeks ago, a sharp pivot from last year, when the vast majority of American politicians were avoiding the app.
Shares of former President Donald J. Trumps social media company have fallen so much that his onetime $6 billion stake is now worth about $2 billion.

The stock price of Trump Media & Technology Group, closed Wednesday at $16.98, and is down more than 74 percent from the high-water mark it hit after Trump Medias merger in March with a publicly traded shell company.

Mr. Trump is the single largest shareholder of Trump Media, the parent company of Truth Social, owning 115 million shares  a roughly 60 percent stake.

The slide in the share price has accelerated over the past few weeks as the presidential campaign has heated up and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, has narrowly overtaken Mr. Trump in most national polls. Shares of Trump Media often have risen and fallen in tandem with investor perception of how Mr. Trump is doing in the presidential race.
An American tourist was visiting an ice cave in one of Europes largest national parks last month when a frozen arch collapsed, killing him and injuring his girlfriend.

While the accident in Iceland cannot be directly linked to climate change, experts say that, as temperatures increase, the recession and disappearance of glaciers has popularized a new form of adventure travel called last chance tourism.

As more people rush to see glaciers before they melt, places like Iceland have benefited from a booming tourism economy. Half a million people now visit Iceland for glacier tours every year, according to Elin Sigurveig Sigurdardottir, chief of operations for Icelandic Mountain Guides, an agency that leads trips on a separate glacier within Vatnajokull National Park, where the accident took place.

The American couple was on a tour at the foot of the Breidamerkurjokull glacier, which has ice caves, formed from meltwater, known for their brilliant blue walls. Theyre most accessible at the base of glaciers, which are massive frozen rivers of compressed ice and snow that creep slowly down mountain slopes.
Are you obsessed with polls about the presidential race? Or are you fed up with polls about the presidential race?

Either way, this story is about a somewhat different poll, one short on pollsterisms like cross-tabulation and margin of error. It comes from a store selling plastic drinking cups with the names of the major-party candidates.
On a steamy weekend in June, I went to St. Petersburg to report on the race for Congress in Floridas 13th Congressional District. In a heavily gerrymandered and polarized country, its one of the few congressional races that the nonpartisan Cook Political Report highlighted as even vaguely competitive. They described the race as likely Republican, as Republicans typically receive six more points of the vote share than Democrats.

The district, which the first-term congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna represents, includes part of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County, and while the city of St. Pete is quite blue  I was there in the middle of a vibrant Pride Week  the surrounding county is much redder.

I was curious about the race because the front-runner in the Democratic primary at the time, Whitney Fox, is a perfect foil for Representative Luna. Theyre both in their 30s, telegenic, married mothers of young children, both raised by single mothers.

Ms. Luna has supported some family-friendly legislation, including proxy voting for new moms in Congress and an I.V.F. bill that would make states ineligible for federal block grant funding if they banned the procedure. When I spoke to Ms. Fox in St. Petersburg ahead of the August primary, she was sharply critical of Ms. Lunas legislation. It has no substance and its not going to go anywhere, Ms. Fox said, spicy while still smiling, and mentioning that Ms. Luna took her name off a broader bipartisan I.V.F. bill before presenting her own. Thats what most of her bills do. Shell say that shes for women and for families and for mothers. But when you actually read what policy shes putting forward or fighting for, its not supportive.
Its Nov. 6, 2024, the morning after Election Day.

To understand Kamala Harriss narrow victory over Donald Trump, you have to think about Marie Kondo, the Japanese style guru famous for her ruthless minimalism, whose prescription for a cluttered home is to remove any object that doesnt immediately spark joy.

The progressivism that infuses the contemporary Democratic Party can be a cluttered, claustrophobic worldview. In its Trump- and Biden-era form, it doesnt just include a large array of interest groups, each making their own policy demands. It argues that all of these demands must be accepted and acted on together, that theres an underlying philosophical or even creedal unity (In this house, we believe ), a seamless garment that cant be divided up. Everything is intersectional, and you cant just pick and choose: Climate justice is reproductive justice is antiracism; trans rights are womens rights are Indigenous rights; if you stand with migrants, you also have to stand with teachers unions and vice versa.

This cluttered sensibility  a variation on what my colleague Ezra Klein once dubbed the everything bagel spirit in liberal governance  hasnt prevented progressivism from becoming the most powerful ideology in American life. Even with the wilder forms of wokeness in partial retreat, progressive ideas still pervade the nations cultural institutions to such a degree that you can wander from an Ivy League faculty lounge to a corporate human resources department to a Hollywood gathering to a magazine editorial meeting and feel as though you inhabit a single-party state.
To the Editor:

Re In Catholicism, Vance Adopts a Resistance (front page, Aug. 25):

As a Catholic intellectual and professional historian whose politics bears no resemblance to that of JD Vance, I write to correct any impression readers might have about an intrinsic connection or even defensible affinity between Roman Catholicism and Trumpism.

Donald Trumps narcissism, insults, conception of masculinity and denigration of non-loyalists are the antithesis of the self-denial and service to others at the heart of the Gospel. His attacks on immigrants fly in the face of the biblical imperative to welcome the stranger. His mendacity mocks any commitment to truth.

Its sad that Mr. Vance, a recent convert to Catholicism, has agreed to be the running mate of this Frankenstein monster of the vices. There are plenty of reasons for concern about the modern world and our contemporary challenges, from chasmic socioeconomic inequalities to our global environmental predicament.

But anyone who thinks that Trumpism, Project 2025 or reactionary Catholic integralism is a promising way to address them ought to read up on Mussolinis Italy and Francos Spain.
For weeks, Mexico has been in turmoil over President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors proposed constitutional amendment for judges to be elected by popular vote. Fifty-five thousand judicial employees went on strike as legislators pushed the law forward; the peso fell, and international banks issued dire warnings about the effect of the proposal on the economy.

Even the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, issued an unusual warning. The plan, he said late last month, presented a major risk to the functioning of Mexicos democracy. The president responded by angrily announcing a pause of diplomatic relations with the U.S. Embassy. A similar spat ensued with Canada.

But Mr. Lopez Obradors successor, President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, who takes office on Oct. 1, has had a more reasonable response. Although she has consistently supported the scheme, Ms. Sheinbaum instructed Mexicos new Congress to deliberate more on the plan, rather than fast-tracking it as the president and his allies are urging. Ricardo Monreal, the majority leader in the lower house of Congress, suggested it could be approved as soon as Sept. 8.

Mexicos leaders should do the right thing and abandon the plan altogether, given the harm it could do to the nation. If adopted, it would politicize the judiciary beyond recognition and render it toothless for checking the abuse of power. It would institutionalize the power that interest groups could exercise over the entire judiciary.
Leaving behind the two NASA astronauts it took to the International Space Station three months ago, Boeings troubled Starliner spacecraft is set to begin its return to Earth on Friday evening.

Six hours after it undocks from the station, it is to parachute to a landing at the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. If bad weather or technical issues cause a delay, Starliners return could happen on Sept. 10, Sept. 14 or Sept. 18.

After lengthy analysis and ground tests, NASA officials said they still did not fully understand the cause of the propulsion system problems that arose as Starliner approached the space station in June.

Both Boeing and NASA officials have said that they expect that the trip back will be uneventful for the empty Starliner. And they maintain that the spacecraft could have probably still brought back safely the two NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, whose stays on the space station have been extended.
A vigil for the victims of the school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., on Wednesday.

On the day she died, Cristina Irimie brought in desserts and other treats that she had baked for her math students at Apalachee High School to celebrate her 52nd birthday, which came on Aug. 24.

By days end at the school in Winder, Ga., that typically kind gesture seemed like a thought from another world after a 14-year-old student shot and killed Ms. Irimie and three others in the deadliest episode of school violence in Georgia history.

Also killed were Richard Aspinwall, 39, a math teacher who was also the school football teams defensive coordinator, and two 14-year-old students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo.

Jordan Rushing, who leads the schools math department, said that Mr. Aspinwall and Ms. Irimie were beloved by their students. Mr. Aspinwall was known for his kind and calm demeanor while teaching math, a subject that can be stressful. Ms. Irimies life experience as an immigrant from Romania helped her bond with her students, some of whom were not fluent in English.

Everybody needs to know what phenomenal people they were and what we lost, he said.

At least nine others were injured. Law enforcement officials said that the victims taken to the hospital were expected to make a full recovery.

The accused shooter has been charged with four counts of felony murder. His father, Colin Gray, 54, has been charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children.

Cristina Irimie

Image Cristina Irimie and her husband, Dorin Irimie. Credit... Gabrielle Buth

Ms. Irimie, a native of Apoldu de Jos, a village in the Transylvanian mountains of Romania, immigrated to the United States after the fall of one of the Eastern Blocs most ruthless brands of Communism.

Her entry point was her mastery of Romanian folkloric dance: She came in 1996, a member of a dance troupe performing on the sidelines of the Atlanta Olympics, said Emanuel Popovich, a relative.

Romanias economy was on its knees and the entire dance troupe, called Dumbrava Sibiului, ended up defecting, said Anca Belju, a friend.

For years before Ms. Irimies departure from Romania, she had been a teacher at School No. 25 in the town of Sibiu  located around 30 minutes from her village  where she taught children ages 7 to 10, said Ms. Belju, whose son was one of her students.

Ms. Irimie met her husband, a fellow Romanian, in the United States. Repeated treatments to have her own children, including I.V.F., failed, Mr. Popovich said. She doted on students as if they were her own, relatives, her friend and her priest said.

She took care to teach them as well as she possibly could, to explain concepts to them, he said in Romanian. She did everything she could for them.

To think that a student could do this to her, he said, his voice trailing off.

Gabrielle Buth, Ms. Irimies niece, called her a dedicated goofball who was integral to the Romanian community in Atlanta and so deeply in love with her husband that it made people envious when they saw them together.

Ms. Irimie was well known for always being one of the first to volunteer at her Orthodox church and for Romanian festivals in the United States.

When she and her family were told that Ms. Irimie might have been one of the victims, Ms. Buth said she had called her over and over again, waiting for her to answer her phone the way she always did: in Romanian, saying da, iubita or yes, my love.

The returned call never came.

Richard Aspinwall

Image Richard Aspinwall Credit... Apalachee High School

Marquel Broughton, 24, was coached by Mr. Aspinwall  known to the players as Coach A  when he was a sophomore at Mountain View High School in Lawrenceville, Ga., in 2015.

Mr. Aspinwall, the outside linebackers coach, promoted Mr. Broughton, then a sophomore, from second-string safety to starting outside linebacker. Despite being relatively small for the position at 57 and about 160 pounds, Mr. Broughton said that Mr. Aspinwall recognized potential that he hadnt seen in himself.

Mr. Broughton described Mr. Aspinwall as someone who was not inclined to give rousing speeches in front of the whole team. Instead, he said that Mr. Aspinwall excelled in one-on-one conversations that left players feeling like you can attack the world, that you can do anything.

Thats who Coach A was as a person, Mr. Broughton said. He added: He always uplifted you in ways you couldnt uplift yourself. He put everything into what he did, whether it was family, football or math.

Without Coach A, Mr. Broughton said he wasnt sure his football career would have taken off. He went on to play football at the United States Military Academy, where he was a two-time captain, and he is now a second lieutenant in the Army.

Mr. Aspinwall was a devoted father to his two young daughters and was thrilled when he found out his first child would be a girl, said Michael Bowbliss, 50, a special-education teacher at Mountain View High School.

During halftime at the high school football games he coached, he gave his daughters kisses. He wouldnt leave home to meet friends until the girls were asleep, Mr. Bowbliss said.

Everything he did was for his girls, he said. He was a phenomenal girl dad.

Mason Schermerhorn

Image Mason Schermerhorn

Mason Schermerhorn was described by friends of his family as a lighthearted teenager who liked spending time with his relatives, reading, telling jokes and playing video games. He had recently started at the school.

He really enjoyed life, said Doug Kilburn, 40, a friend who has known Masons mother for a decade. He always had an upbeat attitude about everything.

Louis Briscoe, a co-worker and friend of Masons mother, said the boy and his family were looking forward to an upcoming vacation to one of his favorite places, Walt Disney World.

When Mr. Briscoe learned about the shooting at the high school in the afternoon, he called Masons mother to ask if everything was OK. She told him, Masons gone.

My heart just dropped, Mr. Briscoe, 45, said. He added, Nobody should have to go through this type of pain.

Christian Angulo

Image Christian Angulo

Lisette Angulo, Christian Angulos eldest sister, described her brother as a very good kid, who was very sweet and so caring.

He was so loved by many, Ms. Angulo said in a statement on her brothers GoFundMe page. His loss was so sudden and unexpected. We are truly heartbroken. He really didnt deserve this.

Kirsten Noyes contributed research.
Barron Trump, the youngest child of former President Donald J. Trump, has enrolled as a freshman at New York University in Manhattan, his father said in an interview that was published on Wednesday.

Mr. Trump had teased his sons choice of college for months, but in the interview, which was conducted on video by The Daily Mail, he revealed that Barron Trump had chosen to attend N.Y.U.s Stern School of Business.

Hes a very smart guy, and hell be going to Stern Business School, which is a great school at N.Y.U., Mr. Trump said in the interview. Hes a very high-aptitude child, but hes no longer a child. Hes just passed into something beyond child-dom.

The university declined to confirm the younger Mr. Trumps enrollment, but The New York Post published photos on Wednesday of him arriving on campus, flanked by Secret Service agents, a backpack over his shoulder.
The Biden administration is considering actions that would make President Bidens tough but temporary asylum restrictions almost impossible to lift, people familiar with the plans said on Wednesday.

The move would essentially turn what had been a short-term fix into a central feature of the asylum system in America. And it would be yet another sign that the country is moving away from the traditional American practice of allowing anyone who steps foot on U.S. soil the opportunity to seek protection.

The changes under consideration would build on the executive order that Mr. Biden issued in June, which blocked a vast majority of asylum claims at the southern border and allowed agents to turn people back quickly.

U.S. officials have said that the order has deterred migrants from making the dangerous trip north and resulted in a dramatic drop-off in asylum claims. The relative calm comes as Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, tries to fend off Republican attacks over immigration.
President Biden is preparing to soon block an attempt by Japans Nippon Steel to buy U.S. Steel on national security grounds, according to three people familiar with the matter, likely sinking a merger that became entangled in election-year politics in the United States.

A decision to block the takeover would come after months of wrangling among lawmakers, business leaders and labor officials over whether a corporate acquisition by a company based in Japan  a key U.S. ally  could pose a threat to national security. A move by Mr. Biden to block the deal on those grounds could roil relations between the two nations at a moment when the United States has been trying to deepen ties with Japan amid Chinas growing influence in East Asia.

For months, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, has been scrutinizing the deal over potential risks. There has been mounting speculation that the Biden administration could intervene before the November election.

A White House official told The New York Times that CFIUS hasnt transmitted a recommendation to the president, and thats the next step in this process.
Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday sought to put daylight between herself and President Biden on tax policy, making it the first issue on which she is trying to stand apart from an administration in which she holds a key role.

Stepping up her efforts to win over the business community, Ms. Harris announced that she would increase the capital gains tax at a far lower rate than what Mr. Biden had proposed  a move that came after pressure from her campaigns biggest donors to back off some of its most aggressive tax proposals.

Ms. Harriss proposal, which she introduced at a campaign event in New Hampshire, was directed squarely at business owners and wealthier Americans who are skeptical of Democrats and have gravitated toward former President Donald J. Trump. In the same speech, she rolled out her new plan for an expanded tax break for start-ups.

Mr. Biden had proposed taxing capital gains at 39.6 percent for Americans who make more than $1 million a year. Ms. Harris said on Wednesday that she would tax investment income for those Americans at a rate of 28 percent, a reversal from her earlier support for the tax increases included in the White House budget released this spring.
Former Representative Liz Cheney, the once high-ranking Republican from Wyoming who torpedoed her political career by breaking forcefully with former President Donald J. Trump, said on Wednesday she would be voting for Vice President Kamala Harris in November.

During an event at Duke University, Ms. Cheney told students that it was not enough for her to simply oppose the former president, if she intended to do whatever was necessary to prevent Mr. Trump from winning the White House again, as she has long said she would.

I dont believe we have the luxury of writing in candidates names, particularly in swing states, Ms. Cheney said, speaking to students in the hotly contested state of North Carolina. As a conservative, as someone who believes in and cares about the Constitution, I have thought deeply about this and because of the danger that Donald Trump poses, not only am I not voting for Donald Trump, but I will be voting for Kamala Harris.

The room erupted in cheers after she made her unexpected announcement.

The decision by Ms. Cheney, whose endorsement Ms. Harriss campaign had been courting for weeks, to shift from condemning Mr. Trump to backing the Democratic presidential nominee was a striking one even from a leader who has established herself as one of the most vocally anti-Trump Republicans in the country.
The United States on Wednesday announced a broad effort to push back on Russian influence campaigns in the 2024 election, as it tries to curb the Kremlins use of state-run media and fake news sites to sway American voters.

The actions include sanctions, indictments and seizing of web domains that U.S. officials say the Kremlin uses to spread propaganda and disinformation about Ukraine, which Russia invaded more than two years ago.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland detailed the actions taken by the Justice Department. They include the indictment of two Russian employees of RT, the state-owned broadcaster, who used a company in Tennessee to spread content, and the takedown of a Russian malign influence campaign known as Doppelganger.

The American people are entitled to know when a foreign power engages in political activities or seeks to influence public discourse, Mr. Garland said.
Former President Donald J. Trump has reached an uneasy truce with Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia, setting aside a yearslong grudge over his Republican counterparts refusal to help him overturn the states 2020 election results.

The question for Republicans, as Georgia looks increasingly crucial to the partys chances of retaking the White House, is how long the volatile Mr. Trump will let it last.

So far, the main signs of their reconciliation have been a few kind words. Weeks after the former president ripped into Mr. Kemp at an Atlanta rally last month  accusing him of wanting Mr. Trump to lose and of leading a state that had gone to hell before insulting his wife  he gratefully accepted the governors endorsement. Mr. Trump, who had been urged by his advisers to reconcile, thanked Mr. Kemp on social media for all of your support and help. The governor has said in interviews and at fund-raisers that he stands behind Mr. Trump.

Their arranged political marriage is born of necessity for the former president: The governor was re-elected by more than seven percentage points in 2022, and he enjoys notably high approval ratings despite Georgias polarized political environment, remaining popular among both right-wing and moderate Republicans.
A string of seemingly random shootings along Interstate 5 in Washington State on Monday injured at least five people and struck up to seven vehicles, the police said Tuesday.

The shootings occurred in two bursts, the police said, when vehicles traveling on the interstate between Seattle and Tacoma were targeted by a shooter apparently firing at random vehicles.

The first series of shootings occurred around 8:30 p.m. local time, when three vehicles were struck with bullets while driving on I-5 near Seattle. In one vehicle, a person was grazed with a bullet and another was injured by broken glass; in another vehicle, a woman was critically injured and remained in the hospital Tuesday evening.

More shootings occurred around 11 p.m., with three more vehicles targeted. In one, the driver and passenger sustained leg wounds. In another, an occupant was shot in the neck and remained in the hospital on Tuesday evening.
Judge Tanya S. Chutkan wasted no time last month when the biggest case of her career  the indictment of former President Donald J. Trump on election interference charges  was handed back to her.

After watching from the sidelines for nearly eight months as Mr. Trumps lawyers fought their way up to the Supreme Court with what turned out to be a largely successful argument that he had broad immunity from prosecution on charges arising from his official acts as president, Judge Chutkan moved quickly to get pretrial proceedings moving again.

Within 24 hours of getting the matter back, she laid out a schedule for discussing the impact of the courts immunity ruling on the case. Working on a Saturday in August, she also found time to tidy up her desk and deny two separate motions by Mr. Trumps lawyers that the appellate process had forbidden her to touch for nearly a year.

On Thursday, Judge Chutkan is set to preside over a hearing in Federal District Court in Washington where she is likely to explain how she intends to approach the task of figuring out which parts of Mr. Trumps indictment will have to be tossed out under the immunity ruling and which can survive and go to trial.
On only her second visit to Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina won that countrys Miss Universe beauty pageant.

Ms. Adetshina was crowned on Saturday in Lagos, Nigerias largest city, just weeks after she was forced to withdraw from the Miss Universe pageant in South Africa, the country of her birth, when public scrutiny of her Nigerian heritage triggered a national debate about nationality, immigration and ultimately xenophobia.

I think I really do embody the spirit of perseverance and resilience, Ms. Adetshina said on her social media account after her victory, a sash draped on her shoulder, a crown glittering on her head. Later, in an interview with the BBCs Nigerian Pidgin outlet, her composure collapsed when she was asked about her experiences.

Only now, its starting to cloud me, and affect me, she said, dabbing tears. Along with her duties as Nigerias representative to the Miss Universe pageant, she would seek therapy, she added.
Netflix expanded a disclaimer for Indian audiences with a fictional series inspired by the 1999 hijacking of a plane by Islamist militants, after social media users and a high-ranking member of Indias ruling party accused it of portraying the hijackers as Hindus.

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, released last week, became the latest production by a Western streaming giant to find itself in the cross hairs of Indias Hindu nationalist movement, which has been accused of building up an increasingly intolerant atmosphere in the country.

The series shows five Islamist militants hijacking an Indian Airlines flight from Nepal to India, and their interactions with the planes crew and passengers. In the show, the hijackers refer to themselves by code names, including Shankar, a common name for Hindu men.

That prompted anger among many social media users, with some accusing the producers of playing down the Muslim identity of the hijackers. A national official of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, Amit Malviya, said the series use of the hijackers aliases legitimized their criminal intent.
Pope Francis on Wednesday praised Indonesias founding principles of unity in diversity in his first public address in the country but also stressed vigilance against intolerance and extremism.

Francis met with President Joko Widodo on Wednesday morning in Jakarta, the capital, a day after he landed in the country after a 13-hour-long flight from Rome. The pope, in his customary white robes, and Mr. Joko, who was wearing a traditional Islamic hat, stood on the footsteps of the countrys Dutch colonial-era presidential palace as Indonesian honor guards paraded and a marching band played hymns.

Indonesia is the first stop on Franciss 11-day tour of Asia-Pacific, a grueling physical test for the 87-year-old pope who has made reaching out to Asia a priority of his pontificate.

Francis, the first pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula, has also pushed interfaith harmony as one of his key missions. He plans to do so again in Indonesia, which has the worlds biggest population of Muslims.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada may be forced into an election earlier than expected after a left-leaning political party that had been propping up his government in Parliament announced on Wednesday that it was abandoning the arrangement.

Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the New Democratic Party, said in a video that he was tearing up a formal agreement to support the Liberal Party. Without that support, Mr. Trudeaus party lacks a majority of votes needed to pass legislation in the House of Commons.

Its the latest setback for Mr. Trudeau, a political star on the global stage who has been losing the confidence of his voters at home after nine years in power. Polls show that Mr. Trudeaus party badly lags behind the Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre.

Mr. Singhs move does not automatically force an immediate election, but it does remove the stability that came from an agreement that effectively allowed Mr. Trudeau to act as if he controlled a majority in the House of Commons.
Seven years after flames engulfed Grenfell Tower, a public housing block in West London, killing 72 people, a public inquiry on Wednesday blamed unscrupulous manufacturers, a cost-cutting local government and reckless deregulation for the disaster, Britains worst residential fire since World War II.

The 1,671-page final report laid out a litany of corner-cutting, dishonest sales practices, incompetence and lax regulation that led to the tower being wrapped in cheap flammable cladding, which, after it caught fire in the early hours of June 14, 2017, quickly turned the building into an inferno.

Many of the causes laid out in the report were documented in months of testimony before the inquiry, which was chaired over a seven-year period by a retired judge, Martin Moore-Bick.

But the report painted a damning picture of a Conservative-run local council, eager to reduce costs, working with careless, acquiescent contractors who installed combustible cladding panels, purchased from suppliers who knew they should never have been used in a high-rise building.
Twenty-one migrants were missing at sea on Wednesday, according to survivors rescued from a sinking boat about 10 miles from the Italian island of Lampedusa, Italys Coast Guard said.

Seven men, identified as Syrian, were rescued by a Coast Guard vessel on Wednesday morning. A video showed the migrants crouching in a small white motorboat, partly submerged, before being carried in pairs by a rubber raft to a waiting Coast Guard vessel.

The migrants told their rescuers that they had left Libya on Sunday on the boat packed with 28 people, including three minors. They said that 21 people had fallen off during the crossing because of adverse weather conditions, the Coast Guard said in a statement.

The seven survivors were taken to Lampedusa, one of the principal destinations for migrants crossing the Mediterranean from Africa to Europe on one of the worlds deadliest migration routes.
Russia bombarded a swath of Ukraine early Wednesday, killing at least seven people in the western city of Lviv, local Ukrainian officials said, a day after a ballistic missile attack in the eastern city of Poltava left dozens of people dead.

The victims in Lviv included a mother and her three daughters  aged 7, 18 and 21  who were killed inside their apartment building during the strike, according to the citys mayor, Andriy Sadovyi. The girls father, Yaroslav Bazylevych, was the sole survivor in the family.

Air raid sirens sounded in a number of places across Ukraine on Wednesday morning as guided missiles and drones flew in, with the authorities urging people to take cover or go to shelters.

Ukraines Air Force said the country had been targeted with two ballistic missiles, 11 cruise missiles and 29 drones overnight and that 22 of the drones and seven of the cruise missiles had been shot down.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine has been injured in the leg in a confrontation with a policeman in uniform, his personal assistant has told the BBC.Najja Ssenyonjo said the pop star-turned-politician was believed to have been shot and was currently receiving treatment at Nsambya Hospital in the capital, Kampala.He said the incident had occurred while Bobi Wine was on his way to visit his lawyers in Bulindo, which is about 20km (12 miles) north of the city.A statement from the police said officers on site reported that the opposition leader had stumbled while getting into his vehicle.An investigation would be conducted to clarify the facts, the statement added.The X account of Bobi Wine, leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, first broke the news, saying: "@HEBobiwine has been shot in the leg by police in Bulindo."Footage has been shared on social media, external by journalist Solomon Serwanjja, who was at the scene, showing the 42-year-old opposition leader being helped from a building with a bleeding injury from his left shin."We only heard bullet sounds in the scuffle so it's doctors to confirm but as of now it's believed to be a bullet," Ssenyonjo told the BBC.The police say Bobi Wine had attended an event at Bulindo and afterwards "he and his team moved out of their cars and embarked on a procession up to Bulindo town."However, the police advised against it. Despite their guidance, he insisted on proceeding closing the road, leading to police intervention to prevent the procession."During the ensuing altercation, it is alleged that he sustained injuries," the statement said.Bobi Wine was first elected to parliament in 2017, and ran against President Yoweri Museveni in the 2021 election, which was marred by state repression.He is popular among young people and has been arrested  and beaten up  numerous times.The country's security forces have a long history of pursuing political opponents of President Museveni, who has been in power for almost 40 years.
Russian scientists helped make their country a leader in developing cutting-edge missiles that fly at least five times as fast as the speed of sound. Then Russia started calling them traitors.

A Moscow court this week sentenced Alexander Shiplyuk, 57, the director of a Russian physics institute who specializes in hypersonic flight, to 15 years in prison for treason. Though the trial has been shrouded in secrecy, Mr. Shiplyuks advocates say he was accused of illegally sharing classified information. It was the latest step in a yearslong crackdown on some leading Russian physicists, a prong of the Russian governments wide-ranging campaign of repression notable for its overlap with the countrys military industry.

Another senior scientist in Mr. Shiplyuks institute, the Khristianovich Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics in Siberia, was sentenced to 14 year in prison in May, and a third was arrested last year. At least eight other physicists working in fields related to hypersonic and supersonic flight have been arrested since 2015, according to Perviy Otdel, a group of Russian lawyers who specialize in treason and espionage cases.

The cases against the scientists have been kept under wraps, with hearings held behind closed doors. Mr. Shiplyuks lawyer said on Wednesday that he could not comment on his clients case because it was secret information.
When Russian forces rolled across the border into Ukraine at the start of their full-scale invasion in February 2022, Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraines foreign minister, compared the assault to Nazi Germanys in World War II.

Ukraine defeated that evil and will defeat this one, Mr. Kuleba tweeted. Then he spelled out the countrys mission: Stop Putin.

That remained Mr. Kulebas central message for 30 months as he rallied wartime international support for Ukraine, courting allies old and new and becoming one of the most recognizable faces representing Kyivs cause.

Mr. Kuleba was the most senior of the cabinet officials who Ukraines Parliament speaker said had offered to resign on Wednesday. It appeared to be the largest reshuffling of President Volodymyr Zelenskys cabinet since the start of the war, a move Mr. Zelensky described as necessary to achieve all the results we need. Mr. Kuleba did not comment publicly on the matter.

As Ukraines top diplomat, Mr. Kuleba sought to drum up both military and political support. He was a forceful advocate in the monthslong effort  eventually successful  to convince the United States and Germany to supply Ukraine with the Patriot air-defense system in order to protect against Russian missile attacks.

Ukraine is currently the only country in the world that is subject to ballistic missile attacks almost every day, he said during a news briefing in March. Patriots should be deployed here, in Ukraine, to protect real human lives, and not to remain in places where the missile threat is zero.
A day after a devastating Russian missile attack that killed more than 50 people in the Ukrainian city of Poltava, bricks splayed out from the stricken military academy building as exhausted rescue workers searched for bodies in the rubble, stopping every so often to listen for cries for help.

Overnight into Wednesday morning, workers napped on the academys lawn, some using helmets as pillows, as rescue dogs sat nearby. The rescuers, their uniforms covered in concrete dust, appeared to glisten in the floodlights at the site.

The bombing injured 277 people, according to Valerii Parkhomenko, a deputy mayor, and local hospitals were flooded with casualties.

Emergency workers at the strike site appeared exhausted, walking from time to time to a nearby tent providing coffee and snacks. A lot more clearing needs to be done before we reach the bottom, said one, who asked to be cited only his first name, Vladyslav.

He asked for coffee.

Anything else? a volunteer handing out drinks and sandwiches asked.

No, just coffee, he said.

However horrible the scene, volunteers and firefighters said it had become an all-too familiar ritual in the 30-month war with Russia.

I saw nothing new here, said Maksym Luhivsky, a 25-year-old volunteer, as he urged emergency workers to eat something to sustain their strength. Ive seen it all. When people come up because they cant find their loved ones, thats when its emotional. Dead bodies are not shocking or emotional any longer.
President Volodymyr Zelensky pushed ahead with his sweeping overhaul of the senior government ranks as the head of Ukraines ruling party released a slate of nine candidates for top cabinet positions Wednesday evening.

If Parliament approves the new candidates, which is expected, Ukraines foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, who resigned earlier Wednesday, will be replaced by Andrii Sybiha, the first deputy foreign minister, according to the party head, David Arakhamia.

The political upheaval came after a series of blistering Russian missile attacks and battlefield gains in recent weeks and before a vital trip by Mr. Zelensky to Washington, where he plans to reveal a victory plan for the war.

Mr. Zelensky said Wednesday that he was acting to bring a new energy to state institutions, hours after rescue workers pulled bodies from the wreckage of an overnight missile attack that killed seven people in the historic city center of Lviv, near the Polish border.
International mediators are finalizing a new cease-fire proposal to narrow the gaps between Israel and Hamas, U.S. and regional officials said, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists he will not give up control of Gazas border with Egypt  a key stumbling point for a deal.

Qatar and Egypt have drafted a series of revisions that are being discussed with U.S. officials, according to a senior official from one of the mediating countries and two Israeli officials. David Barnea, director of the Israeli intelligence service Mossad, was in Doha, Qatar, on Monday to discuss the document, the officials said.

The U.S. officials said that they expected to complete what they termed a final proposal with Egyptian and Qatari negotiators on Wednesday or Thursday. But a senior American official acknowledged that previous plans had also been called final, but were then revised.

In interviews, U.S. officials described two major sticking points that for months have delayed a deal to end the fighting in the Gaza Strip and to release hostages kidnapped by Hamas and Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
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Britains deadliest fire in more than a century raced from floor to floor, forcing residents to decide: Wait for rescuers or disobey orders and try to escape?

Were stuck on the 23rd floor! Rania Ibrahim yelled from her balcony. Meriam Antur was woken by the sound of sirens. Mohammed and Omar Alhajali, brothers and Syrian refugees, left their apartment together. Just get out of the house, Aalya Mosess daughter told her. A fridge blew up on the fourth floor in Apartment 16, starting the fire. GRENFELL TOWER Were stuck on the 23rd floor! Rania Ibrahim yelled from her balcony. Meriam Antur was woken by the sounds of sirens. My daughter said to me: Just get out of the house, Aalya Moses said. A fridge blew up in Apartment 16, starting the fire. GRENFELL TOWER

4th FloorApt. 11

Aalya Moses was having trouble sleeping just before 1 a.m., when she heard frantic knocking. Her neighbor, Behailu Kebede, said his refrigerator had caught fire.

He looked so scared, so frightened, Ms. Moses said. I phoned my daughter and she said to me, Just get out of the house.

She passed firemen going up the stairs. Outside, she saw that the blaze had spread from her neighbors unit and raced up the side of the building.

Ms. Mosess fourth floor apartment Fire started here Spread of fire Your browser does not support the video tag.

13th Floor Apt. 105

Miguel Alves was in the elevator when it stopped on the fourth floor and opened to a thick cloud of smoke.

He ran upstairs to his 13th-floor apartment to get his children. The authorities told his wife, who was already outside, that they should stay there.

But the message didnt reach them in time, and they escaped down the stairs, he told The Guardian.

Escape route Elevator Your browser does not support the video tag.

14th FloorApt. 112

Toxic smoke began to make escape difficult. Mohammed and Omar Alhajali, Syrian refugees and brothers, tried to escape together from the 14th floor.

But they became separated in the stairwell. It was too dark in the corridor, and the smoke was too thick, Omar said.

He continued and was rescued by firefighters. Mohammed turned back and was trapped.

Back to apartment Where the brothers lived Your browser does not support the video tag.

19th Floor

Others decided to stay. A neighbor told Meriam Antur that she had to wait in her 19th-floor apartment with her two young children.

Ms. Antur waited as smoke filled up the hallway. I got into my flat and put a towel in the door and started to pray, she said.

Firefighters eventually arrived and led them down  three of the 65 people they rescued that morning.

Hallway 19th floor Your browser does not support the video tag.

23rd Floor

At 1:38 a.m., Rania Ibrahim broadcast a disturbing live video from the top floor, where she and others were trapped.

Your browser does not support the video tag. Rania Ibrahim/Facebook

She called out from her balcony: Were stuck on the 23rd floor! Hello!

Top floor West side of building Your browser does not support the video tag.

Ms. Ibrahim opened the door to a hallway thick with smoke, and at least one person rushed in.

Your browser does not support the video tag. Rania Ibrahim/Facebook

Ms. Ibrahim is among dozens who are missing and presumed dead.

1:55 A.M. Celeste Thomas

Outside, crowds watched as the building burned.

Less than an hour after the fire started, most of the floors on the northeast corner of the building were engulfed.

People stood at their windows as flames approached their apartments.

20th FloorApt. 173

Please pray for me and my mum, Khadija Saye messaged her friend from the 20th floor. She was one of the first victims identified by police.

Just after 4 a.m., a woman could be heard screaming from the 11th floor. People on the ground shouted to fill her bathtub with water until firefighters arrived.

As late as 5 a.m., a man on the eighth floor was seen waving a white flag. It is unclear whether he managed to escape.

Your browser does not support the video tag. Humraz Khan/Facebook

As dawn rose, the fire still burned. It was not brought under control until more than 24 hours after it began.
French/West/Vaughan is named PR agency of record for FITCRUNCH, a protein snack brand created by chef, restaurateur and television personality Robert Irvine. FWV will manage and execute comprehensive media relations, influencer marketing and consumer activation services designed to create awareness and demand for FITCRUNCH products. FITCRUNCH offers baked protein bars, wafer bars, dipped brownies and other products, which are available nationwide through grocery, big box, buyers club and Amazon retail channels. The FITCRUNCH brand and Chef Robert Irvine are known for innovation and bringing a bold, energetic spirit to everything we do, and FWV understands how to harness that story and build relationships with consumers, said FITCRUNCH VP of marketing Dave Plowden.

Campstories, a Denver shop, picks up US PR duties for Hotel Christopher St Barth. It is overseeing all PR programming, including print and digital media relations, influencer and strategic partnerships, media visits and creative experiences on-site. A 42-room-and-suite resort thats focused on blending into its surroundings via sustainable operation, Hotel Christopher ST. Barth will open a new restaurant and a five-bedroom suite in the coming months.

Ripley PR lands Reins, a technology firm that helps small businesses retain key employees by offering them owner-like benefits that incentivize them to contribute to the long-term success of the business. Ripley PR will work with the company to help it establish brand awareness and authority for its custom equity incentives programs. Reins says it chose Ripley PR based on the agency's record of success with innovative technology companies serving small and enterprise-level businesses in the skilled trades, residential and commercial services, automotive and franchising. They understand our mission and the needs of our customers, so we know we'll be connecting with business owners who will benefit from our solutions and help us grow," said Reins co-founder Chris Buttenham.
Ballard Partners represents Nippon Steel as the Japanese giant fights to clinch its $14B deal to acquire US Steel in wake of political opposition from the Harris and Trump presidential campaigns.

US Steel chief David Burritt said Sept. 4 that he would have to close plants and move its headquarters from Pittsburgh, if the Nippon deal falls apart.

Ballard Partners, which has close ties to Trump, signed on with Nippon on April 7 as a subcontractor to Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.

Brian Ballard, who was a top Trump fundraiser in Florida, heads his firms effort.

He is joined by Hunter Morgen, deputy director in the Office of Trade & Manufacturing in the Trump administration; Daniel McFaul, chief of staff to Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz; and Tola Thompson, aide to Florida Rep. Carrie Meek.

Ballard received $70K in fees for its work during the second quarter.

The firm also represents Japans DC Embassy. That relationship began last April and has been worth $300K in fees for the Florida-headquartered shop.

Akin Gump, which signed Nippon as a client on Dec. 23, 2023, has received $1M for its efforts.

It also uses VOX Global and Valiant Strategies as Nippon subcontractors.

VOX has received $60K in fees for work that is headed by James Baril, who was an aide to Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn.

Former Texas Democratic Congressman Filemon Vela formed Valiant in March. The former vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee resigned from Congress in 2022 for a partnership at Akin Gump.

Valiant, which began its work for Nippon on April 1, got a $30K Q2 fee.
(L-R) Brett Courtright, Ben Bromberg

imre brings on Ben Bromberg as EVP of media and Brett Courtright as EVP of medical. Bromberg was previously SVP, media at Evoke Mind+Matter. In addition to his experience with pharma clients, he has worked with brands in such sectors as CPG, tech, finance, travel and ecommerce. At Imre, he will lead the paid media division. Courtright is a PharmD, whose 15 years in healthcare have spanned clinical pharmacy and healthcare communications. He will drive brand strategy at imre, as well as developing senior team competencies and expanding medical strategy capabilities. With Ben's innovative approach to paid media and Brett's deep understanding of medical strategy, we are positioned to deliver even greater value to our clients and continue our evolution as a brand engagement powerhouse," said imre president Anna Kotis.

Isabel Benavides

Martinez Nieto S.A., a Spanish laboratory that manufactures and commercializes nutritional supplements and natural cosmetics in over 70 countries, appoints Isabel Benavides as global director of marketing and communications. Benavides has served in senior positions at creative agencies as well as branding and marketing consultancies companies including TBWA, Ogilvy, Publicis, Innocean, Cheil and Hogarth. In her new post, she will focus on accelerating growth at Martinez Nieto while maintaining its commitment to innovation, quality and international expansion. It is a privilege to have Isabels talent and expertise on our team, said Luca DAmbrosio, who was named CEO of the company in May. She will be a key player in this mission to drive global growth and development both in Spain and in the international markets.

Tommy Maussin

CARBIOS, a biotech company developing and industrializing biological solutions to reinvent the life cycle of plastic and textiles, names Tommy Maussin as CMO. Maussin most recently served as European director and VP of Michelins lifestyle division, driving growth for Michelin Guides and Robert Parker Wine Advocate across various regions. He was previously marketing director for several of Michelins tire divisions. At Carbios, Maussin will be responsible for enhancing the companys global presence in addition to playing a pivotal role in shaping its customer-centric marketing strategies. His expertise in varied and complex marketing landscapes and his forward-thinking approach to leadership are exactly what we need," said CARBIOS CEO Emmanuel Ladent.
Nikki Haley

Edelman Global Advisory has hired former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley as a part-time vice chair.

In announcing the hire, Richard Edelman said politics is now a crucial consideration for clients in brand marketing, employee engagement and reputation management.

He said Haley was successful in attracting foreign companies to South Carolina and worked on major global issues while in the UN.

Haley, who mounted a spirited race for the Republican presidential nomination against Donald Trump, joined The Hudson Institute think tank in April as Walter P. Stern chair.

She addressed the Ketagalan Forum last month in Taipei and spoke about the need for a free trade agreement between the US and Taiwan.

EGA also added Max Baucus, former Montana Democratic Senator and US ambassador to China as a senior advisor.

Edelman lauded his experience on agricultural, trade and tech issues.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

The government says it has activated systems to tackle any outbreak of Mpox and has called on citizens to avoid unnecessary contact with animals that could be hosting the dreaded disease which has devasted some countries in Africa with threats to spread to other global territories.In a Tuesday statement, the Health and Child Care Ministry warned of the outbreak in non-endemic countries, including neighbouring South Africa which hosts a significant Zimbabwean migrant population.Last week, Harare city authorities dismissed fears of an Mpox outbreak in the city following tests conducted on two suspected cases which both came out negative.Health minister Douglas Mombeshora said his ministry has put its structures on high alert to ensure swift and effective response if needed."While no cases have been reported in Zimbabwe, the Ministry is taking proactive measures to prevent the spread of the disease."We urge the public to take precautions by avoiding contact with infected animals or materials, isolating infected patients, practicing good hand hygiene, and using personal protective equipment when caring for patients."The Ministry has placed its structures on high alert and is conducting preparedness and response activities to ensure a swift and effective response if needed," Mombeshora said.He assured the public that there is close monitoring of the situation and will provide updates when necessary.Declared a global public health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO) last month, Mpox is a rare viral infection endemic to Central and West Africa, spreading through close contact with infected people, animals or materials.Symptoms include fever, rash, headache, muscle ache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and respiratory problems.
Carolina Palacios

Edelman opens an office in Lima, Peru. With a 30-year history in Latin America, the agency already has operations in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, and a regional team of 670 specialists. Carolina Palacios, who was previously South America president at Burson, will lead the new office as general manager. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to strengthen Edelman's presence in the region and highlights the agencys belief in LATAMs economic potential. The region represents a key part of the companys global business, having experienced the highest growth within the firm in recent years. Peru is a key market for many of our clients, and this new step will enable us to provide even greater support across our region, said Edelman Latin America CEO Mariana Sanz.

Marketbridge, together with its financial sponsor RTC Partners, forms a new consultancy by combining with COMM, fama PR, Intelisent and Quarry. The new entity comprises more than 260 professionals across six locations in the US and Canada, partnering with more than 150 clients worldwide, including such brands across the technology, financial services, healthcare, industrial and consumer sectors as Microsoft, Guidehouse, Chevron and Flex. Its services feature four best-in-class solution areas: go-to-market consulting; marketing and communications; marketing science; and technology solutions. Weve built a dynamic new consultancy to meet the strategic marketing needs of three types of clients: Fortune 500 companies that must reinvent growth, organizations in highly complex and regulated industries, and high-growth challenger brands seeking to increase valuation, said Marketbridge CEO John Shomaker.

Prowly, an SaaS platform for PR professionals, partners with TVEyes, which provides broadcast media monitoring solutions, to offer near real-time monitoring for thousands of critical broadcast news channels worldwide, including major markets like the US and Canada. The partnership lets customers monitor, measure and report on news stories from broadcast outlets, and is complemented by over 7,000 newspapers and magazines globally (including licensed content typically hidden behind paywalls). Prowlys users will have an overview of brand mentions across all communication channels: TV, radio, print, online and social media. In the current market its more important than ever before for clients and brands to have a comprehensive view of mentions across all of the major types of influencer media, said TVEyes chief commercial officer Daren Benzi . Our new partnership enables Prowly to strengthen its offering as a comprehensive and global media monitoring solution.
A ONE-WAY traffic management system has been put in place this week in Tullamore town centre as work starts on the extension of the Grand Canal Greenway from Kilbeggan Bridge to the eastern end of Convent View.

Work started on Wednesday morning and will continue for at least ten weeks though it could take longer, Cllr Harvey admitted.

During this period no parking on Convent View will be allowed though residents, with permits, can park on nearby Store St and St Brigid's Place.

The new one way system runs east to west along Convent View and vehicles travelling in a west to east direction will be diverted though Davitt St, Callary St and the by-pass.

The works at Convent View include widening of footpaths to two metres along the canal bank, undergrounding of cables and street enhancement, new paving and kerbs, road realignment, resurfacing and relining, traffic calming features, signage and new lighting.

The Grand Canal Urban Greenway project, funded under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, will complement the previously completed URDF funded Tullamore Town Centre enhancement works, a statement from Offaly County Council said.

"This will effectively provide an attractive and easily accessible vibrant town centre destination for all greenway users which will in turn benefit all local businesses."

Chief Executive of Offaly County Council, Anna Marie Delaney, confirmed: These works will complete the Grand Canal greenway through Offaly, a total distance of 70kms, and are an integral part of the proposed Greenway link from the Grand Canal Dock Dublin to Shannon Harbour in west Offaly.

"The completion of these works will further strengthen Offalys tourism offering as greenway users will be spoilt for choice. Both new and returning visitors to Tullamore will experience a wealth of attractions, enhanced public realm features while also being an enhanced amenity for local users."
I was delighted to learn this week that a Petition has been launched to bring back our badly missed Town Councils. I've written about this issue a number of times since their demise in 2014, an abolition which was described as an act of vandalism that badly damaged local democracy and communities in our country.

I've often met apathy and indifference when I discuss this issue and it's heartening to see therefore that there are some who do care.

The petition has been launched by Cormac Corr from Kells, who ran as an independent candidate in the local elections on June 7. He's also the Peace Commissioner for Kells and North Meath.

Cormac told me that the petition has garnered over 100 signatures in just the first few days since its launch. While this is a promising start, he wrote, I am confident that as people reflect on the past 10 years without Town Councils, we will see an increase in support for this sensible policy. Alongside the petition, Ive been in contact with almost every mainstream party over the past few weeks. Three parties have confirmed they will include the re-establishment of town councils in their general election manifestos, and one party has pledged to introduce a policy to create a new tier of local government. From my understanding, this would aim to fulfil the same role as the defunct Town Councils. I am hopeful that more parties and Independents will, in the weeks and months to come, express their support for re-establishing our Town Councils; hopefully making it a redline issue in post election negotiations.

As we approach a general election, its my goal to see the petition continue to grow. Currently, a majority of parties in the Dail broadly support re-establishment, but we need to demonstrate that the public also shares this desire. A return to local decisions being made locally could be a meaningful solution to many issues facing our urban centres, especially if Town Councils are given adequate power and revenue-collecting abilities.

The abolition of Town Councils was ostensibly done to save money during the recesssion but in fact it saved little money and was a short-sighted move. Removing the Councils took away essential overseers of local communities and has resulted in significant challenges for town centres nationwide. A 2023 report by the Council of Europe highlighted deficiencies in Irelands current local government system, describing it as one of the most inadequate in Europe. Supporters of the petition believe that the absence of Town Councils has contributed to the decline of town centres and a reduction in local civic engagement.

Historically speaking, Town Councils have been the tier of government closest to the people. They provided a platform for localised decision-making, allowing communities to address their specific needs directly. Without them many towns have suffered.

The petition outlines several key advantages to reinstating town councils:

1. Localised Decision-Making: Empowering communities to make decisions tailored to their unique needs.

2. Increased Civic Engagement: Encouraging greater public participation in the democratic process by making governance more accessible and responsive.

3. Economic Revitalisation: Enabling town councils to support local businesses and economies, leading to the revitalisation of town centres.

4. Enhanced Accountability: Creating smaller, more transparent governing bodies that are directly accountable to their constituents.

5. Preservation of Community Identity: Strengthening the unique identities and heritage of individual towns.

The petition proposes the reconstitution of town councils in towns that previously had them, as well as the establishment of councils in all towns with populations exceeding 5,000. This would include Birr and Roscrea. The former has badly missed its Town Council over the last decade; prior to 2014 the latter, for many years, cried out for a Town Council something which it never had.

Reinstating town councils with proper funding and authority could address the challenges facing our urban centres and restore public confidence in our democratic institutions, pointed out petitioner Ryan OBoyle. We believe this initiative will resonate with voters eager to see a revival of local governance.

The petition is gaining momentum, with many community activists, concerned residents, and local representatives across the country expressing their support.

If you wish to sign the petition or find out more, you can do so by following the link below: https://chng.it/qWTWSHYybP
News / National

by Staff reporter

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has called on Home Affairs to revoke the citizenship of Cape Independence proponent, Philip Craig.The party in a statement on Monday through its leader, Vuyo Zungula said it is in the public interest to revoke Craig's citizenship following his stance in driving the Cape independence agenda.He added that Craig is agitating for fragmentation and division in South Africa which has caused social and political tension.In as letter to home affairs minister, Zungula writes: I am compelled to draw your urgent attention to the concerning actions of Mr Phil Craig, a British citizen with citizenship in South African, who is the leader of the Cape Independence Movement and the Referendum Party. Mr Craig has been actively advocating for and promoting the independence of the Western Cape Republic of South Africa. This, as I think you may appreciate, raises significant concerns regarding the potential fragmentation of South Africa, as Cape independence would undermine the country's unity and diversity, lead to economic instability, and potentially create new social and political tensions."Zungula said Craig has been deliberate about his efforts in white people having their enclave in the Western Cape through the formation of a political party called the Referendum Party (RP).Mr Craig has not only made public statements advocating cessation of the Western Cape but has also led a movement to this end which mobilises other people to join his cause. Mr Craig's cessation plan is highly divisive and if this notion is allowed to be mobilised even further, could worsen South Africa's racial tensions," he says.Responding to 'The Star', Craig slammed the ATM reports as nothing but political grandstanding.I think it is simply political grandstanding. Ironically, the mindset Vuyo is exhibiting is one of the motivations for Cape Independence. We live in a constitutional democracy where freedom of political expression is beneficial and protected. Self-determination is a peremptory norm of international law and South Africa has repeatedly sworn to uphold it.To then call for someone to be removed from South Africa for democratically and peacefully promoting an idea which is the expression of a fundamental human right is appalling and says far more about Vuyo than it does about me. A quick glance at the ATM's manifesto will tell you what the real problem is. The Referendum Party stands for everything the ATM isn't - we are democratic non-racialists, they are radical African nationalists. The majority of people in the Western Cape are opposed to his values," he said.On the issue of Cape independence he said: Yes, I still advocate for Cape Independence based upon a referendum to determine the democratic will of the Western Cape people."
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwean veteran political activist and former minister Jameson Timba, along with 77 others, have been acquitted on charges of plotting public violence after spending nearly 80 days in detention. They were arrested on 16 June while commemorating Youth Day with a braai and drinks at Timba's residence on Downie Avenue, Avondale, Harare.This arrest occurred amid a harsh political crackdown on civil society and opposition activists in the lead-up to the recent Southern African Development Community summit in Harare. Timba and the others filed for discharge at the close of the state's case last Monday, but the ruling on their application was repeatedly postponed, extending their time in detention after weeks of pretrial incarceration.Zimbabwean authorities have increasingly weaponised pretrial detention as a punitive measure to silence dissent. Political organisers are frequently arrested on vague, often frivolous charges and subjected to prolonged pretrial detention that circumvents even domestic legal maximums, denying them due process rights and protections.The escalation in the use of pretrial detention, and its severe impact on detainees and their families, has been widely documented by Zimbabwean and international human rights organisations. The consequences of pretrial detention are profound and far-reaching. Detainees risk losing their jobs, homes, livelihoods, or even lives; they may contract and spread disease, be extorted for bribes to secure release or better conditions, and suffer physical and psychological damage that can last long after their release.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The High Court has granted bail to three opposition activists, Namatai Kwekweza, Robson Chere, and Samuel Gwenzi. The three were arrested on 31 July 2024, alongside Vusumuzi Moyo, an artist and sound engineer, after being forcibly removed from a domestic commercial flight at Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare. They were on their way to Victoria Falls to attend the African Philanthropy Conference.During his detention, Chere was severely tortured and denied medical attention for the life-threatening injuries he sustained. The activists were charged with planning disorderly conduct in a public place, reflecting colonial-style policing tactics. Their arrests occurred amid a broader crackdown on civil society and opposition activists in the lead-up to the recent Southern African Development Community summit in Harare.The bail conditions for Kwekweza, Chere, and Gwenzi are in such that each individual must pay US$150 or its equivalent in Zimbabwean dollars (ZiG). Report to the police every last Friday of the month. They were also ordered to refrain from interfering with state witnesses and must reside at specified residential addresses.Kwekweza, Chere, and Gwenzi were represented by attorneys from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwean-born South African corporate executive Raymond Sifiso Dabengwa, former CEO of MTN Group and Eskom board member, will be laid to rest in Johannesburg on Saturday. Dabengwa, 66, passed away on Sunday morning after battling colon cancer.According to the memorial and funeral service programme, Dabengwa will be buried at Fourways Memorial Park in Johannesburg at 10 a.m. on Saturday. A memorial service will be held at Rosebank Catholic Church on Friday, with prayers at his home in Sandhurst, Sandton.Dabengwa, the brother of the late Zimbabwean liberation struggle figure and former Zipra intelligence chief Dumiso Dabengwa, was married to Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, a leading South African corporate executive and currently the CEO of Naspers South Africa. She was also the co-founder and CEO of Sigma Capital and previously led Shanduka Group.In African culture, Dumiso and Sifiso Dabengwa were considered brothers, though they were cousins by Western standards, as their fathers were brothers. Dabengwa was also close to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who had previously chaired MTN's board during his corporate career. Ramaphosa founded Shanduka Group, where Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa also worked.Born in Zimbabwe on 5 April 1958, Dabengwa grew up and attended school in Zimbabwe before graduating from the University of Zimbabwe with a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering. He later earned an MBA from Wits Business School in Johannesburg and participated in Extended Degree Programmes aimed at addressing systemic barriers to equity and student success.Before moving to South Africa in the late 1970s, Dabengwa worked as a trainee at British Rail and later at Rhodesia Railways (now National Railways of Zimbabwe). He then joined a South African consulting engineering firm based in Pretoria, working on projects in Botswana, Swaziland (now Eswatini), and the former apartheid-era bantustan of Bophuthatswana.Dabengwa later spent many years at South African power utility Eskom, where he played a significant role in the planning and implementation of the national electrification programme, one of the most successful projects under the Reconstruction and Development Plan. He managed a multibillion-rand budget in a division employing 17,000 people and generating revenues exceeding R20 billion annually (approximately US$2.5 billion at the time). His efforts helped increase electricity access in South African households from 35% in 1990 to 84% in 2011.After his tenure at Eskom, Dabengwa joined MTN, Africa's largest telecoms company, where he held several positions before becoming President and CEO from 31 March 2011 to 9 November 2015. Dabengwa resigned in 2015 after MTN's Nigerian operation was fined US$5.2 billion by regulators for failing to deactivate more than five million unregistered SIM cards. The fine was later reduced to US$3.9 billion, and Dabengwa received a R23.7 million severance package.Dabengwa also served on numerous corporate boards, including Impala Platinum Holdings, Dawn Suite Hotel Group, Peermont Global, and Gijima Group Limited, among others.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Chief Executive Officer of Zwane Enterprise (Pvt) Limited, Engineer Bekithemba Mbambo, has voiced serious concerns over the final concession agreement for the US$110 million Old Gwanda Road construction and upgrading project, accusing the government of attempting to "capture" the project.The dispute raises broader questions about the challenges facing public-private partnerships in Zimbabwe's infrastructure sector.The project, assigned to Zwane, involves upgrading a 120 km stretch from Bulawayo through Matobo to Gwanda and was approved by the Cabinet in May 2024.However, Mbambo's recent letter to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development highlights what he describes as an "attempted project and Cabinet approval capture."In his letter dated August 20, 2024, addressed to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Engineer Joy Pedzisai Makumbe, Mbambo expressed deep reservations about the final concession agreement communicated by the ministry on August 14, 2024.He criticised the introduction of new clauses, particularly Clause 11.3, which proposes a 30 percent gross royalty, as a major point of contention."Clause 11.3 is a new entrant. In our almost three years of interactions and negotiations, never once was the 30 percent gross royalty mentioned. We hear of it now in this document," Mbambo stated. He argued that the clause would not only skim profits but also rapidly deplete the capital needed for the project, questioning whether the state would even care about Zwane Enterprise's profitability.Mbambo described the agreement as "grossly parasitic," pointing to Section 8 as an example of "project capture."He criticised the proposed shift of control from Zwane to a "so-called joint implementation committee," which, along with an independent engineer paid by Zwane but not answerable to the company, would effectively manage the project."Zwane identifies the project, secures Cabinet approval, and obtains funding, but then control is handed over to a joint implementation committee. A Mr King, an independent engineer paid by Zwane but not accountable to us, will effectively run the project," Mbambo wrote.He also expressed concern about the potential for spurious corruption charges against Zwane, which could lead to the company's removal from the project without due process."If anyone wants to control a project in this manner, they should secure their own funding instead of using government offices for project capture," Mbambo asserted.Mbambo pointed out that the final agreement lacked any concessions or favourable payment terms for Zwane."There seem to be zero incentives offered to Zwane to undertake this project," he remarked. He added that signing the document before the August 23, 2024 deadline was "not feasible" and that legal and financial advisers would need to thoroughly review the agreement.In an interview with CITE on Tuesday, Mbambo reiterated his commitment to the Old Gwanda Road project but emphasised that the terms must align with the spirit of the Cabinet's original approval."We are currently negotiating the BOT (Build, Operate, Transfer) Licence terms. Their first pitch was far off the mark and not in line with the Cabinet's approval," he said."We hope to reach a consensus soon. The Old Gwanda Road Rehabilitation project must proceed and set a good precedent at all levels."Mbambo also revealed that the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development had suggested a meeting between Zwane, the Ministry, and the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) to resolve the issues."We agree," Mbambo said. "We were hoping for a meeting this week and are awaiting their suggestion."The Old Gwanda Road project is significant as it reduces the distance between Bulawayo and Gwanda by six kilometres compared to the existing route.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The trial of former Information Minister Bright Matonga, accused of stealing farm implements, began today at the Chegutu Magistrates' Court. Matonga appeared before Magistrate Ms. Evelyn Mashawakure and pleaded not guilty to the charges.Matonga is alleged to have stolen farming implements valued at US$500,000 in 2021. The trial commenced with three witnesses, including the complainant, Mr. David Van Breda, providing testimony.In his defense, Matonga claimed that he took the farming implements as security while awaiting payment of a debt owed to him by Mr. Van Breda. He explained that they had entered into a joint venture agreement, entitling him to six percent of all gross sales generated from crop selling. Matonga argued that he had no intention of permanently depriving the complainant of his farming equipment.The joint venture between Matonga and Mr. Van Breda collapsed in October 2021. The trial was postponed to September 12, 2024, for continuation when the investigating officer is expected to testify. Mr. Tafadzwa Vhore is the prosecutor in the case.
I feel lucky that I got my life back...I had to suffer severe torture from the mafia gang. No one should have such a bad experience again, said a native of Kozhikode, who was trapped in Laos as a victim of an online job scam. The 28-year-old, who managed to escape during a raid, is still in the clutches of fear of the bitter experience he had in the Southeast Asian country. (Due to security reasons, his identity cannot be revealed)



The other day, he reached home in Kozhikode. He had been recruited for a data entry job in Laos through the Kozhikode branch of a Bengaluru-based travel agency. He was in contact with a native of Kundayithode in Kozhikode.

He arrived in Bangkok on August 4 and then travelled to Vientiane, Laos. Malayalis Muhammad Ashiq and Shaheed were the intermediaries in Laos. The call centre was located in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, which is notorious for online scams. He has claimed that a mafia gang forced him to commit online financial fraud by speaking Malayalam.

The centre operated under the guise of Game Zone. Although there was no physical harm, there was a severe threat. I was forced to use drugs, including cannabis, said the man, who spent 15 days there.

He said the raid that helped him escape was accidental. During the raid, I left the centre with my passport. Then, the attempt was made to reach home somehow. I contacted Union Minister Suresh Gopi's office for help. Timely intervention from there helped me reach home safely. I don't know how much I should thank Suresh Gopi sir and his team for this second life, he said.

The man also added that many Malayalis are still stuck in Laos as victims of job scams. NIA officials have collected information about the incidents. Kozhikode Rural Police has also initiated an investigation.
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

The Middle East sat on a razor's edge on August 25, when Israel attacked the south of Lebanon with over 40 airstrikes, and minutes later the Lebanese resistance organization, Hezbollah, struck Israel with 340 missiles and tens of drones.

Israel claimed to have destroyed several thousands of missiles that were ready to be launched on Israel. This exaggerated claim by Israel was made to cover up the Israeli military failure to protect its residents of the north, who have suffered destroyed homes, lost incomes, and general chaos because of the faulty decisions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and his right-wing religious extremist cabinet ministers, Ithmar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

The Israeli military is attempting to pull Hezbollah into a full-scale regional war, through the massive and continuous airstrikes across the south of Lebanon and into the Bekaa Valley. Only Netanyahu benefits from this plan so that he can remain in power and stay out of jail due to being found guilty of corruption. This is the same reason why Netanyahu has continued to refuse a ceasefire in Gaza, despite the massive losses of Israeli military personnel, equipment, and the economy.

Netanyahu has ignored the domestic pressure from the families of the Israeli hostages in Gaza, and international pressure to end the war in Gaza, which would end the Hezbollah attacks from Lebanon.

Hezbollah's reply to the Israeli assassination of Foud Shukr, which was carried out by a targeted attack in Beirut on July 30, was calculated and bold. They chose targets specifically designed to prevent Netanyahu from igniting a regional war. Netanyahu was hoping Hezbollah would be so reckless as to hit strategic Israeli infrastructure and civilians, which would allow Netanyahu to be justified in a whole-scale attack on Beirut.

The targets of Hezbollah were military bases and not civilians.

The US had sent to the eastern Mediterranean numerous ships and military assets and had sent Amos Hochstein, a US special envoy, to Lebanon several times to threaten the Lebanese government and the resistance organizations.

Netanyahu knows he can't fight a regional war alone, and he needs the US military to achieve the military victories he seeks. The US has continued its blind support of the Israeli war in Gaza, despite the UN and others calling it genocide.

Netanyahu cannot be stopped. His citizens, critics, the UN, humanitarian groups, and the US administration have all been unsuccessful in persuading Netanyahu to focus on a ceasefire and hostage release. The US is the only force that can stop Netanyahu, but they will not stop him because the US military complex is benefiting from the Gaza war, and keeping the region in chaos.

The US has sent more than 50,000 tons of weapons and ammunition to Israel since October 7, 2023. Over 500 cargo planes and over 107 ships have delivered the military supplies to keep Netanyahu at war in Gaza, which has pulled in Hezbollah and other allies of the resistance, who stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people living under military occupation in Gaza, the Occupied West Bank, and East Jerusalem.

Two possible scenarios could play out in the Middle East. Firstly, a regional war may break out with the axis of resistance united on one side, against Israel and the US on the opposing side. Secondly, the tension will continue in the region as it is currently until after the US election in November.

In my opinion, the US was attempting to end the war in Gaza until the day Biden decided to withdraw his re-election bid. Biden saw delivering a ceasefire in Gaza as a vote boost on Election Day. Netanyahu coordinated with AIPAC to reinforce Biden's image as old and senile, which resulted in Biden pulling out of the race. Netanyahu is betting on VP Kamala Harris winning, after which she will continue the Netanyahu plan.

The Netanyahu plan is to annex Gaza, the occupied territories in the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. This action would close the book on the two-state solution, and keep the desire for freedom burning as a flame in the hearts of Palestinians, and everyone who rejects colonialism.

The two-state solution remains an internationally recognized solution to the 70 years of Middle Eastern conflict, and the only hope for the freedom of the Palestinian people.

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Why Palestine matters and is key to peace globally

1) Palestine was a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-religious, & multi-lingual country targeted to be transformed it to a "Jewish state". The core of this project (Zionism) is thus ethnic cleansing which started under British Rule (to fulfil the illegal Balfour declaration) and accelerated under more direct Zionism control. That is why we have 8 million Palestinian refugees and displaced people and 530 villages and towns wiped out and 250,000 native Palestinians killed (ongoing genocide).

2) International law is very clear: Palestinian Refugees have a right to return to their homes and lands, Israeli colonial settlements built since 1967 including in Jerusalem are illegal, and Israel has engaged in processes that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity

3) Israel has never been a democracy. It is an apartheid racist regime that even after expelling most Palestinians, have instituted 65 laws that discriminate against the remaining native Palestinians.

4) Zionist propaganda is easy to refute with logical explanations based on facts (and the three principles above). For example, it is easy to answer the nonsense like Israel is "defending itself". Someone comes and shoots your brother, points a gun at your head and tells you to get out of your house and claim their religion tells them to do so. Then you are pushed down the street and they besiege you and stop you from getting food and medicine and test new guns on you every few years. You are not the aggressor if you resist. International law is clear on this point: colonized/occupied people have a right (and even duty) of resistance. Anyway colonization is itself violence: ask native Americans and Blacks in South Africa or any other country that went through the experience. Colonization kills 15 native civilians for every 1 colonizer. The answer is simple, end apartheid ends the violence (exhibit A: South Africa).

5) No colonial anti-colonial struggle has ever ended in a two-state solution. It is fictional and the TALK about it from the time that Ben Gurion proposed it over 100 years ago is merely (as Ben Gurion himself stated on more than one occasion) intended for PR efforts (he even cited colonial treaties with native Americans which could be broken after consolidating powers). Colonial-Native struggles end in one of three scenarios: a) Algerian model (nearly 2 million killed, 1 million colonizers and their descendants left the country), b) genocide of natives (USA, Australia), c) coexistence in one country of descendants of colonizers and of native people (the rest of the world >140 countries). There is no fourth scenario. Palestine will not be an exception. It is the last struggle and prolonged only because of the resourcefulness and wealth of Zionistsm western and Arab collusion, and the weakness of their victims.

6) If we want a roadmap to real sustainable peace (not pacification), all we have to do is insist that we implement the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It has all the needed elements (no discrimination, rights of refugees to return etc).

7) Palestine is important to 2.5 billion Christians, 1.8 billion Muslims, 15 million Jews. It is also at a pivotal land bridge between Africa and Eurasia. It is also important becausev the Zionist lobbies decapitated international law and made western countries support a horrific genocide/holocaust of our people (complicity). Thus, people around this planet developed joint struggle (including via a push for boycotts, divestment and sanctions) which could help end the nightmare just like it did with Apartheid South Africa. But unlike there, if we do not succeed, then a catastrophic global war is coming.

It is really not that satisfying when ones own predictions come true. In a chapter in a book titled Moment of Truth: Tackling Israel-Palestine's Toughest Questions published in 2018, I argued that another (15th) intifada is inevitable and hoped it would be the last. But much earlier in my 2004 book Sharing the Land of Canaan (available free here) I expressed the certainty that Zionist colonization will end one way or another. I explained that this can happen violently in very unpleasant way (like in Algeria) or will happen a bit less traumatically (though still violent) like happened in South Africa. This is merely a reading of history and is irrespective of ones own emotional desires. I have been politically active for over 40 years now and in those decades have seen and argued with many Zionists. Few of them became post-Zionist or even anti-Zionist. I only feel sad that I did not manage to convince too many of them who remained tribalistic (with that classic superiority-inferiority complex found in all colonial oppressors). A rather tectonic shift in awareness is happening to humanity as we collectively watch the utter depravity and insane behavior of the colonizers (demolishing high rise building, pogroms against non-Jews, children massacred, ethnic cleansing) facing heroic resistance from the indigenous people. Yet, it is still not clear that this sumud is enough to coerce the oppressors to abandon oppression or that the machinations of the oppressors that created the Oslo (Vichy) government would not succeed. Perhaps I was too optimistic to assume that popular resistance can succeed to end Zionism in a half-decent way. Perhaps the deep-rooted brain-washing of generations of colonizers and colonized makes it too hard to turn back. I hope I am wrong. But we Palestinians must face up to the reality that we have far more challenges than a well financed and powerful Zionist movement that corrupted many governments to support oppression. We must acknowledge that the Zionist movement greatest success was facilitating the empowerment of a political elite group of Palestinians who hijacked a political faction (Fatah) and claiming representation of Palestine and do not want to pay the (financial) cost of repentance and return to sanity. Instead they continue to live in their delusions of importance and ignoring corruption all around them not even realizing that the end of such a road for them will be far more ruinous than the alternative. They need to learn the lesson of history of encounter with Zionism and its Arab facilitators. It is urgent. It is existential to them and to all of us (and indeed the whole of humanity). Zionism does not merely aim to control Palestine and ethnically cleanse it (when strong even of its own collaborators). Like previous colonial movements (see US as an example) it is expansionist and aims for empire. No one will be safe even the collaborators and the facilitators as far as the Arab Gulf (and certainly not Jews themselves yearning for normality).
"In Florida," former and possibly future US president Donald Trump writes on Truth Social, "like so many other States that have already given their approval, personal amounts of marijuana will be legalized for adults with Amendment 3. Whether people like it or not, this will happen through the approval of the Voters, so it should be done correctly."

I signed a petition to put Amendment 3 on the ballot -- in fact, I've been signing similar petitions on the subject for years -- and intend to vote for it in November. I expect it to pass. I hope it passes. I'm thankful to Trump for kinda sorta endorsing it. But that kinda sorta endorsement really highlights two aspects of the issue for me.

The first aspect is Trump's call for it to be done "correctly," by which he means "prohibit the use of it in public spaces, so we do not smell marijuana everywhere we go."

I suppose it's possible that there's something special about Palm Beach. I've never been there. I live near Gainesville, Florida, and when in town I already smell marijuana everywhere I go.

I've also sampled the scents of Tallahassee, Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Orlando, Tampa, and numerous smaller Florida urbs. In Florida, if you exit your personal vehicle in any area boasting a population density greater than Greenland's, you're likely to smell cannabis.

Which leads me to the second interesting aspect of Amendment 3:

It's nice, but not really necessary. Floridians who want to use weed already use weed. They use weed in private. They use weed in public. They'll continue to do so. They don't need your approval or your permission.

Would it be NICE to just have the stuff fully legal, at least to the extent that those who use it don't find themselves at (minimal, but real) risk of arrest for personal possession? Yes, it would.

Would the failure of Amendment 3 reduce marijuana use in Florida? No, it wouldn't.

This shouldn't surprise you. Marijuana is informally referred to as "weed" for a reason: It grows pretty much everywhere in the wild. It isn't difficult to grow at home, either. Human beings have used it and valued it both medically and recreationally for as long human beings have existed.

State and federal governments have spent more than a century trying to eliminate Americans' use of cannabis. More -- lots more -- Americans use it now than before the war on weed began. They'll continue to do so. Period.

Whether you use the stuff or not, legalizing it makes your life better in many ways -- for example, you don't have to pay for as many cops or as many prison cells.

Don't like the smell? Too bad. Get used to it.
VALEDICTION REVELATION - PROLOGUE

Valediction Revelation represents the last of a three part memoir of Paul Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Gould which begins in Boston at the Parker House Hotel Press Room in 1981where Paul stands at the exact spot where John Fitzgerald Kennedy announced his candidacy for Congress in 1946 and held his bachelor's party in 1953. The story then comes to a shocking conclusion at Love Field Airport in Dallas in 2023 following a conference commemorating the 60th anniversary of the JFK assassination - where Paul delivered an address on the Fitzgerald legacy. Love Field represents the final moments in JFK's life; the place where he arrived alive and left deceased, making his final destination a mystical crossroads between heaven and earth combining the red Saltire (X) coat of arms for his Fitzgerald family with the red cross of the Knights Templar.



Saltire Gules of the Fitzgerald Family

(Image by Tech King465) Details DMCA



Triggered by dreams and strange coincidences, Paul and Liz reveal through episodic flash backs, how they came upon clues to the imaginal dimension of the assassination and why that dimension opens a whole new meaning to JFK's life and the pivotal role Love Field plays as the Alpha and Omega of the story.

Beginning at Dealey Plaza on the 60th anniversary of the assassination, they see how the location itself acts as a stage in a theatre of Masonic symbolism. The three shots, the triple overpass, the obelisk, Astral magic, Masonry and the symbolism of the Knights Templar all have a role to play in what is clearly a sorcerer's ritual. And as they travel back through the thousand year history of JFK's Fitzgerald ancestors, they uncover how their strange coincidences relate to JFK's purpose as a prince of peace.

Clues to the nature of some kind of mysterious connecting force that causes coincidences emerge. They learn that JFK's distant 13th century ancestor, the second Earl of Desmond, Geroid Iarla was known for his extensive use of magic and looked upon as the mythological child of an Otherworld Irish goddess. They also discover that the fourteenth and last Earl's severed head was sent to Queen Elizabeth I as a magic talisman to inaugurate the birth of the British Empire and that his ghost is said to ride around his birth lake on a white steed every seven years waiting for his return at the end of time. They soon discover that the mysterious connecting force causing coincidence is real and has been acknowledged since ancient times and studied by the psychoanalyst Carl Jung and physicist Wolfgang Pauli as a "connecting principle outside of cause and effect." They also discover that this same connecting force - or as others have described it the Observer Effect - is thought to be what makes magic work and had been studied by a central character in the assassination of JFK named Arthur Young, father-in-law of Ruth Paine - Marina Oswald's guardian as "an added parameter to physics that is either a process, or drive, or force, or consciousness."

After seeing Oliver Stone's JFK and the revelation of assassination-conspirator David Ferrie's involvement with the eccentric American Orthodox Catholic Church they see the connecting principle at work in JFK's family legacy. And things get even stranger when that legacy crisscrosses into the Elizabethan underworld and its connection to a cabal of viciously anti-Catholic Neoplatonic magicians.

Known for their open misogyny, John Dee, Queen Elizabeth's Astrologer, The Faerie Queen's Sir Edmund Spencer, Sir Walter Raleigh her chief knight, Giordano Bruno, defrocked priest, Italian philosopher and alchemist and a cult of well-known historical figures from the 16th century emerge as magical anti-Catholic covert operatives who bear a distinct correspondence to the menagerie of anti-Catholic JFK conspirators put on trial by New Orleans District Attorney, Jim Garrison. And as these Elizabethans weave spells and summon demons to plot the demise of the Catholic Fitzgeralds, evidence of magical plotting based on geometry, astronomy, astrology and the Art of Memory reveals itself.

Motivated by hatred for Rome and inspired by the rediscovery of ancient Hermetic texts attributed to the legendary Hellenistic figure Hermes Trimegistus these Elizabethan actors seek to draw the power of the terrestrial world from Catholic Spain and deliver it to Queen Elizabeth I through the creation of a simulacrum (a thought form created by the magician to receive divine inspiration from the imaginal realm). In the words of author Dame Frances Yates, this group is driven by "The belief in the correspondence of microcosm and macrocosm, in the harmonic structure of the universe, [and] in the comprehension of God through mathematical symbols."

According to a more recent analysis they also believe that practicing the Art of Memory by using images as talismans and creating mnemonic devices (i.e. patterns of letters, ideas or associations that enhance memory) they can implement through the creation of a simulacrum, a large-scale reformation of the universe, in which both celestial and earthly worlds would be purged and restored to original perfection.

Yates approached the subject of Hermetic Renaissance Magic with genuine seriousness and recognized early on in her groundbreaking research that it was a mistake for modern scholarship to dismiss the practice as fantasy considering that it became a guiding force in the creation of the British Empire.

Founded on the fifteenth century work of Cornelius Agrippa based on his translations of Plato, but expanded upon over the next two centuries, one prominent scholar of the philosophy - Giordano Bruno engaged in magical techniques for memorization in his 1582 book De umbris idearum, (On the Shadows of Ideas) that were so effective they led to his being burned at the stake and are still considered bordering on the supernatural.

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News / National

by Staff reporter

Acting President Dr. Constantino Chiwenga delivered a heartfelt address today at the burial of Brigadier General (Rtd) Shadreck Dingaan Ndabambi, extending condolences on behalf of the nation, the Government, and President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is currently on official business. The ceremony was held at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, where the late general was laid to rest.In his address, Dr. Chiwenga offered his condolences to the Ndabambi family, emphasizing the profound loss of a "security guru" who served with distinction in the military police. He highlighted Brigadier General Ndabambi's life and his critical role in Zimbabwe's liberation struggle, underscoring the immense sacrifices made to achieve independence."Independence did not come on a silver platter," Acting President Chiwenga remarked. "This gathering should remind us of the sacrifices made by heroes like Brigadier General Ndabambi." He urged the nation to fiercely protect its independence and to follow the example set by those who fought for it.Brigadier General Ndabambi was a respected figure within the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, known for his contributions during the liberation war. His passing has sparked renewed discussions on the importance of national unity and the continued commitment to the principles of independence.The Acting President also reaffirmed the Government's dedication to economic transformation and modernization, praising President Mnangagwa's leadership during the recent SADC Summit, where he was appointed Chairman. He reiterated the philosophy, "Nyika inovakwa nevene," meaning "the country is built by its people," and called for collective efforts in nation-building.Emphasizing the significance of the national currency, Dr. Chiwenga stated, "No country can progress without its own currency. It is our responsibility to embrace and protect the ZiG." He assured the public that the Government is actively promoting the use of the national currency while monitoring financial markets to stabilize and grow the economy.Concluding his address, the Acting President reflected on Ndabambi's legacy, saying, "Go well, son of the soil. May your soul rest in peace." He later presented the National Flag to Mrs. Senia Ndabambi, the wife of the late Brigadier General (Rtd) Shadreck Dingaan Ndabambi.
A federal watchdog investigating a secret romantic relationship between a judge and a partner of a Texas law firm has filed a court motion in Oregon seeking to compel evidence from two Portland ethics lawyers the firm consulted.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge David R. Jones resigned from the bench on Oct. 3, 2023, after it was disclosed he had been involved romantically with attorney Elizabeth Freeman, a now-former partner of the Texas law firm and the judges former law clerk.
A close up look at Oregons largest spider (arachnophobes beware)

Oregon is home to at least 500 species of spiders, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Over a dozen of them are commonly found in and around your home. And one of those is possibly the largest spider in the Pacific Northwest  the giant house spider. READ MORE

Woman killed in house hit by plane was sleeping on second floor, Fairview neighbors say

A 75-year-old woman was asleep in the second-floor bedroom of her Fairview townhouse whena twin-engine Cessna crashed into a row of homes Saturday morningand killed her, neighbors said Tuesday. Barbara Macdonald had slept in while her husband went to shop at Costco only to find the devastation when he returned. READ MORE

The house in the middle here is the one that took the brunt of the impact of a small plane as it crashed into the Fairview Terrace development on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. Barbara Macdonald, who lived there with her husband, was killed as she slept. The blue townhome on the left belongs to Tom and Judy Keegan. Tom Keegan escaped from their home and Judy Keegan wasn't at their house at the time of the crash.Courtesy Keegan family

Driver slams into 2 parked Portland patrol cars, injuring 2 officers, police say

A driver allegedly under the influence of intoxicants slammed into two parked police SUVs in North Portland early Sunday, injuring the two officers inside the cars, police said. READ MORE

Kassandra Kitchens, left, stands next to defense attorney Robert Crow. Kitchens, 29, plead guilty to second-degree manslaughter during a hearing Tues., Sept. 3, 2024.Zane Sparling/The Oregonian

Portland woman lured drug dealer to his death; sentenced to nearly 10 years

A Portland woman who served asthe bait in the kidnapping and execution-style killing of a street-level drug dealerwho had burned his supplier was sentenced to nine years and seven months in prison Tuesday. READ MORE

Groove Face gets life for Portland hotel bloodbath that killed woman celebrating birthday, left a man dead

Their family tree had been saturated by enough sorrow, so when Teonjenique Hudson Howard told her dad she was planning a party for her 24th birthday, he got nervous.

It had been two and a half years sinceher sister had been killed by her ex and just a year since her cousinwas gunned down in a case that remains unsolved.

Dad, dont worry about it, Hudson Howard texted back, Samuel Howard recalled Friday in court. He said his daughter, who went by TiTi, told him it would be friends and family only. READ MORE

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Are you ready to make your voice heard? Welcome to The Oregonians Readers Choice Awards.

We have fun seeing local places do well in national rankings, but we also think our readers could produce a better ranking. So were asking you to choose the best spots in a variety of categories.

In preparation for the coming heat wave, were kicking things off with the best ice cream in town. We picked 10 of our favorites to start the voting off, but you can also write-in another answer if we missed your favorite. You can vote once a day at the bottom of this post until the poll closes at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. Well reveal the top 5 vote getters next week.

This ice cream shop tucked into a strip mall in the Woodstock neighborhood offers handmade ice cream along with mostly handmade or local mix-ins. There are dairy and vegan options, including Sea Salt Caramel Dough, Circus Friends (with frosted animal crackers), Sasquatch Tracks and Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel, as well as seasonal flavors.

4525 S.E. Woodstock Blvd., 12-10 p.m. daily, cloudcityicecream.com

This rich treat from Mika Paredes and the late Naomi Pomeroy is luscious and creamy with 12 egg yolks in every quart. Flavors change every couple of weeks and include Malted Strawberry, Peaches & Cream and a vegan Coconut Lime until Sept. 5.

4537 S.E. Division St., 12-8:30 p.m., Thursday-Sunday, cornetcustardpdx.com.

This Northeast Portland shop specializes in scratch-made vegan doughnuts and ice creams. They might be best known for the doughnuts, but were here for the ice cream. They offer about 10 flavors, from Peanut Butter Monster Cookie to Coffee or Chipped Mint, some of which change seasonally. Theres even a vanilla bean soft serve.

4110 N.E. Sandy Blvd., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 503-333-4404, doedonuts.com

Eb & Bean

This shop with three locations makes frozen yogurt and soft serve, including a considerable collection of plant-based froyo and a large selection of toppings. Flavors rotate frequently, but a few that were available last week include Raspberry Creme Fraiche, Buckwheat Cookies & Cream, and Coconut Cream Caramel. They also offer vegan and gluten free frozen yogurt sandwiches.

1425 N.E. Broadway, 3040 S.E. Division St. and 645 N.W. 21st Ave., 12-10 p.m. daily, ebandbean.com

Fifty Licks started out as a food cart at Southeast Belmont Street.The Oregonian/file

Fifty Licks

This local chain started as a food cart in 2009. Today it has two regular locations plus a pop-up at Bridgeport Village since its East Burnside Street was destroyed by a fire in May. The tagline on its website is Legendairy and legend-non-dairy ice cream. Right now it is offering 10 dairy flavors, including Burnt Honey and Blueberry Cheesecake, and 6 nondairy flavors, including Bananas Foster and Mocha Mud Pie. It also offers milkshakes and root beer floats.

The 2022 S.E. Clinton St. and 1647 N.W 21st Ave. locations are open 2-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 2-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. The Bridgeport Village location is open 12-9 p.m. daily, fifty-licks.com

Kate Williams, the creator of Kates Ice Cream, began making vegan ice for her sister who couldnt eat dairy, but the audience for her creamy, full-fat, coconut-based, gluten-free desserts grew. There are two locations offering 12 signature flavors, including Rose Water Cardamom Almond, Salted Peanut Butter Brittle and Orange Creamsicle, and 3 seasonal flavors, including Strawberry Shortcake.

3713 N. Mississippi Ave. and 1430 N.W. 23rd Ave., 12-10 p.m. daily, katesicecream.com

Kulfi is a popular Indian frozen pop. Unlike ice cream, kulfi isnt churned. Instead, milk is heated and simmered until it thickens. Then it is cooled, put into molds and frozen. The Portland shop by the same name has added ice cream to its menu, and the flavors wont disappoint. Offerings include Rose City, made with rose water, cardamom and pistachios, and Kaapi & Chocolate, a South Indian coffee cold-brewed overnight their ice cream base with dark chocolate.

3540 N. Williams Ave. and 5009 N.E. 15th Ave., 2-10 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, kulfipdx.com

After graduating from Grant High School, Nico's Ice Cream founder Nico Vergara spent time in South and Central America before returning to the United States and discovering he wanted to start an ice cream business. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian

Nico Vergara offers New Zealand-style ice cream, which means the ice cream is scooped into a mechanical funnel along with mix-ins and smashed together. The result is ice cream that looks like soft-serve but tastes, at least at Nicos, like a dream.

5713 N.E. Fremont St. and 1615 N.E. Killingsworth St., 3-11 p.m. daily, nicosicecream.com

At Pronto, the smooth, small-batch gelato comes in a variety of delicious flavors. There are the classics like Chocolate, Vanilla Bean, California Pistachio and Stracciatella. They also have Peppermint Stracciatella, Lime & Ginger Sorbetto, Grapefruit & Campari Sorbetto, plus a rotating cast of special flavors.

4205 N.E. Alberta St., 3-9 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 1-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, prontogelato.com.

Portlands ice cream juggernaut can now be found as far away as Florida, but well always claim it as ours. With flavors based around Oregon ingredients, like Freckled Mint Chocolate Chip and Pear & Blue Cheese, founder Kim Malek calls their ice cream farm-to-cone.

Six locations in Portland, Beaverton, Lake Oswego and Vancouver, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., saltandstraw.com

Cast your vote here

You can vote once a day until the poll closes at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024.

Mims Copeland is a social media producer and covers trending topics for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her at mcopeland@oregonian.com

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Schools across the metro area will face their first test of the new school year this week as temperatures forecast to reach into triple-digits settle over the region.

By Thursday, classrooms in older buildings that lack central air conditioning, particularly those on higher floors and those that face south, could reach 80 degrees and beyond, making teaching and learning potentially difficult.

That leaves school officials with decisions to make: Hope that stopgap efforts intended to cool schools will hold out until the bell rings at the end of the school day or send students home midday if conditions at their school demand it. Canceling school entirely due to heat is rare, though it has happened to summer school programming during sustained heat waves. The Oregon Trail School District in Sandy plans to close for the whole day on Thursday, due to the heat.

By Wednesday afternoon, the Parkrose School District announced that its elementary schools, none of which have modern HVAC systems, would close at 12:15 pm on Thursday. The Estacada School District said it would let all students out two hours early on Thursday due to high temperatures and the Colton School District said it too would release students early, with elementary students dismissed at 12:50 pm, middle schoolers at 2 pm and high schoolers at 2:10 pm. The North Clackamas School District notified families that its afternoon aftercare program would not be available due to the heat.

Portland Public Schools will be open for a normal school day, but after-school activities in non-air conditioned buildings are suspended for Thursday, the district told families on Wednesday night.

Only 13% of Portland Public Schools campuses have modern central air conditioning systems, including Benson, Franklin, Grant, McDaniel, Lincoln and Roosevelt high schools, Kellogg and Tubman middle schools, Faubion K-8, Rosa Parks Elementary and the Clarendon early learning center. By spring, four more schools  Kelly and Lent elementaries, Bridger-Creative Science K-8 and Harrison Park Middle School  will join that list, district officials said.

Extreme classroom temperatures were a rallying cry during the Portland teachers strike last fall. Portland Association of Teachers president Angela Bonilla said the gulf between schools with modern, up-to-date facilities and those without is the biggest disparity we have within the school system.

The new contract between the Portland Association of Teachers and the district says that when a classrooms temperature tops 80 degrees, teachers must inform their principals about the situation in writing and the district will provide an alternative space for learning as outlined in the PPS Heat Mitigation Plan.

To prevent such widespread upheavals, the school district says it will make the following moves:

Keep school ventilation systems running overnight, to circulate cool air throughout buildings.

Make sure that circulation fans are on early in the morning, to pull in cooler air, then shut them off later in the day as the temperature rises.

Close windows and pull down shades as the day warms up, to minimize sunlight coming into classrooms.

Use floor and box fans to keep air circulating in classrooms.

During previous heat waves, there have been reports of students falling ill. Parent Regan Wozniak said Tuesday that she was weighing whether to keep her son home Thursday and Friday after he got violently sick at school during a late summer heat wave in 2022. She had to leave work to rush to his elementary school to pick him up, she said, and, while he recovered, it was not ideal.

Courtney Dang, whose daughter is in fifth grade at Boise-Eliot/Humboldt Elementary in North Portland, said shes bracing for a tricky few days in the brick building, which dates to the 1920s and does not have an updated heating, ventilation and cooling system.

Its the combination of a low-performing HVAC system with 30 bodies in one second-floor classroom. It just gets hotter, quicker in there, Dang said.

At the same time, she added, she hopes school doesnt close due to heat. Many Boise-Eliot/Humboldt students rely on the cafeteria for breakfast and lunch, Dang said, and sudden closures are especially difficult for working families to navigate.

School districts in the rest of Multnomah County are in similarly tough spots. At the David Douglas School District, only Menlo Park Elementary has central air conditioning, though both Cherry Park Elementary and Mill Park Elementary are set to have it installed. At the Centennial school district, about 25% of classrooms have air conditioning, but only one school  Butler Creek Elementary  has it schoolwide. At the Reynolds School District, multiple schools lack air conditioning in common spaces, such as gyms, cafeterias, hallways and multi-purpose rooms, said district spokesperson Steve Padilla.

By contrast, westside suburban districts tend to be more up-to-date. At the Beaverton School District, for example, almost all of the districts 53 schools have air conditioned classrooms, district spokesperson Shellie Bailey-Shah said. West Tualatin View Elementary has portable units, but will get central air conditioning installed next summer with funding from the districts 2022 bond. And some classrooms at Sunset High School are not yet connected to the schools central air system, she said, but portable AC units were distributed to those rooms on Thursday morning.

School districts within the city of Portland are sharing $50 million in grant funding from the citys clean energy fund, intended for electrical and heating/cooling system upgrades. But the agreement to distribute the funds was only recently finalized, and associated work has yet to begin.

Portland Public Schools is in line for the lions share of that money, nearly $19 million. The David Douglas school district is set to receive $12 million, the Parkrose school district will receive $5.7 million, the Centennial School District was to get $4.6 million, and the Reynolds School District is in line for $4.1 million.

But it can cost around $10 million to completely overhaul the ventilation and air conditioning system in an old, brick school building, Dan Jung, the chief operating officer for Portland Public Schools, has estimated.

 Julia Silverman covers education for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her via email at jsilverman@oregonian.com. Follow her on x.com at @jrlsilverman.
In closing its investigation into the Democratic Party of Oregons misreporting of a $500,000 donation, the Oregon Justice Department said it did not find evidence demonstrating beyond a reasonable doubt that any one knowingly caused the partys largest-ever contribution to be reported under the wrong name.

Despite many clues that now-disgraced FTX executive Nishad Singh should be identified as the true donor of the October 2022 contribution, party officials attributed the donation to Prime Trust, the Nevada company that handled the wire transfer. But the justice department decided earlier this summer that no criminal charges are merited. While knowingly reporting a donation under a false name is a felony under Oregon law, performing sloppy due diligence and ignoring huge red flags are apparently legitimate excuses for avoiding accountability. As Democratic Party of Oregon executive director Brad Martin put it  after repeated questioning by The Oregonian/OregonLives Hillary Borrud helped unearth the error  the party reasonably believed that the contribution was from Prime Trust.

Thats the problem. Reasonable is perhaps the last word that should be ascribed to the behavior of many involved in the misreporting and investigation. Among the issues: Elections Division Director Molly Woon, who previously served as the Democratic Party of Oregons deputy director, never recused herself from oversight of the investigation. Her boss, then-Secretary of State Shemia Fagan  who was both a heavy donor to and recipient of party contributions  agreed there was no need for Woon to recuse herself. Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, who has given more than $115,000 to the Democratic Party of Oregon over the years, made a $2,500 contribution at the same time the party was under active investigation by elections officials  even though Rosenblums office would be responsible for pursuing any criminal charges that the investigation might prompt.

And while Rosenblum finally recused herself from overseeing the case, she did so only after elections officials cut a deal with the party that slashed a proposed fine from $35,000 to $15,000 and pledged not to request a criminal inquiry. These are not reasonable actions by leaders who take seriously the conflict of interest that their deep connections presented.

Then theres the lack of reasonable due diligence by staffers with the Democratic Party of Oregon. Despite dealing with the partys largest-ever donation, they ignored red flags and failed to show much interest in sorting through conflicting information about who to list as the correct donor. Both Singh and Prime Trust were listed as originator on the wire transfer, and an attorney for the party said officials believed Singh was an owner or representative for Prime Trust.

But Nevada business records showed that Singh does not control or hold ownership in Prime Trust. And critically, as first reported by political blogger Jeff Eager, members of the party knew from an April 2022 Politico story that Singh and FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried had previously directed a $14 million donation to a crypto political action committee under the Prime Trust name  even though Prime Trust only handled the wire transfer for them. In the story, which Democratic Party of Oregon researcher Christa Buckland sent to coordinated campaign director Aisling Coghlan, Prime Trust made clear it was not the donor, and the PAC noted it would have to amend its filing with the Federal Elections Commission with the true donors names.

Buckland urged Coghlan to contact Prime Trust, but Coghlan did not, as The Oregonian/OregonLives Carlos Fuentes reported. In an email to The Oregonian editorial board, Coghlan said she thought someone else in the organization was already doing so and that she was not responsible for vetting contributions. A party fundraiser did connect with a representative for Singh, who gave squishy direction on reporting the donation, saying that Singh prefers Prime Trust (though not strongly).

Coghlan shared the Politico story with a staffer for Sen. Ron Wyden who had been included in emails about the expected FTX-related donation. But she oddly managed to delete a paragraph about the story from an email she forwarded from Buckland to the partys executive director  an omission Coghlan said was unintentional.

It would not be the first time in Oregon that people who should know better bungle some basic responsibilities. And the partys campaign finance protocols need some work, as quarterly reports submitted to the secretary of states office as part of the settlement reveal. While there are many reasons for exasperation over the handling of the case, its encouraging that elections officials are keeping on the Democratic Party of Oregon and pushing them to correct errors.

But this case shows, at the very least, a casual attitude toward campaign finance compliance and an arrogance by leaders about conflicts of interest. Republicans often complain about the lack of accountability in our one-party state, where Democrats hold all five statewide offices. The poor decisions throughout this case bolster their argument.

Starting in 2027, new campaign contribution limits are to go in effect. Oregons ability to credibly enact and enforce those limits will depend on creating a culture where election laws are treated with the seriousness they deserve.

-The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board

Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email:


Editors note: This story first appeared on palabra, the digital news site by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

By Rich Tenorio | Edited by Ricardo Sandoval-Palos

In 1519, a fateful collision of civilizations took place in Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Mexica Empire. Moctezuma Xocoyotzin, the huey tlatoani  the emperor  of what the Spanish would mangle and rename the Aztec world, warily greeted an army of strangers from the East: the forces of Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes. Two years later, the once-beautiful, architecturally stunning metropolis was destroyed, the powerful empire conquered, and its subjects the victims of war  or of infectious disease unwittingly introduced by the Spaniards.

But what if a different narrative had unfolded? What if the emperor knew exactly what he was doing when he inexplicably allowed the Spaniards to march all the way from what is now known as the Gulf of Mexico to Tenochtitlan? Thats the premise of You Dreamed of Empires, a daring new novel by celebrated Mexican writer Alvaro Enrigue.

The novel reintroduces readers to the well-known historical figures of Moctezuma, Cortes and Malintzin, a Nahua princess who became Cortes translator and lover, and is referred to in the book as Malinalli. (Moctezumas full title was huey tlatoani, which the author explains means great lord of Tenochtitlan. In the creative language of his book, the Mexica view Cortes as huey Caxtilteca, or a Castilian lord.)

Enrigue also created two imaginary characters: Mexica princess Atotoxtli, who attempts to counsel her brother-husband, Moctezuma, on affairs of the state; and Spaniard Jazmin Caldera, one of Cortes commanders, who is fascinated by the Mexica despite an all-too-visceral encounter with their practice of human sacrifice. Along the way, Enrigue meditates on the themes of capitalism and colonialism that have flowed from the Spaniard-Mexica encounter 500 years ago.

When palabra asked about his decision to create alternate universes, Enrigue had an answer ready.

Its just to change the point of view and give the center stage to the people of the Americas  not as the other but as regular, political human beings, he says. I try to do that literary exercise  change your point of view, unlearn everything we learned about the situation with the Americas, before the arrival of the Europeans  imagine what a wonderful world this would be if there had not been a colonial system for 300 years in the Americas.

"You Dreamed of Empires" at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Union Square, Manhattan, New York City. Photo by Yunuen Bonaparte for palabraPalabra

Enrigues interest in the fall of Tenochtitlan and its impact has deep roots dating back to the excavation of Mexico City that began in 1978 and yielded a majestic Mexica complex known as the Templo Mayor, which once dominated Tenochtitlan as a center of worship. The future author was a kid back then. He remembers visiting the site on a school trip, and the encounter made him think of ancient Rome. He saw Mexico City reconnect to its pre-colonial past, transforming what he perceived as a stuffy, provincial place into a beautiful megalopolis. Although he eventually relocated to New York City as an adult, Enrigue never lost his connections to his homeland and its history. He also contemplated an alternate early history for Mexico, having grown disenchanted by present-day political trends, namely the effects of globalization and right-wing populism in the U.S., Europe and Latin America.

Although he intended this novel to explore these broad themes, he also wanted to document the details of everyday life in Tenochtitlan. He exhaustively researched sensory details: What did the place smell like? How did its inhabitants dress? How did indigenous people pronounce their names and those of the Spaniards? Enrigue explains his decisions with regard to spelling and pronunciation in an explanatory note to Natasha Wimmer, who translated the novel from Spanish to English. Enrigues note accompanies the text.

He had to describe what it felt like for two peoples to viscerally absorb each other and their cultures for the first time. One such encounter, between the Mexica and the Spaniards horses, allowed him to play with history. It has to do with the freedom of the fiction writer, Enrigue says of this plot twist. You can say things that a historian, a philosopher, a sociologist simply cannot say. There is no scientific method for writing fiction. The great question we have asked over 500 years in Mexico is: why did Moctezuma let the Spaniards go into Mexico City? Why didnt he just wipe them out when they disembarked and that was it? Why did he let them (form) all these alliances (with indigenous peoples) that produced a bigger army?

In the novel, Moctezuma is intrigued by the horses, to the point of allowing the Spaniards unhindered access to his capital so that he can surreptitiously capture their mounts. It is true, Enrigue adds, that (indigenous) American nations that adopted horses resisted Europeans until the 19th and 20th centuries  It was not all the other technologies, but really the horse that changed the course of history, their appearance in the Americas, mounted by Europeans and all the people of North America who were able to resist  The novel plays with that.

Its just a play. I think thats important to say. It is fiction, but a game. Fiction is only a game. You can see it as a political discourse on how history is told. Maybe its a psychedelic comment discussing an important truth. For me, its a game.

It seemed like the right moment for palabra to bring up another plot device, namely the Mexicas affinity for magic mushrooms.

I can engineer. Im a builder, an engineer of the time of the novel, Enrigue says. It moves things to the consumption of hallucinogens by Moctezuma on page five or ten. From then on, hes consuming more and more hallucinogens, getting higher and higher. The story begins to change. I use that as a way of moving the time of the novel.

As the novel heads toward its climax, its Cortes who goes on a hallucinogenic trip  through cacti rather than mushrooms. In it, Moctezuma reveals himself as a nagual who can transform into a protective animal figure and who can also speak Greek. It turns out to be a very revealing magical mystery tour, as the Beatles might say.

The novel also describes scenes of unimaginable violence. Moctezuma and his lieutenant, Tlilpotonqui, sentence subjects to death, while a high priest wears the flesh of a human sacrifice. Cortes presides over a mass slaughter of the indigenous community of Cholula (a real historical event), and rapes Malintzin out of anger.

It was a very gory world on both sides, Enrigue says. More than the U.S., Europeans still have the idea of the occupation of the Americas as hygiene: The worst people disappeared in the name of a Christian people. Of course, its an incredibly limited and stupid idea  The novel, in the first place, tries to show the humanity of the people of the Americas. It was a tough world on both sides. The novel is about the brutality of history. It was not a gentle process. Its also worth noting that we live in a horrific world. The way we got here was through abuse and cultural destruction.

Rich Tenorio is a writer and editor whose work has appeared in a variety of media outlets. He is a graduate of Harvard College and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.Tenorio is also a cartoonist. @rbtenorio

Yunuen Bonaparte is a photojournalist and visual editor based in New York. She is currently the photo editor at palabra and Narratively. @_ybonaparte

Ricardo Sandoval-Palos is palabras founding editor. He is the public editor for PBS, an intermediary on ethics, integrity and standards between the broadcasters audiences and its creatives and journalists. Ricardo is an award-winning investigative reporter and editor. His reporting in Latin America earned awards from the Overseas Press Club and the InterAmerican Press Association. Hes also co-author of the biography The Fight In The Fields: Cesar Chavez and the Farmworkers Movement. @ricsand
A national Republican group started running ads attacking first-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle on Eugene TV stations Wednesday, the latest signal that the GOP faithful view Hoyle as an easy target in their efforts to keep control of the U.S. House.

The National Republican Congressional Committee spent $200,000 to reserve the ads in Eugene, after staying off the airwaves in the 4th Congressional District in 2022, when Hoyle handily defeated Republican Alek Skarlatos. This time around, Republicans are more optimistic about their chances of defeating Hoyle with a new candidate, Air Force veteran Monique DeSpain, and a rash of headlines related to Hoyles relationship with La Mota, a cannabis company under federal investigation.

Corrupt career politician Val Hoyle sold out Oregonians to her donors, attracting the attention of a federal criminal investigation, NRCC spokesperson Ben Petersen said in a statement. Southwest Oregon voters are sick of Hoyles corruption and cover-ups and ready to deploy veteran Monique DeSpain to restore transparency and accountability in Congress.

The 30-second ad, first shared with the Capital Chronicle, consists solely of clips from local TV news coverage of La Mota. In it, reporters from KDRV and KEZI note that Hoyle received more than $20,000 in campaign donations from La Motas owners and that federal investigators subpoenaed documents relating to a grant La Motas owners received from the Bureau of Labor and Industries during Hoyles tenure as labor commissioner. Hoyle has not been charged or publicly accused of wrongdoing by law enforcement.

Hoyle returned campaign donations La Motas cofounders made to her state political action committee when she decided to run for Congress in 2022 and didnt receive donations during her congressional race. For months, she has been under scrutiny for her involvement with the labor bureaus decision to give a nonprofit established by La Motas co-founder a $554,000 grant for an apprenticeship program. In January, federal prosecutors subpoenaed the bureau for records related to that program, which Hoyles critics describe as a federal investigation into Hoyle herself.

Hoyle disputes that characterization, calling it a bald-faced lie in a recent interview with Eugene-based KVAL. In that same interview, she described her relationship with La Mota co-founder Rosa Cazares as the same kind she had with business owners throughout the state.

That interview prompted DeSpain to send a letter to Oregons U.S. Attorney on Tuesday, asking the federal prosecutor to investigate all of Hoyles statements and actions.

Val Hoyle explained in her recent TV interview that the way she communicated with and assisted La Mota was the same as how she dealt with all other employers in Oregon, DeSpain said. I am urging the U.S. DOJ to review Hoyles statements and the BOLI communications theyve subpoenaed for evidence of illicit pay-to-play activity with other employers, similar to Hoyles activity currently being investigated.

The 4th District includes the Democratic strongholds of Eugene and Corvallis, as well as more conservative rural areas in the southern Willamette Valley and along the coast. Nonaffiliated voters make up about 35% of the district; Democrats, 32% and Republicans, 25%.

-- Julia Shumway, Oregon Capital Chronicle

The Oregon Capital Chronicle, founded in 2021, is a nonprofit news organization that focuses on Oregon state government, politics and policy.
Stripper and arts advocate Liv Osthus has become the fifth candidate in the Portland mayors race to qualify for public matching funds, city officials confirmed Wednesday.

City data shows Osthus has received contributions from more than 900 donors. Candidates need to receive donations from 750 Portland residents to qualify for the Small Donor Elections program.
After watching eight seasons of the epic saga Game of Thrones, fans can now enter what may be a competition on par with the battle for the Iron Throne: an auction of prized memorabilia from the HBO series.

Fans can now bid on a slew of costumes, props, set pieces and memorabilia from the hit show that ended in 2019. More than 2,000 items  including a melted version of the coveted Iron Throne  distributed across 900 lots will be on the auction block in October through Heritage Auctions.

The starting bids range from $500 to $20,000 for items as iconic as Jaime Lannisters full suit of armor and sword to props as granular as prosthetic teeth used for the White Walkers.

Other notable items include Daenerys Targaryens memorable cloaks, coats and leather ensembles (some that feature dragon chokers and accents) worn by Emilia Clarke, Jon Snows notorious Longclaw sword wielded by Kit Harington, and the Hand of the Queen Pin donned by Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister. Even items that didnt boast much screen time, like the bell wielded during Cersei Lannisters walk of shame or bloodstained garb from the infamous Red Wedding, are expected to draw fans attention during bidding.

Jay Roewe, HBOs senior vice president of global incentives and production planning, said the auction  a chance for fans to grab a piece of history  speaks to the staying power the series has had five years after its finale.

Game of Thrones was a zeitgeist moment in our culture. It was a zeitgeist moment in high-end television. It was a zeitgeist moment in terms of HBO, he said in an interview with The Associated Press. This is something we all grew up with. Its impacted every single one of our lives. Its impacted the culture, and Game of Thrones has meant something to every single person.

Although the series started in 2011 and several items in the auction date back to then, they have not been collecting dust, Roewe said. HBO had been carefully preserving thousands of props, costumes and set pieces since the series began for use on potential spinoffs or sequels. With House of The Dragon having recently completed its second season and other projects firmly in development  while others have been discarded  Roewe said the studio now knows what theyll need to hold on to and what they can part ways with.

These items have been curated and taken care of since we finished filming. They are the quality that they were when we finished filming, and weve had people working on them for years to keep them in shape, he said. We dont need them anymore. Its time to finally open it up to the world.

This dragon skull from "Game of Thrones" is one of the items up for auction.Heritage Auctions

Beyond the preservation and quality of the items, the sheer scale of the auction required months of collaboration with HBO and countless hours of research and planning to organize, said Joe Maddalena, the executive vice president of Heritage Auctions.

Maddalena wanted to ensure fans and collectors didnt feel like there were any glaring holes in the collection by including a wide variety of characters costumes and props, displayed in a 750-page catalog. There are even multiples of crucial items like Arya Starks rapier Needle, of which there were several versions throughout the series run.

The intricate nature and craftsmanship of the costumes and props are part of what make the show so memorable, Maddalena, a fan himself, said. Emmy-winning costume designer Michele Clapton has been praised since the series start for the detailed and intentional designs that fueled storylines. The catalog features interviews with Clapton, showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss and several of the cast members commenting on the episode-specific usage and significance of hundreds of the items. Maddalena called this kind of access and information uncharted territory in the auction world.

You dont usually get studio-sanctioned auctions like this. This is studio sanctioned, he said. Everything comes from the archive. Everything was handpicked, scene specific. You know where your piece was used. You know it was actually used on screen.

For fans who want to snag a piece of Game of Thrones, the vast collection is now open for preliminary bidding with the auction taking place Oct. 10-12 through Heritage Auctions in Dallas. The collection will be available to preview in the auction houses New York and London locations starting Sept. 17 through Oct. 4.

 KAITLYN HUAMANI, Associated Press
Susan Pangburn gives her dog, Gizmo, fresh food and water at the Old Town Cooling Center on Northwest Glisan Street in Portland on August 14, 2023.Beth Nakamura
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.

Marlon Gonzalez And Megan Janetsky, The Associated Press
A French man stands accused in a rape trial of drugging his wife and encouraging numerous other men to rape her while she was unconscious at their home.

Dominique Pelicot, 71, is charged with drugging and repeatedly raping his wife, Gisele, and inviting a total of 83 strangers to assault her while she was drugged at their home. The first incidents of abuse were reported in 2011 and lasted nearly a decade.

Key Details Emerge in French Rape Trial

On Monday, Gisele, 72, appeared in court with her daughter and two sons to face the men accused of these horrific acts, many of whom are strangers to her.

Prosecutors claim that Dominique used online platforms to recruit men to rape his wife after drugging her with sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication. He is facing multiple charges, including multiple counts of aggravated rape, drugging a victim to facilitate rape, and distributing images related to the assaults.

Prosecutors have built a strong case against Dominique because he recorded several of the alleged assaults. Since 2020, Dominique has been in pre-trial detention, and courtroom sketches depict him entering the court in a black t-shirt, where he faced his wife.

Dominique's lawyer, Beatrice Zavarro, told reporters that her client admits to the crimes and did not dispute any of the charges during the investigation. In court, the other men accused of participating in these assaults were seen with their heads bowed.

According to police, there have been at least 92 sexual assaults involving 83 men aged between 26 and 74. Fifty of these men have been identified, and most are facing charges of aggravated or attempted rape, standing trial alongside Dominique.

Read Also : Zoo Trip Turned Sour As Reality Star Amy Slaton Arrested on Drug and Child Endangerment for Camel Bite

Dominique Pelicot's Crimes Revealed

In 2020, police seized Dominique's phone and computer when he was caught filming women's skirts in a shopping center. They discovered evidence of rape, which led to an investigation that revealed to Dominique's wife, Gisele, the extent of the abuse she had suffered for nearly ten years.

According to court documents, Dominique told investigators that the other men involved were aware that Gisele had been drugged without her consent. However, some of the accused deny this claim.

One of the lawyers for the defendants, Christophe Huguenin-Virchaux, told CNN affiliate BFMTV that his client acknowledges having had sexual relations with Gisele. He claimed these interactions were part of a "sexual game" between Gisele and her husband and stated that he was unaware that she had been drugged or medicated.

As the trial progresses, Gisele will have to confront the painful details of what happened to her.

On Tuesday, Gisele endured a tough day in court as the horrifying details of her abuse were read aloud, along with the defense arguments from the accused men's lawyers. Her lawyer, Stephane Babonneau, described the experience as extremely difficult for Gisele, noting that it was particularly painful for her to hear that some defendants claimed she was pretending to sleep and that the acts were consensual.

Another lawyer, Antoine Arebalo-Camus, mentioned last Friday that Gisele was unaware of the abuse she had suffered over the past decade due to memory loss caused by the drugs used on her.

Gisele had the option to request a private trial but chose to make it public. Babonneau explained that she wanted everyone to hear the excuses offered by the accused men.

Gisele's daughter has revealed that her mother sought medical help for memory issues and severe fatigue, symptoms resulting from the drugs. Despite consulting several doctors and neurologists, the problem went undiagnosed for years.

The trial began on September 2 and is expected to reach a verdict by December 20 this year.
Qualcomm launched a pair of 8-core variants of the Snapdragon X Plus Wednesday at the IFA show in Berlin, expanding the reach of Windows on Arm products into what Qualcomm says will be the $700 to $900 range.

The Snapdragon X Plus 8-core chips, as theyre known, are also referred to by their two cryptic product number, the X1P-46-100 and X1P-42-100. They sit at the bottom of Qualcomms hierarchy of Snapdragon X Elite processors, just under the 10-core Snapdragon X Plus chips that launched earlier this year, with a dramatically smaller amount of cache memory.

Today is Amazon Prime Big Deal Days! Our editorial team lists the best tech deals here. ]

Qualcomm chief executive Cristiano Amon launched the new chips at a press conference in advance of the IFA show in Berlin. We have been on this journey to bring personal communication to personal computing systems, he said. And we have arrived.

Qualcomm is employing a familiar strategy, moving up and down the product stack with various tweaks to the clock speed, core count, and cache size. Qualcomms older Snapdragon 8-series chips for the PC included a number of different variants  including the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, for example  together with Plus variants and slower Snapdragon 7-series chips. All were designed to address separate segments of the market, allowing Qualcomm and its customers to expand the Snapdragons reach. In this case, Qualcomm believes that theyll enable laptops and/or tablets to hit the $700 price point its competitors cant touch.

All told, Qualcomm now sells a total of eight Snapdragon X chips, though the Snapdragon X Elite X1E-00-1DE at the top of the product stack has so far been reserved for a developer kit that isnt available to consumers. One key feature: Qualcomm has left the AI TOPS capability unchanged at 45 TOPS.

A Summary of the new Snapdragon X Plus 8-cores capabilities. A Summary of the new Snapdragon X Plus 8-cores capabilities. Qualcomm A Summary of the new Snapdragon X Plus 8-cores capabilities. Qualcomm Qualcomm

Its fair to say that Qualcomm and its Snapdragon X Elite have considerably redefined the PC market. For the last two generations, rival Intel has pushed hard to lower the power consumption of its Meteor Lake and Lunar Lake Core chips, with on-chip controls that try to minimize power first and foremost. By contrast, Qualcomm bought Nuvia in part to bolster the performance of its Arm chips with an Oryon CPU core that can keep up with Intels best. In part, thats due to an aggressive performance curve where Snapdragon chips now run at their fastest to try and outperform their rivals, using the native Arm architecture to keep power low.

Numerous PC makers have signed on to use the Snapdragon X family, including Microsoft with its Surface Pro and Surface Laptop, plus laptops from Acer, Asus, and others. Honor even entered the PC market specifically to use Qualcomms chip, and several PC makers are expected to use the new X Plus 8-Core chip as well.

The two new Snapdragon X Plus chips sit at the bottom of Qualcomms product stack. The two new Snapdragon X Plus chips sit at the bottom of Qualcomms product stack. Qualcomm The two new Snapdragon X Plus chips sit at the bottom of Qualcomms product stack. Qualcomm Qualcomm

The Snapdragon X Plus 10-core chip, the X1P-64-100, is slightly unusual in that it lacks a turbo, or CPU boost. Both of the new 8-core Plus chips do, however, with the X1P-46-100 boosting to 3.4GHz and the X1P-42-100 boosting to 3.2 GHz. Like the other Plus chips, however, they only boost a single core at a time.

Qualcomm cut down the new 8-core Plus chips cache size to just 30MB, versus the 42MB that graces each and every Snapdragon X chip Qualcomm makes. The number of TFLOPs available to the Adreno GPU also fell dramatically, to 2.1 and 1.7. That seems to have reduced the video capabilities: the chips can only encode video at 4K30 and decode at 4K30 (10-bit) or 4K60 (8-bit). A Snapdragon X Elite can encode at 4K60 and decode at 4K120, with the same codecs as the X Plus. The ability to concurrently decode and encode video is also restricted to 1080p on the new X Plus, versus 4K capabilities in the X Elite. The X Plus chip can also capture video at just 36Mpixels, versus 64Mpixels for the X Elite.

Aside from that, the 8-core Snapdragon Plus chip offers few surprises. It maintains the 45 NPU TOPS that qualifies the Snapdragon X chips to be called Copilot+ PCs, and uses the same LPDDR5x memory and 8,448 megatransfer memory transfer rate of the other chips. It also includes the same Snapdragon X65 modem, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4 that the Snapdragon X Elite uses, too.

Qualcomm;s Amon also tipped a couple of new, welcome updates: NordVPN and ExpressVPN now have Arm-native apps, and Google Drive  a noted exception to the Windows on Arm ecosystem  will gain an Arm version by the end of the year.

Qualcomm 8-core Snapdragon X Plus Performance

Mark Hachman / IDG Mark Hachman / IDG Mark Hachman / IDG

Qualcomm offered us a chance to run some early benchmarks on the Snapdragon X Plus. Qualcomm provided a selection of laptops, upon which were preloaded benchmarks ranging from Cinebench to Geekbench. Because of time considerations, we ran two and compared them to previous tests. The test machine was an Asus Vivobook S 15, with a Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 inside  the slowest of the new X Plus chips. A Qualcomm representative said that the price of the Vivobook S 15 is just $899, even with features like a 15.6-inch 3.5K screen.

Youll notice some of the earlier test benchmarks listed here, even though we later tested the Snapdragon X Elite on shipping hardware. Thats just to give you an idea of what Qualcomm promised, and what it eventually delivered. The differences also represent updates to the drivers as well.

Mark Hachman / IDG Mark Hachman / IDG Mark Hachman / IDG

Essentially, what were looking at here is an answer to the question: is this new X Plus chip good enough for the price? And how will it all affect the battery life?

We can answer the first question, but not the second. We also dont know the price of the Acer Vivobook S 15, either.

Mark Hachman / IDG Mark Hachman / IDG Mark Hachman / IDG

The market for long-lasting productivity PCs just got even more interesting.

This story was updated at 1:51 PM Berlin time with additional details. PCWorlds Mark Hachman attended IFA at the request of Qualcomm, which paid for hotel and travel. The company did not influence PCWorlds editorial content.
Laptops with new AMD Ryzen AI 300 and Intel Core Ultra Series 2 chips have the AI horsepower to qualify as Copilot+ PCs and run the newfangled Windows features tied to that qualification. But they arent Copilot+ PCs. Not yet. A Microsoft update will change that.

Microsoft said that the company will issue a Windows 11 update in November to add the Copilot+ features that those chips are qualified to address, but dont have access to now. They include Live Captions, the updated Photos app, Windows Studio Effects, and the updated Paint app with AI creation capabilities.

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To date, the only chip with Copilot+ capabilities has been Qualcomms Snapdragon X Elite, which has pushed past the threshold of 40 AI TOPS  the de facto dividing line for Copilot+ capabilities. The NPUs in both Intels Lunar Lake (the Core Ultra Series 2) as well as the Ryzen AI 300 exceed that threshold.

Microsoft will begin testing the other key Copilot+ PC feature, the controversial Recall feature, this October.

PCWorlds Mark Hachman attended IFA at the request of Qualcomm, which paid for hotel and travel. The company did not influence PCWorlds editorial content.
One of the many questions surrounding Qualcomms Snapdragon X Elite processors has always been: Is it just a mobile processor? Qualcomm has hinted before that it isnt, but the companys chief executive just gave the strongest indication that a desktop chip truly is in the cards.

At the launch of the 8-core Snapdragon X Plus in advance of the IFA show in Berlin, Qualcomm chief executive Cristiano Amon was asked about the possibility of a desktop Snapdragon chip. He replied:

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The first thing that we did, we launched [Snapdragon] X Elite. Then we launched the X Plus, plus the 10-core. Today, were launching the 8-core Plus to try to get at different price points. Youre going to see us with a lot of designs on desktops, mini desktops, and eventually, you wont be surprised of us still thinking about high-performance desktop. We are on this journey. As I said, were here to stay.

Amon also hinted at closer collaboration with Chromebooks, which Google executive John Solomon indicated back in June.

Amon also told his audience that he would be providing more detail at an investor conference in November, where he would be talking about the future of the Snapdragon platform. Stay tuned for November, he said.
The negative feedback that came crashing down on Windows Recall apparently hasnt gotten through to Microsoft because another AI feature has appeared in Windows 11 that does a lot of the same stuff.

A user on X/Twitter discovered evidence of a feature called Intelligent Media Search in Windows 11 Canary Build 27695 that scans all media files on the system (including text, image, audio, and video) and retrieves them on request.

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It isnt yet clear whether this is an independent feature or an extension of Recall itself, but the Windows community is unlikely to approve either way. Even if the feature is supposed to make everyday life and work easier, there are valid concerns about security, privacy, and performance.

Why this AI feature is concerning

Intelligent Media Search appears to be a quick and easy way to find the content youre looking for on your system, ranging from specific holiday photos to important work documents.

With Recall, the retrieval process works via intermittent screenshots that record everything you do, which Windows 11 analyzes and stores so that you can immediately recall anything you did in the past. We dont know how Intelligent Media Search works, and Microsoft hasnt yet officially announced anything about the AI-powered search feature.

Get Windows 11 Pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro Price When Reviewed: 69,99 Euro Best Prices Today:

However, initial concerns about data protection and security are already emerging. Its true that information is encrypted and only stored on the users own device, but what if someone reached it via physical access or remote hack? It could make sensitive information quickly discoverable for attackers, who could search, get what they need, and dip out ASAP.

Its especially problematic in the EU, where there are specific regulations for the use and implementation of such features. Microsoft even had to postpone the launch of Recall over such issues.

The technical challenges shouldnt be underestimated, either. With Recall, people are concerned about how much storage space is needed to store all the screenshots created. With Intelligent Media Search, how much of a drag on performance will it cause with the constant scanning of media content across your computer and drives?

The next era of Copilot+ PCs should be able to handle AI features like this with ease, but its going to be a while before theyre affordable enough for everyday users and become mainstream devices. With AI still being something of a gimmick, adoption is going to be slow and gradual.

It probably wont be uninstallable

Recently, there was hope among testers when a Windows preview build allowed Recall to be uninstalled altogether. However, Microsoft quickly clarified that this was a bug that would be removed.

While Microsoft does allow Recall to be switched off manually, its evident that the company has no desire to make it permanently removable. We expect a similar attitude towards Intelligent Media Search (and all AI-powered features, to be honest).

Constant monitoring of your PC can be hard to stomach, and were questioning how much further Microsoft can push this strategy before users are frustrated enough to switch to other solutions.
Despite recent dampening sentiments in the currency market, the government remains optimistic about the stability of the Cedi.



Last week, the local currency crossed the GH16 mark against the US Dollar on the FX retail market, as some forex bureaux and banks sold at rates ranging from GH15.95 to GH16.20.



However, at the Monthly Press Briefing on the Economy last week, Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam outlined several factors expected to bolster the countrys foreign exchange (FX) reserves and stabilise the currency.



Dr. Adam emphasised that the government anticipates several significant FX inflows in the coming months.



It is envisaged that the following expected inflows and signals will also help to improve the supply of Forex and/or exchange rate stability going forward, he stated.



He noted three key expectations: a US$360 million inflow following the successful completion of the third review of the IMF program, a US$300 million inflow after the approval of the World Banks Development Policy Operation 2 (DPO2), and the successful restructuring of external debt.



The Finance Minister also sought to address concerns about COCOBODs financial strategy for the upcoming 2024/25 crop season.



He clarified that the government would seek funds through syndication and other alternative sources as part of measures to improve COCOBODs financial viability.



This statement comes amidst market concerns following COCOBODs decision not to pursue its traditional annual cocoa syndication loan, which had led to renewed questions about the Cedis short-term stability.



Signs of Stability



The Cedi has shown relative stability against major trading currencies since 2023, despite some recent pressures.



Dr. Adam illustrating this trend, noted that the Cedis depreciation against the US dollar improved from 54 percent in November 2022 to 27.8 percent in December 2023, compared to 30.0% in December 2022.



The year-to-date depreciation of the Cedi moderated to 7.7 percent in the first quarter of 2024, compared to 22.1 percent during the same period in 2023.



The cumulative depreciation of the Cedi against the US dollar stood at 18.6 percent at the end of June 2024, compared to 22 percent in the same period in 2023. As of August 26, 2024, the cumulative depreciation was 21.5 percent, slightly better than the 22.1 percent recorded during the same period in 2023.



Month-on-month, the Cedis depreciation against the US dollar showed significant improvement, dropping from 6.1 percent in May 2024 to 3.1 percent in June 2024, and further to 2.1 percent in July 2024.



Dr. Adam attributed this relative stability to several key factors, including tight monetary policy by the Bank of Ghana (BoG), strong fiscal consolidation, and strategic programs such as the gold-for-oil initiative and the BoGs gold-for-reserves program.



Since the inception of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP), the BoG has accumulated sizable foreign exchange buffers, exceeding expectations under the IMF programme. To date, the Bank has purchased 65.4 tonnes of gold valued at US$5.07 billion, with 23 tonnes acquired in 2024 alone.



The Minister also mentioned the deployment of a centralized platform for foreign exchange bureaus by the BoG, the implementation of a dynamic Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) to absorb excess liquidity, revised regulations on advanced payments for imports, and positive market sentiments following the disbursement of the third tranche of the IMF Extended Credit Facility and the agreement in principle with external creditors.



Market Reactions



Despite these positive indicators, recent investor updates from Databank and Constant Capital highlighted ongoing challenges in the currency market. The Cedi experienced a decline against major trading currencies recent weeks, driven by subdued FX liquidity and high demand.



Analysts have pointed to several contributing factors, including government coupon payments and continued market uncertainties following COCOBODs decision regarding the cocoa loan syndication.



The decision by COCOBOD not to raise its annual cocoa syndication loan renewed concerns about the Cedis short-term stability. Market participants fear that the lack of this traditional source of FX inflow could put additional pressure on the currency, especially in the face of high demand and limited supply.



Nevertheless, the government remains confident that its multi-pronged approach will stabilise the Cedi.

Source: B&FT









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A chilling case of child abuse has ended with a 15-year prison sentence slapped on Ishmael Addo, a 43-year-old chainsaw operator who defiled his 12-year-old step-daughter.



The Gender-Based Violence Court at the Police Headquarters in Accra handed down the sentence after Addo pleaded guilty to two counts of defilement.



According to the prosecution, Addo had been living with the victim and her mother, his girlfriend, in Asofa.



When the mother traveled to Afram Plains last month, she left the victim in Addos care. However, during her trip, she received a disturbing call from a friend and co-tenant that the victim was not well.



Upon her return, the mother discovered that Addo had sexually abused her daughter, who is a class three pupil.



The victim confided in her mother that Addo had threatened to punish her if she told anyone about the abuse.

Further investigation revealed that Addo had previously had sex with the victim twice while her mother was asleep at night.



The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyei, presented a damning case against Addo, who was subsequently arrested and charged with defilement.



The court, presided over by Dora Araba Eshun, convicted Addo on his own plea and sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently.



In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered Addo to compensate the victim with GH3,600 and pay her medical bills.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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The Ghana Police Service through an intelligence-led operation yesterday, 2nd September 2024, arrested four hundred and eighty-seven (487) suspects who are members of the Ponzi scheme known as QNET in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.



The suspects, consisting of 257 females and 230 males, were arrested in a house located at Adwuman near Kenyasi, a suburb of Kumasi.



Preliminary investigations established that the suspects through the scheme, successfully enticed unsuspecting persons from various parts of the country under the guise of offering lucrative returns on their investments.



Exhibits retrieved from them include registration documents and other materials bearing the QNET logos.



Twelve of the arrested suspects who have been identified as executives of the scheme are Gyereh Evelyn, Francis Kpesah, Samuel Musah, Simon Yakubu, Thomas Kotual, Kwasi Nyabi, Benjamin Nsigma, Elijah Musah, Moses Katu, John Balabon Tagnakibi, James Nogma, and Fidelis Bang-ib. They are currently in Police custody assisting in the investigation.



We would like to take this opportunity to urge the public to be wary of such schemes and report such activities to the Police.









Source: King Edward Ambrose:Peacefmonline.com









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The death of an 18-year-old final-year student from O'Reilly Senior High School in Accra, who was stabbed on campus on Monday and pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital has triggered a crucial meeting between the Ghana Education Service and the management of the school over how discipline is maintained on campus.



The victim, a General Arts student, was reportedly engaged in an argument, with a colleague over whose father was richer. This happened after they had finished writing an exam.



This degenerated into fisticuffs and Edward Borketey Sackey was stabbed multiple times.



The suspect has only been identified as Godwin, from the Visual Arts class.



He has been arrested by the police.



Videos and photos shared on social media showed colleague students in a desperate move, rushing Sackey to the hospital.



However, he was pronounced dead on arrival.



A photo of the victim lying unconscious on a white cloth on the floor has also been shared on social media.



Following the Monday incident, a crunch meeting involving the Greater Accra Regional Director of Education, the Municipal Director of Education at the Ledzokuku Krowor Municipal Assembly (LEKMA), and the management of O'Reilly Senior High School was called on Tuesday.



The Greater Accra Regional Director of Education, Stephen Abamfo, has said an investigation was underway aside from efforts to ensure safety on campus.



Meanwhile, the father of the victim has said he has still not received any official information on the incident almost 24 hours after it happened.



Together with some family members, they mobilized themselves and went to the school campus where in an interaction with the media, they demanded justice.

Source: graphiconline









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Convenor for the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, has called on Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Ex-President John Dramani Mahama to implement policies with immediate effect to combat the menace of Illegal mining, popularly known as Galamsey.



Dr. Ashigbey reiterated his position stating that the fight against galamsey cannot wait until elections result are declared after December 7, adding that consequences of the galamsey will be heightened, a situation that cannot be contained.



The clarion call from Dr. Ken Ashigbey follows a distress announcement from the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWL) that Elmina, Cape Coast and its environs will experience a dire situation as a result of the destruction of the water bodies due to illegal mining.



Ghana Water Company maintained that, due to the extent of pollution, more chemicals needs to be used in the treatment of the water, which in essence, will have an adverse effect on the consumer.



Earlier in the year, water supply to the Central region was reduced by 30% due to the increase in pollution of the Pra River due to activities of galamsey.



GWCL, in a statement dated Friday, August 30, explained that pollution in the catchment area has reduced water intake to a minimal level, with approximately 60% of the catchment capacity silted due to galamsey. The company noted that the Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant (WTP) has experienced a significant demand-supply gap due to inadequate raw water intake caused by pollution of the Pra River.



However, in an interview on Channel One TV, Dr. Ashigbey underscored the need for politicians to acknowledge the galamsey crisis and deal with it decisively.



Speaking further, he chastised the government for sitting aloof after evidence was given against Akonta mining and Heritage Imperial for being involved in illegal mining.



According to him, the menace continues because the government failed to crack the whip on the individuals involved in the act adding that politicians have extensively benefited from exploiting mining to the detriment of citizens.



Dr. Ashigbey said, When you have a situation, where the state, the leadership does not deal with its own who are involved in it. Or all the big men who imported all of these excavators, then this is where we are going to go. Where then nature will start hitting back at us because it will impose a drought on you.



At a time when your irresponsibility because you are going into the next election is at its height. And then what you start seeing are these pockets of drought. Already you have a situation where, if you are not careful, your grains are failing.



So we cannot wait to say that these manifestos that we have seen, we want to wait until after the election before we start implementing them. Whether its coming from the current vice President or the ex-president, so, the decision is now, he stated.

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A century ago William Irvine set out to provide not just a vast park for the public to enjoy but a central location for musical performances in Chippewa Falls. With that goal in mind, Irvine made numerous donations to the city and county.

Now 100 years later, his gift of land and money for the Irvine Park bandstand is being celebrated for the joy it has brought. Chippewa Falls residents are invited to attend the 100th anniversary event from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Irvine Park Bandshell Gazebo, with a performance by the 132D Army National Guard Band of Wisconsin along with the McDonell High School band.

State Sen. Jesse James, R-Altoona, also will speak during the event.

The location has a long history of patriotic events and performances. The dedication concert for the bandstand on May 11, 1924, attracted 12,500 people. The Knights of Pythias, the 104th U.S. Reserve Band and two other bands played.

On Sunday, the 132D Army National Guard Band of Wisconsin will join the ranks of performers at the bandshell. The band has dozens of members. The 132nd Army Band was constituted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in 1946 as the 32nd Infantry Division Band.

If you go What: Irvine Park Bandshell Gazebo 100th anniversary celebration When: Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday Where: Irvine Park, 125 Bridgewater Ave., Chippewa Falls

The mission of the band, according to its website, is to provide music throughout the full spectrum of military operations and instill in our soldiers the will to fight and win, foster the support of our citizens, and promote our national interests at home and abroad.

Bandshell background

According to the Chippewa County website, businessman William Irvine, his firm, Chippewa Lumber and Boom Co., and L.C. Stanley established Irvine Park in 1906 through a donation of 165 acres. Since then, the size of Irvine Park has grown to 318 acres.

The historic name for the bandshell is the Memorial Bandstand, paying homage to veterans. It is located near Irvine Parks South Gate.

The neoclassical/Beaux arts bandshell was designed in the 19th Century Romantic tradition and built in 1924, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Influenced by the classical tradition and symbolism that dominated the design of public structures in the early decades of the 20th century, the Chicago architect Lee. A. Bailey, a native of Chippewa Falls, designed a memorial band shell dedicated to 'Our Soldiers and Sailors' for Irvine Park in the manner of the 19th century Romantic tradition, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society.

An original bandstand was built next to Duncan Creek, where Irvine paid for weekly Sunday concerts -- his only request was that the band play "The Bells of St. Mary's" according to "Everyone's Park, William Irvine's Gift to Chippewa Falls."

According to "Wisconsin Bandshells and Stands," a collection of bandstands in the state, in 1924 Irvine donated $10,000 for a new bandstand.

Band concerts in the park began as early as 1909 when Irvine donated to the city of Chippewa Falls a series of band concerts to be performed in Irvine Park.

Between 1909 and 1919 about 20 concerts were held at a cost to Irvine of more than $5,000.

According to the May 10, 1924, Chippewa Herald:

"On May 10, 1924 Rev. L. A. Brenner, D.D. dedicated to the soldiers and sailors of all wars the Memorial Band Stand placed in Irvine Park as a gift from William Irvine. No address was given by Mr. Irvine. The acceptance address was delivered by Mayor Eugene O'Neil. The Knights of Pythias band played between addresses. The musical part of the program was played by 4 different bands. O'Neil declared that the park consisted of 265 acres of land in-eluding Glen Lock, with a value of over $110,000.

In addition to the land he originally gave, William Irvine also spent $30,000 in improvements. "Generations yet to come will remember and bless the giver and his gift of inestimable worth.

The bandstand is still used for summertime concerts and weddings and is on display during the annual Christmas Village at Irvine Park which shows off scenes reminiscent of the Victorian era and has about 65,000 lights.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has dismissed allegations that the ongoing installation of new prepaid meters is an attempt to overbill customers for power consumed.



According to the company, the new meters are designed to accurately reflect energy consumption, and concerns about overbilling are unfounded.



Speaking at the launch of the Meter Replacement Exercise in Accra East, ECG's Managing Director, Samuel Dubik Mahama, explained the significance of this initiative as part of the companys Loss Reduction Programme (LRP).



He noted that the exercise has already led to a 30 percent increase in revenue while reducing ECG's operational losses.



"The old meters were very mechanical, leading to some revenue loss," Mr. Mahama explained, addressing complaints from customers who reported increased energy consumption with the new meters. He assured the public that the replacement is not a scheme to deceive anyone, adding that prepaid meters have a lifespan of about 10 years and need periodic replacement.



Mr. Mahama also stressed the importance of accurate revenue generation for sustaining the energy sector and urged the public not to politicize the exercise. "Revenue generation by ECG is critical to keeping this sector alive," he said.



He also warned customers to refrain from tampering with the new meters.



Mr. Mahama said: "Please, these meters are smart meters, they are MMS compliant. They are very visible on a dashboard in our offices. Please, don't tamper with these meters because we will know. There's been a huge revenue leakage and across the country, we have to change close to 1.5million metres as quickly as possible".

Source: graphiconline









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Opportunity International Savings and Loans Ltd. (OISL), one of the leading Savings and Loans Companies in Ghana recently celebrated the graduation of 30 young ladies who participated in its flagship vocational skills training program, which is focused on transforming the lives of Street Porters (Kayayei). The event took place in Kumasi at the Methodist Training Center on August 30, 2024.



These ladies successfully completed an intensive four-week life skills training program in vocational skills such as Baking, Bead making and Soap making, laying a strong foundation for their financial independence and personal growth.



Each participant received a stipend of GHS 400 during the training period together with an extra GHS 100 to open a bank account for them with the institution. During the program, the ladies were provided with three-course meals, free accommodation, and personal hygiene kits.



As part of their graduation, the ladies were also given startup kits worth GHS 2,500 each and awarded certificates to celebrate their dedication and perseverance in completing the program.



The event was graced by Hajia Azara Abukari-Haroun, Chairperson of the Board Transformation Committee of OISL, who was also the chairperson of the event. Other dignitaries at the event included Ms. Theophilia Esther Larbie, Head of the Transformation Department of OISL, Mr. Isaac Gyesi, Head of Compliance at OISL, and Mr. Richard Anyamesem, Head of Marketing at OISL, along with other staff and management of the company. Other notable attendees included Osman Zibilim, Chairman of the Kumasi Kayayie Association, Iddrisu Mahama, and Haruna Alhassan, the Dagomba Chiefs of Kwadaso and Perkyi respectively.



In her opening remarks, Hajia Abukari-Haroun emphasized the importance of transformation and sustainability, urging the ladies to recognize their current position as a foundation for future progress. She inspired the graduates to focus on the opportunities ahead, assuring them that their hard work would lead to a better future for themselves and their children.



Mr. Osman Zibilim expressed his gratitude to OISL and its current partner Medicor Foundation for supporting the Kayayei community in Kumasi. He encouraged the graduates to embrace their bright future, leaving behind their past struggles.



The Kayayei Project is a collaboration between Opportunity International Savings and Loans and the Medicor Foundation, aimed at empowering and educating these marginalized ladies. The Medicor Foundation which is based in the UK is an independent charitable organization, that focuses on education, health, and social care to improve the well-being of the vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe.



Since the inception of the program in 2019, three hundred and twenty-two (322) ladies have been trained, with over 70% now utilizing their skills to support themselves and their families. Notably, 140 of these ladies (43%) have relocated back to the Northern part of the country for resettlement. These women serve as living proof of the potential that can be unlocked through proper support and opportunities.



Opportunity International Savings and Loans Ltd. currently has thirty- eight (38) branches in ten (10) out of the sixteen (16) regions of Ghana serving over 675,000 clients across the country. It is a subsidiary of Opportunity International, a global organization with its Head Office in Chicago delivering services and programs to clients in thirty (30) countries across the globe and serving over twenty (20) million customers with Micro Banking, Micro Insurance, Agriculture, Education Finance, and Innovative Non-Financial Services.













Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has announced that Virgin Atlantic will resume operations in Ghana starting May 2025.



Virgin Atlantic will become the 25th airline to operate out of Kotoka International Airport, with daily flights using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.



This move highlights growing confidence in Ghanas aviation sector and strengthens the country's position as a leading aviation hub in West Africa.



The return of Virgin Atlantic is a significant milestone for Ghana's aviation industry, reinforcing efforts to establish Kotoka International Airport as the preferred airport business leader in the region. The addition of Virgin Atlantic to the airports roster is expected to enhance connectivity options for travelers, linking passengers from Ghana to various destinations around the world.



Managing Director of GACL, Mrs. Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare welcomed Virgin Atlantic back on behalf of the Board, Management, and Staff.



We are thrilled to welcome Virgin Atlantic back to Ghana, which will become the 25th international airline to operate at Kotoka International Airport. We look forward to collaborating with Virgin Atlantic to ensure a seamless launch of their operations and continued facilitation at the airport, she said in a statement.



Mrs. Opare also announced GACL's strategic plans to optimize the use of Terminal 2 at Kotoka International Airport.



With the growing number of airlines operating in Ghana, the GACL aims to relocate some airlines to Terminal 2 to ease congestion at Terminal 3, reduce long queues, and enhance travel experiences for passengers and airlines alike. The details of this plan will be communicated to the public following stakeholder engagements.



Virgin Atlantics return will provide the traveling public with increased connectivity options, offering direct access to a wider range of global destinations. This expansion aligns with GACLs vision to continuously improve passenger experiences and further establish Ghana as a competitive player in the global aviation industry.



Virgin Atlantics resumption of operations is poised to enhance Ghana's aviation landscape and reaffirm the countrys standing as a vital gateway for international travel in West Africa.

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The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has urged the general public to disregard any allegations that the voters register is not fit for purpose.



This statement from the EC follows an earlier statement made by the Director of Elections of the National Democratic Congress, asserting that the voters register is not fit for purpose citing certain irregularities that has been found in the register during the Voters exhibition exercise which ended on August 27, 2024.



The Electoral Commission in a press conference on Monday, September 2, 2024 called on Ghanaians to refute claims that the register is not fit for purpose, adding that, some persons just want to tarnish the image and destroy the reputation of the Electoral Commission.



Excerpt of the statement read, We call upon the Public to reject statements that the Register is not fit for the 2024 Elections or that it is incurably defective. The Register is robust and credible. At the end of the day, the Final Certified Register will reflect corrections of all identified errors.



According to the Commission, the Electoral document was made open and accessible to all political parties and stake holders.



Who gives out a document and make it openly accessible to all if the intention is to add on illegal persons? It is important to note that the Political Parties have copies of the 2020 Register, 2023 Register, records of the daily registration reports from the 2024 Limited Voters Registration and Mop-Up Registration Exercises. This is a transparent and inclusive process that is not exclusive to the EC. Therefore, unless they can show any proof, those alleging that the Commission is trying to cook data should be ignored, the statement stated.



The Commission further reassured Ghanaians and the general public that discrepancies detected through the Exhibition Exercise and their correction do not in any way affect the validity of the Voters Register and the ability of valid voters to vote come December 7, 2024.



"As a Commission we continue to demonstrate and reflect the values of transparency, integrity and fairness in all our operations. We are fully mindful that the Voters Register is the bedrock and foundation of an Election. We are well aware that a credible Voters Register is sine qua non for a transparent, peaceful and fair election. The Commission is committed to conducting and delivering free, fair, transparent, peaceful, credible, and inclusive Elections in December 2024. We entreat the General Public to support the Commission for successful General Elections in 2024," the EC concluded.

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has refuted claims made by some members of parliament of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) that they contributed to the purchase of the District Road Improvement Project (DRIP).



The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Bawumia posited that, everything about DRIP is solely the initiative of the Vice President, Dr. Bawumia, therefore, Ghanaians should not allow any form of deception from the opposition party.



As part of the Bold Vision campaign tour to the Central region, the Bawumia for President 2024 campaign team made a stop at the Awutu Breku were he addressed dignitaries who had graced the occasion of the Awubia festival.



Dr. Bawumia clarified that Parliament had no role in the implementation of the programme, hence, any attempt by an MP to claim foreknowledge of the initiative should be regarded as a blatant lie.



It is recalled that the NPP government had delivered excavators and other earthmoving machines to all districts and municipal assemblies to be used in maintaining all roads across the country under the DRIP.



Some members of Parliament have sought to explain that the project was implemented with their portion of the District Assemblies Common Fund.



He explained that he proposed its implementation on a committee he chaired sometime back.



Dr. Bawumia said, On that committee which I chaired, the critical roads committee, I came up with the idea that we should buy equipment to help every district construct roads in Ghana. So we were to buy all districts excavators, rollers, graders, backhoes, tipper trucks and so on. This was an idea from my committee. It has nothing to do with Parliament."



It has nothing to do with Parliament. We came up with the idea, we funded that. It didnt go to Parliament for any approval so nobody should come and claim that they were responsible for all the equipment that we have sent to every district in this country.



He maintained, This was the committee that I chaired. We came up with that idea and I made sure that we bought all of this equipment and we have taken it to every district in Ghana. So nobody should come and lie about it.





Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, has said that the government of Nana Akufo-Addo has built more roads in the Eastern Region than the erstwhile administration of John Dramani Mahama.



Speaking at the Regional Townhall meeting in Koforidua on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, Mr. Acheampong revealed that over 185 kilometers of roads have been constructed since 2017, demonstrating the current administration's commitment to improving infrastructure and enhancing regional connectivity.



The Akufo-Addo government has delivered on its promise of infrastructural development. Since 2017, we have completed over 185 kilometers of road construction in the Eastern Region, which surpasses the total road development done under the NDC administration, the Regional Minister stated. Our efforts have not only made transportation easier but have also boosted economic activities by connecting communities that were previously isolated.



Mr. Acheampong outlined several key road projects completed by the government, including the rehabilitation of the Nkawkaw-Noyem-New Abirem roads, the reconstruction of the Koforidua-Asesewa-Abourso roads, and the partial reconstruction of the Koforidua-Bonsu road. He noted that, these projects, among many others, have significantly improved access and connectivity in the region, reducing travel time and facilitating trade and commerce.



The Eastern Regional Minister further elaborated on the governments broader vision for infrastructure development, stressing that government is not just focused on building roads but on creating an interconnected network that supports economic growth and development across the region emphasizing that the progress government has made so far is just the beginning, and is committed to delivering even more in the years to come.



Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, whose is ministry is responsible for putting together the townhall meetings, highlighted the importance of the meetings, explaining that they serve as a crucial platform for government accountability and transparency.



These town hall meetings are important because they allow us to bring governance closer to the people, she said. They provide an opportunity for citizens to engage directly with government officials, ask questions, and receive real-time updates on government projects and policies.



Madam Abubakar further noted that the townhall meetings help bridge the gap between the government and the people, fostering trust and ensuring that citizens are well-informed about the initiatives undertaken in their regions. We believe that by promoting open dialogue and sharing information, we can build a stronger relationship between the government and the people. This is crucial for sustaining our democracy and promoting inclusive development, she added.



The event, which took place at the Centre for National Culture in Koforidua, is part of a nationwide series of town hall meetings aimed at enhancing citizen engagement and promoting inclusive governance. The meetings provide a platform for government officials to update the public on the status of various projects and to receive feedback directly from residents.



The townhall meeting in Koforidua was the second in the 2024 series, following a successful launch in the Greater Accra Region. It brought together government officials, community leaders, and residents, who were eager to learn more about the government's development agenda and share their concerns. The series will continue in the remaining regions, with the aim of ensuring every Ghanaian has a voice in the nations development process.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Ayawaso West Wuogon is charging forward as the constituency launched its 2024 campaign team with Samuel Owusu Amankwaa taking up a key role in what promises to be a decisive electoral battle.



Despite facing disappointment in the internal elections, Amankwaa demonstrated grace and resolve, choosing to rally behind the partys leadership and focus on the upcoming elections.



His inclusion in the campaign team marks a significant moment for the constituency, underscoring his commitment to victory and the success of the partys agenda.



Amankwaa expressed profound gratitude to the leadership for entrusting him with this role, signaling his readiness to contribute to the effort to retain the seat.



"After the internal elections didnt go well for me, I put everything behind and now promise to do everything humanly possible to help us retain the seat and help us break the eight come 2024", Amankwaa stated passionately during the launch.



His words reflect the determination that has become the hallmark of the partys fight to continue leading Ayawaso West Wuogon.



With faith as the foundation and victory within reach, the campaign is poised to energize supporters across the constituency.

Amankwaas call to action echoes a broader sentiment of perseverance and unity as the team prepares to bring their message of progress to every corner of Ayawaso West Wuogon.



Victory is not just a goal; it is a divine promise waiting to be fulfilled in 2024.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP) has appealed to NPP Members of parliament who are deciding to go independent after losing their various parliamentary primaries to consider the welfare of the party.



According to him, they are in talks with various candidates to rescind their decision.



Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he explained that the party has a common goal of winning 2024 elections with a common front but the selfish interest of some disgruntled members may go a long way to affect the party.



"We are still in talks with those disgruntled members and I believe that they will have a change of mind before the party fields in candidate for the December polls. Just as some people paved the way for them to go to parliament, they should also reciprocate that gesture and allow those who won the primaries to also serve the party.



"If they refuse to listen to the call of the party and decide to go ahead with their plans, I know posterity will judge them," he added.



He maintained that in as much they believe that some people are not happy with the way things went with their various primaries, all bottle necks have been resolved and that he still finds it fascinating for some to still decide to forgo the warning of the party and contest as independent candidates.



However, that will not derail the party's ambition to 'break the 8' and ensure that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia wins the 2024 election.





Watch Video Below





The incumbent Member of Parliament for Suhum, Kwadwo Asante, popularly known as Boafo has declared his intention to contest the seat as an independent candidate.This comes after he lost the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primary to Frank Asiedu Bekoe, also known as Protozoa.Despite his defeat, many NPP party faithful in the constituency has urged him to run as an independent candidate.In response, top party officials, including Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong, attempted to persuade him to reconsider.However, on Sunday, September 1, Boafo declared his decision to run as an independent candidate, ending months of speculation.Addressing a large gathering of supporters after a health walk at the Suhum Amponsah Market, he stated that he was heeding the call of his constituents to continue his developmental work in the area.Cynthia Morrison, who is the current Member of Parliament for Agona West, has also declared her independent candidacy after losing in the NPP parliamentary primaries.Despite the primary setback, Morrison reaffirmed her commitment to the progress of Agona West and called on her supporters to rally behind her independent bid.

Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Chief Executive Officer of the InterCity State Transport Corporation (STC), Nana Akomea has fired shots at the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and their flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, over their conduct towards the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.



The National Democratic Congress on Saturday, August 24, launched their manifesto at the University of Education, Winneba, outlining the policies that their leader intends to implement to better the living conditions of Ghanaians should he become President in 2025.



Following the manifesto launch, Dr. Bawumia on Sunday, August 25, held a Q&A engagement with the media to explain his policies properly to Ghanaians.



But John Mahama has criticized the Vice President for holding his media session just a day after the his manifesto launch.



Mahama said; "Just yesterday the Cedi crossed the 16 Cedi to one dollar barrier. When you do something with a devious intention it backfires on you, we announced we were going to launch our manifesto on the 24th of August, immediately our opponents announced that they were going to do a media encounter on the 25th of August, the very next day.



"The intention for doing that media encounter the next day after we had announced our manifesto was to get the attention of Ghanaians from the NDC manifesto, that was the main reason that they decided to do a media encounter the very next day after we launched our manifesto.



"When you do something with devious intentions, it backfires on you. You know how to tell if people are lying, if there are people who are smooth talkers who can speak like machine guns, the time when they become stammerers you know they are lying. Somebody who has been speaking 'ratatatata' like AK 47 suddenly, at a media encounter, starts stammering."



He made these remarks while addressing his supporters during his two-day campaign tour in Ada as part of his Greater Accra Regional campaign on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.



Nana Akomea, in reply during Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme, wonders how Mahama could accuse Bawumia of sabotaging his program when his manifesto launch and Bawumia's media session were held on different days.



To him, Mahama's comments go to tell "he is afraid".



"You can tell they (NDC) have panicked. They are scared!", he exclaimed.





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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NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has thrown more light on his new policy dubbed Buy Ghana First which he intends to implement if he becomes President in 2025.



Addressing community stakeholders at Okaikoi Central Constituency in Accra on Wednesday, Dr. Bawumia explained that the Buy Ghana First policy is aimed to garner support and patronage for the local industry and the private sector.



I hear we are currently buying school uniforms from China. That will not happen under the Buy Ghana First policyWe will also ensure that furniture for schools are not imported from other countries."



"Whatever we can buy from Ghana, we will buy them here to help boost our local industry, the private and create more jobs for our people, Dr. Bawumia stated.



Dr. Bawumia took his time to explain his vision and policies to the audience made up of the Clergy, Imams, traditional rulers, traders, community members among others.



Of the policies he explained included his flagship new tax regime which will see the granting of tax amnesty to businesses and an introduction of a flat rate, strengthening of the good for oil policy, introduction of solar energy to ease the cost of power, electric buses for public transport to ease cost of transportation, a new mining regime to empower small-scale miners and ensure responsible mining, training of one million youth in ICT for digital jobs locally and abroad, among other policies.



Dr. Bawumia also highlighted policies he championed as Vice President which, he said, are making significant impact on the country.



He, having demonstrated his commitment and competence as Vice President, urged Ghanaians to vote for him in the December general elections.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Former UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow will have one last chance to keep his teaching job when the UW Board of Regents meets later this month to decide whether to revoke his tenure over pornographic films he produced with his wife.

The Regents' personnel matters committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the matter at noon on Sept. 20 at Van Hise Hall at UW-Madison, according to a notice sent to Gow last week. Oral arguments will be conducted in an open meeting, followed by a closed session at which the committee will draft a recommendation for the full Board of Regents to consider at an upcoming meeting. The Regents' next full meeting is scheduled for Sept. 26-27 at UW-Parkside.

In July, UW-La Crosse's faculty committee unanimously recommended revoking Gow's tenure and firing him. At those hearings, which took place in June, UW-La Crosse brought three charges against Gow: unethical conduct, lack of cooperation with a university investigation and misuse of campus technology.

That committee determined Gow had committed misconduct by referencing his role at the university on multiple publicly accessible websites that mentioned his pornographic work, hiring sex workers within an hour of La Crosse and creating a conflict of interest when he brought a sex worker, Nina Hartley, to campus in 2018 for a controversial speech after meeting her at a video shoot.

Gow and his wife had referred to themselves as working in higher education administration, but Gow maintains he did not specifically say he was with UW-La Crosse or that he was the chancellor there. Gow also said UW-La Crosse administration distorted passages from his 2016 book when claiming he had hired sex workers near La Crosse.

The faculty committee also agreed Gow had misused campus technology when he printed off a co-performer release form on a UW-La Crosse computer in November 2023 and did not take "timely action" to delete sex toy vendor emails from his inbox. The committee also accused Gow of using his campus email to purchase two pornographic books in 2016; Gow contends he ordered books about the realities of pornography industry that were not inherently pornographic.

Gow was fired as UW-La Crosse's chancellor last December, about six months before he was set to retire from the role and return to the faculty ranks. System policy allows the Regents to fire a chancellor at any time, for any reason if the board feels it would be in the best interest of the university and the UW system.

UW system President Jay Rothman said immediately after Gow's firing he intended to look into the legal mechanisms needed to also revoke Gow's tenure. Gow was awarded tenure when he joined UW-La Crosse in 2007.

Revoking Gow's tenure would strip him of his pension in addition to costing him his teaching position in the communications department.
The running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has urged traditional leaders to speak out against issues that could jeopardise the peace in the country, ahead of the impending December 7 general elections.



Addressing NDC supporters at Mpohor Manso as part of her three-day campaign tour of the Western Region, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasised the need by the Electoral Commission to put the right structures in place to ensure free, fair, transparent and credible elections.



"When you are going into an election and you are very sure that the right structures have been put in place to ensure fairness among the contesting candidates, whatever outcome you get, you are compelled to accept it. But when it becomes clear that there is no level playing field, then the outcome becomes contentious", she said.



Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said the NDC is committed to peaceful elections and it imperative that traditional leaders and other opinion leaders speak out against issues and tendencies that threaten free and fair elections.



She said the NPP after failing in government now brags about having many ways and means to win the impending general elections. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said credible elections are not won based on crooked ways and means.



She said December 7 presents an opportunity for the people of Ghana to rescue the country from the failure of the government and the hardship facing the people by voting for the NDCs flagbearer, Mr John Dramani Mahama.



Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said Mr Mahama will reset the country and provide jobs through his 24-Hour Economy, the establishment of Womens Development Bank and the rollout of a National Apprenticeship programme, among others.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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After being hounded over her nationality and forced to drop out of the Miss South Africa contest, Chidimma Adetshina has been crowned beauty queen of a totally different country.



Ms Adetshina cried tears of joy as she was named Miss Universe Nigeria on Saturday.



"This crown is not just for beauty; it's a call for unity," the 23-year-old law student stated after weeks at the centre of an intense media storm.



She was invited to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria after her position as a finalist in the Miss South Africa contest sparked a wave of criticism.



Some people in South Africa had questioned her eligibility to compete in the beauty pageant because despite being a South African citizen, Ms Adetshina's father is Nigerian and her mother has Mozambican roots.



In interviews Ms Adetshina said she was born in Soweto - the South African township next to Johannesburg - and grew up in Cape Town.



The row over her nationality sparked an investigation with the organisers of Miss South Africa asking the nation's home affairs department to look into her eligibility.



After an initial probe, the department announced that Miss Adetshina's mother may have committed "identity theft" to become a South African national.



However, the statement added that Ms Adetshina "could not have participated in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother as she was an infant at the time".



A day after the announcement, Ms Adetshina dropped out of the contest, saying she took the decision for her and her family's safety and wellbeing.



By now, her ordeal had made headlines around the world.



After hearing of Ms Adetshina's story, the organisers of Miss Universe Nigeria invited her to participate in their contest.



They said she would be able to "represent her father's native land on the international stage".



After winning the contest on Saturday, Ms Adetshina will represent Nigeria at November's Miss Universe competition.



Her success has been celebrated on social media.



"Your story is inspirational - you are stronger than you think and we love you our African sister," one South African woman wrote on Instagram.



Another supporter said: "Trust me guys we Nigerians are proud of her... shes our very own sister, a very smart, intelligent girl, our Nigerian blood runs through her veins."



However, others alleged the contest was "rigged" in Ms Adetshina's favour - an accusation the Miss Nigeria organisers have not responded to.



"She's undeserving," one Instagram user said.



"She has never lived in Nigeria and was merely invited to compete after the final delegates had been chosen... she arrived in Nigeria for the first time after 20 years last week, only to be given our crown. This organisation reeks of sheer bias."



Another wrote: "In all honesty you won out of pity... feeling very sorry for the other contestants who were there long before you came."



At the Miss Universe contest in November, the law student's rivals will include Mia le Roux, who won this year's Miss South Africa competition after Ms Adetshina dropped out.



Ms le Roux became the first deaf woman in history to win the crown.

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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Weeks after she was forced to withdraw from the Miss South Africa pageant, Ms Chidinma Onwe Adetshina has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024.



The 23-year-old beat 24 other contestants to clinch the coveted crown at the pageant which took place at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos state today August 31.



Chidinma was invited for the pageantry following her withdrawal from the Miss South Africa pageant which was triggered by significant backlash over questions regarding her nationality.



Chidimma, who was born to a Nigerian father, and a Mozambique mother and raised in Soweto, faced a torrent of abuse from some South Africans who claimed she was not qualified to contest in the pageant as her father is not South African. Read here.



South Africas Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber, initiated an investigation into Ms Adetshinas citizenship following a request from the Miss South Africa organisers and outcry from South Africans. SA Home Affairs said after investigating Chidinma's roots, it discovered that the identity of an "innocent" South African mother "may have been stolen" by Adetshina's mother. This prompted Chidinma to withdraw from the competition.



Watch a video showing the moment she was crowned below

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By Cassidy Jensen, Baltimore Sun (TNS)

The man accused of stealing David Smiths $3.1 million private jet said in court Monday that airport security had let him into the area where the planes pilot found him.

Joseph Goldman, 43, boarded the plane Friday at Martin State Airport in Middle River and turned its engine on, police wrote in charging documents. He is charged with felony theft and misdemeanor trespassing, along with entering a restricted airport area.

The 1984 Gulfstream IV belongs to Smith, who owns The Baltimore Sun and is executive chairman of Sinclair Broadcast Group, a Hunt Valley-based owner of television stations, including Baltimores Fox45.

When Goldman appeared virtually from Baltimore County District Court in Towson for a bail review Monday, he asked the judge what his charges were and if he was entitled to a hearing to establish probable cause.

The reason Im asking  I was told the only charge was trespassing, Goldman said. I was in a place where I was let in by security.

Wearing an orange jumpsuit and speaking from the Baltimore County Detention Center on a video call, Goldman agreed to postpone his bail review until Tuesday because he did not yet have an attorney. His trial is set for Oct. 16.

Id really like to go home, he told District Court Judge Michael W. Siri. These charges are a little bit steep.

Together, the two felony theft charges carry a combined maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

The jet was unattended with its engine off when Goldman allegedly climbed on board, a Maryland State Trooper wrote in charging documents. He was the only one inside when he switched the engine on, but the aircrafts pilot ultimately stopped him from stealing the plane, police said.

Goldman also was inside a restricted area of the airport, posted with no trespassing signs. Airport staff told police that Goldman didnt have permission to be there and was not a contractor assigned to any active jobs on the site, according to charging documents. He has an airline transport pilot license and knows how to fly an aircraft.

Goldman served in the Army as a military police officer, according to the military and veteran networking site Rally Point. He was deployed to Iraq in 2004.

In 2017, he was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing unregistered firearms and making a firearm. Goldman had sawed off the barrel of a shotgun, made a short barreled rifle without a serial number and created a silencer for the rifle, according to the Maryland U.S. Attorneys Office.

2024 Baltimore Sun. Visit baltimoresun.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A man was arrested early Tuesday morning after he allegedly set fire to his girlfriends parents South Brunswick home, police said.

Officers responded to the Old Beekman Road home shortly before 3 a.m. after a resident called 911 to say the family wanted Leonard Jones IV, 50, of South Brunswick, to leave after he had an argument with his girlfriend, according to a statement from the South Brunswick Police Department.

As police were on the way, a second 911 call reported the house was on fire and when the first officer arrived, police could see flames coming from the homes roof, the department said.

Three people in the home, in addition to Jones, made it out safely, authorities said.

South Brunswick Police Officer Nicole Clark, Detective Rick Delucia, and South Brunswick Deputy Fire Marshal Eric Murnieks investigated the fire, which resulted in the arrest of Jones on scene, officials said.

He was charged with aggravated arson and domestic violence and was taken to the Middlesex County Jail pending his first court appearance, police said.

The townships three fire companies, along with firefighters from surrounding towns, responded to the fire and were able to extinguish it.

The incident was still under investigation Tuesday afternoon. Anyone with information was asked to call (732) 329-4000 ext. 7469.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
Expect major traffic delays this afternoon around the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg as Donald Trump returns to the city.

Trump will hold a nationally televised town hall-style event moderated by Fox News Sean Hannity. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. for the 5:30 event in the New Holland Arena at the Farm Show Complex. People with tickets should plan to arrive much earlier than 3:30, Harrisburg said in a traffic announcement on the citys Facebook page.

Harrisburg has announced these road and intersection closures as a result of Donald Trumps visit to the Farm Show Complex Wednesday, Sept. 4. (Harrisburg City image)Harrisburg City

Harrisburg has announced these road and intersection closures as a result of Trumps visit:

Maclay Street between Cameron & 7th streets

Arsenal Boulevard at Cameron Street

Cameron Street between Maclay/Arsenal & I-81

Industrial Road at HACC Drive

The roads will reopen when Trump arrives at the arena and will close again when he leaves.

Trump was at the Farm Show arena for a rally in July.

Also today, Kamala Harris running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will be in Lancaster. Hes supposed to arrive at the Lancaster Airport around 11:30 a.m., then head to a campaign engagement at an undisclosed location.
Story by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.

HARRISBURG  The race to become Pennsylvanias next attorney general will be one of the more closely watched contests this fall, as six candidates jockey for the chance to occupy one of the most powerful offices in the state.

With a budget of $144 million and a staff of 1,060 prosecutors, attorneys, investigators, and other staff, the Office of Attorney General is, at its core, the law firm that represents Pennsylvanias vast government and defends its laws in court.

But it also investigates and prosecutes everything from organized crime to political corruption, a mission that over the past several decades has boosted the offices profile  and by extension, the public profile of the person at the helm of the agency.

In recent years, the attorney general has played a central role in deciding issues with national political stakes, most notably through defending the commonwealths election laws, fighting attempts in 2020 to dispute President Joe Bidens win in the state, and defending challenges to ballot access here.

The office has also produced some of the most notable investigations and prosecutions of the past two decades, including several politically explosive scandals enveloping Pennsylvanias legislature. It also issued scathing grand jury reports, including one that made headlines across the globe for revealing how top Roman Catholic leaders in Pennsylvania covered up decades of child sex abuse involving more than 1,000 victims and hundreds of priests.

There is no incumbent in the race this year. Attorney General Michelle Henry was appointed to the job in 2023 by her predecessor, Democrat Josh Shapiro, who stepped down before his term was over to become governor. She is not running for a full term.

There are two major party candidates  Democrat Eugene DePasquale and Republican Dave Sunday  as well as four third-party contenders: Justin L. Magill of the Constitution Party, Eric Settle of the Forward Party, Green Party candidate Richard L. Weiss, and Libertarian Robert Cowburn.

The winner will serve a four-year term in an office with a rich history dating back nearly 400 years. Yet the attorney general has been an elected position only since 1980, with the first elected candidate sworn into office in 1981.

With several weeks to go until the Nov. 5 election, many voters are still picking who to vote for. An Emerson College poll of likely voters released in late August showed DePasquale and Sunday in a virtual dead heat, with 14% undecided.

Two TV debates, both featuring the two major party candidates, are currently scheduled for the race: 10 a.m., Oct. 3 on WGAL (the debate will air in the evening) and 7 p.m., Oct. 15 on ABC27.

This guide may be updated as additional information about the candidates becomes available.

What does the attorney general do?

Pennsylvanias attorney general oversees hundreds of employees divided among criminal, civil, and public protection divisions.

The Commonwealth Attorneys Act prescribes the offices primary duties, which include directing statewide grand juries, prosecuting crimes, and representing Pennsylvania if the state is audited or prosecuted federally.

The official mission of the office is to protect life, property, and constitutional and consumer rights, so as to ensure safety and freedom for those living in and visiting the Commonwealth.

The attorney general also sits on the Board of Pardons and appoints the states consumer advocate.

Elected attorneys general often bring their own prosecutorial brand to the offices work, based on their backgrounds and particular legal areas of interest.

The office is one of Pennsylvanias three independent row offices (the other two are the state treasurer and the state auditor general), and at least one past attorney general has seized on that fact to make legal decisions that have clashed with the governor  and even the offices prescribed duties.

That tension came to a head most notably during Kathleen Kanes tenure. In 2013, Kane refused to defend Republican Gov. Tom Corbett and the states health secretary in a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a statewide same-sex marriage ban.

Kane was praised by progressive groups and elected officials for the decision, but also criticized by others who believed she was shirking her legal duty to defend Pennsylvanias laws.

Though a federal judge later struck down the ban, Kanes decision illustrated that attorneys general have great power over how cases in the office are handled, though they seldom appear in court.

Major party candidates

Eugene DePasquale, Democrat

Website

Democratic attorney general candidate Eugene DePasquale seen in the Capitol building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.Commonwealth Media Services

DePasquale, 53, has spent much of his career in elected office.

He attended the College of Wooster, the University of Pittsburgh, and Widener University Commonwealth Law School. In 2006, he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he served three two-year terms representing York County.

In 2012, he ran and won the job of state auditor general, where he maxed out at two four-year terms at the helm of that office.

In 2020, he snagged the Democratic nomination to run against Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry in the 10th Congressional District, but ultimately lost that race.

Though he does not have prosecutorial experience, DePasquale has centered his campaign around his years of working in Harrisburg, a deep bench of policy positions, and a long record of policy fights.

A Pittsburgh native who later made York his adopted home, DePasquale was part of a large freshman class of lawmakers ushered into office on a wave of public outrage after the 2005 pay raise controversy that scarred the legislatures reputation.

When he ran for auditor general in 2012, he often touted his record in the legislature of minimizing government spending. He frequently boasted that he was the first legislator to post his expenses online and that he had the lowest among lawmakers. He once noted during a debate that he bought his district office furniture at a yard sale.

As auditor general, DePasquale made headlines with several of his offices reports, including a 2019 performance audit of the states voter registration system in which he criticized the administration of fellow Democrat, then-Gov. Tom Wolf, for denying access to key documents necessary for a thorough review.

DePasquales office also revealed troubling problems with the states child abuse hotline  where nearly 58,000 calls went unanswered over two years  and brought attention to the backlog of untested rape kits.

Earlier this year, he snagged the Democratic nomination over four competitors in a cordial primary.

In recent months, DePasquale has drawn heavily  more so than in campaigns past  on personal challenges hes faced, ones he believes make him uniquely qualified to understand the struggles of people outside the halls of power.

At the Pennsylvania Press Club in Harrisburg this August, he talked about his fathers yearslong addiction to opioids after returning from the Vietnam War, which resulted in a decadelong federal prison sentence. He also discussed his familys struggles taking care of his disabled brother, and the difficult decision he and his ex-wife faced after she experienced an ectopic pregnancy.

DePasquale is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh.

Top issues: If elected attorney general, DePasquale has said he would defend the states elections, rebuff any attempts to chip away at abortion access, prosecute hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community, and crack down on businesses that violate consumer rights.

Ive got the spine to take on big corporations, big insurance companies, and to run complex investigations, he said at a March debate.

When asked how he would address violent crime during the same debate, DePasquale said the state needs to focus on mental health in addition to getting guns away from bad people. He said the state needs to implement a so-called red flag law, which would allow law enforcement or family to petition a judge to temporarily take away an individuals firearms if it appears that person may harm themselves or others.

Endorsements: Democratic members of the legislature; county and local officials; U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.); former U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle (D., Pa.); labor unions including the Pennsylvania State Education Association, AFSCME Council 13, IBEW Local 98, and the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association; and organizations including the Giffords Law Center, the Conservation Voters of PA and Planned Parenthood in Pennsylvania.

Dave Sunday, Republican

Website

Republican attorney general candidate Dave SundayCourtesy candidate Facebook page

Born in Harrisburg and raised in Cumberland County, Sunday served in the U.S. Navy then attended Penn State University and Widener University Commonwealth Law School.

Sunday, 49, is a career prosecutor who has made public safety and battling the opioid epidemic the cornerstone of his campaign for the office.

The Republican has been York Countys district attorney since 2018. Sunday began his legal career as a law clerk for a York County Common Pleas judge before joining the county district attorneys office. There, he handled cases involving drug and other major crimes, eventually rising to oversee some of the offices biggest cases.

He was also appointed by the Department of Justice in 2013 as a special assistant U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, where he worked on drug, gang, and illegal gun cases, including prosecuting over 100 members and affiliates of the Latin Kings, a violent criminal gang operating in York County.

In an interview last year with the York Daily Record, Sunday said the first galvanizing moment in his career came in 2012 when he prosecuted a case involving a man who had repeatedly scammed an older York County resident with Alzheimers disease out of thousands of dollars.

The case, he told the newspaper, made his blood boil. It also made him realize that the criminal justice system needs to be more responsive to the people who unwittingly get entangled in it, including families of those charged with crimes.

The second galvanizing moment in his career was the opioid epidemic.

The epidemic produced a new wave of crime related to the desperation felt by people struggling with addiction. Sunday said it became imperative to go beyond prosecuting those crimes to understand the underlying causes of the crisis.

The York County District Attorneys office began working with the coroner as well as community organizations toward that goal, a collaborative effort Sunday said led to decreases in crime, in opioid deaths, and the countys criminal caseload.

What we do when we prosecute cases is just the tip of the iceberg, he told the newspaper.

York County has seen a reduction in crime and its prison population during his tenure, according to the York Daily Record. The City of York experienced a 36% drop in gun crime from 2022 to 2023, the news outlet reported.

Everyone is given the opportunity to change their life, Sunday told the paper of the York County Group Violence Intervention initiative, where he is a founding member. The reality is, if you dont do that, youre going to be arrested and be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sunday directed local law enforcement not to issue citations to businesses that violated Gov. Wolfs business closure order. He issued a similar mandate not to prosecute citations related to Wolfs 2021 order requiring masking in schools.

This order includes built-in justifications and the language of the order does not include the details of how they can be proven, Sunday said at the time.

Sunday was the first Republican to announce his candidacy for attorney general last year. Though he was endorsed by the party, he faced a challenger in this past springs primary election, which became a scrappier fight for the nomination than expected.

Sundays opponent, state Rep. Craig Williams of Delaware County, tried to brand Sunday as a progressive on criminal justice issues, a characterization that Sunday has denied. Earlier in life, Sunday was registered as a Democrat. In a letter to supporters, Sunday explained that when he was young, he followed family tradition when first registering to vote, but that it became clear after college that his views were firmly Republican.

During a debate between the two men this past March, Sunday said the No. 1 issue facing the state is the fentanyl epidemic.

Im running for attorney general because I believe that our open border and the fentanyl pouring in here is going to kill more Americans and more Pennsylvanians than weve ever seen in our lives, Sunday said at the time.

Top issues: Public safety and the opioid epidemic are Sundays top priorities. Hes pointed to his collaborative work in York County as a model, and described his philosophy as accountability and redemption.

During a March debate, Sunday argued one of the No. 1 causes of crime is the failure to arrest, charge, and prosecute people for illegal possessions of firearms. Because until thats done, we are never going to see a change, he said.

Sunday said during the same debate that he does not believe the state constitution guarantees a right to abortion access, arguing that decision belongs to the legislature.

He later added, I will follow the law, whatever that law is, as determined by the legislature.

When asked about election integrity, Sunday said that in York County he assigned detectives to investigate criminal election complaints. And as a result of that, we were able to see  that there was not material fraud in the county of York to have changed the York County election, he said. I cant speak to any other place.

During the debate, Sunday said he does not support legalizing marijuana for recreational use, despite public support for it and a push by lawmakers to do so.

He also said he would seek the death penalty for qualifying crimes. The last execution in Pennsylvania occurred 25 years ago, and there is currently a moratorium on its use.

Endorsements: the Pennsylvania Republican Party; the Republican Attorneys General Association; Republican state senators including President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (Westmoreland); U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R., Pa.); Treasurer Stacy Garrity; York Fraternal Order of Police No. 73; the Pennsylvania State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police; the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association; and ChamberPAC, the political arm of the Pennsylvania Chamber.

Third-party candidates

Justin Magill, Constitution Party

Website

An attorney from Erie, Magill attended Pennsylvania Western University, Edinboro, and later, the Roger Williams University School of Law. While pursuing his law degree, he interned in the criminal division of the Rhode Island Attorney Generals Office. He served in the U.S. Army, and runs a private law practice specializing in estate planning and business startups.

The Constitution Party of Pennsylvania on its website says it advocates for a more limited role for government; removing government regulation, fees, and taxes to improve the economy; and restoring accountability in government. The national partys platform opposes abortion and same-sex marriage; objects to laws requiring gun or ammunition registration; and believes education as a whole should not be separate from religious faith.

In an interview, Magill said he believes the governments purpose is to protect individual rights, and that the right to life is fundamental. Parents, he believes, should drive educational decisions for children, with schools being organized at the local or community level with direct parental involvement.

He said he does not have a campaign website, and noted he is running in part to allow voters to have a greater choice at the ballot. He believes the attorney generals office employs exceptional staff who have carried out the agencys mission well over the years.

Asked whether he would have difficulty defending laws he personally disagrees with, Magill said: I celebrate the fact the office cannot make laws. Nobody other than your elected officials can terminate a law without violating the rights of the people. I think our courts have gone very awry on that issue.  Its good that they [the Office of Attorney General] are staying within the constitution.

Eric Settle, Forward Party

Website

Long active in government matters, Settle was a deputy general counsel under former Republican Gov. Tom Ridge and also served on Gov. Shapiros transition team. The Montgomery County lawyer considers himself a moderate on social issues and a conservative on fiscal ones, WHYY reported.

He says he will be truly independent in running the attorney generals office, and will ensure the position is not beholden to any party. In his legal career, he has specialized in health care law and touted his involvement in helping pass a high-profile law in the 2000s that required insurance companies to cover autism services for individuals under 21 years of age.

Settle supports abortion rights as they currently stand, and has said he will work to reduce the number of illegal weapons in communities across the state. As attorney general, he said he would more closely monitor health care system mergers, and crack down on financial schemes that take advantage of vulnerable residents.

Richard L. Weiss, Green Party

Website

A lawyer from Allegheny County, Weiss supports criminal justice reforms that include ending cash bail, decriminalizing drug use and sex work, and establishing citizens police review boards with strong police professionalism standards.

In a questionnaire to public radio station WPSU that he answered as a U.S. Senate candidate, Weiss said he believes nonviolent offenders should be diverted from incarceration to other programs. He said he favors using restorative justice  which he defined as a collaborative process involving repairing harm to victims and focusing on reintegrating perpetrators into the community  as an alternative to incarceration as much as possible.

He supports ending traffic stops; decriminalizing or legalizing cannabis; expunging past criminal records from cannabis convictions; releasing older and infirm inmates; and placing body cameras on officers and anyone arrested.

He also supports reinstating a ban on assault weapons, and legislation defining military and civilian-grade weapons.

Robert Cowburn, Libertarian

Website

Cowburn, a lawyer and president of the Libertarian Party in Pennsylvania, has made what he calls regulatory overreach at the state and federal levels the crux of his campaign. He has talked about removing regulatory barriers to economic development, although he has not specified which regulations he would target.

He argues public education has failed students  believing it emphasizes conformity over critical thinking  and said he supports expanding access to charter schools. If elected, he has said he would create a specialized unit within the office to root out public corruption at all levels of government.

He also has said he would advocate for electoral reforms, including reducing barriers for third-party candidates to run for office.

This guide includes language from a primary edition written by Felicie Jungels, Maya Mehrara, and Sophia Takla. They are graduate students at New York University in the American Journalism Online program and reported as part of a collaboration with Spotlight PA.

BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
Reality star Amy Slaton was arrested and is facing drug and child endangerment charges after an incident that took place at a Tennessee zoo, according to multiple reports.

The incident happened on Monday, Sept. 2 at Tennessee Safari Park, as officials responded to multiple calls about a zoo guest being bitten by a camel, according to a Facebook post by the Crockett County Sheriffs Department.

Upon arrival, deputies were immediately overtaken by suspicious odors coming from the guests vehicle, the department shared in the post. Officials said that Amy Slaton Halterman was arrested on illegal possession of Schedule I, illegal possession of Schedule VI, and two counts of child endangerment.

Also in the vehicle was a man named Brian Scott Lovvorn who is also facing the same charges.

Both subjects have been booked into the Crockett County Jail, the department said. The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.

The authorities have not identified who was bitten or given any further information about any injuries sustained from the bite.

Slaton, 36, is one of the stars on TLCs 1000-Lb. Sisters since 2020. Since her surgery in 2019, she lost more than 175 pounds by the end of 2023. Slaton and husband, Michael Halterman, divorced back in March 2023 after four years of marriage. The two share sons Gage Deon, 4, and Glenn Allen, 2.
The Dave Matthews Band has announced a short fall tour that starts right here in Pa.

The band will perform on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.

Members of the fan club can buy tickets starting at noon on Sept. 5. Citi card members can buy tickets starting at 10 a.m. on Sept. 17 through 10 p.m. Sept. 19. General ticket sales start at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 20.

The tour also includes these shows:

Nov. 16 - Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio

Nov. 19 - Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut

Nov. 20 - Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut

Nov. 22 - Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

Nov. 23 - Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

Prior to the tour, the band will perform on Sept. 20 at the Bourbon and Beyond Festival in Louisville, Kentucky; at Farm Aid at Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center in New York on Sept. 21; at the Pilgrimage Festival on Sept. 28 in Franklin, Tennessee; and on Sept. 29 at Oceans Calling Festival in Ocean City, Maryland.
Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz began his two-day rural barnstorming tour through Pennsylvania, arriving at the Lancaster airport on Wednesday morning as part of a national effort by the Harris-Walz campaign to woo voters in deep red rural areas.

As Walzs motorcade left the airport to make stops in Lancaster County, the road was lined with people holding Harris-Walz signs and some waving Trump signs.

Walzs first stop was at Cherry Hill Orchard farm market where Walz and his daughter, Hope, picked out boxes of apple cider doughnuts and a central Pennsylvania dessert staple, whoopie pies.

Were going to fuel our volunteers on doughnuts, Walz said.

Democrats are working to turn back the rural red tide that fueled Donald Trumps double-digit wins in counties across large swaths of Pennsylvania.

In 2020, Trump won Lancaster County handily, 57% to 41%.

Last week the Harris-Walz campaign opened its 50th field office in Pennsylvania in Ephrata, in the heart of Lancaster Countys Amish and Mennonite farming community.

The Ephrata office is one of 16 field offices in predominantly rural Pennsylvania counties.

Gov. Walz and his daughter, Hope, meet with Lancaster mayor at the Lancaster airport ahead of his barnstorm through rural Pennsylvania.Jan Murphy

After Lancaster, Walz is expected to jet off to Pittsburgh to continue the tour in western Pennsylvania.

Follow Jan Murphy who is on the campaign trail with Walz today @JanMurphy.
A historic North York cemetery was vandalized over the weekend, according to news reports.

Leaders at the Lebanon Cemetery, the largest African-American cemetery in the county, told WGAL they are angry over a toppled gravestone.

The cemetery at 1412 N. George St. was founded in 1872 and is the resting place of former enslaved people, veterans and community and religious leaders, among others.

Samantha Dorm, a historian and a member of the cemeterys operations board, told the station she noticed the marker for her great-great-grandparents was damaged.

I was doing a site tour for the new board thats coming in to show them some of the challenges that were facing here at Lebanon Cemetery, and as we came up the hill, obviously I recognized it right away, she said.

The repair is expected to cost the cemetery several hundred dollars.

This is not the first time the Lebanon Cemetery has encountered vandalism. Someone toppled several gravestones in May, causing more than $5,000 in damages.

For more than two years, the Friends of Lebanon Cemetery volunteer group has been preserving the burial ground and uncovering the stories of people interred there, as well as providing genealogical research services.

According to WHP Channel 21, Dorm submitted her intent to step down from the cemetery board in June and ended her membership on Sept. 1.
By Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News (TNS)

The enlisted son of former Arizona senator and 2012 Republican presidential candidate John McCain has entered the political arena with an official endorsement for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.

Jimmy McCain told CNN he recently changed his voter registration to Democrat and plans to cast his ballot against Trump.

Cindy McCain, left, widow of U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), stands with her sons Jack, middle, and Jimmy, right, during a memorial service at the Arizona Capitol on Aug. 29, 2018, in Phoenix. Jimmy McCain has endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris over Republican Donald Trump. (Jae C. Hong/Pool/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)TNS

McCain said the former president deeply offended him by visiting Arlington National Cemetery last week, where an altercation occurred when people with the GOP nominee took photos in a part of the sacred burial ground where thats not allowed.

These men and women that are laying in the ground there have no choice, McCain said of Trumps unofficial campaign stop.

While his war hero father was buried at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Maryland after he died in 2018, McCains grandfather and great-grandfather were laid to rest at Arlington, according to CNN.

Jimmy McCain became a Marine in 2006 when he was 17 years old and fought in Iraq a year later. In 2014, he served in Afghanistan, according to his McCain Institute bio. He now serves in U.S. Army Intelligence.

Insulting service members  his old GOP political rival John McCain in particular  is nothing new to Trump.

Hes not a war hero, Trump said at a 2015 event for conservatives when asked about the former Navy pilot who spent more than five years in a Viet Cong prison camp. Hes a war hero because he was captured. I like people who werent captured.

McCain told CNN he still recalls Trump making those remarks about his dad.

Ive never forgotten it, he said. To hear those things said about him, I could never forgive.

McCains political pundit sister, Meghan McCain, has also expressed a distaste for Trump, but stopped short of jumping parties to support a Democratic candidate. Her little brother said hell get involved in any way he can to help Harris.

Numerous news outlets, along with retired four-star Marine general and Trump White House chief of staff John Kelly, quoted Trump calling soldiers who died at war suckers and losers. Trump has denied that claim.

The 78-year-old presidential candidate received five draft deferments to avoid serving in the military during the war in Vietnam.
By Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald (TNS)

You were mistaken if you thought Donald Trump was ready to move on from his visit to Arlington National Cemetery.

On Tuesday, Trump breathed more life into the story when he pushed back on assertions made by the press and the U.S. Army itself that members of his staff had engaged in an altercation with cemetery personnel.

The was no conflict or fighting at Arlington National Cemetery last week. It was a made-up story by Comrade Kamala and her misinformation squad. She made it all up to make up for the fact that she and Sleepy Joe have BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS for the INCOMPETENT AFGHANISTAN Withdrawal  THE MOST EMBARRASSING DAY IN U.S. HISTORY!!! Trump wrote via his Truth Social media platform.

Trumps stance comes after he was apparently invited to Arlington for an August 26 wreath-laying ceremony, which came on the three-year anniversary of the deaths of 13 American service members working to facilitate a speedy and hectic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan after nearly two decades at war.

The visit drew the ire of veterans and military supporters alike after Trumps campaign shared images of him standing over the graves of our nations most recently fallen military members while smiling and flashing a thumbs up for the camera.

The area of the cemetery Trump was visiting, Section 60, strictly prohibits photography. That thumbs-up image and video taken of the event and later shared by the Trump campaign team were both prohibited by Army regulation and federal law.

Participants in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent Section 60 visit were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds, an Army spokesperson said in a statement.

They said Arlington National Cemetery holds thousands of wreath-laying ceremonies each year. All of those were carried out without a problem until last week.

An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside. Consistent with the decorum expected at ANC, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption, they said.

Despite Trumps claim the event did not take place, the Army said a report was filed with the relevant police agency, though no charges will be forthcoming.

The incident was reported to the JBM-HH police department, but the employee subsequently decided not to press charges. Therefore, the Army considers this matter closed, they said.

Trump has said he was invited to be at the event by the grieving families, and that they gave permission for his staff to film and photograph his visit. Even if that is the case, Trump, his staff, and Gold Star families do not have the authority to suspend Army regulation or U.S. law as they see fit.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee to the presidency, took to social media over the weekend to lambaste Trumps use of the nations most hallowed ground for political purposes.

On Tuesday, her campaign pointed out that this week is the four-year anniversary of Trumps infamous suckers and losers comments, which he allegedly made to gold-star father and four-star Gen. John Kelly while refusing to visit a WWI cemetery in Europe.

We should never forget that Donald Trump disparaged our fallen service members as suckers and losers. Even all these years later, it remains shocking, disturbing, and simply un-American. No one seeking Americas highest office should ever talk about our fallen heroes this way. Its disqualifying.

Trump has repeatedly attacked and demeaned our service members, veterans and military families, and his reckless policies threaten to gut their hard-earned benefits, Harris-Walz 2024 spokesperson Joseph Costello said in a statement.
Nordson TEST & INSPECTION Showcases State-of-the-Art Inspection and Metrology Solutions at SEMICON Taiwan Published: 04 September 2024 by Tyler Hanes by Tyler Hanes

MINNEAPOLIS, MN  Nordson TEST & INSPECTION today announced its participation in SEMICON Taiwan, one of the most anticipated events in the semiconductor industry. The event will take place from September 4-6, 2024 at TaiNEX Hall 1 and 2, Taipei, Taiwan. In booth #L0516, the company will be showcasing its state-of-the-art inspection and metrology solutions, including the Quadra 7 Pro Manual X-ray Inspection (MXI) System, the new SpinSAM Acoustic Micro Imaging (AMI) system and the Gen 7 AMI system. The company will also demonstrate the WaferSense Auto Teaching System (ATS2) for semiconductor tool set-up and maintenance.

The new Quadra 7 Pro MXI system sets a new standard for 3D/2D manual inspection in back-end semiconductor applications. Powered by the revolutionary Onyx detector technology, it delivers exceptional image clarity and reduced noise levels, elevating the inspection experience to new levels of precision and efficiency.

Equipped with the latest Dual Mode Quadra NT4 tube, the Quadra 7 Pro provides users with maximum flexibility. This innovative feature offers brightness and resolution modes, allowing operators to dynamically switch between them based on specific application requirements.

Enhancing the Quadra 7 Pro's capabilities is the newly developed Revalution software, tailored specifically for high-end semiconductor applications. With an intuitive interface, optimized workflow, and expanded functionality, Revalution software empowers operators to efficiently analyze and interpret inspection data, contributing to faster decision-making and improved overall productivity.

The new SpinSAM AMI system delivers industry-leading throughput with unparalleled sensitivity for accurately locating defects in wafer based assemblies. The SpinSAMs innovative spin scanning method scans up to 4 (300mm) wafers simultaneously at 41 wafers per hour, with the best-in-class defect capture and image quality.

With 4 matched waterfall transducers in a compact footprint, the system was meticulously engineered to attain full wafer scans in less than 6 minutes. Ideal semiconductor mid-end applications include bonded wafers, Chip-on-Wafer, stacked wafers, MEMS, over-molded wafers and more.

The Gen7 AMI system powered by C-SAM technology, provides fast and highly accurate inspection for detecting delamination and voiding with the most sophisticated microscope. Ideal for lab analysis and specialized high-resolution applications.

The WaferSense Auto Teaching System (ATS2) is a multi-camera sensor that, when used in conjunction with CyberSpectrum software, enables accurate wafer hand-off calibration for semiconductor tool alignment and setup for front-end semiconductor fab environments. With the ability to capture three-dimensional offset data (x, y, and z) in real-time, ATS2 simplifies wafer position teaching without the need to open the tools. This results in repeatable and reproducible setups, streamlined maintenance checks, accelerated troubleshooting, and reduced technician-to-technician variation, leading to significant yield improvements and enhanced productivity for semiconductor fabs worldwide.

Nordson is a platinum sponsor of Semicon Taiwan and will be delivering a presentation titled Revolutionary Acoustic Technology for Wafer-Level Applications at the Heterogeneous Integration Global Summit on Thursday, September 5th at 11:50am local time at 701GH, 7F, Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 2.

For more information, visit www.nordson.com
The casual, relaxed atmosphere that took place over the course of 50,000 Super High Roller Second Chance here at the PokerStars European Poker Tour Barcelona belied the fact that over a million euros were at stake. Indeed, the quick, two-day tournament (that could have easily fit into one day) felt more like a glorified Sit 'n' Go than one might expect from a high-roller tournament.

At the end of it all, it was another day in the office for high-stakes pros Leonard Maue and Nick Petrangelo  who both emerged victorious over the 26-entry field after agreeing to an ICM deal heads up. Petrangelo took the lion's share of the 1,261,260 prize pool after claiming 405,131, while Maue was awarded 383,129 and the Spadie after winning a flip on the last hand of play.

Maue and Petrangelo navigated a star-studded field that held many of poker's elite, which only served to strengthen their own resumes as some of the best among their peers. The victory adds to Petrangelo's staggering $37 million in live tournament earnings, while Maue added a third Spadie to his collection, having taken down a 25k high-roller and a 2,000 hyper turbo in EPT events in 2022.

Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Leonard Maue Germany  383,129* 2 Nick Petrangelo United States  405,131* 3 Patrik Antonius Finland  205,000 4 Morten Klein Norway  148,200 5 Steve O'Dwyer Ireland  119,800 *Denotes ICM chop

Patrik Antonius

Day 2 Action

Despite coming in as the co-chip leader alongside Jesse Lonis, Petrangelo got off to a rough start after Jean-Noel Thorel nearly doubled through him shortly after play began.

The average stack was shallow enough that it didn't take long for many hands to become all-in affairs. Finnish poker legend Patrik Antonius claimed two casualties early, knocking out Nacho Barbero and Jules Dickerson to give him an early chip lead.

Meanwhile, Petrangelo had a reversal of fortunes after chipping up a bit and then scoring a double knockout against Thomas Santerne and Mikael Thuritz with ace-king.

Of the six Day 2 entrants, only Steve O'Dwyer managed to gain any real momentum, including a hand where he cracked aces against Maue after four-bet shoving with queen-jack suited preflop. It wasn't all smooth sailing for the Irish pro, however, as he suffered a similar beat after getting his own aces cracked by Antonius after Antonius shoved preflop with jack-ten suited and ended up making Broadway. Despite the hit, O'Dwyer managed to chip back up and make the final table.

Lonis entered the final table as one of the chip leaders, but ended up losing a big pot against Morten Klein after shoving into Klein's aces with ace-seven in a blind versus blind confrontation.

Not long after, Lonis ended up bursting the money bubble after getting into a preflop raising war with Petrangelo that ended with Lonis all in with ace-jack against Petrangelo's ace-queen. The dramatic runout pulled Lonis into the lead on the flop, but ended up giving Petrangelo a straight on the turn.

Jesse Lonis

In the Money

After nearly two levels without an elimination, it was O'Dwyer who was the first "in the money" casualty due largely in part to paying off Maue in a hand where he made a full house against O'Dwyer's top pair, top kicker. Shortly after, O'Dwyer fell to Klein after shoving a suited ace into Klein's pocket queens.

Maue held the lead at that point, but took a substantial hit to his stack after doubling up both Antonius and Petrangelo. Klein then got into a flip for his tournament life against Antonius, who ended up making a full house with pocket fours to set up three-handed play.

It looked like it might be Antonius' day after getting his chips in good against Petrangelo, but Petrangelo wouldn't be denied as he spiked a pair of kings with king-queen against Antonius' ace-jack to send the grizzled veteran out in third.

Immediately after Antonius' departure, the final two players agreed to an ICM chop. To make the winner official, it was agreed that the two would deal one hand and run the board. Maue was dealt a pretty seven-six suited against Petrangelo's nine-trey and ended up pairing his seven to put an end to the tournament.

That's a wrap for PokerNews coverage of this event. Stay tuned for continuing coverage of EPT Barcelona and other events around the globe, which can be found at our live-reporting hub.
A federal judge has rejected Donald Trumps effort to move the hush money case to federal court and delay his felony sentencing.

The AP reported:

A federal judge on Tuesday rejected Donald Trumps request to intervene in his New York hush money criminal case, thwarting the former presidents latest bid to overturn his felony conviction and delay his sentencing.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein ruled that Trump had not satisfied the burden of proof required for a federal court to take control of the case from the state court where it was tried.

The strategy for Trump was to get the case moved to federal court, and then argue that the Supreme Courts presidential immunity ruling means that his conviction must be overturned.

Judge Merchan is set to hear two Trump motions, one of which is that he has immunity and to delay his sentencing until after the November election.

Merchan is likely to deny both of these motions, especially the effort to delay sentencing until after the election. Convicted felons dont get special treatment under the law because they are running for president.

Trump does not want voters going to the polls weighing whether or not to send a convicted felon back to the White House.

While the sentencing will not sway those who are committed to Trump, it could harm him with key battleground state Independents. In a close election, a few thousand votes could swing a state and make a candidate the next president.

In 2024, everything is going wrong for Trump.

To talk about this story, join us on Reddit.
Attorney General Merrick Garland didnt have to say any names when he warned against threatening election workers because those threats are coming from Donald Trump and his supporters.

At a DOJ press conference announcing criminal charges and other actions against Russians who are trying to interfere in the 2o24 election, AG Garland said:

As I have said before, and I will reiterate again today, these cases are a warning. If you threaten to harm or kill an election worker or official or volunteer, the Justice Department will find you. And we will hold you accountable. In a democracy, people vote and argue and debate. Often loudly in order to achieve the policy outcomes they desire. And the justice department will continue to relentlessly protect the rights of all Americans to peacefully express their opinions, beliefs and ideas. But the promise of our democracy is that people will not employ violence to achieve their preferred outcomes. The public servants who administer our elections must be able to do their jobs without fearing for their lives.

Video:

AG Garland talks about cases where people have threatened election workers, "Tthese cases are a warning. If you threaten to harm or kill an election worker or official or volunteer, the justice department will find you. And we will hold you accountable." pic.twitter.com/ZGcZKLTvP9  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) September 4, 2024

Merrick Garland has come under a lot of justified criticism for dragging his feet on filing federal charges against Donald Trump , but one of things that he and his DOJ have gotten right is protecting democracy.

Whether it is the threat posed by election interference for hostile foreign governments, or the threat posed at home by right wing extremists, AG Garland has used the power of the DOJ to protect American democracy.

Garland didnt have mention Trump or MAGA by name when he issued his warning. The threats to election workers are primarily coming from Donald Trumps supporters. Election workers have been threatened in battleground states like Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan by supporters of the ex-president.

It is Trump who turned election workers into targets with his big lie that the 2020 election was stolen , and it is Trump who continues to jeopardize election workers by repeating his lies.

In 2024, the Justice Department is ready to prosecute anyone who threatens election workers and attempts to jeopardize democracy.
George Conways Anti-Psychopath PAC is out with a new ad that features Trumps friends and allies calling him crazy.

Watch the ad:

A narrator tells an AI version of Trump as his friends and fellow Republicans appear above his head, Hey, Donald. All your friends, all the people that have worked with you they all think youre nuts.

A reporter is heard saying,  Governor Sununu called Trump crazy and said if he was in a mental institution, he would He would not turn over the nuclear codes of the United States to an erratic individual.

Former Trump AG Bill Barr is shown saying, Our country cant be a therapy session for a troubled man like that.

There is also former Rep. Adam Kinzinger saying, Donald Trumps literally insane. And I think people are scared of him and they should be scared of him.

The point of this powerful ad is that Donald Trump is not normal. There is something wrong with him, and he is completely unfit to be in the White House.

The corporate media spends most of its political coverage normalizing Trump because they are not built to cope with the idea that one of the two major political parties would nominate someone for president who is, as the ad states, insane.

There is something seriously wrong with Donald Trump, and since the media wont talk about it, outside groups will have to fill in the gap and inform the American people.

To talk to us and get more posts like this, join us on Reddit.
MANCHESTER, NH (09/25/2024)-- It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following students on being named to the Summer 2024 President's List. The summer terms run from May to August. Read moreSNHU announces Summer 2024 President's List
Lowcountry Local First (LLF) launched its 13th annual Buy Local Season campaign on Oct. 1 as a grassroots movement to build awareness for the positive community benefits of supporting local, independent businesses particularly during the holiday season. The organization urges the community  Read moreLLF promotes shopping local
ATLANTIC BEACH  Atlantic Beach residents remain frustrated that there seems to be no end in sight to the towns election woes.

Nearly a year after Election Day, the town still has not held a special election to decide the mayoral race between Town Councilman John David and Mayor Pro Tempore Josephine Isom.

This is a voting rights issue, town resident Karen Bennett said during a Sept. 3 news conference. Its a local issue, its a national issue, and we have not been able to get justice for the voters in this town.

Back in April, the towns Municipal Election Commission called for the Town Council to hold a special mayoral election. The commission declared the November results were invalid after throwing out 13 challenged ballots. But days after the hearing, Isom appealed in county court, arguing she should be declared the winner based on the discarded ballots.

Isoms court challenge has caused the delay in holding a special election. The next hearing for Isoms case is set for Sept. 18. David has intervened in the appeal, arguing against Isom being declared the winner, according to court records.

In the meantime, some town residents have expressed concern, saying town leaders are keeping them from exercising their right to vote.

Where does a poor man go to get his right to vote put into action? said town resident Knowledge Divine, whose vote was discarded during the commissions April hearing, despite him being a town property owner since 2015. I shouldnt have to go get an attorney for my basic rights because it shouldnt be about how much money I have. It should be about, am I a citizen of the United States of America?
CONWAY  Nearly a year after a cross burning just outside the city limits, Conway leaders unanimously voted in favor of a hate crime ordinance.

The measure, which needs one more favorable vote to be approved, would add penalties for crimes that target victims based on identifying factors such as race, religion or sexual orientation.

The city of Conway is different from a lot of other places, Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy said just before the Sept. 3 vote. I see us as being open-minded. I see us as being open-armed. I see us as loving and supporting each other.

Earlier this summer, Blain-Bellamy said the city likely wouldnt pursue such an ordinance because there would not be enough support on council to pass it. She later decided to move forward, saying that passing an ordinance could inspire state lawmakers to act.

South Carolina is one of just two states without a hate crime law  the other is Wyoming. In the absence of statewide legislation, more than a dozen S.C. municipalities have passed ordinances that tack on additional penalties for crimes aimed at specific demographics.

Myrtle Beach approved a hate intimidation ordinance earlier this year.

Our state wont do anything about it, Blain-Bellamy said. In Conway, South Carolina, we stand firm. she added We take care of each other, and we dont like this hate nonsense.
A summer marked by high temperatures and warm waters brought forth a slightly early sea turtle nesting season, and an active storm season raised concerns about the impact of heavy rainfall on the nests.

Volunteers and biologists tasked with tracking the nesting and hatching seasons document the turtles' journeys, from that first challenge of finding a suitable place to lay eggs to the forces that threaten the survival of the hatchlings.

While preliminary data shows Tropical Storm Debby had little to no impact on the nests, overall, statewide numbers are slightly down compared to previous seasons.

An early start to the season

Before dawn breaks on South Carolina's beaches, when the moon is high and accompanied by the low roar of the tides, sea turtles make the tumultuous journey ashore, seeking soft ground to lay their clutch of eggs. Each nest can consist of around 120 eggs.

The turtle's journey, from her first crawl onto the beach to when her hatchlings return to the ocean, is meticulously monitored by a network of volunteers and S.C. Department of Natural Resources biologists.

The nesting season started off slightly earlier than normal in Garden City in April, where the state's first sea turtle nest was recorded for the year. The nesting season traditionally begins May 1 and runs through mid-August, then transitions into hatching season from mid-July until October.
The Summerville YMCA's Annual Campaign positively impacts the Charleston community. Read moreMake an Impact By Supporting The Summerville YMCA's Annual Campaign
COLUMBIA  A group of Columbia nonprofits, religious organizations and experts is warning north Columbia residents about the conservative Project 2025 and mobilizing residents to vote in the upcoming presidential election.

The group held its first forum Sept. 3 to educate residents about Project 2025, a conservative political agenda pushed by the Heritage Foundation and others that could act as a policy guide for the next Republican presidential administration.

Several authors of Project 2025 are former members of the Trump administration. Both Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, have distanced themselves from the project, with the former president calling some of the proposals "abysmal" and "ridiculous."

But he has also hinted that he likes some of what the Heritage Foundation suggested. Project 2025 has increasingly become one of Democrats' top attacks against Republicans, with Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign labeling it as Trump's plans for a full government takeover.

At the Sept. 3 forum  hosted by the Wiley Kennedy Foundation, Columbia Urban League, NAACP and others  nearly all attendees in a room of Black north Columbia residents raised their hands when asked if they were attending because they thought Project 2025 was a problem.

The Richland County Democratic Party was at the event helping attendees register to vote.

What is Project 2025?

According to its authors, Project 2025 is a conservative policy wish list for the next Republican president that would "return the government to its people." The 900-page document pushes conservative ideas on reshaping the federal government, energy, security and immigration, and social issues, among others.

According to the Columbia nonprofits hosting the forum, the plan is "disturbing dismantling of the American government as we know it."
SPARTANBURG  Upstate residents soon will no longer need to travel to the Windy City to get tastes straight out of The Bear.

Bronzevillebites, a restaurant serving authentic Chicago food, will open in Hub Citys downtown by the end of the year at 160 South Pine St.

But the food isnt new to South Carolina. Owners Charmaine and Vic Modica have been serving their Chicago comfort food since 2019, first in Houston and then in the Palmetto State starting in 2021, operating Bronzevillebites as a pop-up business without a concrete home.

Now the married couple and business partners who grew up in Chicago have decided its time to put down roots in Spartanburg.

People want to come to a permanent place instead of hopping all around, and we want a home for Bronzevillebites, Charmaine Modica said. We settled down in Spartanburg so that people can come on the regular.

In the meantime, while they're preparing the brick-and-mortar spot, the Modicas still plan to hold monthly pop-up events where customers can taste their authentic Chicago comfort food.

That authenticity is crucial to them. Vic Modica made sure to clarify theyre serving Chicago food and not a local spin in the style of the Midwest cuisine.

We're not selling Chicago-style, we're selling authentic Chicago food, he said. We're giving (customers) a legitimate taste.

He said this can be seen in their menu. When tourists think of Chicago pizza, they think of deep-dish pizza. But that isnt what Chicagoans actually eat, according to Vic Modica. Instead, they prefer tavern pizza as their regular choice.

As such, thats what they offer: tavern pizza with a thin crust, with no deep-dish pizza in sight at Bronzevillebites. Other mainstays are Italian beef sandwiches like those seen in The Bear, wings and Chicago hot dogs, which are usually laden with condiments such as onions, tomatoes, mustard, pickles, relish and peppers.
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LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / Avant Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB:AVAI) ("Avant" or the "Company"), an emerging technology company developing solutions in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, today announced it will begin exploring new opportunities in the biotechnology sector as part of Avant's strategic review process that is now underway. The process will include reviewing and evaluating strategic technology alternatives that may be available to Avant to further enhance the Company's growth opportunities, development, and prosperity with the goal of maximizing shareholder value.Avant has commenced preliminary discussions with potential strategic partners in both the biotechnology and technology sectors. The Company is also identifying potential technologies that could be a good fit for Avant's future. Avant expects that its strategic review will lead to an exciting new plan for Avant's future, including potential joint ventures, acquisitions, and partnerships with leaders in the biotechnology and other technology sectors."Our management team and the Board of Directors are completely aligned on the decision to begin a strategic review of technology alternatives to maximize shareholder value. We will continue discussions with other companies, industry leaders, and legal advisors to enhance the path forward for Avant and its shareholders," said, Kenneth L. Waggoner, Avant's Chief Executive Officer. "While the review process is ongoing, Avant's management remains committed to executing itsstrategic objectives with the full support of the Board." About Avant Technologies, Inc.Avant Technologies, Inc. is an emerging technology company developing solutions in artificial intelligence. With a focus on pushing the boundaries of what is possible in AI and machine learning, Avant serves a diverse range of industries, driving progress and efficiency through state-of-the-art technology.More information about Avant can be found at https://avanttechnologies.com You can also follow us on social media at:Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements because of various important factors as disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission located at their website ( http://www.sec.gov) . In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic conditions, governmental and public policy changes, the Company's ability to raise capital on acceptable terms, if at all, the Company's successful development of its products and the integration into its existing products and the commercial acceptance of the Company's products. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date after the date of the press release.Contact:Avant Technologies, Inc.info@avanttechnologies.com SOURCE: Avant Technologies, Inc.
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 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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AI-assisted SaaS platform supported by an Australian investor network, a key figure from one of the UK's leading HR unicorns, and ex-team members from Microsoft, Oracle, and TeamViewer.SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / Business Kitz, founded by Australian-Dutch entrepreneur Sarina Eggers, has recently closed an oversubscribed pre-seed round of $3.3 million.BK logo Australian investors Sam Ferrier and Rowan Hill from the Rural Bridge network firmly support Business Kitz, "with strong ties to rural communities including mostly family and friends, a commitment to investing in Business Kitz was a clear and strategic decision. The alignment of values made it a perfect fit for our future-focused investment approach," they stated.The funds raised will be used to further bolster growth and enter the global market in 2024 on a mission to terminate SMEs' back office functions. Launching in January 2024, Business Kitz' SaaS platform has seen exponential growth with the company currently onboarding thousands of customers."This is just the beginning," said Founder & CEO Sarina Eggers. "Our platform is the result of extensive conversations with business owners to intimately understand their pain points. We've engineered the platform to overhaul back-office functions by integrating AI that not only replaces outdated processes but also enhances efficiency and builds a seamless centralized business data bank. With strong backing from our investors, we're ready to accelerate product development and transform how businesses operate." For too long, businesses have been burdened by the inefficiencies of manual document creation, redundant data entry, cumbersome signing processes, and disorganized data storage - issues that waste time, introduce errors and disrupt productivity. Business Kitz will transform back-office operations with an AI-assisted solution that automates document generation, ensures consistency, minimizes errors, streamlines workflows, and eliminates outdated business operations.As Business Kitz gears up for a seed funding round, the company is focused on expanding its global reach. After six years of refining various products and working with an internal team of engineers from Australia, USA, and Europe to meet the real-world needs of businesses, Business Kitz is ready to scale, bringing unparalleled efficiency and productivity to SMEs worldwide.Entering this exciting growth phase, the upcoming funding will be used for expanding operations, capturing new markets, and solidifying Business Kitz' position as a global leader. By adopting these next-generation solutions, businesses can look forward to a future of heightened efficiency, enhanced security, and seamless collaboration - empowering teams to focus on impactful work that drives success and enjoyment.Visit businesskitz.com.au to create a free account or get involved in the seed funding round by contacting us.Contact InformationMarlise LachatHead of Marketingmarlise.lachat@businesskitz.com.au + 34 651 337 440SOURCE: Business KitzView the original press release on newswire.com
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Company Receives Fifth Patent and Notice of Allowance for a SixthHOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / Camber Energy, Inc. (OTCQB:CEIN) ("Camber" or the "Company") today announced that it received a new patent along with a Notice of Allowance for an additional patent concerning its portfolio of Broken Conductor Protection technologies, which are designed to assist utility companies with wildfire mitigation, public safety and grid resiliency initiatives.Broken electrical conductors pose a public safety risk due to the possibility of human contact with the conductors and the potential for arcing to ignite wildfires. The Company's technology is designed to detect a broken conductor and de-energize the power line before it touches the ground or nearby equipment, thus reducing the risk of safety hazards caused by a downed, energized power line.Reducing wildfire risks and ensuring the ability of electric companies to invest in wildfire risk mitigation for the safety of their customers is a top industry priority, as per the Edison Electric Institute.[1] New & Pending Patent Info.U.S. Patent No. 12,074,424 "End of Line Protection with Trip Signal Engaging", was issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on August 27, 2024 to the Company's majority-owned subsidiary, Viking Sentinel Technology, LLC, and is in addition to patents previously disclosed by the Company. The Notice of Allowance recently received by the USPTO is regarding patent application No. 17/628,545 entitled "End of Line Protection with Blocking", and the associated patent is expected to be issued in the coming weeks.Updated Overview of Patents in Wildfire Mitigation & Public Safety PortfolioThe Company's Broken Conductor Protection technology is designed to be an integral component within existing grid protection systems, improving resiliency and reliability, eliminating the need for Public Safety Power Shutdown Programs, and significantly reducing the risk of fires and improving public safety. Learn more about Camber's Broken Conductor Protection Technology at www.camberprotection.com About Camber Energy, Inc.Camber Energy, Inc. is a growth-oriented diversified energy company. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Viking Energy Group, Inc., Camber: (i) provides custom energy & power solutions to commercial and industrial clients in North America; (ii) holds an exclusive license in Canada to a patented carbon-capture system; and (iii) has a majority interest in: (a) entities with the intellectual property rights to patented and patent pending electric transmission and distribution broken conductor protection systems; and (b) an entity with intellectual property rights to a patented medical & bio-hazard waste treatment system using ozone technology. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.camber.energy SEC ReportsAll figures referenced herein are approximate and all descriptions above are qualified in their entirety by Camber's filings with the SEC and available under "Investors -- SEC Filings" at www.camber.energy Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Any statements that are not historical facts contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements", which statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "projects," "will," "may," "anticipates," "believes," "should," "intends," "estimates," and other words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, involve known and unknown risks, a reliance on third parties for information, transactions that may be cancelled, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in our industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results include risks and uncertainties related to the fluctuation of global economic conditions or economic conditions with respect to the oil and gas industry, the COVID-19 pandemic, the performance of management, actions of government regulators, vendors, and suppliers, our cash flows and ability to obtain financing, competition, general economic conditions and other factors that are detailed in Camber's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.Camber cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not complete, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and Camber does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that it may make, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Camber or any person acting its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements referenced above.[1] https://www.eei.org/en/issues-and-policy/wildfires Contact Information:Investors and Media:Tel. 281.404.4387SOURCE: Camber Energy, Inc.
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Economic Growth Fuels Real Estate and Art MarketSAN JOSE, COSTA RICA / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / As the high season approaches, Costa Rica is experiencing a notable rise in both its economic and cultural sectors, fueled by the nation's ongoing economic expansion. https://miramefineart.com/costa-rican-economic-growth-mirame/ Playas Del Coco, Costa Rica Pacific CoastAccording to FocusEconomics, Costa Rica's GDP is projected to reach USD 96 billion in 2024, a substantial rise from USD 69.1 billion in 2022, reflecting the country's robust economic growth. This surge is driving a parallel boom in the real estate market, with luxury residential developments targeting expatriates expected to generate USD 6.5 billion in sales over the next five years. The influx of around 8,500 high-end units is not only reshaping the property market but also sparking new interest in culturally resonant artworks that showcase Costa Rica's rich heritage and natural beauty.Economic Growth: A Catalyst for the Art MarketMIRAME Fine Art is playing a key role in this emerging trend. As a new platform, MIRAME offers collectors the opportunity to explore and purchase works by artists living and working in Costa Rica. Its integration of augmented reality technology allows everyone, from potential buyers to interior designers, to visualize artworks in their own spaces, no matter their location. Combined with DHL integration for seamless shipping, MIRAME is simplifying the process of bringing Costa Rican art into homes around the world.Local Artists Gain International AttentionThe rising interest in Costa Rican art, supported by platforms like MIRAME Fine Art, is helping to elevate local artists on the international stage. The economic growth and the increasing affluence among expatriates are leading to a surge in private collectors and art patrons keen to invest in the Costa Rican art scene. Although newly launched, MIRAME is making significant strides in connecting Costa Rican artists with a global audience through its online platform and by forming strategic partnerships with high-end housing developments, particularly in Guanacaste.Costa Rica: Emerging Cultural Hub in Latin AmericaCosta Rica's blend of economic prosperity and cultural vibrancy is positioning the country as an emerging cultural hub in Latin America. The growing influence of MIRAME Fine Art in promoting local talent and facilitating international sales is contributing to this transformation. With the expected increase in wealth during the high season, demand for luxury goods and cultural artifacts is likely to grow, further establishing Costa Rica's role in the international art market.Conclusion: A Bright Future for Costa Rica's Art and Real Estate MarketsIn conclusion, Costa Rica's ongoing economic growth, as highlighted by FocusEconomics, combined with the innovative approach of emerging platforms like MIRAME Fine Art, is enhancing the nation's status as a prime destination for both high-end real estate and fine art. As the high season approaches, the country's art sector, bolstered by MIRAME's cutting-edge technology and growing influence, is poised for a period of dynamic growth and expansion.Contact InformationBelinda Seppings Co-Founderbelinda@ miramefineart.com +447821591397SOURCE: Mirame Fine ArtView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-04 16:21:39

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / The Financial Policy Council is pleased to announce its upcoming Power Summit, titled "Brand Acceleration: Leveraging Visibility for Maximum ROI and Lasting Success," on Thursday, September 12, 2024. This exclusive event will take place from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the prestigious Penn Club of New York City.Moderated by Ziad K. Abdelnour, Chairman and Founder of the Foreign Policy Council, this summit will explore the pivotal role and impact of branding in driving business growth and shaping the broader economic landscape of America. Featuring panelists including Raoul Davis, CEO of Ascendant Group, Nicole Einslein, CEO of Sublime Communications, and Antony Ponnaiya, the Financial Policy Council's resident expert on Entrepreneurship, Branding, and Marketing, attendees will gain invaluable insights into the strategies behind successful branding that will resonate with stakeholders, influences public opinion, and fosters economic prosperity.The event will feature a panel of top industry leaders who will discuss the following key topics:Crafting Compelling Narratives: Techniques for developing stories that captivate audiences and highlight the significance of innovative ideas.Leveraging Leadership: How executives and entrepreneurs can use their personal brands to advocate for economic policies that foster growth.Strategic Communication: Best practices for communicating complex economic concepts in ways that are accessible and persuasive to the public and policymakers.Influencing Policy: Methods for bridging the gap between business insights and public policy to create a favorable economic environment.Case Studies: Real-world examples of successful branding efforts that have driven business success and influenced economic policy.This event, sponsored by Ascendant Group and Online Biz Builders, is a must-attend for professionals looking to enhance their brand's visibility, maximize ROI, and achieve lasting success. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders and peers while enjoying an open bar and hors d'oeuvres.Event Details:Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PMLocation: The Penn Club of New York City, 30 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036, Tarnopol RoomAttire: Business Attire RequiredRegistration:Space is limited, and the registration deadline is Tuesday, September 10, 2024. The registration fee is $50 and attendees may register here.Join us for an evening of insight, inspiration, and strategic discussions that will empower you to take your brand to new heights while contributing to the nation's economic success.For more information, please visit financialpolicycouncil.org Contact Information:Janie MackenzieVice President - Public Relationsjanie@ ascendantgroupbranding.com 856.473.2166SOURCE: Ascendant GroupView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-04 15:02:15

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SAUK RAPIDS, MN / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / Pinnacle Climate Technologies, the industry-leading supplier of heating and ventilation products is pleased to announce the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued U.S. Patents No. 12,018,846, D1,030,018, D1,030,988 and D1,036,635 for the Heat Hog brand ( heathog.com) of heating products.Heat Hog 9,000 BTU Unit for Ice Fishing An ice fisherman uses the Heat Hog 9,000 BTU unit to keep warm in an ice fishing shelter.The newly issued patents cover Heat Hog portable propane heaters, which are available in three models, with BTU outputs of 4,000, 9,000 and 18,000, catering to outdoor enthusiasts and individuals seeking easy-to-use, reliable heating options for their outdoor activities such as in the hunting blind, camping or ice fishing.The only tiltable portable heater allowing you to direct the heat, Heat Hog helps you stay warm and runs on 1-pound propane cylinders or a 20-pound tank, is indoor and outdoor safe, and doesn't require any electricity. Newly patented features include a warming dock in the back allowing you to maximize the fuel use of each cylinder, a curved heating plaque, providing a 33% wider heating area than other heaters, and a tilting feature that allows you to control where the heat goes and command the cold.Jon Thelen, with a 25-year fishing industry career, expressed his enthusiasm about the product by stating, "Whether talking fishing or in my deer stand, I want and need a heater I can rely on to keep me warm and stand up to the elements. Heat Hog uses virtually every ounce of propane in the can - meaning I have no waste - and on top of that, it has proven durable enough to ride in my sled up the trail to the hotspots and fire right up every time." Ron Ten Berge, CEO of Pinnacle Climate Technologies, stated, "I am incredibly proud of our team for this outstanding product and genuinely game-changing innovation. Users' experience in the field with it is second to none. We're excited to have more consumers and retailers learn about Heat Hog this fall and winter season." A recent winner of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation's For-Profit Innovation Award and developed in Minnesota by those who don't let the cold stop them, the heaters are available at heathog.com and through select retailers. Heat Hog is excited to expand its offering with retailers eager to appeal to consumers whose greatest passions are in the outdoors.About Heat Hog: Heat Hog is designed by people who know the cold, in the upper Midwest. We build heaters designed to help you stay warm anywhere. Heat Hog is a premium brand developed by Pinnacle Climate Technologies, Inc., a leader in climate solutions (heating, cooling, and ventilation) when it matters most. Pinnacle draws on more than 70 years of experience as we optimize manufacturing efficiency, distribution, and product innovation.Follow Heat Hog on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.Contact InformationDiana GrannemanMarketing Managerdgranneman@ pinnacleclimate.com 320-257-9522SOURCE: Pinnacle Climate TechnologiesView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-04 23:00:51

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RENO, NV / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / Sertis ( https://www.sertisins.com) , a managing general agency (MGA) focused on innovation in the insurance industry, announces the appointment of Kurt Meister as Senior Vice President, Distribution Partnerships. With a distinguished career spanning 36 years, Kurt brings a wealth of expertise in underwriting leadership, program management, and broker relations to Sertis' innovative approach to multifamily insurance protection.Kurt Meister, Head of Distribution Partnerships at Sertis Insurance industry leader with more than 30 years of experience building broker programs and driving business growth.Kurt's career began with executive roles that shaped the insurance landscape, including his tenure at Aon, where he led all facets of specific programs at their Affinity Insurance Services division. Over his career, Kurt has excelled in sales and distribution, building productive relationships with brokerages across the nation. As Chief Sales Officer at Distinguished Programs, Kurt worked with national brokerages to strengthen the company's market leadership in existing specialty areas, specifically Commercial Real Estate, Hospitality and Multifamily.Meister will help oversee Sertis' distribution strategy to ensure brokers and agents are able to quickly grow a profitable multifamily insurance portfolio and increase retention by offering incomparable value to property owners through risk management and risk transfer, lowering their overall operating costs. Kurt will also help lead the company's producer council comprised of the nation's most respected brokers and agents."At Sertis, we're redefining multifamily insurance offering brokers a unique, integrated risk management platform that delivers stable, consistent protection in a volatile market," said Kurt Meister. "I joined Sertis because I believe in this vision. The multifamily real estate sector continues to grow but faces tough headwinds from escalating insurance premiums and rising operating costs. Sertis' approach not only addresses these challenges but also provides brokers with something truly unique to offer their clients." "We are committed to delivering unparalleled innovation, responsive service, and flexibility that make it possible for our brokers and agents to grow a profitable multifamily portfolio. Kurt Meister is a perfect fit with the expertise to build and strengthen our distribution partnerships," said Mark Gardella, CEO of Sertis. "His deep understanding of the industry and proven ability to forge strong relationships with producers and organizations will be invaluable as we continue to grow and serve the multifamily marketplace." Brokers and agents can request to become appointed at Sertisins.com About SertisSertis stands at the forefront of transforming multifamily insurance and is renowned for its innovative solutions and insurance expertise. Backed by an AM Best A-rated insurer, Sertis is committed to delivering stability, reliability, and risk-accurate pricing to address the evolving demands of the multifamily insurance market. The company's mission is to empower agents and brokers to provide competitively-priced insurance protection to property owners, ensuring sustainable growth and solid coverage. Sertis is currently offering multifamily property, general liability, and equipment breakdown insurance in 34 states with plans for further expansion.Contact InformationMark GardellaCEOmgardella@ sertisins.com 833 273 7847SOURCE: Sertis InsuranceView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-04 14:01:04

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OTTAWA, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 /Intouch Insight Ltd. (TSXV:INX)(OTCQX:INXSF), a leader in customer experience solutions, today announced that it will be presenting and participating in 1x1 meetings at the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VANCOUVER 2024 in association with Small Cap Discoveries on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 9:00 AM (PST). Cameron Watt, President & CEO of Intouch will be hosting the presentation and answering questions at the conclusion.To access the live presentation, please use the following information:Planet MicroCap Showcase: VANCOUVER 2024 in association with Small Cap DiscoveriesDate: Wednesday, September 25, 2024Time: 12:00 PM Eastern Time (9:00 AM Pacific Time)Webcast: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/3056/51019 If you would like to book 1x1 investor meetings with Intouch Insight, and to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VANCOUVER 2024, please make sure you are registered here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/signup 1x1 meetings will be scheduled and conducted in person at the conference venue: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver.The Planet MicroCap Showcase: VANCOUVER 2024 website is available here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/ If you can't make the live presentation, all company presentations "webcasts" will be available directly on the conference event platform on this link under the tab "Agenda": https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/agenda News Compliments of AccesswireAbout Intouch InsightIntouch Insight offers a complete portfolio of customer experience management (CEM) products and services that help global brands delight their customers, strengthen brand reputation and improve financial performance. Intouch helps clients collect and centralize data from multiple customer touch points, gives them actionable, real-time insights, and provides them with the tools to continuously improve customer experience. Founded in 1992, Intouch is trusted by over 300 of North America's most-loved brands for their customer experience management, customer survey, mystery shopping, mobile forms, operational and compliance audits, geolocation data capture and event marketing automation solutions. For more information, visit intouchinsight.com About Planet MicroCapPlanet MicroCap is a global multimedia financial news, publishing and events company focused on news dissemination, providing information, data and analytics for the MicroCap investing community. We have cultivated an active and engaged audience of folks that are interested in learning about and to stay ahead of the curve in the MicroCap space.If you would like to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase, please register here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/signup For further information, please contact:Cathy SmithChief Financial Officer csmith@ intouchinsight.com 613-270-7916SOURCE: Intouch Insight Ltd. via Planet MicroCap
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SARASOTA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 /Kolter Homes Southwest Florida has demonstrated its commitment to community support by donating 30+ new natural gas cooktops to Habitat for Humanity Sarasota. This donation, made in collaboration with Habitat ReStore, is part of an ongoing partnership aimed at enriching the lives of local families.Kolter Homes Southwest Florida Team Donates to Habitat for Humanity Sarasota The Kolter Homes Southwest Florida team proudly stands behind boxes of brand-new natural gas cooktops, ready to be donated to Habitat for Humanity Sarasota.These cooktops were originally acquired as a backup supply during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure homes under construction at Cresswind Lakewood Ranch and Artistry Sarasota could be completed on schedule despite supply chain disruptions. Now, they will find new homes through Habitat for Humanity Sarasota."Kolter Homes Southwest FL was thrilled to be able to provide these appliances to Habitat for Humanity Sarasota and see them go to good use for a great cause," said Fred Pfister of Kolter Homes. He went on to say, "We love working with Habitat for Humanity Sarasota in many ways, including our team members working on Habitat Sarasota homes during Team builds. This is just another way we can say thank you to the community we love." The gas cooktops will be made available for sale at Habitat Sarasota ReStore, located at 2095 17th Street, Sarasota, FL 34234, and are expected to sell quickly. The Sarasota Restore raises valuable funds to support their valuable mission of making dreams come true for income-eligible families in Sarasota.Tonja Rankins, Manager of Habitat Sarasota ReStore, shared, "We appreciate the generous donation from Kolter Homes Southwest Florida. Donations such as this help fuel our mission and our goal by emphasizing  TOGETHER we build! Thank you for choosing us as a charity of choice." The Kolter Group LLC (together with its affiliates, "Kolter"), based in Delray Beach, Florida, is a private investment firm focused on real estate development and investment. Led by CEO Robert "Bobby" Julien, Kolter operates four residential development business units and has sponsored over $29 billion of realized and in-process residential real estate projects throughout the southeastern United States (including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee).Kolter has completed 99 residential projects, delivering over 27,800 unitsKolter has current investments in 91 residential projects expected to deliver a total of over 65,500 unitsKolter Homes LLC(together with its affiliates, "Kolter Homes"), is focused on the development, construction, and sale of 500-1,500 for-sale single-family units, often as Cresswind-branded, age-restricted, amenity-rich master-planned communities, with additional focus on smaller, traditional and age-targeted add-on communities of 100-500 homes. Kolter Homes has sponsored over $16 billion of realized and in-process real estate projects throughout the southeastern United States.Kolter Homes has completed 22 projects, delivering over 8,300 residencesKolter Homes has current investments in 29 projects expected to deliver a total of over 24,900 residencesContact InformationJohn ManriqueSVP Marketingjmanrique@ kolter.com 561-515-4450SOURCE: Kolter HomesView the original press release on newswire.com
Cumberland County will apply for a $480,093 state grant to help the homeless.

Commissioners last week authorized the redevelopment authority to seek Emergency Solutions Grant funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

The money would support resources that help people gain stability after a housing crisis, said Mikayla Kitchen, assistant director of the authority.

Specific resources include an emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, rental assistance, street outreach, case management and homeless prevention, Kitchen said. There are four eligible applicants included in our proposal  Safe Harbour, Community CARES, New Hope Ministries and Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland and Perry Counties.

The funds will be matched 100% with in-kind donations and volunteer time by nonprofit organizations and foundations, Kitchen said.

Proclamation

Commissioners also proclaimed September Hunger Action Month in the county with the goal of putting the spotlight on food insecurity.

One in 11 county residents face hunger while one child in 10 is food insecure, Commissioner Chairperson Kelly Neiderer said. The county has experienced a 27% increase in the cost of food. Adequate and nutritious food has become more expensive and out-of-reach for many of our residents.

Computer grant

Commissioners also approved a letter in support of a grant application being submitted by the Center for Independent Living of Central PA.

The nonprofit organization wants to obtain a Digital Connectivity Technology Program Grant to provide laptop computers to people with disabilities and to organizations that work with the Center, said Ginny Rogers, director of policy and compliance.

The computers will be used to teach computer skills that could help people land a job, apply for housing assistance or navigate the online portals needed to access health care, Rogers said.

911 back up

Commissioners also approved a $265,000 capital project request to replace the flywheel energy backup system in the county emergency services building with a lithium-ion battery power supply.

The current system, which dates from 2010-11, is nearing the end of its useful life, said Bob Shively, public safety supervisor. During a power outage, the new system will provide energy for one hour in case there are delays while the 911 system transitions from commercial electricity to back-up generators, he said.

In other business, commissioners:

Approved a capital project request for $26,000 submitted by Bethany Salzarulo, director of elections and voter registration. The money will be used to purchase rolling XL canister bags that will be used to transport heavy bundles of ballots to the county bureau on election night. The money will come out of a $929,304 state election integrity grant.

Approved contract addendums that provide an additional $15,000 each to five senior centers in the county to help cover operating costs and capital projects completed during the 2023-24 fiscal year. The funds will be drawn from an aging and community services block grant. The senior centers are Big Spring, East Pennsboro Township, Menno Haven Inc. and Messiah Lifeways Community Services of Mechanicsburg and West Shore.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-04 17:45:50

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H-E-B, the highly sought after Texas grocer, is building a supermarket in the popular Las Colinas area of Irving, TXIRVING, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / H-E-B, the highly sought after Texas grocer, is building a supermarket in the popular Las Colinas area of Irving on a site at Interstate 635 and Olympus Boulevard purchased from LaTerra Development, a leading real estate investment and development company. LaTerra will build 161,000 square feet of Self Storage adjacent to the H-E-B store on seven acres that it retains of the 19.5-acre property, a long-shuttered Fry's Electronics site.LaTerra plans to repurpose the former Fry's Store into a 161,250-square-foot Self Storage facility with construction slated to begin later this year. The company also plans to build an additional 34,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor RV and Boat Storage as a separate facility. This Irving-located Self Storage will be the first for LaTerra in the Dallas area, expanding the reach for its growing self-storage platform."We are thrilled to bring a terrific H-E-B Store to Irving. It will draw significant traffic and visibility to the Self Storage facility we are building on this site," notes Chris Tourtellotte, Managing Director, LaTerra. "Our Self Storage project will be one of the first to offer Boat and RV Storage, one of the most in-demand subsets of storage in the U.S."The LaTerra Self Storage facility will be adjacent to the neighboring Cypress Waters Master Plan that will bring new residents to the area as well as a large Home Depot Store. LaTerra entered into a joint venture with an affiliate of Fry's Electronics to redevelop the Irving site in late 2021.H-E-B has announced that construction on its Irving store will begin later this year with opening set for late 2026. The San Antonio-based grocer will employ 700 people at the store that will showcase its unique brand of customer service, locally sourced produce and products and sustainability."As a family company, we are particularly delighted to welcome H-E-B, one of the great family owned businesses in the U.S.," said Charles Tourtellotte, Chief Executive Officer, LaTerra.LaTerra is a leading self-storage and multifamily investment and development company with a focus on U.S. Sun Belt markets. It currently has approximately 1,000,000 square feet of self-storage in development. Its multifamily housing business serves the huge demand for best-in-class value rentals, with more than 3,000 residential units in its portfolio.###Contact:Barbara Casey310.990-0750 bcasey@ caseysayre.com SOURCE: LaTerra Development, LLC
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Brings Vast Experience and Relationships in U.S. Government and DefenseRENO, NV / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 /M2i Global, Inc. ("M2i," the "Company," "we," "our" or "us") (OTCQB:MTWO), a Company specializing in the development and execution of a complete global value supply chain for critical minerals for the U.S. government and U.S. free trade partners, is pleased to announce Major General (Ret) Alberto "Al" Rosende as its Chief Executive Officer.Doug Cole, Executive Chairman of M2i, commented, "Al has been with our company since March 2023 and we are pleased to expand his role and responsibilities, as he has been instrumental in our business dealings with the U.S. government and defense. We have been extremely impressed with his organizational and operational skills and believe Al is ideally suited to lead us through our next phase of growth." Major General (Ret) Alberto Rosende, Chief Operating Officer of M2i, stated, "I am thrilled to become the CEO of M2i. I look forward to expanding my responsibilities and leading our team as we continue to leverage the opportunities that exist within the U.S Government and the private sector to improve our critical mineral independence. We have a tremendous opportunity to make a significant and positive impact in this space, integrating innovative technologies to facilitate meeting the growing demands of the energy transition while ensuring we chart a sustainable path for the use of these valuable resources." Maj. Gen. (Ret) Alberto Rosende is a results-focused and transformational senior leader. He has over 37 years of command and operational experience in the Army, and 30 years of experience in the global payments industry, where he worked for two of the largest global payment brands, consulting directly with client banks and payment processors in the Latin America and Caribbean Region.Al's military career spanned four decades and served in command and staff assignments at every level through Division and at the Component level, including troop command and training command assignments, as well as combat tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq. His final assignment was as the 63d Readiness Division Commanding General, responsible for facilities, human resources support, and general maintenance and storage of equipment in a seven-state region of the Southwest United States, from Arkansas to California. Al received numerous awards and decorations throughout his career, including the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star, earned during his tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.His civilian career includes over 30 years of experience in management and consulting in the electronic payments industry. He worked at Visa, Inc., based in Miami, Florida, for over 20 years, where he supported financial institutions in the Latin America and Caribbean Region. His expertise is in fraud prevention and risk management, providing consulting services in both the card issuer and merchant acceptance businesses. Prior to joining Visa, he worked at American Express for over 7 years where he managed operational units in credit, fraud prevention and detection, as well as in-house and outside agency collections.Al holds a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University, an M.S. Degree in National Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, part of the National Defense University, and an M.A. Degree in Education and Human Development from The George Washington University.About M2i Global, Inc. (OTCQB:MTWO)M2i Global, Inc., through its subsidiary U.S. Minerals and Metals Corp., is an engineering, research, and services firm that brings together people, technology, and solutions from across government, business, not-for-profits, and academia to provide access and availability to critical minerals and metals for the purpose of defense and economic security. We aim to address this compelling need dictated by the evolving global environment predicated in terms of technology, energy, defense, and climate. The Company's vision and purpose is to develop and execute a complete global value supply chain for critical minerals for the U.S. and its free trade partners and create a strategic mineral reserve in partnership with the U.S. Federal Government. The reality is that the world outside of China faces a significant dearth of critical minerals necessary to fuel its reemergent manufacturing base. This supply problem leads to a very clear economic opportunity for the Company and others to develop these resources and supply this exploding demand over the next decade and beyond.For more information, please visit: https://www.M2icorp.com FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Such statements may be preceded by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential," or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, and cannot be predicted or quantified and consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement was made, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.Investor Contacts:IR@ M2icorp.com SOURCE: M2i Global Inc
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 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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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 3, 2024 /Pelangio Exploration Inc. (TSXV:PX)(OTC PINK:PGXPF) ("Pelangio" or the "Company") announces that the Company has hired Grove Corporate Services Ltd. to provide corporate finance, accounting, and administrative support, and is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Donna McLean as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") effective immediately.Ms. McLean has over 30 years' experience working with numerous publicly traded and private companies, specializing in the areas of financial reporting, controls and administration, and has served as CFO for several junior mineral exploration companies.Ms. McLean will take over the role of CFO from Sabino Di Paola, who served as Pelangio's CFO from May 2023 to September 2024.President and CEO Ingrid Hibbard stated:"Pelangio's Board of Directors and management are grateful for the excellent guidance provided by Mr. Di Paola to the Company during his time as CFO. We wish him the best as he focuses on other opportunities. We are equally excited to have our team bolstered by Ms. McLean's experience in the mining sector and Grove Corporate Services, particularly as we continue to focus on our Manfo Project and collaborate with MFD Investment Holdings SA, which has the right to earn a 10% interest in the Manfo Project by either, investing up to US$1 million in development expenses and completing a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on the project by December 31, 2025, or by achieving a first gold pour by December 2027."About PelangioPelangio acquires and explores prospective land packages located in world-class gold belts in Ghana, West Africa and Canada. In Ghana, the Company is focused on its two 100% owned camp-sized properties: the 100 km2 Manfo property, the site of eight near-surface gold discoveries, and the 284 km2Obuasi property, located 4 km on strike and adjacent to AngloGold Ashanti's prolific high-grade Obuasi Mine, as well as the Dankran property located adjacent to its Obuasi property. See www.pelangio.com for further details on all Pelangio's properties.For additional information, please visit our website at www.pelangio.com , or contact:Ingrid Hibbard, President and CEOTel: 905-336-3828 / Toll-free: 1-877-746-1632 / Email: info@ pelangio.com Forward Looking StatementsCertain statements herein may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements or information appear in a number of places and can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information include statements regarding the Company's strategy of acquiring large land packages in areas of sizeable gold mineralization, and the Company's ability to complete the planned exploration programs. Regarding forward-looking statements and information contained herein, we have made many assumptions, including about the state of the equity markets. Such forward-looking statements and information are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Such risks include the changes in equity markets, share price volatility, volatility of global and local economic climate, gold price volatility, political developments in Ghana, and Canada, increases in costs, exchange rate fluctuations, speculative nature of gold exploration, including the risk that favourable exploration results may not be obtained, near-term production may not be viable, delays due to COVID-19 or other safety protocols, and other risks involved in the gold exploration industry. See the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statement and information. There can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information referenced herein will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Also, many of the factors are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward- looking statements or information. We undertake no obligation to reissue or update any forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. All forward-looking statements and information herein are qualified by this cautionary statement.Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: Pelangio Exploration Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-04 18:04:16

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Renowned Workers' Compensation Attorney Thomas F. Martin Honored for Exceptional Legal Excellence and Client AdvocacySANTA ANA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 /Thomas F. Martin, a workers' compensation attorney in Orange County, California, is proud to announce that he has been named Workers' Compensation "Lawyer of the Year" in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This distinguished recognition highlights Mr. Martin's dedication to his clients and reputation for exceptional legal skills in the field of workers' compensation.Thomas F. Martin, PLC Thomas F. Martin, a workers' compensation attorney in Orange County, California, is proud to announce that he has been named Workers' Compensation "Lawyer of the Year" in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.Only one attorney in each field of law in a designated metropolitan area is honored with the "Lawyer of the Year" title.The Best Lawyers in America is one of the most respected peer-reviewed publications in the legal industry. Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on an exhaustive peer-review process that captures the consensus opinion of leading lawyers regarding the professional abilities of their colleagues.This award is a testament to the respect and esteem that Mr. Martin has earned from his peers within the legal community for his relentless pursuit of justice for his clients over the last 30 years. He is well known for achieving successful results in complex and challenging work injury cases.Mr. Martin is also routinely invited to speak to attorney groups about the latest ways to achieve justice for injured workers and often meets with members of the State Legislature to discuss ways to improve the laws for those who are injured on the job.Contact InformationThomas F. Martin, Esq.2107 North Broadway, Suite 206Santa Ana, CA 92706Phone: (714) 547-5025Website: https://thomasfmartin.com Contact InformationAlex RibbleMarketing Manageralex@ bigchiefcreative.com (714) 794-2226SOURCE: Thomas F. Martin, PLCView the original press release on newswire.com
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / Trans Canada Gold Corp. (TSXV:TTG)(OTCQB:TTGXF) ("Trans Canada" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has successfully drilled and completed all legs of the newly drilled multilateral well, on the Company's heavy oil property situated near Lloydminster, Alberta. The Company encountered oil in all of the target zones of interest in the GP sands. The well is expected to be placed on full oil production shortly, and once the well has been completed and fully equipped, oil production rates will be released. The Company has received all required drill permits from the Alberta AER Regulator, and has completed all surface drilling operations. The Lloyd well was completed as planned, and on budget targeting oil pay in the GP sands. Croverro Energy Ltd., under the terms of the agreement will be Operator.Precision Rig 145 The Company has acquired additional lands inside the Area of Mutual Interest ("AMI"), which will allow additional opportunity for multilateral wells. The lands are contiguous with our existing lands. The newly acquired lands, together combined with our existing lands have the oil resource potential in both the Sparky and GP producing zones.Commented Tim Coupland, "Both weather and drilling conditions were ideal during the month of August, and we are excited to be completing and equipping our second successful multi-leg Multilateral well, and look forward to the additional drilling opportunities that may be available in the immediate area." The Company continues to explore additional exploration drilling opportunities in Canada and the United States.ABOUT TRANS CANADA GOLD CORP. - OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION/REVENUE PRODUCING WELLSThe Company is a discovery focused Oil & Gas Resource Development and Mineral Exploration Company that is currently focused on developing and drilling its' production of conventional heavy oil exploration properties, increasing production capabilities, and increasing future oil production revenues through responsible exploration. The Company identifies, acquires and finances with its working interest partners, the ongoing development of oil and gas assets primarily situated in Alberta Canada. The Company has qualified Senior exploration management and Geological teams of professionals, seasoned in exploration production, field exploration and drilling. The Company currently works with Croverro Energy Ltd., who has demonstrated proficiency, expected of an experienced oil and gas technical team that has proven oil production, and revenue success with large multi-lateral wells currently under their supervision. The Company has the necessary manpower in place to develop its natural resource properties and manage its production properties. The Company is committed to minimizing risk through selective property acquisitions, and responsible exploration drilling, and maximizing long term petroleum and natural gas resource assets.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:Tim Coupland, President and CEOTrans Canada Gold Corp.Tel: (604) 681-3131 astar@ telus.comwww.transcanadagold.com orChristian Timmins, DirectorTrans Canada Gold Corp.Tel: (403) 597-3410Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider, (as the term is defined in the Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Contact InformationChris TimminsDirectorctimmins29@ gmail.com 403-597-3410Tim CouplandCEOastar@ telus.com 604-681-3131 SOURCE: Trans Canada Gold Corp.
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CEO Michelle Tang awarded Beverly Hills Living Magazine's Innovator of the Year - honoring her remarkable vision & creative approach to boutique fertility and surrogacy services. Situated in the heart of Beverly Hills, IMA ART has unceasingly provided bespoke advisory services, delivering an unparalleled experience for discerning individuals looking to build their families.BEVERLY HILLS, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / IMA ART Fertility, the world's leading luxury fertility concierge and surrogacy agency, continues to epitomize excellence with its signature white-glove services. CEO Michelle Tang's commitment to compassionate advocacy and exceptional care has set a new standard in the industry, providing bespoke fertility and surrogacy solutions for her clients.The boutique Fertility Maison's distinctive white-glove approach combines cutting-edge reproductive technologies with an ultra-luxury concierge service. "White-glove" signifies a level of service that goes beyond the standard, emphasizing luxury, precision, and personalized attention. From the moment guests arrive in Beverly Hills, the Co-Founders personally greet and escort VIC's to their luxury hotels. The Co-Founders accompany clients to each IVF clinic appointment.White-Glove Signature Elements:Personalized Care: Access to comprehensive tailored fertility treatment plans, and one-on-one attention from the Co-FoundersLuxury Travel Experience: Specialized services for those traveling from abroad, including visa assistance and bespoke travel arrangements.Concierge Services: Benefit from personalized support, including airport and hotel pick-ups, accommodations, and administrative tasks.Surrogacy Support: Experience unparalleled guidance and support throughout the surrogacy process, from matching with a surrogate to handling legal and financial matters.Invitation only Mobile App: Supported by SOC II compliant provider, seamlessly assists clients to communicate their needs and the Co-Founders answers.Why Choose IMA ART Fertility?Fertility Excellence: Our team of world-class reproductive endocrinologists and laboratory technicians are dedicated to providing the highest quality care with leading success rates. Fertility treatments include IVF, ICSI, egg freezing, and pre-implantation genetic testing.Personalized Approach: We understand that every family-building journey is unique, and we tailor our services accordingly.Luxury Experience: Enjoy the ultimate in comfort, convenience, and discretion.Comprehensive Support: Experienced international concierge services ensure every aspect of their client's journey is taken care of."At IMA ART, we believe building a family is a deeply personal journey, deserving the utmost care and attention. Our white-glove services are designed to provide our clients with an unparalleled experience, from the moment they arrive in California to the day they welcome their baby into their world." - Michelle Tang, CEO & Co-FounderAbout IMA ARTThe World's First & Only Luxury Fertility Concierge & Surrogacy Agency, nestled in the heart of Beverly Hills. The private firm is a sanctuary of bespoke advisory services offering discreet fertility solutions to an exclusive clientele. The Fertility Maison has redefined the journey for discerning clients expecting savoir faire.Known for its distinctive approach to parenthood and strict confidentiality, IMA ART blends luxury white-glove concierge services with a deep commitment to personalized care. The firm stands as a paradigm of excellence in Haute Fertility.Contact InformationRon SonnenbergCo-Founderron@ imaartfertility.com (424)-284-1408SOURCE: IMAART LLCView the original press release on newswire.com
Ekemini and Toll-Free, two films funded by the British Council Film Lab Africa, a pioneering accelerator programme for budding filmmakers and TV producers in Nigeria, have premiered.

The films, produced by Winifred Allen and Mel Rouge, showcase the diverse talent and rich storytelling of Nigerias emerging filmmakers.

Allen and Rouge produced the films as recipients of the prestigious British Council Film Lab Africa Grant, an initiative of the British Council that aims to support and empower emerging filmmakers across Africa, enabling them to bring their unique visions to life.

Toll-Frees plot

Toll-Free, directed and produced by Rouge and James Amuta, delves into the intricate complexities of the human mind and the struggles to overcome the constraints imposed by ones environment, culture, and inner turmoil.

In the film, Michelle Dede plays Dr Sade Williams, a successful therapist confronted by a troubling case involving a couples distress. This propels her on a journey that exposes uncomfortable truths about herself and her profession.

As Dr Williams fights for the freedom of others, she finds her liberty at stake, setting off a chain of irreversible events. The film, marked by compassion and reflection, challenges the audience to confront uncomfortable truths and explore themes of trauma, domestic violence, and societal expectations.

Toll-Free offers a profound exploration of community, tradition, and personal responsibility.

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Michelle Dede portrays Dr. Sade Williams, Ibrahim Suleiman plays Toby Daniels, Uzoamaka Onuoha plays Rita Daniels, Laveena Verma plays Dr Martins, and Enyinna Nwigwe plays Dr. Williams ex-husband.

The production team includes Joseph Oladunjoye as Director of Photography, Yemi Jolaoso as Editor, and Miriam Nwosah as Production Designer.

Ekeminis plot

Allen directed and produced Ekemini, an inspiring short film that highlights resilience and creativity in adversity.

Ekemini tells the story of a 12-year-old boy from a struggling background who transforms discarded cartons into architectural marvels, inspiring those around him.

In the bustling streets of Uyo, Ekemini, a young and artistic boy, uses his talent to create impressive structures from discarded cartons. Despite the challenges of poverty and personal loss, Ekeminis creativity and perseverance offer hope and inspiration to his community.

The film celebrates the power of imagination and determination, reflecting the spirit of those who overcome adversity to make a difference.

Producers speak

Speaking about Toll-Free, Rouge described it as a journey through the emotional and societal challenges individuals face, aiming to evoke empathy and understanding.

Allen reflected on the films inspiration and emphasised its tribute to those who persist in adversity.

Allen and Rouge highlighted the African communitys rich cultural heritage, untold stories, and remarkable narratives through the grant.

The films showcase African storytellings creativity and resilience, shedding light on the continents struggles and beauty.

Film Lab Africa

The films funding was part of a comprehensive Film Lab Africa initiative that offered robust support, including skill development, knowledge enrichment, and networking opportunities.

Through the initiative, Film Lab Africa focused on areas like mobile phone cinematography, short film production, industry entrepreneurship, and script refinement, equipping participants with the essential tools to succeed in the dynamic world of film and television.

The three-year programme has yielded impressive results, with the recent premiere of ten exceptional short films that showcase Nigerias emerging filmmakers vibrant talent and diverse narratives.

Through rigorous training, funding, and mentorship, Film Lab Africa is shaping the future of Nigerian cinema and positioning the country as a global leader in creativity.

Meanwhile, the British Council is the UKs international cultural relations and educational opportunities organisation.

The British Council supports peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding, and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.

This is done through their work in arts and culture, education, and the English language. They also work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries.

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Naveed, a 25-year-old civil servant, lies in a Pakistan hospital recovering from major surgery after an accident on a building site. In the same ward, 47-year-old Malik, who cut his foot crossing the road, is now coming to terms with an emergency amputation. Ahamba, a nine-day-old baby in Nigeria, has been fighting an infection since she was born. And in the United States, Tamara, 39, lives in fear of the recurrent infections that have made her life a misery.

Separated by circumstance and thousands of miles, these four people are more connected than they know. All have fallen victim to infections that no longer respond to medications in the way they used to. Infections that resist the usual treatments. Infections that contributed to the death of an estimated 5 million people in 2019 alone.

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) is reporting from the frontline of the global antimicrobial resistance crisis. What we uncovered was disturbing first-hand evidence of what happens when the drugs stop working.

While its the worlds most vulnerable people  the ill, young and elderly; those in poorer settings  who are in most immediate danger, the threat of drug-resistant infection puts everyone at risk. Deaths from antimicrobial resistance are predicted to reach over 10 million a year by 2050. And a global threat requires global solutions. Better testing of bacteria, improvements in sanitation and hygiene, and more responsible practices around prescribing antimicrobials can all help lessen the chance of people dying from resistant infections.

Naveeds story: a serious side-effect of surgery

Experts warn that now is the time to take action. This September, the United Nations will assemble world leaders to address antimicrobial resistance. The aim of the meeting is to negotiate a political declaration for member states to curb the impact the issue is going to have on, environment and development.

Speaking to TBIJ from his bed in an intensive care unit, Naveed is barely able to get a sentence out. The 25-year-old civil servant had to have his windpipe removed after he was injured on a building site at his home in northern Pakistan. But that wasnt the end of his ordeal: after surgery, he developed a drug-resistant infection that could be fatal without the right antibiotic.

Doctors testing Naveed found that the antibiotic needed to save his life was colistin, a treatment meant to be used as a last resort because of its toxicity and side effects. But in Naveeds case, no other antibiotic could kill the strong bacteria causing his infection.

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Operations leave us open to infection because bacteria can enter the bloodstream through surgical wounds, so patients are often given antibiotics before and during surgery. But if the antibiotics dont work, bacteria are still able to infect us. This is what happened to Naveed. His infection consigned him to intensive care for several more days while the colistin fought back against his infection.

Hospitals are a major source of drug-resistant infections because of the high concentration of sick people and the frequent use of antibiotics. Many hospital-acquired infections are resistant to multiple drugs used to treat them.

The risk is even greater when healthcare workers are unable to properly sanitise the environment they work in. And almost 2 billion people around the world dont have access to healthcare facilities with clean water.

Theres still a huge lack of water, sanitation and hygiene capacity in the global south, and this is inextricably linked to drug-resistant infections, but also human dignity, says Nicholas Feasey, a professor of infection medicine at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

Ahambas story: born into challenging circumstances

Like many babies in Nigeria, Ahamba was born outside a hospital, with the help of a traditional birth attendant. She was three months premature, and her underdeveloped immune system was unprepared for the battle she was about to face.

Just five hours after she was born, Ahamba developed a fever and started to bleed from a section of the umbilical cord still attached to her navel. She was quickly taken to a hospital in Lagos State where she was given antibiotics.

Anyone anywhere can get an infection. But not everyone responds in the same way. Newborns, whose immune systems are weaker, are among those at the greatest risk.

Giving birth with a traditional birthing attendant, as Ahambas mother did, is sometimes a cultural preference but can also be an indication that the family cant afford to go to the hospital. Most hospitals in Nigeria charge patients for healthcare. Most of the babies in Ahambas unit had not been born in hospital, and most had been diagnosed with an infection on arrival.

Days passed and the antibiotic given to Ahamba wasnt working. It became clear she had a drug-resistant infection.

Her tiny body meant that she was unable to handle the toll of too many antibiotics. Having already tried two different types, the doctors skipped straight to meropenem  a broad-spectrum drug that aims to kill a wider range of bacteria. Like the colistin given to Naveed, its supposed to be reserved for only the most severe infections.

Vaccine strategies can also prevent drug-resistant infections, says Feasey. Thats why you have vaccines against drug-resistant bacteria in the research pipeline that could be given to mums and would then also protect the babies. But this is still in its early stages.

Stopping infections in the first place means the antibiotics that are our last lines of defence, such as colistin and meropenem, can be preserved. When these drugs fail, people can die  and prevention is better than cure.

Maliks story: a simple cut gets complicated

In Rawalpindi, northern Pakistan, Malik cut his foot after his sandal came off when he was crossing the road. It seemed innocuous enough at the time: partly because of a previous foot injury, he hardly felt anything. But after several days, the wound began to ooze with pus. It was infected and wasnt healing.

The 47-year-old tailor has diabetes, and his blood sugar levels werent well managed. It put him at an increased risk of complications from foot injuries, including problems healing.

When doctors in his hometown werent able to get his infection under control, Malik was rushed to a hospital over two hours away. It was there he discovered his infection was drug-resistant.

Bacteria are able to adapt quickly to defend themselves against the drugs designed to kill them. The more that bacteria are exposed to antibiotics, the more chance they have to develop resistance to them. Some bacteria can defend themselves against multiple drugs.

This was the case for the bacteria that had infected Maliks foot. By the time he reached the hospital, the infection had destroyed the tissue in his toes. Two of them needed to be amputated. To stop the further spread of the infection, Malik was prescribed four antibiotics.

Globally, the consumption of antibiotics increased by almost half between 2000 and 2018. The rate of increase has been steepest in South Asia, where the proportion of people receiving antibiotics each day has more than doubled in the last 25 years.

The increase reflects the fact that antibiotics arent always used in the right way. Sometimes they are used unnecessarily  for example, for a viral infection like a cold or flu, on which antibiotics will have no effect. Other times they are misused: someone takes the wrong type, dose or course of drug. These inappropriate uses of antibiotics are huge contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria.

Drug-resistant infections are a global health threat. But more importantly, theyre a preventable burden of disease that is a consequence of a misuse of resources, says Yvan Hutin, the director of surveillance, prevention and control at the World Health Organization.

Sometimes patients cant afford to be ill. Being sick can be expensive  and a quick course of antibiotics might look like a cheap solution, especially in countries where regulations are either lacking or unenforced. In some countries, including Pakistan, Kenya and Nigeria, antibiotics can be sold over the counter by untrained staff.

They can also promise a quick fix for the doctors themselves. Overburdened healthcare workers often lack the means or time to perform diagnostic tests, and that means prescribing antibiotics without knowing what type of infection they are treating. When doctors misprescribe antibiotics, giving patients broad-spectrum drugs when others will do, they present bacteria with the chance to build resistance.

We have inappropriate use, we have misuse, we have misprescriptions, says Hutin. We want the appropriate healthcare services given to the right people. We need the data to understand all of this. When we miss the information, the system cannot improve.

We face a heavy burden of disease from drug-resistant infections that comes from all this misuse and weak health systems

Tamaras story: the misery of chronic infections

While antibiotic use has risen most steeply in lower- and middle-income countries, its in rich nations where their overall use has always been  and remains  at its highest. Much of this is down to drugs being given to patients who dont need them. In the US, for example, a third of the antibiotics prescribed are done so unnecessarily.

Tamaras life began to go downhill just as Covid hit. In March 2020, her husband lost his job; the next month, she lost hers. She believes it was stress that started the chronic series of urinary tract infections (UTIs) that have dogged her for more than four years.

Anatomical differences mean women are 30 times more likely than men to contract a UTI. Pregnancy, menstruation and sex all raise the risk. And a higher chance of infection means a higher chance of a drug-resistant infection.

Tamara had contracted UTIs before  but none this persistent. Now, she suffers from excruciating pain and the constant urge to go to the toilet. It has been debilitating. She has tried multiple antibiotics. Some helped reduce her symptoms temporarily, but the infections would always come back.

UTIs are among the most common bacterial infections worldwide  yet when it comes to recurrent UTIs, clinical understanding is lacking. Despite having seen multiple doctors up and down the country, Tamara couldnt find anyone able to cure the infections. In her desperation, she tried various other treatments, including surgical procedures, herbal supplements and medicine she self-administered through a catheter.

A preventable catastrophe

AMR is a threat that stretches over borders and across continents. But this months UN meeting represents the chance to mount a much-needed global response. Hutin, the WHO director, stressed the importance of urgent action.

Its important to address [drug-resistant infections] not only for the threat of future things to come but also because the current burden is imminently preventable, he said.

Naveed, Malik, Ahamba and Tamara have already lived through the consequences of the growing crisis. Both Naveed and Malik had been discharged from the hospital when TBIJ last spoke with them. Ahamba had put on weight and was stable and thriving, according to her doctor, but her gastrointestinal problems were still causing issues. And Tamara still carries antibiotics with her wherever she goes. She lives in fear of her next infection.

For Ahamba and Tamara, the future remains uncertain.

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Nigerias Ministers of Youth Development and Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Jamila Ibrahim and Bosun Tijani respectively, are billed to speak at the forthcoming 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) later in the month.

Both ministers are to speak at different events being organised by the Mastercard Foundation at the UNGA, the foundation said in a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES.

The Foundation said it is hosting two events at the UNGA on issues surrounding girls education and womens economic empowerment in Africa. The event is scheduled for 22 September.

Both events underscore the Mastercard Foundations commitment to releasing the full potential of Africas women and fueling a prosperous and inclusive future for the continent, the statement said.

The foundation said it would at the event announce the expansion of partnerships on initiatives targeting women and girls.

Women empowerment

The Minister of Youth Development, Ms Ibrahim, is expected to feature in a panel session tagged: Invincible: Empowering Women, Transforming Africa.

The session, which is being hosted in collaboration with the African Leadership and Dialogue Institute (ALADI), will spotlight the impact of young African women in driving economic transformation and propose bold strategies to bolster their access to equitable and affordable financing.

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To discuss the topic, Ms Ibrahim will be joined by the Executive Director of the POTUS Africa Diaspora Advisory Council at the White House, Deniece Laurent-Mantey.

The conversation will be driven by a presentation of insights from the Mastercard Foundations gender report titled: Young Women in Africa: Agents of Economic Growth and Transformation by 2030, the organisers said.

Girls education

The second event on inclusive education will focus on strategies to improve young African girls access to learning, outcomes and transitions to and from secondary schools, the foundation said.

The session, tagged: Powering ParityInclusive Education for a Sustainable Future, will also explore the role of education technology in fostering resilient and inclusive learning on the continent.

The foundation noted that stakeholders, including education ministries, multilateral institutions, and donors, are expected to use the key approaches highlighted at the events to accelerate impact and scale-proven solutions.

Alongside Mr Tijani, the Sierra Leonean Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Haja Wurie, and Ethiopias Minister of Education, Birhanu Nega, a professor, have confirmed their attendance, the foundation said.

Expanding partnership

The foundation said it would also at the event be making an important announcement on the expansion of partnerships focused on initiatives for girls and young women.

The Mastercard Foundation is committed to accelerating access to dignified and fulfilling work for 21 million young women in Africa by 2030 as part of its Young Africa Works strategy, it said.

The President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, Reeta Roy, decried the exclusion from formal education of about 101 million young people between the ages of six and 18 in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Ms Roy, however, expressed optimism about the efforts of African education and innovators in creating solutions and delivering quality education to young people.

Expanding access to all has been at the heart of the Foundations work. At these events, education champions will be sharing insights about successful policies and programmes from across Africa with each other. Working together, we can scale these solutions and remove barriers for all, especially for girls and young women, she said.

About Foundation

The Mastercard Foundation, a Canadian charity and one of the largest foundations in the world, was established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard.

It works with other organisations to advance education and financial inclusion to enable young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work.

The Foundation is an independent organisation separate from the company, with offices in Toronto, Kigali, Accra, Nairobi, Kampala, Lagos, Dakar, and Addis Ababa.

Its policies, operations, and program decisions are determined by the Foundations Board of Directors and leadership.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a warrant for the arrest of a British citizen, Andrew Wynne, and two Nigerians earlier declared wanted by the Nigerian police for allegedly plotting an insurrection against Nigeria.

The Nigerians also ordered arrested by the court are Lucky Obiyan and Abdullahi Musa.

The judge, Emeka Nwite, issued the order on Tuesday following an ex-parte application by the police.

Mr Wynne and the two others have become key targets in President Bola Tinubus administrations sweeping crackdown on activists and others linked to the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.

The police, through their spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi, accused Mr Wynne (also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey), in a statement on Monday, of building a network of sleeper cells to topple the Bola Tinubu administration and plunge the nation into chaos.

The police declared Mr Wynne 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.

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Also, on Monday, the government arraigned 10 Nigerians who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protest in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and other states. 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. They were also accused of conspiring with Mr Wynee to plot a war against the Nigerian state.

The judge, Mr Nwite, ordered the remand of the 10 defendants in prison till 11 September set to deliver a ruling on their bail application.

Earlier on 22 August, the ordered the remand of 75 protesters, including at least 28 minors, in prison for two months to await police investigations into alleged terrorism-related offences.

Tuesdays hearing

On Tuesday, Audu Garba, a police lawyer, moved the ex parte application for a warrant for Mr Wynnes arrest at the Federal High Court.

The PUNCH reported that the lawyer urged the court to grant the application in the interest of justice.

He told the judge the court order would enable all police officers in the country and other security agencies to use their mechanisms to secure the lawful arrest of the fleeing defendants.

He said the defendants, who were on the run, were involved in the case of conspiracy, treason, inciting to mutiny, inciting disaffection to government and terrorism, among others.

The lawyer said the defendants actions were against sections 97, 410, 413, 416, and 412 of the Penal Code, Northern States Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN 2004.

An affidavit filed to support the ex parte application echoed many of the claims in the charges filed against the 10 protesters arraigned, which the police spokesperson reeled out against Mr Wynee on Monday.

The affidavit said investigations had shown so far conducted that the fleeing defendants were allegedly responsible for planning and coordinating the invasion and burning down of the High Court Complex, the office of the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Printing Press  all in Kano State, among others.

Mr Garba said others who were on the run were being tracked, hence the need for the application for a warrant for their arrest.

Mr Nwite ruled that the application was meritorious and went on to grant the prayers of the Nigerian police.

Briton dismisses polices claims

Mr Wynee dismissed the polices claims against him in a statement on Monday,

In his statement on the letterhead of his bookshop, Mr Wynne said the mass protests over #EndBadGovernance and #EndHunger frightened the government.

But rather than addressing the peoples demands, the government turned to repression, he said.

He recalled that about 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, he stated.

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The Sterling Oil Exploration and Engineering Petroleum Company (SEEPCO), an oil exploration company based in Anambra State, has lamented the negative effects of insecurity on its activities, especially crude oil exploration.

The company said this when it appeared before the Anambra House of Assembly on Tuesday.

Austin Brown, the general manager of Community Relations and Security of SEEPCO, who represented the company, said the insecurity and environmental challenges in the Ogbaru Area had caused a significant decline in production volumes.

Mr Brown said oil theft, illegal refining and increasing militancy by unknown gunmen had resulted in the abduction and loss of lives of some staff members of the company.

The development has drastically reduced the output of our exploration, he said.

According to him, about 11 illegal refineries and over 25 broken points along the pipelines where oil thieves steal crude oil have been discovered in Ogbaru.

He recounted that on 11 June, gunmen attacked their workers, killed three soldiers and abducted nine staff members who were later rescued in Ihiala.

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On their role in insecurity and environmental degradation in Ogbaru, Mr Brown said the company carried out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and was executing some projects under its corporate social responsibility (CSR).

We constituted the Host Community Development Trust where three per cent of our annual budget is being paid. We renovated a primary healthcare centre and we are constructing some roads.

Provide documentary evidence

Chidi Ibeneme, the chairperson of the House Committee on Petroleum, said SEEPCO was not complying with the provisions of the Local Content Act as members of the host communities working in the company were largely casual workers.

Mr Ibeneme called on the company to invest more in the education and healthcare of the areas residents.

He said the assembly would ensure that welfare, revenue and development benefits accruing to the state and host communities were guaranteed under their oil exploration activities.

Somto Udeze, the speaker of the assembly who read the House resolution, said the invitation was issued in response to the huge number of petitions by the host communities against the company.

Mr Udeze, who hails from one of the host communities, said SEEPCO should provide documentary evidence of the constitution of the host communities trust, EIA, CSR, and other claims at their next appearance.

Provide evidence showing that three per cent of your annual budget has been paid for 2022, 2023, and 2024 and projects executed so far as CSR, as well as a document showing the needs assessment of host communities.

Also, provide a comprehensive document showing the EIA, natural gas flare elimination and monetisation plan with respect to Section 108 of PIA and your plans for decommissioning and abandonment after work.

Show evidence of output metering regarding the quantity of oil and gas produced daily, list of Anambra indigenes who are staff (members) of the company and evidence of payment of tax to the state from inception till date, he said.

Mr Udeze said other firms that were invited but did not appear were Sahara Energy Resources, Orient Petroleum, CottonWood Gas and the commissioner of Nigeria Upstream Regulatory Agency.

Further hearing was adjourned until 17 November.

(NAN)

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President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the government and the people of Yobe over the tragic loss of lives at Mafa in Tarmuwa Local Government Area of the state.

This is contained in a statement by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, on Wednesday.

A total of 34 people were killed by the Boko Haram terrorists in Mafa on Sunday. They were buried on Tuesday.

President Tinubu also extended his condolences to bereaved families and condemned the killings as an atrocious and cowardly act of terror by a degraded group of criminals.

The president prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased, speedy recovery for the wounded, and assured the people of Yobe State that the perpetrators of this sinister act will have an inevitable encounter with justice.

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A teenager has disclosed to the police in Ondo how he and a co-worker gruesomely murdered their boss, Deborah Adene, a popular caterer, at the deceaseds home in Akure on 25 July.

Philip Emmanuel, 17, said he committed the crime with Mrs Adenes driver who is now at large.

While briefing journalists at the police headquarters in the state, police spokesperson, Funmilayo Adelami, said officers at the Oda Police Division received a report in the afternoon of 28 July that a foul odor was oozing from the apartment of Mrs. Adene, who had not been seen for days.

She said officers rushed to the scene and found the mutilated body of Mrs Adene on her bed.

Nearby, a blood-stained machete and a mobile phone hinted at the violence that had taken place, Mrs Adelani said.

This tragic incident was quickly escalated to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

Through painstaking investigative work and technical intelligence, our officers arrested 17-year-old Philip Emmanuel, a trusted employee of the deceased.

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In a shocking confession, Emmanuel revealed that he had conspired with Mrs. Deborahs driver to kill her.

The driver, eager to start a yahoo business, suggested they steal her ATM card, having overheard that a large sum of money was soon to be deposited into her account.

According to him, on 25 July, Mr Emmanuel and the driver brutally attacked their boss, stole her ATM card, and withdrew 60,000 from her account.

The police spokesperson said efforts were on to track down the fleeing driver.

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A philanthropist, Bill Gates, has highlighted the challenges associated with local vaccine production in Nigeria, citing regulatory complexities and economic scale as significant barriers.

Mr Gates, who is co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said this on Tuesday in Abuja, during the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Health Care Service Delivery (NTLC) quarterly review meeting.

The meeting was organised by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

Mr Gates discussed the broader landscape of local manufacturing within the health sector, suggesting that vaccines might not be the first choice for local entrepreneurs to focus on.

While acknowledging the progress made in reducing vaccine costs globally, he suggested that Nigeria should prioritise the local production of other health products that could offer more immediate benefits.

Vaccines are probably not the first thing they would choose to do because of the regulatory complexity and the scale economics.

There are many other things in the health sector that should probably be higher on the list to ensure availability and cost are improved by local entrepreneurs, he added.

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He also recognised the significant achievements in Nigerias public health landscape, particularly the role of the NTLC in eradicating wild polio and successfully introducing the HPV vaccine.

He said that the efforts had achieved 86 per cent coverage among girls between ages nine to 14.

Mr Gates called for continued efforts to combat vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly in the face of new challenges like the circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (CBPDD2).

He called for strategic improvements in the effectiveness of vaccination teams, emphasising the need for diligent and trusted individuals at the ward and settlement levels to ensure compliance and follow-up.

The selection of the right people for vaccination teams is crucial.

They must be diligent, trusted by the community, and capable of following up on cases of noncompliance.

Where results are lacking, we must be ready to make necessary changes, he said.

He also underscored the importance of routine immunisations in protecting children from diseases like pneumonia, diarrhea, and measles.

He praised the Sultan of Sokoto and other leaders for their commitment to improving health outcomes and urged them to continue the cooperation to raise immunisation levels across the country.

Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Group, also addressed the traditional leaders, emphasising the urgent need for enhanced efforts in the fight against polio.

Mr Dangote highlighted the crucial role traditional rulers play in eradicating the wild poliovirus and addressing ongoing outbreaks.

He called for a concerted effort to provide polio vaccines and, also, routine immunisations, health, and nutrition services in insecure areas.

He urged the NTLC to spearhead a cross-border synchronisation exercise to bolster border vaccinations.

Mr Dangote stressed the importance of holding traditional leaders accountable in achieving the goal of stopping the ongoing CBPV2 outbreak.

He also announced the expansion of the Crown Community Engagement Programme aimed at improving community engagement and resolving vaccine non-compliance issues.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar III, expressed deep appreciation for Gates consistent involvement in Nigeria.

The Sultan particularly commended the philanthropist for his frequent visits to Sokoto, which signify his ongoing commitment to improving the health and welfare of the Nigerian people.

He commended the NTLC for their 15 years of dedicated work, particularly highlighting their success in significantly reducing polio in Nigeria by 98 per cent.

Mohammad Gulma, the head of Kebbi State District of the NTLC, stressed the importance of community involvement in the campaign.

Mr Gulma said that such can be achieved through close collaboration with village and ward heads, religious leaders, and other key community members.

He highlighted their commitment to active supervision throughout the campaign, and addressing non-compliance through dialogue and accountability.

Kabiru Alhassan, the head of Sokoto State district, discussed the growth of a community-based health intervention initiative, which has expanded from 19 to 95 participants.

Mr Alhassan emphasised the critical role of community health workers in improving healthcare access at the grassroots level.

He said that the programme had successfully identified and tracked children needing care, managed cases of child malnutrition, and improved maternal and child health.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting concluded with a reaffirmation from the NTLC to intensify efforts in supporting vaccination campaigns and addressing non-compliance issues to ensure that no child is left unprotected.

(NAN)

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it feels betrayed by the federal government following Tuesdays increase in the pump price of petrol at NNPC Ltds fuel stations.

The NLC, in a statement by its president, Joe Ajaero, said, One of the reasons for accepting N70,000 as national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of pms would not be increased even as we knew that N70,000 was not sufficient.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that NNPCs petrol stations across Nigeria increased their pump price of petrol from about N600 to about N897.

No official reason for the increase has been given, but the state-owned oil firm recently lamented that it could no longer sustain the petrol price.

NNPC Ltd. is currently the sole importer of petrol into Nigeria and spends billions of naira monthly to subsidise the product.

In his statement, Mr Ajaero said President Bola Tinubu, during negotiations for the minimum wage, had given the NLC two options: either N250,000 as minimum wage (subject to the rise of pump price between N1,500 and N2,000) and N70,000 (at old pms rate).

He said the NLC chose the latter option only for it to be confronted by Tuesdays increase in petrol price.

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Here we are, barely one month later, with the government yet to commence payment of the new minimum wage, confronted by a reality we cannot explain, Mr Ajaero added, describing the situation as both traumatic and nightmarish.

The NLC president further criticised the governments approach to resolving the fuel subsidy issue, arguing that the labour movement had foreseen the challenges but was dismissed by officials who accused them of lacking an understanding of basic economics.

He also linked the fuel price increase to what he described as a pattern of betrayal by the government, citing similar unfulfilled promises regarding electricity tariff hikes.

Mr Ajaero condemned the governments broader economic policies, which he said had led to widespread hardship and triggered protests such as the End-Hunger/End Bad Governance demonstrations.

He accused the government of responding to dissent with repression, including arrests and charges of treason against protestors.

The clandestine increase in the pump price of petrol is the first among equally sinister policies the government has up its sleeve, he warned, vowing that the NLC would not be intimidated.

The NLC demanded the immediate reversal of the fuel price increase, the release of all those arrested during recent protests, and called on government to put a halt to the indiscriminate detention of citizens.

The NLC also demanded an end to policies that engender hunger and insecurity, electricity tariff hikes, and an end to what it described as the governments culture of terror, fear, and lying.

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The Yobe State Government has announced that a total of 34 people were killed in Sundays Boko Haram attack in Mafa, Tarmuwa Local Government Area.

The 34 victims were buried on Tuesday in Babangida, the headquarters of Tarmuwa local government.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the attack during which the terrorists also burnt several houses and shops.

Hundreds of residents were displaced as a result of the attack.

The figure is 34 people that were found dead, while five persons sustained injuries, Dahiru Abdulsalam, Governor Mala Bunis special adviser on security matters, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday.

Four are in critical conditions, while the other, sustained a minor injury and he is in stable condition.

Mr Abdulsalam suggested that the location of Mafa makes residents there soft targets for the Boko Haram.

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Any information apart from this is just a rumour. Nobody has gone to Mafa yesterday other than the troops, who brought these bodies.

The insurgents are not confronting the military; they are confronting innocent civilians who are soft targets, he said.

Govt pledges support

At the burial, the Yobe State Government announced the donation of N30 million to the families of the victims of the attack.

Idi Gubana, the states deputy governor, made the announcement when he led a delegation to burial ceremony.

He condoled with the Emir of Jajere, Buba Mashio, and the people of the area over the dastardly act.

Mr Gubana directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide shelter and food items to the displaced persons who lost all their belongings as a result of the attack.

He stated that Governor Buni, who was utterly devastated by the killings, had visited the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, over sustainable security in Mafa.

The deputy governor noted that deployment of sufficient troops in Mafa  located at the border of Borno and Yobe  would prevent future attacks in the trade hub.

He prayed Allah to repose the souls of the deceased and grant their immediate families the fortitude to bear the loss.

Tinubu reacts

President Bola Tinubu commiserated with the government and the people of Yobe over the attack.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, the president also extended his condolences to bereaved families.

He described the killings as an atrocious and cowardly act of terror by a degraded group of criminals, Mr Ngelale wrote.

The president prays for the repose of the souls of the deceased, speedy recovery for the wounded, and assures the people of Yobe State that the perpetrators of this sinister act will have an inevitable encounter with justice.

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President Bola Tinubu says Africa holds vast opportunities for investments, growth, and development with its vibrant population, productive economy, and natural resources.

Speaking at a bilateral meeting on Wednesday in Beijing, China, with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, President Tinubu commended the role of the Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation (FOCAC) in advancing partnership between Africa and China for mutual development and prosperity.

The African spirit for FOCAC is based upon mutual respect and partnership that promotes development, happiness, peace, and stability for our people. We are in this journey together. We believe that we share common interests, which are investments and development.

For me, as a Nigerian and as Chairman of, I am happy that the strategic partnership being promoted is acceptable to both sides and this is the way to go, the president said.

President Tinubu also called for a strategic focus on areas of collaboration that will ensure the relationship remains mutually beneficial.

Africa is a huge opportunity for economic development. As great people, we are willing to partner for progress and development. What is most important will be the focus of FOCAC in areas on which we can collaborate to make the relationship mutually beneficial to all of us, President Tinubu stated.

The president, who is in Beijing for the ninth FOCAC, expressed his appreciation for the warm reception extended to him and his delegation by the Chinese government.

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I thank you for receiving us warmly. I am happy, despite the jetlag; we were well received and we are ready to move the ball, the president concluded.

The premier said China is ready to work with Nigeria to deliver on the mutual understanding reached by President Xi Jinping and President Tinubu under the recently established comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

September 4, 2024

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The media community in Akwa Ibom State, South-south Nigeria, was thrown into mourning on Monday as two journalists in the state died the same day.

The two deceased journalists are Patience John and Esther Ukpe.

Ms John reportedly died on the way while being rushed to the hospital for an undisclosed ailment. Until her passing, she had worked with the state-owned AKBC-TV.

The other, Ms Ukpe, was said to have slumped and died some hours later. She used to be the editor of an independent publication called Explicit.

Both incidents happened in Uyo, where the two were active members of the Akwa Ibom chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists

They were also members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has expressed shock over the journalists death.

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The late Comrade Patience John was an integral part of the Press Corps in my Office and was noted as a diligent and hardworking professional, Mr Eno said on Wednesday in a statement from his spokesperson, Ekerete Udoh.

While we were struggling to absorb the sad news of her death, then came news of the sudden death of yet another journalist, Comrade Esther Ukpe of the Federated Chapel of the Union. This is deeply sad and unfortunate, the statement.

The governor consoled the family of the deceased journalists and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, and prayed for God to grant eternal repose to the souls of the departed journalists.

In his condolence message to the NUJ, Ini Ememobong, the states commissioner for information, said it was a dark day for journalists in Akwa Ibom.

He said the journalists passing was devastating news to him and the Ministry of Information.

I extend my deepest condolences to the Chairman, leadership and the entire members of the State Council and the Acting Director General and staff of the Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC) on these deaths, which have brought untold grief to our association and our state.

These journalists were very illustrious and hardworking in the execution of their assigned responsibilities. We will miss them sorely, Mr Ememobong said.

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thundery and rainy weather conditions across the nation from Wednesday to Friday.

NiMets weather outlook released on Tuesday in Abuja forecast thunderstorms over parts of Borno, Jigawa, Yobe Adamawa, Taraba, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto States during the morning hours on Wednesday.

Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Gombe, Sokoto, Bauchi, Kaduna, Adamawa, Yobe, Taraba, Kebbi and Borno States.

In the North Central region, there are slim chances of light to moderate rains over parts of Plateau and Nasarawa States during the morning hours.

Later in the day, moderate rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Benue, Kwara and Nasarawa States, it said.

According to NiMet, a cloudy atmosphere is anticipated over the southern region with prospects of light rains over parts of Akwa Ibom and Cross River states during the morning hours.

The agency envisaged rains over parts of Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers and Bayelsa states, later on that day.

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NiMet predicted thunderstorms over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe and Borno states, in Thursday`s morning hours.

In the afternoon into evening hours, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna, Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba and Borno States.

In the North Central region, there are prospects of light to moderate rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa and Plateau States during the morning hours, it said.

The agency anticipated moderate rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi and Plateau states later on that day.

It predicted predominantly cloudiness over the southern states in the morning hours and rains over parts of Edo, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Osun, Abia, Enugu, Cross and Rivers states.

For Friday, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Borno and Yobe States in the morning period.

Later in the day, thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Kaduna states.

The North Central region should be cloudy during the morning hours with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau States later in the day, it said.

According to NiMet, cloudy skies are anticipated over the southern region with prospects of rains over parts of Osun, Oyo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Delta States in the afternoon and evening hours.

The agency urged residents to avoid flood-prone areas, because of the high likelihood of urban flooding in major cities due to heavy downpours.

Strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur. Public should take adequate precaution, adhere to safety advisories issued by relevant authorities.

Public and Airline operators are advised to get updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website it said.

(NAN)

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For Clint Taylor, for years the extent of his engagement in politics had just been filling in circles on ballots, he said. But now, hes active in political advocacy, encouraging people to shift support from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump this year  despite having voted for Trump in 2016 himself.

Taylor decided to back President Joe Biden in 2020 and will support Vice President Kamala Harris this year, he said. Its a move that some Virginia Republicans are making as they seek a candidate whose values align more closely with their own.

There must be other Republicans like me out there that are uncomfortable with Trump, Taylor told the Virginia Mercury. I just want to tell them that you dont have to vote for him.

The Fairfax County lawyer also offered up a testimonial video for a campaign called Republican Voters Against Trump.

The website features videos from Republicans or former Trump voters around the country sharing why theyre not voting for Trump in this years presidential election, according to Rylee Boyd, a campaign representative. Some of the participants voted for Trump during his 2016 or 2020 campaigns, or both, before deciding they can no longer support him. The campaign is investing $50 million in digital advertisements and outreach with a focus on swing states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Jeff Ryer, a spokesman for Trumps campaign in Virginia, is skeptical of some of the video participants. He noted how Virginia doesnt have party registration when signing up to vote.

I am anxious to hear exactly what leads some of these individuals to identify as Republicans, he told the Virginia Mercury. As was the case in 2016 and 2020, President Trump is the Republican nominee this year. Might I suggest that if theyve yet to vote for him and plan on voting against him this year, they may never have been Republicans in the first place.

Taylor once considered himself more of a Republican, having grown up in a conservative bastion in Texas, and he agrees with the partys fiscally conservative approach to governance. But he doesnt think Trumps plans to further cut corporate tax rates will be able to benefit people widely. More than policy, he is concerned about Trumps temperament as a national leader and his influence within the Republican party.

Two pivotal moments for Taylor came when Trump appeared to refer to the Nazis and White supremacists that violently marched through Charlottesville as very fine people and when a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, after Trumps refusal to accept the 2020 election results.

I couldnt believe that this man said that, Taylor said in his video. It still gets me riled up today that he would defend those torch-wielding Nazis.

In a 2017 press conference after the Unite the Right rally, Trump told reporters that he thought there were very fine people on both sides but condemned the Nazis within the crowd.

Trumps connections to authoritarian leaders of other countries also concerns Taylor, a sentiment shared by Washington County resident Greg Hawley, who also submitted a testimonial to Republican Voters Against Trump.

As a military veteran and retired school teacher, Hawley wants to peacefully enjoy his retirement years. However, hes been fretting over this election.

Hawley said hes been concerned about Trumps growing influence on the Republican Party along with the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, and its influence on Trump.

The writings are on the wall, he said of the foundations presidential playbook, Project 2025, and of actions Trump has already taken that align with some of it.

Hawley points to how Trumps U.S. Supreme Court picks stemmed from Heritage Foundation and Federalist Society recommendations  all of whom upheld Roe v. Wade as federal law during confirmation hearings before ultimately ruling to undo the federal abortion protections.

Hawley sees the ability to get an abortion as primarily a health care issue, and he worries how much Trump might tap into the rest of the playbook. On abortion alone, Chapter 14 of Project 2025 entails employing a long-dormant federal law to further restrict abortion medication and mailing of abortifacients. Critics and reproductive rights advocates have said this could pave the way for a national ban.

Trump has distanced himself from the blueprint, despite his ties to several of its authors. The foundation has previously published presidential playbooks dating back to Ronald Reagan and touted how Trump used previous guidance during his first term as president.

Hawley is also worried about a statement Trump made this summer at a gathering where he told people that in four years, [they] wont have to vote again.

Hawley said that moments like that are where he believes Trump has let it slip that he would move towards a more strong-arm government.

Pushback from politicians

At the Democratic National Convention last month, a handful of Republicans, including former Trump administration officials, offered support for Harris campaign. Some high-profile conservative leaders in Virginia are backing Harris as well. Former Republican 10th District Rep. Barbara Comstock said earlier this month that she will be voting for Harris and former 5th District Rep. Denver Riggleman hosted a campaign event for Harris at his distillery.

After Jan. 6, after Donald Trump has refused for four years to acknowledge that he lost, and his threats against democracy, I think its important to turn the page, Comstock told the Virginia Mercury.

Riggleman told the Virginia Mercury he believes that independent and Republican voters feeling frustrated with Trump can help give her an edge.

What it comes down to is the moral depravity of that man  what hes done against our democratic institutions, Riggleman said. But also his treatment of women, his treatment of immigrants, and what he says about them, his words about military veterans. You get that feeling that this is just a narcissist who only cares about himself.

A new poll out of Roanoke College shows Harris has a slight lead over Trump in Virginia. Its among the first polling since Harris became the new Democratic candidate after Biden dropped out of the race. Democratic strategists see pathways to victory for Harris given her support for reproductive rights and past experience in politics and as a prosecutor.

Meanwhile, Ryer called Riggleman and Comstock lapsed Republicans that are endorsing Democrats to seek fawning press coverage and appearances on MSNBC.

Riggleman also said Trumps presence looms too large over the party he once represented. He noted how the GOP primary contest between his congressional successor, Rep. Bob Good, and Goods challenger, state Sen. John McGuire, hinged largely on whoever appeared to have the most fealty to Trump rather than policy debates. (McGuire defeated Good, an outcome confirmed after a lengthy recount process and extra court review of ballots in five precincts.) Riggleman also pointed to how Virginia U.S. Senate candidate Hung Cao  who hopes to unseat Democrat Tim Kaine  emerged from a crowded GOP candidate pool with Trumps endorsement.

It goes to show where the Republican Party of Virginia is right now, Riggleman said. [Its] so damaged in this state that Cao could get through the nomination process.

Kaine and Harris will have Rigglemans vote this year, and while the 5th District is reliably Republican and poses an uphill battle for McGuires democratic challenger Gloria Witt, Riggleman said hes considering voting for her too.

This doesnt mean he always agrees with Democrats on policy, he said, but at least they dont want to overturn our democratic institutions.

This story was originally published in the Virginia Mercury.
The anti-graft agency, EFCC, on Wednesday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that the detained Binance Holdings Limiteds executive, Tigran Gambaryan, rejected the medical intervention by the State House Clinic.

The counsel for the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho, told Justice Emeka Nwite while opposing Mr Gambaryans second bail application moved by his lawyer, Mark Mordi.

Mr Iheanacho, who drew the attention of the court to the State House Clinics medical report, argued that despite that Mr Gambaryans ill-health was not as bad as it was being painted, the report showed that the defendant was dissatisfied with the medical attention being offered and rejected it.

The lawyer vehemently objected to the bail plea and urged the court to dismiss the fresh application.

He explained that the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, wrote to the management of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), requesting Mr Gambaryans medical records.

He said that a response from the NCoS was received by the NSA on 29 August with the attached report of Nizamiye Hospital, among others.

According to him, the report indicated that Mr Gambaryan has been receiving adequate medical care from the NCoS and has been taken to several hospitals, including the State House Clinic.

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Mr Iheanacho insisted that NCoS had the capacity to take Mr Gambaryan to any hospital in Nigeria, adding that surgeons cannot force a surgery on the defendant without his consent.

He said Mr Gambaryan cannot suddenly become sick, as is allegedly commonplace with some suspects facing trial.

Earlier, Mr Mordi prayed the court to admit his client to bail on liberal terms, or alternatively, to admit him to bail for six weeks on the basis of ill-health.

He argued that though the EFCC purportedly denied Mr Gambaryan had a serious health issue, the exhibits, including the medical reports, showed that he needed medical care.

The lawyer argued that Mr Gambaryans health challenge cannot be adequately managed in Nigeria.

However, a medical report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) showed that Mr Gambaryan was taken to the State House Clinic in Asokoro, Abuja, by the NCoS.

The report alleged that Mr Gambaryan failed to comply with the prescribed medications and food when attended to by a neurosurgeon in July.

According to the State House Annex Clinics medical report dated 29 August, the clinic received a directive on 17 July, to conduct a preliminary medical evaluation on Mr Gambaryan and possibly retrieve him from Kuje Correctional Facility for a more detailed medical examination.

The report stated that a medical team comprising a doctor, a nurse and a support staff was dispatched for the assignment.

It said the team immediately proceeded to Kuje Correctional Centre where they met the patient, who volunteered a medical history of recurrent low back pain for twelve years and an anxiety disorder for which he was receiving treatment.

The report added that, in view of the patients medical history and worsening symptoms, a neurosurgeon was called to review the patient on 18 July.

The neurosurgeons findings were consistent with the MRI report of early multilevel disc disease with exit nerve root impingement at L4/L5.

To relieve symptoms and avoid further potential complications, the neurosurgeon placed Gambaryan on medication, advised physiotherapy, and strongly recommended lumbar discectomy surgery as soon as possible.

These findings and recommendations were consistent with those of a second neurosurgeon whose opinion was sought, it read in part.

However, the report added that the patient was dissatisfied with the medical interventions being offered, insisting that a court had ordered that he should be treated at Nizamiye Hospital.

Consequently, he intermittently refused prescribed medications and food to force a transfer out of the facility.

He was subsequently discharged and returned to the Nigerian Correctional Service at around 1300 hours on July 21, 2024, with no obvious deterioration in his health during the five-day admission period, the report said.

Another medical report from Nizamiye Hospital Limited was also orally cited by counsel in open court.

The report, dated 29 August, partly reads that The above-named patient (Gambaryan) was brought to the emergency room on June 3, 2024, on account of left-sided chest pain.

He had a history of sinusitis and lung infection prior to his presentation. He had frequent urination but no pain during urination.

NAN reports that the anti-graft agency had, on many occasions, countered the health claims made by the family and legal team of the detained Binance executive, who is facing money laundering charges, alongside the cryptocurrency firm.

Binance Holdings Limited is also facing a tax evasion charge preferred against it by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

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The State Security Service (SSS), Nigerias intelligence body, has redeployed Peter Afunaya, its Public Relations and Strategic Communications, to a new department.

The development is part of a major shake-up in the organisation within a week of the new director-general, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, taking office.

On Wednesday, Mr Ajayi announced the redeployment of the agencys longtime spokesperson to an undisclosed post without naming a successor.

The new SSS director general, who spoke during his maiden meeting with journalists at the SSS headquarters in Abuja, said the move was to scale back on media activities and focus more on the secret polices core mandate of covert operations.

As earlier stated, the Service will be refocusing towards covertness in its operations, he said.

He said the agency was refocusing on covert operations by being less seen and heard to strengthen national security.

It is unclear whether the agencys lack of a spokesperson is temporary.

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Mr Ajayi, appointed by President Bola Tinubu on 26 August, assumed office on 28 August.

He promised to promote professionalism and excellence and ensure that the service responds appropriately to the nations emerging security challenges.

Meanwhile, Mr Afunaya told journalists at Wednesdays press briefing that the new development does not imply SSS seeks to operate in the dark.

What this means is that the DSS (SSS) will continue to relate and engage with Nigerians through the media whenever the need arises. It does not mean that we want to operate in the dark or hide the truth from them, Mr Afunaya said.

We will continue to engage with the Nigerian people whenever the need arises. But we want to stick to our core mandate of covert operation to promote national security and safety of Nigerians.

He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve the country as the spokesperson for the secret police agency for 10 years.

Mr Afunaya expressed his commitment to the SSS and the country as he pledged to always do his best in whatever capacity he is chosen to serve.

He said he would continue to carry out his duty in service to the country with love, loyalty, honour, and glory.

Posting on his X handle on Wednesday, Afunaya wrote, Beginnings also end. Its goodbye. Its good night and yet a good morning. I remain a Nigerian with love, loyalty, honour and glory. So, help me God.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Ajayi assumed office last week with a pledge to refocus the Service on covertness and study silence.

He also expressed commitment to surmounting the challenges confronting Nigerias economic, political, and security environments.

SSS, known for its secrecy, embraced some openness when it launched a Twitter (now X) handle in February last year.

Since then, the agency has confirmed or denied many claims, including arrests of persons attributed to SSS.

Without a designated spokesperson, the agencys already limited engagement with journalists and the public will likely decline further.

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Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, says progress is ongoing in the clinical trial of the M72 tuberculosis vaccine, expressing optimism in its offering 70 per cent efficacy.

Mr Gates said this while responding to a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) question during an interview session with selected journalists on Tuesday in Abuja.

The interview was held on the sidelines of the 2024 NutriVision, a pan-African dialogue to discuss transformative solutions to combating malnutrition and shaping Africas future.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that most often affects the lungs and is caused by a type of bacteria.

It spreads through the air when infected people cough, sneeze or spit.

According to the World Health Organisation, 10.6 million people fell ill with TB in 2022 and 1.3 million died, mostly in low- and middle-income countries.

Mr Gates said that tuberculosis was difficult to diagnose, and grossly underfunded, noting that Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remained a public health crisis and a health security threat.

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We have a lot of new drugs. The current drugs, sadly, youll have to take them for nine months.

And, theres some TB out there that is drug resistant, either single drug resistant or multi drug resistant.

And so, were making great progress on the drugs and bringing new drugs in, and as you say, were also working on a vaccine.

That vaccine trial is going to take like four years. Were hoping that the vaccine will show like a 70 per cent reduction. We dont think its likely to show a 90 per cent reduction, he said.

The co-chair said that the vaccine trial, which would cost $500 million, was done in collaboration with GSK and the Wellcome Trust.

NAN reports that the foundations Medical Research Institute (Gates MRI), on March 19, announced a Phase 3 clinical trial to assess the efficacy of the M72/AS01E tuberculosis vaccine.

It said that the vaccine, if shown to be well-tolerated and effective, could potentially become the first new TB vaccine in over a century to help prevent pulmonary TB in adolescents and adults.

Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is among the health targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

NAN reports that Mr Gates is visiting Nigeria, as part of the foundations ongoing commitment to Africas development.

During his short visit, Mr Gates met with national and local leaders, partners, grantees and innovators.

Mr Gates, alongside other foundation leaders, also met with experts in primary health care, agriculture, and nutrition who are driving progress across the continent, despite economic challenges.

He participated in the NutriVision Dialogue with Jon Batiste, a musician, educator and humanitarian.

(NAN)

AIO/VIV

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published global cholera statistics for 2023, revealing a concerning increase in cases and deaths.

According to a statement released on Wednesday, the number of reported cholera cases rose by 13 per cent and deaths by 71 per cent in 2023 compared to the previous year.

WHO reported that over 4,000 people died in 2023 from a disease that is preventable and easily treatable.

The report states that: Forty-five countries reported cases, an increase from 44 in 2022 and 35 in 2021. Notably, 38 per cent of reported cases were among children under five years old.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection spread through contaminated food and water, affecting communities with limited access to sanitation the most.

Reason

WHO attributed the rise in cholera outbreaks to conflict, climate change, inadequate safe water and sanitation, poverty, underdevelopment, and population displacement.

It said that the geographical distribution of cholera shifted significantly from 2022 to 2023, with a 32 per cent decrease in cases reported from the Middle East and Asia, and a 125 per cent increase in Africa.

The report noted: Many African countries reported a high proportion of community deaths, indicating gaps in access to treatment. For the first time, multiple countries reported deaths from cholera that occurred outside of health facilities, known as community deaths.

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In five out of 13 reporting countries, more than a third of cholera deaths occurred in the community, highlighting serious gaps in access to treatment.

WHO reported that Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, and Somalia continued to report large outbreaks, with Ethiopia, Haiti, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe adding to the tally in 2023.

It added: Preliminary data shows that the global cholera crisis persists into 2024, with 22 countries currently reporting active outbreaks.

In spite of a lower number of cases reported so far in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, the WHO has received reports of 342,800 cases and 2,400 deaths across all continents as of August 22.

Increase demand for cholera materials.

WHO said the increased demand for cholera materials, such as oral cholera vaccines, diagnostic tests, and essential medications, continues to pose a challenge for disease control efforts globally.

It said to address the limited supplies, the International Coordinating Group had adopted a single-dose vaccination approach instead of the standard two-dose regimen.

The statement noted: In spite of the low stockpile of oral cholera vaccines, a record 35 million doses were shipped in 2024, with the one-dose strategy in effect.

WHO emphasises that safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene remain the only long-term and sustainable solutions to ending cholera outbreaks and preventing future ones,

It said the organisation considered the current global risk from cholera as very high and was responding with urgency to reduce deaths and contain outbreaks.

It also said WHO has released 18 million dollars from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies for cholera response since 2022 and has appealed for $50 million to respond to cholera outbreaks in 2024, but this need remains unmet.

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The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has said the recent tour by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to some agencies of government should not be conflated with the oversight function reserved by the constitution for the National Assembly.

Mr Agbese said the former speaker cannot take over the oversight duties of the federal parliament, even as chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu.

He stated this on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking on the recent tour by Mr Gbajabiamila, a former member of the House, to some MDAs.

Mr Gbajabiamila recently visited the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the National Emergency Management Agency, the National Hajj Commission, the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, the Bureau of Public Procurement, the Bureau of Public Enterprises, the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure.

Earlier, Mr Agbese had spoken to a national daily, where he was quoted as saying there was nothing wrong with the visits. The comment attracted backlash from Nigerians.

In a bid to set the record straight, Mr Agbese said his former colleagues actions should not be conflated with the National Assemblys oversight power.

I did not say that the Chief of Staff to Mr President, Mr Gbajabiamila, can oversee government agencies and parastatals. That role can only be played by the National Assembly.

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Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provide for the power of the National Assembly to investigate the performance of any person or body charged with the responsibility of executing the laws enacted by the parliament.

The lawmaker also said that Mr Gbajabiamila is at liberty to visit government agencies as part of the executive arm. However, he added that such visits cannot replace the parliaments oversight duties.

What I told the press is that the visit of the Chief of Staff, as part of the executive arm, is acceptable, but when it is called an oversight, it conflicts with the Constitution. Courtesy visits are in order, but they should not be seen as oversight.

Earlier Comment

Mr Agbese had initially said Mr Gbajabiamila is at liberty to visit an executive establishment in the discharge of his role as an appointee of Mr President.

What the Right Honourable Chief of Staff to Mr President is doing is not in any way in conflict with our mandate as a parliament. On our part, we encourage routine supervisory checks by members of the executive in their duties over agencies and departments that are directly under their control.

Those visits are valuable because they provide firsthand information about the state of these agencies, which is often lacking. Our Right Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, being a product of the parliament, has demonstrated that institutional memory is crucial for the transformation of this country.

By conducting these visits, the chief of staff is ensuring that the executive branch is fully informed about the activities and challenges of the agencies under its control. This can only be beneficial for the countrys overall governance, Mr Agbese had said.

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Gunmen on Tuesday attacked Kwatas and Daffo communities of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing seven people.

The Special Adviser to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Gakji Shipi, disclosed this to journalists on Wednesday in Jos.

Yesterday we had two separate attacks  one in Kwatas and the other in Daffo, all in Bokkos, said Mr Gakji, who is also the coordinator of Operation Rainbow, a state-owned security outfit.

So far, seven people have been confirmed killed while others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

At the moment, normalcy has returned to the areas, but we are still on the trail of those behind this dastardly act and we will not allow them to get away with it, he said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks and it is unclear if the two attacks were carried out by the same group.

Plateau, in north-central Nigeria, witnesses different forms of violence including farmers vs herders, inter-communal clashes and ethno-religious violence.

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The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has arrived in Sokoto State with the security chiefs to supervise the military response to the escalating security challenges in the North-west region.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that President Bola Tinubu ordered Mr Matawalle and the military chiefs to relocate to Sokoto State as part of efforts to rid the state and the entire north-west of rampant terrorism, an official has announced.

The North-west is arguably Nigerias most terrorised region, with four of the regions seven states among the top five states with the highest number of kidnap incidents between July 2023 and June 2024.

Mr Tinubus order came amid a video clip circulating online showing how a jubilant terrorism kingpin, Bello Turji, and his armed bandits celebrating victory over the Nigerian military after burning down two Mines Resistant Armour Personnel (MRAP) vehicles stuck in the mud.

Terrorists will be crushed

Mr Matawalle landed at the Sultan Abubakar International Airport Sokoto on Tuesday afternoon accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Emmanuel Undiandeye, among other senior officers.

Addressing soldiers at the 8 Division Headquarters in Sokoto, the minister said their relocation was in compliance with President Bola Tinubus directives.

He assured the troops of the presidents support to crush bandits across the country, adding that the president was very concerned about the security situation in the region.

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We are here in Sokoto State on the instructions of President Tinubu, who directed the Ministry of Defence with all its artillery to come to Sokoto and review the operations, especially that of Operations Hadarin Daji.

The President is worried about what is happening in the North-west. He called me and the Chief of Defence staff while he was in China to immediately suspend whatever we were doing and come down to Sokoto.

He said we should come and supervise the operation of our troops currently going on in the North-west, under the leadership of Operation Hadarin Daji, to see our troops, to review the operations and to make sure that all their needs are provided so that they can go and fight those criminals.

Nigeria is not a banana republic; Nigeria is a country that governs by the Constitution, and you all know Mr President knows the problem of the North, and that is why he appoints his security team from the North, including myself and the defence minister (Muhammad Badaru), Mr Matawalle said.

He said the president was intentional about their appointment because he knows the regions security challenges.

The president carefully selected northerners and appointed them into key positions. Look at me: I am from Zamfara State, and the Chief of Defence is from Kaduna State. The Minister of Defence, Badaru, is from Jigawa State; the National Security Adviser is from Adamawa State while the Minister of State for Police Affairs is also from the North.

So, he carefully selected us because he knows our problem is insecurity. So, we are here to flush out those bandits that have been terrorising our region, he said

The minister told the troops not to be distracted by recent happenings in the state, apparently referring to a failed mission which led to the burning of two Mines Resistant Armoured Personnel (MRAP) vehicles by bandits in the forest.

Incessant attacks

It is unclear how effective this strategy would be as ex-President Muhammadu Buhari also ordered his military chiefs to relocate to Borno at the height of the Boko Haram insurgency. Although the military achieved some battlefield successes against the terrorists, the Boko Haram insurgency is still on, and the terrorists have spread their tentacles to other northern states such as Niger and Kogi.

For years, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger states have witnessed terrorists killing and abducting people for ransom.

Recently, some bandits executed the Emir of Sabon Birni in the Gobir Emirate in Sokoto State, Isa Bawa. The traditional ruler and his son were kidnapped on 18 July while travelling from the state capital to Sabon Birni after a private visit.

PREMIUM TIMES has reported several cases of attacks and mass abductions in the North-west states. The situation has deteriorated, with many local communities now virtually controlled by armed terrorists who demand taxes from locals.

He was killed in captivity on 21 August, days after he appeared in a video released by the bandits begging the government to yield to the bandits demand for ransom for his release.

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Gunmen have killed two persons during an attack on the headquarters of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, south-east Nigeria.

The local government headquarters is in the Umuelemai Community of the state.

How it happened

Residents told PREMIUM TIMES that the attackers invaded the secretariat at about 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday and shot sporadically, killing the victims.

One resident, who asked not to be named for safety reasons, said the hoodlums razed several buildings and vehicles at the secretariat during the attack.

The gunmen came immediately and threw bombs into the local government (headquarters) and killed some persons, said the resident, who owns a shop close to the secretariat.

Another resident, Chukwudi Ogbonna, said apart from the slain victims, several others managed to escape with gunshot injuries during the attack.

This newspaper gathered that the two slain victims were members of Ebubeagu, a local security outfit created by the Imo State Government.

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The attack, it was learnt, occurred some minutes after the ruling All Progressives Congress concluded its primary election for the forthcoming local government chairmanship and councillorship elections at the secretariat on Tuesday.

The general election is billed to take place on 21 September.

There are speculations that the attackers may have invaded the secretariat in an attempt to frustrate the exercise.

However, PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify the speculations.

Video clips

PREMIUM TIMES obtained two video clips apparently recorded after the attack.

One of the clips showed some buildings and vehicles in flames. This newspaper counted at least five such vehicles from the clip.

In another clip, two bodies  said to be those of the slain security guards  were seen.

The bodies of the victims had blood stains and bullet holes.

Some residents and sympathisers were heard in the clips lamenting the killing of the victims.

Police yet to speak

The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, did not respond to several calls and a series of text messages seeking his comments.

Worsening insecurity

Like other states in Nigerias south-east, security has deteriorated in Imo State with frequent attacks by armed persons.

The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities.

The latest attack occurred about four days after gunmen attacked the headquarters of Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra, another state in the South-east.

Earlier on Tuesday, gunmen bombed Oba Police Divisional Headquarters in Anambra State, killing a police officer.

In June, some armed persons attacked the same Ogbaru Local Government Secretariat.

READ ALSO: 34 people killed by Boko Haram buried in Yobe

The Nigerian government has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. But the group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks.

IPOB is a group leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants carved out from the south-east and some parts of the south-south Nigeria.

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Gunmen have killed another police operative in Imo State, south-east Nigeria.

The incident happened on Wednesday at a junction in Umulogho, a community in Obowo Local Government Area of the state, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The latest attack came barely 24 hours after gunmen bombed Oba Police Divisional Headquarters in Anambra, another state in the South-east.

The Oba Police Station attack, which occurred on Tuesday, resulted in the killing of another police officer.

How the latest Imo attack happened

In the latest attack in Imo, the gunmen were said to have stormed the Umulogho Community in a Sienna vehicle at about 8 p.m. on Tuesday night, NAN reported.

The attackers, believed to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), subsequently returned to the community on Wednesday morning and killed the police operative.

The armed persons, during the Wednesday attack, were said to have spent more than one hour profiling residents of the area until they identified and killed the operative.

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Upon identifying the man as a police operative, he was tortured with a machete and left to die, a source from the community told NAN on the condition of anonymity.

The source further claimed that the gunmen operated unchallenged on Tuesday night before returning for the Wednesday attack when they razed a section of Obowo Police Divisional Headquarters in the area.

Another source said that it took several hours before military personnel responded to the distress call made by residents of the area.

Imo Police Command and the state government need to step up the fight against insecurity in the state, especially in the rural areas.

It is confusing how there are three different police formations domiciled in one police division, namely the Area Command, Isiweke Police Station and Obowo Police Division, yet the hoodlums were not challenged.

It is even more worrisome that the police couldnt respond because they claimed they did not have any operational vehicle, the source said.

This is disheartening. It portends danger for residents that there is no security in the area.

A resident, who asked not to be named, called on the Imo State Government to establish and equip vigilante groups in every community to support the police in the fight against violent crimes in the state.

Police speak

The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, confirmed the development to NAN on Wednesday.

Mr Okoye, an assistant superintendent of police, said the state police command had deployed a special unit to the area to track down the killers of the operative.

As I am talking to you, I am with the commissioner of police, and together with other service chiefs, we intend to visit the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.

We want to equally inspire a certain level of confidence in the officers and residents, so they can go ahead with their duties and businesses without fear, he said.

Worsening insecurity

Like other states in Nigerias South-east, security has deteriorated in Imo State with frequent attacks by armed persons.

The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities.

The latest attack occurred hours after gunmen attacked the headquarters of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, killing at least two persons.

Four days ago, gunmen attacked the headquarters of Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra, another state in the South-east.

In June, some armed persons attacked the same Ogbaru Local Government Secretariat.

The Nigerian government has accused IPOB of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. But the group has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks.

IPOB is a group leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants carved out from the south-east and some parts of the south-south Nigeria.

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The Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, has rusticated 31 students and suspended 47 others indefinitely for academic or behavioural misconduct.

The university said the decision was taken at its Senates meeting held on 31 July.

A statement signed by an assistant registrar, Oyelaja Bamidele, said 17 students were rusticated for examination malpractice, five for making threats to life, and one other for fraudulent activities.

Among those sanctioned is Michael Ojo, a 200-level student in the Computer Science Department who has been told to stay away from the school for the entire 2023/2024 academic session.

Mr Ojo allegedly forged his Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) to qualify for the Student Union elections.

Forty-seven other students were suspended indefinitely for alleged misconduct, including impersonation, for which 10 other students were punished.

The affected students have been advised in their interest to stay off the campus to avoid being embarrassed by the university security personnel, the statement concluded.

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The Lagos State Government has extended its work-from-home policy for its workers for the next three months.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the extension in a circular signed by the states Head of Service, Bode Agoro, on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, on 28 February, the governor directed that the workers would work remotely on some days.

He directed that workers on grade levels 01 to 14 were allowed to work from home for two days in a week, while those on grade level 15 to 17 were allowed to work from home for one day in a week.

The decision was aimed at reducing the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy on the workers.

Mr Sanwo-Olu stated in Wednesdays circular that the policy made positive impacts on workers productivity in the various ministries, departments and agencies of the state government.

NAN reports that the extension took effect from 4 September.

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(NAN)

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National Council 222 has taken decisive action by contacting key legislators and representatives about alarming reports of fraud, waste, and abuse within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) NSPIRE program. This move follows the submission of Inspector General (IG) complaints detailing systemic mismanagement under the leadership of HUD's Public and Indian Housing (PIH) division.

Antonio F. Gaines, President, AFGE National Council 222 AFGE National Council 222

The NSPIRE program, designed to enhance housing inspections, has been severely compromised by poor technology decisions and managerial failures, resulting in significant operational inefficiencies, misuse of taxpayer funds and potential health and safety risks to tenants. Despite internal efforts to address these issues, AFGE has called upon Congress to ensure accountability and implement corrective measures to protect tenants.

Key Legislative Engagements:

- Direct Appeals to Congress: AFGE National Council 222 has reached out to influential legislators, including Chairman James Comer of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, Chairwoman Patty Murray of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Delegate for the District of Columbia, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, Chairman Gary Peters, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Chairman Tom Cole, House Appropriations Committee, Chairwoman Patty Murray, Senate Appropriations Committee

Chair Brian Schatz, Senate Subcommittee on Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies and Matthew M. Graves, United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, urging them to investigate the mismanagement within the NSPIRE program.

Detailed IG Complaints: The AFGE Council 222 has filed comprehensive complaints with the HUD Inspector General, highlighting the program's failures and the urgent need for oversight to prevent further financial waste, inefficiency and potential threats to HUD resident health and safety. These complaints and letters to legislators are on the AFGE Council 222 website https://www.afgecouncil222.com .

Demand for Transparency and Accountability: AFGE National Council 222 is advocating for a thorough investigation into the HUD program's leadership, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability to restore public trust in HUD's operations.

Antonio F. Gaines, President of AFGE National Council 222, stated, "The ongoing mismanagement of the NSPIRE program represents a significant breach of public trust and a misuse of taxpayer dollars. By engaging with legislators, we aim to bring about the necessary changes to ensure HUD fulfills its mission effectively and efficiently."

The AFGE National Council 222 outreach to legislative bodies underscores the critical nature of these issues and the need for immediate action to rectify the systemic problems within the NSPIRE program. AFGE National Council 222 remains committed to protecting the interests of both HUD employees and the residents they serve, advocating for a transparent and accountable process moving forward.

For more information, please contact Antonio F. Gaines at 770-882-7729 or via email at [email protected].

SOURCE AFGE National Council 222
Info-Tech Research Group has announced award-winning AI researcher, bestselling author, and former Google AI lead Laurence Moroney as a keynote speaker for the Info-Tech LIVE 2024 conference this September at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Moroney's session, "Navigating the AI Landscape: From Hype to Reality," will equip technology leaders with actionable insights to differentiate genuine AI advancements from industry hype, fostering informed decision-making and strategic innovation.

TORONTO, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - As artificial intelligence continues to transform the IT landscape, Info-Tech Research Group has announced that Laurence Moroney, an award-winning AI researcher, best-selling author, and globally recognized keynote speaker, will be presenting at its annual IT conference, Info-Tech LIVE 2024, on September 18. Moroney, formerly the Lead AI Advocate at Google, played a pivotal role in expanding AI initiatives worldwide and was recognized by the World Economic Forum for creating training programs on the essential "Skills of Tomorrow."

Info-Tech Research Group has announced award-winning AI researcher, bestselling author, and former Google AI lead Laurence Moroney as a keynote speaker for the Info-Tech LIVE 2024 conference in September. (CNW Group/Info-Tech Research Group)

"Navigating the complexities of AI within the broader context of Exponential IT requires a clear understanding of both its practical applications and potential pitfalls," says Info-Tech Research Group's Chief Research Officer, Gord Harrison. "Laurence Moroney's expertise in artificial intelligence and his ability to translate complex concepts into actionable strategies make him the perfect keynote speaker to help our attendees discern AI hype from reality, ensuring they can leverage AI effectively to drive their organizations forward."

Moroney's session, "Navigating the AI Landscape: From Hype to Reality," will examine the current state of AI technology, separating genuine advancements from exaggerated claims. Attendees will gain valuable perspectives on implementing AI solutions that align with their business objectives, enhancing operational efficiency, and fostering innovation. Drawing from his extensive experience at Google and his acclaimed publications, Moroney will provide practical insights to help IT leaders make informed decisions in an increasingly AI-driven world.

For over two decades, Laurence Moroney has been at the forefront of AI education and advocacy. His work has empowered developers and organizations globally to harness the power of machine learning and artificial intelligence. Moroney's contributions include authoring several best-selling books, creating highly-regarded online courses, and producing content that demystifies AI for a broad audience. His recognition by the World Economic Forum underscores his influence and commitment to preparing the workforce for the future.

Info-Tech LIVE 2024, taking place from September 17 to 19 at the iconic Bellagio in Las Vegas, promises to be a landmark event for the IT industry. With the theme "Exponential IT in Motion," the conference will feature over 2,000 IT executives, thought leaders, industry analysts, and technology experts. Attendees and media will have access to cutting-edge research, strategic insights, and unparalleled networking opportunities designed to navigate the complexities of modern business landscapes and drive their organizations toward greater innovation and efficiency.

To secure a spot for Info-Tech Research Group's annual IT conference, register at Info-Tech LIVE 2024.

Event Update: Due to unforeseen circumstances, Meredith Whittaker, previously announced as a keynote speaker on the topic of shaping global AI policy, will unfortunately be unable to attend Info-Tech LIVE 2024. Attendees can look forward to the current lineup of exceptional industry-leading speakers, including Laurence Moroney, Rory Richardson, Daniel Pink, Dr. Timnit Gebru, and others, for invaluable insights and thought leadership on such topics as AI, next-gen IT, organizational strategy, and cultivating IT talent.

LIVE coverage and further details about speakers, agendas, and exclusive event experiences can be found via LinkedIn and X over the coming weeks.

Recent Speaker Announcements for Info-Tech LIVE 2024

Media Passes for Info-Tech LIVE 2024

Registration is now open for Info-Tech Research Group's annual IT conference, Info-Tech LIVE 2024, taking place September 17 to 19, 2024, at the iconic Bellagio in Las Vegas. This premier IT industry event will also offer journalists, podcasters, and media influencers access to exclusive content, the latest technology research and trends, and the opportunity to interview industry experts, analysts, and speakers. To apply for media passes to attend the event or to gain access to research and expert insights on trending topics, please contact [email protected].

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software-buying insights.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected].

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aiga Capital Partners ("Aiga") announced the closing of its debut climate infrastructure fund with more than $240mm of capital commitments from 7 limited partners comprising pension funds, family offices, fund of funds, OCIOs, foundations, and other institutional investors.

Aiga's investments will be used by asset development platforms to accelerate the growth and materialization of sustainable infrastructure across North America. Aiga, co-founded and led by Managing Partners, Angel Fierro and Rory Meyers, offers flexible capital solutions with uses of proceeds ranging from pre-construction project development to project acquisitions, interconnection and other deposits, equipment purchases and other capital needs throughout the asset lifecycle; in each case, tailored to match the needs and profile of each development company. The fund's investment products span various types of asset-backed structured debt and equity which is aimed at bringing more sustainable projects to fruition.

Aiga's initial investments include (i) a credit facility for Nexus Renewables Inc., a renewable energy platform based in Toronto, Canada, engaged in the development, acquisition, financing, construction and operations management of distributed and utility-scale solar and storage facilities in the United States and Canada, and (ii) a credit facility for Spearmint Energy, a leading Miami, Florida-based developer, owner and operator of BESS projects throughout the U.S.

"We're excited to bridge this meaningful financing gap in the development lifecycle of sustainable assets and to partner with pioneering entrepreneurs across the energy transition landscape. The Aiga team is extremely proud to share this journey alongside all of our investment partners in this inaugural fund and all those who supported our trek to the starting line," said Rory Meyers, co-founder and Managing Partner of Aiga.

"There's a significant demand for ready-to-build sustainable infrastructure, but a scarcity of flexible and innovative capital to fund pre-construction project development needs. We have assembled like-minded capital partners and a stellar team that is focused on the opportunity to provide tailored capital solutions to middle market operating platforms that are catalyzing the growth of sustainable infrastructure in North America," commented Angel Fierro, co-founder and Managing Partner of Aiga.

Holland & Knight LLP is acting as fund counsel.

About Aiga Capital Partners

Aiga is a minority-owned investment adviser that is investing in North American-based companies developing sustainable infrastructure assets. Aiga primarily targets middle-market companies developing assets in the renewable energy, energy storage, energy efficiency, electric vehicle charging, and low carbon chemicals and fuels sectors. Aiga's mission is to provide asset developers with growth capital to catalyze the deployment of projects that are needed to meet net zero emissions targets. To learn more, visit https://www.aigacapital.com/

The information contained herein is not intended as an offer or a solicitation of an offer with respect to the purchase or sale of any security.

MEDIA CONTACT:

[email protected]

SOURCE: Aiga Capital Partners

LinkedIn

SOURCE Aiga Capital Partners
HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group ("Alibaba International") today concluded its Global E-commerce Challenge (GEC) 2024 with a global finals event in Hangzhou, China, spotlighting exceptional young innovators worldwide.

2024 GEC first prize winner Team CrashCourse from Singapore Management University Finalists and judges of GEC 2024

Launched in 2021, the GEC aims to attract and engage young talents globally to shape the future of e-commerce. The 2024 edition of the competition, focused on exploring ways to elevate online shopping with artificial intelligence (AI), was open for applications to university students and recent university graduates. Participants were tasked to develop creative solutions to address the current inadequacies of online shopping in areas such as personalization, visual and voice searches, and cross-border e-commerce. As they advanced through the competition, they received guidance and support from experts at Alibaba International and gained insights into the company's AI initiatives as well as real-world e-commerce operations.

Since its kick-off in June, this year's competition has drawn overwhelming responses from over 1,000 individuals in more than 500 teams, representing regions including Europe, the Americas, East Asia and Southeast Asia. After two rounds of rigorous selection, 11 teams consisting of a total of 39 participants advanced to the global finals held in Hangzhou today to compete for the top three spots. The finalists presented their AI-based proposals to a panel of industry experts, consisting of Kaifu Zhang, Vice President of Alibaba International, who leads the company's AI initiatives; Lillian Jiang, Chief People Officer of Alibaba International; Carlos Barrera, Chief Executive Officer of Lazada Philippines; Ying Peng, General Manager of AliExpress; and Jin Qin, Investment Director at Alibaba International.

Three teams were selected as the final winners following comprehensive evaluation based on criteria including AI-Driven Innovation (25%), AI Integration Capability (20%), Technical Execution (20%), Consumer Experience (25%), and Presentation Quality (10%). Team CrashCourse, comprising students from Singapore Management University, secured the first place for their innovative approach and outstanding teamwork and brought home an award of travel vouchers valued at US$10,000. Team The Echelon Group, consisting of students from Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland, College Park, and Team Saturdays, consisting of students from Bandung Institute of Technology, respectively won the second and third places and were awarded travel vouchers worth US$5,000 and US$3,000, respectively. Additionally, Alibaba International will offer internship opportunities to all participants who reached the global finals.

"The GEC 2024 has truly showcased the remarkable potential of our young talents today. Their innovative AI solutions have the power to transform the future of e-commerce, and we are thrilled to witness their energy and technical prowess here in Hangzhou," said Kaifu Zhang, Vice President of Alibaba International.

"We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to present our ideas to esteemed industry experts through the GEC 2024. This unique experience not only pushed our boundaries but also provided us with invaluable insights into digital commerce. Winning the challenge has been a humbling honor, and we are excited to apply what we have learned during the competition to drive innovation in the e-commerce industry," said Zane Chee from Team CrashCourse.

The GEC 2024 global finals ended on a high note in an award ceremony, with representatives of Alibaba International welcoming the winners as interns with the company.

Sheryl Ho, Project Manager of Alibaba International GEC 2024, added, "We are incredibly pleased to have an opportunity to help nurture the next generation of global e-commerce talents through a global competition. The dedication and teamwork displayed by the participants are inspiring, and we are excited to welcome some of these brilliant young minds as interns at our company. We look forward to seeing their ideas make a real impact in the e-commerce industry."

French student Melissa from Peking University, who interned at Alibaba International following last year's GEC, remarked: "This thrilling internship journey has deepened my understanding of the Chinese market. The immersive experiences have also significantly boosted my professional skills, sharpening my edge in competitor analysis, data analysis, cross-team collaboration and problem-solving."

For more information and updates on Alibaba International GEC 2024, please visit https://aidc-jobs.alibaba.com/GEC/index/program

# # #

About Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group

Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group is dedicated to supporting the development of global digital trade with AI-powered technology. It operates various platforms with distinctive business models, covering multiple countries and regions around the world.

Media Contacts

Lingshan Lu

PR Manager

Alibaba International Digital Commerce

[email protected]

SOURCE Alibaba International
Founded in 2013 by industry visionary John Finney, ALL.SPACE is revolutionising satellite communications with its ground-breaking platform, delivering seamless multi-satellite, multi-orbit connectivity from a single mobile device across LEO, MEO, HEO and GEO orbits. Through years of deep-tech innovation, ALL.SPACE ensures seamless communication and data sharing across defence networks, boosting situational awareness and effectiveness.

Paul McCarter, previously the Chief Operating Officer at ALL.SPACE, brings over 30 years of executive leadership experience. Before joining ALL.SPACE, Paul had a first career in the military followed by CEO and Managing Director roles in Racal, Thales, Cobham and Serco, where he led global businesses driving transformative business growth in the technology, manufacturing, and consulting sectors.

Commenting on his new role, McCarter said: "I am thrilled to lead ALL.SPACE at this pivotal moment. John Finney's vision has laid a robust foundation with our revolutionary satellite technology. Together with John and our dynamic team, I am excited to accelerate our growth and expand our cutting-edge solutions to a broader range of clients."

"It has been rewarding to work alongside and learn from John, collaborating with him to develop a long-term strategy focused on growing our client base as we completed the Company's most recent round of fundraising," said Chris Emerson, ALL.SPACE Chairman of the Board of Directors.

John Finney stated, "I am truly excited about the next phase of growth for ALL.SPACE. Paul's exceptional talent and extensive experience will be crucial in advancing our mission. His transition to CEO has been meticulously planned over a six-month period to ensure seamless continuity for our commercial and defence customers worldwide. In the coming weeks, we will share significant announcements regarding our global offerings, financial stability, and customer support. This is an incredibly exciting time for the company."

In an era of complex global threats and heightened security challenges, ALL.SPACE plays a key role in strengthening defence communications resilience for the US, NATO, and allies.

About ALL.SPACE ALL.SPACE is an industry-leading global satellite communications company pioneering the development of next-generation technologies. With a vision of delivering ubiquitous connectivity across space, land, air, and sea, ALL.SPACE creates cutting-edge technology solutions that address the complex challenges of today's evolving satellite industry.

Investors in ALL SPACE include Seraphim Space Investment Trust, AEI HorizonX, Promus Ventures through its Luxembourg based space investment fund, Orbital Ventures, SES, Firmament Ventures, UK government's Future Fund, Space Angels and family office investors such as Waterlow Management Limited.

LinkedIn: All.Space

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2496456/ALL_SPACE_Paul_McCarter.jpg

SOURCE ALL.SPACE
ZURICH, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amcor (NYSE: AMCR; ASX: AMC), a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Peter Konieczny as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mr. Konieczny has served as Interim CEO since April 2024. The Board also intends to nominate him as a director for election at the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders which is expected to be held in November 2024.

Amcor's Board of Directors has appointed Peter Konieczny as Chief Executive Officer.

Amcor Chairman, Mr. Graeme Liebelt, said, "Peter has demonstrated exceptional leadership in every role he has held during his career at Amcor, including as Interim CEO where he has led the Company through a period of strengthening financial performance and set the business up for further progress. The Board and I are confident Peter is the right person to lead Amcor, and we look forward to working with him to build on the strong foundation the Company has established over many years."

Mr. Konieczny said, "I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead Amcor as Chief Executive Officer. Amcor is an outstanding company with highly talented people, a strong sense of purpose, a proven culture of execution and most importantly, significant growth potential."

"The business finished fiscal 2024 well with strong earnings growth, giving us confidence that momentum in the underlying business will continue to build in fiscal 2025 and beyond. Together with our continued commitment to safety, customer success and disciplined capital allocation, I believe Amcor is very well positioned to deliver industry leading value for our customers, our shareholders and the environment."

About Peter Konieczny

Mr. Konieczny has been a member of the Amcor Global Management Team since 2010 and was appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer in April 2024. Between September 2020 and April 2024, Mr. Konieczny served as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), where he oversaw global category and product management, Sustainability, R&D and Procurement while maintaining responsibility for the Amcor Flexibles Latin America business. He also served as President, Amcor Flexibles, Europe, Middle East & Africa and Latin America between 2019 and 2020, President, Amcor Flexibles Europe, Middle East & Africa between 2015 and 2019, and President, Amcor Specialty Cartons between 2010 and 2015. Prior to Amcor, he had five years of experience in the packaging industry as President of Silgan White Cap, a global organization specializing in metal and plastic closures for the food and beverage industries. He held business group Managing Director and Chief Finance Officer positions in the heavy industrial equipment industry and has been a management consultant with McKinsey & Company.

About Amcor

Amcor is a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions across a variety of materials for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, home and personal-care, and other products. Amcor works with leading companies around the world to protect products, differentiate brands, and improve supply chains. The Company offers a range of innovative, differentiating flexible and rigid packaging, specialty cartons, closures and services. The company is focused on making packaging that is increasingly recyclable, reusable, lighter weight and made using an increasing amount of recycled content. In fiscal year 2024, 41,000 Amcor people generated $13.6 billion in annual sales from operations that span 212 locations in 40 countries. NYSE: AMCR; ASX: AMC

www.amcor.com I LinkedIn I YouTube

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains certain statements that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally identified with words like "believe," "expect," "target," "project," "may," "could," "would," "approximately," "possible," "will," "should," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "commit," "estimate," "potential," "ambitions," "outlook," or "continue," the negative of these words, other terms of similar meaning, or the use of future dates. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of Amcor and are qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of risks and uncertainties. Neither Amcor nor any of its respective directors, executive officers, or advisors provide any representation, assurance, or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements will actually occur. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from expectations include, but are not limited to: changes in consumer demand patterns and customer requirements in numerous industries; the loss of key customers, a reduction in their production requirements or consolidation among key customers; significant competition in the industries and regions in which we operate; an inability to expand our current business effectively through either organic growth, including product innovation, investments or acquisitions; challenging global economic conditions, impacts of operating internationally; price fluctuations or shortages in the availability of raw materials, energy, and other inputs which could adversely affect our business; production, supply, and commercial risks, including counterparty credit risks, which may be exacerbated in times of economic volatility; pandemics, epidemics, or other disease outbreaks; an inability to attract, motivate and retain our skilled workforce and manage key transitions; labor disputes and an inability to renew collective bargaining agreements at acceptable terms; physical impact of climate change; cybersecurity risks, which could disrupt our operations or risk of loss of our sensitive business information; failures or disruptions in our information technology systems which could disrupt our operations, compromise customer, employee, supplier and other data; a significant increase in our indebtedness or a downgrade in our credit rating could reduce our operating flexibility and increase our borrowing costs and negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations; rising interest rates that increase our borrowing costs on our variable rate indebtedness and could have other negative impacts; foreign exchange rate risk; a significant write-down of goodwill and/or intangible assets; a failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting; inability of our insurance policies, including our use of a captive insurance company, to provide adequate protection against all of the risks we face; an inability to defend our intellectual property rights or intellectual property infringement claims against us; litigation, including product liability claims or litigation related to Environmental, Social, and Governance ("ESG") matters or regulatory developments; increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from investors, customers, suppliers and governments with respect to our ESG practices and commitments resulting in additional costs or exposure to additional risks; changing ESG disclosure regulations including climate-related rules; changing environmental, health, and safety laws; changes in tax laws or changes in our geographic mix of earnings; and other risks and uncertainties identified from time to time in Amcor's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including without limitation, those described under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of Amcor's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. You can obtain copies of Amcor's filings with the SEC for free at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov). Forward-looking statements included herein are made only as of the date hereof and Amcor assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, or any other information in this communication, as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, or to correct any inaccuracies or omissions in them which become apparent, except as expressly required by law. All forward-looking statements in this communication are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE Amcor
Bobbi MacPherson as Head of Operations, Shaun Hamman Rejoins as SVP of Strategic Accounts, and Kayla Lopez Promoted to Head of People

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- American Financial Resources, LLC (AFR) is excited to announce a series of key leadership appointments that highlight the company's dynamic transformation. These strategic changes underscore AFR's commitment to delivering a renewed level of expertise and innovation, as the company continues to evolve and enhance the client experience. Bobbi MacPherson has joined AFR as the new Head of Operations, Shaun Hamman has rejoined the team as Senior Vice President of Strategic Accounts, and Kayla Lopez has been promoted to Head of People.

Bobbi MacPherson  Head of Operations

Bobbi MacPherson will bring a dynamic and motivated leadership style to her new role as Head of Operations at AFR. With a diverse background in credit policy, operations, and technology development, Bobbi is poised to provide an immediate impact. Reporting directly to AFR's Chief Operating Officer, Robert Pieklo, Bobbi's expertise and innovative approach are expected to drive operational excellence and enhance service delivery.

"Bobbi's arrival marks an exciting new chapter for our operations team," said Robert Pieklo, COO of AFR. "Her diverse experience and passion for client-centric solutions will undoubtedly elevate the way we serve our clients, ensuring they continue to receive the best possible experience."

Shaun Hamman  Senior Vice President of Strategic Accounts

AFR is thrilled to welcome back Shaun Hamman, who returns to the company as Senior Vice President of Strategic Accounts. Shaun's deep understanding of the industry and his longstanding relationship with AFR make him an invaluable asset as the company continues to grow. In his new role, Shaun will focus on developing strategic accounts while also contributing to the growth of AFR's One-Time Close (OTC) Construction and Renovation programs within the Wholesale & Non-Delegated Channels.

"We have been adding to our amazing team here at AFR, and I couldn't be more excited to welcome Shaun back," said Robert Pieklo. "Having grown up together at AFR, this feels like a full-circle moment for us. When the opportunity arose to bring Shaun back, we knew we had to make it happen. His leadership and industry knowledge will be key to our continued success."

Kayla Lopez  Head of People

In a move that highlights AFR's commitment to internal growth and development, Kayla Lopez has been promoted to Head of People. Kayla joined the company in March 2024 as Vice President of Strategic Planning, with a clear path towards greater responsibilities. Her exceptional performance and dedication over the past five months have accelerated her journey, leading to this well-deserved promotion.

"When we brought Kayla on board, we had a plan for her growth over a couple of years. But within just five months, it was clear that she was ready to take on an even larger role within the organization," announced Robert Pieklo. "Kayla is the right person, in the right seat, at the right time. We are beyond grateful to have her leading this crucial part of our organization."

About American Financial Resources, LLC

American Financial Resources, LLC (AFR) is a national leader in residential mortgage lending. With a commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, AFR provides a wide range of mortgage products to meet the needs of diverse clients. The company's focus on continuous improvement and strategic growth ensures that it remains at the forefront of the industry. American Financial Resources, LLC. is an Equal Housing Lender and Equal Opportunity Employer Lender. NMLS 2826 at www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. For more information, visit www.afrcorp.com.

SOURCE American Financial Resources, LLC
MIAMI, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amplify , the nation's leading boutique legal digital marketing agency, is calling attention to the disturbing revelations published on Sunday by the New York Times , which revealed deeply troubling allegations against the operator of 50 psychiatric hospitals nationwide. The report accuses Acadia of falsely detaining patients under mental health laws intended for those posing an imminent threat to themselves or others, suggesting a misuse of these laws to keep patients unnecessarily institutionalized.

If the allegations against Acadia reported by the New York Times are proven true, these actions not only betray the trust of patients and their families but may also violate state and federal laws. This could lead to legal consequences, including claims of false imprisonment or medical malpractice. Individuals who were wrongfully held have legal options, including the right to pursue lawsuits for accountability and compensation.

"Patients and their families deserve respect and proper care, not to be unjustly detained for profit," said Matthew Salvato , Amplify's CEO. "This kind of behavior is unacceptable, and we are here to help connect those affected with legal experts who have decades of experience in handling medical malpractice and wrongful detention cases."

If you or a loved one has experienced similar treatment at an Acadia facility or any psychiatric center, please contact Amplify today. We will connect you with experienced law firms that specialize in cases of wrongful psychiatric detentions, medical malpractice, and patient rights violations.

To learn more or to be connected with an expert attorney, please contact:

Matthew Hughes

Chief Brand Ambassador

Amplify

[email protected]

www.amplifyforlawyers.com

(561) 717-6499

About Amplify:

Amplify is not just a legal marketing agency; it promises a dynamic approach to shaping the narrative of law firms across the nation . Based in Miami, New York, New Jersey, Dallas, San Antonio, and Montreal, Amplify is committed to reshaping the narrative of legal brands, Amplify focuses on strategic storytelling, brand building, and targeted reach to ensure clients connect with the right audience, in the right places, at the right time. If you are a lawyer interested in learning more about Amplify's innovative approach to how we work with law firms, please connect with us.

SOURCE Amplify for Lawyers
New transparency for TMX Canadian crude at Vancouver and delivered to China

HOUSTON, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global commodity price reporting agency Argus today launched three new daily prices for heavy Canadian crude exported through the 590,000 b/d Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) pipeline in western Canada.

The TMX pipeline became operational in May, making Canada a significant new source of heavy crude for Asian refiners and giving largely land-locked Alberta an important export outlet to Vancouver on the Pacific coast.

Canada produces around 5.35mn b/d of mainly heavy crude, the bulk of which is exported by pipeline to the US. TMX expands the Trans Mountain pipeline system's capacity to 890,000 b/d from around 300,000 b/d.

Price discovery for Canada's heavy crude is moving increasingly to the coasts, where it is traded on international markets. The Argus assessment for Western Canadian Select (WCS) at Houston on the US Gulf coast is the settlement basis for one of the largest financial markets for Canadian crude oil. Argus' new fob Vancouver and delivered to China assessments will increase physical price transparency at the Pacific coast, the other major outlet for waterborne exports from Canadian producers.

Argus chairman and chief executive Adrian Binks said: "After extensive consultation with market participants, we are pleased to launch assessments for TMX Canadian crude at Vancouver and delivered to China, which will provide important price transparency as heavy crude flows adapt to this newly accessible supply. Our new assessments are underpinned by our public methodologies and draw on the global expertise of Argus' crude and freight teams in Calgary, Beijing, Shanghai, Houston and Singapore."

The new assessments are for crude loaded from the TMX pipeline onto Aframax-sized (80,000t) tankers at Vancouver's Westridge docks.

The new prices are:

Heavy, low-TAN (low acid) Cold Lake -type crude

-type crude Heavy, high-TAN (high-acid) Access Western Blend (AWB)-type crude

Heavy, high-TAN crude delivered at Zhejiang, China

The prices are published daily in the Argus Crude and Argus Americas Crude reports.

Argus also publishes freight rates from Vancouver that illuminate these new trade flows. They cover Vancouver to China Aframax routes as well as Vancouver to US west coast shipments, where crude on smaller Aframax vessels can be transshipped to very large crude carriers (VLCCs) for moving in bulk to China. These freight rates are published daily in Argus Tanker Freight:

Vancouver to US west coast 80,000t (Aframax)

to US west coast 80,000t (Aframax) Vancouver to China 80,000t (Aframax)

to 80,000t (Aframax) US west coast to China 270,000t (VLCC)

270,000t (VLCC) US west coast ship-to-ship (STS) transfer cost

Argus contact information

London: Seana Lanigan

+44 20 7780 4200

Email Seana

Houston: Matt Oatway

+1 713 968 0000

Email Matt

Singapore: Tomoko Hashimoto

+65 6496 9960

Email Tomoko

About Argus Media

Argus is the leading independent provider of market intelligence to the global energy and commodity markets. We offer essential price assessments, news, analytics, consulting services, data science tools and industry conferences to illuminate complex and opaque commodity markets.

Headquartered in London with over 1,400 staff, Argus is an independent media organisation with 30 offices in the world's principal commodity trading hubs.

Companies, trading firms and governments in 160 countries around the world trust Argus data to make decisions, analyse situations, manage risk, facilitate trading and for long-term planning. Argus prices are used as trusted benchmarks around the world for pricing transportation, commodities and energy.

Founded in 1970, Argus remains a privately held UK-registered company owned by employee shareholders and global growth equity firm General Atlantic.

Trademark notices

ARGUS, the ARGUS logo, ARGUS MEDIA, ARGUS DIRECT, ARGUS OPEN MARKETS, AOM, FMB, DEWITT, JIM JORDAN & ASSOCIATES, JJ&A, FUNDALYTICS, METAL-PAGES, METALPRICES.COM, INTEGER, Argus publication titles and Argus index names are trademarks of Argus Media Limited.

SOURCE Argus Media
NEW YORK and TEL AVIV, Israel, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Arieli EL, part of the Arieli group of companies, announced today the closing of its $53.2 million acquisition of a 59.14% controlling stake in Elron Ventures (TASE: ELRN) from Discount Investment Corporation Ltd. The acquisition of Elron Ventures (Elron) includes a 50% stake in Rafael Development Corporation (RDC), a joint venture with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (Rafael), a leading global defense company. The acquisition highlights Arieli's continued commitment to advancing solutions that address critical global needs across multiple sectors, including cybersecurity and B2B software.

From left to right: Evan Renov, Managing Partner, Lisya Bahar-Manoah, Managing Partner, and Eric Bentov, Managing Partner, Arieli EL. (Credit: Biana Karou)

Elron Ventures has over $250 million in assets under management (AUM) and its portfolio includes over 19 companies across the cybersecurity, B2B Software, and health-tech spaces. Since 2010, Elron's portfolio has had 15 exits, totaling $2.2B.

Lisya Bahar-Manoah, Managing Partner at Arieli EL, who led the acquisition and joined the board as Chairperson, said, "Elron is a cornerstone of the Israeli high-tech ecosystem. At Arieli EL, we are committed to working with the Elron and RDC management teams to advance and grow the portfolio". Arieli EL Managing Partners Eric Bentov and Evan Renov have also joined the Elron board of directors.

"Rafael welcomes Arieli EL and looks forward to advancing RDC's success in the venture capital market. We are confident that this partnership with Arieli EL, our joint venture in RDC, and Elron's management team, will bring significant achievements in the future," said Yaron Kulas, Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions at Rafael.

Arieli EL aims to utilize its extensive global ecosystem and investment experience for the benefit of Elron and its portfolio companies. Arieli EL is positioned to act as a force multiplier, driving growth and investments in cyber, B2B software, and civil-use technologies.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to combine Elron's experience in nurturing Israeli tech ventures with Arieli's global reach and business capabilities," said Yaron Elad and Elik Etzion, Elron's management team.

The growing dependence on advanced technologies to tackle emerging cyber threats emphasizes the strategic importance of the Elron portfolio, including companies such as Cybersixgill, a cyber intelligence platform that detects and defuses threats from the clear, deep and dark web; Cynerio, a healthcare cybersecurity company that ensures patient safety and data protection by securing the connected medical device ecosystem; IRONSCALES, an automated phishing prevention, detection & response platform; Cyvers, providing a real-time platform for detecting and mitigating cyber attacks on digital assets; and Wonder Robotics which offers intelligent and robust 360 self-awareness software for drones in the defense and civilian markets.

About Arieli EL

Ariel EL, part of the Arieli Family Office and the Arieli group of companies, addresses global challenges with a forward-thinking investment strategy. The Arieli group specializes in High-tech and Healthcare investments, providing unique opportunities to their family offices and institutional investors. The Arieli group of companies partners with the next generation of technology companies, providing its portfolio access to a global network. For more information, please visit www.arielifamilyoffice.com .

About Elron Ventures

Elron Ventures (Elron), a leading early-stage cybersecurity and B2B software investor, is committed to turning promising ideas into global industry leaders, with a strong track record of investments and successful M&As worldwide. Elron's holdings include a 50% stake in Rafael Development Corporation (RDC), a joint venture with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (Rafael), a leading global defense company. This partnership offers founders the unique opportunity to develop and test their technologies alongside top IT and cyber professionals. Among the portfolio are IRONSCALES, SAYATA, Red Access and Scribe Security. For further information, please visit https://elronventures.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking information about Arieli EL ("Arieli") which involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Accordingly, any statements included in this communication are not statements of historical facts but may be deemed to be forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are, in some cases, accompanied by words such as "may," "should," "would," "could," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "seem," "seek," "continue," "future," "will," "expect," "outlook" or other similar words, phrases or expressions and the negatives of such words, phrases or expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Arieli's expectations of future events, future opportunities, global expansion and other growth initiatives and Arieli's investments in such initiatives. These statements are based on various assumptions and known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and actual results may differ materially. Neither Arieli nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. Arieli assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information contained in this communication except to the extent required by law.

Contact

Lisya Bahar-Manoah, Managing Partner

Arieli EL

+972 52-605-6029; [email protected]

Investor Relations

Sapir Lifshitz, Investor Relations

Arieli EL

+972 54-211-1331; [email protected]

Media Relations

Nataf Dgani, Head of Marketing

Arieli Capital LLC

+972-547573384; [email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2466118/image_Arieli_EL.jpg

SOURCE Arieli EL
BEIJING, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Autohome Inc. (NYSE: ATHM; HKEX: 2518) ("Autohome" or the "Company"), the leading online destination for automobile consumers in China, today announced that its board of directors (the "Board") has approved a new share repurchase program (the "New Share Repurchase Program"), effective from September 4, 2024. Pursuant to the New Share Repurchase Program, the Company may repurchase up to US$200 million worth of its shares (including ADSs) over the next 12 months.

The Company's proposed repurchases may be made from time to time through open market transactions at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, in block trades and/or through other legally permissible means, depending on the market conditions and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. The Board will review the authorized share repurchase program periodically, and may authorize adjustment of its terms and size or suspend or discontinue the program. The Company plans to fund repurchases from its existing cash balance.

About Autohome Inc.

Autohome Inc. (NYSE: ATHM; HKEX: 2518) is the leading online destination for automobile consumers in China. Its mission is to relentlessly reduce auto industry decision-making and transaction costs driven by advanced technology. Autohome provides occupationally generated content, professionally generated content, user-generated content, and AI-generated content, a comprehensive automobile library, and extensive automobile listing information to automobile consumers, covering the entire car purchase and ownership cycle. The ability to reach a large and engaged user base of automobile consumers has made Autohome a preferred platform for automakers and dealers to conduct their advertising campaigns. Further, the Company's dealer subscription and advertising services allow dealers to market their inventory and services through Autohome's platform, extending the reach of their physical showrooms to potentially millions of internet users in China and generating sales leads for them. The Company offers sales leads, data analysis, and marketing services to assist automakers and dealers with improving their efficiency and facilitating transactions. Autohome operates its "Autohome Mall," a full-service online transaction platform, to facilitate transactions for automakers and dealers. Further, through its websites and mobile applications, it also provides other value-added services, including auto financing, auto insurance, used car transactions, and aftermarket services. For further information, please visit https://www.autohome.com.cn.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "future", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates" and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Autohome's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Autohome's filings with the SEC and announcements on the website of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Autohome does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

Autohome Inc.

Investor Relations

Sterling Song

Investor Relations Director

Tel: +86-10-5985-7483

E-mail: [email protected]

Christensen China Limited

Suri Cheng

Tel: +86-185-0060-8364

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Autohome Inc.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A just-released study by Unleash Prosperity of the top 60 officials in the Biden-Harris administration officials who deal with economic, finance or commerce-related issues relevant to their positions of influence finds that less than one in ten has substantial business experience in the private sector.

The study of the Biden-Harris top level team of decision makers - including the president and the vice president, cabinet members, regulatory officials, and top White House advisers, discovered that roughly six in ten have virtually no business experience at all. Almost none have run businesses.

The average number of years of business/industry experience is 3.2 years.

The median years of business experience in the Biden-Harris administration officials dealing with the economy, commerce and finance is zero.

The lack of business experience starts at the very top:

President Biden, Vice President Harris and Vice presidential nominee have virtually zero business experience.

The vast majority of the Biden-Harris economic/commerce team members are professional politicians, lawyers, academics, community organizers, or other government employees.

By contrast, the average Trump cabinet member had 13 years of business experience, and the median years of experience was 8. A breakdown of this analysis is available on our website.

The business experience numbers are no more promising as we preliminarily examine the Kamala Harris economic campaign advisory team:

Only one of the top six appointees whose careers we inspected (her chief of staff, Lorraine Voles) had extensive business experience - defined as 10 or more years. And only two of the six had any business experience whatsoever. The rest had careers in government and law.

The Committee to Unleash Prosperity is dedicated to educating policy makers and the public about policies to maximize economic growth and prosperity in America and around the world. For more information: www.committeetounleashprosperity.com.

SOURCE Committee to Unleash Prosperity
Chief Operating Officer, Vice President of People and Chief Financial Officer will contribute to Biofidelity's growth and people priorities

CAMBRIDGE, England and RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Biofidelity, a revolutionary genomic technology company, today announced the appointments of Dr. Kelly Ray Pitts, PhD, as Chief Operating Officer; Catherine Jean Potgieter as Vice President of People and Dr. Jonathan Senior, MD, as Chief Financial Officer.

"I am thrilled to welcome Kelly, Cathy and Jonathan to our leadership team at a time when the need for simplified genomic profiling is so critical to patient care and Biofidelity is growing to meet demand globally," said Dr. Barnaby Balmforth, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO of Biofidelity. "Their combined expertise and vision are invaluable assets as we drive growth, innovation and operational excellence at Biofidelity."

Dr. Kelly Ray Pitts, Chief Operating Officer, holds a wealth of experience with the development, manufacture and commercialization of diagnostics. He was most recently Chief Operating Officer at HepQuant, LLC where he supported the company's US commercial launch of its Lab Developed Test (LDT) to determine liver function in patients, manufacturing and distribution infrastructure for global scale, as well as FDA regulatory interactions. His career includes roles at Corgenix, Inc., C2N Diagnostics, Amgen, Gilead and more. Pitts holds a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology from Mayo Graduate School and a BS in Biochemistry from Brigham Young University.

Catherine (Cathy) Jean Potgieter, Vice President of People, brings more than 20 years of global human resources leadership in companies such as Telensa, Sense Biodetection and RealVNC. Her expertise spans change management, HR operations and strategic alignment with business goals. Potgieter is a certified graduate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD) and holds a postgraduate diploma in Human Resource Management from Anglia Ruskin University.

Dr. Jonathan Senior, Chief Financial Officer, has extensive experience in finance, executive leadership and medicine. Most recently he was Chief Financial Officer of Sitryx Therapeutics, with whom he completed a $40 million funding round. Senior has previously served as a corporate financier and research analyst for several organizations, playing a pivotal role in securing funding and steering financial strategy in Europe and the US. A graduate of University of Oxford, Senior holds a medical degree and a BA in Physiological Sciences.

About Biofidelity

Biofidelity is a rapidly growing commercial-stage genomic technology company dedicated to improving and extending the lives of patients with cancer by enabling better targeting of therapies, early detection of treatment resistance and routine monitoring of treatment response. Visit biofidelity.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and X.

Media Contact

Andrea Conners

+1 239-728-1202

[email protected]

SOURCE Biofidelity
The scholarship program originated from Blueprint Prep's goal to remove financial barriers and improve equal opportunity within the medical field.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Blueprint Prep, the leading platform for innovative test prep, tutoring, and lifelong professional prep solutions, is excited to announce that applications are now open for its 2024 medical school scholarship program.

Aspiring medical students who plan to take the MCAT in 2025 and matriculate into medical school between July 1, 2026, and October 1, 2027, are encouraged to applyno purchase or essay required.

Blueprint's Medical School Scholarship offers $20,000 towards the recipient's medical school tuition, providing significant financial support to help one deserving premed student pursue their dreams of becoming a physician.

The AAMC reports that 84% of the class of 2023 graduated with $100,000 or more in education debt, encompassing premed and medical school expenses. Through its ongoing efforts, Blueprint remains committed to alleviating the financial strain on prospective medical students. In addition to this annual $20,000 scholarship, Blueprint Prep has forged partnerships with various organizations, such as the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), to provide scholarships granting complimentary access to MCAT preparation courses, providing over 1,000 students with free training since the program's inception.

"Providing students with the necessary resources and support to succeed in their journey towards medical school unlocks boundless potential for our future healthcare professionals," said Matt Riley, CEO of Blueprint Prep. "By investing in their education and offering opportunities like this scholarship, we are paving the way for more equitable medical education and a more inclusive healthcare workforce."

Meet Last Year's Recipient

Last year's scholarship was awarded to Mira B., a graduate of the University of Georgia and a former Teach for America educator. She helped create a biology curriculum for a high school in Massachusetts, as well as pilot a partnership with another local high school and Harvard Medical School's virtual simulation lab.

As a future healthcare professional, Mira wants to continue to create pathways to connect high school students with careers in healthcare even before they get to college. Winning the Blueprint Prep scholarship will empower her to pursue her goals.

"I have always been passionate about increasing health and educational equity on a global and community scale. As a future physician, I hope to combine my passion for education, medicine, and service to advance broader health equity," said Mira. "Receiving this scholarship is so meaningful to me because of the opportunity it provides and what it represents for increasing equity to pursue a career in medicine."

With resources for every stage of the physician's early career journey, from premedical through the end of residency, Blueprint Prep is committed to playing a key role in preparing tomorrow's healthcare leaders for their dream careers.

The Blueprint Prep $20K Medical School Scholarship runs from August 5, 2024 through November 10, 2024. Visit Blueprint's website to learn more and apply.

To explore Blueprint Prep's lifelong professional prep solutions, visit blueprintprep.com.

About Blueprint Prep

Founded in 2005, Blueprint Prep is the leading platform for high-stakes test prep in the U.S., supporting future doctors from the start of their journey throughout their careers. It offers live and self-paced online courses, private tutoring, self-study materials, and application consulting services for pre-med and medical school students, as well as Qbanks for residents and practicing physicians. Blueprint Prep leverages a unique approach that combines engaging video lectures, unparalleled expertise in content creation, the latest adaptive learning technology, and personalized study planning tools. Blueprint Prep has produced unrivaled results, including industry-leading MCAT score increases for its pre-med students.

SOURCE Blueprint Test Preparation
Consumers can receive cash back when they purchase eligible products

NEW ALBANY, Ohio, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bob Evans, a leader in providing high-quality breakfast solutions including its flagship sausage and liquid egg whites products, is partnering with Thomas', America's favorite bagel and English muffin brand, to celebrate National Breakfast Month this September. The two beloved breakfast brands are launching a promotion that is "worth the wake up."

Now through Oct. 31, consumers who buy one Bob Evans Sausage, Bob Evans Liquid Egg Whites, Simply Potatoes or Owens Sausage product and one Thomas Bagels or English Muffins product will be eligible to get $2 cash back via Venmo or PayPal.

Now through Oct. 31, consumers who buy one Bob Evans Sausage, Bob Evans Liquid Egg Whites, Simply Potatoes or Owens Sausage product and one Thomas' Bagels or English Muffins product will be eligible to get $2 cash back via Venmo or PayPal.

"Bob Evans and Thomas' share a long-standing tradition of delighting consumers with essential breakfast options," said Ciare James, vice president of brand marketing at Bob Evans Farms. "This first-ever partnership between two of America's favorite breakfast brands is designed to start the day off right with our limited-time offer."

"As a fan-favorite breakfast brand for over 140 years, we are thrilled to partner with another legacy breakfast brand to bring joy and satisfaction to the breakfast table," said Eduardo Zarate, senior director of marketing for Bimbo Bakeries USA  Breakfast Division. "Together with Bob Evans, we're making breakfast worth the wake up and we can't wait to see what delicious breakfast recipes consumers create."

Bob Evans is America's No. 1-selling branded liquid egg whites*, Simply Potatoes is America's No. 1-selling refrigerated cut potatoes brand* and Thomas' is America's No. 1-selling bagel and English muffin brand*  the ultimate breakfast options. For the full promotion details and to upload your receipt to receive the cash back, visit BobEvansGrocery.com/wake-up.

About Bob Evans Farms, Inc.

For over 75 years, Bob Evans Farms has delivered delicious, quick-to-table, farm-inspired food that makes mealtime a little bit easier and a lot more delicious. We're proud to be the No. 1-selling refrigerated dinner sides*, including many varieties of wholesome, feel-good favorites such as mashed potatoes and macaroni & cheese, sold in grocery stores across the country. We're also a leading producer and distributor of sausage and egg products including liquid eggs. In addition to our flagship Bob Evans brand, our product portfolio includes Simply Potatoes, Egg Beaters and Owens Sausage. Bob Evans Farms is based in Columbus, Ohio, and is owned by Post Holdings, Inc., a consumer-packaged goods holding company. For more information about Bob Evans Farms, Inc., visit www.bobevansgrocery.com .

About Bimbo Bakeries USA

Bimbo Bakeries USA is a leader in the baking industry, known for its category leading brands, innovative products, freshness and quality. Our team of 20,000+ U.S. associates operates approximately 60 manufacturing locations in the United States. Over 11,000 distribution routes deliver our leading brands such as Arnold, Artesano, Ball Park, Bimbo, Boboli, Brownberry, Entenmann's, Little Bites, Marinela, Mrs Baird's, Oroweat, Sara Lee, Stroehmann and Thomas'. Bimbo Bakeries USA is owned by Mexico's Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B de C.V., the world's largest baking company with operations in 35 countries.

*Source: Circana Total US MULO Latest 52 week ending July 14, 2024.

Media Contact:

Carmichael Lynch Relate for Bob Evans Farms

[email protected]

SOURCE Bob Evans Farms, Inc.
The global bulb market growth is driven by advancements in LED technology, which offer energy efficiency and longer lifespan. Increase in consumer demand for eco-friendly lighting solutions, alongside stringent regulations promoting energy-saving products, has also fueled market expansion. Furthermore, rising urbanization and the growing trend towards smart home technology have contributed to the increased adoption of modern bulbs.

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Bulb Market by Product Type (Incandescent Bulbs, LED Bulbs, Halogen Bulbs, Fluorescent Bulbs, Compact Fluorescent Lamps and Others), Technology (Smart Bulbs and Non-Smart Bulbs), Application (Residential, Commercial and Industrial), and Distribution Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Specialty Stores, Departmental Stores, Online Sales Channel, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2034". According to the report, the bulb market was valued at $63.1 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $104.7 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2024 to 2034.

Request The Sample PDF Of This Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A07735

Prime determinants of growth

The shift toward LED technology has been a major driver, with LEDs offering superior energy efficiency, extended operational lifespan, and reduced heat emissions compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. This transition is further accelerated by regulatory measures promoting energy-saving products, such as bans on inefficient incandescent bulbs and incentives for adopting energy-efficient lighting solutions. In addition, the rise in environmental awareness among consumers has increased demand for eco-friendly lighting options, strengthening the market for bulbs with lower carbon footprints. Moreover, urbanization and infrastructure development in the emerging nations have also played a significant role, as expanding residential and commercial construction projects require advanced lighting solutions driving the bulb market demand. Furthermore, the integration of smart technology into lighting systems, which allowed for greater control and automation, has further fueled market growth by appealing to tech-savvy consumers seeking convenience and enhanced functionality in their lighting choices.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20242034 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $63.1 billion Market Size in 2034 $104.7 billion CAGR 4.8 % No. of Pages in Report 290 Segments Covered Product Type, Technology, Application, Distribution Channel, And Region. Drivers Increase in adoption of energy-efficient lighting solutions

Technological advancements in LED and smart bulbs

Growth in demand for residential and commercial lighting

Government regulations and incentives promoting energy efficiency

Rise in awareness regarding sustainable and eco-friendly products Opportunities Expansion into emerging markets with growing urbanization

Development of smart lighting systems with IoT integration

Increase in demand for energy-saving and eco-friendly products Restraint High initial cost of advanced lighting technologies

Rapid technological changes leading to product obsolescence

Limited consumer awareness in emerging markets

Regulatory challenges and compliance costs

The compact fluorescent lamps segment held the highest market share in 2023.

Based on the product type, the compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) segment held the highest market share in 2023 owing to their balance of cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency. CFLs offer significant energy savings compared to incandescent bulbs, using up to 75% less energy while providing a similar light output. They also have a longer lifespan, reducing the frequency of replacements. In addition, CFLs are more affordable than LEDs, which has thus made them a convenient option for budget-conscious consumers. Although LEDs are growing in popularity, CFLs continue to be a practical choice for many households and businesses owing to their proven efficiency, lower upfront costs, and widespread availability.

Procure Complete Report (290 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/4ccacc76343b4a006401fa6b4b359e77

The non-smart bulbs segment held the highest market share in 2023.

Based on technology, the non-smart bulbs segment held the highest market share in 2023. The share of non-smart bulbs is higher in the global bulb market owing to their affordability and widespread familiarity. Non-smart bulbs, including traditional incandescent, halogen, and basic fluorescent lamps, typically have lower upfront costs compared to smart bulbs. Non-smart bulbs offer a simple, reliable lighting solution without the added complexity or expense of smart technology. Many consumers and businesses prioritize cost-effectiveness and ease of use, which in turn leads to sustained demand for these traditional bulbs. In addition, non-smart bulbs are widely available and compatible with existing fixtures, which has made them a convenient choice for many applications. Despite the growing interest in smart lighting, non-smart bulbs continue to dominate owing to their established market presence and lower price points.

The residential segment held the highest market share in 2023.

Based on application, the residential segment held the highest market share in 2023. Residential settings require a significant number of lighting fixtures for various purposes, including general illumination, task lighting, and ambiance. Homeowners often seek energy-efficient and aesthetically pleasing lighting solutions to enhance comfort and reduce energy bills. Moreover, the rise of smart home technologies has driven demand for advanced lighting solutions in residential areas. As a result, manufacturers focus on developing bulbs tailored for residential needs, such as energy-efficient LEDs and stylish designs. The widespread adoption of energy-saving technologies and the continuous demand for home improvement contribute to the dominant share of residential usage in the global bulb market.

The supermarkets/hypermarkets segment held the highest market share in 2023.

Based on the distribution channel, the supermarkets/hypermarkets segment held the highest market share in 2023 owing to their extensive reach and consumer accessibility. These retail formats offer a wide variety of lighting products under one roof, providing convenience for shoppers looking to purchase bulbs along with their regular groceries or household items. The large store space allows for substantial product displays, making it easier for customers to compare options and make informed decisions. In addition, supermarkets and hypermarkets often have competitive pricing and promotional offers, which attract budget-conscious consumers. Furthermore, the immediate availability of bulbs and the convenience of a one-stop shopping experience contribute to the high sales volume in these distribution channels.

Asia-Pacific led the market share in 2023

Based on region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2023. The Asia-Pacific region has emerged as the largest market globally, largely due to increasing government efforts to conserve electricity and reduce lighting demands, particularly in China and India. India's government launched the Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) program in 2015, aiming to replace all household lights with LEDs. This initiative became the largest lighting policy worldwide.

According to Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), by June 2023, the UJALA scheme is expected to have distributed approximately 368 million LED bulbs and tube lights, cutting 38 million metric tons of CO2 annually and saving INR 192 billion in electricity costs. Moreover, India is projected to sell around 2.4 billion LED units by March 2022, significantly expanding market growth opportunities.

However, the North American region is anticipated to be the fastest-growing market, driven by concerns over greenhouse gas emissions. Reports indicate that reducing power consumption by 15% in the U.S. could prevent up to six deaths daily and save $20 billion annually in health-related costs. This highlights the increasing demand for energy-efficient bulbs as the region implements measures to combat high power consumption.

Players: -

Acuity Brands

Cree

Eaton

Everlight Electronics

GE Lighting

Nichia Corporation

Osram

Philips Lighting

Seoul Semiconductor

Zumtobel Group

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global bulb market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Inquiry Before Buying @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A07735

Recent Industry Dev

In April 2024 , IKEA launched a new version of its TRADFRI Smart LED Bulb for colored lighting. The bulb aims to provide affordable smart lighting options, complementing IKEA's range of smart home products.

, IKEA launched a new version of its TRADFRI Smart LED Bulb for colored lighting. The bulb aims to provide affordable smart lighting options, complementing IKEA's range of smart home products. In April 2023 , Signify Malaysia launched a range of sustainable and energy-efficient lighting products in July 2023 . The Philips Ultra Efficient LED includes advanced LED bulbs and tubes that consume 60% less energy than standard products, providing up to 50, 000 hours of light.

, Signify Malaysia launched a range of sustainable and energy-efficient lighting products in . The Philips Ultra Efficient LED includes advanced LED bulbs and tubes that consume 60% less energy than standard products, providing up to 50, 000 hours of light. In June 2022 , Philips Hue launched its new Lightguide smart bulb series, featuring the Ellipse, Globe, and Triangular models. The launch aimed to provide aesthetic lighting options for smart homes.

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About Us

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
DENVER, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bye Aerospace has officially launched the construction of its first all-electric aircraft, the eFlyer 2. This significant project aims to fabricate and assemble an all-composite structure, validate approved design plans, and establish innovative production processes. The outcome will be a full-scale aircraft that will undergo extensive aerodynamic testing derisking the remaining certification compliance tasks. This milestone aircraft, Serial Number 00001, is being assembled at Bye Aerospace's facilities at Centennial Airport, located in Denver, Colorado.

eFlyer 2 officially launched-All-electric conventional aircraft Post this eFlyer 2 Mold eFlyer 2 Aircraft

The eFlyer 2 is specifically engineered to meet the unique demands of the aviation training market. With a clean-sheet design that maximizes aerodynamic efficiency and incorporates lightweight composites, the eFlyer 2 is set to disrupt aviation flight training. The aircraft is expected to reduce operating costs by up to 80 percent and cut maintenance requirements by up to 75%, all while offering quieter, sustainable aviationmaking it an ideal choice for flight schools and surrounding communities.

"The commencement of the eFlyer 2 build marks a historic moment for our company and the aviation industry as a whole," said Rod Zastrow, CEO of Bye Aerospace. "This clean-sheet design allows us to deliver an aircraft that not only meets but exceeds the performance and efficiency expectations of our aviation clients."

About Bye Aerospace

Bye Aerospace, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, stands at the forefront in electric aviation innovation and certification. The eFlyer series of fixed-wing aircraft is meticulously designed to disrupt general aviation, starting with the crucial Aviation Training sector, with an FAA-certified, zero-emission, highly cost-effective, low-drag, low-noise, intelligent, and safety-enhanced aircraft.

Learn more about Bye Aerospace, website: https://byeaerospace.com/

Press Contact: [email protected] +001.571.442.7586

SOURCE Bye Aerospace, Inc.
Presentations to include data from IV-administered programs in genetic epilepsy due to STXBP1 mutations and Parkinson's disease with GBA mutations

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Capsida Biotherapeutics ("Capsida"), a leading fully integrated targeted gene therapy company, developing treatments for rare and common diseases across all ages, today announced that the company will participate in the following investor and industry conferences in September and October.

Management will highlight the progress with Capsida's wholly owned IV-administered programs  CAP-002 in genetic epilepsy due to STXBP1 mutations and CAP-003 in Parkinson's disease associated with GBA mutations. Both programs are on track to enter the clinic in the first half of 2025.

Morgan Stanley Healthcare Conference (September 4-6, 2024) Format: Corporate Presentation Date: Thursday, September 5, 2024 Time: 4:05 PM ET Location: New York, NY

Mass General Brigham World Medical Innovation Forum in Partnership with Bank of America (September 23-25, 2024) Format: Panel: 'The Innovation Gap: A Review of the Future of Viral Vector Manufacturing and the Delivery of Genetic Medicines' Date: Monday, September 23, 2024 Time: 4:05 PM ET Location: Boston, MA

Bank of America Healthcare Trailblazers Private Company Conference (September 25, 2024) Format: One-on-one investor meetings Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2024 Location: Boston, MA

Chardan's 8th Annual Genetic Medicines Conference (September 30-October 1, 2024) Formats: Panel: 'Engineering of AAVs: The Promise of Next Gen AAVs' Corporate Presentation One-on-one investor meetings Date: Monday, September 30, 2024 Times: Panel: 9:30 AM ET

Corporate Presentation: 4:00 PM ET Location: New York, NY

Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mesa (October 7-9, 2024) Format: Corporate Presentation Date: Tuesday, October 8, 2024 Time: 3:45 PM MT Location: Phoenix, AZ

The Capsida corporate presentation can be accessed by visiting the News section of the Company's website at www.capsida.com.

About Capsida Biotherapeutics

Capsida Biotherapeutics is a fully integrated gene therapy company with a central nervous system (CNS) pipeline consisting of disease modifying and potentially curative treatments for rare and more common diseases across all ages. Capsida's intravenously (IV) administered gene therapies utilize proprietary engineered capsids that enable high transduction levels to desired tissues and cells, while limiting tropism to non-target organs, such as the liver. Capsida has three wholly owned programs, including potential best-in-class treatments for genetic epilepsy due to STXBP1 mutations and Parkinson's disease associated with GBA mutations, both of which are in IND-enabling studies and on track to enter the clinic in the first half of 2025. In addition to its wholly owned programs, the Company has validating CNS partnerships with AbbVie, Lilly, CRISPR Therapeutics, and the AbbVie partnership was expanded to include ophthalmology disorders. Capsida was founded in 2019 by lead investors Versant Ventures and Westlake Village BioPartners and originated from groundbreaking research in the laboratory of Viviana Gradinaru, Ph.D., a neuroscience professor at Caltech. Visit us at www.capsida.com.

SOURCE Capsida Biotherapeutics
VIENNA, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Indulge in the exquisite taste of Julius Meinl's latest limited-edition coffee, Burundi Gakenke 100% Arabica, crafted to celebrate International Coffee Day 2024. Each sip of the single-origin coffee reveals a burst of blood orange flavour, complemented by subtle notes of black tea, and finished with the rich sweetness of caramelised brown sugar.

Julius Meinls Burundi Gakenke Specialty Coffee New! Julius Meinls Organic Intense Cascara Lemon Lime Tea

Sourced from the renowned Gakenke Station in Burundi's Kayanza province, the natural processed Red Bourbon variety is handpicked and sorted before being dried as a whole cherry, imparting a vibrant floral fragrance, rich sweetness, and fruity flavour.

Gakenke Station represents over 1700 smallholder farmers and is operated by the esteemed Burundi-based company Greenco. Greenco provides agrotechnical support and programmes designed to improve the socio-economic and environmental conditions within the community. Part of Julius Meinl's The Originals Limited Edition Series, this specialty coffee represents the finest in coffee craftsmanship and a commitment to sustainable practices, enhancing the well-being of coffee communities for future generations.

Julius Meinl's The Originals Limited Edition series features coffees selected from the freshest micro-lot crops, following Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) standards and roasted in small batches at Julius Meinl's headquarters in Vienna, Austria. The Burundi Gakenke coffee received a notable score of 86 on the SCA scale.

"Every year on October 1st, coffee lovers around the world celebrate the beverage that has become a cornerstone of our daily rituals. Whether it's a pause for reflection, a connection with others, or a spark of creativity, a cup of coffee holds meaning in every moment. This International Coffee Day, our new Limited Edition Burundi Specialty Coffee offers our partners the opportunity to provide their customers with a truly exceptional coffee experience."

~ Christina Meinl, 5th generation family member.

Cascara: A unique coffee-meets-tea experience

As the demand for coffee grows, so does interest in innovative coffee-based drinks. For HoReCa partners looking to offer their guests a sustainable coffee experience that goes beyond the bean, Julius Meinl offers two organic cascara teas: Activitea Cascara Organic Herbal Loose Tea and the new Intensive Cascara Lemon Lime Oolong/Green Tea Bags, launching for International Coffee Day.

The name derives from the Spanish cascara, meaning "husk", referring to the dried outer layer of the coffee cherry. Cascara is typically discarded as waste or composted, but its recent rise in popularity provides coffee farmers with an additional income stream. When brewed, cascara produces a sweet, fruity tisane with a caffeine content that's higher than black tea, but milder than coffee. Known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, cascara is a healthy and sustainable beverage.

Julius Meinl's premium cascara products are certified organic, with cascara sourced from Peru, and can be enjoyed as a hot or cold beverage. Find out more about Julius Meinl's product and service offerings at www.juliusmeinl.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS

About Julius Meinl

Founded in 1862, Julius Meinl is one of the oldest coffee roasters in the world and an iconic Vienna coffee house brand. Dedication to quality has been a family trademark for five generations. With more than 160 years of experience in sourcing, blending and roasting, Meinl is a preferred coffee supplier for Vienna's leading coffee houses. Today, Julius Meinl coffees and teas help create meaningful moments for customers and consumers across the globe, and are sold in over 50,000 hotels, coffee houses and restaurants in 70 countries, plus a growing number of retail outlets.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2493233/Julius_Meinls_1.jpg

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Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2388574/Julius_Meinl_Logo.jpg
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MONTREAL, Sept. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - CGI (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB) announced today that it has priced an offering of Canadian dollar denominated senior unsecured notes in two series.

CGI will issue C$750 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes, consisting of C$300 million aggregate principal amount of 3-year notes and C$450 million aggregate principal amount of 5-year notes. The 3-year notes will bear interest at the rate of 3.987% per annum and 5-year notes will bear interest at the rate of 4.147% per annum. The offering is expected to close on or about September 5, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

The net proceeds from the offering are expected to be approximately C$746.1 million after deducting the agents' fees and estimated offering expenses. CGI intends to use the aggregate net proceeds from the offering to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes. The existing indebtedness includes senior unsecured notes maturing on September 12, 2024, in an amount of US$350 million.

The notes are being offered in Canada on an agency basis by a syndicate of agents led by BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., CIBC World Markets Inc., Scotia Capital Inc., Desjardins Securities Inc. and TD Securities Inc.

The notes will be offered on a private placement basis in each of the provinces of Canada in reliance upon exemptions from the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws. The notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the notes in the United States or any other jurisdiction where such offering or sale would be unlawful.

About CGI

Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 90,000 consultants and professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2023 reported revenue is $14.30 billion and CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com.

Forward-looking information and statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable United States safe harbours. All such forward-looking information and statements are made and disclosed in reliance upon the safe harbour provisions of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. Forward-looking information and statements include all information and statements regarding CGI's intentions, plans, expectations, beliefs, objectives, future performance, and strategy, as well as any other information or statements that relate to future events or circumstances and which do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts. Forward-looking information and statements often but not always use words such as "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "foresee", "plan", "predict", "project", "aim", "seek", "strive", "potential", "continue", "target", "may", "might", "could", "should", and similar expressions and variations thereof. These information and statements are based on our perception of historic trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other assumptions, both general and specific, that we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Such information and statements are, however, by their very nature, subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, of which many are beyond the control of CGI, and which give rise to the possibility that actual results could differ materially from our expectations expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not restricted to: risks related to the market such as the level of business activity of our clients, which is affected by economic and political conditions, additional external risks (such as pandemics, armed conflict, climate-related issues and inflation) and our ability to negotiate new contracts; risks related to our industry such as competition and our ability to develop and expand our services to address emerging business demands and technology trends (such as artificial intelligence), to penetrate new markets, and to protect our intellectual property rights; risks related to our business such as risks associated with our growth strategy, including the integration of new operations, financial and operational risks inherent in worldwide operations, foreign exchange risks, income tax laws and other tax programs, the termination, modification, delay or suspension of our contractual agreements, our expectations regarding future revenue resulting from bookings and backlog, our ability to attract and retain qualified employees, to negotiate favourable contractual terms, to deliver our services and to collect receivables, to disclose, manage and implement environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives and standards, and to achieve ESG commitments and targets, including without limitation, our commitment to net-zero carbon emissions, as well as the reputational and financial risks attendant to cybersecurity breaches and other incidents, including through the use of artificial intelligence, and financial risks such as liquidity needs and requirements, maintenance of financial ratios, our ability to declare and pay dividends, interest rate fluctuations and changes in creditworthiness and credit ratings; as well as other risks identified or incorporated by reference in this press release, in CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A and in other documents that we make public, including our filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators (on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (on EDGAR at www.sec.gov). Unless otherwise stated, the forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and CGI disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. While we believe that our assumptions on which these forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are based were reasonable as at the date of this press release, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking information or statements. Furthermore, readers are reminded that forward-looking information and statements are presented for the sole purpose of assisting investors and others in understanding our objectives, strategic priorities and business outlook as well as our anticipated operating environment. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Further information on the risks that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from our current expectations may be found in the section titled Risk Environment of CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A, which is incorporated by reference in this cautionary statement. We also caution readers that the above-mentioned risks and the risks disclosed in CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A and other documents and filings are not the only ones that could affect us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial could also have a material adverse effect on our financial position, financial performance, cash flows, business or reputation.

SOURCE CGI Inc.
The law firm has gifted over 160 bikes to local children since 2009

TOLEDO, Ohio, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the sixteenth straight year, The Charles E. Boyk Law Offices is excited to announce the final winners of the Bikes for Kids Giveaway . This community-based program honors children in the northwest Ohio community by providing them with brand-new bicycles, recognizing their resilience, academic achievements, and positive impact.

The 2024 giveaway saw 11 children selected from a pool of nominations submitted by parents, teachers, and community members. Since its inception, the program has awarded over 160 bikes, each a symbol of hope and recognition for the recipients. Each story of overcoming adversity or contributing to their community inspired the selection process.

Charles Boyk, founder of the law firm, emphasized the importance of the program: "Bikes for Kids was created to celebrate the incredible kids in our community who rise above challenges and serve others. We are proud to honor them in this way."

This year's winners include Nevaeh, Nakyla, Zayden, Tonenyah, Connor, Braiden, Leah, Amelia, Deaundre, Lana, and Kynslee. Each child received a custom-fitted bike from Wersell's Bike Shop, complete with a helmet and bike lock. Additionally, the winners received LED lighting products from Brightz to ensure safe riding after dark.

Charles E. Boyk Law Offices is dedicated to promoting bicycle safety and celebrating the outstanding achievements of children in our community. Through initiatives like the Bikes for Kids Giveaway, the firm not only recognizes the resilience and contributions of young individuals but also reinforces the importance of safety and well-being for all children.

For more details and to see the video profiles of the winners, visit https://www.charlesboyk-law.com/boyk-bikes-for-kids/ or www.bikesforkidstoledo.com

About Charles E. Boyk Law Offices

Charles E. Boyk Law Offices, LLC is a sophisticated plaintiff injury firm that has successfully represented thousands of injured individuals in Ohio and Michigan, as well as across the United States. Our attorneys are committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse, and wrongful death arising from civil rights, medical malpractice, elder abuse, sexual assault, personal injury, and product liability.

SOURCE Charles E. Boyk Law Offices
Student Investment Fund Participants and Leaders Invited to Join Leading Institutions and Investment Industry Professionals in Toronto

TORONTO, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Today CIBC Mellon, University Pension Plan Ontario (UPP) and Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO) announced that on the afternoon of October 7, 2024 they will bring together leaders from student-managed investment funds, university sponsors, and leading investment industry professionals for a conference event to network and share insights.

The event will gather students active in asset and investment management clubs and courses at Canadian Universities to gain insights into future career opportunities in Canada's vibrant institutional investment space. Hosted at CIBC Square, this conference will feature opportunities to consider different student investment fund approaches, career insights from accomplished industry leaders, a macroeconomic update and a case competition. Winners of the case competition will receive cash prizes totaling $5,000, sponsored by IMCO, UPP and Mawer Investment Management

"We are excited to join UPP and IMCO in launching this forum for future leaders of Canada's investment industry. We believe in providing opportunities for post-secondary students to build their knowledge and apply what they've learned in a real-life setting," said Richard Anton, Chief Client Officer, CIBC Mellon. "We are committed to investing in emerging talent, which includes creating opportunities for students to interact with experienced leaders."

"We are delighted to be a part of this conference, bringing together the bright minds of tomorrow's investment leaders with seasoned industry professionals. Through IMCO's student internship program and other year-round initiatives, we are dedicated to providing students with hands-on experience and knowledge they need to thrive in the investment industry. This conference serves as a natural extension of that commitment, offering a unique platform for networking and learning," said Gayle Fisher, Chief Corporate Officer, IMCO.

"Canada has an amazing pool of talent, thanks to the high quality experiences and education available at our leading Universities," said Aaron Bennett, Chief Investment Officer, UPP. "Events like this give us a chance to reach early talent, propel aspiring financial leaders forward, and showcase some of the amazing career prospects available at the innovative pensions and asset managers active in this market. I look forward to presenting at this exciting event."

Student investment fund sponsors and schools interested in participating can reach out to CIBC Mellon by completing this short intake form.

https://cibcmellonvoc.allegiancetech.com/cgi-bin/qwebcorporate?idx=FJX2A3

About UPP

University Pension Plan was created with the vision of a strong sector-wide defined benefit pension plan to guarantee sustainable pensions to members  now and for generations to come. As of year-end 2023, we proudly serve over 40,000 working and retired members across four Ontario universities and 12 sector organizationswith four more participants joining in the next two yearsand manage $11.7 billion in pension assets. Contributions to the Plan are funded equally by members and employers. UPP is designed for growth, our doors are open to all employers and employees within Ontario's university community

About IMCO

The Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO) manages $77.4 billion of assets on behalf of our clients. Designed exclusively to drive better investment outcomes for Ontario's broader public sector, IMCO operates under an independent, not-for-profit, cost recovery structure. We provide leading investment management services, including portfolio construction advice, better access to a diverse range of asset classes and sophisticated risk management capabilities. As one of Canada's largest institutional investors, we invest around the world and execute large transactions efficiently. Our scale gives clients access to a well-diversified global portfolio, including sought-after private and alternative asset classes.

About CIBC Mellon

CIBC Mellon is a Canadian company exclusively focused on the investment servicing needs of Canadian institutional investors and international institutional investors into Canada. Founded in 1996, CIBC Mellon is 50-50 jointly owned by The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY) and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). CIBC Mellon's investment servicing solutions for institutions and corporations are provided in close collaboration with our parent companies, and include custody, multicurrency accounting, fund administration, recordkeeping, pension services, exchange-traded fund services, securities lending services, foreign exchange processing and settlement, and treasury services. As at June 30, 2024, CIBC Mellon had more than C$2.8 trillion of assets under administration on behalf of banks, pension funds, investment funds, corporations, governments, insurance companies, foreign insurance trusts, foundations and global financial institutions whose clients invest in Canada. CIBC Mellon is part of the BNY network, which as at June 30, 2024, had US$49.5 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration. CIBC Mellon is a licensed user of the CIBC trade-mark and certain BNY trade-marks, is the corporate brand of CIBC Mellon Global Securities Services Company and CIBC Mellon Trust Company, and may be used as a generic term to refer to either or both companies.

For more information, including CIBC Mellon's latest knowledge leadership on issues relevant to institutional investors active in Canada, visit www.cibcmellon.com.

Media contact for CIBC Mellon:

Brent Merriman, Corporate Communications and Marketing, CIBC Mellon, 416-643-5065 [email protected]

SOURCE CIBC Mellon
Developed in partnership with the research community to implement high-quality AI tools responsibly

LONDON, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarivate Plc (NYSE:CLVT), a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, today released the Web of Science Research Assistant. The new generative AI-powered tool helps researchers find key papers faster, handle complex research tasks and visualize connections. The chat interface combined with the Web of Science knowledge graph allows researchers to get more out of their interactions with 120 years of trusted publication and citation data in the Web of Science Core Collection.

Emmanuel Thiveaud, Senior Vice President, Research and Analytics, Academia & Government at Clarivate, said: "The Web of Science Research Assistant goes beyond content discovery to enable a deeper, richer research experience. It enhances decision-making, supports skill-building and provides in-depth insights into the dynamics of research fields.

"By partnering with the community and leveraging high-quality, reliable data and expertise, Clarivate is responsibly implementing cutting-edge technology in the Web of Science to improve research discovery and analytics that will transform our world."

Li-Ling Ou, Assistant Administrator, Division of Knowledge Service at the National Cheng Kung University Library, a development partner, said: "We chose to engage with the Web of Science developer partner program due to the database's reputation for credibility and reliability. The high-quality articles available through the Web of Science, coupled with the opportunity to experience a trial period, provided us with a positive and valuable experience. We are eager to promote the Web of Science Research Assistant further among researchers at our institution."

The Web of Science Research Assistant features include:

Flexible search for documents  Users can conduct natural language searches in several languages. The tool delivers overviews that consider more than 120 years of research and reveals connections between concepts and papers in a field of study.

 Users can conduct natural language searches in several languages. The tool delivers overviews that consider more than 120 years of research and reveals connections between concepts and papers in a field of study. Guided prompts and tasks  The tool suggests ways users can enhance their research tasks, following context-specific prompts to expand or refine the scope of discovery. Guided tasks including 'Understand a topic', 'Literature review' or 'Find a journal' help researchers focus on exactly what they need.

 The tool suggests ways users can enhance their research tasks, following context-specific prompts to expand or refine the scope of discovery. Guided tasks including 'Understand a topic', 'Literature review' or 'Find a journal' help researchers focus on exactly what they need. Unique data visualizations  Users can explore trend graphs, topic maps and co-citation networks that show different angles on a topic and guide them deeper into their research.

The tool was developed in collaboration with librarians and researchers worldwide and entered beta testing in December 2023. Development partners help ensure that the generative AI-powered assistant meets rigorous standards for quality, accuracy and privacy. The Web of Science Research Assistant team will continue to work with the community to gather feedback and guidance for future enhancements.

Notes to editors:

The Web of Science Research Assistant is powered by the Clarivate Academic AI Platform, a technology backbone enabling accelerated and consistent deployment of AI capabilities across our portfolio of solutions. All Clarivate AI tools have been responsibly developed in line with the Clarivate AI Principles.

This year Clarivate launched the AI Academic Advisory Council, a group committed to fostering a collaborative environment where diverse voices can contribute to the responsible advancement of AI in academia.

About Clarivate

Clarivate is a leading global provider of transformative intelligence. We offer enriched data, insights & analytics, workflow solutions and expert services in the areas of Academia & Government, Intellectual Property and Life Sciences & Healthcare. For more information, please visit www.clarivate.com

Media contact:

Rebecca Krahenbuhl, Senior Manager, External Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Clarivate Plc
GHENT, Belgium, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Clouds of Care, a leading MedTech company dedicated to enabling better care for people with Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders, proudly announces the successful closure of its funding round. The company has secured 5 million euros, highlighting strong investor confidence and support for its mission to revolutionize CNS care through digital health technologies and advanced data analytics.

The Clouds of Care management with from left to right: Eline Van Vlierberghe (CCO), Gregor Strobbe (co-founder, CEO), Pieter van Mierlo (co-founder, CSO), Jeroen Crappe (COO), Caroline Neuray (CMO), Tom Van Steenkiste (CTO) (PRNewsfoto/Clouds of Care)

With this funding round, Clouds of Care appoints two experienced life science professionals to the board of directors; Michel Vounatsos, former CEO of biotech company Biogen, is welcomed as chairman, and Yacine Hadjiat, global HealthTech expert and senior pharma executive, will join the board as an independent director.

Life science venture capital firm TCD Capital led the funding round, supported by Flanders Future Tech Fund and White Fund underscoring the market's recognition of Clouds of Care's vision and innovative approach.

At the core of Clouds of Care's mission is the empowerment of healthcare providers with state-of-the-art digital health solutions and advanced data analytics to enhance patient outcomes in CNS disorders. With a focus on electrophysiology, the company has established a strong presence in epilepsy and sleep disorders. Leveraging this expertise, Clouds of Care is set to expand into neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders across the treatment development and care continuum.

"Pharma no longer just needs best-in-class tools; they want platforms that promote standardization across these tools. This is exactly what Clouds of Care aims to achieve within the market for neurological disorders," said Nicolas Roberti de Winghe, partner at TCD Capital.

"Clouds of Care combines extensive electrophysiology expertise with an advanced AI platform designed to enhance endpoint validation in global clinical trials. Their customized solutions cater to the specific needs for clinical development, aiming at increasing the probability of success. With a strong track record in epilepsy, they are now ready to expand into other CNS diseases," said Michel Vounatsos, chairman of the board.

With the funding, Clouds of Care will invest in its technological infrastructure, expand its team of experts, and deepen its research and development efforts. The company is committed to driving positive change in CNS healthcare, ultimately improving the lives of patients worldwide.

About Clouds of Care:

Clouds of Care NV is an ISO 13485:2016 and ISO 27001:2013-certified MedTech company in Ghent, Belgium, housing CE-marked and FDA-cleared electrophysiology applications for clinicians and tailor-made solutions for clinical trials and research. Through its comprehensive CNS platform and strategic network of partners, Clouds of Care is revolutionizing care for people with Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders.

www.cloudsofcare.com

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2496002/Clouds_of_Care.jpg

SOURCE Clouds of Care
Now is your time to plan a trip to take in these vibrant colors, breathe in that crisp fall air, and relax in the beauty of Mohican Country. Located just over a two hour drive from Dayton, get lost in the beauty of Mohican. Local farmers markets have pumpkins, mums, and more out and ready to sell.

As the Camp & Canoe Capital of Ohio, canoeing is not over. What a treat to float down the Mohican State Scenic River under an arbor of color. Some of the canoe liveries are open through October. It is a perfect time to grab a camera with family and friends and enjoy the serenity of the river.

Stay in a treehouse, castle, resort, inn, historic bed and breakfast, or a choice of one of many private cabins. Several of the private cabins or cottages have hot tubs and spectacular viewsall the amenities of homeand may even be pet-friendly.

Fall is full of activities that will keep everyone having fun while enjoying all there is to offer. Embrace the view at the Gorge overlook, climb the fire tower, or take a stroll across one of our two covered bridges.

September kicks off back-to-back events with the Mohican Pow-Wow, Mohican Bluegrass Festival, and Log Cabin Days. Finish the month with Oktoberfest at the Mill, Ohio Heritage Days and Prairie Peddler.

Begin your October with one of our Ghost Hikes at Malabar Farm State Park. Or spend your day playing games, riding rides, or checking out the vendors and displays at the Loudonville Street Fair.

Magnificent fall colors will be ablaze in late fall for a drive-it-yourself fall foliage tour.

Come November, lace up your racing shoes for the Mohican 5K or the Fuzzy Fandango.

Events and adventures are in no shortage at Mohican throughout the rest of the year! Check out DiscoverMohican.com for a complete list of events!
NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Compass, Inc. (NYSE: COMP) ("Compass" or "the Company"), the largest residential real estate company in the United States by sales volume1, announces that its CEO & Founder Robert Reffkin will speak at the Zelman Housing Summit on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at the InterContinental Hotel in Boston.

Reffkin's interview will be broadcast via a public webcast at https://walkerdunlop.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UiJjrHB7QX-xVIRNX0heaw#/registration and will be available for replay under the "Events & Presentations" section on the Compass Investor Relations website: https://investors.compass.com .

About Compass

Compass is the largest residential real estate brokerage in the United States by sales volume. Founded in 2012 and based in New York City, Compass provides an end-to-end platform that empowers its residential real estate agents to deliver exceptional service to seller and buyer clients. The platform includes an integrated suite of cloud-based software for customer relationship management, marketing, client service, brokerage services and other critical functionality, all custom-built for the real estate industry. Compass agents utilize the platform to grow their business, save time and manage their business more effectively. For more information on how Compass empowers real estate agents, one of the largest groups of small business owners in the country, please visit www.compass.com .

1 RealTrends, Online, "Top Real Estate Brokerages By Volume in 2024", https://www.realtrends.com/500-by-volume/

SOURCE COMPASS
CHICAGO, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) will release its fiscal 2025 first quarter results on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. A press release and supplemental materials, including pre-recorded remarks, will be issued that morning prior to a 30-minute live question-and-answer session with the investment community at 9:30 a.m. ET.

The pre-recorded remarks, transcript, press release, presentation slides, and live audio Q&A can be accessed at conagrabrands.com/investor-relations under Events & Presentations. The live audio Q&A can also be accessed by dialing 1-877-883-0383 for participants in the U.S. and 1-412-902-6506 for all other participants using passcode: 7095043. Please dial in 10 to 15 minutes prior to the call start time.

About Conagra Brands

Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), headquartered in Chicago, is one of North America's leading branded food companies. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, Conagra Brands combines a rich heritage of making great food with a sharpened focus on innovation. The company's portfolio is evolving to satisfy people's changing food preferences. Conagra's iconic brands, such as Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Healthy Choice, Marie Callender's, Reddi-wip, and Slim Jim, as well as emerging brands, including Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP, Duke's, Earth Balance, Gardein, and Frontera, offer choices for every occasion. For more information, visit www.conagrabrands.com .

For more information, please contact:

MEDIA: [email protected]

INVESTORS: [email protected]

SOURCE Conagra Brands, Inc.
NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Constable Solar project was developed by Citrine Power LLC and was acquired by Encore Renewable Energy who will be the owner and operator of the project. Constable Solar is Encore's first solar project in New York State and part of nearly 90 MW of solar and energy storage currently under development by Encore in the Empire State. Under New York's NY-Sun Initiative and VDER program, NYSEG will compensate the project for the electricity produced from the new array and deliver affordable, reliable and carbon-free energy to their customers.

The project site, formerly used for hay production, is owned by siblings Michelle, Danielle & Steve Sirois, 29-year landowners in Constable. Citrine Power LLC has been working with the Sirois siblings, NYSEG, Town of Constable and NYSERDA to develop and permit the project since 2022.

"We're thrilled that the Constable Solar project has commenced construction and we are proud to be partnering with Encore in their first New York project. These projects have a lot of moving parts but it's been our pleasure working with the Sirois family, Encore and other stakeholders to bring the Constable Solar project to life. Our team is working hard to bring the rest of our development pipeline to fruition in New York State that has been at the forefront of renewable power adoption," said Cela Sinay-Bernie, Managing Partner for Citrine Power LLC, a renewable power development company.

"With New York's ambitious clean energy goals and an evolving energy supply market that is finding renewables to be an increasingly more cost effective form of energy production, the demand for solar has never been higher," said Chad Farrell, founder and co-CEO of Encore Renewable Energy. "Delivering projects like this in partnership with capable developers like Citrine Power LLC and utilities like NYSEG who are the tip of the spear when it comes to broader clean energy adoption is critical for meeting increased energy demand at affordable costs for ratepayers."

"This project provides an exciting opportunity to preserve our father's land by putting it to good use by supporting clean energy in the community," added the Sirois siblings.

A partnership is already in place with J&R Pierce Family Farm, located in West Chazy, New York, to provide sheep to rotationally graze the site to meet the vegetation management standards required for solar production. This solution avoids the need for noisy, fossil fuel-powered mowers while improving soil quality and boosting pollinator health.

"We're looking forward to partnering with Encore on this agri-energy project," said Rebekah Pierce of J&R Pierce Family Farm. "As a small family farm, these partnerships with local solar companies are vital for supporting our business and continuing to keep land in agricultural production."

Construction has commenced with construction activities underway and provided by New York-based solar contractor, GreenSpark Solar.

"We're thrilled to welcome Encore as a new portfolio partner and to kick off our first construction collaboration in Vermont, alongside this project in our home state of New York," added Scott Abbett, Executive Director of Commercial Operations & Electrical Self-Performance, Co-Owner at GreenSpark Solar.

SOURCE Citrine Power, LLC
Leverages Key Partnerships with Northwestern Medicine & AFSP-IL

DEKALB, Ill., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Curran Group and Curran Contracting are sponsoring and hosting the 2nd annual DeKalb County Out Of The Darkness Walk, taking place on September 14th in DeKalb, IL. The event - organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and in partnership with the Northwestern Medicine Ben Gordon Center - aims to raise awareness and funds to support suicide prevention efforts.

The Out Of The Darkness Walk is an annual event that brings communities together to support those affected by suicide and to raise awareness about mental health issues. This year, Curran Contracting has set a goal to generate $36,000 in donations to support AFSP's critical work. All of the funds raised by the walk will stay local, being used to support mental health initiatives within the community.

"Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for men who work in our industry," explained Liz Curran, Co-Chair of Curran Group's OOTD Board. "Mental health is a crucial issue that affects us all, and by supporting the Out Of The Darkness Walk, we hope to make a significant impact in our community and beyond."

Event Details:

Date: September 14th, 2024

Location: Hopkins Shelter at Hopkins Park , DeKalb, IL

, On-sight Registration: 8:30 AM

Event Start: 9:00 AM

The walk will start at the Hopkins Shelter in Hopkins Park and will include various activities, guest speakers, and opportunities to honor loved ones lost to suicide. Participants can register online and are encouraged to form teams to fundraise together.

Curran Contracting is calling on all community members in the Chicago area and surrounding regions - including Rockford, the Quad Cities, and other parts of north and central Illinois - to join this cause. By walking together, we can show support, spread hope, and save lives.

How to Participate:

Register: Sign up for the walk here.

Donate: Contribute to our fundraising goal at the link here.

Share: Spread the word on social media using the hashtag #OutOfTheDarknessWalk and tagging @CurranContracting and @AFSP.

Curran Contracting will be posting regular updates and stories on their website and social media platforms leading up to the event, providing more insights into the event's purpose and how the community can get involved.

For more information about the Out Of The Darkness Walk and how you can help, please visit the AFSP website or contact Sara Carlson at [email protected].

Together, this event can bring light to the darkness of suicide and mental health issues.

About Curran Contracting:

Curran Contracting is a leading construction and contracting company committed to community engagement and social responsibility. With a strong focus on building better communities, Curran Contracting supports various charitable initiatives and events throughout the year.

SOURCE Curran Contracting
NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Endava plc (NYSE: DAVA) between May 23, 2023 and February 28, 2024, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important October 25, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline.

So What: If you purchased Endava securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

What to do next: To join the Endava class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=28251, or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [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 25, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. 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) demand for Endava's services was declining; (2) Endava's clients delayed or canceled projects; (3) as a result, Endava's fiscal 2023 and 2024 revenue and earnings would be adversely affected; and (4) as a result, defendants' positive statements about Endava'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 Endava class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=28251 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [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.
Leading Coffee Franchise Ramps up Development Efforts in Key Growth State with Multi-Unit Signing

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, a leading coffee franchise renowned for its premium sourcing of Hawaiian coffees and unforgettable cafes, announces a three-store signed agreement for central New Jersey. This agreement is set to ignite further development in the key growth state. The brand's first New Jersey location is set to open in Hackensack in late September.

Behind the 3-store deal is Jim and Tyler Bowman. The father-son team boasts successful careers in the IT industry. After retirement, Jim was searching for new opportunities in a different field. This, paired with Tyler's desire to pursue entrepreneurship, led them on a quest for business ownership. Having familiarity with the Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii brand from frequenting the shops in Florida, the two began looking into the business opportunity and were impressed with their findings. They are currently in site selection targeting cities including New Brunswick, Princeton, and Somerville.

Leading coffee franchise ramps up development efforts in key growth state with multi-unit signing in New Jersey Post this

"As we exited the world of IT, we were in search of an exciting brand that stood out among competitors," said Tyler Bowman. "The quality of Bad Ass Coffee's products and the in-store experience are something that really separates it from the major chains. As a longtime central New Jersey resident, I can attest to the fact that there's really nothing like it here. I'm excited to bring a whole new set of flavors to our communities and people who appreciate a great cup of coffee."

With rapid national expansion underway, the 32-plus unit brand is currently supporting aggressive growth across the state with a desire to add 10-12 locations across New Jersey over the next 3-5 years.

"Having the opportunity to join an emerging brand at the ground level in a new market is truly a unique opportunity," added Jim Bowman. "We're able to be a part of the growth journey and play a role in growing Bad Ass Coffee's nationwide footprint."

Multi-unit growth continues to play a pivotal role in Bad Ass Coffee's franchise expansion strategy. More than 70% of the system is now comprised of multi-unit operators. The home office provides a strong development support system , including teams, technology and tools to help identify the right territories for expansion, plus expertise in financing, real estate, and construction management, to assist franchisees and multi-unit operators.

"The Bowmans are ideal franchise partners to join our 'ohana," said Scott Snyder, CEO of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii. "With strong business acumen, a passion for the product, and community-ties, I'm excited by the opportunity to bring our unique coffee experience to an entirely new region. This move, into such a dynamic, key development state, energizes our New Jersey expansion and helps us to reach more Bad Ass Coffee lovers than ever before," said Snyder.

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii was born on the Big Island of Hawaii in 1989 with the dream of sharing American-grown, premium Hawaiian coffee with customers everywhere. In addition to premium coffee from the famous Kona region of the Big Island, Bad Ass Coffee also sources from Kauai and Maui. Beyond premium Hawaiian coffees, Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii serves up a full menu of popular blended drinks, signature lattes, cold brews, teas, innovative foods with a Hawaiian twist, and branded merchandise.

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii is looking to partner with qualified and engaged individuals seeking multi-unit opportunities. The brand offers an affordable, highly scalable opportunity with strong profit potential. Franchisees can expect a total investment range between $454,200  920,500*. As International Franchise Association VetFran members, Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii offers veteran franchisees who join a $10,000 discount* off the initial franchise fee.

For more information on Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii franchise opportunities, visit badasscoffeefranchise.com or call 833-205-2224.

*Source: 2024 FDD  Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii

About Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii was born on the Big Island of Hawai'i in 1989 and is dedicated to sharing premium Hawaiian coffees "with a kick" from the Hawaiian Islands through 30-plus U.S. franchise locations  with 100+ additional shops in various stages of development. Today, Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii stores also serve popular blended drinks, teas, food, along with other international premium coffees and sell popular branded merchandise with exceptional service and the Aloha Spirit. Bad Ass Coffees are available in franchise stores, online and will soon be available through grocery, hospitality, and specialty retail channels. The Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii brand and franchise is owned by Royal Aloha Franchise Company, LLC. For more information, visit badasscoffee.com and connect on Facebook and Instagram @badasscoffeeofhawaii . Franchise information is available at badasscoffeefranchise.com.

SOURCE Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii
Toxic Spray Destroys Jack Russell Terrier's Red Blood Cells

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jack Russell Terriers love to hunt and dig, so it wasn't that unusual when Skippy decided to chase a skunk into a large stack of hay bales. Instead of catching the skunk, however, the dog got trapped and was sprayed directly in the face, resulting in a trip to the veterinary emergency room with life-threatening blood issues.

"I don't think an animal can go through much more and survive." Post this Skippy, a curious Jack Russell Terrier, recuperates after nearly dying from chasing a skunk into a pile of hay bales.

In honor of National Wildlife Day on Sept. 4, 2024, the toxicology experts at Pet Poison Helpline would like pet lovers to know that being skunked can be more than just a stinky situation  it can be deadly to your furry family members.

"I have a farm, and I converted my old riding arena into a storage area for my hay," explained Dr. Gigi Van Ostrand, who happens to be a veterinarian. "That day Skippy was running around chasing a skunk. He's been in many skunk encounters, so I wasn't too worried about it. This time, he apparently chased the skunk deep into the stack of hay bales and disappeared. We were busy with our horses, so we didn't look for him for several hours.

When we realized he had gotten trapped inside the hay, we had to use the tractor to carefully remove several of the bales, which can weigh 1400lbs. I was very worried he could be crushed, and I think he passed out because I didn't hear any noises coming from him. When we finally got him out, he was cold and purple. I'm a veterinarian, but I knew he needed more help than I could provide him. I rushed him to our local SAVE (Southern Alberta Veterinary Emergency) hospital, and they had me call the toxicology experts at Pet Poison Helpline."

"Being sprayed by a skunk is a relatively common occurrence for pets, especially those who live in a rural area," said Dr. Renee Schmid, a senior veterinary toxicologist and director of Veterinary Medicine at Pet Poison Helpline. "Most exposures result in a pet that is covered in a strong smell, as well as skin and eye irritation. In rare cases, however, the intense compounds in skunk spray can result in oxidative damage to red blood cells, leading to changes in their ability to transport oxygen appropriately as well as death of the cell. This leads to anemia and a condition called methemoglobinemia, which doesn't allow oxygen to be delivered throughout the body as normal. In Skippy's case, he had a very severe reaction that quickly became life-threatening."

Once at Southern Alberta Veterinary Emergency (SAVE), the veterinary team worked directly with Pet Poison Helpline to analyze Skippy's specific situation and develop an aggressive treatment plan. The team was concerned that he would develop hemolysis, the destruction of red blood cells that can lead to hemolytic anemia. He was immediately placed on intravenous fluids, given medication for vomiting, and was administered n-acetylcysteine (NAC), a modified form of an amino acid that is useful in combating the blood cell damage being caused by the skunk spray.

After three days, Skippy's condition hadn't improved. He was moved to the VCA Canada Calgary Animal Referral and Emergency (CARE) Centre. Since being sprayed, Skippy had become hyperthermic (overheating), hypoglycemic (low blood glucose levels), neutropenic (low white blood cell levels) and anemic (low red blood cell levels). He was placed on dextrose supplementation, continued on NAC, and received two blood transfusions and other supportive care. The trauma of being trapped under hay bales for several hours likely contributed to Skippy's additional complications, making his already difficult condition even more challenging.

After being released from the hospital, Skippy required continued treatment at home. Dr. Van Ostrand believes he was saved twice -- once when he was pulled out of the hay and again by the hospitals and Pet Poison Helpline.

"Skippy was all but dead," added Dr. Van Ostrand, "but now he's bouncing around like normal. I don't think an animal can go through much more and survive. He's an exquisite dog."

About Pet Poison Helpline

Pet Poison Helpline, your trusted source for toxicology and pet health advice in times of potential emergency, is available 24 hours, seven days a week for pet owners and veterinary professionals who require assistance treating a potentially poisoned pet. Per incident and subscription service options are available. We are an independent, nationally recognized animal poison control center triple licensed by the Boards of Veterinary Medicine, Medicine and Pharmacy providing unmatched professional leadership and expertise. Our veterinarians and board-certified toxicologists provide treatment advice for all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals and exotic species. As the most cost-effective option for animal poison control care, Pet Poison Helpline's fee of $85 per incident includes follow-up consultations for the duration of the case. The company also offers pethelpline(SM) and pethelplinePRO(SM) subscription services directly to pet lovers. Based in Minneapolis, Pet Poison Helpline is available in North America by calling 800-213-6680. Additional information can be found online at www.petpoisonhelpline.com.

Contact: Curtis Steinhoff

Pet Poison Helpline

(602) 300-8466

[email protected]

SOURCE Pet Poison Helpline
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ed Morse Automotive Group announced today that it has acquired Renegade Harley-Davidson in Springfield, Missouri and it will become Teddy Morse's Renegade Harley-Davidson. Ed Morse Automotive purchased the dealership located at 3980 W. Sunshine Street from H&H Automotive LLC.

This will be the company's tenth dealership in Missouri joining locations in Rolla, Lebanon, Saint Robert, California, and Moberly. This will also be Ed Morse Automotive Group's sixth Harley-Davidson dealership joining locations in Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, Grand Junction, Austin, Alamo City, and Beaumont. With this acquisition, the Ed Morse Automotive Group will grow to 57 dealership locations and over 2,800 employees nationwide.

"I have long had a passion for motorcycles, especially Harley-Davidson, and am absolutely thrilled to welcome Renegade into our family. This dealership was an ideal fit thanks to its dedicated employees who understand the importance of excellence in customer service and I'm proud to add them to our team. This dealership has a tremendous growth-ready infrastructure that we are excited about. Plus, Springfield is a dynamic city with wonderful people living there and visiting, so we are excited to be part of this community," said Teddy Morse, Chairman and CEO of Ed Morse Automotive Group.

About Ed Morse Automotive Group

The Morse family has been in the automotive business since 1946 when Ed Morse founded Morse Motors. Over 75 years later, Ed's grandson, Chairman/CEO Teddy Morse continues to build on the legacy and family tradition. Headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida with dealerships and related businesses in Florida, Arizona, Texas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Colorado and Oklahoma, Ed Morse Automotive Group is one of the nation's fastest growing and most respected automotive and motorcycle dealer groups. www.edmorse.com

SOURCE Ed Morse Automotive Group
Late-breaking results from the Phase 3 LEAP-012 trial offer further insight into the treatment of patients with unresectable, non-metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); data are selected for ESMO Presidential Symposium Session

Additional presentations in HCC, differentiated thyroid cancer, breast cancer, endometrial carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer highlight Eisai's commitment to advancing care across multiple tumor types

NUTLEY, N.J., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eisai announced today the presentation of research across various types of cancer from its oncology portfolio and pipeline during the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2024, which is taking place virtually and in-person in Barcelona, Spain from September 13 to 17.

First presentation of results from the first interim analysis of the Phase 3 LEAP-012 trial evaluating lenvatinib (LENVIMA), the orally available multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor discovered by Eisai, plus pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA), Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the treatment of patients with unresectable, non-metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) will be featured in an ESMO Presidential Symposium (NCT04246177; Presentation: #LBA3).

"The late-breaking data from the Phase 3 LEAP-012 trial add to a growing body of research that we have undertaken in hepatocellular carcinoma, reinforcing Eisai's longstanding commitment to people living with this devastating disease," said Dr. Takashi Owa, Chief Scientific Officer, Senior Vice President, Eisai Co., Ltd. "We are eager to share these findings at ESMO, alongside our other research on lenvatinib monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab, and pipeline developments, as this crucial scientific exchange fuels our mission to accelerate progress in oncology and help improve the lives of patients and families affected by cancer."

Additionally, a Mini Oral presentation will feature real-world evidence for patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAI-R DTC) treated with lenvatinib monotherapy in Europe and Canada (Presentation: #1926MO). Research into the use of lenvatinib monotherapy in patients with HCC from the Phase 4 STELLAR study (Presentation: #964P) and from a real-world study utilizing the LINK (Liver cancer IN Korea) research network (Presentation: #972P) will be shared in poster presentations. An exploratory analysis from the Phase 3 LEAP-001 trial evaluating tumor response with lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab for patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma will also be presented (NCT03884101; Presentation: #737P).

Research from Eisai's pipeline includes a quality-of-life analysis from the Phase 3 EMERALD study in Japan evaluating either Eisai's eribulin mesylate (HALAVEN) or a taxane in combination with trastuzumab and pertuzumab in patients with HER2-positive, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer ( NCT03264547 ; Presentation: #373P); findings from a Phase 1b dose-expansion cohort evaluating E7386 (a CBP/-catenin interaction inhibitor) in combination with lenvatinib in patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma with progression following prior anti-PD-(L)1 immunotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy (NCT04008797; Presentation: #738P); as well as presentations for BB-1701, an antibody drug conjugate which combines an anti-HER2 antibody with Eisai's approved anticancer drug, eribulin, via its linker, in previously-treated patients with HER2-positive or HER2-low unresectable or metastatic breast cancer (NCT06188559; Presentation: #437TiP) and non-small cell lung cancer patients with HER2 mutation/amplification (Presentation: #1296P; presented by Bliss Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd), respectively.

This release discusses investigational compounds and investigational uses for FDA-approved products. It is not intended to convey conclusions about efficacy and safety. There is no guarantee that any investigational compounds or investigational uses of FDA-approved products will successfully complete clinical development or gain FDA approval.

The full list of Eisai presentations is included below. Regular abstracts will be made available via the ESMO website on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 6:05 PM EDT (Monday, September 9, at 12:05 AM CEST). Late-breaking abstracts accepted for presentation at ESMO as a Proffered Paper or Mini Oral will be published on the ESMO website at 6:05 PM EDT on the day prior to the presentation (12:05 AM CEST on the day of the presentation). Posters will be on display from 3:00 AM  11:00 AM EDT (9:00 AM  5:00 PM CEST) on the day of their poster session.

Cancer Type Study/Compound Abstract Title Abstract Type & Details Lenvatinib Plus Pembrolizumab Gastrointestinal

Cancer LEAP-012 Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE)

with or without lenvatinib (len) plus

pembrolizumab (pembro) for intermediate

stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC):

phase 3 LEAP-012 study* Presidential Symposium Presentation #LBA3 September 14, 2024 11:36-11:48 AM EDT / 5:36-5:48 PM CEST Endometrial

Carcinoma LEAP-001 Characterization of tumor response with

lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab (LEN +

Pembro) in the ENGOT-en9/LEAP-001

study Poster Session Presentation #737P September 14, 2024 Lenvatinib Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Real-World Evidence Radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid

cancer (RAI-R DTC) patients treated with

lenvatinib monotherapy: real-world

treatment patterns and clinical outcomes in

Europe and Canada Mini Oral Presentation Presentation #1926MO September 13, 2024 10:05-10:00 AM EDT / 4:05-4:10 PM CEST Gastrointestinal

Cancer Real-World Evidence Efficacy and safety of lenvatinib vs.

sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma: a

multi-center real-world study from the LINK

research network Poster Session Presentation #972P September 16, 2024 STELLAR Lenvatinib (L) and sorafenib (S) in patients

(pts) with advanced or unresectable

hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC): an

international, multicenter, phase 4 study

(STELLAR) Poster Session Presentation #964P September 16, 2024 Eribulin Breast Cancer JBCRG-M06/ EMERALD Quality-of-life outcomes in patients with

HER2-positive, locally advanced or

metastatic breast cancer treated with

eribulin mesylate in combination with

trastuzumab and pertuzumab in the phase 3

JBCRG-M06/EMERALD study Poster Session Presentation #373P September 16, 2024 Pipeline







Endometrial

Carcinoma E7386 Global, phase 1b dose-expansion cohort of

E7386 + lenvatinib (LEN) in patients (pts)

with advanced (a) endometrial cancer (EC)

that progressed on platinum-based

chemotherapy (CTx) and an anti-PD-(L)1

immunotherapy (IO) Poster Session Presentation #738P September 14, 2024 Breast Cancer BB-1701 An open-label, multicenter, phase 2 study to

evaluate the safety and efficacy of BB-1701,

a novel antibody drug conjugate (ADC)

targeting HER2, in previously treated

patients (pts) with HER2+ or HER2-low

unresectable or metastatic (M) breast

cancer (BC) Poster Session Presentation #437TiP September 16, 2024 Non-Small Cell Lung

Cancer BB-1701 A phase 2 study to evaluate the efficacy and

safety of BB-1701 in advanced or metastatic

NSCLC patients with HER2

mutation/amplification (Presented by Bliss

Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) Poster Session Presentation #1296P September 14, 2024

* The majority of participants in the Phase 3 LEAP-012 trial had intermediate stage HCC per Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging, however, the study also enrolled participants with other BCLC stages.

In March 2018, Eisai and Merck (known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada), through an affiliate, entered into a strategic collaboration for the worldwide co-development and co-commercialization of lenvatinib, both as monotherapy and in combination with Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, pembrolizumab. Eisai and Merck are studying the lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab combination through the LEAP (LEnvatinib And Pembrolizumab) clinical program in various tumor types across multiple clinical trials.

In May 2023, Eisai entered into a joint clinical trial collaboration agreement with Bliss Biopharmaceutical (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Zhejiang Province, China, "BlissBio"), for BB-1701, a HER2-targeting antibody drug conjugate (ADC), with option rights for a strategic collaboration. Eisai is currently investigating BB-1701 in a Phase 2 clinical trial in Japan and the United States for breast cancer, and BlissBio is investigating a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in the United States and China for HER2-expressing solid tumors.

About BB-1701

BB-1701 is an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) that is composed of Eisai's in-house developed cytotoxic agent eribulin, and an anti-HER2 antibody using a linker, and is expected to have anti-tumor effects on breast, lung and other solid tumors that express HER2 through direct cytotoxicity (including immunogenic cell death), a bystander effect* and immune response-induced cell death.

*Bystander effect: When the cytotoxic agent and antibody parts of an ADC are separated inside a targeted antigen-positive cancer cell, the released cytotoxic agent also affects neighboring antigen-negative cancer cells and the component cells of the cancer microenvironment.

About E7386

E7386 is thought to block the protein-protein interaction between a transcriptional co-activator, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) binding protein (CBP) and -catenin, resulting in the inhibition of Wnt / -catenin pathway-dependent gene expression. Since E7386 is thought to act on the CBP / -catenin transcription complex located at the most downstream of the Wnt signaling, it is expected to inhibit not only ligand-dependent activation but also activation caused by gene mutations in Wnt signaling factors such as adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and -catenin. E7386 is created through collaboration research between Eisai and PRISM BioLab Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kanagawa)

About HALAVEN (eribulin mesylate) Injection (0.5 mg/mL)

HALAVEN (eribulin mesylate) Injection is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) who have previously received at least 2 chemotherapeutic regimens for the treatment of metastatic disease. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline and a taxane in either the adjuvant or metastatic setting. HALAVEN is also indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic liposarcoma who have received a prior anthracycline-containing regimen.

Eribulin is a microtubule dynamics inhibitor in the halichondrin class with a novel mechanism of action, developed in-house by Eisai. Structurally, eribulin is a simplified and synthetically produced version of halichondrin B, a natural product isolated from the marine sponge Halichondria okadai. Eribulin is believed to work by inhibiting the growth phase of microtubule dynamics which prevents cell division. In addition, non-clinical studies showed eribulin's unique actions in the tumor microenvironment such as an increase in vascular perfusion and permeability in tumor cores, promotion of the epithelial state, decrease in capacity of breast cancer cells to migrate, etc.

Important Safety Information for HALAVEN

Warnings and Precautions

Neutropenia: Severe neutropenia (ANC <500/mm3) lasting >1 week occurred in 12% of patients with mBC. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 5% of patients with mBC and 2 patients (0.4%) died from complications. Patients with mBC with elevated liver enzymes >3  ULN and bilirubin >1.5  ULN experienced a higher incidence of Grade 4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia than patients with normal levels. Monitor complete blood cell counts prior to each dose, and increase the frequency of monitoring in patients who develop Grade 3 or 4 cytopenias. Delay administration and reduce subsequent doses in patients who experience febrile neutropenia or Grade 4 neutropenia lasting >7 days.

Peripheral Neuropathy: Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy occurred in 8% of patients with mBC (Grade 4=0.4%) and 22% developed a new or worsening neuropathy that had not recovered within a median follow-up duration of 269 days (range 25-662 days). Neuropathy lasting >1 year occurred in 5% of patients with mBC. Patients should be monitored for signs of peripheral motor and sensory neuropathy. Withhold HALAVEN in patients who experience Grade 3 or 4 peripheral neuropathy until resolution to Grade 2 or less.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: HALAVEN can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with HALAVEN and for at least 2 weeks following the nal dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with HALAVEN and for 3.5 months following the nal dose.

QT Prolongation: Monitor for prolonged QT intervals in patients with congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, drugs known to prolong the QT interval, and electrolyte abnormalities. Correct hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia prior to initiating HALAVEN and monitor these electrolytes periodically during therapy. Avoid in patients with congenital long QT syndrome.

Adverse Reactions

In patients with mBC receiving HALAVEN, the most common adverse reactions (25%) were neutropenia (82%), anemia (58%), asthenia/fatigue (54%), alopecia (45%), peripheral neuropathy (35%), nausea (35%), and constipation (25%). Febrile neutropenia (4%) and neutropenia (2%) were the most common serious adverse reactions. The most common adverse reaction resulting in discontinuation was peripheral neuropathy (5%).

In patients with liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma receiving HALAVEN, the most common adverse reactions (25%) reported in patients receiving HALAVEN were fatigue (62%), nausea (41%), alopecia (35%), constipation (32%), peripheral neuropathy (29%), abdominal pain (29%), and pyrexia (28%). The most common (5%) Grade 3-4 laboratory abnormalities reported in patients receiving HALAVEN were neutropenia (32%), hypokalemia (5.4%), and hypocalcemia (5%). Neutropenia (4.9%) and pyrexia (4.5%) were the most common serious adverse reactions. The most common adverse reactions resulting in discontinuation were fatigue and thrombocytopenia (0.9% each).

Use in Specic Populations

Lactation: Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants from eribulin mesylate, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with HALAVEN and for 2 weeks after the nal dose.

Hepatic and Renal Impairment: A reduction in starting dose is recommended for patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment and/or moderate or severe renal impairment.

Please see Prescribing Information for HALAVEN (eribulin mesylate) at

https://www.halaven.com/-/media/Files/Halaven/HALAVEN-Full-Prescribing-Information.pdf

HALAVEN is a registered trademark used by Eisai Inc. under license from Eisai R&D Management Co., Ltd.

About LENVIMA (lenvatinib) Capsules

LENVIMA is indicated:

For the treatment of adult patients with locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC)

In combination with pembrolizumab, for the first line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC)

In combination with everolimus for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following one prior anti-angiogenic therapy

For the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

In combination with pembrolizumab, for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma (EC) that is mismatch repair proficient (pMMR), as determined by an FDA-approved test, or not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.

LENVIMA, discovered and developed by Eisai, is a multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits the kinase activities of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors VEGFR1 (FLT1), VEGFR2 (KDR), and VEGFR3 (FLT4). LENVIMA inhibits other kinases that have been implicated in pathogenic angiogenesis, tumor growth, and cancer progression in addition to their normal cellular functions, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors FGFR1-4, platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA), KIT, and RET. Lenvatinib also exhibited antiproliferative activity in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines dependent on activated FGFR signaling with a concurrent inhibition of FGF-receptor substrate 2 alpha (FRS2) phosphorylation. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, the combination of lenvatinib with an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody decreased tumor-associated macrophages, increased activated cytotoxic T cells, and demonstrated greater antitumor activity compared to either treatment alone. The combination of LENVIMA and everolimus showed increased antiangiogenic and antitumor activity as demonstrated by decreased human endothelial cell proliferation, tube formation, and VEGF signaling in vitro and by decreases in tumor volume in mouse xenograft models of human renal cell cancer greater than either drug alone.

Important Safety Information for LENVIMA

Warnings and Precautions

Hypertension. In DTC (differentiated thyroid cancer), hypertension occurred in 73% of patients on LENVIMA (44% grade 3-4). In RCC (renal cell carcinoma), hypertension occurred in 42% of patients on LENVIMA + everolimus (13% grade 3). Systolic blood pressure 160 mmHg occurred in 29% of patients, and 21% had diastolic blood pressure 100 mmHg. In HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma), hypertension occurred in 45% of LENVIMA-treated patients (24% grade 3). Grade 4 hypertension was not reported in HCC.

Serious complications of poorly controlled hypertension have been reported. Control blood pressure prior to initiation. Monitor blood pressure after 1 week, then every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, and then at least monthly thereafter during treatment. Withhold and resume at reduced dose when hypertension is controlled or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Cardiac Dysfunction. Serious and fatal cardiac dysfunction can occur with LENVIMA. Across clinical trials in 799 patients with DTC, RCC, and HCC, grade 3 or higher cardiac dysfunction occurred in 3% of LENVIMA-treated patients. Monitor for clinical symptoms or signs of cardiac dysfunction. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Arterial Thromboembolic Events. Among patients receiving LENVIMA or LENVIMA + everolimus, arterial thromboembolic events of any severity occurred in 2% of patients in RCC and HCC and 5% in DTC. Grade 3-5 arterial thromboembolic events ranged from 2% to 3% across all clinical trials.

Among patients receiving LENVIMA with pembrolizumab, arterial thrombotic events of any severity occurred in 5% of patients in CLEAR, including myocardial infarction (3.4%) and cerebrovascular accident (2.3%).

Permanently discontinue following an arterial thrombotic event. The safety of resuming after an arterial thromboembolic event has not been established, and LENVIMA has not been studied in patients who have had an arterial thromboembolic event within the previous 6 months.

Hepatotoxicity. Across clinical studies enrolling 1327 LENVIMA-treated patients with malignancies other than HCC, serious hepatic adverse reactions occurred in 1.4% of patients. Fatal events, including hepatic failure, acute hepatitis, and hepatorenal syndrome, occurred in 0.5% of patients. In HCC, hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 8% of LENVIMA-treated patients (5% grade 3-5). Grade 3-5 hepatic failure occurred in 3% of LENVIMA-treated patients; 2% of patients discontinued LENVIMA due to hepatic encephalopathy, and 1% discontinued due to hepatic failure.

Monitor liver function prior to initiation, then every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, and at least monthly thereafter during treatment. Monitor patients with HCC closely for signs of hepatic failure, including hepatic encephalopathy. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Renal Failure or Impairment. Serious including fatal renal failure or impairment can occur with LENVIMA. Renal impairment was reported in 14% and 7% of LENVIMA-treated patients in DTC and HCC, respectively. Grade 3-5 renal failure or impairment occurred in 3% of patients with DTC and 2% of patients with HCC, including 1 fatal event in each study. In RCC, renal impairment or renal failure was reported in 18% of LENVIMA + everolimustreated patients (10% grade 3).

Initiate prompt management of diarrhea or dehydration/hypovolemia. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue for renal failure or impairment based on severity.

Proteinuria. In DTC and HCC, proteinuria was reported in 34% and 26% of LENVIMA-treated patients, respectively. Grade 3 proteinuria occurred in 11% and 6% in DTC and HCC, respectively. In RCC, proteinuria occurred in 31% of patients receiving LENVIMA + everolimus (8% grade 3). Monitor for proteinuria prior to initiation and periodically during treatment. If urine dipstick proteinuria 2+ is detected, obtain a 24-hour urine protein. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Diarrhea. Of the 737 LENVIMA-treated patients in DTC and HCC, diarrhea occurred in 49% (6% grade 3). In RCC, diarrhea occurred in 81% of LENVIMA + everolimustreated patients (19% grade 3). Diarrhea was the most frequent cause of dose interruption/reduction, and diarrhea recurred despite dose reduction. Promptly initiate management of diarrhea. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Fistula Formation and Gastrointestinal Perforation. Of the 799 patients treated with LENVIMA or LENVIMA + everolimus in DTC, RCC, and HCC, fistula or gastrointestinal perforation occurred in 2%. Permanently discontinue in patients who develop gastrointestinal perforation of any severity or grade 3-4 fistula.

QT Interval Prolongation. In DTC, QT/QTc interval prolongation occurred in 9% of LENVIMA-treated patients and QT interval prolongation of >500 ms occurred in 2%. In RCC, QTc interval increases of >60 ms occurred in 11% of patients receiving LENVIMA + everolimus and QTc interval >500 ms occurred in 6%. In HCC, QTc interval increases of >60 ms occurred in 8% of LENVIMA-treated patients and QTc interval >500 ms occurred in 2%.

Monitor and correct electrolyte abnormalities at baseline and periodically during treatment. Monitor electrocardiograms in patients with congenital long QT syndrome, congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, or those who are taking drugs known to prolong the QT interval, including Class Ia and III antiarrhythmics. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery based on severity.

Hypocalcemia. In DTC, grade 3-4 hypocalcemia occurred in 9% of LENVIMA-treated patients. In 65% of cases, hypocalcemia improved or resolved following calcium supplementation with or without dose interruption or dose reduction. In RCC, grade 3-4 hypocalcemia occurred in 6% of LENVIMA + everolimustreated patients. In HCC, grade 3 hypocalcemia occurred in 0.8% of LENVIMA-treated patients. Monitor blood calcium levels at least monthly and replace calcium as necessary during treatment. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue depending on severity.

Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS). Across clinical studies of 1823 patients who received LENVIMA as a single agent, RPLS occurred in 0.3%. Confirm diagnosis of RPLS with MRI. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue depending on severity and persistence of neurologic symptoms.

Hemorrhagic Events. Serious including fatal hemorrhagic events can occur with LENVIMA. In DTC, RCC, and HCC clinical trials, hemorrhagic events, of any grade, occurred in 29% of the 799 patients treated with LENVIMA as a single agent or in combination with everolimus. The most frequently reported hemorrhagic events (all grades and occurring in at least 5% of patients) were epistaxis and hematuria. In DTC, grade 3-5 hemorrhage occurred in 2% of LENVIMA-treated patients, including 1 fatal intracranial hemorrhage among 16 patients who received LENVIMA and had CNS metastases at baseline. In RCC, grade 3-5 hemorrhage occurred in 8% of LENVIMA + everolimustreated patients, including 1 fatal cerebral hemorrhage. In HCC, grade 3-5 hemorrhage occurred in 5% of LENVIMA-treated patients, including 7 fatal hemorrhagic events. Serious tumor-related bleeds, including fatal hemorrhagic events, occurred in LENVIMA-treated patients in clinical trials and in the postmarketing setting. In postmarketing surveillance, serious and fatal carotid artery hemorrhages were seen more frequently in patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) than other tumors. Safety and effectiveness of LENVIMA in patients with ATC have not been demonstrated in clinical trials.

Consider the risk of severe or fatal hemorrhage associated with tumor invasion or infiltration of major blood vessels (eg, carotid artery). Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Impairment of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Suppression/Thyroid Dysfunction. LENVIMA impairs exogenous thyroid suppression. In DTC, 88% of patients had baseline thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level 0.5 mU/L. In patients with normal TSH at baseline, elevation of TSH level >0.5 mU/L was observed post baseline in 57% of LENVIMA-treated patients. In RCC and HCC, grade 1 or 2 hypothyroidism occurred in 24% of LENVIMA + everolimustreated patients and 21% of LENVIMA-treated patients, respectively. In patients with normal or low TSH at baseline, elevation of TSH was observed post baseline in 70% of LENVIMA-treated patients in HCC and 60% of LENVIMA + everolimustreated patients in RCC.

Monitor thyroid function prior to initiation and at least monthly during treatment. Treat hypothyroidism according to standard medical practice.

Impaired Wound Healing. Impaired wound healing has been reported in patients who received LENVIMA. Withhold LENVIMA for at least 1 week prior to elective surgery. Do not administer for at least 2 weeks following major surgery and until adequate wound healing. The safety of resumption of LENVIMA after resolution of wound healing complications has not been established.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ). ONJ has been reported in patients receiving LENVIMA. Concomitant exposure to other risk factors, such as bisphosphonates, denosumab, dental disease, or invasive dental procedures, may increase the risk of ONJ.

Perform an oral examination prior to treatment with LENVIMA and periodically during LENVIMA treatment. Advise patients regarding good oral hygiene practices and to consider having preventive dentistry performed prior to treatment with LENVIMA and throughout treatment with LENVIMA.

Avoid invasive dental procedures, if possible, while on LENVIMA treatment, particularly in patients at higher risk. Withhold LENVIMA for at least 1 week prior to scheduled dental surgery or invasive dental procedures, if possible. For patients requiring invasive dental procedures, discontinuation of bisphosphonate treatment may reduce the risk of ONJ.

Withhold LENVIMA if ONJ develops and restart based on clinical judgement of adequate resolution.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity. Based on its mechanism of action and data from animal reproduction studies, LENVIMA can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of lenvatinib during organogenesis at doses below the recommended clinical doses resulted in embryotoxicity, fetotoxicity, and teratogenicity in rats and rabbits. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus and advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with LENVIMA and for 30 days after the last dose.

Adverse Reactions

In DTC, the most common adverse reactions (30%) observed in LENVIMA-treated patients were hypertension (73%), fatigue (67%), diarrhea (67%), arthralgia/myalgia (62%), decreased appetite (54%), decreased weight (51%), nausea (47%), stomatitis (41%), headache (38%), vomiting (36%), proteinuria (34%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (32%), abdominal pain (31%), and dysphonia (31%). The most common serious adverse reactions (2%) were pneumonia (4%), hypertension (3%), and dehydration (3%). Adverse reactions led to dose reductions in 68% of LENVIMA-treated patients; 18% discontinued LENVIMA. The most common adverse reactions (10%) resulting in dose reductions were hypertension (13%), proteinuria (11%), decreased appetite (10%), and diarrhea (10%); the most common adverse reactions (1%) resulting in discontinuation of LENVIMA were hypertension (1%) and asthenia (1%).

In RCC, the most common adverse reactions (20%) observed in LENVIMA + pembrolizumab-treated patients were fatigue (63%), diarrhea (62%), musculoskeletal pain (58%), hypothyroidism (57%), hypertension (56%), stomatitis (43%), decreased appetite (41%), rash (37%), nausea (36%), decreased weight (30%), dysphonia (30%), proteinuria (30%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (29%), abdominal pain (27%), hemorrhagic events (27%), vomiting (26%), constipation (25%), hepatotoxicity (25%), headache (23%), and acute kidney injury (21%). The most common serious adverse reactions (2%) were hemorrhagic events (5%), diarrhea (4%), hypertension (3%), myocardial infarction (3%), pneumonitis (3%), vomiting (3%), acute kidney injury (2%), adrenal insufficiency (2%), dyspnea (2%), and pneumonia (2%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 4.3% of patients receiving LENVIMA in combination with pembrolizumab, including cardio-respiratory arrest (0.9%), sepsis (0.9%), and one case (0.3%) each of arrhythmia, autoimmune hepatitis, dyspnea, hypertensive crisis, increased blood creatinine, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, myasthenic syndrome, myocarditis, nephritis, pneumonitis, ruptured aneurysm and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 51% of patients receiving LENVIMA and pembrolizumab. Serious adverse reactions in 2% of patients were hemorrhagic events (5%), diarrhea (4%), hypertension (3%), myocardial infarction (3%), pneumonitis (3%), vomiting (3%), acute kidney injury (2%), adrenal insufficiency (2%), dyspnea (2%), and pneumonia (2%). Permanent discontinuation of LENVIMA, pembrolizumab, or both due to an adverse reaction occurred in 37% of patients; 26% LENVIMA only, 29% pembrolizumab only, and 13% both drugs. The most common adverse reactions (2%) leading to permanent discontinuation of LENVIMA, pembrolizumab, or both were pneumonitis (3%), myocardial infarction (3%), hepatotoxicity (3%), acute kidney injury (3%), rash (3%), and diarrhea (2%). Dose interruptions of LENVIMA, pembrolizumab, or both due to an adverse reaction occurred in 78% of patients receiving LENVIMA in combination with pembrolizumab. LENVIMA was interrupted in 73% of patients and both drugs were interrupted in 39% of patients. LENVIMA was dose reduced in 69% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (5%) resulting in dose reduction or interruption of LENVIMA were diarrhea (26%), fatigue (18%), hypertension (17%), proteinuria (13%), decreased appetite (12%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (11%), nausea (9%), stomatitis (9%), musculoskeletal pain (8%), rash (8%), increased lipase (7%), abdominal pain (6%), and vomiting (6%), increased ALT (5%), and increased amylase (5%).

In RCC, the most common adverse reactions (30%) observed in LENVIMA + everolimustreated patients were diarrhea (81%), fatigue (73%), arthralgia/myalgia (55%), decreased appetite (53%), vomiting (48%), nausea (45%), stomatitis (44%), hypertension (42%), peripheral edema (42%), cough (37%), abdominal pain (37%), dyspnea (35%), rash (35%), decreased weight (34%), hemorrhagic events (32%), and proteinuria (31%). The most common serious adverse reactions (5%) were renal failure (11%), dehydration (10%), anemia (6%), thrombocytopenia (5%), diarrhea (5%), vomiting (5%), and dyspnea (5%). Adverse reactions led to dose reductions or interruption in 89% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (5%) resulting in dose reductions were diarrhea (21%), fatigue (8%), thrombocytopenia (6%), vomiting (6%), nausea (5%), and proteinuria (5%). Treatment discontinuation due to an adverse reaction occurred in 29% of patients.

In HCC, the most common adverse reactions (20%) observed in LENVIMA-treated patients were hypertension (45%), fatigue (44%), diarrhea (39%), decreased appetite (34%), arthralgia/myalgia (31%), decreased weight (31%), abdominal pain (30%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (27%), proteinuria (26%), dysphonia (24%), hemorrhagic events (23%), hypothyroidism (21%), and nausea (20%). The most common serious adverse reactions (2%) were hepatic encephalopathy (5%), hepatic failure (3%), ascites (3%), and decreased appetite (2%). Adverse reactions led to dose reductions or interruption in 62% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (5%) resulting in dose reductions were fatigue (9%), decreased appetite (8%), diarrhea (8%), proteinuria (7%), hypertension (6%), and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (5%). Treatment discontinuation due to an adverse reaction occurred in 20% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (1%) resulting in discontinuation of LENVIMA were fatigue (1%), hepatic encephalopathy (2%), hyperbilirubinemia (1%), and hepatic failure (1%).

In EC, the most common adverse reactions (20%) observed in LENVIMA and pembrolizumabtreated patients were hypothyroidism (67%), hypertension (67%), fatigue (58%), diarrhea (55%), musculoskeletal disorders (53%), nausea (49%), decreased appetite (44%), vomiting (37%), stomatitis (35%), decreased weight (34%), abdominal pain (34%), urinary tract infection (31%), proteinuria (29%), constipation (27%), headache (26%), hemorrhagic events (25%), palmarplantar erythrodysesthesia (23%), dysphonia (22%), and rash (20%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 4.7% of those treated with LENVIMA and pembrolizumab, including 2 cases of pneumonia, and 1 case of the following: acute kidney injury, acute myocardial infarction, colitis, decreased appetite, intestinal perforation, lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage, malignant gastrointestinal obstruction, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, myelodysplastic syndrome, pulmonary embolism, and right ventricular dysfunction. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 50% of patients receiving LENVIMA and pembrolizumab. Serious adverse reactions with frequency 3% were hypertension (4.4%), and urinary tract infection (3.2%). Discontinuation of LENVIMA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 26% of patients. The most common (1%) adverse reactions leading to discontinuation of LENVIMA were hypertension (2%), asthenia (1.8%), diarrhea (1.2%), decreased appetite (1.2%), proteinuria (1.2%), and vomiting (1.2%). Dose reductions of LENVIMA due to adverse reactions occurred in 67% of patients. The most common (5%) adverse reactions resulting in dose reduction of LENVIMA were hypertension (18%), diarrhea (11%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (9%), proteinuria (7%), fatigue (7%), decreased appetite (6%), asthenia (5%), and weight decreased (5%). Dose interruptions of LENVIMA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 58% of these patients. The most common (2%) adverse reactions leading to interruption of LENVIMA were hypertension (11%), diarrhea (11%), proteinuria (6%), decreased appetite (5%), vomiting (5%), increased alanine aminotransferase (3.5%), fatigue (3.5%), nausea (3.5%), abdominal pain (2.9%), weight decreased (2.6%), urinary tract infection (2.6%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (2.3%), asthenia (2.3%), and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (2%).

Use in Specific Populations

Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed children, advise women to discontinue breastfeeding during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose. LENVIMA may impair fertility in males and females of reproductive potential.

No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with mild (CLcr 60-89 mL/min) or moderate (CLcr 30-59 mL/min) renal impairment. LENVIMA concentrations may increase in patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and severe (CLcr 15-29 mL/min) renal impairment. Reduce the dose for patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and severe renal impairment. There is no recommended dose for patients with HCC and severe renal impairment. LENVIMA has not been studied in patients with end-stage renal disease.

No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with HCC and mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh A). There is no recommended dose for patients with HCC with moderate (Child-Pugh B) or severe (Child-Pugh C) hepatic impairment. No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and mild or moderate hepatic impairment. LENVIMA concentrations may increase in patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and severe hepatic impairment. Reduce the dose for patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and severe hepatic impairment.

LENVIMA (lenvatinib) is available as 10 mg and 4 mg capsules.

Please see Prescribing Information for LENVIMA (lenvatinib) at http://www.lenvima.com/pdfs/prescribing-information.pdf

About the Merck and Eisai Strategic Collaboration

In March 2018, Eisai and Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, through an affiliate, entered into a strategic collaboration for the worldwide co-development and co-commercialization of LENVIMA. Under the agreement, the companies jointly develop, manufacture and commercialize LENVIMA, both as monotherapy and in combination with Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA. Eisai and Merck are studying the KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA combination through the LEAP (LEnvatinib And Pembrolizumab) clinical program in various tumor types across multiple clinical trials.

About Eisai

Eisai's Corporate Concept is "to give first thought to patients and people in the daily living domain, and to increase the benefits that health care provides." Under this Concept [also known as our human health care (hhc) Concept], we aim to effectively achieve social good in the form of relieving anxiety over health and reducing health disparities. With a global network of R&D facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, we strive to create and deliver innovative products to target diseases with high unmet medical needs, with a particular focus in our strategic areas of Neurology and Oncology.

In addition, our continued commitment to the elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which is a target (3.3) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is demonstrated by our work on various activities together with global partners.

For more information about Eisai, please visit www.eisai.com (for global headquarters: Eisai Co., Ltd.), us.eisai.com (for U.S. headquarters: Eisai Inc.) or www.eisai.eu (for Europe, Middle East, Africa, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand headquarters: Eisai Europe Ltd.), and connect with us on Twitter (U.S . and global) and LinkedIn (for U.S. and EMEA).

LENVIMA is a registered trademark used by Eisai Inc. under license from Eisai R&D Management Co., Ltd.

2024 Eisai Inc. All Rights Reserved.

KEYTRUDA is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., U.S.A.

SOURCE Eisai Inc.
LAKE CITY, Fla., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ellianos Coffee, a drive-thru specialty coffee brand based in the Southeast, has announced a significant expansion into the Tampa Bay area with a new four-store development agreement. The agreement will bring four new Ellianos Coffee locations to the Tampa metropolitan area, further solidifying the brand's presence in the Sunshine State. This expansion comes at a time of unprecedented growth for Ellianos, which currently operates 54 stores and has seen remarkable progress throughout 2024.

Ellianos Coffee, a drive-thru specialty coffee brand based in the Southeast, has announced a significant expansion into the Tampa Bay area with a new four-store development agreement.

The expansion into Tampa follows Ellianos' successful growth in other parts of Florida. The company has already expanded into Orlando and other areas of Central Florida, with room for continuous growth in the next few years. Ellianos has also been strengthening its brand reputation in the Jacksonville area, where it operates eight stores.

Ellianos Coffee has distinguished itself in the competitive drive-thru coffee industry by offering a Southern twist on traditional coffee shop fare. The brand's menu boasts many rich and flavorful items, including their Signature Creations like the Caffe Dolce Latte and the iced Tuscany Toffee Latte. One of their standout offerings is the popular Southern grit bowls, which have become a customer favorite and exemplify the brand's Southern roots.

Over the past year, Ellianos has seen significant growth, expanding its footprint in Florida and Georgia and offering territories in other states. The brand continues to seek franchisees for territories in Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

About Ellianos Coffee

Ellianos Coffee was founded in 2002 by entrepreneurs Scott and Pam Stewart with the mission to serve Italian Quality at America's Pace. In its over 20-year history, Ellianos has grown to 54 stores and has over 170 more in some stage of development. In 2024, the Franchise Business Review (FBR) named Ellianos a Top Franchise and also named Ellianos a 2023 Top Food Franchise. In its 2024 Franchise 500 list, Entrepreneur magazine recognized Ellianos among the nation's top franchises. To learn more about Ellianos Coffee franchising opportunities, please visit www.ellianos.com/franchising/.

Ellianos Coffee Media Contact

Abigail Benton

Ellianos Coffee Marketing & PR Manager

[email protected]

SOURCE Ellianos Coffee Company
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Emerge Broward, a leading nonprofit for young professionals, has been awarded a $120,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Broward for their Board Engagement Program. The funds will be earmarked for a three-year pilot program that offers racially diverse young professionals the training and support they need to serve as nonprofit board members in Broward County.

"Young professionals are the future leaders of our community," said Maggie Gunther, Emerge Broward's Board President. "Through the program, our members will hone their leadership skills and strengthen Broward's nonprofit sector by helping boards and nonprofits better mirror the diversity of the communities they serve."

Through this three-year pilot program, 50 diverse young professionals will complete three board service training sessions led by the Community Foundation of Broward. They will further enhance their leadership skills, understand the financial fundamentals of nonprofits, and learn Roberts Rules of Order. As a result, nonprofit organizations will gain access to Emerge Broward's newly trained expanded pipeline of young professionals from racially diverse backgrounds. Ultimately, Emerge Broward will be a change agent nurturing a more equitable and inclusive community for all residents.

"We are thrilled to support Emerge Broward's new Board Engagement Diversity Initiative," said Jennifer O'Flannery Anderson, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Broward. "At the Community Foundation of Broward, we believe that fostering diverse leadership is essential for building a stronger, more inclusive community and network of nonprofit organizations. This initiative will empower young professionals from all backgrounds to contribute their unique perspectives and skills to local boards, driving positive change across Broward County."

Now through October 11, 2024, Broward County nonprofits are invited to apply for Emerge Broward's Board Engagement Program. If you are interested in learning more about the program, Emerge Broward will host an informational session for nonprofit representatives on Wednesday, September 25 at noon. To register for the informational session or to apply visit https://bit.ly/EBboard-engagement.

Support has been provided by the Mary and Alex Mackenzie Community Impact Fund at the Community Foundation of Broward.

About Emerge Broward:

Emerge Broward is one of the most notable young professional's organizations in Broward County, Florida to develop leadership and community engagement. An independent 501(c)3 organization, Emerge Broward is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of young professionals, ages 21 to 35, by promoting leadership and personal development through networking, community involvement, and educational opportunities. To join or to learn more, visit www.emergebroward.org.

About the Community Foundation of Broward:

Founded in 1984, the Community Foundation of Broward partners with families, individuals and organizations to create personalized charitable funds that deliver game-changing philanthropic impact. 532 charitable funds represent more than $287 million in assets, distributing more than $190 million in grants over 40 years. The Community Foundation transforms our community through focused leadership that fosters collaboration, builds endowment, advances equity and connects people who care to causes that matter. The Foundation empowers visionaries, innovators and doers to create the change they want to see in the community  and to BE BOLD. www.cfbroward.org

MEDIA CONTACT: Aimee Adler Cooke, (561) 302-6902, [email protected]

SOURCE Emerge Broward
DALLAS, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Walnut Hill Medical, a leader in supporting innovative MedTech companies, is pleased to announce that Eric Hargan, former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has joined its Board of Directors. Hargan brings a wealth of experience in healthcare policy, regulation, and leadership to Walnut Hill Medical as the company continues to expand its offerings and impact on the healthcare industry.

During his tenure at HHS, Hargan played a critical role in shaping national healthcare policy and regulatory reforms. His leadership in implementing major initiatives, including value-based care, has had a lasting impact on the industry. In addition to his government service, Hargan has extensive experience in the private sector, advising healthcare companies on regulatory and policy matters.

"We are thrilled to welcome Eric Hargan to our Board of Directors," said Chris Jordan, President of Walnut Hill Medical. "His deep understanding of the healthcare landscape and his proven track record of leadership will be invaluable as we work to provide greater access to breakthrough medical procedures."

In his new role, Hargan will provide strategic guidance and insight to Walnut Hill Medical as it expands its services and strengthens its position as a leader in reimbursement, prior authorization, and DME services. His expertise will be instrumental in helping the company navigate evolving regulatory environments and develop tailored solutions to meet the needs of healthcare innovators.

"I am honored to join the Board of Walnut Hill Medical at such an exciting time for the company," said Hargan. "Walnut Hill Medical's commitment to innovation and patient access aligns with my own passion for improving healthcare. I look forward to contributing to the company's growth and success."

As Walnut Hill Medical continues to grow and evolve, the addition of Hargan to the Board of Directors underscores the company's dedication to bringing top-tier talent and expertise to its leadership team.

About Walnut Hill Medical

Walnut Hill Medical is a leading provider of reimbursement strategies, prior authorization, and DME services, dedicated to improving healthcare access and efficiency. Committed to innovation and exceptional customer service, Walnut Hill Medical partners with MedTech companies worldwide to navigate the complex U.S. healthcare commercialization process seamlessly. Visit us at WalnutHillMedical.com.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Grace Cuillier

Director of Strategy

Walnut Hill Medical

[email protected]

SOURCE Walnut Hill Medical
BEIJING , Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) kicked off in Beijing on September 4. 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 third article of this series, GT reporter Li Aixin interviewed Hisham El-Zimaity (El-Zimaity), secretary general of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs and former ambassador of Egypt to Japan, Hungary, Slovenia and Pakistan.

GT: This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership. How do you view the progress in China-Egypt relations over the past decade?

El-Zimaity: A decade is a just a part of the friendship between China and Egypt. Our relationship originally dates back to 1956. Egypt was the first country in the Middle East and Africa to establish diplomatic relations with China. Since then, our friendship has grown deeper and deeper. The elevation of our relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which happened just 10 years ago, was a natural and logical outcome of this deep bond.

The civilizations of China and Egypt have histories that stretch back thousands of years, unlike other countries that count their histories in the hundreds of years. China and Egypt each have a history of 5,000 years, perhaps more. The depth of these civilizations is deeply rooted in history, rich in experience and abundant in wisdom.

GT: How do you understand the idea of a "high-level China-Africa community with a shared future," which is a part of the theme in this year's FOCAC?

El-Zimaity: In this interconnected world and in this era of globalization, we are all in the same boat. While we may be geographically distant, we are united in our goal to develop our nations and benefit our people. We face significant challenges in education, health, industrialization and agriculture. We struggle with issues like water scarcity and diseases. Therefore, modernizing and building a strong China-Africa community with a shared future is essential. The populations of China and Africa together make up about one-third of humanity. Working together on issues and sharing a future is both natural and something we strongly support.

We should not forget the flagship initiatives introduced by China, such as the Global Development Initiative, which assists developing countries in meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and strengthens the understanding of development; the Global Security Initiative, which aims to bring countries together under a security framework governed by the principle of mutual non-interference; and lastly, the Global Civilization Initiative, which advocates for respect for the diversity of civilizations, rather than imposing ideas, such as universal values that are not universally agreed upon. If we add these three initiatives to what will be discussed by the leaders in Beijing, I believe we have a very rich agenda, which will contribute to the success of this forum.

GT: The FOCAC theme also focuses on modernization. How could China and Africa cooperate to join hands to advance modernization?

El-Zimaity: Modernization is the culmination of development. Development begins with establishing political stability and educating people. Additionally, infrastructure is crucial for attracting investments. While Chinese investments across the continent are most welcome, there is a need to attract even more. To achieve this, we must focus on improving education, healthcare and infrastructure, while maintaining political stability. Modernization is a goal in itself that will be achieved through the sustainable development goals.

During the pandemic, Egypt and China demonstrated a remarkable example of solidarity. While other countries were refusing to provide vaccines to Africa, China and Egypt worked together to supply vaccines to African nations. It's a wonderful example of our collaboration.

GT: How do the Egyptian public and businesses view the BRI?

El-Zimaity: Egypt was among the very first countries to join this important initiative. When I say "important," it's because it was a game changer - a game changer that addressed a significant gap in the field of development. This initiative was introduced by the Chinese president as something that would bring us together - not only China and Africa, but China and probably the rest of the world, as the initiative now involves more than 150 countries.

For the Egyptian business community and the public in general, this is a very welcome initiative, and will be fruitful. The initiative itself, as you know, focuses on infrastructure, such as developing ports, roads and industrial zones. It also includes health, the digital Silk Road and the educational Silk Road. It is a comprehensive initiative, where everyone stands to gain, and no one loses.

On the other hand, other [countries'] initiatives launched after the BRI have not materialized. The only initiative that is functioning properly is the BRI. What has greatly contributed to its success is the AIIB, which serves as the tool to implement agreements made among governments. This is something we greatly appreciate in Chinese thinking regarding the development of our region.

China's developmental experience, which managed to lift over 800 million people out of poverty through hard work, sacrifice and real efforts by everyone, is something we in Africa would like to learn from. Unfortunately, in Africa, we have around 600 million homes without electricity and about 900 million households without clean cooking energy. These are challenges that Africa hopes to address by learning from China's successful experience in reducing and alleviating poverty, and hopefully, one day, eliminating it completely from the developing world.

GT: From Egypt's perspective, what would an ideal world order look like? How can China and Africa collaborate to fulfill this vision?

El-Zimaity: It's a difficult question. We want a stable world where we can conduct business, trade, communicate, and exchange goods, services, and ideas. However, this ideal situation unfortunately does not exist.

What we need to do now is to try to pacify all parties. Let's do our best to achieve as much stability as we can. We need to stop further destabilization and the financing of terrorism by some actors. Terrorism has destabilized many countries in the Middle East and Africa. It's high time we cooperate to stabilize the world and address its problems.

It would be much better to resolve these issues at the negotiating table so that we can all benefit from the future. Egypt is not an enemy to anyone and wants to play a role in stabilizing the world, or at least our region, if possible. This includes solving the Palestinian issue by allowing Palestinians to establish their own state and live in peace. This is crucial for our stability, future and the development of our nation.

SOURCE Global Times
Strategic Partnership Seeks to Enhance Exacto's Innovation Capabilities, Expand Geographic Reach, and Drive Sustainable Growth in the Agriculture Sector

SHARON, Wis., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Exacto, LLC ("Exacto"), a full-service innovation partner in the agricultural, turf, and ornamental horticulture markets, announced today a growth investment from S2G Ventures ("S2G") and Skyline Global Partners ("Skyline"). This strategic investment seeks to strengthen Exacto's leadership position and accelerate the introduction of new solutions, including in soil and water management.

With this new partnership, Exacto aims to expand its impact across the agricultural supply chain, advancing sustainable practices and improving resource efficiency. The infusion of capital and experience from S2G and Skyline will help enable Exacto to scale its operations, with the goal of bringing new solutions to market faster and expanding its footprint in key growth areas while maintaining profitability.

Founded in 1981, Exacto brings over four decades of experience in developing comprehensive, full-season offerings that enhance crop protection, plant health, nutrition, seed treatments, and soil enhancement products. By improving application efficiency and reducing environmental impact, Exacto's products seek to deliver superior results for customers and growers, boosting crop performance and driving positive economic outcomes.

Exacto's commitment to innovation and intellectual property has made the company a trusted partner for leading agrichemical distributors and retailers. Exacto products are used annually on 130 million U.S. acres. This investment marks a pivotal moment in Exacto's growth journey, positioning the company for even greater success as it continues to prioritize technology-driven advancements.

As part of this investment, Exacto's current management team, led by CEO Wally Beecroft, will remain in place, ensuring continuity as the company enters its next growth phase. Looking ahead, Exacto also plans to make strategic hires and expand its leadership team to further support its ambitious growth objectives.

"Our family started Exacto in 1981. As we have grown to be the industry leader we have always worked to develop leading formulations; the highest quality; and a culture based on values, processes and innovation. S2G and Skyline are the perfect partners to accelerate our growth globally around our full growing season solutions," said Kenny Cox, CEO of Cox Family Holdings.

"Exacto is a hidden gem that will flourish and accelerate as a part of S2G and Skyline. Exacto's innovation pipeline is unmatched on traditional chemistry and fast growing biological product segments. Exacto uniquely partners and leads their customers to improved delivery and results," said Kip Pendleton, Board Member of Cox Family Holdings.

This investment will enable Exacto to further build on its strong foundation by focusing on three key areas: capacity expansion; IP investments; and enhancing commercial team and customer service excellence. With S2G and Skyline's support, Exacto also plans to further invest in its innovation pipeline and expand its global presence.

"Our perspective is that Exacto's management team has built a remarkable business with a strong IP strategy and market leadership in the private label sector," said Sanjeev Krishnan, Managing Partner at S2G. "With the support of S2G's value creation capabilities, we believe Exacto is poised to strengthen its position as an industry leader and continue to innovate at the forefront of the sector. We look forward to supporting the management team and existing shareholders as they lead Exacto into its next phase of growth."

"At S2G, we see tremendous potential in Exacto's ability to scale," said Cristina Rohr, Managing Director at S2G. "Our focus will be on activating key growth levers, including geographic expansion and strategic investments in IP, to enhance Exacto's capacity to consistently deliver outstanding value to its customers."

Hennepin Partners served as financial advisor and Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath served as legal counsel to Cox Family Holdings in connection with the transaction. Perkins Coie LLP served as legal counsel to S2G.

About Exacto, LLC:

Founded in 1981, Exacto is a leading private label supplier of solutions to the agricultural, turf, and ornamental horticulture markets, with over four decades of experience serving the agricultural industry. With a central focus on improving resource efficiency in soil and water, Exacto's innovative solutions help producers maximize the effectiveness of their inputs throughout the growing season. As growers manage plant health through seed treatment, irrigation, fertilizer, and crop protection programs, Exacto's solutions enhance delivery and reduce losses to off-target areas. Exacto's impact across the agricultural supply chain drives positive environmental and economic outcomes for the entire value chain, both in the United States and globally. For more information, visit www.exactoinc.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

About S2G Ventures:

S2G is a multi-stage investment firm focused on venture and growth-stage businesses across food and agriculture, oceans and energy. The firm provides capital and value-added resources to entrepreneurs and leadership teams pursuing innovative market-based solutions that S2G believes are cheaper, faster or better than traditional alternatives. With a commitment to creating long-term, measurable outcomes, S2G structures flexible capital solutions that can range from seed and venture funding through growth equity to debt and infrastructure financing. For more information about S2G, visit s2gventures.com or connect with us on LinkedIn .

About Skyline Global Partners:

Skyline Global Partners LLC is a lower middle market private equity firm based in Chicago, Illinois. Skyline focuses on buyouts and growth equity investments on a control or minority ownership basis in the United States and Canada. Skyline targets growing and differentiated companies in manufacturing, consumer products, food/agriculture, healthcare, and business services. Skyline's investment professionals have over 75 years of combined experience in private equity, investment banking, commercial lending, entrepreneurship, operations, strategy consulting, and executive search.

Media Contact:

Ally Dunne

[email protected]

Any views expressed in this release are the personal views of the commentators as of the indicated date, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Exacto, S2G Ventures or Skyline Global Partners.

SOURCE Exacto, LLC
WARSAW, Poland, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Axcellant, a European CRO based in Warsaw, Poland, is excited to announce the launch of a groundbreaking clinical trial in nuclear medicine. The new project could change the standard care pathway, including innovative diagnostics for over 20 million patients in the US and over 200 million worldwide.

Wojciech Kula, CEO of Axcellant, a European CRO based in Warsaw, Poland

 For a European client, we are currently developing a new radioactive compound that is a great candidate for a new diagnostic agent. We are initiating the study in about 20 sites in the US on the East Coast and Midwest. Our team's experience with nuclear agents in oncology, cardiology, and neurology has enabled us to build deep expertise in this field. We have also engaged leading experts and Key Opinion Leaders from across the United States, including San Francisco, Houston, New York and Rochester, to support this innovative trial  says Wojciech Kula, CEO of Axcellant, a European CRO based in Warsaw, Poland.

FDA inspections confirm that Europe is an excellent market with fast patient recruitment and high-quality clinical sites. Axcellant has been in the market since 2006 and has successfully carried out projects for American companies. With extensive experience in various therapeutic areas, Axcellant excels in conducting sophisticated trials, particularly in nuclear medicine. Their expertise spans multiple stakeholders, including manufacturing transfer, central imaging labs, and MRI/PET imaging site management.

 We are working on starting up the first manufacturing sites in the forthcoming months and activating clinical centres. The FDA agreed with the clinical development plan and structure of the study without any significant remarks, which gave us confidence in our procedures  adds Wojciech Kula.

Running a clinical trial is an investment that can usually range from 20-80 million USD, and it's spread out over timeit may take up to 15 years. That's why it's all worth it for such a "long journey" to have a knowledgeable partner who is deeply dedicated to their work and has experience in even the most challenging projects.

About Axcellant

Axcellant is a Clinical Research Organization (CRO) based in Warsaw, Poland. It was founded by Wojciech Kula and Patrycja Buczak-Kula, pharmacists with over 15 years of clinical trial experience. Axcellant helps pharmaceutical, biotech, and medtech companies develop new molecules and innovative devices or technologies. https://axcellant.com/

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2492666/Axcellant.jpg

SOURCE Axcellant
Farm Aid Board Artist Margo Price Joins Line-Up

ALBANY, N.Y., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Farm Aid announced today that its music, food and farm festival will be broadcast live on SiriusXM and streamed on FarmAid.org.

SiriusXM and FarmAid.org will feature music from the festival, as well as stories of New York farmers. Farm Aid 2024 is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21, at Broadview Stage at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, New York.

"Farm Aid welcomes the passionate and generous audience that joins us from home each year," said Carolyn Mugar, executive director of Farm Aid. "We're grateful for the continued support of SiriusXM and for the ability to share the music from the Farm Aid stage and farmer stories with family farm supporters and music lovers everywhere."

Farm Aid board member Margo Price also announced that she will join the stellar Farm Aid 2024 line-up, which includes fellow board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, and Dave Matthews (with Tim Reynolds), as well as Mavis Staples, Lukas Nelson with The Travelin' McCourys, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Charley Crockett, Joy Oladokun, Southern Avenue, Cassandra Lewis, Jesse Welles, Kontiwennenha:Wi and the Wisdom Indian Dancers.

Beginning at 12 p.m. ET, SiriusXM subscribers will be able to listen to the full Farm Aid 2024 festival on SiriusXM's Willie's Roadhouse (channel 61) and Dave Matthews Band Radio (channel 30) via SiriusXM radio and on the SXM app. The live coverage also will include backstage interviews with artists and family farmers, hosted by SiriusXM's Dallas Wayne and Ari Fink. All coverage will feature a behind-the-scenes look at Farm Aid 2024 and the organization's year-round work to strengthen family farm agriculture. This marks the 15th year that SiriusXM has carried the show on satellite radio.

Farm Aid will livestream the full festival from the stage beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET with the Farm Aid press event at FarmAid.org and on Farm Aid's YouTube channel. The press event, featuring Farm Aid artists and farmers from across New York, offers fans at home a special opportunity to experience a dynamic conversation between farmers and artists.

Farm Aid is partnering with digital fundraising platform Fandiem to inspire fans to give back for a chance to win the "Ultimate VIP Experience Trip." Fans can donate to win online at Fandiem.com/farmaid for a chance at an all-expenses-paid trip to Farm Aid 2024, including two VIP Experience tickets with access to the VIP Experience club and more.

A very limited number of VIP Experience seats remain available and may be purchased online at farmaid.org/vip.

For event updates, follow Farm Aid on X (@FarmAid), Facebook (facebook.com/farmaid) and Instagram (instagram.com/farmaid), and visit farmaid.org/festival. Festivalgoers are encouraged to use the hashtags #FarmAid2024 and #Road2FarmAid to join the conversation on social media around this year's festival.

Farm Aid's mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Margo Price host an annual festival to raise funds to support Farm Aid's work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food. For more than 35 years, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised nearly $80 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.

**Editors, Producers and Photographers Note: Advance credentials are required for all media to attend Farm Aid 2024. Please visit farmaid.org/media by Monday, Sept. 9, to learn about these requirements and apply.

Media can download official Farm Aid photos and videos at farmaid.org/media .

CONTACT:

Camille Jewell

202-248-5460

[email protected]

SOURCE Farm Aid
Say Adios to Fees for Check Cashing and Sending Money, and Say Hello to More Savings

LOS ALTOS, Calif., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prosperos , a financial technology company, is delivering a free mobile banking platform that replaces costly solutions for check cashing and international remittances. The Prosperos platform helps customers save more of their hard-earned money so they can better provide for their families while securing their financial future.

Founded in 2023 by technology executives Vinay Pai and Salvador Chavez, Prosperos provides a fast, free and secure mobile banking platform.

With Prosperos, sending money to Mexico takes only 5 seconds and is free. Post this

The Prosperos platform provides two bank accounts and two credit cards one for the account holder in the USA and one that is sent to their family in Mexico .





and one that is sent to their family in . With Prosperos, customers simply move money between two bank accounts, and the funds are available within 5 seconds for their family in Mexico . With traditional solutions for money transfer, customers pay exorbitant fees and must still wait days for the money to arrive in Mexico .





for their family in . With traditional solutions for money transfer, customers pay exorbitant fees and must still wait days for the money to arrive in . Prosperos welcomes customers into the modern financial system where their money is secure and conveniently accessible through a credit card for everyday purchases or cash withdrawal.





Prosperos does not charge any fees to customers or require a minimum balance. Prosperos makes money from credit card interchange fees that are already paid by merchants, which allows us to offer a free product to consumers.





Prosperos makes money from credit card interchange fees that are already paid by merchants, which allows us to offer a free product to consumers. Customers who were previously paying $100 or more in monthly fees with traditional solutions are able to save more of their hard-earned money. And they no longer need to wait in lines to cash their paycheck or send money to Mexico .





or more in monthly fees with traditional solutions are able to save more of their hard-earned money. And they no longer need to wait in lines to cash their paycheck or send money to . Say adios to fees and hello to more savings with Prosperos.

"Prosperos is what the Latino community has been waiting for free banking for them and their families in Mexico. For years we have understood the barriers to many being able to open a bank account here in the USA. Prosperos is a unique financial platform that is free, gives customers financial power and also recognizes the needs of their families back home in Mexico. Farm and essential workers are the economic engine of our country, and every dollar matters for them. Prosperos' mission to provide free banking opens the doors to access and financial equity. Thank you Prosperos for believing in the community and being the first solution to let us send money home to Mexico with no fees. This is genius and powerful!" - Dr. Belinda Hernandez Arriaga , CEO and Founder of ALAS .

"As we've been onboarding customers to Prosperos, we've seen farm workers spending 1-2% of their income on check cashing fees, which can amount to $120 or more each month. On top of that, they often spend $30-$40 on fees for remittances to Mexico. With Prosperos, they're realizing they have more money to put better food on the table each week while saving for their future." - Salvador Chavez , COO and Cofounder, Prosperos.

"We are excited to offer a free product that lets our customers hold on to more of their hard-earned money. Being part of the modern financial system with Prosperos has many benefits for our customers. Their money is safe, secure and easily accessible via the Prosperos credit card. And Prosperos is the fastest way to provide money to families in Mexico. Within five seconds, the money's available." - Vinay Pai , CEO and Cofounder, Prosperos.

About Prosperos

Prosperos has built a modern financial platform that will benefit 400M Spanish-speaking consumers in the Western hemisphere. By leveraging enterprise-strength financial technology previously available only to businesses, Prosperos replaces costly check cashing and remittances with a fast, free and secure solution that allows customers to save for their financial future.

For more information visit www.prosperos.ai

SOURCE Prosperos, Inc.
ATLANTA, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Scotland Wright Associates is pleased to announce that Blake Rogers has been promoted from Chief Operating Officer (COO) to President of the company. Additionally, Mr. Rogers has become an Equity Member of Scotland Wright Associates, signifying his long-term commitment and leadership within the firm.

Blake Rogers joined Scotland Wright Associates in 2022 and has been instrumental in driving the company's growth and commitment to operational excellence.

"Blake's promotion to President is a testament to his outstanding contributions across all aspects of the firm and is natural progression for him given his leadership qualities," said Michael Tucker, CEO of Scotland Wright Associates. "His ability to connect with others, lead from a heart of service, and his unwavering commitment to excellence in all that he does have helped to position our firm for explosive growth."

In his expanded role as President, Blake Rogers will oversee all aspects of the company's operations, focusing on expanding its market presence, growing the firm's services and team, and ensuring the fulfillment of the company's corporate purpose and mission. Michael Tucker, as CEO, will continue to focus on the long-term vision and strategy of SWA while driving revenue through sales, recruiting, and strategic partnerships.

"I am honored to be entrusted with this new role and am grateful for the support of the incredibly talented Scotland Wright Associates team," said Blake Rogers. "I look forward to continuing to multiply our purpose with our team as we seek to create value for our growing number of clients."

Scotland Wright Associates is a full-service commercial real estate services firm that currently focuses on office, industrial, and multi-family/housing real estate. The firm has experienced significant team and revenue growth over the last two years despite the complexities and challenges of the real estate market and has plans to continue expanding its service lines in the years to come.

ABOUT SCOTLAND WRIGHT ASSOCIATES

Founded in 2002, Scotland Wright Associates (SWA) became one of the first independent tenant representation firms in Atlanta. Since then, the firm has grown its service offerings to represent both tenants and investors across the U.S. for office, industrial, and strategic capital markets transactions. The SWA mission is to lead clients through a best-in-class experience to the right real estate solution. SWA has pioneered a team service-delivery model which is challenging the current industry standards for service. To learn more, visit www.scotlandwright.com .

Media Contact

Scotland Wright Associates

[email protected]

SOURCE Scotland Wright Associates
Employees appreciate FDB's people-first culture and opportunity to improve healthcare through better medication decision support

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FDB (First Databank, Inc.), the leading provider of drug knowledge that helps healthcare professionals make precise medication decisions, announced today it has been recognized as a San Francisco Bay Area Top Workplace for 2024 by The San Francisco Chronicle Top Workplaces awards program.

FDB was selected along with only 116 other employers in the large metropolitan 11-county region as a Top Workplace for 2024 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Headquartered in South San Francisco, Calif., FDB also has offices in Indianapolis, Ind., Durham, N.C., the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and India.

The Top Workplaces award is based on employers demonstrating dedication to their people and the workplace experience. Employers are selected based solely on employee feedback gathered through an evidence-based, third-party employee engagement survey tool built on data from millions of employees at tens of thousands of organizations over the past 18 years.

FDB employees rated the company highly on 15 employee engagement culture drivers, including alignment, execution, and connection. In their feedback, FDB employees praised the supportive, people-first company culture. They also said they liked the fact that FDB solutions directly contribute to positive patient outcomes through the delivery of trusted and meaningful drug and health information to prescribers, pharmacists, nurses and other healthcare decision-makers.

"We are gratified to win a Top Workplace Award for the San Francisco Bay Area, which has been our headquarters location for nearly 50 years," said FDB president Bob Katter. "Regardless of where our team members work, we strive to prioritize their career opportunities and workplace experience, so they are free to innovate new solutions and deliver exceptional customer service. We invite smart, passionate and committed professionals to explore rewarding career opportunities at FDB in the Bay Area or any of our locations."

The FDB team includes pharmacists and other highly credentialed clinicians, data scientists, and technologists working together to create and deliver the world's most powerful drug knowledge. FDB MedKnowledge and FDB PatientFirst Solutions equip healthcare providers with reliable and timely data and evidence-based guidance to help them make more precise decisions and help ensure medication safety and better patient outcomes.

Through FDB Vela, the company is opening ePrescribing to greater opportunities for innovation and collaboration through its cloud-native network enabling the seamless flow of critical medication prescription information, benefits verification, and clinical decision support between prescribers, payers, and pharmacies.

FDB, part of the Hearst Health network, has earned the loyalty of its workforce and the trust of its extensive customer base across the healthcare industry through its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer success.

Learn more about careers with FDB here.

About FDB

FDB (First Databank) creates and delivers the world's most powerful drug knowledge that ignites, inspires, and illuminates critical medication decisions. We collaborate with our partners to help improve patient safety, operational efficiency, and health outcomes. Our drug databases drive healthcare information systems that serve the majority of hospitals, physician practices, pharmacies, payers, and all other areas of healthcare and are used by millions of clinicians, business associates, and patients every day. FDB Vela is a cloud-native electronic prescribing network that enables the seamless flow of critical medication prescription information, benefits verification, and clinical decision support between prescribers, payers, and pharmacies.

To learn more about FDB Vela, please visit https://www.fdbvela.com. For a complete look at FDB's other solutions and services, please visit https://www.fdbhealth.com/, or follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.

About Hearst Health

The mission of Hearst Health is to help guide the most important care moments by delivering vital information into the hands of everyone who touches a person's health journey. Care guidance from Hearst Health reaches the majority of people in the U.S. The Hearst Health network includes FDB (First Databank), Zynx Health, MCG, Homecare Homebase, and MHK. Hearst also holds a minority interest in the precision medicine and oncology analytics company Aster Insights. Follow Hearst Health on LinkedIn @Hearst-Health .

Contact:

Tara Stultz

Amendola Communications for FDB

M: 440-225-9595

[email protected]

SOURCE FDB (First Databank)
CHICAGO, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The number of people living in food insecure households in the United States in 2023 increased to 47 million, including nearly 14 million children, according to a report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This is an increase from 44 million, including 13 million children, from the previous year and the highest rate and number of individuals and children since 2014.

"Today, the USDA released data showing that food insecurity in the United States increased by 6% in 2023. We must not accept that 1 in 7 people, including 1 in 5 children, experience food insecurity in the wealthiest nation in the world," said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, Feeding America CEO. "These numbers confirm what we have been seeing at food banks, pantries, and meal programs and what we have been hearing from people across the country who are confronted with the high prices of essentials like groceries and housing."

The increase in food insecurity reinforces what the Feeding America network reports seeing in its food bank pulse survey data. Responding food banks report continued need with around 80% of responding food banks reported seeing demand for food assistance increase or stay the same in June 2024 compared to June 2023. This includes around 65% of responding food banks that reported seeing an increase in the number of neighbors served. In 2023, the Feeding America network of food banks distributed more than 5.3 billion meals to neighbors facing hunger.

"Hardworking community members experience food insecurity in every county or parish in this country and, perhaps surprisingly to some, they often remain optimistic about the future," said Babineaux-Fontenot. "Their optimism brings me hope. Feeding America's Elevating Voices: Insights Report will be released on September 10, and it will show that people experiencing food insecurity want the same things we all want for ourselvesdignity; access to fresh, healthy food; improved health; and genuine opportunity for financial well-being."

The report comes during Hunger Action Month, a time when Feeding America calls on everyone to take action to end hunger.

"I know we can greatly reduce hunger in America by standing shoulder-to-shoulder with neighbors facing hunger and harnessing our collective power," said Babineaux-Fontenot. "We have done this before, and we can do it again. To build a food secure future for America, we must unite behind strong, common-sense policies that support families and federal nutrition programs and we must champion community organizations across the country that are working to break cycles that perpetuate hunger."

According to the USDA report:

Geographically, food insecurity in 2023 was higher in rural areas (16.1%), cities (16.7%), and in the South (16.0%), though food insecurity rose compared to 2022 at a relatively greater rate among people living in suburbs (+13%) and in the West (+17%).





Food insecurity in single-parent households remained high in 2023. Food insecurity among members of households with children led by a single female rose from almost 34% in 2022 to almost 36% in 2023, or 1 in 3 individuals. Food insecurity among members of households with children led by a single male rose from 22% to 23%, or 1 in 4 individuals.





In 2023, 37% of people experiencing food insecurity may have been ineligible for federal programs. Even though income is inversely related to food insecurity, many of the people who experience food insecurity have income above the federal poverty line. In 2023, this amounts to more than 14.5 million people who had difficulty making ends meet but also had an income level that was too high to qualify for most federal food assistance benefits. For people in this situation, the charitable food system can be a critical support.





Food insecurity remains elevated for Black, white, and Latino individuals. However, food insecurity rates continue to be higher for and disproportionately impact people of color, showing the effect of racial disparities on communities. Both Black and Latino individuals experienced a food insecurity rate of more than 22% and were 2.2 times more likely to face hunger than white individuals.

"America is full of kind, generous people who do not stand by idly in the presence of hunger," said Babineaux-Fontenot. "We take action. Given the data released by the USDA today, we are all in the presence of hunger, seen or unseen, and the time to act is now."

Contact

Emily James

Feeding America

About Feeding America

Feeding America is committed to an America where no one is hungry. We support tens of millions of people who experience food insecurity to get the food and resources they say they need to thrive as part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs. We also invest in innovative solutions to increase equitable access to nutritious food, advocate for legislation that improves food security and work to address factors that impact food security, such as health, cost of living and employment.

We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations, and supporters, united with them in a movement to end hunger. Visit www.FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.

SOURCE Feeding America
Prestigious list ranks the fastest-growing private companies in America, with Recovery.com landing at #196 and set to reach 15,000 providers; team brings on Tom Farley and Terry McGuire in key roles

MADISON, Wis., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Recovery.com, a platform that aims to help families and individuals worldwide find the right mental health and addiction treatment options, has landed in the top 4% of the prestigious Inc. 5000 list, which annually ranks the fastest-growing private companies in America.

Recovery.com ranked #196 on the data-driven list, which over its history has included household names such as Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Under Armour, Timberland, Oracle, and Patagonia. The company ranked #2 in the state of Wisconsin and #1 in Madison, where the company was founded and is currently based.

Highlighting its rapid growth, Recovery.com expects to reach 15,000 treatment centers on its platform worldwide in September, as it continues to build the most comprehensive resource for patients seeking treatment.

Recovery.com is also announcing the hire of longtime recovery advocate Tom Farley Jr. as Community Outreach Director; Farley is a beloved Madison, Wisconsin, native, outspoken recovery advocate, author of the New York Times best seller of The Chris Farley Story, and a motivational speaker who is known for using humor to help people find recovery.

Additionally, former Milwaukee TV news anchor and founder of the non-profit organization Giving Voice To Mental Illness, Inc., Terry (Bertha) McGuire, is joining the Recovery.com team as Executive Producer. McGuire also launched the weekly Giving Voice to Depression podcast, which ranks in the top 1% of global podcasts and will continue to produce and co-host it.

"Our entire team is honored to be recognized for our continued growth, but more importantly we're thrilled that more and more individuals are becoming aware of this resource for getting the right help from the right place," said Ben Camp, CEO and co-founder of Recovery.com. "We are eager to continue our growth, beginning with the added support of the remarkable Tom Farley and Terry McGuire, and keep doing everything we can to connect people with the appropriate treatment options, approaches, and therapies."

While the vast majority of Americans have access to mental/behavioral healthcare covered by their health insurance, in any given year 90% of those who need treatment don't receive it. Recovery.com strives to make it as easy as possible for people to find the right care; through a combination of independent research and expert guidance, the site aims to provide the most comprehensive network of mental health and addiction treatment providers worldwide.

Recovery.com was founded in 2017 as RehabPath and recently rebranded to align with its fast-growing platform, which has expanded to include an educational resource hub, the original Recovery.com Podcast, a fast-growing guest contributor network, and more.

For complete results of the Inc. 5000, please visit www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Recovery.com

Recovery.com (formerly RehabPath) was created in 2017 to help people discover a path to recovery that is right for them, starting with landing on websites they can trust. It aims to provide unbiased, educational, helpful information about treatment for addiction and mental health, with a goal of connecting individuals worldwide with the right mental health and addiction treatment options. To learn more, visit Recovery.com.

Recovery.com media contact:

Fearey for Recovery.com

[email protected] / 206-343-1543

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000:

Methodology

Companies on the 2024 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2020. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2023. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2020 is $100,000; the minimum for 2023 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to four decimal places.

About Inc.

Inc. Business Media is the leading multimedia brand for entrepreneurs. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of our community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating our future. Inc.'s award-winning work achieves a monthly brand footprint of more than 40 million across a variety of channels, including events, print, digital, video, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. Its proprietary Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since its launch as the Inc. 100 in 1982, analyzes company data to rank the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The recognition that comes with inclusion on this and other prestigious Inc. lists, such as Female Founders and Power Partners, gives the founders of top businesses the opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. For more information, visit www.inc.com .

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, to be held from October 16 to 18 in Palm Desert, California, please visit http://conference.inc.com/.

SOURCE Recovery.com
IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a Department of Justice press release , a former Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, attorney has pleaded guilty to tax evasion for the year 2016, after concealing substantial legal fees he earned. This case highlights the serious consequences of attempting to fraudulently evade federal tax obligations. If you have failed to file a truthful tax return or have not filed a tax return for one or more years, it is imperative that you discuss your case with an experienced tax defense attorney as soon as possible in order to come back into tax compliance in a manner that avoids criminal tax prosecution.

Criminal Tax Evasion Defense

Defendant Concealed Millions in Legal Fees, Evaded Taxes for Years

Court records reveal that Robert Powell, who had previously been disbarred, attempted to evade substantial taxes due for 2016 by using nominee bank accounts and providing false information to his accountant and the IRS. After disposing ownership of The Powell Law Group following his disbarment, Powell retained the right to collect 90% of future legal fees earned by the firm. The firm received approximately $120 million in fees from a large mass tort litigation settlement in 2015.

Rather than depositing loan proceeds and legal fees into the firm's accounts for proper distribution, Powell diverted funds to nominee accounts under his control. He used the money for personal debts and expenses, as well as for the benefit of himself and his former law partner. Powell received millions in income from 2010 to 2022 but failed to file tax returns for any of those tax years.

During a 2019 IRS audit, Powell made false statements to IRS agents in an effort to conceal his income and control over bank accounts. Despite his attempts to evade taxes, Powell eventually pleaded guilty to tax evasion and agreed to pay full restitution to the IRS, with the amount to be determined by the court as part of sentencing. In addition to restitution, Powell may be sentenced to serve time in federal prison and may also be ordered to serve a term of supervised release.

The Importance of Seeking Legal Counsel for Tax Compliance

The repercussions of tax evasion, as seen in the case of the defendant above, can be significant and life changing. If you have failed to file a tax return for one or more years or have taken a position on a tax return that could not be supported upon an IRS or state tax authority audit, eggshell audit, reverse eggshell audit, or criminal tax investigation, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced tax defense attorney to determine your best route back into federal or state tax compliance without facing criminal prosecution.

Note: As long as a taxpayer that has willfully committed tax crimes (potentially including non-filed foreign information returns coupled with affirmative evasion of U.S. income tax on offshore income) self-reports the tax fraud (including a pattern of non-filed returns) through a domestic or offshore voluntary disclosure before the IRS has started an audit or criminal tax investigation / prosecution, the taxpayer can ordinarily be successfully brought back into tax compliance and receive a nearly guaranteed pass on criminal tax prosecution and simultaneously often receive a break on the civil penalties that would otherwise apply.

It is imperative that you hire an experienced and reputable criminal tax defense attorney to take you through the voluntary disclosure process. Only an Attorney has the Attorney Client Privilege and Work Product Privileges that will prevent the very professional that you hire from being potentially being forced to become a witness against you, especially where they prepared the returns that need to be amended, in a subsequent criminal tax audit, investigation or prosecution.

Moreover, only an Attorney can enter you into a voluntary disclosure without engaging in the unauthorized practice of law (a crime in itself). Only an Attorney trained in Criminal Tax Defense fully understands the risks and rewards involved in voluntary disclosures and how to protect you if you do not qualify for a voluntary disclosure.

As uniquely qualified and extensively experienced Criminal Tax Defense Tax Attorneys, Kovel CPAs and EAs, our firm provides a one stop shop to efficiently achieve the optimal and predictable results that simultaneously protect your liberty and your net worth. See our Testimonials to see what our clients have to say about us!

See our Criminal Tax Law Q and A Library

See our Audit Representation Q and A Library

Here is a link to our YouTube channel: click here!

We Are Here for You

Regardless of your business or estate needs, the professionals at the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing are here for you. We are open for business and our team will help ensure that your business is too. Contact the Law Offices of David W. Klasing today to discuss your business with one of our professionals.

In addition to our fully staffed main office in downtown Irvine California, the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing has unstaffed (conference room only) California based satellite offices in Los Angeles , San Bernardino , Santa Barbara , Panorama City , Oxnard , San Diego , Bakersfield , San Jose , San Francisco , Oakland , Carlsbad, Sacramento . We also have unstaffed (conference room only) satellite offices in Las Vegas Nevada , Salt Lake City Utah , Phoenix Arizona & Albuquerque New Mexico , Austin Texas , Washington DC , Miami Florida and New York New York that solely handle Federal & California Tax issues.

Our office technology allows clients to meet virtually via GoToMeeting . With end-to-end encryption, strong passwords, and top-rated reliability, no one is messing with your meeting. To schedule a reduced rate initial consultation via GoToMeeting follow this link . Call our office and request a GoToMeeting if you are an existing client. We also now offer a convenient scheduling option, where you can secure David W. Klasing, Esq M.S.-Tax CPA's undivided attention for a 4-hour consultation at any of his satellite offices.

MEDIA CONTACT:

David W. Klasing, P.C.

1-714-514-2642

[email protected]

SOURCE Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing, PC
Major factors include the region's commitment to reducing plastics and an expanding EV industry

HSINCHU, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- General Silicones, the Taiwan-based silicone components expert behind Compo-SiL, is announcing plans to expand its business in Europe and bring its industry-leading silicone solutions to a broader customer base. With up to 65% of the company's business in the automotive and medical industries, it will focus on bringing its significant know-how and expertise to European customers in these vertical markets.

To consult with General Silicones experts on how silicone can optimize a product design, please contact: [email protected]

With Europes commitment to reducing plastics and the booming EV industry, General Silicones will focus its growth efforts there, aiming to better serve its automotive and healthcare customers.

"In addition to Europe's strong commitment to reducing plastic prevalence, the growth of the European EV market is driving significant demand for silicone car components, such as human-machine interface (HMI) keypads and interior trim," commented Michael Lin, President and CEO of General Silicones. "As a key part of the supply chains of several European companies, we are hoping to take our presence here to the next level and help companies in the region to shift away from plastic."

General Silicones specializes in silicone polymer, which is made from sand  the most abundant material on Earth's surface  and is widely known for several advantages. Specifically, it is highly durable and resistant to heat; versatile; safe for external use and biocompatible; and more environmentally sustainable than plastics. The European Environment Agency reports that about 74% of plastics are currently used for non-packaging purposes, including in construction, furniture, textiles and consumer electronics. As the region seeks to reduce its plastic, silicone manufacturers like General Silicones offer a more sustainable, safer alternative.

Consultative approach aimed at reducing total production costs

A key strength that sets General Silicones apart is the soft power and expertise of its specialists and R&D team, who take ownership of customer products as consultants. They often reverse engineer designs, then identify where silicone can be most beneficial, in order to optimize designs and reduce total production costs. The team also focuses on developing long-term partnerships with customers, ensuring continuous success.

One-stop shop with exacting standards

Drawing on over 50 years of expertise, General Silicones is a comprehensive silicone solution provider that upholds exacting standards of quality and sustainability. Its business practices are certified by ISO 9001:2015 for quality management, IATF 16949:2016 for automotive customers, and ISO 14001:2015 for environmental management systems.

These high standards span from the initial design phase to quality management, and the company's materials expertise is significant enough to handle various parts of the silicone supply chain. One subsidiary handles the distribution of silicone for raw materials suppliers, and General Silicones also has its own Compo-SiL brand, a proprietary, patented silicone material. By integrating efforts, the company's customers receive the best possible products and services in a one-stop shop.

Full customization capabilities

From automotive silicone components to medical-grade silicone solutions for healthcare, General Silicones has more than 20,000 product series, underscoring its extensive capabilities for design and production. In addition, all materials are purpose-built and tailored to a customer's needs by adjusting each silicone product's specifications, including click force, FDA compliance, biocompatibility, hardness, and flame retardance.

About General Silicones

Founded in 1970, General Silicones Co., Ltd. has over half a century of silicone manufacturing expertise and caters to a broad range of applications with comprehensive capabilities. As a one-stop shop, the company distinguishes itself by consulting with clients on product designs and advising on optimizations using silicone, aiming to maximize sustainability and minimize production costs. To serve its global customer base, General Silicones has service sites across Asia, including in China and Vietnam.

To learn more: https://www.generalsilicones.com.tw/?lang=en

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2492422/With_Europe_s_commitment_reducing_plastics_booming_EV_industry_General_Silicones.jpg
Hanson Spur Project Expected to Generate Over $1.5 Million in Annual Economic Benefits for Hancock County

ATLANTA, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) today voted 5-0 to adopt an April 2024 initial decision by a PSC Hearing Officer allowing the Sandersville Railroad to begin condemnation proceedings for 200-foot-wide strips of land necessary for the construction of the Hanson Spur.

The spur enables Heidelberg Materials to expand its plant to a location further away from neighboring residents, and together the spur and plant expansion will be the largest privately funded construction project in Hancock County history. Poised to generate over $1.5 million in annual economic benefits to Sparta and Hancock County, the spur will open new channels of trade for middle Georgia businesses. It will also provide regional businesses and industries the ability to ship to and from local origin on CSX Transportation's rail network. In addition to Heidelberg Materials, four other companies in the agriculture, timber, and asphalt industries will ship their products and reach new markets using the spur. The spur will also be available to other receivers and shippers in the region.

In April 2023, the owners of several parcels who chose not to negotiate with Sandersville Railroad challenged the use of eminent domain to build the spur.

After four days of hearings in November of 2023, the PSC's Hearing Officer issued a decision in favor of Sandersville Railroad. The decision recognizes the importance of preserving the rights of state-chartered railroads to build and maintain infrastructure that supports free enterprise and robust trade. Today, the Georgia PSC confirmed Sandersville's ability to use eminent domain to acquire property for this vital route of commerce. The full PSC's final vote secures the future of the Hanson Spur and its potential to drive economic growth in the region through the expansion of trade routes.

"Although we do not take the use of eminent domain lightly, without it we would not have roads, airports, electrical lines, gas lines, or a host of other infrastructure that allows our communities to thrive," said Ben Tarbutton III, president of Sandersville Railroad. "We are grateful for the PSC's decision, which not only supports the Hanson Spur project but also upholds the vital role of railroads in Georgia's economic future. It is important for railroads and a variety of other utilities to have certainty when it comes to their ability to provide for our state's and nation's infrastructure."

"The Hanson Spur will provide new market access for local businesses, farmers, and loggers, and we look forward to working with the community to bring these benefits to Hancock County," Tarbutton added.

Sandersville Railroad has taken extensive measures to balance its spur with the well-being and quality of life of neighboring residents. Most homes are more than 1,000 feet away from the line, and Sandersville Railroad will install at-grade crossings for all property crossed by the spur. Where the rail is closer to homes, Sandersville Railroad will install 20-foot-tall earthen berms with trees planted on top. And the railroad will compensate all property owners with court-determined just and adequate compensation for any property it acquires via eminent domain.

When complete, the line will immediately generate 12 jobs with pay and benefits of approximately $90,000 or more, and over time more jobs are expected to follow. Confirmed shippers on the spur include Heidelberg Materials, Pittman Construction, Veal Farms Transload, Revive Millings, and Southern Chips. These rail shipments will substantially reduce local tractor-trailer traffic.

The Hanson Spur is a key component of Hancock County's long-term growth infrastructure, aligning with the community's comprehensive plan that recommends the expansion of rail and creation of opportunities for new industry.

"This is a generational opportunity for our community. The Hanson Spuralong with the new State Route 15 bypass just a few hundred yards away from itwill create many jobs over time. In the near future, this project will reduce harmful truck traffic on our roads and make Hancock County a viable destination for new businesses," says Mayor Allen Haywood of Sparta, who is also the director of the Sparta-Hancock Development Authority. "The Hanson Spur provides a great opportunity to build a better future for Sparta and Hancock County."

About Sandersville Railroad:

The Sandersville Railroad Company is a privately held short line railroad in Sandersville, Georgia. Established in 1893, the railroad has a long history of providing excellent freight service to Washington County. The 130-year-old company maintains ten miles of mainline track, five miles of branch lines, as well as six locomotive engines and more than 600 railcars that service key industries in Middle Georgia. Sandersville Railroad is the single largest kaolin rail originator in the world. For more information on Sandersville Railroad or the Hanson Spur, please visit: https://www.sandersvillerailroad.com/

SOURCE Sandersville Railroad
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a letter to the people of Bangladesh and citizens of goodwill around the world, 197 global leaders including 92 Nobel Laureates wished Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser to the Interim Government of Bangladesh and the people of Bangladesh "peace and success in the months and years ahead." Referencing what Yunus and others have called Bangladesh's "second liberation" the leaders, including former U.S. President Barack Obama, businessman Richard Branson, and activist Jane Goodall, wrote, "Just as the nation's young people have inspired [Muhammad Yunus], we know that he will inspire them to play a leadership role in bringing a bright new future to Bangladesh."

A violent response by the then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's forces to a student-led protest resulted in the students' call for her resignation and ultimately to Hasina fleeing the country on August 5. Muhammad Yunus was then asked by the student leaders to lead the Interim Government. Yunus and the other Advisers, including two student leaders, were sworn in by Bangladesh's President on August 8.

"We applaud the interim government's commitment to bring free and fair elections back to Bangladesh," the letter from world leaders continued, "and its commitment to allowing democracy to flourish. We stand ready to help in any way we can to support the efforts of Bangladesh and the interim government to lead the world in creating a new and better civilization, as Professor Yunus has repeatedly called for."

Bangladesh is coming out of an extended period of repression and autocratic rule. In September 2023 Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard wrote about "the beleaguered state of human rights in Bangladesh." Callamard continued, "The abuse of laws and misuse of the justice system to settle vendettas is inconsistent and incompatible with international human rights treaties."

In addition to the letter of support from world leaders, messages of support have poured in from sitting heads of state and government and leaders of international institutions. For example, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres wrote this to Professor Yunus: "Bangladesh stands at a crucial juncture in its history. The United Nations fully supports the effort toward an inclusive and prosperous democracy and remains committed to working with your government and to extend support, as may be requested."

Former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, one of the letter's signers, said, "I sincerely hope that, under Muhammad Yunus's leadership, the people of Bangladesh will be able to enjoy freedom and that he will help Bangladesh become a free and democratic country. It has been an honor to join with global leaders and people of goodwill around the world in supporting Dr. Yunus and the people of Bangladesh's efforts to secure a flourishing democracy."

Sam Daley-Harris, the founder of Civic Courage, urged citizens around the world to add their names to those of the global leaders, which they can do by clicking here.

For more information: https://protectyunus.wordpress.com/

Contact:

Sanya Singh

[email protected]

SOURCE Civic Courage
BEIJING, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As many leaders from African countries arrived in China for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), some visited various Chinese localities in addition to Beijing, where the summit is taking place from September 4 to 6.

These trips by African leaders spotlighted one key element of burgeoning China-Africa ties - pragmatic cooperation among localities in China and African countries. The visits also highlighted cooperation between Chinese localities and African countries in different fields based on different development advantages, experts noted.

On September 1, Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi met with Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng in the Chinese financial hub. In addition to cooperation in areas such as agriculture, mining and energy, Shanghai stands ready to strengthen cooperation in port construction, and port and shipping services, so as to build interconnections between China and Africa, Gong said, pointing to the significance of Mozambique's Maputo Port.

Nyusi praised Shanghai's modernity and the major achievements made by Shanghai and China as a whole, while expressing hope that more Chinese people will learn about Mozambique, conduct friendly exchanges and explore more possibilities of investment cooperation, according to a statement by the Shanghai municipal government.

On August 31, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa met with Shen Xiaoming, secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Hunan Provincial Committee, in Changsha. Shen said that Hunan attaches great importance to its traditional friendship with Zimbabwe, and the two sides have achieved fruitful results in cooperation in the economy, trade, medical and health, and cultural exchanges in recent years.

Mnangagwa said that he was impressed by Hunan's technological innovation and advanced manufacturing development, and he welcomed more Hunan enterprises to invest and establish businesses in Zimbabwe, according to Hunan Daily.

On August 29, President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera met with Yuan Jiajun, secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, in Chongqing.

Yuan said Chongqing stands ready to carry out pragmatic cooperation in such fields as the economy, trade, infrastructure, education and culture, and agriculture. Touadera said that the Central African Republic will actively promote friendly exchanges with Chongqing, and welcome more enterprises from Chongqing to invest and operate in the country, according to an official statement.

These are just some examples of visits by African leaders to various Chinese localities, and these trips underscored the vitality of cooperation between China and African countries at the local level, experts said.

Thriving local cooperation

"More and more Chinese provinces and municipalities have actively carried out cooperation with African partners, which further strengthened the overall vitality of China-Africa cooperation by sharing local industrial advantages and governance experiences," Song Wei, a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times.

Song noted that African countries are seeking cooperation with Chinese localities that share similar development advantages and aspirations, pointing to Hunan's rise as a trailblazer in China-Africa cooperation through various platforms.

Hunan has hosted the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo three times, with the latest edition held in 2023. The China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone has the task of building a "demonstrative highland" of cooperation between China and Africa. Hunan, which is home to the Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, is also helping African countries ensure food security and reduce poverty, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Yang Baorong, director of African Studies of the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that by visiting different Chinese localities, African leaders showed a strong desire to promote the implementation of major cooperation projects, so as to lift their domestic economic development.

"Different African countries have different needs for cooperation with different Chinese localities, and these differentiated cooperation arrangements between African countries and Chinese localities are also a crucial element in China-Africa cooperation," Yang told the Global Times.

SOURCE Global Times
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthVerity, the leader in synchronizing transformational technologies and real-world data (RWD) to advance the science, today raised the bar by announcing the introduction of HealthVerity taXOnomy , the nation's most expansive, exacting, and efficient closed (X) and open (O) claims dataset to power pharmaceutical research and sophisticated commercial strategies. This integrated data solution can be leveraged for a wider variety of use cases throughout the drug lifecycle  from accelerating commercial strategies and insights to finding ideal clinical trial sites, recruiting optimal patients and developing real-world evidence  providing unmatched clarity into patient journeys with the speed and flexibility that is required to meet today's market challenges.

With the growing need for more complex and personalized medications, it is vital to have the most comprehensive view of the patient journey. The expansive taXOnomy dataset, built on the company's success with its closed claims-focused taXonomy solution, integrates both closed and open claims. It encompasses hundreds of millions of patient lives to span the payer and physician landscape in a single view, often uncovering 25%-65% more patients from the medical benefit than legacy solutions. Furthermore, taXOnomy is designed to be HIPAA-compliant and fully interoperable with lab results, electronic medical records, and hospital chargemaster data to fill key gaps in care and to deliver additional signal for diagnoses, procedures, lab results, and treatments.

HealthVerity taXOnomy meets the pharma industry's exacting standards with an expertly curated data model that yields more accurate and comprehensive outcomes. And where legacy data solutions are plagued by time consuming HIPAA certifications, inconsistent data updates and reporting, and a lack of interoperability with novel data sources, HealthVerity taXOnomy offers a privacy-protected, HIPAA-certified, and research-ready dataset that is fully interoperable with the nation's largest healthcare and consumer data ecosystem . The HealthVerity approach continually supports new payers and is updated daily to provide the most efficient reporting for mission-critical decision making.

"At HealthVerity, we are dedicated to bringing the life sciences industry the most robust data solutions in a frictionless manner, fundamentally enabling better patient outcomes," said Andrew Kress, CEO of HealthVerity. "Our life sciences clients have been advantaged by our groundbreaking closed claims dataset, taXonomy, and have been asking us to assemble the unparalleled coverage, accuracy and interoperability that only HealthVerity taXOnomy can deliver for challenges across the drug development and treatment lifecycle."

To learn more, register for our webinar on Wednesday, September 18 at 12:00 p.m. ET, where we will reveal key details about HealthVerity taXOnomy.

About HealthVerity

HealthVerity synchronizes transformational technologies with the nation's largest healthcare and consumer data ecosystem to power previously unattainable outcomes and fundamentally advance the science. We offer a comprehensive, yet flexible approach, based on the foundational elements of Identity, Privacy, Governance and Exchange (IPGE), that synchronizes unparalleled Identity management with built-in Privacy compliance and Governance, providing the ability to discover and Exchange a near limitless combination of data at a record pace. Together with our partners in life sciences, government and insurance, we are Synchronizing the Science. To learn more about HealthVerity, visit healthverity.com .

HealthVerity Contact:

Colleen Stoker

614-738-0592

[email protected]

SOURCE HealthVerity
RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hilb Group announced today that it has acquired a South Carolina-based voluntary employee benefits book of business in its Southeast region of operations. The acquisition took effect on August 1, 2024.

About Hilb Group: The Hilb Group is a leading property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and advisory firm headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Hilb Group is a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm. Hilb Group seeks to grow through strategic acquisitions and by leveraging its resources and expertise to drive organic growth in its acquired agencies. The company has completed more than 175 acquisitions with over 125 offices in 29 states. Hilb Group is rated as one of the Fastest Growing Brokers by Business Insurance, a Top P/C Agency by Insurance Journal, and one of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies in the Inc. 5000. For more information on Hilb Group's growth as well as career opportunities, please visit our website at http://hilbgroup.com.

Media Contact:

Peter Lobred

804.548.4629

[email protected]

M&A Contact:

Ryan Havermann

804.414.6508

[email protected]

SOURCE The Hilb Group, LLC
Funding is awarded to organizations driving sustainable change aligned with Honda CSR pillars: Education, Environment, Mobility, Traffic Safety and Community

Applications will be accepted through October 31, 2024

Funding awards will be announced in spring 2025

TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its longstanding dedication to supporting the communities where Honda associates live and work, Honda and the Honda USA Foundation are announcing the opening of their annual funding cycle for eligible nonprofit organizations and schools. All applications for funding must be received by October 31, 2024, at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time), with awards to be announced in spring 2025.

Honda and the Honda USA Foundation's annual charitable funding cycle is now open. Eligible nonprofit organizations that support communities located near Honda operations and whose missions align with our companys five strategic CSR pillarsEducation, Environment, Mobility, Traffic Safety and Communityare encouraged to apply.

Eligible organizations include those that support communities near Honda locations and align with the available pillar award categories: Education, Environment and Traffic Safety for Honda, as well as Mobility for the Honda USA Foundation, and seek to enrich the lives of individuals in marginalized communities.

Honda and the Honda USA Foundation will award requests for program support within a $25,000 to $100,000 range. Each request will be evaluated based on its own merit, taking into consideration community needs and available funding. More details about the specific eligibility requirements and available funding opportunities are outlined within the award criteria.

This year, applicants will see refined pillar award categories that embody Honda's ambitious 2050 goals: achieving zero environmental impact, zero traffic collision fatalities and preparing a future-ready workforce. Recognizing that the successful achievement of these goals will take an intentional, collaborative effort, Honda is excited to partner with organizations with similar goals.

Additionally, the Honda USA Foundation has updated its mobility pillar award category to boost its impact and broaden its reach to now serve individuals of all ages with disabilities. Persons with disabilities are a marginalized group facing numerous barriers to accessing services, education and employment opportunities. Honda USA Foundation's funding opportunities this year will focus exclusively on this mobility pillar award and creating spaces where the Joy and Freedom of Mobility may be experienced by all.

"As a company dedicated to improving the communities where we do business and helping people reach their full life's potential, Honda is excited to invite organizations to apply for support through our annual funding cycle," said Bobbie Trittschuh, manager of Charitable Giving at Honda and executive director of the Honda USA Foundation. "Based on our strong legacy of supporting impactful local and national organizations, we look forward to collaborating to enhance our communities to create a lasting impact."

New this year, Honda will be accepting applications for program-related funding during the upcoming application window of September 1 to October 31, 2024. Organizations seeking to specifically secure community event sponsorship support such as galas, festivals, walks/runs, parades etc., will follow a different schedule and are encouraged to check back on January 2, 2025, when the "events only" application will go live.

Visit Honda's funding opportunities page to apply.

About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility and the Honda USA Foundation

For more than 65 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. The company's mission is to create products and services that help people fulfill their life's potential, while conducting business in a sustainable manner and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Advancing its corporate social responsibility, Honda and the Honda USA Foundation support this direction through giving focused on education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety, and community.

Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.

SOURCE Honda
Best-ever total and retail August sales; total sales increase 22 %; retail climbs 28%

Gains driven by IONIQ 5, Santa Fe HEV, Tucson HEV, and Palisade

Hybrid total sales increase 69% in August

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America reported record total August sales of 79,278 units, a 22% increase compared with August 2023. Hyundai set total sales records in August for IONIQ 5 (+33%), Santa Fe HEV (+120%), Tucson (+14%), Tucson PHEV (+6%) Tucson HEV (+97%) and Palisade (+84%).

Hyundai's eco-friendly retail sales were up 49% in August, representing 25% of retail. Hybrid-only retail sales jumped 81% and retail EV sales climbed 27% with the IONIQ 5 increasing 74%. Retail sales for Tucson ICE (+36%), Tucson HEV (+113%) and Palisade (+65%) also performed exceptionally well. Fleet sales for the month were 7% of total sales.

"This was a record-setting August for Hyundai in total and retail sales," said Randy Parker, CEO, Hyundai Motor America. "Our entire line-up performed very well but our retail hybrid product mix led the pack with a year-over-year increase of 81%. Kudos to our retail partners who were moving inventory at record pace this month."

August Total Sales Summary



Aug-24 Aug-23 % Chg 2024 YTD 2023 YTD % Chg Hyundai 79,278 65,046 +22 % 548,003 526,186 +4 %

August Product and Corporate Activities

Model Total Sales

Vehicles Aug-24 Aug-23 % Chg 2024 YTD 2023 YTD % Chg Elantra 14,379 11,262 +28 % 90,432 97,898 -8 % Ioniq 5 4,838 3,572 +35 % 26,982 21,348 +26 % Ioniq 6 808 1,663 -51 % 8,498 6,653 +28 % Kona 6,112 5,777 +6 % 59,364 49,825 +19 % Nexo 8 18 -56 % 87 157 -45 % Palisade 11,208 6,107 +84 % 73,590 51,306 +43 % Santa Cruz 2,486 3,079 -19 % 23,046 26,032 -11 % Santa Fe 10,152 11,732 -13 % 75,763 83,486 -9 % Sonata 5,953 3,397 +75 % 42,855 33,940 +26 % Tucson 20,864 16,242 +28 % 129,145 134,367 -4 % Venue 2,470 2,197 +12 % 18,241 21,137 -14 %

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (in development in Georgia), and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 835 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit http://www.hyundainews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
HELSINKI, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ICEYE, a global leader in satellite-powered disaster management solutions, has announced that Aon, a leading global professional services firm, has expanded its data licensing agreement to include ICEYE's Flood Insights data globally and Wildfire Insights data for the US.

ICEYE and Aon expand collaboration with flood and wildfire data agreement to enhance event response

Under the agreement, Aon will incorporate ICEYE's near real-time flood and wildfire data into its event response capabilities for Reinsurance clients, to facilitate the loss analysis of catastrophic events. The high-resolution Insights data from ICEYE allows Aon to provide clients with detailed location-level analysis on flood and wildfire insights into damage of properties.

ICEYE's large constellation of NewSpace satellites provides access to a new level of persistent monitoring for any location on Earth, with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology delivering uninterrupted visibility, day and night, in any weather conditions and through smoke. Hazard and damage data is made available within hours of an event occurring with updated analysis provided at regular intervals as the flood or wildfire develops.

Stephen Lathrope, Senior Vice President for Solutions, ICEYE, added: "ICEYE is delighted to be expanding its data agreement with Aon and building on the success of the solutions we have supported. In an increasingly volatile natural catastrophe environment characterized by increasing frequency, severity, and complexity, rapid access to damage and hazard data will be critical. At ICEYE, we continue to expand our constellations and enhance our technology as we help shape the future of satellite-powered, data-driven disaster response."

Commenting on the announcement, Dan Dick, Global Head of Property Analytics for Reinsurance at Aon, said: "As climate risk further influences the behavior of weather events, Aon is committed to providing its clients with the most accurate and comprehensive catastrophe data and analytics. By integrating ICEYE's Flood Insights and Wildfire Insights into our event response solutions, we can provide enhanced clarity and confidence around the immediate financial impact of catastrophic events as they develop, ultimately leading to better business decisions for our clients."

ICEYE and Aon previously collaborated to provide insurers with flood hazard data following severe flooding events in Japan to help reduce volatility and better understand the post-event impact on their portfolios.

About ICEYE

ICEYE delivers unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth, faster and more accurately than ever before.

Owning the world's largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights, ensuring that customers have unmatched access to actionable data, day or night, even in challenging environmental conditions. As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries, ICEYE delivers intelligence in sectors such as insurance, natural catastrophe response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring, and finance, enabling decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development.

ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, the UK, and the US. We have more than 700 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation.

Media contact: [email protected]

Visit www.iceye.com and follow ICEYE on LinkedIn and X for the latest updates and insights.

About Aon

Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better  to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide our clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that protect and grow their businesses.

Follow Aon on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and Instagram . Stay up-to-date by visiting Aon's newsroom and sign up for news alerts here .

Aon UK Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the provision of regulated products and services in the UK. Registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 00210725. Registered Office: The Aon Centre, The Leadenhall Building, 122 Leadenhall Street, London EC3V 4AN. Tel: 020 7623 5500. FP #13147 has been approved until September 3rd, 2026, after which time the content should not be used or distributed.

Media Contact

Andrew Wragg

+44 (0) 7595 217168

[email protected]

SOURCE ICEYE
New Barrel-Aged Expression from World's #1 Mezcal Taps Caribbean Rum Barrels for Tropical Taste

NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ilegal Mezcal proudly unveils its latest innovation in artisanal spirits with the launch of Ilegal Reposado Caribbean Cask Finish. This new and limited-time offering showcases Ilegal's craftsmanship as a pioneer of aged expressions, blending the rich heritage of traditional mezcal with a twist of Caribbean barrel aging.

Ilegal Mezcal introduces Ilegal Reposado Caribbean Cask Finish (Photographer: Lindsay Wynn)

Crafted in small batches in Oaxaca, Ilegal Reposado Caribbean Cask Finish begins with the brand's coveted Reposado mezcal, which is expertly aged in American oak barrels for 4-6 months. The liquid is then transported to 215 barrels that previously aged 8-year Caribbean rum, where it is finished to taste for up to two months. The final maturation in premium Caribbean casks infuses the spirit with notes of tropical fruit, warm spices and a subtle hint of caramel sweetness and butterscotch, enhancing the aged agave notes in Ilegal Reposado and creating a harmonious balance between two distinct barrel styles.

"We've always welcomed the challenge of what we can create in the mezcal category and are proud of the achievements we and our longtime palenque partners have made in aged mezcal," said John Rexer, Founder of Ilegal Mezcal. "Ilegal Caribbean Cask Finish takes our Reposado to a new place and speaks to the community blending spirit Ilegal was founded on, marrying the agave-forward character of Ilegal with the vibrant influence of Caribbean rum casks. We look forward to sharing with our fans far and wide."

The result is a mezcal of exceptional depth and complexity, ideal for savoring neat or elevating cocktails with its nuanced flavor profile. Each bottle exemplifies Ilegal's commitment to producing high-quality liquid sustainably. Like all Ilegal Mezcal, Reposado Caribbean Cask Finish is made with just agave, sun and time.

Ilegal Reposado Caribbean Rum Cask Finish is rolling out at select retailers and shop.ilegalmezcal.com for a SRP of $45.99. It will also be a part of a Oaxacan dinner series at Soho House locations. For more information on the new release, please visit www.ilegalmezcal.com or follow along @ilegalmezcal on Instagram.

ABOUT ILEGAL MEZCAL

Ilegal Mezcal was founded in 2006 and is today one of the leading artisanal mezcals in the world. Ilegal Mezcal is sold in over 40 countries and has won numerous awards for both quality and branding, including a Gold Honor Shorty Award for Brand Identity and a Double Gold in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The company prides itself on bringing to market fine aged mezcals as well as its Joven expressions. Ilegal is produced and bottled in Oaxaca, Mexico. The production is 100% artisanal, using ripe espadin agave, pit ovens, tahona mills, and small copper stills. Visit www.ilegalmezcal.com or find Ilegal on Instagram @ilegalmezcal .

PR Contacts:

Ilegal Mezcal: Ray Malo, [email protected]

KLG Public Relations: Rachel Nugent, [email protected]

SOURCE Ilegal Mezcal
Prosperity: Cooperation bringing fruitful results

BEIJING, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The following article was published today by China Daily.

Comments from visiting African leaders and senior officials serve as the latest reminders of how China's lasting, ever-evolving philosophy, visions and actions, as promoted by President Xi Jinping, have led to a gearing up of common development and profound amity with the African continent.

Thierry Lezin Moungalla, the Republic of Congo's minister of communication and media and a government spokesman, expressed his great respect for Xi for the visions that he has put forward, including the landmark Belt and Road Initiative.

Xi has "turned such visions into reality" by earnestly participating in high-level meetings with African leaders and strengthening communication mechanisms, Moungalla said at a forum in Beijing last month.

In 2018, China and the Republic of Congo signed a memorandum of understanding on jointly building the Belt and Road. In 2022, trade between the two countries reached $6.57 billion, up 22 percent year-on-year.

"The greatness of a country is not only determined by the size of its geographical area, but also by the competence and caliber of its leadership, the leadership's vision for its people and for the future, as well as their ability to offer the best of their country to the rest of the world," the minister said.

Leaders and delegations from Africa are gathering in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which is being held from Wednesday to Friday.

Officials and scholars from both sides said that Xi highly values ties with Africa, as reflected by the fact that he visited Africa on his first trip abroad after he became president in 2013.

During a state visit to Tanzania at the time, Xi outlined the principles guiding China's Africa policy  sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith.

He has also pointed out on many occasions that China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future.

Vice-Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong said, "President Xi has visited Africa five times, attended two summits of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and chaired the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19 and the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue."

Chen said at a recent media briefing that Xi summarized and refined the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, and he "mapped out the future development of China-Africa relations in the new era in person".

As navigated by head-of-state diplomacy, the construction of the China-Africa community with a shared future "keeps a leading position among efforts in building a community with a shared future for mankind", Chen added.

China-Africa pragmatic cooperation has produced fruitful results, according to Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as the two sides' trade volume increased from $10.5 billion in 2000 to $282.1 billion in 2023, a nearly 27-fold increase.

Currently, 52 African countries and the African Union Commission have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with China.

In addition, Africa became the first continent as an entirety to welcome and support the Xi-proposed Global Development Initiative, and "33 countries have now joined the Group of Friends of the GDI", Wang said in a recent signed article.

China has been Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years.

"China and Africa are vigorously promoting the transformation and upgrading of their practical cooperation, moving (their focus) from trade in commodities to cooperation in the production and supply chain," the foreign minister said.

Wang Yiwei, a professor at Renmin University of China's School of International Studies and director of the university's Institute of International Affairs, said that China and Africa naturally have a shared future, because China is the largest developing country, while Africa houses the largest number of developing countries among all the continents.

"The two sides have supported each other in the international arena and have forged a profound friendship," he said.

He noted that China's foreign ministers have developed a fine tradition since 1991 by visiting Africa each year for 34 consecutive years to kick off the new year.

Siddharth Chatterjee, the United Nations' development system resident coordinator in China, said the discussions at the FOCAC summit "will set the agenda for China-Africa cooperation in the coming years".

"Increasing investment in Africa is essential for tackling the global challenges we face. It is only through collective efforts that we can achieve the goals outlined in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," Chatterjee said.

Increased partnerships between Chinese and African businesses will "not only accelerate growth, but also increase employment opportunities, strengthen local industries and enhance access to essential goods and services", he said.

By ZHANG YUNBI

SOURCE China Daily
SAN FRANCISCO and SUZHOU, China, Sept. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune, ophthalmology and other major diseases, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track Designation to its PD-1/IL-2 Bispecific Antibody Fusion Protein (R&D code: IBI363) for the treatment of unresectable locally advanced or metastatic melanoma (except choroidal melanoma) in patients who have progressed after at least one line of systemic therapy, which must include a PD-1/L1 inhibitor. Phase 1/2 clinical trials are currently underway in China, the U.S., and Australia to assess IBI363's efficacy and safety in various advanced malignant tumors.

At the ESMO Plenary meeting on June 14, 2024, Innovent presented promising efficacy signals in melanoma patients who had previously undergone immunotherapy: 37 patients with melanoma who had previously received immunotherapy received 1mg/kg of IBI363 and underwent at least one tumor evaluation after baseline, and 11 patients achieved objective responses, including 1 CR and 10 PR, with ORR and DCR of 29.7% and 73.0%, respectively. (Link)

Dr. Hui Zhou, Senior Vice President of Innovent, said, "Melanoma is the most common fatal skin cancer in Europe and the United States. In China, while melanoma is a rare malignant tumor, it has a high fatality rate, and its incidence is steadily increasing each year. Despite the success of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of melanoma, there is currently no drug approved for immunotherapy failed melanoma around the world, and the ORR of traditional chemotherapy  anti-vascular therapy for immunotherapy failed melanoma is only 3.8% to 6.8%, with a median PFS of less than 3 months, and the benefit is very limited[1]-[2]. Therefore, there is an urgent clinical need for patients who have previously failed immunotherapy. As a First in-class PD-1/IL-2-bias bispecific antibody fusion protein, IBI363 monotherapy has shown encouraging efficacy and a favorable safety profile in melanoma subjects who have previously received immunotherapy. We will continue to explore the efficacy and safety of IBI363 in melanoma to provide more effective clinical treatment for patients with immune-resistant melanoma."

Fast Track Designation (FTD) is a rapid review process designed to facilitate the clinical development of a drug that may treat serious conditions and fulfill an unmet medical need. According to regulations, drug candidates that obtain FTD qualifications will have more opportunities to communicate with the FDA during subsequent drug development and review processes, which will help speed up the clinical development and approval of the drug.

About Melanoma

Melanoma is a malignant tumor that develops from melanocytes and is the fifth most common cause of cancer in the United States[3]. Although melanoma represents only 3% of all skin cancer cases, it has the highest mortality rate and is the most prone to metastasize. In China, both the incidence and mortality rates of melanoma have been steadily rising over the years. According to the classification of the disease site, melanoma is mainly divided into skin melanoma, acral and mucosal melanoma. Chinese melanoma differs greatly from European and American Caucasian melanoma in pathogenesis, biological behavior, histological morphology, treatment and prognosis[4]. For advanced cutaneous and acral melanomas, for those carrying BRAF V600 mutation, BRAF inhibitor combined with MEK inhibitor is the preferred molecular targeted therapy. For patients without a BRAF V600 mutation, comination of chemotherapy and anti-angiogenic drugs may be considered as the first-line treatment. Immunotherapy has not been approved as the first-line treatment indication for advanced melanoma in China. For second-line treatment, therapies not used in the first-line are recommended. If a PD-1 monoclonal antibody was not administered initially, it can be selected for the second-line. In advanced mucosal melanoma, chemotherapy or a combination of PD-1 monoclonal antibody and anti-angiogenic drugs may be considered as first-line options. For patients with BRAF V600 mutation, a BRAF inhibitor MEK inhibitor can be chosen. Currently, posterior treatment options for melanoma are very limited[5].

About IBI363 (PD-1/IL-2)

IBI363 is a first-in-class drug candidate independently developed by Innovent Biologics. Its active ingredient is PD-1/IL-2 bispecific antibody fusion protein. The IL-2 arm of IBI363 has been engineered to maximize efficacy and reduce toxicity, whereas the PD-1 binding arm achieves PD-1 blockade and selective IL-2 delivery. Therefore, IBI363 functions by simultaneously blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and activating the IL-2 pathway, enabling more precise and efficient targeting and activation of tumor specific T cells. IBI363 has demonstrated notable anti-tumor activity across various tumor-bearing pharmacological models and showed significant antitumor efficacy in both PD-1 resistant and metastatic models. Additionally, IBI363 exhibited a favorable safety profile in preclinical models. Clinical studies of IBI363 are currently underway in China, the United States, and Australia to evaluate its safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy in subjects with advanced malignancies.

About Innovent

Innovent is a leading biopharmaceutical company founded in 2011 with the mission to empower patients worldwide with affordable, high-quality biopharmaceuticals. The company discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes innovative medicines that treat some of the most intractable diseases. Its pioneering therapies treat cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune and eye diseases. Innovent has 11 products in the market, 3 new drug applications under the NMPA review, 4 assets in Phase III or pivotal clinical trials and 18 more molecules in early clinical stage. Innovent partners with over 30 global healthcare leaders, including Eli Lilly, Roche, Sanofi, Adimab, Incyte and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Guided by the motto, "Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action," Innovent maintains the highest standard of industry practices and works collaboratively to advance the biopharmaceutical industry so that first-rate pharmaceutical drugs can become widely accessible. For more information, visit www.innoventbio.com, or follow Innovent on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Statement: Innovent does not recommend the use of any unapproved drug (s)/indication (s).

Forward-Looking Statements

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, are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. Innovent 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 Innovent 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 Innovent'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, Innovent's competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions.

Innovent, the Directors and the employees of Innovent 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 turn out to be incorrect.

References: [1] Wang X, Xu W, Chi Z, et al. Chemotherapy combined with antiangiogenic drugs as salvage therapy in advanced melanoma patients progressing on PD-1 immunotherapy. Transl Oncol. 2021;14(1):100949. [2] European Journal of Cancer 162 (2022) 22e33 [3] National Cancer Institute Melanoma of the Skin-Cancer Stat Facts: https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/melan.html. [4] Melanoma Diagnosis and Treatment (2022). [5] Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) Melanoma Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines (2022).

SOURCE Innovent Biologics
TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Integrated Ventures Inc. (OTCQB: INTV), a holdings company, focused on e-commerce technology, digital assets and consumer-focused investments, is excited to announce (1) formation and launch of our second, fully funded, 100% owned subsidiary - MedWellDirect, LLC, Direct-To-Consumer (D2C) telemedicine solutions provider, mainly for weight loss and GLP-1 products and (2) acquisition of 51% stake in GetTrim.Com (TM), owned by Healthy Lifestyle USA  an innovative telemedicine weight loss services provider.

This strategic move positions Integrated Ventures at the forefront of the rapidly expanding medical weight loss industry, which is experiencing significant growth driven by the increasing consumer adoption of new medications such as Semaglutide and Tirzepatide.

Healthy Lifestyle USA has developed and launched two consumer-targeted platforms, GetTrim.Com and JoinTrim.Com, each offering unique and effective weight loss solutions, tailored to a wide audience. The dual-platform strategy, supported by advanced technological infrastructure and sophisticated marketing funnels, is designed to deliver accessible, effective, and personalized weight loss services. By integrating cutting-edge telemedicine capabilities with a robust tech stack, Healthy Lifestyle USA, aims to create seamless, high-quality solutions and experiences for consumers, seeking safe and effective medical weight loss options.

The acquisition comes at a pivotal moment for the industry. Many telemedicine companies have demonstrated the immense potential in this market, indicating a strong shift toward telemedicine-based weight loss solutions. GetTim + JoinTrim platform is trademarked and well-positioned to build on this success with its integrated telemedicine platforms for online consultations, real-time customer communication, and secure transactions. By leveraging outsourced customer service models and third-party marketing funnels, the program is strategically designed to enhance user experience and achieve high conversion rates.

Healthy Lifestyle USA's platforms are built on a unified, cloud-based architecture that offers scalability, reliability, and security, compliant with HIPAA and GDPR regulations. Advanced reporting and analytics provide real-time insights into user behavior and treatment outcomes, utilizing machine-learning algorithms to enhance user experience and service delivery. The intuitive user interface ensures a seamless experience across all devices and telehealth features, further enhancing the comprehensive e-commerce functionalities.

Compliant with regulations to operate and provide medical consulting services in 49 states, including major markets like California, Florida, Texas, and New York, the GetTrim platform is well-positioned to reach a broad audience across the United States. This extensive reach aligns with Integrated Ventures' growth strategy to become a leading player in the medical weight loss sector.

Steve Rubakh, CEO of Integrated Ventures, Inc., commented, "The acquisition of GetTrim.Com is the engine to our multi-faceted B2C/D2C growth strategy and reinforces our commitment to investing in high-growth sectors. The Get Trim program, with its dual-platform approach and cutting-edge technology, is uniquely positioned to address the growing consumer demand for medical weight loss solutions like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide. We are excited to work closely with the Healthy Lifestyle USA team to scale these platforms, enhance user experience, and drive long-term shareholder value. Note that additional details, related this transaction are available via 8K, filed with SEC on 09/03/2024."

About Integrated Ventures, Inc: Integrated Ventures, Inc. is a diversified holdings company that develops, acquires, operates, and invests in businesses with high growth potential. The Company's current operations consist of: (1) digital currency mining and hosting, (2) MedWell USA, LLC - B2B procurement agency specializing in the health and wellness sector, with a focus on medical weight loss and GLP-1 products and targets medical offices, wellness clinics, gyms, and online telemedicine companies and (3) MedWell Direct, LLC  operator of D2B/B2C telemedicine platform that connects consumers with licensed healthcare providers and provides weight loss management services driven by GLP-1 products.

Safe Harbor Statement: The information posted in this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of1995. You can identify these statements by use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "explores," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "project," "intend," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, and various other factors beyond the company's control.

Media Contact Details: (215) 613-9898; [email protected]

SOURCE Integrated Ventures Inc.
NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Benjamin Moore and Luxe Interiors + Design are proud to unveil this year's teams of designers, architects and paint contractors in the third annual Faces of Design.

Faces of Design celebrates the synergy and interplay between an interior designer or architect and their paint contractor. This partnership is one of the behind-the-scenes champions of residential design. Six design teams take center stage to highlight the unique viewpoints, artistry and passion for color and shade that infuse every project they undertake together. Faces of Design will be featured nationally in the September/October 2024 issue of Luxe, along with video, digital and social across Luxe platforms.

Kate Kelly Smith, EVP + Managing Director, Luxe, says, "We are so proud to partner with Benjamin Moore for the third year to celebrate the special relationship between an interior designer or architect and paint contractor. We are thrilled to feature 13 amazing design talents as the 2024 Faces of Design."

"The 2024 Faces of Design class represents some of the best teams across North America, who collaborate daily to transform the spaces that surround us," said Mindy Murphy, vice president, customer segmentation marketing. "We are honored to partner with Luxe in recognizing the vision and expertise of these interior designers and painting contractors and invite the community to join us in celebrating their contributions to both residential and commercial design."

Introducing the 2024 Faces of Design:

About Luxe Interiors + Design

Luxe Interiors + Design is the largest architecture and design brand in the country, publishing 93 magazines annually, including 14 regional editions, a national edition, and seasonal editions in The Hamptons and Naples + Sarasota. Luxe reaches a highly discerning audience of affluent consumers, design professionals and industry influencers. It boasts a rate base of 480,000 and total print and digital audience of 4.5M+. Published by SANDOW, a leader in innovation and design.

About Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore, a Berkshire Hathaway company, was founded in 1883 and remains one of the world's leading paint, color and coatings brands. A manufacturer of premium quality residential and commercial coatings, Benjamin Moore maintains a relentless commitment to innovation and sustainable manufacturing practices. The portfolio spans the brand's flagship paint lines, including Aura, Regal Select, Ben, Ultra Spec, Advance, Scuff-X, Insl-X and more. Benjamin Moore is renowned for its more than 3,500 unmatchable colors, and its design tools and expertise for consumers and professionals alike. Benjamin Moore products are available exclusively from more than 8,500 locally owned and operated paint, decorating and hardware retailers throughout the United States, Canada and another 74 countries globally.

SOURCE Luxe Interiors + Design
MT. PLEASANT, Mich., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Isabella Bank Corporation (OTCQX: ISBA) today announced its Board of Directors declared a third-quarter cash dividend of $0.28 per common share at its regular meeting on August 28, 2024. The dividend will be payable September 30, 2024 to shareholders of record as of September 26, 2024. Based on ISBA's closing stock price of $19.15 per share as of August 28, 2024, the annualized cash dividend yield is 5.85%.

"I am pleased to announce a $0.28 per share third quarter cash dividend. We continually focus on our financial performance and implementing strategic initiatives to improve shareholder value," said Jerome E. Schwind, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our ongoing commitment to provide an attractive return on shareholder investment is evidenced by our dividend yield."

About the Corporation

Isabella Bank Corporation (OTCQX:ISBA) is the parent holding company of Isabella Bank, a state-chartered community bank headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Isabella Bank was established in 1903 and has been committed to serving its customers' and communities' local banking needs for over 120 years. The Bank offers personal and commercial lending and deposit products, as well as investment, trust, and estate planning services. The Bank has locations throughout eight Mid-Michigan counties: Bay, Clare, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, and Saginaw.

For more information about Isabella Bank Corporation, visit the Investor Relations link at www.isabellabank.com. Isabella Bank Corporation common stock is quoted on the OTCQX tier of the OTC Markets Group, Inc.'s electronic quotation system (www.otcmarkets.com) under the symbol "ISBA." The Corporation's investor relations firm is Stonegate Capital Partners, Inc. (www.stonegateinc.com).

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements. To the extent that the foregoing information refers to matters that may occur in the future, please be aware that such forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results. Additional information concerning some of the factors that could cause materially different results is included in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Forward Looking Statements" set forth in Isabella Bank Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available from the Securities and Exchange Commission's Public Reference facilities and from its website at www.sec.gov.

SOURCE Isabella Bank Corporation
Recognition reflects ITG Brands' dedication to supporting underserved communities and jobs in the Piedmont Triad

GREENSBORO, N.C., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ITG Brands today announced it has received the "Kathiann Lester Award" from the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, which recognizes businesses that invest in the economic vitality of the Piedmont Triad region through the Chamber's Accelerate Greensboro initiative.

Accelerate Greensboro connects minority-owned suppliers with companies in need of their services with the goal of helping to contribute to the economic vitality of the region.

Leaders from the Greensboro Chamber as well as members of Kathi Lester's family were on hand to present the Kathiann Lester Award to Kim Reed, President and CEO of ITG Brands ITG Brands leaders attend the Greensboro Chamber of Commerces annual State of our Community Luncheon to celebrate the Kathiann Lester Award

"At ITG Brands, creating an environment where everyone feels empowered, engaged, and connected is incredibly important  and by fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of our business, we're able to achieve that," said Kim Reed, President and CEO of ITG Brands. "We're so pleased to be recognized with Greensboro Chamber of Commerce's Kathiann Lester Award and look forward to continuing partnering together to support the progress of minority-owned businesses and underserved communities."

The program launched in 2017 and portfolio companies have since gained more than $11 million in increased revenue from their participation. Greensboro Chamber of Commerce's vision for the accelerator is to make Greensboro the nation's #1 destination for minority entrepreneurs to design and enhance their business.

"The Kathiann Lester Accelerate Award holds great significance for us at the Chamber, and we were determined that the inaugural recipient would be a company that truly embodies Kathi's passion for life and equality," said Greensboro Chamber President & CEO Brent Christensen. "ITG Brands stands out for its unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion across all aspects of its business. This dedication makes ITG Brands the ideal choice for this prestigious award."

ITG Brands' digital transformation enhances strategic focus on supplier diversity

ITG Brands' innovative, 5-year digital transformation strategy includes deploying technology and resources that enables a strategic focus on supplier diversity.

This year, the company unveiled a new headquarters in Greensboro, further solidifying its commitment to the community. A core component of ITG Brands achieving a more connected space to foster a higher level of collaboration, productivity and innovation was partnering with diverse suppliers, such as:

Inclusive Tendering Process: Inviting suppliers categorized as small and diverse to participate in a fair and robust tendering process.

Inviting suppliers categorized as small and diverse to participate in a fair and robust tendering process. Minority-Owned Construction Investment: Spending nearly $2.5 million on construction costs with minority-owned companies.

Spending nearly on construction costs with minority-owned companies. Diverse Supplier Support at Grand Opening: Celebrating ITG Brands' grand opening ceremony with the support of design, decoration, photography and videography being 95 percent minority business driven.

Additionally, ITG Brands consistently reviews its scopes of work to ensure it is not unintentionally excluding small and diverse businesses from participating in tenders that would otherwise be considered too large for them to compete.

To learn more about ITG Brands' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, visit https://www.itgbrands.com/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/.

About ITG Brands

ITG Brands is the third-largest company in its sector in the U.S. and a member of the globally recognized Imperial Brands PLC family. It is a part of a rich heritage of winning in the marketplace through forward thinking and operational integrity. For more information, visit itgbrands.com.

SOURCE ITG Brands, LLC
CHEYENNE, Wyo., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson O'Keefe, a leading law firm, is excited to announce the opening of its new Wyoming Family Law Office. This expansion marks a significant milestone in the firm's commitment to providing top-tier legal services across the state.

Located at 109 East 17th Street, Suite #6167, Cheyenne, WY 82001, the new office is fully equipped to assist Wyoming residents with a wide range of family law matters. From divorces and child custody disputes to property division and prenuptial agreements, Johnson O'Keefe's experienced attorneys are dedicated to providing personalized and effective legal representation.

Heidi Whitaker, Senior Attorney

Leading the new Wyoming office is Heidi Whitaker, a highly skilled family law attorney with over two decades of experience. Whitaker is admitted to practice in Colorado, Texas, Wyoming, and before the U.S. Supreme Court. She is also a certified mediator, bringing a unique perspective and approach to resolving family law disputes.

Known for her compassionate and results-driven approach, Whitaker has a proven track record of achieving favorable outcomes for her clients. Her expertise in complex family law matters, combined with her dedication to providing exceptional client service, makes her an invaluable asset to the Johnson O'Keefe team.

About Johnson O'Keefe

Johnson O'Keefe is a nationally recognized law firm with a focus on family law, divorce, child custody and asset division. The firm is committed to providing exceptional legal services to individuals and businesses throughout Colorado, Illinois, Florida and Wyoming. For more information about Johnson O'Keefe and its services, please visit https://johnsonokeefe.com or contact the firm at 307-313-4444.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

307-313-4444

SOURCE Johnson O'Keefe
The brand celebrates its national expansion with new product varieties, a multi-city event activation with Unwell and through continuing its support of Born This Way Foundation

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- JOYBA  Bubble Tea, the first nationally available ready-to-drink bubble tea, is proud to serve as a category sponsor for Alex Cooper's Unwell Tour, which will hit seven venues around the U.S. this fall. JOYBA Bubble Tea is a line of refreshing beverages made from tea with vibrant fruit flavors and popping boba. With eight delicious flavors in retail stores nationwide, including a line of caffeine-free botanicals and two reduced-sugar varieties introduced this year, JOYBA conveniently brings the boba shop experience to bubble tea lovers anytime, anywhere.

JOYBA Bubble Tea

The global bubble tea market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.9% through 2030, driven largely by Gen Z, with 94% of 20-somethings having purchased boba tea in the last few months. JOYBA's popularity among Gen Z along with its ongoing commitment to bringing joy to everyday life make it the perfect fit for Cooper's Unwell Network, which elevates the voices and stories of Gen Z. Each tour stop will feature live conversations led by Cooper  host and co-creator of Call Her Daddy podcast, which amasses millions of listeners per episode and is the number one podcast for women on Spotify globally.

"We are so excited for JOYBA to join the Unwell Tour this year and look forward to helping thousands of Gen Z attendees find connection and enjoy the bubble tea experience together," said Maggie Streng, brand manager of JOYBA. "We remain committed to helping young people find a pop of joy in small everyday moments."

The tour will take place between September 25th and October 10th, stopping in Denver, Austin, Dallas, Phoenix, San Diego, Oakland, and Los Angeles. JOYBA will be on-site at each stop, offering product sampling, merch and fun photo opportunities for attendees.

JOYBA Bubble Tea is a breakthrough category innovation, perfect for drinking on-the-go with a telescoping straw included in the cup. Since launching in test markets in 2021, JOYBA has expanded its offerings to include a caffeine-free botanicals line and most recently a reduced-sugar line, which contains 40% less sugar than the original flavors, with the same multi-textural experience that has made JOYBA one of the top selling ready-to-drink teas in the country. All JOYBA products contain no artificial sweeteners, are gluten-free, non-BPA and non-GMO.

Beyond the Unwell Tour, this upcoming school year, JOYBA Bubble Tea is launching a national college ambassador program across college and university campuses to drive trial and awareness with Gen Z. Each ambassador will host sampling events for their peers and generate social media content across Instagram and TikTok.

Additionally, JOYBA is proud to continue its commitment to encouraging and normalizing conversations about mental health, especially for youth, with its own "Real Tea, Real Talk" campaign, as well as continuing its second-year support of Born This Way Foundation with multiple initiatives. With rising rates of loneliness and anxiety among young people, JOYBA believes that having mental health support to access everyday joy is a critical part of total wellness.

JOYBA is happy to support the promotion of the Be There Certificate, which was developed by Jack.org and Born This Way Foundation. The Be There Certificate is a free online mental health course that teaches people how to recognize when someone might be struggling, understand their role in supporting that person, and learn how to connect them to the help they need and deserve.

To learn more about JOYBA products, the "Real Tea, Real Talk" campaign and how you can earn your Be There Certificate, visit www.joyba.com . You can also purchase Unwell Tour tickets or learn more about the Unwell Network at iamunwell.com .

About JOYBA Bubble Tea

JOYBA Bubble Tea is a brand of fruit-forward brewed tea with the perfect amount of playful popping boba. JOYBA is about celebrating joy in everyday life through real conversations and social connections shared over real tasty beverages and is now available in eight refreshing flavors at retail stores nationwide  making it easy to enjoy bubble tea even if there's not a boba shop nearby. For more information on JOYBA Bubble Tea, please visit joyba.com. JOYBA is a registered trademark of Del Monte Foods, Inc.

About Del Monte Foods

For more than 135 years, Del Monte Foods, Inc. has been driven by our mission to nourish families with earth's goodness. As the original plant-based food company, we're always innovating to make nutritious and delicious foods more accessible to consumers across our portfolio of beloved brands, including Del Monte, Contadina, College Inn, Kitchen Basics, JOYBA, Take Root Organics and S&W. We believe that everyone deserves great tasting food they can feel good about, which is why we grow and produce our products using sustainable and earth-friendly practices for a healthier tomorrow.

Del Monte Foods, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited (Bloomberg: DELM SP, DELM PM) and is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., Del Monte Canada, Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd., Conagra/Productos Del Monte, or Del Monte Panamerican. For more information about Del Monte Foods and our products, please visit www.delmontefoods.com or www.delmonte.com .

About The Unwell Network

The Unwell Network, co-founded by Alex Cooper and business partner and husband, Matt Kaplan  is a platform for this generation's unique voices that embrace social challenges and personal insecurities through honest conversation. The Unwell Network produces experiences for the most sought-after creators and talent across pop culture, beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and more.

Media Contact:

Jane Chung

Edelman

[email protected]

415-936-5627

SOURCE Joyba
NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The highly anticipated 13th annual C3 US-Arab Healthcare Summit is set to again take place in New York City on Monday, September 16, 2024 at the historic Union League Club in New York City under the umbrella theme Tech-Driven Healthcare Evolution & Breakthroughs: Addressing Future Global Challenges & Impact of Advanced Technologies.

Dr. Bjorn Zoega, MD PhD, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, will receive the 2024 C3 Davos of Healthcare Global Innovative Healthcare & Impact Transformation Award. This award recognizes a global leader who is focused on creating and implementing cutting-edge solutions that improve patient outcomes, enhance accessibility, and reduce costs while emphasizing sustainability and social responsibility.

Saudi Arabia's King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC), who proudly joins C3 as both a Strategic Partner Sponsor and Scientific Committee Chair, headed by Dr. Edward J. Cupler, Executive Director of Research and Innovation, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, will be reinforcing the hospital's commitment to advancing global healthcare standards through international cooperation and knowledge transfer. This year's C3 Summit will emphasize innovation and collaboration across sectors, including healthcare, education, technology, and finance.

The highly anticipated 13th annual C3 US-Arab Healthcare Summit is set to again take place in New York City on Monday, September 16, 2024 at the historic Union League Club in New York City under the umbrella theme Tech-Driven Healthcare Evolution & Breakthroughs: Addressing Future Global Challenges & Impact of Advanced Technologies.

Held in collaboration with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), it is listed as the first official meeting in the Healthcare Category. Together with their new Strategic Partner, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, this year's C3 Summit is bringing together leaders from diverse industries to foster dialogue and partnerships that bridge the gap between the United States and the Arab world.

Other keynote speakers at the event will include General David H. Petraeus, US Army (Ret.), Partner at KKR and Chairman of the KKR Global Institute, and Dr. Maan Fares, Chairman of Global Patient Services at the Cleveland Clinic and a C3 Board Advisor.

Contact:

Calli Heenan

+1-732-859-5192

[email protected]

SOURCE C3 Summit International
HOUSTON, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kipi.bi, a recognized leader in advanced analytics and AI services with Snowflake , today announces its rebranding as kipi.ai. This evolution marks a significant milestone in the company's strategic journey, reflecting its broader investment in data science, generative AI, and machine learning to drive innovation and empower businesses.

The rebranding to kipi.ai signals the company's enhanced focus on leveraging AI to unlock unprecedented insights and accelerate innovation for its clients. As an Elite Snowflake Partner and 2X Snowflake Partner Award winner, kipi.ai is uniquely positioned to deliver scalable, AI-powered solutions that optimize data operations, drive growth, and enable enterprises to fully harness the potential of their data in an AI-first world.

"Rebranding to kipi.ai reflects our alignment with Snowflake's AI-first strategy and our shared goal of driving transformational outcomes for our clients," said Jason Small, CEO at kipi.ai. "Our new identity as kipi.ai isn't just a name change; it's a statement of our commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation. By leveraging the Snowflake AI Data Cloud, including advanced capabilities like Snowflake Cortex, AI and geospatial analytics, we position ourselves as leaders in the AI and analytics space. This rebrand underscores our dedication to empowering our clients with the most advanced tools and strategies to drive meaningful business outcomes."

Kipi.ai will continue to deliver the exceptional service that kipi.bi was known for, with a strengthened focus on providing AI-driven solutions that maximize the value of the Snowflake AI Data Cloud. This includes advanced AI and machine learning models, predictive analytics, and AI-powered decision support, all designed to help businesses navigate and excel in a rapidly evolving data landscape.

"The evolution of kipi.ai is not just a reflection of the company's strategic vision, but also strengthens our strategic partnership by illustrating the ways in which Snowflake's ecosystem helps leading firms to push the boundaries of what's possible in AI," said Rithesh Makkena, Global Partner SE Leader at Snowflake. "This rebrand is a clear indication of their desire to shape the future of cutting-edge technology and provide outstanding outcomes for our mutual customers."

Kipi.ai offers a comprehensive portfolio of services designed to support businesses in their AI and data science journeys. These services include:

Data & AI Strategy

Machine Learning

Artificial Intelligence

AI Data Centralization

Training & Enablement

Managed Services

ML/LLM Ops & AI Governance

Migrations

"In this new chapter, kipi.ai stands as a symbol of the company's evolution, reflecting our forward-thinking approach and commitment to delivering exceptional results," said Jeremy Stensland, Board Member at kipi.ai. "This change isn't just about adapting to the futureit's about shaping it. We're committed to leading the way in AI and data science, helping our clients stay ahead of the curve."

About kipi.ai

Kipi.ai (formerly kipi.bi) is a leading analytics and AI services provider, specializing in transforming data into actionable insights through advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning. As an Elite Snowflake Partner, we are committed to helping organizations optimize their data strategies, migrate to the cloud, and unlock the full potential of their data. Our deep expertise in the Snowflake AI Data Cloud enables us to drive seamless data migration, enhanced data governance, and scalable analytics solutions tailored to your business needs. At kipi.ai, we empower clients across industries to accelerate their data-driven transformation and achieve unprecedented business outcomes.

kipi.ai is a registered trademark of kipi.bi, inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE kipi.ai
NEW YORK, Sept. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of Pre-IPO shares through funds issued by Late Stage Asset Management, LLC between March 2019 and March 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important September 30, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline.

So what: If you purchased Pre-IPO shares through funds issued by Late Stage Asset Management, LLC between March 2019 and March 2023, 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 Late Stage class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=27548 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 September 30, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

Details of the case: According to the complaint, during the Class Period, the defendants orchestrated a scheme whereby a network of unregistered sales agents fraudulently offered and sold retail investors purportedly "no-fee" unregistered securities in private (Pre-IPO) companies, which turned out to have artificial prices inflated with fees that the defendants took as profit. The complaint further alleges that the defendants made numerous false and misleading statements during the sale of these illegal, unregistered securities in violation of the federal securities laws.

To join the Late Stage class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=27548 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.
Lilly will license certain baricitinib manufacturing know-how to enable EVA Pharma to manufacture and supply treatment for various immunological diseases across 49 low- to middle-income countries in Africa

INDIANAPOLIS and CAIRO, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) and EVA Pharma announced today that the companies have entered into an agreement to expand access to baricitinib to an estimated 20,000 people in 49 low- to middle-income countries in Africa by 2030. Discovered by Incyte and licensed to Lilly, baricitinib is for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis, and COVID-19.

This collaboration is part of the Lilly 30x30 initiative, which aims to improve access to quality health care for 30 million people living in resource-limited settings annually by 2030.

"Our commitment to expanding access to affordable and innovative medicines for people living in low- to middle-income countries continues," said Ilya Yuffa, executive vice president and president of Lilly International. "Following our collaboration with EVA Pharma on insulin manufacturing, we are now establishing the first of its kind voluntary licensing agreement for Lilly, where the company will provide certain baricitinib manufacturing know-how to enable EVA Pharma to manufacture and supply baricitinib to people in 49 countries across Africa."

"We are proud to localize the entire value chain of this critical medication on the continent, from producing high-potency baricitinib active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), to tackling complex manufacturing challenges," said Riad Armanious, CEO of EVA Pharma.

EVA Pharma's dedicated high-containment facility is set to begin sales of the locally manufactured baricitinib by 2026 to various African countries.

This collaboration announced today relies on both EVA's pan-African reach and its strong local manufacturing capabilities that meet global standards, enabling Lilly to reach more people in low- to middle-income countries.

Since 2021, EVA Pharma has been working with Lilly to ensure a sustainable supply of life-saving medicines across several African countries. Lilly and EVA Pharma are also collaborating to expand access to affordable insulin in 56 countries, most of which are low- to middle-income, as announced in 2022.

INDICATIONS AND SAFETY SUMMARY WITH WARNINGS

Olumiant (O-loo-me-ant) is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor used to treat:

adults with severe alopecia areata.

adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis after treatment with 1 or more medicines called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers have been used, and did not work well enough or could not be tolerated.

Warnings - Olumiant may cause serious side effects, including:

Serious infections, including tuberculosis (TB), shingles, and others caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Some people have died from these infections. Olumiant can make you more likely to get infections or make any infections that you have worse. Your doctor should test for TB before starting Olumiant and watch for TB symptoms during treatment. You should not start Olumiant if you have any kind of infection unless your doctor tells you it is okay. While taking Olumiant, tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of an infection, such as: fever, sweating, or chills muscle aches cough shortness of breath blood in phlegm weight loss warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body diarrhea or stomach pain burning with urination or urinating more often than normal feeling tired

including tuberculosis (TB), shingles, and others caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Some people have died from these infections. Olumiant can make you more likely to get infections or make any infections that you have worse. Your doctor should test for TB before starting Olumiant and watch for TB symptoms during treatment. You should not start Olumiant if you have any kind of infection unless your doctor tells you it is okay. While taking Olumiant, tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of an infection, such as:

If you get a serious infection, your doctor may stop Olumiant until your infection is controlled.

Increased risk of death in people 50 years of age or older who have at least 1 heart disease risk factor and are taking a medicine in a class of medicines called JAK inhibitors.

Cancer and immune system problems. Olumiant may increase your risk of lymphoma and other cancers, including skin cancers. People taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors have a higher risk of certain cancers, including lymphoma and lung cancer, especially if you are a current or past smoker. Follow your doctor's advice about having your skin checked for skin cancer while taking Olumiant.

Olumiant may increase your risk of lymphoma and other cancers, including skin cancers. People taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors have a higher risk of certain cancers, including lymphoma and lung cancer, especially if you are a current or past smoker. Follow your doctor's advice about having your skin checked for skin cancer while taking Olumiant. Increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke or death in people 50 years of age and older who have at least 1 heart disease risk factor and taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors, especially if you are a current or past smoker. Get emergency help right away if you have any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke while taking Olumiant, including: discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back severe tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort breaking out in a cold sweat nausea or vomiting feeling lightheaded weakness in one part or on one side of your body slurred speech

Get emergency help right away if you have any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke while taking Olumiant, including: Blood clots in the veins of your legs or lungs, and arteries. This may be life-threatening and cause death. Blood clots in the veins of legs and lungs have happened more often in people who are 50 years of age or older and with at least 1 heart disease risk factor taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors. Stop taking Olumiant and tell your doctor or get emergency help right away if you have any signs and symptoms of blood clots, including swelling, pain or tenderness in the leg, sudden chest pain, or shortness of breath, while taking Olumiant.

in the veins of your legs or lungs, and arteries. This may be life-threatening and cause death. Blood clots in the veins of legs and lungs have happened more often in people who are 50 years of age or older and with at least 1 heart disease risk factor taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors. Stop taking Olumiant and tell your doctor or get emergency help right away if you have any signs and symptoms of blood clots, including swelling, pain or tenderness in the leg, sudden chest pain, or shortness of breath, while taking Olumiant. Allergic reactions . While taking Olumiant, if you have symptoms, such as rash (hives), trouble breathing, feeling faint or dizzy, or swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat, stop taking Olumiant and get emergency help right away. Some of these reactions seen in people taking Olumiant were serious.

. While taking Olumiant, if you have symptoms, such as rash (hives), trouble breathing, feeling faint or dizzy, or swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat, stop taking Olumiant and get emergency help right away. Some of these reactions seen in people taking Olumiant were serious. Tears in the stomach or intestines. This happens most often in people who also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, or methotrexate. While taking Olumiant, tell your doctor right away if you have fever and stomach-area pain that does not go away, and a change in bowel habits.

This happens most often in people who also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, or methotrexate. While taking Olumiant, tell your doctor right away if you have fever and stomach-area pain that does not go away, and a change in bowel habits. Changes in laboratory test results. Your doctor should do blood tests before and while taking Olumiant. You should not take Olumiant if your white or red blood cell count is too low or your liver tests are too high. Your doctor may pause your treatment with Olumiant because of changes in these test results. Your doctor should also check your cholesterol levels approximately 12 weeks after you start Olumiant and as needed.

Common side effects

The most common side effects of Olumiant in people treated for alopecia areata include:

upper respiratory tract infections (cold or sinus infections)

headache

acne

increased cholesterol levels

increased muscle enzyme levels

urinary tract infection

increased liver enzyme levels

inflammation of hair follicles (folliculitis)

tiredness

lower respiratory tract infections

nausea

genital yeast infection

low red blood cell count (anemia)

low white blood cell count (neutropenia)

stomach-area (abdominal) pain

shingles (herpes zoster)

increased weight

The most common side effects of Olumiant in people treated for rheumatoid arthritis include:

upper respiratory tract infections (cold or sinus infections)

nausea

herpes simplex virus infections, including cold sores

shingles (herpes zoster)

These are not all the possible side effects of Olumiant. Tell your doctor if you have any side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before using

Before you use Olumiant, tell your doctor if you:

 Are being treated for an infection, have an infection that won't go away or keeps coming back, or think you have symptoms of an infection.

 Have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB.

 Have had shingles (herpes zoster).

 Have had hepatitis B or C, cancer, or blood clots in the veins of your legs or lungs.

 Live, have lived, or have visited parts of the country that increase your risk of fungal infections. These may include the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Southwest. Ask your doctor if you do not know if you have lived in an area where these infections are common.

 Are a current or past smoker.

 Have had a heart attack, other heart problems or stroke.

 Have other medical conditions, including kidney or liver problems, low blood cell counts, diabetes, lung disease, HIV, or a weak immune system.

 Have any stomach-area pain or have been diagnosed with inflammation in the large intestine (diverticulitis) or ulcers in your stomach or intestines.

 Have recently received or plan to receive a vaccine. People taking Olumiant should not receive live vaccines.

 Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Olumiant may harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking Olumiant, call Eli Lilly and Company at 1800545-5979 to report the pregnancy.

 Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed while taking Olumiant and for 4 days after the last dose. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby while taking Olumiant.

 Are taking other medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. It is especially important to tell your doctor, if you take:

a medicine called probenecid

medicines that affect your immune system, such as biologic medications, other JAK inhibitors, or strong immunosuppressants (such as azathioprine or cyclosporine) since these may increase your risk of infection.

 Are under age 18. It is not known if Olumiant is safe and effective in children.

How to take

Take Olumiant exactly as your doctor says.

Take Olumiant once a day by mouth with or without food.

Talk to your doctor if you cannot swallow tablets whole.

If you take too much Olumiant, call your doctor or poison control center at 18002221222, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Learn more

Olumiant is a prescription medicine. For more information, call 1-800-545-5979.

This summary provides basic information about Olumiant but does not include all information known about this medicine. Read the information that comes with your prescription each time your prescription is filled. This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor. Be sure to talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider about Olumiant and how to take it. Your doctor is the best person to help you decide if Olumiant is right for you.

BA CON BS 14SEP2022

About Lilly

Lilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 51 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes care; treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects; advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease; providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/news, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. C-LLY

About EVA Pharma

EVA Pharma empowers the fight for health and well-being in communities around the world. With a 5,000-strong team of professionals, the company produces more than one million healthcare products a day at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, which are equipped with cutting-edge technology, are internationally recognized for innovation, and have been approved by multiple regulatory agencies.

The company's product portfolio focuses on pressing, yet unmet, disease areas, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, oncology, neuroscience, ophthalmology, anti-infectives, bone and pain, hepatology, and reproductive health, to meet both local and international demand.

EVA Pharma is one of the fastest-growing healthcare companies in the Middle East and Africa, with an extensive pan-African presence, while operating in more than 40 countries worldwide.

For more information, please visit: www.evapharma.com & https://www.evapharma.com/newsroom or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn & Instagram

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) about the agreement with EVA Pharma where Lilly will license certain manufacturing know-how and reflects Lilly's current beliefs and expectations. However, there can be no assurance that the agreement will achieve Lilly's objectives or that Lilly will execute its strategy as planned. For further discussion of risks and uncertainties relevant to Lilly's business that could cause actual results to differ from Lilly's expectations, see Lilly's Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this release.

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
In its 19th year, the program recognizes ten extraordinary women who ignite change within their communities through nonprofit work

NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, #1 global beauty brand L'Oreal Paris USA announces the 2024 L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth honorees, recognizing 10 incredible non-profit leaders from across the nation who work to drive positive change for some of the nation's most pressing issues.

L'Oreal Paris Inducts 10 Female Pioneers into Its Signature Philanthropic Initiative, Women of Worth

In its 19th year, 2024 L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth now represents an incredible network of 190 honorees who champion a diverse range of causes and embody the program's commitment to empowerment. To amplify each woman's cause, all 10 honorees will receive a $25,000 grant from intermediary grant partner GlobalGiving, to help fuel their endeavors. Additionally, the honorees will receive mentorship from L'Oreal Paris on how to enhance business efforts as well as increased visibility through the brand's national platforms.

"Each of these women are the embodiment of our tagline 'Because You're Worth It," said L'Oreal Paris USA President, Ali Goldstein. "In our nearly 20 years of recognizing female trailblazers, it never ceases to amaze me how we continue to build a strong community of female founders who are leading positive change within their respective industries."

In partnership with Points of Light, the global leader in volunteering and service, and nonprofit program partner of 18 years, L'Oreal Paris has selected:

"It was an honor being a part of the judging process in selecting this year's honoree class and learning about the amazing causes these women have created," said actress and brand spokeswoman, Aja Naomi King.

To further raise awareness for honorees' organizations, L'Oreal Paris has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery's Courageous brand studio to produce a storytelling campaign, highlighting each woman's extraordinary journey and philanthropic achievements. These branded vignettes will be distributed across the ad-supported tier of MAX and will direct audiences to learn more.

For more information about the philanthropic program, this year's honoree class and more, visit www.WomenofWorth.com , and L'Oreal Paris Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , TikTok and Pinterest .

About Points of Light

Points of Light is a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. Through our work with nonprofits, companies, and social impact leaders, we galvanize volunteers to meet critical needs. As the world's largest organization dedicated to increasing volunteer service, we engage nearly 4 million volunteers across 38 countries to create healthy, equitable communities where all can thrive. For more information, visit pointsoflight.org .

About GlobalGiving

GlobalGiving is a top-rated nonprofit that makes it easy and safe to give to local projects around the world, while providing fellow nonprofits with the tools, training, and support they need to thrive. Since 2002, GlobalGiving has raised more than $826 million from 1.7+ million donors for 34,000 projects in 175+ countries. To learn more, visit www.globalgiving.org

About L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth

For the last 19 years, L'Oreal Paris' signature philanthropic program, Women of Worth has brought to life the brand's iconic tagline, "Because You're Worth It," by championing women whose unwavering resilience, bravery and courage show the power of owning one's worth.

Each year, ten founders and leaders of grassroot nonprofits are recognized for their work across a breadth of charitable causes to receive charitable funding, mentorship through the L'Oreal Paris network to build their organizations and a national platform to share their story.

About L'Oreal Paris USA

The L'Oreal Paris division of L'Oreal USA, Inc. is a total beauty care brand dedicated to empowering women by offering luxurious and innovative products and services available in the mass market. The brand's signature tagline, "Because I'm Worth It," was born in the United States in 1973 to celebrate the beauty and intrinsic self-worth of women, and for more than 100 years, L'Oreal Paris has been providing women around the world with products in four major beauty categories: hair color, haircare, skincare and cosmetics. For more information about L'Oreal Paris and to receive personalized advice, expert tips, and exclusive content, please www.LOrealParisUSA.com or follow on Instagram ( @LOrealParis ), Twitter ( @LOrealParisUSA ), Facebook ( @LOrealParisUSA ) TikTok ( @LOrealParisUSA ) and Pinterest ( @LOrealParisUSA ).

SOURCE LOreal Paris USA
A powerful new tool designed to enhance the safety and quality of batteries Post this

Lumafield's Battery Analysis Module is the latest addition to Voyager , the company's cloud-based software for analyzing industrial X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) scans. Voyager is seamlessly integrated with Lumafield's CT scannersthe office-friendly Neptune scanner and the automated, line-ready Triton inspection solution to form a single, unified platform that gives engineers unprecedented insight into their products at every stage of the product development process, from initial R&D through high-volume production.

Lumafield will offer live demonstrations of Voyager as well as the Neptune and Triton scanners at IMTS in Chicago , September 9-14 in the East Building, booth #134740.

A press packet with images and animations is available here .

The High Stakes of Battery Manufacturing

The global battery manufacturing industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by increasing demand for electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and portable electronics. This surge is expected to continue, with the battery market projected to exceed $130 billion by 2030. However, with this growth comes significant risk. Battery manufacturing defects have led to catastrophic failures, including fires and explosions, which pose serious safety threats and can result in costly recalls.

Introducing Lumafield's Battery Analysis Module: A Groundbreaking Tool for Battery Manufacturers

Lumafield's Battery Analysis Module is a cutting-edge tool designed specifically for battery manufacturers. Leveraging the full richness of industrial CT data, the module offers advanced tools for detecting and visualizing critical defects in lithium-ion batteries, including contaminants, anode overhang irregularities, delamination, and dents and bulges in enclosures. It also tracks these attributes over time, giving manufacturing managers real-time insights into quality issues as they develop.

The Battery Analysis Module may be used alongside Lumafield's own CT scanners as well as legacy CT systems through Uplink , which allows CT data from any scanner to be visualized, analyzed, and shared in Voyager.

"High-volume battery production is essential to the EV revolution, the global transition to renewable energy, and to the next generation of consumer and professional electronics," said Eduardo Torrealba, Co-Founder and CEO of Lumafield. "However, the battery industry faces enormous challenges in quality control. Batteries need to be nearly flawless to avoid catastrophic failures, and traditional quality control tools can't look deeply enough to find every defect. Industrial CT is the best all-purpose inspection tool for batteries, and our Battery Analysis Module gives engineers the tools they need not only to catch flaws in real time, but also to track quality trends and fine-tune their processes."

The Battery Analysis Module will be available to select partners this fall, and to all customers in early 2025.

About Lumafield

Lumafield gives engineers the power to see inside their work in unprecedented detail, at every stage of the product development process. Lumafield's industrial X-ray CT scanners and cloud-based analysis software have transformed both product development and high-volume manufacturing in industries as diverse as medical devices , athletic equipment , electronics , and consumer packaging .

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., with an additional office in San Francisco, Lumafield has received funding from investors including Lux Capital, Kleiner Perkins, DCVC, Spark Capital, Haystack Ventures, Tony Fadell's Build Collective, and Figma founder Dylan Field.

Learn more at Lumafield.com , or contact [email protected].

SOURCE Lumafield
Second Best-Ever Month in U.S. Sales History

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total August sales of 41,259 vehicles, an increase of 36.7 percent compared to August 2023. Year-to-date sales totaled 283,611 vehicles sold; an increase of 16 percent compared to the same time last year. With 28 selling days in August, compared to 27 the year prior, the company posted an increase of 31.9 percent on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis.

CPO sales totaled 7,481 vehicles in August, an increase of 30 percent compared to August 2023.

August 2024 sales highlights include:

Best-ever August AND second best-ever month U.S. sales history with 41,259 vehicles sold.

Best August sales of CX-30 with 7,940 vehicles sold.

Best-ever sales of CX-50 with 8,668 vehicles sold.

Best-ever sales of CX-90 with 6,024 vehicles sold.

Best-ever sales of CX-70 with 1,352 vehicles sold.

Mazda Canada, Inc., (MCI) reported August sales of 8,443 vehicles, an increase of 57.4 percent compared to August last year. Year-to-date sales totaled 48,408 vehicles sold; an increase of 26.6 percent compared to the same time last year.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported August sales of 8,452 vehicles, an increase of 53 percent compared to last year. Year-to-date sales totaled 61,220 vehicles sold; an increase of 32 percent compared to the same time last year.

About Mazda North American Operations

Proudly founded in Hiroshima, Japan, Mazda has a history of sophisticated craftsmanship and innovation, and a purpose to enrich life-in-motion for those it serves. By putting humans at the center of everything it does, Mazda aspires to create uplifting experiences with our vehicles and for people. Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Colombia through approximately 795 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario; operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City; and operations in Colombia are managed by Mazda de Colombia in Bogota, Colombia. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at news.mazdausa.com.

Follow @MazdaUSA on social media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, and Threads.

























































Month-To-Date

Year-To-Date

































August August YOY % % MTD

August August YOY % % MTD







2024 2023 Change DSR

2024 2023 Change DSR































Mazda3 3,661 2,611 40.2 % 35.2 %

25,447 20,732 22.7 % 21.0 %





Mazda 3 Sdn 2,000 1,596 25.3 % 20.8 %

14509 11,229 29.2 % 27.3 %





Mazda 3 HB 1,661 1,015 63.6 % 57.8 %

10938 9,503 15.1 % 13.4 %































Mazda6 0 0 - -

0 0 - -































MX-5 Miata 727 733 (0.8) % (4.4) %

5,235 6,966 (24.8) % (25.9) %





MX-5 387 347 11.5 % 7.5 %

2423 3,727 (35.0) % (35.9) %





MXR 340 386 (11.9) % (15.1) %

2812 3,239 (13.2) % (14.4) %































CX-3 - 0 - -

- 0 - -





CX-30 7,940 6,630 19.8 % 15.5 %

67841 52,378 29.5 % 27.6 %





CX-5 12,887 13,649 (5.6) % (9.0) %

95531 106,113 (10.0) % (11.3) %





CX-9 - 9 - -

4 17,428 (100.0) % (100.0) %





CX-50 8,668 2,602 233.1 % 221.2 %

51912 28,302 83.4 % 80.8 %





MX-30 0 6 (100.0) % (100.0) %

- 100 - -





CX-70 1,352 0 - -

3328 0 - -





CX-90 6,024 3,934 53.1 % 47.7 %

34313 12567 173.0 % 169.1 %





CARS 4,388 3,344 31.2 % 26.5 %

30,682 27,698 10.8 % 9.2 %





TRUCKS 36,871 26,830 37.4 % 32.5 %

252,929 216,888 16.6 % 14.9 %































TOTAL 41,259 30,174 36.7 % 31.9 %

283,611 244,586 16.0 % 14.3 %

























































*Selling Days 28 27





207 204























































































SOURCE Mazda North American Operations
American automotive brand celebrates 60 Years of Iconic Design

CARMEL, Calif., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Meyers Manx 2.0 EV Pre-production dune buggy will be unveiled for the first time in the UK and Europe at the prestigious 2024 Goodwood Revival on the 6th of August.

The media, enthusiasts and attendees at the Revival are invited to join Meyers Manx for the unveiling of the future of their iconic brand.

Meyers Manx 2.0 Electric Vehicle, Coastal California. Photo: Hagop Kalaidjian Meyers Manx 2.0 Electric Vehicle, Coastal California. Photo: Hagop Kalaidjian

The next-generation electric vehicle pays homage to Bruce Meyers' revolutionary design while integrating state-of-the-art technology. The 2.0 model preserves the classic lines and adventurous spirit that have made Meyers Manx buggies a symbol of freedom and innovation, now reimagined for the environmentally conscious driver.

"Goodwood Revival is a remarkable stage for showcasing our vision," said Phillip Sarofim, Meyers Manx chairman. "We're not just unveiling the new 2.0 EV; we're presenting a philosophy  where the legacy of the past is reimagined with the innovation of the future. I'm thrilled to share our 2.0 EV Pre-production model, especially as it demonstrates our relentless pursuit of blending classic design with modern technology."

The Goodwood Revival, renowned for celebrating the golden age of motorsport, marks a significant milestone as Meyers Manx celebrates its 60th anniversary, honoring six decades of pioneering design and engineering excellence.

Throughout the event, Meyers Manx will lead the opening track parade each day, featuring a line-up that spans the brand's full history. This unique showcase will feature classic buggies including the Steve McQueen Thomas Crown Affair car, highlighting the brand's enduring legacy and connection to popular culture.

Founded by Bruce Meyers in 1964, Meyers Manx transformed the dune buggy into a cultural icon, capturing the spirit of adventure and the freedom of the open road. The brand has pushed the boundaries of design and performance, influencing generations of enthusiasts. The celebration at the Goodwood Revival is a testament to Meyers Manx lasting impact globally and a preview of the exciting future that lies ahead.

About Meyers Manx



Meyers Manx is an iconic American automotive brand, founded by Bruce Meyers in 1964. Known for its innovative design and the creation of the original fiberglass dune buggy, Meyers Manx has become a symbol of freedom, adventure, and off-road performance. The brand continues to evolve, merging its rich heritage with cutting-edge technology to inspire the next generation of four wheeled adventurers.

Please see pictures attached which are copyright free

For more information, or to attend the event as a member of the media:

Meyers Manx Public Relations

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 (833) 386-6269

Or

David Barzilay, Barzilay Associates

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: +44(0)7860 322333

SOURCE Meyers Manx
Vik Singh, CVP of AI and Apps at Microsoft, will keynote Community Summit NA on Oct 14, 2024, in San Antonio, bringing Microsoft Biz Apps insights to over 5,000 attendees.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Summit North America, the largest independent innovation, education, and training event for Microsoft business applications, is thrilled to announce that Vik Singh, CVP of AI and Apps, will deliver the keynote address on Monday, October 14 from 8:00-9:15 am, joining 40+ Microsoft speakers leading Dynamics, Power Platform, and Copilot sessions from October 13-17, 2024 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Microsoft Corporate Vice President Vik Singh to Keynote Community Summit North America

Community Summit will gather more than 5,000 Microsoft business applications users for five-days featuring over 700 education sessions organized by Dynamics ERP and CRM, Power Platform low-code/no-code tools, Fabric data architecture and Copilot AI solutions that range from understanding pre-built Copilots in M365 and D365, to building custom Copilots in Studio.

"The excitement and energy around the 2024 Summit programming this year is amazing," said John Siefert, CEO of Dynamic Communities, "and Vik brings an incredible element of innovation and down to earth perspective to our Keynote stage regarding the role of AI and Copilots as they change the way we work."

Complementing Vik Singh in the keynote program will be a diverse group of speakers joining John Siefert on the main stage, including:

TechFluent, Black Channel Partner Alliance (BCPA), & Ludia Consulting

Bartosz Szpiech , VP of Products at Executive Automats by XPLUS

, VP of Products at Executive Automats by XPLUS Heico Companies' Crystal Ahrens and Nicky Gulhar with AXIA Consulting

and with AXIA Consulting Kenny Mullican , CIO of Paragon Films

"I'm honored to be delivering the keynote at the Community Summit North America on October 14th in San Antonio," commented Corporate VP for Copilot Apps, Vik Singh. "Looking forward to sharing insights on the growth and potential of AI and Business Copilots with over 5,000 Microsoft business applications users and partners."

Five days of innovation, education, and training will give access to 700+ sessions, 40+ Academy classes, 260+ Consultants, Systems Integrators, and ISVs on the Expo Floor, and several unique experiences including the debut of the Demo Zone  delivering 15-minute product overviews and demonstrations enabling attendees to explore & discover a dozen automation, reporting and optimization tools for Microsoft business apps all in one place, at one time.

Please visit our Community Summit North America website for more information on our agenda, keynotes, sponsors, Academy classes, preconferences, and experiences.

About Dynamic Communities

Dynamic Communities is proud to be the producers of the largest independent gathering of the Microsoft Business Applications Ecosystem, Community Summit North America. Summit NA has unmatched value with 700+ educational sessions to deliver end-to-end learning around all versions of Dynamics 365 FO/AX, CE/CRM & BC/NAV, Dynamics GP, Power Platform, and the rise of AI through Copilot. 5000+ Microsoft Users and 260+ Consultants, Systems Integrators, and ISVs come together for a week of innovation, education, and training.

We also bring the foundation of For User, By User to a year-round digital format with our learning platform, www.dynamicscommunities.com. Dynamics Communities represents collaboration, knowledge sharing, expertise, networking, and the decentralization of years of intelligence which can only be found in a passionate community of people.

Press Contact:

Stephanie Ulmer

330-603-2511

https://www.dynamiccommunities.com/

SOURCE Dynamic Communities
Explore Veteran Entrepreneurship and Community Impact with Industry Leaders from September 30 - October 3, 2024, at the Signia by Hilton Atlanta

ATLANTA, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Military Influencer Conference (MIC), the most prominent event celebrating military and veteran entrepreneurship, is pleased to announce its inaugural Atlanta edition. Now in its seventh year, the 2024 event is scheduled for September 30 to October 3, at the Signia by Hilton Atlanta, where MIC will bring together over 1,500 military service members, veteran entrepreneurs, civil servants, military spouses, industry leaders, and advocates. Attendees will engage in an immersive three-day experience dedicated to celebrating of the intersection of military service, entrepreneurship, and advocacy.

Military Influencer Conference (MIC) 2024 Logo

Attendees will benefit from a stellar lineup of speakers, including Jon Stewart, Jack Carr, Joanne Bass, Killer Mike, and Donnell Rawlings. The conference will feature over 100 sessions across eight diverse tracks: Culture & Advocacy, Content Creation, Impact, Inclusion, Innovation, Inspiration, Transition & Hiring, and Wellness. The highlight of the event will be the prestigious Mighty 25 Gala, honoring standout leaders in the military community.

Curtez Riggs, Army veteran and founder of MIC, said, "Bringing MIC to Atlanta is a significant milestone in our mission to bridge the gap between military service, social impact, and entrepreneurial success. Atlanta's vibrant community and its role as a national influencer make it the ideal location to showcase the power of veteran and military spouse-led innovation. MIC not only empowers veteran entrepreneurs but also energizes local economies by fostering valuable connections and creating opportunities."

MIC is curated to serve as both a launchpad and growth engine for military-affiliated entrepreneurs, connecting their unique needs with the vast $250 billion creator economy. With veterans being 45 percent more likely to be self-employed than their non-veteran counterparts, and more than 1.9 million veteran-owned businesses generating $1.2 trillion in revenue, this conference addresses essential business challenges, such as accessing capital, mentorship, and networking.

MIC is proudly supported by sponsors USAA, National University, Navy Federal Credit Union, Fiserv, Comcast, and Warrior Alliance, whose commitment is crucial to amplifying the conference's impact. The full roster of 2024 sponsors can be found here .

Riggs added, "This conference acts as a catalyst for growth that aligns with national initiatives aimed at advocating, elevating, and supporting the military community across all sectors. Each year, we strive to put together a programming schedule that can have the biggest impact on attendees, provide an opportunity to celebrate service, and inspire individuals and organizations for generations to come. I'm confident that the move to Atlanta in addition to our unique approach to fostering a sense of community and camaraderie will help make this one of the best MICs to date."

For more information and to register, visit militaryinfluencer.com .

ABOUT MIC

Military Influencer Conference is the leading military-focused event for entrepreneurs, influencers, leaders, and brands who shape and support the military community. Annually, MIC brings together more than 100 global partners and 1500 attendees. MIC is owned and operated by Recurrent, a privately held media company that has one of the largest suites of military brands, including Task & Purpose , MilSpouseFest , We Are The Mighty , and The War Zone .

SOURCE Military Influencer Conference
Merging industry connections with MMDSmart's leading communications solutions, Methodios Chousmekiaris joins to transform sales operations

PETAH TIQWA, Israel, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MMDSmart, a leader in business messaging, call centers, and CPaaS, is pleased to announce the hiring of Methodios Chousmekiaris as Chief Revenue Officer. Methodios' extensive experience and innovative approach will guide MMDSmart's vision of transforming the way SMBs and enterprises communicate with customers, employees, and stakeholders.

"I want MMDSmart to evolve into the leading Customer Experience Platform for Enterprises," said Methodios. "With our talented team and strong product line to help customers reach new levels of success."

MMDSmart's product suite includes MessageWhiz, a leading multi-agent messaging platform that has recently integrated GenAI capabilities into its platform. The platform includes advanced optimization tools and seamless CRM integration for personalized messaging.

MMDSmart is also launching an updated version of Call Center Connect, a virtual multi-agent calling platform that allows organizations to seamlessly scale their operations from anywhere.

"MMDSmart is thrilled to welcome Methodios to our team," said Arie Frenklakh, CEO and Co-founder of MMDSmart. "With his commercial experience and forward-thinking vision, Methodios will play a crucial role in driving our company's growth. We are excited to see his impact and look forward to our success together."

Methodios has served in different sales roles in SAP, Slack and most recently as Head of Sales, EMEA, BIRD (MessageBird). Fluent in German, English, and Greek, he currently resides in Munich, enjoying a multicultural lifestyle including both active and passive sports, traveling, and exploring food in all its variations.

Under his leadership, MMDSmart is set to embark on an exciting new chapter of growth and innovation. His industry experience and visionary approach will guide our sales strategy, driving deeper market penetration and expanding our client base. Under his leadership, MMDSmart continues to drive innovation and achieve new milestones in redefining customer experience.

About MMDSmart

Founded in 2007, MMDSmart pioneered SMS business marketing and smart messaging solutions, and is a leading global supplier of innovative cloud communications products. With offices around the world, MMDSmart has attracted the finest technical and professional staff, all focused on providing the highest quality service to partners and clients.

MMDSmart is proud of the many Tier 1 companies from more than 100 countries around the world that have chosen MMDSmart to deliver their business' critical and highly sensitive communications.
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a groundbreaking move, Muah AI has unveiled their latest creation: " Echo In Me " a fully AI-generated song that showcases the exciting future of artificial intelligence in the music industry. This release marks a milestone in the creative use of AI technology, blending machine learning and creativity to produce a captivating musical experience. But more than just a single track, " Echo In Me " symbolizes the dawn of a new eraone where AI and music intertwine to offer unprecedented possibilities.

The Rise of AI in Music

Muah AI the leading AI Companion/Girlfriend Platform as of 2024. (PRNewsfoto/Muah AI)

AI's role in music is rapidly evolving, transforming how songs are composed, produced, and performed. What was once considered a novelty is now gaining serious traction, thanks to advancements in deep learning algorithms that can mimic the intricate patterns and emotions behind musical compositions. AI is not only capable of replicating sounds, but it's also learning to interpret human emotions and express them through music. Muah AI 's " Echo In Me " is a perfect example of this fusion of technology and artistry.

The beauty of AI music lies in its ability to synthesize vast amounts of data and generate new musical ideas, melodies, and even lyrics. Trained on millions of songs and compositions, the AI behind " Echo In Me " has learned to identify subtle musical nuances, enabling it to create a track that feels not only original but deeply emotional.

" Echo In Me "  A Glimpse of the Future

" Echo In Me " isn't just an experiment; it's a fully-realized piece of music that stands alongside human-created compositions. The track carries a haunting yet mesmerizing quality, with layers of harmonies and rhythms that reflect both contemporary electronic influences and classical musical structures. What sets this release apart is the emotional depth the AI managed to inject into the song, proving that AI isn't just about raw data processing but also about creating an engaging, emotional experience for listeners.

In a world where creativity is often seen as distinctly human, Muah AI 's release of " Echo In Me " is a reminder that machines are evolving in ways that enhance our own creativity rather than replace it. The AI behind the music doesn't just replicate; it innovates, using patterns learned from centuries of musical tradition to craft something entirely fresh.

The Endless Potential of AI-Driven Music

Muah AI 's release highlights just the beginning of AI's potential in the music industry. With AI now capable of understanding complex musical structures, the future possibilities are vast. Imagine custom-made soundtracks tailored to individual moods, genres that evolve in real-time, or even AI-driven collaborations where human artists work in harmony with AI to produce the next big hit. The horizon of AI music is limitless.

Beyond composition, AI is also making strides in music production, mixing, and mastering. These technologies allow musicians to explore new creative processes and experiment in ways that were once unimaginable. AI-powered tools can analyze patterns in a song to suggest alternative arrangements, propose new harmonies, or even help with lyric writing. This not only makes the creative process more efficient but also opens the door for aspiring musicians who may not have access to traditional production methods.

A New Era for Music Creation

While the release of " Echo In Me " showcases the incredible potential of AI music, it's only the beginning. The music industry is entering a transformative period where AI-generated tracks may become mainstream, helping to break down barriers and democratize the creative process. Whether it's helping artists overcome writer's block or providing fans with personalized musical experiences, the possibilities are exciting and endless.

The rise of AI in music is not about replacing human musicians but rather about collaborationhuman creativity enhanced by the vast capabilities of machines. Muah AI 's latest release proves that we are only scratching the surface of what's possible. As AI continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative music that pushes the boundaries of genre, structure, and emotion.

Conclusion: Just the Beginning

Muah AI 's " Echo In Me " represents the dawn of a new frontier in music, where artificial intelligence takes on an increasingly central role in creation and innovation. The collaboration between AI and human creativity opens up new pathways for musicians and producers, offering a wealth of opportunities that will shape the future of music for generations to come.

As AI-generated music continues to grow and improve, it is clear that this is just the beginning. Muah AI is leading the way, proving that AI has the potential not only to revolutionize the music industry but to transform the way we experience and connect with music.

Media/Business Contact Information:

Muah AI

PR Director:

Ashley

Contact Number:

+1 626-677-6013

Company Website:

https://muah.ai

Company email:

[email protected]

Feel free to reach out if you are interested in writing a dedicated piece about Muah AI !

SOURCE Muah AI
26 NCICU campuses participate in exciting new admission program.

RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty-six North Carolina private colleges and universities are offering eligible students more immediate acceptance to their campuses for the 2025-2026 academic year. North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) proudly presents to North Carolina high school seniors and their families the NCICU Direct Admission Program. This groundbreaking initiative simplifies the college application process for North Carolina high school seniors with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher. In just five minutes, students can complete their application at www.ncicu.org without the worry of any application fees. Among the 36 NCICU campuses, 26 are part of this innovative program, offering eligible students the exciting opportunity to confirm their acceptance.

The participating NCICU campuses are:

Barton College

Belmont Abbey College

Bennett College

Catawba College

Chowan University

University Gardner-Webb University

Greensboro College

Guilford College

Johnson C. Smith University

Lees-McRae College

Lenoir-Rhyne University

Livingstone College

Louisburg College

Mars Hill University

University Meredith College

Methodist University

Montreat College

North Carolina Wesleyan University

Pfeiffer University

Shaw University

St. Andrews University

Saint Augustine's University

University of Mount Olive

Warren Wilson College

William Peace University

Wingate University

The NCICU Direct Admission Program provides a seamless and swift application process. By answering a few straightforward questions, students will receive information directly from the colleges and universities of their choice, including details about conditional acceptance, specific campus requirements, and available financial aid options. This streamlined process is designed to make the college application experience as stress-free as possible.

The Superintendent of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) has refused to allow NCICU to send letters through NCDPI to the eligible students and families about their direct admission to these 26 private, non-profit colleges and universities, as she is doing for a pilot with all the community colleges and 6 public universities. She has stated that, "It is our thought that a separate letter from NCICU will confuse students and parents and therefore affect the potential for a successful pilot."

NCICU strongly disagrees.

"We believe that informing students about their options at these 26 private, non-profit colleges and universities can only enhance their educational opportunities," said NCICU President Dr. A. Hope Williams. "To suggest that this information may confuse students undermines their ability to make informed decisions about their futures. We recognize 70,000 students could benefit from this direct admission opportunity, and we are committed to ensuring they receive this vital information. We believe having more acceptances to college will help students find their "right fit" and will also contribute to meeting the state's myFutureNC educational attainment goal."

NCICU will ask North Carolina district superintendents and high school principals to urge educators and community leaders to champion this exciting initiative. NCICU is also distributing Counselor's Handbooks to over 1,000 North Carolina school counselors, which includes information about the Direct Admission Program this year.

NCICU encourages all students to prioritize completing their FAFSA and seize the opportunities presented by the North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship, Federal Pell Grants, and significant Institutional Aid available at NCICU campuses. These financial aid programs provide crucial financial support to help ease the burden of college expenses.

All NCICU colleges and universities also offer the traditional admissions process.

Click here for more information about the NCICU Direct Admission Program.

ABOUT NCICU

North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) supports, represents, and advocates for North Carolina independent higher education in the areas of state and federal public policy and on education issues with the other sectors of education in the state. It also raises funds through the Independent College Fund of North Carolina for student scholarships and enrichment experiences, provides research and information to and about private colleges and universities, conducts staff development opportunities and coordinates collaborative programs. Presidents of the 36 colleges and universities comprise the NCICU Board of Directors.

CONTACT: Demarcus Williams, [email protected]

SOURCE North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities
The new academic endeavor becomes the only public dental college in Northeast Ohio

CLEVELAND, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) has earned initial accreditation for its Bitonte College of Dentistry by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The decision allows NEOMED to move forward offering a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree program. The University will recruit students this year for enrollment in the fall of 2025.

Oral health is the number one unmet health need of Ohioans, according to data from the Ohio Department of Health. Furthermore, 77 of the 88 Ohio counties are considered Health Professional Shortage Areas in dental care.

"NEOMED's foremost goal is to serve the health care needs of Ohioans." Post this

"NEOMED's foremost goal is to serve the health care needs of Ohioans," said NEOMED President John T. Langell, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., M.B.A. "The Bitonte College of Dentistry will continue NEOMED's legacy of training health professionals who proudly serve both rural and urban areas."

"We are dedicated to addressing this major health concern in Northeast Ohio and across the state as we look to increase access to dental care throughout our region," said Frank Beck, D.D.S., FAAHD, inaugural dean of the Bitonte College of Dentistry.

The Bitonte College of Dentistry was made possible through a $10 million commitment from the Dr. Dominic A. and Helen M. Bitonte Family Foundation in September of 2022.

The Bitonte College of Dentistry is one NEOMED's four colleges: The University has the College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy and College of Graduate Studies.

Learn more about the Bitonte College of Dentistry at neomed.edu/dentistry.

About NEOMED

Celebrating the 50th year since its founding, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) harnesses diversity, innovation and collaboration to create transformative leaders and improve health through education, discovery and service. NEOMED's mission is made possible through its network consisting of several nationally ranked health care systems. The University values leadership, excellence, advocacy, diversity, equity and respect. NEOMED has four Colleges  Medicine, Pharmacy, Graduate Studies and the Bitonte College of Dentistry. Its programs offer Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degrees, as well as master's and doctoral degrees and research opportunities in other medical and life science areas. The dental program will begin offering a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree in 2025. Learn more at neomed.edu.

Media Contact:

Tonya Strong-Charles

Chief Marketing Officer

Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)

[email protected]

SOURCE Northeast Ohio Medical University
Introducing the HC3450FG for Data-Intensive Applications and AI Workloads

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Scale Computing , a market leader in edge computing, virtualization, and hyperconverged solutions, today announced the release of the HC3450FG, the first new appliance in its HC3000 series of Scale Computing Hardware . Designed to deliver exceptional performance, flexibility, and ease of management, the HC3450FG is a cutting-edge hyperconverged infrastructure solution with integrated NVIDIA L4 24GB advanced GPU capabilities.

In today's rapidly evolving IT landscape, businesses face increasing demands for performance, efficiency, and scalability. Traditional IT infrastructure often struggles to keep pace with these requirements, leading to bottlenecks and costly downtime. Organizations need solutions that can handle processing massive datasets, running simulations, real-time rendering, or managing advanced computational tasks beyond what can be accomplished with CPU resources while still maintaining ease of management and affordability. To meet these demands, Scale Computing remains dedicated to delivering innovative, right-sized solutions that simplify management, optimize performance, and provide exceptional value. The company's latest offering, the HC3450FG, delivers on this promise.

"The HC3450FG marks a significant milestone in Scale Computing's HC3000 hardware series," stated Jeff Ready, CEO and co-founder of Scale Computing. "Unlike traditional servers that can struggle with high-intensity workloads, our newest appliance offers customers a seamless and high-performance experience for demanding applications. The GPU-enabled architecture provides the computational muscle to handle large datasets and complex algorithms with ease, making the HC3450FG the ideal solution for anyone tackling data-intensive workloads and AI inferencing applications. It's also incredibly flexible in terms of configuration, making it scalable and cost effective. The appliance is a true testament to our commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology for the evolving needs of our customers."

Designed to meet the escalating demands of modern enterprise environments, the HC3450FG leverages the power of NVIDIA L4 24GB advanced GPU capabilities to seamlessly blend power with efficiency. Recognizing the diverse needs of its customers, Scale Computing engineered the HC3450FG to be highly customizable. With the flexibility to configure individual GPU units and storage options, organizations can tailor the appliance to align with their specific workload requirements. This building block approach enables businesses to optimize their investment while also ensuring infrastructure can effortlessly scale to accommodate future growth.

Key Benefits of the HC3450FG:

Unmatched Performance: Leverage the power of market-leading NVIDIA L4 GPUs to accelerate demanding workloads and achieve exceptional results.

Leverage the power of market-leading NVIDIA L4 GPUs to accelerate demanding workloads and achieve exceptional results. Optimized for AI: Handle complex AI models and algorithms efficiently with Scale Computing's GPU-accelerated platform built for data-intensive workloads.

Handle complex AI models and algorithms efficiently with Scale Computing's GPU-accelerated platform built for data-intensive workloads. Flexibility and Scalability: Customize the HC3450FG to meet specific needs and avoid overprovisioning.

Customize the HC3450FG to meet specific needs and avoid overprovisioning. Simplified Management: Benefit from Scale Computing's user-friendly SC//Platform for easy deployment and management.

The HC3450FG represents a strategic investment for organizations seeking to elevate their IT capabilities. By seamlessly integrating advanced GPU technology with Scale Computing's proven hyperconverged infrastructure, businesses can unlock unprecedented performance, efficiency, and innovation. To explore how the HC3450FG can transform your IT operations, please contact Scale Computing .

About Scale Computing

Scale Computing is a leader in edge computing, virtualization, and hyperconverged solutions. Using patented HyperCore technology, Scale Computing Platform automatically identifies, mitigates, and corrects infrastructure problems in real-time, enabling applications to achieve maximum uptime, even when local IT resources and staff are scarce. Edge Computing is the fastest-growing area of IT infrastructure, and industry analysts have named Scale Computing an outperformer and leader in the space, including being named the #1 edge computing vendor by CRN. Scale Computing's products are sold by thousands of value-added resellers, integrators, and service providers worldwide. When ease-of-use, high availability, and TCO matter, Scale Computing Platform is the ideal infrastructure platform. Read what our customers have to say on Gartner Peer Insights , G2 , and TrustRadius .

SOURCE Scale Computing
DENVER, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nimble Gravity LLC, has completed the acquisition of iGerencia, a Colombian data consultancy specializing in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Process Automation, Data Engineering, and Data Analysis. The transaction significantly enhances Nimble Gravity's ability to deliver cutting-edge data and AI solutions, while strategically expanding the company's presence across Colombia, Central America, and the Caribbean.

"We are incredibly excited about the opportunities this acquisition presents for both our clients and employees," said Tony Aug, CEO of Nimble Gravity. "Combining our data, digital and engineering strengths with iGerencia's innovative capabilities will enable us to expand the Data and AI services we provide to our clients that drive significant business outcomes."

Nimble Gravity, acquires iGerencia, an AI, Machine Learning, Process Automation, Data Engineering & Analysis company. Post this

The acquisition of iGerencia adds approximately 60 data analysts, data engineers and data scientists to Nimble Gravity's Data and AI group. iGerencia's founder and CEO, Edward Canney, will lead Nimble Gravity in Colombia, Central America and the Caribbean.

Edward Canney added: "The acquisition opens up a wealth of opportunities for both our clients and our employees. Our services empower companies to become more data-driven and agile, enabling them to gain deeper insights into their past performance and make informed decisions to anticipate and shape their futures. By joining Nimble Gravity, we are able to scale our impact significantly, delivering transformative outcomes for our clients. It also allows us to expand our expertise within the Microsoft ecosystem, reaching a broader range of clients both within and beyond our current geographical boundaries. And for our employees, there is a new window of opportunities."

This acquisition aligns with Nimble Gravity's strategy to expand its portfolio of AI- and data-driven capabilities and keep pace with the rapidly growing increase in demand from clients for these services. Additionally, iGerencia's status as a Gold Microsoft Cloud Solutions Partner, and Certified Databricks Partner allows Nimble Gravity to accelerate growth with those key technologies.

iGerencia follows mDEVZ, an Argentinian data science and software engineering consulting company Nimble Gravity acquired in September 2023.

About Nimble Gravity

Founded in 2019, Nimble Gravity is an international consultancy firm that specializes in AI, Strategy, E-Commerce, Digital Transformation, Data Science, CRM, Analytics, and BI, as well as Software Development and Tech Design. Nimble Gravity believes in the power of data and evidence-based approaches to drive growth, transform businesses, and create winning solutions for a diverse clientele.

Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with offices in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Buenos Aires, and Medellin, Nimble Gravity is a rapidly growing data, digital and engineering consulting firm ready to tackle the hardest challenges your business is facing.

About iGerencia

iGerencia, founded in Colombia in 2000 and with operations in Colombia, Panama, Guatemala, and El Salvador is a leading consultancy known for its data-driven solutions with Microsoft Advanced Specialization in Data & AI. Over its history, it has developed deep expertise in data-centric disciplines such as AI, data analytics and process automation, making it a trusted partner for their clients.

SOURCE Nimble Gravity
SUGAR LAND, Texas, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Noble Corporation plc ("Noble", the "Company") (CSE: NOBLE, NYSE: NE) today announces the completion of its acquisition of Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc ("Diamond"). This transaction enhances Noble's position as a leading offshore driller, creating the largest fleet of 7th generation dual-BOP drillships in the industry, and adding approximately $2 billion of backlog. Following completion of the acquisition of Diamond, the Company's board of directors has appointed Patrice Douglas from the Diamond board of directors to serve as a new director of Noble.

Noble has filed a form 8-K regarding the completion of the acquisition with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available at: https://bit.ly/3WhkDLD.

Robert W. Eifler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Noble, stated, "We are excited to close this highly strategic and accretive transaction ahead of schedule and commence our integration activities. On behalf of Noble's board of directors and employees, I would like to welcome the Diamond organization onboard and look forward to our exciting journey ahead as a combined team."

Charles M. (Chuck) Sledge, Noble's Chairman of the Board of Directors, added: "This combination marks a crucial next step in Noble's 7G deepwater leadership strategy. We are excited to bring Diamond's exceptional team and fleet on to the Noble platform and look forward to delivering valuable synergies for all stakeholders through the integration of these two great companies. I would also like to welcome Patrice Douglas, who was been nominated to join Noble's board of directors from the Diamond board."

Following Noble's acquisition of Diamond, investors should not rely on Noble's previously issued financial guidance for 2024, which is no longer applicable on a combined company basis.

Noble has published an updated fleet status report reflecting the addition of the Diamond rigs and other updates, chiefly the addition of 4.8 rig years of backlog recently awarded under the Commercial Enabling Agreement (CEA) with ExxonMobil for the Company's four drillships operating in Guyana. These updates increase Noble's current backlog to $6.7 billion.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH VARIOUS REGULATORY AND STOCK EXCHANGE REQUIREMENTS

Settlement of the transaction and changes in share capital and number of shares

On September 4, 2024, Noble issued 24,239,941 class A ordinary shares of Noble to former shareholders of Diamond, in connection with the closing of the Diamond acquisition and, combined with 543 shares of Noble issued as a result of the exercise of warrants, there are a total of 167,279,702 shares of Noble issued and outstanding. Further, Noble assumed all outstanding and unexercised warrants of Diamond which will be exercisable for 90 days from the effective time of the Diamond acquisition. Following such 90-day exercise period, the warrants assumed from Diamond will no longer be exercisable and will expire in accordance with their terms. For further information, reference is made to the form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the completion of the Diamond acquisition.

Assumption of Diamond RSUs

On September 4, 2024, in connection with the closing of the acquisition of Diamond, each performance-vesting and time vesting restricted stock unit covering shares of Diamond (together "Diamond RSUs") held by key employees shall be assumed by Noble and shall represent the right to receive shares in Noble. The Diamond RSUs shall be assumed by Noble on substantially the same terms and conditions (including vesting conditions) as applicable to the original Diamond RSUs prior to the closing of the acquisition.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that a Diamond RSU vested as of the acquisition (including any awards that vested as a result of a termination of employment at or immediately after the acquisition), such awards were instead settled in cash or shares of Diamond, as applicable, immediately prior to the acquisition and any such shares of Diamond were treated the same as other Diamond shares.

For further information on the assumption of the Diamond RSUs, reference is made to the form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the completion of the Diamond acquisition.

About Noble Corporation

Noble is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry. The Company owns and operates one of the most modern, versatile, and technically advanced fleets in the offshore drilling industry. Noble and its predecessors have been engaged in the contract drilling of oil and gas wells since 1921. Noble performs, through its subsidiaries, contract drilling services with a fleet of offshore drilling units focused largely on ultra-deepwater and high specification jackup drilling opportunities in both established and emerging regions worldwide. For further information visit www.noblecorp.com or email [email protected].

SOURCE Noble Corporation plc
Indianapolis site expansion will establish in-house production of isotopes critical for production of radioligand therapies (RLTs) for cancer treatment





New facility in California will be third US-based RLT production facility





Novartis is exploring a diverse portfolio of new isotopes, ligands and combination therapies to expand the use of RLTs in additional cancer types beyond prostate and neuroendocrine tumors

EAST HANOVER, N.J., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Novartis today announced the construction of two new radioligand therapy (RLT) manufacturing facilities in the US that will extend its world-class manufacturing and supply chain capabilities. The new facilities represent Novartis' continued investment in developing a robust infrastructure to support the expanding use of RLTs to treat cancer.

Novartis broke ground on a new facility at its Indianapolis site that will produce radioisotopes critical for the manufacturing of RLTs. In Carlsbad, Calif., Novartis is establishing its third RLT manufacturing site in the US to support expanded use of RLTs, create resiliency in its manufacturing network and optimize the delivery of medicines to patients on the West Coast.

RLTs are a form of precision medicine that combine a tumor-targeting molecule (ligand) with a therapeutic radioisotope, enabling the delivery of radiation to the tumor while limiting damage to the surrounding cells. Novartis is actively investigating the application of RLTs across cancer types and settings, with one of the deepest and most advanced pipelines in the industry. Both facilities will be built with room for further expansion to enable the potential production of different isotopes, ligands and RLTs. Once completed and approved, these new facilities will further strengthen the Novartis RLT manufacturing and supply network.

"Novartis pioneered the adoption at scale of radioligand therapies across different indications as a targeted approach to treat cancers," said Victor Bulto, President, US, Novartis. "Building on this experience and knowledge, we are confident in the potential of RLTs to meaningfully benefit many more patients affected by different types of cancer in the future. We are investing in our supply chain capabilities today to ensure that we are prepared to consistently deliver these complex treatments to the growing number of eligible patients in the long-term."

Novartis was the first to scale the availability of RLTs in the market across different cancer types with Pluvicto (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan) and Lutathera (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate). The company's early- and late-stage pipeline has several programs in or entering the clinic, as well as other preclinical and discovery programs to identify the next wave of RLTs. Following regulatory approvals, isotopes produced in Indianapolis will be used to manufacture Pluvicto, Lutathera, and investigational RLTs in Novartis' pipeline.

Important Safety Information for Pluvicto

Pluvicto (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have been treated with androgen receptor (AR) pathway inhibition and taxane-based chemotherapy.

Use of PLUVICTO involves exposure to radioactivity. Long-term, accruing radiation exposure is associated with increased risk for cancer. To minimize radiation exposure to others following administration of PLUVICTO, patients are advised to limit close contact (less than 3 feet) with household contacts for 2 days or with children and pregnant women for 7 days, to refrain from sexual activity for 7 days, and to sleep in a separate bedroom from household contacts for 3 days, from children for 7 days, or from pregnant women for 15 days.

PLUVICTO may cause low level of blood cell counts. Patients should tell their doctor right away if they develop any new or worsening symptoms, including tiredness or weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, bleeding or bruising more easily than normal or difficulty to stop bleeding, or frequent infections with signs such as fever, chills, sore throat, or mouth ulcers. PLUVICTO may also cause problems with kidneys. Patients should tell their doctor right away if they develop any new or worsening symptoms, including passing urine less often or passing much smaller amounts of urine than usual.

Before receiving PLUVICTO, patients should tell their doctor if they have low level of blood cell counts (hemoglobin, white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, platelet count); if they have or have had tiredness, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, bleeding or bruising more easily than normal or difficulty stopping bleeding, or frequent infections with signs such as fever, chills, sore throat, or mouth ulcers (possible signs of myelosuppression); if they have or have had kidney problems; if they have or have had any other type of cancer or treatment for cancer, as PLUVICTO contributes to long-term cumulative radiation exposure; and if they are sexually active, as all radiopharmaceuticals, including PLUVICTO, have the potential to cause harm to an unborn baby. Patients should use effective contraception for intercourse during treatment with PLUVICTO and for 14 weeks after the last dose. PLUVICTO may cause temporary or permanent infertility.

Before administration of PLUVICTO patients should drink plenty of water in order to urinate as often as possible during the first hours after administration.

The most common side effects of PLUVICTO include tiredness, dry mouth, nausea, low red blood cell count, loss of appetite, changes in bowel movements (constipation or diarrhea), vomiting, low blood platelet count, urinary tract infection, weight loss, and abdominal pain.

Please see full Prescribing Information for PLUVICTO at https://www.novartis.us/sites/www.novartis.us/files/pluvicto.pdf.

Important Safety Information for Lutathera

Lutathera (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children aged 12 years and older with a type of cancer known as gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) that are positive for the hormone receptor somatostatin, including GEP-NETs in the foregut, midgut, and hindgut.

What are some important things to know about the safety of LUTATHERA?

LUTATHERA is associated with some serious safety considerations and, in some cases, these may require your health care provider to adjust or stop your treatment. You should always follow your health care provider's instructions. Safety considerations include:

Radiation exposure: Treatment with LUTATHERA will expose you to radiation, which can contribute to your long-term radiation exposure. Overall radiation exposure is associated with an increased risk for cancer. The radiation will be detectable in your urine for up to 30 days following administration of the drug. It is important to minimize radiation exposure to household contacts consistent with good radiation safety practices as advised by your health care provider.





Bone marrow problems: Treatment with LUTATHERA increases the risk of myelosuppression, a condition in which bone marrow activity is decreased, resulting in a drop in blood cell counts. You may experience blood-related side effects such as low red blood cells (anemia), low numbers of cells that are responsible for blood clotting (thrombocytopenia), and low numbers of white blood cells (neutropenia). Speak with your health care provider if you experience any signs or symptoms of infection, fever, chills, dizziness, shortness of breath, or increased bleeding or bruising. Your health care provider may need to adjust or stop your treatment accordingly.





Secondary bone marrow and blood cancers: Other serious conditions that you may develop as a direct result of treatment with LUTATHERA include blood and bone marrow disorders known as secondary myelodysplastic syndrome and cancer known as acute leukemia. Your health care provider will routinely check your blood cell counts and tell you if they are too low or too high.





Kidney problems: Treatment with LUTATHERA will expose your kidneys to radiation and may impair their ability to work as normal. You may be at an increased risk for kidney problems after LUTATHERA treatment if you already have kidney impairment before treatment. In some cases, patients have experienced kidney failure after treatment with LUTATHERA. Your health care provider will provide you with an amino acid solution before, during, and after LUTATHERA to help protect your kidneys. You should stay well hydrated before, on the day of, and on the day after your treatment. You should urinate frequently before, on the day of, and on the day after administration of LUTATHERA. Your doctor will monitor your kidney function and may withhold, reduce, or stop your LUTATHERA treatment accordingly.





Liver problems: In clinical studies of LUTATHERA, less than 1% of patients were reported to have tumor bleeding (hemorrhage), swelling (edema), or tissue damage (necrosis) to the liver. If you have tumors in your liver, you may be more likely to experience these side effects. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of these signs and symptoms of liver problems: yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice), unusual darkening of the urine, unusual tiredness, right upper stomach area (abdomen) pain, confusion, and/or swelling of the stomach area (abdomen). Your health care provider will monitor your liver using blood tests and may need to withhold, reduce, or stop your LUTATHERA treatment accordingly.





Allergic reactions: Allergic reactions have occurred in people who were treated with LUTATHERA. Notify your health care provider if you develop symptoms of an allergic reaction. Seek emergency help right away for any serious allergic reactions. Symptoms may include trouble breathing or swallowing; raised bumps (hives); rash or itching; and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, or arms.





Hormonal gland problems (carcinoid crisis): During your treatment you may experience certain symptoms that are related to hormones released from your cancer. These symptoms may include flushing, diarrhea, difficulty breathing (bronchospasm), and low blood pressure (hypotension), and may occur during or within the 24 hours after your first LUTATHERA treatment. Your health care provider will monitor you closely. Speak with your health care provider if you experience any of these signs or symptoms.





Pregnancy warning: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant. LUTATHERA can harm your unborn baby. Females should use an effective method of birth control during treatment and for 7 months after the last dose of LUTATHERA. Males with female partners should use an effective method of birth control during treatment with LUTATHERA and for 4 months after the last dose.





Breastfeeding warning: You should not breastfeed during treatment with LUTATHERA and for 2.5 months after your last dose of LUTATHERA.





Fertility problems: Treatment with LUTATHERA may cause infertility. This is because radiation absorbed by your testes or ovaries over the treatment period falls within the range of exposure in which temporary or permanent infertility may occur.

What are the most common side effects of LUTATHERA?

The most common and most serious side effects of LUTATHERA include decreased blood cell counts, increased liver enzymes, vomiting, nausea, increased blood glucose, and decreased blood potassium levels.

Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these side effects. There are other possible side effects of LUTATHERA. For more information and to learn more about LUTATHERA, talk to your doctor or health care provider.

Adverse reactions observed in pediatric patients were similar to those observed in adults treated with LUTATHERA.

What other medicines may interact with LUTATHERA?

Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medications. Somatostatin analogs and glucocorticoids may affect how your LUTATHERA treatment works. You should stop taking your long-acting somatostatin analog at least 4 weeks before LUTATHERA treatment. You may continue taking short-acting somatostatin analogs up to 24 hours before your LUTATHERA treatment. Avoid repeated high doses of glucocorticoids during treatment with LUTATHERA.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full Prescribing Information for LUTATHERA at https://www.novartis.com/us-en/sites/novartis_us/files/lutathera.pdf.

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "may," "could," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis

Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide.

Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at https://www.novartis.com and https://www.novartis.us and connect with us on LinkedIn, LinkedIn US, Facebook, X/Twitter, X/Twitter US and Instagram.

###

Novartis Media Relations E-mail: [email protected] North America

Michael Meo +1 862 274 5414 Novartis Investor Relations E-mail: [email protected]

North America

Sloan Simpson +1 862 345 4440 Jonathan Graham +1 201 602 9921 Parag Mahanti +1 973 876 4912

SOURCE Novartis US
TSXV: PGZ| OTCQX: PGZFF | FRA: 2EU

Soil lead-zinc (Pb-Zn) anomaly area doubles to 1.7km x 1.0km at the high-priority Bravo target

Coincident with a strong 2.0km x 1.5km gravity anomaly

Soil geochemistry survey expanded to investigate the area between Bravo target and the La Romana discovery

Bravo located on-trend between the La Romana copper-tin-silver discovery and Grupo Mexico's Aznalcollar and Los Frailes deposits

VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pan Global Resources Inc. ("Pan Global" or the "Company") (TSXV: PGZ) (OTCQX: PGZFF) (FRA: 2EU) is pleased to announce additional soil geochemistry and new gravity survey results for the maiden exploration program over the Bravo target ("Bravo") within the Company's 100%-owned Escacena Project ("Escacena") in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, southern Spain.

Figure 1 - Enhanced Bravo gravity target and new Pb+Zn soil anomaly, showing proximity to the La Romana gravity anomaly Figure 2 - Bravo target soil sample geochemistry results superimposed on the new gravity anomaly map, indicating the highest Pb, Zn and Ag coincides with the peak of the gravity anomaly

"The new soil sample geochemistry and gravity survey results further support our view that the large Bravo target could represent concealed volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) mineralization beneath shallow cover, similar to Pan Global's nearby La Romana copper-tin-silver discovery. The new survey results double the size of the lead plus zinc surface anomaly from the initial soil sampling reported last month and confirm a large coincident gravity anomaly," said Tim Moody, Pan Global's President & CEO.

Mr. Moody added, "The elevated lead-zinc-silver soil geochemistry and coincident gravity anomaly are strong indicators of the potential for underlying sulphide mineralization. Modelling of the data is underway to finalize locations for the maiden Bravo drill campaign, plus soil geochemistry sampling has expanded to test the potential for mineralization between Bravo and the La Romana discovery to the west."

The Bravo target is located 1.5km east of Pan Global's La Romana copper-tin-silver discovery and 4.5km southwest of Grupo Mexico's Aznalcollar and Los Frailes volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits. The target is mostly covered by post-mineral rocks and sediments and has never been drill tested.

A total of 1,188 soil samples, including 57 duplicates, were collected as part of the expanded Bravo survey. The soil samples were collected on a 40-meter spacing along lines 100 meters apart. Each sample was analyzed using a hand-held x-ray fluorescence ("pXRF") device. Spatial interpretation of the pXRF results confirms a Pb plus Zn soil anomaly extending over 1.7km east-west and up to 1.2km north-south. Samples range from 300ppm to 1,252ppm combined Pb+Zn, including up to 1,115ppm Pb and 886ppm Zn.

A total of 67 soil samples from two lines over the Bravo target were also assayed for multi-element geochemistry by ALS laboratory to check and compare accuracy of the pXRF results. The results confirm a close correlation of the Pb and Zn assay values with the pXRF results and also show anomalous Ag values up to 5.2g/t (not analyzed by the pXRF) coincident with the Pb+Zn and gravity anomalies.

The initial Bravo ground gravity survey is complete, with results obtained from 788 stations on a 100m x 100m, and 100m x 50m grid over the main target area. The results confirmed a strong (>1.2 mGal) gravity anomaly with surface dimensions approximately 2.0km x 1.5km.

Next steps include:

detailed modelling of the final gravity data, followed by; induced polarization and/or electromagnetic survey lines over the peaks of the gravity plus geochemistry anomalies to provide additional three-dimensional information; and, prioritize drillhole positions.

About the Escacena Project

The Escacena Project comprises a large, contiguous, 5,760-hectare land package controlled 100% by Pan Global in the east of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Escacena is located near the operating mine at Riotinto and is immediately adjacent to the former Aznalcollar and Los Frailes mines where Minera Los Frailes/Grupo Mexico is in the final permitting stage to allow new mine construction to commence. The Escacena Project hosts Pan Global's La Romana copper-tin-silver and Canada Honda copper-gold discoveries, and a number of other prospective targets, including, Bravo, Barbacena, El Pozo, Romana Norte, San Pablo, Zarcita, Hornitos, La Jarosa, Romana Deep, and Cortijo.

About Pan Global Resources

Pan Global Resources Inc. is actively targeting copper-rich mineral deposits in Spain, given copper's compelling supply-demand fundamentals and outlook for strong long-term prices as a critical metal for global electrification and energy transition. The Company's flagship Escacena Project is located in the prolific Iberian Pyrite Belt in southern Spain, where a favourable permitting track record, excellent infrastructure, mining and professional expertise, and support for copper as a Strategic Raw Material by the European Commission collectively define a tier-one low-risk jurisdiction for mining investment. The Pan Global team comprises proven talent in exploration, discovery, development, and mine operations - all of which are committed to operating safely and with utmost respect for the environment and our partnered communities. The Company is a member, and operates under the principles, of the United Nations Global Compact.

QA/QC

The soil geochemistry survey includes samples collected from the top 20cm from surface (un-sieved, weighing approx. 1kg) on a 100m x 40m grid over the gravity target area. The samples are collected in plastic bags, and a multi-element analysis obtained using an Olympus Vanta hand-held x-ray fluorescence ("pXRF") device. Analyses are repeated on 1 per 20 samples, and standards analyzed to check for deviation.

Additional samples were sent to the ALS laboratory in Seville as a further check and comparison with the pXRF results. The samples were crushed and split (method CRU-31, SPL22Y), and pulverized using (method PUL-31). Multi element analysis was undertaken using a multi-acid digest and ICP-MS ultra-low detection method ME-ICP61).

Qualified Persons

Alvaro Merino. Vice President Exploration for Pan Global Resources and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical information for this media release. Mr. Merino is not independent of the Company.

www.panglobalresources.com

Forward-looking statements

Statements which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. It is important to note that actual outcomes and the Company's actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information included in this media release are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental, environmental, and technological factors that may affect the Company's operations, markets, products, and prices. Readers should refer to the risk disclosures outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis of its audited financial statements filed with the British Columbia Securities Commission.

The forward-looking information contained in this media release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this media release. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information.

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Jason Mercier, VP Investor Relations and Communications, [email protected] / [email protected], Tel: +1-236-886-9518

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2495470/Pan_Global_Resources_Inc__PAN_GLOBAL_DOUBLES_SIZE_OF_SOIL_GEOCHE.jpg

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Multi-phase, five-building project will deliver 2.4-million-square-feet of industrial space in first phase

SUFFOLK, Va., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Rockefeller Group and Matan Companies broke ground on the first phase of Port 460 Logistics Center in Suffolk, Va., a highly anticipated industrial real estate development that is expected to serve U.S. and international businesses seeking direct access to the expanded Port of Virginia.

Photocredit: Jpixx/Savannah Heller

In a joint venture partnership with Mitsubishi Estate New York, Chuo Nittochi and Taisei USA LLC, the master-planned logistics park will deliver 2.4 million square feet of industrial space across five buildings in phase one, delivering the first two buildings and the development's infrastructure by next year. A second phase totaling 2.6 million square feet will follow after the completion of phase one.

"Today marks the start of an exciting chapter at Port 460," said JP Matan, Director of Leasing, Matan Companies. "We are breaking ground on what will become one of the most impactful industrial developments in the country and we could not have done it without the support and vision from so many experts in development as well as state and local government officials. We look forward to delivering a premier asset in phase one, which will set the stage for what's to come."

"This world-class development represents a true spirit of partnership between the public and private sector, bringing together highly experienced real estate investors and developers, the Port of Virginia and the Commonwealth," said Hilary Allard Goldfarb, Senior Managing Director and head of Development for Rockefeller Group throughout the Mid-Atlantic. "The opportunities at Port 460 can meet so many different requirements, ranging from advanced manufacturing, life sciences and logistics, to port operations and warehousing, further positioning the city of Suffolk and the southeastern part of Virginia as a hub for logistics and supply chain investment as well as domestic manufacturing and innovation."

In June, Governor Glenn Youngkin directed the Commonwealth Transportation Board to allocate $30.1 million to the Route 460 Road Improvement Program from the state's Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund  an investment in roadway and infrastructure enhancements that will serve the Port of Virginia and enhance access to the site. Additionally, in August, he announced a $3.5 million grant via the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP) program which awarded $126 million to 23 sites across the Commonwealth. The program identified Port 460 as a worthy infrastructure project to build operations-ready sites for employers and manufacturers ready to expand in the Commonwealth.

"Port 460 will create 2,600 jobs during construction with the potential to support over 9,000 jobs when fully built out," stated Governor Youngkin. "The economic impact of this historic project will underscore our commitment to top-notch infrastructure for Virginians and all who come here to do business. Once completed, Port 460 will offer direct access to the Port of Virginia and 75 percent of the U.S. population. This is just the beginning of Virginia being at the forefront of the global economy, and I am confident the positive ripple effect will be felt far beyond the Commonwealth."

The Port of Virginia ranks in the top three most efficient ports in the country. Port 460 is located within a 100-mile radius of 3.7 million customers, and a 200-mile radius of 18.6 million customers, including affluent residents of counties with some of the highest average median incomes in the U.S.

"The Port of Virginia is thrilled to officially welcome Port 460 to Virginia," said Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and Executive Director, Virginia Port Authority. "The logistics center is a sound, strategic addition to America's most modern gateway - providing even greater capacity, capability and speed to market for the supply chain industry. Through the Gateway Investment Program, we committed $1.4 billion to fund further enhancements, including dredging and widening the canal to become the deepest, widest channel on the East Coast, Norfolk International Terminal upgrades in equipment and technology that will drive efficiencies and growth, an extensive Central Rail Yard expansion that will accommodate 455,000 additional rail TEUs, and offshore wind implementation that will enable us to become 100 percent powered by clean energy this year and net-zero by 2040."

JLL's Gregg Christoffersen or Kristopher Kennedy are handling leasing at Port 460. For more information about Port 460 and its progress, visit port460.com.

ABOUT ROCKEFELLER GROUP

Rockefeller Group develops, owns and operates extraordinary properties across the United States. For nearly a century, the company has delivered exceptional experiences and value creation through dedication to quality in the built environment. The company's portfolio spans the development of industrial, office, multifamily and mixed-use projects across six geographic regions as well as significant ownership interest in and management of approximately six million square feet of world-class office space in Manhattan. Visit RockefellerGroup.com .

ABOUT MATAN COMPANIES

Matan Companies, headquartered in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, is one of the region's premier commercial real estate services and development firms. Founded over 45 years ago on the principle of providing a comprehensive, full-service approach, the firm's current portfolio consists of over 7 million square feet of industrial/bio-life science/office assets, 15 million square feet in the development pipeline, several active residential developments, and a separate portfolio of multifamily and manufactured housing units. The company delivers a full range of services to their real estate investors and tenants including entitlement/construction management, asset and property management, leasing, and tenant services. For additional information about the Matan Companies, please visit mataninc.com .

SOURCE Rockefeller Group
TORONTO, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Power Nickel Inc. (the "Company" or "Power Nickel") (TSXV: PNPN) (OTCBB: PNPNF) (Frankfurt: IVV) is pleased to announce it is presenting at the Red Cloud webinar series today at 2:00 PM Eastern. To enable your attendance at the webinar, please register by clicking on the following link: https://redcloudfs.com/events/rcwebinar-pnpn-2/.

Figure 1:& 3D view of the Lion Discovery Zone highlighting the location of holes PN-24-050 and PN-24-060. The figure also illustrates the current interpretation of its geometry, as well as the vast open ground area that could potentially be host of more than one of these mineralized zones. (CNW Group/Power Nickel Inc.)

"Fall is now upon us, and with additional results from our busy summer drilling program, we have an even clearer picture of our Nisk Project. Our drilling crews have been hard at work and making some amazing progress that we will discuss, together with our plans for the balance of the year," commented Power Nickel CEO Terry Lynch.

"We will also be talking about why it's an exciting and opportune time to be a mining investor. It's go time!" Lynch commented. "To this end, Power Nickel also announces a series of selected marketing initiatives designed to ensure our developing story effectively reaches the investor community."

Retained Capital 10X to produce a series of videos and management interviews over the coming year to showcase Power Nickel and the Nisk Polymetallic Project across social media and at the Grizzle Mining Conferences, at a cost of $7500 per month for the next 12 months. Engaged The Market Mindset Investment Media to do a series of video posts and management interviews and to produce original articles for social media and inclusion in their investment newsletter, at a cost of $50,000 for 6 months starting September 1st . Engaged Empire Market Ventures for Investor awareness and a marketing service agreement through the balance of 2024. They will create content for use in social media campaigns and actively support the Company's messages in financial forums across the Internet, at a cost of $150,000 USD . Engaged Resource Stock Digest to conduct a series of interviews and distribute these interviews and our news releases to the Resource Stock Digest subscriber base, at a cost of $40,000 USD .

These initiatives are to increase general awareness of the Company and its projects.

Qualified Person

Kenneth Williamson, Geo, M.Sc., VP Exploration at Power Nickel, is the qualified person who has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.

About Power Nickel Inc.

Power Nickel is a Canadian junior exploration company focusing on developing the high-grade Nisk project into Canada's first Carbon Neutral Nickel mine.

The NISK property comprises a significant land position (20 kilometers of strike length) with numerous high-grade intercepts. Power Nickel is focused on expanding the historical high-grade nickel-copper PGE mineralization with a series of drill programs designed to test the initial Nisk discovery zone and to explore the land package for adjacent potential Nickel deposits.

In addition to the Nisk project, Power Nickel owns significant land packages in British Colombia and Chile. The Company is in the process of reorganizing these assets in a related vehicle, through a Plan of Arrangement that will be presented to Power Nickel shareholders of record for their approval.

To obtain Power Nickel's Corporate Presentation, please use the link below:

powernickel.com/corporate_presentation.pdf

For further information, readers are encouraged to contact:

Power Nickel Inc.

The Canadian Venture Building

82 Richmond St East, Suite 202

Toronto, ON

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This message contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" concerning the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential," "indicates," "opportunity," "possible" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, among others, the timing for the Company to receive the summer program assays; raise sufficient capital to fund its obligations under its property agreements going forward; to maintain its mineral tenures and concessions in good standing; to explore and develop its projects; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; the inherent hazards associates with mineral exploration and mining operations; future prices of nickel and other metals; changes in general economic conditions; accuracy of mineral resource and reserve estimates; the potential for new discoveries; the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop the projects and if accepted, to obtain such licenses and approvals in a timely fashion relative to the Company's plans and business objectives for the applicable project; the general ability of the Company to monetize its mineral resources; and changes in environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an impact on the Company's operations, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, dependence on key management personnel and general competition in the mining industry.

SOURCE Power Nickel Inc.
"We're proud to move into new communities with Phoenix Fire, Basic Fire and FESSCO as part of the family." Post this

Phoenix Fire Systems specializes in fire suppression systems for mission-critical applications, installing, inspecting, testing and maintaining special hazard systems and integrated smoke detectors, fire alarms and mass notification systems. Founded in 1997 by fire protection veteran Kirk Humbrecht, Phoenix Fire has loyal customers as far as Antarctica.

In this transaction, Pye-Barker also gains Basic Fire Protection, a fire extinguisher service and testing company founded in 1978, and FESSCO, founded in 1994 and specializing in vehicle fire suppression systems and extinguishers. Both Illinois-based companies were previously acquired by Phoenix Fire and Humbrecht.

"I'm proud of the reputation Phoenix Fire Systems has built in the industry, one that prioritizes the safety of our customers through cutting-edge technology, expert staff and customer-centered service," said Kirk Humbrecht, Owner and President at Phoenix Fire. "Pye-Barker is the right choice for a partner. I know they'll continue to care for our customers like family, just as we have these past 27 years."

"Phoenix Fire's team knows their craft and their customers, and that's a winning combination for a successful business," said Bart Proctor, CEO at Pye-Barker. "Working with the industry's best has helped us grow Pye-Barker to the nation's leader in fully integrated life safety systems, and we're proud to move into new communities with Phoenix Fire, Basic Fire and FESSCO as part of the family."

Phoenix Fire's highly skilled team will continue to serve customers locally.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP represented Pye-Barker in the transaction.

About Pye-Barker Fire & Safety

The U.S. leader in fully integrated life safety systems, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety provides complete fire protection and security systems nationwide. With over 200 locations and 6,000 team members nationwide, Pye-Barker ranks No. 849 on the Inc. 5000 and No. 8 on the SDM 100.

Visit pyebarkerfs.com/acquisitions to learn why Pye-Barker is the industry's acquirer of choice.

Contact:

Chuck Reimel

Vice President, Business Development

910.612.6252

[email protected]

Media:

Alycia Volpe

[email protected]

SOURCE Pye-Barker Fire & Safety
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Republic of Uruguay (" Uruguay ") previously announced an offer to purchase for cash (the " Tender Offer ") its bonds of each series of Global Bonds listed in the table below (collectively, the " Old Bonds " and each Old Bond, a "series" of Old Bonds), subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Offer to Purchase, dated Tuesday, September 3, 2024 (the " Offer to Purchase "). Uruguay has instructed Itau BBA USA Securities, Inc. (in such capacity, the " Billing and Delivery Bank "), to accept subject to proration and other terms and conditions contained in the Offer to Purchase, valid preferred tenders and non-preferred tenders in aggregate principal amounts of Old Bonds per series as set forth below.

The Tender Offer expired, as scheduled, on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 12:00 noon New York time for non-preferred tenders and at 2:00 p.m. New York time for preferred tenders.

The maximum purchase amount is (i) US$27,432,700.00 principal amount for the 2025 USD Bonds (as defined below), (ii) US$41,836,000 principal amount for the 2027 USD Bonds (as defined below) and (iii) US$0 principal amount for the 2031 USD Bonds (as defined below).

The aggregate principal amount of preferred and non-preferred tenders of Old Bonds and the aggregate principal amount of preferred and non-preferred tenders of such Old Bonds that have been accepted are shown in the table below. Appropriate adjustments will be made so that purchases are made in the minimum denominations set forth in the Offer to Purchase.

Old Bonds Aggregate Principal Amount

of Preferred Tenders Aggregate Principal

Amount of Preferred

Tenders Accepted Aggregate Principal

Amount of

Non-Preferred Tenders Aggregate Principal

Amount of

Non-Preferred Tenders

Accepted 6.875% Global Bonds due 2025 ("2025 USD Bonds") US$8,080,900 US$8,080,900 US$19,351,800 US$19,351,800 4.375% Global Bonds due 2027 ("2027 USD Bonds") US$41,836,000 US$41,836,000 US$17,586,734 US$0 4.375% Global Bonds due 2031 ("2031 USD Bonds") US$63,546,355 US$0 US$49,500,889 US$0

In accordance with the Offer to Purchase, the purchase price to be paid per US$1,000 principal amount of the 2025 USD Bonds and 2027 USD Bonds tendered and accepted pursuant to the Tender Offer will be equal to the fixed price indicated in the table below (the " Purchase Price ").

Old Bonds Outstanding

Nominal Principal

Amount as of

Monday,

September 2, 2024

ISIN

CUSIP Common Code Nominal Purchase Price

(per Ps.1,000 Principal

Amount)(1) (2) (3) 6.875% Global Bonds due 2025 ("2025 USD Bonds") US$116,713,080(2) US760942AX01 760942AX0 045490688 US$1,020.36(3) 4.375% Global Bonds due 2027 ("2027 USD Bonds") US$1,418,938,956 US760942BB71 760942BB7 131158840 US$1,013.32

(1) In addition, investors will receive Accrued Interest, as described below. (2) The aggregate principal amount outstanding of the 2025 USD Notes reflects the original principal amount of the 2025 USD Notes multiplied by an amortization factor of

0.66666667 (the "Amortization Factor"). (3) The amount to be paid for tendered 2025 USD Bonds accepted for purchase will be the Purchase Price times the Amortization Factor applied to the original principal amount

of such 2025 USD Bonds.

Holders of Old Bonds held through the Depository Trust Company (" DTC ") that have been validly tendered and accepted pursuant to the Tender Offer must deliver their accepted Old Bonds to the relevant Dealer Manager (as defined below) no later than 3:00 p.m., New York time, on the Settlement Date. Holders of Old Bonds held through Euroclear Bank SA/NV (" Euroclear ") or Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme (" Clearstream ") that have been validly tendered and accepted pursuant to the Tender Offer must deliver their Old Bonds to the Billing and Delivery Bank, at the latest, using the overnight process, one day prior to the Settlement Date and must not use the optional daylight process. The Settlement Date is expected to occur on Monday, September 9, 2024, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase.

Failure to deliver Old Bonds on time may result (i) in the cancellation of your tender and in you becoming liable for any damages resulting from that failure, (ii) in the case of preferred tenders (a) in the cancellation of any allocation of Uruguay's new Global USD Bonds maturing in 2060 (the " New Bonds ") in the New Bonds Offering (as defined below) in respect of your related indication of interest and/or (b) in the cancellation of your tender and in your remaining obligated to purchase your allocation of New Bonds in respect of your related indication of interest and/or (iii) in the delivery of a buy-in notice for the purchase of such Old Bonds, executed in accordance with customary brokerage practices for corporate fixed income securities. Any holder whose tender is cancelled will not receive the purchase price or accrued interest.

All Old Bonds that are tendered pursuant to tender orders placed through a Dealer Manager and are accepted as instructed by Uruguay will be purchased by the Billing and Delivery Bank in such amounts as Uruguay shall determine and subject to the terms and conditions of the Offer to Purchase. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Offer to Purchase, only the Billing and Delivery Bank will be liable for the payment of the purchase price and accrued interest for Old Bonds validly tendered and accepted by Uruguay as described in the Offer to Purchase. Uruguay will not be liable under any circumstances for the payment of the purchase price and accrued interest for any Old Bonds tendered in the Tender Offer by any holder. The Billing and Delivery Bank shall only have the obligation to sell to Uruguay the Old Bonds validly tendered and accepted for purchase that the Billing and Delivery Bank has actually purchased pursuant to the Tender Offer on the Settlement Date. Tender orders that are not for permitted tender amounts have not been accepted.

Subject to the conditions to settlement of the Tender Offer, Old Bonds accepted for purchase will be settled on a delivery versus payment basis solely with the Billing and Delivery Bank on the Settlement Date, in accordance with customary brokerage practices for corporate fixed income securities.

Uruguay has agreed to apply a portion of the net proceeds of its new bonds offering announced on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 (the " New Bonds Offering ") to purchase the Old Bonds accepted pursuant to the Tender Offer from the Billing and Delivery Bank at the applicable purchase price plus accrued interest in accordance with the Offer to Purchase. The Tender Offer is subject to the underwriting agreement relating to the New Bonds Offering and the dealer manager agreement relating to this Tender Offer not being terminated prior to or at the time of the settlement of the Tender Offer. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., Santander US Capital Markets LLC and Itau BBA USA Securities, Inc. acted as Dealer Managers for the Tender Offer. Morrow Sodali International LLC, trading as Sodali & Co, is the information agent in connection with the Tender Offer (" Information Agent "), and questions regarding the Tender Offer may be directed to the Information Agent or any of the Dealer Managers using the contact information below:

Sodali & Co Offer Website: https://projects.sodali.com/uruguay/ E-mail: [email protected]

In Stamford:

333 Ludlow Street, South Tower, 5th Floor

Stamford, CT 06902

United States of America

Telephone: +1 203 658 9457 In London:

The Leadenhall Building,

122 Leadenhall Street

London, EC3V 4AB

United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 20 4513 6933

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. 66 Hudson Boulevard New York, New York 10001 United States of America Attention: Global Liability Management Group Toll Free: +1 (888) HSBC-4LM Collect: +1 (212) 525-5552 Email: [email protected] Santander US Capital Markets LLC 437 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor New York, New York 10022 United States of America Attention: Liability Management Group Toll Free: +1 (855) 404-3636 Collect: +1 (212) 350-0660 Itau BBA USA Securities, Inc. 540 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor New York, New York 10022 United States of America Attention: DCM Collect: +1 (212) 710-6749

Important Notice

This announcement is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell the Old Bonds. The Tender Offer will be made only by and pursuant to the terms of the Offer to Purchase, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

The distribution of materials relating to the New Bonds Offering and the Tender Offer, and the transactions contemplated by the New Bonds Offering and Tender Offer, may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Each of the New Bonds Offering and the Tender Offer is made only in those jurisdictions where it is legal to do so. The New Bonds Offering and the Tender Offer are void in all jurisdictions where they are prohibited. If materials relating to the New Bonds Offering or the Tender Offer come into your possession, you are required to inform yourself of and to observe all of these restrictions. The materials relating to the New Bonds Offering and the Tender Offer do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation in any place where offers or solicitations are not permitted by law. If a jurisdiction requires that the New Bonds Offering or the Tender Offer be made by a licensed broker or dealer and a Dealer Manager or any affiliate of a Dealer Manager is a licensed broker or dealer in that jurisdiction, the New Bonds Offering or the Tender Offer, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be made by the Dealer Manager or such affiliate in that jurisdiction. Owners who may lawfully participate in the Tender Offer in accordance with the terms thereof are referred to as "holders."

Stabilization/FCA

No securities are intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in any Member State of the European Economic Area ("EEA"). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended, the "Insurance Distribution Directive"), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended or superseded, the "Prospectus Regulation"). Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling any securities or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore any offering or selling of any securities or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

No securities are intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom (the "UK"). For these purposes, (a) a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("EUWA"); (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ("FSMA") and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement the Insurance Distribution Directive, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or (iii) an investor who is not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation, and (b) the expression "offer" includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the securities. Consequently, no key information document required by the PRIIPs Regulation, as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the "UK PRIIPs Regulation"), for offering or selling securities or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore any offering or selling of securities or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.

The expression "UK Prospectus Regulation" means the Prospectus Regulation, as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA.

Neither this communication nor any other offer material relating to the Tender Offer is being made, and this communication has not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the FSMA. This announcement is for distribution only to persons who (i) are outside the UK; (ii) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the "Financial Promotion Order"); (iii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.") of the Financial Promotion Order; or (iv) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). This announcement is directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

* * *

ANY DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES THAT MAY APPEAR AFTER THIS MESSAGE ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS COMMUNICATION AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED. SUCH DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES WERE AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED AS A RESULT OF THIS COMMUNICATION BEING SENT VIA BLOOMBERG OR ANOTHER EMAIL SYSTEM.

SOURCE The Republic of Uruguay
eMeals Collection Pairs Products from Bob Evans Farms and Thomas' Breads to Brighten Your Day

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- If your standard breakfast is a grab-and-go bowl of cereal or carton of yogurt, you're missing out on the pleasures of a hearty, full-flavored meal that can both kickstart and fuel your morning. Now meal inspiration company eMeals has created a Worth the Wake Up collection of 12 easy-cook recipes featuring products from Bob Evans Farms and Thomas' Breads, making quick work of transforming your morning meal from boring to bravura.

Available free on eMeals' Worth the Wake Up landing page or in the Bonus Collection of the eMeals app for subscribers, the collection utilizes six Bob Evans Farms products (Bob Evans Liquid Egg Whites, Sausage Patties, Sausage Roll, Sausage Links and two Simply Potatoes varieties) and four Thomas' Breads (Plain Bagels, Everything Bagels, Original English Muffins and Buttermilk English Muffins) to whip up breakfasts that deliver restaurant-caliber taste with minimal time and effort. The recipes offer easy ways to:

Upgrade everyday French toast with Cinnamon Crunch Bagel French Toast dredged in crushed cinnamon crunch cereal or a company-worthy French Toast Bread Pudding topped with sugared strawberries and whipped cream.

with dredged in crushed cinnamon crunch cereal or a company-worthy topped with sugared strawberries and whipped cream. Get creative with crumbled sausage in recipes like Herbed Sausage Balls and Maple Sausage Pancakes, providing new ways to enjoy your favorite breakfast meat.

in recipes like and providing new ways to enjoy your favorite breakfast meat. Elevate the breakfast sandwich with Sausage Reuben English Muffins, Cheesy Sausage Bagels or the Ultimate Bagel Breakfast Sandwich  a tower of smoked salmon, cream cheese, pickled red onions, scrambled egg whites, fresh dill and capers.

with or the a tower of smoked salmon, cream cheese, pickled red onions, scrambled egg whites, fresh dill and capers. Take a Tex-Mex twist with Huevos Rancheros Bagels spread with refried beans, scrambled egg whites, cheese, sausage patties, salsa and guacamole, or go Mediterranean with Italian English Muffins or English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas.

with spread with refried beans, scrambled egg whites, cheese, sausage patties, salsa and guacamole, or go Mediterranean with or Add cups and casseroles to the mix with English Muffin Breakfast Cups (cubed muffins, eggs, cream, cheese and diced ham, bacon or sausage) or Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole (cubed bagels, crumbled sausage, spinach, red bell pepper and cheese).

eMeals' weekly meal planning service offers the same creativity and variety seven days a week  complete with a choice of meal plans for 15 different eating styles including Quick and Healthy, Clean Eating, Low Calorie, Low Carb, 30 Minute Meals, Kid Friendly and Vegetarian, plus periodic Occasions Plan and Bonus Collection menus for recipes that may not fit into the nightly dinner category.

eMeals subscriptions cost as little as $5/month, save an average of two hours of meal planning time every week, help reduce grocery expenses by utilizing ingredients efficiently and avoiding impulse purchases, and include optional one-click shopping from major retailers. Free 14-day trials are available here.

About eMeals

eMeals is the leading meal planning platform that has helped millions of families reduce the daily stress of preparing healthy, home-cooked meals while saving time and money. The eMeals platform seamlessly connects those consumers with retailers and brands to drive grocery orders and boost CPG product sales. Beyond meal planning, the eMeals platform includes the RecipeBox app for saving and organizing recipes from across the web, and the GroceryConnect SDK which integrates the company's online grocery shopping technology into third-party apps and websites. To learn more, visit https://emeals.com.

About Bob Evans Farms, Inc.

For over 75 years, Bob Evans Farms has delivered delicious, quick-to-table, farm-inspired food that makes mealtime a little bit easier and a lot more delicious. We're proud to be the No. 1-selling refrigerated dinner sides*, including many varieties of wholesome, feel-good favorites such as mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese, sold in grocery stores across the country. We're also a leading producer and distributor of sausage and egg products including liquid eggs. In addition to our flagship Bob Evans brand, our product portfolio includes Simply Potatoes, Egg Beaters and Owens Sausage. Bob Evans Farms is based in Columbus, Ohio, and is owned by Post Holdings, Inc., a consumer-packaged goods holding company. For more information about Bob Evans Farms, Inc., visit www.bobevansgrocery.com.

About Bimbo Bakeries USA

Bimbo Bakeries USA is a leader in the baking industry, known for its category leading brands, innovative products, freshness and quality. Our team of 20,000+ U.S. associates operates approximately 60 manufacturing locations in the United States. Over 11,000 distribution routes deliver our leading brands such as Arnold, Artesano, Ball Park, Bimbo, Boboli, Brownberry, Entenmann's, Little Bites, Marinela, Mrs Baird's, Oroweat, Sara Lee, Stroehmann and Thomas'. Bimbo Bakeries USA is owned by Mexico's Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B de C.V., the world's largest baking company with operations in 35 countries.

*Source: Circana Total US MULO Latest 52 week ending July 14, 2024.

SOURCE eMeals
NEW YORK and SYDNEY, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RE1 Limited, in its capacity as responsible entity and trustee of Scentre Group Trust 2 (the "Offeror"), a trust forming part of the stapled entity Scentre Group (ASX: SCG) ("Scentre Group"), announced today the preliminary early tender results for its previously announced tender offer (the "Tender Offer") for up to US$550 million aggregate principal amount (the "Maximum Tender Amount") of its outstanding Subordinated Non-Call 6 Fixed Rate Reset Notes due 2080 (the "Notes"). The terms and conditions of the Tender Offer are set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated August 20, 2024 (the "Offer to Purchase").

Preliminary Early Tender Results

As of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 4, 2024 (the "Early Tender Time"), according to preliminary information provided by Global Bondholder Services Corporation, the tender and information agent for the Tender Offer, the aggregate principal amount of the Notes set forth in the table below under "Principal Amount Tendered as of Early Tender Time" had been validly tendered in the Tender Offer. Withdrawal rights for the Notes expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City Time, on September 4, 2024.

The amount tendered satisfied the Minimum Tender Condition and exceeded the Maximum Tender Amount. Scentre Management Limited, in its capacity as responsible entity and trustee of SGT1, intends to conduct an offering of new subordinated debt securities to certain institutional investors outside the United States (the "Financing Transaction"). As described in the Offer to Purchase, the amount of Notes the Offeror will repurchase in the Tender Offer depends on the outcome of the Financing Transaction, and the Offeror may, but is under no obligation to, increase the Maximum Tender Amount. The Offeror will announce the results of the Financing Transaction and the amount it intends to repurchase in the Tender Offer after pricing of the Financing Transaction.

Title of Security CUSIP Nos. and ISINs Principal Amount Outstanding Principal Amount Tendered as of Early Tender

Time Subordinated Non-Call 6 Fixed

Rate Reset Notes due 2080 144A CUSIP: 76025LAA2

Reg S CUSIP: Q8053LAA2 144A ISIN: US76025LAA26

Reg S ISIN: USQ8053LAA28 US$1,387,955,000 US$771,711,000

The Tender Offer is being made pursuant to the Offer to Purchase which sets forth a more detailed description of the Tender Offer. The Tender Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 19, 2024, or any other date and time to which the Offeror extends the Tender Offer, unless earlier terminated. The Offeror urges holders of the Notes to read the Offer to Purchase carefully before making any decision with respect to the Tender Offer. The Offer to Purchase may be obtained at www.gbsc-usa.com/scentre/ or by contacting the tender and information agent using the telephone number or email address found below under "Dealer Managers and Tender and Information Agent".

Dealer Managers and Tender and Information Agent

The Offeror has appointed Merrill Lynch International, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and SMBC Nikko Capital Markets Limited as dealer managers (the "Dealer Managers") for the Tender Offer. The Offeror has retained Global Bondholder Services Corporation as the tender and information agent for the Tender Offer. For additional information regarding the terms of the Tender Offer, please contact: Merrill Lynch International at +44 207 996 5420 (international) or +1 (980) 387-3907 (in the U.S.) or +1 (888) 292-0070 (U.S. toll-free) or [email protected] (email) or RBC Capital Markets, LLC at (212) 618-7843 (in the U.S.) or (877) 381-2099 (U.S. toll-free) or [email protected] (email) or SMBC Nikko Capital Markets Limited at + 44 204 507 5043 or [email protected] (email). Requests for documents and questions regarding the tendering of Notes may be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation by telephone at (212) 430-3774 (for banks and brokers only), (855) 654-2015 (toll-free) or 001-212-430-3774 (international), by email at contact@gbscusa.com or at https://www.gbsc-usa.com/scentre/.

This press release shall not constitute, or form part of, an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy or an offer to purchase or sell any securities. The Tender Offer is being made only pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and only in such jurisdictions as is permitted under applicable law.

Neither the Offer to Purchase nor any disclosure document (as defined in the Australian Corporations Act 2001) in relation to the Notes has been or will be lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and in Australia, the Tender Offer is only available to persons to whom an offer or invitation can be made without disclosure in accordance with Parts 6D.2 or 7.9 of the Australian Corporations Act.

From time to time after completion of the Tender Offer, the Offeror or its affiliates may purchase additional Notes in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, through tender or exchange offers or other methods, or the Offeror may redeem Notes pursuant to their terms. Any future purchases may be on the same terms or on terms that are more or less favorable to holders of the Notes than the terms of the Tender Offer.

About Scentre Group

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and communities of the lands on which our business operates. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to their Elders past and present.

We recognise the unique role of Maori as Tangata Whenua of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Scentre Group (ASX: SCG) owns and operates 42 Westfield destinations across Australia and New Zealand encompassing more than 12,000 outlets. Our Purpose is creating extraordinary places, connecting and enriching communities. Our Plan is to create the places more people choose to come, more often, for longer. Our Ambition is to grow the business by becoming essential to people, their communities and the businesses that interact with them.

This release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are information of a nonhistorical nature or which relate to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. No assurance can be given that the transactions described herein will be consummated or as to the ultimate terms of any such transactions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law or regulation (including the ASX Listing Rules) neither the Offeror nor Scentre Group undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Contact: Scentre Group Corporate Affairs, [email protected]

SOURCE Scentre Group
New season introduces stories of conservation hope about more than two dozen species across five countries, inspiring generations with insights from renowned experts and organizations

NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Emmy nominated Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild returns for its highly anticipated second season, premiering Saturday, Oct. 5, on NBC. The series, presented by Mutual of Omaha in an exclusive partnership with Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG), airs as part of the network's "The More You Know" educational and informational programming block. Building on the legacy of the original series and the success of its first season, which captivated more than 1.1 million viewers each week, Season Two will take viewers on a wild journey within the U.S. and beyond with awe-inspiring conservation stories.

Peter Gros and Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant introduce viewers to a new array of fascinating endangered species in Season 2 of "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild," premiering October 5 on NBC

Exploring Conservation Stories from Land to Sea

Guided by Co-hosts Peter Gros and Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, each episode will shed light on the tireless efforts of trusted wildlife organizations and experts to safeguard endangered and threatened species. Viewers will get an up-close look at many exciting animals, such as Dr. Wynn-Grant's venture into a black bear's den to assist in the health check of a mother bear and her new baby cubs to ensure the longevity of their pack. On a dive into the depths of the Caribbean with many different types of sharks, Gros, a veteran wildlife expert, experiences a close encounter with these often-misunderstood predators. A journey into the rainforests of Panama leads the team to an unexpected rescue mission to protect adorable sloths which are crucial to their ecosystem.

"Our goal is to showcase uplifting conservation stories to educate and inspire viewers and generate awareness for the many incredible species and ecosystems that make up our world," said Jennifer Wulf, vice president, brand marketing for Mutual of Omaha. "The decades-long legacy we've built with Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom is a way for us to highlight our brand purpose: protection of the human and wild kingdoms."

Combining Legacy and Today's Priorities in Award-Winning Content

"Together with Mutual of Omaha and NBC, we've revitalized the original wildlife TV brand, bringing it back to broadcast television in a way that honors its rich traditions while ensuring that the series' mission remains relevant today," said Bryan Curb, HMPG EVP and general manager, education/information. "The show is resonating with audiences and earning industry recognition, including four Daytime Emmy nominations and 15 Telly Awards."

In keeping with its mission of promoting conservation and reducing carbon footprints, the show's production team is in the process of receiving recognition from two accredited television-production organizations, the Environmental Media Association (EMA) and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts' (BAFTA) albert certification.

Reaching New Audiences: More Ways to Tune In

Guided by the effort to encourage conservation action and inspiration for broader audiences, alongside its Season Two premiere on NBC, Season One of the series will debut in Spanish on Telemundo under the title Mutual of Omaha's Reino Animal: Protegiendo la Naturaleza (times vary; check local listings). Those who would like a more detailed look at Season One stories with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and Peter Gros and wildlife experts can also tune into "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom The Podcast," available everywhere podcasts are available.

Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, featured as well on NBC.com, NBC VOD and Peacock, is part of HMPG's current program portfolio which comprises more than 30 original series and hundreds of hours of content annually on leading broadcast networks and station groups and on connected TV and streaming platforms. HMPG has a library of more than 4,000 hours of programming and its content can be found in 97 countries.

About Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom

Since its network television premiere in 1963, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom has been one of the most loved and respected wildlife programs in television history. The Daytime Emmy nominated Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, now airing weekends on NBC's "The More You Know" time block, celebrates stories of conservation success, including the great work of caring, compassionate experts and how they are making a positive impact on the Wild Kingdom. For more information about Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, visit wildkingdom.com.

About Mutual of Omaha

Founded in 1909, Mutual of Omaha is a highly rated, Fortune 500 organization offering a variety of insurance and financial products for individuals, businesses, and groups throughout the United States. As a mutual company, Mutual of Omaha is owned by its policyholders and committed to providing outstanding service to its customers. For more information about Mutual of Omaha, visit mutualofomaha.com.

About Hearst Media Production Group

Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG), a business unit of Hearst Television, is an independent producer and distributor of original programming for TV stations, broadcast and cable networks and streaming services. HMPG produces hundreds of hours of programming annually across linear, streaming, digital and social media platforms for domestic and international distribution in nearly 100 countries. Its popular shows include the Emmy Award-winning educational/informational (E/I) programming blocks airing weekends nationwide including "Weekend Adventure," on ABC stations; "CBS WKND," on the CBS Network; "The More You Know," on the NBC Network; "One Magnificent Morning," on the CW Network; "Mi Telemundo" on the Telemundo Network and "Go Time" on independent stations. HMPG also produces and/or distributes a diverse slate of other programming and content including Matter of Fact with Soledad O'Brien, America's #1 nationally syndicated public affairs news magazine; Consumer Reports TV, and the company's dedicated FAST channels Xplore, The Jack Hanna Channel and Rovr Pets, available on some of the most popular smart TVs and streaming platforms. HMPG has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and Charlotte. HMPG is represented by United Talent Agency.

SOURCE Hearst Media Production Group, LLC
Grant Announcement Event for Public & Press Thursday, Sept. 5, 11 a.m., East Side of Providence

Event Details: 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, 2 River Drive, Providence, RI, 02906 (in the meadow across the street from the Narragansett Boat Club, overlooking the Seekonk River). The event is free and open to the public and press, and will be held rain or shine. Park along River Drive.

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Southeast New England Program (SNEP), funded by Congress and managed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), works to restore clean water, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable communities in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. On Thursday, Sept. 5, U.S. Senator Jack Reed will join federal, state and local partners to announce $11.5 million in grants and technical assistance for local organizations working on high-priority environmental projects throughout the region.

The funding to be announced includes $1.5 million in grants to seven Rhode Island organizations through SNEP Watershed Implementation Grants (SWIG), managed by Restore America's Estuaries (RAE).

At the event, EPA will also announce $8.75 million in new funding for technical assistance to help communities working on clean water and healthy ecosystems. The assistance will be provided over the next five years through the SNEP Network, managed by the New England Environmental Finance Center at the University of Southern Maine, part of the University of Maine system.

The grant announcement event will begin at 11 a.m and will be hosted by Mayor Brett P. Smiley of Providence. In addition to Senator Reed and Mayor Smiley, the speaking program will include:

U.S. Representative Gabe Amo

Councilwoman Helen Anthony , Ward 2, Providence

Kim Korioth , Chief Resilience Officer, State of Rhode Island

Karen McGuire , Deputy Regional Administrator, EPA New England

Martha Sheils , Director, New England Environmental Finance Center / SNEP Network

Tom Ardito , Director, SNEP Watershed Implementation Grants, Restore America's Estuaries

To conclude the speaking program, Tom Ardito will introduce the seven Rhode Island grantees who will be available to discuss their restoration projects.

At noon, following the event, the City of Providence and Blackstone Parks Conservancy will lead a walking tour of nearby York Pond, a small coastal pond which has been degraded by runoff from its urban watershed. One of the grants to be announced is providing $282,000 to the Conservancy and partners to construct and plant a stormwater control project in Blackstone Park, a first step toward reducing runoff to the Pond. As York Pond flows into the Seekonk River and Narragansett Bay, this project will benefit communities throughout Rhode Island and beyond.

The work in Providence is just one example of SNEP's support for clean water, healthy ecosystems, and thriving communities throughout Southeast New England. Since 2012, SNEP has provided $67 million in funding and technical assistance to help municipalities, non-profit organizations, state and tribal governments, and other organizations accomplish these goals. By funding partnerships, promoting information-sharing, and helping to develop new technologies, SNEP is building capacity for better management of the regional environment while providing on-the-ground benefits for communities and ecosystems. A significant portion of SNEP resources is dedicated toward environmental justice communities throughout the region.

"I helped create the Southeast New England Program to strengthen our ecosystems by bringing people together across communities to develop a strategic, informed approach to protecting and improving the health of Narragansett Bay and our entire coastal watershed," said Senator Jack Reed. "The SNEP awards we are celebrating today will advance several key projects that will enhance water quality and improve the overall health and well-being of our communities, waterways, and estuaries."

"EPA New England is thrilled to help announce this year's grant awards under the Southeast New England Program (SNEP). Through its partners Restore America's Estuaries and the Environmental Finance Center of the University of Southern Maine, SNEP has worked closely with local communities to improve water quality and restore coastal habitats in Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts." said EPA New England Deputy Regional Administrator Karen McGuire. "Thanks to support from Senator Reed and his Congressional colleagues since 2014, this beautiful landscape of coasts and communities has benefitted from millions of dollars in funding for projects and technical assistance. Today's award enables the great work of restoration and protection to continue."

"These grants will result in big benefits across Rhode Island," said Terry Gray, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. "The projects that are being funded will improve water quality, support important habitat, and help combat the threats from stormwater pollution and the impacts from climate change. These projects also show a great diversity in investments across the state on both the types of projects being supported and the communities where they are located. We look forward to working with the SNEP team and all the applicants as this work goes forward."

"The funding from these grants will help protect our waterways, improve stormwater management infrastructure and further our efforts to build a more climate resilient city," said Mayor Brett P. Smiley. "Thanks to Senator Reed's continued leadership and advocacy on behalf of Providence, we are creating a healthier, more sustainable future for generations to come. I am looking forward to collaborating with the team at SNEP to advance these important projects and improve the health and well-being of our entire community."

The event is free and open to the public and press, and will include photo, video and interview opportunities. Grantees will be available to discuss their projects following the speaking portion of the event.

Massachusetts Event: A companion event to introduce Massachusetts grantees and funding will be held in Yarmouth, MA on October 4. See www.snepgrants.org for details.

2024 SNEP Grant Recipients

The recipients of the 2024 SNEP Watershed Implementation Grants were selected through a competitive process from among $9 million in requests. The 12 projects to be funded are:

Rhode Island Grants

Trout Unlimited / RI Dept. of Environmental Management | Breakheart Pond Dam Removal Engineering (Arcadia Management Area, Richmond, RI) | $190,000

Groundwork Rhode Island / Blackstone Park Conservancy / City of Providence | Stormwater Management in York Pond Watershed | $282,288

Town of Coventry | Upper Dam Pond Restoration | $87,568

Town of South Kingstown | Green Hill Pond Water Quality Improvements | $250,000

Pawtuxet River Authority | Fish Passage Engineering at Pontiac Dam (Cranston) | $150,000

Town of Smithfield | Esmond Village Natural Infrastructure Park | $346,522

City of Cranston | Natural Solutions for Flood Mitigation, Fenner Pond Watershed | $192,500

Massachusetts Grants

Nantucket Conservation Foundation | Windswept Bog Wetland Restoration| $200,000

Buzzards Bay Coalition | Remediating Stormwater Pollution at Buttonwood Park Zoo (New Bedford) | $362,838

Town of Yarmouth | Chase Brook Park Coastal Restoration | $434,230

Barnstable Clean Water Coalition | Marston's Mills Cranberry Bog Restoration | $200,000

Interstate Grant

New England Water Pollution Control Comm. | Community-Based Habitat Restoration: Water Chestnut Management in Blackstone & Ten Mile Watersheds, Phase 2 | $100,000

For more on EPA's Southeast New England Program, see www.epa.gov/snep

For more about SNEP Watershed Implementation Grants, see www.snepgrants.org

For more on the SNEP Network, see www.snepnetwork.org

SOURCE Restore America's Estuaries
Innovative Partnership Brings Comprehensive Location Intelligence to California's Leading Real Estate Brokerage

MONTREAL, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Local Logic, a leading location intelligence company, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Seven Gables Real Estate, one of Southern California's premier brokerage firms. This collaboration will introduce Local Logic's cutting-edge productsLocal Content, Local Search, and NeighborhoodWraponto Seven Gables' new consumer-facing website, designed and developed by Union Street Media.

Seven Gables Real Estate, renowned for its commitment to innovation and local expertise, will now leverage Local Logic's advanced location insights to provide an unparalleled experience for homebuyers. By integrating Local Logic's products, Seven Gables will offer consumers comprehensive, hyper-localized data that transforms their home search journey.

"Our partnership with Local Logic is a significant milestone in our mission to offer the most informed and engaging real estate experience," said Mike Hickman, CEO of Seven Gables Real Estate. "The ability to provide our clients with detailed, location-specific information will not only enhance their home search but also empower them to make decisions with confidence."

Seven Gables Real Estate will be one of the first large independent brokerages in California to showcase Local Logic's products, giving them a competitive edge in the marketplace.

Local Content transforms website traffic into informed leads by highlighting key local features, boosting user engagement, and providing consumers with valuable, actionable insights.

Local Search simplifies the home search process, allowing consumers to quickly assess and compare properties based on lifestyle preferences, with dynamic, real-time scores tailored to their individual needs.

NeighborhoodWrap establishes local expertise by delivering detailed neighborhood insights, enriching the home search experience with interactive content, and improving SEO performance through comprehensive, crawlable neighborhood pages.

"Partnering with Seven Gables Real Estate allows us to extend our mission of improving every real estate decision by providing consumers with the data they need to find their dream home," said Vincent-Charles Hodder, Co-Founder & CEO of Local Logic. "We are excited to collaborate with an innovative leader like Seven Gables Real Estate and look forward to seeing how our solutions will enhance their clients' real estate experience."

About Seven Gables Real Estate

Seven Gables Real Estate is one of Orange County's largest real estate brokerage firms, serving 27 major communities throughout Southern California with a team of over 465 agents. Recognized nationally for innovation and local expertise, Seven Gables equips its agents with the tools necessary to outshine competitors, leading to a 30% higher productivity rate per agent in dollar volume sold. Learn more at https://www.sevengables.com/

About Local Logic

Local Logic is a leading location intelligence company whose mission is to improve every real estate decision, from consumers seeking a neighborhood that aligns with their lifestyle to investors aiming to pinpoint the best locations for development or local governments striving to build more sustainable cities through better urban planning. Our extensive dataset of over 100 billion data points provides unparalleled insights and analytics that have influenced billions of dollars worth of real estate transactions and continuously help more than 15 million monthly users across 8,000 websites in the US and Canada make better-informed decisions. Notable partners include a wide range of real estate players, from RE/MAX and Realtor.com to CRMLS, Beaches MLS, Corelogic, and many more. Learn more at https://locallogic.co

SOURCE Local Logic
SHANGHAI, Sept. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from english.shanghai.gov.cn:

The legislature of Shanghai passed revised regulations on August 22 to further advance the city as an international financial center.

The regulations, which will take effect on October 1, emphasize deepening financial reforms, thus bolstering support for the real economy and mitigating financial risks while establishing a strong legal foundation for Shanghai's pivotal role in national finance.

A major focus of the revised regulations is enhancing Shanghai's financial infrastructure and institutional framework.

The city will encourage the establishment of headquarters and specialized branches of financial institutions to facilitate growth of a diversified financial ecosystem.

To strengthen the capital markets, Shanghai will improve financial metrics, such as the "Shanghai Price" and "Shanghai Index," and develop Chinese yuan asset pricing benchmarks.

Additionally, a national platform for bulk commodity circulation will be built, underscoring Shanghai's role in the global trading system.

In terms of financial innovation, the city aims to position itself as a global fintech center. This includes developing infrastructure, key institutions, and innovation platforms for fintech and advancing research, development, and application of digital renminbi.

Pilot zones will be established to support financing for technology firms, with the Lin-gang Special Area leading innovations in tech insurance.

The regulations also support green finance by developing service platforms and certification institutions, promoting the coordinated growth of financial and carbon markets.

The regulations address the growing needs of the elder sector and silver economy, encouraging innovation in financial products related to elder care and health.

Additionally, the city will deepen the application of digital platforms to expand inclusive finance and support the development of supply chain finance.

The revised regulations also promote high-level financial opening-up by advocating the use of renminbi in global markets, including bulk commodities, cross-border e-commerce, shipping services, and international investment and financing.

Shanghai also aims to establish itself as a global asset management center and an international reinsurance hub.

Related Story:

International Financial Center

SOURCE english.shanghai.gov.cn
States Dedicating 2021 Infrastructure Law Funds to 4,100+ Projects

National and State Rankings Available: www.artbabridgereport.org

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 221,800 U.S. bridges need major repair or replacement, an American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) analysis of recently released federal government data shows.

Placed end-to-end, these structures span over 6,100 miles, or the equivalent of every mile of urban and rural Interstate in California, Florida, and Illinois.

Of the bridges needing repair, 42,067 are rated in poor condition and classified as "structurally deficient." That is 324 fewer than in 2023.

States with the biggest decline in the number of bridges in poor condition: Pennsylvania (down 90), Louisiana (down 87), Florida (down 85), West Virginia (down 74), and California (down 64).

Bridges in poor condition represent 6.8 percent of the 2024 U.S. bridge inventorycompared to 7.3 percent in 2020.

"Over the last five years we have seen significant progress in states like Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Louisiana, and West Virginia - reducing the number of bridges in poor condition," said Dr. Alison Premo Black, ARTBA's chief economist, who conducted the analysis. "While improvements can take time, every bridge repair increases the safety and efficiency of our network for the traveling public."

States have received $15.9 billion in the first three years of the IIJA's new $27.5 billion formula bridge program and, to date, have committed 46 percent ($7.3 billion) of these resources to over 4,170 bridge projects.

The remaining 54 percent ($8.5 billion) of already released bridge funds  plus the $10.6 billion that will be provided in the next two years - will support needed bridge improvements well into the future.

Twenty-three states have committed at least half of their available bridge formula funds, with the top 10 being: Georgia (100%), North Dakota (99%), Indiana (98%), Florida (96%), Oklahoma (95%), Nebraska (91.5%), Idaho (91.5%), Arkansas (88%), West Virginia (85%) and Alabama (85%).

Bridges that have come off the "poor condition" list include:

I-695 over U.S. 40, Md.

I-93 over Conley Street , Mass.

, Mass. I-680 over Capitol Avenue, Calif.

I-55 over Madison Street , Ill.

, Ill. I-95 over Route 608, Va.

Bridges newly rated in poor condition include:

I-90 over Canal to Stewart Streets, Ill.

Interstate 680 over Monument Boulevard, Calif.

I-93 over Mystic Valley Parkway, Mass.

I-95 North and Southbound over Thurbers Avenue, R.I.

IH-35 over Grand Avenue, Texas

Based on average cost data submitted by states to the U.S. Department of Transportation, ARTBA estimates it would cost over $400 billion to make all needed repairs to the 221,800 structures.

About the Report

The data in the report is from the Federal Highway Administration's National Bridge Inventory (NBI), downloaded on August 20. Specific conditions on bridges may have changed because of recent work or updated inspections.

Bridges are classified in good, fair, or poor condition based on their inspection ratings and definitions from U.S. DOT.

The definition of "poor" is when a key element of the bridgethe deck, superstructure, substructure, or culverts, are rated in poor or worse condition. During inspection, the conditions of a variety of bridge elements are rated on a scale of 0 (failed condition) to 9 (excellent condition). A rating of 4 is considered "poor" condition.

About ARTBA

Established in 1902, the Washington, D.C.-based ARTBA brings together all facets of the transportation construction industry to responsibly advocate for infrastructure investment and policy that meet the nation's need for safe and efficient travel.

SOURCE American Road & Transportation Builders Association
TOKYO and SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Strider Technologies, Inc. the leading provider of strategic intelligence, today announced it has officially completed incorporation of its Japan subsidiary, Strider Technologies Japan KK, and opened its Tokyo office to further support the expansion of its economic security solutions in Japan, the company's fastest growing international market.

The Indo-Pacific is a significant source of demand for Strider's strategic intelligence solutions, as organizations across industry, government, and academia seek to promote economic security and address state-sponsored risks to their technology, people, and supply chains.

"In Japan, leaders across government and industry are paying increased attention to the benefits of a proactive approach to the economic security risks posed by state-sponsored actors," said Corey Johnston, Strider's Vice President of International Expansion and Representative Director to the newly established Japan office. "Strider's intelligence solutions are a natural complement to Japan's global leadership on enhancing national economic security, including through new measures focused on research security, critical infrastructure protection, and technology development. Our incorporation in Japan demonstrates Strider's strong commitment to delivering the strategic intelligence solutions needed to achieve Japan's complex economic security objectives."

Since 2023, Strider has experienced 175 percent year-over-year growth in Japan. Strider's customers in the region include Fortune 500 corporations, leading universities, and government clients. The newest Strider office is located in Tokyo's Minato district.

Strider's strategic intelligence enables organizations to promote economic security and secure innovation by identifying and responding to risks as state-sponsored actors increasingly target private industry, government, and leading universities in an ongoing battle for geopolitical, economic, technological, and data dominance.

Strider's integrated global intelligence platform leverages AI, open source data, and proprietary processing and collection methodologies to arm organizations around the world with the strategic intelligence they need to identify and address state-sponsored risk. It enables organizations to secure critical assets and inform decision-making so that they can better compete in the global economy.

Strider's global intelligence platform offers a growing suite of intelligence solutions and capabilities, including:

Ranger : Strider's flagship risk intelligence solution that helps identify and manage state-sponsored risk targeting a specific organization's technology and talent.





: Strider's flagship risk intelligence solution that helps identify and manage state-sponsored risk targeting a specific organization's technology and talent. Shield : An email security solution that provides verified email addresses, domain names, and key words directly linked to state-sponsored actors known to target personnel.





: An email security solution that provides verified email addresses, domain names, and key words directly linked to state-sponsored actors known to target personnel. Checkpoint : A third-party due diligence solution that provides visibility into state-sponsored security, compliance, and reputational risk.





: A third-party due diligence solution that provides visibility into state-sponsored security, compliance, and reputational risk. Sentry : A due diligence solution that identifies connections that individuals may have with state-sponsored risk.





: A due diligence solution that identifies connections that individuals may have with state-sponsored risk. Data Catalog: Curated data assets that empower state-sponsored risk insights for public sector organizations.

Strider at ECONOSEC Japan 2024

Strider Technologies will be participating at ECONOSEC 2024 Japan at the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho Hall on September 12-13. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear Hiroshi Taniguchi, Strider's Director of Japan Operations, present on "Using Open-Source Data to Protect Your Technology, Talent, and Supply Chains" and visit Strider's booth in the exhibition hall. Strider's Director of Japan Strategy, David Parker, will also participate in an expert panel discussion on Building Corporate Economic Security Intelligence Capabilities.

To learn more or book a demo of the Strider Global Intelligence Platform, visit https://www.striderintel.com/demo/.

About Strider

Strider is the leading strategic intelligence company empowering organizations to secure and advance their technology and innovation. Leveraging cutting-edge AI technology alongside proprietary methodologies, Strider transforms publicly available data into critical insights. This increased intelligence enables organizations to proactively address and respond to risks associated with state-sponsored intellectual property theft, targeted talent acquisition, and supply chain vulnerabilities. Strider has operations around the globe with offices in Salt Lake City, Washington, DC, London, and Tokyo.

Media Contact: Ellen Wilhelm, [email protected], +18458573406

SOURCE Strider Technologies, Inc.
SierraIG plans to invest $50m USD in the coming years to support the region's growing data center and hyperscale cloud demand

The government of Queretaro states that the establishment of SierraIG confirms the state's position as a hub for technology investment

SierraIG anticipates an unprecedented demand for a unique and dense dark fiber footprint in Mexico

MEXICO CITY, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SierraIG, a joint venture between SummitIG and Neutral Networks, is excited to establish a pure-play dark fiber infrastructure provider in Mexico that is committed to building purpose-built and underground dense fiber infrastructure in key data center markets throughout Mexico starting with the Queretaro and Monterrey markets. SummitIG will hold a majority stake in SierraIG, marking its first operations outside of the United States.

SierraIG will utilize the current fiber assets to data centers from Neutral Networks and has plans to expand its network infrastructure platform to 750 km, with an investment of $50m USD. SierraIG will provide custom dark fiber connectivity solutions between data centers for hyperscalers, cloud and content service providers, large enterprises, and both national and international carriers in Mexico. The network will provide unparalleled quality through unique and diverse routes, backed by a team with over 30 years of industry experience.

For the first time in Mexico's history, data center operators and hyperscalers are investing billions of dollars in the region, and will need new, scalable and highly reliable network infrastructure to meet their connectivity demands.

"SierraIG aligns the best-in-class resources and relationships across both organizations, SummitIG will provide growth capital and deep understanding of architecting and constructing critical digital infrastructure assets while Neutral Networks will provide local expertise and knowledge in delivering and operating networks in the region," said Sunny Kumar, CEO of SummitIG. "We are thrilled to partner with Neutral Networks on this venture and be a catalyst for data center growth in Mexico."

In addition, the head of the Ministry of Sustainable Development (SEDESU) of the State of Queretaro, Marco Antonio Del Prete Tercero, stated that, "Queretaro has become the Valley of Data Centers, which are facilities that require underground, diverse and reliable fiber optic networks for their operations. The creation of SierraIG by Neutral Networks and SummitIG contributes to the infrastructure and connectivity needs demanded by companies in the sector. Furthermore, this project confirms Queretaro's position as an attractive state for investment in technology."

"Mexico has an unprecedented opportunity to establish itself as one of the major Data Center hubs in Latin America, and both industry and government officials need to work together to make this happen. With SummitIG's proven track record of designing and managing dense dark fiber infrastructure platforms, we are very pleased to partner with SummitIG and capitalize on this generational opportunity in the country," said Gabriel Navarro, CEO of Neutral Networks.

"We will continue to strengthen relationships with all stakeholders to make this happen, including the different governmental agencies responsible for granting permits, as they are crucial for the timely execution of the data center ecosystem, enabling hyperscalers and data center operators to activate their significant investments," concluded Navarro.

About Neutral Networks

Neutral Networks is a Mexican company focused on providing 100% neutral connectivity to carriers, service providers, and operators. It offers turnkey infrastructure services for the telecommunications market, including dark fiber leasing, lit fiber, Internet, and long-distance fiber solutions. Its mission is to bridge the significant gap between infrastructure and consumer demand, helping our country become one of the best-connected nations in the world. Learn more at https://neutralnetworks.mx

About SummitIG

SummitIG is the leading pure play dense dark fiber infrastructure provider. The company designs, constructs and operates custom and purpose-built dark fiber connectivity essential to the digital economy. SummitIG's unmatched approach to network architecture and fiber density along unique routes across its network platform enables hyperscale cloud providers, carriers, data center operators and enterprises to seamlessly connect mission-critical data center and cloud computing environments. For more information, please visit www.summitig.com .

SOURCE SummitIG
FREMONT, Calif., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- High interest car loans can mean tremendous stress when cash-strapped consumers try to balance the already higher costs of living. Refinancing an auto loan with a lower payment can mean the difference between whether a family can afford groceries.

As part of their mission to make car ownership affordable for all Americans, the team at Way.com launched their auto refinance program in 2023 and has partnered with credit unions across the country to provide the lowest rates possible for those looking to lessen a costly monthly payment.

"Sea Air FCU is dedicated in providing opportunities to keep auto rates low and maximizing value on an array of auto ownership related expenses, from gas and EV chargers to parking. We are looking forward to our new partnership with Way that will expand these opportunities." Michael Pardon, CEO of Sea Air Federal Credit Union, said.

"We are excited to join forces with Sea Air Federal Credit Union. Our shared commitment to helping Americans live more affordably makes this partnership a perfect match," Way's Executive Vice President of Auto Finance & Insurance Tom Holgate commented.

Way's Executive Director of Financial Partnerships Steven Gordon echoed the sentiment, "We are so thrilled to partner with Sea Air Federal Credit Union for several reasons. One of which is their ability to enhance families' affordability in all 50 states, as well as their active support in assisting active and retired military members."

Way's auto refinance program has helped customers save up to $1850 a year on their vehicle payments by matching them with a lender that will provide them with the best rate in the market.

About Way.com:

Way.com is the leading fintech platform for car ownership, where 7 million drivers have enjoyed peace of mind, protection, and cashback for their car expenses in one digital destination. The #1 auto super app team believes car ownership should be affordable for all Americans. Customers saved millions in 2023 with the company's tech-forward approach, as they signed up for the best auto insurance and parking rates in-app in seconds. The car services marketplace also sets customers up with the top-rated car washes in the area, offers the best auto refinance rates, roadside assistance, glass breakage protection, job loss protection, gas discounts, and has partnered with thousands of parking locations, car washes, and hundreds of insurance carriers covering all 50 states.

About Sea Air Federal Credit Union:

Sea Air Federal Credit Union was founded in 1952 to provide affordable financial services. Today we serve more than 6,300 members including: active military, retired military, reserves and civilians working or living on the base (in Seal Beach Weapons Station, Los Alamitos Joint Training Base, and Corona Naval Facility), residents of Sunset Beach, City of Seal Beach employees, and members of USA Water Polo.

Press contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Way.com, Inc
MELBOURNE, Fla., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TDFO Hospitality, operating as Blend and Barrel, a Community Champion Company and subsidiary of TDFO Holdings, is thrilled to announce the addition of Shiah Goldberg to its Executive Leadership team. Mr. Goldberg joins TDFO Hospitality as a new partner and will assume the role of Director of Operations.

In his new role, Mr. Goldberg will oversee the rebranding of the flagship retail location, Executive Cigar Shop and Lounge, situated on the picturesque Lake Monroe in Sanford, FL, to the new Blend and Barrel brand. Additionally, he will spearhead brand and product development in coordination with Blend's second location in Cocoa Beach, FL, known as "The Office," managed by partner Micah Rose. "The Office" recently celebrated a successful grand opening on August 17th, and the executive team is enthusiastic about its new beachside location.

Mr. Goldberg's extensive background in hospitality encompasses every position within the service industry. His journey began with a passion for service, hospitality, and the culinary arts, leading him to culinary school post-university. "An early mentor of mine ingrained in me the importance of proficiency and respect for each role within the industry. It was this philosophy that helped to shape my parallel paths through the luxury hospitality and premium cigar arenas," Shiah explains. His evolution has taken him through various roles in both front and back-of-house to General Manager. At an early age, he became an operating partner in his first upscale cigar retail operation, where he also served as General Manager and Business Development Lead for a sister speakeasy-themed lounge. This experience solidified his lifelong connection to the cigar industry.

Leveraging his comprehensive hospitality experience, Mr. Goldberg transitioned to roles such as Sales Director and VP of Sales for two emerging cigar manufacturers, significantly growing their core accounts and customer development. In September 2016, he joined Prime Cigar in Boca Raton, FL, as a manager, evolving to General Manager of the Brickell location in downtown Miami. This Casa De Montecristo co-branded entity became one of the most sought-after cigar lounges in the country during this period and the flagship for Prime Cigar's brand evolution into Empire Social.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Davidoff of Geneva recruited Mr. Goldberg for the US Brand Ambassador position. During his tenure, he led Brand Activation, Training, and Education initiatives both internally and within their Appointed Merchant Network, while also managing internal and external communications. Reflecting on his time with Davidoff, Mr. Goldberg states, "My tenure at Davidoff was as educational towards the marketplace and business of premium cigars as my previous 12 years combined." He adds, "It feels like my entire working life has been leading me to this point. From the desire to anticipate and exceed customer expectations, to the operations of acclaimed companies such as Hillstone and Davidoff of Geneva, as well as the experiential emphasis from Empire Social, I am thrilled and honored to be able to bring this to TDFO Hospitality and Blend and Barrel. From the very first time we met, Tom Darnell and I aligned personally and professionally. Our appreciation for the finer things and the entities who excel at delivering exceptional products and experiences had us talking, brainstorming, and building excitement from the starting line. With each step closer to this partnership, our excitement and passion for the present and what we will bring in the future reinforced our collective drive. I look forward to working with the incredible team already in place and propelling us to the pinnacle of this beloved industry. Customer experience is the single most important aspect, and we will always keep this focused in the crosshairs."

Contact:

Thomas Darnell

1321-508-0992

[email protected]

SOURCE Community Solutions Partner, CSP dba/ Community Champions
NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dermatology Specialists, the largest dermatology group in New York City, is thrilled to announce the opening of their 50th location at 995 2nd Avenue, NY, NY 10022 on September 10th, 2024. The expansion into their thirteenth Manhattan location, the first in Midtown East, reinforces The Dermatology Specialists' commitment to accessible and comprehensive skincare for New Yorkers.

The milestone will be honored during a private ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by free skin cancer screenings open to the public on September 9th, 2024, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at The Dermatology Specialists' new Midtown East site. In addition to free skin cancer screenings, guests will receive a robust gift bag generously donated by La Roche-Posay while supplies last.

Dr. Buka, Founder and CEO of The Dermatology Specialists, shared, "Removing barriers to skin health is part of our DNA at The Dermatology Specialists. This includes early detection of skin cancer and education on sun protection. We are pleased to be able to offer skin cancer screenings, at no charge to the community, in collaboration with our long-standing partners at La Roche-Posay."

Rachelle Mladjenovic, GM of North America, La Roche-Posay shared the sentiment stating, "One of La Roche-Posay's top priorities is to raise awareness about skin cancer prevention and sun protection, and we are thrilled to partner with The Dermatology Specialists as they celebrate their 50th location by offering free skin cancer screenings to the community. The Dermatology Specialists' commitment to accessible skincare for all aligns so closely with La Roche-Posay's mission of developing safe & effective broad-spectrum sunscreens for all skin types and tones, and we congratulate them on this incredible milestone".

For more information about The Dermatology Specialists, visit www.thedermspecs.com and @thedermspecs

For media inquiries, contact:

Email: [email protected]

About The Dermatology Specialists

Physician-founded and physician-led, The Dermatology Specialists was established in 2019 and has since become the largest Dermatology Group in New York City. With over 100 providers, they manage 500,000+ patient visits annually. Offering a comprehensive range of medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology services, The Dermatology Specialists is committed to accessible care. With operations seven days a week and by accepting all insurance plans, they provide comprehensive dermatological care for everyone .with skin.

About Dr. Bobby Buka

Dr. Bobby Buka, is a board-certified dermatologist, member of the American Academy of Dermatology, and Founder and CEO of The Dermatology Specialists the largest dermatology practice in New York. He has authored two books on skin health (Buka's Emergencies in Dermatology and Top 50 Dermatology Case Studies for Primary Care) and a children's book to encourage mindfulness.

Dr. Buka is a clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Hospital and the Founder and former Chief Science Officer of First Aid Beauty. He is regarded as an expert on cosmetic and medical dermatological treatments and was a finalist for the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards.

SOURCE The Dermatology Specialists
YANGZHOU, China, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from chinadaily.com.cn:

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.

Guests pose for a group photo on Aug 30, 2024. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

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 Dzhunushalieva, a Kyrgyzstan student majoring in painting.

The meeting was part of Canal Chic: Reviving China's Heritage Jiangsu 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.

SOURCE chinadaily.com.cn
Fourth Annual European Living Legends of Aviation Awards Ceremony and Gala Celebrated in Salzburg, Austria

SALZBURG, Austria, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kenn Ricci, Founder and Principal of Directional Aviation Capital and Chairman of Flexjet, Inc., presented Steve Varsano, entrepreneur and founder of the world's first corporate aviation showroom The Jet Business, with the Living Legends of Aviation Kenn Ricci Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award at the Fourth annual European awards ceremony.

Steve Varsano Honored with Kenn Ricci Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award at the 4th Annual European Living Legends of Aviation Awards at Scalaria resort on the shores of the Wolfgangsee outside Salzburg.

Rooted in the longstanding expertise and innovation that Ricci and Flexjet fostered in the fractional jet industry over several decades, the Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award honors the visionaries and brilliant minds that leave a similarly lasting mark on the world of aviation. The Living Legends of Aviation are a group of remarkable people with extraordinary accomplishments in aviation including entrepreneurs, innovators, industry leaders, astronauts, record breakers, pilots who have become celebrities and celebrities who have become pilots.

"It's been an honor to witness Steve's storied career in aviation not only as a peer, but as a friend," said Ricci, himself a legendary aviation entrepreneur and Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award honoree. "His journey is a testament to the power of following one's passion  something I believe in wholeheartedly. His visionary approach and unwavering commitment have transformed the aviation industry, and I am proud to present him with the Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award."

The awards originated in the U.S. in 2003, commemorating accomplishments in aviation and aerospace. Today, the Living Legends of Aviation include more than 125 honorees who meet yearly to recognize individuals that have made significant contributions in aviation. In addition to Ricci, the elite group of aviators include such marquee names as Buzz Aldrin, Tom Cruise, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Jeff Bezos, pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, Southwest Airlines co-founder Herb Kelleher, Federal Express founder Fred Smith and Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson among others.

This year's celebration took place at Scalaria resort on the shores of the Wolfgangsee outside Salzburg.

Throughout his career, Varsano influenced the aviation industry through his passion and innovative approach. Born in New York City, Varsano's fascination with aviation began at 14 after a flying lesson in a Cessna. Determined to pursue this passion, he worked in restaurants to fund his flying lessons, soloing at 16 and earning his pilot's license at 17. Varsano founded The Jet Business in 2011 in London's Knightsbridge district and is known for the world's first street-level corporate aircraft showroom which features a full-size mockup of an Airbus ACJ319 interior with bespoke leather seats and a moving cloudscape to simulate the feeling of flight.

Understanding the impact of social media, Varsano set out to educate the public about the previously mysterious world of private aviation, achieving an astounding billion views across platforms including Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. His efforts have demystified the industry, attracted a broader audience and introduced hundreds of millions of young people to aviation. Varsano has served on the Board of Directors of a private jet membership business Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic and is on the Board of Trustees of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Varsano also spearheads education and career opportunities for underprivileged youth in the aviation industry, charting paths that were not previously accessible.

Varsano joins Ricci and several other stalwart industry leaders as winners of the Kenn Ricci Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award, including Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos, Solairus founder and CEO Dan Drohan, and most recently HEICO Corp. CEO Larry Mendelson, who was presented with the award earlier this year.

About Flexjet

Flexjet, Inc., a global leader in private aviation, first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995. Flexjet offers fractional jet ownership and leasing and is the first in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation's Industry Audit Standard, is the first and only company to be honored with 25 FAA Diamond Awards for Excellence, upholds an ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating, a 4AIR Bronze Sustainable Rating and is certified at Stage 2 with IS-BAO. Red Label by Flexjet, a market differentiator, which features an ultra-modern fleet, flight crews dedicated to a single aircraft and the LXi Cabin Collection of interiors. To date there are nearly 50 different interior designs across its fleet, which includes the Embraer Phenom 300 and Praetor 500, Bombardier Challenger 350/3500, the Gulfstream G450 and G650. Flexjet's European fleet includes the Embraer Praetor 600 and the Gulfstream G650. Flexjet's helicopter division sells fractional, lease, and on-demand charter access to its fleet of owned, operated and maintained Sikorsky S-76 helicopters which boast 55,000 hours of safe flying certified by Wyvern and ARG/US and serving locations throughout the northeastern United States, United Kingdom, and southern Florida. Flexjet is a member of the Directional Aviation family of companies. For more details on innovative programs and flexible offerings, visit www.flexjet.com or follow us on Instagram @FlexjetInc.

SOURCE Flexjet
~NKF Patient Journey: Chronic Kidney Disease Offers An Individualized Educational Curriculum~

NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) launched NKF Patient Journey: Chronic Kidney Disease, a new interactive, online learning tool that allows people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), to learn more about kidney disease based on their individual health status. This interactive learning experience offers content in a dynamic and engaging way. An initial online survey encourages people to answer questions regarding their health and receive information tailored to their particular stage of kidney disease and what they need to do to manage their CKD and achieve optimal kidney health. Financial support for this educational tool was provided by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Novartis).

This innovative tool offers various essential learning journeys  CKD stages 1-5, dialysis, and kidney transplantation and addresses conditions related to CKD, including pre-diabetes, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity. To tailor a learner's journey, this tool captures information about each learner's kidney health, such as whether they have been told they have CKD, what laboratory data they have available about their kidney health (i.e., serum creatinine with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), etc.) and whether they have any co-morbidities (i.e., pre-diabetes, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity). People who are unsure if they have CKD are given basic information about CKD and questions to ask their healthcare team.

NKF is committed to being a credible source of information for every person living with CKD or a kidney transplant. Post this

This learning experience features cloud-based responsive learning. The learning journey branches into different paths based on each learner's responses incorporating text, graphics, videos, and other visuals into manageable segments that allow the learner to focus on a particular topic or subtopic. The online learning tool also includes links to other NKF resources, so the learner can explore specific aspects of living with CKD.

This interactive, curated educational tool is a great first step in dealing with a CKD diagnosis. You can find more information about NKF Patient Journey: Chronic Kidney Disease here: kidney.org/ckd-journey.

"NKF Patient Journey: Chronic Kidney Disease was developed for adult learners because there are many obstacles to patient education that arise not only in primary care but also in specialty care settings," said Dr. Joseph Vassalotti, NKF Chief Medical Officer. "This innovative tool offers those living with CKD at varying levels of health literacy the individualized health information they need to navigate their kidney health journey. People living with kidney diseases want to know what kidney disease means and what can be done to improve kidney health on an individualized basis."

Many people rely on information found online to help them better understand the health information their clinician told them about during their last office visit. NKF Patient Journey: Chronic Kidney Disease will help people living with CKD filter through the volumes of information available on the internet based on their particular kidney health journey. Having comprehensive, evidence-based, freely available resources that guide people through essential information is a benefit to busy clinicians. Information provided in an easy-to-understand format helps patients understand what they can do today to take better control of their kidney health.

"Learning you have kidney disease is oftentimes frightening and frustrating because there is a lot of new information to parse through; those living with CKD need information that is understandable and actionable," said Kevin Longino, NKF Chief Executive Officer and a kidney transplant recipient. "NKF Patient Journey: Chronic Kidney Disease was created for those who might be overwhelmed by their diagnosis and all the information on the internet, doctor visits, and social media forums. NKF is committed to being a credible source of information for every person living with kidney disease, or a kidney transplant, so they can make informed decisions about their particular stage and type of kidney disease."

CKD is a widely unrecognized public health crisis affecting an estimated 35.5 million U.S. adults among whom approximately 90% of those don't even know they have it. About 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. (approximately 80 million) are at risk for kidney disease. Kidney disease is considered a silent killer so people with certain risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and a family history of kidney disease, gout, or hyperkalemia (high potassium) are all at risk for kidney disease and will all benefit from utilizing this educational tool and learning more about their overall kidney health.

For more information about NKF Patient Journey: Chronic Kidney Disease, please visit kidney.org/ckd-journey and for more details about CKD or kidney disease, visit kidney.org.

About Kidney Disease

In the United States, 35.5 million adults are estimated to have chronic kidney diseaseand approximately 90% don't know they have it. About 1 in 3 American adults are at risk for chronic kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history of kidney disease. People of African American, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian, or Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease. African Americans are almost 4 times more likely than White Americans to have kidney failure. Hispanics are 1.3 times more likely than non-Hispanics to have kidney failure.

About Kidney Equity For All

Historically, access to kidney health has remained inequitable, with persistent disparities disproportionately affecting underserved populations and impacting the entire kidney patient journey. To address these disparities, NKF is urging industry and community leaders to join them on their KIDNEY EQUITY FOR ALL mission by allocating resources to improve healthcare access and outcomes in communities of color. This is a tangible opportunity for businesses to incorporate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles into their operations. For more information on KIDNEY EQUITY FOR ALL, visit www.kidneyequityforall.org.

About The National Kidney Foundation is the largest patient-centric organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease in the U.S. It is revolutionizing the fight to save lives by eliminating preventable kidney disease, accelerating innovation for the dignity of the patient experience, and dismantling structural inequities in kidney care, dialysis, and transplantation. For more information about NKF, please visit www.kidney.org.

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SOURCE The National Kidney Foundation
MIAMI, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Real Deal, the leading source of real estate news and information, is thrilled to announce that two industry titans, Adam Neumann and Ryan Serhant, will join the program for its highly anticipated South Florida Real Estate Forum.

Neumann, the visionary co-founder of WeWork and now Flow, will offer his expertise to thousands of industry professionals as a keynote speaker on the main stage. Serhant, the founder of SERHANT. and star of the Netflix real estate show "Owning Manhattan", will share his sales philosophy and off-the-record insights as host of an exclusive, interactive pre-event breakfast available to All-Access pass holders and subscribers of The Real Deal.

WeWork founder Adam Neumann and "Owning Manhattan's" Ryan Serhant join The Real Deal South Florida Forum Post this

The South Florida Real Estate Forum is the largest of its kind in South Florida, attracting over 6,000 attendees and featuring a comprehensive program of keynote sessions, workshops, and a bustling trade show floor. It will take place November 6 and 7 at the iconic Mana Wynwood Convention Center, with an expanded presence at Mana 320.

The breakfast program, featuring Serhant, will be held at Mana 320 and will provide attendees with an exclusive opportunity to connect with industry leaders in a more intimate setting.

"While South Florida experienced an unprecedented boom, it's now facing many new challenges with high costs, lagging inventory and insurers fleeing the state," Amir Korangy, founder and publisher of The Real Deal noted. "Our speakers all have billions of dollars in play in that market and we aim to understand how they plan to navigate a path forward."

From investors and brokers to developers and policymakers, the Forum's program is designed to offer a comprehensive understanding of the driving forces behind South Florida's real estate market. Topics will range from the branding boom in luxury condos to the future of office in Miami to finding new avenues for financing in a turbulent market.

Additional speakers include renowned industry figures such as Camilo Miguel of Mast Capital, Dina Goldentayer of Douglas Elliman, Edgardo Defortuna of FORTUNE International, Peggy Olin of OneWorld Properties, Nick Perez of Related Group, Gil Dezer of Dezer Development, and many more.

For more information and to register for the South Florida Real Estate Forum, please visit: https://events.therealdeal.com/miami

About The Real Deal

The Real Deal is the leading source of real estate news and information, providing in-depth coverage of the industry's most important trends, deals, and players across sectors including development, brokerage, finance, policy, and technology. With a focus on providing actionable insights and analysis, The Real Deal helps real estate professionals stay informed and make better business decisions.

Contact:

Michele Langer

Head of Marketing

[email protected]

SOURCE The Real Deal
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tic Tac Chewy!, the first-ever sugar candy under the Ferrero North America portfolio, is now available in candy aisles across the country. Tic Tac Chewy! takes what fans know and love about Tic Tac to a whole new level with its unique contrast of textures.

Tic Tac Chewy!

Made with layers and layers of intense fruit flavors, delicious Tic Tac Chewy! starts with a crunchy exterior and transforms with a mouthwatering, chewy inside. Featuring two flavor varieties, Fruit Adventure and Sour Adventure, each one offers a mix of five delicious fruity flavors: Cherry, Apple, Orange, Lemon, and Grape.

"We're so excited that fans are now able to try Ferrero's first-ever innovation exclusive to the US market, Tic Tac Chewy!," said Dan Cutchin, Vice President of Marketing at Ferrero USA. "This unique candy is a vibrant evolution from the iconic Tic Tac mint, and we cannot wait to get it in the hands of candy enthusiasts everywhere as we shake up the category with this flavorful offering."

Tic Tac Chewy!, made with colors from natural sources only, is available in a single bag (1.8oz), share bag (3.4oz) and peg bag (7.0oz) in stores and online nationwide. Pick up a bag today and share with friends!

For more information on Tic Tac Chewy!, please visit www.tictac.com. Stay up to date on all things Tic Tac Chewy by following @TicTacUSA on social.

About Tic Tac Mints

The Tic Tac brand was launched in the U.S. in 1969 by the Italian confectionery manufacturer Ferrero and has been a leading mint brand for over 50 years.

About Ferrero

Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world's largest sweet-packaged food companies, with over 35 iconic brands sold in more than 170 countries. The Ferrero Group brings joy to people around the world with much-loved treats and snacks including Nutella, Kinder, Tic Tac, and Ferrero Rocher. More than 47,000 employees are passionate about helping people celebrate life's special moments. The Ferrero Group's family culture, now in its third generation, is based on dedication to quality and excellence, heritage and a commitment to the planet and communities in which we operate.

Ferrero entered the North American market in 1969 and has grown to more than 5,400 employees in 15 plants and warehouses, and eight offices in North America across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. It has expanded its presence and portfolio with the addition of iconic brands such as Butterfinger, CRUNCH, Keebler, Famous Amos, Mother's Cookies, and other distinctive cookie and chocolate brands. Follow @FerreroNACorp on Twitter and Instagram. www.ferreronorthamerica.com.

CONTACT:

Jaclyn Giuliano

[email protected]

SOURCE Ferrero North America
Trailrunner Broadband Internet has unveiled its next-generation broadband service, powered by Tarana Wireless, which will reach customers in rural parts of eight Maine counties.

PORTLAND, Maine, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Residents of Maine's most rural areas will soon have access to ultra-high-capacity, high-speed broadband technology, thanks to the launch of Trailrunner Broadband Internet's first high-speed wireless broadband network. Trailrunner provides critical internet access to key cities in Maine, including some in the most rural of areas. This expanded service will reach customers in eight counties, including Aroostook, Washington, Somerset, Hancock, Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Oxford.

"Access to reliable cell service and broadband is critical to public safety, economic development, and conducting daily life," said Maine Senate President Troy Jackson. "These technologies have become essential utilities, especially in a rural state like Maine."

The existing Trailrunner network utilizes standard 4G LTE Cellular technology. Now, Trailrunner has selected Tarana Wireless, the world's first manufacturer of next-generation fixed wireless access (ngFWA), to enable this new high-speed broadband service, which will meet and exceed the FCC's expected minimum broadband performance requirements. Tarana's high-speed broadband solution is built on an entirely new technology from the previous 4G LTE and 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) networks, resulting in an ultra-high-capacity broadband product that is consistently faster and more reliable than traditional 4G. It also has lower latency, meaning data transmission is virtually instantaneous; has advanced built-in security controls; and can be deployed very quickly.

"We are proud to continue our commitment to delivering the best internet service to the communities we serve, especially those in extremely unserved and underserved rural areas," said Robert Parsloe, CEO of Trailrunner Broadband Internet. "This brand-new technology has already been deployed to several of our customers, who have given us overwhelmingly positive feedback. Our goal remains the same: helping consumers receive the best broadband experience, whether they're using the internet for remote learning, essential business communications, or a family movie night. We continue to make private investments, as rural communities have waited long enough. Everyone deserves to connect, so why wait any longer?"

The upgraded Trailrunner network was recently deployed in Dexter, Maine and will shortly expand to deliver unmatched performance and coverage to thousands of households in those eight counties throughout Maine.

About Trailrunner

Founded in 2019, Trailrunner Broadband Internet is a locally veteran-owned and operated broadband service provider. From its beginnings in Downeast Maine, Trailrunner has rapidly expanded its reach to 12 counties across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, playing a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Dedicated to turning technology into solution, Trailrunner proudly serves residential consumers and businesses in northern New England. Learn more by visiting: www.mytrailrunner.com.

About Tarana

Tarana Wireless's mission is to accelerate the deployment of fast, affordable internet access around the world. Through a decade of research and development and more than $400 million of investment, the Tarana team has created a unique next-generation fixed wireless access (ngFWA) technology, instantiated in its first commercial platform, Gigabit 1 (G1). It delivers a game-changing advance in broadband economics in both mainstream and underserved markets, using either licensed or unlicensed spectrum. G1 started production in mid-2021 and has since been embraced by more than 200 service providers in 23 countries. Tarana is headquartered in Milpitas, California, with additional research and development in Pune, India. Learn more at www.taranawireless.com.

CONTACT: Paula Stanton, [email protected]

SOURCE Trailrunner
TrustGrid to work with DAF to bring the realization of self-sovereign identity and communication within the DoD to fruition

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TrustGrid, an established leader in decentralized digital ecosystem solutions, has been selected by AFWERX for a Direct-to-Phase II contract focused on decentralized digital identity and communications to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded. TrustGrid will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

"As the need for self-sovereign digital ecosystems become critical for accessibility, privacy and security, we are honored with the opportunity to collaborate with DAF to protect the men and women who are serving our country," said Santosh Devaraj, CEO and Founder of TrustGrid Pty Ltd. "There is a much-needed paradigm shift happening in the way both private and public sectors operate within the digital ecosystem following years of mass cyber and identity crimes. With TrustGrid's decentralized solution already at work globally, we provide the leading-edge solution to support the Air Force in achieving their initiatives."

"The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government."

For further information about TrustGrid and their digital identity solution, please visit www.trustgrid.com.

About TrustGrid

TrustGrid enables government entities, enterprises, organizations, and individuals alike to create secure digital ecosystems anywhere in the world with sovereign control of data and maximized privacy. Leveraging industry standards for Decentralized Identity (DID), Verified Credentials (VC), and Web3 capabilities, TrustGrid's decentralized ecosystem simplifies and secures the management of shared information and peer-to-peer communications and transactions. TrustGrid delivers superior confidentiality, enabling access to and use of critical data while maintaining the privacy and security of individuals and organizational data.

About AFRL

The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit www.afresearchlab.com.

About AFWERX

As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 370 military, civilian and contractor personnel at five hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed over 6,100 new contracts worth more than $4 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: www.afwerx.com.

Contact:

Sydney Drayton

Magnetude Consulting

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE TrustGrid
Utimaco offers comprehensive and industry-specific expertise by working on complex design and implementation projects with diverse organizations that have distinct security needs and requirements

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan recently assessed the post-quantum cryptography (PQC) industry and, based on its findings, recognized Utimaco with the 2024 Global Competitive Strategy Leadership Award. The company is a leading global provider of on-premises and cloud-based payment and general-purpose hardware security modules (HSMs), which act as the central Root of Trust for any digital environment. Utimaco supplies the Root of Trust for a variety of industries and use cases, ranging from autonomous cars to hospitals and national critical infrastructure.

Ultimaco Award Logo

By cross-cutting verticals, the company provides specialized offerings to manufacturers, governments, mobile network operators, banks, airports, and utilities, among others. Utimaco's portfolio is widely integrated in the market for its multiple layers of digital trust and cybersecurity and includes solutions for:

Data protection

Key management

Secure payments

Telecommunication

Public warnings

Utimaco complemented its organic growth and offerings through a series of strategic acquisitions across the security ecosystem. It acquired Atalla Product Line from Micro Focus to expand into the U.S. market and added payment HSM and enterprise key management to its existing general purpose portfolio. The company substantially expanded its portfolio for the payments and financial industries by acquiring solutions provider GEOBRIDGE for key management and MYHSM for an as-a-service offering known as Trust as a Service Marketplace. It also acquired exceet Secure Solutions (ESS) and REALSEC, further increasing its IT and IoT security footprint in Europe. With its acquisition of Celltick, a global leader in public warning and mass notification systems and the world's largest cell broadcast center provider, Utimaco expanded its comprehensive offering to government, telecommunications, and enterprise customers. Finally, after acquiring conpal, it fully integrated its file and folder encryption solutions to complete its data protection portfolio.

Ozgun Pelit, senior industry analyst at Frost & Sullivan, said: "Utimaco's expertise in deploying HSMs both for general purpose and specialized use cases translates well to the post-quantum era, which requires high levels of customization and adaptability. Utimaco also strategically positions itself as a wide-ranging partner for organizations in this monumental task, providing consultancy services, quantum-readiness assessments, and crypto-agility solutionsan integral part of migration to PQC as a leading HSM supplier."

Utimaco also actively participated in PQC standardization efforts and interoperability processes, including collaborative research projects and thought leadership. It is closely engaged in the broader ecosystem of quantum security, working on proofs of concept and active standardization in quantum key distribution and quantum random number generation. Placing a strategic focus on PQC to prepare the security infrastructure for the quantum era, Utimaco has been the first mover in developing PQC-ready HSMs. It developed the Quantum Protect application as an extension for its General Purpose HSMs to enable the implementation of new and quantum-resistant algorithms through a technology partnership with ISARA, a leading provider of quantum-safe security solutions. This paved the way for large organizations to test and integrate quantum-safe algorithms into their operations very early on and before the release of official standards. Testing its functional compliance with the NIST algorithms on a regular basis, Utimaco strives to be feature-complete and supports individual algorithms selected by European and international security agencies.

"The transition from legacy algorithms to PQC and overcoming interoperability and performance challenges involves industry-specific requirements and adaptability. Utimaco's strategic positioning and expertise in a wide range of industries and applications put the company at a great advantage in migration to PQC," added Ozgun. With its strong overall performance, Utimaco earns Frost & Sullivan's 2024 Global Competitive Strategy Leadership Award in the Post-Quantum Cryptography industry.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has leveraged competitive intelligence to successfully execute a strategy that results in stronger market share, competitive brand positioning, and customer satisfaction.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Frost & Sullivan

For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, megatrends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:

Ashley Shreve

E: [email protected]

About Utimaco

Utimaco is a global platform provider of trusted Cybersecurity and Compliance solutions and services with headquarters in Aachen (Germany) and Campbell, CA (USA). Utimaco provides on-premises and cloud-based hardware security modules, key management, data protection as well as data intelligence solutions for regulated critical infrastructures and Public Warning Systems. Utimaco is one of the world's leading manufacturers in its key market segments.

500+ employees around the globe create innovative solutions and services to protect data, identities and communication networks with responsibility for global customers and citizens. Customers and partners in many different industries value the reliability and long-term investment security of Utimaco's high-security products and solutions. Find out more on www.utimaco.com.

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
NAPA, Calif., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amidst National Association of Realtor rule changes, Valerie Caccia, a luxury real estate agent in the Napa Valley has the ultimate "Coming Soon!" She has written and performs MARVIN  A1 Woman Show. In MARVIN, Valerie tells a story about co-listing with an amphibious Realtor, her plan for surviving real estate practice changes, and the secrets of the High End.

After graduating from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles she became the personal assistant to Neil Simon. She honed her craft doing stand-up at comedy clubs like The Ice House in Pasadena, and The Comedy Store in West Hollywood.

When Joan Rivers sent for Valerie, the two met at Fox Television Center to discuss Valerie's future in show business. Still, she had no agent. Superagent Sue Mengers told her: "Valerie, go home and write." So, with no agent and no script to speak of, Valerie went home to San Francisco ... and became a Realtor. And that's where she's been for the past 25 years!

In 2019, Valerie authored her first book How To eat A Millennial .. one byte at a time. In 2022, she wrote SPIDERS The Play. The Cameo Cinema welcomes back to the stage on September 30, Valerie Caccia. ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE NOW.

SOURCE Valerie Caccia
For more than 150 years, Vaseline has been a leader in helping everybody have access to healthy skin, and now Vaseline scientists have taken it to the next level with the development of its next generation of lotions. Introducing its first-ever serum-burst format, Vaseline Pro VitaB3 Serum-Burst Lotion transforms into water droplets upon application, absorbing instantly to leave behind a unique soft-velvet, never-greasy finish while providing all-day hydration.

The new innovation not only delivers a transformative sensory experience but also provides advanced beauty benefits by combining two of the brand's proprietary technologies: the Antioxidant Complex which delivers ten times the antioxidant power of Vitamin C for a healthy glow, and Ultra-Hydrating Lipids, which help the skin replenish its own ceramides to fortify the skin barrier. Vaseline Pro VitaB3 Serum-Burst Lotion also includes two more best in-class active skincare ingredients niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to help brighten and hydrate the skin.

"For generations, Vaseline has been the trusted go-to product for healing dry skin, and as a brand, we recognize the demand for premium products that match the effectiveness of face care," said Yoni Klein, Head of Skincare at Unilever North America. "Vaseline Pro VitaB3 Serum-Burst Lotion not only provides advanced beauty benefits, but redefines hydration with an advanced sensorial experience, underscoring our commitment to delivering the best skincare products for every consumer."

As part of the launch, Vaseline has enlisted two-time Olympian, Jordan Chiles as its brand ambassador.

"I'm so excited to partner with Vaseline to share my favorite new must-have with the world," said Chiles. "I've been a fan of Vaseline for years, and as a gymnast, my skin goes through a lot during rigorous training and competitions. I need a lotion that provides deep hydration without the greasiness, so it won't interfere with my performance or cause any slipping. Vaseline Pro VitaB3 Serum-Burst Lotion is truly my go to! It absorbs instantly, leaves my skin feeling smooth and radiant, with no oily residue. The serum formula not only keeps me hydrated and comfortable but also enhances my skin's natural glow, which is essential whether I'm competing or stepping into the spotlight."

The new Vaseline Pro VitaB3 Serum-Burst Lotion is available in two variants: Supple & Soft, which offers a fruity floral scent with notes of succulent red berries, muguet, and creamy vanilla, and Luminous Glow, which features a citrusy floral fragrance with hints of freshly cut cedarwood and musk. Both luxurious scents were developed by a team of experienced perfumers. Luminous Glow and Supple & Soft are dermatologist-tested, paraben-free, non-greasy, and are clinically proven to provide all-day hydration.

New Vaseline Pro VitaB3 Serum-Burst Lotion is now available at Amazon and Walgreens nationwide, starting at $7.99. To learn more, please visit www.vaseline.com and follow Vaseline on Instagram and Facebook.

About Vaseline:

Since first introducing the world to the Original Healing Jelly 150 years ago, Vaseline has been committed to caring for all skin. As the #1 dermatologist recommended brand for pure petroleum jelly, Vaseline is a trusted brand among doctors and a trusted household staple in homes.

Vaseline believes that skin health is a right, not a privilege, and the Vaseline mission is to ensure skin health is more accessible to everyone, everywhere. Vaseline is committed to skin health for all through its initiatives, including See My Skin, the only online database designed to search for conditions on skin of color and connect people with the proper care they deserve, and the Vaseline Healing Project to provide affordable and comprehensive dermatological services to those who need it most.

About Unilever in North America

Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Nutrition and Ice Cream products, with sales in over 190 countries and products used by 3.4 billion people every day. We have 127,000 employees and generated sales of 59.6 billion in 2023.

Our leading brands in North America include Dove, Hellmann's, Vaseline, Degree, Axe, TRESemme, Knorr, Magnum, Ben & Jerry's, Nutrafol, Liquid I.V., Paula's Choice, and Dermalogica.

For more information on Unilever U.S. and its brands visit:

www.unileverusa.com

For more information on Unilever Canada and its brands visit:

www.unilever.ca

Contact:

Ty Hughes

832-526-2213

[email protected]

SOURCE Vaseline
Introducing pVasc mechanical thrombectomy system for the safe and effective non-surgical removal of occlusions from the peripheral vasculature

PLANO, Texas, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vesalio announces the U.S. commercialization of pVasc Thrombectomy System for non-surgically removing peripheral occlusions. pVasc targets the full range of embolisms from soft, acute clots to fibrin-rich, calcified ones, enabling a fast and safe removal. Its unique Drop Zone technology traps, retains and securely removes thrombus to restore flow in patients suffering from acute limb ischemia (ALI) and other conditions related to peripheral artery disease (PAD).

pVasc Thrombectomy System

"Given the complicated health history of patients with ALI, physicians often face the challenge of delivering devices through highly diseased arteries and working in small, stenotic vessels," noted Dr. Frank Arko, Chief, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and Co-Director of the Aortic Institute at Carolinas Medical Center, Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina. "pVasc has a low profile and excellent deliverability, making it an especially valuable tool when access is difficult or when working in arteries below the knee."

PAD affects 10 - 12 million adults in the U.S. aged 40 and older, increasing their risk of amputation, heart attack, stroke, and death.1 Each year, approximately 185,000 amputations are performed in the U.S., with more than 2 million people currently living with an amputation.2 According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of people 65 and older who underwent a limb amputation due to PAD died within a year of surgery.3

"I have achieved highly positive results with pVasc in challenging cases that range from organized emboli in the tibials to emboli in the brachial and distal ulnar artery," said Dr. Nick Abedi, Vascular Surgeon, Fayette Surgical Associates, Lexington, Kentucky. "pVasc has helped my patients avoid open surgery on multiple occasions, becoming an invaluable tool in my practice."

pVasc is indicated for arteries from 2 to 6 mm in diameter, typically located below the knee, in the femoral-popliteal, the mesenteric, the upper extremities, and a few other locations. Comprised of a self-expanding nitinol structure on a pusher wire, pVasc provides a versatile tool with no need for capital equipment.

"PAD is a common disease that can lead to devastating consequences. With the pVasc Thrombectomy System, physicians now have access to a critical tool to help their patients," stated Vesalio CEO Steve Rybka. "We received extremely encouraging early feedback on pVasc's ease of use and efficacy in cases with challenging clots. At Vesalio, we remain steadfast in our commitment to provide innovative technologies to physicians treating vascular occlusions."

About Vesalio

Founded in 2017, Vesalio is a privately held medical device company focused on advancing patient care in vascular diseases by providing physicians with superior technology for improving clinical outcomes. Vesalio's proprietary NeVa, enVast, and pVasc platforms are designed to effectively remove all types of clot, leading to the rescue of compromised ischemic tissue in the brain, heart and peripheral anatomy, respectively. Vesalio's products have treated more than 12,000 patients in over 50 countries. For more information, visit www.vesalio.com.

1. New roadmap to lower the risk of amputation in peripheral artery disease. www.heart.org. Published May 14, 2024. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2024/05/14/new-roadmap-to-lower-the-risk-of-amputation-in-peripheral-artery-disease

2. Behroozian A, Beckman JA. Microvascular Disease Increases Amputation in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2020;40(3):534-540. doi: https://doi.org/10.1161/atvbaha.119.312859

3. Martin SS, Aday AW, Almarzooq ZI, et al. 2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2024;149(8). doi: https://doi.org/10.1161/cir.0000000000001209

SOURCE Vesalio
"Boredom is Fired" marketing campaign targets young metro Denver residents to consider a career in tourism, leisure and hospitality to support industry workforce development.

DENVER, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today VISIT DENVER, the City and County of Denver, hospitality business owners, educators, industry associations and community members announced "Boredom is Fired," an initiative highlighting the career opportunities in tourism, leisure and hospitality geared towards high school-age students and young adults. The campaign features the benefits of working in the industry such as good starting pay, skills development, career advancement and flexibility. The effort showcases ambassadors working in attractions, events, hotels, outdoor and food and beverage who share their stories of the endless opportunities for personal and professional growth in the industry.

Evan Semon Photography - Walter Isenberg, CEO and Co-Founder, Sage Hospitality Group, Adeeb Kahn, Executive Director, Denver Economic Development & Opportunity, MC Genova, Associate Vice President Partnership & VISIT DENVER Foundation, VISIT DENVER, Andrew Jackson, Events Sales Manager, Hyatt Regency  2024 Campaign Ambassador

The campaign is part of VISIT DENVER's Workforce Development initiative that was initiated when the organization's partners and the board shared concerns of a shrinking workforce pool in the industry, which was the hardest hit industry during the pandemic and still struggles with staffing shortages. "Boredom is Fired" is a result of years of industry research and strategic planning with VISIT DENVER's Board of Directors, local educators, industry associations and City leadership, as well as important conversations with hospitality business owners, on the importance of an engaged, talented and motivated workforce.

"It is essential that the travel, leisure and hospitality industry invest in the next generation of workers and leaders," said Walter Isenberg, CEO and Co-Founder of Sage Hospitality Group. "We cannot run our hotels and restaurants without the talent of thousands of workers from human resources professionals to chefs; catering managers to accountants. Our industry offers exciting careers with endless opportunities for growth, not to mention perks like flexibility, dynamic days and working alongside energetic and dedicated people. Sage Hospitality is proud to support this workforce development initiative and is committed to hiring and uplifting young people across our business."

"Boredom is Fired" is targeted to 18- to 20-year-old metro Denver residents to encourage them to explore jobs in tourism, leisure and hospitality. The marketing campaign drives to a new, robust website that profiles careers in hotels, events, attractions, food and beverage and outdoor recreation. It also links to information about open jobs, educational opportunities and resources.

"Students are excited to enter the workforce and are thirsty for information about the kinds of jobs that exist and stories from young professionals in those fields," said Steve Day, Principal of Cherry Creek Innovation Campus. "'Boredom is Fired' fills a unique need of exposing students to a career path that checks the boxes important to so many young people while also introducing them to people living that life."

The campaign includes an outreach program to secondary education institutions and skills-based programs where VISIT DENVER representatives and workforce development ambassadors will speak directly to students. These ambassadors, who work across industry sectors, are featured in videos that share their stories.

"I am proud to represent the travel and tourism industry while mentoring students," said campaign ambassador, Andrew Jackson, an event sales manager at Hyatt Regency at Colorado Convention Center. "I have experienced first-hand, that a career in this industry is anything but boring. I have traveled the world while expanding my skillset learning in positions in a variety of departments within hotels  all while making a great living. I enjoy the work-life balance, hands-on training, a flexible schedule and being part of an amazing team."

The U.S. travel and tourism industry experienced a 51% rise in new job postings in Q1 2024 compared with the previous quarter according to Hotel Management Network. The "Boredom is Fired" campaign is designed to help fill these positions and support businesses while uplifting students in a fun and exciting industry.

"We know investing in young people and helping them get job experience that they will enjoy is essential to the future success of the travel and hospitality industry," said Richard Scharf, President and CEO of VISIT DENVER. "We are so grateful to our local hospitality business owners, educators, industry associations and city leadership for their support of workforce development during this important time in the industry."

The "Boredom is Fired" campaign complements VISIT DENVER'S ongoing efforts in supporting students and young professionals with their career goals. The VISIT DENVER Foundation has been awarding scholarships for hospitality programs at Colorado universities, colleges and trade schools since 2000.

To learn more about the "Boredom is Fired" campaign and stay up on the latest visit boredomisfired.com and follow the campaign on Instagram.

About VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau

Celebrating 115 years of promoting The Mile High City, VISIT DENVER is a nonprofit trade association that contracts with the City of Denver to market Denver as a convention and leisure destination, increasing economic development in the city, creating jobs and generating taxes. Denver welcomed more than 37.4 million visitors in 2023, generating $10.3 billion in spending, while supporting tens of thousands of jobs and making Tourism one of the city's largest industries. Learn more about Denver at VISIT DENVER or Tourism Pays Denver. Follow Denver's social media channels for up-to-the-minute updates on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

With press or photo inquiries, please contact:

Taylor Shields, Director of PR & Communications

Caroline Campbell, PR & Communications Manager

Natalie St. Hilaire, PR & Communiations Coordinator

[email protected]

Photos and videos from today's press conference: Media & Press Assets

SOURCE VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau
BEIJING, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Waterdrop Inc. ("Waterdrop", the "Company" or "we") (NYSE: WDH), a leading technology platform dedicated to insurance and healthcare service with a positive social impact, today announced its unaudited financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and a special cash dividend.

Financial and Operational Highlights for the Second Quarter of 2024

Substantial growth in profit and positive operating cash flow: In the second quarter of 2024, net profit attributable to our ordinary shareholders reached RMB88.3 million , representing a year-over-year growth of 306.9%. As of June 30, 2024 , we continued to generate positive operating cash flow during the second quarter of 2024.

, representing a year-over-year growth of 306.9%. As of , we continued to generate positive operating cash flow during the second quarter of 2024. Resilient revenue amidst industry challenges: For the second quarter of 2024, the first-year premiums ("FYP") generated through our insurance business amounted to RMB1,778.6 million ( US$244.7 million ), representing a decrease of 19.0% year over year. Net operating revenue was RMB676.2 million ( US$93.0 million ), representing a decrease of 0.4% year over year.

( ), representing a decrease of 19.0% year over year. Net operating revenue was ( ), representing a decrease of 0.4% year over year. Improving margin of insurance segment: For the second quarter of 2024, the operating profit margin of insurance business increased year over year to 21.4%, compared with 16.7% for the same quarter of 2023.

Broadened crowdfunding coverage: As of June 30, 2024 , around 461 million people cumulatively had donated an aggregate of RMB65.1 billion to 3.25 million patients through Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding.

, around 461 million people cumulatively had donated an aggregate of to 3.25 million patients through Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding. Digital clinical trial services in good progress: As of June 30, 2024 , the Company had cumulatively enrolled nearly 8,600 patients into 1,050 clinical trial programs through the E-Find Platform.

Mr. Peng Shen, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Waterdrop, commented, "During the second quarter of 2024, we delivered sound results in profitability. The quarterly net profit attributable to our ordinary shareholders reached RMB88.3 million, representing a significant year-over-year growth of 306.9%.

Our insurance business has shown sequential developments with FYP increasing by 1.4% quarter-over-quarter. We have continually improved online traffic conversion capabilities and efficiency, driving the number of new users to grow at 15.8%. At the same time, we have effectively sustained the policy renewal rate at high level.

Committed to investment in technology, we further piloted our Shuishou large language model, known as "Waterdrop Guardian", in multiple service scenarios covering medical, critical illness, and auto insurance categories. During the quarter, the Company initiated a strategic cooperation with a property & casualty (P&C) insurer. This is the first time we export a customized solution of non-life insurance and we look forward to empowering more industry partners with AI solutions.

We continually iterate service and business processes in medical crowdfunding to address user pain points. For instance, in regions populated by ethnic minorities, our platform now supports bilingual fundraising, aiding in the spread of cases within local communities and bolstered by AI-assisted bilingual case verification to minimize fraud.

During this quarter, our healthcare-related business maintained its growth, realizing a quarter-over-quarter growth of 4.1%. We collaborated with a total of 185 pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations ("CROs"). Moreover, we enrolled more than 820 patients and initiated services for 88 new programs during the second quarter of 2024. We stay focused on digitalization trends in clinical trial and multichannel marketing solutions to serve a broader client base from this angle.

We are grateful for the ongoing support of our shareholders and investors, and prioritize shareholder interests and investor returns. The Company has actively carried out share repurchases for three consecutive years, and our board has recently approved a new annual repurchase plan. The repurchased shares will continue to be used in employee share incentive plans.

In addition, we also completed our first special cash dividend in the past quarter. We are pleased to announce that, with the board approval, the Company will soon start the second special cash dividend of approximately US$7.5 million."

Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2024

Operating revenue, net

Net operating revenue for the second quarter of 2024 decreased by 0.4% year over year to RMB676.2 million (US$93.0 million) from RMB678.7 million for the same period of 2023. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, net operating revenue decreased by 4.1%. Net operating revenue generated by Shenlanbao(1) for the second quarter of 2024 was RMB40.4 million (US$5.6 million).

Insurance-related income includes insurance brokerage income and technical service income. Insurance brokerage income represents brokerage commissions earned from insurance companies. Technical service income is derived from providing technical services including customer relationship maintenance, customer complaint management, claim review, and user referral services, among other things, to insurance companies, insurance brokers, and agency companies. Our insurance-related income amounted to RMB573.8 million ( US$79.0 million ) in the second quarter of 2024, representing a decrease of 4.0% year over year from RMB597.4 million for the second quarter of 2023, which was mainly due to the decrease in FYP. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, insurance-related income decreased by 5.4%.

Crowdfunding service fees represent the service income earned when patients successfully withdraw the proceeds from their crowdfunding campaigns. Our role is to operate the Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding platform to provide crowdfunding related services through the internet, enabling patients with significant medical bills to seek help from caring hearts through technology (the "medical crowdfunding services"). Our medical crowdfunding services generally consist of providing technical and internet support, managing, reviewing and supervising the crowdfunding campaigns, providing comprehensive risk management and anti- fraud measures, and facilitating the collection and transfer of the funds. For the second quarter of 2024, we generated RMB69 .3 million ( US$9 .5 million) in service fees, representing an increase of 55.2% year over year from RMB44 .7 million for the second quarter of 2023. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, crowdfunding service fees increased by 2.9%.

We are expanding the healthcare-related services, including digital clinical trial solution and digital multichannel marketing solution. Digital clinical trial solution income represents the service income earned from our customers mainly including biopharmaceutical companies and leading biotechnology companies. We match qualified and suitable patients for enrollment in clinical trials for our customers and generate digital clinical trial solution revenue for successful matches and we typically charge our customers a fixed unit price per successful match. Digital multichannel marketing solution income is derived from life science and healthcare companies. Focusing on the needs of our customers, we provide comprehensive digital marketing solutions around the whole life cycle of products through integrated services such as patient screening, medication management, doctor-patient services, innovative payment methods, and channel marketing. For the second quarter of 2024, our healthcare-related income amounted to RMB26.4 million ( US$3.6 million ), representing a decrease of 17.0% from RMB31.8 million in the same period of 2023. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, healthcare-related income increased by 4.2%.

Operating costs and expenses

Operating costs and expenses decreased by 13.4% year over year to RMB623.8 million (US$85.8 million) for the second quarter of 2024. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, operating costs and expenses decreased by 5.2%. Operating costs and expenses from Shenlanbao(1) for the second quarter of 2024 were RMB57.4 million (US$7.9 million).

Operating costs decreased by 4.2% year over year to RMB319.1 million ( US$43.9 million ) for the second quarter of 2024, as compared with RMB333.1 million for the second quarter of 2023, which was primarily driven by (i) a decrease of RMB12 .9 million in costs of referral and service fees, (ii) a decrease of RMB8.6 million in the costs for patient recruitment consultants team, partially offset by (iii) an increase of RMB11.5 million in personnel costs mainly due to the consolidation of the financial results of Shenlanbao which incurred personnel costs of RMB16.9 million . On a quarter-over-quarter basis, operating costs decreased by 3.7% from RMB331.2 million , primarily due to a decrease of RMB9.9 million in costs of referral and service fees.

Sales and marketing expenses decreased by 23.0% year over year to RMB157.4 million ( US$21.7 million ) for the second quarter of 2024, as compared with RMB204.5 million for the same quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to (i) a decrease of RMB38.0 million in marketing expenses to third-party traffic channels, and (ii) a decrease of RMB33.2 million in personnel costs and share-based compensation expenses, partially offset by (iii) the consolidation of the financial results of Shenlanbao which incurred sales and marketing expenses of RMB30.1 million . On a quarter-over-quarter basis, sales and marketing expenses decreased by 13.6% from RMB182.1 million , primarily due to (i) a decrease of RMB14.4 million in marketing expenses to third-party traffic channels, (ii) a decrease of RMB4.9 million in sales and marketing personnel costs and share-based compensation expenses, and (iii) a decrease of RMB2.7 million in outsourced sales and marketing service fees to third parties .

General and administrative expenses decreased by 2.1% year over year to RMB94.0 million ( US$12.9 million ) for the second quarter of 2024, compared with RMB96.0 million for the same quarter of 2023. The year-over-year variance was due to (i) a decrease of RMB5.5 million in personnel costs and share-based compensation expenses, (ii) a decrease of RMB8.4 million in professional service fees, partially offset by (iii) an increase of RMB12.6 million allowance for doubtful accounts. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, general and administrative expenses increased by 5.6% from RMB89.0 million , due to (i) an increase of RMB8 .0 million allowance for doubtful accounts, partially offset by (ii) a decrease of RMB1.7 million in professional service fees.

Research and development expenses decreased by 38.5% year over year to RMB53.3 million ( US$7.3 million ) for the second quarter of 2024, compared with RMB86.7 million for the same period of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease of RMB35.3 million in personnel costs and share-based compensation expenses, partially offset by the consolidation of the financial results of Shenlanbao. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, research and development expenses decreased by 4.8% from RMB56 .0 million, which was mainly due to a decrease of RMB2.8 million in research and development personnel costs and share-based compensation expenses.

Operating profit for the second quarter of 2024 was RMB52.4 million (US$7.2 million), as compared with an operating loss of RMB41.6 million for the second quarter of 2023 and an operating profit of RMB46.4 million for the first quarter of 2024.

Interest income for the second quarter of 2024 was RMB37.5 million (US$5.2 million), as compared with RMB37.6 million for the second quarter of 2023 and RMB39.8 million for the first quarter of 2024. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in our short-term and long-term investments.

Income tax expense for the second quarter of 2024 was RMB7.0 million (US$1.0 million), as compared with an income tax benefit of RMB10.5 million for the second quarter of 2023 and an income tax expense of RMB8.6 million for the first quarter of 2024.

Net profit attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders for the second quarter of 2024 was RMB88.3 million (US$12.1 million), as compared with RMB21.7 million for the same period of 2023, and RMB80.6 million for the first quarter of 2024.

Adjusted net profit attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders (non-GAAP(2)) for the second quarter of 2024 was RMB108.7 million (US$15.0 million), as compared with RMB50.3 million for the same period of 2023, and RMB98.4 million for the first quarter of 2024.

Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments

As of June 30, 2024, the Company had combined cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of RMB2,933.3 million (US$403.6 million), as compared with RMB3,393.4 million as of December 31, 2023.







(1) We started to consolidate the financial results of Shenzhen Cunzhen Qiushi Technology Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries (collectively, "Cunzhen Qiushi", also known as "Shenlanbao") in the third quarter of 2023. (2) See the sections entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Measure" and "Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" for more information about the non-GAAP measures referred to in this announcement.

Share Repurchase Programs

Pursuant to the share repurchase programs launched in September 2021, September 2022 and September 2023, respectively, we had cumulatively repurchased approximately 49.3 million ADSs from the open market with cash for a total consideration of over US$100.4 million as of August 31, 2024.

The board of the directors of the Company (the "Board") has approved a new share repurchase program whereby the Company is authorized to repurchase its own ordinary shares in the form of American depository shares with an aggregate value of up to US$50 million during the 12-month period through September 9, 2025. The Company expects to fund the repurchase out of its existing cash balance. The Company's proposed repurchase may be made from time to time in the open market at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, in block trades and/or through other legally permissible means, depending on market conditions and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. The timing and dollar amount of repurchase transactions will be subject to the Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b-18 and/or Rule 10b5-1 requirements. The Board will review the share repurchase program periodically, and may authorize adjustment of its terms and size or suspend or discontinue the program.

Special Cash Dividend

The Board has approved a special cash dividend of US$0.02 per ADS or US$0.002 per ordinary share to shareholders of record as of the close of business on October 11, 2024. The payment date is expected to be on or around November 5, 2024 for holders of ordinary shares and on or around November 8, 2024 for holders of ADSs.

Supplemental Information

We organize and report our business in three operating segments:

Insurance, which mainly includes Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace, Shenlanbao Insurance Marketplace and technical support service;

Crowdfunding, which mainly includes Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding; and

Others, which mainly include Digital Clinical Trial Solution and other new initiatives.

The table below sets forth the segment operating results, with the six-month comparative figures retrospectively adjusted to conform to this presentation.





For the Three Months Ended

For the Six Months Ended



June 30, 2023

March 31, 2024

June 30, 2024

June 30, 2023*

June 30, 2024



RMB

RMB

RMB

USD

RMB

RMB

USD



(All amounts in thousands) Operating revenue, net



























Insurance**

597,437

606,777

573,832

78,962

1,133,780

1,180,609

162,457 Crowdfunding

44,677

67,350

69,323

9,539

86,699

136,673

18,807 Others

36,586

30,573

33,001

4,541

64,386

63,574

8,748 Total consolidated operating

revenue, net

678,700

704,700

676,156

93,042

1,284,865

1,380,856

190,012 Operating profit/(loss)



























Insurance**

99,759

129,163

122,955

16,919

254,714

252,118

34,693 Crowdfunding

(64,131)

(32,237)

(22,936)

(3,156)

(125,265)

(55,173)

(7,592) Others

(47,877)

(31,432)

(27,450)

(3,778)

(84,444)

(58,882)

(8,103) Total segment operating

(loss)/profit

(12,249)

65,494

72,569

9,985

45,005

138,063

18,998 Unallocated item***

(29,393)

(19,130)

(20,205)

(2,780)

(76,319)

(39,335)

(5,412) Total consolidated operating

(loss)/profit

(41,642)

46,364

52,364

7,205

(31,314)

98,728

13,586 Total other income

52,835

42,781

38,366

5,280

89,606

81,147

11,166 Profit before income tax

11,193

89,145

90,730

12,485

58,292

179,875

24,752 Income tax benefit/(expense)

10,504

(8,588)

(7,026)

(967)

13,130

(15,614)

(2,149) Net profit

21,697

80,557

83,704

11,518

71,422

164,261

22,603

* Staring from the second quarter of 2023, our chief operating decision maker starts to manage the business by three operating segments and assess the performance and allocate resources under the new operating segment structure. The six-month comparative figures were retrospectively adjusted to conform to this presentation. ** The Company started to consolidate the financial results of Shenlanbao since July 4, 2023 and reported the results of Shenlanbao under the Insurance segment. *** The share-based compensation represents an unallocated item in the segment information because our management does not consider this as part of the segment operating performance measure.

Exchange Rate

This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("USD" or "US$") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to USD were made at the rate of RMB7.2672 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on June 28, 2024 in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or USD amounts referred could be converted into USD or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. For analytical presentation, all percentages are calculated using the numbers presented in the financial statements contained in this earnings release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

The Company uses non-GAAP financial measure, adjusted net profit attributable to our ordinary shareholders, in evaluating the Company's operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. Adjusted net profit attributable to our ordinary shareholders represents net profit attributable to our ordinary shareholders excluding share-based compensation expense attributable to our ordinary shareholders and foreign currency exchange gain or losses. Such adjustments have no impact on income tax.

The non-GAAP financial measure is not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP methods of accounting and reporting used by other companies. The non-GAAP financial measure has limitations as analytical tools and when assessing the Company's operating performance, investors should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for net loss or other consolidated statements of comprehensive loss data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. Investors are encouraged to review the Company's historical non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Adjusted net profit attributable to our ordinary shareholders presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measure presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measure differently, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure to our data.

The Company mitigates these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating the Company's performance.

For more information on the non-GAAP financial measure, please see the table captioned "Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to" and similar statements. Among other things, quotations in this announcement, contain forward-looking statements. Waterdrop may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Waterdrop's beliefs, plans and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Waterdrop's mission, goals and strategies; Waterdrop's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the insurance, medical crowdfunding and healthcare industry in China; Waterdrop's expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our products and services; Waterdrop's expectations regarding its relationships with consumers, insurance carriers and other partners; competition in the industry and relevant government policies and regulations relating to insurance, medical crowdfunding and healthcare industry. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Waterdrop's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Waterdrop does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Conference Call Information

Waterdrop's management team will hold a conference call on September 4, 2024 at 8:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 PM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on the same day) to discuss the financial results. Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

International: 1-412-317-6061 United States Toll Free: 1-888-317-6003 Hong Kong Toll Free: 800-963976 Hong Kong: 852-58081995 Mainland China: 4001-206115 Chinese Line (Mandarin) Entry Number: 9073979 English Interpretation Line (Listen-only Mode) Entry Number: 6371615

Participants can choose between the Chinese and the English interpretation lines. Please note that the English interpretation option will be in listen-only mode. Please dial in 15 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the Elite Entry Number to join the call.

Telephone replays will be accessible two hours after the conclusion of the conference call until September 11, 2024 by dialing the following numbers:

United States Toll Free: 1-877-344-7529 International: 1-412-317-0088 Chinese Line Access Code: 7243413 English Interpretation Line Access Code: 8969523

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.waterdrop-inc.com/.

About Waterdrop Inc.

Waterdrop Inc. (NYSE: WDH) is a leading technology platform dedicated to insurance and healthcare service with a positive social impact. Founded in 2016, with the comprehensive coverage of Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace and Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding, Waterdrop aims to bring insurance and healthcare service to billions through technology. For more information, please visit www.waterdrop-inc.com.

For investor inquiries, please contact

Waterdrop Inc.

[email protected]

WATERDROP INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (All amounts in thousands, unless otherwise noted)



As of

December 31,2023

June 30, 2024

RMB

RMB

USD Assets









Current assets









Cash and cash equivalents 396,905

719,036

98,943 Restricted cash 577,121

507,151

69,786 Short-term investments 2,996,527

2,214,227

304,688 Accounts receivable, net 693,110

718,002

98,800 Current contract assets 572,871

611,290

84,116 Amount due from related parties 65

169

23 Prepaid expense and other assets 189,846

194,769

26,801 Total current assets 5,426,445

4,964,644

683,157 Non-current assets









Non-current contract assets 134,383

154,745

21,294 Property, equipment and software, net 33,878

30,729

4,228 Intangible assets, net 177,407

173,635

23,893 Long-term investments 211,758

581,813

80,060 Right of use assets, net 59,851

63,580

8,749 Deferred tax assets 24,190

31,279

4,304 Goodwill 80,751

80,751

11,112 Total non-current assets 722,218

1,116,532

153,640 Total assets 6,148,663

6,081,176

836,797











Liabilities, Mezzanine Equity and Shareholders' Equity









Current liabilities









Amount due to related parties 9,509

10,031

1,380 Insurance premium payables 591,953

521,272

71,729 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 597,684

651,874

89,701 Short-term loans 137,557

-

- Current lease liabilities 32,908

37,246

5,125 Total current liabilities 1,369,611

1,220,423

167,935 Non-current liabilities









Non-current lease liabilities 27,293

26,462

3,641 Deferred tax liabilities 73,305

95,592

13,154 Total non-current liabilities 100,598

122,054

16,795 Total liabilities 1,470,209

1,342,477

184,730











Mezzanine Equity









Redeemable non-controlling interests 92,760

88,099

12,123











Shareholders' equity









Class A ordinary shares 112

112

15 Class B ordinary shares 27

27

4 Treasury stock (12)

(15)

(2) Additional paid-in capital 7,003,423

6,860,770

944,073 Accumulated other comprehensive income 144,107

182,747

25,147 Accumulated deficit (2,561,963)

(2,393,041)

(329,293) Total shareholders' equity 4,585,694

4,650,600

639,944 Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' equity 6,148,663

6,081,176

836,797

WATERDROP INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)





For the Three Months Ended

For the Six Months Ended



June 30, 2023

March 31, 2024

June 30, 2024

June 30, 2023

June 30, 2024



RMB

RMB

RMB

USD

RMB

RMB

USD





























Operating revenue, net

678,700

704,700

676,156

93,042

1,284,865

1,380,856

190,012 Operating costs and expenses(i)



























Operating costs

(333,140)

(331,243)

(319,101)

(43,910)

(581,123)

(650,344)

(89,490) Sales and marketing expenses

(204,548)

(182,146)

(157,413)

(21,661)

(377,949)

(339,559)

(46,725) General and administrative expenses

(95,997)

(88,961)

(93,978)

(12,932)

(191,795)

(182,939)

(25,173) Research and development expenses

(86,657)

(55,986)

(53,300)

(7,334)

(165,312)

(109,286)

(15,038) Total operating costs and expenses

(720,342)

(658,336)

(623,792)

(85,837)

(1,316,179)

(1,282,128)

(176,426) Operating (loss)/profit

(41,642)

46,364

52,364

7,205

(31,314)

98,728

13,586 Other income



























Interest income

37,618

39,804

37,510

5,162

68,494

77,314

10,639 Foreign currency exchange gain/(loss)

838

1,514

(444)

(61)

1,120

1,070

147 Others, net

14,379

1,463

1,300

179

19,992

2,763

380 Profit before income tax

11,193

89,145

90,730

12,485

58,292

179,875

24,752 Income tax benefit/(expense)

10,504

(8,588)

(7,026)

(967)

13,130

(15,614)

(2,149) Net profit

21,697

80,557

83,704

11,518

71,422

164,261

22,603 Net loss attributable to mezzanine equity classified as non-

controlling interests shareholders

-

(75)

(4,586)

(631)

-

(4,661)

(641) Net profit attributable to ordinary shareholders

21,697

80,632

88,290

12,149

71,422

168,922

23,244 Other comprehensive income:



























Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax

64,434

25,143

13,497

1,857

67,820

38,640

5,317 Unrealized loss on available for sale investments, net of tax

(3,508)

-

-

-

(1,551)

-

- Total comprehensive income

82,623

105,700

97,201

13,375

137,691

202,901

27,920 Total comprehensive loss attributable to mezzanine equity classified

as non-controlling interests shareholders

-

(75)

(4,586)

(631)

-

(4,661)

(641) Total comprehensive income attributable to ordinary shareholders

82,623

105,775

101,787

14,006

137,691

207,562

28,561 Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing

net profit per share



























Basic

3,795,521,186

3,696,619,172

3,660,589,600

3,660,589,600

3,831,316,817

3,678,604,386

3,678,604,386 Diluted

3,949,592,050

3,756,462,107

3,734,346,444

3,734,346,444

3,988,673,677

3,745,404,276

3,745,404,276 Net profit per share attributable to ordinary shareholders



























Basic

0.01

0.02

0.02

0.00

0.02

0.05

0.01 Diluted

0.01

0.02

0.02

0.00

0.02

0.05

0.01





























(i) Share-based compensation expenses are included in the operating costs and expenses as follows.

































For the Three Months Ended

For the Six Months Ended



June 30, 2023

March 31, 2024

June 30, 2024

June 30, 2023

June 30, 2024



RMB

RMB

RMB

USD

RMB

RMB

USD





























Sales and marketing expenses

(7,888)

(1,820)

(1,320)

(181)

(24,417)

(3,140)

(432) General and administrative expenses

(18,122)

(14,327)

(16,285)

(2,241)

(44,582)

(30,612)

(4,212) Research and development expenses

(3,383)

(2,983)

(2,600)

(358)

(7,320)

(5,583)

(768) Total

(29,393)

(19,130)

(20,205)

(2,780)

(76,319)

(39,335)

(5,412)

WATERDROP INC. RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS (All amounts in thousands, unless otherwise noted)





For the Three Months Ended

For the Six Months Ended



June 30, 2023

March 31, 2024

June 30, 2024

June 30, 2023

June 30, 2024



RMB

RMB

RMB

USD

RMB

RMB

USD





























Net profit attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders

21,697

80,632

88,290

12,149

71,422

168,922

23,244 Add:



























Share-based compensation expense attributable to the Company's

ordinary shareholders

29,393

19,260

20,015

2,754

76,319

39,274

5,404 Foreign currency exchange (gain)/loss

(838)

(1,514)

444

61

(1,120)

(1,070)

(147) Adjusted net profit attributable to the Company's ordinary

shareholders

50,252

98,378

108,749

14,964

146,621

207,126

28,501

SOURCE Waterdrop Inc.
BEIJING, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 4, 2024, Waterdrop Inc. (NYSE: WDH), a leading technology platform dedicated to insurance and healthcare services with a positive social impact, unveiled its unaudited financial results for the second quarter of 2024 ended June 30, 2024. During the quarter, Waterdrop reported net operating revenue of RMB 676 million. Net profit attributable to ordinary shareholders totaled RMB 88.3 million, up 306.9% from the previous year, sustaining profitability for the tenth consecutive quarter. Operating expenses, including sales, administrative, and R&D costs, accounted for 45.1% of revenue, a decrease of 12 percentage points year-on-year.

In addition, Waterdrop also completed the first special cash dividend in the past quarter. Waterdrop declared that, with the board approval, the company will soon start the second special cash dividend of approximately US$7.5 million.

Since announcing its share repurchase program in September 2021, as of August 31, 2024, Waterdrop has repurchased approximately 49.3 million American Depositary Shares (ADSs) from the open market. The board of the directors of the Company has approved a new share repurchase program whereby the Company is authorized to repurchase its own ordinary shares in the form of American depository shares with an aggregate value of up to US$50 million during the 12-month period through September 9, 2025.

Insurance Business Operating Profit Totaled RMB 123 Million

Waterdrop's insurance-related revenue amounted to RMB573.8 million in the second quarter of 2024. The insurance business operating profit reached RMB 123 million in Q2 2024. First-year premiums (FYPs) generated by insurance business amounted to RMB 1,778.6 million.

Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace continually improved online traffic conversion capabilities and efficiency, driving the number of new users to grow at 15.8%. At the same time,Waterdrop's insurance business effectively sustained the policy renewal rate at a high level.

Committed to investment in technology, Waterdrop further piloted Shuishou large language model ("LLM"), known as "Waterdrop Guardian", in multiple service scenarios covering medical, critical illness, and auto insurance categories. During the quarter, the Company landed a strategic cooperation with a property & casualty insurer. This is the first time Waterdrop exports a customized solution for non-life insurance and the company looks forward to empowering more industry partners with AI solutions.

Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding Raised RMB 65.1 Billion for 3.25 Million Patients

During the quarter, Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding upheld its mission of "saving lives" with remarkable success. As of June 30, 2024, around 461 million people cumulatively donated an aggregate of RMB65.1 billion to 3.25 million patients through Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding. Despite recording an operating loss of approximately RMB 22.9 million, the losses have narrowed compared to previous periods.

Waterdrop's healthcare-related business has maintained its growth in the second quarter of 2024, generating revenues of approximately RMB 26.4 million. As of June 30, 2024, the Company had cumulatively enrolled nearly 8,600 patients into over 1,050 clinical trial programs through the E-Find Platform.

Shen Peng, Founder and CEO of Waterdrop, said, "In this quarter, we firmly implemented our high-quality development strategy, enhancing user experience through technological innovation and driving sustainable growth across all our businesses. Looking ahead, we will further strengthen our core operations, actively explore opportunities to apply large language model within the industry amid the new wave of AI,and strive to create greater commercial and social value.Meanwhile,we are grateful for the ongoing support from our users,partners,shareholders and investors. We're committed to repaying this trust with top-notch service and solid profitability."

SOURCE Waterdrop Inc.
Funding will Support Youth Impacted by Domestic Violence Across the State

RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare of North Carolina (WellCare), a Medicaid health plan and a Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) company, announced today a $100,000 donation available to nine Family Justice Centers across North Carolina. These funds will support Camp HOPE America, a week-long overnight camp specially designed for youth impacted by domestic violence and trauma.

Wellcare of NC (PRNewsfoto/WellCare of North Carolina)

"WellCare is committed to improving the well-being of citizens and communities across North Carolina, and this is made possible through strong partnerships with organizations like Camp HOPE America and investing in Family Justice Centers across NC," said Shaune Lancit, director, community engagement from WellCare of North Carolina. "We will continue to invest in the communities where our members live, work, and play, striving to shape a healthier future for all of North Carolina."

North Carolina currently has the second largest Family Justice Center network in the nation, helping to lead the way in transforming the lives of those impacted by abuse.

"The Family Justice Center movement, led by the Alliance for HOPE International (AFH), has transformed support for survivors of abuse by offering quicker, comprehensive services," said Catherine Johnson, Interim Director of Camp HOPE America and Director of the Guilford County Family Justice Center in Greensboro and High Point, NC. "Camp HOPE America's camping and mentoring program is essential to AFH's mission, providing a safe space for children impacted by abuse to heal, grow, and thrive. We deeply appreciate WellCare's investment, which helps these young individuals become healthy, confident adults."

This donation is part of WellCare's ongoing commitment to supporting communities across North Carolina. In May, WellCare invested $1.95 million in The Umbrella Center, a comprehensive family justice center that offers holistic services to individuals affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, human trafficking, and child abuse. WellCare also supported the Effective Communication and Life Skills Workshop at The Hope Center at Pullen, a program designed to empower young adults transitioning out of foster care by providing them with the essential resources and connections needed for a safe and stable future.

Additionally, WellCare's microgrant program with Communities in Schools of North Carolina aims to enhance family engagement and bolster efforts in high-risk areas, introducing innovative tools to strengthen parent involvement and improve student outcomes. These efforts reflect WellCare's commitment to fostering resilient communities and ensuring every individual has access to the support they need.

About WellCare of North Carolina

Headquartered in Raleigh, WellCare of North Carolina provides government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors, and individuals with complex needs primarily through Medicaid as one of the state's Medicaid Prepaid Health Plans (WellCare of North Carolina), Marketplace (WellCare of North Carolina by Celtic Insurance Company), Medicare Advantage (Wellcare), and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Wellcare). WellCare of North Carolina is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. For more information, visit www.WellCareNC.com.

Any reference in this press release to any person, organization, activity, or services related to North Carolina Medicaid does not constitute or imply the endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

SOURCE WellCare of North Carolina
Not for the first time, officials in Mauritania have targeted mobile operators for alleged failure to provide a service of acceptable quality.

This week has seen the Mauritanian Ministry of Digital Transformation and Modernisation of Administration insist that telecom operators improve the quality of their services by 22 September  a little over two weeks from now  or face substantial financial and administrative penalties.

The notice sent out by the ministry suggests that sanctions could include limiting licence periods and imposing large fines. A reduction of up to three months in the duration of existing licenses has been suggested, along with fines of up to MUR530 million (US$11.4 million). The main players in this market are Chinguitel, Mattel and Moov Mauritel.

The North Africa Post news service says the decision follows an inspection by the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) conducted from 1 August to 7 September 2023, which, as we reported at the time, revealed a significant drop in service quality from several companies across various regions.

The ministry noted that the NRA had previously issued warnings, requiring operators to meet quality standards within 30 days. The shortcomings were out down to insufficient investment by telecom companies in service improvements.

The countrys Prime Minister has also got involved. At the recent Council of Ministers, Mokhtar Ould Diay allegedly expressed his indignation at the current state of telecommunications services in Mauritania and stressed the urgency of taking measures to remedy this situation.

Big fines were also imposed twice on operators in 2020 for bad QoS.
Revised Forecast Cites Regulatory Risks, Lack of Infrastructure, and Federal Uncertainty as Major Drivers

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Whitney Economics (WE), a global leader in cannabis and hemp business consulting, data, and economic research, today announced it has revised its hemp grain and fiber forecast for 2030 to 1.0 million acres, down 82% from its previous forecast. This is the equivalent to nearly $3.1 billion in lower revenues projected for U.S. hemp farmers, based on output and pricing data published by the USDA.

"Our original forecast assumed that policy related to hemp for animal feed would be farther along than they are currently with the FDA," Whitney said. "In addition, legislatures and cannabis regulators are so focused on re-criminalizing hemp while imposing restrictions on even non-intoxicating products, there is little appetite for hemp investment or the development of infrastructure to support the hemp sector."

Revised Forecast Cites Regulatory Risks, Lack of Infrastructure, and Federal Uncertainty as Major Drivers Post this

One investor interviewed by Whitney Economics said: "When the laws are changing seemingly every week from state to state, I do not know what is legal versus what is not." Cannabinoid policies are also impacting the growth in the grain and fiber sectors.

The Oregon-based economics research firm states that recent recommendations to limit the parts per million of both THC and CBD in animal feeds, combined with regulatory uncertainty caused by changes to hemp-derived cannabinoid laws, have resulted in greater uncertainty in the overall market. Whitney also factored the lack of progress on infrastructural development into its forecast. Both have precipitated a general pull-back among investors in hemp; without investment and infrastructure, farmers are not participating in a way that would justify a higher forecast.

Whitney said that investors and operators are taking a "wait and see" approach in terms of what the U.S. Farm Bill will contain. With the FDA now setting very low limits on THC and CBD for animal feed, essentially defining THC and CBD as more toxic than arsenic, cadmium and lead, it is not clear how this will affect farmers and processors of hemp grains, or if those limits will also be later extended to hemp grains for human consumption.

"The attempt to provide clarity on animal feed by setting tight limits may have resulted in more uncertainty, not less," Whitney said. "While some operators think that the newly adopted limits in animal feed will help farmers, others are not convinced. Regardless, when we examined both the micro and macro environment, it was clear that the demand for future acres for hemp fiber and grains will be muted."

About Whitney Economics

Portland, Oregon-based Whitney Economics is a global leader in cannabis and hemp business consulting, data, and economic research, supporting hemp and cannabis operators, investors and regulators. Whitney Economics does not take a position on the legalization of cannabis, nor does it take positions on proposed legislation. Visit whitneyeconomics.com .

Media contact:

John McIsaac

[email protected]

503-481-9621 (West Coast)

SOURCE Whitney Economics
Veteran industry leader Arooran "Aroo" Sivasubramaniam to spearhead growth of risk management services for Zurich Resilience Solutions.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zurich North America has elevated Arooran "Aroo" Sivasubramaniam as Head of Zurich Resilience Solutions (ZRS) for North America. ZRS provides customers with risk insights and innovative services that will help them reduce their risks and manage their businesses more effectively. Sivasubramaniam will report to Dirk De Nil, Global Head of Zurich Resilience Solutions.

Zurich names Arooran Sivasubramaniam as Head of Zurich Resilience Solutions North America

"Aroo brings the energy, focus and drive to achieve business results, seamlessly balancing technical expertise with commercial acumen," said De Nil. "With nearly two decades of experience in retail, reinsurance and commercial insurance across diverse markets, Aroo is well-suited to lead Zurich Resilience Solutions in North America."

Effective immediately, Sivasubramaniam will spearhead growth of risk management services for ZRS. He will focus on developing and executing the ZRS initiatives with the goal of positioning Zurich as a leader and trusted partner in evolving risk prevention.

Sivasubramaniam has an extensive background with nearly 20 years of experience in retail, reinsurance and commercial insurance across multiple market sectors. He joins Zurich Resilience Solutions in North America from Zurich Benelux, where he was the Head of Middle Market for the Netherlands and Belgium. Beginning his career with Zurich in 2013 at the London office, he later transitioned to Switzerland to oversee Financial Lines pricing within Commercial Insurance. After that, he took on the role of Chief Financial Officer at Zurich Benelux, where he played a pivotal role in driving a business transformation.

About Zurich North America

Zurich North America is one of the largest providers of insurance solutions and services to businesses and individuals. Our customers represent industries ranging from agriculture to technology. Zurich North America is part of Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich), a leading multi-line insurer serving people and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. Founded 150 years ago, Zurich is transforming insurance. In addition to providing insurance protection, Zurich is increasingly offering prevention services such as those that promote wellbeing and enhance climate resilience.

Reflecting its purpose to "create a brighter future together," Zurich aspires to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world. It is targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 and has the highest-possible ESG rating from MSCI. In 2020, Zurich launched the Zurich Forest project to support reforestation and biodiversity restoration in Brazil.

The Group has about 60,000 employees and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information is available at https://www.zurich.com/ and https://www.zurichna.com/.

Visit us on social media: LinkedIn and Twitter.

SOURCE Zurich North America
Space X subsidiary Starlink reversed course and agreed to block access to fellow Elon Musk-owned company X (formerly Twitter), to maintain its satellite internet service in Brazil.

The announcement comes a day after Brazils Supreme Court ordered telecoms regulator Anatel to demand service providers block access to the social media platform, which is being punished for not suspending accounts spreading hateful content. X has also not appointed a legal representative in the country which is a federal requirement, reported CNBC.

Starlink said it has around a quarter of a million customers in Brazil, it competes with other satellite firms including Hughesnet, Viasat and Telebras.

Musk said in a tweet on Monday (September 2): Unless the Brazilian government returns the illegally seized property of X and SpaceX, we will seek reciprocal seizure of government assets too. Hope Lula [President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva] enjoys flying commercial.

Brazils president hit back stating that Latin American country isnt obliged to put up with [Elon] Musks far-right free-for-all just because he is rich, reported The Guardian.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
James M. Johnson, 33, was recently indicted by a grand jury in Ada County for first-degree murder for the death of 45-year-old Milo Warnock.

Warnock was a 1996 Lewiston High School graduate who died after being assaulted Dec. 10 at the Idaho State Correctional Institution in Kuna, Idaho. James Johnson was Warnocks cellmate, according to documents from Warnocks family.

James Johnson was indicted by a grand jury Aug. 27. He made his first court appearance Tuesday. His next court date is Sept. 18 before the Ada County District Judge Nancy Baskin, according to a news release from the Ada County Prosecutors Office. Indictments are sealed until a warrant is served on the defendant and the first court appearance is held.

The maximum punishment for first-degree murder is the death penalty or life in prison. The minimum sentence is 10 years in prison.

James Johnson was convicted of two counts of grand theft, fraud and possession of a controlled substance from Bannock County. His sentence was expected to be completed Feb. 19, 2025, according to the Idaho Department of Correction. Documents from the Warnock family also showed that Johnson had numerous disciplinary reports from drug and/or alcohol possession to physical altercations.

Over the past 9+ months weve agonized over the lack of information about Milos death as well as what has felt like a very slow investigation. It is a relief that the indictment has occurred, but we know its the beginning of more waiting as the judicial process plays out, Milos sister, Hallie Johnson, said in an email. Its impossible not to be reminded of the senselessness of Milos death. I hope that these painful reminders for our family are reminders to the public that there are issues with the criminal justice system.

She said that as the months went on her imagination was running wild about why it was taking so long. The case seemed too simple for her  two men were locked in a cell together, one is dead and the other is covered in his blood. After about eight months of waiting, Hallie Johnson is grateful to Idaho State Police and the Ada County Prosecutors Office for their thoroughness in the investigation.

Hallie Johnson is planning to attend the hearing Sept. 18 in Boise.

Its a weird thing, I want to see who this person is. I want to be in a room with them, Hallie Johnson said. This may be my only opportunity. I havent been able to wrap my head around it or explain this.

Other than to explain she wants to see the person her brother lived with and the last person he saw while he was alive.

Hallie Johnson testified at the grand jury, but doesnt know who else testified or what other evidence was shown. So she still doesnt know much about the case against James Johnson.

I will know in the criminal process if it goes to trial and it may not, Hallie Johnson said. (James Johnson) may accept a plea deal and that may never happen. I dont think it will move quickly.

Although she doesnt know who testified at the grand jury she had heard from other inmates about her brothers death. According to the Idaho Department of Correction, Warnock died of massive blunt force trauma.

I have a pretty good idea of what happened and it just was not pretty, Hallie Johnson said.
Baghdad, Sep 4 : Switzerland reopened its embassy in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, after 33 years of closure following the Gulf War.

In a statement, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the reopening of the Swiss embassy "came within the framework of strengthening bilateral relations between Iraq and Switzerland and reflects the desire of the two countries to consolidate cooperation in various fields".

The Ministry stressed that it "looks forward to strengthening partnership and bilateral dialogue with Switzerland," noting it is working to create appropriate conditions to enhance bilateral cooperation, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Swiss Foreign Ministry cites the improved security situation as the main reason for reopening its representation in Iraq, according to Swiss media outlet SWI swissinfo.ch.

The reopening of the embassy is part of Switzerland's broader strategy to deepen its presence in the Middle East and North Africa. The embassy cited improvements in Iraq's security situation in recent years as a key factor in the decision to re-establish a diplomatic mission in Baghdad.

The security situation in Iraq has improved in recent years, and the issue of immigration will be among the top priorities in discussions between the two countries, the Swiss Embassy said.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry welcomed the reopening, highlighting that the decision aligns with the mutual desire of both countries to strengthen relations at the highest levels.

The Ministry expressed optimism that the renewed diplomatic ties would enhance cooperation in various sectors.

Iraq presents promising long-term export and investment opportunities for Swiss companies, particularly in the energy sector. Switzerland also prioritises cooperation on migration issues.

Consular services and visa inquiries will continue to be handled by the Swiss embassy in Amman, Jordan.

Following the 2003 overthrow of strongman Saddam Hussein, Iraq experienced years of instability, exacerbated by the Islamic State's control of Mosul in 2014, which was only restored to government control in 2017.

Switzerland closed its embassy in Iraq as a result of the 1991 Gulf War, which was waged to evict Saddam Hussein's forces from Kuwait.
Ramallah, Sep 4 : The Palestinian presidency has reiterated its rejection of any Israeli military presence along the Philadelphi Corridor or at the Rafah crossing on the Gaza-Egypt border.

In a statement on Tuesday, the presidency criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comments about weapons smuggling from Egypt into Gaza, accusing him of using the claim to distract the public, avoid a ceasefire deal, and continue military actions against the Palestinian people, the official WAFA news agency reported.

The Palestinian presidency also expressed appreciation for Egypt's stance against the displacement of Palestinians and reiterated its objection to any Israeli presence along the Philadelphi Corridor, Xinhua news agency reported.

Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel would not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor.

"We need to have it under our control," he said, emphasising that Israeli presence there is crucial to prevent future weapons smuggling from Egypt to Gaza.

Egypt's Foreign Ministry rejected Israel's claim on Tuesday, accusing the Israeli side of using the claim to justify its "aggressive and provocative" policies.

The Philadelphi Corridor remains a key sticking point in ceasefire negotiations mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the US.

In official statements, the Arab countries accused Netanyahu of attempting to distract public opinion and obstruct joint mediation efforts aimed at a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the exchange of hostages and detainees.

On Monday, the Israeli Prime Minister claimed -- without providing any evidence -- that Hamas obtains weapons through the Egypt-Gaza border, criticising the security situation along the border.

In an attempt to justify Israel's illegal presence in the Philadelphi corridor, he alleged that the axis serves as "Hamas's pipeline for oxygen and rearmament".

In a statement, the Palestinian presidency expressed its appreciation for the Egyptian pivotal role in rejecting the displacement of the Palestinian people from their land.

"We commend Egypt's constant efforts to achieve security and stability in the region," said the statement.

Palestine also expressed its appreciation for the Egyptian, Qatari and Jordanian efforts to reach a ceasefire, end the Israeli aggression in Gaza, and prevent the displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

In addition, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said that these Israeli attempts aim to justify the continuous Israeli violations to international law.

The Ministry further warned against such provoking statements and their negative repercussions, calling for an end to the Palestinian suffering.

Egypt, Qatar, and the US have been mediating indirect talks between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire in the 10-month-old Israeli war in Gaza.

Since October 7, Israel has killed and injured more than 130,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women, damaged most of Gaza's infrastructure, and displaced the majority of the population.

Tensions have further escalated with renewed Israeli attacks in the occupied West Bank that began last week -- mainly on the cities of Jenin, Nablus, Tubas, and Tulkarem -- resulting in more casualties among Palestinians.
Cairo/Amman, Sep 4 : Egypt has rejected Israel's claim that its territories were used to smuggle weapons into the Gaza Strip.

"Egypt completely rejects the statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, through which he tried to drag Egypt's name into the conflict to distract the Israeli public's attention," the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday in a statement.

Netanyahu's claim aimed to justify his government's aggressive and provocative policies, obstruct reaching a Gaza ceasefire deal and the exchange of hostages and detainees, and hinder the mediation efforts made by Egypt, Qatar and the US, it said.

Egypt held the Israeli government responsible for the consequences of making such a claim that could further aggravate the regional situation, the statement noted.

The Ministry added that Egypt will continue playing its role in leading the peace process in the region, Xinhua news agency reported.

On Tuesday, Jordan's Foreign Ministry denounced Netanyahu's claim as a baseless allegation aimed at undermining mediation efforts on the Gaza ceasefire deal.

Jordan stands in solidarity with Egypt in confronting Israel's claim and supports Egypt's position in this matter, the Ministry said in a statement.

It added that all claims by Israeli officials were "useless attempts" to justify the "Israeli aggression on Gaza and West Bank," which have further escalated the already intense situation in the region.

On Monday, Netanyahu said at a news conference that Israeli forces are "not going to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor," reiterating that keeping the corridor under control is critical for preventing future weapons smuggling from Egypt to Gaza.

The Israeli army took control of the corridor, a 100-metre wide and 14-km-long buffer zone along the Egypt-Gaza border, and the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing in May, leading to a suspension of the entry of aid trucks from Egypt into Gaza.

During several rounds of ceasefire talks, Egypt has repeatedly emphasised its demand that the Israeli army completely withdraw from the corridor and the Rafah crossing.
Kyiv, Sep 4 : At least 51 people were killed and more than 200 others injured in a Russian missile attack against a military educational facility in central Ukraine in one of the deadliest single attacks since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022, CNN reported, citing Ukraine's prosecutor general's office.

Sharing a post on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he received information about a Russian strike in Poltava that targeted an educational institution and a nearby hospital, partially destroying one of the telecommunications institute's buildings.

Zelensky said in a statement that, "We say again and again to everyone in the world who has the power to stop this terror: air defence systems and missiles are needed in Ukraine, not somewhere in a warehouse."

He said, "I received preliminary reports on the Russian strike in Poltava. According to available information, two ballistic missiles hit the area."

The head of the Poltava region military administration, Filip Pronin, announced the latest death toll on Telegram, adding that rescue crews continue to clear and search through the debris at the site.

Pronin said authorities believe up to 18 more people may be under the rubble.

At least 10 residential buildings were damaged at the military educational institution, he added.

Moscow has not commented on the attack, but a well-known Russian military blogger Vladimir Rogov reported earlier on Tuesday that Russia struck a military school in Poltava.

Expressing his heartfelt condolences, Zelensky said, "People were trapped under the rubble."

The Ukrainian President has also called for an investigation and expressed his thankfulness to the ones who have been helping following the Russian strike.

"I ordered a full and prompt investigation into all of the circumstances of what happened. All necessary services are involved in the rescue operation. I am grateful to everyone who has been helping and saving lives from the very first moments following the strike," Zelensky said on X.

Speaking about the attack, President Zelensky repeated his call on Ukraine's Western allies to supply Kyiv with more air defences and lift restrictions on his country's military using their weapons to strike inside Russia, as per CNN report.

"Long-range strikes that can protect against Russian terror are needed now, not later. Every day of delay is, unfortunately, the death of people," he added.
Aden : , Sep 4 (IANS) The Yemeni government has condemned recent Houthi attacks on chemical and oil tankers in the Red Sea, describing them as "systematic terrorism" that threatens environmental, economic, and humanitarian stability in the region.

In a statement released on Tuesday through the state-run Saba news agency, Yemen's Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani highlighted the latest incident involving the MV BLUE LAGOON I, a Panama-flagged vessel operated by a Greek company. The ship was reportedly struck by a ballistic missile and an unmanned aerial vehicle of suspected "Iranian origin".

Al-Eryani noted that this marks the 10th attack on chemical and oil tankers since November 2023, Xinhua news agency reported.

He criticised the assaults as a form of "systematic terrorism" with the potential for catastrophic environmental, economic, and humanitarian consequences.

The statement follows ongoing international efforts to rescue the Greek-flagged oil tanker, the MV Sounion, which was hit by Houthi forces on August 21. The tanker, carrying one million barrels of crude oil, is currently stranded in the Red Sea due to failed engines, with its crew all evacuated.

The vessel remains at risk of sinking or exploding, with fires still burning onboard.

Al-Eryani warned that any oil spill in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, or Gulf of Aden could severely impact Yemen's economy, agriculture, fisheries, and marine environment.

He noted that such a disaster would expose millions of Yemenis to toxic gases, halt port operations, and endanger the livelihoods of 1.7 million people dependent on the fishing industry.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have intensified attacks in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, targeting vessels they allege are Israeli or en route to Israel, citing the ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip as their justification.
New York, Sep 4 : A former high-ranking state official has been charged with acting as an agent of the Chinese government, capping a series of arrests of people, including former dissidents, who have allegedly worked secretly for Beijing.

Linda Sun, a former Deputy Chief of Staff to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, "actually worked to further the interests of the Chinese government and the CCP (Chinese Communist Party)," Breon Peace, the federal prosecutor for Eastern New York, said on Tuesday announcing the arrests of her and her husband Christopher Hu.

She had also worked for former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo as chief diversity officer.

She is accused in court documents of blocking Taiwan representatives from contacting high-level state officers; changing the messaging of the officials regarding China and the CCP; getting official state proclamations for Beijing representatives; attempting to set up a China trip by a senior state politician, and arranging meetings for visiting Beijing delegations with state officials.

In return, her husband is alleged to have received transactions worth millions for his business, and a relative promotion.

The detailed court papers said that one of the illegal benefits was her parents receiving "Nanjing-style salted ducks prepared by a People's Republic of China government official's personal chef".

Sun's arrest was the latest in a crackdown on alleged Chinese agents, who include at least two political dissidents playing a double role in New York.

Last month, Yuanjun Tang, who had been arrested during the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989 and received political asylum in the US, was charged with providing information about dissidents to the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) while running a pro-democracy organisation.

Prosecutors said his cooperation with MSS was motivated by a desire to visit relatives in China.

A former scholar at a local university, Shujun Wang was convicted earlier in the month of giving Beijing information about activists for Taiwan and Tibet and Uyghur causes while running a foundation named for two Chinese reformers.

One of them was Hu Yaobang whose death sparked the Tiananmen uprising.

In a brazen operation in the US, last year two men were arrested on charges of setting up a secret Chinese police station in New York City to intimidate Chinese dissidents.

After the arrest of Harry Lu Jianwang and Chen Jinping, the then-head of counter-intelligence for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kurt Ronnow, said, "It is simply outrageous that China's Ministry of Public Security thinks it can get away with establishing a secret, illegal police station on US soil to aid its efforts to export repression and subvert our rule of law."

Last year in June, two persons of Chinese descent and a former New York City police sergeant were convicted on charges relating to the harassment of a former Chinese official to force him to return to China.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
Jammu, Sep 4 : Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will start the party's J&K election campaign on Wednesday as he is scheduled to address two election rallies in the union territory.

Rahul Gandhi will address one rally each in Jammu and Kashmir for the first phase of the 3-phased Assembly elections.

Congress sources said that a special plane carrying Rahul Gandhi will land at Jammu airport at 10 a.m.

"From the airport, Rahul Gandhi will take a helicopter for Sangaldan in Ramban district where he will address a Congress rally in support of the party candidate, Vikar Rasool Wani around 11 a.m.

Sangaldan forms part of the Banihal Assembly constituency in the Ramban district of the Jammu division.

Unable to reach an agreement on seat-sharing on the Banihal seat, both Congress and the National Conference (NC) have fielded candidates from there.

Party general secretary, Bharatsinh Solanki and state Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra will accompany Rahul Gandhi during the daylong campaign.

From Sangaldan, Gandhi will move to the Dooru Assembly constituency in the Anantnag district of Kashmir.

"At 12.30 p.m., Rahulji will address a Congress rally in Dooru Assembly constituency in favour of party candidate, G.A.Mir. These two rallies are the start of a series of Congress star campaigners seeking support for the party candidates. Later, Sonia Gandhiji, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who are among the 40 Congress star campaigners in J&K, will also campaign for the party candidates", party sources said.

Three former JKPCC presidents, Vikar Rasool Wani, G.A.Mir and Peerzada Sayeed are fighting elections in the first phase of J&K elections.

Voting for the first phase takes place on September 18.

Congress and NC have announced a pre-poll alliance according to which the NC will fight on 52 seats and the Congress on 31 seats. Two seats, one for CPI(M) and one for Panthers party have been left by the alliance.

In five seats of Nagrota, Bhaderwah, Banihal and Doda in the Jammu division and Sopore in the Kashmir division both parties will field candidates against each other in what the alliance calls 'a friendly contest'.

J&K has 90 Assembly seats, 47 in Kashmir and 43 in Jammu. Out of these, nine seats are reserved for ST seats and seven are reserved for SC.
New York, Sep 4 : Taylor Fritz claimed a 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(3) victory over No. 4 seed and 2020 US Open runner-up Alexander Zverev of Germany to clinch his first-ever semifinal appearance at a major in his 33rd career Grand Slam appearance.

Before Tuesday night, Fritz had lost each of his four quarterfinal matches at a major, all coming since the start of 2022.

I feel amazing. Iave had a lot of looks at quarterfinals over the past couple of years. Today felt different. I really felt like it was my time to take it a step further, and itas only fitting that Iam doing it here on this court at the Open in front of this crowd," Fritz was quoted by US Open website.

It is the second time this Grand Slam season that Fritz has gotten the better of the German, as the American came back from two sets down to defeat Zverev in the Round of 16 at Wimbledon.

There has not been an all-American semifinal at a major since Andre Agassi and Robby Ginepri battled through a five-setter inside Arthur Ashe Stadium in 2005.

Compatriot Frances Tiafoe has the opportunity to join the last four at this yearas US Opena"and take on Fritza"if he were to defeat No. 9 seed Grigor Dimitrov, ensuring that the America will be represented in the menas final for the first time since 2006 (Andy Roddick).

If it's Foe, that's going to be a lot of fun, and that's going to be just electric," said Fritz about the prospect of playing Tiafoe in the semifinals. "I think that would be awesome for the fans, as well, to be guaranteed that one of us is going to be going to the finals."

By levelling his ATP Head-to-Head series with Zverev at 5-5, Fritz also boosted his chances of reaching the ATP Finals for the second time. The American has risen above Stefanos Tsitsipas into 11th in the ATP Live Race To Turin after defeating Zverev, and he could rise as high as sixth by lifting the title in New York, according to ATP.
Tehran, Sep 4 : Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned the British charge d'affaires in response to the UK's recent sanctions on three Iranian individuals and one entity.

According to a ministry statement on Tuesday, the diplomat was summoned by Majid Nili Ahmadabadi, the ministry's director for Western European nations, following London's announcement on Monday that it had imposed sanctions on Hamid Fazeli, Behnam Shahriari, Abdolfatah Ahvazian, and Unit 700 of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reports Xinhua news agency.

The British government accused these individuals and the entity of supporting activities aimed at destabilising Israel, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Britain, and other nations.

During the meeting, Ahmadabadi condemned the sanctions, asserting they conflicted with the new British government's purported policies of engagement and cooperation.

The Iranian diplomat also criticised Britain for its support of Israel's actions against Palestinians and its backing of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming these contributed to regional instability.

The statement noted that the UK charge d'affaires said Iran's concerns would be conveyed to the British government.
Bandar Seri Begawan, Sep 4 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei at his official residence Istana Nurul Iman and held bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening the bond between India and Brunei.

The meetings also focused on reinforcing India's commitment to its 'Act East' policy and advancing its vision of the Indo-Pacific.

PM Modi was warmly welcomed by Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and his close family members.

Following the meeting, PM Modi is scheduled to attend an official luncheon hosted by Sultan Bolkiah before departing for Singapore later in the day, marking the second leg of his two-nation visit.

The Prime Minister shared details of his meeting on social media platform X, stating, "Delighted to meet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Our talks were wide-ranging and included ways to further cement bilateral ties between our nations. We are going to further expand trade ties, commercial linkages, and people-to-people exchanges."

Later in the day, PM Modi will head to Singapore, where India is exploring enhanced cooperation in areas such as digital technology, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity, and advanced manufacturing.

The Prime Minister arrived at Bandar Seri Begawan Airport on Tuesday afternoon, marking the beginning of his two-day visit to Brunei Darussalam.

This visit is significant as it is the first-ever bilateral trip by an Indian Prime Minister to the Southeast Asian nation, and it coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei.

Upon arrival, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome and was warmly received by Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Office of Brunei.

As he arrived at his hotel, PM Modi received an enthusiastic reception from members of the Indian community in Brunei, including several children.

The Prime Minister also visited the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, a renowned structure in the region named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei, who is also the father of the current Sultan Bolkiah.

During his visit, PM Modi interacted with local officials, scholars, and members of the Indian community who had gathered in large numbers at the venue.

Additionally, PM Modi inaugurated the new Chancery of the Indian High Commission in Brunei, receiving a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora.

The new facility, located at the Jalan Duta Diplomatic Enclave adjacent to the US Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan, was lauded by PM Modi as a symbol of the strong ties between the two nations.

Prime Minister Modi expressed his appreciation for the Indian community in Brunei, acknowledging their role as a living bridge between the two nations, further strengthening bilateral relations.

The visit focuses on exploring new avenues for cooperation in multiple areas, including defence, trade and investment, energy, space technology, health, capacity building, culture, and vibrant people-to-people exchanges.

Last month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Brunei's Foreign Minister Erywan Pehin Yusof on the sidelines of ASEAN meetings in Vientiane, where they jointly launched the logo commemorating 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Mumbai, Sep 4 : Actress Preity Zinta's son Jai channeled his inner doctor as he did a checkup on his mother.

The actress took to Instagram, where she shared a photograph of her son wearing a toy stethoscope and listening to Preity's heartbeat.

"Dr Jai to the rescue... If you know you know," she wrote as the caption.

Last month, Preity shared that her twins Jai and Gia have started going to school and mentioned she now her "mom schedule is jam packed".

Sharing her excitement, the actress wrote: "Excited & nervous for my little ones as they start school. Cannot believe it's time already & my mom schedule is jam packed. A bitter sweet moment for me as I'm happily lost in my own world, but there is so much turbulence & suffering in the world around us."

Calling it a "new milestone", the actress added: "One can only hope & pray for more love, tolerance & peace around us, so we can all co exist happily & leave a better & safer world for our children. #newmilestones #mommythoughts #ting".

It was in 2021, when Preity welcomed her twins via surrogacy in 2021 with husband Gene Goodenough, whom she married in 2016 in Los Angeles.

After making her acting debut in 1998 with the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Dil Se", Preity featured alongside Bobby Deol in "Soldier". Her role as a teenage single mother in the 2000 film "Kya Kehna" helped her attain more stardom.

She was then seen in films such as "Chori Chori Chupke Chupke", "Dil Chahta Hai", "Dil Hai Tumhaara", "Kal Ho Naa Ho", "Koi Mil Gaya", "Veer-Zara", "Salaam Namaste", "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna". It was in 2008, when Preity worked in her maiden international role in "Heaven On Earth".

The actress is all set to return to the big screen with Rajkumar Santoshi's "Lahore 1947", which is produced under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions. It also stars Sunny Deol.
Kolhapur, Sep 4 : Amid outcry over the incidents of crime against women in Maharashtra, NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar on Wednesday made a strong case for the legislation to be passed by the state assembly on the lines of Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024 passed in the West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday.

"In the wake of the upcoming election, the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly will not meet in the near future. It will be our endeavour to include in the Maha Vikas Aghadi's manifesto to propose legislation on the lines of the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024 which calls for a time-bound action against those involved in rapes," he said extending his party's support to the West Bengal's legislation.

Pawar's statement came a day after the veteran NCP (SP) leader and former home minister Anil Deshmukh on Tuesday held a dharna near Mantralaya in south Mumbai demanding the implementation of the Shakti Criminal Laws (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, 2020 passed by the legislature during the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and now pending for the Presidential assent.

Pawar expressed serious concern over the daily reporting of cases of crime and violence against women in Maharashtra. He took a dig at the MahaYuti leaders blaming the opposition for doing politics over the sexual abuse cases including the Badlapur case in which two four-year-old girls from Badlapur's reported school were sexually assaulted. He added that in Badlapur the people from that area had spontaneously staged an agitation and there was no involvement of opposition.

"If you see the newspapers, every day two to three cases of crime and violence against women are reported which is not a good sign in a state like Maharashtra. The state government especially the home department is not doing enough to instil confidence among the people by taking stern action. They are not discharging their responsibility fully which was not happening earlier in the state," he noted. He also condemned the police action against the agitators saying that there was nothing wrong in expressing their anger in the democracy.

Pawar also lashed out at the MahaYuti over the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue at Rajkot Fort in Malvan in Sindhudurg district saying that it was due to the corruption and the manner in which the work was carried out in haste by roping in an inexperienced sculptor. He also took a swipe at the MahaYuti leaders for their statements that the fall took place due to heavy winds.

Pawar strongly opposed the 802 km Nagpur-Goa greenfield project titled Shaktipeeth Highway which has been opposed by ruling and opposition parties citing its adverse impact on agriculture. In the wake of strong protests, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde recently announced that the proposed highway will not be forced on the people assuring the realignment of the route.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 4 : A day after whistleblower Left-backed Independent MLA met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, P.V. Anvar on Wednesday said that there is a time and a set of procedures for a government to act.

Anvar has levelled grave allegations against the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) -- in charge of Law and Order -- M.R. Ajith Kumar and also has attacked the CM's political secretary.

The MLA on Wednesday met state secretary M.V. Govindan and appeared to be as aggressive as earlier while levelling the allegations.

There was speculation that Ajith Kumar would be moved out, but it has not yet happened and even while a probe has been announced, he still occupies the same chair.

While reacting to this after making the revelations that Ajith Kumar has not been removed, Anvar said, "There is a time and a set of procedures for a government to act."

"You (media) yesterday was portraying me in a different light on what I had raised. Look, you should not forget that the CPI(M) is a decent party, and similar is the CM and his government. Don't think the party can be silent on what I have raised," said Anvar a two-time independent Left-backed MLA.

"The media was stating that I have withdrawn from what I have raised. But you all can have your views, while I know where I stand."

Three days back Anvar equated ADGP to a notorious "criminal" who has "modelled" himself like fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim.

He also charged that the ADGP has colluded in several illegal and shady dealings.

The Nilambur MLA also said that Ajith Kumar's wife was also involved in his dealings, adding, that he had several phone recordings of police officers.

"You should all understand that Vijayan was installed as the CM by the party," said Anvar.

While it was CM Vijayan who announced the probe at a meeting, the Congress and the BJP slammed the decision as the probe team has officers junior to Ajith Kumar apart from the state police chief.

"See, if anyone thinks they can do anything, then such people are mistaken. The probe team will be answerable ...if they think they can do something. I will be there to come out again if such a thing happens," added Anvar.

"All that I will say is we will all wait," said Anvar.
New Delhi, Sep 4 : In a pioneering step toward revolutionising the agricultural landscape in India, the government has launched the 'AgriSURE Fund' with a capital pool of Rs 750 crore to further drive investments that will empower farmers and boost the rural economy.

With a focus on technology-driven, high-impact ventures, 'AgriSURE' is designed to fuel growth and foster innovation in the agricultural and rural start-up ecosystem.

According to the government, it will provide a capital fund of Rs 750 crore  with SEBI Registered Category II, Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) and contributions from the government at Rs 250 crore; NABARD at Rs 250 crore and Rs 250 crore from banks, insurance companies and private investors.

According to Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the 'AgriSURE Fund' is a continuation of previous efforts of the government "to ensure that every farmer in India has the technological support needed to thrive."

The minister advocated that farmers' prosperity will lead to a prosperous economy as farmers start spending their fortune on consumption and that farming is the backbone of the country with farmer being the life blood.

The Agriculture Minister also elaborated on the government's commitment to supporting the farming community.

"Our vision is to empower every farmer and the launch of the AgriSURE Fund is a testament to our unwavering dedication to the agricultural sector," said the minister.

The government will relentlessly strive towards ensuring increased production, reduced cost of production for farmers, remunerative prices for farmers, crop diversification, preventing post-harvest loss and safe guard during crop loss through crop insurance.

The AgriSURE Greenathon Awards With a prize pool of Rs 6 lakh were also given to the most innovative startups developing tech-centric solutions to address challenges faced by farmers across various stages of the agri-value chain  from selection of input to marketing and value addition.

The top three startups  Greensapio, Krushikanti and Ambronics  were selected as winner, runners-up and second runners-up, respectively, from a total of 10 finalists.

Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, stressed the critical need for startups in agriculture to solve farmers' problems.
Seoul, Sep 4 : President Yoon Suk Yeol and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon condemned growing military ties between North Korea and Russia and agreed to enhance security cooperation during their summit on Wednesday, Yoon's office said.

Yoon and Luxon discussed ways to expand relations in areas across trade, investment, security and technology, and pledged to work together on regional and international issues to upgrade bilateral relations to a "comprehensive strategic partnership," the office said.

Luxon was on an official two-day state visit to South Korea, the first since he took office in November 2023, Yonhap news agency reported.

The two leaders "strongly" denounced North Korea's continued nuclear and missile development, as well as its growing military ties with Russia, urging Pyongyang to give up its nuclear ambitions and improve its human rights situation, according to the office.

Yoon recognized New Zealand's contributions to the monitoring of United Nations sanctions on North Korea and its role as a member state of the United Nations Command (UNC), which oversees the enforcement of the 1950-53 Korean War armistice.

Luxon expressed support for Yoon's unification doctrine that pursues peaceful unification with North Korea based on liberal values, the office noted.

In June, New Zealand announced plans to increase its troop presence in the UNC from 12 to 53 soldiers in support of peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula, and the navies of the two nations conducted joint drills.

The leaders also reviewed the significant increase in two-way trade since the implementation of a free trade agreement in December 2015, which reduced tariffs on most goods traded between the two countries.

They agreed to explore opportunities to further enhance the trade deal and launch an economic security dialogue channel to facilitate regular discussions, the office said.

South Korea and New Zealand have stepped up diplomatic and military engagement in recent years as members of the four Indo-Pacific partners of the Northern Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO), along with Japan and Australia.

In June, the leaders of the four nations issued a joint statement condemning the increasing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow and committed to supporting Ukraine and its contributions to global security.
Pyongyang, Sep 4 : North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has ordered the execution of 30 officials for their alleged failure to prevent flooding and landslides that claimed 1,000 lives, local media reported.

Around 20 to 30 leaders, charged with corruption and dereliction of duty, have been sentenced to capital punishment, TV Chosun reported, quoting a North Korean official.

Similarly, around 20 to 30 cadres in the flood-stricken area were executed at the same time late last month, the official told the television network.

Earlier, Kim had ordered authorities to "strictly punish" the officials after the floods and landslides caused high mortality and displaced over 15,000, as per the North Korean Central News Agency.

Heavy rain pummelled the North border city of Sinuiju and Uiju County in North Phyongan Province flooding 4,100 houses, 7,410 acres of agricultural land, and many public buildings, structures, roads, and railways, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

South Korean media outlets have reported that the number of those who died or went missing could exceed about 1,000.

Recently, Kim visited Uiju County to meet flood victims and offered support, the KCNA said.

During the visit, he denounced South Korean media's reports on North Korea's severe flood damage as "fabrications" and "politically motivated false propaganda".

Though North Korea was offered assistance from China, Russia and even South Korea, Kim refused assistance.

Kim, while expressing gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for offering assistance for rain damage recovery, said he will seek help when necessary.

He said North Korea plans to pursue rehabilitation work according to the already-established plan as state measures have been taken.

North Korea's public executions have surged since the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, there were 10 public executions per year which mounted to 100 annual public executions, according to the Korea Times.
Vienna, Sep 4 : Chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that the agency will step up assistance to Ukraine to protect the country's energy infrastructure, which is vital to the safety of its nuclear power plants (NPPs).

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi on Tuesday announced the move in a statement after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, reports Xinhua news agency.

The move followed "a number of missile attacks that have either directly caused the disconnection of several nuclear power reactors or led to dangerous instability of the national grid," according to the statement.

The United Nations nuclear watchdog will soon dispatch an expert team to some of the damaged Ukrainian sub-stations, "electrical switchyards forming the backbone of the grid," and assess the situation there, the statement read.

"The safety of operating nuclear power plants is dependent on a stable and reliable connection to the electricity grid," Grossi said. "The situation is becoming increasingly vulnerable and potentially even dangerous in this regard."

According to the statement, strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on August 26 "caused major fluctuations in the power supply and led to the temporary shutdown or disconnection of reactor units at the Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs, one of which has still not returned to full operation."

Grossi will also travel to Zaporizhzhia NPP, one of the largest NPPs in Europe, later this week to assess the nuclear safety situation there, the statement said.

The IAEA currently has expert teams stationed at all of Ukraine's NPPs to help maintain nuclear safety and security, according to the agency.
Canberra, Sep 4 : The Australian government has committed additional funding to prevent feral cats from harming native species.

Tanya Plibersek, the Minister for the Environment, on Wednesday, announced more than 60 million Australian dollars (US$40.1 million) in new funding for the government's war on feral cats.

The funding has been allocated to 55 projects across the country aimed at preventing the ecological destruction caused by invasive feral cats.

According to the government, feral cats kill a combined 1.5 billion native mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs in Australia every year as well as 1.1 billion invertebrates, Xinhua news agency reported.

Feral cats have contributed to two-thirds of Australia's mammal extinctions and posed a threat to over 200 threatened species, Plibersek said.

"Feral cats are dangerous and ruthless predators, pushing our threatened native species like the greater bilby, numbat, and Gilbert's potoroo, to the brink of extinction," she said in a statement.

"We are mobilising artificial intelligence, cat trap technology and strong community action to combat this invasive pest and safeguard Australia's biodiversity," she said.

The federal government declared war on feral cats in 2023 and released a draft national action plan to prevent them from spreading further. Plibersek said that the finalised plan will be released soon.

New projects that will receive funding include traps for feral cats equipped with artificial intelligence (AI), humane animal nets and an AI-supported audio deterrent that emits a high-pitched sound to act as a virtual fence.

Researchers will also receive funding to explore drone-based thermal cameras and eDNA technologies to track feral cats in the Christmas Island National Park off the coast of Western Australia in the Indian Ocean.
Kolkata, Sep 4 : Senior Trinamool Congress leader Chandranath Sinha, who recently took over as the West Bengal Minister of State for Correctional Services Department (independent charge), arrived at the Enforcement Directorate (ED)'s Salt Lake office in the northern outskirts of Kolkata on Wednesday.

Kolkata, Sep 4 (IANS) Senior Trinamool Congress leader Chandranath Sinha, who recently took over as the West Bengal Minister of State for Correctional Services Department (independent charge), arrived at the Enforcement Directorate (ED)as Salt Lake office in the northern outskirts of Kolkata on Wednesday.

Sources aware of the development said that Minister Sinha, also the state micro, small & medium enterprises and textiles department minister, was at the EDas office following the latteras summons for questioning in relation to the agency's ongoing probe into the irregularities in the recruitment of primary teachers in state-run schools.

The development has created ripples in the political circles of the state which is already boiling over the recent rape and murder of a junior doctor of state-run R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital within the hospital premises last month.

Sources said that the ED officials first secured the name of the minister from the diary of middleman and now-suspended youth Trinamool Congress leader Kuntal Ghosh, who was later arrested by the central agency officials.

In fact, in March this year, the ED officials conducted raid and search operations at the Ministeras residence at Bolpur in Birbhum district.

After the raid and search operations, the ED officials seized cash of Rs 41 lakh and a mobile phone from his residence.

Minister Sinha is known to be extremely close to Trinamool Congress strongman and the former district president of the party in Birbhum, Anubrata Mondal.

Mandal is currently serving his judicial custody in Tihar jail in New Delhi in connection with the multi-crore cattle smuggling case in West Bengal.

Sources said that the fresh summons to Sinha is because of the surfacing of some fresh evidence against him in the matter which has necessitated his fresh interrogation.

At the time the report was filed there was no reaction from Trinamool Congress in the matter.
Hyderabad, Sep 4 : Tollywood megastar Chiranjeevi on Wednesday announced Rs 50 lakh each for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for flood relief.

The actor announced the donation of Rs 50 lakh each for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Chief Minister Relief Fund.

Taking to social media platform X, he posted that he was pained over the loss of lives and the hardships caused to people due to floods in the Telugu states.

Chiranjeevi said under the direction of the Chief Ministers of the Telugu states, both the governments were working hard to improve the situation.

"We all need to be involved in relief efforts in some way. As part of this, I am announcing my contribution of one crore rupees (50 lakhs each to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana CM Relief Fund) to help in providing relief to the people in both the states," he said and prayed for an end to the misery.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan, who is brother of Chiranjeevi, has also announced the donation of Rs 1 crore to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

Pawan Kalyan clarified that he did not visit the flood-affected areas so far as this would have disrupted the ongoing rescue and relief operation.

Popular actor Mahesh Babu also announced Rs 50 lakh donation each for the Telugu states.

"In light of the floods impacting both the Telugu states, I am pledging a donation of 50 lakhs each to the CM Relief Fund for both AP and Telangana. Let's collectively support the measures being undertaken by the respective governments to provide immediate aid and facilitate the recovery process for the flood-affected regions. I urge everyone to contribute to this cause. May we rise above this crisis and emerge stronger," he posted on 'X'.

Earlier, actors N. Balakrishna and Jr NTR also announced donations for flood-hit Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Balakrishna announced Rs 50 lakh each to the Chief Ministers' Relief Fund of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Balakrishna is also a member of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly and a leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which heads the coalition government.

Balakrishna's nephew and young actor Jr NTR announced Rs 50 lakh each for the Chief Minister's Relief Fund of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Actor Vishwak Sen also pledged Rs 5 lakh donation each to the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Chief Minister's Relief Fund to support the flood relief efforts in the State.
GENEVA -- A Geneva County judge will determine whether to grant bond for a Slocomb woman charged with the grisly murder of her childs father after his dismembered body was found stuffed into a Toyota outside the couple's Fadette home last week.

Joselina Elizabeth Lopez, 26, has been in Geneva County Jail since her arrest Aug. 29 in connection with the death of Benito Morales Guzman, 41. Following a one-hour court hearing Tuesday afternoon, Geneva County District Judge Stephen Smith said he will issue a decision within the next 24 hours.

Guzmans dismembered body parts were found wrapped in about 15 separate garbage bags placed inside a red Toyota Corolla parked outside the couples Faydette Community home when law officers went to the Grady Garner Road residence following a report that Guzman had not been seen since about 8 p.m. the previous Saturday.

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency State Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Phillip Schuler told the court Tuesday that the ALEA SBI agents arrested Lopez who was at the home when they arrived. She told officers that she had acted in self-defense but that she wanted to talk to an attorney before talking further with them, Schuler said.

There was a very strong odor of decomposition coming from the car, Schuler said. A 22 caliber pistol, a hatchet, two knives, three chain saws and a lot of cleaning supplies were found at the residence. There was blood and what appeared to be human flesh on the chainsaws, he said.

Guzmans body was transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. Preliminary reports are that he was shot to death prior to being dismembered, Schuler said.

Thirty-third Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney Amanda Smith asked the court to deny Lopezs request for bond citing Schulers testimony that a vehicle at the Grady Garner Road was packed with Lopezs passport and birth certificate, the four-year-olds birth certificate, car seat, diaper bag and boxes of special formula that the child needed. The child is now in the custody of the Department of Human Resources.

Schuler testified that one of the formula boxes in the vehicle had blood on it, Smith said, substantiating that Lopez packed the car after killing Guzman. Schuler said that during a recorded jail house phone conversation between Lopez and her mother, Lopez had said, I should have left earlier.

She is a flight risk, Smith said. I would argue she still intends to leave. I believe she is a danger to whoever her child is with.

Lopezs attorney Laura Peterman Wells said that the relationship between Lopez and Guzman was known to have been abusive and asked Schuler if the phone conversation between mother and daughter could have actually been: I should have left him earlier.

Wells told the court that the 4-foot, 11-inch-tall Lopez is an American citizen who has never stepped outside the country, a Dothan High School graduate with family in the area, and a kidney transplant recipient who requires daily medication to survive. She has no place to go, Wells said, asking the judge to grant bond. She would be happy to surrender her passport, she has no connections out of this country, Wells said,

Smith disputed the claim of self-defense noting that records indicate that Lopez had made no calls to law officers for assistance. Three chainsaws and 15 pieces, said Smith. That took some time. And there is no indication that the four-year-old child was anywhere other than in this home when this took place.
Mumbai, Sep 4 : Telugu superstar Allu Arjun, who has kept the nation on toes in anticipation of his upcoming film 'Pushpa 2: The Rule', has made donations to the CM Relief Funds of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana following the devastating deluge in both the states.

On Wednesday, the actor took to his social media, and shared the message with his followers about the donations.

He wrote, "I'm saddened by the loss and suffering caused by the devastating rains in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In these challenging times, I humbly donate Rs 1 crore in total to the CM Relief Funds of both the states to support the relief efforts. Praying for everyone's safety".

Earlier, Allu's colleague from the Telugu film industry, NTR Jr. also donated Rs 1 crore for the relief efforts in both the Telugu speaking states.

He took to his social media, and wrote at the time, "I am deeply moved by the recent floods in two Telugu states due to heavy rains. I pray to God that Telugu people recover from this calamity soon. On my part, I am announcing a donation of 50 lakhs each to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governments to help the measures taken by the Governments of the two Telugu States for relief from the flood disaster".

The torrential rains in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have led to the death of 35 people, damaged roads, submerged rail tracks, and flooded crops.

Although the floodwaters have begun to recede in many areas of both states, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a "yellow alert" for four districts in Telangana  Jayashankar Bhupalapalle, Komaram Bheem, Mancherial, and Mulugu  warning of heavy rain on Wednesday.

The receding of floodwaters has prompted the state governments to intensify relief operations in the affected regions.
Kyiv, Sep 4 : Ruslan Stefanchuk, the Speaker of Ukraine's Parliament, confirmed on Wednesday that the war-torn country's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has submitted his resignation.

"The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Ukraine's Parliament) received a statement from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D.I. Kuleba. about his resignation," Stefanchuk said in a social media post.

"The application will be considered at one of the nearest plenary sessions," he said further, without providing any date.

Kuleba has been a central figure in Ukraine's foreign relations since his appointment in 2020, particularly in garnering international support following the start of conflict with Russia in February 2022.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister's resignation follows a wave of other high-profile resignations on Tuesday, signalling a significant reshuffle in the government led by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Among those who also stepped down are Strategic Industries Minister Alexander Kamyshin, Justice Minister Denys Maliuska, Ecology Minister Ruslan Strilets, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna, and Deputy Prime Minister and Reintegration Minister Iryna Vereshchuk.

These changes come as the war between Russia and Ukraine has intensified following Kyiv's recent military efforts in the Kursk region.

Reports indicate that the government shake-up could be part of a strategic move by Zelensky ahead of his planned visit to Washington next month, where he is expected to present a "victory plan" to US President Joe Biden.

David Arakhamia, the parliamentary leader of the ruling Servant of the People party, stated that more than half of the Cabinet's staff would be replaced as part of the reset.

Zelensky, in his regular evening address on Tuesday, emphasised the need for state institutions to be "configured" to meet Ukraine's goals, hinting at further changes within the President's office, as well.

This is not the first major shake-up under Zelensky's leadership. The Ukrainian President has repeatedly revamped his government, including the dismissal of Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov last year and the replacement of Kyiv's top commander Valerii Zaluzhnyi earlier this year.

As Ukraine continues to navigate the challenges of war and governance, these changes are aimed at reinforcing the country's leadership and strategic direction, particularly in its international relations and defence efforts.
Jaipur, Sep 4 : In an attempt to woo big investors from other countries to the 'Rising Rajasthan Investment Summit', Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and his team of ministers and officials are travelling abroad to invite investors to invest in sectors like infrastructure, chemicals, automobile, electronics and food processing, etc.

This comes after the Rajasthan government officially launched the first of a series of domestic and international roadshows in Mumbai in August, as part of preparations for the 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024.

Recently state Industries Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore travelled to Switzerland and signed an MoU with Indo-Swiss Centre at Zurich. Officials told IANS that the Indo-Swiss Centre in the MoU offered to promote Rajasthan in Switzerland and Europe for investments, trade, technology, and tourism. This is part of the partnership between India and Europe through Switzerland as a hub which has been mentioned in the MoU.

The Rajasthan CM will be travelling to Japan and Seoul leading his delegation to bring in investments.

Speaking in this reference, the Chief Minister has said that the state government will organise investor roadshows at the international level to bring big investors to the 'Rising Rajasthan' Summit.

"Rajasthan will organise investor roadshows at the international level to bring big investors to the Rising Rajasthan Investment Summit. Investors will be invited to invest in infrastructure, chemicals, automobiles, electronics, food processing, etc., by conducting roadshows, one-to-one meetings and MoUs in South Korea from September 9 to 10 and in Japan from September 11 to 13," he said.

Also, a round table conference will be held with the Korea Stone Association on September 10, said CM Sharma adding that roadshows and meetings with corporate companies will be organised in Tokyo.

He said that in the coming months, the state government will organise such events in several other countries like the UK, Germany and the UAE.

The state government will also organise events in other states as well.

At the end of this month, the government will hold investor roadshows in Delhi.

He directed the officials to contact all entrepreneurs working in Delhi and invite them in maximum numbers for the summit.

CM Sharma said that the officials should also coordinate with the migrant Rajasthani industrialists and ensure to connect them for all investment-related events.

The CM said that the officers should make every possible effort to make Rising Rajasthan, being organised on the lines of Vibrant Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh Investors Summit, a 'Role Model Summit'.

The Rising Rajasthan Investment Summit is being organised from December 9-11 in the state capital, Jaipur.

The 3-day Summit will also include an MSME Conclave and a Pravasi Rajasthani Conclave.

As part of the initiative, a roadshow was held in Mumbai on August 30-31 led by Rajasthan CM and state industries Minister Rathore.

The event saw the signing of numerous MoUs valued at Rs 4.50 lakh crore in total, indicating strong investor interest in Rajasthan. The roadshow also featured one-on-one interactions between the CM and leading industry figures, underscoring the state's commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment.
Bandar Seri Begawan : , Sep 4 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that his two-day visit to Brunei Darussalam - the first ever bilateral trip by an Indian PM to the southeast Asian nation - reflected New Delhi's deep desire to boost bilateral ties and will further boost action on India's 'Act East' policy and its vision for the Indo-Pacific.

"My visit to Brunei Darussalam was productive. It ushers in a new era of even stronger India-Brunei ties. Our friendship will contribute to a better planet. I am grateful to the people and Government of Brunei for their hospitality and affection," said PM Modi as he left for Singapore - the second and final leg of his visit to the region.

Earlier, India and Brunei on Wednesday called for leveraging respective strengths - including in fields of technology, finance, manufacturing and processing - as PM Modi wrapped up a "historic" visit to the country.

During their extensive bilateral talks held at the Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan, PM Modi and Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah witnessed the signing and exchange of several agreements, including a MoU on cooperation in the operation of telemetry, tracking and telecommand station for satellite and launch vehicles.

Prime Minister Modi stated that the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian Head of Government to Brunei reflected New Delhi's deep desire to boost bilateral ties and highlighted that his visit was in keeping with India's commitment to strengthen its 'Act East Policy', now in its 10th year.

"We had comprehensive talks on various aspects of our ties to give a strategic direction to our partnership. We are committed to strengthening our cooperation in economic, scientific, and strategic sectors. We have decided to strengthen our cooperation in fintech and cyber security along with agri-industry, pharmaceutical and health sectors," said PM Modi at the banquet hosted by the Sultan of Brunei in his honour.

"Under the energy sector, we discussed the potential for long term cooperation in LNG. To strengthen our defence cooperation, we held constructive dialogue on possibilities of cooperation in defence industry, training and capacity building. To strengthen our cooperation in the Space sector, we have agreed on cooperation in satellite development, remote sensing, and training. To enhance connectivity between the two countries, direct flights will be commenced soon," he added.

The two leaders welcomed the elevation of bilateral ties to Enhanced Partnership and also exchanged views on regional and global issues, condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They also reiterated their commitment to work closely together in mutually beneficial areas to further strengthen the ASEANa"India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

In the Joint Statement that was released after the bilateral talks, aPM Modi expressed India's "deep appreciation" to Brunei Darussalam for continuing to host Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)as Telemetry Tracking and Telecommand (TTC) Station, which has contributed towards Indiaas ongoing efforts in the field of space.

The Brunei Sultan, on the other hand, appreciated the training and scholarship offered by India for Bruneian nationals under the various programmes including Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and e-ITEC programmes.

"Both leaders reiterated their commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety and security, as well as respecting freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce, consistent with international law, notably the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. The leaders also urged all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS 1982," the Joint Statement mentioned.

Acknowledging that both countries share historical linkages that date back centuries and are facilitated by cultural interactions and trade, the two leaders also welcomed the planned direct flight connectivity between Bandar Seri Begawan and Chennai which will foster stronger people-to-people linkages and facilitate increased trade and tourism activities.
New Delhi, Sep 4 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday fixed September 18 for hearing a batch of petitions seeking review of the 2022 judgment in the Vijay Madanlal Choudhary case, which had upheld the ED's powers related to arrest, searches, seizures, and attachment of property, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the review petitioners, requested a bench headed by Justice Surya Kant to re-list the matter for hearing on September 18.

The special bench, also comprising Justices C.T. Ravikumar and Ujjal Bhuyan, did not assemble on Wednesday due to the non-availability of Justice Ravikumar.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), did not object to tentatively listing the matter for hearing on September 18.

In the previous hearing, the top court agreed to adjourn the hearing on SG Mehtaas request, who submitted that the batch of petitions was suddenly notified for hearing and he may be allowed some time to prepare and argue the matter.

A three-judge bench, in the case of Vijay Madanlal Choudhary & Others vs Union of India & Others, had turned down the challenge to vires of Section 50 of the PMLA giving power to the ED to summon an accused and record the statement, which is admissible evidence in the court of law. The 2022 decision rendered by a bench headed by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar (now retired), affirmed the stringent provisions of PMLA in connection with the definition of proceeds of crime, power of arrest, search & seizure, attachment of properties and also the twin bail conditions.

Subsequently, a bench headed by then CJI N.V. Ramana had agreed to review its PMLA judgment for two main concerns -- non-providing of ECIR to the accused at the time of arrest, and negation of presumption of innocence. A special bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna is dealing with another batch of petitions seeking reconsideration of the 2022 PMLA judgment and its reference to a larger bench.
Guwahati, Sep 4 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said that an infiltration attempt by Bangladeshi nationals was foiled by the police and five people from the neighbouring country were "pushed back."

The incident happened in the Karimganj district. Assam Police conducted a late-night operation on Tuesday along the international border to check infiltration from Bangladesh into the Indian territory.

Five Bangladeshi citizens who were caught by the police are identified as Afroja Jahirul Sardar, Tumpa Haque, Ridoy Sk, Akhi Sk and Lakhipur Akhtar.

Taking to X, Sarma wrote: "Our @assampolice personnel are maintaining constant vigil along the Indo-Bangladesh border and alert to thwart infiltration attempts."

Following the arrest, all illegal immigrants were sent back to Bangladesh by the security personnel.

Earlier, the Chief Minister asserted that people from Bangladesh come to India due to poverty in the neighbouring country after the recent unrest following the departure of the Sheikh Hasina government there. He also claimed that contrary to conventional apprehension, mainly people who belong to the Muslim community have been trying to cross the border and enter India illegally for the sake of jobs.

He said: "It was a popular belief that due to unrest in Bangladesh, Hindus would try to migrate to India; however, contrary to this apprehension, only Muslim people have tried to come here illegally due to poverty. We have asked the Bangladeshi people who were caught by the police and other security forces about the reason for their attempt to migrate to India. Many of them said that due to economic distress in their country, they have tried to come here. Following the recent unrest, many factories and industrial establishments were shut down in the neighbouring country."

Sarma also stated that security vigil has been beefed up along the international border.

"We have placed additional forces at railway stations and other spots in the Karimganj district which shares a long boundary with Bangladesh. The police and BSF have been arresting Bangladeshi people who tried to illegally enter India. The Tripura state administration is also on alert and they have also caught a few people," Sarma had said, adding that Assam has been going through a tough time due to unrest in Bangladesh.
Bangkok, Sep 4 : Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has endorsed members of a new cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a royal command said on Wednesday.

According to the official Royal Gazette, the king appointed 35 cabinet ministers as selected by Paetongtarn, including six deputy prime ministers and other ministers, after her endorsement as the new prime minister of the Southeast Asian country last month, Xinhua news agency reported.

The ruling Pheu Thai Party holds the largest share of 17 seats in the cabinet, with most of the appointees being existing ministers and deputy ministers who served under the previous Srettha Thavisin administration.

Pichai Chunhavajira retains his post as Finance Minister and Maris Sangiampongsa as Foreign Minister, while Phumtham Wechayachai is named Defence Minister and has been replaced as commerce minister by Pichai Naripthaphan.

Core partners in the Pheu Thai-led coalition, including the Bhumjaithai Party and Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party, command the remaining 19 portfolios.

The new cabinet is scheduled to take an oath of allegiance before the king on Friday, paving the way for its policy statement address to the parliament before officially assuming office.

Paetongtarn said earlier that the new cabinet should continue the unfinished initiatives from Srettha's administration, including her party's flagship policy, the digital wallet cash handout scheme, which will move forward with some adjustments.

The 38-year-old Pheu Thai Party leader and the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was elected Thailand's youngest and second female premier after winning a parliamentary vote in August.

Her appointment came after the sudden dismissal of Srettha by the constitutional court for breaching ethical standards under the country's constitution when appointing a cabinet minister earlier this year.
Helsinki, Sep 4 : A teenager was shot on Wednesday at a primary school near the Swedish capital of Stockholm, according to media reports.

The reports said the incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. local time in Trangsund of Huddinge Municipality, located south of Stockholm, Xinhua news agency reported.

The condition of the teenager remains unclear, but according to the police, the victim was conscious and able to speak when officers arrived at the scene. The teenager was transported to the hospital by ambulance.

One person has been arrested in connection with the crime. Police spokesperson Helena Bostrom Thomas confirmed that authorities are not searching for any additional suspects, and no further injuries have been reported.

The shooting occurred at a large primary school with approximately 700 students. The police have not released details about the exact location of the shooting or whether it took place inside or outside the school.
Yaounde, Sep 4 : At least eight people were killed and over 50 others injured in a road accident in Cameroon on Wednesday, according to local police and witnesses.

Local police said the accident occurred after a speeding passenger bus failed its brakes as it was descending a steep hill in Dschang town of the region.

The bus had left the town of Foumban and was heading to the country's largest city Douala, Xinhua news agency reported.

Witnesses told Xinhua that some of the victims were students returning from holidays.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Some 1500 people die in road accidents each year in the African nation, according to the country's Ministry of Transport.

In June, Cameroon launched a road safety and prevention campaign initiating tough road safety measures, including the deployment of additional traffic officers to curb rising road accidents in the country.

On February 23, at least eight people and 25 others were injured when a bus collided head on with another vehicle on a highway in Cameroon.

Road accidents are common in Cameroon often caused by reckless driving, poor state of vehicles and roads as well as overloading.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 4 : After ruling front legislator P.V. Anvar alleged that ADG of Kerala Police M.R. Ajith Kumar was involved in some shady deals, the Leader of Opposition in Assembly, V.D. Satheesan on Wednesday claimed that the top cop was an "interlocutor between the RSS and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan".

"All of you can check and the CCTV visuals are also there. Ajith Kumar after discarding his official car arrived at a hotel in Thrissur in May last year and had a one-hour-long meeting with RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale," said Satheesan.

"Hosabale was in Thrissur to take part in an RSS camp. It was CM Vijayan who deputed Ajith Kumar at the hotel as he is the interlocutor between the RSS and Vijayan," claimed LoP Satheesan.

"The way the iconic Thrissur Pooram was disrupted is in the news and the brain behind it is Ajith Kumar who acted on the advice of CM Vijayan. This was purposely done to whip up the Hindu passion and the end beneficiary was the BJP. That is the primary reason why the BJP was able to win the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat. The CPI(M) narrative was the local SP played truant and all know that Ajith Kumar was the brain behind it to please CM Vijayan. Hence, there will be no problem for Ajith Kumar as he is shielded by CM Vijayan," said Satheesan.

"Before the April 26 Lok Sabha elections all of you would recall the Karuvannur Cooperative Bank scam and national agencies like the ED were up in arms. There were times when reports surfaced that top leaders might even be arrested. But wish to ask, where is the ED and other agencies now, as they have not been seen after the BJP won the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat," said Satheesan and added that he wished to hear what CM Vijayan has to say about the role played by Ajith Kumar.

The Kerala government on Monday announced a high-level probe into the allegations raised by ruling LDF legislator P.V. Anvar against some top IPS officers, including law and order ADGP M.R. Ajith Kumar.

The ADGP is said to be a close confidant of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. MLA Anvar has also levelled charges against CM Vijayam's political secretary P. Sasi.
By Lee Shaddock, founder of Shore360

Outsourcing is something that many of us would be familiar with, whether we have booked a graphic designer on Fiverr, had a website created on UpWork, or hired a Virtual Assistant.

It is a great way to maximise your output as a freelancer, or your workforce if you are running a company, however, it can also come with its issues.

I have been working in the outsourcing space for 20 years. A decade ago, I found a niche in the Philippines where I decided to set up a business to make outsourcing easier for businesses worldwide. We employ over 1500 talented individuals who specialise in many areas. We have people working on skyscrapers in New York, we have pharmacists and doctors consulting online, web developers, designers, and road developers. You name it, we have the talent.

Here are some of the benefits of outsourcing, as well as the traps to avoid.

It can be hard to find the right talent locally

Post-COVID-19, we have had an influx of businesses coming to us because they simply could not find the talent they were after. In Australia, so many expats went back home during the lockdowns and it took the borders a long time to let people back in once they lifted. This led to a lot of available jobs and not many available workers. Pair that with the cost of living crisis, and a lot of the salary requests were out of reach for many businesses.

When you employ outsourced talent, you can employ them ongoing as you would any other staff member. You can also employ them on a project basis. They will work as an extension of your team where they are briefed by you, report to you, and work for you. Where an agency like Shore360 would come in is that we ensure they have a good environment to work in with the tools they need such as fast internet and cyber security. We also take care of payroll for any staff that you employ through the agency and ensure that your government regulations are met which i will explain later in this article.

Another thing that may surprise many people, is that the Philippines has some of the most highly educated people. The school and university systems here are exceptional and it is a very Westernized country as it was run by the US for a long time. There is some exceptional talent over here.

You can operate 24-hours a day

Another reason why many businesses outsource talent is because they can operate their business 24/7. E-commerce sites that sell internationally for example want to have someone who can answer enquiries in real time in a range of industries from accounting to town planners.

More workers can mean more income, which can help you also employ more people locally

As the saying goes many hands make light work and by getting more tasks covered by others, you have the opportunity to operate more efficiently and likely make more money too. This will give you more opportunities to employ others if you wish to.

Fair pair and assurance that your local government regulations are followed

There is an assumption that outsourcing work means that you can pay people peanuts. While this may be the case on some freelancing websites, that is not how we operate and it also can be illegal in some countries. For example, bigger businesses in Australia and America need to abide by certain guidelines, and these rules extend to anyone they are contracting, no matter where they are based. Shore360 is across the legislation in every country and ensures employees are not only paid fairly by Philippines standards but legally by yours.

Some of the traps

Not knowing if the person you are working with has the skill

While many freelancing websites do have a helpful reviewing system, there is no guarantee that the reviews are honest and that the person you are hiring for a task has the skill set required to do a task. By going through an agency instead, the agency will head hunt the right candidates for you to interview and will ensure they have the skill set to get the job done.

Not knowing if they have the tools they need to get the job done

A big issue is that when you employ someone in a third-world country, they wont necessarily have a working computer, fast internet, and the tools they need to get the job done. An agency should provide them with the tools they need as well as an office space.

Unfair pay

Sometimes the talent will have their payment clipped by the websites they are working through or a bigger group who are outsourcing their work through those websites. The talent then ends up getting paid unfairly. A good agency wont clip their talents pay. They will charge the business they are working with a service fee, but they wont take money from their talent. Additionally, not meeting the payment standards in your own country is illegal.

So there you have it. There are so many benefits of outsourcing work. It can help you reach talent you may not have been able to find locally. It can have your business operating for longer hours and can grow your bottom line faster if you utilise it well. However, there are some pitfalls to consider.

By Lee Shaddock, founder of Shore360

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New Delhi, Sep 4 : Ola Electric shares continued to slide on Wednesday --- its sixth consecutive session of decline - as its stock lost more than 30 per cent from its recent all-time peak of Rs 157.40 apiece.

New Delhi, Sep 4 (IANS) Ola Electric shares continued to slide on Wednesday --- its sixth consecutive session of decline a" as its stock lost more than 30 per cent from its recent all-time peak of Rs 157.40 apiece.

The Bhavish Aggarwal-run companyas stock dropped 3 per cent to Rs 110 per share. It was, however, still up 45 per cent from its initial public offering (IPO) price of Rs 76 apiece.

Market experts said that the companyas stock is not looking good and can even slip further from the current Rs 110 level over the near term. There are concerns as current valuation of the EV firm appears to be quite speculative.

Moreover, its rivals like TVS Motor and Bajaj Auto have extended their market share by launching more affordable electric two-wheelers. Hero MotoCorp also plans to launch its Vida EV motorcycle at a more affordable price point in rising competition in the electric 2W space.

According to market watchers, for new investors, it may be wise to wait for a more stable entry point or consider the stock as a long-term play with a high risk-reward ratio.

Ola Electric registered its lowest monthly sales this year, dropping 34 per cent sequentially to 27,506 units in August, as its market share nosedived further to 31 per cent.

The companyas retail sales of 27,506 units are lowest in the calendar year to date, down by 34 per cent compared to 41,711 units it sold in July.

Its stock made a muted market debut on August 9 but saw a strong buying after the listing. At present, the scrip has been under selling pressure after scaling lifetime high.

According to analysts, the stock value is inflated and will further correct itself and investors with high-risk appetite should only go for it.

They cautioned investors, especially given the company's ongoing losses and the high volatility in its stock price.
Srinagar, Sep 4 : Defying party, the Congress district president in J&K's Ganderbal filed nomination papers as an independent candidate from the Ganderbal Assembly constituency against National Conference (NC) Vice President and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday.

Congress Ganderbal district president Sahil Farooq - accompanied by dozens of young supporters - said that the interests of the Ganderbal district have always been sacrificed to accommodate outsiders.

"Candidates are air-dropped to represent the people of Ganderbal, but the youth of this constituency have now decided not to hand over their political destiny to the outsider," Sahil said.

The decision to stand against Omar Abdullah defies the pre-poll alliance between the NC and the Congress.

As per the seat-sharing arrangement, the NC will fight 52 and Congress 31 seats in the ensuing Assembly elections in J&K.

Two seats, one each in the Jammu division and the Valley have been left by both parties for Panthers Party and the CPI-M.

The two alliance partners could not reach any agreement on five seats of Nagrota, Doda, Bhaderwah and Banihal in the Jammu division and Sopore in the Valley.

Both NC and Congress will field candidates on these seats to enter into a 'friendly contest'.

The defiance of Sahil Farooq could affect the dynamics of the pre-poll alliance between the two parties.

If Sahil becomes a one-off case, then the alliance can be protected by Congress initiating disciplinary action against him.

But, if the defiance is repeated by either the NC or Congress cadre during the days to come, then that would create problems for the two parties.

--IANS

sq/dan
Guwahati, Sep 4 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday that at least 68 people have been arrested in connection with the Rs 2,200 crore online trading scam.

Talking to reporters, CM Sarma said, "Police have arrested 68 persons who were involved in the online trading scam. The investigation is on. Further details will be unearthed very soon. However, I want to appeal to citizens that they should not fall into the trap of fraudsters. Nobody on this earth can give anybody 25 or 30 per cent through trading."

"I hope the general public saw in TV footage that the fraudsters lived a king-size life with public money. I urge every citizen not to waste your hard-earned money," the Chief Minister said.

The Assam Police uncovered a large financial scam involving brokers who made false online stock market investments by promising to double people's money, officials said on Wednesday.

The police have arrested Swapnil Das, a resident of Guwahati and Vishal Phukan, a resident of Dibrugarh in connection with the crime.

Several more arrests have been made and many other people are anticipated to be arrested soon.

According to the police, Phukan used his lavish lifestyle to entice people and assured his investors a 30 per cent return on their money within 60 days. In addition to investing in Assamese cinema, he had established four fictitious businesses and bought other houses.

The police conducted a raid at his residence in Dibrugarh and seized documents linked to the multi-crore scam.

Meanwhile, police are now looking for Assamese choreographer and actress Sumi Borah, who is also reportedly connected to Phukan's network.

Phukan had reportedly spent crores of rupees on Sumi Borah's wedding in Rajasthan's Udaipur.

Sumi's husband has also come under the scanner of police and he is also on the run.

Meanwhile, both Phukan and Das were produced in the Court on Wednesday and police sought their seven days custody.
New Delhi, Sep 4 : As part of the 'Make in India' initiative, the government on Wednesday announced it would promote both Indian alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages globally, with a target of $1 billion in export revenue over the next few years, amid a surge in global demand for Indian spirits.

New Delhi, Sep 4 (IANS) As part of the aMake in Indiaa initiative, the government on Wednesday announced it would promote both Indian alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages globally, with a target of $1 billion in export revenue over the next few years, amid a surge in global demand for Indian spirits.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said it has been targeting to increase exports of Indian spirits to major foreign destinations.

The country currently ranks 40th in the world for alcoholic beverage exports. India's alcoholic beverages exports stood at over Rs 2,200 crore in 2023-24 to major destinations like the UAE, Singapore, Netherlands, Tanzania, Angola, Kenya, and Rwanda.

Godawan single malt whisky is all set to launch in the United Kingdom as an artisanal single malt whisky made in Rajasthan. The ministry said that the initiative will support farmers of the Alwar region. The whisky was created as part of corporate conservation efforts for the endangered Great Indian Bustard.

According to the ministry, the first batch of Godawan was flagged off to the UK jointly by Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Debra Crew, Chief Executive of Diageo Plc, Abhisek Dev, Chairman of APEDA, and Hina Nagarajan, MD and CEO, Diageo India, along with other senior representatives. Godawan Single Malt whisky was featured at the International Food and Drinks Event (IFE), London in March this year. This worked as a precursor to launching Godawan in the UK and commencing exports. The six-row barley used in the production of Godawan, has been locally procured which helps in enhancing the agricultural income of the local farmers through its backward linkages.
New Delhi/Agartala, Sep 4 : Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday that over 12 accords have been signed in the last five years with militant outfits and other organisations in the country's northeastern region, while over 10,000 cadres of various extremist groups have surrendered and joined the mainstream.

Home Minister Shah, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Tripura government were present at the agreement signing programme with two insurgent groups -- National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) -- in the national capital on Wednesday.

Chairing the signing ceremony, the Home Minister said that after 35 years of armed conflict, the cadres of the NLFT and the ATTF came to the mainstream, and decided to join the development process.

Around 328 cadres of the two outfits would join the mainstream of life and take part in the developmental initiatives, HM Shah said, adding that a Rs 250 crore package has been sanctioned, and a special development initiative was undertaken for the tribals and their areas.

Amit Shah also said that the government would implement all the provisions of the agreement in toto.

"Through the Ashtalakshmi concept and Purvodaya vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, huge development has already been achieved in road, rail and air connectivity in the eight northeastern states. Earlier, there was a gap between the northeastern states and Delhi but now with visionary leader PM Modi's initiatives, the region has achieved tremendous development," the Home Minister said.

Former Tripura Chief Minister and Lok Sabha Member Biplab Kumar Deb, Tipra Motha Party supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, senior officials at MHA and Tripura government were also present at the agreement signing ceremony.

A Tripura government official said that earlier on August 10, 2019, a tripartite agreement was signed in Delhi between the Centre, the Tripura government and a faction of the NLFT.

After the pact, 88 NLFT cadres surrendered to the Tripura government and deposited arms and ammunition.

The official said that the surrendered cadres were given benefits as per the Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Scheme, 2018 of the MHA.

The Tripura government helped the surrendered cadres with housing, recruitment for government jobs, education and skill development training.

Both the NLFT and ATTF have been banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act since 1997 as the outfits have been involved in violence, operating from their camps across the International Border.

The two outfits have been responsible for violent activities, including numerous insurgency-related incidents in which many security force personnel and civilians lost their lives during the period 2005-2015.

Peace talks with NLFT were initiated in 2015 and there has been no major violence by NLFT since 2016.

An official statement said that the MHA has been working tirelessly to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed northeast, free from extremism, violence and conflict.
New Delhi, Sep 4 : Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Wednesday introduced a new premium bus policy, highlighting the launch of a fleet of electric buses as a significant step towards promoting environment-friendly transportation in the national capital.

"I believe the long wait to introduce a premium bus policy is finally coming to an end. We have secured licences from two companies, with Uber launching the service. Today, we are inspecting the buses at the Rajghat depot," Gahlot told IANS.

Emphasising the initiative's importance, Gahlot said, "This marks a significant change and a great initiative for public transportation. This shows how public and private sectors can make transportation more efficient."

He also underscored the environmental benefits, stating, "Because these are electric buses, they will also help reduce pollution."

Gahlot mentioned that the government's involvement in this initiative is minimal, limited to issuing licences under conditions that the buses are modern, comfortable, and air-conditioned and that each operator deploys a minimum of 25 buses.

"Hopefully, we will flag off these buses in the next 10 days," he added.

He also urged the public to adopt this comfortable public transport option instead of private vehicles, which would help reduce traffic congestion and pollution.

The ticket booking system for these buses will be fully online, enhancing convenience for the passengers.

In addition to the bus policy, the Transport Minister also discussed the extension of the Narela Metro corridor, which had previously been halted.

"Earlier, the Metro corridor was halted at Narela. It has now been extended to the Delhi-Haryana border and further to Kundli and Nathupur villages, connecting these rural areas with the entire city of Delhi. My best wishes to all the residents there," he said.

Addressing the potential alliance between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the upcoming Assembly elections in Haryana, the AAP MLA welcomed the idea proposed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying AAP is open to any coalition that can prevent the BJP from coming to power.

"If a coalition can prevent the BJP from coming to power in any way, both parties should come together. From what I have seen from news reports, Rahul Gandhi voiced this idea, and our party welcomes it. AAP will surely move forward with this dialogue. Whatever agreement is reached, both parties will definitely achieve positive results if they contest the polls together," he said.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 4 : Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan will complete five years in office on Thursday, but with no signs of a successor, he will, in all likelihood, continue in the post.

Incidentally, till now, no Governor in Kerala has been reappointed for another term.

A source in the know of things told IANS that Khan has given the nod for various functions he will be attending this month and also in October.

As per the source, a Governor's term is five years, as per convention. "But there are cases of Governors continuing beyond the five-year term. Only time will tell if Khan is going to be an exception," the source said. Article 156 (1) in the Constitution of India's Part 6 ('The States') provides that a Governor "shall hold office during the pleasure of the President", while Article 156 (3) reads that "Subject to the foregoing provisions of this article, a Governor shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office". It adds that a Governor "shall, notwithstanding the expiration of his term, continue to hold office until his successor enters upon his office".

Khan assumed his gubernatorial post in Kerala on September 6, 2019, succeeding Justice P. Sathasivam (retd), whose five-year term ended the previous day.

While Khan has won the tag of being a friendly person and with no airs from the position he holds, he has, several times, taken up cudgels with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in particular and the LDF government in general.

On several occasions, when the two shared the dais, let alone the customary pleasantries when the two top people in the state meet, there was not even eye contact. And there were occasions when both took on each other speaking through the media.

The tiff between Khan and the Left government spilled out on the streets when he staged a sit-in protest, when en route to a function in the Kollam district on January 27, to protest the police's failure to prevent the SFI students from blocking his travel.

The Governor got down from his official car and sat on a chair on the side of the main road at Nilamel in protest. Three days before this incident, in a first of its kind, Khan, delivering the customary Governoras address to the Assembly, took just 90 seconds as he just read the first and last sentence of the speech, and left the Assembly within five minutes.

Khan also was in the news when the state government approached the Supreme Court early this year seeking their intervention as around seven crucial Bills continued to remain stuck in the Raj Bhavan, after Khan did not take any interest in giving his assent.

Now all eyes are pointed towards Delhi to see if Khan will create yet another record by becoming the first Kerala Governor to get a second full term.
New Delhi, Sep 4 : Delhi's Patiala House Court on Wednesday adjourned its order on the bail application of incarcerated Lok Sabha MP, Engineer Rashid, till September 11.

Additional sessions Judge, Chander Jit Singh was to deliver the verdict on Engineer Rashid's bail plea on Wednesday, but he adjourned the matter for the next date.

Earlier, the court had reserved its order in the previous hearing on August 28.

Rashid has been in jail since 2019 after he was arrested by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the 2017 terror funding case. He is lodged in Tihar jail.

His name cropped up during the investigation of Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, who was arrested by the NIA for allegedly funding terrorist groups and separatists in the Kashmir Valley.

NIA has opposed the bail plea in the case in which he has been charged under anti-terror law UAPA claiming that he may influence the witnesses and tamper with evidence to obstruct justice.

The NIA also told the court during the last hearing that it would soon file a "pruned list" of witnesses which was likely to "drastically reduce" the time the trial would take.

There are reasonable grounds to believe that the offences he stands accused of are prima facie true, the probe agency said.

It referred to the 2017 case in which Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, the Amir of Jamaat-ud-Dawah, and secessionist and separatist leaders including members of the Hurriyat Conference were alleged to have connived with active militants of terrorist outfits Hizbul Mujahideen, Dukhtaran-e-Millat and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to raise funds domestically and through hawala for separatist and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

The accused persons wanted to wage war against the Government of India and were following the ideology of "freedom", effectively meaning the secession of Jammu and Kashmir from India, the NIA has claimed.

Engineer Rashid won the Lok Sabha election from J&K's Baramulla constituency by defeating his closest rival, former chief minister, Omar Abdullah of National Conference (NC) by more than 2.05 lakh votes.

Rashid's Awami Itihad Party (AIP) has fielded candidates in the ongoing assembly elections as well.

He represented the north Kashmir Langate Assembly constituency as an MLA twice in the past.
Mumbai, Sep 4 : The ruling MahaYuti government ally Shiv Sena in Maharashtra on Wednesday endorsed BJP Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's comments on how the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue in Sindhudurg could have withstood bad weather if it was built with stainless steel.

Unimpressed, the leaders of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (SP)-Shiv Sena (UBT), continue to target the government for the disaster alleging huge corruption in the project, and launched a fresh agitation in the state from Sep. 1, demanding the resignation of the MahaYuti regime.

Speaking at an event in Delhi on Tuesday, Nitin Gadkari said that if the Chhatrapati statue at Rajkot Fort in Malvan had been built of stainless steel, it would not have crashed, especially as it stood in the coastal area.

Emphasising the need for the right construction materials, he said that iron gets rusted on the coasts, and he had been insisting on using stainless steel for building roads or bridges that are within 30 km near the sea-shore.

Shiv Sena Chief Spokesperson Krishna Hegde concurred with Gadkari and said that the committee comprising the Indian Navy and technical experts will go into all aspects of the statue crash, and erect a better and grander one in its place.

Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President Sharad Pawar said that statue broke down in barely eight months as the project was given to an inexperienced sculptor, Jaydeep Apte, with limited skills.

"It does not appear that Apte had any expertise to make such a huge statuea the state government's contention that it crashed due to bad weather conditions holds no water... the whole thing seems to reek of corruption," said a stern Pawar on Wednesday in Kolhapur.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut reiterated on Wednesday that barely a fraction of the huge budget sanctioned for the statue project was utilised and how "someone had pocketed the rest of the funds", which must be probed and the culprits punished.

The Chhatrapati statue crash row rages nine days after it suddenly fell into a heap at the Rajkot Fort, shocking the people of the state, as the MahaYuti of Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party-Nationalist Congress Party attempted a damage-control exercise.

Apprehensive over its implications in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, plus Prime Minister Narendra Modi, tendered separate apologies.

Meanwhile, the state government on Monday transferred the Sindhudurg Collector and downgraded the scenic coastal district's top post to a non-IAS junior administrative level category, surprising political and government circles.
On August 24, Ukraine observed the thirty-third anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union. But the date holds another, far more sinister meaning  it marks thirty months since Russia, the Soviet Unions successor, invaded Ukraine, attempting to reverse the course chosen by the Ukrainian people and force Ukraine back under the draconian rule and iron fist of the regime in Moscow.

Ukraines people are fighting, defying the Kremlins attempt to redraw Ukraines borders by force, said Robert Wood, U.S. Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs at the U.N. They are fighting valiantly and heroically though Russia continues to brutally strike Ukraines critical infrastructure, as it did over the past weekend, launching its largest aerial attack since the war began, a volley of hundreds of missiles and drones, killing more than a dozen civilians and damaging energy facilities.

The Kremlin is endangering the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. We call on Russia to accede to the demand of one hundred of its fellow UN General Assembly members and return control of the plant to the rightful, competent Ukrainian authorities, he said.

Russia cannot and will not subjugate Ukraine, said Ambassador Wood. The United States will continue to  support Ukraine against Russias aggression, as it preserves its independence.

Ukraine and the United States made concrete progress by signing a historic bilateral security agreement in June. But we are not alone: with the Ukraine Compact, 32 NATO Allies and partners pledged to support Ukraines immediate security needs and maintain Ukraines long-term defense and deterrence capability, he said.

Ukraines Independence Day serves as a reminder of what is at stake: the fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Ambassador Wood.

Our commitment to those principles, like our commitment to Ukraine, will not waver. The United States will stand by Ukraine as it seeks a just and lasting peace consistent with the UN Charter. And when the worlds leaders come to New York  to reaffirm their commitment to the UN Charter, they are also reaffirming their support for a basic principle: Russia cannot redraw Ukraines borders by force.

The United States once again calls on Russia to stop its relentless attacks against Ukraine and to immediately withdraw its forces from Ukraines territory, said Ambassador Wood. We hope that next year, Ukrainians will be able to celebrate their independence in peace.
Patna, Sep 4 : Jan Suraaj campaign chief Prashant Kishor on Wednesday criticised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over misgovernance, saying that five persons of the state government are deciding the fate of 13 crore people in Bihar.

"Only five persons in the state government are deciding the fate of 13 crore people of Bihar. This group includes Nitish Kumar and four retired officials who lack constitutional responsibility or direct accountability to the people," said Jan Suraaj campaign chief.

He also accused the Chief Minister of establishing a "Jungle Raj" of officers in the state.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is facing severe criticism for several quarters for the handling of his administration. They have highlighted concerns about the concentration of power and the marginalisation of elected leaders in the decision-making process.

Kishor also accused the Chief Minister of centralising power to such an extent that even public elected representatives - including MPs, MLAs, and MLCs - are being ignored by the administration.

"This concentration of power has led to a situation in which no one is listening to the public and their representatives. During Lalu Prasad Yadav's tenure, criminals used to loot at night, but under Nitish Kumar's rule, officers are looting in the daytime through their administrative powers," Kishore said.

He alleged that this "Officer Raj" has led to a significant increase in corruption in Bihar while the bureaucrats are exploiting their authority which goes unchecked.

Prashant Kishor has announced that he will fight the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections and also criticised key leaders from various political parties in the state.
Kochi, Sep 4 : In a major relief for Malayalam film personality Ranjith, who faces charges of sexual assault in a case filed by a Bengali actress, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday closed his anticipatory bail plea after finding that the offence under the Indian Penal Code's Section 354 under which he was booked, was bailable at the time it allegedly occurred.

The counsel for the director, producer, and actor contended that since the case pertained to the year 2009 and since Section 354 (use of force to outrage a woman's modesty) was only made a non-bailable offence only in 2013, the police would be treating the case against Ranjith as bailable and the court's permission is not required for Ranjith's release on bail.

The High Court subsequently proceeded to close Ranjith's pre-arrest bail plea after recording the prosecution's submission on this aspect.

Ranjith stepped down as the Chairman of the state-run Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, when soon after the Justice Hema Committee report, with its revelations of mistreatment and sexual exploitation in the Malayalam film industry, came out last month, a Bengali actress registered a complaint against him stating that she had come under duress form him in a flat at Kochi in 2009.

He had soon filed his anticipatory bail plea.

Even after he quit as Chairman, Ranjith vehemently denied any misbehaviour and claimed that there was a section of the Academy waiting for his downfall.

Trouble has been brewing in the Malayalam film industry ever since the release of the Hema Committee report on August 19 with several actresses filing complaints against top figures of the industry. Kerala Police, so far, have registered FIRs against 11 people, including 10 from the film industry. Those who are in the dock are actor-turned-two-time CPI-M legislator Mukesh Madhavan, Siddique, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, Maniyanpilla Raju, directors Ranjith, V.K. Prakash, and production executives Vichu and Noble.

On Tuesday, star Nivin Pauly was accused by a woman of sexual assault that took place in the UAE when she met them after she was offered a role in a film. Pauly dismissed this as a baseless allegation and vowed to fight it out, but the woman has accepted his challenge and said she will also fight to prove what she suffered.

Actor Baburaj and director Tulasidas have been named in complaints, but so far no FIRs have been registered against them. Meanwhile, the special investigation team of 7 police officials, of which four are woman IPS officers, are currently taking statements from those victims who have come forward with their complaints but are yet to question those who have been charged.
Kolkata, Sep 4 : The West Bengal government on Wednesday gave a job to the wife of Sabir Malik, a migrant worker from the state who was lynched in Haryana over suspicion of consuming beef on August 27.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee handed over the appointment letter to Malik's wife Shakila Sardar, who came to the state secretariat Nabanna along with her four-year old daughter.

Ever since the news of the lynching surfaced, the Trinamool Congress has been vocal on the issue, claiming that Malik was murdered by people having links with cow vigilante groups.

On behalf of Trinamool, its Lok Sabha MP Samirul Islam contacted the members of the victimas family and conveyed the state government's decision to stand by them.

As per sources, Shakila Sardar has been provided with a contractual appointment in the Land and Land Reforms Department for one year. On competition of this period, she will be absorbed as a Group-D staff.

The job offer is in addition to the compensation of Rs 3 lakh already provided to the victim's family.

Five alleged cow vigilantes have been arrested while two minors have been detained in Haryana's Charkhi Dadri district for the killing of Malik.

As per reports, the accused suspected that Malik had consumed beef so they hatched a plot to kill him, the police said.

The suspects reportedly called Malik and another labourer to a shop under the pretext of selling empty plastic bottles on August 27, and thrashed them. While Malik succumbed to his injuries, the other labourer is being treated at a hospital.

The five arrested persons have been identified as Abhishek, Mohit, Ravinder, Kamaljit and Sahil.

Malik used to work in Haryana as a ragpicker in a village in Charkhi Dadri district, where majority residents are migrant labourers.
Shimla, Sep 4 : Amid heated debate, the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday passed the Himachal Pradesh Legislative (Allowances and Pension) Amendment Bill, 2024, to deprive MLAs disqualified under the anti-defection law of pensionary benefits, a move intended to discourage political turncoats.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu, while addressing the Assembly, praised Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania for decisive action against the defectors. "This bill upholds the high traditions of democracy and seeks to prevent corrupt practices within our system.

"The actions on six members, who betrayed their party, are a clear case of backstabbing, not only against their own party but against the principles of democracy itself," the Chief Minister said.

He said the six Congress legislators who had cross-voted during the Rajya Sabha election openly defied the party whip. He recounted events, including chaotic scenes in the Assembly on February 28, when the defectors attempted to disrupt proceedings.

"There was an open display of goondaism inside the assembly," he remarked, emphasising that such actions necessitated a strict response to protect democratic norms.

Leader of the Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, expressed reservations about the Bill, saying it might unjustly tarnish the reputation of MLAs. "Members may make mistakes, but depriving them of their pension is too harsh."

"The decision to join another party was made much later, and the disqualification should not retroactively impact their entitlements," Thakur said.

The Bill will primarily affect two former Congress MLAs, Devinder Bhutto and Chaitanya Sharma, who had won for the first time in the 2022 Assembly elections but were unseated after they defied party whip and remained absent during the passing of the Budget.

As per the statement and objects for the Bill, which was tabled in the House on Tuesday by the Chief Minister, there is no provision in the Himachal Pradesh Legislative (Allowances and Pension) Act, 1971, to discourage defection by legislators under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

"It is to protect the mandate given by the people of the state, to preserve the democratic values and to have deterrence to this constitutional sin that it is necessary to bring about this amendment in the Himachal Pradesh Legislative (Allowances and Pension) Act, 1971," says the Bill.
New Delhi, Sep 4 : The Delhi High Court on Wednesday turned down a plea of Sharjeel Imam, accused in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), seeking expeditious hearing on his bail appeal in an alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots.

A bench, headed by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, declined to advance the date of the hearing, which is already fixed for October 7.

In his appeal filed before the Delhi HC, the former Jawaharlal Nehru University student and activist has challenged the trial court order, which had previously denied him bail, following his arrest in August 2020 in connection with the case. He has been in custody since January 2020, facing multiple FIRs related to the violence.

The bail plea was last listed for final hearing on August 29 before the high court but was adjourned for hearing till October 7.

According to the police, Imam made the alleged inflammatory speeches in Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi on December 13, 2019, and in Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh on January 16, 2020.

JNU scholars and activists Imam and Umar Khalid are among the nearly dozen people reportedly involved in the alleged larger conspiracy linked to the Delhi riots of 2020, as per the Delhi Police. Imam and Khalid are facing charges in connection with making inflammatory speeches which allegedly fuelled the violence, as per the police.

The riots broke out in the national capital in February 2020 as clashes between the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and pro-CAA protesters took a violent turn. The mayhem saw more than 50 people lose their lives besides leaving over 700 persons injured. The Delhi High Court, on May 29, granted statutory bail to Sharjeel Imam in a sedition case. However, he continued to remain in jail due to his involvement in the larger conspiracy case.
Dharamsala, Sep 4 : The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation on Wednesday launched a seven-volume series titled 'Greatness of Spirit' in the presence of the Dalai Lama to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the award presented to the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Dharamsala, Sep 4 (IANS) The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation on Wednesday launched a seven-volume series titled aGreatness of Spirita in the presence of the Dalai Lama to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the award presented to the Tibetan spiritual leader.

In August 1959, the Dalai Lama was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in recognition of "his leadership of the Tibetan community's gallant struggle in defence of the sacred religion that is the inspiration of their life and culture".

Susanna B. Afan, President of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, launched the seven-volume series at the Dalai Lamaas residence in the hill town of Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh in the presence of the Foundation's Board of Trustees, selected partners, and Indian laureates.

On April 26, 2023, the Dalai Lama was presented the 1959 Ramon Magsaysay Award personally by the members of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation after 64 years at his residence.

The Nobel Peace laureate, known for his simplicity and jovial style and for whom Mahatma Gandhi was the most influential leader of the 20th century for his idea of non-violence, prefers to participate in meetings with religious leaders, and lectures students and businessmen on ethics for the new millennium and the art of happiness.

In 2007, the Dalai Lama received the US Congressional Gold Medal, even in the face of protests by China.

Born on July 6, 1935, at Taktser hamlet in Tibet, the Dalai Lama was recognised at the age of two as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso.

He fled Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, basing his government-in-exile here that never won recognition from any country.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award, often called the 'Nobel Prize of Asia', is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of integrity in governance, courageous service to people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society.

The prize was established in April 1957 by the trustees of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund based in New York with the concurrence of the Philippine government.
Singapore, Sep 4 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Singapore PM Lawrence Wong at the historic Sri Temasek bungalow - the official residence of the Singaporean Prime Minister - for a "private dinner" on Wednesday, a few hours after his arrival in the country on the final leg of his two-nation tour.

The ongoing visit at the invitation of Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong is PM Modi's fifth visit to Singapore. He had last visited the country in 2018.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Modi will receive an official welcome at the Parliament House, call on Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and meet Prime Minister Wong. PM Modi will also meet Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

Following the bilaterals, the PM is scheduled to participate in a business roundtable with Singaporean business leaders organised by the Singapore Business Federation, interact with Singapore's semiconductor ecosystem players, and engage students from Singapore in the India Ready Talent Programme who did internships in India, and the Odisha World Skills Center interns in Singapore companies.

PM Modi arrived in Singapore Wednesday afternoon after wrapping up a historic two-day trip to Brunei, the first bilateral visit by an Indian PM to the southeast Asian nation.

Upon his arrival in Singapore, PM Modi was received by Singapore's Minister of Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam.

At the hotel, members of the Indian diaspora gave a rousing welcome to the Prime Minister with traditional Maharashtrian dance and drums.

Adding to the excitement of those present at the venue, including several children, PM Modi also tried his hand at the dhol.

Expressing his enthusiasm, PM Modi shared on X, "Landed in Singapore. Looking forward to the various meetings aimed at boosting the India-Singapore friendship. India's reforms and the talent of our Yuva Shakti make our nation an ideal investment destination. We also look forward to closer cultural ties."

During his stay, PM Modi will participate in several meetings aimed at further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The discussions are also expected to focus on deepening cultural connections and fostering stronger people-to-people ties.

Key areas of enhanced cooperation under consideration include digital innovation, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity, and advanced manufacturing.

"I look forward to the opportunity to meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. I will also meet with leaders of Singapore's vibrant business community. aI look forward to my discussions to deepen our Strategic Partnership with Singapore, particularly in new and emerging areas of advanced manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainable development," said PM Modi in his departure statement on Tuesday.

Last week, a high-level Indian delegation, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, had participated in the second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) held in Singapore.

PM Modi's visit is expected to further enhance the relationship between India and Singapore, emphasising both economic and cultural collaboration.

"Singapore is India's largest trade partner in ASEAN and it is a leading source of foreign direct investment. Singapore is India's sixth largest trade partner worldwide and the largest source of FDI during the last financial year. Investments have also been very large since 2000 till now we have had cumulative FDI of about 160 billion US dollars. There will be an interaction with business leaders during Prime Minister's visit and this will be an important element of the visit as the CEOs will be listening to India's growth story first hand from the Prime Minister and the opportunities that it presents for them," said Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary East at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) before PM left for the two-nation visit.
New Delhi, Sep 4 : Frequent mobile phone use was positively linked with increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly in those who currently smoke and have diabetes. Furthermore, poor sleep, psychological distress, and neuroticism were identified as contributing factors to this connection, a study found on Wednesday.

Poor sleep, psychological distress, and neuroticism were identified as contributing factors.

A paper in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology describes the outcomes of this extensive prospective cohort study.

"Mobile phone use is a ubiquitous exposure in modern society, so exploring its impact on health has significant public health value. However, whether mobile phone use is associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases, remains uncertain," Yanjun Zhang, MD, Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China, explained.

In this study, 444,027 people from the UK Biobank who self-reported their frequency of mobile phone use between 2006 and 2010 and had no history of cardiovascular illness, were included.

At least one call per week was considered regular usage of a mobile phone. The composite outcome of acute stroke, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure was determined over a median follow-up period of 12.3 years using linked hospital and mortality information.

Additionally, sleep patterns, psychological discomfort, and neuroticism were examined by researchers.

"We found that sleep patterns, psychological distress, and neuroticism may be potential mechanisms of the association between mobile phone use and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, chronic exposure to radiation emitted from mobile phones could lead to oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Therefore, chronic radiation exposure from mobile phones in combination with smoking and diabetes may increase the incidence of increasing cardiovascular disease risk," Xianhui Qin of Nanfang Hospital concluded.

Further studies on this subject can help provide concrete evidence.
Amaravati, Sep 4 : Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday announced a huge donation of Rs 6 crore for the flood-affected Telugu states.

Day after announcing a donation of Rs 1 crore to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF), he declared an equal contribution to Telangana CMRF for flood relief measures.

The Jana Sena leader also announced an additional Rs 4 crore for the relief works in 400 villages in Andhra Pradesh. "I will donate Rs 1 lakh each to 400 panchayats," he told media persons.

Pawan Kalyan, who holds Panchayat Raj, Rural Development and Rural Water Supply portfolios, said he would donate the amount directly to the panchayat account.

The actor-politician said he felt he should do more on his part to help the flood-affected people.

Pawan Kalyan, who is also minister for the environment, said that encroachments along Budameru Rivulet became a curse for Vijayawada.

He claimed that relief works were continuing in full swing in flood-affected areas. He was all praise for Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for personally monitoring relief measures by travelling on JCBs and tractors.

The Deputy CM slammed opposition YSR Congress Party leaders for criticising the Chief Minister. He suggested that YSRCP leaders first participate in relief works and then criticise the government.

On his criticism by YSRCP leaders for not visiting flood-affected areas, Pawan Kalyan said he did not visit as this would have added pressure on the official machinery and disrupted relief measures.

Pawan Kalyan said the state government was taking swift and comprehensive measures to support the affected communities.

He said 200-gram panchayats were severely impacted due to water stagnation. On sanitation measures, he said 260 special sanitation teams were actively engaged in the flood-hit areas. Over 20,000 garbage heaps have been cleared, with ongoing efforts to remove silt and clear drains.

The Deputy Chief Minister said a focused 100-day sanitation drive, from September 1 to December 9, 2024, aims to achieve garbage-free villages

He said immediate actions were being taken to address any contamination in water sources. A total of 9,932 tanks have been cleaned, with chlorination being a key focus. Prompt repairs are being made to address any pipeline leakages while the frequency of water quality tests has been increased to ensure safety.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 4 : A special court for Pocso cases in the Kerala capital on Wednesday sentenced a 37-year-old man to imprisonment till his death for the brutal crime of molesting his daughter for several years right from when she was five years old.

Pocso court judge M.P. Shibu, after hearing all the sides, sentenced the man to jail till his death and also directed the District Legal Service Authority to pay the victim a sum of Rs 1.50 lakh from the fine that was collected from the accused.

The man, a casual labourer hailing from suburban Aruvikara in the state capital district, had remarried after his first wife passed away and his daughter, who was one-and-a-half-year-old then, was staying with them.

He was arrested last year after his daughter disclosed her ordeal to her teacher when she came to take her Class 10 public examination conducted by the state Education Department. Finding the girl deeply disturbed, the teacher asked her the reason, and the girl broke down, saying that on the previous day after she reached home after the examination, her father molested her. The teacher informed the Child Line officials and on further questioning, the girl revealed that her father had been molesting her since she was five years old.

Then, the police got into the act, arresting the man and charging him under the stringent Pocso Act. During the trial, his second wife did her best to defend him but the prosecution broke through her defence and it was found out that she was not present when the child was molested after her exam - the incident which led to his arrest.

With 28 special fast-track Pocso courts set up by the Kerala government across the state, the cases of sexual offences against children registered in these courts get cleared quickly and in this case, it took a year from the accused's arrest to the verdict.
The return of confirmed polio cases in Gaza is a clear and present threat to the health of the most vulnerable Palestinian civilians, said Ambassador Robert Wood, U.S. Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs at the UN Security Council.

There is no doubt as to the threat that polio represents to the region, and the importance of establishing the conditions needed to urgently implement a vaccination campaign throughout Gaza, said Ambassador Wood.

For that reason, the United States is grateful to the UN for its leadership, and urges all parties to support a safe and successful campaign. We continue to support coordination between the humanitarian community and Israeli authorities to facilitate swift implementation of a vaccination campaign in Gaza. Secretary Blinken raised this during his recent visit to Israel. It is vital that this campaign be implemented without delay.

Ambassador Wood urged Israel to facilitate access for agencies carrying out the vaccination campaign and for it to ensure periods of calm and refrain from military operations during vaccination campaign periods.

The bottom line is that humanitarians on the ground, including UN agencies and other NGOs, must be provided the space and security conditions to distribute vaccines and inoculate the at-risk population and to do so safely, he said.

Even as we press all parties to facilitate life-saving work, we must not ignore how Hamas actions continue to put civilians, including humanitarian personnel and their families at risk, noted Ambassador Wood.

At the same time, the United States is alarmed by reports that Israeli Defense Forces, or IDF, fired repeatedly on a World Food Program vehicle. Israel has said it is investigating this most recent incident and their initial review has said it was a result of a communication error between IDF units. We have urged them to immediately rectify the issues within their system that allowed this to happen, said Ambassador Wood.

In the meantime, the international community needs to contribute funds to support the life-saving work of humanitarian organizations in Gaza.

The best course to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians and of Israelis awaiting the safe return of their family members, is to finalize and implement a ceasefire, said Ambassador Wood. The time is now.
New Delhi, Sep 4 : Muslim cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan stirred up a major controversy on Wednesday as he described the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a terror outfit and demanded a ban on its operations.

The Muslim cleric made these controversial remarks while speaking on the Waqf Board Amendment Bill 2024.

"The RSS is a terrorist organisation and should be banned if the government wants peace in the country," Maulana Tauqeer Raza said.

The founder of Ittehad-e-Millat Council, a political party, also spoke ill about other right-wing groups including Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Organisation (VHP) and called for banning them.

"I don't have any hesitation in saying that Vishva Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal are also terrorist organisations and should be banned," he said.

Notably, the Waqf Amendment Bill is currently being discussed by the Joint Parliamentary Committee for amending the existing governing model of Waqf Boards. The move has left the community divided, with progressive ones speaking in support of Amendment Bill while the conservatives calling it an attempt to impinge upon their faith.

This is not a one-off incident. The Islamic cleric has stoked rows on previous occasions also, with his controversial statements.

In July this year, he announced a mass conversion and marriage ceremony and claimed that many Hindu girls were ready to adopt Islam after marrying Muslim youths.

He tried to justify the religious conversion by claiming that he knew many interfaith couple who were in living-in relationships. When questioned on love jihad claims, he sought to whitewash it and said that nothing such a thing exists.

During Kanwar Yatra, as the Uttar Pradesh government's order to display names of dhaba and restaurant owners received flak from the Supreme Court, Tauqeer Raza called upon the Muslim dhaba owners to display their names outside their shops.

His call to Muslim dhaba owners' statement was viewed by many as divisive and inflammatory, as it amounted to creating a possible situation for communal flare-ups.
New Delhi: Two months ago, President Xi Jinping dismissed two former Chinese defence ministers, marking one of the most significant purges during his tenure.

Li Shangfu, a former close aide to Xi Jinping, and his predecessor Wei Fenghe were both expelled from the Communist Party of China due to allegations of corruption.

Over the past 12 years, such purges have become increasingly common in Chinese political life. They serve multiple purposes, including addressing the pervasive corruption undermining Chinese institutions; however, their primary function is to signal to other officials that similar consequences could befall them should they act in ways that displease Xi Jinping.

It is important to note that purges are a fundamental strategy employed by leaders of Communist totalitarian regimes.

Prior to Xi Jinping, Joseph Stalin had perfected the technique of eliminating officials perceived as threats to his authority.

Similarly, China has a longstanding tradition of purges, notably under Mao Zedong, with Deng Xiaoping being one of the most significant figures to be ousted during that era. Deng later ascended to the position of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and amended its constitution to limit the presidency and general secretary to two terms.

In contrast, Xi Jinping has altered this rule, reflecting the numerous changes that have occurred in China over the past decade. To fully grasp the implications of purges, it is essential to identify the prominent individuals who have been adversely affected by these actions.

Whom Xi Jinping purges

To comprehend the individuals targeted by Xi Jinping's purges, it is essential to examine the CPC's recruitment and training mechanisms. The party systematically cultivates its future leaders, politicians, and bureaucrats from a young age, drawing heavily from Confucian principles.

These trainees often come from families with deep Communist roots, with many being third-generation members whose fathers and grandfathers were active in the party. Xi Jinping himself is no exception, as his father, Xi Zhongxun, was unjustly purged by Mao for 16 years, forcing Xi Jinping to spend his childhood in relative obscurity for someone of his stature.

Notably, he did not attend the elite schools operated by the CPC. This background likely contributes to his distrust of those who held power before his tenure and his desire to surround himself with loyal supporters. To consolidate his authority fully, Xi Jinping has found it necessary to place his allies in key decision-making positions.

Purging other officials on various criminal charges has proven an effective means of creating vacancies and opportunities for his loyalists to ascend.

By taking these actions, Xi Jinping has effectively suppressed any potential opposition or dissent within the CPC, resulting in the removal of several notable figures. One such individual was Bo Xilai, who was once regarded as one of China's most promising politicians before his abrupt downfall.

At 64 years of age, Bo served as the Party Secretary of Chongqing and was a member of the Politburo. He faced serious allegations, including corruption, abuse of power, and complicity in the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood by his wife, Gu Kailai.

In 2013, Bo was sentenced to life imprisonment, marking one of the most sensational political scandals in recent Chinese history.

Another significant figure was Zhou Yongkang, previously considered one of the most powerful individuals in China. As a former member of the Politburo Standing Committee and Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, Zhou was convicted in 2015 for bribery, abuse of power, and leaking state secrets.

His trial was unprecedented, as it was the first time a former member of the Politburo Standing Committee had been prosecuted in the history of the People's Republic of China. Zhou also received a life sentence, further illustrating Xi Jinping's strategy of consolidating power by eliminating potential rivals and dissenters within the party.

Similarly, numerous CPC officials, including Ling Jihua, a close associate of former President Hu Jintao, Xu Caihou, the former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Sun Zhengcai, a Politburo member once regarded as a potential future leader of China, have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms under Xi Jinping's regime.

In addition to these high-profile cases, Xi Jinping has also targeted prominent figures from various sectors, including actors, industry leaders, and mid to senior-level military officials, who have faced purges during his administration.

What objectives purges serve

For Xi Jinping, the primary objective of purging senior officials and rivals is to eliminate any obstacles to his authority. However, the recent expulsion of loyalists, such as the former Defence Minister, indicates a shift in his strategy.

These purges are advantageous for both Xi Jinping and the CPC, as they hold individuals accountable for their transgressions. Furthermore, such actions serve a populist function; when wealthy Chinese figures are removed, the public often perceives it as a form of justice being enacted by the authorities.

Prior to Xi Jinping's leadership, the CPC was regarded as an untouchable entity in Chinese politics. Xi Jinping has effectively embodied the party, viewing rivals who could otherwise contribute with equal loyalty as threats that must be eradicated.

Nonetheless, a critical question arises: In a system centred around a single individual, how can these purges be rationalised as a pursuit of justice? There may come a time when the discontent stemming from these purges among CPC officials leads to Xi Jinping's downfall, particularly as the fragile state of the Chinese economy exacerbates this crisis.

(Lt Col JS Sodhi, Retd, is the Editor of Global Strategic & Defence News, and the author of 'Chinaas War Clouds: The Great Chinese Checkmate'. The views expressed are personal)
New Delhi, Sep 4 : Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Uttarakhand's Garhwal and party's National Media Head Anil Baluni met Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu in New Delhi on Wednesday and requested him for air connectivity in various areas of Garhwal Lok Sabha constituency.

The Civil Aviation Minister gathered information in this direction and assured to take immediate action.

The BJP MP also handed over a letter to the Civil Aviation Minister, highlighting his demands regarding air connectivity to the Garhwal region.

Baluni urged the Union Minister to consider connecting Ramnagar, Lansdowne, Pauri, Gopeshwar and Joshimath of Garhwal Lok Sabha constituency with Dehradun under the UDAN scheme.

"UDAN, the regional connectivity scheme spearheaded by the Union Government under the dynamic leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, has done wonders across the country. However, there are a few sectors in Uttarakhand which needs to be connected under the UDAN scheme so that people of the state could get good connectivity," the BJP MP said in the letter.

"The hurdles in the modernisation of Gauchar (Chamoli) airport should also be removed so that air connectivity continues to run smoothly in this area," he requested the Civil Aviation Minister.

"From the geographical point of view, Garhwal is a Lok Sabha which has 14 Assemblies and many of its areas are included in the inaccessible areas of the country. Due to natural calamities, connectivity with many areas of this Lok Sabha constituency is lost. Roadways are often affected. Due to this, the problem of migration from here is also becoming bigger. Therefore, there is a great need for air connectivity in such areas," the BJP MP told the Union Minister.

On the demand of Garhwal MP, the Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu responded positively and assured early action on all the demands.
Jaipur, Sep 4 : Rajasthan Cabinet on Wednesday decided to give 33 per cent reservation to women in Rajasthan Police Subordinate Services.

"We had promised to recruit 33 per cent of women in the Police department in our manifesto. The proposal to amend the Rajasthan Police Subordinate Service Rules, 1989 has been approved by the Cabinet," said Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa while addressing a press conference along with Law and Justice Minister Jogaram Patel.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that the Personnel Department will soon issue a notification, adding that the decision will provide more employment opportunities to women in the state and their representation in Rajasthan Police will increase.

He added that the Cabinet has also taken another important decision in the interest of the state government personnel.

"Now, after state government personnel retire, if there is no other eligible member, the name of specially-abled children, dependent parents and specially-abled siblings can also be permanently added to the Pension Payment Order (PPO)," the Deputy Chief Minister informed.

He said that for this, approval has been given to amend rules 67 and 87 of the Rajasthan Civil Service Pension Rules, 1996, under the pension rules of the Union government.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that while giving relief to pensioners during the discussion on the Rajasthan Appropriation and Finance Bill in the Assembly, the Chief Minister had announced giving a 5 per cent additional allowance to pensioners and family pensioners between 70 to 75 years of age.

He added that approval to replace Rule 54B of Rajasthan Civil Service Pension Rules, 1996 was also given in the Cabinet meeting.

Law and Justice Minister Jogaram Patel said that approvals for land allotment for 3.150 MW solar power projects were given in the Cabinet as the state government is continuously making efforts to make the state self-reliant in the field of energy.

Patel further said that a notification was issued on November 21, 2019, to clarify the definition of players concerning the provision of 2 per cent reservation in appointments to outstanding players in services under the state.

"At the time of inserting this clarification, two service rules namely Rajasthan Language and Library (State and Subordinate) Service Rules, 2013 and Rajasthan Excise Laboratory (State and Subordinate) Service Rules, 2015 were left out," he said.

He added that the draft of amendment in the rules to include the clarification regarding outstanding sportspersons in these service rules has also been approved in the Cabinet.
Beirut, Sep 4 : The Hezbollah-Israeli conflict has severely impacted Lebanon's tourism sector, leading to a significant drop in activity, business insiders told Xinhua.

Pierre Ashkar, head of the Syndicate of Hotel Owners in Lebanon, noted that this year saw virtually no tourism activity due to fears of conflict escalation and the closure of Beirut airport. Lebanese expatriates who visited stayed for shorter periods, averaging 10 to 15 days instead of the usual month or two, resulting in lower tourism revenue.

The situation comes as Lebanon grapples with a severe economic crisis and desperately needs the financial boost traditionally provided by its tourism sector. Ashkar explained that while a few restaurants in downtown Beirut managed to attract customers at the start of summer, other areas, including Gemmayzeh, Badaro, Ashrafieh, Jounieh, Batroun, and Mount Lebanon locations such as Brummana, experienced slow activity.

The conflict has escalated since a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah towards Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attacks. Israel's retaliatory strikes, including daily raids along Lebanon's southern border and a separate attack on Dahieh in Beirut's southern suburbs, resulted in significant casualties, including the killing of Hezbollah military commander, Fouad Shokor, and further tensions.

"When Israel hit Dahieh, we saw some people visiting the mountain to escape a possible escalation near Beirut, but the activity in Mount Lebanon lasted for two to three days out of 150 days of summer," said Ashkar, noting the conflict's tangible impact.

He reported a 70 per cent drop in restaurant activity and an 80 per cent decrease in hotel occupancy.

Kamal Lotfallah, a long-time employee at a luxurious hotel in Brummana, eastern Lebanon, echoed the sentiment, lamenting that the lack of summer reservations has made it difficult for hotels to cover expenses and pay employees adequate salaries.

Fadi Zoughaib, another employee at the hotel, observed that the hotel occupancy rate has drastically fallen, with only 10 to 15 rooms being occupied out of 110 and stays averaging just one or two nights.

"I miss the old summer tourism vibes in Mount Lebanon," he told Xinhua news agency.

Ashkar, with over 50 years in the hospitality business, expressed nostalgia for the days when Lebanon was known as "the Switzerland of the Middle East." He attributed Lebanon's former tourism success to its mild weather, compared to the hotter Arab countries, and its renowned hospitals and educational institutions.

Emphasising the need for Lebanon's neutrality amid regional conflicts, Ashkar said that "war is the enemy of tourism. We have to find a way to let this country survive."
Ankara, Sep 4 : Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi arrived in Ankara on Wednesday for talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, marking the first visit by an Egyptian president to Turkey in 12 years as the two countries seek to normalise relations after more than a decade of tension.

Erdogan and Sisi will co-chair the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, the Turkish presidency said in a statement, Xinhua news agency reported.

"All aspects of Turkey-Egypt relations will be reviewed, and joint steps that could be taken in the upcoming period to further improve bilateral cooperation will be addressed at the Council meeting," the statement said, adding several agreements are expected to be signed during the meeting.

The two leaders' talks will also include discussions on "current regional and global matters, particularly the ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories," the statement noted.

The visit follows Erdogan's trip to Cairo in February, signaling a thaw in bilateral ties after years of hostility. Relations between Turkey and Egypt soured after the ouster of former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 and the subsequent banning of his Turkey-backed Muslim Brotherhood group, which led both countries to expel each other's ambassadors.

Ties between the two countries began to improve in 2020 when Ankara launched a diplomatic effort to reduce tensions with its estranged regional rivals, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
Hyderabad, Sep 4 : Global leaders in Artificial Intelligence will share their thoughts, vision, and ideas for the development of the sector at the Global AI Summit-2024, beginning here on Thursday.Stage set for Global AI Summit in Hyderabad

With the main theme "Making AI work for everyone", the two-day conference is being organised by the Telangana government to deliberate important issues on the use of AI in technical advancements.

More than 2,000 representatives in the field of AI from all over the world have already confirmed their participation in the global summit to be held at Hyderabad International Convention Centre, the officials said on Wednesday.

Sal Khan, head of Khan Academy, who has been playing a key role in developing technical solutions in AI, Daniela Combe from IBM, and Peter Diamandis of XPRIZE Foundation are among others who will attend the event.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy along with state IT and Industry Minister D. Sridhar Babu will inaugurate the summit, which will also focus on future opportunities and new innovations in the summit.

The Chief Minister will release a road map for the promotion of AI in Telangana.

The state government has already decided to establish an ambitious AI city on a sprawling 200 acres in the proposed fourth city in the Greater Hyderabad limits.

The state government is hosting the conference aiming to attract the world's attention in the field of Information Technology and AI.

The state government is hoping that the AI Global Summit will showcase the IT growth in Telangana state to the world and project Hyderabad as the best destination for IT investments in the world.

During a recent visit to the US, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy announced that his government accorded top priority to promote Telangana as the hub of Artificial Intelligence in the world.

The state government has already envisaged plans to promote Hyderabad as the destination for AI and its related services.

The delegates will debate the issues of impact, regulation, and challenges of AI on society as a social responsibility. Research, startup demos, and innovative projects that are under development will also be presented at this conference.

Four additional stages, along with the main stage, have been set up at the venue.

Arrangements have been made to hold discussions and interesting sessions on different topics related to AI on all platforms. Panel discussions with high-profile leaders in AI technology and interactive sessions are also being organised.
Bhopal, Sep 4 : The last rites of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's father Poonam Chand Yadav, who died following a prolonged illness, were performed in his home district Ujjain on Wednesday.

The funeral procession started from the Chief Minister's ancestral house and passed through main roads before reaching the river banks in Ujjain.

A large number of people from all walks of life joined the funeral procession.

The Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues stood on a truck decorated with flowers that carried the mortal remains of Poonam Chand Yadav.

The body was cremated on the bank of Kshipra River and Mohan Yadav's elder brother Nandu Yadav lit the pyre. Chief Minister was also seen performing some rituals with teary eyes for the last rites of his father.

Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, Madhya Pradesh Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar, union ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Jyotiraditya Scindia, Deputy Chief Ministers Jagdish Devda and Rajendra Shukla, MP BJP president Vishnu Dutt Sharma, and state cabinet ministers Kailash Vijaywargiya and Tulsi Silawat were also present at the funeral.

"The loss of a father is an irreparable loss of life. My condolences are with the bereaved family in this hour of grief. Even though the father is not physically with you, the shadow of his blessings is always with you," said Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan while expressing condolence.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, along with former state home minister Narottam Mishra was seen accompanying Mohan Yadav during the funeral procession carried from his home.

Several other BJP leaders and ministers were also present during the cremation. Congress veterans Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh have also expressed their condolences through social media.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, Sep 4 : The Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) and Azad Samaj Party (ASP) alliance on Wednesday released the first list of 19 candidates for the October 5 Haryana Assembly elections.

While JJP chief Dushyant Chautala will contest from the Uchana Kalan constituency, his brother Digvijay Chautala will be in the fray from Dabwali.

Out of 19, Chandra Shekhar Azad's ASP (Kanshi Ram) announced the names of four candidates.

After the alliance was announced, former Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said it would take Haryana on the path of progress and both parties would fight for the poor, farmers, and labourers together.

Stating that the alliance has infused enthusiasm among the youth across the state, Chautala said this time a triangular contest would be seen in the Assembly elections in which the JJP-ASP alliance would play an important role.

Eyeing the Dalit voters who constitute 21 per cent of the state's population, out of the total 90 seats, the JJP, an offshoot of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), will contest 70 seats while the Azad Samaj Party will field candidates in the remaining 20 seats.

Interestingly, the INLD has already stitched an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to woo the Dalits with leaders of both parties agreeing to project INLD legislator Abhay Singh Chautala as the Chief Ministeras face.

As per the alliance, the INLD will contest 53 seats, while the BSP will field candidates on 37 seats.

At the launch of the JJP-Azad Samaj Party alliance, both Dushyant Chauta and Chandra Shekhar, who are both 36 years old, promised to fight for the rights and welfare of the farmers and to form a "government of the youth".

Dushyant Chautala promised an alliance lasting a40-50 yearsa.

"When Chaudhary Kanshi Ram staged a massive protest at Boat Club (in Delhi), Chaudhary Devi Lal was the first one to come and support him. At that time, Kanshi Ram demanded that B.R. Ambedkar be honoured with Bharat Ratna. When Devi Lal became Deputy Prime Minister, B.R. Ambedkar was not only honoured with Bharat Ratna but his statue was also put up at Parliament," he had said. He was categorically clear in saying that his party would not align with the BJP as "he is aware how the saffron party breaks its allies".

The INLD is banking more on its patriarch O.P. Chautala, who was released from Tihar Jail on July 2, 2021. after serving nine-and-a-half years of a 10-year prison sentence.

The BJP, which is in power in the state is eyeing a third-consecutive term in the polls scheduled on October 5. Results will be declared on October 8.
Riga, Sep 4 : Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics has expressed his support for Albania's accession to the European Union (EU) during a meeting here with Albanian President Bajram Begaj who is on a two-day visit to the Baltic country.

The two leaders focused on bilateral relations, economic exchange, and cooperation on tourism and transport during the meeting on Tuesday, according to the office of the Latvian President, Xinhua news agency reported.

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina, who also met with Begaj, echoed Rinkevics' support for Albania on its path to EU accession.

She highlighted the developing relations between the two countries, as well as the potential to expand cooperation on ICT, tourism and trade.

Begaj said that Latvia has been an inspiration for Albania on its path to membership in the EU.
New Delhi/Kohima, Sep 4 : The Centre on Wednesday extended the ceasefire agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (K) Niki for a period of one year, officials said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that the Central government and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (K) Nikki, Nagaland have mutually decided to extend the Ceasefire Agreement with effect from September 8 for a period of one year to bring about a lasting peace in the state of Nagaland with the involvement of Naga people.

The agreement, accessed by IANS, said that the ceasefire would be subject to adherence to the ceasefire ground rules mutually agreed to and signed by the two sides.

The ceasefire ground rules would be subject to mutual review and amendment with the involvement of both parties.

The extension of the ceasefire agreement was signed in Delhi by Additional Secretary to the MHA Piyush Goyal, Supervisor, CFSB NSCN-(K) Niki, Abel Zingri Thuer and Secretary, CFSB NSCN-(K) Niki Ameka Achumi.

The Central government signed the vital Framework Agreement with the dominant Naga outfit, National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM), in 2015 and also signed the Agreed Position with the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups in 2017.

More than 90 rounds of meetings were held between the government and the Naga groups over the decades-old unresolved Naga political issue.

The NSCN-IM has remained unyielding on its demand for a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas as well as integration of Naga-inhabited areas spread over four northeastern states -- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, besides Myanmar.

Meanwhile, the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the Nagaland government last week decided to hold consultative meetings with apex and influential tribal bodies and civil society organisations on taking forward the Naga Political Issue.

The decision was taken during a PAC meeting held in Kohima in the presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and the two MPs of the state.

The Nagaland government had constituted the PAC on Naga Political Issue in November last year to facilitate an early solution to the long-pending issue.

The PAC members include MLAs of eight prominent political parties, including the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, BJP, Nationalist Congress Party, Janata Dal (United) National People's Party and the Congress Lok Sabha Member from the state, S. Supongmeren Jamir.

In a significant political development, Jamir, who is also the state Congress chief, wrested Nagaland's sole Lok Sabha seat from the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), defeating its candidate Chumben Murry in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
New Delhi, Sep 4 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday put tough questions to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over its submission that an accused cannot seek each and every document seized by the central agency in the course of the investigation, at a pre-trial stage.

A bench, headed by Justice Abhay S. Oka, queried Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the ED, if an accused booked under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) can seek such a document for seeking bail before the trial has commenced.

As ASG Raju said that an accused cannot seek any document unless it is demonstrated "necessary" and adesirable", adding that the supply of every document may vitiate the investigation, the Bench, also comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Augustine George Masih, said: "How will he (accused) come to know about which document is necessary and desirable?"

The federal anti-money laundering agency said that the documents not relied upon can be inspected at the time of trial. Further, it said that the accused may seek a "specific document" but cannot ask for "many documents".

However, the apex court observed that the accused has a right to produce documents for the purpose of bail or quashing of the case, as it reserved its verdict on the issue if an accused may be denied the document solely on a technical ground.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Wednesday fixed September 18 for hearing a batch of petitions seeking review of the 2022 judgment in the Vijay Madanlal Choudhary case, which had upheld the ED's powers related to arrest, searches, seizures, and attachment of property, under the PMLA.

A three-judge bench, in the case of Vijay Madanlal Choudhary & Others vs Union of India & Others, had turned down the challenge to vires of Section 50 of the PMLA giving power to the ED to summon an accused and record the statement, which is admissible evidence in the court of law. The 2022 decision rendered by a bench headed by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar (now retired), affirmed the stringent provisions of PMLA in connection with the definition of proceeds of crime, power of arrest, search & seizure, attachment of properties and also the twin bail conditions.

Subsequently, a bench headed by then CJI N.V. Ramana had agreed to review its PMLA judgment for two main concerns -- non-providing of ECIR to the accused at the time of arrest, and negation of presumption of innocence.

A special bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna is dealing with another batch of petitions seeking reconsideration of the 2022 PMLA judgment and its reference to a larger bench.
Agartala, Sep 4 : The opening day of the Tripura Assembly on Wednesday witnessed a ruckus while the opposition Congress staged a walkout over the social media posts of state Minister Sudhangshu Das relating to Hindu temple attack and idol defacing.

During the reference period, the opposition Congress and the CPI-M MLAs raised the issue of the minister's recent post on social media.

Congress MLAs  Sudip Roy Barman, Gopal Roy and Birajit Singh while arguing with the treasure bench members and ministers went to the well before walking out of the Assembly in protest.

Das, who holds the Welfare of Scheduled Caste and Animal Resource Development Departments, accused the Congress of being "anti-Hindu party".

Without referring to any specific instance, in his September 1 Facebook post, which the minister subsequently removed, said: "In my view, the Hindus have no moral right to offer puja to Hindu gods and goddesses because those people who can't protect their temples and gods, do not deserve to organise prayers or offer puja."

Last month, unidentified "miscreants" defaced the idol at a local Kali temple at Koitorabari in West Tripura district.

After the defacing of the idol, unidentified assailants torched at least 16 houses, and burnt several vehicles and properties belonging to minorities in nearby areas, leaving four persons injured in the wake of the vandalism.

A large contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force, the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and state police were deployed immediately at the areas and prohibitory orders were clamped in the entire mixed-populated Jirania Sub-Division under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Police also arrested five people in connection with the attacks and arson.

Former Minister and Congress MLA Birajit Sinha raising the issue in the house sought the minister's statement and apology.

Sinha was supported by his party colleagues and Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury.

Terming the Minister's social media posts as 'hate speech', former Minister Roy Barman criticised him and said: "A minister took an oath of office and secrecy as per the Constitutional mandate and he cannot make such a post in a public platform."

Parliamentary Affairs and Law Minister Ratan Lal Nath, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sushanta Chowdhury and other BJP MLAs defended Minister Sudhangshu Das.

Das due to the noisy scenes, however, could not complete his clarification in favour of his Facebook post.

Ruling BJP members during the arguments, referred to the series of incidents during the Partition of the country and since before the Independence of India, 'Great Bengal Killing', Noakhali Riots, Kashmiri pandits' exodus from Jammu and Kashmir and attacks on minorities in Bangladesh and exodus of people from the then East Pakistan, now Bangladesh during and after 1971.

Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen, however, rejected the opposition MLAs' demand to seek an apology from Minister Sudhangshu Das.
Kolkata, Sep 4 : Bengal BJP MP Jyotirmay Singh Mahato on Wednesday urged the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNA) in Hyderabad to include the Kolkata Police's handling of the RG Kar case in its curriculum to highlight how a case should not to approached.

"Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal's failure not to act decisively, coupled with his apparent disregard for the values of transparency and accountability, has significantly tarnished the image of the Kolkata Police and has undermined public trust," two-time BJP Lok Sabha Jyotirmay Singh Mahato wrote to the Director of SVPNA.

"I urge the academy to consider incorporating the case of Vineet Kumar Goyal into its training curriculum as an example of what not to do while investigating a case. Newly recruited officers should learn the importance of maintaining public trust, acting with integrity, and being accountable for their actions," he said.

He added that let Kolkata Police Commissioner's case serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the consequences of deviating from the principles that the academy so diligently instils in its trainees.

He said that SVPNPA's mission is to produce officers who lead with courage, uphold the rule of law and serve the people with integrity and honour while Kolkata Police Commissioner's actions stood in stark contrast to these principles.

In his letter, Mahato has also claimed that Kolkata Police's handling of the case has exposed severe deficiencies in leadership and a disregard for the values that the SVPNA stands for.

"The case in question is not just an isolated incident but part of a pattern of negligence and mismanagement. Kolkata Police Commissioner's track record includes his involvement in the Kamduni case in 2013, where his actions were heavily criticised for lacking thoroughness and justice, resulting in public outrage and a loss of trust in the police force," his letter read.

It added that the Kolkata Police Commissioner's current role in the investigation of the R.G. Kar case has been marked by delays, a lack of transparency, and an initial arrest without concrete evidence, all of which suggest a disregard for due process and fairness.
Bengaluru, Sep 4 : Karnataka unit BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra said on Wednesday that the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is inevitable in the backdrop of his alleged role in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam case.

By suspending the former Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Commissioner, Siddaramaiah and the Congress government have for the first time accepted that the "scam had happened", the BJP leader said.

Speaking to mediapersons after launching a membership drive at the BJP state office here on Wednesday, Vijayendra made an appeal to people to wait and watch the developments in the state as resignation by CM Siddaramaiah is inevitable.

"Those who eat salt must drink water. When the Valmiki Corporation scam took place and officer Chandrashekhar committed suicide, the Chief Minister claimed there were no scams in his government. Later, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah admitted in the assembly that there was an Rs 87-crore scam in the Valmiki Corporation.

"Regarding the MUDA case, CM Siddaramaiah initially claimed there was no scam and accused the BJP of playing politics. Now the case is in court, and the former Commissioner of MUDA has been suspended," Vijayendra said.

Responding to another question over 'divisions' within the BJP in Karnataka, he said: "Let the High Court's verdict come. We will then know the clear picture on what happens within the Congress. Everything will be clear once the High Court gives its decision."

"Some Congress leaders went to file a complaint with the Governor on Tuesday against BJP leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, who raised questions on AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge family. Why wasn't Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar present? Why didn't the Chief Minister come? Why none of the senior ministers from the government or senior Congress leaders come to Raj Bhavan on behalf of your party's national president? Minister Priyank Kharge must answer these questions," he stated.

The BJP leader added: "Our party leader, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, has already given a statement. The Congress, mired in scams, is trying to save itself and wipe off the taint of corruption by throwing mud at the BJP. Attempts are being made to file cases against BJP leaders, but the BJP is not afraid of any of this.

"When I met our national leader Amit Shah, we discussed the upcoming by-elections including Channapatna seat in the state. Senior party leader C.P. Yogeshwar has expressed his wish to be a candidate for Channapatna. In Sandur and Shiggaon, there are many aspirants. We will discuss at the state level and send the names of candidates to Delhi.

"Asked about the re-examination by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), he questioned why such a careless officer responsible was retained there. Postponing the exam is one aspect; shouldn't such an officer be punished?" he questioned.

Vijayendra demanded strict action against the irresponsible officer and criticised the decision to schedule the PSI exam on the same day as the UPSC exam, calling it inappropriate.

Talking about the membership drive, he said, in the previous year, 1.04 crore memberships were registered, and the goal is to exceed that number.

On the occasion of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 100th birth anniversary, alongside the membership drive, the aim is to strengthen the resolve to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, as envisioned by Prime Minister Modi, he stated.

The goal is to register people from various sectors of society in the membership campaign.

The membership drive was launched on Wednesday across the state, following the launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.

The campaign is being conducted in all 224 Assembly constituencies in the state, with a target of registering at least 300 to 400 members at every booth, Vijayendra said.
Bhopal, Sep 4 : A district court in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday awarded death sentence to a man for raping and killing his minor niece in 2021.

Suresh Kumar Choube, the Additional District Judge (ADJ) of Sohagpur court in Narmadapuram district, found the accused guilty of rape and murder and awarded death sentence.

Before pronouncing the judgement, ADJ Choube read a quatrain from the Ramcharitamanas and said, "Raping an innocent, minor girl falls under heinous crime. And, killing a minor after raping her can't be judged as a normal case."

The investigation by Sohagpur police, the DNA reports, and the testimony of the victim's elder brother, who is also a minor, led the court to decide the fate of the accused, who is the maternal uncle of the victim.

The heinous crime was committed on December 25, 2021. The Sohagpur police upon receiving a missing complaint carried out a search and found the victim's body on the rooftop of her house.

After committing the crime, the accused misled the victim's family and the police by pretending that he too was searching for the 'missing' girl.

The autopsy report revealed that the victim was sexually assaulted before being smothered to death.

The police nabbed the accused on the basis of bite marks on the victim's body. The case had triggered widespread anger among the residents of Sohagpur who staged a massive protest, blocking highways and roads besides laying siege to the offices of the district collector and the superintendent of police demanding death penalty for the accused.
Kohima, Sep 4 : At least six persons, including a woman, were killed as landslides damaged many houses besides washing away a large portion of the vital National Highway-29 in Nagaland's Chumoukedima district, officials said on Wednesday.

Disaster management officials said that six persons were killed when their houses collapsed due to landslides triggered by heavy rain in Pherima village late on Tuesday night.

According to the officials, the landslides also washed away a large portion of NH-29 at Pherima and Pagala Pahar, snapping road links between the state's commercial hub Dimapur and capital Kohima.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said in a post on X, "Convened a meeting and took stock of the disaster situation on NH-29, which resulted in six casualties. I urge citizens to heed to official advisories. The government is providing emergency services and ex-gratia. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased."

In another post, the Chief Minister said, "I'm deeply concerned by large scale destruction on NH-29 caused by incessant rainfall. Authorities are on the site assessing the situation and helping those affected. The state government will continue to pursue with the Government of India and the NHIDCL (National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited) for immediate measures to restore normalcy at the earliest."

Deputy Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang said, "I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families of six precious souls that were lost in the unfortunate natural calamity. May the departed souls rest in eternal peace and may the Almighty give strength and solace to the bereaved families."

An official statement said that a massive mudslide at Pherima, along with landslides in Tseipama, Piphema, Pagala Pahar, and New Chumoukedima resulted in the complete blockage of NH-29.

The affected section of the road has been washed away, making it impassable for all vehicular traffic between Kohima and Dimapur.

In light of the road conditions, the police have also advised against using the alternate Pimla-Mhainamtsi route for travel between Kohima and Dimapur, as it is also affected by mudslides and landslides.

For those willing to travel, the Niuland-Kohima route via Zhadima remains open for light motor vehicles only.
Mumbai, Sep 4 : The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees on Wednesday called off their strike following Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's intervention.

The 11 unions started an indefinite strike on Tuesday demanding salary and dearness allowance at par with the state government employees and housing rent allowance among others.

The Chief Minister on Wednesday announced a salary hike of Rs 6,500 in the basic pay of the employees.

Welcoming the Chief Minister's announcement, the MSRTC employees decided to call off their strike which had paralysed the bus services across the state especially in rural areas ahead of the Ganesh festival causing severe hardships to the lakhs of commuters.

The BJP legislator Gopichand Papalkar, who had supported the MSRTC employees' strike, after the meeting, told reporters that the state government has accepted their demand for the salary hike.

He recalled that the salary was hiked by Rs 5,000 in the basic pay in 2021 after the employees had gone on strike. He appealed to the employees to resume their duties from Thursday.

"The MSRTC unions welcomed the Chief Minister's decision to increase their salary and decided to call off the strike,'' said Papalkar.

"We demanded that the ST employees of Maharashtra should be paid according to the salary of the state government employees. The committee suggested that the demand for a salary hike of Rs 5,000 should be made immediately. The government has accepted our demand and increased the salary by Rs 6,500," he added.

The Shiv Sena leader and trade unionist Kiran Pawaskar also thanked the Chief Minister, saying that he has also instructed to withdraw the cases against those employees who have been sitting at home for the last six months.

"Employees will also get the dues from 2020 to 2024 in a phased manner. This is the first time in Maharashtra that all the employees of all 23 organisations are happy," he said.

Pawaskar said that the there are 251 depots and some depots need to be repaired, adding, that there are restrooms for employees, the government has said that all those restrooms will be repaired.
Chennai, Sep 4 : The 'Nadigar Sangam', the union representing film, television, and stage actors in Tamil Nadu, has passed a resolution following a meeting of its Gender Sensitisation and Internal Committee on Wednesday.

The resolution said that the Gender Sensitisation and Internal Committee would provide all legal help to the victims of sexual harassment in the Tamil film industry.

It also said that If a woman comes forward with a complaint regarding sexual harassment or other related offences, it must be thoroughly investigated and if the complaint if found to be true, a recommendation would be made to the producers' association to ban the perpetrators for five years from the film industry.

According to the resolution, a warning would initially issued to the alleged preparators after which action will follow.

The Committee said the victims can register their complaints with the actors' body through a dedicated phone number that has already been established while a new email ID has also been created for the purpose.

The Nadigar Sangam also said that it would provide full support to those who want to lodge complaints against contents in YouTube channels.

In its statement, the actors' body advised the victims to first approach the Committee before speaking to the media directly about their complaints.

It may be recalled that after the Hema Committee report revealing rampant sexual exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry was made public by the Kerala government, several complaints have been lodged against leading film personalities of the state.

Kerala Police have registered FIRs against popular Malayalam actors Mukesh, who is also a sitting CPI-M MLA, Siddik, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, Baburaj, along with directors Ranjith and V.K. Prakash.

Following the developments in the neighbouring state, similar allegations were raised by some Tamil women actors, prompting the Nadigar Sangam to hold a meeting of its Gender Sensitisation and Internal Committee.

Popular Tamil actor and Nadigar Sangam General Secretary Vishal told mediapersons that if any woman has complaints of sexual abuse, she can reach out to the Committee which will ensure that justice is delivered.
Paris, Sep 4 : Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Harvinder Singh made further history for India by winning the gold medal in the Men's Individual Recurve Open, becoming the first Indian archer to win a gold medal in the Paralympic Games. With a consistent and rock-solid performance, Harvinder Singh, a bronze medallist in the second event in the Tokyo Paralympic Games three years back, bagged the gold medal by blanking Lukasz Ciszek of Poland 6-0 in the final on Wednesday.

With this achievement, Harvinder became the first and only Indian archer to win a gold medal in the Paralympics and Olympics. He is also the first and only archer to secure medals in consecutive editions of the Paralympics.

Harvinder's gold medal took India's tally to 22 medals in Paris with four gold, eight silver and 10 bronze. India have thus moved to the 15th spot in the standings. Harvinder's gold comes after Sachin Khilari claimed a silver medal earlier in the day.

In the Gold Medal Match on Wednesday, Harvinder came up with a dominant display.

A 10 in the first set besides two 9s secured Harvinder Singh the first set as the Pole shot a seven in between nine and eight for a 28-24 win. Up 2-0, Harvinder started the second set with two successive nines and then topped it with a 10 for 28 while Ciszek had three 9s for another narrow defeat. Harvinder, from a farmer's family from Kaithal in Haryana, sealed the gold medal with two 10s followed by a nine (29) while Ciszek started with a seven and then scored two 9s for a 29-25 win.

Earlier, Harvinder had assured himself a second successive medal in the Paralympic Games as he stormed into the final with a come-from-behind win over Iran's Arab Ameri Mohammad Reza in the semifinal here on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old Harvinder came up with a brilliant performance, coming back after losing the first set to stun the Iranian 7-3, sealing a place in the maiden final at the Paralympic Games.

In the semifinal, Harvinder lost the first set 26-25 because of a seven on his second arrow. The second set ended in a tie at 27-27. he then levelled scores at 3-3 by winning the third set 27-25 and surged ahead to a 5-3 set points lead by winning the fourth set 26-24.

Harvinder Singh then sealed a place in the final with another steady performance, shooting two 9s and an eight for a 26-25 win after the Iranian started with a 10 but faltered for an eight and seven on his next two arrows.

Earlier, Harvinder, who had bagged a bronze medal in the Tokyo Paralympic Games after losing in the semifinals, got the better of Colombia's Julio Ramirez Hector 6-2 in a quarterfinal clash.

The Indian had started the day with a 7-3 win over Tseng Lung-Hui of Chinese Taipei and continued to march ahead with a fine 6-2 win over Indonesia's Setiawan Setiawan in the prequarters.
Mumbai, Sep 5 : A day after a lookout notice issued by the Sindhudurg District Superintendent of Police, the Kalyan Police has arrested the sculptor Jaydeep Apte from his residence.

Apte was absconding following the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue at the Rajkot Fort in Malvan, Sindhudurg district.

Apte took advantage of the darkness and came to his Kalyan residence to meet his wife and mother, avoiding the police. However, the police arrested him from his residence.

The police have already arrested structural engineer Chetan Patil under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita.

The police had registered a case against him after a public outrage over the fall of the statue.

The lookout notice was issued on Tuesday for Apte's arrest if he tries to leave India through any national airport.

After the incident, Apte's family went to Shahapur to stay with their relatives.

However, the police went there and questioned Apte's wife and mother.

The Kalyan Police had repeatedly visited Apte's family to arrest him but could not do so.

The Opposition has also slammed the MahaYuti government for allegedly shielding Apte and corruption involved in the completion of the statue.

The statue was unveiled in December 2023. However, after just eight months on August 26, 2024, the 35-feet statue collapsed.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and other MahaYuti leaders said that the statue collapsed due to heavy wind speed. However, the Opposition rejected the Chief Minister's explanation, saying that it was due to corruption.

The Art Director of the statue had also clarified that the permission was granted for the erection of a six-feet statue but it was overruled and the 35-feet statue was erected.

Amid the raging controversy, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was the first leader who apologised and later Chief Minister Shinde said Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is their idol and he would not mind apologising 100 times to the people of the state and the country.

Thereafter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 30 apologised and sought forgiveness from the people of the country.

The state government has already promised to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Congress Spokesman Sachin Sawant in his post on X said, "Jaydeep Apte was arrested from his house. This means he came forward on his own, not found by the police. This conclusion can be drawn. Anyway! Did it take so long to find him because of blessings? This is the question."
Paris, Sep 5 : Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic endured a break for medical treatment on her way to booking a place in her second consecutive US Open semifinal with a 6-1, 6-4 defeat of No.22 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia in 1 hour and 25 minutes in the women's singles. The Czech star also left the court on multiple occasions in the second set but kept her focus to close out a victory that marks a remarkable comeback from injury.

"A little weird match, I have to say," Muchova said in the on-court interview as quoted by the WTA tour in a report. "I had a lot of problems, I wouldn't like to comment on it. I'm happy I managed, to run to the bathroom and back. Sorry if it disturbed anyone, but I had no other choice!"

Muchova will play either No.1 seed Iga Swiatek or No.6 seed Jessica Pegula as she bids to make her second Grand Slam final following Roland Garros 2023. Swiatek has a 2-1 record against Muchova, while Pegula leads her 1-0; all of those matches went to three sets.

Muchova's run to the 2023 semifinals turned out to be the last tournament she would play for another nine months as she underwent wrist surgery. But in just her sixth event since returning to action in June and now ranked No.52, Muchova has roared into the fourth major semifinal of her career without dropping a set. She is the fourth unseeded major semifinalist of 2024, following Dayana Yastremska (Australian Open), Mirra Andreeva (Roland Garros), and Donna Vekic (Wimbledon).

The result is Muchova's fourth win in as many meetings with Haddad Maia. The pair first met in the qualifying of the 2016 Cagnes-sur-Mer ITF W100 event, which Muchova won 7-5, 6-1. She went on to triumph in both their tour-level encounters as well, in the first rounds of Ostrava 2022 and Cincinnati 2023.

The US Open is the first tour-level event at which Muchova has reached multiple semifinals. She is the first Czech woman to reach consecutive US Open semifinals since Helena Sukova in 1986-87.

The match opened with two multi-deuce tussles -- and Muchova set the tone by winning them both. Three consecutive service winners extricated her from an opening game in which she saved two break points, then she sealed her fifth break point on Haddad Maia's delivery with a powerful off forehand.

That start didn't help Haddad Maia settle. The Brazilian fell away in the first set, committing 10 unforced errors to only six winners. Though she raised her level in the second, it was Muchova who struck first, nailing a backhand winner down the line to break for 3-2.
Beirut, Sep 5 : A Lebanese woman was killed and five civilians injured in Israeli artillery and airstrikes on southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.

The Israeli army launched artillery shelling on the village of Qabrikha, killing a woman and injuring two other people, including a 12-year-old child, the Ministry's Public Health Emergency Operations Centre said on Wednesday in a statement.

In a separate raid by the Israeli army on the village of Houla, three people were injured, the statement added.

According to Lebanese military sources, the Israeli military launched seven airstrikes on Wednesday noon on six towns and villages and shelled nine villages and towns in southern Lebanon with about 30 shells, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said that it "targeted with Katyusha rockets the Beit Hillel and Zar'it barracks and artillery positions in Dishon in northern Israel" in response to the Israeli attacks on the southern villages.

The Lebanese armed group added that it also targeted the Marj site on Wednesday noon with rockets.

Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on October 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon.

One person was killed and two others were injured in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on September 1 (Sunday) evening, the Health Ministry said.

The injured included a woman who sustained serious wounds in the attack that targeted the town of Beit Lif, the Ministry added in a statement.

The state-run National News Agency also reported another Israeli airstrike in the border town of Beit Yohoun. No details were yet available about casualties or damage.

Tensions have risen along Lebanon's border with Israel amid cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israeli forces as Tel Aviv continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 40,700 victims since October 7 following an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Los Angeles, Sep 5 : Unite Here, the union representing hotel workers, has said that "the labour dispute is ongoing" as more than 9,500 of its members who struck Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott hotels in multiple US cities over the Labour Day weekend are back on the job.

More than 10,000 hotel workers in nine cities, including Baltimore, Boston, Greenwich, Honolulu, Kauai, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle, walked off the job over the weekend, Xinhua news agency reported.

The striking workers' primary demands include higher wages, more staffing to ease their workload, and the reversal of service cuts implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic.

After months of unresolved negotiations, the limited duration strikes lasted one to three days in each city, said the union in a news statement, adding that strikes have also been authorised and could begin at any time in Baltimore, New Haven, Oakland, and Providence.

"Continued picketing and other disruptions are possible," the union noted.

Around 700 hotel workers at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront have decided to remain on an open-ended strike, and workers will be on the picket line until they win their contract, according to the news statement.

Unite Here said on its website that the labour union represents 300,000 working people across Canada and the US.

The union added that its members work in the hotel, gaming, food service, manufacturing, textile, distribution, laundry, transportation, and airport industries.

"During Covid, everyone suffered, but now the hotel industry is making record profits while workers and guests are left behind. Workers aren't making enough to support their families, and many can no longer afford to live in the cities that they welcome guests to," said Gwen Mills, International President of Unite Here, in the news statement, adding that "Too many hotels still haven't restored staffing or the services that guests deserve, like automatic daily housekeeping and room service, and painful workloads are breaking workers' bodies".

"We won't accept a 'new normal' where hotel companies profit by cutting their offerings to guests and abandoning their commitments to workers," Mills noted.

Room rates are at record highs, and the US hotel industry made more than $100 billion in gross operating profit in 2022. But hotel staffing per occupied room was down 13 per cent from 2019 to 2022 as many hotels maintained Covid-era cuts, including understaffing, ending automatic daily housekeeping, and removing food and beverage options, according to the union.
Washington, Sep 5 : US Vice-President Kamala Harris on Wednesday unveiled an "ambitious" plan to boost small businesses through tax deductions, low and no interest loans, investments and fairer tax codes, which together, she said, will make 25 million new applications by the end of her first term.

Small businesses "aren't just building a business. They're pursuing a dream. They're building a better future for their employees and for the people they love in their communities, and by extension, they're building a stronger middle class and a stronger America for us all," Harris said at an election campaign event in New Hampshire.

"And so all of this is why as President, one of my highest priorities will be to strengthen America's small businesses. And here I am in New Hampshire to announce a few elements of my plan."

Harris had announced her larger economic plan in August, ahead of the Democratic Party Convention to formally nominate her to run for President. The overarching theme was "lower costs for American families" and key provisions of the plans were to ban price gouging, build three million new housing units and grant a tax credit of $6,000 per newborn.

The first part of the plan she announced for small businesses, Harris said, was "to help more small businesses and innovators get off the ground. Okay, now I'm setting what some I'm sure going to call a very ambitious goal but you know what I think we should admire ambition in each other".

She added that she wants to "see 25 million new small business applications by the end of my first term. And to help achieve this, we will lower the cost of starting a new business". The way she plans to reduce costs was to expand tax deductions for start-up from the current $5,000 to $50,000.

Second, she said, her plan will help existing small businesses grow.

"We will provide low and no interest loans to small businesses that want to expand, and we will, and this is very important, cut the red tape that can make starting and growing a small business more difficult than it needs to be, more difficult than it needs to be."

Third, Harris said, her plan will "invest in small businesses and innovators throughout America, and here's why we know that talent exists everywhere in our country, from rural towns to city centres, but not everyone has access to the financing, to venture capital or expert advice".

Finally, the Vice-President said, "her plan will make our tax code more fair, while also prioritising investment and innovation. So let us be clear, billionaires and big corporations must pay their fair share in taxes."

Harris then criticised her Republican rival's plans.

She said former President Donald Trump plans to "cut off federal programmes that give loans to small businesses".
Madrid, Sep 5 : Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said that Spain and Palestine will hold their first bilateral summit this year to strengthen ties.

"Before the end of this year we are going to hold the first bilateral summit between Spain and Palestine in which we hope to sign several collaboration agreements between the two states," Sanchez said on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the political year in Madrid.

He also added that Spain will continue supporting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Xinhua news agency reported.

In a coordinated move, Norway, Ireland, and Spain recognised Palestine as a state in May amid international outrage over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza following Israel's military operation.

The Spanish Prime Minister on July 11 urged the West to reject "double standards" regarding the conflict in Gaza as he joined NATO leaders in supporting Ukraine.

Spain under Sanchez has infuriated Israel's right-wing government by recognising a Palestinian state and criticising Israel's conduct of its war against Hamas.

"If we are telling our people that we are supporting Ukraine because we are defending the international law, this is the same to what we have to do towards Gaza," he said at NATO's 75th anniversary summit in Washington.

The socialist leader said there should be a "consistent political position" in which "we don't have double standards".

Sanchez said the world needed to press to "stop this terrible humanitarian crisis" affecting the Palestinians and called for an international peace conference to push for a Palestinian state.

"We need to create the conditions for an immediate and urgent ceasefire," he said.

"There is a real risk of escalation to Lebanon.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
The National Book Foundation has named W. Paul Coates, the founder and publisher of Black Classics Press and BCP Digital Printing, as the recipient of 2024 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. Coates will be presented with the award at the 75th National Book Awards ceremony, to be held in New York City on November 20, by his son, National Book Awardwinning author Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Over the course of his career, W. Paul Coates has recovered and discovered countless essential works of Black literature, and readers everywhere have reaped the benefits of his passion and care for the written word, said David Steinberger, chair of the board of directors of the National Book Foundation, in a statement. Since the 1970s, Coates has modeled what it means to be a community-focused independent publisher and tireless advocate for Black diasporic writers and books."

Coates began his literary career in 1972 when, after leading a local chapter of the Black Panther Party in Baltimore, Md., for several years, he established the George Jackson Prison Movement, a prison literacy program to provide incarcerated readers access to progressive Afrocentric literature. The program soon led to the opening of The Black Book bookstore in Coatess basement, which evolved into the Baltimore-based Black Classic Press, founded in 1978, and later inspired the development of its sister company, BCP Digital Printing, launched in 1995.

In a 2018 interview with PW, Coates described Black Classic Press as a mission-driven publishing venture focused on preserving the collective story of African-American people," adding that he is "happy to be a part of the legacy of Black publishing."

As founder and publisher of Black Classic Press, Coates has published original works by such authors as Yosef Ben-Jochannan, John Henrik Clarke, John G. Jackson, Walter Mosley, and many others, in addition to reissuing titles by Amiri Baraka, Edward Blyden, Amy Jacques Garvey, Larry Neal, J. A. Rogers, Bobby Seale, Carter Woodson, and W.E.B. Du Bois.

From 1980-1991, Coates served as the African American Studies manuscript and reference librarian at Howard Universitys Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, where he oversaw the curation of out-of-print Black literature. He was also a member of the NBF board of directors from 1997-2005 and is a founding member and chair of the National Association of Black Book Publishers. In 2020, Coates was presented with the Lord Nose Award by the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses, and earlier this year he received the Publisher Award for Distinguished Service to the Literary Community from the Authors Guild.
Little Free Library, the St. Paul, Minn.based nonprofit organization, has partnered with the American Library Association and PEN America to produce an interactive map in response to the nationwide surge in efforts to ban books from public and school libraries. The map includes two key features: highlights, indicating where book bans are in effect at the state and county levels and to what degree, and pinpoints, indicating the locations of Little Free Librarys book-sharing containers of the same name.

The purpose of this initiative, per a release, is to reveal the wide-spread epidemic of book banning and position little free libraries as vital distribution points for these restricted books, of which, according to the ALA, there were a record 4,240 unique titles as of 2023. (There are more than 180,000 LFL-branded little free libraries all over the world, 71,000 of which are in the U.S.)

Banned books are welcome in LFL book-sharing boxes," said executive director Greig Metzger. "Our new interactive map allows you to find both the areas hit hardest by book bans and the nearest LFL box locations, so you can share books that have been censored or just books you love. After all, he added, the heart of our mission is to expand access to books.

The map was developed by LFL in collaboration with the ALAs Office for Intellectual Freedom and PEN America. ALA provided state-level data on books banned or challenged in school and public libraries, while PEN America provided county-level data on books banned or challenged in schools.

"PEN America is proud to have our school book ban data put to such good use, said Sabrina Baeta, PEN America Freedom to Read program manager. As we look to turn the page on book bans, it's important we find ways to keep books in the hands of our communities  in our schools, our libraries, and in this case, our sidewalks.

Click here for more information.
In a swift decision, a three-judge panel of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals has unanimously affirmed a March 2023 lower court decision finding the Internet Archive's program to scan and lend print library books is copyright infringement. In an emphatic 64-page decision, released on September 4, the court rejected the Internet Archives fair use defense, as well as the novel protocol known as controlled digital lending on which the Archives scanning and lending is based.

This appeal presents the following question: Is it fair use for a nonprofit organization to scan copyright-protected print books in their entirety, and distribute those digital copies online, in full, for free, subject to a one-to-one owned-to-loaned ratio between its print copies and the digital copies it makes available at any given time, all without authorization from the copyright-holding publishers or authors? Applying the relevant provisions of the Copyright Act as well as binding Supreme Court and Second Circuit precedent, we conclude the answer is no, the decision states.

The closely watched copyright infringement lawsuit was first filed on June 1, 2020, in the Southern District of New York by Hachette, HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, and Wiley, organized by the Association of American Publishers.

The appeals court ruling comes just over two months after a lengthy June 28 hearing in New York, at which the panel appeared highly engaged, if deeply skeptical of the Internet Archives casea relatively quick turnaround that suggests that the court did not struggle in deciding the case, much like district court Judge John G. Koeltl, who delivered his March 24, 2023 summary judgment ruling in favor of the plaintiff publishers just days after a March 20 hearing.

In his now affirmed 47-page opinion, Koeltl forcefully rejected the Internet Archives fair use defense. At bottom, IAs fair use defense rests on the notion that lawfully acquiring a copyrighted print book entitles the recipient to make an unauthorized copy and distribute it in place of the print book, so long as it does not simultaneously lend the print book, Koeltl wrote in his opinion granting the publisher plaintiffs motion for summary judgment and denying the Internet Archives cross-motion. But no case or legal principle supports that notion. Every authority points the other direction.

Not Fair Use

The Second Circuit agreed, affirming that all four factors of the fair use test favored the publishers, including a straightforward rejection of the Internet Archives argument that its scanning and lending was transformative under the first factor.

We conclude that IAs use of the Works is not transformative, the decision states. Instead, IAs digital books serve the same exact purpose as the originals: making authors works available to read. IAs Free Digital Library is meant toand doessubstitute for the original Works, the ruling continues, adding that to construe IAs use of the Works as transformative would significantly narrowif not entirely evisceratecopyright owners exclusive right to prepare (or not prepare) derivative works.

The appeals court also easily dispatched with the idea that the Internet Archives scanning and lending is permissible because it is done within the framework of controlled digital lending, a set of protocols designed to mimic physical library lending.

 Whether it delivers the copies on a one-to-one owned-to-loaned basis or not, IAs recasting of the Works as digital books is not transformative 

This characterization confuses IAs practices with traditional library lending of print books. IA does not perform the traditional functions of a library; it prepares derivatives of Publishers Works and delivers those derivatives to its users in full, the court held. Whether it delivers the copies on a one-to-one owned-to-loaned basis or not, IAs recasting of the Works as digital books is not transformative.

The court did reject one part of Koeltls decision, howeverthat the nonprofit Internet Archive was somehow engaged in a commercial activity because the Internet Archive sought donations from the public who visited its Open Library, gained non-monetary reputational value from its program, and because the IA received a small slice of the profits from book sales through Better World Books.

We conclude, contrary to the district court, that IAs use of the Works is not commercial in nature, the court held. To hold otherwise would greatly restrain the ability of nonprofits to seek donations while making fair use of copyrighted works.

And in terms of the crucial fourth factor, the impact on the market, the court also had little trouble finding for the publishers.

Here, not only is IAs Free Digital Library likely to serve as a substitute for the originals, the undisputed evidence suggests it is intended to achieve that exact result, the decision states. IA copies the Works in full and makes those copies available to the public in their entirety. It does not do this to achieve a transformative secondary purpose, but to supplant the originals.

The court also rejected that Internet Archives public benefit argument. While IA claims that prohibiting its practices would harm consumers and researchers, allowing its practices wouldand doesharm authors, the court concluded. With each digital book IA disseminates, it deprives Publishers and authors of the revenues due to them as compensation for their unique creations. Though IA and its amici may lament the consolidation of editorial power and criticize Publishers for being motivated by profits, behind Publishers stand authors who are entitled to compensation for the reproduction of their works and whose private motivation ultimately serve[s] the cause of promoting broad public availability of literature, music, and the other arts.

Is The End in Sight?

With the exception of an en banc hearing before the full Second Circuit, the appeals court decision leaves only the Supreme Court left for the Internet Archive, suggesting the case may finally be winding down after years of contentious legal wrangling.

Notably, a consent judgment has already been entered to settle the claims in the case, which includes an undisclosed monetary payment to publishers that is payable once the appeals process has been exhausted. According to the AAP, that payment, should the publishers ultimately prevail, would substantially cover the publishers significant attorneys fees and costs in the action.

Meanwhile, the Internet Archive is still facing a similar, follow on suit filed by a group of major record labels over its "Great 78" program, which collects vintage, 20th century 78 rpm recordings, digitizes them and makes them freely available to the public.

Todays appellate decision upholds the rights of authors and publishers to license and be compensated for their books and other creative works and reminds us in no uncertain terms that infringement is both costly and antithetical to the public interest," said AAP president and CEO Maria Pallante, in a statement. "If there was any doubt, the Court makes clear that under fair use jurisprudence there is nothing transformative about converting entire works into new formats without permission or appropriating the value of derivative works that are a key part of the authors copyright bundle.

In a blog post, IA reps said they were disappointed in the decision. "We are reviewing the courts opinion and will continue to defend the rights of libraries to own, lend, and preserve books," the statement reads.
The Meaning of Singleness (IVP Academic) by Danielle Treweek has been named the 2024 Australian Christian Book of the Year.

Treweek is the founding director of the Single Minded Ministry and an adjunct teacher at Moore Theological College, Sydney. She also serves as both the Diocesan Research Officer and a member of the Archbishops Doctrine Commission within the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, Australia.

Taken seriously, this book will change the way churches operate, preachers preach, Christian organizations act, friends befriend, and crucially, how we love and are loved, the judges for the award commented, in a release.

The Meaning of Singleness: Retrieving an Eschatological Vision for the Contemporary Church offers biblical, historical, cultural, and theological reflections to retrieve a theology of singleness for the church today.

One of my hopes is that those who read The Meaning of Singleness might be better equipped to love, respect, and value the single members of their church communities," Treweek said. "And, of course, I hope it will encourage unmarried Christians, whether they be never-married, divorced, or widowed, to delight more and more in the intrinsic goodness of their singleness. But I also pray that those who read this book might better understand the vitally important and God-glorifying role singles have to play in the churchs understanding of her own unique identity."

The Australian Christian Book of the Year Award was established in 1981 to recognize and encourage excellence in Australian Christian writing. It is given annually to an original book written by an Australian citizen.
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By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 09/03/2024



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

alum Susie Evans has opened up about her "painful" breakup with ette alum Justin Glaze "We aren't together, but we love each other so frickin' much, to the point where it's just painful for the both of us," Susie explained on the Friday, August 30 episode of "The Ben & Ashley I: Almost Famous Podcast.""That's been tough to navigate... and it is just so painful."Susie and Justin kept quiet for weeks about the status of their relationship as breakup rumors circulated online, and then Justin finally confirmed their split during the August 27 episode of Ben Higgins and Ashley Iaconetti 's podcast.Susie said she and Justin have been "trying to protect each other" as fans continue to gossip about the demise of their relationship and put "their own twists on it."Susie admitted the pair have been "caught off-guard by people" approaching them in public, asking them to address their split in-person."We've both just been dodging questions... We don't want to say too much because we don't want it to be misinterpreted -- but even that can be misinterpreted!" Susie quipped."It's been sad, but I think we're both just trying to navigate it and love each other through it."Susie shared, however, that she and Justin are "on great terms" and he even stopped by her apartment recently to help her hang a shelf."Everything is -- well, I wouldn't say 'everything' is positive -- but there is so much love and there's no animosity, for sure," Susie explained.And 26 alum insisted she's "doing okay" on her own."I think I'm good, for the most part. I just think it's hard, to be honest," Susie said."It's just hard. Justin and I both moved to L.A. not knowing many people and leaning on each other a lot as friends, and, yeah, it's just hard... When we came to L.A., we didn't have family or strong friendships, but we had each other."Susie explained that "not having" her "best friend" in Los Angeles -- and beside her in life, in general -- anymore is "really hard."Susie became emotional and shared, "Beyond losing a boyfriend, it's losing out on a friend and a huge crutch... We really leaned on each other and had been each other's person here.""Knowing I can't get that back," she continued in tears, "that's what sucks so bad, I think, for the both of us. We had such a genuine friendship before."Susie went on to lament, "Eww, I hate that I'm crying... I think it's just such a loss, for the both of us. It's just genuinely so sad."Susie revealed she and ette 17 alum have gone periods of time "without talking to each other" so they wouldn't slip back into their comfortable, old ways."We've had to set boundaries, and it's just really hard," Susie said, adding, "Fortunately, I do have a strong support system here of girls, and back home."When Ben asked if turning her strong friendship with Justin into a romance was "worth it" in hindsight, Susie replied, "You're going to make me cry again!"Susie explained, "I think my honest truth on that is, like, absolutely, it's worth it -- absolutely!""Justin and I's friendship would have had to have changed regardless," alum elaborated. "We were way too close for that to be normal, if any of us started dating somebody else."Susie noted how she and Justin were "basically dating but just not kissing" while they were friends, which wouldn't have been a lasting dynamic had either of them entered a serious relationship with someone else."We were spending so much quality time together and we knew each other really well... and a partner probably wouldn't be cool with a friendship like that," Susie acknowledged."So, yes, it's worth it, because [the friendship] is going to change anyways."Susie also pointed out that "if you feel love for somebody and you think there might be more there," two people should "absolutely try for it" and see if it could work out."Because what we did have in our relationship was so freaking fun, and it really was the best thing," Susie gushed of her time with Justin."I've never had somebody that's been such a best friend that's also become like a partner. It is really special... and we still have so much love there."Susie therefore added of friends transforming into lovers, "I do think it can work with the right person and with the right tools and the right headspace and all that stuff.""So if it's a special person to you, it's totally worth it. And even if it's just for a season of life, like, you might get the most wonderful season of your life," she concluded.When Justin appeared on "Almost Famous," he hinted that no one was at fault or to blame for the breakup."There doesn't have to be a good guy and a bad guy," Justin explained late last month. "And so, some of the comments kind of lean towards that, but I don't care. I know what's up, and Susie knows what's up -- and that's all that matters. We are good!"When Ben asked Justin how he was doing in general post-split, Justin admitted, "It's really tough man."Justin paused and sighed, and it was clear he was choking up emotionally in that moment."Sorry," Justin murmured, before Ben let him off the hook."When you're ready to answer that question, I can't wait to have you back here," Ben noted."I appreciate you," Justin quietly responded.Before Justin publicly confirmed their split, Susie had admitted to People last month that her romance with Justin was "so complicated." And Justin had told Us Weekly on August 19 that he and Susie were taking things "day by day." "We're taking some time to figure out what's going to be best for us," Justin shared at the time.Susie and Justin met in November 2022 and claimed for a year that their close relationship was strictly platonic as fans were constantly shipping them as a couple.However, the pair confirmed in late January that they had begun dating , and they went Instagram official on January 24.Susie and Justin then joined forces in their social-media influencing, posting hilarious videos and ads of each other.But rumors Susie and Justin had split began to swirl in July because the lovebirds were noticeably posting less couple's content on social media.Susie's last post with Justin was on July 1, and it was only an ad.The Instagram account, @Deux Moi, also posted a photo that allegedly showed Justin walking with another girl in Chicago in July.Susie and Justin had met in late 2022, and they both moved to Los Angeles about six months later.In November 2023, Susie joked during an Instagram Q&A session how she was "trying" to move out of the friend zone with Justin after a summer romance she had fizzled out.Susie and Justin even flat out denied that they were dating -- and that they had ever lived together or hooked up -- during a December interview on the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast, which is co-hosted by Bachelor in Paradise couple Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt Susie and Justin were especially playful and flirty during their interview, and they even seemed to hint that they were considering taking their dynamic out of the friend zone.But the pair claimed they didn't want to risk their friendship for the sake of taking things to the next level, in case their relationship didn't work out in the long run.Susie and Justin's flirty dynamic apparently changed from friendship to something more intimate in October 2023, and so they kept their romance under wraps for several months.The couple even spent the holidays together, having their "own little hometown" date. Justin said he met Susie's family in Virginia and she met his family in Maryland.Justin explained to E! News of their dishonesty earlier this year, "We've always wanted to just kind of protect our privacy, which sounds funny to say because we went on the show where our romantic connections are far from private."Justin elaborated, "But we wanted to just protect our peace, and control our narrative and not put any pressure on our relationship."The reality TV stars became friends after Susie won Clayton Echard 's heart on 's 26th season but they split in September 2022 . Justin, for his part, competed for Katie Thurston on ette's seventeenth season.Justin also appeared on Bachelor in Paradise's eighth season in 2022.While Justin had sparked a connection with Eliza Isichei , it didn't work out because she ultimately gave her rose to Rodney Mathews . When Eliza determined she had made a mistake and wanted Justin back, it was too late and he wasn't interested in reconciling.Interested in more news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
Last issue we looked at knives designed by Special Operators, and this time out were going to see knives made by Special Operators. Each one comes from a SEAL, Green Beret, or Marine Corps Scout Sniper. Most are custom knives, but a few were made by retired SF soldiers who own their own knife companies.

When we think of a tactical knife, do we think of a plumber, engineer, mechanic or even a judo master as having a say on what goes into that design? No, most of us think of the battle-hardened Special Operations warriors who rely on them daily.

These designs are the culmination of different elements that these men deemed necessary in a knife, whether for use on the battlefield or use in civilian life as an EDC or working blade. In some instances, they took sound, proven designs and used them in different applications.

You can see this in nearly every aspect of each knife from the raw material used to the contours of the handle, the profile of the blade and even the sheath systems of a few of the fixed blades.

This article was long in the making and a few of these blades have been tested and used for well over a year.

(MORE) BEST KNIVES BUILT BY SPECIAL OPERATORS

Corvus Knife and Tool Carrion

Jerry Saunders served as a Scout Sniper and was chief survival instructor at the Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, California. He is a veteran who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Haiti. His experience with further survival and instruction would take up an article of its own.

The Carrion represents the important and robust elements that Saunders needed in a daily working knife. Built from 80CRV2 steel, the blade performs and deploys quickly when you need it most. The handle conforms to the hand, and the sheath is another engineering marvel from a design perspective.

PROS: The ergonomics are incredible. This is due to a jute cord handle impregnated with epoxy to make a handle material similar to Micarta.

80CrV2 is a tough as nails workhorse of a steel that excels at edge retention.

The ambidextrous sheath is a superb design if you commonly change your mode of carry from right to left-hand side. CONS: The handle, although ergonomic, can feel a bit too short at times.

Tracker Dan Bloodshark Edge and Half

Tracker Dans designs have become the hottest tactical fixed blades on the custom knife scene. Dan is a SEAL, Kali instructor, and survival instructor who once trained with the legendary Tom Brown. The Bloodshark is his design for an ideal tactical EDC fixed blade that can be carried in the front pocket for quick access. The Bloodshark Edge and Half is a slight variation on this idea with a partially sharpened top edge.

The handle is gutted 550 paracord wrapped in a Japanese style over hemp and then resin-coated for a non-slip grip and durability. It has a real Japanese look to it.

The Kydex sheath is designed to ride in the pocket and features a deep carry clip designed by Dan.

PROS: Classic design reminiscent of a Scottish Sgian-dubh or Viking-style dirk

Shaving sharp with a Magnacut blade, this one is a real-world performer for self-defense and basic survival.

The sheath setup is ingenious for discrete pocket carry. Dan pioneered this trend. CONS: There may be a few jurisdictions which frown on carrying a concealed fixed blade, know your laws.

These knives can be hard to come by, and aftermarket prices can be four to five times what the maker charges at a table.

SH9 Knives Stinger

Shane Hiatt is a Navy SEAL veteran and founder of SH9 Knives. After serving on both coasts and as an instructor for the Naval Special Warfare Center, Hiatt started making knives a decade ago as a hobby but turned it into a full-time business.

The Stinger is a classic everyday carry piece for the street or for the field. Slightly smaller than his standard forged drop point, the Stinger is easier to carry concealed either on the belt or around the neck. Despite its compact size, this blade is a performer.

Hand-forged of 1095 carbon steel, the Stinger boasts a sharp edge and has excellent edge retention.

PROS: Shanes custom blades excel regarding ergonomics.

Its 1095 blade is tough, razor sharp, and has an easily maintainable edge.

The sheath provides plenty of options for mounting and carry. CONS: A high carbon stainless steel can rust if not maintained. Cerakote is an option, but ensure you take care of your steel as you would a blued firearm.

The sheath started out a little too tight, but gradually wore in.

Weimy Cutlery FS1

Brendan Weimy Weimholt is a custom bladesmith based in Texas who proudly served as a U.S. Navy SEAL. His knives are hand-forged using Hitachi White carbon steel core laminated with SUS410 stainless for a very artistic and decorative look while still being fully functional.

Although hes famous for his outstanding kitchen knives, Weimy carried this same technique over to his outdoor and tactical models such as the FS1.

While it may have the look of an artistic bespoke blade, this is a full-on worker for EDC tasks.

PROS: This blade is forged from Hitachi White carbon steel core laminated with SUS410 stainless. This alloy that Weimy selected has been nothing short of impressive on all fronts.

Each forged blade has a unique look. No two will ever be completely alike.

Extremely sharp with a well-honed edge CONS: The blade is an alloy of carbon steel; you need to maintain it as you would a blued firearm and oil after use.

As with any custom knife in high demand, knives can be hard to come by at times.

Spartan Blades Phrike

This model was designed by two retired Green Berets and made by their company: Spartan Blades. The Phrike is named for the Greek goddess of fear and horror. The end result is a slender fixed blade knife capable of daily tasks and a formidable defensive blade.

This is a solid and graceful fighting knife intended for covert carry inside the waistband. The G10 scales are not fitted all the way to the tang, making it very easy to handle but probably a bit less grippy for most folks.

PROS: Super light at 4.2 ounces. This is a fast-handling knife despite its size.

Magnacut steel really makes this knife special if you carry it close to the body, in the rain or in a maritime environment as it is a very rust resistant steel.

The sheath allows for covert IWB carry. CONS: The scales dont go all the way to the edge of the handle, which might make it less grippy for those with 7XL-size hands. Scales fitted all the way to the edge should be a future option.

Half Face Blades Crow Scout

Half Face Blades is a custom knife-making company founded by former Navy SEAL and Hollywood actor, Andy Arrabito. He makes handcrafted blades with strong visual appeal intended for hard use.

Although they are handmade knives with artistic flair (buffalo horn, Koa wood, and other exotic materials are commonly found on these pieces as well as the G10 found on this model), many of Arrabitos knives have found their way downrange on various war fronts.

The Crow Scout is one of his more well-known designs and is a tough everyday working knife. Its equally capable skinning a deer, opening boxes, making kindling, or as a self-defense piece.

PROS: The aesthetics are phenomenal on this model  it almost looks too good to put to use

S45 VN steel is a great one regarding toughness, corrosion resistance and edge retention, and the model can be had in a variety of other steels, including Damascus.

Although this one features a custom leather sheath, the Kydex offerings are top notch in design. CONS: These knives are in high demand and can be hard to come by if you miss a drop or higher priced on the secondary market.

S45-VN can be difficult to sharpen for a novice sharpener.

FOBOS Alaris

Eric Hansen is a retired Green Beret Medic and CIF (Commanders In-Extremis Force) veteran who deployed to Afghanistan numerous times. As a civilian, he founded FOBOS Knives. FOBOS, For Operators By Operators, is a veteran owned, service-related disabled business  and all the knives are designed with Hansens unique special operations approach, particularly regarding his sheaths.

Most sheaths seem like an afterthought, but a common theme through FOBOS (and to be fair, the other fixed blades in this guide) is how robust and practical they are. The Alaris is a deep belly fixed blade knife made from high-quality CPM-3V steel and features a utilitarian drop point that makes it an amazing choice if youre venturing off the grid for a while.

You can tell that a lot of thought went into this design. It chops, slices, and dices with all the authority of a camp knife and is still portable enough to carry as an EDC blade.

PROS: CPM-3V steel is as tough as a tool steel and offers great edge retention and wear resistance.

Ergonomically, it fits the hand well in both the forward and reverse grip.

This is an excellent off-the-grid or camp knife, as it can accomplish a number of tasks with relative ease. CONS: Hansens knives are in high demand, and it can be a bit of a struggle to find one of the Alaris variants to your exact specs, as there are multiple variations out there.

This one could have come a bit sharper. It took a bit more time than usual with a diamond stone to get it to where it needed to be.
Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

The Guiyang-Hanoi route will be operated with a frequency of three round-trip flights per week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, using Airbus A320 aircraft. Previously, the journey from Hanoi to Guiyang took about 12 hours by road, but with the new direct flight, it now takes only about two hours.

Established in 2015, Colorful Guizhou Airlines is a Chinese airline headquartered in Guiyang, Guizhou. The airline owns 20 aircraft, including the Embraer E190 and Airbus A320 models.

With Hanoi chosen as its first international destination, the new direct flights between Guizhou and Hanoi will make it easier for tourists from Guizhou to visit the capital city of Hanoi and nearby northern provinces. Additionally, it offers more options for Hanoi residents planning short-term tours.

In just two hours of flight time, travellers can visit the largest Miao ethnic village in China and the world; explore Jiaxiu Tower, an iconic more-than-400-year-old structure situated on a small island on Nanming River; and admire the Huangguoshu Waterfall, considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in China.

Temporary trading centre opens for Vietnamese traders in Warsaw after fire

Temporary shopping centre Marywilska 44 in Warsaw has officially opened just over three months after a fire that destroyed more than 1,400 stalls, most of which were run by Vietnamese traders, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, President of Marywilska 44 Magorzata Konarska emphasised that it is an important day for all traders who suffered damage caused by the fire on May 12.

Customers visit the temporary shopping centre Marywilska 44 in Warsaw. (Photo: VNA)

She affirmed that she will closely coordinate with relevant agencies and local authorities to reconstruct the Marywilska Trade Centre as soon as possible.

On this occasion, Vietnamese Ambassador to Poland Ha Hoang Hai expressed gratitude to the centres management board and local authorities for their support in helping Vietnamese traders at the shopping mall overcome the fire's consequences.

Vietnamese traders own more than 50% of the stalls in the centre.

Vietnam participates in ASEAN film festival in Prague

ASEAN plus film festival kicked off in the Czech Republic on September 2 with the screening of films from nine countries, including ASEAN member states, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, Radio the Voice of Vietnam said.

Present at the event were representatives of the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, as well as foreign embassies in the Czech Republic and hundreds of movie lovers.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Nguyen Dieu Linh, minister-counsellor at the Embassy of Vietnam in the Czech Republic expressed her joy that this marks the third year the ASEAN plus film festival has been held, drawing plenty of attention from international friends.

Delegates pose for a group photo at the opening ceremony of ASEAN plus film festival in the Czech Republic on September 2. (Photo: VOV)

Vietnam has brought two films to the event, namely Nu cuoi Viet Nam (Vietnamese smile) that introduces beautiful footage of the countrys people and landscape to the world, and Em va Trinh (Trinh and his muse), which was inspired by the life of the late songwriter Trinh Cong Son and won many domestic and international awards.

The film festival is scheduled to last through to September 9. Audiences will have the chance to enjoy cinematic works featuring diverse themes from Asian countries, including Vietnam.

This is one of the important diplomatic and cultural events being held this year to introduce images of the beauty, cultural diversity, and customs of Asian countries to international friends.

Localities attract large numbers of holidaymakers during National Day break

Localities across the country witnessed significant increases in the number of holidaymakers during the recent four-day National Day break from August 31 to September 3, Radio the Voice of Vietnam reported.

On September 3, Hanois Department of Tourism announced that the capital received 672,900 tourists during the four-day holiday period, rising by 5% year on year and generating more than VND2 trillion in revenue, up 8.3%.

Tourists visit Hoa Lo Prison Historical Relic in Hanoi (Photo: VOV)

Of the total, 58,900 were foreign visitors, up 35.8% from the same period last year. Most of them came from India, the Republic of Korea, China, and Japan.

Meanwhile, the number of domestic visitors to Hanoi reached 614,000, up 3.6% year on year.

The countrys second-longest public holiday of the year has helped to boost tourism development in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai, which in turn attracted around 196,500 arrivals on this occasion, earning VND606 billion in revenue.

In particular, the resort town of Sa Pa, which plays host to the Sa Pa Autumn Festival as part of National Day celebrations, welcomed 122,770 arrivals, marking an increase of 33.2%.

Meanwhile, the number of visitors to the central province of Thanh Hoa stood at 395,700 in the reviewed period, up 20.4% from 2023.

Its tourism revenue reached VND870.5 billion, rising by 31.3% against the same period from last year.

Tourists visit Ninh Binh province (Photo: baoninhbinh.org.vn)

Ho Chi Minh City, the most populous locality in Vietnam, welcomed 980,000 visitors during this year's National Day holiday, representing an increase of 2% compared to the same period last year.

Tourism services brought back nearly VND3 trillion in revenue to the citys coffers, up 1.7% year on year.

Furthermore, the southcentral coastal province of Khanh Hoas Department of Tourism estimated that more than 175,200 tourists arrived in the locality during the four-day holiday, up 14.6%. Revenue from tourism services stood at VND756.3 billion, showing an increase of 14.2%./.
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September 4, 2024 EDCOM 2: DepEd to address teacher mismatch, quizzed on low utilization rate in House budget hearing Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara indicated the department's plan to modify its hiring form to indicate the subject which prospective teachers will be assigned to. This is after a Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) report that 62% of teachers are handling subjects that they did not major in college. During the House Committee on Appropriations hearing on the DepEd budget on August 2, EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Rep. Roman Romulo prodded that the subject-teacher mismatch is partly because of the form used by the Department for hiring. "When you hire, ang posting po ninyo ay 'Teacher 1'. Hindi niyo sinasabi kung ano 'yung subject. And that is why a History major in college applies for that, pagdating nila, bigla na lang ang ipapaturo niyo ay Filipino", Romulo remarked. "Babaguhin po namin 'yun", Sec. Angara said. "Babaguhin niyo yung form? So that every teacher who applies will know kung ano ba yung subject na ituturo niya. That is correct", Rep. Romulo agreed. EDCOM 2 findings presented in an August 29 hearing of the House Basic Education Committee found that 98% of teachers teaching Physical Sciences, or Physics, did not have a background in the field. Likewise, 51% of Science teachers did not match the specialization they studied during college. The EDCOM 2 findings also follow a World Bank finding in 2016 that highlighted the low content knowledge of high school teachers. When tested in English and Math Grade 10 teachers scored below 50% in both domains, and below 30% in Filipino and Science. EDCOM 2 Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee highlighted the need to have a mechanism to align specializations needed in public schools to those offered in colleges and universities, which is the domain of the Commission on Higher Education. Inefficiency, low utilization rate quizzed DepEd faced intense scrutiny during its 2025 budget hearing in the House of Representatives during the budget hearing, as it was revealed that nearly ?9 billion worth of laptops and e-learning equipment intended for 2023 remained undelivered. The delays in delivering essential ICT resources were seen by Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro as a factor contributing to the Philippines' low PISA scores, which are administered as computer-based tests. During the hearing, DepEd ICT Director Ferdinand Pitagan revealed that the current student-to-computer ratio is an alarming 1:9, while the teacher-to-computer ratio is even worse at 1:30. These were further highlighted in the 2023 COA report, which revealed a budget utilization rate of just 50.07% for the DepEd Computerization Program (DCP), with no significant accomplishments reported for the year. In addition to the ICT challenges, DepEd also had significant setbacks in its classroom construction and infrastructure projects for 2023. According to the Commission on Audit (COA), DepEd only completed 192 classrooms out of the target 6,379 rooms for the year. The DepEd's efforts to repair and rehabilitate classrooms fell significantly short. Out of the 7,550 classrooms slated for repair, only 208 were completed. The remaining classrooms are either still under repair (2,135) or pending procurement (5,207). The total cost associated with these unmet targets under the Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF) is estimated at 816 million. House Committee on Appropriations Senior Vice Chairperson Rep. Stella Quimbo also expressed frustration over the slow utilization of regular DepEd funds under Duterte's tenure, contrasting it with the swift disbursement of confidential funds. Quimbo pointed out that, according to the 2023 COA report, 37.7 billion in funds were delayed or not implemented across various programs. "This is a big crisis; we cannot waste funds, we cannot waste time. It's saddening that when it comes to the COA report, one of the biggest findings in 2023 was low utilization, meaning slow use of funds, leading to wasted funds and wasted time," Quimbo remarked.

Photo courtesy: House of Representatives (www.congress.gov.ph)
A passenger of flight CZ5091, which is bound for Yerevan of Armenia, checks in at the counter of China Southern Airlines at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 3, 2024. A direct air route connecting Urumqi, the capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, was inaugurated on Tuesday. This marks China's first direct flight to Armenia, a country increasingly recognized as a popular travel destination. The service, operated by China Southern Airlines, runs every Tuesday and Saturday, with a flight duration of around five hours. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaocheng)

URUMQI, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- A direct air route connecting Urumqi, the capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, was inaugurated on Tuesday. This marks China's first direct flight to Armenia, a country increasingly recognized as a popular travel destination.

The service, operated by China Southern Airlines, runs every Tuesday and Saturday, with a flight duration of around five hours.

Armenia has introduced a visa-free policy for Chinese citizens, drawing many Chinese tourists on the inaugural day of the new route. Chinese traveler Chen Xi said "The timing is perfect -- leaving from Urumqi, we arrived in Yerevan just in time for dinner. The flight schedule is convenient for family trips."

With the route now open, China has full air connectivity with the three countries in the Caucasus region: Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, enhancing opportunities for tourism, cultural exchange, and trade cooperation, according to the airline.

Flight CZ5091 of China Southern Airlines, which is bound for Yerevan of Armenia, is pictured at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 3, 2024. A direct air route connecting Urumqi, the capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, was inaugurated on Tuesday. This marks China's first direct flight to Armenia, a country increasingly recognized as a popular travel destination.

The service, operated by China Southern Airlines, runs every Tuesday and Saturday, with a flight duration of around five hours. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

Passengers board flight CZ5091 of China Southern Airlines, which is bound for Yerevan of Armenia, at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 3, 2024. A direct air route connecting Urumqi, the capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, was inaugurated on Tuesday. This marks China's first direct flight to Armenia, a country increasingly recognized as a popular travel destination.

The service, operated by China Southern Airlines, runs every Tuesday and Saturday, with a flight duration of around five hours. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
Markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is stepping up efforts to ease the onboarding of foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) and has constituted a cell for consultations with offshore investors and custodians, said whole-time member Ananth Narayan.

Sebi is also working to make regulations more light-touch for FPIs that invest exclusively in government securities or are sovereign funds.

The regulator is trying to make the registration process easier for such FPIs, the Sebi official said at the CII Financing 3.0 Summit in Mumbai.

These initiatives come at a time when Indian bonds are being included in global indices, helping draw new investors.

We trust them because they are regulated, and we know what they are doing.

"For these kinds of FPIs where we believe we don't require much information, we are looking at ways to make life easier for people who have transparent funds.

"For example, using an FPI licence, is it possible to do many other things besides just investing in some listed space?

"Can we review the KYC periodicity and make life a lot more relaxed in terms of having to make disclosures, said Narayan.

Further, if an existing FPI investment manager is setting up a new FPI, they might not need to go through the entire application process again.

Sebi is also developing a tracker for FPIs to monitor the status of their applications or the stage where it is stuck.

Narayan said Sebi had formed an FPI Cell to conduct outreach programmes on regulatory matters.

This cell also works as a one-stop solution for FPIs facing issues with registration or other processes.

So far, the cell has reached out to more than 500 FPIs and consulted with 17 custodians.

One of the feedbacks we keep getting are signatures, and a lot of papers going across the globe.

"For such FPIs where there is trust, is there a way we can do away with wet signatures and papers flowing up and down by using things like Swift in a manner which is still compliant with local legal requirements.

"There are a whole bunch of things we are trying to do, said Narayan.

Sebi has formed an industry standards forum with the help of designated depository participants and custodians to consult on and implement regulatory principles and set standards of dos and donts.

Narayan said FPIs would be able to access funds on the day of settlement (T+1) starting from September 9.

He said the process remained smooth till now and that the ecosystem had not seen any problems in settlement.

On concerns of an increase in charges from custodians, Narayan said: The less we have of hidden charges, more transparent charges, it would be good for everybody.

"Would there be an increase in custodian charges because of this change? Sure.

"So far like in brokerage, custodian charges have been close to zero, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

"Convert what is considered implicit opaque charge into transparent charge.

Narayan said the regulator plans to include offshore derivative instruments (P-Notes) and FPIs with segregated portfolios under the mandate of granular disclosures on economic interest and beneficial ownership.

The regulator had floated a consultation paper on this topic on August 6.

There have been over 3,300 feedback received on the proposals, the official said.
'We put the seed of BJP's ideology in Jammu, watered it, nurtured it for four decades and when it was time to reap the fruits of those efforts, the fruits are being sold out to the very same people who worked hard to uproot this tree.'

'Shockingly, our own people are letting this happen and nobody from Delhi bothers to even listen to us.'

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi being greeted by the Bharatiya Janata Party's Jammu and Kashmir President Ravinder Raina in Udhampur, ahead of the Lok Sabha election, April 12, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

With the Election Commission of India scheduling the election to the legislative assembly of Jammu and Kashmir, battle lines are being drawn by the Bharatiya Janata Party, the National Conference headed by former chief minister Omar Abdullah, the People's Democratic Party headed by former CM Mehbooba Mufti and the Congress.

Even as major political players have begun announcing their candidates, the BJP in Jammu seem to be heading for trouble with its president for Samba district, Karishma Singh tendering his resignation.

The BJP is also facing a revolt in Jammu as well as in Kashmir where it had to hurriedly withdraw and re-release its first list of candidates over charges of favouritism and dynastic politics.

"What people like us, who sacrificed their entire lives and the well-being of their families just so that the BJP could emerge stronger, get back is domination and humiliation from outsiders encouraged by none other than our top state leaders," Kashmira Singh -- a two-time president of the BJP in Samba district -- tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com.

Why did you quit the BJP after being part of it for 42 years?

The BJP in Jammu & Kashmir today has betrayed and abandoned the ideology and legacy of our beloved leader Syama Prasad Mookerjee. He died for the abrogation of Article 370 and today the leaders who opposed Mookerjiji are getting all the important positions in the Jammu BJP.

I can't betray the ideology that I have grown up with, that I have believed in all my life. Looking at this betrayal my conscience didn't permit me to be a part of BJP.

Why are you saying that the BJP has betrayed the ideology of Syama Prasad Mookerjee when it was the BJP under Prime Minister Narendra D Modi which abrogated Article 370 from the former state?

It was to fulfill the same dream that not just me but lakhs and lakhs of BJP workers in Jammu and Kashmir fought for. I am happy that the BJP helped us fulfill our dreams.

Today, the people who believed in the ideology of Sheikh Abdullah (National Conference founder), against who I have fought many pitched battles for 42 years, are dictating the terms to common workers like me and want to usurp the BJP in Jammu.

People like Surjeet Singh Slathia (former minister in the NC-Congress government and now the BJP's Samba candidate) and Devender Singh Rana (a former aide of former chief minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh's brother) have become the darlings of BJP.

These people have absolutely taken over the control of BJP here. We fought against these very people when they were ministers in the NC government and we were in the Opposition.

Today, what people like us, who sacrificed their entire lives and the well-being of their families just so that the BJP could emerge stronger, get back is domination and humiliation from outsiders encouraged by none other than our top state leaders.

We took the risk on our lives for the abrogation of Article 370. How will an ordinary worker of the BJP feel when he sees that people who supported Article 370 are today controlling who gets the ticket to contest the forthcoming elections in Jammu & Kashmir?

The way the BJP has encouraged these supporters of Article 370 into the party has disillusioned thousands of BJP leaders in Jammu.

The grassroot BJP worker at the booth level, at the division level and at the district level is unhappy with the way the party is functioning today. Those who have for generations, since their births, struggled to deepen the BJP's ideology in Jammu's soil are being sidelined and ignored.

We put the seed of the BJP's ideology in Jammu, watered it, nurtured it for four decades and when it was time to reap the fruits of those efforts, the fruits were sold out to the very same people who worked equally hard to uproot this tree.

Shockingly, our own people are letting this happen and nobody from Delhi bothers to even listen to us.

Do you have any proof to say that Devender Singh Rana supported Article 370?

We have audio tapes of some of these leaders warning people that if Article 370 (a Constitutional provision that gave a special status to the former state of J&K) and 35A (a constitutional provision that prohibited purchase of land within J&K by those who were not permanent residents of the state) were scrapped from Jammu & Kashmir it will lead to massacre of Dogras in the Valley.

How can we tolerate if leaders like these are not only given an entry into the party but also allowed to dictate term to us?

What impact will this disillusionment among BJP workers have on the BJP's prospects during the elections in J&K?

The BJP will receive a massive shock in J&K.

The feedback that I am getting from people belonging to three assembly seats in Samba district, whose president I was, gives me a feeling that BJP contestants from these seats will not even emerge at the second position.

The Samba assembly seat, which is considered the strongest bastion of the BJP in Jammu, from where the BJP has never lost an election, will for the first time see the BJP lose the seat and that too with a massive margin.

While the BJP is present nowhere in the Valley, they couldn't even find one candidate to contest the Lok Sabha election from there, it is not just the Valley but from the entire union territory of Jammu & Kashmir the BJP will not win even ten seats.

It will be a huge feat in itself if BJP wins more than ten seats from J&K.

Did you try to bring get the attention of national BJP leaders from Delhi?

I made all the efforts, but it is extremely difficult to reach out to Naddaji (BJP national President Jagat Prakash Nadda). I have written many letters to him but I am not sure what happened to them.

I am sure the (central leadership of the) party knows how angry and disillusioned BJP workers in Jammu are. I have, in detail, written to Naddaji about the anger of the workers here. I have myself sent my resignation to Naddaji.

Has your resignation been accepted by J P Nadda?

They have still not accepted it. I have been pleading with them to accept my resignation immediately. They are still making an attempt to reach out to me.

I received a call from the BJP's general secretary and Jammu in-charge Tarun Chugh but I disconnected the call. He was in Jammu but I did not meet him.

If I have resigned, I have resigned.

Were you expecting to contest as the BJP's candidate from Samba assembly seat?

I was absolutely confident of getting the ticket. Not just me, but the people from Samba district had pinned their hopes on my candidature. No other person in the BJP has been with the party for as many years as I have been in Samba.

I have worked as BJP' booth president, divisional president, state convener of J&K's Panchayati Raj cell twice, president of the district youth morcha, vice president of the yuva morcha in Jammu, then I was also a national council member for five years in Delhi and then after my stint as BJP district president in Samba in 2012, they once again made me district president in 2023.

I left no stone unturned to deepen the party's ideology in Jammu. When I was Samba president in 2012, the BJP won both the assembly seats in the district with a huge margin in the 2014 assembly elections.

Who do you hold responsible for people like you quitting the BJP in Jammu?

The incumbent BJP leadership in Jammu is solely responsible for what is happening today in the Jammu BJP and the same lot should be held accountable for the BJP's forthcoming rout in Jammu.

Ravinder Raina, the BJP's Jammu & Kashmir president will be responsible for the BJP's defeat in J&K. He is incapable of leading the BJP here.

There is a cabal of four-five people, including Ravinder Raina, who are responsible for allocating assembly seats to their own family people and indulging in favouritism. They have decided to finish the BJP off in J&K.
'The struggle of insurgents and pro-independence political activists is fuelled by a deep conviction that not only is a free Balochistan possible, but they also believe that Pakistan will inevitably break apart, leading to Balochistan's independence.'

IMAGE: Members of a bomb disposal squad examine the site of a blast in Khanozai, Balochistan, February 7, 2024. Photograph: Naseer Ahmed/Reuters

"If you examine Baloch nationalist messaging, it often seems like a plea to Americans and Indians, portraying their struggle as an effort to drive out a common enemy -- China," points out journalist Malik Siraj Akbar, who fled Balochistan for safety in 201o and lives in exile in the USA.

Akbar is a part of a small group of Baloch in exile, which includes political activists, journalists, and others who had to flee to escape repression by the Pakistani military agencies.

"The nationalists believe they have been effective in this fight and now expect support in the larger battle. However, this is not how the United States or India views China or the Balochistan movement," Malik Siraj Akbar says in a detailed e-mail interview with Rediff.com's Archana Masih.

Part II of a must-read interview on the reasons for the Pakistan-Baloch conflict and why Balochistan is on fire.

Part 1 of the Interview: 'Pakistan Intelligence Have Killed Hundreds Of Baloch'

Why are educated, middle-class radicals so violently angry against the Pakistan State?

The Baloch middle class has been the primary victim of Pakistan's military operations and enforced disappearances.

This situation is straightforward: Education increases awareness of one's history, culture, and rights, leading educated individuals to question Islamabad's policies toward Balochistan.

Islamabad's flawed and arrogant approach has provided young Baloch with ample reasons to feel disillusioned and disappointed with the Pakistani State.

As more young people express dissent and demand political rights and equal treatment, Pakistan feels increasingly threatened and responds with violence to suppress Baloch youth.

This creates a vicious cycle: The more the State employs repressive measures and violence against the Baloch, the more they lose faith in the country's political and legal systems and turn to alternatives, such as insurgent groups, whom they view as capable of delivering swift retribution.

IMAGE: An aircraft circles the Statue of Liberty, carrying the message" 'UN must help end human rights abuses in Balochistan', September 27, 2019. Photograph: ANI Photo

Independence for Balochistan is politically unrealistic, so what do these Baloch insurgents hope to achieve?

The insurgents and pro-independence political activists would strongly disagree with the notion that their goal is unattainable.

Their struggle is fuelled by a deep conviction that not only is a free Balochistan possible, but they also believe that Pakistan will inevitably break apart, leading to Balochistan's independence.

Since it's difficult to argue with those who are armed, we haven't had many opportunities to challenge the Baloch armed groups on their strategy and roadmap to win the freedom of Balochistan.

Many Baloch I speak to naively hope that one day, the United States or India will intervene and help them gain independence. This hope has surged recently due to the increased presence of China in the region.

If you examine Baloch nationalist messaging, it often seems like a plea to Americans and Indians, portraying their struggle as an effort to drive out a common enemy (China).

They believe they have been effective in this fight and now expect support in the larger battle. However, this is not how the United States or India views China or the Balochistan movement.

Another widespread belief among Baloch nationalists is that global political dynamics will eventually shift, leading the US to support a free Balochistan as a means of countering Iran and China.

When confronted with scepticism about their arguments, they often point to the disintegration of the Soviet Union, saying, 'Who could have imagined it would fall apart? But it did.'

While there is ample room to challenge the idea of a free Balochistan, Baloch nationalists insist that such debates are premature and distracting at this point. They prefer to focus on their struggle for independence, leaving discussions about the specifics of governing Balochistan for after they achieve their goal.

IMAGE: Police officers detain a Balochistan Yakjehti Committee supporter as she was arrives for a press conference in Karachi, July 31, 2024, after activists were detained during what they call the Baloch National Gathering in Gwadar. Photograph: Akhtar Soomro/Reuters

Will this be a long war which no one wins and countless Baloch families pay the price with deaths at the hands of State agencies and loved ones going missing?

What could be, in your opinion, the end game in Balochistan? Or is there no end game?

This is the core argument of moderate Baloch nationalist political parties: They remind armed groups that fighting a nuclear-armed State is futile and will only harm the Baloch people, particularly by costing them their youth.

With their small population, the Baloch cannot afford to lose their young people in a senseless conflict. While this discussion has already begun among the Baloch, the lack of confidence-building measures from the Pakistani military and federal government, such as ending enforced disappearances, has weakened the voices of moderates.

I expect this conflict to be prolonged because groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army show no signs of fatigue or victimhood; they claim they are prepared to fight as long as necessary.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani military dismisses reports of 'military operations' in the province as false and exaggerated. The military says a full-scale military operation, like the one against the Pakistani Taliban, has not yet been carried out in Balochistan.

If the Pakistani Army were to formally move into Balochistan to eliminate insurgents, it would likely result in a horrific scenario.

IMAGE: A view of Gwadar port in Gwadar, Pakistan. Photograph: Drazen Jorgic/Reuters

The epicentre, so to speak, of the CPEC is in Balochistan. How much has that contributed to the unrest in the province?

Is the Pakistan army and Islamabad government under Chinese pressure to ensure that Baloch nationalism does not disrupt the CPEC?

Any movement requires a compelling issue to justify its existence and rally its supporters. For Baloch nationalists, the Gwadar port and the presence of the Chinese have provided the perfect cause to unite against what they perceive as a conspiracy by Pakistan and China to displace them and alter the demographic balance in their region.

While the Chinese are not inherently opposed to the Baloch people, they view the CPEC as a political tool aimed at enhancing China's global status rather than merely an economic initiative.

Therefore, China cannot afford for CPEC to fail and feels trapped in a conflict between the Baloch and the Pakistani government that predates its involvement in the region.

The conflict is only getting nastier by the day. And the Chinese are unable to mediate between the two sides.

China wields significant influence over Pakistan, but lacks an understanding of democratic needs. Although Pakistan is not a perfect democracy, applying an authoritarian approach in Gwadar or Balochistan is unfeasible given the politically aware local population, who are resistant to control by the Pakistani security establishment.

Both Pakistan and China must recognise that the Baloch people seek more than just development; they need respect, consultation on local projects, a stake in the development process, and assurances that CPEC is not designed to displace them from their homes.

Over the years, the two governments have failed to convince the Baloch that CPEC will positively impact their lives.

Without peace in Balochistan and genuine local support, CPEC will continue to be seen as a colonising project by Pakistan and China, remaining vulnerable to delays, disruptions, and potential failure.

Part III of the Interview: 'Baloch Are Humiliated As Indian Agents'

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
'While some women allow themselves to be exploited so that they can climb up the ladder, there are many voiceless and silent people who get exploited by men in powerful positions.'

IMAGE: Simmy Rosebell John at a Congress meeting. Photograph: Kind courtesy Simmy Rosebell John/Facebook

The Justice Hema Committee report on exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry has opened a pandora of boxes.

With women working in other fields too coming out with unpleasant truths, it has shaken Kerala society.

The result of the expose is either denial or attack on the woman who made the allegation.

That is what happened to senior Congress leader Simmy Rosebell John.

She has been with the Congress for four decades but when she told the world that women are exploited in politics too, her voice was shut down by expelling her from the party.

"A woman occupying the position of a city mayor once told me that she was asked to vacate the post for a woman who was ready to be exploited," Simmy Rosebell John tells Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier.

Photograph: Kind courtesy Simmy Rosebell John/Facebook

Was the Justice Hema Committee report on the situation of women in the Malayalam film industry the reason behind you saying that a casting couch exists in the Congress party too?

Yes, it is definitely the reason.

When I started my career in politics, the situation was different. The wives of many senior Congress leaders were always there to protect and take care of us.

I was in the Congress district council when K Karunakaran was the leader. The person who took care of our food, accommodation, etc when we had to come to Trivandrum was his wife, Kalyanikutty Amma. Then, there was his daughter Padmaja also.

Oommen Chandy Sir's wife, Ramesh Chennithala's wife etc were very close to women party workers and willing to look after us. So all of us women felt safe in those days.

The politics of yore were not very expensive. On the other hand, if a leader or a party worker has to come for a meeting in Trivandrum these days, she will have to spend at least Rs 7,000 from her hand.

Those who cannot afford this try to get help from the district leaders. That is when they get exploited.

Let me not deny the fact that there are women who use this as an opportunity to climb up the ladder.

Those with self-respect take a back seat, and they will never achieve anything in their political life.

But there are men who try to exploit such women, but these women choose to remain silent as they have a family back home and a reputation to protect.

I know many such women and many have narrated their bad experiences to me. This is the bitter truth.

IMAGE: Simmy Rosebell John, right, with Rajiv Gandhi. Photograph: Kind courtesy Simmy Rosebell John

Did you personally have such bad experience?

My financial background was different as I come from an above middle class family. My father was an engineer. I had a car with a driver to move around.

Thanks to A K Antony sir, I became an LIC agent and was a crorepati agent three times. So, I was never short of cash.

I had three times more than my father's income at a very young age itself.

When you are financially independent, you feel more confident.

That's why I could buy a flight ticket to go to Delhi to meet Soniaji. In fact, she was the person who named my son.

IMAGE: Simmy Rosebell John with Sonia Gandhi. Photograph: Kind courtesy Simmy Rosebell John/X

Your profile picture on WhatsApp is one with Rajiv Gandhi. Do you think there is a lot of difference in the Congress party of those days, and today especially in the attitude of male leaders?

Of course. There is no doubt about that.

What happens today is women are being exploited in the party. While some allow themselves to be exploited so that they can climb up the ladder, there are many voiceless and silent people who get exploited by men in powerful positions.

Those who do not let themselves being exploited or those who resist the advances are sidelined in the party.

They do not get any important posts in the party, they do not get to compete in local body elections.

This is the way the male leaders take revenge on those who disapprove of their exploitation.

If those women who are already occupying some top position avoid being exploited by these leaders, they do not get the same position again next time.

In fact, a woman occupying the position of a city mayor once told me that she was asked to vacate the post for the woman who was ready to be exploited.

She also confided in me that some MPs misbehaved with her.

The fact is most of these women are not ready to come out and talk about their bad experiences. In fact, this person told me that her husband was against her naming the MPs.

If this is the experience of a woman occupying the position as a mayor, what will it be for other women?

IMAGE: Simmy Rosebell John with Rajiv Gandhi and K Karunakaran. Photograph: Kind courtesy Simmy Rosebell John/Facebook

The party took the decision to expel you...

The tragedy is that there are some women leaders who complained about me that I was tarnishing the image of women. These are the women who willingly get exploited to go up.

Otherwise, how do you explain the rapid growth of some individuals who have just joined the party but got very high positions?

But we are not supposed to question such arbitrary decisions.

The Kerala Congress is totally a male dominated party. Women have no voice in this party; men take all decisions and women are expected to obey them like puppets.

They did not give a damn about my 38 years of political career. They just threw me out.

Do you think this is confined to Kerala alone, or does this exist all over India?

No doubt about it, it is there everywhere.

IMAGE: Simmy Rosebell John with Rahul Gandhi. Photograph: Kind courtesy Simmy Rosebell John/Facebook

In other parties too?

I am sure exploitation of women is there in all political parties, and all over India.

Did the expulsion come as a shock to you?

As I have been sidelined, I decided to speak the truth. There is no point remaining silent in such a situation.

Did you think a lot before deciding to speak?

Actually, I didn't think much about it. I feel God made me talk.

After the Justice Hema Committee report was made public, I thought if at least one woman did not react to what was happening in Kerala politics, I would be doing injustice to my long political career and also other women.

When I very well knew the reality, as many women had narrated their experiences to me, I thought it was my duty to tell the truth.

Those women chose not to say that a particular male leader tried to sexually molest them as they had to think of their families.

IMAGE: Simmy Rosebell John receives an award. Photograph: Kind courtesy Simmy Rosebell John/Facebook

Now that what you said is being discussed all over India, did you get any response from the party's central leadership?

Nothing. When a television channel tried to get a response from (Congress Secretary-Organisation) K C Venugopal, he refused to roll down his car window.

The BJP asked why you didn't speak about this to Priyanka Gandhi, a woman...

For that, Priyanka Gandhi should give me an appointment...

Like the Justice Hema committee report on Malayalam cinema, there should be a report on what happens in politics too.

I want a change in the party, I want women to be treated respectfully. I want opportunities for women to grow in the party.

What should I do now when the party I had dedicated my life to for almost 40 years, threw me out?

My friends ask me why I should hang on when the party doesn't want me. I haven't decided what I should do next.

The only message I want to give is that change has to come in politics too.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
The government is committed for all-round development of the northeastern region, especially tribals, while preserving their culture, language and identity, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday.

IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah greets representatives of National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) as Chief Minister Manik Saha looks on during the signing of the Memorandum of Settlement in New Delhi. Photograph: @AmitShah/X

He also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not only bridged the gap between the Northeast and Delhi by connecting them through roads, railways and flights, but has also bridged the gap between hearts.

Shah was addressing an event where a peace agreement was signed between the central and Tripura governments and two insurgent groups of the state in New Delhi at North block aiming to end violence and bring peace in the northeastern state.

Shah said a new milestone is set today in Tripura's ongoing journey towards peace and progress with the signing of the agreement.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the state government were also present during the signing of the Memorandum of Settlement with the representatives of National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF).

The NLFT and the ATTF have agreed to end a 35-year-long conflict and return to the mainstream, renouncing violence and committing to building a prosperous and developed Tripura, reposing their trust in the Modi government, Shah said.

"The Modi government is committed for the overall development of the Northeast, especially the tribal groups, through development while preserving their culture, language and identity," he said.

Shah said the government has given highest priority to peace and development in the northeastern region.

"All peace agreements signed in the Northeast has been implemented by the government," he said.

The home minister said the central government has been working tirelessly to fulfil Modi's vision of a developed Northeast, free from extremism, violence and conflict.

He said under Modi's leadership, the government has signed 12 important agreements to bring peace and prosperity in the Northeast, of which, three relate to Tripura.

Around 10,000 people have given up arms and joined the mainstream due to these agreements, he said.

Shah said over 328 insurgents will give up arms and join the mainstream and Rs 250 crore has been approved for development of area of operation of the two insurgent groups, particularly pockets dominated by the tribals.

"The signing of this agreement is a major milestone in fulfilling the resolve taken by the Modi government to develop the entire Northeast by combining the 'Ashtalakshmi' concept and 'Purvodaya'," he said.

He said wherever a peace agreement is signed, the Modi government is working to develop those areas and remove the reasons for taking up arms.

"In the Modi government, agreement is not just a piece of paper but a feeling of the heart and we have demonstrated this on the ground," Shah said adding, the NLFT and ATTF agreement will be implemented in letter and spirit, fulfilling all the expectations.
A section of villagers of Senjam Chirang in Manipur have been forced to abandon their homes and seek refuge in a nearby community hall after bombs dropped from a drone injured three members of a local resident's family two days ago.

IMAGE: Residents gather during Manipur Director General of Police Rajiv Singh's visit to the violence-affected areas of Kadangband and Koutruk. Photograph: ANI Photo

The first bomb smashed through the roof of a 65-year-old farmer's house, injuring his daughter. Minutes later, another bomb fell from the sky and injured him and his son.

Watham Gambhir said the explosive that broke the roof of his house was the second of the three bombs that were dropped from a drone on Monday evening in his house. The first one damaged his cowshed, which was empty, and the third explosive injured him and his son who took shelter under a tree after fleeing home in Imphal West district.

Drones are a new technology added recently to the weapons used in the violence between the two large ethnic groups -- Meitei and Kuki -- in the northeastern state, which left over 200 people dead since May last year.

The use of the remote-controlled small flying device as a weapon is first noticed in Manipur on Sunday in Koutruk village in Imphal West district. In the attack in which guns were also used, two persons were killed and nine others were injured. Drones were employed again in Senjam Chirang, around three km away, the next day.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh has described the dropping of bombs on the civilian population and security forces using drones as an act of terrorism.

The state government has imposed restrictions on the import of drones or their components.

"We became concerned when we heard the buzzing sound of drones on Sunday. We also heard that bombs were dropped at Koutruk. Our village became the target the next day," said Gambhir.

The elderly farmer told PTI that he initially thought the buzz was coming from random drones checking residential localities as Senjam Chirang has witnessed several gunfights before.

"However, within seconds, we heard a loud explosion. I along with my son rushed outside in the courtyard and saw smoke billowing from the cow shed. The second bomb broke the CI roof of our bedroom where my daughter was and she was injured," he said.

"We ran towards a tree, some 50 metres from the courtyard, to take cover but the drone followed us there and dropped an explosive. We started running again but we were thrown forward under the impact of the blast and were injured after hitting the ground," Gambhir said.

Naoba Singh, a villager volunteer, suspected that hi-tech drones that can be used at night were brought from outside the country.

Both Meiteis and Kukis formed armed volunteer groups to protect their villages from attack by the other community.

Singh said, "If sophisticated weapons can be sourced (from outside the country), why can't sophisticated drones that can be used in the dark be procured by those operating it?"

The three persons injured in the bombings in Senjam Chirang were undergoing treatment in a private hospital in Imphal.

"We are scared now and not staying at home even during the daytime. Around 10 families have taken refuge in a nearby community hall," said another villager W Inao.

A government official said that earlier, the trend was to purchase drones from outside the state but those were used for recreation.

"With the outbreak of the violence, drones have been used by the two warring groups for surveillance and tracking movement of people," he said.

Asked whether the drones engaged in dropping bombs were purchased from outside the country, a central force official told PTI that only an expert can confirm that.

"Without technical know-how or instruction from outside the state, a local militant cannot make improvised drones which can carry heavy payloads," he said.
The Pakistan government has issued an order barring all government employees from using social media without permission to stop disclosure of official information and documents, The News International reported.

IMAGE: Workers in an office in Karachi, on August 22, 2024. Image used only for representation. Photograph: Akhtar Soomro/Reuters

According to an office memorandum issued by the Establishment Division, government employees have been asked to adhere to the instruction under the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964.

As per the order, the government employees will not be allowed to use any social media platform without permission, The News International reported.

The memorandum stated, 'Government employees cannot express opinions or facts that affect the reputation of the government', adding that employees are not permitted to speak against government policy, decisions, national sovereignty and dignity.

It further stated that public servants cannot share their opinions or rhetoric on social media platforms without permission.

Strict action would be taken against government employees for violating the directives issued in the order, according to The News International report.

According to the memorandum, a government employee cannot share official documents and information with unrelated persons. It stated that employees cannot speak to the media in a way that impacts Pakistan's ties with other nations.

The memorandum stated, 'Civil servants have often been seen debating on social media. The guidelines are not intended to ban the positive use of social media.'

According to the memorandum, institutions have been asked to monitor their social media platforms to remove objectionable content.

The memorandum stated, 'Government servants of all services and groups are bound to follow the instructions. Violation may lead to misconduct proceedings against the employees concerned', according to the report.

It asked federal secretaries, additional secretaries, heads of departments, and chief secretaries to execute the memorandum.
The two-day-old strike by Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees was called off on late Wednesday evening following government's assurance of a salary hike, union leaders said, providing a relief to passengers planning travel during the ensuing Ganesh festival.

Photograph: Sahil Salvi for Rediff.com IMAGE: A view of MSRTC bus depot in Mumbai's Kural area.

An action committee of trade unions representing employees of the state-run corporation announced an end to the strike after a meeting with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who agreed to give a Rs 6,500 per month hike in basic salary to MSRTC staffers, fulfilling their main demand.

The hike will come into effect retrospectively from April 2020, said a release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

"We are calling off our agitation as the chief minister has assured a salary hike to MSRTC employees," Sandeep Shinde, a leader of the Maharashtra ST Kamgar Sanghtana, told PTI, after the meeting with Shinde.

Shirang Barge, another union leader, said at the meeting, which took place at Sahyadri Guest House in south Mumbai, the chief minister, who is also MSRTC chairman, agreed to a Rs 6,500 salary hike for employees.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, state Industries Minister Uday Samant said employee unions were demanding a Rs 7,000 hike in basic salary.

Besides, the government has acceded to trade unions' other demands like providing clean toilets for women employees and concretisation of bus depots, Samant informed.

A large number of employees of MSRTC, which has a nearly 90,000-strong workforce, went on a strike post-Monday midnight in support of their various demands, including a salary hike and parity with state government staffers.

The end of the strike has come as a big relief for people planning to travel to their native places from cities during the 10-day Ganesh festival beginning on September 7.

Even as the employees called off the strike, the state-owned transport corporation faces the uphill challenge of arranging more than 3,600 special Ganapati special buses, which are scheduled to depart on Thursday, MSRTC officials said.

As per MSRTC officials, more than 1,000 Ganapati special buses were scheduled to depart for the coastal Konakn from Mumbai, Thane and Palghar divisions on September 4.

Somehow they managed to arrange those many numbers of buses, but the number of buses booked for September 5 was 3,618, they said.

An official said passengers might have to face some delays, but they will manage to provide all booked buses now that the strike has been called off.

Another official said the task could have been easy for them if the breakthrough meeting between the Chief Minister and union leaders had taken place in the afternoon. As the decision came late night, the arrival of buses in Mumbai and other places will get delayed.

Madhav Kusekar, vice-chairman and managing director, MSRTC, told PTI that they will strive to provide all booked Ganapati special buses on Thursday.

"We (MSRTC) provide them last mile connectively. Otherwise, they have to shell out hefty amount for taxis and autorickshaws reaching their villages away from railway stations," a senior official said.

The action committee of 11 trade unions in MSRTC welcomed the chief minister's decision on pay hike.

As per the CMO release, at the beginning of the meeting, Shinde expressed displeasure over MSRTC employee unions going on strike during the festive season despite the state government being positive about their demands.

At the meeting, the Chief Minister directed officials to make a blueprint for improving MSRTC employees rest houses and appealed to employees to try to increase the revenue of the state-owned corporation, the release said.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and state minister Uday Samant were present at the meeting besides trade union leaders and officials of the state government and MSRTC.
This is the first known instance of drones being used to drop bombs on civilians by insurgents in India.

On September 3, 2024, two people were killed and scores injured after terrorists launched a bomb attack using a drone in Manipur's Imphal West district.

This is the first known instance of drones being used to drop bombs on civilians by insurgents in India.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday condemned the drone bomb attacks on civilians as acts of terrorism and vowed a firm response.

Manipur Director General of Police Rajiv Singh visited the violence-affected areas of Kadangband and Koutruk.

IMAGE: Manipur DGP Rajiv Singh visits the violence-affected areas, here and below. All Photographs: ANI Photo

IMAGE: Residents gather during the DGP's visit, here and below.

IMAGE: Security personnel on the alert during the DGP's visit.

Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met with flood affected residents in Vijayawada on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) dropped packets of food, drinking water and other essential items from Indian Air Force helicopters for people trapped in flood-affected areas.

IMAGE: Naidu meets with flood affected citizens in Vijayawada. All photographs: ANI Photo

IMAGE: Naidu wades through a flooded road to meet residents.

IMAGE: Naidu travels on a JCB machine during his visit to the flood-affected areas.

IMAGE: Naidu distributes relief material to residents.

IMAGE: Naidu arrives on an excavator to take a stock of the flood-affected areas.

IMAGE: Naidu distributes drinking water and other essential items.

IMAGE: Relief material is loaded onto an IAF helicopter, here and below.

IMAGE: NDRF personnel drop packets of food, drinking water and other essential items from IAF helicopters for residents in flood-affected areas in Vijayawada.

IMAGE: NDRF personnel interacts with flood-affected residents.

Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
Aerial photo taken on April 25, 2021 shows the scenery of Yangshuo County, Guilin City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

NANJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Three geological sites in China, comprising vegetation fossils, dinosaur fossils and a karst landform, have recently been listed as Geological Heritage Sites by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).

These newly selected sites include the Permian vegetation of the Wuda Fossil Site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the Dashanpu Middle Jurassic Dinosaur Fossils Site in southwest China's Sichuan Province and the Guilin Karst in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, said Zhang Jianping, vice-chair of the IUGS International Commission on Geoheritage and a professor at the China University of Geosciences, Beijing, at a press conference held by the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIGPAS) on Tuesday.

So far, a total of 10 Chinese geological sites have been included in the list of the IUGS Geological Heritage Sites.

Geological heritages are a precious and non-renewable resource that faithfully records the 4.6 billion years of evolution history of the Earth and bases for geologists to conduct scientific research.

The IUGS Geological Heritage Sites are key places with the highest scientific international relevance, used as a global reference, and with a substantial contribution to the development of geological sciences through history, according to the IUGS.

The three newly selected sites are outstanding representatives of China's geological relics and they have been internationally recognized for their scientific value, research significance and current protection status, Zhang said.

This painting provided by the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences shows a simulated restored view of the Permian vegetation of the Wuda Fossil Site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

VEGETATIONAL POMPEII

The Wuda Permian vegetation fossil site, dubbed the "Vegetational Pompeii," features a peat-forming tropical rainforest preserved in remarkable detail by volcanic ash. This ancient forest, dating back approximately 298 million years, was buried by ash-fall and now appears as a tuff bed between two coal seams in the Wuda coalfield, according to Wang Jun, director of NIGPAS.

The plant remains are well-preserved, with some retaining anatomical structures. The site provides extensive evidence of the intricate details of an ancient tropical rainforest community and interactions between various organisms, Wang said. "This site offers a unique window to understand past floral community ecology."

The Wuda fossil site is exceptional for best demonstrating what plants formed coal and what a coal-forming forest looked like, he added.

Discovered in 1998 and identified as a forest buried by ash in 2003, the site has since been studied by an international research team of about 30 experts from Britain, the United States, the Czech Republic, Germany and China, who have published over 60 research papers.

This photo taken on March 19, 2024 shows a view of the Dashanpu Middle Jurassic Dinosaur Fossils Site in Zigong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (The Zigong Dinosaur Museum/Handout via Xinhua)

JURASSIC PARK

At the Dashanpu Middle Jurassic Dinosaur Fossils Site in Zigong City, Sichuan Province, over 200 specimens of dinosaurs and other vertebrates have been uncovered. According to Zeng Xiaoyun, curator of the Zigong Dinosaur Museum, these include 29 species across 26 genera, such as sauropods, theropods, basal neornithischians, stegosaurs, as well as fish, amphibians, turtles, crocodiles, pterosaurs and therapsids.

This site not only boasts the highest concentration of Middle Jurassic dinosaurs but also exhibits remarkable vertebrate diversity. Described by Zeng as a "Jurassic park," it is acclaimed as "a dinosaur quarry and a world wonder."

The site has yielded unique bone structures that are crucial for inferring dinosaur behaviors. It fills gaps in the history of dinosaur evolution and provides exceptionally valuable samples for studying dinosaurs from various perspectives and their relationships with other vertebrates, Zeng said.

The Dashanpu site, spanning an area of about 70,000 square meters, was first uncovered in 1972. An on-site museum was built thereafter. Extensive studies have been carried out by scientists from home and abroad.

Aerial photo taken on July 4, 2020 shows the scenery of Yangshuo County, Guilin City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

KARST WITH SCIENTIFIC AND ARTISTIC VALUE

Guilin Karst features beautiful continental tower and cone karst formations around the Lijiang River and its tributaries, as well as many caves. Shaped by Paleozoic tectonic movements, the Guilin Karst has created a unique basin that is ideal for karst development, said Chen Weihai, deputy chief engineer of the Institute of Karst Geology of the China Geological Survey.

The geomorphological setting, enriched by thick carbonate deposits and a warm, humid climate with plentiful rainfall, fosters extensive karst phenomena. Guilin's geological stability and comparatively slow tectonic uplift, unlike more rapidly uplifting regions in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, enhance its scientific relevance, making it an outstanding location for studying karst processes and their environmental impacts, Chen said.

Research on Guilin Karst dates back to the 17th century when the Chinese traveler and geographer Xu Xiake explored 88 caves. Contemporary studies focus on understanding karst dynamics and evolution models, as well as the aesthetic influence of Guilin's landscapes on Chinese paintings and poetry.

Editor: Zhang Zhou
Former Union minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said that there is no need for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to declare a chief ministerial face ahead of the state assembly elections.

IMAGE: NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar. Photograph: Kind courtesy @PawarSpeaks/X

Talking to reporters in Kolhapur, the Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar president said the decision on who will be the chief minister can be made after the poll results.

The chief ministerial candidate will be decided on the basis of which party wins the most number of seats in the alliance, he said.

Pawar said he will want the MVA to complete the seat sharing process and start the poll campaign at the earliest.

"MVA leaders should sit for talks beginning September 7 to 9," he said, adding he expects the election process to be completed by the second week of November.

Talks among the MVA, comprising the Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, the NCP-SP and the Congress, should include the Peasants and Workers party (PWP), the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India-Marxist as well, Pawar said.

"These parties have some pockets of influence in the state and they helped the MVA in the Lok Sabha elections," he said.

Earlier on August 17, Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray insisted that the MVA decide its chief ministerial face first rather than going by the logic of which party wins most seats.

Thackeray asserted that he would back any candidate announced by the Congress and the NCP-SP.
North Korean leader Kim Jung un may have executed officials after floods resulted in the deaths in the "hermit kingdom" earlier this year, local media in South Korean reported.

IMAGE: Kim Jong Un at the Korean People's Army's naval command. Photograph: North Korea's Korean Central News Agency via Reuters

South Korean spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, said that it closely monitoring the situation after detecting signs of the executions, Yonhap reported.

Kim during an emergency party politburo meeting held in late July, said he will punish officials for the damage from heavy rains that flooded areas and displaced thousands.

The South Korean news outlet cited North Korean state media KCNA to state that several officials were dismissed from their posts over the flood damage.

Among those dismissed included the public security minister and chiefs of the ruling party's provincial committees.

Kim visited flood-hit areas in Sinuiju and Uiju County in July and guided an operation to rescue around 5,000 isolated residents with the military's helicopters.

A Yonhap article quoted South Korea's unification ministry in July stating that the North appears to have sustained "considerable" damage, citing the North's media report on the need to restore electricity and communication lines, as well as supply medicine.

North Korea state media had published several photos of Kim inspecting the flood damage in Sinuiju on a lifeboat. The village he toured looked severely flooded, with almost all buildings submerged up to their roofs, reported media in Seoul.
A PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Centre to cancel licences and not to grant new ones to Indian firms exporting arms and other military equipment to Israel, which is fighting a war in Gaza.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Reuters

The PIL, filed through lawyer Prashant Bhushan, has made the Union ministry of defence a party, and said, "India is bound by various international laws and treaties that obligate India not to supply military weapons to States guilty of war crimes, as any export could be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law".

The plea filed by 11 people, including Ashok Kumar Sharma, a resident of Noida, said the supply of military equipment to Israel by companies, including a public sector enterprise, under the MoD violates India's obligations under international law coupled with Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

"Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or direction to the respondents, Union of India, through its various organs, to cancel any existing licences and halt the grant of new licences/permissions, to various companies in India, for export of arms and other military equipment to Israel...," the plea said.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a recent decision of January 26, 2024, ordered provisional measures against Israel for violations in the Gaza Strip of obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

"The provisional measures include immediate military halt to all killings and destruction that is being perpetrated by Israel on the Palestinian people. In the light of this judgment United Nations experts released a statement warning against the transfer of weapons and military ammunition to Israel which may constitute serious violation of human rights and international humanitarian laws and risk state complicity in international crimes, possibly including genocide," it said.

"India is bound by various international laws and treaties that obligate India not to supply military weapons to States guilty of war crimes, as any export could be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law, it said.

Israel's war on Gaza has led to killings of thousands of Palestinians. Prior to this, in an unprecedented attack, Hamas gunmen stormed across Gaza's border into Israel and killed about 1,200 people on the morning of October 7, 2023.
'The image created in the media was based on a well-orchestrated campaign against an individual where millions and millions of dollars were spent on maligning this young man and when he is highly educated, people said he never went to college. People created this image by spending a lot of money. It was a false image'

'I give a lot of credit to Rahul Gandhi for standing up and fighting it for a long time and surviving, nobody else would have been able to survive'

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi being presented with a shawl painted with an image of his father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by a supporter during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Photograph: ANI Photo

Rahul Gandhi is more intellectual and more of a strategist as compared with his father Rajiv Gandhi, says long-time Gandhi family confidant Sam Pitroda, describing both leaders as "custodians of the idea of India".

In an interview with PTI, Pitroda also asserted that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has all the qualities of a future prime minister.

Pitroda, the chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, dismissed as "bogus" the BJP's attack on Rahul Gandhi in the past over his remarks critical of the government during his visits abroad.

Speaking about Gandhi's upcoming visit to the US next week, Pitroda said he is not coming to the US in his official capacity but will have a chance to interact with a variety of people on Capitol Hill at an "individual level".

"He (Gandhi) will definitely have interactions with the press at the national press club, he will meet with the think tank people and will also have interaction at Georgetown University which is equally important in Washington DC," the Indian Overseas Congress chief said of Gandhi's first visit to the US since assuming the mantle of the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Rahul Gandhi will visit the US from September 8-10 during which he will hold numerous interactions in Washington DC and Dallas, including at the University of Georgetown and the University of Texas.

Asked about similarities and divergences between former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Pitroda said he had worked with a number of prime ministers closely such as Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao, Manmohan Singh, VP Singh, Chandra Sekhar and HD Deve Gowda.

"I had an opportunity to see many prime ministers from very close quarters but the difference between Rahul and Rajiv maybe is that Rahul is much more intellectual, thinker, Rajiv was a little more doer. They have the same DNA, they have the same concerns and feelings for the people, they genuinely believe in building a better India for everybody, they are genuinely simple people. They don't have big personal needs," the Congress leader told PTI from Chicago.

"Rahul is a strategist more so than Rajiv was. They are products of different times, different tools, different experiences. Poor Rahul has gone through two big shocks in life, (death of) his grandmother and his father. So they have had different paths to travel," he said.

Their fundamentals are clear, both are "custodians of the idea of India" that the Congress party had laid out and every leader of the party believed in, he said.

"Narasimha Rao believed in it, (Mallikarjun) Kharge ji believes in it and collectively it is our job to build the India our founding fathers had envisaged," Pitroda said.

He also pointed out that Rahul Gandhi's image is finally coming through the way he is and the two Bharat Jodo Yatras had helped in that.

"First of all, the image created in the media was based on a well-orchestrated campaign against an individual where millions and millions of dollars were spent on maligning this young man and when he is highly educated, people said he never went to college. People created this image by spending a lot of money. It was a false image. I give a lot of credit to Rahul Gandhi for standing up and fighting it for a long time and surviving, nobody else would have been able to survive," Pitroda said.

"The onslaught day in and day out on an individual, his family, his legacy, his party character, it is bad. These are mean people who by design lie, cheat and say all kinds of things about individuals. I have seen that in my case also to a very small extent," the 82-year-old technocrat said.

Pitroda said things have turned around in the public's mind because they are beginning to realise that the media is controlled, messages are designed to hurt people and lies are finally catching up.

"You cannot lie all the time to the people. People are now beginning to see that it was said 'we will create 20 million jobs', but they haven't done that, it was said black money will be brought back, it hasn't happened," he said.

On whether he sees Rahul Gandhi as a future PM, Pitroda said that is for the people to decide.

"From my personal experience and I may be biased, I think he is very capable. He is a decent human being, he is well educated, he has the right DNA and I see him as the custodian of the idea of democracy that the Congress has always promoted," he said.

Asked about Congress leaders' view that Gandhi had earned the right to assume the post of PM when the Congress comes to power, Pitroda said he agrees with the view but ultimately it is for the party to decide.

On whether he sees qualities of a future PM in Gandhi, Pitroda emphatically said, "Absolutely, no question about it."

Asked about the attack his party and he faced from the BJP during the past foreign visits of Gandhi over his critical remarks, Pitroda said that in this day and age when communication is instant and distance is dead, there are no local events.

"Every local event becomes a global event, a church burn in France is no longer a French event, it is a global event as an example. Same with wars. So it is wrong to assume that there are certain things you say at home and there are certain things you say abroad," he said.

"Criticising the government is not criticising India. It is ok to criticise the government by an opposition leader, That is his job in fact, so why complain. I think this whole business of criticising abroad is bogus," the Indian Overseas Congress chairman asserted.

On the June 4 Lok Sabha poll results and its significance, Pitroda said, "In the last election the fear was that the BJP will get 400 seats.Then it would have been an absolute majority which could bring about in the judgement of many people a little bit of concern at various levels on the Constitution, authoritarian mindset and more attack on the opposition and media. So this election was very important because the BJP could be brought down to 240 seats."

The message is loud and clear that ordinary people of India prefer democracy, Constitution, freedom and justice, he asserted.
Sculptor-contractor Jaydeep Apte, wanted in connection with the collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot fort last month, was arrested from Kalyan in Thane district on Wednesday night, a senior police official said.

IMAGE: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's sculptor Jaydeep Apte. Photograph: X

Sindhudurg police in Maharashtra were searching for Apte (24) since the statue made by him collapsed on August 26, less than nine months after it was inaugurated. Police had formed seven teams to look for him.

After the statue collapsed, Malvan police registered a case against Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil for negligence and other offences. Patil was arrested from Kolhapur last week.

The collapse of the statue of the iconic founder of the Maratha state has triggered a huge political row ahead of assembly elections in Maharashtra with the Opposition targeting the Eknath Shinde-led government.

Reacting to the development, BJP leader Pravin Darekar said, "Those who were critical of our government must shut their mouths now. It is true that police took a little long to arrest Jaydeep Apte. We are not taking any credit for arresting, but the police did their job."

Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sushama Andhare, on the other hand, said, "The state government should not try to take any credit for arresting Apte because it is the government's duty. He was not some underworld don....He should have been arrested sooner."

Meanwhile, a joint technical committee of five members visited the fort at Malvan during the day and examined the site, said an official.

Police has also sent samples of the materials used for the statue as well as the platform on which it stood to a forensic science laboratory for chemical analysis.

State Congress chief Nana Patole alleged in Pune that only Rs 1.5 crore were spent on the construction of the statue even though Rs 236 crore were taken for the work from the state coffers.

To chief minister Shinde's allegation that the opposition was politicising the statue collapse incident, Patole said venting anger against an insult to Shivaji Maharaj cannot be described as politicising the matter.
'Trackmen are the most neglected employees among Indian Railways.'

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, met with the railway trackmen at the Delhi Cantonment railway station4.

"There is 'neither promotion nor emotion' in the system for the trackman brothers who keep the railways dynamic and safe,' Rahul tweeted along with a video.

'Trackmen are the most neglected employees among Indian Railways. I got an opportunity to meet them and understand their problems and challenges.

'Trackmen walk 8 to 10 kms every day carrying 35 kgs of equipment. Their job starts on the track and they retire from the track itself.

'Trackmen are not even allowed to sit for the departmental exam which other employees clear to get better posts.

'The trackman brothers said that every year around 550 trackmen lose their lives in accidents while working because there are not enough arrangements for their safety.

'These major demands of the trackman brothers who work hard day and night in adverse conditions without basic facilities must be heard at all costs.

'1. Every trackman should be provided with a safety device during work so that they can receive timely information about the arrival of a train on the track.

'2. Trackmen should get the opportunity for promotion through departmental examination (LDCE).

'Safe rail travel of crores of countrymen is possible only due to the hard work of the trackmen. We have to ensure both their safety and progress.'

IMAGE: Rahul Gandhi meets with the rail trackmen, here and below. All photographs: ANI Photo

SEE: Rahul Gandhi interacts with the railway trackmen at Delhi Cantonment railway station. Video: Kind courtesy Rahul Gandhi/X

Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
WESTMINSTER  In a larger, more complex version of collaging, Kathy Kemp looks around her home studio for different objects that might fit well together. She creates assemblage art.

Assemblage art is produced by incorporating everyday objects into the composition. Although each non-art object, such as a piece of rope or newspaper, acquires aesthetic or symbolic meanings within the context of the whole work, it may retain something of its original identity.

Kemp was inspired to pursue assemblage art after attending a workshop at HatchSpace in Brattleboro taught by Larry Simons. She thought it was an interesting form of artistic expression.

I was just blown away, said Kemp. I started scavenging and designing things.

With a studio filled with different parts of old pianos, chairs, frames and other great treasures, Kemp said one of the best things about assemblage is looking for that right piece of that thing you are making.

It can be anywhere. It can just be walking down the road or in the woods, or watching what people put out on the side of the road, going to the Swap Shop in Brattleboro, said Kemp. I enjoy that a lot. I enjoy the design and pushing things around.

I'll just see a connection between things, whether it be color or shape or texture, and then it just sort of builds from there, said Kemp. The initial part that I start with, when it's all said and done, it may not be there at all, they're just a catalyst for what happens.

She draws a connection from her art life to her professional life as a Geriatric Care Manager. She often works with people in their later years of life.

They're imperfect and often quite weathered. There's something I really enjoy about working with older people who have a history and stories, and it shows in their eyes, their skin, their hands, said Kemp. Appreciating and recognizing the beauty and history in older things that have been maybe cast off or aren't used anymore and can take on a new life in a different way.

Her art is currently on display at the Harmony Collective in Brattleboro and will also be apart of Vermont Cultural Council's open studio tour on Oct. 5 and 6.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Sunny to partly cloudy. High 64F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 39F. Winds light and variable.
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, 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. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu held talks on Tuesday and announced the elevation of China-Nigeria ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Tinubu is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit.

China is further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization, which will bring more opportunities for the development of China-Nigeria relations, Xi said.

The two sides should work together to realize their respective modernization with high-quality cooperation and push China-Nigeria relations for new and greater development, he said.

Xi noted that the two countries should enhance strategic mutual trust, view and develop bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and firmly support each other on issues of their respective core interests and major concerns.

Xi called for promoting the interconnected and integrated development of infrastructure, energy and mineral resources with industries, and fostering cooperation for new growth in areas such as the digital economy and new energy.

China supports Nigeria in fighting terrorism, maintaining regional stability and playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs, Xi said, underscoring the country's willingness to strengthen multilateral coordination with Nigeria to safeguard the interests of developing countries.

Tinubu highlighted the significance of deepening economic cooperation and developing a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and said Nigeria hopes to become China's largest trade and investment partner in Africa.

Nigeria welcomes more Chinese enterprises to make investments and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, mineral resources, energy and infrastructure in a bid to help Nigeria and West Africa achieve modernization and effectively get rid of poverty, he said, adding that Nigeria is willing to provide sound security conditions for this purpose.

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in areas including Belt and Road cooperation, the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, economic development, the application of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, peanut exports to China, and news media.

The two sides released a joint statement on establishing the comprehensive strategic partnership and building a high-level China-Nigeria community with a shared future.

Prior to the talks, Xi held a welcome ceremony for Tinubu at the Great Hall of the People.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, 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 talks in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2024. Xi held talks with Tinubu at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, 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. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, 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 talks in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2024. Xi held talks with Tinubu at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, 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 talks in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2024. Xi held talks with Tinubu at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu witness the signing of cooperation documents after their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2024. Xi held talks with Tinubu, 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 Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
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
Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking China's resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia.

I'm RFE/RL correspondent Reid Standish and here's what I'm following right now.

The Africa Model

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is rolling out the red carpet for African leaders this week at a high-level summit in Beijing as China looks to deepen ties with the resource-rich continent that it has furnished with billions in loans for infrastructure and development projects.

But what kind of lessons does the experience of African countries hold for other regions where China has also become a political and economic force?

Finding Perspective: Beijing has said the September 4-6 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit will be its largest diplomatic event since the COVID-19 pandemic, with leaders and other delegates from every African state except Eswatini.

China has increasingly expanded ties with African countries in the past decade and Beijing has become the continent's largest bilateral lender, investor, and trade partner.

This has seen China furnish governments with billions of dollars in loans that have helped build much-needed infrastructure and bring economic growth, but also sometimes stoked controversy by saddling countries with huge debts.

FOCAC is Beijing's main forum for engaging with Africa and this year's gathering will tackle issues ranging from health-care cooperation to debt relief to securing the rights for critical minerals.

African leaders are looking for more balanced trade and continued investments from China, while Beijing is expected to push its green technologies products like electric vehicles (EVs) and its solar industry, especially amid Western curbs on those exports.

A New Era: As Alex Vines, the Africa research director at Chatham House, told me, the green-technology push isn't a surprise and has buy-in from both sides.

"Energy provision is key for Africa's development trajectory, and so investing in renewables will be welcomed," he said.

Chinese investment in Africa peaked around 2016 and Chinese loans to African governments have since declined significantly. The old China model of offering loans for large infrastructure projects and rapid industrialization has not quite disappeared, but certainly lost steam amid China's slowing economy and the difficulty some African countries have had in repaying loans.

As Beijing is eyeing new markets for its renewables sector, Africa is a logical target. It's a young and fast-growing continent that, according to the International Monetary Fund, contains nine of the world's 20 fastest-growing economies in 2024 and China sees it as a vital market for its products and its own economic growth.

And while there are petro-states in Africa, many countries deal with energy insecurity and are eager for the more affordable products like Chinese-made smartphones and EVs that have seen their quality dramatically increase in recent years.

Why It Matters: If any lessons can be drawn from Africa's trajectory with China for other regions around the world, it's that local governments are just as influential in this process as Beijing.

It can be easy to view everything through the lens of China's global ambitions, which are very real, but they only tell part of the story.

Debt owed to China is a major factor on the continent, and some African countries have large Chinese loans that they're struggling to repay.

But Vines says that their situations can't be entirely blamed on Chinese loans. Countries like Kenya and Zambia have poorly managed their debt to all creditors, not only China, while others have managed to navigate their Chinese debt arrangements without risk or incident.

Added to that, African countries know they are becoming more attractive to multiple outside powers and using this dynamic to have more room to balance their ties with partners beyond China and the West, like Russia, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey.

"Local agency needs to be strengthened more robustly," Mandira Bagwandeen, an expert on China's ties to Africa and a lecturer at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, told me.

"It's not China's responsibility to be sure that whatever deal they strike is in the local country's interest. It's the responsibility of African officials and it's ultimately up to them to make sure that it works for their country."

Three More Stories From Eurasia

1. Middle Corridor Chokepoint

Kazakhstan announced on September 2 that it will temporarily stop accepting containers heading to China through its Dostyk border crossing due to inadequate infrastructure to process the cargo.

The Details: The news is something of a positive sign for those cheerleading the viability of the so-called Middle Corridor trade route that runs through the Caucasus and Central Asia and connects to China.

The press release said that the infrastructure at the border crossing can't handle the large volumes of freight now going east. At the time of the announcement, there were 55 trains waiting in Kazakhstan to cross into China.

Dostyk is one of two main rail crossings between Kazakhstan and China. The other crossing, Khorgos, was built as one of China's key Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) investments in Central Asia.

2. BYD's Big Uzbek Plans

Chinese electric car production is gearing up in Uzbekistan and the Central Asian news site Vlast has a good look at where things stand today.

What It Means: The factory was opened in late June by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev and will be a joint venture with state-owned UzAuto.

BYD pledged a $160 million investment in the production line, which is poised to put around 50,000 cars to market in its first phase, with an outlook of up to 500,000 cars. As the factory develops and expands, the company also plans to grow its China-trained local workforce from 1,200 to 10,000.

The flagship factory is the first large-scale investment of its kind in Central Asia and could be used as a template to be replicated elsewhere in Central Asia as China looks to build up the EV market across the region with its offering of affordable and increasingly reliable options.

As another interesting wrinkle, Vlast reports that "most of the electric cars that the production lines of [Central Asia] will churn out seem to be earmarked for export, with Russia being one of the main destination markets."

3. A Pakistani Great Firewall?

Millions of Pakistanis have for weeks experienced slow Internet connections and problems with accessing social media platforms.

And local activists say it's because Pakistani authorities are installing a Chinese-style national Internet firewall aimed at exerting more control over the online space and crushing dissent, my colleague Abubakar Siddique reports.

What You Need To Know: Islamabad has denied allegations that it is behind the Internet slowdown, which has disrupted businesses and triggered widespread complaints in the South Asian country of some 240 million.

Pakistanis have been unable to promptly send e-mails or use the messaging application WhatsApp, which is used by tens of millions of people. Businesses and entrepreneurs say the Internet slowdown has disrupted their daily work.

For weeks, Islamabad refused to comment, but then officials provided some contradictory remarks about the reason behind the disruptions.

Information Technology and Telecommunication Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja admitted on August 15 that the government was tinkering with the Internet, revealing that it was "upgrading a web-management system" it had previously installed.

Then on August 21, Hafeezur Rehman, the chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), claimed that a faulty undersea Internet cable was to blame.

Multiple digital-rights groups inside the country have accused the government of implementing new measures to monitor and regulate content and social media platforms in order to increase surveillance and stifle dissent, especially criticism of the country's all-powerful military.

The civilian government is backed by the military and the PTA is overseen by a retired general.

The alleged implementation of the firewall comes as Pakistan's military, which has an oversized role in the country's domestic and foreign affairs, says it is battling "digital terrorism."

Across The Supercontinent

Taipei's Rhetorical Counter: Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has challenged China's claim over the self-ruled island by suggesting in recent comments that if China is truly concerned about its territorial integrity then it should also seek to reclaim the land it ceded to Russia in the 19th century.

"If China wants to annex Taiwan.... It's not for the sake of territorial integrity. If it is really for the sake of territorial integrity, why doesn't China take back Russia?" Lai said during a TV interview.

Kazakh Nuclear Referendum: Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev announced that the country will hold a national referendum on October 6 on whether to build a new nuclear power plant, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

According to public statements by the government, companies from China, France, Russia, and South Korea are all in the running to carry out the project if it gets enough support at the ballot box.

New Semiconductor Investment: Taiwan is planning to team up with the Czech government to build a semiconductor cluster in the Czech Republic, Taiwanese National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu said on August 30 during a press conference at the annual Globsec security conference in Prague.

Lining Up For BRICS : Bloomberg reports that Turkey has formally asked to join the BRICS group of emerging-market countries.

One Thing To Watch

A new investigation from The Washington Post found that Chinese diplomats and pro-China diaspora groups based in the United States organized demonstrations in San Francisco that harassed and silenced protesters opposed to Beijing's policies during Xi's visit to the city in November 2023.

The investigation around the events in San Francisco is another key piece of evidence that helps illustrate how the Chinese Communist Party takes steps to stifle anti-government dissent abroad, particularly in countries with large Chinese diasporas.

That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have.

Until next time,

Reid Standish

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Wednesday.
People work at the site of an Israeli drone strike in Naqoura, Lebanon, on Sept. 2, 2024. Two people were killed Monday in an Israeli drone strike on a civilian car traveling on the Naqoura-Tyre highway in southwest Lebanon, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed Monday in an Israeli drone strike on a civilian car traveling on the Naqoura-Tyre highway in southwest Lebanon, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua.

The sources, who spoke anonymously, said "a white civilian car was targeted by two air-to-air missiles fired from an Israeli drone in the Naqoura axis, killing two people inside and setting the car on fire."

The sources added that a civil defense ambulance transferred the bodies to a hospital in the city of Tyre while members of the Islamic Health Authority and the civil defense worked to put out the fire that spread to surrounding areas.

Israeli drones and warplanes launched 11 airstrikes on Monday at dawn and in the morning on seven border villages and towns in southern Lebanon, destroying 10 homes and damaging about 30 more, according to the sources.

Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border have escalated since Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets strikes launched by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' sudden attack on Israel the day before. Israel has been retaliating by firing heavy artillery or air raids on Lebanon.

People work at the site of an Israeli drone strike in Naqoura, Lebanon, on Sept. 2, 2024. Two people were killed Monday in an Israeli drone strike on a civilian car traveling on the Naqoura-Tyre highway in southwest Lebanon, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
The United States accused Russia on September 4 of attempting to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election through Kremlin-run media outlets and online platforms that are designed to trick Americans into unwittingly consuming Russian propaganda, a Justice Department news release said on September 4.

The Kremlin has used media outlets such as RT, formerly Russia Today, and online platforms it backs to target U.S. voters with disinformation, the department said. RT, a major focus of the announcement, is seen as a key part of the Kremlin's propaganda efforts.

The department announced the seizure of 32 Internet domains that it said had been used in "Russian government-directed foreign malign-influence campaigns" that FBI Director Christopher Wray said operate at the direction of the Russian government, setting up websites "filled with Russian government propaganda" meant to deceive American users.

Russian companies under the control of the Russian presidential administration use the domains to covertly spread Russian government propaganda, which in addition to attempting to influence the presidential election also aims to reduce international support for Ukraine and bolster pro-Russian policies and interests, the Justice Department said.

"As alleged in our court filings, President Vladimir Putins inner circle, including [first deputy chief of staff] Sergei Kiriyenko, directed Russian public relations companies to promote disinformation and state-sponsored narratives as part of a campaign to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in the news release. "An internal planning document created by the Kremlin states that a goal of the campaign is to secure Russias preferred outcome in the election."

Garland did not specify the outcome preferred by the Kremlin, but Putin said earlier this year prior to President Joe Biden's decision to drop out of the race, allowing Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic party nominee, that Biden was more "predictable" than former President Donald Trump. Putin also said the Kremlin is prepared to work with whomever wins the election.

The department also announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Russian nationals Kostiantyn Kalashnikov, 31, and Elena Afanasyeva, 27, with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Garland said the two employees of RT were charged in a $10 million scheme "to create and distribute content to U.S. audiences with hidden Russian government messaging."

The United States "will not tolerate attempts by an authoritarian regime to exploit our country's free exchange of ideas in order to covertly further its own propaganda efforts," Garland said, adding that the investigation into the matter remains ongoing. Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva are at large.

Russia described the move as a "witch-hunt" aimed at scaring the U.S. population, and said it will target U.S. media in response to Washingtons actions against RT.



"There will be a response to the actions of the United States authorities, which directly contradict their obligations in the areas of providing free access to information and media pluralism," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on September 5.



The U.S. Justice Department announcement came a month after Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a speech that Russia was the primary threat to the U.S. election.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen of the Justice Departments National Security Division said in the statement that the seizure of domains "illustrates vividly what the U.S. government and private sector partners have warned for months: the Russian government and its proxies are aggressively accelerating the Kremlins covert efforts to seed false stories and amplify disinformation directed at the American public.

The Russian government has long sought to "sow discord and chaos in the United States through propaganda and foreign malign influence campaigns, Olsen said, adding that the new accusations reveal that Russia is "willing to impersonate our free and open press in its egregious schemes."

The tactics include using RT to advance anti-U.S. messages and content and promote networks of fake websites and social media accounts that amplify the claims. Typically, these networks seize on polarizing political topics such as immigration and crime. Americans who view the content may have no idea that it either originated or was amplified by the Kremlin.

In conjunction with the domain seizures, the U.S. Treasury Department announced the designation of 10 individuals and two entities for sanctions as part of the government's response to Russias malign influence efforts targeting the U.S. presidential election. Among the 10 individuals are Margarita Simonyan, editor in chief of RT, and Yelizaveta Brodskaya deputy editor in chief of RT.

The sanctions announced by the Treasury Department complement the law enforcement actions announced by the Justice Department and the State Departments designation of the Rossia Segodnya media group and five of its subsidiaries -- RIA Novosti, RT, TV-Novosti, Ruptly, and Sputnik -- as foreign missions.

As designated entities under the Foreign Mission Act, they will be required to notify the department of all personnel working in the United States and will be required to disclose all real property they hold within the United States, the State Department said in a news release.

The State Department also announced steps to impose visa restrictions on people who act on behalf of Kremlin-supported media organizations, use those organizations as cover for covert activities, and are complicit in engaging in covert influence. Noting that visa applications are confidential, the State Department said it would not be disclosing the names of the people affected.

Moreover, the State Department announced a reward of up to $10 million relating to an organization known as RaHDit (Russian Angry Hackers Did It). The group engaged in election influence in other countries and is a threat to the 2024 U.S. election, particularly through cyber-enabled influence operations, the State Department said.



"Members of RaHDit disseminate and amplify propaganda and disinformation from the Kremlin-funded and -directed organization RT and RaHDit is associated with Russian intelligence services. RaHDit is led by Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officer Aleksei Garashchenko," the department said.
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.
Several people were injured and around a dozen were detained during a protest by local government workers in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar. Police fired tear gas at the protesters after they broke through barricades to enter the high-security zone. The demonstrators were protesting the withholding of funds from local governments and denying them the authority to carry out development activities.
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Ukrainian rescue crews searched for survivors following a deadly strike on the western city of Lviv. At least seven people including three children were killed, according to Ukrainian officials.
For more than a week, the Papp family from Ukraine's Transcarpathia region has been doing their best to care for and shelter their six children on the streets of Budapest. Hungary has cut back on housing aid for refugee families from parts of Ukraine that it deems no longer in danger from Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion.
By Cate McCurry, PA

The representative body for Catholic orders across Ireland said it is deeply sorry that victims experienced abuse in religious-run schools.

The Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious in Ireland (AMRI) said it welcomes the publication of the Scoping Inquiry Report into historical sexual abuse in Catholic-run schools from 1927 to April 2023.

The report reviewed allegations of historical child sexual abuse, made against religious, lay staff, and clergy.

In a statement, a spokesperson for AMRI said: We acknowledge the courage and bravery of the victims and survivors.

We are deeply sorry that they experienced abuse in religious-run schools.

We are acutely aware that sharing personal, sensitive, and traumatic experiences can cause additional pain and suffering.

We recognise that we can never know the depth of the pain and suffering survivors have endured and continue to endure.

AMRI actively worked with those of its members who are involved in running schools to facilitate the fullest cooperation in this Inquiry.

We will carefully examine the recommendations and respond accordingly.

Religious Orders and Congregations continue to provide access to safeguarding personnel to support victims and survivors.

A broad range of support is available, including access to funded counselling and therapeutic services (Towards Healing and Towards Peace), pastoral and restorative justice processes.

It said it encouraged anyone needing support to contact the individual religious orders and congregations to get the help they need.

Minister for Education Norma Foley speaking at a press conference in the Government Buildings, Dublin. Photo: PA.

It is critical to restate that rigorous child protection structures are in place in all Catholic schools to maximise the safety of every student, it added.

It was confirmed earlier on Tuesday that a Commission of Investigation is to be established to examine historical sexual abuse claims in day and boarding schools.

The Government-ordered scoping inquiry has revealed almost 2,400 allegations of historical sexual abuse were recorded by 308 schools run by religious orders across Ireland.

The 700-page report, published on Tuesday, said the allegations were made against 884 alleged abusers in day and boarding schools run by 42 religious orders.

The scoping inquiry said it had contacted 73 religious orders that ran or are still running schools in Ireland, with 42 having records of historical sexual abuse allegations.

The report said 17 were special schools, which recorded 590 allegations involving 190 alleged abusers.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
A crowd of up to three hundred people attended a special function on Sunday evening to bid farewell to a popular priest in South Roscommon who is moving back to his religious order in Dublin.

Fr. Michael Hickey, aged in his eighties, had served as curate in the Drum/Clonown area of South Roscommon for the last seven years but has now returned to the Holy Ghost Missionaries in Dublin.

The announcement of his move in July by the Bishop of Elphin, Kevin Doran, led to a community campaign on the ground opposing the decision, with almost 2,500 people signing a petition.

Despite an initial farewell function the weekend before last being postponed in a bid to secure a last minute reprieve, Fr. Michael departed Drum this Wednesday afternoon, and was given a guard of honour by the local community.

John Naughton, chairperson of the local committee, which organised the campaign to oppose the priests move, said the farewell function on Sunday in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone was a great night but one touched with sadness.

We had a huge crowd - I couldnt believe the effort people made. I didn't expect it because so many people had called to him at the house to say their goodbyes for the past week, said Mr Naughton.

After the presentations were made to Fr. Hickey on Sunday, he spoke about how lonely and lonesome he was going to be leaving the parish. He said how he loved it so much in Drum and the people were so good to him, but sure he was so good to the people as well.

He had so many friends, the housebound, people in nursing homes. I think he used to visit 80 people every month and they would be looking forward to his visit.

"He will be keeping in touch with us, and we will be keeping in touch with him as well, he said.

Fr. Michael Hickey pictured with his nieces Clara Mason and Joan OGrady at a party in his honour in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone.

Kay Egan and Sheila Lennon, pictured with Fr. Michael Hickey at a party in his honour in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone.

Tom OBrien, Adeline Mee, Fr. Michael Hickey, Tommy Lennon and Sean Kelly at a party in Fr. Hickeys honour in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone.

Ursula Butler and Mae McManus pictured with Fr. Michael Hickey at a party in Fr. Hickeys honour in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone.
A life-size memorial statue of the much-loved Fr Raymond Browne will be unveiled in Four Mile House later today, Sunday.

A much loved and highly regarded priest, the late Fr. Browne was an active participant in community affairs throughout his life.

Fr. Browne, who passed away in November 2020 at the age of 92, spent a total of 34 years in the parish of Kilbride, 29 as parish priest and five as Pastor-Emeritus (or grandfather) of the parish.

A special Mass, celebrated by the Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran, will take place in St. Brigids Church, Fourmilehouse at 12 noon today before the unveiling ceremony.

This will be a a fitting tribute to a great man and the incredible support for this project shown by the community is a reflection on how much people loved him, said Tim Donnelly, chairperson of the Fr Raymond Browne Memorial Committee.

The memorial committee commissioned Feelystone to make the lifesize marble statue of the popular priest, which will be located within the vicinity of St. Brigids Church in Fourmilehouse.

The statue will be unveiled by Mary O'Connor from Fourmilehouse and Kathleen Tully from Derrane who were very close friends of the priest.

Bishop Doran will bless the statue along with new public seating, which will be installed close to Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Derrane in memory of Fr. Browne.

This will be a day of great celebration of his life. We are looking forward to the Bishops visit, to the many priests who will be in attendance, and to the community turning out from our parish, surrounding parishes and beyond.

Fr. Browne would be very happy that the event is on September 8th, the feast day of Our Lady, as he had great devotion to her. This statue will be a lasting monument to a remarkable man, said Mr Donnelly.

Following the formal ceremony, refreshments will be served in the local community centre.

Earlier this year, a community fundraising drive was launched to raise funds for the statue.

Fr. Browne was born on September 1st, 1928 in Sligo, and served most of his 65 years in County Roscommon.

In April 1986, he became parish priest of Kilbride, spending a total of 34 years there, 29 as parish priest and five as Pastor-Emeritus (or grandfather) of the parish.

While he was, theoretically, in retirement for the last five years of his life, Fr Ray didnt know the meaning of the word, and continued to exercise an active pastoral ministry and, like many priests, adapted to the use of modern technology during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Before he came to Kilbride, his ministry took him to Drumboylan for 14 years and Roscommon Town for 14 years. Following his ordination, he spent four years in Nigeria. While there, he compiled a catechism which is still being taught in the African country.

After completing his secondary education at Summerhill College, Ray went to St. Patricks College, Maynooth in 1947 and, on completion of his formation, was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Elphin in 1954.

Like many newly ordained priests at the time, due to the very large numbers of ordinations for Irish dioceses, Fr Browne spent his first years as a guest priest overseas. In his case, it was in Calabar, Nigeria, which must have seemed very far away in the 1950s. He worked in three teacher-training colleges in Uria, Ediene and Anua.

On returning to Ireland in 1958, he was appointed curate at Drumboylan in the parish of Ardcarne, where he remained for 14 years.

From there, he worked as a curate for the Sacred Heart Parish, Roscommon Town, where he served for another 14 years. His next move was just a short distance  four miles  to Fourmilehouse, in April 1986, when he became parish priest of Kilbride, spending almost 35 years there until his death in 2020.

Though small in stature, Fr Browne had a big heart and this was demonstrated time and time again in his commitment to community development, both in his own parish and far beyond. His interests extended from housing for the elderly to the care of people with disabilities.

He was national chairman of Muintir na Tire from 1963-1967. He was awarded an Honorary Masters in Community Development from NUIG in 2009. He always took a particular interest in encouraging the active engagement of young people in the life of the parish.

He was a regular participant in the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes, and at the age of 90, during one of the hottest summers for many years, he led a pilgrimage from Kilbride to Fatima.

He died following a short illness on November 25th 2020, and following his Funeral Mass celebrated by Bishop Doran, he was laid to rest in the grounds of St Brigids Church, Four Mile House.

During Fr Brownes Funeral Mass, Bishop Doran said that through his 65 years of priestly ministry he had touched the lives of a great many people, often possibly without even knowing it.

He was a preacher and a sacramental minister, but he had a deep life-long commitment to building community.

In my own experience of him, Fr Ray had a habit of gliding gently into the middle of a gathering, but you always knew he was there. He was a small man, but a big presence, said Bishop Doran.

*The committee is still accepting donations for the project. There are several ways to donate: online via idonate.ie/fundraiser/FrRaymondBrowneMemorial, or donations can be handed into the local shop or church, or to any committee member.
Supreme Court's stance on "Bulldozer Justice" becomes tougher

Supreme Court's sensitivity on this issue should influence state governments and local administrations.

Dispensing "justice" through bulldozers will no longer be easy. The Supreme Court has made it clear that in cases of crime or riots, the state government or police actions to demolish the house of a suspected criminal will not be tolerated. A division bench comprising Justice Bhushan R. Gavai and Justice K.V. Viswanathan, while hearing several petitions on Monday, termed the incidents of demolishing the houses of the accused or their parents as unfair and a disservice to the administration of justice.

The bench stated that convicting someone before they have been convicted by the court is a direct violation of the Constitution and the law. The judges also mentioned that they would prepare comprehensive guidelines to stop this malpractice, which will be applicable across the entire country. They sought suggestions from the Solicitor General of India and other legal experts, emphasizing that the entire procedure should be more judicial and humane.

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The practice of demolishing the house or business of an accused in major or heinous crimes has been in place since British rule. Some legal provisions exist in statutory codes, but such steps were rarely implemented until five years ago when the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh began to regularize them. Initially, this was effective in curbing crime, and Yogis reputation as a strict administrator was established. Other BJP-led states, including Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Maharashtra, adopted "bulldozer justice" as an effective measure. Even Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, then governed by Congress, were not left behind. However, this practice soon took on a communal color, with the Muslim community becoming its main target.

During the 2020-21 CAA protests in Delhi, bulldozers were openly used against the Muslim community. It was inevitable that this matter would reach the Supreme Court. A hearing was held in 2022 on petitions filed by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, other organizations, and individual victims. The judges requested affidavits and assurances from the authorities. Unfortunately, despite the case being in the Supreme Court, "bulldozer justice" not only continued but also intensified. Perhaps this is why the division bench has now taken a stricter stance.

Governments, local administrations, or police should not have the right to violate legal procedures in the name of preventing lawlessness or disorder. Bulldozers should be used on illegal encroachments or constructions, but without any religious discrimination. The law's wrath should be directed at the criminals, not their siblings or parents.

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Most affidavits filed in the Supreme Court indicate that the victims of government or police actions were usually the parents or relatives of the suspected accused. A case from Indore is particularly noteworthy, where, despite a ban by the Supreme Court, the local administration demolished the house of a suspected accused, claiming they had not yet received the court's order in writing.

The Supreme Court's sensitivity on this issue should influence state governments and local administrations. The law should target criminals, not innocent bystanders.
Talks on the Green Corridor

The project of the so-called Green Corridor, which will supply the European Union with energy produced in the Caspian Sea, is reporting good progress.

The 8th ministerial meeting of the Green Corridor (Credits: Facebook / Ministerul Energiei - Romania)

Bogdan Matei, 04.09.2024, 14:00

The Romanian national energy carrier Transelectrica and counterpart companies from Georgia, Azerbaijan and Hungary have signed an association agreement for the Green Energy Corridor Power Company, based in Romania. The company will seek to implement the Green Energy Corridor project, namely a high-voltage underwater cable that will connect, via the Black Sea, Romania and Georgia, the connection being extended to Hungary and Azerbaijan. The eighth ministerial meeting of the Green Corridor project, held on Tuesday in Bucharest, approved the feasibility study prior to the implementation of the project. The Green Corridor is endorsed by the European Commission, and the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, attended the signing of the agreement between the parties in December 2022. This strategic project will help consolidate national and regional energy security, increase connectivity in the Black Sea basin and capitalize on the potential of renewable energy. At the same time, we agreed on the possibility of adding to the feasibility study a new component, namely an optical fiber cable that will connect the four countries, contributing to the improvement of data flows and supporting the digitization of the region. Over the next period, we will also analyze the possibility of Bulgaria joining this infrastructure project, the approach being also open to our brothers across the Prut (the Republic of Moldova e.n.), Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja said.

His counterpart from Azerbaijan, Parviz Shahbazov, thanked the European Union for supporting the project as early as its early foundations, thanks to which more renewable energy produced in the Caspian Sea area will reach Europe. Baku wants to interconnect this corridor with another one, which involves ex-Soviet states in Central Asia, such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, the Azeri official said. In turn, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Levan Davitashvili, pointed out that this project can contribute to the energy security of the European Union and is key to having a competitive energy market. The representative of Hungary, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peter Szijjarto, stated that this infrastructure project needs to be completed as soon as possible. We will break world records, considering the length of the submarine cable will be approximately 1,200 kilometers  a cable like no other has ever been built  the Hungarian Foreign Minister added. (VP)
Happening in Romania

Romania's population is facing a dramatic decline and aging; Romania was ranked second in the top of foreign direct investments in the period 2018-2023; the CODRU festival organized in Timisoara scored a resounding success.

Happening in Romania

Lacramioara Simion, 04.09.2024, 13:59

In the lineup today: September 30 was the deadline when young Romanian musicians could register for the annual selection for the European Union Youth Orchestra; Romanias population is facing a dramatic decline and aging according to the latest United Nations report; Romania was ranked second in the top of foreign direct investments in the period 2018-2023; the CODRU (Forest) festival organized in Timisoara, western Romania, between August 30 and September 1, scored a resounding success. This and much more in the next 10 minutes. Stay tuned.
Alpha Group International plc (ALPH.L), a global provider of financial solutions, reported that its profit attributable to equity holders of the parent for the six months ended 30 June 2024 rose to 44.84 million pounds or 103.5 pence per share from 39.57 million pounds or 91.3 pence per share in the prior year.

Underlying earnings per share were 36.8 pence up from 34.1 pence last year.

Profit before tax increased to 60.82 million pounds from 51.38 million pounds in the previous year.

Revenue for the period increased to 64.33 million pounds from 55.46 million pounds in the prior year.

The company is confident that it is on track to meet full-year results.

The company declared an interim dividend of 4.2 pence per share compared to 3.7 pence per share paid last year. The interim dividend will be payable on 11 October 2024 to shareholders on the register at 13 September 2024. The ex-dividend date is 12 September 2024.

For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

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Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has reportedly resigned ahead of a possible major cabinet reshuffle.

Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said Ukraine's parliament will discuss Kuleba's resignation at its plenary meeting.

Amid reports of an imminent change at top Cabinet posts, President Volodymyr Zelensky gave indications in this regard during his television address Tuesday night.

"The autumn will be extremely important for Ukraine. And our state institutions must be set up so that Ukraine achieves all the results that we need  We must strengthen some areas in the government, and personnel decisions have been prepared."

Kuleba's resignation comes at a time when Ukraine is suffering mass civilian casualties in Russian attacks.

At least seven people, including a child, were killed in a series of attacks overnight using missile and drones on the residential areas of two major cities, Lviv and Kryvyi Rih.

"To put an end to this terror, Ukraine's partners must promptly deliver the promised air defense systems and ammunition, as well as strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities and allow us to launch long-range strikes on all legitimate military targets in Russia," Kuleba wrote on X.

In his meeting in Brussels with EU foreign ministers last week, Kuleba had conveyed a sense of urgency regarding the delivery of already pledged military aid, including air defense systems, to Ukraine.

He held a crucial role in Ukraine's EU accession negotiations.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

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Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has launched a plan to revitalise Britain's railways and drastically improve its services.

The launch of Shadow Great British Railways, or Shadow GBR, will set in motion a huge overhaul of the running of the nation's rail network, bringing together leaders from the Department for Transport, Network Rail and publicly-owned operators.

Shadow GBR will pave the way for Great British Railways - a new unified body responsible for bringing track and train back together and overseeing both services and infrastructure.

Tuesday's announcement comes as the government's Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill received its third reading in the House of Commons.

It marks the first major piece of legislation to pass through the Commons under the new Labour Government.

Louise Haigh said the landmark legislation reinforces the government's focus on reversing delays, cancellations and unreliable services on Britain's railways.

It will prioritise passengers over private companies, putting the railways back on track. The implementation of the legislation is estimated to save taxpayers up to 150 million, or $196 million, every year in fees alone in the process.

As part of the plans for reform, the government has recognised the need to speed up training for drivers and is collaborating with the sector to build resilience and improve productivity. The government is reviewing the feedback on a consultation this summer on lowering the minimum age for drivers from 20 to 18.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of State has announced a new Rail Sale early next year, to mark the 200th anniversary of Britain's passenger railways. Returning by popular demand, the sale will aim to encourage more people on to the railways by offering up to 50 percent off train tickets for a specific time period.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

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Employees of United States Steel Corp. (X), Wednesday hosted a rally in support of the proposed transaction with Nippon Steel (NISTY.PK,NISTF.PK). The deal was announced in 2023 to acquire the steel company in an all-cash deal valued at $55.00 per share, totaling $14.9 billion.

The employees warned that if the deal does not proceed, U.S. Steel will likely shift away from its blast furnace facilities, putting thousands of jobs at risk, negatively impacting numerous communities nearby the facilities, and depriving the American steel industry of an opportunity to better compete on the global stage.

The deal had already received regulatory approvals outside of the U.S., and is currently undergoing the regulatory review process in the U.S.

Currently, United States Steel's stock is climbing 2.67 percent, to $36.55 on the New York Stock Exchange.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

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Molson Coors (TAP) is rolling back its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, aligning with the ongoing anti-woke movement in corporate America.

The decision was announced in an internal memo, where the company communicated the removal of its supplier diversity quota, citing that they can be "complicated and influenced by factors outside of control."

Despite this rollback, the brewer emphasized its commitment to ensuring that its suppliers continue to represent the company's diverse customer base.

"We are ensuring our executive incentives are tied to performance and do not include aspirational representation goals beginning next year," the memo stated.

Also, the company is ending its participation in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, which evaluates companies based on factors, such as non-discrimination policies, spousal and partner benefits, transgender-inclusive benefits, and engagement with the LGBTQ+ community.

A score of 100 on the index indicates the company's strong commitment to LGBTQ+ causes. In 2023-24, around 600 companies, including Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), Bank of America (BAC), Ford (F), Disney (DIS), Google, Microsoft (MSFT), Toyota (TM), and Walmart (WMT), received perfect scores.

"This will not impact the benefits we provide our employees, nor will it change or diminish our commitment to fostering a strong culture where every one of our employees knows they are welcome at our bar," the company said, CNBC reports.

The decision comes as several prominent companies have distanced themselves from DEI initiatives. Retailer Tractor Supply (TSTO) severed ties with the HRC, and retired its DEI targets, while Harley Davidson (HOG) decided to stop using HRC's metric for treatment of LGBTQ+ employees and confirmed it does not have a DEI function.

Last week, Ford Motor (F) also announced its decision to scale back on some of its commitments to DEI initiatives.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

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Hyundai Launches Creta Knight Edition with Bold Black Styling  It is offered in petrol and diesel, manual and automatic options

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has launched the new Creta Knight edition, a striking addition to its popular SUV lineup. Designed to command attention, the Creta Knight features an exclusive black-themed design, with over 21 styling enhancements.

2024 Hyundai Creta Knight Edition

Creta is one of the best selling SUV in India. It has about 11 million sales till date. The new Creta which was launched earlier this year, has increased the sales of brand Creta to a new level. Now, ahead of the 2024 festive season, Hyundai has announced the launch of Creta Knight edition.

2024 Creta Knight exterior showcases a dominant black front radiator grille, matte black Hyundai logos, 17-inch black alloy wheels with red brake calipers, and a distinctive Knight emblem. Additional black accents include the skid plates, roof rails, ORVMs, and spoiler.

Inside, the Creta Knight follows the all-black theme with premium touches such as brass-colored inserts, exclusive black leather seat upholstery with brass piping and stitching, and sporty metal pedals. The steering wheel and gear boot are also wrapped in leather with brass stitching, enhancing the overall aesthetic.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director & Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India Limited said, The CRETA Knight is more than just an SUV  its a statement asserting the commanding road presence, bold design, and exclusive, black-themed features. Redefining what it means to drive in style, the black allure of the SUV, will give customers a dynamic driving experience, while strengthening the CRETA brand. The CRETA Knight marks another milestone in our journey to deliver vehicles that resonate with our customers aspirations, combining power, luxury, and unmatched road presence.

Prices and Variants

Available with both 1.5L MPi Petrol and 1.5L U2 CRDi Diesel engine options, the Creta Knight offers S(O) and SX(O) variants with multiple transmission choices, including 6-speed manual, IVT, and automatic.

The 1.5L MPi Petrol variants include the Creta Knight S(O) MT priced at Rs 14.50 lakh, S(O) IVT at Rs 16.00 lakh, SX(O) MT at Rs 17.42 lakh, and SX(O) IVT at Rs 18.88 lakh. The 1.5L U2 CRDi Diesel variants start with the Creta Knight S(O) MT priced at Rs 16.08 lakh, followed by the S(O) AT at Rs 17.58 lakh, SX(O) MT at Rs 18.99 lakh, and the top-spec SX(O) AT priced at Rs 20.14 lakh. All prices are ex-sh.

Additionally, customers opting for the Titan Grey Matte colour need to pay Rs 5,000 extra, while the dual-tone colour option comes with an additional cost of Rs 15,000. Hyundais Creta Knight aims to appeal to customers seeking exclusivity and style in their SUV, making it stand out on both city roads and highways.
Depending on the market, the DNGA platform based Daihatsu Rocky is rebadged and sold as Toyota Raize, Subaru Rex and Perodua Ativa

In a rather interesting turn of events, Toyota Raize, a rebadged version of Daihatsu Rocky, has just been subjected to Latin NCAP crash tests. The result proved to be a disadvantage in Toyotas portfolio as subjected vehicle only scored 1 Star in Latin NCAP testing. Lets break down the numbers and see the analytics.

Toyota Raize Latin NCAP

In Japan, ASEAN nations and Latin nations, Daihatsu Rocky is an important vehicle. We say this because there have been multiple re-badged versions of Daihatsu sold under other brands. Apart from being sold as Toyota Raize, Daihatsu Rocky is also sold as Perodua Ativa and Subaru Rex.

The Toyota Raize subjected to Latin NCAP testing is made in Indonesia for Latin America. It is advertised as a 5-Door SUV and the crash test vehicle weighed 1,232 kg. Tested vehicle had 2 airbags as standard, along with seat belt pre-tensioner and load limiter. Seatbelt reminders were standard too, along with rear ISOFIX seats.

Adult occupant testing yielded just 16.22 points which turns out to be 40.54%. 11.6 points were scored in frontal off-set deformable barrier, 1.62 points in whiplash rear impact, 7 points in side movable deformable barrier test and the side pole impact test was not conducted at all.

Child occupant protection yielded more points than adult protection. Toyota Raize Latin NCAP results registered 35.07 points garnered in child occupant safety which turns out to be 71.57%. Where pedestrian protection is concerned, car meets UN127 regulation and got 28.17 points, which is 58.70%.

Made in Indonesia Toyota Raize for Latin market scored 25 points in safety assist tests with 58.14%. Because ADAS is not offered as standard fitment across the variant range, Latin NCAP did not test Toyota Raizes active safety features like AEB, lane support, blind spot detection, road edge detection and others.

Comments by Latin NCAP

According to Latin NCAP, Toyota Raize offered good protection to the driver and passenger head and neck. While drivers chest protection was only marginal and passengers chest protection was adequate. There was marginal protection to drivers knees as there was a possibility of them impacting dangerous structures behind the fascia. Passenger knees, driver and passengers tibias showed good protection.

Notably, Toyota Raizes footwell area was rated as stable. However, Raize disappoints when it comes to the body integrity. Latin NCAP declared bodyshell as unstable and not capable of withstanding further loadings. In side impact tests, Toyota Raize showed good protection for head, abdomen and pelvis and chest protection was only marginal.
Paleontologists have unearthed the skeletal remains from a previously unknown species of lithostrotian titanosaur at the fossil site of Lo Hueco, Cuenca, Spain.

Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra lived in Europe around 75 million years ago during the Cretaceous period.

The ancient creature was a member of Saltasauridae, a superfamily of titanosaurian dinosaurs within the clade Lithostrotia.

Titanosauria was a successful group of sauropod dinosaurs that experienced an important event of diversification in the Early Cretaceous, with the establishment of several distinct lineages including Lithostrotia, said University of Lisbons Dr. Pedro Mocho and his colleagues.

Lithostrotians dominated the Late Cretaceous sauropod fauna and were represented by two main groups, the saltasauroids, and colossosaurs, including from small forms to the largest known land animals.

They survived until the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary, when they became extinct as all other non-avian dinosaurs.

The paleontologists uncovered an articulated and partially associated skeleton of Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra at the Lo Hueco site of the Villalba de la Sierra Formation in Cuenca, Spain.

Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra stands out for being one of the most complete sauropod skeletons found in Europe, including cervical, dorsal and caudal vertebrae, part of the pelvic girdle and elements of the limbs, they said.

Their unique morphology, especially in the tail vertebrae, offers new insights into the non-avian dinosaurs of the Iberian Peninsula, a historically poorly understood group.

The discovery reveals, for the first time, the presence of at least two distinct saltasauroid lineages in the Iberian region.

One of these groups, called Lirainosaurinae, is relatively well known in the Iberian region and is characterized by small and medium-sized species, which evolved in an island ecosystem, Dr. Mocho said.

In other words, Europe was a huge archipelago made up of several islands during the Late Cretaceous.

However, Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra belongs to another group of sauropods, represented in the Iberian Peninsula by medium-large species around 73 million years ago.

This suggests to us that this lineage arrived in the Iberian Peninsula much later than other groups of dinosaurs.

We identify Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra as a representative of the opisthocoelicaudine saltasaurids, a group present in the northern hemisphere (Laurasia), the researchers said.

On the other hand, most Late Cretaceous sauropods from southwestern Europe, including Lohuecotitan pandafilandi, previously described from Lo Hueco, belong to Lirainosaurinae, a group of sauropods apparently exclusive to the European continent.

Our study suggests that Lo Hueco is the only place where the coexistence of both groups is known and proposes a new group of titanosaurs called Lohuecosauria, which includes representatives of both lineages.

Lohuecosaurs may have originated on the southern continents (Gondwana) before dispersing globally.

The findings appear in the journal Communications Biology.

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P. Mocho et al. 2024. A Spanish saltasauroid titanosaur reveals Europe as a melting pot of endemic and immigrant sauropods in the Late Cretaceous. Commun Biol 7, 1016; doi: 10.1038/s42003-024-06653-0
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has approved Microsoft 's acquisition of key personnel and intellectual property from Inflection AI , it announced on Wednesday, determining that the deal does not significantly impact competition in the artificial intelligence (AI) market.

Microsofts acquisition, announced in March, involved hiring most of Inflection AI's team, including its co-founders, Mustafa Suleyman and Karen Simonyan.

The deal also included licensing arrangements related to Inflections intellectual property.

The CMA reviewed the transaction to assess its potential impact on competition, particularly in the development of foundation models (FMs) and consumer chatbots.

It said in its decision that while the acquisition qualified as a merger under UK law, it did not raise substantial competition concerns.

Inflection AI, a developer of the chatbot Pi, had a small market presence, and its products were not seen as material competitors to Microsoft's chatbot offerings, such as Copilot and ChatGPT.

The CMA found that Inflection's technology, while focused on emotional intelligence, did not significantly constrain Microsoft's dominance or other competitors in the field.

It also concluded that the acquisition would not harm competition in the enterprise-focused FM sector.

Inflections AI studio business, which had been in the early stages of development, was not seen as a competitive threat to Microsoft or other established FM developers.

As a result, the CMA decided not to refer the merger for further investigation, clearing the way for the transaction to proceed.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
Diane Ehrensaft is a developmental and clinical psychologist, and author of The Gender Creative Child and Gender Born, Gender Made. At the University of California, San Francisco, she is the cofounder and director of mental health at the Child and Adolescent Gender Center and an associate professor of pediatrics. She has been featured in the Los Angeles Times online and Wired online and has appeared on Anderson Live, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and TheToday Show.

Michelle Jurkiewicz is a clinical psychologist and gender specialist in Berkeley, Calif., providing therapeutic services to children, youth, and families since 2003. Jurkiewicz was an early pioneer in working with transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive youth. In addition to providing psychotherapy for people of all ages, she trains newer clinicians in using the gender affirmative model.

Ehrensaft and Jurkiewicz teamed up for Gender Explained: A New Understanding of Identity in a Gender Creative World (The Experiment; reviewed in this issue), an introduction to the concepts of gender creativity and gender-affirming care.

How did you approach co-writing this book, especially as authors from two different generations?

Michelle Jurkiewicz: We each took the lead on five chapters, and we had input into the other chapters too. We've had different experiences with gender and watching the gender affirmative model develop and grow, though Diane brings in more about her generation.

Diane Ehrensaft: Our childhoods were very different. I was born in 1946, when girls had to wear skirts to school in Chicago, no matter what the weather. And Michelle didn't have to deal with that. But more than differences, we have beautifully discovered similarities. We've worked together for a long time, so the perspective was not a surprise. We both identify as cisgender women, but for both of us, there's no way we take shit from anybody around sexism and women not having a voice.

Jurkiewicz: It was clear that even though we were born in different generations, we both see the progression throughout the last 100 years or so as contributing to where we are today.

Diane Ehrensaft

The intended audience for this book is adults, but you seem aware that gender-diverse kids and teens might read it, too. How did you think about those two audiences?

Ehrensaft: An eight-year-old once came into my office holding my previous book, The Gender Creative Child, saying, "I'm reading it with my mommies!" So I always assume that kids might have their parents share this sort of book with them, or they might pick it up on their own.

Jurkiewicz: We're speaking about children's and teens' experiences and trying to include their voices as much as possible. They were always at the forefront of our minds, which is a big part of it.

Even though you are cisgender women, did you experience your own gender exploration?

Ehrensaft: Definitely! I was a late bloomer and geeky teenager who loved math and did ballet. I was completely confused about my gender. I never thought, "I must be a boy." I believed in God at the time, and I came up with the theory that God forgot to give me a uterus, so I was an in-between person.

Then in 2022, a close friend / colleague and I were exploring our gender histories. We asked: "If we were in high school now, would we identify as non-binary?" I've also done the experiment of "If I woke up tomorrow with a penis or with people calling me 'Mr.', how would I feel?" I liked pretending I was a little brother instead of sister when I was a kid. But how would I feel as an adult? It's helped me to do that exercise, and I ask parents to do it, too.

Michelle Jurkiewicz

(photo: Ben Krantz)

Jurkiewicz: I grew up in a stereotypically gendered family and region. I was very girly, and I didn't question that until I took my first women's studies class in college. It opened up this whole new way of seeing the world. It also made me start to question how I presented my own gender. At that point, identifying as a woman was important to me, but what it meant to be a woman and how to express being a woman--I was grappling and experimenting with all of that. Then, because of my interest in gender as well as my gender-diverse friends and colleagues, I got more and more excited and professionally involved.

I've also wondered about how I would discover or express my gender differently today than when I was growing up. Working with my clients, I hear about their experiences daily. I try to imagine myself in their shoes, what it's like walking around as a transgender or gender-diverse young person.

Can you say more about this idea of exploration and learning about gender as an ongoing process?

Jurkiewicz: Even if your gender identity doesn't shift, how you interact with the world and how the world interacts with you is affected by gender. And that's always shifting. The way I experienced being a woman in my 20s is very different than in my 40s. And in the work I do with children, I watch their genders unfold and grow and develop. That's a delicate balance we're always holding: affirming a child's gender while also making sure there's space for them to explore if they want or need to.

Ehrensaft: The term "gender exploration" is sometimes read as "press pause and explore, because a child or teen couldn't possibly know now." That's not what we mean. We honor knowability, that a child or teenager can know their gender. They don't have to be asked to explore for five years to prove anything. What we do is a deep dive with the youth and their family to get the young person's gender in focus and develop a plan for them. And absolutely, it can change over time. It has to do with gender evolution for all of us.

You introduce terms like "gender web" and "Rapid Onset Parental Discovery." What do you think is the value of coining new terms?

Ehrensaft: They help us think about things in new gender-creative ways. I loved the notion of gender spectrum because it got away from gender boxes. But it was linear between two points: boy-girl, male-female. We needed something that doesn't keep those, so I made up the web. Others coined similar terms with the same intent. Rapid Onset Parental Discovery was different. I purposely meant it as a counterpoint to the erroneous idea of Rapid Onset Gender Discovery, to be provocative, because that's where the real issue is.

Jurkiewicz: Terms like gender web resonate with families because you can get a feel for it before reading the definition. A lot of adults feel like they don't understand what's going on. Offering more accessible terms invites people in rather than making them feel like outsiders.

Ehrensaft: I also coined "social gender dysphoria." It's not the children experiencing the primary dysphoria. It's the culture, which is then internalized by the children or parents. If we could dispel adults' confusion and treat social gender dysphoria, the kids will have a better go of it.

Jurkiewicz: Yes, there's so much talk about these young people having psychological problems as though they originate inside of them. That is not what we see.

What do you want readers to take away from this book, especially in regard to community responsibility?

Jurkiewicz: Gender diversity is a normal human variation, and the kids are doing something exciting by opening this space up. It's good for all of us because traditional gender roles and stereotypes really limit everybody. And the distress around youths' gender identity isn't because of their gender but how society responds to them. The adults--all of us--are responsible for their distress, which means we can shift that.

Ehrensaft: We hope to reduce anxiety and increase curiosity. We talk about being reflective rather than reactive about your own gender or your children's gender, and what you can do to help the country and the world. Because it isn't about a small group of children. It's about a whole society.

Right now in the United States, gender is weaponized as a political ax with great harm. It's an easy target, given certain values. But these children are ascending. The notion of gender not in two boxes isn't going away. Although the White House's stance about transgender care is still unclear and they haven't taken back their statement about surgeries, the Biden administration put out a statement--based on protests and pushback from major organizations--that they support gender care for minors. So I'm optimistic.

We hope we can move people toward working together, recognizing that we're in a transitional state that makes us all anxious. But there's new bedrock, and it's going to be okay. --Dainy Bernstein, freelance reviewer
The Indian textile industry is on track to become a $300 billion sector by 2030, with expectations of $100 billion in exports, according to the government. Currently valued at $175 billion, including exports of $38-40 billion, the sector is emerging as a significant contributor to India's GDP.

Speaking at Assochams Global Textile Sustainability Summit in New Delhi, Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Textiles and External Affairs, highlighted the pivotal role of sustainability in shaping the industrys future. Margherita emphasized that India aims to lead in sustainable textiles, setting a global example for responsible practices.

"Indias textile sector presents unique opportunities to establish new standards for sustainability. It is essential that sustainability guides our progress, ensuring that the industry not only succeeds but also positively impacts the planet", Margherita said.

Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Textiles, outlined four key trends driving the industry: a consistent domestic growth rate of approximately 8% CAGR, digitization, automation, and artificial intelligence. He noted that supportive policies such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) parks, and the National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM) are crucial for fostering infrastructure development, investment, and job creation in the sector.

sustainable textile industry is a shared journey that requires commitment, collaboration, and innovation", he added. Kansal also highlighted India's ambition to not only become a hub for sustainable textiles but also to inspire global responsibility in the industry. "The path to ais a shared journey that requires commitment, collaboration, and innovation", he added.

MS Dadu, Chairman of Assochams Textiles and Technical Textiles Council, emphasized that adopting advanced technologies like waterless dyeing, digital processing, and energy-efficient garmenting positions India as a global leader in textile innovation while respecting environmental concerns.
India is significantly enhancing its tunneling infrastructure, with 69 tunnels covering a total of 134 kilometers currently under construction, supported by an investment of Rs 40,000 crore, according to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, at the second edition of FICCIs Tunnelling India conference. He also noted that 35 tunnels, spanning 49 kilometers, have already been completed, involving expenditures of Rs 15,000 crore.

Looking ahead, the government plans to construct an additional 74 tunnels stretching 273 kilometers, with a projected investment of Rs 100,000 crore. Gadkari emphasized the importance of upgrading technology and finding cost-effective solutions while maintaining high-quality standards in these projects. "We need to find out exactly which is the best technology that is cost-effective without compromising on quality", he said.

The minister highlighted the necessity of adopting terrain-specific approaches, particularly in the challenging Himalayan regions. He called for innovative solutions, such as precast technology and push-back techniques, to address recurring issues like landslides. Shri Gadkari also underscored the critical role of performance audits in ensuring project efficiency, stating, "Performance audit is more important than financial audit".

The minister discussed the potential for innovative cost-saving measures, such as reusing materials excavated during tunnel construction. "Can the material that comes out from there be reused in road construction ? Can some cost be saved from it", he questioned, encouraging sustainable practices to reduce overall project expenses.

Bhavani Koneru, a member of FICCIs Committee on Transport Infrastructure, highlighted the need for India to develop homegrown tunneling technologies tailored to the countrys distinct geological conditions and cost considerations. She emphasized the importance of effective resource management and proposed creative ways to repurpose excavated materials. Koneru also underscored the significance of localizing the supply chain, advocating for the development of domestic capabilities to produce components such as rubber gaskets, which are presently imported.
In late 2021, a quiet revolution in the celebration industry started in a busy neighbourhood of Koramangala, Bangalore. What began as a small idea quickly developed into The Binge Town, a company that has now redefined the norm for how Indians celebrate their most important holidays and special occasions.

The Binge Town's narrative is one of aspiration, vision, and a deep comprehension of the changing needs of the contemporary Indian who loves turning celebrations into memories. One of the creative brains behind this innovative project, Chetan Agrawal, remembers how the concept originated from a straightforward but insightful observation: People were looking for more intimate and customised ways to celebrate outside of the conventional banquet halls and restaurants. They needed more, and The Binge Town team saw a great business opportunity.

We saw a change in the way individuals desired to commemorate their unique occasions. They were searching for extremely personal experiences as well as ones that would stick in their memory, explains Chetan. Thats when we decided to create a space where every celebration could be as unique as the individual hosting it.

January 2022 saw the opening of the first Binge Town location, which had a single private theatre ideal for small parties. And since then, there has been no looking back.

The Binge Town is essentially a private party space that is best suited for small parties of four to five guests, though depending on the size of the space, it can accommodate up to fifteen. A huge screen and surround sound system distinguish each private celebration area from other private theatre celebration settings. They increased the range of services to include cakes, picture opportunities, food and beverages, and gifts, and also offered to include a wide range of customizable options when they realised that a spectacular celebration involves more than simply a place.

When it comes to customised celebration requests, The Binge Town team is always willing and eager to fulfil each and every unique requirement. Whether it is by arranging a grand surprise with a fog entry from the front gate to the cake-cutting location, or by setting up a unique cake, such a Barbie cake, photo cake, or multi-layer cake, the in-house team makes sure that every celebration is one to remember. Customers looking for unique experiences favour this option because of its versatility and painstaking attention to detail.

The Binge Town thus evolved into a one-stop shop for planning unique parties over time, and their superior customer service and ease of doing business ensured that they got steady bookings. Customers can select the branch and theater according to the size and design aesthetic of their business, and they can book a seat by making a Rs 750 advance payment. The client can choose additional services as needed, and they can pay the remaining balance at the theater on the day of the celebration, explains Chetan.

The Binge Town has expanded significantly since its founding in Koramangala. The brand, which has, as of Aug 2024, 13 locations in Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad, offers 46 distinctive celebration areas that are all intended to give an experience that is unmatched. Not only has The Binge Town grown, but it has also managed to stay flexible and attentive to the demands of its clientele.

Our intention was to provide more than just a space, explains Chetan. "We wanted to create an experience. Our staff put forth a lot of effort to make sure that every element  from the music to the decor  was customised to our clients' tastes.

The Binge Town is continuously upgrading itself and the services offered as demand for one-of-a-kind celebration experiences grows. Future plans include the addition of kid-friendly celebration packages and themed photo decorations, which will make sure that every visitor  regardless of age  leaves with treasured memories.

We have always aimed to push the boundaries of what a celebration can be, says Chetan in closing, adding, Our goal has always been to improve and reinvent the way individuals enjoy their unique moments. We continually push ourselves to look beyond the box; we do not just accept things as they are. We are constantly coming up with new ideas and adding new features to make sure that our offers stay exciting and cutting-edge, whether it is introducing new themes, utilising the newest technology, or providing bespoke services that cater to the particular demands of our clients. Our mission is to make every celebration not only remarkable but truly unforgettable, and we are dedicated to changing to meet the demands of our clients in order to achieve that.

For more details you can visit their official website www.thebingetown.com
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- If its time to re-up your Costco membership, get ready to pay a little more: The warehouse retailers annual fee just increased for the first time since 2017, and individual and business members can now expect to pay an additional $5 each year.

It has been more than seven years since Costcos last general membership fee increase, Costco said in a statement to USA Today. Membership fees help to offset costs so we can keep our prices low. A modest increase in fees will allow us to bring our members even greater value.

Costcos CFO Richard Galanti teased the increase during a company earnings calls in 2023. Its a question of when, not if, he said when asked about the possibility of an increase. And the company announced the change this past July. The price hike officially went into effect on Sept. 1.

Heres a look at what Costco shoppers will now pay:

All U.S. and Canada Gold Star, Business and Business add-on members will pay an annual fee of $65.

Annual fees for Executive Memberships in the United States and Canada will also increase from $120 to $130.

Also set to increase is the maximum annual 2% Reward associated with the Executive Membership: That will jump from $1,000 to $1,250.

According to the company, the fee increases will impact around 52 million memberships -- a little over half of which are Executive. Costco currently operates 882 warehouses, including one on Staten Island.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A worker at a pharmacy was threatened with a knife during a robbery in Dongan Hills last month, according to police.

The incident occurred on Aug. 6 at around 9:15 p.m., when an unknown individual entered a store located at 1361 Hylan Blvd. and removed cans of soda and dog food without paying, an NYPD spokeswoman said.

The address provided by police is listed as a CVS Pharmacy.

The 29-year-old male employee said the individual displayed a switchblade and threatened to hurt him before fleeing on foot, according to the NYPD.

No injuries were reported as a result of this incident, and there are no arrests in the ongoing investigation, police noted.

The incident was one of several reported at businesses on the borough in August, including a robbery in Stapleton where a worker was bashed in the face with a rock.

There have been 202 robberies on Staten Island this year through Sept. 1, according to NYPD CompStat data. That figure is down 8% through the same period in 2023.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  This weekend the Flagship Brewing Co. and Tunnel to Towers Foundation will raise a glass in a special tribute. A Saturday afternoon Bravest Festival will pay homage to heroes who have sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms.

Admission is free. The event is held at the brewery at 40 Minthorne St., Tompkinsville on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 2 p.m. through 6 p.m.

This specially brewed lager is an easy-drinking beer appropriately crafted for its intent  "Brewed For Heroes"  as an American Blonde Ale with an ABV of 4.8%. (Courtesy of Jay Sykes)Pamela Silvestri

Flagship co-owner Jay Sykes said, The Bravest Festival isnt just a celebration; its an opportunity to make a difference.

Prolific at the fete will be a specially crafted Bravest brew with the Tunnel to Towers name. This is an easy-drinking American Blonde Ale at 4.8% ABV specially Brewed For Heroes.

Half of the events proceeds will go directly to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation honors the legacy of Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001. The foundation supports the United States first responders, veterans, and their families through various programs and initiatives.

Sykes added, This years festival promises an unforgettable experience with beer and wine for sale, alongside a live performance by the dynamic band, Adam and the Metal Hawks.

Food also is available for purchase.

Eats include gourmet burgers and sandwiches from Crash Food Truck. South of the Border fare also is featured by Flagships neighbors at Mariachi Mexican Cantina, part of the business destination strip established along Minthorne St.

For those who wish to contribute further, personal donations can be made directly to the foundation via their website t2t.org.

Sykes said, Dont miss this chance to support a cause that truly matters to us all while enjoying a night of great food, music, and community. We want to come together to ensure that we never forget.

The Flagship Brewing Company is located at 40 Minthorne St., just off of the Tompkinsville train stop and Bay Street. It can be reached at info@theflagshipbrewery.com or through its website  Flagshipbrewery.nyc.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Pawpaw fans look to one time of year to enjoy a tropical-looking fruit born to the United States only in early fall. The pawpaw plant, indigenous to North American, produces its pawpaw bounty in only a tiny window of time, just as the September cool rolls in.

These are how pawpaws grow on a branch. (Courtesy of Dan Torrison from Rabbits Run Farm)

Pawpaws are super-sweet, luscious fruits bursting with an unusual flavor  a creamy, kind of custardy orange with bursts of banana and floral undertone, plus a mouthfeel similar to that of a papaya.

A pawpaw is a North American fruit with large, inedible seeds. Flesh can be scooped with a spoon and eaten raw.(Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri) Staff-Shot

Are paw paws edible?

When pawpaws develop a soft green skin marked by dark splotches, they fall to the ground. Their flesh is edible.

Fruit should be eaten after they fall  preferably not while on the branch  as their drop comes just when perfectly ripe. A pawpaw poacher can pluck them from the grass or dirt with no fear  only with thoughts on how to consume them.

As pawpaw trees age and trunks grow wider, their bark develops angular grooves. Although unusual, they can grow up to about 50 feet, about a foot a year. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri

The pawpaw fruit can be stored whole in zipper bags and placed in the freezer. The cold turns them black when thawed.

Pawpaw tree leaves have a ridge down the center. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri

How to find a pawpaw patch

Pawpaw trees can be identified by their floppy leaves and, by early fall, with the appearance of those yummy, teardrop-like fruits.

Pawpaw patches can be found in Tottenville and throughout the Greenbelt. Remember one is not supposed to pick things from New York City Parks to ensure they will reproduce and flourish. (Courtesy of Chef Mario DiBiase)(Staten Island Advance/Pamela Si

Otherwise pawpaws blend into a deciduous landscape almost like weeds. They tend to grow in patches, thanks to their copious large, oblong seeds that may scatter and root nearby.

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark survived on paw-paws as they traveled through through the region in the early 1800s. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri

Pawpaws do grow wild on Staten Island in the Greenbelt.

The pawpaw is edible and delicious when it drops to the ground in fall. Thomas Jefferson cultivated the papaya-looking things at Monticello. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri

They appear to have been cultivated around Butler Avenue in Tottenville, former home to historic Butler Manor.

As winter comes closer, the pawpaw foliage can be quite a sight with leaves turning from green to a golden rust.

Pawpaw zabaglione is a creation by Mario DiBiase, a Great Kills native and chef at Brooklyn's' Sotto Voce. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)(Staten Island Advance/Pamela Si

Its fruit pairs nicely with strawberries for a zabaglione. Pawpaws can also be turned into ice cream, a good fit for its already creamy palate sensation.

Pawpaw fruit for sale from Rabbit Run at the St. George Greenmarket. They turn brown or black when chilled.(Staten Island Advance/Bill Lyons) Staff-Shot

If you cant find pawpaws in the brush, then check them out at famers markets through the region.

A steady supply comes for about two weeks in September from the Rabbit Run Farm stand at the St. George Greenmarket at Hyatt St. and St. Marks Place. That market is open rain or shine on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Some say the flesh of the pawpaw tastes like cotton candy. It has a creamy texture. Seeds are inedible. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Staff-Shot

Pawpaws also can be scored at Fig Fest, held this year on Sept. 15 from noon to 6 p.m. at the National Lighthouse Museum, St. George. Mid-September is typically at the peak or slightly past the peak for ripe fruits in the region.

Pamela Silvestri is Advance/Silive.com Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Hearts are heavy across the borough in the weeks after Mary Jane Davis, a beloved community advocate, died on July 2 at the age of 99, according to an online obiturary posted by her family.

Davis was a League of Women Voters and Greenbelt Conservancy volunteer, a former PS 15 Parent Teacher Association president and Staten Island Advance Woman of Achievement honoree.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1925, Davis moved to Tompkinsville in 1955 with her husband, Dan Davis, according to Advance archives.

For six years, Davis worked to promote literacy by tutoring students to read as a coordinator for the New York City Board of Educations school volunteer program, co-sponsored by the Staten Island Mental Health Society in the 1970s.

This community work led to her becoming a recipient of the prestigious Staten Island Advance Woman of Achievement award in 1975.

Theres the idea of stimulating a child to want to read,' she said at the time. Sometimes you get kids in 7th or 8th grade who cant read at all, so they cant follow any instructions. We try to find material based on the childs own interests.

Davis was also one of 10 women to be honored in 1973 as a Beautiful Activist, by the Germaine Monteil cosmetics firm.

In addition to her childrens literacy work, Davis was also a board member of the Mental Health Society in years past.

A Staten Island Advance page from Nov. 2, 1975, displays the honorees for that year, including Mary Jane Davis, Gloria Benbow, Clarisse Downing, Catherine Johnson, Marjorie G. Medway and Ida Soldivera.Staten Island Advance

During her life, Davis traveled extensively with her family and many Staten Island friends, her familys obituary said.

In 2008, Davis moved to Edenwald, Baltimore, where she remained for the rest of her days, the tribute said.

While living in her continuing care community, Davis remained active by serving on committees and welcoming new people into the fold, according to the obituary.

The obituary noted that Davis was able to feed her love of art and music in Baltimore through attending Baltimore Symphony concerts and visiting area museums.

Davis is survived by her son, Daniel Davis; daughters, Gina, Polly and Martha Davis; five grandchildren, four great grandchildren; sons-in-law, Don Nelson and Scott Hamilton; and daughter-in-law, JoAnn Davis.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Planned Parenthood of Texas and/or Greater Lynn Senior Services.
The man who former President Donald Trump released from life in prison for his role in killing a Syracuse cop has been convicted in Florida of choking his wife. Hes now fighting efforts to return him to federal prison.

Nearly four years ago, Trump commuted Jaime A. Davidsons life sentence after Davidson served 28 years in prison for the 1990 murder of Syracuse Police Officer Wallie Howard Jr.
Millions of DirecTV customers are blocked from accessing popular television networks like ABC, ESPN and Disney channels amid an ongoing dispute between the television corporation and Walt Disney Co.

DirecTV is offering its customers a $20 credit for the blackout  but youll need to complete a few steps to qualify. DirecTV said its working to come to a new agreement with the Disney company, but until then, some channels may be unavailable.

This credit is a small way to acknowledge the disruption and make up for the temporary inconvenience while we work to bring the channels back to your lineup, stated DirecTV.

The first step is going to the DirecTV site, at www.directv.com/tvpromise/, and selecting your TV service  DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, or U-Verse TV. Then enter your ZIP code and county and hit search.

The website will direct you to some alternatives to watch missing programming.

A section called Explore Bill Credits offered the following statement: Were pursuing every avenue to get your station back. To thank you for your patience, until the situation is resolved, were offering you a bill credit.

If you qualify for a bill credit, go to the "Explore bill credits section of the TV Promise page and select the appropriate button to initiate a credit.

A $20 credit will be applied to the account, though it may take up to two billing cycles, according to DirecTV.

Your credit will appear on your DIRECTV bill. Go to Billing & Payments to view your bill online.
CHIZ HAILS 'CRUCIAL BREAKTHROUGH' WITH ARREST OF ALICE GUO IN INDONESIA

Senate President Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero hailed the arrest of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo in Indonesia as a "crucial breakthrough" in the Philippines' efforts to dismantle organized crime networks tied to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, is accused of having significant ties to Chinese criminal syndicates and was apprehended late Tuesday night in Tangerang City, Jakarta.

"The arrest of Alice Guo is a crucial breakthrough in our fight against organized crime and corruption. Her capture not only moves us closer to bringing her to justice but also offers a chance to uncover the illegal POGO operations that have plagued our country," Escudero said.

The Senate President also praised the effective collaboration between Philippine and Indonesian law enforcement agencies that led to Guo's arrest.

"The success of this operation underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating cross-border criminal activities. I commend both our law enforcement agencies and their Indonesian counterparts for their coordinated efforts," he said.

Guo is wanted by the Senate for her refusal to attend congressional hearings regarding her alleged involvement with Chinese criminal syndicates.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) recently filed multiple counts of money laundering against Guo and 35 others, accusing them of laundering over P100 million.

The Department of Justice confirmed that Guo is now in the custody of Indonesian authorities, with plans underway to expedite her extradition to the Philippines.

"With Alice Guo in custody, we can move forward with holding her accountable for her alleged crimes and uncovering the full extent of her criminal activities," said Escudero, who is also a lawyer.

He added: "This arrest sends a strong message that the rule of law will always prevail. It demonstrates that no one, regardless of their power or connections, is beyond the reach of justice."
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo will testify before Congress Sept. 10 over his handling of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Cuomo will appear before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, which includes Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) and is controlled by Republicans.
A Long Island fisherman got bit by a shark after reeling him in from a pier as he tried to unhook it Tuesday in the village of Island Park in Hempstead, according to the New York Post.

The unidentified man, who told officials he was unaware that he had hooked a 2 to 3-foot gray shark, was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries from the incident which happened around 2:30 p.m.

Soon after the incident, the Island Park Fire Department applied a tourniquet to control the bleeding.

He didnt realize it was a shark, brought it up on shore, tried to unhook it, and in that process, the shark bit him on the arm, Hempstead spokesman Brian Devine told The Post. This purely of his doing. He brough the shark to him.

Town officials said fishing in the park is pretty common, although catching a shark there was not.

It was unclear what happened to the shark.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Former Rep. Susan Molinari, who represented Staten Island and South Brooklyn in Congress from 1990 until 1997, is not shy about expressing her feelings about former President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement that led him to victory in the 2016 presidential election.

In an interview with the Advance/SILive.com, she expressed her distain for todays Republican party under Trump.

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 in his 2024 bid for president.

If you asked Guy Molinari how he would describe himself, the first thing he would say is a U.S. Marine. My father would have absolutely no patience for the disrespect that former President Trump has shown to our veterans and our men and women in the armed forces, she said.

Susan Molinari and her father Guy Molinari on election night 1990.(Staten Island Advance/Steve Zaffarano)

Trump has been criticized by many national veterans groups for his recent stop at Arlington National Cemetery that included his campaign staffers engaging in altercation with cemetery officials. Harris called this stop on the campaign trail a political stunt that disrespected U.S. veterans.

The Republican Party that the MAGAs represent is populism. Its not republicanism, its not conservatism, added Molinari, who was elected vice chair of the Republican Conference while in Congress.

She also criticized statements made by Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), Trumps vice president pick, about women.

The quote from JD Vance about women who arent married is just aspersion. [Hes] making value judgments. And then, of course, we get into Donald Trump about where he stands on abortion, which is an issue thats very important and personal on both sides. How do you change your opinion from day one to the next day? she questioned.

Despite her belief that Trump followers are divisive, she said she wont be switching her party registration just yet.

Im not going to change my registration right now. Hopefully, if he [Trump] loses, itll take a while for the Republican Party to get back together. But I do believe very strongly that a two-party system is good for our country. So Ill hang in there, she said.

Despite being members of opposing parties, Molinari called Harris moderate, and said she aligns with her on several issues, including paid family medical leave, environmental issues and her support for Ukraine.

I think our country needs to be more positive and forward looking. Donald Trump is just doom and gloom... he said its his right to interfere in an election, said Molinari. Everyone has to come to their own conclusion [about how to vote in the 2024 election], but the man was convicted of sexual assault. He was convicted of paying hush money. He caused January 6. We saw it with our own eyes. I find it hard to believe that anybody who witnessed the tragedies of January 6, where we lost five police officers, could support him.

Paisans for Kamala

After throwing her support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, Molinari said she will take part in a traditional Sunday Dinner on Sept. 8 as part of Paisans for Kamala. The group supporting Vice President Kamala Harris for president is made up of prominent Italian Americans.

From left to right, Susan Molinari and Guy Molinari address the city council on Fresh Kills landfill in 1996. (Staten Island Advance/Rob Sollett)

Political History

Susan Molinari succeeded her father in Congress in 1990 and served until 1997. Molinari was the keynote speaker at the Republican National Convention in 1996. But she has mostly been behind the scenes in the political world since leaving her congressional role in 1997 for a stint in broadcast television. She has, though, consistently backed Republican presidential candidates over the years, including George W. Bush and Mitt Romney, often supporting candidates with TV appearances as a commentator.

GOP Rep. Susan Molinari delivers the keynote address at the 1996 Republican National Convention.Mike Falco/Staten Island Advance

Her work has mostly been as a consultant and lobbyist. Now retired, she was founder of the Susan Molinari Strategies LLC consulting firm. Molinari previously worked for Bracewell and Giuliani LLP, and was also chair and CEO of the Washington Group. She later was hired by Google and served as their chief lobbyist in the role of vice president for public policy from 2012 to 2018.

Molinari also represented the South Shore in the City Council and was the Councils minority leader prior to winning her seat in Congress.

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A son of one the GOPs most revered figures slammed President Donald Trumps visit to Arlington National Cemetery as a violation

CNN said that 1st. Lt. Jimmy McCain, youngest son of the late GOP Arizona Sen. John McCain, had recently switched his party registration to Democrat and planned to vote for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris this fall.

It just blows me away, McCain, who has served in the military for 17 years, told CNN. These men and women that are laying in the ground there have no choice of whether to be a backdrop for a political campaign, he said.

I just think that for anyone whos done a lot of time in their uniform, they just understand that inherently  that its not about you there, said McCain, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who now serves as an Army Intelligence officer. Its about these people who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the name of their country.

Trump in August participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington to mark the third anniversary of an attack on U.S. troops in Afghanistan that killed 13 service members as U.S. forces withdrew from the country, NPR reported.

Trump was criticized for filming his visit to the Arlington cemetery, with critics saying he had turned the ceremony into a campaign event. There were reports of an altercation between Trump campaign staffers and a cemetery official.

Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Ceremonies, Arlington told NPR in a statement.

Trump said that the family members of the fallen military members had invited him to the ceremony.

Jimmy McCain had earlier switched his voter registration from independent to Democrat. He said he plans to vote for Harris and running mate Tim Walz.

I feel that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz embody a group of people that will help make this country better. That will take us forward. Thats really what matters at the end of the day, he said on CNN.

Trump is not the first politician to violate a ban on political activity at Arlington, CNN reported.

More than 20 years ago, John McCain said he made a very bad mistake when he released a campaign ad that featured a clip of him walking through the cemetery.

John McCain was a Navy officer who was held as a POW for six years during the Vietnam War. He served 31 years in the U.S. Senate and was the Republican Party candidate for president in 2008.
Veteran political pollster Nate Silver has issued a surprise call in the battle between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and former GOP President Donald Trump.

Silver, in his Silver Bulletin post on Substack, said that Trump has a 55.8% probability of winning the Electoral College contest and thus the presidency.

Silver gives Harris odds of 45% to win the Electoral College.

Rather than a landslide, that implies an extremely uncertain and probably ultimately very close race  well in the range of what wed consider a toss-up, Silver said.

All this comes against a backdrop of Harris still leading Trump in national polls watched by Silver, 49.2% to 45.7%.

Silver said that Harriss probability odds have declined slightly over the past two weeks, as shes gone from roughly a 55/45 favorite to a 45/55 underdog.

Its not a huge change, Silver said. Probability calculations can be highly sensitive just to either side of the 50/50 mark.

Silver said that having Robert F. Kennedy withdraw from the race and endorse Trump might have eaten into any gains that Harris received from the Democratic National Convention in August, accounting somewhat for the change in her polling fortunes.

He said that comparatively poor polling in Pennsylvania was also hurting Harris standing, which is disproportionately important given Pennsylvanias likelihood of being the pivotal state.

Silver said, As a result, the Electoral College forecast has swung more than the popular vote forecast.

Silver said the 2024 race has been uniquely challenging to predict because there hasnt been a slow news cycle since the debate between Trump and President Joe Biden on June 28.

Silver said, In rapid succession, we had: the debate, an incredible pressure campaign by Democrats to get Biden to drop out, the assassination attempt against Trump, Trump naming JD Vance as his running mate, the Republican convention, Biden dropping out, Harris securing the nomination overnight, Harris naming Tim Walz as her running mate, the Democratic convention, and then Kennedy dropping out.

Silver said, its hard to know whats normal in the 2024 cycle.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A stretch of considerably comfortable weather will be broken by a wet weekend with the potential to produce more than two inches of rain in New York City, forecasters predict.

Through most of the week, daily high temperatures will remain persistently tame, in the 70s, with sunshine expected to prevail through Friday.

The next couple of days are looking great weather-wise  low humidity, very comfortable, pleasant temperatures, Dave Dombek, an AccuWeather senior meteorologist, said.

As far as inclement weather goes, the only concern ahead of the weekend is the strong rip current risk anticipated from Thursday through Saturday. AccuWeather reports that a southern U.S. storm will move off the mid-Atlantic coast by Thursday and will merge with an area of high pressure to whip up strong, onshore winds along the East Coast going into the weekend.

An AccuWeather graphic shows the anticipated coastal impacts along the East Coast from Thursday, Sept. 5, through Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Courtesy of AccuWeather)(Courtesy of AccuWeather)

But despite this forecast, Dombek believes any clouds rolling into the area on Friday will not produce any precipitation until Saturday.

An extended period of rain

Dombek is pretty confident that there will be a period of time this weekend that becomes rather wet.

On Saturday, beginning at noon, the chance for on-and-off rain will persist for much of the day and into the evening.

The wettest part of Saturday might actually be more like late in the day, late Saturday, and into Saturday night, said Dombek.

Dombek did say the chance for a shower or two Saturday or Sunday morning is not entirely ruled out.

If this system is slow enough to exit the scene, there still could be a little bit of wet weather for a time on Sunday, Dombek added.

An AccuWeather graphic shows a potential coastal storm along the East Coast for the weekend beginning Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. (Courtesy of AccuWeather)(Courtesy of AccuWeather)

Ultimate rainfall amounts remain unforeseen at this time, but AccuWeather reports that repeated heavy downpours could result in flash flooding.

The air mass occupying New York will moisten up considerably, as the wind flow will be coming in off the Atlantic Ocean for a couple of days ahead of the arrival of the cold front this weekend, Dombek said.

The atmosphere will have had a chance to moisten up pretty nicely before that next system arrives, said Dombek. So well have a lot of juice, so to speak, to work with here, with this next system.

Should the varying factors come together, Dombek says we could be in for a soaker capable of drenching the area with one to two inches of rain, if not more.

In addition to the rainfall, Dombek said there could be a rumble of thunder in the New York City area at some point. However, flooding rainfall remains the major threat at this time.

At some point, New York City may deal with a low-pressure system in this timeframe that resembles a coastal feature. This feature would reportedly increase winds along the beaches, including on Staten Island, according to Dombek.

While that may sound bad upon first glance, Dombek says this would not be something crazy and would simply manifest in the form of notable wind flow off of the ocean.

Conditions on Sunday

As the clouds will occupy the New York City area this weekend, Dombek forecasts that temperatures will be somewhat suppressed to the low 70s.

Sundays forecast will be determined by the timing of Saturdays weather event, Dombek reports. Should the storm progress steadily, Sunday should be an improving day.

Any potentially lingering clouds and showers should give way to some sunshine and an otherwise OK day by the afternoon hours, Dombek said.
Hong Kongs Cathay Pacific Airways said it had inspected its entire Airbus A350 fleet after the in-flight failure of an engine part and found 15 aircraft with components that needed replacement.

A person familiar with the matter said a leak in a fuel system appeared to have caused a brief engine fire that was quickly extinguished by the crew of the Zurich-bound A350. There were no immediate signs that Mondays incident would trigger significant regulatory action involving the A350 fleet, the person added.

The A350-1000 returned to Hong Kong just over an hour after take-off.

Aviation Herald, an air safety publication, reported the jet had turned back after a cockpit alert warning of a fire in one of its two Rolls-Royce XWB-97 engines.
Has Australias richest person added another feather to her iron ore cap?

The few hundred punters watching Sky News coverage of the Murdoch media empires Hancock Prospecting-sponsored Australian Bush Summit in Port Hedland last week wouldve noticed the billionaire mining magnate described as Dr Gina Rinehart, AO.

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Rineharts title invoked a typically smug raised eyebrow from departing Media Watch host Paul Barry on Monday night, but left this column wondering whether the Sydney University economics dropout had acquired new academic credentials.

Now, if Gina had completed a PhD thesis, wed know. Her website details all her various gongs, down to her recent lifetime achievement award from the Ayn Rand Atlas Society. But Rinehart has one of those honorary doctorates, from Bond University, awarded in 2013 for her commitment and contribution to the Australian economy and wider community.
Logies Hall of Fame inductee Rebecca Gibney will make her Sydney Theatre Company debut next year as artistic director Kip Williams announced a farewell season packed with television star power.

Weeks before he steps down from the flagship company, Williams has unveiled a cut-down program of 12 plays for 2025 (compared with 15 this year). Eight are by Australian writers, including new adaptations of some beloved literary classics.

Rebecca Gibney will make her STC stage debut in 2025. Credit: Getty Images for TV WEEK Logie Awards

Williams has recruited a collection of national treasures and young talent to headline his final season, including Gibney (Packed to the Rafters), Kate Mulvany (Hunters), Pamela Rabe (Wentworth), Aaron Pedersen (Mystery Road), Nancye Hayes (Mary Poppins) and Will McDonald (Heartbreak High).

I think the task of an artistic director is a never-ending act of arm-twisting, Williams said of the roster of stars. Its almost like playing this weird combination of a cryptic crossword, Sudoku and Jenga when putting a season together. Theres so many moving parts.
Carolyns body was handed back to Stuckey, who had it hastily cremated. Her friends have since told Joy they feared the consequences in Lismore should they raise what happened. Loading By the time I was old enough to understand what went on, I had been told, both overtly and indirectly, that thats over and done with, it was in the past, we dont need to bring that up any more, says Joy, who uses they/them pronouns and has dropped the surname Stuckey in favour of the middle name shared with their mother. Joy is telling their story to show what happens to the many children bereaved by family violence in Australia, and to piece together Carolyns story and why certain decisions were made about her childrens care. I just did an informal count of the number of children bereaved by domestic homicide in the first four months of this year, and it was 34 children, says Joy, who appears in the new documentary Revealed: KillJoy, eight years in the making, about the killing of Carolyn and the aftermath.

And that was an underestimate  really basic, just what I could find. Thirty-four children in four months lost their mother to domestic homicide, and when I think about the implications of that and how little support we have for children, that to me is just devastating. The lifelong effects of the trauma on Joy have included believing they would die at the same age as Carolyn  32 years, nine weeks and six days  and experiencing regular, shocking nightmares from which they wake screaming, terrified and hyperventilating. Kathryn Joy held a belated memorial for slain mother Carolyn Stuckey in an open-air cathedral near the familys then home town of Lismore. Joy was struck while doing research for the documentary by how much emphasis was placed during Allan Stuckeys sentence on what would best serve him, rather than the children or justice for Carolyn. Joy was four when they were returned to his custody and he returned to work in a pharmacy. I just kept thinking, how does anyone think that the children  would benefit from going back to live with my father in the house [where] he killed our mother? Joy says. Its so baffling to me that that would be seen as good for us. More than anything, I just felt a real sense of: this was not about us.

This was about what was in my dads best interests, and thats pretty devastating, especially given I know what came next. I had to live with the impact of that decision; so to go back and hear those [judges] words about my father getting back to his life and his family as soon as possible was just so shocking. Loading It helped inspire Joys advocacy for other child survivors at a time when leaders in Australias child protection and family violence sectors are calling for children to be regarded as victim-survivors in their own right, who require individual support responses. Melbourne University research suggests 1000 Australian children have lost a parent to domestic homicide in the past decade. Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon, chair of Respect Victoria and an internationally recognised family violence researcher, says specialist responses for child survivors are critically needed because children are often invisible in the systems where they seek help.

Kathryn Joy holds an image of their mother, who was killed in the family home by Joys father. They have been responded to merely as an extension of a protective parent as opposed to being recognised as a victim-survivor in their own right, she says. Policy and practice reform to build whole-of-system specialist and child-centred responses is urgently needed. For far too long these individuals have been invisibilised and have been left alone to navigate the unimaginable challenge of recovering from the killing of a parent by another parent. Cathy Humphreys, a Melbourne University social work professor and co-chair of the Melbourne Alliance to End Violence Against Women and Their Children, says there is a growing number of Australian children and young people whose mothers have been killed by partners. These gross acts of violence leave children with trauma that resurfaces across their lifetimes, and the service system is ill-prepared to respond to these children, she says. There is no tracking or data kept about how many children are left behind after a parents death as a result of family violence.

We cannot change what we dont measure. The child victims whose mothers (and sometimes fathers) have been killed are a tragic example of this silence in the data, Humphreys says. These children have no specific rights. Many are dealt with informally through family networks, some of which are entirely supportive of the killer  There is no community sector organisation specifically funded to respond with skill, sensitivity and expertise to these children. National Childrens Commissioner Anne Hollonds agrees with Joy that childhood experiences of violence are a strong predictor of later-life problems. If we are serious about ending violence against women, we need to get serious about addressing violence in childhood. This is the hidden prevention opportunity that has been ignored because child safety and wellbeing is not a national priority.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton is perilously close to losing another sitting Liberal to the crossbench ahead of the election as Moore MP Ian Goodenough continues to publicly flirt with the idea of quitting the party to run as an independent.

Goodenoughs antics raised eyebrows in Perth on Tuesday as he joined Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Early Childhood Education Minister for Youth Anne Aly and state Labor MPs visiting a TAFE.

Liberal Moore MP Ian Goodenough with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a TAFE visit in Perths northern suburbs.

The four term MP was pictured laughing along with Albanese as he spoke to TAFE students and staff, which he then shared to his own social media channels.

Goodenoughs jaunt with Albanese angered both senior Liberals and local branch members with one Moore local, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, saying his actions were sad, embarrassing and confused.
Romanian couple Alexandru Vasile Badaric and Izabela Vintala landed in Australia with the goal of extending a criminal syndicate that had been busted by authorities in the United States.

Badaric, 34, and Vintala, 33, exited the plane at Sydney Airport in April 2023, harbouring plans to defraud Australians out of tens of thousands of dollars by installing shimming devices on Sydney and Melbourne ATMs.

Alexandru Vasile Badaric has been jailed for an elaborate card shimming scam at ATMs.

Card shimming is the act of illegally capturing data from debit and credit card microchips by attaching a small electronic device to an ATM and allowing a counterfeit card to be made. It is different from card skimming, which involves devices collecting data from magnetic stripes and storing card PINs.

Late last month, the couple were jailed for their elaborate scam, which Badaric led.
Cyclists would be able to ride through The Kings School land under a council proposal to run a 1.1-kilometre cycleway and walking path across the northern edge of the private schools grounds.

Parramatta Council wants to establish a formal bike path that would stretch through a section of the schools parkland, a move it says would provide significant benefit to the community by cutting cyclists travel time and encouraging more active transport use.

Parramatta Council wants to create a formal bike and walking path along Hunts Creek to Lake Parramatta through the northern edge of The Kings School. Credit: Nick Moir

The proposed shared cycling and walking path would run along Hunts Creek in a bid to create easier access between Carlingford and Lake Parramatta.

As part of public consultation for the City of Parramattas bike plan, the council said The Kings School was supportive of formal access to the path in principle as it aligns with their desire to support community access, while also helping to regulate existing informal use.
A woman has been killed every four days in 2024. We bring you stories of lives lost in recent years. Some of the cases featured are still before the courts.

As Kaliopi Roumeliotis drove home to Northcote after a shift working as a scientist at Austin Hospital, her Apple Watch recorded her pulse at about 60 beats a minute.

Arriving home and driving into her garage about 7.15pm, the device recorded that the 51-year-old took two steps  and then her heart rate peaked at 162 beats a minute. Soon after, her heart stopped.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court heard that her husband, Joe Lo Bianco, 53, was lying in wait in the garage on November 30, 2022. The anti-vaxxer then bludgeoned his scientist wife to death with a 7.5-kilogram metal car ramp.

The attack caused her to drop her bag and belongings onto the garage floor. The assault then generated a large amount of blood splatter to the car and wall, Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC, said.
An expletive-laden rally appearance by John Setka at a large taxpayer-funded project site has sparked a probe by the workplace regulator and prompted a please explain from the state government to building giant Multiplex about how the disgraced former CFMEU boss was allowed access to the site.

Setka used his Wednesday morning appearance at the $1.5 billion Footscray Hospital project in Melbournes west to launch a tirade against the Albanese government and the ACTU, in a clear challenge to efforts from state and federal governments as well as the trade union leadership to reform the CFMEU following allegations of intimidation and corruption.

During the rally, he repeatedly attacked the Albanese government and renewed his claim that Labor had walked away from a deal in which Setka would resign and the union would avoid being put into administration. The federal government has previously said the claim of a deal is false.

In an address frequently punctuated with swearing and abuse of public figures, Setka said he had offered to stand down once union national secretary Zach Smith said the federal government was considering bringing in administrators ahead of the Building Bad investigation being published by this masthead, The Australian Financial Review and 60 Minutes
A Perth dentist who was slapped with 25 charges of drink spiking and rape has been found guilty on all but one of them.

Farzam Mehrabi, 34, met the women, all aged between 18 and 20, in various Perth bars before inviting them back to his parents house in Shelley.

Farzam Mehrabi is accused of drugging and raping multiple young women. Credit: Nine News Perth

Multiple women came forward claiming he had sexually assaulted and drugged them after meeting them on dating apps Tinder and Bumble. The incidents all occurred over a two-month period in 2022.

State prosecutors claim Mehrabi, then aged 31, mixed a cocktail of drugs including MDMA, MDA, lorazepam and methamphetamine into drinks he bought or made for them before engaging in rough non-consensual sex.
How lucky was Peter Dutton that only a few hours before the NSW Liberal Party publicly imploded, he had reignited debate on immigration and refugees by proposing a ban on all Palestinians desperate to escape the hellhole of Gaza.

While Liberals worked frantically  and unsuccessfully  behind the scenes to lodge nominations for council elections, Dutton was in an aircraft hangar, welcoming home Olympians who had covered themselves in glory. From there, he did an interview on Sky which finished on visas for Palestinians.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during Question Time. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Talk about perfect timing. For weeks after, Dutton did what he does best. He kept the focus on the governments competence  or lack of it, smothered discussion of any other issue, and raised questions about national security which splattered ASIO, all without being quizzed over the dysfunction of a branch of the party he leads in a state vital to his election prospects.

In that first interview on Sky, he claimed people would be shocked to think ASIOs not conducting checks and searches on these people. He later amended that to say whatever checks occurred were not rigorous enough and, in any case, ASIO could only act according to the policy of the government of the day.
Lara Trump has been mocked online for releasing a music single in which she praises the work of firefighters.

The Republican National Committee co-chairman and daughter-in-law of former US president Donald Trump released the song last week with an emotive music video.

The lyrics of Hero, her second single co-written with the singer-songwriter Madeline Jaymes, pay tribute to firefighters, despite Trump having no known connection to the fire service.

Youre going through the fire, and the flames getting higher. Youre my hero. Youre my hero, the two women sing while standing on a fire escape in the video.
By Mata Press Service

As children across Canada head back to school this week, a new survey has uncovered a troubling trend of lunchbox shaming in schools, particularly affecting students from diverse cultural backgrounds.

The study, commissioned by Sistema, reveals that over one in four Canadian parents (26%) report their child has experienced ridicule or bullying due to the contents of their lunchbox.

This form of bullying, known as lunchbox shaming, often targets foods that reflect a family's cultural heritage or socioeconomic status.

The survey findings highlight a stark disparity in experiences across different ethnic groups.

Parents from Black and Southeast Asian communities reported the highest rates of lunchbox shaming at 42%, more than double the rate reported by White parents (17%).

New Canadians who have lived in the country for five years or less were particularly vulnerable, with 40% reporting their children had faced such bullying.

According to parents, the primary reasons for negative reactions towards their children's lunches were unfamiliar appearance and smell.

Specific foods that often triggered shaming included rice dishes (29%), curries (27%), stewed meats or vegetables (19%), and fish dishes (17%).

The consequences of lunchbox shaming extend beyond momentary discomfort.

Nearly half (46%) of affected students asked their parents to change their lunches, while over a quarter (27%) of parents resorted to packing more "traditional North American" meals. This shift can potentially undermine a child's cultural identity and self-esteem.

Highlights from the survey include:

Parents reported their children experienced lunchbox shaming because of the appearance (44%), the smell (44%) and the lack of familiarity with the food (44%)

Parents said their children were most often lunchbox shamed when they brought rice dishes (29%), curries (27%), stewed meats or vegetables (19%) or fish dishes (17%) to school

96% of parents agreed that all children have a right to enjoy their school lunch free from bullying and shaming

89% of parents agreed that kids should be educated to be accepting about foods and traditions from all cultures

80% of parents agreed schools and teachers should be more active in preventing lunchbox shaming

77% of parents agreed that lunchbox shaming can have a long-term negative impact on children and their cultural identity

In response to these concerning findings, Sistema has launched "Love Your Lunch Day" to promote food diversity and create a more inclusive school environment.

The initiative aims to spark conversations about lunch inclusivity and provide tools for parents, teachers, and lunchroom supervisors to address the issue.

Jenny Leach, General Manager of Newell Brands Canada, emphasized the importance of this movement: "Love Your Lunch is not only about creating awareness around lunchbox shaming but also about giving parents, teachers, and lunchroom supervisors the tools to talk about the importance of lunch inclusivity and celebrate diverse lunches.

"The survey results serve as a reminder of the ongoing need for cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in Canadian schools. With 96% of parents agreeing that all children have a right to enjoy their school lunch free from bullying, it's clear that addressing lunchbox shaming is a priority for families across the country.

Sistema has also partnered with Rainbow Plate, a social enterprise that creates food literacy resources and workshops for teachers and parents, to help extend the Love Your Lunch movement into schools and homes.

Rainbow Plate has co-created downloadable resources for teachers and parents to help facilitate age-appropriate conversations about lunchbox bullying with elementary students, to create a more inclusive lunchtime experience in schools.

"When a child brings lunch to school, they're bringing a little piece of home with them  and that's special," said Janet Nezon, Founder of Rainbow Plate.

"When lunchbox shaming happens, it hurts children. In fact, Sistema's survey found that 53% of students who experienced lunchbox shaming felt upset afterward. Parents and schools must work together to foster a more inclusive and supportive space at lunchtime where all students feel equal and valued  and it starts with conversations and sharing experiences."

How can parents support their children who have experienced lunchbox shaming

1.Open Communication

2.Empathy and Understanding

3.Empowerment and Confidence

4.Educate and Advocate

5.Peer Education

6.Role Modeling

By taking these steps, parents can help their children navigate the challenges of lunchbox shaming and promote a more inclusive and accepting school environment.
Commentary

By Kris Sims

This is even weirder than the Masters of the Universe cartoon episode, where the hero He-Man teamed up with the villain Skeletor to save Christmas.

The CBC doled out $18.4 million in bonuses while, at the same time, threatening to eliminate some positions just before Christmas. And that has even its friends upset.

A group called Friends of Canadian Media typically functions as a cheerleading squad for the CBC.

The group has praised the state broadcaster for years, comparing people who want it defunded to fans of professional wrestling  as if thats a grave insult.

But this latest plot twist from the CBC has even its friends delivering a smackdown. In an email to supporters about the CBC bonuses, Friends of Canadian Media stated:

This decision is deeply out of touch and unbefitting of our national public broadcaster.

The CBCs cheer team now agrees with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation that the bonuses are wrong.

But thats where the agreement ends.

CBC/Radio-Canadas per capita funding currently sits at a 60-year low, thanks to decades of neglect from successive governments of all political stripes, the group writes.

The CBC has low funding and is suffering from neglect?

The CBCs government funding is astronomic, and it gets an obscene amount of attention from our government despite its ratings circling the drain.

The CBCs taking $1.4 billion from taxpayers this year.

The money we spend on the CBC could pay the salaries of about 7,000 cops and 7,000 paramedics. It could buy more than 3,000 homes in Alberta. It would cover groceries for about 85,000 Canadian families for a year.

What the CBC costs taxpayers is the opposite of low funding.

The CBC has dished out $130 million in bonuses since 2015. There are 1,450 CBC staffers taking home six-figure salaries. Since 2015, the number of CBC employees taking a six-figure salary has soared by 231 percent.

The Canadian Press reported that the latest round of bonuses for executives at the CBC is more than $70,000 per person. Thats more than the average Canadian family takes home in a year.

The CEO of the CBC, Catherine Tait, is paid between $460,900 and $551,600 in salary every year. Shes also entitled to a bonus of up to 28 percent. For the kids paying attention in math class, thats a potential bonus of up to $154,448.

Thats a super weird form of low funding and neglect.

Its got to be tough to land that woe-is-me message when millions get thrown around for bonuses.

Even a CBC news anchor asked her boss tough questions about the bonuses on national television.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation, through an FOI request, showed $16 million were paid in bonuses in 2022. Can we establish that this is not happening this year? Adrienne Arsenault asked Tait on Dec. 4, 2023.

I am not going to comment on something that hasnt been discussed at this point, Tait replied.

It turns out those bonuses were in the works, and now we know theyre costing taxpayers $18.4 million this year.

Meanwhile, Canadians are tuning out of the CBC while still being forced to pay for it.

According to its latest third-quarter report, the CBC News Networks share of the national prime-time viewing audience is 2.1 percent.

Put another way, 97.9 percent of TV-viewing Canadians choose not to watch CBCs English-language prime-time news program.

The CBC needs to be defunded. Its a huge waste of money, a tiny handful of Canadians are tuning in and journalists should not be paid by the government. Its a good bet the debate on that larger point will keep getting hotter.

But this part of the debate is down for the count: the outrageous CBC bonuses must end.

When the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and Friends of Canadian Media agree, consensus has been achieved, and the fights over.

Kris Sims is the Alberta Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and a former member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery.
De-facto US envoy warns Taiwan is not China's only target



Taipei, Sept 4 (AFP) Sep 04, 2024



The new de-facto US ambassador to Taiwan said Wednesday that the democratic island is "not the only target" of China's "intimidation and coercion", with more countries cooperating with Washington to "avoid war."

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it will never renounce the use of force to bring the island under its control.

Beijing has upped military and political pressure on Taiwan in recent years, and conducted military drills in May around the island days after the inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.

"Taiwan is not the only target of PRC efforts to use intimidation and coercion to change the status quo," Raymond Greene said in his first news conference as director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the de facto US embassy.

"More and more countries are realising the importance of cooperating with the United States and other like-minded partners to preserve the rules-based international system."

US efforts to build alliances in the region "are not meant to prepare for war but to prevent it", Greene added.

China's campaign of confrontation has also extended to remote reefs in Southeast Asia and far-flung Japanese islands.

Beijing has deployed military and coast guard vessels to press its claims to almost the entire South China Sea, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

Taiwan -- separated from mainland China by the narrow 180-kilometre (110-mile) Taiwan Strait -- has its own government, military and currency.

As China has increased pressures around the island, Taiwan has sought to strengthen ties with friendly countries while ramping up military purchases from the United States, its key ally.

Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 but has remained Taiwan's biggest arms supplier, sparking repeated condemnations from China.

Greene also said that the United States would not "rule out" weapons co-production with Taiwan in the future.
Deadly strike hits Ukraine's Lviv as Moscow advances in east



Lviv, Ukraine, Sept 4 (AFP) Sep 04, 2024



A Russian strike on west Ukraine's Lviv, hundreds of kilometers from the front, killed seven people on Wednesday, authorities said as Moscow claimed advances in the war-torn nation's east.

Russia has stepped up its aerial attacks on Ukraine since Kyiv launched an unprecedented cross-border offensive into Russia's Kursk region last month.

The assault on Lviv, which is sheltering thousands displaced by over two years of war, came a day after a Russian strike on the central city of Poltava killed 53 people in one of the deadliest single strikes of the invasion.

"In total, seven people died in Lviv, including three children. The search and rescue operation is ongoing," Interior Minister Igor Klymenko wrote on Telegram.

The missile attack also wounded 40 people, damaging schools and medical facilities as well as buildings in Lviv's historic centre, according to the office of Ukraine's prosecutor general.

The western city near the Polish border is home to a UNESCO world heritage site that covers its old town and has been largely spared the intense strikes that have rocked cities further east.

At least seven "architectural objects of local importance were damaged" in Wednesday's barrage, all of which were located in Lviv's historical area and UNESCO buffer zone, regional head Maksym Kozytsky said.

The overnight attacks triggered renewed appeals from Ukraine for Western air defences, as well as long-range weapons to retaliate by striking targets deep inside Russia.

Sirens rang out over Lviv before sunrise on Wednesday, said Mayor Andriy Sadovy, who advised people to take shelter as air defences worked to down a barrage of missiles.



- 'Inhuman screams' -



"I heard terrible inhuman screams saying 'Save us,'" said Yelyzaveta, a 27-year-old resident of Lviv who rushed to shelter in her basement.

Others like Anastasia Grynko, an internally displaced person from Dnipro, did not have time to reach a shelter.

"The rocket hit our house. Everything was blown away. At the time of the explosion, I was somehow miraculously in the corridor, so I was not badly hurt," she said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced what he called "Russian terrorist strikes on Ukrainian cities".

The attack on Lviv was part of a wider barrage on Ukraine, with 13 missiles and 29 drones launched at the war-torn country, the air force said.

The air force said it downed seven missiles and 22 drones.

Wreckage of a downed missile fell in the central city of Kryvyi Rig, Ukrainian emergency services said, damaging the Arena hotel and wounding five people.

"The hotel is destroyed from the first to the third floor. Thank God, everyone is alive," the city's head Oleksandr Vilkul said.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal called for more air defence and for long-range weapons to strike Russia in the wake of the attack.

The weapons delivered by Ukraine's Western partners since the invasion often come with restrictions prohibiting their use against targets located inside Russia.

The overnight attack took place the day after Russia launched one of the single deadliest strikes of its two-and-a-half-year invasion in the central city of Poltava.

Fifty-three people were killed and 271 injured in an attack that hit a military educational institution -- though authorities did not say how many of the victims were military or civilians.



- Russia advances -



The Lviv attack came as Russia claimed to capture the village of Karlivka in east Ukraine, one of a string of advances in recent weeks as it seeks to capture the Kyiv-held stronghold of Pokrovsk.

Karlivka is about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from Pokrovsk, a city that lies on a key supply route for the Ukrainian army and has long been a target for Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday his army was making rapid advances in the Donbas that covers the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Lugansk.

"We have not had such a pace of offensive in the Donbas for a long time," he said.

Ukraine this week underwent a major reshuffle in its government, as Zelensky seeks to boost government efficiency two and a half years into Russia's invasion.

Ukraine's wartime Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba submitted his resignation on Wednesday, a day after six other officials including cabinet ministers said they were stepping down.
Drone attack in Iraq's Kurdish region kills 3: official



Sulaimaniyah, Iraq, Sept 4 (AFP) Sep 04, 2024



A drone attack on a car in Iraq's northern autonomous Kurdish region killed three people on Wednesday, a local official told AFP.

Turkey has maintained dozens of military bases in northern Iraq for the past quarter of a century as part of its campaign against militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The leftist group has waged an on-off insurgency against Turkey since 1984, and is blacklisted as a "terrorist organisation" by Ankara and its Western allies.

"This afternoon a drone bombed a car on the Dokan-Khalakan road, killing three people," Dokan district governor Sirwan Sarhad told AFP.

"There are three burned people in the car," he added, saying that two had been identified as a father and son who lived in the Ranya area of Kurdistan.

The federal government in Baghdad discreetly outlawed the PKK as a "banned organisation" in March, and last month agreed a military cooperation deal with Ankara that will see joint training and command centres set up in the fight against the militants.

On August 23, a drone strike that officials in the Kurdish region blamed on Turkey killed two women journalists working for PKK-funded outlets.

And on Tuesday, the Turkish defence ministry said its forces had launched air strikes on the PKK in the mountains of northern Iraq, claiming to have killed "numerous" militants.
De facto US envoy warns Taiwan is not China's only target



Taipei, Sept 4 (AFP) Sep 04, 2024



The new de facto US ambassador to Taiwan said Wednesday that the democratic island is "not the only target" of China's "intimidation and coercion", with more countries cooperating with Washington to "avoid war".

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it will never renounce the use of force to bring the island under its control.

Beijing has upped military and political pressure on Taiwan in recent years, and conducted military drills in May around the island days after the inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.

"Taiwan is not the only target of PRC efforts to use intimidation and coercion to change the status quo," said Raymond Greene, director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the de facto US embassy, using the acronym for China's official name.

"More and more countries are realising the importance of cooperating with the United States and other like-minded partners to preserve the rules-based international system," Greene said during his first news conference as AIT director.

US efforts to build alliances in the region "are not meant to prepare for war but to prevent it", he added.

China's campaign of confrontation has also extended to remote reefs in Southeast Asia and far-flung Japanese islands.

Beijing has deployed military and coast guard vessels to press its claims to almost the entire South China Sea, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

Taiwan -- separated from China by the narrow 180-kilometre (110-mile) Taiwan Strait -- has its own government, military and currency.

To press its claims, Beijing maintains a near-daily military presence, sending in fighter jets, drones and naval vessels around Taiwan.

The island's defence ministry announced Wednesday night that it had detected military activity in China's Fujian province across the Taiwan Strait.

"Since yesterday, various types of PLA aircraft, helicopters, and drones have been detected, along with amphibious ships and roll-on/roll-off cargo vessels loading ground forces, conducting joint landing drills near Dacheng Bay," the ministry said, referring to China's military.

It added that the ministry has "monitored the situation".

As China has increased pressures around the island, Taiwan has sought to strengthen ties with friendly countries while ramping up military purchases from the United States, its key ally.

Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 but has remained Taiwan's biggest arms supplier, sparking repeated condemnations from China.

Greene also said Wednesday that the United States would not "rule out" weapons co-production with Taiwan in the future.
Israel defence minister calls for use of 'all forces' to hit West Bank militants



Jenin, Palestinian Territories, Sept 4 (AFP) Sep 04, 2024



Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Wednesday said the military should use its "full strength" to strike at Palestinian militants in the occupied West Bank, where a sweeping military operation has killed dozens.

"In the face of the resurgence of terrorism, we are eradicating terrorist organisations throughout Judea and Samaria (the West Bank)," Gallant said in a statement issued by his ministry.

"These terrorist organisations that have various names, whether in Nur al-Shams, Tulkarem, Faraa or Jenin, must be wiped out," he said, referring to cities and refugee camps where an Israeli military operation is currently underway.

"Every terrorist must be eliminated, and if they surrender, they must be arrested. There is no other option, use all the forces, everyone who is needed, with full strength."

Gallant, speaking after meeting officers to assess the operation, compared the campaign against the militants to "mowing" a lawn.

"Essentially, we are mowing the grass, but the time will come when we will also uproot the roots, and that must be done," he said.

The Israeli defence minister said he had ordered the military to carry out air strikes "wherever necessary" in order to "avoid endangering soldiers".

On August 28, Israeli forces launched simultaneous raids across the northern West Bank cities of Jenin, Tubas and Tulkarem.

The raids have so far left dead at least 30 Palestinians, including militants, and wounded 140, according to the Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry.

Nineteen have been killed in Jenin governorate, seven in Tulkarem and four in Tubas, it said.

In recent days, the focus of Israeli raids has been in and around Jenin city, a known militant hub.

On Wednesday, an AFP journalist in Jenin saw empty streets, with residents leaving their homes only to purchase necessities.

The streets were strewn with the rubble of overturned asphalt as armoured military vehicles rumbled past.

Jenin and its adjacent refugee camp -- where army bulldozers destroyed infrastructure -- have long been a bastion of Palestinian armed groups fighting against Israel, which has occupied the West Bank since 1967.

The military carries out regular incursions into Palestinian population centres, but such operations are rarely conducted simultaneously as in the northern West Bank since last week.

Violence in the West Bank has surged since Hamas's October 7 attack triggered war in the Gaza Strip, which is separated from the West Bank by Israeli territory.

Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 661 Palestinians in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

At least 23 Israelis, including soldiers and police officers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks during the same period, according to Israeli officials.
Poland signs $285 mln air radar deal with Spain's Indra



Warsaw, Sept 4 (AFP) Sep 04, 2024



Poland on Wednesday inked a $285 mln contract for air traffic control systems with Spanish company Indra, the Polish deputy defence minister said, announcing a new bid to boost the country's military capabilities.

The deal is among the contracts worth $520 million in total that Poland announced during the annual international military trade fair in the southern city of Kielce.

"These are systems that are highly anticipated by the Polish army, sought after by our pilots and commanders, as well as by all those who operate military airports," deputy defence minister Pawel Bejda said, quoted by the Polish news agency PAP.

Poland last week announced it would spend 4.7 percent of its annual economic output on defence next year, more than twice NATO's target of two percent.

It has signed a string of military deals in recent years, notably with the United States for Apache attack helicopters and F-35 modern fighter jets.

The radars will help the Polish army to "safely observe the sky so that our aircraft, including the most modern F-35s, can take off and land without disruptions," Bejda added.

The first of the 32 F-35 fighter jets ordered by Warsaw from the United States for $4.6 billion are due to be deployed in Poland from 2026.

Poland, a staunch ally of war-torn neighbouring Ukraine, currently spends around 4 percent of its GDP on defence, compared with the 2 percent required by NATO.

Next year, the government wants to up the defence spending to 4.7 percent, a record figure of around 186 billion zlotys.

Poland's professional army currently has more than 200,000 soldiers, making it the third largest force in NATO after the United States and Turkey.

sw/bo-mmp/cw

INDRA SISTEMAS
US Navy sailor detained by law enforcement in Venezuela



Washington, Sept 4 (AFP) Sep 04, 2024



A US Navy sailor has been detained by law enforcement in Venezuela, a US official said Wednesday, at a time of soaring tensions between Washington and Caracas.

"We're tracking a US Navy sailor was detained in Venezuela by law enforcement in that country," the official said on condition of anonymity, without providing further details on the detention, which reportedly occurred late last month.

The South American country was rocked by protests when President Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner of a disputed July 28 election, with dozens killed and more than 2,400 people arrested.

The opposition claims it won by a landslide, and the United States, the European Union and several Latin American countries have refused to recognize Maduro as having won without seeing detailed voting results.

Washington on Monday seized Maduro's plane in the Dominican Republic and flew it to Florida, a move the Venezuelan leader condemned as "piracy" but which Washington said was necessary due to sanctions violations.

The following day, Washington denounced an arrest warrant issued in Venezuela for opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and warned of further action against Maduro.

The US State Department has warned Americans against traveling to Venezuela for reasons including crime, unrest and wrongful detention.

"There is a high risk of wrongful detention of US nationals in Venezuela. Security forces have detained US citizens for up to five years," the department's Venezuela travel advisory says.

"The US government is not generally notified of the detention of US citizens in Venezuela or granted access to US citizen prisoners there," it says.
US Navy sailor detained by law enforcement in Venezuela



Washington, Sept 4 (AFP) Sep 04, 2024



A US Navy sailor has been detained by law enforcement in Venezuela, a US official said Wednesday, at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas.

The sailor is the latest in a series of US military personnel to be held recently in countries with which the United States has strained ties, after others were detained in North Korea and Russia.

"We're tracking a US Navy sailor was detained in Venezuela by law enforcement in that country," the official said on condition of anonymity, without providing further details on the detention.

Another US official said the country's Navy was looking into reports that a sailor was detained around August 30 "while on personal travel to Venezuela."

Tensions between the United States and the South American country are high, centered around disputed July 28 elections that saw incumbent President Nicolas Maduro declared the winner.

The announced result sparked protests in which more than two dozen people were killed and more than 2,400 arrested, with the opposition saying it won in a landslide.

The United States, the European Union and several Latin American countries have refused to recognize Maduro as having won without seeing detailed voting results.

US President Joe Biden's administration had reached a deal in which it agreed to ease sanctions imposed under his predecessor Donald Trump if Maduro allowed free elections, but reimposed most after becoming convinced that he would not follow through.

Washington on Monday seized a private aircraft used by Maduro in the Dominican Republic and flew it to Florida, a move the Venezuelan leader condemned as "piracy" but which Washington said was justified due to sanctions violations.



- State Department warning -



The following day, the United States denounced an arrest warrant issued in Venezuela for opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and warned of further action against Maduro.

The US State Department has warned Americans against traveling to Venezuela for reasons that include the dangers of crime, unrest and wrongful detention.

"There is a high risk of wrongful detention of US nationals in Venezuela. Security forces have detained US citizens for up to five years," the department's Venezuela travel advisory says.

"The US government is not generally notified of the detention of US citizens in Venezuela or granted access to US citizen prisoners there," it says.

The unnamed US sailor is one of several US military personnel detained by the country's adversaries in recent years.

US soldier Gordon Black was arrested in May in Vladivostok, where he was visiting a Russian woman he met and dated while serving in South Korea.

The soldier was detained after the woman reported him to the police following an argument, saying he physically attacked her and stole about 10,000 rubles (100 euros) from her.

Another soldier, Travis King, ran across the border from South Korea into the North in July 2023 while on a tour of the Demilitarized Zone that divides the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea subsequently expelled King and the US Army later charged him with desertion and a raft of other crimes.

His lawyer said last month that King has reached a plea deal under which he will plead guilty to five of the 14 offenses, including desertion.
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Ms Kirby added: I very much hope the Prime Minister will take our concerns seriously and instigate an appropriate, independent or legal inquiry, not only so we can have transparency and accountability, but so that other British citizens and their families know that their government will act for them, if a foreign state unlawfully kills their loved ones.
While praising Ukraines continuing efforts towards EU membership and the overall resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of war, Mr Harris was introduced to a German Shepherd dog named Hachi, who was returned to the town after fleeing for three weeks following the shelling and is now tasked with looking after children at a nursery school.
He said: I am very pleased to be in Ukraine to hear at first hand from President Zelensky on the situation on the ground and to see for myself the impact it is having on the lives of ordinary Ukrainians.
The monasteries of Cozia and Hurezi will host at the end of this week the colloquium "The Past and the Future of Byzantine Studies," an academic event taking place within the International Symposium "The Centennial of the Byzantine Studies Congresses 1924-2024. The Bucharest Congress and the internationalisation of Byzantine studies," which started on Wednesday at the National Museum of Art of Romania (MNAR).

Representatives of the Archdiocese of Ramnic said that this event, which is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the congress on this theme organised in Bucharest by Nicolae Iorga, is attended by worldwide known researchers.

"The colloquium brings together more than 20 renowned Byzantinists from all over the world, who will discuss the importance of the congress organised a hundred years ago in Romania for the development of Byzantine studies worldwide. The papers will emphasise the important place that Romanian science has had and continues to have in Byzantine studies. By hosting the colloquium, MNAR, the holder of the oldest public collection of Byzantine and post-Byzantine art in the world, exhibited in the Romanian Gallery of Old Romanian Art and in the historical monasteries representative of Byzantine and post-Byzantine art in Romania, it continues the initiative of the organisers of the 1924 congress to bring to the attention of the international scientific community the valuable cultural treasure of Byzantine tradition in Romania," the representatives of the Archdiocese of Ramnic said in a press release.

The events of this symposium in Valcea will start on Friday, from 16.30, at Cozia Monastery and will continue on Saturday at Hurezi Monastery, organised by the Archdiocese of Ramnic, the Institute of South-East European Studies of the Romanian Academy, the Romanian Society of Byzantine Studies, the International Association of Byzantine Studies and the National Museum of Art of Romania.
Engie Romania is expanding its renewable energy production portfolio with its first hybrid power plant, from wind and solar sources, with a total installed capacity of 57 MW, the company announced on Wednesday.

"Located in Gemenele commune in Braila county, the hybrid power plant will generate approximately 140 GWh annually, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of over 46,800 households", the press release states.

According to the cited source, this project increases the total installed wind and solar energy production capacity of the Engie Group in Romania to 211 MW, consolidating its position in the green electricity production sector.

"The hybrid power plant became operational with the completion of the construction of the photovoltaic park, a greenfield project developed by the company's teams in the last year. Located on a 14-hectare plot of land, next to the already operational wind farm owned by Engie in Gemenele commune, the photovoltaic park has an installed capacity of 9.3 MWp and consists of 17,100 bi-facial photovoltaic panels, which ensure a better energy yield and a more efficient use of the surface, being mounted on a metal tracker structure that follows the position of the sun to maximize performance the installation", the quoted source informs.

The photovoltaic park, together with the existing wind farm, with a capacity of 47.5 MW, are connected to the same network and thus become one of the first hybrid plants from renewable sources in Romania. Each kWh produced by the photovoltaic plant contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions, resulting in an estimated annual saving of approximately 49 kilotons.

"We are pleased to inaugurate the first hybrid power plant in the company's portfolio. It is an investment that will allow us to offer our customers electricity from renewable sources, considering that, for legal entities, we can propose long-term purchase contracts medium and long, thus supporting them to achieve their goals of reducing carbon emissions and predictability of energy costs", said Cristian Buzan, deputy general director of Engie Romania, quoted in the press release.

The Engie Romania Group owns and operates three wind farms with a total capacity of 178 MW, in Braila, Constanta and Galati counties, as well as 5 photovoltaic parks, with a total installed capacity of 33 MW, in the counties of Arad, Buzau, Harghita and Teleorman. In 2023, the company made the investment decision to build a greenfield solar power plant in Aricestii Rahtivani commune, Prahova county, with a total capacity of 37.2 MWp.

The Engie Romania group of companies operates in the following fields of activity: distribution and supply of natural gas, production from renewable sources and supply of electricity, as well as green solutions and technical services for natural gas installations and thermal power plants. Engie Romania and its subsidiaries serve a portfolio of over 2.2 million customers, operate a distribution network of 23,255 km, have a production capacity from green sources of 211 MW and have over 4,300 employees. The Engie Romania Group made investments worth 6,760 million lei from 2005 until December 31, 2023.
We have technical meetings with the European Commission to smooth this part of the trajectory that we have for reducing the budget deficit, and we can have a more settled discussion after the information is closed and after we have the latest data from the budget execution account for September," said Finance Minister Marcel Bolos on Wednesday after the Government meeting.

"The basis in the structural fiscal plan is the adjustment path of the budget deficit, the macroeconomic scenario. In this period of time we have technical meetings with the European Commission to smooth this part of the trajectory that we have for reducing the budget deficit. But if you are referring to the fiscal measures, we are not yet discussing these types of measures and we have no new taxes," said Bolos.

Asked what deficit Romania could have after the adoption of the amnesty ordinance, the finance minister said that "we will see how the figures for September evolve."

Regarding the phased payments for the salaries of judges and prosecutors, retroactively increased starting from 2018, Bolos showed that this is a rather big effort that the ministry has to make until 2029.

The Government adopted on Wednesday, at the proposal of the Finance Ministry, the Emergency Ordinance regulating a series of fiscal-budget measures in the area of managing budget arrears and budget deficit. These measures are aimed at supporting taxpayers, given the fact that the business environment is faced with a temporary lack of liquidity, supporting voluntary compliance with payment, in the sense that, the measures adopted will boost the payment of tax/budget obligations, the state ensuring, on the one hand, that the volume of arrears decreases, and on the other hand, that budget revenues increase so that it can support the expenditure incurred for economic support.

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on August 22, during his working visit to Brussels.

The head of the executive said that, based on the discussions held, Romania is proposing to the European forum a seven-year agreement on reducing the budget deficit

In mid-August, the Fiscal Council annual report showed that the deficit will "probably" exceed 7% of the GDP, with a risk of heading towards 8% of the GDP, based on the budget execution of the first six months of 2024 and other data.
Romania is not the only country that has applied the tax amnesty, but this measure must be taken at long intervals, otherwise leading to non-compliance with the payment of taxes and duties, the Minister of Finance, Marcel Bolos told Wednesday's press briefing that took place after the Government meeting.

He drew attention to the fact that, when the debts to the budget are not paid on time, the seizure and sequestration mechanisms act immediately, which creates serious discomfort, and the problems that may arise later are much more serious than voluntary compliance.

"Let's not forget that, when a debt to the budget is not paid on time and there are delays, the seizure and sequestration mechanisms act immediately. In other words, when such a wrong decision is made, from for my part, subsequently, the mechanisms of seizing the bank account or imposing a seizure on the acquired assets create quite serious discomfort and the problems that arise after the imposition of these measures are much more serious versus voluntary compliance That's why we had, as I mentioned, the financial bonus as a form of respect for corporate taxpayers. registered overdue debits, the cancellation of accessories and, of course, the cancellation of the outstanding principal obligation", argued Bolos.

He drew attention to the fact that a new tax amnesty measure will not be taken soon.

"Let's think that the tax amnesty is not coming any time soon. That is, if we repeat this type of measure at short intervals, we encourage non-compliance with the payment of taxes and fees. And you should know that we are not the only country that applied the tax amnesty. We must be very careful that the regularity with which it is repeated is at long intervals, so that it does not lead to non-compliance with the payment of taxes and fees. This is something from the experience of other countries, Greece, Italy, which have practiced such measures. We also looked at the time horizon and this is practiced about once every 10 years", said Marcel Bolos.

He was asked by journalists why such a measure was taken, in the conditions in which there are almost 13,000 taxpayers with large debts to the state, and among the beneficiaries are people with possibilities, such as Robert Negoita.

"These receivables that come from the past - and they are receivables from more than 5 years, the vast majority of them, approximately 22 billion RON - represents receivables that we carry from one year to the next and we try to recover as best as possible all these outstanding debts that are registered at the ANAF level. We do not make the decision for a certain person. We think that from this still enormous amount, of 60.1 billion RON, we should recover as much as possible, because it is the money with which then we can finance the infrastructure investment projects and everything that means the development of Romania. And, then, between losing everything after 5 years of limitation or collecting the main debt, either with the granting of these tax facilities, there are much better things than to lose the money completely after the expiration of the limitation period" , explained Marcel Bolos.
The Minister of Labor and Social Solidarity, Simona Bucura-Oprescu, and the Bavarian State Minister of Family, Labor and Social Affairs, Ulrike Scharf, signed on Wednesday a Joint Declaration of Intent for cooperation in the field of social economy between Romania and the State of Bavaria of the Federal Republic of Germany.

According to a post on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity [MMSS], the signing ceremony took place at the headquarters of the MMSS, in the presence of the ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Romania, Peer Gebauer.

Through this Joint Declaration of Intent, the two parties express their commitment to deepen cooperation in order to grow and promote the social economy, a vital sector for sustainable development and inclusion.

"I am glad that you are present today at the Ministry of Labour. It is a guarantee that we will continue the good things already started together. It is important to coordinate our employment policies, we must invest more both in training and in improving skills. The declaration signed today takes into account the European Action Plan for the Social Economy adopted by the European Commission and supports the development of favorable framework conditions for the social economy both in Romania and in Bavaria. The signing of this Declaration represents an important step in strengthening bilateral relations and in the development of new partnerships to support the social economy, thus contributing to the creation of fairer and more inclusive societies. My objective is for at least one percent of Romania's GDP to be generated by the activities of social enterprises," declared Minister Simona Bucura-Oprescu, quoted in the post.

The signing of the Declaration comes as a result of the June joint meeting of the Governments of Romania and the State of Bavaria, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Romanian-Bavarian institutional cooperation.

"It is an honor to be here. The joint declaration signed today will bring us even closer. We already have joint projects started for a long time and we can expand our cooperation", said Minister Ulrike Scharf.

mong the cooperation actions included in this initiative are the exchange of best practices, meetings between representatives of both countries, as well as the promotion of social entrepreneurship.

According to the MMSS, the discussions on Wednesday also focused on the labor force deficit, the strengthening of collaboration on the security line at the workplace and the rights of employees, as well as the recognition of social security rights.

Among the German states, Bavaria represents the most important investor and commercial partner for Romania, with a volume of commercial exchanges of around 8.37 billion euros, mainly targeting the fields of car construction, parts and components from the automotive industry, IT.

Over 200,000 Romanians work and live in Bavaria.

Romanians constitute the 4th largest community of foreigners in Germany, after Turks, Ukrainians and Syrians, to which are added several hundred thousand natives from Romania who hold German citizenship. 909,793 people are in the statistical record of Romanian citizens officially registered with domicile/residence in Germany.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu declared on Tuesday that the Social Democratic Party (PSD) will come out first in the upcoming elections in the competition with the other parties, but that does not mean that it will automatically give the prime ministers, if he is elected the country's president.

Ciolacu was asked if he maintains his idea of not appointing a PSD prime minister in case he is elected president of Romania.

"PSD will be part of the future governing coalition. You respect the Romanian's vote. I said that the next years for Romania are the most important years of development. I wish that in the next years we enter into a logic of overcoming hatred. Traditional politics has this approach of hating and going to the polls to vote against someone, not for what he did, not because he managed, not because he worked. To be against someone - something that dominated us in all the presidential elections of the last 20 years. I have come up with a very clear explanation that power will have to be shared in the next period. This sharing will be decided by the Romanians. At this moment, I believe that the PSD will come out first in the competition , but that does not mean that PSD will automatically give the prime minister," Ciolacu declared for local TV broadcaster Romania TV.

The Prime Minister stated that PSD will automatically be in government, and "power must be shared".

"I assumed this first of all in front of my colleagues. That's what I think, that's what I believe is right for Romania. We have seen when the power was in the hands of a single man, we have seen when a man had the ambition to have 'his own government' where it has gotten to (...) We have seen where this desire to rule everything leads. It has never led in the right and good direction. I am firmly convinced - my colleagues have understood the message very well, because both they and I want what's best for Romanians and Romania," he said.
Romania is going to benefit from financial assistance from the USA worth approximately 10 million US dollars to strengthen and make more efficient its policies in preventing and combating minor trafficking.

Thus, the Executive approved, on Wednesday, a memorandum regarding the conclusion of a Partnership between the Government of Romania and the Government of the United States of America, according to a press releasesent to AGERPRES by the Government.

"Through this Memorandum, the text of the Child Protection Compact (CPC) Partnership to be signed between the Government of Romania and the Government of the United States of America has been approved, through which Romania will benefit from financial assistance worth approximately 10 million US dollars to strengthen and make more efficient its policies in preventing and combating minor trafficking," the source said.

The Child Protection Compact (CPC) Partnership is circumscribed by the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the USA. It would take place for a period of five years and is structured on four objectives: prevention, protection, prosecution and cooperation between government authorities and the civil society.

The identified objectives are in accordance with the National Strategy Against Trafficking in Persons for the period 2024-2028. Thus, the following are targeted: the creation of a Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child Safety within the Ministry of Family, Youth and Equal Opportunities - the National Authority for the Protection of Children's Rights and Adoption; the creation of a National Centre for Combating Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Minors in the Online Environment, at the level of the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police/Ministry of Interior; increasing the degree of awareness, sensitization and information regarding the trafficking of minors and child pornography, including for the improvement of proactive identification and the consolidation of specialized training of those who come into contact with potential minor victims.
Joe Holleman Political correspondent/columnist Follow Joe Holleman 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

After going the strictly podcast route for a while, veteran broadcaster Jamie Allman is back on real local radio with his brand of conservative political talk.

Last week, the former television reporter brought The Allman Report to NewsTalkSTL (101.9 and 94.1 FM), with the two-hour show running each weeknight from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

While the show will delve at times on cultural events, the meat and potatoes of the show will be politics, Allman said.

Same as its always been, aimed at conservatives with common sense, Allman said, adding that he now finds the Josh Hawley-Lucas Kunce contest for the U.S. Senate to be interesting.

I think thats going to be a hot race; theyre both so committed, he said.

Allman joins several other known names from St. Louis media at the station, including longtime TV anchor Larry Conners and erstwhile rock jocks Vic Porcelli and Tony Colombo. The station also provides air to former Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones, who partners with Chris Arps for a weekday show.

Along with the local talent, the station also carries syndicated shows from several prominent conservative political pundits, such as Ben Shapiro and Dan Bognino.

A St. Louis native, Allman was a reporter with KMOV (Channel 4) for 15 years before going to work in 2004 as head of communications for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. He resigned in 2005 and began working at KFTK (97.1 FM), the first avowed politically conservative station in the St. Louis market.

In 2018, Allman lost his top-rated show on that station, as well as a weekly television show on KDNL (Channel 30), over criticisms he made on Twitter about teen anti-gun activist David Hogg, an outspoken survivor of a high school shooting.

He returned for a short stint about 10 months later, in 2019, as the morning host on KXFN (105.3 FM and 1380 AM).

Before joining his new station, Allman had been on iHeart Radios The Patriot (104.9 FM) from 2021 to March, when he was caught by a staff reduction. His show, however, remained available on podcasts through iHeart.

Allmans new radio home is just one of four local stations with a conservative-talk format.

In 2002, KFTK was the first station to bring that format to the area and enjoyed their unique position for almost 20 years.

But in the summer of 2021, in the wake of Donald Trumps loss to Joe Biden in the presidential election, three other politically conservative stations entered the local frequency fray: NewsTalkSTL, The Patriot (104.9 FM), and then RealTalk (100.7 FM).
Women of America, relax  Donald Trump has your backs. The man more singularly responsible than any other for the overturn of Roe v. Wade is now going to protect your reproductive rights on multiple fronts, including expanding abortion access in red states (or not) and providing government-funded in vitro fertilization procedures (or mandating that insurance companies cover it).

Maybe next hell hand out free hair ribbons and pantyhose to every little lady in the country?

Who does Trump think hes kidding? The pandering word salad he offered up last week on reproductive issues was not only incoherent but fundamentally insulting to anyone who actually cares about those issues. That insult adds to the grievous injury he and his party have already done to half the nations citizens and will continue doing if given the chance this November.

In media interviews Thursday and Friday, Trump took his long record of being on every conceivable side of the abortion debate to fanciful new heights, while suggesting a policy on IVF so pie-in-the-sky generous that it makes Obamacare look stingy.

In an NBC interview Thursday, Trump said that, if elected to another presidential term, We  meaning, the federal government  are going to be paying for that treatment (IVF) for any woman who wants it.

When pressed on how exactly that would work, given his tax-cut agenda and an already-epic federal budget deficit, Trump adjusted his declaration on the fly to say he would put insurance companies under a mandate to cover IVF procedures.

If that approach sounds familiar, its because Trump and the GOP spent a decade furiously fighting the imposition of insurance mandates under the Affordable Care Act  aka Obamacare  for coverage of medical issues far more urgent than elective reproductive treatment, on grounds that such mandates were a form of socialism.

Trump was the ACAs most fervent opponent. In his world, apparently, providing coverage for treatment of cancer and other life-threatening conditions that used to be uninsurable (thank you, Obamacare) isnt nearly as important as convincing voters of the unlikely proposition that Trump is suddenly a champion of IVF.

Two problems: One, the whole reason IVF is even an issue right now is that the Alabama Supreme Court briefly outlawed the procedure, building on the overturn of Roe v. Wade by the radical-right U.S. Supreme Court supermajority that then-President Trump ushered in; and, two, congressional Republicans, subsequently given the chance to protect access to IVF on the federal level, killed legislation that would have done that. Where was Trumps IVF support then?

IVF regimens can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Do you hear that deafening silence from the insurance industry regarding a proposal that would effectively shut them down? Thats because no one, but no one, is taking Trumps proposal seriously. Its nothing but empty posturing on an issue on which he and every other Republican is (and should be) vulnerable.

In the same Thursday interview, Trump hinted he might support a ballot initiative in Florida, his current home state, that would overturn its six-week abortion ban and allow for the procedure up to 24 weeks. I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks, decreed Trump.

In addition to illustrating the madness of letting politicians who have no medical training and who can never get pregnant randomly parse what number of weeks is appropriate for a woman to control her own body, the comment made the anti-choice movement lose its collective mind. Trumps campaign  and then, a day later, Trump himself  reversed course and announced he would oppose the Florida referendum.

For those keeping track at home, this puts the count of Trumps abortion positions at more than a half-dozen.

Once ardently pro-choice, he subsequently, briefly suggested that women themselves, not just their doctors, should face criminal punishment for the procedure  only to back off upon discovering that most serious abortion-rights opponents reject that position. As when he tries to quote the Bible, pretending to share his base voters values (or any values) seldom works out well for Trump.

Trump has alternately bragged of appointing the three U.S. Supreme Court justices who doomed Roe, has backed a federal abortion ban, has opposed a federal abortion ban, has waxed on about how each state should decide the issue for itself, has criticized states for being too stringent or not stringent enough, and, in the case of his home state, is now on the record with two diametrically opposed positions.

And thats before even getting into his oft-repeated, singularly deranged fantasy about post-birth abortion.

To some extent, flip-flops are, sadly, an integral part of modern politics. Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has rightly caught flak for flipping on fracking to appease Pennsylvania voters. But that and any other current example is a distant finisher next to Trumps Olympic-level flipping on this core question of womens biological autonomy.

Interestingly, Republicans are also accusing Harris of a socialist agenda for policy proposals nowhere near as socialistic as Trumps pretend IVF policy. As always, Trumps various unhinged declarations dont get judged by normal standards because, with him, everyone is used to the absurdity and lies. The abnormality is baked in.

But on reproductive rights, voters should pay special attention. Trump cant articulate a coherent position on abortion or IVF because on both issues, he knows little and cares less. That will leave the issues in the hands of the people around a future President Trump: his party leaders, his advisers, the architects of Project 2025.

And unlike Trump himself, they have positions on reproductive rights that are philosophically coherent  and deeply hostile.
IBC 2024: Cleeng taps the power of AI to strengthen its award-winning churn analytics and prediction platform

Investments in state-of-the-art data infrastructure since 2018 allow Cleeng to address top concerns for broadcasters: practical AI usage to reduce churn & costs

Amsterdam( )

Amsterdam, September 4, 2024  At IBC 2024 Hall 5.G57, Cleeng, the Subscriber Retention Management (SRM) software pioneer, today unveiled new AI services that solve direct-to-consumer (D2C) broadcasters biggest challenges according to new research conducted by Omdia: practical and efficient use of AI, reduce costs and increase retention. In an industry-first, Cleengs new ChurnIQ AIssistant uses a Generative AI chatbot to proactively identify crucial subscriber insights to inform smarter business decisions.

AIssistant is part of ChurnIQ, Cleengs subscriber retention data solution that predicts churn risk with 95% accuracy - the highest rate in the industry. ChurnIQ features the video markets only data lake that ingests both subscriber data and third party data to reveal behavior insights. ChurnIQ AIssistant alerts media professionals with relevant insights related to their activity - for example product, marketing, finance - empowering them to more quickly engage with at-risk subscribers and adopt innovative business strategies to boost revenue and retention.

Cleeng CEO and Founder Gilles Domartini said: AI is revolutionizing how we access information - gone are the days of wasting precious time searching for answers. AI makes it easy to see what is most effective for our business. At Cleeng we recognized the power of AI early on and invested in data infrastructure years ago. We now have a state of the art LLM model for subscriber retention analytics. By making it easy to surface the insights customers care about, ChurnIQ AIssistant is a game-changer for all professionals working in the media industry, saving time and boosting efficiency.

In addition to ChurnIQ AIssistant, Cleeng is announcing:

ChurnIQ Studio gives broadcasters the flexibility to build tailored reports centered on their most critical KPIs to drive informed decision-making. ChurnIQ Studio makes it easy to visualize any data point, add forecasts, targets, and comparisons with just a few clicks. For example, a custom dashboard can provide a holistic view of the subscribers journeys in the Netherlands from sign up to their latest interaction and determine exact engagement patterns based on specific campaigns. This could reveal that users who receive personalized offers have a much higher renewal rate or that young adults in metropolitan areas are the demographic most likely to subscribe to premium annual plans. These insights are critical to optimize future campaigns.

Cleeng's new Integration Hub simplifies and centralizes the integration of Cleengs platforms with third-party services. A highly scalable, secure, and flexible solution, its streamlined process includes an extensive library of pre-built connectors, detailed documentation and a certification program.

The Cleeng Subscriber Retention Management portfolio continues to deliver impressive results for customers. One of the most recent successes is for Newsmaxs new paid OTT service. Newsmax turned to Cleeng for subscriber management and monetization, as well as managing complexities such as international taxation. Using Cleeng SRM, Newsmax+ exceeded 150,000 subscribers in the first month and has achieved an impressive 85% retention rate with 52% of subscribers committing to an annual subscription. Full details here.

Cleengs technology advancements directly address the biggest challenges facing D2C broadcasters identified in new research, Driving Streaming Profitability conducted with analyst firm Omdia.

According to Dan Simmons, Research Director, Omdia, The subscription model is evolving as streaming services embrace hybrid monetization: 95% of streaming services will offer ad-supported tiers by the end of 2026. Streaming services are looking to AI to optimize pricing, offer management and churn prevention across these more complicated products and expedite cost saving through greater efficiencies across the organization. But only 13% of streaming services have managed to consolidate data across their organizations to support AI, and most rely on manual processes for this, limiting their success. Companies like Cleeng can step in and help these organizations realize the benefits of AI to optimize their streaming business.

On September 12th in Amsterdam, Cleeng is hosting Retention Zone Live where Gilles and Dan will join podcast host Carlo de Marchis, AKA a guy with a scarf, to discuss the results of this research report. To register, click here.

For more information about Cleengs award-winning portfolio, please visit www.cleeng.com.

About Cleeng

Cleeng is the leader in Subscriber Retention Management for the M&E industry. Its premium SaaS platform features flexible subscriber management solutions and analytics. Founded in 2011, its customer portfolio comprises visionary D2C, streaming and SVOD video services including, the NFL, SBG, Optus Sport, the NHL, The Weather Channel, and Big Ten Network. Cleeng's award-winning Subscriber Retention Management (SRM) empowers customers to act fast, reduce churn and grow revenues. The end-to-end suite of products spans the management of customer identity, payments & billing, analytics & insights, and AI-based customer support.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleeng

For press and analyst queries, please contact:

Breakaway Communications for Cleeng

cleengpr@breakawaycom.com
Press Release

September 4, 2024 Sen. Robin Bill Gives 'Bawal Bastos' Act More Teeth vs Sexual Harassment A bill by Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla aims to give more teeth to the Bawal Bastos (Safe Spaces Act) of 2019, by proposing stiffer penalties against violators. Padilla on Wednesday filed Senate Bill 2810, which also increases the prescriptive period for filing a complaint from the current five years to 10 years. "(T)recent public hearings of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media revealed that sexual harassment in the workplace remains active and rampant. It was further observed that employers, particularly large corporations, could easily evade compliance with their obligations under the Safe Spaces Act given the grossly small amount of applicable fines," Padilla said in his bill. In his bill, Padilla sought to amend the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 with heavier penalties including: * A fine of P100,000 to P300,000 for an employer's failure to take proper measures to combat gender-based sexual harassment, or failure to create an internal mechanism or a committee on decorum (from the current P5,000 to P10,000 fine); and * A fine of P300,000 to P500,000 for the employer's failure to act upon sexual harassment complaints, from the current penalty of P10,000 to P15,000. Padilla also introduced an amendment to the 2019 law to include an automatic award of exemplary damages in the amount of P300,000 in the event of conviction. "Finally, recognizing the stigma and social exclusion that go together with coping with the trauma caused by sexual harassment, this measure likewise seeks to increase the prescriptive period for filing a compliant from five (5) years to ten (10) years," he said. Bill ni Sen. Robin, Dadagdagan ang Ngipin ng 'Bawal Bastos' Act vs Sexual Harassment Magkakaroon ng karagdagang ngipin ang "Bawal Bastos" (Safe Spaces Act) of 2019, kung magiging batas ang panukalang ihinain ni Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla nitong Miyerkules. Bukod sa mas malaking multa, isinusulong ng Senate Bill 2810 ang mas mahabang prescriptive period para sa pag-file ng complaint na 10 taon, mula sa kasalukuyang limang taon. "(T)he recent public hearings of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media revealed that sexual harassment in the workplace remains active and rampant. It was further observed that employers, particularly large corporations, could easily evade compliance with their obligations under the Safe Spaces Act given the grossly small amount of applicable fines," ani Padilla sa kanyang panukalang batas. Sa kanyang panukala, nais ni Padilla na amyendahan ang Safe Spaces Act of 2019 at bigyan ng mas mabigat na parusa, kasama ang: * Multa na P100,000 hanggang P300,000 sa employer na hindi nagkaroon ng sapat na hakbang laban sa gender-based sexual harassment, o gumawa ng internal mechanism o committee on decorum (mula sa kasalukuyang P5,000 hanggang P10,000 fine); at * Multang P300,000 hanggang P500,000 sa pagkabigo ng employer na umakto sa sexual harassment complaints, mula sa kasalukuyang P10,000 hanggang P15,000. Iminungkahi rin ni Padilla ang automatic award ng exemplary damages n P300,000 kung ma-convict ang kinauukulan. "Finally, recognizing the stigma and social exclusion that go together with coping with the trauma caused by sexual harassment, this measure likewise seeks to increase the prescriptive period for filing a compliant from five (5) years to ten (10) years," aniya.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. Azerbaijan's relations with European countries hold a special place in its foreign policy, particularly in light of its current role as the president of COP29 and Italy's leadership of the G7.

As Azerbaijan and Italy take the stage as the presidents of COP29 and the G7, respectively, their partnership transforms into a dynamic powerhouse of strategic collaboration. Italy, one of the nine EU members who signed a strategic partnership agreement with Azerbaijan, plays a key role in these bilateral ties.

The long-standing relationship between the two nations has reached a strategic level with significant potential for future expansion. The designation of 2020 as the "Year of Azerbaijan" in Italy exemplifies the strong friendly relations. Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Italy in early September 2022 was instrumental in enhancing this positive dynamic.

Both Italy and Azerbaijan are key players in their respective regions, and their strong economic relationship lays the groundwork for continued collaborations that are in line with their national interests.

In a September 2022 interview with the Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the significant role of Italian companies in the reconstruction of Azerbaijans liberated territories."Italian companies are very actively working in the liberated areas. I can tell you with respect to the scope of work, Italian companies are second after Turkish companies. And Turkish companies are natural, because it is our ally and close friend. And second, it is our neighbor and they have very prominent construction companies. But second companies from countries are Italian," stated President Ilham Aliyev.

Italian firms have provided equipment for power plants in the liberated regions of Aghdam, Fuzuli, Gubadli, and Kalbajar. They are also involved in restoring historical monuments and mosques in Shusha, as well as contributing to the construction of the Victory Museum in Baku.

Italy is a major trading partner for Azerbaijan, with trade volumes reaching billions of dollars. The energy sector is a key area of cooperation, with Italy importing over a third of Azerbaijans oil exports. According to data from the Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee, between January and July 2024, Azerbaijan exported more than 5.67 million tons of oil and petroleum products to Italy, representing 38.59 percent of its total oil export.

Italy is also the largest importer of Azerbaijani gas via the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), with eight of ten billion cubic meters of gas transported annually to Italy. In the first half of 2024, Azerbaijan exported 5.17 billion cubic meters of gas to Italy, marking a 5.5 percent increase from the previous year. Overall, Italy imported 31.072 billion cubic meters of gas in the first half of the year, with Azerbaijans gas constituting 16.6 percent of this total.

The collaboration extends to renewable energy, with discussions held in July 2024 in Milan regarding potential joint ventures in land-based wind energy and Caspian Sea wind projects. Italian firm Saipem is exploring partnerships for developing green energy corridors. Another Italian company, CESI, is collaborating with Azerbaijans Ministry of Energy on a feasibility study for a green energy corridor extending from the Caspian through Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Black Sea, Romania, and Hungary.

Italy is also supporting Azerbaijan's efforts in demining liberated territories as part of the EU's Team Europe initiative, which has allocated 2 million euros this year for mine action, supplemented by contributions from Italy, Germany, France, Croatia, the Netherlands, and Lithuania totaling 2.75 million euros.

In the military sphere, Italy has provided a C-27J Spartan transport aircraft to Azerbaijan, enhancing its defense and civil operations capabilities. Italy has also been vocal in supporting Azerbaijans stance on regional peace and has countered provocative remarks from French officials regarding Azerbaijan-Armenia relations.

Overall, Azerbaijan and Italy's strategic partnership spans multiple areas, from energy to defense, reflecting a deep and multifaceted collaboration that enhances economic development, security, and regional stability. Their joint efforts in renewable energy and international climate initiatives underscore the importance of this partnership in addressing global challenges and advancing mutual interests.
The Economics of Music: Streaming vs. CD SalesA Deeper Look

In recent years, a narrative has emerged pitting streaming services against traditional music sales, particularly CDs and vinyl. Social media posts often circulate claiming that a single CD sale is worth hundreds of hours of streaming for an artist. While these comparisons can be eye-catching, they often oversimplify a complex ecosystem and misdirect artists' frustrations. This article aims to unpack the intricacies of music royalties, challenging common misconceptions and highlighting the real issues at play.

The Streaming Royalty Conundrum

At first glance, streaming royalties can seem paltry. According to a 2021 report by the UK Intellectual Property Office, Spotify pays between $0.003 and $0.005 per stream on average. Apple Music pays about $0.01 per stream. These figures appear to support the narrative that streaming undervalues music. However, this perspective fails to account for the full picture of how royalties are distributed.

Streaming services dont pay artists directly. Instead, they pay rights holders, which include record labels, publishers, and collecting societies. These entities then distribute the royalties to artists based on their contracts and the prevailing royalty systems.

The Role of Collecting Societies

Collecting societies, also known as Performance Rights Organizations (PROs), play a crucial role in the music industry. They collect and distribute royalties for public performances of music, including radio play, live performances, and now, streaming. Major PROs include ASCAP and BMI in the United States, PRS for Music in the UK, and GEMA in Germany.

These organizations serve an important function, but theyre not without criticism. A 2021 study by the Music Managers Forum found that collecting societies typically distribute only 6080% of the royalties they collect. The remainder is used for operating costs, with the interest earned on held funds often covering a significant portion of these expenses.

This system creates several issues:

Delayed payments: Royalties can take months or even years to reach artists. Lack of transparency: The complex web of rights and royalty calculations is often opaque to artists. Inaccurate distribution: Many PROs use sampling methods based on radio and TV play to estimate royalty distribution, which can favour established artists and misrepresent actual streaming data.

The CD Sales vs. Streaming Fallacy

The viral posts comparing CD sales to streaming often ignore several crucial factors:

Direct sales vs. rights management: When an artist sells a CD directly, they often bypass the complex rights management system, potentially keeping a larger share of the revenue. This isnt an apples-to-apples comparison with streaming, where all rights must be accounted for and paid. Long-term value: A CD sale is a one-time transaction, while a popular song can generate streaming revenue for years. Global reach: Streaming services provide access to a global audience that physical sales could never match. Lower barriers to entry: Streaming platforms have dramatically reduced the cost and difficulty of distributing music, allowing more artists to reach audiences without needing label support.

According to a 2020 report by the National Bureau of Economic Research, the shift to streaming has led to a 5% increase in the number of new artists entering the market each year.

Streaming Services: Potential Allies, Not Enemies

Contrary to their portrayal as exploitative entities, streaming services have expressed interest in more direct and transparent royalty systems. Spotify, for instance, launched its Loud&Clear initiative in 2021 to provide more transparency about its royalty system.

Streaming services possess highly accurate play data, which could revolutionise royalty distribution if implemented directly. However, legal constraints and the entrenched power of PROs prevent this more efficient system from being realised.

A 2022 study by Midia Research found that if Spotify were to pay artists directly based on individual user listening, it could increase payouts to smaller artists by up to 25% while reducing payments to top artists by a similar margin.

The Real Bottleneck: Outdated Rights Management

The current rights management system, dominated by PROs and major labels, is a relic of the pre-digital era. Its built on estimations and sampling methods that made sense for radio and physical sales but are ill-suited to the precision of digital streaming./

Key issues include:

Inefficient distribution: A 2019 study by the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology found that up to 25% of royalty payments are black box money Lack of innovation: PROs have been slow to adopt new technologies that could improve accuracy and speed of payments. Conflicting Interests: PROs often represent both publishers and songwriters, leading to potential conflicts in how royalties are distributed. Global fragmentation: Different countries have different collecting societies, complicating international royalty collection and distribution.

The Promise of Direct Licensing and Blockchain

Emerging technologies and business models offer potential solutions:

Direct licensing: Some artists and labels are bypassing traditional PROs to license their music directly to streaming services. This can lead to faster payments and more transparent accounting. Blockchain technology: Several startups are exploring blockchain-based rights management systems that could provide real-time, transparent royalty calculations and distributions.

A 2021 report by Deloitte suggested that blockchain could reduce rights management costs in the music industry by up to 50% and increase the speed of royalty payments by orders of magnitude.

The Way Forward

To create a fairer, more efficient music ecosystem, several changes are necessary:

Modernise PROs: Pressure PROs to adopt more accurate, technology-driven distribution methods based on actual play data rather than estimations. Increase transparency: Demand greater transparency from all parties involved in royalty collection and distribution. Explore direct licensing: Support initiatives that allow for more direct relationships between artists and platforms. Invest in new technologies: Encourage the development and adoption of blockchain and other technologies that can streamline rights management. Educate artists: Promote better understanding among artists about how the royalty system works and where the real inefficiencies lie. Regulatory reform: Push for updates to copyright law and regulations that reflect the realities of the digital music ecosystem.

Conclusion

The narrative that pits streaming services against artists is oversimplified and potentially harmful. While its true that many artists struggle to make a living from their music, the root causes are more complex than simply low per-stream rates.

The real challenge lies in modernizing an outdated rights management system that was never designed for the digital age. Streaming services, with their precise play data and global reach, could potentially be powerful allies in creating a more equitable music industry.

Instead of sharing misleading comparisons between CD sales and streaming, the music community would be better served by focusing on the systemic issues within rights management and pushing for meaningful reform. This includes demanding more transparency from PROs, supporting innovative technologies like blockchain for rights management, and advocating for regulatory changes that reflect the realities of modern music consumption.

By addressing these core issues, we can work towards a music industry that fairly compensates artists while embracing the global reach and accessibility that streaming provides. The future of music lies not in returning to old models, but in reimagining how we value and compensate creativity in the digital age.

I am continuing to gather data on this topic. If youre an artist and you would be willing to share your information on royalties for streaming and physical media, please send it to dom[at]id3as.co.uk

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A German air force A400M lands at the 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Illinois, Aug. 31, 2024, prior to the start of Exercise Proptoberfest. (Staff Sgt. Katherine Jacobus/U.S. Air National Guard)

PEORIA, Ill. (Tribune News Service)  For the next two weeks, members of Germanys Air Force will participate in joint exercises with American forces across the country, called Proptoberfest, strengthening the relationship between the two militaries.

Their first stop, though, was in Peoria at the 182nd Airlift Wing of the Illinois Air National Guard.

Performing military exercises with NATO partners enhances adaptability and preparedness because were going to be operating throughout the world, said Col. Rusty Ballard, commander of the 182nd.

Ballard, who is originally from Oreana in Macon County, first joined the Army National Guard more than 30 years ago before joining the Air National Guard, he said.

Threats from all over the world are coming closer to home every day, so we may need those allies, Ballard said.

Strong bonds

Last summer, the 182nd participated in Air Defender 2023, the largest air exercises ever conducted between joint NATO forces.

The 182nd led the aircraft operations for the C-130 Hercules, a tactical troop transport plane used by the U.S. and other countries.

Air Defender, last year, was more of a holistic approach to an exercise, said Maj. Joseph Chambers, chief of tactics for the 182nd.

That included everything from transport to fighter aircraft and intelligence gathering  every single platform you could have not only in our inventory, but in all the NATO countries inventories that we had, Chambers said.

The 182nd worked closely with Germanys Air Transport Wing 62 based out of Wunstorf Air Base, which is about 18 miles from Hanover, Germany, and wanted to return the favor by inviting them to the U.S., Ballard said.

What were trying to do is build this relationship based on that previous exercise, he said.

Twenty-two members of Air Transport Wing 62 arrived last weekend with an A400M Atlas, a multi-purpose transport aircraft made by Airbus, Ballard said.

On Tuesday, they worked alongside some 40 members of the 182nd and with two U.S. crafts, including the C-130 Hercules the 182nd used in Air Defender, he said.

Just like Air Defender, its getting together to do all the tactics, techniques and procedures that NATO allies do together, Ballard said. So a lot of mission planning, studying tentative threats, formation flying from point A to point B, supplemental fuel operations, air drops and various other tactics.

Modern and multi-faceted

Proptoberfest was initially slated to include multiple A400M Atlas aircraft, Ballard said, but Germany could only spare one.

But even one of the new aircraft affords a good amount of interoperability training for the joint forces, said Lt. Col. Dimitri Wilk of Air Transport Wing 62.

The A400 is the most modern airlifter in the western world at the moment. ... It has all the state of the art features in the flight deck (and) in the cargo hold you wish to have for a new airlifter, Wilk said.

The A400M Atlas can serve as a tanker aircraft or troop transport, but another unique feature is its ability to take off from unpaved roadways and climb at a steeper angle than other such aircraft, he said.

The most important thing if youre in a threat environment is to get out of (small-arm weapons) range, and the faster you climb, the faster youre out of their range, Wilk said.

Onward and upward

From Peoria, Air Transport Wing 62 will travel to Fort Huachuca in Arizona for low level mountain flying, Ballard said.

From there, were going to go to Colorado Springs to a high density altitude mountain flying course, land on some unapproved landing surfaces, and then go to California, fly over the Pacific Ocean, down to San Diego and drop some Navy SEALS, he said.

We wanted to be an accommodating host, just like they were to us, and show them a little bit of the U.S. and what we can provide to them for training, Ballard said.

Proptoberfest is also a major morale booster for troops on both sides, both commanders said.

It promotes team cohesiveness. It gives somebody something to look forward to, Ballard said.

And its fun, Wilk added.

We (would) love to be here more days to see more of Illinois, but, as you heard from Col. Ballard, we have to depart to and see a lot more of the United States. And (there is) a lot of work to do and a lot of fun with the work, he said.

(c)2024 The Pantagraph.

Visit The Pantagraph at www.pantagraph.com.

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U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel sits with students at Yokosuka Primary School, Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, on Sept. 4, 2024, the first day of the Department of Defense Education Activity's new universal pre-kindergarten program. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan  The U.S. ambassador to Japan appeared at Yokosuka Primary School on Wednesday to mark the first day of the Department of Defense Education Activitys new universal prekindergarten program.

Ambassador Rahm Emanuel, once known as a hard-charging chief of staff for President Barack Obama, displayed a softer side as he shook hands, bumped fists and even sang If Youre Happy and You Know It alongside kids from the bases first pre-K class, which includes more than 100 students.

The free program, available for children who turned 4 on or before Sept. 1, is now available at 80 DODEA schools with additional programs planned for 10 more schools

Im just really proud of the armed services for committing the resources, Emanuel told Stars and Stripes from one of the new classrooms. I dont want to get into all the research, but its pretty overwhelming about how important this is for a childs success in life.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel high-fives students at Yokosuka Primary School, Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, on Sept. 4, 2024, the first day of the Department of Defense Education Activity's new universal pre-kindergarten program. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

Emanuel said his excitement over the program was both personal and professional. He recalled joining his father, a pediatrician, on his rounds, as a child. As a student at Sarah Lawrence College in New York, Emanuel initially studied to be an early childhood educator before pursuing politics, he told Stars and Stripes.

Later, as mayor of Chicago, he championed the rollout of the citys first universal prekindergarten and kindergarten programs, he said.

His commitment to education, however, sometimes conflicted with his politics. As mayor, he also oversaw one of the largest public-school closures in U.S. history, 49 elementary schools and one high school, in 2013, according to the Chicago Tribune in May 2019. He said at the time that closing financially struggling schools would result in students attending better performing schools, according to the Tribune.

Lois Rapp, director of DODEA Pacific Region, also attended the programs launch, something she said DODEA has been working towards for more than a decade. She recalled families requesting the program 12 years ago, when she served as superintendent for the Pacific East district.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel sings "If You're Happy and You Know It" with students at Yokosuka Primary School, Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, on Sept. 4, 2024. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

The program has a $75 million budget for fiscal year 2024, which includes about $8.8 million in construction. Its also led to 250 new teaching jobs, with a goal of an 18-to-1 student-teacher ratio, DODEA Europe spokeswoman Jessica Tackaberry told Stars and Stripes in April.

At Yokosuka, space was created by moving fifth grade students from Sullivans Elementary School to Yokosuka Middle School. That made room for pre-K through first grade at Yokosuka Primary School, which shares the same space as Sullivans, Rapp told Stars and Stripes in one of the new classrooms Wednesday.

We had to start last year, she said. We had to procure all new equipment. And in some locations, we had to be creative about space.

DODEA may eventually create a separate facility for Yokosuka Primary School, but for now it will remain a school within a school, according to principal Mary Fisk.

Were just really excited to offer this to our families, and were looking forward to a great year, Fisk told Stars and Stripes on Wednesday. Yokosuka Primary School is where the magic begins.

wilson.alex@stripes.com @AlexMNWilson
The second stage for Blue Origins New Glenn rocket for its debut mission was set up Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Stations Launch Complex 36 for an upcoming engine test. (Blue Origin/TNS)

ORLANDO, Fla. (Tribune News Service)  Blue Origin has only 40 days to go to be ready for its first launch of its heavy lift New Glenn rocket, but has a lot of boxes to tick before liftoff.

That includes a test fire in the coming days of the rockets second stage, which the company rolled out to the pad Tuesday at Cape Canaveral Space Force Stations Launch Complex 36.

Jeff Bezos rocket company is targeting Oct. 13 for liftoff of NG-1, a mission to send a pair of satellites built by fellow rocket company RocketLab on a mission for NASA to Mars called ESCAPADE, which stands for Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers.

Were looking forward to firing up those two BE-3Us on New Glenns second stage in a few days, the company posted on X after the hardwares trip to the pad.

When it launches, the second stage and its engines will be tasked with deploying the twin ESCAPADE spacecraft on an 11-month trip to the Red Planet where they will study Mars plasma and magnetic fields.

The launch, though, will be the culmination of years of development for New Glenn, which is constructed at Blue Origins nearby factory on Merritt Island.

Still lots to do but progress, posted Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp on X last week. A bunch of milestones coming up in quick succession (not an exhaustive list)  engines integration, our landing barge arriving soon, hotfiring second stage And yes, lots of unique challenges as our first flight, but folks are excited and leaning in big-time.

Bezos company has to date only flown its smaller New Shepard rocket from a West Texas launch site. Those are only suborbital flights, but feature reentry landings that save the rocket booster for reuse. New Shepards booster engines are similar to those in New Glenns second stage.

Similar to SpaceX, New Glenn is designed to recover its first stage on a recovery vessel that will be stationed downrange in the Atlantic.

Blue Origin expects that ship to arrive to Port Canaveral soon, and revealed this week the vessels name: Jacklyn, named after Bezos mother.

New Glenn rockets are more than twice as powerful than Falcon 9 with the first stage powered by seven of Blues BE-4 engines, the same that are used on United Launch Alliances new Vulcan rockets. Vulcan uses only two, though, so New Glenn will produce nearly 3.9 million pounds of thrust at liftoff.

The first stage measures 188 feet tall compared to Falcon 9s first stage at 135 feet. At full height, the entirety of the New Glenn rocket will rise to 322 feet. It has a bigger fairing for payloads compared to Falcon and Vulcan rockets coming in at nearly 23 feet (7 meters) in diameter compared to its competitors 16.4 feet (5 meters).

NASA awarded Blue Origin a $20 million launch task order for ESCAPADE in February 2023.

Its the debut for New Glenn that expects to compete alongside SpaceX and ULA for lucrative national security missions in the future, but already has a large manifest of commercial and civil customers ready to fly if the first mission goes well.

NASA is also relying on Blue Origin and New Glenn for one of the Artemis programs two lunar human landing systems, Blue Moon.

And Blue Origin has a spate of satellite customers including several flights for Amazons Project Kuiper constellation.

The first-stage boosters are designed to fly up to 25 times. They would land on Jacklyn and be transported back to the port.

The company has large-enough facilities at Cape Canaveral to process three New Glenn rockets at once. Blue Origin took over the lease for LC-36 in 2015, investing about $1 billion in the pad site alone. It was previously used for government launches from 1962-2005 including lunar lander Surveyor 1 in 1967 and some of the Mariner probes.

2024 Orlando Sentinel.

Visit at orlandosentinel.com.

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Antique signs are displayed for sale during the U.S. 127 Yard Sale on Aug. 1 in Collinsville, Ala. (Luke Sharrett/For The Washington Post)

Spanning approximately 690 miles from northern Alabama to southern Michigan, the U.S. Route 127 Yard Sale claims to be the worlds longest. Its hard to argue otherwise. Now in its 37th year, the event held on the first weekend of August is an annual magnet for bargain seekers, antique pickers, road trippers and entrepreneurs of all ages.

Theres no telling what youll find: a basket of old prescription eyeglasses, sun-worn yard flamingos, homemade Teletubbies dolls, bootleg Taylor Swift bedroom curtains.

Regardless of where one starts along the route, the hunting grounds present themselves in front yards, parking lots and farm fields.

Sales can be found outside trailer parks, in the driveways of a three-story homes, and everywhere else in between. There is no barrier to entry for those seeking to participate in some secondhand capitalism.

I set out to photograph the entire route, start to finish, over the course of three days.

Barn quilts are displayed for sale during the U.S. 127 Yard Sale on Aug. 1 in Gadsden, Ala. (Luke Sharrett/For The Washington Post)

Alabama

A mustard yellow hand-painted sign about the size of a ping-pong table marks the starting point of the Route 127 Yard Sale in Gadsden. The sign provides a rough map through six states: Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan.

Nearby, at Noccalula Falls Park, pop-up canopies, folding tables and food trucks were set up around the parking lot and picnic shelters.

Among the yard art, clothing and secondhand tools displayed for sale was a lemonade stand run by Gatlin Smith, 7, of nearby Piedmont, Ala. Despite the early hour, Smith was already busy topping off red Solo cups in an effort to raise money for a PlayStation 5.

John Leach, 60, was tending to his homemade drum smoker in his front yard just north of the state park. A couple pork butts had been cooking overnight and were just about ready to be shredded and sold to the days hungry sale-goers.

In Fort Payne, about a mile north of Dogtown, a massive collection of vintage porcelain signage was on display. Tucked just inside a grove of pine trees, the signs represent some of the most iconic brands of the 1940s and 50s -- Coca-Cola, Pepsi, 7-Up, Royal Crown Cola and Gulf Oil -- running the gamut from museum-quality to bullet-riddled.

Blacksmith anvils, glass telegraph-line insulators and all manner of vintage hammers, hatchets and tools covered table after table inside the pine grove.

Jeff Mask, 68, of Geraldine, Ala., helped his friends from Bear Trap Antiques sell the aforementioned goods for the 17th year in a row. Repeat customers seek them out year after year.

Theres people coming from everywhere, Mask said. Its just neat to meet people and talk to them.

Georgia

Leaving the Yellowhammer State behind, the sale route briefly crosses through the far northwestern corner of Georgia into Lookout Mountain.

A pop-up thunderstorm on Friday caught one vendor by surprise outside the Trading Post Smokehouse BBQ restaurant. A heavy downpour left sellers scrambling to cover their tables with blue tarps and large swaths of semi-opaque plastic sheet.

Not far from the Tennessee border, a group of pickers from Florida pulled over to admire the panoramic view from a hang-gliding launch area atop Lookout Mountain. Ann Johnson of Pensacola, Fla., spoke of the thrill of the hunt and enjoying seeing what I need that I didnt know I needed. Her friend Lynn Wise, also of Pensacola, agreed. I wish I could know the story behind the pieces, Wise said.

Yard art is displayed for sale during the U.S. 127 Yard Sale on Aug. 2 in Crossville, Tenn. (Luke Sharrett/For The Washington Post)

Tennessee

North of Chattanooga, on Signal Mountain, Sara Beth Pegg of Gallatin, Tenn., was manning a booth with her husband, Zach, and their five kids. A vintage Volkswagen bus served as both the centerpiece of their selling space and a sleeping area for members of the family. Over the years the couple managed to pay off their houses mortgage with extra money they made from the sale.

Its kind of a family tradition, Pegg remarked as her children played nearby with other children of other vendors. Peggs great aunt and uncle were vendors beginning the first year of the sale in 1987, when it started in Tennessee.

Outside of Pikeville, vendor Leo Krauss, 75, of Dull, Tenn., reflected on his 20 years selling along Route 127.

I make more money here than anywhere else, Krauss said. Theyre laid-back here. Plus, I have a tree, he said, relaxing in the shade after a long day of selling beads, jewelry and other goods. If it aint here, it aint anywhere.

Thirty miles up the road in Crossville, vendor Alexis Woodbury, 31, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., displayed a collection of Black Americana and Nazi war trophies brought home by G.I.s at the end of World War II.

I like to take the opportunity to teach people, she said. A table full of swastika armbands, Jim Crow-era segregation signage and ceramic caricatures of Black Americans stood at the front of her booth. If we forget our history, we might repeat it, she said.

In Clarkrange, a tent city of vendors had popped up for the weekend surrounding the Cumberland Mountain General Store. John Hughes, 69, of Fayetteville, Texas, stood amid a sea of vintage metal and porcelain signs with a bushy silver beard and a cowboy hat as he reflected on his long history selling secondhand antiquities.

When the Beatles came to New York in 1964, I was selling, said Hughes.

In addition to being the last major stop of the sale in Tennessee, rural Pall Mall is also the boyhood home of World War I hero and Medal of Honor recipient Alvin C. York. His gravesite is only a short drive from the hustle and bustle of the sale.

Approaching the border with Kentucky, Forbus General Store stands along Route 127 as the preferred lunch stop in northern Tennessee. The two-story outpost looks like it belongs on the set of the Andy Griffith Show. Inside the store sale-goers played checkers and waited in line for ice cream.

Shoppers walk through a vendor stop during the U.S. 127 Yard Sale on Aug. 2 in Harrodsburg, Ky. (Luke Sharrett/For The Washington Post)

Kentucky

Near Liberty, a group of local Mennonite families set up booths to sell homegrown vegetables, hand-woven baskets and patchwork quilts to travelers. A group of young ladies wearing long dresses and bonnets were crafting homemade fried hand pies and soft pretzels. Perhaps the most sought-after treat for sale at the stop was fresh ice cream out of a machine powered by a brown horse on treadmill.

The small central Kentucky town of Harrodsburg normally boasts one of the largest collections of vendor booths on the route. Long lines of tents tend to populate a farmers field well-known to local treasure seekers, who make the one-hour drive from nearby Louisville or Lexington.

This year, however, many had packed up early and departed following a bout of severe weather that collapsed tents and turned much of the grassy field to mud. Despite the elements, shoppers still turned out to patronize sellers who chose to stand their ground against Mother Nature.

Local sheriffs deputies were patrolling Route 127 writing tickets to motorists who chose to ignore posted signage that forbade anyone from parking on the shoulder of the highway that weekend.

On the final day of the sale, the rising sun peeked through the low-hanging fog around the Gallatin County fairgrounds in Glencoe. Brian and Wanda Hensley of Shelbyville, Ind., married for 41 years, worked in tandem to arrange antique toys and tools on the dew-covered grass of the fairgrounds.

Up the road in Covington, a handful of booths lined George Steinford Park within eyesight of the downtown Cincinnati skyline.

A Cincinnati-based seller, Shorti, whos been setting up along Route 127 for 20 years, said her motivations were twofold. First, she enjoyed sharing about her faith in God. She also liked making money from her sales.

It does put a little change in your pocket, she said.

A taxidermy raccoon poker game for sale during the U.S. 127 Yard Sale on Aug. 1 in Walden, Tenn. (Luke Sharrett/For The Washington Post)

Ohio

Residential sellers were out in force in Hamilton, a bedroom community northwest of Cincinnati. Front yards were full of deeply discounted deals because sellers wanted to avoid the chore of hauling their wares back up driveways and into garages.

Doug Rehbaum of Fairfield, Ohio, was set up with a handful of other vendors in the parking lot of a Family Dollar. Its his 10th year selling vintage oil and gasoline ephemera.

Ive got a lot of repeat customers from Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan, Rehbaum said. Im in the same spot every year, and they all know it.

Leaving Hamilton behind, Route 127 passes by the shuttered Champion Paper mill. The journey ahead will take motorists away from the rust belt and into farmlands dominated by hundreds of square miles of corn and soybean fields.

Somewhere North of Hamilton a change in regional nomenclature becomes apparent. The homemade yard sale signs are abruptly replaced by signs reading garage sale. There were still plenty of used vacuum cleaners, roller skates and jigsaw puzzles to go around.

As the day wore on, vendors began to tear down and pack up. Items that spent the weekend on the $1 dollar table soon found their prices slashed to free.

Michigan

Three days and nearly 700 miles later, the sales northern terminus comes into view in Addison. Home to a cafe, a public library and a couple of marijuana dispensaries, the sleepy village gets an economic boost from the waves of pickers and yard-salers.

At the final stop of the sale, vendor Sarah Manders of Clayton, Mich., reflected upon the close of her third year selling on Route 127.

Theres definitely a joy in meeting people who find the same things cool as you, she said as she sat in a vintage lawn chair, soaking up the late afternoon sun.
Burnt police station near Port-au-Prince airport, Dec. 2023. (Diego Da Rin/International Crisis Group)

(Tribune News Service)  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit the island of Hispaniola on Thursday and Friday, where he will reaffirm the United States commitment to both Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which share the island.

In Haiti our goal is to recognize the positive progress made towards improving security and encourage efforts to appoint the Provisional Electoral Council so Haiti can move toward elections, Brian Nichols, assistant secretary of state for the Western Hemisphere, told reporters ahead of the visit to Port-au-Prince. In the Dominican Republic we will reinforce our shared priorities such as promoting democratic governance, supporting free and fair elections in the region, and fighting corruption.

Blinkens visit to the island comes amid tense relations between the two countries. The Dominican Republic, upset over the construction of a privately funded irrigation canal near its border in northeast Haiti that it claims is diverting water away from its farmers, has blocked most commercial air traffic from Haiti.

The tensions led Haitis leaders last month to boycott the swearing-in of Dominican President Luis Abinader, who was elected earlier this year to a second four-year term.

Blinken will arrive in Port-au-Prince on Thursday, where the multinational security force led by Kenya and largely funded by the U.S. has been hobbled by lack of money and equipment. And an ongoing bank bribery scandal is threatening the U.S.-backed political transition while undermining efforts to finally organize long-overdue elections.

Nichols said Blinken, who will meet with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and Edgard Leblanc, the current head of the presidential council, plans to discuss Haitis return to a democratic path and the urgent need for elections.

Nichols said Haiti has come a long way since its dark moments earlier this year when a violent insurgency by armed gangs forced the closure of the international and domestic airports in Port-au-Prince for nearly four months, led to the escape of more than 4,000 prison inmates and blocked thousands of containers containing humanitarian aid at the seaport. The chaos also prevented the prime minister at the time, Ariel Henry, from returning to the country after he visited Kenya to secure the agreement for the missions deployment.

We have seen Haiti take important steps forward in the last few months, Nichols said, highlighting Aprils installment of the presidential council and its selection of Conille, a longtime U.N. technocrat, to head a new government. Weve seen tangible signs of progress on the ground, including the opening of the airport and resumption of commercial flights, increased economic activity and movement in pockets of Port-au-Prince and the deployment of the U.N. authorized Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission, which is working in close partnership with the Haitian national police.

The mandate of the security mission, which was authorized for a year by the U.N. Security Council, expires on Oct. 2. The council is expected to debate its renewal on Sept. 30.

Though Haitians have been frustrated by the slow progress of the security mission and its lack of visibility on the streets, Nichols highlighted an ongoing joint operation involving members of the mission, along with specialized SWAT units of the Haiti National Police and soldiers in Haitis small army.

They are going after gangs and their leaders in a way that hasnt happened in eight years, Nichols said. From a security standpoint, that is a major step forward.

Nichols confirmed a Miami Herald and McClatchy exclusive report that the U.S is exploring transferring the mission, which relies on voluntary contributions for its operations, to a more formal United Nations peacekeeping force or some other hybrid that would allow for its financing and staffing to be more reliable.

Our challenge going forward is to make sure that theres a reliable, sustainable source of funding for the MSS to take it through stabilization, elections and the growth of the Haitian national police, Nichols said. We will be working and coordinating with our partners around the world, particularly in the Security Council and in the region, to figure out how we best address that.

Another concern is the slow progress on the political front. Haiti hasnt had an election since 2016, when late President Jovenel Moise was elected in a controversial vote. The current efforts to organize general elections have been hampered by arguments over which sectors of Haitian society should be represented on the electoral council, as well as the bank-bribery scandal.

On Tuesday, an effort by four of the seven voting members of the presidential council to take steps against three of its members who have been accused of shaking down the director of a state-owned commercial bank failed. The vote resulted in a deadlock because the council needs five out of seven votes for major decisions.

Blinken, who will meet with some of the political and civil leaders involved in forming the presidential council, is expected to discuss the scandal and the importance of having Haitian officials investigate the allegations.

The Haitian people deserve transparency and good governance, NIchols said.

Blinken will also travel to the Dominican Republic, where he will discuss three main priorities with Abinader: strengthening the U.S.-Dominican economic ties, respect for human and labor rights and promoting increased security in the region, particularly in Haiti, Nichols said. The two leaders will also discuss the 2025 Summit of the Americas, which the Dominican Republic is hosting.

Nichols said the U.S. hopes to see more normal relations between the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

The countries are inexorably linked, he said. Were very cognizant of the fact that the Dominican Republic is providing significant assistance to Haiti and to the MSS, and that we more broadly, hope to see the ties between the two countries operate in a normal fashion in the future.

2024 Miami Herald.

Visit miamiherald.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Ariel view of the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission base on August 24, 2024. The base, constructed by the United States, is located near Port-au-Princes Toussaint Louverture International Airport. (Jose Iglesias/Miami Herald)

(Tribune News Service)  More than two months after the first contingents of Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti to head a largely U.S.-funded multinational security force, the Biden administration is exploring the possibility of transitioning to a traditional United Nations peacekeeping operation.

The State Department, which in the face of funding and equipment shortfalls has been mulling over the possibility of transforming the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support, has notified U.S. lawmakers of its intentions, a source familiar with the matter told the Miami Herald.

An official with the White House National Security Council confirmed to McClatchy and the Herald that plans are under consideration to alter the nature of the force. The direction was also confirmed by a third source.

In coordination with partners, the United States is exploring options to bolster the Multinational Security Support mission and ensure the support that the MSS is providing Haitians is sustained long-term and ultimately paves the way to security conditions permitting free and fair elections, the national security official said.

The switch is both an acknowledgment of the administrations struggle to attract voluntary contributions for the mission, which the administration says roughly costs $200 million every six months to operate, and of its failure to quickly restore order in Haiti despite public pronouncements that there has been progress since the Kenyans arrival.

A traditional U.N. peacekeeping operation would end the missions problems with funding, because it would be paid for through member nations traditionally assessed contributions. It would also provide more equipment like helicopters, which the current Kenya-led mission lacks, and possibly a hospital capable of performing surgeries. Also the U.N. would be able to mobilize military forces, rather than just cops, from other nations in a way that the U.S. has been unable to do.

A peacekeeping mission would need the approval of the U.N. Security Council, and there are questions about whether its members, especially China and Russia, would support it.

Renata Segura, program director for Latin America and the Caribbean for the Crisis Group, said she thinks the move is a demonstration of how difficult it is to mobilize support for this kind of mission outside of the traditional U.N. channels.

The initial lack of support to the MSS from outspoken sectors of Haitian civil society certainly made many potential donors, mission leaders very reluctant to engage. But beyond that, there is a clear Haiti fatigue  with many donors wondering if this most recent experiment would solve what previous interventions couldnt, she said.

Robert Rae, Canadas ambassador to the U.N., who visited Haiti last week, said there needs to be a discussion about how to beef up the security mission.

The obvious answer to that is through a peacekeeping mission. But we need to understand the political challenges, he said in an interview after his visit. Only the Security Council can approve this peacekeeping mission. And a peacekeeping mission has to be funded, but it also has to be approved by the [Permanent 5 members] and that includes China and Russia.

The reason we have the [Kenya] mission we have is because China and Russia wouldnt agree to anything else, said Rae, who was recently elected president of the U.N.s Economic and Social Council. We need to understand thats what needs to come together in order for it to happen.

Rae said the challenge is to make sure that both the Haiti National Police, the Kenya mission and the humanitarian and development agencies working in the troubled Caribbean country have the financial support to confront the worst humanitarian crisis since a devastating 2010 earthquake left more than 300,000 Haitians dead.

That doesnt depend on a change of heart from Russia or China, that depends on the willingness of the rest of the world to step up and address the problems, Rae said, referring to the ongoing struggle to raise money for the security mission and a $674 million U.N. humanitarian appeal to help the nearly 600,000 Haitians who have been forced out of their homes by armed gangs over the last three years and the more than five million currently facing hunger.

The violence is also disrupting access to healthcare and has led to more than 2,500 deaths or injuries in the first three months of the year, according to the U.N.

Canada recently sent its contribution of $59 million Canadian dollars to a U.N.-controlled Trust Fund set up for the Kenya missions operations, while the U.S. remains the largest financial contributor. The Biden administration has provided more than $300 million that has, among other things, paid for the construction of a base near Port-au-Princes international airport and dozens of armored vehicles for the foreign police officers.

There are currently 400 Kenyans police officers in Haiti tasked with helping the Haitian police take on gangs that have continued to force people out of their homes. The Kenyans are expected to be joined in the coming days by a contingent of about 250 military and police officers from Jamaica.

Critics of the MSS mission have argued that even at 2,500 personnel, which was initially projected, the force is too small to make a difference. Haitian government officials, who are in the early stages of trying to organize elections, have also quietly voiced criticism of the mission. Their concerns range from the lack of equipment to the lack of foreign cops to secure polling sites when armed groups control more than 85% of the capital.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is planning to travel to Port-au-Prince this week to meet with Prime Minister Garry Conille and the head of the Transitional Presidential Council, Edgard Leblanc. He will also meet with a handful of political party leaders involved in setting up the presidential council, which has been at the center of a bribery scandal involving three of its seven voting members.

A large part of Blinkens focus is expected to be on security and the multinational mission, which comes up for renewal before the U.N. Security Council on Sept. 30.

The mission was first authorized by the Security Council in October 2023 for a year. But court challenges in Nairobi over President William Rutos decision to deploy 1,000 Kenyan police officers to Haiti, a months-long congressional hold by GOP lawmakers on funding and a deadly gang insurgency in Haiti delayed the deployment until June.

The first contingent of 200 Kenyans arrived in Port-au-Prince on June 25 and a second group on July 16. Despite their presence, several neighborhoods on the outskirts of the capital have since fallen under gang control and Haitians, both in the population and the police, have quietly expressed disappointment with the mission.

2024 Miami Herald.

Visit miamiherald.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
China Coast Guard ships, background left and right, are seen past the Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Cape Engano, middle, as photographed from the BRP Cabra during a supply mission to Sabina Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea on Aug. 26, 2024. (Jam Sta Rosa, AFP via Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  The latest clashes in the tense South China Sea feature Chinas coast guard wielding knives and an axe, firing water cannons and ramming Philippine vessels.

The hostilities between China and the Philippines continue to draw global attention though other Asian countries also stake claims on the resource-rich seas. A new flashpoint has opened between the two nations recently  the Sabina Shoal  just weeks after Beijing and Manila agreed to ease tensions in another hot spot.

The developments raise the stakes for the U.S., which is treaty bound to help defend the Philippines from any armed attack in the South China Sea. Washington could find itself dragged into a direct conflict with Beijing, making the South China Sea, at times more dangerous than the Taiwan Strait, observers say.

Philippine-China strategic relations boil down to a cold war that may turn to a hot war if mishandled, said Chester Cabalza, who heads a Manila-based security think tank.

Why are tensions rising now?

The Philippines maritime strategy has seen a dramatic shift under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who took office in June 2022. Marcos discarded his predecessor Rodrigo Dutertes non-confrontational approach in the South China Sea and has become more assertive, backed by the U.S.

Marcos granted the U.S. military access to more Philippines bases, including those facing the South China Sea and Taiwan in early 2023, much to Beijings chagrin. The Philippines also increased missions in the disputed waters, including resupplying the countrys lone outpost, a dilapidated World War II-era ship which has been fortified, after years of worry that it would fall apart. China, which claims much of the waters for itself, has been trying to block these missions and assert its expansive maritime claims. These have led to more frequent  and increasingly violent  clashes, which the Philippines publicizes. Thats a strategy that Beijing has recently adopted. The encounters have caused damage to Philippine vessels and crew injuries.

Both nations tried to ease tensions around the Philippines military outpost in Second Thomas Shoal through a pact, only to have the clashes shift to nearby Sabina Shoal. The airspace over the disputed sea is also a site of hostilities.

What has China said?

China claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea where it has built numerous artificial islands. Beijing maintains that its actions are lawful and within its rights. Beijings claims overlap with the Philippines 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea. Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam also lay claim to parts of the waterway.

China has repeatedly blamed the Philippines for instigating maritime encounters and has accused Manila of ignoring its warnings. The Philippines is being emboldened by external forces, according to Beijing, in an apparent swipe at the U.S. Manila had branded Chinas remarks as disinformation.

A particular point of contention for China was the regular Philippine convoy to provide food and other supplies to personnel on the grounded World War II-era ship in the Second Thomas Shoal. Mutually suspicious of each others motives, the two nations have since moved on to accusing one another of trying to establish a permanent presence in the nearby Sabina Shoal.

How did the U.S. react?

The U.S. has criticized Beijing for its South China Sea actions, repeatedly blasting its escalatory moves. At the same time, Washington has assured the Philippines that it will come to its defense in case of an armed attack, as stipulated in the nations decades-old treaty. President Joe Biden has also boosted defense funding and pledged investments to the Philippines as Washington seeks to counter China in the region.

Stronger ties with the U.S. have opened up other deals for the Philippines. Marcos has also entered into a key defense pact with Japan, and is aiming to forge a similar one with France.

The Philippines has held joint patrols with U.S. and Australia in the disputed sea, and is considering holding similar exercises with other countries.

Could this lead to war?

Though the collisions at sea have become more frequent, the rhetoric from China and the Philippines suggest that neither is prepared to take the region to the brink of war.

After meeting with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in November, Marcos said: I do not think anybody wants to go to war.

The Philippine leader suggested a higher bar for invoking a defense pact with the U.S.: the death of a Filipino soldier in the event of a foreign attack that triggers the two countries mutual defense treaty.

Whats next?

The Philippines plans to continue its missions in the contested waters, with Marcos saying that skirmishes with China have steeled his nations determination to defend its sovereignty. A U.S. military official has said Washington can escort Philippine vessels during resupply missions in the South China Sea.

Manila is also exploring diplomatic and legal steps to respond to Chinas actions, including protests and another potential arbitration case.

China doesnt intend to back down either. Beijing said it will continue asserting maritime claims, opening the possibility for more encounters at sea.

2024 Bloomberg L.P.

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Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
U.S. Air Force B-26 Invaders on a training flight over Japan on July 11, 1950. (Wikimedia Commons)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  Teams from the U.S. and South Korea tasked with recovering wartime remains launched a joint underwater search in South Korea this week for a bomber and its crew that crashed during the 1950-53 Korean War.

Twenty-two divers and underwater archaeologists from the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and the South Korean Agency for Killed in Action Recovery Identification, or MAKRI, started searching Tuesday for a U.S. B-26 Invader off Haeundae Beach in Busan, according to a Ministry of National Defense news release.

Investigators are using sonar equipment and magnetic detectors to comb through 4.6 square-miles of water until the search ends Sept. 27, the ministry said Tuesday. South Koreas navy and coast guard will provide weather information and logistical support throughout the investigation.

Three crew members of the B-26 assigned to the 5th Air Force are believed to have died when their aircraft crashed into the sea after taking off from the K-9 Busan East Air Base in January 1953, according to the ministry.

During the war, the B-26 initially carried up to 6,000 pounds of bombs on daylight raids on North Korean targets, according to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. However, enemy antiaircraft weapons and Soviet-era MiG-15 fighter jets prompted its crews to turn to nighttime missions using infrared detection equipment.

The underwater survey is being conducted with a sense of duty to account for the service members who died, DPAA team leader Patrick Hennessy said in the release. If there is even a faint possibility, we will not give up and focus on all of our capabilities.

The joint effort will also strengthen future projects between the two agencies and bring to light those who protected the freedom and prosperity of South Korea, MAKRI manager Lee Gueun-won said in the release.

The two agencies have worked together to find, identify and repatriate Korean War-era human remains since 2011. Nearly 700 U.S. service members missing from the Korean War have been accounted for, but around 7,460 are still missing, according to the DPAA.

U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Arlie Barrett of the 24th Infantry Division was most recently accounted for by the DPAA on June 7, according to an agency news release Aug. 22.

The 19-year-old Bluff City, Tenn., native was declared missing after his unit fought North Korean troops on Aug. 10, 1950. His then-unidentified remains were recovered four months later and buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.

His remains will be exhumed and reburied Sept. 27 in Mountain Home, Tenn., according to the DPAA release.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Russian Federation, elected deputy of the Azerbaijani Parliament from the cities of Shusha, Aghdam and Khojavand in the Karabakh region Polad Bulbuloglu has sent a letter to the Chairperson of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin in connection with the video message of the First Deputy Chairperson of the Committee of the State Duma of the Russian Federation on CIS Affairs, Eurasian integration and relations with compatriots Konstantin Zatulin, who published a congratulatory message on September 2 on the occasion of the so-called Independence Day of the now defunct NKR on his Telegram channel, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Embassy in Russia.

I testify my deep respect and, completing my diplomatic mission in Moscow, address you not only in my capacity as Ambassador but also as an elected member of the Azerbaijani Parliament from the cities of Shusha, Aghdam, and Khojavand in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

I would like to draw your attention to another outrageous action of the First Deputy Chairperson of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Konstantin Zatulin, who published on September 2 this year a congratulation on the occasion of the so-called Independence Day of the now non-existent NKR on the Telegram channel Shining Star, recording a corresponding video message, the letter reads.

As Bulbuloglu notes, in the provocative address, Zatulin, allegedly speaking on behalf of not indifferent people in Russia, once again provokes revanchist forces in Armenian society with imaginary hopes to resuscitate the already completed conflict by supporting the separatists.

Moreover, in his speech, he refers to the former leaders of the separatist regime and other terrorists, whose hands are smeared with the blood of innocent Azerbaijanis. It is obvious that Zatulin, being persona non grata in Armenia, continues to promote expansionist views and narratives in Russian society and fulfills the political orders of his patrons of Armenian nationality living in the Russian Federation while pursuing the aim to undermine the Azerbaijani-Russian relations, conducting provocative activities against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan. It is a matter of concern that this is not the first such case on the part of this deputy - he has repeatedly made provocative statements against the statehood and people of our country, the letter adds.

The Ambassador emphasized that in light of the strengthening allied relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, especially within the framework of President Vladimir Putin's state visit to Azerbaijan last month, the sides once again confirmed the high level of cooperation, and the Russian head of state expressed readiness to contribute to the establishment of long-term peace, security, and stability in the South Caucasus region.

Against this positive background, the destructive actions of a member of the United Russia party who opposes the official position of his country demonstrates that he not only disagrees with but also does not respect the opinion of the head of state. This is not surprising, since this character, in one of his interviews in June 2023, stated that Russia has not achieved its goals in the SMO. I regret to note that despite the repeated appeals of the Azerbaijani side to the official bodies of the Russian Federation to stop such antics, no effective measures have been taken so far concerning the provocative activities of Zatulin, undermining the allied relations between our countries. All this continues to cause serious concern among the deputies of the Azerbaijani Parliament and in the public environment of our country, agitates Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations in Russia, and adversely affects the inter-parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.

In this regard, I strongly urge you, dear Vyacheslav Volodin, to manifest a principled approach in this matter following the official position of the Russian Federation and the regulations of the State Duma of the Russian Federation and do everything possible to prevent further such provocative actions on the part of Zatulin, the letter concludes.

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A Naval Strike Missile mobile launch vehicle is in raised firing position during exercise Northern Viking at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, on Aug. 26, 2024. (Almagissel Schuring/U.S. Navy)

KEFLAVIK, Iceland  A demonstration of Polands military prowess far from its shores offers an important advantage in the northern Atlantic as the U.S. and NATO build up defenses in a region of major interest to Russia, defense officials said.

The U.S.-led Northern Viking exercise included Polish navy missiles and a launching system, which were transported some 1,600 miles to Iceland.

That arduous undertaking is notable as Poland broadens its capabilities beyond its backyard to enhance allied defense of the Arctic and the northern Atlantic Ocean, said Cmdr. Richard Betancourt, director of training and exercises for U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa.

The Polish teams integration with U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon patrol and reconnaissance aircraft and Allied Maritime Command happened as the former Warsaw Pact country becomes a major player in NATO, said Betancourt, who directed the nine-day exercise, which ended Tuesday.

That interaction was noteworthy in that it was the first time Poland had coordinated with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps on the Naval Strike Missile system, Polish military officials said.

The exercise helped to increase the Polish batterys deployment range to nearly worldwide, said Polish navy Cmdr. Marcin Brudniewicz, commander of the NSM Battery Task Unit.

The missile system was in Iceland only for the exercise, which did not include any live firing of missiles.

Denmark, France, Iceland and Norway as well as components of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 also participated in Northern Viking.

The biannual exercise included training in search and rescue, sustainment and mass casualty response, among other activities.

Russian aggression in Europe, including the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has energized a Cold War-like sensibility among NATO nations in defending not only the Continent but also the Arctic.

The region, including a narrow maritime choke point separating the Atlantic from the Norwegian and North seas often referred to as the GIUK gap, factors as a key consideration in U.S. homeland defense, said Capt. Geoffrey Townsend, commodore of Task Force 68, based in Rota, Spain.

The shore-based, anti-ship missile system allows for allied power projection into the Baltic Sea that somewhat matches what Russia has from Kaliningrad, Townsend said.

Lance Cpl. James Faulkner, center, and Lance Cpl. Nicholas Burbick, right, with 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company Supporting Arms Liaison Team C, and a Polish navy member provide commands from launcher to headquarters during exercise Northern Viking at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, on Aug. 26, 2024. (Almagissel Schuring/U.S. Navy) Members of Poland's naval missile unit reload a drill from a Naval Strike Missile mobile launch vehicle during exercise Northern Viking at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, Aug. 26, 2024. (Almagissel Schuring/U.S. Navy) A Polish naval missile unit member provides commands from launcher to headquarters during a simulated launch as part of exercise Northern Viking at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, on Aug. 26, 2024. (Almagissel Schuring/U.S. Navy) A member of the Polish navy's missile unit reloads a drill from a Naval Strike Missile mobile launch vehicle during exercise Northern Viking at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, Aug. 26, 2024. (Almagissel Schuring/U.S. Navy)

That makes it a useful tool in a Russian aggression scenario should the alliance need to work its way back into the Baltic states, he said.

Known for its low-altitude flying capability and high accuracy, the subsonic Naval Strike Missile has a range of about 114 miles. There also is a sea-based variation.

The missile is used by the Navy and Marines as well as the armed forces of Germany, Romania, Spain and other countries, according to its Norwegian manufacturer, Kongsberg.

On Saturday, the crew of a P-8 Poseidon flying over the north Atlantic worked with the ashore Polish missile battery to identify, assess and target potential enemy vessels in a coastal defense simulation.

The work included transmitting vessel location data from the aircraft to the Polish battery to complete a simulated strike. A support team from the U.S. Marines 2nd Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, or 2nd ANGLICO, helped coordinate communications between the battery, the P-8 and a command center.

If we had to ever come up on a mission set like this in real life, it builds my confidence, one naval airman aboard the Poseidon said of working with the Polish team. Theyve been spot-on.

Navy officials asked Stars and Stripes not to name the participating air crew because of the sensitivity of their operations and concerns for their safety.

During the exercise, Marines worked to bridge communications for the Polish battery, whose own digital systems have not been NATO-certified yet, said Capt. Maggie Valcourt, 2nd ANGLICO Supporting Arms Liaison Team C lead.

Witnessing the Polish batterys competence with the Naval Strike Missile system and techniques used during operations was a good learning experience for Valcourt and other Marines, she said.

Those lessons will be important as the Marine Corps works to enable its own missile strikes at sea, Valcourt said.

Its going to be huge, she said.
Col. Adisa King, commander of 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, listens to a soldier during Super Garuda Shield 2024 at Puslatpur 5, Indonesia, on Aug. 31, 2024. Ukraine's efforts at countering Russian disinformation campaigns have worked because its troops arent bogged down by a risk-averse U.S.-style chain of command, according to a new Rand Corp. report. (Mariah Aguilar/U.S. Army)

Ukrainian efforts at countering Russian disinformation campaigns have seen success because their troops arent bogged down by an overly cautious U.S.-style chain of command, according to a new report that suggests the American military needs to loosen up.

Fear of embarrassing publicity if communication efforts go wrong is one of the driving factors that is holding back the U.S. military, the Rand Corp. said in a study of Ukrainian communication tactics released Tuesday.

The result of such concerns over risk is that senior (U.S.) government leaders and military commanders often implement cumbersome approval processes that slow response times and are emblematic of a reluctance to take risks in implementing programs, the report said.

By contrast, the Ukrainian Defense Ministrys flexibility enabled it to give various outside communication specialists control of its account on Twitter, now known as X, which was a key part of its success in attracting a large audience, Rand said.

The United States will need to assess its own doctrine, training, and wargaming efforts to ensure it is able to counter disinformation during conflict, Rand said.

A Ukrainian officer supporting his defense ministrys communication efforts told Rand that their approach was trust based and that it freed up troops to leverage soldier creativity.

The U.S. military should learn from the Ukrainian experience, which put a premium on the value of loose coordination to ensure speed in countering Russian propaganda, Rand said.

Capt. Matthew Dougherty, a company commander with the 101st Airborne Division, joins other soldiers in a live-fire exercise at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, on May 7, 2024. Ukrainian efforts at countering Russian disinformation campaigns have proved successful because of greater freedom to produce content than the risk-averse U.S.-style model affords, according to a new Rand Corp. report. (Omar Joseph/U.S. Army)

However, U.S. government communication efforts are notoriously risk averse and involve significant bureaucratic approval processes, Rand said. Senior U.S. government leaders must be willing to accept risk and allow communicators to quickly (without obtrusive senior leader approval chains) create unique, humorous, and engaging content.

For Ukraine, an aggressive communication campaign that called out false Kremlin narratives in the run-up to Russias full-scale invasion in 2022 has carried on throughout the conflict. The effort has helped galvanize international support for Ukraine, whose military relies heavily on Western aid.

Russia has produced large volumes of false content targeted at Ukrainians and global audiences, with the aim of undermining international backing. Rand in the past has described the Kremlin campaign as a firehose of falsehood.

False stories about Ukraine included tales about corrupt leaders selling donated weapons on the black market and social media campaigns highlighting high winter heating costs in Europe because of a cutoff from Russian gas.

An onslaught of social media posts calling Ukraine a Nazi state was another common propaganda tactic.

The Russian disinformation campaign also has included deepfake videos of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urging Ukrainians to surrender and false stories about Ukrainian forces shelling civilian rail stations.

The Ukrainian response has involved a wide array of players, ranging from Zelenskyy himself to Ukrainian social media influencers who have gained international traction.

The Ukrainian military has also pursued a similar approach with its own social media, with individual soldiers posting directly, Rand said.

One memorable instance early in the war involved a social media post by a Ukrainian soldier screwing a silencer to the barrel of his gun and telling the camera, Guys, youre f----d.

Other soldiers, marines, and airmen have used their social media feeds to share slice-of-life videos from the front lines, the report said.

Such social media posts serve as a force multiplier for Ukraine and reach a far greater audience than any centralized command effort could, Rand said.

The result is that many Americans and Europeans are reminded of the war, its costs, and Ukraines tactical victories every time they scroll through Twitter or TikTok, Rand said.
According to the Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency, cyber attacks on K-12 schools are so prevalent that, on average, there is more than one per school day. (CISA)

(Tribune News Service)  In an important step toward federal funding for much-needed school cybersecurity tools and services, the application window for the three-year $200 million Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program is set to open this fall, although as of press time, the exact date had yet to be announced.

Approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in June, the programs short-term goal is to fund cybersecurity measures for a select group of K-12 schools and libraries most in need. Long term, the aim is to gather data on the resources necessary to improve cybersecurity in schools and libraries throughout the United States.

Leaders of education organizations such as the nonprofit Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB) said the hope is the FCC will use the pilot data to add appropriate cybersecurity funding to its E-rate program. E-rate currently helps schools and libraries pay for telecommunications and Internet services but does not fund cybersecurity measures beyond a basic firewall.

These schools and libraries, theyre the most cyber-poor but information-rich public institutions, SHLB Executive Director John Windhausen said. They have all kinds of data about students, parents, teachers, and yet they dont have the resources to invest in the most necessary cyber protections, so unfortunately it makes them easy targets for cyber criminals to go after.

According to the Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency, cyber attacks on K-12 schools are so prevalent that, on average, there is more than one per school day. The incidents range from data breaches and hacks to phishing, denial of service and ransomware attacks.

For decades, the Federal Communications Commission has helped schools and libraries secure access to communications services through the E-rate program, FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a public statement. We now know, though, that connecting these institutions can also introduce security challenges.

In an effort to fund and explore solutions to these challenges, the pilot will help schools and libraries pay for cybersecurity measures under four eligible categories: advanced firewalls; endpoint protection; identity protection and authentication; and monitoring, detection and response.

The new program will use Universal Service Fund monies, which come from telecommunication fees, to support the purchase of approved cybersecurity measures without cutting into existing E-rate funds. The amount of financial support a school receives will depend on its FCC-determined discount rate, which can range from 20 to 90 percent and is based on the schools poverty level, the FCC reports.

From the pool of pilot applicants, the FCC plans to select a diverse set of participants representative of schools that are large, small, urban and rural with an emphasis on low-income and tribal applicants. The $200 million in funding will be spread among the participants over the course of the three-year program according to their cybersecurity needs and discount rate.

Mindy Fiscus, board chair of the nonprofit State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA), said the pilot will probably not provide cybersecurity funding for a large number of schools. However, the potential to modernize the E-rate program using data from the program could benefit many institutions in the long run, she said.

Will this pilot cover all of our needs? Highly likely it will not, but it will give us a very good idea of what kind of services we need, what the cost of those services will be and how we can scale that to meet the need, Fiscus said. I think thats the hope and the promise of this pilot.

As director of government affairs for the Learning Technology Center of Illinois and one of the states E-rate coordinators, Fiscus said Illinois alone takes in more than $100 million in E-rate funds each year. With only $200 million in cybersecurity funds available to all pilot participants throughout the three-year program, a strong showing in the application process is critical, she said.

Im just hoping that we cast a very wide net, so that we can really educate the FCC on the demand and on the differences and really allow them to pick and choose what will be the best pilot, Fiscus said.

Brian Stephens, an E-rate guide with the consulting firm Funds For Learning, also emphasized the need for as many schools as possible to apply for the pilot program, no matter their socioeconomic status, in order to best inform the FCC.

My hope is that they just get avalanched with applications, Stephens said. The more complete data set they have, the bigger picture they can get, the better decisions they can make for the E-rate program moving forward.

Prerequisites for the application process include obtaining an FCC registration number and Billed Entity Number, creating a user profile in the E-Rate Productivity Center, and registering with the System for Award Management. These should already be met by current and former recipients of E-rate funding. However, E-rate participation is not a requirement for the pilot program.

To apply for the pilot, schools and libraries will use FCC Form 484 Part One, where they will be asked to report information such as their experience with cybersecurity matters, their proposed pilot project, the services and equipment to be purchased, and the associated costs.

If chosen for the program, participants will need to provide further details about their cybersecurity issues and experience on FCC Form 484 Part Two. They will then be instructed on the process of soliciting bids for the desired equipment and services.

After a competitive bidding process, participants will submit requests for their cybersecurity measures and receive a decision letter either approving or denying those requests. Upon delivery of approved equipment and services, requests for reimbursement can be submitted by participants and service providers.

The entire process, from application to bidding to reimbursement, aims to mimic the existing E-rate program, which many schools may already be familiar with, according to the FCCs website.

This pilot will provide us with the information necessary to analyze whether and how the commission should update our E-rate program to help schools and libraries help themselves against the ongoing cyber threat, FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said in a public statement.

The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), a professional association for K-12 ed-tech leaders, along with other education organizations such as SHLB and SETDA, had pushed for a shorter pilot program and immediate E-rate funding for advanced firewalls. However, the opening of this falls application window is widely viewed as a welcome step in the right direction.

Reg Leichty, CoSNs outside counsel and lobbyist, said the timing should allow schools to focus on the pilot application before turning their attention to next years E-rate forms. It also marks the start of long-awaited progress toward potential E-rate funding for schools urgent cybersecurity needs.

Were really pleased that the agency has decided to open the application window this fall. And its absolutely essential that the agency stick to that commitment to roll it out this fall, which I think they will, Leichty said. And then, of course, that starts the clock  that gets us to three years as fast as we can.

This story originally appeared in the September/October 2024 issue of Government Technology magazine.

(c)2024 Government Technology

Visit Government Technology at www.govtech.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Jesse Nevel, left, speaks during a news conference at the Uhuru House in St. Petersburg, Florida, as Omali Yeshitela, middle, and Penny Hess listen. The three members of the Uhuru Movement face trial on federal charges alleging that they acted for years as agents of the Russian government in an effort to sow political discord in the U.S. (Dan Sullivan/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

TAMPA (Tribune News Service)  One day in 2015, Omali Yeshitela sent an email to fellow leaders in the African Peoples Socialist Party about a Russian organization that had hosted him at a conference in Moscow.

He wrote that the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia was most likely using forces inside the United States to sow discord.

It is clear that it is an instrument of the Russian government, Yeshitela wrote. That does not disturb us.

A prosecutor quoted the email Tuesday as the trial of Yeshitela and three others connected to the St. Petersburg-based Uhuru Movement opened in a Tampa courtroom.

The four are on trial for charges that they were involved in a conspiracy to act as unregistered agents of the Russian government, part of that countrys effort to meddle in U.S. politics and foster social divisions.

They failed to be transparent, as federal law requires them to be, prosecutor Menno Goedman told the jury.

He asserted that the defendants were not being prosecuted for their political beliefs. But that is exactly what the defense says the case is all about.

This is a case of censorship, said defense lawyer Ade Griffin, who represents Yeshitela. The evidence will show that this case is a direct attempt by the United States of America to censor the views of the (African Peoples Socialist Party).

The trial began a little more than two years after FBI agents executed a stunning predawn search at the groups St. Petersburg headquarters, known as the Uhuru House.

The Uhuru Movement, long a social and political presence in St. Petersburg, operates as the activist arm of the African Peoples Socialist Party. Yeshitela, 82, has led the group since the 1970s, advocating for freedom and reparations for African people worldwide.

Jesse Nevel, 34, and Penny Hess, 78, who lead branches of the groups white allies, are also charged in the case, along with Augustus C. Romain Jr., 38, who left the Uhurus in 2018 and started his own Atlanta-based group called the Black Hammer.

Prosecutor Menno Goedman, of the Department of Justices counterintelligence section, walked the jury through what he described as a seven-year scheme of Russian meddling in U.S. politics that ensnared the Uhurus.

It began, he said, in May 2015, when a Russian man named Aleksandr Ionov invited Yeshitela on an all-expenses-paid trip to Russia to communicate on future cooperation.

Ionov, 34, leads the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia, which is funded by the Russian government. He offered to pay the Uhurus in return for a series of actions and events, the prosecutor said. It was later that year that Yeshitela attended a Dialogue of Nations conference hosted by Ionovs organization.

Goedman quoted Yeshitela in an email saying he assumed the meeting was being convened by forces of the Kremlin. He said their discussion centered on the shared interests of their respective groups, and that Ionovs organization meant to sow division in the U.S.

Goedman listed several examples of things Ionov directed the Uhurus to do. They included preparing a petition to the United Nations accusing the U.S. of committing genocide against African Americans. He directed them to publish pro-Russian articles in their community newspaper, the Burning Spear, including one in support of Russias Olympic team after a doping scandal.

In 2017, Ionov gave the Uhurus $12,000 for a multicity protest tour focused on the genocide of African Americans, the prosecutor said. He also meddled in local elections, including Nevels 2017 run for St. Petersburg mayor.

Romain also communicated with Ionov after starting the Black Hammer. The Russian paid for Romains group to visit California for a protest at Facebooks headquarters, the prosecutor said. Ionov even helped design some of the signs they carried.

Video of another protest at the Georgia state Capitol showed Romains group waving Russian flags.

Im not ashamed to say that the Black Hammer Party has relationships with the Kremlin, Goedman quoted Romain saying in the video.

All the while, Ionov reported regularly to intelligence officers in Russias Federal Security Service, known as the FSB. He communicated directly with two FSB officers, Aleksey Sukhodolov and Yegor Popov, about his work with the Uhurus and efforts to interfere in American elections. The three Russians are not in U.S. custody.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Ionov wrote in an email to the officers that we fked up the information war. Thereafter, he enlisted the Uhurus to speak out in Russias favor. One member later wrote publicly that the African Peoples Socialist Party stands with (Vladimir) Putin.

The Uhurus dont deny that theyve spoken favorably of Russia. But they reject the notion of being controlled by any foreign entity.

Theyve been consistent since the 1970s in their calls for reparations and freedom from colonialism, the defense argued.

Omali Yeshitela has dedicated his life to the liberation of all Black people, Griffin, his attorney, told the jury. He has not and never will work at the direction of anyone other than himself.

Chicago attorney Leonard Goodman, who represents Hess, told the jury the government would highlight language where the Russians sound a little bossy. But he urged them to look at the full context.

The governments position is somewhat puzzling, Goodman said. Even though this group has been saying the same thing for 50 years, after 2015 theyre saying it for Russia.

Their real crime, Goodman argued, was holding positive views of Russia at a time when the U.S. government was telling people to hate and fear the nation.

Nevels attorney, Mutaquee Akbar, noted that the word Uhuru means freedom in Swahili. The freedom to speak on issues that might not be popular, he said, is at the heart of the case.

Freedom, he said. Thats what this case is about.

Attorneys for the government and defense spent much of Tuesday sorting through a panel of 80 prospective jurors. The panelists came from as far south as North Port and as far north as Spring Hill. They were told they would need to be able to devote three weeks to hear the case.

A panel of 12 jurors with six alternates was selected by midafternoon.

The trial drew more than 60 spectators. It took place in the largest courtroom in the Sam Gibbons U.S. District Courthouse. Every bench in the gallery was packed.

The trial resumes Wednesday.

2024 Tampa Bay Times.

Visit tampabay.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), chair of the House Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump, conducts a site assessment of the Butler Farm Show grounds, Aug. 27, 2024. (Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump)

WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service)  The House task force investigating the attempt on former President Donald Trumps life at a Butler rally in July seeks to interview local law enforcement officers and review a host of related documents and communications, including medical reports on the gunman killed by a Secret Service sniper.

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, the task force chairman, and ranking member Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., sent several letters Tuesday requesting records on planning, operations and communications from Butler County and Beaver County agencies that were supporting the U.S. Secret Service and Pennsylvania State Police at the rally.

The task force leaders asked the local law enforcement teams to make members available for interviews by Sept. 30. The names of those requested for interviews were redacted to protect the privacy of law enforcement officers, the lawmakers wrote. The group previously sent federal and state agencies similar requests for documents, and visited the Butler site last week.

The letters seek all documents and communications related to the Trump rally ... including planning, participation, and post-event actions and correspondence, Mr. Kelly and Mr. Crow said in a news release. The letters went to the Butler Township Police Department, Butler County Sheriffs Department, and both Butler and Beaver Countys Emergency Services Units.

The requests come as the bipartisan 13-member task force ramps up its investigation just two months before Election Day. Meanwhile, a handful of House Republicans with military and security backgrounds who were not tapped for the bipartisan group are conducting an independent inquiry featuring frequent broadsides of the Secret Service and FBI.

Federal, state and local agencies say they are cooperating with several ongoing investigations.

The FBI last week sought to downplay several conspiracy theories, noting that there is no evidence of any co-conspirators or other shooters, and that the gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, had sought information on both Republican and Democratic events and exhibited no definitive ideology ... either left-leaning or right-leaning.

Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., who is leading the independent group alongside Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., has consistently suggested that extensive security failures  which allowed Crooks to elude authorities and fire eight rounds into the rally  were somehow intentional.

I think that criminal gross negligence and purposeful intent will be indistinguishable, he said during a panel with security experts hosted by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, last week.

Other members of Congress, including Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, have peppered federal, state and local law enforcement with records requests for weeks, leading to the release of body camera footage and texts among officers who had spotted Crooks and deemed him suspicious.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., says whistleblowers have alleged that several agents assigned to the rally were Department of Homeland Security agents who received minimal training, including a webinar with audio glitches.

A two-hour, online webinar, he told Fox News Tuesday. The former president of the U.S. ... is sent out on stage, most of the people there are not trained, theyre not qualified. They only got a webinar training and even that didnt work. It is absolutely outrageous.

Mr. Hawley offered no proof or evidence in support of his claim. Republican lawmakers have also used the term whistleblower loosely in recent congressional investigations.

Ronald Rowe, the Secret Services acting director, told lawmakers at a hearing on Capitol Hill in July that Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, never would have been allowed on stage if the Secret Service were aware a dangerous individual was at the scene.

Communication about Crooks on the rooftop with a gun did not make it up the chain of communications to Secret Service in time to prevent the shooting, he said at the time.

He also said there were about 150 law enforcement officers at the Butler site on July 13, including about 70 Secret Service agents and more than 70 state and local law enforcement officers.

The United States Secret Service has the highest level of respect for congressional oversight and our agency is fully cooperating and will continue to cooperate, Anthony Guglielmi, the agencys chief of communications, told the Post-Gazette when asked about the various investigations and recent statements by Mr. Hawley.

Since the attempted assassination of former President Trump, we have provided over 1,500 pages of responsive documentation to Congress and have made our employees available for interviews. Those efforts will continue as our desire to learn from this failure and ensure it never happens again is unwavering. We welcome any and all efforts towards that end.

Mr. Kelly and Mr. Crow on Tuesday also wrote to Butler County Coroner William Young and Allegheny County Medical Examiner Ariel Goldschmidt, requesting they provide several records on the recovery and examination of Crookss body by no later than Friday.

The task force requested the coroners report, including notes, photographs and recordings of the scene where Crooks was shot; the autopsy report along with a list of everyone present when the examination took place; a toxicology report; and all documents related to the recovery of Crookss body from the roof of the American Glass Research building and release from the coroners jurisdiction to his family.

The request follows claims from task force member Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., that the FBI released the crime scene too early, cleaned up biological evidence from the scene, and released the gunmans body to his family for cremation 10 days after the shooting  which he argued amounted to obstruction. Mr. Higgins made the claims after visiting the Butler site and speaking with local officers, he said.

The FBIs Pittsburgh office told the Post-Gazette that nothing was rushed in the aftermath of the shooting.

The crime scene was released to the property owners in phases as the agency completed its work at the AGR building, its surroundings and the farm show grounds. The cleaning of the spot where Crooks was shot and killed was in keeping with normal procedures, as was the release of his body to his family after coordination with the coroners office and our state and local law enforcement partners, the FBI said.

Crookss toxicology report showed no traces of alcohol or drugs of abuse, the FBI said.

Any suggestion the FBI is interfering with congressional efforts to look into the attempted assassination which took place in Butler ... is inaccurate and unfounded, the agency said.

The FBI has been working closely with our law enforcement partners to conduct a thorough investigation into the shooting, and we have followed normal procedures in the handling of the crime scene and evidence.

(c)2024 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Visit the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at www.post-gazette.com

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A U.S. Huey helicopter sprays Agent Orange over Vietnam in an undated photo. (U.S. Army)

WASHINGTON  The generational effects of chemical warfare agents and other hazardous materials on the descendants of service members would be evaluated under a bill to fund $15 million in research on birth defects identified in the children and grandchildren of toxic-exposed veterans.

The Molly R. Loomis Research for Descendants of Toxic Exposed Veterans Act would commission multiple studies that look at the connections between toxic exposures of service members in combat zones and severe disabilities that were later diagnosed in their descendants.

The bill is included in two separate appropriations bills for the Defense Department and the Interior Department that have advanced in the Senate. House lawmakers have not offered a companion bill.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committees subpanel on defense, and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., co-sponsored the research legislation, which would fund multiple studies by federal agencies and nonprofit organizations.

While there has been some research on the link between birth defects and generational exposure to toxins and chemicals, there has yet to be comprehensive, government-led studies into the effects of toxic exposure on descendants of toxic-exposed veterans, according to a statement from Testers office.

The funds would support the Toxic Exposures Research Program and build knowledge on the generational impact of chemical exposures on military members and their descendants, according to Tester, who also is chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.

This bill aims to empower the toxic exposures research group to conduct more vital research related to toxic exposure, Rubio said.

The legislation is named after the daughter of a Vietnam-era Navy veteran exposed to Agent Orange during military service aboard the USS Ogden, an amphibious transport dock ship.

Molly Loomis, whose father was exposed to Agent Orange during military service in Vietnam, was born with spina bifida, a condition where the spine does not develop properly during fetal development. The birth defect has been identified in descendants of Vietnam War veterans exposed to the herbicide. (Molly Loomis)

Molly Loomis of Bozeman, Mont., was born with spina bifida, a presumptive disability that has been diagnosed in the biological children of Vietnam War veterans. Spina bifida is a condition where the spine and spinal cord do not grow properly during pregnancy.

Her father, Richard Loomis, died in 2013 from bladder cancer, which was presumed to be connected to his exposure to Agent Orange, according to the family.

I try putting myself in my dads shoes and how it might feel to face toxic exposure health issues. But then to learn your exposure could have resulted in the birth defects, disabilities, even shortened lifespans of your own children, perhaps grandchildren, too  I dont think I can fully imagine the nightmare of that, Loomis said. Not everyone chooses to protect their country, but Id say everyone wants to protect their children.

Service members exposed to toxic substances are more likely than the general population to develop rare cancers, heart conditions and chronic lung conditions, according to the legislation.

Descendants of toxic-exposed service members also can experience lifelong medical conditions related to their parents or grandparents exposure to toxic substances, the legislation said.

Mokie Porter, communications director for the advocacy group Vietnam Veterans of America, described the legislation as another mechanism for funding an area that historically has been overlooked in research by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Before these Vietnam veterans pass on, they want to ensure their children are taken care of. The children and grandchildren of toxic-exposed veterans have health conditions that have not been fully addressed, Porter said. Most of the evidence linking exposure to birth defects is anecdotal because the research isnt being done.

Porter said new research dollars also would enable studies to be done outside the VA, including universities, medical centers and other nonprofit organizations with a background in studying birth defects and chemical exposures.

The VA presumes spina bifida in biological children of certain Vietnam-era veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and other herbicides was caused by military service.

People with spina bifida can have paralysis and require extensive surgeries and medical care.

But Porter said while spina bifida is the most recognized birth defect associated with military chemical exposure, the link is still considered limited for lack of scientific evidence.

A previous bill  the Toxic Exposure Research Act  that Congress adopted in 2016 had authorized research into birth defects associated with chemical exposures during military service. But the VA has refused to act on it, said Jack McManus, an Air Force veteran and president of the Vietnam Veterans Association of America.

The VA determined research was not feasible because it would focus on the descendants and not the veterans themselves, he said.

McManus, a former sergeant who served from 1965-1969, said he was a crew member on planes that sprayed herbicides in Vietnam and has experienced multiple health effects, including several types of cancer, neuropathy and diabetes. He does not have children.

The new legislation would require an interagency group on toxic exposures to work to raise awareness about associations between toxic exposures and birth defects, McManus said.

The bill also would require research and current treatments for serious health conditions identified in the descendants of toxic-exposed veterans to be published on a dedicated website.

The interagency group was established two years ago under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, or PACT Act.

The PACT Act awards disability benefits for veterans with diseases and injuries that are presumed to be linked to toxic exposures during military service, including from burn pits, radiation and other hazardous materials.
Ex-copper Steven Creasey (67) was stopped by police in Scotland where a specially-trained drugs dog discovered a professionally installed hide under the passenger seat of his car

Top (left to right) Steven Creasey, Christopher Brannan, Christopher Heaney (bottom, left to right) Jeffrey Hickson, Kevin Thomson, Stephen Hopkins (Image: Tarian)

A 7m drugs gang was brought down by the arrest of a former police officer from Cardiff, a court in Wales has heard.

Ex-copper Steven Creasey (67) was stopped by police in Scotland where a specially-trained drugs dog discovered a professionally installed hide under the passenger seat of his car.

This was found to contain 5kg of heroin and one kilogram of adulterant while a burner phone in Creasey's possession led to members of an organised crime gang based in Liverpool.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday heard how Creasey had already driven from Cardiff to Liverpool that day before making his way to Scotland when he was stopped by officers from Police Scotland in Fife on May 12, 2022.

He was stopped following a request from the Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit, whose subsequent investigation, named Operation Solon, found that Creasey was a Cardiff-based professional courier.

He had been engaged by the leaders of the Liverpool-based gang, Christopher Brannan (38) and Stephen Hopkins (59) who were involved in the collection of wholesale amounts of heroin.

The drugs would then be distributed for onward supply across the UK by Creasey, Kevin Thomson (45), Christopher Heaney (47) and Jeffrey Hickson (61).

Brannan would then launder the profits through the bank account of his partner Kirsty Murphy (36).

Ex-copper Steven Creasey

Subsequent police raids on properties in Cardiff, Liverpool, Scotland and Northumberland in 2022 yielded expensive jewellery, heroin, cocaine, adulterants, opium, cannabis and metal moulds for pressing powder into blocks.

Wales Online reports that Creasey, of Allerton Street, Grangetown, Cardiff was convicted on March 17, 2023, for conspiracy to supply heroin. He was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison.

Christopher Brannan, of Sanderman Road, Walton, Liverpool was convicted on December 16, 2022, for conspiracy to supply heroin. He was sentenced to 18-years and five months in prison.

Christopher Heaney, of Cunzie Street, Anstruther, Fife, was convicted on February 6, 2024, for conspiracy to supply heroin. He was sentenced to nine years and five months in prison.

Jeffrey Hickson, of Brewery Street, Blyth, Northumberland, was convicted on February 7, 2024, for conspiracy to supply heroin. He was sentenced to 10 years and four months in prison.

Kevin Thomson, of Inchgall Avenue, Crosshill, Lochgelly, Fife, was convicted on January 20, 2023, for conspiracy to supply heroin. He was sentenced to six years and 10-months in prison.

Stephen Hopkins, formerly of Haven Road, Fazakerley, Liverpool, was convicted on December 16, 2022, for conspiracy to supply heroin. He died prior to sentencing.

Kirsty Murphy, of Sandeman Road, Walton, Liverpool, was convicted on August 10, 2023, for production of cannabis and arranging the retention of criminal property. She was sentenced to six months, suspended for 18 months.

The heroin and adulterant found in a car belonging to Steven Creasey (Image: Tarian)

Speaking after the hearing, detective constable Rhys Richards, of Tarian ROCU, said the gang had spread misery across the United Kingdom for their own financial benefit.

Justice has now caught up with them, detective constable Richards said.

"Operation Solon was a complex investigation spanning two different jurisdictions, and the sentences handed down today are the result of dedicated police officers and police staff working tirelessly to achieve a positive outcome.

I hope these sentences send a strong message to those who see drug dealing and associated crimes as a way to make quick and substantial amounts of money.

He added: "We continue to work alongside local police forces and law enforcement agencies to ensure criminals such as these are caught and brought to justice.

I would like to thank each of the police forces and agencies who assisted us in this operation, which has demonstrated how effective partnership working can be.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. Sanctions imposed on Russian energy resources due to the Russia-Ukraine war and Europes energy transition projects have pushed Russia to seek new energy markets.

The rapidly industrializing countries of South Asia are becoming increasingly important in Russias strategic planning. Russia's decision to diversify its economy is driven in part by its access to the Indian Ocean, which offers significant global benefits. Achieving this strategic goal will require support from both Iran and Azerbaijan.

Iran is interested in transporting Russian gas through its territory and establishing itself as a regional hub. Tehran aims to develop a gas hub in Assaluyeh, located on the Persian Gulf. Former Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji disclosed this plan.

Russia evidently does not aim to resolve Iran's gas supply issues merely by entering a new region, as Iran holds the worlds second-largest gas reserves, following Russia. Sanctions by Western countries, including the United States and the European Union, and the shift toward eliminating Russian gas have further intensified energy cooperation between Russia and Iran.

Historically, a gas pipeline project between Iran and the Soviet Union, the HajiqabulAstaraAbadan pipeline, was agreed upon in 1965 and began operations in 1970.

Although this pipeline is no longer active, it is noteworthy for its historical role in gas exchanges between Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran. The current initiatives aim for long-term and strategic goals.

On June 26 of this year, Russia and Iran signed a strategic memorandum to organize Russian gas supplies to Iran. Although the details of the agreement are not disclosed, it is highly likely that the gas supplies will primarily pass through Azerbaijan.

According to Irans Oil Minister, the agreement is a 30-year strategic document with an annual gas volume of 110 billion cubic metersequivalent to the capacity of two Nord Streams. This amount covers about 45 percent of Irans current gas consumption. While laying a pipeline on the Caspian Sea floor is possible, the consent of other Caspian states and the high costs of constructing and maintaining an underwater pipeline make a land route more feasible. Iran's interest in infrastructure development and market expansion underscores the importance of Russian financial and technical support for Tehrans energy projects.

Iran is currently enhancing its gas exchange system with neighboring countries, but the price of Russian gas will be more advantageous under this project.

India prioritizes increasing energy sources to meet its growing gas demand. In 2016, Gazprom and Engineers India signed a memorandum of understanding to explore gas transportation routes from Russia and other countries to India.

Gazproms Alexei Miller highlighted at the BRICS summit that India's gas imports would grow sixfold by 2030. Today, Indias imports of liquefied natural gas have risen by 18.6 percent, indicating a positive reception to the Russia-Iran-India gas exchange.

Figure 1. India's gas consumption (2012-2023)

For Russia, this project is promising as it seeks new markets amid the global energy market transformation. It is forecasted that Russia will export natural gas via pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) if the project is realized, potentially through Azerbaijan. With increasing gas consumption in Asian countries, the pilot project offers strategic advantages.

Figure 2. World gas consumption in 2018-2024

If the project proceeds, Azerbaijan will become a key transit state, forming a gas exchange hub and opening doors to South Asia. Azerbaijan's collaboration with Russia, Iran, and India to connect to the Persian Gulf and then the Indian Ocean highlights its growing role in regional energy security. This will enhance Azerbaijans strategic significance in the North-South corridor along with transit revenues.

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The court was told the incident resulted in a total of 600 worth of damage being caused

Fawaz Aldiri (21) and Abdul Ghani Aldiri (20) were seen wielding a shovel and hoover handle during a violent incident at their next door neighbour's house that resulted in 600 worth of damage being caused.

Judge Bernadette Owens remanded the pair to return to court next January with 300 each for the court poor box

A judge has slammed the actions of two brothers who armed themselves with weapons to attack the home of their next door neighbour during a violent row in a county Longford town earlier this year.

Fawaz Aldiri (21) and Abdul Ghani Aldiri (20), both of Auburn Village, Ballymahon, Longford pleaded guilty at a sitting of Longford District Court to criminal damage at Auburn Village, Ballymahon on January 26.

The court was told how gardai had been alerted to reports of a disturbance shortly after 1:30pm.

When officers arrived, they immediately noticed the propertys front door window and a second window at the front of the house had been smashed in.

Footage taken from CCTV nearby later showed Abdul Ghani Aldiri brandishing a hoover handle while his older sibling was seen taking a shovel to both windows of the property.

The court was told the incident resulted in a total of 600 worth of damage being caused.

Fawaz Aldiri (21) and Abdul Ghani Aldiri (20) were seen wielding a shovel and hoover handle during a violent incident at their next door neighbour's house that resulted in 600 worth of damage being caused.

Sgt Enda Daly, for the prosecution, revealed neither of the accused had any previous convictions, while the property owner has since been reimbursed for the damage caused.

The results of that, he said, had largely stemmed from the use of a shovel which Fawaz Aldiri had been captured on CCTV holding in his possession.

Defence solicitor Brid Mimnagh endorsed those assertions by insisting both her clients were now back on good terms with their neighbour.

She said the incident had arisen in the aftermath of an earlier episode during which the pairs mother had sustained an injury which required medical treatment in hospital.

The court was told the two siblings had been resident in Ireland for a number of years and while the more junior of the pair had previously been in employment, both remained hopeful of securing jobs in the near future.

Ms Mimnagh said both men made full admissions and fully accepted their culpability, stressing however that no other damage had been caused as a consequence of the incident.

That, however, drew a terse response from Judge Bernadette Owens as she called into question the decision by both men to arm themselves with weapons in broad daylight.

Fawaz and Abdul Ghani Aldiri leaving Longford Courthouse.

They took the law into their own hands and you cant shy away from that, she said.

The only thing that gives me some degree of comfort is that these two men come before the court without any previous convictions.

What happened on January 26 was entirely unacceptable. I appreciate there had been an earlier incident, but these two men took the law into their own hands.

Judge Owens remanded the pair on bail to a sitting of Longford District Court on January 21, 2025, ordering them to return with 300 each for payment to the court poor box.
Martin John McCauley is accused of killing RUC officers Sergeant Sean Quinn, and constables Paul Hamilton, and Allan McCloy after a bomb was detonated at the Kinnego Embankment, near Lurgan in Co Armagh on October 27, 1982

A 61-year-old man wanted in Northern Ireland in connection with the murder of three police officers in an IRA bomb attack more than 40 years ago has been granted bail by the High Court.

Martin John McCauley is accused of killing RUC officers Sergeant Sean Quinn, and constables Paul Hamilton, and Allan McCloy after a bomb was detonated at the Kinnego Embankment, near Lurgan in Co Armagh on October 27, 1982. The three officers were travelling on the embankment at the time of the attack.

At the High Court today, Mark Lynam SC, for Mr McCauley, told Mr Justice David Keane there was consent to bail subject to conditions.

He said bail had been agreed and independent sureties of 5,000 were to be provided by three individuals who were present in court. Mr Lynam said each of the three parties have given an undertaking not to reduce their bank balances under that amount.

He told the court Mr McCauley must also demonstrate that he has funds of 10,000 available, adding this could not be done until the applicant is released.

Royal Ulster Constabulary Sergeant Sean Quinn and constables Allan McCloy and Paul Hamilton (Family handouts/PA)

The explosion which killed the three RUC officers left a large crater, 12 meters wide, and 3.5m deep, in the road.

The 200lb bomb, which had been placed in a drain underneath the road, was detonated remotely by way of a command wire to a vantage point overlooking the road.

The Irish Republican Army later claimed responsibility for the attack.

It is alleged that two IRA members, Eugene Toman and John Burns, detonated the bomb.

Both of those men were shot dead by the RUC in November 1982.

At a previous hearing earlier this month, the court was told that Mr McCauley was arrested by members of the Garda Extradition Unit at an address in Naas, Co Kildare on foot of a warrant issued under the Trade and Co-Operation Agreement between the EU and the UK.

In the warrant seeking Lurgan-born McCauley's surrender, the Northern Irish Authorities claim to have forensic evidence that links the accused to what was described as "a carefully planned attack."

The bail hearing today was told that Mr McCauley has surrendered his passport and driving licence and has agreed to a number of conditions, including that he reside at a particular address and that he provide a number to be contactable on at all times.

Mr Justice Keane remanded Mr McCauley in custody to Thursday, October 10 with consent to bail on the agreed terms.
Laneesh Sasi (26), who was caught committing the second theft, had never been in trouble before, Dublin District Court heard

A nurse stole more than 1,000 worth of furniture from Ikea in two thefts from the store in the space of three days.

Laneesh Sasi (26), who was caught committing the second theft, had never been in trouble before, Dublin District Court heard.

Judge Treasa Kelly struck the charge out, leaving him without a criminal record, after he paid compensation to the shop.

Sasi, of An Gleib, Ballivor, Co Meath, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft at Ikea, Ballymun.

Dublin District Court heard he was at Ikea, Ballymun, on July 27 this year when he stole 1,078 worth of furniture. This property was not recovered.

Sasi was caught stealing another 116 worth of furniture from the shop two days later, on July 29. This was recovered, a garda said.

The charges against the accused were under Section 4 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act.

Sasi worked as a nurse at a hospital oncology department, his lawyer said.

She asked the judge to spare the accused convictions as his job required garda vetting and he wanted to travel in the future. He had the compensation in court and was offering to make a charity donation.

He had never been in trouble before and would not come before the court again, his lawyer said.

Judge Kelly noted that the accused had pleaded guilty, taken responsibility for his actions and shown remorse.

Dont come back before the court again, she warned Sasi. Its been a very expensive lesson.
Mr Ryan, a father-of-four and grandfather, died in Beaumont Hospital on August 11, a day after he was found with head wounds on the street

PROSECUTORS have been given more time to prepare their case against a woman accused of assaulting her partner, who later died of head injuries.

Olesja Hertova (48) made her second court appearance today after she was charged in connection with the death last month of James Shey Ryan.

At Dublin District Court, Judge Bryan Smyth remanded her in continuing custody with consent to bail, which she has not yet taken up.

The judge was told Ms Hertova would be going to the High Court over her bail, which was set last week at 15,000.

The case was adjourned for two weeks for DPP directions.

Mr Ryan, a father-of-four and grandfather, died in Beaumont Hospital on August 11, a day after he was found with head wounds on the street near his home in Balbriggan, north county Dublin.

Ms Hertova, a Czech national of Hastings Lawn, Balbriggan is charged with intentionally or recklessly causing him serious harm at Hastings Lawn on August 10.

Det Gda Stephen Hughes had objected to bail last week.

Outlining the allegations, he had said the accused was at home on August 10 when her partner, Mr Ryan, returned and a physical altercation took place.

Mr Ryan received fatal injuries and passed away the next day, Det Gda Hughes said.

"These injuries are directly attributable to the physical altercation," he said. It was alleged Ms Hertova "pushed the injured party, knocking him to the floor and fracturing his skull."

Further charges would be sought, Det Gda Hughes said.

The garda had feared Ms Hertova could abscond or interfere with witnesses if released on bail. She had outlined her intention to return to the Czech Republic, he said, and had gone to a garda station on August 15 requesting the return of her passport.

Later that day, she went to the home of a prosecution witness, Mr Ryan's daughter Karen Ryan and the gardai were called.

Defence barrister Marc Thompson said Ms Hertova had made no attempt to flee even when she had her passport.

He accepted she had gone to the home of the witness but there was no evidence of any threats being made, he said.

A judge had ruled there was insufficient evidence of witness intimidation, or that the accused was a flight risk.

Bail was set at 5,000, with an independent surety of 10,000, including half to be lodged in cash. Under conditions, Ms Hertova is to have "no contact whatsoever" with any prosecution witnesses, sign on at a garda station, observe a curfew and undertake not to leave her home without contacting the gardai.

Ms Hertova has not yet entered a plea to the charge.
He violently raped a woman at his home in Drogheda, Co Louth in 2003.

Condra, also known as Hasan Selim, pictured in London

A rapist just recently released from an Irish jail has changed his name, religion and image and moved to live in London where nobody knows anything about his past.

So who is Francis Condra who now goes by the name Hasan Selim and just how serious were his crimes?

Nicola speaks with Niall Donald about the sinister sex offender and the lengths he has gone to create a whole new identity.

MORE EPISODES 
The 35-year-old was arrested in the Zeeland town of Hoek on Tuesday.

An Irish man has been arrested in the Netherlands on suspicion of child exploitation after CCTV footage allegedly captured him using a young boy to shoplift.

The 35-year-old was arrested in the Zeeland town of Hoek on Tuesday evening following a police appeal for tips on the Dutch news programme Opsporing Verzocht.

"This is a form of human trafficking and that is why we are urgently looking for the whereabouts of the man, police said during the programme.

Dutch news programme Opsporing Verzocht broadcasted CCTV footage from the incident

The broadcast showed CCTV footage of the man entering a drugstore on the Hoofdstraat in Gorssel (Gelderland) on August 14 with a boy believed to be around 10 years old.

The boy can be seen taking a bag from a shelf and holding it open while the man fills it with products.

Shortly afterwards, the boy leaves the store with the bag in tow as the man blocks the staffs view of the exit.

The bag contained more than 650 worth of items, most of which were Nicorette products, police said.

The pair were also spotted together during a shoplifting spree in Apeldoorn.

Last Monday, the man allegedly shoplifted with another child in Zeeland. He is also suspected of thefts in Doetinchem, Dieren, Putten and Ede.

Police thanked the public for their help during the investigation, saying: Your information has brought insight into the suspect and the children, and with his arrest, we can get the children out of this situation.
The murder of Real IRA boss Alan Ryan in September 2012 was described as perhaps the most significant gangland killing of the past decade

Jeffrey Morrow was jailed for helping in the murder of Vinnie Ryan

A series of tributes to slain RIRA leader Alan Ryan have been posted online to mark the 12th anniversary of his murder.

Ryan was 32-years-of-age when he was shot dead in broad daylight in a north Dublin suburban street on the afternoon of Monday, September 3, 2012.

To mark to mark the "12th anniversary of the killing, tributes have been paid to Ryan, including one erected in Manchester that features a wooden cross with the words RIP Alan Ryan and an Irish tricolour.

Another reads: (On the) 12th anniversary, The Connolly Association proudly remembers our friend and comrade Oglach Alan Ryan Oglaigh na hEireann. Rest In Power alongside a montage of images and pictures of Ryan and his funeral.

Another posted a picture of his funeral flanked by masked men which reads: Remembering Volunteer Alan Ryan today on his 12th anniversary. A Brave Soldier of the Dublin Brigade, IRA.

A person has shared the post adding: Volunteer Alan Ryan is a shining example among many republican martyrs.

The murder of Real IRA boss Alan Ryan in September 2012 was described as perhaps the most significant gangland killing of the past decade by journalist Ken Foy, who wrote how the ramifications of the savage gun slaying are still being felt today.

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Foy wrote in 2014 how, at the time he was murdered, Ryan was the major player in dissident republicanism in the capital and was also embroiled in a number of bitter feuds with dangerous criminal gangs.

Tributes also appeared online to his brother, RIRA volunteer Vincent Vinnie Ryan on the eighth anniversary of his murder earlier this year.

Vinnie Ryan was 25 years of age when he was gunned down in a drive-by shooting outside his partners home in Finglas on February 29, 2016 by a four-man hit squad.

Alan Ryan's brother Vincent

The Republican 32 County Sovereignty Movement posted a message on their website saying they remember with pride, Oglach Vincent Ryan, Dublin brigade Irish Republican Army, who was shot and murdered by criminals on this day eight years ago.

Ryan was killed after a gunman pulled up alongside his car and fired at least 13 rounds with one bullet going through his head.

In July 2019, Jeffrey Morrow and co-accused Paul O'Beirne pleaded guilty to assisting a criminal organisation in the murder of Vincent Ryan.

Ryan was later buried in the same grave as his brother Alan in Fingal Cemetery where a Real IRA colour party had fired shots over the slain terror bosss grave.

Alan Ryan is believed to have been involved in the murder of drugs lord Micka 'The Panda' Kelly in September 2011 after the Dublin faction of the Real IRA became embroiled in a deadly feud with a major drugs gang.

Jeffrey Morrow was jailed for helping in the murder of Vinnie Ryan

The murder sealed Alan Ryans fate as the drug gang ordered his killing in retaliation, as well as that of his brother Vinnie.

We reported at the time that the man believed to have ordered the killing, known as Mr Big, had previously threatened Vinnie Ryan and is believed to have ordered the murder of his brother Alan in 2012.

Vinnie Ryan had been warned by detectives in Dublin that his life was under threat since his release from Portlaoise Prison in October 2013 after he was acquitted of firearms charges.

It was reported how Ryan had previously been living in Co Kildare and had come into conflict with a number of criminals in the area.

Vinnie Ryan's family later released a statement claiming that he was no longer involved in the Real IRA and was concentrating on his barber business and young family.

A source later told Sunday World that Ryan's family had assured gardai there would be no display of republican strength at the funeral - like there was at his brother Alan's funeral in 2012 when a group of masked men fired a volley of shots fired over the coffin.

Vinnie was later arrested and quizzed over the incident as gardai believed he was one of the masked men who fired a gun over the coffin

In the Ryan family statement, they criticised media coverage of the killing, saying much of it had been false and misleading.
The boy ran out of the store with the filled bag, followed shortly afterwards by the man

Police in the Netherlands are searching for an Irish gang member who has been spotted using a young boy to shoplift.

They are on the alert after the man and the boy stole from a number of shops on multiple occasions.

The man gave instructions and the boy, who according to the police is at most 10-years-old, followed them, local media reports.

Accord to Hart van Nederland, police said: "This is a form of human trafficking and that is why we are urgently looking for the whereabouts of the man.

It has been reported that on August 14, the two were seen in a drugstore on the Hoofdstraat in Gorssel (Gelderland), located about 9 km southeast of the city centre of Deventer.

They both put things in a large bag, Hart van Nederland reports, and at one point, the boy ran out of the store with the filled bag, followed shortly afterwards by the man.

The bag contained more than 650 worth of items, mainly Nicorette products, police said.

Both the man and the boy were also seen together during a shoplifting spree in Apeldoorn.

Last Monday he allegedly shoplifted with another child in Zeeland. The man is also suspected of thefts in Doetinchem, Dieren, Putten and Ede.

"The man probably belongs to an Irish gang and probably speaks English, possibly with an Irish accent," the police said.

Police are asking anyone with information about the man to contact them.
Complications from the procedure  once regarded as a gold standard in health care  include severe pain in the pelvic area and down the legs, vaginal bleeding, pain during sex and urinary issues

Sling the Mesh campaigner Jackie Harvey is horrified at the lack of care for women whose lives have been ruined by the medical procedure.

And shes called for a legal team to take up the fight for local women against the mesh manufacturers after a multi-million pound win in England.

It was revealed this week that just two women a month have surgery at Belfast Mesh Clinic to remove the potentially damaging plastic implant.

Its use for urinary incontinence was suspended across the UK in 2018, and the Belfast clinic was established to treat hundreds of women suffering life-changing side effects.

However, its still used for hernia repairs, and Damian Murtagh of Hernia Mesh NI says the group has more than 300 members who have been seriously harmed by the procedure. One of the group was medically retired at 32.

Around 11,000 mesh procedures were carried out on women in Northern Ireland in the ten years up to 2018, but no figures were kept to indicate how many have suffered severe complications.

Jackie says she felt despair this week when Sylvia Vickery, a member of the Sling the Mesh group, revealed shed spent her life savings of 20,000 to have surgery in the US to remove mesh that had pierced her bladder.

Im horrified at the situation, says Jackie.

There are two doctors to see all the women with mesh issues, as well as dealing with all the other women with gynae issues, and there have been 38 removals in five years.

We have 639 women in our group. How are two surgeons supposed to deal with that?

One woman in our group had her first consultation in the clinic five years ago and shes not even on a waiting list yet.

Surgeon holding Polypropylene mesh during abdominal surgery for hernia repair

There is not a lot of confidence in the mesh centre. Its likely that women are going to be sitting for a long time in agony.

Jackie, from Banbridge, paid to have her mesh implant removed privately in 2017 after enduring years of pain and fatigue. She says it was like having a corset taken off.

However, she later learned that as her operation was by keyhole surgery, its unlikely that all of the plastic was removed.

She also had to fight to convince doctors that the implant was causing her symptoms.

Doctors will blame everything but the mesh. Theyll blame the menopause for your symptoms.

They put all of this stuff in women and no one ever collected any data about it.

And if you are going to put something in a body, surely you should make sure you know how to take it out again.

Complications from the procedure  once regarded as a gold standard in health care  include severe pain in the pelvic area and down the legs, vaginal bleeding, pain during sex and urinary issues.

Most of the problems are constant urinary tract infections, with antibiotics used like a sticking plaster, says Jackie.

Sepsis is a complication, and you can only get sepsis so many times before your body gives up.

Ten years after I had mesh implanted I was in misery. I had infections and I could hardly walk. It nearly ruined my marriage.

There are women in our group who have had five or six mesh implants. We have women who havent been able to have sex in over 10 years, who have lost their marriages, who have lost their jobs. One woman had her bladder removed.

I dont see how things will get any better.

There was a glimmer of hope in 2020 when Baroness Julia Cumberlege published her First Do No Harm report, which revealed the devastating impact of vaginal mesh repairs on thousands of women in the UK.

More than 100,000 women had mesh surgery from 2008 to 2017, along with 27,000 hernia patients. Jackie was one of dozens of women from Northern Ireland who spoke to the Baroness as part of her research. One of her recommendations was for government compensation as part of a redress scheme, but that has never materialised.

Last month, in the first class action in England, 140 women won a payout against three manufacturers, but no figures have been made public. Johnson & Johnson, Bard, and Boston Scientific resolved the pelvic mesh claims without admission of liability.

Over here, no one will take on the pharmaceutical companies in a class action, says Jackie (56).

Sylvia Vickery

The case in England was only 140 women, but its a start.

Its an easier option to sue the NHS or the doctors, but we are looking at the companies who are getting billions of pounds for products that are causing harm to thousands of women all over the world.

We also need something like the Sunshine Act in America, where doctors have to declare if theyre being paid by pharmaceutical companies. We need to know what conflict of interests there are.

Damian Murtagh of the Hernia Mesh campaign group says little has changed since the horrors of mesh complications were revealed.

Since he had a hernia mesh repair in 2013 hes experienced constant pain. Hes now being investigated for a bowel issue hes convinced is related to the implant.

He wants better training for GPs to deal with hernia mesh complications and says the Department of Health has been too slow to issue leaflets informing patients about the pros and cons of using the plastic.

GPs need to put the pen down and listen to us, says Damian.

We get fobbed off and told it was a mistake by the surgeon.

We want to be listened to and we want better aftercare.

His online group has more than 300 members, many of whose lives have been devastated.

We have people who are suicidal, who have PTSD. It would break your heart to listen to a 32-year-old man whos been medically retired whos trying to hide his depression from his family.

Were all sent for MRI scans, were running from hospital to hospital, Ive had trips to private clinics, were all on painkillers.

Its unbelievable what thats costing the NHS. It would be cheaper to sit down and train surgeons to do away with hernia mesh completely.

The 52-year-old, who has regular meetings with the Department of Health, says, The Department of Health dont want to hear theyre at fault.
Questions remain over the teenagers death at UHL after restrictions placed on investigator

HSE chief Bernard Gloster (left) appointed former chief justice Frank Clarke to conduct the investigation into the death of Aoife Johnston

Aoife Johnston's sister Meagan with her parents Carol and James Johnston and her sister Kate Johnston at Kilmallock Court, Co Limerick. Photo: Brendan Gleeson

Aoife Johnston, left, and, inset right, her sister Meaghan, father James, mother Carol and sister Kate outside Kilmallock coroners court. Photo: Brendan Gleeson

The HSE chief appointed a heavy hitter, the former chief justice Frank Clarke, to conduct an eight-week investigation.

He said questions of accountability needed to be addressed and publicly assured the Johnston family of a thorough investigation.

Aoifes family received further assurances when they met Mr Gloster in January.

The bereaved and broken family, who lost 16-year-old Aoife in such shocking and traumatic circumstances in a hospital emergency department, expected an investigation that would extract the truth from the many conflicting testimonies and advance their knowledge of what happened to their daughter.

The death of Aoife Johnston

According to the familys solicitor Damien Tansey, Frank Clarkes report falls short on both counts.

In a statement to the Sunday Independent last week, Mr Tansey said that despite Mr Glosters assurances, we learn through the report that Mr Clarke cannot make findings of fact, that he cannot resolve conflict and he cannot make any finding against any specific person or group.

However, the report has provided Bernard Gloster with a document that is the basis for disciplinary action on a scale unseen in the health service.

The chief executive of UHL, Colette Cowan, has stepped aside while five other senior figures in the hospital face possible or active disciplinary proceedings.

Frank Clarke was allowed to interview witnesses and investigate the evidence but not to draw conclusions based on what he found

Mr Gloster is pursuing his promise of accountability where accountability is due.

But this approach means that Aoifes family, who may have expected Mr Clarke to draw conclusions about their daughters death, are left profoundly disappointed with his report.

Aoife arrived at an emergency department that was chaotic and warzone-like after 5pm on December 17, 2022. From the time she arrived, she waited 15 hours to be treated for the possible sepsis diagnosis made by her GP and confirmed by a triage nurse in the emergency department.

She died an agonising death, roaring in pain, her parents distraught and begging for help. Other patients joined in, urging staff to intervene to help the child. When she was eventually seen, she was already dying, the infection had taken hold, her limbs flailing so much on the trolley that her parents had to hold her down for treatment.

The first report into Aoifes death, an internal review led by Dr Vida Hamilton, was supposed to take four weeks but it took a year to complete and was given to the Johnston family and Bernard Gloster in December.

The findings  the consultant who failed to attend the emergency department that night, the endemic overcrowding, the clinical failures in her care  were so serious that Mr Gloster appointed Mr Clarke to investigate. Mr Clarkes report was also delayed; he was asked to report in eight weeks but delivered his final report to Mr Gloster in July.

According to sources, Mr Clarke opened his report by explaining what he could not do, rather than what his report achieved.

Aoife Johnston

Mr Clarke explained that at the outset of his investigation he was approached by a lawyer representing Mr Gloster.

The lawyer reminded Mr Clarke of his limitations. It was not within Mr Clarkes remit to make findings of fact, to draw conclusions or attribute blame to any person or group. This meant he was not entitled to resolve conflicts.

Essentially, he was allowed to interview witnesses and investigate the evidence but not to draw conclusions based on what he found.

He was entitled to make recommendations and they are understood to be numerous.

Sources say Mr Clarkes investigation was curtailed to ensure that any further actions that might follow would not be prejudiced by findings.

Stephen Donnelly, the Health Minister, alluded to this in an RTE radio interview earlier this year.

He said Mr Gloster was adopting a new different approach with the Clarke investigation so that there could be accountability in the end.

Within weeks of Mr Clarke dispatching his completed report to Mr Gloster, the HSE chief executive started the disciplinary ball rolling.

Mr Gloster initially sent copies of the report to three senior management figures at University Hospital Limerick, along with an accompanying letter setting out potential disciplinary proceedings arising from it.

Since then, three more senior figures at the hospital have been notified of possible disciplinary proceedings, bringing the total to six.

As revealed in the Sunday Independent last week, the senior executives included Colette Cowan, the hospitals longstanding chief executive, who has had to step aside from her role as a condition of the process.

HSE chief Bernard Gloster (left) appointed former chief justice Frank Clarke to conduct the investigation into the death of Aoife Johnston

The development has stunned many in the hospital sector, but opinion is divided.

This is the first time that we have seen accountability for managers in the health service, said one longstanding consultant.

They are in important cog in the jigsaw of the system providing medical care. Doctors must face the Medical Council, nurses must face the Nursing and Midwifery Board. But there is no centre of accountability for management.

Another medical figure, also a doctor, expressed unease.

There is disquiet, said the doctor who also asked not to be named.

They have decided to go after managers now but I feel the same sympathy for them as I do for doctors. These are people probably trying their best in situations where they are working in infrastructural and personnel deficits, he said.

There are doctors and managers all over the healthcare service who are taking risks on a daily basis because of the circumstances they find themselves in. If they had the right amount of beds, if they had the right amount of consultants, if they had the right amount of nurses, they wouldnt have to make those choices. They dont, so they have to make decisions which have jeopardy associated with them, he added.

Their actions are being judged in an idealised situation that doesnt exist.

UHLs emergency department has the most appalling record of any hospital for crowding patients into the department

UHLs emergency department has the most appalling record of any hospital for crowding patients into the department.

It is not clear what action or inaction triggered the disciplinary processes against Ms Cowan and five colleagues at UHL.

The HSE has refused to comment.

The Irish Association for Emergency Medicine has implicated management and politicians, claiming the primary cause of emergency department overcrowding as the Irish health services grossly inadequate bed capacity.

Stephen Donnelly declared last month there is a management issue, there is a clinical leadership issue and there is a capacity issue [at UHL].

In an unpublished draft report of her review, Dr Hamilton found that the executive management team had little apparent understanding of the risks caused to patients by an overcrowded emergency department.

In the final report, however, the reference to executive management team was deleted and replaced with hospital systems.

At Aoifes inquest in April, staff at UHL gave evidence about a key policy that could have impacted on her care in the emergency department that night, had it been implemented.

The policy related to moving onto wards patients who had been admitted but were waiting for a bed on trolleys in the emergency department. This created more space in the emergency department and eased pressure on staff.

The practice had been discouraged by UHLs senior management, it seemed to stop in 2022 and there was a struggle to reinstate it, Aoifes inquest heard.

Mr Tansey, who represented the Johnstons at the inquest, described the forces and counter forces within UHL who were in favour of moving patients on trolleys out of casualty and up to wards, and those who were against it.

Fiona Steed, the executive on call over the weekend that Aoife lay dying, was in favour. On the night of Aoifes admission, she said she advised that patients be moved to wards.

Two nurse managers told Aoifes inquest that they had passed on that advice. But the nurse manager in the emergency department insisted that the instruction was never given.

Katherine Skelly, who described the emergency department that night as a war zone, who had begged for extra resources, and reported up the line that she was dealing with a major emergency, would have acted on that instruction had it been given, she said.

Was an instruction issued to move trolleys onto wards? Was this instruction passed on to the nurses in the emergency department? And if it wasnt, why not? These are some of many unanswered questions about Aoifes death, and they go to the heart of the familys profound disappointment with Mr Clarkes report.

Frank Clarke investigated these conflicting accounts but, because of the terms of reference, was restricted from reaching conclusions or findings, according to sources.

Aoifes family is entitled to the truth about what happened to their daughter as she lay on a trolley dying of sepsis.

Disciplinary proceedings are often protracted, complicated and are open to challenge.

Unless the conflicting testimonies are resolved by some other means, truth must wait for accountability.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. We strongly condemn the severe travel warning for Azerbaijan issued by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, referring to unfounded claims that French people have been allegedly detained and targeted in Azerbaijan, said Spokesman for Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aykhan Hajizada, Trend reports.

"Such unfounded and biased judgment and statement by France reflect this countrys intention to deteriorate relations with Azerbaijan further.

Allegations of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France that French citizens were unreasonably detained and imprisoned have no basis. This unfounded statement is a distortion of reality.

So far, only one citizen of the French Republic, Martin Ryan, has been detained in Azerbaijan on suspicion of committing an act (espionage) prohibited by Article 276 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Furthermore, it is well-known that another French citizen, Clerk Tego Hugo, has been detained for an act committed in the Baku Metro.

On the other hand, it is apparent that the impediments placed by France on Azerbaijani journalists during their visits to France and even other Schengen countries are entirely in contradiction with the human rights promoted by this country.

Everyone is well aware of international law violations, neocolonial policy, racist, discriminatory, and Islamophobic activities, and human rights restrictions of France, which raises claims about judicial authority and human rights in Azerbaijan and attempts to teach the world a lesson of democracy. Therefore, it would be more beneficial for France to learn from such actions.

We once again demand France to stop the smear campaign against Azerbaijan," the statement reads.
It started as tingling in one of his legs, and within 24 hours he was paralysed, unable to even breathe on his own.

The mother of a young Wicklow man who has been left paralysed from the neck down after a sudden illness linked to a bout of food poisoning, has described the nightmare her son is going through, where nothing is working except his mind.

Zach Murphy Kenny (24), from Wicklow town, had enjoyed a night out with friends before he was due to start a new job, when he later fell very ill. It started as tingling in one of his legs, and within 24 hours he was paralysed, unable to even breathe on his own.

He has now been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a condition triggered by a campylobacter bacterial infection, which resulted in his immune system turning on his central nervous system, causing paralysis.

Since being admitted to St Vincents Hospital in Dublin, Zach has not only lost feeling from the neck down, but has also lost his ability to communicate, had a tracheostomy, multiple blood transfusions and plasma exchanges and has had to battle pneumonia, two infections and a 20cm blood clot.

Though he is showing signs of slight improvement, Zach has a long road ahead of him. Recovery is slow, and can take as long as three years, but the diagnosis and the toll it takes physically and emotionally is brutal.

Zachs mum, Patrice, speaking two weeks to the day after Zach was first struck down with what presented as a sudden mystery illness on Thursday, August 15, described those emotions after her son had emerged from a coma after three days. The inability to communicate with her son was a particularly difficult obstacle for the family once Zach had emerged from the coma.

Hes awake, she said. But he has a tracheostomy, so his only form of communication was by me lip-reading. Its very difficult for the nurses to lip-read because theyre not used to him and hes not very strong. When hes mouthing stuff, its so difficult to understand him. So if hes itchy, Im almost trying to play charades as to find out where hes itchy. Its horrific.

Hes just absolutely terrified, because from the neck up, it works fine, except his voice. But from the neck down, nothing is working. So they did a lumbar puncture and found out that it was food poisoning, called campylobacter, that he got approximately two weeks before this nightmare started, she explained. From chicken. And he remembers exactly the chicken fajitas he had and he remembers exactly him saying to his friend that it didnt taste right.

Patrice said she took to Google, for better or worse, to get a measure of the battle ahead, but recuperation varies from one person to the next and concedes its just a waiting game.

He was able to open the car door when we left home and when we got to Gorey, he couldnt

She described the speed with which his illness progressed, after he had told her he had a dead leg, when she was on her way to work.

When I came home, my husband said to me, Zach is not himself today. Hes complaining of a pain in his arm now. And I was like, I dont like this. So we went to the Caredoc at half-six [that evening]. They sent us straight to Vincents and pretty much by the time we got there, he was paralysed.

He was able to open the car door when we left home and when we got to Gorey, he couldnt open the car door - his hands stopped working. He walked into the Caredoc with me and when I got here [Vincents], we had to get him a wheelchair. Thats how quick this came upon him. It was terrifying.

In terms of treatment and a prognosis, the family have been told that they have to watch and wait on a week by week basis but hes looking at plus a year.

Patrice added theres a girl in Vincents with the same condition and I think shes here a year-and-a-half now.

Zach is in ICU still. So everybodys story is very different. Theres some people dont get feelings back in fingers or in feet. Since our story has come out, theres been people reaching out to me saying, oh, my uncle had that or whatever. It seems to be more frequent now in younger people. The last girl in Vincents was 21 years of age.

Zach Muphy, the day before he fell ill.

Zach studied in DCU and, like so many in their early twenties, wished to do a spot of globetrotting before settling into a career, so he had travelled to America and then London and was just getting ready to start his big boy job, which he had secured thanks to his business degree through German until this struck him.

That will now have to wait and Patrice, while initially a little reluctant at the idea of a fundraiser being set up, realised that weve years ahead where he wont work and is overwhelmed by the amount that has poured in.

So far, over 43,000 has been raised, something that has touched the family deeply and has also affected Zach.

Theres been so much [funding], and Im reading everything to him, whether it be a donation or a message that comes in. Hes just so emotional. Hes crying. I read to him from his friends, to an eight or a five-year-old, and hes bawling, crying about stuff like that. So hes very emotional and very grateful.

In a recent update, the family said a speaking valve has been inserted into the tracheostomy so at least a level of communication will become possible. But it was another ordeal for Zach, which Patrice described as the most horrific thing so far.

They had to change the larger tube to a smaller tube in the tracheostomy all while he was awake. So, the doctor described it to us as though hed get a feeling of drowning for the whole time they were working on him. So, its like his neck was open. They were putting the new tracheostomy in and it was horrific.

Zach also has a little bit of feeling in the hands now and he gets a plasma exchange every three days where they take all of his blood out, try and rip out the bad cells.

So thats every three days at the minute, to see will that help him. That seems to be the medication thats working for people.

The toll is also bearing down on the family, with Patrice admitting she hasnt left Zachs side, but for his six-year-old baby brother, who was starting senior infants, it was a cruel blow not to have him there. Their hopes are however sustained by the care they are receiving, the support of the nurses and the doctors and everybody here, Patrice said.

I hope I never hear anyone complain about the health system again because it has not failed us. They have been incredible.

Ive never seen kindness and people so thoughtful in all my life. Can you imagine nothing working except your mind? So hes getting counsellors and therapists in with him all the time. Hes getting 24-hour care. Guillain-Barre syndrome, they call it GBS  Get Better Slowly disease. Thats what they name it up here.

You can donate to help Zach at: gofundme.com/f/zachs-fight-against-guillainbarre-syndrome
We put wheels in motion, got in touch with people and through her hard work and dedication she secured a scholarship here

A rally staged by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign in Dublin in January

A fundraising appeal has been launched to help a young Palestinian girl finish her studies here in Ireland after she was evacuated from Gaza.

The appeal is being organised by Aisling Micklethwaite, former chairperson of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, through her idonate Crowdfunding Page.

I met her through another project we were working on and we became friends, Aisling explained.

Ive been involved with Ireland Palestine Solidarity for more than 10 years and I got to know some people over there.

Shes in the final year of her degree and after she was evacuated we had spoken about her coming here to finish her studies.

We put wheels in motion, got in touch with people and through her hard work and dedication she secured a scholarship here.

"She is coming in September and the university pays for the scholarship but not the accommodation costs and that's what we are fundraising the money for.

Aisling revealed that while the young student is in Cairo now, where she is safe, having been evacuated in March, not all of her family could go with her.

A lot of them are still in Gaza, Aisling said. Her home is gone and she has lost friends, she has lost family, as is the case with many people there. And she doesnt really have anywhere to go back to.

Shes 22 and she loves college and obviously it would have been better if she could have finished in Gaza but she is really happy to be coming to Ireland.

She does know a few people here as well so were just trying to make her feel as comfortable as possible.

But there is a worry over the accommodation costs, as theyre quite high here in Ireland so we just want to make it as easy as possible for her."

Aisling said the initial 8,000 target is just to cover the costs of the first year.

People have been great, really generous. I think it has struck a chord with people here, they want to try and help out in some way.

"People are aware of what is going on in Palestine and in Gaza. Israel have bombed the universities in Gaza leaving tens of thousands of students without access to education. Theres lot of solidarity here.

Aisling pointed out the well-attended pro-Palestine marches that have taken place recently

She also said a demonstration to protest against the use of Shannon Airport by the US military transporting weapons to Israel through Irish airspace is taking place on September 8.

In the meantime, Im going to try and organise a few other fundraisers to help as well, Aisling added.

A link to the fundraising page is here
35-year-old dad Craig McDonald was the driver and sole occupant of a blue Vauxhall Astra that collided with a tree

A man who was killed in a car crash in Co Derry on Monday has been described as the life and soul of everything by his best friend.

Named locally as Craig McDonald, the 35-year-old father was the driver and sole occupant of a blue Vauxhall Astra that collided with a tree after it left Agivey Road in the Kilrea area at around 8.40pm on Monday evening.

The road was closed for a time and motorists were advised to avoid the area, but it has since reopened.

Mr McDonald is from the Limavady area and tributes were paid to him by one of his closest friends, Peter Wilson.

Im grateful for all the laughs and memories we had together throughout the years and Ill cherish them forever, hell be missed deeply by everyone, Mr Wilson told the Belfast Telegraph.

He was one of my best mates for years and some of the things we got up to, and the mad nights we had, will never be replaced. He is my brother from another mother.

The PSNIs Inspector Cherith Adair said: Officers from the Collision Investigation Unit who are investigating the crash, would like to hear from witnesses or anyone who may have captured dashcam or other footage that could assist their enquiries. The number to call is 101, quote reference 1652 02/09/24.

Many people online have since paid tribute to the deceased.

Sinn Fein councillor Sean Bateson said the death has stunned the community.

I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the man who died on the Agivey Road yesterday, he said.

I have no doubt the entire community will rally around to support all those affected in what will be difficult days ahead.

SDLP MLA Cara Hunter added: "I am heartbroken to learn this morning of the tragic death of a 35-year-old man following a road accident last night in Kilrea.

"I have no doubt that this will be a devastating and life-changing loss for his family and friends and I am sure that the local community will rally around them and offer their support in the coming days, weeks, months and years ahead.

"I am appealing to anyone in the area who may have knowledge of the accident to go to the PSNI and share any information they may have.

Funeral arrangements are to follow.
And I know technically he's been arrested for contempt of court but at the end of the day it all stems from the standpoint that he was standing up for his beliefs

Internet comic Cowboy Lavin has questioned whether Enoch Burke would keep getting arrested if he was Muslim or any other religion standing up for their beliefs.

The comedian, whose real-name is Stephen Kelly, is one of Irelands best-known online entertainers with more than 100,000 followers on TikTok.

He is a member of the well-known Hardy Bucks spin-off 3 Bucks Left and previously starred in the hit RTE show.

As Stephen Cowboy Lavin, he later adapted a live show idea into a successful TikTok account.

He has posted a new clip on his 3bucksleft X account where he raises the issue surrounding the arrest of Burke who was sent to prison on Monday for a third time for contempt of High Court orders restraining him from going to Wilsons Hospital School.

He says: Nothing spells the end of summer more than seeing Enoch Burke being arrested.

And I know technically he's been arrested for contempt of court but at the end of the day it all stems from the standpoint that he was standing up for his beliefs.

And whether you agree with them or you don't agree with them, it does beg the question, would it have got this far or would it keep getting arrested if he was Muslim or any other religion standing up for their beliefs, you know?

He has been pulled up by people commenting on his post with one replying: Lost in the fog of misinformation and misrepresentation.. if you defy a court order u go to jail, regardless of race, creed or kind.

Internet comic Cowboy Lavin - real name Stephen Kelly - in the new vid

Burke was arrested at Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath on Monday after refusing to abide by a court order instructing him to stay away.

He had been dismissed by the school board from his post after a dispute over his refusal to recognise a transgender student's new identity.

A judge at the High Court ruled that he was in breach of the existing court order, and was to be returned to Mountjoy Prison.

Enoch Burke was suspended by Wilson's Hospital School in August 2022 after a public confrontation with the then-principal.

The teacher had objected to using the new name and the "they" pronoun of a student who wanted to change gender.

However, Burke continued to attend the school despite his suspension. An injunction was then granted by a judge, preventing Burke from going to Wilson's Hospital.

This was breached by the teacher, and he was jailed in September 2022 for contempt of court and spent three months in Mountjoy Prison before being released.

He was jailed again in September 2023 after repeatedly showing up at the school.

Burke was told by the court he would be released if he simply promised to abide by the order, and stay away from the school, but he chose not to do so.

Burke argues that being asked to use a transgender student's new identity violates his rights.

Enoch Burke outside Wilsons Hospital School in Co Westmeath. Photo: Gerry Mooney

This is not the first time that Kelly has sparked controversy.

In September 2023, he made a comment in a video saying he was sweating here like a tinker trying to read.

The video was condemned by a number of Traveller Rights groups on X, who called on him to apologise.

The comedian posted a video  on the 3bucksleft X account - where he addressed the clip which has caused a bit of a stir, especially on Twitter.

Some people say the video is racist especially towards the Traveller community (and) other people are using it as a springboard and platform to launch personal attacks me online, which I've learned to expect at this game, he wrote.

Other people (are) demanding an apology and want me to apologise for the video. For anyone that knows me, for any length of time, knows that there is no (sic) racist bone in my body.

Yes, of course I've made fun of pretty much every race on this planet, no more so than my own, myself and where I'm from. You dont get to be from Mayo and hold the high moral ground for too long.

But any video that I've ever did has always been made with no malice (sic) intent and with no real intent to cause any offence. Any video that I've ever did has always had the intention of humour.

I say the intention, because comedy is subjective, sometimes it's hit, sometimes it's miss, (what) one person finds funny, another person won't, and vice versa.

"That's what makes the comedy world go around and that's the beauty of comedy.

However, Kelly added that he will reach out to any member of the Traveller community, any community group, and (Id) love to sit down and discuss how things like this can be prevented from happening in the future with people like myself and communities like the Traveller community group.
She began by reading a comment from Lucas, who said: You can have her back and we can hire an Australian.

Former Miss Universe Ireland Grainne Gallanagh has poked fun at her haters after making headlines in Australia for swapping modelling for mine work.

The Donegal native jetted off to Oz with her fiance Ryan Coleman last April and just wrapped up her Fifo (fly in fly out) job delivering construction supplies to workers at a mine in Western Australia.

The position required her to work 12-hour shifts at the site for two weeks at a time before getting a week off, which she and Ryan spent in Perth together.

Grainne Gallanagh with her fiance Ryan Coleman

Grainne, who is currently back in Ireland but plans to return to Oz, started her workday before 4am, driving trucks around the site in sweltering heat, and even landed an impressive Employee of the Year award in December.

The 30-year-old's unusual lifestyle change caught the attention of a handful of Australian news agencies this week  despite the fact that she finished up her Fifo job back in July and is no longer working in the mines.

These news articles have generated dozens of comments online over the past few days, prompting Grainne to post a tongue-in-cheek review of some of the messages on Instagram.

For some reason, Im in a pile of articles in Australia this week. So, its obviously all stuff that theyve taken off Instagram, but I thought I would treat you to my annual rate my comments section with me, she said in her latest Instagram Reel.

She began by reading a comment from Lucas, who said: You can have her back and we can hire an Australian.

Grainne replied: To be fair, Lucas kind of has a point but its not Lucas Im rating.

We have Williams reply: if there was work in the bed, yous (sic) would sleep on the floor. I didnt say it! William, you get an 8/10 because you made me laugh.

A social media user named Sheena Douche wrote: Why would I care? Is this news? Write a book, just get the hell off my newsfeed? to which Grainne mused: To be fair, Sheena does have a point but Im going to give her a 7/10, mainly because her surname matches her personality.

The model then recited a frustrated comment reading: The problem with the Fifo is you have to WORK and not just be a pretty face, which she hilariously rated a 7/10 for calling her a pretty face.

Another commenter fumed that Grainne lacked respect for the real tradesmen working in the mining industry, to which she jokingly rebutted: Craig, I built the mine. Bare hands. Youre welcome. 5/10 for your ignorance.

But she saved her favourite comment for last, which she said received full marks in her books.

It read: Title should be Flagged out model gets old and has to get a real job.

She joked that the jab cut me deep, adding Im not old. 30 is not old! as she pretended to be upset on camera.

Grainnes video left her followers in stitches, with many leaving laughing emojis in the comments section.

Youre brilliant, and funny and relatable for so many, my lad is out there doing FIFO, my daughter done a year! Ignore the hate! one person assured her.

Another said: Youre sooo funny".

And someone else added: The best way Ive ever seen comments on articles handled.

The Donegal beauty previously opened up about her job Down Under, explaining what she does on the daily.

The job that I do is escorting trucks. So, trucks will come into the site with deliveries and I'll bring them around the site and do all their paperwork, she told Evoke.ie back in February.

I drive the fuel truck as well, so I drive around and fuel up all the machines. It's a busy site; it's all go, go, go, getting the boys stuff.

They kind of call me the site Uber - if they need something, they'll call me up on the radio. But it's good, I really like it!
A remarkable Waikato woman in her 90s has become a townie for the first time.

Lalla Loeffen is coming to grips with life in the Radius Matamata Country Lodge Village after a lifetime on the land.

Now 93, Lalla came into town only eight months ago from a farm at Walton between Matamata and Morrinsville.

Her journey began in Opotiki in the Bay of Plenty when she was born, prematurely, on the day of the Napier earthquake  February 3, 1931.

Lalla grew up on her parents dairy farm  100 cows on 150 acres (60ha)  between Opotiki and Whakatane.

She attended a one-room/one-teacher primary school 16km out of Ohope but, with the nearest secondary school at Whakatane, the travel issue meant her secondary education was undertaken via correspondence.

With University Entrance accredited, Lalla headed to Teachers Training College at Ardmore near Auckland.

She spent five years teaching at primary level back in the Bay of Plenty  Opotiki, Waotahe Valley and Whakatane.

Lalla says with a laugh that she was not suited to teaching. It was difficult to keep law and order.

A newspaper advertisement for a receptionist at an optometrist in Whakatane caught her eye and she worked there for five years.

Lalla Loeffen on her wedding day with late husband Hank at Whakatane in 1960.

At that time Lalla met her future husband, an orchardist who had relocated from Holland to New Zealand.

With orchard jobs scarce, they worked on a dairy farm at Edgecumbe where her husbands cousin was the sharemilker. They milked 300 cows, which later increased to 400.

A massive flood in their first year, however, had the herd divided between other farms and the Loeffens shifted to a dairy unit at Awakeri 13km west of Whakatane.

After three years there milking 150 cows, they took sharemilking jobs at Waimana near Taneatua, and Opotiki.

It was at Opotiki that the Loeffens farmed  100 cows on 95 acres (38ha)  for 25 years.

Twelve acres (5ha) was used for kiwifruit, which they retained after the dairy block was sold off. This was later also sold and the move made to Taranaki, marking a return to fulltime dairy farming at Eltham.

Her husband died during the first year they were on the farm, and Lalla moved to a smaller dairy unit in the Waikato, at Harper Rd, Walton.

Their son was to sharemilk on the property, but died in a tragic rafting accident.

Employing sharemilkers, she remained on the Walton farm for 34 years until the move to Matamata.

At age 92, poor eyesight meant Lalla could not renew her drivers licence and, with no immediate family at Walton, pressure from friends saw her take up residence at Radius Matamata Country Lodge Village.

Although it has been a matter of only months, Lalla says she is quite happy in the village. Its comfortable.

She does, however, miss walking down the race on the farm and the view of the Kaimai Range from Walton.

On the plus side, there is a community feel to the village. A van takes residents on a weekly trip to the supermarket, plus another excursion into town for any shopping, banking and business activities required.

Every Monday there is a mystery trip for residents, with recent destinations including Te Aroha, Manawaru, Tirau and Putaruru.

Morning and afternoon tea, plus some lunches, are also regularly held in the social centre of the village  the Beehive.

Lalla says it is rather ironic that the village is on the same property as the former Matamata Maternity Hospital.

The latter opened in 1924 and was converted to an aged care facility, Radius Matamata Country Lodge, in 1990. A centenary function was held in April.

Lalla Loeffen has always had a great fondness for writing and formed the Matamata Writers Group 30 years ago.

She had been involved in a similar group when living in Eltham and another in Cambridge during the first couple of years she was on the farm at Walton.

Lalla still writes a small weekly column with her Thoughts on the Bible for a community newspaper in Matamata.

She puts her penchant for writing down to earlier generations of the family from Italy who had a love for literature and art.

Lalla Loeffen with her first grandchild Bryce, now aged 38.

Living alone in the village, Lalla says she generally keeps good health, which probably stems from many years in the great outdoors of New Zealand.

She tried smoking once, when a teacher, but found it was not for me after one cigarette.

In earlier years Lalla enjoyed the odd glass of wine, but now its strictly orange juice at village functions.

Pride of place in her lounge is a wonderful photograph of her family, who now extend to six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, at the beach in the Bay of Plenty.

Lalla Loeffen remains a country girl at heart.

Lalla Loeffen with some of her written work at home
There was a remorseful offender, a sobbing victim, persuasive lawyers, an angry family member, a persistent journalist and a stern judge.

Anyone sitting in the High Court at Rotorua on Friday would have otherwise been convinced it was just another day.

But those involved in the daily running of Rotoruas criminal courts were instead putting on a mock court for Rotorua Girls High School senior law students.

Defence lawyer Casey Treanor talks to the students. Photo / Supplied.

The usual faces seen in the courtroom each day role-played themselves for the morning in front of Year 11, 12 and 13 students who were given a taste of what a criminal law career might look like.

Two fictitious cases were put before the Rotorua District Courts Judge Melinda Broek. Girls High students played the roles of junior counsel to defence, prosecuting lawyers, and offenders in the dock.

The students got to see how each faction of the court worked to provide the best outcome for both the offenders and the victims, by law.

Constable Kylie Cardon talks to Rotorua Girls' High School students at a mock court session. Photo / Supplied.

Following the two mock cases, key court figures spoke to the students about their roles and the potential for career choices in law  including being a judge, lawyer, court staff, police, security, media and forensic nurse.

Ministry of Justice deputy registrar Katrina Peek, who organised the mock court, said she wanted the visit to be more than just the usual school field trip and she purposely made up cases affecting the younger generation, including drink-driving and violence while under the influence of alcohol.

The two cases I created were to show two very different end results  one walking away with wrap-around support and the other with high consequences despite the offender being a high achiever.

She said she also wanted to highlight mana wahine working at the top of their fields.

We are so grateful for all the stakeholders taking their time to make this real. It gives all the students something to look up to with the hope of inspiring them.

Rotorua Girls' High School Year 13 student Tayla Paul played the role of junior counsel to Crown Solicitor Amanda Gordon. Photo / Supplied.

Year 13 student Tayla Paul, who played the role of junior counsel to Crown Solicitor Amanda Gordon, said she initially wanted to go into conveyancing, but could now see herself in a criminal law career.

She said she had plans next year to go to Waikato University based in Tauranga to study a Bachelor of Law and eventually do a doctorate.

Tayla said high-profile cases such as the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, the Scott Watson double-murder convictions appeal and the murder of Grace Millane had piqued her interest in criminal law.

When asked what she thought of Fridays mock court, she said: I loved the whole experience.

Its allowed myself to have a real taster and now I can see this is what its going to be like. Its been such an honour to have them take the time out of their day to do this.

Teacher Tim Smith said 38 girls in the four senior law classes went on the trip.

He said it was fantastic for the students to see real-life experiences from those working in the profession. It was also pleasing for the students to hear from former Girls High old girls  seven of whom were working in the courtroom  to show them what they could aspire to.

Each one had a different story to tell.

-Rotorua Daily Post
The Lees Road carpark near Mautohe Cathedral Cove will be closed to the public while walking access reinstatement work is underway.

Last week, DOC announced the start of physical work at the famous cove, with arborists set to remove dozens of hazardous and exotic trees.

The Lees Road carpark is on private land, and the landowner has traditionally allowed visitors to access neighbouring public conservation land from the location, said a DOC spokesperson.

"With arborists on site from this week, DOC and the adjacent landowner have agreed to close the Lees Road carpark until further notice.

"The landowners support the temporary closure of the carpark, which will be part of a wider active worksite for the walking access reinstatement."

The closure means the McHands Lookout Track will be off-limits to the public for the next few months while walking access to the cove is reinstated.

DOC said McHands Lookout has been an alternative visitor option while the walking track to Mautohe Cathedral Cove has been closed.

Te Pare Pa remains open to the public and is not impacted by this closure.

Visiting Mautohe Cathedral Cove is a marine-only experience, and visitors are strongly urged to stay out of the recreation reserve while walking access reinstatement is completed.
A pilot programme led by digital health innovators Ignite Aotearoa and oVRcome is having a 50% success rate in reducing young peoples vaping habits.

Launched in May at four secondary schools, the programme using Virtual Reality technology has provided participants with access to clinical desensitisation therapy through their smartphones.

The initiative addresses the underlying habits associated with vaping and is believed to be the first of its kind in the world.

The partnership was developed between Ignite Aotearoa and oVRcome to address the growing problem they saw with an increasing number of young people vaping and schools being ill-equipped to deal with it.

Ignite is a company driving mental health innovation through its partnerships and a digital platform that connects people directly with proactive support. oVRcome is a Christchurch-based start-up transforming lives with its VR exposure therapy technology.

The oVRcome app has already gained international recognition by supporting people to manage anxiety and take control over phobias. It is trusted by clinical psychologists across the globe and is recommended by Air New Zealand to help people with a fear of flying.

Ignite Aotearoa director Sarina Finucane said with initial figures showing 52% of students in the pilot programme were reporting improved overall vaping outcomes, schools were also hopeful the results would help to address attendance issues due to being caught vaping at school.

In 2023, a total of 3977 New Zealand rangatahi were stood down from school for vaping or smoking, she said.

With oVRcomes innovative and accessible VR therapy model, and a treatment and education programme developed with help from Emerge Aotearoas EaseUp service, the VR vaping module can help schools tackle the rising impact of vaping on attendance, mental health and student wellbeing. The key was to make this programme easily scalable and affordable so all schools could have equitable access to the headsets and programme, and be self-driven by students, reducing the resourcing demands on schools.

According to EaseUp, an increasing number of schools have been connecting with local addiction youth services looking for help for students to quit vaping, however limited educational and treatment options have been available.

oVRcome founder Adam Hutchinson said a lack of support for teens to break vaping addictions led to the opportunity to try something different.

VR technology helps to tackle vape addiction because it builds confidence in people to say no and refuse the peer-pressure involved with this habit, he said.

Once teens have learned a set of skills on the app, they can slowly practise them in a range of different environments using VR technology. We know many teens want to stop vaping, so this app brings students and clinical psychologists together to help them build resistance and resilience.

In 2022, a published clinical trial found that self-guided use of the oVRcome app was effective in reducing the severity of specific phobia symptoms in a sample of people who self-reported a fear of flying, heights, spiders, dogs or needles.

Clinical psychologist Catherine Gallagher, who was involved in the development of the programme, said: Teens can struggle with a whole range of issues and using tech to provide accurate and helpful information and strategies, is a great way to reach them.

The programme can be used by anyone who has a smartphone and has the capacity to be easily scaled up to support more young people.

The four secondary schools involved in the pilot are Shirley Intermediate School, Rangiora High School, Wellington College, and Tangaroa College. Rangatahi selected to take part in the initiative were provided with pre-programmed VR headsets that connected directly to the students smartphone.

The pilot measured vaping frequency and habits, the level of addiction, vaping triggers and the number of support sessions required. At the start of the pilot programme, 25% of 18- to 24-year-olds said they vaped daily; 30% of participants said they had previously attempted to quit vaping unsuccessfully; and 29% reported they couldnt go longer than six hours without vaping.

The pilot has been extended into term three and now includes Northland College. Final results from the pilot programme are expected by October. More information about the programme is available HERE

- SunLive
The maximum penalty for this offence is 14 years in prison.

Extradition request documents released to the Bay of Plenty Time s show the charge relates to an allegation Riwhi attacked his victim in the Mount Isa Base Hospitals accident and emergency department waiting room in Mornington on March 4, 2017, breaking his jaw.

Joseph John Riwhi, 42, who appeared in the Tauranga District Court last Thursday, opposed an extradition application by Australian authorities to return him to Queensland to face a May 2017 charge of causing grievous bodily harm to another man.

A Te Puke man accused of leaving Australia more than six years ago before his trial for an alleged violent attack is fighting to stay in New Zealand.

According to a Mount Isa police constables affidavit in support of extradition, Riwhi is accused of suddenly and without warning striking the 56-year-old complainant in the jaw with a clenched right fist causing him to fall to the ground in an apparent unconscious state after they had exchanged words.

It is further alleged Riwhi struck the complainant in the face again with a clenched right fist while he was on the ground. The complainant was flown to Townsville to have surgery for his broken jaw.

In his affidavit, the constable said Riwhi was charged with grievous bodily harm on May 2, 2017, and granted bail the same day in the Mount Isa Magistrates Court. On August 15, 2017, he was committed to stand trial in the District Court of Mount Isa.

Riwhi was remanded on conditional bail to appear at the Mount Isa District Court on February 15, 2018, but failed to turn up and an arrest warrant was issued, the constable said.

On March 6, 2018, a Queensland detective received information that Riwhi flew from Brisbane to Auckland on January 21, 2018, using his New Zealand passport. The detective contacted New Zealand police.

On March 7, 2018, a Wellington detective advised Queensland police Riwhi was in New Zealand according to a vehicle purchase registered to a Hamilton address, the constables affidavit said.

The extradition documents also include an affidavit dated June 21 this year from a detective attached to the Interpol bureau at NZ police national headquarters,

In his affidavit, the detective said immigration records showed Riwhi last entered New Zealand on September 1, 2022, and there was no record of his departure since that date.

NZ Transport Agency records confirmed Riwhi was the registered owner of a motor vehicle with a Te Puke address and on April 3 this year he used the same vehicle as collateral to secure a loan from a Mount Maunganui finance company, the detectives affidavit said.

Defence lawyer Alessia Spense told Judge Thomas Ingram Riwhi opposed the extradition application and a defended hearing date would be needed.

Spense said Riwhi sought bail.

Crown prosecutor Cindy Lee, appearing on behalf of New Zealand police, said her instructions were to oppose bail, particularly given the serious allegations.

Judge Ingram granted Riwhi bail, subject to several conditions, and remanded him to next appear in court on October 14 for his opposed extradition hearing. The judge requested written submissions from the defence and Crown lawyers.

Riwhis bail conditions include surrendering any passports to the court, not attempting to leave New Zealand, not applying for any travel documents and reporting to Tauranga police station once a week.

-Bay of Plenty Times.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. The Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC) will review all footage that has circulated on social media, CEC Chairman Mazahir Panahov announced during a meeting of the commission, Trend reports.

Panahov acknowledged that in large-scale events with millions of participants, it is not uncommon to encounter some instances of violation. He made it clear that the commission will carefully consider any complaints received.

"The CEC has always operated on the same principle. We need Azerbaijani citizens to see that our decisions are justified. If no complaint is filed about a particular precinct, we cannot make a decision on it. We will conduct our work at a high level. I believe Azerbaijani society values our work. Additionally, all social media footage will be reviewed," he said.

To recall, the snap parliamentary election was held in Azerbaijan on September 1.

A total of 112,749 local observers were 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 represented 25 political parties, while 371 were party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates were affiliated with political parties.
Vanessa Melgar Ronda Wednesday, 4 September 2024, 20:59 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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Ronda is in party mode with the Andalusian town celebrating its fair until Sunday 8 September.

Everyone is dressed up in their best clothes at the fair, which is dedicated to the famous Spanish bullfighter Pedro Romero. However, this year's festivities will not involve the typical bullfighting events, such as the iconic Corrida Goyesca, one of the main attractions, which has been cancelled due to structural problems of the bullring.

The town parade kickstarted the fair on Tuesday 3 September. It started around the Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria and went down Calle Jerez and Virgen de la Paz and then up Calle La Bola and Avenida de Malaga to the Angel Harillo fairground.

Hundreds of people gathered along the route with some becoming emotional as the parade passed through Virgen de la Paz, with the bullring as a backdrop. Here, at the beginning of Calle La Bola, is the fair's poster designed by Andrea Rosado from Ronda. This year's poster is inspired by a bullfighter's jacket and has received a great deal of praise. Carrera Espinel's lanterns also added to the charm.

Zoom

The dance groups of the traditional folklore galas, organised by the Abul Beka Association, once again gave a unique touch to the parade. Honduras, Brazil, China, Georgia and Mexico, as well as the Coros y Danzas de Ronda, were present at the opening of the event. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the traditional folklore galas. An exhibition was also organised, with its promoter, Adela Ramirez, to receive recognition this Wednesday 4 September from the Pena El Catite.

The Goyesca Ladies

The procession was closed by the float of the Goyesca Ladies and their president, this year, businesswoman Milagros Naranjo. But the group, who represent the women of Ronda, did not wear their typical Goya-inspired costumes on this occasion, due to the absence of bullfighting festivities - they wore flamenco dresses instead.

Once at the fairgrounds, there was a fireworks display where families stopped in their tracks to look up at the night sky.

Los Secretos and Joana Jimenez, in concert

As for the programme, on Thursday 5 September, a local holiday, the equestrian costume competition will be held on the fairground, from 3pm.

On Friday 6 September, Los Secretos will perform at the fairground at 11pm; and on Saturday, there will be an equestrian show. Dozens of Goyesca ladies dressed in their traditional costumes will take part. They will leave from the Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria at 11.30am. In the evening, Joana Jimenez will close the fair with a concert at 10pm.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- Micron Technology, which plans to build a chipmaking complex in the Syracuse suburbs, will have its Central New York headquarters in downtown Syracuse.

Micron announced today it will open offices and a welcome center in the One Lincoln Plaza Building, at the corner of West Fayette and South Clinton Streets. Microns logo will also go atop the building, the sixth-tallest in Syracuse.

The company will have offices for 50 employees on the 8th floor and a welcome and recruiting center on the first floor. Both spaces are scheduled to open early next year, the company said.

Micron has seen that downtown is an ideal hub at the core of Central New York for collaboration on community initiatives, building out the local supply chain and workforce development, said Scott Gatzemeier, Microns corporate vice president for U.S. expansion.

The office renovations are being done by E. Smith Contractors, a local Black-owned construction business located just a block away, on West Jefferson Street.

Gatzemeier said the offices would house employees from procurement and facilities construction, operations, government and public affairs departments. The company says it has already hired 17 people, primarily in construction and facilities.

Other tenants of the 18-story building include Chase Bank, environmental consulting firm Arcadis Syracuse, law firms Bousquet Holstein and Bond, Schoeneck & King, and sandwich shop Darwin on Clinton.

Today marks a major milestone for Micron making its home in Central NY, said U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, majority leader and author of the CHIPS and Science Act that will provide Micron billions of dollars to build here. Micron will be at the very heart of Syracuses renaissance downtown.

The companys decision reflects downtown Syracuses important role as the center of growth for our region and the many attractions that make it a great place to live, work and play, said Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh.

Gov. Kathy Hochul called the announcement an important milestone that shows the momentum behind our positive, productive partnership.

Micron announced in October 2022 that it plans to build up to four fabrication plants, or fabs, in the town of Clay over the next 20 years. The company has obtained pledges of $20 billion in subsidies from federal, state and local taxpayers to build the first two fabs.

Micron says it could eventually spend $100 billion to build all four fabs and create 9,000 jobs at the complex. The project could create 40,000 more jobs, most of them in Central New York, according to a study commissioned by New York state.

The company will make memory chips that power cell phones, cars and other electronic devices.

Micron has not broken ground in Clay yet, but says its preparing the exhaustive environmental impact report that has to be approved by the state before construction can being. Officials say the report will likely be issued this year.

Micron says it plans to start construction on the first fab next spring and open it by 2028.
A Rock and Roll Hall of Famer says he is partially blind after suffering a severe eye infection.

Over the summer, Ive been dealing with a severe eye infection that has unfortunately left me with only limited vision in one eye, Sir Elton John revealed on Instagram Tuesday.

I am healing, but its an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye. I am so grateful for the excellent team of doctors and nurses and my family, who have taken such good care of me over the last several weeks, he added. I have been quietly spending the summer recuperating at home, and am feeling positive about the progress I have made in my healing and recovery so far.

John, 77, suggested the blindness is temporary but did not say how long it will take to fully recover. He has had several health issues in recent years, including undergoing hip surgery in 2021 and a brief hospitalization last year after a fall at his home in France.

The legendary piano man is an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards) winner known for hit songs like Candle in the Wind, Bennie and the Jets, Tiny Dancer, Dont Go Breaking My Heart, Im Still Standing, Rocket Man, Crocodile Rock, Philadelphia Freedom, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, I Guess Thats Why They Call It the Blues, Saturday Nights Alright (For Fighting) and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. In recent years, hes collaborated with artists like Dua Lipa (Cold Heart), Britney Spears (Hold Me Closer) and Ed Sheeran (Merry Christmas).

John retired from touring last year after a lengthy farewell tour that included a hits-packed 2022 concert at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse. A documentary film, Elton John: Never Too Late, is scheduled to be released later this year.

46 1 / 46 Elton John at Syracuse University's JMA Wireless Dome

Rock legend says hell never do a farewell tour: I aint going anywhere!

90s music group reunites, teases tour with all 4 members: Its coming

Classic rock legend says one thing has ruined concerts

Music legend getting his own Curb Your Enthusiasm-style TV show
Nicki Minaj is kicking off the second leg of her Prink Friday 2 tour tonight in Philadelphia, PA, and next week, shell be in Buffalo, NY, performing at the KeyBank Center on Thursday, September 12. The concert starts at 9 p.m., with special guests Tyga, BIA and Skillibeng making appearances.

This new leg of the tour, titled Gag City Reloaded, follows a sold-out trek earlier this year in North America and Europe. Itll include 22 dates, with other nearby stops in Pittsburgh, New York City, Cleveland and a final hometown show in Elmont.

A complete list of Nicki Minajs tour dates is available here.

According to Billboard, the Pink Friday 2 tour is already the highest-grossing rap tour by a woman, with $67 million grossed and 439,000 tickets sold during the first leg of the North American tour.

Where to buy Nicki Minaj concert tickets

Tickets to Minajs Buffalo concert can be purchased online through Ticketmaster and secondary market platforms like Vivid Seats, SeatGeek and StubHub.

Heres a look at the best prices available (including fees):

Prices and availability are noted at the time of publishing and are subject to change.

What is Nicki Minajs setlist?

Minajs setlist varies by concert. According to setlist.fm, fans can expect a set similar to the one below:

Im the Best Barbie Dangerous FTCU Beep Beep Hard White Press Play Win Again Big Difference Pink Birthday Feeling Myself Cowgirl Favorite High School RNB Needle Chun-Li Red Ruby Da Sleeze Barbie World (Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice with Aqua cover) Romans Revenge Monster (Ye cover) Fallin 4 U Right Thru Me Save Me Let Me Calm Down Super Freaky Girl Anaconda Super Bass Moment 4 Life The Night Is Still Young Starships Everybody

Cant get enough live music? Minaj isnt the only touring artist. Check out other favorites who know how to put on an unforgettable show, including Sabrina Carpenter, Childish Gambino, Charli XCX, Benson Boone and Taylor Swift.
Syracuse, N.Y.  The state jail watchdog last week ordered the downtown Syracuse jail to provide inmates in solitary confinement with out-of-cell time mandated by state law.

Leaders at the Onondaga County Justice Center jail say they are aware of the problem and have a plan to fix it.

The jail on South State Street was considered state of the art when it opened in 1995, according to Undersheriff Jeffrey Passino. Now renovations are needed to comply with new requirements.

So-called day spaces  enclosures measuring 25 square feet  will be added to the exterior of solitary jail cells to provide for out-of-cell time, Passino said.

Atlas Fence is under contract to build the additions for about $200,000, he said, though he was unsure when construction would begin. Plans already approved are being reworked to add electronic monitoring capabilities, he said.

If I could have the day spaces just slapped up and put up there, at our whim and at our direction, Passino said, it would have already been done.

The jail watchdog, the New York State Commission of Correction, signed off on the plan last year, according to spokesperson Kirsten Conlay.

There are two types of solitary confinement under New York law. The state legislature overhauled regulations three years ago when it passed the so-called HALT Act.

The more lenient version is called confinement. Inmates are held in their cells for up to 17 hours a day, and allowed out for the remaining seven hours.

The stricter version is segregated confinement. Inmates are kept in their cells for more than 17 hours a day, but must be allowed out for four hours. They are also to receive programming five days a week.

The commission cited the downtown Syracuse jail for violating the rules on segregated confinement.

Of the 422 inmates in the jail last Wednesday, there were 38 held in solitary confinement, according to Thomas Newton, a spokesperson for the sheriffs office. He could not specify how many of those inmates were held in conditions meeting the states definition of segregated confinement.

The commission ordered the sheriffs office to submit documentation by Sept. 30 showing it is in compliance with state regulations.

Staff writer Jon Moss covers breaking news, crime and public safety. He can be reached at jmoss@syracuse.com or @mossjon7.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. The Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Mazahir Panahov, expressed satisfaction with the performance of lower-level election commissions, Trend reports.

We're almost being blamed for giving candidates too many voter meetings. Most candidates met with constituents up to ten times. If we indicated there was just one meeting place for 16 or 13 candidates, we would have been criticized. Overall, I am satisfied with the work of the lower-level commissions, and any violations will be reviewed.If the press has evidence of violations, they should present it to us, Panahov stated.

To recall, the snap parliamentary election was held in Azerbaijan on September 1.

A total of 112,749 local observers were 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 represented 25 political parties, while 371 were party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates were affiliated with political parties.
Kingston, N.Y.  An 85-year-old former doctor from Arizona charged for his role in the suicide of a woman in an upstate New York motel room pleaded guilty to manslaughter Tuesday under an agreement that spares him from prison.

Stephen Miller, of Tucson, was arrested earlier this year on a charge of second-degree manslaughter under a provision of New York law that allows the charge for intentionally causing or aiding another persons suicide.

Under a plea agreement, Miller was sentenced to five years of probation after his guilty plea in state court. His attorney said Miller is infirm and did not want to die in prison.

Miller had traveled from Arizona to be with the woman at the time of her death at the motel in Kingston, about 80 miles (120 kilometers) north of New York City. The womans body was found Nov. 9 by housekeeping staff. Authorities concluded the woman had died by means of assisted suicide, according to the Ulster County district attorneys office.

His attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman, said after court that Miller simply provided comfort and very slight technical assistance to a woman who couldnt live with the debilitating pain that had plagued her for decades. Lichtman has said the woman reached out to Miller because of his work with the advocacy group, Choice and Dignity.

Technically, he violated the law, Lichtman told reporters. We accept that, but with the understanding that morally, Stephen Miller did nothing wrong.

In court, Miller answered questions from Judge Bryan Rounds in a soft voice, mostly sticking to yes or no responses until the judge asked him: Are you pleading guilty because you are, in fact, guilty of manslaughter in the second degree?

By your definition, yes, Miller answered.

The judge asked the question again after explaining it was the definition found in state law. Miller then answered, yes.

Miller declined to speak to reporters after his appearance.

While Miller still supports legal assisted suicide, his attorney said he will not provide assistance in the future.

That part of his life is over, Lichtman said.

Miller had also been initially charged with two counts of assault. He pleaded not guilty in February, posted bail and returned to Arizona.

A text seeking comment was sent to the district attorneys office.

Miller had previously lost his license to practice medicine upon his conviction for tax fraud in Texas, Lichtman has said. Miller was convicted in 2006 and sentenced to just under four years in prison, according to a Department of Justice news release at the time.

Several states allow medical aid in dying, though efforts to legalize it in New York have stalled in the state Legislature.

___

Editors Note: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
tbppjpr BHPian



Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: India Posts: 889 Thanked: 1,935 Times

Re: Android Thread: Phones / Apps / Mods Quote: mayankk Originally Posted by My primary requirement is the camera,



Buy a camera, develop the habit of using it, even an APSC will keep you happier for a decade or even more whereas you will keep feeling the pinch of upgrading to new mobile phone every year expecting better cameras over the existing one. You can get far greater quality camera in the price of one high end phone.



Mobile photos are only good as long as you look them on the tiny mobile screens, the moment you take them onto a good quality monitor and compare with the dedicated camera photos, the difference is notice immediately.



Mobile companies have cracked the code of enjoying large profits by making people believe that their newly launched mobile model is leaps ahead over the previous one. They just make few changes here and there in the cameras and software, rest of the support they get from the OS department by rendering the existing devices 'insecure' and 'unsupported' by stopping the software updates.



Quote: it should be good enough, doesn't have to out of this world even.



Mobile photography is all about the software and less about the camera hardware these days. 70% of the job is done in the software by taking multiple exposures at the same time and then mixing them in HDR. Many times its much easier for a normal joy to get proper exposure in tricky situations using a mobile camera over the real camera. You don't need to learn anything with the mobile photography but there is steep learning curve to use a dedicated camera to get better results.



Google camera app got better in the last decade but its getting inferior since last one year or so in the usability and customization department.



Motorola stock camera apps have been bad traditionally which make people think that their cameras are bad. Recently they started focusing on the camera app and getting some improvements. Though I could manage to get much better results of my liking using third party apps in the past.



Even once I had very budget oriented Motorola One Power (Part of Android One program) which I bought for additional battery backup since I was traveling a lot those days. That mobile had some OmniVision sensors, which seems to be a Motorola preferred brand for their budget mobiles in the past. Camera in that mobile did not have image stabilization for videos, even very few mobiles used to have stabilization in those days. But I could manage to get stabilization on in Open Camera app and also managed to get video footages in the log color profile which I am unable to get in my Pixel 6 even by today after two years of trying out different apps including Blackmagic camera app.



Photos using modded Google camera app also used to be very good. That time features and capability of Google camera app made me convince to try out Pixel phone so I bought the Pixel 6 but ended up getting the experience I shared above and in the previous posts.



Now whenever I look back at those photos taken on that cheap Motorola phone and compare with the Pixel 6, I do not see any improvement which is claimed by the manufacturer or by the YouTubers who just read the spec sheet in the name of reviews.



All I see is just more prominent black outlines over the edges of small objects like grass and pebbles which result into messed up colors, details and realism compared to that old cheap Motorola.



The images come out of the Pixel is typical of what we have traditionally been getting in the Samsungs or iPhones which I always hated. Whereas that old Motorola One Power combined with the Google camera app used to produce photos like camera.



Let me put some comparisons here, download these on your computer or laptop and check:



Here is a photo captured on cheap Motorola One Power (12 MP OmniVision Sensor) using old modded Google Camera app, red outline is the cropped area attached below:









Below is the cropped area with 400% zoom. Observe the colors, details and realistic softness in the grass, pebbles and big stones, this is similar to the photos I get on my DSLR and Mirroless cameras:









Here is a snap captured on my Pixel 6 (50 MP Samsung camera Sensor) using stock Google Camera app, red outline is the cropped area attached below:







Now observe the ugly black outlines on the edges of the foliage and stones in the 400% zoomed image of the cropped area:









This is an image captured on iPhone 14 Pro which has some godly camera sensor and technology came out of this world as claimed by everyone these days. Red outline is the cropped area attached below:







Cropped area in 400% zoom as previous two, I don't have any words to say:









The new generation of the 50 megapixel, 100 or 200 megapixel sensors make the things worst for software processing compared to an actual 12 megapixel sensor. But since mobile manufacturers and the buyers have already jumped into the race of high megapixel count, there looks like no way back to the senses.



We are just getting few more tricks in the software with every iteration of new mobile launches, some are even using the AI which alter the images drastically but looks like this is the key of making people happy and convince to buy new mobile models.



Quote: is the Motorola 50 ultra really as good



You must look at the camera image compare page on the GSM Arena to compare different mobile cameras, but they test the cameras only using the stock camera app.



So another better way is to find some community page on forums like XDA or mobile model specific groups in telegram where they test and post the modded GCam apps and results. And that can only be fulfilled by a dedicated camera, not with these tiny camera sensors packed in the mobiles phones which rely on software to get the acceptable results. I have used many pictures and videos from all type of top level phone cameras and never could find them worthy enough to mix in my main camera footages during editing.Buy a camera, develop the habit of using it, even an APSC will keep you happier for a decade or even more whereas you will keep feeling the pinch of upgrading to new mobile phone every year expecting better cameras over the existing one. You can get far greater quality camera in the price of one high end phone.Mobile photos are only good as long as you look them on the tiny mobile screens, the moment you take them onto a good quality monitor and compare with the dedicated camera photos, the difference is notice immediately.Mobile companies have cracked the code of enjoying large profits by making people believe that their newly launched mobile model is leaps ahead over the previous one. They just make few changes here and there in the cameras and software, rest of the support they get from the OS department by rendering the existing devices 'insecure' and 'unsupported' by stopping the software updates.If you are not keen on manual photography functions then Pixels do decent job during the click-n-snap scenarios out of the box, far better than iPhones. But they don't allow much of customizations, even the third party apps are very restricted. Things have improved in Pixel 8 and 9 but still not good enough for me to reconsider the Pixels again for the price point they have started selling.Mobile photography is all about the software and less about the camera hardware these days. 70% of the job is done in the software by taking multiple exposures at the same time and then mixing them in HDR. Many times its much easier for a normal joy to get proper exposure in tricky situations using a mobile camera over the real camera. You don't need to learn anything with the mobile photography but there is steep learning curve to use a dedicated camera to get better results.Google camera app got better in the last decade but its getting inferior since last one year or so in the usability and customization department.Motorola stock camera apps have been bad traditionally which make people think that their cameras are bad. Recently they started focusing on the camera app and getting some improvements. Though I could manage to get much better results of my liking using third party apps in the past.Even once I had very budget oriented Motorola One Power (Part of Android One program) which I bought for additional battery backup since I was traveling a lot those days. That mobile had some OmniVision sensors, which seems to be a Motorola preferred brand for their budget mobiles in the past. Camera in that mobile did not have image stabilization for videos, even very few mobiles used to have stabilization in those days. But I could manage to get stabilization on in Open Camera app and also managed to get video footages in the log color profile which I am unable to get in my Pixel 6 even by today after two years of trying out different apps including Blackmagic camera app.Photos using modded Google camera app also used to be very good. That time features and capability of Google camera app made me convince to try out Pixel phone so I bought the Pixel 6 but ended up getting the experience I shared above and in the previous posts.Now whenever I look back at those photos taken on that cheap Motorola phone and compare with the Pixel 6, I do not see any improvement which is claimed by the manufacturer or by the YouTubers who just read the spec sheet in the name of reviews.All I see is just more prominent black outlines over the edges of small objects like grass and pebbles which result into messed up colors, details and realism compared to that old cheap Motorola.The images come out of the Pixel is typical of what we have traditionally been getting in the Samsungs or iPhones which I always hated. Whereas that old Motorola One Power combined with the Google camera app used to produce photos like camera.Let me put some comparisons here, download these on your computer or laptop and check:Here is a photo captured on cheap Motorola One Power (12 MP OmniVision Sensor) using old modded Google Camera app, red outline is the cropped area attached below:Below is the cropped area with 400% zoom. Observe the colors, details and realistic softness in the grass, pebbles and big stones, this is similar to the photos I get on my DSLR and Mirroless cameras:Here is a snap captured on my Pixel 6 (50 MP Samsung camera Sensor) using stock Google Camera app, red outline is the cropped area attached below:Now observe the ugly black outlines on the edges of the foliage and stones in the 400% zoomed image of the cropped area:This is an image captured on iPhone 14 Pro which has some godly camera sensor and technology came out of this world as claimed by everyone these days. Red outline is the cropped area attached below:Cropped area in 400% zoom as previous two, I don't have any words to say:The new generation of the 50 megapixel, 100 or 200 megapixel sensors make the things worst for software processing compared to an actual 12 megapixel sensor. But since mobile manufacturers and the buyers have already jumped into the race of high megapixel count, there looks like no way back to the senses.We are just getting few more tricks in the software with every iteration of new mobile launches, some are even using the AI which alter the images drastically but looks like this is the key of making people happy and convince to buy new mobile models.Strangely the Edge 50 and Edge 50 Fusion have some new Sony Lytia camera sensor but the 50 Ultra doesn't. I feel the other two are better over the Ultra and and cheaper as well, especially the Edge 50 looks better with the MIL grade rating for such a slim phone with curved display. I don't have first hand experience with any of these models so would refrain from making any further claims.You must look at the camera image compare page on the GSM Arena to compare different mobile cameras, but they test the cameras only using the stock camera app.So another better way is to find some community page on forums like XDA or mobile model specific groups in telegram where they test and post the modded GCam apps and results. Last edited by tbppjpr : 26th August 2024 at 13:57 .
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. The Western Azerbaijan Community has demanded France stop slanderous campaign against Azerbaijan, Trend reports via the community's statement.

According to the statement, France has once again committed provocation against the country.

The statement noted that in a travel advisory about Azerbaijan, the French Foreign Ministry attempted to discredit the country's legal system and made an escapade on Azerbaijan's territorial integrity by using terms such as 'Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region' and 'adjacent areas'.

"France, which does not fulfill its UN Charter obligations on decolonization, pursues a policy of neocolonialism, and thereby violates the fundamental rights of millions of people, has no right to speak about human rights. While Armenia, at least in words, recognizes Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, the fact that France does not do so shows how biased it is towards Azerbaijan," the statement added.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Akshay1234 Team-BHP Support



Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 10,310 Thanked: 12,704 Times

Modi Motors refuses to refund Range Rover booking amount



So a family friend of ours decided he wants a Range Rover Autobiography, and this was after the CKD prices were announced which brought the car to a shade above 3cr on road. This gentleman was in touch with Modi Motors, Worli and gave them a booking amount of 2 lacs in mid June. He was promised a car mid August which seemed to be the standard waiting period.





Now a week after this, he was offered a Range Rover Autobiography available readily at Navnit Motors JLR. Maybe it was a cancellation of an order they had, but whatever the reason, it was available for the taking. Considering the time saved versus waiting for the existing booking was a no brainer.



Being the gentleman that he is, he had a word with his Modi Motors salesman, informing him of the same and that he may now purchase the car from Navnit Motors considering the availability. But he also offered them an opportunity to see if they could somehow arrange the vehicle for him immediately considering they had shown him the car, given him TDs etc.



He then confirmed with the salesman that his booking amount of 2l would be refunded, to which the salesman replied in the positive. On 26th June he made the booking for the Autobiography with Navnit, and brought the car home on 11th July. All went smoothly from booking to delivery.



Post this, there were follow ups made to Modi Motors for the refund of the 2l, which were replied to in the positive, but with various reasons. Every week they would say its being processed, and various other similar excuses. This went back and forth for about 6 weeks.





But an absolutely strange thing occured today, the sales manager of Modi Motors, who till a couple days ago was all positive, said the management had refused a refund since the vehicle was purchased from another dealership. This has been asked for in writing, and the sales manager asked to get back tomorrow.



This is something I have never heard off, especially when it comes to a meagre amount for such a hot selling vehicle. Range Rovers are sold out for months, and have become a status symbol these days. This just seems to be a harassment tactic, and is absolutely unethical.



Had the dealer refused his refund when he informed them about his decision before booking with the other dealer, it may have been a different story. But to take someone for a ride, and then come up with a ridiculous excuse just isn't done.



I think JLR is certainly going to erode their image if this kind of behavior is allowed by their dealers. Just recently another member had issues with the same dealership for other reasons. We've all heard stories about JLRs after sales and unreliability, not just in India but worldwide. While off late the reliability seems to have been getting better, one can't say the same about the sales/aftersales going by peoples recent experiences. One such strange experience is as follows -So a family friend of ours decided he wants a Range Rover Autobiography, and this was after the CKD prices were announced which brought the car to a shade above 3cr on road. This gentleman was in touch with Modi Motors, Worli and gave them a booking amount of 2 lacs in mid June. He was promised a car mid August which seemed to be the standard waiting period.Now a week after this, he was offered a Range Rover Autobiography available readily at Navnit Motors JLR. Maybe it was a cancellation of an order they had, but whatever the reason, it was available for the taking. Considering the time saved versus waiting for the existing booking was a no brainer.Being the gentleman that he is, he had a word with his Modi Motors salesman, informing him of the same and that he may now purchase the car from Navnit Motors considering the availability. But he also offered them an opportunity to see if they could somehow arrange the vehicle for him immediately considering they had shown him the car, given him TDs etc.He then confirmed with the salesman that his booking amount of 2l would be refunded, to which the salesman replied in the positive. On 26th June he made the booking for the Autobiography with Navnit, and brought the car home on 11th July. All went smoothly from booking to delivery.Post this, there were follow ups made to Modi Motors for the refund of the 2l, which were replied to in the positive, but with various reasons. Every week they would say its being processed, and various other similar excuses. This went back and forth for about 6 weeks.But an absolutely strange thing occured today, the sales manager of Modi Motors, who till a couple days ago was all positive, said the management had refused a refund since the vehicle was purchased from another dealership. This has been asked for in writing, and the sales manager asked to get back tomorrow.This is something I have never heard off, especially when it comes to a meagre amount for such a hot selling vehicle. Range Rovers are sold out for months, and have become a status symbol these days. This just seems to be a harassment tactic, and is absolutely unethical.Had the dealer refused his refund when he informed them about his decision before booking with the other dealer, it may have been a different story. But to take someone for a ride, and then come up with a ridiculous excuse just isn't done.I think JLR is certainly going to erode their image if this kind of behavior is allowed by their dealers. Just recently another member had issues with the same dealership for other reasons. Last edited by Akshay1234 : 4th September 2024 at 01:59 .
MotorDev BHPian



Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Bangalore Posts: 360 Thanked: 3,926 Times

11,000 KMs and 479 Days of Slavia 1.5L DSG Ownership 11,000 KMs and 479 Days of Slavia 1.5L DSG Ownership

Note: Click on the images for higher resolution.



It's been over a year since we brought home our Skoda Slavia 1.5L DSG. The car has been through daily city traffic, two long 2000+ km road trips, rural roads, and a few ghat sections.





The odometer now reads 11,365 KMs, and heres our experience with the car so far. Hopefully, this will be helpful for anyone considering the Slavia.





Key details :

Model : Skoda Slavia 1.5L DSG

: Skoda Slavia 1.5L DSG Purchase Date : 11th May, 2023

: 11th May, 2023 Kilometers Driven : 11,365 Kms

: 11,365 Kms Fuel Type Used : Primarily XP95, occasionally XP91 (used three times)

: Primarily XP95, occasionally XP91 (used three times) Number of Services : 1 (first service, labour cost: free)

: 1 (first service, labour cost: free) Mods: None



Skoda Slavia  Pros:







Build quality : Solid exterior build, gives a reassuring feeling.





: Solid exterior build, gives a reassuring feeling. Engine & gearbox : The 1.5L TSI paired with the 7-speed DSG works seamlessly. Theres no noticeable turbo lag, and gear shifts are smooth.





: The 1.5L TSI paired with the 7-speed DSG works seamlessly. Theres no noticeable turbo lag, and gear shifts are smooth. AC : The AC performs well, even up to 40C. No tripping issues so far.





: The AC performs well, even up to 40C. No tripping issues so far. Ride & handling : Excellent ride comfort and handling. The car feels stable on highways and around corners, with good steering feedback.





: Excellent ride comfort and handling. The car feels stable on highways and around corners, with good steering feedback. Comfortable seats : The seats offer good support, reducing fatigue during long drives.





: The seats offer good support, reducing fatigue during long drives. Headlight performance : Good throw and spread, covering most of the road ahead.





: Good throw and spread, covering most of the road ahead. Sound system : The 8-speaker setup, including the subwoofer, delivers impressive sound quality.





: The 8-speaker setup, including the subwoofer, delivers impressive sound quality. Braking : The brakes perform well, giving you confidence.





: The brakes perform well, giving you confidence. Wireless connectivity & charging : Wireless connectivity and the wireless charger work well.





: Wireless connectivity and the wireless charger work well. Fuel efficiency : Mileage ranges from 10 KM/L in heavy traffic to 17.4-18 KM/L on highways.





: Mileage ranges from 10 KM/L in heavy traffic to 17.4-18 KM/L on highways. Boot space : Ample boot space, accommodating large amounts of luggage.





: Ample boot space, accommodating large amounts of luggage. Feature set : Useful features like, automatic headlamps, automatic wipers, adjustable front armrest, rear armrest, Isofix anchors, ambient lighting, etc.





: Useful features like, automatic headlamps, automatic wipers, adjustable front armrest, rear armrest, Isofix anchors, ambient lighting, etc. The Lava Blue colour stands out beautifully during the day and at night.





Instrument cluster : Displays a lot of useful information and is easy to customize. Good clarity on both the cluster and the infotainment system.





: Displays a lot of useful information and is easy to customize. Good clarity on both the cluster and the infotainment system. Connected car tech : Basic connected features like geofencing, fuel log, trip data, drive score, and speed alerts work well and update quickly.





: Basic connected features like geofencing, fuel log, trip data, drive score, and speed alerts work well and update quickly. NVH levels: The cabin is quiet, with road and wind noise only noticeable at speeds over 100 km/h.



Skoda Slavia  Cons:



Reverse camera : Missing adaptive guidelines, and the camera quality is below average.





: Missing adaptive guidelines, and the camera quality is below average. Interior rattles : Rattling noise from the piano black trim on the dashboard.





: Rattling noise from the piano black trim on the dashboard. Wheel nut caps : Loose wheel nut caps from the factory, had to get new ones.





: Loose wheel nut caps from the factory, had to get new ones. Ventilated seats : Not very effective on really hot days.





: Not very effective on really hot days. Suspension : The suspension feels stiff, which can be uncomfortable for elderly passengers.





: The suspension feels stiff, which can be uncomfortable for elderly passengers. Ground clearance : Though 179 mm is good, the sedans low approach and departure angles mean it scrapes on larger speed breakers and potholes.





: Though 179 mm is good, the sedans low approach and departure angles mean it scrapes on larger speed breakers and potholes. The car, especially the rear, attracts a lot of dust, making maintenance difficult.





Touch-based AC controls : The touch controls for the AC are difficult to operate while driving.





: The touch controls for the AC are difficult to operate while driving. Piano black trims: These are hard to maintain and prone to smudges and scratches.



Any major issues or niggles?





Thankfully, there haven't been any significant issues so far. However, a couple of minor problems have surfaced:



Rattling noise: This issue emerged early on. During the first service in March, the service centre addressed it to some extent. While the noise has reduced noticeably, its still present, especially on rough patches of road, though not consistently.



Brake squealing: The brakes made squealing noises on ramps and in heavy traffic, which was particularly irritating in stop-and-go situations. Thankfully, this issue has been fixed.



D1 to D2 jerk: This is a known issue in all VAG 2.0 cars. Before the service (around the 7,000 KMs mark), the jerk in D1 and D2 was terrible. Even on small imperfections or flat speed breakers, the gearbox would shift from D2 to D1.



It didnt stop there; it would hold D1 until 4,500 to 5,000 RPM before shifting to D2 in a very harsh manner, making everyone lurch forward. I also noticed that this was more pronounced during cold starts.



I mentioned it to the SA, and he said they would run a scan on the DSG using OBD to check for any errors. I assume they might have reset the DSG (I'm not sure) because now the experience is buttery smooth. Yes, it still occasionally shifts to D1 on rough patches, but the transition to D2 is no longer harsh.





First service details:



Engine oil replaced (4.7 litres): Rs. 3,149

Oil drain plug replaced: Rs. 190

Sunroof lubrication: No charge

Oil filter replaced: Rs. 206

Pollen filter replaced: Rs. 466

Windshield washer fluid: Rs. 130

12V socket fuse replaced (blown fuse): Rs. 38

New wheel nut caps installed (old ones fell off): Rs. 228

Wheel alignment and balancing: Rs. 1,121

Misaligned A-pillar trim fixed: No charge

Dashboard rattling noise addressed: No charge

Brake squealing issue fixed and cleaned: Rs. 741

AC disinfectant (requested): Rs. 1,012

Engine coating (requested): Rs. 800



Total damage to the pocket: Rs. 8,081 (including add-ons like AC disinfectant, engine coating, and parts like wheel nut caps)

First service cost without add-ons and parts: Rs. 4,141

First service cost including wheel alignment and balancing: Rs. 5,262

I was surprised that the air filter was only cleaned and not replaced. The service team mentioned it would be replaced during the second service.



The mileage has definitely improved. Previously, it was 11.6 km/l in normal traffic, and now, under similar conditions, it stretches to 13.3 km/l. The engine has also become smoother at higher revs and feels more open on the highway compared to the initial months.





Service experience (Raja Skoda Service, Mahadevapura):





The service was good, and the overall cost was reasonable. However, the charges for wheel balancing and alignment seemed a bit high. The service team also fixed the slight off-centre issue with the steering, even though we hadnt mentioned it when we left the car. The car was delivered on time, and the service advisor provided regular updates. Fortunately, there were no scratches or damages to the car, unlike some past reports from other Team-BHPians. Overall, it was a pleasant experience, and I would recommend Raja Skoda Service, Mahadevapura, to everyone.





Skodas Blaupunkt dashcam issue (Fixed):





The connecting wire (12V connector) broke, and finding a replacement was a hassle. Blaupunkt's ASS wasnt helpful. We asked the service centre for the dashcam connector wire, but they said they couldnt provide just the wire and that we'd need to buy the entire dashcam instead.







After some research, I found a





Are we happy with our decision?



Yes, we are extremely happy. My dad enjoys driving the Slavia, and it never fails to bring a smile to his face. The car is comfortable, well-equipped with features, and the service costs have been reasonable. Overall, the experience has been great so far, and the car has exceeded expectations in many areas.





Would I recommend the Skoda Slavia 1.5L DSG?





No: If you prefer a car for sedate driving and primarily use it for city commutes, the DSG may not be ideal. In that case, the 1.0L AT variant might be a better fit. Also, if you're looking for a no-nonsense car that can run reliably for 10-15 years without much hassle, the Honda City could be a better option .



Hell yeah : If you enjoy spirited driving and want a fun, feature-packed, yet spacious sedan that keeps the family happy with a good balance of comfort and tech, the Slavia 1.5L DSG is a great choice.





Living with the Slavia:



At







Interesting observation: the number plate light has an Audi logo. That's cool, lol!







Piano black trims are hard to maintain, and small scratches are an eyesore:







The ceramic coating and PPF have held up well after 1 year, with only minor swirls that aren't visible to the naked eye. The picture below is unedited:







When the front ventilated seats are turned on, air flows from the bottom of the seats to the rear passengers' legs, which feels good on a hot day:







A parting shot. Cheers!



: Click on the images for higher resolution.It's been over a year since we brought home our Skoda Slavia 1.5L DSG. The car has been through daily city traffic, two long 2000+ km road trips, rural roads, and a few ghat sections.The odometer now reads 11,365 KMs, and heres our experience with the car so far. Hopefully, this will be helpful for anyone considering the Slavia.Thankfully, there haven't been any significant issues so far. However, a couple of minor problems have surfaced:: This issue emerged early on. During the first service in March, the service centre addressed it to some extent. While the noise has reduced noticeably, its, especially on rough patches of road, though not consistently.: The brakes made squealing noises on ramps and in heavy traffic, which was particularly irritating in stop-and-go situations. Thankfully, this issue has been: This is a known issue in all VAG 2.0 cars. Before the service (around themark), the jerk in D1 and D2 was terrible. Even on small imperfections or flat speed breakers, the gearbox would shift from D2 to D1.It didnt stop there; it would hold D1 until 4,500 to 5,000 RPM before shifting to D2 in a very harsh manner, making everyone lurch forward. I also noticed that this was more pronounced during cold starts.I mentioned it to the SA, and he said they would run a scan on the DSG using OBD to check for any errors. I assume they might have reset the DSG (I'm not sure) because now the experience is buttery smooth. Yes, it still occasionally shifts to D1 on rough patches, but the: Rs. 3,149: Rs. 190: No charge: Rs. 206: Rs. 466: Rs. 130: Rs. 38: Rs. 228: Rs. 1,121: No charge: No charge: Rs. 741: Rs. 1,012: Rs. 800(including add-ons like AC disinfectant, engine coating, and parts like wheel nut caps)I was surprised that the air filter was only cleaned and not replaced. The service team mentioned it would be replaced during the second service.The mileage has definitely improved. Previously, it was 11.6 km/l in normal traffic, and now, under similar conditions, it stretches to 13.3 km/l. The engine has also become smoother at higher revs and feels more open on the highway compared to the initial months.The service was good, and the overall cost was reasonable. However, the charges for wheel balancing and alignment seemed a bit high. The service team also fixed the slight off-centre issue with the steering, even though we hadnt mentioned it when we left the car. The car was delivered on time, and the service advisor provided regular updates. Fortunately, there were no scratches or damages to the car, unlike some past reports from other Team-BHPians. Overall, it was a pleasant experience, and I would recommend Raja Skoda Service, Mahadevapura, to everyone.The connecting wire (12V connector) broke, and finding a replacement was a hassle. Blaupunkt's ASS wasnt helpful. We asked the service centre for the dashcam connector wire, but they said they couldnt provide just the wire and that we'd need to buy the entire dashcam instead.They charged Rs. 1,180 for the installation of the dashcam.After some research, I found a high-quality dashcam wire on Amazon for just 500. The 10-foot-long wire worked perfectly, and the dashcam is now functioning fine.Yes, we are extremely happy. My dad enjoys driving the Slavia, and it never fails to bring a smile to his face. The car is comfortable, well-equipped with features, and the service costs have been reasonable. Overall, the experience has been great so far, and the car has exceeded expectations in many areas.: If you prefer a car for sedate driving and primarily use it for city commutes, the DSG may not be ideal. In that case, the 1.0L AT variant might be a better fit. Also, if you're looking for a no-nonsense car that can run reliably for 10-15 years without much hassle, the Honda City could be a better option: If you enjoy spirited driving and want a fun, feature-packed, yet spacious sedan that keeps the family happy with a good balance of comfort and tech, the Slavia 1.5L DSG is a great choice.At Food Pyramid NH16 Interesting observation: the number plate light has anlogo. That's cool, lol!Piano black trims are hard to maintain, and small scratches are an eyesore:The ceramic coating and PPF have held up well after 1 year, with only minor swirls that aren't visible to the naked eye. The picture below is unedited:When the front ventilated seats are turned on, air flows from the bottom of the seats to the rear passengers' legs, which feels good on a hot day:A parting shot. Cheers! Last edited by MotorDev : 1st September 2024 at 23:49 .
Smart home accessory manufacturer SwitchBot took the wraps off a pair of indoor air quality monitors at IFA today. Both the SwitchBot Meter Pro (pictured up top) and the SwitchBot Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor) (see below) are equipped with Swiss-made Sensirion sensors that detect indoor temperature and relative humidity every 4 seconds, boasting accuracy of +/- 0.36 Fahrenheit (0.2 degrees Celsius) and +/- 2% relative humidity.

As youve probably guessed, the SwitchBot Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor) can also measure carbon dioxide levels (taking readings every 30 minutes when the device is operating on battery power, every minute when plugged into a charger, or on demand, within 1 second). Both devices display their readings, along with the date and time, on LCD displays.

With the SwitchBot Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor), you can indoor carbon dioxide levels in addition to indoor temps and relative humidity levels. To also track weather forecasts and the date and time, youll need one of SwitchBots two smart home hubs. With the SwitchBot Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor), you can indoor carbon dioxide levels in addition to indoor temps and relative humidity levels. To also track weather forecasts and the date and time, youll need one of SwitchBots two smart home hubs. SwitchBot With the SwitchBot Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor), you can indoor carbon dioxide levels in addition to indoor temps and relative humidity levels. To also track weather forecasts and the date and time, youll need one of SwitchBots two smart home hubs. SwitchBot SwitchBot

Youll need a SwitchBot Hub 2 or a SwitchBot Hub Mini Matter Enabled to get local outdoor temperature, relative humidity, and weather forecasts with either device.

Users can set their own comfort level based on indoor temperature and humidity, and you can be notified of environmental changes with three types of alerts: a 100dB alarm, a visual alert with flashing numbers and different colors, and notifications via either of the SwitchBot hubs or through email (those last two notifications require a SwitchBot hub).

Both of the monitors can trigger automations when environmental data exceeds preset limits youve established, including activating a SwitchBot Circulator Fan or a SwitchBot Evaporative Humidifier. The smart appliances are also compatible with Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcuts, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings. Matter support is enabled if the monitors are connected to either of SwitchBots latest hubs.

The SwitchBot Meter Pro is available now in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and E.U. for $29.99 ($35.99 CAD, 34.99, 34.99). The carbon-dioxide-detecting SwitchBot Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor) is likewise available now for $69.99 ($79.99 CAD, 59.99, 69.99). Weve asked for Canadian pricing and will update this story when we get it.

Updated September 19, 2024 with Canadian pricing.
If youve ever watched a movie and listened to the soundtrack via a Bluetooth headphone or speaker, you know how annoying it is to see an actors lips moving out of sync with their voice. The problem can be even worse when sound effects dont line up with whats happening on the screen: You see an explosion, but the sound of the explosion comes later. With Bluetooth, the delay can be up to 150 milliseconds (0.15) seconds.

That doesnt seem like a lot of latencyi.e., the amount of time between a sound being generated and it reaching your earswhen you see it expressed in numbers, but any significant mismatch between what you see and what you hear can drive your brain nuts. Forget about playing video games with high Bluetooth latency. Fortunately, you dont have to live with it. Well show you how to fix the problem.

What exactly is Bluetooth lag?

Before we dive into how to fix the latency problem, lets first make sure we understand precisely what the problem is. Audio lag is inherent to sound, even before you take into account factors such as audio decoding and digital-to-analog conversion.

Sound waves travel at around 761.2 mph at sea level. Thats fast, but nowhere near the 186,000 miles per second at which light travels from your TV or computer monitor to your eyeballs. The distance between speakers and your ears, though very small, also induces a tiny bit of latency, as does your eardrums relaying signals your brain. Then theres the approximately 7 milliseconds it takes you brain to process any sort of input.

These sources of lag, however, are essentially imperceptible; in other words, your brain doesnt object to a tiny bit of lagit both induces it and is accustomed to it. Piling on tens or hundreds of milliseconds, on the other hand, will rupture your minds ability to suspend disbelief.

Converting a digital audio signal to an analog waveform you can hear takes just a couple of milliseconds, but transmitting digital audio data from one device to another takes time: 40 to 50 milliseconds using a low-latency codec such as aptX LL.

While aptX LL is great, its not universally supported and it must be on both ends of the transmission for it to work. The same goes for Bluetooth 5.0+ radios. Youll find them in newer devices, but having one inside your headphone is of little benefit if your TV is outfitted with an older radio (and vice versa). In a worst-case scenario, youre stuck with the previously mentioned latency of 150 milliseconds.

If youre using Bluetooth only to stream music, latency isnt much of an issue. As long as the stream is steady and there are no dropouts, you wont notice the latency, because theres no visual element linked to it. Watch a music video, on the other hand, and youll hate the out-of-sync experience.

Modern TVs automatically compensate for Bluetooth latency

TVs that offer onboard Bluetooth audio often compensate on their own for latency. Its rarely dead on, but Bluetooth lag times are a known factor, so delaying the video signal slightly while delivering the audio as fast as possible is something most vendors do as a matter of course.

I tested recent Samsung and LG TVs for auto latency compensation, and they fell into relatively close sync in short order. The first time you link a pair of headphones to a Samsung TV, for example, the lag will be quite noticeable. Subsequently, youll notice the audio is much closer to being in sync with the video. Samsung tells me its TVs automatically compensate for Bluetooth lag, but the company declined to provide specifics on precisely how thats accomplished.

Samsungs S95C OLED TV and others automatically compensate for Bluetooth lag after first connect. Samsungs S95C OLED TV and others automatically compensate for Bluetooth lag after first connect. Samsung Samsungs S95C OLED TV and others automatically compensate for Bluetooth lag after first connect. Samsung Samsung

Until a recent visit to Roku headquarters in Santa Clara, CA, my automatic compensation theory was based simply on my experience and former programming skillshow Id handle the issue. A conversation with a Roku audio engineer finally confirmed my supposition, including the latest Bluetooth device query/handshake functions. Kudos to the company, especially as it can be so opaque when it comes to other TV tech.

I trust engineers. Theyre honest, which is why PR people generally wont let journalists talk to them.

How you can deal with Bluetooth lag

Latency being a well-known issue, vendors have long provided manual compensation settings that let you either delay the video or advance the audio signal. These settings are generally found in the advanced audio or Bluetooth device settings. Youre more likely to find such settings in newer TVs than older ones.

On a computer or other compatible device, VLC Player (the macOS version is shown below) lets you adjust the audio via a negative number: A value of -200 means the audio will be shifted 200 milliseconds forward in time in relation to the video. Latency varies so just play with the settings until the audio syncs with the video. Generally speaking, you shouldnt need to alter the audio by more than 150ms, plus or minus.

Youll find a Track synchronization feature in VLC (macOS version shown) that allows you to dial out audio lag from your wireless system. Remember the number as youll need to zero this setting out if you switch to a wired headset. Youll find a Track synchronization feature in VLC (macOS version shown) that allows you to dial out audio lag from your wireless system. Remember the number as youll need to zero this setting out if you switch to a wired headset. Youll find a Track synchronization feature in VLC (macOS version shown) that allows you to dial out audio lag from your wireless system. Remember the number as youll need to zero this setting out if you switch to a wired headset.

Vizio TVs compensate automatically, but offer additional manual adjustments, such as the Lip Sync value shown in the dialog below. Just move the slider back and forth to adjust the timing.

Vizios Lip Sync feature will adjust audio timing to match the video Vizios Lip Sync feature will adjust audio timing to match the video Vizios Lip Sync feature will adjust audio timing to match the video

Other TVs have different settings. LG, for example, calls its setting AV Sync Adjustment. Even Apples iOS features automatic lag adjustment for video streamed from its devices to your TV. This does not necessarily include Bluetooth lagthat, you might still need to compensate for on the TV. Note that we were unable to find any manual compensation in smart TVs featuring Google TV, but this might vary by vendor.

Audio lag is a well-known phenomenon thats can be compensated for in many ways. Audio lag is a well-known phenomenon thats can be compensated for in many ways. Audio lag is a well-known phenomenon thats can be compensated for in many ways.

Use an external Bluetooth transceiver to compensate for lag

If your TV doesnt offer any means for compensating for a laggy Bluetooth connection, consider trying an external Bluetooth transmitter or transceiver, such as the Monoprice Bluetooth 5 Long Range Transmitter and Receiver.

Keep in mind that there will likely be no way to manually adjust the lag with an external transmitter or transceiver, and that your headphone or Bluetooth speaker must support one of the low-latency codecs, such as aptX LL or AptX Adaptive, to experience an improvement. As I mentioned earlier, such low-latency codecs are not universally supported. You should be able to resolve that question by looking at the products specifications.

The Monoprice Bluetooth 5 Long Range Transmitter and Receiver can help resolve latency problems. The Monoprice Bluetooth 5 Long Range Transmitter and Receiver can help resolve latency problems. Jon L. Jacobi The Monoprice Bluetooth 5 Long Range Transmitter and Receiver can help resolve latency problems. Jon L. Jacobi Jon L. Jacobi

The Monoprice transceiver mentioned above came in handy by adding Bluetooth to Roku TVs, which dont support Bluetooth directly. I still experienced some minor lag, but I could live with the delay under most circumstances.

Your final option: Skip Bluetooth and rely on wires

Theres always the unthinkable approach: wires. Whether its HDMI output to a soundbar or A/V receiver, 3.5mm line-level output to your stereo system, or plugging your headphone cable in, a wire will eliminate any noticeable lag. Most Bluetooth headphones and speakers also feature 3.5mm connectors for wired use.

I know wires might be considered obtrusive and messy, but Id much prefer dealing with wires than experiencing audio lag. In point of fact, I use wires because it also avoids the dreaded my headphone battery died in the middle of an important scene syndrome.

Wires, like these pretty 3.5mm audio cables, are one surefire way to eliminate Bluetooth audio lag. Wires, like these pretty 3.5mm audio cables, are one surefire way to eliminate Bluetooth audio lag. Ailkin Wires, like these pretty 3.5mm audio cables, are one surefire way to eliminate Bluetooth audio lag. Ailkin Ailkin

The bottom line on Bluetooth latency

No one should endure Bluetooth latency. Any of the means discussed above will at the very least, minimize it, and most likely eliminate it as a noticeable phenomenon altogether.
In context: Competition is indeed a beautiful thing, especially in the tech world. There's just something about the threat of being dethroned from the top of the performance hill that seems to trigger the kind of higher-risk changes that are often needed to see significant improvements from one generation of a chip or device to another. That certainly seems to be the case with Intel's new Core Ultra Series 2 chips, codenamed "Lunar Lake."

Inspired by the competitive threat from Arm-based chips such as Apple's M-series SoCs and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X-series, Intel made a number of dramatic changes to its chip architecture for Ultra Series 2 (see my column "Intel Strikes Back" for more).

Amongst the alterations: integrating system memory into the chip, dropping support for hyperthreading, reducing the total number of CPU cores, and more. When many of these changes were first revealed, they seemed confusing, if not downright odd, especially in comparison to the kinds of architectural changes Intel has made for many, many years.

Intel has formally announced the release of its Core Ultra 200V SoCs ahead of IFA Berlin. According to Intel's benchmarks, the new performance numbers speak for themselves as they have not only caught up with both Macs and Snapdragon-based notebooks on CPU and NPU benchmarks, it has also surpassed them in many cases.

Intel says the new chips also beat others on many battery-life and performance-per-watt tests. Given how much attention and praise have been lavished on the Arm-based offerings regarding their battery life, this latter point is particularly noteworthy. Many had (mistakenly) written off x86-based PCs as being incapable of matching the Arm-based offerings on power-related issues, but these new performance-per-watt-focused tests clearly demonstrate that the instruction set architecture (ISA) is not the defining factor for system power consumption.

Of course, final independent tests will be needed to verify the claims Intel made, but the company presented what certainly seemed to be a thorough (and fair) story about its own benchmarking process. Clearly, Intel recognizes that it has a competitive product on many levels and is trying to go out of its way to ensure there aren't any unpleasant surprises when it comes to reviews. Toss in the essentially guaranteed app compatibility of having an x86-based CPU, and the story gets better.

From a bigger-picture perspective, the competitive nature of the Core Ultra Series 2 chips brings yet another level of interest and excitement to the PC market. Alongside AMD's recently released Ryzen AI 300 series chips and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X series parts, we're bound to see a renaissance of the PC market  even without a great deal of AI-capable software being available yet.

Speaking of which, the Core Ultra Series 2 is also the first of Intel chips to meet Microsoft's Copilot+ PC specs, but the initial devices featuring the chip will be labeled as "Copilot+ Ready." The reason for this is that the software from Microsoft needed to run the AI-based software that's considered part of the Copilot+ experience  including the widely discussed Recall feature  won't be ready until November.

In spite of (or perhaps because of) this, Intel also made a point to emphasize the number of 3rd-party applications with AI-based features that can be accelerated across NPUs, the CPU, and the upgraded Xe2-based GPU found in Core Ultra Series 2.

While much of the attention around AI-enhanced PCs has been focused on NPUs and Microsoft's Copilot+ applications, the truth is that most application developers are using a combination of the CPU, GPU, and NPU to run AI. Intel presented a strong argument regarding the importance of a more balanced approach to the use of various xPU components, and we remain convinced that, over the long run, this more balanced method is going to be what wins out.

Conversations with ISVs attending the event (admittedly, guests of Intel) confirmed that their development methods are following the approach of leveraging multiple elements of the SoC and not just the NPU. In addition, they described the challenge of having to write software that works across the different NPU architectures that Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm are using and how the level of support they're getting from each of them currently varies a great deal. The bottom line is that these efforts are non-trivial and highlight that we are still very early in the AI PC revolution when it comes to applications that leverage the new hardware.

Looking ahead, one of the key challenges that Intel is facing  particularly in light of the issues the company is enduring  is how to take some of the radically different ideas it integrated into Lunar Lake (nee "Core Ultra Series 2") and incorporate them into future SoC designs.

Given the multi-year process that chip architecture design is, this may prove to be a challenging task, particularly given how different the changes are versus typical Intel designs and how hard it is to make these kinds of big alterations late in the design process.

If Intel can pull this off  and keep building on the large base of work for AI-focused applications and low-level framework efforts that are already created for ISV partners  the company can build on the client momentum that Core Ultra Series 2 will likely provide. Of course, Intel is facing bigger and more existential challenges as well, but getting the client business back on track would be a big step in the right direction.

Bob O'Donnell is the president and chief analyst of TECHnalysis Research, LLC, a market research firm that provides strategic consulting and market research services to the technology industry and professional financial community. You can follow Bob on Twitter @bobodtech
A hot potato: For almost as long as we've had smartphones, there has been the belief that they surreptitiously listen to our spoken conversations to serve us targeted ads; most people have experienced seeing an ad on Facebook for something they were recently talking about. It's always been claimed that this type of privacy invasion doesn't happen. However, a marketing agency, whose clients included Facebook and Google, has admitted to using an "Active Listening" feature that eavesdrops on conversations via phone mics to gather data.

A pitch deck from Cox Media Group (CMG), seen by 404 Media, states that the marketing firm uses its AI-powered Active Listening software to capture real-time data by listening to phone users' conversations. The slide adds that advertising clients can pair the gathered voice data with behavioral data to target in-market consumers.

The deck notes that consumers "leave a data trail based on their conversations and online behavior" and that Active Listening collects and analyzes behavioral and voice data from 470+ sources.

It's also revealed that CMG's clients include Facebook, Google, and Amazon, though it doesn't specify if they used the Active Listening tool.

When 404 Media reached out to Google for comment about its relationship with CMG, the search giant removed the group from its Partners Program site, suggesting it no longer works with the agency.

"All advertisers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations as well as our Google Ads policies, and when we identify ads or advertisers that violate these policies, we will take appropriate action," a Google spokesperson told The New York Post.

Meta, meanwhile, says it will investigate CMG to see if the agency violated any of its terms of service. "Meta does not use your phone's microphone for ads and we've been public about this for years," a Meta spokesperson said. "We are reaching out to CMG to get them to clarify that their program is not based on Meta data."

Amazon said it has never worked with CMG on the program and has no plans to do so. The tech giant said it would take legal action against any partner that violates its terms of service.

Cox acknowledged the legal implications of its Active Listening tech in a now-deleted (but archived) blog post from November 2023. "We know what you're thinking. Is this even legal?" it asks.

The agency claims that it is legal for phones and devices to listen to users. Cox says this is made possible by including consent to use Active Listening in the multi-page terms of use agreements  which few people ever read  that appear with new app downloads or updates.

404 Media first reported on CMG's Active Listening tech in December.

Back in 2017, Facebook's then-president of ads, Rob Goldman, said the platform doesn't and has never used phone microphones to serve ads. CEO Mark Zuckerberg had to repeat the denial to Congress a year later, while he was answering questions about the Cambridge Analytica scandal and Russian election interference.
The big picture: Elon Musk previously unveiled plans to transform X into an "everything app," aiming to replace platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, and FaceTime. Musk also envisions X offering dating, messaging, and banking services, similar to China's WeChat. As a significant move towards this goal, the billionaire and X owner has announced the beta release of the X TV app.

The new app is available on various smart TV platforms and allows users to stream videos posted on X, including live events and news. The official X Engineering account described the release of the X TV app as a "massive leap forward in transforming X into a video-first platform" and claimed it will offer new opportunities for creators, advertisers, and other users.

X TV is currently available on Android TV, Google TV, Amazon Fire TV (Fire OS), and LG TV (webOS), but it is not yet supported on Samsung's Tizen OS or Apple's tvOS. However, Musk mentioned that the app will be rolled out to more devices in the near future, suggesting it could soon arrive on Samsung TVs and Apple TV.

Beta version of i*i TV is out https://t.co/taODqsMECS  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 3, 2024

X TV offers features like Replay TV and Startover TV, allowing users to watch content on their own schedule. Replay TV lets users revisit up to 72 hours of videos, while Startover TV enables viewers to catch live shows from the beginning if they miss the original broadcast. Another feature, Free Cloud DVR, allows users to store up to 100 hours of recorded content in the cloud at no extra cost.

The X TV app listing on the Play Store claims it can replace traditional set-top boxes by providing a diverse selection of live channels, including movies, music, news, sports, and weather. It also promises to be a "trusted global digital town square for everyone" and offers a new way to experience X by bringing "unique and engaging content right to your living room."

According to reports, the X TV app was already available on Amazon Fire TV back in July, while the webOS version for LG TVs was rolled out in late August. Screenshots posted by users suggest that the app may also offer exclusive content as part of Musk's plan to turn X into a video streaming platform to rival YouTube. However, whether that happens remains to be seen.
What just happened? The mystery of the illness that afflicted American and Canadian diplomats in Cuba and elsewhere in the world is likely to remain unsolved. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says it has stopped investigating the so-called Havana syndrome after it was found that people had been coerced into taking part in the research.

Some of the people who reported suffering from Havana syndrome previously claimed the CIA told them that taking part in the research was a prerequisite for receiving medical care, reports CNN.

The NIH said that an independent review concluded some level of coercion had taken place, violating its code of ethics. As such, it was halting the study "out of an abundance of caution." The CIA said in March that people were not required to participate in the study.

A CIA official said the agency takes "any claim of coercion, or perceived coercion, extremely seriously and fully cooperated with NIH's review of this matter, and have offered access to any information requested."

The institutes said in statements that "The NIH investigation found that regulatory and NIH policy requirements for informed consent were not met due to coercion, although not on the part of NIH researchers."

"Given the role of voluntary consent as a fundamental pillar of the ethical conduct of research, NIH has stopped the study out of an abundance of caution. In NIH's assessment, these investigative findings do not impact the conclusions of the study."

Reports state that in 2016, several US personnel, along with some Canadian government staff and their families, were repeatedly attacked by "an advanced sonic weapon" while stationed in Havana over several months. Chronic symptoms included balance issues, cognitive problems, insomnia, and headaches.

The original 21 events in Cuba were characterized as starting with strange grating noises coming from a specific direction. The Associated Press previously released a recording of the supposed sound, which you can listen to below. Cuban authorities claim the noise is just cicadas.

The State Department took the incidents so seriously that it issued a formal travel warning, pulled more than half its diplomatic staff from the island, and said it would not issue visas in Cuba until further notice.

More than 1,000 US government workers have reported similar symptoms while stationed around the world. In addition to claims of it being a sonic attack, energy weapons, poisoning, and other techniques have been blamed, with Russia often said to be the culprit. However, five US intelligence agencies that investigated the cases last year concluded that the likelihood of Havana syndrome being caused by energy attacks involving a foreign adversary is "very unlikely."

Two studies  one that examined the brains of those believed to have Havana syndrome and one that ran a series of medical tests  found no differences between those experiencing the symptoms and those who did not.

"Our goal was to conduct thorough, objective and reproducible evaluations to see if we could identify structural brain or biological differences in people who reported AHIs," said Leighton Chan, chief of rehabilitation medicine and acting chief scientific officer at the NIH Clinical Center.

"While we did not identify significant differences in participants with AHIs, it's important to acknowledge that these symptoms are very real, cause significant disruption in the lives of those affected and can be quite prolonged, disabling and difficult to treat."
"I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship."  Louisa May Alcott

Introduction

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI), or generative AI, to be specific, has sparked obvious concerns and fears within the ART world, with many believing that AI will replace human artistic expression. To fight back, artists have filed class action lawsuits in the US against Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and DeviantArt [1], organized protests, and boycotted online services like ArtStation that allowed image-generated content on their platforms. They continue to raise awareness about the impact of image generators on their profession and communities [2], [3]. These concerns are valid and understandable, as AI is undoubtedly a transformative technology that could profoundly disrupt the way we understand ART today.

There is no doubt that [4] generative AI is a new medium that will fundamentally alter the creative processes of artists, but it is not necessarily the "end of art," as some may fear. Generative AI will require artists to find new ways to exert their artistic intention and rigor, such as in selecting training data, crafting prompts, and using AI-generated artifacts for downstream applications. There are concerns regarding how the aesthetics and biases embedded in generative AI models will affect the diversity and range of artistic outputs. Generative AI is positioned to upend many sectors of the creative industry, threatening existing jobs and labor models in the short term while ultimately enabling new roles, genres, and aesthetics of art.

If we look at the history of technological advancements, it was often met with initial fear and resistance before ultimately benefiting society. For instance, the introduction of the printing press, the industrial revolution, and even the internet were all met with apprehension and skepticism at first, but they eventually became catalysts for progress, knowledge propagation, and economic growth. The same is true for the ART industry as well. For instance, the invention of photography and then digital ART was initially met with skepticism and resistance from traditional artists[5], but these technologies have now become integral tools in the artistic process, enabling new forms of expression and creativity. AI has the potential to enhance and complement artistic expression in novel ways. By automating repetitive tasks, AI can free up human ingenuity for more creative and fulfilling endeavors, ultimately enhancing the quality of work within the realm of ART.

The concerns about the exploitation of artists, such as through the training of AI models on their artwork without permission, displacement of artists, and the shifting of profits away from individual creators to the owners of the generative AI models, are all valid. And we as a community should not remain oblivious of impending danger. The AI undoubtedly poses risks if misused or developed without proper safeguards. However, there are concerted efforts underway to ensure its responsible development and governance. Ethical principles, such as transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights, are being integrated into AI systems to mitigate potential negative consequences.

It is crucial to approach AI with a balanced and thoughtful perspective, acknowledging both its risks and opportunities. Rather than succumbing to fear, we should embrace the responsible development and governance of AI, ensuring that it remains a tool for human betterment and not a source of harm.

History of ART  How ART and Artists Evolved with Technology

Throughout history, technological advancements have significantly impacted the art world. [6] For instance, the development of new pigments and materials has enabled artists to explore new techniques and styles, while scientific studies of light, color, and perception have informed artistic theories and practices. The invention of oil paints in the 15th century allowed artists to achieve greater depth and realism in their paintings. The development of photography in the 19th century challenged the traditional role of art in representing reality and led to the emergence of new artistic movements like Impressionism. Figure Fig1 lists the inventions from past to current that have helped shape ART the way it is today.

Similar to these past innovations, AI-generated art has the potential to reshape the artistic process and our understanding of creativity. Like the introduction of new tools or materials, AI systems provide artists with a novel medium to explore and express themselves.

However, AI-generated art differs from past technological advancements in its ability to create artworks autonomously without direct human input. And hence, raises questions about the role of the artist when the AI system plays a significant part in the creative process. This challenges the traditional notion of art as a purely human endeavor and raises debates about authorship, originality, and the nature of creativity. I will talk more about this in the section "Perception vs Reality." For now, let's first delve into the techniques behind some of the most popular Generative AI frameworks and models. Having some understanding of how these models work is essential to evaluate their strengths and limitations and identify potential biases or ethical concerns that may arise from the training data or algorithms used.

GenAI Techniques and Models for Artistic Expression

Majority of the AI-ART-generator tools that exist in the market today are based on three main generative AI technologies [7], [8], [9], [10], [11]. These are:

Neural Style Transfer (NST)

Neural Style Transfer (NST) leverages convolutional neural networks to separate the "content" and "style" representations of images and then recombines them to generate a new stylized image. That is, with this technique, you can combine the content of one image with the style of another image, creating a new image that resembles the content of the first image but with the artistic style of the second image. For example, [11] taking the content of a photograph (e.g., a landscape scene) and combining it with the artistic style of a famous painting (e.g., Van Gogh's Starry Night) and thus creating a new image that blends the two.

Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs)

Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) are a prominent class of machine learning framework for generative AI. It consists of two neural networksa generator and a discriminatorthat are trained in a competitive manner. The generator tries to produce realistic-looking images, while the discriminator tries to distinguish the generated images from real ones. The discriminator's job is to tell how "realistic" the input seems, and the generator's job is to fool the discriminator. This enables the model to learn in an unsupervised manner. The generator-discriminator combo can together generate an output that would seem authentic to human eyes based on the number of realistic characters it has.

AICAN (Artificial Intelligence Creative Adversarial Network)

Artificial Intelligence Creative Adversarial Network (AICAN) is an evolved version of the GAN-based approach that can generate creative art by maximizing the deviation from established artistic styles/patterns and minimizing deviation from the overall art distribution. That is, generate novel artworks but at the same time "not too novel." GAN, on the other hand, would simply emulate the previous data distribution, showing limited creativity.

The effectiveness of AICAN was assessed by having human evaluators regularly confuse the generated art with human-created art. [Cite?]

In summary, AICAN is an example of a GAN-based system that was specifically designed to generate creative, novel artworks by balancing originality and adherence to broader artistic norms. It demonstrates how the GAN framework can be adapted and extended to tackle the challenge of computational creativity.

These three generative AI technologies together have given birth to the rise of the AI Art movement. While NST methods are more focused on automated image manipulation, GANs, and AICAN aim to push the boundaries of machine creativity and generate truly novel artworks.

Role of AI in the Creative World

Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically generative AI, can analyze huge amounts of data, spot patterns, and generate original outputs using machine learning algorithms. Generative AI can provide inspiration for artists by generating unique concepts, color palettes, textures, and compositions and even help with producing an initial draft, which artists can further refine and personalize. AI-powered tools can be used to automate mundane routine tasks such as image processing, color correction, or background removal, allowing artists to spend more time on the creative process that they enjoy most. Based on research by [12], where they analyzed 53,000 artists and 5,800 known AI adopters on one of the largest art-sharing platforms, it was found that upon AI adoption, artists experienced a 50% increase in productivity on average, which doubled in the subsequent month. For an average user, that means approximately 7 additional artifacts published in the adoption month and 15 artifacts in the following month.

AI algorithms can produce or analyze techniques that are impossible or difficult for humans. For example, AI can help artists, students of art, and researchers to understand the brushwork, symmetry, balance, etc., in classic paintings of artists of the past. An understanding of these classic art techniques will deepen our appreciation of historical works and enable new-age artists and historians to discover intricate layers of visual art.

AI can increase the overall revenue from sales performance, both in terms of the number of sales and average sales price. Based on research by [13], they found that consumers are willing to pay higher prices for AI-generated content, which could be a valuable revenue stream for creators, especially those in the early stages of their careers. [12] found that the creative artifacts produced with the help of generative AI were evaluated 50% more favorably by peers over time.

AI-powered tools will be helpful to those groups of artists who are lesser known and have limited resources by making advanced techniques and resources available for their pursuit, thus helping to democratize art. [13] suggests that less productive and experienced creators benefit more from AI adoption, as it helps enhance their productivity and make up for their lack of experience.

In short, generative AI can be a very powerful tool when oriented towards the goal of enhancing human creativity rather than attempting to supplant it. One such example is the work of artist Anna Ridler, who created a piece called Mosaic Virus in 2019, generating her own training data by taking photos of 10,000 Tulips, which itself is a work of art that she titled Myriad (Tulips). She then trained a GAN-based image generator with this data, creating a video in which the appearance of a tulip is controlled by the price of bitcoin [14].

Perception vs Reality

While there is a perception that AI is an autonomous technology that can operate independently, the reality is that current AI systems are not truly as autonomous as the media claims them to be. We need to separate fact from fiction. AI technologies that exist today still require significant human involvement and oversight in most applications. While researchers are actively working on developing more autonomous and self-improving AI systems, the current state of the technology still relies heavily on human expertise, oversight, and collaboration. As AI continues to advance, the balance between human and machine autonomy will likely shift, but it is unlikely that AI will become truly autonomous and independent of human involvement in the near future.

While the field has made remarkable progress in areas such as machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, the current state of AI is still narrow and specialized. AI systems excel at specific tasks but lack the general intelligence and autonomy that many people envision. Even in areas where AI has made significant progress, such as computer vision, natural language processing, and decision-making, human involvement is still essential. For example, AI systems often require large datasets curated and labeled by humans for training. Humans are needed to define the objectives, constraints, and ethical guidelines for AI decision-making. Human oversight is necessary to monitor AI systems for potential biases, errors, or unintended consequences. AI systems may struggle with edge cases or novel situations that require human intervention or retraining.

Based on the interesting research done by [12] on the art-sharing platform, they have observed that the average content and visual novelty diminished over time, but the peak content novelty increased, the novelty being a measure of creativity (focal objects, object relationships, pixel-level stylistic elements). This implies that while the adoption of generative AI could expand the universe of creative possibilities, their widespread adoption could lead to a long-run equilibrium where many artifacts converge to the same types of content or visual features, potentially leading to a proliferation of generic content.

People's perception of AI is also a very complex and multifaceted topic. There is a general preference for human-created art over AI-generated art. [15] Studies have found an "algorithm aversion" phenomenon, where people tend to underestimate the aesthetic quality of AI-generated art. This bias against AI art exists even among younger generations, who are more accepting of the technology.

[12], [15] Both have found in their experiments that while text-to-image AI can enhance human creativity and lead to more favorable evaluations of the resulting artworks, there is a consistent reduction in the average visual and content novelty over time. [15] notes that while AI-generated images can be highly realistic and difficult for humans to distinguish from human-made art, there are still certain defects or cues that can allow people to identify the AI origin. Image generators have no understanding of the perspective of the audience or the experience that the output is intended to communicate to this audience [16]. The output from image generators is aesthetic, meaning they can be appreciated or enjoyed, but they are not artistic. To be artistic, a work must also be estheticthat is, framed for enjoyed receptive perception. [17].

[11] AI tools show promise, but the true artistic value lies more in how the human orchestrates and designs the latent space in which the AI system operates. An image generator is trained to generate images from prompts by mapping images and texts into a lower dimensional representation in a latent space [18], [19], [20]. This latent space is learned during the model's training process. Once the model is trained, this latent space is fixed and can only change through training from scratch or finetuning on additional examples of image-text pairs [21]. Human creativity, in contrast, varies continuously with new experiences, and a human's lived experiences evolve over time. Most importantly, these experiences are not dependent on training on an input of images. That is, while generative AI can enhance human creativity in certain ways, it also has limitations in terms of maintaining consistent novelty and originality. The human's role in ideation, filtering, and orchestrating the AI's creative process appears to be crucial in determining the artistic merit of the final output. [12] also suggest that artists who can successfully explore novel ideas and curate AI-generated outputs are able to produce artworks that are evaluated more favorably by their peers.

Ethical Concerns and Challenges Surrounding AI-Generated Art

Amidst all the productivity, automation, opportunities, and new possibilities that AI brings to the ART world, it also raises several ethical concerns. There are questions about who owns the intellectual property rights for AI-generated artworks, as the AI system is essentially "borrowing" from existing works in its training data. Like many AI systems, the algorithms used for art generation can perpetuate biases present in their training data. This could result in a lack of diversity and representation in the generated artworks, potentially reinforcing existing societal biases. AI generators have been shown to appropriate and distort the identities of groups, encode biases, and reinforce stereotypes [22], [23], [24]. Some artists and creatives express concerns that AI-generated art could devalue human creativity, potentially leading to job displacement or making it harder for human artists to earn a living from their work. There are also questions about the transparency, explainability, and accountability of AI art generation systems, particularly when it comes to understanding how they arrive at certain outputs or addressing potential harmful or unethical content.

Students who anticipate image generators replacing artists have become demoralized and dissuaded from developing their craft and style [2]. Not only that, but existing artists are becoming increasingly reluctant to share their works and perspectives in an attempt to protect themselves from the mass scraping and training of their life's works [2], [3]. Independent artists share their work on social media platforms and crowdfunding campaigns and sell tutorials, tools, and resources to other artists on various sites or at art-centric trade shows. They do these in an attempt to gain visibility among the competition. It takes them years to build an audience and fanbase to sell their work. Fearing AI, they now choose not to share their work, which impacts their ability to receive compensation. This could also limit the large-scale adaptation of AI-generated ART, as described in the section on "Future Possibilities for ART."

Role of Legal Frameworks and Intellectual Property Rights Policies

In order to prevent harm to human society and ART, it is important that we explore new frameworks for intellectual property rights, ensure diverse and unbiased training data, protect the livelihoods of human artists, and establish transparency and accountability measures for AI systems. Ultimately, as with any emerging technology, it is important to strike a balance between fostering innovation and addressing potential ethical challenges to ensure responsible development and deployment.

There have already been several proposals put forth by artists, the art community, researchers, and lawmakers. One example is the proposed regulation by Arte es Etica that calls for legislation that requires the explicit consent of content creators before their material is used for generative AI models [25]. They suggest having detection and filtering algorithms to ensure that uploaded content belongs to creators who have consented to their work being licensed or opted-in for use as training data. They also suggest having a metric to quantify the amount of human interaction with an image generator to determine whether or not a generated image is copyrightable, with a 25% or less interaction level being uncopyrightable. [26] recommends ensuring artists are fairly compensated when their works are used to train generative AI systems or provide protections against their displacement.

In a letter to members of The Costume Designers Guild, Local 892, a union of professional costume designers, assistant costume designers, and illustrators working in film, television, commercials, etc., suggested legislation to allow "using AI derived imagery strictly for reference purposes and making it unacceptable to hand over a fully AI generated work as a finished concept" [27].

There are existing lawsuits that are filed against Stability AI over its Stable Diffusion image generator[26]. The outcomes of these cases could set important legal precedents and help clarify how copyright law applies to generative AI systems and the use of artists' works.

Even in the past, disruptive technologies have been a challenge for the prevailing copyright laws, leading to legal battles, court rulings, and sometimes legislative updates to adapt the legal framework. [26] notes that the law and policy often evolve much slower than the rapid pace of technological change. [26] Technologies like player pianos, cable TV, photocopiers, and MP3 players have faced copyright industry challenges in the past. While many of these legal challenges failed in court, Congress sometimes later extended protections in the aftermath. Courts typically try to balance the legitimate interests of copyright owners with the needs of developers and follow-on creators when new technologies pose unforeseen copyright questions. This could involve finding the right balance between preventing the misappropriation of artists' works while also allowing some "breathing space" for innovative technologies like generative AI to develop.

Future Possibilities for ART

Looking to the future, the one thing that is guaranteed is a significant disruption in the way we see and understand ART. This will be done by introducing new perspectives, challenging traditional boundaries, and offering novel ways of creating, analyzing, and experiencing art. Now, whether the impact would be positive or painful will depend on how artists, curators, policymakers, technologists, and the broader art community choose to embrace and integrate these technologies.

The future can be a bright one where we see AI becoming a powerful tool for artists, assisting in the creative process by generating ideas, exploring new styles, and even collaborating with human artists. It is used by organizers of art exhibitions and galleries, who select and arrange artworks based on various criteria, such as themes, styles, and emotional impact. Where it is used to create immersive and interactive art experiences where the artwork adapts and responds to the viewer's presence, movements, and emotions. Where it provides deeper insights into artworks, analyzing not only the visual elements but also the underlying meanings, cultural contexts, and emotional resonance.

However, it could also become one where Artists' reluctance to share their work and teach others reduces the ability of prospective artists to learn from experienced ones, limiting the creativity of humans as a whole. Similar to the feedback loop created by the next generations of large language models trained on the outputs of previous ones [28], if we, as humanity, rely solely on AI-generated works to provide us with the media we consume, the words we read, the art we see, we would be heading towards an ouroboros where nothing new is truly created, just a stale perpetuation of the past. In [16], the authors warn against a similar issue with future generations of large language models trained on outputs of prior ones and static data that do not reflect social change.

The future may see a shift in the focal skills required for artists, where ideation proficiency and the ability to curate and filter AI-generated content become more important than pure mechanical skill [12]. This "generative synesthesia"the harmonization of human exploration and AI exploitationmay open new opportunities for creative exploration, where artists can focus more on the ideas they represent rather than the technical execution.

While concerns about automation exist, the future may also see a more democratized and inclusive creative domain where generative AI empowers a wider range of artists.

The authors of [10] believe that deep learning approaches will continue to evolve rapidly, paving the way for computer systems to analyze and understand fine arts in the future autonomously.

In summary, AI will definitely play a prominent role in the art world, with the potential to fundamentally alter how art is created, analyzed, and understood. The future of art during the generative AI era will possibly be one of both challenges and opportunities. Adapting to the new medium, addressing issues of exploitation and displacement, and finding ways to leverage the strengths of human-AI collaboration will be crucial for the continued evolution and flourishing of art in the years to come. Technology firms and policymakers must be sensitive to the potential consequences of generative AI in creative fields and society more broadly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the concerns about AI are understandable, history has shown that technological advancements, when approached responsibly and ethically, can ultimately benefit humanity. By fostering a collaborative and inclusive approach to AI development, we can harness its potential while mitigating its risks, paving the way for a future where humans and AI coexist harmoniously.

Generative AI possesses the capability to become an excellent tool for art when the data they are trained on is not created using someone's unpaid effort and when their production is not meant to replace jobs. The true value of AI for ART is its ability to empower and complement human artists in expanding the bounds of creativity. When viewed as a powerful tool to augment an artist's vision and skills, there is no limit to what we can achieve. [5] says that as long as artificial intelligence enables artists to do more interesting work without completely displacing them, it is generally a force for good.

References

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[2] The problem with AI-generated art | Steven Zapata | TEDxBerkeley, (Oct. 12, 2023). Accessed: Jul. 07, 2024. [Online Video]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exuogrLHyxQ

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[4] Z. Epstein et al., "Art and the science of generative AI," Science, vol. 380, no. 6650, pp. 11101111, Jun. 2023, doi: 10.1126/science.adh4451.

[5] A. Ghosh and G. Fossas, "Can There be Art Without an Artist?" arXiv, 2022. doi: 10.48550/ARXIV.2209.07667.

[6] The Cover Design, ART, TECHNOLOGY, AND SCIENCE: NOTES ON THEIR HISTORICAL INTERACTION, and CYRIL STANLEY SMITH, "ART, TECHNOLOGY, AND SCIENCE: NOTES ON THEIR HISTORICAL INTERACTION."

[7] N. Derevyanko and O. Zalevska, "Comparative analysis of neural networks Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and DALL-E and ways of their implementation in the educational process of students of design specialities," Sci. Bull. Mukachevo State Univ. Ser. Pedagogy Psychol., vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 3644, Jul. 2023, doi: 10.52534/msu-pp3.2023.36.

[8] D. Hanna, "The Use of Artificial Intelligence Art Generator 'Midjourney' in Artistic and Advertising Creativity," J. Des. Sci. Appl. Arts, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 4258, Jun. 2023, doi: 10.21608/jdsaa.2023.169144.1231.

[9] J. Ploennigs and M. Berger, "Analysing the usage of AI art tools for architecture," presented at the 2023 European Conference on Computing in Construction and the 40th International CIB W78 Conference, Jul. 2023. doi: 10.35490/EC3.2023.253.

[10] G. Castellano and G. Vessio, "Deep learning approaches to pattern extraction and recognition in paintings and drawings: an overview," Neural Comput. Appl., vol. 33, no. 19, pp. 1226312282, Oct. 2021, doi: 10.1007/s00521-021-05893-z.

[11] E. Cetinic and J. She, "Understanding and Creating Art with AI: Review and Outlook," ACM Trans. Multimed. Comput. Commun. Appl., vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 122, May 2022, doi: 10.1145/3475799.

[12] E. Zhou and D. Lee, "Generative AI, Human Creativity, and Art," SSRN Electron. J., 2023, doi: 10.2139/ssrn.4594824.

[13] P. Xie and X. Li, "When AI Meets Art: the Algorithm Appreciation Effect in Creative Content," SSRN Electron. J., 2024, doi: 10.2139/ssrn.4814916.

[14] "Anna Ridler uses AI to turn 10,000 tulips into a video controlled by bitcoin." Accessed: Jul. 07, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/anna-ridler-digital-art-280619

[15] J. Oppenlaender, J. Silvennoinen, V. Paananen, and A. Visuri, "Perceptions and Realities of Text-to-Image Generation," in 26th International Academic Mindtrek Conference, Tampere Finland: ACM, Oct. 2023, pp. 279288. doi: 10.1145/3616961.3616978.

[16] H. H. Jiang et al., "AI Art and its Impact on Artists," in Proceedings of the 2023 AAAI/ACM Conference on AI, Ethics, and Society, Montr'{e}al QC Canada: ACM, Aug. 2023, pp. 363374. doi: 10.1145/3600211.3604681.

[17] "Art as Experience in: The Richness of Art Education." Accessed: Jul. 07, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://brill.com/display/book/9789087906092/BP000003.xml

[18] I. J. Goodfellow et al., "Generative Adversarial Networks." arXiv, 2014. doi: 10.48550/ARXIV.1406.2661.

[19] D. P. Kingma and M. Welling, "Auto-Encoding Variational Bayes." arXiv, 2013. doi: 10.48550/ARXIV.1312.6114.

[20] R. Rombach, A. Blattmann, D. Lorenz, P. Esser, and B. Ommer, "High-Resolution Image Synthesis with Latent Diffusion Models." arXiv, 2021. doi: 10.48550/ARXIV.2112.10752.

[21] I. Goodfellow, Y. Bengio, and A. Courville, Deep Learning. MIT Press, 2016.

[22] L. Nicoletti and D. B. T. + Equality, "Humans Are Biased. Generative AI Is Even Worse," Bloomberg.com, Jul. 02, 2024. Accessed: Jul. 07, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2023-generative-ai-bias/

[23] R. Qadri, R. Shelby, C. L. Bennett, and E. Denton, "AI's Regimes of Representation: A Community-centered Study of Text-to-Image Models in South Asia," in 2023 ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency, Chicago IL USA: ACM, Jun. 2023, pp. 506517. doi: 10.1145/3593013.3594016.

[24] R. Srinivasan and K. Uchino, "Biases in Generative Art  A Causal Look from the Lens of Art History." arXiv, Feb. 16, 2021. Accessed: Jul. 07, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://arxiv.org/abs/2010.13266

[25] "Art is Ethics  Artivism and Authors of Hispana Speak." Accessed: Jul. 07, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://arteesetica.org/

[26] P. Samuelson, "Generative AI meets copyright," Science, vol. 381, no. 6654, pp. 158161, Jul. 2023, doi: 10.1126/science.adi0656.

[27] "The Costume Designers Guild, Local 892. 2022. A Letter to Membership. (2022)."

[28] E. M. Bender, T. Gebru, A. McMillan-Major, and S. Shmitchell, "On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots: Can Language Models Be Too Big? ," in Proceedings of the 2021 ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency, Virtual Event Canada: ACM, Mar. 2021, pp. 610623. doi: 10.1145/3442188.3445922.

This work does not relate to my work at Amazon.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. Azerbaijan Army positions in Nakhchivan have been subjected to fire, Trend reports via Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense.

According to the ministry, at about 19:35 (GMT +4), the positions of the Azerbaijani Army in the direction of the Ordubad district of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic came under small arms fire from units of the Armenian armed forces.

"Units of the Azerbaijani army have taken adequate response measures in this direction," the ministry added.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Windows 10 Technical Preview

Microsoft launched its Windows 10 on Tuesday and is giving all members of its Windows Insider Programme a free look see at the new Windows 10. Microsoft is giving the Windows 10 Technical Preview version as a gesture of openness and willingness to collaborate with developers and users and get their feedback on the ultimate Windows 10 that it may launch by the end of this year.

Backdoor?

As more and more users are jumping the queue to download the Windows 10 through the Windows Insider Program, almost all of them have forgotten to check the Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions users accept while downloading the Windows 10. If you study the privacy policy you will be startled at the amount of freedom you are giving Microsoft to spy on you.

Microsoft collects information about you, your devices, applications and networks, and your use of those devices, applications and networks. Examples of data we collect include your name, email address, preferences and interests; browsing, search and file history; phone call and SMS data; device configuration and sensor data; and application usage.

The above stuff may or may not be used against any user and forms the standard of any privacy policy by any Applications maker but study a bit further and you may get more and more surprised. In a way by accepting the Windows 10 Technical Preview installation you are giving Microsoft unhindered access to your behavioural habits

We may collect information about your device and applications and use it for purposes such as determining or improving compatibility and use voice input features like speech-to-text, we may collect voice information and use it for purposes such as improving speech processing.

In simple words, Windows 10 Technical Preview is a collecting your voice, your chats, and your voice. Albeit it is doing so with your permission. The Privacy Policy also goes on to deliver further shocks.

If you open a file, we may collect information about the file, the application used to open the file, and how long it takes any use [of] it for purposes such as improving performance, or [if you] enter text, we may collect typed characters, we may collect typed characters and use them for purposes such as improving autocomplete and spell check features.

The above said input recording methods are a classic keylogger malware features. In absolute terms you are giving permission for Microsoft to screen your files and keep a log of your keyboard and other inputs. Renowned Windows blogger Mary Jo Foley recently said, Ive heard Microsoft built a new real-time telemetry system codenamed Asimov (yes, another Halo-influenced codename) that lets the OS team see in near real-time whats happening on users machines.

Microsoft has not yet commented on what it do with all the data it will generate from all the Windows 10 Technical Preview users but you are definitely signing on a spyware when you install the Windows 10 on your machine. Still, the service can be protected from WiFi and hacking with VPN for Windows but whether this is enough to offset the amount of data you would give to Microsoft depends largely on the user.

Users rarely read the EULA / Privacy Policy / Terms and Conditions.

It is a fact that 99 people out of 100 users downloading and installing a software rarely read the EULA / Privacy Policy / Terms and Conditions. To prove this F-Secure, the security blog made a fascinating discovery on how exactly people react to the really dumb privacy policy. Their second objective was to research on whether people would really sign up for a private open WiFi

They asked Finn Steglich of the German penetration testing company, SySS, to build a WiFi hotspot, take it out on the streets of London, and set it up and wait for folks to connect. With the free service they put up a very outlandish T & C which every user willing to use this free WiFi would have accept. F-Secure blog notes that,

One of the terms stipulated that the user must give up their firstborn child or most beloved pet in exchange for WiFi use. In the short time the T&C page was active, six people agreed to the outlandish clause.

The F-Secure experiment proves that humans are fallible to free goodies and would sign up for almost anything once they come to know it is free. Though F-Secure would never take your first born child or your beloved pet, but technically you did be required to hand over the same once you sign up for the free WiFi.

Ditto for Windows 10 Technical Preview. Once you sign up for the free download, there is no stopping Microsoft from using your chats, voice scans and other details though it may never use them. But you have accepted and let them use it!!!
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Tuesday warned that malicious cyber actors from North Korea are carrying out specialized, difficult-to-detect social engineering campaigns against cryptocurrency companies and their employees to deploy malware and steal company cryptocurrency.

North Korean social engineering schemes are complex and elaborate, often compromising victims with sophisticated technical acumen. Given the scale and persistence of this malicious activity, even those well versed in cybersecurity practices can be vulnerable to North Koreas determination to compromise networks connected to cryptocurrency assets, wrote the FBI in a public service announcement.

According to the FBI, over the last several months, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) has been conducting research targeting individuals connected to cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs), particularly those involved in decentralized finance (DeFi) apps.

This involves extensive pre-operational research and customized fictional scenarios uniquely designed to exploit the targeted persons specific interests and connections.

It suggests that they may attempt potential malicious cyberattacks against companies associated with cryptocurrency ETFs or other crypto-related financial products in the future.

The FBI also warned organizations with access to large quantities of cryptocurrency-related assets or products to be aware of North Korean threat actors, as they are also at risk of being targeted.

Their methods include impersonating prominent people associated with certain technologies, creating fake scenarios involving new employment or corporate investment tailored to the victims background and interests, and deploying malware through prolonged conversations with prospective victims.

North Korean fake scenarios often include offers of new employment or corporate investment. The actors may reference personal information, interests, affiliations, events, personal relationships, professional connections, or details a victim may believe are known to few others, the FBI warns.

The actors usually attempt to initiate prolonged conversations with prospective victims to build rapport and deliver malware in situations that may appear natural and non-alerting. If successful in establishing bidirectional contact, the initial actor, or another member of the actors team, may spend considerable time engaging with the victim to increase the sense of legitimacy and engender familiarity and trust.

To increase the credibility of their schemes, these threat actors impersonate known contacts, recruiting firms, or technology companies backed by professional websites and use realistic imagery, including pictures stolen from open social media profiles, as well as fake images of time sensitive events to get immediate action from intended victims

The actors may also impersonate recruiting firms or technology companies backed by professional websites designed to make the fake entities appear legitimate. Examples of fake North Korean websites can be found in affidavits to seize 17 North Korean domains, as announced by the Department of Justice in October 2023, the FBI added.

As per the FBI, these threat actors usually communicate with victims in fluent or nearly fluent English and deeply understand the technical aspects of the cryptocurrency field.

The FBI has also provided a list of potential indicators of North Korean social engineering activity and mitigation methods that the cryptocurrency industry and its employees should follow to protect their assets against these sophisticated cyber threats.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Samir Sharifov met with Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Igor Nazaruk, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports.

During the meeting it was especially emphasized that the dialogue at the highest level gave an important impetus to the expansion of cooperation between the two countries, strengthening the existing strategic partnership relations and developing dynamic cooperation.

The issues of cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres, as well as in international and regional organizations, regional security issues, as well as other issues of mutual interest were discussed.

The activities of the joint intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Belarus in deepening bilateral economic ties, identifying new promising areas of cooperation were especially noted.

It was emphasized that there are favorable opportunities for new areas of cooperation within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

Along with this, an exchange of views on the legal framework between the two countries took place.
Japan ex-whaler says Watson activists endangered lives



Tokyo, Sept 4 (AFP) Sep 04, 2024



Former harpooner Shintaro Takeda said it was lucky no one died in the ugly clashes between Japanese whaling ships and Sea Shepherd environmental activists off Antarctica some 15 years ago.

In the 2000s and 2010s the activists played a rough high-seas game of cat and mouse with Japanese ships as they sought to slaughter hundreds of whales every year for "scientific purposes".

Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson, 73, is in custody in Greenland and Japan wants to extradite the US-Canadian campaigner over the alleged damage and injuries caused. A court hearing on his continued detention was due later Wednesday.

The activists "tried to wrap ropes around our propeller, and all kinds of things, which escalated year by year," Takeda, 54, told AFP in Tokyo.

"Sea Shepherd's ship rammed into the (Japanese whaler) Shonan Maru No 2 and sank. No one died but I think it was close," he said, referring to Sea Shepherd's high-tech Ady Gil which went down in 2010.

Takeda, who now works on land for Japan's whaling company Kyodo Senpaku, said he witnessed another collision close-up.

"I had never expected the activists would go be extreme... the Japanese ship was leaning over so badly that I thought it might capsize," he said.

Over the years "on our side some people suffered injuries and there were no deaths. But that kind of collision could have led to a serious situation," he said.

In many incidents that often continued through the night, the group "threw bottles of butyric acid," which injured Japanese crew members with chemical burns, Takeda said.

"I think there should be various opinions including anti-whaling, but appealing to violence is wrong," he said.



- 'Terrorist actions' -



Sea Shepherd has said that it was their vessels that were repeatedly rammed by Japanese ships, not the other way around, amongst other dangerous tactics.

The Japanese government has said very little about the Watson case, confirming only that it has sought extradition and that the decision was up to Denmark, which administers Greenland.

But the president of whaling firm Kyodo Senpaku told AFP that he was all in favour of Watson being brought to Japan over Sea Shepherd's "terrorist actions".

"No matter what argument they use, what they did were terrorist actions... It is normal that he (Watson) should come to Japan, face a fair court ruling and receive punishment for his crime," said Hideki Tokoro.

"If we let him go again, he will come to Japan and sabotage our work again, he will put us at danger again," Tokoro said.

Watson is no longer part of Sea Shepherd and Tokoro said that his new organisation, the Captain Paul Watson Foundation (CPWF), is "simply a fund-raising business."

Since Watson's detention in July, the group has raised "a great deal of funding, which is their business. What they are doing is not anything to do with environment protection," he said.



- 'Mother ship' -



Japan eventually halted its hunts in the Antarctic and North Pacific and since 2019 has only caught whales in its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.

In May, Japan launched a new "mother ship", the Kangei Maru, to butcher the 200 marine mammals that its fleet plans to catch this year and store their meat.

The CPWF says that its vessel the John Paul DeJoria was on its way to intercept the Kangei Maru when Watson was arrested.

Activists believe that in building the new ship, Japan intends to resume whaling in the Southern Ocean, but Tokoro denied this.

"As far as we operate commercial whaling, we will never, ever go to the southern waters," he told AFP.



- 'Melt-in-the-mouth' -



Japan hunts after Bryde's, minke and sei whales, and recently expanded the list to include fin whales, the second-largest animal species on the planet after the blue.

Tokoro's company has so far caught four fin whales, but will not likely to meet the catch limit of 59 set by the government because the catch approval was "very late," he said.

After the first one, which weighed more than 50 tons, was caught on August 1 the company organised a tasting event.

"It was really delicious. Really delicious. They live in the cold ocean, so the fat is very soft," Tokoro said.

"Bryde's whale has a bit of a crunchy texture, but fin whale meat melts in your mouth. You don't need to chew it at all."
Greta Thunberg arrested at pro-Palestinian demo in Denmark



Copenhagen, Sept 4 (AFP) Sep 04, 2024



Greta Thunberg and a group of activists were arrested on Wednesday after occupying a University of Copenhagen building to call for an academic boycott of Israeli universities, Danish media reported.

Images on daily Ekstrabladet showed the 21-year-old climate activist, wearing a black-and-white keffiyeh shawl draped over her shoulders, being escorted out of a campus building by police.

Thunberg meanwhile shared images on Instagram of riot police entering a building where the group "Students against the Occupation" were staging a protest.

"I can't confirm the names of those arrested, but six people have been arrested in connection with the demonstration," a Copenhagen police spokesman told AFP.

"They are suspected of forcing their way into the building and blocking the entrance," he said.

The Students against the Occupation said in a statement posted on Instagram that "while the situation in Palestine only gets worse, the University of Copenhagen continues cooperation with academic institutions in Israel."

"We are occupying" the university's "central administration with one demand: academic boycott now."

Pro-Palestinian protesters have set up encampments at universities around the United States and Europe since last spring to protest against Israel's bombardment of Gaza and occupation of Palestinian territories.
South Korea says climate court ruling won't hurt business



Seoul, Sept 4 (AFP) Sep 04, 2024



A landmark court verdict that found South Korea's climate goals were "unconstitutional" would not affect major businesses and it would be easy to revise targets that were ruled to be insufficient, a government minister said.

The Constitutional Court's ruling last week forced the government to improve its environmental plan from 2031 onwards in an important victory for young climate activists who brought the case.

Seoul's climate goals were "ruled unconstitutional not because we have a low target" Choe Nam-ho, vice minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, told AFP on Wednesday.

"The constitutional petition was made in the sense that it would be better to present a clearer goal," he said.

"We already have plans set till 2030, and our final goal for 2050, so all we have to do is have a discussion on what to do between then," Choe told AFP at the World Climate Industry Expo in the southern port city of Busan.

South Korea made a legally binding commitment in 2021 to reduce carbon emissions by 290 million tons by 2030 and to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Choe said any revision of targets was unlikely to affect South Korea's economy or major companies.

"I don't think it's going to have a significant impact on businesses," he said, because "most companies and the government already knew the general direction".

"We respect the Constitutional Court's decision as much as possible. We also plan to cooperate as much as possible to correct the decision," he said.

To meet its 2021 goal, South Korea needs to reduce emissions by 5.4 percent every year from 2023 -- a target it has so far failed to meet.
British hiker found dead, another missing in Spain's Mallorca after storm



Madrid, Sept 4 (AFP) Sep 04, 2024



A British hiker has been found dead and another is missing on the Spanish island of Mallorca after heavy rains swept over the popular tourist destination, emergency services said Wednesday.

"One of the hikers has been found dead. The Guardia Civil police and the fire brigade of Mallorca continue the search for the other missing person," emergency services in the Balearic Islands, which include Mallorca, wrote on social network X.

Emergency services have been looking for the two British hikers since Monday night in an area of mountains in Mallorca where the Torrente de Pareis canyon descends to the Mediterranean, a spokeswoman for the service told AFP without giving further details.

According to Spanish media, the hiker whose body was recovered is a 32-year-old man, while the other, who is missing, is a woman. They were apparently swept away by flash flooding in the area.

Local authorities had on Tuesday called for people to be careful due to the "very intense storms" that were expected.

"Avoid outdoor activities (going to the beach, hiking, water sports)," the archipelago's emergency services warned on X.

The Mediterranean island, known for its picturesque beaches and sunny weather, is one of Europe's most visited destinations. It is especially popular with German and British tourists.
Greta Thunberg arrested at pro-Palestinian demo in Denmark



Copenhagen, Sept 4 (AFP) Sep 04, 2024



Climate activist Greta Thunberg and several others were arrested Wednesday after occupying a University of Copenhagen building to call for an academic boycott of Israeli universities, Danish media reported.

Images on the daily Ekstra Bladet website showed the 21-year-old activist, wearing a black-and-white keffiyeh shawl draped over her shoulders, being escorted out of a campus building by police.

Thunberg herself shared images on Instagram of riot police entering a building where the group "Students against the Occupation" were staging a protest.

"I can't confirm the names of those arrested, but six people have been arrested in connection with the demonstration," a Copenhagen police spokesman told AFP.

Three of them "are suspected of forcing their way into the building and blocking the entrance", he said.

The six were released several hours later, the spokesman told AFP, and video footage published by Ekstra Bladet showed Thunberg walking out of the police station.

Students against the Occupation said in an Instagram statement that "while the situation in Palestine only gets worse, the University of Copenhagen continues cooperation with academic institutions in Israel".

"We are occupying" the university's "central administration with one demand: academic boycott now."

Pro-Palestinian protesters have set up encampments at universities around the United States and Europe since last spring to protest against Israel's bombardment of Gaza and occupation of Palestinian territories.
'Russian spy' whale was shot dead: animal rights groups



Oslo, Sept 4 (AFP) Sep 04, 2024



Animal rights groups said Wednesday that gunfire killed a beluga whale that rose to fame in Norway after its unusual harness sparked suspicions the creature had been trained by Russia as a spy.

The organisations NOAH and One Whale said they had filed a complaint with Norwegian police asking them to open a criminal investigation.

Nicknamed "Hvaldimir" in a pun on the Norwegian word for whale (hval) and its purported ties to Moscow, the white beluga first appeared off the coast in Norway's far-northern Finnmark region in 2019.

A celebrity in Norway, he was found dead Saturday in a bay on the country's southwestern coast.

His body was transported to a local branch of the Norwegian Veterinary Institute on Monday for an autopsy.

The report is expected "within three weeks", a spokeswoman for the institute said.

"He had multiple bullet wounds around his body," Regina Crosby Haug, the head of One Whale, which was founded to track the beluga, told AFP after viewing Hvaldimir's body on Monday.

Photographs published Wednesday by the two organisations showed what appeared to be bullets lodged in holes in the animal's blood-streaked body.

"The injuries on the whale are alarming and of a nature that cannot rule out a criminal act -- it is shocking," NOAH director Siri Martinsen said in a statement.

"Given the suspicion of a criminal act, it is crucial that the police are involved quickly," she said.

Police confirmed they had received a complaint and said they would look into the matter "to determine whether there are reasonable motives to launch an investigation".

The Veterinary Institute told AFP that "if something suspicious were to come up" under the autopsy, "police would be informed".

When Hvaldimir was found in 2019, Norwegian marine biologists removed a man-made harness with a mount suited for an action camera and the words "Equipment St. Petersburg" printed in English on the plastic clasps.

Norwegian officials said Hvaldimir might have escaped an enclosure and been trained by the Russian navy, as he appeared to be accustomed to humans.

Moscow has never issued any official reaction to speculation that he could be a "Russian spy".



- Rival groups -



A third organisation that had also tracked the whale's movements, Marine Mind, said it found Hvaldimir's dead body floating in the water on Saturday at around 2:30 pm (1230 GMT).

"There was nothing to immediately reveal the cause of death," director Sebastian Strand told AFP. "We saw markings but it's too early to say what the cause of death was."

He said that some of the markings were probably caused by marine birds, but that there was no explanation for the others at this stage.

One Whale and Marine Mind had been at odds over how to best protect Hvaldimir.

Citing the risk of a collision with ships, One Whale had called for him to be transferred to the Barents Sea off northern Norway, a more natural habitat for belugas.

But Marine Mind had opposed the idea, arguing that a transport could pose a danger to his life.

With an estimated age of 15 to 20, Hvaldimir was relatively young for a beluga whale, which typically live 30 to 35 years, according to the WWF.

In 2019, the hypothesis of a "spy whale" was fuelled by the strategic location of the Barents Sea, a hotbed of East-West rivalry during the Cold War.

Moscow's most powerful navy fleet is based in the Barents Sea, and Russia and the West continue to track the movements of each other's submarines in the region.

The region is also the gateway to the Northeast Passage, which shortens shipping routes considerably between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. The extradition of an Azerbaijani national, who was on the international wanted list, has been ensured, Trend reports, referring to the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan.

It is noted that based on the petition of the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan, the authorized bodies of Georgia made a decision on the extradition of a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan Rauf Kazimov under the requirements of the Convention on Legal Assistance, and Legal Relations in Civil, Family, and Criminal Cases of 22.01.1993.

To delve into details, under Article 178.3.2 of the Criminal Code (fraud committed with significant damage), the Binagadi district prosecutor's office of Baku city established reasonable suspicion of committing a criminal act by Rauf Kazimov. Consequently, a decision was taken to involve him as a defendant and he was declared internationally wanted.

To note, Rauf Kazimov was apprehended on September 3, 2024, in Georgia and transported to Azerbaijan via a special convoy of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan.
British hiker found dead, another missing in Spain's Mallorca after storm



Madrid, Sept 4 (AFP) Sep 04, 2024



A British hiker has been found dead and another is missing on the Spanish island of Mallorca after heavy rains swept over the popular tourist destination, emergency services said Wednesday.

Emergency services have been looking for the two hikers since Monday night in an area of mountains in Mallorca where the Torrent de Pareis canyon descends to the Mediterranean, a police spokeswoman told AFP.

"The body found is that of a woman and the missing person is a man," police said in a statement, adding the search for the man had been suspended because of poor weather but would resume when conditions improved.

Juan Carlos Rodriguez, the head of the Mountain Rescue Group brigade in the Balearic islands, told reporters they had rescued ten people who were hiking in the canyon and "were surprised by the storm".

"They were the ones who told us that they had seen two people who had been swept away by the water," he said.

"When you don't look at the weather before, and you are in a foreign country doing sport tourism, or sun and beach tourism, that leads to people having accidents," he added.

Local authorities had called for people to be careful due to the "very intense storms" that were expected.

"Avoid outdoor activities (going to the beach, hiking, water sports)," the archipelago's emergency services warned on X.

Mallorca remained on alert on Wednesday for heavy rains and strong winds, with the national weather office Aemet warning that gusts of over 120 kilometres (75 miles) per hour were possible.

The Mediterranean island, known for its picturesque beaches and sunny weather, is one of Europe's most visited destinations. It is especially popular with German and British tourists.
Colombia police foil attack in Cali, host of COP16 summit



Bogota, Sept 4 (AFP) Sep 04, 2024



Colombian police said Wednesday they had foiled an attempted "terrorist act" involving a car loaded with explosives in the western city of Cali, host of next month's COP16 UN biodiversity summit.

The summit will take place under tight security amid threats from a rebel group that has ramped up shooting and bomb attacks in towns around Cali in recent months, setting authorities on edge.

Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder said a car loaded with explosives was found and deactivated outside a church, with a health center and police station nearby.

"Thanks to the timely reaction of the police this morning we were able to prevent an apparent terrorist act in the El Vallado neighborhood, in the city of Cali," Eder said in a press statement.

"This is the fourth attempt at a terrorist act so far this year," he added.

Police commander Colonel German Cornejo said locals had alerted officers about a "suspicious" vehicle that had been "parked and running for several hours."

Some 12,000 delegates and exhibitors, as well as heads of state, are expected to take part in the summit from October 21 to November 1, in one of the world's most biodiverse countries.

Cali is the capital of the southwestern Valle del Cauca department, the main coca-growing region in Colombia, the world's largest cocaine producer.

The department is the stronghold of the Central General Staff (EMC) guerrilla group made up of fighters who broke away from the FARC movement when it signed a peace deal in 2016.

In July, the EMC warned the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity "will fail."

But, in August, the group decreed "the suspension of offensive military operations against public forces" in Cali.

Being granted COP16 host status was a major coup for Gustavo Petro, Colombia's first-ever leftist president, who campaigned on an ambitious conservation and climate change program.

Petro has seen his quest to achieve "total peace" in a nation struggling to emerge from decades of armed conflict bogged down in complicated negotiations with a variety of armed groups.

The EMC recently split into supporters of Petro's peace efforts and opponents led by a man known as Ivan Mordisco, who commands an estimated 2,000 fighters.
Oil drilling sparks Indigenous outcry as spills tarnish Ecuador Amazon



Guiyero, Ecuador, Sept 4 (AFP) Sep 04, 2024



A thick slick of oil covers part of an estuary in the Ecuadoran Amazon, where the Indigenous Waorani people are imploring authorities to stop drilling for the black gold that keeps spilling into their environment.

Black sludge also coats the vegetation alongside a road leading to the village of Guiyero in Yasuni National Park, one of the most diverse biospheres in the world.

"It's time to say enough! They've abused us," Ene Nenquimo, vice president of the Waorani Nationality (Nawe) organization, told AFP, wearing a headdress of multicoloured feathers.

The oil spill occurred in June, according to environmentalists, the latest of many in the reserve.

State-owned oil company Petroecuador admitted that an undetermined amount of oil leaked into the environment from one of its blocks, contaminating water sources in several towns and reaching the Napo River, a tributary of the Amazon.

"Big lizards died," lamented Pablo Ahua, 44, one of the nearly 100 Indigenous people who live in Guiyero, near one of the reserve's oil wells.



- Referendum deadline passes -



Yasuni National Park was thrust into the international spotlight last year after Ecuadorans voted to stop drilling in one block in the reserve, a move hailed as a historic example of climate democracy.

The reserve stretches over one million hectares (2.5 million acres) and is home to at least three of the world's last uncontacted Indigenous populations and a bounty of plant and animal species.

The referendum required the goverment to stop extracting from Block 43 by August -- however, only one of its 247 wells have been shut down.

The government estimates that it will take at least five years to cut all production from the block, which produces 50,000 barrels per day, about 10 percent of the total output in the country.

Nenquimo said the Ecuadoran state "must respect" the referendum, "like it or not."

Some locals, like Nenquimo, want to stop all oil extraction in the reserve and elsewhere in the Ecuadoran Amazon.

The oil spills leave "an immense impact that no one can remedy," said Nenquimo.

"They say (the oil) is for the development of communities and there is no development. All it leaves is environmental damage."



- 'We are forgotten' -



However, others support the oil companies and the benefits that economic growth have brought to their villages.

In 2023, Ecuador estimated losses of $16.47 billion over two decades if it were to close Block 43 -- one of 80 blocks in the part of the Amazon that falls in the country.

Oil exploitation has been one of the pillars of Ecuador's economy since the 1970s.

Crude oil, its leading export, generated revenues of $7.8 billion in 2023.

Indigenous communites are the worst affected by poverty in Ecuador, which stood at 25.5 percent in June. Extreme poverty affects over 10 percent of the country's population of 17 million.

"We are not cared for, we are forgotten" due to the lack of essential services such as healthcare, said Nenquimo.

The Waorani tribe is made up of some 4,000 people who own some 800,000 hectares (2 million acres) in the Amazon, although they claim 1.2 million hectares (3 million acres) more.

In Ecuador, the Constitution recognizes Indigenous people's "collective ownership of land as an ancestral form of territorial organization."

The state, however, maintains control over anything under the soil.



- 'High rates of cancer' -



Kevin Koenig, from the NGO Amazon Watch, highlighted another danger for Yasuni's residents: the links between those who live near oil wells and "high rates of cancer."

He urged developed countries to finance environmental protection with alternatives such as debt swaps.

Yasuni National Park houses species of some 2,000 trees, 610 birds, 204 mammals, 150 amphibians and more than 120 reptiles, according to San Francisco University of Quito.

In Guiyero, a group of Indigenous men, nude and carrying spears, sing in their language, wao terero.

"They are saying: Help us defend our territory," said translator Freddy Nihua, leader of the the Wao of Orellana, one of Yasuni's two provinces.
China-Africa cooperation: Improving livelihoods

People's Daily Online) 08:29, September 04, 2024

The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing from Sept. 4 to 6.

The China-Africa friendship and partnership has been built up through various channels, with infrastructure and job creation standing at the forefront. Earlier this month, Tang Wenhong, China's assistant minister of commerce, explained that Chinese companies have created 1.1 million jobs for African locals in the past three years.

Chinese contractors have completed dozens of landmark projects, as well as "small but beautiful" projects, in the fields of transportation, energy, electricity, and housing. Together, these projects have gone a long way in improving the people's livelihoods.

For instance, China Communication Construction Company (CCCC) and its subsidiaries have completed multiple projects in the areas of transportation and hydroelectricity. These projects have positively impacted local lives.

Let's explore some of the China-Africa infrastructure projects.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chengliang)
US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed deep concern over Georgia's political direction, which is moving the country away from its Euro-Atlantic trajectory. In response to the situation, the US diplomat stated that the forcible registration of organisations as foreign agents is concerning."We are concerned about the enforcement of this legislation against organisations that have not voluntarily registered, including critically important civil society organisations and independent media."As part of a comprehensive review of bilateral relations, the U.S. has already implemented visa restrictions on dozens of Georgian citizens, including members of the Georgian Dream party, parliamentarians, and law enforcement officials. Additionally, $95 million in aid benefiting the Georgian government has been suspended. The review process continues, with the diplomat warning, "Further steps are not ruled out."At the 8th Tbilisi International Conference, former European Parliamentarian Anna Fotyga emphasised that Georgia's EU accession process hinges on the actions of its government, not just public sentiment. While acknowledging the Georgian people's strong pro-European stance, Fotyga noted, "Society does not negotiate; therefore, society must realize the importance of representative government if it wants to move in the European direction."Fotyga expressed concern over the current situation in Georgia but clarified that sanctions are not an appropriate response to rhetoric. She also criticised the influence of oligarchs, stating, "One person, an oligarch, is harmful to the economy and social order," and urged Georgians to address this issue themselves.
KALBAJAR, Azerbaijan, September 4. The newly inaugurated "Istisu" substation will supply electricity to crucial facilities in the Kalbajar district, including the under-construction Istisu sanatorium and the Istisu mineral water plant, Trend reports.

The substation is powered through a dual-circuit overhead line with a capacity of 110 kV from the 110/35 kV Kalbajar substation, Deputy Head of Operations at the Karabakh Regional Office of Azerishig, Rashad Ibrahimov told reporters.

"Istisu substation will contribute to the creation of a 110 kV ring power supply scheme by connecting with the 110/35 kV Gorchu and Lachin substations," Ibrahimov said.

The substation is equipped with two 110 kV transformers with a capacity of 40 MVA each, along with modern 110- and 35-kV gas-insulated switchgear. It is integrated into an automated SCADA system and features remote control telecommunication devices, a modern electronic relay protection system, and automation.

Future plans include installing 35 kV lines with self-supporting insulated conductors to ensure stable electricity supply to the villages of Istisu, Alagollar, Zeylik, Zar, and other regions.

The facility is also designed to integrate renewable energy sources, with provisions for staff quarters, control rooms, and security. The area is landscaped with trees and equipped with an irrigation system.

On September 2, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev participated in the inauguration of the 110/35/10 kV Istisu substation, owned by Azerishig OJSC, in the Istisu settlement of the Kalbajar district.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. Employees of the State Committee on Work with the Diaspora of Azerbaijan met with members of the board of the Azerbaijani-American Youth Federation (AAYF) during a visit to the US, Trend reports.

The meeting brought together Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora Elshad Aliyev, Head of Department at the Diaspora Committee Salhat Abbasova, the committee employee Zaur Salmanov, employee of the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the UN Javid Ismayilov, AAYF Social Media Director Leyla Aslanova, and board members.

Aliyev spoke about the diaspora policy of the Azerbaijani state and the activities of the committee.

He noted that a patriotic youth has formed among Azerbaijanis abroad, characterized by high intellectual levels and the ability to easily integrate into the societies in which they live.

Besides, he expressed confidence that the new generation of the diaspora will play an important role in developing relations between countries and will advocate for the position and interests of Azerbaijan.

Aslanova briefed attendees about the organization's future plans and goals.

She thanked the committee for its support of the first Azerbaijani-American Youth Forum, emphasizing that members of her organization received an invitation and successfully held the event.

The meeting included a broad exchange of views on expanding the organization's membership, increasing member activity, and implementing various projects.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Valley, Chris Hammer

Allen & Unwin, $34.99, October 1

The Valley, by master of crime fiction Chris Hammer (his 2019 debut Scrublands was an international bestseller, followed quickly by five more), is the fourth in a series featuring detective Ivan Lucic and his offsider, Nell Buchanan. Here the murder victim turns out to be a close relative of Nells, exposing her past. Gripping (as always). Wing, Nikki Gemmell

Fourth Estate, $34.99, October 2

Described as a cross between Lord of the Flies and Picnic at Hanging Rock, Nikki Gemmells Wing explores what it is to be a young woman today. Four year-10 girls from an exclusive school go missing in the bush on a school excursion and a male teacher goes looking for them. The girls eventually emerge, traumatised, but the teacher does not. A deftly plotted, taut, compulsive read. Robbie Arnott has won the Age Book of the Year Award twice. Credit: Peter Mathew Dusk, Robbie Arnott

Picador, $34.99, October 8

Robbie Arnott, a two-time winner of the Age Book of the Year Award, is renowned for sensitive, nuanced writing about the interconnection between the human and natural worlds. In Dusk, twins Iris and Floyd set off into the highlands in pursuit of a Dusk, a puma killing animals and humans. Reluctant hunters who need the bounty on offer, they face unexpected challenges on their quest. Rapture, Emily Maguire

Allen & Unwin, $32.99, October 1

The eighth novel by former Miles Franklin shortlisted author Emily Maguire, tells the intriguing story of the brilliant Agnes, daughter of a priest in ninth-century Mainz, who runs away disguised as a man so she can pursue the religious study she would be denied as a woman. Compelling.

Emily Maguire is publishing her eighth novel. Credit: Janie Barrett The Deal, Alex Miller

Allen & Unwin, $32.99, October 1

Alex Miller, twice winner of the Miles Franklin, returns in his 14th novel, The Deal, to topics close to his heart  love and art. In 1975, teacher and writer Andy, happily married to Jo, agrees with his artist friend Lang to do something Jo is not comfortable with. Trouble ensues, pitting the commercial reality of the art market against Andys ideals. Juice, Tim Winton

Hamish Hamilton, $49.99, October 1

In Tim Wintons first novel since The Shepherds Hut (2018), a man and a child are on the run. Having driven through the night, they arrive at an abandoned mine site hoping to find refuge, believing no one is there. They are wrong. Juice, Winton has said, means human resilience and moral courage, and there is that in spades in this complex, riveting book already being hailed as a masterpiece. INTERNATIONAL

Creation Lake, Rachel Kushner

Jonathan Cape, $34.99, September

If youre in the market for a whip-smart, wickedly funny thriller, look no further than American writer Rachel Kushners Creation Lake, in which American undercover agent Sadie is sent to a remote part of France to infiltrate a group of eco-terrorists, whose mysterious leader lives in a cave and is anti-civilisation.

Gabriels Moon, William Boyd

Viking, $34.99, September 10

Prolific and widely celebrated British writer William Boyds 17th novel (others include Restless and Any Human Heart) is an ingeniously plotted, old-school spy thriller. Gabriel Dax, a travel writer orphaned as a young boy, is reluctantly lured by an MI6 handler into life as a spy in 1960s London. A new book by Elizabeth Strout is always something to look forward to. Credit: Getty Images Tell Me Everything, Elizabeth Strout

Viking, $34.99, September 10

A new novel by the Pulitzer-winning American novelist is always something to look forward to, with beautiful writing and warm, empathetic exploration of human relationships. In her 10th, she brings together two of her well-known characters, writer Lucy Barton and quirky Olive Kitteridge, who bond as they exchange stories about people they know  some happy, some tragic. Entitlement, Rumaan Alam

Bloomsbury, $32.99, September 17

American writer Rumaan Alams last book, Leave the World Behind, was an international bestseller (and made into a Netflix movie starring Julia Roberts). Entitlement, set in New York in 2014, grapples with the same fraught issues  class, gender, race, privilege and morality  or lack of it. An idealistic young black woman forms a friendship with her employer, a billionaire 83-year-old philanthropist, raising interesting questions about power and whos using whom. The Last Dream, Pedro Almodovar

Harvill Secker, $34.99, September 24

Multi-award-winning Spanish film director Pedro Almodovar describes The Last Dream as a fragmentary autobiography. It consists of 12 pieces of fiction and non-fiction written since the 1960s. Some pieces are clearly autobiographical (there are some great ones on writing), others fantastical. All, he says, demonstrate the close connection between what I write, what I film and what I live. Its fascinating.

Our Evenings, Alan Hollinghurst

Picador, $34.99, October 8

Best known for his 2004 Booker Prize-winning The Line of Beauty, Alan Hollinghurst once again interrogates issues around class, privilege, race and sexuality in contemporary England. Dave is a half-Burmese scholarship boy whose school life is made miserable by bullies such as Giles, the son of his benefactors. Dave becomes an actor, Giles a reactionary politician. Their lives diverge, then shockingly collide. Brilliant. Annihilation, Michel Houellebecq

Picador, $34.99, September 24

Described as the final book by bestselling but controversial French writer Michel Houellebecq, Annihilation is set in France in 2027. The country is in disarray and hurtling towards elections when it is subject to a series of cyberattacks. Political advisor Paul Raison is on the job. This was a bestseller in France and Germany in 2022. Blue Ruin, Hari Kunzru

Scribner, $34.99, September 18

British writer Hari Kunzru (Red Pill, White Tears) sets Blue Ruin in pandemic-stricken New York, where Jay, formerly an artist in London, is living in his car and delivering groceries. On a delivery, he encounters Alice, an ex-girlfriend whom he hasnt seen since she ran off with his best friend Rob 25 years earlier. She and Rob are living a life of prosperity. The disparity in their situations triggers a reckoning on both parts. Sally Rooneys Intermezzo deals with grief and love through the experiences of two brothers. Credit: Intermezzo, Sally Rooney,

Allen & Unwin, $34.99, September 24

Zeitgeisty Irish writer Sally Rooney (Normal People) writes about grief, love and family in Intermezzo, in which two quite different brothers  one a lawyer, one a chess master - deal with the death of their father and its aftermath.
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When the Emmys hand out the statuettes on September 16, it will be one of the more unpredictable ceremonies in years. With no Succession dominating the drama and acting categories (it won six awards in this years strike-delayed 2023 Emmys, making it a total of 19 wins over its four seasons), a power vacuum has opened up.

Does that mean its The Morning Shows time to shine or will Shogun, with its 25 nominations, put its competition to the sword? Its just as unpredictable in the comedy category: will The Bear repeat its six wins for season one, or will the trophy go to an actual comedy (you know, those things that make you laugh)?

Here is an incomplete predictions list that also serves as a TV catch-up before the 76th Emmy Awards.

Tadanobu Asano (middle) as Kashigi Yabushige in outstanding drama favourite Shogun. Credit: Katie Yu / FX

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES

3 Body Problem; Fallout; Mr. & Mrs. Smith; Slow Horses; The Crown; The Gilded Age; The Morning Show

Its said that nature abhors a vacuum, so with Succession out of the picture, which show will fill the critical and pop culture void that the Roy family occupied? The Crowns final season was a wild mess that couldnt even be saved by the ghost of Princess Diana, while season three of The Morning Show, despite being stronger than the disaster that was season two, leant more to high-end soap than solid drama (see also The Gilded Age). Newbies Fallout, Mr. & Mrs. Smith and 3 Body Problem were all critical hits, but possibly too early in their runs to snatch a trophy. That leaves top-shelf British spy thriller Slow Horses, which has finally broken through with its third season, and Shogun, the reboot of the 1980 miniseries based on James Clavells bestselling 1975 book. Theres a lot of love for Shogun, which has backed up its critical acclaim with monster numbers for Disney+, racking up 9 million streaming views globally over its first six days of release (outside the US, meanwhile, it even beat The Kardashians on numbers). Numbers aside, Shogun is astonishing TV that rewards close attention with its complicated characters, attention to detail and predilection for killing off major characters. WINNER: Shogun
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Exclusive Eating outComing soon Melbournes favourite Thai restaurant is exiting the car park, and adding a second venue Soi 38 is moving to new CBD digs that are less hidden but hold plenty of other perks. Plus, theres a second restaurant on the way. Emma Breheny September 5, 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

After a decade, Melbournes best-known Thai restaurant, Soi 38, is about to exit the multistorey car park that has brought it fans and fame, moving to a larger purpose-built restaurant before the end of the year. The move comes as the City of Melbourne prepares to sell the land on which the car park is located via a public expression of interest process. Soi 38s landlord, Dexus, has a lease on the site until 2037, but the new location will mean more seats and a better-equipped kitchen. Soi 38 restaurants owners, Tang Piyaphanee and Top Piyaphanee, outside the car park restaurant. Simon Schluter Located down a laneway in a blink-and-youll-miss-it shop within a CBD car park, Soi quickly developed a following that was as much about its food as its quirky location. Offering full-tilt representations of popular Thai street dishes such as boat noodles, founders Andy Buchan (Pour Diane) and Top Piyaphanee jolted Melbournes then-sedate Thai food scene to life.

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The restaurant won The Age Good Food Guides 2024 Critics Pick award and in its wake, a Thai Town has flourished along Bourke Streets east end. Boat noodles were one of the first dishes served at Soi 38. Wayne Taylor But it hasnt been easy to operate a restaurant in a car park. The kitchen has been unable to use gas, limiting the style of dishes served. And until it expanded in 2022, the space accommodated just 45 people but attracted many more, who formed queues outside at lunch and dinner. Adding more seats was a bonus but strained the small kitchen. At its new home, inside the under-renovation Tivoli Arcade at 235 Bourke Street, Soi 38 will have room for 300 diners, three separate seating areas and gas for wok cooking. That means stir-fries will be on the menu for the first time, including one of Thailands best-loved dishes, pad krapao, using holy basil and dry-aged beef mince. Current owners Top and Tang Piyaphanee aim to complete the build by mid-November.

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Soi 38 in 2016, when it seated just 40-odd diners. Wayne Taylor But before then, theyll open a second restaurant in the city, R.Harn (food in Thai) on a busy corner of La Trobe Street, near the under-construction State Library Station. The 110-seat venue will be totally different to Soi 38, according to Top. Focusing on southern Thai food, it will serve more curries, more spice, and more grilled and deep-fried dishes. Kanom jeen nam ya, a noodle dish with fish curry sauce, will make an appearance. Well try to introduce another angle of Thai cuisine [to Melbourne], says Top. Worlds away from Soi 38s beginnings, R.Harn is proof of Melbournes growing appreciation for the many shades of Thai food.

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Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong have announced Australia will participate in a major military exercise alongside Japan and the United States for the first time.

The two ministers held a press conference with Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Defence Minister Kihara Minoru in the small coastal Victorian town of Queenscliff this afternoon after the 11th Australia-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultation.

In his opening remarks, Marles summarised some of the meetings outcomes:

Today we have agreed to enhance our air engagement with greater people-to-people links, more training, [and] greater exercises between our two air forces. This really began last year when Japan sent F-35s to the Northern Territory, which then accompanied Australian F-35s which went back to Japan to participate in Exercise Bushido Guardian. And we look forward to increasing co-operation between our air forces.

Next year, for the first time, Australia will participate in Exercise Orient Shield. This is the largest land exercise which exists between the United States and Japan. And for the first time next year, Australia will participate in that exercise, and were really excited about that opportunity.

It speaks to perhaps a broader theme, which is that we have looked at opportunities where both of us have bilateral engagements with the United States, and sought to see opportunities where we can trilateralize them  where we can involve each other in those activities.

To that end, we, of course, host a rotation of the United States Marines through the dry season in the Northern Territory each year, and we have agreed to explore ways in which the Japanese amphibious rapid deployment brigade can participate in the US Marine rotations which occur in Darwin every year.
Queenslands police minister has asked for another review into how officers handled complaints about one of Australias worst paedophiles.

Ashley Paul Griffith raped and abused children at several Brisbane childcare centres.

Two days after Griffith stood before heartbroken families in the Brisbane District Court and pleaded guilty to 307 child abuse charges, Police Minister Mark Ryan said he had asked the police commissioner to launch a new review.

Gold Coast man Ashley Paul Griffith pleaded guilty to more than 300 offences on Monday. Credit: Nine

After Griffiths arraignment on Monday, the parents of one young girl questioned how the childcare system had failed to detect the offending earlier, with abuses spanning from 2003 to 2022, the year he was arrested.
Rights of the community should be respected Your editorial is timely, accurate and wise. The state governments apparent plans to increase housing come at the cost of proper planning. Neighbourhood character and the rights of the local community to comment on proposed developments should be respected, and under no circumstances should developers have their already very powerful entitlements increased. Rather, let good design, building quality and democratic process lead the way to better and more housing. Rosemary Kiss, Rippleside

Disenfranchising residents The Age editorial  Proposed planning changes shortsighted  (4/9) provided a thoughtful overview of the state governments proposed planning changes to Melbourne suburbia. But it could have gone further: imagine what will occur if  or when  the government introduces these planning changes? It will be futile for residents to complain to their local council: the governments ongoing plan is to override local government. And that means disenfranchising local communities who are entitled to have a say in what will occur in their areas. Sally Davis, Malvern

The report  Planning revamp to slash rights, speed up approvals  (31/8) details the removal of neighbourhood character, and much of ResCode, from Victorian planning schemes, in an attempt to speed up approvals by removing much of the amenity, environmental and character protections under which objections can now be made  while reducing rights to object at all. If implemented, this will be a development disaster, and the beginning of the end for many treasured suburbs and housing throughout Victoria. There would be few requirements of any amenity or environmental seriousness at all, with no third party rights of objection, or appeal  except for developers themselves. It is delusional that this fix for delays in permit applications will help to resolve the housing crisis. If only it were that simple. It would cause a political storm of opposition from home owners across the state, who want to protect their life-long principal asset  the core of their familys life. How any government could think that such destruction of environment and amenity in the interests of increased housing while developers have a golden pathway through it all, would solve the failures of successive governments, beggars belief. Ian Godfrey, Richmond

Balancing population and infrastructure

Neil OKeefes recollections (Comment, 2/9) are important to keep in mind when considering our infrastructure planning. It is unfortunate that politicians do not subscribe to his views. His comments are valid for the present and the future, except for one: his apparent acceptance that Victorias population should double. Population is critical for, and should be the first part of, infrastructure planning, but is also an important aspect when considering productivity. Unemployment is an indication that a society is less productive than it could be; unused human capacity is equivalent to a loss of production, however efficient the individual workers are. Until the workforce is being fully used there should be no intention of increasing our population. And unless we stabilise our population level there is no chance that available infrastructure will catch up with our needs.

Ken Courtis, Golden Square

But what if the population falls?

Repeated projections of a much larger Melbourne ignore the current reality of rapidly falling birth rates around the world. Instead of planning for more roads and more buildings for a larger population that may not eventuate, we should at least contemplate the implications of falling populations.

Mark Freeman, Macleod

THE FORUM

Defining dementia

Your correspondents asking for voluntary assisted dying for people with dementia certainly reflect the view of many, if not most, in our community. The difficulty with this request lies in the need for the person with dementia to still understand the consequences (death) of taking, or receiving, the VAD medication. This understanding is likely to be absent in late dementia, but is preserved in early dementia.

In Quebec, Canada, a law is now proposed to permit a request for assisted dying to be included in advance care directives written when still mentally competent. The directives define some stage of dementia, such as the inability to recognise family, or to feed or toilet oneself, when assisted dying is desired. However, VAD doctors would likely hesitate to assist dying if their late dementia patient now appeared unwilling, or appeared to have possibly changed their mind.

People with dementia may live for many years so if the current law, which restricts VAD to those diseases with a life expectancy of less than six to 12 months, were simply changed to disease likely to cause death at an unspecified time in future, it would be possible for early dementia patients, who were keen to avoid the indignity of late dementia, to be assisted while still sufficiently competent to fully appraise their own actions.

Dr Harley Powell, Drs for Assisted

Dying Choice, Elsternwick

Sparing the partner

I am 86 years of age and am in respite care at an aged care facility while my partner is in Italy for a few weeks. A psychiatrist recently diagnosed me with early stage dementia and prescribed a daily tablet which may slow down the development of the condition.

I fully agree with your correspondent (Letters, 2/9) who suggested that the right-to-die law be changed to enable people with dementia to escape from their life of confusion and distress.

He proposed that sufferers consult and register with two doctors their desire to be allowed to die, and the stages of their life at which they would be granted this wish.

As your correspondent stated, The patient, and society as a whole, will be spared the agony of dealing with the half-death of a life with dementia.

I would add that this agony would also be spared for a surviving partner of the dementia sufferer.

Geoffrey Poynter, Fitzroy North
An award-winning writer, Dr Katrina Kell, suspects her sea-captain ancestor, James Liddell, knew more than he ever revealed about atrocities against Victorias Aboriginal people, including the first known massacre, which occurred at a whaling station known as The Convincing Ground near Portland.

Liddell was the captain of the sailing ship Thistle, which brought to Victoria the reputed first permanent European settlers, the Henty family, who illegally took up land in the south-west in the 1830s.

Gunditjmara man Chris Saunders and the remnants of a whalers jetty at The Convincing Ground, where an unknown number of Aboriginal people were massacred in the early 1830s. Credit: Tony Wright

My ancestor, Captain James Liddell, was employed by Edward Henty during a violent period of land theft and genocide in Gunditjmara Country, Kell told the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Victorias truth-telling inquiry into injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria.

Based on historical records, he appears to have happily done Hentys bidding, which makes it hard to believe he was unaware of the atrocities.
Warning: Graphic content

The daughter of a pensioner accused of recruiting 50 men to rape his drugged wife left a courtroom in tears after the judge said her father also kept naked photos of her.

Dominique Pelicot, 71, is charged with inviting men via a now-banned online chat forum to have intercourse with his wife, Gisele, after drugging her unconscious.

Caroline Darian with her mother, Gisele. Credit: AFP

Some 35 defendants pleaded not guilty on Tuesday (French time) and 14 guilty, including Pelicot, who admitted to investigators that he gave his wife powerful tranquillisers.
Washington: The Biden administration has taken action against Russia for attempting to interfere in this years presidential election, charging two employees of a state-run media outlet and seizing dozens of web domains used by the Kremlin to spread propaganda.

With two months until election day, the US justice department has also warned of increasingly aggressive Iranian activity  including a recent attempt to hack into Donald Trumps presidential campaign.

Attorney General Merrick Garland Credit: AP

This attempt involved allegations, reported earlier this month, that sensitive documents were stolen in a cyber intrusion, which his team had branded a deliberate attempt by Iran to interfere with the 2024 election and sow chaos.

The Justice Departments message is clear: we have no tolerance for attempts by authoritarian regimes to exploit our democratic system of government, said Attorney-General Merrick Garland.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan Mukhtar Babayev has met with the Secretary General of the International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC), Senator Sitara Ayaz, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Ministry of Ecology.

The ministry noted that at the meeting an exchange of views took place on preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will be held in Azerbaijan in November this year.

This November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Germany's Berlin with its secretariat in Bonn.

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Best-ever total and retail August sales; total sales increase 22 %; retail climbs 28%

Gains driven by IONIQ 5, Santa Fe HEV, Tucson HEV, and Palisade

Hybrid total sales increase 69% in August





FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 4, 2024  Hyundai Motor America reported record total August sales of 79,278 units, a 22% increase compared with August 2023. Hyundai set total sales records in August for IONIQ 5 (+33%), Santa Fe HEV (+120%), Tucson (+14%), Tucson PHEV (+6%) Tucson HEV (+97%) and Palisade (+84%).

Hyundais eco-friendly retail sales were up 49% in August, representing 25% of retail. Hybrid-only retail sales jumped 81% and retail EV sales climbed 27% with the IONIQ 5 increasing 74%. Retail sales for Tucson ICE (+36%), Tucson HEV (+113%) and Palisade (+65%) also performed exceptionally well. Fleet sales for the month were 7% of total sales.

This was a record-setting August for Hyundai in total and retail sales, said Randy Parker, CEO, Hyundai Motor America. Our entire line-up performed very well but our retail hybrid product mix led the pack with a year-over-year increase of 81%. Kudos to our retail partners who were moving inventory at record pace this month.

August Total Sales Summary

Aug-24 Aug-23 % Chg 2024 YTD 2023 YTD % Chg Hyundai 79,278 65,046 +22% 548,003 526,186 +4%



August Product and Corporate Activities

Model Total Sales

Vehicles Aug-24 Aug-23 % Chg 2024 YTD 2023 YTD % Chg Elantra 14,379 11,262 +28% 90,432 97,898 -8% Ioniq 5 4,838 3,572 +35% 26,982 21,348 +26% Ioniq 6 808 1,663 -51% 8,498 6,653 +28% Kona 6,112 5,777 +6% 59,364 49,825 +19% Nexo 8 18 -56% 87 157 -45% Palisade 11,208 6,107 +84% 73,590 51,306 +43% Santa Cruz 2,486 3,079 -19% 23,046 26,032 -11% Santa Fe 10,152 11,732 -13% 75,763 83,486 -9% Sonata 5,953 3,397 +75% 42,855 33,940 +26% Tucson 20,864 16,242 +28% 129,145 134,367 -4% Venue 2,470 2,197 +12% 18,241 21,137 -14%



Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Companys Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (in development in Georgia), and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundais 835 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit http://www.hyundainews.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. The Forum of Azerbaijani Scientists Living Abroad will be held in Baku on September 9-11, 2024, with support of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora and the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan and organization by the World Association of Azerbaijani Scientists, a source in the committee told Trend.

According to the source, the event is expected to gather more than 80 Azerbaijani scientists from 23 countries, along with about 200 figures from the scientific community.

The forum goal is to unite Azerbaijani scientists living in different countries and to exchange ideas and experiences.

Its participants will also visit Shusha and Khankendi and hold discussions with the faculty of Karabakh University.

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KALBAJAR, Azerbaijan, September 4. In recent developments, the power capacity of hydropower plants (HPPs) built in Azerbaijan's liberated territories has reached 270 megawatts (MW), spokesperson for Azerenergy, Teymur Abdullayev stated, Trend reports.

The process of establishing these HPPs along the rivers originating from the Lesser Caucasus mountain range is ongoing.

According to Abdullayev, over the course of the past year, a whopping nine brand spanking new HPPs have been successfully wrapped up in the liberated areas.

Abdullayev highlighted that the recently inaugurated small hydroelectric plants "Zar" and "Toghanaly," opened on September 2, have capacities of 4.3 MW and 4.1 MW, respectively.

"The commissioning of these plants significantly enhances the region's green energy potential. Both HPPs were built within a year and feature state-of-the-art digital equipment for turbines, generators, and control panels. They are integrated into the country's centralized optical cable network and SCADA system via 24-fiber optic lines," Abdullayev stated.

The "Zar" and "Toghanaly" HPPs are expected to produce up to 25 million kilowatt-hours of green energy, translating to a savings of 5.5 million cubic meters of natural gas and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by over 10,000 tons.

On September 2, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev participated in the opening of the 4.3 MW "Zar" Small Hydroelectric Power Station (SHPS) operated by Azerenerji OJSC in Kalbajar and inaugurated the 4.1 MW "Toghanaly" SHPS in Goygol district via the SCADA system.
9 Naxals killed in encounter with forces in Cgarh





DANTEWADA :

NINE Naxalites, including six women, were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, a senior police official said. The gunfight broke out around 10.30 am in the forest along the border of Dantewada and Bijapur districts when a joint team of security forces was out on an anti-Naxal operation, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range Sundarraj P told PTI. Personnel belonging to the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were involved in the operation, which was launched based on inputs about the presence of Naxalites belonging to its west Bastar division unit, he said.

The intermittent exchange of fire lasted for a long duration, following which the bodies of nine Naxalites clad in uniform were recovered from the spot. Besides, a huge cache of weapons was also seized from the encounter site, he said. Security personnel were reported to be safe and the search operation was still underway in the area, he said Bastar region comprises seven districts, including Dantewada and Bijapur. With this incident, 154 Naxalites have been gunned down by the security forces in different encounters in Chhattisgarh so far this year, the police said. SOON NAXALISM WILL BE WIPED OUT: CHHATTISGARH CM VISHNU DEO SAI AFTER 9 NAXALS KILLED IN ENCOUNTER: Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday saluted the bravery of soldiers for killing 9 Naxals in the border area of Dantewada and Bijapur districts and said that the BJP is fighting with Naxalism since it came to power and soon it will be wiped out.





13 Naxalites arrested in Bijapur

Our Correspondent

BIJAPUR,

Sept 3

ALTOGETHER 13 Naxals were arrested by security forces under different police station limits. Seven Naxals were arrested from Gangaloor Potampara forests jointly by District Reserve Guard, Gangaloor police and 202nd battalion of Combat Battalion for Resolute Action.
BJPS CHALLENGE





THE fresh membership drive of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched with Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi becoming the first member demonstrates the organisations effort tobounceback from the setback in the recent Lok Sabha election. As he launched the drive, Mr. Narendra Modi asserted that the BJP was willing to go any distance to prove itself to be a party dedicated to the national cause over and above the narrow political goals. By itself, this assertion has its own value in the current scenario where most political parties are geared up only for action to grab power. The membership drive, therefore, points to the BJPs resolve to renew its vigour that appeared to have dimmed a little in the past some time.

There is every reason, therefore,to expect a surge of new enthusiasm through the rank and file of the party that has entered an unprecedented consecutive third term in office at the Centre in six decades. The organisational challenges before the BJP are many and unique. Even as it tries to emerge from the recent electoral setbacks, it does not appear to be in a mood to overdo the celebration of having returned to power in a coalition necessitated by lesser numbers of its own members in the Lok Sabha -- a situation that is different from the two earlierexperienceswhen thepartysownnumbersweregood more than the bare minimum for a majority.

Trying to pick up right lessons from that experience, the BJP appears all geared up to enlist greater numbers of members nationwide through the fresh membership drive and instill a new confidence in the heads and hearts of its cadres and supporters. It is obvious that the partys national leadership hopes toinjectanewleaseoflifeinto theorganisation through the fresh membership drive. The detailed analysis of the state of organisational affairs in the BJP before it faced the Lok Sabha elections shows that the partysinternal systems had goneweak and had stopped responding toimmediate andurgent stimulus.Thisbecame clear even in Varanasi where Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi himself was seeking election for the third time. His reduced margin of victory showed to the party and the nation that there were gaps in the so-called organisational fortifications for which theBJP has been famous.The details showed that there was no connect between the candidate and the bottom-line cadres in Varanasi -- which otherwise formed legends in electoral politics in the country .

The experienceinVaranasi and elsewhere appears tohave shaken the BJP leadership to the roots. Trying to pick up right lessons from those close-shave experiences, the BJP is now going ahead with a fresh membership drive with a hope toenlistcroresofmembers fromcommonpublic.There is no doubt that this drive will give the BJP an additional popular leverage that can be an envy of any other political party. Going by what the Prime Minister said at the launch of membership drive, it can be said safely that the party is determined to get over the bad phase at the earliest. Even as the BJPrectifiesits wronged organisationalmatrices, its leadership may be expected to emerge with new political ploys to shock and surprise the Opposition camp. It is possible, therefore, that in some time from now, newer initiatives from the BJP may hit the political scene of the country. Those initiatives may send shock-waves through the Opposition camp in particular and the country in general. Challenged by the reserves, the BJP may now come with absolutely innovative strategies to capture the nations imagination -- as can be sensed from Mr. Narendra Modis speech at the membership launch event.
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Centre moves SC, allegesnon-cooperation by WB Govt





NEW DELHI :

THE Centre on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court alleging unpardonable non-cooperation by the West Bengal Government in providing logistical support to the CISF, tasked with providing security at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, where a trainee doctor was raped and murdered. Terming the alleged noncooperation of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) Government as an example symptomatic of a systemic malaise, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has sought a direction to West Bengal authorities to extend full cooperation to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

In case of their failure to do so, the Centre urged the apex court to initiate contempt proceedings against the State Government officials concerned for wilful non-compliance of the court orders. On August 20, the apex court had termed the rape and murder case of a medic at the hospital as horrific and issued a slew of directions including setting up of a 10- member National Task Force to formulate a protocol for ensuring the safety and security of doctors and other health care professionals. Besides, the top court had taken a serious note of mob violence in th e hospital and the allegation that the Kolkata police fled the scene, and ordered deployment of CISF at the hospital to enable doctors to resume work. In an application filed in the case the apex court has initiated on its own, the MHA said the plea concerns the deployment of CISF personnel at the R G Kar Medical College, including the hostels where the resident doctors are staying to ensure their safety.

The CISF personnel deployed at R G Kar Hospital are facing severe difficulties due to lack of accommodation and lack of basic security infrastructure. The troops are presently staying at CISF Unit SMP, Kolkata despite the constraints being faced by the accommodating unit, it said. The application said the travel time from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata to the hospital was an hour from one side and it was difficult to discharge duties effectively and to mobilise CISF troops to duly and promptly respond during contingencies. It said the MHA had taken up the matter with the chief secretary of West Bengal through a September 2 letter requesting for adequate logistical arrangeme
DKS Gastro Surgeon dismissed due tomisconduct allegations in liquor scam case





 Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

IN A MOVE that has sent ripples through Chhattisgarhs medical and legal communities, Dr. Pravesh Shukla, a prominent gastro surgeon at DKS Post Graduate Institute and Research Centre (DKS PGI & RC), Raipur, has been dismissed from service, according to official sources. This drastic action follows allegations of deliberate negligence in the treatment of Anwar Dhebar, a key figure in the ongoing Chhattisgarh liquor scam, who is currently imprisoned in Raipur Central Jail. Dhebars case has been a focal point in the states efforts to crack down on corruption, making the implications of this incident particularly significant.

The dismissal order, which was issued on 8th August 2024, came to light nearly 26 days later, sparking widespread discussions about the timing and transparency of the decision. A copy of the 2-pages order, signed by the Hospital Superintendent and Academic In-charge, DKS PGI & RC, Raipur, has also been accessed by The Hitavada. According to official sources, Dr Shukla is accused of intentionally disrupting Dhebars scheduled endoscopy by falsely recording in the hospitals OPD slip that such procedures could not be performed at DKS Hospital. This act has raised serious concerns, especially as it is perceived as an attempt to obstruct the investigation into Dhebars involvement in the scam, a case that has already embroiled several high-ranking officials and businessmen in the state. Sources further revealed that on 8th June 2024, Anwar Dhebar was t r a n s f e r r e d from Raipur Central Jail to DKS Hospital for a medical examination. The endoscopy, deemed a critical part of his medical treatment, was inexplicably not conducted. Instead, Dr. Shukla allegedly noted in the OPD slip that the hospital did not have the facilities for endoscopy, a claim that has since been disputed by hospital authorities.

This discrepancy led to an internal review, after which Dr Shukla was served a notice in July, demanding a detailed explanation for his conduct. However, his response was found lacking in clarity and failed to justify the inconsistencies in his actions, prompting further disciplinary measures. In his defence, Dr. Shukla argued, as reported by official sources, that the endoscopic procedures conducted that day were limited to specific cases, such as paediatric and upper gastrointestinal issues, which differ significantly from adult colonoscopies. He also pointed out longstanding issues with the hospitals endoscopic equipment, which he claimed was inadequate for the required procedure. Furthermore, Dr. Shukla mentioned that an alternative examination, a CT scan, was recommended for Dhebar but could not be performed due to elevated creatinine levels.

As a result, Dhebar was advised to seek a colonoscopy at another government hospital, further complicating the case and raising suspicions about the true motives behind the delay. Given the gravity of the situation, official sources confirmed that the Chhattisgarh government has terminated Dr. Shuklas employment, citing violations of the Chhattisgarh Civil Services Conduct Rules, 1965. His actions were categorised as serious misconduct, particularly given the high-profile nature of the case. Additionally, DKS Hospital management has initiated the process for filing an FIR at the Gole Bazaar police station, with a formal case against Dr. Shukla expected to be registered shortly.
Grand Membership Campaignof BJP launched by CM Sai





Staff Reporter :

RAIPUR,

THE Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched its grand membership campaign in Chhattisgarh with a vibrant ceremony held at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur. The event marked the official start of the campaign, with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai becoming the first member of the Chhattisgarh BJP. The Chief Minister was enrolled by State BJP President Kiran Singh Deo, who also released the membership link for the campaign. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai emphasized the importance of the membership drive, stating that it is an opportunity to realize the vision of a developed India and a developed Chhattisgarh. He praised the BJP for its commitment to national interests and highlighted the partys role in leading the nation towards progress. Chief Minister Sai stressed that the BJPs dedication to national unity and its growth from the Jana Sangh ideals are fundamental to its success. The membership campaign, which saw thousands of new enrollees including party workers and public figures, was endorsed by several prominent leaders. State BJP President Kiran Singh Deo outlined the campaigns objective and detailed its phased approach, which will see activities at the district and mandal levels starting September 4 and 5, respectively.

He urged party members to dedicate maximum effort to achieve a record membership number, emphasizing the BJPs unique internal democracy and its structured organizational framework. Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao praised the partys ideology and its historical commitment to public service. He highlighted the BJPs role in implementing significant changes such as the removal of Article 370 and its dedication to the welfare of the poor through Antyodaya. Saw encouraged members to engage actively in the campaign, stressing that it is not only about expanding the party but also about strengthening the nation. Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal expressed pride in joining the worlds largest political party, attributing the BJPs success to the dedication of its workers.

He emphasized the importance of systematic outreach to connect diverse societal groups to the party, aiming to build a developed India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dr K Laxman, National President of the BJP Backward Class Front, reiterated the partys commitment to its principles and accomplishments, such as building the Ram temple and enacting the triple talaq law. He called for increased membership to support the BJPs vision for a developed India by 2047. The event also featured a musical performance by MLA Anuj Sharma, and the program was conducted by State General Secretary Sanjay Shrivastava and Membership Campaign In-charge Anurag Singh Deo. At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests including Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, State BJP President Kiran Singh Dev, and former Governor Ramesh Bais were honored with mementos and shawls. The successful launch of the BJP membership campaign signals a vigorous effort to expand the partys reach and reinforce its commitment to national development.
INDO-US DEFENCE TIES





BY LT GENERAL M K DAS, PVSM, SM**, VSM (RETD) :





The defence relations between the two nations have been given impetus in three areas. First is cooperation in regional and global security affairs, second is institutionalised engagement between Armed Forces and third is cooperation in defence technology and industry

India and the US look forward to work together and benefit from each others experience. -Shri Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister S HRI Rajnath Singh, the Defence Minister visited the US from August 22 to 26, 2024. The visit proved to be significant and pathbreaking in more ways than one. In a quiet and dignified manner, as is the working style of the Honble Defence Minister, the visit achieved a lot for India without much optics. No doubt the officials of the Defence Ministry who had accompanied him and the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), three Service HQs and DRDO would have worked tirelessly behind the scenes for preparing the groundwork for this important visit. This outcome and follow up actions of the visit are going to shape the trajectory of Indo-US defence relations under Modi 3.0 Government.

After the visit of US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austins visit to India in November last year for the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Delhi, this particular visit has special significance. The visit in November last year happened after the Israel-Hamas conflict started in October 2023. The current visit happened almost simultaneously with the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Poland and Ukraine. Clearly, the backdrop of two major conflicts of Russia-Ukraine War and Israel-Hamas conflict would have influenced the talks and discussions. It is also important to understand the shift in our relations with the US once Prime Minister Modi came to power in 2014. Mr. Modi reoriented the foreign affairs and immediately put a focus on simultaneous actions at our immediate neighbourhood, regional influence and global affairs. Right after the visit of PM Modi to US on 29-30 September 2014 when Barack Obama was the US President, the Indo-US relations have been on higher growth trajectory, with particular focus on mutual defence cooperation. The defence relations between the two nations have been given impetus in three areas. First is cooperation in regional and global security affairs, second is institutionalised engagement between the Armed Forces and third is cooperation in defence technology and industry. In the first two areas, the cooperation has reached many milestones and a lot has been achieved. But in defence technology field, the progress has not been up to the expectations.

The current visit was aimed at strengthening the defence technology cooperation between the two nations. After the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation of 1971, India was importing almost 85% of defence hardware and equipment from the Soviet Union and later from Russia. With little indigenisation, the situation continued till the beginning of this century. US had imposed sanctions on India after the Pokhran nuclear tests in May 1998. The Indo-US relations improved a bit during the full term of PM Atal Behari Vajpayee from 1999-2004. In fact, it was the 9/11 attacks in the US in 2001 that brought India and US closer in their fight against terrorism and eventually towards more defence cooperation. While the Russian military hardware is still more than 60% of our total defence imports, Modi Government has given impetus to self-reliance in defence right from the first term in 2014. It was a slow process in the Modi 1.0 Government. But two major initiatives of the Modi 2.0 Government have enabled the growth of defence industry in the country. In October 2021, Ministry of Defence converted Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) into seven 100% Government owned corporate entities. Before this, OFB was largely a sick enterprise with little contribution in manufacturing world class arms, ammunition and equipment. Just in less than three years, the DPSUs are already in profit. Second major reform was to encourage the participation of the private industry.

The private companies have significantly contributed towards defence production in the last five years. Indian private companies have manufactured armament and equipment matching global standards and these companies already account for about 25 % of the total defence production, with major chunk going in the exports. India went in for major defence deals with US when it procured latest transport and maritime aircraft. US finally delivered best technology in the form of C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster and P-81 Poseidon aircraft, best helicopters in the form of CH47F Chinooks, MH-60R Seahawks and AH-64E Apache. Harpoon anti-ship missiles and M777 Howitzers have also come. In an unprecedented move, Indian Army procured 72,400 SIG-716 assault rifles from Sig Sauer of the US. This weapon is used by the NATO forces and reflects our growing proximity to the security affairs globally. After the visit of the RM, the MOD signed a repeat order of 73,000 more assault rifles to be delivered by the end of 2025. Eventually India plans to manufacture the assault rifles with transfer of technology. During the current visit, another milestone was reached when India and US signed the Security of Supply Agreement (SoSA). Under this deal, India and US agree to provide reciprocal priority support for goods and services that promote national defence. Such an agreement is a rarity as such privilege is given by the US to major NATO powers. domain also India and US have come really close. India realises that Russia is considerably weakened after the prolonged war with Ukraine.

There have been delays in delivery of Russian military equipment because of their wartime needs. A declining Russia has no choice but to get closer to China, both for economic bailout and military supplies. Such an eventuality may spell disaster for India in case of war. Therefore, India has to broaden its defence supply chain, as also improve domestic manufacturing in quick time. Some cuttingedge technology which came from Israel is also unlikely to be delivered, again because of their preoccupation with their multiple Middle East adversaries. In that context, the visit of Shri Rajnath Singh achieved a lot of deliverables. Indian Defence Forces are preparing to go for theaterisation soon. As a responsible and mature regional & global power, a lot is expected from the Indian Defence Forces. With Theatre Commands under its wings, India would be in a better position to play more proactive role in shaping the regional and global security in land, air and maritime domain.
Jailbreak in Congos main prison 129 inmates killed, mostof them in stampede





KINSHASA (Congo),

(AP) AN ATTEMPTED jailbreak in Congos main prison in the capital left at least 129 people dead, most of them in a stampede, authorities said on Tuesday. A provisional assessment showed that 24 inmates were shot dead by warning gunshots as they tried to escape from the overcrowded Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa early on Monday, Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani said on the social platform X. There are also 59 injured people taken into care by the Government, as well as some cases of women raped, he said, adding that order has been restored at the prison, part of which was burned in the attack. Makala, Congos largest penitentiary with a capacity for 1,500 people, holds over 12,000 inmates, most of whom are awaiting trial, Amnesty International said in its latest country report.

The facility has recorded previous jailbreaks, including in 2017 when an attack by a religious sect freed dozens. Gunfire inside the prison started around midnight on Sunday into Monday morning, residents said. A senior Government official earlier said only two deaths were confirmed during the incident, a figure disputed by rights activists. Videos that appeared to be from the prison showed bodies lying on the ground, many of them with visible injuries.

Another video showed inmates carrying people who appeared to be dead into a vehicle. There were no signs of forced entry into the prison, which is located in the city centre, 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the presidential palace. The attempted escape was plotted from inside the prison by inmates in one of the wings, Mbemba Kabuya, the deputy justice minister, told the local Top Congo FM radio. In the hours that followed the attack, the road to the prison was cordoned off while authorities convened a panel to investigate the incident. Makala  among other prisons in Congo  is so overcrowded that people often die from starvation, activists say. Scores of inmates have been released this year as part of efforts to decongest the prisons. Justice Minister Constant Mutamba called the attack a premeditated act of sabotage, adding that those who instigated these acts of sabotage ... Will receive a stern response. He also announced a ban on the transfer of inmates from the prison and said authorities will build a new prison, among other efforts to reduce overcrowding.
WB Assembly unanimously passes State anti-rape Bill





KOLKATA :

THE West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed the State anti-rape Bill after Opposition lend full support to it. The proposed amendments to the B i l l m o v e d by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, were, however, not accepted by the House. The draft legislation seeks capital punishment for persons convicted of rape if their actions result in the victims death or leave her in a vegetative State. Additionally, it stipulates a life sentence without parole for those convicted of rape.

Titled the Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024, the legislation aims to strengthen protections f o r women and children by revising and introducing new provisions related to rape and sexual offences. A two-day special session of the Assembly has been summoned on Monday in the wake of the rape-murder of a woman medic at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last month.
Woman killed, 10 injuredas bus overturn inBelkhadu village





 Staff Reporter ;

A WOMAN was killed and 10 passengers were injured when a speeding bus overturned near 14-mile in Belkhadu village. Two of the injured are reported to be critical while other passengers sustained partial injuries. Critically injured passengers are undergoing treatment at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College and Hospital. The deceased has been identified as Vandana Jharia (30), a resident of Majholi while Nidhi Sharma and Priyadarshni, posted at Majholi Primary Health Centre were critically injured.

The incident took place when a private bus ferrying around 25 passengers from Katangi towards Majholi overturned due to bursting of front side tyre. After the incident, villagers started rescuing the passengers and immediately called the police and 108 ambulance service. Learning about the incident, police reached the spot and rushed the three critically injured women to Medical College and Hospital Jabalpur where one of the injured Vandana Jharia of Majholi succumbed to her grave injuries while condition of two other injured Nidhi Sharma and Priyadarshni, posted at Majholi Primary Health Centre are reported to be stable and undergoing treatment at the hospital. Additional SP (Rural), Sonali Dubey informed that, prima facie, police learnt that the incident took place due to bursting of front side tyre of the bus. Police have seized the bus while further investigations are underway to ascertain exact reason behind the incident.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. The Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Simon Stiell, met with the leadership of the European Investment Bank (EIB) to discuss climate financing in the run-up to COP29, Trend reports.

Both Simon Stiell and EIB President Nadia Calvino shared updates about the meeting on social media.

UNFCCC's Executive Secretary emphasized the critical role of climate financing in addressing the global climate crisis.

"The activation of efforts by multilateral development banks like the EIB is absolutely essential, particularly for the most vulnerable developing countries. Institutions like the EIB must play a leading role in climate financing. As we approach COP29, this was an important meeting with EIB representatives," he stated.

The EIB highlighted the need for increased political will and decisive actions to combat climate change.

"Multilateral development banks are crucial in mitigating investment risks, supporting vital innovative technologies, and attracting private capital. The cost of inaction is high. That's why the EIB, as a climate bank, is already allocating 60 percent of our budget to climate and environmental sustainability, supporting projects and initiatives aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change," the EIB noted.

The EIB plans to triple its funding for energy transition adaptation by 2025.

"Before COP29 in Baku, Simon Stiell met with EIB leadership to discuss how we can enhance climate actions to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and properly organize green financing," the EIB's statement added.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will take place in Baku from November 11 to 22, with climate financing being a central topic.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. President of COP29 Mukhtar Babayev has delivered a speech at the third meeting of the Santiago Network Advisory Board, which plays a crucial role in preventing, minimizing, and addressing the loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, Trend reports via the COP29 website.

"It is time to fully operationalize the Santiago Network so that it can start addressing requests for technical assistance and meet the urgent and growing needs of those particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change as soon as possible," the website said, citing Babayev.

The website emphasized that demonstrating tangible results ahead of COP29 will be a powerful support for those in need of assistance.

The Santiago Network is one of the UN's climate tools. It was established in December 2019 at COP25 in Madrid.

Its goal is to facilitate the effective consideration of a wide range of issues related to preventing, minimizing, and addressing loss and damage in areas reflected in the UN Paris Agreement on climate change.

This November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Germany's Berlin with its secretariat in Bonn.

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Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 7,100 shares, a drop of 10.1% from the July 31st total of 7,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 43,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Franklin Universal Trust

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in FT. Wolverine Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Franklin Universal Trust by 3.7% in the 2nd quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 145,638 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $992,000 after buying an additional 5,192 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Franklin Universal Trust by 654.4% in the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 151,663 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,033,000 after acquiring an additional 131,558 shares in the last quarter. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Franklin Universal Trust by 4.3% in the second quarter. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC now owns 653,758 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,452,000 after buying an additional 26,843 shares in the last quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Franklin Universal Trust by 18.7% during the second quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 262,024 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,784,000 after purchasing an additional 41,353 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cetera Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Franklin Universal Trust in the first quarter valued at approximately $514,000.

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Franklin Universal Trust Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE FT traded up $0.02 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $7.30. 44,418 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 52,306. Franklin Universal Trust has a 1 year low of $5.97 and a 1 year high of $7.33. The business has a 50 day moving average of $7.00 and a two-hundred day moving average of $6.77.

Franklin Universal Trust Announces Dividend

Franklin Universal Trust Company Profile

The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 19th were issued a dividend of $0.0425 per share. This represents a $0.51 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.99%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 19th.

(Get Free Report)

Franklin Universal Trust is a closed-ended balanced mutual fund launched by Franklin Resources, Inc The fund is managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc It invests in the public equity and fixed income markets of the United States. The fund invests in companies operating in utility sector. It employs fundamental analysis to invest in a diversified portfolio of corporate bonds and dividend paying utility stocks.

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Allegheny Financial Group LTD grew its position in Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR  Free Report) by 7.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,749 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 191 shares during the period. Allegheny Financial Group LTDs holdings in Ingersoll Rand were worth $250,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in IR. TIAA Trust National Association raised its position in Ingersoll Rand by 15.4% in the 2nd quarter. TIAA Trust National Association now owns 153,053 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $13,903,000 after purchasing an additional 20,435 shares during the last quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in Ingersoll Rand by 4.2% during the 2nd quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,300 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $300,000 after buying an additional 133 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC increased its position in Ingersoll Rand by 20.3% in the 2nd quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 150,081 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $13,633,000 after acquiring an additional 25,320 shares in the last quarter. Waterfront Wealth Inc. raised its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 2.4% in the second quarter. Waterfront Wealth Inc. now owns 10,989 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $998,000 after acquiring an additional 260 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MEAG MUNICH ERGO Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH increased its holdings in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 13.1% in the second quarter. MEAG MUNICH ERGO Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH now owns 299,668 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $27,222,000 after purchasing an additional 34,685 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.27% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have commented on IR. Barclays decreased their price objective on Ingersoll Rand from $106.00 to $101.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Evercore ISI lowered their price objective on Ingersoll Rand from $93.00 to $88.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $102.00 to $100.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Ingersoll Rand in a report on Friday, June 21st. They issued a buy rating and a $110.00 price objective on the stock. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $100.27.

Insider Transactions at Ingersoll Rand

In related news, insider Vicente Reynal sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.51, for a total transaction of $4,625,500.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 100,367 shares in the company, valued at $9,284,951.17. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Ingersoll Rand news, insider Vicente Reynal sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.51, for a total transaction of $4,625,500.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 100,367 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,284,951.17. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Kathleen M. Keene sold 4,629 shares of Ingersoll Rand stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $89.99, for a total transaction of $416,563.71. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 3,829 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $344,571.71. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 77,510 shares of company stock valued at $7,108,005 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.68% of the companys stock.

Ingersoll Rand Trading Down 3.4 %

NYSE IR opened at $88.35 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 2.18 and a quick ratio of 1.52. The stocks 50-day moving average is $92.77 and its 200-day moving average is $92.22. Ingersoll Rand Inc. has a one year low of $59.20 and a one year high of $101.30. The firm has a market cap of $35.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.96, a P/E/G ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 1.45.

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The industrial products company reported $0.80 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $1.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.78 billion. Ingersoll Rand had a net margin of 11.73% and a return on equity of 13.00%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Ingersoll Rand Inc. will post 3.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ingersoll Rand Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 5th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be issued a $0.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.09%. Ingersoll Rands dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 3.98%.

Ingersoll Rand Company Profile

(Free Report)

Ingersoll Rand Inc provides various mission-critical air, gas, liquid, and solid flow creation technologies services and solutions worldwide. It operates through two segments, Industrial Technologies and Services, and Precision and Science Technologies. The Industrial Technologies and Services segment designs, manufactures, markets, and services air and gas compression, vacuum, and blower products; fluid transfer equipment and loading systems; and power tools and lifting equipment, including associated aftermarket parts, consumables, air treatment equipment, controls, other accessories, and services under the under the Ingersoll Rand, Gardner Denver, Nash, CompAir, Elmo Rietschle brands, etc.

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Archer Investment Corp grew its position in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 6.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 69,003 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 4,012 shares during the quarter. Archer Investment Corps holdings in Pfizer were worth $1,931,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of PFE. Founders Financial Securities LLC increased its holdings in Pfizer by 18.5% during the second quarter. Founders Financial Securities LLC now owns 16,414 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $459,000 after buying an additional 2,558 shares during the last quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund raised its holdings in Pfizer by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 486,773 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $13,620,000 after purchasing an additional 4,120 shares during the period. Octavia Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Pfizer by 5.7% during the second quarter. Octavia Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 16,129 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $451,000 after purchasing an additional 868 shares in the last quarter. Northstar Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in Pfizer during the second quarter valued at about $233,000. Finally, Naviter Wealth LLC increased its position in Pfizer by 35.9% in the second quarter. Naviter Wealth LLC now owns 52,975 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,482,000 after buying an additional 13,988 shares in the last quarter. 68.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

PFE has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Barclays boosted their price objective on Pfizer from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $45.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price 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. Daiwa America upgraded Pfizer from a moderate buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on Pfizer from $30.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Pfizer presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $34.54.

Pfizer Trading Down 2.4 %

PFE stock opened at $28.30 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $160.36 billion, a PE ratio of -471.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.69. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $29.01 and a 200 day moving average price of $28.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.86. Pfizer Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $25.20 and a fifty-two week high of $36.29.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.60 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.46 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $13.28 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.96 billion. Pfizer had a negative net margin of 4.66% and a positive return on equity of 8.42%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.67 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pfizer Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 26th were given a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.94%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 26th. Pfizers dividend payout ratio is currently -2,800.00%.

Pfizer Company Profile

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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PagerDuty (NYSE:PD  Get Free Report) had its price target cut by analysts at Bank of America from $28.00 to $23.00 in a report issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a buy rating on the stock. Bank of Americas price target would suggest a potential upside of 25.89% from the companys current price.

Several other research firms also recently commented on PD. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of PagerDuty from $24.00 to $19.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Craig Hallum raised shares of PagerDuty from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from $21.00 to $30.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 12th. Canaccord Genuity Group lowered their price target on PagerDuty from $27.00 to $26.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on PagerDuty in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. They issued a neutral rating and a $24.00 price target on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on PagerDuty in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. They set a neutral rating and a $24.00 price objective for the company. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, PagerDuty has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $24.64.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on PD

PagerDuty Stock Performance

NYSE PD opened at $18.27 on Wednesday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $20.35 and a two-hundred day moving average of $21.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.58, a current ratio of 2.59 and a quick ratio of 2.59. PagerDuty has a 1 year low of $17.92 and a 1 year high of $26.70. The company has a market capitalization of $1.75 billion, a PE ratio of -18.09 and a beta of 1.07.

PagerDuty (NYSE:PD  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, September 3rd. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.17 by $0.04. PagerDuty had a negative return on equity of 28.38% and a negative net margin of 21.34%. The firm had revenue of $115.94 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $116.52 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted ($0.18) EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that PagerDuty will post -0.44 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Jennifer Tejada sold 31,250 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.07, for a total value of $658,437.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,023,579 shares in the company, valued at approximately $21,566,809.53. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, insider Shelley Webb sold 5,732 shares of PagerDuty stock in a transaction on Friday, July 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.98, for a total transaction of $125,989.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 235,657 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,179,740.86. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Jennifer Tejada sold 31,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.07, for a total value of $658,437.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 1,023,579 shares in the company, valued at $21,566,809.53. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 110,244 shares of company stock valued at $2,316,980 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 7.60% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Point72 Asset Management L.P. increased its position in PagerDuty by 214.5% during the 2nd quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 57,558 shares of the companys stock worth $1,320,000 after purchasing an additional 39,258 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP boosted its stake in shares of PagerDuty by 1,537.2% during the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,408 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 1,322 shares during the last quarter. Capital Impact Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of PagerDuty by 33.6% during the second quarter. Capital Impact Advisors LLC now owns 33,882 shares of the companys stock worth $777,000 after buying an additional 8,518 shares in the last quarter. Clearline Capital LP purchased a new position in shares of PagerDuty in the 2nd quarter worth $1,323,000. Finally, Algert Global LLC boosted its holdings in PagerDuty by 236.1% in the second quarter. Algert Global LLC now owns 34,116 shares of the companys stock valued at $782,000 after acquiring an additional 23,966 shares during the last quarter. 97.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

PagerDuty Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

PagerDuty, Inc engages in the operation of a digital operations management platform in the United States and internationally. The company's digital operations management platform collects data and digital signals from virtually any software-enabled system or device and leverage machine learning to correlate, process, and predict opportunities and issues.

Further Reading

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Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO  Free Report) (NYSE:BMO)  Equities researchers at Cormark lowered their FY2024 earnings estimates for Bank of Montreal in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, August 28th. Cormark analyst L. Persaud now anticipates that the bank will earn $10.16 per share for the year, down from their previous forecast of $10.61. The consensus estimate for Bank of Montreals current full-year earnings is $11.47 per share.

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Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$140.00 to C$132.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Scotiabank cut shares of Bank of Montreal from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and reduced their price objective for the company from C$123.00 to C$112.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. UBS Group set a C$122.00 price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. CIBC reduced their price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$120.00 to C$116.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. Finally, TD Securities cut shares of Bank of Montreal from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their price target for the stock from C$130.00 to C$114.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 28th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Bank of Montreal presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$121.00.

Bank of Montreal Price Performance

BMO opened at C$111.55 on Monday. Bank of Montreal has a one year low of C$102.67 and a one year high of C$133.95. The companys 50 day simple moving average is C$115.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$122.22. The stock has a market capitalization of C$81.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.16.

Bank of Montreal Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 30th will be paid a $1.55 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 30th. This represents a $6.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.56%. Bank of Montreals payout ratio is currently 71.35%.

About Bank of Montreal

(Get Free Report)

Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. It operates through Canadian P&C, U.S P&C, BMO Wealth Management, and BMO Capital Markets segments. The company's personal banking products and services include deposits, mortgages, home lending, consumer credit, small business lending, credit cards, cash management, financial and investment advice, and other banking services; and commercial banking products and services comprise various of financing options and treasury and payment solutions, as well as risk management products.

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Belpointe Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) by 281.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 17,187 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after buying an additional 12,681 shares during the period. Belpointe Asset Management LLCs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $2,163,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of EOG Resources in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in EOG Resources in the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Gladius Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of EOG Resources in the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. Sachetta LLC purchased a new stake in shares of EOG Resources in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Triad Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in EOG Resources in the 2nd quarter worth about $35,000. 89.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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EOG Resources Price Performance

EOG traded up $0.60 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $124.23. The stock had a trading volume of 773,081 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,127,108. The stock has a market cap of $71.40 billion, a PE ratio of 9.83, a PEG ratio of 3.22 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 1.89 and a current ratio of 2.12. EOG Resources, Inc. has a one year low of $108.94 and a one year high of $139.67. The business has a 50-day moving average of $126.87 and a 200-day moving average of $126.00.

EOG Resources Dividend Announcement

EOG Resources ( NYSE:EOG Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The energy exploration company reported $3.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.98 by $0.18. EOG Resources had a return on equity of 25.42% and a net margin of 30.33%. The company had revenue of $6.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.07 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.49 earnings per share. EOG Resourcess quarterly revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 12.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.91 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 17th. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.93%. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio is 28.75%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a $147.00 target price on shares of EOG Resources in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on EOG Resources in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. They issued a peer perform rating for the company. Piper Sandler lowered their price target on EOG Resources from $154.00 to $147.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Scotiabank reduced their target price on EOG Resources from $155.00 to $150.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 12th. Finally, Bank of America reissued a buy rating and set a $151.00 price objective on shares of EOG Resources in a report on Friday, June 14th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $143.95.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on EOG Resources

Insider Buying and Selling

In other EOG Resources news, EVP Michael P. Donaldson sold 11,037 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.50, for a total value of $1,429,291.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 74,250 shares in the company, valued at $9,615,375. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Charles R. Crisp sold 6,500 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.60, for a total transaction of $816,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 60,892 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,648,035.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Michael P. Donaldson sold 11,037 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.50, for a total value of $1,429,291.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 74,250 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,615,375. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 21,537 shares of company stock worth $2,751,612. 0.30% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

EOG Resources Company 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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CAVA Group, Inc. (NYSE:CAVA  Get Free Report) shares rose 2.1% on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $114.46 and last traded at $114.24. Approximately 676,944 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 76% from the average daily volume of 2,819,216 shares. The stock had previously closed at $111.92.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have issued reports on CAVA shares. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on CAVA Group from $90.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, August 19th. Barclays lifted their price target on CAVA Group from $72.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, August 23rd. Citigroup increased their price objective on CAVA Group from $93.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd. Piper Sandler cut shares of CAVA Group from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and lifted their target price for the company from $63.00 to $92.00 in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of CAVA Group from $94.00 to $117.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 23rd. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $106.75.

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CAVA Group Trading Up 2.1 %

The stocks 50 day moving average price is $93.05 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $79.26. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 278.63 and a beta of 3.27.

CAVA Group (NYSE:CAVA  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 22nd. The company reported $0.17 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.13 by $0.04. CAVA Group had a net margin of 5.04% and a return on equity of 7.37%. The firm had revenue of $233.50 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $219.47 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.21 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 35.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that CAVA Group, Inc. will post 0.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at CAVA Group

In other news, insider Kenneth Robert Bertram sold 5,250 shares of CAVA Group stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.28, for a total transaction of $500,220.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 67,005 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,384,236.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, insider Kenneth Robert Bertram sold 5,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.28, for a total transaction of $500,220.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 67,005 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,384,236.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Brett Schulman sold 66,414 shares of CAVA Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.11, for a total value of $5,984,565.54. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 904,094 shares of the companys stock, valued at $81,467,910.34. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 493,579 shares of company stock valued at $55,510,751 in the last ninety days.

Institutional Trading of CAVA Group

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in CAVA. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in CAVA Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Nemes Rush Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of CAVA Group during the second quarter worth $28,000. Mark Sheptoff Financial Planning LLC acquired a new position in CAVA Group in the second quarter valued at $36,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in CAVA Group in the second quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, Mather Group LLC. purchased a new stake in CAVA Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $45,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.15% of the companys stock.

About CAVA Group

(Get Free Report)

CAVA Group, Inc owns and operates a chain of restaurants under the CAVA brand in the United States. The company also offers dips, spreads, and dressings through grocery stores. In addition, the company provides online and mobile ordering platforms. Cava Group, Inc was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Washington, the District of Columbia.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. The Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan has discussed prospects for collaboration on 'green' projects at the meeting with the International Parliamentary Congress (IPC) delegation, Trend reports via the ministry's statement.

"During the meeting with the IPC delegation, prospects for cooperation within the framework of COP29 and measures implemented in Azerbaijan towards promoting green energy and reducing the consequences of global climate change were discussed," the statement said, citing the First Deputy Minister of Economy, Elnur Aliyev.

This November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Germany's Berlin with its secretariat in Bonn.

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Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ  Get Free Report) updated its FY 2025 earnings guidance on Tuesday. The company provided EPS guidance of 13.600-13.800 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 13.700. The company issued revenue guidance of $10.4 billion-$10.6 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $10.6 billion. Constellation Brands also updated its FY25 guidance to $13.60-13.80 EPS.

Constellation Brands Stock Performance

STZ stock opened at $246.91 on Wednesday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $246.95 and its 200 day simple moving average is $253.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. Constellation Brands has a 12-month low of $227.50 and a 12-month high of $274.87. The stock has a market capitalization of $45.18 billion, a PE ratio of 18.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 1.75.

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Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 3rd. The company reported $3.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.46 by $0.11. Constellation Brands had a return on equity of 23.72% and a net margin of 22.70%. The firm had revenue of $2.66 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.67 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.91 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that Constellation Brands will post 13.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Constellation Brands Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 23rd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 14th were paid a $1.01 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 14th. This represents a $4.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.64%. Constellation Brandss dividend payout ratio is presently 30.10%.

Several brokerages recently issued reports on STZ. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $308.00 target price on shares of Constellation Brands in a report on Tuesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Constellation Brands from $320.00 to $307.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. Roth Mkm lowered their target price on Constellation Brands from $305.00 to $303.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 5th. UBS Group boosted their price target on Constellation Brands from $315.00 to $320.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 5th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $315.00 price target on shares of Constellation Brands in a research report on Friday, July 5th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $298.53.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on STZ

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Garth Hankinson sold 13,583 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total transaction of $3,259,920.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 11,702 shares in the company, valued at $2,808,480. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Constellation Brands news, EVP Kaneenat Kristann Carey sold 977 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, July 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $261.00, for a total value of $254,997.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 2,706 shares in the company, valued at approximately $706,266. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Garth Hankinson sold 13,583 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total value of $3,259,920.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 11,702 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,808,480. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 16,414 shares of company stock worth $3,982,922 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 12.19% of the companys stock.

About Constellation Brands

(Get Free Report)

Constellation Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company provides beer primarily under the Corona Extra, Corona Familiar, Corona Hard Seltzer, Corona Light, Corona Non-Alcoholic, Corona Premier, Corona Refresca, Modelo Especial, Modelo Chelada, Modelo Negra, Modelo Oro, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands.

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Financial Enhancement Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Janus Henderson Securitized Income ETF (NYSEARCA:JSI  Free Report) by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 451,049 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 8,626 shares during the quarter. Janus Henderson Securitized Income ETF makes up about 3.4% of Financial Enhancement Group LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th largest position. Financial Enhancement Group LLC owned 9.40% of Janus Henderson Securitized Income ETF worth $23,531,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its position in Janus Henderson Securitized Income ETF by 3.4% in the second quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 171,674 shares of the companys stock worth $8,886,000 after purchasing an additional 5,719 shares in the last quarter. Masso Torrence Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Janus Henderson Securitized Income ETF by 28.0% in the 2nd quarter. Masso Torrence Wealth Management Inc. now owns 42,295 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,189,000 after purchasing an additional 9,262 shares during the period. Advisory Resource Group raised its holdings in shares of Janus Henderson Securitized Income ETF by 5.4% in the 2nd quarter. Advisory Resource Group now owns 221,030 shares of the companys stock worth $11,441,000 after buying an additional 11,367 shares in the last quarter. Magnus Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Janus Henderson Securitized Income ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,017,000. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Janus Henderson Securitized Income ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,563,000.

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Janus Henderson Securitized Income ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA:JSI traded down $0.02 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $52.41. The company had a trading volume of 20,566 shares, compared to its average volume of 41,959. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $52.13 and a two-hundred day moving average of $51.67. Janus Henderson Securitized Income ETF has a one year low of $49.96 and a one year high of $52.85.

Janus Henderson Securitized Income ETF Cuts Dividend

About Janus Henderson Securitized Income ETF

The company also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 7th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 1st were issued a $0.2809 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 1st.

(Free Report)

The Janus Henderson Securitized Income ETF (JSI) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in broad credit fixed income. The fund is an actively managed fund that provides broad exposure to the US securitized market. The fund invests predominantly in investment grade securities. JSI was launched on Nov 8, 2023 and is issued by Janus Henderson.

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First National Trust Co lifted its position in shares of Truist Financial Co. (NYSE:TFC  Free Report) by 0.2% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 209,635 shares of the insurance providers stock after purchasing an additional 410 shares during the quarter. First National Trust Cos holdings in Truist Financial were worth $8,144,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Crewe Advisors LLC bought a new position in Truist Financial during the first quarter worth about $27,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Truist Financial during the first quarter worth about $29,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Truist Financial during the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Missouri Trust & Investment Co grew its position in shares of Truist Financial by 227.2% in 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 bought a new stake in Truist Financial during the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.28% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Truist Financial

In other news, VP Cynthia B. Powell sold 6,688 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.14, for a total transaction of $295,208.32. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, VP Cynthia B. Powell sold 6,688 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO William H. Rogers, Jr. purchased 57,300 shares of Truist Financial stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 23rd. The stock was purchased 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 directly owns 569,271 shares in the company, valued at $25,025,153.16. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

Truist Financial Stock Performance

Shares of TFC opened at $44.25 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $41.93 and a 200-day moving average of $38.95. The company has a market cap of $59.25 billion, a PE ratio of -33.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 1.06. Truist Financial Co. has a one year low of $26.57 and a one year high of $45.31.

Truist Financial (NYSE:TFC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 22nd. The insurance provider reported $0.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.07. Truist Financial had a positive return on equity of 9.18% and a negative net margin of 5.63%. The firm had revenue of $5.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.83 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.95 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 15.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Truist Financial Co. will post 3.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Truist Financial Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 9th were given a dividend of $0.52 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 9th. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.70%. Truist Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -157.58%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of Truist Financial from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Robert W. Baird lowered shares of Truist Financial from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $45.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. HSBC increased their target price on Truist Financial from $40.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. Bank of America upped their price objective on Truist Financial from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Finally, Baird R W downgraded Truist Financial from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Truist Financial currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $45.30.

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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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FSB Premier Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 39.7% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 14,878 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 4,228 shares during the quarter. FSB Premier Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $1,508,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Philip Morris International by 684.4% in the 2nd quarter. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC now owns 251 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 219 shares in the last quarter. Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH boosted its holdings 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 purchasing an additional 230 shares during the period. Fortitude Family Office LLC grew its stake in Philip Morris International by 57.4% in the second quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 318 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares in the last quarter. Northwest Financial Advisors purchased a new position in Philip Morris International during the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Olistico Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Philip Morris International during the 2nd quarter valued at $34,000. 78.63% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on PM. Barclays increased their price target on Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. StockNews.com raised shares of Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on Philip Morris International from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $111.90.

Philip Morris International Stock Up 2.0 %

Shares of PM opened at $125.72 on Wednesday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $112.42 and a two-hundred day moving average of $101.64. Philip Morris International Inc. has a twelve month low of $87.23 and a twelve month high of $126.18. The company has a market cap of $195.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.58.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.57 by $0.02. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 113.32% and a net margin of 9.41%. The firm had revenue of $9.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.60 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.45 EPS for the current year.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 21st were issued a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 21st. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.14%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 101.56%.

Insider Activity at Philip Morris International

In other Philip Morris International news, insider Massimo Andolina sold 9,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.35, for a total transaction of $1,038,150.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 85,629 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,877,305.15. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Philip Morris International news, insider Massimo Andolina sold 9,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.35, for a total transaction of $1,038,150.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 85,629 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,877,305.15. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.01, for a total value of $2,260,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 158,447 shares in the company, valued at $17,906,095.47. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.

Further Reading

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The Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE:BNS  Free Report) (TSE:BNS)  Stock analysts at Cormark lifted their FY2025 earnings per share estimates for shares of Bank of Nova Scotia in a research note issued on Wednesday, August 28th. Cormark analyst L. Persaud now forecasts that the bank will earn $5.13 per share for the year, up from their prior estimate of $5.04. The consensus estimate for Bank of Nova Scotias current full-year earnings is $4.80 per share.

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BNS has been the topic of a number of other research reports. UBS Group started coverage on Bank of Nova Scotia in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. StockNews.com cut Bank of Nova Scotia from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Bank of Nova Scotia has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $69.00.

Bank of Nova Scotia Stock Up 0.3 %

BNS opened at $50.03 on Monday. Bank of Nova Scotia has a 1-year low of $39.79 and a 1-year high of $51.98. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $46.71 and its 200 day simple moving average is $47.60. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The stock has a market cap of $61.90 billion, a PE ratio of 11.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.04.

Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE:BNS  Get Free Report) (TSE:BNS) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 27th. The bank reported $1.63 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.62 by $0.01. Bank of Nova Scotia had a return on equity of 11.14% and a net margin of 9.84%. The business had revenue of $8.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.53 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.30 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis.

Bank of Nova Scotia Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 29th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.768 per share. This represents a $3.07 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.14%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 2nd. Bank of Nova Scotias payout ratio is 69.82%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its position in Bank of Nova Scotia by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 15,432 shares of the banks stock worth $799,000 after buying an additional 219 shares during the period. Power Corp of Canada grew its holdings in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Power Corp of Canada now owns 12,037 shares of the banks stock worth $587,000 after purchasing an additional 226 shares in the last quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC grew its holdings in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia by 70.6% during the 1st quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 585 shares of the banks stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 242 shares in the last quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 59,065 shares of the banks stock worth $2,875,000 after purchasing an additional 258 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pacifica Partners Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 19,493 shares of the banks stock worth $889,000 after purchasing an additional 288 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 49.13% of the companys stock.

About Bank of Nova Scotia

(Get Free Report)

The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth Management, and Global Banking and Markets segments.

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Gerdau S.A. (NYSE:GGB  Get Free Report)s share price traded up 3.2% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $3.23 and last traded at $3.23. 684,368 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 91% from the average session volume of 7,745,364 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.13.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Bank of America upgraded Gerdau from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $4.50 to $5.00 in a research note on Friday, May 24th.

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Gerdau Stock Up 3.8 %

The company has a quick ratio of 1.36, a current ratio of 2.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The companys 50 day moving average price is $3.25 and its 200 day moving average price is $3.42. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.13 and a beta of 1.76.

Gerdau (NYSE:GGB  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The basic materials company reported $0.09 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.07 by $0.02. Gerdau had a return on equity of 8.43% and a net margin of 7.88%. The business had revenue of $3.19 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.01 billion. As a group, research analysts forecast that Gerdau S.A. will post 0.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Gerdau Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, August 27th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 13th were given a dividend of $0.055 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 13th. This is a positive change from Gerdaus previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. This represents a $0.22 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.77%. Gerdaus dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 13.11%.

Institutional Trading of Gerdau

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Capital International Investors grew its holdings in Gerdau by 0.4% during the first quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 92,086,997 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $407,025,000 after acquiring an additional 378,125 shares during the period. Contrarian Capital Management L.L.C. grew its stake in shares of Gerdau by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Contrarian Capital Management L.L.C. now owns 18,240,285 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $88,465,000 after purchasing an additional 547,234 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of Gerdau by 15.1% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 16,005,117 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $52,825,000 after purchasing an additional 2,100,969 shares in the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Gerdau by 48.1% in the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 13,391,548 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $44,181,000 after purchasing an additional 4,351,666 shares during the period. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP boosted its holdings in Gerdau by 1,988.2% during the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 6,186,152 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $20,414,000 after buying an additional 5,889,913 shares in the last quarter. 1.49% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Gerdau

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Gerdau SA, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a steel producer company. The company operates through Brazil Business, North America Business, South America Business, and Special Steel Business segments. It also provides semi-finished products, including billets, blooms, and slabs; common long rolled products, such as rebars, wire rods, merchant bars, light shapes, and profiles to the construction and manufacturing industries; drawn products comprising barbed and barbless fence wires, galvanized wires, fences, concrete reinforcing wire mesh, nails, and clamps for manufacturing, construction, and agricultural industries; and special steel products used in auto parts, light and heavy vehicles, and agricultural machinery, as well as in the oil and gas, wind energy, machinery and equipment, mining and rail, and other markets.

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Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the six brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $12.33.

HLF has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of Herbalife from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, June 7th. StockNews.com cut Herbalife from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, August 23rd. DA Davidson upped their price objective on Herbalife from $9.50 to $13.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, B. Riley lifted their target price on Herbalife from $16.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st.

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Insider Activity

Institutional Trading of Herbalife

In other news, Director Juan Miguel Mendoza acquired 10,000 shares of Herbalife stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $8.72 per share, with a total value of $87,200.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 110,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $959,200. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . 0.94% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HLF. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its holdings in shares of Herbalife by 10.3% during the second quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 8,684 shares of the companys stock valued at $90,000 after buying an additional 808 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its stake in Herbalife by 22.9% during the 1st quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 5,558 shares of the companys stock valued at $56,000 after acquiring an additional 1,035 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its holdings in shares of Herbalife by 3.5% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 41,678 shares of the companys stock valued at $433,000 after purchasing an additional 1,399 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Herbalife by 8.6% in the first quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 17,767 shares of the companys stock worth $179,000 after purchasing an additional 1,400 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SummerHaven Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Herbalife by 2.6% during the second quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC now owns 58,409 shares of the companys stock worth $607,000 after purchasing an additional 1,465 shares during the period.

Herbalife Price Performance

Shares of HLF stock opened at $8.07 on Wednesday. Herbalife has a 12-month low of $6.68 and a 12-month high of $15.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $806.74 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.89 and a beta of 1.25. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $10.02 and a 200 day simple moving average of $9.78.

Herbalife (NYSE:HLF  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $0.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.43 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $1.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.33 billion. Herbalife had a negative return on equity of 18.69% and a net margin of 1.63%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.74 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Herbalife will post 0.9 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Herbalife

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Herbalife Ltd. provides health and wellness products in North America, Mexico, South and Central America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, China, and the Asia Pacific. It offers products in the areas of weight management; targeted nutrition; energy, sports, and fitness; outer nutrition; and literature and promotional items.

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Iluka Resources Limited (ASX:ILU  Get Free Report) announced a interim dividend on Monday, September 2nd, MarketIndexAU reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 26th will be paid a dividend of 0.04 per share on Thursday, September 26th. This represents a yield of 0.66%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 2nd. This is a boost from Iluka Resourcess previous interim dividend of $0.03.

Iluka Resources Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.37, a current ratio of 4.90 and a quick ratio of 1.46.

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About Iluka Resources

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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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Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF (NYSEARCA:RYT  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $35.52 and last traded at $35.67, with a volume of 349291 shares. The stock had previously closed at $37.07.

Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF Price Performance

The business has a fifty day moving average of $56.05 and a 200-day moving average of $54.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.74 and a beta of 1.66.

Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF Company Profile

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The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF (RYT) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in information technology equity. The fund tracks an equal-weighted index of S&P 500 technology companies. RYT was launched on Nov 1, 2006 and is managed by Invesco.

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Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:ALSN  Get Free Report) SVP John Coll sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.98, for a total value of $181,960.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 12,420 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,129,971.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link.

John Coll also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, June 28th, John Coll sold 2,000 shares of Allison Transmission stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.06, for a total value of $150,120.00.

Allison Transmission Stock Down 4.0 %

Shares of ALSN stock traded down $3.67 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $89.08. 464,655 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 624,171. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $83.43 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $78.93. Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc. has a 12-month low of $50.13 and a 12-month high of $92.82. The stock has a market cap of $7.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.89, a PEG ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a quick ratio of 2.19, a current ratio of 2.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62.

Allison Transmission Announces Dividend

Allison Transmission ( NYSE:ALSN Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The auto parts company reported $2.13 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.04 by $0.09. Allison Transmission had a net margin of 21.95% and a return on equity of 52.18%. The company had revenue of $816.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $799.44 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.92 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 4.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc. will post 7.89 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 19th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.12%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 19th. Allison Transmissions payout ratio is 13.35%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. GSA Capital Partners LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Allison Transmission during the 1st quarter valued at about $1,229,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Allison Transmission during the 1st quarter worth $1,342,000. UBS Group AG lifted its stake in shares of Allison Transmission by 35.7% during the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 135,039 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $7,853,000 after purchasing an additional 35,501 shares during the last quarter. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Allison Transmission in the first quarter valued at about $1,120,000. Finally, State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System raised its stake in Allison Transmission by 11.4% in the first quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 99,254 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $8,055,000 after buying an additional 10,196 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 96.90% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on ALSN. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on Allison Transmission from $87.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Citigroup began coverage on Allison Transmission in a research report on Wednesday, June 26th. They issued a neutral rating and a $80.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded Allison Transmission from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday. Raymond James began coverage on Allison Transmission in a research report on Friday, June 28th. They issued an outperform rating and a $85.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on Allison Transmission from $63.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Allison Transmission presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $79.57.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on ALSN

About Allison Transmission

(Get Free Report)

Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells fully automatic transmissions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles and medium- and heavy-tactical U.S. defense vehicles, and electrified propulsion systems worldwide. It provides commercial-duty on-highway, off-highway and defense fully automatic transmissions, and electric hybrid and fully electric systems.

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Noventiq Azerbaijan is a winner of 2024 Microsoft Azerbaijan Partner of the Year Award.

Interview with Ruslan Mamiev, Business Development Director

- Could you please describe your experience of cooperation with Microsoft in the Azerbaijani market? What were the main stages of this cooperation, and what achievements helped your company reach a new level?

The collaboration between Noventiq Azerbaijan and Microsoft began when we started providing Microsoft licenses in Azerbaijan. Since then, we have expanded our range of services by strengthening our technical team and offering professional services from Microsoft technology experts. This transformation has enabled us not only to offer high-quality Microsoft solutions and the best possible conditions for our customers, but also to assist public and private organizations in Azerbaijan in making the most of these products and services, increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of their internal operations.

- Based on your experience with Microsoft products, what trends and changes do you anticipate seeing in the Azerbaijani market over the next few years?

Based on our predictions, Microsoft's products will have a significant impact on the development of technology in Azerbaijan in the near future. This will particularly affect large companies, as they will begin to incorporate advanced technologies and artificial intelligence into their operations. These changes will enhance their ability to adapt and innovate, allowing them to strengthen their market position.

- Could you tell us about the journey that led to the company receiving this award? What made Noventiq Azerbaijan "Partner of the Year"?

The2024 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award is the result of our hard work and dedication to providing excellent customer service. We have implemented several innovative projects that have received high praise from Microsoft. These accomplishments have allowed us to stand out among our partners and be awarded the title of "Partner of the Year".

- What are the main benefits of Noventiq Azerbaijan as a Microsoft partner?

Answer 4: Our main advantage is providing personalized solutions for each client. We start by selecting and implementing the right solution, and then provide support at all stages of the project. We also bring in global technical expertise to form teams of highly skilled specialists who can solve complex problems in the market. This ensures our success and makes us a reliable Microsoft partner.

- What challenges did you face to receive this award, and how did your team overcome them?

Noventiq Azerbaijan faced several challenges on the way to this award. One major challenge was the initial skepticism of customers regarding new and innovative solutions. This created additional obstacles to implementation. It made us provide a thorough justification for the advantages of our solutions and demonstrated their reliability and effectiveness. We also conducted additional consultations and negotiations to address customer concerns.

In addition, due to rapid technological developments, it was necessary for us to continuously update our knowledge and skills. This required active learning and quick adaptation to new circumstances. Through our efforts, we managed to not only maintain our competitiveness but also effectively respond to changing customer demands. After completing the work, we were able to address the concerns of our customers, successfully adapting to changing circumstances and achieving excellent results. This confirmed our qualifications and dedication.

- How does this award contribute to the corporate IT industry and how will it affect your interaction with existing and potential partners and customers?

The Microsoft Partner of the Year 2024 award acknowledges our leading position in innovation and service quality in Azerbaijan. This recognition by one of the largest technology companies in the world confirms the trust we have built with our customers and partners. It opens new possibilities for deepening our cooperation with Microsoft and our clients, allowing us to provide more innovative and efficient solutions to meet their current and future needs.

- What are your plans for future development? Do you have any new projects or initiatives to strengthen the partnership in the near future?

We are actively working to strengthen our partnership with Microsoft and have several important projects in the pipeline. We plan to expand our offer including Microsoft Azure and other cloud-based solutions soon. Although we are already among the leading Microsoft partners in Azerbaijan, we are continuing to expand our product and service offerings.

We will also be launching innovative projects utilizing Microsoft technologies for data storage, machine learning, and analysis. We aim to regularly educate our employees and clients on the latest Microsoft advancements and their applications, ensuring that our services remain relevant and efficient.

- What principles and values do you believe are most important for a successful partnership?

At Noventiq Azerbaijan, we prioritize creating and maintaining long-term partnerships based on mutual trust, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence. We believe that openness, honesty, and transparency are essential for successful cooperation with our partners, including Microsoft. Our goal is to foster strong and trustworthy relationships that allow us to work together to achieve new heights.
John Hancock Investors Trust (NYSE:JHI  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, September 4th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a dividend of 0.3134 per share by the financial services provider on Monday, September 30th. This represents a $1.25 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.10%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. This is a boost from John Hancock Investors Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.22.

John Hancock Investors Trust has decreased its dividend payment by an average of 13.8% annually over the last three years.

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John Hancock Investors Trust Stock Performance

Shares of John Hancock Investors Trust stock traded up $0.13 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $13.78. The companys stock had a trading volume of 28,053 shares, compared to its average volume of 21,685. John Hancock Investors Trust has a 1-year low of $11.63 and a 1-year high of $13.85. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $13.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $13.33.

John Hancock Investors Trust Company Profile

John Hancock Investors Trust is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC. It is co-managed by John Hancock Asset Management. It invests in the fixed income markets across the globe. The fund primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of corporate and government bonds, debt securities.

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Johnson Service Group (LON:JSG  Get Free Report) had its price target upped by equities researchers at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from GBX 200 ($2.63) to GBX 205 ($2.70) in a report released on Wednesday, Digital Look reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts target price suggests a potential upside of 33.46% from the companys previous close.

Separately, Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on Johnson Service Group from GBX 140 ($1.84) to GBX 155 ($2.04) and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 7th.

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Johnson Service Group Trading Down 0.8 %

About Johnson Service Group

Shares of JSG stock opened at GBX 153.60 ($2.02) on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of 636.67 million, a P/E ratio of 2,560.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 10.18 and a beta of 1.81. Johnson Service Group has a 1 year low of GBX 117.20 ($1.54) and a 1 year high of GBX 172 ($2.26). The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 41.03. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 158.98 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 149.07.

(Get Free Report)

Johnson Service Group PLC, together with its subsidiaries, provides textile rental and related services in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It operates in two segments, Workwear; and Hotel, Restaurants and Catering. The Workwear segment offers workwear and protective wear rental; and workplace hygiene services under the Johnsons Workwear brands, as well as provides laundry services.

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Kidoz Inc. (CVE:KIDZ  Get Free Report) shares traded down 25% during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as C$0.14 and last traded at C$0.14. 4,050 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 74% from the average session volume of 15,400 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.18.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Fundamental Research set a C$0.75 price objective on Kidoz and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, June 28th.

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Kidoz Stock Performance

Kidoz Company Profile

The company has a current ratio of 2.39, a quick ratio of 2.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. The firms fifty day moving average is C$0.16 and its 200 day moving average is C$0.19. The company has a market cap of C$17.73 million, a PE ratio of -4.50 and a beta of -1.61.

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Kidoz Inc develops and sells AdTech software products in Western Europe; Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe; North America; and internationally. The company also owns and develops mobile Kidoz safe ad network, the Kidoz kid-mode operating system, the Kidoz publisher SDK, the Rooplay edugames platform, and the Rooplay originals.

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Kula Gold Limited (ASX:KGD  Get Free Report) insider Mark Stowell bought 3,000,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 29th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of A$0.01 ($0.01) per share, with a total value of A$27,000.00 ($18,367.35).

Kula Gold Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 2.56, a current ratio of 4.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.72.

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Kula Gold Company Profile

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Kula Gold Limited, together with its subsidiaries, identifies and explores for metals in Western Australia. It primarily explores for gold, lithium, halloysite, nickel, kaolin, and copper deposits, as well as platinum group elements. The company holds interest in Kirup Project, Brunswick Project, and Lake Rebecca Project located in Western Australia.

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Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its position in Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI  Free Report) (TSE:TRI) by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 16,314 shares of the business services providers stock after acquiring an additional 396 shares during the quarter. Larson Financial Group LLCs holdings in Thomson Reuters were worth $2,750,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its holdings in Thomson Reuters by 1.8% during the first quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 3,990 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $622,000 after buying an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in Thomson Reuters by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 7,430 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,252,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Avitas Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Thomson Reuters by 0.4% during the second quarter. Avitas Wealth Management LLC now owns 20,811 shares of the business services providers stock worth $3,508,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Thomson Reuters by 76.9% during the first quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 184 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Gulf International Bank UK Ltd raised its position in shares of Thomson Reuters by 5.8% in the first quarter. Gulf International Bank UK Ltd now owns 1,541 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $239,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.31% of the companys stock.

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Thomson Reuters Stock Performance

Shares of TRI traded up $0.24 on Wednesday, reaching $168.39. 5,389 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 379,419. The firm has a market cap of $75.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.03, a P/E/G ratio of 6.10 and a beta of 0.73. Thomson Reuters Co. has a 12 month low of $117.46 and a 12 month high of $176.03. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $164.88 and its 200-day moving average price is $162.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.88.

Thomson Reuters Cuts Dividend

Thomson Reuters ( NYSE:TRI Get Free Report ) (TSE:TRI) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The business services provider reported $0.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.82 by $0.03. Thomson Reuters had a net margin of 33.65% and a return on equity of 15.22%. The company had revenue of $1.74 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.75 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.84 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 3.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.146 per share. This represents a $0.58 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.35%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th. Thomson Reuterss payout ratio is 41.14%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Thomson Reuters from $163.00 to $164.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Thomson Reuters from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and upped their price target for the company from $164.00 to $182.00 in a report on Tuesday, August 27th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on Thomson Reuters from $170.00 to $168.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Thomson Reuters has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $173.45.

Read Our Latest Report on TRI

Thomson Reuters Company Profile

(Free Report)

Thomson Reuters Corporation engages in the provision of business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments.

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Ascential plc (LON:ASCL  Get Free Report) insider Mandy Gradden sold 12,171 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 569 ($7.48), for a total transaction of 69,252.99 ($91,062.45).

Ascential Price Performance

Shares of LON ASCL traded down GBX 1 ($0.01) during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching GBX 569 ($7.48). 947,753 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,650,171. The stocks 50-day moving average price is GBX 485.92 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 375.33. The stock has a market cap of 1.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 4,750.00, a PEG ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.25. Ascential plc has a one year low of GBX 312.50 ($4.11) and a one year high of GBX 580 ($7.63).

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ASCL has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and set a GBX 433 ($5.69) target price on shares of Ascential in a research note on Tuesday, June 18th. Berenberg Bank upped their price objective on Ascential from GBX 395 ($5.19) to GBX 568 ($7.47) and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Ascential presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of GBX 428.67 ($5.64).

About Ascential

(Get Free Report)

Ascential plc provides specialist information, analytics, and e-commerce optimization platforms in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the United States, Canada, China, rest of the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. The company operates in two segments, Marketing and Financial Technology.

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Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of The Brinks Company (NYSE:BCO  Free Report) by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 171,704 shares of the business services providers stock after buying an additional 1,518 shares during the quarter. Brinks makes up about 1.5% of Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 5th largest position. Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc. owned about 0.39% of Brinks worth $17,582,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in BCO. Covestor Ltd raised its position in shares of Brinks by 154.8% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 316 shares of the business services providers stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares during the last quarter. LRI Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Brinks in the first quarter valued at $37,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Brinks during the second quarter valued at $47,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in Brinks by 119.0% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 460 shares of the business services providers stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp acquired a new position in Brinks in the 1st quarter valued at about $49,000. 94.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BCO has been the topic of several analyst reports. StockNews.com raised shares of Brinks from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 16th. William Blair initiated coverage on shares of Brinks in a research note on Tuesday, May 21st. They issued an outperform rating for the company. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Brinks has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $106.50.

Brinks Trading Down 3.7 %

NYSE BCO opened at $106.83 on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $104.12 and a 200-day moving average of $96.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.78, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.57. The Brinks Company has a 12 month low of $64.15 and a 12 month high of $113.63. The company has a market cap of $4.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.93 and a beta of 1.46.

Brinks (NYSE:BCO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The business services provider reported $1.67 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.47 by $0.20. Brinks had a net margin of 2.73% and a return on equity of 69.80%. The company had revenue of $1.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.26 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.18 earnings per share. Brinkss revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that The Brinks Company will post 7.51 earnings per share for the current year.

Brinks Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 29th were given a dividend of $0.2425 per share. This represents a $0.97 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.91%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 29th. Brinkss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 37.16%.

About Brinks

(Free Report)

The Brink's Company provides secure transportation, cash management, and other security-related services in North America, Latin America, Europe, and internationally. The company offers armored vehicle transportation of valuables; automated teller machine (ATM) management services, such as cash replenishment, cash forecasting, cash optimization, ATM remote monitoring, service call dispatching, transaction processing, installation, and first line maintenance services; and cash-in-transit services.

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MFS Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:MFM  Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Tuesday, September 3rd, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 17th will be paid a dividend of 0.0215 per share by the closed-end fund on Monday, September 30th. This represents a $0.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.56%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 17th.

MFS Municipal Income Trust Stock Up 1.3 %

Shares of MFM stock traded up $0.07 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $5.66. 180,356 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 90,840. The companys 50 day moving average price is $5.46 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $5.32. MFS Municipal Income Trust has a 12 month low of $4.37 and a 12 month high of $5.66.

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About MFS Municipal Income Trust

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Further Reading

MFS Municipal Income Trust is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Massachusetts Financial Services Company. The fund invests in fixed income markets of the United States. It primarily invests in tax-exempt bonds and tax-exempt notes. The fund benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against Barclays Municipal Bond Index.

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Midland Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 2,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $322,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of KMB. CX Institutional raised its stake in Kimberly-Clark by 1.2% in the second quarter. CX Institutional now owns 5,968 shares of the companys stock valued at $825,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Capital Investment Counsel Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Capital Investment Counsel Inc now owns 10,019 shares of the companys stock worth $1,296,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares during the period. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 4.6% during the 1st quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,755 shares of the companys stock worth $227,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Equitable Trust Co. increased its stake in Kimberly-Clark by 0.9% in the second quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 9,066 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,253,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Comprehensive Financial Consultants Institutional Inc. raised its position 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. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.29% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently commented on KMB shares. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Kimberly-Clark from $138.00 to $134.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $167.00 to $174.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Kimberly-Clark from an underperform rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $115.00 to $160.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 13th. Argus upgraded shares of Kimberly-Clark to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $165.00 price objective on shares of Kimberly-Clark in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $145.67.

Insider Buying and Selling at Kimberly-Clark

In related news, insider Jeffrey P. Melucci sold 37,699 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 25th. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at $2,819,207.70. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, insider Jeffrey P. Melucci sold 37,699 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $141.42, for a total value of $5,331,392.58. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 19,935 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,819,207.70. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Gonzalo Uribe sold 1,780 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 in the company, valued at approximately $1,038,976.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.62% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Kimberly-Clark Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:KMB opened at $147.35 on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $140.98 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $134.11. Kimberly-Clark Co. has a twelve month low of $116.32 and a twelve month high of $148.02. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $49.63 billion, a PE ratio of 27.09, a P/E/G ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.37.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $1.96 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.71 by $0.25. Kimberly-Clark had a return on equity of 223.55% and a net margin of 11.28%. The business had revenue of $5.03 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.10 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.65 EPS. The firms revenue was down 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that Kimberly-Clark Co. will post 7.25 EPS for the current year.

Kimberly-Clark Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, September 6th will be paid a $1.22 dividend. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.31%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 6th. Kimberly-Clarks dividend payout ratio is currently 89.71%.

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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National Australia Bank Limited (OTCMKTS:NABZY  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $13.45 and last traded at $12.94, with a volume of 55051 shares. The stock had previously closed at $12.97.

National Australia Bank Trading Down 0.2 %

The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $12.25 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.62.

National Australia Bank Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

National Australia Bank Limited provides financial services to individuals and businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. The company operates through Business and Private Banking; Personal Banking; Corporate and Institutional Banking; New Zealand Banking; and Corporate Functions and Other segments.

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BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).



Xi noted that the FOCAC has become an effective mechanism for advancing practical cooperation between China and Africa and a fine example of South-South cooperation.

Heexpressed the belief that with joint efforts from both sides, the summit will make new contributions to the modernization of African countries and the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future.

Xi emphasized that China and Sierra Leone should continue to stand firmly together on matters concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.

China is ready to work with Sierra Leone to deepen cooperation in areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, resources and energy, Xi said.

He said China is willing to strengthen coordination with Sierra Leone under multilateral frameworks including the United Nations, jointly safeguarding the interests of Africa and the developing world.



Bio noted remarkable progress achieved in bilateral cooperation since his last visit to China, voicing hope for closer cooperation with China in agriculture, security and other fields.

He expressed gratitude for China's support in helping Sierra Leone fulfill its duties as the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, and conveyed his willingness to enhance multilateral coordination with China on the international stage.




ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 4. Kazakhstan and Congo have discussed prospects for scientific and technical cooperation in the oil sector, Trend reports.

The discussions took place between the Chairman of the Board of KazMunayGas Askhat Khassenov and Francoise Joly, the personal representative of the President of the Republic of the Congo for strategic issues and international cooperation, and Maixent Ominga, Managing Director of the Societe Nationale des Petroles du Congo (SNPC).

The parties discussed exchanging scientific and engineering experience and benchmarking in geological research and field development. KMG Engineering specialists studied Congo fields and conducted feasibility assessments for field development projects.

The prospects for cooperation in the field of industrial networking and best practices for selecting equipment suppliers for the oil and gas industry and oil refineries were also discussed.

In addition, potential cooperation and exchange of experience in creating attractive conditions for large international investments in petrochemical projects were discussed.

Meanwhile, on August 4, Kazakhstan and Congo signed an agreement on cooperation in the oil and gas sector. Congo, the third-largest player in Africa's oil and gas sector, is actively cooperating with international companies such as Total Energies, Chevron and Eni.
StockNews.com upgraded shares of New Gold (NYSE:NGD  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note published on Sunday.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Cibc World Mkts raised shares of New Gold to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. CIBC lifted their price target on shares of New Gold from $3.00 to $3.40 and gave the stock an outperformer rating in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. BMO Capital Markets began coverage on shares of New Gold in a research note on Friday, May 31st. They set an outperform rating and a $3.50 price objective for the company. National Bank Financial upgraded shares of New Gold from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, May 17th. Finally, TD Securities upgraded shares of New Gold from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $2.49.

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New Gold Stock Down 7.0 %

Shares of NGD stock opened at $2.34 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -23.35 and a beta of 1.32. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $2.29. The company has a current ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. New Gold has a 52-week low of $0.86 and a 52-week high of $2.73.

New Gold (NYSE:NGD  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $0.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.01 by $0.01. New Gold had a negative net margin of 2.53% and a positive return on equity of 5.22%. The business had revenue of $218.20 million for the quarter. Analysts anticipate that New Gold will post 0.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Scientech Research LLC acquired a new position in shares of New Gold during the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new position in shares of New Gold during the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. Rathbones Group PLC acquired a new position in shares of New Gold during the 2nd quarter worth about $36,000. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of New Gold during the 1st quarter worth about $42,000. Finally, Morton Capital Management LLC CA raised its position in shares of New Gold by 23.3% during the 2nd quarter. Morton Capital Management LLC CA now owns 26,494 shares of the companys stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 5,000 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 42.82% of the companys stock.

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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Novare Capital Management LLC trimmed its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 6.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,583 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 117 shares during the quarter. Novare Capital Management LLCs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $275,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. BOKF NA increased its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 4.8% during the first quarter. BOKF NA now owns 1,762 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $249,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares during the period. Dodge & Cox bought a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 4th quarter worth approximately $6,396,000. Aigen Investment Management LP bought a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 4th quarter worth approximately $553,000. Credit Capital Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 9.4% in the 4th quarter. Credit Capital Investments LLC now owns 58,000 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $6,032,000 after buying an additional 5,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cetera Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 80.7% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC now owns 79,291 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $10,787,000 after purchasing an additional 35,404 shares during the last quarter. 16.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. 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. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted 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. TD Cowen lifted their target price on 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 reiterated a positive rating and issued a $250.00 target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC lifted their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $168.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $200.00.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Price Performance

Shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stock opened at $160.42 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 2.47 and a quick ratio of 2.21. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $170.51 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $154.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $832.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.14. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a one year low of $84.01 and a one year high of $193.47.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly 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. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 25.54% and a net margin of 37.85%. The firm had revenue of $20.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.33 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.14 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 34.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited will post 6.45 EPS for the current year.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 9th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.4871 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 12th. This is a positive change from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. This represents a $1.95 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.21%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio is presently 37.52%.

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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OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE:OUT  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, August 6th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Friday, September 6th will be paid a dividend of 0.30 per share by the financial services provider on Friday, September 27th. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 6th.

OUTFRONT Media has raised its dividend payment by an average of 46.7% per year over the last three years. OUTFRONT Media has a dividend payout ratio of 148.1% meaning the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Equities research analysts expect OUTFRONT Media to earn $1.64 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.20 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 73.2%.

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OUTFRONT Media Stock Performance

NYSE OUT opened at $16.62 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $2.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.25, a PEG ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 1.92. The company has a current ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.71. OUTFRONT Media has a 1-year low of $8.18 and a 1-year high of $17.27. The company has a 50 day moving average of $15.47 and a 200-day moving average of $15.20.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

OUTFRONT Media ( NYSE:OUT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.41 by $0.60. The business had revenue of $477.30 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $482.27 million. OUTFRONT Media had a return on equity of 37.83% and a net margin of 12.32%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.47 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that OUTFRONT Media will post 1.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

OUT has been the topic of several recent research reports. Barrington Research raised their target price on shares of OUTFRONT Media from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. StockNews.com upgraded OUTFRONT Media from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 30th. TD Cowen started coverage on OUTFRONT Media in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. They set a hold rating and a $16.00 target price on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of OUTFRONT Media from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. 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.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $16.00.

Read Our Latest Research Report on OUT

OUTFRONT Media Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

OUTFRONT leverages the power of technology, location, and creativity to connect brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in North America. Through its technology platform, OUTFRONT will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage audiences on-the-go.

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Oxinas Partners Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 4.5% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 534 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 23 shares during the quarter. Oxinas Partners Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $484,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.6% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 72,745,011 shares of the companys stock valued at $56,592,709,000 after purchasing an additional 1,133,810 shares in the last quarter. Capital World Investors raised its holdings in shares of 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 in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter worth $5,992,890,000. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 6.0% in the first 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Capital International Investors grew its position in 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 acquiring an additional 335,560 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have commented on LLY. Bank of America increased their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,000.00 to $1,125.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Barclays upped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $913.00 to $1,025.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $725.00 to $1,025.00 in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Truist Financial reissued 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 report on Tuesday, June 25th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and issued a $1,106.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Tuesday, August 27th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $961.76.

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 0.4 %

Eli Lilly and Company stock opened at $956.53 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74. The firms fifty day moving average price is $895.06 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $825.20. The firm has a market capitalization of $909.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 140.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.41. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1-year low of $516.57 and a 1-year high of $972.53.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $3.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.64 by $1.28. The business had revenue of $11.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.83 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 67.52% and a net margin of 18.86%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 16.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be issued a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 15th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is 76.58%.

Insider Activity

In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 139,490 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $852.29, for a total value of $118,885,932.10. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 97,869,320 shares in the company, valued at approximately $83,413,042,742.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Insiders sold a total of 876,900 shares of company stock worth $788,605,032 over the last quarter. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

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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Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund grew its holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 0.6% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 133,530 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 777 shares during the quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Funds holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $13,531,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. GQG Partners LLC grew its position in Philip Morris International by 5,006.0% in the first quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 5,958,391 shares of the companys stock valued at $545,908,000 after acquiring an additional 5,841,696 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors grew its holdings in Philip Morris International by 9.1% during the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 58,416,175 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,495,794,000 after purchasing an additional 4,869,272 shares in the last quarter. Lone Pine Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International during the 4th quarter valued at $282,785,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its stake in Philip Morris International by 25.5% during the 4th quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 10,439,154 shares of the companys stock worth $996,104,000 after buying an additional 2,123,311 shares during the period. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 5,045.1% in the 1st quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 2,122,729 shares of the companys stock worth $194,484,000 after buying an additional 2,081,472 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.63% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other Philip Morris International news, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.01, for a total transaction of $2,260,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 158,447 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,906,095.47. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, insider Massimo Andolina sold 9,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.35, for a total transaction of $1,038,150.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 85,629 shares in the company, valued at $9,877,305.15. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.01, for a total value of $2,260,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 158,447 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,906,095.47. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Philip Morris International Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:PM opened at $125.72 on Wednesday. The companys fifty day moving average is $112.42 and its two-hundred day moving average is $101.64. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1-year low of $87.23 and a 1-year high of $126.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $195.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.58.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $1.59 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.57 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $9.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.19 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 113.32% and a net margin of 9.41%. The businesss revenue was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.60 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 21st were paid a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 21st. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.14%. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is currently 101.56%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on PM. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. StockNews.com upgraded Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Bank of America increased their target price on Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Philip Morris International has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $109.80.

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About Philip Morris International

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, September 3rd, RTT News reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be paid a dividend of 0.96 per share by the real estate investment trust on Monday, September 30th. This represents a $3.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.99%.

Prologis has raised its dividend by an average of 14.5% per year over the last three years and has increased its dividend every year for the last 11 years. Prologis has a dividend payout ratio of 125.9% meaning the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Research analysts expect Prologis to earn $6.00 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $3.84 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 64.0%.

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Prologis Price Performance

NYSE PLD traded up $0.54 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $128.36. The stock had a trading volume of 3,526,147 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,633,613. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $121.32 and a 200 day simple moving average of $118.99. The company has a market cap of $118.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.37, a P/E/G ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 1.06. Prologis has a 52-week low of $96.64 and a 52-week high of $137.52. The company has a quick ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Prologis ( NYSE:PLD Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 17th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.33 by ($0.41). The company had revenue of $2.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.86 billion. Prologis had a return on equity of 4.88% and a net margin of 36.37%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 18.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.83 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Prologis will post 5.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

PLD has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Bank of America reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $128.00 price objective on shares of Prologis in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of Prologis from $122.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 28th. Mizuho lowered their target price on shares of Prologis from $130.00 to $120.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 31st. Royal Bank of Canada lowered Prologis from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and increased their price target for the stock from $124.00 to $127.00 in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Prologis from $142.00 to $146.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, August 28th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Prologis has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $133.12.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Prologis

In related news, CIO Joseph Ghazal sold 5,200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction 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 directly owns 13,187 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,702,046.09. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Prologis Company Profile

(Get 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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Founders Financial Securities LLC increased its stake in shares of RTX Co. (NYSE:RTX  Free Report) by 0.9% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 26,902 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 252 shares during the period. Founders Financial Securities LLCs holdings in RTX were worth $2,701,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in RTX. Briaud Financial Planning Inc lifted its holdings in RTX by 64.1% during the 2nd quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc now owns 256 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Lynx Investment Advisory purchased a new position in RTX in the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of RTX in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp purchased a new stake in shares of RTX during the 1st quarter worth $42,000. Finally, Stephens Consulting LLC increased its holdings in RTX by 34.1% in the second quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC now owns 448 shares of the companys stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.50% of the companys stock.

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RTX Trading Down 1.9 %

Shares of RTX stock opened at $120.96 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The firm has a market cap of $160.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.82. RTX Co. has a 52-week low of $68.56 and a 52-week high of $123.70. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $111.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is $103.80.

Insider Activity

RTX ( NYSE:RTX Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $1.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.30 by $0.11. RTX had a return on equity of 11.37% and a net margin of 3.12%. The business had revenue of $19.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.29 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.29 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 7.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that RTX Co. will post 5.45 earnings per share for the current year.

In related news, insider Shane G. Eddy sold 6,741 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.76, for a total transaction of $773,597.16. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other RTX news, VP Kevin G. Dasilva sold 8,166 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.96, for a total transaction of $938,763.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 45,208 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,197,111.68. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Shane G. Eddy sold 6,741 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.76, for a total transaction of $773,597.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 178,333 shares of company stock worth $20,861,880 in the last 90 days. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently commented on RTX shares. Susquehanna increased their price objective on RTX from $119.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of RTX from $102.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Bank of America raised shares of RTX from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the company from $110.00 to $140.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on RTX from $110.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Finally, Alembic Global Advisors raised RTX from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $134.00 target price for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating and five 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 price target of $153.47.

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RTX Company Profile

(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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Africa Oil Corp. (OTCMKTS:AOIFF  Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 3,857,400 shares, an increase of 8.1% from the July 31st total of 3,567,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 162,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 23.7 days.

Africa Oil Stock Down 6.4 %

Africa Oil stock opened at $1.42 on Wednesday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $1.67 and its 200-day moving average price is $1.71. Africa Oil has a twelve month low of $1.40 and a twelve month high of $2.48. The company has a market cap of $634.61 million, a PE ratio of 10.16 and a beta of 1.02.

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Africa Oil Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 9th will be issued a $0.025 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 9th. Africa Oils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 35.71%.

Africa Oil Company Profile

Africa Oil Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an oil and gas exploration and production company in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. The company holds interests in producing and development assets in deep-water Nigeria, and development assets in Kenya. It also has a portfolio of exploration and appraisal assets in Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya, as well as Guyana and Senegal Guinea Bissau Joint Development Zone.

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Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL  Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 32,120,000 shares, a growth of 5.3% from the July 31st total of 30,510,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 8,580,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.7 days.

Delta Air Lines Stock Down 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE:DAL opened at $42.37 on Wednesday. Delta Air Lines has a 52-week low of $30.60 and a 52-week high of $53.86. The stock has a market cap of $27.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 1.35. The businesss 50 day moving average is $42.90 and its 200 day moving average is $46.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 0.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21.

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Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 11th. The transportation company reported $2.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.37 by ($0.01). Delta Air Lines had a return on equity of 36.02% and a net margin of 7.46%. The firm had revenue of $15.41 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.45 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.68 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Delta Air Lines will post 5.94 EPS for the current year.

Delta Air Lines Increases Dividend

Insider Buying and Selling

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, August 20th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 30th were given a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, July 30th. This is a boost from Delta Air Liness previous quarterly dividend of $0.10. Delta Air Liness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 8.63%.

In other Delta Air Lines news, Director Willie Cw Chiang acquired 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 12th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $43.90 per share, for a total transaction of $439,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 20,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $878,000. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.96% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Delta Air Lines

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of DAL. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in Delta Air Lines by 220.2% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 8,600,741 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $346,008,000 after acquiring an additional 5,914,301 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors boosted its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 8.8% in the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 20,936,699 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $842,283,000 after purchasing an additional 1,689,053 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Delta Air Lines in the 4th quarter worth $65,056,000. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 27.0% in the 4th quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. now owns 6,467,749 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $260,198,000 after purchasing an additional 1,376,221 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Delta Air Lines in the 2nd quarter worth $60,217,000. Institutional investors own 69.93% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. HSBC assumed coverage on Delta Air Lines in a research note on Monday, May 13th. They set a buy rating and a $72.80 price target for the company. Citigroup increased their price target on Delta Air Lines from $55.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 29th. Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their price target on Delta Air Lines from $66.00 to $62.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 12th. TD Cowen dropped their price target on Delta Air Lines from $61.00 to $59.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $58.00 to $56.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, June 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $60.70.

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About Delta Air Lines

(Get Free Report)

Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo.

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Simon Quick Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM  Free Report) by 21.1% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,804 shares of the construction companys stock after acquiring an additional 836 shares during the quarter. Simon Quick Advisors LLCs holdings in Martin Marietta Materials were worth $2,603,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund lifted its position in Martin Marietta Materials by 0.4% during the second quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 5,298 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $2,870,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the period. Chilton Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Martin Marietta Materials by 6,950.0% during the second quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLC now owns 141 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $76,000 after buying an additional 139 shares during the period. BW Gestao de Investimentos Ltda. purchased a new position in Martin Marietta Materials during the second quarter valued at $5,418,000. D.A. Davidson & CO. raised its position in shares of Martin Marietta Materials by 11.0% in the 2nd quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 11,922 shares of the construction companys stock worth $6,459,000 after purchasing an additional 1,180 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Martin Marietta Materials in the 2nd quarter worth about $248,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.04% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com lowered Martin Marietta Materials from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Thursday, August 29th. Stephens lowered their price target on Martin Marietta Materials from $650.00 to $610.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Citigroup lowered their price target on Martin Marietta Materials from $658.00 to $646.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Loop Capital lowered their price target on Martin Marietta Materials from $630.00 to $615.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Martin Marietta Materials from $660.00 to $665.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and ten 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 $629.82.

Martin Marietta Materials Stock Performance

Shares of Martin Marietta Materials stock traded down $3.12 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $516.33. 13,745 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 443,619. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $545.50 and a 200 day moving average price of $570.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.40, a P/E/G ratio of 3.57 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. has a one year low of $389.90 and a one year high of $626.67.

Martin Marietta Materials (NYSE:MLM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The construction company reported $4.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $5.36 by ($0.60). The company had revenue of $1.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.83 billion. Martin Marietta Materials had a net margin of 30.80% and a return on equity of 13.85%. The companys revenue was down 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $5.60 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. will post 20.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Martin Marietta Materials Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.79 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 3rd. This is an increase from Martin Marietta Materialss previous quarterly dividend of $0.74. This represents a $3.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.61%. Martin Marietta Materialss payout ratio is 8.77%.

About Martin Marietta Materials

(Free Report)

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc, a natural resource-based building materials company, supplies aggregates and heavy-side building materials to the construction industry in the United States and internationally. It offers crushed stone, sand, and gravel products; ready mixed concrete and asphalt; paving products and services; and Portland and specialty cement for use in the infrastructure projects, and nonresidential and residential construction markets, as well as in the railroad, agricultural, utility, and environmental industries.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 4. Kazakhstan and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) have discussed bilateral cooperation and the country's development projects, Trend reports.

The discussions took place between Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Economy and IsDB Governor Nurlan Baibazarov and IsDB President, Muhammad Al Jasser, who is on a visit to Kazakhstan.

Baibazarov expressed his delight at hosting the IsDB President at this pivotal stage of the country's development trajectory. He underlined the government's proactive stance, ready to enhance collaboration with the IsDB Group to mobilize resources for sustainable national development projects.

In turn, Al Jasser reiterated IsDB's firm commitment to supporting Kazakhstan's development agenda.

The discussions focused on key programs, including the Climate Resilient Water Resources Development Program, which aims to modernize water infrastructure, enhance water management practices, and build institutional capacity. The IsDB's involvement will play a pivotal role in ensuring the successful implementation of these initiatives.

In addition, Al Jasser stated the Bank's vision in exploring potential infrastructure projects in the Kyzylorda region, including the reconstruction of key road corridors aimed at improving mobility and facilitating trade.

Furthermore, the IsDB is considering opportunities in other sectors such as health, Islamic finance, and the development of railway, oil, and gas industries. These topics are expected to be part of the discussions in the upcoming meetings with other relevant ministries and stakeholders.
Suncor Energy Inc. (TSE:SU  Get Free Report) (NYSE:SU)s share price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$51.75 and traded as high as C$55.00. Suncor Energy shares last traded at C$54.66, with a volume of 15,880,721 shares trading hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have issued reports on SU shares. TD Securities upgraded Suncor Energy from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a C$59.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Desjardins lifted their target price on Suncor Energy from C$56.00 to C$59.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Suncor Energy from C$61.00 to C$66.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, May 22nd. Wolfe Research upgraded Suncor Energy to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Finally, Raymond James lifted their target price on Suncor Energy from C$51.00 to C$52.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$61.96.

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Suncor Energy Stock Down 1.5 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 34.98, a current ratio of 1.46 and a quick ratio of 0.83. The firm has a market capitalization of C$68.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.25, a P/E/G ratio of 0.15 and a beta of 1.50. The companys 50-day simple moving average is C$53.53 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$51.82.

Suncor Energy (TSE:SU  Get Free Report) (NYSE:SU) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported C$1.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$1.06 by C$0.21. The firm had revenue of C$13.04 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$11.59 billion. Suncor Energy had a net margin of 14.87% and a return on equity of 17.68%. As a group, research analysts expect that Suncor Energy Inc. will post 5.1553672 earnings per share for the current year.

Suncor Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 25th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.545 per share. This represents a $2.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.05%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 4th. Suncor Energys payout ratio is currently 37.46%.

Insider Activity

In other Suncor Energy news, Senior Officer Kristopher Peter Smith sold 100,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, June 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$51.66, for a total transaction of C$5,165,900.00. In other Suncor Energy news, Senior Officer Kristopher Peter Smith sold 100,000 shares of Suncor Energy stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$51.66, for a total transaction of C$5,165,900.00. Also, Senior Officer Jacqueline Sue Moore sold 37,700 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$56.54, for a total transaction of C$2,131,558.00. Insiders own 0.01% of the companys stock.

About Suncor Energy

(Get Free Report)

Suncor Energy Inc operates as an integrated energy company in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; and Refining and Marketing segments. The Oil Sands segment explores, develops, and produces bitumen, synthetic crude oil, and related products.

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Suruga Bank Ltd. (OTCMKTS:SUGBY  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $72.20 and last traded at $72.20, with a volume of 0 shares. The stock had previously closed at $72.20.

Suruga Bank Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $1.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.78 and a beta of -0.07. The companys 50-day moving average is $68.88 and its two-hundred day moving average is $63.16.

Suruga Bank Company Profile

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Suruga Bank Ltd. provides various banking and financial products and services to individuals and corporate customers in Japan. The company offers deposit products, such as time, ordinary, savings, foreign currency, and other deposits, as well as current and general accounts; card, housing, second house, startup, and business up term loans, as well as loans by purpose; credit and debit cards; overdrafts; and other financing products.

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Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN  Get Free Report) had its target price cut by analysts at Susquehanna from $65.00 to $63.00 in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a positive rating on the energy companys stock. Susquehannas price objective indicates a potential upside of 46.21% from the stocks previous close.

DVN has been the subject of several other reports. Bank of America restated a buy rating and set a $64.00 target price on shares of Devon Energy in a research note on Friday, June 14th. Mizuho upped their price objective on Devon Energy from $57.00 to $61.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, May 13th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and set a $57.00 target price on shares of Devon Energy in a research note on Tuesday. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on Devon Energy in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. They issued a peer perform rating on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Devon Energy from $57.00 to $55.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $58.63.

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Devon Energy Trading Up 0.2 %

Devon Energy stock traded up $0.07 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $43.09. The companys stock had a trading volume of 645,775 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,049,190. The stocks fifty day moving average is $45.70 and its 200 day moving average is $47.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.11. Devon Energy has a 1-year low of $40.47 and a 1-year high of $55.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.20, a P/E/G ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 2.07.

Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The energy company reported $1.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.26 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $3.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. Devon Energy had a return on equity of 29.14% and a net margin of 22.60%. The companys revenue was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.18 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Devon Energy will post 5.37 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Devon Energy

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Devon Energy by 3.5% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 76,457,056 shares of the energy companys stock worth $3,836,615,000 after purchasing an additional 2,559,039 shares during the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Devon Energy by 16.8% during the 2nd quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 9,913,516 shares of the energy companys stock worth $469,901,000 after acquiring an additional 1,428,776 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates boosted its position in shares of Devon Energy by 1.5% during the second quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 9,183,778 shares of the energy companys stock worth $435,311,000 after purchasing an additional 138,919 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in Devon Energy by 16.7% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 8,793,217 shares of the energy companys stock worth $416,779,000 after buying an additional 1,255,543 shares during the period. Finally, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grew its position in shares of Devon Energy by 15.9% in the 2nd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 5,094,017 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $241,456,000 after purchasing an additional 699,743 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 69.72% of the companys stock.

Devon Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware, Eagle Ford, Anadarko, Williston, and Powder River Basins. The company was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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Tenaz Energy Corp. (OTCMKTS:ATUUF  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 14,900 shares, a decline of 5.7% from the July 31st total of 15,800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 29,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.5 days.

Tenaz Energy Stock Down 6.2 %

ATUUF stock opened at $5.94 on Wednesday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $4.58 and a 200 day simple moving average of $3.42. Tenaz Energy has a 52 week low of $2.50 and a 52 week high of $6.40.

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Tenaz Energy Company Profile

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Tenaz Energy Corp., an energy company, engages in the acquisition and development of oil and gas assets in Canada and the Netherlands. The company was formerly known as Altura Energy Inc and changed its name to Tenaz Energy Corp. in October 2021. Tenaz Energy Corp. is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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Shares of Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. (NYSE:TKC  Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Wednesday . 988,012 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 87% from the previous sessions volume of 528,919 shares.The stock last traded at $7.22 and had previously closed at $7.17.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com lowered shares of Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th.

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Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. Stock Up 0.4 %

Institutional Trading of Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S.

The businesss 50 day moving average is $7.64 and its two-hundred day moving average is $6.63. The company has a quick ratio of 1.77, a current ratio of 1.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45.

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BTC Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. during the 1st quarter valued at about $1,073,000. StoneX Group Inc. bought a new stake in Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. during the 1st quarter worth approximately $996,000. Capital Wealth Planning LLC purchased a new stake in Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. in the 1st quarter worth approximately $880,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its position in shares of Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. by 41.4% during the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 385,600 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $2,001,000 after purchasing an additional 112,852 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Caprock Group LLC grew its position in shares of Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. by 319.0% during the 2nd quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 96,490 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $731,000 after purchasing an additional 73,460 shares in the last quarter.

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. Company Profile

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Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. provides digital services in Turkey, Ukraine, Belarus, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and the Netherlands. It operates through Turkcell Turkey, Turkcell International, and Techfin segments. It offers work contact services, such as mobile communications, fixed business internet and business phone, and customer loyalty and programs; digital business services comprising uninterrupted access, cyber security, data center, Internet of Things, big data, e-transformation, technologies, and managed services, and cloud solutions.

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TV Asahi Holdings Co. (OTCMKTS:TVAHF  Get Free Report)s share price dropped 3.6% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $14.54 and last traded at $14.54. Approximately 100 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 36% from the average daily volume of 157 shares. The stock had previously closed at $15.07.

TV Asahi Price Performance

The stocks fifty day moving average is $14.14 and its two-hundred day moving average is $14.35.

About TV Asahi

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TV Asahi Holdings Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in television (TV) broadcasting business in Japan and internationally. The company operates through TV Broadcasting Business, Internet Business, Shopping Business, and Other Businesses segments. It engages in the video distribution with advertisements using the internet, production of video distribution content, and licensing of rights; mail-order sales on TV shopping programs and EC sites; and other businesses, including music publishing, event, equipment sales and leasing, and investment in film business.

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Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE:HMC  Free Report)  Zacks Research dropped their Q4 2025 EPS estimates for Honda Motor in a report released on Wednesday, August 28th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $0.91 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $0.93. The consensus estimate for Honda Motors current full-year earnings is $4.53 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Honda Motors Q1 2027 earnings at $0.98 EPS.

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Honda Motor (NYSE:HMC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $1.57 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.19 by $0.38. Honda Motor had a return on equity of 8.72% and a net margin of 5.34%. The firm had revenue of $34.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $33.75 billion.

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of Honda Motor from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on HMC

Honda Motor Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:HMC opened at $32.37 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. The stock has a market cap of $55.37 billion, a PE ratio of 6.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.68. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $31.69 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $33.56. Honda Motor has a 1-year low of $27.69 and a 1-year high of $37.90.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Honda Motor

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. RFP Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in Honda Motor by 91.3% during the first quarter. RFP Financial Group LLC now owns 662 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 316 shares during the last quarter. Rise Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Honda Motor during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Rothschild Investment LLC bought a new stake in shares of Honda Motor in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. LRI Investments LLC purchased a new position in Honda Motor in the first quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Family Firm Inc. bought a new position in Honda Motor during the second quarter valued at $35,000. 5.32% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Honda Motor Company Profile

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Honda Motor Co, Ltd. develops, manufactures, and distributes motorcycles, automobiles, power, and other products in Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Motorcycle Business, Automobile Business, Financial Services Business, and Power Product and Other Businesses.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 4. Islamic Development Bank is committed to supporting Kazakhstans development goals, said Muhammad Al Jasser, President of IsDB, Trend reports.

He made the remark during a strategic Roundtable Meeting of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) with the Government of Kazakhstan on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, in Astana.

"IsDB is committed to supporting Kazakhstan's development goals through the recently signed Framework Program Agreement, which aligns with the countrys 2050 national development strategy. This agreement lays the foundation for key initiatives that focus on climate-resilient water management and infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and driving sustainable economic growth," he said.

To note, the high-level meeting brought together the presidents and high-ranking representatives from the OPEC Fund for International Development, Saudi Fund for Development, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, and Qatar Fund for Development. The participants engaged in discussions on priority public economic development projects submitted by the government of Kazakhstan for financing by the ACG members.

The meeting provided a platform for exploring co-financing opportunities for critical development initiatives that are vital to enhancing regional connectivity and promoting sustainable economic growth.

The Islamic Development Bank has approved financing for 69 projects worth more than $1.6 billion in Kazakhstan since the beginning of cooperation. Of these projects, 56 have already been completed, and 13 are still ongoing.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 4. New generation gas processing plants will be built in Kazakhstan, the nation's Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said during an event marking the 125th anniversary of Kazakhstan's oil production in Astana today, Trend reports.

"Our achievements are not limited to extraction and transportation. Significant efforts are being directed towards the development of domestic hydrocarbon processing. With the opening of a polypropylene production plant in the Atyrau region, a full-fledged oil and gas chemical industry has been established. New projects for the production of polyethylene and butadiene are ahead.

These enterprises not only contribute to import substitution but also create the necessary environment for the development of small and medium-sized businesses. In the coming years, new generation gas processing plants will be built. The oil and gas industry remains one of the drivers of the economy, and we are firmly committed to further developing it by introducing innovative technologies and ensuring environmental safety," he said.

Bektenov noted that Kazakhstan has significant hydrocarbon reserves.

"Proven recoverable oil reserves exceed four billion tons, making Kazakhstan a significant player in the global market. New oil export routes are opening, including through the Caspian Sea. The volumes of oil and gas transit through our country are increasing. The KEBCO Kazakh oil brand has been launched, and work is underway to expand the resource base, enhance the investment attractiveness of geological exploration, increase production, and implement new projects," the prime minister added.

The gas production volume in 2023 amounted to 59.1 billion cubic meters, with a forecast of 60.5 billion cubic meters for 2024.

The production volume of liquefied petroleum gas was 2.95 million tons last year, with consumption at 1.8 million tons. The forecast for liquefied petroleum gas production in 2024 is 2.95 million tons, with consumption at 2.1 million tons.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
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Clipping the wings of the CM ? Games that Delhi plays

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Delhi has a lot to answer for. For starters it may well elaborate on what Union Home Minister Amit Shah meant when he gave the directive, You look after the valley, I will look after the hills to Chief Minister N Biren Singh sometime last year. Moreover does removing the Chief Minister as Chairman of the Unified Command mean that his directives should no longer be heeded by the DGP and the Security Advisor ? Who exactly is in charge of law and order in Manipur and the significance of this poser should be acknowledged in the backdrop of the fact that the Chief Minister holds the Home portfolio. A popularly elected Government is in place, but has it been made toothless ? The significance of these questions should be understood in the backdrop of the report broken by NDTV that security agencies overlooked or neglected missives from the Chief Ministers Secretariat to the DGP with a copy to the Security Advisor to ensure protection from aerial threats. This missive was issued as early as January 12 this year and developments on September 1 and September 2 clearly show that Manipur was caught off guard when Kuki militants let loose a barrage of weaponised drones at Koutruk and Senjam Chirang, killing two and injuring over 10 people in the process. This is not the first time that the DGP and the Security Advisor have been exposed or caught napping over missives from the Chief Ministers office for matters did come to light earlier that the two said officers preferred to sleep over the missive from the Chief Ministers office over the possible build up of militants at Jiribam and everyone knows what happened to the said place in the early part of June this year. No answer is expected on the posers raised here but be very clear that Delhi cannot continue with its politics of silence and indifference when so many people have died and so many more have been injured, besides those who have been rendered homeless. And even as Manipur is reeling under the shock of the series of attacks with bomb fitted drones, Chief Minister N Biren announced that the service of the National Investigation Agency would be roped in to investigate the case. This is besides the probe panel announced by the DGP. This is fine but it still does not give much comfort in the face of the fact that the case of Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit who went missing on July 6, 2023 does not seem to have come anywhere near being cracked despite the fact that the prime accused has been identified and arrested by the CBI on October 14, 2023. Far from revealing the details of how the two young students were captured and done to death, their bodies are yet to be traced, adding them to the list of missing persons. Other than the prime accused who was arrested from Pune, three others have also reportedly been picked up, but the case has not moved since the arrests of the suspects or accused. Manipur would not have forgotten this and it is against this fact that report of the service of the NIA to be used to probe the drone attack will be taken with a pinch of salt.

The Chief Minister is being made a scapegoat. Two persons, handpicked by Delhi to head two key positions at a time when Manipur is reeling under a crisis, and the same two persons preferring to ignore vital information from the Chief Ministers office, is stupefying. Wonder what Union Home Minister Amit Shah has to say on this. It should now be obvious. It is not a case of Delhi not knowing what to do but is more like a case of rendering the position of the Chief Minister toothless and powerless. A case of taking Manipur for granted and this is something which has not gone down well with the people at all. Let Delhi show that it is intent on addressing the issue here honestly and with sincerity. Fix accountability. Start questioning why the missives from the office of the Chief Minister went unheeded. It is only when responsibilities are fixed will Manipur accept that Delhi is intent on resolving the issue. There is so much that the Centre could have done if restoring normalcy in Manipur figures anywhere on its agenda. In the first place, the Prime Minister could have acknowledged the violence here earlier, in fact much earlier, secondly the position of the Chief Minister should be made clear else this would amount to disrespecting the sentiments of the people of Manipur. Delhi has done none of this and given the situation here, this has only given more room for conspiracy theories to do the round and this would certainly go against any design to usher in a semblance of normalcy here. Is this what Delhi want ?
MR man kills self

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IMPHAL, Sep 4: One Rifleman of 8th Manipur Rifles allegedly committed suicide, shooting himself with his service weapon at around 9.30 pm on September 3.

The deceased has been identified as DB Pouhuai Lamkang (29) s/o DB Shetit Lamkang of Charangching Khunou village.

Sources said that Rifleman DB Pouhuai Lamkang was on sentry duty at gate number 2 of the 8th MRs Leikun camp in Chandel when he shot himself dead.

Soon after the incident, a team of Chandel police station and forensic experts rushed to the spot and carried out an inquest of the dead body and its surrounding areas.

The dead body was handed over to family members after post mortem at JNIMS Hospital this afternoon, said the sources.
Biramangol College protests

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IMPHAL, Sep 4: Teachers, non-teaching staff and students of Biramangol College, Sawombung staged a protest demonstration today against unbearable monetary demands from different quarters.

Biramangol College Teachers Association president Takhelmayum Gambhir said that all sections of people have been suffering a lot on account of the violent crisis which has been gripping the State since May 3, 2023.

The teaching fraternity understands the contributions of village volunteers, Government authorities and the people in defending Manipur. Biramangol College too made contributions, he said.

But it is a matter of grave concern that unbearable monetary demands are being served every now and then to the teachers and non-teaching staff of Biramangol College, Gambhir said.

These demands have turned out to be a big burden to us, he said. He then appealed to all concerned to spare educational institutes from such disturbances.

The protest demonstration also condoled the woman who was killed in drone-propelled bombing by Kuki terrorists at Koutruk and Kadangband on September 1. The protesters also prayed for speedy recovery of the injured terror victims.


BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, September 4. Kyrgyz company Guarantee Fund and Azerbaijan-Kyrgyz Development Fund have signed an agreement on cooperation in support of entrepreneurs, Trend reports.

According to information, the document was signed by the Chairperson of the Board of the Guarantee Fund Malik Abakirov, and the Chairperson of the Azerbaijan-Kyrgyz Development Fund Almaz Mambetov.

The agreement supports enterprises by offering loans against guarantees if collateral is insufficient. Cooperation could give both banking institutions additional ways to promote business, especially export and import substitution enterprises.

To date, among the 25 partners of the Guarantee Fund are also three microfinance companies, one microcredit company, 18 banks, the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund, and the Uzbek-Kyrgyz Development Fund.

To note, the Agreement on Establishment of the Azerbaijan-Kyrgyz Development Fund was signed on October 11, 2022. In April 2024, the authorized fund of the Azerbaijan-Kyrgyz Development Fund was increased to $100 million.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, September 4. Wapcos, an Indian company specializing in water resources, hydropower, and infrastructure, is ready to strengthen its cooperation with Tajikistan, Trend reports.

This was said during a meeting between Rahimzoda Sulton, Chairman of the State Committee for Investment and State Property Management of Tajikistan, and Rajni Kant Agrawal, Head of Wapcos.

During the meeting, the parties discussed matters related to attracting investment in the hydropower sector, implementing infrastructure projects, and other priority initiatives in the country. The implementation of the CASA-1000 project was also emphasized as a key factor in enhancing bilateral energy cooperation.

Wapcos is a central public sector enterprise wholly owned by the Government of India. It specializes in engineering consultancy and construction services in the fields of water, power, and infrastructure, serving both businesses and communities in India and abroad.

Wapcos has a track record of providing engineering consultancy for projects across these sectors, both domestically and internationally. Additionally, the company is actively involved in the construction business.
The West Bengal Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024, providing for a mandatory death penalty for the crime of rape and murder, on Tuesday. The Bill seeks to make amendments in the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 to provide for enhanced punishment and shorter timelines for investigation and trial relating to the crimes of rape or rape and murder.

The Mamata Banerjee government tabled the Bill amid the nationwide protests against the rape and murder of a woman doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, participating in the debate on the Bill, said it was being brought in to secure the dignity of women. She said that it was a matter of shame that the Prime Minister could not do what her government did.

Since the Prime Minister could not take any initiative in protecting women in the country, Miss Banerjee said, he should resign and the Union Home Minister should also resign. She was responding after BJP legislators raised slogans in the Assembly demanding her resignation over the RG Kar rapeand-murder incident. Let the Prime Minister first put in his papers, she said, citing burgeoning cases of rape all over the country and the way perpetrators are let off the hook in BJP ruled states despite committing heinous crimes. Miss Banerjee said: Rape is a crime against humanity.

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We want exemplary punishment for the perpetrators through speedy trial. To ensure that this new Bill had been tabled. Some are saying that we cant bring in new legislation. We are telling them that the Constitution has given us the right to legislate a new law. Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, have already passed such Bills, she said. She said that the Governor should promptly clear the bill from his end so that it could be sent to the office of the President for final clearance there. She said: The three significant purposes of the Bill are stringent punishment, swift investigation and speedy justice.

ENHANCED PUNISHMENTS

For the offence of rape (Section 64, BNS), the punishment is sought to be enhanced to life imprisonment for the remainder of the convicts natural life or death, with a fine.

For the offence of rape where the victim is left in a vegetative state or where the victim dies (Section 66 BNS) the death penalty is sought to be made mandatory as punishment, along with a fine.

For gang rape (Section 70(1) BNS), the Bill prescribes life imprisonment for the remainder of the convicts life or the death penalty along with a fine.

SHORTER DEADLINES

Section 193 of the BNSS is sought to be amended to provide a shorter timeline (within 21 days instead of two months) for completion of probe in rape cases.

The Bill also proposes amending Section 346(1) of the BNSS so that inquiry or trial of such cases is completed within 30 days from the date of filing the chargesheet.

SPECIAL COURTS AND TASK FORCE

The Bill also proposed an amendment to the BNSS to establish special courts under a new Section, namely Section 29A, tasked with ensuring the expeditious completion of inquiries or trials in rape and related cases.

The Bill introduces Section 29C, which calls for the creation of a special task force (Aparajita Task Force) at the district level to handle rape cases.
The Left Front today called for a massive protest rally demanding the resignation of state health minister and the Kolkata police commissioner.

A scuffle broke out between police and left supporters when the latter pushed the barricade near Shyambazar. Later, left supporters staged sit-in there. Left Front chairman Biman Basu, Sujan Chakraborty, Surjya Kanta Mishra and Minakshi Mukherjee were present. Left Front leaders said despite the state administration attempting to cover up, Sandip Ghosh has finally been arrested in a financial corruption case.

CPM central committee member Sujan Chakraborty, reacting to Ghoshs arrest, stated that justice must be served in the murder and rape cases as well. He questioned why no action was taken in the financial corruption case over the past year and who was responsible for covering it up. Chakraborty demanded answers from the chief minister, asking why no investigation was conducted despite notifying various agencies, including vigilance. It has been reported that former R G Kar Hospital deputy superintendent Akhtar Ali provided evidence of corruption to the CBI. Ali had previously raised allegations of corruption by Sandip Ghosh and his associates in every aspect of R G Kar Hospital, even expressing his frustration to the media about not receiving justice despite informing the administration.

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Chakraborty emphasized that while Sandip Ghosh has been arrested for financial corruption, the entire state is demanding justice for the crimes of rape and murder. He accused Ghosh and his team of tampering with evidence with the support of the state administration and stressed that justice will not be served until all culprits, including those at the top, are arrested. The fight for justice will continue.

We have lost our only daughter. She gave her life. The deep-rooted corruption and rotten core within this healthcare system will all be exposed, said the mother of the trainee doctor, who was killed at R G Kar Hospital. It wont suffice to just arrest Sandip Ghosh; those behind him must also be arrested. Sujan said.

He added, We need to find out under whose protection Sandip Ghosh operated this nexus. Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal must also be interrogated. We need to know why and under whose orders the Kolkata Police was so eager to destroy evidence. We must also find out under whose orders the body was hastily cremated.
An FIR has been filed against Trinamul Congress (TMC) MLA Lovely Maitra, who has also been cautioned by her party for a controversial remark.

Maitra had stated that there would be revenge, not change, and specifically targeted CPM leaders Sujan Chakraborty and Sayan Banerjee, who is also an advocate. In response, Sayan filed a complaint against her at the police station. Lovely Maitra made the remarks during a sit-in protest in Sonarpur against the incident at R G Kar Medical College, warning the opposition of revenge, which sparked of controversy. Consequently, the TMC has warned her, clearly stating that such comments will not be tolerated.

The CPM leader and lawyer Sayan Banerjee filed a complaint against Maitra at the Sonarpur police station. However, Sujan Chakraborty refrained from commenting much on her remarks, saying, She is young, her understanding is limited. I wont counter these comments.

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There was also an uproar over comments made by actor and TMC MLA Kanchan Mallick, who later apologized in a Facebook Live session. On Monday night, following the R G Kar incident, TMCs national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee posted on his X handle, urging people to avoid using offensive language. Shortly afterwards, Kanchan Mallick expressed regret in a Facebook video, saying, Yesterday, I made a comment for which I was criticized. I am ashamed and sorry for what I said. I am not trying to justify myself. I humbly accept my mistake.

However, Lovely Maitra has yet to respond to her remarks.

On Monday, Abhishek Banerjee posted on X, clearly stating that no attempt will be made to silence the voices of civil society and the medical community, and that everyone has the right to freedom of expression. After this post from the partys second-in-command, Kanchan Mallick apologized for his comment in a video post on Facebook. On Tuesday, Lovely Maitra was cautioned. According to sources within the TMC, the top leadership warned her to refrain from making comments that could further complicate an already delicate situation.

Regarding this, CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty commented, It was appropriate to warn her. Theres a constant stream of abusive language coming from the ministers of north Bengal, the MLAs of Kalna and Canning, and the MLA from Sonarpur. Threats and provocations are ongoing. But I dont know what TMC means by cautioning her. I dont count people like Lovely. Shes young and doesnt understand much.
The Calcutta University students, affiliated to the Trinamul Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), demanding the resignation of vice-chancellor, had planned a gherao of the VC office on Tuesday.

But the varsity had served a notice on campus which stated that the students will not take part in any political activities inside the campus without prior sanction of the programme from the authorities.

The students termed the notice illegal, by the CU authority. In protest, the students burnt the notice copy near the VC office today.

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We also made a protest regarding the R G Kar issue at the main gate of the varsity, said the agitating students.

We also thank chief minister Mamata Banerjee for passing the anti-rape Bill (Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill) in the Legislative Assembly, setting a milestone for the nation, said Avirup Chakraborty, general secretary TMCP, West Bengal.
Amid the rising global demand for Indian spirits, presenting an opportunity for growth, APEDA plans to increase the global footprint.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA) plans to promote both the Indian alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages globally with a target of USD 1 billion in export revenue over the next few years, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said.

In a landmark move for Indian spirits, Godawan Single malt whisky is set to launch in the United Kingdom as an artisanal single malt whisky made in Rajasthan, the statement from the ministry said.

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The first batch of Godawan was flagged off to United Kingdom jointly by Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, and Debra Crew, Chief Executive of Diageo Plc, Abhisek Dev, Chairman of APEDA, and Hina Nagarajan, MD & CEO, Diageo India along with other senior representatives.

Godawan Single malt whisky had participated in the International Food and Drinks Event (IFE), London in March 2024 under the ambit of APEDA and undertook promotions of Godawan.

This worked as a precursor to launching Godawan in the UK and commencing exports to the UK.

Government believes that this initiative will support farmers of the Alwar region.

The six row barley used in the production of Godawan, has been locally procured that helps in enhancing the agricultural income of the local farmers through its backward linkages.

It is to be highlighted that APEDA as part of the Make in India initiative has been targeting to increase exports of Indian Spirits to major foreign destinations. India currently ranks 40th in the world for alcoholic beverage exports.
Indias digital revolution has significantly transformed governance and service delivery in recent years by creating digital identities, secured payments and transactions. This progress has paved the way for a thriving digital ecosystem across various sectors, including finance, healthcare, education, and retail, positioning India as a leader in citizen-centric digital solutions.

For a similar transformation of the Agriculture Sector, the Union Cabinet Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the Digital Agriculture Mission with a substantial financial outlay of Rs 2,817 crore, including a central government share of Rs 1,940 crore, on September 2.

The Digital Agriculture Mission is designed as an umbrella scheme to support various digital agriculture initiatives. These include creating Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), implementing the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES), and supporting IT initiatives by the Central Government, state governments, and Academic and Research Institutions.

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The scheme is built on two foundational pillarsAgriStack and Krishi Decision Support System.

Additionally, the mission includes Soil Profile Mapping and aims to enable farmer-centric digital services to provide timely and reliable information for the agriculture sector.

AgriStack is designed as a farmer-centric Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to streamline services and scheme delivery to farmers. It comprises three key components: Farmers Registry, Geo-referenced village maps and Crop Sown Registry.

A crucial feature of AgriStack is the introduction of a Farmer ID, similar to Aadhaar card, serving as a trusted digital identity for farmers.

These IDs, created and maintained by the state governments/ Union Territories, will be linked to various farmer-related data, including land records, livestock ownership, crops sown, and benefits availed.

The implementation of AgriStack is progressing through partnerships between the Central and state governments, with 19 states having signed MoUs with the Ministry of Agriculture. Pilot projects have been conducted in six states to test the creation of Farmer IDs and the Digital Crop Survey.

The six states include Uttar Pradesh (Farrukhabad), Gujarat (Gandhinagar), Maharashtra (Beed), Haryana (Yamuna Nagar), Punjab (Fatehgarh Sahib), and Tamil Nadu (Virudhnagar).
The government is committed to providing a conducive environment for employment generation and economic growth, and the Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme represents a significant step towards creating an inclusive India, Union Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, said on Tuesday.

In a meeting with representatives from employers organisations in New Delhi, the minister said that to achieve this goal, it requires the collective effort and wisdom of all stakeholders  government, businesses and our workers.

Employment generation is a top priority for the government, and the ELI scheme is a step in the right direction to achieve this goal. We are committed to working closely with stakeholders to design a scheme that is robust, inclusive and aligned with the needs of the economy, said Dr Mandaviya.

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The ELI scheme was announced in Union Budget 2024-25 to bolster employment generation in a mission mode. It aims to create over two crore jobs in the country in two years.

The minister invited suggestions from the organisations regarding the formulation of the ELI scheme, which has been designed to encourage businesses to generate more employment as well as to provide meaningful and sustainable jobs for the youth of our country.

Representatives from various employers organisations shared their perspectives on the scheme as well as other labour welfare measures being taken by the government.

Representatives from CII, FICCI, Assocham, PHDCCI, All India Organisation of Employers (AIOE), Laghu Udyog Bharati, Indian Council of Small Industries (ICSI), Federation of Association of Small Industries of India (FASII), All India Association of Industries (AIAI), All India Manufacturers Organisation (AIMO), Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) and Employers Federation of India (EFI) attended the meeting.

Dr Mandaviya assured them that such meetings will be a continuous process and the government looks forward to seeking their valuable inputs to ensure that policies and schemes are formulated in a manner that promotes fairness, inclusivity and equitable growth.

Three job-linked incentive schemes were announced in the Budget, as part of the Prime Minister Narendra Modis package of five schemes and initiatives to facilitate employment, skilling and other opportunities for 4.1 crore youth over a five-year period with a central outlay of Rs 2 lakh crore.
Indian equity indices closed flat on Tuesday amid mixed global signals and the absence of significant new catalysts.

Sensex closed with a slight fall of 4.40 points at 82,555 while Nifty rose by one point at 25,279. Market sentiment was positive.

On the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), at closing 2,011 shares were in the green, 1,925 shares in the red, and 118 shares without any change.

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In the Sensex pack, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finserv, Titan, Nestle, HDFC Bank, Wipro, SBI, M&M, L&T, Kotak Mahindra, and UltraTech Cement were the top gainers. Bajaj Finance, Infosys, JSW Steel, HCL Tech, IndusInd Bank and Bharti Airtel were the top losers.

Among the NSE indices, Nifty fin service, Nifty pharma and Nifty private bank contributed the most. Nifty auto, Nifty IT, Nifty metal and Nifty realty fell the most.

According to market experts, amid mixed global signals and the absence of significant new catalysts, aside from the anticipated Fed rate cut, which is already factored in, the domestic market took a breather.

Mild caution emerged due to a recent slowdown in manufacturing activities, which indicates a slowdown in demand, the experts said.

Buying was seen in the midcap and smallcap stocks. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was up 145 points or 0.25 per cent at 59,297 and the Nifty Smallcap 100 index was at 19,326, up 82 points or 0.43 per cent.

However, predictions of an above-normal monsoon extending through September and accelerated capex by the GoI in the H2FY25 boosted consumption and rural-based stocks like FMCG stocks, the market experts added.

Shrey Jain, Founder and CEO of SAS Online, said: The Nifty is expected to consolidate around current levels, with the potential for limited upside due to aggressive call writing across multiple strike prices. On the downside, the 25,200 level is anticipated to provide key support.

The foreign institutional investors (FIIs) extended their buying as they bought equities worth Rs 1,735.46 crore on September 2, while domestic institutional investors bought equities worth Rs 356 crore on the same day.
Bollywood actor Sonu Sood has once again demonstrated his commitment to humanitarian efforts, this time by extending crucial support to the flood-affected regions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. As these states grapple with the aftermath of severe flooding, Sood has launched a relief initiative aimed at delivering essential supplies to those in need.

In a heartfelt video shared on Instagram, Sood expressed his deep concern for the flood victims and stressed the importance of unified action during such challenging times. His relief efforts encompass the distribution of food, clean drinking water, medical supplies, and temporary shelters. He emphasized that his team has been working relentlessly to ensure that these resources reach the most vulnerable communities, offering them some respite amidst the ongoing crisis.

Soods message resonated with many as he highlighted the severe impact of the floods, which have displaced thousands, leaving them without homes or livelihoods. Because of the floods, many have lost their homes and livelihoods, and we all have to come together to save them and normalize their lives. We are trying to send as much help as we can, Sood stated. He also took the opportunity to commend the governments continuous efforts in providing aid to the affected areas, acknowledging their round-the-clock work in this time of need.

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonu Sood (@sonu_sood)

This isnt the first time Sood has stepped up in a time of crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his extensive philanthropic work earned him widespread recognition as a real-life hero. His ongoing efforts in disaster relief have only strengthened his reputation as a figure of hope and support for many in India.

As Sood continues his humanitarian work, he is also preparing for the release of his directorial debut, Fateh. The film, which he has written, produced, and directed, stars Jacqueline Fernandez and Naseeruddin Shah and is set to hit theaters on January 10, 2025.
Mollywood superstar Fahadh Faasil is gearing up to make his mark in Bollywood, just as he has in the South Indian film industry. Known for his roles in hits such as Pushpa, Vikram, and Kumbalangi Nights, Fahadh is set to captivate audiences with his Bollywood debut. For this highly anticipated Hindi film, the actor is collaborating with acclaimed director Imtiaz Ali. Imtiaz is renowned for his heartfelt and distinct storytelling style in movies like Jab We Met, Rockstar, and Tamasha.

Also Read: Daavudi: NTR Jr and Janhvi Kapoor dazzle in Devara dance track

According to a report by Pinkvilla, Fahadh Faasil has been in discussions with Imtiaz regarding his first Bollywood project. After months of consideration, their creative visions have aligned. The news outlet reported, Fahadh and Imtiaz have had several meetings over the last few months, and their energies have matched perfectly. Both prefer to work in the right setup and are poised to collaborate for the first time. Fahadh is also thrilled to make his Hindi film debut with a director like Imtiaz.

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The report further noted that Imtiazs upcoming film will showcase his signature filmmaking style, focusing on a love story. Imtiaz is crafting a pure love story, and the casting for the female lead is currently underway. He is enthusiastic about the subject and believes this is the right time to tell the story. He has pitched the film to Fahadh because he feels the actor is a perfect fit and the story calls for his casting. If the project is approved, production is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2025.

On the work front, Imtiaz Alis most recent directorial project was Amar Singh Chamkila. The film starred Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra in the lead roles. Meanwhile, Fahadh was last seen in Aavesham. The film explores the lives of three college students in Bengaluru who befriend Ranga Annan, a local gangster. They seek his help to deal with a college bully. Fahadh was also featured in Manorathangal. The actors upcoming projects include the highly anticipated Tamil film Vettaiyan and the eagerly awaited Telugu film Pushpa 2: The Rule.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 4. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov has met with a delegation led by Secretary General of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) Sultan Raev in Turkmenistan, Trend reports via the foreign ministry.

The meeting focused on key matters of cooperation and identified promising areas for Turkmenistan's partnership with TURKSOY.

The Turkic-speaking world will remember 2024 as a watershed year for Turkmenistan. This year marks several important milestones for TURKSOY, including the designation of 2024 as the "Year of the Great Poet and Thinker of the Turkic World - Magtymguly Fragi" and the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the birth of this great classic of Eastern literature. Additionally, the ancient Turkmen city of Anau has been named the cultural capital of the Turkic world for 2024.

The discussion placed special emphasis on organizing upcoming joint events aimed at promoting the works of Magtymguly Fragi and highlighting the cultural significance of Anau.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties emphasized the positive impact of Turkmenistan's partnership with TURKSOY, highlighting the importance of this organization in protecting, researching, and promoting the diverse cultural legacy of Turkic-speaking communities around the globe.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Ellen DeGeneres is gearing up for her final stand-up performance, set to air on Netflix under the title Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval. The special is scheduled to premiere worldwide on September 24, marking her second stand-up venture on the platform. Her first, titled Relatable, debuted in 2018, after a 15-year hiatus from stand-up comedy.

Produced by Fulwell 73 Productions, led by Ben Winston, the special also sees DeGeneres collaborating with her wife, Portia de Rossi. Its directed by Joel Gallen, who is recognized for his work on Chris Rocks recent special, Selective Outrage.

In a lighthearted announcement on social media, DeGeneres addressed the buzz surrounding the upcoming show. She humorously confirmed that she would discuss the much-publicized controversies from her past, stating, To answer the questions everyone is asking me  Yes, Im going to talk about it. Yes, this is my last special. Yes, Portia really is that pretty in real life.

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The controversy she refers to includes allegations of a toxic workplace that surfaced in 2020, resulting in a formal investigation and the departure of several top executives from her long-running talk show. Although the issues were deeply troubling for her, DeGeneres has insisted that they were not the reason for her decision to end her show after 19 successful seasons. She expressed to The Hollywood Reporter in 2021, If I was quitting the show because of that, I wouldnt have come back this season. So, its not why Im stopping, but it was hard.

In For Your Approval, DeGeneres plans to delve into her life experiences during her time away from the spotlight. Netflix has described the special as a candid exploration of her journey, touching on topics ranging from the mundane world of raising chickens and parallel parking to the harsh reality of becoming a brand name celebrity.

This new special is part of her Ellens Last Stand Up tour, where she has previously made headlines by addressing her past controversies before unexpectedly canceling some tour dates. Regardless of the drama, the comedy scene anticipates this new hour from DeGeneres, especially as the appetite for stand-up specials continues to rise. As she prepares to close this chapter of her career, fans can expect a blend of humor and honesty that has defined her unique comedic voice.
Brad Pitt and his girlfriend, Ines de Ramon, captured the spotlight at the Venice International Film Festival as they made their official red carpet debut together. The couple attended the premiere of Pitts latest film, Wolfs, marking a significant moment after their romance began to attract attention over two years ago.

Pitt, 60, looked dapper in a classic black tuxedo paired with a stylish round-collar shirt and matching flared pants. Meanwhile, Ines, 34, turned heads in an elegant white one-shouldered gown and complementing Brad Pitts sophisticated look perfectly. Their chemistry was palpable, with the pair sharing tender moments, including warm embraces and affectionate glances, showcasing their bond in front of the cameras.

The evening was a double date, as they were joined by fellow stars George Clooney and Amal Clooney. George, a longtime collaborator of Pitts from films like Oceans Eleven, sported a classic black tuxedo, while Amal shone in a stunning ruffled pastel yellow gown. The four shared a joyful camaraderie, reflecting the friendly atmosphere among Hollywoods elite.

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Just a day before the festival, the couples were spotted enjoying a night out on Venices picturesque canals, arriving via water taxi. The Clooneys have a special connection to the city, having tied the knot there nearly a decade ago. The public appearance of Pitt and de Ramon was notably rare, as they have maintained a low profile, rarely discussing their relationship since dating rumors began swirling in late 2022.

Ines, a talented jewelry designer previously married to actor Paul Wesley, has largely kept her romance with Brad Pitt out of the limelight. Their public outings have been few and far between, with the couple spotted together at events like the Formula One British Grand Prix in July and enjoying casual beach walks with their dogs in Santa Barbara earlier this year.

The Venice Film Festival appearance comes on the heels of another significant red carpet moment, as Brads ex-wife, Angelina Jolie, also attended the festival to premiere her latest film, Maria. This juxtaposition highlights the evolving dynamics of their lives post-separation, while also emphasizing Pitts new chapter with Ines.

As they navigate their relationship amid the glitz of Hollywood, Pitt and de Ramons debut at the prestigious festival symbolizes not just a professional milestone for the actor but also a personal one, reflecting the joy and affection that has blossomed between the two.
The Supreme Court will hear on Thursday incarcerated Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals plea seeking bail and questioning his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the alleged irregularities and corruption in the 2021-2022 Delhi excise policy scam.

Kejriwal is already on interim bail in the alleged money laundering case registered by the Directorate of Enforcement. The Chief Minister has approached the top court challenging the Delhi High Court order refusing him bail and upholding his arrest by the CBI.

A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan on August 14 had sought response from the investigating agency on Kejriwals plea seeking bail and challenging his arrest in 2021-2022 Delhi Excise Policy scam.

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While seeking a reply from the CBI, the court had declined to grant interim bail to Kejriwal and posted the matter for hearing on August 23.

We are not granting any interim bail. we issue notice, the bench had said on August 14, when senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi urged the court to grant interim bail to the Chief Minister on the health grounds.

However, when the matter came up for hearing on August 23, the Central Bureau of Investigation sought more time to file its replay in one of the petitions and was given a weeks time to do it. The matter was posted for hearing on September 5.

The bench granted a weeks more time after Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju who appeared for the CBI had sought time to file an affidavit in one of the petitions and submitted that agency had filed its reply in the other related petition.

The Central Bureau of Investigation in its reply has alleged that Kejriwal is politically sensationalising the case and has been involved in the criminal conspiracy in the formulation and implementation of the 2021-2022 Delhi excise policy.

Dismissing Kejriwals plea challenging his arrest by the CBI, the Delhi High Court on August 5, 2024, had upheld his arrest as legal and had said that it was only after sufficient evidence was collected by the investigating agency and sanction was obtained in April 2024, that the CBI proceeded with further probe against him.

The High Court had further said that there was no malice in his arrest by the CBI and he was an influential person and witnesses could muster the courage to depose against him only after his arrest. The High Court had said that Kejriwal was not an ordinary citizen but a distinguished recipient of the Magsaysay Award and the convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party.

The control and the influence which he has on the witnesses is prima facie borne out from the fact that these witnesses could muster the courage to be a witness only after the arrest of the petitioner, as highlighted by the special prosecutor, the High Court had said in its order.

Kejriwal was arrested by ED on March 21, 2024 in connection with a money laundering probe relating to alleged irregularities and corruption in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy 2021-22.

On June 26, 2024, the AAP Chief was arrested by CBI while he was in custody of the Enforcement Directorate in the case.
Former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot on Tuesday asked the state government to restructure the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) immediately so that the institutions credibility is restored.

I have always talked about the functioning and selection process of RPSC. The paper leaks of REET, Second Grade Teacher, Sub Inspector, Junior Engineer and Forest Guard have shattered the dreams of lakhs of unemployed youth. The youth feel that their future is in the dark and they are discouraged to give tests again, said the former Deputy Chief Minister in the wake of the former RPSC members arrest for his alleged role in the paper leak case.

He added that last September, the RPSC member Babulal Katara was arrested by the ED in the Second Grade Teacher Recruitment Examination paper leak case and now former RPSC member Ramu Ram Raeka has also been arrested in the Sub Inspector Recruitment Examination paper leak case.

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These arrests made by the ED and SOG in paper leak cases have put a question mark on the credibility of a constitutional institution like RPSC, the former Deputy Chief Minister said.

Sachin Pilot had taken out Jan Sangarsh Yatra from Ajmer to Jaipur in May last year to protest against corruption in the Rajasthan Public Service Commission.

He said that lakhs of youth  who are preparing for examinations to get jobs by studying under adverse circumstances and their parents who are working hard day and night to provide educational resources to them  are losing their trust in the system.

The former Deputy Chief Minister Pilot said that in the recent budget session, it was announced that government jobs will be given to four lakh people in the state, out of which one lakh government jobs will be given by March 2025.

It is the responsibility of the government to maintain complete transparency in the recruitment examinations and selection system for these government jobs. It is important to maintain credibility among the youth preparing for the examination and their parents towards the examination conducting institution, the former Deputy Chief Minister said.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, several prominent organisations including the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an apex body of the Meitei community, on Tuesday condemned the suspected militants attacks using drones and other sophisticated weapons on civilians.

Kuki Students Organisation (KSO), however, strongly denied the use of drones in the recent militant attacks.

The Chief Minister said that the state government takes such unprovoked assaults with utmost seriousness and would respond decisively to combat these forms of terrorism targeting the indigenous population.

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Singh, who also holds the Home portfolio, said dropping bombs on civilian populations and security forces using drones is an act of terrorism and such cowardly acts must be condemned by all concerned in the strongest terms.

We denounce all forms of violence, and the people of Manipur shall unite against hate, division, and separatism, he told the media.

The Chief Ministers and other organisations reactions followed several attacks using drone bombs and sophisticated weapons in different villages in Imphal West and Imphal East districts on Sunday and Monday killing two persons, including a woman, and injuries to 14 others including women and police personnel.

The Manipur Home Department earlier in a statement said that the state government has learnt about the incidents of attacks by suspected Kuki militants on unarmed villagers using drones, bombs and many sophisticated weapons.

Meanwhile, an official of the Home Department said that the Manipur government constituted a high-level 5-member committee to examine the use of high-tech drones to attack the peripheral areas by Kuki militants.

The high-level committee will be chaired by Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) Ashutosh Kumar Sinha.

The decision to constitute this high-level committee is taken after the recent escalation in violence in peripheral areas. In the recent past suspected Kuki militants repeatedly attacked adjoining villages by using high-tech drones destroying life and properties in Koutruk, Senjam Chirag among other villages in Imphal East and Imphal West districts, the official said.

The COCOMI in a statement said that aerial bombing using drones in Manipur by Kuki militants is a serious war crime covering up barbaric attacks using ambulances by Kuki people is inhumane and unethical.

It claimed that the armed immigrant Kuki groups used an ambulance to infiltrate Meetei villages under the guise of essential emergency services, leading to the killing of a 31-year-old woman and the injuring of her daughter and nine other village volunteers in Koutruk village in Imphal West District, on Sunday.

The ambulance was confirmed to have come from the Leimakhong area, which houses one of the largest army camps. The Kuki narco-terrorists have grossly violated and misused the sanctity of a humanitarian service vehicle, committing an inhumane crime that reflects their lack of moral and ethical integrity.

Shockingly, a woman in the background was heard appreciating these barbaric forces and celebrating the death of the young mother and the injury of her minor child, the statement alleged.

The KSO in a statement said that the drone was used recently to bomb the Kuki areas but fortunately, the Kuki Village Volunteers who were patrolling the surroundings near buffer zones shot down the drone which was flying under the air space of the Kuki hills and handed over the drone to security agencies.

Furthermore, claims that members of the Kuki National Front received specialised drone attack training in Myanmar need to be corroborated with reliable sources. It is important to verify such information through independent and credible reports rather than relying on unconfirmed allegations, the statement said.

Former Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader O Ibobi Singh criticised the Central government and expressed his anguish asking why the central government remained silent on the use of drones in militant attacks that left two persons dead and many others injured in villages of Imphal West and Imphal East districts.

If bombs are dropped by the militants with the help of drones, it is a question of national security since the Raj Bhavan, the chief ministers bungalow and other important installations might not be safe, Singh told the media.
The Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday ended the pension of those former MLAs who had rebelled against the Congress-led state government this year and later joined the BJP.

The Assembly took this decision on Wednesday under the Anti-Defection Law and in this regard passed the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly ( Allowances and Pension of Members) Amendment Bill 2024.

The House passed this Bill by voice vote amid opposition from the opposition. After the passage of the bill, it will now be sent for the approval of the Governor and will become a law only after getting the approval.

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A person shall not be entitled for pension under the Act, if he has been disqualified at any point of time under the tenth schedule of the Constitution (Anti-Defection Law), states the Bill.

Earlier responding to the discussion on this amendment bill, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said, Power and chair do not always stay together, but principles remain alive in politics. Members who changed parties may be angry with me, but they betrayed the party.

The Amendment Bill has been presented with the aim of strengthening democratic values, he asserted.

He urged the House to support the amendment bill for a clean democracy so that no one can dare to change parties in future.

The Chief Minister had introduced the Amendment Bill in the House on Tuesday. The bill was discussed in the House on Wednesday.

BJPs Rakesh Jamwal, expressing his views on the amendments made in the bill, said that the amendment bill has been introduced in a hurry.

Questioning how this can be implemented with retrospective effect, he said that the government should consider it.

Randhir Sharma, BJP MLA claimed that the Bill was introduced in a spirit of revenge.

Referring to the political events of last February and cross voting by six Congress MLAs in the Rajya Sabha elections, he said that the members had not changed sides.

He said that the objective will not be achieved with this amendment and that the Chief Minister should self-introspect as to why the MLAs were angry.

He urged the bill to be sent to the select committee.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said that defection weakens democracy.

He said that those who commit the heinous act of toppling the government by defection should be punished.

Negi also urged for sending the Bill to the Select Committee.

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, while participating in the discussion, said that this amendment bill smells of political revenge.

He said that Congress MLAs did not take BJPs membership during the Rajya Sabha voting.

The Assembly Speaker took action to disqualify the MLAs for disobeying the whip. Consequently, the MLAs who were declared disqualified became members of BJP. Hence, they do not come under the purview of Schedule 10 of the Constitution,  he argued.
Exotic and medicinal content-rich dragon fruits, grown by Odisha farmers, were exported to Dubai on Wednesday under a government initiative to ensure better price realisation for the farmers produce.

Dragon fruit, grown in Patnagarh of Balangir district, was exported for the first time from Odisha to Dubai from the Biju Patnaik International Airport cargo terminal in Bhubaneswar.

Earlier, mangoes from Dhenkanal and parwal from Bolangir were exported abroad, officials said.

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Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo said that the government is now focusing on horticulture and advising farmers to adopt this practice.

Singh Deo, who introduced himself as a proud farmer, said that the decision made during the Covid pandemic has borne fruit today, with 4 quintals of dragon fruit being exported to Dubai through IndiGo Cargo.

The fruits are grown completely organically so that the nutrients of the fruits remain intact and they stay fresh longer than those produced with other chemical fertilisers.

Dragon fruit is beneficial for health. By consuming it, the body will not have problems like cancer, diabetes, and constipation, Singh Deo added.

The state government provides incentives for horticulture, including farm ponds, irrigation systems, and subsidies through Direct Bank Transfer.

Today, horticulture has been given more importance as the demand for it is increasing day by day and the farmers are also getting more returns with lesser investment and within a short span. In the coming days, the aim is to export high-quality agricultural products from Odisha to foreign countries on a large scale, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Empowerment, Arabinda Padhee, said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to Indias medal winners at the ongoing Paralympics in Paris, saying the country is proud of the athletes.

After the days programmes in Brunei Darussalam, called our Paralympic champions and congratulated them. India is proud of our athletes, PM Modi, who landed in Brunei on Tuesday to mark the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Southeast Asian nation, wrote on Instagram.

In Paris, India has so far won 15 medals including three gold, five silver and seven bronze medals.

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Para-badminton has been the nations most successful sport so far fetching five medals, followed by four medals in para-shooting.

The Prime Minister also held telephonic conversations with Yogesh Kathuniya (silver, discus throw), Sumit Antil (gold, javelin throw), Sheetal Devi (bronze, archery mixed team), and Rakesh Kumar (bronze, archery mixed team).

After Kathuniya thanked the Prime Minister for taking out time from his busy schedule to talk to the athletes, PM Modi said, I live for the country. If any Indian does anything good anywhere in the world, I automatically get connected with him or her.:

Speaking to the Prime Minister, Sumit Antil said, Your talk always motivates us Will try my best to give excel in the next competition as well.

You come from an Army family. The country lives in your heart. We are all out of the country and representing it in different fields. With our honesty and dedication, India will get recognised around the globe, the Prime Minister replied.

Earlier on Tuesday, PM Modi arrived at the Bandar Seri Begawan Airport for a two-day visit to Brunei on the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

The historic visit of the Prime Minister coincides with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei.

Upon arrival, Prime Minister Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome and was warmly received by Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, Crown Prince and senior Minister in the Prime Ministers Office in Brunei.
In a fresh attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the situation in Manipur, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said the PM has miserably failed in protecting the people of the north eastern state.

Referring to the Manipur situation, the Congress chief in a post on X wrote, Narendra Modi ji it has been 16 months since Manipur has been engulfed in violence, but your double engine government has done nothing to mitigate it.

No measure has been taken which instills confidence among the people of all the communities to ensure peace and normalcy, he alleged.

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The Congress president also posed a volley of questions to the PM over the matter.

Why has the Manipur CM made to brazen it out and has not been sacked by you? Is he not culpable in virtually paralysing the state machinery, and making obnoxious statements, now recorded in public domain? A resignation drama was enacted to shamelessly dodge that bullet, he said.

Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said, Modi ji, why have you been so remorseless? Why have you not bothered to set foot in the state? It is because of your ego that people of all communities are suffering. Your governments rank incompetency and shamelessness has not been able to start even a fundamental peace process.

Bombing through drone attacks have just taken place in Imphal West district and the Union Home Minister (Amit Shah) seems to be asleep at the wheel. Even your own BJP leaders and their houses are being attacked. Was the (Manipur) Governor removed because she raised her voice against the deplorable conditions of the relief camps?, he said.

Mentioning about relief camps, the Congress chief said, At least 235 people have been killed. Countless injured. 67,000 people have been displaced and thousands including women and children continue to languish in relief camps with deplorable conditions. Apart from internal turmoil, now a National Security threat also looms large at the borders of Manipur.

Prime Minister Modi ji, you have miserably failed in protecting the people of Manipur. Manipur turmoil is another stark addition to the long list of your betrayals to the people of India, added Kharge.

It may be mentioned that the PM has been facing criticism from the Opposition parties for not visiting the northeastern state. They have been accusing the BJP-led governments in the State as well as the Centre that it has failed to resolve the issue.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday warned that the government will not tolerate any malpractices in the implementation of the ambitious Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, under which a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 will be provided to the eligible women whose families have an annual income below Rs 2.5 lakh.

Reacting to reports of alleged malpractices coming to the fore from Satara and Navi Mumbai, the Chief Minister said that the government will act against those involved in malpractices.

No malpractices will be tolerated in the implementation of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bain Yojana. I have discussed the matter with the District Collector of Satara. The Ladki Bahin Yojana is for women from poor and ordinary families.

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If anyone commits corruption in this, it will not be tolerated. The accused will be directly jailed, warned Shinde.

Earlier during the Monsoon Session of the state Assembly, the Chief Minister had issued a stern warning saying that the government will not spare malpractices and irregularities in the implementation of the Ladki Bahin scheme.

The Chief Ministers remarks came in the wake of media reports with regard to malpractices during the enrolment process of the scheme.

In Satara, one person misused the Aadhaar cards of 30 people and filled as many as 30 applications, while in Panvel, a person filled an application using photos of a woman in different dresses.

These incidents came to the fore at a time when the state government has extended the enrolment deadline up to September end.

The government has already deposited the monthly financial aid of Rs 1,500 to nearly 1.60 crore eligible women beneficiaries.

CM Shinde and Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar earlier announced that the financial aid to the eligible women beneficiaries will be increased after the MahaYuti regime is re-elected in the Assembly elections scheduled later this year.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 4. Turkmenistan and Sweden have held high-level political consultations in Stockholm, focusing on enhancing bilateral relations and exploring new collaboration opportunities, Trend reports via the foreign ministry of Turkmenistan.

The Turkmen side was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Myahri Byashimova, while the Sweden side was headed by Chief of the Department for Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tobias Thyberg. The discussions addressed global and regional issues including peace, security, counter-terrorism, environment, and energy.

The meeting underscored the importance of active engagement in international organizations such as the UN, OSCE, and the EU. Turkmenistan invited Sweden to participate in upcoming events and suggested using international platforms for high-level meetings. The discussions also highlighted the EUs Global Gateway initiative and the need for innovative collaboration formats.

Additionally, the Turkmen delegation met with Bjorn Soder, Head of the Friendship Group for Central Asia in the Swedish Parliament, to discuss boosting interparliamentary relations and agreed to an online meeting between the Friendship Groups in October.

Further talks with Torbjorn Solstrom, Director General for Euro-Atlantic Affairs and Security Policy of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, revealed Swedens interest in deepening ties with Central Asia, particularly in parliamentary cooperation, ecology, energy, and cultural exchanges.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday arrived in Singapore where he will hold talks with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in a major push to India-Singapore ties and Indias Act East Policy and Vision of the Indo-Pacific.

The Prime Minister was warmly received at the airport by the Singapore Minister of Home Affairs and Law, and greeted at his hotel by the vibrant Indian community.

Mr Modi posted on the X: Landed in Singapore. Looking forward to the various meetings aimed at boosting the India-Singapore friendship. Indias reforms and the talent of our Yuva Shakti makes our nation an ideal investment destination. We also look forward to closer cultural ties.

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The Prime Minister said his welcome by the Indian community was truly vibrant. He posted on X: Thank you, Singapore! The welcome was truly vibrant.

The Indian community welcomed the PM by Ganapati Bappa Moraya cries and short dance recitals by girls. He joined in beating the dhol, and a woman tied Rakhi on his right wrist, while a child carried a placard I love Modiji. The Prime Minister blessed children and signed their pictorial collages.

In the evening, in a special gesture, the Singapore PM hosted him for a private dinner

The Prime Minister has a packed schedule on Thursday, beginning with a meeting with the Singapore Prime Minister in the morning, and a ceremonial welcome. He will then meet the President of Singapore and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and other dignitaries.

Mr Modi will visit the AEM semiconductor facility along with Mr Wong and talk to CEOs of Singapore companies. Singapore has a large economic engagement with India.

The Prime Ministers visit is important, as it will give a major push to India-Singapore economic and technological ties. He has planned to hold discussions to deepen our Strategic Partnership with Singapore, particularly in new and emerging areas of advanced manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainable development.
President Droupadi Murmu, on Wednesday, appealed to all men to recognise the potential of women and support them in realising their dreams.

Any obstacle created in the progress of women slows down the pace of development of society and the country, she said while addressing a gathering of beneficiaries of Shasan Aplya Dari and Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojna of the Government of Maharashtra at Udgir.

The President called the Shasan Aplya Dari and Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojna important steps towards building an inclusive and prosperous society and country. She was happy to note that women in Maharashtra are becoming self-reliant with the help of the Central and state government schemes.

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She appreciated the state government for providing financial literacy and skills to women as well as generating livelihood opportunities for them. She noted that the state government is taking various steps for transparent and accountable governance. The government is delivering basic services at the doorsteps of citizens so that they do not have to run around government offices for those services.

The President said that the initiatives for womens empowerment give her immense satisfaction. It is said that under similar circumstances, women have more sense and understanding of using the economic resources of the family for the common good than men. It is believed that if we educate a man, we educate only one person. But if we educate a woman, we educate the entire family and the future generation. This is also true for economic empowerment. If women are economically empowered, then the whole family and the future generation will also be empowered, she added.

The President was pleased to note that through the Lakhpati Didi Scheme of the Centre, around one crore women across the country have become Lakhpati Didi. She said this initiative is increasing self-confidence, awareness, and new consciousness in women.

The President noted that in the last few years, womens participation in the workforce has increased significantly. She said that women are now contributing to nation building in every field. However, more efforts are needed to increase the participation of women further.
In a scathing critique of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Wednesday accused him of making provocative statements aimed at reviving militancy in Jammu & Kashmir.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Dr. Jitendra Singh questioned the motive behind Rahul Gandhis irresponsible observations made at Ramban on the eve of Assembly election during his J&K visit today and lambasted his misleading accusations against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Rahul Gandhis statements are a deliberate attempt to spread false rhetoric for vested interests which find militancy convenient to continue the Congresss dynastic politics, Dr. Jitendra Singh asserted. He emphasised that the Congress has always been uncomfortable with the flourishing democracy in Kashmir, resorting instead to terror and militancy to limit voter turnout to 8-10 percent, ensuring their unconstitutional mandate for generation after generation.

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Dr. Jitendra Singh hailed Prime Minister Modi for bringing back peace and normalcy to the region, ensuring the safety and development of the common citizens of Jammu & Kashmir. Rahul Gandhi should thank PM Modi for the peace that now allows him to freely move around and enjoy having  Kabab at Srinagars Residency Road- something that was impossible during the Congress rule, Dr. Jitendra Singh remarked cryptically.

The Union Minister also posed a critical question to the citizens of Jammu & Kashmir: Do you want the Congress to push your youth back into the turmoil that plagued the region for three decades, or do you want to be part of the development ushered in by Prime Minister Modi and join the mainstream?

Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated that the people of Jammu & Kashmir now have a clear choice: to reject the Congresss attempts to drag the region back into chaos or to embrace the peace and progress brought about by the BJP under Prime Minister Modis leadership. The Congress can no longer manipulate the people of Kashmir; they have moved on, and so should the Congress, Dr. Jitendra Singh stated emphatically.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday issued a stern warning to mafias, criminals, and rioters, while also launching a scathing attack on opposition parties for cowering before such elements for petty political ends.

Speaking at the district-level mega employment and loan distribution fair held at Kendriya Vidyalaya, IFFCO campus in Phulpur, Prayagraj, CM Yogi added that the opposition parties do not have the guts to run a bulldozer and would rather have a heart attack at its mere sight.

CM Yogi distributed appointment letters to over 5,000 youths, and loans exceeding Rs 510 crore were granted to 7,138 beneficiaries on the occasion. Additionally, 15,448 youths received tablets and smartphones as part of the programme.

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He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 407 development projects worth Rs 634 crore in Phulpur. The keys to homes allotted under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana were handed over to beneficiaries by CM Yogi.

In a covert attack, CM Yogi said that todays Tipu, who dreams of becoming a Sultan, used to bow before mafias, and stated that these leaders have tarnished Prayagrajs identity by aligning with criminals.

Warning criminals, he remarked: Anyone who dares to violate the dignity of women will face severe consequences, including the loss of their limbs. Ensuring the safety of every citizen is our unwavering commitment, and we will go to any lengths to uphold it.

CM Yogi also highlighted the plan to appoint 40,000 youths through the Subordinate Services Selection Commission and accelerate the process of other government recruitments across the state.

CM Yogi remarked that this year holds special significance as the Maha Kumbh is set to be organised in Prayagraj in January 2025. Prayagraj will once again make a lasting impression on the global stage, he added.

He blamed opposition parties for inciting caste-based divisions and creating an identity crisis for the Prayagraj region, a centre of Vedic Sanatan culture. CM Yogi further noted that those who witnessed the Kumbh in 2013 likely left with the resolve never to return. However, under Prime Minister Modis guidance, the 2019 Kumbh showcased to the world how such an event should be organised, setting a new standard for security, service, and system.

Global respect for Prayagraj has been elevated, and now we are committed to restoring and enhancing that respect again, he added.

CM Yogi emphasised that the identity crisis was fuelled by the corrupt practices of Chacha and Bhatija, likening them to characters from the Mahabharata who took turns to extort the region. He asserted that this era of exploitation is over and that no one in Uttar Pradesh can engage in such activities anymore.

CM Yogi reiterated his governments stance on protecting the future of the youth, stating that anyone who jeopardises their future will face jail time, confiscation of property, and the removal of illegal encroachments. Womens protection homes and housing will also be established for the underprivileged.

He warned that rioters would learn the actual cost of their actions when their assets were seized and their names publicly displayed for seven generations. He described the mafia as a societal curse that must be eradicated to secure a better present and future.

CM Yogi said it delights him to see young people committing to furthering their education and seeking employment, determined not to become a burden on anyone.

The government has implemented the CM Internship Scheme to support this, providing interest-free loans to entrepreneurs for setting up industries. Many business owners here need skilled manpower. With passion and a desire to work, even a small amount of capital can be transformed into substantial wealth, potentially leading to the creation of a startup. Money earned through hard work not only prospers but also lays the foundation for future generations success, he stated.

During the programme, CM Yogi mentioned that he had recently handed out government appointment letters to 1,375 youths across 12 departments in Lucknow. He announced that the results of the written examination for 60,200 constable positions in the Uttar Pradesh Police Service would be released soon, opening up opportunities for more young people to join the police force.

It will be followed by the initiation of an additional 40,000 to 45,000 new recruitments. Through the Subordinate Services Selection Commission alone, the government is set to provide appointment letters to 40,000 youths, with plans to initiate similar job opportunities soon, the CM added.

CM Yogi assured that there will be no shortage of jobs for the youth in Uttar Pradesh, with over 60,000 positions available in basic, secondary, higher, technical, professional, and medical education. The recruitment process across various departments will continue to accelerate.

CM Yogi emphasised that Uttar Pradesh is now a revenue-surplus state and highlighted the recent formation of the Education Commission, which will soon begin its operations. He noted that Uttar Pradesh has become a model state for security and has emerged as a prime destination for investment, driving Indias development forward. With an investment of Rs 40 lakh crore, the state is set to create pathways for 1.5 crore jobs.
A day after West Bengal assembly unanimously passed the Aparajita anti-rape Bill, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of politicising the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata and expressed his disappointment over the state governments delay in operationalising Fast-Track Special Courts (FTSCs) to expedite the trial of rape and POCSO Act cases in the state.

In a social media post on X, the minister shared a letter from 2021 addressed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her to establish and operationalise the earmarked FTSCs.

The letter, dated back to May 2021, highlighted the critical need for these courts, especially with over 28,559 rape and POCSO cases pending in the state at the time.

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I feel sad that Chief Minister of West Bengal ignored her most sacred duty of providing quick Justice for women & children. This letter of 2021 clearly shows it. In 2018, a stringent law was passed by- Parliament to deal with heinous crimes like Rape.. State Govts must act! he wrote.

Advising the Bengal CM not to make it a political issue, Rijiju further asserted that strong laws alone are not enough, and timely and decisive action is crucial.

Very strong laws are necessary but strong actions are more important. When the letter was written, media had carried this news extensively, but West Bengal Govt failed to act! he added.

His remarks come a day after the West Bengal Assembly unanimously passed the Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024, amid outrage over the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College.

The bill aims to introduce stringent measures to address crimes against women and children in the state.

It has a provision of death penalty for rape in case of victims death or if she is left in a vegetative state due to the incident and life sentence without parole in other cases of rape.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and had fruitful discussion on ways to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations, including deepening of trade and defence relations, as well as enhancing people-to-people linkages.

Concluding his visit to Brunei Darussalam, the Prime Minister said my visit to Brunei Darussalam was productive. It ushers in a new era of even stronger India-Brunei ties. Our friendship will contribute to a better planet. I am grateful to the people and Government of Brunei for their hospitality and affection.

The Prime Minister and the Sultan of Brunei held productive discussions in Bandar Seri Begawan during the day and welcomed the elevation of bilateral ties to Enhanced Partnership.

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The discussions between the two leaders are expected to strengthen and cement India-Brunei bilateral ties further. The Prime Minister invited the Sultan of Brunei to pay a visit to India. The historic visit of the Prime Minister is likely to further boost action on Indias Act East Policy and its vision for the Indo-Pacific.

During the talks, the two leaders took stock of bilateral relations including in areas of defence, trade & investment, energy, space technology, health and pharmaceuticals, capacity building, culture and people-to-people ties. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Mr Modi arrived at the Sultans official residence Istana Nurul Iman where he was warmly greeted by Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and his close family members.

Thanking the Sultan for his gracious invitation, the Prime Minister stated that the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian Head of Government to Brunei reflected Indias deep desire to boost bilateral ties. He said that his visit was in keeping with Indias commitment to strengthen its Act East Policy, now in its 10th year.

The leaders agreed to explore and pursue collaboration in areas such as ICT, fintech, cyber security, new and emerging technologies and renewable energy. The two leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues.

Both leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and called upon states to repudiate it. They reiterated their commitment to work closely together in mutually beneficial areas to further strengthen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The Sultan also appreciated Indias support for Brunei Darussalams efforts in hosting the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change.

The two leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of an MoU on Cooperation in the operation of Telemetry, Tracking and Telecommand Station for Satellite and Launch Vehicles by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Bruneis Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Shamhary Pengiran Dato Mustapha.

The two leaders welcomed the upcoming commencement of direct flight connection between Bandar Seri Begawan and Chennai. A Joint Statement was adopted after the talks.

In his remarks at his meeting with the Sultan of Brunei, the Prime Minister said the two countries have centuries-old cultural ties. The foundation of our friendship is this great cultural tradition. Under your leadership, our relations have been growing stronger day by day, Mr Modi said.

The Prime Minister said the people of India still fondly remember with great pride the Sultans visit to India as the chief guest at the Republic Day in 2018.

Mr Modi said I am extremely pleased that at the beginning of my third term, I have the opportunity to visit Brunei and discuss future matters with you. It is also a pleasant coincidence that we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of our bilateral partnership.

Brunei being an important partner in Indias Act East policy and Indo-Pacific vision is a guarantee of a bright future for us, the Prime Minister said. We respect each others sentiments. I am confident that this visit and our discussions will provide strategic direction to our relations for the times to come, he said.

Speaking at the banquet hosted by the Sultan of Brunei, the Prime Minister said Brunei is an important partner in Indias Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision. India has always given priority to ASEAN Centrality and will continue to do so. We support freedom of navigation and overflight under international laws like UNCLOS. We agree that a Code of Conduct should be finalised in this region. We support the policy of development, and not expansionism, the Prime Minister said.
Once hailed as the saviour of billions of hungry Indians, the semi-dwarf High Yielding Rice varieties ( HYV) are now here, and they are being denounced as a harbinger of destruction. People antagonistic to HYV rice argue that the proliferation of these contemporary rice varieties extensively throughout the nation poses a detriment to the artistry and essence of traditional rice cultivation. To these critics, modern varieties are perceived as the merciless slayers of heirloom rice diversity, jeopardising the natural resilience against pests and diseases, and accelerating the degradation of soil and the environment. Questions have even been raised about their potential and achievements. So, the celebrated yield superiority of HYVs over traditional rice is being claimed by Ashraf and Lokanadan in the International Journal of Current Microbiological Applied Science 2017 as just a story and propaganda by the state agricultural scientists and extension staff to promote its cultivation. Is it not imperative to thoroughly investigate the rationality of the allegations before relentlessly accusing a friend in times of distress?

The birth and diversity of domestic rice

Currently, the paddy we cultivate, and the rice we eat, had no existence at all in nature. Nearly seven thousand years before Jesus birth in Jerusalem, Asian cultivated rice emerged from the ancestral womb of wild rice, Oryza rufipogon revealed by Molina and his co-researchers in the Proceedings of National Academy of Science 2011. Such a profound evolution from a wild, weedy perennial to a cultivated, annual rice with upright stems and strongly bound rice was guided by the natural mutation of four pivotal genes (SH4, QSH1, Prog1 locus and RC) of a wild ancestor and the discerning selection pressure of ancient farmers unearthed by E, Callaway, 2014. This transition didnt happen overnight. Instead, its been slowly unfolding across a thousand years, showcasing the enduring partnership between humans and nature. As nature meticulously sculpted the wild form of rice, yielding a myriad of variants genetically tuned for survival and proliferation in diverse environments, ancient farmers embarked on a quest, handpicking superior yield, tantalising taste and fortitude against pests and diseases. Survival of natural rice variants thus depended solely on the preferences of our farming ancestors. Unless the variants align with farmers choices, they are supposed to fade away over time. It is therefore evident that since the inception of rice cultivation, the fields have been gradually losing the rice varieties disliked by farmers. HYV rice came into existence many millennia later.

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Archaeological records referred by Durai and co-workers in the Indian Journal of Plant Genetic Resources 2015 indicate that in the Indian sub-continent, the cultivation of Asian rice originated in the Ganges valley of the northeast in 6500 BC. The genetic modification of rufipogon boosted the adaptability of Asian rice to such an extent that its cultivation spread rapidly across the country, much like a blazing wildfire in no time. From the arid, desolate soils to the rich fertile plains, the story of rice cultivation unfolds. It spans the rugged terrains of the Himalayan foothills, descending the icy heights to the warm, briny marshes or the untamed, green lowlands below. Such is the vast expanse of its reach. According to eminent rice scientist TT Chang (1989), domesticated rice varieties exhibit the greatest diversity within the geographic belt stretching from North East India to South East China. With India particularly West Bengal nestled within this belt, its no surprise that these regions showcase a lush tapestry of rice diversity.

The exact count of rice varieties is a mystery, but their multitude of names and uses hints at the vastness of biodiversity. Renowned rice scientists R. H. Richaria, along with Govindaswamy claimed in their book Rice in India that India once cultivated 2,00,000 varieties of rice. In contrast, experts like Paroda and Mallick, as well as organisations like IGMORIS, estimated the number of traditional rice varieties in India to be 50,000. In 1955, scientists led by S. Gobindaswami began Indias first exploration of rice biodiversity, collecting 1,745 indigenous rice varieties through extensive search over a period of five years ( 1955-59) in 27,000 square kilometres area of the Jaipur region, now known as Koraput district. In a separate effort from 1967 to 1972 M.S.Swaminathan and S.V.S.Shastri collected 6,000 indigenous rice lines in Northeast India, known as Assam Rice Collection. R.H.Richaria also made substantial contributions between 1970 and 1979. He collected 19,226 local rice varieties, known as the Raipur Collection, from 42 districts of Madhya Pradesh. Again in 1971, under the initiative of IARI, Hyderabad, Sharma and his fellow scientists gathered altogether 8,000 local rice from the hilly areas of Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in the first phase and Manipur, Tripura and Mizo Hills in the second phase. Various states also joined this venture in the 1950s. Accordingly, the total number of indigenous rice varieties collected at both the state and national level and accessed at NBPGR(National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources) reached 66,000 up to 1982. Out of which 50 per cent were the same rice varieties with different Accession numbers. In fact, the collection of local rice in NBPGR stood at 36,000 up to 1982 noted by Hore and Sharma in the Indian Journal of Forestry, 1991. Currently, the NBPGR has a rich collection of 1,04,538 rice Accessions.

Lets also look at the post-independence West Bengals rice biodiversity. Estimates vary, with Pal listing 5000 varieties in News Research, 2016 and Deb identifying 15000 in Gastronomica, 2021. Notably in the 1970s BRRI scientists reported the existence of 12,479 indigenous rice varieties in Bangladesh. In West Bengal, the Chinsurah Rice Research Station began collecting indigenous rice varieties in the mid-1950s, eventually amassing 5000 indigenous varieties.

The dawn of high-yielding rice on the Indian canvas

In 1947, when the British left India, the countrys food situation was extremely dire, exacerbated by the partition, which took away our key wheat and rice-growing areas. By 1950, the population had reached 361.1 million, but the domestic food production of 50.82 million tonnes was insufficient to meet the basic needs. The global post-war recovery further limited import options. Despite an agreement with the USA to import 10.6 million tonnes of food grains between 1956-1959 and subsequent renewals for even larger quantities, these imports drained Indias exchequer and failed to resolve the food crisis. Up to the mid-1960s, the Indian efforts to increase food production concentrating largely on expanding farming areas with improved local varieties did not yield significant results. Faced with a persistent food shortage, India recoursed to increasing the yield of the countrys two principal food crops, rice and wheat. At this pivotal moment, news broke of a groundbreaking development in the field of IRRI: the long-waited rice variety, IR8, had finally come to fruition. This extraordinary variety had been a vision of the experts from the International Rice Commission as far back as 1949. IR8 in semidwarf stature and 130 days maturity duration promised astonishing yield, producing 10 tons per hectare with 120 kg nitrogen fertiliser and 5 tons without any nitrogen input. At the helm of IARI, the visionary Dr Swaminathan recognised the immense potential of IR8. His unwavering advocacy, coupled with the endorsement of the then Minister of Agriculture, led the Central Variety Release Committee to make a historic decision to release the variety across the country in 1966.

In 1967, the evolutionary adoption of semi-dwarf HYV rice began in the remote village of Atchanta in the west Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. It was spearheaded by a 29-year-old progressive farmer, N. Subbarao. When the new IR8 rice variety was cultivated across a vast area of Subbaraos land, it yielded astonishing results. Curious villagers flocked to witness this miracle. They observed in awe, as this short-duration, hardy newcomer produced a yield three times higher than the traditional varieties they were accustomed to. Dreams of a golden future filled their eyes. The entire harvest from Subbaraos field was used as seed for the following year, leading to the cultivation of IR8 rice on 1600 hectares within the same village. The wave soon spread throughout Andhra Pradesh, then to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Hyderabad, and eventually across the entire country. Hot on the heels of IR8 came other varieties like Jaya, Padma etc. As these HYV rice varieties spread like wildfire, they began to transform the landscape of rice production in India. In 1950, rice production stood at 20.8 million tons from 30.8 million hectares. By 1969-70, this had surged to 40.8 million tons, without significant expansion of the rice area. The key to this revolutionary increase was the tripling of yield rates. Within three decades of introducing HYV rice, India not only became self-sufficient in rice production but also started amassing a buffer stock of 15.7 million tons annually. From being a traditional importer of rice, the country thus transformed into a self-reliant producer, banking on semi-dwarf HYVs.

Some have historically contested these facts, claiming that the high yield potentiality of these varieties was exaggerated by government officials and the farmers were coerced into cultivating them. Opponents of HYV further argue that these varieties are hybrids, created by crossing indica and japonica strains, with japonica being particularly susceptible to pests and diseases. They allege that these have led to widespread pest and disease problems across the country, while traditional varieties supposedly remain unaffected. However, none of these assertions are true. These varieties are neither hybrids nor the result of indica-japonica crossbreeding. Like any other traditional varieties, they are all inbred.

IR8 is actually a semi-dwarf derivative resulting from Indonesias high-yielding tall indica variety, Peta, and Taiwans dwarf indica variety, Dee-geo-woo-gen. The magic behind this semi-dwarf variety and its high yield lies in a gene named sd-1. This gene is located on chromosome number one of the Dee-geo-woo-gen variety. Its function is to reduce the synthesis of the gibberellin growth hormone (GA 20 oxidase) in rice cells. As a result, the internodal regions of the rice stem become shorter, making the plant dwarf and sturdier. This structural change means that even with heavy grain heads, the plant does not topple over. This modification significantly alters the plants physiology. The sd-1 gene not only prevents unnecessary elongation of the plant by reducing the expenditure of produced dry matter but also efficiently redirects this conserved dry matter to increase grain production and yield. Thats the extent of the sd-1 genes role  its the key to the dramatic yield increase. In terms of biomass production, theres not much difference between HYV rice and traditional varieties. However, the yield difference is enormous, making all the difference in productivity. A 2020 study by Panth also highlighted that farmers gain much higher profits from cultivating HYV rice compared to traditional varieties, primarily because the yield is three times greater. Critics often downplay this yield potential by attributing it to the use of fertilisers and irrigation. However, just as the sun is the ultimate source of energy in the universe, the seed is the core source of all agricultural potential. Other agricultural inputs merely assist in unlocking the inherent yield potential of the seed. If fertiliser usage contaminates the soil, why blame the seed? Moreover, the claim that the native varieties are always disease- and pest-resistant is also untrue. If it were true, the yield of rice in Bengal wouldnt have plummeted due to the brown spot disease in 1942. On the contrary, most of the currently popular HYVs are tolerant to multiple pests and diseases. The propaganda against HYV rice ignores these facts and tries to paint a misleading picture.

A look at the disappearance of heirloom rice

The loss of diversity in rice began long before the advent of HYV rice. In fact, it started from the very beginning of the domestication of rice. Whenever a superior variant of rice has emerged, farmers have readily moved away from cultivating the inferior ones in favour of the better variant. It happened during the process of domestication and also afterwards. The replacement of one variety of indigenous rice with another more productive variety by farmers reflects their keen desire for higher yield. This is only natural. Agriculture is their livelihood. If the crops produced in the field are consumed entirely at home, how will he go to the market to sell them? How will his household run? The more rice a farmer can produce beyond his household needs from his own land, the more comfortable his life will be. This pursuit of better yields has driven farmers since ancient times and continues to do so today. When the initially used indigenous was found low-yielding, it was replaced with improved indigenous rice varieties, and subsequently, HYV rice was introduced. The rapid adoption of HYV rice, replacing traditional varieties was driven primarily by the promise of harvesting more rice and endorsed higher income for the farmers. The research findings published in the Journal of Agriculture and Environment in 2020 corroborate this fact.

Although the promotion of HYV rice varieties has largely edged out traditional varieties from the fields, they have not vanished entirely. These cherished heirloom strains still flourish in specific ecological niches where HYV rice fails to prevail. Their survival is owed to their superior taste and aroma, or their remarkable resilience to fragile environments. The next phase involves the delicate extraction of these resilient traits from traditional varieties into HYV rice, enhancing its qualities. Successes such as Swarna sub1, Jarava etc. bear testament to these efforts. As this endeavour progresses, the cultivation of traditional rice will gradually diminish, surviving in pockets only as commercially viable varieties. This seems an inevitable trajectory. However, even if they fade from the fields, they will not be lost forever. They will be meticulously conserved in repositories like NBPGR and IBPGR, safeguarding their legacy and essence for the generations to come.

Those advocating for the widespread cultivation of traditional rice over HYV rice should consider Indias 107th position out of 120 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2022. The same years Global Food Policy Report forewarns that by 2030, India will host the largest number of hungry people in the world, totalling 17 million. According to FAO, despite the continuous rise in annual rice production and yield in India over the past three decades  registering a 2.4 per cent increase in production and a 1.9 per cent increase in yield  the growth is still insufficient to meet escalating demand. To eradicate hunger and achieve self-sufficiency in rice production in the coming days, we must not only rely on HYV rice but also develop and adopt even more advanced, ultra-high-yielding rice varieties that surpass the yield limits of HYV strains.

Subhendu Deb Chatterjee is former director & ex-officio secretary of, the Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal

Amitabh Ghosh is a former economic botanist IX, Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal
In a huge boost to local defence manufacturing, the Centre on Tuesday approved 10 capital acquisition proposals amounting to Rs 1,44,716 crore, including for the modernisation of the Indian Armys tank fleet with a futuristic Main Battle Tank.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 10 capital acquisition proposals amounting to Rs 1,44,716 crore.

Of the total cost, 99 per cent is from indigenous sources under the Buy (Indian) and Buy (Indian-indigenously designed, developed and manufactured) categories, the ministry said in a statement.

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The move clears the path for the procurement of future-ready combat vehicles (FRCVs), air defence fire control radars, Dornier-228 aircraft, next-generation fast patrol and offshore patrol vessels.

The FRCV will be a futuristic Main Battle Tank with superior mobility, all-terrain ability, multilayered protections, precision & lethal fires over and real-time situational awareness, the Ministry of Defence said.

The government also approved a proposal for the procurement of air defence fire control radars, which will detect and track aerial targets and provide firing solutions.

The proposal has also been approved for Forward Repair Team (Tracked) which has suitable cross-country mobility for carrying out in-situ repair during mechanised operations, the ministry said.

This equipment is designed and developed by Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd, and is authorised for both Mechanised Infantry Battalions and Armoured Regiments.

Three AoNs have been accorded to enhance the capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The ministry said that Dornier-228 aircraft, Next Generation Fast Patrol Vessels having high operational features in rough weather conditions, and Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels with advanced technology and enhanced long-range operations, will enhance the capability of ICG to carry out surveillance, patrolling of the maritime zone, search and rescue and disaster relief operations.

The Defence Minister also honoured late Indian Coast Guard (ICG) DG Rakesh Pal, who was also a member of the DAC and passed away due to a heart attack in Chennai on August 18.
Weeks of torrential rains have devastated parts of Cameroons Far North region, killing eight people and displacing 60,000 more, an official said Tuesday.

Jean Lazare Ndongo Ndongo, the prefect of the Mayo-Danay division, said the division has been the hardest hit, with 60,000 people affected by the floods triggered by the heavy rains. The floods have also destroyed crops, delayed harvests, and resulted in the collapse of 12,000 houses, he said.

At this level of evaluation, we have already lost eight persons. We have 4,000 hectares (of agricultural land) destroyed, Ndongo said, adding that the evaluation is still going because heavy rains (are continuing). We have relocation sites (for those affected). We need some items to help those who are in need.

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Humanitarian workers said that those evacuated from their homes are in dire need of shelter, food, and clothing, Xinhua news agency reported.

Cameroons meteorological center has warned of continuing turbulent weather, warning that heavy rains accompanied by strong winds may persist in the region, where torrential downpours have previously led to devastating consequences.
The number of snatch thefts across England and Wales soared by over 150 per cent in the past year, the Home Office said on Tuesday.

According to data analysis from the Crime Survey for England and Wales by the Home Office, an estimated 78,000 people had their phones or bags snatched from them on the streets, averaging more than 200 snatch thefts per day over the past 12 months.

The survey also estimated that more than one third of thefts from the person involved the theft of a mobile phone in the past year, Xinhua news agency reported.

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Personal robbery can have a devastating impact on victims, leaving them with trauma which can be lasting, said Richard Smith, National Police Chiefs Council lead for personal robbery. He added that criminals often target some of the most vulnerable in society, such as children.

Policing intelligence indicates this surge is being driven by increased demand for second-hand smartphones, both in the United Kingdom and abroad, the Home Office said in a statement.

The Home Office said that tech companies and manufacturers will be invited to a summit focused on exploring new innovations and anti-theft smartphone features that could help combat the illegal market.

Phone companies must ensure that any stolen phones can be quickly, easily and permanently disabled, rather than re-registered for sale on the second-hand market, Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said.

The national police intelligence unit Operation Opal will launch an intelligence probe to gather information about the criminals who steal mobile phones and the destinations of these devices. This effort aims to provide a clearer understanding of the stolen mobile phone market, according to the Home Office.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, September 4. Uzbekistan and Russia aim to bring trade turnover volume up to $30 billion, Trend reports.

The matter was reviewed during an online meeting between Uzbekistans Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov and Russias Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov.

During the meeting the sides noted that trade turnover between both countries grew by 29.1 percent and amounted to $6.8 billion from January through July this year. During this period, the growth of exports to Russia was observed in 175 commodity positions. Exports of 64 new commodity items worth $11.3 million have been established.

The parties presented reports of relevant leaders in the spheres of industry, energy, transport and agriculture, on the current state of implementation of projects and agreements within the framework of the joint action plan to increase mutual trade between Uzbekistan and Russia 2024-2030.

Furthermore, the participants of the meeting discussed the progress in opening a branch of the All-Russian Academy of Foreign Trade in Tashkent and the work of the Expert Center for Strategic Initiatives.

At the end of the meeting, the sides emphasized the commitment to deepen cooperation and continue joint work in all areas of trade development.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistans foreign trade turnover volume with Russia amounted to $6.8 billion from January through July 2024. This figure has increased by 30.7 percent year-on-year ($5.2 billion in JanuaryJuly 2023).

Russia ranked second among the countries with the largest volume of foreign trade turnover in Uzbekistan. The countrys share in the total volume of trade turnover in Uzbekistan accounts for 18.5 percent.
The Sri Lankan government has announced an immediate cancellation of all crop loans taken by farmers, following requests from several farmer associations, according to the Presidents Media Division (PMD) on Tuesday.

The PMD noted that this decision was made to provide financial relief and support to farmers.

In a separate press statement earlier on Tuesday, the PMD said the countrys gross domestic product (GDP) increased in 2023, reflecting an improvement in the overall economic situation, Xinhua news agency reported.

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According to official data, the agriculture sector contributes approximately 7 percent to the national GDP, and over 30 percent of Sri Lankans are employed in the agricultural sector.
Fulton County Sued Again for Refusal to Produce Unsealed Ballots -- Greatest Voting Rights Violation in Georgia History Continues

NEWS PROVIDED BY

VoterGA

Sept. 3, 2024

ATLANTA, Sept. 3, 2024 /Standard Newswire/ -- VoterGA co-founder Garland Favorito announced today the filing of another complaint against Fulton County to compel them to produce 2020 election ballots they have concealed from the public for nearly 4 years. Favorito is asking a superior court to immediately enforce his Open Records Requests (ORR) for an independent copy of the 2020 election ballots he has not received even though they have been unsealed.

Election officials and attorneys for the Fulton County Court Clerk have repeatedly assured Superior courts, the State Election Board and the countys Board of Registration and Elections that the 2020 ballots are being preserved. And yet, when Favorito submitted an ORR for a standard 600 DPI copy of the ballots made independently of the Dominion voting system he received a reply from the Elections division stating: "There are no responsive documents to your request." A second reply directly to the Clerk of the Court was never answered.

The original complaint against Fulton County, currently known as Favorito v. Wan, was filed on December 23, 2020 to secure future elections. Four senior poll managers and two audit monitors signed sworn affidavits that they saw or handled counterfeit ballots in the Fulton County 2020 hand count audit conducted on November 14-15, 2020. Video from the State Farm Arena where absentee ballots were processed also showed duplicate scanning of ballots.

In April 2021, the court ordered scanned 2020 absentee ballot images to be produced. However, a VoterGA study subsequently found in March 2022 that the ballot images were electronically altered prior to certification. The ballots were unsealed in August 2021 but when Fulton County hired criminal defense attorneys to prevent Petitioners from inspecting or copying the ballots, the court suddenly claimed in October 2021 that Petitioners had no standing. The Georgia Supreme Court overturned that ruling on December 20, 2022 and the case reverted to the lower court where the unseal order was automatically reactivated.

Despite the victory that reactivated the case, Petitioners have still not yet seen the ballots. They believe the ballots must be analyzed to identify and resolve problems so that future elections can be secured. Favorito added: All Americans should be deeply troubled by our four-year fight against secretly counted elections that have disenfranchised all Georgia voters and led to the greatest voting rights violation in Georgia history.

VoterGA is a non-partisan, 501(c)3 registered non-profit organization created by a coalition of citizens working to restore election integrity in Georgia. We advocate for independently verifiable, auditable, recount capable, transparent and tamper proof elections.

SOURCE VoterGA

CONTACT: Sheryl Sellaway, 404-273-5133, sheryl@righteouspragency.com
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. The increase of annual trade turnover between Iran and Turkiye to $30 billion demands serious decisions, the head of the board of the Iran-Turkiye Association of Industrialists and Businessmen (ISIAD), Saeed Mohammad Jan, said at a meeting with members of the Steel Association in Tabriz, Trend reports.

According to him, the fact that trade turnover between Iran and Turkiye does not reach $30 billion is a great weakness for Iran. Many problems can be solved if the country has export potential. Iran is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of raw materials.

Mohammad Jan emphasized that Iran's trade turnover with Turkiye increased to $21 billion in 2016. However, with the withdrawal of the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and the imposition of harsh sanctions against Iran, the figure dropped to $2.8 billion. The trade turnover between Iran and Turkiye improved to about $14 billion in 2022 with the coming of Joseph Biden to power in the US. However, in 2023, the trade turnover between the two countries decreased to $7.5 billion.

The annual trade turnover between Iran and Turkiye in the steel sector is set at $3.8 billion. However, the trade turnover between the two countries in this field has not reached $1 billion, he added.

To note, Iran's non-oil trade turnover with Turkiye in the last Iranian year (from March 21, 2023, through March 19, 2024) amounted to about 12.7 million tons worth about $11.7 billion. Compared to the previous year (from March 21, 2022, through March 20, 2023), Iran's non-oil trade turnover with Turkiye decreased by 13.8 percent in value and 30.2 percent in weight.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4, Police in the Finnish capital detained 57 environmental activists, Trend reports.

They blocked traffic on one of the city's central streets.

Police in the Finnish capital detained 57 eco-activists from the Elokapina movement (a structure of the international Extinction Rebellion movement), who blocked traffic on one of the citys central streets.

It is specified that at present, traffic has been restored.

The detainees will be released after the completion of investigative actions.

The Elokapina movement has announced several "Boiling Point" protests for September. The first action took place on September 3. Activists are calling on the government to end environmentally harmful subsidies and take responsibility for the climate crisis by ending violations of the Climate Law and the Paris Agreement. The next events are scheduled for September 7 and 27.
Job Title: Technical Assistant (Fresher Jobs)

Organization: Kilimo Trust (KT)

Duty Station: Iganga, Bugiri and Namutumba, Uganda

Reports to: Program Officer

About the Company:

Kilimo Trust (KT) is an independent organization working on agriculture for development across the East Africa Community (EAC) Region  in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and South Sudan. We promote regional solutions to local problems to make agricultural markets work better for the reduction of poverty and elimination of hunger. We are committed to supporting the people of East African Community (EAC) to achieve market-based solutions to food and nutrition security. Therefore, our core business is to support the transformation of food and nutrition security in the EAC Region away from high risk subsistence farming into lower risk trade-based systems. We implement and manage programmes and projects in partnership with and/or on behalf of governments, international and regional organizations, and the private sector.

Job Summary: Oversee the implementation of the project in Iganga, Bugiri and Namutumba Districts. This role involves overseeing the implementation of a project aimed at enhancing access to markets for an inclusive agricultural transformation in Eastern Uganda. The successful candidate will work closely with district officials, field supervisors, and farmers to ensure the production of high-quality grains and the effective execution of training and logistical activities.

Customer Relationship

Project Management

Attention To Detail

Working Independently

Technical Expertise



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Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Project Partners Management:

Support and strengthen linkages between District Officials, KT, and other stakeholders.

Assist Field Supervisors, ToTs, and farmers in producing quality grains for national and regional markets.

Project Implementation:

Follow the approved project plan.

Help prepare and distribute training materials.

Coordinate training logistics.

Build capacity in PHH techniques.

Link farmers to suppliers and facilitate access to finance for post-harvest equipment.

Provide logistical support for distributing PHH materials.

Monitoring & Evaluation:

Ensure participant engagement in training sessions.

Coordinate with trainers and stakeholders.

Submit monthly technical reports.

Implement monitoring and evaluation strategies.

Collect and enter data related to training sessions.

Support the establishment of Farmer Organizations.

Manage data capturing and analysis.

Prepare quarterly progress reports.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Bachelors degree in agriculture, agribusiness, rural development, project management, or related field.

Additional training or experience in project coordination is an asset.

2-3 years of experience in supporting agricultural or rural development projects

Experience in data collection, report writing, and logistics coordination.

Ability to communicate in Lusoga is an advantage.

Competencies:

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Ability to work independently.

Strong technical skills in writing, editing, formatting, research, negotiation, and verbal communication.

Attention to detail.

How to Apply:

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Applicants must clearly state the region (from the 3 listed) that they are applying for in the header of your application; applications that do not specify the region will not be considered. Apply at the link below.

Click Here

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Deadline: 13th 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 2024-09-04T12:03 Valid Through 2024-09-14T00:00 Employment Type FULL_TIME Hiring Organization Kilimo Trust Job Location Iganga, Iganga, Iganga, 0256, Uganda

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Dr Panna Lal Gupta has earned a place in peoples hearts through his true human service. His personality separates him from the crowd.

Meet Dr Panna Lal Gupta. He was born in March 1958 in Gurud village of Ghazipur District, Uttar Pradesh. In 1995, he established Gupta Surgical Hospital and never turned back. Today, Dr Panna Lal Gupta, Director of the famous PL Gupta Surgical Hospital Private Limited in the Mau District of Uttar Pradesh, is a well-known name in the medical map of Uttar Pradesh. He has made a mark as a successful doctor and social worker in Mau district and is working on the plan for setting up a Terminal Care Hospital.

According to Dr Gupta, this Care Centre, which will start with 20 beds in Mau, will be designed keeping in mind the problems of patients suffering from serious diseases like the last stages of cancer, etc. To offer relief to such terminally ill patients, appropriate arrangements will be ensured at the Centre so that those suffering are provided proper relief and treatment, along with counselling and other assistance to the family members.

Education

Dr Pannalal Gupta, who had shown academic interest early on and had been identified as a bright student with a future, had his early education at Adarsh Middle School in the village and completed his Matriculation from Khardihan Sarvodaya Inter College. He did a pre-university course at Banaras Hindu University and later obtained a B.Sc. degree from the same university. With the dream of becoming a doctor, Panna Lal Gupta joined BHUs Institute of Medical Science in 1978. He was awarded an MBBS degree in 1982.

After an internship at BHU in 1983, Dr Gupta did his MS and served as a consultant surgeon at Aliya General Hospital, Mau. A few months later, he got an offer from Fatima Hospital, where he joined as a consultant surgeon.

Family

Dr Guptas wife, Meena Gupta, says that her husband always prioritises work and devotes much of his time in serving his patients. She adds that he worked hard, struggled all his life, putting their childrens education first. Their son, Dr Abhishek Gupta, is a renowned surgeon in Mau, while their daughter, Vaishnavi Gupta, has completed her Masters in law.

Serving through Associations

Dr Pannalal Gupta, over the years, has presented himself as a great example of service. He is a life member of the Indian Medical Association. He is a permanent member of the Mau Lok Adalat of Uttar Pradesh and a member of the Railway Consultancy. He has also been a member of the Alternative Energy Committee of Mau District.

Dr Gupta, who has earned fame as the State Vice President of the Uttar Pradesh Nursing Home Association and President of Mau in the same association, has also been the President of the Lions Club of Mau Mahan. During this period, he organised free medical camps and tree plantations in the district.

Dr Gupta is a lifelong member of the Indian Medical Association. He was also the President of IMA - Mau six times and people still remember the work done by him in the field of medicine.

Awards

Uttar Pradeshs renowned General and Laparoscopic surgeon Dr Pannalal Gupta has also been honoured with the Presidents Appreciation Award by the IMA. In 2021, he was also awarded the Samsi Award. It was due to Dr Panna Lal Guptas remarkable contribution to the field of medicine that he was also honoured with the Ram Manohar Lohia Award by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in 2016.

Given Dr Guptas extraordinary work for better medical care and a healthy society, he has been given a prominent place in the Coffee Table Book, Icons of India, published by a leading media group in 2022. In the same year, during a programme organised by the National IMA in Mau, he was honoured with the National President Special Appreciation Award as well as the IMA Dr A.K.N. Sinha National Award by the National President at the IMA Netcon programme, organised in Prayagraj.

Because of the commendable work done by Dr Gupta in the field of medicine, he has also been bestowed the Pioneers in Health Care Award by Harivansh, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, in a programme organised by a a publishing house in Patna in 2023.
There are people around who say that its only the Kerala film industry which is speaking out against harassment, abuse and the casting ouch! But, reporting as I am from Mumbai, let me assure you thats not true. Bollywood is not sitting idle, waiting for the storm to pass  in fact, it is speaking through its cinema.

RRR

Bollywood has borrowed this masterpiece  RRR - from Telugu films. Standing for Rowdies Rule Roost, it caught the imagination of the public because it faithfully described how the power families of the industry determine the starlets who need to be placed on a pedestal and those whose career needs to be nipped in the bud. When you have a lot to say but dont know how, you sing. Their song has become an anthem for the movement: Me too, me to, me-eee to. The song went on to win an Oscar, in recognition no doubt of the actors risking life and limb  specifically sprained ankles and dislocated joints in enacting it

Thinking Woman, Missing Men

She is the thinking womens director and known to push the envelope farther than any in her tribe. Taking one look at the prevailing situation, she turned the spotlight on the case of the missing men folk. Where have they all the guys gone? To the Gulf, as most decent Malayalis do? Or, have they taken impromptu retirement? Actually, when the going got tough, the men did what they used to do when they were children  they hid behind AMMA. The troubled tale was told with trademark wit and humour and became one of the most talked about movies of the year  Laapata Lads.

Follywood Files

Move over Kerala Files, its time for the more creepy Follywood Files. This time its not about young women losing their way and landing up in Afghanistan. Its about complaints of sexual harassment losing their way and finding themselves in the dustbin. You could be out on a shoot and hear the late night knock on your door.

Knock, knock!

Whos there?

A re-take.

Re-take of what?

The casting couch.

Whom do you complain to? Theres no point complaining to the director for there is a good chance that he is doing the knocking. Theres no point lodging an FIR because you will only be adding fodder to the Follywood Files.

Blind Bahubalis

The Bahubali band of 10 to 15 men are incredibly muscled. They are so powerful that when they walk, theatres and TV monitors tremble under their feet. But the Bahubalis of Mollywood have one fatal flaw - they are blind. They dont see the thugs of filmistan going about their business. They cant see a senior actor staging an abduction and assault on a co-star who spilt the beans. They cant see the male chauvinism that is all over. They are bhakts of Gandhijis monkeys - see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil, and all we can do is wait for eventual liberty.

First AMMA, now ACHAMMA

Whats the point, people ask, of the office bearers of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) resigning at this stage. It may make for good theatre but little else. It does not seem to make much difference if they are in office or outside. But, I think we are being unfair. Resigning from the august body gives our top artistes a good reason to put on the expression of injured innocence that they have adopted as a default feature ever since the Justice Hema Committee Report came out. Now that everyone knows AMMA is a paper tiger, I hope we have better luck with ACHAMMA - Arranging Covert Hits Against Mafia of Movie Artistes.

Kalki Cleansing

Everything so far has been depressing news, but all is not lost. There are more pages of the Hema Committee report still to be revealed to the world. There is also a movie which should inspire us - Kalki. It is an epic set in the future where good and evil battle with each other, and after three engrossing hours, good emerges victorious. We are sure that eventually Malayalam film industry will emerge cleansed. Only thing, you will need to wait 874 odd years for it to happen because it is Kalki 2898.
Union Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said the government will finalise the third phase of its flagship electric mobility adoption scheme, FAME 3, in a month or two.

For the unversed, FAME is an acronym for Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid and) Electric Vehicle scheme. It offers subsidies for electric vehicles.

On Wednesday, Kumaraswamy said an inter-ministerial group is addressing the issues faced in the previous two phases of FAME. He was speaking on the sidelines of an Assocham event in New Delhi.

"On FAME 3, several suggestions are coming because in FAME 1, FAME 2 whatever lacunae is there, how to separate it, for that we are working," said Kumaraswamy.

Pointing out that the FAME 3 will be cleared in two months, he said suggestions received by his ministry, including the Prime Minister's Office, has to be taken into account before opting for the best, positive way.

FAME 3 will replace the temporary Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) 2024, which will expire this month. FAME 2 was launched in 2019 with an initial outlay of Rs 10,000 crore for three years. In March 2024, it was increased to Rs 11,500 crore.
Actor Alencier Ley Lopez has been slapped with sexual assault charges based on the complaint lodged by an actress in the Malayalam film industry. In reponse, Alencier said let the court decide if he is guilty.

In the complaint, the actress alleged that Alencier sexually assaulted her in 2017 during the shooting of the film, Aabhaasam, in Bengaluru. In 2018, she had come forward with the allegation against the actor and revealed her identity on Facebook.

The case was registered at Chengamanadu police station in Kochi. The charges include IPC sections 354 (sexual assault) and 451 (trespassing).

She claimed in the complaint that she had informed Edavela Babu, who was the general secretary of AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) back then. However, she alleged that Babu told her that Alencier had already tendered an apology.

The investigation in the case will be carried out by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was formed to probe sexual abused allegations in the Malayalam film industry following the release of the Hema Committee Report.

The allegations come in the backdrop of cases against several actors and directors in the Malayalam movie industry. One of the first sexual harassment cases was filed against filmmaker Ranjith by a Bengali actress. Later, a man also alleged that Ranjith molested him.

Actor Siddique was accused of sexually assaulting an actress while sexual harassment cases were filed against MLA and actor Mukesh as well as other artists including Jayasurya, Edavela Babu and Maniyanpilla Raju. Actor Baburaj and director V A Shrikumar were accused of sexually assaulting a junior artist.

On Tuesday, actor Nivin Pauly dismissed sexual assault allegations against him as baseless, adding that he will fight it legally.
Actor Darshan Thoogudeepa has been charged with murder, conspiracy, destruction and destruction of evidence by the Karnataka Police in the chargesheet filed on Wednesday, reports said. Pavithra Gowda was a part of the murder of Renukaswamy, a fan of Darshan, the chargesheet reportedly claimed.



The role of Pavithra Gowda in the crime was confirmed by forensic evidence, the Karnataka Police maintained. Bloodstains of the victim were found on Gowda's footwear. A DNA report confirmed that the blood samples indeed belonged to the murdered autorickshaw driver, Mirror Now said in a report.

ALSO READ | Renukaswamy murder case: Police shifts Kannada superstar Darshan to Ballari prison

According to the chargesheet, Gowda was the "major cause" that led to the abduction and murder of the 33-year-old by Darshan's men. The investigation confirmed that she not just instigated Darshan but actively conspired and took part in the crime, Mirror Now claimed sources as saying.

The Karnataka Police have filed the chargesheet against 17 accused in the case. The 3991-page report reportedly includes seven volumes and 10 files.

ALSO READ | Renukaswamy murder: How Darshan tried to obstruct investigation?

A fan of the actor, Renukaswamy, sent obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda for her role in allegedly derailing the actor's family. A furious Gowda wanted Darshan to act, and upon his order, the actor's henchmen identified and abducted Renukaswamy.

Raghavendra, one of the accused and part of Darshan's fan club in Chitradurga, brought Renukaswamy to a shed in R R Nagar on the pretext that the actor wanted to meet him. It was in this shed that he was allegedly tortured and murdered.

According to the post-mortem report, Renukaswamy, a native of Chitradurga, died due to shock and haemorrhage as a result of multiple blunt injuries.
The bodies of two Indian Coast Guard (ICG) officials, who went missing after a rescue helicopter crashed into the Arabian Sea off Porbandar coast in Gujarat on Monday night, have been recovered. The search for the third missing person continues.

The crash happened around 11 pm on Monday during a mission to evacuate a seriously injured crew member from the Indian-flagged vessel approximately 45 kilometres off the coast of Porbandar.



A statement issued by the ICG read: "On 02 Sep 2024, India Coast Guard ALH helicopter was launched at 2300 hrs to evacuate an injured crew member from the Motor Tanker Hari Leela off Porbandar, Gujarat. The helicopter had to make an emergency hard landing and ditched into the sea. One crew member recovered, and the search for the remaining three crew members is in progress."

Also read: Coast Guard launches massive search for 3 crew members after rescue chopper crashes in Arabian Sea

The chopper had four personnel onboard, of which one was rescued immediately. A search was launched, and the agency deployed four ships and two aircraft to search and rescue the missing crew members.

The bodies recovered were the bodies of Commandant Vipin Babu and P/NVK Karan Singh, Porbandar Coast Guard DIG Pankaj Agarwal told reporters. He added that the search for Commandant Rajesh Kumar Rana is still underway. The cause of the emergency landing is still under investigation.



The ICG chopper deployed for the operation had earlier undertaken several such missions, including saving the lives of 67 people during the recent cyclonic storm in Gujarat.



Other ICG missions include the recent operation carried out onboard distressed MV ITT Puma. The incident happened last month when it sank approximately 90 nautical miles south of Sagar Island in West Bengal. The ICG then carried out a challenging rescue operation and successfully saved 11 crew members. Two ICG vessels and a Dornier aircraft were engaged in the operation.


BAKU. Azerbaijan, September 4, An article by political scientist Jakko Laakso was published on a Finnish portal. The article provides extensive information about the history of the Karabakh conflict, the struggle for the liberation of Azerbaijani lands, the steps taken towards normalizing relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the mine problems faced by our country in the Karabakh region, Trend reports.

The political scientist noted that the 44-day Patriotic War ended with a ceasefire brokered by Russia in November 2020 and that this war is known as the world's first war with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Laakson reported that in September 2023, the nearly thirty-year occupation of Azerbaijani territories ended with the capitulation of the Armenian armed forces in Karabakh.

The article emphasizes that the biggest problem Azerbaijan faces in the liberated territories is the presence of at least 1,500,000 buried mines and other explosive devices. Azerbaijan uses the experience of many countries to demining these territories. The Finnish politician noted that Azerbaijan has so far spent $349 million on demining, and Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, some European countries and the United States have shown support in this matter. According to the author, international experts claim that approximately 25 billion dollars are needed to completely clear the liberated territories of Karabakh.

Looking at the history of the Karabakh war, Jakko Laakso notes that in the 1990s, Armenian nationalists wanted to annex "Nagorno-Karabakh" to Armenia, while Karabakh was legally part of Azerbaijan. Having emphasized that not a single country in the world, including Armenia, has recognized the independence of "Nagorno-Karabakh" during the thirty-year period of occupation, the author pointed out that the so-called Minsk Group, created by the OSCE in 1992 with the aim of peacefully resolving the conflict, has proven ineffective.

The Finnish politician also noted that during the First Karabakh War, about 1 million Azerbaijanis became refugees and internally displaced persons. The author writes that after the anti-terrorist operation carried out by Azerbaijan in 2023, ethnic Armenians voluntarily left the territory of Karabakh. Although President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly guaranteed that their rights will be protected and that they will live in a tolerant society.

In his article, Jakko Laakso also reported on the reconstruction and construction work in the liberated territories, the return of internally displaced persons to their homes, the construction of new roads, power plants and tunnels.

The author notes that Azerbaijan and Armenia are currently working on signing a peace treaty. Azerbaijan is demanding that the other side amend the Constitution and renounce territorial claims.

The article also mentions that negotiations are underway between Azerbaijan and Armenia on border delimitation and demarcation. As reported by Jaakko Laakso, the Armenian Foreign Ministry stated that the countries have agreed on general principles for border demarcation. The Finnish politician also talks about the Azerbaijani villages on the border with Armenia, whose population was forced to resettle in the early 1990s, and the resistance of the Armenian opposition to the return of these villages to Azerbaijan.
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday released its first list of 67 candidates for the Haryana Assembly elections scheduled to be held on October 5.

The party fielded Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini from the Ladwa seat while former Haryana BJP president Om Prakash Dhankar will contest from Badli.

Saini currently represents the Karnala assembly seat. He was an MP from Kurukshetra until he was appointed the chief minister in March, replacing Manohar Lal Khattar.

Veteran party leader Anil Vij has been fielded from Ambala Cantt, a seat he has won three successive times since 2009.

The BJP has rewarded several recent entrants to the party with poll tickets. It has fielded Devender Singh Babli, Sanjay Kablana and Shruti Choudhry, who recently joined the saffron party, from Tohana, Beri and Tosham seats, respectively.

The first list included the names of Capt Abhimanyu, Bhavya Bishnoi, the son of Kuldeep Bishnoi, and former MP Sunita Duggal. Arti Singh Rao, daughter of Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh, wll contest from Ateli.

Voting on 90 assembly seats in Haryana will be held on October 5 and counting of votes will be undertaken on October 8.

The BJP is likely to face a tough fight from a united opposition as both the Congress and the Aam aadmi Party are engaged in seat-sharing talks.

In the recently held Lok Sabha elections, the saffron party could win only five of the 10 seats in the state even though it had swept all of them in 2019.
The father of Aryan Mishra, a Class 12 student killed by cow vigilantes in Faridabad, was asked for forgiveness by the alleged murderer of his son who mistook him for a Muslim. According to Aryan's father Siyanand Mishra, the accused in the murder of his youngest son claimed that "he regretted" having taken the life of a "Brahmin". He "thought" Aryan "was a Muslim."

According to reports, it was during a meeting at a Faridabad jail on August 27, Tuesday, that Siyanand Mishra received a strange confession from Anil Kaushik. The incident took place when 19-year-old Aryan Mishra was reportedly killed in the early hours of August 24 after Kaushik's gang, local cow vigilantes, mistook the teenager and friends for cow smugglers.

The accused chased the SUV in which the youngsters were travelling for 50 kilometres. They then decided to fire at the vehicle near the Gadpuri toll plaza in Haryanas Palwal district, claiming Mishra's life. According to reports, Aryan was shot in the head and right shoulder.

ALSO READ | Lynching: Haryana cow vigilantes kill West Bengal youth on suspicion of eating beef in Charkhi Dadri

Kaushiks men were told that SUVs were used in the area to smuggle cows, The Print quoted the police as saying. Anil Kaushik, during his apology to Siyanand Mishra, also said that black films used on the vehicle's windows blinded his judgment.

Siyanand, according to The Print, asked Kaushik how is it right to have claimed a life if it was a Muslim. "I asked Kaushik, Why would you kill a Muslim? Only because of a cow? Kaushik didnt have anything to say as he pointed out that they should have shot to stop the car and alerted the police instead.

ALSO READ | Elderly man assaulted inside train on suspicion of carrying beef

Alongside Mishra in the car were his his Harshit Gulati and his family. It was Harshit who drove the Duster during the time of the incident.
Renukaswamy, who was murdered by the henchmen of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and his partner Pavithra Gowda, was offered a chance to take selfies with the actor by the abductors, reports said. After Darshan asked his fan group members in Chitradurga to bring Renukaswamy to him, the co-accused Pavan and Raghavendra got in touch with the 33-year-old and told him the actor wanted to speak with him in Bengaluru.



ALSO READ | Who is Pavithra Gowda, the Kannada actor and model arrested along with Darshan for alleged murder

Renukaswamy was conveyed by Pavan and Raghavendra that all he had to do was apologise to the actor and then he could take selfies with his idol. He would be let off for repeatedly sending obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda, they reportedly promised.

However, Renukaswamy was not fully convinced and the doubtful man was forced to board an autorickshaw by Raghavendra and Co. At the outskirts of Chitradurga, they boarded another vehicle which was used to take him to the shed in Bengaluru's RR Nagar, where he was tortured and killed, Mirror Now said in a report.

Once he was told about the abduction, Darshan and Pavithra joined the co-accused at the shed and started assaulting Renukaswamy. Pavithra hit him with her footwear repeatedly, it was found out during the probe. The police confirmed that bloodstains found on her footwear belonged to Renukaswamy through a DNA test, the chargesheet said.

ALSO READ | Darshan kept contact with rowdies across Karnataka, hid them amidst fan club ranks: Police

Renukaswamy was assaulted for hours and even administered electric shock in his genitals. He bled profusely as the gang took turns attacking him for hours, the report said. Upon learning that he was a vegetarian, the accused gang forced him to eat non-vegetarian food. In the influence of alcohol they unleashed unspeakable horrors on the victim's body including burning him in several parts, the news report added.

According to the post-mortem report, Renukaswamy died due to shock and haemorrhage as a result of multiple blunt injuries.

What led to the abduction and murder of Renukaswamy?

A fan of the actor, Renukaswamy, sent obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda for her role in allegedly derailing the actor's family. A furious Gowda wanted Darshan to act, and upon his order, the actor's henchmen identified and abducted Renukaswamy.

ALSO READ | Renukaswamy murder case: Karnataka police seize car used by Darshan gang to kidnap victim

Raghavendra, one of the accused and part of Darshan's fan club in Chitradurga, brought Renukaswamy to a shed in R R Nagar on the pretext that the actor wanted to meet him. It was in this shed that he was allegedly tortured and murdered.
In a strong pitch for restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir during Congress's first election rally in Kashmir, party leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday attacked the BJP for reducing Jammu and Kashmir from a state to a Union Territory (UT).

Addressing a rally at Dooru in Anantnag district in support of party candidate G.A. Mir, he said that the current status of J&K does not align with democratic principles.

The definition of democracy doesnt fit a place that has been reduced from a state to a UT, Gandhi said.

Joining him on stage were National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah, NC MP from South Kashmir Mian Altaf, and senior Congress leaders.

ALSO READ: BJP confident of winning 45 seats in Jammu and Kashmir, forming government

Gandhi said that democracy requires a state to have its own assembly where issues can be discussed and laws made, which Jammu and Kashmir currently lacks.

In 1947, the Maharajas were sidelined to pave the way for democracy and an elected government, he said. Now, in J&K, we have an LG (Lieutenant Governor). I believe the term LG is wrong. It should be Raja of the 21st century as he acts at his will.

Gandhi stressed that restoring statehood to Jammu & Kashmir would be a top priority for the Congress and its allies if they come to power.

He warned that if the BJP fails to announce the restoration of statehood, the INDIA bloc will make it their priority after dethroning Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party.

ALSO READ: Devender Singh Rana claims NC was ready to accept BJP CM and sought alliance in 2014

Gandhi accused the Modi government of benefitting only two billionaire familiesAmbanis and Adanis. I was told that the names of Ambani and Adani cant be mentioned in a speech in Parliament, he said. I requested the Speaker to tell me what I should call them then. I referred to them as A1 and A2.

He reiterated that wherever the BJP spreads hatred, Congress would counter it by spreading love.

Predicting an NC-Congress government in Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress leader urged party supporters to ensure that wherever there is an NC candidate, Congress leaders and workers should support them, and vice-versa.

ALSO READ: Several separatists, kin join mainstream parties to contest J&K polls

Earlier, addressing a rally in Banihal in Ramban, Gandhi said that in the history of modern India, such disempowerment of a state has not been seen before. Earlier, states were divided to create another state, he said. We have examples of Telangana, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, and UTs like Arunachal Pradesh becoming full-fledged states. But the BJP government demeaned J&K by making it a UT.

He said that the BJP avoided restoring statehood to J&K before elections, despite the Congress's desire to do so. It was meant to serve the interests of the two billionaires, he said.

He promised if the NC-Congress alliance wins the election, their first tasks would include filling all government vacancies, raising the age limit for job applicants to 40 years, regularising daily wagers and increasing their income.

Gandhi further said that the BJP and the RSS are spreading hatred and violence in the country and are working to divide it, but the Congress will work to unite the nation.
After categorical rejections of the possibility of forming an alliance for the Assembly elections in Haryana by both the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, the moves now being made by the two parties to enter into a seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming polls have to do with the idea of taking forward the INDIA alliance in elections wherever possible as also a keenness to ensure that the anti-incumbency votes against the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state do not get split.

The state unit of the Congress has not been keen on forming an alliance with the AAP for the upcoming elections, with its assessment being that the tie-up with the AAP did not make any difference to the Congress performance in the Lok Sabha elections. The Congress had contested nine Lok Sabha seats in Haryana, leaving the 10th to the AAP. However, the central leadership of the Congress is keen that the sentiment of unitedly taking on the BJP that brought the opposition parties together for the Lok Sabha elections should not flag.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is learnt to have nudged the party into a rethink on the issue of an alliance with the AAP and is believed to be extremely keen that the two parties work out a seat-sharing arrangement for the elections in Haryana. It is learnt that the Samajwadi Party and the CPI(M) could also be a part of the INDIA alliance in the assembly elections in the northern state.

If the talks are successful, it will be the INDIA alliance that will take on the BJP in Haryana.

Rahuls keenness for the alliance to materialise also has to do with his role as the LoP and the onus that is now on him to take the opposition together both within and outside Parliament.

According to sources, the seat sharing talks between the Congress and the AAP are underway. The Congress is ready to give a maximum of seven seats to the AAP, while the latter has demanded one Vidhan Sabha seat in each of the 10 Lok Sabha constituencies, which works out to 10 seats.

Rahul is learnt to have brought up the subject of an alliance with the AAP in the meeting of the Central Election Committee held on Monday evening to finalise the candidates for the October 5 elections. Two rounds of discussions, it is learnt, have already taken place between AICC General Secretary in charge of Organisation K C Venugopal and AAPs Rajya Sabha MP and senior leader Raghav Chadha.

The Congress won five seats in the Lok Sabha seats, a substantial increase from the zero it had scored in the elections in 2019. The BJP won the other five, while it had swept the state in 2019. This gives the Congress the confidence that it is in the lead in the state elections and on course to make a come back in the state where the BJP has been in power for the last 10 years. However, a question that has been discussed within the party is the possibility of regional players like the JJP and the INLD, which have entered into alliances with the Bhim Sena and the Bahujan Samaj Party for the elections, as also the AAP eating into the anti-incumbency votes and providing the BJP with an advantage in close contests.

Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul had literally walked the distance to ensure that the party formed an alliance with its INDIA alliance partner, the National Conference, for the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Protests are a necessary public catharsis. Citizen movements over the tragic rape and murder of the trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9, continue. Amid the public anguish, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was heard playing cynical politics. Modi declared that his government has done more to prevent crimes than other governments.

President Droupadi Murmu declared enough is enough. Despite these VIP lamentations, the fact remains that 30 per cent of Nirbhaya Funds allocated to prevent sexual assault remain unutilised; the Mahila Police Volunteer Scheme for womens safety has been discontinued and in 2021, it was revealed that 70 per cent funds for Modis Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme had been spent on advertising. The ruling BJP plays cunning politics over rape but has little inclination to fix the institutional gaps on safety for women.

The doctor at RG Kar Hospital was a young female urban professional, an easily identifiable figure for the urban middle class across metros. Her familiarity has made the crime even more emotionally wrenching for city dwellers. Citizens have poured into the streets. When the public gets deeply involved, politics becomes what Mahatma Gandhi always said it should be: a daily lived experience, a participatory process of renewing shared societal values and an open street corner demand that policy decisions find ways to benefit the last man or last woman. This is not the partisan politics played by political parties who cynically attempt to use rape to compete for state power. Instead, when citizens take to public spaces to peacefully demand change and exchange ideas on reform, governments are galvanised to act.

Many citizens movements have spurred reforms. The Mathura rape of 1972 - when a young tribal girl Mathura was raped in a police station by two policemen - became a pivotal moment for legislation on crimes against women. The gangrape of Bhanwari Devi in 1992 led to the enactment of the Vishakha Guidelines or procedures to deal with sexual harassment with women in the workplace. The Nirbhaya rape and murder in 2012 resulted in more amendments to the law.

But, despite these moments of collective soul-searching and enactment of laws, we are still in a situation where, according to NCRB data, 90 rapes took place every day in 2021, and in 2022, a rape took place every 16 minutes, and today there are four assaults on women every hour.

The reason why crimes against women are not stopping is because top-down official gimmicks are inadequate. Official initiatives have failed to change mindsets and reform society. Fast Track Courts (FTCs) were set up from 2013 onwards by different states to expedite cases on crimes against women.

However, there are not enough FTCs and many states do not have them at all. Since the process of investigation and charge-sheeting remains the same, even FTC cases are delayed because the accused either abscond or go missing or fake cases are brought. The judicial system is overburdened with over five crore pending cases. There are massive shortages of judges in lower and district courts. Also, rapists are, in fact, routinely given the death penalty. Dhananjoy Chatterjee, who raped and murdered schoolgirl Hetal Parekh in 1990 in Kolkata, was hanged in 2004. Those who raped and killed Nirbhaya in 2012 were also hanged. But these executions have not deterred rapists. The death penalty and tough punishments are necessary legal bulwarks, but they are not enough.

India is turning the clock back on womens empowerment. Working women are disappearing. Theres been an astonishing decline of women in Indias workforce. In 2021, women made up only 19 per cent of Indias workforce, falling from over 40 per cent in the early 90s, according to the World Bank. In terms of womens participation in the workforce, India ranks behind Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. A World Bank study has found that less than a third of Indias women are seeking work. A Thomson Reuters study in 2018 stated that India is the most dangerous country for women. Women are hemmed in at home.

The reason for the growing attacks on women and ostracism of women lies in the birth of a neo-conservatism and traditionalist backlash. The advent of the BJP with its brand of religious conservatism has encouraged this backlash against visible women. The rise of socio-religious vigilantes who are taking it upon themselves to pursue moral policing and violent actions against imaginary cases of so-called love jihad are snatching away womens free choice through the power of violence. Prejudices against working women are growing. None other than former Haryana chief minister M.L. Khattar said rapes are rising because women are failing to dress decently. A former Uttarakhand CM inveighed against women wearing ripped jeans. In 2016, then BJP minister for culture Mahesh Sharma said women visitors to India must not wear short skirts. The orthodox religious mentality sees modern women as the prime enemy of traditional values.

In 2017, when female students at Banaras Hindu University dared to protest, the vice chancellor accused them of selling their modesty. Seduced by a Bollywood-packaged traditionalism, women themselves are sleepwalking backwards into a surrender of their own rights. In 2018, some women in Rajasthan actually took out a march glorifying sati and Jauhar or womens ritual suicide. Instead of the glorification of decrepit tradition, we need to urgently embark on a wide-ranging national debate on why India is abandoning the cause of modern women.

Today, it seems perfectly acceptable that 151 MPs and MLAs have charges of crimes against women against their name. The BJPs UP strongman Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is accused of serious sexual assault but the BJP is going all out to protect him and accusing his victims of running a political agenda. The high level of tolerance of these crimes gives rapists and assaulters a sense of impunity.

Whats the solution? Kerala has provided an answer in the appointment of the Justice K. Hema Committee. Its report was recently published, showing shocking sexual crimes against women artistes. Women must be provided safe spaces like the Hema Committee to speak out on assault and harassment. A sense of legal security is the best way to change the power asymmetry between women and powerful networked males. More Hema Committees established across states and industries could be a starting point to creating a free and open conversation on crimes against women at all levels of society. Brazenly cynical politics over a rape and murder must give way to a drive to bring genuine long-term change.
Patna, Sep 4 (PTI) The Bihar government is expecting an earning of around Rs 5,000 crore from the auction of mineral blocks in Rohtas, Gaya and Jamui, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Blocks of glauconite in Rohtas and rocks containing chromite (Cr), nickel (Ni) and platinum group of elements (PGE) in Gaya have been recently auctioned, he said.

"Three more mineral blocks in Rohtas and Jamui will be auctioned by the state government in October. The government is expected to earn Rs 5,000 crore from the auction of these blocks, including those auctioned recently," Mines and Geology Department Additional Chief Secretary Mihir Kumar Singh said.

In a bid to effectively monitor mining activities and take stringent action against those indulging in illegal practices in the sector, the department has requested the authorities concerned to grant magisterial power to mining officers and inspectors, he said.

"If our officers are granted magisterial power, the department will work more independently and effectively in checking illegal mining activities," Singh said.

The mines department's proposal to create its own "armed mining police" was not accepted by the state government.

"The department is working in coordination with the state police to curb illegal mining activities. Our proposal to create armed mining police was not accepted by the state government", the ACS said.

The state has been witnessing incidents of violent attacks by the sand mafia on policemen and senior officers of the department.

Such incidents were reported from Patna, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Saran and Vaishali districts.
Mumbai; Shailendra Singh, Managing Director, Peak XV & Dilip Asbe MD & CEO, NPCI



Mumbai [India]September 4: Fintechs need to be alert to social and macro-economic interests and priorities and not subsume them to business interests. It is only the SRO that can inculcate such a culture, said Shri T Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India, in his keynote address at the Global Fintech Fest 2024.



The Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 is presented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). The conference is jointly organised by the Payments Council of India (PCI), the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and the Fintech Convergence Council (FCC).



Your innovation, your engagement with every section of society, your imagination with newer ideas, and the passion that the fintech sector brings to the table is truly envious. said Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, and Food and Public Distribution, and Textiles, addressing a gathering of fintech leaders and professionals at the Global Fintech Fest 2024.



Recognizing the contributions of the fintech sector to the India story, Goyal said, India is a country that is growing at 7-8%. In fact, in USD terms, we are growing at about 10%, which means we are doubling our GDP every 7 years. The fifth-largest economy is poised to become the third-largest as per IMF estimates in the next 3 years. A lot of this success story rests on the wonderful work that the Fintech sector has done.



Tech Entrepreneurs Association of Mumbai (TEAM) affirms that Mumbai is being uniquely viewed as the worlds fintech capital, as envisioned by Prime Minister Modi. India is the largest processor of digital payments globally, with 46% of all digital payments happening in the country.



Representing Indias global aspirations, Mumbais significance in domestic and global fintech is clearer than ever. The city is already the financial capital of the country. With 42% of Indias top 50 fintech companies based in Mumbai, the city is seen as a hub and thought leader for fintech innovation. Maharashtra is the FIRST state to have an exclusive Fintech Policy. Mumbai also continues to be a key destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India, with Maharashtra, anchored by Mumbai, attracting the highest FDI in the country for the second consecutive year in FY 2023-24.



Located in Mumbai, members of TEAM include industry leaders like the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which has revolutionised digital payments across the nation and is rapidly expanding its global footprint, as well as key players such as Pine Labs, BillDesk, Deserve, Fino, Gupshup, and FlexiLoans. Together, these giants are not just shaping Mumbai's fintech landscape but are also setting the global standard for financial innovation.



TEAM added, Mumbai is the only city in India equipped to host the Global Fintech Festivalbringing together over 80,000 attendees. The citys world-class infrastructure, seamless connectivity, and unparalleled expertise in finance and technology make it the ideal venue for such a significant global gathering. As we convene at the Global Fintech Festival, we are excited to celebrate Mumbais progress and look forward to continuing this journey towards becoming the global leader in financial technology.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

PWR
New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) Pensioners under Employees' Pension Scheme 1995 run by retirement fund body EPFO will be able to get pension from any bank or branch across India from January, Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Wednesday.

Mandaviya, who is also the chairperson of EPFO's apex decision-making body Central Board of Trustees, has approved the proposal for a Centralized Pension Payment System (CPPS) for Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995, a labour ministry statement said.

According to the statement, CPPS marks a major shift by establishing a national-level centralised system, enabling pension disbursement through any bank or any branch across India.

"The approval of the CPPS marks a significant milestone in modernisation of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). By enabling pensioners to receive their pensions from any bank, any branch, anywhere in the country, this initiative addresses the long-standing challenges faced by pensioners and ensures a seamless and efficient disbursement mechanism," the minister said.

This is a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to transform the EPFO into a more robust, responsive, and tech-enabled organisation, committed to serving the needs of its members and pensioners better, he added.

CPPS is expected to benefit more than 78 lakh EPS-95 pensioners of the EPFO. By harnessing advanced IT and banking technologies, it will offer a more efficient, seamless, and user-friendly experience for pensioners.

The centralised system would ensure disbursement of pension throughout India without any need for transfer of Pension Payment Orders (PPO) from one office to the other even when the pensioner moves from one location to another or changes his bank or branch.

This would be a great relief to pensioners who move to their hometown after retirement.

This facility will be launched as part of EPFO's ongoing IT modernisation project Centralized IT Enabled System (CITES 2.01) from January 1, 2025. In the next phase, CPPS will enable a smooth transition to Aadhaar-based payment system (ABPS), it said.

The new system is a paradigm shift from the existing pension disbursement process, under which each zonal/regional office of EPFO used to maintain separate agreements with only 3-4 banks, the ministry statement said.

Now, pensioners won't need to visit the bank branch for verification at the time of commencement of pension and the payment shall be immediately credited upon release, it added.

In addition, EPFO expects a significant cost reduction in pension disbursement after moving to the new system, it stated.
New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) Aviation regulator DGCA has ordered a probe into the incident of an aircraft engine part found outside the Delhi airport, sources said on Wednesday.

While the sources mentioned the metal part might be of an Air India Express aircraft that made an emergency landing at the airport on Monday, the airline said at this time, it cannot confirm if these metal pieces were from its aircraft.

The sources in the know said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a probe into the incident.

One of the sources said probably, the parts are of a broken blade of an aircraft engine.

When contacted, an Air India Express spokesperson said its flight IX 145 encountered an engine issue after takeoff from Delhi on September 2.

The flight was bound for Bahrain.

"The failure was managed in accordance with laid-down procedures, and a precautionary landing was conducted at Delhi," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Further, the spokesperson said the matter has been reported to the regulator and other concerned agencies and is currently under investigation.

"We are aware of reports of metal pieces being found at Shankar Vihar. At this time, we cannot confirm if these metal pieces are from our aircraft. The investigation is ongoing to establish the facts," the spokesperson added.
New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and Josh Talks, a leading regional content and upskilling platform, have partnered to put the spotlight on women entrepreneurs in the northeast through Project Maitri, officials said on Wednesday.

The WEP is a public-private partnership aimed at building a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem for women. As an aggregator platform, it supports women entrepreneurs through bespoke initiatives based on collaboration and convergence among ecosystem stakeholders.

The platform provides women entrepreneurs with support in skilling, access to markets and finance, compliance and legal due diligence, business development services, and mentorship and networking.

Under this collaboration, the WEP and Josh Talks have agreed to work together in showcasing the journeys of women who have traversed the path of entrepreneurship with the aim to motivate others.

"The WEP's mission has been to create a supportive ecosystem that empowers women entrepreneurs across the country through collaboration and convergence amongst stakeholders," said Anna Roy, Principal Economic Advisor, NITI Aayog, and Mission Director, WEP.

"The initiative has already seen the successful execution of two capacity-building programmes in Delhi, where 30 women entrepreneurs received one-week intensive hands-on training in branding, marketing and operational efficiency from industry experts," Roy added.

In the first phase of this collaboration, three impactful videos were released on the Josh Talks YouTube channel, highlighting the personal and entrepreneurial journeys of three remarkable women entrepreneurs selected from a cohort of 30 homestay owners from the northeast.
Chandigarh, Sep 4 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday said the state's agriculture policy is almost ready and his government will call stakeholders for further consultation.

The statement came amid a protest by the Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan) and the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union which are pressing for the implementation of the agriculture policy.

Participating in the discussion on the concluding day of the three-day Punjab Assembly session, Mann said the agriculture policy is almost ready.

"We will speak to stakeholders, (farmers) unions and organisations related to farming in this regard," he said in the state assembly.

Mann said his government always supports that policies should be framed with the consultation of stakeholders, unlike the Union government which introduces its policies without applying mind and consulting the people.

He cited the example of the three farm laws which were later withdrawn by the BJP-led government at the Centre after protests by the farming community.

Farmers under the banner of the BKU (Ugrahan) and the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union began a five-day protest on Sunday here to press for their demands including implementation of the agriculture policy.

Meanwhile, BKU (Ugrahan) leader Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan said the chief minister will hold a meeting with the representatives of farmers on Thursday.

In the assembly, Mann also said that he raised the issue of shortage of DAP fertilizer with Union Minister J P Nadda.

Mann further said the state government has already implemented a one-time settlement scheme (OTS) for traders in pending value added tax cases.

The state government received Rs 164 crore through this OTS scheme, he said.

Earlier during the question hour, Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh said he will meet a central minister on Thursday in Delhi after Congress MLA Pargat Singh pointed towards non-release of Rs 1,750 crore of National Health Mission funds by the Centre to Punjab.

"They (Centre) withheld the NHM funds as they have allergy to 'aam aadmi clinics'," said the health minister.

Singh further said he will meet the concerned minister along with his staff in Delhi on Thursday.

The state's AAP government has been at loggerheads with the Centre over the funds under the NHM.

The Union health ministry had earlier accused the Punjab government of converting Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWC) into 'aam aadmi clinics'.

The Punjab health minister said, "Health is predominantly a state subject. They (the central government) are insisting on branding while we are talking about co-branding (of aam aadmi clinics)."

In July this year, the Centre had told Parliament that Punjab has not adhered to the branding guidelines for Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Center, now known as Ayushman Arogya Mandir, violating guidelines on the scheme for special assistance to states for capital investment 2023-24.

Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali said villagers in Bhundri, Akhara, Muskabad in Ludhiana district have been opposing the setting up of three biogas plants.

They claimed that foul smell will emanate from these plants, said the MLA while demanding that these plants should not be allowed to be set up.

Later, the speaker adjourned the House sine die.
Shimla, Sep 4 (PTI) As many as 100 industrialists in Himachal have sought transfer of lease and applied for disconnecting power supply, Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan informed state assembly during question hour on Wednesday.

Replying to a question of Janak Raj and Jeet Ram Katwal (BJP), he said that information has been sought regarding surrender of GST numbers from Excise and Taxation department and so far only one Industrial unit, K Kiran P International Private Limited, has migrated to Haryana.

He said that 5,293 new Industrial units including small, medium and large units have been set up from January 1 and the authority has approved 402 units with an investment of Rs 8,459 crore and employment generation for 29,970 persons.

Asserting that closure of industrial units is a normal process and there can be many reasons like losses, financial issues, family disputes and others but the government has no information regarding closures of industrial units as the industries which shut their business do not inform the state government about the same, he said.

He said that the government would find out the reasons for closure of units and assured to check the flight of industries.

He said that electricity would be given at Rs 1 per unit less as compared to neighbouring states and subsidies would continue and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has given assurance in this regard.

Bikram Thakur (BJP) alleged that industries are migrating due to the wrong policies of the government and asked whether the expansion of units has also been included in the industries set up in the state.

Jeet Ram Katwal (BJP) said that to his knowledge 10 industries had left and asked the government to collect the data as the question would be raised again in the winter session of the assembly.

In reply to another question of Sudhir Sharma (BJP) and Kewal Singh Pathania (Congress), the Chief Minister said that adequate compensation would be given to the persons whose lands are being acquired for expansion of Kangra Airport.

The government is focused on the expansion of Kangra Airport as it was easy but establishing an airport at Balh in Mandi district is also a priority. Rs 1,000 crore allotted by the 15th Finance Commission for this airport has neither been received nor mentioned anywhere by the Centre and the previous BJP government gave equity of meager Rs 1 crore to Airport Authority of India for this Rs 4,000 crore project, he said.

Sukhu further said that so far no agreement has been signed with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for setting up a Rs 400 crore Convention Center and 600 Bigha in Kuladhar would be developed as a tourism destination.

Replying to allegations of Leader of Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur that Kangra has been declared Tourism Capital only to placate people of Kangra, Heli-taxi service has been stopped and the ropeway project has made no headway, Sukhu said that Rs 13 crore each have been sanctioned for construction of Heliports at Chamba and Rakkar while Baddi and Rampur Heliports are ready.

He said that steps taken by the government to make Kangra Tourism Capital would be reflected in the next budget.
Mumbai, Sep 4 (PTI) Actors Siddhant Chaturvedi and Abhishek Banerjee have been roped in to host the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Rocks 2024, to be held later this month.

The three-day awards gala return to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, for the third consecutive year and will be held from September 27 to 29.

The musical extravaganza event, 'IIFA Rocks', is touted as a grand fusion of song, dance, film and fashion, featuring live performances by popular artists.

Chaturvedi, who won the Best Supporting Actor award at the IIFA Awards 2020 for his portrayal of MC Sher in "Gully Boy", said hosting IIFA Rocks feels like "full circle" moment.

Im absolutely thrilled to be hosting IIFA Rocks at the world's biggest celebration of Indian cinema, the International Indian Film Academy Awards, a stage that holds a special place in my heart.

"Im eager to bring electrifying energy and passion to the IIFA stage, and I cant wait to share this incredible experience with the amazing global IIFA family once again," the actor said in a statement.

Banerjee, who is currently basking in the success of "Stree 2", expressed his excitement about hosting IIFA Rocks.

"My IIFA journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. As an actor and casting director, being part of this spectacular showcase of stardom at the grand celebration of Indian cinema is deeply rewarding.

"I'm super excited to join the IIFA family as I host IIFA Rocks on September 29, I'm thrilled to be a part of the IIFA legacy, where the journey is as enriching as the destination," the actor-casting director said.

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, actor Vicky Kaushal and filmmaker Karan Johar will be hosting the award ceremony.

Veteran actor Rekha and Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor will perform at the 'IIFA Weekend and Awards 2024.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 4 (PTI) In a joint appeal, 72 prominent personalities, including author Arundhati Roy, have urged Kerala Chief Minister to enact a law addressing concerns raised by the Justice K Hema Committee report on sexual atrocities against women in the film field.

The signatories to the appeal include Supreme Court advocates Indira Jaisingh and Vrinda Grover, actors Aparna Sen, Prakash Raj, Swara Bhasker, musician T M Krishna, a few retired bureaucrats and several journalists who have sought a "360-degree approach" from the state government to achieve the objectives for which the committee was set up.

In their letter to the CM, the concerns they have highlighted include the "inordinate focus on the sexual misdemeanours and crimes mentioned in the report" and the "virtual exclusion" of issues like the working conditions in the film industry, lack of contracts, pay disparities, etc. which also find mention the panel's findings.

One of the signatories, T M Krishna, in a post on social media platform Instagram, expressed solidarity with women in Malayalam cinema and urged the state government to take immediate action on the committee's report.

"Standing in solidarity with women in Malayalam cinema, we urge the Kerala government to take immediate action on the Hema Committee Report, addressing not just sexual harassment, but also wage disparity, poor working conditions, and systemic inequality in the industry," he said.

The signatories, in their joint letter to Vijayan, said that the setting up of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the allegations being made by women about their experiences of sexual harassment and violence in the industry "has given a further impetus to the medias selective coverage".

"The inevitable implication of such selectiveness is that addressing the underlying causes of violence  namely, inequality and discrimination  is less important than the violence itself.

"Further, the government has made no effort to sensitise the media and public to the possibility that women with legitimate complaints of crimes may not necessarily wish to explore legal options for multiple, completely acceptable reasons," they said.

They further said that in the absence of such sensitisation, the present atmosphere in the state was veering towards doubting the allegations of any woman who opts not to file a police complaint after going public with her grievances.

Additionally, women who shared their stories with the public and media are facing extreme pressure from the police to lodge official complaints, they said in the letter.

This is a deeply disturbing development. In all cases of sexual crimes, a survivors agency and mental health must be prioritised above all else. The government must strictly instruct the police and the SIT to not bulldoze women, to treat them with consideration, and to act in their best interests, they said.

They said that in these circumstances, women who have come out with allegations should be allowed to decide how they wish to proceed with their individual experiences in the aftermath of the reports release.

It further said that the state government should also "invest in an awareness-building programme to sensitise the public and media", so that "testimonies" by women who suffered sexual exploitation are not doubted just because they cannot or do not wish to fight long-drawn-out cases.

"The aim of such a programme should be to make certain that women who decide not to explore legal options are not discredited in public or humiliated, which is the direction that we worry the discourse in the state will take in the absence of a well-thought-out intervention.

"The government must offer counselling to all women who speak out, irrespective of the path they choose. Such counselling would help them to deal with the mental health issues that result from sexual harassment and violence," they said in the letter.

They also said that the government should also look into the other important issues, like the absence of written contracts, wage discrimination and poor working conditions, such as non-provision of secure, private toilets and dressing rooms as well as safe accommodation and transportation, highlighted in the report.

"It must take steps to remedy the situation through systemic reform of the industry in keeping with the many detailed recommendations of the committee. The government must also ensure the safety of women who have spoken to the committee and in public about their experiences.

"This must include - we repeat, because it cannot be emphasised enough - an assurance that they will not be bullied into filing police complaints if they do not wish to do so," they said.
Islamabad, Sep 4 (PTI) A Pakistan court on Wednesday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in a case of arms and liquor.

The case was launched against him in October 2016 after police claimed to have recovered five Kalashnikov rifles, a pistol, six magazines, a bullet-proof vest, three teargas shells, and bottles of alcohol from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader.

Gandapur was a provincial minister in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where his PTI party was in power when the case was registered.

Civil judge Shaista Khan Kundi of the Islamabad-based court ordered police to arrest Gandapur and produce him before the court after he failed to show up for a hearing. The court rejected the chief minister's plea for exemption from attendance on medical grounds while adjourning the case till Thursday.

Earlier this year, Gandapur was declared a proclaimed offender for failing to attend the court proceedings but a district court on March 7 overturned the trial court's order after his lawyer informed it that the PTI leader couldn't appear in court because of his official engagements as the new Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister.

According to political experts, the case has lingered on as a classic example of Pakistan's inept judicial system where powerful people find ways to circumvent the legal process in collusion with judicial officials.
Houston/Hyderabad, Sep 4 (PTI) Four Indian nationals, including a woman, lost their lives and several others were injured in a tragic multi-vehicle road accident in the US state of Texas during the Labour Day weekend.

According to the Collin County Sheriffs Office, the accident involving five vehicles occurred on the northbound US 75 just past White Street at Anna near Dallas.

Consul General of India in Houston D C Manjunath confirmed the identities and shared that the Consulate General of India (CGI) is in touch with the families and community organisations, providing full support during this tragic moment.

According to witnesses and preliminary reports, traffic was at a standstill on the highway and an SUV was among those vehicles that were halted when the accident took place on Friday afternoon.

A truck travelling at a high speed failed to slow down and struck the rear of the SUV. The force of the collision was such that the SUV caught fire and the four occupants were trapped inside which resulted in their deaths.

It took days to officially identify the victims as the bodies were charred beyond recognition.

Several others sustained non-life-threatening injuries though the exact number remains unclear.

The victims were identified as Aryan Raghunath Orampatti from Kukatpally suburb of Hyderabad, his friend Farooq Sheikh, Lokesh Palacharla, another Telugu student, and Darshini Vasudev from Tamil Nadu.

Orampatti and Sheikh were returning after visiting a cousin in Dallas while Palacharla was heading to Bentonville to reunite with his wife. Darshini Vasudev, a postgraduate from the University of Texas, was on her way to visit her uncle in Arkansas.

The identification of the victims was delayed due to the long weekend and the need for DNA fingerprinting, using bone remnants to confirm their identities.

Darshinis uncle Ramanujam lives in Bentonville, Arkansas. She was going to visit him. Darshini had just completed her Masters and had started her job in Frisco, Dallas, Manjunath said.

The other two, Umar Farooq Sheikh and Aryan Raghunath Orampatti, were recent graduates from the University of Texas at Dallas, with Sheikh completing his MS in Business Analytics in Spring 2023, and Orampatti pursuing his MS in Finance, set to graduate in Spring 2024. Lokesh, who was driving the vehicle, was also a working professional, Manjunath added.

Meanwhile, a friend of Aryans father in Hyderabad said Wednesday that four people, including Aryan and his friend Farooq, had joined in the vehicle using a carpooling app.

After getting to know about the accident from a relative staying in the US on Saturday, Aryans parents already left for the US, he told PTI.

Aryan after completing his engineering degree had left for the US to pursue MS and his parents had attended his convocation in May, he said, adding that Aryan wanted to work in the US for two years and then return to India.

Farooq's father Mastan Vali, who stays in Hyderabad told PTI that he was informed on Saturday that an over speeding truck hit the vehicle in which his son and three other Indians including Aryan were travelling, from the rear side.

"Some friends of Farooq had informed my daughter, who lives in the US about the accident. She informed me about it on Saturday. My daughter is following up with authorities there," Mastan Vali said, adding they were planning to bring Farooq's mortal remains to Hyderabad.

Farooq had left for the US in August 2021 from here and after completing his MS there he was now working, his father said.
London, Sep 4 (PTI) A 14-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of the murder of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli, who died following an assault while out walking his dog in a park near Leicester, remains in police custody for questioning on Wednesday.

Leicestershire Police said a girl aged 14 and a boy and two girls aged 12, also arrested on suspicion of murder, have now been released with no further action. A post-mortem examination carried out on Kohli after he died in hospital on Monday night confirmed the cause of death was a neck injury, with further tests pending.

The circumstances surrounding Mr Kohlis death are extremely tragic and upsetting not only for his family and friends but also the wider community, said Detective Inspector Emma Matts, Senior Investigating Officer at Leicestershire Police.

We continue to offer support to the family through our family liaison officers and the local policing teams are in the area to provide reassurance and discuss any issues or concerns. The family are aware of the significant public interest in the death of their loved one and would like to thank people for their kind words and sympathy. At this stage the family are asking for privacy at this extremely difficult time, she said.

Our investigation into the assault on Mr Kohli remains ongoing. We continue to keep an open mind around the circumstances surrounding the incident as we work to establish what occurred in the park on Sunday evening. I would continue to urge anyone who can assist our investigation to come forward, she added.

Kohli was walking his dog at Franklin Park in Braunstone Town, Leicestershire, when he was attacked on Sunday and died in hospital a day later. The police force admitted prior police contact with the victim, which initially led to a voluntary referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) and has been escalated to mandatory referral after further contact with the authority.

"We can confirm that we have received a referral from Leicestershire Police in relation to this matter. We will carry out an assessment to decide what further action may be required from us," an IOPC spokesperson said.

In July, an incident was reported to police after Kohli was allegedly verbally abused by a group of young people near his home, according to the Guardian newspaper.

Dressed in a black sweater and grey jogging bottoms, Kohli was walking his family dog on Sunday evening when he was "seriously assaulted by a group of young people". They are said to have fled the scene prior to emergency services arriving.

Described by friends and neighbours as a retired fit and active man, Kohli is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter. The police cordon for scene preservation in the park has since been lifted. St Crispin's Church near the scene of the assault is offering the community a space to light a candle in memory of the elderly victim.
Bandar Seri Begawan, Sep 3 (PTI) India and Brunei on Wednesday committed themselves to respecting freedom of navigation and overflight consistent with international law, a joint statement said here after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

Prime Minister Modi also expressed deep appreciation to Brunei Darussalam for continuing to host Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)s Telemetry Tracking and Telecommand (TTC) Station that has helped Indias ongoing efforts in the space sector, the statement said.

Prime Minister Modi and the Brunei Sultan also discussed enhancing defence and maritime cooperation through joint exercises, it said.

Both leaders reiterated their commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety and security, as well as respecting freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce, consistent with international law, notably the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, it said.

During the bilateral meeting, Modi and Sulatan Bolkiah discussed wide ranging topics and spoke about further expand trade ties, commercial linkages and people-to-people exchanges.

Earlier, before his departure to Singapore, Modi described his Brunei visit as productive and said it ushers in a new era of even stronger India-Brunei ties contributing to a better planet.

Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to travel to Brunei on a bilateral visit, held bilateral talks with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah discussing defence, trade and energy among other topics along with exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

India and Brunei elevated the bilateral ties to Enhanced Partnership.
Kyiv, Sep 4 (AP) Four Ukrainian Cabinet ministers submitted their resignations to parliament late Tuesday, ahead of an expected government reshuffle, according to the speaker's office.

Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Olga Stefanishyna; Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin  who has played a prominent role in boosting arms production  Minister of Justice Denys Maliuska, and Minister of the Environment Ruslan Strilets all submitted their resignation.

There was no immediate reaction from the government to the offers of resignation, and it remains unclear whether any of the four ministers will be moved to other senior positions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had indicated last week that a Cabinet reshuffle was imminent, while the head of his party in parliament said Tuesday that half of the current ministers were likely to be replaced.

Ukraine is facing new major challenges in the war, as it struggles to hold back Russian gains in the east of the country and seeks to disrupt Moscow's plans with its recent incursion into the neighboring Kursk region. (AP)



ANB

ANB
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are planning a joint launch of artificial satellites to study and analyze data, Trend reports.

On September 2-3, 2024, a delegation from the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan visited Astana to participate in the "Ministerial Conference on Digital Inclusion and Transformation in Asia and the Pacific," organized by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

As part of the event, Minister Sherzod Shermatov met with the Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, Zhaslan Madiyev.

The parties discussed prospects for cooperation, focusing particularly on digital skills training, the state of regional cooperation in digital inclusion and transformation, and opportunities to strengthen it.

In addition, they discussed developing joint regional cooperation plans to accelerate digital innovation.

The possibility of cooperation between the two countries in launching joint constellations of artificial satellites for studying and analyzing data was also discussed, with proposals to be prepared by the end of this year.
Washington, Sep 4 (AP) Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris  and the first Jewish person married to a nationally elected US leader  said he is gutted after the killing of American Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other Israeli hostages taken by Hamas.

Speaking Tuesday at a vigil for the hostages at his synagogue in Washington, Emhoff said, I haven't been able to stop thinking about Hersh and his parents, or about the five others and their families. He added: This is hard. I feel raw. I'm gutted.

Emhoff, who stands to become the nation's first gentleman if Harris is elected president in November, has emerged as a prominent administration liaison to the Jewish community and a voice in countering antisemitism, particularly in the wake of Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel. About 1,200 people, including at least 40 Americans, were killed in the assault, and about 250 more were taken hostage.

How you feel right now is how I feel, Emhoff said at the event at the Adas Israel Congregation organised by local and national Jewish groups. And how we all feel is something Kamala hears directly from me.

He added: Hersh's loss feels personal to the two of us. We're both grieving.

Emhoff recounted his and Harris' conversation with Goldberg-Polin's parents on Sunday, a day after Israeli forces discovered their bodies in a tunnel under Gaza. He said that even while mourning the loss of their son, Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jonathan Polin were pressing Harris about the latest on the negotiations to reach a cease-fire deal that would free other hostages.

Part of Rachel and Jon's world had just ended, and they somehow are still looking forward and looking out for others, Emhoff said.

He continued: Jon and Rachel's hearts have room to hold everyone. They are not giving up, and neither can we. Not on this 333rd day. Not ever. Not until every hostage is reunited with their family.

Emhoff added that Harris and President Joe Biden are working around the clock to get a hostage and cease-fire deal done. He said, The time to bring them home is now.

Goldberg-Polin and Polin spoke at last month's Democratic National Convention in Chicago as part of their family's global tour to raise awareness about the hostages and their plight. Emhoff said they understood "that unless we tell the story again and again, we have no hope of never again,'" and said the Jewish community must continue to tell the stories of the hostages. (AP)



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Moscow, Sep 4 (AP) Serbia is a Russian ally and will never impose sanctions against Moscow or join NATO, the Balkan nation's deputy prime minister said Wednesday as he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The remarks by Aleksandar Vulin, a former intelligence chief who is under US sanctions, reflect persistent close relations between Belgrade and Moscow despite Serbia's proclaimed bid to join the European Union.

It's a great honour for me to have the privilege to talk to you, Vulin told Putin. Please believe me when I say it is a great encouragement for all Serbs, wherever they may live.

Serbia has refused to join Western sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine though it has condemned Moscow's aggression. Populist President Aleksandar Vucic has said that imposing the sanctions wasn't in Serbia's national interest.

Serbia is not only a strategic partner of Russia, Serbia is also Russia's ally, Vulin said. This is why pressure on us by the West is huge.

Vulin's meeting with Putin in Russia's far-eastern city of Vladivostok came just days after French President Emmanuel Macron visited Serbia when Belgrade signed an agreement to buy French Rafale fighter jets, a move that was seen as possible a shift away from Moscow. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier also visited Belgrade for the signing of a tentative EU deal with Serbia on raw materials needed in green transition.

The two met in Vladivostok on the sidelines of an economic forum designed to attract foreign investment and showcase Russia to them. Greeting Vulin as the two sat down for talks, Putin expressed hope that Serbia's deputy prime minister will be able to take a close look and evaluate the possibilities of cooperation with such a large and promising region as Russia's far east.

Vulin told Putin that Serbia's close ties with Russia will continue in the future.

Serbia led by Aleksandar Vucic is a Serbia that will never become a member of NATO, which will never impose sanctions against the Russian Federation and which will never allow its territory to be used for any anti-Russian actions," he said.

Serbia has not become and will not become part of anti-Russian hysteria, Vulin said.

The US imposed sanctions on Vulin last July, accusing him of involvement in illegal arms shipments, drug trafficking and misuse of public office and aiding Russia's influence in the volatile Balkans.

Vulin has received two medals of honour from Russia.

The US sanctions against individuals and companies in the Balkans are designed to counter attempts to undermine peace and stability in the volatile region and Russia's malign influence.

The West has stepped up efforts to lure the troubled region into its fold, fearing that Russia could stir unrest to avert attention from the war in Ukraine. The Balkans went through multiple wars in the 1990s, and tensions still persist. (AP)



GSP
Gaza City, Sep 4 (AP) The UN children's agency says a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza reached 189,000 children, surpassing its target and providing a rare bright spot in nearly 11 months of war.

UNICEF said Wednesday that more than 500 teams deployed across central Gaza this week, administering the vaccine to children under 10.

It said Israel and Hamas observed limited pauses in the fighting to facilitate the campaign. UN agencies now hope to expand the campaign to the harder-hit north and south of the territory. They hope to vaccinate a total of 640,000 children.

The campaign was launched after Gaza had its first reported polio case in 25 years  a 10-month-old boy, now paralysed in the leg.

Health experts have warned of disease outbreaks in the territory, where the vast majority of people have been displaced, often multiple times, and where hunger is widespread.

Hundreds of thousands of people are crammed into squalid tent camps with few if any public services.



Here's the latest:



Greta Thunberg among 6 detained at anti-Israel demonstration in Denmark

Copenhagen: Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was among six people who were detained in Denmark, police said, after they demonstrated against the University of Copenhagen for cooperating with Israeli universities and shouted pro-Palestinian slogans.

The group was detained Wednesday for suspected trespassing after police said they briefly occupied one of the entrances to the university. They were all later released.

Police evicted the demonstrators after they hung an anti-Israel banner from one of the windows of the university's old administration building in downtown Copenhagen. (AP) SCY

SCY
Beirut, Sep 4 (AP) Lebanon charged its embattled former central bank governor Wednesday with the embezzlement of USD 42 million, three judicial officials told The Associated Press.

Riad Salameh, 73, was charged by the Financial Public Prosecution a day after he was detained following an interrogation by Lebanon's top public prosecutor over several alleged financial crimes.

His case has been transferred to an investigating judge, the officials added, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Salameh ended his 30-year term as central bank governor a year ago under a cloud, with several European countries probing allegations of financial crimes. Many in Lebanon blame him for the crippling financial crisis that has gripped the country since late 2019.

He was appointed in 1993 and initially celebrated for his role in steering Lebanon's economic recovery after a 15-year civil war, and for keeping the economy on an even keel during long spells of political gridlock and turmoil.

Salameh has for years denied allegations of corruption, embezzlement and illicit enrichment. He insists that his wealth comes from inherited properties, investments and his previous job as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch.

During his hours-long interrogation on Monday, Salameh was asked about a key case in which a company was allegedly hired to manipulate statements and conceal Lebanon's hemorrhaging finances.

According to two other judicial officials, Salameh appeared to have brought in the company, called Optimum, to help facilitate embezzling money from the central bank through other accounts, eventually reaching his own.

The financial intelligence unit of the central bank presented bank statements and financial documents to the public prosecution, added the two officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

The central bank told the AP that it had no comment.

The embattled Salameh is also in the midst of several other cases against him, both locally and internationally.

France, Germany, and Luxembourg are also investigating Salameh and close associates over alleged illicit enrichment and the laundering of USD 330 million.

Salameh has criticised the European investigation and said it was part of a media and political campaign make him a scapegoat.

Meanwhile, the US, the UK, and Canada have sanctioned Salameh and his close associates, and France issued an international arrest warrant for him, though Lebanon does not hand over its own citizens for extradition.

Lebanon has not appointed a new central bank governor, but a vice governor, Wassim Mansouri, has been named acting governor. The crisis-hit country has also been without a president for almost two years and is run by a caretaker Cabinet with limited functions. (AP)



GSP
Washington, Sep 4 (AP) By his own account, Ohio Sen. JD Vance's 2019 conversion to Catholicism provided a spiritual fulfilment he couldn't find in his Yale education or career success.

It also amounted to a political conversion.

Catholicism provided him a new way of looking at the addictions, family breakdowns and other social ills he described in his 2016 bestselling memoir, Hillbilly Elegy.

I felt desperate for a worldview that understood our bad behaviour as simultaneously social and individual, structural and moral; that recognised that we are products of our environment; that we have a responsibility to change that environment, but that we are still moral beings with individual duties, he wrote in a 2020 essay.

His conversion also put Vance in close touch with a Catholic intellectual movement, viewed by some critics as having reactionary or authoritarian leanings, that has been little known to the American public until Vance's rise to the national stage as the Republican vice presidential nominee.

These are not your father's Catholic conservatives.

The professors and media personalities in this network don't all agree on everything  even on what to call themselves  but most go by postliberal. Vance has used that term to describe himself, though the Trump-Vance campaign did not respond to questions about where Vance sees himself in the movement and whether he shares some of the beliefs promoted by many postliberals.

Postliberals do share some longstanding Catholic conservative views, such as opposition to abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.

But where Catholic conservatives of the past have seen big government as a problem rather than a solution, the postliberals want a muscular government  one that they control.

They envision a counterrevolution in which they would take over government bureaucracy and institutions like universities from within, replacing entrenched elites with their own and acting upon their vision of the common good.

What is needed  is regime change  the peaceful but vigorous overthrow of a corrupt and corrupting liberal ruling class and the creation of a postliberal order, wrote Patrick Deneen, a prominent author in the movement, in his 2023 book, Regime Change.

Vance has signalled his alignment with some of what Catholic postliberals advocate. He's said the next time his allies control the presidency or Congress,  we really need to be really ruthless when it comes to the exercise of power and said Republicans should seize institutions, including universities to make them work for our people. He's advocated for government policies to spur childbearing, a notion reflected in his digs at childless cat ladies with allegedly no stake in America's future.

Scholars who study this movement caution that Vance does his own thinking and doesn't necessarily embrace everything proposed by postliberals  or by a subset of them known as integralists, who want a state working in tandem with the Catholic Church. The latter is not a label Vance has used for himself.

But Vance has spoken alongside prominent postliberals at public events and praised some of their work.

At an Ohio conference featuring a who's who of Catholic postliberals in 2022, he told fellow speakers he has admired a lot of you from afar as some of the people who I think are most interesting about what's going on in this country.

Vance praised Deneen's book at a 2023 panel discussion with the author, a professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame.

Vance has also met privately with leading postliberals, who have posted photos of their gatherings on social media and cheered his vice presidential nomination.

Catholic journals for years have bristled with debates about postliberalism, but with little public attention  in part because its adherents are few and its views are far from mainstream.

But now, postliberals have an avid listener in Donald Trump's running mate.

You can go from people writing on an unusual Catholic theology blog to the vice presidential candidate in the course of less than a decade, said James Patterson, professor of politics at Ave Maria University in Florida.

Vance's preoccupations show an influence from the movement, he said, citing his remarks about the childless.

Most ordinary American Catholics would not treat a childless single woman with cats with this kind of contempt, Patterson said. Even if Vance is not steeped in the philosophy, Patterson added, he is picking up on the postliberal vibe.

Some Catholics, including conservatives, have raised alarms about the company Vance has kept, saying postliberalism has historical connections to 20th century European movements that are associated with authoritarian regimes like Francisco Franco's in Spain.

We're talking about people that prefer right-wing authoritarian regimes, Patterson said.

In a postliberal society, Patterson wrote in an August commentary in the online journal The Dispatch, citizens become subjects and personal liberties subjected to administrative despotism.

Vance has recently tried to downplay his Catholicism's impact on policy-making.

Trump's Supreme Court appointees provided the crucial majority to overturn Roe v. Wade, which had legalized abortion nationwide. But the issue has become a political liability, with voters in several states rejecting abortion restrictions.

Vance had strongly opposed abortion, even in cases of rape and incest, in the runup to his 2022 senatorial win.

But Vance has aligned with the Republicans' first post-Roe platform in 2024, in which it backed off from its longstanding support for nationwide abortion restrictions. He pledged he could absolutely commit that a Trump-Vance administration would not impose such an abortion ban.

Trump has spoken inconsistently about a ballot measure repealing Florida's ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

After facing backlash from anti-abortion activists for seeming to indicate he would support the measure, Trump said he would oppose it.

The Catholic Church's U.S. bishops declared opposing abortion our pre-eminent priority.

Vance told the New York Post in August that Catholic social teaching certainly influences how I think about issues. But he acknowledged there are a lot of things the Catholic Church teaches that frankly, Americans would just never go for.

He added that in a democracy, you have to give people their ability to have their own moral views reflected in public policy. There are a lot of non-Catholics in America and I accept that.

Julian Waller, a political science professor at George Washington University, said Vance has numerous influences outside of Catholic postliberalism  from Trump-style populists to his mentor, tech billionaire Peter Thiel.

It remains to be seen whether Catholic postliberals would get prominent appointments in a Trump-Vance administration  or even how often they'd get their calls returned.

Someone like JD Vance can read them, be interested in them, attend talks, know them personally, get insights from them, Waller said. But he's not on the hook to obey them.

For an example of what an administration using state power for postliberal ends might look like, Waller pointed to Florida and Gov. Ron DeSantis' efforts to rid public higher education of diversity initiatives and critical race theory.

If you want the model for what someone like JD Vance is really interested in, it's probably the Florida model, forcefully changing institutions, capturing institutions, Waller said.

Postliberals' ideas vary, but there are common themes, said Kevin Vallier, author of  All the Kingdoms of the World, a 2023 book on the modern postliberal and integralist movements and their centuries-old roots.

Depending on who's talking, a postliberal regime change could involve encouraging childbearing, easing or removing church-state separation, banning pornography for adults and children alike, reimposing laws limiting business on the Sabbath, supporting private-sector unions and strengthening safety nets for the middle class.

It's common to hear postliberals praising Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, particularly for his use of financial incentives for families that have more babies. Orban has championed an illiberal democracy, ?which includes restrictions on? immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.

Vance has praised Orban for Hungary's subsidies to married couples with children and for smart decisions in seizing control of universities.

Vance has echoed the regime-change rhetoric of using government, staffed by likeminded officials, for postliberal goals.

You need to have a functional state that accomplishes some of the things that we care about. You need good people to go and work in that functional state, Vance said a 2022 conference at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. It featured prominent postliberals like Deneen and Harvard Law School professor Adrian Vermeule.

Vermeule has advocated for common-good constitutionalism, in which the government enacts strong rule in the interest of attaining the common good.

Deneen and Vermeule declined requests for interviews.

Vance's choice to speak at Steubenville underscored his affinity with postliberals, Vallier said.

He could have given that talk anywhere, said Vallier, a professor at the Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership at the University of Toledo in Ohio. Why is he appearing with these intellectuals if he's not sympathetic to their ideas?

Vance's religious journey began in a family that rarely went to church when he was young, he wrote in Hillbilly Elegy. But he said his grandmother  the most stable adult in his turbulent household  regularly read the Bible and taught a Christianity that demanded hard work, forgiveness and hope.

For a time, the young JD embraced the strict biblical literalism of his father's Pentecostal church, crediting it as a stabilizing force, he wrote.

But in college, Vance embraced what he later viewed as an arrogant and fashionable atheism.

Eventually, wrote in a 2020 essay for the Catholic journal The Lamp, he concluded he needed grace to provide him the virtues to be a good husband and father.

I needed, in other words, to become Catholic," he wrote. (AP) GSP
Moscow, Sep 4 (AP) NATO member Turkiye has applied for membership in the BRICS bloc of developing economies, a senior Kremlin official said Wednesday, as Russia and China seek to counter the West's global influence.

Yuri Ushakov, President Vladimir Putin's foreign affairs aide, told reporters that Turkiye has submitted an application for full membership in the bloc that Russia this year chairs, and it will be considered.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated several times that his country aspires to become a member of the BRICS alliance, according to Omer Celik, a spokesman for Erdogan's ruling party. But Celik stopped short this week of confirming that Turkiye has applied formally.

The BRICS alliance was founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining in 2010. It recently has undergone an expansion, and now includes Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has said it's considering joining, and Azerbaijan and Malaysia have formally applied.

BRICS has a stated aim to amplify the voice of major emerging economies to counterbalance the Western-led global order. Its founding members have called for a fairer world order and the reform of international institutions like the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Erdogan, who has been in power for more than two decades, has sought to carve a more independent foreign policy for Turkiye and to enhance its global influence. The country is also frustrated by the lack of progress in its membership talks with the European Union.

Last week, Erdogan said Turkiye should simultaneously develop relations with both the East and the West.

Turkiye, which straddles Europe and Asia, joined the NATO military alliance in 1952. It began talks to join the European Union in 2005 but the negotiations have stalled due to concerns over democratic regression under Erdogan's administration, and ongoing disputes with Cyprus, an EU member, among other challenges.

BRICS is expected to discuss taking in new members in a meeting in Russia next month.

Putin earlier this year welcomed Turkiye's interest in the bloc and promised that Moscow will support this aspiration and desire to be together with the countries of this alliance, to be together, closer, to solve common problems.

On Monday, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said Turkiye expressed interest in joining BRICS. (AP) GRS

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Bandar Seri Begawan, Sep 4 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei for a bilateral meeting on wide ranging topics and discussed about further expand trade ties, commercial linkages and people-to-people exchanges.

Modi, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to travel to Brunei on a bilateral visit, was welcomed by Sultan Bolkiah and his close family members at the Istana Nurul Iman, which is the official residence of the Sultan, and the seat of the Brunei government.

Delighted to meet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Our talks were wide ranging and included ways to further cement bilateral ties between our nations. We are going to further expand trade ties, commercial linkages and people-to-people exchanges, Modi said in a post on X.

Modis historic visit is an important milestone in the 40-year diplomatic relationship between the two countries that enjoy a friendly relationship marked by mutual respect and understanding on bilateral and multilateral issues, officials said.

Building stronger India-Brunei relations. PM @narendramodi was warmly welcomed at the Istana Nurul Iman by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and his close family members.

Brunei is an important partner in India's 'Act East' Policy and its Vision of the Indo-Pacific, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X along with the photos.

The two countries are linked by history, culture and tradition spanning a millennium, the MEA had said ahead of Modis visit to the South East Asian nation.

Earlier on Tuesday, Modi, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to travel to Brunei on a bilateral visit, said he was looking forward to his meetings with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and other members of the royal family to take the historical relationship to new heights.

The Prime Minister said he was looking forward to strong ties with Brunei, as he arrived here on the first leg of his two-nation trip meant to strengthen cooperation in sectors like defence, trade and investment, energy as well as people-to-people exchanges.

As a special gesture, Modi was received by Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah at the airport. He visited the iconic Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque here and also inaugurated the new chancery premises of the High Commission of India. At both places, he interacted with the Indian diaspora.

From Brunei, Modi will travel to Singapore later on Wednesday.
Copenhagen, Sep 4 (AP) Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom, who steered the Scandinavian country along a sometimes bumpy road to NATO membership and stood tall on supporting Ukraine, stunned the political establishment Wednesday by saying he was leaving the Swedish government next week.

It has not been an easy decision but something that I have thought about and processed for some time, Billstrom wrote on X.

Billstrom became foreign minister in October 2022, when Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson formed a coalition government with his own conservative Moderate Party, the smaller Christian Democrats and the Liberals.

In May 2022, Sweden and neighbouring Finland sought NATO membership, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality and centuries of broader non-alignment with major powers as security concerns in Europe spiked following Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

After 18 months of delays, Sweden's membership bid cleared the final hurdle in February Hungary gave its consent.

Turkiye also objected to Sweden joining the alliance, but on January 23, Turkish legislators voted in favour. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan put forth a series of conditions including a tougher stance from Stockholm toward groups that Turkiye regards as threats to its security, such as Kurdish militants and members of a network it blames for a failed coup in 2016.

Sweden became the 32nd member of the military alliance in March. The 50-year-old Billstrom said on X that he had taken Sweden through a sometimes challenging NATO process.

On Facebook, Kristersson said that Billstrom had discharged his duties with flying colours.

Billstrom said on X that he would leave politics completely. This means that I am also leaving my seat in the Riksdag, the Swedish parliament. The 349-member assembly will convene next week after the summer recess.

Billstrom has not announced what he'll do next and his replacement has not yet been named. (AP) GRS

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London, Sep 4 (PTI) British Indian former home secretary Priti Patel was on Wednesday voted out of the race to succeed Rishi Sunak as the next Conservative Party leader, winning the least number of ballots in the first round of voting by her fellow Tory members of Parliament.

Patel, 52, bagged only 14 out of 121 votes, with former immigration minister Robert Jenrick emerging as the frontrunner at this stage of the contest with 28 votes.

Shadow communities secretary Kemi Badenoch came in second with 22 votes and will now battle it out with former Tory ministers James Cleverly (21 votes), Tom Tugendhat (17 votes) and Mel Stride (16 votes) in the next round of voting by MPs next Tuesday when the field will be narrowed down further.

The results were announced by the chair of the Tory backbench 1922 Committee, Bob Blackman, during a meeting within the Parliament complex in Westminster.

After next week's vote, the four remaining candidates will go head-to-head at the party conference at the end of this month to make it as the final two on the online ballot papers for the wider Tory membership vote. The new leader will take over from Sunak, acting Opposition Leader in the House of Commons since the partys defeat in the July 4 general election, on November 2.

From growing up watching her father work seven days a week running the local shop to being on the side of businesses and entrepreneurs her whole career, Priti knows the value of hard work and enterprise, read the final leadership pitch of the Gujarati heritage politician, who grew up helping out at the family-run local shop in England.

Labour's higher taxes and growing socialist state put the growing British economy at risk. Priti is best equipped to hold them to account, said her camp.

While Jenrick has vowed to unite the Conservative Party around our enduring principles, Badenoch has focussed her leadership pitch on making the case for renewal. Cleverly claimed momentum was on his side and Tugendhat  now fighting Mel Stride to stay in the race next week  claimed he is the only candidate who can deliver a Conservative revolution.
Mumbai, Sep 4 (PTI) The Maharashtra government has exempted vehicles plying on Konkan routes from paying toll or road tax between September 5 and 19 in view of the Ganesh festival, beginning Saturday.

The Public Works Department (PWD) issued a notification on Wednesday to this effect.

The toll waiver will be applicable between September 5 and 19 only for Konkan-bound vehicles travelling on the Mumbai-Bengaluru and Mumbai-Goa national highways, and state highways.

Vehicles must obtain a pass issued by RTO officials and the traffic police department to avail of the road tax payment exemption, as per the notification.

The PWD also issued a standard pass format with its official notification. The pass document is valid for the vehicle's return journey and serves as the qualifying document for toll payment exemption, it stated.

Thousands of people from Mumbai and neighbouring regions travel to their native places in the coastal Konkan region to celebrate the Ganesh Chaturthi festival every year.

Several state-run and private buses are expected to carry Konkan-bound passengers ahead of the festival from Mumbai alone.

Politicians and various organisations also arrange for private buses to facilitate the journey of Ganesh devotees.

The notable surge in vehicular traffic necessitates measures to alleviate congestion, prompting the state government to announce toll waivers to prevent impediments to traffic flow.
Since its inception in 2020, Geneva Watch Days (GWD) has become synonymous with the end of summer holidays in the watch industry. Similar in spirit to Dubai Watch Week, GWD takes place in late August, offering stunning views of Lake Geneva, the Jet dEau and Mont-Blanc

The event draws both exhibitors and visitors, including collectors from as far away as Australia, such as one who recently launched his own online media platform. A few key observations stand out: the event's format is highly praised, its growth has far exceeded initial expectations and the organisers have enriched its cultural offerings and activity programs. This year, GWD attracted more exhibitors (52) and visitors (13,800), in a better-organised and expanded space, all while maintaining costs, a friendly atmosphere and a spirit of sharing. Some believe the event may have reached its peak.

A Popular Formula, a Friendly Spirit

Since its launch by Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of the Bulgari Group  who successfully brought together about ten brand leaders over a single weekend  Geneva Watch Days (GWD) has remained self-managed, decentralised and collaborative. The event fosters a supportive environment where larger brands help shine a light on smaller ones, offering a pricing structure that benefits more modest exhibitors. Participation each year is optional, with many decisions made democratically around a core group of founding brands.

All brands are treated equally in the pavilion that houses their displays and touchpoints and brings together their representatives and customers during social events (including our highly-attended GMT party). Each brand is also free to host guests in their boutiques or hotel suites that are within a 500-metre radius.

The events smooth operation is ensured by majority voting, creating a respectful and inclusive environment, whether youre Breitling or Fleming. Unlike traditional trade shows held in large halls, GWD offers a more relaxed setting, with blue skies and sunlight visible through the windows of suites or from the pavilions terraces as attendees move between locations. Even unofficial brands that set up within the perimeter to benefit from the traffic without officially exhibiting due to budget constraints are welcomed  many of these brands often choose to join the community officially after a year, contributing financially because they share GWDs values.

GMT Party with The Avener  Geneva Watch Days

Collaborative Spirit

The camaraderie is evident at every level: between the two largest manufactures (Bulgari and Breitling), whose CEOs possess powers of persuasion as strong as their brands' reputations, yet whose verbal sparring during official speeches always ends in laughter. Its also visible among micro-brands like Fleming, Ming and Shapiro, whose founders shared a single (small) suite to announce the joint creation of a tantalum bracelet compatible with the cases of all three brands.

In a different vein, a group of eight more or less well-known exhibitors organised the Cool Cats Kick-Off Party on the eve of the event, much to the delight of local collectors and enthusiasts. In a perfect example of this collaborative spirit, H. Moser & Cie. chose GWD to unveil its latest flagship creation, a pair of watches made in partnership with Studio Underdog.

Antoine Pin (Managing Director of the Bulgari Watch Division), Patrick Prugniaux (Ulysse Nardin and Girard-Perregaux CEO) and Jean-Christophe Babin (Bulgari CEO)  Geneva Watch Days

Product Launches

While a few exhibitors attend without new releases  focusing instead on maintaining connections within the watch community  the primary purpose of Geneva Watch Days is to showcase recent models, both to passing visitors and to the wider world through press releases.

Many brands now have GWD firmly marked on their production calendars and use it as a launch platform. This is true even for newcomers like Blancpain and Breguet, each unveiling around ten new models to the public for the first time. Wasnt it here, after all, that Konstantin Chaykin announced a new world record for the thinnest watch (1.65mm)? And lets not forget Armin Strom, whose three years of R&D transformed their 59mm-wide oval Dual Time Resonance into a pure aesthetic marvel with a 39mm round case.

Dual Time Resonance  Armin Strom

Evolving Exhibitor and Visitor Profiles

Interviewed during the final 24 hours of GWD, brand leaders who have participated since the first or second edition expressed satisfaction, but most agreed that the current number of brands should not be exceeded. More brands would mean scheduling appointments every 30 minutes, which would move away from the event's original, convivial format. This is especially important considering that the Fairmont and Beau-Rivage hotels, which host the majority of exhibitors, will be partially closed next summer.

Additionally, the diversity that has been the strength of GWD may have become too extreme. While micro-brands do attract certain types of collectors who seek horological exotica and close contact with their artisan founders, when these brands are uncertain about when or how they will release their next model, shouldn't strict participation criteria be established  similar to those of the GPHG  for the benefit of the end customer?

Jean-Christophe Babin and the GWD media partners, including the GMT Publishing team  Geneva Watch Days

As for visitor profiles, there was a noticeable increase in media presence as well as a significant rise in collectors, much to the delight of small niche brands. However, there were fewer retailers. Unlike Watches & Wonders, where retailers are invited (with fewer end customers), at GWD they have to cover their own travel and accommodation costs, which many chose to avoid during lean times and with ample stock on hand. The GWD event held in Zurich in early June led to increased attendance from German-speaking Switzerland. So, should such an edition be organised in Asia?
Mumbai, Sep 4 (PTI) The strike by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees for salary hike and other demands intensified on the second day on Wednesday, spelling more trouble for the passengers, especially ahead of the Ganesh festival.

However, in order to minimise the impact of the stir, the MSRTC administration is eyeing to hire drivers from outside on a contract basis, officials said.

Demanding salary parity with state government employees and seeking a pay scale adjustment to match that of their counterparts in the state sector, the MSRTC staffers launched the strike on Tuesday. An MSRTC spokesperson said due to the strike called by the action committee of 11 trade unions, a total of 96 out of the total 251 bus depots are completely shut, 82 partially shut and the remaining 73 are fully operational.

In the morning, 63 bus depots were completely shut, but the figure rose to 96 by afternoon. The count of partially-shut depots also increased from 73 to 82, the official said.

"The strike is spreading fast in Marathwada and North Maharashtra regions, where 26 and 32 depots are completely shut today," he said.

But the Mumbai-Pune premium e-Shivneri bus service is not affected, the official said.

The corporation is planning to hire drivers on long-term contracts and invited bids from manpower supply agencies for qualified drivers who possess licence to drive heavy vehicles with one year experience and public service vehicle badge, which is mandatory for plying public service vehicles like buses, the officials added.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has convened a meeting with MSRTC trade union leaders at the Sahyadri Guest House on Wednesday evening in a bid to resolve the issue.

Due to the strike, passengers across the state are facing inconvenience. Besides the regular services, the operations of the MSRTC's extra Ganesh festival special buses were also affected. The 10-day festival begins on September 7.



A total of 5,000 extra festival special buses, including 4,300 services booked by groups, were scheduled to operate between September 3 and 7 from Mumbai, Thane and Palghar divisions. More than 1,000 such buses were scheduled to depart for Konkan on Wednesday, the officials said.



The MSRTC administration said that an industrial court has declared the strike as illegal and instructed the trade unions and employees to resume work.



The corporation has also instructed local authorities to file FIRs against individuals obstructing employees willing to join duty and video record such incidents.



In response to the strike's impact, the MSRTC is considering the appointment of drivers and other staff on long-term agreements to ensure uninterrupted service.
Ahmedabad, Sep 4 (PTI) Heavy downpours in Gujarat in the last week of August claimed 49 lives, damaged roads and caused floods, prompting the rescue of over 37,000 people by multiple agencies including the NDRF and Army, officials said on Wednesday.

A deep depression triggered heavy to very heavy rainfall in several areas of Gujarat between August 25 to 30. The depression, formed over the Gujarat-Rajasthan border, gradually moved into the Arabian Sea (which later turned into cyclonic storm Asna), said State Relief Commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey.

During this period, 49 persons died in rain-related incidents, such as lightning strikes, wall collapse, and drowning in flood waters, he told reporters at Gandhinagar-based State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC).

"Among the 49 deaths, the kin of 22 have already been paid Rs 4 lakh each as compensation as per norms. A sum of Rs 1.78 crore has been disbursed to the owners of 2,618 livestock that perished," Pandey said, adding that Gujarat so far received 108 per cent of its average annual rainfall.

In the wake of the heavy rainfall, 17 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), 27 from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), nine columns from the Army, and additional teams of the IAF and the Coast Guard were deployed, the state relief commissioner added.

"These teams have successfully rescued 37,050 people and relocated 42,083 others to safer locations. Additionally, 53 people have been airlifted to safety," said Pandey.

He said surveys are being conducted in rain-affected districts to assess the damage caused to temporary as well as permanent houses, including those partially or destroyed.

"An assistance worth Rs 3.67 crore has been distributed to the owners of 4,673 affected houses and huts. The district administrations will continue to process further payments for the loss of household items and towards emergency cash relief as and when details regarding the number of affected families and people become available," Pandey said.

He said the survey operations are being conducted by 1,120 teams in Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Anand, Kutch, Kheda, Gandhinagar, Jamnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Narmada, Navsari, Porbandar, Morbi, and Valsad districts.

"A cash relief of Rs 8.04 crore has been disbursed to over 1.69 lakh people in these districts so far. To date, Rs 20.07 crore have been disbursed as household and clothing assistance to 50,111 affected families in these districts," he said.

Pandey said heavy rains damaged roads measuring 2,230 kilometres, which will be repaired and made motorable in the next ten days.

"Out of 6,931 villages and 17 cities affected by rain-induced power outages, electricity has been restored in 6,927 villages and all the 17 cities. Work is going on a war footing to restore power in the remaining villages," he added.

Parts of Gujarat witnessed flooding due to heavy rains between August 20 and 29.

The weather office had forecast heavy to very heavy rains at isolated places in several districts of Gujarat over the next week.

While the Kutch region has received the highest average rainfall of 179 per cent so far this season, Saurashtra and south Gujarat have experienced 125 and 117 per cent of average annual precipitation, respectively, according to the data.
New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) The Indian drone industry is set to showcase the capabilities of their drone solutions for the Indian Army in high-altitude areas in an event slated to be held in Ladakh on September 17-18, senior officials said on Wednesday.

'HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2', hosted by the Indian Army, is being planned to be conducted under "actual terrain and environmental conditions" at an altitude of 4000-5000 m, officials said.

This will be followed by 'HIMTECH-2024' on September 20-21, an event conceptualised to discuss, demonstrate and discover "new avenues" for the development, incorporation and cross-pollination of technology, ideas and innovations with a focus on harnessing military technologies for high-attitude areas, the Army said.

The Army said 'HIMTECH 2024' is being held for the first time in Leh, to highlight and focus on the development of technology and a system for meeting operational requirements along the northern borders.

Maj Gen C S Mann, Additional Director General, Army Design Bureau, during a media interaction here highlighted that the Indian Army is deployed from the icy heights of the Siachen Glacier to the rugged Himalayas where its soldiers face "unparalleled adversities" daily.

For drone operations, a rarified atmosphere results in reduced lift and degraded engine performance which are further accentuated by extreme cold temperatures and high wind speeds. These conditions are unique for the Indian Army and demand systems that can adequately perform in these conditions, Army officials said.

Since battlefields at such altitudes are not prevalent anywhere else, "tailor-made, indigenous solutions" are the way forward, they said.

"If the indigenous industry succeeds here, it also opens vistas for them to international arena and establish India as a credible drone manufacturing hub," the Army said.

'HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2' to be held at Wari La, near Leh, has been envisaged as an opportunity for the Indian drone industry to "showcase the capabilities of their drone solutions" for the Army in high-altitude areas, it said.

As of now, more than 25 drone manufacturing firms have registered for participation in the event. All the firms will be competing in a multi-faceted competition at super high-altitude areas to prove their suitability and capabilities, officials said.

The event is open to all indigenous drone manufacturers and invites their participation for demonstration of surveillance drones, loitering munitions, logistics drones, swarm drones and drones with specific capabilities or roles or payloads, i.e., electronic warfare, synthetic aperture radar, communication intelligence and electronic intelligence.

'HIMTECH 2024', being held in collaboration with industry umbrella body FICCI, will not only showcase industry partners and new-generation equipment developed for high-altitude areas but will also project Leh as the new business destination for new technology developers, industry and academia, the Army said.

The event will provide a platform for Indian industries to showcase a wide range of equipment and technologies comprising modern unmanned systems, all-terrain mobility solutions, autonomous systems and advanced soldier systems.

The technology being demonstrated by the Indigenous drone industry can also be harnessed for civilian use, especially in high-altitude areas and areas akin to the terrain or atmospheric conditions prevalent in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) A comprehensive mock drill 'Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas' (Virus War Exercise) was conducted in Rajasthan's Ajmer district from August 27 to August 31 to assess pandemic preparedness.

Conducted under the aegis of the National One Health Mission (NOHM), this exercise aimed to evaluate the readiness and response of the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) composed of experts from human health, animal husbandry and wildlife sectors, a health ministry statement said.

A mock zoonotic disease outbreak scenario was created to simulate a real-world outbreak, according to the ministry.

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda appreciated this first-of-its-kind exercise, highlighting the role of the 'One Health Mission' by fostering collaborations to address health concerns of humans, animals and plants holistically and in a sustainable manner, it stated.

The mock drill involved multiple stakeholders, including the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and the Rajasthan state administration, among others.

The drill was structured around two key components -- investigation and identification of the virus responsible for the mock outbreak, and actions initiated to control the spread of illness across human and animal populations, the statement said.

Independent observers monitored the response. The response of the district and state teams, directed by NJORT, was found to be mostly prompt and appropriate. The exercise also identified some areas requiring further improvement, the ministry said.

"The Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas was a successful exercise that provided valuable insights to inform future strategies to enhance India's preparedness and response to zoonotic disease outbreaks, fostering a coordinated and efficient approach across all relevant sectors," the statement read.
Shimla, Sep 4 (PTI) The Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday passed a Bill which will bar the members of the House who are disqualified under Tenth Schedule of the Constitution (anti-defection law) from drawing pension.

The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Allowances and Pension of Members (Amendment) Bill, 2024 will affect six former Congress MLAs, who were disqualified by the Speaker for defying the whip and abstaining from the House during discussion on cut motions and passing of Budget in February.

The opposition BJP objected to the Bill stating that it smacks of "political revenge" and it cannot be implemented with retrospective effect.

The six former MLAs who will be impacted due to the Bill are Sudhir Sharma, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Rajinder Rana, Devinder Kumar Bhutto, Chetanya Sharma and Ravi Thakur. All of them had voted in favour of the BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan during the Rajya Sabha elections held in February.

All six had contested the bypolls on BJP tickets earlier this year. While Sudhir Sharma and Lakhanpal got re-elected, the other four lost.

Himachal is first state in the country to pass such a bill under which "A person shall not be entitled for pension under the Act, if he has been disqualified at any point of time under the tenth schedule of the Constitution".

The statement of object and reasons of the Amendment Bill passed by voice vote said it was necessitated as there was no provision in the 1971 Act to discourage the defection of members, protect the mandate given by the people, preserve democratic values and deterrence towards "constitutional sin".

The Bill would become Act after the consent of the governor.

Replying to discussion on the Bill, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said six Congress MLAs betrayed the Congress party and the Bill is aimed at strengthening the democratic values and deter the MLAs from defection.

Rakesh Jamwal (BJP) said the Bill has been brought in a haste and asked how it can be implemented retrospectively.

Leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur said the Bill smells of "political revenge" and the Congress members had not joined the BJP at the time of voting for Rajya Sabha polls. The Speaker disqualified them for violating the party whip and as such they do not attract action under the Tenth Schedule, he added.

Randhir Sharma (BJP) said the Bill has been brought out of vengeance and added that the Congress MLAs who voted for the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls were not defectors and demanded that the Bill be sent to the Select Committee.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi defended the Bill and said defection weakens democracy and defectors should be punished for this action.
New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) The Municipal Corporation of Delhi ward committee polls commenced at the agency headquarters here on Wednesday amid heavy security deployment.

The long pending elections are being held for the first time after the unification of the MCD in 2022. Due to the political deadlock between the ruling AAP and the opposition BJP, the polls could not take place and the matter became subjudice.

Anticipating a face-off between the two parties, the police have beefed up security arrangements in and around the Civic Centre located in Central Delhi.

A company of paramilitary personnel along with local police has been deployed at the spot.

In this poll, councillors will vote to elect a chairman and deputy chairman for 10 of the 12 zonal-level ward committees, and one member each for the standing committee, MCD's highest decision-making body.

Polls for the formation of the ward committees in two zones -- City SP and Keshav Puram -- will not take place as the BJP and the AAP did not make nominations.

The voting will be done in two clusters of all the MCD zones held simultaneously with councillors of five zones casting their votes together while the remaining zones will go to polls separately.

MCD zones namely Rohini, Najafgarh, West, South, and Central will vote between 10 am and 4 pm on the first floor of the agency headquarters in Hansraj Gupta Auditorium.

The remaining five zones -- Karol Bagh, Shahdara South, Shahdara North, Civil Lines, and Narela -- will vote at the same time in Satya Narayan Bansal Auditorium on the second floor.

The election will be held through secret ballot in accordance with the Delhi Municipal Corporation Regulations, 1958.

Councillors of both parties hoped for a smooth election.

"We have full faith that the election will be conducted peacefully and the ward committee will be formed," said BJP Councillor Yogesh Verma.

Some also expressed apprehensions about the poll results.

"I don't know what's going to happen. These BJP people can do anything. The LG is constantly troubling us; what can we do? We are helpless. They have put the Chief Minister in jail...," Amrit Jain, AAP Councillor from Budh Vihar said.
Jammu, Sep 4 (PTI) Amid growing rebellion in the BJP over ticket distribution for the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, senior party leader Chander Mohan Sharma on Wednesday announced his decision to contest the polls as an independent candidate from the Jammu East constituency.

The BJP is facing significant discontent over ticket distribution, with leaders and workers protesting in several districts of the Jammu region.

"On the demand of the people of my constituency, I have decided to contest the assembly elections from the Jammu East segment as an independent candidate. BJP has not done justice with its senior leaders and workers," Sharma, who is convener of Tawi Andolan, told reporters here.

He visited various areas of the constituency to gauge public sentiment about his candidacy, and said that most people have openly supported him.

"There is widespread dissatisfaction among the people over various issues. They feel neglected. The people want me to contest elections here and they have pledged to ensure my victory," he added.

Expressing disappointment over the BJP allegedly sidelining its senior leaders in ticket distribution, Sharma said, "I have resigned from the party." He had joined the party in the early 1970s.

Sharma, who is an advocate by profession, will challenge BJP's official candidate Yudhir Sethi. Jammu East is a stronghold of the party, which has won the seat four times since 1987.

In 2014, BJP's Rajesh Gupta won the Jammu East constituency by defeating Congress candidate Vikram Malhotra.

In 2008, BJP's Ashok Kumar Khajuria secured a victory. In the 2002 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, Congress candidate Yogesh Kumar Sawhney defeated BJP's Ashok Kumar Khajuria. In 1996 and 1987, BJP's Vishno Datt Sharma and Chaman Lal Gupta won the constituency, respectively.

Decades ago, Sharma joined the Jan Sangh and has faced multiple jail terms as a BJP activist.
New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) Disgruntled AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Wednesday hit out at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita over her social media post in which she expressed relief at the release of Bibhav Kumar and Vijay Nair.

Kumar was arrested for allegedly assaulting Maliwal at Kejriwal's residence. He was granted bail by the Supreme Court in the case. On Tuesday, Sunita posted on X a picture of Kumar and Nair, who was released on bail in a Delhi excise policy case, sitting together in a living room, and wrote in Hindi, "A day of relief."

Slamming her, Maliwal said in a post on X, "The chief minister's wife, who was at home when I was being beaten up, is feeling very 'relieved'. She is relieved because the man who beat me and misbehaved with me in their house has been released on bail."

"This is a clear message to everyone -- beat up the women, and then we will first get dirty trolling done, completely ruin the victim, and hire an army of the country's most expensive lawyers to save that man in court!" she said in her post in Hindi.

"How can we expect respect for our sisters and daughters from those who find solace in seeing such people? God is watching everything, and justice will be done," Maliwal added.

Former AAP communications in charge Nair, who spent 22 months in Tihar in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, was granted bail and released from jail on Tuesday.

Nair had been lodged in the Tihar prison complex. On the same day, Bibhav Kumar, who was in judicial custody in connection with AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal's assault case, was also released from jail.

Kumar allegedly assaulted Maliwal on May 13 at Kejriwal's official residence and was arrested by the Delhi Police on May 18.
Prayagraj (UP), Sep 3 (PTI) Prayagraj police recovered a book comparing the RSS with a terrorist organisation from a madrasa here during its search linked to a fake currency case and suspects its cleric was using it to "instil anti-RSS sentiments" among students, officials said on Tuesday.

A senior Prayagraj police official said that during a raid at the Jamia Habibia Masjide Azam Madrasa in the Atarsuiya area here on August 28, in addition to counterfeit currency, the police found the book. Upon translation from Urdu to Hindi, it was identified as SM Musharraf's book "RSS: The Biggest Terrorist Organization in the Country", the official said.

The police suspect that the madrasa's cleric, Mohammad Tafseerul Arifeen, was using this book to "instil anti-RSS sentiments in the minds of children".

In connection with this case, teams from the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) questioned the madrasa staff on Tuesday.

An officer from the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) said, "On Tuesday, ATS and LIU teams visited Jamia Habibia Masjide Azam Madrasa to question the staff and students. However, no significant information emerged from the interrogation."

The officer also mentioned that the police would soon file a petition in court seeking the remand of the arrested suspects for further questioning in the fake currency case.

The madrasa staff and students have denied any knowledge about the counterfeit currency operation, the officer said.

On August 28, Prayagraj police smashed a counterfeit currency gang, arresting four suspects and seizing a total of 1,300 fake 100-rupee notes, 234 printed pages (uncut), one laptop, one colour printer, two bundles of bound paper and one bundle of loose paper, according to officials.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (City) Deepak Bhuker said the gang leader, Jahir Khan from Bhadrak, Odisha, along with Mohammad Afzal from Kareli, Prayagraj, was involved in printing fake currency in a room at Jamia Habibia Masjide Azam Madrasa.

Bhuker said madrasa cleric Arifeen had provided a separate room in the madrasa for the production of counterfeit currency, with Mohammad Shahid assisting in the operation.

According to Bhuker, the gang had been involved in the counterfeit currency business for the past three to four months, providing fake notes with a face value of Rs45,000 rupees in exchange for genuine notes of 15,000 rupees.

The police filed a case against the arrested suspects under sections 178 (counterfeiting coin, government stamps, currency notes or bank notes), 179 (using as genuine, forged or counterfeit coin, government stamp, currency notes or bank notes), and 180 (possession of forged or counterfeit coin, government stamp, currency-notes or bank-note) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

They have also been booked under sections 181 (making or possessing instruments or materials for forging or counterfeiting coin, government stamps, currency notes or bank notes) and 182(1) (making or using documents resembling currency notes or bank notes) of the BNS.
New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) Senior advocate Adish C Aggarwala, who has voiced his opposition against SCBA president Kapil Sibal over a resolution on the Kolkata rape and murder case, on Wednesday sought clarification from the Supreme Court as to who will be eligible to sign resolutions after a new voter list of the bar association was prepared this year.

Agarwalla, a former SCBA president, said he and a few members of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) were moving a no-confidence motion against Sibal and wanted the top court's clarification on which voter list would be valid.

The SCBA resolution issued by its president Kapil Sibal on the rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkatas RG Kar Medical college has created a controversy. Rival bar leaders have raised several objections, including for charges of issuing it "without holding any virtual or physical meeting of the executive committee of the SCBA".

The SCBA resolution, issued on on August 21, appreciated the concern expressed by the top court bench headed by Chief justice of India and said, "The SCBA endorses the historic steps taken by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India to address these concerns, especially steps taken to put in place a policy framework along with protocols to prevent the recurrence of such barbaric incidents. What happened in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital symptomatic of the malaise."

Aggarwala later wrote to Sibal, who also represented the West Bengal government in the case, asking him to withdraw the resolution.

He also claimed that several elected members of the executive committee of the SCBA wrote a letter to Sibal "raising strong objections on issuing the alleged Resolution dated August 21, on the letterhead of the SCBA and on behalf of the entire Executive Committee without placing it before the Executive Committee or discussing with any member of the Executive Committee."

Aggarwala said in case of non-withdrawal of the resolution, a no-confidence motion will be moved in the bar body against Sibal.

On Wednesday, Aggarwala filed an interim application in a pending 2003 matter of the SCBA seeking clarification on a previous order of the top court.

On March 4, the apex court bench, headed by Justice Surya Kant, had decided the issue pertaining to special general body meeting (SGBM) of the SCBA and had said: "We are prima facie satisfied that all those members who are eligible to contest and vote in the elections in terms of Rule..., shall be eligible to be invited and participate in the Special General Meeting (SGM) to be convened under Rule 22 of these Rules...".

Aggarwala, in his plea, said, Till date, Kapil Sibal, senior advocate and president of SCBA, has not taken any positive steps towards restoration of faith of members in the integrity and credibility of SCBA.

"In light of the above said circumstances, the majority of the members of the SCBA have lost confidence in the leadership of Sibal...Therefore, the applicant along with esteemed members, is moving a no-confidence motion against Sibal."

The plea said in order to place a valid representation or requisitions in the SGM against the SCBA president, it has to be in compliance with the March 4 guidelines of the Supreme Court.

But after that order, another voters list was prepared for the polling held on May 16, 2024 for the office bearers of the SCBA....now there is an ambiguity as to who shall be eligible to sign the representations/requisitions as after the order dated March 04, a fresh voter list of SCBA was prepared and therefore, a member whose name was present in voter list of 2023 and not appearing in voter list of 2024 may not be eligible...," it said.

It urged the bench to clarify that after the 2024 SCBA polls, who shall be eligible to sign the representations or requisitions of the bar body and who shall be eligible to be invited and participate in the Special General Body Meeting of the SBA, it said.
The controversial blogger Oleksandr Voloshyn, who recently fled Ukraine for the country, has disclosed in which country he plans to build his life. The 26-year-old influencer told the audience that he wants to open a sole proprietorship in Spain.

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Anna Trincher's ex-husband shared his intentions for the future on his Instagram page. He noted that he would return to his homeland only after the political system changes, but his children will live in Europe or America.

Oleksandr Voloshyn published photos of documents confirming his intention to settle outside Ukraine. In Spain, the fugitive blogger plans to do business and pay taxes.

"I think if you were in my situation, you would have no option to return to Ukraine at all... I am building a different life, but I do not forget about my home. I do not see my children in Ukraine. I am opening a sole proprietorship in Spain, I will pay 20% of taxes here and I will do it with a buzz, because I know and see where they are going," the internet celebrity said.

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In particular, on social media, Voloshyn named the condition under which he would be able to return to his homeland: "If a leader comes who really starts to change the system, I think I will return and help as much as I can, but at the same time my children will live in Europe or America."

Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported that blogger Oleksandr Voloshyn , after deleting all his posts and disappearing from social media, released a video explaining his flight abroad. In the 45-minute video, the influencer tried to justify his flight from Ukraine and "whiten" his reputation.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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Prayagraj(UP), Sep 4 (PTI) The Allahabad High Court has said no spouse, whether male or female, can be expected to continue in a matrimonial relationship at the risk of facing malicious criminal prosecution.

Allowing a man's appeal for divorce, the court said that there was no demand for dowry but the wife chose to "recklessly" make such allegations against all his family

members which was an "extremely cruel" conduct.

A bench comprising Justices Saumitra Dayal Singh and Donadi Ramesh set aside an order dated July 23, 2010, of the district judge of Ballia dismissing the divorce suit instituted by the husband Basant Kumar Dwivedi.

"Once it was known that there was no demand for dowry in the marriage, the fact that she chose to make such allegations most recklessly against all family members of the appellant (husband) leaves us no doubt that the conduct of the respondent was extremely cruel," the order dated August 28 said.

According to law, legally no spouse whether male or female "may be expected to continue a matrimonial relationship at the risk of malicious criminal prosecution," it said.

"The criminal prosecution certainly leads to loss of dignity and reputation, besides other consequences that may arise, if a person is arrested or tried for the offence alleged," the order said.
Hyderabad, Sep 4 (PTI) Against the backdrop of the Telangana government seeking an immediate assistance of Rs 2,000 crore from the Centre for flood relief measures, the union government has pointed out that the state government did not submit requisite information for the release of funds.

It said over Rs 1,345 crore was available in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) account as on April 1 this year for flood relief measures during 2024-25.

In a letter to the state Chief Secretary, an official of the Union Home Ministry said the first instalment of Central share of SDRF amounting to Rs 208.40 crore for 2024-25 is due for release.

"The 1st instalment of Central Share of SDRF amounting to Rs 208.40 crore for the year 2024-25 is due for release since 1st June. However, the state government has not made any request for release nor submitted information relating to crediting of earlier released funds, interest earned, utilization certificate etc as mentioned in ... guidelines," the letter said.

The letter was shared with the media here on Wednesday by Union MoS (Home) Bandi Sanjay Kumar's staff.

The Home Ministry official urged the Telangana government to furnish the requisite information/utilization certificate in the prescribed proforma to the Ministry of Home Affairs and "endorse a copy" to the Department of Expenditure at the earliest to enable the ministry to release the first instalment of Central share of SDRF for FY 2024-25.

The state government has urged the Centre to declare the current spell of heavy rains and flood in the state as a national calamity and to release immediate assistance of Rs 2,000 crore. It has put the losses, as per preliminary estimates, at over Rs 5,000 crore.
Jaipur, Sep 4 (PTI) The family members of a former CRPF officer, who was arrested for allegedly manhandling Congress MLA Rafeek Khan at his residence here, submitted a memorandum to the Jaipur district collector demanding his release.

In the memorandum addressed to the President, Ratiram Jakhar, father of ex-CRPF official Vikas Jakhar, alleged that Khan was implicating his son, a Shaurya Chakra recipient, in false cases and was using his political influence to stall his release from jail.

Vikas Jakhar was arrested after he allegedly manhandled Congress MLA Rafeek Khan at his residence in Jaipur last week. He is currently under judicial custody.

His father told reporters that Khan and his supporters had manhandled Jakhar, and expressed apprehension that Khan's intention could have been to kill Vikas.

"It is possible that Rafiq Khan wanted to kill my son by mob lynching. If Rafiq had not seen the video being made during the scuffle, he would have killed my son. Rafiq is using his political influence so that he does not get bail," he said.

Ratiram Jakhar claimed that in a video circulating on social media, Rafiq Khan is seen slapping Vikas several times and with Rafiq's consent, the people around him thrashed his son.
Gurugram, Sep 4 (PTI) Haryana BJP leader Jawahar Yadav has urged the people of the Badshahpur assembly seat to ensure the party candidate's victory on the seat after he was denied a ticket.

Yadav, the former Officer on Special Duty of ex-Chief Minister M L Khattar, was among the three BJP leaders, including party's district president Kamal Yadav, and former minister Rao Narbir Singh, who had thrown their hats in the ring from the Badshahpur segment.

In a social media post on Tuesday night, Yadav said the party has informed him that he will not contest the elections.

"All of you have supported me a lot in my preparation to contest the election from Badshahpur Legislative Assembly, for which I will be grateful to you throughout my life," Yadav, the Chief Spokesperson of the Haryana BJP, said on Facebook.

"On August 26, I received a message from the party that I am not contesting the election. Therefore, I request my colleagues that whoever the BJP chooses as its candidate, we all must ensure that he wins," he added.

Elections in Haryana will be held on October 5 and the counting of votes will take place on October 8.
A group of 11 independent United Nations human rights experts has expressed deep concern over a significant increase in executions in Iran, with at least 81 people put to death in August alone. This brings the total number of executions in the country to over 400 since the start of 2024, including 15 women.

The experts, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, noted that 41 of the executions in August were for drug offenses, which they say violates international standards. They also highlighted a substantial rise in drug-related executions in Iran since 2021, with over 400 such executions carried out last year.

Iran has the second-highest number of executions per year, after China, according to rights groups like Amnesty International. The UN experts, including the special rapporteurs on the rights situation in Iran and on extrajudicial, summary, and arbitrary executions, urged action to address this alarming trend.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog on Tuesday described the situation at Europes largest nuclear power plant as very fragile following fresh attacks near the site in central Ukraine, and vowed to expand the agencys inspections to include critical electricity supplies.

Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, was making his 10th visit to Ukraine since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022.

He was headed to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant after talks in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and top energy officials.

I think the situation  I have very often characterized it  as very fragile, Grossi told reporters in the Ukrainian capital. The station is again on the verge of being on a blackout. Weve had eight of those in the past. A blackout (means) no power: no power, no cooling. No cooling, then maybe you have a disaster.

Earlier, Grossi posted on X that he was on his way to Zaporizhzhia to help prevent a nuclear accident.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, which came under Russian control in the wake of its full-scale invasion, saw artillery shelling in the area on Monday that damaged the facilitys power access, according to its operator Energoatom, which blamed Russia for the attacks.

Russian shelling damaged one of the two external overhead lines through which  the Zaporizhzhya NPP receives power from the Ukrainian power system, the operator said in a post on Telegram. In the event of damage to the second line, an emergency situation will arise, the Ukrainian agency said, adding that technicians couldnt access the site of the damage because of the real threat of repeated shelling.

Analysts say an explosion at the Zaporizhzhia plant would produce radiation and likely trigger panic, but the radiation risk beyond the immediate blast area would be relatively low and nothing like the scale of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. Also, if the wind is in an easterly direction, radiation could be pushed toward Russia.

The Zaporizhzhia region is one of four  along with Donetsk, Kherson and Luhansk  in southern and eastern Ukraine that Russia partly, and illegally, annexed in September 2022, seven months after it invaded its neighbor.

The Vienna-based IAEA says ongoing attacks in the Zaporizhzhia area, as well as damage to Ukraines grid, pose threats to the power supply thats vital to the countrys nuclear power stations. The watchdog said its staff at Zaporizhzhia recently had to shelter indoors because of reported drone threats in the area.

Other than Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine has three active nuclear plants.

Grossi, who is traveling with a team of IAEA experts and officials, began a round of meetings in Kyiv with a stop at the Ministry of Energy and talks with the minister, Herman Halushchenko. Grossi said he had accepted a Ukrainian request to expand inspections to include electricity substations providing power to Ukraines nuclear power plants. He did not give further details but told reporters: This is a new dimension, an important dimension I hope, of our support here, which we discussed and agreed with President Zelenskyy just now.

(AP)
A boat carrying migrants ripped apart in the English Channel as they attempted to reach Britain from northern France on Tuesday, plunging dozens into the treacherous waterway and leaving 12 dead, authorities said.

Many didnt have life preservers in what one official called the deadliest migrant accident in the channel this year.

Unfortunately, the bottom of the boat ripped open, said Olivier Barbarin, mayor of Le Portel near the fishing port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, where a first aid post was set up to treat victims. If people dont know how to swim in the agitated waters  it can go very quickly.

The mayor said 12 died after initially giving a toll of 13. Lt. Etienne Baggio, a spokesman for the French maritime prefecture that oversees that stretch of sea, said rescuers pulled a total of 65 people from the waters in a search operation that lasted more than four hours. Doctors confirmed 12 did not survive, he said.

Baggio called it the deadliest migrant boat tragedy in the English Channel this year. Many of those aboard didnt have life vests, he said. It was not immediately clear how the boat ripped open or what kind of boat it was. Some attempt the crossing in rubber dinghies.

The maritime prefecture said the boat got into difficulty off Gris-Nez point between Boulogne-sur-Mer and the port of Calais further north. Sea temperatures off northern France were around 20 degrees C, or about 68 F.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said he was heading to the scene of what he described as the terrible shipwreck. Last week, the leaders of France and Britain agreed to deepen cooperation on illegal migration in the channel.

Europes increasingly strict asylum rule s, growing xenophobia and hostile treatment of migrants have been pushing them north.

At least 30 migrants have died or gone missing while trying to cross to the U.K. this year, according to the International Organization for Migration. That figure doesnt include the latest deaths.

At least 2,109 migrants have tried to cross the English Channel on small boats in the past seven days, according to U.K. Home Office data updated Tuesday. The data includes people found in the channel or on arrival.

(AP)
A former Maryland resident was sentenced on Tuesday to more than one year behind bars for making thousands of threatening and harassing telephone calls to dozens of congressional offices across the country, court records show.

Ade Salim Lillys telephone harassment campaign included approximately 12,000 telephone calls over the span of 19 months to more than 50 offices for members of Congress, according to prosecutors. They said Lilly threatened to kill a congressional staff member during one of the calls.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly sentenced Lilly to 13 months of incarceration followed by three years of supervised release, according to online court records.

Prosecutors recommended sentencing Lilly to 18 months of incarceration, arguing for a need to deter others from engaging in similarly threatening behavior. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger testified last year that threats against members of Congress had increased by approximately 400% over the previous six years.

This is an election year, and more and more often, criticism of a political position or viewpoint crosses the First Amendment line and leads to true threats of violence, prosecutors wrote. The pervasive rise in threats against elected officials creates a real risk that expressions of violence will become normalized.

Lilly pleaded guilty in May to two charges: one count of interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure and one count of making repeated telephone calls.

Lilly moved from Maryland to Puerto Rico during his harassment campaign, which lasted from roughly February 2022 until November 2023. He called one lawmakers Washington office more than 500 times over a two-day period in February 2023, prosecutors said.

(AP)
A senior official on Tuesday confirmed a report that Turkey wants to join the BRICS bloc of developing economies but stopped short of declaring that the NATO country had formally applied for membership.

The Bloomberg news agency reported Monday that Turkey had officially applied to join BRICS several months ago. Asked about the report, Omer Celik, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans ruling party, said Erdogan has stated several times that Turkey aspires to become a member.

Our request on this issue is clear. This process is ongoing. But there is no concrete development regarding this, Celik told reporters. Our president has clearly stated that Turkey wants to take part in all important platforms, including BRICS.

The BRICS alliance was founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining in 2010, but has recently undergone a major expansion, and now includes Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has said its considering joining and Azerbaijan has formally applied.

BRICS has a stated aim to amplify the voice of the Global South. Its founding members have called for a fairer world order and the reform of international institutions like the United Nations, the IMF and the World Bank.

Erdogan, who has been in power for more than two decades, has sought to carve a more independent foreign policy for Turkey and to enhance its global influence. The country is also frustrated by the lack of progress in its membership talks with the European Union.

Last week, Erdogan said Turkey should simultaneously develop relations with both the East and the West.

We dont have to choose between the European Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Erdogan said in reference to the regional cooperation organization established by China and Russia. On the contrary we have to develop our relations with both these and other organizations on a win-win basis.

BRICS is expected to discuss taking in new members in a meeting in Russia next month.

Turkey, which straddles Europe and Asia, joined the NATO military alliance in 1952. It began talks to join the European Union in 2005 but the negotiations have stalled due to concerns over democratic regression under Erdogans administration, and ongoing disputes with Cyprus, an EU member, among other challenges.

Earlier this year, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey was exploring new opportunities for cooperation with several partners in different platforms, such as BRICS.

On Monday, Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, also said Turkey has expressed its interest in joining BRICS.

(AP)
A group of bochurim from Machane Retzufos in San Antonio Texas visiting the US-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas, experienced what appears to be an outright miracle after their tefillos for rain on behalf of a local pecan farmer was suddenly and unexpectedly answered.

The boys, led by Shloime Zionce, were visiting the area near the Texas-Mexico border when they encountered a local woman who owned a pecan farm. Struck by their faith and background, she approached them, sharing her deep connection to the land and the struggles her farm had been facing due to a severe two-year drought. Weve been praying for rain, but nothing has worked, she told the group. I know the Jewish people have a special connection to God, and I wonder if you could say a prayer for us.

Moved by her plea, Shloime led a short Mi Sheberach-style tefillah in English, asking for rain to help the struggling crops. The woman then asked if the boys could sing a song from Psalms, which she said she often read herself. The boys sang Esa Einai El Heharim.

The woman told the bochurim that the weather forecast showed no rain in sight, but she thanked them for their prayers and promised to let them know if anything changed. The group continued their trip, heading deeper into the border area before making their way back to San Antonio, where they were staying, later that day.

To their surprise, the woman called them that evening, overwhelmed with emotion. You wont believe this, she said, her voice trembling with tears. Its pouring rain here. The skies have opened up, and its a downpour like we havent seen in years. Weve been praying for this rain for so long, and now its finally here.

The woman attributed the rain to the boys tefillos, saying, I see now when God sends His armyHis soldiersthings happen. Your prayers made a difference.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Hollywood movie star and Titanic actress Kate Winslet has shocked fans with her new look. She appeared in a white oversize two-piece suit at a screening of her film "Lee" (2023), which she produced and starred in, at the BFI Cinema in London, UK.

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The actress paired the two-piece suit with a black tank top and exposed her cleavage area by styling the front strands of her hair back. Due to the fact that her pants were straight and dragged on the floor, the figure could not emphasize even the jacket. However, the British did not like this image and criticized the star in comments to the Daily Mail news about this Kate Winslet event.

It is known that the movie "Lee" premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023, and it will appear in UK cinemas on September 13. That's why Kate Winslet came to her home country with a screening.

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In the photos published online, the British noticed the actress' allegedly bad tan, although it could have been a poorly matched foundation tone or poor quality lighting. In particular, they drew attention to the alleged presence of Botox eyes.

"She's ruining her face and hiding her curves under a horrible baggy suit!"

"Oversized clothes look pointless, what's the point of it?"

"The fake tan and shiny skin doesn't do her any good."

"She has botox!"

"She's ruined her face, such a disgrace."

"She's a gorgeous woman... But that suit is disgusting, it doesn't fit her and she looks miserable, tired and boring."

"Uneven botoxed eyes."

"Her face is starting to look like a man's."

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How Kate Winslet looked like in her youth

The actress with her beauty has always attracted a lot of attention from the public. In Instagram appeared a video comparing the appearance of Kate Winslet at different ages: from childhood to the present.

Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu held a press conference on Monday evening and stressed the vital importance of maintaining an Israeli military presence on the Philadelphi Corridor.

Netanyahu began by asking forgiveness from the families of the six hostages that we werent able to bring them back alive. We were close but didnt make it.

Netanyahu continued by saying that the murder of the hostages didnt happen because Israel decided to maintain a military presence on the Philadelphi Corridor but because Hamas doesnt want a deal.

The prime minister, who is known for favoring the use of props during major press conferences, then turned to a map of the Philadelphi Corridor area and explained that the road to achieving the goals of the war passes through the Philadelphi Corridor. That is Hamass pipeline.

Only when we entered Philadelphia did we feel a change in the war, he said. For months after the November deal, Hamas refused to budge in negotiations for a deal. The first crack came after we entered Rafah and took control of Philadelphi and the Rafah crossing. Then suddenly they began talking differently.

He added that following the Disengagement in 2005, Israel left the area, relying on Egypts promises that it would prevent smuggling. It was a strategic error that could not be corrected afterward to international opposition, he said, adding that at the time, he pushed for Israel to maintain control over the Corridor and reiterated the demand to then-prime minister Ariel Sharon when he resigned from the government.

What happened when we left, was that there was no obstacle for the flow of arms, weapon-producing materials, and equipment to dig tunnels, all under the auspices of Iran, he said. Gaza became an enormous threat to Israel because there was no barrier.

The Axis of Evil [led by Iran] needs the Philadelphi Axis,  Netanyahu stressed and thats exactly why Israel must permanently control it.

He rapped the claim that Israel could temporarily leave the area as part of a deal and then return, pointing out how the same statements were made when Israel left Lebanon in 2000 and Gaza in 2005. Former Israeli prime ministers Ariel Sharon and Ehud Barak promised Israelis that IDF forces would immediately return if any attacks were made from the territories. That proved impossible due to international diplomatic factors.

If we leave, we wont return, Netanyahu emphasized. We wont return, he repeated, explaining that unrelenting diplomatic pressure on Israel will make it impossible to return.

This corridor is different from all the other places  it is central, it determines all of our future, he said, adding that if the IDF leaves the area even temporarily, Hamas could smuggle hostages into the Sinai and from there to Iran and Yemen.

We are not leaving. This is a strategic, existential issue for Israel. If we leave now, we wont returnnot in 42 days, not in 42 years. This is Hamass lifeline. Are we going to let them rearm and slaughter us again? Anyone who wants us to leave the Philadelphi Corridor undermines the wars objectives. Did our soldiers fall in vain, only for us to let Hamas rebuild?

Netanyahu questioned the message Israel would convey to Hamas by leaving the Corridor. After they killed six of our hostages in cold blood? What message does that send to Hamas?

The significance of maintaining control of Philadelphi is to ensure we dont have another October 7 and another October 7 and another October 7, as Hamas has promised to carry out, Netanyahu asserted.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
An opinion article by the Wall Street Journals Editorial Board excoriated US President Joe Biden and his administration for placing the blame on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for Hamass execution of six hostages. The article also stressed how Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris put immense pressure on Israel, even threatening it with an arms embargo, not to enter Rafah  delaying the operation for months. And of course, thats exactly where the hostages were found.

Hamas probably cant believe its luckor the lack of moral seriousness by its enemies. The terrorists murder six Israeli hostages, including one dual-citizen American, and Israel is suddenly under pressure to make concessionsto Hamas.

Thats the way it looked Monday, a day after Israel said it recovered the bodies of six hostages. They were executed in a Gaza tunnel only a day or two before Israel reached them, shot multiple times at close range. The hostages are Eden Yerushalmi, age 24; Ori Danino, 25; Alex Lobanov, 32; Carmel Gat, 40; Almog Sarusi, 27; and Hersh Goldberg-Polin, the U.S. citizen, 23.

We have met Hershs parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, and were struck by their strength and good courage, willing to do anything and go anywhere to help their son. The crime here is all on Hamas, which took the innocent hostages on Oct. 7 and has refused to release them through multiple rounds of U.S.-brokered negotiations.

Yet the reaction from the White House, the British government, the Western press and some parts of Israel is to blame the Israeli government. On Monday, in a one-word answer to a press scrum, Mr. Biden accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of not doing enough to secure a hostage deal.

Britains new Labour government chose Monday to announce that, after a review, it is suspending 30 arms export licenses to Israel. The titular explanation is that there is a risk the arms might be used in violation of humanitarian laws against Palestinians. Does the Keir Starmer government mean violations like Hamas shooting innocents in the head? Or does it fear that Jeremy Corbyn, the anti-Israel MP, is forming a group of independent pro-Gaza Members? The timing here compounds the bad policy.

Like Qaid Farhan Al-Qadi, the Muslim hostage Israel rescued last week, the murdered six were found in Rafah, the city the world worked so hard to prevent Israel from entering. President Bidens opposition kept Israel out of Rafah for three months. Vice President Kamala Harris claimed a Rafah invasion would doom its civilians. I have studied the maps. Theres nowhere for those folks to go, she said. Israel proved her wrong, evacuating a million Gazans in two weeks. Israel has dismantled Hamass Rafah brigade with notably low civilian casualties.

Aid groups hyped worst-case scenarios for a Rafah invasion. Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris withheld weapons to stop Israel from fighting there. Ms. Harris wouldnt rule out consequences if Israel went ahead. Egypt threatened to abrogate its peace treaty with Israel over it. Israel has since found over a dozen tunnels from Rafah into Egypt, which insists that Israel leave the border to let Hamass arms smuggling resume. It should be clear now why Israel couldnt let Hamas rule Rafah.

Mr. Biden said Sunday that Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. But his next sentence pushed for a cease-fire to end the war. Ms. Harris says, Hamas cannot control Gaza, an important line that has been missing from her speeches, but that also seems at odds with her insistence on an immediate cease-fire.

The choices are heavy, and Israels leaders dont need U.S. pressure driven by an American election calendar. Americans know right from wrong. When Mr. Polin and Ms. Goldberg spoke at the Democratic convention, the crowd chanted bring them home. That was also the chant at the Republican convention during the speech by the parents of Omer Neutra, a 22-year-old U.S. hostage still in Gaza.

Israel is offering unprecedented strategic concessions and risking its soldiers lives to free hostages. U.S. pressure should be on Hamas, which took the hostages and murders them.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)


IDF air defense forces overnight Tuesday intercepted an enemy drone over Jordan headed toward Israel from the east.

The drone did not cross into Israel and no injuries were reported.

The Islamic Resistance terror group in Iraq claimed responsiblity for the launch and said it was directed at the port of Haifa.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
An initial IDF investigation into Hamass murder of the six hostages in Rafah last week revealed that Hamas lookouts standing outside the tunnel saw IDF forces approaching the area, prompting the terrorists to murder the hostages and flee the area, Kan News reported on Tuesday evening.

According to the report, after the hostages bodies were located, the IDF discovered indications at the scene that Hamas lookouts were watching the IDF soldiers in real time.

IDF forces operating in Rafah have been careful not to approach areas where live hostages may be held, according to intelligence information transmitted to the forces in real-time. However, in this case, there was no intelligence that hostages were being held in the area.

On Monday, the Hamas terror group engaged in its usual inhumane cruelty and lies. After previously claiming that the six hostages were not murdered but were killed in an IDF airstrike, Hamas spokesperson Abu Obaida, in a post on Telegram, admitted to killing the prisoners but placed the blame on Israel, saying that Netanyahu and the occupation army alone bear full responsibility for the deaths of the prisoners after deliberately blocking any prisoner exchange out of their own narrow interests.

Abu Obaida then hinted that Hamas will murder all the hostages rather than allow them to be rescued by the IDF, stating that following the rescue of the four hostages in the Nuseirat incident [Operation Arnon] in June, Hamas guards were issued new instructions about how to treat the prisoners if the occupation army approaches the area where theyre being held.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
British columnist and author Allison Pearson slammed Foreign Secretary David Lammys announcement on Monday that the UK is immediately suspending 30 out of 350 arms licenses due to the risk that the arms will be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law as a politically-tainted move that is a bold challenge to the limits of satire.

Call me soppy and nostalgic, but I preferred it when Labour was controlled by the trade unions not the Gaza Party. At least the wily leaders of Aslef and the NUM merely wanted improved wages and conditions. They did not expect to dictate British foreign policy.

Unbelievably  although maybe all too believably, given this fledgling Governments ability to do the most awful thing in any given situation  David Lammy announced that the UK was suspending some arms export licences to Israel. It would have been a controversial decision in normal times, but it came immediately after one of the most anguished days in Israels history. Six young hostages, who had been in a living hell in the tunnels under Gaza for 11 months, were executed with a bullet to the back of the head by their Hamas captors. But not before that genocidal group had recorded each hostage in order to have a gloating video to release on the day their parents buried them.

To hear Lammy say he was suspending 30 of 350 arms export licences because there was a risk such equipment might be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law, presented a bold challenge to the limits of satire. The only group which could possibly benefit from such a pause had literally just committed the most grievous possible violation of international humanitarian law: the mass murder of innocent civilians.

Unfortunately, the Muslim vote is far too valuable for Labour to allow foreign policy to get in the way of preserving it. Throwing our Israeli allies under the bus while they face an existential threat on all sides was clearly considered a small price to pay if it could appease sectarian extremists here in the UK who pose a demographic challenge in Labour strongholds.

As if to confirm our worst suspicions, Lammys announcement came on the very same day that four new MPs, elected on a pro-Gaza ticket, and a former Labour leader, informed the Speaker they were founding a group known as the Independent Alliance that would sit together in the Commons  Jeremy Corbyn, long-time Hamas sympathiser; Ayoub Khan, MP for Birmingham Perry Bar; Adnan Hussain, MP for Blackburn; Shockat Adam, MP for Leicester South; and Iqbal Mohamed, MP for Dewsbury and Batley (where a teacher went into hiding with his family in fear of their lives after an angry Muslim mob objected to an RE lesson on blasphemy in which he showed a picture of the Prophet Mohammed). Nothing to worry about, ladies and gentlemen. Just an Islamic separatist caucus now sitting in our Parliament with the aim of influencing government policy towards views which are inimical to our values and traditions. (Can you get arrested for mentioning British values and traditions? Asking for 30 million non-brainwashed people.)

The UK actually provides less than one per cent of Israels armaments. So the cut Lammy announced was only ever crude gesture politics. The man is such a giant numpty he probably hoped he could earn himself a few brownie points with the Independent Alliance and far-Left, pro-Palestinian Jew-haters while still avoiding a diplomatic incident.

His timing was appalling. As Lammy revealed his shabby, treacherous plan to the Commons, I was watching Rachel, the mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, give an eulogy at the funeral of her sweet boy, who will forever be 23 years old. Its not that Hersh was perfect, she began, but he was a perfect son for me. I am full of gratitude to G-d for giving me the privilege of being Hershs mother. I wish I could have had more time with you At that thought, she almost broke down irrecoverably, but managed to continue: Go now on your journey, because finally, finallyyou are FREE!

Rachels courage, eloquence and resolve in the face of the cruellest fate imaginable  her only son fallen among Islamist barbarians whose charter commits them to the extermination of the Jews  has been both astounding and humbling. If Rachel Goldberg-Polin is Joan of Arc, David Lammy is a child playing with a box of matches.

I am travelling to Israel very soonI will apologise to every Israeli I meet for the tawdry betrayal by the British Government. I will explain that Israel is still our valued ally, an oasis of democracy in a desert of tyranny, our Foreign Secretary is a grandstanding halfwit and Labour is just trying to appease groups with whom most decent people disagree. I will say that and I will hope, actually I will pray, that its true.

Am Yisrael Chai.

Energy Minister Eli Cohen (Likud) tweeted Pearsons article on Wednesday, commenting: During World War II, the British fought for their survival and begged the Americans for weapons. Without the help of the United States who knows how history might have turned out. Israel has already faced arms embargoes, and just as we have triumphed in the past, we will prevail this time. However, for Britain, this embargo will remain a stain in the history books.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel must keep open-ended control of Gazas border with Egypt, digging in on his stance on an issue that has threatened to derail ceasefire efforts.

Netanyahus comments came as the United States is developing a new proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release, hoping to break a long deadlock and bring an end to the nearly 11-month-old war.

The question of Israeli control of the Philadelphi corridor - a narrow strip of land along Gazas border with Egypt, seized by troops in May - has become a central obstacle in the talks. Hamas has demanded an eventual full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in the multi-phase truce deal.

Egypt, a mediator in the talks along with the U.S. and Qatar, has also demanded a concrete timeline for Israeli troops to leave the Philadelphi corridor. And on Wednesday, the United Arab Emirates, which established formal ties with Israel in the 2020 Abraham Accords, also criticized the Israeli stance.

Speaking to foreign journalists, Netanyahu repeated his stance that Israel must maintain its hold on the border to prevent Hamas from rearming by smuggling weapons into Gaza. He said it was a vital part of the war goal of ensuring Hamas cannot repeat its Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Gaza must be demilitarized, and this can only happen if the Philadelphi corridor remains under firm control, he said, claiming Israeli troops had discovered dozens of tunnels under the border.

He said Israel would only consider withdrawing from the corridor when presented with an alternative force to police it.

Bring me anyone who will actually show us  that they can actually prevent the recurrence of smuggling, he said. I dont see that happening right now. And until that happens, were there.

Families of remaining hostages have stepped up their demands that he agree to a deal after Hamas killed six hostages last week as Israeli troops appeared to be moving to rescue them. In angry public statements, hostage families have accused Netanyahu of blocking a deal and potentially sacrificing their loved ones lives for the sake of holding the border strip. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets in recent days, calling for a deal and saying time is running out to bring home the hostages alive.

Netanyahu pushed back against the pressure, saying his stance was necessary to ensure Hamas doesnt pose a threat to Israel.

I can understand the torment of families, he said. But the responsibility of leaders is not merely to share the sentiment, the emotion, but also to exercise judgment.

Asked by journalists for a timeline on ending the war, he refused to give one. How long can we do this? As long as it takes to achieve this victory. And I think were getting a lot closer, he said.

Netanyahu repeatedly insisted holding the border would also pressure Hamas to release hostages. At one point, he erroneously claimed the invasion of Rafah in May forced Hamas first release of hostages  which took place months earlier in November under a weeklong ceasefire deal. He then said the deal was the result of our invasion, the military pressure we put on them.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Earlier this summer, when Dacia launched its latest model Spring, it was a breakthrough moment for the new EV market.

The budget car costs from just 14,995 new  making it the cheapest new EV in Britain by some distance.

And now, Dacia has unveiled a PCP offer that makes the Spring even more accessible: you can get the all-electric supermini for as little as 158 per month.

Britain's cheapest electric car, the Dacia Spring, costs from just 14,995 and is set to shake up the electric market, paving the way for actually affordable EVs.

Because the 26.8kWh is small, Dacia says fast charging at 120kW gives a full battery in 56 mins, while an overnight charge on a standard 7kW homecharger completes in four hours

The 158 per month deal is part of a four-year 3.9 per cent APR representative PCP 'Electric Boost' offer which requires a 2,325 deposit.

The offer is available until the end of September, just in time for first customer deliveries in October, with drivers able to save up to 500 if they get in ahead of the deadline.

Dacia also confirms sub-19k Duster price Buget- friendly car maker Dacia has also confirmed this week that its new Mk3 Duster SUV will start from 18,745. Order books have now opened with the entry price only marginally higher than that for the outgoing model as the Romanian manufacturer retains its USP of having the cheapest family-size SUV on the market. Want to know if the new version is any good? Read out in-depth review of the 2024 Dacia Duster to find out.

Dacia says it's designed Electric Boost 'to make it even easier for car buyers to transition from a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle to an award-winning, brand-new EV' by providing Spring customers with 500 towards their deposit.

When purchased through the same four-year, 3.9 per cent APR representative PCP finance package, the Expression 45 version is 158 per month, with the more powerful Expression 65 and Extreme 65 trim levels costing 168 and 178 per month respectively.

Cash customers can also benefit from the 500 'Electric Boost', bringing the Spring's entry price to 14,495.

And if you also want a more affordable way to cover the cost of charging your new Spring, Dacia's in-house charging partner Mobilize Power Solutions, is also offering to pay just 20 a month towards the cost of a home charger.

Because the Spring only has a 26.8kWh battery charging at home is cheap, with off-peak charging meaning you can charge for 2.

Dacia Spring - the UK's cheapest new EV: Why is it such an important new EV?

With less than six years until all new models entering the market have to be electric, many licence holders are worried they'll be unable to afford to switch because new EVs are typically much more expensive than their fuel counterparts.

But the arrival of Dacia's Spring could be a huge catalyst moment, proving that car makers can truly provide drivers with affordable new battery cars.

And it has already dragged a few other manufacturers along for the low-cost EV ride.

The UK's entry-level trim level is called Expression. This costs 14,995 and comes with the choice of two powertrains - 45hp or 65hp. The 65hp version will be 1,000 more.

Citroen's new EV: The French car firm has unveiled its e-C3, which is due in UK showrooms in 2024 with a starting price of 21,990, pinning it head-to-head with Chinese rivals

Affordable small EVs on the way: The electric Volkswagen ID.2 (ID.2all concept pictured left) is expected to go on sale in 2026 for less than 22k. The Hyundai Inster (right) will beat it to the market, arriving next spring for around the same price

The second - range-topping - trim is Extreme, which only offers 65hp and costs 16,995.

It will be joined by the new 21,990 Citroen e-C3 launching later this year.

Next spring, customers will also be able to get their hands on the sub-22,000 Hyundai Inster, and a year later the Volkswagen ID.2 is due to arrive at a near-20k price point.
A Spanish lender has been given the green light by regulators to take indirect control of TSB  if it succeeds in taking over the High Street bank's owner.

BBVA earlier this year launched a 10billion hostile takeover offer for Spanish rival Sabadell.

The deal would require authorisation from a number of countries where Sabadell operates, including the UK where it owns TSB.

Takeover: BBVA earlier this year launched a 10bn hostile takeover offer for Sabadell

BBVA said it has received authorisation from the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) 'for BBVA's indirect acquisition of control of TSB'.

Sabadell, Spain's fourth largest bank, bought TSB for 1.7billion in 2015. TSB has since closed more than half of its branches.

TSB staff are anxious about the future should BBVA take over, with some speculating it could be sold to private equity or return to the stock market.
On Tuesday, September 3, the Ukrainian national team won four gold medals at the 2024 Paralympics. This allowed our team to rise to 7th place in the overall standings.

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Athlete Oleksandr Yarovyi won the shot put in the F20 class (mentally challenged athletes), setting a new world record of 17.61 meters. Another Ukrainian, Maksym Koval, came in third.

Swimmer Yuriy Shengur won the 100m backstroke final in the S7 class (swimmers with physical disabilities). Another Ukrainian, Andriy Trusov, came in second.

Commenting on his victory, the 21-year-old native of Poltava region could hardly contain his emotions, recalling the terrible rocket attack of the Russian occupiers on the institute in Poltava.

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Athlete Yulia Shulyar won gold in the women's 400 meters in the T20 class (mentally challenged athletes). The 27-year-old native of Zhytomyr ran her career-best time of 55.16, beating her closest rival by 0.07 seconds.

On the final day of the competition, Natalia Kobzar won the ninth gold medal for Ukraine in the 400 meters in the T37 class (athletes with cerebral palsy and other musculoskeletal disorders). The 24-year-old from Kremenchuk covered the distance with the best result in her career (1:00.92).

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It's worth noting that in addition to the highest medals, on the sixth day of the Paralympic Games in Paris, Ukraine won three more silvers and three bronzes.

Olena Fedota-Isaeva won the bronze medal in wheelchair fencing, defeating her Chinese opponent 15-3 in the consolation final. Ihor Nimchenko was second in the 100-meter butterfly in the S10 class.

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Swimmer Danylo Chufarov won silver in the 200-meter medley in the SM11 class, and athlete Oksana Boturchuk (along with guide Mykyta Barabanov) finished third in the 400-meter dash.

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When it comes to electric vehicles, the South Korean Hyundai Ioniq 5 is called one of the best options available on the market today. It looks impressive and has a good range. And it will soon receive a number of updates.

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According to Motor1, in the 2025 model year, standard NACS charging and a new off-road XRT modification will be available for the car. This will be the second such model in the lineup after the high-performance Ioniq 5 N. The brand's engineers added a 0.9-inch suspension lift and 18-inch wheels to the car. There is no mention of any additional underbody protection, although given the floor-mounted battery, it is likely that the standard underbody protection will be sufficient for normal use.

Externally, the model features unique front and rear bumpers covered with "pixel camouflage". XRT gets two separate color options: Ultimate Red and Cosmic Blue Pearl. You will also find a pair of red tow hooks in front, capable of pulling up to 2600 kg.

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The company has also published the entry and exit angles - 19.8 degrees and 30.0 degrees, respectively. This is 2.3 degrees and 4.6 degrees better than the standard car. Other changes include special badges, black mirror covers, floor mats, and updated seat upholstery.

The rest of the models in the Ioniq 5 lineup also received some major updates. Two battery sizes have been increased. In the standard package - from 58 kilowatt-hours to 63 kilowatt-hours. For the model with an extended range - from 77.4 to 84 kWh.

The XRT model gets a large battery and two-motor all-wheel drive as standard, which makes sense given its off-road ambitions. Hyundai doesn't mention power output for any of the new Ioniq trims, but given that the last two-motor trim produced 320 horsepower and 604 Newton meters of torque, it looks like the car's capabilities will increase here.

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The next biggest change in the Ioniq 5 lineup is a new NACS-style charging port, like Tesla's. The port means access to all 17,000+ Tesla Supercharger stations, effectively doubling the number of fast chargers available to Ioniq 5 owners. Hyundai says it will also include a CCS adapter for each vehicle, making it easier to charge at stations with incompatible connectors.

Hyundai has made many other changes to the Ioniq 5 lineup for the 2025 model year. There are new bumpers, an updated spoiler, more aerodynamically efficient wheels, and three new matte colors. You will find a new climate control layout, USB-C ports, physical seat heating controls, and the long-awaited wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto inside.

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Azerbaijan welcomed 1,344,260 foreign visitors from January to August of this year, marking a significant increase compared to the same period last year, Azernews reports, citing the State Tourism Agency.

In August alone, 245,337 tourists arrived in Azerbaijan, showing growth from August 2023. The largest number of tourists last month came from Russia, with 63,339 visitors. Turkey followed in second place with 34,174 tourists, while India was third with 21,137.

Other notable tourist numbers in August included 17,600 from Iran, 13,500 from Saudi Arabia, 9,900 from Georgia, 9,300 from Pakistan, 9,300 from Kazakhstan, 5,400 from the United Arab Emirates, 5,100 from Kuwait, 4,900 from China, 4,600 from Oman, 4,200 from Uzbekistan, 4,000 from Israel, and 3,400 from Ukraine.
On September 9, Apple will hold its annual presentation to unveil an updated line of iPhone smartphones. Journalists and bloggers have already managed to find out what improvements they will receive.

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According to iTechUA, the changes will concern iPhone charging and autonomy in Pro models. The macro mode will also be significantly improved.

Charging and battery life

Apple is trying to make its smartphones more and more autonomous every time, but according to the founder of the gadget accessories company Angry Miao, the new iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will charge much faster. They will receive 40W fast wired charging and 20W wireless MagSafe technology.

In the 15th generation, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max smartphones could charge at 27 watts in wired mode and 15 watts in wireless mode. That is, with the updated performance, the battery should be able to charge much faster. However, this still falls short of some Chinese brands, such as Xiaomi or Vivo. However, it is known that in addition to faster charging, Apple smartphones will have batteries of increased capacity.

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Macro photography

The updated macro function promises iPhone owners extremely detailed images even at very high magnification. This can be seen in the teaser for the 16th generation of smartphones published by the Middle Eastern retailer Sharaf DG. The company made a video that demonstrates the process of zooming in on a cup of coffee with the transition to the image of three cameras of the gadget. The video may also hint that the iPhone's color palette will include a coffee shade.

As you know, macro mode first appeared in the Pro line with the launch of the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Users were able to capture the smallest details, such as dewdrops, food, or textures of different surfaces. It is expected that this mode will be significantly improved in the new models, making macro photos even clearer and brighter.

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South Korea has a unique educational program called the "happiness factory." Parents are locked in solitary confinement to better understand their reclusive children and establish communication with them.

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According to researchers, more than 540,000 young people in South Korea withdraw from society, stay in their rooms all the time, and call themselves "social hermits." Therefore, the government and various organizations are looking for a way out of this disturbing situation, the BBC writes.

The educational program for parents was developed by two NGOs, the Korean Youth Foundation and the Blue Whale Recovery Center. The leaders of this project hope that staying in isolation will help parents better understand their children.

Back in the 1990s, the term hikikomori was coined in Japan. It was used to describe the phenomenon of social seclusion among adults and young people. Over the years, hermitry among young people has spread around the world.

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In 2023, the South Korean Ministry of Health conducted a survey of 15 thousand people aged 19 to 34. More than 5% of them said they had voluntarily isolated themselves from society. If the results of the study are transposed to the entire population of South Korea, then more than 540 thousand people can be called social recluses.

What does solitary confinement look like?

Parents are dressed in blue robes and locked in a small room with bare walls for three days. They are not allowed to take any gadgets with them to solitary confinement. The only thing that connects the tiny room to the outside world is a small hole in the door for food.

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The developers of the program emphasize that it is voluntary and that parents are not prisoners, they are only visitors to the center where they can gain "experience of imprisonment."

The program has positive results

Most of the parents who agreed to participate in this educational project have a child who is completely isolated from society. And they want to experience what it's like to be cut off from the world.

Jin Young-ho's son has not left his bedroom for three years. The disturbed mother said that her baby grew up to be a talented boy. Jin and her husband had high hopes for their son. However, the boy was often ill. He had problems with his eating habits, so he often missed school. It was difficult for him to maintain friendships with other children.

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Jin Young-ho says that when his son went to university, things seemed to be getting better. But one day he withdrew into himself again and literally locked himself in his room. He stopped washing and hardly ate. It broke his mother's heart. So she came to the center, which is also called the "happiness factory," for help.

Since Jean tried to spend time in isolation, she began to understand her 24-year-old son's "emotional prison" better. "I kept wondering what I did wrong. It is very painful to think about it. But since I started thinking alone, some things have become clearer," the 50-year-old woman said.

Jin read the notes of other young people who had isolated themselves from the world. "Reading these notes made me realize that my son is protecting himself by keeping silent because no one understands him," she concluded.

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When asked what Jin Young-ho would say to her son if he came out of isolation, she does not hold back her emotions. "You've been through a lot. It's been hard, hasn't it? I'll look after you," she replies with tears in her eyes.

Park Khan-Sil came to the center for the sake of her 26-year-old son, who first ran away from home and then abruptly stopped all contact with the outside world. He has been sitting in his room for seven years.

Ms. Park has taken him to doctors and psychotherapists. But her son refuses to take the medication prescribed by doctors and plays video games all the time.

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The worried mother hasn't yet found an understanding with her son, but since she started attending the isolation program, she has begun to better understand his feelings. "I realized that it's important to just accept my child - without trying to fit him into any molds," she says.

Parents who decided to seek help from the Happiness Factory are still looking forward to their children returning to normal.

Why young people withdraw into themselves

According to South Korea's Ministry of Health, there are several factors that cause young people to isolate themselves from life. According to the survey, the most common reasons are:

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Difficulty finding a job (24.1%),

Difficulties in interpersonal communication (23.5%),

family problems (12.4%),

health problems (12.4%).

Professor Jeong Goo-won, who teaches sociology at the university, says that Korean society's programming that certain life steps and achievements should be made at a certain age increases anxiety among young people, especially in times of economic downturn and unemployment. Many parents perceive their children's failures as shortcomings in their upbringing, which leads to feelings of guilt.

Loneliness leads to suicide

South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. Last year, the country's government drew up a five-year plan to combat this frightening statistic.

Free mental health screenings have been introduced for Koreans aged 20-34, which can be taken every two years.

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According to Kim Ok-ran, director of the Blue Whale Recovery Center, the problem of child isolation is a family problem, as many parents who turn away from lonely children end up cutting themselves off from society. They are afraid of being judged by their neighbors or friends.

So the developers of the educational project emphasize that the wall of loneliness needs to be destroyed with patience, understanding, and the right words from all family members.

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The representative body for Catholic orders across Ireland said it is deeply sorry that victims experienced abuse in religious-run schools.

The Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious in Ireland (AMRI) said it welcomes the publication of the Scoping Inquiry Report into historical sexual abuse in Catholic-run schools from 1927 to April 2023.

The report reviewed allegations of historical child sexual abuse, made against religious, lay staff, and clergy.

In a statement, a spokesperson for AMRI said: We acknowledge the courage and bravery of the victims and survivors.

We are deeply sorry that they experienced abuse in religious-run schools.

We are acutely aware that sharing personal, sensitive, and traumatic experiences can cause additional pain and suffering.

We recognise that we can never know the depth of the pain and suffering survivors have endured and continue to endure.

AMRI actively worked with those of its members who are involved in running schools to facilitate the fullest cooperation in this Inquiry.

We will carefully examine the recommendations and respond accordingly.

Religious Orders and Congregations continue to provide access to safeguarding personnel to support victims and survivors.

A broad range of support is available, including access to funded counselling and therapeutic services (Towards Healing and Towards Peace), pastoral and restorative justice processes.

It said it encouraged anyone needing support to contact the individual religious orders and congregations to get the help they need.

It is critical to restate that rigorous child protection structures are in place in all Catholic schools to maximise the safety of every student, it added.

It was confirmed earlier on Tuesday that a Commission of Investigation is to be established to examine historical sexual abuse claims in day and boarding schools.

The Government-ordered scoping inquiry has revealed almost 2,400 allegations of historical sexual abuse were recorded by 308 schools run by religious orders across Ireland.

The 700-page report, published on Tuesday, said the allegations were made against 884 alleged abusers in day and boarding schools run by 42 religious orders.

The scoping inquiry said it had contacted 73 religious orders that ran or are still running schools in Ireland, with 42 having records of historical sexual abuse allegations.

The report said 17 were special schools, which recorded 590 allegations involving 190 alleged abusers.
Services for victims of gender-based violence, work to return abducted children and the construction of prefab homes for refugees are among the projects to be supported by a new tranche of Irish funding for Ukraine.

Irish premier Simon Harris is to announce a 36 million euro (30 million) package aimed at supporting Ukraine and neighbouring countries during a visit to Kyiv on Wednesday.

The funding is for essential humanitarian assistance, rehabilitation and eventual reconstruction, and it will contribute to Ukraines longer term goals including peace, stability and political aspirations.

The latest cash will bring Irelands total funding to Ukraine since February 2022 to more than 380 million euro (320 million), including approximately 130 million euro (110 million) in stabilisation and humanitarian support.

Irelands assistance this year prioritises prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence, support for maternity services and rebuilding of homes for people forced to flee conflict and now living in collective centres.

Deputy premier Micheal Martin said: Our support for Ukraine is unwavering. Ireland will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine for as long as necessary.

The Irish Government said it will continue to work in Ukraine through long-standing partners with proven ability to reach those most in need.

The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairss (OCHA) Ukraine Humanitarian Fund will receive five million euro (4.2 million).

The money will go to non-governmental and civil society organisations across Ukraine, including assisting 1.5 million women and girls and more than 480,000 people with disabilities.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is to receive 5.5 million euro (4.6 million).

The UNHCR winter plan aims to support 600,000 people with cash assistance to cover additional winter needs.

Ireland has supported the Core Homes Project, which is on target to build 300 prefab homes for families to return where their previous homes were destroyed.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has been allocated three million euro (2.5 million), to provide live-saving sexual reproductive health and gender-based violence services, including rape support.

Ireland will provide he International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) with three million euro (2.5 million).

Unicef has been allocated two million euro (1.7 million) as part of the Irish Governments focus on the reintegration of children who have been abducted to Russia and Belarus.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been allocated five million euro (4.2 million). Irelands funding will also support high-level international interventions to reunite families with children who were forcibly deported from Ukraine.

The World Bank IDA Crisis Facility Special Programme for Ukraine and Moldova has been allocated three million euro (2.5 million) with a particular focus on food security.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Ukraine Capacity Development Fund, which focuses on macroeconomic stabilisation, EU membership, and post-war reconstruction, will receive two million euro (1.7 million).

The Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) will be given three million euro (2.5 million) to support the building of bomb shelters for schools in Ukraine by local companies. It also goes towards rebuilding schools that have been damaged.

Moldova will receive two million euro (1.7 million) for its management of a large flow of refugees and its pursuit of EU membership.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Ukraine Health Appeal has been allocated 1.5 million euro (1.2 million).

Ireland has also set aside 1.115 million euro (940,000) in Peace and Stability Funding.
Irish premier Simon Harris is to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv as Ireland prepares to announce millions in new funding for Ukraine.

The visit on Wednesday comes the day after at least 50 people were killed and 200 injured when two Russian ballistic missiles struck a military training facility and hospital in Poltava, 200 miles south east of Kyiv.

It was one of the deadliest Russian strikes since the war began.

The incident came as Ukrainian forces attempted to secure territory in Russias Kursk border region after a surprise incursion that began last month  and as the Russian army moves deeper into eastern Ukraine.

Mr Harris and Mr Zelensky will sign a joint Agreement on Support and Co-operation during a bilateral meeting in the Ukrainian capital.

The Irish leader will visit areas bombed by Russia and also meet Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

Mr Harris said: I want to see first hand and with my own eyes the impact of war on the continent of Europe.

The Taoiseach will also announce 43 million euro (36 million) in aid to Ukraine, made up of a new allocation of 36 million euro (30 million) to partner organisations through its development body Irish Aid, and seven million euro (6 million) to European Investment Bank projects which had been previously flagged.

The Irish Government said the 36 million euro package will provide essential humanitarian assistance, support rehabilitation and eventual reconstruction, and contribute to Ukraines longer-term goals, including peace, stability and political aspirations.

Mr Harris said: Two and a half years on from Russias full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to face immense challenges.

We have seen the remarkable resilience shown by the people of Ukraine in the face of these challenges.

That same determination and resolve will be needed to rebuild their country, with support from international partners including Ireland.

We have been unequivocal and steadfast in our support for the people of Ukraine and this additional funding continues to demonstrate that commitment.

Irelands deputy prime minister and foreign minister Micheal Martin said the funding recognises the particularly horrific impact of the war on women and children.

He said: Irelands assistance in 2024 (includes) prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence, support for maternity services and rebuilding of homes for people forced to flee conflict and now living in collective centres.

The Taoiseach will also express Irelands full support for the Ukrainian bid for EU membership while also discussing continued humanitarian assistance.

One focus of the trip is expected to be work towards the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted into Belarus and Russia.

Ireland is a member of a global coalition working on the issue and the Irish premier is scheduled to meet several organisations helping affected families.

Mr Harris said the joint agreement makes it clear that Ukraines values are our values and we will stand with the brave people of Ukraine for as long as it takes.

He said: I am very pleased to be in Ukraine to hear at first hand from President Zelensky on the situation on the ground and to see for myself the impact it is having on the lives of ordinary Ukrainians.

Russias missile strike and killing of scores of people in Poltava on Tuesday is a grim and horrific reminder of the threat Ukraine is facing every day. We express our outrage and sympathy to the families of those who have died.

The latest cash will take Irelands total funding to Ukraine since February 2022 to more than 380 million euro (320 million), including about 130 million euro (110 million) in stabilisation and humanitarian support.

Partners to be supported include the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UN OCHA) which has reach across all regions of Ukraine, including significant funding to national organisations, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for the provision of shelter and protection to millions of displaced people.

Financial commitments to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) will contribute to work on health infrastructure and support for vulnerable women. Ireland will also support the Red Cross network.

It also includes contributions to the World Bank crisis facility for Ukraine and Moldova, which is aimed at addressing urgent needs, and to the International Monetary Fund Ukraine Capacity Development Fund supporting a reform agenda including EU accession.

A partnership with Lithuania will provide for the construction of bomb shelters in schools in Ukraine.

Mr Zelensky and Mr Harris previously met at Shannon Airport in Ireland in July, where the prospect of the joint agreement was raised.

They identified demining, energy, humanitarian assistance and food security as areas of possible co-operation.

At the time, Mr Zelensky thanked the people of Ireland for their support in hosting Ukrainian refugees, adding: You were with us from the very beginning of the Russian invasion.

After that meeting, Mr Harris announced a seven million euro (6 million) contribution towards the European Investment Banks EU for Ukraine fund, which addresses food and energy security needs, as well as support for refugees.

As part of a policy of military neutrality, Ireland does not provide what it characterises as lethal aid to Ukraine, including weapons.

However, the state has provided 250 million euro (210 million) in non-lethal military assistance under the European Peace Facility, and has welcomed more than 100,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.

Irish Defence Forces members have trained hundreds of Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment.
Children have been deeply traumatised by the war in Ukraine, Irish premier Simon Harris said.

Mr Harris visited the Child Rights Protection Centre (CRPC) in Kyiv on Wednesday, where Unicef is working on the reintegration of children who have been abducted in the occupied territories, some of whom have been taken to Russia and Belarus.

The project has been allocated a further two million euros (1.7 million) as part of the Irish Governments 36 million euro (30.3 million) funding package announced this week.

In addition, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been allocated five million euros (4.2 million), part of which will support high-level international interventions to reunite families with children who were forcibly deported from Ukraine.

Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Harris said we can never let the world forget what happened to Ukrainian citizens as a result of Russian aggression.

The Taoiseach met a mother and her three children (17, 14 and seven) who escaped Russian occupied territory but were forced to leave their father behind.

Mr Harris, who was gifted a bracelet made by Ukrainian children during a meeting with senior staff at the centre, said: I met young children, very young children and older children  and a mother.

All of whom had been deeply traumatised by the impact of war, violence, torture  physical and psychological.

He added: This is a war of real pain, of real agony and of real brutality.

The people of Ireland stand with the people of Ukraine.

The CRPC is designed as a space where returned children are interviewed by psychologists and prosecutors with the minimum amount of retraumatisation.

The children have access to play spaces and are interviewed in child-friendly environments.

The goal of the interviews is to secure information for future prosecutions.

Approximately 350 children have been returned so far, out of an estimated 19,500 that are either in temporarily occupied areas or Russian territory.

It is understood that a large amount of the children were formerly in institutions such as orphanages which were in areas that became occupied by Russia.

Some of the children are physically taken into Russia or other territories.

The Kyiv branch, which opened in May 2023, is the first such centre but it is understood that it is hoped that four to five other sites will open in key strategic locations.

In interviews, children who have been in the occupied territories have reported experiences where their parents have been harassed by Russian forces or detained.

Other children reported seeing their parents showing signs of torture, such as injury.
Anyone who wishes to report a crime relating to historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders in Ireland has been encouraged to come forward by Garda.

It was announced on Tuesday that a commission of investigation is to be established to examine historical sexual abuse claims.

Almost 2,400 allegations of historical sexual abuse were recorded by 308 schools run by religious orders across Ireland, a Government-ordered scoping inquiry revealed.

A Garda spokesperson said anyone coming forward to the force will receive personal contact as soon as is practicable.

The spokesperson added: An Garda Siochana is inviting anyone who believes they were the victim of a criminal act relating to historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders, to please come forward and report this.

An Garda Siochana is fully aware of the profound impact on the lives of those who were subject to such abuse, many of whom who may only be disclosing this information for the first time.

An Garda Siochana will deal with any matters reported by complainants in a sensitive manner and will, where possible, progress matters through investigation.

While it is our responsibility to effectively deal with all complaints and information received, there be limitations as to the action we can take in some cases due to matters such as the unavailability of evidence over time or suspects and/or witnesses being deceased.

Where these factors are present, An Garda Siochana will diligently explain such limitations to complainants.

The Garda National Protective Service Bureau will maintain oversight of the investigations carried out by specially-trained garda.

The spokesperson added: An Garda Siochana is also appealing to anyone who may have information, including as a witness, relating to crimes of historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders, to make contact with them so that such crimes can be investigated.
The city of Pripyat is one of the 13 most radioactive places on Earth. All of them are the consequences of human activity, from nuclear weapons testing and industrial accidents.

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Highly radioactive areas can have serious health consequences for those who come close to them. The metro.co.uk website has collected the most radioactive places on Earth in no particular order.

Chernobyl nuclear power plant (Pripyat, Ukraine)

In April 1986, one of the worst nuclear accidents in history occurred. During a nighttime safety test at the plant, which was supposed to simulate a power failure at the plant, a massive steam explosion and an open-air graphite fire occurred. The fire sent columns of radioactive material high into the atmosphere, exposing more than five million people in the former Soviet Union alone to fallout.

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Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Plant (Japan)

In 2011, the disaster at the Fukushima Daini nuclear power plant resulted in the leakage of radioactive material from three of the plant's reactors and the release of contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean.

The city of Fukushima was hit by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake that triggered a tsunami, and the power plant's existing safety features were overwhelmed. The plant managed to survive the first earthquake, but the resulting tsunami was more than twice as strong as the plant could withstand. This led to the failure of the plant's bypass water pumps, which were designed to cool the reactors during a shutdown. The plant had to be shut down, but huge amounts of radioactive waste were still released into the environment. It is believed that it will take approximately four decades to fully decommission the plant.

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Hanford (Washington, USA)

This place is now one of the most radioactive places in the world, as it produced about 74 tons of plutonium for US nuclear weapons.

Established in 1943, it was used during the Cold War and was one of the main US facilities for the production of plutonium for nuclear weapons. It is well known that it was part of the creation of the first atomic bomb.

Hanford produced almost two-thirds of the plutonium used in the US nuclear weapons stockpile, as it produced about 60,000 nuclear weapons, including the bomb dropped on Nagasaki in 1945.

The site is now decommissioned, but it still contains about 60% of high-level radioactive waste (by volume) and is currently managed by the U.S. Department of Energy. The vast majority of the waste was buried underground, but significant areas of groundwater have since been contaminated.

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Test site (Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan)

The Semipalatinsk test site, which the Soviet Union used to test nuclear weapons, and it is estimated that a total of about 456 bombs were dropped there between 1949 and 1989.

The full impact of the tests only became apparent when it closed in 1991, as the Soviet Union never disclosed what their testing involved. The general consensus is that around 200,000 locals were affected, as many developed various types of cancer. In 2010, a BBC article reported that one in 20 children is born with genetic defects.

Mailuu-Suu (Kyrgyzstan)

A rich source of uranium lies underground in Mailuu-Suu in Kyrgyzstan. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union mined large quantities of uranium ore, and the highly contaminated mining waste was buried around the excavated areas, but significant amounts also remained above ground. This means that the waste also ended up in the river, and the effects are still ongoing. However, since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, local residents say there has been little or no monitoring and maintenance of the dumpsites.

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About 10,000 metric tons of radioactive uranium were produced between 1946 and 1967, fueling the Soviet Union's first nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants.

Siberian Chemical Plant, Tomsk-7 (Seversk, Russia)

Back in Soviet times, one radiochemical plant at the Siberian Chemical Combine, called the "secret city" of Tomsk-7, now known as Seversk, had several nuclear facilities for the production of plutonium and uranium. The city was closed, and only plant workers and their families could live in the area. But in 1993, workers caused a massive accident that released radioactive gas, uranium, and plutonium into the environment for 28 km, and 177,000 people are believed to have been affected.

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After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the site ceased production of plutonium and highly enriched uranium and is now a major site for the storage and handling of weapons-grade nuclear materials.

Sellafield (Cumbria, UK)

During the Cold War, Sellafield produced weapons-grade nuclear material for the British nuclear weapons program. Since then, it has been the world's first commercial nuclear power plant used for electricity generation, but this part of the facility has since been decommissioned and is currently being dismantled.

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However, the plant still releases contaminated waste into the Irish Sea. However, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the radiation exposure from man-made radioactivity in the Irish Sea is very low compared to the natural radioactivity in the environment.

Somali coast, Somalia

The Somali coast has become a dumping ground for a large amount of nuclear and hazardous waste. The United Nations Environment Program believes that rusted casks of waste that washed up on the Somali coastline during the 2004 tsunami were dumped as far back as the 1990s.

It is estimated that at least 600 barrels of toxic and nuclear waste may have been dumped on their shores, meaning that an environmental disaster may be brewing in the future.

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Karunagappalli (Kerala, India)

The coastal city of Karunagappalli in Kerala, India, is known for its high radiation background from the phosphate mineral monazite in its soil, which contains thorium. Thorium is a naturally occurring, slightly radioactive metal. Researchers have not found higher cancer rates among local residents in the area, but some reports have found higher radiation levels per person.

BOMARC Site RW-01, McGuire Air Force Base (New Jersey, USA)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized the fenced-off annex to McGuire Air Force Base as highly contaminated. In June 1960, a fire destroyed a nuclear-tipped missile that released radioactive plutonium into the environment, while heat from the fire and firefighting efforts dispersed the plutonium across the site.

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Church Rock Uranium Mill (New Mexico, USA)

In 1979, a major spill released thousands of tons of solid radioactive waste from the plant and gallons of acidic solution into the Puerto River. The fallout spread over 130 km and reached as far as Navajo County in Arizona. There is information that local residents who used the river suffered from the effects of radiation exposure, including some serious infections that led to amputations, and herds of sheep and cattle died after drinking contaminated water.

Kyshtym disaster (Mayak, Russia)

In 1957, a large-scale nuclear accident occurred at the top-secret Mayak nuclear power plant in the Soviet Union, which was one of the worst nuclear accidents in the world at the time, known as the Kyshtym incident.

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The accident, which released more than 80 tons of radioactive waste in an explosion, spread large amounts of nuclear material over an area of more than 52,000 square kilometers (20,000 square miles), home to at least 270,000 people.

Around 10,000 people were evacuated, and waste from the plant was also dumped in the surrounding area and into Lake Karachai.

Incident in Goiania (Goias, Brazil)

In 1987, thieves stole a teletherapy device containing cesium-137 from an abandoned medical clinic at the Goiano Radiation Therapy Institute in Goiania, Goias, Brazil.

They then opened the machine, removed the lead capsule containing cesium, and unknowingly spread the radioactive material over a large area.

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Four people were confirmed dead as a result of the incident, and about 250 people were severely contaminated. During the cleanup, topsoil had to be removed from several areas and houses had to be demolished. All items in these houses, including personal property, were removed and burned.

Despite the power of the explosions, people are still living in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Instead, there is still an exclusion zone around the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, where it is dangerous to stay for a long time. And the point is not how much time has passed or the diligence of the Japanese. It is not so much the explosion itself that plays an important role as its consequences: that is, the amount of radiation released during the explosions.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!

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During the attack on Kyiv on September 2, Russian troops used, among other things, a 48N6DM anti-aircraft missile from the S-400 system in surface-to-surface mode. It was destroyed by air defense forces.

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This was reported by the Ukrainian military portal Defence Express, citing its own sources. A particular danger of this missile is that it has extremely low accuracy in surface-to-surface mode.

Because of this, they can primarily threaten civilian infrastructure and civilians.

Anti-aircraft missiles of this type have a large warhead weighing 180 kilograms, equipped with a significant amount of fragments, which increases the damage.

Defence Express emphasized that Kyiv is more protected in terms of air defense than the capital of the aggressor country, Moscow. Kyiv's air defense was able to successfully repel a massive attack with the combined use of ballistic and cruise missiles.

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Where it was launched from



The question remains as to where the S-400 missile was launched from to strike Kyiv on September 2.

"It should be noted that according to the official report of the Air Force on the morning of September 2, there were references to the fact that the Russians used four 48N6DM missiles from the S-400 and one missile of unknown type, which indicated the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation as the launch site," the statement said.

In the past, the launch of 48N6DM at our capital took place from the territory of the Bryansk region of the Russian Federation, or only 45 kilometers from the state border of Ukraine.

"However, we should also take into account Russian reports that it is working on a variant of missiles for the S-400 for surface-to-surface firing, which should be characterized by an increased range and increased warhead power," Defence Express added.

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It should be recalled that during the attack on Kyiv on the morning of January 23 this year, Russian terrorists also attacked the city with a 48N6DM missile.

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 operating, destruction and fires were recorded in four districts of the capital due to falling debris, and there were three victims: as of 10:20 a.m., there were already three.

Over Kyiv, air defense forces destroyed more than 20 air targets: more than ten cruise missiles, ten ballistic missiles and an attack drone.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
In the coming days, Iran may start transferring short-range ballistic missiles to Russia. According to intelligence reports, Moscow and Tehran signed a corresponding agreement in December 2023.

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The Russian military is already undergoing training in the use of these Iranian weapons. This was reported by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

"Iran is expected to supply ballistic missiles to Russia 'soon' to support Russia's invasion of Ukraine," the article says.

The analysts, in particular, cited a Bloomberg report published on September 2. The publication, citing an unnamed European official, wrote that Tehran could begin delivering its ballistic missiles to Russia "within days." However, neither the types of missiles nor their number were named by Bloomberg's interlocutors.

And Reuters' European intelligence sources said back in August that Iran and Russia signed a contract last December for the supply of Ababil short-range ballistic missiles and Fateh-360 short-range ballistic missiles. We can talk about hundreds of missiles capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 120 km.

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European intelligence has also received information that dozens of Russian military personnel were trained in August to work with the Fateh-360.

"Russias acquisition of Ababil or Fateh-360 ballistic missiles would likely allow Russian forces to strike Ukrainian near-rear targets while preserving Russia's stockpiles of domestically-produced missiles, such as Iskanders, for deep-rear Ukrainian targets, as CTP-ISW previously assessed," analysts say.

In general, cooperation between Tehran and Moscow in the military sphere is gaining momentum. Iran has already provided Russia with a significant number of attack drones, which the occupiers use to attack Ukrainian cities. The potential transfer of ballistic missiles by Tehran, according to European officials interviewed by Bloomberg, will lead to an "alarming development in the conflict."

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According to the Defense Express military portal, the Reuters article is the first to state that the subject of the deal was the Fath-360 and Ababil missiles. Earlier, Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar were most often mentioned in the materials about Iran's possible transfer of missiles to Russia, which have been appearing in the information space from time to time since the fall of 2022. Although speculation about Ababil was also occasionally heard.

Not much is known about both Ababil and Fath-360. However, Defense Express managed to gather some information.

Ababil

The Iranian Ababil missile is quite small in size. It is 3.7 meters long and weighs 240 kg. The range of the Ababil is up to 85 kg.

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Ababil is available in two versions with satellite and inertial navigation and with an additional optoelectronic guidance system at the end stage. It is also known that the missile is launched from transport and launch containers, which are grouped by 8 on one platform.

The Iranians brought this missile to Moscow for the Army-2023 exhibition. And last November, the coordinator of the US National Security Council, John Kirby, named it among the Iranian missiles that Russia might be interested in.

Fath-360

The Fath-360, however, has never been mentioned in the public space as one of those missiles in which Russia is interested.

This missile is also called BM-120, and its existence became known only at the end of 2021.

It is 5.1 meters long, according to the scarce references in the information space. The diameter of the missile is 368 mm. The total weight of the Fath-360 is 787 kg, of which 150 kg is the warhead. The speed is declared to be up to Mach 4, and the range is up to 120 km.

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The guidance system consists of an inertial system and satellite navigation.

Defense Express experts suggest that the Fath-360 is a significantly reduced copy of the Fateh-110. The Fath-360 launcher is traditionally disguised as a regular civilian truck.

"At the same time, the main difference between Fath-360, Ababil and Fateh-110, Zolfagar is that the former are intended for direct use against targets at the front and in the near rear, while the latter are intended for attacks on targets in the deep rear," Defense Express writes.

Earlier, it was reported that after a long pause, Russia is increasing the use of missiles from the DPRK. The aggressor state's change of plans was recorded in early August, followed by about five months of calm.

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The aggressor often launches North Korean weapons simultaneously with Iranian kamikaze drones, analysts noted at the time.

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
On the morning of September 4, explosions were heard in Kryvyi Rih, where a missile hit a civilian infrastructure facility in the city center. The attack injured 5 people and damaged more than 10 high-rise buildings.

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This was reported by the head of the Regional Military Administration of Kryvyi Rih, Oleksandr Vilkul. Several streets in the center of Kryvyi Rih were blocked as a result of the hit.

"A missile hit a civilian infrastructure facility in the city center. More than 10 high-rise buildings were damaged by the blast wave. Thank God, everyone is alive. Five people were injured, not seriously. The city headquarters for helping people (building materials, applications for material assistance from the city) is being set up at school #103 (former Kostenko Street, 23). All emergency, medical and utility services are working," the statement said.

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Due to the shelling in the city, traffic is temporarily stopped on the section from Sviatoheorhiyivska Street to Domnobudivna Square. Trains #2, 5, 7, 9, 22, 25, 27 in the direction of Kryvyi Rih-Holovnyi station are turning around at the Heroes of ATO ring. Routes 9 and 14 operate on the section from Kryvyi Rih-Holovnyi station to Domnobudivna Square.

The head of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration Serhiy Lysak also said that five people were injured: women aged 62, 83 and 84, as well as a 70-year-old man.

In addition, a 10-year-old girl was injured and is in hospital. Other victims will be treated at home. A hotel in the city was damaged, and windows in several high-rise buildings were smashed.

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Earlier, it was reported that on the night of September 4, explosions were heard in the Kyiv region, and the occupiers attacked the region with missiles. Air defense was activated in the region.

Early on September 4, explosions were also heard in Lviv during an air raid alert. Russian terrorists attacked the city with Kinzhal missiles. There are dead and injured, including children.

On the night of Wednesday, September 4, the aggressor country Russia launched a combined attack on Ukraine, using Shahed attack drones and missiles of various types. In the evening, the enemy launched UAVs, and after 02:00, at least five Tu-95MS strategic bombers were scrambled.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The United States has not yet changed its policy of providing Ukraine with opportunities and additional authorization to use American weapons against targets deep inside Russia. Washington 's position was not affected by the Russian attack on Poltava on September 3, which killed more than 50 people.

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This was stated at a briefing by US Department of Defense spokesman General Patrick Ryder, Ukrinform reports. "Regarding our policy on long-range strikes (on targets in Russia - Ed.), I have no announcements regarding any changes in our policy," the official said.

This is how the Pentagon representative answered the question whether the latest Russian missile strike on Poltava brought the American leadership closer to providing Ukraine with the ability to hit targets deep inside the aggressor country.

At the same time, Ryder assured that the United States will continue to provide Ukraine with air defense systems together with its international allies and partners.

As a reminder, after the missile attack on Poltava, the White House promised Ukraine to strengthen its air defense. According to White House adviser John Kirby, the United States will send more military aid to Kyiv in the coming weeks.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- On September 3, the Russian occupiers hit Poltava with two ballistic missiles. The Institute of Communications was hit. The attack killed at least 51 people and injured 271 others.

- After the September 3 Russian missile attack on Poltava, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba asked international partners to speed up the supply of additional air defense systems to Ukraine and take on new commitments. He urged them to step up to prevent new tragedies.

- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine continues to work to obtain permission for long-range strikes with Western weapons against Russia. In particular, such attacks could destroy a significant portion of Russian ballistics before the launch.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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Ukraine needs a permit to use long-range weapons to strike military targets in Russia. This decision depends on four countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

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These countries can provide such weapons. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a joint press conference with Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris.

"With all due respect to each country and certainly to our partners in Ireland, we need permission to use long-range weapons from the countries that provide us with these weapons. It depends on them, not on a coalition of all the friendly countries in the world. It depends on very specific states: The United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany," Zelenskyy emphasized.

According to him, today only these four countries provide, or can provide, the long-range weapons that "can help push the Russian Federation out of our territory." These are the countries that can help save the lives of Ukrainian civilians in Poltava, Lviv, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, and other cities of Ukraine that are being attacked by Russian terrorists with missiles every day.

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"Every day we lose people. And our strength in solving these problems depends on these four countries," the President of Ukraine emphasized.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, in a telephone conversation the day before, Zelenskyy asked Trudeau to strengthen advocacy among Western partners to permit Ukraine to use long-range weapons in the territory of the Russian Federation. Canada also received the current needs of the Defense Forces, including air defense systems and armored vehicles.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Here's the roundup of the latest local killing and a reminder of how quickly local violence can get out of control in Kansas City.

Check-it . . .



Homicide 9600 Block of Ditman Way



This morning just before 10:45am officers were dispatched to a house in 9600 block of Ditman Way on a shooting call.



On arrival officers located two adult male shooting victims in front of the residence.



Both victims were transported to the hospital by EMS with gunshot injuries.



One of the victims is being treated for whats thought to be non-life threatening injuries. The other victim was declared deceased by hospital staff.



Preliminary information according to people that were at the scene when police arrived indicates that prior to the shooting the deceased victim arrived at the residence and an argument erupted which escalated and led to gunfire between both shooting victims, and both victims were struck.



The victims are known to one another and detectives are not looking for any additional suspects.



We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency.



We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.

#####################

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Fight leads to man shot, killed at KC home Tuesday One person is dead and another is in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after an argument led to a shooting on Tuesday morning in Kansas City

One person dead after argument escalates into gunfire in south Kansas City KCPD says officers were called to the scene at home in the 9600 block of Ditman Way around 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday

Developing . . .
The start of this work week in Kansas City proved exceptionally violent with two seperate double shootings killing two people in total.

We blogged the first deadly altercation earlier in the day and the second came late at night with info coming through early this morning.

Here is the first report . . .

Homicide 55th and South Benton

Last night (09-03-24) at 11:30pm officers were on patrol in the area of 55th and Prospect when they heard the sound of gunfire to their east across the highway.

The officers immediately responded to that area to investigate.

At 55th and South Benton the officers located two shooting victims, one adult male and one adult female.

Officers rendered aid and called for EMS. EMS transported both victims to the hospital.

The adult female victim is being treated for what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries. The adult male victim had more serious injuries. Medical staff ultimately declared him deceased at the hospital at approximately 1am on todays date.

Detectives and crime scene investigators are processing the scene for evidence and canvassing for witnesses.

If anyone heard or saw anything in this area or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency.

We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.

##########

Stay tuned for MSM follow-up reporting that we'll post to www.TonysKansasCity.com as soon as it becomes available . . . Or for our next update.

Developing . . .
Tonight we share just a few items we've been reading as voters struggle to verify election season reality and we check pop culture, community reporting and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Even More Kansas City Support After Tragedy

'Help will continue in so many ways': Community donates nearly $160K for family of beloved chef Shaun Brady Support continues to show up in so many ways for the family of a beloved Irish chef in Kansas City. Shaun Brady was shot and killed last week outside of Brady and Fox.

Representative Perspective

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver tours apartments where 3-year-old boy fell to his death in July Congressman Emanuel Cleaver visited Independence Towers to address ongoing safety and maintenance issues.

JoCo Fights Biz Border War, Too

'A great place to be': Group dubbed 'Pitch Lenexa' is working to bring residents, businesses to area Lenexa is an area of Kansas that just continues to grow. From the City Center to the new AdventHealth Wellness Center, more and more is being added every day.

Latest Tax Break Plan Debuts

Platte County senior property tax freeze applications open Some highly-anticipated relief is on the way for anyone 62 and older in Platte County.

Serving Local Foodie Life

Kansas City Restaurant Openings, Closings and News - August 2024 August is traditionally a time of year when Americans go on vacations, take time off, and get the kids ready for the school year. Restaurant owners often go on vacation and sometimes even close down for a week or two.If it feels like there is less Kansas City restaurant news this month, that may just be normal.

Tesla King Starts AI Political Drama

Elon Musk Posts Shocking Kamala Harris AI Image - Brings Trump Attack To Life X/Twitter CEO and Trump booster Elon Musk posted a shocking AI image of Vice President Kamala Harris that echoes a favorite attack from former President Donald Trump. This weekend, Vice President Harris posted a meme that read "Donald Trump Vows To Be A Dictator On Day One," with the caption "We won't let him.

White House Checks Out

President Biden smiles, ignores press shouting questions for a full minute at White House event President Biden continues to have awkward public moments after he relinquished the nomination, ignoring reporters at an "Investing in America" event on Tuesday.

MAGA Denies Dispute

Despite evidence, Trump calls Arlington Cemetery incident a 'made up story' Meanwhile, members of Congress are asking for details about the incident, which was first reported by NPR.

Indictment Against Terrorists

US charges Hamas leader, other militants in connection with Oct. 7 massacre in Israel The Justice Department has announced criminal charges against Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other militants in connection with the Oct. 7 rampage in Israel.

Wartime Plans Ahead Of Winter

Zelenskyy says Ukraine plans to indefinitely hold Russian territory it has seized "For now, we need it," he told NBC News in an exclusive interview, the first one-on-one since Kyiv took control of 500 square miles of Russian territory.

South Of Border Thrives Without Social Media Giant

No X in Brazil? No problem, Brazilians say. The platform formerly known as Twitter once dominated Brazilian social media, fueling nationwide protests in 2013 and propelling Jair Bolsonaro to the presidency. Less so, now.

Advice From The Pros . . .

How to Have a Fantastic Nipple Orgasm Because, Yep, That's a Thing It's possible to have a nipple orgasm with breast or chest touch alone. Here's how to stimulate your nipples with hands, toys, temperature play, and more.

Fashioning Local Success

From Cleveland Heights to KC: This streetwear brand opens season on Midwest style As anticipation builds for Thursday's Chiefs home opener at Arrowhead Stadium, Aric Jones is channeling that energy into his streetwear venture - a play that brings Travis Kelce's childhood best friend's lifestyle and clothing brand from Cleveland Heights to Kansas City.

Three-Peat Week Starts With Clouds

FIRST WARN FORECAST: Chance for rain Thursday during Chiefs opener We are watching for a shot at rain on Thursday evening, possibly during the Chiefs game.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Local crooks are now actively targeting Kansas City restaurants for theft and destruction.

What's worse . . .

BELOVED KANSAS CITY CROSSROADS BIZ PROCLAIMS THAT ROBBERY IS INEVITABLE!!!

TKC's inconvenient political context . . .

Homicide and property crime surging in the Crossroads this Summer hits even harder after neighborhood leaders actively rejected investment from the Royals, unions and political leaders. In retrospect, it kinda seems like they've invited more burglars, homeless and violent criminals to the community in their defiant crusade to save a dive bar and a tattoo shop. Sure, crime happens around stadiums too BUT it's not unreasonable to consider that "momentum" is now moving against this part of town.



Here's the quote and more info . . .



I think you should prepare for when it will happen, said Evan Ashby, the co-owner of Mildreds.



Security camera footage captures the moment two people broke in and headed straight for the cash registers.



Its like youre on a hit list, Ashby said. If you have a storefront space with a glass door front, youre on a list.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Restaurant owner warns others after break-in: 'I think you should prepare for when it will happen' An ominous warning as criminals broke into a popular breakfast spot downtown.

A Favorite KC Restaurant Is The Latest In A Series Of Recent Break-Ins Mildred's downtown location is the latest restaurant to suffer a break-in - and to share its shattered front door on Instagram.

Developing . . .
Let's start this off simple . . .

We're not directing any undue criticism or hateration . . . But there's a trend in local media that deserves a bit of attention because our mainstream friends helped exacerbate the situation.

Context . . .

Not so long ago the KC Defender was the toast of local media and their leader garnered high praise from national outlets and also enjoyed acceptance from local elite with KCUR regularly platforming some of their content.

And then . . .

Racially charged rumors about a racist serial killer from a "hyperbolic" local preacher caused a bit of doubt about their credibility.

To be fair . . . Serial killer coverage is a part of the local news scene given this cowtown's history of deadly criminality. Even Piers Morgan somewhat recently did a great interview with the KC Strangler.



However . . .

Progressives turned on the racially charged animus of the blog when metro police were forced to repeatedly push back against online rumors about a racist serial killer.

Again . . . In fairness . . . There is a creeper suspected murderer on trial but the deets of his alleged misdeeds are way more "complex" than just racial hatred . . .

Even TKC had to wince when no less than NPR called out the founder of The KC Defender in this passage:

"The boy who cried wolf and the risks of getting it wrong"

Ouch.

That's smarts . . . All TKC ever had to deal with was Dave Helling resenting that my writing has always been more plucky and fun than his offerings AND debating me on minor tax code deets.

But I digress . . .

The main point is simple and we apologize for so much context . . .

The latest report from The KC Defender takes on racially charged drama in Park Hill High School.

While we're sure their heart is in the right place and they likely want to advance social justice and stand against racism . . . There's a great deal of hearsay, some bombastic quotes and what seems like far too much of adults delving into the social lives of local high schoolers.



And that's the problem . . .



It's doubtful that Kansas City needs more journalism by adults on the lives of high school students.

That's merely our opinion . . . We realize that the testimony of young people can be valuable when it's reported properly, with parental or guardian supervision and the all of the proper protections.

More context . . . Not too long ago our blog community noted local student suicides trending and had a couple of parents send us angry social media replies . . . But we made clear that our info came by way of teachers, former elected officials and administrators and we openly advised a couple of older students (Seniors) who reached out to us that we didn't want to talk to them about the topic because that didn't really feel like responsible blogging/journalism . . . After all . . . This blog is at it's best when we're talking dirty local politics, fart jokes and sharing Insta-cheesecake that's certainly sophomoric but at the college level at least.



As for the Defender's report . . . A lot of it just seems like it's reporting on name-calling an not part of any serious investigation.

We raise this point so that our colleagues can help upstart newsies AVOID trouble . . . And maybe offer helpful advice and direction.



When www.TonysKansasCity.com first started we were forced to find our own path and there were only a few gracious souls willing to help . . . And so, to try and return the favor even if our advice is probably unwanted . . . It's merely our concern that adults reporting/blogging on the lives young people might not be what this town REALLY needs even if mobile apps and so much social media chatter tell us otherwise.



Again . . . This is just our opinion and we hope that it helps everyone avoid any complications.



Developing . . .


The Ukrainian Defense Forces are actively restraining the offensive of the Russian occupiers, who continue to launch missile, air, and artillery strikes on Ukrainian cities and villages. There has been a sharp increase in the number of combat engagements, which has already reached 107 over the past day.

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The situation is the hottest in the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk directions. This is stated in the report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Today, Russian troops conducted numerous air strikes and artillery attacks on the border areas of Sumy and Chernihiv regions. 5 airstrikes were using 11 guided bombs, as well as numerous artillery attacks that damaged localities.

In particular, the enemy attacked the following areas: Sumy, Tokari, Nova Sloboda, Yampil and Yunakivka. The towns of Sydorivka, Novovasylivka, Slavhorod, Popivka, Vysoke, Pokrovka, Boyaro-Lezhachi, Zarichchya, Dmytrivka, Mykhalchyna Sloboda and Chuykivka came under artillery fire.

In the Kharkiv sector, there was one firefight near Vovchansk, which is currently ongoing.

In the Kupyansk sector, Russian troops attempted to storm our positions near Synkivka, Hlushkivka, and other localities 14 times.

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In the Lyman sector, the enemy attacked the areas of Druzheliubivka, Hrekivka, Makiivka, and others, 11 firefights were registered since the beginning of the day.

The enemy continues active attempts to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in the Siversk sector but receives a decent rebuff from our defenders. Near Ivano-Daryivka, the enemy tried once to push our units back.

In the Kramatorsk sector, Russian troops tried to displace our units once since the beginning of the day and also launched an attack on Chasovyi Yar with unguided aerial missiles.

In the Toretsk sector, the enemy attacked our positions eight times with the support of attack and bomber aircraft, and fighting is currently ongoing near New York.

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In the Pokrovsk sector, fierce fighting is taking place in the areas of Vozdvyzhenka, Zelene Pole, and others. The enemy made 31 assaults on our positions, and attacks continued in eight locations. Enemy aircraft also struck near the towns of Oleksandropil and Selydove, using UAVs and unguided aerial missiles.

In the Kurakhove sector, the enemy attacked our units 32 times, trying to advance near Krasnohorivka and Heorhiivka.

In the Vremivsk sector, two enemy assaults towards Vodiane and Kostiantynivka were repelled.

In the Orikhivsk sector, the enemy tried to advance once near Robotyne but was fiercely repulsed.

In the Prydniprovsk sector, five enemy attacks were repelled, but the enemy did not succeed.

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Earlier it was reported that on the night of Wednesday, September 4, the aggressor country Russia launched a combined attack on Ukraine, using Shahed-type attack drones and missiles of various types. In the evening, the enemy launched UAVs, and after 02:00, at least five Tu-95MS strategic bombers took to the skies.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The first post title we were temped to go with . . .

KANSAS CITY SLUM-FRESH LINWOOD STAYS LOSING!!!

Forgive us our lack of surprise but we've been talking about this disaster in the making since 2018.



From our perspective . . .

There was a shoplifting crisis at this location SINCE DAY ONE. More importantly, everybody knew this plan would FAIL because local government can't run a complicated biz with razor thin profit margins like a grocery store.

The partnership was a move in the right direction but the truth is that doing biz with KCMO politicos is simply too complicated and mostly doomed to FAIL.

Accordingly . . .

Today even the newspaper is forced to acknowledge grocery store probs confronting this embattled location and the naked lady who constantly terrifies the clientele . . .



"SunFresh Linwood was supposed to revive business in east KC. The store is now in crisis. Teenage grocery store shelf stockers have taken to carrying tasers in their pockets in case they have to defend themselves from customers at the SunFresh Linwood at 31st Street and Prospect Avenue in East Kansas City."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Ukraine plans to hold the Russian territories it has entered "indefinitely." However, they will be liberated as soon as certain goals are achieved, which is why the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched an offensive in the Kursk region. One of them is negotiations with the Russian dictator to end the war.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told NBC News. At the same time, he refused to confirm or deny plans for new similar counteroffensives on Russian territory.

"We do not need their land. We do not want to bring our Ukrainian way of life there. However, for now, Ukraine will hold this territory because it is an integral part of the victory plan. We need it for now," the American broadcaster quoted Zelensky as saying.

The Ukrainian leader clarified that the counteroffensive in Kursk region launched on August 6 was a "preventive strike" to prevent Russians from seizing the Ukrainian border area and to stop attacks in this direction.

But when asked whether Ukraine plans to try to take more Russian territory, Zelensky refused to answer.

"I won't say, sorry. With all due respect, I cannot talk about this. I think success depends on surprise," he said.

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Separately, Zelensky emphasized that the Biden administration was not aware of the plans for an offensive in Russia.

"We did not inform anyone. And it's not about distrust. Even the Ukrainian special services did not know. I narrowed the circle of people who knew about this operation as much as possible. I think that this is one of the reasons for its success," Zelenskyy said, adding that premature talk of a counteroffensive in 2023 had actually thwarted it.

The Ukrainian leader also confirmed that one of the goals of the operation in the Kursk region was to draw the invaders away from other areas in Ukraine. And it partially succeeded. According to Zelenskyy, Russia has moved 60,000 invaders from Ukraine to Kursk.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, as of September 3, our units in the Kursk region advanced in the area of Mala Loknya, Olhivka, and Sheptukhivka.

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Although Russian troops have recently regained previously lost ground east of Korenevo in Kursk Oblast, Ukrainian forces have advanced northwest of Sudzha, forcing the Russians to retreat to avoid encirclement.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
An agrarian town is being developed in the village of Kizil Kangarli in the Aghdam region of Azerbaijan, with the involvement of Belarusian experts, Azernews reports.

According to the State Urban Planning and Architecture Committee, Chairman Anar Guliyev was briefed on the progress of the project during a meeting with a Belarusian delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Igor Nazaruk.

The meeting focused on the status of the agrarian town project and its potential impact on the overall development of settlements in the Aghdam region. Discussions highlighted the project's role in revitalizing rural areas and boosting the local economy.

It was emphasized that the existing cooperation between Azerbaijan and Belarus will be further strengthened by leveraging Belarus' experience in the restoration of territories liberated from occupation.

Anar Guliyev noted that the cooperation between the two countries is highly developed and there are significant opportunities for the implementation of joint projects based on advanced practices.
The U.S. State Department has assured that Washington will continue to provide Ukraine with sustained military assistance after the current fiscal year ends. It will be provided within the allocated funding.

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This was stated by State Department spokesman Matthew Miller during a briefing in Washington on September 3. He assured that the United States would continue to support Ukraine in the next fiscal year.

Miller was asked whether the US would take steps to keep the $6.2 billion in appropriated support for Ukraine available after the end of the fiscal year.

"I won't discuss any actions before we take them. But I think one thing you've seen consistently from this administration is a steady supply of lethal weapons to Ukraine throughout this war. And that will continue," the US State Department official emphasized.

He added that the efforts made by the White House to support Ukraine and the billions of dollars allocated demonstrate the Biden administration's commitment to helping Ukrainians.

It is worth noting that the US fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30. In order to carry over the remaining funds of the allocated aid to the next fiscal year, the White House must submit a request for approval by Congress.

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As a reminder, in April this year, US President Joe Biden signed a law that allowed allocating more than $60 billion to support Ukraine.

As reported, the United States will continue to strengthen Ukraine's air defense. In the coming weeks, the US will send more military aid to Kyiv.

Also, the United States has come close to an agreement to provide Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles that will be able to reach Russian rear. However, Kyiv will have to wait a few months, as the US side is still working out the technical details.

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Prime Minister of Ireland Simon Harris and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense Micheal Martin have announced a new EUR 36 million aid package for Ukraine and its neighbors.

This is said in a statement published on the website of Irelands website, Ukrinform reports.

As noted, this aid package will provide essential humanitarian assistance, support rehabilitation and eventual reconstruction, and contribute to Ukraine's longer term goals, including peace, stability and political aspirations.

Two and a half years on from Russias full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to face immense challenges. We have seen the remarkable resilience shown by the people of Ukraine in the face of these challenges. That same determination and resolve will be needed to rebuild their country, with support from international partners, including Ireland. We have been unequivocal and steadfast in our support for the people of Ukraine and this additional funding continues to demonstrate that commitment, said Harris.

The Prime Minister noted that at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, he committed Irelands support for the re-integration of children forcibly deported to Russia and now returned. This package includes 2m to support this goal in partnership with UNICEF, he added.

According to Martin, Irelands assistance in 2024 prioritises prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence, support for maternity services and rebuilding of homes for people forced to flee conflict and now living in collective centres.

This latest funding announcement will bring Irelands total funding to Ukraine since February 2022 to over 380 million, including approximately 130 million in stabilisation and humanitarian supports. Our support for Ukraine is unwavering. Ireland will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine for as long as necessary, the minister said.

Partners to be supported include the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UN OCHA) which has reach across all regions of Ukraine, including significant funding to national Ukrainian organisations, and UNHCR for the provision of shelter and protection to millions of displaced people.

Read also: Netherlands providing Ukraine with new aid package worth more than EUR 200M

Financial commitments to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) will contribute to work on health infrastructure and in the provision of support to vulnerable women. Ireland will also support the Red Cross family.

The statement stressed that Ireland will contribute to the World Bank crisis facility special programme for Ukraine and Moldova, which is aimed at addressing urgent needs, and to the IMF Ukraine Capacity Development Fund supporting the Ukraine policy and reform agenda including EU accession.

A partnership with Lithuania will provide for the construction of bomb shelters in schools in Ukraine.

As reported by Ukrinform, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday, September 4, for a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Photo: Pixabay
President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of Ireland Simon Harris have signed an agreement on support for Ukraine and cooperation.

This is said in a statement published on the website of the President of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Taoiseach of Ireland Simon Harris signed an Agreement on Support for Ukraine and Cooperation between the two countries. Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ireland has provided humanitarian, stabilization, and non-lethal military aid to Ukraine, totaling approximately 380 million. This year, Ireland has committed to providing an additional 128 million in non-lethal military support and at least 40 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, the statement reads.

Read also: Ireland announces EUR 36M package of humanitarian support to Ukraine and its neighbors

According to the Presidents Office, Ireland will also supply mine clearance systems and explosive ordnance disposal equipment, continuing its involvement in the demining coalition. Additionally, Ireland will explore other potential support pathways within the capability coalitions of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, such as the IT Coalition.

Ireland will ensure the ongoing training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces through EUMAM Ukraine.

As noted, separate sections of the agreement outline humanitarian aid, as well as support for Ukraine's recovery and reform efforts, particularly on the path toward EU membership. Ireland will assist in holding Russia accountable, compensating for damages caused by the aggression, and further strengthening sanctions pressure on Russia.

Moreover, Ireland will continue its diplomatic efforts to implement the Peace Formula and participate in the activities of various working groups and implementation of specific elements of the Formula, including the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.

In total, Ukraine has already signed 26 bilateral agreements in furtherance of the G7 Joint Declaration adopted in Vilnius on July 12, 2023.
Ukraine counts on Ireland's support, in particular, in obtaining the partners' permission to use the western-supplied weapons to launch strikes on the territory of Russia.

This was announced by Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Telegram following a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris, Ukrinform reports.

"We appreciate this important visit to Ukraine during the war. I informed my Irish counterpart about Russia's missile attacks on civilian infrastructure and stressed the need to strengthen Ukrainian air defense to protect people and peaceful cities. Long-range weapons and permission to strike enemys territory are crucial to stop Russia. We count on Ireland's full support in these matters," Shmyhal wrote.

According to him, the parties also touched upon the issue of sanctions against the aggressor. "This is an effective tool in the fight against the Russian military machine," the head of the Ukrainian government said.

Read also: Ireland announces EUR 36M package of humanitarian support to Ukraine and its neighbors

He also spoke about the situation in the energy sector and thanked Irish businesses that are working and investing in Ukraine despite the war.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine also noted that Ukraine appreciates Ireland's support for the Peace Formula of the President of Ukraine.

As reported by Ukrinform earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of Ireland Simon Harris signed a bilateral agreement. In particular, Ireland undertook to allocate EUR 128 M to Ukraine for non-lethal military support and at least EUR 40 M for humanitarian aid.
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Published September 3, 2024

MONROE, LA  Ellie Jenkins, DMA, Professor of Music at Dalton State College in Dalton, Georgia and Artist Affiliate in Horn at Berry College in Rome, Georgia, will present a recital on Tuesday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Emy-Lou Biedenharn Recital Hall on the ULM campus. Jenkins will be assisted by ULM Professor of Piano Richard Seiler, DMA. Jenkins will also work with ULM music students in a masterclass earlier that day.

Jenkins is principal horn in the Carroll Symphony and the Chamber Players of the South, and second horn with the Rome Symphony. She has toured Taiwan with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, and for the past several summers has performed with the Classical Music Festival Orchestra in Austria. Jenkins holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin  Madison (DMA), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (MM) and the University of Miami (BM).

The evenings program, Chaos and Possibility, will present a diverse collection of works by lesser-known composers and women composers, with some calling for unusual techniques on the instrument.

Admission is free and open to the public.

For more information about the ULM Music program, visit ulm.edu/music.
On August 26, the Namibian government announced a plan to slaughter 723 wild animals, including 300 zebras, 83 elephants, and 30 hippopotamuses, whose meat will be used to feed the population affected by the severe drought that has been afflicting the country for the past year. The measure is also aimed at reducing the risk of potentially dangerous encounters between humans and animals, which approach inhabited areas in search of pasture and water, resources that are increasingly scarce due to the lack of rainfall. With the severe drought situation in the country, conflicts are expected to increase if no action is taken, the Environment Ministry said in a statement.

The 83 elephants to be culled are spread across 29 communal areas throughout the country, while the remaining animals are in five national parks. In all these areas there are a sustainable number of specimens, according to the ministry. In addition to the zebras, elephants and hippos, 60 buffalo, 50 impala, 100 blue wildebeest and 100 antelopes will also be slaughtered. The meat from the animals will go toward the drought relief program launched by the Namibian government, which will contribute to the nutrition and poverty reduction of the population, explains the communique.

The government has commissioned professional hunters hired by the ministry to slaughter the animals. As of Monday, August 26, 157 animals of different species had already been killed, resulting in the distribution of 56,875 kilograms of game meat. The Namibian government pointed out this is not the first time it has done something similar, and that for years it has been providing this food for celebrations of various kinds. At the same time, it confirmed the countrys total prohibition of uncontrolled hunting. Poaching, among other forms of wildlife crime, will compromise the benefits that are intended to be obtained from our conservation work, said the ministry.

This action is necessary and is consistent with the constitutional mandate to use our natural resources for the benefit of citizens. It is also an excellent example that game conservation is truly beneficial. We are happy to be able to assist the country at this very difficult time and when it is absolutely necessary. Not only do Namibians benefit from the meat provided for drought relief, but the ministry has for years supplied meat for national, regional and traditional events in accordance with our policies and laws. The benefits of game meat also extend to communities in rural areas, especially those in conservation areas, the statement said.

Last May, the Namibian government declared a state of emergency due to the worst drought this century, caused mainly by the impact of the El Nino phenomenon. Although according to the scientific association World Weather Attribution (WWA), the direct relationship between El Nino and climate change has not been proven, a study conducted in 2020 by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) revealed that global warming due to greenhouse gases was going to intensify extreme El Nino events, such as droughts and torrential rains.

In any case, the drought in Namibia has pushed almost half of the population of some 1.4 million people into a phase three situation of food insecurity, or crisis, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) used by international organizations. As such, the government approved an assistance plan aimed at 331,000 households totaling around $45 million, to which the Environment Ministry intends to contribute tens of thousands of kilos of game meat.

The whole of Southern Africa is being affected by drought. In June, the World Food Program estimated that some 30 million people needed urgent assistance. In August, the heads of state of the Southern African Development Community met in Harare and raised the figure to 68 million people, or 17% of the regions population. Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi have also declared national states of disaster.
The Atacama Desert Foundation has denounced on social media the destruction of the ancient geoglyphs of Alto Barranco, in the far north of Chile. The non-profit organization said the damage has been caused by drivers of motorcycles and 4x4 vehicles that circulate through the Caramucho sector, south of the commune of Iquique, in the Tarapaca region. The images show numerous wheel tracks that have erased the geometric and zoomorphic figures that, according to reports, were made by pre-Hispanic peoples between the years 1000 and 1540 AD on the slopes of the hills and were traditionally used by people as guidance along the routes.

Where you leave your mark is your decision. Dont do it on the geoglyphs. Not on the history of this land, reads the post shared on Sunday through its Instagram account (@fundacion_desierto_atacama) by an organization that works for the protection, conservation and enhancement of the archaeological, historical, cultural and natural heritage of the Atacama Desert. The figures are large, some are almost 100 feet (30 meters), so experts note that it is difficult for those responsible for the damage not to have seen them.

The foundation says that the archaeological site has been preserved thanks to the natural conditions of the Atacama Desert, characterized by a semi-arid climate and the absence of rainfall. However, they point out that the actions of motorcyclists and jeepers seriously threaten its millennial existence. Luis Perez, an archaeologist and director of the Regional Museum of Iquique, the regional capital of Tarapaca, said that the situation is overwhelming and desperate because once the news of the damage passes, it is likely that they will continue to lose geoglyphs.

Since 2021, this has been formally reported to the Prosecutors Office, as part of the work that we do at the Regional Museum. It must be understood that damage to national monuments is not a misdemeanor, it is a crime. In this case it is very serious, because it is irreversible damage... it cannot be restored, he told Expreso Bio Bio. The First Environmental Court said that, so far, they have not received any complaints regarding the destruction of the Alto Barranco geoglyphs, according to the radio station Cooperativa.

To create the geoglyphs, pre-Hispanic people used a technique in which the surface material is extracted, which creates a contrast with the natural surface of the hill, representing geometric, zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures. It is believed that they were built with the purpose of being guides on the routes for travelers who crossed different ecological zones, and to indicate water flows, local rites or to express ownership, according to the Ministry of National Assets. In Chile, geoglyphs are considered Archaeological Monuments (AM). They belong to the State and do not require a designation process.
Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday held a virtual meeting with Global Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Chartered Bank Sunil Kaushal and discussed the expanding investment opportunities in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Sep, 2024) Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday held a virtual meeting with Global Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Chartered Bank Sunil Kaushal and discussed the expanding investment opportunities in Pakistan.

The meeting was attended among others by Rehan Shaikh, CEO of Standard Chartered Pakistan, the Finance Secretary, and other senior officers of the Finance Division, a news release said.

During the discussion, the finance minister underscored the positive trajectory of Pakistans macro-economic indicators and expressed the governments commitment to maintaining economic stability through multiple reforms.

"Our government is dedicated to creating a conducive environment for foreign investments, ensuring that Pakistan remains a competitive and attractive destination for global investors," Aurangzeb remarked.

The discussion focused on exploring potential collaborations between the Government of Pakistan and Standard Chartered Bank, particularly in sectors such as infrastructure development, digital banking and sustainable finance.

Kaushal expressed his confidence in Pakistan's economic outlook and reiterated Standard Chartered's long-term commitment to the country.

"Standard Chartered views Pakistan as a key market with vast opportunities and we are committed to deepening our engagement with the country by extending all kinds of investment and financial support needed to fulfill the country's economic ambitions, in the present as well as the years to come," he stated.

The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to explore specific investment projects in the upcoming months.

The finance minister assured the delegation of the government's full support in facilitating their initiatives and expressed his optimism about further strengthening the partnership with Standard Chartered Bank.
President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari here on Wednesday expressed firm resolve of the business community to strengthen efforts to combat the menace of drugs from the country

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Sep, 2024) President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari here on Wednesday expressed firm resolve of the business community to strengthen efforts to combat the menace of drugs from the country.

Addressing an interactive session titled 'Drug Trafficking through Export Consignments', organized by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), he commended the ANF's initiative, said a press release.

The President ICCI stressed the need to raise awareness about the impact of drug trafficking on youth and families through social media campaigns.

He assured that the business community would continue to support efforts to combat the menace, which would ultimately enhance exports, benefiting both the business community and the country's economy.

He also mentioned the ICCIs initiatives for the purpose, including seminars, roundtables and awareness walks in collaboration with the Capital Development Authority, ICT Police and other stakeholders to sensitize the society so as to get rid of the evil.

He added that for the sake of our future generations, everyone has to fight against this scourge with full force and determination and that our contribution to this count will be great work.

Speaking on the occasion, Director General ANF Major General Abdul Moeed briefed on the sophisticated methods used by drug traffickers for transportation, which not only harm the youth but also tarnish the country's image.

He expressed his determination to eradicate the menace by bringing those involved to justice.

The ANF chief highlighted the shift from plant-based to chemical-based drugs, which has led to new techniques for transportation, including camouflaging drugs in export items.

He emphasized that individuals from various industries, including pharmaceuticals and cargo overtly or covertly were being exploited by the mafia for the purpose.

He assured that ANF would fully facilitate the business community in enhancing the exports of the country for the progress and prosperity of the country.

The session was also attended by the representatives from the business community, Pakistan Customs officials and other stakeholders.
Chris Quaglin cant stop talking about his son. He says over and over again, on camera, that hes the reason hes doing all this. Yet he barely got to see him. The baby was born in February 2021. His father was imprisoned in April, and sentenced a few months ago to 12 years behind bars, precisely for all the actions that, according to him, would contribute to a better future for his child. Quaglin participated in violent far-right organizations, promoted white supremacy and, above all, collaborated in the assault on the U.S. Capitol to denounce an alleged election fraud against Donald Trump. In the documentary Homegrown, by Michael Premo, screened these days at the Venice film festival, Quaglin is seen shouting just millimeters from officers on that fateful January 6, 2021: We are the fucking people. Get out of the way!

The sentence found him guilty of 14 crimes, including assaulting the police and obstructing Congress. But the filmmaker had already been filming what was going on in the U.S. since 2018. We started meeting up with people at marches, conventions, churches and bars, Premo recalls. Finally, he focused on Quaglin and two other activists: Randy Ireland, an Air Force veteran who coordinates an extremist group in New York; and Thad Cisneros, a Latino Texan, father of four children, who defends both Trump and an alliance with Black Lives Matter, which many of his colleagues despise. Quaglin himself says in the film, along with other members of the Proud Boys organization: I am a proud Western chauvinist and I refuse to apologize for creating the modern world.

Homegrown offers one of the most nuanced and profound views of the conspiratorial masses who wanted to change the outcome of the polls. It was essential to do an honest, non-judgmental study of the people who are listening to the appeals to the us versus them policy, says Premo. Pure reality, as opposed to the condescending caricature that the progressive media sometimes draws. And in the middle of the action, a hand-held camera, instead of the typical talking heads of so many documentaries. The premiere comes as Donald Trump is once again fighting for the U.S. presidency against the Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Thus, the film contains clues to answer a key question: what drives an electrician from New Jersey and thousands of other citizens to go so far?

Randy Ireland in 'Homegrown'.

The Venice Film Festival is broadening its focus. It is questioning populism and the extreme right from one side of the planet to the other and even through time: yesterday, today and who knows whether tomorrow. The documentary Separated, by Errol Morris, is close to Homegrown: it denounces Trumps immigration policy, which led to thousands of children being separated from their families on the border between the U.S. and Mexico. Most of them come from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, fleeing violence. They are some of the most vulnerable children there are. And they come in without their parents, says Jonathan White, a senior official in the refugee resettlement office, who for the first time agrees to speak on camera. And a film screened in competition, The Order, by Justin Kurzel, tells a true story that took place in the 1980s but is still very much in the news: the rise of an Aryan terrorist organization. The little book from which the insurgents copied their plan, The Turner Diaries by William Luther Pierce, also served to inspire the assault on the Capitol, according to the film.

In Petra Costas Apocalypse in the Tropics, Donald Trump is also mentioned. But the documentary travels to South America, investigating the rise of religious fundamentalism in Brazil and how it fueled the triumph of former President Jair Bolsonaro. And it asks when democracy gives way to a theocracy. Or to totalitarianism, as in M. Il figlio del secolo, Joe Wrights series that adapts the same-name biography of Mussolini, written by Antonio Scurati. Of course, the setting is the 1920s, but when the future Duce proclaims to his fervent henchmen we are anti-politics, the echoes resonate to this day. And even more so in the country where Giorgia Meloni governs.

Lula da Silva in a scene from the documentary 'Apocalypse in the tropics'

Even the story told in Andres Veiels documentary Riefenstahl is not so far-fetched: it looks back at the filmmaker responsible for the Hitler propaganda films Olympia and Triumph of the Will. At the press conference for the film, there was also talk of the upcoming elections in the U.S. and xenophobia towards migrants. These days mark the 90th anniversary of the Nazi meeting that Leni Riefenstahl filmed in Nuremberg. But today the director can also be seen as a pioneer in spreading hoaxes. I am not responsible for what happened! she says in archive video footage. The new film, however, recalls her immediate fascination with the Fuhrer, the closeness between the two and the alternative truth that the filmmaker continued to spread in later years. As well as the letters and calls of support she received. The film accuses her of having contributed to the deaths of at least 22 people. And it uses her own language to anchor her to her actions: every time the footage includes a lie from the director, it is then refuted with the facts. It is a cinematic achievement and perhaps a clue for progressive media and politicians.

Other clues emerge in Separated: Barack Obama is heard boasting about the increase in migrant deportations. And Jacob Soboroff, author of the book on which the documentary is based, warns: Biden has not been deliberately taking children away from their parents. But some of Trumps policies have continued. And now that he is gone, I dont see the same outrage or people protesting.

Leni Riefenstahl and Adolf Hitler, in a scene from the documentary by Andres Vietel.

The problem, then, is long-standing and has a thousand facets. With such a boom of political films, the Mostra cannot manage to screen them all. But at least it invites us to delve deeper and seek complex interpretations. Riefenstahl was a pioneer of propaganda, but also a remarkable and advanced cinematic talent. Which, on the other hand, fueled Hitlers interest in her. We were soldiers without a flag. The Fuhrer gave us one, says a Nazi militant in a recording rescued in the documentary.

Trump gave his people a slogan, which was displayed on hundreds of emblems on January 6, 2021: Make America Great Again. Half the world saw it on the news, but Premo was there with his camera. Just like in other violent clashes that appear in Homegrown. But that day he experienced the most chilling part of an already turbulent filming experience. I never thought I would make a film in the U.S. where I would be shot, witness fistfights between political rivals in the street or follow a protagonist through hours of combat in the Capitol, the director reflects. And he remembers the worst moment: in a tunnel of Congress, crushed against the wall by the crowd, with a gas mask that made it difficult for him to breathe. That is why Homegrown contains images of enormous informative value. And it allows us to understand, in some way, his interviewees, with whom Premo remains in touch.

A scene from 'Separated', by Errol Morris.

The defense of traditional values, the fear of an alleged racial replacement... But also, and above all, a feeling of injustice and disillusionment. The reasons that the filmmaker detects in the U.S mobilization can also be found in Brazil, where Petra Costa travels, and in many other countries: I met people who are looking for communities, for somewhere to belong, for goals. And others who feel that the people in charge only serve the big corporations and the rich, and have forgotten the working class. They feel forgotten, abandoned and they are looking for someone to blame. Cannon fodder for Mussolinis recipe: There always comes a time when the lost people need simple words. Especially when faced with complex problems. The dictator himself explains it at the start of the series M. But the lesson has spread. Do you think the U.S. needs to secure its borders? asks Stephen Miller, Trumps advisor, at a rally captured by Separated.

In the Riefenstahl documentary, we hear what a friend told her when he discovered her first film, The Blue Light: If the Nazis saw it, you would be their idol. The contagious power of that woman climbing a waterfall was clear. All that was needed was to put such powerful images to the service of a cause. To skew them. Or to overtly falsify them. Like the news that unleashed a wave of Islamophobic attacks throughout the United Kingdom this summer. Premo sounds the alarm: In the 21st century, democracies will die not with a shot, as in a coup detat, but with a whisper, since faith in that idea is eroding from within. Premo maintains that the Republican Party has already mobilized a team of lawyers and government officials to contest the results of the elections in November. I dont think we have learned the lessons of 2020 yet.

Chris Quaglin is facing 12 years in prison. But his family is also paying the price: his wife is now a single mother and the partner of a convict. Meanwhile, little Nathan is already three years old. One day they will explain to him why his father is not there. Who knows whether he will understand it.
RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Sep, 2024) Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) while conducting an operation managed to arrest a drug dealer supplying drugs in educational institutions, said an ANF Headquarters spokesman here on Wednesday.

He informed that in an intelligence-based operation against drug dealers, ANF arrested an accused used to sell drugs to male and female students of two famous educational institutions of Islamabad.

The accused also confessed to selling drugs to students staying in hostels located in posh sectors F-10, F-8 and E-11 of Islamabad.

ANF recovered 1200 grams hashish and 250 grams ice from the possession of the accused.

A case has been registered against the accused under the Anti-Narcotics Act and further investigation is underway.
(@FahadShabbir)

RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Sep, 2024) Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) while conducting raids across the country managed to recover over 28 kg drugs and arrested four accused including a woman, said an ANF Headquarters spokesman here on Wednesday.

He said that ANF teams were conducting raids to net drug traffickers supplying drugs in educational institutions.

46 intoxicated tablets were recovered from an accused arrested near two educational institutes located on Gojra Road, Jhang. The accused confessed selling drugs to students of educational institutions.

He said, strict action would continue under zero tolerance policy against those involved in selling drugs to students as such elements were destroying the future of the youth.

Along with educational institutions, the ANF teams are also engaged in curbing the supply of drugs across the country, he added.

The spokesman said that in an operation, 544 grams ice was recovered from the bag of a Jeddah bound passenger going from Allama Iqbal International Airport. 53 heroin-filled capsules were recovered from the possession of a female passenger, going to Jeddah at Islamabad Airport.

470 grams ice was recovered from a parcel booked for Bahrain at GPO Sialkot.

26.400 kg hashish worth Rs 2.4 million was recovered from the secret compartments of the car intercepted near Sindhri Hotel on Shikarpur Road. During the operation, an accused was also arrested on the spot.

Cases have been registered against the arrested accused under the Anti-Narcotics Act and further investigations are under process.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Sep, 2024) The Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, on Wednesday extended his heartfelt congratulations to Jimmy Engineer, a distinguished artist and social worker, on being nominated by the government for the prestigious Hilal-e-Imtiaz Award.

The Speaker said in a statement, "This recognition is a testament to Jimmy Engineer's outstanding contributions to the realms of fine arts and his tireless efforts in social work."

While commending Jimmy Engineer's outstanding work, the Speaker said, "His work goes beyond the canvas, touching the lives of the underprivileged and marginalized segments of society.

His efforts in organizing over 260 awareness programs and campaigns for the handicapped and orphans have made a significant impact across the nation".

Mr. Jimmy's artistic achievements are equally remarkable, with thousands of paintings, drawings, and calligraphy pieces showcased in over 100 exhibitions both in Pakistan and abroad.

His works are cherished by art lovers worldwide, reflecting his creativity and commitment to his craft, he added.

The Speaker also emphasized the importance of acknowledging and celebrating such exceptional individuals who make significant contributions to society, urging others to draw inspiration from Jimmy Engineer's exemplary life and work
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Sep, 2024) Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday met with David Lammy, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, where they reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and discussed regional issues of common interest.

According to Foreign Office press release, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the significance of a robust Pakistan-UK partnership, advancing the extensive bilateral agenda, and fostering regional peace and stability. He also praised the efforts of British-Pakistanis in strengthening relations between the two nations.

DPM Dar expressed his eagerness to collaborate with Foreign Secretary Lammy on shared concerns such as climate action, creating opportunities for young people, and enhancing trade and investment. He reiterated Pakistans aim to elevate their close, historic relationship into an enhanced strategic partnership.

Foreign Secretary Lammy congratulated DPM Dar on Pakistans election to the UN Security Council and reaffirmed the UKs support for Pakistan throughout its term. The two ministers also agreed to remain engaged as they prepare for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October 2024.
BAHAWALPUR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Sep, 2024) Deputy Commissioner Bahawalpur Zaheer Anwar Jappa inspected the newly-constructed office of Assistant Commissioner Bahawalpur Saddar and the e-Registration Centre in Bahawalpur.

Superintending Engineer Buildings Anwar Adil and Deputy Director Development Faisal Shahzad accompanied him. The DC said there would be no compromise on quality of development work. He urged the Buildings Department officials to expedite the pace of development project.

Later, DC Zaheer Anwar Jappa visited the Government Girls Comprehensive Higher Secondary School and Government Sadiq Girls High School.

He reviewed the teaching at the schools. He inspected the science and computer labs. He observed the cleanliness and tree plantation efforts at the schools and examined the plants in the Miyawaki forest established on the school premises.

Meanwhile, the DC assessed the medical facilities being provided at the Clinic on Wheels, established in Jafri Town. He inquired with patients about the availability of medicines and medical treatment facilities. The deputy commissioner also inspected the cleanliness efforts in the surrounding areas and streets. He instructed the relevant officials to improve the cleanliness further.
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) here on Wednesday launched a Risk Analysis Unit and a Third Line Technical Forensic Lab to enhance border control and risk management

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Sep, 2024) Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) here on Wednesday launched a Risk Analysis Unit and a Third Line Technical Forensic Lab to enhance border control and risk management.

An inauguration ceremony celebrated the opening of a refurbished Forensic Laboratory for examining suspected forged documents and combating identity fraud, funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as a new Risk Analysis Office, funded by the European Union and Ministry of Interior of Austria.

Both offices were equipped and completed by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) as part of an ongoing programme to strengthen the management of Pakistans borders.

The Risk Analysis Unit is a revolutionary step towards intelligence-based border management. It is designed to support data-driven policy making, enhance understanding of risks, ensure effective resource allocation. The Unit will provide data-driven analysis and evidence-based recommendations to identify threats and risks facing Pakistans borders, and allow for more efficient management of border resources.

Addressing the ceremony, DG FIA Ahmad Ishaque Jehangir highlighted the importance of the offices to the FIAs mandate to control immigration and counter serious and organized crimes. Effective, open and secure border management is critical to ensuring the safety and security of our citizens, promoting stability, and facilitating trade and development, he said.

He expressed gratitude to the international community for their support in establishing the Risk Analysis Unit and the Three Lines Border Control Concept.

He highlighted the economic, social, and political challenges posed by illegal immigration and emphasized the need for cooperation and joint efforts to address these issues.

International representatives, including Dr. Sebastian Lorion from the European Union, Marija Raus from ICMPD, Peter Emil Nielsen from the Danish Embassy, and Hans Machur from the Austrian Embassy, also addressed the gathering.

Dr. Sebastien Lorion, remarked that today marked a significant step forward in our shared commitment to safe and orderly migration. The opening of the FIA's Risk Analysis Unit and Forensic Laboratory reflects the strength of our partnership with Pakistan in tackling irregular migration and enhancing border management, Dr. Lorion said.

Marija Raus noted the importance of international partnerships with Denmark, Austria and the European Union to strengthen the FIAs border management capacity. "The FIA can pursue an evidence-based, data driven approach to border management, implemented by officers with the right skills and tools in the right place, she remarked.

Peter Emil Nielsen, stressed the importance of border control being not only effective but also fair, just, and respectful of human rights and applauded the significant steps taken by ICMPD and the FIA to enhance the capacity in detection of travel document forgery and improve the overall border security in Pakistan.

Charge dAffaires of the Embassy of Austria in Pakistan, Hannes Machor, praised the FIAs efforts to institutionalize the newly developed offices as a clear demonstration of Pakistans commitment to improve border management.
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Civil Judge Shaista Khan Kundi orders police to arrest Gandapur and present him before the court tomorrow.

ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Sept 4th , 2024) Civil Judge Shaista Khan Kundi has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in a liquor case.

The hearing of the weapons and liquor recovery case against Ali Amin Gandapur took place in the District and Sessions Court.

Civil Judge Shaista Khan Kundi passed the order.

The court rejected the request for an exemption from appearance on medical grounds by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and issued non-bailable arrest warrants for him.

The court ordered the SHO of the Bhara Kahu police station to arrest Ali Amin Gandapur and present him in court tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Terrorism Court postponed the hearing on the pre-arrest bail application of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur until September 10 without any proceedings.

The hearing on Ali Amin Gandapurs pre-arrest bail application, filed under terrorism charges, was conducted by Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra.

Raja Zahoor-ul-Hasan appeared in court on behalf of Ali Amin Gandapur and presented the Chief Ministers medical certificate, saying that he was unable to appear in court due to poor health.

He mentioned that the Chief Minister was suffering from leg pain, and the doctor had advised him to rest for a week.

He also stated that there was a flood situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Chief Minister was on a visit to assess the situation.

The leg injury occurred due to a sudden slip during the visit, causing pain in the leg.

He requested the court to adjourn the hearing.

The court adjourned the hearing until September 21.
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ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Sep, 2024) Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub Khan, called on the government to thoroughly examine the issues that led to the resignation of Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal.

Speaking on a point of order in the National Assembly, he called for serious efforts to address the challenges facing Balochistan.

Omar Ayub asserted that the people of Balochistan have legitimate grievances and that the province's resources rightfully belong to its residents.

The opposition leader also called on all political parties to take the situation seriously and address pressing issues, including the non-payment of electricity royalties to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Muhammad Hanif Abbasi demanded that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) apologize for the events of May 9.

He accused PTI of using funds from Israel and the United States to target the country's institutions and claimed that the Leader of the Opposition had undermined Pakistan's armed forces and insulted the families of martyrs.

Hanif Abbasi said that, despite the incidents of May 9, those responsible had not yet faced any consequences. He said that if the opposition leader had criticized Indian or Israeli forces, it might have provided some relief to the nation, but instead, the speech was directed against Pakistan's armed forces.

He also condemned the attacks on military installations, asserting that these were orchestrated by PTI and witnessed by the entire nation.

He claimed that the evidence and witnesses against PTI were substantial, making it difficult for the party to evade responsibility.

Hanif Abbasi criticized PTI for its inability to address internal issues and suggested that the party should seek an apology rather than resorting to derogatory language.

He called for recognition of the sacrifices made by officers and soldiers in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Sep, 2024) Haroon Masih, a wrestler of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA), has won a gold medal.

According to details, Haroon Masih secured the first position in the Inter-Range Police Competition 2024. The Safe Cities wrestler made his way to the final in the 79kg category by winning four matches.

He won the gold medal by defeating the wrestler from Gujranwala.

Teams from Traffic Police, Dolphin Force, Elite, SPU, and others participated in the competition. The PSCA managing director congratulated Haroon Masih and awarded him a prize.

A spokesperson for the PSCA said that Operations Commander SP Shafiq Ahmed presented the medal to wrestler Haroon and congratulated him. All possible facilities will be provided to Haroon Masih for the National Games.
Lviv, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Sep, 2024) A Russian strike on west Ukraine's Lviv, hundreds of kilometers from the front, killed seven people on Wednesday, authorities said as Moscow claimed advances in the war-torn nation's east.

Russia has stepped up its aerial attacks on Ukraine since Kyiv launched an unprecedented cross-border offensive into Russia's Kursk region last month.

The assault on Lviv, which is sheltering thousands displaced by over two years of war, came a day after a Russian strike on the central city of Poltava killed 53 people in one of the deadliest single strikes of the invasion.

"In total, seven people died in Lviv, including three children. The search and rescue operation is ongoing," Interior Minister Igor Klymenko wrote on Telegram.

The missile attack also wounded 40 people, damaging schools and medical facilities as well as buildings in Lviv's historic centre, according to the office of Ukraine's prosecutor general.

The western city near the Polish border is home to a UNESCO world heritage site that covers its old town and has been largely spared the intense strikes that have rocked cities further east.

At least seven "architectural objects of local importance were damaged" in Wednesday's barrage, all of which were located in Lviv's historical area and UNESCO buffer zone, regional head Maksym Kozytsky said.

The overnight attacks triggered renewed appeals from Ukraine for Western air defences, as well as long-range weapons to retaliate by striking targets deep inside Russia.

Sirens rang out over Lviv before sunrise on Wednesday, said Mayor Andriy Sadovy, who advised people to take shelter as air defences worked to down a barrage of missiles.
The election of judges, magistrates and ministers of the Mexican Supreme Court by direct popular vote has raised a new wall between the United States and Mexico. Ambassador Ken Salazar has moderated his tone, but maintains his earlier criticism of the judicial reform promoted by Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and his party, Morena. If it is not done well, it can cause a lot of damage to the relationship, he said at a press conference on Tuesday. Salazar insisted that the decision on the future of the proposal is in the hands of the government and Congress of Mexico, and denied that Washingtons public position on the matter constitutes a violation of Mexican sovereignty. There are many concerns, he said, after two weeks of bilateral tensions and a controversial diplomatic pause declared by the Mexican president.

I am communicating a lot with the Mexican government and I will continue to do so, Salazar said about the pause, in the first press conference called by the U.S. embassy after declaring on August 22 that popular direct election of judges is a major risk to the functioning of Mexicos democracy. The ambassadors latest statements came on a turbulent day in the legislative process of the reform, after workers from the judicial branch blocked the entrances to the lower house of Congress to prevent the reform from being discussed and presumably approved by the majority held by Morena and its allies. The protests, supported by an unprecedented work stoppage, forced the governing party to look for an alternative venue, a gym three miles away from the legislative palace of San Lazaro.

The news conference by the U.S. embassy had raised great expectations after the diplomatic clash of a few days ago. The official topic of the meeting with the media, however, was a presentation on the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, Benito Juarez and activist Dolores Huerta. As reporters gathered to follow up on the controversy between the two countries, Salazar offered a tour of the official residence, in which he spoke of his work during the last three years in the country and his intention to give a positive turn to the bilateral relationship. The United States and Mexico are united, like a family, he repeated on multiple occasions during the tour. We have a complicated history, but the reality is that going forward we will continue to be a family.

To my friend Ken Salazar, with affection and gratitude for his professional and respectful work with Mexico, reads the dedication from Lopez Obrador to the ambassador on a photograph hanging in the library of the official residence. It was at that point when Salazar spoke of history and shared values, and appealed to symbols to soothe his fractured relationship with the Mexican president. We have had a good journey, I have a lot of respect for President Lopez Obrador, he said. He has opened the doors for us, now we are the main trade partners in the world.

The photograph of Ken Salazar and Lopez Obrador, with a dedication by the Mexican president. Daniel Augusto (CUARTOSCURO)

The next stop was the living room of the ambassadors residence, where news conferences normally take place and where Salazar took questions from reporters. The work continues, he insisted, it cannot stop just because someone gets angry. The ambassador said that reform of Mexicos legal system was necessary, but said he did not understand why his comments had sparked so much debate. Hopefully we will get to a place where any reform that passes can support democratic values between the United States and Mexico, he said.

Tensions between the two countries have also been reflected in the security field, following the capture of Ismael El Mayo Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez in New Mexico on July 25. Last week was shrouded in controversy after the Attorney Generals Office questioned Washingtons version of the legal situation of Ovidio Guzman, Joaquins brother and El Chapos son, in the United States, and announced that it was investigating whether his alleged release from prison was related to the arrest of El Mayo. In Mexico there were also rumors of Ovidios alleged entry into the protected witness program, according to a DEA source, although the information was denied. Los Chapitos are still in jail, they are still under arrest. Period. They are not going to get out, he concluded.

I have great respect for the president-elect, Salazar said of Claudia Sheinbaum, who questioned Americas position against the election of Mexican judges by direct vote, saying that they were also elected that way in the United States. The ambassador said that there is no federal judge who is elected by popular vote in the United States, and that there are very few states that do so at the local level. The concerns and ideas that I have shared are part of the dialogue that we must have as neighbors and friends, he said.

The tribute to Dolores Huerta was also an attempt to build bridges with the next Mexican administration and to say that the time for women has arrived, a slogan used by Sheinbaum during her campaign. The future is going to involve a lot of leadership from women, said Salazar. The ambassador also alluded to Barack Obamas victory in 2008 as a transformation, another nod to Lopez Obradors speech, and made public his admiration for Benito Juarez, a central figure in the pantheon of heroes of the Mexican president. Despite the turbulence of the last few days, Salazar, a man of symbols, has opted for de-escalation. The core of the message, however, remains the same: the concerns are still there, and the differences, too. Meanwhile, Morena has announced that it hopes that the judicial reform will be fully approved by Congress in the first half of September.
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ISTANBUL, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Sep, 2024) Pope Francis on Wednesday hailed Indonesias unifying fabric as President Joko Widodo hosted the third papal visit to the Muslim-majority nation.

Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, received the Pope at the presidential palace in Jakarta, according to the Vatican news agency.

In his address to the countrys authorities, the Pope noted how the Southeast Asian nations many ethnicities and religions could be called its unifying fabric, just as the ocean unifies its thousands of islands.

The 87-year-old pontiff arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday as part of his four-nation tour of the Asia-Pacific.

Jokowi introduced his Cabinet, including his successor, Prabowo Subianto, to the Pope for talks.

Your national motto Bhinneka tunggal ika (United in Diversity, literally Many but One) captures well this multifaceted reality of diverse peoples firmly united in one nation, the Pope said.

Ahead of his meeting with the Pope, Jokowi said Indonesia and the Vatican share a commitment to fostering peace, brotherhood, and the well-being of humanity.



I hope that the Popes four-day visit will be an important milestone in strengthening interfaith dialogue in Indonesia, said the outgoing Indonesian president.

The wise and delicate balance, between the multiplicity of cultures and different ideological visions, and the ideals that cement unity, must be continuously defended against imbalances, the Pope said.

Interreligious dialogue can help eliminate prejudices and create a climate of mutual respect and trust, said the wheelchair-bound Pontiff.

The Pope is on a four-day trip to Indonesia. It is the third papal visit to the country since the 1970s.

His visit to Asiathe longest during his papacyalso includes stops in Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore.

This marks the 45th overseas trip of his papacy, and Indonesia is the 66th country the Pope has visited since his papacy began in 2013.
Significance of the Can Tho Development and Urban Resilience Project

The Can Tho Development and Urban Resilience Project, or Project 3, represents a pivotal step in safeguarding Can Tho city against the growing threat of flooding and land subsidence. With land subsidence in the Mekong Delta occurring at a rate three times faster than sea level risemost acutely felt in Can Tho, where the ground sinks by an alarming 1.31 cm per yearthe urgency for effective flood prevention measures has never been greater.

Can Tho ranked #14 on the Provincial Competitiveness Index 2023, which ranks Vietnams 63 provinces based on economic governance areas affecting private sector development. Meanwhile, the Provincial Green Index 2023 findings showed that the Red River Delta and Mekong Delta provinces have performed well on the 2023 index in the area of pollution and disaster resilience.

Sustainability planning and infrastructure development under Project 3

Initiated in 2016, Project 3 was approved by the Vietnamese government with the goal of protecting nearly 2,700 hectares across the Ninh Kieu and Binh Thuy districts, directly benefiting over 420,000 residents. The projects total investment of nearly US$9.2 billion, with US$5.7 billion financed through a World Bank loan, underscores the scale and significance of this endeavor.

One of the cornerstone achievements of Project 3 is the construction of a 5.2 km river embankment along the Can Tho River. With an investment of nearly US$1.1 billion, this embankment stretches through Ninh Kieu District, Phong Dien District, and the opposite bank in Cai Rang District. Beyond its primary function of preventing erosion and safeguarding lives and property, the embankment has also transformed the riverside into a scenic walkway, enhancing the citys aesthetic appeal.

In addition to the embankment, the project includes the construction of 10 tidal gates and two boat locks, crucial for regulating water flow and significantly mitigating flooding in the citys center. The Cai Khe boat lock, a key feature of this system, was completed with an investment of US$436 million. Strategically located at the head of Khai Luong Canal in Ninh Kieu District, it is designed to control water flow during the rainy season, with the ability to close sections off to prevent flooding from the Can Tho River.

Another major infrastructure development under Project 3 is the Tran Hoang Na Bridge, which was officially opened on April 26 after several delays. Spanning the Can Tho River and connecting the Ninh Kieu and Cai Rang districts, this 600-meter-long, 23-meter-wide bridge has improved access to the southern gateway of the city and alleviated traffic congestion on the Hung Loi and Cai Rang bridges. Completed at a cost of 791 billion VND after 3.5 years of construction, the Tran Hoang Na Bridge is complemented by the Quang Trung Bridge (Phase 2), which was completed in late 2021.

Moreover, the project includes the construction of a 5.3 km road linking Cach Mang Thang Tam Street with Provincial Road 918. This road, with a cross-sectional width of 40 meters, connects key arterial routes within the city, enhancing regional transportation networks.

According to the Can Tho ODA Project Management Board, the near completion of Project 3 marks a crucial milestone in the citys sustainable urban development and climate change resilience efforts. By reducing the vulnerability of the central area to flooding and improving the transportation infrastructure within and between regions, the project is instrumental in shaping Can Thos future.

The Can Tho Development and Urban Resilience Project is divided into three main components: Flood Control and Environmental Sanitation, which includes the construction of the Can Tho River embankment, boat locks, tidal gates, and canal improvements; Urban Corridor Development, which encompasses the construction of the Quang Trung and Tran Hoang Na bridges and infrastructure for resettlement areas; and Strengthening Urban Management to Adapt to Climate Change.

In summary, Project 3 is not just an infrastructure initiative; it is a comprehensive approach to ensuring that Can Tho remains resilient in the face of escalating environmental challenges. By addressing both immediate flood risks and long-term urban development needs, this project is setting a benchmark for other regions facing similar climate-related threats.

Investment environment in Can Tho

Can Thos investment climate has evolved significantly since becoming a centrally governed city two decades ago, reflecting its ambition to become a modern, first-grade urban area and a key economic hub in the Mekong Delta. The citys strategic location, enhanced infrastructure, and consistent government support have established it as a nucleus for industry, trade, and services in the region.

Notable achievements include substantial growth in GRDP, a robust increase in domestic and foreign investment, and a well-diversified economy focused on industry, construction, and services. The citys proactive approach to improving its administrative framework, particularly through the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) and other performance indices, underscores its commitment to fostering a favorable business environment.

Recent government initiatives, including specific mechanisms under Resolution 45/2022/QH15 and the approval of the Can Tho Planning for 2021-2030, are expected to further boost investment, particularly in agriculture, logistics, and manufacturing sectors. These efforts, combined with ongoing administrative reforms and investment in infrastructure, position Can Tho as an attractive destination for both domestic and international investors, offering promising opportunities for business development in the coming years.
Tamara Taraciuk Broner is closely linked to Venezuela and democracy. The director of the Inter-American Dialogues Peter D. Bell Rule of Law Program was born in Caracas, where her parents were exiled by the Argentine dictatorship of the 1970s. Now, from this center for political analysis and exchange, she tries to find solutions to the critical repression and authoritarianism that her native country is experiencing.

Her grandfather, Julio Broner, a businessman who was president of the General Economic Confederation during the last government of Juan Domingo Peron, was a victim of the military regime that kept Argentina under a bloody dictatorship. In 1977, Broner was traveling with his wife Dolly Rubinstein when they were detained at an airport and their passports were taken away, just as many Venezuelans have experienced in the last month. That scene, which she describes in the book Julio Broner, Argentino por opcion (Julio Broner, Argentine by Choice) that she published so that her children can learn about their family history, explains the reason why she has worked for more than 20 years documenting human rights violations in Latin America. It is dedicated to my children with the hope that they can always freely choose their destiny, says Taraciuk (1979), a lawyer from the Universidad Torcuato Di Tella (UTDT) who worked for almost 17 years at Human Rights Watch. From Uruguay, where she currently lives, she spoke with EL PAIS about her proposal for legal incentives for a democratic transition in Venezuela.

Question. With your background, what role does the word democracy play in your life? How do you view it at a time of so much discussion about its scope?

Answer. One of the things I learned from my parents and from exile is that the only thing you really have is what you carry inside. Its something Ive also seen doing work on the borders, where you find thousands of migrants who leave with just the clothes on their backs. Thats why I think democracy has to do with being able to choose where you want to be and how you want to live.

Q. That links you to the situation in Venezuela, your native country. Following the election, what alternatives do you see for resolving the situation?

A. What happened after the elections was to be expected. My impression is that the Venezuelan government let the elections happen for two reasons. One, because it needed some international recognition from the worlds democracies to accommodate the theory of normalization, that things were not so bad there; and to access certain markets that it needed in order to operate and sell Venezuelan crude oil. And, on the other hand, because they very poorly calculated the oppositions margin of success and its organizational capacity. So, when election day ended with such clarity in the streets and with the evidence of the voting records that the opposition published a couple of days later, the regime did what it does best: entrench itself in power, repress and attack.

Q. Then came the decision of the Court of Justice, which, however, has not moved the needle in some countries...

A. It was no surprise that the Supreme Court of Justice was used, which has no independence or authority to do what it did and is part of this strategy to try to give a semblance of legality to the fraud. However, it is now very difficult for them to continue maintaining it. Four weeks have passed and they have not shown the voting records because they do not have them. They have no way of corroborating the official result announced by the National Electoral Council.

Q. So what are the scenarios?

A. I see two possibilities. One is that Venezuela will become a pure and hard dictatorship in the style of Nicaragua, which at first glance seems to be what they want to do; but the other alternative, and I dont think its an inevitable outcome, is that they will be forced to negotiate a way out. For that to happen, several factors have to come together: the opposition has to remain united on the electoral path, as it has done until now, and continue to take advantage of the political capital generated by Maria Corina Machado; also, that people continue to demonstrate despite the repression. People went out to vote in very unfortunate and unfair conditions, and now they have to maintain that effervescence so that their right to vote is respected.

Q. The international community also has a strong role to play in this scenario.

A. Thats what makes this different from the past. Maduros traditional allies in the region find it very difficult to defend him today. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Gustavo Petro and Lula have used some euphemisms, but they have not defended Maduros victory. That creates very different conditions because what is happening now is not Guaido 2.0; the international community is not being asked, in an ideological way, to go and support a parallel government.

Q. What could be the limit for those three countries?

A. Its good to see that they are not accepting the results and are asking for human rights to be respected, but I dont think they have much room left if they want to continue saying that they are governed by democratic principles. In a way, Maduro did democracy a favor by doing things so badly. The fraud and the escalation of repression have been so crude that it is indefensible. Mexico has been more timid, but even Lopez Obrador said after the Supreme Courts decision that the vote tallies must be seen. It would be good then if the three of them called things by their name, said that the elections were stolen and demanded an end to the repression.

Q. What alternatives do you see?

A. Civil society has a role in this complex situation. In our case, what I do from the Rule of Law program is to put on the table a proposal for a legal incentive scheme for a democratic transition. There are a few incentives, although they can be morally very unpleasant for many of us  I have worked all my life collecting testimonies from tortured people and I know that it is not fun. In Venezuela, two major types of crimes have been committed in the last 25 years: human rights violations and crimes of corruption, drug trafficking and money laundering. As for human rights violations, there are some people who are involved in crimes against humanity and in those cases international law is very clear and draws a red line that cannot be crossed. It is not possible to guarantee impunity for those who are involved in these types of crimes because they never prescribe. The best alternative for these people is to seek refuge in countries that are not governed by international law or democratic principles, but these are the minority. Most people who are currently in the security forces, the judiciary, the executive branch, and some in middle and lower management positions, do have the possibility of accessing legal benefits.

Q. And how does this proposal of incentives for other crimes work?

A. While international law in general should investigate and promote transparency, prosecutors have many options. There are legal schemes, especially in the United States, that allow for reduced sentences, and even the president can grant clemency and eliminate a criminal sanction. Now, this cannot come for free, it has to be in exchange for concrete concessions that open the door to a democratic transition. So, there is a possibility that has to come hand in hand with increasing the legal threat. If those in power know that the threat of criminal proceedings outside Venezuela, both by the International Criminal Court and by other courts, is credible, the door is opened for a conversation where these incentives become interesting for some people in power.

Q. And are there already countries open to this proposal?

A. This proposal has two legs. One is legal, which has a strong basis, and the other is political, which has clear support from both the Venezuelan political opposition and the international actors involved. Petro, Lula or Lopez Obrador have the advantage, in theory, of keeping the door open for dialogue with the Maduro government. The best thing they can do is show Venezuelan officials that what they are doing is not the best outcome for them, because this way they will not be able to govern, they will not be able to access the markets, because the bondholders are not happy, because they will not be able to sell the oil and because it is not in Petro or Lulas interests to have a country governed by a criminal mafia on its borders. It is not just a matter of asking Maduro to willingly get on a plane and go to Siberia or anywhere else; in parallel, we must build these bridges with these other people in power who are not on a blacklist today, and do not have to be. Not everyone in the power structure in Venezuela is predetermined to go to prison for life for all the crimes they committed. And that is an opportunity to break the power structure, which is not monolithic.

Q. Many people say that accepting Edmundo Gonzalez is like re-editing Guaido. Why do you say that is not the case?

A. What is happening now is more similar to Guatemala, where Bernardo Arevalo arrived in power by chance, nobody expected it and he had to face an enormous number of challenges to assume power, including the use of the institutional structures of that country. That is what Maduro is trying to do. Obviously, Venezuela has a different global significance, but what is interesting, if we talk about removing masks, is that if in the case of Guatemala, where the facts were similar, there was a coalition in the region and several countries joined together to support a transition of power. It is worth asking, why if the regional community united in favor of Arevalo, they cannot do not do so in favor of Gonzalez?

Q. Chile is on the opposite end. How do you analyze President Borics position?

A. Chiles position has been extraordinary, remarkable. In Latin America, in general, left-wing governments have not had a consistent foreign policy regarding democracy and human rights. They have made decisions that are totally biased by ideology and that is very bad for the cause of human rights. In this line of work it should not matter if the victim or the perpetrator is right-wing or left-wing. Boric is then an exception on the left, having maintained a policy of principles questioning abuses, and mainly who committed them. In the case of Venezuela, the rest of the left gets the legacy of Chavez in his early years a little mixed up with the current situation, which has nothing to do with a socialist project.

Q. You have documented other repressive processes. Do you see anything new in the post-electoral repression?

A. It has been very intense in terms of the number of people arrested, but the patterns are the same. In the past, there was already the practice of roulette, which is to detain and take people from one place to another without informing their families where the detainees are and which, in international law, constitutes forced disappearance; abuses against detainees; intimidation by armed groups, which in Venezuela are called colectivos. In this case, I do see a greater intensity of intimidation through social networks, people who report how their cell phones are being checked in the street, how they are being made to show their WhatsApp messages. There is a higher level of social control. What we see is that after the elections, they took off their masks.

Q. Finally, there is the factor of the U.S. election in November. How could this affect the outcome if, for example, Donald Trump were to win?

A. In general, for the United States, Latin America is not a priority and Venezuela is not an important issue on the global agenda, but it is important to them in terms of migration. There are already surveys that show that, if the popular will is not respected, there are millions of Venezuelans who have plans to migrate mainly to the United States. Beyond who wins, the important thing is that there is consensus in Congress on the Venezuelan situation and that the foundations are laid for it to be given the importance it should have. The biggest challenge is how to maintain international attention on a crisis of this magnitude, so that it remains a priority issue, because time is playing in Maduro's favor. The urgency is that they do not let him buy time.
Salvagers abandoned an initial effort to tow away a burning oil tanker in the Red Sea because it "was not safe to proceed," a European Union naval mission said Tuesday, leaving the Sounion stranded and its 1 million barrels of oil at risk of spilling.

While a major spill has yet to occur, the incident threatens to become one of the worst yet in the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels' campaign that has disrupted the movement of $1 trillion in goods that pass through the Red Sea each year over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. It also has halted some aid shipments to conflict-ravaged Sudan and Yemen.

"The private companies responsible for the salvage operation have concluded that the conditions were not met to conduct the towing operation and that it was not safe to proceed," the EU's Operation Aspides mission said, without elaborating. "Alternative solutions are now being explored by the private companies."

The EU mission did not respond to questions from The Associated Press about the announcement. The safety issue could be the fire burning aboard the vessel. Satellite images from Planet Labs PBC taken Tuesday afternoon and analyzed by the AP showed the Sounion still ablaze.

The U.S. State Department has warned that a spill from the Sounion could be "four times the size of the Exxon Valdez disaster" in 1989 off Alaska.

Meanwhile, there's the threat of attacks by the Houthis, who on Monday targeted two other oil tankers traveling through the Red Sea. The Houthis have suggested they'll allow a salvage operation to take place, but critics say the rebels have used the threat of an environmental disaster previously involving another oil tanker off Yemen to extract concessions from the international community.

The Houthis initially attacked the Greek-flagged Sounion tanker on August 21 with small arms fire, projectiles and a drone boat. A French destroyer operating as part of Operation Aspides rescued its 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.

The Houthis have targeted more than 80 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started in October. They seized one vessel and sank two in the campaign that has also killed four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a U.S.-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have included Western military vessels as well.

The rebels maintain that they target ships linked to Israel, the U.S. or the U.K. to force an end to Israel's campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.

There no American vessels known to be in the Red Sea at the moment as the EU mission has taken charge after the Sounion attack. A U.S. defense official, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to discuss information not made public, said the American military has not been asked and has no role in the cleanup or the towing of the Sounion.

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower recently served a monthslong deployment in the Red Sea, facing the most intense, continuous combat the U.S. Navy has been seen since World War II while fighting against the Houthis.

Two U.S. aircraft carriers, the USS Theodore Roosevelt and the USS Abraham Lincoln, along with their carrier groups, are in the Gulf of Oman to counter a threatened Iranian retaliation against Israel over the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Venezuela has issued an arrest warrant for opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, a move that was condemned Tuesday by several countries, including Brazil, the United States and the European Union.

The warrant comes as the South American country is embroiled in an election dispute. Gonzalez says he is the rightful winner of the July 28 presidential vote, while incumbent President Nicolas Maduro says he was the victor and remains in power.

"There is no denying that there is an authoritarian escalation in Venezuela," Celso Amorim, Brazil's top foreign policy adviser, told Reuters on Tuesday. The arrest of Gonzalez "would be a political arrest, and we do not accept [that there should be] political prisoners."

"This is just another example of Mr. Maduro's efforts to maintain power by force and to refuse to recognize that Mr. Gonzalez won the most votes on the 28th of July," according to White House national security spokesperson John Kirby, who said Gonzalez's warrant was "unjustified."

Josep Borrell, the European Union's foreign affairs chief, posted on X, "Enough of the repression and harassment of the opposition and civil society. The will of the Venezuelan people must be respected."

Gonzalez has been in hiding since the election dispute, but "he has not requested asylum, he has not requested to be treated as a guest in any embassy," Gonzalez's lawyer, Jose Vicente Haro, said outside of his client's house in Caracas.

"He's not at his residence in order to preserve his freedom, his security, his life and to preserve the will of the Venezuelan people," Haro added.

Venezuela's Supreme Court has backed Maduro's claims that he beat Gonzalez in the disputed election.

The court, which includes Maduro loyalists, said that after reviewing materials supplied by the electoral authority, it agreed that Maduro had won a third six-year term.

Gonzalez has ignored several summonses from the Supreme Court.

Venezuela's electoral authority, which declared Maduro the winner of the vote within hours of the polls closing, reported that the president won more than half the votes, but it has not published any results.

The opposition claims that Gonzalez won the election in a landslide. It backed its claims with voting tallies that it said were gathered from 80% of the country's 30,000 voting booths showing that Gonzalez won by a ratio of more than 2-to-1.

On Monday, the U.S., which has urged Venezuelan authorities to release the election results, seized Maduro's airplane  a Dassault Falcon 900EX  in the Dominican Republic. The U.S. says the plane was illegally exported from the U.S., violating U.S. export control and sanctions laws.

"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," U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said.

The U.S. will continue to take moves against Maduro for his actions that "long predate his most recent anti-democratic action," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

"There are a number of things that we have called on him to do  to stop cracking down on dissent, to release the actual tally sheets, which he still has not done, and to get Venezuela back on its democratic path," Miller said. "We are considering a range of options to demonstrate to Maduro and his representatives that their illegitimate and repressive actions in Venezuela have consequences."

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is out as President Zelenskyy reorganizes his government. A victory for a right-wing political party in Germany and what it might mean for Kyiv. The U.S. Justice Department files criminal charges against Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other militants connected to the October 7 attack in Israel. Massive demonstrations continue as outraged Israelis continue to demand Netanyahu secures a deal to release the remaining hostages. Opposition leader Bobby Wine shot in Uganda Plus, a look at recent hostilities in the South China Sea.
Indonesia hosted a gathering of African leaders in Bali this week in a bid to grow economic and trade ties. But many African countries were not represented, with leaders opting to attend a separate forum in China.

The Indonesia-Africa Forum was seen as an opportunity for Southeast Asias largest country to boost trade ties with Africa and seek out new export markets, but the three-day forum struggled to attract a large showing of African countries.

Even so, the Indonesian forum wasnt a wasted effort, with important discussions and outcomes, said Christophe Dorigne-Thomson, a foreign affairs academic based in Jakarta.

But symbolically, for sure, the choice was made for China, he said.

Delegates from 29 nations made their way to the resort island of Bali for the summit, well short of the 47 African countries that were represented at the inaugural forum in 2018.

Despite the smaller turnout, Indonesia hopes to have sealed $3.5 billion in business deals from the summit. That would be nearly six times the amount generated in agreements during the first forum six years ago.

Dewi Fortuna Anwar, senior researcher at Indonesias National Research and Innovation Agency, tracked the deals at the summit.

There seem to be some concrete ... letters of intent, like Indonesias aircraft industry signing deals with several countries and the oil companies also signing deals, Anwar said.

While some leaders skipped Bali for Beijing, there remains a strong sense of cooperation between Indonesia and the African continent.

Their ties date back to 1955 when the first Asian-Africa conference was held in the Indonesian city of Bandung.

Elina Noor, senior fellow in the Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said Indonesia can use this history to its advantage.

Jakarta can boast history and a legacy of relationship that stretches back to the Bandung conference. Indonesia has really sought to leverage on that historical relationship, Noor said.

At the forum in Bali, business was a key focus, but politics were also at play.

President Joko Widodo has looked to enhance Indonesias standing on the international stage, promoting his country as a voice of the Global South. He is also keeping his countrys options open as U.S.-China tensions simmer, said Dorigne-Thomson.

It's a way for Indonesia to find a new way and not be stuck in that kind of geopolitical tension, he said. Africa is, for them ... a new way to serve their interests.
When the U.S. State Department recently offered up to $2.5 million for information leading to the arrest of alleged cyber-fraudster Volodymyr Kadariya, it marked another turn in a saga that saw the man transform from suspected criminal to political dissident and back.

For 15 years, Kadariya has been wanted in his native Belarus on cybercrime charges.

American prosecutors accuse him of involvement in a scheme to transmit malicious malware to U.S. computers. Millions of internet users reportedly fell victim to the scheme.

But Kadariya has been particularly elusive.

After coming under suspicion in Belarus, he fled the country and lived abroad for many years. During this time, he managed to obtain asylum and eventually citizenship in Ukraine, according to multiple media reports and official government statements from the United States and Belarus.

When he was detained in Kyrgyzstan in 2022 on the Belarusian charges, he claimed to be facing political persecution. Even United Nations officials spoke out against his extradition.

Today, as the United States seeks his arrest, it is unclear whether Kadariya is even at liberty.

Mystery man

There is little publicly available information about Volodymyr  or, alternately, Vladimir Kadariya. That may not even be his real name.

Kadariya, 38, is a native of Belarus. Around 2008, he came under suspicion of stealing large sums of money "by modifying computer information, according to the countrys investigative committee.

Kadariya allegedly purchased stolen bank card information on the darknet, encoded it onto dummy cards, and used them to withdraw money.

Belarusian investigators say citizens of the United States, Poland, France and Britain fell victim to the scheme.

They also claim that, in 2016, Kadariya applied for refugee status in Ukraine. Later, he likely obtained Ukrainian citizenship.

Equally, little is known about Kadariya's life in Ukraine. According to open databases, someone with his rare name was previously among the beneficiaries of two Ukrainian companies: Cosmo Medical and Digital Med.

Kadariya also shows up in a photo from IT Nature Party International, a 2018 party held on the outskirts of Kyiv.

Arrest and extradition

According to Belarusian investigators, in 2022, they learned that Kadariya had been living for some time in Spain. After he flew to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, he was detained that September. Minsk requested his extradition.

Kadariya claimed he was being persecuted for political reasons in his homeland. Whether or not that claim was true, it likely sounded plausible.

After the 2020 presidential elections in Belarus, which the United States deemed fraudulent, a wave of protests struck the country. Security forces arrested thousands of people. There are still more than 1,500 political prisoners in Belarus.

Some estimates suggest that up to half a million Belarusians left the country in the wake of the crackdown.

In Kyrgyzstan, Kadariya claimed he was a Belarusian citizen originally named Andrei Kovalev. He received refugee status in Ukraine in 2017. Later, when receiving citizenship, he changed his name, his Kyrgyz lawyer told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service in March 2023.

In a March 2023 interview with Current Time, a Russian-language TV and digital network led by RFE/RL in partnership with VOA, Kadariya claimed he had worked as the administrator of an opposition website in Minsk that published articles about corruption. He said that Belarusian security forces detained him in 2008 and seized his laptop, but due to data encryption, they could not confirm his connection to the opposition. After being released in 2008, Kadariya immediately left the country.

The Kyrgyz Prosecutor General's Office did not find any political motives in the charges against Kadariya and a court soon approved his extradition.

Kadariya tried to appeal. His lawyer said that his extradition would violate Kyrgyzstan's obligations to international organizations.

After the court rejected Kadariya's appeal, the United Nations weighed in. In a letter to the Kyrgyz prosecutor general, representatives of the U.N. Commissioner for Human Rights and the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said Kadariya should not be deported because he had requested asylum in Kyrgyzstan. According to them, the court's decision to extradite him violated the U.N. Refugee Convention and local legislation, Current Time reported.

Kadariya penned an appeal to President Sadyr Japarov asking the Kyrgyz leader to prevent his deportation.

In March 2023, he was extradited back to Belarus.

In a video published that month by Belarusian investigators on the Telegram messenger, Kadariya states that he has no connections to the opposition and had never been involved in politics.

Dmytro Mazurok, a Ukrainian lawyer based in Kyiv who specializes in migration, says he would not trust a statement given in the presence of Belarusian investigators.

They have a harsh system of coercion, he said.

At the same time, its not unfathomable that Kadariya could have received asylum in Ukraine on false grounds  particularly at the time he applied.

"I can say for sure that obtaining refugee status and, subsequently, citizenship for a person with money is not a problem," Mazurok told VOA.

American accusations

On August 12, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that Maksim Silnikau, the alleged leader of a cybercriminal group, was extradited from Poland to the U.S.

American prosecutors allege that he worked together with Kadariya and one other alleged cybercriminal, Russian citizen Andrei Tarasov. Like Kadariya, Silnikau holds both Belarusian and Ukrainian citizenships.

According to a New Jersey indictment, from 2013 to 2022 the three men used so-called malvertising on the internet to infect Americans' computers with malicious software, including one called "Angler Exploit Kit."

Among the ways they allegedly profited from this scheme was by selling stolen user information and access to infected devices to other cybercriminals.

To promote their scheme, the three accomplices created domains to host malware and posed as legitimate advertisers, the indictment states. It describes Kadariya as a "malicious advertiser."

If found guilty, each man could face 27 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 10 years for conspiracy to commit computer fraud, and 20 years for each count of wire fraud.

In Kadariya's case, one important question remains: Is he at large?

VOA was unable to contact Kadariya for comment or confirm his whereabouts.

He may be in custody in Belarus, where he was extradited a year-and-a-half ago, but the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs did not respond to a request for comment.

The State Department and DOJ also did not answer VOAs questions about Kadariyas whereabouts.

Notably, the State Department announced August 26 that it is offering the $2.5 million reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction in any country.
The Arch of Constantine, a giant ancient Roman arch next to the Colosseum, was damaged after a violent storm hit Rome, conservation authorities said on Tuesday.

In a statement to Reuters, which first reported on the accident, the Colosseum Archaeological Park confirmed that the monument had been hit by lightning.

The triumphal arch was built in the fourth century A.D. to celebrate the victory of Constantine  the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity  over his rival, Maxentius.

It is about 25 meters high and in the same pedestrian area where the Colosseum stands, a major tourist hotspot.

"A lightning strike hit the arch right here and then hit the corner, and we saw this fly off," a tourist told Reuters, pointing to a large block of stone on the ground.

Reuters video images showed other blocks of stone and rubble lying around the monument and archaeological park staff collecting them.

"All fragments were recovered and secured. Damage assessments have already begun and the analyses will continue tomorrow morning," the archaeological park said.

The arch was hit on its southern side, where conservation work had started two days ago and which will now also focus on repairing the damage, it said.

The accident took place during a heavy thunderstorm that felled trees and branches and flooded several streets of the Italian capital.

The Civil Protection agency said 60 millimeters of rain fell on central Rome in less than one hour, about as much as would normally fall in a month during autumn.

The freak weather was a so-called "downburst," Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said, referring a severe storm featuring powerful downward winds, the kind believed to have caused the sinking of British tech tycoon Mike Lynch's yacht last month off Sicily.

"The event that hit Rome is truly unprecedented, because it was so powerful and concentrated in a very short time and in some areas of the city, starting from the historic center," Gualtieri said in a statement.
At least 81 people died and several were missing after an attack by suspected Boko Haram militants in Nigeria's northeastern Yobe State, local officials told AFP on Tuesday.

"Around 150 suspected Boko Haram terrorists armed with rifles and RPGs [rocket-propelled grenades] attacked Mafa ward on more than 50 motorcycles around 1600 hours on Sunday," said Abdulkarim Dungus, a Yobe state police spokesperson.

"They killed many people and burnt many shops and houses. We are yet to ascertain the actual number of those killed in the attack."

Dungus said it appeared to be a revenge attack "for the killing of two Boko Haram terrorists by vigilantes from the village."

Bulama Jalaluddeen, a local official, said at least 81 people were killed in the attack.

Fifteen bodies had already been buried by their relations by the time soldiers reached Mafa for the evacuation of the corpses, said the official.

"In addition to these, some unspecified number of dead victims from nearby villages who were caught up in the attack were taken and buried by their kinsmen before the arrival of the soldiers," added the official. "Many people are still missing and their whereabouts unknown."

Boko Haram and other extremist groups have waged a 15-year insurgency in northeastern Nigeria that has killed more than 40,000 people.

Central and northwestern Nigeria have been plagued for years by gangs of criminals known as "bandits" who raid villages, kill and abduct residents, and burn homes after looting them.

By working alongside these gangs, militant groups have increasingly established a presence in central Niger state, officials and analysts say.
Bangladeshi security forces have launched an operation to recover thousands of guns, including those seized during deadly unrest that led to the ouster of autocratic leader Sheikh Hasina, police said on Wednesday.

Weeks of student-led demonstrations escalated into mass protests, with Hasina fleeing by helicopter to neighboring India on August 5 after 15 years in power.

Police had tried to stem the protests with gunfire but protesters responded by storming and looting police stations, when weapons were seized.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus is now leading an interim government after Hasina's fall.

More than 3,700 weapons of different types had been recovered during an amnesty to surrender guns that ended on Tuesday.

However, more than 2,000 weapons, including rifles, are missing, along with thousands of rounds of ammunition and hundreds of tear gas canisters and stun grenades.

"Those arms which have not been submitted to the police stations within the deadline... the looted arms will be considered illegal," senior police official Enamul Haque Sagor told AFP.

The army and police, as well as other security force units including the paramilitary Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Ansar forces, are taking part in the weapons sweep.

Two former top police officers have also been detained in connection to the violent suppression of the protests and have been placed on remand, Dhaka deputy police commissioner Obaidur Rahman said.

Both men face accusations of murder, although formal charges have not yet been made.

They include former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who quit a day after Hasina fled and has been taken into custody, Dhaka Metropolitan Police said in a statement late on Tuesday.

Police said he had "expressed his willingness to surrender  due to a case against him  while he was under army custody."

He was placed under remand for eight days on Wednesday, Rahman said.

Another top officer, AKM Shahidul Haque, who had been police chief from 2014 to 2018, was detained on Tuesday and placed on remand for seven days, Rahman said.

More than 600 people were killed in the weeks leading up to Hasina's ouster, according to the preliminary report of a United Nations rights team that said the toll was "likely an underestimate."

Many of those killed were hit by police fire.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is traveling to Haiti and the Dominican Republic on Thursday, marking his first visits to both Caribbean nations as the top U.S. diplomat.

Blinken's visit to Port-au-Prince underscores U.S. support for Haiti, with additional humanitarian assistance anticipated as the country grapples with gang violence. His trip to Santo Domingo follows the start of Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader's second term in mid-August.

A senior State Department official told reporters on Wednesday that the United States is prioritizing efforts with its international partners to set up a structure that ensures "a reliable source of financing and staffing" for a security mission in Haiti.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is reportedly considering the possibility of transitioning a largely U.S.-funded multinational security force into a traditional United Nations peacekeeping operation.

"A formal PKO (peacekeeping operation) is one of the ways that we could accomplish that, but we're looking at multiple ways to do that," said Brian Nichols, assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs.

With about a month left in the mandate of the U.N.-ratified, Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti, progress has been limited, and many pledges remain unfulfilled.

"The one-year anniversary of the mission is October 2, and we're going to work to ensure that it's poised for success and renewal of its mandate in whatever form that takes," Nichols told VOA on Wednesday.

Multinational security support

Gang-related violence and drug trafficking have fueled political instability and insecurity in Haiti, leading to an unbearable living situation for the Haitian people.

In October 2022, Haiti requested the deployment of an international force to assist the Haitian National Police in combating heavily armed gangs and facilitating humanitarian aid. In October 2023, the United Nations Security Council authorized the MSS.

The United States and Canada are the top funders of the MSS in Haiti. The estimated first-year cost for the mission is $589 million. The U.S. has already provided $309 million  $200 million toward the MSS mission base and $109 million in financial support.

During a visit to Haiti in July, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced an additional $60 million in humanitarian assistance for the Haitian people, along with providing armored vehicles for the national police.

While in Haiti, Blinken will review the progress made toward improving security and encourage efforts to appoint the provisional electoral council so Haiti can move toward elections, according to the State Department.

Blinken will hold talks with Edgard Leblanc Fils, president of Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council, and Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille. Blinken also will meet with MSS head Godfrey Otunge and Normil Rameau, head of the Haitian National Police.

At least 80% of Port-au-Prince is no longer under the control of the Haitian authorities, with violence spreading to other parts of the country.

In the past year, displacement in Haiti has tripled as gang violence grips the Caribbean nation. The United Nations reports that at least 578,000 people have been displaced due to violence, including murders, kidnappings and rapes.

The situation is further exacerbated by widespread hunger, with nearly half of the 11.7 million population facing acute food insecurity.

Gangs, some aligned with political elites, accumulated their control over territory and illicit markets during the tenure of the deeply unpopular former Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who took office after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021, according to a Congressional Research Service report. Henry resigned in April 2024 following the formation of a Transitional Presidential Council.

The Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic will host the 2025 Summit of the Americas, where Western Hemisphere leaders will address shared challenges and policy issues facing the region.

"In the Dominican Republic, we will reinforce our shared priorities such as promoting democratic governance, supporting free and fair elections in the region, and fighting corruption," Nichols told reporters.

On August 16, President Luis Abinader was inaugurated for a second four-year term. He has vowed to boost security by training more police over the next four years. His administration has barred migrants from neighboring Haiti.

"We certainly hope to see more normal relations between the Dominican Republic and Haiti," Nichols said. "The countries are inexorably linked, and we certainly will have those conversations with leaders on both sides of the border."

The U.S. and the Dominican Republic signed a historic Open Skies agreement on August 2. Once in effect, the agreement will expand opportunities for airlines, travel companies and people-to-people exchanges. More than 4 million U.S. citizens visit the Dominican Republic each year.

The Dominican Republic is a crucial partner for the U.S. in hemispheric affairs, due to its position as the second-largest economy in the Caribbean, after Cuba, and the third-largest country by population, behind Cuba and Haiti. The U.S. is its primary trading partner.

Additionally, the Dominican Republic is home to Pueblo Viejo, one of the world's largest gold mines, and serves as a major global supplier of ferronickel.

The United States said it will continue robust collaboration with the Dominican Republic to advance inclusive economic growth, bolster democratic institutions, uphold human rights, and enhance governance and security.

The Dominican Republic and the United States, along with five Central American countries, are parties to the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement, known as CAFTA-DR. This agreement enhances economic opportunities by eliminating tariffs, opening markets, reducing barriers to services and promoting transparency.

The U.S. Agency for International Development is investing more than $9.5 million to strengthen the Dominican Republic's existing justice system and to reduce crime and violence.
Nearly five years after the event, the world still does not know exactly how the coronavirus pandemic  which killed more than seven million people worldwide and was the most serious global health emergency of the 21st century  began. The clearest clues lead to an unfortunate chain of contacts between wild animals, most likely bats, and intermediate species that ended up for sale in markets in Wuhan, China.

Now, an international team of scientists offers new insights into where and how the next pandemic may be brewing. The researchers analyzed the organs of 461 animals from dozens of species raised on fur farms in China, one of Asias leading producers. All the animals had died for unknown reasons.

The results reveal the presence of more than 100 different viruses, many of them unknown. Among them are 39 that the authors of the research define as high risk, as they have the ability to jump between species and potentially to humans. The research describes several viruses from wild animals that have spread to domestic species, often raised in their thousands in overcrowded cages and without sanitary controls. Samples were collected between 2021 and 2024 in more than a dozen provinces, mainly the four major fur-producing provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Heilongjiang, and Liaoning, in the northeast of the country. The results were published on September 4 in the journal Nature.

British virologist Edward Holmes, one of the authors of the study, announced to the world the genetic sequence of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 on January 10, 2020. Since then, Holmes has been one of the major proponents of the theory that the pandemic virus originated in bats and reached humans through other animal carriers sold in Chinese markets. Breeding animals for fur is an obvious way in which a pandemic coronavirus, or flu virus, could emerge in humans, Holmes tells this newspaper. The researcher, from the University of Sydney in Australia, emphasizes: Our study shows that viruses have jumped from wild species to farm animals. Because humans are in close contact with these animals, there is also a risk of contagion, and in fact we see that some human viruses have been transmitted to animals. Researchers have so far detected no cases of human-to-human infection.

Raccoon dogs, members of the fox family, are nocturnal carnivores that are bred by the millions on Chinese fur farms for their pelts. Another coronavirus that emerged in China in 2002 and killed nearly 800 people  severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)  was also detected in a Guangdong animal market in raccoon dogs. The new work points to this mammal, along with mink, guinea pigs, rabbits, and arctic foxes, as the major carriers of viruses classified as high-risk to humans.

Among the pathogens isolated are viruses from many families, including coronaviruses and influenza viruses. The most worrying of these, according to Holmes, may be the HKU5 coronavirus, which originated from the common bat and was found in mink that died of pneumonia, the British researcher notes. This pathogen is related to MERS, which has been detected in 27 countries and has killed nearly 900 people since 2012. The jump from bats to mink is alarming, Holmes points out, and requires monitoring.

The research is published just as the world is witnessing the worst avian flu epidemic ever recorded. A new, highly pathogenic H5N1 virus emerged in wild birds in 2021. It has since spread to domestic species, forcing the culling of hundreds of millions of birds, and infected wild and domestic mammals, especially dairy cows in the United States but also mink on fur farms in Spain. It has already spread to humans and reached Antarctica, the most isolated and pristine continent on the planet. The scientific community is holding its breath in anticipation of the possibility that, during this uncontrolled circulation, the virus could gain the ability to transmit efficiently between people, which could lead to a new pandemic.

The study published in Nature, in which several researchers from Chinese universities and the Chinese Academy of Sciences also participated, has not detected the highly pathogenic variant of the flu in farm animals, but it has detected others that have infected humans in the past and that must be monitored, warns Holmes, who adds this could be the tip of the iceberg. The researcher is blunt: All fur farms should be closed. They are one of the most likely places for the start of the next pandemic. Although our study has focused on China, there are farms of this type all over the world. Cases of contagion with Covid-19 and H5N1 flu in mink, for example, have severely affected countries such as Denmark, which was the worlds leading producer, as well as Holland and Spain among others.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Chinese government limited access by international scientists to the markets where the contagions are suspected to have started. Despite this, a study conducted by Chinese scientists uncovered the regular marketing of live wild animals in Wuhan, and another international study demonstrated the existence of DNA from raccoon dogs and coronavirus in the same samples taken at the Huanan market in January 2020. These tests are not enough to clarify the origin of the pandemic, or to identify the first patient, but they do point to raccoon dogs as a likely intermediate host of SARS-CoV-2.

We have reached the end of the road in terms of the origin of Covid-19, Holmes opines. Im sure there will be no more data from China, where there is enormous political control, and all the animals involved are already dead. It is possible that more SARS-CoV-2 viruses will be obtained from bats in other countries that are possibly closer to the one that caused the pandemic. I am convinced that there was an intermediate host, but I am afraid we will never know exactly which one it was. In spite of everything, the researcher says that he has not perceived any political obstacles to carrying out the current study on fur farms.

Virologist Angela Rasmussen, from the University of Saskatchewan (Canada), who was not involved in the study, emphasizes its relevance. The published data present a clear risk of emerging viruses from contact between animals and humans on these farms, she says. This threat remains unsupervised, she adds. The scientist explains that it is difficult to determine which virus is more dangerous or transmissible knowing only its genetic sequence, although she highlights coronaviruses and flus, the latter being especially threatening because they reconfigure their genome every time there is cross-species contagion, which increases the risk of generating epidemics. Rasmussen agrees that all fur farms should be shut down, although she does not see this as realistic. The next best option is regulation of production practices, including increased surveillance of both animals and workers in these facilities, avoiding overcrowding, providing veterinary care, including humane euthanasia for sick animals, and occupational safety standards for employees to reduce the risk of exposure, such as the use of face masks, she says.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his governments decision to suspend some arms shipments to Israel Wednesday, saying the move was necessary to comply with international law.

We absolutely recognize and support Israels right to self-defense and have taken action in support of that right of self-defense. ... But in relation to licenses, this isn't an Israel issue. It's the framework for all licenses that have to be kept under review, he said.

We either comply with international law or we dont. We only have strength in our arguments because we comply with international law, Starmer told lawmakers in Parliament.

Israel has strongly criticized the move and said it would only serve to strengthen Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. Israel invaded the Palestinian territory after Hamas militants killed more than 1,200 people and took 253 hostages in a cross-border terror attack on October 7.

Britain on Monday suspended around 30 of the 350 licenses for weapons exports to Israel after a legal review. Foreign Secretary David Lammy made the announcement in parliament on Monday.

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, Lammy told lawmakers, adding that the export bans include equipment that we assess is for use in the current conflict in Gaza, such as important components which go into military aircraft, including fighter aircraft, helicopters and drones, as well as items which facilitate ground targeting.

The British move will have little impact on the Israel Defense Forces operations, said Middle East analyst Yossi Mekelberg of the London-based policy institute Chatham House. Most of Israel's weapons and ammunition come actually from the United States and Germany. It amounts to nearly 99% of the arms supplied to Israel.

But the symbolism of Britains move is significant, Mekelberg said.

Suspension sends a clear message that you can be a friend of Israel, you can support Israel  including Labour [the ruling party]  supportive of Israel, especially after October 7, and rightly so. But at the same time to disagree fundamentally with the way Israel conducts the war and how it uses weapons, he said.

I think we can start seeing a change [in Britains approach], and I think what some of us wonder is if it will go as far as recognizing a Palestinian statehood. This probably would be the biggest step forward, Mekelberg said.

Andreas Krieg, a fellow of the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies at Kings College London, said the political impact of the export ban would outweigh the practical implications.

The U.K. might not be the strongest hard power in the Middle East, but it has significant soft power and influence. It shows that for the very first time that a very close partner and ally of Israel doesn't trust the Israeli government, when they're saying that they are complying with the laws of armed conflict, Krieg told VOA.

The fact that the U.K. is now saying that there are potential doubts is casting bigger doubts over Israel's campaign and the complicity of other countries as well, including Germany and the United States, in aiding and supporting Israel's campaign, particularly in Gaza, but also potentially in the West Bank, he said.

Other European countries might want to now revisit their arms export licenses and to what extent their weapons are being used in what could be seen as an illegal war, a partially illegal war in Gaza, Krieg said.

Washington paused the export of large 1-ton bombs to Israel in May over concerns that they could be used in a ground invasion of the city of Rafah but has continued to supply billions of dollars worth of other weapons.

Germany, which supplies about 39% of Israels arms imports, has not said it plans to suspend any arms shipments.

Israel strongly denies breaking international law in Gaza and claims it targets only Hamas militants, whom it accuses of hiding in schools, hospitals and mosques and using human shields.

Critics accuse the Israel Defense Forces of conducting indiscriminate attacks against the civilian population and targeting basic infrastructure. The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza says more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed since the Israeli operation began, most of them women and children. Most of Gazas 2.3 million people have been forced to flee their homes.

The Israeli military says the death toll includes several thousand Hamas combatants. The U.S., the U.K. and other Western countries designate Hamas as a terror group.

Writing on the social media platform X, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticized Britains move to ban some arms exports.

Days after Hamas executed six Israeli hostages, the UK government suspended thirty arms licenses to Israel. This shameful decision will not change Israel's determination to defeat Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization that savagely murdered 1,200 people on October 7, including 14 British citizens.

Hamas is still holding over 100 hostages, including 5 British citizens. Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britains misguided decision will only embolden Hamas. Israel is pursuing a just war with just means, taking unprecedented measures to keep civilians out of harms way and comporting fully with international law, Netanyahu wrote on Tuesday.

In recent days, tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets of Tel Aviv to protest Netanyahus handling of the war in Gaza and the failure to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

I think there's a growing divide between the Israeli public and Israeli national interest, and the Netanyahu government. So, siding or moving against the Netanyahu government is now seen less and less so as moving against Israel as a whole, or the Israeli public, said analyst Andreas Krieg.

Meanwhile the European Unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell last week proposed sanctioning two unnamed Israeli government ministers, accusing them of having a colonial agenda in the occupied West Bank. Israel is conducting an ongoing raid against militants in the territory, focused on refugee camps in Jenin and Tulkarem. Israeli settlers are accused of forcibly seizing Palestinian land in the West Bank with the support of the IDF, which Israel denies.

We are  witnessing a formal radicalization on the part of some members of the Israeli far-right for whom Gaza has always been a minor issue compared with the West Bank and Jerusalem. Maybe, they don't care about the settlements in Gaza, since any return to calm would make it more difficult to pursue the colonial agenda they have for the West Bank, the expansion of the colonies, Borrell told reporters in Brussels on August 29.

Any decision on sanctioning Israeli ministers would require unanimity among EU member states. Borrell said that threshold had not been met.
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his governments decision to suspend some arms shipments to Israel on Wednesday, saying the move was necessary to comply with international law. It could have wider consequences among European allies. Henry Ridgwell reports. Camera: Henry Ridgwell.
Rights advocates say Chinese authorities' recent detention of dissident artist Gao Zhen and prominent citizen journalist Zhang Zhan are the latest sign of an escalating crackdown on dissent in China.

Gao, a prominent artist known for creating provocative sculptures of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong, was detained by Chinese police on August 26 for slandering Chinese heroes and martyrs. More than 30 police raided his studio and confiscated several pieces of artwork related to Mao and the Cultural Revolution, a tumultuous period that Chinas founding leader launched in the 1960s and lasted until 1976.

Mao launched the movement to reassert ideological control with attacks on intellectuals and so-called counterrevolutionaries, which scholars estimate led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands if not millions of people.

His brother and main artistic collaborator Gao Qiang told VOA Tuesday that Gaos wife received a notification from northern Hebei provinces Sanhe public security bureau on August 27. The notification said Gao had been detained under the charge of insulting and slandering Chinese heroes and martyrs, a law passed in 2018 that carries a maximum sentence of three years.

The police mainly targeted artworks critiquing the Cultural Revolution, but these works were created more than 10 years ago, which predate the law that came into effect in 2021, Gao Qiang said in a written response.

Gao said his brother returned to China to visit family with his wife and son in June, but before his departure, he and other friends urged him to consider the potential security risks of returning to China.

He also thought he could run into some trouble, but he still decided to go back to China in the end, he said.

Since the 1990s and into the early 2000s, the Gao brothers have been known for expressing grief toward Mao and his time in power. While Chinese police had shut down their exhibitions and confiscated some of their sensitive artworks in the past, they hadnt run into major problems before.

The two brothers obtained permanent residence in the United States in 2011, and Gao Zhen moved to New York with his family in 2022. Unlike the earlier phase of their career, the Gao brothers recent works have been less politically sensitive and less critical of Chinas leadership.

Gao Qiang said that while the motivation for his brothers arrest remains unclear, he believes the incident shows the space for free expression has further shrunk in China.

He is nearly 70 years old and is naturally prone to melancholy, so Im very concerned about his physical and mental health in detention, he told VOA, adding that the lawyer mentioned his brother had complained about persistent back pain.

Gaos wife and children were also banned from leaving China when they tried to fly back to New York from Beijing on Tuesday. Gaos son is an American citizen, and his family members are seeking help from the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.

Several prominent Chinese writers and artists, including Ma Jian, have written an open letter, urging the Chinese authorities to release him and set his family free.

Meanwhile, Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, who was released in May after serving a four-year sentence for covering the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan in early 2020, has reportedly been detained by Chinese authorities at the Pudong Detention Center in Shanghai, according to Chinese news site Weiquanwang and supporters with knowledge of the arrest.

Zhang went to Gansu Province to meet the mother of a recently detained activist but was arrested by police when she returned to her hometown Shaanxi. It remains unclear whether she has been put in administrative detention, which usually lasts 15 days, or criminal detention, which carries a much longer sentence.

Zhangs latest detention has renewed concerns about her physical well-being. During her four-year prison sentence, Zhang staged a months-long hunger strike that caused her weight to drop to under 40 kilograms at one point.

Since her release in May, Zhang has been speaking up for other detained Chinese activists while criticizing some policies implemented by the Chinese government on Western social media platforms such as X and YouTube, which is banned in China.

Zhang wrote on the Chinese social media platform WeChat in June that local authorities in Shanghai had threatened to re-arrest her if she crossed the red line and said in a YouTube video in July that she possibly had been followed.

Some analysts say other dissidents experiences suggest that Chinese authorities tend to impose harsher prison sentences on them if they were arrested for a second time. They worry Zhang could face a similar fate.

If Chinese activists continue to stand up for freedom after their releases, the Chinese government definitely wont tolerate that, Yaqiu Wang, research director for China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan at Freedom House, told VOA by phone, adding that she has an ominous feeling about Zhangs situation.

In her view, the arrests of Gao and Zhang represent an escalation in the Chinese governments repression against dissidents. Gao was merely visiting China, and the works used as evidence against him were created more than a decade ago, she said.

This symbolizes a step further in terms of Beijings crackdown on dissident community, and I remain extremely worried about the fate of other Chinese dissidents, Wang said.

Some human rights advocates say the detention of prominent dissidents fits Beijings usual practice of increasing pressure on the dissident community when they face serious domestic challenges.

The arrests are part of the larger trend of Beijing adopting more forceful measures to control civil society and this situation will indeed increase the risks that Chinese activists face, Zhou Fengsuo, a former Tiananmen student leader and executive director of New York-based organization Human Rights in China, told VOA by phone.

VOA reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Pudong Detention Center for comments. In a previous response to VOA, the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., said China is a country ruled by law and liberty is protected and respected in the country.
China, Tanzania and Zambia signed an initial agreement to rehabilitate a decades-old railway aimed at improving the rail-sea transportation in resource-rich East Africa, Chinese state media said on Wednesday.

President Xi Jinping witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding on refurbishing the 1,860 kms (1,156 mile) Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway with the Tanzanian and Zambian presidents, who were in Beijing attending the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.

The single-track TAZARA railway was built between 1970 and 1975 through an interest-free loan from China, offering a cargo transport route from Zambia's copper and cobalt mines to the sea on Tanzania's coast that bypasses South Africa and the former state of Rhodesia.

Commercial operations of the line, derided by some Western governments at the time as the "bamboo railway," began in 1976. The multi-year project had involved the construction of two dozen tunnels and hundreds of bridges by tens of thousands of Chinese and African workers.

"China is willing to take this summit as an opportunity to make new progress in the revitalization of the Tanzania-Zambia railway, cooperate to improve the rail-sea intermodal transport network in East Africa, and build Tanzania into a demonstration zone for deepening high-quality China-Africa Belt and Road cooperation," said Xi, according to state media.

Earlier this year, the World Bank approved $270 million in financing to help improve connectivity between neighbors Tanzania and Zambia and boost regional trade.

In February, China proposed to spend $1 billion to rehabilitate the rail line through a public-private partnership model.
Wildlife conservationists, scientists and researchers in Namibia and Southern Africa have warned of impending legal action to halt the culling of wildlife as a "mitigation strategy" to address hunger.

Hunger affects about 700,000 people in Namibia, according to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization  especially in rural Namibia  and it has worsened because of the drought facing the southern African region.

Officials there have started a wildlife cull  a selective killing of wild animals to save the remaining herds and habitat  and in this instance, some of the meat will be shared with communities in need.

The cull, which began August 14, targets 723 animals: 30 hippos, 60 buffalo, 50 impala, 100 blue wildebeest, 300 zebras, 83 elephants and 100 eland antelopes.

But the Namibian cabinet decision requiring the country's ministry of environment to aid the government's drought relief effort has drawn the ire of conservationists and made international headlines. It's also dividing public opinion on the timing of the decision and the logistics of culling and distributing the meat to affected communities, who are severely affected by drought.

Conservationist Izak Smit said Namibia's constitution makes provision for the protection of its natural wildlife and heritage, and the cull could have detrimental effects on the balance of wildlife in their environment.

"It's very irresponsible to do so after a drought before the rainy season when you actually need the population to procreate in order to bounce back from the drought," Smit said. "And also culling means that you do not allow nature to take its course by weeding out the weak genetic material through natural selection, from which the best genetic pool will then emerge on the other side after the draught when the rainy season again starts."

Opponents threatened legal action if Namibia authorities do not stop the cull on the grounds that it is detrimental to Namibia's natural resources, not sustainable, and not justifiable and unscientific.

Herbert Jauch, of the Economic and Social Justice Trust, said a court of law may not be the right avenue to resolve the disagreement between the government and the conservationist, which seems to be centered on the need to protect Namibia's Desert Adapted Elephants, which are a huge tourism attraction and an iconic heritage wildlife species in the country.

"Their chances are not really good," Jauch said. "If there are scientific reasons, and from what I heard so far, this is largely around the desert elephants, then that should certainly be discussed with the ministry. But I think the principle is quite understandable that in drought years you might have to reduce the population."

Romeo Muyunda, a spokesperson for Namibia's Ministry of Environment, said the cull has been blown out of proportion and Namibia's Desert Adapted Elephants are not the target of elephants earmarked for culling.

"We have millions of wildlife species in the country, approximately over 3 million animals in the country," Muyunda said. "So, 723 does not even make up 1% of the total population that we have. Another example we have is the 24,000 elephants that we have in Namibia, we are only going to cull 83 elephants, and it still doesn't make 1% of the population of elephants especially given the fact that elephants are currently the main concern here."

The animals intended for culling will be stored at various meat processing factories in the country and will be distributed through the drought relief program. It will be headed by the office of the prime minister in a joint effort to address drought and hunger in the country.

Namibia's cull has made international headlines, and conservationists are concerned it may create a harmful precedent for other African countries that do not have as successful conservation products as Namibia.
Ukrainian officials said Wednesday a Russian air attack killed at least seven people and injured more than 60 others in the western city of Lviv, which Moscow had only infrequently targeted before and is hundreds of kilometers from the front battle line.



Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said in a video posted on Telegram that the attack destroyed a building and damaged more than 50 structures, including schools and homes.



Among the dead were four people from one family, a woman and her three daughters, leaving their father as the only immediate survivor.



"We will not forgive the enemy and will take revenge, Sadovyi said on Telegram. They will feel what hell is like while they are still alive."

Russia has ramped up its aerial attacks on Ukraine since Kyiv launched an unprecedented cross-border offensive into Russia's Kursk region nearly a month ago, the first foreign incursion into Russia since World War II.

Lviv, whose old town is a UNESCO world heritage site, is close to the border with Poland and is sheltering thousands of Ukrainians displaced by the 30-month war. The strike on Lviv came a day after a Russian missile attack killed 53 people in the central city of Poltava, one of the deadliest single strikes of the invasion.

Ukraine's air force said the attack on Lviv was part of a wider barrage of new strikes, with 13 missiles and 29 drones targeting the war-torn country. The air force said it intercepted seven of the missiles and 22 drones.

Wreckage from a downed missile fell on the central city of Kryvyi Rih, emergency services said, damaging a hotel and wounding six people.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal called for more air defense systems and for long-range weapons to strike Russia in the wake of the attack. The weapons delivered by Ukraine's Western allies, including the United States and NATO members in Europe, often come with restrictions prohibiting their use against most targets located inside Russia.

In eastern Ukraine, Russia said it had captured the village of Karlivka, the latest in a string of territorial gains. Karlivka is about 30 kilometers from Pokrovsk, a major Russian target that lies on a key supply route for the Ukrainian army.

Ukrainian officials on Wednesday announced a new round of compulsory evacuations for children living in villages close to the front line in the region because of the deteriorating "security situation."

Russian President Vladimir Putin had said Monday that his army was making rapid advances in the Donbas that covers the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

"We have not had such a fast-paced offensive in the Donbas for a long time," he said.

Ukraine was also in the midst of a major government reshuffle on Wednesday, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seeks to boost confidence in his government.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba submitted his resignation, a day after six other officials including cabinet ministers said they were stepping down.

"We need new energy. And these steps are related to strengthening our state in various areas," Zelenskyy told journalists when asked about the changes.

Russian officials said Ukrainian attacks throughout Wednesday killed six people in territory it controls.

Ukrainian shelling killed three people in occupied east Ukraine, according to the Russian-installed Donetsk regional governor Denis Pushilin, and another three in a Russian border village in Belgorod, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
The future of German military aid to Ukraine and support for Ukrainian refugees in Germany are being called into question after a surge in support saw the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party emerge victorious Sunday in elections in the state of Thuringia.

The AfD won with 32.8% of the vote, ahead of the Christian Democrats with 23.6%. The newly formed far-left BSW party was in third place with 15.8%. The AfD came in second in the neighboring state of Saxony, just behind the Christian Democrats.

Bjorn Hocke, the AfD leader in Thuringia, said it was a "historic victory."

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you and then you win. And today, dear friends, we have won!" Hocke told cheering supporters Monday in the eastern town of Erfurt.

It's the first state victory for Germany's far right since World War II.

Rival parties, however, have vowed not to work in coalition with the AfD, meaning complex coalition talks could lie ahead for control of the state legislature.

Although widely predicted, the results have shocked many of Germany's allies  not least Ukraine. Germany is Ukraine's second-biggest donor of military aid, behind the United States. That is now in doubt, said Mattia Nelles, co-founder of the German-Ukrainian Bureau, a political consultancy based in Dusseldorf.

"Both the far-right and the far-left populist forces were campaigning on cutting German aid for Ukraine, and they were explicitly calling for a reduction in military aid, Nelles told VOA. They called on the government to finally pressure Ukrainians to start negotiating with Russia. They were for pressuring Ukraine into submission. And that is very unfortunate for Ukraine to have these very vocal forces gaining traction in these regional elections.

In the short term, Nelles said the state election results won't affect the federal government's funding of aid to Ukraine, "but you already see a slight change in the rhetoric of the centrist parties [toward Ukraine]. We have four centrist parties, and some of them already took some of the narratives or the frames that the populist and far-right parties were using," he added.

Germany is set to hold nationwide federal elections next year.

Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the liberal Free Democratic party  part of the ruling coalition - is pushing for aid to Ukraine to be halved in the next budget. His party gained less than 5% in the Thuringia state election and fears a repeat in the 2025 federal elections, noted analyst Liana Fix of the Washington-based Council on Foreign Relations.

"[They] are afraid that they will not get into parliament, which has happened already once before, that they were not able to cross the 5% threshold for the German parliament. So it's really a sort of a fight, a battle for political survival, especially for the liberals who are pushing for this agenda of cutting the budget for Ukraine," Fix said.

Immigration was a major issue driving votes for the far right, with much rhetoric directed at non-European, and especially Muslim, migrants. Germany, however, is also hosting more than 1 million Ukrainian refugees  and the financial cost was under the spotlight during the state election campaigns of both the far right and far left, said analyst Nelles.

"They were both  though on separate notes, different tonalities  campaigning on lesser aid or cutting of aid for Ukrainian refugees in Germany. The question whether and how they should be funded and whether they should be drafted or sent to Ukraine  that is a delicate issue," Nelles said.

"We have males, Ukrainian males, that are legally eligible for the draft. So, there is growing pressure also on the male Ukrainian refugee population in Germany to push them back to Ukraine, he added. Germany is unable for good reasons to send males back to Ukraine. But the pressure on the government to do so is growing.

The federal government has given no indication that it intends to cut support for Ukrainian refugees or send them back to Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz said last month that Berlin would support Kyiv with military aid "as long as necessary."

Scholz's Social Democrat Party highlighted Monday that German intelligence services had classified the AfD as an extremist party and said its victory in Thuringia must act as a "wake-up call."
German military aid to Ukraine and support for Ukrainian refugees in Germany are being called into question following elections in which a far-right political party won power in an eastern state. The far-left also made gains in the elections. Henry Ridgwell has more on the outcome and what it might mean for Ukraine going forward.
The United Auto Workers said Wednesday a battery manufacturing joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution has agreed to recognize the union at a Tennessee plant.

The UAW said a majority of the workers at the Ultium Cells facility signed cards to join the UAW and the company had agreed to recognize their union after workers at an Ohio Ultium plant overwhelmingly voted to join the union in 2022 and won a new contract earlier this year with significant wage hikes.

The Tennessee factory employs 1,000 workers and produces batteries for GM's electric vehicles built in a nearby assembly plant, including the Cadillac Lyriq.

The team at Ultium Cells in Tennessee has indicated their desire to be represented by the UAW. The parties will now move into the local bargaining process," a GM spokesman said.

Representatives for LG did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

GM's battery operations were a point of contention in last year's UAW contract negotiations, during which the union held strikes at plants across the Big Three automakers for six weeks.

The automaker eventually agreed to let its Ultium battery plants come under the union's master agreement once a majority of workers decide to unionize.

UAW President Shawn Fain is leading a $40 million nationwide organizing effort, targeting large automakers such as Toyota and Tesla.

The union notched a win at Volkswagen in April when 73% of voting workers at a plant in Tennessee opted to join the UAW's ranks, making it the first auto plant in the South to unionize via an election since the 1940s.

Weeks after the win, workers at a Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama voted against joining the union. The UAW said earlier this year that more than 30% of employees at a Hyundai plant in Alabama and at a Missouri Toyota auto parts factory have signed cards indicating they want to join the UAW.

The union's executive board recently endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for president, emphasizing that the Democrat stands with workers more than Republican former President Donald Trump. Fain and Trump have exchanged barbs over the last few months, with Fain calling the former president a "scab" and Trump calling for Fain to be fired.

Having the backing of the next administration could provide support for the union's ongoing organizing efforts, but it will likely not make or break them, labor professors have said.
Investigators with Haiti's anti-corruption agency donned caps and face masks on Tuesday as they stood behind boxes of evidence that accuse high-ranking government officials of crimes ranging from illicit enrichment to abuse of office.

It's the latest crackdown on widespread corruption in the impoverished Caribbean country long known for its impunity. The newest cases involve food meant for public school students being diverted for other purposes to government fuel being used for personal benefit.

"These personalities have betrayed the country," said Hans Joseph, general director of the Anti-Corruption Unit, who has been relentless in his pursuit of illegalities despite little to no repercussions for those accused.

He said the corruption cases unveiled Tuesday have cost the Haitian government $4.7 million, "an amount that paradoxically exceeds twice the budget allocated to the [agency] to fight corruption."

One case involves the general director and other officials at Haiti's National Solid Waste Management Service. The report states that while the agency disbursed $1.7 million to buy fuel from December 2021 to April 2024, only 45% of the fuel bought was used for the agency's daily operations. The rest was used by the agency's general director and others, the report alleged.

"As a general director, I find it normal to use the institution's cash register to support myself," Germain Paulemon told investigators, according to the report.

He could not be immediately reached for comment.

Another case found that officials with Haiti's National School Food Program bought $2.9 million worth of food from October 2016 to February 2021, but that out of a sample of 11 schools across Haiti, the majority "barely received anything," the report found.

Officials said the food was diverted for other purposes but did not detail them. They noted that 90% of the providers listed by the program "did not physically exist," and that some were run by the program's own employees.

Haiti has long struggled with malnutrition among public school students, and currently more than 1 million people are on the brink of starvation.

Officials also opened a case against the former minister of planning and external cooperation, Aviol Fleurant, after more than 4,900 people signed a petition demanding he be investigated. Authorities accused him of illegal enrichment, saying he could not explain the origin of more than $570,000 in his bank accounts.

Fleurant, who is an attorney, did not respond to a message requesting comment.

Other cases include the alleged embezzlement of more than $170,000 at Haiti's power company after someone filed a complaint against senior board executives.

"The work that we do and that we intend to execute against all odds is that  of cleaning up the public administration," Joseph said.

All those cited in the report following years-long investigations were referred to the public prosecutor's office. However, Haiti rarely prosecutes government officials.

Joseph said his office has demanded declarations of assets from 14 diplomats, ambassadors, consuls and consul generals who have yet to submit any information, and, as a result, were referred to authorities.
Donald Trumps latest move to delay sentencing in the hush money case, in which he was convicted of 34 felony counts, has failed. The former presidents defense had asked a federal court to take over the case, which would have delayed the process indefinitely and prevented sentencing before the presidential elections on November 5. On Tuesday, however, Judge Alvin Hellerstein rejected the request to intervene in a forceful four-page ruling. It is still possible that the trial judge, Juan Merchan, will delay sentencing, but it is in his hands to deliver a sentence that could involve prison terms.

Hellerstein denied Trumps lawyers permission to file documents asking the U.S. District Court in Manhattan to take over the case. He said the defense had not met the burden of proof required to change jurisdiction to a federal court. Trump was found guilty by a jury after a trial in a New York state court. He was convicted of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels, a porn actress whose allegations of having had an affair with Trump threatened to disrupt the latters 2016 presidential run.

Following the Supreme Courts ruling two months ago granting broad immunity from prosecution to presidents for their official acts, Judge Merchan gave the parties a deadline to present their arguments and provisionally set a new sentencing date of September 18.

Trump wanted the case moved to federal court precisely so he could seek to have the verdict overturned and the case dismissed in the wake of the Supreme Courts July 1 ruling. Hellerstein, who denied Trumps request to move the case to federal court last year, said on Tuesday that nothing in the Supreme Courts opinion affects my previous conclusion that the hush money payments were private, unofficial acts outside the bounds of executive authority.

Trumps lawyers also asked Judge Merchan two weeks ago to postpone sentencing until after the election. In theory, the sentence could put Trump behind bars for years, although the most common outcome would be for him to be placed on probation.

Two other cases that seemed to be on hold have also recently resurfaced, although neither of them will go to trial before November 5. Federal Judge Aileen Cannon, appointed by Trump himself, surprisingly decided to shelve the Mar-a-Lago papers case in July on the grounds that the appointment of the special counsel, Jack Smith, was illegal because he had not been appointed by the president (the attorney general did) nor had he been ratified by the Senate. However, Smith filed a challenge on Monday with the Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, which has already dealt the judge several legal blows for her decisions favoring Trump.

The other unresolved case involves Trumps alleged attempts to alter the result of the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe Biden. The special counsel has obtained a new revised indictment backed by another grand jury and which preserves the earlier indictments four charges. Trump and his lawyers believe that the new accusation continues to violate his immunity. Judge Tanya Chutkan, appointed by Barack Obama, will have to decide on the case. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday in Washington.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet with Singapore counterpart Lawrence Wong during a two-day visit to the city-state starting on Wednesday, Singapore's government said.

Modi will also meet Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and former Prime Ministers Lee Hsien Loong and Goh Chok Tong during the trip, his fifth to Singapore and first since 2018.

He will also participate in a business roundtable with local business leaders and meet semiconductor players.

Modi will be accompanied by Indian government officials including the Foreign Minister and National Security Advisor.
An Indian state that was rocked by the gruesome rape and murder of a trainee doctor last month is set to introduce tougher penalties for rape that include life imprisonment and death sentences.

But activists question whether stringent laws alone can help stem cases of sexual assault against women, whose numbers have remained high, although India has ramped up punishments for rape over the last decade.

The Aparjita Woman and Child Bill, unanimously passed by the West Bengal state assembly on Tuesday, raises prison terms for people convicted of rape  from 10 years that the federal law presently stipulates to either life imprisonment or execution. It also includes measures to accelerate rape investigations.

The bill still must be approved by the president before becoming law. It was passed amid outrage over the violent assault of a 31-year-old doctor at a hospital in the city last month. Three weeks on, enraged doctors in the state capital, Kolkata, continue to hold protests demanding safety for medics and justice for the victim. A police volunteer working at the hospital has been arrested and charged with the crime.

The West Bengal government said the bill aims to enhance protection for women and children and create a safer environment for them.

But stiffer punishment will do little to deter offenders in a country with a slow-moving justice system, according to lawyers and women rights activists.

There is little fear of the law. That is because trials seldom result in convictions  the conviction rate in rape cases is only about 28%, pointed out Abha Singh, a lawyer and social activist.

She said police investigations often face hurdles. We have too few forensic laboratories, and the police are sometimes short staffed. Then, witness protection is not effective, so witnesses often turn hostile. So, we first need to first fix the justice system if we want women and girls to be safe.

Womens rights activists point out that the federal government brought in sweeping changes to criminal laws in 2013 following the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman on a moving bus in New Delhi. Five years later, the rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl led to even stiffer punishments  the government enhanced minimum prison terms from 10 to 20 years for the rape of a girl younger than 16 and from seven to 10 years for older women.

But statistics show those changes had little impact on cases of sexual violence against women. About 25,000 cases were recorded in 2012. Ten years later, in 2022, that number stood at more than 31,000, according to data from the National Crime Records Bureau.

In a country where executions are rare, some also oppose the bills provision for giving a death sentence for rape in cases where the victim dies or enters a vegetative state. India has capital punishment for only the most serious cases, or what are called the rarest of rare cases, such as gruesome murders and terror attacks.

The Supreme Court imposed the death penalty on four men convicted of the 2012 rape of the 23-year-old woman after calling it the most brutal, barbaric and diabolical crime.

I think stiffer punishments, particularly the death penalty, is not the way to go. Such laws come in response to the public outcry when there is a particularly horrific case, according to Mary John, a former director at the Centre for Womens Development Studies in New Delhi. The death penalty is not a demand that has come from womens groups.

Womens rights activists also say that rather than harsher punishments, the major challenge is to change attitudes and patriarchal mindsets that are blamed for the continuing tide of sexual violence against women.

The need of the hour is to empower women and create safer workplaces for them. This rape in Kolkata, for example, happened inside the hospital premises, according to Ranjana Kumari, director for Center for Social Research in New Delhi. And what is failing women is not the existing laws but their implementation.

In the wake of the rape of the trainee doctor, Indias Supreme Court has set up a national task force of doctors who will make recommendations on the safety of health care workers at their workplace.
Israels military said Wednesday it carried out attacks targeting Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon after dozens of rockets were fired at Israel.

The military said Israeli air defenses intercepted some of the 65 rockets, while others fell in open areas.

Fighting along the Israel-Lebanon border has raised fears of a widening regional conflict amid the war between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

Family members of some of the hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza protested Wednesday outside the Tel Aviv headquarters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Likud party.

The family members chanted slogans in favor of the Israeli government reaching a cease-fire deal with Hamas that includes the release of hostages.

The demonstration followed pressure Tuesday by the United States calling on Israel and Hamas to agree to a cease-fire.



"There are dozens of hostages still remaining in Gaza, still waiting for a deal that will bring them home. It is time to finalize that deal," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters after Israeli forces found six hostages over the weekend that Hamas had shot to death in a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

"The people of Israel cannot afford to wait any longer. The Palestinian people, who are also suffering the terrible effects of this war, cannot afford to wait any longer. The world cannot afford to wait any longer," Miller said.

He said that the United States will work "over the coming days" with mediators Egypt and Qatar "to push for a final agreement."

One key point of contention in the negotiations has been Netanyahu's insistence that Israeli troops remain at the border between Gaza and Egypt.

But Miller said the U.S. is opposed to the long-term presence of Israeli troops in Gaza.

The State Department spokesman said that reaching a cease-fire and release of the 100 or so remaining hostages will require both sides to show flexibility. It will require that both sides look for reasons to get to yes rather than reasons to say no."

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 Israels 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 U.S. administration of President Joe Biden 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 dozens of Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people and captured about 250 hostages during the October 7 terror 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.

Hamas has been designated a terror group by the U.S., the U.K. and other Western countries.

VOAs Nike Ching contributed to this report. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Workers mounted a crane Wednesday to secure Romes Constantine Arch near the Colosseum after a lightning strike loosened fragments from the ancient structure.

A violent thunder and lightning storm that felled trees and flooded streets in the Italian capital damaged the honorary arch late Tuesday afternoon.

Fragments of white marble were gathered and secured by workers for the Colosseum Archeological Park as soon as the storm cleared, officials said. The extent of the damage was being evaluated.

The recovery work by technicians was timely. Our workers arrived immediately after the lightning strike. All of the fragments were recovered and secured, the park said in a statement.

Tourists visiting the site Wednesday found some stray fragments that they turned over to park workers out of concern they might have fallen from the arch.

It is kind of surreal that we found pieces, said Jana Renfro, a tourist from the U.S. state of Indiana, who said found the fragments about 3 meters (12 feet) from the base of the monument.

The groups tour guide, Serena Giuliani, praised them for turning over the found pieces, saying it showed "great sensitivity for Roman antiquities.

The honorary arch, more than 20 meters (nearly 70 feet) in height, was erected in A.D. 315 to celebrate the victory of Emperor Constantine over Maxentius following the battle at Milvian Bridge.
Indonesia has arrested a fugitive former mayor from the Philippines accused of ties to Chinese criminal syndicates and money-laundering to the tune of more than 100 million pesos ($1.8 million), authorities in Manila said on Wednesday.

Alice Guo, also known as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, is wanted by the Philippine Senate for refusing to appear before a congressional investigation into the alleged criminal ties.

Guo, who says she is a natural-born Philippine citizen, has denied the accusations, calling them "malicious."

"Our counterparts in immigration ... have confirmed that Ms. Guo is currently in the custody of the Indonesian police," the Philippine justice department said in a statement.

The case comes at a time of growing suspicion in the Philippines about China's activities, amid increasingly tense disputes over the claims of both nations in the busy waterway of the South China Sea.

Guo was arrested early on Wednesday in Tangerang City in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, Manila's immigration bureau and anti-crime commission said in separate statements.

"The arm of the law is long and it will reach you," Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said, warning that efforts to escape justice would prove futile.

"The close co-operation between our two governments has made this arrest possible," he added in a statement. "We're already finalizing the arrangements for the return of Alice Guo some time today."

After her return, Guo, who cut her hair short in an attempt at disguise, will be handed to law enforcement and then the Senate, Jaime Santiago, director of the National Bureau of Investigation, told a press conference.

Guo's lawyer of record, Stephen David, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Philippine law enforcement agencies, including the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), last month jointly filed multiple counts of money laundering against Guo and 35 others to the justice department.

They accused Guo and her co-conspirators of having laundered criminal proceeds amounting to more than 100 million pesos ($1.8 million).

Guo claimed to be a Philippine citizen when she ran for office but her fingerprints were later found to match those of a Chinese national, Guo Hua Ping.

Removed from office as mayor of Bamban town in Tarlac province, Guo fled the country in July, traveling on her Philippine passport to neighboring Malaysia and Singapore, before going to Indonesia in August, the anti-crime agency says.

The Senate launched an investigation in May after a casino raid in Bamban in March uncovered what law enforcement officials said were scams run from a facility built on land she partly owned.
Myanmar's embattled junta chief has warned civilians in territory recently captured by ethnic minority armed groups to prepare for military counterattacks, state media reported on Wednesday.

The military has lost swaths of territory near the border with China in northern Shan state to an alliance of armed ethnic minority groups and "People's Defence Forces" battling to overturn the juntas 2021 coup.

The groups have seized a regional military command and taken control of lucrative border trade crossings, prompting rare public criticism by military supporters of the junta's top leadership.

Junta troops "will... launch counterattacks," junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said on Tuesday in the Shan state capital Taunggyi, according to the Global New Light of Myanmar.

He accused the alliance of using "administrative buildings and innocent civilians as human shields," according to the newspaper.

"Therefore, the people residing in towns and villages where the terrorists unlawfully occupied should be aware of security so as not to face exploitation."

The junta is battling widespread armed opposition and its soldiers are accused of bloody rampages and using air and artillery strikes to punish civilian communities.

It announced this week that the three main ethnic minority armed groups battling the military in Shan state had been officially declared "terrorist" organizations.

The declaration will not affect the fighting against the Arakan Army (AA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA); however, those found supporting or contacting them can now face legal action.

The alliance and PDF groups have battled closer to the second city of Mandalay, home to around 1.5 million people and the military's central command.

Opponents of the military launched a rocket attack on Mandalay on Tuesday, damaging buildings and wounding one person, local media reported, in a rare attack on an urban area.

An opinion piece in Wednesday's Global New Light of Myanmar criticized the military's recent losses in Shan state.

"Who would have thought that Lashio would fall," it said, referring to a Shan town of 150,000 people that was captured last month.

"Who would then give the definite assurance that nothing will happen to whatever you own in Mandalay?"

"Once the artillery shells started to rain down upon the city, it would be too late to move out of the city in an orderly manner," it said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel must remain in a strip of land between the Gaza Strip and the Egyptian border to prevent Hamas from rearming. He spoke as the White House said Israel must withdraw at least partially from the area.

The Israeli army published a picture Wednesday of the opening of the tunnel in Gaza where the bodies of six Israeli hostages were found after they had been executed by Hamas on Saturday.

The deaths of the six, including American Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, have sparked mass demonstrations in Israel by hundreds of thousands of Israelis who want Netanyahu to agree to a cease-fire deal with Hamas that would free the remaining 101 hostages.

The demonstrations have grown increasingly angry as many blame Netanyahu for holding up a cease-fire deal. Three of the six hostages killed by Hamas were set to have been released in the first phase of the deal, meaning they were killed days before they could have been freed.

Israeli media reports say Netanyahu had agreed to leave the Philadelphi corridor, the strip of land along the border between Gaza and Egypt.

Mossad chief David Barnea confirmed on Monday to mediators in the talks with Hamas taking place in Qatar that Israel was prepared to withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor in the second stage of a hostage release deal. This was hours before Netanyahu publicly declared he would refuse to do so, foreign sources familiar with the negotiations told the Haaretz newspaper.

Barnea, who traveled to Qatar on Monday, had informed the representatives that Israel stood behind its agreement to pull out all its forces from the area in line with the Biden plan, if Israeli operational demands were met.

But in an English language news conference today, Netanyahu said that Israels decision to leave this area in 2005 as part of a complete withdrawal from Gaza was a big mistake.

Once we left our side of the Philadelphi corridor, rockets went in, missiles went in, drones went in, ammo went in, weapons manufacturing equipment came in, tunnel-drilling equipment came in, he said. Once we got out, once we left the Philidephi corridor, Iran could carry out its plan to turn Gaza into a base, terrorist enclave that would endanger not only the communities around it but would endanger Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beer Sheva, the entire of country of Israel.

Netanyahu said the goals of the war remain the same.

We are committed to achieving our goals, all three goals, he said. Destroying Hamas military and governing capabilities, releasing all our hostages and ensuring that Gaza does become a threat to Israel anymore. And all these require standing firm on the things that will ensure the achievement of these goals.

That, he said, means Israel must maintain control over the Philadelphi corridor at least for the near future, even if it means there will not be a cease-fire deal with Hamas.
Demonstrators in Mexico City blocked entrances to Congress on Tuesday to protest a judicial overhaul that would make judges stand for election. Critics say the plan would deal a severe blow to the independence of the judiciary and the system of checks and balances.

A mix of court employees, students and other critics chanted and strung ropes across entrances to the lower house of Congress to block legislators from entering. The protests came as the country's Supreme Court voted 8-3 to join strikes by court employees and law students that have been taking place across the country for weeks.

"The party with the majority could take control of the judicial branch, and that would practically be the end of democracy," said protester Javier Reyes, a 37-year-old federal court worker. "They want to own Mexico."

Despite that, lawmakers from Mexico's ruling party, Morena, and their allies appeared determined to push through the reform. Unable to meet at the congressional building, they instead gathered in a sweltering gymnasium about 5 kilometers (3 miles) away to begin the voting process.

Outside, a pack of protesters roared, blocking streets and demanding lawmakers hear their objections to the proposal.

The constitutional reform submitted by outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Morena have drawn criticism both domestically and from foreign governments and investors.

U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar said Tuesday that "there is a great deal of concern," claiming the changes "could damage relations a lot, and it's not just me saying that."

Critics say the overhaul would stack the courts in favor of Lopez Obrador's party, politicize the judicial system and pose a threat to foreign investment. Lopez Obrador, a populist who has long been at odds with the judiciary and other independent regulatory agencies, maintains the proposal is necessary to fight corruption.

Under the current system, judges and court secretaries, who act as judges' assistants, slowly qualify for higher positions based on their record. But under the proposed changes, any lawyer with minimal qualifications could run, with some candidacies decided by drawing names from a hat.

The ruling Morena party has the two-thirds majority in Congress needed to approve the reform, which they should be able to do handily in the lower house of Congress. The party's congressional leader, Rep. Ricardo Monreal, said there were no plans to abandon the reform, noting, "This reform is going ahead." Monreal told lawmakers they were in for a long night on Tuesday.

Mexico's courts have long been plagued by corruption and opacity, but in the past 15 years they have been subject to reforms to make them more open and accountable, including changing many closed-door, paper-based trials for a more open, oral-argument format.

Voices both at home and abroad say the new changes could mark a setback in the effort to clean up the courts.

The proposed changes would cover about 7,000 judges at various levels and would introduce a time limit for judges to rule on many cases to combat a tendency for some trials to stretch out over decades.

More controversially, the reform would also introduce "hooded judges" to preside over organized crime cases; their identities would be kept secret to prevent reprisals.

And the courts would be largely stripped of their power to block government projects or laws based on appeals by citizens. It would also almost certainly assure that the president's party continues with significant political power long after Lopez Obrador leaves office at the end of this month.

Still, protesters like Reyes hold onto hope that their weeks of protests will pay off, roaring in unison, "Mexico stay strong, justice is coming."

But protesters chanted in front of a wall of murals painted with Lopez Obrador's face, reading "hasta siempre Presidente." My president, forever.
In an interview with a Mongolian newspaper, Russian President Vladimir Putin this week accused the West of persecuting Russian journalists.

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 newspaper Onoodor.

Putin spoke with the newspaper the day before he arrived in Mongolia, where he traveled despite being under an international arrest warrant.

And the comments came just days after the Kremlin announced it was banning entry to Russia for 92 more people  mainly U.S. citizens, including several journalists  over what Moscow characterized as Washingtons anti-Russia posture.

Among those banned were The Wall Street Journals editor-in-chief Emma Tucker, as well as other journalists from the Journal, The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Media analysts said Putins comments reflect the restricted environment facing journalists in Russia.

This is nothing new, this kind of vocabulary. But it underlines yet again that there is no independent press in Russia, especially when it comes to reporting on the war in Ukraine, Karol Luczka, Eastern Europe Advocacy and Monitoring Officer at the International Press Institute in Vienna, told VOA.

Putins comments follow years of Moscows harsh crackdown on independent media, with dozens jailed, including local and foreign reporters, and a series of harsh laws that analysts say make independent journalism all but impossible.

Since the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, independent outlets and journalists have been forced to decamp to other countries to avoid arrest and to keep reporting on Russia. And even in exile, Russian journalists continue to face Moscow-backed harassment in a process known as transnational repression.

Putins claims echoed a statement that Russias Foreign Ministry gave VOA in August.

The Foreign Ministry declined to answer VOAs specific questions about threats and harassment facing journalists, but a spokesperson said protecting the rights of journalists is the ministrys constant focus of attention.

The emailed response then shared a list of instances in which foreign governments fined, banned or suspended Kremlin-run media.

Washington has imposed sanctions against some state-run Russian television stations, which it says have spread disinformation to boost Moscows war in Ukraine. And Canada and the European Union blocked broadcasts to Russian state-run news outlets.

Russias Washington embassy, meanwhile, did not immediately reply to VOAs email requesting comment for this story.

Putin, however, maintained that news outlets operate freely in Russia.

The only requirement for them is compliance with Russian legislation, he said. Foreign correspondents accredited in our country should understand this.

Luczka said that statement was laughable and not something that can be taken seriously.

What does respect the law mean? The laws are such in Russia that independent media cannot function  so, yes, they can function as long as they respect the law, but the law says that they cannot function, Luczka said.

In early August, two American journalists  Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys Alsu Kurmasheva and The Wall Street Journals Evan Gershkovich  were released from Russia, where they were held on bogus charges, in a historic prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia. Gershkovich was accredited to report in Russia but was still arrested for his work.

Press freedom experts say their jailings underscored Russias disdain for media freedom.

Putins comments came ahead of his first trip to Mongolia in five years.

Ukraine and the European Union expressed concern that Mongolia, which is a member of the International Criminal Court, or ICC, did not act on a warrant to arrest Putin when he arrived in Mongolia on Monday.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin in 2023 over alleged war crimes committed in the war in Ukraine. As a member of the ICC, Mongolia has a responsibility to act on warrants.

Some information in this report came from Reuters.
Russia used the French prosecution of Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of popular social media messenger Telegram, to accuse France of violating press freedom and acting on behalf of the United States.

French authorities detained Durov, a French, Russian and UAE citizen, on August 24. He was released four days later but was asked to remain in the country under judicial supervision and pay bail of $5.5 million.

Andrei Kelin, Russias Ambassador to United Kingdom, among other high-ranking Russian officials, claimed that Durov's arrest was a major blow to freedom of speech and which Paris carried out on advice from the United States:

"We understand very well that this (the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov) is a big blow to freedom of speech. ... What they are trying to achieve -- of course, Paris did this on specific advice from the U.S. -- they want the keys to this messenger."

The claim is unsubstantiated.

French law enforcement have accused Durov of withholding information that could help the police solve serious international crimes, including child sexual abuse, human and drugs trafficking, money laundering, failing to control extremist content and facilitating illegal transactions, which the criminals are able to commit using Telegrams anonymity features.

Durov is also under investigation for suspected violence against his child, with a related complaint filed in Switzerland.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he learned about the arrest after Durovs detention and reaffirmed the accusations against the Russian billionaire are not politically motivated and his arrest is not aimed at suppressing the free speech. Macron said France is committed to freedom of expression, independent law enforcement and the judiciary.

There is no evidence of U.S. involvement in any capacity in Durovs arrest, Reuters reported on August 29, citing a source in the Paris prosecutor's office.

Russia's press freedom advocacy sounds out of character, given the decades of Kremlins free speech restrictions, including pressuring Durov to ban opposition content on Telegram.

Durov launched the Russian social media network VKontakte (VK) in 2006 but sold his stake and left Russia in 2014, citing a conflict with the Kremlin and the Federal Security Service, the FSB, over access to the user data.

Despite publicly distancing himself from the Kremlin and VKontakte, Durov traveled to Russia over 50 times between 2015 and 2021, the Russian media outlet in Europe, Important Stories, reported. Those visits contradict Durovs claims of having severed ties with Russia permanently, Important Stories said.

Digital rights organizations have not been unanimous over Durovs detention.

Natalia Krapiva, a senior tech-legal counsel at Access Now, a New York City-based nonprofit organization, commented on the arrest, warning that it could lead to broader censorship, especially in repressive environments. She emphasized that increasing content moderation measures on platforms like Telegram may negatively impact activists and independent media.

The U.N. said Durovs arrest raises human rights concerns. Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the U.N. Human Rights Office called for any restrictions that are imposed to be "proportional" and "in line with international human rights standards."

Jan Penfrat, a senior policy adviser at the European Digital Rights (EDRi) network, a Brussel-based advocacy group, said the problem is not excessive government intervention in regulating social media, but rather the lack of such intervention. He argued for the critical need for the EU to enforce the Digital Services Act, a comprehensive regulatory framework aimed at holding social media companies accountable.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba submitted his resignation Wednesday as part of an expected government reshuffle.

Parliamentary Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk posted Kulebas resignation letter on Facebook.

Lawmakers are expected to consider the resignation of multiple officials, including the deputy prime minister and the justice minister, with new appointments coming Thursday, officials said.

Kuleba, who became foreign minister in 2020, has helped lead Ukraines outreach to the world throughout the Russian invasion that began in early 2022. He met regularly with Western officials, including European Union foreign ministers last week as Ukraine sought more military aid.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during his nightly address Tuesday that Ukraine needs to strengthen some areas of its government and that personnel decisions have been prepared.

We need a new level of simultaneous information work, cultural and diplomatic. And a new level of relations with the global Ukrainian community, Zelenskyy said. Now is the time to give new strength to Ukraine's governmental institutions, and I am grateful to everyone who will help.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press and Reuters.
The Justice Department has announced criminal charges against Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other militants in connection with the Oct. 7 rampage in Israel. In Ukraine, at least 51 people were killed and more than 230 wounded on Tuesday, when Russia struck a military institute in the central town of Poltava with two missiles. In South Korea, a growing number of women are opting out of having children, and egg-freezing is emerging as a trend that allows women to delay parenthood while keeping their options open for the future.
An American diplomat has condemned the Talibans new morality law in Afghanistan, warning that it aims to complete the erasure of women from public life.



Rina Amiri, the United States special envoy for Afghan women, girls, and human rights, posted on social media late Tuesday that she raised concerns about the law during her recent meetings with counterparts in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.



My message was clear: Our support for the Afghan people remains steadfast, but patience with the Taliban is running out, Amiri wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. The way to legitimacy domestically & internationally is respecting the rights of the Afghan people.



The U.S. warning comes days after the Talibans supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, enacted the contentious decree that orders Afghan women not to speak aloud in public and cover their bodies and faces entirely when outdoors.



The 114-page, 35-article law also outlines various actions and specific conduct that the Taliban government, called the Islamic Emirate, considers mandatory or prohibited for Afghan men and women in line with its strict interpretation of Islam.



The legal document empowers the Ministry for Promoting Virtue and Preventing Vice, which the Taliban revived after coming back to power in August 2021, to enforce it strictly.



Enforcers are empowered to discipline offenders, and penalties may include anything from a verbal warning to fines to imprisonment. The law requires them to prevent evils such as adultery, extramarital sex, lesbianism, taking pictures of living objects and befriending non-Muslims.



Official Taliban media quoted Akhundzada this week as ordering authorities to rigorously enforce the new vice and virtue decree across Afghanistan to bring the people closer to the Islamic system.



The law was enacted amid extensive restrictions on Afghan women's education and employment opportunities.



Since regaining power three years ago, the Taliban have prohibited girls ages 12 and older from continuing their education beyond the sixth grade and restricted women from seeking employment, except in certain sectors such as health.



Afghan females are not allowed to visit parks and other public places, and a male guardian must accompany them on road trips or air travel.



The United Nations promptly responded to the new law last month, condemning it as a distressing vision" for the impoverished country's future and urging de facto authorities to reverse it.



The Taliban government, which is officially not recognized by any country, has dismissed U.N.-led foreign criticism as offensive.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief Taliban spokesperson, asserted that non-Muslims should first educate themselves about Islamic laws and respect Islamic values before expressing concerns or rejecting the law. We find it blasphemous to our Islamic Sharia when objections are raised without understanding it, he said.
More than 70 activists were acquitted Wednesday after being arrested in Zimbabwe in June for disorderly conduct for allegedly planning to peacefully demonstrate during a meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Jeremiah Bamu of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights is representing 78 opposition activists who were arrested in mid-June at the home of Jameson Timba, the acting opposition leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change. The activists were charged with participating in a public gathering with the intent to promote public violence and disorderly conduct in a public place.

They were all found not guilty and were acquitted on the second count of one disorderly conduct in a public place, Bamu said outside the Harare Magistrates Court. And with respect to the first count of participating in a public gathering with intent to promote public violence, [at] least 11 of them were discharged at the close of the states case, with the remaining being put to their defense. We then made an application for an inspection in loco [on the spot] before we begin the defense case in earnest.

The minister of home affairs, Kazembe Kazembe, said the activists were arrested in June because of plans to protest at the Southern African Development Community meeting held last month in Harare.

Others were arrested in other parts of the country, bringing the tally to more than 100.

Among those was 25-year-old Namatai Kwekweza, a human rights activist and feminist advocate who was arrested along with Robson Chere and Samuel Gwenzi, and forcibly removed from a domestic plane. Later in court, the trio said they had been tortured while in police detention. They were granted bail and released on September 4.

We appeared before the court, and the appeal was dealt with, and the appellants have been granted bail, said Charles Kwaramba of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who is representing them. Our appeal succeeded  pay $150 as bail sums, and  report every Friday of the month end.

The activists arrests attracted international condemnation.

I am both delighted and relieved that the three have been released on bail, said Mary Lawlor, U.N. special rapporteur on human rights defenders. That being said, it is a travesty of justice that they were detained in the first place. .... The charges should be dropped, and an investigation opened into the circumstances of their detention, which the ruling party has admitted as being politically motivated and linked to the SADC summit.

She continued, I further call for all those human rights defenders who remain in detention to be released. It is time for Zimbabwe to stop playing games and step up as a responsible member of the international community and abide by its freely assumed international human rights obligations.

Khanyo Farise, Amnesty International's deputy regional director for East and Southern Africa, agreed that all those arrested should be discharged.

All these activists committed no offense but have been arbitrarily arrested and detained for exercising their human rights, he said. This, in violation of Zimbabwes constitutional and international human rights obligations. We therefore urge the government to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained for exercising their rights. The charges against them must be dropped.

Rights groups have criticized Zimbabwe for human rights abuses for decades, going back at least to the early 2000s, when the government of then-President Robert Mugabe engaged in alleged election rigging and forced thousands of white commercial farmers off their land.

Mugabes successor, President Emmerson Mnangagwa  who is in China  has maintained that he is a constitutionalist and respects human rights.

Officials of his administration refused to comment Wednesday.
Mqondisi Dube

Gaborone, Botswana  Botswana, Africa's longest democracy, will hold its general election on October 30, President Mokgweetsi Masisi announced Tuesday. Masisi will seek a second and final term after his ruling party endorsed his candidacy over the weekend.

In a public address, Masisi said Botswana will continue with its long-standing principle of holding regular elections. Masisis ruling Botswana Democratic Party has been in power since independence from Britain in 1966.

"The constitution of the Republic of Botswana mandates that we, as a nation, hold general elections every five years, Masisi said. This is not just a legal obligation but a fundamental principle that underpins our democracy, a commitment we have honored, and we will continue to honor in the future.

The president urged voters to turn out in large numbers after previous elections in 2019 experienced voter apathy and low turnout.

Out of a target of 80% set by the countrys electoral body, the Independent Electoral Commission registered only 63% of the eligible voters.

Masisi declared October 30 and 31 as public holidays to encourage citizens to vote.

Masisi is seeking a second term, which would be his final one, if he is reelected. The president is allowed two terms in office, according to the constitution

The BDPs main threat is from a coalition of parties, the Umbrella for Democratic Change, or UDC, and the Botswana Congress Party, which has broken away from the opposition alliance.

UDC spokesperson Moeti Mohwasa said they expected the announcement of the election date to come earlier.

We welcome the date. However, it is regrettable that such an announcement is made at such short notice, Mohwasa said. We would have liked a situation whereby the date of elections is announced well in advance, but what we are happy with is that after so much suffering under the BDP rule, this will come to an end on October 30.

Mohwasa said the election should be free and fair after his party alleged rigging in the previous poll, claims that were dismissed in court. The ruling party also denied the allegations.

Leonard Sesa, a political analyst at the University of Botswana, said it was right for the president to make the election date public as concerns over a delay were mounting.

We were going to get worried if it was going to be postponed, Sesa said. Remember, we are talking about a beacon of shining democracy in Africa. Small things matter when gauging democracy. So, issuing a writ to say October 30, we are on the right track.

Sesa said political parties are not yet ready for the election as they are still battling to field candidates in all constituencies.

There was a delay for political parties to conduct their intra-party primary elections, within the political parties themselves, and people were worried, he said. There are some constituencies that all the political parties including the ruling party, have not posted anyone to stand.

In the previous election, the BDP secured a comfortable victory, where its share of the popular vote increased from 47% in 2014 to 53% five years later.
By Columbus Mavhunga

Harare  More than 70 activists were acquitted Wednesday after being arrested in Zimbabwe in June for disorderly conduct for allegedly planning to peacefully demonstrate during a meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Jeremiah Bamu of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights is representing 78 opposition activists who were arrested in mid-June at the home of Jameson Timba, the acting opposition leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change. The activists were charged with participating in a public gathering with the intent to promote public violence and disorderly conduct in a public place.

They were all found not guilty and were acquitted on the second count of one disorderly conduct in a public place, Bamu said outside the Harare Magistrates Court. And with respect to the first count of participating in a public gathering with intent to promote public violence, [at] least 11 of them were discharged at the close of the states case, with the remaining being put to their defense. We then made an application for an inspection in loco [on the spot] before we begin the defense case in earnest.

The minister of home affairs, Kazembe Kazembe, said the activists were arrested in June because of plans to protest at the Southern African Development Community meeting held last month in Harare.

Others were arrested in other parts of the country, bringing the tally to more than 100.

Among those was 25-year-old Namatai Kwekweza, a human rights activist and feminist advocate who was arrested along with Robson Chere and Samuel Gwenzi, and forcibly removed from a domestic plane. Later in court, the trio said they had been tortured while in police detention. They were granted bail and released on September 4.

We appeared before the court, and the appeal was dealt with, and the appellants have been granted bail, said Charles Kwaramba of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who is representing them. Our appeal succeeded  pay $150 as bail sums, and  report every Friday of the month end.

The activists arrests attracted international condemnation.

I am both delighted and relieved that the three have been released on bail, said Mary Lawlor, U.N. special rapporteur on human rights defenders. That being said, it is a travesty of justice that they were detained in the first place. .... The charges should be dropped, and an investigation opened into the circumstances of their detention, which the ruling party has admitted as being politically motivated and linked to the SADC summit.

She continued, I further call for all those human rights defenders who remain in detention to be released. It is time for Zimbabwe to stop playing games and step up as a responsible member of the international community and abide by its freely assumed international human rights obligations.

Khanyo Farise, Amnesty International's deputy regional director for East and Southern Africa, agreed that all those arrested should be discharged.

All these activists committed no offense but have been arbitrarily arrested and detained for exercising their human rights, he said. This, in violation of Zimbabwes constitutional and international human rights obligations. We therefore urge the government to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained for exercising their rights. The charges against them must be dropped.

Rights groups have criticized Zimbabwe for human rights abuses for decades, going back at least to the early 2000s, when the government of then-President Robert Mugabe engaged in alleged election rigging and forced thousands of white commercial farmers off their land.

Mugabes successor, President Emmerson Mnangagwa  who is in China  has maintained that he is a constitutionalist and respects human rights.

Officials of his administration refused to comment Wednesday.
Germany's military put a first Iris-T air-defence system into service on its own soil Wednesday having delivered several of them to war-torn Ukraine to intercept Russian rockets, drones and missiles.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the surface-to-air system was part of a build-up of German and European defences launched after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the Ukraine invasion in 2022.

"Russia has been massively rearming for many years, especially in the field of rockets and cruise missiles," Scholz said at the inauguration ceremony at a base in Todendorf near the northern city of Hamburg.

Putin had broken disarmament treaties and "deployed missiles as far as Kaliningrad", a Russian exclave located some 530 kilometres (330 miles) from Berlin, he added.

"It would be negligent not to respond to this appropriately," the chancellor said. "A failure to act would put peace at risk. I will not allow that."

Scholz, who was joined by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, said the system was part of the European Sky Shield Initiative, which also includes long-range defences against ballistic missiles.

The German military has ordered six of the Iris-T SLM systems at a total cost of 950 million euros ($1 million) from manufacturer Diehl Defence, to be delivered by May 2027.

- Iris-T success in Ukraine -

Germany, the second-largest contributor of military aid to Ukraine after the United States, has already supplied four Iris-T SLM systems to Ukraine and pledged another eight.

Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov was visiting Germany on Wednesday, a day after a Russian missile attack killed at least 51 people in the Ukrainian city of Poltava, one of the single deadliest bombardments of the war.

The Iris-T systems sent to Ukraine feature truck-mounted launchers that fire missiles to intercept aerial threats at a range of up to 40 kilometres (25 miles).

Scholz said that "in Ukraine, Iris-T has shot down over 250 rockets, drones and cruise missiles to date and saved countless lives".

The German leader said that Europe, aside from defensive systems, would also need more precision missiles of its own "so that there is no dangerous gap with Russia in this strategically important field".

In July, Washington and Berlin announced that the "episodic deployments" of long-range US missiles, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, to Germany would begin in 2026.

Scholz stressed that "our sole concern is to deter potential attackers. Every attack on us must mean a risk for the attacker. Our concern is to secure peace here and prevent war, and nothing else."

bur/fz/fec/jj
This show has me researching some absolutely wild things, my friends. As I watched Yancy dig up Nicks arm this week, I couldnt help but wonder how long fingerprints last on a decomposing hand. One study reported that they last four days in hot weather but 50 days in cold weather. Who knew?

While the idea of Yancy digging up Nicks grave and using his putrefied finger to open his phone is both disgusting and hilarious, the majority of this episode serves to move pieces around on the board. Nick struggles to cover up his botched attempt to murder Yancy, Yancy runs from the cops after being identified as Izzys killer, and Neville attempts to bring Eve and Nick down with the information from the flash drive he stole from their offices.

Oh, and Bonnie is back in Key West. And the underage kid she fucked has found her at Yancys place, only presumably hes not a kid anymore. Is anyone a bit confused about whats happening with this Bonnie storyline? I know it was probably in the novel, and Im truly having a fantastic time watching Michelle Monaghan dial her whole thing up to eleven, but every time we check in with her, I always feel like Ive accidentally hit the remote and Im suddenly watching a different show. Seeing as we left her on a big cliffhanger this week, Im guessing her deal might intersect with the main story sooner rather than later, but well just have to wait and see.

One thing is for sure  Bonnie might not take too kindly to Yancy having a new woman in his life. This episode firmly establishes that Rosa and Yancy are boyfriend-girlfriends, despite Yancys protestations. Rosa goes out on a limb for him multiple times in this episode, breaks the law a whole bunch, and introduces him to her entire family. The girl has got it bad for Mr. Big Bird.

Mendez also has it bad for Yancy but in a revenge way. He confronts Rosa, leers at her like a total creep, and insults Yancy, calling him Big Bird in the process. After Mendez and his scuzzy aura clear out of the room, Yancy emerges and goes on a rant about Big Bird that is as precious as it is true. He points out that Big Bird is not only awesome but also loyal as hell to Snuffleupagus. Underscoring the virtues of friendship is a theme that keeps coming up with Yancy. He talks about it later in the episode as well, stating that courtesy is the foundation of all friendships. Many of Vince Vaughns memorable characters are hyper-focused on loyalty and freely expressing emotions in friendships (see: Swingers, Old School, Wedding Crashers), and its a character trait that never gets old. With his undying love and loyalty to those he cares about, hes almost like a puppy in human form  complete with digging up old bones to prove a point.

Yancy is also resourceful and clever. We obviously never thought that Nick had killed him with that blow to the head at the end of last weeks installment, but then Nick demonstrates some truly epic strength as he drags Yancys giant body down the pier and dumps him into the water. Yancy survives, and when he gets to shore he realizes that he needs to hide out, so he spends the night in Evan Shooks architectural monstrosity.

There has been so much going on in this show that I have been, unfortunately, slacking in detailing the feud between Evan Shook and Andrew Yancy, so let me take a moment here. Bad Monkey is a series with oodles of funny moments, but this feud just might be my favorite. Its always a delight to see Yancy try to constantly one-up Shook every time they interact. Yancy is dumping so many things into that house that its on the verge of becoming a Keys version of The Twelve Days of Christmas: one dead raccoon, a thousand angry bees, a bedraggled Yancy, and a partridge in a pear tree!

Emerging from the sea after a murder attempt was only the start of a no good, very bad day for Yancy. Soon after, he finds out he is wanted for Izzys murder while hes visiting Rosa inside the Miami precinct. Bad timing. Rosa attempts to sneak him out in a body bag, and, when Mendez tries to hit on her, she rejects his advances, saying that shed rather fuck the guy in the body bag. Damn, Rosa. Im all for rejecting creeps, but try to play it a little cool if youre trying to help your boyfriend evade arrest for a crime he didnt commit.

Rosa ends up bringing a wanted Yancy to her parents house for dinner. Theyre a lively crew, but Rosas sister Mel and her mother are both skeptical of Yancy. Later, Rosas mom drives Yancy out of the house by telling him that hes bad for her daughter. Shes right because moments later, we see Rosa headed to the cemetery to help Yancy rob Nicks grave and make out while cops are chasing them. Fun date idea!

For some reason, Yancy and Rosa wait until daylight to look through the phone, and Yancy wastes a bunch of time scrolling through Nicks pictures, which I might think would include way more Eve nudes (you just know she loves taking those) and fewer sunsets, but I digress. Eve is blissfully unaware of what Yancy is up to, but Nick has an idea. Why Nick hasnt deleted his info using Find My iPhone or some other app is insane, but hey, hes definitely Gen X because his phone still rings when someone calls it, and honestly, I dont know anyone under the age of 40 who has their ringtone on, ever.

Eve wants to stop by Caitlins house real quick to threaten her before she and Nick go back to Andros. Its reprehensible that Eve is engaging in this behavior, but Caitlin is also being an idiot. She told her fiance that Nick is still alive, shes buying expensive stuff, and shes planning a trip to Andros to visit. Eve tells her that she needs to play the role of the grieving daughter, but shouldnt Eve also be playing the role of the grieving wife? Eve doesnt really think about stuff like that. What she does do is come up with totally sick (and sickening) burns like You might share [your dads] DNA, but I swallow it. Jaw. Dropped.

After Eve severs all ties between her husband and his daughter, she and Nick head to the airport to catch a private flight with their pilot, Claspers (Bob Clendenin). As discovered by Yancy and Rosa in Nicks phone, Claspers is the type of guy who uses multiple exclamation points in his text messages and just wants to make a friend. Guided by info from an eager Claspers, Yancy and Rosa find the airport just in time to see the plane take off, and Nick distracts Eve with a bottle of champagne so she doesnt see the large man lumbering down the runway after them. But Yancy shatters Nicks peace with a phone call to Eve, promising hell see her soon.

Back in Andros, Neville is also trying to take Eve and Nick down with the flash drive he found when he broke into their offices. He and Dawnie contact Tanny (Krys Marshall), a friend of theirs who works for a high-powered dude who might be able to get the information into the right hands. Unfortunately, Neville once slept with Tanny and then ghosted her, so she acts like everything is forgiven and then quickly flips on him for a pair of Louboutins. When Neville shows up, Egg is waiting to snatch both him and the flash drive, but then Neville pulls a Driggs and hops onto the trunk of a palm tree, expertly scooting down like his monkey friend. He and Dawnie escape pursuit, but only because his boat miraculously washes up on shore.

Earlier in the episode, we saw Egg happen upon the Dragon Queen on the beach. When he sees that Nevilles boat has washed up on shore near her, he questions her about Nevilles whereabouts. She smartly responds, why would I do that? He payin me, not you. I need to channel this type of energy in my life, yall. The Dragon Queen takes no shit and calls it like it is. In an effort to help Neville, the queen and Ya-Ya push the boat back out to sea, and coincidentally it ends up exactly where he needs it to be when hes escaping from the murderous Egg. The narrator comments on this coincidence, stating, Whether you think that Nevilles boat floating up was dumb luck or magical intervention is  but I know what I think. I know what I think, too. The Dragon Queens magic is strong, and I cant wait for Eve and Nick to finally be in her orbit.

Monkeying Around

 There are two other scenes with the Dragon Queen that start to suggest a life beyond her outsized public persona. The first is a scene with her friend Asia (Lauren F. Walker). The two women drink bottles of rose and gossip on the beach, and here we learn that the queens real name is Gracie. She lets loose with her friend without any of the severe, searching glances or uncomfortable silences that she saves for her customers. Later, she contemplates a piece of land that Eve and Nick are trying to buy, and she happens upon Egg, singing the chorus of Saving All My Love for You in a heavenly baritone. Shes a bit smitten, and the two flirt. As Gracie and Egg are two people with severe external personas who both clearly have softer interior lives, Im very interested to see where this relationship leads.

 Once youre in a phone, you can disable passcodes pretty easily, so Yancy really didnt need to break off that decaying finger. Ew.

 Tom Petty Cover Watch: There are three Petty covers in this episode: Sins of My Youth by Kurt Vile, Yer So Bad by the Meridian Brothers, and You Wreck Me by the War on Drugs. You Wreck Me is prominently featured as Nick and Eve take off from the airport with Yancy in pursuit. Now, its easy to think that the lyrics might be referring to the relationship between Eve and Nick  she sure is wrecking his entire life  but Yancys obsession with these two just might bring him down, too.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 4, 2024 - 11:25 | Japan, All, World

Nippon Steel Corp. said Wednesday the majority of board members and core senior management of United States Steel Corp. would be U.S. citizens if its acquisition by the Japanese firm goes ahead.

Japan's largest steelmaker made the announcement days after U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris voiced opposition to the buyout, saying it should be run domestically. The deal has yet to win approval from U.S. regulators.

Nippon Steel, which has already said U.S. Steel will remain headquartered in Pittsburgh, said in a press release that the post-acquisition board would also include three independent directors who are U.S. citizens.

The governance policy was announced after Harris, the Democratic Party's presidential nominee, told a rally in the Pennsylvanian city on Monday that the U.S. producer should remain domestically owned and operated as she sought to shore up support from blue-collar workers.

The two steelmakers announced the $14.1 billion acquisition deal in December. U.S. Steel and its shareholders have backed the takeover, which would create the world's third-largest steelmaker by volume.

But the United Steelworkers union has spoken against the deal, turning it into a delicate political issue.

Nippon Steel also said in its press release it will prioritize production at U.S. Steel to meet the demand in the U.S. steel market.

Related coverage:

Harris opposes sale of U.S. Steel to Japan's Nippon Steel

Nippon Steel to invest additional $1.3 billion in U.S. Steel plants

Nippon Steel delays U.S. Steel purchase until after presidential race
Photo: Warner Bros.

This review was originally published on September 4, 2024, out of the Venice Film Festival. Joker: Folie a Deux is now in theaters.

When Joker came out in 2019, it was greeted with a firestorm of controversy about its potential to instigate violence that verged on a moral panic. The furor didnt come out of nowhere. Todd Phillipss atypical comic-book origin story took place in a Gotham City that resembled 1970s New York and riffed on Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy in telling the story of failed comedian and eventual killer Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix). But its depiction of a downtrodden outcast who embraces violence and clown makeup also existed in the orbit of edgelord 4chan memes and the 2012 Aurora mass shooting, which took place at a screening of The Dark Knight Rises. (It wasnt actually inspired by the DC villain, but, thanks to an erroneous statement from thenNew York police commissioner Ray Kelly, continues to be associated with the character anyway.) Joker, thankfully, didnt turn out to be dangerous. It did turn out to be a hit, an intentional ideological muddle of a movie that didnt have all that much on its mind but made enough of a show of psychological complexity to brand itself as more sophisticated than the average blockbuster.

Phillips may actually have even less on his mind in terms of a guiding idea for his punishing sequel, Joker: Folie a Deux. What we do get owes as much to the conversation around the first film as it does to what happened in it. The new installment picks up two years after Arthur murdered talk-show host Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro) live on air and sparked sympathetic riots in response. While Arthurs been heavily medicated and confined to the high-security ward at Arkham State Hospital, he has repeatedly been ruled mentally competent and is finally set to go to trial for killing (six, counting his mother) people  an event that becomes a media circus and that also turns him into a folk hero for the nihilistic outlaws and outcasts who start gathering outside the courthouse to cheer him on. The primary joke of Folie a Deux is that Arthur has, in fact, become the incel icon so many fretted hed be framed as when Joker came out  only its a role the character never set out to play, and, as the film goes on, he feels less and less sure he actually wants it.

The secondary joke of Folie a Deux is that while its a jukebox musical whose song selections range from Stevie Wonder to MGM standards, it is perversely dedicated to eliminating as much pleasure as possible from its song and dance numbers. The sole exception comes when Arthur attends an Arkham movie-night screening of the 1953 Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse musical The Band Wagon. Its primarily for lower-security patients like Harley Lee Quinn (Lady Gaga), whom he meets-cute with in the hallway one day  him hurried away by guards, her miming shooting herself in the head  and gets to know better during one of the institutions music classes. Lees an arsonist who sets a fire in the back of the auditorium to get extra time with the object of her obsession. As everyone else flees, she and Arthur stand in the beam of the projector, and she begins singing If My Friends Could See Me Now before grabbing his hand and pulling him out in the courtyard for a dance in the rain among the arriving fire trucks and guard-tower spotlights. Its a rapturous, reaching height the movie never bothers with again. When the characters sing elsewhere, its either onstage hosting an imaginary variety show or within whats basically still the reality of the scene, always with a lack of energy.

Early on, Folie a Deux offers one lovely visual  an overhead shot of Arthur being escorted through the rain by four guards carrying brightly colored umbrellas, though when we cut to their backs, the umbrellas are revealed to all actually be black. But the movie otherwise is allergic to those kinds of dynamic leaps into fantasy, even if its musical sequences are supposed to represent the shared romantic delusions that Arthur and Lee get caught up in. If Phillips intended those moments to feel more sung through instead of like departures, as in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, he should have considered that the vibrant Jacques Demy musical is also stunning to look at. In its relentless gloom, Folie a Deux plunks Gaga in a visitation booth where she tries to pretend she couldnt blow the plexiglass walls off the place with her rendition of (They Long to Be) Close to You. Its a waste of her presence, even if the courtroom-suit version of a Harley Quinn outfit that she dons as the film approaches its climax is destined to inspire thousands of imitators come Halloween. Her Lee isnt an equal partner to Arthur but another accessory in his grand tragedy  a supercharged, scary-eyed take on a serial-killer groupie.

Joker: Folie a Deux is Arthurs movie, and Arthur just isnt that interesting, despite how much effort Phoenix puts into rendering the character in exquisitely anguished mental and sunken-chested physical detail. In the film, Arthur is a void onto which others project what they want to see. He has a split personality, according to his devoted lawyer, Maryanne Stewart (Catherine Keener). Hes someone faking a mental illness, according to DA Harvey Dent (Harry Lawtey). Hes a charismatic troll who tells the world to go fuck itself, according to his fans, among them Lee, who says that when she watched him murder Murray Franklin, for once in my life I didnt feel so alone anymore. Phillips cant seem to pinpoint what Arthur is either. He positions him as deeply unwell at certain times and entirely aware of and responsible for his own actions in others, sometimes culpable, and sometimes a helpless victim. Mostly, Arthur is acted upon, even when he thinks hes seizing control  a punching bag for the world and, more importantly, for the director, who subjects the character to so many indignities that he actually stops being pitiable and starts resembling the punch line to a very long, shaggy joke. By the end of Joker: Folie a Deux, that joke feels like its on us.
Photo: Alicia Tatone; Photo: Courtesy of subject

This week, were highlighting 24 talented writers and performers for Vultures annual list The Comedians You Should and Will Know. Our goal is to introduce a wider audience to the talent that has the comedy community and industry buzzing. (You can read more about our methodology at the link above.) We asked the comedians on the list to answer a series of questions about their work, performing, goals for the future, and more. Next up is Skyler Higley.

Tell us a story from your childhood that you think might explain why you ended up becoming a comedian.

Ill give you two: The first is a story that I am told happened when my adopted mother (white) brought me to church (Mormon) for the first time. All the churchfolk were gathered around my baby carrier, and I was covered with a blanket, and when my mom did the big reveal, one of the Elders exclaimed, Oh, wow, that babys a Negro! Which does a decent job of establishing the alienating context that I grew up in that would lead one to seek comfort in comedy.

Luckily, as weird and at times traumatic as it was, that context can be exploited for laughs, like in high school when I ran for student-body secretary (the school wasnt ready for a Black president). I was a lot less popular than the person I was running against, so I worked hard to make all my campaign videos really funny. Once we did our assembly to present campaign speeches, I essentially just did stand-up and closed with Im Skyler Higley, and if you dont vote for me, youre racist. I got sent directly to the principals office after, but I also won. Pretty clear trajectory there, Id say.

If you were immortalized as a cartoon character, what would your outfit be?

Id like to have a cool jacket on. I dont know if the character would wear glasses, because I alternate between glasses and contacts depending on where Im going to be. As a Black man, the choice to wear glasses directly affects how smart/cool people perceive you as, and theyre inversely correlated.

You know what? Ive decided my cartoon would just be me as the Jim Crow caricature. Everyone will be like What the fuck!? But the jokes on you, because then I get to be in history textbooks.

Whats your proudest moment/achievement of your comedy career so far?

When my former boss Conan OBrien pulled me aside and said Youre by far the most talented person Ive ever met.

Having been a staff writer for The Onion and Conan, I do recognize that Ive lived a lot of Gen-X white guys dreams. Being a part of the end of Conan on TBS was very special. Getting to know and work for a comedy legend that you grew up a fan of is really exciting. Once, he emailed me complimenting something I had written, and I emailed him back, This is a big deal coming from you. Ever since I saw Conan OBrien Cant Stop when I was 14, Ive been a huge fan of Jay Leno. There were a lot of media outlets that ran retrospectives of his career on television, and to be mentioned in some of those, even as a very small footnote in that legacy, felt cool. I was only there for the final season, which is a little like taking a paddleboat out to the Titanic to hop on right as its sinking into the water. But then you get to say you were on the Titanic, which is legendary. And I got a nice little trophy, which is what its all about.

I will say that building up career achievements as a means to validate ourselves as artists is fraught, since these achievements are the result of the mechanisms of an industry and, therefore, the whims of a bunch of psychopathic rich people in conjunction with a mysterious algorithm designed to optimize stealing our souls. Dont get me wrong: I desperately want to be more famous but also believe that success is inherently meaningless*. That said, I do intend to get all the trophies. Also, please dont tell Conan I compared working on his show to being on the Titanic.

*Success is meaningful based on the concept of value within our collective neoliberal psyche, but fuck all that shit, man. Open your mind!

Which comedians career trajectory would you most like to follow?

This is a trick question. Pass. How can you really answer this when career means something different than it ever has and the media landscape and the world that created the comedians that I love doesnt really exist anymore? I have tons of aspirations, but isnt it kind of useless to worry about emulating what anyone has achieved in the past if all your goals are in the future?

I want a few good stand-up specials and to write a few good movies, one great show, one book; and I want to die in a spaceship accident on the way to the moon. And fine, if you want me to just give you the type of answer you wanted, Ill just say Roy Wood Jr. and Jordan Peele. There. Are you happy? Stop yelling at me.

Tell us everything about your worst show ever. (This can involve venue, audience, other acts on the lineup, anything!)

The venue was somewhere in the South, where I probably just shouldnt have been booked. I wasnt ever going to draw a crowd, especially there, so not only was the venue pretty rude to me about promoting, but they also promoted me with made-up credits that they thought would be more attractive to their local crowd. The post on the website said SKYLAR HIGLEY: Seen as Ringleader at UniverSoul Circus and on BETs Comic View. (For what Im going to assume is the average Vulture reader, UniverSoul Circus is a Black circus founded in the 90s, and BETs Comic View was a stand-up showcase hosted by people like D.L. Hughley and Cedric the Entertainer that also started in the 90s.)

I was supposed to do five shows that weekend. I had only sold 15 tickets total, but of course there would be some walk-ins. The first show went a lot better than I thought  pretty good, in fact. But then there was the second show, which was so bad I think that the CIA could use experiencing it as a form of torture. I bombed for 40 minutes straight. The few handfuls of people who did buy tickets at the door heckled, made high-pitched bomb-dropping noises after every punch line, and walked out during the show talking shit about how bad I was and refusing to pay for their drinks. Im pretty sure, given the situation, I wouldve bombed anyway, but it was extra bad because this was an older, Black-ass room, and I can only code-switch at about level five, and I needed to be a level ten, at least. They wanted Bruce Bruce, and unfortunately I am not Bruce Bruce. (To the people at Vulture, please do not make my blurb headline Skyler Higley Is Not Bruce Bruce. Im so serious I will be upset.) It really sucked.

Obviously, there was a lot of shame and embarrassment about being Black enough, and we can have this whole conversation about Black essentialism and being perceived as valid or not and blah blah blah, but at the end of the day, it doesnt matter how well thought out I am about race or culture; comedy is visceral, and if the crowd doesnt like who you are, theres nothing you can do. The club canceled the rest of the shows that weekend, so I spent the rest of the weekend in a hotel room depressed about my existence (see question No. 8) and truly resentful of how many comedians also wouldve bombed in that situation but would never have been booked there or have to deal with issues of being an outlier in this way. I could write a whole essay on that show alone, but Im cutting myself off. Read Black Skin, White Masks, by Franz Fanon, and listen to Not Like Us, by Kendrick Lamar.

What have you learned about your own joke-writing process that you didnt know when you started?

I realized relatively recently that a lot of my process when it comes to stand-up is literally processing trauma, but I dont think thats anything new for a comedian. I also learned that if Im actually sitting down to write, the feeling of I got nothing, Ive lost it, Ill never write a good joke again is simply part of the process, like the resistance that a space shuttle has to push through to break out of the atmosphere. All I have to do is let that spiral happen and steer into that skid, and the voice in my head that screams Not good enough! and the part of my brain that goes What about this? have a righteous battle between dark and light for a thousand years and then, hopefully, the result of that is a joke that I can feel satisfied with.

Ive also realized that Im a little synesthetic about ideas  not in the Pharrell-Kanye way, but I do tend to think about concepts in terms of shape and color beyond the concrete rhetorical level. (Maybe everyone is that way and Im just articulating it, or its the result of drug use.) Especially for my own personal writing, as opposed to job stuff, I kind of always have a specific shape and colors I want to feel. Is this making any sense, or is it abstract to the point of self-indulgence? Whatever. Sometimes Ill think of jokes in dreams. One I remember is: Why do we even have moments of silence? They dont work! Theyre staying dead whether were quiet or not. In my dream, that killed.

Whats the biggest financial hurdle youve encountered since becoming a comedian?

I saved up money to move to Chicago to start comedy, but then I was broke as hell until I started getting writing jobs. At one point, I tried to drive for Uber, but I spent all my money buying a super-cheap used car, and the dealership was really shitty, and the car started having problems after a few weeks, and I wasnt getting close to enough rides to support myself. That was one of the few times throughout my early 20s where I played that game Rent or Food?

I have a few resentments that I cant let go of when it comes to comedy, and theyre all related to privilege. First is the amount of creative latitude white comedians and writers receive off grip. Second is when a comedian is really hot, because, Why are you that hot? Stop it. Third, and the one I resent most, are the ones who have been unburdened financially their entire time pursuing a career in comedy. Which is why I want to see what everyone else wrote. Who on this list has secret rich parents? When the nepo children make it on this list, do they answer this question?

At the end of the movie 8 Mile, Eminems character, B-Rabbit, starts his final battle rap by dissing himself so the person hes battling has nothing left to attack. How would you roast yourself so the other person would have nothing to say?

Hm, not sure, guess Id probably say something about  being a skinny-ass, corny, gap-toothed, tries-to-project-being-smart-to-overcompenaste-for-being-whitewashed, discount Donald Glover whos on his fifth rewatch of Cowboy Bebop. I dont know, something like that. Im a very easy target for roasts. Everything is really on the surface. Mormon and adopted were already pretty popular/hackneyed punch lines by the time I was born, and yet those were just factors of my life, so when you think about it, its kind of like my entire existence is already a joke. But so is everyones.

When it comes to your comedy opinions  about material, performing, audience, trends you want to kill/revive, the industry, etc.  what hill will you die on?

See, Vulture, you couldve made this whole article this one question. Heres a list within a list (meta!):

 The majority of older, famous stand-up comedians should retire. Theyre not offering anything that insightful or well written. What they accomplished was great, but like with superstar athletes, there is a point where they simply cant be good anymore. Imagine if Jordan kept playing for the Wizards but also every shot he made had to be about cancel culture or trans people.

 A lot of alt-comedy is great, and I do like it, but it is often the creative result of privileged performers (maybe white) being able to sidestep their lack of perspective or struggle by being whimsical and weird.

 Material should be memorable and not only functional.

 The internet has changed the value and form of comedy, and its become very easy to be creatively lazy, which is strange since we have the tools to make things very well. The constant demand to not only write stand-up all the time but to put everything on social media makes me feel like Im dumping more shit into a river of shit.

 This industry is absurdly exploitative and psychologically damaging. Whether you want to or not, being in it means youre involved in a game of power and hierarchy that is all built on ego, which incentivizes being a narcissist.

 Comedy is simultaneously better and worse than its ever been.

 Funny is subjective, and this myth of being able to kill anywhere was made up by comedians who actually didnt perform at a lot of places.

 Comedy can be a liberating force, but isnt inherently moral or liberating.

 New York is better than L.A.

 Comedians coming up now have to work a lot harder than they ever have before.

 There are a lot of amazingly talented people who could be making some great stuff given more opportunity.

What is the best comedy advice, and then the worst comedy advice, youve ever received?

I think the best advice is to remember to have fun. Obviously dont just have fun; its work. As comedians, we are turning fun into work (or working to create fun? I dont know). But while being a comedian and pursuing it as a career, you can start not having fun very quickly without noticing, usually because youre caught up in what you have vs. what you want, or the way things are vs. the way they could be. And youre right to feel this way, because it does suck (the industry, human life, society, take your pick), but try to have as much fun as you can relative to how much everything sucks.

Most of the bad advice Ive gotten Ive instantly deleted from my brain, but I do remember advice that wasnt technically the worst but contextually terrible. Once upon a time, I had a great set, and afterward a very famous yet truly awful comedian came up to me and was complimentary about my writing, but then said, What you should really do instead is go up there and just talk. Now, heres the thing: I love riffing. I do it a fair amount. Its great because it can connect you to the crowd and bring everyone into the moment more than simply just performing jokes. That said, this comedian then went up to a hot crowd and proceeded to just talk and just bomb harder than I wouldve thought possible, ruining the energy of the entire show. So yeah, you should also write fucking jokes.
Why did Lady Gaga say the movie isnt a musical? I can think of a few possible answers. Photo: Warner Brothers

On Wednesday afternoon, Lady Gaga created a shockwave that echoed from the Adriatic across the Atlantic when she revealed at the official Venice press conference for Joker: Folie a Deux that she didnt necessarily consider the film a musical.

The music is used to give the characters a way to express what they need to say [when] dialogue is not enough, Gaga explained  a sentence that was confusing in three separate ways. First, because to many people, that is the dictionary definition of a musical. Second, because the Joker sequels marketing materials had emphasized the fact that it would have singing, in a way that made it seem very much like a musical. And third, because almost all of the people Gaga was talking to had just come from a screening of Folie a Deux, and few of us had any doubt about the nature of the film wed seen. This things a musical!

Joker: Folie a Deux turns out to feature music in almost all the ways a film can feature music. It has sequences where the music is diegetic, as when Joker visits a prison arts-rehabilitation program  here presented slightly less sweetly than in Sing Sing  where the group is singing Oh When the Saints Go Marching In. Or where he and Gagas Harley Quinn flirt by singing Get Happy, as seen in this promo clip:

First official look at an exclusive scene from Joker: Folie A Deux for Venice Film Festival. pic.twitter.com/OTfMVSFVc5  Lady Gaga Now  (@ladygaganownet) September 3, 2024

The film also has one or two traditional movie-musical numbers, where characters start in something resembling the normal world, then are swept into a heightened state of reality by the power of song. For instance, the sequence where Gagas Harley Quinn attempts to break Joker out of prison while singing If My Friends Could See Me Now from Sweet Charity begins and ends with actions that are meant to be taken literally, but whats in between is a flight of fancy that only the two of them are experiencing. (My colleague Alison Willmore calls this scene rapturous, reaching heights the movie never bothers with again.)

Most of all, Folie a Deux has dream-sequence numbers, which are meant to reflect the characters psyches even while they dont directly connect to their circumstances in the real world. Most of what you see in the movies trailer are these, and theyre among the most controversial elements of Folie a Deux. (David Ehrlich complains that most of the tunes are pared down into dull cabaret arrangements and shot against the black void of the characters shared imagination.) Still, most of my audience seemed to enjoy the fantasy where Joker and Harley are the hosts of a Sonny & Chertype program, where they sing What the World Needs Now Is Love. You gotta admire a good bit.

So, with all of that in mind, why did Gaga say the movie isnt a musical? I can think of a few possible answers:

Lady Gaga has a very specific definition of musical.

Would you be surprised if Lady Gaga turned out to have a private definition of what a musical is, with strict and idiosyncratic rules about what does and does not count? Perhaps its the fact that Folie a Deux only has a few traditional musical numbers. Or perhaps its because the films dialogue still drives the plot, rather than the songs. Perhaps its something that the ghost of Judy Garland whispered to her in her sleep. Who knows?

Gaga was being a snob.

This theory comes by way of an anonymous Vulture staffer, who posited that Gaga was trying to sell Folie a Deux as a film that transcended the lesser genre of the musical, the same way the first Joker was taken by fans as something more than a traditional comic-book movie. Its the elevated horror approach  the genre fans are already bought-in, so you market toward the cinephiles who wouldnt ordinarily consider a horror film or musical.

Gaga misspoke.

I have gone back and listened to my recording of the press conference multiple times, and Im still unclear on the point Lady Gaga was trying to make. Sometimes celebrities get put in front of microphones and they just say things, you know? There can be 100 people in a room, but that doesnt mean any of them needs to take a given Gaga quote all too seriously.
Sangiuliano insists that culture ministry never spent a euro on Boccia who responds by publishing boarding passes and audio recording.

Italy's culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano was left fighting for his political life on Wednesday amid a controversy involving the influencer and fashion entrepreneur Maria Rosaria Boccia.

The row began on 26 August when Boccia published a post on Instagram thanking Sangiuliano for appointing her as adviser to the minister for major events, an appointment later denied by the ministry.

Boccia, who has been photographed accompanying the minister to multiple events around Italy over the summer, contested Sangiuliano's claim that his ministry did not pay her any money as an advisor.

"I never paid for anything, I was always told the ministry paid back advisors' expenses", she told newspaper La Stampa, adding: "all trips were always organised by the minister's chief of cabinet".

Boccia, 41, also disputed Sangiuliano's claims that she had never taken part in operational meetings on an upcoming G7 culture summit in Pompeii.

She also contested the claim that she was not included in email exchanges containing classified information about the organisation of the G7 meeting in Pompeii, despite allegedly not having security clearence, news agency ANSA reports.

Amid growing calls from the opposition for his resignation, Sangiuliano was summoned by premier Giorgia Meloni to Palazzo Chigi on Tuesday, with many expecting him to resign.

However the embattled minister survived, for now, telling reporters that he had "reiterated the truth" of his statements published by La Stampa on Tuesday morning.

"I don't understand how they can ask for my resignation" - he told La Stampa - "I have done nothing wrong, either on a legal or an institutional level".

Sangiuliano, 62, said that "never a euro of the ministry, not even a coffee" was spent on trips and overnight stays for Boccia who in relation to the organisation of the G7 culture summit, "never had access to documents of a classified nature".

During the trips between June and August, Sangiuliano said: "I paid for everything with my personal credit card", adding that he has receipts and bank statements "for all the places we went together, from Taormina to Polignano, from Sanremo to Milan".

Only in Riva Ligure "did the mayor insist on paying for everything himself and we were his guests", Sangiuliano said.

As for the use of the ministerial car with police escort, Sangiuliano stated that Boccia "always got in it only with me, never alone. Always for short trips, maybe to the station".

He then made comparisons to other senior Italian politicians, including deputy premier Matteo Salvini, who may have done the same with their partners in the past.

La Stampa noted that the minister's comparison sounded like the admission of a private relationship between him and Boccia.

"It's the reason why we blocked her nomination as advisor for major events" - Sangiuliano said - "She had the curriculum and the credentials to carry out that role, but when our mutual professional esteem became a private matter, I was the first to feel that everything had to be stopped. They should applaud me for this".

On Tuesday night Boccia added further fuel to the fire by publishing a screenshot of an email titled "Sangiuliano/Boccia flights", sent from the minister's secretary, with airline boarding passes.

More explosively, Boccia also published an audio recording of her phonecall with a culture ministry official regarding the decree formalising her "appointment as advisor to the minister for major events".

In the audio Boccia says: The decree has arrived, the minister has signed it, to which the ministry official responds: Yes, yes, yes, we saw it.

Sangiuliano is facing calls from the opposition to explain himself before parliament, with the populist Movimento 5 Stelle (M5s) describing the situation as akin to a "second-rate soap opera".





The M5S group leaders in the culture commissions of the chamber and senate, Antonio Caso and Luca Pirondini, asked if the culture ministry and "an entire government can be held hostage by the social media posts of a private citizen who regularly denies and casts shadows on Gennaro Sangiulianos statements?", asking: "Can a self-respecting prime minister, at such a crucial time for the country and with very delicate dossiers to deal with, spend her time following the updates on Maria Rosaria Boccia's social media channel from Pompeii?"
Storm wreaked havoc in Rome on Tuesday.

Rome's ancient Arch of Constantine near the Colosseum was damaged by lightning during a violent storm that wreaked havoc on the Italian capital on Tuesday afternoon.

The lightning struck the southern side of the fourth-century landmark, where conservation work is already getting underway, causing fragments of the monument to detach and fall to the ground.

In a statement to Reuters on Tuesday, the Parco archeologico del Colosseo said that all fragments were recovered immediately and that assessment of the damage had already begun.

The 25-metre high arch was commissioned by the Roman senate to commemorate Constantine's victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Ponte Milvio in 312 AD.

The Colosseum archaeological park said that checks would continue on Wednesday morning and that the conservation work underway would now also focus on repairing the damage to the monumental arch.

The unexpectedly severe storm, described by Rome's mayor Roberto Gualtieri as a "downburst", saw about a month's worth of rain fall in a few hours, with winds of up to 90 km/h.

The extreme weather flooded streets and led to the closure of two Metro A stations - Lepanto and Manzoni - as well as felling several large trees in the Circus Maximus area.

The Colosseum underground remained closed for maintenance on Wednesday morning in the wake of the storm, with updates available via the social channels of the Parco archeologico del Colosseo.
Last year Rome introduced a 5 entry for the Pantheon.

Rome tourism officials are considering the introduction of a ticketing system with time slots for the Trevi Fountain in a bid to tackle overtourism.

The capital's councillor for tourism and major events Alessandro Onorato told Corriere della Sera on Wednesday that the idea is to limit the number of people at the landmark which is frequently the scene of tourists behaving badly.

"I would be in favour of studying a new access, limited and timed, with a reservation system: free for Romans and paid, with a symbolic euro, for tourists", Onorato told the Corriere.

He said the goal is to thin the flow of tourists and discourage the consumption of pizza or ice cream, which is widespread despite the anti-loitering rules in a place "that deserves respect".

It is not the first time that Rome has considered measures to protect the overcrowded Baroque monument, which dates to 1762, including a plan to install barriers to keep visitors away from the water.

Last year Onorato requested help from the Italian government to stop tourists jumping into the fountain, calling for restricted access to stop unruly visitors from disrespecting the iconic site.

This summer there have been several incidents of tourists diving into the fountain, an offence which carries a fine of up to 550 as well as a temporary ban on returning to the Trevi Fountain area.

Last summer a 5 entry fee was introduced at the Pantheon, Italy's most visited landmark, which remains free for Rome residents.

The proposal to limit access to the Trevi Fountain - which for now is merely a suggestion - comes as the Italian capital prepares to welcome extra millions of tourists for Jubilee Year 2025.

Photo credit: Lena Serditova / Shutterstock.com.
Some rhetoric, unpleasant expressions, and behaviors toward Azerbaijan have been observed by the Russian State Duma several times. Konstantin Zatulin, known for his staunch pro-Armenian position and actively expressing the interests of the Armenian community of Russia, once again demonstrated his anti-Azerbaijani position and supported terrorism and separatism.

Russian State Duma MP from the Sochi district, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Public Relations... at first glance sounds pretty hefty. This time it looks like Russia's pro-Armenian MP has sharpened his expression of admiration towards the Garabagh junta. To such an extent that he opted to put forth an undeniably ludicrous remark. "I am recording thiswhether you call it a message or a declarationon August 30, the birthday of my old friend Bako Saakovich Saakyan," Zatulin declared. Afterward, he congratulated Armenians who were illegally residing in the temporarily occupied territories of Azerbaijan on the "Independence Day" of the non-existent "Artsakh," then as a fanatic of the Garabagh separatists [Bako Saakyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Ruben Vardanyan, and other separatists] who are awaiting trial in Baku, showed his 'support' by saying, "I pray to God that nothing happens to them and that they return to their families and Armenia as soon as possible." In his introduction, referring to them as citizens of the "unrecognized but existing Nagorno-Karabakh Republic," reminded of a dreamy romantic's belated confession. Sure, the "Artsakh" project existed, but only in the fantasies of Armenian separatists, which predictably burst tragically in the end. The first deputy chairman of the Russian State Duma's committee is discussing the release of separatist ideologues in Garabagh, not any other ordinary person.

Zatulin, infamous for taking bribes and being faceless in his country, is undoubtedly intended to remain a hot topic, considering he went into hibernation mode for a long time with his empty and incoherent comments. Of course, under a certain set of circumstances, Zatulin could come to Baku to visit one of the former "leaders" of the Garabagh junta, Bako Saakyan, in the pre-trial detention center. Unfortunately for Zatulin, he is not allowed to enter our country because of his former participation in parties held in the temporarily occupied territories of Azerbaijan. It is also noteworthy to add that, Zatulin is unique in this regardhe's considered unwelcome not only in Azerbaijan but also in Armenia, may I say that we can also print a list of countries regarding the same issue? So, on 23 May 2010, he participated in a circus performance called elections among the Garabagh separatists. Naturally, no one in the world recognized these elections. At the same time, the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry included Zatulin in the list of persona non grata. The Russian MP was not satisfied with this and in every possible way expanded the list of countries where he is banned from entering. In 2018, Estonia became a new such country. But the real bans came after the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war. First, he was included in the sanctions list of the European Union, then he was included in the sanctions list of Great Britain, after which he fell under the sanctions of Ukraine. As of 30th of September 2022, Zatulin was placed on the US sanctions list. Last but not least came Armenia's decision in late October 2022, when both Zatulin and RTs (Russia Today) Margarita Simonyan were banned from entering the country. That's another way of earning yourself a title: Mr. International persona-non grata.

We would like to bring one point to the attention of the deputy. President Ilham Aliyev visited the Khudavang monastery complex in Kalbajar on September 2, which was liberated from occupation. One of the architectural monuments that was subjected to Armenian aggression between 1992 and 2020. During the occupation, illegal activities were carried out under the guise of "restoration" with the support of the Armenian Apostolic Church and financial backing from the Armenian state. These included falsifying elements and making additions to structures such as the Arzu Khatun and Great Hasan churches, as well as other buildings within the complex, many of which were subjected to acts of vandalism. After the liberation of our lands from occupation, Armenian priests and monks remaining at the monastery, with the assistance of foreign experts, illegally cut out and removed ancient frescoes from the monuments, taking them out of the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In addition, the cross-stones and inscriptions in the form of a cross composition with two circular motifs and a tree of life, located on the bell tower of the Khudavang Monastery complex, were dismantled and looted. All these churches are Albanian and it has nothing to do with Armenians. Zatulin, who admitted that he grew up in Hadrut, which was liberated from occupation, also knew this.

In any case, the fact that a Duma official indulged in such political illiteracy is a disgrace to the name of the Russian state. In addition, Zatulin and his contributors should know that Azerbaijan, as an independent state, regulates the processes on its territory within the framework of the country's legislation. All issues, including the integration of Armenians in Garabagh into Azerbaijani society, should be evaluated in this context. Therefore, people like Zatulin should understand one thing before delivering a piece of nonsense, that it was not and will not be possible to influence Azerbaijan in this method to turn her from its path!
KYODO NEWS - Sep 4, 2024 - 17:48 | Japan, All

The Nikkei stock index on Wednesday plummeted more than 4 percent, its third-largest decline of the year, as weaker-than-expected U.S. manufacturing data raised concern about a U.S. economic slowdown.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 1,638.70 points, or 4.24 percent, from Tuesday at 37,047.61, its lowest level since Aug. 15. The broader Topix index finished 99.78 points, or 3.65 percent, lower at 2,633.49.

Every sector on the top-tier Prime Market lost ground, led by mining, nonferrous metal, and securities house issues.

The U.S. dollar fell slightly to around the 145 yen line, as the plunge in Tokyo stocks turned investor interest to the yen, seen as a safe-haven asset, dealers said.

At 5 p.m., the dollar fetched 144.99-145.01 yen compared with 145.42-52 yen in New York and 145.93-96 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The euro was quoted at $1.1055-1056 and 160.29-33 yen against $1.1038-1048 and 160.75-85 yen in New York and $1.1055-1056 and 161.34-38 yen in Tokyo late Tuesday afternoon.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond fell 0.035 percentage point from Tuesday's close to 0.885 percent, as investors bought the safe-haven debt following the plunge in equities.

The stock market was sharply lower from the outset, dragged down by weaker-than-expected Institute for Supply Management purchasing managers' index data for the U.S. manufacturing sector in August, released overnight, that renewed fears of a potential recession in the world's largest economy.

Heavyweight tech issues including Tokyo Electron and Advantest also took a hit following a drop in the share prices of Nvidia and other U.S. counterparts.

The Nikkei index shed more than 1,800 points to fall below the 37,000 threshold at one stage, as export-oriented issues were pressured by the yen's appreciation against the dollar, brokers said. A stronger yen reduces exporters' overseas profits when repatriated.

"There are concerns that the U.S. economy will no longer be able to make a soft landing, that perhaps it may be entering a period of stagflation," said Shingo Ide, chief equity strategist at the NLI Research Institute.

"The plunge (of the Japanese stock market) may also have included some profit-taking after consecutive record highs on the Dow Jones created a sense of optimism over the past couple of weeks," he added.

The weak manufacturing data has made some investors wary of other upcoming U.S. economic data, including jobs data for August to be released on Friday, as they gauge whether the U.S. Federal Reserve will cut its key interest rate by 0.25 or 0.50 percentage point at its next monetary policy meeting later this month, analysts said.

Related coverage:

BOJ chief says financial markets remain "unstable," watching closely

Nikkei surges 3%, back to 38,000 as U.S. economy fears ease

FOCUS: "BOJ shock" behind Japan's dramatic stock plunge
Thirteen Waterford schools run by religious orders have been named in the scoping inquiry report into historical sexual abuse.

Nationally, there are over 2,300 allegations of sexual assault at 308 schools.

The 13 Waterford schools were ran by five separate religious orders (seven by the Christian Brothers, three by the De La Salle Brothers, one by the Augustinians, one by the Cisterians, and one by the Ursuline community).

Scoil Lorcain CBS primary school in Waterford city had the highest number of allegations with 20, all coming from one alleged abuser. Waterpark College CBS had the second highest number of allegations, with a total of 17 against five alleged abusers.

ORDER SCHOOLS BY NO. OF ALLEGATIONS TOTAL NO. OF ALLEGATIONS TOTAL NO. OF ALLEGED ABUSERS Christian Brothers Scoil Lorcain CBS, St. Johns Park (Primary) 20 1 Christian Brothers Waterpark College CBS (Post-Primary) 17 5 De La Salle Brothers St. Declans De La Salle (Primary) 6 3 Christian Brothers Mount Sion CBS (Primary) 5 4 Cistercians Mount Mellary College (Closed in 1974) (Post-Primary) 3 5 Augustinians St. Augustines College Dungarvan (Post-Primary) 2 2 Christian Brothers Mount Sion CBS (Post-Primary) 2 2 Christian Brothers Dungarvan CBS (Primary) 2 1 Christian Brothers Tramore CBS (Primary) 2 1 De La Salle Brothers St. Stephens De La Salle (Primary) 2 1 Christian Brothers Dungarvan CBS (Post-Primary) 1 1 De La Salle Brothers De La Salle College (Post-Primary) 1 1 Ursulines St. Angelas (Post-Primary) 1 1

In total nationally, there are 2,395 allegations of historical sexual abuse between the years 1927 and 2013 in respect of 308 schools recorded by the religious orders that ran those schools.

These allegations are made in respect of 884 distinct alleged abusers. The religious orders records indicate that over half of the 884 persons accused of historical sexual abuse are known to be deceased.

In total nationally, there are 2,395 allegations of historical sexual abuse between the years 1927 and 2013 in respect of 308 schools recorded by the religious orders that ran those schools.

The report

On November 7, 2022, the RTE Documentary On One 'Blackrock Boys' was broadcast on RTE Radio 1, describing the accounts of two survivors of sexual abuse at Blackrock College, Dublin.

Following the broadcast many men came forward from this school and others, outlining similar experiences.

The Minister for Education, Norma Foley, TD, subsequently announced the establishment of a scoping inquiry to inform the governments response to revelations of historical sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders.

The inquiry organised a Survivor Engagement process where those who had experienced sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders were invited to come forward and share their views regarding an appropriate State response.

Participants reported experiences of sexual abuse in primary, post-primary and special schools, both public and private, run by religious orders across the country.

The landmark 700-page report, which was published on Tuesday, September 3, contains detailed accounts of sexual abuse, rape and sexual assault. It is deeply distressing to read.

The experiences given by survivors are prefaced with a content warning that says: The accounts given by survivors of their experiences of sexual abuse in schools set out in this report are distressing and often harrowing to read.

Reading these accounts of abuse may be extraordinarily difficult, particularly for those who have been abused or whose loved ones have been abused. It is no failing on any persons part if they do not wish to do so.

Scale of abuse

Approximately 95% of the reports participants were male.

A large majority of respondents reported that they experienced abuse aged 10 or under, however many participants described experiencing abuse in more than one age category.

Participants reported that in some cases, sexual abuse seemed to be integrated into the rituals of boarding school life. Participants also reported that they were in some way incapacitated to facilitate sexual abuse and a small number reported that drugs or other substances were used to render them unconscious.

Some reported that the person who sexually abused them had visited the family home, had tea with their parents and built a relationship with the family.

Many of the participants described corrosive feelings of guilt and shame at the time of the abuse, which they subsequently carried with them throughout their lives.

The majority said they were not able to tell anyone about the abuse they endured, either due to shame, thinking no one would believe them or not knowing how to tell.

The report says: The vivid and harrowing descriptions of what participants said they experienced as children indicates the extent and nature of sexual abuse in some schools and suggests that a climate of fear prevailed in many cases."

The lasting and cumulative effect of sexual abuse was detailed vividly by survivors and the effects of sexual abuse on childhood mental health was described by participants as devastating.

Participants described how, as children, they experienced stress, anxiety, depression and PTSD, with some relating how they were prescribed medication or hospitalised because of these conditions at very young ages.

Negative coping mechanisms, including the use of alcohol, drugs, disordered eating, and self-harm, were described, and some participants explained that they experienced suicidal ideation.

These impacts prolonged into adulthood for many of the participants.

Shocking results

The report sets out what survivors want the government to do next to address the abuse.

The establishment of a state inquiry into historical sexual abuse is one of a number of recommendations made by the writer of the report, Senior Counsel, Mary OToole.

The report also recommends that consideration be given by government to establishing a redress scheme for survivors of historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders.

Further recommendations relate to improving the experience for survivors in legal processes and the establishment of dedicated support services for survivors.

Minister for Education Norma Foley announced that a Commission of Investigation is to be established.

Minister Foley said: The Report of the Scoping Inquiry is a harrowing document, containing some of the most appalling accounts of sexual abuse.

The scale and horror of what people described in their interviews with the Scoping Inquiry is shocking, and the lasting impact on the lives of those survivors cannot be overstated.

"I have been deeply moved by the courage, fortitude and openness of all those who have shared their experiences."

I am thinking of all those who came forward today as part of the Scoping Inquiry process and indeed those who are not in a position to do so at this point in their lives."
The company name AirTrunk gives nothing away. A litany of possibilities would range from a pneumatic spare-tyre pump maker to a carbon-credit-producing tree plantation agribusiness. Try again  its an Australian-born data centre operation. But heres the kicker  final touches are being put on a deal to sell it for more than $23 billion. Yep, thats not a typo  billion.

AirTrunk will now take its place in Australias corporate lexicon.

AirTrunk, founded by Robin Khuda, has gone from zero to being worth billions in less than a decade. Credit: Oscar Colman

This makes it one of the biggest deals in Australian history. Size-wise, its in the league of the sale of BHPs oil and gas assets, Frank Lowy offloading Westfields global shopping centres, the acquisition of Sydney Airport or Jack Dorseys eye-watering purchase in 2021 of what was then Australias most fashionable finance company, Afterpay.

It is certainly the largest sale of a company that most people (outside the tech sector) have never heard of.
In June 2007, the iPhone was released. Complete with a built-in time display, there was a pause as those in the watch industry were counting down their last days. But, to the contrary, statement watches grew in popularity, as did the thirst for vintage watches.

Swiss brands such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Omega and Breitling became even more desirable (read expensive). As with many vintage items heading north in terms of price, it certainly helps to have the original packaging and provenance.

A Cartier dress watch circa 1999 valued at $14,900.

A number of these highly collectable new and vintage watches can be found at Zaeger in Sydney and Melbourne  but before you make an appointment, be prepared to go on a waiting list for some watches rather than expect them to be wrapped and good to go.

Theres a long waiting list for some of the vintage watches, particularly those that were limited edition, says Zaegers owner, Shmuel Ulman, whose family established the business 35 years ago, initially wholesaling before entering the retail world 11 years ago.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy has expressed concern about the incoming Northern Territory governments plan to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 10, arguing it is not the way to go to tackle youth crime.

Speaking on the ABCs Afternoon Briefing program in the last hour, McCarthy said the Country Liberal Partys plan worries me greatly.

Malarndirri McCarthy was promoted to Indigenous Australians Minister in a ministerial reshuffle earlier this year. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

I look at my own children, who are nine and 10, and the thought of any parent thinking that their child could end up  as a result of these laws  in custody, in these areas is quite deeply concerning, she said.

McCarthy said the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child showed incarcerating kids is not the way to go.

So naturally, I will obviously be urging the new chief minister  I will be very clear  that I dont think this is the right step.

Last Saturday, Country Liberal Party leader Lia Finocchiaro won a landslide election in the Northern Territory, ending eight years of Labor government after a campaign focused heavily on crime.

McCarthy warned Finocchiaro about going too far with tough-on-crime policies after the last Country Liberal government was marred by a Four Corners report that exposed abuse within the NT youth justice system.

She will obviously say [her election victory] is a mandate that she has been given by the people of the Northern Territory. Im sure that mandate comes in many forms, but I do believe that [lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 10] is not the way to go.

McCarthy also said she had recently toured Western Australias controversial Banksia Hill Detention Centre after a 17-year-old boy died there last Thursday. He was the second teenager to take their own life in Western Australias juvenile detention system in less than a year after Cleveland Dodds death in October 2023.

There is a lot of concern ... around the way that Banksia is obviously operated, she said, adding:
Good afternoon readers, and thanks for joining us today.

We leave you with the words of mining and pastoral Labor MP Kyle McGinn, who has blamed his political career being cut short on factional power-plays.

Maritime Union-aligned McGinn had nominated to run for Labor in the newly created federal seat of Bullwinkel but WAtoday revealed on Monday he was pipped by Shire of Mundaring councillor Trish Cook, who had support from the partys federal executive.

And in our 10.10am post, we reported that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese capped off his final day in WA by making the announcement officially.

Upper House Labor MP Kyle McGinn. Credit: WA Parliament

Before these machinations, McGinn had also missed out on a winnable spot on the Labor 2025 upper house election ticket, effectively spelling an end to the 36-year-olds political career when his term ends next May.

He took to Facebook on Wednesday to lament factional politics within his own party and say he was proud of what he had achieved as an accidental politician:
KYODO NEWS - Sep 4, 2024 - 19:39 | All, Japan

Toshimitsu Motegi, the No. 2 in Japan's ruling party, on Wednesday announced his bid to join its leadership race and become the next prime minister, promising "no tax hikes" in an apparent bid to draw a sharp contrast with outgoing leader Fumio Kishida.

Motegi, the fifth candidate to join the Sept. 27 election of the Liberal Democratic Party, said he will not turn to raising taxes or health insurance premiums to secure funds worth 1 trillion yen ($6.9 billion) each, part of an already formalized government plan to achieve a substantial spending increase to boost Japan's defense and childcare support.

Tax hikes are unpopular among voters and the Japanese economy lacks vigor amid rising prices of everyday goods. Motegi said he is confident that the necessary funding can be secured via other sources, though his remarks immediately drew a backlash from fellow LDP members.

As secretary general of the LDP and leader of one of its powerful intraparty groups, Motegi, 68, has been a key supporter of Kishida. But their relations are believed to have cooled since a political funds scandal emerged to rock the party late last year.

"I am committed to producing results. I will create a stable government that can squarely tackle changes at home and abroad," Motegi told a press conference as he announced his first LDP presidential bid.

The Harvard-educated former McKinsey consultant said he sees untapped potential in Japan, and vowed to foster economic growth. If elected LDP president and therefore prime minister, he said he would not raise taxes, and "within six months" would declare an official end to deflation, which has plagued the nation for years.

"If no results can be seen in three years, I will take responsibility" as leader, he said.

Under Kishida, the government decided to increase Japan's defense spending to 43 trillion yen in a five-year period to better respond to security threats, posed mainly by an assertive China and North Korea's missile and nuclear development. Part of the increase will be funded by raising taxes, but the government and ruling parties have not decided on the exact timing.

Another priority for Kishida is to expand childcare support to reverse the declining trend in new births. As a funding source, the government came up with the idea of asking people to make contributions in the form of monthly health insurance premiums.

Japan's top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said both arrangements are "necessary to fundamentally bolster our defense capabilities and childcare support," telling a regular press conference that the government will proceed according to the plans already approved by the Cabinet.

Hayashi, 63, who has served as Kishida's right-hand man, is also running in the LDP's leadership election as his boss is stepping down at the end of his three-year term.

The ruling coalition of the LDP and Komeito party control both houses of parliament, which makes it almost certain that the next LDP chief will become prime minister.

Motegi has held key government posts including foreign and industry minister, and is seen as one of the leading candidates for the premiership.

He played a central role in negotiating a trade deal with the United States when then U.S. President Donald Trump took issue with his nation's massive trade deficits with Japan.

The LDP faces the urgent task of needing to win back the trust of voters in the wake of the political funds scandal, which has prompted the party's factions, including one led by Motegi, to decide to disband.

Motegi pledged to ensure transparency in how the LDP obtains and spends funds, and to create a "completely new" party.

From the Cabinet, Digital Minister Taro Kono, 61, a political maverick who was defeated by Kishida in the previous election in 2021, has already thrown his hat into the ring.

Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, a 43-year-old rising star in the LDP, plans to declare his candidacy on Friday, while former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, 67, last month announced he would make his fifth and "final" bid to become LDP chief.

Both score highly in opinion polls concerning whom the public would like to see become the next Japanese leader.

Former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, 49, is also running and his successor, Sanae Takaichi, 63, is expected to announce her own bid next week.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vented his frustration in cabinet over mishandling of Australias next census, complaining that new questions about a persons gender identity were inappropriate and he had to step in to fix the problem.

In a cabinet meeting on Monday, August 26, Albanese expressed annoyance at complicated questions about peoples sexual orientation and gender status proposed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 2026 census, according to three sources in the room who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at a press conference in Perth on Tuesday. Credit: Trevor Collens

With Albanese about to fly out to the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, he made a captains call to dump them.

That decision horrified LGBTQ groups and split the caucus, as six Labor MPs broke ranks to publicly question the move. By the end of last week, as the Greens made plans to wedge progressive MPs by bringing on votes in both houses of parliament over the issue, a second captains call was made to allow one question on sexual orientation.
The very first time I went to the beach, I found a bit of Lego from the spill, and I thought that was quite astonishing, she said. Williams knew the story of the Great Lego Spill. Years ago, during visits to her parents home in Devon, she regularly took her children beachcombing. They looked for shells, sea glass and interesting pebbles. Then, in 1997, Lego pieces started washing up. Lego dragons collected by Williams. There were 33,427 black dragons and 514 green ones on the Tokio Express. Credit: The New York Times We knew its from a cargo spill, but I didnt know much more about it, she said, adding that her children would fill up small plastic buckets with their beach treasures. I hadnt really forgotten about the Lego story, she said, but it was when I came here to Cornwall and saw it washing up again and I just thought thats astonishing, that 13 years later and this Lego was still appearing.

Her find sparked an idea: creating a community to trace who else had found Lego, which pieces they had found and where. She created a Facebook page, and the BBC reported on it, leading to a flood of submissions. People found tiny, colourful octopuses, dragons, life rafts, scuba flippers, scuba tanks, seagrass and more, and they enthusiastically reported their finds to the page. At last, read a blurb from a recent find, after years of searching I find my very first piece of lego, lost at sea. The endeavour became a widely followed project and led to a book titled Adrift: The curious tale of the Lego lost at Sea. A selection of Lego swords and spear guns from Rob Arnolds collection in Cornwall. Credit: The New York Times Over the years, Williams has kept a record of the found pieces, including rare green dragons (only 514 were in the container) and black octopuses (4200) that have become prized finds for beachcombers. Shes mapped where the toys have turned up  on the English coast, in Wales, France, Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands. But its possible pieces have drifted all over the world by now. For Curtis Ebbesmeyer, theres no doubt about it. Ebbesmeyer is an oceanographer known for tracking the Friendly Floatees Spill in 1992, in which thousands of rubber ducks and other bath toys washed into the Pacific Ocean. He said ocean currents were like the worlds greatest subway line.

They take anything, anywhere, he said. After the Cornwall spill, Ebbesmeyer reached out to Lego to ask what had been on the ship. The company sent him an inventory, along with a sampling of the kinds of pieces that had been in the container. He promptly tested them in his bathtub for buoyancy and found that half of the pieces floated. Williams has mapped where the Lego has turned up. Its possible pieces have drifted all over the world by now. Credit: Adrift via The New York Times That difference could account for the missing Lego pieces that fell off the Tokio Express in 1997 and have yet to surface. Williams said she regularly spoke to fishermen who discovered the pieces as they trawled the bottom of the ocean. A Lego shark, one of 51,800 that were in the container, was caught in a fishermans net 32 kilometres off the Cornish coast in late July. Its the first of the sharks to see daylight in 27 years. Only another 51,799 to find, Williams wrote on the Lego Lost at Sea account.

Andrew Turner, a professor of marine and environmental biogeochemistry at the University of Plymouth in England, said the Great Lego Spill was an interesting case study because of the publics knowledge of it. Often, container spills arent made public unless theres something hazardous or toxic inside. Its also the tip of the iceberg when it comes to plastic pollution in the ocean, he said. Theres so much plastic on the bottom of the ocean that we just dont know anything about, and how much is there, and when and if its going to wash up, Turner said. Lego flowers from Rob Arnolds collection. Credit: The New York Times The container mishap created an expected public relations challenge for the company that makes the toys. Calling the Great Lego Spill an unfortunate accident, a spokesperson for the Lego Group said the company didnt ever want Lego bricks to end up in the sea. We are serious about our role in helping to look after the planet, the spokesperson said. We have an ambitious sustainability strategy that aims to leave a positive impact for future generations.

Christopher Reddy, a senior scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, said that scientists were still forming an understanding of how plastic affects the ocean and marine life. The plastic pieces  which can be mistaken for food by wildlife, or even become small enough to enter the body through the gills  are harmful, but Reddy said the most worrying threat to the ocean was the increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere thats fuelling climate change. Rob Arnold, an artist in Cornwall, creates work from plastics he has recovered from the English coast. He is looking to reduce marine plastic pollution and spread awareness about it. Armed with garbage bags and sheer grit, he goes out on long, sometimes arduous walks. He climbs over rocks to reach hidden coves where trash piles up, collecting water bottles, plastic teeth, bottle caps and, yes, Lego. Rob Arnold, an artist who uses discarded plastic in his work, walks along a secluded stretch of Cornish coastline collecting rubbish. Credit: The New York Times He is a reluctant artist. Arnold said he would much prefer that material wasnt there, and I was making art out of something nice. He has created an hourglass filled with plastic pellets, called nurdles; a Stonehenge built out of lighters; and a piece with nearly 1000 Lego flippers, or scuba fins, arranged neatly in rows.

For some, caring for the ocean and the surrounding environment can go hand in hand with a love of the hunt for Lego. Williams, the Lego Lost at Sea founder, has long been part of a beach clean-up network. Hardstaff, the marine biologist, said she was always on the lookout for plastic and other trash to clean up at her local beach. But the Lego black dragon, she said, I was happy to keep instead of throw away. Its nearly 30-year journey ended on her bedside table. Arnold said the Great Lego Spill captured peoples attention and raised awareness about plastic pollution. Hoping were going to find some Lego, Arnold said, makes beach cleans a bit more fun. This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
London: A Russian air attack on Ukraines western city of Lviv, not far from the border with NATO member Poland, has killed three people, injured more than 30 and destroyed historic buildings in the heart of the city.

It came just a day after Russia hit a military institute in the central town of Poltava with two ballistic missiles in the wars deadliest single attack this year, killing at least 50 and wounding about 200.

Ukraines military officials said its defence units were engaged in repelling the attacks.

Yes, its very loud, Lviv Regional Governor Maksym Kozytskyi said on the Telegram messaging app.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 4, 2024 - 17:22 | All, Japan

Leading Japanese space startup ispace Inc. said Wednesday its lunar micro rover has arrived in Japan from Luxembourg for a series of inspections ahead of its second lunar exploration mission this winter.

The rover, named Tenacious, will be integrated into its lunar lander Resilience, and is expected to be launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the company said.

The latest plan comes after the company's failed attempt in April 2023 to become the world's first private firm to land a spacecraft on the lunar surface. Its lander is thought to have crashed on the Moon's surface during its final approach, it said at the time.

"The rover's name, Tenacious, embodies our resolve never to give up and keep making efforts," Takeshi Hakamada, founder and CEO of ispace, said at a press conference at Haneda airport in Tokyo. "We will learn from our experience and keep trying."

The rover, which is 54 centimeters in length and 31.5 cm in width with a height of 26 cm, weighs around 5 kilograms. The vehicle, whose frame is made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics to withstand the rocket launch, is expected to conduct surface exploration, including the collection of lunar regolith.

Japan Airlines Co., which has been supporting ispace's mission, helped bring the rover to Haneda airport from Luxembourg, where the venture's subsidiary in charge of developing the rover is based.

The startup is currently checking its rover was not damaged on the flight over and that its systems are all working at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's facility in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture.

The rover will be transported to the United States for the planned launch after the inspection is completed, ispace said.

Related coverage:

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KYODO NEWS - Sep 4, 2024 - 21:08 | World, All, Japan

China and Japan did not use their defense hotline to communicate following an unprecedented violation of Japanese airspace by a Chinese military spy plane last week, diplomatic sources said Wednesday, casting fresh doubt over the direct line's effectiveness in crisis management.

In May last year, the two Asian neighbors began operating a hotline between their senior defense officials, but it was not used in July following an incident where a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer temporarily sailed into Chinese territorial waters.

So far, the communication line has only been used during exchange events between the defense officials.

The continued nonuse of the direct line is feared to offer no help in avoiding accidental clashes between the two countries.

Bilateral communications were instead conducted via normal channels involving foreign and defense officials after the Chinese military aircraft violated Japanese airspace on Aug. 26 over waters in the East China Sea off islands in the southwestern prefecture of Nagasaki, the sources said.

Beijing is believed to have told Tokyo that it did not intend to intrude into Japanese airspace.

According to internal operational guidelines of the hotline, the two countries' defense authorities are required to hold discussions before using the communication line.

A Japanese government official said if the hotline had been used this time, prior discussions "would have lasted for several hours," adding the time-consuming communication line is "useless" at present.

Some officials in both the Chinese and Japanese governments have called for modifying the guidelines to ensure swift and smooth communications between the two countries' defense authorities.

The Japanese Defense Ministry said a Chinese military Y-9 spy plane flew over waters off the Danjo Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture for about two minutes from 11:29 a.m. on Aug. 26. The Air Self-Defense Force scrambled fighter jets immediately after the intrusion.

The following day, Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara declined to confirm whether the hotline had been used over the case.

China and Japan initially agreed to open a direct hotline in 2007, establishing the communication line in March last year. It is part of the Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism, launched by the two countries in 2018, to build mutual trust and prevent contingencies at sea and in the air.

The Chinese and Japanese defense ministers reaffirmed its importance during a meeting in Singapore in June.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stressed the hotline's significance at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday, saying the direct line has "enriched" bilateral communication channels and "strengthened the management and control capabilities" of both sides in sea and air crises.

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China says ship passage through Japan territorial waters "legitimate"

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KYODO NEWS - Sep 4, 2024 - 13:31 | Arts, All, Japan, Travel/Tourism

The Japanese city that hosts Himeji Castle is considering doubling or tripling admission fees for visitors who do not live in the local area, officials said Wednesday, with the city backing down from a plan to only impose higher ticket prices on foreign tourists.

The local government of Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, is also considering a premium ticket plan targeting foreign tourists that would include a luggage storage service and discounts at restaurants in addition to admission to the UNESCO World Heritage site.

In June, Himeji Mayor Hideyasu Kiyomoto made headlines when he told an international symposium he is contemplating quadrupling entry fees for foreigners, increasing an adult ticket from the current 1,000 yen ($6.80), to help pay for maintenance costs.

Kiyomoto told reporters at the time that he wants to avoid raising the admission fee for Himeji locals, preserving the site as "a place of rest" for them.

The remarks drew backlash from municipal assembly members, who argued that targeting foreigners with higher prices could hurt the image of the castle, the officials said.

Himeji will introduce the new admission fee system as early as the spring of 2026 after discussing it with the municipal assembly and the Agency for Cultural Affairs. It plans to keep the entry fees the same for Himeji residents, the officials said.

"Himeji Castle has more buildings designated as national treasures or important cultural properties than any other castle in Japan, and admission fees are an important source of funding to preserve and pass the castle on," one of the officials said.

Around 1.48 million people visited the castle in fiscal 2023, and 452,300 were foreigners, topping 400,000 for the first time since data became available in fiscal 1992, according to the city government.

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Weber State faces Utah State in annual battle for life-saving blood donations

September 4, 2024

OGDEN, Utah  Weber State University will bleed purple as it hosts the 21st Annual American Red Cross Blood Battle Sept. 913 at two locations on the Ogden campus.

The Blood Battle pits WSU against Utah State University in a friendly competition to see which school can supply the most blood. WSU and USU have a goal to collect 500 units of blood each.

The event is open to stude nts, staff, faculty and community members. All blood donors will receive a commemorative t-shirt while supplies last.

The Dee Events Center will welcome donors Sept. 912 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Shepherd Union Ballroom will take donations Sept. 910 and 1213 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Weber State is honored to host the Red Cross on our campus every year, said WSU President Brad Mortensen. We see a lot of walk-ins, including students and employees, but we also get lots of people from the community. Ultimately, people walk away knowing theyre saving and prolonging lives, and thats really what were battling for.

This summer, the Red Cross has faced a national blood supply shortage, highlighting the need for events like this.

The American Red Cross is thankful for the community for supporting Weber State in hosting this blood drive. For 20 years, this blood battle has really brought the Northern Utah community together to save lives, said Michael Smauldon, executive director of the Northern Utah Chapter of the American Red Cross. The need is constant, and the students help lead the way to ensure we have the blood supply needed at our hospitals.

Although walk-ins are welcome, donors can also make an appointment to give blood or platelets by visiting the Red Cross website, calling 1-800-733-2767 or using the Red Cross Blood Donor app. Use the sponsor code BLEEDPURPLE to support Weber State.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 4, 2024 - 21:43 | All, Japan, Travel/Tourism

The Japanese unit of Uber Technologies Inc. said Wednesday it has launched trial ride-hailing services in Tokyo utilizing vehicles used for car-sharing, with plans to consider expanding the service area.

The ride-hailing app provider will conduct the trial until the end of November in cooperation with car-sharing service provider Park24 Co. and taxi operator Royal Limousine.

Since Tokyo has the lowest car ownership per household among 47 prefectures in Japan, Park24 offers a vehicle to a driver for 880 yen or more per hour. Drivers sign contracts with Royal Limousine as they are required to be employed by taxi companies under the current regulations.

Uber will consider offering the service in other areas after examining the trial services.

Currently, 31 prefectures either offer ride-hailing services or are considering them after the government partially lifted a ban on the practice in April.

Drivers with a standard license are allowed to offer taxi services on specified days and hours using their private vehicles, provided they operate under the management of a local taxi company.

In rural areas, where residents have limited transportation options, ride-hailing services are available from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

However, the transport ministry said Wednesday it plans to allow taxi companies to extend the service hours and days in rural areas if they request, hoping to attract more companies to the business and expand the service area.

The upper limit for the number of private vehicles for ride-hailing services will be raised to 10 percent of the overall taxi vehicles operating in each business area from the current 5 percent.

"I would like everyone here to work harder to strengthen measures so the service can be introduced in all (47) prefectures by the end of the year," Tetsuo Saito, minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism, said at a ministry panel.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in June that Japan should allow rideshare drivers to work independently, emphasizing there would be more people willing to become rideshare drivers under such a system.

Uber's app is currently available only for taking taxis or private vehicles of registered drivers in Japan.

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KYODO NEWS - Sep 4, 2024 - 19:02 | All, Japan

The operator of the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant informed Japan's industry minister on Wednesday that a lack of sufficient confirmation on simple-task procedures led to an error, resulting in the suspension of efforts to extract small amounts of melted fuel from one of the reactors last month.

"In the high radiation environment, our confirmation process on simple tasks in the preparation stage was not enough," said Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. President Tomoaki Kobayakawa during a meeting with Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ken Saito at the ministry.

TEPCO plans to retrieve up to 3 grams of fuel debris from the No. 2 unit using a telescopic device over about two weeks. However, the operation was suspended on the first day in late August after it was discovered that the pipes used in the trial extraction had been placed in the wrong order during preparations.

The setup of necessary devices was primarily handled by subcontractors, and TEPCO officials did not directly confirm the procedures, leading to errors in the retrieval device setup, according to TEPCO. The restart date for the operation is still pending.

Saito said, "We strongly demand that TEPCO directly confirm details of the procedures from the preparatory stage."

Shortly after the suspension of the operation, Saito instructed TEPCO to find and report what had caused the error.

Retrieving melted fuel is regarded as one of the most challenging tasks in the decades-long decommissioning plan for the Fukushima Daiichi complex, which was damaged following a massive earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.

An estimated 880 tons of fuel debris remains in the Nos. 1, 2 and 3 reactors, which suffered core meltdowns after losing cooling function due to a power failure during the disaster.

TEPCO initially planned to start retrieving debris from the No.2 unit in 2021 but postponed its plans three times due to the novel coronavirus pandemic and technical difficulties.

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Reactor in central Japan fails to pass post-Fukushima safety review

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By Cillian Sherlock, PA, in Kyiv

Services for victims of gender-based violence, work to return abducted children and the construction of prefab homes for refugees are among the projects to be supported by a new tranche of Irish funding for Ukraine.

Taoiseach Simon Harris is to announce a 36 million package aimed at supporting Ukraine and neighbouring countries during a visit to Kyiv on Wednesday.

The funding is for essential humanitarian assistance, rehabilitation and eventual reconstruction, and it will contribute to Ukraines longer term goals including peace, stability and political aspirations.

The latest cash will bring Irelands total funding to Ukraine since February 2022 to more than 380 million, including approximately 130 million in stabilisation and humanitarian support.

Simon Harris with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

Irelands assistance this year prioritises prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence, support for maternity services and rebuilding of homes for people forced to flee conflict and now living in collective centres.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said: Our support for Ukraine is unwavering. Ireland will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine for as long as necessary.

The Government said it will continue to work in Ukraine through long-standing partners with proven ability to reach those most in need.

The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairss (OCHA) Ukraine Humanitarian Fund will receive 5 million.

The money will go to non-governmental and civil society organisations across Ukraine, including assisting 1.5 million women and girls and more than 480,000 people with disabilities.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is to receive 5.5 million.

The UNHCR winter plan aims to support 600,000 people with cash assistance to cover additional winter needs.

Ireland has supported the Core Homes Project, which is on target to build 300 prefab homes for families to return where their previous homes were destroyed.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has been allocated 3 million, to provide live-saving sexual reproductive health and gender-based violence services, including rape support.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin (Niall Carson/PA)

Ireland will provide the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) with 3 million.

Unicef has been allocated 2 million as part of the Governments focus on the reintegration of children who have been abducted to Russia and Belarus.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been allocated 5 million. Irelands funding will also support high-level international interventions to reunite families with children who were forcibly deported from Ukraine.

The World Bank IDA Crisis Facility Special Programme for Ukraine and Moldova has been allocated 3 million with a particular focus on food security.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Ukraine Capacity Development Fund, which focuses on macroeconomic stabilisation, EU membership, and post-war reconstruction, will receive 2 million.

The Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) will be given 3 million to support the building of bomb shelters for schools in Ukraine by local companies. It also goes towards rebuilding schools that have been damaged.

Moldova will receive 2 million for its management of a large flow of refugees and its pursuit of EU membership.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Ukraine Health Appeal has been allocated 1.5 million.

Ireland has also set aside 1.115 million in Peace and Stability Funding.
The original 7-seat Skoda Kodiaq was one of the Czech brands best-selling models with over 12,000 vehicles delivered to Irish families since 2017.

The new Kodiaq recently arrived in Irish showrooms and is even bigger, with an increased length of 610mm and extended wheelbase of 100mm permitting an additional 75 litres of luggage capacity, compared to the outgoing model. From the exterior the new generation Kodiaq demonstrates a new modern solid design language with a protruding grille, while new technologies and materials are featured in the expansive interior.

A familiar engine line-up is offered with two 2.0 TDI, HVO compatible diesels with 110 kW (150 hp) and 142 kW (193 hp) power outputs, the later mated to 4x4 all-wheel-drive transmission.

For the first time, Skoda has introduced Plug-In-Hybrid technology to the Kodiaq line up in the form of the Kodiaq iV. The plug-in-hybrid powertrain for the Kodiaq iV offers a combined system output of 150 kW (204 hp) delivered through a front wheel drive arrangement. The Kodiaq iV is offered exclusively as a 5-seat SUV with 745 litres of luggage capacity. An all-electric range of more than 100 kilometres on the WLTP cycle can be achieved thanks to a giant 25.7kWh battery, that can be charged using DC power up to 50kW (10-80%) in just 25 minutes. For Hybrid driving a 1.5 TSI petrol engine works in tandem with the electric motor.

John Donegan, Skoda Brand Director, said: There has been a 22.3% increase in Irish Plug-in-hybrid vehicle sales this year, with this trend likely to continue. The Kodiaq iV boasts one of the largest batteries of any PHEV offered on the market, providing commuters with the ability to drive 100 kilometres in fully electric mode. Up to now there have been many PHEVs on the market, but very few have exceeded the 100 kilometre electric driving range. The Kodiaq iV and the Superb iV are quite unique with electric ranges of 100 kilometres and 124 kilometres respectively. These models would be of particular appeal to drivers who are unprepared to make the leap to fully electric, but would like to experience day to day electric driving. I would urge customers to have early conversations with their local Skoda dealer to secure their PHEV Kodiaq iV or Superb iV for 2025.

The Kodiaq iV PHEV is available to order now priced from 57,890 for the Selecton version featuring Electric Tail Gate, LED Lights and 18 alloy wheels. The Selection + specification adds 19 alloy wheels, leather interior and matrix LED headlights from 63,290.
Mayo North Tourism has announced that it has been awarded the title of "Best Community-Led Tourism Initiative 2024  West of Ireland" at this year's European Travel Awards.

This prestigious recognition from EU Business News, a leading publication on European business developments, underscores the organisations relentless efforts in showcasing North Mayo and West Sligos rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and the strong sense of community that makes the region truly special.

As Mayo North Tourism celebrates its 10th anniversary, this award marks a significant milestone in its journey. For over a decade, the community-driven organisation has been dedicated to creating sustainable tourism initiatives that not only attract visitors from around the world but also enhance the lives of residents. The organisations approach goes beyond tourism - it's about making North Mayo a wonderful place to visit, live, and work.

Reflecting on this achievement, Mairead Melody Carr, Manager of Mayo North Tourism, said: "This award is a celebration of our communitys collective efforts. Over the past ten years, weve worked closely with local businesses, volunteers, and communities to create a truly authentic and enriching experience for our visitors. Weve showcased the essence of North Mayoits natural beauty, cultural richness, and the warmth of its people. By creating a series of videos last year, People & Places of North Mayo, and through activities such as collaborating with travel influencers and leveraging digital platforms, weve elevated our local businesses and attractions on a global scale. Last year alone, we achieved a social reach of over 2.6 million. But more than anything, weve strived to make this region not just a destination, but a place people are proud to call home."

The European Travel Awards celebrate organisations and groups making a lasting impact in the travel and tourism industry across Europe. Mayo North Tourisms recognition as the Best Community-Led Tourism Initiative highlights its innovative approach to tourism, which balances economic growth with community well-being.
Patsy McGarry, a proud native of Ballaghaderreen, has followed his recent retirement as the Religious Affairs Correspondent of The Irish Times with a compelling retrospective account of his eventful life in journalism. His position offered him a clear view of a series of scandals that rocked the Irish Catholic Church and devastated its status and authority  among them the clerical child sexual abuse revelations, the Magdalen Laundries, the Mother and Baby Homes and other seismic events.

McGarrys lavish skills as a journalist allowed him to fruitfully employ his forensic skills in analysing the who, the what and the why of the turbulent years of the last few decades for Irish society and the Catholic Church  as well as communicating his findings with precision, clarity and balance.

His new book, Well, Holy God, My Life as an Irish, Catholic, Agnostic Correspondent, also charts his own personal faith journey from a secure childhood religious belief to later uncharted waters of agnosticism. And while the book extends more widely than what my summary might suggest, its his faith journey thats immediately striking.

Religion,' McGarry contends, was never huge in our house.

As a child he accompanied his mother, whom he describes as having a deep, private faith but was never pious as she cyled to early Mass every Sunday in Frenchpark with Patsy on the back of her bicycle. His father, who regarded the Catholic Church as an institution with suspicion, stopped going to Mass in 1961  unthinkable in the rural Ireland of the day.

But while in 1961, his father gave up largely on religion, Patsy went in the opposite direction even to the extent of becoming convinced that I would be a priest when I grew up. His happy childhood, full of the rituals and iconography of Catholicism, led him to adopting a series of religious convictions that would frame his young life.

After the family moved from rural Mullen to Ballaghaderreen, Patsy became more aware of the stratospheric levels of Mass attendance as well the increased visibility of priests, nuns and Brothers including the violent and brutal regime in the De La Salle Boys school and the air of stern discipline you could find in a barracks in St Nathys College.

While in Nathys, Patsys relationship with religion took a radical turn for the worst. It wasnt, he is quick to add, because of anything he witnessed or experienced in that college but the stock issues of the time: the wealth of the Church; hectoring priests; bullying teachers; a dodgy sex education approach  a celibate instructing the virginal in what was wholly hypothetical  the religion classes where questions were not allowed; and the sometimes unchristian attitude of religious people.

The result was that Pasty entered what he called a prolonged process of bereavement after doubts about his faith surfaced and he struggled to hold on to God. Later in the University of Galway, though he read widely and followed debates on religious issues, he only had questions and no answers seemed adequate. When he arrived at the foothills of adulthood, he realised he was like a priest without a Church, a believer without a god. He missed his former intimacy with God and the solid assurance, direction and stimulus that a religious faith had added to his life.

I lost God,' he writes, with deep reluctance.'

While Catholicism shaped his most significant convictions  a clear conscience, a strong sense of social justice; respect for others; and an attachment to family, friends and community  he became that peculiar hybrid, an Irish Catholic agnostic, Catholic through cultural background, agnostic through lack of conviction.

In 1987, Patsy became the Religious Affairs correspondence of The Irish Times, surmising that his agnosticism may have influenced his interviewers of whom he had asked the pertinent question, Would you appoint a member of a political party as the newspapers political correspondent?

Patsys political background was Fianna Fail  for his father de Valera was as near divine as any man could become  but he had to steer a middle course (respectfully but without deference) in dealing with politicians and religious figures.

In the years that followed, he would need all his personal and professional resources to sustain an even path in the multiple crises he reported on: President Mary McAleese receiving Communion in Christ Church Cathedral; the Bishop Eamonn Casey story in its multiple components; the odd case of Monsignor Micheal Ledwith, president of Maynooth College; the censuring of a number of Irish priests, notably Tory Flannery; and the removal of Fr Kevin Hegarty as editor of Intercom.

And, not least, the clerical child sexual abuse scandals and the tsunami that followed the Catholic Churchs gross irresponsibility in addressing the problem and its callous indifference to the children abused and their families, as well as its primary concern for its own reputation and assets; the television programmes like Cardinal Secrets that put names and faces on the grim statistics, the statutory inquiries and the reports that followed and the implosion of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

Indeed, it was at a press conference after the Dublin Report, that McGarrys anger and frustration boiled over and he spoke from the gut listing a litany of church excuses, failures, obfuscations and deceptions around the abuse scandals ending with a question that resonated with so many: Why should we trust the Catholic Church in Ireland again?

It was at once the definitive question that he had both the right and duty to frame. I suspect too, that Patsys righteous anger was not unconnected with a sense of personal disappointment and loss for Patsy himself in losing a treasured faith, reflected in his childhood memory as a young lad who sat on the back of his mothers bicycle as she cycled to Mass all those years ago.

Well, Holy God is essential reading that will stand the test of time.

 Patsy McGarry, Well, Holy God, My Life as an Irish, Catholic, Agnostic Correspondent, 18.99
KYODO NEWS - Sep 4, 2024 - 22:34 | All, Japan, World

Japan and Australia agreed Wednesday they will enhance cooperation on long-range missile capabilities, in their latest efforts to cope with China's expanding military presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles also shared concerns about Chinese military activities that could "further escalate tensions in the region," including the violation of Japanese airspace by a Chinese spy plane last week, Kihara told reporters after their meeting in Melbourne.

Kihara and Marles shared the view that they will continue to foster cooperation toward Japan's acquisition of counterstrike capabilities -- the ability to hit enemy bases should the need arise -- and Australia's acquisition of long-range missiles, according to a statement from the Japanese Defense Ministry.

Talks have been underway between the two nations for Tokyo to use Australia's vast continent as a testing ground for Japanese missiles that are under development, government sources said earlier this year.

Kihara is believed to have raised Japan's bid to join Australia's planned development of a new warship in the meeting, as Tokyo pushes for cooperation on defense equipment and technology with like-minded countries.

The Japanese minister said the Australian side has "expressed interest" in Japanese destroyers, adding Tokyo is "providing information" on the matter. But he refrained from sharing any details.

According to Japanese government sources earlier this week, Japan's Defense Ministry plans to offer a prototype based on the Maritime Self-Defense Force's cutting-edge Mogami-class destroyer in the potential joint development of a frigate with the Australian Navy.

The two ministers also confirmed that intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance activities as well as joint training exercises between their countries' forces have been progressing under a reciprocal access agreement that came into effect in August last year.

Kihara and Marles will join Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong for a "two-plus-two" security meeting on Thursday.

Related coverage:

Defense Ministry requests record 8.5 trillion yen for FY 2025 budget

Japan mulls 2nd summit of Asia zero emission forum in Oct. in Laos

Japan planning to build missile training site on Pacific island
Kenyan President William Ruto speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Nairobi, Kenya on Aug. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

NAIROBI, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- As China-Africa cooperation thrives, both sides agree on the need to foster green and inclusive growth, peace, and civilizational dialogue, Kenyan President William Ruto said here on Monday.

In an interview with Chinese media, Ruto said China's stellar economic growth has served as an inspiration for African countries in their quest for shared prosperity, peace and stability.

Kenya and China have enjoyed over six decades of diplomatic relations, resulting in significant achievements, including the construction of modern infrastructure projects like the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway and the Nairobi Expressway, Ruto said.

Ruto pointed out that as the two countries expand and collaborate in the public sector, there is a growing momentum building around the private sector as well. "We are looking at how our own private sector can learn and work with the expertise and the knowledge transferred from China to our own private sector."

For example, the Chinese-invested Global Trade Center in Nairobi has become a landmark, attracting many companies to invest and start businesses in the region, he said.

He is set to attend the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing on Sept. 4-6.

The upcoming FOCAC summit aims to build consensus on how China and African countries can collaborate to unlock industrialization, youth talent development and agricultural modernization, Ruto said.

China, with its competitive edge in clean technologies, offers a model for African countries to follow as they transition toward a green and resilient future, he said.

"Our continent possesses 60 percent of renewable energy globally. Combining our renewable energy resources and renewable energy technologies from China will be a win-win outcome," Ruto noted.

The Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by China are key to achieving comprehensive prosperity, peace and unity for humanity, said Ruto.

"It is our collective position as a continent that we work with China to make sure that the three initiatives benefit the development of our continent," he said.

He added that the Global South, represented by China and Africa, has a critical role in crafting new policies and laws to promote climate action, reform governance, advance peace, and secure long-term stability in the wake of profound geopolitical shifts.

"This is a positive direction because it enriches the pool of ideas that we can all tap into to solve global challenges," he said.

Ruto said he sees a growing relationship between Kenya and China and expanded investment opportunities in their private sector, citing the increased export of avocados, tea and coffee from Kenya to China as an example of this deepening economic cooperation.

The president also welcomed Chinese people to visit Kenya to explore its rich tourism resources, from the ocean to the Maasai Mara National Reserve and Mount Kenya, as well as all the beauty and culture of the country. This, he said, helps consolidate the relationship between the two peoples by fostering cultural exchanges and experiencing different civilizations. 

Kenyan President William Ruto speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Nairobi, Kenya on Aug. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

Kenyan President William Ruto speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Nairobi, Kenya on Aug. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Han Xu)
Chen Min'er, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee, meets with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who is also ruler of Dubai, at Zabeel Palace in Dubai, the UAE, Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

ABU DHABI, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Under the strategic leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, bilateral relations have developed rapidly in recent years, setting a model for relations between China and Arab countries in the new era, a visiting senior Chinese official has said here.

Chen Min'er, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks on Monday during a meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE at Zabeel Palace in Dubai.

Chen noted that China is willing to work with the UAE to take the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to actively implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning of experience in governance and modernization, and advance the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Chen, who is also the secretary of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee, said that Tianjin is ready to give full play to its advantages to strengthen cooperation with the UAE, especially Dubai, in fields such as economy, trade, investment, free trade zone and port construction, thereby contributing to the development of bilateral relations.

For his part, the UAE vice president and prime minister said that his country attaches great importance to developing relations with China and is satisfied with the sound development momentum of bilateral exchanges and cooperation in fields such as politics, economy, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.

The UAE, especially Dubai, is willing to further deepen the docking of development strategies and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields with China, so as to promote greater development of bilateral relations, added Mohammed bin Rashid, who is also ruler of Dubai.

At the invitation of the UAE government, a CPC delegation led by Chen visited the Gulf state from Sunday to Wednesday, during which they also met with UAE Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman and chief executive officer of DP World.

During the visit, Chen also attended the 2024 "Invest China" Tianjin Session and facilitated the signing of several cooperation agreements, including a memorandum between the Tianjin Free Trade Zone and the UAE's Jebel Ali Free Zone, and a cooperation agreement between Tianjin Port Group and DP World. 

Chen Min'er, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee, meets with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, vice president and deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, Sept. 3, 2024.

Chen met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE, who is also ruler of Dubai at Zabeel Palace in Dubai on Monday. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

Chen Min'er, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee, meets with Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman and chief executive officer of DP World, in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sept. 2, 2024.

Chen met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE, who is also ruler of Dubai at Zabeel Palace in Dubai on Monday. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

Chen Min'er, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee, meets with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister and foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, Sept. 3, 2024.

Chen met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE, who is also ruler of Dubai at Zabeel Palace in Dubai on Monday. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)
EDHE Studentpreneurs Indaba 2024

When: Thursday, 05 September 2024 - Friday, 06 September 2024 Where: Pete Susman Room, Sturrock Park

Braamfontein Campus West

Sturrock Pack Conference Hall Start time: 8:30 Enquiries: Visit the EDHE website for more: www.edhe.co.za RSVP: Register Today Cost: R400-00 per person for 2 days

Sustainable Entrepreneurship: Building Businesses for a Better Future

Universities South Africa in partnership with the Department of Higher Education and Training, through the University Capacity Development Programme will be hosting its 6th Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education Programme (EDHE), Studentpreneurs Indaba, hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, Gauteng from 5 to 6 September 2024.
Africas youthquake: No jobs, the wrong skills and little hope

With growing populations and major youth unemployment in Africa, more must be done to create jobs and help young people develop the right skills.

By 2050, one in every three young people on earth will be of African origin, according to the 2024 International Labour Organisations (ILO) Global Employment Trends for Youth report. Africas young people will be key players in the direction of future global consumption, culture and even stability.

Its estimated that by 2050, about 72.6 million new jobs for sub-Saharan Africas young people will be needed. The ILO report warns of an African youthquake unless the continent creates new jobs. Recent countrywide protests in Kenya provide a glimpse into the scale and energy that these quakes may have.

But, worryingly, many African countries arent actually producing enough secure jobs that can help young people meet their needs and have a good quality of life.

Youth unemployment

As highlighted in the ILO report, sub-Saharan Africa already shows a youth unemployment rate of 8.9%, and only a small minority of young adults get what would qualify as a decent job.

Weve published various articles which highlight the extent of the youth unemployment problem and whats driving it.

Youth unemployment is a major issue in South Africa  the unemployment rate is 49% for young people aged 15-24. As inequality scholar Imraan Valodia explains, the drivers of these rates can be global (such as changing employment patterns) or specific to South Africa (such as the legacy of the countrys apartheid past).

Skills mismatch is one of the main reasons given by economist Stephen Onyeiwu for Nigerias high youth unemployment rate. Youth unemployment in Nigeria stood at 15.3% in 2019. Onyeiwu argues that these official statistics often underestimate the severity of the problem. For example, they dont account for the fact that over 80% of Nigerians with primary education (or more) who are regarded as employed are grossly under-employed in low-productivity informal-sector work.

Skills mismatch is also a problem in Kenya. A group of management scholars argues that its one of the drivers of youth unemployment in Kenya: graduates dont have the skills needed by the job market. Young people make up at least 80% of the unemployed population in Kenya. Despite being educated, significant numbers of young people remain unemployed or underemployed.

Insecure work

As highlighted in the ILO report, without many options, Africas young people are turning to insecure work. Nearly three in four working young adults in sub-Saharan Africa are in insecure work; one in three paid workers earns less than the median wage.

There are various types of work and strategies that young people will engage in. For instance, researcher Hannah J. Dawson reveals that young South Africans will run car wash ventures, fix cars (as informal mechanics), and rent back rooms or shacks. They might also wire illegal electricity connections for a fee or street-side gamble.

These informal strategies to make a living can be stressful and frustrating. Researcher Laurent Fourchard reviewed Daniel E. Agbiboas book They Eat Our Sweat: Transport Labor, Corruption, and Everyday Survival in Urban Nigeria, which explores the world of drivers of minibuses (danfo) and motorcycles (okada) in Lagos. Like many informal workers, these transport operators have no fixed income, no days off and no social protection.

Anthropologist Peter Lockwood shows just how difficult this precarious situation can be. He shares insights from the diaries of young Kenyans in Nairobi which reveal lives of joblessness and endless searching for money, all punctuated by substance use.

Ways forward

What can be done about this situation?

Each country will need a different approach. As economists Derek Yu and Christie Swanepoel explain, its important to understand the different categories of the unemployed even within countries in order to create more effective policies.

For instance, their study found that nearly 43% of unemployed South Africans fell into a transitory category. Those without a job throughout the whole seven-year study period represented just 4.33%. Their policy suggestions therefore related to improving the quality of education and ensuring labour skills meet the needs of the labour markets. They also emphasised the importance of better industrial policies which allowed for labour-intensive employment, combined with hiring people with lower levels of education. Manufacturing, in particular, was highlighted as the sector thats best placed to absorb unskilled or semi-skilled workers.

The need for jobs across the continent is critical. And good policies for job creation require good data.

Data scientist Katharina Fenz is part of a team that launched the Africa Youth Employment Clock. This provides real-time insights into the employment status of individuals aged 15-35 across the continent. Employment numbers are always changing, showing new predictions every day. In this article, Fenz reveals how the clock works. She also flags some interesting trends  like a decline in agricultural employment across all countries on the continent, indicating a shift in employment patterns towards industry and services.

Moina Spooner, Assistant Editor, The Conversation. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
New electricity law brings reform

Good news for competition in South Africa's electricity market but big hurdles must be overcome before success is achieved.

South Africa endured an electricity crisis from 2008 characterised by intermittent rolling blackouts and a growing culture of non-payment. The state-owned utility, Eskom, came to be regarded as the single largest risk to South Africas economy. At the end of March 2020 Eskoms debt stood at R488 billion (US$27.4 billion).

Government has attempted several measures to overcome the countrys energy problems. These have included new Eskom boards, new CEOs, bailouts for Eskom and a National Energy Crisis Committee that includes the private sector. Now its trying legislative reform.

In mid-August 2024 President Cyril Ramaphosa approved a new law that marks the most significant change to date in the electricity supply industry. The Electricity Regulation Amendment Act is the beginning of the end of Eskom, the near state monopoly that has dominated South Africas electricity sector since the 1950s.

The law paves the way for Eskom to end its transmission business over the next five years. It seems likely to be a generator for a long time, however: its new coal-fired stations are designed to operate for 50 years. The new act envisages a hybrid market model, designed to accommodate various kinds of transactions.

Competition and market prices are expected to emerge over time. New kinds of businesses are emerging, such as traders in electricity, prosumers (consumers that also produce electricity for sale into the grid), electricity market operators and system operators.

Ramaphosa promised that:

the Act will lead to long-term energy security, a more competitive energy system, more rapid uptake of renewable energy sources, and ultimately lower energy prices for all South Africans.

The new law is indeed groundbreaking, and an important step along South Africas zig-zag, stop-start path to electricity market reform. But electricity market reform is a process that evolves over years as technologies and markets change. It is not a destination.

Based on my 40-odd years in the energy sector, including six on the Eskom board, I believe that on balance, the new law is good news for electricity market reform. However, there are some matters to be concerned about.

Change is hard in South Africa. It has taken 26 bumpy years since the 1998 White Paper to get to this entry point to market reform. It would be naive to expect a smooth ride from here on. Vested interests in and around Eskom and the municipalities will want to cling to their powers. New technologies are disrupting the old way of doing things. There is no national champion driving electricity reform and with weak government there is the risk of reform being diverted elsewhere.

A long, hard road

Electricity market reform in South Africa has its origins in a White Paper on Energy Policy published in 1998. The first round of efforts to implement this policy and to begin the unwinding of Eskoms monopoly led to:

Eskom being separated into divisions in 2000

the establishment of Electricity Distribution Holdings to own the new Regional Electricity Distributors in 2003

the establishment of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa in 2005

the establishment of the Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme Office in 2006

an Independent System Operator Bill in 2012.

But this first attempt at reform petered out by 2015. After a lull of some years, a second round of attempts at market reform was initiated by the Eskom Roadmap published in 2019. This, along with public pressure from increasing power cuts, led to the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill being released for public comment in March 2021. After 42 months, the president signed the act on 16 August 2024.

What changes are envisaged?

Within the next five years a new juristic person, the Transmission System Operator SOC Ltd, is to be created. The foundations of this exist in the form of the National Transmission Company of South Africa, which Eskom has already set up as a wholly owned subsidiary.

The role of the new entity will be as follows.

As a system operator it will have the task of keeping demand and supply in balance every second of the day and deciding where power is drawn from first.

This is where it runs into player and referee challenges as it must ensure fair competition between multiple electricity generators: Eskom and privately owned ones.

It will be a market operator. This will involve providing a platform for competitive, wholesale or retail buying and selling of electricity. It will have to establish rules to govern the market (much like stock markets have rules for buying and selling shares). It must ensure that financial settlements between buyers and sellers are settled in a fair, neutral and transparent manner.

It will be a central purchasing agency that will provide market support functions.

Eskom has been a near monopoly for a long time and is unlikely to give up its market dominance without a fight. There are some provisions in the new act which are intended to protect the market from Eskom dominance.

As usual, the devil will be in the detailed regulations and codes. On 19 April 2024, Eskom launched a draft market code for public comment by 30 September 2024. At the same time, the National Energy Crisis Committee launched its description of the market model.

Possible brakes on progress

Access to transmission and distribution infrastructure will be crucial for a market to operate. Independent generators will need to transport their electricity to their customers. Initially, customers will remain with their existing suppliers but as the electricity markets evolve, retail customers will be able to choose their suppliers.

The new act grants third-party access to such infrastructure. But that access is not defined. Usually, the first party is the owner of the infrastructure and the second party is its customers. The third party is anyone else.

Third-party access usually means that the owner of a natural monopoly can serve its customers first and that any capacity left over can be used by others. The act makes this clear  access can be refused where it lacks the necessary capacity. This provision protects incumbents like Eskom and municipalities and could slow down the evolution of market competition.

Concerns

The new act raises several concerns.

A 20-year cap is introduced for the duration of generation, transmission or system operation licences (or a lesser period decided by the national energy regulator).

Large power infrastructure such as transmission lines, coal and nuclear generators typically have useful lives of more than 20 years. Investors will want to recover their investments within the 20-year licence period through higher tariffs. After 20 years, customers will have something of a free ride as the asset will have been paid for.

In contrast, the licence period for long-life distribution assets is left to the regulator to decide.

Another major concern is that the act gives the responsible minister new and wide-ranging powers.

The minister can decide, for example:

to deviate from an integrated resource plan or a transmission development plan if it is in the national interest and when it is reasonable and justifiable, without public consultation. (Previously the national interest was only invoked in land expropriation.)

to establish an energy infrastructure project, which is not defined, but can include gas infrastructure. This curious new type of project appears to contemplate cross-border trade in gas (type unspecified) for gas-to-power but might also be used for new nuclear capacity.

As South Africas power system increasingly moves to private ownership, investor confidence becomes more important. Wide-ranging ministerial discretion contributes to investor uncertainty.

There is a risk that the new act or parts of it may be stillborn as the South African Local Government Association has objected to certain provisions and threatened legal action. Media reports suggest that President Ramaphosa has left the door open to excluding certain provisions.

Rod Crompton, Visiting Adjunct Professor, African Energy Leadership Centre, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
By Leyla Tarverdiyeva, Day.az





The Armenian side is very unlucky with September. It's just a fateful month for her. Surely, astrologers would advise Yerevan to be very careful this month and keep a good eye on language and affairs.





This September, I think, will not be an exception. It has already started quite violently. A lot of things happened in the world on the first Monday in September. But the main intrigue for our region was the following: will Nikol Pashinyan deliver a message on the occasion of the "independence day" of the non-existent "Nagorno-Karabakh"? Everyone remembers his message from last year, full of expression and anguish. That message contained everything - the "right to self-determination," the "threat of ethnic cleansing," the "blockade," and promises to "continue efforts." Pashinyan argued that the Armenians, together with the international community, have spoken their word and the Karabakh issue should be resolved this way and that way.





We did not understand what kind of word the Armenians and the world community said there, but a short time after that the Azerbaijani army said its word, and even the visionary Pashinyan could not help but admit after September 19 that the topic of Karabakh was closed.





Having congratulated the Armenians illegally living on Azerbaijani soil a year ago, Nikol Pashinyan did not know that in just a couple of weeks everything would change dramatically. At that time, he was sure that the hysterical international campaign organized around the action on the Lachin road would begin to produce results, Baku would retreat, and he would become the prime minister who "stood to the end." The Prime Minister, Speaker Alain Simonyan and other Armenian officials congratulated the separatists, urged them to hold on and promised that everything would be "OK". Pashinyan actually put an end to the negotiation process that day. Territorial claims against Azerbaijan have been unequivocally expressed, and all the progress achieved in the three post-war years has been nullified.





As a result, in September 2023, we found ourselves at the same line that separated peace from war in 2020. There are a lot of parallels. Then the Prime Minister of Armenia also danced in the Shusha and made stupid statements. His defense minister promised the Armenians a new war and new lands. At that time, the Armenian side was confident that Azerbaijan would never decide to change anything and, relying on the support of world powers and international organizations, felt completely safe. Nothing much has changed in the minds of the Armenian establishment since September 2020, which, admittedly, is very strange, given the circumstances. In September 2023, Yerevan was still confident that someone would not allow Azerbaijan to do something. But the situation for Armenian interests only began to worsen. And then Pashinyan apparently realized for the first time that the international community with all its resolutions, hearings, statements and threats means nothing to the Azerbaijani side. Perhaps he even regretted his message to the separatists, so when the "elections" took place in Khankendi, he tried to avoid congratulating the "new president". There are no deaf or blind people in Yerevan, and they knew Baku's attitude to these "elections" and heard warnings about the consequences of such a step. As a creative person, Nikol found a thousand colorful explanations for why he did not congratulate Shahramyanan, but no one believed in all this. It wasn't about regretting Araik's departure or thinking about the plight of the new "president." It was about understanding that the situation was hanging by a thread. Pashinyan has already done one unacceptable stupid thing, congratulating the separatists on the "independence Day". With this message, he showed that all his recognition of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is a hoax. Recalling the declaration of independence of Armenia in his message, he made it clear that the claims to Azerbaijani lands remain in force.





Baku drew appropriate conclusions from his message, as well as from his fateful statement for the Armenian cause, "Karabakh is Armenia, and that's it" at the Khankendi stadium and dancing on the Dzhidyr Duzy on the eve of the 44-day war. Nikol is a journalist by profession and must understand the power of the word. He remembered this truth too late. However, it did not help him that Shahramanyan was left without congratulations from Yerevan. Ten days after Pashinyan tried to justify himself to journalists, the separatist games came to an end.









This time Nikol Pashinyan dispensed with the toxic message. In order to somehow identify himself on a "festive" date, he visited the border town of Kirantz and opened a school there. Again, it was expected that during the trip he would somehow speak out about September 2, but he did not say anything. Which, in our opinion, is quite wise. Especially considering that the President of Azerbaijan was in Kalbajar nearby, on the other side of the border, and Pashinyan tried to watch his language.





Despite the seemingly fervent support of the collective West, Armenia is at a very disadvantage. Both tactically and strategically. The tactic she chose, or rather indicated to her, of delaying time in anticipation of a miracle, does not work. Recently it became known that the Armenian side has sent another version of the text of the peace treaty to Azerbaijan. The response to the Azerbaijani proposals had to wait 70 days. Is this enough time to write an entire book, and if the Armenians held the document for so long, it turns out they worked on it carefully? Not at all. The Armenian side simply deleted everything from the text that it does not like. That's all. If Yerevan thinks that Baku will continue to play meaningless ping-pong with them, they will be very disappointed.





We did not know whether Yerevan was waiting for September to present its version of the agreement or not. But the fact that it was presented just in time for the "holiday" cannot be an accident. Apparently, the magic of September continues to influence Armenian minds and pushes them to fatal stupidities. After all, it was in September 1991 that the Armenians made a fatal mistake by declaring the "independence" of Karabakh. It was a step that put an end to their dream of Azerbaijani lands. Before that, they had already gained a foothold in Karabakh, successfully squeezed out Azerbaijanis with the support of the central authorities of the Union, managed to rewrite the history of this land and felt like its full masters. "Independence" became a fatal mistake, which eventually led to the fact that the Armenians found themselves in a broken trough.





Karabakh is lost to the Armenians forever. No one will allow Armenians to gather on Azerbaijani soil anymore, because it necessarily ends badly. Some number may be allowed to return under certain conditions, but there will be no autonomy, neither high nor low, no preferences, no self-government and the like. But all is not lost for Armenia yet. If, of course, they come to their senses there. The beginning of this September shows that this is still a long way off.





In theory, September 2 would be the most appropriate day to cover up the separatist shop in Yerevan. Last year, there were rumors that the government was going to do just that, but then Pashinyan didn't have the heart. Therefore, the separatist riffraff is again trying to raise its head, putting sticks in the wheels of the peace process and pushing the soft-spoken prime minister to stupid statements and ridiculous poses. Shushera, of course, marked the "holiday" with solemn events and speeches performed by Samvel Shahramanyan and the leadership of the church, even Garegin II himself. How can there be no church on a day like this?





Well, nothing will change for the Armenian people by marking this date. Armenians have enough dates, which are said to be thousands of years old. All of them are questionable and most of them have nothing behind them except their own fantasies. Armenians regularly celebrate some fantastic victories in the battles of a thousand years ago, far-fetched tragedies, Armenian history is already full of things that did not really happen. One more "historical homeland", one less - nothing will change. The Armenian people will continue to go nowhere, holding on to the cassock of another scoundrel who speaks in the name of Christ.





The latter is not a figure of speech at all. Pop loser Bagrat Srbazan visited the border town of Kiran on the eve of the "holiday" and broadcast there on behalf of... Jesus. The fat swindler apparently believes in God as much as Garegin, so he does not consider it shameful to promise the young residents of Kirants on behalf of Christ that the flags of Azerbaijan and Turkey waving on the other side of the border will "disappear one day."





Their politicians and windbags promised and continue to promise Armenians a lot of things, and these promises are crumbling nowadays, even before they have time to go down in history.
ANKARA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police detained 227 suspects for drug trafficking and seized more than 470 kg of narcotics, the country's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Wednesday.

The police seized 479 kg of narcotics and 160,967 pills in simultaneous operations in 42 provinces, Yerlikaya said on social media platform X, without specifying the time of the operations.

According to Yerlikaya, seven police teams, 1,418 personnel, 12 aerial vehicles and 37 narcotic detector dogs participated in the operations, dubbed "Narkocelik-37."

The Turkish minister shared a video of the seized narcotics and footage of operations in which police teams were apprehending the suspects.

Turkiye has ramped up its crackdown on drug smuggling since 2023. 
Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Cape Verdean Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva 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. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday met with Cape Verdean Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva, who is here for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Li said China and Cape Verde should deepen cooperation in infrastructure construction, blue economy, green development, digital economy, tourism and agriculture, among others.

China is willing to further expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation with Cape Verde, and strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as healthcare and education, he said.

Li noted that both countries should closely coordinate within multilateral frameworks, enhance communication and coordination on issues such as climate change and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and jointly safeguard the interests of both sides and developing countries.

Silva said Cape Verde looks forward to deepening cooperation with China in fields of economy, trade, tourism, fisheries, renewable energy, climate change, human resources, poverty reduction and medical care, and strengthening coordination in international affairs. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Cape Verdean Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva 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. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)
TOKYO, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Japan's rice exports hit a record high between January and July of this year both in volume and value, local media reported.

Rice exports climbed 29.1 percent from a year earlier to 6.46 billion yen (about 44.4 million U.S. dollars) in the reporting period, while the export volume increased 23 percent to 24,469 tons, Jiji Press reported on Tuesday, citing agriculture ministry data.

In value, the overall exports of Japanese agricultural, forestry and fishery products plus food fell 2 percent to 815.6 billion yen, the report said.

On the domestic front, Japan faces a rice shortage at retail stores. However, rice exports only account for a fraction of the country's total annual rice demand of about 7 million tons, the report said. (1 Japanese yen equals 0.0069 U.S. dollar) 
BERLIN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The German government decided to introduce tax benefits for electric vehicles (EVs) on Wednesday, aiming to counter sluggish sales in the emerging industry and offer more purchasing incentives.

The federal government's tax reductions are estimated to total 585 million euros (649 million U.S. dollars) next year and could increase to 650 million euros by 2028, when the aid is set to expire, according to German newspaper Handelsblatt.

As per the draft proposed by the Federal Ministry of Finance, companies that purchase EVs would benefit from more generous tax depreciation rules, allowing for an up to 40 percent deduction in the first year and falling progressively to 6 percent over the next five years. The ministry noted that the introduction of this depreciation option is expected to provide significant tax incentives, particularly aiding the ramp-up of the EV market in the corporate sector.

The tax benefits also extend to preferential tax treatment for electric and zero-emission company cars. Employees who use these vehicles generally pay much lower car taxes compared with fuel vehicles. Previously, this benefit only applied to cars valued at less than 70,000 euros. The new aid raises this threshold to 95,000 euros.

Germany's Economics Minister Robert Habeck said on Tuesday that the government would continue to support the car industry and assist in its transition to electrification. His remarks followed an announcement by automotive giant Volkswagen on Monday that it is considering closing local production sites in Germany, a potential first for the carmaker since its founding more than 80 years ago.

Volkswagen noted that as simple cost-cutting measures were unable to address the current challenges, factory closures and possible layoffs in Germany can no longer be ruled out. The automaker launched a 10-billion-euro cost-cutting drive at the end of last year, which includes staff reductions, faster development and shorter production time. Data shows the group's personnel costs reached 50 billion euros last year, up from 40 billion euros in 2020.

The potential site closure at one of Germany's leading carmakers serves as a wake-up call for the country's auto industry, which has long been threatened by rising costs, a challenging transition to EVs, weak demand from abroad, and declining business attractiveness due to insufficient government response and barriers to free trade.

According to the ifo Institute for Economic Research on Wednesday, business sentiment in Europe's largest economy's automotive industry further worsened in August, with the relevant indicator falling to minus 24.7 points from minus 18.5 points in the previous month. Companies expressed particular pessimism about their business expectations for the next six months.

"Companies in the German automotive industry are suffering from a lack of new orders, especially from abroad. That is now also reflected in the personnel planning," said ifo expert Anita Woelfl, adding that the indicator for export expectations has dropped to its lowest level in a long time. (1 euro = 1.11 U.S. dollar) 
As China-Africa cooperation thrives, both sides agree on the need to foster green and inclusive growth, peace, and civilizational dialogue, Kenyan President William Ruto said in an interview with Xinhua.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
PHNOM PENH, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia recorded 3.53 million air travelers during the first seven months of 2024, up 20 percent compared to the same period last year, said a State Secretariat of Civil Aviation's report on Wednesday.

The report said international and domestic airlines had operated 33,439 flights to the kingdom's three international airports during the January-July period this year, an increase of 13 percent year-on-year.

It added that the Southeast Asian country also saw a 44-percent rise in air cargo volume to 42,204 tonnes during the first seven months of this year.

State Secretariat of Civil Aviation's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Sinn Chanserey Vutha is confident that the Chinese-invested Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI), which was put into official use in November 2023, will help attract more international airlines and passengers to Cambodia.

"We hope the airport will attract new international airlines to operate direct flights to Siem Reap province, the home of the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park," he told Xinhua.

Chanserey Vutha said that with a 3,600-meter runway, the SAI is a 4E-level international airport that can handle long-distance flights from across the globe. 
The British Labour governments suspension of 30 arms export licenses to Israel is a filthy manoeuvre. Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the move on Monday, following the conclusion of a two-month legal reviewwhich has not been made public in full.

The decision drew immediate condemnation from all the usual quarters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu branded it shameful. His Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced himself deeply disheartened.

David Lammy at the Party of European Socialists (PES) Congress in London, November 11, 2023 [Photo by PES Communications/Flicr / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

In the UK, Board of Deputies of British Jews President Phil Rosenberg declared, Our allies will wonder whether the UK will stand by their sides, and our adversaries will see that when they commit atrocities, it will be our allies that are punished. Labour Friends of Israel, never missing an opportunity to warmonger, wrote that it was deeply concerned by the signal this sends to Iran. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson posted a widely reported tweet asking, Why are Lammy and [Prime Minister Keir] Starmer abandoning Israel? Do they want Hamas to win?

Both the Telegraph and the Times ran editorials denouncing the Labour government for emboldening Hamas, playing to the gallery, hamfisted diplomacy and cynical and performative politics that risked legitimising the murderous activities of those who wish to see Israel extirpated. Starmer, wrote the Times, had previously said that Israel must always have the right to defend her people. How hollow those words now sound, the arms decision following in the wake of the killing by Hamas on Saturday of six hostages.

Such outrage is itself cynical and performative. Everyone knows, and the two newspapers acknowledge, that the decision is designed to change nothing on the ground but aimed at easing potential dissent on Labours backbenches and appeasing further former Labour voters in the Muslim community a PR exercise designed to insulate Labour from any domestic fallout. in the Times words.

Britain is responsible for a tiny fraction of the arms received by Israel, overwhelmingly provided by the United States. In any case, the governments decision affects just 30 of 350 arms contracts between the UK and Israel, and critically, excludes parts for F-35 fighter jets killing Palestinian men, women and children day after day. It was one of these aircraft responsible for the al-Mawasi massacre of roughly 90 people in a safe zone.

Israeli Air Force (IAF) F-35I Adir stealth multi-role fighter jet [Photo by IDF Spokesperson's Unit photographer / CC BY-SA 3.0

Making clear his opinion that this brutal war should continue, Lammy announced the suspensions with professions of the right of Israel to defend itself and assurances, repeated by Defence Secretary John Healey, that the governments decision would not affect Israels capacity for defence. The carefully calibrated character of his decision is best indicated by the measured response of United States officials whodespite reportedly pushing against the move behind the scenesacknowledged the UKs own legal judgments based on their system and their laws.

Amnesty International UKs Chief Executive Sacha Deshmukh described the arms suspensions as limited and riddled with loopholes. Chief Executive of Oxfam GB Halima Begum commented, the suspension is little more than window dressing.

Although both groups characterised the move as some form of recognition of Israeli breaches of international law, or evidence that the government had accepted the very clear and disturbing evidence of Israeli war crimes in Gaza, the actual grounds on which these suspensions have been imposed are strictly circumscribed.

The available summary of the governments legal review claims that it was not possible to reach a determinative judgment on allegations regarding Israels conduct of hostilities in part due to the opaque and contested information environment in Gaza and the challenges of accessing the specific and sensitive information necessary from Israel.

This is broadly the approach taken by the government in response to the legal action brought against it by Al-Haq and the Global Legal Action Network. In that case, as summarised by lawyer Sam Fowles, who advised Global Justice Now on the same issue: its position appears to remain, broadly, that the sales are lawful because Israel is not breaching international law. It relies heavily, however, on assurances provided by Israel itself. It is not clear, from the case papers at least, whether the UK has made any significant effort to verify Israels claim.

Instead, what allegedly motivates the governments arms contracts decision is Israels failure to reasonably do more to facilitate humanitarian access and distribution and credible claims of the mistreatment of detaineesboth raised in the most guarded and minimising terms.

In other words, even as it suspends some arms contractsin a transparent attempt to appease elements of its core constituency which have wavered in their support for Labour thanks to its support for the genocide in Gazathe government continues to deny knowledge of any evidence suggesting the killings of tens of thousands of civilians constitute war crimes. Even the Guardians defence and security editor Dan Sabbagh felt required to acknowledge the obvious and fundamental incoherence of the fudged decision.

It is doubtless for the same reason that Lammy has refused to publish the legal report he was given. Labours leaders know they are culpable and are watching their backs carefully.

As the New Statesman notes, Starmer, who took an active role in the decision, is a lawyer Lammy is a lawyer; Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, is a lawyer Attorney General Richard Hermer, a former Doughty Street colleague of Starmer, is a leading authority on international law.

This, in short, is not a government that is likely to leave itself legally exposed.

As far as this has provoked any genuine anger in the ruling class, it is out of concern that any acknowledgement of the crimes in Gaza lets a chink of light through a door supposed to be kept tightly shut by a blanket insistence on the legality of Israels warat least on the part of its two major partners, the US and the UK.

Labour is essentially accused of having broken ranks for its own petty interests; of having cut loose a friend in need to reduce the domestic political damage to Labour from the war in Gaza, according to the Times, and given moral succour to the mass anti-genocide movement, viewed as an enemy within.

That movement must reject the appeals of misleaders including former Labour head Jeremy Corbyn to see this as first step by the Labour government in ending all arms to Israelas in the statement issued jointly with his Independent Alliance of non-party MPs elected on anti-genocide platforms. Starmer has no intention of going any further.

As with previous breaks with US and former Tory government policylike resuming UNRWA funding and dropping the UKs opposition to the International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallantthe arms contracts suspensions are the minimum action deemed necessary to continue facilitating Israels genocide while providing itself some political cover and preserving something of the fiction of international law made use of by the liberal imperialist powers against their opponents.

An end to the horrors in Gaza and oppression of the Palestinians will not come from a gradual process of admission on the part of the Labour government that its Israel policy has been wrong, but from an international anti-war movement which brings the Israeli and imperialist states to their knees, topples their governments, and places their leaders in the dock.
The Mediterranean Shipping Company ship MSC Meline, front, is in the process of being loaded at the Virginia International Gateway Marine terminal on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, in Norfolk, Virginia. [AP Photo/Steve Helber]

Dockworkers: Tell us what youre fighting for in the next contract. All submissions will be kept anonymous.

The contract for 45,000 dockworkers across the US East Coast is set to expire at the end of September, threatening a strike which would deal a serious blow to US and global capitalism.

Workers are determined to win their demands. A key issue is the introduction of new automated technologies on the ports which would be used to further slash jobs.

A recent New York Times article laid out some of what is already in place at the Port of Norfolk, Virginia:

Manned vehicles, called shuttle carriers, transport [shipping] containers a short distance to the base of a giant stack of containers.

Once containers are on the stack, however, many large, rail-mounted cranes shaped like upside-down Us work nonstop to sort the containers. This task does not require human operators.

Later, a person in a control center works these cranes to take containers off their stacks and place them onto waiting trucks.

Workers are also fighting against low wages. Workers at the Port of New York/New Jersey make 55 percent of what dockworkers on the West Coast make, according to Labor Notes, and dockworkers in Virginia make only half of that. These figures, however, do not count the thousands of casuals who work as day laborers on the West Coast, with no contractual rights.

Faced with huge pent-up anger, the International Longshoremens Association (ILA) has promised to strike if a new deal is not in place by the time the current one expires on September 30. Officially, talks have not taken place in weeks, having been broken off over the use of automated truck gates at the Port of Mobile in Alabama.

However, the ILA bureaucrats have no intention of waging a struggle, and their talk of a strike is a maneuver to get out in front of the workers.

If there is to be a fight, it must be waged by rank-and-file dockworkers against both the port operators, the corrupt union bureaucracy and the federal government, which is waiting in the wings to block a strike if necessary.

For all of the public threats to strike, the ILA has not yet even called a strike vote, although it has filed a 60-day strike notice, a legal requirement for strike action.

Last year, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) on the West Coast docks imposed a contract in a snap vote, after keeping workers on the job without a contract for more than a year. The contract, worked out in close collaboration with the US Department of Labor and acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, was sprung on workers after they began carrying out wildcat actions in defiance of the bureaucracy.

The ILA is just as much an entity of the corporations and the government as its West Coast counterpart. In addition, the ILA bureaucracy is long believed to have ties with organized crime.

While the White House has kept a studied silence on the East Coast talks, there can be no doubt that it is heavily involved behind the scenes. On the West Coast, negotiators pointed to the unprecedented involvement of the White House before talks even officially began. In the summer of 2022, shortly before the previous contract expired, Biden stood on the deck of a World War II battleship in the Port of Los Angeles and signaled that the White House sees the operation of the docks as a key national security issue.

Lessons of UPS

The ILAs sudden decision to break off talks over the summer is nothing but theatrics. In reality, talks began as early as 2022 and were already well-advanced when union leaders said they broke down. The use of automated truck gates at the Port of Mobile, while a serious issue, has been in place for years, undoubtedly with the knowledge of the union bureaucracy.

On Wednesday, the ILA began its Wage Scale Meetings in New Jersey. It is likely angling to have a deal announced by the eleventh hour or even sooner.

The ILA is following a playbook, which was established last year by the Teamsters union at UPS. The union bureaucracy, under new General President Sean OBrien, made a show of contentious talks through a series of carefully scripted maneuvers, including threatening to strike without a new deal and walking out of the talks. At the same time, as in the ILA, the Teamsters officials never made any real preparations for a strike by its 340,000 members at UPS.

In the end, the Teamsters sprang a deal on workers after the last second. (The bureaucrats allowed their self-imposed deadline to expire without calling a strike.) They used theatrics to market a deal which was already worked out in advance as the product of a credible strike threat.

That contract is now being used to slash jobs and automate everything, in the words of UPS executives. Around 200 facilities are slated to be closed or automated, 12,000 cuts to white collar positions have been announced and sort shifts around the country have been eliminated. The overall size of the UPS workforce has already plunged by tens of thousands, with many more on the way.

In comments to the press, UPS CEO Carol Tome called the certainty provided by the Teamsters contract as key to the companys automation drive.

The International Association of Machinists is carrying out a similar stunt at Boeing. Having publicly threatened to call a strike by September 12 of 33,000 workers at factories in the state of Washington and Oregon, in reality, the IAM has already scheduled a vote that day on a contract which officially does not yet exist.

Government intervention

ILA statements calling for the government to stay out of talks cannot be taken seriously. In reality, there can be no doubt that the Biden-Harris administration is already deeply involved, as it has in every major national contract over the past four years. Biden, the so-called most pro-labor president in American history, is using the union bureaucrats to impose labor discipline and keep workers under control.

If that fails, they are prepared to use more open methods of state repression. This was the case on the railroads in 2022. When workers rejected a sellout deal brokered by government mediators, the White House and both parties in Congress closed ranks to impose the deal and pre-emptively blocked a strike.

Now, the rail unions are attempting to quietly push through new five-year deals that are even worse than the one enforced by Congress, in order to prevent the emergence of a rank-and-file rebellion.

The White House and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, in particular, also reportedly intervened directly in the lockout last month of Canadian railroaders to urge the government of Justin Trudeau to impose binding arbitration.

Over the past several days, worried headlines have appeared in the corporate press about the potential disruption from an East Coast dock strike. Alan Murphy of Sea-Intelligence estimates that even a two-week strike would cause shipping delays into 2025.

Many companies have already pre-emptively begun moving shipments to West Coast docks. The system of staggered contracts between the coasts is one of the ways in which workers are divided and whipsawed against each other.

However, many analysts have downplayed the likelihood that a strike will take place, citing the fact that the White House would almost certainly intervene with an injunction under the Taft-Hartley Act. This took place during the last dockworkers strike in 2002 under Republican President George W. Bush.

If there is to be a real struggle, workers must take matters into their own hands. They need to draw the lessons of the railroads, UPS and others, where workers formed rank-and-file committees to fight against both management and the union bureaucracy. Only by mobilizing themselves independently of the apparatus can they put themselves in the best possible position to answer any threats by the White House.

Fresh proof of the need for a rebellion against the union bureaucracy has been provided by the recent strike of Dakkota auto parts workers, who organized a committee to fight against the sabotage by the United Auto Workers, which forced them to vote five times on the same deal.

The international unity of the working class is also a key strategic question. In the event of a strike, a decisive question will also be the refusal of West Coast dockworkers to handle scab shipments. But that will also require that workers from both sides of the country unite in a common struggle against the government-controlled bureaucrats in both unions. Workers must also link up with dockworkers across North America, as well as railroaders, Boeing workers, teachers and other key sections of the working class.
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in Sri Lanka is campaigning widely for the presidential election which will be held on September 21, holding discussions with significant layers of workers and young people.

The SEP is standing Pani Wijesiriwardena, a longstanding and leading party member, as its presidential candidate. Over the past two weeks, he has addressed public meetings in Colombo, Jaffna, in the war-ravaged northern province, Hatton, in the central tea plantation district and Matara in the south.

SEP Presidential candidate Pani Wijesiriwardena appearing in an interview on ITN, August 17, 2024. [Photo: ITN Sri Lanka]

The SEP campaign has received a strong response in all these areas, including from Tamil people in northern Jaffna. The party has built an important base of support among the countrys Tamil minority because it alone consistently opposed the 26 year-long anti-Tamil war by successive governments and fights against all forms of communal discrimination.

Speaking to the World Socialist Web Site about the volatile political situation, Wijesiriwardena said: As election day nears, a hysterical campaign has been intensified by the main capitalist party candidates. They are making promises galore to hoodwink the masses and grab their votes.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been implementing austerity measures ordered by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), imposing various tax increases, moves towards privatisation and the slashing of welfare programs. Wickremesinghe refused any wage increase for public servants and unleashed police to ruthlessly break up their protests.

Now, amid the election that he is contesting, Wickremesinghe has declared that he will cut the onerous pay-as you earn (PAYE) tax and institute a 25,000-rupee wage increase for public employees, of course, after October!

Sajith Premadasa, the leader of the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who heads the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna-led National Peoples Power front, have also made empty promises. The name of Dissanayakes election manifesto is Rich People! Beautiful Country!

These promises, straight from cloud cuckoo land, are blatant lies. All these parties are committed to the IMFs austerity program.

This election comes just two years after the April-July 2022 popular uprising. Not a single issue that led to the uprising was solved. Poverty, unemployment, the cost-of-living crisis and other problems have worsened. The attack on democratic rights has been intensified.

Wijesiriwardena said that the false promises by these parties reflected their nervousness over brewing mass anger at the wretched social conditions they have created.

In addition, all of the capitalist candidates, as well as those of the fake-left such as the Frontline Socialist Party, are completely silent about the growing threat of a third world war.

Only our party is telling the truth to the working people and youth. We are insisting there is no solution within the capitalist system and no national solution.

Members of SEP and International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) have distributed tens of thousands of copies of Wijesiriwardenas election statement in the Tamil and Sinhala languages.

SEP campaigners have held discussions with many thoughtful people about the main issues raised in the statement including the threat of nuclear world war and fascism, growing social inequality and the need for a socialist alternative against IMF austerity.

Wijesiriwardena addressed a meeting organised by the Collective of Action Committees on August 14 to oppose the privatisation of the Ceylon Electricity Board, Telecom and Insurance Corporation. These are among the major state-owned enterprises that are being restructured as a first step towards privatisation.

He explained how the trade unions blocked the workers struggle to defend their jobs and wages against privatisation.

During the 2022 mass uprising in Sri Lanka, the SEP put forward a socialist program against the capitalist interim government proposal brought forward by all the capitalist parties and the pseudo-left. Recalling the SEPs struggle to mobilise the working class independently during the uprising, Wijesiriwardena said, We insisted that workers and oppressed people must build independent action committees. On the basis of delegates we should call a Democratic and Socialist Congress of Workers and Rural Masses.

We are continuing to campaign for this program and to build this Congress because it is the platform to discuss how to organise the fight for the defence of workers interests.

Our party will fight in this Congress to mobilise workers in alliance with the rural masses in the struggle for socialist policies and the bringing to power of a workers and peasant government through the overthrow of the capitalist system.

SEP general secretary Deepal Jayasekera interviewed on ITN, August 17, 2024 [Photo: ITN Sri Lanka]

The SEP candidate has also received media opportunities to explain the partys program.

Wijesiriwardena and SEP general secretary Deepal Jayasekera participated in a one-hour interview on the state-owned ITN television network on August 17. They explained the partys origin and its political struggle in the discussion, which has received thousands of views across multiple platforms.

Answering a question from the moderators about the partys history, Jayasekera provided a summary of the historical and international foundations of the SEP as the Sri Lankan section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI).

He explained that a Pabloite revisionist tendency had emerged in the Fourth International in the early 1950s, adapting to the Stalinist bureaucracy and national bourgeois tendencies in the backward countries. The Trotskyists broke from this revisionist tendency and formed the ICFI. The Pabloite revisionist tendency paved the way for the 1964 great betrayal of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP), which abandoned a socialist and internationalist program and entered the bourgeois government of Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike. The Revolutionary Communist League, the predecessor of the SEP, was formed by a layer of youth on the basis of the ICFIs struggle against this betrayal.

The SEP leaders said that todays burning issues were the drive towards a third world war by the imperialist powers including the US, social inequality, unemployment and disastrous pandemics like COVID-19.

Jayasekera said, We insist these problems can be resolved only through the independent mobilisation of the working class internationally by taking power into its hands through overcoming the capitalist system globally....

SEP candidate Wijesiriwardena speaking on the popular talk show program Turning Point on Siyatha, August 27, 2024. [Photo: Siyatha]

Another private TV channel Siyatha interviewed Wijesiriwardena for nearly two hours on their popular Turning Point talk show program on August 27. The SEP candidate was able to provide lengthy explanations to a number of questions including about the origins of the party, the ICFI, Trotskyism, the pseudo-left organisations and the Fourth Internationals Transitional Program. The discussion has received thousands of views on the Siyatha YouTube channel and the SEP Facebook page where it was livestreamed.

A number of viewers made favourable comments. One wrote, This explanation of the necessity for a revolutionary party must be appreciated.

Another leading television channel Sirasa TV interviewed Wijesiriwardena for half an hour on a program which has also received thousands of views.

The print media, particularly Tamil, has also reported on the SEP election campaign covering its press conferences and other meetings. The Morning, the leading English daily, published a lengthy interview with Wijesiriwardena.

Responding to an interview given by the SEP candidate to a national newspaper which was shared on the SEP Facebook page, one youth, Nimesh Devanga, wrote, There is no other program for the working class. I am genuinely happy that you put forward your program for the proletariat and in defence of Marxism. Your theory and practice are fantastic. I am studying it. This is the only correct program that I have read so far. There is no doubt about it. Victory to the world socialist revolution.

During an election campaign outside Colombo Port, one worker told the SEP campaigners: I did not hear that any candidates including [JVP-NPP leader] Anura Dissanayake are opposing the IMF austerity program.

These politicians have controlled this country for 76 years and devastated our lives. The have heaped up foreign debts, He expressed his willingness to learn the SEP program.
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]

The electoral success of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the Thuringia and Saxony state elections and the debacle for the parties that compose Germanys federal government contain important lessons for workers throughout the world.

Amidst the flood of media and political commentary, one searches in vain for an explanation of why, eight decades after the end of the Nazi dictatorship, a right-wing extremist party could once again become the biggest party in a German state parliament.

On September 1, the AfD achieved a result of 32.8 percent in the state election in Thuringia, and 30.6 percent in Saxony. This percentage of the vote is almost as much as the Nazis received in the last Reichstag election in November 1932 before they took power, 33.1 percent. The AfD is thus by far the strongest faction in the new state parliament in Thuringia and is only one seat behind the CDU in Saxony.

The parties of Germanys federal coalition governmentthe Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and Free Democrats (FDP)were severely punished. Together, they received only 10.2 percent of the votes in Thuringia, less than a third as much as the AfD. In Saxony, they achieved a combined 13.3 percent.

The basic reason for this political landslide lies not in the character of the AfD and its local leader Bjorn Hocke, who can be described as a fascist according to a court order. Rather, it must be explained as a product of the shift to the right of all the bourgeois parties, in particular, the supposed left. They rolled out the red carpet for the AfD and opened all the doors for it.

Since the SPD, Greens and FDP took over the federal government almost three years ago, they have undergone an unprecedented shift to the right. Every aspect of their policy is dominated by war and military rearmament. They have almost doubled the military budget and supported Ukraine in the war against Russia with arms deliveries worth 23 billion euros, more than any other country except the US.

They have agreed to station US medium-range missiles on German soil, weapons that can reach Moscow and would make Germany the primary battleground in the event of a nuclear escalation.

For the first time since the defeat of Hitlers Wehrmacht, German tanks are once again rolling onto Russian soil. The German government is working with a regime in Kiev that brutally suppresses any opposition to the war and reveres as heroes the Nazi collaborators from World War II who took part in the Holocaust.

While the German government justifies every Israeli war crime with reference to German responsibility for the Holocaust, this consideration does not apply to Russia, despite the fact that over 25 million people in the Soviet Union fell victim to the German war of extermination, a meticulously planned genocide. In Leningrad alone, the German siege claimed 1.1 million victimsmost of them women, children and civilians.

In Gaza, the German government unconditionally supports the genocide of the Palestinians, whose brutal treatment is reminiscent of the crimes of the Nazis. Anyone who protests against it or even criticizes it will be slandered, intimidated and persecuted. Demonstrations and pro-Palestinian associations are banned, and anti-war activists are arrested and imprisoned.

The SPD/Green/FDP coalition is ruthlessly shifting the costs of these policies onto the working class and the most vulnerable in society by slashing spending on social assistance, basic child welfare, education, health, infrastructure and the environment. While stock prices and the wealth of the rich continue to rise thanks to generous state aid, workers real incomes are falling dramatically.

In this reactionary climate, the AfD thrives and is deliberately promoted by the ruling elite. Especially in fomenting chauvinism against refugees, the governing coalition and opposition Christian Democrats are trying to overtake the AfD from the right. The weeks before and after the election were marked by relentless political incitement against refugees.

When the SPD came to power in 1998, in alliance with the Green Party, it destroyed the social achievements of the previous decades with Agenda 2010 and created a huge low-wage sector that had not previously existed in Germany.

Under Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the SPD has brought this work of destruction to its culmination. Whatever remains of the welfare state and democratic rights will be sacrificed to the war juggernaut. The policy of social partnership, which has always served to defend capitalism, is finally bankrupt.

The SPD, which long ago ceased to be a workers party, represents the interests of the corporations, banks, the state apparatus and German imperialism like all other bourgeois parties. It is incapable of providing an answer to the burning social questions that plague millions. The same goes for the Greens, the party of the wealthy, selfish urban middle class.

It is this that enables the right-wing demagogues of the AfD to exploit social discontent for their own ends. But no one should be fooled. The AfD is a right-wing, fascist party thatlike the Nazisspeaks for the most brutal sections of the capitalist oligarchy.

Despite its criticism of the war in Ukraine, as far as the AfD is concerned, the German governments militarism does not go far enough. It demands even higher military expenditures and the reintroduction of conscription, so that Germany can wage war independently of the US.

It calls for the restriction of the right to strike, forced labour for recipients of welfare benefits, lower taxes for the rich, and an authoritarian police state. It rejects public health measures against COVID, even though almost 200,000 people have died from the infection in Germany alone. It stokes xenophobia and racism to divide and weaken the working class, downplays the crimes of the Nazis, and maintains close ties to neo-Nazis and right-wing terrorist networks.

The trade unions and the Left Party bear central responsibility for the growth of the AfD. They suppress the class struggle and have so far prevented the outrage over the German governments policies from finding a left-wing, progressive expression.

The unions consist of a huge apparatus of well-paid co-managers and company policemen who suppress or sell out any industrial action, to ensure that layoffs and wage cuts are implemented smoothly.

In the 1990s, the Left Party and its predecessor, the PDS, served as a reservoir for outrage over the consequences of German unification, which destroyed 8,000 companies and millions of jobs. Where they assumed government responsibility, these parties pursued policies just as right-wing as the SPD and the Greens, with whom they work closely.

The Left Party has now also collapsed. In Saxony, the party struggled to re-enter the state parliament. In Thuringia, where the party has led the government for 10 years, the Left Party lost almost two-thirds of its votes and was voted out of power. The Left party is now doing everything possible to help the right-wing CDU win a secure majority.

The AfDs influence is particularly strong in eastern Germany, which has never recovered from the industrial devastation after reunification and the consequences of Agenda 2010. But its influence is also developing in the west of the country. Nationwide, the far-right party ranks between 16 and 19 percent in the polls.

This basic political dynamic can be seen in almost all capitalist countries. The inability of the supposedly left or democratic parties to address the most elementary social and democratic needs of the masses drives the electorate to right-wing and fascist parties.

In the US, Donald Trump benefits from the fact that the Democrats, who are closely linked to the trade unions, are pursuing the interests of Wall Street, suppressing strikes, and advancing the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

In its statement on Labor Day in the US, the WSWS Editorial Board noted, 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.

In Italy, the rise of Giorgia Meloni was preceded by three decades of betrayal by the successors of the Communist Party. In France, Marine Le Pen benefits from the right-wing course of several Socialist Party governments and presidents, and Jean-Luc Melenchons bankrupt policies.

The fascist danger cannot be fought by supporting these bankrupt parties. Wherever they come to power, they intensify war policies and attacks on the social and democratic rights of the working class. Nor will they shy away from collaborating with the fascists. In the CDU, calls are already growing in Saxony and Thuringia for a coalition with the AfD. In the US, the Democrats are forever seeking bipartisan agreement with their Republican colleagues.

All established parties have responded to the election result by intensifying their attacks on refugees and thus implementing the AfDs policy. On Tuesday, a refugee summit involving the federal government parties and the CDU, as well as state governments, took place in Berlin, and it discussed further sealing off borders and cutting aid to refugees.

Social discontent and opposition to militarism and war are growing among the broad majority of the working class and youth. But they need a clear political perspective.

Poverty, unemployment, war and dictatorship can only be overcome by abolishing the capitalist system and replacing it with a socialist society in which social needs, and not the profits of the rich, come first. Without expropriating the large assets and corporations and putting them under democratic control, not a single problem can be solved.

This goal can only be achieved through a global strategy that unites the working class across all national borders and mobilizes it for a unified struggle against the world capitalist system. This is the basic conclusion that must be drawn from the developments in Germany, and it is what the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party) and its sister organizations in the International Committee of the Fourth International are fighting for.
Do you work at Boeing? Tell us what youre demanding in the next contract by filling out the form below. All submissions will be kept anonymous.

A Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

More than 33,000 machinists at Boeings factories in Washington and Oregon are poised to strike after their contract expires on September 12. The workers, who are members of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 751, voted 99.9 percent to strike in a mass meeting in July, with approximately 85 percent of the membership participating.

Workers are determined to claw back the massive wage and benefits losses over the past decade and a half. Workers have not received a pay raise in a decade and have been under the same contract for an incredible 16 years, following a 57-day long strike in 2008. They are also outraged over continuous cuts to safety protocols which have led to a series of high-profile disasters on the companys 737-MAX aircraft.

With major showdowns on the East Coast docks, on the railroads, in major school districts and other workplaces, the potential exists for Boeing workers to help build a united movement of the working class.

But workers are in a fight not just against Boeing, but against the companys stooges in the IAM bureaucracy. Between now and September 12, workers must prepare by organizing themselves independently in rank-and-file committees, in order to enforce the democratic decision which they made in July.

Sham vote being prepared

The IAM bureaucracy has claimed that it is prepared to call a strike. They are only saying this in order to get in front of workers anger. In reality, they already have a deal worked out which they are preparing to ram through in a sham vote.

According to contract updates on the IAMs website, a vote has already been scheduled for September 12. Workers are being asked to vote on a contract which, officially, does not exist. The IAM claims that they remain far apart from Boeing on key issues, including wages. Moreover, according to statements from Boeing, talks are scheduled to continue right up until September 12.

What this means is that Boeing workers will be forced to vote on September 12 on a contract which will have been finalized at the last minute, before workers have had time to review it.

What is worse, the IAM is prepared to even override a no vote to enforce the contract. The ballot, a sample of which has been posted online, contains two items: first, on the contract, and second, on whether to strike.

The IAM does not explain why it is asking for a second vote for strike authorization after workers already voted by 99.9 percent in July. But this is made clear in a disclaimer, which reads: If a majority of members vote to reject the contract but less than two-thirds vote to strike, the contract is accepted by default.

IAM flyer with sample ballot [Photo: IAM District 751]

In other words, if a 65 percent majority of voters cast ballots against the contract and the same number cast ballots in favor of a strike vote, then the contract is ratified.

The IAM bureaucracy claims that it is calling for everyone to vote to strike regardless of whether they approve the contract. But this is only to disclaim responsibility for the undemocratic loophole which they themselves have laid out. The obvious impact of this confusing, unnecessary procedure is to create a scenario where an overwhelming majority no vote is simply discarded.

This recalls the infamous contract vote at UPS in 2018, where the Teamsters bureaucracy overrode a no vote by citing a similar undemocratic clause requiring a two-thirds majority to reject a deal if turnout is below 50 percent.

The IAM is following not only the Teamsters playbook from 2018, but also from 2023. Last year, Teamsters General President Sean OBrien falsely claimed he was prepared to call a strike at UPS, in order to create the impression that the contract they had worked out was the product of a credible strike threat. Since then, thousands of UPS workers have lost their jobs.

This is only the latest in a series of betrayals by the IAM bureaucracy. They have helped impose the current contract for 16 years through repeated extensions, first in 2012, and then for another 10 years in 2014.

Workers have not seen a wage increase since the 2014 extension. At the time, Boeing had threatened to move production of its 777 model out of Washington state, while the union helped the company force workers to give up their company-paid pensions.

The IAM claimed that workers agreed to this by a vote of 51 percent to 49 percent, a margin of just 600 votes. Despite dozens of complaints lodged about irregularities in that vote, the National Labor Relations Board upheld the results and the imposition of the rotten contract extension.

This is a serious warning to Boeing workers that they must prepare now to countermand this dirty tricks campaign. Workers must organize themselves to demand:

First, that their strike vote be respected, and that a strike be called if they have not approved a deal by the end of September 12;

Second, that no contract be put to a vote before they have had adequate time to study the full text, and not just self-serving highlights; and

Third, that the contract can be rejected by a simple majority. Workers must also demand the right to have rank-and-file oversight over the balloting process to prevent any more irregularities.

Saving Boeing from itself versus public ownership

The new contract is being put forward amid the deepest crisis in the history of the company. A campaign of corporate cost-cutting has led to a series of fatal and near-fatal accidents, with the most recent round of scandals starting with a door-plug blowout on a 737-MAX 9 jetliner in January.

Meanwhile, the mysterious deaths of whistleblowers John Barnett and Joshua Dean have highlighted the complete lawlessness of corporate America. Boeings criminal negligence has even expanded into outer space, with two astronauts stranded on the International Space Station by major malfunctions on their Boeing spacecraft.

With Boeings stock in free-fall, IAM District 751 President Jon Holden has declared that the union needs to be included in Boeings vision for the future and that we have to save this company from itself. What this means is that the union bureaucracys top priority is returning the company to profitability.

They claim that this can be done through a corporatist partnership between management and workers. But the way in which they are attempting to ram through a sellout deal shows that saving Boeing on a capitalist basis can only be carried out by making workers pay for the cost of the crisis.

Boeing is also a critical defense contractor. The White House can ill afford a strike which would jeopardize the proxy war in Ukraine, the genocide in Gaza and other criminal wars.

The Biden/Harris administration is working closely with the union bureaucrats to secure the home front, summed up in Bidens recent declaration that the AFL-CIO is my domestic NATO. There can be no doubt that the White House is in close talks with Boeing and the IAM to head off a strike.

In fact, in its September 3 contract update, the IAM met with acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, giving her a clear picture of where we stand. Su was instrumental in rapidly brokering a sellout deal on the West Coast docks to prevent a strike, after workers began taking wildcat actions in defiance of being left on the job for a year without a contract.

The real issue is not restoring Boeings stock prices, but its transformation into a public utility under the control of the working class. Both workers on the shop floor and Boeing engineers know how to build safe planes. The only obstacle has been the profit motive of Boeing executives and its wealthy shareholders. Their control must be removed and the company reorganized under workers control to operate in the interests of society

On this basis, freed from having to finance dividends, share buybacks and other useless expenditures, it will also be possible to guarantee high wages and good working conditions for all.

Above all, the fight at Boeing is an international struggle. Dockworkers, railroad workers, teachers and others are fighting against corporate criminality in their own workplaces, as well as betrayals by union bureaucrats. Boeing workers must make an appeal for a broader movement, including joint actions uniting workers across industries organized by the rank and file, not by the apparatus.

This means above all the building of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees, which includes committees all over the world fighting two-front wars against management and union sellouts, as a coordinating center for working class opposition.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa speaks to the media in Harare, Zimbabwe, Aug. 28, 2024. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua)

HARARE, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe and China enjoy a time-honored friendship and are now carrying out fruitful cooperation in the political, economic and social sectors, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.

Mnangagwa is currently in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit. The visit marks his second state visit to China.

Speaking to Xinhua in an interview ahead of his China visit, Mnangagwa said the cordial and long-standing relations between Zimbabwe and China date back to Zimbabwe's liberation struggle. "That's when we began political relations which have continued to deepen and concretized through now," he said.

The two countries established diplomatic relations on April 18, 1980, the Independence Day of Zimbabwe. In 2018, the two sides established a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation.

In recent years, China has remained one of Zimbabwe's largest sources of foreign investment and a major trading partner. In 2023, bilateral trade between China and Zimbabwe reached 3.122 billion U.S. dollars, a 29.9 percent increase year-on-year, according to China Customs statistics.

The southern African country has witnessed the completion of many major projects with the support of concessional loans from the Chinese government, including the expansion of the Kariba South Power Station and the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, which have played important roles in dealing with the country's power shortages and improving transportation infrastructures.

Describing the FOCAC as a global forum, Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe will seek to further boost cooperation with China during the summit so as to achieve more win-win results. 
President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix Tshisekedi (C, front) attends the inauguration ceremony of the Sakania dry port in DRC's Haut-Katanga province on Oct. 3, 2023. (Xinhua/Shi Yu)

KINSHASA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- China "has proven to be a reliable and committed partner in the development of the African continent," Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has said.

RELIABLE PARTNER

Under mechanisms such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), numerous cooperation projects have materialized in the DRC, Tshisekedi said in an interview with Xinhua before he departed for the 2024 FOCAC Summit in Beijing.

Tshisekedi underscored several significant projects resulting from DRC-China cooperation, including the Sakania dry port, the Busanga hydroelectric power plant and the Kinsuka substation. In June 2024, he launched the Chinese-built ring road project in Kinshasa.

"These highlights symbolize China's deep commitment to the development path of the DRC," the DRC president said.

Tshisekedi refuted the claims that China-Africa cooperation is a "debt trap," saying "These descriptions do not match the reality of Chinese-African cooperation as we experience it in the DRC."

"Rather than being traps, these investments have allowed the DRC to develop its critical infrastructure and strengthen its ability to integrate into the global economy," he said.

He said that the principles of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith in China's policy towards Africa, put forward in 2013 by Chinese President Xi Jinping, are rooted in Chinese-Congolese cooperation, demonstrating "China's sincerity in addressing the Congolese people's needs and its commitment to achieving tangible results."

INSPIRING EXAMPLE

Tshisekedi said his visits to several Chinese cities reinforced his belief that the DRC could benefit greatly from Chinese expertise in accelerating industrialization and developing technological infrastructure.

During Tshisekedi's state visit to China in May 2023, China and the DRC agreed in Beijing to elevate their relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. He also traveled to Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, where he visited several Chinese companies.

He highlighted Shenzhen's development from a small fishing village to one of the world's leading technology centers as "a model of rapid transformation and modernization."

"This transformation is an inspiring example for Africa, particularly for our industrialization process," he said, adding that the Chinese experience could help the DRC create special economic zones to attract foreign investment.

In 2021, the DRC joined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), thus becoming the 45th African partner country. The BRI has enhanced the country's connectivity, Tshisekedi said, citing the ongoing rehabilitation and modernization of N1 National Road carried out by Chinese companies.

The road, which links the capital of Kinshasa with the economic center of Lubumbashi, is expected to boost economic exchanges between regions, he said.

Tshisekedi also underscored his close relationship with Xi, describing it as "one of the most satisfying aspects of our bilateral relations in recent years."

He spoke highly of Xi for "playing a key role in strengthening Chinese-African relations," noting that Xi's "pragmatic and visionary approach helps build a sustainable and beneficial relationship for both peoples."

Tshisekedi described Xi as "a resolute leader, deeply committed to building a shared future for China and Africa."

COMMUNITY OF SHARED FUTURE

Tshisekedi emphasized the importance of FOCAC in building a community of shared future between China and Africa, noting that China-Africa cooperation is significant for the rise of the Global South.

"The rise of Global South countries is essential for promoting a more equitable global governance," he said, urging China and Africa to continue working closely together to defend the common interests of developing countries, ensure fairer representation of the Global South in the international arena, and promote decision-making that reflects the needs and aspirations of these nations.

He expressed the hope that the DRC will diversify its cooperation with China by incorporating more projects in technology, agriculture, and vocational training to foster inclusive and sustainable growth.

He said that a potential area for further exploration lies in cultural infrastructure.

In 2019, the DRC president laid the foundation stone for the Central African Cultural and Arts Center, a China-aided initiative, which he believes will serve as an important platform for strengthening China-DRC and China-Africa cultural exchanges.

"In the future, we could extend this cooperation (in infrastructure) to other areas such as education and vocational training, to strengthen local capacities and promote sustainable development," noted the DRC president. 

President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix Tshisekedi (C, front) presses the main operating button of the generator at the Busanga hydroelectric power plant in DRC's Lualaba province on Oct. 6, 2023. (Xinhua)

President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix Tshisekedi (L) waves to the crowd after laying the foundation stone for the construction of Kinshasa's ring road project in DRC's capital Kinshasa on June 22, 2024. (Xinhua)
Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, meets with Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Li Xi, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), on Wednesday met with Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, noted that next year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Botswana.

China is willing to continue advancing mutually beneficial cooperation with Botswana, further strengthen friendly exchanges across various sectors, and enhance the sharing of governance experience to create more benefits for the people of both countries, he said.

Masisi stressed his country's great attention to its relationship with China, saying he looks forward to deepening practical cooperation within both bilateral and FOCAC frameworks, strengthening interparty exchanges and driving new progress in bilateral relations. 

Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, meets with Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)
Angelina Jolie has opened up about how her perspective has changed as shes gotten older.

The Hollywood star, 49, recently received an eight-minute standing ovation for her performance as Maria Callas in Pablo Larrains biopic about the opera singers life. While promoting the movie at the 2024 Telluride Film Festival, Jolie explained to IndieWire how her relationship with music  specifically opera  is different now than it was when she was younger.

Im 49. I do feel like an older woman now and I embrace that, Jolie said on September 2. When I was younger, there were certain pieces of music and certain sounds that matched what I was feeling: I was falling in love, or I was curious about this, or whatever I was going through.

The Maleficent actor made similar comments at the Venice Film Festival on August 29, when she shared how her music taste has evolved with her age.

I was more punk. I loved all music, but I probably listened to The Clash more than most, and as Ive gotten older, classical music, opera, she said. I think theres something I still love about the same music I did when I was younger. Ill still listen to The Clash.

It seems that aging appears to be on Jolies mind as her youngest children prepare to turn 18 years old. Jolie shares 16-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox with ex-husband Brad Pitt, as well as sons Maddox, 23, and Pax, 20, and daughters Zahara, 19, and Shiloh, 18. The former couple are in the midst of contentious divorce proceedings concerning child custody and disagreements over their various properties.

Angelina Jolie receives eight-minute standing ovation for Maria at 2024 Venice Film Festival (AFP via Getty Images)

Despite growing up in Los Angeles, Jolie revealed that she plans on moving away from Hollywood once her divorce battle is finalized and her twins are of age. I have to be here from a divorce, she explained to The Hollywood Reporter on August 30. But as soon as theyre 18, Ill be able to leave.

Jolie shared that she plans on traveling to Cambodia, where she adopted her son Maddox in 2002. Ill spend a lot of time in Cambodia, Jolie explained. Ill spend time visiting my family members wherever they may be in the world.

She continued: When you have a big family, you want them to have privacy, peace, safety. I have a house now to raise my children, but sometimes this place can be that humanity that I found across the world is not what I grew up with here.

Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt in September 2016 after two years of marriage and 12 years together. Theres been much speculation about the Fight Club stars reported estrangement from his children, which seemed to be prompted by Jolies allegations of abuse made in a 2022 cross-complaint filed against Pitt. Representatives for Pitt have since refuted the claims, calling them completely untrue.

In May, People reported that Vivienne was listed as Vivienne Jolie, rather than by Jolie-Pitt, in the Playbill program for The Outsiders on Broadway  where she served as producers assistant. That same month, Shiloh immediately filed to legally drop her fathers last name upon turning 18. The change was granted in August, allowing her to legally go by Shiloh Jolie rather than Shiloh Jolie-Pitt.

Meanwhile, a viral video previously revealed that Zahara was introduced by her universitys sorority as Zahara Marley Jolie  also excluding her fathers last name.
Jamie Foxx has announced a three-night, one-man show in Atlanta in which he will reveal what happened during the health scare that landed him in an Atlanta hospital.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The actor was hospitalized in April 2023 after experiencing a bad headache and has said that he was gone for 20 days and doesnt remember anything. He has not revealed an official diagnosis publically.

TRENDING STORIES:

Last month, on a visit to Atlanta, he credited the city for saving his life and promised that he would deliver a show and tell the story of what happened in his own way.

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The shows, titled One More Chance: An Evening with Jamie Foxx will happen Oct. 3, 4 and 5.

Join us for an unforgettable one-man show as Jamie Foxx takes the stage to share his journey through a serious health scare, filled with humor, heart, and inspiration! Foxx wrote on Instagram. Experience Jamie Foxx like never before in this intimate and engaging performance, as he opens up about his struggles, triumphs, and everything in between. Get ready for a night of laughter, reflection, and genuine connection.

Foxxs team has not announced what venue he will perform at but said tickets are coming soon.
Josh Brolin has reportedly declined an invitation to trade in Thanos purple for Lantern green.

Late last month, the Avengers franchise vet and Outer Range star had been offered the role of Hal Jordan in HBOs live-action Lanterns series, TheInsneider reported. But TVLine sister site THR.com is now reporting that Brolin declined the gig. Nor will Matthew McConaughey, another rumored contender, slip on that powerful ring.

More from TVLine

DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn, who is never shy to squash an unfounded casting rumor via his Threads account, for two weeks conspicuously ignored his frantic followers cries for confirmation or denial on the Brolin buzz. (This is why, I was told years ago, ABC never comments on Dancing With the Stars rumors  because the moment you start refuting the patently false ones, non-denials or silence can be read as consent.) Warner Bros. meanwhile had no comment on the offer to Brolin.

Besides McConaughey, other names rumored to be on the Hal Jordan short list include Obi-Wan Kenobi star Ewan McGregor, Justified gunslinger Timothy Olyphant and Star Trek captain Chris Pine.

Lanterns was given an eight-episode, straight-to-series order back in June, with Damon Lindelof and Eisner Award winner Tom King set to pen the script. Chris Mundy (True Detective: Night Country, Ozark) will serve as showrunner and executive-produce with Lindelof and King.

Described by DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran as being very much in the vein of True Detective, Lanterns will follow new recruit John Stewart and legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.

There have been no rumblings yet on the John Stewart casting.

John Stewart and Hal Jordan are two of DCs most compelling characters, Gunn said in June, and Lanterns brings them to life in an original detective story that is a foundational part of the unified DCU were launching next summer with [the feature film] Superman.

Chapter 1 of that unified DCU  dubbed Gods and Monsters  officially launches with the animated series Creature Commandos, hitting Max in late 2024. On the film side, things will kick off with Superman, starring David Corenswet (The Politician) and landing in theaters July 11, 2025.

Want scoop on Lanterns, or for any other DC TV show ? Email InsideLine@tvline.com, and your question may be answered via Matts Inside Line!

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Her intern's meltdown over a parking spot went viral. She could have fired him. She didn't.

Her intern's meltdown over a parking spot went viral. She could have fired him. She didn't.

A man's boss stood up for him when he went viral for raging at a woman in her car.

She cited his good character and work in a video defending him, which amassed over 3 million views.

Viewers remain divided on who was in the wrong.

Many have been stung when their worst moments ended up on social media, judged by millions of people. Some get fired.

It could have happened, too, to Nigel Ford, who became briefly famous for hitting a woman's car in an angry showdown over a parking spot.

More than a million people watched the video, filmed in Newport Beach, California, last month. Many called for his boss to punish him.

But instead, his boss, Deena Saunders-Green, stood up for him.

Saunders-Green employs Ford at Green Pines Media, a company that helps disadvantaged artists monetize their work.

California's at-will employment laws mean she could fire Ford for any reason, including going viral in an embarrassing video.

But, she told Business Insider, she didn't want to judge her employee for a clip spreading online. Instead, she said, she acted based on his character, which she knew well.

"We're just trying to do business in a drastically different way, in a way that I wish our society and our culture and other employers would behave," Saunders-Green told BI. "We're all humans."

Social media vigilantes

Saunders-Green said her husband told her about the video. It was shared by a creator named Danesh, who has built a following of 1.9 million for calling out people behaving badly in public  known colloquially as "Karens."

The video was originally posted by a woman named Manuela on TikTok, who appears to be one of two people in the car.

In it, Ford is shown hitting his body against the car. Two women can be seen calling him "crazy."

One tells him that "wherever you work is really gonna love this"  seeming to expect that he would be punished.

Manuela did not return a request for comment from BI made via TikTok.

Danesh reposted the video to his popular Instagram account, tagged Ford's Instagram handle, and shared some of his personal and work information.

Saunders-Green said Ford is generally "mild-mannered" and "just the nicest guy," so she contacted him to ask what happened.

He apologized right away, Saunders-Green said, and was embarrassed that he lost his cool.

(Saunders-Green forwarded an interview request to Ford himself, but he didn't respond.)

"He told me that he was waiting for a parking spot, and someone swooped in and got it," Saunders-Green said of Ford. "He had got out of the car essentially to confront them."

Saunders-Green said they had a discussion about Ford's behavior and how he could handle similar situations in the future.

"We handled it internally, and it was fine," she said, adding that her company puts "people before profits."

"Because we put people first, it wasn't a big deal to say, OK, we'll stand by you."

Threats of violence

Ford was relieved, she said, and told her about some of the backlash he'd been subjected to, including insults and death threats.

"Yes, it was bad behavior," Saunders-Green said of Ford, but she said she saw the video as "two privileged knuckleheads just misbehaving over something so insignificant."

Threats of violence were a step too far, she said.

Saunders-Green said she was also receiving emails telling her to fire Ford, with people threatening to take down her business if she didn't.

"It pissed me off because, number one, I'm 50 years old and menopausal, and I'm a Black woman," Saunders-Green said. "How dare you reach out to me and try to bully me?"

So, she decided to make her own video on August 19.

In it, she showed some of the messages Ford had been receiving and said she was standing by him.

It amassed over 3 million views, more than any single instance of the original meltdown video.

An easy target

The general reaction was mixed. Many accused Ford of being aggressive toward the woman filming him, but others thought he had a right to be annoyed if she had stolen his spot.

When Saunders-Green posted her video, a ton of support rolled in, with people praising her response.

"This is the most realistic, humanistic and genuine response I have watched in this app," one comment reads.

Another said: "So rare these days to see someone giving someone else grace for having a bad day/moment. "

Saunders-Green said Ford became a "scapegoat" and that "people needed something to be angry with."

"He looked like this super-white guy, and how dare you use your white privilege or entitlement to bully a woman?" Saunders-Green said.

"I get it," she added. "I understand that completely. I'm an advocate for women. But let's not turn this into something it wasn't."

'We are all human'

Ford also responded publicly, posting a video on his Instagram.

He apologized to the woman in the car for reacting "poorly" and said he wanted to take accountability.

But, he also claimed Danesh "twisted" the situation to make him look worse, accusing him of profiting from online firestorms like the one he was in.

In a message to BI, Danesh said he stood by sharing the video and that he thought Ford's response was "incredibly smug, condescending, and manipulative."

"I never demanded that he be fired, nor did I direct anyone to get him fired or to threaten him, as he claims," he said. "I've always stated that I'm against harassment and threats."

He said both he and Manuela have been "receiving threats and harassment" as well.

"I didn't see them ever encourage that in their videos, but by their own logic, should I still blame them?" he said.

Danesh said he thought Ford was still refusing to take accountability and wanted to "blame the messenger."

"I don't see people running to say, 'they were just having a bad day' when brown or black people are caught on camera assaulting someone," Danesh said. "Yet we should for some reason make an exception for Nigel?"

Danesh said he didn't watch Saunders-Green's video and has "no interest" in it, though he said she has every right to her opinion.

"I always hope that everyone in all of my videos changes their behavior, but I can't force them," he said.

Saunders-Green, meanwhile, said she is determined to take advantage of the newfound attention and has been sharing information about how her business is fundraising for a new office building.

"We're using this as an opportunity to do something good," she said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Avi Salloway was on tour years ago in the band of Nigerien guitarist Bombino when they played a show at a festival in Italy that also featured singer-songwriter Jack Johnson. Johnson had requested that no plastic water bottles be used at the festival.

That struck Salloway, who said he was already hyper-aware of the footprints Bombinos tours left behind. He estimates hes played 1,500 concerts on six continents. He had long been repelled at seeing how much trash was strewn on festival grounds.

I was like, OK, this is happening, Salloway said of Johnsons no-plastics edict. A light popped on  this does not have to be that way.

Salloway, a 2007 University of Vermont graduate living in Burlington, is among the presenters of the Imagine Zero Music Festival, a day-long event taking place Saturday, Sept. 7. In its second year, Imagine Zero will run amplifiers, lights and microphones with a solar trailer delivered by electric vehicle. The festival will aim to power food vendors operations with electric vehicles.

Shuttle buses from Woodstock are available to deliver fans to the festival location at Fable Farm in Barnard. Those arriving in cars with three or more attendees are eligible to win prizes. Nearly all food and beverages provided by Fable Farm will be served with reusable cutlery, cups and plates. Wine and beer will be available from reusable kegs and bottles. Salloway said fans buying tickets can pay for a tree to be planted by the Shelburne-based organization One Tree Planted.

The operation (of the festival) is very sustainable, Salloway said following an Aug. 7 performance in City Hall Park by one of his groups, Avi Salloway & Friends. Were trying to create a paradigm shift in the music industry.

A sign on the stage promotes the use of battery-powered generators at a concert by Guster at the Shelburne Museum on June 29, 2024.

Vermonts most-prominent concert promoter is aiming for that, too. Higher Ground, the South Burlington-based music venue that books off-site shows throughout the Northeast, began powering its long-running Concerts on the Green series at the Shelburne Museum this year with battery-operated generators that replace the fossil-fuel-consuming diesel generators they had been using.

Higher Ground co-founder Alex Crothers believes the Shelburne Museum shows represent the first summer concert series in the country to be entirely battery powered.

There just arent that many people who are using this technology yet. Its changing very quickly, said Crothers, who expects a cascade of people to move toward battery-powered concerts in the next 12 months. Its such a no-brainer in terms of making the switch.

Battery-powered Guster show

Environmental awareness in the concert industry isnt new. SolarFest began offering music 30 years ago in Vermont with the idea of, as its website says, showcasing the power and possibilities of solar energy. Salloway said Imagine Zero is renting a solar trailer from SolarFest while that long-standing event remains on hiatus.

Crothers pointed to a couple of recent high-profile musicians whove moved toward non-fossil-fuel energy at concerts. Billie Eilish performed a battery-powered set last year at the massive Chicago festival Lollapalooza and Willie Nelson has used that technology for shows at his Texas ranch.

Adam Gardner of the band Guster and his wife, Lauren Sullivan, created the organization REVERB. That group, as its website describes, works with venues, festivals and musicians to green their concert events while engaging fans face-to-face at shows to take environmental and social action.

Gardner witnessed Nelsons battery tests in Texas and told Crothers what he saw. I was like, Thats amazing, Crothers said. For 25 years Ive been trying to solve our power issues at Shelburne Museum.

From left to right, Luke Reynolds, Ryan Miller, Adam Gardner and Brian Rosenworcel of Guster.

Unlike other off-site locations where Higher Ground stages concerts  Waterfront Park in Burlington and the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction, for instance  the sloping field at Shelburne Museum does not have direct access to the electrical grid. Higher Ground has long powered its 3,000-capacity Concerts on the Green shows with diesel generators.

Crothers said the downsides of diesel generators include the noisy, smelly consumption of fossil fuel next to a performance space and the strain and breakdowns common with those engines. Battery generators, he said, avoid those pitfalls.

Higher Ground is leasing battery generators from NOMAD, a Waterbury company that normally works with utilities such as Green Mountain Power and municipalities including Little Rock, Arkansas.

None of its particularly revolutionary, Crothers said, as it takes time to affect change in a myopic industry such as the live-music business. Its not as if were introducing hydrogen fuel cells out there and people are like, I cant even get my arms around it. Were taking a pretty standard technology and putting it to a new use.

The Concerts on the Green series presented by Higher Ground at the Shelburne Museum operates by battery power provided by NOMAD in Waterbury.

The battery-powered generator debuted this season at Gusters concert in June at the Shelburne Museum. Crothers said the system has worked flawlessly.

Theres not a big learning curve, he said. You turn it on and youve got power. Unlike a diesel generator that runs for the duration of a show, Crothers said battery generators only pull power when needed.

For the first time were learning our actual power needs. We can see what the power draws are across a show, Crothers said. Theres an efficiency to understanding what your needs are, and it allows us over time to right-size our power units to what we need.

Higher Ground is using one central battery generator for now. Maybe as soon as next season, Crothers hopes to employ individual generators that specifically target areas of the concert grounds for even more efficient use of energy.

Thats where were headed, he said.

Avi Salloway performs Aug. 7, 2024 as part of the Burlington City Arts summer concert series in City Hall Park.

Lakou Mizik, Chad Hollister at Imagine Zero

Cliff Johnson and Ben Kogan founded Imagine Zero, which held its first festival last year in Brandon. Salloway, who played in the band Hey Mama with Kogan, joined to help this year.

That was a really solid launch, Salloway said of last years event, and inspired us to want to grow the festival. He said 650 people attended last years Imagine Zero Music Festival; organizers hope to reach the capacity of 750 this year.

Salloways current band, Billy Wylder, is among the headliners in this years lineup that includes Lakou Mizik, The Wolff Sisters, Chad Hollister, Saints & Liars. The Ben Kogan Band and Seth Glier. Salloway said he sees a music festival as the perfect fun setting to help with peoples consciousness transformation on the issue of climate change.

It doesnt have to be this dark space of the world is ending, Salloway said, even if the message within the festival is a serious one. He said the devastating July floods the past two years show the high significance of the issue.

Its been tragically apparent that Vermont is not immune to the existential threat of climate change, Salloway said.

Avi Salloway performs Aug. 7, 2024 as part of the Burlington City Arts summer concert series in City Hall Park.

Environmental toll of traveling to concerts

The concert industry continues to take a toll on the environment. Statistics from the website www.carboncredits.com posted on Imagine Zeros website show that venues themselves account for 34% of a tours carbon footprint, with audience travel just behind that at 33%. (Band travel accounts for 9% of the total.)

Thats honestly more of a societal question, Crothers said of the carbon footprint of travel to concerts. He said public transportation is not great in the U.S. Societally, hopefully, we continue to move toward electric vehicles.

Salloway noted that many movements within the music industry  Imagine Zero, Higher Grounds Concerts on the Green series and REVERB among them  are working to address the industrys impact on the environment, often from different angles. Those efforts, he said, are not competing.

Were working together to save the planet, Salloway said.

Avi Salloway of Burlington (in red shirt) with his band Billy Wylder.

If you go

WHAT: Imagine Zero Music Festival

WHEN: 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7

WHERE: Fable Farm, Barnard

INFORMATION: $25-$50 in advance, $75 at the door; free for ages 10 and under. www.imaginezerofestival.com

Concerts on the Green

The three remaining shows this year in the Concerts on the Green series presented by Higher Ground at the Shelburne Museum are:

7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, Rainbow Kitten Surprise with Medium Build . Sold out.

7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19-Friday, Sept. 20, Lake Street Dive with Katie Pruitt. Sold out.

www.highergroundmusic.com

Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Higher Ground concert series, Vermont festival aim for sustainability
BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- China is scheduled to hold the 3rd High-Level Conference on Intellectual Property for Countries along the "Belt and Road" from Sept. 11 to 13 in Beijing, the country's top intellectual property regulator said on Wednesday.

The conference will invite heads from approximately 70 IP institutions of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, as well as international and regional organizations, according to the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA).

The event will also welcome embassy representatives in China, officials from relevant domestic departments, industry professionals and scholars, with an expected attendance of around 450 participants, the CNIPA noted.

The participants will engage in in-depth discussions on regional cooperation, green development, digital transformation and IP value enhancement, senior CNIPA official Sheng Li told a press briefing.

During the three-day conference, CNIPA, the World Intellectual Property Organization and the Eurasian Patent Office will host meetings to discuss topics related to the role of IP in driving innovative development of enterprises, Sheng added.

China has actively promoted exchanges and cooperation with BRI partner countries in various areas, including IP policies, personnel training, education and examination.

It has signed IP cooperation agreements with 57 BRI partner countries. Since 2013, China has conducted over 50 training sessions, empowering more than 1,300 IP professionals from these countries.

Chinese experts have also been sent to over 10 countries and international organizations to conduct exchanges and training, supporting the IP capacity building for BRI partner countries. 
X.com/@ihatejoelkim

Comedian and actor Joel Kim Booster proposed to his partner John-Michael Sudsina while on vacation on Jeju Island in South Korea, in a scene that seems pulled straight out of a dream. The Fire Island star shared photos of the moment he popped the question on Instagram this Sunday. Very much in love. Very happy, he wrote in the caption. No matter where I am, hes my home.

Booster was slightly more to the point on X, sharing just two photos of himself and his fiance and writing, Vacation boyfriend -> Vacation husband. Try to be normal about this.

Booster and Sudsina met before Fire Island began shooting in August 2021, as the comedian shared on Jesse Tyler Fergusons podcast Dinners On Me last June. Fittingly, the couple met at a different gaycation spot: Puerto Vallarta, which Booster called gay Disneyland.

It would seem the two have been smitten ever since. In a clip from Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration on Netflix that he posted to Instagram in June 2022, Booster said, I love my boyfriend so much. Hes my soulmate. He then joked that there was just one little issue with him, and that is that he is white.

But on any given night he does have a little bit of Asian DNA in him, he quipped, to the screaming delight of the audience.

Sudsina is currently a producer at Riot Games, which developed the popular multiplayer online games League of Legends and Valorant, per his X profile. (He has already added fiance: @ihatejoelkim to his bio as well.)

Perhaps presciently, Sudsinas most recent Instagram grid post, from October 2023, is captioned simply Endgame, accompanied by a photo of himself and Booster dressed as Mario and the flagpole at the end of every level of Super Mario Bros.

Congrats to the happy couple!

Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here.

Originally Appeared on them.
Krispy Kreme collection to celebrate Barbie; what to get and when

Barbie is apparently entering her golden years, and Krispy Kreme is celebrating the iconic doll's 65th birthday with the "Barbie x Krispy Kreme Collection" menu drop.

This is at least the second Barbie-related drop, and follows the Barbie x Stanley Collection drop which occurred in early August.

Krispy Kreme is releasing a limited-edition run of specialty doughnuts in honor of Barbies' 65th anniversary, and here's everything Barbie and doughnut fans alike need to know about the menu, including how to try the new items.

What is the Barbie x Krispy Kreme Collection?

The Barbie x Krispy Kreme Collection includes four new specialty doughnuts, according to the Barbie x Krispy Kreme Collection press release.

Krispy Kreme is offering a new donut menu inspired by the 65th anniversary of Barbie.

Each doughnut also comes decorated with a Barbie-themed topping.

Barbie Pink Doughnut  inspired by Barbies iconic pink hues, an Original Glazed Doughnut piped with pink buttercream, sprinkled with sparkly pink sugar, and topped with Barbie sunglasses.

Malibu Dream Party Doughnut  inspired by the fun and fashion of the Barbie DreamHouse, an unglazed shell doughnut filled with Cake Batter Kreme, dipped in Malibu blue icing and sparkly graham sand, topped with a Barbie DreamHouse piece, and piped with a white cloud.

Barbie Berries n Kreme Doughnut  as sweet as Barbie herself, an unglazed shell doughnut filled with Strawberry Kreme, dipped in white icing, drizzled with purple and pink buttercream, and topped with a Barbie heart.

Barbie Sweet 65 Doughnut  showcasing iconic Barbie colors, an Original Glazed Doughnut, dipped in chocolate icing, topped with Barbie Sweet 65 sprinkles.

Six- and 12-packs of the Barbie x Krispy Kreme Collection doughnuts will come packaged in a collector's-edition box.

How do I get Krispy Kreme's Barbie donuts?

The Barbie x Krispy Kreme Collection is available now at Krispy Kreme locations and retailers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

You can find the Krispy Kreme retailer nearest you by using the location finder on Krispy Kreme's website.

How old is Barbie? Everything to know about Barbara Millicent Roberts

While Krispy Kreme drops its Barbie x Krispy Kreme Collection to celebrate Barbie's 65th Anniversary, Barbie was actually "born" on March 9, 1959, according to Barbie Media.

Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, and the iconic doll has had several lifetimes' worth of careers and achieved several firsts.

"Barbie has had over 250 inspirational careers including astronaut, pilot, firefighter, journalist, and entrepreneur to name a few," read Barbie Media's Barbie fact page. "Barbie traveled into space in 1965, four years before man walked on the moon, and in 1992, Barbie ran for president for the first time and has run in nearly every election year since.

"In 2016, she ran with the first all-female ticket," continued Barbie fact file. "In 1973, Barbie saved lives as a surgeon, at a time when very few women were in the operating room. In 1985, she took to the boardroom as 'Day to Night' CEO Barbie, just as women began to break the glass ceiling."

Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Krispy Kreme celebrates Barbie's anniversary with run of special donuts
Meghan Markle's highly anticipated lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, has hit another roadblock just as it was gearing up to launch later this year.

According to reports, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) denied the Duchess of Sussex's trademark application last week.

Her previous application to trademark her podcast brand, Archewell, also suffered the same fate, leaving her in a dicey situation with authorities.

However, Meghan Markle is expected to appeal the USPTO's decision over her trademark request.

Why The USPTO Denied Meghan Markle's Request To Trademark American Riviera Orchard

MEGA

According to the Daily Mail, the launch of the Duchess of Sussex's lifestyle brand faces serious trademark issues with the USPTO.

The patent office objected to her application, saying that businesses are not allowed to trademark geographic locations, including the nickname of the coastline around their California home, "the American Riviera."

Other reasons for the decline included her alleged failure to sign the correct documents and the ambiguous description of her products, which could fit into different trademark categories.

The patent office noted, for example, that her brand's proposed "cocktail napkins" could be paper or textile, which are two different categories, as well as her "cooking utensils," which could be manual or electric.

Another reason was the apparent unavailability of the name, as another Santa Barbara business involved in the sales of candle products is already using the term "American Riviera" for a candle that sells for $34.95, per the news outlet.

"Registration is refused because the applied-for mark is primarily geographically descriptive," the Patent Office said in its filing. "Commonly used nicknames for geographic locations are generally treated as equivalent to the proper geographic name of the place identified."

"American Riviera is a common nickname for Santa Barbara, California," they added.

Meghan Markle Is Expected To Appeal The USPTO's Decision

MEGA

The USPTO's decision is reportedly not final, and Meghan's lawyers can appeal it and review their application to register at least some products.

A source told the Daily Mail that some back-and-forth with the USPTO is "routine and expected when filing for trademarks" and that they believe the mother-of-two will file a response soon.

Meghan's lifestyle brand already had a problem with its filing when it was revealed that she failed to pay $11,382 in international registration fees and other "irregularities" that needed to be "corrected."

The brand, which promises to bring consumers a taste of the Duchess of Sussex's California-inspired style, sought trademark filings for products including tableware, drinkware, decanters, kitchen linens, and pantry goods, including jellies, jams, marmalade, and spreads.

Experts Voice Concerns Over The Duchess' Brand

MEGA

According to The Times, experts have raised concerns about Meghan's brand, as it has failed to launch a single product for sale since its Instagram debut over five months ago.

"I would have major concerns if I was an investor," PR and brand marketing expert Matt Yanofsky told the news outlet.

"If I'm an investor, I'm saying to her, 'You need to find a CEO with a direct business plan that's going to show profitability, or at least a revenue plan within the next 60 to 90 days,'" he added. "Otherwise I'm taking my money out."

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Suffer Employee Exodus

MEGA

Meghan's trademark issues come as she and Prince Harry seemingly struggle to retain employees.

The couple's former Chief of Staff, Josh Kettler, left his position after just three months in July. Then, they parted ways with American PR strategist Christine Weil Schirmer, who joined them in 2020 as head of communications but left last year.

A source told Closer that the couple's latest staff exit is "humiliating and demoralizing."

The insider said, "The timing of this turn of events is absolutely terrible. Right as they set off on an exciting tour of Colombia the news of Kettler throwing in the towel is plastered everywhere and they're once again being branded as horrible bosses who nobody seems to want to work for."

"Of course, they've tried to do damage control but, behind closed doors, it's utterly humiliating and demoralizing," they added.

The Duke Allegedly Plans To Make A Return To Royal Life

MEGA

Harry is said to be seeking help from his former aides and friends to devise hatch plans for a possible return to the royal family.

The Sussexes left their royal roles in 2020 and relocated to the US, where they currently live with their children. Their relationship with the monarchy has suffered since then, as they hurled several allegations against members of the firm after their exit.

"Harry is turning away from all sorts of Hollywood publicists and is seeking counsel from his old friends and associates," a source told the Daily Mail. "He is clearly reaching out thinking, 'I need to do something different because what I'm doing is clearly not working.' In short, he is rethinking the way he operates."
Barron Trump, the youngest child of former President Donald Trump, is one of around 9,400 admits to New York Universitys Class of 2028

NYU Stern School of Business has a famous new student: Barron Trump, the 18-year-old son of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

The elder Trump, who famously attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania as an undergrad in the 1960s, revealed his youngest sons choice of school in an interview Wednesday with the Daily Mail, a UK newspaper.

He was accepted to a lot of colleges, Trump said in the interview. We liked NYU. Ive known NYU for a long time. Its a very high-quality place. He liked it.

A HARD SCHOOL TO GET INTO

Barron has reportedly been spotted on NYUs campus already. The younger Trump has largely avoided media attention and scrutiny, in large part because he was a minor during the four years of his fathers presidency. He has avoided any political role in the elder Trumps current campaign to return to the White House.

NYU is not an easy school to get into. It received approximately 118,000 applications to join the Class of 2028 this fall, and made offers of admission to around 8%, or 9,400. Tuition, minus room and board, is more than $60K.

NYUs admitted class of 2028 is made up of students who represent the best of us, said Jonathan Williams, associate vice president of undergraduate admissions, pre-college access and pathways, in April. Throughout their high school journey, these remarkable young individuals hail from various corners of the United States and the globe. They have proven themselves to be exemplary bridge-builders, striving to connect diverse perspectives and foster understanding.

Their unwavering perseverance in the face of myriad challenges showcases their dedication to creating a better world  together. They are shining examples of good listeners, global citizens, and future leaders. Their presence will undoubtedly enrich the NYU community and contribute to a brighter future for all.

WHARTON, DADS ALMA MATER, WAS CONSIDERED FOR BARRON

Total cost for four years at the Stern School, inclusive of room, board and fees, is more than $350K, according to P&Q data for the Class of 2027. The B-school has a lower acceptance rate than NYU overall, at 5%, with admits average SAT score 1,545, average ACT score 35, and average high school GPA 4.1. Seventy-one percent of the Class of 2027 were among the top 10% of students in their high school.

The Stern School is ranked 9th in Poets&Quants most recent ranking of business undergraduate programs. However, Wharton, which Donald Trump and three of his four siblings attended, is ranked No. 1.

Hes a very high-aptitude child but hes no longer a child, Trump told the Daily Mail about Barron. Hes just passed into something beyond child-dom. Hes hes doing great.

I went to Wharton, and that was certainly one that we were considering. We didnt do that.  We went for Stern.

Contacted by P&Q, the Stern School declined to comment for this story.

DONT MISS POETS&QUANTS BEST UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS SCHOOL PROGRAMS OF 2024 and

The post NYU Stern Has A Famous New Student: Barron Trump appeared first on Poets&Quants.
Peacock on Wednesday dropped the trailer for its new five-part docuseries Worlds Most Notorious Killers, which travels the globe to reveal the chilling stories of five infamous international murder cases, featuring firsthand accounts from individuals close to each case and those seeking justice. The ripped-from-the-headlines program premieres on Tuesday, September 17. Watch the official trailer above.

Stories examined throughout the series include:

More from GoldDerby

The West Murders  The case of a missing girl leads to a gruesome discovery: a graveyard of bones beneath the house of Fred and Rose West in Gloucester, England and several twisted family secrets.

The Vienna Strangler  A perplexing series of deaths in Vienna, Austria are linked to murders in Los Angeles, California. Austrian celebrity Jack Unterweger is unmasked as the worlds first transatlantic serial killer, whose been reporting on his own murders and hiding in plain sight all along.

The Monster of Belgium  Six Belgian girls mysteriously go missing at the hands of The Monster. But soon people begin to suspect that Belgiums infamous serial killer may be working for a powerful international pedophile ring.

The Murder Down Under  Lynette Dawson, a loving wife and mother, disappears from her Australian home in 1982; days later, her husband, Christopher Dawson, moves their teenage babysitter into their home. It will be 40 years before the case is finally solved.

The Serpent  Tourists in Southeast Asia are mysteriously killed, and Charles Sobhraj confesses to the horrific murders. Convicted murderer Sobhraj, now a free man, speaks out in a U.S. exclusive interview to reveal a shocking new story.

Best of GoldDerby

Sign up for Gold Derby's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Ted Lasso actor Kola Bokinni and his cousin Mary Ellen are one of four teams currently taking part in BBC One's Celebrity Race Across the World - Hans Georg/BBC/Studio Lambert

If you spotted 180 travellers bolting en masse out of Trafalgar Square in mid-August, heading for Albania, youd inevitably assume that a mixture of wanderlust and adventure had compelled them to don their backpacks. But in reality, their trip wasnt about a desire to see any destination  but rather, how quickly they could get there. This mass exodus was in fact a trans-European competition designed to mirror the success of Race Across the World, the hit BBC programme in which unlikely globetrotters must navigate continents at speed.

I began watching the programme during its record-breaking series earlier this year, expecting to be left with even itchier feet and a few tricks for my next trip. Instead, Ive come to a different conclusion: that competitions of this kind are killing travel. Yes, the sprawling nature shots are beautiful, and there are heartwarming moments shared between contestants and locals, and within competing pairs (at least the ones who dont want to kill each other).

But the programmes intro  which asks whether a reliance on flying means we have forgotten how to travel through countries  is laughable given the breakneck speed with which participants are tasked with tearing through them. Crossing 10,000 miles via public transport in a month, mostly on cramped all-day-and-nighters (the winner is the first team to reach the final destination without flying or using smartphones or credit cards), seems a strange way to highlight the joys of seeing the world, unless you really, really like doing so from the inside of bus windows.

Trying to cover 10,000 miles in a month via public transport is no way to travel - Alamy

I get it, the programme is meant to be entertaining, and it is  Im part-way through the current (celebrity) series, and would gladly go on it tomorrow. Yet, while I appreciate that it needs something to set it apart from the reams of travel television programming (which mostly consists of male comedians grumbling about the food being different from back home), the fact it is inspiring travel racing  where people compete to get to it-doesnt-matter-where fastest  is seriously depressing.

The 1,200-mile London to Tirana race was organised by agency Lupine Travel; its second after a London-to-Istanbul route last year. This years winner made it to the finishing line in a shade under two days and 21 hours, probably experiencing... a whole lot of nothing in the process. How this is being passed off as a better way to see the world than taking a three-hour flight and spending two-and-a-half days exploring the city beats me.

Perhaps this is the inevitable pendulum swing following the slow-travel movement, which favours languorous trips over jam-packed itineraries. But what these competitions conveniently overlook is that the speed with which you can board buses is a mostly irrelevant part of travel. How many framed photos or picture albums do you have filled with holiday images  and how many of those involve a bus or train? Im willing to bet you can count the answer on one hand.

This is no reflection on public transport: it is an often crucial and occasionally beautiful way to see a new country. And inevitably, there are colourful moments: I still have a scar on my hand from a minor impaling incident during a bus trip in Gambia, shared an overnight cabin with a man and his collection of samurai knives on a train from Budapest (he really did like mentioning those knives), and still recall a curious conversation about bestiality with a couple of Germans on a sleeper to Istanbul more than a decade ago.

It's unlikely that public transport was the setting for your most treasured holiday memories - Alamy

Still, none of these memories matters  not really. The getting there and the being there are simply not of equal value. Seeing otherworldly nature, eating home-cooked meals with ingredients youve never heard of, hearing kids squealing with delight in a language you dont speak, figuring out what people drink, where they go, what matters to them  those are the rich seams from which travel joy comes, and the things you remember in the years that follow. The bus ride there? Not so much.

A favourite tote bag-esque aphorism is that travel is about the journey, not the destination, and racing competitions appear to have adopted that full throttle. If your primary aim is going as great a distance as possible on the cheap, though, why not just spend a week bus-hopping up and down your local high street? Its far easier, more wallet-friendly and environmentally sound  plus you get to sleep in an actual bed at night.

The BBC programme does at least afford some level of cultural interaction by placing contestants with local families with whom they can work and stay (one of many generous production extras they are afforded). Copycat competitions dont have a television budget, however  meaning the sole focus is on the stopwatch. Sure, they give you the chance to win a contest, but its hard to imagine being left with anything but an empty victory at the end.

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.
Stephen Colbert Jokes the Election Is Down to 7 States: Michigan, Wisconsin, Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance | Video

Stephen Colbert kicked off the new season of The Late Show on Tuesday with a lot of jokes about the election. And setting the tone for his monologue, he began by noting that its the day after Labor Day, which means were in the fall, referring to either autumn or of democracy.'

Either way, either way, the colors are spectacular.

Using this to bring the election up, Colbert joked that the last two years of watching Trump campaign have just been an appetizer Were exactly nine weeks from election day, and things are looking up for Kamala Harris.

Colbert noted that a recent USA Today-Suffolk poll has Harris polling 48% to Trumps 44%, declaring, thats good. 48%. That really restores my faith in almost half of humanity.

Harris is particularly popular with women while Trump is ahead among men, leading some to call this the boys versus girls election. And remember, many Trump voters are not vaccinated against cooties, Colbert continued.

But then he poured some cold water on the pre-election celebrating. Just because she leads nationally doesnt mean Harris has got this one in the bag, thanks to the electoral college, He said. Its a flawed system. The founding fathers, slavery.

Because of the Electoral College, the election could come down to just seven states, Colbert explained. Yes, its going to come down to Michigan, Wisconsin, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Referring of course to the famous stages of grief  and calling back to his earlier fall of democracy joke.

Theres more, and you can watch the full monologue below:

The post Stephen Colbert Jokes the Election Is Down to 7 States: Michigan, Wisconsin, Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Taste of Belgium has shuttered two more Greater Cincinnati locations, just months after closing three other restaurants.

The local restaurant group announced on social media Wednesday that it's closed the Crestview Hills and Fields Ertel bistros, effective immediately.

"Thanks to all who supported us during our time in the Crestview Hills and Mason communities," the post reads. "It has been our pleasure to serve you. We truly appreciate the dedication of our Taste of Belgium Team Members and the continued patronage of our guests."

Taste of Belgium has shuttered two more Greater Cincinnati locations, just four months after closing three other bistros, including the Kenwood restaurant pictured here.

Cresta Lewis, marketing communications manager for Cristofoli Keeling Inc., which represents Taste of Belgium, said in a statement to The Enquirer that the restaurant group has decided to close the two locations because they did not meet sales expectations.

Lewis said the decision continues the brand's "restructuring strategy," but did not provide the plan's details.

Taste of Belgium abruptly shuttered its Kenwood, Clifton Heights, and Liberty Township restaurants in May, citing underperforming sales.

The company said it planned to reopen the Clifton Heights location as a new student-focused concept during the fall 2024 semester. However, Lewis said that the bistro remains closed with no plans of reopening.

She also added that Taste of Belgium is currently assisting team members in finding positions at its other area bistros.

Taste of Belgium had recently reopened its Crestview Hills restaurant in Northern Kentucky following an extensive renovation. Founder Jean-Francois Flechet said in May that he believed the Fields Ertel bistro had "so much opportunity" given the corporate presence in the area and the "strong draw" from the Mason, Deerfield, and Symmes Township areas.

Taste of Belgium's bistros in Over-the-Rhine, The Banks, Rookwood, Beavercreek, Miamisburg, and Findlay Market remain open.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Taste of Belgium closes 2 more Greater Cincinnati locations
Adam Granduciel, leader of the band The War on Drugs, poses for a portrait at his studio on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, in Burbank, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

LOS ANGELES (AP)  For many musicians, a live album is an afterthought  a way to quickly appease insatiable fans or make some easy money.

But when Adam Granduciel, the frontman of the anthemic rock band The War on Drugs, set out to make their newest live album announced Wednesday, it was a labor of love that is anything but quick or easy.

For Live Drugs Again, out Sept. 13, Granduciel wanted to do justice to the ways in which the band has grown, both literally (theyve added a member since their first live album was released in 2020) and figuratively as musicians who have honed their sound. So he combed through about 100 hours of recordings from their shows and even spliced different parts of the same songs together.

The album comes in tandem with the start of their co-headlining tour with The National, which kicks off Sept. 12 in New Hampshire. Granduciel spoke with The Associated Press about how performing a song live changes it, whether the band has new music in the pipeline and how he came to play guitar on Beyonces II Most Wanted.

The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

AP: Talk about what went into making this live record.

GRANDUCIEL: I think we used maybe like 50 shows total. There are a few songs where its four shows spliced together, and part of that too is just having fun with the process. You know, you go into it remembering specific nights, like there are a few songs from a show in Bentonville, Arkansas, which is a town we had never been to in 20 years of being a band. And we kind of rolled into this town and it was this really beautiful little young artist student community. It was incredible. We had an amazing day and the show at night was outdoors, and it was just one of those memorable nights.

You kind of start there, and then you get so deep into the process of mixing versions and maybe doing a little post-production, like all great live records do. I just wanted to put as much work into it as myself and the band put into our live show, you know, just the amount of time it takes to sort of hone a set, its years really. And we wanted to kind of put that into the record.

AP: Youre a bit of a gearhead. Did you use anything interesting for this album?

GRANDUCIEL: Well, unlike our first live record, we used a lot of the actual ambient mics that we recorded. Sometimes it can be tricky with phase and all this stuff. But for this one, we used a lot of the actual just source ambient mics so all the crowds are real to that moment. I think most live records these days are just going to be sort of put into digital spaces. You just have more control over everything. But this one, I think we had like 12 different ambient mics throughout the stage and the venues.

AP: Does the anticipation of performing your music inform your songwriting process at all? Do you factor in how it will sound live or do you just think about that part after?

GRANDUCIEL: Definitely after. I think things just naturally progress. And they sort of end up in a whole new place once the audience is part of the equation, you know? I mean, if we went back and made a re-recorded Under the Pressure the way we play it, it probably wouldnt be the same thing on a record. But whenever you come off a touring cycle and things reach that next tier from the band dynamically, it always informs the next thing you do.

AP: Do you have new music in the works?

GRANDUCIEL: In theory there is new music.

Its nice to be home for a bit and sort of get into the flow of everything when you start making a new one. Were always working, whether its mixing live stuff or recording a new song or whatever.

AP: How did you end up playing guitar for II Most Wanted, the Beyonce and Miley Cyrus duet?

GRANDUCIEL: I worked on my last two records with Shawn Everett. And hes producing Mileys new album. And he called me one day, and I was taking my kid and his friend to an indoor playground in North Hollywood. And he was like, Do you want to come over tonight and play on this Miley song? And I was like, Yeah, definitely. And then on the way over, he was like, I think it may be a Beyonce thing too. Im not really sure.

But it was very quick and I played on two songs. But I kind of thought it was gonna be submitted as a song, and then they would redo my parts or whatever, you know? And then literally five weeks later, I saw that it was like a Beyonce-Miley song. And I was in the parking lot on a Saturday night on Hollywood Boulevard at the studio, and it was like really loud. And I was like listening on my phone. I was like, Is that the song? And I was like, Wait, that is the song I played on. And I texted Shawn and I was like, Did they redo my guitar? Hes like, No, thats your guitar. And I listened to it on the way home in my car and I was like, This is amazing. I couldnt believe it.
These 2 Texas neighborhoods were named most 'up-and-coming' in the US. See full list

Not one but two Texas neighborhoods were ranked among the 16 most "up-and-coming" neighborhoods in the U.S., according to an analysis by TravelMag.

Govalle in Austin and Deep Ellum in Dallas were both recognized among the country's most appealing districts.

People are also reading: Let's taco 'bout it: Texas claims 3 of the 5 best Taco Bell locations in US. See where

From cattle ranch to artist studios: Govalle in Austin

Govalle is located in East Austin between Webberville Road and Airport Boulevard, north of the Colorado River. Its name means "good grazing" in Swedish, as the area owes its roots to Swedish culture. Swedes took up cattle ranching in the nineteenth century before Govalle grew into one of Austin's coolest spots.

Today, Govalle is home to various bars and eateries, including Holiday, which was awarded Best Bar of 2023 by Eater Austin. TravelMag also notes Hi Sign Brewing, Bambino and Lil Easy Fine Cajun Food & Bar. In addition to these, Govalle also claims Canopy, an artist community featuring 89 studios, some galleries and offices, and a coffee shop. Austin Bouldering Project is a unique fitness center with 50,000 square feet of space dedicated to climbing as well as strength and conditioning, barre, Vinyasa and Vin/Yin classes.

More on Austin neighborhoods: Why East Austin residents are clashing with a notorious, young running club

A name rich in history and culture: Deep Ellum in Dallas

Three hours north of Govalle is Deep Ellum, the other up-and-coming neighborhood that made TravelMag's list. Located in the heart of Dallas, this neighborhood features a trio of giant robot sculptures called "The Traveling Man." One of the structures, aptly called "Walking Tall," greets visitors at a height of 40 feet.

"The Traveling Man-Walking Tall" is one of a trio of structures throughout the Deep Ellum neighborhood in Dallas.

Even before becoming a National Historic District in 2023, Deep Ellum held much historical and cultural significance as Dallas' first commercial district for African Americans and European immigrants. The area has ties to blues and jazz, and it was the destination of two Texas railroads in the 1800s. Deep Ellum initially referred to the activity around Elm Street, and it was its early residents' pronunciation of the street that gave it the name recognized today.

The Dallas neighborhood, just east of downtown, features shops, art galleries and theaters, 25 live music venues and over 100 bars and restaurants. Reflecting the diversity of past and present residents, Deep Ellum offers a variety of culinary choices "from Hawkers, an eatery inspired by Asian street food stalls, to Terry Blacks BBQ to Local, an upscale mainstay in the Boyd Hotel presenting a la carte options and a multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings," TravelMag reports. Like Eater Austin's praise of Govalle, Eater Dallas has named Deep Ellum one of the city's best food neighborhoods.

LIST: 16 'up-and-coming' US neighborhoods, according to TravelMag

In TravelMag's list of 25 "up-and-coming" neighborhoods, 16 were located in major U.S. cities. The travel magazine didn't rank neighborhoods within this group; instead, they are listed in alphabetical order.

Brewerytown, Philadelphia

Buckman, Portland

Butchertown, Louisville

Bywater, New Orleans

Corktown, Detroit

Deep Ellum, Dallas

Edgewood, Washington D.C.

Frogtown, Los Angeles

Govalle, Austin

Gowanus, Brooklyn

Greenwood, Seattle

Little River, Miami

North Park, San Diego

Outer Sunset, San Francisco

Pilsen, Chicago

Wedgewood-Houston, Nashville

What does 'up-and-coming' mean, anyway?

In compiling the list of the most "up-and-coming" neighborhoods in the U.S., TravelMag curated a list of 16 within major cities using specific criteria. The criteria ranged from recent openings of "cool cocktail bars, fancy coffee houses and trending eateries" to "eclectic boutiques," vegan restaurants and LGTBQ+ friendly spots.

The publication classified the neighborhoods as "hip districts" rather than the trendiest. The main demographic moving to these districts is young professionals seeking studio flats or one-bedroom apartments. As a result of this shift, several of these areas are seeing an influx of new development, as well as higher rent compared to other neighborhoods in the same city.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 2 Texas neighborhoods among most 'up-and-coming' in the US. See list
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok, Russia, Sept. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

VLADIVOSTOK, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Russian President Vladimir Putin here in Russia's Far East city on Wednesday.

Han conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's warm regards and best wishes to Putin, saying that at this new historical starting point of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties, China-Russia relations in the new era continue to operate at a high level under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state.

Han said China is full of confidence in the prospects of cooperation between the two countries. China highly values the role and influence of the Eastern Economic Forum, actively supports and participates in the development and cooperation of Russia's Far East region and stands ready to share development opportunities with Russia, so as to benefit the two peoples with more achievements and promote common development and revitalization.

Putin welcomed Han to Russia for the ninth Eastern Economic Forum and asked him to convey his cordial greetings and best wishes to Xi.

Noting that Russia-China relations are in the best period in history, Putin said Russia highly values bilateral cooperation in various fields such as economy, trade, culture and local exchanges and looks forward to exploring more new development opportunities with China. 

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok, Russia, Sept. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)
Air New Zealands Latest Sale Has Discounted Roundtrip Flights from These Major U.S. Hubs  When to Book

The sale must be booked by Oct. 8.

Nazar Abbas Photography/Getty Images Beautiful view of Auckland, a city in the North Island of New Zealand

Travelers hoping to escape the coming cold weather can save big on a trip south of the equator thanks to Air New Zealands latest sale that has roundtrip flights from the United States starting at less than $800.

The sale, which must be booked by 11:59 p.m. PDT on Oct. 8, has flights available to Auckland from several U.S. cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, Air New Zealand shared with Travel + Leisure. And as a bonus, travelers can pay an extra $50 to add a flight from Auckland to a second city in New Zealand to explore more of the country.

"As summer winds down, there's no better time to plan your next getaway, Ben Evers-Swindell, Air New Zealands general manager for the Americas, told T+L. With direct flights from six major cities across North America, your dream vacation is just a night's sleep away. Dont miss this chance to explore New Zealands stunning landscapes and culture.

Travel roundtrip to Auckland in Air New Zealands economy class starting at just $795 from Honolulu, $945 from Los Angeles, $995 from San Francisco, or $1,245 from Houston. Or, fly one of the worlds longest flights direct from New York City to Auckland with tickets starting at just $1,495 roundtrip.

The sale also has big savings in premium economy or business class. Travelers can fly roundtrip to Auckland from Los Angeles, for example, starting at just $2,495 for premium economy and starting at just $6,495 in business class. The same goes for the airlines 17 and a half hour flight from New York, which starts at $3,495 for premium economy and starts at $7,995 for business class.

Travel dates vary by departure city and fare class.

Travelers flying in economy and hoping for a bit of extra room can either book the airlines Skycouch, which allows passengers to turn three seats into a makeshift bed, or opt to upgrade to the Economy Stretch cabin class, which features 39 percent more legroom. Eventually, the airline plans to introduce the Economy Skynest, which will feature sleeping pods passengers pay to take turns using.

Air New Zealand was named the worlds safest airline for 2024, capturing the title once again and edging out second-place Qantas.

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
These Are the Best Body Oils I Cant Stop Using

Body oils have become an essential part of many skincare routines. They deeply nourish and hydrate the skin, leaving it looking and feeling moisturized. Whether used alone or layered over lotion or body butter, body oils can give your skin that extra shine and a luminous appearance. After testing many body oils for a month, I have a handful of favorites that stand out in my collection.

This Luxurious Body Oil Will Nourish and Hydrate Your Skin, Hair and Nails  Seriously

Here are the best body oils to add to your skincare routine:

Brown Sugar Babe IT Girl inspired by Kayla Greaves: Leave it to Kayla Greaves to inspire a body oil that leaves a sophisticated scent on you. This body oil has notes of bergamot black pepper, amber, patchouli, Bulgarian rose and more. Vaseline Radiant X Replenishing and Hydrating Body Oil: I traveled to Santa Monica to learn about Vaseline's newest collection, Radiant X. After applying the body oil, my skin was radiant and glowy. This has coconut oil, jojoba oil and vitamin E to provide maximum hydration for soft, nourished skin. Blanc and Noire Skincare Brown Sugar & Vanilla Nourishing Body Oil: I love applying body oil after a hot, steamy shower. This body oil has notes of brown sugar and vanilla that make me think of fall. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Moisturizing Body Oil: This is a staple in my mom's bodycare routine. She let me try this body oil and I never looked back. I even stocked up this product in my beauty closet. Saltair Santal Bloom Body Oil: This body oil makes me dream of a vacation in the islands. It has notes of delicate rose and jasmine petals, leaving a rich aroma on your skin. Nativa Spa's Madagascar Vanilla Soothing Body Oil: Vanilla is my signature scent. This body oil has notes of Madagascar vanilla and pure quinoa oil that don't leave a greasy or sticky feeling on your skin. OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil: A few weeks ago, I got a massage and they used this body oil that absorbed beautifully into my skin. The body oil has a refreshing citrus scent. It includes botanical oils and antioxidant-rich Undaria seaweed to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier. OUI the People Featherweight Hydrating Body Gloss Oil: I adore this glossy body oil because it leaves no residue on my skin. You can also layer this body oil with your favorite floral perfume to enhance the fragrance.

I Never Leave the House Without Putting On This $6 Body Oil  On Sale

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Canned sardines are becoming a fashionable commodity, thanks to the recent trend favoring tinned fish. Milder and larger than anchovies, sardines are meaty, umami-rich fish that can be the star ingredient to enjoy right out of the can or blended into multi-ingredient pasta dishes or croquettes. Portuguese sardines are a unique variety with a long history as a domestic and international product praised for high-quality taste and nutrition. We interviewed canned fish specialist and chef Charlotte Langley to get some expert advice on the best way to serve Portuguese sardines.

In addition to being president and founder of the brand-building company, Langley Foods, Langley founded Scout Canning, a sustainable canned seafood company. The best serving practices start with "Choosing luscious, rich, and high-quality tinned sardines like Nice Cans [to] ensure[s] that you're getting the best flavor and texture, making any dish truly special," she said.

Canned Portuguese sardines typically come packed in olive oil, but you can also find them in seasoned oils and tomato sauce."Portuguese sardines are incredibly versatile and shine in simple, flavorful dishes," Langley said, noting that she takes a minimalist approach to seasonings and ingredient pairings. "I love serving them on crusty bread with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of sea salt for an easy yet elegant snack. They also work beautifully in a fresh salad with greens, tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette, or tossed into pasta with garlic, chili flakes, and olive oil."

Read more: 13 Different Ways To Cook Fish

How Do The Portuguese Eat Sardines?

variety of dishes and plate of sardines - Alexander Spatari/Getty Images

Chef Charlotte Langley's suggestions for serving Portuguese sardines offer a diverse array of seasonings and pairings to help the umami-rich flavor of the fish shine. They also overlap with Portugal's culinary traditions. Sardines are so special in part because they have a longstanding and revered place in Portuguese cuisine, so you can count on their centuries-long traditions to be delicious.

In Portugal, canned sardines are popular snacks to enjoy over crusty bread straight out of the can. You can even add a little bit of the canning oil so that the crumb can soak up all that umami-rich fat. Sardines are cooked before they're canned, so the oil is safe to eat. Also mirroring Langley's suggestions, the Portuguese also use canned sardines to top green salads. Not only are canned sardines a staple in the country, but fresh sardines are equally important. Families commonly host sardinhadas or sardine barbecues, using the same simple seasonings and olive oil in tinned varieties. They serve grilled sardines with salads, roasted local green peppers, and boiled, salted potatoes with additional garnishes like Portugal's famous piri piri chili sauce, and garlic-infused olive oil.

You can use the flavors and accompaniments served at sardinhadas for the canned variety as well. For example, you could toast a thick slice of country bread, rub it with a fresh garlic clove, and brush it with olive oil before adding canned sardines, slivers of canned roasted red peppers, and a finishing drizzle of lemon juice.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Life goes better with beer, even more so when surrounded by women who exude a certain confidence and capability and joie de vivre. If you agree, then FemAle Brew Fest on the beach in Fort Lauderdale should get your support.

The annual festival returns on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Las Olas Oceanside Park, a new and larger location, where it will give women in the brewing industry an opportunity to share the distinctive creativity in their beer and the stories behind it.

The afternoon will feature booths hosted by more than 40 breweries and craft-beer outlets from South Florida, across the state and beyond, each with a woman in a formative role in owning, managing, brewing or marketing.

Local breweries at FemAle 2024 will include Cove Brewery in Deerfield Beach, Orchestrated Minds Brewing in Fort Lauderdale, Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park, and Miami-Dade-based J Wakefield Brewing, The Tank Brewing Co., Tripping Animals Brewing and Shojos Dojo.

This years festival also will feature producers of cider, wine and spirits, and there will be three special ticket packages: Beer + Bites Pairing; Wine Course, a sommelier-led tasting; and a Kombucha Workshop, with Susan Cartiglia of Miami-based Radiate Kombucha.

Tickets to the 21-and-older, pet-friendly event start at $45+, with a portion of proceeds going to Abandoned Pet Rescue and the Pink Boots Society, an international nonprofit that supports women and nonbinary people working in brewing and related industries.

The impetus for the festival was both to celebrate the work of females in a male-dominated industry and to create an environment where women feel comfortable exploring craft beer in their own way and without judgment. Men who are allies in that cause are welcome, festival founder Frances Antonio-Martineau says.

It can be intimidating, going to bars or breweries where you just see a bunch of men. You might be scared to ask questions, you might think its a stupid question, so you might be less likely to ask those questions. FemAle is a very welcoming fest to be able to do that, says Antonio-Martineau, also the founder of the Fort Lauderdale chapter of Girls Pint Out, a beer-friendly social and charitable organization.

This year, she has joined forces on a new beer with acclaimed brewer Amanda Mailey, currently at Tampas Magnanimous Brewing and known to beer cognoscenti as simply Mailey. Their Bohemian-style pilsner called Fangs of Time will debut at FemAle Brew Fest before being released in wider distribution.

Mailey has attended FemAle since its inception in 2017.

This event means so much to me and to the many women in brewing who gather to celebrate our craft and support one another, she said in a statement.

While there will be plenty of experts willing to nerd out with you on the complexity of craft beer, Antonio-Martineau says the atmosphere at FemAle will be inclusives and welcoming for craft-beer novices. She answered a few questions about the festival in a conversation edited for brevity.

Q: For people new to FemAle, what should they expect? Why should they go?

A: It is a vibe. Its different from any other beer festivals, at least that Ive been to. Its a way for them to build camaraderie within the community. Its an inspiring event. Plus, I try to add education aspects to the fest each year, something for people who arent specifically into craft beer. So were bringing in kombucha this year, and the wine course. Its an evolving thing, just to bring in more people.

Q: If Im not an expert, but more beer curious, whats in it for me?

A:For anybody thats not a connoisseur or anything, we bring in different local and national brands that you might not find in your Total Wine. Theres a lot of brands that arent even distributed in the area that you can come and try. For those that have never tried craft beer before, its a great way to be able to try a huge assortment, different styles, and figure out which ones you might be into. Its kind of an exploratory, discovery kind of event.

Q: How has the industry changed since you started the festival?

A: Its still a struggle, but since its inception in 2017 to now Ive noticed a drastic increase in the amount of women getting into craft beer as brewers or getting into the industry. When I first started, I had like 15 participating breweries. Now its up to 40, at least. Im just seeing more women getting involved, whether as a consumer or getting into the craft. Ive definitely seen the difference, the growth.

Q: It can only help, bringing different palates to beer making. Diversity helps beer, right?

A:I think, just in general, women have better palates. [Laughs] Between me and my husband, I would say I have a better palate.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: FemAle Brew Fest

WHEN:Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14

WHEN:Las Olas Oceanside Park, 3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale

COST:$45+ for entry at 2 p.m., $55+ for entry at 1 p.m. and $65+ for entry at noon as part of a themed package: Beer + Bites Pairing, Wine Course and Kombucha Workshop

PARKING:Though ridesharing is recommended, the Las Olas Parking Garage is nearby at 200 Las Olas Circle.

INFORMATION: FemAleBrewFest.com

Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Instagram @BenCrandell and Twitter @BenCrandell.
While typically just a weekly chore, grocery shopping nonetheless can inspire a loyal passion. Many customers carry an allegiance to a particular chain, feeling preferential to the available products and atmosphere. Perhaps you're the type who's snagging the most in-demand items at Trader Joe's, or are after the hidden gems of Costco's premade food  often a particular niche keeps shoppers interested.

However, a surprisingly sizable portion of grocery store products come from a single source. Many items you see on shelves are created and distributed by large conglomerates, oftentimes rebranded under private labels for each individual store. When it comes to frozen fruit, one major supply source is the Scenic Fruit Company. It's a supplier for stores like Costco, Trader Joe's, ALDI, and more. The producer distributes nationwide to Trader Joe's, where you'll find Scenic Fruit-sourced products like organic tropical fruit blends. And the company appears regionally in a further range of other grocery chains. So when you're shopping for frozen fruit, keep in mind that it's all possibly by way of a single enterprise from Gresham, Oregon.

Read more: Strawberry Hacks You'll Wish You Knew Sooner

Food Suppliers Are Often Kept Secret

Fruit in a processing facility - Smederevac/Getty Images

The packaging of private-label produce in grocery stores can sometimes make it seem like the food is sourced from local farmers or the store's own private farm  even if they're actually from the same supplier other grocery stores are using across the country. In reality, only 15% of grocery expenditures actually go back to farmers, with the rest distributed to later stages of the supply chain, like processing and marketing. Undoubtedly, the companies in charge of processing and manufacturing fruit are critical for grocery stores. They are the ones who gather the fruit from varying sources, then freeze and package, allowing for easy distribution directly to the consumer.

The Scenic Fruit Company is in charge of precisely such a task. While the company doesn't disclose its partnership deals, the business does advertise its malleable labeling ability on its website. From the same processing facility, the company can package frozen fruit for different grocery stores, contained in sizes from 4 ounces to 5 pounds. Its products meet organic food standards and come in a wide variety. While especially known for its blueberries, the Scenic Fruit Company also supplies foods like boysenberries, blackberries, rhubarb, cranberries, mango, and pineapple. So with such a wide range of offerings and convenient packaging, it's no surprise that its products end up in retailers across the United States.

Recalls Reveal Supplier Information

Shopper in grocery store aisle - dodotone/Shutterstock

One of the downsides of such centralized food production is that processing facilities typically handle large volumes of food at once, leading to increased risks of contamination. While meats and prepared foods often make the headlines for the biggest food recalls in U.S. history, fruit is a surprisingly common category. A series of FDA warnings in 2023 are precisely how the expansive distribution network of the Scenic Fruit Company came to light: Some of its frozen fruit packages were recalled due to potential risks of Hepatitis A and Listeria monocytogenes. That recall affected products at Costco, Trader Joe's, Aldi, and more. (These recalls have now ended, so no need to worry about associated dangers.)

Nevertheless, when shopping in big brand stores, stay aware regarding recent recall information  and not just so you can find out which company supplies your favorite store's top snacks. According to a report by the U.S. PIRG Education Fund, the FDA and USDA issued more than 300 food recalls in 2023. It's especially important to pay attention to recalls if you have allergies; nearly half of recalls noted in the same report involved unlisted allergens. While typical consumer risk remains low, it's one of the disadvantages of such an interconnected supply chain  especially since shoppers often aren't given information regarding their product's origins.

Read the original article on Chowhound.
Don't miss these fall pancakes. Flying Biscuit Cafe offers two new treats for September only

The Flying Biscuit Cafe is known for extravagant, filling and delicious breakfast staples like Georgia Peaches and Cream Waffles, Pancake Tacos and Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast.

For the month of September, the Flying Biscuit is offering a pair of exorbitant options that fits right in with its vast menu.

The breakfast joint will offer Cinnamon Roll Pancakes and a Bacon Jam Burger Bowl.

The company says the Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are "the perfect dish as we transition into fall," with buttermilk pancakes infused with cinnamon sugar and sweet cream cheese frosting.

The Bacon Jam Burger Bowl is a creation of a Flying Biscuit in Kingwood, Texas, that won a 'Battle of the Bowls' competition between the companies. The bowl features moon dustedpotatoes topped with a crumbled burger patty, shredded cheese, queso, homemade bacon jam, two eggs and a drizzle of ranch and chipotle sauce.

The Cinnamon Roll Pancakes average price is $9.99 and the Bacon Jam Burger Bowl is $13.99  prices vary by location.

The Bacon Jam Burger Bowl offers crumbled burger, potatoes, egg, queso, shredded chees and chipotle sauce and ranch. Athens has two locations.

The Flying Biscuit has an expansive menu that also features burgers, sandwiches, grits and gluten-free and vegan options.

Athens has two locations where you can quench your cravings. The first, opened in 2021, is located at 1180 Prince Ave Suite B while a second, opened in 2023, is located at 1850 Epps Bridge Pkwy.

Both are opened 7 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The Epps Bridge location is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays while Prince Avenue remains 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Flying Biscuit Cafe has 18 locations in Georgia.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Flying Biscuit Cafe offers two unique breakfasts for September
For students who hope to attend a college or university, planning for after high school ends begins long before graduation.

Coastal Bend students will have the chance to learn about college admissions and financial aid at an upcoming college expo.

The Coastal Bend Area College Night Expo is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10 at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in the Dugan Wellness Center.

College students and instructors attend their first day of class at Texas A&M Corpus Christi on Aug. 26, 2024, in Texas.

The event will feature representatives from colleges and universities across the state who will be available to speak with students and families. The event, sponsored by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Corpus Christi Independent School District, will also include a financial aid presentation.

"It's open to all grade levels  it's not just for seniors," Corpus Christi ISD director of advanced academics W. Bryan Davis said. "...They don't have to be a CCISD student of family to come. It's open to the whole community."

Here are some facts about college planning and admissions to keep in mind, as well as links to resources for students:

Admissions

At Corpus Christi ISD, college and career counselors work with seniors to help them through the college application process. The counselors typically visit at least once during class to present information and students can visit with the college and career counselor on their campus one-on-one for more assistance.

"They can help them walk step-by-step through the entire process," Davis said.

Students can apply to any Texas public university, as well as many Texas community colleges and private universities online through ApplyTexas. The Common App is another college application website which includes over 1,000 colleges across the country.

In Texas, students whose grade point average puts them in the top 10% of their graduating class qualify for automatic admission to many public Texas colleges and universities, except for the University of Texas at Austin, which has a higher automatic admission cut-off.

Admissions policies vary by institution, but colleges and universities might have other automatic admissions criteria, such as for students at the top 25% or depending on SAT or ACT scores.

College students and instructors attend their first day of class at Del Mar College on Aug. 26, 2024, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Students who expect to be automatically admitted must still apply to any school they hope to attend, providing a high school transcript or diploma.

College Board allows students to search for schools and scholarship opportunities, including based on admissions criteria like test scores, GPA and acceptance rates, as well as based on majors, location, affordability, campus life and other factors.

If possible, students might consider visiting colleges they are interested in before they begin submitting applications or before they make a final college decision.

Many colleges charge an application fee, but fee waivers are often available for students with financial need.

Corpus Christi ISD encourages students to complete at least one application.

For students who aren't sure about their plans, Corpus Christi ISD encourages students to apply to Del Mar College, because it has a free application and it is a local institution.

The exact timeline for college applications varies by school. Some schools offer early admission applications, which are often due in November. Regular applications are often due in January or February, but some institutions also offer rolling admissions.

College students and instructors attend their first day of class at Del Mar College on Aug. 26, 2024, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Tests

Both the SAT and ACT are tests widely accepted in college applications.

Most students begin taking the SAT or ACT during their junior and senior years. Along with high school grades, SAT and ACT scores are often considered in college applications.

Corpus Christi ISD will offer ACT testing on campuses in October and SAT testing in the spring. CCISD students and students from other schools and districts can also sign up for national testing days.

"We encourage any seniors who haven't tested yet to take advantage of this ACT in October," Davis said. "We really encourage the juniors to take advantage of that SAT (in the spring)."

Students often also take the PSAT at school. This assessment examines reading, writing and math skills and serves as a practice for the SAT and is the basis of the National Merit Scholarship Program.

College students and instructors attend their first day of class at Texas A&M Corpus Christi on Aug. 26, 2024, in Texas.

A student can take the SAT or ACT multiple times, allowing them to try for a higher score. Many students test in their junior year and then test again early in their senior year. A higher score could help a student's college acceptance or scholarship chances.

Financial aid

The website College for all Texans offers information on the average costs for students at Texas colleges and universities. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board also has an online net price calculator that estimates costs based on tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing and meals and subtracts grants and scholarships a student might be eligible for based on the aid similar students earned.

To qualify for federal and state grants, loans, work-study and other types of financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. In Texas, completing the FAFSA is mandatory.

The application is expected to open for 2025-26 in December.

Students are advised to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible, as some financial aid programs have earlier deadlines.

Corpus Christi ISD's college and career counselors can also assist students with the financial aid process.

Texas residents who are not eligible for FAFSA, such as non-citizens or non-permanent residents, can instead apply through the Texas Application for State Financial Aid. The last day to apply for the 2024-25 application year is June 30, 2025.

Corpus Christi ISD provides information about available scholarships through the student Naviance portal.

What to know about dual credit enrollment, completion rates in Corpus Christi ISD

How educated is Corpus Christi? Here's what the data says about college attainment

Corpus Christi high schools celebrate seniors' career, college and military plans

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Info available for Coastal Bend students planning for college
When The Enquirer reached out to U.S. Sen. JD Vance for this story on his Cincinnati neighborhood, he responded in an email about why he moved to East Walnut Hills and what he loves about it.

Here are the responses:

Why did you choose to move to East Walnut Hills?

Vance: "We knew very little about the neighborhood. We just fell in love with the house and ended up in the neighborhood without knowing much about it."

Ohio Sen. and Republican nominee for vice president JD Vance, and his wife, Usha take the stage at Middletown High School in July.

What do you like about the neighborhood and people?

Vance: "We love it. Our neighbors are great, and some of our closest friends live within walking distance. We love the natural beauty, especially the old giant trees and the wildlife. It's hard to believe we're a few minutes away from downtown but we see deer and wild turkey every day. It's the perfect combo of proximity to the city and to nature."

Do you spend much time there? Do you have any favorite businesses, restaurants, coffee shops?

Vance: "We have many favorites. Our kids live on Cafe Mochiko's milk bread and we're regulars at the BonBonerie for both coffee and desserts. Though it's not in the neighborhood, we celebrated my 40th birthday at Sotto. And that's maybe what we love most about the neighborhood. It's close to everything in Cincinnati but it feels like its own cool little island."

More: The vice presidential candidate next door: What JD Vance's Cincinnati neighbors say

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: JD Vance talks about his Cincinnati neighborhood, why he moved there
Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson said she was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago.

Doctors said news reports that she beat cancer using alternative treatments are misleading.

Alternative treatments for cancer are not backed by science.

Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago. Doctors said subsequent news reports that she was in remission because of alternative therapies were potentially misleading and dangerous.

Macpherson, 60, who is also the founder of wellness company WelleCo, told The Australian Women's Weekly magazine in an interview published on Monday that she is in remission from breast cancer despite refusing the conventional treatments of chemotherapy, mastectomy, radiation, and hormonal therapy her doctor suggested.

She instead opted for what she described as "an intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach."

Macpherson said: "In traditional terms, they'd say I'm in clinical remission, but I would say I'm in utter wellness."

News outlets around the world reported that Macpherson overcame cancer with alternative therapies.

However, Macpherson told the outlet that she had a lumpectomy, a conventional treatment that removes breast cancer along with a small amount of the healthy tissue surrounding it. This led to her 2017 diagnosis of a type of breast cancer known as HER2-positive estrogen-receptive intraductal carcinoma.

Macpherson's lumpectomy might have treated her breast cancer

A lumpectomy in itself can be an appropriate standard medical treatment for the condition, professor Chris Pyke, a cancer surgeon, breast cancer risk quantification expert, and the director of medical services at the Mater private hospitals in Brisbane, Australia, told The Guardian.

Pyke added that Macpherson's form of cancer, in many cases, could more accurately be described as a type of non-invasive precancer that, if left untreated, has the potential to turn into invasive cancer, although the chances are low.

"It's quite possible that just removing that lump all by itself could have been sufficient treatment," Pyke said.

Macpherson also said she had a previous cancer scare in 2014 when a lump she found in her breast turned out to be a benign cyst. It prompted her to seek out a naturopath, a type of alternative-medicine practitioner, and to found her wellness brand.

Dr. Liz O'Riordan, a breast cancer surgeon and advocate for breast cancer awareness, wrote on X in response to the interview: "The potential dangers of choosing alternative treatment for breast cancer can increase your risk of dying by six times. There is no evidence to prove that any of it works."

O'Riordan didn't provide a source for the statistic, but a 2017 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that patients with breast or colorectal cancer who had alternative therapies as their initial treatment were five times more likely to die after five years than those who chose conventional medicine.

"I'd urge women not to assume that because it's worked for her so far, it will work for you," O'Riordan wrote in another post on X.

There's also some confusion over the exact meaning of "intraductal," O'Riordan noted on X, as it could refer to "ductal carcinoma in situ," a precancerous form of breast cancer that can't spread and therefore wouldn't warrant chemotherapy. Or "invasive ductal cancer," an invasive form, which is often treated with chemotherapy to prevent recurrence.

"Without Elle making a comment or her surgeon commenting to explain exactly what type of cancer she has, we don't really know," O'Riordan said.

Ceinwen Giles, the CEO of Shine Cancer Support, a charity that supports people who receive a cancer diagnosis in their 20s, 30s, and 40s and who is also in remission, told Business Insider news reports not emphasizing that Macpherson had surgery could be harmful to vulnerable people.

"There is a lot of stuff out there, particularly on the internet, that I think preys on vulnerable people, and I've been there myself, where you're desperately looking for something that will make you better," she said.

"I worry with that kind of thing is that people will see it and think, 'oh, well, I'm not going to have any traditional treatments. I'm just going to go down a holistic route because it worked for her,'" Giles said.

Macpherson said she took a holistic approach to cancer treatment. Greg Allen/AP

Alternative treatments are not backed by science

Macpherson's holistic treatment involved renting a home in Arizona for eight months, where she was under the care of her primary doctor, who specializes in integrative medicine, an approach that uses both conventional and alternative therapies, as well as naturopath, holistic dentist, osteopath, chiropractor, and two therapists.

She told The Weekly that she devoted "every single minute to healing myself."

Complementary therapies, such as yoga, therapy, and herbal medicine, are used by some people with cancer alongside medical treatment as they can help them cope with their symptoms better, the charity Cancer Research UK says on its website.

There are many reasons someone might want to try alternative therapies, the charity said, but there is no scientific or medical evidence to show that they can cure cancer. In fact, they might cause harmful side effects or interfere with medical treatment, it said.

Patients are also not informed about the possible risks, survival rates, and side effects as they would be with conventional treatment. "That's my worry with alternative medicine. People are being told that this will save their life, without being told about any of the side effects," O'Riordan told The Telegraph.

The modeling agency that represents Macpherson didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.

Read the original article on Business Insider
LUSAKA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- In the rural district of Luangwa in Zambia, some enterprising youths are turning reeds, a type of wild grass, into trendy summer hats, baskets and table mats.

What started as a traditional skill passed down through generations has now become a source of income for these young artisans, allowing them to support their families and make a living.

Among them are Innocent Phiri, 24, and Thomas Zulu, 26, who earn an income by selling their handmade crafts on the bustling streets of Lusaka, the country's capital.

Phiri and Zulu, both natives of Luangwa in central Zambia, have over five years of experience crafting beautiful and practical items from the reeds that grow along the riverbanks in their community. They gather the reeds and create handicrafts in various sizes and designs before traveling to Lusaka to sell them.

"We saw an opportunity to make handicrafts out of the reeds that are abundant in our area. We started by making baskets and table mats and later expanded to summer hats, which have become quite popular with tourists and city dwellers," Phiri explained.

The intricate craftsmanship and attention to detail in each piece have earned the duo a loyal customer base and a reputation for producing high-quality items. The summer hats, in particular, have become a must-have fashion accessory for those looking to shield themselves from the scorching African sun in style.

"We take pride in our work and constantly experiment with new designs and techniques to stay ahead of the competition," Zulu said.

The income generated from selling their reed products has enabled Phiri and Zulu to support their families and invest in their small business. The young people said they are now looking to expand their market reach beyond Lusaka and Luangwa.

"We hope to inspire other young people in our community and beyond to explore their skills and turn them into sustainable livelihoods," Zulu added.

Mary Habenzu, 38, an art and fashion enthusiast from Lusaka, commended Phiri and Zulu for utilizing their skills and available materials to earn an income instead of waiting for formal employment opportunities.

"It is encouraging to see these youths making and selling pieces of art and earning a decent amount of money from it," Habenzu said before buying a hat costing 30 Zambian Kwacha (about 1.15 U.S. dollars) from Phiri. 
The stories kept coming. Siblings with terminal illnesses. Close family members dying suddenly.

Kids were grieving for the first time  more than Baldwin Union Free School District counselors, teachers and administrators had ever realized.

I dont think weve ever seen  or maybe we werent attuned to before  the number of students who have lost a parent for one reason or another, said Shari Camhi, the New York districts superintendent, reflecting on the 2023-24 school year. We see a lot of cancer. Weve seen just a lot of death.

Baldwin is far from the only district tasked with supporting grieving students. As of spring 2022, nearly 250,000 children across the country lost a parent or caregiver to COVID alone.

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Perhaps, as Camhi conceded, its always been like this. Perhaps kids have been grieving quietly. And now, only after concerted efforts to boost family connections and prioritize students emotional well-being, were they opening up.

Now, Baldwin was ready to support them: By the time counselors flagged the stories theyd been hearing from kids, a new, free wellness center had just been built  the home base from where they could launch bereavement groups.

Their creation illuminates the thread that unites Baldwins wellness initiatives: family relationships. Camhi says the approach is old-school, a throwback to a time decades ago, before cell phones pushed kids into introversion and became a hotbed for bullying, when neighbors really knew each other and what was going on in their lives.

After all, most schools do not monitor family deaths, information only discerned through building rapport and trust, said Gina Curcio, health, wellness, and community director for the district on Long Island.

Serving kids across all grades, homed at the middle school with a separate entrance for privacy, the wellness center is open late each weeknight, staffed by child therapists and psychologists. Established through a partnership with PM Pediatrics and a 4-year grant from former House Representative Kathleen Rice, it opened in the fall of 2023 without common hiccups districts often face, like having to take on hiring hard-to-staff behavioral health positions.

Inside Baldwins wellness center, where students of all ages meet with psychologists and trained therapists for free. (Marianna McMurdock)

In the calm-colored space adorned with student artwork, bean bags and infographics about how the mind works, two peer bereavement groups hosted 11 children for six, weekly sessions during the school year; another ran this summer, with children meeting for 90 minutes weekly grouped by age.

Beyond the stages of grief, they have learned coping skills through mindfulness, art and music therapy, and forged friendships with peers they had no idea were dealing with similar feelings. All things previously out of reach due to a combination of stigma, financial strain, and not having a comparable resource in their community.

The bereavement space and transition groups they inspired, for kids making the leap into pre-K, 6th and 9th grade, and college, are just some of the many initiatives Baldwin has taken in recent years to address childrens emotional and physical well-being, which impacts their ability to show up at school ready to learn and feel safe.

Inside Baldwins wellness center, where students of all ages meet with psychologists and trained therapists for free. (Marianna McMurdock)

We still suspend kids for doing things that make it unsafe for other kids [but] we will reduce the suspension in exchange for weekly counseling for students, because we believe that if you are exhibiting behavior that way  somethings going on, Camhi added.

In ways big and small, Baldwin looks for ways to forge strong connections between children and their community.

At game days this summer, parents were pushed to participate with their kids  no electronics allowed. By third grade, all students have had lessons on wellness tools, like grounding and breathing techniques to manage and express hard emotions. Each year high school seniors in AP Photography interview second graders about their dreams, their hopes and faces printed and exhibited around campus, in a local hospital and family courthouse.

At the unveiling of this years Hello Neighbor project, Lenox Elementary school students read each others aspirations for the future, nearly all of which mentioned safety for kids, their families, schools and the earth. (Marianna McMurdock)

As national reports emerge that only 29 and 37% of Black and low-income families report their childs school offers counseling and other support services compared to 52 and 59% of their white, more affluent peers, Baldwins wellness center and connection with families provides a strong contrast.

From January through March this year, the wellness center hosted over 600 sessions for the predominantly Black and Latino district  ranging from peer conflicts  which psychologists say have been more difficult for children to navigate after pandemic isolation to divorce, cyberbullying and symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Related

Stark Racial, Class Disparities in K-12 Mental Health Linked to Absenteeism

In groups and in individual therapy, often art-based, kids have learned how to set goals, compromise, and practice role-playing interactions with mean people or conflicts with friends.

I think you can make me happy again, one six year old told a clinician, who had started sessions by saying they were sad and depressed.

Having the wellness services available to families on-campus, without the hassle of waitlists or insurance run-arounds, has been a game changer for families  even in times of extreme uncertainty.

Last school year, one Lenox Elementary School mother got a call that her ten year old blurted out in class that he wanted to kill himself.

It stopped me in my tracks, she told The 74, recalling immediately leaving work to hug her son and talk with the school social worker. She learned he felt behind and left out socially, and knew he was quicker to outbursts than her other children, but did not know he had been hiding suicidal thoughts because he didnt want to make her sad.

The Jamaican family, whose name has been withheld for privacy, became one of the first served at the wellness center. Initially scared to start, with an image in mind of being forced to talk on a couch to a stranger, her son changed tune after the first of about 20 therapy sessions where he used drawing as a way to express harder emotions.

I love it. Its not like the movies. Its nice.

Inside the middle school counselors offices, affirmation signs surround a mirror to uplift kids self-image. (Marianna McMurdock)

Today he is sleeping better, has fewer intrusive thoughts, knows now how to notice and talk through bad feelings when they arise. He brought some of the tools home, like Legos, plush toys, drawings and stickers. Within his friendships, hes not taking things as personally, or overreacting.

In 2019, in the district where more than a quarter are considered low-income, the graduation rate was 95%. By 2023, it grew to 99%  12% above the national average. The number likely has something to do with Baldwins emphasis on how students feel while at school  reflecting whether kids feel connected to each other, their work, and the place.

Belonging, research confirms, is also key to curbing risky adolescent behaviors like drug use and violence.

Marianna McMurdock

In a first grade classroom just before the end of the school year, a group of Baldwin elementary students sat crossed legged, intently listening to each other recap one wellness skill that they loved or learned from the year. Together they held a breathing ball  taking a low, deep breath as they picture a ball filling up with air in their hands, expanding and contracting slowly.

One said quietly when he got upset at home, he recalled the sound bowl  metal, sometimes filled with water, that when hit with wood released a calming frequency  and would feel better.

The wellness educator encouraged him to craft or visualize his own version at home, urging: remember, you can go anywhere in your imagination.
"Secrets of Ohio" is the theme of Lynd Fruit Farm's 2024 corn maze, the farm announced Aug. 25.

This years maze invites visitors to explore Ohios rich history and folklore in an immersive, old-fashioned adventure perfect for friends and family.

The 2024 corn maze includes a sprawling 8-acre scavenger hunt-style corn maze, drawn to feature remarkable legacies of Ohio including Neil Armstrong on the moon, an Amish horse and buggy, the Serpent Mound, the John Rankin (Underground Railroad) House, and many more.

For those who prefer an easier jaunt, a 1-acre Mastodon Maze provides a shorter journey through the corn.

Wagon rides, bounce houses, apple cannons, and trains run throughout the Fall Fest until 6 p.m. Other fabulous fall touches include games, live music, and special visitors such as ponies, rabbits, and the Living Scarecrow. The maze remains open after dark, offering a slightly more heart-pounding experience with the Homer giants and Victoria Woodhull roaming throughout. Fifteen rentable campfire sites provide a place to relax and enjoy smores and good conversation under the stars.

Lynds has invited local artist, Clarence Adrian McKinney II, to design two larger-than-life Mastodons constructed from corn stalks to highlight the150 prehistoric herbivores that roamed our land. Guests will walk underneath the touching trunks of the towering creatures into the land of ice-age proboscideans. Those journeying through the smaller maze can see a life-size replica of a mastodon tooth, hear a mastodons roar, and experience Mastodon jaw-dropping fun facts.

This years theme is a wonderful way to honor our states rich heritage while providing a fun and interactive experience for families, said Amy Pausch, Director of Laughs & Smiles at Lynd Fruit Farm. We cant wait for visitors to discover the many surprises and historical stories woven into our maze, whether by day or by night.

The Corn Maze and Fall Festival is open Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Sept. 6-Oct. 27. Extraordinary Days are scheduled for adults and children with cognitive and/or physical disabilities, autism, Down Syndrome, or any other factor that makes it wonderful to have a caring staff and small crowd. Two of the events are scheduled during school hours to accommodate classrooms and adult care groups.

Visitors are encouraged to note the address: 9851 Morse Road SW, Pataskala, Ohio. Warm layers, walking shoes, and brightly colored flannel are also encouraged.

Information submitted by Lynd Fruit Farm.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Lynd Fruit Farm honoring Ohio history with 2024 corn maze theme
Practically on cue, a rainstorm descended upon Sultans during the last five-or-so minutes of the Maldives Surfing Championships Trophy event final. Heavy squalls. Serious wind. Not ideal conditions. Which is funny, because, for the last three days of the contest, the conditions were about as good as it gets for a surf contest. Tube after tube, breaking in sapphire liquid. 85-degree water. Just a couple heads in the water. Pristine.

Then, all hell broke loose.

Taj Burrow, Maldives. Photo: Jon Frank

But it couldnt have come at a better time. Just a day before Finals Day, local Ahmed Ammaday Agil said: 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.

Related: The Biggest Day Ever Surfed in the MaldivesMaybe (Watch)

And it remained that way for Finals Day, too. Perhaps a foot or two smaller, but still. So, during the big day, the contest organizers broke protocol and decided to run the thruster division  just so the competitors could have a little more oomph in the heavier conditions. But on Finals Day, it was the twin-fin event. And as one might expect, everyone thought Mikey February  a trained twinnie connoisseur  would win. He did.

Mikey February. Photo: Jon Frank

That meant, he met Taj Burrow in the final.

But thats where Taj  who scored the one Perfect 10 of the contest earlier in the day; It was a bit of a blurit was a full freight train, and I was screaming on this twinnie. It was the perfect little cylinder."  got the better of Mikey. It was close, though. Mikey needed a score at the end and he almost got it. Still, Taj had the scores he needed for the W.

I dont think Ill ever put on a jersey again, Taj told SURFER after the win, and between his kids pawing at his shins. That was probably the most fun Ive ever had in a contest. Itd have to be. Perfect waves, with one other guy in the water. It was incredible. And were staying at the Four Seasons. I wouldnt change a thing, mate, it was perfect."

Related: Single Fins Shine at the Worlds Bougiest Surf Contest

***

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'1000 Lbs Sisters' star Amy Halterman and Brian Lovvorn make their way out of the courtroom during the Amy Halterman Court Hearing inside Crockett County General Sessions in Alamo, Tenn., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024.

Featured on the TLC reality television show "1,000-Lb Sisters," Amy Slaton-Halterman, was arrested at the Tennessee Safari Park in Alamo, Tenn. on Monday, following a call to the Crockett County Sheriff's Department regarding an incident about a camel bite.

A social media post from the sheriff's department revealed that Halterman was charged on illegal possession of Schedule I and VI drugs and on two counts of child endangerment.

Brian Scott Lovvorn, her co-defendant and the vehicle's other occupant, was arrested and charged with the same counts.

'1000 Lbs Sisters' star Amy Halterman and Brian Lovvorn wait as their case gets ready to get called during the Amy Halterman Court Hearing inside Crockett County General Sessions in Alamo, Tenn., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024.

After the two pled not guilty during their arraignment earlier this week, they stood before General Session Court Judge Paul Conley at a hearing on Thursday morning. Halterman walked into the Crockett County Courthouse dressed in a black suit and blue hair, Lovvorn in a matching blue shirt.

A preliminary hearing date was set for Nov. 7 because felony cases can not be disclosed in the general sessions court. Determination of probable cause must be made before the case is bound over to a grand jury.

A person wears a merch T-shirt of Safari Park, where Amy Halterman was arrested during the Amy Halterman Court Hearing inside Crockett County General Sessions in Alamo, Tenn., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024.

According to a Safari Park employee, Halterman asked staff to call for an ambulance, at which point, sheriff's deputies were dispatched.

On Labor Day, deputies responded to a call from the Tennessee Safari Park about a guest being bitten by a camel. The release states that, upon arrival, deputies "were immediately overtaken by suspicious odors coming from the guest's vehicle."

The Tennessee Safari Park houses exotic animals such as camels, giraffes and zebras with the unique experience of having close-up interactions, such as feeding and petting the animals. Guests can participate in a 7.5 mile drive through the park or a 20-acre walk.

Amy Halterman of '1000 Lbs Sisters' fame makes her way to the courtroom after talking with legal counsel during the Amy Halterman Court Hearing inside Crockett County General Sessions in Alamo, Tenn., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024.

Halterman and Lovvorn were booked into the Crockett County Jail.

On Tuesday morning, the sheriff's department shared that Crockett County General Session Court Judge Paul Conley set their bonds at $10,000 each.

Sarah Best is a reporter for The Jackson Sun. To support local journalism, subscribe to the Daily Briefing here.

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: '1,000 Lb. Sisters' Amy Halterman charged after TN Safari Park arrest
MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A man has been arrested in connection with the death of a male victim in Merced County, the Merced County Sheriffs Office said.

Early Tuesday morning, deputies say they responded to a report of a stabbing in the 7000 block of Merced Avenue in Delhi.

Upon arrival, sheriffs officials say they located a victim suffering from stab wounds. The victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The sheriffs Investigations Bureau responded to assist in the investigation. Investigators say they identified the suspect as Emilio Marcelino Herrera Trujeque, and detectives immediately began working on the case.

At around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, detectives say Trujeque was located and arrested in connection with the stabbing.

The identity of the victim has not been released.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
1 hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after crash involving semi-truck in northeast Las Vegas valley

LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A person was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after a crash involving a semi-truck in the northeast Las Vegas valley.

On Tuesday around 6:10 p.m. officers responded to a report of a crash involving a sedan and a semi-truck in the area of Lamb Boulevard and Colton Avenue near Las Vegas Boulevard.

Police said the driver of the sedan was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

According to RTC Southern Nevada, Lamb Boulevard was closed in both directions between Colton Avenue and North Las Vegas Boulevard.

Police said impairment is not a factor at this time. This is an ongoing story, stay with 8 News Now for updates.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
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.

Abortion rights in Rhode Island

Rhode Island repealed its ban on abortion in 1973, and while the state constitution does not guarantee the right to an abortion, a law passed in 2019 protects abortion access in the state.

In 2022, Gov. Dan McKee issued an executive order prohibiting state agencies from cooperating with out-of-state investigations and legal actions into abortion, and in 2024, the state passed a law shielding providers, patients and people who help others receive an abortion from such legal efforts, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

In 2023, the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act, which provided insurance coverage for abortion care to people on Medicaid and state employees, became law.

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.
12-year-old boy accused of stealing car after multiple break-ins at Montgomery County dealerships, police say

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  A 12-year-old boy accused of breaking into several Montgomery County dealerships has struck again, according to the Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD).

The MCPD told DC News Now that on Sept. 3, between 6:20 p.m. and 7:30, the boy entered a business in the 12100 block of Parklawn Drive. He then stole a car and fled the scene, according to police.

At around 11:30 p.m., officers saw the stolen vehicle and stopped it in the area of University Boulevard and Franklin Avenue.

Police caught the boy and returned him to the custody of his guardians.

Bullis School community mourns loss of beloved football coach Ray Butler

The MCPD said the same 12-year-old boy is believed to be involved in a series of break-ins in Rockville and Bethesda.

According to the department, he committed burglaries at BMW, Audi, Porsche and Jaguar dealerships on:

August

16, 23,24,26,27

September

2nd

In Maryland, children under 13 can not be charged with a crime unless it is a crime of violence.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  More than $100 million in state funding will now be used to help alleviate the housing crisis in New Mexico. The Opportunity Enterprise Housing Development Program is a $125 million fund focused on developers building housing for families that may be ineligible for other affordable housing programs.

New technology helps identify water leaks in New Mexico

Applications to utilize the funds are made in three rounds. The first one is happening now and will end on October 16.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
A medical helicopter is seen in front of Apalachee High School after a shooting at the school Sept. 4, 2024, in Winder, Georgia. - Credit: AP Photo/Mike Stewart

The suspect in a mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, has been identified as Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student from the school. The news was confirmed by Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey during a news conference, CNN reports.

Hosey said that two teachers and two students were killed and nine others were injured and taken to hospitals. The suspect will be charged with murder and prosecuted as an adult, Hosey and Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith stated.

More from Rolling Stone

Authorities first received reports of an active shooter at 10:20 a.m. ET on Wednesday. CNN reports that multiple law enforcement officials said that the high school received an earlier phone threat that warned there would be shootings at five different schools and that Apalachee would be the first. The outlet said that officials are investigating the call and do not know who placed it.

All schools within the Barrow County School System, including Apalachee, were placed on lockdown Wednesday.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has directed all available state resources to respond to the shooting, he posted in a statement on social media. Kemp urged all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state.

In a separate statement, Kemp wrote: We continue to work closely with local, state, and federal partners to make any and all resources available to help this community on this incredibly difficult day and in the days to come.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said that the FBI and ATF are on the scene, working with state, local, and federal partners during a meeting of the Justice Departments Election Threats Task Force.

I am devastated for the families that have been affected by this terrible tragedy, Garland added.

The White House released a statement from President Joe Biden, who wrote, What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now turned into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart. Students across the country are learning how to duck and cover instead of how to read and write. We cannot continue to accept this as normal.

The president called on Republicans in Congress to finally say enough is enough and work with Democrats to pass common-sense gun-safety legislation.

He continued, We must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines once again, require safe storage of firearms, enact universal background checks, and end immunity for gun manufacturers. These measures will not bring those who were tragically killed today back, but it will help prevent more tragic gun violence from ripping more families apart.

This is a developing story

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Photo taken on Sept. 2, 2024 shows a hotel in Brummana, Lebanon. The Hezbollah-Israeli conflict has severely impacted Lebanon's tourism sector, leading to a significant drop in activity, business insiders told Xinhua. (Xinhua/Xie Hao)

by Dana Halawi

BEIRUT, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Hezbollah-Israeli conflict has severely impacted Lebanon's tourism sector, leading to a significant drop in activity, business insiders told Xinhua.

Pierre Ashkar, head of the Syndicate of Hotel Owners in Lebanon, noted that this year saw virtually no tourism activity due to fears of conflict escalation and the closure of Beirut airport. Lebanese expatriates who visited stayed for shorter periods, averaging 10 to 15 days instead of the usual month or two, resulting in lower tourism revenue.

The situation comes as Lebanon grapples with a severe economic crisis and desperately needs the financial boost traditionally provided by its tourism sector. Ashkar explained that while a few restaurants in downtown Beirut managed to attract customers at the start of summer, other areas, including Gemmayzeh, Badaro, Ashrafieh, Jounieh, Batroun, and Mount Lebanon locations such as Brummana, experienced slow activity.

The conflict has escalated since Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah towards Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attacks. Israel's retaliatory strikes, including daily raids along Lebanon's southern border and a separate attack on Dahieh in Beirut's southern suburbs, resulted in significant casualties, including the killing of Hezbollah military commander, Fouad Shokor, and further tensions.

"When Israel hit Dahieh, we saw some people visiting the mountain to escape a possible escalation near Beirut, but the activity in Mount Lebanon lasted for two to three days out of 150 days of summer," said Ashkar, noting the conflict's tangible impact.

He reported a 70 percent drop in restaurant activity and an 80 percent decrease in hotel occupancy.

Kamal Lotfallah, a long-time employee at a luxurious hotel in Brummana, eastern Lebanon, echoed the sentiment, lamenting that the lack of summer reservations has made it difficult for hotels to cover expenses and pay employees adequate salaries.

Fadi Zoughaib, another employee at the hotel, observed that the hotel occupancy rate has drastically fallen, with only 10 to 15 rooms being occupied out of 110 and stays averaging just one or two nights.

"I miss the old summer tourism vibes in Mount Lebanon," he said.

Ashkar, with over 50 years in the hospitality business, expressed nostalgia for the days when Lebanon was known as "the Switzerland of the Middle East." He attributed Lebanon's former tourism success to its mild weather, compared to the hotter Arab countries, and its renowned hospitals and educational institutions.

Emphasizing the need for Lebanon's neutrality amid regional conflicts, Ashkar said that "war is the enemy of tourism. We have to find a way to let this country survive." 

Photo taken on Sept. 2, 2024 shows an empty lounge of a hotel in Brummana, Lebanon. The Hezbollah-Israeli conflict has severely impacted Lebanon's tourism sector, leading to a significant drop in activity, business insiders told Xinhua. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

Photo taken on Sept. 2, 2024 shows an empty lobby of a hotel in Brummana, Lebanon. The Hezbollah-Israeli conflict has severely impacted Lebanon's tourism sector, leading to a significant drop in activity, business insiders told Xinhua. (Xinhua/Xie Hao)
15-Year-Old Kentucky Girl Dies After Being Hit by School Bus: 'We Are Profoundly Sad'

The coroner's office identified the victim as George Rogers Clark High School student McKenna Letcher

McKenna Letcher/Facebook McKenna Letcher

A high school student was fatally struck by a school bus as she attempted to cross a parkway in Winchester, Ky. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, authorities said.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, the Clark County Coroner identified the victim as 15-year-old McKenna Letcher. They also confirmed that she was pronounced dead at the scene, as a result of injuries sustained, when she was struck by a Clark County school bus.

Per the coroner's statement, She was attempting to cross the Veterans Memorial Parkway near the intersection of Ironworks Road.

Related: 5 Dead, Including 3 Preschoolers, After School Bus Collides with Semi Truck in Illinois

WLKY News Louisville/YouTube Scene of an accident in Winchester, Ky, on Sept. 3, 2024

In a Facebook update posted on Tuesday, the Winchester Police Department reported that the intersection was "closed for an unknown amount of time due to an injury accident," while Clark County Public Schools (CCPS) shared that it was "aware of the bus accident" and was "work[ing] through this terrible event."

PEOPLE reached out to the Clark County Sheriffs Office on Wednesday, Sept. 4, for additional information.

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Related: Kindergarten Student and Mom Dead After Being Struck by Bus While Walking to School

Later that same day, CCPS Superintendent Dustin Howard issued a statement on social media, saying he was heartbroken by the news of the incident.

Although Letcher was not mentioned by name in the statement, Howard wrote that a CCPS bus was involved in an accident with a pedestrian this morning at the intersection of Ironworks Road and Veterans Memorial Parkway.

We are profoundly sad to announce that the pedestrian, a current George Rogers Clark High School student, passed away, he continued, before asking the public to keep the students family, the school system and the community in their thoughts and prayers as we work through this very difficult time.

Related: 9-Year-Old Boy Rescued After Being Pinned Under School Bus in Washington State

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear offered his condolences via X (formerly Twitter), writing, My heart aches for the family and friends of this precious child lost in this tragedy.

He added, Please join Britainy [Beshear] and me in lifting up the Clark County community in prayers of peace and comfort.



The coroners office said it will investigate the accident along with the Clark County Sheriffs Office.

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Read the original article on People.
RIVERTON, Utah (ABC4)  A 19-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection to a murder that took place in the Monarch Meadows neighborhood of Riverton in mid-August.

Thomas Leelyn Rose, 19, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail early Wednesday morning, Sept. 4, on a first-degree felony murder charge.

Detectives believe Rose was involved in a fatal shooting that took the life of another 19-year-old, who has yet to be identified. The slain 19-year-old was found early Monday morning, Aug. 19, wearing a bulletproof vest and allegedly carrying a machete and a handgun.

According to court documents, the victim was shot about 10 times. Some of the gunshots had pierced the 19-year-olds bulletproof vest, causing serious injuries. He was taken to a local area hospital where he later died.

Woman, 3 children found dead in car at West Haven home

Josh Lee, the director of communications for Riverton PD, said Rose was identified as a suspect through state-of-the-art technology, DNA testing, and extensive interviews by detectives.

The investigation was able to determine with additional physical evidence that Rose was directly involved in the shooting of the victim, said Lee in a press release. The investigation is still ongoing involving other individuals who potentially obstructed the work of the detectives.

Riverton Police Department at the time said an unidentified 20-year-old and 24-year-old were apprehended at an Orem as suspects but did not provide additional details on their involvement.

It is still unclear why the killed 19-year-old was armed and wearing a bulletproof vest or what led to the shooting.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
SENECA ROCKS, W.Va. (WBOY)  Five grants to conserve the West Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed were announced on Wednesday, including a near million-dollar grant to restore brook trout habitat.

The grants were through the Small Watershed Grants (SWG) program and include monies from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to a press release from the Chesapeake Bay Program.

Helvetia invites West Virginia to its 2024 community fair

The funding will support water quality improvements, habitat restoration and community stewardship efforts in the West Virginia section of the Chesapeake Watershed, which includes the Potomac River in the Eastern Panhandle from Pendleton County over to Jefferson County.

A break down of each grant recipient in West Virginia is available below:

Chesapeake Research Consortium ($150,000) plans to engage diverse students through individually tailored programs and mentorship to advance leadership in the environmental and conservation fields. This project will recruit and mentor college students who are underrepresented in environmental research and management professions to create a generation that will not only significantly contribute to meeting the long-term goals for Chesapeake Bay watershed restoration but also build upon and sustain those efforts for generations.

Chesapeake Stormwater Network ($330,000) will deliver core stormwater training programs to the stormwater management community across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, expanding focus on more diverse audiences of existing and emerging stormwater professionals. This project will strengthen the capacity of the stormwater sector through professional development and updated trainings to accelerate implementation and improve local stormwater programs through an emphasis on maintenance, climate resilience and community-based project planning.

National Wildlife Federation ($320,000) will enhance capacity to advance watershed restoration projects and practices across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This project will increase collaboration and coordination among the nonprofit and stakeholder community in order to support the Bay restoration effort by bringing together leaders from local watershed organizations, environmental and conservation organizations, the philanthropic community, government officials and businesses for education, networking and enhanced coordination.

Trout Unlimited ($997,500) plans to restore brook trout habitat and install conservation practices on private and public lands in the headwaters of the Potomac River in Virginia and West Virginia. This project will restore nine miles of riparian forest habitat, install 7.5 miles of livestock exclusion fencing and reconnect existing brook trout habitat populations to 12 miles of headwater habitat.

University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science ($543,00) plans to improve the delivery and relevance to watershed residents of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Report Card by integrating socially relevant indicators and community perspectives on watershed ecosystem health. The project will engage a wide range of diverse stakeholders, enhance their understanding of the interconnected components of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, create new pathways for change, and foster partnerships and capacity-building for community and environmental improvement.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DARLINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  Two people in Darlington County were arrested last week and charged with dog fighting, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Jasmine Tyrese Williamson, 45, and Wayne Romano McDaniel, 48, were charged with animal fighting and baiting, criminal conspiracy and ill treatment of animals. They were arrested on Aug. 29 and booked into the W. Glenn Campbell Detention Center.

Photo: ASPCA

Photo: ASPCA

Photo: ASPCA

Photo: ASPCA

Photo: ASPCA

Photo: ASPCA

Photo: ASPCA

SLED found 15 dogs at a home on Gallowaytown Road in the Hartsville area. Two of them were in incredibly poor condition and had to be euthanized. 13 of them, including five puppies, were taken and transported for veterinary care.

Darlington County deputies conducted a search warrant at the home on Aug. 26 for narcotics, according to arrest warrants. Deputies found multiple pit bull-type dogs in chains with injuries and scars consistent with dog fighting.

The dogs also had untreated medical conditions causing unnecessary pain and suffering.

Dog fighting will not be tolerated in South Carolina, SLED Chief Mark Keel said. It is cruel and undermines the safety of our communities. Law-abiding citizens do not find amusement or profit in the ill treatment of animals. SLED is committed to working together with our local, state and federal partners to combat dog fighting.

The dogs were taken to an emergency shelter operated by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to receive medical care and behavioral evaluations, SLED said.

* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon has announced that two men are being charged with the murder of a man well-regarded in the Iranian American community for his role as manager of prolific artist Googoosh.

Robert Dehnoushi, 54, was shot dead in a strip mall parking lot near Arden and Pacific avenues in Glendale around 8 a.m. on Aug. 15, according to the DAs office.

The two suspects  Jerry Tolentino and Arman Martinyan  allegedly followed Dehnoushi to a restaurant where the former opened fire and killed the 54-year-old promoter outside of his vehicle.

Notorious Pillowcase Rapist is about to be released from prison

Witnesses told KTLA that the gunman was sitting on a motorcycle and waiting for Dehnoushi, a father of two who was well-known in the community, to arrive at the strip mall for an early morning meeting.

Authorities transport the victims body after he was fatally shot at a Glendale strip mall on August 15, 2024. (KTLA)

A shooter remains at large after a man was found fatally shot at a Glendale strip mall on August 15, 2024. (KTLA)

A shooter remains at large after a man was found fatally shot at a Glendale strip mall on August 15, 2024. He was found next to his white pickup truck. (KTLA)

The victim was found lying on the ground next to his white pickup truck at a Glendale parking lot on August 15, 2024. (KTLA)

The victim was found lying on the ground next to his white pickup truck at a Glendale parking lot on August 15, 2024. (KTLA)

Tolentino and Martinyan were arrested on Aug. 29 and each charged with one count of murder; Tolentino was also charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a felon stemming from a 2007 felony carjacking conviction in San Bernardino County.

Nearly undetectable card skimmer found at Southern California gas station

The charges also include the allegations that Tolentino personally used a handgun in the commission of the crime and that both Tolentino and Martinyan murdered Mr. Dehnoushi by means of lying-in-wait, the district attorneys office said in a release.

Both men are being held without bail and are scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 20. If convicted as charged, Martinyan would face a maximum sentence of life in prison, while Tolentino would face a life sentence plus 15 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 KTLA.
BOSTON (WPRI)  Two more people have contracted West Nile virus (WNV) in Massachusetts, bringing the states total number of human cases to six.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) said a man in his 50s was exposed to the virus in Suffolk County and a man in his 80s was exposed in Middlesex County.

RELATED: Massachusetts announces first human case of EEE in 4 years

The risk level has been raised to high in Arlington, Belmont, Chelsea, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Revere, Saugus and Winthrop as a result.

Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein said people should remain vigilant.

The risk of West Nile virus in Massachusetts will continue until the first hard frost, he explained. While the temperatures may be a bit cooler, September is still within the peak time for West Nile virus activity in Massachusetts.

There have been 286 positive WNV findings in Massachusetts so far this year. The virus is usually transmitted through bites from infected mosquitos.

Tips for preventing mosquito-borne diseases like EEE, West Nile Virus

Most people who develop WNV dont feel sick, but one in five who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. The virus can be deadly in some cases.

Health officials are urging people to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites. You can protect yourself by putting screens on windows and making sure there is no standing water on your property. Health officials also recommend using an EPA-approved bug spray and staying indoors from dusk until dawn during peak biting times.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
A Phoenix police officer was in critical condition after he and his partner were shot by a person they suspected of a car break-in in central Phoenix, authorities said.

One officer was fighting for his life, while the other was saved from serious injury by his ballistic vest, Michael Sullivan, interim Phoenix police chief, said at a news conference late Tuesday.

One suspect was in custody, Sullivan said.

He said the officers spotted a person who appeared to be attempting to break into a vehicle. They pursued on foot, and the suspect jumped a fence before firing a weapon, Sullivan said.

After the shooting about 6:30 p.m., Phoenix police conducted a massive search in the area near 16th Street and McDowell Road. Officers with flashlights were stopping and searching vehicles on side streets in a nearby residential neighborhood.

Update on 2 officers shot: Suspect faces attempted murder charges

State Route 51 off-ramps in both directions were closed at McDowell Road because of the police presence.

About 8:55 p.m., Phoenix police said one suspect was detained in relation to the shooting.

Sullivan was joined at the news conference by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, City Manager Jeff Barton and Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell.

He said it was the 11th time this year that Phoenix police officers had been the target of gunfire.

"What happened tonight is senseless," Sullivan said. "It angers me. I hope you share my anger."

Sullivan, who said he had spent the evening at the hospital, said it was too early to provide information about the officers or specific details about what happened Tuesday night.

He said he spoke with the officer with the less severe injuries, saying he was "traumatized."

Earlier, Phoenix City Councilmember Ann O'Brien posted a message about the shooting on the social media platform X.

"2 of our officers have been shot while responding to a call for help. Make no mistake, the suspects will be found and will be brought to justice," O'Brien wrote. "When groups and agencies continue to villainize police forces across the country, it only serves to embolden criminals. #BackTheBlue"

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs also posted about the shooting just after 9:10 p.m. and said state troopers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety were ready to assist Phoenix with the investigation.

"Im devastated by this news. My thoughts are with the officers, their families and the entire law enforcement community at this time," Hobbs wrote.

Republic reporter Miguel Torres contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2 Phoenix officers injured, 1 critically, in shooting
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Prosecutors and defense lawyers argued over several motions Tuesday in the D.C. murder case involving two teen girls charged in the death of 64-year-old Reggie Brown.

Their case is set to head to trial Thursday.

DC employee takes the stand in murder trial of teen boy

Five teenage girls were initially charged in this case. They are accused of attacking Brown along Georgia Avenue NW, allegedly kicking and beating him to death in an attack caught on video.

Most of Tuesday was spent arguing over motions to suppress statements made by the 14-year-old girl.

Her defense team argued that she made incriminating statements to detectives last fall, when she was just 13 years old, putting herself at the scene. Her team said those statements were coerced and should be thrown out.

The judge has yet to issue a ruling on that motion and she is expecting to make one Wednesday.

Several clips from that police interview from fall 2023 were shown in court Tuesday.

Former US Attorney weighs in on Mamta Kafle Bhatt case, husband heads back to court

The officer interviewing her told her she could rock the code and go to jail to be an inmate, or be a snitch.

The officer also later testified she was first brought in as a witness but became a suspect during the course of the interview.

When she made incriminating statements during that initial interview last fall, the officer never Mirandized her by reading her, her rights.

During the interview, she was in a locked room with her mother and officers but was never told she could leave at any time.

Prosecutors said the interview wasnt coercive and said she wasnt in custody, and she made those statements voluntarily.

DC Councilmember Trayon White accused of bribery, taking cash, gifts

The judge also heard and granted motions to suppress identifications from witnesses in the case.

Those motions hearings are expected to carry into Wednesday and the trial is still set to begin Thursday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Officials pose for a group photo at the launching ceremony of a book on the China-Cambodia community with a shared future in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Sept. 4, 2024. A book titled "The China-Cambodia Community with a Shared Future: Toward Diamond Cooperation Framework in New Era" was launched here in the capital of Cambodia on Wednesday. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- A book titled "The China-Cambodia Community with a Shared Future: Toward Diamond Cooperation Framework in New Era" was launched here in the capital of Cambodia on Wednesday.

In a congratulatory message at the book launch, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said the book highlighted joint efforts made by both countries in building a community with a shared future.

He said the excellent ties have provided numerous fruitful results and created a bright future for both countries.

"I believe this book will further contribute to enhancing the understanding of readers and researchers about building a high-quality, high-level, and high-standard Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era, as well as promoting deeper and more stable relations between our two nations," Hun Manet said.

The book was to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the Cambodia-China diplomatic relations, the Cambodia-China people-to-people exchange year 2024, and the fifth anniversary of the agreement on building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future.

Speaking at the launch event, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister Vongsey Vissoth highlighted the rock-solid ties between Cambodia and China.

He said the iron-clad friendship has greatly benefited Cambodia's socio-economic development and poverty reduction, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation framework.

Vissoth praised the book, saying it would be a trove of knowledge for readers and researchers curious about the Cambodia-China relations.

The book, written in English, was authored by a group of Cambodian scholars and published by the Civil Society Alliance Forum (CSAF).

The book offers a historical overview, tracing the roots of the relationship from ancient times to key milestones in the modern era, CSAFs chairman Kemreat Viseth said, adding that it highlighted ties in politics, economics, trade, security and defense, digital technology, and culture, among others.

"The book serves as a testament to the enduring friendship between Cambodia and China," he said.

Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, an arm of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said in 2019 that the two countries signed an agreement on building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future.

"This agreement has laid a very solid foundation for the development of Cambodia and creating favorable conditions for Cambodia to play a more important and active role in regional and global affairs," he told Xinhua.

"Moreover, the BRI has injected vigorous impetus into building a high-quality, high-level, and high-standard China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era," he added.

Phea said under the BRI, China has undertaken many mega-projects in Cambodia, such as roads, bridges, hospitals, stadium, Sihanoukville Special Economy Zone, hydropower plants, Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, and Siem Reap Angkor International Airport.

"These flagship projects have played a vital role in supporting Cambodia's socio-economic development and poverty alleviation through creating many jobs for Cambodian people," he said.

Chea Munyrith, president of the Cambodian-Chinese Evolution Researchers Association, believes that the book will help readers gain insights into the Cambodia-China relationship, so they can further strengthen and expand it.

"Chinese investors and tourists have tremendously contributed to improving the livelihoods of the Cambodian people," he told Xinhua.

Munyrith said no matter how international politics has changed, the Cambodia-China ties remain rock-solid and will continue to last forever. 
MANASSAS, VA  As Manassas residents cast their ballots for president and Congress, the Nov. 5, 2024 general election in the City of Manassas features local races as well. In the Manassas mayor election, Xiao-Yin "Tang" Byrom is one of two candidates.

Byrom, a Republican, is running against incumbent Democratic Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger in the mayoral election. The City of Manassas will have the mayor, three at-large City Council seats and four at-large Manassas City School Board seats up for election in November. Federal elections on the ballot include president, Sen. Tim Kaine's U.S. Senate seat, and the 10th congressional district seat. The next state-level elections will be in 2025.

Early voting for the general election will begin on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 and continue through Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. More information on how to vote is available from the City of Manassas elections office.

Patch asked candidates for mayor, Manassas City Council and Manassas School Board to fill out a candidate questionnaire with the same questions. Here are Xiao-Yin "Tang" Byrom's responses:

Name

Xiao-Yin Tang Byrom

Office Sought

Mayor- City of Manassas

Campaign Website

www.Tang4mayor.com

Age (As of Nov. 5 election)

59

Education

Arlington H.S. Riverside, CA

BS from Auburn University at Montgomery

Occupation

Owner /Operator at Tangs Alterations Bridal Bespoke

Family

Mother of three grown sons, Daughter, Sister, Niece to many. My extended family has a work ethic that has rubbed off on me. We all work very hard and so appreciate being part of the American Dream.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

One son is a teacher in another public school system.

Previous public office positions or appointments

N/A

Why are you seeking this office?

Our city is veering off course in many ways. Weve lost sight of whats important. Im the right person to help steer us back on course.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?



My slogan is Tailoring Success for All, and thats exactly what I plan to do. Theres no need for party politics in our city, yet that's what we're dealing with now. We've lost key city staff and even eroded our volunteer basepeople who generously give their time and talents. The major challenges and opportunities we face require a fair, even-handed approach focused solely on whats best for the city. I am the candidate who will restore balance to our city.

What do you see as the top issues facing your city, and how do you address them in your campaign platform?



1. Schools: Our top priority is the school system. Our students are the unrepresented voice but our most cherished residents. They are our future. As mayor, I will sound the school bell loud and clear, rallying support from students, parents, taxpayers, teachers, and administrators to elevate our schools to be the best in the Commonwealth. Its time to stop making excuses and start working. A great school system will boost property values, strengthen our tax base, support commercial enterprises, and make Manassas the place everyone wants to live, work, and play.

2. Staffing: City staff need to feel valued and secure, knowing that their jobs are safe as long as they perform well. We must create an environment that attracts the best talent, listen to them, and value the skills these top professionals bring.

3. Safety: In recent years, weve seen an uptick in safety concerns expressed by residents related to overcrowded homes, drugs, truancy, and panhandling. We need to get this under control before it worsens.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Over 25 years of self-employment and a decade of volunteer work have honed my leadership skills. I understand that were only as strong as the people around us, and leading teams has become second nature to me.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a first-generation American who grew up under the shadow of communism and was blessed to come to America at the age of 14. I quickly realized that in America, we have free speech and the freedom to become whoever we want to be. I learned to speak my mind, work hard, and blend into American culture, and I want to share that vision with the next generation, ensuring those dreams and opportunities are available to all. I proudly became an American citizen on October 17, 1991. I was here on 9/11 and felt the unity that brought us all together under the flag. A few years ago, we experienced that unity again as we responded to COVID, with our community working together to provide masks for first responders. I want to see that unity againnot because of a tragedy, but because it's the right thing to do.

Manassas has a great history and an even greater future. I hope you'll trust me to lead us into it.

2024 Candidate Profile: Xiao-Yin 'Tang' Byrom For Manassas Mayor originally appeared on the Manassas Patch
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  The head of the Susan G. Komen Central Illinois chapter spoke to Good Day Central Illinois this week about an event coming up this week.

Jordan Clum, who heads the Susan G. Komen Central Illinois chapter, said the More than Pink Walk will begin at 7 a.m. at the Corncrib in Bloomington on Sept. 7.

There are things for the entire family. There is face painting, food as well as booths from several community partners, she said.

People can register by going to their website or by clicking here.

The organization was started after Komen, a Peoria native, died in 1980. Her sister, Nancy Brinker, said she would do whatever she could to eliminate breast cancer. Since then the organization has become known for its Race for the Cure and the More than Pink Walk.

Clum said that people need to be aware of their own bodies and what is normal for them. That way, she said, when someone is abnormal, they know to seek out a doctor.

One in eight individuals will get their breast cancer in their lifestyle. Screening and early detection are the best way to combat breast cancer.

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BEAVER COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) The Shapiro administration is announcing that the new $20 million Main Street Matters Program is open and accepting applications for funding.

Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis made the announcement during a visit to the Ambridge Chamber of Commerce in Beaver County on Tuesday. He was joined by Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger.

Main Street Matters funding is available for community revitalization efforts in planning, business support, aesthetic improvements, and increased safety and security. Davis said that the program is key to bringing small businesses back to Pennsylvania towns.

Governor Shapiro joins Red Cross in declaring National Blood Donation Day

We know this is a strategy that works, Davis said. The national main street center found that over a five-year period that investing in a main street creates around 19 businesses and 165 new jobs in a community.

Heres who is eligible:

Units of local government (counties, cities, boroughs, townships, towns, and home rule municipalities)

Redevelopment and/or housing authorities

Nonprofit organizations to include economic development organizations, housing corporations, etc.

Community development corporations

Business improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, downtown improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities

You can learn more about the program and how to apply on the Department of Community and Economic Developments Main Street Matters page.

Research shows that investment in a downtown drives higher area employment, fosters new businesses, increases property values, and spurs of further private investment, Helen Kissick, Co-Director, Beaver County Chamber of Commerce said. We are grateful for the investment made by the PA government in Pennsylvania downtowns.

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Applications for Main Street Matters funding will be accepted through November 15, of this year.

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Authorities in Ventura County have announced the arrests of 22 suspected retail thieves who are accused of stealing from Target stores in Moorpark and Simi Valley.

The arrests and citations were made as part of a two-day blitz operation conducted by the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force in conjunction with the Target Corporation.

A blitz operation involves strategic deployment of law enforcement resources in specific retail locations on specific days with the aim of arresting shoplifters and other retail thieves, officials said.

Members of the theft task force arrested 19 adults and three juveniles during an operation at the Target stores over the weekend of Aug. 23-24.

Officials said an estimated $1,400 in stolen merchandise was recovered, along with methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia.

The following people were cited or arrested as part of the blitz operation:

Cited and released:

Ashley Gallagher, 37, of Moorpark; Emily Crowe, 40, of Simi Valley; Evan Jones, 28, of Simi Valley; Karla Martin, 47, of Simi Valley; Milen Ghazaryan, 30, of Simi Valley; Natalie Owens, 18, of Rialto; and a 14-year-old female juvenile from Simi Valley were all cited for petty theft.

Jeffrey Johnson, 61, of Simi Valley; a 15-year-old female juvenile from Simi Valley; and a 17-year-old female juvenile from Sylmar were all cited for shoplifting.

Yhosmira Gomez-Torres, 28, of Simi Valley, was cited for conspiracy to commit shoplifting and released to care for a small child.

Lynda Gomez, 47, of Moorpark, was cited for shoplifting and possession of a controlled substance.

Benjamin Ward, 44, of Simi Valley, was cited on a misdemeanor warrant.

Arrested:

Michael Blumenthal, 41, of Simi Valley, was arrested for conspiracy to commit organized retail theft and remains in custody. Alyssa Castro, 30, of Simi Valley, and Jenna Haxton, 44, of Simi Valley, were arrested for conspiracy to commit organized retail theft. Castro and Haxton were released after posting bail and were given a court date to return.

Maylson Gomez-Torres, 23, of Simi Valley; Luis Gomez-Oliva, 50, of Simi Valley; and Yorli Lopez-Saenz, 29, of Simi Valley, were all arrested for conspiracy to commit shoplifting. They were booked and later released on their own recognizance.

Ronald Haynes, 38, of Los Angeles, was arrested for conspiracy to obtain money by false pretenses and remains in custody. Brent Walkins, 25, of Los Angeles, was also arrested for conspiracy to obtain money by false pretenses but was released after booking.

Dontell Smith, 33, of Hawthorne, was arrested for shoplifting and a misdemeanor warrant for battery, vandalism and obstructing a business. He was released on his own recognizance.

The Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force is funded through the states retail theft prevention grant program. Its overseen by the Ventura County Sheriffs Office with members from law enforcement agencies throughout the county.

The task force, according to officials, aims to combat retail theft, vehicle and vehicle parts theft, and cargo theft which is estimated to cost local businesses and residents about $10 million each year.

Retailers who have experienced significant retail theft can request similar blitz operations by calling the task force at 805-383-8703.

Members of the public with tips about organized retail theft are also encouraged to contact the task force by phone or submit an anonymous tip online.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
New 4-year contract approved for KY Fish and Wildlife chief who has clashed with Beshear

Rich Storm oversees a $100 million budget as commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. He was just reappointed to another four-year contract. (KDFWR photo)

The board overseeing Kentuckys wildlife management agency has reappointed its chief executive Rich Storm, including board members appointed by Gov. Andy Beshear who in the past has clashed with Storm and the department.

With no discussion, the state Fish and Wildlife Commission voted unanimously on Aug. 30 to give Storm a new four-year contract as commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR).

The new contract begins July 1, 2025. Storms current base salary of $155,820.48 will remain the same. No other details from the contract were available. A KDFWR spokesperson said the contract is still being finalized and will have to be approved by the legislatures Government Contract Review Committee

Storms salary is slightly higher than statewide Republican constitutional officers ($152,551.92) but less than Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander ($160,364.16) and Beshear ($179,442.96), according to the states salary database.

The commission by law is made up of nine volunteer hunters and anglers and directed to keep a watchful eye over an agency whose wide ranging duties include enforcing hunting and wildlife regulations. KDFWR manages a $100 million annual operating budget with revenue coming fromhunting and fishing license fees, boat registration fees and federal grants.

The commission met behind closed doors for almost two hours in executive session to discuss Storms contract and some land purchases. Back in open session, commission members didnt mention Storm by name or discuss his reappointment. Commission members contacted by the Lantern said they decided to renew Storms contract because he has been a good leader for the department. They declined to talk or offered few details about the discussions in the executive session.

Lisa Jackson, a KDFWR spokesperson, in a statement said Storm was honored to be reappointed and entrusted with continued leadership. Contract negotiations began in March, Jackson said. The negotiations were productive and he looks forward to continuing his public service on behalf of the sportsmen and sportswomen of the Commonwealth and to help the Department achieve its mission, Jackson said.

Robin Floyd, the 1st District commission member representing Western Kentucky and a Beshear appointee, told the Lantern that Storm had a rough start, referencing how Storm became the departments chief executive.

In 2019, the commission controversially hired Storm when he was serving as chair of the commission which had already interviewed eight candidates for the top post, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader. Storm asked to be considered for the job after the commission named three finalists and recused himself as chair. The newspaper reported Storm wasnt on the search committee seeking a commissioner, according to the departments human resources director.

But Floyd said Storm has done an exemplary job since then with duties that go beyond just fish and wildlife.

You need somebody that actually is pretty good at business, someone thats really good at interacting with the legislature, and Commissioner Storm just checked all the boxes, Floyd said. Thats why you saw a unanimous vote to reappoint him.

Under Storm, the KDFWR and the Beshear administration have clashed numerous times, including over the length of Storms contract and executive branch oversight of procurement and conservation easements. Storm has powerful allies in the Republican-controlled legislature. And this year, the Democratic governor pushed back against the state Senates failure in recent years to hold confirmation votes on his appointments to the commission. Beshear also criticized an unsuccessful bill that would have given the governors power to appoint Fish and Wildlife Commission members to the agriculture commissioner and administratively attach the KDFWR to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

Beshear told reporters in March that senators had to stop protecting leadership of what I think is the most corrupt part of state government. When a Lantern reporter asked Beshear to explain his comments later that month, the governor pointed to the controversial way that Storm was hired and also cited a 2018 special examination from then-Auditor Mike Harmon, a Republican, who called for a change in culture at the agency when Storm was a member of the commission.

Beshears criticism of the Senate for rejecting commission appointments echoed concerns from some hunters and anglers including the Kentucky League of Sportsmen, an organization representing thousands of hunters around the state.

Adam Mullins, president of the League of Sportsmen, told the Lantern the organization didnt have an immediate statement on Storms reappointment.

The Senate ultimately confirmed nearly all of Beshears appointments to the commission this year. Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, told the Lantern the appointments were confirmed after lots of discussion, lots of review, lots of research. Protecting Storm, who was doing a really good job he said, from a type of retaliatory appointment that would remove the commissioner was a priority.

Those appointment confirmations left one vacancy on the commission. The rest of the commission seats are filled by Beshear appointments including Floyd, who joined the board in 2021.

If youre in a position like Mr. Storm is, you have to work with everyone. And I think he does a good job of that, Floyd said.

The governors office did not respond to requests for comment asking about the reappointment of Storm.

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ATLANTA  Four people were killed and nine others were taken to hospitals after a shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday afternoon.

A 14-year-old student at the school was in custody and was charged with murder, the state agency confirmed. He was expected to be tried as an adult.

Two teachers and two students were killed in the shooting, according to GBI Director Chris Hosey. The alleged shooter was identified as Colt Gray, 14, an Apalachee High School student.

Gray had been previously investigated for threats about a shooting, the FBI Atlanta office said late Wednesday. He was not charged after an investigation last year.

Hosey said both students killed were 14 years old. They were identified as Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo. One of the teachers killed was identified as assistant football coach Richard Ricky Aspinwall. The other was Christina Irimie, a math teacher, according to the schools website.

Barrow Sheriff Jud Smith called the shooting pure evil during a news conference near the school. Later Wednesday, Smith said the shooting suspect was being booked and would be taken to a regional youth detention center.

My heart hurts for these kids. My heart hurts for our community, Smith said. But I want to make it very clear that hate will not prevail in this county. I want that to be very clearly known. Love will prevail over what happened today. I assure you of that.

Gov. Brian Kemp spoke outside Apalachee High School late in the day. This is everybodys worst nightmare, he said.

Several law enforcement agencies responded around 10:20 a.m. local time to the school, which was placed on lockdown following reports of an active shooting, the Barrow sheriffs office said.

A student resource officer stopped the alleged shooter, who cooperated with investigators, officials said.

Scant detail is known about Gray and his motivation to allegedly open fire at the school, near Winder, which sits about 23 miles west of Athens on the eastern edge of the Atlanta metro area. At the afternoon news conference, authorities did not disclose what Gray and his family told police during their interviews.

Of the nine people injured, one patient remained at Grady Memorial Hospital, officials said. Northeast Georgia Medical Center Barrow was treating two gunshot victims for injuries not believed to be life-threatening and four others with symptoms related to panic attacks, the hospital systems confirmed. Another gunshot victim was taken to NGMC Gainesville. A patient was also treated at NGMC Braselton with symptoms related to anxiety or a panic attack.

Smith said investigators hadnt yet determined if the victims were targeted and didnt know how the shooter obtained a gun.

Smith, a Barrow native, said there was no indication the victims were targeted, though the investigation is still ongoing. Kemp has offered all available resources to help with the investigation, Smith said.

I dont know why it happened, Smith said. I may not ever know. We may not ever know. But I ask that you and our community lift up our schools, lift up our public safety and that again we do not let this hateful event prevail.

Accounts from students inside the school added a view of the chaos. At 10:23 a.m., 11th grader Henry van der Walt texted his mother: I think theres a school shooting.

Minutes later, Becky van der Walt got another message.

I love you, Henry wrote.

The text exchange was likely repeated hundreds of times during several frenetic hours for both students and parents. Students were led from the school outside, where parents rushed to find them.

Footage from WSB-TVs NewsChopper 2 showed large crowds of students filtering into the high schools stadium during the lockdown. Several ambulances were at the scene as well. By late morning, students were released to their families and school officials said buses would be running for those needing transportation home.

Frantic parents rushed to the school, with many forced to park and walk to reach the campus while searching for their children.

Apalachee sophomore Alexsandra Romero said she was in her second-period class when another student barged in yelling for everyone to get down.

I wasnt texting my family at first, because I thought it was just a drill, Romero told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Since the school had prepared for this scenario, Romero said she and her classmates knew what to do.

I can just remember my hands were shaking, Romero said. I felt bad because everybody was crying, everybody was trying to find their siblings.

Romero said she caught glimpses of blood and guns lying on the ground as she was escorted from the building.

I can still picture everything, like the blood, the shouting and everything, Romero said.

Apalachee High was the only school cleared for dismissal as of midday Wednesday. Other Barrow County schools remained in a soft lockdown for the safety of everyone right now, the school district said.

White House officials said President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting and his administration planned to coordinate with federal, state and local authorities.

(I) urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state, Kemp added. We will continue to work with local, state and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation.

FBI Atlanta said it was aware of the shooting and that agents were on the scene to coordinate and assist local authorities. GBI agents were also providing help, and the state agency urged everyone to stay clear of the area.

Apalachee High had an enrollment of just over 1,900 students as of March, according to the Georgia Department of Education. The department said it was also monitoring the situation.

I am devastated by the news of the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School today, Richard Woods, state school superintendent, said in a statement. My heart and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those affected and the entire Barrow County community. This is an unimaginable loss for Barrow and for our entire educational community across the state.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens also issued a statement after the shooting.

My prayers are with the high school students, staff and families affected by the senseless act of violence in Winder, Georgia, he said. I have been in contact with Chief (Darin) Schierbaum, and the Atlanta Police Department has been working with the Atlanta Public Schools Police Department to bolster patrols around our schools for the rest of the day out of an abundance of caution.

APD has also been on standby in case law enforcement agencies need assistance with this incident. May God comfort the victims and their loved ones in the difficult days ahead.

Smith said during the media conference, First and foremost, I want to lift up our community. I want to give our sympathies to our community, our school system, our kids, our parents that had to witness this today.

This is going to take multiple days to get answers, Smith said during the news conference.

All Barrow County schools will be closed Thursday and Friday.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution staff writers Thad Moore, Lexi Baker and Henri Hollis contributed to this article.
This article was originally published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Four people were killed and nine others were taken to various hospitals after a shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, the GBI said Wednesday afternoon.

One person was in custody, the state agency confirmed.

Barrow Sheriff Jud Smith said early Wednesday afternoon that every minute the investigation was updating. Federal and state agencies were assisting with the investigation.

First and foremost, I want to lift up our community, Smith said. I want to give our sympathies to our community, our school system, our kids, our parents that had to witness this today.

Several law enforcement agencies responded around 10:20 a.m. to the school, which was placed on lockdown following reports of an active shooting, the Barrow sheriffs office said.

At 10:23 a.m., 11th grader Henry van der Walt texted his mother: I think theres a school shooting.

Minutes later, Becky van der Walt got another message.

I love you, Henry wrote.

The text exchange was likely repeated hundreds of times during several chaotic hours for both students and parents. Students were led from the school outside, where parents rushed to find them.

As the details were slowly confirmed during the day, the sheriff said he expected to have more information later Wednesday.

This is going to take multiple days to get answers, he said during a news conference near the school shortly after 1 p.m.

Barrow Coroner Kenneth Cooper said early Wednesday afternoon he could not confirm information about those killed.

One gunshot victim was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, the hospital confirmed Wednesday afternoon.Two other victims were taken to regional hospitals in Barrow and Gainesville, according to the Northeast Georgia Medical System. The Barrow hospital was also treating some who suffered anxiety or panic attacks.

NewsChopper 2 footage showed large crowds of students filtering into the high schools stadium during the lockdown. Several ambulances were at the scene as well.By late morning, students were released to their families and school officials said buses would be running for those needing transportation home.

Frantic parents rushed to the school, with many forced to park and walk to reach the campus while searching for their children.

Apalachee sophomore Alexsandra Romero said she was in her second-period class when another student barged in yelling for everyone to get down.

I wasnt texting my family at first, because I thought it was just a drill, Romero told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Since the school had prepared for this scenario, Romero said she and her classmates knew what to do.

I can just remember my hands were shaking, Romero said. I felt bad because everybody was crying, everybody was trying to find their siblings.

Romero caught glimpses of blood and guns lying on the ground as she was escorted from the building.

I can still picture everything, like the blood, the shouting and everything, Romero said.

Four people were killed and nine others were injured in a shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, the GBI said Wednesday afternoon.

Apalachee High was the only school cleared for dismissal as of midday Wednesday. Other Barrow County schools will remain in a soft lockdown for the safety of everyone right now, the school district said.

According to the White House, President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting and his administration would coordinate with federal, state and local authorities. Gov. Brian Kemp said he directed all available state resources to respond to the high school, which is about 8 miles east of Dacula, southwest of Winder.

(I) urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state, Kemp added. We will continue to work with local, state and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation.

FBI Atlanta said it was aware of the shooting and that agents were on scene to coordinate and assist local authorities. GBI agents were also providing help, and the state agency urged everyone to stay clear of the area.

Apalachee High had an enrollment of just over 1,900 students as of March, according to the Georgia Department of Education. The department said it was also monitoring the situation.

I am devastated by the news of the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School today, Richard Woods, state school superintendent, said in a statement. My heart and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those affected and the entire Barrow County community. This is an unimaginable loss for Barrow and for our entire educational community across the state.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens also issued a statement after the shooting.

My prayers are with the high school students, staff and families affected by the senseless act of violence in Winder, Georgia, he said. I have been in contact with Chief (Darin) Schierbaum, and the Atlanta Police Department has been working with the Atlanta Public Schools Police Department to bolster patrols around our schools for the rest of the day out of an abundance of caution.

APD has also been on standby in case law enforcement agencies need assistance with this incident. May God comfort the victims and their loved ones in the difficult days ahead.

This story was originally published at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Journal-Constitution staff writers Lexi Baker and Henri Hollis contributed to this article.
FILE - A memorial for Jonathan Lewis Jr. is set up in an alleyway near Rancho High School in eastern Las Vegas, Nov. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Ty O'Neil, File)

LAS VEGAS (AP)  Four Las Vegas teenagers pleaded guilty Tuesday to voluntary manslaughter in the fatal beating of their high school classmate, as part of a deal with prosecutors that kept them from being tried as adults.

The teens originally were charged in January as adults with second-degree murder and conspiracy in connection with the November death of 17-year-old Jonathan Lewis Jr. The attack was captured on cellphone video and shared widely across social media.

Each teen faces incarceration at a juvenile detention center for an undetermined length of time, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

Minors prosecuted in the juvenile court system in Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, do not face traditional jail or prison sentences and instead are released from custody after they complete rehabilitation programs, according to Brigid Duffy, director of the juvenile division of the Clark County district attorney's office.

The Associated Press is not naming the teens because they were younger than 18 at the time of the Nov. 1, 2023, attack.

Defense lawyer Robert Draskovich, representing one of the four teens, said after court Tuesday that the deal was a very fair resolution.

Lewis' mother, Mellisa Ready, said she does not agree with the plea deal.

There's literally no one being held accountable with true punishment for my son's murder, she told the newspaper Tuesday. It's disgusting.

In a statement to the AP last month after terms of the deal were made public, District Attorney Steve Wolfson's office defended the resolution of the case as both thoughtfully addressing the egregious facts and potential legal challenges that prosecutors would have faced at trial.

The statement said the juvenile court system also is better equipped to offer the young defendants resources for rehabilitation.

In Nevada, a teenager facing a murder charge can be charged as an adult if they were 13 or older when the crime occurred.

Authorities have said the students agreed to meet in an alleyway near Rancho High School to fight over a vape pen and wireless headphones that had been stolen from Lewis friend. Lewis died from his injuries six days later.

A homicide detective who investigated the case told the grand jury that cellphone and surveillance video showed Lewis taking off his sweatshirt and throwing a punch at one of the students, according to court transcripts made public in January. The suspects then pulled Lewis to the ground and began punching, kicking and stomping on him, the detective said.

A student and a resident in the area carried Lewis, who was badly beaten and unconscious, back to campus after the fight, according to the transcripts. School staff called 911 and tried to help him.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  The four people who were charged after the shooting death of a 37-year-old Clarksburg man have all been indicted by the Grand Jury in Harrison County.

Dallion Lewis, 37, of Clarksburg, was found dead from gunshot wounds on Jack Run Road back in February. Dennis High, 37 of Salem, was initially charged with murder, and Jennifer Kirk, 48 of Clarksburg, and Kameron Griffin, 24 of Akron, Ohio, were charged with murder upon their arrests over the next several weeks. Douglas Steiner, 36 of Mt. Clare, was charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

Dennis High

Jennifer Kirk

Kameron Griffin

Douglas Steiner

All four were indicted on those charges this week, and High, Kirk and Griffin were also indicted on charges of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Griffin was also indicted for use of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possessing a firearm when he was prohibited to.

Man found dead after truck hits Taylor County home

Court documents said that Lewis was taken from his Hepzibah home on Feb. 21 with the intention of harming or killing him, and that he was shot multiple times during the kidnapping.

Other details about the homicide, including motive, have not been released by law enforcement.

Steiner was also indicted on two counts of delivery of a controlled substance during the September Harrison County Grand Jury. For a full list of people indicted by the September Harrison County Grand Jury, click here.

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SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO)  Here are this mornings top stories with KELOLAND On the Go.

A fire near Rapid City, along highway 44 close to Hiesga, has grown from 30-acres to around 150-acres in less than 24 hours. Crews have been working throughout Monday night and all day Tuesday as this fire still sits at zero percent containment, meaning it could still spread.

THUNDER FIRE UPDATE: RC Mayor advises people on possible evacuations

Sioux Falls Police are asking people to come forward with information on a string of recent shootings. Officers responded to 4 shootings over the holiday weekend. In one case, an 18-year old showed up at the hospital with a gunshot wound.

SFPD investigating 4 different shootings over holiday weekend

Two girls who were hit by a vehicle while walking to school in Crofton, Nebraska are still in critical condition, but doing better, the family says.

Crofton girls in critical condition after Friday crash

Fire weather concerns have been very high in western South Dakota, but better news is coming today.

Fire weather improving today; Fall-like start to the weekend

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
TOKYO, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Budget requests from Japanese government ministries and agencies for fiscal 2025 totaled 117.61 trillion yen (about 812 billion U.S. dollars), a record high for the second consecutive year, the Finance Ministry said Wednesday.

Next fiscal year's budget surpasses the initially requested 114.39 trillion yen for fiscal 2024, which was eventually reduced to 112.57 trillion yen in the initial budget, as the country's aging population elevates social security costs and its military buildup efforts push up defense spending.

In the latest budget demand, the Defense Ministry's request has exceeded 8 trillion yen for the first time, after its fiscal 2024 budget came in slightly below that mark.

Meanwhile, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry asked for a record 34 trillion yen to increase spending on medical nursing services and dementia measures, due to the rapidly aging population and declining birthrate.

Social security spending, which makes up around a third of Japan's annual budget, continues to rise.

The Finance Ministry will examine these proposals to draw up a draft budget, due out by the end of the year. 
5 finalists for NMSU president to visit campus next week

5 finalists for NMSU president to visit campus next week

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The five finalists to become New Mexico State Universitys (NMSU) new president will visit the Las Cruces campus starting Monday, Sept. 9.

The visits will have public forums including sessions with each candidate to allow the campus community and public to hear from them and what they would bring to NMSU, according to a news release by NMSU.

The following candidates will visit on their respective days with times of sessions:

Monday, Sept. 9

Arsenio Romero, former secretary of Public Education for New Mexico.

Faculty and Staff Forum: 10 to 10:50 a.m. at the Corbett Center Auditorium.

Student Forum: 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. at the Corbett Center Auditorium.

Community Forum: 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Las Cruces Convention Center.

Tuesday, Sept. 10

Brian Haynes, vice chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of California, Riverside.

Faculty and Staff Forum: 10 to 10:50 a.m. at the Corbett Center Auditorium

Student Forum: 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. at the Corbett Center Auditorium

Community Forum: 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Las Cruces Convention Center

Wednesday, Sept. 11

Neil MacKinnon, professor for the School of Public Health and immediate past executive vice president for Academic Affairs and Provost for Augusta University.

Faculty and Staff Forum: 10 to 10:50 a.m. at the Corbett Center Auditorium.

Student Forum: 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. at the Corbett Center Auditorium.

Community Forum: 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Las Cruces Convention Center.

Thursday, Sept. 12

Monica Lounsbery, dean for the College of Health and Human Services at California State University, Long Beach.

Faculty and Staff Forum: 10 to 10:50 a.m. at the Corbett Center in Ballroom West.

Student Forum: 1:30 to 2:15 p.m., at the Corbett Center in Ballroom West.

Community Forum: 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Las Cruces Convention Center.

Friday, Sept. 13

Valerio Ferme, executive vice president for Academic Affairs and Provost at the University of Cincinnati.

Faculty and Staff Forum: 10 to 10:50 a.m. at the Corbett Center Auditorium.

Student Forum: 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. at the Corbett Center in the Dona Ana Room.

Community Forum: 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Las Cruces Convention Center.

For individuals unable to attend in person, participants can tune in through the live stream here and participate by asking questions through Zoom.

For biographies and resumes of each candidate, you can visit NMSUs link here.

According to the news release by NMSU, each session will be for different topics. The morning session will discuss topics important to faculty and staff, the afternoon sessions will focus on highlighting student questions and the evening sessions will be focused on the community.

Board of Regents Chair Ammu Devasthali said that anyone is welcome to participate and questions are not limited.

The expansion of our forum schedule to include a community forum in the evening is designed to increase your opportunities to hear from each candidate  and if youre unable to attend in person, you can find the forums online, and either tune in live or follow up to watch the sessions later, she said.

The community can provide feedback through an online feedback form here or by sending an email to regents@nmsu.edu.

The Board of Regents will have a closed meeting on Monday, Sept. 9 to interview the candidates.

The meeting will be from 2:30 to 5 p.m. in Hadley Hall, Room 130 and will be closed to the public.

The board will take no official action during the meeting, according to the news release.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
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UNITED KINGDOM (WJW)  Five kids between the ages of 12 and 14 were arrested following the murder of an 80-year-old at a park in England over the weekend, police said in a statement.

The man was reportedly walking his dog through Franklin Park near his home in Leicester around 6:30 p.m. Sunday, when he was attacked by a group of young people who fled the scene.

It just happened so fast: Teen victim talks about shooting that injured him, killed his friend

He was lying in the park, screaming in pain, a neighbor told the local paper, the Leicester Mercury. He said he was violently pushed over.

The man was rushed to the hospital for treatment, but was declared dead the next day.

The suspects are being interviewed by Leicester police at this time.

Men sentenced in Cleveland mass shooting

Charges have not been forthcoming in the case, but the incident is being investigated as a murder following the mans death, according to officials.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
The mountain lion was euthanized by a ranger after climbing into a tree following the attack

Getty Mountain Lion stock photo

A 5-year-old boy is recovering after being attacked by a mountain lion at a family picnic at a California park. The animal was euthanized by a wildlife ranger shortly after the incident.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) detailed the incident in a release shared via its official Facebook page on Tuesday, Sept. 3.



The agency stated in its release that California State Park rangers and Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies were alerted to a mountain lion attack at Malibu Creek State Park at 4:21 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1.

A Woodland Hills family of six adults and a handful of children were at the park when the attack happened.

"The children were playing in the immediate vicinity of the familys picnic table when a mountain lion attacked a 5-year-old boy, causing significant but non-life-threatening injuries," the CDFW added.

Related: Hunter Shoots and Kills Grizzly Bear After Being Bitten in Surprise Encounter

Getty Malibu Creek State Park

Multiple adults intervened and "charged the lion" until it "released the boy," the release said. Bystanders saw the attack and watched as the mountain lion climbed a tree, where it stayed until State Parks rangers got to the scene.

CDFW wildlife officers, National Park Service personnel and Los Angeles Fire and Rescue also responded.

The wildlife officers decided that the mountain lion was "a threat to public safety" and a ranger used a firearm to euthanize the animal. The child was airlifted to Northridge Hospital Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries. He was discharged early Monday, Sept. 2.

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Capt. Patrick Foy, of the CDFW, said the mountain lion grabbed the victim by his head, according to NBC Los Angeles.

The child's aunt, who spoke anonymously, detailed the moments the child was attacked, telling KTLA, Somebody screamed the babys name, and his dad started running. The father grabbed the mountain lion with his hands, and he just fought. Then the mountain lion let go.



The CDFW noted that wildlife officers also reached out to the boy's family while he was at the hospital to collect evidence such as the bite and scratch wounds he sustained as well as the clothes he was wearing during the attack.

Related: Cop Wrangles Alligator with Bare Hands on Florida Doorstep: 'Can't Take the Country Out of the Boy'

"Those evidence samples were confirmed a DNA match by CDFW's Wildlife Forensic Lab in Sacramento," the CDFW said, adding that, "CDFW and State Parks officials are thankful that the family is safe, and the child is recovering and no one else was injured."

California State Parks is investigating the incident, the L.A. County Sheriff's Office said in a statement shared with PEOPLE.

A mountain lion attack on a human occurs when "direct physical contact between a human and a mountain lion resulting in physical injury or death to the person," per the CDFW's website.

The agency stated that there were just over 20 mountain lion attacks on humans in California between March 1986 to March of this year.



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Read the original article on People.
5 reasons why Airbus went from struggling outsider to beating Boeing

Airbus has overtaken Boeing in market cap as the latter's share price has dropped this year.

The European manufacturer made its mark in the US by leasing four A300s to Eastern Air Lines for free.

The A320's revolutionary fly-by-wire design and the Boeing 737 Max groundings helped boost Airbus.

Boeing was founded in 1916, 13 years after the Wright brothers' first flight. It would be another half a century before Airbus came along.

Europe wanted to challenge America's aviation dominance by building its own company. The French, British, and German governments started planning in 1967 before Airbus was officially founded three years later.

After a challenging start, Airbus has had more orders than Boeing for five consecutive years, with 2,319 in 2023 compared with 1,456 for the American company.

And in September, Airbus overtook Boeing in market cap after Wells Fargo downgraded the latter's stock, prompting a sell-off. Boeing's share price is down 38% so far in 2024.

Here are five key moments that helped Airbus gain the upper hand.

1. Bernard Lathiere's bold A300 bet

An Airbus A300 in 1972. Istvan Bajzat/picture alliance via Getty Images

The A300 was not just the first Airbus plane, but also the world's first twin-engined widebody jet.

When it first took flight in 1972, all other double-aisle jets had three or four engines, like the Boeing 747.

But Airbus struggled to win orders and carried on despite not getting the 75 it said it needed to start making the plane.

Airbus owes much to a bold bet made by Bernard Lathiere, its managing director from 1975 to 1985.

Eastern Air Lines had been a top US carrier, but by the late 1970s was struggling with big debts.

In 1977 Lathiere agreed to lease Eastern four A300s for six months for nothing. In the 2014 documentary "Airbus vs Boeing: The Jumbo Jet Race" he said he was nearly fired for doing so.

It meant Airbus had a foothold on Boeing's home turf. Eastern then ordered 23 A300s for $778 million, pleased with its lower fuel consumption, per The Washington Post.

2. The fly-by-wire A320

Prince Charles and Princess Diana launch the first A320. AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau

Airbus didn't find real success until the advent of the single-aisle A320 in 1987.

As the first jet rolled out of the factory in Toulouse, France, it was christened by Prince Charles and Princess Diana  a sign that Airbus wasn't messing around.

But the A320's real genius was using fly-by-wire technology only found in fighter jets and Concorde until then.

It replaces mechanical flight controls with computer-controlled systems to process the pilots' input and is considered safer because there are fewer points of failure.

Plus it's cheaper for operators because computers are easier to fix, and fewer parts and lighter wires meant better fuel efficiency too.

The A320 went on to become the world's second-best-selling airliner, behind the Boeing 737.

3. Government subsidies

Bill Clinton addresses Boeing employees in 1993. PAUL RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images

As Airbus started to become a threat to Boeing, it began to face more scrutiny.

In 1993, Bill Clinton provoked tensions as he visited Boeing's factory after it announced layoffs, the Post reported at the time. The president blamed Airbus for the American company's troubles and he criticized the billions in subsidies that Airbus received from European governments.

Airbus and the governments denied those claims, before a trade war ensued as both sides imposed tariffs on the other.

After the US held talks with the UK, France, Germany, and Spain in 2004, it filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization. The European Union also filed a tit-for-tat lawsuit accusing the US of giving unfair subsidies to Boeing, per Reuters.

The dispute took no less than 17 years to be resolved.

The WTO found that both Airbus and Boeing had illegally received billions in government subsidies, and permitted tariffs to be imposed as a consequence. A truce was struck in 2021 to end the tariffs.

4. The A320neo

The Airbus A320neo's first test flight in 2014. ERIC CABANIS/AFP via Getty Images

Airbus introduced the next generation of its popular short-haul A320 jet, and it was quick to make a mark.

The neo  "new engine option"  was so popular because it was quieter, more fuel efficient, and therefore cheaper for airlines to operate.

Its large winglets, more than 7 feet high, also helped reduce fuel burn. Airbus says it cut fuel costs by a fifth compared to previous models.

The A320neo set records at the 2011 Paris Air Show, winning 667 orders worth $60 billion.

That left Boeing desperate to catch up, so it accelerated development of the 737 Max  the fourth generation of its narrow-body jet.

5. 737 Max groundings

Southwest Airlines' grounded Boeing 737 Max jets in 2019. Mario Tama/Getty Images

The more fuel-efficient engines that Boeing needed to compete with the neo posed a design problem for a plane that first flew in the 1960s. Because they were larger, they didn't fit underneath the wings of the plane.

Boeing decided to move the engines forward and upwards instead  but this affected the 737's aerodynamics by making it more likely to pitch upwards in some scenarios.

As a remedy, a software called MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System) that automatically pushed the nose down if the "angle of attack" was too steep.

But it took data from only one of two sensors, which malfunctioned in the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes .

It wasn't long before regulators around the world grounded the 737 Max. Boeing's newest jet didn't fly again for 20 months  the longest period ever for an American airliner.

In 2019, Airbus beat Boeing on plane orders for the first time since the A320neo took the Paris Air Show by storm eight years earlier.

The European company has kept the crown since then, and even broke records last year.

January's Alaska Airlines blowout only heightened scrutiny of the Max. According to investigators' preliminary report, the plane left Boeing's factory missing key bolts that were supposed to secure the door plug.

As the planemaker's quality-control processes subsequently came under the microscope, Boeing limited production of its flagship narrowbody jet and appointed a new CEO.

As of September 4, one share in Boeing is worth less than half what it was at its peak in 2019.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Costcos first membership price hike in 7 years went into effect this week. The big-box retailer increased most of its plans by $5 to $65 a year to help offset expenses and keep its prices down.

Heres what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.

1. Economy

Wall Street kicked off September with a bust after a disappointing economic report dragged down the Dow by more than 600 points Tuesday. The report on manufacturing showed a fifth-straight month of declines, fueling concern that aggressive rate hikes from the Federal Reserve have inflicted too much damage on the economy. September has historically been an ugly month for stocks, but Tuesdays decline came after a similarly miserable start to August when markets went into a tailspin. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris is set to announce a second wave of economic proposals today, including benefits to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Small businesses are currently granted a $5,000 deduction for expenses related to their first year of operation, but Harris will propose raising that to $50,000, an official said.

2. Israel-Hamas war

The US Department of Justice has charged several senior Hamas leaders over the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday. This marks the first criminal step by the DOJ to hold people accountable for the attack. The six defendants are high-level Hamas officials, including Yahya Sinwar, who is the terrorist organizations leader in Gaza and one of the planners of the October 7 massacre. The announcement comes on the heels of the confirmed death of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin in Gaza, which prompted President Joe Biden to vow that Hamas leaders would pay for these crimes.

3. Student loans

A group of seven Republican-led states filed a new lawsuit Tuesday seeking to block a new student loan relief plan that the Biden administration planned to start rolling out this fall. The lawsuit marks yet another legal challenge to President Joe Bidens student loan policies and could potentially tie up his latest effort to deliver debt relief before the November election. Currently, Bidens student loan repayment plan, known as SAVE, is blocked. The presidents sweeping, one-time student loan forgiveness program was knocked down by the Supreme Court last year. Still, the Biden administration has canceled more student loan debt than under any other president  mostly by using existing programs. Data shows nearly 4.8 million people have seen their federal student debt canceled under Biden, totaling $169 billion.

4. Ukraine

Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tendered his resignation today ahead of an expected major Cabinet reshuffle. Kuleba is the latest high-profile member of President Volodymyr Zelenskys Cabinet to resign as Russias invasion grinds on. His decision comes ahead of an expected visit by Zelensky to the US this month. In his nightly address Tuesday, Zelensky said the fall will be extremely important for Ukraine, adding that he will need to strengthen some areas of the government to prevail. Davyd Arakhamia, the majority leader of Ukraines parliament, confirmed Tuesday that more than 50% of the Cabinet of Ministers staff will be changed this week.

5. Secret agent

A former aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been charged with acting as an agent for the Chinese government. Linda Sun was charged with visa fraud, alien smuggling and money laundering conspiracy, among other charges. Her husband, Chris Hu, facilitated the transfer of millions of dollars in kickbacks for personal gain, prosecutors said. Sun and her husband were arrested at their Long Island residence on Tuesday. Both pleaded not guilty to all charges in federal court. Sun held several government titles for more than a decade. The pair laundered the monetary proceeds to buy real estate in New York and Hawaii and various luxury vehicles, according to the indictment.

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Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson reflects on groundbreaking path to the Supreme Court in new memoir

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Mobile phones are not linked to brain cancer, according to a major review of 28 years of research

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TODAYS NUMBER

81

Thats Morteza Mehrzadselakjanis height, making him the tallest Paralympian in history and the joint-second tallest man in the world. He recently had to sleep on the floor at the Paris 2024 Games after not having a bed he was able to fit in, but the situation has now been resolved, the International Paralympic Committee told CNN.

TODAYS QUOTE

To honor you all, to thank you all, I am going to decree the beginning of Christmas on October 1.

 Venezuelas embattled President Nicolas Maduro, announcing Christmas will start next month in Venezuela. This is not the first time Maduro has extended the official national period of Christmas celebration, which in Venezuela often comes with extra bonuses for public employees and more lavish gifts in government handouts. Last year, Maduro ordered Christmas to start on November 1, later expressing regret that he didnt start it earlier.

TODAYS WEATHER

Check your local forecast here>>>

AND FINALLY 

Meet the Godmother of AI

CNNs Fareed Zakaria spoke with Stanford University professor Fei-Fei Li about her journey as a computer scientist and how it influenced the discovery of modern artificial intelligence. Watch the video here.

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ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  A new $50,000 grant to the Ethnic Heritage Museum is part of a broader effort to revitalize Rockfords South Main Street corridor.

The funding will be used to fund restoration work on the campus, which houses the historic limestone Graham-Ginestra house, at 1129 S Main. The barn, carriage house, and stables will undergo renovations to include additional exhibit space and space for public events.

The project will be the latest of several slated to rehabilitate one of the citys oldest thoroughfares, which connects U.S. Bypass 20, to the south, with downtown.

Fifth Ward Alderwoman Gabrielle Torina said, Obviously Barber Colman [the Colman Yards project], thats the first one; the Water Power Lofts, which is at 700 South Main. Youre seeing the expansion today of the Essex Heritage Museum, the South Main Mercato. First year [attendance for the Mercado] was about 500 people. The second year, 5000. Thats quite a big jump. So that alone has to tell you that a mindset is changing about coming to Southwest Rockford.

In addition, the Illinois Department of Transportation will be holding public meetings this month to share plans to restart passenger rail service between Chicago and Rockford, with a proposed station on S. Main Street. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hall at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10th.

Sandra Colbert, Director of the Lithuanian Gallery at the Ethnic Heritage Museum, said the projects have revitalized the entire community.

I could see the change in the area. I could see the change in the peoples attitudes. Its just a great time to be on South Main. You could see new developments encroaching farther and farther and really improving the neighborhood, improving the outlook for the people that live here, she said.

I think hope is being reestablished again in the people that live in Southwest Rockford. Things are actually happening, like the completion of project funding. Shovels have hit the ground. So peoples attitudes are changing because theyre seeing things, Torina said. Action is being finally taken. Theyre not just hearing lip service, theyre actually seeing things really come to fruition. So it means everything to us,

Torina said she hopes the new developments will spur growth in restaurants and other attractions.

The grant money for the Ethnic Heritage Museum comes from $1.64 Rebuild Illinois funding which is being distributed to nonprofits including the Coronado Performing Arts Center, the YMCA of Rock River Valley, the former Grand Hotel supportive housing facility on Broadway, and Zion Development, for a Strong Neighborhood House in Machesney Park.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
65 people injured in Russian missile strike on Poltava are in critical condition

Following a devastating Russian missile attack on Poltava on 3 September, 65 people are in a critical condition, 146 in moderate and 87 in a fair condition.

Source: Filip Pronin, Head of Poltava Oblast Military Administration, at a press conference on Wednesday, 4 September

Details: According to Pronin, there were 30 ambulances on the scene of the strike. Patients receive both inpatient and outpatient care.

The response to the aftermath of the Russian strike on the educational institution's territory is currently continuing, with rescue workers clearing the rubble. As of now, there is information on 53 people who had been killed.

Previously: The State Emergency Service announced in the morning that the death toll from the Russian strike on Poltava had risen to 53 and that rescue workers were still working at the site, with up to 5 more people possibly being trapped under the rubble.

Background:

On 3 September, Russia struck an educational facility in the city of Poltava. As of the evening of 3 September, 53 dead and 271 wounded were reported.

Three days of mourning for the people killed in the Russian strike on the Institute of Communication in the city of Poltava began in Poltava Oblast on 4 September.

Ukraines Ground Forces are investigating the strike on one of the military educational institutions in Poltava, where missiles of the Russian army hit on 3 September.

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7-year-old girl very critical after hit by a car outside Miami pharmacy, police say

A 7-year-old girl remains in the hospital in critical condition after being hit by a car outside a Miami pharmacy Monday afternoon, police say.

The girl and her mother were walking into the Navarro Pharmacy at SW 32nd Ave. and 22nd St. around 4 p.m. when a 92-year-old woman drove up on the sidewalk and hit the child with her Nissan SUV, said Officer Michael Vega, a Miami police spokesman.

Paramedics rushed the little girl, whom police have not named, to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. She was unconscious and had head injuries when first responders arrived to the store, Vega said.

Her condition remained very critical as of Tuesday night, Vega said.

The woman, whom police have not identified, was parking her car and accidentally pressed down on the accelerator mistaking it for the brake, Vega said. She stayed on the scene, according to police.

The woman was cited for careless driving and could face more charges, according to Miami Herald news partner CBS Miami.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Seven Republican-controlled states are pushing back on the Biden administrations latest plan to pay off or reduce student loan balances. Republican lawmakers say Bidens plan would transfer tax dollars from working class Americans to college graduates.

The lawsuit is another attempt to stymie President Joe Bidens campaign promise to cancel student loan debt, and comes a week after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to lift an injunction on the Biden White Houses loan repayment plan, known as Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE.

The latest lawsuit takes aim at a new rule the Education Department proposed in April. It has not yet been finalized. The agency emailed borrowers updates on the rule and asked those who are not interested in the debt relief program to opt out by Aug. 30.

It would grant student debt relief to tens of millions of borrowers across the country, according to the Biden administration.

Lawsuit claims Education Department plans to cancel loans unlawfully

The states  Missouri, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, North Dakota, and Ohio  claim they uncovered documents that highlight the Education Departments plans to unlawfully cancel hundreds of billions of dollars in loans before the rule is finalized.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, leading the lawsuit, said, We successfully halted their first two illegal student loan cancellation schemes; I have no doubt we will secure yet another win to block the third one, according to a press release.

They may be throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks, but my office is meeting them every step of the way.

The suit alleges the Education Department planned on implementing the new program without public notice since May. It also claims the federal agency instructed federal contractors to immediately begin cancellation as early as Sept. 3, 2024.

The actual cost of the Third Mass Cancellation Rule is thus the $146.9 billion estimated by the Department plus much of the $475 billion cost of the SAVE Plan, Bailey said.

This is the third time the Secretary has unlawfully tried to mass cancel hundreds of billions of dollars in loans. Courts stopped him the first two times, when he tried to do so openly. So now he is trying to do so through cloak and dagger.

Who would the Education Departments new rule help?

The proposed rule would authorize the Education Department to give partial or full debt relief to four groups of borrowers. This includes:

Individuals owing more now than they did at the start of their loan repayments. The agency has at least 23 million such borrowers, many of whom are Pell Grant recipients.

Individuals making repayments for at least two decades.

Individuals eligible for student loan forgiveness but who have not yet applied.

Individuals graduating from low-financial-value programs. If an institution fails to uphold the Education Departments standards, students attending the institution may be eligible for loan forgiveness.

According to Axios, an Education Department spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit, but said the agency will continue to follow the law as we work to prepare for possible debt relief this fall, which would only be implemented after the proposed rules first introduced this spring are finalized.

So far, Bidens Education Department has canceled $168.5 billion in student loans for 4.76 million borrowers through five major programs, according to the Center for American Progress.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Nine men were arrested and charged with sex trafficking crimes during an undercover operation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations.

The operation lasted two days and addressed human trafficking in the Jackson area, according to the TBI.

Agents with the TBI Human Trafficking Unit, the Tennessee Human Trafficking Task Force, and the Jackson Police Department posted several decoy advertisements on websites known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex.

Operation Code Zero leads to 33 arrests; seizure of illegal drugs, guns

The operation was focused on identifying people looking for commercial sex acts with minors.

Nine men were ultimately arrested during the operation. They were booked into the Maddison County Jail.

Below is a list of those arrested and charged with Trafficking for a Comercial Sex Act.

Blake Coulspon, 30, from Jackson, TN  $25,000 bond.

Michal Knepp, 43, from Jackson, TN  $25,000 bond.

Christopher Virgle, 41, from Jackson, TN  $25,000 bond.

Jabbar Franklin, 31, from Muscle Shoals, AL  $25,000 bond.

James Brown, 46, from Jackson, TN  $5,000 bond.

Rayvione Walker (DOB 12/24/2002), Jackson  $25,000 bond.

Shane Meeks, 21, from Michie, TN  $25,000 bond.

Tevin Williams, 22, from Jackson, TN  $25,000 bond.

Angel Felipe, 25, from Memphis, TN  $25,000 bond.

The TBI says three others were also arrested on felony charges including Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture, Possession of Schedule I Drugs, and Aggravated Robbery.

Twelve potential victims of human trafficking were encountered during the operation. The TBI says they were all offered services through a human trafficking victim service organization.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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ANKARA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi arrived in Ankara on Wednesday for talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, marking the first visit by an Egyptian president to Turkiye in 12 years as the two countries seek to normalize relations after more than a decade of tension.

Erdogan and Sisi will co-chair the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, the Turkish presidency said in a statement.

"All aspects of Turkiye-Egypt relations will be reviewed, and joint steps that could be taken in the upcoming period to further improve bilateral cooperation will be addressed at the Council meeting," the statement said, adding several agreements are expected to be signed during the meeting.

The two leaders' talks will also include discussions on "current regional and global matters, particularly the ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories," the statement noted.

The visit follows Erdogan's trip to Cairo in February, signaling a thaw in bilateral ties after years of hostility. Relations between Turkiye and Egypt soured after the ouster of former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 and the subsequent banning of his Turkiye-backed Muslim Brotherhood group, which led both countries to expel each other's ambassadors.

Ties between the two countries began to improve in 2020 when Ankara launched a diplomatic effort to reduce tensions with its estranged regional rivals, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. 
911 dispatcher tries to defuse incident with Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann: 'Stay away'

A Naples police dispatcher attempted to defuse a confrontation between a man and Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann moments before authorities arrived on scene last week, a 911 call shows.

Heitmann, 61, faces one count of driving under the influence. She waived her arraignment and claimed her innocence the same day she was released on $500 bond.

The call, which came in around 9:50 p.m. Aug. 25, lasted nearly five minutes. During that time, the mayor attempted to leave the scene, the recording shows.

"Yeah, I think the mayor is drunk, and she just... she just, literally just drove over our mailbox," the caller said as he gasped heavily and his voice shook.

That statement appeared to confuse the dispatcher.

"The mayor did?" the dispatcher asked, to which the caller replied, "I don't know. She's claiming to be the mayor. I don't know who she is. She just drove... She's drunk, and she just drove on our lawn, and now she's coming to talk to me."

He said Heitmann was driving a Porsche sportscar, "literally almost running into" his Jeep and followed him. The victim said Heitmann stood on his lawn as he spoke with the dispatcher.

"I'm just putting a note here," the dispatcher said after the caller again indicated Heitmann insisted she was the Naples mayor.

'Then why did you come here?'

"Then why did you come here?" the caller asked Heitmann while the dispatcher remained on the line, later shouting, "No, we didn't," when Heitmann accused them of failing to yield.

The dispatcher urged that both parties keep a distance.

"Stay away from her if you could," the dispatcher said.

When the dispatcher asked if Heitmann was outside the home, the caller replied, saying she parked in front of their home, "upset that I called you guys."

"I'm upset that you called the police," Heitmann said in the background as the caller tried to confirm the Porsche's color, the recording shows.

Mayor apologizes: 'Profoundly sorry.' Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann publicly apologizes for DUI arrest

The caller again asked Heitmann why she followed them home.

"Why did you pull into our grass?" he asked. "No, we didn't. We're driving down Third Street, and we saw you slam on the brakes and give yourself a headache because you almost ran us over, and then you follow us home, claiming we cut you off and you almost ran the back of our car. We saw you flashing the lights and running the back of our car."

As the argument escalated, the dispatcher intervened.

"Sir, I don't want you guys to get into any type of more confrontation than you already have," the dispatcher said. "Can you step away from her or tell her to back off until the police get there?"

'She's just standing there'

While the conversation continued, the dispatcher asked what Heitmann was doing.

"She's just standing there," the caller replied.

The dispatcher then asked if anyone was injured and if she needed to send an ambulance. The man said he was unharmed and relayed the question to Heitmann, to which she answered she was not injured.

'I guess she's just leaving now'

When the dispatcher asked that Heitmann identify herself, she replied "Mayor Teresa Heitmann."

"OK, all right," the dispatcher said. She then asked the caller if he felt comfortable hanging up.

He did not indicate his level of comfort, but instead replied, "I guess she's just leaving now."

"She can't leave," the dispatcher said. "She needs to wait."

The caller said the mayor was leaving the scene.

"She said she's staying now," he said, to which the dispatcher replied, "OK, just tell her she needs to wait for officers to arrive there."

The caller said he was trying to make Heitmann remain on scene.

"If she does leave, don't try to stop her," the dispatcher said. "Just let me know if she does leave."

The caller later expressed confusion.

"I'm just so confused [about] what's going on," he said.

What led to Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann's arrest?

According to an arrest report from Naples police, officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of 16th Avenue South to a driver possibly intoxicated who claimed to be the mayor.

When a Naples police sergeant arrived, the report says, he immediately recognized Heitmann leaning on the hood of her silver Porsche, speaking with two officers, who reported they saw Heitmann driving the car.

The sergeant then spoke with the residents, who said they were driving south on Third Street South when Heitmann's silver Porsche almost ran the stop sign and had to "slam" on the brakes.

She then told the sergeant the occupants in another car, who live at a residence, nearly hit her in a roundabout.

Heitmann told police she did not follow them.

The sergeant told Heitmann they were standing in front of other people's home before Heitmann "rolled her eyes and asked what was going on."

The sergeant reported he could "immediately smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage" emanating from Heitmann.

According to the sergeant, Heitmann had "glassy, watery eyes" and a "slowed, slurred speech consistent with being intoxicated."

Both residents said the Porsche tailgated them, flashing the lights and parked on the grass by the residence.

As the resident grabbed a phone and called police, Heitmann said, "Call the police," and, "She is the mayor, and that nothing will happen."

Heitmann told police that she "would never tell them she was the mayor," the report states.

When officers performed field sobriety tests, they noted Heitmann was unable to follow the movement of a pen with her eyes and continued to turn her head.

"Heitmann would stop following the pen with her eyes when she felt the exercise was over," the report says in part.

When told she had to walk straight, taking nine heel-to-toe steps as she counted out loud, the report says, she took 13 steps on one attempt and 16 steps on the next.

Officers then had her perform a third exercise  a one-leg stand. The report says Heitmann could not hold her foot off the ground for more than six seconds and would stop the exercises when her foot touched the ground.

Heitmann completed two breath samples, which resulted in a blood-alcohol content of 0.155 and 0.169.

Her arraignment is set for Sept. 18, although her waiver counts as her plea of not guilty. She was released Thursday on $500 bond and is the second Collier County elected official arrested on drunken driving charges this year.

Heitmann, a former account executive for cosmetics firms Revlon Co. and then Lancome, in Jacksonville, entered politics in 2008.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann aggressive as man calls police: 911 call
There are reports today that the U.S. is potentially preparing to transfer AGM-158 Joint Air-To-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSMs) to Ukraine as part of an upcoming aid package that will be executed in the coming weeks. While the JASSM is more advanced than any standoff weapon in Ukraines inventory and it would provide enhanced capabilities, its biggest benefit is that the U.S. government could supply a steady flow of the weapons, greatly expanding the number of high-priority target sets Ukraine can strike deep behind enemy lines.

The reports that JASSMs could be on the way to Ukraine would fit with a claim from a top-ranking officer in that country from months ago that donated F-16 Vipers would feature an advanced standoff missile with a range of between 300 and 500 kilometers (186 to 310 miles) as part of their weapons menu. It also would provide a mission for Ukraines fledgling Viper fleet beyond air defense, without taking on greater risk. Ukraine has already lost one of half a dozen F-16s delivered, as well as a precious Viper-trained pilot, although the circumstances of just how this occurred remain murky.

F-16 Fighting Falcons are seen as President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech congratulating the Ukrainian military on the stand in front of the first General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon received by Ukraine on August 4, 2024 in, Ukraine. (Ukrainian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu

Right now, the Ukrainian Air Force employs the nearly identical Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG cruise missile types, donated by the United Kingdom and France, respectively, as their primary means of air-launched standoff strike. Both types are fired by Ukrainian Su-24 Fencers. Aside from U.S.-donated ATACMS ballistic missiles and indigenously-developed Neptune cruise missiles, these weapons represent the high-end of Ukraines long-range precision attack capabilities.

The first ever public footage of Su-24M(R) of UkrAF 7th BrTA dropping Storm Shadow pic.twitter.com/iyXpgqAwaT  C Os (@CalibreObscura) August 4, 2024

While Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG have similar basic performance to JASSM, the U.S.-made cruise missile is more survivable, featuring a high degree of low-observability (stealth) that reduces its signature to the point that it can wind its way through very advanced and dense air defense networks. This is done with the help of very high-fidelity and current electronic and other forms of intelligence and programmed into a mission planning interface that helps come up with the best route for the missile to survive its trip to its target. For terminal guidance, like SCALP-EG and Storm Shadow, imaging infrared is used together with scene/image matching technology to attack the right target even in a dense electronic warfare environment. The seeker system is thought to be very advanced and capable of pinpointing exact parts of structures to impact as programmed, even under varying atmospheric conditions. The first iteration of JASSM has a range of around 330 miles (although some sources have put it at around 230) and packs a 1,000-pound penetrator warhead capable of taking out hardened structures.

So, overall, Ukraine would get a more advanced and survivable missile for penetrating deeply into Russias air defense overlay that populates eastern Ukraine and Crimea. In the past, at least some Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG missions were assisted by ADM-160 Miniature Air-Launched Decoys (MALD). The ADM-160 is a mini-cruise missile-like decoy that exists to distract and confuse enemy air defense. JASSMs stealth may allow it to hit the same targets as its French and British counterparts without the help of MALDs, or it will be even more effective with their assistance.

But the capabilities JASSM could provide really arent its biggest draw, its the fact that the U.S. has been working to stockpile thousands of these missiles and is building more advanced versions as fast as it can. Pentagon budget documents and Selected Acquisition Reports for the JASSM program show just over 2,000 AGM-158As were acquired before production of those missiles ended in 2021. The current inventory objective for total JASSM purchases, past and future, including the aforementioned A versions, as well as current and future subvariants of the JASSM-ER, is over 12,000.

AGM-158As first entered service in the early 2000s and B models began to follow in the mid-2010s. Some of the original missiles are aging and are likely approaching the end of their service lives or are in need of major overhauls to keep them fresh. So, the U.S. military could provide a steady stream of these weapons to Ukraine, at least the oldest and least advanced types. In comparison, Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG were not built in anywhere near the same quantities. While the United Kingdom and France have been generous with these weapons, the supply of them is limited and is likely already becoming a major concern. The United Kingdom is said to have hundreds not thousands of these missiles in total before they started flowing to Ukraine, for instance. JASSM could step in and stabilize the situation. This is similar to what the AIM-120 AMRAAM and NASAMS air defense systems provided, which you can read all about here.

A USAF F-16 testing JASSM during early trials. USAF

For Russia, JASSM would mean that Ukraine has an advanced air-launched standoff weapon that is not heavily supply limited and can penetrate its best defenses. This would be a big problem for Russia, especially when it comes to key targets in Crimea, but also major staging areas, storage sites, command bunkers, training centers, and more, deep behind the front lines in Ukraine. They could even be used to hit more time sensitive targets under certain circumstances. As of now, the U.S. government has not allowed Ukraine to use advanced standoff weapons on targets in Russia and even less advanced ones have only been cleared for use when returning fire over the border. If this were to change, JASSM would become a massive problem for Moscows overstretched air defenses and no long-range drone can hit with anywhere near as destructive power.

One big concern with using JASSM in the Ukraine-Russian conflict is the technological sensitivities of the missile. While even its 20-year-old electronics and sensor technologies are still considered sensitive, its airframe, specifically its low-observable design features, and the material science that comes with it, would prompt the most concern.

A JASSM-equipped F-16 during a recent USAF test. USAF

U.S. JASSMs would be used in great numbers during a conflict with China as an absolutely critical standoff strike staple. So compromising their capabilities, in particular how to spot them or confuse their targeting seekers, could be a huge problem. Still, we dont know what exact technical changes have been made to this family of missiles as it has evolved and whether providing the oldest ones to Ukraine would represent an extreme risk of being compromised as later production models and new variants. We also dont know what China, Russia, and other adversaries already know about these weapons. If much of this has already leaked, the risk would be less.

JASSMs have been used before in combat and some bits of wreckage have possibly been exploited by foreign intelligence services. Still, these use cases have been very limited and in areas that the U.S. military can reach if it has to (Syria) in order to destroy a somewhat intact weapon, if it can be located. In Ukraine, Russia has recovered multiple Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG missiles in various states, some almost entirely intact, by Russian forces and sent back home for exploitation. Could the U.S. stomach this same outcome, as it is very likely to happen if JASSM gets put to use en-masse in the conflict?

Wreckage of a downed British cruise missile Storm Shadow pic.twitter.com/G7tKOPiIsj  Ama. (@UNIVERS_ART) July 4, 2023

Remains of the shot down Storm Shadow cruise missiles and the boosters of the MGM-140A ATACMS Block 1 ballistic missiles.

1/ pic.twitter.com/nmEYVusZd6     (@TheDeadDistrict) July 7, 2024

We detail the security issue with JASSM in our previous feature on the weapons Ukraine could get for its F-16s. Things have changed since that was written, with ever more advanced weaponry being handed over to Ukraine, but the JASSM issue remains the same. It also can be argued that the U.S. will need every single one of these weapons (and ideally many more) in a major fight with China in the Pacific and that handing them over to Ukraine erodes the U.S. militarys ability to confront its top pacing threat.

As we noted in our feature, another option would be the AGM-84H/K Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER), which has been integrated, at least to some degree, onto the F-16 by Turkey. This weapon serves primarily with the U.S. Navy, as well as South Korea, and while it is not as advanced, hard-hitting, and long-reaching as the JASSM, it has some capabilities it does not, including man-in-the-loop targeting, that could be beneficial without JASSMs technological risk.

We will have to wait and see if indeed this supposed deal to send JASSM to Ukraine actually comes to pass, but Ukraines F-16s could really use a standoff land-attack weapon in order to take a bigger role in the war effort so early on in their service  and just how many Storm Shadows and SCALP-EGs are left to donate is an increasingly concerning question.

Contact the author: Tyler@twz.com
The News

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul described the scale of the alleged charges against her former deputy chief of staff Linda Sun as absolutely shocking Wednesday in an interview with Amna Nawaz, co-anchor of PBS News Hour and Semafor contributor.

Speaking at a Semafor event, Age and Access in the Social Media Era, Hochul told Nawaz that the federal charges against Sun and her husband  who were arrested Tuesday after being accused of secretly working for the Chinese government  should prompt other lawmakers to consider who they bring on staff: Everyone should be aware where they are empowering with positions.

Sun had worked in the state government for almost 15 years. The couple pleaded not guilty in Brooklyn federal court Tuesday to all the charges.

She has been in government for many, many years, even prior to the time I became governor, Hochul told Nawaz, referring to Suns time working for Hochuls predecessor, Andrew Cuomo, where she was involved in making a lot of decisions related to the relationship between the administration at the time and the Chinese government.

To think that China, that any foreign agent, any foreign government has the audacity to infiltrate a government organization like the state of New York, has to be addressed with and well be talking more about what we want to see happen later today, she added, without adding more details.

It never should have happened.

Know More

Hochul was also asked about her apparent spat with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. During the Democratic National Convention in August, Pelosi appeared to blame the fact that Democrats lost control of the House in 2022 at least partly on Hochuls performance in New Yorks gubernatorial race, which she won by a narrower-than-expected margin.

Hochul fired back on Wednesday: The same year we lost five seats in California. So I think theres a broader analysis that would be justified.

Hochul told Nawaz that she was laser focused on building up the state party and flipping at least five house seats to bolster a potential Democratic majority in congress in November, citing the example of Tom Suozzi re-winning his Long Island seat as a success story.
Polling station in East Lansing, Feb. 25, 2024 | Susan J. Demas

The ACLU of Michigan and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Tuesday against a member of the Kalamazoo Board of County Canvassers following comments he made that the organizations claim indicate his willingness to violate his oath of office and refuse to certify election results if he doesnt agree with them.

The lawsuit, filed in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court, notes comments made by Robert Froman, one of four members of that countys Board of Canvassers, to The Detroit News last month in which he said he most definitely believes the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump. When asked if he would certify the 2024 election if it unfolded the same way, Froman was reported to have replied, No. And thats why Im there.

The ACLU says the comment, as well as other statements, indicates Fromans unwillingness to certify the results of the 2024 election regardless of allegations or evidence of election fraud, which county canvassing boards are not empowered to investigate.

The law could not be clearer. It is the ministerial, nondiscretionary duty of the members of a county board of canvassers to certify the presidential election based on the returns from the precincts, absent voter counting boards, and early voting sites, states the lawsuit. This legal obligation is not new. Since at least 1892, Michigan courts have held that canvassers cannot go behind the returns and challenge the results based on allegations (or even evidence) of voter fraud. A failure to certify based on a canvassers belief or theory that the election was somehow stolen would be flatly impermissible.

The ACLU notes that in that same article Froman said he wasnt going to do anything thats illegal, but didnt recognize that refusing to certify the election would, in fact, violate both the Michigan Constitution and a state statute that require county canvassers to certify election results within 14 days after the election based solely on the total number of votes reported from each location within their jurisdiction. The law does not allow them to withhold certification.

Were bringing this lawsuit because attacks on our democracy cannot stand, said Theresa Lee, senior staff attorney with the ACLUs Voting Rights Project. It is critical the court make clear that county canvassers have a legal duty to certify the election based on the tabulated votes. Thats how democracy works.

The ACLU says when it contacted Froman about his statements, he denied making them, but when prompted to correct the record, he reportedly refused to contact The Detroit News and request a retraction. For its part, the paper told the organization that it stands by its reporting. The ACLU says Froman also did not deny that he would refuse to certify an election result with which he did not agree.

Fromans alleged statements are in line with a widely reported anti-democratic trend of election denialism in which local officials in Michigan and throughout the country have threatened to interfere with the election certification process, stated a press release.

The ACLU noted two examples of Michigan canvassers violating the law.

In 2020, two members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers initially voted against certifying the results of the election based on false allegations of fraud in Detroit. It was later learned that they had been personally pressured by President Trump not to sign the certification documents.

More recently, Republican members of the Delta County Board of Canvassers initially refused to certify the results of elections earlier this year for county offices based on unfounded allegations of voter fraud. They quickly reversed that decision and certified the results after being reminded by state election officials of their ministerial duties under the law.

Part of the guidance issued by Board of Elections Director Jonathan Brater after the Delta County incident was a reminder that when a board of county canvassers fails to certify an election, the Michigan Board of State Canvassers is then required to do so.

[U]ntil certification is complete, all members of the Board of County Canvassers, the County Clerk, County Clerk election staff, all city and township clerks, and their staff must be available to assist with and deliver records for the state canvass upon request. This may require being present in person at offices in Lansing or the designated canvass location, said Brater, who further stated that all of the costs associated with that process, including costs needed for transportation, lodging, meals, and all costs incurred by the Michigan Department of State, Michigan Department of Attorney General, Michigan State Police, or any other state agency, will be the responsibility of the county.

The ACLUs lawsuit states that in addition to the burdensome costs on voters that would be imposed by failing to certify, such a failure would also promote partisan conspiracy theories that undermine public confidence in American democracy.

For democracy to work, election officials at all levels must put adherence to the law above partisanship, said Phil Mayor, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Michigan. This lawsuit should also send the message to all election officials that the ACLU and other pro-democracy organizations are on guard and ready to act if voters right to a free and fair election is flouted by election officials for partisan gain.

The ACLU says similar concerns about potential refusals to certify election results have been reported in other swing states including Nevada, Colorado, Georgia and Arizona.

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Warning: This article contains images of the whales injuries.

The death of a beloved beluga whale in Norway suspected to have once been used as a Russian spy was no accident, local animal rights organizations claimed Wednesday.

Hvaldimirwhose name was a portmanteau of hval, the Norwegian word for whale, and the first name of Russian President Vladimir Putinfirst appeared in the nordic nations waters in 2019, wearing what appeared to be a harness for a camera bearing the words Equipment St. Petersburg. The intriguing creature became a source of international attention and was known for his friendly interactions with humans before he was found dead close to Risavika in southwestern Norway on Saturday.

Acid, Actresses, and Defectors: Inside the Bizarre History of Marine Mammal Spies

The results of an autopsy into Hvaldimirs cause of death have not yet been released, but a pair of animal rights organizations say they have now filed a police report in connection with the cetaceans demise.

OneWhale, an organization which worked to protect Hvaldimir, and NOAH, Norways biggest animal rights nonprofit, said in a press release Wednesday that preliminary findings indicate that the whale was killed by gunshot wounds.

They also released images of Hvaldimirs bloodied carcass, claiming that the assessments of multiple veterinarians and ballistic experts who reviewed photos of his injuries strongly suggest a criminal act had taken place.

I have been with Hvaldimir for the past five years and know him very well, Regina Haug, the founder of OneWhale, said in a statement. When I saw his body and the multiple injuries, I immediately knew he had been killed by gunshots. I even saw a bullet lodged in his body.

There is no question that this kind, gentle animal was senselessly murdered, Haug added. We will pursue justice for Hvaldimir and hope that someone comes forward with information about his killing.

The body of Hvaldimir was found over the weekend. OneWhale.org

OneWhale, a group which sought to protect Hvaldimir, claims he was deliberately killed. OneWhale.org

Siri Martinsen, a veterinarian and the leader of Noah, added that Hvaldimirs injuries were alarming and of a nature that cannot rule out a criminal act.

[I]t is shocking, Martinsen said. Given the suspicion of a criminal act, it is crucial that the police are involved quickly. Hvaldimir was significant to many, and all facts must be brought to light regarding his death.

Anna Victoria Pyne Vinje, a marine biologist with OneWhale, said it is deeply troubling that the whale had been intentionally killed.

Equally concerning is the spread of misinformation by those claiming scientific authority, suggesting that this whale may have died from natural causes or that seabirds could inflict such severe wounds within an hour of its death, Vinje says, referring to information included in some initial reports about Hvaldimirs demise. These assertions lack scientific credibility and risk misleading the public.

Preliminary findings indicate that Hvaldimir was killed by gunshot wounds, according to OneWhale. OneWhale.org

Not everyone is yet convinced that foul play was to blame for Hvaldimirs demise, however.

Marine Mind, another nonprofit which worked to look after the whale, released its own statement cautioning against making hasty conclusions.

The Veterinary Institute has not yet released the results from its investigations, the statement read. When we found Hvaldimir on Saturday, it was not possible to immediately determine the cause of death, and therefore it is important to refrain from speculation until the institute has completed its work. Until then, we hope people stick to the established facts.

We do not wish to contribute to public speculation, but we are directly assisting with what we can offer to those working to determine the cause of Hvaldimirs death, the statement continued. Until the cause of death is established by those responsible for the investigation, temporary assumptions will not be useful for anything other than publicity.

Belugas typically move in groups and are found in Arctic waters, making Hvaldimirs solo appearance somewhat unusual. Some experts speculated that he may have been domesticated at some point in his life owing to his comfort with human beings. Viral videos captured Hvaldimirs apparently friendly interactions with people, including playing fetch and retrieving a kayakers dropped camera.

NOAH and OneWhale had been advocating for Hvaldimir to be relocated to northern Norway for his own protection and to be nearer to other belugas.

There were many obstacles that prevented his move from happening sooner, including bureaucratic processes, poorly defined laws, misinformation, and sadly, attempts by other organizations to block his move, OneWhale founder Haug said in the press release.

Despite this, we were so close to finally getting Hvaldimir to safety and giving him a chance at a sustainable future, Haug added. Our worst fears came true when his young life was cut short. Our hope is that Hvaldimirs tragedy will be a lesson and never be repeated.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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New ad from George Conways Psycho PAC looks to trigger Trump by airing near his homes

New ad from George Conways Psycho PAC looks to trigger Trump by airing near his homes

The political action committee founded by conservative lawyer George Conway is directly targeting Donald Trump with a new advertisement that will air in locations where the ex-president has homes in hopes that seeing the commercial will set off an emotional reaction.

Conways Psycho PAC is making a six-figure purchase of airtime in Palm Beach, Florida and Bedminister, New Jersey media markets  locations where Trump spends most of his time  as well as markets in South Carolina, Florida and Texas, where Trump allies Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz are based.

The minute-long advertisement is narrated by Conway, a retired corporate litigator who once ghost-wrote Supreme Court briefs in the Clinton v Jones case that led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton in the late 1990s. He was formerly married to top Trump confidante Kellyanne Conway but emerged as a fierce critic of the ex-president during the 2020 election cycle.

It begins with him addressing Trump directly as clips of prominent Republicans criticism of the ex-president play in the background.

Hey, Donald? All your friends, all the people that have worked with you, they all think youre nuts, he says.

George Conway narrates his political action committees latest anti-Trump advertisement (REUTERS)

The advertisement proceeds to show Trump with images of his allies popping up around his head as audio of their attacks on him  many from the 2016 election or the period after he lost the 2020 election  are repeated.

It uses a line from Cruz, the Texas senator who is up for re-election, who in 2016 said of Trump: The man cannot tell the truth, but he combines it with being a narcissist.

Former House Speaker Paul Ryan pops up next, repeating a line in which he called Trump a populist authoritarian narcissist.

Then comes John Bolton, Trumps former national security adviser, who says that Trump is not fit to be president of the United States, and Trumps ex-attorney general, Bill Barr, who says the country cant be a therapy session for a troubled man.

The ad continues with clips from New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, Rubio, the Florida senator who was on Trumps vice presidential shortlist, and former GOP Representative Adam Kinzinger, all uttering various criticisms of Trumps mental state and fitness to be president once more.

It will run for a weeklong campaign that the PAC says is meant to spotlight Trumps erratic behavior and unfitness for the presidency and ensure that voters are fully informed about the dangers of letting a deranged man like Trump back into office.

In a statement, Conway said his group is highlighting the fact that those who are closest to Trump recognize his instability by using the words of Trumps current and former allies against the ex-president.

This campaign is delivering the message that concerns about Trumps mental fitness arent just coming from his opponentstheyre coming from the very people who know him best. And they should not be ignored, he said.
Ada County put Ryan Cole on the Boise areas health board. Then his medical license lapsed

Garden City pathologist and Central District Health board member Ryan Cole is no longer licensed by the Idaho Board of Medicine, placing his position on the board in question.

Idaho law requires every public health district in the state to have at least one licensed physician on its board.

His license lapsed June 30, according to the states database for occupational and professional licenses. It was originally issued Sept. 13, 2003.

Cole narrowly secured the votes needed to become the only physician on the Boise-area district health board in 2021. The position became vacant when the Ada County Commission chose not to reappoint Dr. Ted Epperly, who served on the board for 15 years and pushed for public health measures during the pandemic.

Cole, on the other hand, has questioned the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, advocated against masks and suggested a Boise surgeons death was tied to the vaccine, a comment the surgeons life partner called an outright lie.

Garden City pathologist Ryan Cole was appointed to the Central District Health board in 2021.

Earlier this year, he was restricted from practicing most medicine in Washington after that states Medical Commission said he spread disinformation in dishonest presentations about COVID-19, the Idaho Statesman reported.

Maria Ortega, communications manager for Central District Health, told the Statesman by phone Tuesday that the health district was unaware Coles license had lapsed until an Idaho Press reporter inquired about it by email Aug. 27. She said its up to the Ada County commissioners to decide what to do.

Ortega said Russell Duke, the health districts director, informed Commission Chair Rod Beck of Coles lapsed license last week.

The district, which covers Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley counties, has seven board members. The boards next scheduled meeting is Oct. 18.

Central District Health in Boise.

When reached by phone Tuesday, Elizabeth Duncan, a spokesperson for the commission, declined to say whether commissioners planned to remove or replace Cole on the health district board. She said later by email that the commission reached out to Cole over the weekend as soon as the license lapse was brought to their attention.

Dr. Cole said it was an oversight and would have it corrected as soon as possible, Duncan wrote.

Cole did not respond Tuesday to a phone call or text from the Statesman.

Bob McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, told the Statesman that Cole can still renew his license. He would just have to pay a $200 renewal fee and a $100 reinstatement fee, according to McLaughlin.

The Idaho Board of Medicine gives physicians five years to renew their licenses before they have to start over with a new application.

Ryan Cole presents COVID falsehoods at Idaho Capitol, says his speeches cost me my career

Washington restricts license of controversial Idaho doctor for COVID-19 dishonesty

Worse than toxic: Employees allege culture of retaliation at Boise public health district
Advocacy group calls to remove toxic chemicals from common medical devices: 'We allow them to be pumped into the veins'

Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, a leading science-based nonprofit organization working to eliminate toxic chemicals that contribute to breast cancer, has called on California lawmakers to pass the Toxic-Free Medical Device Act.

The legislation would prevent the harmful chemical DEHP (Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate) from being used in IV bags and tubing in the state.

In an Instagram post from the advocacy group, the California Senate unanimously passed the groundbreaking bill, and it's expected to be approved by Gov. Gavin Newsom soon.

What's happening?

If the bill becomes law, it would ban the toxic chemical DEHP  along with other harmful substitutes in the same class of chemicals, known as phthalates  from being manufactured, sold, or distributed in IV bags for all patients starting in 2030.

In addition, it would prohibit DEHP and similar chemicals from being used in IV tubing for high-risk patients beginning in 2035, according to a release and fact sheet on the act.

Since up to 90% of U.S. inpatients receive IV therapy treatments, according to research cited by BCPP, the passage of the Toxic-Free Medical Device Act would be a huge step toward protecting patient health nationwide.

According to a new report from the advocacy group, DEHP is used in around 60%-70% of IV bags and tubes in California and has been linked to numerous health issues, such as breast, lung, liver, and testicular cancers.

Because DEHP can leach out of the IV bags and tubing into the medication and fluids being infused into patients' bloodstreams, it puts vulnerable patients at significant risk.

"Hospitals should not be a place where sick people have to worry that their IVs will make them worse instead of better," Suzanne Price, CEO of BCPP, said in a statement.

"The fact that DEHP and other phthalates are not allowed in toys because they're too toxic for children to suck on, but we allow them to be pumped into the veins of patients from newborns to people receiving cancer treatment is insanity," she continued.

Why is the Toxic-Free Medical Device Act important?

As BCPP stated, although the act would only apply to California, it could pave the way for other states to pass similar laws to safeguard patients' health.

DEHP has been linked to neurological problems, adverse reproductive health, and endocrine disruption. The chemical may also make breast cancer drugs less effective and can even cause cancer cells to multiply, according to research.

Since breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in U.S. women, except for skin cancers, per the American Cancer Society, this is especially concerning.

Price, the BCPP CEO, noted that it makes sense to ban DEHP from medical devices, considering it's been outlawed from toys nationwide since 2008 and personal care products and cosmetics in California since 2020.

Not to mention, DEHP pollutes the environment when it enters the soil and waterways and can even harm rural communities miles away from hospitals since the chemical can bind to dust particles in the air.

For all these reasons, the Toxic-Free Medical Device Act is monumentally important for patient health, communities, and the planet.

"As someone who has battled breast cancer firsthand, I understand the critical importance of ensuring that our medical devices are safe and free from harmful chemicals like DEHP," California Assemblywoman Lori Wilson, who proposed the bill, said in a statement. "By passing AB 2300, we can take a significant step toward protecting the health and well-being of Californians, ensuring that our medical devices meet the highest safety standards."

What's being done about DEHP in the meantime?

According to BCPP, safer alternatives to DEHP already exist, and some California health care systems, including Kaiser Permanente, Loma Linda University Health, and City of Hope, switched to DEHP- and PVC-free IV bags and tubing years ago.

The good news is that it wouldn't be costly or difficult for other hospitals to implement these nontoxic alternatives. In fact, three of the four main IV bag manufacturers in the nation  B. Braun, Fresenius-Kabi, and ICU Medical  already have a large inventory of FDA-approved DEHP-free IV bags.

Janet Nudelman, senior director of program & policy at BCPP, said: "Switching to DEHP-free IV bags and tubing is not an expensive, multiyear process. It's a no-brainer way to prevent unnecessary harm to patients. We urge hospitals throughout California and across the country to make this shift ASAP, whether it's the law or not."

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A recent change to proposed oil and gas regulations in Colorado has environmental groups concerned about the protection of disadvantaged communities near drilling sites, according to The Colorado Sun.

What happened?

The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission recently revised its draft of "cumulative impact" rules, removing a key provision that required oil companies to get approval from residents before drilling within 2,000 feet of homes in disproportionately impacted communities.

This change came just weeks before important hearings on the regulations.

Environmental advocates are expressing their disappointment with the revision. "It's really disconcerting. The onus was on the companies to do the right thing. It seemed really disingenuous to the work that everybody collectively did to get to that," Ean Tafoya, director of Colorado GreenLatinos, said.

Why is this revision concerning?

This revision could significantly impact the health and well-being of communities already facing environmental challenges.

The original rule was designed to give residents a voice in decisions that directly affect their neighborhoods and quality of life. Without this protection, disadvantaged communities may be increasingly exposed to air pollution and other health risks associated with nearby drilling operations.

The change also comes during a particularly harsh ozone season in Colorado, with 42 state-issued ozone action alerts so far in 2024. High temperatures have combined with oil, gas, and transportation pollution to create unhealthy air conditions, further highlighting the need for strong environmental protections.

What's being done about the revision?

Environmental groups are speaking out against the revision and advocating for stronger community protections. They argue that the original rule was a crucial part of addressing the cumulative impacts of oil and gas operations, especially in areas already subjected to disproportionate environmental burdens.

While the revised draft removes the community approval requirement, it still includes some protective measures. These include more rigorous analysis of proposed drilling locations near homes and schools as well as targeted data collection and best management practices to limit impacts.

Despite the setback, there's still an opportunity for positive change. The upcoming hearings will allow for further discussion and potential improvements to the regulations. Citizens can make their voices heard by participating in these hearings or contacting their local representatives to express their concerns.

On a personal level, individuals can take steps to reduce their own contributions to air pollution. Using public transportation, carpooling, or switching to an electric vehicle can help clean up the atmosphere. Supporting local initiatives for cleaner energy and improved air quality monitoring can also make a difference in community health and well-being.

By staying informed and engaged, we can work together to ensure that all communities have a say in decisions that impact their environment and health, creating a cleaner, safer future for everyone.

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I had the opportunity to sit down with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg last week. He told me about what the department he oversees is doing to boost accessibility for disabled travelers across the countrys transportation network.

During our conversation, Buttigieg highlighted billions of dollars in investments the Department of Transportation is making to improve the physical infrastructure at airports, railroad stations and on other surface transportation networks. He also said the department is using its power to require better training for employees at airlines and other transportation services who interact with disabled travelers. Further, its establishing new rules to hold airlines and other transportation companies more accountable when things go wrong for disabled passengers.

While talk from the top is great, what really matters is disabled travelers actual experiences. Theres a lot of work to be done to make transportation in the U.S. fully accessible, but advocates say the DOT under Buttigieg is making unprecedented steps in the right direction.

Heres what they told me has worked so far, and what they hope to see more of in the future.

A worker pushes airport wheelchairs through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on June 28, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.

How we got here

Transportation, especially air travel, has long been a sticking point for accessibility.

We are almost 40 years after the passage of the Air Carrier Access Act, Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer at Paralyzed Veterans of America, told me. She was referring to the legislation that regulates accessibility on airplanes as the Americans with Disabilities Act does in most other venues. Weve been trying to do this for a long time, but we are making progress.

Travelers who rely on mobility devices say its all too common for those devices to get damaged while theyre flying, and that when it happens its much more devastating than a simple broken suitcase. In previous reporting on this topic, I was told time and again by disabled travelers that arriving to find their wheelchair had been damaged was like having their legs broken as they got off the plane.

Every wheelchair user I know who has traveled by air has some kind of horror story, some kind of incident or set of incidents they experienced, Buttigieg said during our interview.

According to the DOT airlines mishandle 1% to 1.5% of the mobility devices they carry, equating to 11,527 reports of damage in 2023.

Advocates say the airlines performance is getting better  the overall rate of damage declined slightly between 2022 and 2023  but theres still more work to be done.

This DOT and Secretary Pete Buttigieg is doing an astounding job to working to make improvements for accessible air travel and creating the path, providing the pathway for the industry to do that, Michele Erwin, president and founder of All Wheels Up, told me. I personally feel the commitment from the DOT and because the DOT is so engaged in this the industry is listening. They are watching what the DOT is doing and theyre reacting.

DOT is investing billions in transportation accessibility improvements. Advocates applaud the effort but say there's more work to be done.

Where were going

Buttigieg acknowledged that, despite billions of dollars in recent accessibility investments, the transportation sector is going to be hard to make fully accessible.

"We're going to continue advancing both on the physical infrastructure side and on the training and enforcement side, because I think you need all of those were working together in order to deliver a better experience, he said. The need is going to outrun the funding that we have. So as we start thinking about the next step, when the current infrastructure law expires in 2026, I hope we'll have demonstrated why accessibility needs to be in the center of these conversations going into the next infrastructure package.

Advocates said they appreciate the efforts DOT has already made but agreed that theres more work to be done. Part of that work includes broadening the scope of who these initiatives are meant to help.

I dont want to say its the golden age, because I havent been through everything, but it has been an opportunity to see some real pain points be addressed, Ansley said. We need to continue to work towards transportation systems that can accommodate the diversity of people here in the United States, which includes people that use wheelchairs and have other types of disabilities.

Last week's Cruising Altitude: Rated 'R' for relax. It's OK to watch awkward scenes during a flight.

Erwin agreed that all kinds of disabilities  not just those that require the use of mobility devices  need to be better addressed by future accessibility programs, and she also hopes to see continued investment in improved training.

In regards to what wed like to see for the future, theyre working on training and thats a really hot topic, she said.

The DOT is also working with industry stakeholders to develop regulations and products that will allow wheelchair users to travel safely in their wheelchair, rather than checking it. That has long been a goal of disability advocates, and a number of prototypes are in development and approval stages, including one by Delta Flight Products that would allow for in-cabin wheelchair securement.

What Buttigieg wants travelers to know

Buttigieg told me during our interview that some of the initiatives hes most excited about revolve around new rulemaking that will improve things for travelers with all kinds of disabilities, not just updates to physical infrastructure.

The DOT will soon finalize a rule that will tighten regulations on airlines that mishandle wheelchairs, and he said thats likely to have an outsize impact on the travelers who rely on them.

It proposes that there's annual training, that there's hands on training, that contractors as well as employees who physically assist passengers have to get trained. But I also think equally important is the accountability side. So part of what this rule would do is it would make clear that it's automatically a violation of the Air Carrier Access Act if a device is mishandled, he said. I think with that kind of financial accountability, that's going to work wonders for the airlines training programs because they will have more on the line, on their bottom line, when it comes to employees actually knowing what to do and following through.

Buttigieg also added that travelers whose mobility devices are damaged will soon be able to choose their own vendors for repair, rather than rely on the airlines contractors as happens under the current system.

When I just think back to the stories I've heard from friends and travelers who have been in this situation, being at the mercy of a vendor chosen by the airline and its own timeline has been something that has often added additional frustration to what's already an unacceptable experience, he said.

The advocates I spoke to say theyre optimistic about the prospects for progress.

We have never seen this type of one, momentum, but two, speed, to make improvements and change ever before, Erwin said. We need to recognize its never happened this fast before, and I do think its because of Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his commitment to improving accessibility to air travel for people with disabilities.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter based in New York. You can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DOT accessibility upgrades welcomed by advocates | Cruising Altitude
Pupils record a video of greetings for their counterparts in Equatorial Guinea at the China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School in Jinping County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

MALABO/KUNMING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- A new semester arrived as scheduled, and pupils at the China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School were pleasantly surprised to receive video messages from their African counterparts at the start of the new school year on Monday in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

"Welcome to Equatorial Guinea! Long live China-Equatorial Guinea friendship!" Three students from the Confucius Institute at the National University of Equatorial Guinea extended their greetings in Chinese through a pre-recorded video, encouraging their dear little friends to "contribute to the friendly relations between China and Equatorial Guinea."

LONG-LASTING FRIENDSHIP LIKE A FLOWING RIVER

"I'd like to share with all of you a particular story about the intimate relations between our school and Equatorial Guinea," said Ran Hongyan, principal of the China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School, who welcomed her students with a lesson titled "Be Ambassadors of China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship: Moving Our Relationship Forward."

Since establishing diplomatic relations over half a century ago, China and Equatorial Guinea have helped each other through thick and thin and maintained practical cooperation and exchanges in various fields, yielding noticeable results.

In April 2015, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, president of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, announced that his country would donate a school in Jinping County. The construction of the China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School was completed the following year, and it has since stood as a testament to the enduring bilateral friendship.

On May 27, 2024, President Obiang joined a video call with the school's students during his visit to China. The children recited a poem from the Tang dynasty and performed folk songs.

The following day, Chinese President Xi Jinping mentioned the primary school funded by Equatorial Guinea during his meeting with President Obiang. The two heads of state announced the elevation of the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation.

At present, over 2,000 students from 16 ethnic groups pursue their studies at the primary school, where symbols of China-Equatorial Guinea friendship are prominent. Decorations highlight Equatorial Guinea's geography, customs and goods, while the exhibition room showcases student artwork celebrating the bond between the two countries.

In a calligraphy class, He Chenxi, an 11-year-old boy of the Dai ethnic group, carefully penned the phrase, "The friendship between our two countries is as deep as a mighty river," voicing his hope that this relationship would endure as steadfastly as the Jinzi River.

The Jinzi River flows through Jinping County and is a beloved and familiar landmark for local children. In a multifunctional classroom, some children dressed in traditional ethnic costumes performed a melodious song about the Jinzi River for their peers in Equatorial Guinea.

"We hope our friends in Equatorial Guinea can learn more about us," said a choir member Zhang Ruiyang.

In the video message to the pupils, three students expressed their wish to visit China and see the school in Jinping County.

In response, the children in Yunnan sincerely invited their remote peers to visit: "Welcome to the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture!"

CLOSER BOND ACROSS CONTINENTS

To record videos of the first class of the year, three Equatorial Guinean college students cut their vacations short and returned to the capital city of Malabo from across the country. In the video, they reflected on the mutual support and the profound amity between the two nations.

"Equatorial Guinea and China have established diplomatic ties for over half a century, supporting each other through all ups and downs," said Jose Antonio Nguema Owono, a student at the Confucius Institute at the National University of Equatorial Guinea.

He noted that China's assistance in building the Djibloho Hydropower Station, the Bata Port, and its donation of COVID-19 vaccines have all been well received by the local residents.

"The China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School was funded by our government, while key projects such as the Nkue-Mongomo road here were supported by Chinese companies," said another student Jose Luis Mitogo Eyen Eyene.

Eyene was particularly moved by the long-standing presence of Chinese medical teams in his country.

Since 1971, more than 600 Chinese medical professionals have been sent in 33 batches to work in the cities of Malabo and Bata in the country. In October 2021, President Obiang thanked the Chinese government in a video message, expressing gratitude for the medical teams' outstanding work.

The Malabo University Campus Project, undertaken by Chinese enterprises, is expected to be completed and handed over in October this year. It will include the new campus of the National University of Equatorial Guinea.

"I believe the bridge of cultural exchange between the two countries will become wider," said Fernando Garcia, the Equatorial Guinean director of the Confucius Institute at the National University of Equatorial Guinea, "bringing the hearts of the people closer together." 

Pupils view greetings through a pre-recorded video from students of the Confucius Institute at the National University of Equatorial Guinea at the China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School in Jinping County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

Pupils applaud after viewing greetings through a pre-recorded video from students of the Confucius Institute at the National University of Equatorial Guinea at the China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School in Jinping County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

A pupil speaks on China-Equatorial Guinea friendship during a ceremony to mark the start of a new school year at the China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School in Jinping County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 2, 2024 shows pupils and faculty attending a ceremony to mark the start of a new school year at the China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School in Jinping County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

Pupils perform during a ceremony to mark the start of a new school year at the China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School in Jinping County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 2, 2024 shows a view of the China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School in Jinping County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  Charleston County deputies arrested a man after they said a woman reported that she escaped a kidnapping.

Michael Latroy Cohen, 45, of Hollywood was arrested on Friday.

Deputies interviewed the woman who stated she had been kidnapped by Cohen the evening before on Thursday from her home in the 4800 block of Erika Place in Hollywood.

According to the affidavit, the woman says she jumped out of a moving vehicle to escape Cohen.

She states that she and Cohen were friends, and she was aware that he struggles with drug and anger issues. Documents report she claimed that Cohen had broken into her home, brandished a weapon, and forced her to get into her car to withdraw money for him.

The woman said that Cohen drove to several banks throughout the night, forcing her to withdraw money until she finally jumped out of the moving vehicle in the area of Sam Rittenburg and Ashley River Rd.

Authorities received multiple calls Friday evening from residents stating they spotted Cohen. Officials state he was taken into custody without incident near the 6200 block of Highway 162 in Hollywood.

Cohen is charged with one count of Kidnapping, one count of Burglary in the First Degree, one count of Grand Larceny Greater than $10,000, and one count of Strong Arm Robbery.

He was given a $1,000,000 bond during a hearing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Whatcom County judge finds probable cause for civil commitment of sex offender

Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed a petition in Whatcom County Superior Court to civilly commit convicted sex offender Jake Unick to McNeil Island following his scheduled release from prison.

Unick, 38, was convicted in 2014 of several charges, including first-degree kidnapping, attempted kidnapping with sexual motivation, and harassment.

The Attorney Generals Office is seeking to have him confined indefinitely at the states Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island, citing concerns that he remains mentally ill and poses a severe risk to the community if released.

A judge has already determined there is probable cause to hold Unick under the states Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) law.

This decision, made Monday, means Unick will remain at McNeil Island until a full trial occurs next year.

At that trial, the state will be required to prove to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that Unick meets the legal criteria for indefinite commitment as a sexually violent predator.

Unicks criminal history includes two counts of first-degree attempted kidnapping with sexual motivation, one count of first-degree kidnapping, and one count of harassment.

His release from prison was initially scheduled for September 5.

Still, the civil commitment petition filed by the Attorney Generals Office aims to prevent his return to the community, arguing that he continues to present a danger due to his mental illness.

The civil commitment process is an additional legal mechanism in Washington for dealing with violent sex offenders who are deemed likely to re-offend due to a mental abnormality or personality disorder.

Washingtons SVP law passed in 1990, allows for the indefinite confinement of sex offenders who meet these criteria, even after they have completed their criminal sentences.

This law was the first of its kind in the United States and remains a critical tool for managing the most dangerous offenders after their release from prison.

Assistant Attorneys General Nathan Olson, Colette Sampson, and paralegals Rebecca Hendrickson and Kelly Hadsell lead the case against Unick.

Their task is to convince a jury that Unick continues to pose a significant risk of committing further acts of sexual violence if released.

If the jury sides with the state, Unick will be indefinitely committed to McNeil Islands Special Commitment Center.

The probable cause finding is a critical step in the civil commitment process.

With this decision, the judge determined there was enough evidence to suggest that Unick may meet the criteria of a sexually violent predator under state law.

Now, prosecutors must prepare for a trial where they must prove this claim beyond a reasonable doubt.

Washington law requires the jurys verdict to be unanimous for the state to succeed in keeping Unick in custody on McNeil Island.

Washingtons Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island currently houses 183 individuals who have been civilly committed as sexually violent predators.

This specialized facility is designed to confine offenders who, due to a mental illness or personality disorder, are believed to remain a threat to public safety.

The commitment process is not indefinite without review.

Committed individuals undergo annual mental health evaluations to determine whether they still meet the criteria for confinement.

A release process is initiated if the experts determine that they no longer pose a threat.

Attorney General Fergusons office handles SVP cases for 38 of Washingtons 39 counties, with King County being the only exception.

In cases like Unicks, the Attorney Generals Office takes action at the request of local prosecutors concerned about the potential risk posed by an offender nearing the end of their sentence.

Civil commitment petitions are filed only after thorough evaluations by mental health professionals, and in Unicks case, an expert determined that he meets the legal criteria for civil commitment.

If the jury at Unicks upcoming trial finds that he qualifies as a sexually violent predator, he will remain confined at the Special Commitment Center indefinitely.

Each year, a mental health professional from the Department of Social and Health Services will review his case.

If the expert finds that Unick no longer meets the criteria for confinement, the Attorney Generals Office will conduct a second independent evaluation.

Fergusons dual-evaluation process ensures that only those who continue to pose a real danger remain confined.

Unicks civil commitment case highlights the ongoing use of Washingtons SVP law to manage offenders deemed too dangerous to release after serving their sentences.

While civil commitment remains controversial in some circles due to its indefinite nature, it is a powerful legal tool for ensuring public safety when traditional incarceration is no longer an option.

The states rigorous process, involving multiple layers of review, aims to balance public safety with the rights of the individuals involved.

The trial for Unicks civil commitment will occur sometime next year.

Until then, he will remain confined on McNeil Island, and the Attorney Generals Office will continue preparing its case to ensure he does not threaten the community.
The dome of the Maine State House in Augusta. (Jim Neuger/Maine Morning Star)

In the sleepy interim between the end of the legislative session and the ramp up to the November election, a handful of lawmakers have been meeting to discuss the rules that govern how the Maine Legislature operates.

Away from the finger pointing and grandstanding about Democrats  the party in power  use of these rules to their advantage, theres bipartisan agreement that they arent serving lawmakers, legislative staff and particularly the public and folks have decided to work together to do something about it.

Blank bills

One particular process that has come under fire from legislators on both sides of the aisle is the use of concept drafts, essentially bills with broad, generic titles and very little if any actual text or content explaining what the legislation seeks to do.

If a lawmaker wants to introduce a bill about expanding child care access, for example, but doesnt know all the ins and outs of the system, or would first like to collaborate with their legislative colleagues on the legislation, they can still meet the deadline by submitting an essentially blank bill titled A Bill to Expand Access to Child Care to serve as a placeholder for some yet-to-be drafted policy.

Though well intended, this process has made it possible for lawmakers to introduce last-minute legislation, depriving critics and  more importantly  advocates and the people most impacted by the proposal of having sufficient time to review the bill before a public hearing. This is a tactic employed by both parties, though more easily wielded by the party in power.

The most high profile usage last session was the recently enacted shield law, which protects Maine health professionals who provide reproductive and gender-affirming care from being targeted for prosecution by other states bans.

After an earlier version was killed in committee for being overly complex, state Rep. Anne Perry (D-Calais) added the shield law text to a concept draft titled An Act Regarding Health Care in the State.

Republicans made it clear that they were unhappy with the process, but Perry said she never intended to make the bill a secret and is among the lawmakers leading the charge to make the system more transparent.

Budget maneuvers

In addition to the use of concept drafts, the rules governing how the state budget is made and passed is also facing scrutiny.

The appropriations, or budget, process has unfortunately always been one of the more opaque aspects of state government, in large part due to late night votes and extensive closed-door deliberations.

Democrats have also faced criticism in recent years for wielding archaic budget rules to their benefit.

A group of Republicans, including two legislators, are even pursuing a lawsuit against Gov. Janet Mills and other Democratic leaders, claiming they violated the state constitution when during the 2023 session they passed a budget with only Democratic support and then reconvened the Legislature in a special session to finish the remaining work.

The governors office has argued the move was legal and consistent with past practice.

It is up to the courts, which have already dismissed the suit twice, to decide if that move was unconstitutional. But it is another example of Maine Democrats, which have held a trifecta since Mills was elected in 2018, flexing their power to circumvent the GOP and accomplish their goals.

Republican House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham of Winter Harbor recently lamented about the lack of compromise under one-party rule, saying, If people are being honest, probably the best form of government is a divided government.

There is a valid argument that Maine Democrats were elected with a mandate to pass or preserve certain policies  access to health care, reproductive rights, a strong social safety net  and my guess is that most voters are less concerned with how exactly that is achieved.

 Lauren McCauley

But this argument ignores how Maine Democrats got this power to begin with: voters. There is a valid argument that Maine Democrats were elected with a mandate to pass or preserve certain policies  access to health care, reproductive rights, a strong social safety net  and my guess is that most voters are less concerned with how exactly that is achieved.

They are using the tools at their disposal.

Which brings me back to the Rules Committee, which I tend to picture in a windowless room, toiling away during the summer months in an effort to reach agreement about how the legislative process could be improved.

Right now, there are dozens of proposed reforms on the table. In the coming weeks, the committee will vote on which to recommend. Every seat in the Maine Legislature is up for grabs in November, and those incoming lawmakers will ultimately decide which changes take effect next session.

When Maine Morning Star reporter Emma Davis went to the State House to cover the recent Rules Committee meeting, one lawmaker joked she had clearly drawn the short straw.

But these details and processes matter to how our government functions and how accessible it is for public participation and transparency. And for many of the Republicans and Democrats working on these changes, its not about winning, but making the system better for all Mainers.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
The U.S. Air Force underestimated the complexity of building a sprawling network of launch centers and other ground infrastructure for its next nuclear missile, which led to severe projected cost overruns, the services acquisition chief said Wednesday.

Most of the Air Forces and industrys attention was initially focused on the missile portion of the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile, and the program really neglected the complexity of the ground infrastructure, Andrew Hunter, the Air Forces assistant secretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, said at the Defense News Conference in Arlington, Virginia, on Wednesday.

The Air Force wants to replace its arsenal of roughly 450 aging Minuteman III nuclear missiles, which are nearing the end of its life, with the Northrop Grumman-made Sentinel. But the projected future costs of Sentinels infrastructure  which include building new launch control centers across the Plains region, refurbishing existing silos for the new missiles and replacing about 7,500 miles of copper cable connecting the facilities with modern fiber optics  have skyrocketed.

The Pentagon originally expected to spend $77.7 billion on Sentinel, but the program is now likely to cost about $160 billion if it stays on its current course. The projected cost overruns alarmed lawmakers and Pentagon officials and incurred a process known as a critical Nunn-McCurdy breach.

After a review announced in July, the military decided Sentinel was too important to cancel but must be restructured to bring those costs back down. But the Pentagon said even a reasonably modified version would still probably cost $140.9 billion, or 81% more than the original estimate.

The Air Force is now going line by line through Sentinels requirements to look for places to bring its costs down, Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Jim Slife said, and the exhaustive process will take months.

The undersecretary (Melissa Dalton), Mr. Hunters team and I are deeply, deeply involved in looking at our requirements (and) making sure that we revalidate all the requirements, Slife said. The Air Force needs to trace every single one of them back to either presidential guidance, or departmental guidance for things like safety, security, surety, survivability  all the things that you would want in a system that youre going to rely on to keep the nation safe, Slife said.

Finding places to cut costs is challenging, Slife said. Sentinels top-level requirements  the big-picture blueprint of what it needs to do  were fairly straightforward, he said.

But the derived requirements that spell out how Sentinel will do its job actually can become problematic, he said. Those can include spelling out how many facilities will be needed to carry out Sentinels mission and how much concrete those facilities will need to build and how large a workforce they will require, Slife said.

The Air Force has not built a new ICBM and accompanying infrastructure since the Minuteman III, which was deployed in the early 1970s.

And because it has been so long since the Air Force undertook a major acquisition of this scale, Hunter said, the Air Force underestimated Sentinels complexity.

Were having to relearn some of those skills and up our game, Hunter said.

That striking complexity of Sentinels ground infrastructure is crucial to making the ICBM system an effective nuclear deterrent, Hunter said.

We have to have a missile where we can respond instantly, at all times, without fail, and in the context of the highest of high-intensity conflicts, a potential nuclear exchange, Hunter said. And we ask our ground infrastructure to provide most of those capabilities. The missile is only a small piece of that puzzle.

The Air Force also has to bring a lot more engineering focus on the ground infrastructure to simplify Sentinel and bring its costs under control, Hunter said.
The U.S. Air Force is re-examining the very core of its requirements for a new sixth-generation stealth combat jet as part of its ongoing review of that element of the larger Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative.

The U.S. Air Force is re-examining the very core of its requirements for a new sixth-generation stealth combat jet as part of its ongoing review of that element of the larger Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative. The service also says the reassessment touches on broader questions about the full mix of capabilities it expects to use to achieve air superiority in the future.

Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Slife and Andrew Hunter, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics, talked about the NGAD combat jet and related issues during a live-streamed talk at the 2024 Defense News Conference earlier today. The Air Force confirmed in July that it put its sixth-generation tactical aircraft plans on hold amid budgetary pressures and questions about the underlying requirements. The service has insisted that it is still planning on eventually pushing forward with this effort in some form, though what the aircraft might look like in the end, including whether or not it will ultimately require a pilot, has already been increasingly uncertain.

A rendering of a notional sixth-generation stealth crewed combat jet. Collins Aerospace

So, from a requirements perspective, what I would say is were going back and starting at the beginning with what is the thing were trying to do, Gen. Slife explained. And so you kind of get two different answers if you frame the question as how do we conduct  how do we achieve air superiority in a contested environment? That would be one way to frame the question. A different way to frame the question would be, how do we build a sixth-gen manned fighter platform? I mean, those are not necessarily the same question, right?

And so we kind of go back to what is it were trying to do up front? And I dont know exactly how we are going to achieve air superiority in a contested environment, Slife continued. It may involve a manned sixth-gen fighter platform, but were kind of going back and looking, you know, from the beginning.

Since when we did the initial Analysis of Alternatives for NGAD,  you know, frankly, our technology base has advanced in ways faster than we anticipated, he added. And so we see  capabilities that we have that perhaps we would want to be part of this mission space going forward that werent baked into  where we started with the NGAD system.

Gen. Slife specifically highlighted questions about whether the current plans for the NGAD combat jet present a path to an aircraft that is best optimized to work with the Air Forces planned future fleets of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones. This is something that Air Force officials, including Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, have now highlighted on multiple occasions. The services number two officer also talked more generally today about the potential desire to incorporate new technologies into the aircraft in response to an ever-evolving threat ecosystem.

A rendering of a national sixth-generation crewed stealth combat jet flying together with a trio of drones. Collins Aerospace A rendering of a notional sixth-generation crewed combat jet flying together with a trio of drones. Collins Aerospace

The crewed sixth-generation combat jet component of NGAD traces its roots back to a requirement for what was originally termed a Penetrating Counter-Air (PCA) platform ostensibly to succeed the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, which emerged publicly in the mid-2010s. This, in turn, was an outgrowth of work the Air Force had done in cooperation with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Frank Kendall, now Secretary of the Air Force, was involved in those efforts, which he has said produced at least one flying demonstrator aircraft.

Before questions about its future began emerging earlier this year, the planned NGAD combat jet had already evolved into a much more capable, but also costly aircraft than the F-22, as The War Zone has explored in detail in the past. In July, Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach, head of Air Combat Command, said there is now currently no timeline for retiring the F-22.

Our approach going forward is going to be [about things as] part of our force as a whole, right? So its its not any individual platform thats going to deliver air superiority. Its the entire force, Assistant Secretary Hunter said today. And we know that we have many things in our force that we will continue to have into the next several decades. Were going to have an F-35 force. Were going to have a F-15EX. We have F-22s. And so what is the role that we need to have to supplement those capabilities that we will know will be resident in our force to deliver that full capability that we need.

A row of F-22s, the aircraft the NGAD combat jet was ostensibly envisioned to replace. USAF

In talking today, Slife and Hunter both highlighted a broader shift within the Air Force toward a focus on ways to achieve core mission requirements rather than around specific platforms to meet those needs.

We tend to get affixed by the prefix. You know, what I mean by that is, what can we do with airplanes that start with a C? We carry cargo because they start with a C. What do we do with airplanes that start with a B? Well, we drop bombs. Why? Because it starts with a B, Gen. Slife said. And, you know, in an Air Force where we have launched cruise missiles out of the back of C-17s [as part of a program called Rapid Dragon] and dropped people out of the bomb bay of B-24s [during World War II] and things of that nature, I dont even know what a cargo airplane is, or a bomber is, or a fighter is.

I know what the mission that we have to get done is, but I dont know that we need to build an airplane to do the mission, he continued. We need to build a system that can do the mission.

I think it definitely prioritizes towards having flexibility in our approach  not being over-specified for any particular problem set or any particular approach to the problem set, Slife added about this mindset.

Slife and Hunter highlighted the CCA programs iterative development approach as an example of this way of thinking. General Atomics and Anduril are currently developing drones as part of work on an initial tranche of CCAs, also known as Increment 1, focused primarily on the air-to-air combat mission.

A rendering of General Atomics CCA design. General Atomics

An artists conception of Fury, the design Anduril is now developing further as part of the CCA Programs Increment 1. Anduril An artists conception of the CCA variant of the Fury drone. Anduril

So what should Increment 2 be? Do not assume and it may not be just an evolution of Increment 1. It could be an entirely different set of missions. Could be [an] entirely different kind of an aircraft, Hunter said. And so part of that initial work is, again, starting with a large vendor pool, what are the good ideas out there? Well have some ideas [about] what we think Increment 2 needs to do as part of a broader force, and thats part of this broader look at air dominance and how were going to deliver that.

The Air Force says whatever CCA designs it picks for any of the programs increments that additional companies could be brought in to help produce them at scale. The service has assembled a larger pool of vendors to provide subsystems and otherwise support that effort, as well.

We want to see what good ideas industry has so we dont box out things that might be the right path forward, because we started by asking the wrong question, Hunter added.

Its interesting to note here that Air Force Gen. David W. Allvin, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, spoke about the importance of iterative development, and a vision for the acquisition of aircraft going forward focused on building to adapt rather than building to last, at the Global Air and Space Chiefs Conference in London earlier this year. Allvins talk was backed by a presentation that included a graphic created using generative artificial intelligence, seen below, showing a notional light stealth fighter concept. Though described as being for illustrative purposes only, this was still a very interesting visual to see amid these ongoing discussions around the future of the NGAD combat jet, as The War Zone has previously explored.

YouTube Capture

The comments today at the Defense News Conference also put remarks about the status of the NGAD combat jet that Gen. Allvin made during a talk at the Hudson Institute think tank last month into a new light.

I want to clarify that, just because specifics and words matter. Its the pause on the NGAD Penetrating Counter-Air platform. NGAD stands for Next Generation Air Dominance. Its not a thing. It is a family of systems. Within that NGAD family of systems is Collaborative Combat Aircraft, is the open systems and government reference architecture, is some of the sensors that were developing, is some of the [other] technology. So all of those, that family of systems, is still going forward, Allvin said at that time. We want to make sure we evaluate that [the NGAD combat jet requirements] versus others, given the pace of the threat and how fast the threat has evolved, versus the imagined or estimated threat at the time it was being developed. And so I dont have an announcement as to whether theres going to be a contract award at the end of the year or not, but the rationale for the evaluation is because  we want to make sure that we dont do something thats a one-way door when we havent really looked at that design in the context of all the other things that it makes [sic; takes] to meet the requirement.

Concerns about at-best flat-lining defense budgets in the coming years together with ballooning costs associated with critical programs, especially the new Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile and its associated infrastructure demands, are also putting pressure on Air Force modernization plans across the board. It has been projected in the past that a single NGAD combat jet could cost roughly three times that of a stealthy F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, or around $250 million based on publicly available data.

I wouldnt rule anything out, but I also wouldnt rule anything back in, Gen. Slife said today.

While the future of the NGAD combat jet continues to be very uncertain, signs are growing that the Air Force could move to complement or even supplant its previous plans to acquire those aircraft with one or more other platforms.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
An air defence mobile firing group. Stock photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

An air-raid warning was issued in the city of Kyiv on the night of 3-4 September, as Russian attack UAVs were detected in Kyiv Oblast. Ukrainian air defence responded to the Russian attack near Kyiv and in Kyiv Oblast.

Source: Kyiv Oblast Military Administration on Telegram; Kyiv City State Administration

Details: Local authorities asked residents to stay in shelters until the all-clear is given and take care of their own safety.

It is also necessary to observe informational silence and not to record or post the work of the defenders on social media.

Update: Ukraines Air Force reported an attack UAV flying in the direction of Kyiv at 02:46, and an air-raid warning was issued in the city.

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NEW YORK CITY (PIX11)  A year after enforcement began, Airbnb says New York Citys strict rules for short-term rentals have failed, and its time for the city to reconsider.

New York City, in 2023, started enforcing restrictions on rentals under 30 days. Some of those rules include requiring hosts to be present during the trip, limiting rentals to just two guests at a time, and requiring hosts to register with the city before getting on rental platforms.

NYC housing vacancy drops to lowest level in over 50 years

The strict rules have completely failed at protecting visitors and residents, Airbnb argued in a blog post Tuesday.

New York Citys short-term rental regulations have backfireddisproportionately impacting outer borough communities, driving up travel costs, and doing nothing to solve the housing crisis, Theo Yedinsky, vice president of public policy at Airbnb, said in a statement. Instead of improving affordability, these regulations have priced out everyday consumers and left former hosts struggling to make ends meet.

At the time of its passing, city officials estimated the law would affect tens of thousands of listings, effectively returning a huge amount of housing to the rental market. The law was particularly aimed at bad actors who snatch up housing for the sole purpose of turning a profit, council members said at the time.

Every illegal short-term rental in our city represents a unit of housing that is not available for real New Yorkers to live in, state Senator Liz Krueger said in 2021.

But rents continue to grow, vacancy rates have not improved and now hotel prices have also jumped, leaving visitors and renters alike spending astronomical fees to stay in the city, according to Airbnb.

Now, Airbnb is asking the city to reconsider the law with a more balanced approach that prioritizes building housing over choking out short-term rentals.

Airbnb previously took the city to court over the law, but a judge dismissed the case in 2023.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered New York City since 2023. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.

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Spirit Airlines Inc. is adding a flight to a popular spring break destination in Florida at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in 2025.

ALSO READ: Concord airport adds 6 new nonstop routes

The discount carrier will begin flying to Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers on March 5. It will be flown daily and operate on a seasonal basis, an airline spokesperson told CBJ.

This marks the first time Spirit has flown the Charlotte-Fort Myers route in its five years at CLT.

Read more on CBJs website here.

(WATCH BELOW: Checkpoint C to close for construction at Charlotte airport)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  The city hopes its a game changer to help Albuquerque businesses pay for costly problems at their front door. Its a new fund promising to cut thousands of dollars in costs tied to vandalized and broken windows.

Story continues below

The city said this program comes after lots of businesses stepped forward complaining about window vandalism. Some business owners said its finally a good solution to the problem thats been plaguing Albuquerque storefronts for years. Broken windows is just something that you deal with on a monthly basis, said Dawn Vatoseow, Co-owner of Lindys Diner.

Dawn Vatoseow co-owns Lindys Diner on Central in the heart of Downtown Albuquerque. She said shattered glass and graffiti have become an expensive and constant problem. You know you cant keep putting in claims with the insurance company. It raises your deductible, and it raises your rates, so you know most of us are just eating the costs of that broken glass or just not fixing them, said Vatoseow.

Now looking to help out, the citys launching what it calls the Window to Opportunity grant. The new program will reimburse up to 80% of the cost of replacing broken windows or repairing other window damage. The grant gives a max of $5,000 per business, one time only. A business could get more funds if they use environmentally friendly or security glass.

The Albuquerque Police Department and the citys Economic Development Department teamed up for the first-of-its-kind program for the whole city. Eligible applicants include businesses with 25 employees or fewer, non-profit organizations, and educational programs.

Weve had to replace the door, weve had to replace a window and its definitely not cheap. Its very costly. It can take out budgets that you put into your business, payments for your employees, things like that so it definitely helps a lot, said Richard Linyard, barber at All Eyes on Me Barbershop.

The city has $200,000 available for the program and those funds are on a first-come, first-served basis. The program is open for applicants online.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  The person responsible for a deadly hit-and-run last year will spend two years behind bars. Police said a driver of a red Ford Focus was driving near Constitution and Louisiana in July of 2023 when they hit and killed a pedestrian before taking off.

DWI suspects keeping driver licenses due to officer no shows

The car was registered to Christopher Trammell III who now identifies as Tara Trammell. They reported their car missing the following day. In May, they pled guilty to leaving the scene of a crash and tampering with evidence. The homicide by vehicle charges were dropped. Trammell was sentenced to two years in jail.

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TAIPEI, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The TAIEX, the weighted index on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, closed at 21,092.75 points Wednesday, plummeting by 999.46 points from the previous day, marking the third steepest single-day drop in its history.

Meanwhile, overseas institutional investors sold a net 100.75 billion new Taiwan dollars (about 3.13 billion U.S. dollars) in shares, setting a new record for the highest single-day sell-off.

Among the major weighted stocks in the TAIEX, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) dropped by 51 dollars, a decline of 5.43 percent, to close at 889 dollars, falling below the critical 900-dollar mark.

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. fell by 2.97 percent to 179.5 dollars, while smartphone IC designer MediaTek Inc. saw a significant decline of 6.97 percent, closing at 1,135 dollars.

The three largest single-day drops in TAIEX history have all occurred in the third quarter of this year. 
This is an adapted excerpt from the Sept. 1 episode of "Velshi."

Project 2025, the far-right playbook for a second Trump presidency, predictably takes aim at government programs designed to help the most vulnerable populations in this country: poor and low-wage folks, people of color, families that dont fit the traditional two-parent model and families of mixed legal status.

The attack on Americas most vulnerable is especially evident in Chapter 15, which focuses on the Department of Housing and Urban Development. One of the first lines in that chapter reads:

The Secretary should initiate a HUD task force consisting of politically appointed personnel to identify and reverse all actions taken by the Biden Administration to advance progressive ideology.

Now, what progressive ideology are they talking about? According to Project 2025 progressive ideology is anything that includes language that refers to race, diversity, equity and inclusion, gender or sexuality, or environmental protection.

First off, its important to understand why we need this progressive ideology in housing policy at all. In the 1930s, as the nation was reeling from the Great Depression, the federal government implemented a program to help struggling Americans with their mortgages so that they could avoid foreclosure.

In an attempt to prevent foreclosure, the Home Owners Loan Corp. sent representatives to appraise homes and neighborhoods. They were tasked with determining the value and identifying any detrimental factors that would inform which homes lenders would want to insure. As it turns out, to lenders, being Black was a detrimental factor.

Inadequate federal policies allowed these lenders to refuse to insure mortgages in or even near Black neighborhoods. This phenomenon became known as redlining, and its effects can still be felt in neighborhoods across America today. According to the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, about 3 out of every 4 neighborhoods in the U.S. that were redlined in the 1930s are still of low-to-moderate income and roughly 2 out of every 3 are predominantly populated by people of color.

The governments housing policies of the 1930s also provided subsidies for developers to build suburban communities and subdivisions, while allowing them to be available only to white people. It was effectively forced segregation. It pushed Black Americans into housing projects and reinforced systems that stagnated inequality, preventing upward mobility for nonwhite people.

Throughout Americas history, Black and brown neighborhoods have been treated as sacrifice zones. For example, interstates, highways and industrial zones were systematically built to cut these neighborhoods off from economic and opportunity centers, while, at the same time, exposing them to higher environmental and pollution risks.

For decades, there have been attempts to help America inch closer to equity in housing and undo some of the racist policies of the past. The Biden administration made several important steps toward improving housing equity. Now, Project 2025 wants to undo all of that progress.

Among other proposals, it recommends that the next conservative president, Immediately end the Biden Administrations Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE) policies and Repeal the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) regulation reinstituted under the Biden Administration.

These policies were designed by the Biden Administration specifically to chip away at the decades of housing inequality still affecting communities today by preventing racial bias in home appraisal, actively undoing segregation and allowing lenders to address the effects of our history of housing discrimination.

But Project 2025 doesnt end there. On page 509, the mandate says the department should prohibit noncitizens, including all mixed-status families, from living in all federally assisted housing. That means tens of thousands of immigrant families  including those with spouses, parents or children who are legal U.S. citizens  will face eviction. According to HUD, about 55,000 children would face eviction under that proposal.

Another policy inside Project 2025 proposes putting strict limits on public housing residents by scrapping housing first models of assistance. Housing first models have been extensively studied and found to be far more effective at reducing poverty and homelessness than treatment first models, which often require sobriety and mental health treatment. Those models have higher rates of failure and recidivism, because, the fact is, if you are trying to recover from addiction, you need housing first.

On page 512, the mandate also recommends, maximal flexibility to direct the [Public Housing Agency] land sales that involve the existing stock of public housing units. Congress must consider the future of the public housing modelwhere land can be sold by PHAs and put to greater economic use. In other words, it recommends that Congress allow land currently used for public housing to be sold to private developers for the right price.

Its clear Project 2025 plans for a second Trump administration will only make it more difficult for low-income, already-disadvantaged Americans to achieve stable, safe, affordable housing  likely putting the American dream of home ownership even further out of reach.

Join Claire McCaskill, Rachel Maddow and many others on Saturday, Sept. 7, in Brooklyn, New York, for MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024, a first-of-its-kind live event. Youll get to see your favorite hosts in person and hear thought-provoking conversations about what matters most in the final weeks of an unprecedented election cycle. Buy tickets here.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
CHICAGO  The suspect charged in the quadruple homicide on a CTA Blue Line train earlier this week made their initial court appearance in Maywood on Wednesday, where a Cook County judge ordered they be detained pending trial.

Rhianni Davis, 30, faces four counts of first-degree murder in the fatal shootings of four people who were sleeping on a Blue Line train early Monday as it passed through the near west suburbs.

The facts alleged by the state are absolutely horrific and appalling, Judge Elizabeth Ciaccia-Lezza said in making her order. This defendant defines  defines  violent.

Davis, wearing an olive jail jumpsuit, stood flanked by a half dozen Cook County sheriffs deputies during the brief hearing in the basement of the Maywood courthouse. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Sept. 27.

Assistant States Attorney Eugene Wood said Davis was captured on CTA surveillance video boarding a Red Line train at 3:50 a.m. on Sept. 1. About 40 minutes later Davis transferred to the Blue Line, boarding a train bound for Forest Park.

At 5:30 a.m., after the train exited city limits, CTA surveillance footage showed Davis wearing the same clothing but also wearing a mask. Wood said Davis was seen walking up to three of the victims as they slept before fatally shooting them. Davis then went to another train car where he fatally shot the fourth victim.

After the shooting, Wood said, Davis boarded a Loop-bound Blue Line train and later transferred to the CTA Pink Line. CPD officers, alerted to the shooting, took Davis into custody at the California Pink Line station around 7 a.m. Monday.

Five spent 9 mm bullet casings were found on the Blue Line after the shooting, Wood said.

Those bullets matched the gun Davis had when they were taken into custody and Davis hand tested positive for gunshot residue, authorities said.

Davis attorney, Assistant Public Defender Robert Fox, said Davis graduated from Chicago Vocational Career Academy and in recent years has worked in home health care and also as a security guard.

At a Tuesday night press conference to announce the charges against Davis, Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx called the shootings a horrific, heinous, inexplicable act of violence.

Foxx did not, however, offer evidence of a motive in the case.

There is an absolute urgent need to address safety in our communities, she said. Public transportation should be a safe space for everyone.

A review of Cook County court records showed Davis has faced financial hardship and housing instability while keeping steady contact with local police, including at least two arrests for illegal gun possession.

Records show Davis was charged with disorderly conduct after a round of looting and rioting in the downtown area in August 2020. Davis eventually pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one day in jail.

Court records show Davis was arrested at a Metra train station parking lot in south suburban Blue Island in 2019 and charged with illegally possession of a firearm and having an open container. Davis was arrested again in 2021, and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon  allegedly a Taurus pistol and a magazine of ammunition  following a car crash on the Southwest Side.

Records show Davis filed for bankruptcy in 2018 and, four years later, faced an eviction lawsuit. Several addresses on the South Side and south suburbs, as well as one in Nashville, are listed in Davis various arrest reports.

____
Rhanni Davis, 30, was charged with four counts of first-degree murder

Forest Park Police Department

Police in Forest Park, Ill., have identified the suspect who allegedly opened fire and killed four people on a Chicago commuter train early Labor Day morning, Sept. 2. Three of the four victims have also been identified.

In a press release shared with PEOPLE on Tuesday, Sept. 3, the Forest Park Police Department announced that 30-year-old Rhanni S. Davis of Chicago has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder. Davis is expected to appear in court on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's office also confirmed the identity of three of the fatal victims, per NBC Chicago, ABC 7, and WGN-TV. Simeon Bihesi, 28, was shot multiple times, and Adrian Collins, 60, and Margaret A. Miller, 60, were shot in the head.

The fourth victim, a male, has not been publicly identified. However, the medical examiner's office noted that he died of multiple gunshot wounds, NBC Chicago reports.

Related: 5 Shot After Gunman Opens Fire at Caribbean Carnival Parade in New York, Police Say 'This Was Not Random'

PEOPLE reached out to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office for comment.

Police were alerted to gunshots fired on a Blue Line train around 5:30 a.m. local time on Monday, according to a police press release shared by the Village of Forest Park's official Facebook page. When officers arrived, the gunman had escaped. However, a suspect who matched the shooter's description was later captured on a Pink Line train in Chicago after authorities reviewed CTA Security surveillance footage.

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) said in a statement to PEOPLE on Monday that it was an "isolated incident," adding, "This heinous and egregious act of violence should never have occurred, none the less on a public transit train."

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Forest Park Deputy Police Chief Chris Chin and Mayor Rory Hoskins, said the victims were sleeping when they were shot.

"These victims, likely, never saw it coming," Hoskins told ABC 7. "They were executed on Labor Day. In our community, people go to the pool. They go to the park. You know, they barbecue. But, today, a lot of people were calling the mayor's office, expressing concern and asking if they were safe."

NBC Chicago added that the four victims were not sitting together.

Related: National Title-Winning College Gymnast, 21, Is Shot Dead in Wisconsin, 23-Year-Old Man Is Arrested

Many commuters have since called for more security on the train.

"I don't feel too unsafe," Ramis Wells told ABC 7, adding, "I would say there needs to be action taken, a little bit more security measures taken."

Commuter Javari Dockery echoed a similar sentiment, stating, "We need more security. And people on the train because there don't be nobody on the train, so you're just on there with random people and anything can happen."



Mike Ganter, who is also a commuter, pointed out the heavy security presence on site Tuesday morning.

"That's public transportation," he told the local news station. "Somebody going to be on there. There's no way to stop or prevent that."



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Read the original article on People.
(KRON)  A 66-year-old man who moved from Windsor, Calif., to Idaho was recently arrested on suspicion of child molestation, investigators said Tuesday.

Richard Leslie Ward II, 66, is being held behind bars in lieu of $2 million bail due to the severity of the alleged crimes against children, a Sonoma County Sheriffs Office spokesperson said.

On July 31, 2024, Windsor Police Department deputies began to investigate a child molestation case that occurred during the 1990s. The victims in this case came forward because they were worried the suspect may have been or is still molesting other children, the sheriffs office wrote.

Windsor police teamed up with the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office and Ada County Sheriffs Office to investigate Ward.

Detectives developed enough information and evidence to arrest Ward in Idaho on August 14. He is currently in custody in Ada County and is awaiting extradition to Sonoma County to face seven felony charges of child sex abuse.

Richard Leslie Ward is seen in a mugshot provided by the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office.

Th sheriffs office wrote, There could be more victims in Sonoma County and Ada County, Idaho. We dont typically release information about sex crimes because we have a responsibility to protect victims and their identities. However, we strongly believe there may be other victims who live or have lived in Sonoma County or Ada County. Therefore, we are releasing this information and Wards booking photo.

Anyone who may have been a victim is encouraged to contact the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Unit at 707-565-8290.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) is leading former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in the states closely watched Senate race, a new poll found.

The survey, conducted by Gonzales Research & Media Services, found Alsobrooks leading with 46 percent of statewide voters compared to Hogans 41 percent if the election were held today. Eleven percent of respondents said they were still undecided.

More than 70 percent of Democrats said they would support Alsobrooks, but 21 percent said they could cast their ballot for Hogan. Likewise, 82 percent of Republican voters said they would support Hogan and just 5 percent backed Alsobrooks.

Hogan also has the edge among independent voters: 31 percent of independents said they will vote for Alsobrooks and 41 percent said they will vote for the former governor. Twenty-eight percent of independents were undecided, according to the survey, which was first reported by The Washington Post.

The poll comes on the heels of Alsobrooks delivering a prime-time speech at the Democratic National Convention last month.

Hogan, who was elected to two terms and was one of the countrys most popular governors, has made the Senate race competitive despite Democrats enjoying a nearly 20 point margin in polls in the presidential race.

Hogan earned a 50 percent favorability rating even though just 41 percent said they would vote for him this fall.

Alsobrooks is still facing a major gap in name recognition  and nearly all of the voters who said they are undecided also said they didnt know who Alsobrooks is, the survey found.

Forty percent of voters had a favorable view of her, 7 percent had an unfavorable view and 27 had a neutral view, while 34 percent said they dont recognize her name.

Thats compared to just 1.6 percent of voters who said they didnt recognize Hogans name.

Hogan has moved to middle throughout his campaign, particularly on abortion where he has called himself pro-choice. He also drew the wrath of former President Trump after saying Americans should respect the guilty verdict in his New York hush money case.

Just 54 percent of Republicans had a favorable view of Hogan in the poll, barely higher than 53 percent of independent voters and just 7 points above his 47 percent favorability among Democrats.

According to The Hill/Decision Desk HQ polling average, Alsobrooks has a 4.3 point lead over Hogan.

The Maryland survey was conducted Aug. 24-30 among 820 voters. It has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
AMERICAN FORK, Utah (ABC4)  An Intermountain Health nurse was honored for her quick action by the city of American Fork during their last city council meeting.

Michelle Andersen received the August Hero Award honor from the city for saving the life of a toddler at a pool in July.

READ NEXT: Lehi child dies after accidentally shooting self in Maverik parking lot

[Andersen] was at a pool with her daughter when she was alerted that a child had fallen into the pool [Andersen], a nurse at Intermountain Medical Center, assessed the situation with the skill and composure she has honed over years of service, a social media post from American Fork City said.

Andersen checked for a pulse on the toddler and found none, so she immediately started CPR on the child.

Thanks to Michelles swift and selfless actions, the toddlers pulse returned, and soon after, she began to cry  a sound that signaled the beginning of her recovery. Medical personnel arrived on scene shortly thereafter, the city said.

The city also noted that Andersens actions show the profound impact one person can have in a time of need.

The city has said that Andersens quick thinking and training saved a life in a situation where every second counted.

The city also said that the outcome of this situation could have been different and Andersens actions on the day embody her spirit of service. The city also extended the deepest appreciation for bravery and quick action to save a life, calling her a true hero.

American Fork City also declared Aug. 27, 2024, as Michelle Andersen Day in American Fork. Andersen was honored during American Forks recent city council meeting.

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Animal rights groups are calling for a criminal investigation into the recent death of a white beluga whale who became famous amid speculation he could be a Russian spy.

The organizations OneWhale and NOAH said Wednesday they filed a request for a criminal investigation with the Norwegian police, saying the whale, nicknamed Hvaldimir, was killed by gunshots.

Various veterinarians, biologists and ballistics experts examined Hvaldimirs injuries and determined his death was the result of a criminal act, OneWhale said in an Instagram post.

The injuries on the whale are alarming  it is shocking it is crucial that the police are involved quickly. All facts must be brought to light regarding his death, wrote Siri Martinsen, veterinarian and leader of NOAH, on social media.

OneWhale is a nonprofit organization focused on the protection and education about Hvaldimir, a name combining the Norwegian word for whale, Hval, and the first name of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He was first spotted in 2019 in Norway near the northern island of Ingya wearing a harness and what appeared to be a mount for a small camera and a buckle with the text, Equipment St. Petersburg, The Associated Press reported. This stoked allegations the beluga was a spy whale because the Russian navy has been known to train whales for military use.

Hvaldimir was lifted out of the water with a crane over the weekend after his carcass was spotted floating at the Risavika Bay in southern Norway on Saturday by a father and son who were fishing, the AP reported, citing the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK.

He was brought to the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, which is conducting the autopsy. The Hill reached out to the institute for comment.

The Institute told NBC News the autopsy is ongoing and that it could not comment on results under there was sufficient information to release a conclusion.

In photos posted by OneWhale, Hvaldimirs body appeared to have streaks of blood and holes. Regina Haug, the founder of OneWhale, said she saw a bullet lodged in his body.

Marine biologist Sebastian Strand, who monitored Hvaldimis journey for the past few years, told NRK the whales immediate cause of death was not known and that no major external injuries were visible on the animal, per the AP.

Its absolutely horrible, Strand reportedly said. He was apparently in good condition as of [Friday]. So we just have to figure out what might have happened here.

The 14-foot-long whale was spotted various times over the years in Norwegian coastal towns and often appeared tame and enjoyed being around people, NRK reported.

OneWhale said it had been actively working to relocate Hvaldimir to safer waters in northern Norway to be with other belugas. Strand, however, filed a complaint to block the move and argued the whale was not at risk, OneWhale said.

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In response to the tragic shootings at Apalachee High School, Gov. Brian Kemp has promptly directed crucial state resources to Barrow County.

The GBI, Department of Public Safety and GEMA have been moved to the high school to assist and coordinate the emergency response efforts.

I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state, Kemp said in a statement.

Chris Stallings, Director of Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security, emphasized the importance of early recognition and detection of potential issues.

During a discussion with Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods just months ago, Stallings spoke about the annual school safety conference they host.

The event provides an opportunity for school resource officers and state officials to prepare for worst-case scenarios.

Look for those signs. Lets get far ahead, looking into indicators. We dont need to wait for a reason to respond if we can prevent a situation from occurring, Stallings said.

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Woods added that while proactive measures are vital, its equally important to be ready to respond when the unthinkable happens.

You have to be proactive, and so hopefully, how do we prevent something from happening, but should something take place, weve got to be ready for that scenario as well, Woods said.

During an unrelated meeting Wednesday, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Department of Justice will help in any way they can.

We are still gathering information, but the FBI and the ATF are on the scene working with state, local, and federal partners. Im devastated for the families who have been affected by this tragedy. The Justice Department stands ready to provide any resources and support that the Winder community needs in the days ahead, Garland said.

Currently, the identity and motive of the shooter are unknown.

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State Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, takes the oath of office with his hand on a bible on the first day of the 88th legislature on Jan 10, 2023. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune

Mansfield Republican David Cook said Tuesday he intends to run for Texas House Speaker, becoming the third person to challenge the chambers current leader, Beaumont Republican Dade Phelan.

Cook, who has served two terms in the House since 2021, made his announcement in an email to Republican incumbents and nominees seeking election to the chamber next year. The news was first reported by The Texan, a state politics news website.

In his email, Cook committed to naming only Republicans as leaders of House committees, a crucial point to hard right GOP leaders who feel Phelan has ceded too much power to Democrats by continuing the chambers long-standing tradition of naming members of both parties to lead the legislative panels.

But Cook said Democrats will have the opportunity work their bills and see them considered fairly, as preserving the rights of the minority party remains part of facilitating the orderly transactions of business in the Texas House.

State Reps. Tom Oliverson of Cyprus and Shelby Slawson of Stephenville have also thrown their hats in the ring.

Phelan has come under fire from grassroots social conservatives for being insufficiently conservative and working too closely with Democrats. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been a major Phelan critic and has helped fuel criticisms that Phelan works with Democrats to hold up conservative legislation, even as the House has passed landmark legislation loosening gun restrictions and tightening abortion laws under his leadership.

Cook said that a lack of communication between House leadership and members of the GOP caucus has stifled progress and caused frustration. He pledged to be actively engaged and present in the chambers daily workings.

Leadership means not only setting the direction, but also being in the arena alongside each of you, Cook said. My philosophy is rooted in returning the power to the Members and fostering an environment where we can work together effectively.

Cook said political infighting, breakdowns in communication and a lack of transparency have left the GOP with a splintered caucus in the House. He said he wants to rebuild trust, maintain integrity and find unity within the caucus, which is expected to maintain a majority in the chamber in this Novembers elections.

Without naming Phelan, Cook said change at the top is needed to better align with the priorities of our Members and the people of Texas.

Cook also hinted that he would reform legislative processes in the chambers rules that slow our work.

Notably, Phelan has taken heat from the right flank of his party for his support of Attorney General Ken Paxtons impeachment in the House, and for not taking a more active approach to pass school vouchers.

Cook voted in favor of Paxtons impeachment though he later corrected his vote to say he would have voted no on three of the 20 articles related to misuse of public resources, disregard of official duty and making false statements on official records. He also voted against a measure that removed school vouchers from an education funding bill.

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BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- China provided temporary social assistance 4.18 million times during the first half of this year, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA).

As of the end of June, the country had 40.37 million residents living on subsistence allowance, which include 6.48 million in urban areas and 33.89 million in the countryside, Wu Zengfeng, spokesperson of the MCA, said Tuesday.

The MCA has stepped up efforts to guide local authorities in effectively carrying out dynamic monitoring of low-income populations and implementing tiered, classified social assistance, Wu noted.

He emphasized that families not eligible for subsistence allowances but struggling with essential living expenses should be better identified to ensure they receive assistance.

Corruption and misconduct in this area are also being continuously addressed, Wu added. 
Republican Voters Against Trump, the group of disaffected Republicans devoted to stopping Donald Trump from returning to the White House, is stepping up its efforts with an $11.5m ad buy in critical battleground states.

The group is rolling out a new advert featuring former Trump voters vowing never again to back him. They give a range of reasons for their decision, ranging from Trumps role in instigating the US Capitol insurrection on 6 January 2021, his demeaning of women and his 34 felony convictions.

The ads are being focused on the three so-called blue wall states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, which Joe Biden won in 2020 and which Kamala Harris, Bidens vice-president and the Democratic presidential candidate, must retain in November. The group will be investing $4.5m in Pennsylvania, $3m in Michigan and $2.2m in Wisconsin, the Hill reported.

Ads will also be placed in Arizona and Nebraska, along with about 80 billboards strategically located in swing states that promote former Trump voters who now intend to vote for Harris.

The executive director of Republican Voters Against Trump, Sarah Longwell, told MSNBC that the thinking behind the ad buy was to give former Trump voters who are thinking about switching to Harris a permission structure. She said that focus groups had shown a tremendous openness among some Trump voters to backing the vice-president.

We are taking Trump-voting voices and elevating them so it sends a signal to other Trump voters who are Kamala-curious, Longwell said. They are interested in voting for her either because Donald Trump presents such a threat, or because people are bored by Trump  they are bored with all the drama and tired of the insults.

The Guardians poll tracker underlines how painfully close the presidential race is within the seven or so key battleground states that are likely to decide the outcome of the 5 November election. Harris is now up on Trump in all the blue wall states  by 0.5% in Pennsylvania, 1.1% in Michigan and 1.4% in Wisconsin  but those figures are well within the margin of error, meaning the contest is essentially neck-and-neck.

The launch of the new adverts tallies with a push by the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz campaign to highlight former Republicans who have endorsed the Democratic ticket.

At last months Democratic national convention in Chicago, several Republican speakers were invited on to the main stage, including Trumps former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham and Adam Kinzinger, a former Congress member from Illinois who sat on the January 6 House committee.
Canadian animal rights activist Paul Watson, who has been released from prison under conditions, speaks at a press conference at the Papageno music theater in Frankfurt am Main. Fredrik von Erichsen/dpa

Canadian-US environmentalist and anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson is to remain in custody in Greenland for a further four weeks as legal wrangling over his deportation to Japan continues, a court sitting in Nuuk ruled on Wednesday.

Watson, 73, is to remain in prison until October 2 to ensure that he does not leave Greenland until the deportation issue has been resolved, police in the autonomous Danish territory said. Watson has lodged an appeal with a higher court.

One of the world's best known anti-whaling activists, Watson's confrontational methods have divided conservationists. Some see him as a hero, while others reject his radical approach. He has drawn anger from various whaling nations, including Japan in particular.

The Japanese authorities issued an international arrest warrant following an incident involving a Japanese whaler in the Antarctic in 2010. This led to his arrest in Nuuk in July after he entered port aboard the John Paul DeJoria.

He is accused by the Japanese of damaging the whaler and disrupting its work. Watson rejects the allegations.

Originally a member of Greenpeace, Watson went on to found the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

According to his current organization, the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, he could face 15 years in prison if deported to Japan. The organization has called for pressure to be applied to Greenland and Denmark on his behalf.

The final decision will be taken by the Danish authorities in Copenhagen. It is not clear when this will occur.
President of East Timor Jose Ramos-Horta speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the Presidential Palace in Dili, East Timor, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

DILI, East Timor (AP)  The president of East Timor sees Pope Francis' upcoming visit as a prime opportunity to promote Asia's youngest country on the world stage, not a time to confront the legacy of abuse by influential members of the clergy in the deeply Catholic nation.

During an interview Wednesday with The Associated Press, President Jose Ramos-Horta also predicted progress soon on a major energy project with Australia, and urged China and the United States to act as benevolent superpowers as they compete for influence in the Southeast Asian country.

The 74-year-old former independence fighter and Nobel laureate returned to the presidency in 2022 with campaign pledges that included tackling poverty, creating jobs and improving political stability.

Francis is due to arrive Monday in the impoverished and youthful nation of 1.3 million people, also known as Timor-Leste, following visits to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Walls are still being dabbed with fresh paint and banners and billboards seemingly everywhere have been hoisted to welcome the pope.

An estimated 700,000 people are expected to participate in a papal Mass the following day in the seaside capital, Dili, and many others are likely to line the streets try to catch a glimpse of the pope.

The visit is a reward for the depth of faith shown by Timorese, some 98% of whom identify as Catholic, and recognition of the progress toward peace the country has shown in recent years, Ramos-Horta said.

There's another benefit for the little-known nation, a former Portuguese colony wedged between Indonesia and Australia: The popes visit is the biggest, the best marketing anyone can aspire to to promote the country, to put the country on the tourist map, he said.

The visit comes just days after the president and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, a fellow former resistance leader, hosted United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to mark the 25th anniversary of a U.N.-backed referendum that led to East Timors independence from neighboring Indonesia in 2002.

It will be the first time Pope Francis has encountered the Timorese faithful since the Vatican acknowledged in 2022 that Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, another hero in the country's struggle for independence, had sexually abused young boys.

Meanwhile, a popular American missionary priest revered for his role saving lives in the liberation fight, Richard Daschbach, is serving a 12-year sentence in a Timorese prison for molesting disadvantaged girls.

The pope has met with abuse victims in other countries, but it's not clear if he will do so or address the matter publicly in East Timor.

Belo and Ramos-Horta shared the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts toward a just and peaceful solution to the conflict in East Timor," which was deeply scarred by a brutal Indonesian occupation and bloody liberation struggle that followed the country's break from Portugal in 1975.

Both men still command respect, alongside other independence heroes, given their and the church's resistance to the occupation, in which as many as 200,000 people were killed. Many Timorese doubt or are willing to look past the serious charges involving Belo, who was secretly sanctioned by the church and is banned from voluntary contact with minors.

We leave it entirely to the pope and the people around him on how to manage this, Ramos-Horta said when asked whether Francis should address the history of sex abuse during his visit, adding that he knows that the Vatican takes it seriously.

What is a concept of justice is fairness. People, yes, continue to deeply respect Bishop Belo for his courage, his contribution to their struggle. He sheltered people, he saved people and people dont just forget that  or castigate him, ostracize him," the president said.

No further condemnation is needed because the Vatican has already taken action, Ramos-Horta said. Having the pope raise the matter during his visit would be like trying someone twice.

East Timor struggles with high levels of unemployment and malnutrition, and 42% of the population lives below the national poverty line. Nearly two-thirds of the countrys citizens are under 30 years old, making youth job creation a high priority.

The oil and gas industry is the bedrock of the economy and the main source of government revenues. But a major offshore site is tapped out and the country needs new reserves to come online to fill the gap.

Ramos-Horta said he is hopeful a breakthrough could come very soon, possibly in the next three months, on plans for the exploration of a natural gas field that is key to East Timors financial future.

Development of the promising offshore Greater Sunrise gas field, shared between Australia and East Timor, has been stalled for more than two decades  mainly over the question of which country the fuel should be piped to.

Australia's Woodside Energy, which has the largest stake in the project after East Timor's national oil company, said in response to questions Wednesday that the companies and governments have continued to make progress on various aspects of the negotiations.

It added that it remains committed to developing the field if there is fiscal and regulatory certainty necessary for a commercially viable development to proceed.

Timorese officials believe that piping gas into their country would deliver more benefits for their people despite the added logistical challenges. That remains the aim, Ramos-Horta said, adding that any alternative would have to be a very persuasive proposal.

The presidential palace where the interview took place and several other key government buildings were constructed with help from China, which wants to deepen its influence among Pacific island nations.

China is one of East Timors top trading partners. In 2023, the two countries boosted their ties by reaching a comprehensive strategic partnership.

I understand the suspicion on the part of the United States, their fears, in relation to China, he said. But I do not see China as a threat to anyone," he added later.

Ramos-Horta said he welcomed Beijings help in areas such as improving agriculture, water management and food security, but saw no need for closer security ties with China.

He did, however, highlight the positive role played by the United States Peace Corps in East Timor and said he would welcome additional help from U.S. military engineers on the ground. U.S. Navy Seabees construction personnel are continuously based in East Timor, building and renovating schools and clinics.

The U.S. might fear China. We dont fear (them) and we dont fear also the U.S. I see the two superpowers as benevolent superpowers. Or they should be benevolent superpowers, he said.

___

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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the suspect, Colt Gray, "will be charged with murder and handled as an adult."

Four people were killed and nine others injured in a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., Wednesday, officials said. A 14-year-old student is in custody and is expected to be charged with murder for the attacks.

Officials said that the victims are 14-year-old students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, and educators Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie. There is no known connection between the shooter and the victims, authorities said, adding that authorities are still investigating a motive.

The nine injured were hospitalized and are expected to survive.

During a press conference on Wednesday evening, Chris Hosey, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, confirmed the deaths to reporters. Hosey also confirmed that the suspect is Apalachee student Colt Gray, who is alive and in custody at the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center. He said that Gray will be charged with murder and handled as an adult. Gray will face a virtual hearing Friday at 8:30 p.m., according to Fox 5 Atlanta.

The priority right now for us in this investigation is to gather all the facts, Hosey said. This is still a very active investigation.

In a statement released Wednesday night, the FBI Atlanta office acknowledged that the agency had received several anonymous tips in May 2023 about threats of a school shooting.

The FBI said it had referred the tips to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office in Georgia, which had investigated "the same subject in custody related to today's shootings." However, the FBI said, "the subject denied making the threats online," and the father assured officials his son did not have unsupervised access to the family's guns.

A sheriff's report obtained by Yahoo News said that users of the social media platform Discord had tipped off the FBI to a potential school shooting last year.

I never imagined that I would be speaking to the media in my career over something that happened today  pure evil that happened today, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith told reporters Wednesday evening, choking up a bit. I want to make it very clear that hate will not prevail in this county.

Smith said that the sheriffs office was speaking with Gray and had been in contact with his family, but did not elaborate on what came from those conversations. Smith said they had not identified the weapon at this point.

The school superintendent said Barrow County schools are closed for the rest of the week and crisis counseling is available to the students.

What happened?

Around 10:20 a.m. ET officers from multiple agencies and emergency personnel were dispatched to the school after calls of an active shooter. About an hour later, the school was evacuated, with students being released to their families. Law enforcement and emergency responders were seen on campus, with at least two people being put into helicopters to be flown to hospitals, local news channel WSB-TV reported.

First responders gather. (ABC Affiliate WSB via Reuters)

The Atlanta branch of the FBI also said it was assisting with the investigation of what was happening at the school.

School officials and the Barrow County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Yahoo News.

A 17-year-old student told ABC News that he was in chemistry class when he heard gunshots. He said his chemistry teacher locked the door as the rest of the class huddled in the back. The student said he could hear gunshots and screams and, at one point, someone banged on the classroom door and shouted open up multiple times. The student and his class were later evacuated to the football field.

One student told a reporter for Fox 5 Atlanta that he initially thought the gunshots were fake until he heard screaming. He described being evacuated from the building and seeing a body in one of the rooms. There was a gun lying on the ground, with the bullets and the blood, he said.

They prepare you for these things, a 15-year-old girl told the New York Times. But in the moment, I started crying. I got nervous.

Cars line the road as parents arrive to meet students after a shooting at Apalachee High School. (Megan Varner/Getty Images)

President Biden issued a statement in response to the shooting, saying, What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now turned into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart. Students across the country are learning how to duck and cover instead of how to read and write. We cannot continue to accept this as normal.

Vice President Kamala Harris, who was campaigning in New Jersey on Wednesday, called the shooting "a senseless tragedy on top of so many senseless tragedies."

In a post on Truth Social, former president Donald Trump called the shooting tragic and the suspect sick and deranged.

Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters he was devastated by the terrible tragedy.

We are still gathering information but the FBI and ATF are on the scene, working with state, local and federal partners, Garland said. The Justice Department stands ready to provide resources or support to the Winder community needs in the days ahead.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp wrote on X, I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state. We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation.

This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.
UPSHUR COUNTY, Texas (KETK)  After being sentenced to life in prison in 2023, an appeals court upheld the conviction on Friday of a man who murdered and burned the body of a Longview woman.

Texas mother dies in jail after arrest for abuse of toddler who had head to toe bruises, broken ribs

Courtesy of the Upshur County Criminal District Attorneys Office

According to the Upshur County Criminal District Attorneys Office, 43-year-old Carlton Grant will spend life in prison without parole after a Texarkana appeals court upheld his sentence for the murder of Rachel Rhoads.

The release said Rhoads roommate was mutual friends with Grant and his girlfriend. In March 2018, Grant strangled Rhoads with a homemade garrote and a zip tie in her vehicle after she agreed to drive him and his girlfriend home. Afterwards, he and his girlfriend would dispose of Rhoads body by dumping it in a utility right-of-way and burning it.

When the crime scene was surveyed, Grants sock was found near Rhoads body, the black zip tie was still around the victims neck, part of a vinegar bottle was found, along with the zebra-print blanket that Grant covered the victim with, the DAs office said.

Human remains found inside burning vehicle in East Texas, foul play suspected

Rhoads official cause of death was strangulation, according to his warrant.

The DAs office said Grant and his girlfriend were arrested in April 2018, where she was cooperative meanwhile Grant denied all allegations.

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An archery hunter who was knocked down and bitten by a bear while hunting elk with his friend has survived the surprise attack, officials said.

The incident occurred on Sunday morning when the hunter and his friend were hunting elk west of Henrys Lake in Island Park, Idaho, approximately 15 miles west of Yellowstone National Park, and were attacked by an adult male grizzly bear.

MORE: 1 dead, 2 missing in 'major' boating accident off Connecticut coast

During the surprise encounter in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest near the Divide Creek Road, one of the hunters was knocked down and bitten by the bear, according to a statement from Idaho Fish and Game regarding the incident.

Both men were able to utilize their sidearms to shoot the bear, deterring the attack and killing the bear, Idaho Fish and Game said. The hunters were able to call 911 and the injured individual was transported by helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center where he is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

MORE: Body of woman missing for 2 years found under backyard firepit, roommate charged with murder

PHOTO: An archery hunter who was knocked down and bitten by a bear while hunting elk with his friend has survived the surprise attack, officials in Idaho said. (Idaho Fish and Game)

MORE: Dog breeder found dead and as many as 10 of his Doberman puppies have vanished

Idaho Fish and Game say they responded to the scene where the attack happened after coordinating with Fremont County Sheriffs Office, Caribou-Targhee National Forest and Emergency Medical Service teams and that conservation officers conducted a thorough investigation and determined that the hunters acted in self-defense during a surprise encounter with the bear from a very close distance.

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.

MORE: Murder suspect on the run for months found after falling through ceiling during home search

According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife, it is illegal to kill bears unless it is in a situation that requires self-defense.

"Grizzly bears in the 48 contiguous states are currently protected as a threatened species. It is illegal to harm, harass or kill these bears, except in cases of self-defense or the defense of others, U.S. officials said. Grizzly bear conservation is complex and only made possible through a variety of partnerships with the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, state wildlife agencies, Native American Tribes, federal agencies, universities and other organizations."

MORE: Man drowns after pushing 2 kids to safety from strong river currents

Idaho Fish and Game took the opportunity to remind people about safety procedures when hunting, suggesting that people venturing out in to the wilderness in north Idaho and the Greater Yellowstone area should always carry bear spray and keep it readily accessible, always hunt with partners and make each other aware of plans, keep an eye out for grizzly bear signs like fresh tracks, retrieve meat as quickly as possible and hang it -- along with food and garbage -- at least 200 yards from camp and 10 feet off the ground, and finally, by making noise when not hunting, especially around creeks and thick vegetation because most attacks occur by inadvertently surprising a bear at close range.

Archery hunter survives surprise grizzly bear attack originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Arielle Valdes Family Speaks Out After Missing Runners Body Found in Florida: 'There Are No Words'

"I am so blessed I got to experience you and call you my sister," her sister wrote in a tribute

Lee County Sheriff's Office Arielle Valdes

The family of missing runner Arielle Valdes, whose body was found by authorities after a five-day search, said she was someone who appreciated all the beauties in life.

"The message she would want to say is to be present with your loved ones, sister Isabella Hergert told NBC affiliate WBBH. Know what's important before it's taken away."

Arielle's sister also paid tribute to her sister in a Facebook post on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

There are no words to express what Im feeling," Hergert wrote. I have new eyes for this world and I am so blessed I got to experience you and call you my sister.

Related: Body Found Floating in Washington River in 2022 Identified as Missing 34-Year-Old Man from Georgia

Valdes disappeared on Wednesday, Aug. 28, after leaving her home to go on a run at the 90th block of Mariana Avenue in North Fort Myers around 6:30 p.m. local time, according to the Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO).

According to footage shared by the LCSO, Valdes appeared to be running southbound on U.S. Route 41 around 6:45 p.m. that same evening. Cameras also showed her heading southbound toward the Edison Bridge about 10 minutes later.

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Five days after she was reported missing, the LCSO reported that remains of a woman believed to be Valdes were found during a search along the Caloosahatchee River in North Fort Myers.



Related: Missing Hiker, 33, Found Dead After Being Swept Away in Grand Canyon Flash Flood That Husband Survived

Preliminarily, there is no evidence to indicate that foul play was involved, police said on Sept. 2. Our hearts remain with Arielles family and loved ones as they navigate the coming days.

Although additional details about her death have not yet been shared by authorities, a police report obtained by PEOPLE on Wednesday, Sept. 4, stated that the family had concerns about Valdes in the days before her disappearance and that her mom believed she was experiencing "some sort of mental crisis."

Related: Skeletal Remains Found in Tennessee Identified as Missing 20-Year-Old Georgia Woman

In the wake of her death, the Facebook group Finding Arielle Valdes shared that there will be a candlelit memorial walk scheduled for this Sunday, September 8, in Fort Myers.

As a community we are all heartbroken by this tragic loss, read the event description. "We hoped, prayed and searched with the family. We are devastated by the outcome but are reminded how powerful the sense of community can be.

Hergert also organized a GoFundMe, which has raised over $8,000 as of Wednesday, Sept. 4.

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Read the original article on People.
An Arizona Mom Was Arrested for Criticizing Public Officials at a City Council Meeting. Now She's Suing.

Rebekah Massie says she wanted to teach her 10-year-old daughter a little bit about the importance of standing up for your civil rights when she brought her along to a city council meeting in Surprise, Arizona, on August 20.

Her daughter certainly learned a lesson. Massie was hauled out of the room in handcuffs and charged with trespassing after criticizing a city attorney's pay raise during the public comment period of the meeting.

On Tuesday, Massie filed a First Amendment lawsuit arguing the city council's speech policies are unconstitutional and that city officials illegally retaliated against her, violating her First, Fourth, and 14th Amendment rights. Massie is represented by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a free speech advocacy group.

"If the First Amendment protects anything, it protects criticizing government officials," FIRE attorney Conor Fitzpatrick said in a press release. "Arresting government critics might be how the world's repressive regimes operate, but it has no place in America."

Massie is a community activist and founder of a nonprofit, The Grand Failure, where she advocates for increased transparency and infrastructure improvements in the city. The Surprise City Council, in other words, was not surprised to see her approach the microphone on August 20 for the "call to the public" section of the meeting.

Massie spoke for nearly two minutes in opposition to a proposed pay raise for the city attorney, who she noted was already one of the highest-paid city attorneys in the state, before Surprise Mayor Skip Hall cut her off.

Hall explained that there was a city rule prohibiting "charges or complaints against any employee of the City or members of the body" during public comment, according to the suit.

"That's all fine, well, and good, but that's a violation of my First Amendment rights," Massie replied.

"This is your warning for attacking the city attorney personally," Hall said.

"This is all factual information," Massie said.

"It doesn't matter," Hall responded.

The two continued arguing, with Massie repeatedly asserting the rule was unconstitutional, until Hall threatened to have her removed by police.

"In front of my 10-year-old daughter, you're going to escort me out for expressing my First Amendment rights?" Massie asked.

That's exactly what Hall did.

Watch the full video of the exchange and arrest below:

"I wanted to teach my children the importance of standing up for their rights and doing what is rightnow I'm teaching that lesson to the city," Massie said in the FIRE press release. "It's important to fight back to show all of my children that the First Amendment is more powerful than the whims of any government official."

The Supreme Court has ruled that criticizing public officials, even using rude or vulgar language, is core First Amendmentprotected speech. In public forumssuch as when a city council invites public commentgovernments can craft reasonable restrictions on the time and manner of speech, but they can't discriminate against certain viewpoints.

Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr. wrote in 1987, in a ruling striking down a Houston ordinance that made it unlawful to oppose or interrupt a police officer, that "the freedom of individuals verbally to oppose or challenge police action without thereby risking arrest is one of the principal characteristics by which we distinguish a free nation from a police state."

Nevertheless, cases of small-town tyrants keep popping up around the country.

Last year, for example, an Iowa man filed a First Amendment lawsuit after he was arrested twice for criticizing his town's police department during the public comment periods of city council hearings. The city council had a policy similar to Suprise's forbidding "derogatory statements or comments about any individual."

In 2022, FIRE also sued on behalf of residents of Eastpointe, Michigan, who were shouted down and prevented from speaking by the town's mayor during a public meeting. The town apologized and rescinded its policy limiting comments "directed at" elected officials.

And just this January, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled in favor of James McDonough, who was arrested in 2016 for allegedly saying "fuck you" and grabbing his crotch as he was being escorted out of a city council meeting in Homestead, Florida.

Massie's suit seeks a permanent injunction barring Surprise from enforcing the council policy, as well as compensatory, nominal, and punitive damages for violating her rights.

The post An Arizona Mom Was Arrested for Criticizing Public Officials at a City Council Meeting. Now She's Suing. appeared first on Reason.com.
BEIRUT, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday expressed its "full solidarity" with Egypt and condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claims about arms smuggling from Egypt into Gaza through the Philadelphi Corridor.

The ministry categorized these accusations as obstructive to mediation efforts and prolonging the crisis. It also voiced "strong appreciation" for Egypt's efforts to de-escalate regional tensions and its constructive role in negotiating a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

It praised Egypt's "historical positions on supporting Lebanon's sovereignty, security, and stability" and its ongoing efforts to prevent a large-scale war in the region.

Netanyahu alleged on Monday that weapons were being smuggled to Hamas through the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border. Egypt rejected Israel's claim on Tuesday, accusing the Israeli side of using the claim to justify its "aggressive and provocative" policies.

Additionally, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry welcomed the British government's decision to impose a partial ban on arms export to Israel, calling it "an important step towards strengthening international humanitarian law and human rights."

The ministry appreciated Britain's move as a sign of its commitment to reducing escalation and supporting negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire to protect civilians from further violence.

On Monday, Britain announced it would suspend 30 of its 350 arms export licenses to Israel, citing concerns that the equipment could be used to violate international humanitarian law. 
Hot Springs resident Priscilla Davis (left) was one of 20 speakers to oppose a potential countywide ballot measure to reduce local library funding at a public hearing on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

HOT SPRINGS  Garland County officials will decide by the end of the week whether a proposal to reduce the property tax funding the local library will be on Novembers countywide ballot, County Judge Darryl Mahoney said after a public hearing Wednesday.

The proposal would shrink the 1.6-mill tax, approved by county voters in 1998, to 1.0 mills. An earlier version of the measure sought to eliminate the tax completely, but supporters altered it in July after county residents raised concerns that the Garland County Library would close without the tax funding.

Residents continued to voice opposition to the measure at the hearing. Many of the 20 speakers said the ballot language would confuse people into voting for the measure even if they do not actually support cutting funding for the library.

Im shouting it from the rooftops and Im canvassing in my neighborhoods, said Judy Dare, a Democratic candidate for the quorum court, the county governing body. Theyre going to see the word library and theyre going to go, Yes, I love my library, so Im going to vote for that. They do not understand that that is defunding the library.

Supporters of the measure submitted 131 signatures to County Clerk Sarah Smiths office on Aug. 2. Amendment 38 of the Arkansas Constitution requires at least 100 signatures from taxpaying electors for a proposal to change the tax levy that funds a local library.

Leslie Kauffman, Smiths chief deputy clerk, said 110 signatures were from registered voters in the county and 101 of those voters were taxpayers. The signatures deemed invalid were from citizens who either were not registered voters or were registered at a different address than the one they wrote on the petition, she said.

Kauffman also said she contacted the people with invalid signatures and encouraged them to update their voter registration, and one persons signature became valid after doing so.

Little Rock attorney John Adams, representing library executive director Adam Webb, said he saw a problem with this.

If someone is not [correctly] registered at the time they sign this, their signature should not count, he said.

Local funding is paramount for the survival of the Garland County Library, and all libraries for that matter.

 Shari Bales, member of the Arkansas State Library Board

Adams also argued that supporters of a petition should provide proof that an attorney reviewed the ballot language to ensure it does not conflict with some other local law or obligation.

I think the public would need to know if, for example, the library wouldnt be able to support its own bonds and would default on the bonds if [voters] were to reduce the millage, Adams said.

Upon questioning from Mahoney, Adams said he was not aware of any case law regarding the use of Amendment 38 to get a measure on a countys ballot. He said he hoped the countys decision about the measure would rely on statutes passed by the Legislature that provide a framework for figuring out what a valid petition is.

Donna Casparian said she was president of the county library board in 1998 when voters approved the 1.6-mill tax, and she said she is confident the majority of citizens still support library funding as it is.

I cannot imagine how 101 disgruntled persons can force their opinion on the entire county, Casparian told the quorum court.

Mahoney and quorum court members didnt hear anyone defend the proposal because no one representing the supporters attended the hearing. George Pritchett, who usually serves as spokesman for the supporters, said when reached by phone that he could not attend the hearing due to a death in his family. He gave no further comment.

Pritchett and Reggie Cowan, who also supports the measure, have said the Garland County Library receives too much tax money and can function on its cash reserves. They have also said library funding would be in the hands of the county quorum court.

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Webb said in a July article in the Hot Springs Sentinel-Record that the library has $5 million set aside in nontax accounts, but he has said the idea that the library can rely on its reserves is not true.

The current millage brings in roughly $3.6 million annually for Garland County Library maintenance and operations, and the proposed 0.6-mill tax reduction would cut the librarys budget by $1 million and might force it to reduce its hours or limit its more expensive services, Webb said in July.

Several speakers Wednesday noted that the Garland County Library has always provided more to the public than just books, including internet access, fishing pole rentals and COVID-19 testing kits.

We dont need to limit this, Priscilla Davis said. We dont need to dumb down our community.

A statewide issue

If the proposed millage cut makes it onto the ballot and voters approve it, Garland County would be the second Arkansas county in two years, after Craighead County, to vote to reduce its library systems tax revenue. Pritchett has said the Garland County effort is based on the one in Craighead County, a narrowly-approved 2022 measure that cut the libraries funding in half and forced the system to reduce its hours and staff.

Lawrence County, which borders Craighead County to the west, is facing a vote in November over whether to cut its own library millage in half, and supporters have said taxpayers should consider that the library might be overfunded, KAIT reported in August.

Library systems in other Arkansas counties, including Garland Countys neighboring Saline County, have seen scrutiny in the past few years from the public and from quorum courts about how much money they have and how they spend it.

Conservatives in Craighead and Saline counties have publicly opposed the availability of library books with LGBTQ+ content. Supporters of the Craighead County library defunding campaign previously decried a transgender authors visit to the Jonesboro library in 2019 and a Pride month book display in 2021.

State Sen. Dan Sullivan, a Jonesboro Republican, sponsored a 2023 state law that would alter Arkansas libraries processes for reconsidering material and create criminal liability for librarians who distribute content that some consider obscene or harmful to minors.

Eighteen plaintiffs, including Webb, are challenging two sections of Act 372 in federal court, and Adams is representing them. A federal judge temporarily blocked two sections of the law in July 2023 before it went into effect, and the case is scheduled for trial in October.

After Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Act 372, the Saline County Quorum Court recommended in April 2023 that the library systems then-director, Patty Hector, relocate books with sexual content or imagery to an area inaccessible to minors. After Hector refused, the quorum court passed an ordinance giving County Judge Matt Brumley some hiring and firing power over the library. Brumley fired Hector in October, and she is now running as a Democrat for a quorum court seat.

Pritchett said in July that the Garland County tax-cut petition is driven exclusively by financial concerns, not library content.

Hot Springs resident Shari Bales said Wednesday that local funding is paramount for the survival of the Garland County Library, and all libraries for that matter. Bales was appointed to the Arkansas State Library Board by Sanders last year along with former Republican state senator Jason Rapert of Conway.

Raperts term on the board will last until 2029, and Bales term will last until 2030. Since their confirmation in December, Rapert has proposed at each board meeting withholding state funds from libraries that are suing the state over Act 372 or that have books on their shelves that he considers inappropriate for minors.

Bales and the other five board members have rejected Raperts proposals. At Wednesdays hearing, Bales called Raperts efforts coercive and an existential threat, and she reminded the audience that the governor is responsible for appointing a new member to the board every year.

There is no guarantee that the next five appointees will be as forthright in their conviction or in their abilities to ignore the very personal attacks made by this particular board member, Bales said. Only three need to fold to his pressure or share his sentiment for state funding to halt. This is the reality in which we live, a reality where libraries have become political fodder for the political elite and the cornerstones of our communities are being attacked.

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JACKSONVILLE, Ark.  The homeless in Arkansas are finding fewer options as ordinances banning public camping are beginning to spread.

The Supreme Court upheld city bans for camping outdoors in public places this June when it issued an opinion in Grants Pass v. Johnson. Jacksonville passed its version in July. As a response, Ward followed in August.

Supreme Court lets law stand that allows for ticketing of homeless people camping

Cabot also began the process in August with additional readings and votes to follow. During the first council meeting discussing the ban, Cabot Police Chief Scott Steely implied Jacksonvilles decision impacted them down Highway 67-167.

We have seen an influx over the last few weeks, he said.

Jacksonville, Cabot and Ward do not have shelters of their own. One non-profit for the homeless in Little Rock questions what these ordinances are trying to achieve.

The Van in Little Rock works to provide services & resources to people experiencing homelessness in the area. Founder Aaron Reddin said his team has seen people who need items like clothes & toiletries after the few possessions they had were destroyed when citys dismantled homeless camps. Thats why Reddin said the Supreme Courts decision in June to uphold bans on public camping did not surprise him.

Now we have this mentality of we just cannot tolerate or see poverty for some reason and instead of doing something about we try to weaponize the legal system against people who have nothing and are living in tents. It makes no sense to me, Reddin said.

The ordinance doesnt outlaw napping in a public place, but states for the health, safety, and welfare of citizens, no one can set up a sleeping bag or a stove for example. If one does, police can make the person leave similarly to how they can in private places.

With public camping a felony, Tennessee homeless seek refuge

During the public meetings, police said although there are fines and even jail time possible for repeat offenses, thats not the goal.

We will still just ask them to leave and go somewhere else, Jacksonville Police Chief Brett Hibbs said. Where? I dont have an answer.

Hibbs noted that police do ask people if they need shelter and have taken people as far as authorities can or find them a way to a shelter if they desire it. He added most of the time people do not want that.

Jacksonville Mayor Jeff Elmore said the Cabot city government does not have anything in place to assist to which one councilman responded, The city cant do it because of the liability.

What are you going to be liable for? Improving peoples lives?  Reddin asked. Get insurance.

Reddin said hes seen an increase in the homeless population particularly among the elderly becoming unable to afford the cost of living. He also said even if the homeless do get pushed to places like Little Rock, there is not enough shelter space for the hundreds that already need it.

Im going to call them lazy. Im really going to call you lazy, Reddin said. Everyone around kicks folks and expects them to funnel them into Little Rock and expects everyone here to carry the weight of all these other communities.

Efforts made in recent years to increase aid to the homeless such as the Russ Buss in Russellville and Mission Machine in Searcy were also mentioned by Reddin.

Some cities facing homelessness crisis applaud Supreme Court decision, while others push back

Two nearby communities are taking differing approaches to the topic. A statement from the mayors office in Beebe noted that the city did not have a problem with a homeless population and would not address the issue until such a problem arose. To the west in Sherwood, the city attorney noted that a version of an ordinance was in development to be presented to the city officials later this month.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, leads a meeting of the Arkansas Legislative Council's Higher Education subcommittee on Sept. 3, 2024 on Arkansas State University's Jonesboro campus. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate)

JONESBORO  An Arkansas lawmaker on Tuesday renewed his vow to file legislation to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at the states colleges and universities.

Sen. Dan Sullivan, a Jonesboro Republican and co-chair of the Arkansas Legislative Councils Higher Education subcommittee, last August requested a DEI study to be completed by the end of 2024 with the intention of proposing legislation during the 2025 legislative session.

Sullivan announced the conclusion of the study Tuesday at the subcommittees meeting on Arkansas State Universitys Jonesboro campus, though no formal report was presented. During a brief three-minute discussion, Sullivan said officials would post links online to legislation in Florida and Texas that will be used as models for an Arkansas bill in 2025.

DEI programs at higher education institutions have become a target for lawmakers across the country following the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down the use of affirmative action in college admissions. DEI measures at state university systems have been banned or rolled back in at least 22 states, according to Stateline.

Two conservative think tanks, the Manhattan and Goldwater Institutes, in January 2023 released model state legislation to dismantle administrative structures that support DEI efforts at public colleges. Among other things, the legislation would prohibit schools from hiring DEI officers, bar training designed to identify and fight systemic racism, and eliminate requirements for employees to commit to diversity statements, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Sen. Fred Love, D-Mabelvale, said Tuesday that he wanted to formally announce his opposition to Sullivans future legislation.

Im not sure why this attack on DEI is necessary, but Im going on record saying Im going to be against this legislation because I feel like diversity, equity and inclusion provides a richness to all of our campuses, Love said.

Sen. Fred Love, D-Little Rock

Sullivan sponsored a bill during the 2023 legislative session to end state-sponsored affirmative action, which he described as ending discrimination. It died on the House floor the last week of the legislative session after several passionate speeches from members of both parties against the bill. The legislation was recommended for study in the Senates Interim Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs.

Sullivan told the Advocate after Tuesdays meeting that the intent of his proposed legislation, which has not been drafted, is similar to his 2023 bill.

Theyre based on need and thats what the bill says  were going to base things on need, were going to base things on merit, Sullivan said. So if you have a need, and you qualify for assistance from the state, you qualify based on your need, not whether youre a different race or whether youre a different gender, whether youre a different sex, whether youre a different ethnicity.

Officials representing six Arkansas universities told lawmakers during a legislative hearing last October that their DEI efforts support the recruitment and retention of students from various backgrounds and do not include lowered admission standards for certain groups.

Sullivan is not the only Arkansas official to express opposition to DEI initiatives. Rep. Mindy McAlindon, R-Bentonville, was lead sponsor of a 2023 law that prohibits public schools or state-supported institutions of higher education from requiring implicit bias training.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed an executive order on her first day in office that prohibits the indoctrination of public school students with ideologies like Critical Race Theory, or CRT. The theory is typically not taught in K-12 schools in Arkansas. The language of the executive order is mirrored in the LEARNS Act, Sanders signature education legislation.

Education has been a priority for Sanders, who, after focusing on K-12 education in 2023, has said she wants to address higher education next year.

The governor has said that higher ed is one of her priorities this coming legislative session, and diversity, equity and inclusion as the chair of higher ed is going to be one of mine, Sullivan said.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  State investigators said two Arkansas men were arrested last week following a special task force investigation into accusations of the possession of pornography involving children.

Officials with the Arkansas State Police said the agencys Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force started its investigation after getting a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Warren man facing child pornography charges after arrest by Arkansas State Police

Investigators said that tip led them to the Garland County home of 33-year-old John Earner. Agents said they determined Earner had uploaded child porn to an online hosting service, adding that a search of Earners phone uncovered multiple photos and videos described as child sexual abuse material.

Earner was taken to the Garland County Detention Center. He is being held on a $250,000 bond, and court records show he is facing 100 counts of distributing, possessing, or viewing of matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child. A hearing is scheduled for mid-October.

Jonesboro man gets 30 years in federal prison for child porn and encouraging girls to self-harm

The investigation also led to a search of home in Nashville two days earlier, again based on a tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

That search led agents to arrest 20-year-old Camren Scott of Hope, who was taken to the Howard County Detention Center.

Hope man facing multiple child porn charges after Arkansas State Police investigation

State police say Scott faces 100 counts of possessing child sexual abuse material, noting that he is being held on a $20,000 bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  A sizeable grant has been given to Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton (ASYMCA) to help active duty military families with childcare.

The Armed Services YMCA offers free and low-cost programs and services to active duty military service members in all branches and their families.

Residential community near Camp Pendleton raising concern over consistently blocked intersection

Last week, The Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton (ASYMCA) received a $300,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, which will provide childcare subsidies to active-duty service members and their families stationed at Camp Pendleton.

This generous gift from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will have a lasting impact on the military community we serve, said Samantha Holt, Executive Director of the Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to our mission and for recognizing the importance of supporting our service members and their families.

Camp Pendleton Marine last seen outside of bar missing since Sunday: family

The funding will help Camp Pendleton families with childcare vouchers for up to 12 months. The announcement noted the vouchers will also help free up the waitlist at Camp Pendletons Fisher Childrens Center, which is currently at 148 children.

We understand it can be challenging to find affordable, reliable and quality childcare, said Renee Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The intent of our gift is to remove those barriers for military families and give them the peace of mind that their child is well cared for while they are at work.

More information about the Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton and how to support the mission can be found at camppendleton.asymca.org.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Arrest made in Columbia after an SC man was beaten to death and set on fire, cops say

A Columbia man was charged with murder after a man in another part of South Carolina was beaten to death and his body was set on fire, according to the Greenville County Sheriffs Office.

Angel Lazaro-Castillo was the victim, the sheriffs office said Wednesday in a news release.

Members of both the Greenville County Sheriffs Office and the Richland County Sheriffs Department arrested 38-year-old Juan Veneroso-Lopez Tuesday night, according to a news release.

Veneroso-Lopez was taken into custody during the joint agency search of a home in the 500 block of Fore Avenue, the Greenville County Sheriffs Office said. Thats in northeast Columbia, between Two Notch Road and Interstate 20.

Deputies said Veneroso-Lopez had gone to Greenville on Sunday, where he confronted Lazaro-Castillo over a domestic-related dispute, according to the release. Further information about the domestic dispute was not available.

Veneroso-Lopez killed Lazaro-Castillo during an assault where he caused blunt force trauma to the victims head, according to an arrest warrant. Then Veneroso-Lopez poured a flammable liquid on the victims body and set him on fire, the Greenville County Sheriffs Office said.

No other injuries were reported.

Lazaro-Castillos burning body was found outside, next to the road, the sheriffs office said. It was discovered near the intersection of N. 6th Street and Woodside Avenue, which is a largely residential area about 1.5 miles from Lazaro-Castillos residence, officials say.

Veneroso-Lopez confessed to the deadly attack, according to the arrest warrant.

He was taken to the Upstate region and booked into the Greenville County Detention Center, according to the release. No bond has been set and Veneroso-Lopez remains behind bars, jail records show.
Arrest made in Columbia after an SC man was beaten to death and set on fire, cops say

A Columbia man was charged with murder after a man in another part of South Carolina was beaten to death and his body was set on fire, according to the Greenville County Sheriffs Office.

Angel Lazaro-Castillo was the victim, the sheriffs office said Wednesday in a news release.

Members of both the Greenville County Sheriffs Office and the Richland County Sheriffs Department arrested 38-year-old Juan Veneroso-Lopez Tuesday night, according to a news release.

Veneroso-Lopez was taken into custody during the joint agency search of a home in the 500 block of Fore Avenue, the Greenville County Sheriffs Office said. Thats in northeast Columbia, between Two Notch Road and Interstate 20.

Deputies said Veneroso-Lopez had gone to Greenville Sunday, where he confronted Lazaro-Castillo over a domestic-related dispute, according to the release. Further information about the domestic dispute was not available.

Veneroso-Lopez killed Lazaro-Castillo during an assault where he caused blunt force trauma to the victims head, according to an arrest warrant. Then Veneroso-Lopez poured flammable liquid on the victims body and set him on fire, the Greenville County Sheriffs Office said.

No other injuries were reported.

Lazaro-Castillos burning body was found outside, next to the road, the sheriffs office said. It was discovered near the intersection of N. 6th Street and Woodside Avenue, which is a largely residential area about 1.5 miles from Lazaro-Castillos residence, officials say.

Veneroso-Lopez confessed to the deadly attack, according to the arrest warrant.

He was taken to the Upstate region and booked into the Greenville County Detention Center, according to the release. No bond has been set and Veneroso-Lopez remains behind bars, jail records show.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  An arrest has been made nearly a month after two people were found with gunshot wounds near State Street in downtown Salt Lake City, according to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Jowil Charles, 31, was safely taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 3. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on 10 counts of first-degree felony discharge of a firearm and one misdemeanor charge for possession of a controlled substance.

Police say Charles was involved in the Aug. 10 shooting near State Street and Exchange Place where two people were hospitalized.

Officers were originally responding to an unrelated call about a reported fight when they heard gunshots nearby. The officers quickly went to investigate the gunshots and encountered several people running toward them.

Woman, 3 children found dead in car at West Haven home

During their investigation, officers found a 30-year-old man in a parking lot and a 24-year-old woman in a nearby business, both with gunshot wounds. According to court documents the 30-year-old man suffered nine gunshot wounds and was hospitalized in critical condition. The woman was caught in the crossfire and suffered a gunshot wound to her calf.

Police said the man is still hospitalized in critical condition as of Tuesday, Sept. 3. Neither victim has been publicly identified.

Charles showed no concern for the safety of others when he fired multiple rounds at the 30-year-old man and into a crowd of people, court documents state.

Charles has been ordered to be held in the Salt Lake County Metro Jail without bail, pending a pretrial hearing.

An investigation into the shooting is still ongoing and further details have not been released. Anyone with information on the case, including those who may have photos or video of the incident, is asked to call the Salt Lake City Police Department at 801-799-3000 and reference case number 24-182377. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the CityProtect App.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Charges looming? Artem Chigvintsev's domestic violence case has been transferred to higher authorities! The professional dancer may now face formal charges, as his case has been turned over to the District Attorney.

Artem Chigvintsev was arrested last Thursday for an alleged altercation with his wife, Nikki Garcia, and for possibly causing visible injuries to the former WWE star.

Artem Chigvintsev's Case Gains Momentum On The District Attorney's Table

MEGA

The Napa County Sheriff just turned over Chigvintsev's case to the Napa County D.A. According to their spokesperson, their office is still reviewing details of the case and no official decision has been made on his charges.

An inside source disclosed that the D.A. will make a decision after thoroughly reviewing the case and will issue a public statement on the next step.

Carlos Villatoro shared that the D.A.'s office still needs to examine witness statements, view footage from the incident, and pictures that may have been taken or any other evidence the police discovered at the point of investigation.

The Russian professional dancer's arraignment is currently scheduled for November 4, according to TMZ.

The Dancer's Was Involved In An Altercation With His Partner Last Week

MEGA

Things got heated between the couple last Thursday, prompting the authorities to take Chigvintsev into custody. The 42-year-old was arrested for corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant after he allegedly left Garcia with injuries from their violent exchange.

Chigvintsev reportedly called for medical assistance and later changed his mind, telling the paramedics not to bother. But the cops soon showed up at the location and arrested him.

Garcia was spotted without her wedding ring on Monday, after her partner's arrest, when she appeared on Netflix's Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi hotdog-eating contest.

Sources close to the reality star also shared that she is looking for a divorce lawyer to end their two-year marriage. The duo are parents to a 4-year-old son, Matteo, who is reportedly currently staying with Garcia in their family home, while Artem is staying with a friend.

Chigvintsev's Claimed 911 Call Was Due To An Argument With Nikki Garcia

MEGA

The Blast noted that the released audio from the dancer's call had him sharing that he got into an argument with his wife, leading her to throw shoes at him.

The dispatcher then confirmed that a child was on the scene of the incident, adding that "there's an active 415 (disturbing the peace) in the background responsible."

Upon arrival, authorities found injuries on Garcia, who, however, asked them to keep their identity private. Chigvintsev was then taken in on charges of felony corporal injury to a spouse and was released around 2:15 pm on the same day after posting bail.

The dancer was reportedly cooperative through the process and after news of the incident broke out, the Napa County Sheriff's Department released his official mugshots.

The Couple Recently Marked Their Second Wedding Anniversary

MEGA

Just three days before the domestic violence incident, Garcia and Chigvintsev celebrated their second wedding anniversary on Instagram with a reel highlighting some of their most romantic moments.

Garcia captioned the video with lyrics to Haley Reinharts cover of Elvis Presleys Cant Help Falling in Love song and reiterated her love for the dancer, writing:

This song is our love story. I'll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem. Having a conversation with He & God. How my feelings felt too soon. It all felt too fast."

She continued, "And then this song came on. And that's when I knew that I was falling in love with him and that it was all meant to be.

Artem Chigvintsev And Nikki Garcia Tied The Knot In Paris

MEGA

Before things went sour between the couple, they were the literal representation of love, and their wedding ceremony in the city of love, Paris, in 2022, was proof of that.

The Blast reported that the duo shared their day with fans through various slides on Instagram, including a picture of their wedding rings on their fingers. In another slide, Garcia opted for a classic figure-hugging, off-shoulder satin gown paired with a chic bob hairstyle.

Her husband looked dapper in a classic white tee and black pants as the Eiffel Tower flanked them in the background. The former wrestler announced their four-part special event, Nikki Bella Say I Do, would air on E!
An artist made scathing sculptures of Mao over a decade ago. Now, hes detained for slandering Chinas heroes, family says

A prominent Chinese artist known for his scathing political critiques of Mao Zedong and the Cultural Revolution has been detained in China, according to his brother and artistic partner.

Gao Zhen, 68, was detained last week in a police raid on his art studio on the outskirts of Beijing on suspicion of slandering Chinas heroes and martyrs, his younger brother Gao Qiang told CNN Sunday in an email from New York. The criminal offense, introduced in 2021, is punishable by up to three years in prison.

The public security bureau that Gao Qiang said had detained his brother, in Hebei provinces Sanhe city, declined to comment.

At the height of their careers, the Gao Brothers created provocative sculptures of Mao in a country notoriously sensitive about its former rulers legacy. But that was well over a decade ago  during a relatively liberal era for artistic expression before China took an authoritarian turn under leader Xi Jinping.

Now, some of those older works have been seized by police as evidence against Gao Zhen, his brother said.

They include Maos Guilt, a life-size bronze cast created in 2009 that depicts the former Chinese Communist Party leader kneeling, hand on heart, in repentance; The Execution of Christ, created that same year, which features a firing squad of life-sized Chairman Maos pointing their bayoneted rifles at Jesus; and a collection of busts named Miss Mao, which come in various sizes and colors, sporting a Pinocchio-like nose and large, naked breasts.

The avant-garde artists latest works had not been as politically sensitive or explicitly critical of Chinese leaders, their friends say. Gao Zhen had lived a quiet life in China and spent most days in his studio prior to moving to the US, Du Yinghong, a fellow artist who has known the brothers for nearly two decades, told CNN in a phone call.

Due to the deteriorating environment in China, Gao Zhen relocated to New York two years ago when his son, an American citizen born in the US, reached school age, Gao Qiang said.

The artist returned to China in June with his wife and son to visit family. Before he set off, his friends and family  myself included  had all reminded him to consider whether it was safe to go, Gao Qiang said. He himself also thought he might encounter problems, but still, as if driven by fate, he went back.

At first, everything seemed fine. Gao Zhen kept in touch during his trip and regularly posted on the Chinese social messaging app WeChat. In July, he organized a birthday party for his son who had turned 6 years old.

But on August 26, just over a week before the family was scheduled to fly back to the US, about 30 police raided the Gao Brothers studio in Yanjiao, a town on the border of Beijing and neighboring Hebei province, to search for evidence, Gao Qiang said.

Police demanded the artist hand over his phone. Gao Zhen refused and was forcibly handcuffed and taken away, according to his brother.

Gao Zhens wife received his detention notice the following day from the public security bureau in Sanhe, Gao Qiang said, adding that she had been warned by police not to speak to the media about her husbands detention.

The police returned to the studio on August 27 to search for more evidence, according to Gao Qiang.

A few days before his arrest, Gao Zhen told me that he was organizing his Yanjiao studio and had destroyed some unfinished sculptures in stock, including those of Miss Mao, Gao Qiang said in an email.

He is nearly 70 years old and naturally prone to melancholy. I am very concerned about his physical and mental health.

Chinese artists the Gao Brothers walk past some of their "Miss Mao" pieces in their Beijing studio in October 16, 2007. - David Gray/Reuters

Retroactive punishment

Under Xi, the ruling Communist Party has vowed to eradicate historical nihilism  or any views that question or challenge its official version of history, including glorified images of sanctified national heroes.

China passed a law in 2018 banning any insult or slander of national heroes and martyrs, including military personnel. The offense was added to the countrys criminal code three years later.

Since then, the law has been used to jail a popular blogger who doubted the official death toll of Chinese soldiers in a border clash with India, and a former investigative journalist who questioned Chinas role in the Korean War, as depicted in a patriotic movie.

And last year, a stand-up comedian was investigated by police for the same offense after making a joke that referenced a military slogan at a show in Beijing. It cost him his job and his employer more than $2 million in fines, though police later dropped the case and did not press charges.

Around that time, another Chinese contemporary artist, Yue Minjun, faced the wrath of online nationalists for uglifying and insulting Chinas military with his iconic grinning self-portraits, but the authorities did not act on those accusations.

That makes Gao Zhen the first Chinese artist known to be detained under the law.

His brother and friends wonder why authorities appear to be targeting the Gaos works retroactively, as they were created many years before the law came into force.

The artworks collected as evidence by the police were all created more than a decade ago as part of an artistic reflection on Maos Cultural Revolution, Gao Qiang said. Imposing retroactive punishment for actions taken before the new law took effect goes against the widely accepted legal principle of non-retroactivity.

The Gaos hail from a generation of Chinese artists who pushed the boundaries of creative expression by offering an unflinching glimpse into the dark chapters of their countrys past.

The upheaval of the Cultural Revolution, which roiled China in the 1960s and 1970s, inflicted indelible pain on the Gao family.

The brothers were just 6 and 12 years old when their father, a factory worker, was labeled a class enemy and thrown into detention at the height of the decade-long turmoil. Twenty-five days later, the family of six brothers was told that their father committed suicide out of guilt for being a counter-revolutionary, but they believed he was persecuted and killed.

Our fathers death was a devastating disaster for our family. Gao Zhen told the Southern People Weekly, a once-outspoken news outlet, in 2010. We constantly worried that our mother would take her own life, but she raised us with an extraordinary resilience that few could compare to. After the Cultural Revolution ended, Gao Zhen took the train to Beijing to petition his fathers death. The family was eventually given about 3,000 yuan (then equivalent to about $2,000) in compensation, the Gao brothers wrote in an article in 2004.

"The Execution of Christ" (2009) by the Gao Brothers. - Courtesy Gao Brothers

Theres no logic

Friends who know the Gao Brothers say they used art to express their grief, with Mao being a recurring feature of their work in the late 1990s and 2000s.

It was really an artistic phase; its not all their work. But this is why people remember them, because it was a very political, very direct critique, said a friend who has known the brothers for over two decades.

In recent years, the brothers created works featuring world leaders including Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, as well as pieces showing support for Ukraine, according to the friend, who requested anonymity over safety concerns.

Theres no logic to arrest (Gao Zhen) now, she said. They were not the only ones; many Chinese artists of that generation made very critical art back then I guess they will be afraid now.

Even during Chinas more liberal years, however, the brothers had several run-ins with authorities over their controversial artworks. Police shut down their exhibitions, confiscated their politically sensitive works, and even intimidated visitors by stationing guards outside their old studio in Beijings 798 art district.

But after we promised that our studio would not be open for public display, we hadnt run into major problems, Gao Qiang said.

The duo went on to attract international acclaim. They held exhibitions in Paris, New York, Moscow and Berlin, with some of their works collected by prestigious museums, from the Centre Pompidou in Paris to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

The two brothers obtained permanent residency in the US in 2011 and traveled frequently between Beijing and New York. Gao Qiang moved to the US a few years before his brother and has not returned to China since.

Two years ago, their Beijing studio was forced to shut down, and Gao Zhen moved his studio to Yanjiao, about 40 kilometers (about 25 miles) away, his brother said.

Gao Zhens detention shows that freedom of expression in China has shrunk significantly compared to a decade ago, Gao Qiang said.

A healthy society should move towards the broadening of thoughts and actions, instead of the other way around, he added.

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BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The People's Bank of China (PBOC), the country's central bank, has signed a bilateral currency swap agreement with the Bank of Mauritius, the PBOC said on Wednesday.

The total value of the agreement is 2 billion yuan (about 281.1 million U.S. dollars), or 13 billion Mauritian rupees, the PBOC said in a statement on its website.

The agreement is valid for three years and can be renewed upon mutual consent, according to the statement.

The currency swap arrangement will strengthen financial cooperation between China and Mauritius, expand the use of the two currencies, and promote and facilitate bilateral trade and investment, the statement said. 
Aspen Skiing Company announced its plans to part ways with Aspen Mountains Gents Ridge lift, aka The Couch, before the beginning of this season's ski season. Gents Ridge was deemed "The Couch due to its cushiony seats and long, 13-minute ride up the top third of the mountain.

Glade skiing on Aspen Mountain off the Gent's Ridge lift. Photo: Aspen Skiing Company

After almost four decades spinning its wheels at Aspen, SkiCo has sold the fixed-grip quad lift to Maverick Mountain in Montana. According to the Aspen Times, the chair removal is part of a larger plan of evolution at Aspen Mountain, which includes streamlining operations and expanding snowmaking to increase coverage at the start of each winter season.

Maverick Mountain, where "The Couch" is headed, has 24 runs and is family owned. The mountain is only open on weekends. Besides the foundation, no part of the lift (chairs, towers, etc) will stay in Aspen and none of the chairs will go up for sale, despite auctions occurring with other lifts SkiCo has sold in the past. SkiCo explained that skier traffic patterns and ridership numbers were part of the decision to sell the lift.

Aspen Mountain trail map. Gent's Ridge is located near the top of the mountain to the looker's left. Aspen Mountain

The proposal to remove this lift has not yet been given the green light from White River National Forest, as some of the lift sits on U.S. Forest Service property. This is an important part of the process. However, the proposal will be submitted to the USFS soon, and generally, it is in everyone's best interest to remove as much infrastructure as possible from the land.

According to the Aspen Daily News, Aspen-Sopris District Ranger Kevin Warner said that his office "has not yet received a formal proposal from SkiCo to remove the lift, but that the Forest Service is amenable to proposals like this."

In a press release from SkiCo, CEO Geoff Buchheister said, Gents has served us well for decades, and Im glad that it will get a second life at Maverick Mountain. I know firsthand how important these community-based resorts are to creating passionate lifelong enthusiasts for the sport, and its exciting to see that what no longer works for us can benefit another ski area.

Related: Jamming and Skiing: Chris Benchetler and Yonder Mountain String Band Debut New Collaboration

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Temple, Tx (FOX 44)  Temple police say an elderly woman received a broken pelvis during a reported assault and another woman has been arrested.

Bond was set at $65,000 for 60-year-old Dianne Ruth Boston, who was booked into the Bell County Jail on charges of injury to the elderly.

A Temple police spokesperson said officers were called at 11:40 p.m. on a request that the suspect be placed under an emergency order of detention, which is an order sought if someone is believed to be a danger to themselves or others.

On their arrival, officers spoke with the caller and were told she had been assaulted, saying she and a woman had been in an argument earlier in the day and that she had been physically attacked and pushed to the ground resulting in a fractured pelvis. Police reported seeing evidence consistent with the assault on the victim. The victim also provided officers with consent to view the x-ray of her pelvis.

Man held after girl abused for 11 years

Officers collected evidence and on August 30 obtained an arrest warrant for Boston. She was located Tuesday and taken to the Bell County Jail where she remained Wednesday.

Police said the victim and suspect are related.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
(Bloomberg) -- Barry Butch Wilmore and Sunita Suni Williams were supposed to spend only eight days in space. Instead, the NASA astronauts will end up being on the International Space Station for about eight months. That means missed birthdays, wedding anniversaries, kids performances and even the US presidential election.

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So far, theyre taking the news in stride. We are having a great time here on ISS, Williams said during an in-space press conference in July. You know, Butch and I have been up here before, and it feels like coming back home. It feels good to float around.

Their families say theyre managing to cope, too  despite their loved ones missing out on major milestones. Wilmore, for example, will be up in space for his 30th wedding anniversary. You just sort of have to roll with it and expect the unexpected, the astronauts wife, Deanna, told WVLT. To make up for it, the astronaut has been FaceTiming his family.

Unexpected extensions on space voyages arent unprecedented. NASA keeps the International Space Station well stocked with food, supplies and equipment to make sure astronauts are safe, comfortable and well informed about life back on Earth. In fact, NASA even has protocol for allowing astronauts to vote from space  thanks to a bill passed by the Texas Legislature in 1997.

Its not too different from requesting an absentee ballot on Earth, except astronauts have to list their current address on the application as International Space Station, Low Earth Orbit. From there, they receive an encrypted PDF of a ballot on their personal laptop through a secure email process, according to NASA.

Once theyve selected their candidates, the data for the completed vote is then transmitted via satellite to a ground antenna. NASA transfers that encrypted data to Mission Control in Houston and then on to the county clerks office.

Still, long and unexpected trips take a toll.

When youre in space for almost a year, youre in space for just about everything  every birthday, every Christmas, every holiday, said Scott Kelly, a former NASA astronaut who spent nearly a year on the International Space Station from 2015 to 2016. I think the only holiday Ive never been in space for was St. Patricks Day.

While astronauts go into orbit knowing they might not come down as soon as planned, theyre not always fully prepared for such long stays.

I knew what I was getting into, and I prepared mentally for it. I looked at it as every day I was up there was a kind of a badge of honor the longer I stayed, said Kelly. When youre not expecting it, there is a little bit of a different mindset.

When Frank Rubio found out his six-month mission would be extended to a year due to a coolant leak in his spacecraft, he had mixed feelings.

It was probably the one that we least wanted  to be extended for a full 12 months  as a family. That was mostly because of the things that I knew Id be missing from a family perspective, said Rubio, who now holds the record for longest continuous spaceflight for an American astronaut. But then theres a part of you that says, Hey, you know, this is going to be pretty great as far as experiencing space, right?

Adjusting to an extended stay in orbit is no different than preparing for living abroad for a year. Astronauts have to find people to look after their homes and pay their bills, which may not be an issue for Wilmore and Williams, but can be for others.

Both of them, as far as I understand, are married, and Im sure their spouse can take care of that. But what if youre not? How do you take care of your house? Kelly said. Single astronauts tell the stories of going into space for six months and coming back and their house was not in the same condition that they left it.

The space stations inhabitants arent totally cut off from life on Earth. There is decent internet on board and a network of satellites allows for phone calls, albeit short ones, to Earth.

Most phone calls can last anywhere from five to 20 minutes, Rubio said. Right as as you switch from one satellite to the next, the phone call will drop. So generally, you try to kind of fit the phone call in there.

For Rubio, the biggest disappointment for him was missing the entirety of his sons senior year while in orbit.

That was especially poignant to us because I had missed his birth when I was deployed to Iraq, Rubio said. So, you know, as a father, I just felt a little bit more guilty about that. But the great thing is, he was actually pretty proud of it, and actually probably more resilient than I was, and that really helped me out, to stay positive about it.

One other thing for the astronauts to prepare for, said Kelly: Coming home.

Everything seems new, Kelly said of being back on the planet after a year way. I remember the first time I saw a dog after being in space for nearly a year. It was like meeting this alien being that I had never met before. It was kind of cool.

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Nicole Vitola, a dealer at the Borgata casino, speaks at a rally in Atlantic City, N.J. on April 12, 2022, calling on state lawmakers to ban smoking in the gambling halls. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP)  A group of Atlantic City casino workers seeking to ban smoking in the gambling halls will launch an advertising campaign featuring their children in response to a judge's rejection of a lawsuit that would have ended smoking in the nine casinos.

The workers, calling themselves Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects, said Wednesday the digital ads will target the districts of state lawmakers who have the power to advance pending legislation that would ban smoking in the casinos.

And a labor union that brought the unsuccessful lawsuit said it would withdraw from the state AFL-CIO over the issue, saying the parent labor group has not supported the health and safety of workers.

On Friday, a state judge rejected the lawsuit, ruling the workers' claim that New Jersey's Constitution guarantees them a right to safety is not well-settled law and that they were unlikely to prevail with such a claim.

The ruling relieved the casinos, which continue to struggle in the aftermath of the COVID19 pandemic, with most of them winning less money from in-person gamblers than they did before the virus outbreak in 2020.

But it dismayed workers including dealers, who say they have to endure eight-hour shifts of people blowing smoke in their faces or just breathing cigarette smoke in the air.

I dealt through two pregnancies, said Nicole Vitola, a Borgata dealer and co-founder of the anti-smoking group. It was grueling. We're human beings. We have an aging workforce.

Whether to ban smoking is one of the most controversial issues not only in Atlantic City casinos, but in other states where workers have expressed concern about secondhand smoke. They are waging similar campaigns in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Kansas and Virginia.

Currently, smoking is allowed on 25% of the casino floor in Atlantic City. But those areas are not contiguous, and the practical effect is that secondhand smoke is present in varying degrees throughout the casino floor.

The workers sought to overturn New Jersey's indoor smoking law, which bans it in virtually every other workplace except casinos.

The ad campaign will be titled Kids of C.E.A.S.E. and will feature the children of casino workers expressing concern for their parents' health and safety in smoke-filled casinos.

I have two kids, aged 17 and 11, said Pete Naccarelli, a Borgata dealer. I want to be there for them when they graduate, when they get married, when they have kids. We do not want to be collateral damage for casinos' perceived profits.

The Casino Association of New Jersey expressed gratitude last week for the court ruling, and it said the casinos will work for a solution that protects workers and the financial interests of the industry.

"Our industry has always been willing to sit down and collaborate to find common ground, but the smoking ban advocates have refused," said Mark Giannantonio, president of the association and of Resorts casino.

The casinos say that banning smoking will lead to revenue and job losses. But workers dispute those claims.

Workers called on state legislators to advance a bill that would ban smoking that has been bottled up for more than a year. It was released from a Senate committee in January but never voted on by the full Senate. It remains in an Assembly committee.

Sen. Joseph Vitale, a Democrat, promised the bill would get a full Senate vote shortly.

Also Wednesday, Dan Vicente, regional director of the United Auto Workers, said he will pull the union out of the AFL-CIO, saying the larger group has been insufficiently supportive of casino workers' health. The AFL-CIO did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

___

Follow Wayne Parry on X at www.twitter.com/WayneParryAC
An Avondale woman who video recorded herself fatally shooting a woman and wounding another acted in self-defense, her attorney said Wednesday.

Akira Fletcher, 23, faces charges including aggravated murder in the death of Nyeme Norton, who was shot in mid-July and died Aug. 24. Fletcher was indicted Aug. 30 by a Hamilton County grand jury and arraigned Wednesday on charges including aggravated murder and felonious assault.

Fletcher said in a Facebook post that the two women she shot had attacked her and that she called 911 before the shooting.

Her attorney, Brandon Fox, told The Enquirer on Wednesday: "My client clearly acted in self-defense. This is evident in the videos that have already been released. Through our preliminary investigation into this matter, we have discovered more evidence that strengthens our case. Ms. Fletcher is looking forward to her day in court."

Court documents show that Fletcher and Norton had conflicts before the shooting and that Fletcher had been ordered to stay away from Norton.

The videos

On Aug. 30, Fletcher posted two videos on Facebook that show the incident. In the time between the videos, Fletcher said she called 911, "asking for them to please send somebody."

Fletcher said in a Facebook post that a woman "busted my driver side window out to attack me" and that she "continued to try and get in my car to stab me."

About 30 seconds into the first video, Fletcher gets out of the vehicle. When she does, there are two women waiting near the vehicle.

"You're going to jail," Fletcher says to a woman who appears to be slashing the vehicle's tire with a knife. That woman then appears to throw a rock at Fletcher, who gets back in her car.

Eventually, the vehicle's back window is smashed, and Fletcher gets out of the vehicle again. The women yell back and forth. The video ends with Fletcher getting back in her car and driving away.

Another broken window, 4 gunshots

When the second video begins, Fletcher's driver's side window is broken out.

"You're going to jail," she says repeatedly.

Eventually, one of the women approaches the window, and Fletcher appears to fire four times before the video cuts off.

Norton died Aug. 24. Fletcher was indicted a week later.

Past conflict

About three weeks before the shooting, Fletcher was accused of smashing the windows of Norton's vehicle.

According to court documents, Fletcher was charged with criminal damaging, a misdemeanor, and was released on her own recognizance. A Hamilton County Municipal Court judge ordered Fletcher to stay away from Norton.

That case is still pending.

Changes in self-defense law

Ohio's law regarding self-defense changed significantly in 2021 when the state passed the so-called "stand your ground" legislation that eliminated the duty of a person to try to retreat from a situation before using deadly force.

The law also shifted the burden of proof. Prior to the 2021 law, a defendant claiming they acted in self-defense would have to prove in court that they or someone they were close to were in danger. Now the burden is on prosecutors to prove the opposite.

Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Matthew Broo said this has made it hard to successfully prosecute violent crimes.

"As a result of this change, prosecutors must now prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant did not use self-defense, defense of another, or defense of a persons residence when acting," Broo said in statement. "It doesnt take a law degree to know that proving something did not happen is lot harder than proving something did  especially when so many of these cases turn on subjective concepts like fear of someone or belief that something was about to happen."

The Columbus Dispatch reported last year that half of the Franklin County defendants who claimed they acted in self- defense won their cases. Statistics were not immediately available for Hamilton County, but Broo said self-defense is an issue in more cases now than in the past.

Fletcher is being held in the Hamilton County Justice Center on a $150,000 bond.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Attorney: Woman who filmed fatal shooting acted in self-defense
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  The latest case involves a Department of Revenue worker who is accused of manipulating the system to benefit themselves financially.

Our focus has narrowed to transactions involving a state employee trying to avoid paying a tax by designating the sale of a new vehicle to a trade-in, which reduces the tax consequences, said Jackley.

So far, the unnamed worker at the Department of Revenue accused of avoiding the higher vehicle tax hasnt been charged with a crime but has been fired.

It appears this was limited to the employee at this time, but Jackley says it is early on in the investigation. According to Jackley, agents are investigating other matters in the Department of Revenue and have uncovered other financial discrepancies that are now being reviewed for potential charges. But thats not all; Jackley tells us other investigations are underway in different phases involving state employees or state funds in other government agencies.

First Thunder Fire reaches 170-acres

Those are sometimes early on in the investigation, and oftentimes it is difficult as Attorney General to determine, does it rise to the level of the criminal is so serious is it where somebody is inappropriately taken taxpayer dollars or is it one of good government, said Jackley. In other words, those dollars could have been spent better in the mind of the Attorney General but not necessarily rising to the level of criminal.

Jackley says it is important to give his agents more time to complete the work theyve started.

When asked if he expects more criminal charges from these investigations, Jackley told us he does.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
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Week 5 is in the books and oh my there's a lot of panic on these fantasy streets. Dalton Del Don joins Matt Harmon for another edition of the 'People's Panic Meter' to answer all of your listener submissions. The duo examines the situations for Breece Hall, Buffalo Bills, Bijan Robinson and many more.
HOWARD COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General has announced that it is investigating a deadly crash that happened in Howard County in August.

According to the Howard County Police Department (HCPD), the crash happened in North Laurel around 4 a.m. on Aug. 10. A man was riding a 2021 Suzuki GSX-S750 motorcycle near the 9400 block of Washington Boulevard where he attempted to make a left turn.

Police said thats when he crashed into a flatbed truck that entered the road.

2 more gang members found guilty in murder of 10-year-old girl in DC

The motorcyclist, identified as 21-year-old Joshua Vanderziel of Laurel, died at the scene.

The Attorneys Office said its preliminary investigation revealed that Howard County police reported to the IID that a non-HCPD police cruiser from a different jurisdiction had been observed near the crash.

At this point in the investigation, the investigations division said it is working to confirm the law enforcement agency the cruiser is connected to.

Anyone with information is asked to call the IID at (410) 576-7070 or email at IID@oag.state.md.us.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Attorneys for ex-Illinois Speaker Madigan cry foul over unfair media coverage, ask judge for more leeway to question jury pool

CHICAGO  Attorneys for ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan have compiled years worth of unflattering press about the political powerhouse in hopes that a judge will let them examine potential jurors more closely at Madigans racketeering trial.

For at least the past two decades, the press coverage of Madigan has bordered on obsession, defense attorneys for Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain wrote in a filing late Monday, calling the coverage intense and grossly unfair.

The filing repeatedly complained about stories by the Tribune, including the ongoing Culture of Corruption series examining how self-dealing has been embedded in Illinois politics for generations. The filing insinuates strongly that the series must have been timed to undermine Madigans case.

Defense attorneys used Mondays motion to reiterate requests they have already made to U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey: They want permission to review prospective jurors social media posts, and they want to question potential jurors about what they may have seen or heard about Madigan in greater detail than standard procedure usually allows.

The trial is slated to begin Oct. 8. Madigan, 82, is charged in a 23-count indictment alleging he participated in an array of bribery and extortion schemes from 2011 to 2019 aimed at using the power of his public office for personal and political gain.

Also charged was McClain, 76, a former state legislator and lobbyist who was convicted last year of orchestrating an alleged bribery scheme by Commonwealth Edison. McClains sentencing in that case is pending; his attorneys want the case thrown out entirely given a U.S. Supreme Court ruling this year that upended part of a commonly used anti-corruption statute.

But the bulk of the publicity that defense attorneys complained about centered on Madigan, who spent decades at the top of the Springfield hierarchy and statewide Democratic politics.

The coverage  along with attack ads from Republican opponents  cemented Madigans image as an iron-fisted boss who derived power from a political machine, an image that could be hard for potential jurors to shake, the filing wrote.

Federal prosecutors have already brought related cases to trial, including the ComEd Four case involving McClain and the perjury trial of longtime Madigan ally Tim Mapes.

Evidence and court filings in those cases were reported on extensively, including testimony by a retired FBI agent that Madigan ran his political operation like a mob boss. And before any of them went to trial, news outlets found out the salacious details in the investigation against FBI cooperator and ex-Chicago alderman Danny Solis, sparking a continuous, ongoing press frenzy involving Madigan that has often read strikingly similar to the political attack ads.

The pretrial filings in Madigans case have also been written about at length; Tribune journalists, who have no obligation to hide the details of publicly available records, recently described a wiretapped recording that Madigans attorneys are trying to prevent jurors from hearing. That seemed to particularly draw the defense attorneys ire.

The pretrial publicity has presented unsupported, negative spin on the exact information at issue in this case and spread speculation and misinformation that will likely not be admissible at trial, the filing states.

Blakey has not yet ruled on the defenses request to review potential jurors social media posts; in a hearing earlier this year, he seemed skeptical that it could be done efficiently.

The defendant is entitled to a fair trial, not every question possibly asked under the sun, he said from the bench in July.  At some point you have to presume some honesty on the part of the jury.

____
Montana 2024 Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy. (Courtesy Tim Sheehy campaign)

U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy is facing criticism after two recordings from November surfaced in which he appears to have characterized the Crow people as drunk in the morning and accused them of throwing beer cans at him in a parade.

Sheehy is running as the hand-picked Republican looking to unseat incumbent Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat and Montanas lone Democratic leader in elected federal office.

The former U.S. Navy SEAL and Bozeman businessman Sheehy made the comments in November, and those were reported first by Char-Koosta News, the official publication of the Flathead Indian Reservation.

However, Sheehy appears to have doubled down on the statements as the first recording was from a Nov. 6, 2023 event in Shelby. Four days later, Sheehy appears to have made similar remarks at an event in Hamilton. The recordings appear on the website of Char-Koosta News.

The Daily Montanan reached out to Sheehys campaign for comment when news first broke on Sunday, but as of Tuesday, had received no comment or explanation.

The audio from the Shelby event has Sheehy talking about ranching on Crow reservation.

My ranching partner and really good friend, Turk Stovall, hes a Crow Indian and we ranch together on the Crow Reservation. So Im pretty involved down there, going to the Crow Reservation and their annual Crow parade this year. I rope and brand with them every year. So, its a great way to bond with all the Indians being out there while theyre drunk at 8 a.m., and youre roping together. Every one that you miss, you get a Coors Light on the side of your head.

Sheehy then appears to make similar comments at the event in Hamilton:

I strapped on a Sheehy sign to a horse and rode through the Crow Parade and if you know a tough crowd, thats (it). They let you know if they like you or not. Theres Coors Light cans flying by your head as youre riding by. You know they respect that. You go where the action is and they say, You know, the guys not that bad. He rode the horse through the parade. Thats cool.

Calls to the Crow Tribal Executive Chairman went unreturned on Tuesday, and by mid-morning, the voicemail box was full.
An aerial drone photo shows a closed port in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 4, 2024. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Wednesday raised its emergency response for flood and typhoon prevention from level IV to level III in Hainan as Typhoon Yagi approaches land. Typhoon Yagi, the 11th typhoon of the year as counted by China's meteorological authorities, is expected to make landfall along the coastal areas from Wanning in Hainan to Dianbai in Guangdong on Friday. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Wednesday raised its emergency response for flood and typhoon prevention from level IV to level III in Hainan as Typhoon Yagi approaches land.

Typhoon Yagi, the 11th typhoon of the year as counted by China's meteorological authorities, is expected to make landfall along the coastal areas from Wanning in Hainan to Dianbai in Guangdong on Friday.

China's National Meteorological Center launched a red alert for Typhoon Yagi, saying that it grew into a strong typhoon on Wednesday afternoon.

The center warned that gales will batter the Taiwan Strait, parts of the South China Sea, the Bashi Channel, the central and south coastal areas of Fujian, as well as the central and eastern coastal areas of Guangdong from Wednesday night to Thursday night.

In the meantime, heavy rainfall is expected to hit parts of Taiwan Island, Guangdong and Hainan Island, according to the center.

China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. 

Boats dock at a harbour in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 4, 2024. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Wednesday raised its emergency response for flood and typhoon prevention from level IV to level III in Hainan as Typhoon Yagi approaches land.

Typhoon Yagi, the 11th typhoon of the year as counted by China's meteorological authorities, is expected to make landfall along the coastal areas from Wanning in Hainan to Dianbai in Guangdong on Friday. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

An aerial drone photo shows boats docking at a harbour in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 4, 2024. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Wednesday raised its emergency response for flood and typhoon prevention from level IV to level III in Hainan as Typhoon Yagi approaches land.

Typhoon Yagi, the 11th typhoon of the year as counted by China's meteorological authorities, is expected to make landfall along the coastal areas from Wanning in Hainan to Dianbai in Guangdong on Friday. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

An aerial drone photo shows boats docking at a harbour in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 4, 2024. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Wednesday raised its emergency response for flood and typhoon prevention from level IV to level III in Hainan as Typhoon Yagi approaches land.

Typhoon Yagi, the 11th typhoon of the year as counted by China's meteorological authorities, is expected to make landfall along the coastal areas from Wanning in Hainan to Dianbai in Guangdong on Friday. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

An aerial drone photo shows a closed port in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 4, 2024. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Wednesday raised its emergency response for flood and typhoon prevention from level IV to level III in Hainan as Typhoon Yagi approaches land.

Typhoon Yagi, the 11th typhoon of the year as counted by China's meteorological authorities, is expected to make landfall along the coastal areas from Wanning in Hainan to Dianbai in Guangdong on Friday. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

A fishing boat sails to dock at a harbour in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 4, 2024. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Wednesday raised its emergency response for flood and typhoon prevention from level IV to level III in Hainan as Typhoon Yagi approaches land.

Typhoon Yagi, the 11th typhoon of the year as counted by China's meteorological authorities, is expected to make landfall along the coastal areas from Wanning in Hainan to Dianbai in Guangdong on Friday. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

An aerial drone photo shows boats docking at a harbour in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 4, 2024. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Wednesday raised its emergency response for flood and typhoon prevention from level IV to level III in Hainan as Typhoon Yagi approaches land.

Typhoon Yagi, the 11th typhoon of the year as counted by China's meteorological authorities, is expected to make landfall along the coastal areas from Wanning in Hainan to Dianbai in Guangdong on Friday. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

An aerial drone photo shows boats docking at a harbour in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 4, 2024. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Wednesday raised its emergency response for flood and typhoon prevention from level IV to level III in Hainan as Typhoon Yagi approaches land.

Typhoon Yagi, the 11th typhoon of the year as counted by China's meteorological authorities, is expected to make landfall along the coastal areas from Wanning in Hainan to Dianbai in Guangdong on Friday. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)
Audit finds conflicts of interest as nearly $1 million goes missing from UI machine shop

A state audit has found that the manager of a University of Iowa physics and astronomy workshop diverted nearly $1 million in revenue and resources to his personal business and failed to comply with the Universitys policy on conflicts of interest.

State Auditor Rob Sand released the 300-page audit at a news conference Wednesday, detailing the lengthy investigation into Brian Busch's management of the facility.

The audit identified $943,635 improperly deposited to Buschs personal bank accounts or to an account he held with the online payment platform Stripe.

Van Allen Hall at the University of Iowa, home of the physics and astronomy department.

Previously: Iowa auditor's office finds problems in towns where controversial clerk worked

Listed as an engineering specialist, Busch received a salary of $83,153 in 2023 while on paid administrative leave, where he had been placed in September 2021 as the irregularities began coming to light. He was fired Aug. 28 following completion of the state audit, according to a University of Iowa statement.

He could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Sand said the university requested the investigation, and he has provided his report to the Iowa Board of Regents Office of Internal Audit, the university's Department of Public Safety, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Johnson County Attorneys Office and the Iowa Attorney Generals Office.

Law enforcement will decide whether any charges should be filed, he said.

University of Iowa says it will try to recoup salary paid during leave

State Auditor Rob Sand released a report Wednesday alleging nearly $1 million of University of Iowa revenue ended up in an employee's personal accounts.

In a statement, the university said it is investigating all potential avenues to recoup wages paid to Busch and to two other employees who also had been placed on administrative leave.

Spencer Kuhl, listed as an engineering specialist and earning a salary of $85,867 in 2023, headed a university rapid prototyping facility called Protostudios that worked closely with the machine shop and also with Busch's personal business. William Crile, listed as an engineering coordinator and earning a salary of $67,570, worked with Busch as well.

It was a 2021 email from Kuhl to Busch questioning time billed to Protostudios that Kuhl felt was unwarranted that apparently set off the internal audit after being referred to university accountants, who discovered conflicts of interest in Busch's use of university resources to benefit his own business.

The report said that after Busch was placed on leave, Kuhl continued to do business with Busch and also was placed on leave. Like Busch, he was fired Aug. 28, and Crile left the university of his own accord in 2023.

Like Busch, Crile and Kuhn could not be reached for comment.

Previously: Iowa state auditor claims former Delhi city clerk mishandled more than $80,000

During his news conference, Sand criticized the universitys decision to place Busch on administrative leave instead of immediately firing him, particularly since Busch previously had to repay $3,550 from his own company, D3T, for projects carried out by the universitys machine shop without having gone through an internal review of conflicts of interest.

I wouldn't put him on paid leave at all," Sand said. "Again, like this is someone who in 2019 they already had to have them repay $3,550, so you would think in 2021 when this comes up again, they would say 'We've seen enough.'

The University of Iowa in its statement said it will review its conflict of interest and employment leave of absence practices to determine if new rules or procedures are necessary to mitigate prolonged administrative leaves and protect university resources.

It said it also will adopt job intake and tracking procedures to ensure work done by the machine shop is properly documented and included in a monthly accounting. In addition, it said it plans to adopt any recommendations not previously addressed in the internal audit.

Audit: Bidding site for UI machine shop sent inquiries to manager's home address

The machine shop originally was established to produce parts for the universitys physics and astronomy department and also took on work from NASA and the European Council for Nuclear Research, Sand's audit said.

But to help keep the shop busy and generate additional revenue, it took on jobs from other university departments and private businesses.

The audit said the machine shop, beginning in 2018, sought out such projects using a website called Xometry, at Busch's suggestion. It said the site allows businesses to bid on manufacturing projects being sought by customers. But Sand said searches for the University of Iowa on the Xometry site went to Buschs business and his home address.

There are also numerous instances where Mr. Busch dictated how much time should be charged to a job, or that time shouldn't be billed at all. For example, there was one instance where Mr. Busch stated in text message 'anything over 30 hours and I will lose money,' not the university, not the machine shop, but him personally, Sand said.

More: Iowa Supreme Court says state auditor's delay on records request may break state law

The audit also found that Busch made $6,313.39 in improper personal purchases on his university-issued procurement card and $136.38 of unsupported disbursements related to shipping charges, also on university accounts.

Sand said this most recent case is at least the third" report involving conflicts of interest by staff at the University of Iowa and the fourth is in the works.

We cant tell you that means that they have a bigger problem," he said. "It might mean that they are better at reporting it. We obviously remind anyone working at a regents institution or anyone in the state of Iowa working for the state that they do have obligations to report any irregularities to the state auditors office.

Kevin Baskins covers jobs and the economy for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at kbaskins@registermedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: UI astronomy, physics department machine shop target of state audit
AUSTIN (KXAN)  The city of Austin Heritage Tourism Division will open an application period for its Heritage Preservation grants on Sept. 10, with a total of $3 million available for recipients.

Nonprofits, companies and government agencies must demonstrate two years of operating in the city, and must also submit examples of marketing their location as historic. Residential property owners, and entities already receiving funding from a different hotel occupancy tax-funded program, are not allowed to receive one of the grants.

Preserving our citys historic sites isnt just about honoring the past; its about shaping the future, said Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Austin Economic Development Department director, in a press release. Through the Heritage Preservation Grant, were investing in the cultural landmarks that make Austin unique, ensuring they continue to inspire both residents and visitors for generations to come.

A scoring rubric will be applied to judge applications, with a third of points coming from an applications preservation impact. That category looks at the significance of the site and the applicants plan for the funds.

Preservation Austin executive director of preservation Lindsay Darrington said that maintaining historic buildings takes a lot of love and care.

Every historic building is different. A lot of them werent designed by architects. Theyre from all different eras and have different materials and have been maintained differently over the decades, Darrington said. And so each building presents its own challenges, and it is absolutely worth it, but things that are really worth doing sometimes cost a little bit more, and so having different public like funding support programs in place really does make this work possible.

The grants also include a submission category for specific projects that promote tourism and preserve sites with historic designations.

Previous grantees include the Paramount Theater, Bethany Cemetery, local dancehall Broken Spoke, and the Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms Foundation.

Applications can be submitted to the city until close of business on Oct. 8.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
In siding with activists, a Travis County judge ordered the Austin Police Department and city leaders to end the use of a confidential police personnel file, which voters elected to get rid of more than a year ago.

The decision comes after lawyers for activists and the city argued before Judge Maria Cantu Hexsel in the 53rd Civil District Court in June to decide whether the city had failed to comply with its charter by continuing its use of the "G-file."

Activists hope that eliminating this file will increase transparency, as it could give the public access to officer complaints and disciplinary investigations into officers that did not result in any action. The Austin Police Association, the union that represents officers, has regularly maintained that releasing this information could harm officers.

Courts

Voters called for the Police Department to end its use of the G-file last year when they passed the Austin Police Oversight Act, previously known as Proposition A. Equity Action, the organization that got the act on the ballot, sued the city in December, claiming it had failed to implement aspects of the initiative, such as the elimination of the G-file.

Hexsel's ruling provides clarity to the city's legal team, which previously had said that to end the use of the G-file, the city would have to bargain over its demise with the police union. City lawyers said that had to be done because they feared unilaterally ending the use of the G-file would violate state law.

More: Lawsuit alleges Austin needs to do more to implement Prop A, police oversight referendum

Hexsel's ruling, which she released Friday, means this interpretation by the city was wrong. Her ruling specifically stated that the city manager and police chief "have unlawfully failed to perform their mandatory duty to end the City of Austins use of the 'g file  despite the passage of the oversight act.

In a newsletter sent Monday, Mayor Kirk Watson said he did not see any reason to appeal the decision, as it provided the clarity about state law that the city was seeking.

The G-file comes from a part of Texas Local Government Code Chapter 143.089(g)  the "g" at the end is how the colloquial term "G-file" originated. Essentially, Texas law says that police and fire departments can have personnel files that are only for the department's use.

Even with the end of the G-file, the public's access to various personnel records will still be stipulated by the Texas Public Information Act, which offers a litany of provisions that block the public's access to information, particularly concerning law enforcement records.

The public always has had access to internal investigations that resulted in disciplinary action against an officer, as it's required under state law.

As part of ongoing bargaining over the police contract, which began nearly six months ago, the city has said it would not approve one unless it complied with the Austin Police Oversight Act, which meant that either way, there would not be a G-file.

More: Proposition A earns victory, Prop B rejected in Saturday's election

A previous proposal agreed to by the city and union stated that the use of the G-file would end the day the contract was signed. However, there was a grandfather clause that said any G-file materials from before the contract passed could not be made public.

It's unclear how Hexsel's ruling will affect what the two sides had bargained about, namely whether that grandfather clause will still be included in the contract.

During a bargaining session Monday, the city's legal team noted that it would need to reevaluate its proposition in light of Hexsel's ruling.

The city did not immediately respond to questions sent by the American-Statesman related to Hexsel's ruling, including about how this would affect the proposition agreed to previously in bargaining.

Michael Bullock, president of the Austin Police Association, did not respond to a request for an interview about Hexsel's ruling.

Kathy Mitchell, senior adviser for Equity Action, said the organization was "very happy" with the ruling, as it affirmed that the Austin Police Oversight Act is "good law." However, she added that if the city tries to have a "grandfather clause" as it had originally proposed in bargaining, then it would violate the act and the contract could not be approved by the City Council.

"The G file is (like) a state of mind," Mitchell said. "If you don't have that state of mind, you have a different state of mind. It doesn't tell us what exactly will be public or not public. That will just have to work itself out" through the Texas Public Information Act.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Judge rules Austin must end use of confidential police personnel file
A 61-year-old Austrian man was arrested last month for having sex in a shrine in Japan with a Japanese woman in her 40s, local police told CNN on Wednesday.

The couple were caught having sex on August 22 while in the grounds of a shrine in Kesennuma - a small coastal town about 500 kilometers (310 miles) north of Tokyo - and faced charges of disrespecting a place of worship.

Police told CNN that they arrested the man, fearing he could be a flight risk, but did not arrest the woman after concluding there was no risk of her fleeing.

The man has since been released from custody, but the police said they could not disclose details of his punishment and did not clarify whether he was a tourist or a resident. These cases dont always end in forced repatriation, the police added, and can result in a fine.

Although such a case is rare, there have been other instances of people being arrested for disrespecting Japanese shrines.

Last year, a 17-year-old Canadian was brought in for questioning for allegedly scratching the name Julian with his nail into a wooden pillar at a UNESCO-listed temple in the historic city of Nara, local police told CNN at the time.

The boy admitted his act and says it was done not with the intent of harming Japanese culture, a police official said. He is now with his parents, who were with him when the incident occurred.

Meanwhile in 2010, famed photographer Kishin Shinoyama was charged with public indecency and disrespect for a religious site when he allegedly took nude photos at a public cemetery.

Yumi Asada reported from Tokyo, Issy Ronald wrote in London. CNNs Karla Cripps and Eru Ishikawa contributed reporting.

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HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Officers with the Pennryile Narcotics Task Force announced the arrest of two people within Muhlenberg County on meth trafficking charges last week.

According to a report summary, the Muhlenberg County Sheriffs Department and the Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force charged Thomas Morgan, 49, of Central City with multiple offenses following an investigation over a period of several months. Officers say Morgan had approximately one ounce of suspected methamphetamine a shotgun and pills. After Morgan turned himself in, he was charged with trafficking over two grams of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a controlled substance.

Morgan

Baskerville

Officers also announced the arrest of Alisha Baskerville, 30, of Belton, on charges of trafficking a controlled substance. Baskerville was arrested at her home after the execution of a search warrant.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has called on the Israeli government in unusually clear terms to no longer refuse to negotiate a two-state solution to the Palestinian conflict.

"Those members of the Israeli government who question the two-state solution in word and deed are endangering Israel's long-term security," Baerbock warned before her departure for crisis talks in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel.

"Negotiations on a two-state solution are the only option for lasting peace. This is the only way to combat terrorism in the long term," Germany's top diplomat said.

The term two-state solution envisions an independent Palestinian state that exists peacefully side-by-side with Israel.

Baerbock is heading to the Middle East later this week for talks with regional leaders on the prospect of a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages.

Baerbock is to hold talks with her Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Riyadh on Thursday before travelling to Jordan for discussions with Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi in Amman.

She is then set to meet Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Friday ahead of a trip to Ramallah in the West Bank, where she will hold talks with Mohammed Mustafa, prime minister of the Palestinian Authority.

The two-day visit marks Baerbock's ninth trip to Israel - and 11th to the Middle East - since the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas triggered the war in Gaza.

The talks are likely to focus on efforts to conclude a ceasefire agreement and the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

However, the recent recovery of the corpses of six hostages and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's threats of retaliation have placed additional strain on negotiations.

Baerbock also warned against the threat of a further escalation of violence in the West Bank. Nothing would be gained "if a new, young generation now becomes radicalized because they have to watch the destruction on their doorstep. The Palestinians have a right to live in security and dignity."

Earlier, a German government spokesman said "the harrowing discovery of the six dead Israeli hostages last weekend has once again made it clear that a ceasefire that opens the way to the liberation of all Hamas hostages must now have the highest priority."

"All other considerations should take a back seat to this," spokesman Wolfgang Buchner added.

The German government called on "all parties in the negotiations to show the greatest flexibility and willingness to compromise," in order for the hostages to finally be released, for more humanitarian aid to be brought into the Gaza Strip and for the people to be given respite from a war that has now lasted almost 11 months.
Bahrain's king pardons over 450 inmates. Many may be political prisoners, activist says

This is a locator map for the Gulf Cooperation Council member states: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates. (AP Photo)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Bahrain's king pardoned 457 prisoners Wednesday night to mark his 25th anniversary as the island nation's ruler, with one activist saying many of those freed appeared to be political prisoners.

The announcement by the state-run Bahrain News Agency marks another mass release of prisoners in the Persian Gulf kingdom that has experienced repeated crackdowns on all dissent in the years following its 2011 Arab Spring protests.

There was no list of names of the prisoners released by the order of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who has ruled Bahrain first as its emir in 1999 before Bahrain became a kingdom in 2002.

Bahrain's government did not answer questions from The Associated Press, but said the pardon "further demonstrates Bahrains commitment to criminal justice, with an opportunity today for over 450 individuals to positively re-integrate back into society."

Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, who serves as the director of advocacy for the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, described many as being political prisoners now freed from the Jaw Rehabilitation and Reform Center. The prison has seen demonstrations and hunger strikes by prisoners over conditions there.

Authorities have been meeting with ... hundreds, saying to them they would be released very soon, Alwadaei said. It seems to be targeting mostly political prisoners.

He added: This is a really optimistic step and it does seem to be also coming within a regional context where Bahrain is trying to normalize with Iran.

Bahrains Shiite majority long has complained about mistreatment and abuse from the government overseen by the ruling Sunni Al Khalifa family. Addressing activists complaints could help Bahrain ease tensions with Iran despite decades of enmity, particularly after Saudi Arabia reached a Chinese-mediate detente with Tehran last year.

In April, King Hamad pardoned 1,584 prisoners, including over 650 considered to be political prisoners by the institute.

Prominent Bahraini activists being held include Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, a dual Danish Bahraini national convicted of internationally criticized terrorism charges and held in what a United Nations panel calls an arbitrary imprisonment ever since.

Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navys Mideast-based 5th Fleet, is an island off the coast of Saudi Arabia thats about the size of New York City with a population of around 1.5 million people.

Since Bahrain put down the 2011 protests with the help of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, it has imprisoned activists, deported others, stripped hundreds of their citizenship and closed its leading independent newspaper.

Meanwhile, Bahrain has recognized Israel diplomatically and hosted Pope Francis in November 2022.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A federal grand jury has indicted a Bakersfield man who authorities say was in possession of a destructive device.

Robert Lawrence Hunt, 40, was indicted last week on three counts  being a felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm and manufacturing a firearm.

Federal prosecutors say in a release that Hunt in July 2022 possessed a destructive device that consisted of parts designed for conversion into an explosive and incendiary device containing screws, which meet the federal definition of a firearm.

If convicted, Hunt faces a maximum penalty of more than a decade in prison and a $250,000 fine. The FBI conducted the investigation with help from the Bakersfield Police Department, the release says.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Police arrested a man for vandalism to a business Tuesday in downtown Bakersfield.

Officers were called to Tru Skin and Body in the 1900 block of 19th Street on Sept. 3 at around 7:30 a.m. for a report of suspicious circumstances.

Upon arrival, officers found the front window to the business was shattered. Based on surveillance footage, officers began searching the area for the suspect seen in the video.

Bakersfield Fire Dept. seek help IDing 2 alleged arson suspects in connection to Toucan Building fire

Shavon Smith, 28, was detained in the 1400 block of 20th Street after officers say he matched the description of the vandalism suspect seen in the surveillance video. According to BPD, Smith later confessed to the vandalism.

Officials said Smith was charged with felony vandalism and other charges.

Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged to contact the Bakersfield Police Department at 661-327-7111.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
A Sioux Falls resident votes in the city and school board election at Southern Hills United Methodist Church on April 9, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

As South Dakota voters get ready to wade through seven ballot issues in November, more are lining up for the 2026 election.

Already turned in to the Secretary of States Office are two ballot issues. One calls for fair market value for assessed property and another seeks to require that students in kindergarten through grade 12 start each school day with a recited prayer.

The prayer initiated measure is sponsored by Hillel Hellinger of North Miami Beach, Florida. It would require teachers to lead a non-denominational prayer and for students to repeat the teachers words. Teachers and students who do not want to take part would be able to opt out.

Hellingers prayer isnt exactly an impressive piece of adoration: Almighty God, who is aware of His creation, who keeps it going and judges it, please have mercy on us. Theres more grace and poetry in a government regulation or a cookie recipe. Trying to offer a prayer where one-size-fits-all, Hellinger leaves us with an ecumenical husk.

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The content of his prayer aside, his venue has to be questioned. As society has declined, our schools have been overloaded with tasks. The duties we have assigned to schools include, but are not limited to, combating bullying, offering counseling on a raft of ills, providing lockdown training, handling all manner of special education, monitoring for child abuse and providing two-thirds of students daily meals.

Prayer is best handled in church or in the home. Attempts to instill a formalized prayer in schools are based on the fact that theres no way to control what happens in the home or in the church. Schools can be told what to do because theyre dependent on taxpayer funding. We used to ask our schools to educate our children; now were asking them to raise our children.

According to an interview with Hellinger in The Dakota Scout, he knows that passage of his initiated measure would lead to a court fight. Thats what hes counting on. Given the current conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court, he believes theres a likelihood of a favorable decision. Hes not starting with South Dakota because were raising heathens who desperately need more prayer. Hes starting here because he needs just 17,509 signatures to get on the ballot.

South Dakota is the easiest state to start with, Hellinger told The Dakota Scout.

Of course, if Hellingers initiated measure becomes state law, South Dakota will have to take on the burden and expense of defending it in the courts. In effect, Hellinger has picked South Dakota to fight his battles for him and pick up the tab as well.

Slipping a moment of prayer into schools was tried recently in the South Dakota Legislature. In 2020, the governors office sponsored House Bill 1015 which would have allowed a moment of silence for all students at the beginning of the school day. A vote of 9-6 in the House Education Committee sent the legislation to the 41st day, killing the bill.

The bill was offered as a way for students to get their thoughts in order at the beginning of the day. They could pray if they wanted or just enjoy a moment of silence.

As might be expected, the bill was opposed by a long line of education lobbyists. The most compelling testimony came from Rob Monson, executive director of the School Administrators of South Dakota. Prior to his testimony, Monson paused for a moment of prayer, noting in his testimony that no one compelled him to pray. He did it because he wanted to. Students, Monson said, are allowed the same prerogative in school.

Prayer has never been forced out of the public schools, Monson told the committee. He was the first but not the last education lobbyist to ask the committee what the moment of silence bill does to benefit education. The same question should be asked of Hellingers initiated measure.

Anyone who thinks there is no praying in school has never suffered through a pop quiz in algebra class. As one lawmaker said of HB 1015, this is a solution in search of a problem. Let someone else fight Hellingers battles. Our schools have enough to do without taking on religious education, too.

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NEW DELHI, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Nine Naxals, including six women carders, were killed in a fierce gunfight with government forces in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, police said Wednesday.

The gunfight between Naxals and joint contingents of the paramilitary and police broke out Tuesday night in the forest area near the hills of Bailadila in Dantewada district, about 379 km south of Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh.

According to the officials, the operation was carried out on specific intelligence information suggesting the presence of many Naxals in the area.

The government forces also claimed recovery of a huge quantity of arms and ammunition from the spot.

Reports said since the beginning of this year, 154 Naxals have been killed in separate gunfights with government forces in the state so far.

Currently, Naxals are active across the central and eastern parts of India. 
(Bloomberg) -- Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau sketched out a road map for repairing the countrys finances and urged quick action to restore credibility as President Emmanuel Macron continues to hesitate over appointing a new prime minister.

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The central banker said the euro areas second-biggest economy must respect its European Union commitments and called for efforts to cut spending as well as overcoming the taboo on raising taxes.

Its essential to provide clarity and credibility quickly, Villeroy said in an interview with Le Point magazine. Credibility supposes truth and a certain number of compromises, which arent facile solutions.

Frances borrowing costs compared with other European countries have surged since Macron dissolved parliament in June and called snap elections. Uncertainty over the budget has risen as no single party won a majority capable of governing alone, and Macron is yet to appoint a new prime minister and government.

Even before the elections, France was facing mounting fiscal challenges as disappointing tax revenues derailed efforts to close the budget deficit. Earlier this week, the outgoing government warned that fiscal slippage could be even larger if no action is taken to control spending.

According to Villeroy, new EU rules will require an adjustment of around 20 billion ($22.1 billion) a year. He said that would gradually bring the deficit below the European limit of 3% of economic output, although not necessarily by 2027 as the current government has pledged.

There will need to be a realistic compromise on the calendar that is compatible with the new European pact, he said, referring to reformed fiscal rules agreed by EU member states last year.

Enforcing budgetary discipline in France will be a challenge as parties across the spectrum campaigned on pledges for more spending. The leftist New Popular Front alliance, which won the largest share of seats, is demanding significant increases in outlays and taxation on the wealthy as a condition not to censure any new government.

Telling the Truth

Villeroy, who served as an adviser to finance chiefs in the left-wing government of Prime Minister Lionel Jospin in the late 1990s, said the results of the elections are a call for a form of republican unity, including to take action.

Dialog on fundamentals, compromise to get concrete results can work in France, Villeroy said. Respecting French people is also a question of telling them the truth and reminding people of the demands of reality.

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Barron Trump is headed to the business school at New York University (NYU), according to former President Trump.

Hell be going to Stern Business School, which is a great school at NYU, the 45th president said in an interview with Daily Mail released Wednesday.

Its a very high-quality place. He liked it. He liked the school. We like NYU. Ive known NYU for a long time. But its one of the highest-rated, Trump said of his youngest sons college choice.

Noting that he graduated from the University of Pennsylvanias business school, Trump said, I went to Wharton and thats certainly one we were considering. We didnt do that. We went to Stern.

The 18-year-old Trump  who graduated from high school in May from the Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, Fla.  was accepted to a lot of colleges, the ex-commander in chief said, praising his son as a very smart guy.

Hes a very high-aptitude child. But hes no longer a child, he just passed into something beyond childdom. Hes doing great.

Barron Trump, with a backpack swung over his shoulder, was seen entering NYU Wednesday accompanied by a security detail.

Last month, the former president teased that his son with Melania Trump would attend college in New York, but he didnt reveal which university.

While Trump predicted that Barron will do well in college, he said November could pose new challenges for his son.

Well see what happens with the election because its a complicating factor always, Trump said.

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Welcome to college, Barron Trump.

The youngest son of Donald and Melania Trump is attending New York University, his father reportedly told the Daily Mail. and is now a Bobcat (NYU mascot), news reports show.

Here's what we know about Barron Trump's college pick and the prestigious New York University.

Which New York college did Barron Trump pick?

Barron Trump, the sole child of Donald and Melania Trump, is now attending fall 2024 classes at New York University, according to a Wednesday, Sept. 4, story in the Daily Mail. His father confirmed in an Aug. 20 New York Post story that he chose a New York school: Hes all set in a certain school thats very good, the former president told the New York Post in an exclusive interview. Hes always been a very good student, hes smart.

At the time, neither of his parents announced which New York university Barron Trump might be getting his college degree, but Donald Trump did say his team would release the news "soon," according to the Post.

What is known, however, is that Barron Trump did not pick the University of Pennsylvania or Georgetown University, which have strong ties to the Trump family. Donald Trump and his other children  Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump  have attended or graduated from the prestigious universities in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., respectively.

It is notable that he is breaking away from family tradition.

The now 6-foot-7 (or in some reports 6-foot-9) son of former president Donald Trump has been keeping a really low-profile: Barron Trump was the only Trump family member who did not make an appearance at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July. His half-niece, 17-year-old Kai Trump, who's a year younger than him, did appear at the RNC and has (publicly) announced her college choice: the University of Miami, not far from where she goes to high school now.

Sorry, UPenn and Georgetown: Barron Trump picks a college in New York, bucking Trump family tradition

Barron Trump will not attend the University of Pennsylvania or Georgetown University, which have strong ties to the Trump family. Donald Trump and his other children  Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump  have attended or graduated from the prestigious universities in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., respectively.

With Barron Trump NYU, it is notable that he is breaking away from family tradition. New York University is close to Trump Tower in Manhattan, where Barron Trump spent his childhood. His other New York City choices were Cornell University and Columbia University.

Melania Trump calls New York 'home' as Barron Trump starts college there. Will Melania follow Barron Trump?

Will Melania Trump follow her only son, Barron Trump, to college? It's what a lot of "empty-nester" parents fantasize about. With the extreme attention on the former president's youngest son coupled with the former first lady's fierce protectiveness of Barron Trump, it's not an unreasonable question.

In the past, Melania Trump chose to live separately from her husband, for a short while. When Donald Trump started his presidency in 2017, Melania Trump and Barron Trump stayed in New York for several months so Barron could finish school. According to a People magazine story, an unnamed source said Melania Trump would likely go wherever Barron Trump goes.

On the social media platform X, Melania Trump posted a photo of the New York City skyline on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, and mentioned how she feels about the iconic destination: "New York City captivated my heart the moment I arrived, 28 years ago today. This electrifying town isn't just my home; it's a colorful canvas where dreams come alive. New Yorks iconic skyline and vibrant culture inspire me every day." That was about the same week Barron Trump and other college freshmen start fall 2024 classes with student orientation, college "move-in" weekends, etc.

It's a rare public statement from the former model married to former president Donald Trump, who is busy campaigning for Election Day (Nov. 5, 2024), against his Democratic challenger, Vice President Kamala Harris. As the 2024 Republican presidential candidate travels the country for rallies and speeches, Melania Trump has been noticeably absent. It's contrary to the 2016 and 2020 elections, when she made several public appearances alongside her husband.

Presumably, Melania Trump is preparing Barron Trump, her only son with Donald Trump, for college life in New York, her "home," following his graduation and life in Florida.

Contributing: Lianna Norman, USA TODAY Network-Florida

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Barron Trump college decision: What to know about NYU
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Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

A long-sought invisible force wrapped around Earth has been detected more than half a century after it was first hypothesized.

The field, dubbed the "polar wind," explains how Earth's atmosphere escapes easily and rapidly above the north and south poles, and may have played a role in shaping our planet's thin upper atmosphere. Scientists say it's as vital to our planet as gravity and the magnetic field.

"This field is so fundamental to understanding the way our planet works  it's been here since the beginning alongside gravity and magnetism," Glyn Collinson, who is the principal investigator of Endurance at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, said in an agency video . "Despite being weak, it's incredibly important  it counters gravity and it basically lifts the skies up."

The existence of the field was first hypothesized over 60 years ago. Indeed, several spacecraft flying over Earth's poles in the late 1960s detected a stream of particles from the atmosphere escaping into space at supersonic speeds. Scientists knew that sunlight caused particles from the atmosphere to leak into space "like steam evaporating from a pot of water," but the particles detected by these spacecraft showed no signs that they were heated.

"Something had to be drawing these particles out of the atmosphere," Collinson said in a NASA statement . But detecting the presence of field that drew the particles out, which is invisible and very weak  its fluctuations can only be sensed over hundreds of miles  was beyond the limits of technology at the time.

In 2016, Collinson and his collaborators began developing sensors for launch aboard the international Endurance sounding rocket mission, and in May 2022, one of the suborbital rockets equipped with eight specialized instruments launched from the Svalbard Rocket Range in Norway, just a few hundred miles from the North Pole. That location gave the rockets a perfect vantage point to study atmospheric unique phenomenon.

"Svalbard is the only rocket range in the world where you can fly through the polar wind and make the measurements we needed," study co-author Suzie Imber, a space physicist at the University of Leicester in the U.K., said in the statement.

a small rocket lifts off above a snowy landscape

During the 20-minute flight, Endurance reached an altitude of about 477 miles (768 kilometers) and collected data across a 322-mile (518-kilometer) portion of the atmosphere. It cataloged a fleeting 0.55 volt change, which is "almost nothing  it's only about as strong as a watch battery," said Collinson. "But that's just the right amount to explain the polar wind."

Scientists estimate the field begins roughly 150 miles (250 kilometers) above the surface, where atoms in the atmosphere separate into negatively charged electrons and positively charged ions, which are over 1,800 times heavier than electrons. Given their opposite electric charges, an electric field forms to "tether them together," countering gravity's incessant pull and letting some particles escape into space in the process, according to the NASA statement.

Hydrogen ions, which are abundant in the polar wind, sense an outward push from the field 10.6 times stronger than gravity, the researchers found. "That's more than enough to counter gravity  in fact, it's enough to launch them upwards into space at supersonic speeds," study co-author Alex Glocer, who is the project scientist of the Endurance mission at NASA Goddard, said in the statement.

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Oxygen ions, which are heavier than their hydrogen counterparts, were found to be getting a speed boost from the polar wind as well. "It's like this conveyor belt, lifting the atmosphere up into space," Collison said.

Because polar wind is spurred by dynamics deep within Earth , scientists expect it to be present on other planets, including Venus and Mars. Studying the phenomenon in further detail can also reveal clues about its influence on the evolution of our atmosphere and its fingerprints in our oceans, Collinson said.

"This field is a fundamental part of the way Earth works, and now that we've finally measured it, we can start to ask some of these bigger and exciting questions."

Collinson and his colleagues describe their findings in a paper published Wednesday (Aug. 28) in the journal Nature.

Correction 9/3: Svalbard Rocket Range is in Norway, not Sweden.
After the final tenants in Beaufort Stations main building opened their doors last week, developers have announced the openings of the smaller storefronts bordering S.C. 170  but the wait for the highly anticipated ALDI grocery store is likely to extend into next year.

The Mattress Firm location off Robert Smalls Parkway will be joined in the next few weeks by Chicken Salad Chick, Panda Express, Surcheros Fresh Mex, Americas Best Eyeglasses and Fifth Third Bank, according to a Tuesday press release from The Morgan Companies, a commercial real estate firm responsible for the new retail center.

Construction is underway on the new Parkers Kitchen, located on the easternmost lot of the development, although an opening date was not available for the gas station and convenience store.

Crews will begin work on ALDI building this fall, the release says, bringing the popular German-founded grocery chain to Beaufort after Bluffton received its own store in early 2023. Developers announced early this year they plan to bring another ALDI location to northern Hilton Head Island.

After its final grand openings in previous months, the main shopping center now consists of PetSmart, HomeGoods, Rack Room Shoes, Ulta Beauty, T.J. Maxx, Ross Dress for Less, Old Navy, Five Below and Hobby Lobby. Located at the corner of Robert Smalls Parkway and Parris Island Gateway, the strip mall sits across from Beauforts Walmart and the Cross Creek shopping mall.

The massive retail development still has room to grow. Six spots in the smaller buildings and a one-acre parcel south of the Parkers Kitchen construction site were available for lease as of Wednesday, according to Beaufort Stations website.

Between The Morgan Companies and the tenants, close to $60 million will be invested in the project, Trey Morgan, president of the agency, told The Island Packet last year. Morgan said the 31-acre parcel was one of the largest in Beaufort, and the 200,000-square-foot shopping center will be one of the biggest between Charleston and Savannah.
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  School started in Bay County on August 12th and district officials say they already recorded more than 11 thousand unexcused absences and over 6 thousand excused absences.

The September Attendance Awareness Month campaign gives schools the opportunity to stress the importance of consistently showing up to class.

Having students that are either absent or tardy, impacts whats going on in that classroom. The student now has a different learning understanding than what their peers may have, and as a result, they tend to fall behind, Bay County Superintendent Mark McQueen said.

Before the covid-19 pandemic absenteeism rates nationwide were around 30%. Todays rates have doubled up to 60%.

Panama City Beach welcomes thousands for Labor Day Weekend

Those who miss 10% or more of a school year are considered chronically absent. Truancy students are those who fail to attend 15 or more calendar days of school in 90 days, indicating a need for immediate attention.

There are florida statute has truancy laws that are in effect. Those truancy laws are administered not by the district, but indeed the magistrate. The magistrate judge is the one who adjudicates and holds hearings every month on those students who are defined as truants. Those statutes that currently exist in the florida statutes to include financial penalties as well as up to and including placing them in jail, McQueen said.

7% of Bay County students fall under truancy. Mcqueen says its a community problem that will take a community solution.

I call upon our community to continue to support their efforts to promote attendance, whether its through mentorship programs, transportation assistance, community awareness campaigns, or business support to schools for incentives everyone has a role to play in helping our students succeed, McQueen said.

McQueen pointed to studies that show students who show up on time display better academic performance than those who are tardy or absent.

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The Bear Fire that has been threatening hundreds of homes in Sierra County this week continued to grow overnight into Wednesday morning as firefighters battled sweltering late summer conditions in rough terrain.

The fire had charred 3,000 acres by Wednesday morning, 1,000 more acres than conditions about 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to the National Interagency Fire Centers Northern California operations. The fire burning just south of Loyalton remains 0% contained, firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire said.

In a morning briefing Wednesday, officials said Interagency Management Team 2  a group of federal firefighters called in for complex incidents  has been assigned to the fire, and would join crews from the Tahoe National Forest and Cal Fires Nevada-Yuba-Placer unit Wednesday evening.

Crews will use defensive actions to protect communities and infrastructure while firefighters will work to construct direct containment lines using bulldozers and hand crews.

Tahoe National Forest officials on Tuesday said the combination of warmer temperatures and strong winds intensified the fire while crews were working to establish containment lines. Temperatures in the area are expected to be just short of 90 degrees Wednesday with winds from the east between 5 and 10 mph.

Crews control objectives are to keep the fire north of Lewis Mill, south of the community of Sierra Brooks, east of Antelope Valley and west of Bald Mountain Ridge. The fire is within 1 mile of Sierra Brooks and 3 miles of Loyalton, while high-voltage transmission lines are within the fires perimeter.

Fire crews were still working to gain access to some areas of the fire due to steep, rocky terrain and limited road access. Planes are being used to drop retardant and water.

As of Tuesday, 286 structures and 536 residents were under evacuation orders while 760 residents were without power. Sierra County officials on Tuesday issued a mandatory water restriction for residents in the area, suspending outdoor watering and asking residents to conserve indoor use as much as possible while crews fight the fire.

Evacuation orders and road closures remain in place for residents of Sierra Brooks and in zones SIE-E030, SIE-E031, SIE-E032, SIE-E058 and SIE-E059. Road closures include Tahoe National Forest System Lands east of Highway 89 and north of County Road 450 at Henness Pass Road. The closure continues north along Highway 89 until the end of National Forest System Lands south of Sierraville.

The closure continues east and north along the boundary of the forest to the Antelope Valley State Wildlife Area and east toward to its junction with the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

The closure to the south continues along the Tahoe National Forest boundary to the junction of the Truckee Ranger District where the closure boundary goes west along County Road 860 until it becomes County Road 450, back toward Little Truckee Summit.

The blaze began Monday afternoon on the northeastern side of the Tahoe National Forest, roughly 100 miles northeast of Sacramento. The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation.
Coordinated violence and intimidation: While aggression was observed on both sides, pro-CCP activists, some with ties to the Chinese state, reportedly instigated "the most extreme violence" against anti-Xi protesters during Xis visit for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, attacking them with items like extended flagpoles and chemical sprays. Verified videos show coordinated groups of young men embedded among pro-CCP demonstrators, who were seen punching, kicking and even throwing sand in the faces of dissenters. Chinese diplomats from San Francisco and Los Angeles were identified among the crowd directly interacting with aggressors. One protester, Zhang Kaiyu, who was beaten unconscious, told the Post, Everywhere we went  we were outnumbered and overwhelmed by the pro-CCP people.
Belarus to host 'migration conference' in November 2024 with participation of some EU ministers

Belarus plans to host an international conference on combating illegal migration in November 2024, with participation from some European Union ministers, according to Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhenkov.



Despite Belarus's involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine, which has led to EU sanctions and reduced cooperation, some EU ministers have confirmed their attendance.



In recent years, Peter Szijjarto of Hungary has been the only EU foreign minister to visit Belarus.



The conference aims to discuss Belarus's efforts to manage illegal migration, amidst ongoing tensions with the EU.



Ryzhenkov said that the Belarusian government is committed to promoting "peace, security, and stability" across Europe.



Though the Belarusian army is not currently directly involved in the invasion of Ukraine, Belarus is Russias closest ally and hosts Russian troops and missiles. The two countries have also carried out joint nuclear drills.

Read also: Mongolia fails to arrest Putin due to energy dependence, neutrality, Politico reports

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China's development has inspired Africa's modernization path and its support for Africa in infrastructure plays a crucial role in advancing the continent's modernization, said a Ghanaian expert. #GLOBALink
Belarus' authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko has ordered the release of 30 political prisoners, the presidential office said in the capital Minsk on Wednesday.

It was the second such pardon in just a few weeks.

The presidential office said that seven women and 23 men had been released in the latest amnesty. No names were given. Most of those released were parents of minors, it said.

According to the information provided, all of them had "applied for a pardon, admitted their guilt, sincerely repented and promised to lead a law-abiding life."

The Interior Ministry appears set to monitor those who have been released. The information on the legal process cannot be independently verified.

The leader of the opposition working in exile, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, said she was "relieved that 30 more political prisoners in Belarus have been pardoned."

"However, repression continues to escalate and more than 1,400 remain imprisoned on political grounds," she wrote in an English-language post on X.

The first pardon of 30 political prisoners in Belarus was announced in mid-August.

The online Russian-exile news site Meduza reported that the Belarusian opposition in exile had previously sent lists of seriously ill prisoners to the government in Minsk via third parties. Many prisoners from this list had been pardoned, according to the outlet.

After the 2020 presidential election, which was overshadowed by unprecedented allegations of manipulation, Tsikhanouskaya was considered the actual winner of the vote. Her husband was arrested, as was the opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova, who went missing a long time ago.
Alexander Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, has signed a decree pardoning 30 political prisoners convicted of what the Belarusian authorities say are "protest-related crimes".

Source: a decree from Lukashenko, published on 4 September

Details: Seven women and 23 men have been pardoned, most of them parents of minors and young children.

The decree states that they have fulfilled the mandatory conditions for being pardoned: they applied for pardon, admitted their guilt, expressed sincere repentance, and have pledged to live in accordance with the law.

Background:

In late July, Lukashenko pardoned Rico Krieger, a German citizen who had been sentenced to death for supposedly working for the "Ukrainian special services". Krieger was among the political prisoners swapped between Western countries and Russia on 1 August.

On 16 August, Lukashenko signed a decree pardoning 30 other people convicted of "protest-related crimes". 14 women and 16 men were released, including people of retirement age and some who were seriously ill.

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By Mark Trevelyan

(Reuters) -Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Wednesday pardoned 30 more people convicted of protest activity, the third batch in two months, but a human rights group said he was still filling jails with political prisoners as fast as he was emptying them.

Lukashenko, who turned 70 last week and has been in power since 1994, issued a decree saying 23 men and seven women had been pardoned as a "humane gesture". It did not name them but said most were parents of young children and minors.

Human rights group Viasna said Lukashenko had now pardoned a total of 78 people since the start of July. Dozens have already left prison and more will follow under the latest decree.

"I am relieved that 30 more political prisoners in #Belarus have been pardoned. They are all innocent," exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya posted on X.

"However, repression continues to escalate & more than 1,400 remain imprisoned on political grounds. We need sustained international pressure to secure the freedom of all of them," Tsikhanouskaya said.

Her husband Syarhey is among the most prominent prisoners still being held, along with Ales Bialiatski, a rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, and Maria Kalesnikava, a leader of mass protests that came close to toppling Lukashenko in 2020.

The demonstrations broke out after the president claimed victory over Tsikhanouskaya in an election that the opposition and Western governments said he had heavily rigged. Lukashenko used his security apparatus to crush the threat to his hold on power, arresting thousands of people.

Among the prisoners released since July are trade union leader Vasil Berasnieu, former opposition presidential candidate Ryhor Kastusiou, and Kseniya Lutskina, a former state TV journalist who is suffering from a brain tumour.

Dmitry Bolkunets, leader of the "Ultimatum Initiative Group" that is urging the European Union to close its border to all road and rail cargo from Belarus unless Lukashenko frees more prisoners, said Wednesday's move was a step in the right direction.

He urged the authorities to release at least another 400 people on a "humanitarian list" submitted to them via diplomatic channels.

But rights group Viasna, which has been designated by Belarusian authorities as an extremist grouping, says dissidents are still being jailed as fast as they are being freed.

It says at least 170 people were convicted in July of politically related crimes. In August, the authorities released 53 people whom Viasna considers political prisoners - either under pardons or because they completed their terms - but 52 others were imprisoned.

Viasna said authorities began a new trial this week for Yauhen Kladau, already serving a one-year sentence for insulting Lukashenko after "liking" a social media post with caricatures of the president. He now faces six new charges that could result in a jail sentence of up to 15 years, it said.

(Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; editing by Mark Heinrich)
Bellefonte Borough Council on Tuesday voted down a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, following weeks of debate and pleas from community members.

The resolution was nixed in a 6-2 vote, with councilwoman Johanna Sedgwick absent from the meeting. Council members Deborah Cleeton and Shawna McKean were the two yes votes on the draft resolution that stated the Bellefonte Borough Council supports and joins others in calling on our Congress Members to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire; the unrestricted entry and safe distribution of humanitarian aid into Gaza; the restoration of water, electricity, as well as the supply and access of medical supplies to Gaza; and the respect for international law.

While some council members argued it isnt Bellefonte Borough Councils place to pass such a resolution, McKean disagreed.

Im a humanitarian  thats my job and my personal belief  and I think that we are voted in to represent the people in the community, and there are people in this community sitting in the audience speaking, McKean said. Youre either representing the people or youre following your own beliefs and voting against something that I believe to be morally correct.

Across the country, cities and towns have passed resolutions calling for a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas. State College Borough became the first in Pennsylvania to pass a cease-fire resolution in December following weeks of deliberation and dozens of people speaking out both in support of and in opposition to the resolution.

In Bellefonte, the cease-fire resolution has been contentiously discussed since July, when a crowd of advocates spoke at that council meeting to try to convince the board to include the resolution on the agenda for an upcoming meeting.

After about 45 minutes of public comment during that meeting, the council voted in August to limit who can speak at council meetings, and gave council the option to shut down or defer public comments if it determines they are unusually long, the atmosphere has become unruly, or the comments become repetitive.

That resolution, however, was deemed null and void because of the way in which it was passed, borough Manager Ralph Stewart said Tuesday.





In total there were 18 speakers during Tuesdays hourlong public comment session  15 of which urged the council to pass the resolution, two advised the council to vote against it and one speaker was unsure about his feelings.

All of the speakers in favor of the resolution were met with applause by supporters when they pleaded their cases to the council.

Many of the speakers, such as borough resident and Peoples Defense Front-Northern Appalachia member Megan Irwin, referenced Bellefonte Boroughs important role in the abolitionist movement, as well as the recognition that veterans and active service members get from borough.

I am proud to be a community member of Historic Bellefonte, which earned that title for its role in fighting to end slavery, desegregating our schools before every other town in Pennsylvania and for borough residents that have served in the military overseas, Irwin said. For these reasons, I urge the council to continue this tradition of making history by giving its full support to a cease-fire resolution in Gaza.

Others, like borough resident Claudia Wilson, used statistics to paint images of what the people in Gaza are going through.

An ungodly, humanitarian disaster has been unfolding in Gaza every minute and every day since last year, Wilson said. In 2023, over 33,000 Palestinians had been killed  70% of which were women and children  and as we know, that number continues to rise. Ninety-three percent of the Palestinian population suffered from crisis levels of hunger and malnutrition and rates of infectious disease such as meningitis, scabies, lice, chicken pox and hepatitis are soaring.

Others, such as former council member Joe Beigle and borough resident Tom Dann, were opposed to the resolution, with Dann saying that the council members were elected to take care of the town, not to influence or determine foreign policy.

Despite the awful things going on in Gaza, Dann said the focus of the council should be on the borough itself and how it can make life better for its residents.

Prior to voting on the resolution, council members Randy Brachbill, Barbara Dann and Rita Purnell spoke and agreed with Beigle and Dann, announcing their intentions to vote no.

A borough resident and attorney gave me some really good advice once, telling me that my job as a borough council member is to be attentive to the needs of the residents of the town. We need safe streets, clean water, streetlights, refuse pickup and a working sewer system, Purnell said. Im sure I missed a few other important things, but the point is that this resolution doesnt fall under any of these categories.

Despite supporting the cease-fire resolution and commending the speakers for trying to make a difference, council member Joanne Tosti-Vasey also voted in opposition.

Since the majority of the council disapproves of this motion, I will vote no with the majority so that in the future we can reconsider this issue, Tosti-Vasey said.

The next Bellefonte Borough Council work session will take place at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16, followed by a business meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Three days out of the week, volunteers for a local organization provide a community space, food, and other services for people with low-income and people experiencing homelessness through their drop-in center in west Belleville.

TOCO, which stands for Tapestry of Community Offerings, is a thrift shop at 825 W. Main St. which runs the drop-in center through Homelessness Assistance Programs.

Maria Maloy, co-director of Homelessness Assistance Programs and a volunteer, said about eight people show up on a slow day and 25 people show on a busy day. On any given day, she believes more than half of the attendees are homeless.

Homelessness Assistance Programs functions in a network composed of multiple organizations, which range from churches to ministries. One of its partners is the Salvation Army. The group uses its building located at 20 Glory Place to host the drop-in on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

The organization also collaborates with others in the metro-east to help get people shelter, furniture, health care, and important personal documents.

Immediate help for people who need it

Maloy said the first service a person who has become homeless needs to utilize is the Homeless Hotline at 618-825-3330.

The drop-in center is open from 10 a.m. to noon, but the Salvation Armys building is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. The building is also one of four cooling and warming sites in Belleville.

The Salvation Army has a pantry in the buildings basement, which is open in the morning and afternoon on weekdays. Nancy Traiteur, the pantry coordinator, said the center stocks food from stores like Aldis, Dollar General, and also from individual donations.

Maloy and Traiteur said a few high-priority items are preferred: socks and winter accessories; simple foods like protein bars, canned goods (ideally with a pull tab), jerky, bread, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, and mashed potatoes; and hygiene items like diapers, baby wipes, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.

The organizations will accept donations of other items, but the listed materials provide the most immediately useful aid.

People who use the drop-in centers services may lack necessary appliances or ingredients to cook certain meals, such as milk and or an oven. This makes easy-use goods preferable since they can be cooked in microwaves, over a fire, or eaten without preparation.

Donated clothes will go either to TOCO or to the Salvation Armys basement pantry.

Dawn Whitney, TOCOs shop manager, said vouchers are provided for people who cant normally afford their products. The vouchers can buy $20 worth of goods from the store and are given out every three months.

Besides giving to homeless people, the groups also work on alleviating some of the structural difficulties that cause and perpetuate homelessness. Maloy works with multiple people each week to help with these various issues.

One issue is theft. Maloy said homeless people are often targeted by thieves since they lack security. This can mean the loss of a phone, which may lead to missed phone calls from clinics, housing providers, or employers, she said.

Another issue is a lack of documentation. If a homeless person loses or has their state-issued I.D. or drivers license stolen, they need to have their social security card, birth certificate, proof of residency in Illinois, and a homeless certificate to get a new one.

Getting any of those three documents reprinted can take many months, which will delay replacement of other essential documents.

Without proper documentation, a person cant apply for social security benefits  a process that alone can take up to a year  or housing. As it is, social security benefits dont provide sufficient funds to live in St. Clair County, Maloy said.

Other needs are unmet

Maloy said that, while housing is a key factor in helping people escape homelessness, its not the only necessary solution. Without other services that help with addiction, mental health issues, and without regular welfare checks, some people may end up back to square one, she said.

Since the drop-in center is available only until noon, and the Salvation Army closes at 4 p.m. and for the weekend, assistance is only temporary. There are no homeless shelters or overnight shelters in Belleville, and there hasnt been one since 2009. The closest overnight shelter is at St. Vincent de Paul in East St. Louis.
BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  Are you interested in finding your next career opportunity in Berkeley County?

Berkeley County is hosting a public Career Fair on Wednesday, providing job seekers with an opportunity to meet with several employers.

Officials ask attendees to bring an updated resume and be prepared to be interviewed on the spot.

The Career Fair is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Berkeley County Administration Building located at 1003 Hwy 52 in Moncks Corner.

The following employers are expected to be in attendance:

Acutec Industries

Aerotek

Allegiance Industries

Always Computing LLC

Atlantic Coast Electric Supply

Berkeley County Government

Berkeley County School District

Berkeley County Sheriffs Office

Bosch

Charleston Electrical Contractors Association (CECA)

City of Goose Creek

Dominion Energy

Keel

Kinder Morgan

Landmark Construction

Mechanical Contractors Association of SC

Premier Electrical Staffing

readySC Boeing Project

Roper St. Francis Healthcare

Sams Club Supply Chain  Distribution Center

Sanders Brothers Construction

South Carolina Department of Transportation

Southern Crown Partners

Thorne

Volvo Cars

W International

Several community resources will also be in attendance:

SC Department of Social Services

Operation Palmetto Employment

Palmetto Goodwill

SC Commission for the Blind

SC Department of Employment and Workforce

SC Works

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Berkeley County teachers say they arent getting enough time for allocated breaks; wear red Wednesday to protest



BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  Elementary school teachers in Berkeley County will wear red on Wednesday in protest of the district.

It comes after teachers said BCSD has not provided them with enough time for allocated breaks.

Berkeley County Education Association President Kathleen Low spoke to the school board on Tuesday urging them to allow teachers their allocated breaks. She says teachers are unable to even take a bathroom break without making a phone call.

Right now, those teachers are reporting 30 minutes early to work to sit and do nothing, so we have teachers that are reporting to schools at 6:40 in the morning to just sit for 30 minutes prior to their workday, and that means they dont get time to go to the bathroom, to get lunch until the two or three oclock in the afternoon, said Low.

Protestors are calling on the school board to hire teacher associates to watch the children so the teachers can take their allocated breaks. She says state legislators have already designated these breaks for teachers, and it is now up to the county to enforce it.

If we want them to be focused on doing their best for the kids, we need to make sure they are rested and ready to go and do the thing they need to do, said Low.

The district provided News 2 with the following response to teachers concerns:

BCSD has not received teacher complaints or concerns regarding how individual schools schedule unencumbered time. If a teacher has a concern, they can reach out to their principal and/or the Office of Administrative Services. Additionally, staff is always encouraged to share concerns with the Human Resources Department.

BCEA is a special interest group and does not work directly with or on behalf of the district or schools.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The Biden administration announced Wednesday the addition of a historic Northern California mine to the Superfund National Priorities List  a federal index that ranks hazardous waste site risk and helps in prioritizing cleanup operations.

The Afterthought Mine, located in Shasta County about 200 miles north of Sacramento, produced gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc from 1862 to 1952, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Despite its name  denoting the sites attachment to a much larger initial claim  Afterthought became one of Shasta Countys biggest copper mines. But the property, which changed hands multiple times over the years, also went on to cause environmental contamination for decades beyond its mid-20th-century closure.

Both the mine and the Afterthought Smelter, about a mile downstream, were in direct contact with surface water in the adjacent Little Cow Creek, according to the EPAs Hazard Ranking System documentation record.

The surface water and sediments in Little Cow Creek are contaminated with cadmium, copper and zinc at levels approximately 100 times, 1200 times, and 1000 times, respectively, above the California Toxics Rule Water Quality Criteria for acute risk, an accompanying EPA document stated.

Little Cow Creek, which is frequented by fishing enthusiasts, also hosts a variety of wetland wildlife and has been designated as a critical habitat for steelhead trout, per the document.

Other fish found in the waterway include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, Chinook salmon, brown trout, brook trout and rainbow trout, according to the EPA.

The agency attributed the widespread metal contamination to waste rock, acid mine drainage and tailings produced via historic mining and smelting operations.

Remnants of the mine are still present on the mine property, including waste rock piles, adits/portals and the ruins of the mine plant, the hazard ranking document determined.

Since the late 1970s, the report added, multiple sample investigations have been conducted both on the property and downstream by federal and state bodies. And in 2022, the EPA performed an inspection to decide whether the site could qualify for placement on the National Priorities List.

Other federal and state cleanup programs were evaluated, but no other program has the appropriate authorities or resources to address the site at this time, the agency found.

U.S. West officials have long been pushing for federal action in cleaning up the Afterthought and other abandoned mines across the region.

Abandoned or inactive mines are responsible for many of the greatest threats and impairments to water quality across the Western United States, Joan Card, a representative of the Western Governors Association, told members of a House subcommittee in 2006 testimony.

Emphasizing the difficulties associated with identifying legally responsible and financially viable parties for particular impacted sites, Card noted that mine operators responsible for conditions at a site may be long gone.

Card named the Afterthought among such abandoned sites, calling for actions such as sealing the sites portals, removing and covering the tailings pond and remediating the access road.

With the Afterthought mines inclusion on the National Priority List, the EPA has now recognized the site as one of the nations most serious uncontrolled or abandoned releases of contamination.

That list, the agency explained, serves as a basis for prioritizing EPA cleanup funds and relevant enforcement actions.

EPA is helping protect vulnerable communities from uncontrolled hazardous waste releases, Michael Regan, the agencys administrator, said in a statement. We are also contributing to the affected communities economic and overall wellbeing by restoring land currently blighted by contamination.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The News

US President Joe Biden is reportedly set to block the sale of US Steel to Japans Nippon Steel, over concerns that the $14.9 billion acquisition posed a national security risk.

He is expected to make the announcement, first reported by The Washington Post, in the coming days.

The sale of US Steel had become one of the biggest political flashpoints ahead of the November election, as both Biden and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris opposed the merger, the latter saying the company should remain American owned and American operated at a recent rally in Pittsburgh.

US Steel warned Wednesday that killing the deal put thousands of jobs at risk, and the company may be forced to close mills and leave Pittsburgh. Following news of the potential block, shares of US Steel plummeted by more than 17% Wednesday, reflecting market anxiety over the deals failure.

SIGNALS

Nippon Steel may need to win union to secure deal

Sources: The Wall Street Journal, Kyodo News

The multibillion-dollar deal is seen as critical for modernizing US Steels aging mills, but it has met resistance from political leaders ahead of the election keen to court the union vote and show resolve in safeguarding the countrys economic independence from foreign influence. However, Nippon promised significant investments in US plants and no layoffs before 2026, and that the companys board would be mostly composed of US citizens. If Nippon can convince the steelworkers union its promises are genuine, then opposition to the deal may evaporate, the Wall Street Journal noted. The minute Nippon Steel and the steelworkers reach an agreement, all the opposition comes off the boil and goes away, an analyst told the outlet.

Bidens economic policy contradictions in spotlight

Sources: The Washington Post, Reuters

President Joe Bidens opposition to the deal seems to contradict his previous push for more private sector investment, both foreign and domestic, to bolster American manufacturing, some critics, including some in the US government, have said. The move indicates a resistance to foreign investment, even from allies. The opposition exposes a core tension in Bidens economic agenda  seeking to attract foreign investments while simultaneously ensuring US control over strategic industries.

US opposition could damage relations with Japan

Sources: Financial Times, Nikkei Asia

The potential fallout from the failed takeover will have wider labor implications and likely damage relations with Japan, a key US ally in the Indo-Pacific. Foreign policy experts and even some within the Biden administration have ridiculed the White Houses assessment that the merger is a national security risk, the Financial Times wrote, given that Japan plays a critical role in countering China. Japan is also contending with its own political uncertainty as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is stepping down soon, and some of his potential successors have suggested they would improve relations with Beijing, Nikkei reported.
DAMASCUS, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Five members of the Syrian security forces were injured in an attack on a government official's convoy in the southern province of Daraa on Wednesday, local police reported.

The convoy, which belonged to the governor of Daraa, was returning from the city of Al-Harak when it was struck by an improvised explosive device planted by armed militants, according to a police statement.

A clash erupted between security personnel and the militants following the explosion, lasting nearly half an hour, the pro-government al-Watan newspaper reported.

Authorities confirmed that the injured security members sustained minor injuries. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Syrian military regained control of Daraa in 2018 after driving rebel forces to the northwestern province of Idlib. However, the region continues to experience sporadic security incidents and attacks, threatening its fragile security situation. 
Biden comments on Russian missile strike in Poltava: Putin tries to break will of people

US President Joe Biden has issued a statement regarding the Russian missile attack on the city of Poltava, which resulted in the deaths of 51 people and left 271 injured.

Source: White House website

Details: Biden noted that over 50 people were killed and dozens were injured due to Russian missiles hitting a military training centre and a hospital in Ukraine.

Quote: "I condemn this deplorable attack in the strongest possible terms.

This assault is a tragic reminder of Putins ongoing and outrageous attempts to break the will of a free people. But for two and a half years, the people of Ukraine have stood unbowed. And the United States will continue stand with them  including providing the air defence systems and capabilities they need to protect their country.

Make no mistake: Russia will not prevail in this war. The people of Ukraine will prevail. And on this tragic day, and every day, the United States stands with them."

Background:

On 3 September, Russia struck an educational facility in the city of Poltava.

Three days of mourning for the people killed in the Russian strike on the Institute of Communication in the city of Poltava will begin in Poltava Oblast on 4 September.

Ukraines Ground Forces are investigating a strike on one of the military educational institutions in Poltava.

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President Biden and Vice President Harris will mark the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks in New York, Shanksville, Pa., and at the Pentagon, the White House confirmed Wednesday.

You will see the president and vice president next week together as they mourn the thousands of lives that were lost on that day and also the first responders who obviously put their lives on the line to protect Americans on that day, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.

Biden and Harris will travel to Ground Zero in New York, then to the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, and then to the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., to mourn the victims of the attacks at all three sites.

The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment on his plans for the anniversary. The New York Times reported the former president is considering a visit to the World Trade Center site, also known as Ground Zero.

Harris visited the 9/11 memorial in lower Manhattan on last years anniversary while Biden marked the anniversary in Alaska, which garnered criticism. He had been returning from an overseas trip to Asia when the anniversary occurred.

First lady Jill Biden had laid a wreath at the Pentagon Memorial last year, which honors those killed. Hijackers flew planes into the Pentagon and both World Trade Center towers with a fourth plane crashing into a field in Pennsylvania.

Harris will travel to New York City next Wednesday following a trip to Philadelphia the day before for a presidential debate against former President Trump.

Updated at 4:11 p.m. EDT

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From the moment, a month ago, that Kamala Harris became the Democrats presumptive nominee for president, she has been derided by Republicans as a DEI hire and DEI vice president. Besides being willfully ignorant of what DEI actually is and how it works, this an obviously racist attempt to demean a barrier-breaking Black woman. The absurd implication is that President Biden only chose Harris as his running mate in 2020 because of her race and genderrather than, say, her impressive experience as San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general, or U.S. senator.

But there is an accidental truth buried in this GOP lunacy that Democrats ought to celebrate. Harris does owe her historic status as the first female, non-white major-party presidential nominee in part to the old white man who selected her as his vice president and then, in ending his campaign precisely when he did this summer, paved the way for her to assume the top of the ticket. And while shes the most high-profile example, Harris is just one of a long list of women and people of color whom Biden has put into positions of authority in the executive and judicial branches.

In fact, somewhat under the radar, Biden has appointed what experts say is the most diverse high-ranking administration and judiciary in history. This may be his most enduring legacyand he was able to accomplish it in part because hes a white man, which neutralizes the rights favorite racist dog whistles. Harris wont be so lucky.

Today, two-thirds of Bidens 15-member Cabinet are non-white or female; if you include the acting secretaries of labor as well as housing and urban development, the Cabinet is majority-women. Nearly two-thirds of Bidens confirmed, lifetime judicial appointees are women, according to tallies by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and nearly two-thirds are people of colorjudges and justices who will have an impact long after Biden leaves office.

There are also numerous firsts: Biden appointed the first Muslim woman to a federal court and the first Native Hawaiian woman ever to serve as a lifetime judge. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary. Karine Jean-Pierre is the first Black female White House press secretary. And, most prominently, Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first Black female Supreme Court justice.

Previous Democratic presidents have pledged to appoint a Cabinet and senior staff that look like America. But Biden actually delivered.

What he has done is historic. What he has done is unprecedented, civil rights leader Ralph Neas, former director of the Leadership Conference, told me. Joe Biden has literally changed the face of the federal governments leadership. Such achievements have been talked about for decades. But Joe Biden was the one who did it.

While Bidens hiring accomplishments havent gotten much attention, they are very much by design, says Jessica Fulton, vice president of policy for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. The Biden-Harris transition team in 2020for which Fulton volunteeredset very public goals for hiring a team that was diverse in every way, not just their race, gender, or ethnicity, she told me. (Notably, more than 40 percent of Bidens confirmed, lifetime judicial nominees have been people with experience as public defenders or civil rights advocates, the Leadership Conference said.) And then the Biden administration partnered with organizations and initiatives committed to diversity to help identify qualified candidates who otherwise might not be on the administrations radar screen, she said.

Its not about racking up diversity statistics for its own sake; its about bringing a different perspective to roles that affect marginalized communities, Fulton noted. Having Cecelia Rouse, who was, from 2021 to 2023, the first Black woman to chair the Council of Economic Advisers in its 75-year history, or Shalanda Young, the first Black woman to head the Office of Management and Budget, provides a minority experience to jobs more often held by white males. Ditto Reta Jo Lewis, the first Black woman and person of color to head the Export-Import Bank, and Michael S. Regan, the first Black man to head the Environmental Protection Agency.

Biden is even outpacing Barack Obamas two-term record on diversity in the Cabinet and courts: Obama successfully appointed 16 women to Cabinet or sub-Cabinet positions during his eight years while Biden has successfully appointed 13 in less than one term, according to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. A then-record 42 percent of Obamas judicial picks were women, according to a Pew Research Center analysis, less than Bidens majority-female slate of court picks. Pew calculated that 36 percent of all of Obamas judicial appointees were non-white; a Washington Post analysis in May shows the reverse for Biden: 36 percent of his overall judicial selections are white.

And of course, it was Biden who made the historic pick of Jackson to the high court. It was something civil rights advocates had hoped Obama would do but understood why it would have been risky (and he did pick two women, one of whom is the first Latina on the court). While the American public elected a man who could bring his own Black experience to the job, they didnt always want to hear it. Witness what happened when Obama had the nerve to express his personal reaction to Henry Louis Skip Gates, the Black Harvard professor, being arrested by local police after he entered his own home (a neighbor had reported a possible burglary). Obama said the Cambridge police acted stupidly, rightly noting that you probably dont need to handcuff a guy, a middle-aged man who uses a cane, whos in his own homebut the backlash was loud enough that he hosted an awkward beer summit at the White House with Gates and the arresting officer.

Its hard for a person of color, who was a first, was a trailblazer, to make an appointment like that to the Supreme Court, Montre Carodine, a University of Alabama School of Law professor, told me. Biden has the privilege of not having to think about that.

One of the reasons Biden has not gotten much credit from the progressive communityor criticism from the right, except for endorsing Harris for the nominationis that he is white and male.

There was always this expectation that Barack Obama [was] going to favor Black people, said Christopher Stout, an Oregon State University professor and author of the book The Case for Identity Politics: Polarization, Demographic Change, and Racial Appeals. All African American candidates have to be really careful in how they talk about race, and definitely in how they put people of color in positions of power, he added. Whites dont have the same fear that [Biden] is going to favor African Americans, because hes one of them.

In other words: If Harris wins the White House this fall, and then attempts to do Biden one better in the diversity of her appointments, rest assured that Republicans will be in hysterics over her DEI picks.
FILE PHOTO: Migrants are detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents in New Mexico

By Ted Hesson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Biden administration officials are weighing whether to toughen an asylum ban to maintain lower levels of illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border since the ban went into effect in June, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security official familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The ban is designed to be lifted if the number of migrants caught crossing the southern border illegally drops below an average of 1,500 per day for one week, followed by a two-week waiting period.

The change under discussion would lengthen the time the number of people caught must remain below that level to several weeks, the DHS official said, requesting anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

The 1,500 threshold has not yet been reached. In July, the U.S. Border Patrol apprehended an average 1,820 migrants a day. There was one day in December when the number reached 10,800, which officials at the time said was at or near a record.

The New York Times first reported the discussions. A DHS spokesperson said the department was reviewing public comments and could not comment on potential changes.

Illegal immigration is a top U.S. voter concern heading into the Nov. 5 election that will decide control of the White House and Congress.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has promised mass deportations if reelected and criticized Vice President Kamala Harris' approach to border security as record numbers of migrants have been caught illegally crossing the border in recent years.

Harris, the Democratic nominee, has criticized Trump for opposing a bipartisan border security bill that failed in the U.S. Senate earlier this year.

President Joe Biden imposed the sweeping asylum ban on June 5, barring many migrants from seeking asylum if they crossed the southern border illegally.

The White House said the restrictions were needed after Republicans rejected the Senate bill and that migrants could use new Biden-era pathways to enter the U.S. legally.

The number of migrants caught illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border dropped to 56,000 in July, down from 118,000 in May, according to U.S. government figures.

The asylum ban was issued as an "interim final rule" by DHS and the Justice Department, meaning it still must be finalized.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Mary Milliken and Cynthia Osterman)
President Joe Biden is preparing to announce he will block Nippon Steels proposed $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel, said three people familiar with the matter who were granted anonymity to discuss a decision not yet public.

However, a White House spokesperson said she could not confirm the decision, which the Washington Post first reported on Wednesday, also citing three people with knowledge of the matter.

The White House spokesperson noted that the next step in the decision making process is for Biden to receive recommendations from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, an interagency group led by the Treasury Department.

CFIUS examines foreign investments for potential threats to national security. Most cases are resolved before they reach the White House, but occasionally the president makes the final decision. The White House spokesperson could not say when they expect to receive the CFIUS recommendations, and a Treasury spokesperson declined comment. Once Biden receives the recommendations, he has 15 days to announce a decision.

Biden has already expressed opposition to Japanese-owned Nippons proposed takeover of U.S. Steel, saying the iconic U.S. company should remain American owned.

Vice President and Democratic president nominee Kamala Harris echoed that view in a trip with Biden to Pittsburgh earlier this week, even though Japan is one of the U.S. closest allies and blocking the deal could hurt relations.

U.S. Steel is an historic American company, and it is vital for our nation to maintain strong American steel companies, Harris said on Monday.  And I couldnt agree more with President Biden, U.S. Steel should remain American-owned and American-operated.

Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are expected to make a Thursday visit to Pittsburgh, the location of the headquarters for U.S. Steel and the Steelworkers union, which has strongly opposed the Nippon deal.

Former President Donald Trump also has threatened to block the deal if he defeats Harris in Novembers election. Blocking the deal before voters go to the polls would allow Harris and Biden to take credit, although Trump could argue he pushed them to do it.

"The decision to block this deal could only be based on perceived political brownie points," Nancy McLernon, president and CEO of the Global Business Alliance, which represents foreign companies with investments in the U.S. "And ironically, Pennsylvania's steelworkers would suffer. Additionally, the decision would send an unfortunate message to our allies."

Nippon Steel declined comment Wednesday on the possibility of Biden blocking the transaction while U.S. Steel said it had not been informed of any impending decision.

We have not received any update or executive order in relation to the CFIUS process. We continue to stand by the fact that there are no national security issues associated with this transaction, as Japan is one of our most staunch allies. We fully expect to pursue all possible options under the law to ensure this transaction, which is [the] best future for Pennsylvania, American steelmaking, and all of our stakeholders, closes, the company said.

Earlier in the day, U.S. Steel also released a statement warning of several negative consequences if the deal was blocked.

Without the Nippon Steel transaction, U.S. Steel will largely pivot away from its blast furnace facilities, putting thousands of good-paying union jobs at risk, negatively impacting numerous communities across the locations where its facilities exist, and depriving the American steel industry of an opportunity to better compete on the global stage, the company said.

The lack of a deal with Nippon Steel also would raise serious questions about U.S. Steel remaining headquartered in Pittsburgh, the company added. The departure of U.S. Steel, a company that has been making steel in the Mon Valley since 1901, would deprive the Pittsburgh area of jobs, tax revenue, and community-based contributions.

The potential acquisition has faced pushback from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

This has always been a terrible deal for American workers, made behind closed doors with Steelworkers kept out of the room, wrote Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) on X, responding to the report from the Washington Post. Ive been clear from the start: it needs to be stopped.

Nippon defended the proposed deal in a statement issued after Harris remarks on Monday.

"Were confident that Nippon Steels acquisition of U. S. Steel will revitalize the American steel rust belt, benefit American workers, local communities, and national security in a way no other alternative can, Nippon said. 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.

Marcia Brown contributed to this report.
A worker leaves U.S. Steel Edgar Thomson Steel Works, March 10, 2018 in Braddock, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH  President Joe Biden is preparing to block the sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel of Japan, the Washington Post reported Wednesday, and the company cast doubt on its future in Pittsburgh should the deal not go through.

Japan-based Nippon Steel proposed to buy the Pittsburgh-based steelmaker last December, in a deal valued at $14.9 billion. The deal immediately drew opposition from Pennsylvania lawmakers and the United Steelworkers union, which said the company had not informed union leaders the deal was imminent.

U.S. Steel hosted a rally outside its headquarters in Downtown Pittsburgh on Wednesday, to show its support for the deal.

Todays rally is about displaying support for the transaction with Nippon Steel. We want elected leaders and other key decision makers to recognize the benefits of the deal as well as the unavoidable consequences if the deal fails, U.S. Steel President and CEO David B. Burritt said in a statement.

The company said in a press release that without the Nippon transaction, U.S. Steel would largely pivot away from its blast furnace facilities, and that the lack of a deal with Nippon Steel raises serious questions about U.S. Steel remaining headquartered in Pittsburgh.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), one of the loudest critics of the deal, blasted the company executives in a statement Wednesday.

As Ive always said, I will follow and stand with the United Steelworkers against the shameless executives looking for a golden parachute, Fetterman said. Im calling bullst on the U.S. Steel executives, just like I did shortly after that first announcement.

Fetterman lives across the street from U.S. Steels Edgar Thompson plant in Braddock. He and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-17th District) had urged the Biden administration to block the sale. The lawmakers wrote a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen asking the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) to block the deal. While Japan is not a foreign adversary of the U.S., the lawmakers noted that Nippon does business and operates facilities in China.

Casey criticized Burritt in a statement Wednesday.

David Burritts threats to abandon the very community that built U.S. Steel is a slap in the face to the Steelworkers whose skill and work ethic make the company successful and to the people of Southwestern Pennsylvania whose livelihoods rely on the steel industry, Casey said. My priority is to keep union steel jobs in the Mon Valley and I encourage Mr. Burritt to come to the table and work with the Steelworkers to protect and keep these jobs in Pennsylvania where they belong.

Biden said in March it was vital for U.S. Steel to remain owned and operated by Americans, a stance he reiterated during an April campaign visit to the U.S. Steelworkers in Pittsburgh.

Deluzio said Wednesday that the companys leadership had shown it didnt respect the union steel workers who built the company.

And now they threaten to close the Pittsburgh headquarters and the Mon Valley Works. At every juncture, theyve neglected investments in Western PA and other strong union regions in favor of investment in facilities in anti-union states with non-unionized workforces, Deluzio said in a statement posted to social media. They can dress it up however they want, but their cartoonish anti-union behavior puts them in good company with the robber barons they mimic: their business model seems to be about breaking the union.

Former President Donald Trump, the GOP nominee for president, has also criticized the acquisition, and pledged to block it if he wins another term.

U.S. Steel shareholders voted to approve the sale to Nippon in April.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, told an audience of union workers on Monday that U.S. Steel should remain domestically owned and operated.

The President mentioned it: U.S. Steel is an historic American company, and it is vital for our nation to maintain a strong American steel company, Harris said.

This story was updated Sept. 4, 2024 at 5:03 p.m. with an updated statement from Sen. Casey, and at 5:25 p.m. with a statement from Rep. Deluzio.
Our world is becoming an increasingly dangerous place. One study recently found that extreme heat killed nearly 50,000 people in Europe last year. A single county in the United StatesMaricopa County, in Arizonareported 645 such deaths. Eye-popping sea surface temperatures are fueling a historically destructive hurricane season this summer, and lethal, record-breaking storms are lashing states from Texas to Vermont. In California, the climate-driven Park fire continues to burn a path of devastation that has left hundreds homeless, including numerous survivors of previous wildfirespeople who have now lost their homes multiple times.

These arent natural disasters. 2023s summer heat waves, for example, would have been virtually impossible, in one research teams words, without human-caused climate change. That means these disasters are being driven by particular corporate actorsand particularly Big Oil companies. These companies, by generating a substantial portion of the greenhouse gas emissions that have warmed the planet, while simultaneously deceiving the public about the dangers of those emissions, have created a crisis that is putting millions of Americans at risk.

Existing laws are designed to protect us from such public safety threats. Recently, the victims of manmade climate disasters have started to demand that prosecutors use them.

Two weeks ago, over 1,000 survivors of climate disasters sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice calling on Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate the fossil fuel industry for climate-related crimes. One of the signers, Allen Myers, said that the wildfire that burned down his familys home bore the fingerprints of the climate crisis and stressed that the fossil fuel industry knows that what theyre doing is dangerous. Another, Jenny Sebold, a mother of three whose small business in Vermont was destroyed in climate-driven flooding, said, I like to joke that I pay my bills in optimism while the rich oil execs get to keep making piles of money.

Ive previously written about how criminal law professors, former prosecutors, and climate advocates like me have begun arguing that Big Oil can and should be held accountable for some form of homicidei.e., the deaths caused by climate disasters. But people who havent actually been killed, like Allen and Jenny, deserve justice too. And their experiences point toward another possibility: charging individual fossil fuel CEOs with reckless endangerment.

Reckless endangerment is an offense in most states. It criminalizes reckless conduct that creates a substantial risk of serious bodily injury to another person. The argument that Big Oil CEOs have committed this crime is pretty straightforward. The climate crisis, by intensifying and in many cases causing extreme weather events, including heat waves, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, is creating a substantial risk of serious injury for vast numbers of people in practically every state and county in the country.

Fossil fuel executives, in pursuing ever-expanding oil and gas production and spreading disinformation to block efforts that would have made climate change less catastrophic, have in very concrete and material ways contributed to this risk. And a growing body of internal documents shows they knew it was dangerous: that production of fossil fuels would cause, in their own words, globally catastrophic climate harms that would submerge New York, do great irreversible harm to our planet, have serious consequences for mans comfort and survival, and cause suffering and death due to thermal extremes. Fossil fuel executives even raised the height of offshore drilling platforms to account for expected sea-level rise! Doing something when you know its dangerous is the legal definition of recklessness. So demonstrating that Big Oil execs acted with criminal recklessness seems eminently possible.

A reckless endangerment charge also gets around what is often considered the most significant burden in climate accountability litigation: causation. It can be difficult to connect the climate contributions of specific corporations to particular climate disasters. But reckless endangerment is a crime of conduct, not result. You dont need to prove a defendants reckless conduct caused a particular injury but simply that it created the risk of doing so.

Of course, reckless endangerment being easier than homicide to prosecute goes along with it being a less serious offense, with less severe consequences. Though it varies by jurisdiction and the grade of the crime (some states have different classes of reckless endangerment based on, for example, whether the conduct in question evinced an extreme indifference to human life), maximum sentences for reckless endangerment typically range from less than one year to five years. But even if you take the lower end of that range, can you imagine ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods or Chevron CEO Mike Wirth staring down the business end of six months in state prison? No private jet, no vacation homes, no privacy, no air conditioning in the event of a heat wave. I have to imagine that even the credible threat of such an ordeal could significantly impact corporate decision-making.

That matters, because Big Oil remains the greatest obstacle to climate action. Earlier this month the United Nations warned that fossil fuel companies are still running a massive mis- and disinformation campaign to delay our transition to safer energy sources. In other words, these offenses are ongoing, and the prosecutors and public safety officials charged with protecting us from criminal harm have an obligation to prosecute Big Oil executives for their reckless endangerment of the public.
BIG STONE GAP, Va. (WJHL)  The Town of Big Stone Gap received $2 million from the Virginia Department of Energy on Wednesday to support its Big Cherry Reservoir Recreation Project.

The funding is part of Virginia Energys Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) grant program, which aims to repurpose land and remediate any issues left behind by coal mining operations that took place before 1977.

Big Stone Gap Town Manager Stephen Lawson said the money will be used to develop rental cabins and create more fishing opportunities at the reservoir.

$500K proposed for Southwest Virginia drinking water projects

In Southwest Virginia, we have some of the most beautiful and diversified forests  So, you know, a lot of places are remote and like this, its hard to get to, Lawson said. Thats why Virginia Energy is helping us, providing the money to have some cabin rentals and to have some primitive camping opportunities and some better fishing opportunities and stuff up here on the lake.

Virginia Sen. Todd Pillion said in a news release that the project will bring more tourism dollars to the area.

Our regions beauty is something worth capitalizing on, and Big Stone Gap is doing just that with this project at the Big Cherry Reservoir, said Pillion. By increasing opportunities for visitors, especially through recreation, to our region, we will increase tourism dollars for our coalfield communities.

With community development projects like this, were not just drawing in touristswere creating an environment that attracts businesses looking for vibrant communities, said Virginia Energys Director Glenn Davis in the release. Its about fostering a balance where work and play go hand-in-hand, making Virginia a place where people and businesses want to settle down and thrive.

Lawson said several camping options are planned for the location, as well as a general store that will provide necessities.

There will be a general store so that people can get some product and stuff like that for their camping and stuff, he said. So well have 10 to 12 different primitive campsites, were planning on four cabins and then some yurts and some safari tents to go along with trail work and things like that already being enhanced.

The reservoir is located on Big Cherry Road in Big Stone Gap.

Photo credits L to R:

William Wampler, Lonesome Pine RIFA, Thomas Lawson, LENOWISCO, Robert Bloomer, Big Stone Gap Town Council, Tyler Lester, VA Senator Todd Pillions office, Tim Ferguson Virginia Energy, Virginia Delegate Terry Kilgore, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith, Steven Lawson, Big Stone Gap Town Manager, Daniel Kestner, Virginia Energy, Lesa Baker, Virginia Energy, Randy Moore, Virginia Energy, and Jen Otey, Friends of SWVA

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One of the installed turbines at the Vineyard Wind farm. (Photo courtesy of Avangrid)

Jim Boyds heart sank the first time he saw the now-infamous image of a fractured wind turbine blade dangling above the Atlantic Ocean.

Not because of the fiberglass and styrofoam debris collected from the waters and shoreline along Nantucket in the month that followed. Not because of the potential safety implications the blade failure might mean for the Vineyard Wind project, or others.

Boyds first thought?

This is going to be an incredible PR nightmare for Vineyard Wind and the nascent offshore wind industry in southern New England, said Boyd, a commercial shellfisherman who retired as the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Councils deputy director in 2022.

He was right.

In the wake of the July 13 incident, deemed a manufacturing error in preliminary review, the chorus of concerns over the offshore wind industry grew to a roar. Which has made the job of selling skeptics much harder: not just on Vineyard Wind, but the slew of projects coming up behind it, including the 700-megawatt Revolution Wind farm being built off Rhode Islands coastline. The developer announced Tuesday the first of 65 turbines in the project had been installed.

Theres a lot of concern out there that is valid, but theres also a lot of disinformation and whack-a-doo theories, Boyd acknowledged. The only thing thats going to help the wind industry at this point is to be as upfront and transparent as possible.

Which has not always been the case.

An initial statement by Vineyard Wind LLC two days after the 300-foot-long blade broke off of the Eiffel Tower-sized turbine offered no explanation or detail. Three days later, the company, co-owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and Avangrid Renewables, LLC, provided another terse update after what was left of the broken blade fell off, in which it said it was working to remove debris. It took 11 days for blade manufacturer GE Vernova to offer its preliminary assessment on the failure, blaming an unspecified manufacturing error.

The 62-turbine wind farm powering Massachusetts began operating on Jan. 2. Federal regulators shut down operations after the blade failure, which remains under review.

Theres a lot of concern out there that is valid, but theres also a lot of disinformation and whack-a-doo theories. The only thing thats going to help the wind industry at this point is to be as upfront and transparent as possible.

 Jim Boyd, former deputy director for the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council

The information void has quickly filled with public reactions, hypotheses and conspiracy theories.

Social media posts abound, laden with images of the neon styrofoam scattered along Nantucket beaches and collected in the weedlines where ocean currents intersect, many accompanied by hashtags such as #stopoffshorewind. Letters flowed into local newspapers, warning that the blade failure was a sign of bigger dangers on the horizon, including the ongoing construction of the Revolution Wind farm.

Politicians who have supported offshore wind energy, like Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and U.S. Rep. Bill Keating, a Massachusetts Democrat, expressed concern and urged federal regulators to get to the bottom of what happened  especially after the same manufacturer was tied to another blade failure on a U.K. wind project a month later.

Rhode Island officials have been noticeably quieter on the subject, save for Republican congressional candidate Patricia Morgan, a vocal offshore wind opponent.

Unintended consequences

On Aug. 25, a dozen commercial and recreational fishermen staged a protest around the broken blade 15 miles southwest of Nantucket, clutching signs that read support your local fishermen, and save our squid, according to news reports.

Experts and researchers, including Boyd, agree that there is not enough information to fully understand how building and operating the powerful projects will affect the sensitive ecosystem below them. Not to mention the safety concerns for fishermen and emergency rescue crews trying to navigate around 200 acres of turbines in rough seas or poor visibility.

While offshore wind pioneered in Europe more than 30 years ago, it only made the trek across the Atlantic in the last decade, starting with the much smaller-scale Block Island Wind Farm which began operating in 2016.

Thousands of pounds of fiberglass and styrofoam falling into the ocean was never considered as a potential hazard, not mentioned in the thousands of pages of environmental reviews by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, which has final authority over where and how projects are built.

Its just an illustration that we just dont know about the potential impacts, said Rich Hittinger, vice president of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association.

Hittinger soured on offshore wind before the blade failure, having served on a state volunteer advisory panel representing the fishing industry in negotiations with offshore wind developers. Hittinger, along with the rest of the Rhode Island Fishermens Advisory Board, resigned en masse a year ago, citing frustrations with the lack of adequate compensation developers offered to fishermen, and perceived deference by state regulators to the developers.

Whats going on is theres a desire to have these projects built, and that is a desire coming from high up in government, Hittinger said. Because theres so much pressure to have them built, they are trying to fast-track the environmental reviews.

Developers have said just the opposite. The federal review and regulatory process got off to a slow start, riddled with the usual red tape worsened by the nascent nature of the industry in the United States. Now, many project developers are facing a new set of delays tied up in cost hikes and supply chain slowdowns in the wake of the pandemic.

Orsted U.S., which is co-developing the Revolution Wind farm off the coast of Block Island, has now pushed its target completion date back to 2026, citing delays in the construction of the onshore substation that will connect the wind-generated power to the online electric grid, according to an earnings call with company leaders in August.

Separating fact from fiction

Environmental activists backing offshore wind as a key way to reduce carbon emissions, including meeting Rhode Islands 2050 net-zero mandate, are waiting with bated breath for more turbines to start spinning. The blade incident was concerning, but not as worrisome as climate change, said Amanda Barker, a member of the Rhode Island State Committee with regional advocacy group New England for Offshore wind.

When these incidents occur, a thorough investigation must be conducted, Barker, who also works as a policy advocate for Green Energy Consumers Alliance, said. To say we must completely abandon technology doesnt seem like a realistic answer. Saying no to offshore wind and allowing the continued use and expansion of fossil fuels is much more negative.

Tricia Jedele, Atlantic Coast offshore wind policy manager for The Nature Conservancy, can rattle off a sea of statistics in support of offshore wind without hesitation: the amount of carbon dioxide offset by the Vineyard Wind project  1.7 million tons a year  or the threshold under which annual global temperature increases must stay  1.5 degrees Celsius. Another stat in Jedeles arsenal: the three blade failures reported this year represent .00004% of the 70,000 blades manufactured for projects worldwide.

Zero blade failures is, of course, the goal, Jedele said.

But, We have incidents and technological failures in our regular life, Jedele said. We adapt our approaches based on the evidence. We do it in our daily life, and were going to do that with existing technology.

Dave Monti, a charter boat captain and fishing columnist for The Providence Journal, also pointed out that the fiberglass from the Vineyard Wind blade pales in comparison to the hundreds of thousands of fiberglass boats sailing the ocean every day.

But facts and logic are a tough match against fear, which Jedele sees as the reason behind much of the opposition: fear of change, and fear of the unknown.

We have incidents and technological failures in our regular life.

 Tricia Jedele, Atlantic Coast offshore wind policy manager for The Nature Conservancy

Social media has provided a breeding ground for disinformation, on everything, but especially on a complicated and nuanced topic like offshore wind.

It doesnt help that fossil fuel companies and right-wing think tanks are, at least in some cases, pouring money into local campaigns opposing offshore wind, including in Rhode Island, according to a 2023 report by Brown Universitys Climate and Development Lab.

Christian Roselund, a volunteer with Climate Action RI, also blamed an anti-wind group made up of Rhode Island beachfront property owners, Green Oceans, for perpetuating disinformation about offshore wind.

Opposition has absolutely been picking up as these groups raise money, Roselund said. But its not exactly organic.

The growing power of disinformation was on display at a trio of informational panels organized by Climate Action RI with the Newport Energy and Environment Commission. While the rhetoric has grown fiercer since the Vineyard Wind blade failure, Roselund didnt think one caused the other. Instead, he blamed Green Oceans for seizing on the opportunity created by the incident to perpetuate misinformation.

Dr. Lisa Quattrocki Knight, co-founder and president of Green Oceans, did not immediately return inquiries for comment on Tuesday.

Hittinger, whose letter resigning from the Fishermens Advisory Board is featured on Green Oceans website, did not comment on the nonprofits intentions. But, Hittinger said he feared conspiracists were undermining more valid concerns by local fishermen like himself.

Some people go too far, Hittinger said. But there are real questions we need answered.

Developers mostly mum

Questions that the offshore wind developers have not been quick or open in addressing, Boyd said. He blamed the companies behind the projects for not facing concerns head-on. The community meetings organized by developers in conjunction with advocacy and education groups were no more than dog and pony shows, Boyd said.

Case in point: Vineyard Wind did not respond to multiple inquiries for comment for this story. Orsted declined to comment.

The development companies are also among those vying for another contract to supply more offshore wind power to Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Rhode Island Energy is expected to announce its tentative selection on Sept. 6 on the states bid to buy another 1,200 megawatts of offshore wind. Evelyn Garcia, a spokesperson for the state utility provider, declined to comment when asked how the Vineyard Wind blade failure might impact reviews of each project proposal.

We review a variety of aspects of construction as part of our project viability, but were unable to disclose the exact specifics of those aspects due to the confidential nature of our evaluation process, Garcia said.

Boyd is among those watching carefully for the bid award.

If I was one of these development companies, Id be wanting to do some real engineering testing and proof of manufacturing tolerances, he said. Can you imagine if this happens with Revolution Wind?

Brian Walch, a spokesperson for Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, said in an email Tuesday that the agency is still reviewing whether the Vineyard Wind blade failure warrants changes to the review and approval process, as well as incident-response protocols, for other offshore wind projects.

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ABUJA, Nigeria  African farmers need better seeds to solve the malnutrition challenge that causes health problems in a fifth of the continents population, Bill Gates said during a visit to Nigeria.

Headline appearances by the billionaire philanthropist have been a hallmark of the Gates Foundations interest and interventions in Africas agriculture and health sectors in recent years. The thing thats holding back potential the most is malnutrition, Gates told an audience of advocacy groups, students and reporters on Tuesday.

An estimated 278 million Africans are undernourished, according to the anti-poverty charity Oxfam. It said that number was rising due to poor government policies, high inflation, and climate change. The Gates Foundation, which co-founded a green revolution alliance in 2006 to ramp up farm productivity with advanced seeds, has increasingly argued that innovation around seeds is key for climate adaptation.

Nigerias abundance of arable land should make it a net food exporter if traditional seeds and systems are improved to produce more at lower costs, said Gates. There should be confidence in the country and the rest of Africa that even as weather is changing due to climate change, we can come up with seeds that deal with the increased temperature and often can thrive with less water or too much water, he said.

The foundation designs public domain seeds from which it makes no royalties or profits, Gates said, unlike commercial hybrid seeds developed by other players in the sector.

Know More

Soaring food prices in Nigeria over the past year have aggravated malnutrition problems, stretching the resources of government health facilities and aid organizations.

In June, Swiss non-profit Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said it had a crisis at hand as its clinics in Nigerias northern states faced a surge in the number of severely malnourished people admitted for treatment. More than 2,600 people died after diagnosis of acute malnourishment in seven states in 2023, MSF said.

In January, Nigeria became the second African country after South Africa to approve the commercialization of genetically engineered corn.

Four maize varieties approved could quadruple yields to 10 tons per hectare compared to harvests of the 2022/2023 season, the US Department of Agriculture said. The agency often attributes high corn yields in South Africa to modified seeds, though drought due to the El Nino weather effect could cause an 18% drop for the coming season.

Room for Disagreement

Lukasz Kobus/European Commission/Wikimedia Commons

Some interventions modeled on the Gates Foundations seed improvement advocacy have not produced desired results, critics say.

African Center for Biodiversity, a South African group that campaigns against genetically modified food, said a years-long government program in Zambia aimed at boosting food production with improved seeds has been a driver of ecological degradation and has promoted farmer dependence on external inputs.

Other critics have directly accused the foundation of playing god in Africa and requested reparations for damaged land and water.

Gates said he did not know the seeds in question in Zambia, and that the foundation does not do specific work in the country.

Notable

Before arriving in Nigeria this week, Gates visited Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to review wheat cluster productivity and poultry farming, according to a post on Ahmeds X account. Ethiopias Tigray region, where drought has imperiled reservoirs and farmlands, faces a starvation crisis that could affect 2 million residents.
BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- China has activated a total of 21 disaster-relief responses at the national level so far this year, Wang Daoxi, vice minister of the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM), told a press conference on Wednesday.

"Our disaster-response action has been more timely, frequent and effective," said Wang, noting that the response level has been upgraded five times this year, according to the change of the disaster situation.

Since the flood season, the MEM and the Ministry of Finance have earmarked about 3.13 billion yuan (about 440 million U.S. dollars) of central disaster-relief funds in 9 batches, with faster allocation efficiency and greater support, Wang said.

The National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration and the MEM have allocated 473,200 items of central disaster-relief materials, such as folding beds, quilts and family emergency kits, in 21 batches.

Wang added that relevant departments are speeding up post-disaster recovery and reconstruction work, including the repair of infrastructure and damaged houses in the disaster-hit areas. 
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  The Kansas State Fair kicks off this week amid concerns over the bird flu.

The bird flu is causing fair officials to adjust their safety protocols. Its a problem that is being seen in lactating dairy cattle.

The main concern is the illness being spread from the cattle barn across the street to the poultry barn. H5N1  colloquially called the avian flu or bird flu  is something the cattle will recover from, but its deadly to the birds that will be at the Kansas State Fair.

The fair requires all lactating dairy cattle to have a clear milk test done within seven days before arrival at the fair, as well as a clear veterinary inspection for any animal traveling from out of state.

Why flags will be at half-staff on Wednesday

Fair Competitions Director Jenn Galloway told KSN that preventative measures are vital to keeping the animals safe this year.

Thursday, all of the juniors start coming in. All the poultry start coming in, but were going to keep the dairy cattle, who dont come in until Friday, Galloway said. So that pulls them out of that chaos of the Thursday coming in with the multiple species, and so well just separate that out, and hopefully, theyll have a quick entrance and unloading and be ready to show.

Galloway also said that if they encounter a cow that tests positive, they have a quarantine site ready.

As for human safety, Galloway said they will have handwashing stations at all barns. She said its important to wash your hands every time you leave the barns.

The Centers for Disease Control said four people had contracted the illness after coming in contact with dairy cattle nationwide.

The Kansas State Fair runs from Sept. 6-15 at 2000 N. Poplar in Hutchinson. Visit the fairs website to 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 KSN-TV.
Victor Moses had lifelong dreams of becoming a police officer. It was something hed dreamed about since he was in middle school. He finally got the opportunity in 2023 when he became a recruit for the Denver Police Department, but his training experience allegedly ruined Moses career before it had a chance to start.

During a January 2023 incident, Moses was involved in a dynamic action drill at the Denver Police Training Academy. The drill is meant to teach recruits how to de-escalate and escalate force properly, according to USA Today, but instead it left him without legs.



At one of the stations, Moses was allegedly knocked to the ground during a simulated attack and hit his head, causing him pass out immediately. Despite his condition, he was forced back on his feet to continue the drill, only to pass out again.

Mind you, he noted on his police application that had a sickle cell trait. But still, officers apparently forced him to keep going.

Though paramedics found that his blood pressure was low, his training continued, and he was dragged to another station for the escalation training where an officer put his entire body weight on Moses during a simulated ground fight. He stated, I cant breathe, before passing out.

More from USA Today:

Moses was taken to a hospital. He required multiple surgeries to save his life, had to have his legs amputated and was hospitalized for four months, according to the suit. Moses says he didnt really understand the extent of his injuries at first because of how heavily medicated he was. When they started weaning down on the drugs, I felt, Why am I still here? Why am I not home, whats going on? Moses said, with the traces of pain evident in his voice. Youre just in pain, your parents are there for some reason and it was just living hell. It really became real to me when my classmates were visiting me and started explaining what happened and then you see your rotting body.

As a result, Moses filed a lawsuit last month, where he accused the paramedics who took him to the hospital of lying to the doctors who treated him. He also adds that the Denver Police Department is covering up their role in his current state.

The lawsuit also states that he developed Moses developed other conditions, including severe compartment syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, malignant hyperthermia, and severe hyperkalemia in the hospital, according to the lawsuit.

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Black PACs in NC join together to drive voter turnout. Why they endorsed these Democrats

Several Black political action committees from across North Carolina joined forces on Wednesday as they endorsed a slate of statewide candidates and talked about how theyll work to get out the vote among Black voters.

Melvin Skip Alston of the George C. Simkins Jr. Memorial PAC in Greensboro said that while each group made its own endorsements, they had substantial agreement in their slate, made up entirely of Democrats.

At a news conference in downtown Raleigh on Wednesday, Alston said as the 2024 election approaches, it is more important than ever that we stand together in our shared commitment to the principles and values that matter most to our communities.

Melvin Skip Alston of the George C. Simkins Jr. Memorial PAC in Greensboro, center, introduces Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Attorney General Josh Stein, left, during a press conference hosted by North Carolina Black political action committees outside the North Carolina General Assembly on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. Political action committees including Simkins PAC, Durham Committee and Raleigh Wake Citizens endorsed a slate of statewide candidates made up entirely of Democrats.

Alston said those values include leaders who:

 share a vision of economic growth and understand that when business and government work together, they can create an environment where economic opportunity flourishes for everyone,

 have a proven track record of being champions for the African American communities and other minority groups who have been overlooked for far too long,

 protect and expand access to reproductive health care, ensuring that women have the autonomy and the support they need to make decisions about their own bodies,

 are committed to maintaining Medicaid expansion,

 want to provide a quality education system for our next generation and adequate and fair funding for our HBCUs,

 and are committed to foster partnerships that drive innovation, create sustainable jobs and lift up communities that have long been underserved and overlooked.

The other Black PACs, some nearly 100 years old, joining Alston and the Simkins PAC included the Raleigh Wake Citizens Association, the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People and the Bladen County Improvement Association. Alston said the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte/Mecklenburg County supports the coalition of PACs, but is not releasing its endorsement list until Sept. 8.

Black PACs endorse Stein over Robinson

The slate announced during a news conference in front of the N.C. General Assembly included all 10 of the Democratic candidates for the Council of State statewide offices and all four Democrats running statewide for judicial seats, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris for president. If Harris wins, she will be the first woman, first person of Asian descent and first Black woman president.

The slate of candidates included both Black and white candidates, including Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein for governor. Stein, who is white, is running against Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who is the states first Black lieutenant governor and would be the first Black governor.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Attorney General Josh Stein, speaks during a press conference hosted by North Carolina Black political action committees outside the North Carolina General Assembly on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. Political action committees including Simkins PAC, Durham Committee and Raleigh Wake Citizens endorsed a slate of statewide candidates made up entirely of Democrats.

Stein talked about his father, Adam Steins, role as a civil rights lawyer.

My dad moved our family to Charlotte in 1967 so that he could join Julius Chambers and James Ferguson to form North Carolinas first integrated law firm, and they won path-breaking victories in our nations legal struggle against discrimination and for equality, Stein said.

Steve Bowden, of the 75-year-old Simkins Memorial PAC, said that each PAC made their endorsements based on their own communities needs. Addressing the PACs decision not to endorse Robinson, Bowden said, we hope that the united front in endorsing Stein shows to our Black community where the leadership that theyve depended on so many years, is on that question.

In a statement, Robinsons campaign spokesperson said that as North Carolinas first Black lieutenant governor, Mark Robinson knows firsthand that Black voters are not a monolith  and that the Democrat party has been taking them for granted for decades.

Mark Robinson will be a governor for Carolinians of all backgrounds and walks of life, said Mike Lonergan, Robinsons spokesperson.

Black women have to be twice as good

Among the Democrats endorsed by the PACs is State Auditor Jessica Holmes, who Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper appointed to finish the term of Beth Wood, who resigned after a hit-and-run and being investigated for misuse of her state-owned vehicle. Wood pleaded guilty to misdemeanors in both cases. Holmes is the first Black woman on the Council of State. Wood, a Democrat, has endorsed Holmes Republican opponent, and questioned Coopers appointment of Holmes.

Instead of being chosen based on qualifications, Wood previously told The News & Observer, I think she was picked because of race and gender, hoping to make her more electable. Holmes previously served as chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners and ran unsuccessfully for labor commissioner.

State Auditor Jessica Holmes speaks during a press conference hosted by North Carolina Black political action committees outside the North Carolina General Assembly on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. Political action committees including Simkins PAC, Durham Committee and Raleigh Wake Citizens endorsed a slate of statewide candidates made up entirely of Democrats.

Holmes said at the Wednesday news conference that the rhetoric that is going around about whether or not [Harris] is qualified, is very similar rhetoric as to whether I am qualified for my position. There are people who talk about diversity, equity and inclusion, like its a bad thing, but what I say to those people is that oftentimes, particularly we as Black women, have to be twice as good as our opponents in order to win.

Holmes said that to her, DEI means definitely earned it by being twice as good.

Holmes said the beauty about the collaboration that you see today is unity. Unity on behalf of all North Carolinians, but also regarding socioeconomic status, educational backgrounds, disabilities, diversity in every way.

Get out the vote effort

Marionna Poke-Stewart of the Raleigh Wake Citizens Association said that the PACs will target communities where people arent registered to vote or dont vote.

Democracy is on the ballot on Nov. 5, she said.

Poke-Stewart said that theyll help work to remove the barriers to voting.

Alston described the PACs as a coalition of progressive leaders and community advocates committed to shaping a brighter future for all North Carolinians. He said theyd use the PACs power in their communities to drive turnout by mobilizing together for voter registration drives, door-to-door canvassing, training and transportation to the polls.

Endorsements

Here are the candidates endorsed by the Black PACs coalition:

 President and Vice President: Kamala Harris and Tim Walz

 Governor: Josh Stein

 Lieutenant governor: Rachel Hunt

 Attorney General: Jeff Jackson

 State Auditor: Jessica Holmes

 Agriculture Commissioner: Sarah Taber

 Insurance Commissioner: Natasha Marcus

 Labor Commissioner: Braxton Winston III

 Secretary of State: Elaine Marshall

 Superintendent of Public Instruction: Mo Green

 State Treasurer: Wesley Harris

 N.C. Supreme Court: Allison Riggs

 N.C. Court of Appeals: Carolyn Jennings Thompson, Ed Eldred and Martin Moore

Braxton Winston III, Democratic nominee for state Labor Commissioner, speaks during a press conference hosted by North Carolina Black political action committees outside the North Carolina General Assembly on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. Political action committees including Simkins PAC, Durham Committee and Raleigh Wake Citizens endorsed a slate of statewide candidates made up entirely of Democrats.

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Black Rock Bar and Grills Woodhaven location appears to have shuttered.

A Google search lists the restaurant on Allen Road near West Road as permanently closed and Woodhaven doesnt appear in the locations listed on the Black Rock website.

Michigan-based Black Rock Bar and Grill, with more than a half-dozen Michigan locations and others in several states, is Home of Steak on a Stone, according to its website. Other Black Rock locations are in Ann Arbor, Canton, Davison, Hartland, Grand Rapids, Novi, Portage and Utica.

As of Monday, according to Black Rock Woodhaven's Facebook page, they advertised the last day of its most recent steak and lobster promotion for $19.99, served with a salad and one side dish. The special was listed as valid only at the Woodhaven location. Also recently featured was its Thursday $19.99 steak and scampi special of a 6-ounce sirloin steak paired with shrimp scampi with a choice of two sides.

The company confirmed the Woodhaven location is currently closed, but offered no additional information.

Black Rock Bar and Grill Hartland location was the chain's first.

More: Noah's Deli in Dearborn closes its doors after nearly 50 years in business

More: Maru Sushi closes downtown Detroit location after 7 years in business

The Free Press reached out to the City of Woodhaven mayor's office, who said its ordinance officer, Laura Jensen, went to the restaurant and it appears closed, though there is no sign in the windows indicating its closure.

Black Rock is a steakhouse specializing in steaks served along on a 755-degree volcanic sizzling rock that customers cook themselves, with the guidance of Black Rock staff.

The idea behind the rock cooking is that its steaks are cooked at the table according to a customer's liking and that every bite is hot and juicy. Customers also have the option to have the kitchen cook the steak, too.

Salmon at Black Rock Bar and Grill.

While you can order steaks  sirloin, filet medallions, New York strip, ribeye  Black Rock also offers several seafood options such as shrimp and scallops, to cook on the stone.

It was 2010 when the Morganroth family started the rock cooking experience restaurant with its first location in Hartland, according to its website. Now there are additional Black Rock locations in Florida, Maryland and Ohio.

Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Woodhaven's Black Rock Bar & Grill is permanently closed
Black Tennessee voices matter more than ever. Meharry Medical College helps amplify them

My journey began in Charleston, South Carolina, where I became the first African American to earn a biochemistry degree from Anderson University.

My experiences as a cancer research scholar and health policy scholar deepened my understanding of health disparities and fueled my commitment to addressing these gaps.

Currently, through my work with Centro Health Solutions, a health-tech startup I co-founded, and ongoing public health research with Dr. Michael Caldwell, associate vice president of vaccine research and education at Meharry Medical College, I have seen how paramount diverse storytelling is for driving societal change.

Last year, I had the privilege of participating in the Latino Voices Storytellers Live event, which demonstrated the power of diverse storytelling in bridging gaps and fostering understanding.

This year, I am eager to extend this vital work, recognizing and celebrating the unique experiences and insights of the Black community by participating as the co-host of this years Black Tennessee Voices Storytellers Live event.

Black experiences and perspectives will be amplified

As a third-year medical student at Meharry Medical College I am thrilled to announce that this year's program will take place on Sept. 17 at our esteemed institution.

Jonathan Low, Entrepreneur and medical student at Meharry Medical College talks about his mom and the impact she made in his life, during the annual Latino Tennessee Voices event at Casa Azafran in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.

Hosted by Meharrys newly founded School of Global Health, this event will continue the important work in highlighting Black voices and their crucial contributions to our media and political landscape.

The Black Tennessee Voices Storytellers Live event is more than just a showcase; it is a necessary platform for amplifying Black experiences and perspectives.

Over the past two years, this event has spotlighted influential figures who illuminate the struggles and triumphs of Black Tennesseans.

This year's event is particularly significant as it reflects Meharry Medical Colleges commitment to addressing health disparities and promoting equity on a global scale.

Storytellers event fosters meaningful dialogue

Meharry Medical College, as a prominent historically Black college and university (HBCU), stands as a beacon of excellence, advocacy and most importantly hope. Hope for underrepresented individuals who have long faced systemic barriers and inequalities.

For those who come from communities where opportunities are scarce, Meharry represents an indispensable symbol of possibility. It stands as a place where aspirations are nurtured and where barriers to success are actively challenged. Hope for those who have often been marginalized and whose voices have not been fully heard in broader societal conversations.

By hosting this event, Meharry reinforces its role as an HBCU and its dedication to fostering meaningful dialogue about issues affecting our communities and upholding the legacy of providing a platform for voices that need to be brought to the forefront.

In a time when media representation often falls short, it is essential to create spaces where Black voices are heard authentically.

Jonathan Low is a medical student at Meharry Medical College

As we look forward to Septembers event, I am excited to continue this critical work and by coming together at Meharry Medical College, we reaffirm our commitment to amplifying Black voices and ensuring they remain integral to the dialogue on equity and representation.

Jonathan Low is a medical student at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee and an entrepreneur.

Here is how to obtain tickets: https://tennessean.enmotive.com/events/black-tennessee-voices-live-2024

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Meharry Medical College amplifies Black Tennessee Voices Storytellers
BLAINE COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR)  The Blaine County Sheriff Office says an arrest warrant has been issued for a Blaine County woman, after animals found in her care were severely neglected.

The Blaine County Sheriff Department says they received a call after a woman picked up a dog from a property near the town of Canton that needed attention after being found in bad shape.

Dog thrown down trash chute at NY housing complex: police

Police say when the deputy arrived to the home, more than six animals were observed chained up on the property and another held inside of a camper in the extreme heat with no air conditioning.

Court documents revealed, the woman told the deputy one dog was chained up so he wouldnt be hit by a car.

A goat and two pigs on the property had no signs of mistreatment, according to the Sheriffs deputy.

A warrant has been issued for Lisa Bainbridge. She faces one count of animal cruelty.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Why hello there, Sir Tony  its good of you to pop up! Last I heard, you were swanking around the coast of Sardinia on board a billionaires superyacht. Such is the lifestyle to which youve become accustomed since you left Downing Street: a world of private jets, A-list parties and multi-million pound fees paid to your firm by questionable regimes. Having quit front-line politics 17 years ago, you turned your back on the UK, in favour of gadding about with the global elite.

Unfortunately, the rest of us are stuck here in broken Britain, living with your legacy  in particular, the cataclysmic consequences of your immigration policy. The country you led for 10 years is falling apart  and the crisis can be traced directly back to you. For it was you who opened the floodgates to mass immigration from eastern Europe in 2004  hopelessly underestimating how many would head for the UK. Our country is paying a terrible price for that reckless miscalculation, and for the open doors approach towards immigration you initiated.

Naturally, the man who led the Labour Party to three successive general election victories does not see it this way. Speaking to the BBC this week, Sir Tony went some way towards acknowledging the downsides of mass migration, admitting that the big influx of overseas nationals during his premiership put real strains on communities. Adopting his familiar old oh-so reasonable tone, he grudgingly accepted that the huge numbers that arrived after his decision not to limit free movement of people from impoverished new EU member states caused some problems.

However, the former prime minister remains adamant that he did the right thing. He continues to claim that drafting in foreign nationals to fill jobs British people dont want to do (an approach that drove a five-fold increase in net migration during his premiership) helped our economy and that extra people were needed.

This is the dangerous mantra he established in the Labour Party all those years ago  and it has never gone away. As millions of physically fit and able British citizens languish on benefits, a new generation of Labour MPs continue to spout similar nonsense about the UK needing more foreign workers. None of these people will acknowledge the terrible consequences for public services which have not expanded in line with our ballooning population, leading to desperate housing shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and a collapsing NHS.

There may be an explanation for Blairs breathtaking level of denial  he spends very little time in this country. When he does grace us with his presence, he doesnt grub around in the areas hardest hit by the long-term consequences of his decisions. Just an hour or two walking the streets of Derby, Leeds, Boston, Peterborough and any number of other towns and cities blighted by the loss of control of our borders might just give him pause for more sober reflection about the choices he made.

You see, back in 2004, when the EU welcomed 10 new member countries, adding 74 million people to the bloc, he and his government had the right to limit free movement from the new entrants for up to seven years. This vital provision of the 2003 Accession Treaty was designed to mitigate potential disruption to domestic labour markets from the anticipated influx of new workers. The UK was one of just three member states that chose not to impose transitional controls.

Blairs decision unleashed one of the most significant peacetime migrations in European history. At the time, the then home secretary David Blunkett said there was no obvious limit to how many would come  and so it proved. Within a year, some 100,000 eastern Europeans flooded in. By 2013, the figure was more than a million. At the same time, Blair opened the doors to a vast number of immigrants from outside the EU by making it much easier for overseas nationals to obtain work visas. In a pattern that has continued to this day, they were also allowed to bring dependants.

Blair is correct that many, if not most, of those who arrived on his watch made a positive contribution to the economy, increasing the supply of skilled labour. They integrated well, which is why there was not a bitter public backlash at the time. Unfortunately, that part of the pattern did not continue. We are now overwhelmed by many who do not work and have not integrated.

The strains to which he dismissively refers have become breaking points. Thanks a lot!

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U.S. Secretary of State Blinken and Secretary of Defense Austin host their Australian counterparts, in Annapolis

By Daphne Psaledakis and Kylie Madry

WASHINGTON/MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Haiti on Thursday, a senior U.S. official said, as Washington seeks to solidify the U.N.-backed security mission in the Caribbean country that has been ravaged by gang violence.

Brian Nichols, U.S. assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, said Blinken will meet with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and the transition council before traveling to the Dominican Republic.

Nichols, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, called on the rest of the international community to step forward with more financial contributions so the existing force - which is led by Kenya - can continue and additional nations can deploy units.

The current mission in Haiti is supported by the United Nations, with much of the contributions coming from Washington. The United States is looking at several options, including a formal U.N. peace-keeping operation, that could help ensure the mission has reliable financing and staffing going forward, Nichols said.

"Our goal is to have a mission that is effective, strong, able to deliver the kind of security progress that the Haitian people deserve. And we're working with our international partners to do that," Nichols said.

The United States and Canada have made the largest contributions to the force so far, Nichols said.

Gang wars have displaced more than 578,000 Haitians, while nearly 5 million - almost half the population of 11.7 million - are facing acute hunger, with 1.6 million of those people at risk of starvation, the United Nations says.

Haiti in 2022 called for a security mission to help its under-resourced police fight the gangs, who have taken over most of the capital Port-au-Prince. Recruiting minors into their ranks, the gangs have carried out indiscriminate killings, gang rape, and extortion.

But progress has been slow. So far just 400 Kenyan police mandated to lead a U.N.-ratified mission have deployed in Haiti, while countries have lagged in delivering on promises of funds, personnel and armored trucks.

Many Haitians have also been wary of international interventions after previous U.N. missions left behind a devastating cholera epidemic and sex abuse scandals.

While in Haiti, Blinken will discuss the urgent need for elections, Nichols said, adding that engaging with the prime minister and transitional council was a priority.

"This is a crucial moment in Haiti... We're seeing that forward movement on the security side that we've long waited for, but we also need to see progress on the political side," Nichols said.

Haiti has not had a president since former President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in July 2021.

While in the Dominican Republic - which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti - Blinken will meet with President Luis Abinader. They will discuss strengthening economic ties, advancing democracy, and promoting increased security in the region, particularly in Haiti, Nichols said.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis in Washington and Kylie Madry in Mexico City; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
Blinken to visit Haiti as US-backed mission to take on gangs struggles

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel Thursday to Haiti as the U.S. backs a struggling mission to restore order to the Caribbean nation plagued by armed gangs.

Blinken will meet with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and Edgard Leblanc Fils, the presidential council coordinator for a transitional council that was set up over the spring to pave the way for new elections once the gangs are defeated.

During the visit, Blinken will discuss Haitis democratic transition and U.S. support to restore order and provide humanitarian support to the country, according to a State Department release.

Blinken will also meet with leaders of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which is led by Kenya. The MSS first deployed some 400 police troops to Haiti at the end of June, with an expected 2,500 to arrive eventually.

After the trip to Haiti, Blinken will visit Haitis neighbor, the Dominican Republic, and meet with President Luis Abinader.

The trip marks Blinkens first visit to Haiti since the MSS was deployed and gangs terrorized much of the nation, plunging it into a humanitarian crisis that threatens to spiral even further out of control.

The MSS has yet to stamp out the armed gangs that have taken over most of Port-au-Prince and the surrounding area, struggling with a lack of resources and manpower to lead the Haitian National Police in a mission to restore order.

The U.S. is the main benefactor of the mission, providing some $300 million to the MSS, while American contractors built the base from which the police work.

U.S. Southern Command, the military headquarters that oversees the Latin American region, has helped deliver crucial equipment for the police forces, including a delivery of Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles last month.

Conille told The Wall Street Journal this week that he lacks manpower and resources to take on the gangs, describing the situation as the worst Ive seen in my entire lifetime.

Were doing this with absolutely nothing, he said. We need help.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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An industry transfer promotion event focusing on digital economy is held in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Xuan)

HARBIN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Xu Shaochun, an entrepreneur from Shenzhen in south China's economic powerhouse of Guangdong Province, traveled all the way to Heilongjiang Province in the country's northeast, driven by his enthusiasm to explore the region's emerging industries.

As the board chairman and CEO of Kingdee International Software Group Co., Ltd., a leading provider of cloud computing services for enterprises, Xu expressed his aspirations to achieve greater milestones in collaboration with local enterprises.

"Heilongjiang strongly supports the development of the digital economy, hence we are optimistic about the prospects for the digital industry's growth here," he said.

Xu attended an industry transfer promotion event held from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province. Entrepreneurs from across China gathered at the event, sharing their visions and confidence in the province's emerging industries, including the digital economy, high-end equipment manufacturing and new materials.

This year, Xu's company has increased its investment in its 25-year-old Heilongjiang branch and upgraded it to a limited liability company, aiming to capitalize on the key opportunities in northeast China's burgeoning digital economy.

"Heilongjiang is more than just a traditional industrial stronghold and a major agricultural hub. It is also a cradle of emerging industries like cultural tourism," said Zhao Yang, deputy general manager of Shenzhen Data Exchange.

"This diversity yields a wealth of industrial data resources and application scenarios, which are essential for fostering the growth of the data sector," Zhao added.

Praising the province's active planning and construction of comprehensive data infrastructures, he noted that the data exchange plans to establish multiple data element workstations in Heilongjiang to enhance data circulation and empower key areas such as modern agricultural operations.

Li Junfeng, vice president of iFLYTEK Co., Ltd., a technology company specializing in intelligent speech and technology, highlighted the solid foundation laid by Heilongjiang's abundant scientific and educational resources for the development of the digital economy.

The iFLYTEK has established a joint laboratory with the Harbin Institute of Technology and carried out multiple research programs in the field of artificial intelligence, according to Li.

"The local government departments have played a crucial role in fostering strong connections with numerous operational enterprises, allowing us to successfully establish a presence in Heilongjiang," said Hu Zhenpeng, deputy general manager of the National Graphene Innovation Center.

Hu traveled from Ningbo, a port city in east China's Zhejiang Province, to participate in the industry transfer promotion event. Noting that Heilongjiang boasts a favorable business environment, he expressed his hope to introduce more innovative graphene products to the province for further industrial development.

According to Heilongjiang's provincial department of industry and information technology, the event facilitated the signing of 172 projects, with a total contract value of 256.56 billion yuan (about 36 billion U.S. dollars). Notably, projects in strategic emerging sectors accounted for 69.4 percent of the total.

Going ahead, the province plans to continue to optimize its business environment and industrial policies, working with all parties to generate momentum for more inclusive industrial cooperation, according to local authorities.

The northeast China region, deemed the country's oldest industrial base, was once called the "rust belt," due to the challenges it faced in economic transformation and development. In recent years, the region has intensified its industrial upgrading initiatives, drawing increased investment and talent. 

Participants communicate during an industry transfer promotion event in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 1, 2024. (Xinhua)

A Heilongjiang-Guangdong industry cooperation event is held in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 31, 2024. (Xinhua)

An industry transfer promotion event focusing on digital economy is held in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 1, 2024. (Xinhua)
This article was first published by Source NM. Read more at sourcenm.com.

A New Mexico federal district judge wants the Bureau of Land Management to correct part of a plan for a proposed mine in the Florida Mountains located southeast of Deming in Luna County.

In an Aug. 27 order, Judge James Browning found the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) failed to determine how waste from a future magnesium milling operation might impact the areas water quality.

Brownings ruling sends the environment impact statement back to the Bureau of Land Managements Las Cruces office to identify and evaluate what threats the sludge poses to water quality, lay out how it may be managed, and detail why the milling site should be approved despite the waste.

The judge wrote that the federal government did not have a proposal for storage, control or disposal for more than 2,300 tons of magnesium sludge  one of the waste products from mining.

The sludge contains toxic materials which pose a threat to surface water and underground aquifers, according to citations in the order.

In sum, the BLM acted arbitrarily and capriciously in failing to take a hard look at the water quality impacts related to the Mining Projects processing mill, Browning wrote.

The ruling from the federal district court in New Mexico only supported one of the objections raised by community and environmental nonprofits in a lawsuit against the mine, but upheld the majority of the mining plan.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include the Friends of the Floridas, New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, WildEarth Guardians, Gila Resources Information Project and Amigos Bravos.

The ruling rejected federal arguments that the Bureau of Land Management did not have to review issues, such as water quality, because of existing state regulations, said Sally Paez, one of the attorneys for New Mexico Wilderness Alliance in a news release.

The courts ruling is an important step toward protecting the Florida Mountains and surrounding public lands, which are biologically diverse and culturally significant, Paez said in a news release.

Brian Hires, a Bureau of Land Management spokesperson, declined to comment Tuesday, citing the ongoing litigation. Hires would not say if officials were considering an appeal of the ruling, and did not outline the next steps in the process for the federal land management agency.

The proposed mine and concerns in Luna County

In 2017, American Magnesium, a mining company based in Elephant Butte, proposed a dolomite magnesium quarry on 44 acres of federal land in the Florida Mountains with additional milling and processing facilities. The proposal is based on a 1957 study by the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

American Magnesium claims that the exposed dolomite magnesium in the Florida foothills would produce more than 30,000 tons of magnesium per year. It would also produce hundreds of millions of tons of portland cement, a byproduct of mining, according to the company.

On the American Magnesium website, the company claims its quarry would provide 18 jobs, and 25 trucking jobs and that the milling complex would provide an unknown number of jobs, listing hundreds to thousands.

Local opposition to the project has raised questions about the use of roads, mining and milling processes. There are also concerns that the projects environmental assessment falls short of federal regulations, failing to account for water and air pollution concerns, which groups raised in the lawsuit.

Wes Light, president of the Friends of the Floridas, said he hopes for more public engagement due to Judge Brownings order.

Local folks are worried about the impacts of the ore processing, which the BLM did not adequately review, Light said in a statement.

Friends of the Floridas is a Deming grassroots group created to protect the areas public lands, Light said his group will be watching whats next for the mine proposal.

We expect a full public analysis of these impacts when the BLM complies with the Courts order, he said. There should be no more mystery about where the wastes from this mine will end up.

Danielle Prokop covers the environment and local government in Southern New Mexico for Source NM.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: BLM will review planned mine near Deming
Police are investigating after human remains were found inside a suitcase Tuesday on Long Island.

Officers responded to a 911 call Tuesday morning reporting "suspicious activity" in a wooded area near an apartment building in Huntington Station, New York, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.

"Upon arriving, police found a person deceased in a suitcase next to the building," police said in a press release.

MORE: Suspect arrested after human remains found in 3 suitcases in Florida

The victim's identity and cause of death is not yet known.

The Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy, police said.

Police are requesting anyone with information concerning the incident to contact them.

MORE: Mom of 5-year-old boy found dead in suitcase taken into custody in connection with his death

A resident at the apartment complex told New York ABC station WABC she had heard the sounds of a woman screaming at about 3 a.m. on Sunday.

Another person living in the area said she saw police respond to the incident.

"The police came and lifted it and saw it was a body," the individual said. "The smell was rancid. Potent."

Body found in suitcase outside Long Island apartment building originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Body of South MS teen drowning victim is recovered after two-day search, authorities say

A two-day search for a missing South Mississippi teenager ended Tuesday night after authorities pulled his body from the Pascagoula River, the George County Sheriffs Office said.

Police had been searching for 17-year-old Jakeob Mullen since Monday, when authorities said he went underwater in the Pascagoula River near Mixon Lake.

Search and rescue teams, Game and Fish officers, Jackson County Flotilla, the Department of Marine Resources, Mississippi Highway Patrol Dive Team and other emergency responders searched the water this week. Authorities said they recovered Mullens body at 9:42 p.m. Tuesday.

The George County Sheriffs Office thanked first responders on the case.

Our hearts go out to Jakeobs family during this incredibly difficult time, the Sheriffs Office wrote on social media. We ask that you please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this tragic loss.
Boeing's beleaguered spacecraft will attempt to undock from the International Space Station on Friday and return to Earth without any astronauts onboard, NASA announced on Wednesday.

The space agency said teams are on track for the uncrewed departure of the Starliner capsule, provided weather forecasts remain clear at its landing site in New Mexico. The journey back to Earth is expected to last around six hours, culminating in a landing at New Mexicos White Sands Space Harbor in the early minutes of Saturday morning.

The return flight represents the final phase of a high-stakes test flight that did not go as planned. The mission  Starliner's first crewed trip to space  was meant to prove that Boeing could reliably ferry astronauts to and from the space station, paving the way for NASA to certify it to do so. But after launching NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on June 5, problems cropped up with several of the spacecrafts thrusters, and leaking helium was detected in its propulsion system.

The issues forced NASA to keep Starliner and the astronauts on the space station for months longer than expected as engineers on the ground scrambled to investigate the malfunctions. In the end, NASA decided that the Starliner capsule would fly back to Earth without anyone onboard, while Wilmore and Williams wait to hitch a ride home on a SpaceX capsule in February instead.

Im personally looking very forward to getting Starliner back, Steve Stich, manager of NASAs Commercial Crew Program, said Wednesday in a news briefing. Weve learned a lot on this test flight, but well continue to learn more, Im sure, through the undock and the de-orbit phase.

Starliner is scheduled to depart the space station on Friday at around 6:04 p.m. ET, then touch down in New Mexico at 12:03 a.m. ET.

The undocking process will be slightly different than it would be with astronauts onboard, with the capsule moving up and away from the space station more quickly, according to Anthony Vareha, lead flight director for the Starliners undocking and return at NASAs Johnson Space Center. The changes were made largely to protect the space station in case something goes wrong, and because astronauts will not be onboard to take manual control of the spacecraft, if necessary.

After it backs away from the orbiting outpost, Starliners engines will fire whats known as a de-orbit burn to put it on a fiery path through Earths atmosphere. As it approaches the landing site in New Mexico, the capsule will deploy parachutes above and airbags underneath the spacecraft to cushion its landing.

For Boeing, a successful return of its Starliner capsule will likely be a bittersweet moment. If all goes smoothly, it may indicate that the NASA astronauts could have flown home safely on the spacecraft, even though the agency's top officials voted unanimously to call on SpaceX for the return flight to minimize the risk of additional failures.

Its unclear how the NASA certification process will play out now. Stich said NASA and Boeing are working together on modifications to the thrusters. Additional work will be carried out once the vehicle is back and engineers have had a chance to evaluate how it performed.

All thats going to start taking place, and theres teams starting to look at what we do to get the vehicle fully certified in the future, Stich said.

Boeing was one of two private companies awarded contracts under NASAs Commercial Crew Program to build new space vehicles to take astronauts to low-Earth orbit after the agencys space shuttles were retired. Rival company SpaceX developed its Crew Dragon spacecraft as part of the program and has been ferrying NASA astronauts to and from the space station since 2020.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
First responders have cleared the Columbus Government Center and allowed people to go back in after a bomb threat caused the building to be evacuated Wednesday morning, Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman said.

Countryman said the sheriffs office received a report that someone claimed to have set up bombs in all of the courtrooms.

Countryman said the sheriffs office secured the county judges who were working in the government center and were evacuating all personnel and visitors from the building earlier Wednesday morning.

He said all prisoners at the government center were transported back to the county jail.

We wanted to take our safety precautions on that and ensure that we can examine all the courtrooms and do a bomb sweep with our K-9 dogs that are trained to detect bombs, Countryman told the Ledger-Enquirer.

Countryman said a perimeter has been set up, and the Columbus Fire Department and emergency medical services are on standby.

This is a developing story and will be updated.
After Donald Trump endorsed a Florida ballot initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana in that state, Kamala Harris accused her Republican opponent of flip-flopping on the issue. Yet the vice president herself did not publicly support marijuana legalization until 2018, when two-thirds of Americans already favored that policy.

The truth is that both presidential candidates have changed their positions on this issue over the years, reflecting a sea change in public opinion. But that does not necessarily mean that either, if elected, would invest any effort in addressing the untenable conflict between state marijuana laws and federal prohibition.

In 1990, when Trump was famous as a billionaire New York developer rather than a politician, he called the war on drugs "a joke" and recommended legalization instead. "We're losing badly the war on drugs," he said during a speech in Miami. "You have to legalize drugs to win that war."

In an interview after the speech, Trump said he hoped "people will start to realize that this is the only answer; there is no other answer." As a Republican presidential candidate 25 years later, he implausibly claimed his 1990 remarks did not count as an endorsement of legalization.

During that campaign, Trump's position on marijuana legalization was essentially the same as Hillary Clinton's. "I really believe we should leave it up to the states," he said, although he made it clear that he took a dim view of legalization, which he described as a "bad" policy that had caused "some big problems" in Colorado.

Despite Trump's avowed preference for letting states go their own way on marijuana policy, his first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, rescinded a Justice Department memo that encouraged federal prosecutors to leave state-licensed cannabis suppliers alone. But no crackdown followed, and Sessions' successor, William Barr, did not even try to instigate one.

As president, Trump also proposed eliminating an annually renewed spending rider that bars the Justice Department from interfering with state medical marijuana programs. Nothing came of that either.

Those two moves, the Harris campaign argues, were plainly inconsistent with what Trump said in a Truth Social post on Saturday. Predicting that Florida voters will approve marijuana legalization in November, he cited 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 wrote. Pot busts, he added, "ruin lives & waste Taxpayer Dollars."

It is fair to say that Trump's views on marijuana legalization have evolved. But the same is true of Harris.

As USA Today notes, "Harris has been criticized for aggressively prosecuting weed-related crimes when she was California's attorney general and San Francisco's district attorney, particularly given the racial disparities in punishment nationwide." She opposed a California legalization initiative in 2010, when she was the San Francisco district attorney; laughed at a question about legalization in 2014, when she was running for attorney general against a Republican who favored it; and declined, as California's attorney general, to take a position on the 2016 initiative that legalized recreational use in her state.

As a senator two years later, Harris finally took the plunge, saying, "We need to decriminalize marijuana nationwide." Later that year, she co-sponsored a bill that would have repealed the federal ban, and she introduced a similar bill in 2019.

President Joe Biden, by contrast, has always resisted federal legalization, and the 2024 Democratic platform says nothing about it. The Republican platform, meanwhile, does not even allude to marijuana reform.

That silence is striking, given that 38 states have legalized medical marijuana and 24 of them, accounting for most of the U.S. population, also allow recreational use. According to Gallup, 70 percent of Americansincluding 87 percent of Democrats, 70 percent of independents, and 55 percent of Republicansthink marijuana should be legal.

As of Saturday, both major-party presidential candidates agree. But it remains unclear whether either is prepared to do anything about it.

 Copyright 2024 by Creators Syndicate Inc.

The post Bowing to Public Opinion, Trump and Harris Both Agree That Marijuana Should Be Legal appeared first on Reason.com.
BAGHDAD, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a Shiite militia group, claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Haifa Port in northern Israel on Wednesday morning.

The group said in a statement that the attack was executed "in solidarity with the people of the Gaza Strip" and pledged to continue targeting "the enemy's strongholds." The statement did not detail the specific site impacted or report any casualties.

Separately, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that a drone approaching from the east was intercepted and shot down by air defenses overnight. The IDF confirmed that the drone did not enter Israeli airspace.

Since the onset of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has conducted multiple attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets in the region in support of Palestinians in Gaza. 
Boyfriend set home of girlfriends parents on fire in NJ: police

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. (PIX11)  A New Jersey man allegedly set the home of his girlfriends parents on fire after a fight on Tuesday, police said.

The incident happened in South Brunswick around 3 a.m., according to the townships police department.

More Local News

Leonard Jones, 50, allegedly set fire to the home on Old Beekman Road after getting into a fight with his girlfriend, police said.

Three people in the home made it out unharmed, authorities said.

Jones was arrested at the scene and was charged with aggravated arson and domestic violence, according to the South Brunswick Township Police Department.

Several fire companies responded to put out the fire.

Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
WASHINGTON  On Wednesday, the Republican election official who defied Donald Trump in 2021 echoed Trumps fearmongering about noncitizen voting.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger joined other Republican officials in Washington to call for states to ban undocumented immigrants from casting ballots.

I believe that no matter where youre elected  for president, school board, county commissioner  that we should require only Americans vote in our elections, Raffensperger said Wednesday at the National Press Club.

With the open border policy that weve had in place for so many years now, voters are concerned about noncitizen voting, he said.

Raffensperger spoke at an event hosted by Americans for Citizen Voting, a group that advocates for states to amend their constitutions to prevent noncitizens from voting in state and local elections. Such amendments will be on the ballot in eight states this November.

Noncitizens are already prohibited from voting in federal elections, and experts say violations are rare. But several liberal cities, including ones in Maryland, Vermont and California, as well as Washington, D.C., allow noncitizens to vote in local elections.

Raffenspergers D.C. press conference came as Trump and other top Republicans falsely warn that undocumented immigrants could sway Novembers election in Democrats favor.

Non citizen Illegal Migrants are getting the right to vote, being pushed by crooked Democrat Politicians who are not being stopped by an equally dishonest Justice Department, Trump wrote on Truth Social in July. Thats how they get an incapacitated moron like Joe Biden elected.

Trumps allies in Congress have said they wont support a government funding bill this month unless it includes measures to block noncitizen voting, such as by requiring states to obtain proof of citizenship before registering voters. Trump backed the gambit last week, saying he would shut down the government in a heartbeat if Democrats wont agree to the new measures.

There have been a few cases of noncitizens illegally voting in federal elections over the years, but never enough to sway an election, and never as part of a well-organized conspiracy to support a particular candidate. Thats likely because federal voter registration forms require people to attest to their citizenship and warn of criminal penalties for falsely doing so.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) acknowledged earlier this year that the supposed threat from illegal voters has not been something that is easily provable.

Though Raffensperger said voters are concerned about noncitizens casting ballots, he declined to say whether they should worry when asked by HuffPost on Wednesday. Instead, he highlighted his own past work on the issue.

Ive been working on this long before this election cycle, long before 2020, Raffensperger said. Im a common-sense American.

He noted that a recent audit found that about 1,600 possible noncitizens tried to register to vote in Georgia from 1997 to 2022. The state blocked them all from registering, and none of them wound up casting ballots.

If everyone had what was in place in Georgia, a lot of people would sleep better at night, Raffensperger said.

Despite Raffenspergers boast, Georgias voting procedures became a target for Trump and his allies after Raffensperger certified Trumps loss in Georgia in the 2020 election.

The then-president infamously pressured Raffensperger to find the 12,000 votes he needed to undo the result. Local prosecutors later charged Trump with unlawfully soliciting Raffensperger to violate his oath of office.

Raffensperger rebuffed Trumps demand and went on to win reelection to another four-year term as Georgias secretary of state in 2022. One political analyst said then that Raffensperger trumpeted his opposition to noncitizen voting as part of his reelection strategy.

Hes not doing this because theres a problem that needs to be solved, Emory University political science professor Andra Gillespie told The Associated Press in 2022. Hes doing this because he wants to try burnish his conservative bona fides with the base of voters who are going to determine whether or not hes going to keep his job.
Brazil's Senate to vote on Galipolo's nomination as cenbank chief on Oct 8

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's Senate will vote on the nomination of current central bank's director Gabriel Galipolo as the new chief of the monetary authority on October 8, chief of the upper house Rodrigo Pacheco said on Wednesday.

Before the confirmation voting in Senate, Galipolo's nomination by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva needs to be discussed in a Senate committee hearing, which has not been scheduled yet.

Lula's administration intended to push the confirmation voting in Senate before the next rate-setting committee meeting on September 17-18, but has faced resistance from lawmakers which wanted to do it only after municipal elections in early October.

Government disclosed last week the broadly-expected nomination of Galipolo, the director of monetary policy, to be the new central bank governor replacing Roberto Campos Neto, whose term ends in December.

(Reporting by Ricardo Brito in Brasilia; Writing by Andre Romani; Editing by Aida Pelaez-Fernandez)
Bridging the Bedlam divide, Loves Travel Stops and Country Stores has made matching $1.08 million donations to the business schools at the Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma to create a scholarship program named for the companys late founder.

At both OU and OSU, the Tom Love Scholars Program will provide students financial aid and networking opportunities.

Jenny Love Meyer, the daughter of Tom Love and the chief culture officer at Loves, said in a statement that her father was a firm believer that education is the best investment you can make for the future. The Tom Love Scholars Program  aims to carry on his legacy by empowering the next generation of leaders.

Loves, based in Oklahoma City, has connections with both of Oklahomas research universities. Tom Love, who died in 2023, briefly attended OU and received a posthumous honorary degree from the Norman school this past May. The company also is invested in OSU and will serve as the sponsor for the Stillwater schools homecoming celebration through 2026.

Love's Travel Stops and Country Stores, based in Oklahoma City, donated a combined total of more than $2 million to help business students at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University.

At OSU, the program will award scholarships to 20 students every year for the next four years. Sophomores, juniors and seniors within OSUs Spears School of Business can apply for the program. Those accepted into the program must maintain good academic standing and excel outside of the classroom through campus involvement.

OSU Foundation President Blaire Atkinson described the donation as a transformational investment in the next generation.

More: Oklahoma-based Love's, QuikTrip named America's favorite convenience stores, Newsweek says

This program will allow our students to develop an invaluable connection with one of Oklahomas top companies, which will enrich their student experience and empower them in their future careers, Atkinson said.

Love's Travel Stops has funded matching business scholarship programs at Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma named after the company's late founder, Tom Love.

OUs program will offer significant scholarship support to qualifying students beginning their sophomore year, according to a university news release.

The majority of Loves gift will provide scholarships benefiting nearly all Price College of Business majors for up to three years of their time at OU. Scholarship recipients will be students who demonstrate strong leadership qualities and academic excellence, with a particular focus on students who work to support their education.

Students at both universities will receive mentorship from a Loves employee and be able to attend a networking event at Loves headquarters. There also will be at least one on-campus activity with Loves employees each semester.

OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. said the donation will make the university a place of even greater opportunity.

Because of the Love family, we can provide promising, talented students with an affordable education and impactful networking events, both of which will enable them to graduate as skilled professionals who already have strong industry relationships, Harroz said.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Love's makes than $2 million in donations to help OU, OSU students
A particularly tetchy General Election this summer was swiftly followed by several days of rioting, precipitated by the horrific murders of three girls in Southport. Britains self-worth felt at an all-time low, something perhaps best symbolised by supposedly concerned rioters in Liverpool torching a community library, a gargantuan symbolic act of unthinking self-sabotage. A nation of dunces.

Consider the childhood of Jack Reacher author Lee Child, who spoke last week with John Wilson as the already indispensable This Cultural Life (Radio 4) returned. Even in the bombed-out ruins of postwar Birmingham, there stood a modest library, cherished by the child Child, whose dour Calvinist parents allowed him no more pleasure than books. He devoured them in their hundreds. As the library allowed only two books per week, he enforced a Chicago voting system in his house, cajoling visitors to get a library card for his benefit. Even the dog had one.

Some of the thugs who trashed Liverpools Spellow Hub would likely enjoy the bone-cracking violence in Childs Reacher novels, but theyd be missing the point. The books, explained Child, with all their inherent trauma, are guides on how not to live. Recently a burglar in Rome was caught because he sat down to enjoy a volume on Homers Iliad while on the job. Its a nice daydream to imagine one of the Spellow protesters alighting across a smouldering copy of Killing Floor and picking up a few tips about decency and protecting the innocent from Childs nomadic Goliath. Lets hope the prison library system still functions.

The 45 minutes with Child made me totally fascinated by a subject I had no previous interest in. Fed by the countrys once-great libraries, Child, 70 this year, is erudite and insightful. Wilson is a canny interviewer, but he barely had to lift a finger as Child laid it all out for him. A Ladybird book of David and Goliath gave him an early taste for siding with the big guy; a picture book about America gave him a roaming yen for the States; his time as a shop steward at Granada TV, and subsequent dismissal, gave him the knack of sticking it to the Man.

He even revealed, with no prompting from Wilson, that his success now gives him the love he craved, and did not receive, as a boy. Childs attitude to life  and to art  is to be cherished. It was heartening, and made me reconnect a little with my inner Briton. As did two other programmes this week, on wildly different subjects, both dispiriting in their own way, but capable of making you feel a kinship with your neighbour.

Presenter Johnny I'Anson joined in the "Euston Dash" in Off-Peak Performance - Heathcliff O'Malley/The Telegraph

First was Off-Peak Performance (Radio 4) in which presenter Johnny IAnson joined in the Euston Dash  the mad commuter panic at the London station when the platform is announced for the first northbound off-peak train of the evening. IAnson sprinted past children to make it. Onboard he found a bleak portrait of the nations railways, epitomised by Avanti West Coasts abject performance  which has recently been ruthlessly punished with a nine-year contract extension.

However, among all the chaos  on IAnsons late-running service he met people missing family dinners, childrens bedtimes and rare time with partners  there was a refreshing sense of stoicism and a sense of humour. One frequent user had, in just 18 months, made enough money back from Delay Repay that he had funded his daughter-in-laws wedding dress.

Still, the gloom remained of something terrible becoming the norm. A feeling shared by Dave and Tors, the parents of seven-year-old Nora, in Redzis Bernards diamond of a mini-series Complex (Radio 4). Nora is disabled and needs round-the-clock care, something Dave and Tors, who narrate the series with grace and composure, are trying to provide against a ghastly system.

Despite being allowed a 30 k grant from the council to renovate their home to accommodate Noras needs, the couple are driving themselves into debt to pay for the work. The 30 k doesnt touch the sides, said Dave. And for those wondering why they should demand so much money from the state or why they dont put Nora in residential care  one expert explained that for every pound councils spend on home renovation for disabled children, they save five pounds on care. Its a topsy turvy world we live in, he said.

A topsy turvy country, from Spellow to Avanti West Coast and beyond. A week, then, to be thankful for moments of connection and empathy. To hear the love and care poured into Nora by her indefatigable parents and her marvellous brother Harry, and to hear Noras giggles and gurgles, was not only moving, but a reminder that we are not a nation of dunces after all.

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Some of Britains leading Jewish voices expressed concern and anger this week after the newly installed Labour government headed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced it would be suspending the exports of some weapons to Israel over fears they could be used to break international humanitarian law.



Speaking in the U.K. parliament on Monday, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who highlighted that he was friend of Israel and a liberal, progressive Zionist, explained that the decision stemmed from an assessment 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.



This is a forward-looking evaluation, not a determination of innocence or guilt, he noted. And it does not prejudge any future determinations by the competent courts. But facing a conflict such as this, it is this governments legal duty to review export licences.



While British firms sell a relatively small number of weapons and components to Israel compared to the U.S. and other major suppliers such as Germany, as one of Israels closest allies, the decision appears highly symbolic and could also pave the way for the U.K. government to take further action against the Jewish state as it battles Iranian-backed terror groups on multiple fronts.



Lammy said that the decision would apply only to about 30 of 350 existing export licenses for equipment that it had assessed would be used in the current conflict in Gaza. The equipment includes parts for military planes, helicopters and drones, as well as items used for ground targeting. Earlier this year, the U.K. government said its military exports to Israel amounted to 42 million pounds ($53 million) in 2022, according to reports.



It beggars belief that the British government, a close strategic ally of Israel, has announced a partial suspension of arms licenses, at a time when Israel is fighting a war for its very survival on seven fronts forced upon it on the 7th October, and at the very moment when six hostages murdered in cold blood by cruel terrorists were being buried by their families, Britains chief rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, wrote in a post on X, on Wednesday.



As Israel faces down the threat of Iran and its proxies, not just to its own people, but to all of us in the democratic west; this announcement feeds the falsehood that Israel is in breach of International Humanitarian Law, when in fact it is going to extraordinary lengths to uphold it, he continued, adding Sadly, this announcement will serve to encourage our shared enemies.



Mirvis also pointed out that it will do nothing, as Lammy suggested in his parliamentary speech, 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.



U.K.-based journalist Nicole Lampert, a close observer of UK-Israel relations, told Jewish Insider that the decision felt like a slap in the face.



It makes me wonder what our often-vaunted British values actually are, she said. Did we ever mean them? Because rather than standing with our democratic ally as it fights a terrorist group, we signaled to Hamas that we think they have a point.



Lampert said the timing of the announcement was particularly hurtful coming just a few hours after the televised funeral of American Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin and a few days after Hamas reminded us exactly who and what they are by murdering six hostages in cold blood.



British Jews have had a torrid time with this iteration of the Labour Party, she continued, explaining that Lammy had helped to get the now ousted antisemitic Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on the ballot in 2015.



Many British Jews have felt like there has been blow after blow after blow in the last few weeks, Lampert continued. I would mind less if Lammy and our government (and much of our media) would spend at least some time exposing the perfidy of Hamas, yet this is something that is never ever discussed out in the open.



There were hopes in the British Jewish community that a reformed Labor party, which had turned the page on the Corbyn years, would uphold the support for Israel held by previous Labour leaders. But less than a month after being elected to power in July, the new Starmer government is already taking a tougher stance towards the Jewish state.



Immediately, Starmer and Lammy, who visited Israel two weeks after his appointment, began pushing for an immediate cease-fire without conditions. Labour also announced a decision to resume funding for the controversial U.N. Relief and Works Agency, despite evidence some of its employees were actively involved in Hamas terror activities, including holding Israeli hostages. The new government also decided to drop the previous leaderships objections to the International Criminal Courts (ICC)s jurisdiction over Israel.



Michael Rubin, director of Labor Friends of Israel, who told JI in June that he was confident that a Labour government will continue the tradition of strong and consistent support for the State of Israel, expressed disappointment and concern with the arm sales ban, directing JI to an op-ed he penned this week for The Times and a statement issued by LFI.



Since Oct. 7, Israel has come under repeated, unprovoked and indiscriminate attack by Iran and its proxies Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. We do not believe that restrictions on U.K. arms sales will help bring the tragic conflict in Gaza to a close or help ensure the release of the hostages, six of whom Hamas brutally murdered just days ago, read the statement.



Moreover, 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, it continued. We fear therefore that these restrictions risk encouraging Israels enemies, leading to greater escalation rather than deescalation.





Writing in The Sun newspaper on Tuesday, Philip Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, called the decision to ban the sale of some weapons to Israel symbolic, warning that such steps echoed the Labour Partys past antisemitism and were capitulating to terror.



Following the announcement of the export ban, I met with the Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Attorney General Richard Hermer, Rosenberg wrote in the piece. One of the items they told us they were no longer sending are drones. These are an essential tool in the search for hostages, who are being held captive in homes and tunnels all over the Gaza Strip by Hamas and other terror outfits.



It doesnt make sense to hinder this humanitarian operation, which the Government says it supports, he continued, noting, the government was defending the ban by arguing that it is only ten per cent of the U.K.s arms exports to Israel and that Israel can still defend itself.



If it doesnt make any material difference, then the ban is only symbolic, wrote Rosenberg, adding the signalling is all wrong.



It sends a message to other allies that we may not be as dependable as we should be and it sends a message to our adversaries that we might be weak on terrorism, he highlighted.



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also responded with criticism to the U.K. government decision, posting on X, This shameful decision will not change Israels determination to defeat Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization that savagely murdered 1200 people on Oct. 7, including 14 British citizens.



Hamas is still holding over 100 hostages, including 5 British citizens, he continued in the post. Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britains misguided decision will only embolden Hamas. Israel is pursuing a just war with just means, taking unprecedented measures to keep civilians out of harms way and comporting fully with international law.





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The leader of a methamphetamine trafficking ring was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court for federal felonies related to his drug trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman in a news release.

Jesus Venegas-Gatica, 37, of Lakewood, Washington was sentenced to 97 months.

According to Gorman, at the sentencing hearing, Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo found that Mr. Venegas-Gatica served in a leadership role in a drug trafficking organization that was responsible for transporting as much as 50 pounds of methamphetamine from California to Washington each month.

In announcing the sentence, Chief Judge Estudillo said, Drugs like methamphetamine are dangerousit affects individuals who are addicted as well as their families. Many have children that are neglected or develop habits based on what they are exposed to, and some lose their parents who overdose. Everyone around that person is left to pick up the mess that persons addiction created.

Methamphetamine goes hand in hand with fentanyl in taking a toll on our community, said U.S. Attorney Gorman. Overdose deaths often indicate both illegal drugs in the users system. This defendant and his co-conspirators brought huge loads of methamphetamine to our south sound and Olympic Peninsula communities. This sentence will disrupt their damaging conduct.

According to records filed in the case, brothers Jesus and Jose Venegas-Gatica pleaded guilty to drug distribution charges in April 2024. As part of his plea, Jesus Venegas-Gatica admitted to serving in a commanding and controlling role of the drug trafficking organization and utilizing a series of drug redistributors that he controlled and directed.

The Venegas-Gatica family has been involved in drug trafficking since at least 2012, said Gorman. The criminal complaint details Jose Venegas-Gaticas arrest in 2019 in Kitsap County with 20 pounds of meth. Jose Venegas-Gatica fled and used aliases to return to drug trafficking. The Kitsap County case is resolved by the plea and sentencing in his federal case. Jose Venegas-Gatica was sentenced to 85 months in prison on July 11, 2024.

Gorman said the men admitted to making various large-scale methamphetamine deals in Cowlitz, Lewis, Grays Harbor, Pierce, and Thurston Counties. The Venegas family transported 20 to 25 kilograms of methamphetamine to Washington each month. Law enforcement tied these defendants to trafficking more than 105 pounds of meth at locations ranging from casino parking lots to outlet mall stores. In one instance, law enforcement caught a co-conspirator getting off an Amtrak train in Kelso, Washington with 55 pounds of methamphetamine in his luggage that he had transported from Sacramento, California.

In May 2022, authorities recovered another 16 kilos of methamphetamine when they executed search warrants at Jesus Venegas-Gaticas home and an additional 3 kilograms from various co-conspirators, said Gorman.
On Aug. 19, the fire suppression system in hangar four went off, discharging more than a thousand gallons of foam containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS. (Photo by AnnMarie Hilton/ Maine Morning Star)

The Brunswick town council formally called on the state and the development authority that oversees Brunswick Executive Airport on Tuesday night to remove all forever chemical-laden firefighting foam from the premises after an accidental discharge last month.

On Aug. 19, the fire suppression system in hangar four went off, discharging more than a thousand gallons of foam containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, which have been linked to serious long-term health problems including cancer, weakened immune systems, developmental issues, and more.

In a resolution the council approved Tuesday night, its members outlined specific asks of the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority (MRRA), which runs the airport, as well as the state Department of Environmental Protection, Maine Legislature and the governor.

While not binding, the resolution requests these entities work together to disable the existing PFAS-based Aqueous Film Forming Foam, known as AFFF, in hanger six by the end of the month, and all other hangers with this foam as soon as possible.

The U.S. Navy had planned to remove the foam from hangar four this month, which is still scheduled as some foam remains in that hangar. According to the DEP, thousands of gallons remain at the airport, including in hangar six, which is not scheduled to have its foam removed.

Council member James Ecker warned Tuesday that the spill could have been worse if it occurred in hangar six, which is located closer to the Brunswick Topsham Water District wellfield.

The sites ownership history has complicated who is on the hook to clean up PFAS-related contamination. The airport is a former naval base, transferred to MRRAs control after being decommissioned in 2011. Forever chemical contamination had been well-documented before Augusts spill, occurring through equipment and human error as well as on-base fire training prior to 2011.

Along with wanting immediate removal of the foam, the council wants a clearer understanding of the extent of its presence. The resolution asks MRRA and the Maine DEP to provide the town with a detailed inventory of remaining PFAS-contaminated AFFF stored in Brunswick Landing, the community in and around the airport.

Communication

In addition to establishing a removal plan to ensure such an incident doesnt happen again, the resolution calls for improved information sharing with residents and businesses in Brunswick Landing after several criticized what they considered insufficient communication following the latest spill.

Specifically, the resolution asks for MRRA and DEP to provide the town with a detailed plan for immediate public notice in the event of any releases of hazardous substances at the airport that could threaten public health or the environment, as well as to make all water and soil sampling results available immediately.

Kristine Logan, executive director of MRRA, said during the meeting that decontamination has been completed in hangar four and its immediate surroundings. The nearby ponds are continuing to be cleaned, though Logan said the foam is diminishing each day.

Sampling is ongoing, Logan said. The DEP has confirmed that the public water supply at Brunswick Landing remains safe to drink but initial tests found high levels of forever chemicals in ponds, in some areas over the federal drinking water standard the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set this spring.

The area had a long history with forever chemical contamination prior to the latest spill.

The spill on Monday is at least the third since MRRA took over the airport. Separately, there is documentation of forever chemical contamination in the groundwater and soil surrounding the airport linked to its operations as a former military base. In late August, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention warned against eating fish from waters near the airport due to PFAS levels before the latest spill.

Residents with private wells not selected for DEP testing have voiced concerns about the costs of testing, as a single test can be hundreds of dollars. The DEP is considering reimbursement requests from some local homeowners.

Maine Rep. Dan Ankeles (D-Brunswick) said ahead of the meeting that the resolution outlines the kind of strict accountability that he believes is necessary to guard against future disasters.

The resolution provides the Brunswick legislative delegation with a clear sense of direction, Ankeles said, and also shows other legislators and the executive branch what our local government wants at the state level in the short and medium terms.

Ankeles supported the addition of the state Legislature to the resolution during Tuesdays meeting, adding that he gave the chair of the Legislatures Environment and Natural Resources Committee a tour of the spill site days after the spill. They know this is coming, Ankeles said broadly of plans for legislative action.

On the state level, Ankeles and his counterpart representing Brunswick in the Maine Senate, Democrat Mattie Daughtry, are continuing to refine a letter to Gov. Janet Mills, which Ankeles said will call for state assistance to clean up the recent spill as well as preventative measures to prevent such an incident from happening again.

Airport oversight

The resolution largely focuses on the recent spill and shoring up protections to prevent recurrence. It also calls for more information about MRRAs environmental strategies for the airport  such as its hazardous waste exposure mitigation plan, expenditures for hazardous material response, and insurance policies related to environmental releases and pollution.

While requesting this information, the resolution does not address the future governance structure of MRRA and its relationship to the state and the town, a key point of contention heightened by the latest spill.

Ahead of the resolution vote, Logan of MRRA said, youre not going to get pushback from MRRA. I want it to be clear that were not, weve never said we like having AFFF in our hangars.

Logan said shes been working toward finding alternatives since she assumed her role two years ago but that the National Fire Protection Association sets the standards.

Im just trying to say were on the same thought process, that we dont want to have the AFFF in there, but weve been operating under what the rules say and I dont want to take it out without having a replacement, Logan said, because then we cant use the hangars and that will shut down the airport.

Council member Jennifer Hicks urged those voting to consider human health and safety as the bottom line.

I dont have any patience for this to be, Well whats the most cost-effective, Hicks said. This has to be what we discuss tonight is, What is the right thing to do? If it means that its going to fundamentally change how MRRA is structured and who actually owns and runs the airport  so be it.

Concerns about MRRA were also raised by residents during a previous meeting on Aug. 29.

Why are we being reactive instead of being proactive like we should have done when MRRA initially took the base over? Brunswick resident Cody Gillis asked during public comment. It seems to me like this was a ticking time bomb that something was going to happen. I feel like MRRA should bear at least some of this responsibility for, honestly, this environmental disaster.

The U.S. EPA placed the airport on the Superfund programs National Priorities List in 1987. Another resident, Steve Hodge, said there are success stories with the clean up of other Superfund sites that can be looked to, such as his hometown of Athens, Georgia.

Economy and ecology come from the same Greek word Oikos, Hodge explained, which means house.

Why cant our economy and our ecological concerns be in concert with one another? Hodge asked. The way I see it now, we need to get our households in order.

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Brussels demands information on Hungary's new visa rules for Russians

Commissioner for Home Affairs of the European Union Ylva Johansson speaks to media representatives at the ministerial meeting of the Coalition of European countries against serious and organized crime and drug trafficking in front of the International Maritime Museum Hamburg (IMMH). Georg Wendt/dpa

The European Commission and Hungary are still at odds over new Hungarian visa rules for foreign workers from Russia and Belarus, with Brussels reiterating espionage concerns.

"To take new initiatives to welcome into the European Union citizens of two hostile states, Belarus and Russia, raises serious questions," EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson told EU lawmakers in Brussels.

The commissioner referred to several recent incidents of alleged Russian sabotage in Europe.

The new rules are "a potential threat to our security," the commissioner said.

The commissioner said Budapest has so far failed to address key concerns about the absence of more thorough background checks for Russian and Bularusian visa applicants compared to other nationals as well as the economic necessity of the scheme.

Johansson said she has asked for further clarifications from Hungary.

Hungary has had special entry regulations for guest workers for some time, but they previously only applied to Ukrainians and Serbs.

They were extended to Russians and Belarusians in July, sparking concerns about espionage in Brussels and among EU member states.

Johansson previously said Hungary must ensure that Russians with espionage backgrounds are prevented from travelling to the EU through appropriate checks.

Speaking earlier on Wednesday in Brussels, Hungarian Minister for European Affairs Janos Boka dismissed concerns, talking of "political hysteria."

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has maintained good relations with Moscow since the beginning of Russia's war against Ukraine two and a half years ago.

Orban travelled to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in July.
JAKARTA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia recorded an investment realization of 829.9 trillion rupiah (approximately 53.61 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of this year, with foreign and domestic investments contributing almost equally, according to Investment Minister and Head of the Investment Coordinating Board Rosan Perkasa Roeslani.

Foreign investment amounted to 421.7 trillion rupiah, making up 50.8 percent of the total, while domestic investment reached 408.2 trillion rupiah, accounting for 49.2 percent.

"The investment realization in the first half of this year has created 1,225,042 jobs," said Rosan on Tuesday.

With this achievement, Indonesia has reached 50.3 percent of its 2024 target of 1,650 trillion rupiah in realized investment, which is crucial for maintaining economic growth above five percent, Rosan added. (1 rupiah equals 0.000065 USD) 
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (R) receives the final report of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture from Peter Strohschneider, Chairman of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture, as they address the media during a press conference on the final report of the dialogue. Wiktor Dabkowski/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

A report released on Wednesday urges the European Commission to shake up the European Union's agricultural subsidies to better support poorer farmers, aiming to address the concerns that sparked the recent widespread protests by furious farmers.

"Bold and swift action at all levels is needed" to address multiple agricultural and environmental crises, said the report, written by an expert committee and, presented to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels.

The report advises targeting subsidies from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) fund towards "farmers who need it most" based on income and away from payouts based on the size of land held.

The wide-ranging consultations involving agricultural bodies and environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were launched by von der Leyen in the wake of angry farmers' protests across the EU, earlier this year.

Angry at increased bureaucracy and falling incomes, farmers demonstrated for months ahead of European Parliament elections and even mounted a tractor blockade of EU institutions in Brussels.

The report is meant to inform agricultural policy in the new commission for the next five years. Other recommendations include a specific loan package for the agricultural sector from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Also advised is a rethink of the bloc's trade negotiation strategy to account for the "strategic relevance of agriculture and food products" and a review of impact assessments of trade deals.

The commission should also establish a platform for further consultations among stakeholders from agricultural and environmental groups, the report said.
Buffalo man charged with escape after over 2 months of being on the loose

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Buffalo man was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with escape from custody for over two months after the U.S. Marshals Service was notified about him leaving a halfway house, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Walter Stewart, 33, was initially sentenced to 58 months in prison on Sept. 15, 2022 for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He stayed at the Ray Brook Federal Correctional Institution.

On May 20, 2024, Stewart was moved to the CRJ Lighthouse Residential Reentry Center in Buffalo and was expected to be released by Aug. 10.

On June 26, the U.S. Marshals Service was notified by the Bureau of Prisons that Stewart allegedly left the center without authorization. He was taken into custody over two months later, on Aug. 30.

Escape from custody carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

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Florida Mountains wilderness study area captured Feb. 1, 2010. A proposed mine in the foothills of the Florida Mountains outside of Deming hit a snag, as a federal district judge sent part of the plan back to the federal government for additional review. (Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management / Bob Wick)

A New Mexico federal district judge wants the Bureau of Land Management to correct part of a plan for a proposed mine in the Florida Mountains located southeast of Deming in Luna County.

In an Aug. 27 order, Judge James Browning found the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) failed to determine how waste from a future magnesium milling operation might impact the areas water quality.

Brownings ruling sends the environment impact statement back to the Bureau of Land Managements Las Cruces office to identify and evaluate what threats the sludge poses to water quality, lay out how it may be managed, and detail why the milling site should be approved despite the waste.

The judge wrote that the federal government did not have a proposal for storage, control or disposal for more than 2,300 tons of magnesium sludge  one of the waste products from mining.

The sludge contains toxic materials which pose a threat to surface water and underground aquifers, according to citations in the order.

In sum, the BLM acted arbitrarily and capriciously in failing to take a hard look at the water quality impacts related to the Mining Projects processing mill, Browning wrote.

The ruling from the federal district court in New Mexico only supported one of the objections raised by community and environmental nonprofits in a lawsuit against the mine, but upheld the majority of the mining plan.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include the Friends of the Floridas, New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, WildEarth Guardians, Gila Resources Information Project and Amigos Bravos.

The ruling rejected federal arguments that the Bureau of Land Management did not have to review issues, such as water quality, because of existing state regulations, said Sally Paez, one of the attorneys for New Mexico Wilderness Alliance in a news release.

The courts ruling is an important step toward protecting the Florida Mountains and surrounding public lands, which are biologically diverse and culturally significant, Paez said in a news release.

Brian Hires, a Bureau of Land Management spokesperson, declined to comment Tuesday, citing the ongoing litigation. Hires would not say if officials were considering an appeal of the ruling, and did not outline the next steps in the process for the federal land management agency.

The proposed mine and concerns in Luna County

In 2017, American Magnesium, a mining company based in Elephant Butte, proposed a dolomite magnesium quarry on 44 acres of federal land in the Florida Mountains with additional milling and processing facilities. The proposal is based on a 1957 study by the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

American Magnesium claims that the exposed dolomite magnesium in the Florida foothills would produce more than 30,000 tons of magnesium per year. It would also produce hundreds of millions of tons of portland cement, a byproduct of mining, according to the company.

On the American Magnesium website, the company claims its quarry would provide 18 jobs, and 25 trucking jobs and that the milling complex would provide an unknown number of jobs, listing hundreds to thousands.

More on the minerals

Dolomite is a type of limestone, a type of calcium magnesium ore. It can be quarried for uses in building materials or concrete, but it also can be mined for the production of magnesium.

Magnesium is a lightweight metal used to construct planes and cars.

Local opposition to the project has raised questions about the use of roads, mining and milling processes. There are also concerns that the projects environmental assessment falls short of federal regulations, failing to account for water and air pollution concerns, which groups raised in the lawsuit.

Wes Light, president of the Friends of the Floridas, said he hopes for more public engagement due to Judge Brownings order.

Local folks are worried about the impacts of the ore processing, which the BLM did not adequately review, Light said in a statement.

Friends of the Floridas is a Deming grassroots group created to protect the areas public lands, Light said his group will be watching whats next for the mine proposal.

We expect a full public analysis of these impacts when the BLM complies with the Courts order, he said. There should be no more mystery about where the wastes from this mine will end up.
The Boys & Girls Club in Macon has been forced to close after a thief allegedly burglarized and damage the facility, leaving it without any heat or air conditioning.

Phillip Bryant, CEO of The Boys & Girls Club of Central Georgia, said Wednesday that an unknown perpetrator scaled the roof of the Carl D. Thomas club on Bloomfield Road and stole copper and coils from nearly all of the air conditioning units.

While Bryant said the organization isnt exactly sure when the burglary happened, a maintenance worker noticed the air conditioning wasnt working properly. The employee contacted the Bibb County School District, which owns the property, on Aug. 26. The school district told The Boys & Girls Club of Central Georgia that it was aware of the burglary, but did not disclose to the group when it had happened, the group said.

The units must be replaced and secured to prevent future burglaries, which is estimated to cost more than $1 million. Bryant said that the buildings insurance does not cover external damages, and the cost is beyond the organizations financial means. As a result, the facility will be closed indefinitely.

The Boys & Girls Club of Central Georgia said in an email that the property has had issues with burglaries and vandalism in the past. The organization installed security cameras in hopes of curbing the problem.

Bryant said the burglary and subsequent closure of the club will have deep ramifications for the community. The Boys & Girls Club provides a place for children to go after school ends, and gives them a free snack and hot dinner each day. Many kids the organization serves live in poverty, and may not get another meal when they go home. The Carl D. Thomas facility serves around 65 children each day.

Its sad that the perpetrator has no care for the community, for the kids, Bryant said. Its disappointing that someone would do this.

Bryant said the organization is talking to community organizations about temporarily relocating so they can continue to provide services, but so far has no concrete plans. The Boys & Girls Club of Central Georgia is also calling on local businesses and residents to consider giving money to help cover the cost of repairs.
BURKBURNETT (KFDX/KJTL)  Theres a lot to celebrate in Burkburnett ISD, as the districts superintendent and the school board have been recognized on a statewide level.

The districts superintendent, Brad Owen, has been named one of the five finalists for Superintendent of the Year. This news follows the school boards being named one of the top five outstanding school boards in the state of Texas.

These awards recognize and highlight exceptional leadership and commitment to advancing academic growth across the district. Superintendent Owen said he believes their responsiveness to the unique needs of each student, parent, and the community as a whole is what sets them apart.

What I love the most about these nominations is its allowing us to celebrate everything were doing, not only our school districts, because our teachers and staff are doing amazing things on a daily basis, Owen said. We have unbelievable students and a great partnership with our parents and community, but it also has allowed us to draw a spotlight on our entire area.

Quanah ISD holding bond for new gym, auditorium renovations

As if the nominations werent special enough, out of over 1,200 school districts in the state of Texas, Burk ISD is the only district with both a superintendent and school board in the top five.

For us, its just the recognition to bring back to the district. And shining a light on a lot of the things our teachers are doing and everything our kids are doing, Owen said. If I were to be blessed with that opportunity to be the superintendent of the year in Texasfor me, it would just be a blessing to be able to recognize all of our teachers, all of our students and staff, and our community as being, in my opinion, truly the best school district in the state of Texas.

The Burkburnett community eagerly awaits results, proud of the recognition they have already received.

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Burlington, VT.  A 37-year-old man who has been arrested 69 times since August 2023 and who has over 30 active criminal cases has been denied hospitalization by Vermont Department of Metal Health.

Instead, Patrick Ibbotson of Burlington was jailed on $500 bail Tuesday and told he needs a plan for residential treatment in order to protect himself and the public, according to Burlington police.

Ibbotson has had roughly 230 encounters with police since August 2023.

In January, attorneys asked that Ibbotson undergo an outpatient psychological evaluation after he was arrested for allegedly setting a fire that destroyed two vacant houses in Winooski.

According to a police affidavit, Ibbotson was in the lobby of the Winooski Police Department on January 17 when he told Officer Jason Ziter that he needed help. When Ibottson began repeating that he was not alright, Ziter brought him to UVM Medical Center in Burlington.

An employee at the hospital told police that Ibbotson, made excited utterances to staff and a First Call Clinician regarding starting the fire on Main Street.

When Ziter returned to the Winooski Police Department lobby, he found a single piece of paper with large writing that read I NEED HELP left in the area where Ibbotson was sitting, according to court records. Ibbotson has pleaded not guilty to reckless endangerment, setting fires, and unlawful mischief.

Ibbotson was last taken into custody for stealing a phone on North Winooski Avenue and grabbing a woman on August 15.

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Burning Man, tech bros' favorite festival, got engulfed in a huge dust storm that snarled exits from the desert camp

Burning Man, tech bros' favorite festival, got engulfed in a huge dust storm that snarled exits from the desert camp

Burning Man was engulfed in a massive dust storm on its last day, delaying exits for its participants.

The Burning Man Traffic account said those leaving the venue could expect a six-hour wait.

This is not the first time the festival has been hit by bad weather.

Silicon Valley's favorite festival, Burning Man, was hit by a massive dust storm that messed up travel plans for tens of thousands of its participants.

On Monday, the last day of the weeklong desert festival, the dust storm at the event held at the Black Rock Desert in Nevada reduced visibility to only about five feet, San Francisco Gate reported.

The X account Burning Man Traffic said on Tuesday that those leaving the venue could expect waiting times of up to six hours.

"The dust in Black Rock City is causing rolling white-outs," it said in a separate post, also on Tuesday. "PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAMP FOR UNTIL CONDITIONS IMPROVE."

Burning Man is an annual music festival known to be a hot spot for Silicon Valley's ultrarich and Instagram influencers, who pay thousands to attend.

The festival initially started as an annual music and arts festival in San Francisco before moving to its desert location at the Black Rock Desert in Nevada in 1991.

By the mid-1990s, it started attracting the attention of tech elites such as Google's founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page and Amazon's CEO Jeff Bezos.

This year, hundreds of charter and private planes touched down at a makeshift airport in the desert, which is only open for two weeks for the festival. A spokesperson told BI that on peak days, the airport handled about 500 takeoffs and landings daily.

However, sales for this year's tickets, which are usually sold out long before the festival's opening day, slumped unexpectedly. There were still tickets available for the event before its first day on August 25, CBS reported.

The dust storm is not the first time the event has seen bad weather.

This comes as the past two cycles of the festival were dampened by stormy weather. Participants shared stories of flooded tents and porta-potties in 2023.

DJ Diplo documented his journey leaving the event in 2023, walking six miles in mud to his private jet to then fly to Washington, DC.

The exodus from the event has been documented to be notoriously slow and difficult.

The event's website states that because there is a fixed number of vehicles that can leave Black Rock City and get onto Country Route 34 per hour, exiting participants often face long waiting times.

At press time, the annual exodus appeared to be back on track.

"It's taking about 20 minutes to exit Black Rock City. Exodus is continuing and conditions are great," the Burning Man Traffic X account posted on Tuesday night.

Burning Man's press team didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, sent outside business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Three children were injured in a school bus crash involving multiple vehicles in Southwest Memphis Wednesday morning, police say.

However, the injured children were not on board the school bus at the time of the wreck, Memphis-Shelby County Schools officials said.

We are relieved to report that no students were on the bus at the time of the incident, and our bus driver was not injured, MSCS said in a statement.

Just before 8:15 a.m., officers say they responded to a three-vehicle crash involving a school bus at New Horn Lake Road and West Mitchell Road.

School officials said the bus was stopped at a traffic light when another vehicle ran a red light, hitting a third vehicle and pushing it into the bus head-on.

Police say the three children were taken to LeBonheur Childrens Hospital in non-critical condition following the crash. They said the children were ages 15, 7 and 4.

 See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South.

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Two people were issued misdemeanor citations.

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Ohio's four largest business groups endorsed Republicans Joe Deters, Megan Shanahan and Dan Hawkins for Ohio Supreme Court in the November 2024 election.

Four of Ohio's largest business groups are backing three Republicans for the Ohio Supreme Court and hope to raise about $4 million for a dark money group that will support their campaigns.

Ohio Chamber CEO Steve Stivers said the business groups raised $4 million for supreme court races in the last election cycle into a non-profit organization that is not required to disclose its donors, which is referred to as dark money. Stivers said they hope to raise about the same amount again this cycle.

The Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Farm Bureau, NFIB Ohio and Ohio Business Roundtable said Justice Joe Deters, Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Megan Shanahan and Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Dan Hawkins are jurists who won't "legislate from the bench"  buzzwords often lobbed at "activist" judges who don't adhere to a strict reading of the law in their rulings.

The groups argued that businesses want stable, predictable rulings from a state supreme court on issues such as business liabilities, workers' compensation, taxes and regulations and redistricting.

"The Supreme Court can either uphold the Legislature's redistricting plans, which could lead to more business-friendly policies, or it could invalidate redrawn boundaries," said Rick Carfagna, a former Republican lawmaker who now serves as an Ohio Chamber senior vice president.

Under different leadership, the Ohio Supreme Court repeatedly ruled that Republicans passed unconstitutional maps for state legislative and congressional districts.

Deters, who was appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine to a court vacancy in January 2023, is challenging Justice Melody Stewart, a Cleveland Democrat, for a full, six-year term.

Shanahan is running against Justice Michael Donnelly, a Cleveland Democrat. And Hawkins is running against 8th District Court of Appeals Judge Lisa Forbes, a Cleveland Democrat, for the seat left vacant by Deters running against Stewart.

The Republicans scored endorsements from the business groups, as well as Ohio Right to Life. Planned Parenthood and Abortion Forward are backing the Democrats.

The Ohio Chamber has only endorsed Republican candidates for Supreme Court at least for the past decade. In 2000, it formed Citizens for a Strong Ohio to weigh in on supreme court races and paid for TV ads that depicted Democrat Justice Alice Robie Resnick as Lady Justice, peeking from her blindfold to tip the scales of justice.

Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Republican candidates for Ohio Supreme Court backed by business groups
BANGKOK, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has endorsed members of a new cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a royal command said on Wednesday.

According to the official Royal Gazette, the king appointed 35 cabinet ministers as selected by Paetongtarn, including six deputy prime ministers and other ministers, after her endorsement as the new prime minister of the Southeast Asian country last month. 
The city rolled out its latest effort to get the homeless off the streets. Its part of the Mayors outreach strategy to address the problem.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

It looks and drives like a city bus, but its no ordinary bus.



The Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement, or C.O.R.E. bus, is the latest tool to provide on-the-spot help to the homeless, meeting them where they are to get them off the street.



We plan to use it on as-needed basis, when were able to get out and find individuals that are willing and able to accept the services that were offering, said Ian Santee, Honolulu Emergency Services Department Deputy Director.



The retired city bus that EMS has had for over ten years has been fitted with stretchers and equipped with hygiene supplies, used clothing, diapers, even a pet kennel. It can transport up to 29 people: 12 lying down and 17 seated.



The C.O.R.E. bus is intended to respond to larger groups of people who want to stay together, such as encampments and families.

Some Hawaii islands see decrease in houseless, unsheltered numbers

Since its inception in December 2021, Santee said about $3 to five million has been spent on the C.O.R.E. program. What started with six people, C.O.R.E. now has a fleet of six vehicles and some 30 EMT, case managers, nurses and paramedics.



The most recent Point In Time study reveals an 11% increase in homelessness with nearly 4,500 homeless counted on Oahu.



Were aggressive, but were being humane in our treatment. We understand the needs of these people, the complexity of dealing with that, said Mayor Blangiardi.



The mayor said when partnering with the state to provide medical treatment and housing for the homeless, its estimated that about $40 million might be spent over the year with the goal to get 1,000 people off the street.



I can tell you the savings and what that will create on the demand on our emergency rooms, our hospitals and other things is significant, said Blangiardi.



The C.O.R.E. bus is intended to be the first step in getting medical or social services. The city said they plan to open more shelters and transitional housing to help people wherever they are in their needs.



This year, we plan on bringing 1,000 more beds on line in many types. Its just one piece to engage people into the system, said Department of Community Services Director Anton Krucky.

The C.O.R.E. bus will be out on the streets starting this month.



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When we think about food and its potential to represent us, its crucial to consider access. Before the pandemic, 50% of Asian American, Pacific Islanders in the San Joaquin Valley who were working were struggling with poverty. These families were disproportionately impacted by the loss of employment and earnings during the pandemic.

Social benefit programs like CalFresh and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can close the economic gap from mere survival to enjoying food for its cultural significance in our marginalized communities by providing families the benefits they need to access food and groceries that they otherwise might not be able to afford.

I know firsthand the impact SNAP can have.

Opinion

I recall a time when SNAP, a lifeline for my family and me, allowed us to buy produce and meat from Food 4 Less during the Great Recession in the late 2000s. This enabled us to continue cooking Filipino dishes like Sinigang (a sour and savory tamarind stew) and Bistek (a dish with marinated beef and onions in soy sauce and lemon). These meals were not just sustenance; they were a connection to our roots  a way to preserve our culture in a foreign land.

With Filipino food, each region interprets dishes differently, reflecting the ingredients and cooking methods, offering a glimpse into my familys upbringing compared to other Filipinos.

Any efforts to diminish access to culturally significant foods and ingredients can have a lasting impact for many. Thats why it was so upsetting to see Central Valley Congressman John Duarte recently vote to cut approximately $30 billion in SNAP benefits that would have been allotted to millions of families over the next decade in the House Agriculture Committee markup on the 2024 Farm Bill. This would severely impact many Central Valley residents who rely on these benefits to connect with their cultural heritage and access nutritious foods.

SNAP cuts could have an outsized impact in the Valley, which sees some of the highest SNAP participation, including 19% (or 146,000) SNAP recipients in Congressional District 13 alone. In fact, Merced Countys Child Food-Insecurity rate is 27.3%  the third highest in the nation and the highest in California.

Preserving SNAP is not just about feeding the hungry; its about allowing every working American the dignity of accessing food that reflects who they are, where they come from and what they love.

Food is a powerful preservation of our cultural heritage. It must be made accessible to working class families across all walks of life as we strive to build communities rooted in equality and food justice for all. Lets ensure that food deserts and inequities do not erase the rich cultural tapestries that make up our communities.

We must advocate for SNAP and recognize food as a bridge to understanding the markers of our identity and common shared values over the meal table. As congress considers the 2024 Farm Bill, I urge Duarte to prioritize our most vulnerable communities and protect the crucial funding for SNAP. In preserving this funding, we preserve the culturally rich traditions and diverse and vibrant identities of all people.

Kevin Sunga is co-executive director of Kommunity Hub , an organization supporting Asian-American, Pacific Islander food and retail business within Stockton and the larger San Joaquin County region.
When California Assembly member Pilar Schiavo was campaigning for election two years ago, her daughter asked her what she would be able to do if she won. Make laws, she answered.

Her daughter, Sofia, replied as many nine-year-olds would: by asking if her mother could make a law banning homework. It was kind of a joke, Schiavo, a Democrat, said later.

But Sofia may well now be laughing, with California poised to introduce a Bill that would allow schools to ban excessive, and perhaps in some cases all, homework. The state, a Democratic stronghold, is on the cusp of introducing the Healthy Homework Act (or as it is otherwise known, Assembly Bill 2999).

California Assembly member Pilar Schiavo, whose daughter's complaints about homework inspired the Bill - Juliana Yamada/AP

Although it does not propose an outright ban, the legislation would implore schools to implement an official homework policy which takes into account the stress homework can cause for both parents and pupils. Research has found that the quality of homework assignments is more important than the quantity of work assigned.

The law has passed both chambers of the state legislature but still has to be signed off by its governor, Gavin Newsom. Should it get the final green light, schools would be required to implement a homework policy by the end of the 2027-28 school year and to update it every five years.

The Bill was unanimously passed by the majority Democratic assembly education committee when it was first introduced in April  even winning local Republican support.

However, that is not to say there wont be disagreements between Democratic officials and Republican-backed parental rights groups over the Act, particularly given the extent to which the culture wars have infiltrated Californias classrooms.

California governor Gavin Newsom is set to rule on the Bill - Al Drago/Bloomberg

Heated debates over book bans and policies on LGBTQ+ and transgender students, particularly with regard to sports, have flared in recent months. The debate over homework epitomises the growing divide between conservative and liberal America on a wider range of issues.

California has long been regarded as one of Americas most Left-wing, progressive states, but is increasingly seen as being at the forefront of one side of the chasm as this years presidential election draws near.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has led the charge against California radicals, fiercely criticising the state for its record on homelessness, open borders, high taxes and abortion rights.

A year ago, Trump said in a speech at the California Republican Party Convention that the Golden State symbolised American decline: We will end the desecration of your once great state, California. This is not a great state anymore. This is a dumping ground. Youre a dumping ground. The world is being dumped into California. Prisoners. Terrorists. Mental patients.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris previously represented the state as its senator, having earlier served as its Attorney General, and has made education a cornerstone of her campaign. She has described teachers as visionaries who all do Gods work.

'God's work': Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris has stood up for teachers in the past - Susan Walsh/AP

Advocates of Californias Healthy Homework Act say it also aims to make homework fair for students who do not have access to parental support or technology from which others might benefit. But the legislation effectively leaves a loophole for teachers to reduce, or perhaps even eliminate, homework requirements on the basis that it is fundamentally unfair for disadvantaged students.

Critics say the reforms will drive down academic standards. Students need to be challenged  and lowering the bar on academic rigour does them no favours, says Jonathan Butcher, a research fellow in education policy at influential conservative think-tank The Heritage Foundation. California lawmakers should not micromanage classroom assignments but set high expectations for all students.

It is discouraging for students to tell them they are not strong enough to tackle difficult material, so educators are going to make things easier for them. If you want to improve a young persons mental health, prepare them for difficult tasks and then give them the chance to prove to themselves and to adults they are up to the challenge. This includes homework assignments.

But Schiavo argues the proposed changes will support family time and give young people the space to explore other extra-curricular interests. She said: We know homework is a top-three stressor in kids overall lives. We are in the middle of a student mental health crisis. Its critical we incorporate homework practices into this discussion to relieve student stress, especially with something we could profoundly impact almost overnight.

Her daughter, Sofia, joined her at a press conference to unveil the policy in April. She described homework as exhausting, adding it was affecting her enjoyment of school, and life more generally.

Its overwhelming Its depressing that my whole day  from when I wake up to when I go to bed  is nearly all taken up with schoolwork, Sofia said. With most of my time scheduled for me, its making me not like school at all.

The Administrators Association of San Diego City Schools  a union representing management employees of the Californian citys school district  went further still, saying the the Act would address the harmful effects of excessive homework which can cause undue stress, headaches, exhaustion, sleep deprivation, weight loss and stomach problems.

The question of how much homework is too much homework has troubled teachers and lawmakers for decades. One Time magazine cover as far back as 1999 read: Too much homework! How its hurting our kids, and what parents should do about it.

In fact, California is a trailblazer in this regard, having banned homework more than a century ago in 1901, before it was slowly reintroduced.

Outside of the US, similar moves have also been taken. In fact, several countries have promised to ban homework in some form, at least. Finland  which has one of the best education systems in the world  has pledged to phase it out completely and has also moved to forbid smartphones in schools.

Earlier this year, the Polish government banned compulsory homework for primary school pupils in order to give students more time to consolidate their knowledge, prepare for tests, read books, and, more importantly, pursue their passions and rest.

In the UK, the first and, to date, only such move was taken in 2016, when a state secondary school in Colchester, Essex, did away with homework to give teachers more time to prepare for lessons. Alien as it may seem, given its place as a fixture of school life, there is actually no legal requirement in the UK for a school to set homework.

One of the arguments made in favour of ditching the practice is the amount of parental involvement homework can often require. Thorny maths equations or a complex comprehension passage can often see adults stewing for hours over classwork along with their children. But in Britain, at least, its not clear that parents are even all that useful when it comes to helping out.

A survey conducted last year found that 34 per cent of parents are out of their depth when it comes to assisting their children with primary-school-level homework. At secondary-school level, this increases to 44 per cent.

In truth, debates about the value and virtue of homework have almost certainly existed for as long as it has been assigned. Today, some of the most pressing issues involve artificial intelligence (AI), which could make it easier for students to cheat, and a greater awareness of student mental health.

But even before these topics were on the agenda, other US states experimented with reducing or eliminating homework, albeit in a less formal capacity. One Texas teacher went viral online when she stopped assigning homework in 2016. That same year, a Massachusetts primary school introduced a no-homework pilot programme.

For primary-school-age pupils in particular, research is not clear on whether homework helps or hinders development. Studies have linked excessive study to sleep deprivation, and the jury is out on whether it is linked with greater academic achievement in younger pupils. However, as a child moves on to secondary school, research shows that homework has some merit.

The most comprehensive study on the subject, a meta-analysis from Duke University in 2006, found that there was a positive correlation between homework and student achievement. This correlation was stronger for older students. The author of the study also noted that homework seemed to improve study habits, self-discipline and independent problem-solving skills. However, it remains a significant source of stress  for parents and pupils alike.

The Healthy Homework Acts supporters reference research from Challenge Success, an education non-profit linked to Stanford University. In a survey of high school pupils, 45 per cent of respondents said homework was a big stressor and 52 per cent considered it to be ultimately meaningless busywork. Some 13,000 Californian students who took the survey said they did an average of 2 hours of study every night.

Conservatives in California say they are unsurprised by the states push to adopt the homework act. This is another way to lower scholastic standards, disguised with the we care about your children mindset, says Julienne Davis, the actress and writer who appeared alongside Tom Cruise in Stanley Kubricks film Eyes Wide Shut and who is also one of Hollywoods leading Republicans.

The majority of parents in California will support it since education has become one of those issues which is so politicised that the Left will view it as another way to get one over the right. Thats primarily what the Healthy Homework Act is about.

As homework can be a divisive issue, Schiavo expects there will be some lively [school] board meetings over how the legislation is implemented, if passed. What seems certain, however, is that it will get an A+ from the students who could soon be homework free.

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No Joke, California Will Soon Require Your Car to Beep at You if You Speed

California is taking steps to make sure drivers are well aware that they are going too fast.

Lawmakers from the Golden State have just passed a bill that would require new vehicles to alert drivers every time they exceed the speed limit, according to CBS News. The legislation would require cars, SUVs, and trucks sold in the state to come equipped with speed warning technology.

More from Robb Report

Senate Bill 961, which was authored by State Senators Scott Wiener and Henry Stern, would require vehicles sold or built in the state of California to include a passive intelligent speed assistance system. The technology would play a brief, one-time, visual and audio signal anytime the vehicle it is equipped in is traveling more than 10 mph over the speed limit. The Drive suggests that the signal discussed in the legislation could be similar to the chime that plays when someone riding in a car has not fastened their seatbelt.

The legislature has passed through the state senate (where 26 were in favor and nine opposed) and onto the assembly floor (47 in favor, 17 opposed). It will now go to Governor Gavin Newsom, who can either sign the bill into law or veto it. If he does sign it, the requirement will go into effect with the 2030 model year and apply to passenger vehicles, trucks, and vans sold or leased as new. Emergency vehicles, motorcycles, and some large trucks, as well as passenger vehicles not equipped with GPS or a front-facing camera, will be exempt from the law.

The rise in road deaths in California is a completely preventable tragedy, State Senator Wiener told CBS News. The evidence is clear: Rising levels of dangerous speeding are placing all Californians in danger, and by taking prudent steps to improve safety, we can save lives. California should lead the nation with action to improve the safety of our streets.

An excess speed alert system is not a Californian invention. Senate Bill 961 actually builds on a similar requirement that went into effect this past July in the European Union. If Newsom does sign the bill, California would become the first U.S. state to put such a requirement into effect.

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TechCrunch

Mastodon, the open source, decentralized alternative to X (formerly Twitter), is rolling out a handful of new features, including refreshed notifications, new discovery tools, as well as an updated look. Notifications on Mastodon will now look somewhat similar to how they do on X, as the social network is introducing notification grouping. Instead of seeing a notifications page with hundreds of individual notifications for the same post, you will now see a summary of how many people boosted or liked it.
Californias movement toward implementing reparations for slavery and anti-Black racism hit an abrupt roadblock as the states Assembly adjourned without a vote on two of the most important measures emerging from the states Reparations Task Force. As the fate of the largest reparations initiative in the United States remains uncertain, Black state legislators are pointing fingers at the governors office and each other for the failure to advance.

Two key reparations bills shelved over disagreements

Spectrum News 1 reported that the California Assembly adjourned Saturday night to end the legislative year without passing two critical reparations proposals the state Senate had approved. SB 1403 would have created the California American Freedmen Affairs agency tasked with administering reparations programs within the state. SB 1331 would have established a new state fund for reparations efforts. However, the California Black Legislative Caucus decided not to bring either bill to a vote before the legislative session ended. Reparations advocates who had traveled to Sacramento to support the bills were angered that the Assembly refused to vote on both proposals and protested the decision at the capitol.

Various politicians and activists passed around blame for the failure to vote on the proposals. State Sen. Steven Bradford, who has been a long-term advocate of reparations efforts in California, claimed that Gov. Gavin Newsoms office had proposed unacceptable changes, most notably changing the proposal for a Freedman Affairs agency to one for another study on reparations to be conducted through California State University. Bradford rejected the change and argued there were enough votes to pass the bills as they existed, even if Newsom threatened to veto it without the changes. The Black Caucus, however, denied the veto threat as the reason for shelving the bill, stating that the caucus was unable to participate in the legislative process collectively and only recently became aware of the concerns and issues with the bill.

Theyre killing the bills because theyre scared of the governor. Advocates for Reparations bills to establish new CA freedman affairs agency and reparations fund are urging Assembly to vote on the bills. This is going to impact your friend, Kamala Harris.. pic.twitter.com/PeLi3EgGDZ  Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) August 31, 2024

Years-long reparations exploration produces mixed results so far

This apparent split between Bradford, the Black Caucus and the governors office abruptly halted a years-long reparations process in the state. California first established a reparations task force in 2020 to explore the history of slavery and racism in the state and propose potential remedial actions. The process continued to advance even after disagreements over who would be deemed eligible for reparations. In June, the California Legislative Black Caucus introduced 14 bills related to the reparations efforts and began campaigning to support the legislation.

Some parts of the reparations package have passed. Earlier this summer, Newsom signed a state budget that included $12 million for reparations efforts without specifying how the funds would be allocated or administered. In late August, the Assembly unanimously passed a bill for California to issue a formal apology for its role in condoning slavery in its territory and for other anti-Black racism. The Legislature also passed a land restitution proposal in August. Under the bill, California would set up a process to allow claimants to demonstrate that they lost property due to racist enforcement of eminent domain policy, and successful applications would lead to compensation from the government. However, its unclear how this measure could operate without a reparations agency to administer the program or funding allocated for it.

For now, then, the nations largest reparations effort has been thrown into limbo. If Bradford, other Black state legislators and the governor sort out the relevant details, a push toward a widespread reparations program in California might come back to life. But its currently unclear when or if such an agreement is forthcoming.
Californian lifestyle brand threatens to sue London clothing firm over name

Marketing image from Brixton, the clothing brand based in Los Angeles - Brixton LLC

A Californian lifestyle brand has threatened to sue a Brixton charitable community hub for using the south London locale in its name.

Cold-hearted Brixton LLC, based in Oceanside, south of Los Angeles, has sent a legal letter to Brixton Street Wear demanding it change its name.

The clothing brand is run by brothers Daniel OConnell and Pete Adams in their spare time as London cab drivers and gives all of its profits to charity.

The brothers say they cannot afford to fund a legal battle which could cost tens of thousands of pounds.

Brothers Daniel O'Connell and Pete Adams, founders of Brixton Street Wear - Brixton Streetwear

This is a total headache and we both have young families, Mr OConnell told BBC News.

The letters we have received from the lawyers are so cold-hearted, why cant they just have a conversation with us?

Mr Adams added: Its really frustrating. How can you own a geographical place?

There are over 600 companies in Brixton that use the location in their brand name, are you telling me all of them cant use the name anymore?

Brixton Street Wear opened a shop for the first time this year in Brixton Village, an independent market - Brixton Street Wear

Mr Adams describes Brixton Street Wear as a community hub because it reinvests all profits in local charities and youth clubs.

Earlier this year, the company opened a shop for the first time in Brixton Village, an independent market.

The Californian company, Brixton LLC, describes itself as a lifestyle brand with deep roots in music and a strong point of view on our place in culture.

It sells jackets, bags and hats for as much as $189 (144).

Brixton Street Wear sells its most expensive jacket for 159, most expensive bag for 26 and most expensive hat for 30.

Financially we get nothing from this, Mr OConnell said. We just do this to help out and give back something to the community.

Mr OConnell said he was worried that this legal action could seriously shut us down and stop us supporting the community.

Weve paid for everything ourselves and the only way we can fight this is with community and social media, he said.

Brixton LLC was approached for comment.

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Calling all captains  Registration for Cardboard Boat Regatta now open

A beloved nautical-themed competition is making its return to Erie.

The 12th Cardboard Boat Regatta will make its return on Saturday, September 14, from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Bayfront Maritime Center, located at 40 Holland Street.

Boaters will race two by two and compete to secure the fastest time. But if your boat doesnt win, dont worry! There are also awards for most creative and most dramatic sinking.

During the event, racers are divided into four divisions  children (under 12), teens (13-18), adults (19 and up) and mixed ages.

Beast on the Bay preparations begin at Presque Isle

Cardboard boats must be built to fit the regattas guidelines, and registration costs $50 per boat.

For those who havent earned their sea legs, the Bayfront Maritime Center invites onlookers and spectators of all ages.

Cutest pup-kin in the patch  Tickets to second annual Corgoween now available

While two small sets of bleachers are available, those not participating in the races are encouraged to bring their own chairs.

Food and drinks, merchandise and raffle tickets will be sold throughout the day.

For more information on the event, boat-building tips and how to register, click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
Canadas Teamsters are not conceding their labor battle with the countrys Class I railroads without a fight.

The union has filed four separate appeals with the countrys Federal Court of Appeal, challenging the referral and decision that sent 9,300 rail workers back to work without a new contract.

More from Sourcing Journal

After Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) locked out the employees ahead of a potential strike in late August, the federal government stepped in to enforce binding arbitration between the railroads and the union.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) levied the decision to get a third-party arbitrator involved in the contract talks, two days after Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon initially made the referral. The Teamsters appeals argue that workers charter rights were violated and that imposing arbitration strips them of their right to collective bargaining.

MacKinnon announced the move more than 16 hours after both railroads locked out the employees, which shut down operations at both companies and put the movement of cargo in peril.

The shutdown led to a significant increase in origin railyard dwell times, spiking by 200 percent on August 23 prior to MacKinnons announcement, according to data from supply chain visibility provider Project44.

Average rail transit times increased by 28 percent due to the strike, but have since returned to normal levels, the company said.

The union called MacKinnons move an abuse of power, and said it intended to challenge the CIRBs decision all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary.

These decisions, if left unchallenged, set a dangerous precedent where a single politician can bust a union at will. The right to collectively bargain is a constitutional guarantee, said Paul Boucher, president of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, in a statement. Without it, unions lose leverage to negotiate better wages and safer working conditions for all Canadians. We are confident that the law is on our side, and that workers will have their voices heard.

CN was more favorable toward the decision in a statement, calling arbitration a neutral process that is agnostic to outcome. It does not favor one party over another.

When operations for both railways restarted Aug. 26, CPKC said it anticipated it will take several weeks for its network to fully recover from the work stoppage and a period of time beyond that for supply chains to stabilize.

Canadian shipyards to government: impose 100-percent tariff on China-built ships

As the struggle over Canadas internal logistics landscape lingers on, the countrys chief shipbuilding association is calling on the federal government to enact a 100-percent tariff on vessels built in China.

The Canadian Marine Industries and Shipbuilding Association (CMISA) commended Canadas recent decision to levy a 100 percent tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles, but said the ships present an even greater strategic and ethical threat.

Chinas shipbuilding industry operates under the doctrine of Civil-Military Fusion whereby commercial ship exports are subsidized to strengthen the countrys military capabilities, a CMISA statement read. The very shipyards that produce ferries and cargo vessels for the global market are also used to construct warships for the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), fueling its rapid and aggressive naval expansion. As Chinas navy continues to grow, it increasingly uses its fleet to challenge Canadian interests and those of our allies in regions extending even to our own Arctic waters.

The association also sought a clear prohibition on any government entity from acquiring or leasing Chinese-built vessels.

The move would be a step further than allies in U.S. and Europe, which have both grown weary of Chinas expanding shipbuilding capabilities. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) opened a probe into Chinas maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors in April after unions claimed that they have created unfair competition and pricing advantages that damage U.S. commerce.

Chinas Commerce Ministry said the investigation was full of false accusations.

The U.S. has already proposed other maritime tariffs on China, hitting the country with a 25 percent tariff on ship-to-shore cranes manufactured in the country.

However, the USTR has delayed its decision on implementing the tariff as three U.S. ports await the delivery of eight cranes.

The proposed tariffs are one of many expected to be levied by the Biden administration to protect U.S. manufacturers from what the president calls unfair trade practices. The tax appears to go beyond trade tensions, with numerous officials across government agencies identifying the cranes as a potential national security risk.
CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN)  Canfield voters who expressed concern over the previous facility master plan for the Canfield Local School District will have the option to fund a revised plan come November.

The school district said after receiving community concerns over the previous facility master plan, it introduced a revised version that would be funded by a $64,190,000 bond issue. The issue is set to appear on the Nov. 5 ballot.

The district said in a release that the bond issue reflects its commitment to balancing the need for essential facility improvement with fiscal responsibility.

Homeowners will see a millage cost of $10.79 per month per $100,000 of appraised property value, according to the Mahoning County Auditors Office. This plan significantly reduces the financial impact on the community compared to prior proposals, according to a news release from the district.

Our community has expressed its commitment to quality education. This bond issue reflects our efforts to provide a safe and effective learning environment for our students while also considering the fiscal concerns shared by our residents, said Superintendent Joe Knoll in a statement.

The core of this plan focuses on constructing a new Canfield Village Middle School on the

current site, replacing the century-old facility that originally opened as Canfield High School in

1922. The revised plan also includes the renovation of Canfield High School, C.H. Campbell and Hilltop Elementary Schools.

According to the district, it plans to host informal sessions in the coming weeks to provide more information and answer any questions from voters.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Cooperation with China is injecting much-needed impetus into Africa's quest for green energy transition, mainly through the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) on the continent, a senior United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) official has said.

Speaking to Xinhua recently, Robert Tama Lisinge, acting director of the technology, innovation, connectivity and infrastructure division at UNECA, highlighted the importance of China-Africa collaboration in the promotion of electric mobility in Africa, thereby empowering Africa's aspirations for green energy transition.

Noting that the African continent is on the move towards a greener future with the EV revolution at the heart of this transformation, Lisinge said the UNECA is leading the charge, in which the partnership with China is proving to be a crucial driver of Africa's green energy transition ambition.

"We want to see more Africans driving EVs on the streets of the continent. Not just driving EVs, we want to see electric vehicles being manufactured on our continent in the spirit of transition to clean energy, industrialization, and value addition," he said.

Lisinge noted that Africa's transportation sector, which is heavily reliant on fossil fuels and a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, requires strong collaborative efforts to embrace the transition to green energy as a global imperative.

"We know that the transport sector in Africa and, indeed, the rest of the world, is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions," he said. "That is why we do believe that fighting greenhouse gas emission and protecting our climate have to also focus on the transport sector, and we are supporting energy transition in this sector through the use of EVs."

Recognizing the hurdles Africa faces in the adoption of EVs, Lisinge said that the UNECA is working in collaboration with China and other partners to address the persistent challenges hindering the evolution of the EV sector in Africa.

"China is a major leading producer of electric vehicles, and China is also very advanced in developing energy storage facilities. China is already exporting a lot of electric vehicles not only to Africa but also to the rest of the world," he said.

"Africa is very rich in raw materials that are required to produce batteries for electric vehicles. At the UNECA, we are working on the value-chain of battery production, not just exporting the raw materials, but producing the batteries in Africa," he added.

The UNECA expert further underscored the significance of already existing China-Africa partnerships in energy transition.

"In energy transition, there is a huge collaboration between China and Africa. China is already a leader in many ways in energy transition because China is manufacturing a lot of the components for solar energy and solar panels and in manufacturing components of wind turbines. China is also a leading country in (technologies) that are used to produce hydrogen from water, using green electricity. A lot of these solar projects that you see in Africa are using solar panels from China," he said.

Lisinge also stressed the huge potential of the China-Africa partnership towards the localization of technologies in manufacturing green energy solutions in Africa, to effectively harness Africa's abundant green energy resources.

"It has a lot to do with the transfer of technology because Africa has abundant renewable energy resources and we have the minerals that are critical for green energy transition," he said.

Lisinge called for further augmenting the China-Africa partnership in the development of energy and other infrastructures, as well as in capacity building and technology transfer, with particular emphasis given to the growth of the green energy sector in Africa.

"China is already investing more than anyone else in infrastructure development in Africa, including energy. We recognize the important role that China is playing in Africa's infrastructure development, and we would want to see more of that happening in Africa," said Lisinge. 
I can't predict what ministers will do after resigning  Zelenskyy on government reshuffle

Commenting on the latest changes in the government, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the Cabinet of Ministers needed "new energy". He also said he could not predict what the ministers will do after they resign.

Source: Zelenskyy during a press conference with Taioseach (Irish Prime Minister) Simon Harris

Quote: "I have already spoken about the reset in our Cabinet of Ministers and many of the ministries.

I am very grateful to the ministers and the entire Cabinet team who have been working for Ukraine and Ukrainians for four and a half years now  some for five years. We need new energy today, and these measures are linked to strengthening our state in various areas.

International politics and diplomacy are no exception. I cannot predict today what particular ministers will do after they have resigned. We will get answers when they are offered positions. Its too early to talk about it now."

Details: On 4 September, the Ukrainian parliament adjourned while considering Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba's resignation. Yaroslav Zhelezniak, a member of the Holos (Voice) faction, wrote on Telegram that the Servant of the People faction realised that the vote in parliament would fail.

Background:

On 4 September, the Ukrainian Parliament dismissed Ruslan Strilets, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources; Oleksandr Kamyshin, Minister of Strategic Industries; Denys Maliuska, Minister of Justice; and Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.

Ukrainska Pravdas sources report that Stefanishyna is to be appointed Minister of Justice in addition to continuing to work on Ukraines European integration.

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Case closed  Jeremy Brock sentenced to life in prison for his grandmothers murder

After nearly four decades, the man found guilty of the murder of his grandmother in July of 1988 has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Jeremy Brock sat before Judge Daniel Brabender at the Erie County Courthouse again on Tuesday awaiting his sentencing.

And when it was delivered, Brock appeared to be holding back tears.

Just the absolute betrayal is really chilling to see what he did to her, and how he lives amongst the other family members for decades knowing what he did, and then letting them just live in fear for all that time as to what happened to their loved one, said Erie County District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz.

Man found guilty of grandmothers murder sentenced to life in prison

DA Hirz and her team argued that life without the possibility of parole was appropriate.

Judge Braybender agreed and went on to say it reflected the brutal nature of this crime, the scene, and what was done to Helen Vogt, the victim.

Vogt was found stabbed more than 50 times inside her home on Zimmerman Road in 1988. And despite how long its been since the incident, investigators never stopped working.

They worked tirelessly over the course of almost four decades on this case from the affiant in the beginning all the way through to lab people and tech people, and that really came out at the trial. We had people come out of retirement to come testify, said Jessica Reger, first assistant district attorney.

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Members of Vogts family were in the courtroom as Brock was sentenced on Tuesday.

Some traveled from Alaska, Arizona, Florida and beyond just to be there.

DA Hirz told us this is a reminder for other families in similar positions to never give up hope on a cold case.

Its very important to our office and the Erie police department to keep these going and help other families who are in that same situation, said Hirz.

Escaped killer who was on the run in Pennsylvania for 2 weeks pleads guilty to escape charges

That shows how much this has affected this family over these years, Reger said.

On top of Brocks life sentence without parole, he was given another 8 to 16 years on top of that for robbery and tampering with evidence.

Hell be held at Erie County Prison pending his transport to 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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
Casualties reported in Lviv, Kryvyi Rih as Russia launches another mass attack on Ukraine

Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

At least seven civilians were killed and 64 wounded in Lviv in the early hours of Sept. 4 amid Russia's attack against Ukraine, regional authorities reported. Children were among the casualties.

Several explosions were heard in the city amid a nationwide air raid alert as Russia launched drones and missiles against the country. Multiple casualties were reported also in Kryvyi Rih.

Explosions were heard in other cities overnight, including Kyiv, Sumy, Lutsk, and Rivne.

Initial reports said that three children were among the killed, but the latest updates confirmed a single 7-year-old girl among the fatalities. The girl, Emilia Bazylevych, was killed in her home along with her 43-year-old mother, Yevhenia, and two sisters, 21-year-old Yaryna and 18-year-old Daryna.

Only their father, Yaroslav, survived the attack, according to Mayor Andrii Sadovyi.

"I dont know what words to use to support the father of the family, Yaroslav. We are all with you today. Sincere condolences," Sadovyi said on Telegram.

The other killed victims included a 52-year-old woman and two men aged 54 and 55.

There are eight children among the wounded, including a 10-year-old boy. Some 47 people have been hospitalized as a result of the attack, of whom seven are in critical condition, Governor Maksym Kozytskyi reported earlier during the day.

The State Emergency Service reported at around 12:50 p.m. that the search and rescue operations had concluded.

Several buildings near the central railway station caught fire following the strike. Some 50 buildings were damaged overall by the attack. This included three schools and an arts center, which were hit only a few days after the new school year began in Ukraine.

The attack damaged buildings in the historical center in an area recognized as a UNESCO buffer zone. At least seven architectural sites of local importance were damaged, according to Governor Kozytskyi.

Lviv, located approximately 540 kilometers (about 335 miles) west of Kyiv with a population of over 700,000, has been targeted several times by Russian drones and missiles during the war. The city is about 70 kilometers (approximately 43 miles) east of the Polish border.

Polish and NATO aircraft have been scrambled in Poland's airspace as a result of a Russian attack, a common response during strikes in western Ukraine.

Russian drones and missiles have previously entered Poland's airspace during attacks on Ukraine. However, Poland's allies advised the government to exercise restraint when dealing with unidentified airspace violations, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

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.

The deadliest attack against Lviv so far took place in July 2023, when a Russian missile strike killed 10 people and injured 40.

"Everyone who convinces our partners to give Ukraine greater range to respond to this terror is helping to prevent Russian terrorist attacks on Ukrainian cities," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Ukraine has repeatedly appealed to Western partners to permit strikes deep inside Russia with Western-supplied arms, arguing it will help destroy Russian bombers before they can target Ukrainian cities.

Russia also launched a missile attack against the city of Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast the same morning, injuring at least five civilians, Governor Serhii Lysak reported. The victims include women aged 62, 83, and 84, a 70-year-old man, and a 10-year-old girl.

Later during the day, city administration head Oleksandr Vilkul reported on a sixth victim  a 58-year-old woman who was hospitalized with a fracture.

A hotel, 57 apartment buildings, four educational institutions, and four cars were damaged in the attack, according to local authorities.

Kryvyi Rih, with a population of around 660,000, is the second most populous city in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, lying over 60 kilometers (under 40 miles) north of Russian-occupied territories in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Zelensky's hometown has suffered multiple deadly attacks by Russian forces since the outbreak of the full-scale war.

A hotel in Kryvyi Rih was struck by a Russian missile on Aug. 26, leaving at least four people dead and five injured.

Overnight on Sept. 4, Russia reportedly fired 42 drones and missiles against Ukraine, including two Kh-47 Kinzhal missiles launched from MiG-31K aircraft, two Kh-22 cruise missiles launched from Tu-22M3 bomber planes, six Kh-101 cruise missiles fired from Tu-95MS bomber planes, three Iskander-K cruise missiles, and 29 Shahed-type "kamikaze" drones.

Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 22 drones, four Kh-101 missiles, and three Iskander-K missiles, the Air Force said. Six drones were lost, likely as a result of electronic warfare means, and one flew to Belarus, according to the statement.

Air defense was active in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Volyn, Ternopil, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Poltava, and Sumy oblasts.

Read also: Most Poles believe Poland should down Russian drones over Polish airspace, survey shows

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Atlanta's Grady Memorial Hospital has received at least one person with gunshot wounds from Apalachee High School after law enforcement responded to a shooting there. 2020 file photo. John McCosh/Georgia Recorder

Four people are dead, including two students and two teachers, and nine have been hospitalized after a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder that took place Wednesday morning..

I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state, Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement. We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation.

According to a White House statement, President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting by Homeland Security Advisor, Liz Sherwood-Randall, and his administration is in communication with federal, state and local officials.

Georgia Congresswoman Lucy McBath, whose son Jordan Davis was killed by gun violence, said she was praying for families of victims.

I am praying for the students of Apalachee High School and the community of Winder, she said in a statement. I am praying for families across our state and entire country. Too many continue to experience the pain of gun violence. No family should have to go through this.

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CATAWBA, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Catawba man was sentenced after being found with more than eight pounds of meth in 2022, according to the United States Attorneys Office.

On Wednesday, 44-year-old Bobby Lee Fish was sentenced to 19 years and 7 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for trafficking methamphetamine.

According to documents, the Hickory Police Department was investigating Fishs drug activity in Catawba County. On April 6, 2022, a confidential informant bought roughly 52.8 grams of meth from Fish. Weeks later, on April 21, Fish sold the same person 105.9 grams of meth. A few weeks after that, on May 2, authorities conducted a traffic stop on his vehicle. After searching they found four packages containing a total of 3,674.1 grams of meth (8.1 pounds).

RELATED: 19 pounds of meth, nearly $92K in cash seized from Catawba County man, deputies say

About two years later, on April 3, 2024, Fish pled guilty to distributing methamphetamine. Officials say he has an extensive criminal history for crimes committed in North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia.

Fish is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons once assigned to a federal facility.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  A CBD store that moved into a new location in Warren in May is now closing.

CBD American Shaman on Elm Road announced on the businesss Facebook page Wednesday that it is permanently closing.

WKBN 27 First News reached out to the owner to find out why, but we havent heard back as of this report.

The store first opened in 2019 on Niles Cortland Road in Howland Township.

CBD American Shaman is marketed as a wellness company that provides products including lotions, edibles, topicals and capsules made with cannabidiol (CBD).

CBD is a chemical found in marijuana but does not contain THC.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Thanks to a $200,000 investment from Citizens Financial Group, students at the Community College of Allegheny County will now have new options when it comes to pursuing needed credentials for their careers.

The $200,000 from Citizens will go to programs developed by CCACs partnership with Education Design Lab, a nonprofit that works with colleges and higher education institutions to help them develop new, innovative programs focused on workforce development. Citizens helps fund Education Design Labs Community College Accelerator Program, of which CCAC is a participant.

With the investment, CCAC is launching its new class of credentials, called micro-pathways, focused on providing students with opportunities to learn new specialized skills. The initial micro-pathways that CCAC will offer will be for students pursuing careers in information technology and cybersecurity, doula and midwifery as a specialized nursing track, and mechatronics.

Click here to read more from our partners at the Pittsburgh Business Times.

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Do Cellphones Cause Brain Cancer? A New WHO-Commissioned Review Says No

The review found no link between mobile phone use and any head or neck cancer  no matter how much time you clock on your device!

Getty A stock image of people using cellphones

There is no connection between mobile phone use and brain cancer  regardless of how much time you spend on your device  according to a new review commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The systematic review, published in Environment International, found that while the use of mobile phones and other wireless technologies have massively increased in the last two decades, there has been no rise in the incidence of brain or other head and neck cancers.

The review not only found no concrete link between cellphone use and brain cancer, but it also found no link with prolonged (a decade or more) cellphone use or amount (number of calls made or time spent on the device) of cellphone use.

The study also found no increased risks of either brain cancer or leukemia in kids who were exposed to phone towers, radio transmitters or TV transmitters.

According to Ken Karipidis, an associate professor with Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agencys (ARPANSA) who led the review, it is the most comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the evidence to date.

Karipidis and the other experts considered over 5,000 studies published between 1994 and 2022, ultimately including 63 in its final analysis, and focused on brain cancer and other cancers of the central nervous system  including glioma, meningioma, acoustic neuroma, pituitary tumours and more.

Getty A stock photo of kids using cellphones

The review pushed back on the 2013 decision of the WHOs cancer agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to classify exposure to radio waves as possibly carcinogenic  which, despite the worry it drummed up, doesnt mean all that much," Karipidis told The Guardian.

It is one of the IARCs several classifications of cancer risk, which range from definite carcinogens like smoking tobacco to possible, where radio waves reside alongside substances like aloe vera.

In a statement, Karipidis said the IARCs decision was largely based on limited evidence from human observational studies  not to mention, lots more relevant studies have emerged in the 11 years since.



The newly published review is based on a much larger dataset compared to that examined by the IARC, that also includes more recent and more comprehensive studies, so we can be more confident that exposure to radio waves from wireless technology is not a human health hazard, Karipidis said in a statement.

He also stated that much early research on whether radio waves are carcinogenic relied on comparing the responses of people with brain cancer to those without  which can be somewhat biased, he told The Washington Post.

An individual with a brain tumor, he said, wants to know why theyve got the brain tumor and tends to overreport their exposure, while more comprehensive cohort studies have not shown those sort of associations.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

With the new review turning the IARCs classification on its head, Karipidis told The Guardian that he is quite confident with" the review's conclusion.

And what makes us quite confident is  even though mobile phone use has skyrocketed, brain tumor rates have remained stable, he added.



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Chain known for peanut-butter-pickle-bacon burger to open locations in Tacoma, Olympia

A Portland-based burger chain that has been eyeing Tacoma for several years will open six new restaurants around the South Sound, the company announced in a press release last week.

Killer Burger has partnered with Cascade Dining, a local franchise company that operates 26 Papa Johns Pizza shops, on the Washington state expansion, The Olympian reported on Friday. Reached by email on Tuesday, franchisee Dave Edwards said it would happen over the next five years.

Cascade Dining opened its first Killer Burger last spring in Salem, Oregon, and recently took over the Gresham restaurant. Its Bend location should open by next summer, confirmed Edwards.

He had already agreed to open six other locations in the Pacific Northwest. This recent development will bring its total footprint to 12 stores in Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

Killer Burger found success in Portland with a fast-casual concept focused on burgers and beer. Killer Burger/Courtesy

Exact sites in this South Sound push are not set in stone quite yet, said Edwards, but he and his team are aggressively searching ... all over the South Puget Sound region, including but not limited to Tacoma, Puyallup, Olympia, Silverdale, Maple Valley, Auburn, Kent and Federal Way.

They anticipate the first to open by the second half of 2025 or in early 2026.

Boise, Idaho, is also high on their list, added Edwards.

A marketing representative at the Portland headquarters of Killer Burger responded to The News Tribunes email but had not yet provided additional information.

Killer Burger first shared its intent to expand via franchising to Tacoma and the South Sound in 2020. The companys development director at the time described the region as a big-time market that felt ripe for the brand, which espouses a better burger made with fresh beef. Signatures include a third-pound burger with peanut butter, pickles and bacon and the Bender with spicy barbecue sauce, crispy jalapenos and grilled onions.

The first restaurant opened in 2010 in Portlands Hollywood neighborhood, expanding to 11 locations over the next decade.

CEO John Dikos said in the news release that the company was incredibly impressed with Edwards and his teams management of their first outpost in Salem.

Today there are 23 Killer Burgers in total, including a few in Vancouver, Washington. Guests order at the counter, but the dining room has a restaurant vibe. Many locations also sell wine and beer  usually six to 10, mostly craft taps plus a few cans, said Edwards.

We dont plan on any full bars but never say never, said Edwards about Cascade Dinings beverage plans.
Challenged the system: Fresnos newest park to be named after local activist

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A former Fresno City Councilmember and activist for racial equality in the Central Valley will have a city park named after him.

Fresnos newest regional park has been named after a prominent civil rights leader Lesly Kimber. Lesly Kimbers family says the park is just another way his life of service will be remembered in Fresno.

He challenged the system on all fronts when it came to injustices being done in our community and for fairness, said publisher for the California Advocate Newspaper Mark Kimber.

Mark is Lesly Kimbers son and runs the California Advocate: the Central Valleys first black newspaper. The newspaper was founded in 1967 by his mother and father.

She was editor, he was publisher, Kimber said.

When his parents first started the California Advocate, Mark says dad remained determined to make the paper a success.

White publishers wouldnt print the advocate because of our headlines * so he bought his own press, Kimber explained.

His fathers fight for racial equality reached beyond the newspaper, including as a mentor at two organizations he helped create.

Anybody that needed a voice or needed help, no matter the race, Dad was there on their side, Kimber said.

Kimbers work led him to run for a seat on Fresno City Council.

He was only the second African American councilmember in the citys history, represented West Fresno, and had a reputation and a long history of bringing communities together, said Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias.

Councilmember Arias oversees the same district Kimber did and says his leadership left a lasting mark. He adds Lesly Kimber was an integral part of uniting disadvantaged communities and gave them a voice.

When Mr. Kimber was serving, I was a farmworker, picking crops in West Fresno. He understood that amongst him were farmworkers who didnt have a right to a restroom, a break, or a lunch train in 100-degree weather picking crops, said Arias. And he took it upon himself to not only extend his advocacy to those farmworkers who were not eligible voters  but to join with Cesar Chavez and advocate for everyone. That legacy is what we were recognizing, not just him as a councilmember, but him as a leader across multiple diverse groups.

Mark Kimber says the new park honors the work his father did in the city council.

He would be more than happy and gracious to know that hes part of the new developments going on which is what he strived for in our community, Kimber said.

Councilmember Arias hopes the new park will serve as a reminder of not just who Kimber was, but everything he did for others.

To this day, its my honor as a former farmworker, when he was a councilmember, to honor a man who advocated for my family and everyones family, said Arias.

Les Kimber Park will be on South M.L.K. Jr. Boulevard and East Church Avenue. It is expected to be open to the public by early 2025.

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday met with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit.

Li said China stands ready to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Nigeria, and give full play to the overall planning and coordinating roles played by the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee.

Under the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, China will deepen cooperation with Nigeria in areas of infrastructure construction, finance, agriculture and fisheries, and expand cooperation in marine economy, clean energy and digital economy, he noted.

Li expressed China's willingness to import more quality products from Nigeria, increase bilateral people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation, enhance coordination in multilateral fields, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and uphold international fairness and justice.

China and Nigeria on Tuesday announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Tinubu said that the comprehensive strategic partnership was established on the basis of treating each other as equals as well as reciprocity and mutual benefit.

Nigeria will work with China to enhance exchanges and cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, manufacturing, education and culture, and tap cooperation potentials for greater development in bilateral relations from a new starting point, he added. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)
Charlotte leaders nearly unanimously backed long-awaited measures to overhaul the regions public transit system Tuesday. But many City Council members still have questions about the approach and its feasibility.

The Charlotte City Council voted 10-1 to support draft legislation on a sales tax referendum to pay for transportation needs and spend $91 million to purchase railroad tracks from Norfolk Southern for the Red Line commuter rail project. Council member Tariq Bokhari was the lone vote against.

The vast majority of almost 20 residents who spoke during a public comment period at the meeting also backed both measures.

This is an historical moment, Mayor Pro Tem Dante Anderson said.

Still, multiple council members who voted for the draft bill and the Red Line purchase said it was a difficult decision. They cited concerns about a lack of transparency during negotiations and the new governance model for public transit in the legislation, and frustration in east Mecklenburg about the future of the Silver Line rail project.

This is a tough vote, Council member Renee Johnson said. ... We have to acknowledge people are hurting.

Bokhari, one of two Republicans on the council, questioned whether the GOP-dominated state Legislature will sign off on the draft legislation, which is crucial to getting a 1-cent sales tax increase on the ballot to pay for transportation projects.

We are setting ourselves up for failure by not being precise, he said.

Read Charlottes full proposal to increase Mecklenburg sales tax for transportation

Red Line deal terms

Charlotte will spend $74 million to purchase 22 miles of rail corridor from Norfolk Southern and an additional $17 million for 1.6 acres of land along Graham Street near the Gateway Station.

The rail corridors appraised tax value is $69.2 million, and the Gateway right-of-ways is $15.9 million, city staff told council members last week

Charlotte plans to use short-term debt for the Red Line purchase and reimburse itself with money from the creation of a new sales tax. Charlotte will own the corridor until a new transit authority is created, which would then take ownership of the railway and operate the Red Line commuter rail.

Were taking a bit of a risk. I believe its a manageable risk, said Council member Ed Driggs, who chairs the City Councils transportation committee.

Bokhari said hes worried Charlotte could be left holding the bag.

A map shows the current stops planned along the Red Line. The plan is under reevaluation are stalling for years, and CATS is seeking public input on changes.

Tuesdays deal only includes the portion of the railroad corridor in Mecklenburg County. The Red Line plan for years called for a Mount Mourne stop in Iredell County. But Mooresville and Iredell officials raised concerns earlier this year about Charlotte buying tracks there, and the state legislature passed a bill giving them approval over any purchase.

Under the purchase plan, the Red Line would now end in Davidson.

It would cost an additional $17.75 million to purchase the 7-mile stretch of O Line tracks in Iredell County. The citys agreement with Norfolk Southern allows for the future purchase of all 7 miles, a portion of it or a lease agreement.

Conversations with Mooresville and Iredell County officials are ongoing, interim Charlotte Area Transit System CEO Brent Cagle told reporters last week. Mooresville Mayor Chris Carney told WBTV last week his town will never tax nor take money out of our budget to support rail while hes in office.

Under the proposed agreement, Norfolk Southern would still be allowed to use the tracks infrequently for freight trains.

What sales tax increase would mean for transit

The bill would create a new 27-member transit authority that would take over governance of CATS from Charlotte and the Metropolitan Transit Commission.

Charlotte would appoint 12 members, including three people representing business interests. Mecklenburg County would also get 12 appointments, including six representatives from the countys towns. There would also be three seats filled at the state level  one by the governor, one by the state House and one by the state Senate.

The draft legislation caps spending on light rail, commuter rail and streetcar projects at 40% of the new sales tax revenue. Spending on buses  including bus rapid transit, micro-transit and mobility hubs  would be capped at 20% of revenue, leaving 40% of the new money for roads in an effort to appease Republican state legislators.

Multiple CATS bus drivers told council members Tuesday theyre optimistic the new funding would improve service and prevent issues with maintenance.

This measure is critical, bus operator Faith Strickland said.

That funding breakdown could jeopardize the eastern portion of the Silver Line, rankling some in east Charlotte and Matthews.

This is the original 2016 alignment for the LYNX Silver Line. Feedback from the public and third-party experts has CATS weighing changes to the Silver Line, which would run from Matthews through uptown, then west past the airport to Gaston County.

Charlotte officials have repeatedly said it will be up to a new transit authority to decide what parts of the existing 2030 transit plan  which includes the Red Line, Silver Line and expansions of the Blue and Gold lines  will move forward if the draft legislation advances.

Tonight is not the finish line, said Council member Marjorie Molina, whose District 5 includes much of east Charlotte.

But Matthews Mayor John Higdon has repeatedly said the draft will lead to the eastern leg of the Silver Line converting to bus rapid transit  or not happening at all.

I think all of us need to be honest with our constituents and voters, he told the Observer Friday.

Council member Dimple Ajmera said concerns about the Silver Line were a sticking point for her.

We all know that there is a math problem here, she said.

The at-large representative, who previously served District 5, ultimately voted for the measures because of the need for more public transportation, citing her own experience using buses as a teenager.

I dont want us to miss out on this opportunity, she said.

Whats next for Red Line, sales tax increase?

Matthews leaders voted previously to oppose the plan, and Cornelius voted to support it. Mecklenburg County and the countys other towns will vote on the bill over the next two weeks.

Charlottes goal is for legislators to consider the bill when they return to Raleigh in November or during the 2025 legislative session ahead of a referendum in November 2025.

We are hopeful, but were not taking anything for granted, Driggs said of the bills chances in the legislature.

If it does move forward, Driggs noted, the decision on whether to increase the sales tax will be voters.

It will not pass unless the people in Mecklenburg like what they see, he said.
Charlotte City Council votes to purchase O-line, support transit sales tax

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  City leaders are hoping to transform the future of transportation in Mecklenburg County.

On Tuesday night, Charlotte City Council members voted to move forward with the purchase of Norfolk Southerns O-line to create the red line commuter train. In turn, theyre also going to ask the state legislature to allow them to put a one-cent transit sales tax on the ballot.

The vote was nearly unanimous. Councilman Tariq Bokhari was the only one who voted against the sales tax resolution and the O-line purchase.

PREVIOUS: Charlotte City Council to vote on O-line purchase, transit sales tax Tuesday

Those who voted in favor want to emphasize this isnt the end of the conversation.

Tonight is not the finish line, said Councilwoman Marjorie Molina. Its really just the beginning.

Its a historic decision for the city of Charlotte.

We have an opportunity to blaze a trail, said Joe Bost, chief advocacy officer for the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance. This piece of legislation has never been done before in North Carolina.

The council is moving forward with the $91 million purchase of 22 miles of rail line running from Uptown Charlotte to the Mecklenburg County line, and the purchase of a 1.6-acre property near the gateway station in uptown in hopes of creating the red line.

QUEEN CITY NEWS

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Its a big moment for Charlotte, said Councilman Ed Driggs.

Council members got the opportunity to hear from about 20 people during the public comment period.

From bus drivers to riders to community advocates, almost all are in favor of the plans.

Its a deal you would be nuts not to take, said one man.

To fund these projects, the council also voted to move forward with asking the General Assembly to put a one-cent sales tax on the ballot in the November 2025 election.

Ill always support the opportunity for the public to decide for themselves, said Councilwoman Victoria Watlington.

Bokhari voted against both proposals, citing concerns about raising taxes and poor planning.

The thought of raising taxes in our current economy on the heels of just having raised taxes, it doesnt mean that is not something we can contemplate, he said. It just means we have to be precise.

Several council members did bring up the disappointment of the Town of Matthews leaders since there probably wont be enough money to bring the light rail east. They wanted to make it clear no decisions are final, but even if the town gets bus rapid transit, itll be better than doing nothing.

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This chemical-free method for treating seeds is winning over sceptical farmers in Sweden and beyond

Heat-treated seeds could offer farmers a chemical-free solution for pest control.

Typically, seeds are treated with chemicals to keep them healthy and kill pests, but this does not align with organic farming principles.

'ThermoSeed', an invention by former researcher Kenneth Alness, offers a sustainable alternative. It uses sharp blasts of steam, which kill pests and preserve the seeds.

The innovation has already been a success in Alness's home country Sweden and neighbouring Norway.

Now, as he passes retirement age, the 67-year-old aims to take his mission global.

How do steam-treated seeds benefit the environment?

Farmers who have tried the seed-treating method have praised its benefits to the environment and working conditions.

Farmer Gustaf Silen notes the absence of dust, a common issue with chemically treated seeds that can be harmful when inhaled during sowing.

"The bags with the seed, when you open them, can be quite dusty and you get this all over you. That is not the case with ThermoSeed - it's much easier to handle," he says.

Silen also highlights that leftover steam-treated seeds can be used as cattle feed or resold, unlike chemically treated seeds, which must be disposed of at a cost.

ThermoSeed is the brainchild of Kenneth Alness who has devoted his life to developing a chemical-free method to keep seeds healthy.

Related

Where did the idea for ThermoSeed come from?

The inspiration for ThermoSeed came from a 1950s farming book that Alness found in his father-in-laws library. The book detailed how farmers used hot water to treat seeds before chemical treatments became common.

Although some organic farmers still use this method today, it is costly due to the expenses associated with drying the seeds, and yields are often lower than those treated with chemicals.

"I saw that it had potential and it should be good for nature, good for the climate," says Alness. "And I thought it was worth testing my wild ideas - that's where it started."

After years of testing, ThermoSeed was able to deliver yields comparable to chemically treated seeds but without the need for extensive drying.

Related

"I think it took five, six, seven years before I realised its potential for conventional farming, not only organic, says Alness. I was really enthusiastic because if it's done for conventional [use], then we replace a lot of chemicals and we do a lot for nature and climate."

Unlike chemical treatments, steam requires a tailored approach for each seed type, followed by testing to ensure successful germination before full-scale treatment begins.

Swedish agricultural co-op Lantmannen, which manages around half of Swedens seeds, began using ThermoSeed technology in 2008. Since then, the co-op estimates that the method has prevented the use of approximately 3,000 cubic metres of chemicals.

Norwegian agriculture co-op Felleskjpet, which handles more than 50 per cent of certified cereal seeds in the country, also introduced ThermoSeed in 2011, after six years of independent testing.

'Farmers are often sceptical of non-chemical solutions'

Alness's dedication to sustainable agriculture earned him a gold medal from the Royal Swedish Academy of Forestry and Agriculture last year.

But not all farmers are as concerned about the organic credentials of their seeds. Some are more focused on yield, so any non-chemical solution needs to be competitive on this front.

"Farmers in general are often sceptical of the non-chemical solutions," Bjrn Stabbetorp, CEO of the Agricultural Division of Felleskjpet, explains. "Chemicals have been a very good and effective solution for a number of problems.

"Non-chemical solutions have to really prove that they are competitive before the farmers are convinced. We put a lot of effort into this when we were introducing the ThermoSeed. And it has really worked very well."

Alness has no plans to retire. Instead, he is focused on addressing the challenges that remain, such as the high cost of ThermoSeed equipment and the need for a scaled-down version of the machine to serve smaller markets, particularly in Asia.

Having sold the ThermoSeed license to Lantmannen BioAgri, Alness is now working on developing a more accessible, smaller version of the technology.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A man who was gunned down in a Chicago, Ill. area transit-train, had aspirations of becoming an officer with the Columbus Division of Police, according to a report.

Simeon Bihesi, 28, was shot multiple times and was one of four victims who were killed Monday morning on the Blue Line of the L-Train near Forest Park, west of Chicago. Bihesi, Margaret Miller, 64 and Adrian Collins, 60, were all fatally shot while they were sleeping on the train.

Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins said the victims were shot, execution style. A 52-year-old man in an adjacent train car was also shot and killed, but investigators havent released his name as of 11 a.m.

Circleville city council clerk voted out of office

Bihesi grew up in Columbus, his father Leonard Nyamuseva told the Chicago Sun Times. Bihesi reportedly joined the marines and served in Washington D.C., before moving to Chicago to receive treatment for an illness.

Nyamuseya said that Bihesis latest goal was to return home and join the Columbus Division of Police. Bihesis social media page lists him as a graduate of Independence High School.

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After the shootings, Chicago police arrested 30-year-old Rhanni Davis, who reportedly fled the scene but was captured on video footage from the train. He is charged with four counts of first-degree murder.

The Blue Line runs 24 hours and stretches from Forest Park, eastbound to downtown Chicago and northwest to OHare International Airport.

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Police officers filled the pews of a Mount Greenwood church Wednesday morning to say goodbye to former Chicago police Officer James B. Crowley, who died from traumatic brain injuries he suffered after a drunken driver hit the squad car he was in 37 years ago.

The September sunshine beat down on a group playing bagpipes outside St. Christina Catholic Church, following a service where prayers were offered for the fallen former officer, who everyone called Jim.

Patrolman James B. Crowley #4169: End of Watch August 22, 2024, read the program. On the front of the pamphlet was a young, serious photograph of Crowley in uniform  mirrored on the back with a smiling portrait of him years later, after his injuries. He was lying in the grass, his hands behind his head.

The September 1987 accident killed fellow police Officer William Morrison and left Crowley in a wheelchair, unable to do many things alone. The injury prompted his younger sister, Beth Carter, to become a nurse.

Jim didnt recognize the new version of himself, Carter said to the crowd Wednesday morning. I suspect his world suddenly seemed dark and small with little to look forward to.

Inside the church, dozens of police officers  past and present  were in attendance, including Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling, who gave a speech addressing the vicarious trauma that Crowleys family endured after the accident. Since then, Chicago police have better supported families going through tragedy, Snelling said, adding that he had a conversation with Carter over the phone beforehand.

There was a level of resilience in the way she spoke, the way she talked, that was contagious, he said.

Snelling had just graduated high school when Crowleys life was irrevocably altered. He said that he, like Crowley at the time, was just starting his adult life and career. Snelling, just like the fallen officer, had no idea what his future might hold.



Paul Toner, a retired police officer who went to grammar school with Crowley, described his former classmate as straitlaced and intelligent.



Toner grew up in the Morgan Park neighborhood a few blocks from the Crowley siblings. He said he experienced many tragedies in his 31 years with the police force, but Crowleys accident was his first. They had graduated from the police academy three weeks before the crash. Toner retired six years ago.



We were so young, he said, with tears in his eyes.

Crowley was 22 on Sept. 4, 1987, when he and four other officers were on a special detail crossing Ashland Avenue in a marked patrol car. Juan Soliz, who had been drinking, broadsided their car, according to authorities. Morrison died that night, and three other officers were injured.

Soliz, from the citys West Side, was later sentenced to three years in prison for reckless homicide and felony drunken-driving charges, according to a Tribune report at the time.

Crowley eventually moved to a home for specialized care in San Marcos, Texas, and came back to visit Chicago only once, in 2019 when his sister drove him home for Christmas.

But on Wednesday, the service focused less on the losses suffered by family and friends after the accident in the 1500 block of South Ashland Avenue nearly four decades ago and more on Crowleys strength of character.



The Rev. Ryan Brady described Crowley as a rule follower. He said that after the accident, Crowley could live in the moment with you in a very beautiful way.

The past 37 years have allowed him to live a far different, heroic selflessness, Brady said.

Carter recounted the moments she and her brother shared with their next-door neighbors when they were kids. She said that in his later years, Crowley loved pizza and was cherished by all of his caretakers in Texas.



Remember Jim for his incredible sense of humor, his life of service to others and the joy he experienced throughout his lifetime, she said.

While she thanked the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, which provides support to the families of officers killed or gravely injured while on duty, she also openly relayed the lack of support she received from the city at the time of the car accident.



I faced opposition at nearly every turn, she said.



Friend and retired police Detective Pat Madden reflected on that time, saying he and other officers were heartbroken. They brought him groceries and sat next to his bed. They would play the radio, he remembered.



We really had no support. It was just guys like us going down to see Jim, Madden said.

Madden said Crowley was the youngest in their class, and whip-smart. Crowley had a degree in library science but saw his job as a police officer as his true vocation. There was no doubt he had a bright future and would go on to lead the department, Madden said.



Ald. Matt OShea, 19th, said the city has made significant strides and investments under Snellings leadership to support the families of officers affected in the line of duty.



I wish looking back, we did a better job then, OShea said. But we can only look forward.

The funeral culminated with a ceremony outside where eight officers wearing uniforms adorned with yellow stripes carefully folded a Chicago city flag above Crowleys casket. Snelling handed the folded light blue triangle to Carter and embraced her.

Toner said the long-standing police ceremony, complete with an honor guard and bagpipers, was an important way for officers of all ages to come together and appreciate the degree of risk accompanying the job. His brother Paul and their father were also police officers.



And Crowley proudly carried police traditions until the day he died, Carter said. One of the last things he said to her was: Dont forget the doughnuts.
CENTERVILLE, Ohio (WDTN)  Some hungry customers looking to Eat Mor Chikin will temporarily be required to travel a bit further.

The Chick-fil-A location at 5301 Cornerstone North Blvd. in Centerville is set to close on Friday, Sept. 6 for construction. On social media, the location detailed that the drive-thru will close at 8 p.m. on that date, and the dining room will close at two hours prior.

Customers who get a Chick-fil-A craving are asked by the location to visit the Washington Township location at 1482 Miamisburg Centerville Road during the closure.

As of date, the business expects the construction project to last three weeks.

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CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  A man from Chicopee was arrested during a traffic stop for allegedly driving a vehicle with a suspended license and an illegal firearm was found during an inventory search.

State police announce sobriety checkpoint in Hampden County

According to the Chicopee Police Department, detectives monitoring traffic Monday morning observed a vehicle with no inspection sticker in the area of 733 Chicopee Street. A registry check on the license plate revealed the vehicle was purchased 18 days ago.

Massachusetts state law requires an inspection sticker within seven days of purchasing a vehicle. Officers conducted a traffic stop and the driver was identified as 27-year-old Brandon Reynolds of Chicopee. Reynolds was arrested due to his license to operate a motor vehicle was suspended.

During an inventory search of the vehicle before it was towed, detectives found a loaded Smith & Wesson handgun in the center console. Reynolds is charged with the following:

Failure to Inspect a Motor Vehicle

Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License

Lights Violation

Carrying a Firearm Without a License

Carrying a Loaded Firearm Without a License

Possess Ammunition Without an FID

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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SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn.  The Shelby County Sheriffs Office is sounding the alarm  they say problems are piling up at 201 Poplar.

Meanwhile, many of you continue to reach out to WREG Investigators with stories about what you or your loved ones faced there. Some claim they or their loved one were attacked, beaten or threatened.

One mother showed up in Shelby County Criminal Court when her sons probation violation was dismissed.

Did you know about my son was getting stabbed in his head and in his back and beaten bad? Rhodesia Thomas asked the judge.

She said she wanted the information on record, recognizing the judge can only listen.



I dont have any control over the sheriff at all. I will offer you condolences for what happened to your son, Judge Lee Coffee responded. Mr. Bell, my apologies to you, because the jail has an obligation, an affirmative obligation, to ensure you are safe in this jail. There may be an ongoing investigation I dont know.



After court, Thomas said her son was in 201 less than three months.



They were supposed to be releasing him on [June] 21st, and he never showed up. The judge sent for him over three times, Thomas said.

Reports detail whats been happening inside 201 Poplar

Inmate dies at 201 Poplar, SCSO investigating

SCSO doubles down on need for new jail after disturbance

Her son told her what he wrote in his witness statement. He had been attacked and stabbed by a group of 18 or more inmates who gained access to his cell because the lock was broken.

He sent us his medical records stating that on June 22, a Regional One doctor noted a 5cm head laceration, solid organ injury, cord/disk injury, and more.



Im relieved hes getting out, Thomas said.



She said her son battles schizophrenia and had stopped taking his medication that helps him sleep. He was too scared to close his eyes.



He said, Mom you cant sleep on this floor. The doors do not lock,' Thomas said.



On top of the calls and emails, WREG Investigators uncovered a stack of police reports citing more violence and concerns at the jail.



According to the sheriffs office, a majority of the offenses are inmates assaulting other inmates. They report 311 incidents between January and June. Thats a 9 percent increase compared to the same time last year.

Its triggered hundreds of shakedowns that resulted in 125 weapons found in the first half of this year.

An attorney told us one of those weapons was linked to his client, who told him carried the sharp metal object for self defense, because he had been stabbed multiple times. The attorney submitted a subpoena to find out more. Two weeks later, the contraband charge was dismissed.



The stories and reports paint a distressing picture at 201 Poplar.

Right now, were in a perfect storm, Shelby County Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner said.

Buckner said to start, the jail population has increased. A report in June showed the population reaching 85 percent capacity.

He said the inmates are accused of more violent offenses than ever before, and the floors that house the most dangerous inmates became more problematic after a power surge in April.



We dont know exactly what caused it. Weve been in conversation with Memphis Light Gas and Water to try to figure that piece out, he said. But when those power surges hit this building back in April, it really damaged the computer program that we used to operate our doors.



Buckner says despite repairs, the cell doors still arent working properly, and inmates have started tampering with them and breaking locks.

The doors on our third or fourth floor operating from a sliding mechanism. Theres a lot of different components that have to work together to make that door open and to make that door close, he said. They are able to walk out of their cells almost indiscriminately whenever they want to. So, we are looking at ways now to figure out how can we use the current doors and secure them where the inmates dont have the opportunity to come out whenever they want to.



In May, the county commission gave emergency funds to replace them, but Buckner said the company that built the jail is no longer in business.

Most of the time, we have to fabricate the pieces and parts. We cant just go to the hardware store, he said.



On top of that, Buckner said maintenance crews are trying to address water leaks throughout the jail.

Leaking toilets, leaking showers, leaking plumbing, Buckner listed. It obviously breeds pests, so we have a vendor that comes in to spray this building four times a week.



He said the water is also causing concrete to deteriorate.

We have to address that issue as well, Buckner said. We have solicited an army of vendors to try to come in and walk alongside our maintenance team to try to resolve these issues. I think as of this week, we got about six different plumbers here.

We asked Buckner if he thought the jail was a safe environment for staff and inmates.

So let me say this, I think the environment that we are in right now is extremely challenging, Buckner stressed. We have hundreds of doors that are not able to be locked. Some of it is due to maintenance. Some of is due to power surges. Weve been communicating with our inmates when they have concerns. We try to listen to those concerns, and we try to address those concerns. We also listen to our staff.

Buckner said they continue to manage and maintain the building with all its challenges, even though they dont own it.

Shelby County owns building. Ultimately, the county commission will have to make the call on what to do.

Buckner says theyre compiling a list of repairs for them, repairs that neither the sheriffs office nor the commission budgeted for.

We think were going to need about $10 million in emergency funding, but that number can grow, Buckner said.

Wednesday, the sheriffs office went before the county commission and told them the repairs had grown to $15.5 million.

Theres more to take into account. Coming up on News Channel 3 at 10 Wednesday, WREG Investigators explain just how big this bill is getting.

Despite the challenges, the sheriffs jail division recently won two national awards for their commitment to correctional operations and dedication to public safety and the well0being of those in their care. For more information, click here.

 DO YOU NEED A STORY INVESTIGATED? WREG Investigators want to hear from you! Call our tip line at 901-543-2378. You can also send an email to wreginvestigators@nexstar.tv.

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ST. LOUIS  Detectives are heartbroken as they investigate an accidental shooting in north St. Louis overnight.

The shooting happened around midnight, with St. Louis police rushing to a shooting call on the 700 block of Thrush Avenue in the Baden neighborhood.

At a Tuesday afternoon news conference, Mitch McCoy, a spokesman for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, said the shooting happened as four children, all under the age of 10, were left alone at the home without adult supervision.

McCoy said that a mother left the children at the home while she went to the store. At some point after that, one child found a gun that was not secure, and fatally wounded the 4-year-old girl. One of the other children called 911.

The girl who died was a twin, McCoy said.

Womens Voices Raised for Social Justice, a group advocating for safety in the St. Louis area, is working to protect children through its free gun locks program, Lock It for Love, which distributed more than 6,000 locks in 2023.

We provide gun locks to several groups in the community for that very purpose, Karen Kloyd, program spokeswoman, said. No explanation is required. If they need a gun lock;, they go into one of the libraries or other partners throughout the metro areas as well.

Police said its unclear if the mother will face charges.

Get a gun lock. The safest way to have a gun in your home is to have it secure from small children, Kloyd said.

Community leaders said one important step for adults to protect their children from gun violence is to secure their weapons.

We have to do better with keeping our kids safe. A very easy way to do this is that guns need to be stored securely, ammunition stored in a separate location; but kids do no need access firearms, Kloyd said.

Its heartbreaking for everybody. Its heartbreaking for the family, its heartbreaking for the first responders who have to go to one of those scenes. I cant imagine how horrific it would be. Its bad for the surviving children in the house. Its just horrible and it can be prevented  those tragedies do not have to occur.

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Chen Min'er (L), member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee, meets with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (R), vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates at Zabeel Palace in Dubai on Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

ABU DHABI, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Under the strategic leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, bilateral relations have developed rapidly in recent years, setting a model for relations between China and Arab countries in the new era, a visiting senior Chinese official has said here.

Chen Min'er, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks on Monday during a meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE at Zabeel Palace in Dubai.

Chen noted that China is willing to work with the UAE to take the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to actively implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning of experience in governance and modernization, and advance the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Chen, who is also the secretary of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee, said that Tianjin is ready to give full play to its advantages to strengthen cooperation with the UAE, especially Dubai, in fields such as economy, trade, investment, free trade zone and port construction, thereby contributing to the development of bilateral relations.

For his part, the UAE vice president and prime minister said that his country attaches great importance to developing relations with China and is satisfied with the sound development momentum of bilateral exchanges and cooperation in fields such as politics, economy, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.

The UAE, especially Dubai, is willing to further deepen the docking of development strategies and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields with China, so as to promote greater development of bilateral relations, added Mohammed bin Rashid, who is also ruler of Dubai.

At the invitation of the UAE government, a CPC delegation led by Chen visited the Gulf state from Sunday to Wednesday, during which they also met with UAE Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman and chief executive officer of DP World.

During the visit, Chen also attended the 2024 "Invest China" Tianjin Session and facilitated the signing of several cooperation agreements, including a memorandum between the Tianjin Free Trade Zone and the UAE's Jebel Ali Free Zone, and a cooperation agreement between Tianjin Port Group and DP World. 
(Bloomberg) -- Chinas top electric-vehicle maker BYD Co. wont announce a major plant investment in Mexico until at least after the US election, according to people familiar with the matter, as shifting American policy forces global businesses into wait-and-see mode.

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BYD was scouting three locations for a car production facility in Mexico but has stopped actively looking for now, several of the people said, asking not to be identified discussing information thats private.

The postponement is largely because BYD would prefer to wait and see the outcome of the race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in early November, the people said. They added that BYDs paused factory plans may still be revived or could change, and no final decision has been made.

BYD said in a statement to Bloomberg that it has not postponed a decision on a factory in Mexico.

We continue working to build a factory with the highest technological standards for the Mexican market, not for the United States market, nor for the export market, the company said in a statement attributed to Executive Vice President Stella Li. For BYD, the Mexican market is very relevant.

One area that was under consideration was around the city of Guadalajara, one of the people said. That region has emerged over the past decade as a technology hub sometimes described as Mexicos Silicon Valley. BYD sent a delegation to the area for a visit in March.

Li also visited Mexico City in February for the launch of the automakers Dolphin Mini model while senior management held court at a box sponsored by BYD at the Formula E Mexico City E-Prix in January.

Mexico has seen a surge in investment announcements from both Chinese and western auto manufacturers, including from Tesla Inc. But Teslas planned mega-factory was put on pause in July, pending the US election outcome. Republican nominee Trump, who Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has endorsed, has repeatedly threatened to hit products made in Mexico with tariffs.

Tesla had announced plans to build the plant in the northern state of Nuevo Leon, with an estimated investment of $10 billion over several phases.

Mexico could be one of BYDs key overseas production sites, along with plants that its currently building or already operating in Brazil, Hungary, Turkey and Thailand. Like other big Chinese automakers, Shenzhen-based BYD is increasingly seeking to localize production to avoid punitive tariffs that governments around the world are starting to levy on imported electric cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles from Asias biggest economy.

While BYD has previously said any cars built in Mexico would be for local consumption, the prospect of exporting its affordable range of EVs to a huge auto market like the US would be tantalizing.

Mexico is seen as a strategically attractive landing point for foreign automakers given its proximity to America. Its also part of a North American free trade agreement with the US and Canada.

The US already plans tariffs of 100% on Chinese EVs, an action President Joe Bidens administration says will ensure the future of the auto industry will be made in America by American workers.

The Biden administration is also watching for any attempts by Chinese companies to export cars from Mexico into the US, and considering ways to block them if they seek to circumvent tariffs targeting EVs made in China, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in an interview in May.

BYDs Li said in a Bloomberg News interview in late August that she planned to meet at some point with Mexicos incoming President Claudia Sheinbaum, who takes office Oct. 1, and that the company was still weighing three locations for a factory in Mexico.

--With assistance from Danny Lee.

(Updates with BYD comment in fourth paragraph.)

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After NY governor says Chinas consul general was removed, State Department says there was no expulsion action

Following New York Gov. Kathy Hochuls comments Wednesday that Chinas consul general in New York was removed from his position after her former aide was charged with acting as an agent for the Chinese government, the US State Department said later that there was no expulsion action.

The diplomat had reached the end of their regularly scheduled rotation and left at the end of August, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Wednesday at a briefing.

However, a spokesperson for the Chinese Consulate General in New York said diplomat Huang Ping is performing his duties as usual, according to a statement to CNN Wednesday, seemingly conflicting with the comments made by Hochul and the State Department.

At a news conference earlier Wednesday, Hochul said she was on the phone with a high-ranking State Department official at the request of Antony Blinken about Huang Pings status. Hochul spoke with Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, Miller said.

Hochul said during the phone call she conveyed my desire to have the consul general from the Peoples Republic of China at the New York Mission expelled, and Ive been informed that the consul general is no longer in the New York Mission.

When asked to clarify if the consul general was expelled, Hochul responded, I know that theyre no longer in their position. Thats all I know.

Miller said there was no expulsion action: The consul general was not expelled. Our understanding is that the consul general reached the end of a regularly scheduled rotation in August, and so rotated out of the position, but was not expelled.

But, of course, when it comes to the status of particular employees of a foreign mission, I would refer you to the foreign country to speak to it, but there was no expulsion action, Miller said.

That said, foreign interference, including attempts to influence through covert activities that should be registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act and are not registered, are things that we take very seriously, as you saw by the action the Department of Justice took yesterday, Miller added.

When asked about the consul generals involvement, Hochul said, I believe that the Chinese government, with their behavior, in doing this and working with Linda Sun, is not acceptable  it is a statement by us that were not tolerating this. Anybody representing that government needs to move on. That was what we made clear.

Hochuls comments came after Sun, a former deputy chief of staff to Hochul and an aide to then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, was charged with violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registrations Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling and money laundering conspiracy, according to an unsealed copy of the indictment.

Her husband and co-defendant, Chris Hu, was also charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to commit bank fraud as well as misusing means of identification, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.

Sun and Hu both pleaded not guilty to all charges in federal court Tuesday afternoon. Suns bond is set at $1.5 million and her husbands is set at $500,000.

Hochul said Wednesday shes been helping the Department of Justice for months and will continue to work with them.

She called Suns actions an absolute betrayal of the trust of two administrations in state government, and went as far as even forging my signature on documents.

Hochul said the FBI asked her one question  to verify whether something was her signature.

Hochul said Sun was a mid-level aide and said she didnt have contact with her very often and had no real role in my policies as governor.

The governor said she feels confident in our vetting process right now.

We have very high levels of background checks, Hochul said.

The governor cautioned she wasnt able to provide detailed information about the investigation into Sun: Theres an ongoing investigation, therell be court proceedings, maybe a trial  all this will be revealed but its not information I can divulge at this time, she said.

Chinese consul general Huang Ping and Linda Sun in January 2023. - From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China

Sun accused of influencing messaging

Sun acted as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government while her husband, Hu, facilitated the transfer of millions of dollars in kickbacks for personal gain, prosecutors said in a news release.

While working for state government, Sun influenced the messaging of high-level state officials regarding issues of importance to China, blocked Taiwanese government representatives from access to the officials, and obtained official New York State proclamations for Chinese government representatives without authorization, prosecutors alleged in the indictment.

The couples arrest comes at a time when US-China relations remain fraught over a host of frictions including Beijings aggressions in the South China Sea and toward Taiwan, and US trade controls targeting China.

CNN has reached out to the US State Department and the Chinese Embassy in Washington for comment.

An attorney for Sun, Jarrod Schaeffer, told CNN the charges are inflammatory and appear to be the product of an overly aggressive prosecution.

We are also troubled by aspects of the governments investigation. As we said today in court, our client is eager  to defend against these accusations in the proper forum  a court of law, Schaeffer said.

A defense attorney for Hu, Seth DuCharme addressed reporters outside court Tuesday, saying, We have a lot of confidence in our case.

A lot of the allegations in this indictment are frankly perplexing, overly inflammatory, he said. As you heard in court today, we are looking forward to our day in court. The defendants are exercising their right to a speedy trial as soon as they can; we have a lot of confidence in Chris and in Linda.

Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was unaware of the aide accused of working for China.

I am not aware of the situation you mentioned, spokesperson Mao Ning said, adding, I will not comment on the domestic cases in the United States, but we oppose malicious associations and slander against China.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Yong Xiong and Jennifer Hansler contributed to this report.

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Chinese officials promised to encourage the countrys most powerful companies to invest in Nigeria following Xi Jinpings meeting with Nigerian leader Bola Tinubu in Beijing.

Tinubu, in turn, agreed to let Chinese factories open in the West African country, and for China to develop its mineral and energy resources.

In a joint statement, the leaders said the investment would help Nigerias economy  which is enduring its worst crisis in a generation  to diversify from its dependency on oil, including by investing in Nigerias military technology, and intelligence.

The talks were held ahead of the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which China hopes to use to build itself up as a natural leader and economic partner of Global South countries as an alternative to the US and its allies.

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Chinese investment deepens influence over one of Africas biggest economies

Sources: Reuters, The Washington Post

Nigeria is already a major benefactor of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, a major prong of Beijings push to exert its global influence through physical infrastructure and financing. China has built a deep sea port and new railroad lines in the West African nation, with potential for more projects around clean energy generation given Nigerias chronic electricity shortages. Africas share of Chinas total new energy exports remains very small, a professor of international relations at Tsinghua University told The Washington Post. China views the African market as still being in a relatively early stage, he said. Still, China is Nigerias biggest bilateral lender, totaling $5 billion at the end of March, according to Nigerias Debt Management office.





Chinese lending sees a surge across Africa

Sources: Semafor, Reuters

China committed $4.6 billion in new loans to African countries in 2023 in the lead-up to this years Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Thats still less than half of what was annually committed between 2013 and 2018, according to Boston Universitys Global Development Policy Centers data, but its an increase from 2022. Beijing also unveiled plans to revitalize an aging railway aimed at improving transportation in resource-rich East Africa, as well as develop bilateral trade agreements with South Africa. The uptick in loans could help bolster the continents potential as a growing and sustainable market for China, amid what the countrys foreign minister has described as hegemonic bullying by the US in the form of tariffs and trade sanctions.
President Ramos-Horta (center, on vehicle) inspects military personnel during the country's 21st Independence Day celebrations in Dili on May 20, 2023. Credit - Valentino Dariel SousaGetty Images

It was not really an assassination attempt, says Jose Ramos-Horta. Timor-Lestes President is sitting on the breezy veranda of Galeria Memoria Viva, the seafront bungalow in capital city Dili that now serves as his personal museum. The walls are festooned with memorabilia spanning half-a-century of activism and politics: a watercolor by an incarcerated former comrade; a plaque commemorating his 1996 Nobel Peace Prize; photos of an Australian journalist slain during his nations tumultuous birth pangs.

But when asked about that fateful morning of Feb. 11, 2008, Ramos-Horta tears up the history book. It was during his previous stint as president that rebel leader Alfredo Reinado entered his home at 6 a.m. with a dozen heavily armed men. Ramos-Horta was out jogging on the beach and returned to a firefight between the intruders and his security staff, during which he was shot at least twice (the rebels used banned dum-dum bullets that fracture on impact, so the exact number remains a mystery.)

Ramos-Horta was airlifted to the Australian city of Darwin for medical treatment and nearly lost his life; one shrapnel fragment was lodged just 2 mm from his spine. When he eventually recovered, Ramos-Horta from his hospital thanked all who prayed for me, who looked after me, who cared for me following the assassination attempt on me by Mr. Alfredo Reinado.

Sixteen years later, Ramos-Horta has a different view. The guy came to my house trying to talk to me, he says. He had full trust in me. He said I was the only leader in the country he trusted. But he was already renegade and so my security people shot him, because what the hell is he doing here? I heard the shooting, go home, and one of his [companions] shot me because he thought I was involved.

It's not the only time that Ramos-Horta, 74, will rip up orthodoxy during our conversation, which takes place as Asias youngest nation prepares to mark 25 years since the end of Indonesian occupation. Timor-Leste was a Portuguese colony until 1975, when the Carnation Revolution spurred Lisbon to divest its overseas territories. But it was just nine days after formal independence that Indonesia invaded, backed by a Cold War-consumed West terrified that Timor-Leste was set to become another communist enclave in Asia.

Few people had such a front-row seat to the ensuing tumult as Ramos-Horta, who was born in Dili and helped found the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor, or Fretilin, serving as the resistance groups exiled spokesman and chief diplomat. In contrast to the movements ragtag AK47-totting freedom fighters, the moderate and urbane Ramos-Horta championed the Timor-Leste cause in foreign capitals and especially at the U.N. Following independence in 2002, Ramos-Horta served as the fledgling nations first foreign minister, then prime minister, and now twice as president. In a time of conflicts around the globe, Timor-Leste is a rare example of reconciliation and tranquility, he says.

Timor-Lestes trajectory has been impressive; to date its had eight undisputed elections leading to five peaceful transfers of power. The national budget has risen from $68 million in 2002 to around $2 billion today; life expectancy from 57 to 70 years over the same period. Electricity coverage is now 97%. The nation of 1.4 million ranks 20th worldwide for press freedombest in Asia and ahead of the U.K, Spain, and the U.S. Its the only Southeast Asian nation rated free by Freedom House. I'm very happy that we are not at war with ourselves, we have the best possible relations with our neighbors, says Ramos-Horta, adding with a grin: We are not very competent with economics but that's not a crime!

Which brings us to the caveats. Timor-Leste remains one of the worlds poorest nations, with almost half the population wallowing in multidimensional poverty. Two-thirds of Timorese survive by subsistence farming and the 2023 Global Hunger Index ranked the nation 112th out of 125 worldwide. Most rural youth are stunted; over 1,000 children under five years old die from preventable conditions every year30 times the total number of homicides.

Most pressingly, the nations coffers are fast running dry. Since 2005, Timor-Leste has relied on bountiful oil and gas reserves, whose revenues have been funneled into a sovereign wealth Petroleum Fund invested in U.S. treasury bonds and international stocks. Rather than be hostage to commodity prices and risk a boom-and-bust cycle, the idea was to secure oil revenues for future generations. Today, the Petroleum Fund boasts over $16 billion, though parched wells mean withdrawals now exceed deposits. We are among the suckers who keep the U.S. economy afloat, laughs Ramos-Horta, to make the U.S. feel it is a superpower!

It's ribbing laced with venom given Ramos-Hortas undisguised disgust with Washingtons recent foreign policy stances, not least its backing for Israels offensive in Gaza, which has claimed over 40,000 lives and counting, mostly civilians. The Wests blatant double standards weaken their credibility, their strength, because there is no greater power than moral power, he says. You cannot expect [Israel] to shrug in the face of what Hamas did. But God, if you have moral superiority, behave with moral superiority.

Still, Ramos-Horta has no such admonishments for Americas superpower rival, telling the U.N. General Assembly in September that Western portrayals of China as a menace were unjustified and unfair. Two days later Dili and Beijing agreed on a comprehensive strategic partnership and Ramos-Horta makes little effort to assuage Western fears regarding Beijings growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. We have an excellent relationship with China as we have with Australia and the U.S., he says. We do not feel China is a threat to the world.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Ramos-Horta inspect the honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on July 29, 2024 in Beijing, China. Vincent ThianGetty Images)

Its a curious viewpoint for a life-long human-rights defender, though perhaps unsurprising given Timor-Lestes current predicament and Beijings swelling regional clout. With every passing year since independence, Dili has become ever more addicted to easy oil and gas revenue, stymieing attempts to diversify the economy. Today, the Petroleum Fund contributes to 85% of government spending, meaning consumption has taken precedence over productiondubbed the Dutch disease or resource cursewhile entrenching structural issues such as low productivity and an inefficient bureaucracy.

Asked about weaning Timor-Leste away from its resource dependency, Ramos-Horta replies that all the positive changes [in the country] had to do with our investing petroleum revenues. He also points to the shiny new Hilton hotel about to open in Dili as evidence of efforts to seed a nascent tourism industry. Yet the fact remains that Timor-Lestes two primary revenue streamsthe Kitan oil and Bayu-Undan gas fieldsare virtually depleted, with next years revenues projected to be near zero. Instead of just spending the Petroleum Funds interest, as intended, the national budget relies on spending the capital, meaning at current rates the fund will be exhausted by the early 2030s. The aspirant petrostate has essentially run out of gas.

With efforts to diversify the economy floundering, Timor-Leste is banking on more petrodollars via the $50 billion Greater Sunrise gasfieldmooted as one of the worlds largest untapped reservesthat lies between it and Australia. However, despite a 2018 resolution with Canberra settling Greater Sunrises ownership the two sides remain deadlocked over Dilis insistence on pumping the gas across a deep-sea trench to be refined at an as-yet-unconstructed facility, dubbed Tasi Mane, on its southern coast. Australian partner Woodside Petroleum, meanwhile, wants to just pump the gas via an existing pipeline to its facilities in Darwin and has offered preferential royalties80/20 instead of 70/30to do so.

Even if the Tasi Mane project is built, it will not employ many people, says Charles Scheiner, a researcher for La'o Hamutuk, a Dili-based NGO for development monitoring and analysis. The jobs that Timorese are likely to get would be clearing land, mopping floors and doing laundry for the international staff.

Yet Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmaoa former revolutionary comradehave invested enormous political capital into local refining, with Gusmao in particular seeing Tasi Mane as his personal legacy. For him to now say, sorry, that was a terrible mistake, would be an incredible loss of face and make it difficult for him to politically survive, says Damien Kingsbury, an emeritus professor at Australias Deakin University. Theres even a chance that Timor-Leste could back Tasi Mane itself, an all-or-nothing bet that would empty the Petroleum Fund and a move Kingsbury calls lunacy.

It's this stalemate that has opened the door to geopolitical competition. With Woodside balking at the cost of Tasi Mane, Timor-Leste instead took the project to Chinas main development investor, its Export-Import Bank. However, that bank also rejected Tasi Mane as essentially unfeasible. Nevertheless, Timor-Leste has been fluttering its eyelids at the superpower to the chagrin of its longtime sponsor to the south. Timor-Leste faces enormous pressure both from Australia and Indonesia, says Rui Graca Feijo, a research fellow at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. They are a little nation in the middle of two giants and try not to be blocked in by that polarity.

Septembers upgrading of relations with Beijing included efforts to enhance high-level military exchanges  [and] the conduct of joint exercises and training. The subsequent blowback was such that China clarified in subsequent days that it was not seeking closer military-to-military relations with Timor-Lesteyet the specter of enhanced security ties continues to bother Western powers. If a Chinese warship were to come here, the U.S. would be apoplectic, says Scheiner.

Already stung by the Solomon Islands security arrangement with China from 2022which refocused Western attention on historically pro-Western Pacific states, the fear in Canberra, Washington, and the capitals of ASEANis that Timor-Leste was moving into Beijings orbit. Although Chinas local footprint is comparatively small, it is helping with various infrastructure projects, including roads, new military barracks, the defense headquarters, presidential palace, foreign affairs building, and a new port.

Ramos-Hortas views of a Beijing government that consistently ranks amongst the worlds worst human-rights violators certainly beg questions. China is not a threat to the region. It is not a threat to the world, he insists. The U.S. seems to be searching for an enemy where there is none.

How about Chinas backing of Vladimir Putins war of choice in Ukraine? China has no troops in Ukraine, he says. It is NATO that is involved.

What about threats to the self-ruling island of Taiwan, through whose air defense identification zone Beijing dispatched 1,709 warplanes last year, as well as waging trade embargoes, disinformation campaigns, and grayzone warfare?

Taiwan is part of China as Hawaii is part of the United States, he says. Should Taiwans 23 million people67% of whom see themselves as Taiwanese, rather than Chinese or some mixhave the same right to self-determination that Timor-Leste enjoyed? Just because some people, or many people, don't for whatever reason feel [part of a country] doesnt necessarily mean that they can just secede, he says. Timor-Leste was never part of Indonesia. That's the difference.

That is sadly reductive. Taiwan was administered as a Japanese colony between 1895-1945 and became politically self-ruling in 1949 at the end of Chinas civil war. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has never ruled the island. But Ramos-Horta isnt ignorant of this. As he told the World Federation of Taiwanese Associations in Taipei in 1997: It is the people of Taiwan, making use of their right of self-determination, a peremptory norm in international law, which should decide the future that best suits them.

Ramos-Horta, age 25, talks to Fretilin freedom fighters in the remote mountains of East Timor on October 4, 1975. Ben TweedieCorbis/ Getty Images

For a staunch human-rights defender to parrot CCP disinformation could generously be put down to the inevitable compromises of office. But that he should do so in the apparent hope of securing backing for the Tasi Mane vanity project is perplexing. Regardless, its a sign that despite Chinas objectively minimal footprint in Timor-Lestetheres no state investment and trade is only half the level of neighboring IndonesiaBeijings corrupting influence is already indelible here.

Yet a nation of Timor-Leste's size and isolation is no stranger to realpolitik. The 25th anniversary of the Indonesian withdrawal has rekindled dark memories of abuses suffered during occupation, during which some 180,000 Timorese perished. But not a single person has faced justice despite the U.N. and two separate truth and reconciliation commissions recommending hundreds of charges.

We had to make choices, shrugs Ramos-Horta. The greatest justice done to us is that we are free today.

Wounds are fresh and deep. Right across the street from Dilis parliament building sits the Timorese Residence and Archive Museum, whose harrowing displays include homespun weaponry, accounts of mass displacement, and a mannequin behind the bars of a squalid cell, face contorted in agony. Just a mile to the southeast lies the ramshackle Santa Cruz cemetery, where in 1991 at least 250 unarmed civilians were massacred by Indonesian troops. Directly opposite, behind barbed wire fencing, sits a military cemetery for those same Indonesian soldiers, whose neatly manicured graves sit in neat rows topped with a white and red ribbon of their national flag.

The government position regarding past atrocities is completely different from most of the people in Timor-Leste, particularly victims and civil society organizations, says Hugo Fernandes, CEO of the Centro Nacional Chega!, an institution set up in 2016 to continue the work of earlier truth commissions of which Fernandes also played a key role.

Ramos-Horta, in response, says that people seeking accountability do so because they are not in government and are not wise enough to appreciate the stakes. Can you imagine if we didn't heal the wounds with Indonesia? he asks. They could have done like in Myanmar. So  we honor our victims, pay tribute to the heroes. But we live on.

Parallels with Myanmar are visceral following that nations February 2021 coup detat, which ousted the quasi-civilian government of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, leading to thousands killed and almost two million displaced. How does Ramos-Horta feel about his friend and fellow Nobel laureate, Suu Kyi, who defended the military that eventually toppled her, against accusations of genocide against Rohinyga Muslims at the Hague?

Had she spoken out, she would have been ousted in a matter of days, or hours, as simple as that, he adds. The military in complicity with the radical monks were just waiting for Suu Kyi to make a false move and speak out on the plight of the Rohingya. I spoke with her privately two or three times, and she explained she was alone. And the West, instead of throwing its weight behind her, criticized her.

Again, no criticism of China, which described the coup as a major cabinet reshuffle, slammed Western sanctions as exacerbating tensions, and sold the murderous junta over $250 million in weapons. The spark for the coup, says Ramos-Horta, was Joe Bidens election victory. The military counted on Donald Trumps reelection, he says, recounting how Trumps first national security advisor, Michael Flynn, who he calls that idiot, praised the militarys putsch. But Trump lost the election in the U.S. and the [Myanmar] military said, we have to act.

Is Ramos-Horta perturbed by the prospect of another Trump term? Of course! he says. It would be grave for U.S. influence in the world.

Its easy to see why Ramos-Horta can sympathize with Suu Kyi and her Faustian pact with the militaryeven if it turned out to be a failed gambit. The question is whether Timor-Leste will fare any better from the high-stakes gambles his government feels compelled to make.

That shooting by Alfredo Reinados rebels back in 2008 came amid two years of political turmoil that saw over a third of the nations armed forces going rogue over dissatisfaction with promotions and a dire economic picture. In the wake of a coup attempt and widespread bloodletting, reforms to boost spendingparticularly by importing rice to mitigate the ravages of the hungry season when harvests are sparsesthelped usher in a period of stability.

But with a new fiscal cliff fast approaching, and neither Greater Sunrise nor other revenue streams close to fruition, the Dili government has already slashed the national budget by 18%. With GDP so heavily reliant on government spending, that's going to hurt and there will be consequences, says Kingsbury. If they try to cut pensions, particularly veterans pensions, or food subsidies so people won't be able to eat enough, that's going to engender a pretty sharp political backlash.

Ramos-Horta doesnt share fears of a return to past unrest. He points to an Abu Dhabi consortium perhaps opening five luxury resorts, and potential ASEAN membership bringing greater access to the blocs 700 million people (despite Timor-Leste having precious little to sell). Angola and Mozambique have just opened embassies, he notes. So we are doing pretty well. Even that shooting of 16 years ago belongs to a bygone era.

Friends told me that Id better remove out of that house because Id have nightmares, he says. But I never had any.

Write to Charlie Campbell at charlie.campbell@time.com.
By David Stanway

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The outcome of November's presidential election will loom large over talks in Beijing this week between U.S. climate envoy John Podesta and his Chinese counterpart Liu Zhenmin, experts said on Wednesday.

Co-operation between the world's two biggest greenhouse gas emitters has helped pave the way for major climate deals, such as the 2015 Paris Agreement, but the risk of former President Donald Trump's re-election could make fresh pledges difficult.

"The election will make it very hard - in fact, impossible - for the two sides to reach any substantive agreement during Podesta's trip," said Li Shuo, an expert in climate diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute.

"There's just no reason why the China side will show its cards ahead of the election."

With Podesta set to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday, the United States also hopes to press China to contribute to a new global climate finance package and set more ambitious 2035 goals before a U.N. deadline early next year.

China's foreign ministry declined to comment on the visit.

During Trump's first term in office, starting in 2017, the United States shut down climate talks with China and withdrew from the Paris Agreement. Though it rejoined in 2021, Trump is expected to pull out again if he wins in November.

However, the entry of Kamala Harris to the fray means Beijing's calculations will be different from a few months ago, when most polls showed Trump leading over President Joe Biden, said Tom Evans, senior policy adviser with the E3G climate think tank.

"China is going to have to entertain the possibility of two very different U.S. scenarios and hedge their bets," he said, after the vice president took Biden's place on the Democratic ticket.

Washington is said to be pushing Beijing to pledge an emissions cut of 30% by 2035 to align with the Paris Agreement, and regardless of November's result, Evans said, it was still key for the United States to spur China to raise its ambitions.

Even a Trump win could afford China an opportunity to show more ambition and "distinguish itself positively from a backsliding United States", he added.

Yet a victory for Trump would doom two-way climate diplomacy, said Li, who is also the director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute.

"It will be very clear-cut: climate is just not an issue and there won't be any U.S.-China climate engagement from day one."

(Reporting by David Stanway; Additional reporting by Colleen Howe in Beijing; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
From the The Morning Dispatch on The Dispatch

Happy Wednesday! Monday was redemption day for competitive eater Joey Chestnut, who was uninvited from this years annual Nathans Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest due to his endorsement of a vegan hot dog. But Chestnut cemented his status as the greatest of all time earlier this week, downing 83 hot dogs in 10 minutes and easily beating Japans Takeru Kobayashi, who came out of retirement to eat a measly 66.

You come at the king, you best not miss.

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The Economy Xi Wants

A market in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Nuno Alberto via Unsplash.)

Chinas economic woes have been the subject of many a headline over the last few years, and the bad vibes appear to be reflected in the countrys online sentiment, with censors and state media trying to stifle discussions about a new era of Chinese economic decline affectionately referred to as a garbage time of history.

Signs of the countrys struggles continue to abound, but Beijing is doubling down on Chinese-style modernization policies that some economists argue will worsen the distortions already plaguing the worlds second-largest economy as trade tensions with the U.S. and other developed economies remain elevated.

After China eased its zero-COVID lockdown policies in late 2022, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) hoped the countrys economy would come roaring back to pre-pandemic growth levels that had once been a feature of modern Chinese marketsChinas economy grew at an average annual rate of 9.5 percent between 1979 and 2018, according to World Bank data. But the economy is still sputtering a year and a half later, dragged down by a flagging real estate sector, overproduction, and weak consumer spending.

New data this summer did little to assuage fears about the state of Chinas economy. Gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 4.7 percent in the second quarter of 2024, according to data released in July by Chinas National Bureau of Statistics, the numbers from which are best digested with several grains of salt. While most developed economies would be thrilled with such a growth rate, the numbers came in below the expected growth of 5.1 percent. The Chinese government has set a target of 5 percent annual GDP growth, but many economists now see that growth as out of reach for 2024.

But those numbers may be even more disappointing in reality, perhaps a full percentage point or more below the reported numbers. Chinas National Bureau of Statistics has a less-than-sterling record on other economic data: The agency suspended reporting on the youth unemployment rate after it reached a record high of 21.3 percent in June 2023. Instead, the agency adjusted its criteria to optimize the numbers and began releasing rosier reports in January of this year.

Among the most worrying sectors is real estate, which has experienced a steep decline over the last three years as giant property developers defaulted and collapsed. The basic story over the past few years has been that China was an investment-led economy with an overwhelming proportion of that investment concentrated in the property market, in property construction, and the infrastructure sector, Logan Wrightdirector of China markets research at Rhodium Group, an economic analysis firmtold TMD. Those two sectors have declined very sharply. New home sales by the top 100 Chinese developers fell 26.8 percent year-over-year in August, according to preliminary data released last week. New home prices in China fell 4.9 percent in July compared to a year earlierthe fastest drop in nine yearsand used-home prices fell 7.9 percent.

Property investment in China dropped by 10 percent in the first six months of 2024, and foreign investment overall has also declined. Last month, the government restricted previously daily data on net investment in Chinese stocks from foreign funds to quarterly reporting. The move came in the wake of billions of dollars in foreign investment leaving Chinese stocks this summer. For only the second time since 1990the first being Novemberforeign direct investment in China turned negative in the second quarter of 2024, both an indicator of and contributor to the weakening of the Chinese economy.

What has been the CCPs answer to the economic headwinds? Largely staying the course. In July, the party convened its Third Plenum of the Central Committeea major economic policy meeting once held every five years. The CCP reiterated its focus on industrial policy and boosting manufacturing and investments in technological innovation, referred to as high-quality development. What was absent were any detailed plans for turning the real estate market around or boosting consumer spending. The government announced a $70 billion lending program in May for local governments to buy up unsold properties and convert them to affordable housing units, which has faced a slow rollout that hasnt seemed to make a dent in the housing market decline.

The overall policy orientation continues Chinas state-driven economic development focused on manufacturing and production, with some emphasis on new tech sectorsefforts that seem to ignore prevailing economic wisdom that holds that robust consumer spending is the way to drive sustainable growth. Household spending among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countriesa collection of states with market economiesaccounts for about 60 percent of GDP, but its only around 40 percent of Chinas GDP.

Yet a focus on consumer spending, either through fiscal stimulus or broader economic reforms to expand private sector growth and incomes, doesnt appear to be the goal of the CCPs economic policy. If you want to be like an OECD economy, then yes, youd have to shrink the state sector, let private incomes rise, allow the private sector to expand into more areas, certainly including finance, if you want that kind of economy, Derek Scissorsa senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and chief economist at the China Beige Book, a data-collection firm tracking the Chinese economytold TMD. But they dont.

If you want the economy that they want, make sure we can control everything so there arent any destabilizing events, he added, noting that tight state control of the economy prevented the housing glut from sparking a financial crisis, but will prolong the pain of climbing out of the bubble.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed an aversion to any large fiscal policies to stimulate consumer spending and has previously criticized social spending programs as welfarism that breeds laziness. As the party sees it, consumption is an individualistic distraction that threatens to divert resources away from Chinas core economic strength: its industrial base, Zongyuan Zoe Liu, a fellow in China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, wrote last month.

The CCPs commitment to manufacturing and production as the engine of economic activity necessarily led to excess capacity that has put the Chinese economy on a collision course with Western countries looking to protect nascent domestic industry in green energy and national security-sensitive sectors. In prioritizing industrial output, Chinas economic planners assume that Chinese producers will always be able to offload excess supply in the global market and reap cash from foreign sales, Liu argued. In practice, however, they have created vast overinvestment in production across sectors in which the domestic market is already saturated and foreign governments are wary of Chinese supply chain dominance.

But the current economic hole likely cant be filled by manufacturing. [The property sector] was around 25 to 27 percent of GDP at its peak, Wright told TMD. As it has declined, nothing has taken its place. He noted that Chinas development in the green energy sectornamely batteries, electric vehicles, and solar panelshasnt come close to real estates previous share of the economy.

China cant maintain the same pace of economic growth post-pandemic after the property market collapsed, he added. The math does not add up at this point.

Potentially complicating the economic picture, President Joe Biden announced a slew of new and increased tariffs in May on imports from China of electric vehicles (EVs), semiconductors, solar panels, critical minerals, and medical goodsalthough the administration has delayed the actual rollout which was originally set for August 1. Europe has followed suit with the European Commission imposing provisional tariffs on Chinese EVs. Our friendly northern neighbors announced tariffs late last month on Chinese EVs and steel and aluminum imports. Beyond tariffs, the Biden administration is also reportedly considering additional subsidization of the critical mineral industry in the form of a guaranteed price floor to help stabilize the financing of domestic projects.

It remains to be seen how effective these measures will be at combating cheaper Chinese exports, let alone successfully seeding domestic industry. Our own Scott Lincicome is skeptical to say the least, arguing that such industrial policies could drive up prices, create new gluts, and actually make domestic industry less competitive in the long run.

But policy trends in both China and the West seem to remain set on a more confrontational trajectory. For the CCP, the success of its own economic strategy will likely be measured more by its geopolitical effects than GDP growth, Scissors argued. Theyre trying to export their way to foreign dependence, he said. Theyre not trying to export their way to growth.

Worth Your Time

Nature is capable of many wondrous feats, like creating the marvel that is a diamondbut then again, so are humans. Lab diamonds are a testament to the principle that what nature can do, man is capable of doing better, Javid Lakha argued for Works in Progress. At the upper end of the market, it is not possible to tell the difference between lab diamonds and mined diamonds with the naked eye.  In Western civilization, a pernicious belief has taken hold, that what is natural is good and what is man-made is inferior or harmful. Wordsworth, in his poem The Tables Turned, expresses it best: Sweet is the lore which nature brings; Our meddling intellect Mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things;  We murder to dissect. But human intellect and the scientific method are the foundations of our prosperity. Nature is not a superior craftsman: it is our resource, and we can and should improve upon it. In materials science, this has been obvious for a long time.  Lab diamonds are a further testament to this.

Can you listen to too much music? As Jars of Clay write in their song Headphones, there is a temptation to retreat from real emotions through sound: We go our separate ways  with our headphones on, Peter Biles observed in Plough. Music yielded instances of healing, grace, and beauty, but I also used it to manufacture emotions and escape the burden of silence.  Letting music wash over every moment of life without cultivating places for quiet is like reading the classics and never pausing to reflect on their meaning. We become chronic skimmers, afloat in the ocean of noise with our eyes sleeplessly staring into space. Beautiful music has tended to hit me at unexpected times.  Ive never been able to wrangle a transcendent experience like a cowboy ropes an elusive bull. Every time Ive tried, Ive ended up restless and in an emotional fluxfocused on myself instead of on the divine. One thing any of us can do, perhaps, is to choose to listen not only to music but to the silence. And we can listen to music in ways that brings us closer together rather than silos us.

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The Hill: Trump On Why Powerful People Got Close To Epstein: He Was A Good Salesman

He was a good salesman. He was a hailing, hearty type of guy, Trump said. He had some nice assets that hed throw around like islands, but a lot of big people went to that island. But fortunately, I was not one of them.

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In the Zeitgeist

We have to admit that many entries in Rolling Stones list of the 100 best TV episodes were before our timebut some were just wrong. (The actual best episode of For All Mankind, for example, is Hi, Bob.) We cant argue, though, with this episode of I Love Lucy cracking the top 20:

Toeing the Company Line

In the newsletters: Nick enters the debate () over how traditional conservatives can best reform the Republican Party.

On the podcasts: Chris joins Jonah on The Remnant for some rank punditry.

On the site: Joseph Roche interviews Russian prisoners of war captured during Ukraines Kursk offensive, and Kevin weighs in on the idea of strategic voting.

Let Us Know

What would crack your own personal list of best television episodes of all time?

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This is an adapted excerpt from the Sept. 3 episode of "All In."

Were entering the final sprint toward Election Day and Republicans are getting desperate.

Party leaders on Capitol Hill are warning their top donors, privately and publicly, in panicked tones, that they need more money to compete with Democratic spending. The head of the Republican Partys Senate campaigns told Politico, The only thing preventing us from having a great night in November is the massive financial disparity our party currently faces.

Now, its a fundraisers job to sound panicked and ask for more money, and Democratic donations have been through the roof in every election cycle since Donald Trump became the face of the Republican Party. But this race looks different. In this case, the panic may be warranted.

We dont have full August fundraising numbers from both campaigns yet but in July, Vice President Kamala Harris campaign raised $310 million, more than double the $138.7 million that Trump raised in the same period.

The spending gap between the parties has also rarely if ever been as large as it is today. The situation for the GOP in several battleground states is stark. According to AdImpact, pro-Harris groups are spending roughly 10 times as much as pro-Trump groups to buy political ads in Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina and Wisconsin. Theyre spending three times as much in Arizona. Thats a massive spending disparity. The kind that makes a difference in a tight election.

But there are two swing states where, despite their huge disadvantage in fundraising, Republicans are keeping pace with Democratic spending: Georgia and Pennsylvania. Pro-Trump groups seem prepared to be outspent everywhere else thats in play but not in Georgia or Pennsylvania, where theyre matching pro-Harris spending almost dollar for dollar.

The reason, of course, is the Electoral College  that bizarre anti-democratic system of presidential voting that says no matter how many people vote for you for president, you still need 270 state electors.

Its a system thats already caused some problems in America. Like when George W. Bush and Trump both lost the popular vote but won the Electoral College. In 2020, it was the perverse incentives of the Electoral College that gave Trump his opening to try and steal the election with a plan for fake electors  a plan that culminated in the Jan. 6 insurrection.

The Electoral College is still there, operating in the background. All the strategic decisions that campaigns make are determined by it. What youre seeing in the spending of the Trump campaign is that theyve got one path to victory  and theyre putting literally all their money on it.

Envision this result  a map pretty much the same as 2020 with everyone holding the states their parties won that year. Except Trump flips Georgia and Pennsylvania, giving him 270 electoral votes to Harris 268. That means Trump becomes president again.

Thats a nightmare map for Democrats. Harris could sweep the rest of the battleground states and win nationwide by millions of votes. But, as The Washington Post points out, If [Trump] can hold North Carolina  the only one of these seven states he won in both 2016 and 2020 and he takes Georgia and Pennsylvania  its all over for Harris.

This is a high-risk, high-reward strategy for Republicans. Pennsylvania is pivotal for them. As you might have gathered from Trumps last few rallies there.

Pennsylvania is almost as crucial for Harris too. Certainly, if she wins there  right now she leads in the polls, but its within the margin of error  shes in very good shape. Harris can also win in some long shot scenarios without the state, if for example, she can hold Georgia and flip North Carolina.

But for both campaigns right now, the Keystone State looks like a true keystone to victory.

Join Chris Hayes, Rachel Maddow and many others on Saturday, Sept. 7, in Brooklyn, New York, for MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024, a first-of-its-kind live event. Youll get to see your favorite hosts in person and hear thought-provoking conversations about what matters most in the final weeks of an unprecedented election cycle. Buy tickets here.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)After months of uncertainty about the future of Wadley Regional Medical Center, a CHRISTUS Health affiliate now says it is looking to buy the hospital.

According to a news release, CHRISTUS Health Ark-La-Tex entered into a binding asset purchase agreement with Steward Health Care. Steward filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year and has been looking to sell its assets.

They already operate CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital and several other clinics in the Texarkana area.

CHRISTUS Health reminds you of the warning signs of a stroke

CHRISTUS Health has a long, proud history of providing exceptional and compassionate care to the Texarkana community for over 100 years, said President and CEO Ernie Sadau. We want to ensure that legacy of service continues into the next century and are best positioned to do that by bringing Wadley Regional Medical Center into the CHRISTUSfamily.

The CHRISTUS bid has been designated as the proposed stalking horse, a bid chosen by a company going through bankruptcy to set the minimum bid. It still allows another company to present a higher or better-qualified bid. The deadline to submit a bid is September 9th and could up being an auction.

CHRISTUS expects the transaction to close in the coming months if they are the winning buyer at the auction and receive regulatory approval.

We have proudly built a reputation of providing high-quality care to all those in need, said Jason Adams, president of CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System in Texarkana. We are committed to our mission of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, to ensure that all people, including the underserved, have access to needed care.

In the meantime Wadley Regional Medical Center continues to operate normally.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A federal judge ruled Tuesday a controversial Manhattan parent leader who was removed from a New York City education council for making disparaging comments about a student must be reinstated, finding her free speech rights were violated.

Maud Maron, who New York City Schools removed for derogatory conduct in June, can now resume her post on lower Manhattans coveted District 2 council. She has also been criticized for making anti-transgender comments against students.

In her ruling, federal judge Diane Gujarati also deemed the New York City Department of Educations anti-harassment policy  which was used to remove Maron  chilled  expression and likely violates the First Amendment because of its vague language.

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The policy, D-210, is so unclear that it prevents a person of ordinary intelligence  before such person is subject to investigation from understanding what conduct is prohibited, the judge wrote.

Schools Chancellor David Banks removed Maron for comments made in the New York Post in which she called an anonymous Stuyvesant High School student author a coward and accused them of Jew hatred for an op-ed accusing Israel of genocide in Palestine in the student paper.



In December, a 74 investigation revealed Maron also said in a private chat that, there is no such thing as trans kids, among other disparaging remarks. In response, Banks called Marons behavior despicable but did not include the anti-trans comments in documents outlining her removal.

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In a text, Maron told The 74 Wednesday she was reinstated because, free speech still means something in this country. The people who voted for me won today because they were also deprived of their voice by the Chancellors unconstitutional decision.

The judges decision was issued after Maron and two other parents sued the Department of Education, the education council for District 14 and its leadership for allegedly stifling their speech. Gujartis decision granted an injunction to stop the DOE from enforcing the anti-discrimination policy via removing council members. Their case is ongoing.

Department of Education officials said Gujaratis decision makes it more difficult to safeguard children.

We are disappointed by a ruling that limits our ability to protect students from harmful conduct by parent leaders. Even prior to the courts ruling, we began reviewing the applicable Chancellors regulation and are preparing to propose revisions and initiate our public engagement process, said spokesman Nathaniel Styer.

The department, Styer added, is reviewing the ruling for next steps and will continue to support district councils in complying with the law.

Gujaratis ruling did not call for the reinstatement of Tajh Sutton, who is the only other parent to be removed from a district council post after a D-210 investigation, because it is a separate case. Gujaratis ruling stated that there is no proper request before the Court to identically extend Marons relief to Sutton and therefore is not addressed herein.

Sutton, formerly president of Williamsburgs District 14 council, was removed after their official X account posted a toolkit for a student walkout for a ceasefire in Gaza. DOE officials said the materials were perceived by many community members as anti-Israel and antisemitic.

As also reported by the New York Times, Sutton moved her districts meetings online to limit threats  which included being mailed an envelope of human feces and death threats  which the department later said violated open meeting laws. CEC 14s official X account also blocked Maron. Both actions were categorized in Gujaratis ruling as limiting free speech.

Ultimately, the judge upheld the right to free speech even if that speech is offensive, said David Bloomfield, former DOE counsel and professor of education law with Brooklyn College and the City University of New York Graduate Center.

He added the ruling doesnt justify the odious statements made, rather their right to be said in the first place, and that the system likely knew this was a possibility but would rather be slapped down by a court than allow [Marons] behavior to persist.

The First Amendment guarantees a marketplace of ideas, Bloomfield said. When the government intrudes on that, its hard to defend.
SEOUL, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- South Korea and New Zealand on Wednesday agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas including economy, trade, science, and education during a meeting of their leaders here, according to the South Korean presidential office.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol held a meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon who arrived here earlier in the day for an official two-day visit, the first since he took office in November 2023.

Under a joint statement, the two sides agreed to promote bilateral trade and investment under the two-way free trade agreement (FTA) which took effect in 2015, planning to launch a bilateral economic security dialogue regularly.

They focused on bilateral cooperation opportunities in advanced science and technology following the five sessions of the joint committee on science and technology, agreeing to foster a space industry led by the private sector.

It was agreed that discussions will be conducted to solidify cooperation between national disaster management agencies of the two countries, and student programs continued with the beneficiaries of scholarship expanded.

The two sides also agreed to boost the exchange of information and views on regional and international issues. 
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose talks to reporters. (Photo by Susan Tebben, OCJ.)

Since initially flagging hundreds of alleged noncitizens on Ohios voter rolls, Secretary of State Frank LaRose has begun sending letters to those who are, in fact, citizens. The letter congratulates them on being an active participant in our democracy! and encourages them to make sure their records are up to date.

And to two recently naturalized citizens caught in the audit, thats all fine. Its where the letter goes next that frustrates them.

The letter states, Ohio law requires the use of a current drivers license or state issue photo ID for the purpose of voter identification. And while those forms of ID certainly are valid, they arent the only options available to voters. Other options include an interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV, a U.S. passport, a U.S. passport card, a U.S. military ID card, an Ohio National Guard ID card; or

a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card.

After being dragged through a verification process they see as unnecessary and legally dubious, they say the letters oversight looks a lot bigger. And in light of Republican-led efforts in other states that swept up citizens in attempts to remove alleged noncitizens, theyre even more skeptical of officials motives.

Meanwhile, to LaRose, those cases dont seem to merit a second thought. Rather than false positives encouraging a more cautious approach, LaRose has doubled down. After the U.S. Supreme Court recently allowed an Arizona law requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, the secretary has urged Ohio lawmakers to pass similar restrictions here.

We now have the opportunity to require front-end citizenship verification prior to a registration being processed, LaRose said in a press release. This would be a great step forward for future elections, and Im asking the Ohio General Assembly to pass legislation further protecting the integrity of Ohios elections.

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When its been tried before, that great step wound up disenfranchising more than 30,000 eligible voters. A recent survey noted 1 in 10 Americans  more than 21 million  dont have ready access to the documents necessary to prove their citizenship such as a passport or birth certificate.

The Ohio Capital Journal requested an interview or statement from LaRose for this story as it did for two earlier ones regarding naturalized citizens flagged amid his noncitizen audits. The Capital Journal sought comment from LaRose as well for a series last year tracking his claims of alleged voter fraud more generally. His office has yet to respond.

How we got here

Nicholas Ross and Andrew Pearson both recently became naturalized citizens after living in the U.S. for more than 20 years. Ross is a pianist who chairs the Music Department at Otterbein University. Pearson teaches high school social studies in Cincinnati. Theyre both British by birth and speak English as their first language. Each expressed concerns about how new citizens who arent native speakers would navigate the process.

As part of the naturalization ceremony, they both registered to vote. But a few months ago, they received letters challenging that registration. Theyd both previously gotten a drivers license, and since they hadnt been in to the state BMV since naturalization, according to those records they werent citizens.

The problem is that the secretary of state relies on BMV records when checking citizenship.

The way they are trying to double check if non-U.S. citizens are voting, is based upon the idea that the drivers license they see will exactly reflect your current citizenship, Ross said. And yet we know it doesnt.

Whats more, he added, theres no current law requiring new citizens to update their information at the BMV.

All the same, Ross quickly returned his letter requesting proof of citizenship, but Pearson never did. Both received the follow up letter congratulating them and warning them about the states photo ID requirements for voting.

So whats the big deal?

Ross argued the letters framing of Ohio law as requiring a state issue photo ID is incomplete and misleading. He noted the letter itself includes a link that makes it clear Ohio voters have a handful of other options.

So, in other words, thats not true, Ross said of the secretarys letter.

One of the other acceptable forms of ID is a U.S. Passport, which Ross had always planned on using to vote anyway.

Pearson, meanwhile, saw the letter as confirmation the secretarys initial challenge was performative, or smoke and mirrors. If he never gave the secretary his citizenship information, but the office confirmed his status anyway, why send the letter in the first place?

They didnt really need to go through that whole process of sending letters out to people, threatening (them) with felony charges, he said, All of those steps that they took were kind of redundant.

As for the ID requirements, Pearson zeroed in on a different problem.

Starting last year, the BMV began printing noncitizen on drivers licenses and ID cards for people who are in the country legally but are not yet citizens. While the secretary doesnt explicitly state that a non-citizen ID is invalid for voting, he warns you must avoid using one and that you could be required to vote provisionally.

But what if you got your license before Ohio started including that notation and its still current? Pearson noted thats the boat he and his father found themselves in, and his dad read the letter as requiring him to get to the BMV to update his license if he wanted to vote. Pearson argued that was an unnecessary inconvenience.

And even for those voters who do have the noncitizen marking on their license, he questions whether that by itself should be an obstacle.

Practically speaking, if a poll worker saw a noncitizen marking on a voters identification card it could be grounds for challenging their right to vote. The problem is that nothing in state law, the administrative code or the secretarys directive implementing Ohios photo voter ID law actually prohibits the use of noncitizen ID to vote. The only requirement is that a persons ID be current.

Its an important distinction, because a drivers license or ID is valid for four or eight years. That means anyone who got a license that includes the marking, and has since naturalized, is holding a card that will be valid through at least 2027. The BMV will give you a new version for free, but again, Pearson argued the voter shouldnt have to fix a problem state lawmakers created. For comparison, he brought up the paper card the BMV sends out after you update your address.

They could totally do that with citizenship, he said. He added that if the Secretary can send him a letter confirming his citizenship, the BMV should be able to send along that free updated ID card.

And either way, Pearson said, if the secretary has just done all this work to clean up the voter rolls, then it shouldnt matter if your license says noncitizen or not.

If they are in fact doing their job, which they claim they are, because he says hes very serious about removing noncitizens  as he should be  then that list that the polling locations have is valid, he said. So as long as the photo ID matches who you are and verifies your identity, shouldnt we be trusting the voter rolls?

Unnecessary burdens

Although state law doesnt explicitly prohibit using a noncitizen license or ID for voting, one of the grounds for challenging a voters eligibility at the polls is suspicion that they are not a U.S. citizen. And once that challenge is made, things get murky. The voter has to fill out an affidavit asserting their eligibility and a majority of precinct officials have to agree to let them vote. Otherwise, they have to cast a provisional ballot.

Kayla Griffin from the voting advocacy group All Voting is Local warned, Im sure that were going to see spikes in our provisional ballot usage.

She argued that unlike people born citizens, those who naturalize have to run an administrative gauntlet before becoming Americans. Tacking on additional barriers, whether through requiring letters to verify citizenship or additional trips to the BMV, is just a new kind of a poll tax.

(Theyre) saddled with the burden of making sure that they stay on the rolls, making sure that they bring extra information, she said, Its more than what our law requires of them.

LaRoses vision for elections in the state would mean far greater complications for all voters  regardless of how they became citizens. The Arizona model recently endorsed by the U.S. Supreme Court sets up a two-track system, where state voter registration forms require proof of citizenship while the less commonly used federal form does not.

Voters who qualify to vote with the state form can vote the full ballot, while those who used the federal form are restricted to federal races only. But GOP lawmakers think even that arrangement is not stringent enough. A provision that the U.S. Supreme Court sidestepped wouldve blocked those federal-only voters from casting ballots in the presidential race or by mail.

Importantly, documents like a drivers license or a Social Security card would likely be insufficient to prove citizenship. Under federal proof-of-citizenship legislation which LaRose has endorsed, a passport is the most readily available single document for establishing citizenship. Otherwise, voters would need a photo ID and a document related to their birth, adoption or naturalization.

Despite LaRoses urging, its almost certainly too late for lawmakers to make those changes before this years election.

A national pattern

The heightened scrutiny playing out in Ohio doesnt stop at the state line. Jonathan Diaz who works on voting rights for the Campaign Legal Center explained noncitizen audits have happened in several other Republican led states with similar results.

The states that are doing this, I think, are just signaling in a political messaging way, that they are taking the issue of noncitizen voting seriously and perhaps more nefariously trying to prime the public to think that there is a serious problem of noncitizen registration and voting in this country that is totally unsupported by any evidence.

In Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia this year, state officials have touted efforts to remove thousands of alleged noncitizens from the voting rolls. Diaz noted by contrast Ohios efforts are relatively tame  LaRose alleges hes found hundreds while other states say theyve found thousands.

Part of the reason could be an explicit statutory provision limiting his audit to people who indicated they are not a citizen after having taken some voting action. Ross and Pearson both argue they never took that step, and that LaRose is violating the law by casting too broad a net.

But Diaz cautions that, at this point, its not super clear whether this is a couple of one-off mistakes or whether there is some systematic procedure that Ohio is undertaking that is not following that statutory process.

Like Ohio, the other states aggressively pursuing alleged noncitizens have wound up catching eligible voters. Diaz added that the CLC has sent letters to leaders in Texas and Alabama warning that if they go forward with removing voters, they risk breaking federal law. Similar warnings in Tennessee led leaders there to send follow up letters to voter assuring them they wouldnt be removed over failing to respond.

But Diaz argues the rolls themselves arent the point.

I dont think that the goal of these announcements is actually to remove people from the rolls, he argued. I think it is to seed this narrative in the public consciousness about noncitizen voting, regardless of evidence, so that they can point to it in November and December as the reason why the election was quote-unquote stolen.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  City of Austin officials will move forward with providing financial help to women accessing out-of-state abortion care, according to Council Member Vanessa Fuentes.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: City of Austin sued over allocating funds for out-of-state abortion access

This comes as the city faces a legal battle over that Reproductive Justice Fund. The city received a lawsuit over the fund, which allocates $400,000 to support Austinites traveling to access abortion care. The money can be used for things like travel, lodging, childcare stipends and food.

Former Austin City Council Member Don Zimmerman filed the lawsuit that asks for a temporary injunction.

Number of Texans receiving abortions out of state quadrupled between 2021 and 2023

The city of Austin previously sent a statement to KXAN in response to the litigation.

The City is aware of Mr. Zimmermans amended lawsuit in response to the recent budget allocation for logistical support services. We have successfully litigated this issue in the past and will respond to the recent allegations through the appropriate court channels. Meghan Riley, City of Austin Litigation Division Chief

Not long after that, city council passed a resolution declaring that reproductive rights are human rights.

To show our solidarity, to show our commitment, to express solidarity in reproductive freedoms. Vanessa Fuentes, Austin City Council Member

Fuentes said despite the lawsuit, the city plans to move forward with the fund for abortion access.

We, our city legal team, feels strong in our position, and so we will continue advancing reproductive health care, Fuentes said.

Fuentes said in the spring, the city will start looking for a nonprofit to partner with to help provide support services for the fund.

Along with this effort, Fuentes said they also expanded access to fertility treatment for city workers.

We are fully invested and interested in ensuring that women have the broad spectrum of reproductive health care available as a fundamental right, Fuentes said.

Similar lawsuit in San Antonio

Fuentes mentioned how the city of San Antonio established a Reproductive Justice Fund of its own in 2023, which also faced a lawsuit. However, a judge dismissed that one.

My understanding is that in that lawsuit, there was a ripeness issue, which means that basically it wasnt the right time to sue. Im not sure whether the same defense would necessarily apply here, said University of Houston Assistant Professor of Law Laura Portuondo.

While a decision on the Austin lawsuit still needs to play out in court, Portuondo said these suits are becoming more of a pattern.

We need to remember that just because a lawsuit is filed doesnt necessarily mean that the legal claims are going to succeed, Portuondo said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
UPDATE: Iowa State Rep. Brooke Boden has responded to the city and its response to the House Government Oversight Committee, which she chairs:

Though I dont understand why it took over three months, I appreciate having at least some form of answers to the questions the Government Oversight committee sent the city of Davenport back in May. In the months since session, I have met with many good folks from Davenport with their own stories for concern, Boden said. As we prepare to return in January, we will need to continue to dig deep into these issues. We are not done in our pursuit of transparency and good governance.

EARLIER: The City of Davenport on Friday issued a response to questions from the House Government Oversight Committee.

The questions for the City of Davenport came from a March meeting of the House Government Oversight Committee,

Lawmakers responded to allegations the City of Davenport violated the Public Meetings Law as well as the law for recording public records.

A lot of it related to the resignation and settlement with former City Administrator Corri Spiegel, as well as settlements with two other former city employees.

The committee asked several questions, including whether there was any of the harassment claimed by the former employees involved and current city officials.

The city indicated the complaints include some current elected officials.

There are specific questions about Spiegel. The committee mentions she claims she was harassed for eight years and wants to know what the city did abut it during that time.

The committee also asked why the city paid Spiegel more money to settle the harassment claims than the other two employees. The committee goes on to question the citys practice of going into closed session as a way to get around Iowas open meetings law.

The committee specifically asked why the City of Davenport is fighting efforts for more transparency.

The city submitted its answers in great detail. To see the documents, click to see the first document here.

Click here to see the second document.

Click here to see the third document.

Our Quad Cities News reached out to Republican Iowa State Rep. Gary Mohr for his take on Davenports response to the committees inquiry. He is concerned that people who live in Davenport arent getting the information they deserve.

I am still shocked that it took nine months for the city to respond to some of those questions, Mohr said. People have to have confidence that their government is open and transparent.

Mohr is not a member of the House Oversight Committee, but he says he will search for answers at every level of government.

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According to a statement from the City of Jackson, JTRAN is temporarily shut down after dozens of Amalgamated Transit Union workers went on strike Wednesday morning.

The ATU, or Amalgamated Transit Union, protestors picketed outside of JTRAN headquarters on Highway 80 around 3 a.m. Wednesday. This is usually the time when the first round of employees at JTRAN would clock in to start their day.

Jackson city officials stated contract negotiations between the JTRAN bus drivers' union and management company MV Transportation Inc. were "broken down." That led to the strike.

Protestors said they were demanding a safer work environment with better employee benefits, citing on-the-job issues such as safety and security concerns, contract negotiations and wrongful terminations.

Valerie Jefferson, ATU International Black Caucus Southwest Region Executive, traveled from Louisiana to partake in the strike stating it takes a toll on everyone when workers have to request safety. Jefferson said city leaders need to be aware of this matter.

"The public, as well as politicians like the mayor and local city council, should be made aware of the companies they hired to run the transit operation management and how the companies treat employees. They need to hold these companies accountable for how they are treating employees, the working environment and the conditions of buses."

"When the company takes care of the driver, the driver will take care of the city. That's the bottom line."

See impact on riders: Jackson bus shortage leaves JTRAN using paratransit buses as spares.

Since January 2024, when MV Transportation took over the JTRAN contract for the city of Jackson, there has been a point system. Although employees have sick days, they are given a point for every sick day they take off. Six points and you're terminated, they say.

"Most important thing is safety. There are not enough drivers, and it's not safe for patrons," Amanda Johnson, JTRAN employee for 30 years.

The most recent news of a suspected strike started in May when the City warned residents of a possible strike after JTRAN bus services had coming to a halt, again. By the end of July, the JTRAN Union said a strike "in the next 30 days is on the horizon" despite Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba stating, nothing is out of order as of yet."

JTRAN employees said they want the Wednesday strike to reach the attention of the upper management by not working until their demands are met, meaning there won't be active bus routes for an unspecified amount of time.

"We are deeply disappointed the union has chosen to execute a strike, placing an unnecessary burden on those who rely on our services to get to work, school and life-saving appointments," a representative from MV Transportation said in a statement. "Despite those misrepresentations, we have engaged in constructive negotiations to address outstanding issues for a collective bargaining agreement between MV and the union. Through those efforts, we have agreed on dozens of issues and only have one unresolved CBA provision."

According to MV transportation, ATU has made a number of inaccurate charges, and the company has attempted to correct the record. The company said they believe certain unsafe behaviors, such as hitting a pedestrian while driving, failing to properly secure a wheelchair-bound passenger or cause a fatality, the driver is considered unsafe and will lead to termination.

"We observe these very reasonable standards in over 100 locations across the United States. They are the reason we provide the safest possible service to our customers; we believe strongly that the people of Jackson deserve the same safety standards and protections," the statement reads. "Our highest priority is the safety of our passengers, our employees and our fellow Jackson citizens, and the standards that provide this safety must take priority over the job of anyone who violates these safety standards."

MV Transportation said they will cooperate with JTRAN and city officials to accommodate service as appropriate.

We rode JTRAN. Here's what riders say: Has JTRAN really improved since its March relaunch? We rode buses to find out

City officials issued the following statement shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday:

"The City is fully aware of the significant impact this has on our community. We are encouraging both sides to return to the table and uphold their responsibilities to the residents who depend on them. We are hopeful that negotiations will resume soon and lead to a fair and timely resolution. In the meantime, we must inform you that JTRAN is temporarily shut down. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and patience during this challenging time. The safety of both our drivers and passengers remains our top priority, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely."

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS JTRAN union strikes leads to bus service shutdown
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  The Morgantown City Council voted in favor of the Camping on Public Property Ordinance during its seven-hour meeting on Tuesday, effectively banning camping on public property in the city.

The ordinance, which is article 1157 of the City Code, is meant to address public safety and prohibits anyone from using or storing camping paraphernalia on land owned by the city, including streets, parks and trails.

The ordinance was passed during the Morgantown City Council meeting on Sept. 3 by a 4-3 vote with two amendments to the original language.

The amendments, proposed by Councilor Brian Butcher, changed the language in 1157.07. (f) regarding the alternative sentencing for those in violation of the ordinance. The new language offers alternative sentencing to fines and imprison when the person wishes to participate in treatment for substance abuse or mental health, or case management to return the person to housing stability, with the changes underlined.

Troopers say Barbour County man rammed into cruisers with a stolen car during high-speed chase

Even with the changes, Butcher was one of the three votes against the ordinance, along with Councilor Danielle Trumble and Mayor Joe Abu-Ghannam.

During discussion before the vote, Butcher questioned why the council is criminalizing homelessness when it could pass the ordinance without the criminal penalty.

The penalty for violating the ordinance is a fine of up to $200 for a second violation and a fine of up to $500 and up to 30 days imprisonment for a third violation, if the person has been offered alternate shelter and refused the offer.

Trumble said that if public safety is the concern, then the council should be concerned about everyone regardless of circumstance, not just people who are sleeping, saying we should not just focus on where someone sleeps. She also brought up a lack of free access to the Mountain Line Transit bus system, which could help provide transportation to shelters like the Rainbow House and former Bartlett House that will be managed by the Catholic Charities of West Virginia.

Councilor Bill Kawecki, who voted in favor of the ordinance, said that he believes the law will promote more shelter options to be built and encourage people who are homeless to utilize alternative housing options.

I want to make sure that our city has the resources in the future to handle the people that youre talking about [referencing Morgantowns homeless population] and to provide for them in a manner, and this is the way I have chosen to vote because I think that will move us in that direction.

VFD says Fairmont plane crash was best case scenario

Public comments on the ordinance lasted for around five hours during the meeting, with 32 people voicing their concerns or support regarding the ordinance.

The ordinance will become law 30 days from Sept. 3, pending that there is an emergency shelter open in the city. The full ordinance before the amendments can be read in the meeting agenda here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
Can the city of Savannah fine or jail people for leaving guns in unlocked cars? A judge weighs in

The J. Tom Coleman Courthouse is seen in Savannah, Ga., on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Russ Bynum)

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP)  A Georgia gun owner's attorney asked a judge Wednesday to halt enforcement of a Savannah city ordinance that imposes fines and possibly jail time for people who leave guns inside unlocked cars.

The lawsuit by Clarence Belt could ultimately determine whether city officials successfully found a niche where they can legally regulate gun safety in a state where Republican lawmakers have widely abolished restrictions on owning and carrying firearms.

Savannah's mayor and city council voted unanimously in April to outlaw keeping firearms in unlocked vehicles, with maximum penalties of a $1,000 fine and 30 days in jail. They said the law would make it harder for criminals to steal guns, and cited local police statistics showing more than 200 guns reported stolen last year from vehicles that werent locked.

Belt filed suit in May. He lives in Jesup, Georgia, about 66 miles (106 kilometers) southwest of Savannah, but says he frequently visits the coastal city for shopping, eating and doctor appointments. His lawyer, John Monroe, says Belt carries a gun in his vehicle and fears being cited.

He's disabled and it's difficult for him to comply with the ordinance, said Monroe, who gave no further details about Belt's disability during a court hearing Wednesday. He also doesn't want to comply with the ordinance.

Chatham County Superior Court Judge Benjamin Karpf didn't rule Wednesday on Belt's motion to halt enforcement of the Savannah ordinance while considering his underlying lawsuit that seeks to have it thrown out permanently.

Monroe said Savannah's ordinance should be voided because it violates a state law prohibiting local governments from regulating the possession, ownership, transport, (or) carrying of firearms.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, a Republican, made the same argument in a May letter to Savannah officials stating that "no local ordinance can regulate firearms. City officials ignored Carr's warning that they could face civil liability for enforcing the ordinance.

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, a Democrat and a former police officer, has supported the citys ordinance as a way to make gun owners act responsibly without infringing on their rights to own or carry firearms.

Bates Lovett, Savannah's city government attorney, noted in court Wednesday that the state law cited by Belt's lawyer and Carr doesn't expressly say local governments can't regulate gun storage.

Lovett also argued that Savannah's ordinance isn't primarily about guns.

We're regulating the vehicle, not the firearm, Lovett told the judge, adding that it's perfectly legal in Savannah to store a gun in a car. But once you leave the vehicle, you must lock that vehicle.

Monroe said Georgia courts have struck down attempts by other local governments to indirectly regulate guns, and that any limitations on gun storage by cities should be considered illegal restrictions on possession and ownership.

Savannah police had only issued three citations and one warning for guns left in unlocked cars as of Aug. 15, the Savannah Morning News reported. The police department did not immediately provide an updated total Wednesday to The Associated Press.

Before deciding whether to block Savannah's gun ordinance, the judge said he first has questions about whether Belt has legal standing to sue the city because he's not a resident. He gave the lawyers until Sept. 16 to file written briefs on the issue.

Monroe said his client's residency shouldn't matter because Savannah's ordinance applies to residents and visitors. Belt did not attend the court hearing Wednesday.

If Karpf allows Belt's lawsuit to move forward, the judge predicted a protracted legal battle that could wind through multiple Georgia courts.

I don't have any illusion about having the final word on this, Karpf said.
The Thomases have accepted large gifts from Republican mega-donors in recent years, reigniting a conversation about the Supreme Court's code of conduct

Anna Moneymaker/Getty

Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, allegedly expressed her gratitude behind the scenes to a group working against Supreme Court reforms, according to a new ProPublica report.

Ginni reportedly thanked litigator Kelly Shackelfords nonprofit Christian conservative legal organization, First Liberty Institute, for their efforts to block the reforms targeted to stop ethical breaches in the Supreme Court, according to a private call obtained by the outlet.

YOU GUYS HAVE FILLED THE SAILS OF MANY JUDGES. CAN I JUST TELL YOU, THANK YOU SO, SO, SO MUCH, she reportedly wrote to Shackelford, who read out the email during a private call on July 31 with his groups top donors.

The litigator went on to note during the call that Ginnis email suggested that the nonpartisan Supreme Court justices, who cant go out into the political sphere and fight, appreciate their work in blocking the reform and protecting the future of our court, per ProPublica.

Related: AOC Introduces Impeachment Articles for Supreme Court Justices Thomas and Alito, Citing 'Unchecked Corruption Crisis'

Paul Morigi/Getty Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (R) and Virginia Thomas arrive for the State Dinner at The White House honoring Australian PM Morrison on September 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. Prime Minister Morrison is on a state visit in Washington hosted by President Trump.

The call reportedly came two days after President Joe Biden proposed a set of changes for the Supreme Court, including term limits for justices.

He also proposed a more enforceable ethics code for the justices, since they are not bound by the same code of conduct as other federal judges. These included requiring justices to be required to disclose financial gifts and refrain from public political activity and recuse themselves from cases in which they or their spouses have financial or other conflicts of interest.

Clarence is one of the conservative justices whose ethics have been called into question recently after he reportedly accepted "luxury vacations" from billionaire GOP mega-donor Harlan Crow for more than two decades.

Ginni herself has also reportedly accepted thousands of dollars in secret payments from right-wing judicial activist Leonard Leo.

Related: Clarence Thomas Will Reportedly Amend His Financial Disclosures Following Reports About GOP Mega-Donor

Patrick Semansky/AP/Shutterstock Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas

Ginni has previously been criticized for trying to help keep Donald Trump in the White House after he lost the 2020 presidential election.

Text messages between her and then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows were obtained by the U.S. House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. In the messages, she appeared to privately urge Meadows to do what he could to prevent a transfer of power to Biden.

One of her messages read, "Do not concede. It takes time for the army who is gathering for his back."

Ginni later told the House investigatory committee that she regretted "the tone and content" of her messages as she was texting with a friend and found her language imprudent and my choices of sending the context of these emails unfortunate."

Related: Ginni Thomas Urged 29 Ariz. Lawmakers to 'Choose' 2020 Presidential Electors After State Turned Blue: Report

Other communications presented to the committee showed that she sent emails pressuring Republican lawmakers in Arizona to choose their own electors  a responsibility that state law puts in the hands of voters.

Her communications with Trump allies raised questions about whether it posed a conflict of interest for her husband at the time, and whether Clarence should have recused himself from the multiple Supreme Court cases related to the 2020 presidential election.



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WINCHESTER, Ky. (FOX 56)  Clark County is mourning the loss of one of its own, 15-year-old McKenna Letcher.

The George Rogers Clark High School freshman was killed Tuesday morning after a Clark County bus struck her while she was crossing the road. The investigation is open and active, according to the Clark County Sheriffs Office, and is asking witnesses to reach out.

RELATED | Clark County Schools heartbroken after 15-year-old girl dies in school bus accident

How are we doing? asked Clark County Schools superintendent Dustin Howard. We are hurting, we are heartbroken. We are managing the loss of a 15-year-old girl, trying to support her family, trying to support our staff, our students, and the entirety of the community. It is not supposed to be this way.

Howard held a news conference on Wednesday.

Our heart is breaking folks, and for us to get through this, and I mean us, we have to be in this together, added Howard. Somebody is going to bury their 15-year-old daughter this week.

During the news conference, Howard asked the community to be a light during this dark time.

We need everyone to support the family, our school system, our students, and our community. In a world, in a time where its very easy to be cynical and divisive, to poke holes and put things on social media, to be trolls, frankly, I am asking you not to do that, for this family, for this school system, for our kids and our community. They deserve better.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Community members set up a memorial at the crash site to honor McKenna. Howard said that is just one way the entire state of Kentucky has wrapped its arms around this community.

The administrator of education drove from Frankfort yesterday to be here at our high school to pray with us and our kids; he went to the bus garage; he did not have to do that, said Howard. Weve had superintendents, and staff from across the state of Kentucky reach out and give us their best wishes, prayers, and support.

The district is continuing to offer support as needed for students and staff.

From the time we found out, weve tried to put strategic interventions in place, from transferring students that were on the bus to a different bus; we had administrators meet them with counselors at the doors; weve made personal phone calls home to the nine students who were on the bus. Again, reached out to the family, reached out to the bus driver, said Howard.

Clark County Coroner Neal Oliver said McKenna is a registered tissue donor and that her corneas will be donated.

Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news

McKenna was a freshman at George Rogers Clark High School and a member of Catalyst Church of Winchester. She was an active Girl Scout with Troop 2619, an obituary reads. McKennas light touched the lives of many, and she will be profoundly missed.

According to Scobee Funeral Home, a visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Leon Pace Memorial Chapel.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Friday at the same location.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  A man who admitted to selling fentanyl in West Virginia has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of West Virginia, James Edward Breeden, 30, of Clarksburg, will serve 124 months (10 years and four months) in prison for selling fentanyl in Upshur County, a crime he admitted to back in March.

James Breeden

Breeden was charged after investigators searched his motel room and found 277 fentanyl stamps, the release said.

2 charged after deputies find quarter-pound of fentanyl in Clarksburg

He is already serving a prison sentence that started in 2022 for another drug crime at Huttonsville Correctional Center in Randolph County. He will have three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

He was also charged with felony drug crimes in 2022, 2017, 2014 and 2013, according to the West Virginia Judiciary archives.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
Reality Check is a Bee series holding officials and organizations accountable and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email realitycheck@sacbee.com.

St. Hope leaders have responded to criticism as Sacramento City Unified School District considers renewal of their charter by pointing to public displays of support for their school and citing their success in closing the achievement gap among students in underrepresented groups.

Black students, who make up the majority of the schools population, have higher test scores, graduation rates and college acceptance rates than their peers in Sacramento City Unified. Latino students have also demonstrated better standardized test scores than the state and county averages.

The success stats are meant to speak for themselves  Sacramento Charter High School boasts not just higher graduation rates than among seniors attending Sacramento City Unified schools but better post-secondary results as well. In the past couple years, nearly every one of the charters graduating seniors met the requirements to attend a UC or CSU. In 2022, the school had the second highest admittance rate to a UC campus among all public high schools in the region, according to the school.

In the weeks prior to their charter renewal, school leadership is contending with a damning third party audit report that alleged several major violations in the schools governance and fiscal structure. St. Hope recently made a number of changes in response to the concerns detailed in the districts letter, including personnel shifts and increased accountability measures for its vendors.

Concerns raised by former Sacramento high teachers and parents about teacher turnover, unqualified staff, steep enrollment decline, a lack of curriculum, high suspension rates and chronic absenteeism were in part what sparked Sacramento City Unified, the chartering authority, to commission the audit. The independent auditor alleged a range of major violations plaguing St. Hope Public Schools, including conflicts of interest among its top officers, improper use of public funding, an out-of-compliance special education program, deficient accounting processes and the employment of a largely unqualified teaching staff.

The districts letter and the accompanying audit report only include investigations of issues under the districts purview as the charter authorizer, but what about the other concerns parents and teachers have brought to the table?

A school without curricula

One pain point for past and current teachers: St. Hope Public Schools does not provide curriculum or textbooks for the majority of subjects. Teachers are largely expected to create their lesson plans from scratch.

When he was first hired in 2021, former Public School 7 teacher Nicholas Brundage said he received a list of state science standards and a benchmark exam for the end of each quarter. No textbooks, no lesson plans, no other class materials. In his first year at PS7, Brundage said he worked between 60-80 hours per week  about as much as his wife, who was a first year medical resident at the time.

Thats a huge lift, its an incredible amount of work, he said. They already have an extended school day and school year, so youre already asking a teacher thats working more than a Sac City or Elk Grove teacher and youre asking them to write a whole curriculum, which is something that people with masters and doctorates do.

Another former Sac High English teacher who requested privacy out of concern for her career prospects, said that there was no curriculum support whatsoever. A former PS7 teacher who requested privacy for a similar reason, said that as a first year teacher on a short-term teaching credential, they were told at the beginning of the year that an adviser would check on their lessons every week. That stopped about three weeks into the school year.

Test scores were coming out poor because I didnt really know how to fix it as a new teacher, and they werent helping me with any resources, they said.

Like this teacher, the staff members tasked with developing their own curriculum, lesson plans and all other instructional materials are often inexperienced. An investigation by Sacramento City Unified found that the rates of teachers with appropriate credentials started low and plummeted in recent years. In the 2020-21 school year, about 52% of PS7 teachers held an effective credential and two years later, that number fell to about 35%. Sacramento Charter High saw an even steeper decline, with around 63% in the 2020-21 school year, falling to around 26% by 2022-23. For context, the rate of credentialed teachers at Sacramento City Unified, Sacramento County and statewide stayed relatively consistent, all hovering at around 83%.

Superintendent Lisa Ruda acknowledged St. Hope schools long established practice of having teachers create their own curriculum.

The idea being that as a teacher, when you create your own curriculum, it tends to be far more aligned. You as a teacher have internalized it more because of the rigorous process you go through, and then, most importantly, your delivery of it, she said. You get to refine that based on what sticks with students.

However, she noted that when she joined the school in 2022, staff vacancies and a cultural shift among the teacher labor force inspired her to reconsider the practice. Last year, PS7 debuted English language arts and math curriculum for elementary students and they have since purchased curricula for other subjects and grade levels.

Im not saying either the teacher-made approach or the commercial approach is the silver bullet, but I am saying I recognize those teachers who said, we need some help, Ruda said.

Lisa Ruda, St. Hope Public Schools superintendent, addresses the Sacramento City Unified school board in August.

Receipts obtained through a public records request show that St. Hope in spring 2024 spent $67,000 on commercially-developed middle school English language arts and math curriculum and high school math curriculum.

Its not just teachers who have been affected by the lack of curricula. In a May letter to the district, St. Hope parents wrote that they often observe their students being taught from packets and worksheets, and that their children often do not have access to books at school, let alone other classroom supplies like paper, calculators and lab supplies, concluding that this was not a recipe for the success of our children or their educators.

The issues caused by inconsistent lesson plans from teacher to teacher are exacerbated by the issue of poor staff retention rates at each school. Last year, at least three teachers quit or were fired in the middle of the year at Sac High. If a teacher leaves mid-year, their curriculum goes with them, and the substitute teacher arriving in their place has few resources to work with.

Brundage is now a science teacher within Sacramento City Unified and said that the difference between his experience was night and day. He no longer works outside of his contracted work hours and gets to rely on a provided curriculum complete with textbooks and other materials.

Teaching is a difficult job and it requires difficult things, and the way that it works at St. Hope is not sustainable and you can see that in their turnover, he said.

A library without books

Not only does the school typically not provide curriculum, it doesnt provide textbooks either. Several former teachers have said they begged the school for the books that were rumored to be held in storage behind a locked door.

We do not use traditional textbooks because it is not the most innovative way to educate our scholars, Lisa Yarbrough, who provides public relations services for St. Hope, wrote in an email. Our curriculum provides printed materials, digital access, and parent resources.

Parent Giovanett Ombler pulled both of her children out of St. Hope schools this year, choosing to enroll them in another nearby charter school. Among the many concerns she had with the school, Ombler found it difficult to help her struggling junior with packets of homework without being able to refer to a textbook. She contacted her sons teachers and principal to learn more about his class lesson plans to no avail.

I need to see what youre teaching him so I can help him at home, she said. How am I supposed to help when hes just sent home with a packet that I dont understand?

Another parent, who does not want to be identified out of fear of retaliation because her son still attends the school, said that she was shocked to learn that her child didnt use books in the classroom. She was under the impression during his first few years that they used textbooks in class but assumed he didnt bring any home because they were class sets.

Last year when I visited (Sac High), I dont remember seeing books at all, she said.

Sac High has a campus space they refer to as a library, but it does not function like a library.

In 2018, St. Hope solicited donations from the public through Sacramentos Big Day of Giving to modernize the library, which served three schools at the time: Sac High, PS7 Middle and Oak Park Prep, which has since closed. The goal was to redevelop the library into a multi-purpose space where students and staff could work and study. The school secured $60,000 in donations, almost half of which came from then Sacramento Kings player Garrett Temple.

Yarbrough described the library as a multi-use space used to hold assemblies, professional development, staff meetings, and family events such as orientation. All former teachers interviewed for this story said that students were not able to check out books from the library.

St. Hope leaders refute claims that students do not have adequate access to books on campus. They point to their Accelerated Reader program where middle school students visit the school library several times a week for independent reading and to borrow books to take home. Students take short comprehensions assessments on the books they read to earn points toward rewards. When asked directly if students were free to borrow books from the school, they sent a video of the PS7 Middle library.

Several former teachers and parents have complained about a lack of access to books at St. Hope schools. When asked about this, St. Hope sent a video of their middle school library pic.twitter.com/IVr3PDWqgx  Jennah Pendleton (@jennahpen) September 4, 2024

The former Sac High English teacher said that the only books made available to her were a limited selection of classics. She had to bring books from home to fill her classroom.

There was nowhere for them to go to get books, she said. I had former students coming back as seniors asking to borrow books, because my classroom was one of the only places you could get them.

Former teachers say classroom materials were also few and far between.

At the beginning of the year we would get binder paper and maybe a box of pencils, and that was pretty much it, she said. Everything else came out of my own pockets.

Another former Sac High science teacher, who also asked for her identity to be private, received nothing at all for her junior class. She further questioned how her course, which she created herself as a new teacher, should be considered A-G eligible.

Declining graduation rates

In a recent interview with ABC 10 News, Superintendent Ruda said that when 100% of your students are graduating A-G college-eligible and 95% are getting into four-year colleges, youre doing something right.

But this is only true of the seniors who walk away with diplomas, which was 61 of 71 seniors in 2023. This graduation rate (86%) marks a decline for the school, which was boasting graduation rates in the 90s just a few years ago.

Sac High isnt just suffering from a declining graduation rate, but from kids leaving prior to senior year, which isnt reflected in the states method of calculating a graduation rate. Sac Highs enrollment decline over the past decade  926 students to 355  doesnt appear to be caused solely by fewer freshmen enrolling, but is also the result of students leaving before senior year.

The class of freshmen entering in 2019 was more than twice the size of the 2023 graduating class at 137 students, meaning that 44.5% of kids entering Sac High as freshmen graduated from the school.

It is not uncommon for a freshman class to be smaller than a senior class when accounting for transfers and dropouts, but Sac Highs decline in enrollment among the same class seems to be higher than surrounding districts. In Sacramento City Unified, 66% of 2019 freshmen graduated four years later.

This cannot entirely be attributed to COVID-19-related enrollment drops, as the numbers are consistent with pre-pandemic rates. Sac High graduated 118 students in 2020, while the 2016 freshman class consisted of 256 students, or a rate of around 48%. Sacramento City Unified again graduated 66% of their 2016 freshmen in 2020.

St. Hope attributes the high transfer rate to its student populations economic status.

We have a high percentage of students who self-identify as homeless, Yarbrough said. Many of our SHPS scholars have unstable home environments which contributes to them moving frequently and can require them to leave their school midway (through) their education journey.

Omblers son is one student who transferred from Sac High prior to his senior year. She said that she was disappointed with the classroom instruction at the school and the lack of support for her sons disability, despite certain accommodations required in his Individualized Education Plan.

Sac High has also seen declining graduation rates in recent years, but they still exceed the district and statewide averages by several percentage points. Results for African American students (85.9% graduating) still far exceed graduation rates for African American students district (73.3%) and statewide (77.9%).

High suspension rates

St. Hope schools have suspension rates of two to three times higher than the district average. Where 6.2% of students in Sacramento City Unified received one suspension in 2022-23, for Sac High it reached 16.2%. At PS7 20.6% of students were suspended in the same year.

Black students were suspended at a higher rate at Sac High (18.5%) and PS7 (26%) than the district at-large (15.2%),

The school also had much higher rates of willful defiance suspensions, justifications for which included dress code violations, being late to class or talking back to teachers. This type of suspension was recently banned by the state due to the disproportionate effect that defiance suspensions have on students of color, LGBTQ students and students in other underrepresented groups.

At Sac High, 57% of all suspensions given were defiance-only suspensions. Black students received 68% of these suspensions while Black students in the district received about 40% of these suspensions.

How St. Hope students find success in spite of conditions

Despite school conditions like low access to books, high teacher turnover and high suspension rates, which are typically associated with poor academic performance, St. Hope students achieve graduation and passing standardized test scores at a higher rate than their peers at Sacramento City Unified.

St. Hope leaders credit the school culture they have cultivated and extracurricular opportunities for their students high UC/CSU eligibility rates. They said that the school offers credit recovery opportunities for students who fall behind and need to retake classes, individualized support for struggling students and a dual enrollment college program.

Sac High and PS7 also spend more time in the classroom. St. Hope employs an extended school day and year, along with after-school academic programs provided by third party vendors.

St. Hope Public Schools has high expectations for academic achievement and conduct that are clearly defined, measurable and make no excuses based on the background of students, Yarbrough said. Students, parents, teachers and staff create and reinforce a culture of achievement and support, through a range of formal and informal rewards and consequences for academic performance and behavior.
KIEV, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday submitted a letter of resignation to the parliament, parliament's chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk said on Facebook.

Stefanchuk said the parliament will consider Kuleba's application at one of the nearest plenary sessions.

Kuleba, 43, was appointed Ukraine's foreign minister in March 2020.

On Tuesday, David Arakhamia, parliamentary faction leader of the Party of Servant of the People, said on Telegram that more than 50 percent of the cabinet's staff will be reshuffled soon. 
UPDATE: All clear issued following bomb threat at Columbus government center

UPDATE 10:43 a.m.  The Muscogee County Sheriffs Office has issued an all clear following a bomb threat at the government center on Wednesday morning.

UPDATE  The Muscogee County Sheriffs Office has shared further information on a bomb threat at the government center.

According to Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman, the threat was phoned in to the Superior Court Clerks Office on Wednesday at about 9:30 a.m.

Sheriff Countryman confirmed to WRBL the threat was specifically about bombs being planted in the court rooms of the government center.

An evacuation was ordered by MCSO. Bomb-sniffing dogs are on the scene.

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  An investigation is underway following a bomb threat at the government center in Uptown Columbus, according to Columbus Emergency Management & Homeland Security.

The Muscogee County Sheriffs is investigating this threat. The public is asked to stay clear of the area at this time.

WRBL has a reporter on the way to the scene. We will keep you updated.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
This is the third week that nearly 15,000 workers across the Southeast have been on strike against AT&T, and now some local neighbors say the strike impacted their service.

Some customers in Cleveland County told Channel 9s Dave Faherty they didnt have landline phone service at their homes, and they werent sure when theyd get it back. On Wednesday afternoon, Faherty learned their service had returned.

Workers in Morganton told Faherty the company isnt bargaining in good faith. Many of them are technicians who make the repairs, and theyve been out striking since Aug. 16.

The workers are striking with their union, the Communications Workers of America, but some said they want to get back and help folks with the outages.

RELATED >> AT&T workers in Southeast strike over contract negotiations

One family near Caesar had been without landline phone service for weeks, and they said when they tried to contact AT&T, they were told it was because of the strike.

That family went out and bought a flip phone for the elderly couple who lives there. They told Faherty they were frustrated with the outage and said it was a safety concern for elderly folks in the area.

We need that phone because thats their lifeline, if they need to call 911 and the neighbors, they cant do it, said Nita Willis. And were really upset over it but they keep saying, Oh its not our fault. Yeah, it is their fault.

Before service was restored, Crystal Gillan, Nitas sister, said she hadnt gotten word from AT&T on progress.

You never see or hear from them or anything. Hasnt heard a word. Have they said why? Theyre on strike, Gillan said.

Scott Bumgarner is the president of the local Communication Workers of America and a technician for AT&T. He says the families whove lost service should contact the company about losing service.

We want the company to bargain in good faith, Bumgarner said. AT&T has contingency plans in place but theyre not working too well. The sooner theyll bargain with us in good faith the sooner we can get back and serve the customers.

A spokesperson for AT&T told Channel 9 that the outage was caused by a cable being cut by a third party.

In response to the ongoing strike, AT&T sent the following statement: The Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 3 has decided it no longer wants to involve a skilled federal mediator to assist in negotiations. This decision was unexpected, since withdrawing from mediation seems inconsistent with the unions allegation of unfair labor practices.

We thank the mediator for their efforts throughout this process. Regardless of whether a neutral third-party is present, progress will not be made without a willingness to compromise.

As we have said from day 1, we are focused on reaching a fair and competitive agreement that benefits our hard-working employees as quickly as possible, and this wont change. In the meantime, we will remain prepared for all contingencies to ensure our customers receive the excellent service they deserve.

By Wednesday evening, the family said their phone service was back. Nita Willis said her parents got their service back around 6 p.m.

(VIDEO: Cell phone tower scam under investigation in Ashe County)
Global warming has fueled an exceptional drought on the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia, a new analysis finds.

Over the last year, severe heat and meager rainfall have desiccated farmland, with Sicilian wheat farms losing more than 50 percent of their harvest. Despite water rationing, reservoirs on both islands are nearly depleted.

This is an unprecedented drought emergency, Renato Schifani, governor of Sicily, said in an interview last month. It is an extraordinary event born of climate change.

Sicily in January 2023 and January 2024, after a drought had set in. ESA

An analysis from World Weather Attribution finds that warming made the dry conditions seen over the past year 50 percent more likely, largely by giving rise to more extreme heat.

Excessive heat recorded in Sardinia and Sicily would have been almost impossible without human-caused climate change, authors write, adding, Unless the world rapidly stops burning fossil fuels, these events will become even more common in the future.

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A closed Ryans buffet restaurant in North Myrtle Beach was sold this year. What we know

A closed North Myrtle Beach recently sold, but it is unclear what the propertys future holds.

According to Horry County Land Records, the former site of Ryans buffet restaurant, at 3607 Highway 17 South, sold for about $2.4 million in June 2024,

AlleyOops MB Properties, LLC, a Towson, Md.-based firm, made the purchase. AlleyOops is the name of a seafood restaurant chain in Ocean City, Md., that also provides bowling alleys, games and a live shark tank.

Its unclear if the Maryland-based restaurant has any relation to the LLC that purchased the 3607 Highway 17 South property.

Chris Reda, a co-owner of AlleyOops, did not return a request for comment before publication. AlleyOops MB Properties, LLCs South Carolina Registered Agent Ned Parsons also did not return a request for comment before publication.

While its unclear what the former Ryans restaurant will be, North Myrtle Beach issued a new building permit for the property. According to City of North Myrtle Beach records, the municipality issued a permit Aug. 8, 2024, for refacing cabinet and face panel signal for a free-standing sign.

Joe Brennand, who applied for the building sign, Brennand did not return a request for comment before publication. The work value of the permit is about $3,000, according to City of North Myrtle Beach records.
Cloudy skies, high of 75 on Wednesday in the Triad

PIEDMONT TRIAD, N.C. (WGHP)  High pressure continues to push cool, crisp air into the Piedmont today, though well have more clouds than yesterday.

Even with mostly cloudy skies, its going to be a superb day to be outside, with highs in the mid-70s.

Were expecting mostly cloudy skies overnight with lows settling close to 60 by daybreak.

Thursday, well start the day with mostly cloudy skies, then sunnier conditions are expected by afternoon.

Partly cloudy skies stay put through Friday, and highs will rise to the upper-70s both days.

A cold front will be approaching the Appalachians by the beginning of the weekend, but very persistent, dry air is going to hamper any shower development.

As it crosses the state, a few showers (40%) may pop up Saturday morning, but there will be very low amounts of rain in area rain gauges.

Our skies are forecast to begin clearing fairly early in the day, so that will allow temperatures to bounce up to 80 Saturday afternoon.

Once the cold front reaches the coastal plain, another batch of cooler air arrives for Sunday.

We will have mostly sunny skies Sunday through Tuesday of next week. Temperatures will return to the mid-70s Sunday afternoon, then rise to near 80 by Tuesday afternoon.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Queen City News is working to learn more information on an alleged sexual assault at an elementary school.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department records say it happened Friday, August 30 at Stoney Creek Elementary School.

The victim was listed as five years old.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools did not release any other information due to the age of the child.

This is a Developing Story . Check back for updates

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District officials plan to release data showing student performance for the 2023-24 school year on Wednesday morning.

The North Carolina Department of Elementary and Secondary Education uses the data as a kind of report card for districts and individual schools.

The data will also include figures on student population growth and characteristics of the school environment, such as reported incidents of bullying and harassment.

Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill will join several administrators and principals for a media briefing on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

The 2022-23 results show 47.7% of third through eighth-grade students demonstrated proficiency in math and 53.1% of the cohort was proficient in reading. Mastery of grade-level math increased by 2% and reading by 3.1% from the previous year.

The results may impact district residents with or without school-aged children. Economists with the National Bureau of Economics said a 5% increase in a school districts overall test scores can lead to a 2.5% increase in home values within the districts boundaries.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Agents with the West Tennessee Drug Task Force seized a large amount of illegal drugs during the first day of their violent crime initiative.

On August 30, agents seized two kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of fentanyl, and 500 Xanax pills.

An investigation later revealed that the drugs came from Dallas and were headed to Memphis.

Operation Code Zero leads to 33 arrests; seizure of illegal drugs, guns

The Drug Task Force Director, Johnie Carter, said the packages appear to have been part of a much larger shipment smuggled into the U.S.

In photos provided by the Drug Task Force, symbols can be seen printed on the front of the packages.

It has become a trend as of late for cartels to label their product with stolen trademarks much like a legitimate business would label theirs so that sellers and users can recognize the drug and determine whether or not it meets their expectations, said Carter.

The initiative, known as VCIF, is funded in part by Governor Bill Lees Office.

The investigation is ongoing. The Shelby County District Attorneys Office will prosecute the case.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- China's Zhejiang and Hunan provinces have seen remarkable progress in cooperation with Africa and are willing to further engage in development on the continent, provincial officials said on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Officials from east China's Zhejiang Province and central China's Hunan Province introduced their economic cooperation and development plans with African countries at two press conferences respectively.

"In 2023, the trade volume between Zhejiang and Africa reached 53.9 billion U.S. dollars, ranking in the forefront among the country's provincial-level regions. In the first half of this year, Zhejiang's imports from Africa reached 5.55 billion dollars, marking a year-on-year increase of 12.9 percent," Chen Jiangfeng, deputy director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Zhejiang Province, which is an economic powerhouse in east China, told a press conference.

Over the years, the industrial cooperation between Zhejiang and Africa has gradually expanded from labor-intensive sectors to medium and high-end manufacturing, digital economy and cross-border e-commerce, according to Chen.

"Zhejiang provided vocational training for over 2,800 individuals from more than 160 African companies," Chen added.

The province has sent medical teams to Africa over the past decades and supported countries such as Mali, the Central African Republic and Namibia, Chen said, adding that from 2022 to 2023, a total of 110 medical personnel from Zhejiang were dispatched to Africa, providing medical services to 183,800 people in the continent.

Zhu Chonglie, secretary of the Communist Party of China Jinhua Municipal Committee, told the press conference that more than 10,000 enterprises in the city engage in cross-border trade with Africa.

In addition, nearly 2,000 African enterprises are registered in Jinhua, over 30,000 Jinhua businessmen do business in Africa, and almost 80,000 African friends come to Jinhua each year to work and live, Zhu said.

During the press conference, Zhu Jun, chief economist of the provincial department of commerce, said Zhejiang has invested in 575 enterprises across Africa, with investments primarily concentrated in the textile industry, non-ferrous metal mining and wholesale trade.

"Zhejiang is a major province of private economy and private enterprises are the driving force behind the province's investment and cooperation with Africa. In 2023, exports of Zhejiang's private companies to Africa amounted to 277.25 billion yuan (about 38.97 billion U.S. dollars)," Zhu said.

To further enhance China-Africa digital economy cooperation, an Africa day for digital economy will be featured at the third Global Digital Trade Expo, which will be held from Sept. 25 to 29 in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, according to Zhu.

At another press conference, Dai Zhiguang, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Hunan Province, said that in recent years, Hunan has become one of the most active provinces in economic and trade cooperation with Africa. In 2023, Hunan's total import and export value with Africa reached 55.67 billion yuan.

Hunan has established 12 pairs of sister cities with African countries. Hunan's universities have trained nearly 3,000 international students from more than 40 African countries, said Dai.

"Hunan will focus on developing a service system for China-Africa economic cooperation and exploring new models and pathways for trade collaboration," said Deng Weiping, deputy director of Hunan provincial department of commerce.

In terms of new business models and emerging sectors, Hunan assisted in the development of Kilimall, a leading e-commerce platform in East Africa, Deng added.

The platform set up over 1,500 pick-up points locally and created 10,000 jobs in East Africa, helping over 300 Chinese brands enter the African market.

"Moreover, Hunan will encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in Africa and promote resource sharing and joint industrial growth between China and Africa," said Deng. 
Despite strong evidence that the average voter in the presidential election doesn't care a hoot about international trade policy, Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance have been promising to step up Trump's tariff war with China.

As usual, they're backing their promise with lies and other humbug.

"A tariff is a tax on a foreign country," Trump asserted at an Aug. 19 rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., for example. "Thats the way it is, whether you like it or not. A lot of people like to say its a tax on us. No, no, no. Its a tax on a foreign country."

Anything that you lose on the tariff from the perspective of the consumer, you gain in higher wages.

Vice-presidential candidate JD Vance gets the impact of tariffs completely wrong

Questioned during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Aug. 25 about the effect of Trump's tariffs on ordinary households  and economists' conclusion that consumers pay the price  Vance asserted that "economists really disagree about the effects of tariffs."

They're wrong on both counts.

In truth, there's no detectable disagreement among economists. In two polls conducted by the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago, panels of economists unanimously agreed that American households would pay the price for Trump's tariffs.

Those opinions held in a March 2018 poll and a May 2019 poll of panels of 43 leading academic economists. (The panels weren't identical but did overlap; three respondents in the first poll didn't provide answers and 11 didn't answer or were "uncertain" in the second.)

The Harris campaign is more forthright about the cost of tariffs to the average consumer, although its specific estimates about the magnitude of the cost of tariffs Trump has proposed for the future  almost $4,000 a year on middle class households  can be questioned.

Read more: Column: No, folks, Harris isn't planning to tax your unrealized capital gains  but a wealth tax is still a good idea

It's proper to note, moreover, that although Harris has called the Trump tariffs a "Trump sales tax," she doesn't mention that the Biden administration has kept many of Trump's tariffs in place and has moved to increase some of them.

It's safe to say that the entire topic of tariffs is fraught with confusion and uncertainty. Here's what you need to know.

First, the background. Trump launched a trade war, principally with China, in 2018 with a tariff of up to 25% on $50 billion worth of Chinese products. He stepped up the war later in the year with 10% tariffs on $200 billion in goods, and added tariffs of 10% on an additional $112 billion of Chinese imports. Trump also imposed tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from numerous trade partners.

These levies amounted to a tax of some $80 billion a year on American consumers, the nonpartisan Tax Foundation recently calculated. That was tantamount to "one of the largest tax increases in decades," the foundation said, blaming the tariffs for the loss of the equivalent of 142,000 jobs. The average household paid a price of nearly $300 a year.

Biden kept in place many of the levies on Chinese products and added some of his own, including a 100% tariff on Chinese-manufactured electric vehicles. He replaced the aluminum and steel tariffs on imports from Britain, the European Union and Japan with a tariff quota, meaning that imports up to a certain level are exempt but tariffs remain in place for higher import volumes.

Tariffs are designed to fall on finished exported goods, but those goods often aren't what consumers buy directly. Aluminum and steel, obviously, are raw materials used by manufacturers in the importing country. Other products subjected to the Trump tariffs are parts that go into American-made cars or other finished products.

The household-level effect of tariffs also depends on what a consumer buys. Consider the effect of tariffs on washing machines imposed by Trump (and allowed to expire by Biden) and the 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles Biden announced in May.

The EV tariffs will have no effect on American buyers, in the view of economist and economic blogger Noah Smith. That's because Chinese EVs aren't a factor in the U.S. market: "If youre an American, you werent buying a Chinese EV yesterday, and now youre not going to buy one tomorrow either. Nothing will change for you," Smith observes.

Read more: Column: A Trump judge blocks another pro-worker Biden initiative, this one involving noncompete clauses

You might, however, be able to buy one at some point in the future. Chinese EV makers including BYD are planning to build factories in Mexico, which would allow them to circumvent the Biden tariff even if the Mexican-made vehicles are bristling with Chinese parts. Some companies may even open factories in the U.S., as BMW, Honda, Toyota and other foreign carmakers have done.

The Trump tariff on washing machines had a measurable effect on the American market, however. Chinese-made machines commanded 80% of the U.S. market in 2018. That January, Trump imposed a 20% tariff on the first 1.2 million imported washing machines per year, and 50% on the excess imports.

Economists at the Federal Reserve and University of Chicago calculated that as a result, the price of washing machines rose by about 11%, or an average of $86.

As it happens, the price of clothes dryers, which weren't subject to a tariff, also rose, by $92. The reason evidently is that washers and dryers are generally bought as a pair; washer makers taking advantage of the reduction in foreign competition to raise prices on that appliance simply jacked up prices on the package.

Overall, manufacturers passed through more than 100% of the tariff cost to consumers, thanks to the lack of competition and the price increase on dryers. American consumers lost about $1.55 billion because of the washing machine tariffs, the authors found.

The researchers did acknowledge that manufacturing employment in the washing machine sector increased by about 1,200 in the wake of the tariff. But that worked out to a cost of about $815,000 per new job  borne, again, by consumers.

That underscores the fakery purveyed by Trump and Vance about the purported virtues of tariffs. During his "Meet the Press" appearance, Vance claimed that tariff critics overlooked the "dynamic effect when more jobs come into the country. Anything that you lose on the tariff from the perspective of the consumer, you gain in higher wages."

But there's scant evidence for Vance's claim that the tariffs pay for themselves. Certainly the economists polled by the University of Chicago didn't think so, and the Tax Foundation found that, on balance, the Trump tariffs cost jobs.

The same conclusion was reached by economists at UCLA, UC Berkeley, Yale and Columbia, who found "large consumer losses from the trade war" Trump instigated. They added together the cost of the U.S. tariffs and those of retaliatory tariffs imposed by target countries, especially China.

That leaves the question of the role tariffs should play in overall industrial policy. They're a tool that can be useful or warranted in specific contexts, but only if they're carefully calibrated with other measures. Biden accompanied his continuation of Trump's tariffs on Chinese semiconductor products, for instance, with the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, which provides for about $280 billion in government funding for semiconductor research and development, including $40 billion in subsidies for chip factories in the U.S.

Read more: Column: The UAW sends a lightning bolt into anti-union states with a huge victory at a VW plant

Viewed in isolation, tariffs are disdained by liberal and conservative economists alike. David Dollar and Zhi Wang of the liberal Brookings Institution warned in 2018 that of the costs of Trump's trade war, "some ... will be borne by American consumers; [and] some by American firms that either produce in China or use intermediate products from China."

Their conclusions were confirmed by the libertarian Cato Institute, which asserted last month that "Americans bore the brunt" of Trump's tariffs. Among the drawbacks were "higher tax burdens and prices, loss in wages and employment, reduced consumption, decreased investment, a decline in exports, and overall aggregate welfare."

History offers its own warnings. During an interview on "Fox News Sunday," Trump praised the tariffs proposed by William McKinley (R-Ohio) as a member of Congress in 1888. "If you look at McKinley," Trump told his interviewer, Mark Levin, "he was a great president. He made the country rich."

During the years following the enactment of the "McKinley Tariff" in 1890, the U.S. suffered four recessions or "panics," in 1890-91, 1893, 1896 and 1899-1900.

McKinley became president in 1897. By then the McKinley Tariff had been shown to be a political disaster, leading to landslide losses of 83 House seats in the midterm election of 1890 and the loss of the White House in 1892, placing both chambers of Congress and the presidency in Democratic hands.

In other words, if Trump knew history, he would abandon all this tariff talk. But he doesn't, and he hasn't.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Column: Trump's remarks about school transgender policies are his most deranged and despicable yet

One of the problems with news coverage of Donald Trump's presidential campaign is that reporters and editors are so numbed by his fire hose of lies that they're ignoring the depths he's reaching.

Case in point: Trump's remarks about transgender students and schools, delivered Friday at an event put on by Moms for Liberty, the far-right gang of book-banners that lately has been searching for relevance.

Prompted to grouse about transgender policy by his host, Moms co-founder Tiffany Justice, Trump said the following:

Children are being taught that they were born in the wrong body. It's an incredibly abusive message to send.

Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice cues a Trump diatribe

"Think of it. Your kid goes to school and comes home a few days later with an operation. The school decides what's gonna happen with your child. And you know, many of these childs [sic] 15 years later say, 'What the hell happened? Who did this to me?' They say, 'Who did this to me?'"

Let's be brief. None of this exists in the real world. It's a string of whistle stops in Trump's fantasyland. He's painting a picture in which children are essentially kidnapped, held for days so they can be operated on by their school. In which every school has full, unquestioned authority over every child. In which parents have no say. In which the children wake up 15 years later and discover they've been changed and don't remember who did it....

The rule at The Times is that we shouldn't apply language associated with mental illness to people who aren't known to be mentally ill. But sorry, who can listen to this and not think, this is abnormal?

Read more: Column: California's transgender sanctuary law survives a challenge as judge ridicules plaintiff's claims

No one, other than people so addled by transgender-paranoia. People like Tiffany Justice.

Justice had set up Trump's rant by first quoting Elon Musk's complaint about his estranged daughter, who has come out as transgender, and then said, "There's been an explosion in the number of children who identify as transgender and children are being taught that they were born in the wrong body. It's an incredibly abusive message to send."

It was like feeding a bad comic a straight line. Trump was off and running.

I don't sympathize with Moms for Liberty, which discovered in the 2023 elections that its ban-the-book shtick had run out its string.

The group put up or endorsed candidates for school boards across Iowa. Its nine candidates in five school districts all lost, typically scoring 10% of the vote or less. Democrats also fended off the organizations candidates or wrested control in school board elections in Pennsylvania and Minnesota.

Moms was getting enveloped in a bad odor. It was found to have made common cause with extremist groups such as the Proud Boys, which played a leading role in the Jan. 6 insurrection. An Indiana chapter of Moms for Liberty sent out a newsletter front-paging a quote it attributed to Adolf Hitler. The chapter apologized, but at a subsequent organizational conference, Justice declared, I stand with that mom.

Read more: Lynn Conway, leading computer scientist and transgender pioneer, dies at 86

This is the record that made Donald Trump think he'd find a solicitous audience at the Moms for Liberty summit. He wasn't wrong. The attendees clapped at his applause lines and laughed at his mugging and jokes, no matter how crass.

What makes this performance, which would render anyone in a normal election cycle unelectable, more demoralizing is the reaction of the press. It was pretty much: Nothing.

As far as I can tell, none of the major newspapers, nor CNN nor MSNBC, quoted his words or even paid them much attention.

The New York Times mentioned that the group's event featured a panel discussion titled "Moms Know Best: Protecting Kids from Secret Gender Transitions in Schools" and noted that Trump repeated the inaccurate assertion that an Algerian athlete who won an Olympic gold as a female boxer was a man, which has been disproved.

Of the rest of it, not a word.

Nothing that I could find in the Wall Street Journal. The Washington Post and The Times published similar Associated Press dispatches from the Friday event. Neither mentioned the lines about schoolchildren kidnapped and given surgeries against their will.

That's a shame, because none of the published descriptions of Trump's appearance give anything like the flavor of his diatribe. They all mentioned Trump's complaints at the same appearance about transgender athletes supposedly competing as women, but that sounds almost rational (though not quite), compared to what he really had to say.

Read more: Column: Who elected Elon Musk our arbiter of social norms?

Trump was building on a neurotic obsession about transgender kids that is alive and writhing in the right-wing and Republican fever swamp.

The idea that children are being subjected by mad scientists to gender experiments and surgery is at the heart of anti-transgender legislation signed by malevolent goons such as Florida Gov. Ron Desantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, abetted by Musk.

Their laws, and those of the 24 other red states that have enacted laws forbidding or constraining gender-affirming care, are typically promoted as "parental rights" laws. In truth, they interfere with the rights of parents who are struggling for access to the best gender-affirming care and treatment for their children.

Trump, however, has outdone them by constructing this despicable fantasy. It can only make things immeasurably harder for the more than 280,000 transgender youths and their families living in states where, according to UCLA's law school, laws banning access to gender-affirming care, participation in sports, use of bathrooms or "affirmation of gender through pronoun use" have been enacted or proposed.

Within the journalism community, a debate is raging over whether and how the big news organizations should highlight Trump's mental condition. There's no secret how to do it, of course: Just quote, directly, what he says, and don't sugarcoat a thing.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
After a month of sweating it out in the August heat, county-certified volunteers can return to registering citizens to vote inside Tarrant County buildings.

The Tarrant County commissioners voted 3-1 Wednesday to approve an amendment to the newly changed facilities use policy that pushed volunteer deputy registrars out of county buildings in August. County Judge Tim OHare cast the lone opposition vote.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Manny Ramirez was absent for the vote.

The amendment excludes activities by volunteer deputy registrars, who are certified by the county to register citizens to vote, from the term non-regular use. A rule change approved in July prohibited non-regular activities in county facilities.

The amendment was put on the agenda by Precinct 2 Commissioner Alisa Simmons, who told the Star-Telegram she was pleased her colleagues agreed with the amendment.

It was inhumane to force volunteer deputy registrars outside in extreme conditions, she said.

Fort Worth saw 17 days of at least 100-degree highs in August.

The county trains, tests and certifies volunteer deputy registrars, gives them a badge, she told the Star-Telegram after the vote. If they are registering folks to vote, thats a good thing. Were engaging the electorate, getting them to vote. Being inside in harsh weather conditions, whether it is 108-degree weather or rainy weather or chilly weather, just makes sense.

Simmons was absent on July 16 when the court voted 4-0 to change the countys facilities use policy to include activities like voter registration and press conferences as non-regular use.

Cornell Woolridge, a volunteer deputy registrar for Texas Freedom Network, told the Star-Telegram while registering voters outside the county administration building last month that he was unaware of the rule change on Aug. 1. He believed the change was an attempt at voter suppression.

The high was 101 degrees on Aug. 13, the day he spoke to the Star-Telegram.

During the commissioners vote on Wednesday, County Judge Tim OHare questioned fellow Republican Gary Fickes, double-checking that he indeed wanted to vote in favor of the amendment.

Youre a yes on this, Gary? he said before the voting boards revealed the votes to the few attendees left after a lengthy executive session. Youre voting for the amendment that she is proposing to make deputy registrars  where they just get to come in?

Fickes confirmed he intended to vote in favor of the amendment.

Texas Freedom Network was one of three nonprofit organizations on the agenda petitioning for permission to use selected Tarrant County buildings to register voters. The other two were Battleground Texas and Jolt Initiative.

A representative of Jolt Initiative declined to comment. The other two organizations did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Legal counsel for the county commissioners advised OHare that the agenda items were moot after the passage of the amendment, and the items requested by the nonprofits were not voted on.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Community members packed the sanctuary at Adas Israel Tuesday night, holding a prayer vigil for six Israeli hostages killed in Gaza over the weekend.

Over this past weekend, six Israelis were murdered in cold blood. And it is just a tragedy. The Jewish community feels the need to come together to mourn, said Ron Halber, the CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington.

The bodies of the six hostages were recovered early Sunday morning in a tunnel beneath Rafah.

The Associated Press reported that all six were killed shortly before Israeli forces were set to rescue them, according to the military.

Theyve been identified as Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino.

The 6 hostages whose bodies the Israeli military recovered from Gaza

Six young people their lives were snuffed out for no reason other than the fact that they happened to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time and they were Jewish, said Halber.

Hes calling on community members to support their Jewish neighbors.

I ask you if you are not Jewish to reach out to their Jewish friends and to go ahead and embrace them and say we sympathize, we understand what youre going through and give them a warm hug, he said.

During the prayer vigil, speakers called for unity and for all remaining hostages to be released from Gaza.

Leelle Slifer, the cousin of hostage Carmel Gat, also spoke.

We cannot stand by and let this horror continue. It doesnt matter what your political affiliation is. This is not about politics, she said. This is about right and wrong and good and evil. And we have to call out to all of our leaders to stand side by side with Israel to help bring our hostages home.

Hostages have been held captive by Hamas since Oct. 7, 2023, when the group attacked a music festival, killing hundreds.

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TYLER, Texas (KETK)  The East Texas community is mourning fallen Dallas Police officer Darron Burks, who was a Tyler Junior College alum and was killed Thursday while on duty.

Superior Outfitters hosting raffle to help East Texas teen battling bone cancer

The Dallas Police Department shared that 46-year-old Burks passed away but his sacrifice and heroism would not be forgotten.

Officer Darron Burks, courtesy of the Dallas Police Department

According to NBCDFW, Burks was sitting in his car when he was executed by a 30-year-old man who also shot two other officers.

Officer Burks served with unwavering pride and commitment on the Dallas Police Department until his untimely passing, Burks obituary said. His bravery, dedication, and selflessness were evident in every aspect of his work, and he was a beacon of hope and security for those he served.

Before becoming a police officer, Burks was a teacher. Prior to becoming a teacher, the TJC Alumni Association said Burks was an alum and member of the Minority Student Association.

Appeals court upholds mans life sentence for strangulation murder of Longview woman

After graduating from Paul Quinn College, he became an educator and then a police officer for the Dallas Police Department. In both roles he was a profound community leader and mentor, the alumni association said.

On Wednesday, the community is expected to hold a candlelight vigil at the Dallas college where Burks was also an alum.

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Concord man pleads guilty on failure to pay more than $700,000 in businesses over-taxes

GREENSBORO, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Concord man was convicted Wednesday on failure to pay more than $700,000 in over-taxes for his heavy equipment businesses, the U.S. Attorneys Office reported.

According to court documents, Ronald James McMurphy committed the crimes from 2016 to 2022. He was the president of McMurphy Hydraulics Inc., which was in the business of repairing and manufacturing hydraulics equipment. McMurphy also served as president of Powertek Equipment Inc., a heavy equipment manufacturer located down the street from the hydraulics company, from 2019 to 2022.

Concord man strikes gold, reconnecting folks with long-lost rings

The U.S. Attorneys Office reports that he was responsible for accounting for and paying to the IRS the employment taxes for the employees of both companies, but for various tax periods, McMurphy willfully failed to truthfully account for and pay over the trust-fund taxes and employer-matching taxes due on behalf of the companies employees.

The total employment tax liability for McMurphys businesses from the first quarter of 2016 through the third quarter of 2022 is $712,017. He guilty Wednesday before Chief United States District Court Judge Catherine C. Eagles.

His sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 12 in Greensboro. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The case is being investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Laura J. Dildine of the Middle District of North Carolina is prosecuting the case.

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Congress is poised for yet another funding showdown this fall as Republicans and Democrats face off over spending levels ahead of the October deadline and as both sides already appear to be digging in just two months before the election.

Its a dynamic that comes as House Speaker Mike Johnson will once again have to manage the demands of his right flank with a narrow majority and as the Louisiana Republican will face his colleagues in yet another leadership race in the months to come.

When lawmakers return next week, theyll have just 13 days in session to find a path forward. Sources close to the process told CNN the speaker is eyeing a plan to bring legislation to the floor in the first few days of session that would fund the government into the spring  known as a continuing resolution, or CR  then attach a controversial bill that would bar noncitizens from voting in US elections. It is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in US elections. The House passed the bill, known as the SAVE Act, in July, with five Democrats in tight races supporting the measure.

Senate Democrats are warning its a nonstarter in their chamber.

As we have said each time weve had a CR, the only way to get things done is in a bipartisan way and that is what has happened every time, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, said in a statement Tuesday.

Its also a major hurdle for Republicans to pass the bill on their own. Despite the fact the conservative House Freedom Caucus has taken the position that it wants to move forward with a short-term continuing resolution that includes the SAVE Act, there are still Republicans who may not vote for a short-term spending bill at all. Some of those members would prefer to move bills individually, despite the fact that House Republicans could pass only a handful of the 12 appropriations bills this summer, with leadership scrambling before recess because the measures didnt have enough GOP votes.

Conservative GOP Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, author of the SAVE Act, acknowledged that while he and his Freedom Caucus colleagues despise continuing resolutions, they cannot let perfect get in the way here.

I dont like a lot of the crap that would be in a continuing resolution, but the upside is its a spending freeze at current levels, Roy said Tuesday on the War Room podcast. We attach the SAVE Act. We go browbeat Democrats if they want to oppose only citizen voting, and we kick the funding into a Trump administration. It is not perfect, but its a damn good approach heading into the election.

For Johnson, running the play early could give the speaker room to maneuver and satisfy his right flank at a critical inflection point in his speakership even if Republicans cannot pass it.

While leadership staff remains in communication, major negotiations arent taking place, and there are still a big sticking points. But sources on all sides are emphatic that no one is looking for a shutdown.

I dont think any of the big four leaders want a shutdown right before the election, one senior senate GOP aide said. Johnson has his own internal dynamics, but I dont think there is a desire from anyone to push us into a shutdown.

On the list of issues to iron out: Republicans and Democrats are still not settled on for how long the continuing resolution should go. Democrats would prefer a short-term spending bill into December, kicking the major negotiation until after the election but also clearing the deck before a new president would step into the Oval Office in January. Many Republicans, meanwhile, are looking to avoid the holiday spending fight. Pushing the fight to March could also benefit Johnson, who could anger his right flank right before a leadership race if he is forced to cut a bipartisan spending deal with Democrats in December.

Congress will also need to decide on spending levels. Democrats are pushing to move ahead with spending that mirrors the Fiscal Responsibility Acts levels and the side deals originally agreed upon between the White House and Republicans in the spring of 2023. But Republicans want to cut funding, so the so-called side deals arent included.

Democrats also warn that lawmakers will need to deal with disaster relief, especially if Republicans punt the next funding fight until March. Lawmakers must also address funding shortfalls for two veterans programs. Republicans and Democrats will need to figure out ahead of September 20 how to patch a $3 billion funding shortfall for veterans pensions and other benefits. They will also need to increase funding for veterans health care by $12 billion in the next funding bill after the programs eligibility requirements were expanded.

For now, Democrats are taking a wait-and-see approach to see whether Johnson can even pass legislation to fund the government until March that includes the SAVE Act. If he cant, Democrats believe they will have much more room to negotiate a clean deal that kicks the next showdown until December.

CNNs Morgan Rimmer and Haley Talbot contributed to this report.

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FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Central Valley residents had the chance to hear from some congressional candidates in person just two months away from election day.

Democratic Congressman Jim Costa and Republican Michael Maher are in the race for Californias 21st Congressional seat. Maher last challenged Costa back in 2022.

During a debate on Tuesday night, both candidates answered questions from an audience made up of veterans at Fresnos American Legion Post 509.

Some of the topics discussed included veterans benefits such as health and job opportunities.

We have provided over a $100 million to the VA hospital here in Fresno for a cath lab, for an assisted living center, and for other areas of care as well as our clinics. They are critical and they are important, Costa said.

We need to start restoring and replacing all those benefits equal with the entitlements of benefits that are given to people who never even served, Maher said.

Another one of the topics discussed in Tuesdays debate was term limits.

Every election we have term limits you have an opportunity to change and make a decision at every election. Do we need another law? No, it is incumbent upon us the people being engaged, Maher said.

Experience and expertise count in America, thats why weve been the most successful country in the world. We reward experience and expertise as it relates to elections, those are a contract that the American people have with their elected officials, Costa said.

Both candidates also answered questions regarding national security, immigration and farming.

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Contrary to what Biden says, nothing will change after the Georgia school shooting

Another day of a mass shooting in the United States of America. Four have been reported dead, so far, at a Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia. The suspect, who is 14 years old, is in custody.

Vice President Kamala Harris said the same thing Democrats always do when the news came in. She called the shooting a senseless tragedy on top of so many other senseless tragedies.

It doesnt have to be this way, she said in New Hampshire, a state with no firearm licensing requirements at all. So we will of course continue to send our thoughts and prayers to the families and all those who are affected.

Harriss running mate, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, said there was more work to be done.

Walz has made a big deal about the fact that he used to receive money from the National Rifle Association as a Blue Dog Democrat in Congress before he gave the money away and signed universal background checks and a red flag law as governor.

President Joe Biden, who authored the 1994 ban on assault weapons that expired in 2004, once again tried to appeal to Republicans better angels.

After decades of inaction, Republicans in Congress must finally say enough is enough and work with Democrats to pass common-sense gun safety legislation, he said in a statement not long after Wednesdays shooting.

But nobody should be under any delusions that anything will fundamentally change when it comes to guns in the United States, at least for the near future.

Here are the cold hard facts: Governor Brian Kemp signed legislation that allowed people in Georgia to purchase a handgun without having to ask permission from state government, in his own words. Kemp has now sent condolences to the families of the dead. But he will likely not take any action on gun control, lest he ruin his chances to run for president in 2028.

Representative Mike Collins, who represents the district that Apalachee High School is in, shot a voting machine with a rifle in a recent political ad. That detail hasnt escaped many gun control advocates in the aftermath of the school shooting. Of course, when former president Donald Trump was shot at a rally a few weeks ago, Collins blamed Joe Biden.

That should give an indication of how far gun legislation will go in a House of Representatives controlled by Representative Mike Johnson, which is to say not far at all.

The Senate will not be much better, either. Yes, Democrats have 51 seats. But two Democrats from states that Donald Trump won twice  Jon Tester of Montana and Sherrod Brown of Ohio  are running for re-election and would likely not want to risk angering rural voters in their states.

Even if all 51 senators in the majority voted on gun legislation, it would still be run aground by the filibuster. Republicans already took a big risk when they voted for a bipartisan gun bill in 2022 after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Theyre extremely unlikely to risk anything so close to a general election.

The future does not look that optimistic after the election, either. If Trump wins the White House again, he likely will enact no gun safety measures. If Harris wins, she will likely have a Republican Senate that will block any gun legislation, even if Democrats control the House.

And a President Harris can forget about executive orders. In June, the Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, threw out an ordinance the Trump administration put in place without the approval of Congress to ban bump stocks, a type of device used to make semi-automatic rifles fire faster.

This is the bleak reality of the current political climate. The last time any gun legislation passed  in 2022  everything had to line up perfectly. Democrats had a trifecta and enough Republicans wanted to pass something.

Those circumstances will likely not exist for some time.

Welcome to another day of mass shootings in America. And they will likely continue for the near future.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A Canandaigua man has been sentenced to serve 60 months in prison following a guilty plea to Child Pornography charges.

Preston Herbst, age 28, plead guilty to transferring obscene matter in May 2024, and faced a maximum of five years in prison with a $250,000 fine.

Prosecutors said in July of 2023, Herbst was sentenced to serve 36 months in prison following a conviction for a federal charge of possession of child pornography. Herbst was allowed to self-surrender and his sentencing was scheduled to begin on October 12, 2023.

The sentence will be served following the completion of a 36-month sentence previously imposed.

On September 3, 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received information from Snap, Inc. that a user had uploaded child pornography to the Snapchat platform which prompted an investigation.

Following an investigation, it was determined that Herbst used the account to trade child pornography in September 2023, after he had been sentenced, but before self-surrendering.

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TRIPOLI, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) announced on Tuesday that Libya's two rival legislative bodies have agreed to work towards resolving the central bank crisis within a few days.

The UNSMIL said in a statement that discussions held at its Tripoli office on Monday and Tuesday led to an agreement between the eastern-based House of Representatives (HoR) and the High State Council in the west on appointing a new central bank governor and board of directors.

The representatives have requested an additional five days to finalize their plan for managing the central bank until new appointments are made.

The UNSMIL highlighted the crisis's adverse effects on Libyan citizens and international confidence in the country's banking system. The mission commended the cooperative approach of the talks and urged all parties to avoid unilateral actions and expedite efforts to reach a final resolution, according to the statement.

Tensions have escalated since the internationally recognized western-based chamber decided to oust veteran central bank Governor Sadiq al-Kabir. The HoR rejected this decision, prompting the eastern-based government to close all ports and oil fields under its control.

Since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, Libya has been struggling with fragmentation. The country now is divided between two main rival administrations: the eastern-based government, backed by the HoR and the western-based government in Tripoli.

This divide has led to frequent clashes, competing claims of legitimacy, and struggles over control of resources, including oil. Despite numerous attempts at reconciliation and international mediation, Libya remains politically unstable and divided. 
Convicted Rust Armorer Reaches Tentative Plea Deal in Separate Felony Case for Allegedly Bringing Gun to a Bar in Her 'Butt Cheeks'

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is already serving an 18-month sentence after her conviction in the 'Rust' case

Jim Weber - Pool/Getty Hannah Gutierrez-Reed on March 1, 2024

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the Rust armorer who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for the shooting death of Halyna Hutchins, has reportedly reached a plea deal on a separate felony charge.



Last year, a grand jury indicted Gutierrez-Reed, now 27, on a felony charge of bringing a firearm into a New Mexico bar on Oct. 1, 2021.

On Wednesday, Sept. 4, Gutierrez-Reed's legal team indicated in a court filing obtained by PEOPLE that "the State of New Mexico and Defendant have reached a plea agreement." Gutierrez-Reed has agreed to receive 18 months of probation as part of the agreement, her lawyer Jason Bowles says.

Prior to news of the agreement, the First Judicial District Court of New Mexico was expecting to hear arguments from Gutierrez-Reed's legal team on Sept. 5 about dismissing this charge.



Related: Why the Convicted Rust Armorer Who Doesnt Want to Testify in Alec Baldwins Case Is Headed to Trial Again

Eddie Moore-Pool/Getty Hannah Gutierrez-Reed on April 15, 2024

According to previous court documents filed by prosecutors on April 12, investigators discovered a video Gutierrez-Reed took after entering a bar in which she allegedly showed a firearm and said she concealed it from security.

Upon successfully circumventing the security at the bar she went into the restroom and made a selfie video stating, They checked my purse, but they didnt check my butt cheeks! Wah wah wah,  those court documents asserted. At the same time that she was speaking, she held up a nickel-plated semi-automatic pistol in front of the camera.



Eddie Moore-Pool/Getty Hannah Gutierrez-Reed on April 15, 2024

Gutierrez-Reed was the weapons handler on the Western film Rust. A prop gun was loaded with live rounds on the set when actor Alec Baldwin was holding it and it discharged, killing cinematographer Hutchins, 42.

She is already serving an 18-month sentence at a New Mexico women's correctional facility after her sentencing hearing in the Rust case on April 15. That sentencing marked the maximum penalty following her conviction on an involuntary manslaughter charge in March.

After Baldwin's criminal case was dismissed mid-trial in July, Gutierrez-Reed's attorneys sent a motion to the court asking that she either receive a new trial or have her conviction dismissed in light of the misconduct discovered during Baldwin's trial.



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A Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation has found that Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago did not assault City Manager Amos Rojas Jr. during an incident between the two men at City Hall in June.

The FDLE had been investigating a complaint by Rojas, a retired FDLE agent, that Lago assaulted him during a meeting, according to a close-out memo from the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office acquired by the Miami Herald. In the memo, signed last week, prosecutors agreed with the FDLEs conclusion that the facts did not meet the elements of an assault and said the matter was now closed.

The memo indicates that the incident was at one point being investigated as a second-degree misdemeanor assault, a crime in Florida that can carry a fine of up to $500 and up to 60 days in jail.

Lago did not respond to a request for comment from the Herald. Rojas did not respond to an email sent to him and city spokesperson Martha Pantin. Pantin declined to comment on the matter other than to confirm that the investigation was closed and that no charges had been filed.

The FDLEs investigative report states that Lago asked Rojas and Assistant City Manager Alberto Parjus to stick around after a June 3 meeting about the citys art procurement process to continue discussing city business. According to sworn statements from all three, the situation became contentious, and the mayor began openly criticizing the city manager.

Rojas testified that the mayor called him incompetent and said that he didnt like Rojas. Rojas added that after he told Lago that they would have to find a way to work together, the mayor became enraged.

Lagos face turned red, and he jumped out of his chair, ripped off his jacket, and threw it on the back of his chair all while saying something to the effect of Im a man, be a man but in an aggressive tone, Rojas said, according to a summary of his statement included in the investigative report.

Rojas further testified that Lago began unbuttoning his shirtsleeves and making a fist. I was in fear, Rojas said. Rojas added that as he left the room, Lago called him a coward.

Parjus, the assistant city manager, said he heard Lago call Rojas a coward but did not see the mayor making a fist.

Lago, who testified to criticizing the city manager during the meeting, denied the allegation of assault. He said he removed his jacket because of issues with his offices air conditioning. He also testified that the city manager was acting aggressively and standing over him during the argument.

All three said that when Lago stood up and removed his jacket, Rojas asked the mayor if he was going to hit him. Lago testified that he responded, Thats exactly what you would want.

According to Parjus, Lago removed his jacket, folded it and put it on his chair. Parjus said the mayor remained five or six feet away from the city manager and never got in the face or within close proximity of Rojas. He also said Lago never made verbal threats toward the city manager.

When asked if he believed what he witnessed was an assault, Parjus said, No, it didnt look like an assault.

A spokesperson for the Coral Gables Police Department said Wednesday morning that she could not comment on the matter because the FDLE had not yet confirmed to the department that the investigation was closed. The FDLE did not respond to the Heralds request for comment.

Lago and Rojas have clashed since the city managers appointment in February. Rojas was appointed just two weeks after the city commission voted to fire then-City Manager Peter Iglesias, whom the mayor supported.

Rojas was named the new city manager in a narrow 3-2 vote, with Lago voting against the hire. The mayor claimed that Rojas appointment violated Floridas Sunshine Law, something Rojas has denied.

The incident between Lago and Rojas at City Hall took place during a year of political turmoil for Lago and drew attention to divisions within the citys leadership structure. An effort to recall Lago as mayor, which fell short by 120 signatures in April, further stoked divisions.

In a statement in June, Lago called the incident at City Hall an example of political theater on the part of the city manager. In his own statement, Rojas said at that time that he has always strived to work in a collegial manner with my colleagues and superiors, declining to comment on the incident itself.
CORNING, N.Y. (WETM)  A Corning man was arrested for allegedly having and selling fentanyl.

Sean L. Murray, 53, was arrested on Aug. 29 after a police investigation into the sale and possession of fentanyl. According to the Corning City Police Department, officers pulled Murray over at about 11:30 a.m. on Thursday in the City of Corning and arrested him at the scene. Officers immediately went to Murrays Griffith Street home after the traffic stop and searched it on a warrant from the Steuben County Court.

Four arrested after reported burglary in Bath

Murray was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (class B felonies), two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance (class B felonies), one count of third-degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance (a class C felony), and one count of fourth-degree conspiracy (a class E felony).

According to the Corning Police Department, Murray, who is a certified New York State Registered Nurse, was on pre-trial release for numerous high-level narcotic charges at the time of his arrest. After his Aug. 29 arrest, Murray was processed at the Corning Police Department. His charges were then read in the Steuben County Court, and he was released. Murray will appear back in court at a later date.

The Village of Bath Police Department assisted the Corning City Police Department with the fentanyl investigation that led to Murrays arrest.

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Students in a classroom. (Getty Images)

While Virginia leaders tout improvements in public education, they are still working to address achievement gaps, facility improvements and the diverse needs of students and educators.

However, recommendations in Project 2025  a conservative plan for how the country should operate if a Republican wins the White House  if implemented, could derail those efforts. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, has for years made recommendations found in the Project, and some were used in former President Donald Trumps first term.

The project includes conservative policy recommendations in various government areas, including defense, health and human services, and education. Some state leaders are concerned about the projects proposed impact on school funding and resources. In contrast, others, including Gov. Glenn Youngkin, say the focus should be on what the presidential campaigns are proposing instead of Project 2025, which the governor characterized as a routine transition plan.

At the end of the day, there are lots of transition plans that are written, and theyve been written for decades, said Youngkin during an Aug. 15 meeting with reporters. I do believe that what would really benefit Virginians and Americans is if the media would actually report on what the candidates are talking about, what they will do, or candidates that have yet to tell anybody what theyre going to do, as opposed to supposing what they might do from some transition plan thats been written for presidents, literally since Ronald Reagan.

The plans stance on public education

Jonathan Butcher, co-author of the education plan and senior research fellow with the Heritage Foundation, said nearly everything found in Project 2025 came from foundation research or is something it has advocated for years.

The projects education plan suggests eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, which is responsible for serving students, executing plans by the president and Congress, and advocating for parental choice in education and for civil rights.

Butcher said the agency failed to address its goals of closing the achievement gap and improving the outcomes of children from low-income areas, while the federal government is spending billions on schools, compared to 50 years ago. He also said reading and math scores have reached historic lows.

The authors of the plan also propose advancing school choice options, eliminating student loan forgiveness programs, eliminating a childcare program that focuses on children from low-income families, and rolling back regulations to protect transgender students.

The education chapter states: When power is exercised, it should empower students and families, not government. In our pluralistic society, families and students should be free to choose from a diverse set of school options and learning environments that best fit their needs.

The proposal recommends that the next president issue a series of executive orders requiring an unspecified group report on the negative influence of action civics on students understanding of history and civics and their disposition toward the United States. The report would also include an accounting of how federal programs and grants spread critical race theory and ideology centered on gender and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Democratic legislators leading the General Assemblys education committees have expressed concern about the proposed ideas. Several Republican legislators did not return The Mercurys requests for comment on how Project 2025 could impact education in the state, or said that they werent well versed in the material.

In Virginia, the House and Senate are controlled by Democrats who have prioritized funding teacher pay increases, and dedicating additional funds for disadvantaged students, higher education and providing more mental health resources.

Democrats have dismissed Republican legislative efforts to ban certain books and allow parents to use state funding to cover the costs of educational opportunities outside of the public school system. But the two parties have worked together to improve special education and address child care needs.

What were seeing in Project 2025 is really steering away from those critical core issues that we need to focus on in education, particularly around giving our students the skills that they need to succeed in a very complex world not just in the academic sense, but also socially and culturally, said Senate Education and Health Committee Chair Ghazala Hashmi, D-Richmond.

In another section of Project 2025, the authors recommend eliminating the Head Start program, which has fostered educational and social development for children under 5 years of age across the country since 1965. In 2021, the Heritage Foundation wrote that the program negatively affected children and that the federal government should sunset it in 2023. Virginia currently offers 52 Head Start and Early Head Start programs across four regions statewide, according to the Virginia Head Start Association.

Butcher said Project 2025 and the foundation have also called for an end to the federal student lending program, stating that its not Washingtons job to be the bank for every college student. Instead, the plan calls for consolidating student loans, moving them to the U.S. Department of Treasury and opening an opportunity for private lenders to offer loans to students.

House Education Committee Chair Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, said the plan is dangerous for business and could negatively affect early education, increase college costs, and deprive disadvantaged students of resources.

Weve made record investments in public education, and just this year, we put an extra half billion dollars into early childhood slots because businesses were saying Our workers need this, Rasoul said. This is sadly a poorly concocted right-wing agenda to just prey on people, and to me, it clearly would be taking Virginia backward, and a lot of the good work that weve done in a bipartisan way would be unraveled.

Hashmi said Republican members at the state and federal levels have long pushed ideas to dismantle the Department of Education and return control to the localities, which she said has likely adversely affected public education funding.

While a lot of these ideas are not necessarily new, they are really, really concerning in the ways in which Project 2025 spells out with great clarity the efforts to, in essence, destroy public education in the country.

She said the plan also attacks the teaching of American History in schools, and protections for transgender and nonbinary children.

The plan lists several principles for safeguarding parental, student, and civil rights. The authors stated that enforcement of civil rights should be based on a proper understanding of those laws, rejecting gender ideology and critical race theory.

The authors added that federal officials should protect educators and students in jurisdictions under federal control from racial discrimination by reinforcing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and prohibiting compelled speech.

Butcher said while the education plan has no curricular recommendations based on gender, Project 2025 does follow the foundations The Given Name Act, which states that no public education employee or contractor shall use a name to address a student other than the name listed on a students birth certificate, or derivatives thereof, without the written permission of a students parents or guardians.

In higher education, Hashmi said there is also a growing argument from Republicans that higher learning is not essential and students should be diverted to trade programs instead. While workers are needed across the economic sector, she said, the proposed measure should not be implemented at the expense of higher education.

Governor keeps Project 2025 author on GMU Board of Visitors

Lindsey Burke, appointed by Youngkin to a four-year term on the Board of Visitors at George Mason University, is one of the authors of Project 2025 and director of the Center for Education Policy at the Heritage Foundation.

Some state leaders have criticized her role in the plan. Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, urged the governor in an Aug. 2 letter to remove Burke from her seat on the board, writing that her extreme views are alarming and contradicts the commonwealths efforts.

Youngkin responded by writing that the commonwealth is very fortunate to have Burke on the board and said he has no intention of removing her. He said Burke was among his early higher education appointees because of her extensive preschool, K-12 and higher education policy background.

Removing her would not only do a tremendous disservice to George Mason University, but it would also undermine the spirit of Virginians from all walks of life coming together to improve their community and their commonwealth, Youngkin wrote.

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Will it rain for the Chiefs season opener against the Ravens? Heres the forecast

The weather will be a tad warmer and humid in Kansas City in the next couple of days before a cold front pushes through the area, bringing the chance of storms, the National Weather Service said.

The weather service said in its forecast discussion that Wednesdays weather would slightly differ from Tuesdays when temperatures reached 82 degrees. Southerly winds will push temperatures higher.

Today that should not amount to much more than a couple degrees warmer, low to mid-80s for most vs. the upper 70s to mid-80s yesterday, the weather service said. Dew points will remain repressed in the 50s, keeping the comfort level very high.

By Thursday, when the Chiefs, the back-to-back reigning Super Bowl champs, face the Ravens in their season opener, temperatures will climb above average, reaching 90 degrees.

The weather will be more humid, with dew points in the mid- and upper 60s. In the summertime, when dew points rise above 65 degrees, theres a lot of moisture in the air and the heat becomes oppressive.

Weather forecast for Chiefs vs. Ravens

A cold front is expected to approach from the northwest, enter Missouri by the afternoon, and slowly move across the area during the evening and overnight.

There is a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms beginning in the midday and continuing overnight. The weather service said the chance of rain is up to 30% across the north and central portions of the Kansas City forecast area.

The showers and thunderstorms that develop are expected to be light and generic in nature, the weather service said. No severe weather is expected.

The National Weather Service predicts that temperatures will be around 80 degrees at 7:20 p.m. Thursday, when the Chiefs and Ravens kick off the NFL season at Arrowhead Stadium. The chance of rain at game time is about 20%.

Fall-like weather for weekend

The weather service said cooler and drier weather will move into the Kansas City area Friday, leading to temperatures that will feel more like early October.

Expect temperatures to be well below average, reaching only the 70s on Friday and the upper 60s to mid-70s on Saturday. Temperatures will rebound a few degrees on Sunday.

All in all, it should be a great weekend for any outdoor activities or plans, the weather service said.

At the start of the new work week, temperatures will return to the 80s across the region. Mostly quiet weather is also expected.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A Shelby County Commissioner is calling a local judge a threat to the public after the release of a suspect accused of shooting several people outside a Midtown restaurant.

Detawn Gunn, who is accused of injuring at least four people in a shooting outside Railgarten on Aug. 16, was released from jail on his own recognizance Aug. 27 after a hearing in Judge Bill Andersons court.

Controversy erupts after release of Railgarten shooting suspect

Wednesday, during a county commission hearing on bail review, Commissioner Mick Wright blasted Anderson, who he blamed for the decision to release Gunn.

I think he has a screw loose. I wish he would trade in his robe for an orange jumpsuit, because I think he is a threat to the public, Wright said.

District Attorney Steve Mulroy had argued during last months hearing that Gunn should remain in jail with bond to be set at $500,000. The office does not set bail amounts, but can make recommendations.

Mulroys office later released a statement saying they were disappointed with the bond reduction.

The decision also drew fire from state Sen. Brent Taylor, who is a frequent critic of low bond amounts set for violent offenders in Shelby County, and of Judge Anderson in particular.

Senator blasts judge over bail comments after murder suspects release

Wright noted that it was unusual to have both D.A. Mulroy and Sen. Taylor, who have been publicly at odds over several recent cases, on the same page in this case.

WREG spoke with Anderson about Wrights comments Wednesday. He said he feels comfortable with his decisions, and hes sorry if others dont like them but says, its not a popularity contest.

Ive been doing this job for almost 15 years. I know what Im doing and I follow the law, Anderson said.

He responded to Wrights screw loose comment: I dont know what he does for a living, but hes not a neurologist.  He is in a group of people that think they know a lot more about the law than they actually do.

Anderson continued, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Wright need to spend their time doing their own jobs that the people elected them to do. Im doing my job. I know what Im doing, Im following the law. There are checks and balances and if somebody finds Im not doing my job properly, they will let me know, and I will live with that. I will accept that. But at this point, I feel very comfortable in the decisions Ive made in the last 15 years, and will continue to make until I retire in my own time.

He says hes never had a conversation with Wright or Taylor.

Wednesdays board meeting was centered around a newly released 18-page report on the standing bail order conducted by the University of Memphis.

Researchers studied years of data concerning the pre-trial detention system.

One of the findings reveals there has been an increase with the number of defendants released on their own recognizance  like Detawn Gunn.

The countys lead judicial commissioner, John Marshall, distanced himself from the Gunn case decision.

That was not a decision made by a judicial commissioner. And I will leave it at that, Marshall said.

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Gunn, who faces multiple charges including five counts of criminal attempt second-degree murder, was set for a court date Wednesday.

However, District Attorney Steve Mulroy has since filed legal documentation with a higher court to review the case. Because of this, Gunn will likely have to appear in criminal court, instead of General Sessions court, where another judge would decide on a ruling.

Anderson says numerous studies have shown that cash bails target poor people. Local courts are also under a bail agreement with the ACLU and advocacy group Just City over bail.

He says when it comes to this issue, he feels politics is being played.

I am not a politician. I am a judge and being a judge is not a popularity contest, he said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Court dismisses another of the lawsuits against Tim Ballard, OUR  but it may return

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A 2023 lawsuit against former Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) CEO Tim Ballard has been dismissed by a Utah court after a judge found the plaintiff had not made their case.

Third Judicial District Judge Charles Stormont threw out plaintiff Suzanne Whiteheads suit claiming that Ballard, OUR, and Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes suppressed her right to free speech and committed conspiracy to silence witnesses who alleged fraud and deception.

The suit was originally filed in November 2023. In December 2023, Reyes was removed from the suit after the attorney general met with and apologized to Whitehead.

PREVIOUSLY: Plaintiff says AG Sean Reyes apologized, has been dismissed from Ballard, OUR lawsuit

In his full ruling, released Sept. 1, Stormont said Whitehead and her attorneys had failed to state causes of action against them upon which relief can be granted. Stormont stated Whiteheads arguments failed to meet standards that would allow her to claim emotional distress.

Specifically, Stormont stated Whiteheads legal team was unable to prove that Ballard or OUR participated in outrageous or intolerable conduct  that offends the generally accepted standards of decency and morality. While Whitehead provided a series of social media, email, text and phone calls to the court, none of those communications included physical interaction, threats of violence, sexual harassment or other vile conduct.

Further, the Court finds that [Whiteheads] allegations do not include anything even approaching unreasonable, unkind or unfair, stated Stormonts ruling.

Stormont also stated that for Whitehead to be able to claim emotional distress, she would have had to have shown physical manifestations of emotional distress including illness or bodily harm. Stormont found that Whiteheads team was unable to show this.

While Stormont has dismissed the suit specifically against OUR with prejudice  meaning those complaints cannot be brought back before the court  the judge has given Whiteheads team the opportunity to amend their suit against Ballard specifically.

Whitehead attorney Alan W. Mortensen told ABC4.com that they are obviously disappointed in the ruling, but they will be taking a close look at amending their complaint against Ballard. Mortensen said it was their belief that Ballard was acting on behalf of OUR. Until then, he said theyre not in a position to look at an appeal just yet.

Our clients are in the fight for the long run, said Mortensen. There are good things happening, and there are bad things happening, as in all litigation, but were determined that Mr. Ballard be held accountable.

Ballards attorney, Mark Eisenhut, released the following statement over the cases dismissal:

It took Ms. Whitehead years to decide she had experienced severe emotional distress following a brief social media dispute with Tim Ballard and a Utah judge has now dismissed her case after finding no substance to it. This is the fourth set of frivolous claims against Tim and Katherine Ballard by the same attorneys to be dismissed by Utah courts in as many months and were confident Mr. Ballard will be fully vindicated in the remaining cases too. Mark Eisenhut, partner at Call & Jensen, 9.2.24

The ruling marks another notch in an increasingly complex web of lawsuits and investigations into Ballards alleged behavior. Half a dozen former OUR employees have accused Ballard of sexual misconduct. Three civil suits remain in play. Two other suits regarding Ballard have also been dismissed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Casino workers and labor activists gathered outside the Mercer County Civil Courthouse on April 5, 2024, after labor leaders announced a lawsuit they filed against the state that asks a judge to ban smoking in casinos, after years of legislative inaction. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

Casino workers and their union leaders warned Wednesday theyll take more militant actions to end the casino carveout in New Jerseys indoor-smoking ban after a state judge last week threw out a lawsuit they hoped would force the issue in court.

They wasted no time getting started.

During a Wednesday news media call, they bashed an assemblyman who they blamed for failing to act on pending legislation that would end casinos long-time exemption from the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act.

They announced the UAW, the union that filed the lawsuit on behalf of 3,000 casino workers in Atlantic City, will break with the AFL-CIO, the umbrella organization of several other unions that sought a dismissal of the casino workers lawsuit.

And they vowed to drag out anyone who wants to stand against us, whether thats other labor unions or elected officials.

Were like a cornered animal right now, UAW-Region 9 director Daniel Vicente said. We have labor protection, so if we want to, if we got to dust it up, let us dust it up. And we got bail money, well be all right.

The tough talk came five days after a state judge tossed a lawsuit UAW and CEASE NJ, a group of casino workers, filed in April asking the courts to do what the Legislature has refused to do for 18 years  end casinos exemption from the states 2006 Smoke-Free Air Act.

In that dismissal, Judge Patrick J. Bartels wrote that the state constitution did not create a right to safety, but rather only a right to pursue safety.

While the court is sympathetic to the health hazards, it has determined that safety is not a fundamental right, Bartels wrote. The constitution guarantees individuals the right to make decisions regarding their own safety or alternatively, the ability to decide to take certain risks regarding their safety, such as the ability of individuals to choose to work in dangerous jobs despite the known safety risks in that line of work.

He rejected arguments that the carveout, narrowly tailored to apply to workers in the only New Jersey city that allows gaming houses, was unconstitutional special legislation that should have included other classes of people.

The ruling was a victory for casinos and some worker unions that opposed the suit over worries it would drive gamblers to gaming houses in neighboring states, costing revenue and jobs.

But it infuriated casino workers, whose attorney, Nancy Erika Smith, told the New Jersey Monitor that she expects to file a motion for appeal within the coming week.

On Wednesday, Vicente said all UAW chapters in New Jersey will leave the AFL-CIO in protest over the opposition by some unions under the AFL-CIO umbrella to their lawsuit.

We pay thousands of dollars to be a part of this organization, and that organization has been actively undermining our efforts to protect the health and safety of our members, Vicente said. Health and safety is one of the founding principles of unionism. So if you stand against that, you stand against exactly what were supposed to be.

Whether an appeal succeeds or not, casino workers said they would renew their efforts to get legislation passed in Trenton, saying secondhand smoke has driven up deadly diseases among casino workers.

We just want the same protections as everyone else in the state, said Pete Naccarelli, a Borgota dealer and cofounder of CEASE-NJ. We ask the lawmakers: Will you do the right thing, or do you agree with the ruling, with the judge quoted saying, safety is not a fundamental right of the workers?

The Senates health committee advanced a bill to end the carveout in January. Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex), a prime sponsor of the bill, said Wednesday he will press for a full Senate vote when that body returns from its summer break later this month. Gov. Phil Murphy has said he would sign the bill, Vitale added.

Vitale lashed out at the bills critics in the Statehouse, largely Republicans who have voiced concerns about the economic impact of ending the carveout. Banning indoor smoking didnt hurt restaurants or other businesses, so thats a flawed argument, Vitale said.

Its really meant to deceive lawmakers and policymakers and frighten them, and we cant stand for that, Vitale said.

Naccarelli and Vicente called on Assemblyman William Moen Jr. (D-Camden) to act, blaming him for the bills inertia in the Assembly this session. Moen is prime sponsor of the Assembly bill to end the carveout and chairs that chambers gaming committee where its stalled.

Were drawing a line in the sand on this, Vicente said. Our peoples lives are at risk. We have a moral obligation to take up this fight.  If you aint willing to do that, youre not a friend of the labor movement.

Moen told the New Jersey Monitor he would work with legislative leadership this fall to fix the laws casino loophole and said his goal, as prime sponsor, has been to build as much support as possible for a smoke-free environment in New Jerseys casinos.

Besides Moen and Vitale, the bill has two other prime sponsors, one in each chamber. Moen noted the overwhelming number of co-sponsors too  40 in the Assembly and 15 in the Senate. A bill needs 21 votes in the Senate and 41 in Assembly to pass, after advancing through committees in both chambers.

We recognize that this issue is complex, emotional, and has pitted well-intentioned unions and some of their own members against each other, polling on the issue that reports differing conclusions, and local elected officials and state lawmakers on both sides of this issue, Moen said in a statement. Other states are working through this same, complex issue  this is not unique to New Jersey.

CEASE-NJ plans to launch a series of ads soon to persuade doubters. The ads will feature the children of casino workers who fear for their parents health and safety.

Twenty-one states include casinos in their statewide smoke-free workplace laws, said Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of Americans for Nonsmokers Rights.

Nikita Biryukov contributed.

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Casino workers and labor activists gathered outside the Mercer County Civil Courthouse on April 5, 2024, after labor leaders announced a lawsuit they filed against the state that asks a judge to ban smoking in casinos, after years of legislative inaction. (Dana DiFilippo/New Jersey Monitor)

Casino workers and their union leaders warned Wednesday theyll take more militant actions to end the casino carveout in New Jerseys indoor-smoking ban after a state judge last week threw out a lawsuit they hoped would force the issue in court.

They wasted no time getting started.

During a Wednesday news media call, they bashed an assemblyman who they blamed for failing to act on pending legislation that would end casinos long-time exemption from the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act.

They announced the UAW, the union that filed the lawsuit on behalf of 3,000 casino workers in Atlantic City, will break with the AFL-CIO, the umbrella organization of several other unions that sought a dismissal of the casino workers lawsuit.

And they vowed to drag out anyone who wants to stand against us, whether thats other labor unions or elected officials.

Were like a cornered animal right now, UAW-Region 9 director Daniel Vicente said. We have labor protection, so if we want to, if we got to dust it up, let us dust it up. And we got bail money, well be all right.

The tough talk came five days after a state judge tossed a lawsuit UAW and CEASE NJ, a group of casino workers, filed in April asking the courts to do what the Legislature has refused to do for 18 years  end casinos exemption from the states 2006 Smoke-Free Air Act.

In that dismissal, Judge Patrick J. Bartels wrote that the state constitution did not create a right to safety, but rather only a right to pursue safety.

While the court is sympathetic to the health hazards, it has determined that safety is not a fundamental right, Bartels wrote. The constitution guarantees individuals the right to make decisions regarding their own safety or alternatively, the ability to decide to take certain risks regarding their safety, such as the ability of individuals to choose to work in dangerous jobs despite the known safety risks in that line of work.

He rejected arguments that the carveout, narrowly tailored to apply to workers in the only New Jersey city that allows gaming houses, was unconstitutional special legislation that should have included other classes of people.

The ruling was a victory for casinos and some worker unions that opposed the suit over worries it would drive gamblers to gaming houses in neighboring states, costing revenue and jobs.

But it infuriated casino workers, whose attorney, Nancy Erika Smith, told the New Jersey Monitor that she expects to file a motion for appeal within the coming week.

On Wednesday, Vicente said all UAW chapters in New Jersey will leave the AFL-CIO in protest over the opposition by some unions under the AFL-CIO umbrella to their lawsuit.

We pay thousands of dollars to be a part of this organization, and that organization has been actively undermining our efforts to protect the health and safety of our members, Vicente said. Health and safety is one of the founding principles of unionism. So if you stand against that, you stand against exactly what were supposed to be.

Whether an appeal succeeds or not, casino workers said they would renew their efforts to get legislation passed in Trenton, saying secondhand smoke has driven up deadly diseases among casino workers.

We just want the same protections as everyone else in the state, said Pete Naccarelli, a Borgota dealer and cofounder of CEASE-NJ. We ask the lawmakers: Will you do the right thing, or do you agree with the ruling, with the judge quoted saying, safety is not a fundamental right of the workers?

The Senates health committee advanced a bill to end the carveout in January. Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex), a prime sponsor of the bill, said Wednesday he will press for a full Senate vote when that body returns from its summer break later this month. Gov. Phil Murphy has said he would sign the bill, Vitale added.

Vitale lashed out at the bills critics in the Statehouse, largely Republicans who have voiced concerns about the economic impact of ending the carveout. Banning indoor smoking didnt hurt restaurants or other businesses, so thats a flawed argument, Vitale said.

Its really meant to deceive lawmakers and policymakers and frighten them, and we cant stand for that, Vitale said.

Naccarelli and Vicente called on Assemblyman William Moen Jr. (D-Camden) to act, blaming him for the bills inertia in the Assembly this session. Moen is prime sponsor of the Assembly bill to end the carveout and chairs that chambers gaming committee where its stalled.

Were drawing a line in the sand on this, Vicente said. Our peoples lives are at risk. We have a moral obligation to take up this fight.  If you aint willing to do that, youre not a friend of the labor movement.

Moen told the New Jersey Monitor he would work with legislative leadership this fall to fix the laws casino loophole and said his goal, as prime sponsor, has been to build as much support as possible for a smoke-free environment in New Jerseys casinos.

Besides Moen and Vitale, the bill has two other prime sponsors, one in each chamber. Moen noted the overwhelming number of co-sponsors too  40 in the Assembly and 15 in the Senate. A bill needs 21 votes in the Senate and 41 in Assembly to pass, after advancing through committees in both chambers.

We recognize that this issue is complex, emotional, and has pitted well-intentioned unions and some of their own members against each other, polling on the issue that reports differing conclusions, and local elected officials and state lawmakers on both sides of this issue, Moen said in a statement. Other states are working through this same, complex issue  this is not unique to New Jersey.

CEASE-NJ plans to launch a series of ads soon to persuade doubters. The ads will feature the children of casino workers who fear for their parents health and safety.

Twenty-one states include casinos in their statewide smoke-free workplace laws, said Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of Americans for Nonsmokers Rights.

Nikita Biryukov contributed.

New Jersey Monitor is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. New Jersey Monitor maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Terrence T. McDonald for questions: info@newjerseymonitor.com. Follow New Jersey Monitor on Facebook and X.

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CHICAGO  A home invasion suspect was shot and killed Wednesday morning on the West Side by a woman.

Officers responded to a home in the 700 block of North Laramie just after 6:40 a.m. on the report of a shooting.

Police believe two suspects forced their way into the home and displayed firearms.

A 23-year-old woman in the home, who has a valid FOID card, produced a firearm and there was an exchange of gunfire.

One of the suspects, and unidentified male, was shot in the chest. He was pronounced dead at Mt. Sinai.

No other injuries were reported and its unknown at this time if the other suspect is in custody.

Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses a welcome banquet for international guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, on Wednesday hosted a banquet to welcome international guests who are in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The following is the full text of the toast by President Xi at the banquet.

Toast by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the Welcoming Banquet of the

2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation

Beijing, September 4, 2024

Your Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Faye,

Distinguished Colleagues and Your Spouses,

Friends and Distinguished Guests,

Good evening!

It is my great pleasure to meet you here on the eve of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). On behalf of the Chinese government and people, and in the name of my wife and myself, I extend a warm welcome to you all.

To quote a Chinese poem, "True friends always feel close to each other, no matter the distance between them." I have been to Africa 10 times and hosted many African leaders in China. All our meetings have been cordial and heartwarming. They have reinforced my belief that the China-Africa community with a shared future is built on a strong foundation, has been blessed with a good start, and enjoys broad prospects. It sets a stellar example for building a community with a shared future for mankind.

The China-Africa community with a shared future is deeply rooted in our traditional friendship. Since the mid-20th century, we have been fighting shoulder to shoulder imperialism, colonialism, and hegemonism, and advancing hand in hand along the path of development, revitalization, and modernization. China-Africa friendship remains robust and is growing stronger through generations no matter how the world changes.

The China-Africa community with a shared future thrives on the strength of win-win cooperation. Twenty-four years ago, FOCAC was born at the dawn of a new century. Through this key cooperation platform, we have together built roads, railways, schools, hospitals, industrial parks, and special economic zones. These projects have changed the lives and destiny of many people.

The China-Africa community with a shared future grows in step with the times. Following the Eighth FOCAC Ministerial Conference in Dakar in 2021, we have worked together to fully implement the nine programs and deliver on other outcomes of the meeting. We pulled together in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. We maintained close cooperation and coordination on major international and regional issues. Together we have made the voice of the Global South stronger.

Friends and Distinguished Guests,

We human beings have been dreaming of a community with a shared future, and modernization is what it takes to turn our dream into reality. China and Africa have been, and remain, pioneers in building this community, and we will stay at the forefront in pursuing modernization. I am confident that as long as the 2.8 billion-strong Chinese and African people are united for this common goal, we will accomplish new and even greater feats together on the way toward modernization, spearhead the modernization drive of the Global South, and make greater contributions to a community with a shared future for mankind.

Now, I would like to propose a toast:

To the prosperity of China and African countries and the well-being of our people;

To the everlasting friendship between the Chinese and African people;

To the success of the Summit; and

To the health of all distinguished guests and your families.

Cheers! 
CHICAGO  The school year is underway across Chicago, but a potential conflict is still brewing between Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Last week, hundreds of CPS administrators sent a letter to the school board urging members to keep Martinez amid reports Johnson is laying the groundwork to get rid of him.

On Tuesday, Martinez and Johnson were seen together at a ribbon cutting for a new entrance for Uplift Community High School in Uptown.

Were off to a great start with a brand new school year, Johnson said at the ribbon cutting.

Judging by Tuesdays event, youd never know the CPS district and its teachers are locked in contentious contract talks.

Mayor Johnson comments on reports over potential shakeup at Chicago Public Schools

I dont want anybody driving through this area again not knowing that this is a wonderful high school, Martinez said at the ribbon cutting.

Both he and Johnson served as headliners for the event and barely acknowledged each other. Both also steered clear of discussing negotiations.

Before Labor Day, the school district offered the Chicago Teachers Union annual raises between four and five percent, plus expanded health and dental coverage, but CTUs response was lukewarm.

On Tuesday, CTU posted on its website: The pressure our union is putting on CEO Pedro Martinez is workingbut these are just opening counterproposals  and more than 50% of our proposals have yet to receive any response.

The union also posted data claiming CPS has 1,365 vacant jobs.

Johnson, a former CTU organizer whose campaign was mostly bankrolled by the CTU and other labor groups, is pushing hard to find additional education funds, even as he manages a budget deficit of nearly $1 billion.

Chicago Public Schools heads back to class amidst heatwave

Theres $3.6 billion investment that the State of Illinois can make to school districts across the state, $1.1 billion conservatively for the people of Chicago, Johnson said.

Last spring, Johnson visited Springfield looking for a CPS boost. Lawmakers said the state has increased funding for CPS, but Johnsons request requires some heavy lifting.

One mayor asking for $1 billion for one school district didnt go over well. Its not like were the federal government where we can print money, were a state government where we can only spend what we bring in, and so we dont see $1 billion for Chicago, State Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) said.

Ford added he supports Johnsons billion-dollar push, but said he needs to see a specific plan to raise the revenue for it.

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A local printing company is celebrating 50 years of business here in Erie.

Creative Imprint Systems opened its doors to the public to celebrate the milestone on Tuesday.

New Erie ice cream shop a dream come true for owner

The company does screen printing, embroidery and vinyl and also offers other promotional services and products.

People got an up-close look at how printing works at the various machines throughout the shop.

Thousands took to St. Nicks Grove for another successful German Heritage Fest

You dont get this far by yourself. Weve had the very good fortune of having a lot of good employees. Weve maintained the philosophy that we could do anything and thats where we are. We started with screen printing and weve blossomed out into specialty advertising, said Rick Santos, former president of Creative Imprint Systems.

Santos reflected on the companys history and said he was confident in his children to continue pushing the company in the right direction.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
The Federal Court of Canada in 2009 ordered the then-Conservative government to allow Montrealer Abousfian Abdelrazik to return home. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press - image credit)

After years of delays, a Canadian man's lawsuit accusing the federal government of contributing to his detention and torture abroad is finally going before a court this fall.

But before the case can proceed, a judge needs to decide if intelligence officials can testify behind closed doors.

Abousfian Abdelrazik was arrested during a 2003 visit to his mother in Sudan. He spent the next six years in prison or in forced exile at the Canadian embassy in Khartoum as his attempts to return to Canada were continuously rejected by the federal government. He was never charged.

According to an agreed statement of facts, officials from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service interrogated Abdelrazik while he was in custody about suspected extremist links. Abdelrazik has denied any involvement with terrorism.

CSIS has denied asking Sudanese authorities to detain Abdelrazik  but court records suggest Sudanese officials told Canadian diplomats that CSIS asked for Abdelrazik's arrest.

Abdelrazik came back to Canada in 2009 after a Federal Court justice found his charter rights had been violated and ordered his return.

The Montreal father filed a lawsuit seeking $27 million in compensation that same year. He alleges in his statement of claim that he was tortured in Sudanese custody and the federal government violated his constitutional right to come home.

After Abdelrazik waited nine years to get his case before a judge, the case was scheduled to go ahead in 2018. That court date was postponed to give court officials time to review and redact hundreds of pages of documents, including emails and memos, under the Canada Evidence Act.

The court issued an order last summer redacting 1,469 documents but is allowing vetted summaries be disclosed.

A trial date is set for next month  but there's a final hurdle to clear before the case can be heard.

Close the doors to protect national security: Crown

Last month, the Crown filed a motion asking that six of its witnesses be allowed to testify behind closed doors "to avoid injury to Canada's international relations, national defence and/or national security." The witnesses in question are current and former members of CSIS, the RCMP and Global Affairs Canada.

Government lawyers argue in their motion that the public and media should be excluded from the courtroom during those officials' testimony to "prevent inadvertent disclosure" of protected secrets. Disclosure of certain protected information, they argue, "would endanger the lives of current and former CSIS employees, their colleagues, their families, and negatively impact CSIS's capacity to operate."

The motion suggests transcripts of these witnesses' testimony would be made available publicly, with redactions if necessary.

The Crown notes that an Ontario Superior Court judge allowed certain witnesses to testify in-camera during the trial last year of former RCMP official Cameron Ortis, who was convicted of violating the Security of Information Act.

The Crown is also seeking an order to shield the CSIS witnesses by allowing them to testify behind a screen, or by using technology to alter their voices.

Cameron Jay Ortis arrives to the Ottawa Courthouse in Ottawa on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023.

Portions of Cameron Jay Ortis's trial were held behind closed doors last fall. He was found guilty of leaking secret information to police targets. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

Abdelrazik's legal team is fighting the motion, arguing such an exceptional order is unnecessary.

In his written representation, Abdelrazik's lawyer Paul Champ argues the witnesses are "very experienced dealing with highly confidential matters" and calls the suggestion that they might blurt out classified information "speculative at best."

"The open court principle is especially important in this case because it involves allegations of malfeasance and complicity in serious human rights abuses by senior government officials," he writes.

"There is a strong public interest in the public hearing government witnesses defend their actions in this case."

CBC News is seeking to intervene in the case, arguing the Crown's motion "would unjustifiably limit the open court principle and infringe upon the freedoms of expression and of the press."

Lawyers for all three parties made their arguments in Federal Court Wednesday afternoon.

Justice Patrick Gleeson reserved his decision but promised to release one soon, reflecting the fact that the trial is set to start on Oct. 21.
BARDSTOWN, Ky. (FOX 56)  Federal agents are back in Nelson County on Wednesday in connection to the 2015 disappearance of a Bardstown mother.

The Louisville branch of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released on X, formerly known as Twitter, that agents are searching a property in Coxs Creek.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

FBI Louisville is conducting a search in Coxs Creek, KY as a follow-up to tips received related to the Crystal Rogers investigation, FBI Louisville wrote.

According to FOX 56s sister station, WDRB, the search is at a residence on Whitesides Road and more than two dozen vehicles were on site surrounding a home and barn. The exact location was not released but multiple members of the Houck family owned property on Whitesides Road at one time, per WDRB.

The search marks the latest efforts on the ground since a 2022 search of Rogers boyfriend, Brooks Houcks family farm.

In 2023, Steven Lawson, Brooks Houck, and Joseph Lawson were arrested and charged for their alleged role in Rogers disappearance.

Its unclear at this time if the property at the center of Wednesdays search has ties to any of the three men charged in Rogers case.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Rogers was reported missing by her mother on July 5, 2015. That same day her father discovered her abandoned car with a flat tire at mile marker 14 on the Bluegrass Parkway. Her phone, keys, and purse were still inside her red Chevrolet Impala.

The FBI told WDRB that the search could extend to Thursday.

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NORWALK, Conn. (WTNH)  A man facing charges for assaulting public safety employees is now accused of threatening to kill the judge who signed his arrest warrant.

Nicholas Supple, 48, of Norwalk, called the Judicial Call Center in Hartford on Friday trying to get the body camera and cruiser footage from his arrest, according to Connecticut State Police. He then stated, I am going to assassinate the judge that signed my warrant.

Court records show that there are multiple pending cases against him, including assaulting a public safety officer and risk of injury to a child.

The judge was notified of the threat and Supple was taken into custody on Saturday at his work.

He has been charged with second-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace. He is being held on a $250,000 bond.

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(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) said a domestic violence incident was responsible for multiple crashes in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Sept. 3.

According to CSPD, on Tuesday a little before 8 a.m. police got a call for an in-progress domestic violence incident. The caller told police they were being followed in their vehicle while being threatened to be killed by their ex who was driving in another vehicle. The caller was directed to the Colorado Springs Operations Center and met by officers. The suspect left the area before the caller made contact with police.

While the suspect was chasing the caller, they smashed out multiple windows of the callers vehicle with a steel rebar pipe and as a result of the caller trying to escape the suspect, multiple crashes happened. CSPD said there were no reported injuries from the crashes.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
Culinary prodigy says great-grandmother is inspiration for reimagining of Gullah cuisine on News 2 podcast

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  A recent North Charleston High School graduate and rising culinary star sat down with News 2s Carolyn Murray on our podcast Lets Talk to discuss where she learned her cooking talent and how classes are going after receiving a full scholarship for her abilities.

Gabrielle (Gabby) Smith received a full scholarship to Johnson and Whales University in Charlotte, where she is pursuing a bachelors degree in food and beverage entrepreneurship.

Local high school student wins prestigious Future Food Competition, earns full-tuition college scholarship

During her time working at the popular Halls Chophouse, she impressed her manager so much that he described her as a culinary prodigy.

Gabby shared that her cooking journey began when she was three years old while watching her great-grandmother, who never measured ingredients, in the kitchen.

Her name is Carrie Mitchell, said Gabby. One thing about her is she never had a recipe; everything was done by her senses. Taste, smell, sight, seeing when things are done, hearing things, and I think that again starts at an early age just watching her very closely She was my first culinary instructor.

To win her full scholarship, Gabby traveled to the Johnson & Wales Providence Campus in Rhode Island, where she spent two hours creating contest recipes for a panel of judges. Judges evaluated each dish on taste, appearance, and the food system challenges it addressed, such as sustainability, food waste, or nutritional access.

Entrepreneur Gabby also started her own hot plate service business, Hot Box Kitchen. Hot Box features a reimagining of Gullah cuisine alongside farm-to-table meals.

To hear more about Gabbys story, stream the Lets Talk podcast available everywhere podcast are available. To listen the Apple version, click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
CLAY COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL)  A 48-year-old Petrolia man remains jailed Wednesday evening following a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Jeffery Keith Leger is facing five charges of possession or promotion of child pornography.

Clay County Sheriff Kirk Horton said his offices criminal investigation division was notified last month about possible child sexual abuse material that someone from Clay County downloaded.

The Internet Crimes Against Children unit in Clay County began its investigation and found Leger had downloaded more than one thousand images and videos of child pornography.

Bail denied in assault of pregnant woman case

After getting help from Texas DPS, the CCSO obtained a search warrant and executed it on Tuesday to search for any storage device in Legers home.

Leger was interviewed by investigators on the scene and admitted to being in possession of the child sex abuse material. He was arrested and taken to the Clay County Jail without incident.

In the end, authorities seized 20 storage devices to be forensically analyzed.

This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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EXETER  Police are investigating a report of an assault on a 12-year-old girl Saturday, when one girl from a group of teens allegedly chased, grabbed, and yanked her to the ground, injuring her elbow.

Police Chief Stephan Poulin confirmed in an email Tuesday police received a report of a juvenile assault near the playground at Lincoln Street School at 4:40 p.m. on Aug. 31.

He stated he could not comment further due to the ongoing investigation.

Exeter police are investigating an assault on a 12-year-old girl that occurred on Saturday, Aug. 31 near the playground at Lincoln Street School.

Tom Field, the victims father, who lives in Maine, alleges his daughter was "attacked by a group" of seven girls, aged 13-14, leading to a sprained elbow.

He posted his daughter's experience on Facebook and LinkedIn to alert other parents.

She's never going to feel as safe as she did in Exeter, NH, he said.

Field said his daughter was visiting her mom in Exeter when the incident occurred. The 12-year-old and six friends, all ages 12-13, he said, were walking from downtown to Gerrys Variety Store when they passed another group of girls. One of the girls in that group, a "friend," called her over, he said.

Field said when his daughter reached the group of girls, they surrounded her and told her, Its game time.

She tried to run away, but one of the girls chased after (her), caught her by the hair, and then pulled her backward, yanking her to the ground onto her elbows and head, he posted on social media. Seeing what she'd done, the assailant ran back to her gang, and they dispersed.

Field said his daughter's friends witnessed the entire incident from a distance.

He said his daughter was brought home by her sister, and at home, their mother called the police. Officers later came to talk to his daughter before she was transported by ambulance to the hospital to be treated for her injury.

I cried, said Field. Shes my daughter. My precious 12-year-old and she got hurt. Someone took her by the hair, dragged her, and threw her to the ground, and I wasnt there to stop it.

Field said his daughter later learned the group of girls were attempting to steal her new shoes.

These werent Air Jordans, they were just inexpensive Crocs, he said. From what I understand from my daughter, these werent  troubled kids. She said they were some of the most popular kids in school, so nothing about this makes sense to me.

Field said Tuesday his daughter was back home with him in Maine. He said she has to wear a sling because of the sprained elbow, but thankfully no lasting physical damage.

Field said he wants the group of girls to be held "legally accountable," including paying for his daughters medical expenses. He also wants other parents in the area to be aware of what happened.

I dont think my daughter was the first victim, I dont think shell be the last one, said Field. Ive given my children independence to go out and explore the town  there are other parents that are allowing their children to do that. Some of their children are being preyed upon, and some of them are active or passive predators. I dont for a minute think that all those girls that surrounded her meant to do her harm, but theyre still part of it.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exeter police probe alleged assault on 12-year-old girl by teens
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 United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Wednesday met with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative provide a Chinese approach to solving common issues facing humanity.

China will further deepen cooperation with the UN, practice true multilateralism, jointly advance world peace and development, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, he said.

Noting that the three initiatives are highly aligned with the UN purposes and principles, Guterres said the UN expects stronger cooperation with China to foster a more just and equitable global governance. 
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A lane is closed on I-75 south beyond Wyse Road and Benchwood Road.

OHGO indicates that the left lane is closed at this time.

OHGO

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Dangerous new coronavirus is one of more than 30 pathogens found in new study of Chinese fur farms

HKU5, a concerning new bat coronavirus, was discovered in the lungs and intestines of mink which had died from pneumonia - Paul Starosta/Corbis Documentary

A concerning new bat coronavirus is among 36 novel viruses detected among animals including racoon dogs, mink and guinea pigs in Chinese fur farms, scientists have warned.

The results, published in Nature journal on Wednesday, reiterate the risk posed by small scale fur farms, which continue to proliferate in China and southeast Asia. It also expands the list of animals known to be susceptible to zoonotic pathogens, including novel coronaviruses, bird flu and Japanese encephalitis.

Fur farms represent a far richer zoonotic soup than we thought, said Prof Eddie Holmes, an evolutionary biologist and virologist at the University of Sydney. He co-authored the report alongside colleagues in China.

The researchers not only looked at commonly farmed and studied animals (such as mink, muskrats, foxes and raccoon dogs), but also species including guinea pigs and deer. These are less intensely farmed but remain commonplace in smaller backyard farms across China, and have rarely been the subject of disease surveillance efforts.

What [the study] tells you is that these species are also full of viruses, and some of these viruses are jumping species boundaries which is a real worry, Dr Holmes said. I think that this [fur] trade is a roll of the dice. Were exposing ourselves to viruses that come from wildlife, which is an obvious route [for the] next pandemic to occur.

Racoon dogs were among the animals implicated in the 'zoonotic soup' of fur farm viruses - PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images

The team of researchers sequenced samples from 461 animals from fur farms, mostly in north eastern China. All had died after suffering from disease. The scientists identified 125 different virus species, including 36 new pathogens.

Of the viruses detected, 39 were deemed to have high spillover potential because they were generalists spotted in a diversity of animals.

The team also detected seven coronaviruses, with the original hosts traced to rodents, rabbits and canines. Though none were closely related to Sars-Cov-2, a concerning new bat coronavirus was discovered. Called HKU5, it was found in the lungs and intestines of mink which had died from a pneumonia outbreak on a fur farm.

HKU5 is a red flag

The question always is, can we work out what sorts of viruses we should worry most about, which are most likely to emerge [in humans]? Its very hard to say, but if viruses are able to jump big evolutionary distances, it suggests they can replicate in different cell types. That is a risk, said Dr Holmes.

HKU5 needs to go on a watchlist immediately. It is absolutely a red flag, he added, calling for more rigorous surveillance of fur farms inside China and across the globe.

Prof Linfa Wang, director of the Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Programme at Singapores Duke-NUS Medical School, who was not involved in the study, said he agreed that HKU5 was a red flag, but that we need more data from lab-based infection studies to corroborate this.

Scientists have long been concerned that mink farms could provide fertile ground for viruses to mutate, as the animals are susceptible to many of the same viruses as humans.

In autumn 2020, Denmark culled its entire population of farmed mink  some five million animals  after a Covid-19 jumped from humans to mink, mutated, and then re-infected humans with a new strain. There was also alarm in Spain in 2022, when avian influenza was reported in a mink farm in the countrys north-west.

Denmark culled five million farmed mink in 2020 after the animals were found to harbour a mutated strain of Covid-19 - Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP

In the latest study, scientists also found mink infected with two H5N6 bird flu viruses  while guinea pigs had H1N2 and H6N2 was found in a muskrat.

We know from European outbreaks that these [fur] farms can extremely easily get infected from wild birds, said Dr Thomas Peacock, a virologist and fellow at the Pirbright Institute, who was not involved in the study but has previously called for the closure of fur farms worldwide.

China, at least in recent history, has had a far greater diversity of avian influenza viruses which are considered to have pandemic potential than Europe, so any risk from Europe is multiplied by the situation in China.

He added that the latest research reiterates the biosecurity risks posed by fur farms, and called for greater surveillance of the pathogens spreading inside them.

This is very much a peeking under the lid of a massive industry, Dr Peacock told the Telegraph. The conclusions arent specifically virus x was found in mink or raccoon dogs and therefore is a direct singular pandemic threat, but more this practise seems to bring lots of divergent, unusual viruses together from wildlife/farmed sources which creates a mixing pot for virus evolution and emergence.

JiaZhen Lim, a PhD student at the University of Hong Kongs State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases who was not involved in the study, agreed: I think the key takeaway is just that there are more viruses in the farmed animals than we previously knew, and some of [them] have the cross-species infection potential.

The study did not put the findings in the context of the origins of Covid-19  partly because the researchers did not find pathogens closely related to Sars-Cov-2, but also because the Chinese government has largely blocked scientists in the country from exploring or discussing anything relating to how the pandemic may have started.

The debate about how Covid-19 first jumped to humans remains ongoing. Many scientists say available evidence points towards the pathogen jumping from bats to humans via an intermediate animal in the wildlife trade; others continue to speculate it leaked from a laboratory in Wuhan.

But Dr Wang, who played a key role in the work that traced Sars-1 back to bats, said the new research highlights the dangers of zoonotic spillover.

These findings are significant and add further confirmation that animals are the most dangerous source of future viral disease emergence, he told the Telegraph.

Although the paper does not address the origin of SARS-CoV-2, it independently demonstrated that the risk of new viruses emerging from animal sources is MUCH higher than any other potential sources. Nature is much better in making new viruses of all kinds than humans.

Dr Holmes also said that fur farms present a clear epidemic or pandemic risk.

In these locations, farmed animals act as a bridge [for diseases to spread] between wildlife to people or livestock, he said. He added that at the very least, there needs to be expanded surveillance of animals and humans working in this trade, and globally, not just in China.

Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security

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COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Danish police detained activist Greta Thunberg at a Copenhagen protest against the war in Gaza and Israel's occupation of the West Bank on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the organisers of the demonstration said.

Thunberg was later released from detention, according to Danish media reports, and the daily Ekstra Bladet showed video footage of her walking out of a police station.

Six people had been detained at the Copenhagen University after about 20 people blocked the entrance to a building and three entered, a police spokesperson said without commenting on individual detainees.

Widely known for her campaign to end man-made climate change, Swedish-born Thunberg has increasingly taken up the Palestinian cause and said in May such protests "should be everywhere".

Video posted by Students Against the Occupation, a pro-Palestinian student group, showed uniformed police officers leading Thunberg and other detainees into a police van while handcuffed or with their hands tied behind their backs.

Thunberg wore a scarf around her shoulders imprinted with the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh pattern, a common symbol among pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

The Copenhagen University may take disciplinary action against enrolled students who took part in the protest, Kristian Cedervall Lauta, prorector of education at the university said in an email. Thunberg is not a student at the university.

(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Isabelle Yr Carlsson, writing by Stine Jacobsen, editing by Terje Solsvik and Timothy Heritage)
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  The City of Danville is looking to move forward with the Garfield Park Revitalization Project.

The City is seeking funding for recreational improvements through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Lands Acquisition & Development Grant Program.

On Wednesday, the City of Danville hosted a public input session to discuss those improvements of Garfield Park.

Danville Labor Day Parade brings tradition for spectators new and old

The City of Danville and Farnsworth Group will provide an overview of the grants objectives and the citys long-term vision for the park.

They also have a survey online, asking community members a list of questions like: How often does your household visit Garfield Park/pool? and How satisfied are you with the current conditions of the park?

Click here for a link to the online survey.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A date has been set for a jury to hear the case of a former charter school educator brought against Charlotte Secondary School Inc.

Markayle Gray and his attorneys filed a lawsuit in June 2023 and stated that racial bias played a role in the decision to fire Gray. The trial is scheduled to take place in 2025.

In previous QCN reporting, Gray was hired to teach seventh- and eighth-grade English at the southeast Charlotte charter school in October.

Monroe offered to expedite document for closed charter school; Union County district says affected students welcome to transfer

Per the lawsuit, Gray claims he had requested permission from his principal to incorporate the use of the novel Dear Martin in his Black History Month curriculum for his seventh-grade English honors students.

The book is a nationally recognized work taught in schools nationwide.

The request to use the book was allegedly approved and, according to Grays attorney Artur Davis, was reinforced with enthusiasm from the principal.

Davis has argued that [Grays] core teachings have to be signed off on. When you follow the rules, you dont expect to be punished.

The lawsuit states that when the book was to be assigned in January, white parents began to complain about the curriculum.

Davis has argued that the school deviated from its normal protocols and terminated a teacher without a history of corrective action.

Court documents filed by legal council for Charlotte Secondary School reveal that the schools argument is that Grays story is misleading.

In their own filings, the attorneys denied that anyone complained about Dear Martin, and that a student took a photo of the whiteboard in [Grays] classroom showing that [he] was not teaching [English Language Arts]-related content and that this photo was sent to school administration.

The schools legal counsel also pushed back on the argument that only parents of a specific race complained about the educator.

21 charges added for Charlotte bus driver accused of being impaired with children on board

Documents state that, throughout Plaintiffs employment with Charlotte Secondary, black and white parents and students complained to administrators at Charlotte Secondary about [Gray].

Its also stated that, Charlotte Secondary provided Plaintiff with several chances to improve and provided him with resources aimed at helping him do so, including regular meetings with a teacher-mentor and assistance with developing appropriate lesson plans and modifications to assignments for his special education students.

Court records indicated that attorneys for Charlotte Secondary School filed a motion to dismiss the charges. That motion was denied.

A scheduling order from Aug. 6, detailed that the discovery phase of the case will need to be done by Jan. 31, 2025.

A date has not been set for oral arguments.

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Much of the narrative around community colleges surrounds what the students at those schools plan to do next  with many saying they want to use the credits they earn at their two-year college to move to a four-year university.

But thats not always how it works out.

Nationwide, just 13% of community college students go on to earn a four-year degree within eight years of leaving their two-year school, compared to an estimated 83% who plan to transfer to a four-year school, NPR reported last month. Those figures are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education and the Texas-based Center for Community College Student Engagement, respectively.

There are plenty of factors that might affect a students ability to transfer from a community college to a four-year university, including work and family responsibilities. But the process can also be confusing or hard to navigate.

With a set of new online tools, the UNC System is hoping to make the transition a lot easier.

Welcome to Deans List, a roundup of higher education news in the Triangle and across North Carolina from The News & Observer and myself, Korie Dean.

This weeks edition includes more information on the new transfer guides for community college students, an update on active-shooter training for faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill and more.

New transfer guides expected to help NC community college students

Nearly 1,400 transfer guides are now available online, on both the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) website and the websites for all 16 universities in the UNC System.

Using the user-friendly, interactive guides, community college students can select the four-year major theyre interested in pursuing, along with the school theyre interested in attending, and get a recommended list of major-specific courses to complete at their two-year school to receive credit toward their associates degree and anticipated bachelors degree. The tool will also provide students with a list of the remaining courses they would need to complete at their new university in order to receive their four-year degree.

The new guides replace the Baccalaureate Degree Plans, which were previously used by the North Carolina Community College System to help students transfer to four-year schools. The guides will be updated annually.

The new guides are expected to increase the students confidence in the courses theyre taking at the two-year and knowing that theyre accurate, so that when they go from the two-year to the four-year that those transfer, Bethany Meighen, UNC System vice president for academic and student affairs, told The N&O.

The guides come after two years of work by a UNC System committee made up of representatives from the university and community college systems. A UNC System news release about the tools said that the guides better fulfill the 2014 Comprehensive Articulation Agreement, a statewide pact among community colleges and universities to help students move among them.

This represents a significant milestone in our ongoing, collaborative commitment to enhancing economic mobility for families across North Carolina, North Carolina Community College System President Jeff Cox said in the release. Community college students now have a clearer pathway to a bachelors degree, and our academic advisors now have better resources to support students as they pursue their academic and career goals.

North Carolina community colleges fare well when it comes to transferring to a four-year school, Meighen said. In a typical year, about 15,000 students graduate from the state community college system, with about 10,000 of them transferring into the UNC System, she said.

UNC System President Peter Hans speaks during a meeting of the UNC System Board of Governors on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C.

But with the new tool, college leaders hope those numbers go even higher  potentially seeing 12,000 to 13,000 community college students transferring to the four-year system.

UNC System President Peter Hans, who previously served as president of the community college system, said in the news release that college leaders need to make it easy for talented, ambitious students to continue their education.

College courses should be challenging Hans said, and college transfer should be simple.

The transfer guides are available at cfnc.org/transferguides.

Majority of UNC faculty complete active-shooter training

About 83% of active faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill completed new emergency and active-shooter training prior to the first day of classes this semester, university spokesperson Erin Spandorf told The N&O. That accounts for nearly 2,800 faculty.

This semester marked the first time that faculty were asked to complete emergency training, which has been offered on a voluntary basis but not previously required. That information came to light, including through The N&Os reporting, after last falls fatal campus shooting.

Provost Chris Clemens had asked all faculty teaching a course this semester to complete the 20-minute, online module prior to the first day of classes, Aug. 19. The count Spandorf provided to The N&O was up-to-date as of Aug. 16, a few days prior to Clemens strongly encouraged deadline.

Darrell Jeter, the universitys emergency management and planning director, previously told The N&O that university leaders would be able to track how many faculty completed the training, but hesitated to comment on potential consequences for those who did not do so.

Students walk along South Road after a report of an armed and dangerous person on the University of North Carolina campus on Monday, August 28. 2023 in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Higher education news Im reading

UNC senior Karsen Kitchen briefly flew into space last month, making her the youngest woman to cross the Karman line, the internationally recognized boundary of space 62 miles above sea level, The Daily Tar Heel reports. Her father, UNC business professor Jim Kitchen , flew into space in 2022.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology saw a precipitous decrease in the percentage of Black, Hispanic and other demographic groups in its incoming first-year class, the first to be admitted since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the consideration of race in admissions, The New York Times reports.

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Thats all for this roundup of North Carolina higher education news. I hope youll stay tuned for more.

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The first inmate likely to be executed in South Carolina in more than a decade is calling for a stay as his lawyers claim that one of his co-defendants, the only eyewitness to his killing of a gas station clerk, was offered a secret deal by prosecutors, according to his attorneys.

Freddie Owens is set to be executed on Sept. 20.

As part of a last-minute flurry of legal action, his attorneys have filed a motion to stay the execution because of recently discovered evidence that prosecutors in 1999 secretly promised Owens co-defendant, Steven Golden, that they would not pursue the death penalty against Golden if he agreed to plead guilty and testify against Owens.

During Owens trial, the prosecutor told jurors they could trust Goldens testimony because it was made knowing he might get life without parole and he may still be tried before this judge for the death penalty, according to the motion.

This was only discovered when Golden disclosed the existence of the deal to Owens current lawyers.

The motion also alleges that a juror saw that Owens was wearing a shock device around his waist, which court staff could use to stun and immobilize Owens. Crucially, his attorneys say, the trial judge failed to make an important finding on the record that the restraints were required, which violated his right to due process and presumption of innocence.

The motion calls for the Supreme Court to vacate Owens execution notice and not to issue another execution notice while Owens appeals are pending.

The motion was filed Friday in the state Supreme Court by attorney Josh Kendrick along with federal public defenders Gabrielle Amber Pittman and Gerald W. King Jr.

Owens is the first of six men who are set to be executed in the coming months.

What does the motion say?

Owens was sentenced to death in 1999 for Graves murder on Nov. 1, 1997. Graves was a clerk at a Speedway convenience store in Greenville, South Carolina, who was shot and killed by Owens during an armed robbery. Surveillance video from the robbery showed two unidentifiable, masked assailants, according to the motion.

Other than Owens, the only person to actually witness the crime was Golden, who was also charged with murder. Two other accomplices, Nakeo Vance and Luster Young, were also charged in connection to Graves murder.

Both Owens and Golden were facing a death penalty trial together when, during jury selection, Golden changed course and pleaded guilty as charged to murder, three counts of armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, according to the motion.

The plea deal that Golden signed with Solicitor Robert Ariail said that he still faced the death penalty, with the caveat that the solicitor would consider a recommendation of leniency in exchange for a guilty plea and truthful testimony.

Owens attorneys argue that this testimony was crucial to his conviction, and it was strengthened by the prosecutors false representation that Golden had agreed to testify despite knowing he could still be sentenced to death.

No physical or forensic evidence connected Owens to the crime scene, and he denied participating, according to the motion. With no proof of the shooters identity, the State relied heavily on the testimony of Golden and Vance, as well as the testimony of Owenss former girlfriend.

But in an affidavit that Golden signed last month, one day before the notice of Owens execution was released, he said that prosecutors had made him a secret deal that superseded his written plea.

My written plea agreement said the death penalty and life without parole were still possible outcomes and there were no specific guarantees about what my sentence would be. That wasnt true. We had a verbal agreement that I would not get the death penalty or life without parole, Golden wrote in his affidavit, dated Aug. 22.

This secret deal was also recorded by Goldens attorney, Richard Vieth, who wrote in a draft affidavit in 1999 that Golden had been advised that the solicitor would withdraw the death penalty in exchange for his cooperation.

After Owens conviction, his attorney requested a copy of the draft affidavit from the solicitors office, but a trial court judge sealed the document and ultimately determined that it was privileged and should not be handed over to Owens defense attorneys.

Golden was sentenced to 28-years.

Questions over electric shock device

Just as his trial was set to begin, Owens and his attorney, John Rollins, were brought into a side room in the courthouse by a staff member. According an affidavit submitted by Rollins, the staff member laid a stun belt that Owens would be wearing under his clothes in the middle of the room and activated it with a remote control.

It looked like blue plasma flowing across the device... there was an odor of something burning, Rollins wrote in his affidavit. It was a warning of what would happen if Owens misbehaved in court, Rollins wrote.

In addition to severe pain, stun belts can cause their wearers to urinate or defecate on themselves.

Some courts have raised issues with their use. In one case, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals argued that a defendant would be more likely to concentrate on doing everything he can to prevent the belt from being activated, and is thus less likely to participate fully in his defense at trial.

Following his trial, a juror submitted an affidavit stating that they had seen the device under his clothes and was aware of what it was.

According to Owens attorneys, the United States Supreme Court has long held that visible restraints, including shackles and shock devices, should not be used in a trial before the defendants guilt has been established. Doing so violates their right to be presumed innocent. If a court is going to require that a defendant wear restraints, they are required to state on the record why those measures are necessary and give a defendants attorneys an opportunity to respond.

Owens attorneys argue that because a juror was able to see the restraints, the judge failed to take adequate precautions to ensure that the jury was not able to see the device.
Death toll from Russian attack on Poltava rises to 52 as emergency workers find body

Emergency workers retrieved the body of another person killed in a Russian attack on an educational institution in the city of Poltava on 3 September, bringing the death toll to 52, with 271 more people injured.

Source: Oleksandr Khorunzhyi, spokesperson for Ukraine's State Emergency Service (SES), during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote: "We have been working all night, emergency workers have been involved, and shift work has been organised. At the moment, the death toll is 52. A body was found around 02:00. And 271 more people have been injured. The response efforts continue."

Details: Khorunzhyi noted that over 200 emergency workers and over 50 appliances, including heavy engineering equipment, are working at the scene.

Dog handlers are also involved and are working inside the building.

Background:

On 3 September, Russia struck an educational facility in the city of Poltava: early reports said that over 40 people were killed and almost 200 injured. There are people trapped under the rubble.

In his evening address on 3 September, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the number of casualties in the Russian attack on an educational institution in Poltava had risen to 271 and the death toll to 51.

Three days of mourning for the people killed in the Russian strike on the Institute of Communication in the city of Poltava begins in Poltava Oblast on 4 September.

Ukraine's Ground Forces are investigating the attack on one of Poltava's military educational institutions.

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Death toll from Russian strike on Poltava rises to 53, more people being searched for under rubble

Emergency workers are continuing to clear the rubble after the 3 September Russian strike on the city of Poltava, where 13 people may be trapped under the rubble.

Source: Svitlana Rybalko, spokesperson for Ukraine's State Emergency Service in Poltava Oblast, in a comment to Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne

Quote: "Up to 13 people may be trapped under the rubble of a six-storey educational building. So far, 800 tonnes of debris have been removed from the site of the attack."

Details: Rybalko noted that the death toll from the Russian strike on Poltava has risen to 52. She added that 22 bodies had been retrieved from under the rubble. In addition, 271 more people have been injured.

Background:

On 3 September, Russian forces attacked an educational institution in the city of Poltava. On the evening of 3 September, reports indicated that 51 people had been killed and 271 injured.

Three days of mourning for the people killed in the Russian strike on the Institute of Communication in the city of Poltava begins in Poltava Oblast on 4 September.



Ukraine's Ground Forces are investigating the attack on one of Poltava's military educational institutions.

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BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The 13th China Intellectual Property Annual Conference will take place from Sept. 13 to 14 in Beijing, offering a platform for global innovation exchange and cooperation, the event's organizer said on Wednesday.

Themed "Intellectual Property (IP) Empowering New Quality Productive Forces," this year's conference will invite 150 guests from home and abroad to deliver speeches, said Liu Chao, head of the Intellectual Property Publishing House, at a press conference.

Liu highlighted an increase in participation from enterprises in patent-intensive industries, such as new energy, artificial intelligence, biomedicine, the Internet of Things, and those from emerging sectors, new business forms and models.

Multinational enterprises from the United States, Germany, Britain, Denmark and Japan will also participate in the conference to discuss topics on innovative development.

Topics on aligning with high-standard international IP protection rules, creating a market-oriented, law-based business environment that is internationally recognized, and promoting high-level openness will be discussed at the conference. Special emphasis will be placed on the international expansion of Chinese enterprises, particularly the challenges they face in protecting their IP rights while expanding globally, Liu added. 
The death toll of a Russian attack against Poltava on Sept. 3 has risen to 53 as another body was found in the rubble, the State Emergency Service reported on Sept. 4. Some 298 people were reportedly injured.

Russia launched two ballistic missiles against the city yesterday, hitting the Military Institute of Communications and a neighboring medical facility. The educational institution building was partially destroyed.

"The rescuers worked all night, organized into shifts," State Emergency Service spokesperson Oleksandr Khoruzhnyi said on air on national television.

According to the State Emergency Service, 25 people have been rescued, of whom 11 had been trapped underneath the rubble. Five more people may remain trapped as of 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 4.

There were no ceremonies or other events near the military institute at the time of the Russian attack, Dmytro Lazutkin, Defense Ministry spokesperson, said on national television, refuting such unofficial claims.

Rostyslav Lypii, 30, and Natalia Hetalo, 32, clean up the glass from broken windows at the taekwondo school that their children attend in Poltava, Ukraine, on Sep. 3, 2024. The school is located in a residential building near the Military Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technology, which was struck by Russian missiles. Children were not in class when the strike happened. (Oksana Parafeniuk for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

First responders returned to the site of the Russian missile strike on the Military Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technology after the air raid alert in Poltava, Ukraine on Sep. 3, 2024. All the first responders and emergency workers had to leave the territory during the air raid alert. (Oksana Parafeniuk for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Emergency workers and vehicles near the Russian missile strike in Poltava, Ukraine on Sep. 3, 2024. (Oksana Parafeniuk for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Kids ride the bike near the broken glass from the residential building located near the Military Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technology that was struck by the Russian missiles in Poltava, Ukraine, on Sep. 3, 2024. People in this building had broken windows and damaged doors due to the shock wave. (Oksana Parafeniuk for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

According to the Defense Ministry, students were studying and then followed to the shelter after an air raid alert went off, Lazutkin added.

"Yesterday's tragedy in Poltava is a crime against humanity," Poltava Oblast Governor Filip Pronin said. "The enemy continues to terrorize Ukrainian cities."

"Tragedy in Poltava is a crime against humanity"

President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had instructed an operational investigation into the circumstances of the attack on Poltava. Ukraine's Ground Forces is conducting an investigation to determine "whether enough was done to protect the lives and health of the soldiers at the facility," the military said.

Poltava is a city of around 300,000, located in Poltava Oblast in central Ukraine. It is situated around 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the border with Russia, and 230 kilometers (143 miles) from the eastern front.

The city and surrounding region are regular targets of Russian drone and missile attacks.

Volunteers organize water and food in the tent not far from the Military Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technology that was struck by Russian missiles in Poltava, Ukraine, on Sep. 3, 2024. (Oksana Parafeniuk for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Oleksandra Karpova and dogs Mria (black) and Mudryk (white) from the Search and Rescue organization wait for the air raid alert to be clear to go work at the site of the Russian missile attack that hit the Military Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technology in Poltava, Ukraine on Sep. 3, 2024. (Oksana Parafeniuk for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Emergency workers stay away from the strike site and rest during an air raid alert in Poltava, Ukraine on Sep. 3, 2024. (Oksana Parafeniuk for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Read also: Casualties reported in Lviv, Kryvyi Rih as Russia launches another mass attack on Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  A DeFuniak Springs man was arrested after crashing a stolen vehicle in Mossy Head.

According to a news release, 32-year-old Dillon Grimes was spotted at Loves Travel Stop driving a stolen car out of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.

Deputies said they caught up with Grimes and attempted a traffic stop near Walden Road and Highway 90. However, Grimes fled the scene at high speed and crashed the vehicle near East Larkspur, officials wrote.

Family seeks justice after doctor removed liver instead of spleen, man dies on the operation table

The Walton County Sheriffs Office Drone Unit, Walton and Okaloosa Correctional, and Florida Highway Patrol K-9 teams responded to assist.

At the time of the incident, officials said Grimes also had active warrants for manufacturing methamphetamine.

Grimes was arrested and transported to the Walton County Jail, additional charges are pending.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
The Manatee County Sheriffs Office says it has solved a 28-year-old Manatee County cold case.

The sheriffs office, with the assistance of the Delaware State Police, charged Stephen L. Ford, 72, for the 1996 second-degree murder of Doris A. Korell, a 45-year-old St. Petersburg woman found dead in a ditch along U.S. 41 in Palmetto.

According to a news release, Ford stabbed Korell, who was his girlfriend at the time, 83 times.

The Delaware State Police took Ford into custody on Aug. 16 during a traffic stop near his home in Georgetown, Delaware. He was extradited and booked into the Manatee County Jail on Aug. 30, according to a news release.

On Dec. 15, 1996, deputies with the Manatee County Sheriffs Office say they responded to 6700 U.S. 41 N. in Palmetto where they saw a body floating face down in a drainage canal. Divers retrieved the body of an unidentified woman wearing a gold ring on her right index finger. The woman had trauma to the right side of her neck and face and an autopsy revealed she had several stab wounds, according to arrest records.

The autopsy, as well as later DNA samples, found no evidence of sexual assault, detectives say.

Arrest made in Manatee cold case

Detectives in Manatee County say they were unaware at the time that the St. Petersburg Police Department was looking for Korell, who was reported missing a few days earlier.

On Dec. 11, Korells daughter reported her missing after Ford called her to ask if shed seen her mother. Ford told her daughter that Korell left their shared St. Petersburg duplex to go shopping after an argument, according to arrest records.

St. Petersburg police say they found Korells red Mazda RX-7 at the Pinellas Square Mall a week later but discovered no evidence that a struggle or attack took place inside the car. However, investigators say they believe Ford parked the car there and wiped it down.

Ford denied any involvement in Korells disappearance when questioned by detectives. When asked what should happen to the person who killed Korell, Ford told them, An eye for an eye and said, If I killed her, I should get the death penalty, according to the sheriffs office.

Detectives also said they noticed Christmas gifts at Fords home had been opened days before the holiday as if he expected his girlfriend wouldnt be found.

When detectives returned to Fords duplex on Christmas Eve 1996 for a follow-up interview, they said they made entry through an unlocked window when Ford didnt answer the door and discovered him semi-conscious and foaming at the mouth after he ingested bleach in an apparent suicide attempt.

Detectives say they identified the body discovered in the Palmetto ditch as Korells a few months later through dental records. Thats when detectives with the Manatee County Sheriffs Office and the St. Petersburg Police Department realized they were working on the same case, however, due to a lack of physical evidence and leads in the months to follow, the investigation went cold and Ford moved to Delaware, according to a news release.

New info leads to Ford arrest, deputies say

In 2017, a cold case detective with the Manatee County Sheriffs Office re-opened the case and began re-examining files from both Manatee County and the St. Petersburg Police, according to a news release.

Over the next six years, the sheriffs office said new information came to light leading to Fords arrest, including acquaintances of Korells saying she feared Ford and that the couple were having domestic and financial problems.

Cold case detectives said Fords behavior showed a clear pattern of consciousness of guilty, according to a news release.

Ford is facing a charge of second-degree murder with a weapon and is scheduled for his first court appearance on Sept. 6, according to court records.
Delta flight with 281 passengers diverted to JFK after a customer medical issue said to be diarrhea

Delta flight with 281 passengers diverted to JFK after a customer medical issue said to be diarrhea

A Delta flight from Boston to Rome changed direction over the Atlantic Ocean.

One Twitter account suggested it was caused by a passenger's diarrhea.

It would be the second Delta diversion caused by diarrhea within a year.

A Delta Air Lines flight turned around after a passenger seemingly had diarrhea.

The Airbus A330 was flying from Boston to Rome last Friday but U-turned over the Atlantic Ocean about an hour into the journey, according to data from Flightradar24. The plane then landed at New York JFK Airport.

A Delta representative told Business Insider that there was a "customer medical issue en route."

The X account Only in Boston said the diversion occurred because a passenger had bouts of diarrhea in their seat.

A transatlantic Flight DL112 was headed from Boston to Rome on Saturday night, but two hours after departing, the Airbus A330 diverted back to New York City following an onboard medical issue involving a passenger who had severe bouts of diarrhea all over their seat. pic.twitter.com/R8poffNJtx  Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) September 3, 2024

The 281 passengers on board were transferred to another aircraft after landing at JFK, the Delta representative said.

Flightradar24 data shows the original aircraft returned to service about 20 hours after Friday's incident.

"Delta apologizes to our customers for the delay in their travels from Boston to Rome on Friday night," the spokesperson said. "We thank them for their patience as the aircraft diverted to New York-JFK before continuing to Rome early Saturday morning."

This wouldn't be the first time a Delta flight has been diverted due to a similar mishap.

A Delta Airlines Airbus A350 turned around back to Atlanta Friday night because of diarrhea throughout the airplane from a passenger and its a biohazard. 



The FAA flight strip for DL194 was posted to Reddit (xStang05x) Also a passenger posted here asking why her sons pic.twitter.com/VWbkB47wF1  Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) September 3, 2023

Last September, an Airbus A350 bound for Barcelona turned around two hours after departing from Atlanta. The airline said the plane had to return to be cleaned following a medical incident.

Air traffic control recordings suggested that the incident was related to diarrhea. The A350 pilots said, "We've had a passenger who's had diarrhea all the way through the airplane, so they want us to come back to Atlanta."

A picture uploaded to the ATC subreddit appeared to show flight-progress strips implying the flight was diverted to Atlanta because of "passenger diarrhea all over a/c."

Were you on the flight from Boston to Rome? Contact this reporter at psyme@businessinsider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
Joanne Moore is pictured seated in her house in Corona, Tennessee, where she moved from more than a decade ago due to lack of usable water and increased flooding.

Joanne Moore moved out of her house in Corona, Tennessee, more than a decade ago due to lack of usable water and increased flooding. Others have left the area, too, and she worries the river communitys history will be lost with the population. (Lucas Dufalla/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

CORONA, Tenn.  Life in the tiny community of Corona, a chunk of Tennessee on the Arkansas side of the Mississippi River, has never been easy for Joanne Moore. Like many, shes been forced to leave.

Her old home, once a grand mansion, is now falling apart. Weeds crawl up the bricks. The gutter has fallen off. A flood in 2021 left the house without running water. It has been the victim of three separate break-ins.

It was, and still is, extremely distressing to me, she said.

Moore raised her children there. Her daughter, Melissa Faber, called her childhood in Corona magical. Her family hunted and angled there, catching fish from Corona Lake which once fed into the river.

A combination of health issues and increased river flooding pushed Moore and her family off Coronawhat Moore calls the islandin 2007. Without a well to get water from, Moore, 89, couldnt return even if she wanted to. She worries about the culture and history of the island being lost as more and more people move away.

Moore is one of many who have faced tough choices as increased flooding and decreased economic opportunity have led to population loss in the Arkansas Delta, the region bordering the Mississippi River. Five counties in the Delta have seen their population decrease by more than 30 percent since 1990. Once a thriving agricultural community, Corona is a shell of its former self as the islands unique ways of life are threatened.

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Communities gained, communities lost

Corona is one of many river communities along state borders that are isolated from the rest of their respective states due to changes in the course of the Mississippi River over time. These communities are the result of the unique geography of the river, which for thousands of years shifted course and carved new paths.

The borders for southern states were drawn up in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, years before the river was leveed and fixed in place in the 1930s. As a result, some border towns are fixed in time, locked in by these old boundaries  slivers of Tennessee are surrounded by the state of Arkansas. Portions of Arkansas are surrounded by Mississippi.

Tennessee alone has 10 such border irregularities. Arkansas has 12. Mississippi has 13.

Theres something magic about living on the river,said Boyce Upholt, a journalist who just published a book about the Mississippi River called The Great River.

Its a very strange feeling to be sleeping at night knowing the river is coming up right underneath your head.

 Joanne Moore

Coronas population and water issues are a part of the larger trend of population loss across the Mississippi Delta. Michael Pakko, chief economist with the Arkansas Economic Development Institute who is currently running for state treasurer, said that the population loss began with the decline of the cotton industry during the Great Depression.

Mississippi County, the Arkansas county closest to Corona, had a population of 82,375 in 1950. In 2020, its population was just 40,000.

The story is the same for other counties across the Delta. Between 1990 and 2023, six Arkansas Delta counties lost population.

Phillips County, south of Memphis, along the border with Mississippi, lost nearly half of its population over the past three decades.

Joanne Moore and her daughter, Melissa Faber, stand on the porch of their house in Corona, Tennessee. Faber primarily grew up in this house but the family moved out in 2007. Flooding from the river and a lack of potable water made it difficult to stay. (Lucas Dufalla/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

For Pakko, the biggest challenge for counties in the Delta is managing the negative growth in a positive way. There is no definitive answer to how that is done, he said. He called the solution the million dollar question.

The popularization of remote work that was spurred on by the COVID-19 pandemic may spark population growth in these regions, he said, but that is only speculation. For now, these areas remain in what Pakko called a vicious cycle of industry decline and population loss.

Moore doubts that people will come to places like Corona in the near future. She said the difficulties associated with living on the islandlike water and first-responder issuesmake it difficult for newcomers.

If you dont have a good reason to be there, youre not going to live there, she said.

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A rich history lost

Originally founded in the 1830s, Corona was cut off from the rest of Tennessee following a flood in 1876. In 1950, Coronas census districtwhich also includes a small portion of mainland Tennesseehad a population of 281. In 2022, Coronas zip codealso covering a part of Arkansashad a population of just 15.

Upholt said that communities along the river sprang up as centers of commerce that supported the booming trade along the Mississippi. Cities like Greenville became transportation and commercial hubs as the cotton trade grew.

That all changed with the expansion of railroads in the 1880s. Cities like Cleveland, Mississippi, further inland, saw rapid population growth. As transportation changed, river towns began to lose population.

Few towns along the river are what they used to be. The business on the river isnt what it used to be, Upholt said.

With population loss, life in these river towns became more difficult. Even more so on the island of Corona, which is about a two hour drive from the rest of Tipton County, Tennessee.

Moore said that her family has received little help from the county due to the distance.

She recalled how in the 1950s, her husband and brother-in-law had to run seven miles of telephone lines themselves and purchase their own equipment to pave roads. When their children were old enough for school, they rented an apartment in Memphis so they could send them.

We lived like people, in a lot of respects, 100 years ago, she said.

Moore wasnt born on Corona. She is from nearby Wilson, Arkansas and moved to Corona when she met her husband. The farm that she lived on had been in her husbands family since 1836. Despite the difficulty, she stayed there because that is where her husband worked and lived, she said.

Moore, a historian who worked with the Tennessee Historical Commission for more than 30 years, particularly enjoyed the community that came with island living. Property owners on nearby Island 35another border islandwould host yearly gatherings. People from the surrounding communities, she said, would take riverboats to the island and socialize into the early morning hours.

One of the largest challenges Moore and her family faced while living on Corona was water. During their time on the island, they built their own well to source groundwater, but it looked like Orange Crush, almost and wasnt potable. They had to get bottled water.

This difficult, yet doable, existence on the island ended in 2007. Moore ended up moving back to Wilson. Shes lived there since, going back to visit her home around once a month, but without water and amenities, she cant spend the night.

Moore has ruled out going back to Corona full-time due to health concerns. Her house flooded in 2011. She said a subsequent flood three years ago took out her well and water treatment system. Since then, the property hasnt had running water.

Shes trying to get onto the water system of nearby Joiner, Arkansas. If that happened, she and her family could spend more time on the island and upkeep the decaying home.

According to Moore, this would cost thousands. She said she has been unable to get help from Tipton County.

Water would keep me from living here  if nothing else, she said. Nobody should have to go without any water.

Compounding this issue is the landscape of Corona itself. In the 1800s, Mississippi and Tennessee began to construct a series of levees to prevent flooding along the river.

In 1927, Mississippi experienced its worst flood in recent history, what Upholt called a waking up moment for waterway engineers. This led to an expansion of the levee system to control the Mississippi.

Corona remained unprotected by those levees, on the banks of the river.

Its a huge commitment for someone to live there, Upholt said.

Increased flood risk and the precariousness of living inside a levee leaves Moore worried. Forty-three percent of the homes in her ZIP code have a moderate flood risk of flooding within the next 30 years, according to climate data and analytics firm First Street.

Rainfall and flood risks are rising across southeastern states. Moore said that she cannot obtain flood insurance.

Its a very strange feeling to be sleeping at night knowing the river is coming up right underneath your head, she said. Every time the river comes up, it changes the landscape of the island.

Joanne Moore, who visits her house in Corona, Tennessee, though it lacks running water, worries the culture and history of the community will be lost as more and more people move away. (Lucas Dufalla/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

Fewer residents, more hunters

As people move out, duck hunters are moving in. For part of the year, that is.

Many of these border islands function as hunting clubs. One of these clubs is Beulah Island Hunting Club, located on the titular Beulah Island. The island, technically a piece of Arkansas, falls on the Mississippi-side of the border about 35 miles north of Greenville, Mississippi.

Before becoming a hunting club, Beulah Island was a lumber camp owned by the lumber companies Anderson Tully and Desha Land & Timber. The club began acquiring the land in 2008.

Henry Mosco, a Mississippi realtor who sells shares of Beulah Island, said the lightly developed nature of the island and the fact that it is inside the levee made it prime ground for a hunting club.

These hunting clubs can be lucrative sources of revenue, said Mosco. A recent listing shows one share of the roughly 2,863 acre island for $185,000. Owners, Mosco said, dont live on the island. Instead, they build houses or cabins on the islands and live on them during hunting retreats.

Your average person isnt buying these memberships, Mosco said.

This could be the future of Corona. Moore said that parts of Corona owned by other families have gone into a conservation program already, and will probably become hunting camps.

For Moore, the largest loss of places like Corona is cultural. During a recent break-in her fathers World War II medals and ribbons were stolen.

She worries that as these areas depopulate, the unique histories of these places will be forgotten.

Were losing a lot of history, a different type of history, she said. Were losing a way of life.

This story is a product of the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, an independent reporting network based at the University of Missouri in partnership with Report for America, with major funding from the Walton Family Foundation.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Longtime Delta Township Supervisor Ken Fletcher resigned unexpectedly Monday night while at the same time being under an unrelated criminal investigation involving computers and children.

According to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by 6 News, a detective with the Eaton County Sheriffs Department was conducting an undercover investigation using the app Grindr when the detective began a conversation with Fletcher. The conversation took place over two days from Aug. 13 to 14.

Fletcher was chatting using an explicit user name, according to detectives, before continuing the conversation via text messages.

The detective  using an undercover persona  identified herself as a 15-year-old boy. The court document states that The male subject continued to send enticing messages and expressed they would be willing to meet with the 15-year-old boy at the Lansing Mall for the purposes of just talking.'

Following the text message, detectives found that the phone number being used was associated with Ken Fletcher. The Sheriffs Department also said it was the same phone number used in the signature line of Fletchers emails.

On Aug. 21 investigators with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a search warrant on Fletchers home in Lansing. Detectives say Fletcher was home and after waiving his rights he admitted to detectives he had been using Grindr and messaging, online and with a phone, a male whom he believed was 15 years old.

Fletcher also admitted to making sexual requests of the male prior to knowing his age. However, detectives add that Fletcher then admitted to continuing the conversation, sending further sexual messages, and offering to meet the juvenile at the Lansing Mall after being informed the person was 15 years old.

The Eaton County prosecutor has filed the following felony charges against Fletcher:

 COMPUTERS USE TO COMMIT A CRIME-MAX IMPRIS./4-10 YEARS

 CHILDREN-ACCOSTING FOR IMMORAL PURPOSES

Fletchers next court date is on Sept. 16.

Fletcher was first elected to the post in 2008 and enjoyed repeated re-elections as recently as 2020. The position of Supervisor is up for election on November 5.

Before moving into Delta Township, Fletcher served on the Ionia City Council and the Ingham County Commission, a now-deleted biography from the townships website reports.

He is married and has three children.

Fletcher did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent via social media Wednesday.

Township Manager Brian Reed issued a statement Wednesday morning: Kenneth Fletcher resigned his supervisor position effective immediately during the Delta Township board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 3, and it was accepted by the board. The township has also been made aware of an open criminal investigation unrelated to his duties as supervisor. For any additional information related to this investigation, please contact the Eaton County Prosecutor or Eaton County Sheriffs Office.

We are reviewing with legal counsel the next steps under Michigan law for appointing a supervisor.

resignationDownload

Delta Township also said that Township Clerk Mary Clark will serve as acting supervisor.

Delta Township Clerk Mary Clark will serve as acting supervisor. (Photo: deltami.gov)

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Emotions ran high at Tuesdays Woodbury County Board of Supervisors meeting.

A verbal sparring followed last weeks written exchange between board chairman Matthew Ung and union president Todd Copley. At the center of all this is a proposal by the county aimed at filling a backlog of vacancies in the county attorneys office, which was voted down by the union representing assistant attorneys in that office.

Leeds residents start a petition to stop rezoning project

The Woodbury County Attorneys Office is eight assistant attorneys shy of a full staff. In an effort to fill those positions, the countys Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) offered immediate and faster wage increases, additional vacation days, as well as a limited work-from-home option and other benefits. Again, though, union members, who are currently contracted through 2027, voted down that offer.

Until Tuesday, only representatives of AFSCME, Council 61 Local 3462 had spoken publicly concerning chairman Ungs comments. Ung criticized union representatives and members for not approving the MOU.

However, at Tuesdays regular supervisors meeting, assistant county attorneys themselves took aim at chairman Ung.

Your comments regarding the union rejection of the boards MOU proposal were not only unprofessional, but reprehensible, assistant attorney Athena Ladeas said. You have no idea the sacrifices that each of us have made and continue to make on a daily basis to ensure that the cases are timely filed and prosecuted in order to provide not only protection, but justice to the people of Woodbury County.

Public service is not something people go into to get rich, another assistant attorney said. Its a calling. Its a duty. They do it because they love the work and they love their community. And this kind of disrespect coming from the chair of your board doesnt help you retain people, and it doesnt help you attract them.

In a social media post last week, Ung stated that if the union refused to re-vote and sign an MOU at their next meeting, he would call for the dissolution of the union group. Copley responded to Ungs message, saying that blaming the union for something that supervisors could have resolved earlier is absolute hypocrisy.

On Tuesday, Copley had even stronger words for Ung.

In all the years of being involved in public service, I have never in my life seen or witnessed anything like Mr. Ung, Copley said. He is delusional. He is the wrong person for the position.

Winnebago police looking for missing 15-year-old girl

Afterwards, Ung said he was disappointed by the union members.

When the attorneys union members rejected the offer, which took nothing away from them that does endanger public safety, he said. My opinion is this: if you reject something that will help solve your staffing problem, then what is the purpose of your union existing? If you cannot do something as sign off on a document that makes it easier to hire new people  which no one disputes, no one disputed tonight  why are you there?

By meetings end, little was accomplished and no meeting to address the issue was scheduled.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Nanci Rodriguez, left, receives care from Vamos! Health medical assistant Ale Montilla at the West Valley clinics grand opening on June 29, 2024. Sydnee Chapman Gonzalez/Utah Investigative Journalism Project

This story first appeared in the Utah News Dispatch. It was reported by The Utah Investigative Journalism Project in partnership with Utah News Dispatch.

When social worker Jules Martinez met one teen client, it seemed like the boy had given up: Hed dropped out of school, started selling drugs and stopped speaking with his mother. Hed been hospitalized multiple times for aggression and suicidal ideation and, as it later came out, was developing schizophrenia.

The teen and his mother, like a number of Hispanic Utahns, struggled to find health care that took into account their language, cultural background and experiences several years after immigrating to the United States.

It wasnt until Martinez, who is bilingual and bicultural, was able to facilitate communication between mother and son and connect them with a Spanish-speaking therapist that things changed. Today, the teen is back in school, on good terms with his mom and involved in church.

He actually feels good about himself and proud about himself for the first time in like five years, said Martinez, clinical director for Latino Behavioral Health. Martinez said the obstacles that the two ran up against are typical for immigrants trying to access the U.S. health care system. Having that person that understands culturally and linguistically just really was able to change things around for him.

Multilingual therapist Martha Lilia Soto Ceballos said her clients have told her the wait to see a Spanish-speaking therapist usually takes months. She and her team do their best to refer the clients to a provider who can meet their linguistic or cultural needs but she said many times other providers are also full.

Martinez has seen similar trends.

In some cases, there is nothing that I can offer folks, Martinez said. For psychiatry, I know a handful of folks. Whereas English speaking, theres hundreds of psychiatrists in the valley. So it does exacerbate wait times quite a bit.

It appears to be a far too common phenomenon for Spanish-speaking Utahns across different health care specialties.

Its pretty hard to get Spanish-speaking providers outside of primary care, Redwood Medical Director Dr. Jose Rodriguez said. Everybody sees patients  even those who are not on the Spanish team, because its just the demand is so great that it has to go to all of them.

Understanding the need

Medical facilities are required by federal law to provide free interpreter services by qualified professionals, but most patients prefer having a Spanish-speaking provider who fully comprehends the nuances.

Its really helpful to have someone who maybe grew up the same way as you or had similar cultural experiences as you. It has helped me feel more seen. It helps me feel like Im not just making things up and losing my mind, Latino Behavioral Health Services Operations Director Amanda Martinez said. Thats why culturally-responsive services are really important. It really helps the community feel heard and feel understood.

Latino Behavioral Health Services, a nonprofit offering mental health services in Spanish and English, reported upwards of a 300% increase in demand since the pandemic. The nonprofit said the need has always been there but that the community is becoming more educated about how and when to seek help.

Rodriguez said demand can be hard to judge but that one way to measure it is wait times. Those have been up across all races, ethnicities and groups since the pandemic, he said.

The shortages are everywhere, theyre worse in rural areas than they are in urban areas, Rodriguez said. And the rural areas are far more Latino than people realize because the industries that dominate the rural areas, mining and agriculture, are essentially mostly people who are migrants and so theyre coming in from other countries, mostly Latin America, to work.

Alliance Community Services has been at the forefront of connecting the Hispanic community with health and social resources since its founding in 2002. The nonprofit has a number of partnerships across the state, such as the Ventanilla de Salud program with the Mexican Consulate, which offers free or low-cost health screenings, Medicaid enrollment help and other services in Spanish for anyone in the community who is uninsured or underinsured.

Lack of health insurance is one of the biggest issues. In fact, 22% of Hispanic Utahns are uninsured compared to only 6% of white Utahns, according to KFF, formerly the Kaiser Family Foundation.

An innovative subscription-based model from the recently launched Vamos! Health could help serve some of that uninsured population along the Wasatch Front. The clinic offers memberships from $60 a month for care from a team of bilingual and culturally fluent providers.

Maria Barnett, the clinics chief external affairs officer, said while the growth of Hispanic communities across the country has been undeniable for decades, the health care options available to those communities have lagged behind.

There hasnt been an increase in the types of services and the flexibility in the options for people to adapt to the sort of health care that the immigrant community and now really their American citizen children need to live healthy lives, she said.

A medical assistant takes a woman's blood pressure.

More than just hiring Spanish speakers

For many providers, fulfilling the Hispanic populations health care needs goes far beyond simply hiring more Spanish-speaking staff.

There are so many well-intended providers and agencies out there that feel or think that hiring someone to speak Spanish or translating a flier into Spanish is sufficient. It definitely helps, Latino Behavioral Health Executive Director Javier Alegre said. However, theres nothing like walking into a space where everybody looks like you, speaks like you, has the same sense of humor as you, has similar relatable experiences in the past and even historical trauma.

Alegre said while hed give a lot of institutions an A for effort, he believes real change wont happen until executive level teams are also diverse. Much of the success hes seen from mainstream organizations, he added, stems from partnering with community-based organizations. But sometimes, he said, theres some hesitation to do so.

We need to lean into the concept of cultural humility: the fact that a large system needs to understand that they need to let go of some of their systemic requirements and need to let us or other minority agencies thrive outside of those elements, Alegre said.

Soto founded Inclusive Minded Counseling & Consulting after working in previous roles where her employers were excited about serving the Hispanic community but werent necessarily prepared to do so. She often found herself translating intake documents on top of her normal workload or being shot down when she brought up suggestions to better serve her community

Just because youre hiring somebody doesnt mean that will transform your agency all of a sudden to be bilingual, Soto said. Often more times than not, the agencies, these employers, were not ready. They were just assuming that because I spoke Spanish, I would make them ready, like magic.

Soto has worked hard to take a different approach. Her team is entirely multicultural, and physical manifestations of those identities permeate the office space  such as palo santo used during therapy sessions, pan dulce to munch on in the waiting room or a Mexican-made mug in the hand of a therapist.

It actually has had a great response from our community, Soto said. They love that they come in and everybody is Black, Indigenous or a person of color.

Training the next generation

Soto, who is in the process of hiring another therapist, has tried recruiting from local schools but found the pipeline for bilingual, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC therapists to be lacking.

Its heartbreaking when I go present to a class  and maybe two individuals are BIPOC, she said. Well, no wonder when I try to hire, theres like nobody. But then I talk to friends and colleagues that are in school and usually they drop out because its a system of oppression; it doesnt work for us.

A number of higher education institutions are trying to take steps to change that.

University of Utah public health professor Ivette Lopez said recruiting Hispanic students for health and science programs often requires multiple interactions throughout a childs education.

Lopez also directs Utah Area Health Education Centers, the local arm of a national program developed by Congress to recruit future health professionals, especially from underrepresented populations.

The centers offer multiple programs and resources for students, including a six-week summer program for incoming college freshmen to get hands-on experience and college prep. The program is only a few years old, but initial data is showing about 50% of the participants are continuing on to health education programs, said the programs director, Mindy Bateman.

Our focus is on urban, underserved students  were hoping that really helps the pipeline down the road, she said. Our long-term goal is that then the health care population will match the Utah population, so well have students in there that are serving people that look like and come from the communities that they serve.

But training a new generation of health care providers is a yearslong endeavor. In the meantime, Utah has recognized community health workers can fill some of those gaps and create bridges between the health care system and the communities it has historically left behind.

The Utah Legislature passed a bill in 2021 creating a state certification process for community health workers, although many had been doing the work for years.

It (using community health workers) ensures better service for the patient, yes, but also for the professional thats trying to do their best and is wondering, Why isnt this working? Why am I not making progress with this patient? Lopez said.

Utah State University professor Maria Jose Velasco Burgos runs the only community health worker certification program in the state that is taught in Spanish. The program recently graduated its first all-Spanish-speaking cohort and is graduating another 90 Spanish-speaking students in August. But Velasco said the demand for the program in Spanish is still high, with a waitlist of over 80 individuals and a WhatApp network of almost 240 members.

Some people tell me 90 students is too much, but I believe that there is a place for everyone right now. I dont think were saturated, she said. If we were saturating the market, we wouldnt have the gaps that we have right now.

Mainstream efforts and solutions

Rodriguez, who is also the University of Utahs Associate Vice President for Health Sciences Workforce Services, said University Healths efforts to address the need in the Hispanic community include opening up another Spanish clinic in Midvale and expanding to more Spanish-speaking areas like building a facility in West Valley City and taking over a practice in Rose Park. He said the university also has interpreters everywhere, including full-time, in-person interpreters at its Greenwood and Redwood clinics  which he expects to become more common.

This is clearly an area of growth and an area of interest for University Health.  That need is not going away, he said, pointing to a 2022 study that found it would take 92 years of sustained doubling of the number of Hispanic students to reach population parity nationwide.

Intermountain Health did not grant an interview for this story. Instead, it provided a statement highlighting some of its efforts to engage Latino communities: including employing over 2,400 caregivers who self-identified as fluent in Spanish, providing interpretation services, and offering patient education materials and classes in Spanish. In 2023, Intermountain Health recorded over 675,000 interpreting encounters for patients in 109 languages.

Lopez stressed that there are a myriad of solutions to address health care needs in the Hispanic community.

The thing is, there has to be a will. It cant be like, Oh, well, right? But if theres a will, Im sure they can find someone that can do this, she said. Now if we decide that we dont care about people, thats another story.

Rodriguez offered up a few possible solutions, like more residency programs in Spanish-speaking areas and training-in-place models and incentives like loan repayment to increase the number of providers in rural areas. He also wants to see a benefit for Spanish-speaking providers like himself who often save their employers thousands of dollars in interpreter fees.

The Utah Division of Professional Licensing is working on another solution: removing barriers for internationally trained professionals to become licensed in the state. Its current priorities include pathways for clinical mental health counselors, dentists, nurses, physicians and surgeons.

Lauren Beheshti, a research and policy consultant with the division, said theres been a lot of interest, much of it from Latinos. She is hopeful new pathways for most health care professions will be finalized in the next few years. While there are some existing pathways, education institutions with international accreditation are often in English-speaking countries.

Were hopeful that this can help solve labor shortages or at least work to mitigate them and mitigate their negative effects, she said. That itll get more hands on deck where theyre needed, and just close the language gap and just better serve an increasingly more diverse population.

Utah Hispanic Dental Association co-founder Gracelyn Brito has been a driving force behind the push for a path for dentists. She moved to the states with her husband after graduating from dental school in Honduras in 2014. She quickly realized, however, that there were very few professional opportunities for her to practice or be involved in the industry.

There is a myth that in Utah there are too many dentists, she said. But things are changing.  Right now there is a huge need and not just like dentists but culturally competent dentists  dentists that can really attend to the needs of the growing Hispanic population.

She pointed to a non-native Spanish-speaking colleague who opened a dental practice in Utah recently.

Just the fact that he had his Spanish-speaking people around his office  that could help them understand what they were talking about  treatment plans, money and all the things that are involved in dentistry  a lot of people start coming in, she said. There was this whole community of Hispanic people with dental insurance that were not using it because they didnt find a doctor that spoke Spanish or where they felt comfortable going, where they were understood.

Utah News Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a national nonprofit news organization.

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Chris Hartig watched with horror as Indiana Republicans introduced a flurry of bills targeting LGBTQ+ people at the beginning of 2022.

He was concerned about what the future of Indiana would look like, especially for two of his children who are part of the LGBTQ+ community.

That worry then morphed into grief. In August that same year, Hartig and his family mourned the loss of their child, Cameron Hartig, a bright, red-haired nonbinary 21-year-old who died by suicide. Cameron Hartig had been battling depression since high school, Chris Hartig said, and was deeply impacted by the rise of anti-LGBTQ legislation and hateful rhetoric around the country.

Chris Hartig, a professor of business management from Indianapolis, wanted the so-called Hoosier values of his home state  typically understood to mean accepting difference and allowing for freedom of speech  to extend to people like Cameron.

But in 2022, Indiana Republicans overrode a veto from GOP Gov. Eric Holcomb to enact a ban on transgender girls participating in school sports. The next year, Republicans passed bans on gender-affirming care for trans youth and required schools to have a policy on materials that could be seen as obscene or harmful to minors.

Now, Hartig is one of several Democrats hoping to be a stopgap against the states Republican supermajority. Hes running to represent House District 29 and is the first Democrat to throw his hat in the ring for the seat since 2020.

I can honor Cams memory, Hartig told HuffPost about his decision to run. I have LGBTQ kids, friends and family. Theyre just asking to exist and be seen as they are. You dont even have to understand them, but just respect their existence.

Republicans have controlled the state House since 2012 and the state Senate since 2010. Democrats only hold 30 of the 100 seats in the state House, but if they can bring that number up to at least 34, they will be able to break through Republicans two-third majority.

Hartig first became involved with the local Democratic Party in 2022 as a volunteer. He said people approached him at the time about running for office, but he was still processing Cameron Hartigs death and wasnt ready.

But then, in May 2023, Republican state Rep. Chuck Goodrich announced he wouldnt be seeking reelection and instead planned to run for Congress. Goodrich represents a Republican stronghold in Hamilton County, where Hartig lives.

Hartig saw a once-in-a-decade opportunity to upend the nearly three decades of Republican rule in the county.

Theyve had that supermajority where basically they dont have to be reasonable with us, he said. They can pretty much ignore Democrats and youve seen what happens.

Indiana Republicans have long been hostile to LGBTQ+ rights. Former Gov. Mike Pence, who went on to become vice president under Donald Trump, signed the states Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law in 2015, which allowed businesses and individuals to cite religious beliefs in a legal defense if sued by a private party. (He quickly softened the bills language, explicitly barring businesses from denying services to people based on their gender identity and sexual orientation after nationwide backlash from advocates who feared it would permit discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.)

Hartig said his youngest child, Collette Hartig, who is a lesbian, often asks him if the family could relocate to a friendlier, bluer Midwestern state. But he doesnt want to leave the place where he was born and raised, and he is determined to show his children that Hoosier values mean fighting for those who are most vulnerable.

I said, No, were going to win. Were going to do this, he said.

Hartigs platform calls for bringing meaningful, lasting improvements for all Hoosiers, including commitments to protecting access to safe, legal abortion and contraception, investing in public schools and protecting teacher tenure, pushing policies that protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination and investing in affordable health care. He also told a local outlet in Aprilhe was particularly concerned with the lack of mental health resources in Indiana schools, which have increasingly utilized volunteer chaplains in lieu of trained counselors.

To Hartig and other Democrats, Hoosier values mean ensuring that Indiana is open to all kinds of voices, even though the state is distinctly conservative.

Democrats across the state see an opportunity in the new vacancy in District 29. The Indianapolis suburb lies within central Indiana, a region that, despite its long history of backing Republican candidates, has seen a small but steady increase in support for Democratic candidates at all levels of government since 2018.

In 2020, the suburban area started to depart from its reliably Republican roots for a more purple-performing electorate. That year, Democrats elected Fady Qaddoura as the first Muslim legislator in Indianas statehouse, representing a district that includes Hamilton County. Additionally, nearby cities elected their first Democratic city council members, and Carmel, a suburb in Hamilton County, overwhelmingly voted for President Joe Biden in the last presidential election.

Hartig said that some members of the states Democratic Party have started comparing Hamilton Countys demographics to those of Fulton County in Georgia, where, in 2020, Biden became the first Democrat to carry the state in a presidential election since 1992.

Ed DeLaney, a state representative and the assistant chair to the Indiana Democratic caucus, said he believes there are around eight Democratic candidates who have a reasonable chance of winning their bid for statewide office, as well as that the Democratic Party has received a boost in support after Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz became the official Democratic presidential ticket.

DeLaney also shared that despite Indianas reputation as a Republican stronghold, he thinks that everyday Hoosiers value differing viewpoints, and theres a level of respect lawmakers extend to one another across the aisle.

People expect to hear opposing views, and they will listen. They typically reject opposing views, but this is not a place where taking a position causes a big uproar, he said. Ive been in the legislature for 16 years, and almost nobody ever says anything nasty or unpleasant to me because thats not our way.

For this election cycle, Indiana Democrats will be getting some major assistance. The Democratic National Committee has invested $500,000 to help them flip four seats in the state legislature and break the supermajority, a spokesperson told HuffPost.

The DNC is making historic investments into Indiana because we know that Indiana Democrats are fighting every day to better the lives of Hoosiers and defend against Trump and Republicans extreme agenda to rip away Americans most fundamental rights, Stephanie Justice, a regional press secretary for the DNC, wrote in an emailed statement.

Hartig said hes fed up with watching how other states with Republican supermajorities push out the same cookie-cutter bills to try to roll back protections for LGBTQ+ people and women  without any accountability.

This race, he said, represents a rare chance for him and fellow Democrats to try to put that power in check.

Were kind of toothless to get anything on the offense, even to a committee, until we break this supermajority, Hartig said. We cant even have decency right now with some people, and unfortunately [right-wing activists] are given the megaphone. So we need a voice and option  and thats one of the important reasons why Im running.

If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for mental health support. Additionally, you can find local mental health and crisis resources at dontcallthepolice.com. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention.

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Earnings of listed firms reflect China's economic potential, resilience

Xinhua) 08:42, September 04, 2024

This aerial panoramic photo taken on Jan. 10, 2023 shows a view of Lujiazui area in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Companies listed on China's A-share market demonstrated stable performance in the first half of 2024, underscoring the resilience and innovation-driven growth of the Chinese economy.

According to data from the China Association for Public Companies, these listed companies reported combined operating revenue of 34.89 trillion yuan (4.91 trillion U.S. dollars) during the period and net profits totaling 3.13 trillion yuan.

Nearly 80 percent of the listed companies were profitable, with 17 out of 19 industry categories recording profits and eight showing net profit growth.

"The overall performance of A-share listed companies remained relatively stable in the first half of the year, signaling the resilience and recovery trajectory of China's economy," said Tian Lihui, a finance professor at Nankai University.

Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and the Internet of Things have rapidly developed, offering new growth opportunities for sectors like consumer electronics and semiconductors. Listed companies in these two sectors reported revenue growth of around 20 percent respectively.

The AI industry also contributed to growth in the telecommunications sector, which saw an overall net profit increase of more than 6.6 percent among listed companies in the first half of 2024.

Within the telecommunications sector, companies related to optical modules and data centers experienced net profit growth of over 130 percent and over 10 percent, respectively.

Wu Chaoze, an analyst at China Securities, noted that demand for AI-related infrastructure, such as optical modules and data centers, remains strong, leading to improved performance for companies in these areas.

China's commitment to high-quality development has driven the trend toward green and low-carbon growth. The new energy vehicle sector continued to thrive, with strong production and sales leading to revenue growth exceeding 20 percent and net profit growth surpassing 30 percent in listed companies.

Recent policies aimed at boosting domestic demand, such as the consumer goods trade-in program, have positively impacted business sentiment in the consumer electronics, textiles and apparel, and automotive sectors. Listed companies in the auto industry reported revenue growth of more than 8 percent and net profit growth exceeding 20 percent.

During this period, listed companies also increased their research and development (R&D) investments in new technologies and products, with total R&D spending rising 1.3 percent year-on-year to 750 billion yuan in the first six months, continuing a growth trend.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
BISHKEK, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said on Tuesday that Kyrgyzstan is committed to developing mutually beneficial ties with China, marked by the opening of the new Bedel checkpoint on the China-Kyrgyzstan border.

Japarov highlighted the event as a historic milestone in strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era with China.

"Kyrgyzstan strives to develop together with China, to create strong and mutually beneficial ties that contribute not only to economic growth but also to the revival of the great Silk Road, which has connected our peoples since ancient times," he added.

The agreement to open the Bedel checkpoint was reached last May during Japarov's state visit to China.

This new checkpoint, the third on the China-Kyrgyzstan border, is located in Uqturpan County in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and is expected to enhance trade between the two countries and alleviate pressure on existing border crossings. 
Attorney Caitlin Boland Aarab argues the Montana Democratic Party's case as to why a Green Party candidate should be off the U.S. Senate ballot in front of Judge Mike McMahon on Aug. 30, 2024. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

Attorney Caitlin Boland Aarab argues the Montana Democratic Party's case as to why a Green Party candidate should be off the U.S. Senate ballot in front of Judge Mike McMahon on Aug. 30, 2024. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

The Montana Democratic Party on Wednesday asked the Montana Supreme Court to take control of its case challenging the appointment of the Green Partys U.S. Senate candidate and the Secretary of States certification of the ballot, appealing a judges decision that denied the Democrats effort to keep the candidate off the ballot.

The partys attorney in the case, Caitlin Boland Aarab, filed the notice of appeal of Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Mike McMahons order denying the partys request for a preliminary injunction on Tuesday evening, then filed the emergency petition for a writ of supervisory control over the case on Wednesday morning, according to the filings.

In an order issued Tuesday morning, McMahon sided with the state and intervenor Robert Barb, the newly appointed Green Party U.S. Senate candidate, denying the injunction based on his interpretation of Montana Code Annotated 13-36-102.

McMahon said the Democratic Partys arguments in filings last week and in court on Friday ignored that statute, which requires a person or organization contesting a candidates nomination to notify the candidate within five days of the candidate being certified.

Since the Democratic Party failed to comply with the Legislatures exclusive nomination contest procedure, this court finds, at this juncture in this proceeding, that the Montana Democratic party is not likely to succeed on the merits in this matter and therefore, a preliminary injunction is neither permitted nor authorized, McMahon wrote in his order.

In Wednesdays petition for a writ of supervisory control, Boland Aarab wrote that McMahons interpretation of that statute, in conjunction with others surrounding how a party replaces a candidate when a primary winner dies or drops out of the race, was incorrect.

That conclusion was wrongso wrong that the Secretary herself never raised it and the district court offered no analysis whatsoever in support, she wrote. As is clear from the statutory text, the Chapter 36 procedures govern election contests challenging a candidates nomination in a primary election, not appointments that occur outside of an election.

She contends that Chapter 36 of Montana Code Annotated has no application if a person or group challenges the appointment of a replacement candidate under MCA 13-10-327, which she argues takes place outside of the election contest and is the statute utilized in replacing a candidate before the ballot is certified.

The request says that Montana law distinguishes between a nomination of a candidate and the appointment of a candidate and that the partys contention that the Green Party did not follow its bylaws in appointing Barb when primary winner Michael Downey dropped out falls squarely into the appointment bucket.

In short, none of these provisions use the terms nomination and appointment interchangeably. Rather, they are distinct terms that trigger distinct procedures for challenge: Chapter 36 governs challenges to nominations that result from primary elections, but does not extend more broadly to allow challenges to appointments under  13-10-327, Boland Aarab wrote. And only challenges to a candidates access to the general ballot that follow a primary election are subject to eh election contest procedures; challenges to candidates who are chosen through other means must abide by Section 13-10-327 instead.

She wrote that the plain language of the election statutes at hand makes clear that election contests are limited to challenges to primary and general elections and do not reach vacancy appointments outside of an election.

Boland Aarab goes on to argue many of the same points she did in district court filings and at Fridays hearing  that the Green Party did not follow its bylaws and hold a vote of members in deciding a statewide issue to replace Downey, instead relying on its central committee to pick Barb, the runner up in the primary, for appointment to the ballot by the deadline.

Even if the rules were silent on the specific question of who makes the replacement appointment decision when a candidate withdraws,which they are notit is unreasonable to interpret them as somehow allowing the officers to unilaterally determine the partys candidate for U.S. Senate, she wrote in the filing.

Boland Aarab wrote the Green Party forfeited its opportunity to have a candidate in the U.S. Senate race by not following statute and meeting the required deadline. And she argued the balance of equities tips in the Democratic Partys favor, saying the party will be harmed absent an injunction, but if one is granted, it would meet the partys request and further the Secretary of States duties to maintain uniformity in the application and interpretation of the states election laws.

Certifying a Green Party candidate despite the partys violation of Montanas election laws and Party bylaws would not only undermine the fairness of the election but also invite political parties to disregard Montana law in the pursuit of their electoral goals (or, here, the electoral goals of their losing candidates), Boland Aarab wrote. At bottom, the faithful application of Montanas election laws serves the interest of the State and the electorate alike.

As of early Wednesday afternoon, the state and Secretary of States Office had not filed a response to the appeal, and the court had not issued any orders on the request for supervisory control.
Michigan's delegation to the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Ill., cheers as state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, speaks about Project 2025 and former President Donald Trump's re-election bid on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

The national presidential race has undergone a sudden and striking overhaul in recent weeks. President Joe Bidens decision to turn the reins of the Democratic Party over to Vice President Kamala Harris has sparked a remarkable resurgence of energy and enthusiasm amongst voters who generally support the policies of the past four years but felt strongly that it was time for Biden to exit the stage.

Last months rousing Democratic National Convention in Chicago seemed to put an exclamation point on this dramatic shift. Rarely has the Democratic Party  a frequently raucous and unwieldy big tent long known for its diversity and disorganization  emerged from a convention so enthused, unified, and motivated.

Much of this abrupt transformation, of course, is about people and personalities. While the admiration and appreciation that Democrats feel toward Biden is real and obvious, the anxiety that many felt at the prospect of a fall campaign in which his advanced age would alienate millions of voters was equally apparent. And the fact that Harris has seemed to rise to the occasion and present an image of striking confidence and authority so rapidly has helped turn the relief at Bidens departure into a kind a of celebratory joy.

But another important factor in the newfound Democratic unity and enthusiasm that extends beyond the handoff (and that could play an important role in the 10 weeks that remain between now and Election Day) involves two matters of substance.

The issues are freedom and patriotism.

For many years, the American political right has done a skillful job of seizing these issues and making them their own. Much of this success was about labeling  see, for example, the ultra-conservative and misnamed House of Representatives Freedom Caucus  but some of it was real and substantive.

Its no secret, for example, that progressives, for a variety of historical and ideological reasons, have long felt less comfortable with overt displays of flag-waving nationalism. Meanwhile, when one of the chief substantive policy divides between the modern left and right revolved around taxes and business regulation, it was easy for champions of laissez faire economics to claim the freedom moniker as their own.

But in recent years, as the GOP was transformed from the party of Reagan and the Bushes into the party Trump, an obvious and important shift has taken place.

Consider the following domestic policy issues on which 21st Century progressives now argue persuasively that they are the champions of freedom:

Health care  where the Affordable Care Act and Biden-era reforms have liberated millions from the life-threatening trap of corporate power that rendered them uninsured or uninsurable, and unable to afford the cost of basic medications

Reproductive rights, sexuality and gender  where the demise of Roe v. Wade has removed a fundamental human right to bodily autonomy for the first time in U.S. history and a Democratic vice presidential can make mind your own damn business a featured applause line in all of his speeches

Climate change and the environment  where millions view the freedom that comes with inhabiting a sustainable planet as vastly more important than the license to pollute or develop fragile lands

Gun violence  where the freedom to be safe and without fear in public places is now widely understood to outweigh Second Amendment absolutism

Democracy  where a growing majority demands the right to vote without burdensome roadblocks in districts that arent rigged to favor one party of the other

A similar pattern is now evident in the foreign policy realm  especially when and where it comes to combating Vladimir Putin and other authoritarian dictators. Theres no doubt that things like unfettered military spending and frequent global saber rattling still leave many progressives uneasy. The legacies of the nations costly and often disastrous adventures in Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq still loom large.

But Russias criminal invasion of Ukraine and the actions of so many Putin-wannabes around the world have changed things for millions of Americans. They see these developments as a threat to freedom and democracy everywhere and are aghast at the idea that their nation could actually end up embracing and partnering with such thugs as soon as next January.

And so it was, as Susan J. Demas of the Michigan Advance noted in a recent column, that Democrats in Chicago last week embraced a muscular, liberal patriotism, from breaking into spontaneous U-S-A! chants to filling the hall with a sea of American flags during key speeches.

Speeches like the one in which their presidential nominee said to loud applause: As commander in chief, I will ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world, and 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.

It will be fascinating over the coming weeks to see whether this evolution in the Democratic message proves fruitful, and if it does, the kind of change to which it leads in both major parties in the months and years that follow.

NC Newsline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. NC Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Rob Schofield for questions: info@ncnewsline.com. Follow NC Newsline on Facebook and X.
More than 160 House and Senate Democrats on Tuesday called on the Supreme Court to protect access to gender-affirming health care for transgender minors by striking down a Tennessee law that bans treatment for youths younger than 18 when the justices review the law this fall.

The Supreme Court in June agreed to review the constitutionality of Tennessees law, which transgender rights advocates and families have argued discriminates against transgender youths and infringes on the right of parents to make medical decisions on behalf of their children.

The justices decision to hear the case marks the first time the high court will weigh in on the issue, setting the stage for a blockbuster showdown over transgender rights that is likely to impact laws passed in nearly half the nation banning transition-related care for transgender children and teens.

Legal challenges mounted by transgender youths, their families and medical providers have been met with mixed results, and federal appeals courts have split over whether laws that ban gender-affirming care are constitutional. The Justice Department in a November filing said the Supreme Courts intervention is urgently needed, arguing that conflicting court rulings have created profound uncertainty for transgender people.

Democratic lawmakers in Tuesdays brief pointed to a 2006 Supreme Court ruling in a case involving a state attorney generals attempt to forbid physicians from prescribing certain medications for physician-assisted suicide. The court in that case ruled that Congress had rightly denied the attorney generals authority to make quintessentially medical judgments and questioned whether political actors without medical expertise should insert themselves into medical decision-making.

The Court should afford the same skepticism to legislation banning a politically marginalized group from choosing to undergo certain treatmentsparticularly where a law has been passed in spite of the available science, lawmakers wrote in Tuesdays filing. Every major medical association agrees that gender-affirming careincluding hormone therapyis safe, effective, and necessary to treat certain conditions.

Yet despite knowing this, Tennessee has banned it, 164 lawmakers wrote in the 27-page brief. That puts the government exactly where it should hesitate to be: between a patient seeking critical care and the health care providers seeking to treat that patient.

Twenty-four Republican-led states since 2021 have passed laws that heavily restrict or ban access to gender-affirming care for transgender minors, though several of those laws are blocked by federal court orders.

Decisions about healthcare belong to patients, their doctors, and their familiesnot politicians, said Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), who led Tuesdays brief with Democratic Reps. Jerry Nadler (N.Y.) and Frank Pallone (N.J.) and Sens. Ed Markey (Mass.) and Jeff Merkley (Ore.), in a statement.

The law at issue in this case is motivated by an animus towards the trans community and is part of a cruel, coordinated attack on trans rights by anti-equality extremists, said Pocan, chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, which works to advance LGBTQ rights in Congress.

We strongly urge the Supreme Court to uphold the Constitutions promise of equal protection under the law and strike down Tennessees harmful ban, Pocan said.

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DENVER (KDVR)  The Denver Public Librarys flagship Central Library location will close for over a month starting Sept. 20 ahead of its grand reopening in November.

This closure is the final step in a multi-year-long renovation process to the flagship library branch building.

The renovations first started in 2020. The library has been opened in a limited capacity ever since, with only some parts of the library opened during this time.

Take a look inside: Denver Public Library to reopen soon after major renovations

However, to prepare for the reopening, the library will fully close to the public for six weeks until the library fully opens to the public once again on Nov. 3.

According to a release, during the closure, library staff will work to ensure the building is ready for the reopening.

However, book lovers will not have to go without: The curbside pick-up and holds window, located on 13th Avenue, will still be available during the closure, alongside phone, chat and email services.

The renovation project has been in the works since 2017 when voters approved the Elevate Denver Bond, where most of the $59.4 million renovation budget came from.

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We don't need a formal study to tell us that taking away sex workers' ability to communicate online makes their lives worsesex workers have been saying that for a decade now, since the federal government started taking down websites where they advertised (RIP MyRedBook, Rentboy, The Review Board, Backpage, and so on). But here's a(nother) study saying exactly this.

For the study, published in the journal Social Sciences, researcher Melissa Ditmore and her team conducted a national survey of 440 sex workers, asking about how they used online platforms, how the use of these platforms affected their working conditions, and how laws like the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA)which led to platforms removing and restricting sex worker accountsaffected their work lives. Survey respondents included folks who had engaged in webcam work, phone sex work, strip club work, pornography, independent escorting, street-based sex work, working at a brothel, working at a massage parlor, BDSM/fetish work, working for an escort agency, and other types of sex work.

Ditmore's team foundunsurprisinglythat "platform policies and practices often remove and/or limit sex workers' access to them, which, in turn, restricts their ability to earn income and compromises their capacity to live and work safely."

78 Percent of Sex Workers Were Deplatformed

The researchers first sought to understand which online platforms sex workers are using. Payment processing platforms (65.7 percent), camming/phone sex/sexting/video call platforms (60 percent), chatting and communication platforms (56.6 percent), and social media (55.2 percent) were the most common, while advertising platforms were cited as the most useful.

Ditmore and team then asked about deplatforming, finding that 78.2 percent of the sex workers they surveyed had lost access to a platform (and sometimes more than one). This was most likely to happen with social media (32 percent), dating or hookup apps (24.4 percent), payment processors (22.1 percent), and advertising platforms (19.2 percent).

Losing access to online platforms was strongly associated with negative effects for those deplatformed.

"Of the 344 respondents who reported that they were de-platformed, 88.4% of these respondents reported their income declining as a result," the study states. A significant portion said their income never recovered. Many reported platforms (such as payment processors) keeping any money they had stored there. "Almost 60% of sex workers who responded to our survey could not get their money back from these platformsfindings that mirror those of The Free Speech Coalition, which found that 63% of sex workers in their sample had lost access to financial services from a bank or another payment platform like Venmo, PayPal, or CashApp," the study states.

The researchers point out that platform policies aren't only affecting sex workers engaged in illegal activity like prostitution. "Many sex workers who are affected by these measures do not engage in criminal activity. To name just some examples, creating and sharing sexual content like pornography online is legal for adults; communicating work schedules in licit sex work venues such as strip clubs is legal; and interpersonal communication of a sexual nature between consenting adults (e.g., sexting and chatting) is legal."

Hardships experienced after de-platforming weren't limited to income loss. In Ditmore's survey, 270 sex workers responded to a question about how deplatforming had affected them. Nearly two-thirds (64.1 percent) said it led to a loss of clients, and more than a third said it led to anxiety about online activity. Around a quarter (23.3 percent) said it made them feel less safe and around a fifth (19.6 percent) said it made them reluctant to speak out online.

For some, the results were even more dire:

Around 14 percent (respectively) said it made their housing situation unstable, that they had difficulty finding other work, and that they lost access to peers who could help them with client reference checks (an important tool for vetting potential customers and avoiding those with a history of violence or exploitation).

Ten percent said deplatforming led to more interactions with law enforcement, and 11.5 percent said it led to more social service interactions.

Around 9 percent said deplatforming led to more interactions with madams/agencies/managers/pimps.

Around 8 percent said they experienced "exploitative work conditions" after deplatforming" and 6.7 percent said they experienced "abusive work conditions."

Cutting Against the Pro-FOSTA Narrative

These results cut against the narrative pushed by proponents of FOSTA and laws like it, who argue that platforms where sex work is advertised make sex workers more likely to fall victim to exploitation and abuse.

It's a classic case of mistaken causation, with people taking increased visibility to them for increased prevalence overall.

Before the internet, it was rare for your average person to witness any evidence of sex work, let alone exploitation, abuse, and/or minors involved. But with sex workers migrating online to find clients, it was suddenly visibleto law enforcement, politicians, activists, and anyone who wanted to go looking for itin a way it had never been before. Some concluded that the online platforms were therefore fueling exploitation and abuse.

But sex workers have long told a different story. They say that online advertising put more power in their hands, allowing them to find and communicate directly with customers instead of relying on middlemen (and therefore lessening the potential for abusive "pimps" and "traffickers") and helping them better weed out bad clients.

And, when abuse did occur, online ads and chats left a paper trail that could be utilized by law enforcement.

Building on a Body of Research

"Given the challenges of sampling sex workers, we cannot confirm that these data are representative of all sex workers in the USA," Ditmore and her team point out. But their findings jive with previous reporting and research on this subject.

Since the government started going after ad platforms where sex workers advertised, both sex workers and members of law enforcement have been speaking out about how it's negatively affected their work. This comes in the form of many anecdotes, of government reports, and in the form of research, often conducted by or in conjunction with sex workers.

Several studies to this effect have been spearheaded by the sex worker rights group Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics Rhode Island (COYOTE RI). "The loss of advertising and increased financial hardship after FOSTA forced many sex workers onto the streets," according to one COYOTE RI report. The same report also found that 11 percent "of participants who had not previously engaged in street-based work turned to it after the passage of FOSTA" and "that number was much higher for vulnerable groups17% of trafficking survivors, 24% of those who entered the industry as minors, and 21% of people with disabilities turned to street-based work."

The group's survey also found that FOSTA "increased sex trafficking and recruitment by pimps," that it reduced their ability to screen clients, and that it "also made work conditions more dangerous in other ways; largely because of increased financial hardship and more difficulty in finding reliable clients, 35% of participants had to lower their rates (44% of trafficking survivors and 46% of those with disabilities) and 41% started

offering services that they were not comfortable with (47% of trafficking survivors and 52% of those with disabilities)."

Research has also found that the introduction of Craigslist's Erotic Services ads was linked to a reduction in female homicide and rape in the cities where it was introduced.

Follow-Up

Backpage co-founder Michael Lacey was sentenced last week to five years in federal prison and a $3 million fine. Lacey was ordered to report to federal marshals in two weeks.

A five-year sentence is better than things could have goneprosecutors were seeking a 20-year sentence. But it's still quite the punishment for a 76-year-old man convicted of one victimless financial crime, and one that makes little sense at that. Following a jury trial, Lacey was convicted of international concealment of money laundering but not of any underlying illegal conduct.

"Following an 11-week trial in 2023, a jury was hung on 84 counts involving conspiracy, money laundering and violations of the U.S. Travel Act, a federal law that makes it illegal to use a means of interstate commerce to facilitate a business enterprise involved in breaking state laws against prostitution," notes Stephen Lemons. "Following the trial, Humetewa acquitted Lacey of 50 of those 84 counts, leaving 34 outstanding. Prosecutors said they will await the result of the appeals process before retrying Lacey on the remaining counts."

More Sex & Tech News

 "The third circuit's Section 230 decision in Anderson v. TikTok is nonsense," writes Corbin K. Barthold.

 The Democratic National Convention "showed us how Democrats continue to fail Stormy Daniels and sex workers," writes Ro White. "Democrats' transgressions paint a grim future for sex workers under any administrationwhether it's led by Harris" or by Trump, he suggests.

 A federal judge has temporarily barred New York from going after crisis pregnancy centers for promoting abortion reversal. "The First Amendment protects plaintiffs' right to speak freely about [abortion pill reversal] protocol and, more specifically, to say that it is safe and effective for a pregnant woman to use in consultation with her doctor," the judge's decision said.

 Democrats want the Federal Election Commission to censor Grok.

 "Did the U.S. government outsmart a ring of international drug smugglers by creating a Trojan Horse of a phone company to spy on them? Or did the government cross a line, encouraging criminal conduct itself?" asks Courthouse News Service.

 Tech platforms want to push age verification duties on to app stores; app stores want to push age verification duties on to tech platforms.

 A federal judge has partially blocked Texas from enforcing the "Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment" (SCOPE) Act, which was set to take effect on September 1. "The ruling didn't find that the entirety of HB 18 posed a threat to First Amendment-protected speech, and some provisionslike the data collection rules and the age verification for sites with large amounts of adult contentremain in force," notes The Verge. But the judge "was highly critical of the monitoring and filtering rules," which require certain large platforms to prevent minors from being exposed to "harmful material."

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AVN Awards | Las Vegas | 2020 (ENB/Reason)

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  This week, a director at the Youngstown Playhouse went in depth about inclusivity in theater.

Dr. Lundeana Thomas says the Youngstown Playhouse is welcome to everyone.

One of the things that I have felt and found is that a lot of people or some people feel that the Youngstown Playhouse is only for a certain group of people and that they may not be welcome or they dont feel like theyre welcome  and Im here to let them know that the Youngstown Playhouse is a place where you can come learn, gain and thrive and enjoy, Thomas said.

Thomas taught speech and drama at East High School. In 1981, Thomas went to the University of Michigan to obtain a masters degree and eventually a Ph.D.

She taught at Spelman at Bowling Green State University and at the University of Louisville, where she was director of an African-American theater program, bringing a lot of African-American theater and history to the program.

Thomas returned to the area in 2014 and began directing in Pittsburgh.

And then someone said, you know, the Youngstown Playhouse is calling for you, and I went, okay. And I came there and Ive been there now for the past three years, Thomas said.

She directed a play last year called Passover and now shes preparing to direct Jim of the Ocean.

But I still dont see more of other minorities coming to the playhouse. And I wanted to do something. A lot of times people dont want to come because they say, well, Im not trained, I dont know, and I dont know how to get training, and so we wanted to provide that for the people because there is a lot of talent here in Youngstown, always has been, Thomas said.

The conversation with Dr. Thomas continues Wednesday with whats happening at the Youngstown Playhouse.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
ZEELAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  Deputies say a passenger was airlifted to the hospital with critical injuries after a crash in Zeeland Township.

It happened around 12:20 p.m. Wednesday at 84th Avenue and Adams Street, according to a release from the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office.

A 59-year-old Holland woman was heading west on Adams Street in a Mitsubishi Outlander, deputies say. They say the woman slowed down to turn south on 84th Avenue but finished the turn in front of an eastbound Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was driven by a 19-year-old Zeeland man.

According to the sheriffs office, the passenger in the Outlander  an 86-year-old Grand Haven woman  was taken to the hospital by Aero Med with critical injuries, while the driver was hospitalized with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

The driver of the Jeep was not hurt, deputies say.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

The sheriffs office is investigating.

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CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN)  New details were released in the incident regarding a teenager brandishing a gun at the Canfield Fair on Sunday.

Read next: 1 dead, 4 sent to hospital after crash on Western Reserve Road

Deputies with the Mahoning County Sheriffs Office were working fair security when two people attending the fair told police a male had threatened them with a gun around 8 p.m. Sunday. The victims told police the suspect was wearing a black ski mask and showed a gun tucked into the waistband of his pants.

One victim told deputies he and the suspect used to be friends but they no longer associate, and since then, the suspect has made comments about shooting him and his family, reports state. Another witness told authorities the suspect showed up at her house with a gun before and threatened to kill her and her family.

Just before 9 p.m., fair police were notified of a person matching the suspect description near the grandstand, who began to run after hearing over the radio that authorities spotted him. Deputies gave chase, repeatedly shouting at the suspect to stop, which reports said he repeatedly disregarded.

When authorities caught the suspect, who Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene said is 17 years old, he did not have a firearm, though a Glock 9mm pistol was found underneath a truck directly behind where he was apprehended, reports state.

In an interview with authorities, reports state the suspect said he was recently incarcerated in the Juvenile Justice Center on gun charges and was released after two weeks with the charges dismissed.

The suspect repeatedly denied having the gun before eventually admitting he got the weapon from an unspecified contact in the parking lot of a gas station hours before, reports state. The teen told police that he brought a gun to the fair because he was shot at the last time he was there, according to reports.

The suspect said he threatened the victims because one was speaking about his dead cousin and had threatened them in the past, reports state.

The teen was transported to the Juvenile Justice Center on the charges of carrying a concealed weapon and two counts of aggravated menacing.

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A Flying Tigers delegation visited Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, to launch the Flying Tigers Friendship Schools. This visit was followed by China's unveiling of a list of 2,590 American aviators who were martyred in the fight against Japan during World War II.
Detroit is relaunching its municipal identification program to help residents secure a photo ID to access city services.

The ID program paused in 2022 because of a concern that the previous vendor's practices created a "privacy risk for undocumented immigrants. Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair Razo said she is confident residents' information will be protected under the health department's watch and the new vendor, Omicron, a software system expected to securely process information.

"This is a very specialized program within the health department, and we wanted to not only get this done, but we wanted to get this done right. It took awhile because we wanted to involve the guidance from our Immigration task force, as well as Councilmember Gabriela Santiago-Romero," said Fair Razo. "We had multiple meetings with them and we wanted to work closely with City Council to make sure we followed appropriate procedures."

District Six Councilmember Santiago-Romero has advocated for the Detroit ID program. But after the city switched contractors and she and others flagged that the company shared personal data, the city paused the program, Santiago-Romero said. Officials spent time rebuilding relationships and finding a new vendor in an effort to provide residents, regardless of immigration status, gender identity, housing status or convictions, access to photo identification, she added.

"These documents ultimately enable residents to gain access to health care services, as well as city services and buildings, including schools and libraries, participate in the local economy, and interface with utility companies and law enforcement," Santiago-Romero said in a statement. "Simply put, Detroit IDs remove barriers to access and create opportunities for participation; rather than exclude and deny, they include and accept. Longtime Detroiters and new arrivals alike should be proud of this program, and I encourage everyone to get one."

A sample Detroit ID card, which will be available to all Detroit residents.

Who can apply?

The Detroit ID card is available to all Detroiters, regardless of immigration status, age and anyone who may experiencing homelessness or is a returning citizen.

How can I apply?

The Detroit Health Department is hosting a block party from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at John R Road between Mack Avenue and Erskine Street, near the health department at 100 Mack Ave., to kick off the program. Before then at 11 a.m., the department's SisterFriends Detroit team will host the Walk 'n Rally, which promotes infant safe sleep practices.

On a regular day, anyone can walk in at the following locations, no appointments are needed:

Detroit Health Department, 100 Mack Ave., Detroit. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Patton Recreation Center, 2301 Woodmere St. Detroit. Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Is there a cost?

An ID costs $10 per person but is free for children 11 years old and under. Applicants younger than18 must have a legal guardian present to process an application. Fees may be waived for applicants experiencing homelessness.

What do I need?

Detroiters can apply by providing their proof of residency, along with identity documentation totaling 300 points, which includes a United States or other passport, state ID card or driver's license, NEXUS card, U.S. Permanent Resident card or Alien registration The Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551), Federal employment authorization document or card (Form I-765), Automated Fingerprint Identification System record check with photograph, Offender Tracking Information System and more.

View the full list of acceptable documentation here.

What is the age limit?

The ID is available to all ages but anyone younger than 18 must have a legal guardian present to apply.

What benefits does a municipal ID provide?

The photo ID card provides residents access to city services.

"Opening a checking and savings account, gaining entry to city buildings, your library, establishing a utility account with DTE (Energy) ... you need to have an ID card and the card provides our residents with the opportunity to thrive and get ahead," Razo said.

Who does it benefit?

Detroit residents of all ages, regardless of status. More information is available at detroitmi.gov/detroitid.

Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit relaunches municipal photo ID program: How to apply
Did you use Rainiers new reservation system this year? The park wants to hear from you.

Mount Rainier (Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard)

Reservations are no longer required to enter Mount Rainier National Park.

Now, after the parks first summer testing a timed reservation system, it wants to hear from visitors about how it went.

Those who used the reservation system can submit public comments on the experience before Sept. 15.

The public comments and reservation data will be evaluated by park officials to determine if the reservation system should continue in the future, park planner Teri Tucker said. An update to the park management plan is expected later this year.

This opportunity to hear from the public is a key piece of information to help that process, Tucker said.

The park began using timed entry reservations during peak visiting hours in May, an attempt to limit overcrowding and traffic and improve safety.

Until Monday, those who entered the Nisqually, Stevens Canyon and White River entrances between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. needed to make online or phone reservations ahead of time.

The goal of the timed entry system was to distribute visitors more evenly throughout the day following a boom in visitation in recent years at the park. Visitation grew from 1.1 million in 2013 to nearly 1.7 million in 2023, according to the National Park Service. Most of those visits occurred between July and September.

A timed reservation system was on a slate of possible solutions discussed last year, including providing shuttle vehicles to free up parking and prevent traffic backups. Other parks, including Arches National Park in Utah, Glacier National Park in Montana and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, have also used reservation systems at their most popular entrances.

As of Wednesday, Tucker said the park did not have any data on the number of reservations that were used this summer and when they were needed the most.

Visitation patterns really varied a lot, Tucker said. Weather is always a factor, and we saw a lot of different conditions.

According to data from the National Park Service, Mount Rainier National Park saw more than 531,000 total visitors in the first half of this year. That data is not finalized and does not include the popular months of July or August.

Slightly more visitors came to the park in June of this year than last year with 347,712 visits compared to last Junes 304,566. Most of those are non-overnight recreation visitors.

To submit public comments on Mount Rainiers reservation system, visit parkplanning.nps.gov/MountRainier2024 by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 15.

We are eager to learn what visitors think of the pilot timed entry system we are testing out this summer, park superintendent Greg Dudgeon said in a statement. We want to hear how the pilot did or did not work for people before we finalize our long-term visitor use management plan for the Nisqually to Paradise Corridor at Mount Rainier National Park.
How we did it: A project tracking the mental health resources for KY college students

Over the course of eight weeks, a group of Lexington Herald-Leader reporters and interns set out to look at the mental health needs of Kentucky college students, and how colleges around the state are addressing those needs.

We began the project at the end of May, after interns from Western Kentucky University, the University of Kentucky and Ball State University joined the Herald-Leader newsroom. Full-time reporters Monica Kast and Kendall Staton led interns Alexis Baker, Ali Costellow, Daniel Kehn and Maggie Phelps to create a long list of questions related to how college students are seeking out and receiving mental health services.

At the center of our reporting were these questions: Why is there a rise in mental health needs among college students? What are the issues college students in Kentucky are facing now? How are universities addressing those mental health needs?

The four Herald-Leader Interns took on Kings Island last weekend to figure out what to ride, where to eat and what to see.

From there, we contacted 16 colleges and universities across the state, looking at public and private universities, as well as community and technical colleges. We wanted to examine offerings at universities of all sizes and located throughout the state, recognizing that the needs of students could vary across institutions.

Its rare for a group of summer interns to join forces, work collaboratively and tackle such an ambitious project, said Richard Green, executive editor of the Herald-Leader.

Their reporting, with contributions from Monica Kast and Kendall Staton, was revelatory. Kentucky, like other states, has seen a dramatic rise in the cases of students needing help with their emotional wellness. Its also reassuring to see how campuses across the commonwealth are taking those trends seriously and directing more resources to meet the demands.

The following institutions were initially contacted: Asbury University, Bellarmine University, Berea College, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Centre College, Eastern Kentucky University, Georgetown College, Jefferson Community and Technical College, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, the University of Louisville, the University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University.

Institutions were sent five initial questions about their mental health offerings:

How are students at your school told about mental health resources available to them? Please be as specific as possible.

Does your school have a counseling center for students? If so, how many counselors or therapists are employed? How many work full-time vs. part-time in the counseling center?

What is the average caseload for each counselor?

How many students sought out mental health services from the school during the 2023-24 school year? What does that number include (counseling, support groups, referred to another provider, etc.)?

Has your school seen an increase in the number of students seeking out mental health services in recent years?

We received responses from 15 institutions, with only Asbury University declining to answer the initial questions. From there, we set up follow-up interviews, diving deeper into the offerings of individual schools. We also sought out mental health experts and resources to give an overview of the national mental health crisis and needs.

What we found revealed various mental health challenges faced by students across the state.

At the University of Louisville, the school had to find ways to support students in the aftermath of the 2020 killing of Breonna Taylor, and the months of protests taking place in Louisville. At Eastern Kentucky University, where one-third of students come from the poorest parts of Kentucky, counselors are trained in various forms of trauma therapy.

Jefferson Community and Technical College and Bluegrass Community and Technical College must come up with creative ways to meet the needs of their unique student bodies, who may be single parents or students experiencing homelessness.

Included in this project are four stories, each addressing mental health needs of students across the state.

Heres the data we got from schools across the state:
Tenants at several properties owned by CBZ Management held a press conference on Sep. 3, 2024 to dispute claims of armed gang takeovers and redirect attention to longstanding habitability issues in their buildings. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

Residents at an Aurora apartment complex on Tuesday disputed the viral claims of an armed gang takeover that thrust their building into the national spotlight last week, seeking to redirect attention to a slumlord owner who has let their buildings and several others across the city fall into disrepair.

I have bedbugs in my apartment, I have cockroaches, I have rats. My kids are all covered in bites, Juan Carlos Alvarado Jimenez, a Venezuelan immigrant living in The Edge at Lowry apartments in northwest Aurora, said through a translator. I dont see any criminals here. I think we all know who the real criminals here are.

Joined by tenants-rights advocates and community organizers, Jimenez and other residents at rental properties owned by New York-based CBZ Management showed receipts of their rental payments, photos of trash pileups and dead mice caught in traps in their apartments. Nearly a dozen tenants spoke and answered questions from reporters. While some referred to what appeared to be a break-in attempt or other criminal offense captured on a widely circulating video, they dismissed widespread claims that a Venezuelan gang has taken control of their buildings or is shaking down residents for rent.

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The good that exists here is better than the bad, said Francy Rodriguez, another tenant who spoke through a translator. We are not all just Venezuelans, we are not just Colombians  we are all of us together. We are good people.

Local controversy over living conditions and reports of criminal activity at several Aurora apartment buildings has simmered for weeks. But a surge of national attention followed the circulation last week of a 15-second video clip that showed a group of armed men knocking on an apartment door and entering the unit.

In recent days, Auroras Republican mayor, its interim police chief and a conservative city council member have all offered differing characterizations of the nature and extent of the alleged gang activity. Far-right political commentators have described the situation in sensational terms, blaming Democrats for migrant gangs taking over Aurora, and falsely claiming that violent crime in the city  the third largest in Colorado, with a population of roughly 400,000  has skyrocketed.

On Aug. 13, hundreds of residents, many of them Venezuelan immigrants, were evicted from Fitzsimons Place, a 98-unit complex owned by CBZ Management, after the City of Aurora condemned the property, declaring it uninhabitable after years of code violations. City leaders have said they will seek an emergency court order declaring the companys other properties a criminal nuisance, allowing the city to shut them down and evict their residents.

CBZ Management, which owns rental properties in Colorado and New York, did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.

Tenants at the companys buildings said theyve received racist messages and threats of violence from unknown individuals in the wake of last weeks national media attention, and have been alarmed by social media rumors like one claiming the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club was en route to Aurora. They fear theyll have nowhere else to go if the city moves forward with plans to clear the buildings out.

Theres nobody charging a fee to live here, nobody threatening us, Sarimar Marin, who lives at Whispering Pines, another CBZ-owned property in Aurora, told Newsline in an interview. Theres only working families and good people who live here.

Years of problems

The specifics of what has happened in recent months at several CBZ Management properties in Aurora remain in dispute. But whats beyond doubt is that they followed years of documented complaints about abysmal living conditions at several of the companys buildings  long before large numbers of migrants began arriving in the Denver metro area in early 2023.

The first claims about Aurora apartment complexes being taken over by gangs were circulated among far-right Colorado political figures in late July. Representatives of CBZ Management repeated the claims in the days leading up to the citys condemnation of Fitzsimons Place. At the time, Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, a Republican former member of Congress, called the company out-of-state slumlords who were attempting to shift blame for problems they caused.

The problems in this building certainly precede any problems with Venezuelan gangs, Coffman said on Aug. 9. The problems even preceded the migrant crisis.

Habitability issues at the building, which was formerly known as the Bahamas Apartments, made local headlines in 2021, when residents reported issues ranging from pests and trash pileups to broken appliances, damaged railings and a collapsed ceiling caused by a falling toilet. In early 2023, the building was in the news again, with tenants telling Denver7 they were dealing with mold, leaks, flooding and a lack of heat for several months in the winter.

Javier Hidalgo, a former tenant at Fitzsimons Place, has sued CBZ Management and its representatives, Shmaryahu and Zev Baumgarten, in Adams County District Court, alleging years of fundamentally uninhabitable conditions, and demanding back payment of rent and other damages. A separate set of proceedings against Zev Baumgarten in Aurora Municipal Court, involving dozens of alleged code violations, has been delayed until next year, Westword reported.

In an Aug. 13 statement on the Fitzsimons Place condemnation, a City of Aurora spokesperson said the blame rests solely with CBZ Management and its principals, the owners and managers of the property, who have repeatedly failed their tenants for years by allowing the building and property to fall into a state of complete disrepair.

The area of northwest Aurora where several CBZ properties are located, on the edge of the citys border with Denver, has long struggled with elevated crime rates. Multiple crimes have been reported in the vicinity of The Edge at Lowry in recent weeks, including a fatal shooting on the night of Aug. 18. Another shooting occurred outside Fitzsimons Place on July 28 and led to the arrest of a documented gang member, Aurora Police say.

But claims that overall crime rates have skyrocketed following the arrival of large numbers of migrants from Venezuela and other Central and South American countries are false. Crime rates in metro Denver and Colorado as a whole have been on a sustained decline since late 2022. Significant numbers of migrants began arriving in January 2023, and new arrivals peaked between October 2023 and January of this year before dropping off precipitously, according to data from Denver city officials.

Differing characterizations

The video of armed men entering a unit at The Edge at Lowry was captured on Aug. 18 by Cindy Romero, who lived with her husband in the apartment complex until last month.

Its unclear whether the video is connected to the fatal shooting reported the same day, and officials with the Aurora Police Department have declined to comment directly on the footage, saying in an Aug. 28 statement that it would be improper at this time for the city and APD to make any conclusory statements about specific incidents or provide details about law enforcement strategy and operations.

Denver-area law enforcement agencies have acknowledged for weeks that members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan criminal organization, are present in Colorado, linking them to crimes like a June 24 jewelry store robbery in north Denver. A Department of Homeland Security memo obtained by the New York Post on July 30 reported that Tren de Aragua members in Colorado had been given a green light to fire on or attack law enforcement.

Aurora police maintain that the gangs activity is isolated and small compared to other criminal organizations operating within the metro area. But speculation about Tren de Araguas influence has been fueled by a handful of local conservative political figures, including Aurora City Council member Danielle Jurinksy and John Fabbricatore, a Republican former Immigrations and Customs Enforcement official running a long-shot campaign for the congressional seat held by Aurora Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Crow.

Jurinksy has claimed that areas of our city are being taken over, and baselessly linked a July 28 gathering at a shopping center parking lot, where a crowd of thousands assembled to await Venezuelan election results, to Tren de Aragua activity. Fabbricatore has attributed some of his assertions about the gang to anonymous reports from local officers.

Jurinksy and Fabbricatore say they helped Cindy Romero and her husband move out of The Edge at Lowry last week due to safety concerns. In at least one instance, Fabbricatore has been identified as a spokesperson for CBZ Management by the Florida-based PR firm the company has retained.

APD officials have continued to dismiss claims that Tren de Aragua has taken over entire apartment complexes.

Im not saying that theres not gang members that  live in this community, APD Interim Chief Heather Morris said in an Aug. 30 video released by the department, after meeting with residents at The Edge at Lowry. But what were learning out here is that gang members have not taken over this complex.

Coffmans message and tone regarding the situation have been fluid in recent days, sometimes shifting between one interview and the next. He pushed back last week on hysteria that he said was making it more difficult to help people who may have been victimized by the gang, but also spoke of an enemy force operating in the community as a result of the failed policy of the Biden administration.

After having dismissed claims of a gang takeover of the Fitzsimons Place complex, Coffman in an Aug. 29 interview with 9News said he was now concerned that there are two to three buildings in the city where gangs have pushed out the property manager and are extorting the tenants. He did not identify the properties, and said that police have ongoing operations to investigate and resolve the situation.

Coffman visited The Edge at Lowry on Monday, joined by APD officers. In a social media post, he struck a new tone regarding the company hed recently decried as out-of-state slumlords.

Obviously, the goal is to get these properties under the control of the owners as soon as possible and we will be meeting with representatives for the owners this week to discuss how to get that done, Coffman wrote.

But residents and community advocates said Tuesday that vulnerable tenants are the ones about to be punished for problems caused by an absentee landlords neglect. Several tenants said that during his visit on Monday, Coffman refused to listen to their concerns.

The city is choosing to meet with the property owner, and is not choosing to listen directly (to) the tenants who have years and years of evidence against the property owner, and also deserve a meeting to talk to them about the conditions and the reality of the situation, said V Reeves, an organizer with Housekeys Action Network Denver, a homelessness advocacy group. These families deserve the opportunity to have resources and time to move somewhere safe.

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William Billy Suttle led a nice, quiet life.

The 22-year-old San Francisco resident crossed the country to spend Christmas with his family. Kim Harrell fondly recalled her Uncle Billy staying past Christmas in New York City to celebrate her older sisters birthday in the new year.

But those festivities in 1980 marked the last time Suttles family saw him.

The man, born in Chelsea, Manhattan, had vanished. Worried, Suttles family hired private investigators to dig into Suttles life in San Francisco. Nothing ever turned up, Harrell said. Suttles parents died believing he either disappeared or decided to never contact them again.

The familys long-standing search for answers drew to a close this year when the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office said Suttle was identified as a John Doe shot in January 1980 at a softball field.

It was a very, very sad time, but we were all so happy that we found him and give him a proper (grave marker), Harrell said. That was very impactful to do that for him.

But the case still remains unsolved 44 years later. Harrells family is seeking information from anyone who may know who killed Suttle.

The FBI provided a sketch of a John Doe shot and killed in Sacramentos ONeil Park in Land Park in January 1980. He was identified this year as William Suttle by the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office. No arrests have been made in his homicide.

Suttle was one of two men killed on Jan. 17, 1980, and the fifth victim of a homicide over four days in Sacramento, according to The Sacramento Bees previous reporting.

Where Suttle died is unclear.

The Sacramento Police Department said Suttle was killed at Sixth and X streets  at ONeil Park in the Land Park neighborhood. The Sacramento County Coroners Office said he was killed at Sixth and W streets  at Southside Park, one block away from ONeil Park and on the opposite side of Highway 50. Three Sacramento Bee stories published in 1980 said Suttle was killed in Southside Park; a 2012 Bee story on the cold case said he was killed at ONeil Park.

An anonymous caller alerted Sacramento police just before 9:30 that night to a man either injured or dead, slumped against a softball fields bleachers. The man was described as neatly dressed, according to The Bees previous reporting.

Suttle wore a blue denim cap with a short bill; a LeChevron Collection jacket; a long-sleeve, navy blue Sigallo sweater with a gray collar; prescription eyeglasses; and royal blue Adidas shoes with bright yellow stripes. A pack of Salem cigarettes and a lighter were next to him.

Detectives also retraced his steps to a Burger King inside an old Greyhound bus station, then at Seventh and L streets. Fast food workers remembered selling him a drink about 8 p.m., according to previous reporting.

He was shot in the left side of his head and had been dead apparently less than an hour when he was found at the park. He didnt have an identification card with him.

The Sacramento Police Department did not respond to additional questions about the case. Anyone with additional information about what happened to Suttle may call the Police Department at 916-808-5471 or anonymously at 916-443-4357.

This is the last thing I can do for him, Harrell said, because we have done everything that we could.

Sacramento police Officer Laura Peck holds blue Adidas tennis shoes on February 23, 2011 with gold stripes that a John Doe was found wearing at the time of his death on Jan. 17, 1980. The man has been identified 44 years later, and his family is seeking the publics help to identify his killer.

Longest 15 seconds of my life

Harrell didnt think twice about her DNA sample she shipped to Ancestry back in 2017.

She was cajoled by her mother-in-law to send the genetic material as an activity to do together.

But in October 2023, Harrell received a call from the Sacramento District Attorneys Office requesting permission to test her DNA and compare it to DNA from another body. She agreed, and after many steps, a geneticist began to determine Harrells connection to the body.

That moment was the longest 15 seconds of my life, Harrell said.

With the confirmation of Suttles identity, Harrell said that chapter of her life could finally close. She lauded these heroes who brought closure for her family, Harrell said, while noting that only through genetic genealogy testing would her family have known what happened.

Harrell and her family also came to Sacramento and met with those who worked on Suttles case.

It was the most empowering, inspiring, humbling experience that I may ever go through in my life, Harrell said.

Lt. Kirk Campbell, an investigator with the District Attorneys Office who works in genetic genealogy, said law enforcement determined Harrell was a living relative of Suttle and tested her DNA with her permission.

The testing would not be possible without funding from a Roads to Justice grant, Campbell said. The grant was created to help identity unknown human remains.

The Harrells have been waiting so many years to figure out what happened to William, said Campbell, who also worked on the investigative genetic genealogy used to identify the Golden State Killer.

In this case, investigators identified a Suttle ancestor and worked to find a living relative, Campbell said. He noted the case was resolved by a whole team, including employees of the Sacramento County Coroners Office and the Sacramento Police Department.

It was very empowering to finally identify Suttle in death and memorialize him, Harrell said. And it all happened because she opted to send her DNA and allow it to be tested.

In a million years, I never thought it would lead me to Billy, Harrell said.
Does a new Daufuskie ferryboat mean goodbye to old problems? What are passengers saying?

A second boat for the Daufuskie Island ferry service was approved by Beaufort County, as the service provider looks to end the battle over compliance with the countys contract.

Since Lowcountry Ferry took over the contract in January, Daufuskie Island residents have repeatedly asked the council to terminate the contract. Despite multiple private executive sessions, the council has stayed the course on working with the service provider despite disputes over safety, air conditioning, parcel transportation and disability access.

We have no choice. We have to ride that boat. Thats the only we can get food to eat. Thats the only way we can go to the doctors, said Yvonne Wilson at the last county council meeting.

The new boat, the Queen Jean, started making trips last week, according to islanders. According to passengers, the new boat has some advantages over the Manatee II including easier access and more storage but it doesnt address the basic need that has sparked the nine-month-long dispute.

Coast Guard approved but safety issues in question

I have been stationed on board naval ships during my career, said 59-year-old Navy Veteran Sue Sablosky, I dont think its safe at all.

Sablosky said when she rode the boat she noticed painted-over rotting wood and metal hanging off the bow of the ship. Riders of the new boat also pointed out that it lacks a bathroom, which can be troublesome when trips on and off the island take around an hour.

I dont know how (council is) ignoring these past eight months and everything thats happened, Sablosky said. I dont know how they can extend (Lowcountry Ferrys) deadlines again and again.

The lack of an adequate backup boat and inconsistently functioning air conditioning on the Manatee II, the main vessel, were outstanding issues that led the county administration to issue a notice of non-compliance to Lowcountry Ferrys owner, Neil Turner, in early July.

The newly approved backup boat, the Queen Jean, is a 53-year-old vessel previously used for fishing and excursions off the coast of Topsail Beach, North Carolina. The boat passed an inspection from the U.S. Coast Guard, the agency confirmed saying it met all requirements to operate as a small passenger vessel in accordance with applicable federal regulations.

Compliance battle continues

While having an approved backup boat addresses Lowcountry Ferry compliance with the countys contract, the service providers legal issues are far from over. A letter dated Aug. 2, from Disability Rights South Carolina states that Beaufort County is failing to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Namely, problems with accessibility to the boat, lack of assistance for disabled passengers, inadequate vessel capacity and unsafe conditions.

These deficiencies continue to challenge the lives and livelihoods of people with disabilities who live on the Island, their family members and personal aides as well as tourists who are disabled, or prohibit them from using the public ferry system, the letter reads.

If Beaufort County does not address these issues, the DRSC letter makes it clear that litigation will follow. However, the letter states their willingness to avoid litigation by reaching a settlement with the county.

County Administrator Michael Moore previously said he wished to avoid the situation going to court and was looking into those concerns. Moore said that Turner was doing what he can to resolve all of this, and has been receptive to making changes.
NILES, Ohio (WKBN)  A Niles man is facing a criminal charge, accused of leaving his dog alone in a home without access to food or water.

This 8-year-old dog now named Iggy is looking for a new home.

Iggy was found alone inside a house on Hyde Avenue on Sunday when a concerned neighbor called police.

The caller said no one had been at the house for at least a week, and the dog was frantically trying to get out.

When officers went to check, the house was vacant, except for the animal, and the animal was pretty skinny. House was a mess; animal waste was all over the house, said Niles Police Capt. John Marshall.

According to a police report, the dog didnt have access to food or water.

The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project took Iggy in.

I dont know what the solution is, but you know, our shelter is being overwhelmed with dogs that are not being taken care of, said Jason Cooke, of the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project.

The dogs owner, Dean Kirsch, is now facing a misdemeanor charge. Kirsch was issued a summons to appear in Niles Municipal Court Thursday morning.

If you are gonna leave, if youre not gonna be there to take care of your pet, even overnight, have a friend or family member take a look and make sure the animal is OK and has the things that it needs to be healthy, Marshall said.

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The Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other militants over the groups Oct. 7 attack on Israel, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Tuesday.

The charges, unsealed Tuesday, accuse Sinwar and other senior Hamas leaders of financing and directing a decades-long campaign to murder American citizens and endanger the security of the United States.

The criminal complaint, filed in federal court in New York City, includes seven counts, including charges of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, resulting in death.

In its attacks over the past three decades, Hamas has murdered or injured thousands of civilians, including dozens of American citizens, Garland said in a video announcement.

Garland zeroed in on Hamass Oct. 7 attacks, during which the group killed about 1,200 people  including more than 40 Americans. About 250 others were kidnapped and taken back to Gaza, including about a dozen Americans.

In the early morning hours of Oct. 7 last year, Hamas, led by these defendants, committed its most violent, large scale terrorist attack to date, he added. They perpetrated the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

The Oct. 7 assault sparked the nearly 11-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, during which Israel has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians and driven hundreds of thousands of civilians from their homes. Israeli leaders have remained steadfast in their goal of eliminating Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.

Garland said the unsealed charges are just one part of the DOJs efforts to target every aspect of Hamass operations.

These actions will not be our last. The Justice Department has a long memory. We will pursue the terrorists responsible for murdering Americans and those who illegally provide them with material support for the rest of their lives, he said.

Garland pointed to the recent deaths of six more 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.

Their deaths prompted massive protests across Israel this week, as pressure grows on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a cease-fire agreement with Hamas that would secure the release of the remaining hostages.

The charges come nearly a month after Sinwar was appointed as Hamass new leader following the assassination of top leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month. Sinwar is believed to be hiding in the vast tunnel network underneath Gaza.

Other Hamas leaders facing charges include Haniyeh; Marwan Issa, the deputy leader of Hamass armed bloc in Gaza who Israel claimed was killed in March; Khaled Mashal, a Haniyeh deputy and former Hamas leader; Mohammed Deif, the commander of the al-Qassam Brigades who is believed to have been killed in an Israeli airstrike in July; and Ali Baraka, Hamass head of national relations.

U.S. officials told The Associated Press at least one person, whom they did not name, is expected to be brought to New York for prosecution.

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GUIYANG, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Without a steering wheel nor rearview mirror, a driverless minibus drew quite a crowd at an expo in southwest China's Guizhou Province.

Robobus, the 6-seat minibus manufactured by a local company PIX Moving, has a panoramic window shape around the carriage that gives it a sense of high-tech and futuristic vibe.

The audience queued up to experience the digital future of smart transportation at the China International Big Data Industry Expo, which concluded last week in the provincial capital of Guiyang.

During the expo, the peculiar bus was used as public transportation on certain road sections.

Local citizen Wu Yun made such a special trip with her friends. She said she had a wonderful journey of "future travel."

"As soon as we got on the bus, soft music was played to greet us. The interior was very spacious and bright. The wide view through the panoramic window gave us an immersive trip of appreciating Guiyang's city scenery," Wu said.

The driverless bus flexibly avoided pedestrians and vehicles along the way, and reacted smoothly to the complex city road conditions, according to Wu. "Robobus turned science fiction into reality, presenting us a smarter and more convenient life."

Siddharth Suhas Pawar, an Indian mechanical engineer who has worked at PIX Moving for six years, witnessed the whole process of developing the Robobus from design to reality.

Siddharth came to Guiyang after obtaining his master's degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Michigan in 2018. "China's current autonomous driving technology is the most competitive one around the world, and China's manufacturing technologies of lithium batteries and automobiles are very mature."

Siddharth said that in the future, driving a car without autonomous driving technology is like riding a horse.

"We are currently developing a high-strength aluminum alloy smart chassis to make Robobus lighter and faster. We will continue to explore and develop new forms of Robobus with the help of new composite materials, and apply emerging technologies such as AI design and 3D printing," Siddharth added.

In the wave of digital transformation, Guizhou, known as China's "digital valley," is using its big data ecology and innovation capabilities to bring strong impetus into the global intelligent networked automobile manufacturing industry.

PIX Moving, among other local companies, has received many global orders with its autonomous driving vehicle solutions integrating both software and hardware.

Since its establishment in 2013, PIX Moving has sold its Robobus and other smart vehicle products to over 30 countries and regions such as Germany, United Arab Emirates, the United States, Britain, Japan and India, according to Li Yaling, the overseas marketing director.

"Our company has established in-depth cooperative relationships with many well-known enterprises and scientific research institutions in Germany," Li said, adding that PIX Moving has reached a cooperation with Japan's TIS INTEC Group and just established its first overseas robotic factory in Kanagawa to assemble vehicle parts. Besides, the Robobus project in Turin, Italy has entered the trial operation phase of commissioning and map collection.

"Guizhou provides us with a unique innovation environment and strong policy support, helping us to continue to accumulate advantages in the field of autonomous driving algorithm data. We hope that through continuous innovation, China's smart vehicle products will shine more brightly on the global stage," Li said. 
PANAMA CITY  A local family doesnt know where to go in the face of the scheduled demolition of their home by Bay County on Sept. 9.

Marcie Runyon lives with her adult son, boyfriend and five children in a mobile home off of North East Avenue in unincorporated Bay County. Runyon worked out a deal to purchase the home and the land over time from a friend, Pam Gunnels, in 2020. Although there was some damage from Hurricane Michael, she said she wasnt aware of some of the serious issues with the property.

Marcie Runyon holds her granddaughter in front of her mobile home, which is slated for demolition in Panama City.

Gunnels retained the deed while Runyon made the payments over time. But the property had problems with code enforcement starting as early as last year.

Runyon's adult daughter, Kayla Runyon, reached out to the News Herald concerned for her mother and the children in the home.

I dont think they like living in a small trailer with a bunch of family, but for many its their only solution, Kayla said. Everyone is already struggling and then [the county] is making them homeless. Then you arent even allowed to be homeless here, and there arent many shelters.

Documents provided by Bay County show photos of the house before a sweep of the yard when junk was strewn about, which Marcie said was there when she moved in. In photos provided later in the year, the clutter was mostly gone. There was a separate issue with a cap missing from a sewer line, which Marcie said she fixed within the deadline provided by the county. Theres visible damage to the interior and roof along with other issues highlighted in code enforcements documentation.

I planned on fixing the issues with the house. I thought that code enforcement had closed their case. They saw we were making improvements, Marcie said. Back then, it wasnt a big deal, they werent tearing the house down or anything. They just wanted to get the junk cleaned up.

The current issue that prompted the county to mark the home for demolition was the structures integrity. The order issued in May gave Gunnels, not Marcie, 30 days to create a plan to repair the home.

"There is so much damage to the home that no one would do the work and [the Runyons] have no money," Gunnels said. She advised the county in April that she would prefer to have the home demolished. "The property is still in my name. I pay the taxes and the all the costs for the demolition go to the taxes."

Children's toys sit outside of a mobile home slated for demolition in Panama City.

If I knew what I had to do to fix this place I wouldve tried to do that, but I really couldnt understand from the paperwork, Marcie said. The [county] guy told me no roofer will repair the roof, because theyd have to get a permit and they dont issue permits for these old trailers. Everything needed to be licensed, you cant do it yourself.

All of this is complicated by a legal dispute between the property owner and Marcie as Gunnels retained the deed. Gunnels claimed breach of contract for non-payment. Both dispute the amount of and how many payments were made. The judge ordered Marcie to pay the amount was past due. The condition of the property didn't influence the decision, and the court documents say the sale of the property was as-is.

"I did have a good relationship with [Marcie]. I feel sorry for all those kids, it's not their fault they live with a house full of non-workers," Gunnels said. She said they haven't made a payment since December 2022, which the Runyons dispute. They also say they've done work on Gunnels' property that was supposed to go toward the payments.

The judge on the case said Marcie can sell the land and use the payment to settle the amount owed. The Runyons say there is a lien on the property and they can't sell it, and they will have to go back to court.

The county doesnt recognize me as anything other than a tenant, she said. They never gave me any options, I wouldve liked to be the one who got the paperwork and got to go talk to the judge.

Valerie Sale, Bay County's chief communications officer, said that because Gunnels was the property owner of record, only she would have received correspondence. She said the code enforcement hearings were posted on the property. A photo from May shows a posting in the yard.

The only document related to the code enforcement case provided by the county with Marcies name is from the abated sewer issue in May from the Florida Department of Health.

Kayla said Marcie and her boyfriend work seasonal jobs doing construction, maintenance and cleaning to pay bills around the house. She said she doesnt think they could afford to pay for the associated costs of moving into a new place.

I dont know what were going to do, Marcie said. I dont have anywhere else to go. Everything around here is expensive. We have a lot of people, its not just me.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Family with nowhere to go as Bay County plans demolition of their home
Dothan woman sentenced to federal prison for her part in COVID-19 unemployment scam

DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN)  A Dothan woman has been ordered to spend a little over five years in federal prison after attorneys say she admitted to swindling the state out of nearly $200,000 in an unemployment scam.

Sommer Le Morris, 47, was sentenced on Wednesday, September 4, to 65 months. In late May 2024, she pled guilty to mail fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft charges.

According to U.S. Attorneys, from March 2020 to February 2021, Morris filed partial claims for 15 people, stating they were entitled to unemployment benefits through the CARES Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

In her plea agreement, Morris admitted using others names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers.

Attorneys say that based on these false claims, the Alabama Department of Labor made significant payments, some through wire transfers, totaling over $186,000 to Morris and others.

Employers could file a partial claim for their employees temporarily laid off during the pandemic.

Along with her sentence, a federal judge ordered Morris to pay back $186,478 to the Alabama Department of Labor. Following her release, Morris will be under supervision for three years.

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BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  The suspect in Mondays deadly shooting in downtown Panama City is being held without bond.

38-year-old Demarcus Lykes appeared before Judge William Dyer Tuesday morning for a bond hearing on murder charges.

Panama City Police said Lykes pulled his SUV into the parking lot near Hotel Indigo a little after 8:00 Monday morning.

They say Lykes got out and shot 42-year-old Berris McNamee with an AR-style rifle and a handgun. McNamee died at the scene.

One dead, one behind bars after downtown Panama City shooting

Lykes drove away and wound up at the industrial park in Lynn Haven. Police finally arrested him after a stand-off that lasted for several hours. Both men are from Columbus Georgia.

Police believe Lykes knew McNamee and Lykes apparently had no record prior to the shooting.

I certainly know that you dont have any history, but an open count of murder, and its not like you are a lifetime resident of Bay County that we wouldnt know for sure where you are at all times. Im gonna deny the defenses request for bond on you.

Although police believe Lykes knew McNamee, they have yet to release a motive for the shooting. They also havent said how this tragedy traveled from Columbus, Georgia, to unfold here in Panama City.

Lykes will remain in the Bay County Jail, charged with an open count of murder.

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Downtown St. Cloud coffee drinkers might have to look for a new alternative as Oblivion Coffee Bar & Mercantile permanently closed its doors Friday.

After a year, the business has called it quits, putting a sign on its door and posting on Facebook and its website.

"We want to extend our deepest gratitude for your incredible support, loyalty and for being an essential part of our journey," the website said to its customers.

The coffee shop, which presented an ornate and cozy atmosphere, served a variety of drinks.

"This decision wasnt easy, and from the pit of my heavy heart, we say goodbye," the business wrote on Facebook. "We want to extend our deepest gratitude for your incredible support and loyalty and for making our shop a cherished part of the downtown St. Cloud community. It has been a joy to serve you, share smiles, share laughs, and create countless memories over our love for a great cup of coffee."

Owner Hailey Koep spoke about what prompted her to close on a Facebook post. She said she had several problems with the building, saying "it really sucked me dry since the beginning, and we haven't been able to recover."

From funeral parlor to coffee house

Inside Oblivion Coffee Bar & Mercantile in downtown St. Cloud.

In 1881, Arnold Daniel opened a furniture store in downtown St. Cloud. This enterprising German immigrant, who had made his living as a shipbuilder and cabinet maker, decided to try his hand at caskets. Five years later, he graduated from the Champion College of Embalming in St. Paul  ready to continue his new-found profession.

Daniel, a successful business person, built a three-story furniture building at 11-13 Seventh Ave. N. in 1911. Twenty-one years later, the Daniel family started the first funeral home in St. Cloud at 27 Seventh Ave. N.  that a little less than a century later became Oblivion Coffee Bar & Mercantile. This ornate location, which was built in 1910, is a little more than 6,000 square feet, equally divided between upstairs and downstairs.

Daniel Funeral Home is now five generations strong and has parlors in five cities in central Minnesota.

Inside Oblivion Coffee Bar & Mercantile in downtown St. Cloud.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Oblivion Coffee Bar & Mercantile in downtown St. Cloud closes
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  Downtown Wichita Falls Development is another non-profit that could use your help during Texoma Gives.

Executive Director Jana Schmader said that in efforts to revitalize downtown even more than they have already, theyve got their eyes set on some new plants with a big purpose.

Theyve brought in new trashcans, bike racks, and lighting, and now officials with Downtown Wichita Falls Development are looking to grow downtown by adding things that grow.

Explore Comanche culture at the Red River Art & Music Festival

We are raising funds to add some planters in the downtown area with Texas native plants just adding a little bit more greenery, a little bit more color and flowers, which also adds to the overall ecosystem in downtown, Schmader said.

An idea Schmader said they got after visiting cities similar to Wichita Falls.

So throughout the cities that we visit, we go see their beautiful spaces, but we now have the opportunity to provide that same kind of aesthetic right here in our own hometown, Schmader said.

Schmader said the plants will not only be aesthetically pleasing but also have several other benefits for the area.

We are really trying to make this project eco-friendly, pollinator-friendly, and local business-friendly, so were sourcing with a lot of our local nurseries as well as some compost that were getting with a small business of ours so from the planters themselves to the plants to the overall project were just really putting it out there that were making this as eco-friendly as possible, Schmader said.

In hopes that downtown will blossom into an area enjoyed by families near and far for years to come, check out the Downtown Wichita Falls Development website for more information.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Five people are recovering from a shooting over the weekend in Dayton that led a group of injured individuals to a local hospital.

Investigators say the incident occurred near an after-hours liquor establishment. Three days later, theyre still on the lookout for the shooter.

Dayton Police say five people ranging in age from 21 to 36 were shot, some of them several times. However, none of them were at the scene when officers responded to the call. Evidence of a violent crime was present at the scene, including shell casings.

Local school district speaks on staff training, firearm access

About an hour after later, police say five people showed up at Miami Valley Hospital with gunshot wounds. All of those injured are expected to recover.

Police later learned one shooter was involved, though they have not yet been identified. They say witnesses can play a key role in locating the suspect.

We know there were people there besides our victims who knew what happened. We realize this is an illegal establishment. But really our goal here is to bring the person who fired this many shots into a crowd to justice, said Major Brian Johns with the Dayton Police Department.

Anonymous tips can be left online, or submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 222-stop.

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The number of lives touched by Dr. Lucille Garber Ford, Ph.D., are as countless as the number of community projects with which she was involved.

The lecturer, political activist, university educator, community leader and trailblazer, as well as someone who put God and family first in her life many ways Ford is remembered. A lifelong resident and pioneering spirit of Ashland, shed died Monday, Sept. 2, at 102 years of age.

She and her husband, Laurence Ford, ran the A.L. Garber Co. as a family business until the 1960s. Lucille Ford then received a Ph.D. in economics from Case Western Reserve University and began a career at Ashland University as professor, dean and provost for 30 years. She received a master of arts degree from Ashland Theological Seminary and Honorary Doctorates from Ashland University and Tarkio College.

Instructed more than 3,000 students at Ashland University

Lucille Ford talks with her with her successor and current Ashland County Community Foundatio President/CEO Jim Cutright during the dedication of Foundation Plaza in downtown Ashland. It has been very daunting to be her immediate successor, as she left some big shoes to fill, but also extremely rewarding and a great honor, as we stand on her shoulders to reach new heights, Cutright says.

She instructed more than 3,000 students, was instrumental in creating the Gill Center for Business and Education and received many awards throughout her AU career, including the Ashland University Glenn L. Clayton Award. She and her husband were even honored with a lecture series at the university.

By 1986, she was named vice president of academic affairs, followed by provost in 1990. Under her guidance, the nursing program, Writing Center, honors program and many other academic activities were revised or introduced at AU.

After retiring in 1995 from a position supporting the AU president, Ford served as a member of the Ashland University Board of Trustees, chairing its $55 million Building on Strength capital campaign, which concluded in 2002 and exceeded its goal by $4 million.

Dr. Lucille Ford was beloved by generations of students and colleagues, AU President Jon Parrish Peede said. One cannot tell the story of our great university and its achievements without including her inspiring leadership. She has left a lasting legacy of faith and service.

Dr. Fords many years of service as a faculty member, mentor to students and university leader solidified her remarkable legacy at Ashland University, added Chair of the AU Board of Trustees Jim Hess. If there was a Mount Rushmore for AU, Dr. Ford would certainly be on it.

Lucille Ford's Community Foundation legacy

After her retirement, Ford founded the Ashland County Community Foundation in 1995 and served as founding president for 17 years. She spearheaded efforts to start the foundation after a strategic plan commissioned by the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce identified creation of a foundation as an opportunity to strengthen the city.

While most community foundations are established with one or more major gifts from wealthy donors, ACCF began with no money at all. Ford used her reputation and persuasive skill to convince local nonprofit organizations and individuals to invest with ACCF when it was still new and unproven, and she volunteered her time as the organizations leader for 17 years  all without taking a dime.

Dr. Lucille Ford was beloved by generations of students and colleagues, says Ashland University President Jon Parrish Peede.

I was always in awe of her and had tremendous admiration and respect for her as a person and as a leader, ACCF President/CEO Jim Cutright said. It has been very daunting to be her immediate successor, as she left some big shoes to fill, but also extremely rewarding and a great honor, as we stand on her shoulders to reach new heights.

Chief Operating Officer Kristin Aspin, the foundations first and longest-serving employee, described Fords unique ability to connect people, ideas, entities and resources in ways that made things happen.

Had she not been the one leading the charge to create this foundation, it wouldnt have been created when it was created, and it wouldnt have been as successful right out of the gate as it was, Aspin said. It was her leadership, her connections, her vision and her passion. She loved Ashland and wanted to see it thrive. She was a big believer that you need to be philanthropic and you need to give back.

Ashland County Community Foundation Chief Operating Officer Kristin Aspin, left, stands with Lucille Ford at the Foundation office. Had she not been the one leading the charge to create this foundation, it wouldnt have been created when it was created, and it wouldnt have been as successful right out of the gate as it was, Aspin says.

Though the loss of Fords physical presence is deeply felt, her legacy will live on through the seeds she planted here at Ashland County Community Foundation. Her passion for making Ashland County a better place to live and work will continue to inspire current and future leaders of ACCF.

Achievements, awards, recognitions, funeral service details

In 1978, Ford was the first woman to be on the primary ticket for lieutenant governor of the State of Ohio. She was inducted to the Ohio Womens Hall of Fame, Ashland High School Distinguished Alumni, Ashland Woman of Achievement, Ashland Chamber of Commerce Awards, Ohio Lifetime Philanthropic Award, Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, the Northern Ohio Workers Alliance Award, the Hall of Excellence Award from North Central State College, and the Ashland University Glenn L. Clayton Award.

Dr. Lucille Ford

Ashland University alumni Dr. Peter and Kathy Linneman honored her and her husband with a lecture series, and Fred Broad honored her with a scholarship named for her and John Fraas. Ashland County Community Foundation Womens Fund honored her with the Freedom from Selfishness Award.

Ford was the grand marshal for the Ashland 2014 bicentennial parade. She was chair of the first Kroc Center Building campaign and a recent Ashland University campaign. She was a lifelong member of Ashland First Presbyterian Church and served as an elder and Stephen Ministry director. She and her husband enjoyed the potluck couples group and their travels for many decades. She enjoyed summers at Lake Erie with her family and friends.

Her parent were Ora Myers Garber and Edna Armstrong Garber. She is survived by her daughters, Karen Ford and JoAnn Ford Watson (Duane Watson); her grandchildren, Christina Weaver (Sam Weaver) and Sean DeLong; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church, 320 Church St, Ashland.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be given to the Ashland County Community Foundation, 300 College Ave., Ashland 44805, to be given to her funds for the benefit of Ashland University.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Lucille Ford blazed a trail in Ashland education and community service
In this file photo, Dr. Ryan Cole speaks during a panel discussion titled "COVID 19: A Second Opinion" in the Kennedy Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Jan. 24, 2022, in Washington, D.C. The panel featured scientists and doctors who have been criticized for expressing skepticism about COVID-19 vaccines and for promoting the use of unproven medications for treatment of the disease. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Editors note: This story was updated at 5:40 p.m. with a statement from Ada Countys communications manager.

Idaho pathologist Dr. Ryan Cole  who serves as the physician representative on a Treasure Valley-area public health agencys board  has reinstated his lapsed Idaho medical license.

Since 2021, Cole has served on the Central District Health Board of Health, which directs Idahos largest regional public health department.

Idaho law requires public health districts to have a licensed physician on their boards.

Coles license was listed as lapsed as late as 3 p.m. Wednesday, Idaho Board of Medicine records show. But by 4 p.m., his license was listed as active.

The Idaho Press first reported on Coles Idaho medical license lapsing. Central District Health first found out about Coles lapsed license when the Idaho Press reached out last week, district spokesperson Maria Ortega told the Idaho Capital Sun in an email.

Upon learning that Dr. Coles medical license had lapsed the board reached out to Dr. Cole. Dr. Cole realized it was an oversight and provided the appropriate materials and documentation, Ada County Communications Manager Elizabeth Duncan told the Sun in a statement late Wednesday afternoon. His license is now active. We are happy this was resolved quickly.

Cole could apply to renew his license for two years for $300 in fees, Idaho Board of Medicine spokesperson Bob McLaughlin told the Sun on Wednesday morning.

Since January, Coles medical license has been restricted in the state of Washington. That decision came after regulators found he shared COVID-19 disinformation and broke medical standards by virtually prescribing ivermectin to COVID patients, against medical practice, the Sun reported.

Lapsed medical license could have affected Coles position on Central District Health board

But before Coles license was renewed, officials were mulling how his license lapse affected his health district board position.

Its up to Ada Countys Board of Commissioners  who initially appointed Cole  to decide whether he remains, Central District Health board chair Elt Hasbrouck told the Sun in an interview midday Wednesday.

We have notified the Ada County commissioners, Commissioner Rod Beck that their person that serves on the board as the doctor is no longer eligible, Hasbrouck said. It is up to them to see what they want to do.

Cole is still showing up to meetings. Hes still being involved. Hes got some good ideas, and good talent, Hasbrouck added.

One  member of the district board, if available to serve, shall be a physician licensed by the Idaho state board of medicine, Idaho law says.

Its up to commissioners in the four counties that Central District Health serves to decide whether that is Dr. Cole or a different (Board of Health) member, not Central District Health, Ortega said early Wednesday afternoon.

Central District Health serves four counties  Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley.

Cole could not be immediately reached for comment.

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How was Cole appointed to the Central District Health board?

Cole has served on the Central District Health board since 2021. He was initially appointed in a 2-1 vote by Ada County Commissioners Rod Beck and Ryan Davidson. Coles appointment was later confirmed by county commissioners in the health district.

Its usually up to the larger counties in health districts to find physician representatives for the health district board, said Hasbrouck, a commissioner in rural Valley County, Idahos fifth geographically largest county home to less than 12,000 people.

Its really hard in all the other smaller counties to get a doctor. So, its always kind of come from Ada County, because theyre the biggest county in our district, he said.

Coles term on the health district board expires June 2026.

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Central District Healths board bylaws say that board appointments must be confirmed by a majority vote of commissioners in counties that the district serves. The county commissioner boards fill vacancies acting jointly, the health boards bylaws say.

Based on the health boards bylaws, Ortega said, it is my understanding that all commissioners confirm jointly the (Board of Health) members, although each county appoints their own members.

The Central District Health boards next scheduled meeting is Oct. 18.

Cole could be removed from the Central District Health board if a majority of county commissioners in the district vote for it, the boards bylaws say. Board members may also resign.

What is a lapsed Idaho medical license?

A lapsed license means that the window to renew the license has passed, and the license is out of compliance, according to the website for the Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses, which the Idaho Board of Medicine is a part of.

Reinstating a lapsed license requires that physicians answer questions related to the application process, and pay $300 in fees, including $100 in reinstatement and $200 for license renewals. The license renewal would last for two years, McLaughlin told the Sun in an email.

After five years with lapsed Idaho medical licenses, those medical licenses expire, and physicians must submit a new license application.

Cole also let his Idaho medical license lapse June 30, 2023, for just over two weeks, McLaughlin told the Sun.

Has the Idaho Board of Medicine investigated Coles medical license?

Coles Idaho medical license was first issued in September 2003, Idaho Board of Medicine records show.

Following Coles medical license restriction in Washington, Idaho Board of Medicine spokesperson McLaughlin has declined to say if Coles Idaho medical license is under investigation, saying hes unable to address questions about specific licensed providers unless theyve received formal discipline in Idaho.

But generally, the Idaho Board of Medicine can adopt another jurisdictions order  or impose its own order  when that licensed provider is disciplined elsewhere on grounds that apply under Idaho law, McLaughlin said. The Idaho Board of Medicine can also choose not to pursue disciplinary action in response to discipline in other states.

Action taken against an Idaho doctors medical license would show on their license record, McLaughlin said.

The Idaho Board of Medicine previously closed a complaint into Coles Idaho medical license without looking into patient records, the Sun previously reported.

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Warmer and drier weather continues through Wednesday across New Mexico. A cold front will bring in higher chances for rain on Thursday.

A warming trend has started today across New Mexico with temperatures climbing back closer to normal for this time of year this afternoon. However, this was after some in the northern mountains and Estancia Valley woke up to temperatures in the 30s! Clouds have been lingering today still in southeast New Mexico, while a few isolated showers and been developing across the northern mountains and southwest Colorado, but these showers are staying in the higher elevations. It will be another cool night across central and northern parts of the state, but low temperatures should be a couple degrees warmer compared to today.

Wednesday will be a warmer day across the state again, with highs climbing into the 90s around the Albuquerque Metro. A few isolated showers will return to the southwest Colorado mountains and northern mountains in New Mexico, while sunshine will return to the southeast part of the state.

By Wednesday night, a backdoor front will be moving into New Mexico from the northeast. This weak cold front will bring a very slight cool down starting Thursday, but also an increase in moisture across the state. Isolated afternoon storm chances will return to the entire eastern half of New Mexico Thursday afternoon, with a very isolated storm chance in the Rio Grande Valley. A couple stronger storms capable of heavy rainfall will be possible in the northern mountains. By Friday, drier air will already begin to move into northern New Mexico, shifting isolated afternoon rain chances into southeast New Mexico and the Gila.

Warmer weather will return again starting this weekend. Spotty afternoon storms will still be possible, but mainly over the mountains. There will be a slightly better chance for storms Sunday afternoon.

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Citizens, even in highly developed countries, appear to be lacking trust in the quality of drinking water, according to new research coming as San Francisco water has been associated with health risks. Felix Kastle/dpa

At the height of the 1960s 'flower power' hippy era, visitors to San Francisco were encouraged, in a number one hit song, to "wear some flowers in your hair."

A half-century later, visitors would be better advised to bring drinking water, after the publication of test results indicating that all the citys supply is likely unfit for consumption.

It's not the only place concerned about the state of drinking water, and a recent survey analysis shows more than half the worlds people expect their drinking water will make them ill.

"Samples from bottled water, tap water and household-treated tap water in San Francisco Bay Area indicate that all sources may have potential health risks," according to the scientists who did the tests, the results of which were published in the journal PLOS Water.

The team, from Berkely-based environmental testing business SimpleLab and Case Western University in Ohio, said that water quality and safety are dropping due to old and poorly maintained infrastructure, climate change and bad governance.

The San Francisco findings follow the separate findings on widespread fears over water quality. Distrust of water supply appear to be highest in countries where corruption and political mismanagement have separately been measured as relatively high.

Published in late August in the journal Nature Communications the research was based on a 2019 poll of almost 150,000 people in 141 countries.

"Our analysis shows that citizens in even highly developed countries such as Sweden worry about water related harms and this worry seems to be linked to declining trust in water management and public health protection institutions," said Chad Staddon of the University of West England Bristol, who with researchers from Northwestern University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"In the absence of reliable access to trusted information about water safety, individuals primarily make decisions about water use based on their perceptions and past experience," the team said.
HANOI, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam welcomed over 3 million domestic and international visitors during the National Day holiday from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3, 20 percent higher than in last year, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

The average accommodation occupation rate reached 56 percent during the holiday, an increase of 1.85 percent compared to the same period last year.

The rate reached over 60 percent on Sept. 1 and 2, Vietnam News Agency reported Wednesday.

The number of overseas visitors increased, mostly from the Republic of Korea, the Chinese mainland, China's Taiwan, India, Europe and the United States with an average stay of four to five nights.

The central city of Da Nang, the capital Hanoi and central province of Khanh Hoa were the most chosen destinations of overseas tourists, according to the authority. 
Driver allegedly stopped by police for going 57 MPH in Enfield school zone

ENFIELD, Conn. (WWLP)  The Enfield Police are urging drivers to slow down in school zones as students head back to school.

According to the Enfield Police Department, the traffic unit was conducting speed enforcement at the Henry Barnard Elementary on Shaker Road. An officer pulled over a driver after allegedly going 57 MPH in a 35 MPH school zone.

School bus company to pay over $1 million for excessive idling in Holyoke

Due to the excessive speed, the police say that the driver might not have time to stop adequately if a child ever entered the roadway.

Tractor-trailer passes school bus

On Tuesday, a tractor-trailer was stopped by police on Elm Street for allegedly passing a school bus with its lights and signals on. Police say the truck was also unregistered. The fine for passing a school bus in Connecticut is $475.

Enfield Police Department

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ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis County man was found guilty on Tuesday for a fatal crash that claimed the lives of his ex-girlfriend and her toddler daughter.

According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Departments probable cause statement, the crash happened just after midnight on March 6, 2021, at Halls Ferry Circle in the Baden neighborhood.

Police said Carlas Closson Jr., 31, was driving a 2006 PT Cruiser southbound on Lewis and Clark Boulevard at speeds of more than 60 miles per hour while approaching the traffic circle. The listed speed limit is 25 miles per hour.

Closson didnt stop at the stop sign and struck the curb surrounding the grass median on the inside of Halls Ferry Circle. The car went airborne and hit two trees within the circle.

There were two passengers in the car with Closson: Domonique Hicks and her 1-year-old daughter, Damonnie.

Domonique was rushed to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. She was 28.

Damonnie, who police said was in an improperly buckled car seat, died at the hospital days later.

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Clossons drivers license was suspended at the time of the crash. The PT Cruiser belonged to Domonique Hicks.

Police said Closson initially claimed he crashed because he was distracted while reaching for cigarettes that hed dropped on the vehicles floorboard.

However, the victims relatives said Hicks and Closson had broken up just days before the crash. Police said text messages retrieved from Domoniques cell phone confirmed the breakup happened on Feb. 20, 2021.

A witness had told police that hed been with Closson and Hicks on the day of the crash and that the two got into a heated argument, with Closson threatening to crash their vehicle.

At the time, the St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office charged Closson with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action.

But after a bench trial on August 14, a circuit court judge found Closson not guilty of the two counts for armed criminal action. The same judge convicted Closson on Tuesday of two counts of second-degree involuntary manslaughter.

Closson will be sentenced on October 24.

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FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A driver is now hospitalized after firefighters say they crashed with a water department utility box in Fresno on Tuesday.

The Fresno Fire Department says the incident took place around 8 a.m. in the area of Hughes Avenue just south of Nielsen Avenue.

Fire officials say the collision caused damage to the box and valve inside, resulting in water shooting several feet in the air. The driver involved in this incident was hospitalized as a result of the crash.

Because of this incident, the Fresno Fire Department advises residents to slow down and drive safely. The status of the driver is unknown at this time.

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Driver hospitalized after crash into creek near Holland

HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  One person was seriously injured after crashing into a creek north of Holland Wednesday afternoon, deputies say.

The single-car crash happened around 2:30 p.m. on Felch Street near Beeline Road in Holland Township.

The Ottawa County Sheriffs Office says the car left the road and landed on its side in the creek. Deputies pulled the driver from the vehicle. The driver was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries, deputies said.

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Its not yet clear what caused the crash. The intersection of Felch and Beeline was closed while authorities were on the scene investigating.

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Drought forces Kenya's Maasai and other cattle herders to consider fish and camels

Abdullahi Mohamud, a herder, looks after his camels near a water point in Lekiji Village, Laikipia County, Kenya, on Friday, July 26, 2024. A recent yearslong drought in Kenya killed millions of livestock and has forced Kenya's Maasai and other herders to look beyond cattle. (AP Photo/Desmond Tiro)

KAJIADO, Kenya (AP)  The blood, milk and meat of cattle have long been staple foods for Maasai pastoralists in Kenya, perhaps the country's most recognizable community. But climate change is forcing the Maasai to contemplate a very different dish: fish.

A recent yearslong drought in Kenya killed millions of livestock. While Maasai elders hope the troubles are temporary and they will be able to resume traditional lives as herders, some are adjusting to a kind of food they had never learned to enjoy.

Fish were long viewed as part of the snake family due to their shape, and thus inedible. Their smell had been unpleasant and odd to the Maasai, who call semi-arid areas home.

We never used to live near lakes and oceans, so fish was very foreign for us," said Maasai Council of Elders chair Kelena ole Nchoi. We grew up seeing our elders eat cows and goats.

Among the Maasai and other pastoralists in Kenya and wider East Africa  like the Samburu, Somali and Borana  cattle are also a status symbol, a source of wealth and part of key cultural events like marriages as part of dowries.

But the prolonged drought in much of East Africa left carcasses of emaciated cattle strewn across vast dry lands. In early 2023, the Kenya National Drought Management Authority said 2.6 million livestock had died, with an estimated value of 226 billion Kenya shillings ($1.75 billion).

Meanwhile, increasing urbanization and a growing population have reduced available grazing land, forcing pastoralists to adopt new ways to survive.

In Kajiado county near Kenya's capital, Nairobi, the local government is supporting fish farming projects for pastoralists  and encouraging them to eat fish, too.

Like many other Maasai women, Charity Oltinki previously engaged in beadwork and her husband was in charge of the family's herd. But the drought killed almost 100 of their cows, and only 50 sheep of their 300-strong flock survived.

The lands were left bare, with nothing for the cows to graze on," Oltinki said. So I decided to set aside a piece of land to rear fish and monitor how they would perform.

The county government supplied her with pond liners, tilapia fish fingerlings and some feed. Using her savings from membership in a cooperative society, Oltinki secured a loan and had a well dug to ease the challenge of water scarcity.

After six months, the first batch of hundreds of fish was harvested, with the largest selling for up to 300 Kenyan shillings each ($2.30).

Another member of the Maasai community in Kajiado, Philipa Leiyan, started farming fish in addition to keeping livestock.

When the county government introduced us to this fish farming project, we gladly received it because we considered it as an alternative source of livelihood," Leiyan said.

The Kajiado governments initiative started in 2014 and currently works with 600 pastoralists to help diversify their incomes and provide a buffer against the effects of climate change. There was initial reluctance, but the number of participants has grown from about 250 before the drought began in 2022.

The program has seen some importance, said Benson Siangot, director of fisheries in Kajiado county, adding that it also addresses issues of food insecurity and malnutrition.

The Maasai share their love for cattle with the Samburu, an ethnic group that lives in arid and semi-arid areas of northern Kenya and speaks a dialect of the Maa language that the Maasai speak.

The recent drought has forced the Samburu to look beyond cattle, too  to camels.

In Lekiji village, Abdulahi Mohamud now looks after 20 camels. The 65-year-old father of 15 lost his 30 cattle during the drought and decided to try an animal more suited to long dry spells.

Camels are easier to rear as they primarily feed on shrubs and can survive in harsher conditions," he said. When the pasture dries out, all the cattle die.

According to Mohamud, a small camel can be bought for 80,000 to 100,000 Kenyan shillings ($600 to $770) while the price of a cow ranges from 20,000 to 40,000 ($154 to $300).

He saw the camel's resilience as worth the investment.

In a vast grazing area near Mohamud, 26-year-old Musalia Piti looked after his fathers 60 camels. The family lost 50 cattle during the drought and decided to invest in camels that they can sell whenever they need cattle for traditional ceremonies. Cows among the Samburu are used for dowries.

You have to do whatever it takes to find cattle for wedding ceremonies, even though our herds may be smaller nowadays," said Lesian Ole Sempere, a 59-year-old Samburu elder. Offering a cow as a gift to a prospective bride's parents encourages them to declare their daughter as your official wife, he said.

___

Tiro reported from Samburu county, Kenya, and Musambi from Nairobi, Kenya.

___

For more on Africa and development: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-pulse

___

The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Drug ring had long history of moving meth to WA, feds say. Its leader lived in Lakewood

A 37-year-old Lakewood man described by federal prosecutors as the leader of a drug-trafficking organization with a decade-long history of moving methamphetamine into Washington has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

Jesus Venegas-Gatica was one of five people who faced drug-trafficking charges for their roles in the organization, which, according to court records in U.S. District Court, was responsible for moving and distributing 20-25 kilograms (44 to 55 pounds) of meth to the state each month through a series of redistributors.

Venegas-Gatica pleaded guilty April 26 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, court records show. On Friday, Judge David Estudillo in Tacoma sentenced the defendant to 97 months.

Jesus Venegas-Gatica. U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington

Prosecutors said the ring, which was run by the Venegas-Gatica family, trafficked large amounts of meth into Washington since at least 2012. After investigators seized 70 pounds of meth, firearms and $120,000 in drug money from various members of the organization in 2013, prosecutors said Venegas-Gatica laid low for several months before continuing to distribute narcotics under a different name.

In early 2022, Drug Enforcement Administration agents learned through confidential sources that Venegas-Gatica and others had restarted the trafficking enterprise, according to a sentencing memorandum. When Venegas-Gatica and his four co-defendants were indicted in June 2023, prosecutors alleged that the defendants conducted large-scale meth deals in Pierce, Thurston, Lewis, Cowlitz and Grays Harbor counties.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Dillon wrote in court records that Venegas-Gatica had chosen to profit off the addiction, pain and suffering of others despite clear risks to the community and his customers.

Drug addiction is a growing problem in this country, which destroys the lives of not only those who use them, but also their families and friends who are stuck as prisoners, forced to watch the toll these drugs take on their sons, daughters, parents, or friends, Dillon wrote.

Courier brought meth to WA on Amtrak

After investigators learned that the drug ring was active again, DEA agents tracked Venegas-Gatica and his sister to a hotel in Stockholm, California. On March 30, 2022, the defendant met with a supplier and packed 25 kilograms of meth into two suitcases.

He then paid a courier $400 to move the drugs to Washington on an Amtrak train. The transport was thwarted by law enforcement, which seized the suitcases at a train station in Kelso.

Bags of methamphetamine lie on a table in an undated photo provided by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Washington. U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington.

In May 2022, Venegas-Gatica sent money to California for another large shipment of methamphetamine. Prosecutors said a courier delivered 20 kilograms of meth to the defendant for $3,800 on May 10. One kilogram was sold to a local drug dealer, three kilograms went to one of Venegas-Gaticas redistributors, and he kept the rest to sell for profit.

The day after the delivery, investigators served a search warrant on an apartment where the defendant had been living, near Steilacoom Boulevard Southwest and 88th Street Court West. Inside, law enforcement found the remaining 16 kilograms (35 pounds) of meth inside a suitcase.

Venegas-Gaticas prison sentence was the lengthiest of the five defendants sentenced as part of the organization. The defendants brother, Jose Venegas-Gatica, 36, pleaded guilty April 26 to distribution of a controlled substance. He was described as a dispatcher who organized drug deals and insulated his brother from detection by law enforcement. He was sentenced July 11 to about seven years in prison.

Two men who worked as redistributors, Cristobal Venegas-Diaz, of Centralia, and Juan Tolentino-Chino, of Astoria, Oregon, pleaded guilty to distribution charges in 2023. Venegas-Diaz was sentenced March 31, 2023 to six-and-a-half years in prison. Tolentino-Chino was sentenced July 7, 2023 to five years.

One man was sentenced to 15 months in prison for being a courier for the drug ring. Esteban Martinez-Ortiz, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty in December 2022 to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and was sentenced March 3, 2023.

Defense disputes leadership status

Venegas-Gaticas defense attorney, Bryan Hershman, an attorney based in Tacoma, contested that his client was a leader in the organization. He wrote in a sentencing memorandum that decisions on selling drugs and how to distribute them were shared among Venegas-Gatica and his co-conspirators.

Prosecutors said Venegas-Gatica admitted to having a commanding and controlling role in the organization, but Hershman argued that the defendant didnt have control over his co-defendants, and there was no evidence he did recruitment or claimed a right to a larger share of the proceeds from their activities.

The nature of Mr. Venegas-Gaticas participation in the commission of the offense is not that of a leader casting orders with demanding influence, but rather partaking in the same conduct as his counterparts, who the Government mistakenly deem as under his control, Hershman wrote.

Ultimately, Estudillo found that Venegas-Gatica served in a leadership role and applied a related sentencing enhancement, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Washington.

The punishment Venegas-Gatica received was below the sentencing guideline range of about 21 to 27 years in prison. Prosecutors recommended the court impose a nine-year sentence, citing his lack of criminal convictions and his personal history of growing up in poverty with a physically abusive father.

Venegas-Gatica moved to Rochester, Washington at the age of 20, according to his defense attorney, after saving money to move to the United States for a better life. As a child, he had worked in fruit fields to help feed his family while also enduring domestic abuse at home. In Rochester, he worked in Christmas tree fields and later as a laborer.

Prosecutors were sympathetic to the challenges the defendant faced but wrote in court records that he had thrown away his opportunity to leave his life of poverty. According to the sentencing memo, Venegas-Gatica was caught with large amounts of meth several times but escaped prosecution by returning to Mexico.

At that time, he could have left his drug dealing ways behind. Instead, he returned under a false identity and continued to build his drug trafficking network, all while a fugitive from justice, Dillon wrote.
Asher Lepping, 2, was pronounced dead from his injuries at the hospital on Sept. 2, according to authorities.

Tavares Police Department; GoFundMe Joshua Aidan Montero (left) is charged with the felony DUI manslaughter of 2-year-old Asher Lepping (right).

A two-year-old Florida boy was killed when an alleged drunk driver struck and dragged the child with his vehicle, per police.

Joshua Aidan Montero, 19, is charged with felony DUI manslaughter, according to his online Lake County Circuit Court record.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Detective Courtney Sullivan called the Labor Day incident horrific and a careless and preventable act



A two-year-old riding his tricycle in a cul-de-sac of his gated Florida neighborhood met an untimely fate when a silver Toyota Tacoma piloted by an alleged drunk driver came barreling toward him, striking and pulling the child behind, according to authorities.

Krysten and Daniel Lepping began yelling at the driver, identified as Joshua Aidan Montero, 19, to slow down, per an arrest affidavit obtained by PEOPLE. Ultimately, the truck hit the child, dragging him several feet and leaving a trail of blood marks behind him around 7:15 p.m. local time on Monday, Sept. 2.

An Oak Bend neighbor conducted CPR on the toddler  identified in the arrest affidavit as Asher Lepping  but the child was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Montero is charged with felony DUI manslaughter, according to his online Lake County Circuit Court record.

GoFundMe Asher Lepping.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Detective Courtney Sullivan called the Labor Day incident horrific and a careless and preventable act.

Our agency is deeply saddened at the loss of this precious little boy, she said, adding, We hope that justice prevails for the little boys family. Our hearts go to his family during this heartbreaking time.

At the scene, Ashers mom told Tavares police officer C. Bannick, per a narrative of events in the probable cause affidavit, that she believed the vehicles front tire completely ran over her son.

Bannick alleged in the affidavit that while standing near Montero, who sat shirtless and barefoot in nothing but swimming trunks on the sidewalk, the strong odor of alcohol emitted from him.

In their conversation, the officer claimed the teen admitted to speeding at the time he struck the child, per the affidavit.

Sitting in the patrol car, the teen noted that he was spinning, according to Bannick.

Driving him to jail, Montero allegedly told the officer that he was drunk but not  in his words  drunk drunk or too drunk to drive, per the affidavit.

Tavares Police Department Joshua Aidan Montero in a mugshot, Sept. 2, 2024.

In two breath samples, he registered a .062 and .057, per the affidavit, which noted both numbers were over the legal limit as Joshua is under the legal age to drink alcohol.

When asked if he had been drinking, Montero allegedly first told investigators that he had had 15 cans of Michelob Ultra and then amended that number to three or four cans over a four-hour period at the beach earlier that day, per the affidavit.

Bannick also claimed in the affidavit that the teen admitted to recreational cocaine use, telling the officer that he had consumed two grams over the past two days but that he had not had any that day due to his girlfriend not allowing him to.

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The officer alleged in the affidavit that during the interview Joshua was repeatedly itching/ wiping his nose and repeatedly sniffing, which is common with the use of cocaine.

The teen  who is being held in the custody of the Lake County Sheriffs Office without bond  declined a public defender and a lawyer has not yet been assigned to him, according to his online court record. He is slated for arraignment at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 30.

In a GoFundMe started by a neighbor to the family, Annie Brown said a precious little boy had been taken away from his parents and sister all because a driver chose to show no respect for our quiet gated community and the precious children that live here.

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Read the original article on People.
An airplane takes off from Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Netherlands' Schiphol Airport, one of Europe's main aviation hubs, is likely to be allowed 475,000 to 480,000 flights annually, up from the previous target of 460,000 to 470,000, the Dutch government announced on Wednesday.

The European Commission's advice would be sought before a final decision, it added.

The previous government had estimated that a reduction to 460,000 to 470,000 was necessary to reduce noise pollution around Schiphol by 17%. But the current government said more detailed information recently provided by the sector showed this new target would be enough.

The revised flight cap is expected to take effect in November 2025.

Last week, Schiphol Airport announced plans to invest 6 billion euros ($6.65 billion) by 2029, marking the largest investment in its history. ($1 = 0.9025 euros)

(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout; Editing by Alex Richardson)
The Duval County School Board has unanimously voted to move forward on updates made to its ethics policies regarding teacher and student conduct.

The rules include how employees will be held accountable for inappropriate behavior with students.

Parents and school board members said they are happy to see changes, especially since Douglas Anderson School of the Arts has received a lot of attention for the removal of several teachers from the classroom.

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The most notable one is when former Douglas Anderson teacher, Jeffrey Clayton, was charged and convicted of sexual misconduct with a student.

I have an official term for this. Its called icky, Duval Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier said at the school board meeting. And when a parent or student or an adult or someone in the school feels like something just isnt right, youre better off reporting it than not.

Dr. Bernier credits the staff for helping create this policy.

The district made some revisions to the ethics policies last year in February shortly before Clayton was arrested last March. Now, after Tuesdays vote, there are new revisions.

Read: Neighbors call for action along dead mans curve after deadly crash in Oceanway

They include mandatory reporting of all district employees facing allegations or arrests of abuse, sexual crimes, or using illegal drugs. That includes both while on *and* off duty.

Anyone accused of misconduct would be put in another building away from students and placed on temporary duties during the investigation.

The school board members who spoke up in support of the revisions included Dr. Lori Hershey, Darryl Willie and Warren Jones.

Hopefully what happened in the past will hopefully not happen again in the future, Jones said.

The policies say the superintendent remains responsible for ensuring all applicable reports are made, including reports to the Department of Children and Families, the Florida Department of Education and law enforcement.

And, it defines how to mandate reporting and removal requirements of employees who are accused of affecting a students health, safety and welfare.

I applaud the district for rolling out the Know the Line campaign last week, parent Katie Hathaway said during public comment.

The district launched this campaign to allow people to report inappropriate behavior between students and teachers, and to educate the public about it safety concerns.

Parents say its been successful so far.

Know the Line is a step in the right direction from protecting Duval children from pedophiles, another parent said during public comment.

The campaign has already taken effect. Just last week, a Douglas Anderson teacher was removed from the classroom. The principal acted quickly after learning the teacher faced allegations for inappropriate communication with a student.

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Duval Countys School Board approved changing school district policies Tuesday night to tighten protections against sexual misconduct or child abuse involving district employees.

But school officials have been talking about controlling misconduct for more than a year, and another Douglas Anderson School of the Arts teacher was just reassigned last week as the district investigates claims of inappropriate communication with a student two school years ago.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

The scattered, incremental way information about misconduct claims trickles out can make it harder to keep each new piece of information in perspective.

For people trying to keep track, here are some key points about the school districts misconduct worries.

Police arrested Douglas Anderson School of the Arts teacher Jeffrey Clayton in March 2023 on charges involving a relationship with a student. Clayton was sentenced this year to 10 years in prison followed by three years on probation.

Lots of questions: Police want to ask 140 Douglas Anderson School of the Arts students about campus misconduct

What made teacher misconduct a big worry in Duval schools?

The March 2023 arrest of Jeffrey Clayton, a teacher at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, triggered a flood of complaints from parents, students and alumni that earlier reports about teachers were ignored.

Clayton was sentenced in June to 10 years in prison for breaking a state law against teachers having sexual conduct with students or seeking or engaging in romantic relationships. Several other Douglas Anderson teachers were pulled from classroom duties over misconduct claims and other complaints surfaced, some dating back years.

In June, then-Superintendent Dana Kriznar wrote to Douglas Anderson families that I am deeply sorry that we did not better protect our students from the actions of these predators.

How much does this happen?

Its definitely not just an issue at Douglas Anderson, but its hard to be sure how often this happens in other schools.

When Clayton was sentenced, his attorney filed a memo to the judge listing 22 similar cases around the state. Those included four since 2018 involving former teachers at First Coast and Ribault high schools, Landon Middle School and Duval Charter School at Mandarin as well as a fifth involving a former teacher at a private school in Jacksonville, New Beginnings Christian Academy. The list also included three former St. Johns County public school teachers.

Former Duval County Public School Superintendents Diana Greene, center, and Dana Kriznar, left, were side-by-side during a ribbon-cutting ceremony last month marking the opening of the new Highlands Estates Academy. Greene retired in 2023 and was succeeded by Kriznar, who was succeeded in July by Superintendent Christopher Bernier.

Who keeps track of these problems?

A state rule called the School Environmental Safety Incident Reporting system (SESIR) requires school districts to tell the Florida Department of Education about instances of dozens of kinds of teacher conduct problems, including sexual offenses.

But the state agency said it hadnt received anything about Clayton until after his arrest, despite the school district having investigated other complaints about his behavior years earlier.

Separately, in January the state sent the school district an inspector generals report that said in 2023 the district had filed reports about 73 other conduct issues  involving employees besides Clayton  that should have been reported as much as two years earlier.

Around 50 supporters of then-Superintendent Diana Greene rallied outside the Duval County school district's offices in April 2023 to speak about what was regarded as politicized efforts to removed her from her job.

Whos held accountable for misconduct?

Besides teachers who are locked up for committing crimes, educators can also lose state teaching licenses in some cases, but only after complaints have been confirmed and reported to the state.

A school district supervisor who handled teacher conduct cases was pulled off his job in 2023 when news about unreported cases surfaced, but he retired before the district completed a review of his actions.

A state grand jury report unsealed in 2022 accused a former Duval County Schools Police Department chief of underreporting on-campus crimes that are also reported under SESIR, but didnt bring any criminal charges involving those claims, which mostly involved crimes by students or other non-teachers.

Both the SESIR reporting problems and the grand jury report were mentioned in School Board meetings in the spring of 2023 when then-Superintendent Diana Greene announced she had negotiated her retirement. She was replaced by Kriznar, who held the job until Superintendent Christopher Bernier started in two months ago.

Christopher Bernier, shown on screen, talks to a group at a ceremony where he was sworn into office in July.

Whats been done to make students safer?

Before Greene retired, lawyers for the school district hired an outside law firm to review the districts handling of complaints about school employee conduct. That review dragged out with little transparency for more than a year, with School Board Chair Darryl Willie saying during an April meeting that board members had been advised by attorneys not to discuss review findings publicly due to pending litigation. In July, the School Board approved $1.45 million in payments to settle three legal complaints about teacher misconduct at Douglas Anderson.

Days before Bernier was sworn into office, Kriznar rolled out a 20-point plan to improve safeguards that included mandating removing school employees from contact with children after any arrest or allegation involving child abuse or bodily harm to another person of any age or drug use or sexual misconduct. Other parts of the plan would require school employees who knew of evidence of misconduct or student complaints of that to the districts Office of Professional Standards or to the Florida Department of Children and Families, or face consequences as severe as firing.

What did the School Board vote on Tuesday?

Kriznars plan gave the superintendents office, now in Berniers hands, deadlines in October and November to advance complete text for some policy changes to improve student protection.

The board voted Tuesday to approve changes to its policy manual for professional ethics and for removal of employees for misconduct.

Although presented by Bernier at Tuesday's meeting, the revision "was well under way upon my arrival," said the superintendent, who has been promoting a public awareness effort labeled "Know the Line" to reinforce boundaries the school district is setting for contact bertween teachers and students.

Examples of those limits are rules barring teachers or other school employes contacting students by phone, text or social meda; discouraging physical contact beyond a handshake, high-five or fist bump; and encouraging school employees to avoid meeting alone with students except in situations like counseling when privacy may be needed.

The school district outlines its boundaries and offers a link for reporting concerns about teacher misconduct on a new webpage, duvalschools.org/knowtheline.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Duval County Florida schools OKs Jacksonville teacher misconduct policy
A boy receives a dose of the polio vaccine in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Sept. 2, 2024. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua)

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported an estimated 74,000 children were vaccinated on Monday, for the two-day total of more than 160,000.

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians said on Tuesday that more than 160,000 children under 10 in central Gaza have received the poliovirus vaccine in the first two days of a six-day campaign.

However, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that while local pauses in the conflict enabled launching the emergency polio vaccination campaign on Sunday, which aimed to reach more than 640,000 children, violence continued in other parts of Gaza.

"Israeli bombardments, ground operations and heavy fighting continues in multiple areas, resulting in further civilian casualties, displacement and destruction of houses and other civilian infrastructures," OCHA said. "Families continue to flee and find themselves in overcrowded areas with inhumane living conditions, which, coupled with the lack of clean water, sanitation facilities and basic hygiene items, contribute to the spread of diseases."

The office said World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported an estimated 74,000 children were vaccinated on Monday, for the two-day total of more than 160,000.

The vaccination campaign, first concentrating on Gaza's central area, followed by the southern and then northern zones, was mapped out after a 10-month-old was partially paralyzed by the disease, possibly contracted from the inhumane sanitation conditions in most regions.

"Parties must always respect international humanitarian law," OCHA said. "This means that civilians must be protected and their essential needs -- including food, shelter, water and health -- must be met, wherever they are in Gaza."

The humanitarian office said its local partners, in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), repaired the primary water transmission line running from Israel to Khan Younis, which had been damaged during recent military operations, leading to the partial restoration of water services in several areas, "including Al Mawasi where hundreds of displaced people are living in unbearable conditions."

A boy receives a dose of the polio vaccine in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Sept. 2, 2024. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua)

UNICEF reported that with its partners, it delivered more than 12,000 liters of essential supplies for water disinfection to the Gaza City and Jabalya municipalities for the first time in three months. However, the global water and sanitation conditions in Gaza continue to be dire, with services hampered by the destruction of water and sanitation facilities, restricted access and limitations of essential resources.

OCHA warned that with the first seasonal rainfall this past weekend, more than one-third of the population is in flood-prone areas. Local authorities and humanitarian partners worry seawater will flood tents along the beach and are concerned that damage to rainwater and sewage networks will result in additional flooding.

The office said that UNICEF, along with OCHA, the UN Development Programme and non-governmental organizations, assessed the water, hygiene and sanitation situation in four displacement sites located in flood-prone areas in Khan Younis and Deir al Balah.

OCHA said that insecurity and access restrictions continue to jeopardize humanitarian operations. Since January 2024, 16 incidents involving UN vehicles being directly hit have been recorded in Gaza.

"It bears reminding that safe, unimpeded and predictable humanitarian access is critical to save lives and deliver basic assistance across the (GAZA) Strip," OCHA said.

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. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua)

The humanitarian office said that in the West Bank, the continued use of lethal war-like tactics by Israeli forces, including airstrikes, is killing, injuring, displacing or depriving people of access to basic services. Operations resumed in Tulkarm while continuing in Jenin. The United Nations has recorded more than two dozen fatalities over the past week, including children.

OCHA mobilized UN organizations and others to assess damages and humanitarian needs. Visiting Tulkarm on Saturday, they confirmed the displacement of 120 people, including over 40 children, whose homes were destroyed.

The office said 13,000 people in the Nur Shams refugee camp suffered water cut-offs, attributed to damages caused to the water network, triggering sewage overflow. The teams also noted a traumatized population in need of psychosocial support.

OCHA said the multiple organizations it mobilized to carry out assessments in Jenin were denied access by the Israeli authorities.

The office warned that access impediments impact the ability to provide a meaningful humanitarian response. The movement of ambulances and medical teams has been impeded and delayed since the onset of the now-week-long operation.

"Humanitarian access must always be facilitated," OCHA said. 
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  An ongoing public corruption scandal has put extra scrutiny on how DWI cases are handled in the courts. One way cases can get dropped is when officers fail to show up to a criminal hearing. KRQE Investigates uncovered another way accused drunk drivers have been getting a free pass. It involves what officers were doing outside of the courthouse, and the problem is widespread.

Accused DWI drivers back on New Mexico roads after officer no-shows

When a driver is arrested for DWI and refuses a breathalyzer, or tests at or above the legal limit, New Mexico law says the drivers license should be revoked. Your license gets revoked within 20 days unless you ask for a hearing, in which case your license remains valid until the date of the hearing, explained Sen. Antonio Moe Maestas. So the government has to have a hearing to take your license away.

What is a drivers license revocation hearing?

In an administrative license revocation hearing, an arresting officer explains the DWI arrest he or she made to an Administrative Hearing Officer. A drivers defense attorney can then cross-examine the officer. If the hearing officer agrees theres probable cause, the drivers license is revoked under New Mexicos Implied Consent Act.

However, KRQE Investigates found that accused drunk drivers are often allowed to stay behind the wheel because officers arent showing up to those administrative hearings. Officers failure to appear is a widespread problem across New Mexico.

KRQE Investigates also looked at cases handled by a defense attorney at the center of a federal public corruption scandal, Thomas Clear III. Federal agents raided his office earlier this year under suspicions he worked with police officers and took money to get DWI cases dismissed in criminal court. Records KRQE obtained from the states Administrative Hearing Office reveal drivers are also let off the hook on the administrative side of DWI cases.

Todays hearing is a video hearing, an Administrative Hearing Officer is heard in the audio record for a license revocation hearing in October of 2021. On the screen for the driver is Attorney, Thomas Clear.

Attorney Clear shows up to the Zoom hearing, but the arresting officer is a no show. Officer Munoz and Officer Montano of the Albuquerque Police Department were both subpoenaed to testify by video, the hearing officer states. Theyve both failed to dial in, appear. Without their testimony, the state will not be able to meet its burden and therefore the revocation shall be rescinded.

Officer Joshua Montano is one of 10 officers APD investigated, as part of its own probe into the DWI corruption scheme. Its now 1:16 [p.m.], theres no email from Officer Montano or any messages about his difficulties, so Im gonna mark it as a failure to appear, the hearing officer states.

How often do DWI suspects keep their licenses?

Records from the last three years show in cases where DWI suspects hired Clear to defend them, the arresting officers failed to show up to their license revocation hearings at least 87 times. That same data reveals Clears DWI clients kept their drivers licenses 74% of the time they had a license revocation hearing. Compare that to the statewide rate, of just 47%. And in the metro, accused drunk drivers get to keep their drivers license only 46% of the time they request a hearing.

I should take note that Officer Alba Jr. of the Albuquerque Police Department is not present, another hearing officer from a separate license revocation hearing notes the absence of Officer Honorio Alba, the arresting officer whose testimony is crucial in the revocation hearing. Ill issue an order rescinding the revocation, the hearing officer states. And officers, be safe out there, Clear added.

The failure to appear by arresting officers in a DWI case automatically results in accused drunk drivers keeping their license to drive. It works similarly to a court hearing where an officer doesnt show and a case can get dismissed.

Its despicable, explained Linda Atkinson, Executive Director of the DWI Resource Center, and a longtime advocate for DWI victims. To deter drunk driving, you need something swift, sure, and certain. This is swift, sure, and certain until you have officers that decide not to show up.

What this does when we still require officers to be present, is this kind of game-playing that goes on and its wrong, said Atkinson. Its criminal. The state has got to step up, she added.

I think everyones taking a long, hard look at how we got to this situation, explained APD Communications Director, Gilbert Gallegos. Gallegos told KRQE News 13 that the police department now shares officers direct work calendars with the Administrative Hearing Office and criminal court, improving overall officer attendance.

So when a no show is reported, We are looking at it and theyre going to find out, said Gallegos. You know, if it continues to happen, that there are repercussions.

A free pass for DWI suspects

In one example, Elier Quintana-Antillon was arrested for DWI in 2018 by former APD Officer Joshua Montano. Can you tell me about the crash? Montano is seen on lapel video asking Quintana-Antillon. What crash? The driver replied. The crash that you were involved in, the officer answered.

Witnesses said Elier Quintana-Antillon barreled through a coned-off construction zone, just missing the work crew with his car, then tried to drive off. He tried taking off again and then he swung at me so I pulled his ass out of the car and choke-slammed him, and then they tied him up, a construction worker told Montano at the scene.

Construction workers used a work belt as makeshift handcuffs until police arrived. Quintana-Antillon admitted to drinking alcohol. How much did you have? Montano asked. Like about two beers, Quintana-Antillon answered.

Despite his admission, the driver refused a blood-alcohol test. Montano noted failed field sobriety tests and charged the driver with DWI. This year, Quintana-Antillons case was among 200-plus cases dropped due to Montanos and other APD officers credibility being called into question, part of the federal corruption scandal.

Should officers be required to attend license hearings?

Atkinson argues these administrative hearings are another opportunity to hold drunk drivers accountable. And regardless of officers attendance, their DWI report should speak for itself, she claims. A record that would say this was what happened, this is what occurred, and its a finding of facts, said Atkinson.

Democratic Senator Antonio Moe Maestas whos also an attorney, says theres a reason officers must show up to administrative hearings. Its a big deal for the government to rescind a permission slip, a business license, a drivers license, any type of license, Sen. Maestas told KRQE. So you need probable cause to rescind that license. And without someone telling the story and cross-examination, it may not be constitutional, he added.

Its a frustrating reality for DWI victims. Victims get the message, said Atkinson. They get it, the way theyre treated through the criminal justice system.

Accused drunk drivers like Quintana-Antillon, send a message of their own. Hes seen on the officers lapel video flipping off Montano from a hospital gurney. What can I say? Quintana-Antillon told Montano. You said it all, the officer replied.

Seven APD officers, including Montano, have resigned and a Commander has since been fired from the police department. So far no one has faced any criminal charges.

Clear had no comment for this report. Hes since taken down his law practice website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A man from Earlimart was arrested in connection to a 2022 drive-by shooting in Delano that killed two, deputies say.

According to the Tulare County Sheriffs Office, homicide detectives arrested 33-year-old Marcos Antonio Mercado of Earlimart at 10 a.m. on Tuesday for the 2022 homicides of a 16-year-old boy and 21-year-old Ricardo Serrano from Delano.

Deputies say they were called to the drive-by shooting in the area of County Line Road and Road 136 in Delano on Oct. 10, 2022.

Once on scene, deputies say they found a man dead and suffering gunshot wounds. Three more victims with gunshot wounds arrived at the Delano Police Department soon after, two of which were airlifted to a local hospital.

According to deputies, one of the airlifted victims ended up succumbing to their injuries.

33-year-old Marcos Antonio Mercado of Earlimart.

Homicide Detectives say they were able to link Mercado directly to the deaths after evidence from the scene was processed. Mercado was booked into jail on suspicion of homicide and attempted homicide.

Man hospitalized after drive-by shooting in Fresno

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.
Legislation supported by U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff to help clear federal court backlogs and wait times has passed in the U.S. Senate and heads to the U.S. house of Representatives.

The Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved, or JUDGES, Act aims to reduce the wait times and backlogs in criminal court by adding new judgeships to judicial circuits across the United States.

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For the Northern District of Georgia, that means two new judgeships would be added in 2027 and 2033, if the bill is signed into law.

Recent reports from the U.S. Court system show that the Northern District of Georgia had seen a nearly 100 case increase in what are called weighted filings per judgeship in the past year.

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If passed, the JUDGES Act would put the two new judges in the northern district, covering courthouses in Atlanta, Gainesville, Newnan and Rome, according to Ossoffs office.

The shortage of federal judges serving Georgians can mean justice delayed or justice denied, Ossoff said in a statement. Thats why weve now passed this bipartisan bill through the Senate to add two more Federal judge positions in the Northern District of Georgia. We must ensure Georgians have timely access to our court system.

The move to provide more judges also comes in answer to the Judicial Conference.

These new judgeships were requested by the Judicial Conference, the national policymaking body of the judiciary headed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Chief Judges from the Courts of Appeals, based on its analysis of the case burdens carried by the 94 district courts nationwide, Ossoffs office said.

It has been about 21 years since Congress added judgeships to any state in the U.S., and legislation to add more has not been passed since 1990, according to Ossoffs office.

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KIELCE, Poland  Israels Elbit Systems hopes that three Nordic states will buy the companys Iron Fist active protection system for their military fleets after Sweden-based BAE Systems Hagglunds ordered it for installation on CV90 infantry fighting vehicles in various European countries.

We started by signing a contract to supply our APS to the vehicles ordered by the Netherlands, and later, other countries, Rami Sokolower, senior director for marketing and business development at Elbit Systems, told Defense News at the MSPO defense industry show here. In the near future, we hope that further Iron Fist deals will be signed for the vehicles operated by Denmark, Sweden and Finland.

We have also received an order to supply Iron Fist to the United States for Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, the executive said.

Sokolower said that, while presenting its system at the leading Polish industry event, the Israeli producer is also pitching its product to the Polish armed forces.

We see great potential in Poland, and our APS is suitable for both wheeled and tracked vehicles, light or heavy, the official said.

Elbit Systems says Iron Fist ensures high-level protection against anti-tank threats, increasing the survivability of military vehicles and offering 360-degree protection.
Amber Unheard

An elderly woman in Romania was using a seven-pound rock as a doorstop for decades  which later turned out to be one of the largest known amber nuggets in the world.

As Spanish newspaper El Pais reports, the stone is being valued at around $1.1 million, making it an exceptionally opulent way to hold open a door. Ironically, the extremely rare find was also ignored by thieves who broke into her home to steal her jewels.

The woman, who died in 1991, found the rock in a nearby river near the southeastern town of Colti. Eventually, one of her relatives, who inherited the rock, suspected it may be worth something, selling it to the Romanian state. Authorities at the Museum of History in Krakow, Poland, later confirmed it as being an extremely rare amber stone, estimated to be anywhere between 38.5 and 70 million years old.

"Its discovery represents a great significance both at a scientific level and at a museum level," Daniel Costache, director of the Provincial Museum of Buzau, which is currently in possession of the rock, told El Pais.

Family Stone

Amber, the fossilized remains of tree resin, has been seen as highly valuable since the Neolithic times. Despite its association with the color "amber," the gem can take on different colors, depending on the substances trapped within it.

The stones are also known to trap insects or other smaller animals within them millions of years ago, making them valuable artifacts of paleontological value.

The amber associated with the Buzau region of Romania tends to range in color from red to black. Since the 1920s, people have been mining amber in the region, with previous findings containing fascinating artifacts, from bird feathers and arachnids to reptiles, according to El Pais.

In short, in case you live near the town of Colti, you should have a closer look at your doorstop  it may just hold some incredible treasures.

More on precious gemstones: NASA Discovers Precious Gemstones on Mars
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A man riding an electric scooter was injured in the Grantville neighborhood Tuesday after colliding with a vehicle in a parking lot, authorities said.

According to the San Diego Police Department, the incident occurred in the 6000 block of Mission Gorge Road around 3:40 p.m. when the scooter rider was traveling southbound on the east sidewalk.

At that same time, a 65-year-old woman was driving an Acura MDX westbound through the parking lot of 6041 Mission Gorge Rd. For unknown reasons, police said the scooter struck the front passenger bumper and fender of the Acura.

The man on the scooter sustained an open fracture to his left leg. His injuries are not considered life-threatening. The woman in the Acura was not injured during the collision.

Traffic Division officers responded and are handling the investigation. DUI was not a factor, police said.

Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

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Are you eligible for Penn States proposed settlement over COVID restrictions? What to know

Penn State agreed to pay $17 million to settle a lawsuit brought by students and parents after the university shut down in-person learning during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

If the settlement gains approval from a federal judge, tens of thousands of former students would be eligible for a portion of the historic agreement.

Heres what you need to know about the proposal.

Am I eligible?

Eligible recipients include all Penn State students enrolled during the spring 2020 semester who paid tuition and/or fees and were registered for at least one in-person class at the beginning of the semester.

Eligible members do not have to do anything to receive a payment.

How much is the payment?

The total value of the proposed settlement is $17 million, but that number will dwindle.

Attorneys for the former students and parents who brought the lawsuit could apply to receive upward of one-third of the settlement, dropping the number for members to about $11.34 million.

Taxes, fees, litigation costs, contribution awards and expenses for the settlement administrator would further reduce the amount that would be split among an estimated 72,000 people. Those eligible could expect to receive about $155 before taxes and other costs.

How do I get a payment?

Payments will be sent automatically to your last known permanent postal address on file with Penn State. Members would also have the option to update their address online or elect to receive the payment via Venmo or PayPal.

The website has not yet been created.

What happens if I accept the payment?

By participating in the settlement, members would give up their right to bring any claim covered by the settlement, including those related to Penn States transition to remote learning.

Do I have any other options?

Members would be able to opt out and object to the proposed settlement if the believe it is not fair, adequate or reasonable. If you take this route, you would not receive a payment.

What happens next?

Attorneys asked U.S. District Judge Robert J. Colville to grant preliminary approval to the proposed settlement. Its unclear when that may happen.

If the settlement ultimately gains final approval, Penn State would have to pay $17 million into an escrow account within 20 business days. Payments would be sent within 60 days, if approval of the settlement is granted.

Members would have 180 days to cash their checks. If uncashed checks total less than $500,000, the money would be designated to a scholarship fund for Penn State students.

If the uncashed checks total more than $500,000, the money would be redistributed upward of two more times to those who cashed their checks.

Have other colleges and universities been sued?

There were about 300 such lawsuits as of August 2023, according to Times Higher Education, which USA Today described as a British publication that partners with The Wall Street Journal on rankings and evaluations of U.S. schools.

Here is a look at some similar cases against other schools.

University of Colorado: Final approval granted for $5 million settlement

University of Chicago: Final approval granted for $4.95 million settlement

University of Pennsylvania: Final approval granted for $4.5 million settlement

Cornell University: Final approval granted for $3 million settlement

The New School: Final approval pending for $3 million settlement

Point Park University: Final approval granted for $1.25 million settlement

Saint Josephs University: Preliminary approval granted for $1.15 million settlement

Lebanon Valley College: Preliminary approval granted for $1.15 million settlement

Bucknell University: Preliminary approval granted for $1.15 million settlement

Gannon University: Final approval granted for $1.1 million settlement

La Salle University: Preliminary approval granted for $875,000 settlement
Who else is China recruiting? NY political insiders warn of broader CCP effort after arrest of ex-Hochul aide

Bombshell accusations that a former aide to New York Govs. Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo acted as a secret agent for China raised alarms Tuesday about a broader effort by the Chinese Communist Party to compromise public officials and infiltrate American governments and society.

Political insiders and watchdog groups pointed to the Brooklyn federal court indictments of Linda Sun and her husband Christopher Hu as showing the extent of Chinas spy recruitment apparatus.

This is a dangerous situation, warned Ed Cox, the state Republican Party chairman and son-in-law of former President Richard Nixon.

Accusations have been made that a former aide to Gov. Kathy Hochul and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo acted as a secret agent for China. Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock

Cox, who visited China with Nixon in 1979, said it was startling to read in the indictment that Sun and her husband allegedly obtained millions of dollars in exchange for pushing the Executive Chamber to toe the CCP line, including undermining Taiwan.

This is a wake-up call that this kind of Chinese operation is going on in New York State, he told The Post.

China is not a friend, Cox added. This is a national security issue.

The CCP isnt the only foreign government trying to flex its interests in NY and the US.

Iran is reportedly bankrolling groups organizing anti-Israel protests and there is an ongoing federal probe of whether Turkish interests illegally benefitted Mayor Eric Adams 2021 election campaign.

But China has the most far reaching spying and influence peddling operation in the US, said Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx), who serves on the House Select Committee on the CCP.

There is no foreign government that has penetrated the United States more deeply and broadly than the Chinese Communist Party. It may have most effective and aggressive espionage operation in human history, Torres told The Post.

Linda Sun and her husband Christopher Hu are accused of acting as foreign agents for China. Paul Martinka

One Queens Democrat, who requested anonymity, said the CCP has a presence in the borough  and hes mindful of it.

The CCP is trying to infiltrate. At parades there are signs for the CCP. I dont wont be pictured with a sign for the CCP! the politician said.

Many Chinese-Americans immigrated to the US to flee communist oppression, and theres sensitivity in the political establishment about unfairly red-baiting an entire community.

But theres ample evidence of the CCP posting spies and trying to sink hooks into local politicians and segments of the growing Asian population.

Two men last year were charged with running a secret police station in Manhattan on behalf of the Chinese government  arrests that were part of a sweeping federal crackdown on Beijings influence campaign in the US.

Harry Lu Jianwang and Chen Jinping were accused of conspiring to act as agents of Chinas government and obstruction of justice for opening the covert outpost in Manhattans Chinatown in early 2022.

The bombshell accusation has raised alarms with concerns that the Chinese Communist Party is trying to compromise public officials. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The case is pending.

States have very little clue that China is doing all of this, said Michael Lucci, founder of State Armor, an organization that advocates for protecting state governments against foreign adversaries, especially the communist party.

He called the Sun indictment a black and white case that is quite naked and brazen, whereas the CCP typically operates more subtly in gray areas.

One upstate Republican lawmaker called for the creation of a bipartisan state commission to investigate CCP activity in New York following Suns indictment.

That the Chinese Communist Party infiltrated the highest levels of state government is surreal, completely unacceptable and deeply unsettling, said state Sen. Jake Ashby, the ranking member of the committee overseeing homeland security.

New York state Republican chairman and son-in-law of former President Richard Nixon, Ed Cox, said, This is a dangerous situation. AP

But Queens state Sen. John Liu, a native of Taiwan who was the first citywide Asian-elected official when serving as comptroller, said people shouldnt rush to judgment  and praised Sun, who hes known for years.

Ive worked with Linda Sun for many years and have only known her to be diligent, professional, and conscientious, and she is absolutely innocent until proven otherwise, Liu said.

The federal government has a sordid track record of making accusations against accomplished Chinese-Americans, only to later drop all charges, with no regard to lives and careers destroyed needlessly.

In 2021, the feds charged an NYPD officer with spying on Tibetans on behalf of the Chinese government. But the charges were later dropped.

State Senator John Liu defended Sun and said she is absolutely innocent until proven otherwise. Getty Images

The influence of the CCP portrayed in the Sun case is frightening, said Yiatin Chu, a Republican candidate for the state senates 11th District in Queens, and president of the Asian Wave Alliance.

The CCP is certainly set up in our community. We dont know with who, Chu said.

She said the Sun case, on its face, seems to be about greed.

Its about money. People can be bought. China tried to buy her off, Chu, a native of Taiwan who moved here as a child, said.

Its disheartening, she said, because the case could unfairly tarnish the image of Chinese Americans.

It tars anyone who looks like you. The Chinese community is a conservative, law-abiding community, Chu said.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  Engineer, Netflix series host, author and future astronaut Emily Calandrelli made a stop in her hometown of Morgantown on Tuesday to read to patients at WVU Medicine Childrens.

It just means so much to be able to come back to my home state, to my hometown and try and connect with the students here, said Calandrelli. And show them that country roads can lead them to the stars.

For this event, Calandrelli read a childrens book that she wrote called Reach for the Stars, which is dedicated to her child-age daughter and shares all of the hopes and dreams that any parent, any caretaker hopes and dreams for their own child, according to Calandrelli.

Calandrelli is currently preparing to go to space as a part of Space for Humanitys Citizen Astronaut Program, which will make her one of the first women from West Virginia to accomplish this feat.

Both of Calandrellis parents have volunteered at WVU Medicine Childrens Hospital, which is what inspired her visit in the first place. Now that theyre retired, its a way to give back to the community and I know its really meaningful to them, she added. So Im excited to sort of share this experience with them today.

Monongalia County students receive YONDR pouches as part of smartphone-free policy

Calandrelli will be flying with Jeff Bezos aerospace company, Blue Origin in a spacecraft called the New Shepard Rocket, named after Alan Shepard, the first American in space. She said that the rocket will follow a simple trajectory, emulating Shepards, meaning it literally goes up, touches space and comes back down.

The ride will be a 12-minute experience altogether and is fully autonomous. Therefore, Calandrelli wont need to fly it herself and her preparation will solely consist of getting in and out of her harness when in space, and preparing herself for the G-forces in space.

Once shes in space, Calandrelli will be able to get out of her harness and float around for about five minutes where she can also look out of the windows.

Its a view Ive dreamed of and I just cant believe Im gonna be able to experience it for myself sometime soon, she added. Calandrelli wasnt able to share when shes going into space, but she believes it will be sometime in the near future.

As one of the only West Virginia natives to go into space, Calandrelli said that her goal was to leverage her flight to uplift West Virginia. I think we all know being from West Virginiawhen West Virginias in the national news, its not often for reasons that we would like to be, she added. And so, I am so excited to be able to uplift West Virginia in this positive way and showcase the state in just a beautiful way.

Growing up in Morgantown, Calandrelli said that she didnt know any scientists or engineers for herself growing up. Therefore, she doesnt think that she ever realized how big her dreams could truly be, and she wants to change that reality for Morgantown youth.

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Rep. Eli Crane visited Mesa on Tuesday to kick off a policy tour for former President Donald Trumps election bid in Arizona, a crucial battleground state in this years race for the White House.

Abbott, a Republican, took the opportunity to focus on immigration, saying at the Tuesday event that a second Trump administration would allow him to continue the hard-line border policies for which hes become nationally known, and which President Joe Bidens administration has challenged in court.

We're ready for the fight, Abbott told several dozen attendees at an event space in Mesa. But there's a quick way to end this fight. And that's by sending Donald Trump back to the White House.

"Arizonans, you're facing so many challenges already. It's going to be far worse with (Democratic nominee and Vice President) Kamala Harris if she were president of the United States.

The event was part of the newly launched Agenda 47 Policy Tour, a series that the Trump campaign has billed as an effort to mobilize surrogates and discuss the policy specifics of a second Trump term. Earlier in the day, Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida headlined a Trump campaign event in Georgia focused on the economy. The policy tour comes as Trump has sought to distance himself from Project 2025, a detailed political plan by Trump allies and former administration officials that proposes radical changes in the federal government.

Abbott has become a leading voice on GOP border policies. As governor, his hard-line policies have included making it a state crime to illegally cross the border from Mexico and building physical barriers such as razor wire at the Texas-Mexico border.

On the left, his policies have become symbols of the human cost of harsh border policies favored by many in the GOP. The wire barrier has ensnared or slashed some migrants as they swim across the Rio Grande.

Among conservatives, however, they have been heralded as necessary to meet a moment of crisis at the border.

"The Biden-Harris administration even attacked Texas and fought against us as we were trying to secure our own border," Abbott said Tuesday.

"Remember those big orange buoys that I put into the Rio Grande River?  I deployed them because Joe Biden would not.

Crane, R-Ariz., spoke with the same sense of urgency: He reminded the audience he was willing to shut down the government over immigration policy.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, Crane said. "Shut it down, if that's what we have to do."

The panel used immigration to criticize Democrats on other policy issues. Former California Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado, also onstage, linked immigration to Democratic policies that would give tax credits to first-time homebuyers.

Responding to an audience question about his agenda on criminal justice, Crane, appearing to think over his answer, again pointed to the border as one of his top three priorities on that issue.

Reached for comment, a Harris spokesperson highlighted recent remarks by a campaign surrogate who criticized the GOP for rejecting a bipartisan immigration bill in the Senate.

The border bill would have made our country safer, made the border more secure, and it was supported by Donald Trump and JD Vances allies like the Border Patrol union  which endorsed Trump for president twice, said Bisbee Mayor Ken Budge, a Democrat who is backing Harris' campaign. And now that its election time, JD Vance and Trump are here to campaign on the border  even though theyre responsible for blocking the most important bill weve seen to improve border security.

Exaggerations on Biden-Harris immigration record

The GOP has sought to paint the Biden-Harris administration as weak on the border. Unauthorized crossings increased during the first few years of Bidens presidency, and he declined to adopt some of Trumps strictest policy measures, such as the Remain in Mexico asylum policy that required migrants to wait outside the U.S. until their court date.

Still, by some metrics, deportations have been higher under Biden than under Trump. Biden recently has resumed certain Trump-era policies like building a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.

That didnt stop Abbott from saying the administration had eliminate(d) border enforcement altogether. He also said Bidens administration was flying people over the border as a way around our denial of illegal entry. There is a program that approves flights to bring immigrants into the U.S. on a case-by-case basis legally, as part of the existing asylum system.

Invoking a GOP refrain, Maldonado associated Harris with the administrations border policy calling her the border czar. Though she was never formally given that title, Harris was given diplomatic responsibilities to address the root causes of migration to the U.S. from central America.

Panel quiet on GOP-rejected compromise bill

Though immigration was the focus of Tuesdays event, the panel was largely silent about a compromise deal negotiated in the Senate, which, if passed, would have been the most sweeping immigration law in decades.

The bill was originally negotiated by a bipartisan group of senators, though the GOP widely turned against the bill after Trump came out against it on social media.

Crane instead noted the House impeached Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and passed H.R. 2, a strict, Republican-led immigration bill. Both measures were nonstarters among Democrats.

Asked about the bipartisan deal after Tuesdays event, Abbott said the bill never made it out of the Senate or to the House, which happened because of Republican opposition, and argued that its codifying limits on asylum processing in perpetuity was not the right approach.

"If the Senate was genuine in trying to address it, what they needed to do was take up H.R. 2, passed out of the United States House of Representatives. That was a real immigration reform bill," Abbott said.

Here's what they say: Immigration is a top election issue in the Trump vs. Harris race

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott promotes hard-line border tactics in Arizona
RAMALLAH, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military operations across the West Bank, which began a week ago, have killed 33 Palestinians and wounded about 140 others as of Wednesday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

The fatalities include 19 Palestinians in Jenin, four in Tubas, and seven in Tulkarm, all located in the northern West Bank, as well as three others in Hebron in the south, the Ramallah-based ministry said in a statement.

Israeli forces continued their operation against the city of Jenin and its camp for the eighth consecutive day on Wednesday, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported.

WAFA said the operation has caused widespread destruction of infrastructure, including water and electricity networks, as well as damage to civilian property.

Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, said on Tuesday that Jenin had been ravaged by violence and destruction.

In a post on the social media platform X, Lazzarini called for the "immediate protection of civilians across the West Bank, including in the north," and demanded that both the Israeli army and Palestinian armed groups "uphold the protection of civilians and provide access to assistance."

Since Aug. 28, Israel has been conducting a large-scale raid across the northern West Bank, stating that the operation aims to arrest wanted persons and prevent future attacks against Israel.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, more than 680 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks across the West Bank since the onset of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the Gaza Strip last October. 
Ukraine's state nuclear energy agency Energoatom on Sept. 4 denied reports of an accident at the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant in Mykolaiv Oblast, but said "issues" had been discovered at one of its power units.

In a post on Telegram, Energoatom added that the operating capacity of the unit in question had been reduced, and the issue was caused by Russian attacks on the wider energy infrastructure network which caused "significant fluctuations in the parameters of the network."

The denial came after Oleksandr Kharchenko, the managing director of the Energy Industry Research Center, said in a post on Facebook there had been an accident at the plant, citing "two independent sources."

Energoatom said the denial was made in order to "stop the spread of yet more unreliable information."

This is not the first time the plant has been at the center of conflicting reports.

An incident damaged energy equipment earlier this year, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said on July 25, citing a response to an official request for information he had sent to the authorities after Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko denied earlier reports.

Reports emerged on July 18 that two transformers had burned down days earlier, leading to one of the reactors being disconnected from the energy network.

Ukraine relies on nuclear power for more than half of its energy production, which is increasingly in demand amid Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

The country is preparing to resume the construction of the previously abandoned Chyhyryn plant in Cherkasy Oblast, Energoatom said on Aug. 27.

"The Energoatom team is actively working to find new construction sites. The most promising of them is Chyhyryn, near the town of Orbita in Cherkasy Oblast," said Energoatom.

According to Energoatom, the plant will be equipped with AP1000 reactors built by U.S. company Westinghouse.

The members of the Chyhyryn City Council voted to grant Energoatom permission to resume construction of the plant. "The first steps have been taken," said Energoatom.

Read also: Dismissal of Ukraine energy grid chief prompts resignations, international concern amid Russian energy strikes

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ENTERPRISE, Ala (WDHN)  An Enterprise man convicted of shooting and killing a security guard at a bar in late 2019 is asking for a new trial, claiming the prosecution failed to provide enough evidence for a guilty verdict.

In late March 2024, Emmanuel Key was found guilty of shooting 42-year-old Stevie Franklin in the back during a fight at the Daleville Lounge in late 2019. Franklin was a security guard at the lounge.

Key was initially charged with murder, but after a three-day trial, a jury of six men and six women found him guilty on a lesser charge of manslaughter. Around two months after being found guilty, Key was sentenced to life.

On Monday, September 2, Keys attorneys filed a motion for a new trial.

According to Keys attorney, the prosecution failed to provide enough evidence to support the jurys decision to find Key guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Attorneys go on to say that during the trial, the state proved Key was at the scene of the crime but did not prove he played any part in the shooting.

During the trial, one of Keys attorneys, Andrew Scarborough, said there was no physical evidence that Key had the gun and shot Franklin. The gun, a .380, was never recovered.

They have not proved that Emmanuel Key shot anyone, said Scarborough during the trial.

Attorneys also say Keys life sentence was an illegal sentence.

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A remarkable Pictish ring with an intricate setting was discovered in Scotland by an amateur archaeologist after being buried for more than 1,000 years.

The kite-shaped ring with a garnet or red glass center was unearthed by a volunteer at the site of a fort in Burghead, in northeast Scotland, according to the University of Aberdeen, which led the dig.

John Ralph, a former engineer and graduate of the University of Aberdeen, discovered the ring at the site of a fort in Burghead, northeast Scotland - University of Aberdeen

John Ralph, a former engineer and graduate of the university, signed up as a volunteer for the Burghead digs after retiring.

Ralph, whom the university said describes himself as an enthusiastic amateur, had many moments over the two-week excavation when experts told him he had a knack for finding shiny pebbles. It was his third dig at the site.

So when, on the last day of the final dig, he found something that looked interesting, he didnt hold out much hope. It was only when he showed it to a fellow volunteer and his eyes lit up that he realized he might have something, the university said in a statement Wednesday.

The Professor of Archaeology who led the excavation, Gordon Noble, said what Ralph presented to him was truly remarkable.

John was digging and then came over and said look what Ive found, Noble said, according to the statement. Even before the conservation work we could see it was something really exciting as despite more than a thousand years in the ground we could see glints of the possible garnet setting.

The discovery of the kite-shaped ring sheds more light on Pictish lives and society, scientists say. - University of Aberdeen

The Picts were an ancient people who lived in what is now eastern and northeastern Scotland. Little is known about them, and only limited and contentious documentary sources survive to evidence their six centuries of life, according to the University of Aberdeens website. All traces of the Picts disappeared from the written records in the 9th century CE, it said.

Noble explained that there are very few Pictish rings which have ever been discovered and those we do know about usually come from hoards which were placed in the ground deliberately for safekeeping in some way.

We certainly werent expecting to find something like this lying around the floor of what was once a house but that had appeared of low significance so, in typical fashion, we had left work on it until the final day of the dig, Noble said.

The ring is undergoing analysis at the National Museum of Scotlands Post-excavation Service, the university said.

Ralph, who grew up in Burghead, said he was thrilled to have helped understand the regions Pictish past. It is a real thrill to dig up an artefact in the knowledge that you are probably the first person to see it for 1,000-1,500 years, he said. It becomes a real guessing game of who owned it, what did they use it for and how was it lost.

Susan OConnor, Head of Grants at Historic Environment Scotland, said Ralph played such a pivotal role in bringing it to light - literally!

While the materials used to make the rink are not particularly valuable in todays monetary sense, this find is hugely significant for what it tells us about Pictish lives and society, OConnor said. Were excited to find out more once our colleagues in the National Museum have finished their investigations.

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Father is only one in this photograph left alive after Russian missile kills his family

Yaroslav Bazylevych with his family. His wife Yevheniya and their three daughters  Yaryna (behind), Daryna (right), and Emiliya  were killed in a missile strike in Lviv

A Ukrainian mans wife and three daughters were killed in a Russian hypersonic attack on the Western city of Lviv.

A bloodied Yaroslav Bazylevych was pictured being led from his home by rescue workers after the deadly strike on Wednesday close to the Polish border.

The bodies of his wife, Evheniia, 43, and three daughters, Yaryna, 21 Daryna, 18 and Emilia, 7, were still being dug out of the rubble as he was treated for his wounds on the street.

They were killed while sheltering in the staircase of their residential apartment block, the Ukrainian emergency services said.

It was likely that Mr Bazylevych survived only because he left his family to collect some water from their apartment.

A bloodied Yaroslav Bazylevych is led from his home by rescue workers - Roman Baluk/Reuters

Families across Ukraine have been advised to hide in the stairwells of apartment buildings during air raid warnings because the areas are said to offer more protection from incoming Russian missiles and drones.

His young family were among the seven people killed in the latest bombardment by Russian forces on Ukrainian cities.

A video posted by the emergency services showed rescuers pulling what appeared to be the body of a girl from under the rubble.

As her remains were brought onto the street, Mr Bazylevych followed behind them.

In the centre of Europe, Russia is eliminating Ukrainians by (killing off) entire families. The Russians are killing our children, our future, Andriy Sadovyi, the Lviv mayor, wrote on social media, sharing a picture of the family posing together.

After todays attack, the only person in this photo who survived is the man. Mother Yevheniya and her three daughters  Yaryna, Daryna, and Emiliya  were killed.

Yaryna had worked in the local town hall as part of a youth initiative. Daryna had just begun her second year of studying at the Ukrainian Catholic University in the city, where she had been awarded a culture scholarship.

This is a great and irreparable loss. There are no words that can describe this grief. Let us pray for the souls of the innocent victims. Let us pray for Yaroslav, the father, the university said in a statement.

A woman stands in front of a residental building damaged during the Russian strike in Lviv - Roman Baluk/Reuters

The strikes on Lviv, a city near the border with Poland and Nato, damaged more than 70 structures, including a school, homes and clinics, local officials said.

More than 50 people were injured.

Russia has always denied it targets civilians with its long-range missile campaign against Ukrainian cities.

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A coalition of environmental groups on Wednesday challenged the federal governments energy regulator over the approval of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project in Louisiana, alleging it would harm the Gulf of Mexicos fisheries.

In the challenge, filed in the D.C. Circuit, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) argued the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) violated federal law when it authorized Venture Globals CP2 LNG project in Cameron Parish. The proposed project, which would run 85 miles and connect the export facility to a mainline pipeline in Jasper County, Texas, violates the Natural Gas Act and does not identify a public benefit associated with the project.

Theres a lot of questions and a lot of evidence on the record that contradicts the assertion of need for this project and any alleged public benefits, but the FERC failed to take them into consideration, Megan Gibson, a senior attorney at the SELC, told The Hill.

The SELC alleges the FERC relied exclusively on an agreement between Venture Global and an affiliate to determine public benefit, and it did not properly conduct balancing tests to assess the potential harms to the community.

The challenge alleges the project, once operational, would generate more than 8.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. It further notes the export facility itself would affect more than 600 acres in the parish.

The SELC filed the challenge on behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council and the local organizations For a Better Bayou and Fishermen Involved in Sustaining Our Heritage (FISH), a Louisiana nonprofit representing indigenous commercial fishermen. The SELC previously filed a request for rehearing on the CP2 approval in late July on behalf of the two groups.

Fossil fuel companies and their government allies moved LNG projects into the region and turned our fishing community upside down. Calcasieu Pass LNG has decimated our fishing industry, and we wont recover if CP2 LNG is built next to it, FISH founder Travis Dardar said in a statement. Last month, FERC made a terrible and unjust decision when they approved CP2, but its not too late for the courtor even the Commissionto right this wrong.

The Biden administration temporarily suspended new LNG export permits in January pending an assessment of their impacts on climate change, but a Louisiana court ordered them to resume in July.

A FERC spokesperson told The Hill the commission does not comment on pending legal matters.

The Hill has reached out to Venture Global for comment.

 Updated at 1:16 p.m.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Erdogan says Turkey wants deeper ties with Egypt on natural gas, nuclear energy

ANKARA (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Turkey wanted to deepen its ties with Egypt on natural gas and nuclear energy, after talks with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Ankara.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Sisi, Erdogan said the two countries had reaffirmed their will to improve relations in every area, including trade, defence, health, energy, and environmental matters. Ministers from both countries signed a series of agreements ahead of the leaders' statements.

(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ezgi Erkoyun; Editing by Daren Butler)
Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur believes that Ukraine's operation in Kursk Oblast could enhance its position in future negotiations with Russia. He highlighted that the operation has showcased Ukraine's fighting capability and revealed that Russia is not as mighty as many believe.

Source: Hanno Pevkur in an interview with European Pravda

Quote: "As I see, the Ukrainians showed that they can fight [through the operation in Kursk Oblast. Ukraine showed that, if necessary, they [Ukrainian forces] have the manpower and the equipment to take back their own land, but not only [Ukraine's] land. [Ukraine has also shown] Russia that they are not so mighty as many of us are thinking."

Details: The minister noted that the Ukrainian operation has opened up numerous new opportunities for both Ukrainian forces and the government.

He also expressed confidence that negotiations with Russia will eventually take place.

Pevkur noted that, during negotiations, it is essential to have good cards to play, and to secure such advantages, one must first win them. He pointed out that this is precisely what Ukraine is achieving in Kursk Oblast.

He further explained that this would enable Ukraine to both enhance its defensive positions (as Russia is required to reposition its forces to Kursk) and improve its negotiating stance.

Background: Earlier, European Pravda reported that a number of EU member states supported the Ukrainian operation in Kursk Oblast.

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EU on Russian attack on Poltava: Ukraine needs to be able to effectively repel such attacks

The aftermath of the Russian attack on Poltava on 3 September. Photo: Ukraine's State Emergency Service

The European Union has stated that it will increase military support for Ukraine and expressed condolences over the Russian strike on Poltava, which left 53 people dead and 298 injured, based on reports from Ukraine's State Emergency Service.

Source: European Pravda, citing a statement from the EU

Details: The EU emphasised its continued commitment to boosting military support for Ukraine, including providing air defence systems and ammunition.

Commenting on the strike on Poltava, the EU stressed that this is yet more deliberate bloodshed that proves Russia's intention to continue its brutal war against Ukraine.

The statement highlighted that, over the past two and a half years, Russia has subjected the people of Ukraine to terror through its criminal war of aggression, conducting indiscriminate missile and drone attacks across the country, primarily targeting civilians.

"We share the grief of the families of the victims and stand by the Ukrainian people," the statement emphasised.

Background:

After the Russian attack on Poltava, John Kirby, the White House National Security Communications Advisor, said that the United States would continue to focus on strengthening Ukraine's air defences and pledged more assistance "in the coming weeks".

On the morning of 4 September, Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine, which, based on the latest reports, killed seven people, including three children, in Lviv. That same morning, the Russians destroyed a hotel in the city of Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, leaving five people injured, including a 10-year-old child.

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The EU wants answers from Hungary about work visas for Russia and Belarus

European Affairs Minister Janos Boka of Hungary speaks during the informal meeting of the EU General Affair council in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. (Zoltan Mathe/MTI via AP)

BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Unions top migration official expressed concern on Wednesday about a Hungarian work visa program open to citizens from Russia and Belarus, just as sabotage attacks and spying allegations raise alarm across Europe.

Hungary extended its National Card program to citizens from Russia and Belarus as it took over the EUs rotating presidency in July. It happened as Prime Minister Viktor Orban traveled to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a trip slammed by his EU counterparts.

The card also allows easier entry into Europes ID-check free zone for work purposes to citizens from Bosnia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine. All six countries are candidates to join the EU. Russia and Belarus are not.

Its a bit strange to actually welcome specifically citizens from Russia and Belarus in a situation where we know that these countries are hostile to the European Union, European Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson told EU lawmakers.

The Hungarian prime minister, widely seen as having the warmest relations with Putin among EU leaders, has routinely blocked, delayed or watered down EU efforts to assist Kyiv and impose sanctions on Moscow for its actions in Ukraine.

Belarus is Russias main ally and has served as a rear base for Russian troops.

Johansson listed a series of incidents since Russias full-fledged invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, including sabotage or hacking attacks in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania and Poland. She also noted possible threats to military bases in Germany.

This is a time for more vigilance, not less. This is not a time to be soft on security, she said, adding that safe travel within the passport-free zone linking 29 countries, most of them EU nations, could be undermined. We must keep each other safe.

Early last month, Johansson sent a letter to Hungary seeking clarification about its National Card, notably whether the program imposes stricter security checks on Russian and Belarus nationals. She received a reply two weeks ago but on Tuesday wanted to know more.

Johansson asked: Why does the Hungarian government consider such a scheme necessary or appropriate in the current political situation? The expected national economic gains seem limited (and) disproportionate to the potential security impact.

At a news conference in Brussels, Hungarian EU Affairs Minister Janos Boka played down the commissions concerns. He said that seven countries, including Germany, Latvia, Poland and Spain have issued more visas to Russians.

In the past two months, 10 permits were issued for Russian citizens and four permits were issued for Belarus from citizens. This is not an increasing trend, and these numbers are statistically irrelevant, Boka told reporters. Johansson said the number of visas issued to Russians have dropped by almost 90%.

Boka insisted that for Hungary there is no legal and security issue whatsoever when it comes to the National Card. Hungarian officials complained that he had not been invited to the European Parliament to address Johanssons questions in person.

The parliaments press service said Hungary had not expressed a wish to attend.
During the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), a light show was held in Beijing, showcasing African charm through selected elements such as animals, plants, musical instruments, and patterns unique to Africa. This dazzling display not only exhibited the charm of Africa but also conveyed Beijing's warm welcome to friends from afar.
Stephen P. Miller, 85, traveled from Arizona to New York to assist in a woman's suicide, prosecutors said

Kingston Police Department Stephen P. Miller

An 85-year-old former doctor from Arizona has pleaded guilty to manslaughter for his role in a New York womans suicide.

Stephen P. Miller was sentenced to five years of probation  which he will serve in Tuscon, Ariz.  as part of the plea agreement entered in Ulster County Court in N.Y. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, according to the Associated Press, The New York Times and Times Union.

Prosecutors said Miller was arrested after traveling from Arizona to Kingston, N.Y., on Nov. 8, 2023, to assist with the suicide of the woman, who was identified by the New York Times as 59-year-old Doreen Brodhead.

Court documents cited by Times Union state Miller picked up the woman at her home and bought a nitrogen gas tank before driving to a Super 8 Motel in the city.

The next day, on Nov. 9, 2023, motel cleaning staff found the womans body, according to a previous press release shared by the Ulster County District Attorneys Office. Investigators said at the time that the victim died by means of assisted suicide.

Miller was initially indicted on charges of second-degree manslaughter and assault, according to the district attorneys office. If convicted on all counts, he would have faced up to 25 years in prison, per the N.Y. Times. According to New York State law, manslaughter is permitted to be charged for aiding another persons suicide, the outlet reported.

Millers attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman, said Miller spoke with Brodhead for about six months before her death, with Miller telling authorities it was an act of mercy, the N.Y. Times reported. According to the outlet, Brodheads family said she had dealt with chronic back and neck pain for decades.

According to the Associated Press, Lichtman claimed Miller provided "very slight technical assistance" to a woman who couldn't bear her pain.

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Technically, he violated the law, Lichtman told reporters, per the AP. We accept that, but with the understanding that morally, Stephen Miller did nothing wrong.

Lichtman added that his client, who belongs to Choice and Dignity, an end-of-life advocacy group in Arizona, still supports assisted suicide, but will not personally provide assistance regarding the matter in the future, the AP reports.

That part of his life is over, Lichtman said, according to the publication.

Per The New York Times, Miller obtained his medical degree in 1964 and has worked as a doctor in several states, including Illinois, Massachusetts, California and Texas.

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EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill.  The former director of the East St. Louis Public Library is being charged in federal court after using library funds for wire fraud and theft.

According to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Kenyada T. Harris used over $16,400 in library funds for personal purchases and cash advances between July 2023 and April 2024.

This city in the St. Louis region named among fastest-growing in America

Harris used a city-owned credit card that was meant for incidental expenses of official business, and concealed these purchases through false statements and forged receipts for a personal automotive repair, according to court records.

On July 31, 2023, court documents explain Harris used the city-owned credit card at Dobbs Tire & Auto Center in Cahokia Heights, Illinois, to pay for $1,409.85 in personal automotive repairs.

She used the card again on four other separate occasions to obtain a total of $15,000 in cash advances from Bank of America locations in OFallon and Belleville, Illinois, according to court documents.

According to our partners at the Post-Dispatch, Harris resigned from her position in June after being hired just a year prior in June 2023 with a yearly salary of $87,000.

Following federal sentencing guidelines, she could face a maximum of 20 years in prison and additional fines.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A Columbia man who was juror in a drug trafficking trial that ended in a hung jury pleaded guilty to taking a bribe from the defendant, the 5th Circuit Solicitors Office said.

On Tuesday, Cleo Canty pleaded guilty to charges of obstruction of justice, accepting of bribes by juror and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, the solicitors office said in a news release.

While the 23-year-old Canty  who was sentenced under South Carolinas Youthful Offender Act  was ordered to serve a prison term not to exceed 5 years, Judge Daniel Coble suspended that sentence to 2 years of probation and 150 hours of community service, according to the release.

The charges stem from an investigation that began after Canty served as a juror in the trial of Leonard Washington, from April 26 to April 27, 2021, the solicitors office said. Washington was on trial for a heroin trafficking charge, according to the release.

Washingtons trial ended in a hung jury solely due to the bribe that Canty accepted, the solicitors office said.

The investigation into Cantys actions began Nov. 1, 2021, when members of the Richland County Sheriffs Department met with a confidential source who had information regarding Canty and Washington, according to the release. The source said that Canty approached Washington during the second day of trial at Drakes Duck-Ins Main Street location and offered to persuade the jury to acquit him in exchange for a bribe, the solicitors office said.

When confronted by sheriffs deputies, Canty told them that an individual associated with Washington approached him after the first day of trial, asking if he was going to do his boy (Washington) right, according to the release.

Although the confidential source and Cantys accounts differed, video footage from the restaurant captured an exchange of money between Washington and Canty, corroborating the bribery allegations, the solicitors office said.

Specific information about the amount of money in the bribe was not available.

On Dec. 8, 2021, deputies arrested Canty at his apartment, where they found found marijuana, THC candies and a gun, according to the release.

Washington ultimately entered a guilty plea to trafficking heroin and bribery charges, which resulted in him being sentenced to 18 years in prison by Judge Clifton Newman, the solicitors office said.

The defendants sought to circumvent the rule of law and undermine our entire criminal justice system, Solicitor Byron Gipson said in the release. Despite the defendants efforts, the criminal justice system is not and will not be controlled by the criminal element.

Assistant Solicitor Nicolas Fowler prosecuted the case for the solicitors office. Stanley Myers was listed as Cantys attorney, according to Richland County court records.
FILE - Rioters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. A former Virginia police officer who stormed the U.S. Capitol has received a reduced prison sentence of six years. Former Rocky Mount Police Sgt. Thomas Robertson's resentencing on Wednesday makes him one of the first beneficiaries of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limited the governments use of a federal obstruction law. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  A former Virginia police officer who stormed the U.S. Capitol received a reduced prison sentence of six years on Wednesday, making him one of the first beneficiaries of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limited the government's use of a federal obstruction law.

More than two years ago, former Rocky Mount Police Sgt. Thomas Robertson originally was sentenced to seven years and three months of imprisonment for joining a mob's Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

Prosecutors urged U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper to preserve the original sentence, but the judge imposed the shorter prison term Wednesday after agreeing to dismiss Robertson's conviction for obstructing the congressional certification of President Joe Bidens 2020 electoral victory.

Robertson was the first Capitol riot defendant to be resentenced after the dismissal of a conviction for the obstruction charge at the center of the Supreme Court's ruling in June, according to Justice Department prosecutors. The high court ruled 6-3 that a charge of obstructing an official proceeding must include proof that a defendant tried to tamper with or destroy documents  a distinction that applies to few Jan. 6 criminal cases.

I assume I won't be seeing you a third time, the judge told Robertson at the end of his second sentencing hearing.

Robertson, who declined to address the court at his first sentencing hearing, told the judge on Wednesday that he looks forward to returning home and rebuilding his life after prison.

I realize the positions that I was taking on that day were wrong, he said of Jan. 6. I'm standing before you very sorry for what occurred on that day.

A jury convicted Robertson of all six counts in his indictment, including charges that he interfered with police officers during a civil disorder and that he entered a restricted area with a dangerous weapon, a large wooden stick. Robertsons jury trial was the second among hundreds of Capitol riot cases.

Robertson traveled to Washington on that morning with another off-duty Rocky Mount police officer, Jacob Fracker, and a third man, a neighbor who wasnt charged in the case.

Fracker, who pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge and agreed to cooperate with the government, was sentenced in 2022 to probation and two months of home detention.

Jurors who convicted Robertson saw some of his posts on social media before and after the riot. In a Facebook post on Nov. 7, 2020, Robertson said being disenfranchised by fraud is my hard line.

Ive spent most of my adult life fighting a counter insurgency. (Im) about to become part of one, and a very effective one, he wrote.

After Jan. 6, Robertson told a friend that he was prepared to fight and die in a civil war and he clung to baseless conspiracy theories that the 2020 election was stolen from then-President Donald Trump.

He's calling for an open, armed rebellion. He's prepared to start one, Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Aloi told the judge.

Prosecutors said Robertson used his law enforcement and military training to block police officers who were trying to hold off the advancing mob.

Defense attorney Mark Rollins said Robertson made bad choices and engaged in bad behavior on Jan. 6 but wasn't trying to overthrow democracy that day.

What you find now is a broken man, Rollins said.

The town fired Robertson and Fracker after the riot. Rocky Mount is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Roanoke, Virginia, and has about 5,000 residents.
(Bloomberg) -- Former UK Home Secretary Priti Patel was knocked out of the Conservative leadership contest after the first round of voting among the partys lawmakers, leaving five colleagues to battle it out over the next two months.

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Patel received just 14 votes from the opposition partys 121 Members of Parliament, finishing just behind Former UK Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride on 16 votes. Former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick topped the ballot on 28 votes, finishing ahead of the bookmakers favorite, former Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch on 22. Former Foreign Secretary James Cleverly earned the support of 21 MPs, while former Security Minister Tom Tugendhat came fourth on 17.

The winning candidate faces the daunting task of rebuilding a party which collapsed to its worst-ever electoral defeat just two months ago. The Tories style themselves as the UKs natural party of government, having been in power for more than 60 years in the past century. But the July 4 vote exposed how badly their brand is damaged among the electorate after 14 years in power, including a scandal-hit and chaotic period under former premiers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.

Conservative MPs will eliminate another candidate before their partys annual conference begins Sept. 29 in Birmingham. Theyll then whittle the field down to two, who will go forward to a vote among the wider party membership, with the winner  former Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks replacement  scheduled to be announced on Nov. 2

A survey of 863 party members published on Wednesday by the influential ConservativeHome website found Badenoch is the most popular candidate on 34%, almost double her closest rival, Jenrick, on 18%. Tugendhat and Cleverly trailed on 13% and 11% respectively. Furthermore, in a two-person runoff, Badenoch would beat all other candidates, ConservativeHome said.

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More than two months after the first contingents of Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti to head a largely U.S.-funded multinational security force, the Biden administration is exploring the possibility of transitioning to a traditional United Nations peacekeeping operation.

The State Department, which in the face of funding and equipment shortfalls has been mulling over the possibility of transforming the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support, has notified U.S. lawmakers of its intentions, a source familiar with the matter told the Miami Herald.

An official with the White House National Security Council confirmed to McClatchy and the Herald that plans are under consideration to alter the nature of the force. The direction was also confirmed by a third source.

In coordination with partners, the United States is exploring options to bolster the Multinational Security Support mission and ensure the support that the MSS is providing Haitians is sustained long-term and ultimately paves the way to security conditions permitting free and fair elections, the national security official said.

The switch is both an acknowledgment of the administrations struggle to attract voluntary contributions for the mission, which the administration says roughly costs $200 million every six months to operate, and of its failure to quickly restore order in Haiti despite public pronouncements that there has been progress since the Kenyans arrival.

A traditional U.N. peacekeeping operation would end the missions problems with funding, because it would be paid for through member nations traditionally assessed contributions. It would also provide more equipment like helicopters, which the current Kenya-led mission lacks, and possibly a hospital capable of performing surgeries. Also the U.N. would be able to mobilize military forces, rather than just cops, from other nations in a way that the U.S. has been unable to do.

A peacekeeping mission would need the approval of the U.N. Security Council, and there are questions about whether its members, especially China and Russia, would support it.

Renata Segura, program director for Latin America and the Caribbean for the Crisis Group, said she thinks the move is a demonstration of how difficult it is to mobilize support for this kind of mission outside of the traditional U.N. channels.

The initial lack of support to the MSS from outspoken sectors of Haitian civil society certainly made many potential donors, mission leaders very reluctant to engage. But beyond that, there is a clear Haiti fatigue with many donors wondering if this most recent experiment would solve what previous interventions couldnt, she said.

Robert Rae, Canadas ambassador to the U.N., who visited Haiti last week, said there needs to be a discussion about how to beef up the security mission.

The obvious answer to that is through a peacekeeping mission. But we need to understand the political challenges, he said in an interview after his visit. Only the Security Council can approve this peacekeeping mission. And a peacekeeping mission has to be funded, but it also has to be approved by the [Permanent 5 members] and that includes China and Russia.

The reason we have the [Kenya] mission we have is because China and Russia wouldnt agree to anything else, said Rae, who was recently elected president of the U.N.s Economic and Social Council. We need to understand thats what needs to come together in order for it to happen.

Rae said the challenge is to make sure that both the Haiti National Police, the Kenya mission and the humanitarian and development agencies working in the troubled Caribbean country have the financial support to confront the worst humanitarian crisis since a devastating 2010 earthquake left more than 300,000 Haitians dead.

That doesnt depend on a change of heart from Russia or China, that depends on the willingness of the rest of the world to step up and address the problems, Rae said, referring to the ongoing struggle to raise money for the security mission and a $674 million U.N. humanitarian appeal to help the nearly 600,000 Haitians who have been forced out of their homes by armed gangs over the last three years and the more than five million currently facing hunger.

READ MORE: What a gang attack in a rural Haiti town says about the Kenya-led security mission

The violence is also disrupting access to healthcare and has led to more than 2,500 deaths or injuries in the first three months of the year, according to the U.N.

Canada recently sent its contribution of $59 million Canadian dollars to a U.N.-controlled Trust Fund set up for the Kenya missions operations, while the U.S. remains the largest financial contributor. The Biden administration has provided more than $300 million that has, among other things, paid for the construction of a base near Port-au-Princes international airport and dozens of armored vehicles for the foreign police officers.

Kenyan and Haitian police in Ganthier after launching a joint operation in July 2024 after an armed attack on the community by the 400 Mawozo gang.

There are currently 400 Kenyans police officers in Haiti tasked with helping the Haitian police take on gangs that have continued to force people out of their homes. The Kenyans are expected to be joined in the coming days by a contingent of about 250 military and police officers from Jamaica.

Critics of the MSS mission have argued that even at 2,500 personnel, which was initially projected, the force is too small to make a difference. Haitian government officials, who are in the early stages of trying to organize elections, have also quietly voiced criticism of the mission. Their concerns range from the lack of equipment to the lack of foreign cops to secure polling sites when armed groups control more than 85% of the capital.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is planning to travel to Port-au-Prince this week to meet with Prime Minister Garry Conille and the head of the Transitional Presidential Council, Edgard Leblanc. He will also meet with a handful of political party leaders involved in setting up the presidential council, which has been at the center of a bribery scandal involving three of its seven voting members.

A large part of Blinkens focus is expected to be on security and the multinational mission, which comes up for renewal before the U.N. Security Council on Sept. 30.

The mission was first authorized by the Security Council in October 2023 for a year. But court challenges in Nairobi over President William Rutos decision to deploy 1,000 Kenyan police officers to Haiti, a months-long congressional hold by GOP lawmakers on funding and a deadly gang insurgency in Haiti delayed the deployment until June.

The first contingent of 200 Kenyans arrived in Port-au-Prince on June 25 and a second group on July 16. Despite their presence, several neighborhoods on the outskirts of the capital have since fallen under gang control and Haitians, both in the population and the police, have quietly expressed disappointment with the mission.
By Idrees Ali and Laurie Chen

WASHINGTON/BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States is set to send Michael Chase, the deputy assistant secretary of defence for China, Taiwan and Mongolia, to China's top annual security forum in mid-September, a U.S. official told Reuters.

The choice of Chase has not been previously reported. He is more senior than the U.S. official who attended the Xiangshan Forum last year, but his rank is in line with historical norms for the Pentagon.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China Chad Sbragia attended the forum in 2019.

There is some hope that this could signal deeper working-level engagement with China amid regional disputes. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Chase's expected attendance was not unprecedented, but sent a message that the United States prioritises engagement at the military level with China even at a time of heightened tensions.

More than 90 countries and international organisations plan to send delegations to the Sept. 12-14 forum in Beijing, Chinese state media reported Wednesday.

Washington sent Xanthi Carras, China country director in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense, when the forum resumed last year after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. It was a sign of thawing military ties; however Carras' title is of a lower rank than Chase or Sbragia.

Chase co-chaired U.S.-China military talks in Washington in January - the first such working-level talks since 2022, when most bilateral military engagement was suspended after then-U.S. Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.

Taiwan and the South China Sea remain contentious flashpoints in the U.S.-China relationship, with both sides unwilling to compromise on "core issues". U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said no new agreements had been reached on the South China Sea during a visit to China last week.

China has repeatedly criticised U.S. deployments in the Asia-Pacific region, including the placement of long-range missiles in the Philippines, as well as U.S. arms sales to democratically governed Taiwan, which China considers its own territory, over the strenuous objections of Taipei.

Meanwhile the U.S. has raised concerns over China's "aggressive" actions in the South China Sea, its frequent military manoeuvres in the air and waters surrounding Taiwan, and what it says is the opacity of China's nuclear buildup.

Official nuclear talks were halted by Beijing in July in protest over U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. But both sides have agreed that U.S. Indo-Pacific Command leaders would soon speak by phone to their counterparts in China's southern theatre command, which covers its southern seas.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Laurie Chen in Beijing; Writing by Laurie Chen. Editing by Gerry Doyle and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
House Armed Services Committee Vice Chairman Rob Wittman is confident Congress will pass a short-term budget extension in the next few weeks and eventually finalize plans for $833 billion in defense spending for fiscal year 2025.

But the Virginia Republican congressman acknowledged that the details of how lawmakers will get there is still a mystery.

Wittmans comments at the Defense News Conference on Wednesday came just 26 days before a potential partial government shutdown if House and Senate leaders cannot pass a budget extension by Oct. 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

I think we know were not going to get the seven remaining appropriations bills done between now and the end of the fiscal year, he said. In light of that, it looks like theres going to be another continuing resolution that will come up next week, probably the middle of next week. The debate has been how long should that last.

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With the presidential and congressional elections in 64 days, lawmakers have begun debating whether to extend the budget into mid-November or early 2025, after the new Congress is seated.

Either way, defense planners likely wont have their allotment of the federal budget until multiple months into the new fiscal year.

Wittman called the short-term budget extensions necessary, but the worst way for us to be able to manage the defense enterprise, given the uncertainty surrounding when new programs and initiatives will be fully funded and can start.

But he believes that Pentagon officials can count on the House-passed $833 billion target for total defense spending next fiscal year, whenever the federal budget is finally finalized.

With the Fiscal Responsibility Act, it actually appropriates to that, and I think thats the number youre actually going to have to live with, he said. And I think that the Pentagon should be able to do most of the things that it needs to do with that number.

White House officials have signaled they expect to request supplemental funding to deal with some outstanding defense fiscal needs. During a separate panel at the conference, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said her service will need extra money to cover the rising cost of installations services.

Not only are our barracks and housing in need of investment, our power projection infrastructure is in need of investment as well, she said. Its really hard to do that all inside the existing Army top line.

Both the House and Senate return to Capitol Hill work next week.
ST. LOUIS  September is here and that means monarch butterflies begin their remarkable migration through Missouri, heading towards their winter homes in Mexico. This year, the peak in monarch numbers seems to be occurring later than usual in many Midwestern states. While some monarchs have already begun their southward journey, many observers are still seeing eggs and caterpillars, even in northern areas. While the sight of these migrating butterflies is still common, continued habitat loss threatens the future of this natural phenomenon.

Monarch butterflies are currently considered a vulnerable species. This status, updated in December 2023, reflects ongoing concerns about their population. While not as severe as their previous endangered classification, the change doesnt indicate an improvement in monarch numbers. Instead, it results from a different method of assessing their population over the past decade.

Eastern North American monarchs travel south from Canada to central Mexico each year. They fly during daylight hours and rest at night, often choosing pine, fir, and cedar trees for their evening stops. These trees provide suitable shelter from the elements.

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The butterflies eventually gather in specific mountain areas in Mexico, where they spend the winter months. Remarkably, the monarchs making this journey have never been to these locations before, relying on inherited instincts to guide them.

The monarch population has been declining for several decades. This decrease is largely due to loss of habitat both in North America and Mexico. In North America, the reduction of milkweed plants, which monarchs need to lay their eggs, has been particularly harmful. The loss of nectar-producing plants that fuel their journey south has contributed to their struggles. In Mexico, the clearing of trees in their wintering grounds poses another significant threat.

To help monarchs during their migration, consider planting flowers that bloom in late summer and fall. Native perennials such as asters, goldenrod, and ironweed are particularly beneficial. These plants provide nectar that helps fuel the butterflies on their long journey. They also support other pollinators like bees and different butterfly species.

Note: The video in this report is from September, 2023.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Expert data warns of concerning and unexpected situation in the Arctic  here's what it means

The United States experienced its second warmest January-July period on record this year, measured as the average contiguous U.S. temperature, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Anomalous summer warming has spread well beyond the country, nudging as far north as the Arctic Circle.

What's happening?

Record-breaking summer heat has been making headlines in the United States. As of Sept. 1, more than 21,000 daily record highs had been recorded across the country for the year to date, according to the NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

Neighbors to the north of the U.S. have been feeling the heat, too. Norman Wells, Canada, is only 90 miles from the Arctic Circle. The Washington Post detailed that the town approached 100 degrees in July, and the area had the hottest Canadian temperatures on record that far north in the country.

The heat is fueling wildfires in Canada, which is still in a record-breaking wildfire season. As of early September, more than 5,000 fires had charred over 12 million acres this year. Smoke from those fires will likely have far-reaching effects on people's health.

This year's unusual heat has spread even farther northward.

As the Post detailed, meteorologist Daan van den Broek reported that Longyearbyen hit a high of over 68 degrees on Aug. 11 to break a record for the date. The reporter shared this on X, formerly Twitter, and mentioned that this is a town at 78 degrees latitude. It's only a little over 800 miles from the North Pole.

The town set another record high temperature the following day. Washington Post journalist Ian Livingston reported that back-to-back record highs in this part of the world are "without modern precedent."

Why is record heat near the Arctic Circle concerning?

A study published in the science journal Nature found that the Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than Earth's average. This phenomenon is known as "Arctic amplification." The study's researchers analyzed the period of 1979 to 2021.

The Arctic's warming has caused significant declines in sea ice extent. This summer, computer models have revealed historic losses. NASA says the minimum extent of Arctic sea ice has dropped by about 12% per decade.

Arctic warming has also helped raise sea levels, which have inundated the permafrost surrounding the Arctic Ocean. Scientists are trying to estimate the amount of heat-trapping gases the permafrost could release as it thaws.

What's being done about warming in the Arctic?

The 2023 NOAA Arctic report card stated: "Centering locally and internationally-focused partnerships, long-term observations, and equitable climate solutions provides Arctic communities and nations as well as society-at-large with information and mechanisms to cope with a rapidly changing Arctic."

Moving away from reliance on dirty energy sources and embracing clean, renewable sources is crucial to cooling our planet. Modernizing your home by installing solar panels for clean and renewable energy, cooking with energy-efficient induction stoves, and using LED bulbs are all ways we can help.

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.
YAOUNDE, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people were killed and over 50 others injured in a road accident in Cameroon's West Region Wednesday, according to local police and witnesses.

Local police said the accident occurred after a speeding passenger bus failed its brakes as it was descending a steep hill in Dschang town of the region.

The bus had left the town of Foumban and was heading to the country's largest city Douala.

Witnesses told Xinhua that some of the victims were students returning from holidays.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Some 1,500 people die in road accidents each year in the central African nation, according to the country's Ministry of Transport.

In June, Cameroon launched a road safety and prevention campaign initiating tough road safety measures, including the deployment of additional traffic officers to curb rising road accidents in the country. 
Experts say that anti-immigrant rhetoric that has intensified in the last several weeks ahead of the presidential election in November led to viral  and incorrect  allegations by right-wing social media accounts that migrants took over a South Side building Monday night.

Indeed, authorities said migrants did not trespass with weapons and motorcycles, despite rumors circulated by X owner Elon Musk and others.

While a 911 dispatch call came in about 7:45 p.m. Monday that 32 Venezuelans were trespassing and showing guns in the courtyard of a building in the Washington Park neighborhood, Chicago police said it was a call of service and that no police report was generated.

Residents in the area and migrants living at the building said the call was unfounded.

There werent 32 armed people here last night. Thats a lie, said Anderson Gutierrez, 20, in Spanish on Tuesday morning.

Guitierrez, who is from Venezuela, said he and his siblings moved into the building a couple of weeks ago.

Look, theres no one outside, he said. We all know each other. No one is hurting anyone.

Immigration experts  who pointed to similar incidents that have unfolded across the country in recent days  said some people are spreading misleading content about migrants on social media to sway voters for anti-immigrant candidates and causes.

Panic over the emergence of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua spread in Colorado last week after Fox News in Denver aired a surveillance video. The footage, which also went viral, showed a group of men armed with semi-automatic long guns and pistols in an apartment complex in the city of Aurora. Aurora police could not confirm any gang activity related to the footage but did say they were working with the federal government to monitor gang activity.

We are aware that components of TdA are operating in Aurora, said Aurora police in a statement posted to their website Thursday. The incident sparked a wave of stories from different outlets. Xochitl Bada, professor of Latin American studies at the University of Illinois Chicago, questioned the truthfulness of their reporting. She wondered if the video itself was AI-generated. Social media has no boundaries, Bada said. She said its no coincidence that Musks post received over 100 thousand likes on X. Bada was born in Mexico and said news headlines that emerge from social media make it harder for the vast majority of immigrants.

When I shop (on the Magnificent Mile) and I go to a large store, I have people following me while I browse, she said.

Monday night, several social media accounts picked up the Chicago 911 call, including Libs of TikTok, a far right-wing account known for its frequent anti-LGBTQ messaging. Musk, who has increasingly used the social media platform as a microphone to amplify his political views, reposted the scanner audio from crimelsdown.com with two exclamation points.

Ald. Jeanette Taylor, 20th, whose ward encompasses the building, also confirmed that migrants were not wreaking havoc at the property Monday. After the city decided to open the shelter at the former Wadsworth Elementary School in February, there was intense pushback from community members in Taylors ward who said the city was spending money on asylum-seekers while ignoring longstanding residents who have needed resources and support for decades.

That shelter closed in mid-May, and many migrants have moved into the community permanently. Taylor said her community knows that migrants are not taking over. She said the reaction to the incident highlights the way some politicians spread harmful messages instead of addressing issues such as homelessness and systemic racism.

Its better for them to make it seem like Black and brown people fight amongst each other, than for them to deal with the real issue and create real policies that make everybody safe, she said.

Alexandra Filindra, a political science and psychology professor at UIC, said anti-immigrant rhetoric has intensified over the past several weeks, which she believes is tied to the presidential election. She has been tracking anti-immigrant tweets and social media posts since December. Filindra, who specializes in American gun politics and immigration policy, said nativism and xenophobia have, throughout United States history, led to targets on vulnerable people. Social media can escalate those attacks, she said. Certain things some years ago would not be posted, but today, not only are they posted, but theyre amplified, Filindra said.

Freddy Cruz, a program manager at the think-tank Western States Center, said anti-immigrant sentiments online can lead to long-term, real-life consequences. Weve seen acts of violence specifically targeting migrants in places like Pittsburgh, Buffalo and El Paso, he said. But Tuesday morning, as Musks post on X received thousands of retweets, the housing complex was quiet. A man swept trash from the gutter and a group of residents sat on the curb across from the building.

They pointed at a dirt bike propped against a fence near the courtyard, which they joked may have been the impetus for the call.

Robert White, 28, who grew up in Chicago, said he has friends and relatives who have lived in the building. He said there are several dozen migrants who now also live in the building, many with kids. They get along, he said.

Its a group of us. Were not doing nothing out of the ordinary, White said. Were enjoying ourselves. Sometimes people dont like to see that. They like to see us fighting.

_____
An air defence mobile firing group. Stock photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Explosions rocked the cities of Kyiv and Sumy on the night of 3-4 September.

Source: Suspilne, a Ukrainian public broadcaster; Kyiv City Military Administration

Details: An air-raid warning was issued in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast because of a Russian drone attack.

Kyiv City Military Administration noted that there was a threat of attack UAVs in the capital. Air defence was responding to the attack on the outskirts of Kyiv.

Update: Suspilne journalists reported that an explosion was also heard in Sumy at 03:13.

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Claim:

A screenshot authentically shows former U.S. President Donald Trump wearing a bandage on his ear again in September 2024, long after his right ear had healed from a July assassination attempt.

Rating:

Rating: Miscaptioned

Context:

The screenshot in question is from a July 2024 interview with Fox News. Photographs of Trump show he removed the bandage weeks before September.

A viral screenshot of Donald Trump spread in September 2024 claiming to show the former U.S. president wearing a bandage on his right ear that month, even though his ear had reportedly already healed following an assassination attempt against him in July. The screenshot claimed to show a recent Fox News interview in which the bandage is visible on Trump's ear.

(X user @aintscarylarry)

However, the above post and others falsely claimed that the interview was recent. The screenshot is from a July 2024 Fox News interview Trump had alongside his running mate, JD Vance, conducted by Jesse Watters. As such, we rate this claim as "Miscaptioned."

We found the exact moment from the X post in a Fox News interview from late July 2024. The moment in question occurs at the 1:23 minute mark in the YouTube video below:

Here is a screenshot of that moment as well:

(YouTube user Fox News)

Jesse Watters' July 2024 interview with Trump was aired again on Fox News on Sept. 2, 2024, according to the Internet Archive. During the moment from the screenshot, Trump was responding to a question from Watters, who asked, "Are strikes against the [drug] cartels still on the table?"

Trump responded: "Absolutely.  Mexico is going to have to straighten it out really fast.  They're killing 300,000 people a year with fentanyl coming in."

However, the Sept. 2, 2024, broadcast of the interview did not indicate it was originally recorded several weeks earlier. Watters also never indicated in his introduction to the interview that he was sharing an older recording. The YouTube video from Fox News in July 2024 corroborated that this was an old interview of Trump when he was still wearing the ear bandage.

Trump was injured in a shooting on July 13, 2024, in which a bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear. Images in the aftermath of the shooting show a bloodied Trump surrounded by Secret Service agents, with blood running from Trump's right ear onto his face.

On July 26, 2024, Trump confirmed at an event in Florida that he was done wearing a bandage on his ear: "As I think you can see, I've recovered well and, in fact, just took off the last bandage off of my ear."

A series of more recent Getty Images photographs from August 2024 also showed Trump without the bandage on his ear.

Sources:

"FBI Says Trump Was Indeed Struck by Bullet during Assassination Attempt." AP News, 26 July 2024, https://apnews.com/article/trump-bullet-shrapnel-ronny-jackson-christopher-wray-cb780b9d1a078f0be4191682e75101cf." target="blank">https://apnews.com/article/trump-bullet-shrapnel-ronny-jackson-christopher-wray-cb780b9d1a078f0be4191682e75101cf.">https://apnews.com/article/trump-bullet-shrapnel-ronny-jackson-christopher-wray-cb780b9d1a078f0be4191682e75101cf. Accessed 4 Sept. 2024.

"Former US President and Republican Presidential Candidate Donald..." Getty Images, 30 Aug. 2024, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/former-us-president-and-republican-presidential-candidate-news-photo/2168550563." target="blank">https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/former-us-president-and-republican-presidential-candidate-news-photo/2168550563.">https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/former-us-president-and-republican-presidential-candidate-news-photo/2168550563. Accessed 4 Sept. 2024.

Jesse Watters Primetime : FOXNEWSW : September 2, 2024 5:00pm-6:00pm PDT. 3 Sept. 2024. Internet Archive, http://archive.org/details/FOXNEWSW_20240903_000000_Jesse_Watters_Primetime." target="blank">http://archive.org/details/FOXNEWSW_20240903_000000_Jesse_Watters_Primetime.">http://archive.org/details/FOXNEWSW_20240903_000000_Jesse_Watters_Primetime. Accessed 4 Sept. 2024.

"Republican Presidential Nominee, Former U.S. President Donald Trump..." Getty Images, 30 Aug. 2024, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/republican-presidential-nominee-former-u-s-president-donald-news-photo/2169507783." target="blank">https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/republican-presidential-nominee-former-u-s-president-donald-news-photo/2169507783.">https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/republican-presidential-nominee-former-u-s-president-donald-news-photo/2169507783. Accessed 4 Sept. 2024.

Suter, Tara. "Title Tag: Trump without Bandage on Ear at Turning Point Event." The Hill, 27 July 2024, https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4795636-trump-without-bandage-ear/." target="blank">https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4795636-trump-without-bandage-ear/.">https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4795636-trump-without-bandage-ear/. Accessed 4 Sept. 2024.

"Trump Injured but 'fine' after Attempted Assassination at Rally, Shooter and One Attendee Are Dead." AP News, 13 July 2024, https://apnews.com/article/trump-vp-vance-rubio-7c7ba6b99b5f38d2d840ed95b2fdc3e5." target="blank">https://apnews.com/article/trump-vp-vance-rubio-7c7ba6b99b5f38d2d840ed95b2fdc3e5.">https://apnews.com/article/trump-vp-vance-rubio-7c7ba6b99b5f38d2d840ed95b2fdc3e5. Accessed 4 Sept. 2024.

"Trump: We have no choice, we have to get the criminals out." YouTube. Fox News, July 24, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbwjglRer90. Accessed 4 Sept. 2024.
By Joe Cash

BEIJING (Reuters) -China's President Xi Jinping will open the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit on Thursday, where he is expected to urge African leaders gathered in Beijing to absorb more Chinese goods in exchange for pledges of loans and investment.

The three-yearly forum officially kicks off today with a welcome dinner for the 50 African nations in attendance and will close on Friday, after negotiations over cooperation documents setting the course of China-Africa relations up until 2027.

China approved loans worth $4.61 billion to Africa last year, the first annual increase since 2016.

WHAT IS CHINA'S PITCH?

The world's biggest bilateral lender wants to slim down its investment portfolio and re-align its relations with developing economies around Xi's new mantra of "small and beautiful projects," instead of big-ticket infrastructure.

Infrastructure appeared only once in Xi's address to the last summit in Dakar in 2021, where he pledged to support 10 projects to improve the interconnectivity of African states.

On Thursday, analysts anticipate the Chinese leader to talk up the competitiveness of its green technologies, which the U.S. and Europe maintain it has overcapacity in, and Beijing needs to find buyers for, as well as technology transfer schemes and more people-to-people exchanges.

China could also pledge to increase the amount availabe to African central banks and businesses through credit lines, after committing $10 billion dollars at the last summit, in addition to support in developing digital finance and e-payment systems.

WHAT DO THE AFRICAN DELEGATES WANT?

African leaders will be looking for quicker financing solutions to a growing debt crisis across the continent in the Beijing Action Plan of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation for 2025-2027, as well as fresh job-creating investment pledges and assurances projects proposed in Dakar will be completed.

South Africa's president on Monday told Xi he wanted to narrow his country's trade deficit with China, an aspiration almost all African states share, which leaders will be hoping Beijing responds to with better terms for their agricultural and natural resources exports.

Delegates will also be looking for assurance that a pledge from the 2021 summit that China would buy $300 billion worth of African goods will be met.

Analysts say Beijing's phytosanitary market access barriers are too strict, preventing African food exporters from selling into the 1.4 billion strong consumer market.

Over the course of the week, African leaders have also been meeting Chinese firms to encourage them to set up manufacturing hubs in their countries, to help move their industrial sectors up the value chain.

WHAT HAPPENS IN BEIJING?

On Tuesday, China's foreign and commerce ministers met with delegates at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse to begin discussions over two documents: the action plan for 2024-2027 and a report on the implementations of the last summit in Dakar.

The two documents will be finalised and signed off by all delegates by the end of the summit.

African and Chinese negotiating teams have been meeting at least twice a year since the last forum, but the in-person meeting presents presidents with a chance to personally involve themselves in the negotiations.

A procession of presidents has passed through Beijing's Great Hall of the People in the days leading up to the summit, with Xi having already met more than 20 heads of state, according to Chinese state media.

This year's forum is the first in-person summit since COVID, with the Dakar meeting taking place largely online, and Chinese and African leaders alike are using the gathering to hold various bilateral meetings.

(Reporting by Joe Cash; Editing by Michael Perry)
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  An email sent out to a number of Fresno State students Tuesday morning attempted to trick recipients into giving up their passwords.

A copy of the email seen by YourCentralValley.com shows that it was supposedly sent by dos@mail.fresnostate.edu and is from Campus Communications. The email warns the recipient that their Fresno State Portal will supposedly be deactivated the next day unless they take action.

The message states that those who want to avoid disruption in accessing email resources should click the included link for instant resolution.

In a statement, Fresno State told YourCentralValley.com that, shortly after this message went out, another was sent with instructions on changing their passwords in case anyone had clicked the phishing link.

Technology Services is actively working to mitigate this issue and enhance our email security measures. Fresno State Technology Services.

That second email sent out also warned users what to do when they receive suspicious emails (such as not clicking the links or downloading attachments) and how to report them to Fresno State.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
Families displaced by Fairview plane crash looking to rebuild lives through GoFundMe

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Three families who are trying to rebuild their lives after they were displaced from a deadly plane crash in Fairview on Saturday are asking people for help through multiple GoFundMe campaigns.

The crash resulted in three deaths, a power outage affecting thousands over the weekend and damaged multiple residences from townhome fires.

Fred Meyer workers wrap up week-long strike

The three GoFundMe campaigns from people displaced from the plane crash have all been verified by the site, a GoFundMe spokesperson told KOIN 6 News. The links and descriptions of each are listed below:

Help Tom and Judy Rebuild After Tragic Plane Crash Our parents escaped with only the clothing they were wearing, my father didnt even have shoes and emerged from the home walking through glass dazed. Their phones and computers are gone, their entire life of family photos, family heirlooms/memories that cannot be replaced, all household possessions, furniture, etc are lost. They lost everything and are lucky to have their lives.

House Fire Relocation for Hailey and Jodi They are currently staying with various friends and hopping house to house with their 2 cats and 2 little dogs. While the house insurance and HOA will be taking care of repairs, this can take months and they have nowhere stable to call home for the time being. Please consider donating whatever you can to help them find a temporary living situation

Help Kim and Morgan Rebuild After Tragedy The unexpected loss of their home and belongings has been a shock, especially following the recent passing of Kims mother. Of their three cherished cats, one is recovering from burns at Dove Lewis Hospital.



Three people died, including one inside this townhome, when a small plane crashed in Fairview, August 31, 2024 (KOIN)

Three people died, including one inside this townhome, when a small plane crashed in Fairview, August 31, 2024 (Maddie Shaffer)

On Aug. 31, 2024 a plane crashed into a Fairview townhome, killing 3 people (Gresham Fire)

A propeller from a small plane that crashed into a Fairview townhome sits in the driveway of a nearby residence, September 2, 2024 (Stephenie Wright)

On Aug. 31, 2024 a plane crashed into a Fairview townhome, killing 3 people (Gresham Fire)

On Aug. 31, 2024 a plane crashed into a Fairview townhome, killing 3 people (Gresham Fire)

Three people died, including one inside this townhome, when a small plane crashed in Fairview, August 31, 2024 (KOIN)

A propeller from a small plane that crashed into a Fairview townhome sits in the driveway of a nearby residence, September 2, 2024 (Stephenie Wright)

A small plane crashed into a Fairview residential neighborhood on Aug. 31 (KOIN)

Federal investigators remain at the scene two days after a small plane crashed into a row of Fairview townhouses, September 2, 2024 (KOIN)

In this photo provided by Portland Fire & Rescue, firefighters use handlines to extinguish the fire adjacent to the primary structure involved after a small plane crashed Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Fairview, Ore. (Greg Muhr/Portland Fire & Rescue via AP)

The Cessna 421C plummeted from the sky Saturday morning, hitting a power pole, crashing into a row of homes in the Fairview Terrance housing community and killing two people on board and one townhome resident. Neighbors in the area rushed to offer aid to those affected, even after first responders and investigators arrived, witnesses said.

Arsonist targets Portland Fire Station on E. Burnside

KOIN 6 News spoke with survivors of the incident, including some of the people who currently have GoFundMe campaigns. There was even a positive update from one neighbor, Kim Williams, who said she and her young daughter werent home when the crash happened but her cats were.

Williams GoFundMe initially said of her three cats, one was recovering from burns at the hospital, one was found and another was still missing. However, Williams told KOIN 6 News on Tuesday that the third cat has been found alive.

Three cats were found alive after a plane crash in Fairview set fire to a home. August 31, 2024 (courtesy Kim Williams).

Three cats were found alive after a plane crash in Fairview set fire to a home. August 31, 2024 (courtesy Kim Williams).

Three cats were found alive after a plane crash in Fairview set fire to a home. August 31, 2024 (courtesy Kim Williams).

Three cats were found alive after a plane crash in Fairview set fire to a home. August 31, 2024 (courtesy Kim Williams).

KOIN 6 also spoke with Tom and Judy Keegan, who also have a GoFundMe campaign. Tom said that during the crash, he was inside the place theyve called home for the past 20 years. Suddenly, he heard a loud noise like a propeller, then an explosion sent him flying. He was able to make it out alive but their next-door neighbor, the couples best friend, died.

We were more like sisters, Judy said.

Plea expected in racial slur, dog attack case

On Monday, federal investigators were still on the scene collecting evidence and talking to residents.

On Tuesday, officials with the National Transport Safety Board held a briefing about the crash, saying the pilot was having issues controlling the plane moments before it went down. Two NTSB investigators are still on the scene collecting evidence and establishing the debris field.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 parents of a 10-year-old boy who died earlier this summer after a watercraft crash on Old Hickory Lake in Wilson County during a Boy Scouts of America-related event have filed a $10 million wrongful death lawsuit, according to court records.

Jack Gear was killed as a participant in the Tennessee National Guard's annual Youth Development Week held in cooperation with the Middle Tennessee Council Inc., Boy Scouts of America, according to the lawsuit. The camp was held July 14-19.

Jack died on July 16.

In their suit, Crystalyn Gear and Xson Gear, of Union City in Northwest Tennessee's Obion County, allege their son's death was "caused by the negligence and reckless conduct of Middle Tennessee Council Inc., Boy Scouts of America."

The lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court for the State of Tennessee's 20th Judicial District.

The fatal crash involved two Sea-Doo water vessels owned by the Boy Scouts of America, according to the lawsuit. The water vessels were being operated by staff with a juvenile passenger aboard each watercraft, the TWRA said at the time of the crash.

Youth Development Week was being held at Boxwell Scout Reservation, used by the Boy Scouts of America and located just off State Route 109. The campground accesses Old Hickory Lake.

We are devastated by the tragic accident that happened at Boxwell Scout Reservation this summer," said Scout Executive/CEO of the Middle Tennessee Council, Boy Scouts of America Larry Brown. "Our prayers go out to the Gear family and all those affected by this tragedy. The accident is currently being investigated by the TWRA, and we are cooperating fully with their investigation. We will not comment (on) pending litigation.

Responding deputies performed life saving measures on Jack after the crash until paramedics arrived. Jack was taken to Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital, where he died from his injuries, officials said at the time of the crash.

The plaintiffs' attorney William D. Leader declined comment on behalf of the family.

The lawsuit said that the watercraft that hit the vessel Jack was riding on was traveling at a high rate of speed, resulting in the boy's death. It also alleges multiple failures and inadequacies by the Boy Scouts organization that relate to proper and safe operation of personal watercraft. Those allegations, as outlined in the suit, include:

Inadequate training and supervision.

A sign for Boxwell Reservation in Wilson County.

Failure to enforce policies, rules and guidelines.

Failure to train, instruct and warn agents and employees of potential risks.

Failing to ensure proper training protocols and procedures existed for training, supervision and education.

Failing to act in a reasonable and careful manner as circumstances required.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Boy Scouts face $10M suit after Old Hickory Lake crash killed boy, 10
A family says a relative's body was found in the closet of a Florida nursing home

A family in Florida is demanding answers after they said their loved one's decomposed body was found in the closet of a nursing home more than a week after he was reported missing.

Elin Etienne, 71, was found dead Monday morning at North Dade Nursing and Rehab in North Miami, his niece Kimberly Etienne said Tuesday.

The nursing home patient had been receiving care at the facility since early August after suffering a brain aneurysm, she said.

North Miami police confirmed that a person was found dead at the center but did not release a name. A cause and manner of death are pending the medical examiner's findings, Maj. Kessler Brooks said Tuesday.

The family's nightmare began on Aug. 22 when Kimberly said someone they believe works at the facility reached out and said Elin was missing.

"We received a message from someone's personal phone that said we can't find him. So we called the nursing home and spoke to a nurse and they said he checked himself out," she said. "When they said he checked himself out, we pleaded with them for the form to verify his signature. They refused. So we called the police to do a formal missing persons report."

In an Aug. 23 Facebook post, police asked for the public's assistance in finding Elin.

According to Kimberly, the facility refused to let the family search the premises for their missing relative. She said family members "were driving around the entire city" for over a week trying to find him.

On Monday, they were told that a body was found at the nursing home wearing a bracelet with Elin's name on it and the same clothing he had disappeared in.

"A detective came ... and said that he was found in a closet, decomposed to the point of no recognition," Kimberly said.

A person who answered the phone Tuesday at the facility hung up without answering questions. NBC News also tried contacting the facility through its website but did not immediately receive a response.

Elin, a chef, was remembered by his niece as a "loving, selfless" family man.

"Theres no such thing as him coming around and not lighting up a room with a joke, with laughter, with humor," she said. "He was just an honest person, and this is not the way we wanted to send him off."

He was supposed to be at the facility for 12 weeks to undergo rehabilitation and physical therapy, she said.

Kimberly said Elin had wanted to be buried in Haiti, where his mother is buried, but because of the condition of the body, the family doesn't know if that is still possible.

"Its like a movie, a terrible horror film," she said. "Now we have to seek justice because we cant even give him a proper burial."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The North Miami Police Department issued a missing vulnerable adult alert on social media for the elderly man, noting that he was last seen on Aug. 22

North Miami PD/facebook Elin Etienne

The family of an elderly man in Miami is seeking answers after they say he disappeared at a nursing facility and his body was allegedly found in a closet at the facility.

The family of Elin Etienne told NBC News and local media outlets WPLG and WSVN that the 71-year-old was admitted to the nursing center on Aug. 14 as he recovered from a brain aneurysm. A week later, his family told the outlets that they received a call from a staff member saying that he was missing.

When they reached out to the nursing home, per NBC News, they were told that Etienne had checked himself out. However, when the family said they asked the nursing home to verify the mans signature, they reportedly refused, prompting them to file a missing persons report.

The North Miami Police Department issued a missing vulnerable adult alert on social media on Aug. 23 for Etienne. Police noted that the elderly man was last seen the day prior in the area of the facility, North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, at around 2 p.m. local time wearing a green shirt and blue shorts.

Google street view North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

The police did not provide an update on social media. The department later confirmed to NBC News that a person was found dead at the center, though they did not confirm whether it was Etienne. Police confirmed to WSVN that the body was found in a storage closet.

The elderly mans family said on Monday, Sept. 2, they were informed about his death. His niece Kimberly Etienne alleged to NBC News, "A detective came ... and said that he was found in a closet, decomposed to the point of no recognition.

We thought that he went missing, we never expected him to be dead in the nursing home, Etiennes granddaughter Ruth Keisha Etienne added to WSVN.

The family said that Elin had been scheduled to be at the facility for 12 weeks to undergo rehabilitation and physical therapy, but they are now planning his funeral and searching for answers into how his death occurred.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The North Miami Police Department and North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment.

In a statement to WPLG and WSVN, North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center said that their thoughts and condolences go out to the family members affected by this devastating event.

"Our team is cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities, including law enforcement and our state regulatory partners, the nursing facility continued. We are compassionate caregivers, and that will help get us through this difficult experience. At the same time, we remain committed to ensuring our residents continue receiving the high-quality care they have come to expect from our facility.

Elin's family told NBC News their loved one, who used to be a chef, will be remembered as someone who was loving and selfless.

"Theres no such thing as him coming around and not lighting up a room with a joke, with laughter, with humor," his niece Kimberly told the outlet. "He was just an honest person, and this is not the way we wanted to send him off."



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Read the original article on People.
ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Experts and policymakers attending a continental urbanization-themed forum on Wednesday called for collaborative efforts to explore innovative solutions for African cities to thrive as centers of hope, growth, and prosperity.

They made the call during the inaugural Africa Urban Forum 2024, which opened Wednesday under the theme "Sustainable Urbanization for Africa's Transformation: Agenda 2063" in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.

The Africa Urban Forum is a continental platform that promotes sustainable development in African human settlements. The African Union (AU) and its members established the forum in 2022 in response to the rapid rise of urbanization in Africa, its opportunities and challenges, and the need to create a continental-scale forum to support an inclusive and holistic approach to unlocking the potential of urbanization on the continent.

Addressing the forum, Anaclaudia Rossbach, executive director of the United Nations Human Settlements Program, said as Africa's population is expected to double by 2050, African cities should be prepared to accommodate the needs of the projected rapid population growth.

According to the AU, the rapid urbanization in Africa presents significant financing challenges that require substantial investments in infrastructure, services, and social amenities to accommodate growing urban populations. The forum is expected to address the issue of financing urbanization in Africa.

It said traditional financing mechanisms often fall short of meeting the scale and complexity of urban development needs in Africa. The phenomenon requires urgently identifying innovative options for financing urbanization, including public-private partnerships, development financing, and community-based financing models.

Experts and policymakers attending the forum said challenges attributed to lack of infrastructure and services, unplanned settlements, significant informal economies, dependence on commodity extraction and exports, as well as institutional gaps have continued to undermine the links between urbanization and industrialization in many African countries.

Claver Gatete, executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, in a message delivered on his behalf, emphasized the need to address the major bottlenecks that hamper sustainable urbanization in Africa. He said the inaugural forum will play a crucial role in laying the foundation for the continuous and sustainable development of African cities.

According to the AU, with an average annual urban growth rate of 3.5 percent in the last 20 years, Africa has seen the largest urbanization in the developing world, and this trend is anticipated to continue until the year 2050.

Temesgen Tiruneh, deputy prime minister of Ethiopia, underscored the need to exchange ideas and experiences to advance sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous cities across Africa, with an overarching goal of realizing the AU's 50-year continental development blueprint, Agenda 2063.

Adanech Abiebie, mayor of Addis Ababa, said the transformation of African cities will serve as an engine for the continent's economic development and beyond. "African cities have huge potential for development. Leadership plays an irreplaceable role in harnessing the potential of cities, and mayors are at the heart of this role. Ensuring habitability, safety, and resilience is our top priority."

Studies show that urbanization in Africa varies by region, with each area having its own geographic and historical contexts. East Africa has the lowest rate of people living in cities, while South and North Africa lead in urban growth, followed by Central and West Africa, which are home to some of the largest megacities in Africa.

"African cities and towns will be built one way or another in the next three decades. How they are built will determine the prospects for the continent and the viability of global sustainability efforts for the remainder of the century," the AU said.

The inaugural Africa Urban Forum 2024, which runs until Friday, brought together African leaders and ministers, local authorities and mayors, representatives from the private sector, think tanks, and financial institutions, among others. 
Family seeks justice after doctor removed liver instead of spleen, man dies on the operation table

SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. (WMBB)  A tragic surgery last month at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Miramar Beach is under investigation. The family claims a doctor removed the wrong organ leading to a mans death.

William Bill Bryan, 70, and his wife Beverly were visiting their rental property in Destin on Aug. 19 when Bill felt pain on his left side.

He started having some pain in his left shoulder, his neck and his left side. So we went to Ascension Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast and he was admitted and became a patient of Dr. Shaknovsky, Beverly said.

Beverly, a retired nurse, said Doctor Thomas Shaknovsky diagnosed a spleen surgery and urged it to be performed by him.

We called Bills doctor, here at home in Northwest Alabama and he told Bill that he would have surgeons here in North Alabama waiting when we got home. I tried to convince Dr. Shaknovsky to let me take him home, or arrange for him to be transported. But Dr. Shaknovsky said that Bill would bleed to death if he was moved.

According to the Zarzaur law office, instead of the spleen, Shaknovsky removed Bills liver on Aug. 21 and he died on the operating table.

A pathologist told Beverly a bag labeled spleen contained Bills liver. Beverly said a medical examiner then performed an autopsy and confirmed Bill still had his spleen.

Everyone knows you cant live without your liver. Its about the same thing as if they had pulled out your heart. His heart, Beverly said. I know Im not the only wife whos lost her husband suddenly, but the loss of my Bill was exceptionally unnecessary and brutal.

Shaknovsky is said to have 14 years of experience in medicine. Zarzaur claims the Aug. 21 surgery is Shaknovskys second wrong-site surgery in two years, with a previous case being settled at the same facility in 2023.

Attorney Joe Zarzaur and Bills widow Beverly said they want justice.

If youre Dr. Shaknovskys patient, I have no qualms in telling you you should ask for a different doctor, Zarzaur said. I would go so far as to say just be very careful if youre even seeing the doctor for something non-surgical. That guy, I would not allow him to do anything with anybody here.

We do not want this to happen to anyone else, but for this particular individual especially, Beverly said. I didnt realize it takes so long for a doctor to lose a license. I thought it would be something, you know, as soon as this was known, it would be immediate. That is not the case.

Since the press release on Aug. 30, the surgeon has been removed from multiple medical office websites including North Walton Doctors Hospital, HCA Florida, and Ascension Sacred Heart.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Sacred heart emerald coasts leadership is investigating this matter. Ascension Sacred Heart

Walton County Sheriffs Office in conjunction with the District 1 Medical Examiners Office and Office of the State Attorney is reviewing the facts involving the death of William Bryan to determine if anything criminal took place. At this time, it would be incorrect to say criminal charges have been filed. Our agency asks for the publics patience as these cases are extremely complex and take time to investigate. The only reliable source of information regarding any criminal case will come from our office. Walton County Sheriffs Office

Zarzaur said he is starting the 6-9 month pre-suit process that must be followed before any civil lawsuit can be filed for medical malpractice.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
'Our family is together again': Dogs rescued from leveled home week after Alaska landslide

When a landslide destroyed an Alaska couple's home, the two began grieving their dogs who were buried under the rubble. One excruciating week later, their family is reunited now safe and sound.

James and William (Bill) Montiver's three-story house collapsed on Aug. 25 after a landslide leveled homes and businesses in Ketchikan, Alaska, a city facing the Inside Passage located in the southeastern part of the state. The married couple were lucky enough to have survived the disaster, which city officials said killed one person and hospitalized three others.

The landslide brought the couple's home down 47 feet into their neighbors home, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough wrote in a news release. James managed to escape the scene on his own, while Bill was rescued by first responders. However, their two dogs, Alani and Cassie, could not be found despite additional attempts to locate them throughout the next week.

Sisters Alani and Cassie were found and rescued by firefighters seven days landslide destroyed their three story house in Ketchikan, Alaska on Aug. 25, 2024.

By Sunday morning, geologist Travis Watkins heard whimpering from the tumbled down house, warranting search and rescue efforts. Fire crews assessed the property's stability and carried out an entry plan, eventually safely retrieving the sister pets.

Firefighter and EMT Crystal Schleiff said she shimmied through a three foot crawl space as well as foot and a half void when she saw blinking eyes, according to the news release.

She couldn't help to make a high pitch voice as she yelled "I found the dog, I see eyes and they're blinking." The dogs were returned to their owners and treated by a veterinarian.

Couple says they made 'private goodbyes' to their dogs

Following a suspenseful seven days, the Montivers, who have been together for 43 years, are beyond relieved to be with their dogs again.

We are humbled and blessed that Cassie and Alani have been returned to us, and our family is together again. We are so thankful to the first responders and to everyone who has helped us this week," James Montiver said in a news release.

Bill and James Montiver's dogs Alani and Cassie were rescued seven days after their home was destroyed by a landslide in Ketchikan, Alaska on August 25, 2024.

James told NBC News they were convinced their dogs didn't make it or someone else got a hold of them, adding that "we basically said our private goodbyes to them."

The sound of the landslide convinced Bill that a plane was about to crash into their house, he told NBC News.

James injured his shoulder and broke four ribs when the landslide threw him into the ceiling and down to his the sofa. Meanwhile, the pair believes Bill was protected by their Bosch dishwasher he was hiding behind when the wall collapsed.

"We owe a big thank you to Bosch," James said.

Landslide damaged roads, sparked evacuations

In addition to killing one person, injuring several others and leveling properties, the landslide also significantly damaged roads, caused power outages and required mandatory evacuations.

Ketchikan officials said the disaster began when land detached from a hill side on August 25 at about 4 p.m. local time.

"In my 65 years in Ketchikan, I have never seen a slide of this magnitude," Mayor Dave Kiffer said in a news release. "The loss of life that we have encountered is heartbreaking, and my heart goes out to those who lost their homes."

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued a disaster emergency declaration for the city that night adding that his "thoughts and prayers are with residents of Ketchikan tonight."

Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dogs found alive in house rubble one week after Alaska landslide
By Riham Alkousaa

BERLIN (Reuters) - Syrian doctor Humam Razok felt relief when he arrived in Germany nine years ago after fleeing Damascus, where he had been jailed twice for his political beliefs.

But the far-right AfD party's victory in an election on Sunday in the eastern state of Thuringia where he lives, and the daily racism he says his wife encounters, have convinced him to leave the state once she graduates.

Razok, 39, fears racism will worsen in Thuringia even if the Alternative for Germany is unlikely to be able to form a government because other parties refuse to work with it.

"It's like having a huge mole on your face as you walk down the street - people look at you in a strange way. We are still seen as new or unfamiliar to them," Razok said.

He was one of more than 10 migrants Reuters spoke to in Thuringia. All shared experiences of racism and said they were anxious about the rise of the far-right.

The nationalist, anti-migrant AfD won nearly 33% of votes in Thuringia and came a close second, with over 30% of votes, in neighbouring Saxony. It is the first far-right party to win a state legislature election in Germany since World War Two.

Razok quickly learned German following his arrival from Syria, and works as an anaesthetist at a hospital near the state capital of Erfurt. He says he is respected by patients and is satisfied with the atmosphere at work but that his wife, who wears a headscarf, faces racism every day.

"I am very careful on the street. If I speak Arabic with my wife, I try to keep it down or switch to German if someone is close by," Razok said.

He said he was not surprised by the AfD's election success but was disappointed, and that its rise had emboldened some of his work colleagues to openly voice support for the party.

Other migrants he knows in Thuringia, where foreigners make up 7.6% of the population, are also afraid, Razok said.

"Only a minority (of them) still want to live here," he said, adding that he plans to move to one of Germany's western states once his wife graduates as a pharmacist.

Skilled workers are desperately needed in Thuringia, where more than three in four healthcare vacancies could not be filled with a suitable applicant within a year, according to data compiled by the IAB labour market research institute.

If this trend continues, it could exacerbate the labour shortage in Thuringia, where the number of employed people is expected to shrink by about 20% by 2040, twice the national average, according to an study by the Bertelsmann Foundation.

MIGRATION TRAUMA

Nearly half the people who voted in Thuringia supported either the AfD or the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), which also called for tighter asylum policies and won 15.8% of votes.

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner blamed the outcome on the federal government's migration policy, saying Germans were fed up with the fact that the government may have lost control of immigration and asylum.

A deadly attack by a Syrian asylum seeker in the western city of Solingen a week earlier had intensified voters' concerns about unregulated migration, said Hermann Binkert, head of the German Institute for New Social Answers (INSA).

"Also, there is still a bit of that trauma from 2015," he said, referring to the impact of former Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision in 2015 to allow over a million asylum seekers to cross the border into Germany.

The Solingen attack prompted Germany's federal government to introduce measures to tighten asylum policies and accelerate deportations.

The arrival of refugees fleeing war in Ukraine and a rise in asylum applications in 2023 have also fuelled public debate on migration, said Zeynep Yanasmayan-Wegele, a researcher at the German Center for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM).

She said social problems, such as a lack of affordable housing and labour shortages, were often oversimplified by politicians and wrongly attributed to migration, making it very difficult to "depoliticise" the topic.

HATE CRIMES

Hate crimes surged nearly 50% in Germany to 17,007 cases in 2023, according to data released by the Federal Criminal Police Office, which put the rise down largely to a rise in xenophobic offences which it said were mostly linked to right-wing extremism.

Yara Mayassah, an integration social worker in Erfurt, attributes the AfD's rise to what she sees as the wrong focus in Germany's integration policies.

"It's an awareness problem. Since we arrived in Germany, all initiatives have focused on educating and raising awareness among migrants. But we've never worked on raising the awareness of the host community," Mayassah said.

Ali Hwajeh, 28, a psychology student in Thuringia, said he feared the AfD's success would embolden its supporters to physically attack refugees.

"I'll stay for now and see how things develop. If the situation worsens  if there's aggression, if people get injuredthen my decision might change," he said.

(Reporting by Riham Alkousaa, Additional reporting by Sarah Marsh, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
The FBI said Wednesday that agents are conducting another search in the case involving the killing of Crystal Rogers.

The agency said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it was conducting a search in Coxs Creek, KY, as a follow-up to tips received related to the Crystal Rogers investigation.

Sara Anderson, a spokeswoman for the FBI in Kentucky, said the search is expected to continue Thursday, but that the agency would not release any further information yet.

Louisville television station WDRB reported that the search Wednesday was at property on Whitesides Road in rural Nelson County, and that family members of a man charged in Rogers death formerly owned property on the road.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is conducting the search on Whitesides Road, a rural residential road between Fairfield and Highgrove in Nelson County.

Rogers, 35, of Bardstown, went missing in July 2015. Her body has never been found, though she is presumed dead.

Police found her car on the Bluegrass Parkway with her phone, keys and wallet inside. Investigators previously conducted several searches related to her death, including on a farm owned by ex-boyfriends family.

And sixteen months after Rogers disappearance, her father, Tommy Ballard, was killed too.

Ballard had searched for his daughter and created a community group to try to find her. He was killed by someone while hunting with his grandson.

The incidents drew national attention, including a television show on the true crime network Oxygen.

After years of investigation, a grand jury indicted Rogers former boyfriend, Brooks Houck, last year on charges of murder and tampering with evidence in Rogers death.

Stephen and Joseph Lawson, a father and son, were charged with conspiracy to commit murder and complicity to tampering with evidence.

All three have pleaded not guilty.

No one has been charged in Ballards death. A prosecutor said the gun used to shoot him had been owned at one time by Houcks brother.

Court document: Defendant said he saw son digging soon after Crystal Rogers disappearance

New filing in Crystal Rogers murder case indicates Brooks Houck wanted her gone

Incessant media coverage of Crystal Rogers, Brooks Houck leads to change of venue request

Major arrest in Crystal Rogers case was a long time coming, but questions remain
From left, Lt. Jason Mitzel of the Pennington County Sheriff's Office and Brandon Sanchez, incident commander for the U.S. Forest Service, address the media about the First Thunder Fire on Sept. 4, 2024, at the Forest Service's Mystic Ranger District Office in Rapid City. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)

From left, Lt. Jason Mitzel of the Pennington County Sheriff's Office and Brandon Sanchez, incident commander for the U.S. Forest Service, address the media about the First Thunder Fire on Sept. 4, 2024, at the Forest Service's Mystic Ranger District Office in Rapid City. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)

RAPID CITY  A leader in the fight against a wildfire near South Dakotas second largest city said Wednesday morning hes less concerned, even as work to contain the fire continues.

My comfort level is a lot higher now than it was yesterday, said Brandon Sanchez, the U.S. Forest Service official who serves as incident commander.

The First Thunder Fire began Monday evening in a rocky and forested area cut by deep canyons in the Black Hills, several miles west of Rapid City. Since then, crews of local, state and federal firefighters have worked to keep the flames from spreading toward residential areas on the citys western edge.

A map from NASA and the U.S. Forest Service shows the approximate location of the First Thunder Fire near Rapid City on Sept. 4, 2024.

Investigators are still working to determine the cause, Sanchez said. The fire is burning an area of the Black Hills National Forest thats mixed with parcels of private land. There have been no reports of injuries or damaged structures.

Some road closures remained in effect Wednesday morning, as did a flight restriction aimed at preventing drones and other aircraft from interfering with helicopters and tanker planes used by firefighters.

Authorities are asking those who live near the fire to stay prepared in case theyre ordered to leave, said Lt. Jason Mitzel of the Pennington County Sheriffs Office.

A map of the First Thunder Fire area provided by the U.S. Forest Service on Sept. 4, 2024.

Right now were not doing any evacuations, and it doesnt look like theres going to be a need for any evacuations, he said. However, whenever theres an incident like this, we always just ask people to be prepared in case that time may come.

The estimate of the fires size Wednesday morning was 155 acres, only 5 acres larger than Tuesdays estimate. About 150 firefighting personnel were on the scene.

Sanchez said firefighters have established a perimeter around the fire. The perimeter consists of earthen lines dug by hand or bulldozer, and also includes manmade and natural fire breaks such as roads and rocky outcrops. Tanker planes have dropped retardant chemicals ahead of the fires advance, and helicopters have dropped water.

Despite those efforts, estimated containment of the fire remained at 0%. Thats because fire remained close to the lines in some areas, and firefighters were working to knock those flames down. Sanchez said an updated containment estimate would probably be issued later Wednesday.

Weather remains a wild card. Clouds gathering Wednesday over the Black Hills were expected to bring helpful rain, but Sanchez said firefighters were also monitoring potential thunderstorms that could produce fire-fueling wind.

Fire information

A map of closed roads and the pre-evacuation notice area, along with other fire information, is available online at Pennington Countys Public Safety Hub. Additional info is available on the official First Thunder Fire Facebook page.

Sept. 2-4, 2024, images of the First Thunder Fire just west of Rapid City.

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Burning coal (Photo by Ray Hornsay/via Flickr, CC-BY-SA 2.0)

WASHINGTON  The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is inviting public comment on the Spring Creek Mine Federal Mining Plan Modification Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The 45-day public comment period will open when the draft EIS is published in the Federal Register.

The office prepared this environmental impact statement to further analyze the environmental impacts of a proposed mine plan modification at the Spring Creek Mine, operated by the Navajo Transitional Energy Company. OSMRE had previously prepared an environmental assessment in 2016 for this mining plan modification, which the District Court of Montana found inadequate in 2021.

The mine is located in Big Horn County, Montana, about 32 miles north of Sheridan, Wyoming. The operators proposed mine plan modification would involve disturbance of an additional 162.5 acres to produce an additional 39.9 million tons of federal coal. The draft EIS analyzes three alternatives in addition to the operators proposed action; the Forest Service chose Alternative 3 as its proposed alternative in its Record of Decision.

In addition to the 45-day public comment period, OSMRE will hold a public meeting at the Big Horn County Courthouse, Hardin, Montana, from 5 to 8 p.m., on Sept. 24 to receive comments on the draft EIS. Instructions and deadline to submit public comments will be available in the Federal Register notice.

Following the close of the 45-day comment period, OSMRE will prepare the final EIS.

For more information on the project, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/custergallatin/?project=61385.
Up to 70 horses died in Oklahoma after eating a load of feed contaminated with a toxic additive (Getty Images for Teton Ridge)

The manufacturer of a load of feed that caused the death of up to 70 rodeo horses has admitted that the batch was contaminated with a toxic additive.

Livestock Nutrition Center said that the feed contained monensin, which is used to control parasites, but can be deadly to horses, and said it was truly sorry for the incident and the loss of the valued livestock.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) launched an investigation on August 23, following reports of multiple dead animals relating to a feed order for Beutler and Son Rodeo Co.

Rhett Beutler, co-owner of the company, said that shortly after feeding the animals he had seen some stuff that wasnt right and that horses had been falling over horses. Between 40 to 70 horses had died, Beutler told Oklahoma News 4.

In a statement released on Friday, Livestock Nutrition Center president Ronnie Castlebury said that the company was dedicated to assist and support the Beutler family with the loss of so many valued animals.

Our preliminary tests show a load of feed delivered to Beutler and Son Rodeo Company in Elk City contained monensin, which can be toxic to horses. This likely occurred due to a combination of a failed cleanout procedure and a sensor malfunction, Castlebury said.

According to the University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center, monensin is an animal feed additive that is used to control parasites and improve feed efficiency.

Horses are extremely sensitive to monensin and it is toxic to them, causing the death of heart muscle. Animals can die from the toxicity, recover completely, or develop heart failure and have to be humanely euthanized.

In the statement, Castlebury said that the poisoned feed was an isolated load from a single facility and that no other batches had been contaminated or impacted.

We take this seriously and are working with the State Departments of Agriculture in Oklahoma and Kansas and the FDA to get to the root cause of the problem and will take any and all corrective actions needed, he said.

Words are cheap but we are dedicated to assist and support the Beutler family and make this right because our customers and employees expect and deserve it.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Mrs Bennie and Rhett Beutler and family and everyone affected by the recent tragic event at their ranch. The loss of so many valued animals is devastating."

The Beutler family has bred and raised generations of champion horses and supplied them to rodeos across the United States since 1929.
Felon indicted after being found with more than $80K, 9K fentanyl pills

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A felon who was previously deported from the United States has been indicted for several federal crimes, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Utah.

Armando Reyes-Ascension, 43, is being charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, felon in possession of a firearm, and reentry of a previously removed alien, according to the attorneys office.

READ NEXT: Improper gun storage could lead to child abuse charges, death  Heres what to know

According to a press release, the Salt Lake City Police Department received several anonymous tips about a man selling fentanyl pills from an apartment in Salt Lake. Reyes-Ascension was observed exiting the apartment and stopping in known drug areas while under surveillance.

Officers obtained a search warrant and found more than 7,000 pills that field-tested positive for fentanyl, as well as more than $32,000 in cash in Reyes-Ascensions vehicle.

Reyes-Ascension was previously deported from the U.S. in 2003 and 2020, and returned in May 2024. In June 2024, he was deported again, the attorneys office said.

However, Reyes-Ascension returned to the U.S. in August, and was stopped for a traffic violation while riding a bicycle against traffic on Aug. 7. Officers found drug paraphernalia during an initial search of his backpack and took Reyes-Ascension into custody.

Further search of the backpack revealed a loaded firearm, more than 2,000 pills that field-tested positive for fentanyl, more than $55,000 in cash, as well as other dangerous weapons and coins.

In total, over the span of three months, Reyes-Ascension, was found in possession of more than 9,000 fentanyl pills, a loaded firearm, several dangerous weapons, and $87,000 cash, the attorneys office said.

The case is being investigated by several organizations, including the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Fewer South Carolinians are buying flood insurance. Some may not even realize they should.

An aerial photo of flooding along the Edisto River after Tropical Storm Debby hit South Carolina in early August 2024. (Provided by Charleston County Sheriff's Department)

MONCKS CORNER  The gray brick house with the big backyard was the dream home Justin Strickland and Mackenzie Truitt had been looking for.

It had plenty of space for their young daughter Jade to play as she grows and for the familys three dogs  Mya, Cash and Bailey  to run.

During their search, they had toured a different house before settling on the one in the Conifer Hall neighborhood southwest of Moncks Corner. That other home, their real estate agent told them, was in a flood zone. This one was not.

At least not one deemed high risk by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that maps floodplains across the United States and oversees the National Flood Insurance Program, serving as the primary underwriter of flood insurance nationwide since the late 1960s.

But when Tropical Storm Debby dumped more than 20 inches of rain over four days last month on Moncks Corner  making not one, but two passes across the Palmetto State  the couple would find out the hard way about their homes true flood risk and the confusion that federal flood zone designations can create.

The government requires borrowers who take out federally backed mortgages for homes in high-risk areas to buy flood insurance to cover damage.

The cost of those annual policies depends on estimated rebuilding expenses. Almost half of South Carolina homeowners with federal insurance pay less than $1,000 annually. About 30% of homeowners pay between $1,000 and $2,000 for a policy, while 10% pay between $2,000 and $3,000, according to FEMA data for single-family homes as of August 2023.

Homeowners who arent in a zone deemed high risk can choose to pay for flood insurance but arent required to add the coverage to get a loan. For those who dont, storms can bring a very costly surprise.

A big part of it is the flood map is not a complete picture of flood risk, said Jenny Brennan, a climate analyst for the Southern Environmental Law Center. It doesnt tell us the full story, partly because the methods that are used to create those maps are a bit out of date.

(The maps) dont consider stormwater flooding in the way that they should, Brennan continued. So, in reality, were seeing places that flood often that are not mapped in those flood zones at all.

Its an issue that led the environmental legal advocacy group to work with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission to add questions to a form mandating sellers disclose if a property has flooded, whether public or private flood insurance claims have been filed, whether residents received flood disaster assistance or if repairs were previously made due to flooding.

It went into effect in June 2023 and was meant to provide extra protections for buyers like Truitt and Strickland.

Their neighborhood is south of Lake Moultrie and west of the Cooper River but miles away from either.

Truitt said their Federal Housing Administration lender told them they werent in a flood zone when they closed on the sale in June. And the answers to questions about flooding on the disclosure form they received from the sellers, who county property records show owned the home for only a year, did not indicate any past issues, she said. They would have purchased the added insurance but thought they were in the clear.

Caught unaware

In the month or so that Truitt and Strickland lived in their new home, they grew used to water pooling in the ditch in the front yard on a rainy day.

When Strickland left home early for work on Aug. 6, the water had crept across the yard, not quite reaching the front porch.

He remembered seeing sandbags left by the previous owners in a shed in the backyard. The couple hadnt known why the bags were there. Now they were placing them around their home.

It really looked like there was a river in the backyard, Truitt said.

By Aug. 8, the sun had come out and the couples daughter played outside while they cleaned up the sticks and leaves the storm had washed up.

But Debby wasnt finished.

Strickland and Truitt put their daughter to bed around 8 p.m. Sometime that night, the rain resumed. They woke to banging on their door at 1:30 a.m., a neighbor coming to get them. Truitt stepped out of bed and into water that came almost to her knee.

About 5 miles away, in the Cane Bay neighborhood of Summerville, flash flooding alerts flashed across the phones of Erin Strauss and her husband. They didnt think anything of it.

We grew up in Walterboro, so were both pretty familiar with what South Carolina weather can do, especially during hurricane season, Strauss said.

Besides, since moving into their Summerville home in May, none of the neighbors had mentioned any flooding issues. Neither had the real estate agents. And flood insurance wasnt required on the property.

But it had happened before, in 2015, when Hurricane Joaquin soaked parts of the state with 2 feet of rain.

As Strauss husband left for work in his lifted truck last month, the water came up to his door jamb. The streets wouldnt fully clear of water for about five days.

The floodwaters never reached Strauss home or yard. She said the builders did a good job of grading the land so it all flowed to the street.

But others werent so lucky. Strauss said several residents living in newer homes in the back of the neighborhood, where theres a lake, made social media posts about water in their homes.

In all, the storm prompted 40 water rescues in Berkeley County, according to a county spokesperson.

Damage done

Back in Moncks Corner, Strickland and Truitt have spent the last few weeks ripping out flooring and drywall on what had seemed to be the perfect place to make their family home. Their furniture, their appliances, about half their clothing is all ruined.

They had only been in the home long enough to make one mortgage payment. Now theyre living with Stricklands mother.

Without flood insurance and with no federal disaster declaration as of yet opening up federal aid, Strickland and Truitt are left to rebuild out of pocket.

Theyre far from alone.

The latest data show the number of subsidized federal flood policies sold across the state has actually decreased, despite rapid development in many parts of the state and a series of destructive storms since 2015.

Just 199,324 households in South Carolina carry national flood insurance policies, or about 8% of all residential properties around the state. That number fell by 2,600 compared to a year ago, according to a monthly spreadsheet from FEMA.

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Meanwhile, the Southern Environmental Law Center estimates nearly 210,000 South Carolinians live in flood-prone areas.

Strauss said she and her husband arent likely to purchase flood insurance on their Summerville home despite the flooding brought on by Debby.

If it only happens once in a blue moon, Id almost rather take the risk or pay out of pocket for repairs, especially with the high cost of insurance payments, she said.

The federal flood program is not without its issues, said Brennan, the climate analyst.

Its a system thats designed to put things back the way they were before, rather than rebuild in a better way, she said. It doesnt cover the cost of lifting low-lying homes on stilts, for example.

But then again, its better than having nothing, Brennan said. We have to have some sort of backstop for people. Some people can cut their losses and rebuild. But most people cant afford to lose their most significant investment, their home, and still be able to recover.

Flood insurance carriers tend to pay out claims much faster than federal disaster recovery.

Seeking solutions

The governors office said damage assessments will continue over the next two weeks before the governor decides whether or not the state will apply for federal assistance. So far, only three counties  Dorchester, Colleton and Charleston  are being considered for individual assistance for homeowners.

The federal flood insurance program also makes it hard for people to get information on the flood history of a home, said Nick Kremydas, CEO of South Carolina Realtors.

Privacy laws only allow buyers to request the information after closing on a home. And even then, many dont know this is allowed, he said.

The Southern Environmental Law Center hopes the state-level real estate disclosures help ensure information is more readily shared. Homeowners who are aware of past flooding and purposely do not disclose can be sued for damages.

Strickland and Truitt said they and some of their Moncks Corner neighbors are hoping for a more permanent solution from Berkeley County to their drainage issues.

I love my house, Truitt said. If the problem was fixed I would love to keep my house but I want the problem changed.

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LIMA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- At least six people drowned after their boat capsized in the predawn hours of Wednesday in a river that runs through east-central Peru's jungle region of Ucayali, local authorities confirmed.

According to the head of the Port Captaincy, Jonathan Novoa, the boat, identified as CR, left the port of Pucallpa at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday local time bound for the city of Atalaya, but suffered an accident around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, possibly colliding with an object submerged by a rise in the river, state agency Andina reported.

Some 48 people, including several teachers and minors, were on board the vessel, which had a capacity for 68 passengers and had met all safety requirements, such as having life jackets, according to authorities.

The tragedy came on the heels of another similar incident Sunday, when a boat sank in northern Peru's Loreto region, killing at least four people, including a minor. 
The News

Helsinki unveiled a proposal to stop Russian nationals from buying property in Finland, which shares the longest land border with Russia of any NATO country, over national security concerns.

It plans to ban real estate purchases by most Russian citizens after saying it had observed suspicious activity at Russian-owned homes, including fortifications and helipads.

The war of aggression conducted by Russia has forced Helsinkis hand, said the Finnish defense minister: The proposed legislation will not name Russia explicitly but will apply to nations that have violated the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of another state.

SIGNALS

A war on Russian property

Sources: Bloomberg, Iltalehti, Reuters

The new law would build on legislation put in place last year that allows for state intervention in real estate transactions on national security grounds. Since, then Helsinki has blocked numerous sales with links to Russia, including that of a former nursing home near a military base. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told Bloomberg that these properties could be used for some acts of damage or possibly as a bridgehead in connection with some larger operation. Though the number of real estate sales to Russians has declined, 116 requests were still approved last year, Italehti reported. The new law will explore more effective expropriation measures as well as improved oversight of the 3,500 properties currently being monitored.

Newest escalation in increasingly sour relations

Source: Reuters

Relations between Moscow and Helsinki have dramatically deteriorated since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which prompted Finland to join the NATO military alliance last year. Since then, Finland has blocked all migration between the Nordic nation and Russia, with whom it shares an 830-mile border. Helsinki has accused Russia of attempting to weaponize migration by encouraging thousands of asylum seekers from countries like Syria and Somalia to cross the Russian border into Finland. In July Finland said a Russian vessel had encroached on Finnish territorial waters, and a month earlier that four Russian planes had violated its airspace.
STOW, Mass. (WWLP)  September is College Fire Safety Month and thousands of new and returning college students are moving into their dorms, apartments, and other living spaces.

Palmer fire called to carbon dioxide leak on railroad tracks

The State Fire Marshals Office is urging college students to have working smoke alarms and two exits out to safety. Two students died in off-campus housing fires in the past 10 years in Massachusetts, and approximately 2,538 fires happened in college dormitories, fraternities, and sororities in the state between 2019 and 2023. The fires caused three civilian injuries, 11 fire service injuries, and over $2.5 million in estimated damages.

More fires on college campuses were reported in September than in any other month, and unsafe cooking practices were the most common cause.

It doesnt matter whether you live in a dorm, apartment, Greek housing, or one- or two-family home, said State Fire Marshal Davine. Everyone should have working smoke and CO alarms on every level of their residence, and test them monthly to be sure theyre working properly. Never, ever disable an alarm, and dont waste precious time retrieving personal belongings if you hear it sound  just get out, stay out, and call 9-1-1.

If youve just moved into a new living space, take some time to identify two ways out of your unit and the building  and two ways out of each room, if possible, said Foxborough Fire Chief Michael Kelleher, president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts. Plan and practice your escape routes before you need to use them in an emergency. Todays residential fires burn faster than ever before, and they create toxic smoke that can travel throughout the home. A practiced home escape plan could save your life.

Fire safety should be practiced all year long, with windows, doors, and stairways always being clear of boxes, furniture, bicycles, and any other obstructions so you can escape and firefighters can enter in case of an emergency. Fire doors should also never be blocked or propped open.

Smoke alarms must be replaced every 10 years and are labeled with their date of manufacture. Carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced every 5 to 7 years, depending on the make and model. Some CO alarms have a 10-year sealed battery.

Students can prevent a fire from starting in any situation by doing the following:

Cooking: Stand by your pan! Dont leave pots and pans unattended on a lit stovetop, and keep flammable items away from burners. In the event of a grease fire, smother the flames with a lid and then turn off the heat.

Lithium-Ion Batteries : Use the charging equipment provided by the manufacturer and disconnect it when the device is charged. Charge phones, laptops, e-cigarettes, e-bike batteries, and other devices on a hard and stable surface  never a bed, couch, or pillow. If you notice an unusual odor, change in color, change in shape, leaking, or odd noises, stop using the device right away. If you can do so safely, move it away from anything that can burn and call your local fire department.

Smoking: There is no safe way to smoke, but if you must smoke then do it responsibly. Dont flick cigarettes or other smoking materials on the ground, where they can smolder and ignite debris, or grind them out on porches or steps. Use a heavy ashtray on a sturdy surface and put it out, all the way, every time.

Electrical: Always plug appliances such as air conditioners and space heaters into wall sockets that can handle the current, not power strips or extension cords. Dont overload outlets with multiple devices.

Heating: Turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to sleep. Never leave a space heater unattended.

Candles: Never leave candles burning unattended. Extinguish them before leaving the room. Even better, switch to battery-powered candles.

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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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FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Two firefighters were injured while battling the Boone Fire near the City of Coalinga on Tuesday, Cal Fire says.

Fire personnel say the firefighter received minor injuries and has been taken to a local hospital for treatment. On Tuesday night, fire officials said another firefighter was wounded and also received treatment for minor injuries. No civilian injuries have been reported.

Boone Fire burns over 11,000 acres in Fresno County

According to officials, the fire erupted shortly after noon in the area of Highway 198 and Boone Lane, just 10 miles west of Coalinga. The fire department says Highway 198 is closed at Firestone Avenue and asks drivers to avoid the area while crews respond to the scene.

Cal Fire mapped the blaze at 3,068 acres as of 6:30 p.m. Tuesday; containment has not yet been reported. Crews say the fire is burning through grass and brush on the north side of the highway at a moderate rate of speed.

Boone Fire

Boone Fire

Boone Fire

Boone Fire

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Updates will be provided as they become available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
JAMAICA, Queens (PIX11)  Firefighters battled a fire at a tire shop in Queens Tuesday evening.

Firefighters responded to the fire at 150-05 Liberty Ave. in Jamaica around 5:15 p.m., according to the FDNY.

More Local News

Nearly 200 FDNY fire and EMS members responded to the scene. Flames and smoke could be seen billowing from the building.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here.

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First responders awarded after saving 7-month-old baby who overdosed on fentanyl

Several local first responders were honored and awarded today after their efforts to save a 7-month-old boy who overdosed on fentanyl in June.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

The intense body camera video, posted by the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office, shows first responders rushing into action. Attorney General Ashley Moody was in town to award them for their heroic efforts.

When the call about an unresponsive 7-month-old came in, time was of the essence for Jacksonville first responders.

Saving the childs life, keeping the baby alive, Officer Isolina Langston said.

Officers Isolina Langston and Bryan Pressnalle rushed into a Southside apartment complex, Langston used her training and realized the baby likely ingested drugs, while Officer Pressnalle kept neighbors at ease.

The baby was handed to fire rescue crews who administered Narcan to help save the babys life. It was later learned they suspected he overdosed on fentanyl.

Huge, huge chest relief when I heard JFRD on scene and heard their sirens, Langston said.

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On Wednesday, those officers, along with JFRD Engineer James Mitchell and firefighter Kyle Smithers were awarded the Back the Blue award by Moody, for what she called heroic efforts. Moody said its crucial to supply first responders with everything they need to protect the community and to go after those responsible.

We are pushing naloxone to first responders free of charge to make sure theyre well equipped to address the crisis situation as Floridians struggle with overdose, she said.

JFRD Division Chief of Rescue, Jake Blanton, said last year they responded to roughly 5000 overdose calls, 3000 of them needing Narcan.

Officer Langston said she was grateful to know the baby was alright, she credited the teamwork between JSO and JFRD.

Rode home in silence, kiss my loved ones, hold my loved ones a little bit tighter, she said.

I stayed with the baby in the hospital. I just felt the need as a mother as well, I just didnt want to let go, she said.

Making a difference is why she does the job.

This is absolutely why I got into it. You have a lot of stuff, a lot of days, and this, children are the most precious thing we have and you just protect that at all cost, she said.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Its Wednesday, September 4. Take a look at our top stories in news and weather with KELOLAND On The GO.

Firefighters battling the First Thunder Wildfire south of Rapid City made a good handle on the blaze Tuesday night, according to a social media update from the Pennington County Sheriffs office.

A good handle: Progress on First Thunder fire

A vigil was held in Dunham Park Tuesday night for 29-year-old Joshua Allen, who was killed there on August 25.

Vigil held in Dunham Park Tuesday night

Fire weather concerns have been very high in western South Dakota, but better news is coming today.

Fire weather improving today; Fall-like start to the weekend

Download the KELOLAND News app to find the latest headlines while on the go.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Fischer and Osborn might be in tight race, as both tout union endorsements

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., faces nonpartisan candidate Dan Osborn in Nebraska's Senate race this fall. Candidate photos courtesy of their campaigns. Capitol photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

OMAHA  Nebraska U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer stopped short Tuesday of acknowledging she is in her most competitive general election race since 2012, when she beat former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey.

But this week, Fischer didnt dismiss a poll from Split Ticket and SurveyUSA indicating she holds a 39%-38% lead over nonpartisan Dan Osborn, with 23% of voters undecided.

Fischer has previously called polls showing the race within the margin of error fake or out of step with her campaigns polling, which has shown her with a double-digit lead.

On Tuesday, Fischer said she takes nothing for granted, that she prefers official visits to media debates and that she plans to keep asking Nebraskans what they want from their senator.

Thats why its important that I continue doing what I do  and thats working for Nebraska, she said.

Polls show increasingly competitive race

Osborn, a steamfitter, said his effort to get a working man into the Senate is resonating with Nebraskans who are tired of the stranglehold the two major parties have on Washington, D.C.

Polling within a point in a cell, landline and online survey of 1,293 registered Nebraska voters Aug. 23-27 means the pollster doesnt know who leads. Its margin of error was 3.6%.

Fischers campaign did share some of her pollsters concerns about the survey, including that it showed Fischer underperforming Trump by 15 percentage points, when more voters backed her than Trump in Nebraskas 2024 GOP primary.

The pollster also told the campaign that those responding to the outside poll skewed younger than the 2020 electorate.

Fischer and Kerrey were running the last time polls showed Nebraska with a U.S. Senate race within striking distance. This is now the fifth poll to do so in the current campaign.



Fischer beat Kerrey by 16 percentage points. She was helped by the fact that Kerrey and his family had moved to New York. They bought a house in Omaha during the campaign but did not move in.

Growing interest in race

National reporters have written recently about the chances a Senate race in Nebraska might factor into which party controls the chamber, a rarity in a state where Republicans outnumber Democrats 2-to-1.

Randall Adkins, a political scientist at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, said that 90%-95% of congressional incumbents get re-elected and that its very difficult to dislodge one.

He said what stood out to him in the polling was the significant number of Nebraskans who did not know enough about Osborn or Fischer to form an opinion.

Adkins said the presidential race has sucked up most of the oxygen available for political news and has left even U.S. Senate races struggling for attention from reporters and voters.

His key takeaway from the polling is the chance to draw national donors to a race in a state where they havent spent much money since U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson was re-elected in 2006.

I think what its really saying is voters really dont have enough information, he said, pointing to the 23% undecided just over two months from Election Day.

Thats why some Republicans privately say they are pressing Fischers campaign to dip into her war chest of more than $3 million and spend money defining Osborn. She has raised more than $6.2 million.

Osborn has raised more than $1 million, a significant sum for a candidate backed by no political party. He listed $650,000 in campaign cash on hand in July.

Registrations favor Fischer

Fischer said Osborn should not be embraced as some kind of post-partisan candidate when he has supported Democratic candidates and enjoys the public support of many Democrats. Osborn has been a registered nonpartisan in Douglas County since at least 2004, records show.

She said she had seen a Nebraska Democratic Party pamphlet encouraging Democrats to support Osborn to break single-party rule, whether or not Osborn wants their endorsement.

Dan Osborn hasnt been honest with people, Fischer said. He doesnt say who he will caucus with. He wont say who hes going to vote for for president.

Osborn has said he does not want the backing of any party after having flirted with pursuing endorsements from the Democrats and third parties, including the Libertarian Party.

He said he understands why Fischer wants to make the race partisan, because Republicans would hold a wider advantage in voter loyalty if she were running against a Democrat.

I would do the same thing I was her, Osborn said. Thats politically savvy. Im running against the Republicans so it stands to reason shes going to paint me out to be a Democrat.

Osborn said the public knows better after his public squabble with Nebraska Democrats when he declined to seek their endorsement despite having talked to the party about it for months.

Both have union backing

Fischer answered questions from reporters Tuesday after a campaign press conference touting support from more than a dozen unions, including some representing Nebraska firefighters, paramedics and law enforcement officers.

Her supporters include fire and police unions in Lincoln and Omaha. Several on Tuesday touted her support for funding personnel, training, equipment and pensions.

She said she is proud to support a national cancer registry for firefighters. She said she has fought cuts to unemployment benefits for railroaders and backed the bipartisan infrastructure bill.

Throughout my time in the Senate, we have made tremendous progress together, she said.

Osborn says he knows race is close

Osborn talked about the race by phone after announcing more than 20 of his own union endorsements from the AFL-CIO, United Auto Workers and his own current and former unions.

Osborn led the union that carried out a strike against Kelloggs Omaha plant in 2021. The plants owners recently announced plans to close the factory, though workers continue to negotiate.

She can do whatever she wants to do with the poll, Osborn said. Its just reiterating again what I already knew.

Political observers, including Adkins, said they want to see how a potentially competitive Senate race in Nebraska might affect other races, including the presidential race in the Omaha area.

Nebraska and Maine are the only states to split off a single Electoral College vote for the popular vote winner in each congressional district. They give the statewide winner the rest.

Others are interested in whether increased public interest in a Senate race might boost turnout for Democrats across the state in U.S. House races and state legislative races.

We havent seen a statewide Democrat or nonpartisan whos looked this competitive in a while, Adkins said. If this is successful, maybe this opens a door for people who are interested in public service but arent Republican.

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ANKARA/CAIRO, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, vowed on Wednesday to enhance bilateral relations during the first visit by an Egyptian president to Turkiye in 12 years.

"We will carry forward our multidimensional relations with Egypt with a win-win approach," Erdogan said at a joint press conference with Sisi in the capital Ankara.

During Sisi's visit, the two leaders co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, and ministers of the two countries signed a series of agreements.

"We are moving steadily towards our goal of increasing our trade volume to 15 billion (U.S.) dollars in the next five years," Erdogan said, adding that the two leaders affirmed their willingness to improve relations in various areas, including trade, defense, health and energy.

He noted that Turkiye is also ready to develop cooperation with Egypt in the fields of natural gas and nuclear energy.

Emphasizing Turkiye and Egypt's contribution to regional peace and stability, Erdogan said the two sides had agreed to conduct regular consultations to resolve regional issues, especially the Gaza conflict.

Sisi, for his part, said his first visit to Turkiye would pave the way to "a new phase" of cooperation and integration between the two countries.

"Today, we witnessed the signing of a number of memoranda of understanding that aim to establish a new institutional framework for cooperation between our two countries," he said.

The two leaders had also agreed to work on preventing a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, he added.

The visit of Sisi follows Erdogan's trip to Cairo in February, signaling a thaw in bilateral ties after years of hostility.

Relations between Turkiye and Egypt soured after the ouster of former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 and the subsequent banning of his Turkiye-backed Muslim Brotherhood group, which led both countries to expel each other's ambassadors. 
Four candidates remain in the contest to take over from Rishi Sunak as leader of the Conservative party.

Each was given the chance to make their pitch at the party's conference, in Birmingham.

In a series of further ballots, MPs will select the final two contenders, with party members choosing the ultimate winner in early November.

Kemi Badenoch

[PA Media]

Born in London and raised in Nigeria, Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke became the Tory MP for Saffron Walden in 2017 under her married name Badenoch.

Known for her robust views and no-nonsense style, her political heroine growing up in Nigeria was Margaret Thatcher, according to Blue Ambition, a biography by Tory peer Lord Ashcroft.

She returned to the UK at the age of 16 to study for her A-levels before gaining a masters degree in computer systems engineering from Sussex University.

She became more Conservative partly as "a reaction to the very spoiled, entitled, privileged, metropolitan elite-in-training at university," she told a Spectator podcast.

Before entering politics, the 44-year-old mother of three worked in banking and IT.

She held a series of ministerial jobs under Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, who promoted her to business secretary.

But it is arguably through her other former role - as minister for women and equalities - that she has emerged as a darling of the modern Conservative right for her stance on trans rights.

She regularly tops polls of Tory members carried out by the website Conservative Home.

She first ran for Conservative leader in 2022 following the resignation of Boris Johnson and came fourth despite starting the race with a relatively low-profile.

Launching her latest bid, she said the Conservative Party needed to "stop acting like Labour" to win back power.

James Cleverly

[Getty Images]

Seen as being on the "moderate" wing of the Conservative Party, James Cleverly has been an MP since 2015, rising to become foreign secretary and then home secretary.

Born and raised in south London, to an English father and Sierra Leonean mother, who worked as an NHS midwife, he was privately educated, despite the family's modest means, and joined the Army straight after school.

His full time soldiering career was cut short by a leg injury but he remains an officer in the Army reserves.

Like his leadership rival, Badenoch, the 55-year-old father-of-two cut his political teeth as a member of the London Assembly.

Before entering politics, he had a career in magazine and digital publishing, before setting up his own company.

A self-confessed fan of the tabletop wargame Warhammer, Cleverly is known to enjoy a joke.

He got into hot water in November 2023 for allegedly making a derogatory remark about Stockton-on-Tees in the Commons (something he denied).

He also had to apologise for joking about spiking his wife's drink at a Downing Street reception.

He once told the Huffington Post his biggest fault was that: I talk too much and sometimes I speak a bit too frankly, which I think people like until they dont like it.

He has spoken of his desire to "unite" the Conservatives and has urged the party to "think and act like Conservatives again".

He is also a robust defender of the previous government's policy of sending some asylum seekers to Rwanda, and has said he would bring it back if he becomes prime minister.

Robert Jenrick

[Getty Images]

Robert Jenrick has reinvented himself as a right-winger after starting his political journey as a more centrist figure and a close ally of former PM Rishi Sunak.

In 2023, he resigned his role as immigration minister, saying Sunak's emergency Rwanda legislation did not go far enough.

And he has since been outspoken about what he sees as his party's failure to deliver on its promises to cut immigration when it was in power.

In particular, he has led calls for the UK to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights.

This helped to him to attract support from MPs previously loyal to his former boss at the Home Office, Suella Braverman, who ruled herself out of the leadership contest before it began.

The 42-year-old father of three was a corporate lawyer - and a director of auction house Christie's - before entering politics as the MP for Newark in 2014.

His Tory leadership pitch is that the party needs to confront hard truths - and only he can make the changes needed to win the next election.

In 2020, he was embroiled in controversy over his decision as housing secretary to grant planning permission for a housing development in east London linked to a Tory donor.

In 2023, he made headlines again for ordering that murals of cartoon characters at a reception centre for child asylum seekers in Dover be painted over.

More recently, he admitted using the weight loss drug Ozempic but said he "didn't particularly enjoy it" and went on to lose weight by more traditional means.

Tom Tugendhat

[Getty Images]

A former officer in the Territorial Army, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, Tom Tugendhat is generally seen as a centrist.

But the shadow security minister has sought to boost his credentials with right wing MPs by taking a hard line on immigration.

At his leadership campaign launch, he pledged to cap the UK's net migration at 100,000 a year and did not rule out leaving the European Convention on Human Rights if he wins power.

The 51-year-old previously lost a leadership race against Liz Truss, during which he pitched himself as offering a "fresh start" and to "bridge the Brexit divide".

This time, he has pledged to "make the Conservative Party a serious force again", and has made a point of apologizing for the conduct of his party when it was in government.

The son of a high court judge, who was educated at top private school St Paul's before studying theology at Bristol University, he became the MP for Tonbridge at the 2015 general election.

A father of two, he voted Remain in the 2016 Brexit referendum. He was highly critical of Nato's withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.

How does the Conservative leadership contest work?

Six contenders made the initial shortlist after gaining the support of at least 10 MPs.

On 4 September, Dame Priti Patel was the first would-be leader to be knocked out in a ballot of Tory MPs.

On 10 September, five became four after a second Tory MP vote knocked out Mel Stride.

The final four had a number of opportunities to speak directly to Conservative members at the party's conference in Birmingham, between 29 September and 2 October.

Hustings and two further rounds of voting at Westminster will follow on 9 and 10 October, until only two contenders are left.

Assuming no one pulls out, Conservative party members will then vote to select the new leader.

How will the party membership vote work?

Party members will be able to cast their vote between 15 October and 31 October.

They will make their choice via a secure online voting system, though this approach has previously been criticised for its susceptibility to hackers and rogue state interference.

To be eligible to vote, party members must have been active for 90 days before the ballot closed, and to have been party members when nominations opened.

The new leader of the Conservative Party will be announced on 2 November - at which point Mr Sunak will formally stand down.

[BBC]

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A flight was diverted to Pittsburgh International Airport on Wednesday morning due to an alleged bomb threat.

Airport officials tell Channel 11 that an American Airlines flight from Newark to Dallas Fort Worth was diverted to Pittsburgh due to a possible security issue. The plane landed safely and was immediately met by law enforcement.

The FBI tells us that a flight attendant using the restroom saw a barely legible note written in pink pen on the door that said Theres a bomb on board.

The pilot was notified of the note and made the decision to detour.

The FBI says the last two people to use the bathroom were interviewed and searched for a pink pen -- which wasnt found.

K-9s also searched the plane.

At this time, there are no suspects and no indication of when the note was written on the bathroom door.

The FBI sent Channel 11 the following statement:

The FBI is aware of the incident involving American Airlines Flight 1603 from Newark to Dallas that was diverted to Pittsburgh International Airport this morning after a flight attendant noticed faint pink writing in the planes bathroom that mentioned a bomb on board. The pilot was notified and the plane safely diverted and was immediately met by FBI Pittsburgh agents, local law enforcement, and K-9s. The plane was completely swept and no threat was found. At this time, there is no indication of when the note was written. The flight was then cleared to continue to Dallas, and safely landed at its destination this afternoon.

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WELLSBORO, Pa. (WETM)  The Flood Aid Concert hosted last week by an a cappella group in Wellsboro raised a little over $5,000 to support the victims of the Aug. 9 flood in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

The concert took place on Friday, Aug. 30, at the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts. Pine Pitch A Capella performed at the concert, which garnered over 150 people and raised $3,404.48 in cash and check donations. After factoring in the electronic contributions made in advance of the concert, the total amount raised came out to $5,034.48.

Flood Aid Concert to be held in Wellsboro

According to the organizer of the concert, Kacy Hagan, who is also a member of the a cappella group, many people volunteered their time and resources to make the concert a success.

All of the funds that have been collected will be used to benefit the flood remediation efforts in Tioga County, Pennsylvania. If youre interested in donating, you can visit tiogapartnership.org or call 570-723-0520.

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Balloons welcome University of South Florida students to its Sarasota-Manatee campus on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (Photo courtesy of USF)

Floridas college and university students are starting the academic year greeted by friends and professors  and by warnings from administrators and Attorney General Ashley Moody about how to express their views on campus.

The directives follow nationwide protests over Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel and Israels subsequent assault on Gaza. While the scale of protests has varied nationwide, some led to arrests, including at the University of Florida, Florida State University, the University of South Florida, and the University of North Florida.

Last week, Moody sent a letter to all 40 Florida public college and university presidents reminding them of the zero-tolerance policy for antisemitism in the State of Florida. Most Florida students started classes during the last two weeks of August.

As we begin this new school year, let us renew our commitment to making Florida the best State in the nation for education and the safest State for Jewish students. Thank you for your service to our State and your commitment to fighting discrimination, Moody wrote.

As protests popped up nationwide, events at UCLA, for example, led Jewish students to file a lawsuit against that university, claiming it had enforced a Jew Exclusion Zone.

A federal judge last month instructed the university not to obstruct access to activities and programs for Jewish students. Moody addressed the UCLA episode in her message to Florida schools.

I also want to advise you that failing to protect Jewish students would create significant legal risk for Florida colleges and universities, Moody wrote, warning that failing to do so may also put federal funding at risk.

University of South Florida

At the University of South Florida, President Rhea Law emphasized safety to students and faculty in the new year, calling on everyone to do their part to treat each other with respect.

Law enforcement broke up an April protest at USFs Tampa campus with tear gas, The Oracle reported. The protest, according to The Oracle, saw 10 people arrested as some 100 people participated in a pro-Palestine encampment.

We condemn hate speech, and will not tolerate discrimination, antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, or bigotry, Law wrote in a welcome note to students.

Laws letter included a reminder that the university had updated its policy on campus activities and discrimination over the summer. USF now requires approval to erect tents, canopies and signs and to use audio amplifiers. The university addressed overnight protests, too, by prohibiting actions later than 5 p.m.

The discrimination policy update includes a prohibition on antisemitism and Islamophobia, specifically, and any other forms of hate based on religion or cultural heritage.

USF values the right to free speech, expression, and the open exchange of ideas, which we recognize are central to the mission of a university, even if we strongly disagree or find some of what is said to be offensive, Law wrote. However, we will not allow violent, disruptive, or aggressive acts that do not comply with university policy or the law.

Deans of students on USF three campuses sent a statement to students to start the school year, updating them on the new policies.

Constitutionally protected views or ideas expressed may be objectionable or offensive to some, the deans wrote. Just because it is occurring on our campus, does not mean that USF supports the content being expressed. To be clear: USF condemns antisemitic expression, along with all other instances of hateful expression targeting individuals because of their shared ancestry or cultural heritage. This includes USFs condemnation of Islamophobic expression.

Additional Florida universities  FSU, the University of West Florida, University of Central Florida, and UF  have seen tighter protest rules since October.

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Samples in the system

University of Florida interim President Kent Fuchs said in an interview with WCJB that he wants to make clear to students that we have policies, there are laws, and were going to enforce those.

So indeed this coming year we wont allow encampments, we wont allow masks that are intended to disguise identities of people, and we wont allow protesters or others to limit the activities of others, you know, to close down classrooms or occupy buildings, no indoor protests, Fuchs said. That well be pretty strict about.

He added that he wants to avoid arrests.

FSU passed a policy this summer prohibiting camping, building shelters and barriers, use of amplified sound, concealing or covering identity when protesting, and failure to observe reasonable adherence to university policy.

The FSU changes came less than two months after students protesting the war on campus were arrested and had water sprinklers turned on them.

The response from the university was absolutely political repression, according to Joelle Nunez, president of the Tally Students for a Democratic Society. Nunez told the Phoenix she felt her organization was being targeted by the new policy.

The University of North Florida will consider changes to its protest policy on Sept. 30, including a definition of time, place, and manner detailing prohibited acts and clarification of obligations to comply with directives of University officials, according to a UNF statement sent to News4Jax.

University of West Florida trustees are set to vote on changes to its speech, assembly, and public expression policy during their Sept. 12 meeting. The changes include revising and clarifying definitions for expressive activities, outdoor areas, restricted areas, and the University Community.

The new rules would prohibit overnight camping without authorization, picketing indoors, using fire, audio amplification, and expressive activities that create a material and substantial disruption of university functions.

In June, UCF approved a ban on camping on campus. The board voted to prohibit events from taking place later than 8 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday and they cannot last longer than five consecutive days.

During the meeting in which the decision was made, audience members spoke only in opposition to the measure, Central Florida Public Media reported.

UCF released a policy proposal last week that, if approved, would prohibit blocking walkways, doors, roadways, parking structures, windows, or any entrance to a university facility or space, and face coverings with the intent to intimidate any person or group, or for the purposes of evading or escaping discovery, recognition, or identification in connection with or during the commission of a violation of law, regulation, or policy.

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Balloons welcome University of South Florida students to its Sarasota-Manatee campus on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (Photo courtesy of USF)

Floridas college and university students are starting the academic year greeted by friends and professors  and by warnings from administrators and Attorney General Ashley Moody about how to express their views on campus.

The directives follow nationwide protests over Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel and Israels subsequent assault on Gaza. While the scale of protests has varied nationwide, some led to arrests, including at the University of Florida, Florida State University, the University of South Florida, and the University of North Florida.

Last week, Moody sent a letter to all 40 Florida public college and university presidents reminding them of the zero-tolerance policy for antisemitism in the State of Florida. Most Florida students started classes during the last two weeks of August.

As we begin this new school year, let us renew our commitment to making Florida the best State in the nation for education and the safest State for Jewish students. Thank you for your service to our State and your commitment to fighting discrimination, Moody wrote.

As protests popped up nationwide, events at UCLA, for example, led Jewish students to file a lawsuit against that university, claiming it had enforced a Jew Exclusion Zone.

A federal judge last month instructed the university not to obstruct access to activities and programs for Jewish students. Moody addressed the UCLA episode in her message to Florida schools.

I also want to advise you that failing to protect Jewish students would create significant legal risk for Florida colleges and universities, Moody wrote, warning that failing to do so may also put federal funding at risk.

University of South Florida

At the University of South Florida, President Rhea Law emphasized safety to students and faculty in the new year, calling on everyone to do their part to treat each other with respect.

Law enforcement broke up an April protest at USFs Tampa campus with tear gas, The Oracle reported. The protest, according to The Oracle, saw 10 people arrested as some 100 people participated in a pro-Palestine encampment.

We condemn hate speech, and will not tolerate discrimination, antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, or bigotry, Law wrote in a welcome note to students.

Laws letter included a reminder that the university had updated its policy on campus activities and discrimination over the summer. USF now requires approval to erect tents, canopies and signs and to use audio amplifiers. The university addressed overnight protests, too, by prohibiting actions later than 5 p.m.

The discrimination policy update includes a prohibition on antisemitism and Islamophobia, specifically, and any other forms of hate based on religion or cultural heritage.

USF values the right to free speech, expression, and the open exchange of ideas, which we recognize are central to the mission of a university, even if we strongly disagree or find some of what is said to be offensive, Law wrote. However, we will not allow violent, disruptive, or aggressive acts that do not comply with university policy or the law.

Deans of students on USF three campuses sent a statement to students to start the school year, updating them on the new policies.

Constitutionally protected views or ideas expressed may be objectionable or offensive to some, the deans wrote. Just because it is occurring on our campus, does not mean that USF supports the content being expressed. To be clear: USF condemns antisemitic expression, along with all other instances of hateful expression targeting individuals because of their shared ancestry or cultural heritage. This includes USFs condemnation of Islamophobic expression.

Additional Florida universities  FSU, the University of West Florida, University of Central Florida, and UF  have seen tighter protest rules since October.

Samples in the system

University of Florida interim President Kent Fuchs said in an interview with WCJB that he wants to make clear to students that we have policies, there are laws, and were going to enforce those.

So indeed this coming year we wont allow encampments, we wont allow masks that are intended to disguise identities of people, and we wont allow protesters or others to limit the activities of others, you know, to close down classrooms or occupy buildings, no indoor protests, Fuchs said. That well be pretty strict about.

He added that he wants to avoid arrests.

FSU passed a policy this summer prohibiting camping, building shelters and barriers, use of amplified sound, concealing or covering identity when protesting, and failure to observe reasonable adherence to university policy.

The FSU changes came less than two months after students protesting the war on campus were arrested and had water sprinklers turned on them.

The response from the university was absolutely political repression, according to Joelle Nunez, president of the Tally Students for a Democratic Society. Nunez told the Phoenix she felt her organization was being targeted by the new policy.

The University of North Florida will consider changes to its protest policy on Sept. 30, including a definition of time, place, and manner detailing prohibited acts and clarification of obligations to comply with directives of University officials, according to a UNF statement sent to News4Jax.

University of West Florida trustees are set to vote on changes to its speech, assembly, and public expression policy during their Sept. 12 meeting. The changes include revising and clarifying definitions for expressive activities, outdoor areas, restricted areas, and the University Community.

The new rules would prohibit overnight camping without authorization, picketing indoors, using fire, audio amplification, and expressive activities that create a material and substantial disruption of university functions.

In June, UCF approved a ban on camping on campus. The board voted to prohibit events from taking place later than 8 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday and they cannot last longer than five consecutive days.

During the meeting in which the decision was made, audience members spoke only in opposition to the measure, Central Florida Public Media reported.

UCF released a policy proposal last week that, if approved, would prohibit blocking walkways, doors, roadways, parking structures, windows, or any entrance to a university facility or space, and face coverings with the intent to intimidate any person or group, or for the purposes of evading or escaping discovery, recognition, or identification in connection with or during the commission of a violation of law, regulation, or policy.

Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com. Follow Florida Phoenix on Facebook and X.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  A Florida county is in talks to acquire a storied but aging ocean liner in a proposed deal that could create the largest artificial reef in the world.

But the plan hit a snag Tuesday, after local officials in coastal Okaloosa County in the Florida panhandle postponed a vote on the plan to buy and purposefully sink the SS United States.

The largest passenger ship ever built in the U.S., the SS United States shattered a record for the fastest trans-Atlantic crossing by a passenger liner on its maiden voyage in 1952, The Associated Press reported from aboard the ship.

Now the historic vessel is in a race against time to find a new resting place, after a court set a Sept. 12 deadline for the ship to vacate its current home at a pier in Philadelphia, following a yearslong legal dispute over rent and dockage fees.

Options include scrapping the massive ocean liner  which is more than 100 feet (30 meters) longer than the Titanic  or purposefully sinking it to create an artificial reef. Officials in Floridas Okaloosa County hope to do just that: send the SS United States to the bottom of the Gulf to create the worlds largest artificial reef  a diving attraction that boosters hope will generate millions of dollars a year in local tourism spending for scuba shops, charter fishing boats and hotels.

Most divers are going to be very excited, said David Bailey, a member of the Emerald Coast Scubaholics dive club. But any of the reefing program is about more than just diving. ... Build the reefs, you get the fish.

County staff have been tracking the status of the boat since 2022, with advocates arguing the SS United States could be a barnacle-encrusted star in the countys constellation of more than 500 artificial reefs.

But at a meeting of Okaloosa's Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, staff asked that a vote on the proposal be postponed until the boards next meeting on Sept. 17.

Weve hit a wrinkle with the pier operators, County Administrator John Hofstad explained.

A spokesperson for the county said officials there are actively working with the SS United States Conservancy, the group behind the effort to save the ship, but declined to make further comments about the status of the proposal.

___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Florida man accused of soliciting a minor for sex in Okaloosa County

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)  A Florida man has been arrested after a sting operation targeting Panhandle sex crimes, News 5 has learned.

Woman accused of killing boyfriend at Mobile apartment complex pleads not guilty

David Christopher Roberts has been charged with using a computer to seduce, solicit, or lure a child, distributing obscene material to a minor, and using a two-way communication device to commit a felony.

Okaloosa County jail mugshot for David Roberts

The charges stem from offenses that allegedly occurred April 15, 2023, at 50 2nd St., Shalimar, Florida.

Between April 13 and April 15, 2023, the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office conducted a sting operation to identify individuals soliciting juveniles online for sexual purposes.

Officers posed as a 13-year-old girl named Megan on various social media apps.

Baldwin County drivers see bumper-to-bumper traffic, take a Buc-ees pit stop on Labor Day

Roberts allegedly contacted the undercover officer on the app MeetMe and moved the conversation to text messaging, where he solicited the undercover account for sexual acts despite being informed of the girls age.

Roberts allegedly made explicit comments and sent obscene photos during the conversation. A subpoena issued to Verizon reportedly linked the phone number used in the conversation to Roberts.

Further investigation reportedly confirmed the connection through Roberts MeetMe account, verified by records obtained from the Meet Group.

A Tallahassee Police Department detective interviewed Roberts on Jan. 11, 2024, at his home in Tallahassee.

During the interview, Roberts denied recognizing images of the undercover account or having any sexual conversations with a minor.

Execution scheduled for man found guilty in Citronelle ax murder that killed 6

He reportedly identified the explicit photos as his but stated that his MeetMe account had been blocked.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Florida man dies after being found ablaze in shopping center parking lot

A Florida man died Tuesday after catching fire in a shopping center parking lot. The Charlotte County, Florida Sheriff's Office said the state fire marshal is assisting in the investigation. The man suffered cardiac arrest as a medical helicopter landed. The victim was not publicly identified. Photo courtesy of Charlotte County Florida Sheriff's Office

Sept. 4 (UPI) -- A Florida man died after catching fire Tuesday afternoon in a Port Charlotte shopping center parking lot.

The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office said the severely burned man had cardiac arrest as a medical helicopter was landing.

The man was transported to a hospital by ambulance instead because the helicopter had no space for CPR or to provide proper cardiac care.

The Charlotte County Sheriffs Department Major Crimes Unit and the state fire marshal are investigating the death.

Doctors pronounced the man dead at the hospital.

Witnesses said they saw a person screaming and running in the parking lot. The man was found covered head to toe in burns.

The man's name was not publicly released.

In a statement on Facebook Tuesday the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office said, "We are on-scene of a death investigation near the Port Charlotte Town Center Mall. The State Fire Marshal is assisting with the investigation and there is no threat to the public. The identity of the deceased will not be released at this time."
IRONDEQUOIT, N.Y. (WROC)  The Irondequoit community and public at large are continuing to mourn the loss of a young family reportedly killed in their home on Knapp Ave.

Over the weekend, the mother, father and their two young children, ages 4 and 2, were all found dead in the basement of their home following a 911 call around 5:30 a.m. for a house fire.

Parents, four-year-old, and two-year-old found dead in homicide

As the homicide investigation seeks to find those responsible for the deadly crime, support is being offered to both police and those directly impacted by the tragedy.

Its helped me a lot because  its something now that we have that we can offer that we never had before, says Thomas Vasile, President, Chaplain and Academic Advisor of the Flower City Chaplain Corps, Inc.

The group currently has approximately 20 chaplains, all of whom are volunteer and made up from area church members, pastors, active and retired police officers. They also are the exclusive Chaplain service for the Irdonequoit Police Department, Rochester Police Department, and Monroe County Sheriffs Office.

Chaplains are all trained and certified mental health counselors with a focus on crisis intervention. They aide in emotional, mental and spiritual support for officers, also serving first responders such as firefighters and E-M-S, and to families and loved ones on scenes, when requested.

Im a retired police officer so I know seeing things like that you can carry home with you and it can create havoc in your life, whereas if you have somebody to talk with  that would be, that would be a really good medicine for that, Vasile says, praising the growth of area agency wellness units, also noting the need for more support.

Statistics show police officers alone come across 188 crisis a year as opposed to a regular citizen who may only come across a crisis once or twice in their lifetime, Vasile adds.

Spending some time on Knapp Ave. Tuesday, there were unmarked police cars still monitoring the house where the tragedy occurred.

One neighbor walking in the area with her three small children described the incident as unthinkable and unimaginable. Another neighbor who lives closer to the scene  also with small children  tells News 8 it all hit too close to home, adding she hasnt been able to sleep at night and people in the immediate area are afraid still to really come out of their homes.

I believe that the family had a couple of visuals at this scene and our chaplains ended up going there yesterday  one of our chaplains, a Spanish-speaking chaplain. And what we do is we try to Minister to them as good as possible and be available for them. We may also follow up with them  maybe meals for the family, things of that nature, just to be there for them in case they need a shoulder, Vasile says.

Overall, he adds, their mission is to be available 24/7 when tragedy strikes to help in any way, even if it is not needed in the end.

Just to be there for them, get them food, get them water, sit down and listen to them if they want to talk. And one of the best applications for that, for PTSD, would be to have the person sit and talk and talk about the incident and to get that *out of them so that they can live with that after a while, and their brain and their mind and their faculties will be a lot calmer and they would be able to live with it that way, Vasile carefully explains.

Any Irondequoit police officer in need or interested in speaking with a Chaplain can enter a request from their department or reach out directly. The Flower City Chaplain Corps is hosting a pre-planned lunch for members of the Irondequoit Police Department at the station on Titus Ave. on Wednesday, September 4th at 12:40 p.m. Vasile says officers can swing by on-duty to get a bite to eat and connect with a chaplain if they so choose.

There will also be a lunch for Rochester Police Officers for members of the Clinton and Goodman section at the Tay House Lodge on Thursday, September 5th at 11:30 a.m.

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UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations has allocated 4 million U.S. dollars from its Central Emergency Response Fund for Bangladesh, which has been hit by devastating floods, a spokesman said on Wednesday.

Joyce Msuya, the acting UN emergency relief coordinator, has allocated the money that "will be used to support the response to the floods that have impacted nearly 6 million men, women and children in Bangladesh since late last month," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, at a daily briefing.

So far, a reported 500,000 people have been displaced in more than 3,400 evacuation shelters in Bangladesh, where over 7,000 schools are closed due to flooding and about 1.7 million students are impacted. The floods have caused an estimated 156 million dollars losses in livestock and in fisheries.

"We, along with our humanitarian partners, are mobilized and supporting the government-led flood response. We are also helping with local efforts to help the most vulnerable people and communities impacted by these floods," said the spokesman.

Bangladesh has been hit by four major climate-related disaster so far this year, including Cyclone Remal and the current devastating flash floods, impacting nearly 13 million people across land that covers about 30 percent of the country. 
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  As part of its remodeling celebration, the Sioux Falls Flying J Travel Center is donating $10,000 to the Sioux Falls School District.

In a Pilot Travel Centers LLC (Pilot) news release on Wednesday, Pilot said the donation will help fund Healthy Minds  Healthy Bodies STEM initiative in the school district.

According to the release, the remodel in Sioux Falls is part of its $1 billion store modernization of more than 400 locations.

Pixie Acres Flower Farm setting up shop in Sioux Falls

The Flying J is on the northeast corner of I-29 and 60th Street North.

Updates include remodeled restrooms and showers, public laundry facilities and Cinnabon. It has also remodeled and expanded the kitchen and added three new self-checkouts.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Footage of motorcade racing JFK to the hospital after he was shot is set to go to auction

An undated image released by RR Auction shows home film footage of President John F. Kennedy's motorcade speeding down a Dallas freeway to the hospital after he was fatally wounded on Nov. 22, 1963. The image comes from a home film taken by Dale Carpenter Sr., which will go up for auction later this month. (RR Auction via AP)

DALLAS (AP)  Newly emerged film footage of President John F. Kennedy's motorcade speeding down a Dallas freeway toward a hospital after he was fatally wounded will go up for auction later this month.

Experts say the find isn't necessarily surprising even over 60 years after the assassination.

These images, these films and photographs, a lot of times they are still out there. They are still being discovered or rediscovered in attics or garages, said Stephen Fagin, curator at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which tells the story of the assassination on Nov. 22, 1963.

RR Auction will offer up the 8 mm home film in Boston on Sept. 28. It begins with Dale Carpenter Sr. just missing the limousine carrying the president and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy but capturing other vehicles in the motorcade as it traveled down Lemmon Avenue toward downtown. The film then picks up after Kennedy has been shot, with Carpenter rolling as the motorcade roars down Interstate 35.

This is remarkable, in color, and you can feel the 80 mph, said Bobby Livingston, executive vice president of the auction house.

The footage from I-35  which lasts about 10 seconds  shows Secret Service Agent Clint Hill  who famously jumped onto the back of the limousine as the shots rang out  hovering in a standing position over the president and Jacqueline Kennedy, whose pink suit can be seen.

I did not know that there were not any more shots coming," Hill said. I had a vision that, yes, there probably were going to be more shots when I got up there as I did.

The shots had fired as the motorcade passed through Dealey Plaza in front of the Texas School Book Depository, where it was later found that assassin Lee Harvey Oswald had positioned himself from a sniper's perch on the sixth floor. The assassination itself was famously captured on film by Abraham Zapruder.

After the shots, the motorcade turned onto I-35 and sped toward Parkland Memorial Hospital, where Kennedy would be pronounced dead. It was the same route the motorcade would have taken to deliver Kennedy to his next stop, a speech at the Trade Mart.

Carpenter's grandson, James Gates, said that while it was known in his family that his grandfather had film from that day, it wasn't talked about often. So Gates said that when the film, stored along with other family films in a milk crate, was eventually passed on to him, he wasn't sure exactly what his grandfather, who died in 1991 at age 77, had captured.

Projecting it onto his bedroom wall around 2010, he was at first underwhelmed by the footage from Lemmon Avenue. But then, the footage from I-35 played out before his eyes. That was shocking," he said.

He was especially struck by Hill's precarious position on the back of the limousine, so around the time that Hill's book, Mrs. Kennedy and Me, was published in 2012, Gates got in touch with Hill and his co-author, Lisa McCubbin, who became Lisa McCubbin Hill when she and Hill married in 2021.

McCubbin Hill said it was admirable that Gates was sensitive enough to want Hill to see the footage before he did anything else with it. She said that while she was familiar with Hill's description of being perched on the limousine as it sped down the interstate, to see the footage of it actually happen ... just kind of makes your heart stop.

The auction house has released still photos from the portion of the film showing the race down I-35 but is not publicly releasing video of that part.

Farris Rookstool III, a historian, documentary filmmaker and former FBI analyst who has seen the film, said it shows the rush to Parkland in a more complete way than other, more fragmented film footage hes seen. He said the footage gives a fresh look at the race to Parkland, and he hopes that after the auction, it ends up somewhere where it can be used by filmmakers.

Fagin said the assassination was such a shocking event that it was instinctive for people to keep material related to it, so there's always the possibility of new material surfacing.

He said historians had wondered for years about a man who can be seen taking photos in one of the photos from that day.

For years we had no idea who that photographer was, where his camera was, where these images were, Fagin said.

Then, in 2002, Jay Skaggs walked into the museum with a shoebox under his arm. He was the photographer captured in the photo, and in that shoebox were 20 images from Dealey Plaza before and after the assassination, including the only known color photographs of the rifle being removed from the Texas School Book Depository building, Fagin said.

He just handed that box to us, Fagin said.
The Verkhovna Rada has "urgently" postponed the dismissal of Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday, 4 September.

Source: European Pravda, citing Yaroslav Zhelezniak, an MP from the Holos (Voice) faction

Details: Zhelezniak said that during a series of personnel changes voted on by the government, the issue of dismissing Foreign Minister Kuleba was "urgently postponed".

The reason for the delay is currently not specified.

Background:

On the morning of 4 September, Kuleba submitted his resignation letter. The ruling Servant of the People party stated that they saw no reason for the Foreign Minister's resignation.

Ukrainska Pravda sources said that Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, is reportedly being considered to replace Denys Maliuska as Ukraines Justice Minister. As a result, Stefanishyna will vacate her current position.

On 4 September, Davyd Arakhamiia, leader of the Servant of the People faction, announced a 'major government reboot,' during which 'more than 50% of the Cabinet's staff' would be replaced.

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NEW YORK (AP)  A former aide to two New York governors was charged Tuesday with acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese government who used her state positions to subtly advance Beijings agenda in exchange for financial benefits worth millions of dollars.

Linda Sun, who held numerous posts in New York state government, including deputy chief of staff for Gov. Kathy Hochul and deputy diversity officer for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, was arrested Tuesday morning along with her husband, Chris Hu, at their $4 million home on Long Island.

More Local News

Federal prosecutors said Sun, at the request of Chinese officials, blocked representatives of the Taiwanese government from having access to the governors office and shaped New York governmental messaging to align with the priorities of the Chinese government, among other things.

In return, her husband got help for his business activities in China  a financial boost that prosecutors said allowed the couple to buy their multimillion-dollar property in Manhasset, New York, a condominium in Hawaii for $1.9 million, and luxury cars including a 2024 Ferrari, the indictment says.

Sun also received smaller gifts, the indictment said, including tickets to performances by a visiting Chinese orchestra and ballet groups and Nanjing-style salted ducks that were prepared by the personal chef of a Chinese government official and delivered to Suns parents home in New York.

If true, the allegations show that Chinese authorities were able to gain influence at the highest levels of state government in New York for nearly a decade.

As alleged, while appearing to serve the people of New York as Deputy Chief of Staff within the New York State Executive Chamber, the defendant and her husband actually worked to further the interests of the Chinese government and the CCP, United States Attorney Breon Peace said, using the acronym for the Chinese Communist Party. The illicit scheme enriched the defendants family to the tune of millions of dollars.

Sun and Hu pleaded not guilty during an initial court appearance on Tuesday afternoon in Brooklyn and will be released on bond. Sun has been barred from having any contact with the Peoples Republic of Chinas consulate and mission.

More Crime News

Her defense lawyer, Jarrod Schaeffer, said, Were looking forward to addressing these charges in court. Our client is understandably upset that these charges have been brought.

The case is part of a broader Justice Department effort to root out secret agents for the Chinese government operating in the United States. In recent years, federal authorities have charged Chinese nationals not only with covertly advancing Beijings interests but also with harassing and intimidating dissidents on the governments behalf.

Last year, the Justice Department charged a pair of men with establishing a secret police station in New York City while acting under the direction and control of the Chinese government.

Sun, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, worked in state government for about 15 years, holding jobs in Cuomos administration and eventually becoming Hochuls deputy chief of staff, according to her LinkedIn profile. In November 2022, Sun took a job at the New York Department of Labor, as deputy commissioner for strategic business development, but she left that job months later in March 2023, the profile said.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Hochuls office said the administration fired Sun after discovering evidence of misconduct.

This individual was hired by the Executive Chamber more than a decade ago. We terminated her employment in March 2023 after discovering evidence of misconduct, immediately reported her actions to law enforcement and have assisted law enforcement throughout this process, the statement reads.

The indictment said that, among other things, Sun worked to ensure that representatives of Taiwans government couldnt get meetings with high-ranking New York state officials. The Chinese government considers Taiwan to be part of China.

It also outlined a series of exchanges Sun had with officials in the Chinese Consulate in New York in January 2021, when Cuomo was still governor and Hochul was lieutenant governor. Neither leader is named in the document, but are instead referred to as Politician-1 and Politician-2.

After Chinese officials requested a Lunar New Year video from the governor, Sun said Hochul could probably do it and asked for talking points of things you want her to mention.

Mostly holiday wishes and hope for friendship and cooperation / Nothing too political, an official told her, according to the indictment.

Sun later told a different official that she had argued with Hochuls speechwriter over the draft, because the speechwriter insisted on mentioning the Uyghur situation in China. She promised that she wouldnt let that happen, and the final speech did not mention the Muslim ethnic minority, according to the indictment.

Suns alleged activities in New York paved the way for lucrative business deals for Hu in China, prosecutors said, including discussions about a venture to export frozen seafood to China. Hu then attempted to conceal the earnings through various methods in the U.S., according to the indictment.

At the arraignment, Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Solomon said there were a multitude of shell and business entities used in the crimes, adding This is no ordinary financial fraud.

The FBI searched the couples multimillion home in Manhasset in late July but declined to release details at the time.

Sun is charged with violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, money laundering and helping people commit visa fraud and enter the U.S. illegally. Hu is charged with money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of means of identification. Neither has been charged with espionage.

Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi downplayed Suns reach in the former governors administration, saying she worked in a handful of agencies and was one of many community liaisons who had little to no interaction with the governor.

Sun and Hu live in a gated community on Long Island called Stone Hill. The couple purchased the house in 2021 but placed it in a trust earlier this year, records show.

___

Associated Press reporters Michael R. Sisak and Larry Neumeister in New York and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.

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Former Arkansas judge David Carruth convicted on federal charge of making false statements to FBI

WASHINGTON  A former Monroe County judge was convicted Friday of making false statements to FBI investigators.

A Department of Justice release said court documents and trial evidence led to 64-year-old Thomas David Carruth being convicted by a jury of making a false statement to the FBI. Investigators said Carruth told them in 2022 that he had not asked for or insinuated soliciting sex from the girlfriend of a defendant in his court.

Former Arkansas judge David Carruth facing federal charges, accusations of soliciting sex for rulings

The jury also acquitted Carruth of bribery, honest services fraud, and violations of the travel act.

Federal agents raided Carruths home in June 2022. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas confirmed the raid was part of an ongoing Department of Justice investigation.

Federal suit against former Monroe County District Judge dismissed

In November 2023, a Claredon woman claimed that Carruth had solicited her for sex in exchange for help in a criminal case. Carruth denied the charges, with his lawyer stating he expected to be exonerated at trial.

Officials said a sentencing hearing will be held at a later date, adding that the maximum penalty for false statements is five years in prison.

Clarendon woman alleges former judge solicited sex in exchange for help on a case

Carruth served as Clarendon city attorney and a Monroe County District Court judge prior to resigning from the bench,

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A former Cook County assistant states attorney whose tenure heading a unit that investigated possible wrongful convictions became embroiled in controversy is suing States Attorney Kim Foxx and her office, alleging she was discriminated against when she was demoted and then fired last year.

Nancy Adduci, who began her career at the Cook County states attorneys office in 1996, filed a federal lawsuit last month that accuses Foxx and the office of demoting and firing her due to her age and race. Adduci, who is white, said in the complaint that Foxxs deputies in October 2023 demoted her from her position supervising the Conviction Integrity Unit, now called the Conviction Review Unit, telling her they sought someone more representative of the community for the role.

A spokeswoman with the states attorneys office declined to comment. An attorney for Adduci did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In the months prior to her demotion, Adducis role heading the CIU had come under scrutiny after she was accused by defendants and their attorneys of prosecutorial misconduct in connection with murder charges against three men who were accused in the slaying of a Chicago police officer in 2011.

The states attorneys office pulled Adduci and her co-counsel off the case after the three defendants charged with killing Officer Clifton Lewis alleged she buried evidence that could have pointed to their innocence.

Her work was also criticized in a report prepared by special prosecutors who reinvestigated a potential wrongful conviction case after the Conviction Integrity Unit found no merit to the innocence claims. The special prosecutors recommended to Foxx that the office move to vacate convictions against Kevin Jackson, alleging misconduct on the part of the investigating officers and that the CIU under Adducis leadership did not investigate the case with the same vigor as her predecessor.

The Conviction Review Unit investigates claims of innocence and makes recommendations for remedies to Foxx, whose office has vacated more than 250 convictions.

Adducis complaint, though, says that Foxxs staff told her the demotion was not due to performance reasons.

Ms. Adduci was shocked that she was not sufficiently representative of the community, after serving almost three decades in the CCSAO, living in Cook County, getting married in Cook County, and sending her kids to public school in Cook County, the complaint said.

Despite the demotion, the complaint alleges, Adduci was asked to continue as de facto head of the unit. The complaint said that the office hired a much younger black ASA who had been serving as Foxxs policy adviser on matters of criminal justice reform and had no practical criminal experience to replace Adduci.

The new CIU head, Michelle Mbekeani, had joined the office in 2018 as a legal and policy adviser. She was previously an attorney at the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law.

Mbekeanis short tenure also had some bumps, drawing scrutiny because of a business venture she launched as a law student.

The enterprise, called Period, offers legal help to people who are incarcerated, according to a description of the project by the University of Chicago Law School. Her involvement elicited criticism from some who believed it to be a conflict of interest with her current position at the states attorneys office.

A Cook County judge in January took the unusual step of banning her from his courtroom over the business venture and her statements about it, according to an order from the court.

Mbekeani stepped down in July, declining to return after a maternity leave as Foxxs term comes to an end later this year, a period that sometimes leads to staff turnover.

Adduci says in the complaint that she was asked to still continue performing much of her same duties, in effect, acting as the CIU director.

On Dec. 29, 2023, Adduci was summoned to a meeting and terminated, according to the complaint.

In the complaint, Adduci said her work was highly regarded, and that she had years of experience trying cases and working in and supervising a number of divisions in the states attorneys office.
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  While many downtown Youngstown businesses are starting to get back on their feet, one of them officially opened in a new spot miles away.

Prima Cucina opened in the old Upstairs restaurant along Mahoning Avenue in Austintown. Tuesday was the official opening.

Many of the guests were familiar faces from the downtown location  all enjoying the food and wine they missed but now its closer to home.

Were enjoying it here. Its nice to see new faces from Austintown and Canfield and whatnot coming up here but its also nice to see downtown folks still supporting us and coming to our new location, said Adam Zagotti, Prima Cucina sommelier.

Zagotti says everything tastes the same as it always did  same cooks, same recipes just a different kitchen.

Its more spacious. A lot more people. I grew up in this area and I used to come here in my 20s and now its nice to be here later on in life, said Austintown resident Brenda Phillips.

Their hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

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Former FLDS members team up with biker group to search for missing children

On a cold morning in April, a group of bikers, clad in leather, gathered at dawn in Brigham City, Utah, in an empty parking lot next to a park. The men and women of Road Warriors for the Missing werent getting ready for a joyride. Instead, they were preparing to chase down a lead. Their goal: looking for a child who has been missing since January 2023.

Elintra Fischer, a 17-year-old girl born into the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), the polygamist breakaway offshoot of Mormonism, ran away from her mothers home on New Year's Day in 2023. Her mother and local law enforcement have been looking for her ever since.

"The network we're up against is, is big. It's expansive," Jason Clark, the founder of Road Warriors, said about the FLDS. "They've got a lot of, a lot of places to go. They've got a lot of places where they can put these kids that are making [them] difficult to find."

PHOTO: The Road Warriors for the Missing are looking for eight missing children who all grew up in the FLDS church. (ABC News)

Four mothers  Lorraine Jessop, Mirinda Johnson, Elizabeth Roundy, and Sarah Johnson  all ex-members of the FLDS, are looking for their missing children. Their kids, labeled as runaways by law enforcement, have disappeared from remote towns dotting the Rocky Mountains.

The Road Warriors efforts include trying to find all the missing children; eight in total, one as young as 13.

In addition to Elintra, Salome Jessop, Denver Barlow, Manden Barlow, Truson Barlow, Nathan Barlow, Summer Barlow and Benjamin Barlow are also missing.

I need to believe you are watching and waiting for me, Sarah Johnson, the mother of Salome, who has been missing for four years, said at a press conference. I love you, son. It's never too late to call me. I'll always be here.

The last time Sarah saw her son was August 2020.

MORE: Former FLDS members fear their children's disappearance is part of Warren Jeffs' prophecy

The FLDS was founded more than 130 years ago after polygamy was outlawed in the Mormon Church. The church is best known for its prophet  Warren Jeffs  who was convicted in 2011 and sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting girls as young as 12. But he remains the church's prophet from behind bars, according to experts and former members interviewed by ABC News.

In 2022, Jeffs released prophecies from prison, calling for the FLDS members to come back into the fold and die to be resurrected to heaven. The mothers think they are working against time to find their children and save them.

The recent revelations from Warren Jeffs are very scary, Elizabeth Roundy, Elintras mother, told ABC News.

PHOTO: Jason Clark is the founder of Road Warriors for the Missing. (ABC News)

Tonia Tewell, who runs the nonprofit Holding Out Help, which helps women who escape the FLDS, says that the main concern of the recent revelations is a mass suicide within the FLDS community.

They have a chance of salvation at the end of the day, Tewell said. Their alternative is hell. What would you pick?

What people need to understand is that they firmly believe that the revelations coming out from their church are coming directly from God, Tewell continued. And when you're born and bred into a system and taught that from birth, it could happen to any one of us. That is brainwashing.

PHOTO: Elizabeth Roundy is the mother of Elintra Fischer, who ran away on January 1, 2023. (ABC News)

While law enforcement officers have been actively looking for each of the children, they do not have any new leads.

The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, the local police department in Idaho in charge of Elintras case, told ABC News that we are still actively working Elintras case; unfortunately, we have not had any new leads.

It's been a very frustrating situation to me with law enforcement, Roundy told ABC News.

The mothers, desperate to find their children before the clock runs out, turned to the Road Warriors, a nonprofit filled with biker volunteers who take on the cases of missing kids.

They keep to themselves and are very private, Allen Robbins, a private investigator who volunteers with the Road Warriors, said of the FLDS. And so, in trying to locate a specific individual, it's challenging because they don't want to provide information unless they have to.

PHOTO: Tonia Tewell runs a nonprofit, Holding out HELP, which provides services for women who have left polygamists organizations. (ABC News)

MORE: The twisted world of Warren Jeffs: Former FLDS members speak out

The Road Warriors have traveled great distances looking for these missing children. They say theyve knocked on doors in Arizona, Utah, North Dakota, Wyoming and Idaho looking for the FLDS runaways.

ABC News has been reporting on these missing kids for a year and a half, producing an Impact x Nightline episode now streaming on Hulu.

PHOTO: The Road Warriors for the Missing are looking for eight missing children who all grew up in the FLDS church. (ABC News)

After all this time, these mothers still havent lost hope. During a press conference in April outside of Salt Lake City, the moms looked straight into the cameras set up for the event, hoping to speak directly to their missing children.

Love cannot be defined by church walls, locked doors or drapery, by mountain ranges, skies, or even the endless sea, Lorraine Jessop, one of the moms, who has three children missing, said at the press conference. A continuous flood of love pours from a mother's heart, and no amount of fear can pull that love apart.

ABC News' Karin Weinberg, Juju Chang, and Kaitlyn Morris contributed to this report.

Former FLDS members team up with biker group to search for missing children originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Former flight attendant remembers friends lost on 9/11 by pushing beverage cart from Boston to New York

Paul Veneto of Braintree, Massachusetts, pushes an airline service cart in Boston. Veneto, a former flight attendant who lost several colleagues when United Flight 175 was flown into the World Trade Center on September 11, is honoring his friends this year by pushing his cart along the American Flight 11 route from Boston to New York City (2020 The Patriot Ledger)

A former flight attendant is remembering those killed in the September 11 terror attacks by pushing an airline beverage cart to the World Trade Center site in New York.

Paul Veneto had friends and colleagues who were killed during the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, and is currently walking the 220-mile distance between Bostons Logan Airport and the 9/11 memorial site - which was the flight path American Flight 11 took before it was flown into the north tower.

It is the fourth iteration of the challenge, with Veneto has branded Paulies Push. Each year he has followed a different flight path, including a walk from Newark, New Jersey, to Shanksville, Pennsylvania  the path of Flight 93  last year. That was the longest of the walks, which required him to push his cart 300 miles.

He undertook his first trip in 2021, which followed the flight path of Flight 175, which was the plane carrying his friends and co-workers.

Paul Veneto of Braintree, Massachusetts, pushes an airline service cart in Boston. Veneto, a former flight attendant who lost several colleagues when United Flight 175 was flown into the World Trade Center on September 11, is honoring his friends this year by pushing his cart along the American Flight 11 route from Boston to New York City (2020 The Patriot Ledger)

Veneto was working on the day of the terror attacks, and had just arrived in Boston around 8 p.m. on September 10. If the attacks had been planned for a few hours earlier, he might have been among those killed on 9/11.

I came in the night before. I landed at 8 p.m. in Boston, he told News12 Connecticut. I got off the airplane the next morning. I knew the crew that was on that plane that hit the second tower.

Veneto recently passed through Connecticut, where Middletown police and a fire truck joined him as he walked through the city.

Once Veneto finishes this push, he will have completed all of the flight paths. In the future, he hopes to continue the event but to include communities in the push.

Let the community push for the cart for three days  school kids, anybody, he said. And then it goes to the next town, and the next town, so everybody gets involved in it.
MADRID, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Wednesday that Spain and Palestine will hold their first bilateral summit this year to strengthen ties.

"Before the end of this year we are going to hold the first bilateral summit between Spain and Palestine in which we hope to sign several collaboration agreements between the two states," Sanchez announced during the opening ceremony of the political year in Madrid.

He also said that Spain will continue supporting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

In a coordinated move, Norway, Ireland, and Spain recognized Palestine as a state in May amid international outrage over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza following Israel's military operation. 
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett discussed his desire to reclaim his position amid the ongoing war in Israel.

Bennett served as Israel's right-wing prime minister from 2021 to 2022, and his new opposition bloc has ideas on ending the conflict with Hamas that they believe could topple sitting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

If he became prime minister again, Bennett said he would apply more pressure on Hamas, cutting off their resources, currently being allowed into the Gaza Strip, to undermine their ability to hold out.

VIDEO: Former Israeli prime minister vies for position again amid ongoing war (ABCNews.com)

ABC News' Linsey Davis sat down with Bennett on Tuesday as he vies for the position again.

ABC NEWS: Joining us now, we are so fortunate to have with us Naftali Bennett, who served as the 13th prime minister of Israel from 2021 to 2022. Mr. Bennett, thank you so much for joining us. When you left office, you vowed to stay away from politics for at least a decade, but now you're back, maneuvering with a new opposition bloc in the hopes of beating Prime Minister Netanyahu. As you well know, six hostages were found murdered just over the weekend. There could be dozens more still alive. How would you act differently to get them home?

BENNETT: What I would do is apply tremendous pressure on Hamas, pressure that is not being used now. For example, Israel right now is allowing huge, vast amounts of fuel and other resources into the strip. And all of this goes directly to Hamas, and that's giving them the lifeline to continue holding out.

ABC NEWS: When President Biden was asked Monday if Netanyahu was doing enough to reach a hostage deal, he said point blank "No." Just tonight, Netanyahu's nemesis Benny Gantz said he does not look directly at the public and tell the truth. He claims Netanyahu is less interested in cutting a deal and more interested in simply staying in power by appealing to Israel's right. Would you agree?

BENNETT: I think the most important thing in order to get this done is to apply tremendous pressure. And right now, we're operating at about 5% intensity. We have very few forces right now in the Gaza Strip. There's not a real war going on. There's a minor presence of IDF. This is not how you win a war. If you want to win a war, you got to fight 200%, not 5%.

ABC NEWS: And I would add, just as a question, because you're suggesting that it's not a full-on war when you have more than 40,000 people who have died at this point -- Palestinians. What, at what cost does Israel defend itself?

BENNETT: Well, a great deal of that number -- I would say over 50% -- are terrorists. And, I think we all agree that it's a wonderful thing when murderers and terrorists disappear. That's what you did to bin Laden, and that's what we're doing to these horrible, horrible murderers. So that's a good thing. Actually, our ratio of collateral damage is one of the lowest in the history of urban warfare.

Now, the fact that there are, let's say, 20,000 Gaza civilians have died. It's because Hamas deliberately wanted them to die because they embedded themselves within civilians. So, the, you know, the blame and responsibility falls only, only on Hamas, not on Israel. When you're a coward and you go and murder and rape Israelis, and then you run back and hide behind your own family, then you are responsible for killing your own family.

ABC NEWS: You've said you don't believe in a two-state solution. Why not a two-state solution? And what would be your proposed solution?

BENNETT: Because they'll kill us.

ABC NEWS: There's no way to live in peace?

BENNETT: Not with people who want to kill you. Well, what we've learned over the past 30 years is every time we gave the Palestinians a piece of land, instead of building it into a beautiful Singapore, they turned it into a terror state and began killing Israelis.

It happened first time in the '90s when we did Oslo [Accords]. It happened the second time in 2005, when we gave them all of the Gaza Strip and they began shooting rockets at us. And later on Oct. 7 -- we're not going to kill ourselves a third time. It's a horrible, horrible idea to inject a terror state on our borders.

ABC NEWS: But isn't Hamas separate from the will of the Palestinian people?

BENNETT: The Palestinian people elected Hamas in democratic elections.

ABC NEWS: Right. But there are Palestinians there who are saying that they could live in peace. Right. Let me let me ask you this way ...

BENNETT: Yeah, there are, but it's a very ... minority, it's a minority in every poll. And the most important poll of elections: out of 132 seats in parliament, Hamas got 76. That's much more than 50%.

So if the Palestinians elected Hamas and Hamas is a murderous organization, we've got a problem. I'm certainly not going to give these people an opportunity to kill me.

ABC NEWS: So what's the solution in your mind?

BENNETT: The solution is for Israel to be incredibly strong. Maximum security for Israel. Minimum friction between Israelis and Palestinians. Minimum governance of, we don't want to govern the Palestinians. And under those three principles, I think we can go a very long way.

ABC NEWS: Former Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett, we thank you so much for joining us. We really appreciate your time.

BENNETT: Thank you very much.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett vies for position again amid ongoing war originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Gov. Maura Healey has hired a new colonel to lead the Massachusetts State Police.

Geoffrey Noble, a former state police lieutenant colonel in New Jersey, will take on the top job with the Massachusetts State Police, Healey said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

Noble is expected to begin in his new role in October. He will oversee more than 3,000 sworn and civilian employees of the Massachusetts State Police, which is the largest law enforcement agency in New England.

In a statement, he said he has long admired the Massachusetts State Police.

It is a true honor that Governor Healey has placed her trust in me to lead this distinguished team of law enforcement professionals, Noble said. The hardworking men and women of the State Police show up every day to keep the people of Massachusetts safe, and they deserve a leader who is accessible, transparent and committed to the highest standards of integrity and excellence. That is the focus I will bring as Colonel.

Geoffrey Noble, a former state police lieutenant colonel in New Jersey, will take on the top job with the Massachusetts State Police, Healey said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

Noble was chosen after a national search led by a Search Committee and executive search firm, Healey said.

Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Noble has dedicated his career to public service, rising to the highest levels of the New Jersey State Police and delivering results on some of the most pressing issues facing law enforcement, Healey said. He is a principled, respected leader who is widely praised for his integrity, compassion and ability to bring people together.

Im confident that he is the leader that our hardworking State Police team and the people of Massachusetts deserve, said Healey, who also lauded interim Massachusetts State Police Colonel John Mawn, who has been leading the department since February 2023.

Mawn has earned the respect of his colleagues, and all who work with him, as well as the public, for his professionalism, his work ethic and his integrity, Healey said. He is a model for all of the men and women of the Massachusetts State Police and for the generations of troopers to follow.

Nobles hire comes as the department has been embroiled in multiple public scandals, including a widespread overtime abuse scandal and investigations into some troopers for their connection to the Karen Read murder case.

In a statement Wednesday, Mawn welcomed Noble to the department.

Today, I welcome Geoff Noble to the Massachusetts State Police and congratulate him on his appointment, Mawn said. It has been the honor of my career to serve in this leadership role, and I would like to express my gratitude to the men and women of the Department for their extraordinary work during my tenure.

I condemn those comments: Head of state police questioned about investigation into Trooper Proctor

Despite the challenges facing our profession, they consistently conducted themselves with professionalism and compassion, Mawn said.

The State Police Association of Massachusetts thanked Mawn for his service and professionalism and congratulated Noble on the selection.

We look forward to working together and welcome the opportunity to build a strong relationship with him and his leadership team, Association President Brian Williams said.

Nobles career in law enforcement spans 30 years, with 13 years of command-level experience, including serving as Deputy Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police from 2018-2022, according to biographical information provided by Healeys office.

In that role, he was the second-in-command of New Jerseys largest police agency, with a staff of nearly 4,000 personnel.

Noble served as the agencys Chief of Staff and assisted the Superintendent with the oversight of all Division operations, including Administration, Operations, Homeland Security, Emergency Management, Training, Professional Standards and Investigations.

25 Investigates: 2 state police troopers connected to Karen Read case now under investigation

During his tenure as Deputy Superintendent, he implemented a new Office of Employee Relations and Community Outreach, which focused on strengthening relationships with employees and communities. He also regularly provided briefings to all levels of executive government, including the governor and attorney General.

During his tenure with the New Jersey State Police from 1995-2022, Noble held numerous assignments including uniformed patrol, field training officer and detective. His investigative assignments included narcotics, official corruption, organized crime and homicide.

Noble was the Commander of the New Jersey Attorney Generals Shooting Response Team, which was responsible for investigating the use of deadly force by police. He also provided instruction at numerous local police academies and special courses, including coordinating the New Jersey Advanced Homicide Investigators Conference, a premier advanced training course for homicide detectives from across the country.

Noble also spent two years holding the rank of Major as the Commander of the Forensic and Technical Services Section. He was entrusted to manage the operations of five regional state crime laboratories in the wake of a systemic failure that had resulted in the dismissal of thousands of cases.

Noble implemented a comprehensive mitigation plan that increased quality control standards, improved accountability and maintained the integrity and confidence of the statewide forensic laboratory system.

He also designed and implemented new systems to improve efficiency, resulting in the elimination of a 17,000-case backlog. Noble also designed and implemented the New Jersey Crime Gun Protocol, a nationally recognized best-practice which helped provide the foundation for the states violent crime reduction strategy that saw a 30 percent reduction in shootings.

Before joining the New Jersey State Police, Noble served for two years as a summer police officer in Nantucket.

Since retiring from law enforcement in 2022, Noble has worked as regional president for Inter-Con Security Systems, Inc., one of the top 10 private security firms in the world.

In this role, he manages operations in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic area of over 1,500 security professionals servicing multiple agencies and corporations. His portfolio includes the management of private security programs at multiple high-risk critical infrastructure sites, including JFK International Airport, LaGuardia International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and the World Trade Center.

Noble was born and raised in Rhode Island, spent much of his childhood on Cape Cod, and currently lives in New Jersey with his wife and three children. He will be relocating to Massachusetts, officials said.

Noble has a bachelors degree in criminal justice and a masters degree in education from Seton Hall University and a Certificate of Achievement in Criminal Justice from the University of Virginia. He also graduated from the FBI National Academy.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Former Kansas county attorney pleads guilty to misuse of funds, resigns

Former Kansas county attorney pleads guilty to misuse of funds, resigns

NEOSHO COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW)  Former Neosho County Attorney Linus Thuston pleaded guilty to financial crimes on Wednesday, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced.

A news release from the attorney generals office said Thuston pleaded guilty to misuse of public funds and a sales tax violation. A conviction of misuse of public funds requires forfeiture of office, which he did on Aug. 13, 2024.

Why flags will be at half-staff on Wednesday

After accepting the pleas, a judge sentenced Thuston to 30 days in jail, followed by 12 months of probation.

Thuston was ordered to pay a $2,500 fine and $617.50 in restitution. As a special condition of probation, he is prohibited from serving in public office and from acting as a fiduciary while on probation.

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Former Kansas sheriffs deputy changes his plea in child sex crime

KSNF/KODE  A former Allen County sheriffs deputy admits he was sexually involved with a 15-year-old runaway.

Michael Tennyson, who was 24 at the time of his arrest, pleaded guilty today to four counts of indecent solicitation of a minor.

Michael Tennyson

Tennyson was charged in March after authorities tracked a 15-year-old runaway from Hays, Kansas to Tennysons residence in Iola.

PREVIOUS: Kansas sheriffs deputy fired, arrested for alleged child sex crimes

The Allen County Sheriffs Office fired Tennyson immediately upon notification of the allegations.

He had only worked for the Sheriffs Office for three months.

Tennyson will be sentenced in October.

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FILE - Riad Salameh, Lebanon's Central Bank governor, attends a news conference, in Beirut, on Nov. 11, 2019. Lebanon charged its embattled former central bank governor Wednesday with the embezzlement of $42 million, three judicial officials told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)

BEIRUT (AP)  Lebanon charged its embattled former central bank governor Wednesday with the embezzlement of $42 million, three judicial officials told The Associated Press.

Riad Salameh, 73, was charged by the Financial Public Prosecution a day after he was detained following an interrogation by Lebanon's top public prosecutor over several alleged financial crimes.

His case has been transferred to an investigating judge, the officials added, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Salameh ended his 30-year term as central bank governor a year ago under a cloud, with several European countries probing allegations of financial crimes. Many in Lebanon blame him for the crippling financial crisis that has gripped the country since late 2019.

He was appointed in 1993 and initially celebrated for his role in steering Lebanon's economic recovery after a 15-year civil war, and for keeping the economy on an even keel during long spells of political gridlock and turmoil.

Salameh has for years denied allegations of corruption, embezzlement and illicit enrichment. He insists that his wealth comes from inherited properties, investments and his previous job as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch.

During his hours-long interrogation on Monday, Salameh was asked about a key case in which a company was allegedly hired to manipulate statements and conceal Lebanons hemorrhaging finances.

According to two other judicial officials, Salameh appeared to have brought in the company, called Optimum, to help facilitate embezzling money from the central bank through other accounts, eventually reaching his own.

The financial intelligence unit of the central bank presented bank statements and financial documents to the public prosecution, added the two officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

The central bank told the AP that it had no comment.

The embattled Salameh is also in the midst of several other cases against him, both locally and internationally.

France, Germany, and Luxembourg are also investigating Salameh and close associates over alleged illicit enrichment and the laundering of $330 million.

Salameh has criticized the European investigation and said it was part of a media and political campaign make him a scapegoat.

Meanwhile, the U.S., the U.K, and Canada have sanctioned Salameh and his close associates, and France issued an international arrest warrant for him, though Lebanon does not hand over its own citizens for extradition.

Lebanon has not appointed a new central bank governor, but a vice governor, Wassim Mansouri, has been named acting governor. The crisis-hit country has also been without a president for almost two years and is run by a caretaker Cabinet with limited functions.
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE)  A former Dona Ana County Sheriffs Office deputy will spend almost a decade behind bars for raping a female arrestee and trying to destroy the evidence. In April 2023, Michael Martinez arrested a woman for drunk driving and before taking her to the Dona Ana County Detention Center sexually assaulted her in the back of his patrol car. He then tried to destroy the cars camera system which had captured the assault.

Four arrested in connection to July homicide in Capitan

Martinez pled guilty to sexual assault and obstruction of justice. He was sentenced to nine years in prison and will have to register as a sex offender when hes released.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Former Mississippi teacher accused of making online threats against students, school officials

LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV)  A former teacher in Lauderdale County faces federal charges for allegedly making online threats against school officials and former students.

According to court documents, Daniel Christian Johnson, 36, of Meridian, made online threats over social media, including threats to kill named victims and commit other acts of violence using firearms and explosives.

4 killed, 9 injured in Apalachee High School shooting; 14-year-old suspect in custody

Prosecutors said investigators searched Johnsons home last week and discovered what are alleged to be components of explosive devices or materials used for the manufacturing of explosives.

Johnson is charged by federal criminal complaint with Interstate Communications with Threat to Kidnap or Injure and Willfully Making a Threat involving Explosive Materials. If convicted, Johnson faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Daniel Johnson (Courtesy: Lauderdale County Jail)

Johnson has also been charged with Mississippi state offenses by the Office of the District Attorney for the 10th Circuit Court District. He is being held in the Lauderdale County Jail.

The FBI and the Lauderdale County Sheriffs Department are investigating the case.

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WASHINGTON  A former Virginia police officer who stormed the U.S. Capitol because he believed then-President Donald Trump's lies about the 2020 election had more than a year shaved off his prison sentence Wednesday in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling on an obstruction charge that has been used against hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants.

Thomas Robertson was re-sentenced to six years, or 72 months, in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper. The re-sentencing hearing came after the Supreme Court in June sided with a Jan. 6 defendant who challenged the obstruction of justice charge used against him and fellow accused rioters. The Supreme Court's ruling was only expected to have a major impact on a few dozen rioters whose sole felony conviction was on the obstruction charge. But Robertson was convicted of other felony charges, including a charge of interfering with officers during civil disorder.

Thomas Robertson on Jan. 6, 2021.

Robertson was originally sentenced in August 2022 to more than seven years in federal prison, which at the time tied the record for the longest sentence handed down to any Jan. 6 defendant. In the two years since Robertson's sentence, several extremists including members of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers have been convicted and sentenced to far longer federal prison terms: Proud Boys Chairman Enrique Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years; violent Jan. 6 rioter David Dempsey was sentenced to 20 years; and Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years.

At trial, Robertson's co-defendant and fellow former police officer Jacob Fracker testified that the duo went to Washington on Jan. 6, hoping to overturn the election and believing that the officers who protected the Capitol "should have been on our side."

Robertson was convicted of the felony obstruction charge related to his efforts to stop the certification of the election and federal prosecutors moved during the hearing Wednesday to dismiss his conviction on just that charge in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling.

The remainder of his convictions stand, however. Unlike most other defendants, Robertson was also convicted of a separate obstruction charge because he destroyed evidence after the attack, with Fracker testifying that he saw Robertson place their phones into an ammo can. Robertson wrote, in evidence cited by the government, that the phones "took a lake swim" and "had a tragic boating accident" before the duo surrendered to federal authorities.

"They asked about my phone but I'm not a retard," Robertson said after his arrest, federal prosecutors said.

Jacob Fracker, left, and Thomas Robertson.

In court Wednesday, a federal prosecutor argued that Robertson's destruction of evidence impeded the federal investigation and prevented the government from discovering the involvement of a third man  a neighbor Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ann Aloi referred to as "Pat"  in Fracker and Robertson's scheme. Fracker, prosecutors said, only informed federal prosecutors of the involvement of "Pat" after he agreed to testify against Robertson. "Pat" held onto Robertsons weapons after his arrest and still has not been charged in connection with the Jan. 6 attack, Aloi said.

Trump acknowledged this week that he "lost" the 2020 election and later claimed during the same interview that the election "was a fraud." In reality, Trump lost the popular vote by more than 7 million votes and lost the Electoral College by a significant margin, securing 232 votes to Joe Biden's 306.

While some Jan. 6 defendants have told federal judges that they regret that they were gullible enough to fall for the lies Trump spread about the 2020 election, which motivated them to storm the Capitol, Trump has not retracted his false claims that the election was stolen from him.

Trump is currently facing four federal felony charges related to his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss, which culminated in the violent siege on the U.S. Capitol and interrupted America's history of peaceful transfers of power. A federal grand jury returned an indictment last month alleging that Trump knowingly lied about the 2020 election by spreading claims that were unsupported, objectively unreasonable, and ever-changing. Trump has indicated that his lawyers will enter a not guilty plea on his behalf during a hearing in that case Thursday.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Tens of thousands of former Penn State students could be in line to receive a portion of a historic class-action settlement that was submitted Tuesday for a federal judges approval.

About 72,000 former Penn State students would receive a share of $17 million if the proposal is greenlighted by U.S. District Judge Robert J. Colville. The settlement would be the largest of its kind, both in value and the amount of students covered by the agreement. Those eligible could expect to receive about $155 before taxes and other costs.

We are very pleased with the settlement we have reached with Penn State, on behalf of the students who, in Spring 2020, lost out on their full semester experience of campus activities and in-person instruction, attorney Gary Lynch wrote in a statement Wednesday. We recognize that the Covid pandemic was beyond Penn States control, but our position in this case and others like it has been that the students, who are mostly very young adults, should not bear the entire financial loss associated with the pandemic. This settlement helps the students recover some of their financial losses.

The COVID-era lawsuit brought by students and parents sought refunds of tuition and fees they paid during the spring 2020 semester after the university closed its campuses and transitioned to online classes because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Attorneys alleged Penn State charged students for an in-person education and on-campus services, but failed to deliver when it closed its campuses. The university did not admit any wrongdoing in the proposed settlement.

In an August 2020 court filing, Lynch wrote that students paid for a first-rate education and on-campus experience but were instead provided a materially deficient and insufficient alternative that amounted to a breach of a contract.

Instead, Penn State said it acted properly and swiftly to protect the health and well-being of students, faculty and staff in the face of the novel disease.

The University did its best to respond to unexpected and extraordinary emerging circumstances and denies the allegations contained in plaintiffs complaint and any allegations of wrongdoing, the university wrote in a statement Wednesday. However, both Penn States and its students interests are best served by the prompt resolution of this matter. Therefore, the University has entered into the Settlement Agreement to avoid further expense, burden and risks associated with continuing litigation.

In the statement, the university also said it gave room and board rebates, facilitated the distribution of more than $131 million in funding from the coronavirus relief bill and established an emergency fund to provide additional aid to students in need.

Penn State also touted its investments in technology and digital resources that it said were needed to make critical online tools available.

Faculty immediately pivoted to remote instruction and staff transitioned to offering students the full suite of resources necessary to successfully complete their academic year, including access to research materials, career services support, health services and enhanced mental health counseling, and student advisory services, the university said.

In addition, when needed, staff facilitated student access to social service providers. This seamless transition ensured that students could safely continue learning in the face of the COVID crisis, where in-person classes were not permitted under Pennsylvanias stay-at-home orders and closure mandates at the time.

Penn State students walk through the HUB-Robeson Center around signs that remind students to wear a mask on the first day of classes for the fall 2020 semester on Aug. 24, 2020.

The proposed agreement covers a sweeping amount of Nittany Lion alumni, including those who attended University Park or any commonwealth campus.

Eligible recipients include all Penn State students enrolled during the spring 2020 semester who paid tuition and/or fees and were registered for at least one in-person class at the beginning of the semester. No action would be needed to receive a slice of the deal.

Payments would be sent automatically to eligible members last known permanent postal address on file with Penn State. Members would also have the option to update their address online or elect to receive the payment via Venmo or PayPal.

Attorneys stand to receive no more than one-third of the settlement, meaning former students could expect about $155 before taxes and other costs. Eligible members can also object or opt out of the settlement, if approved.

Should the judge grant preliminary approval of the settlement  its not known when that may happen  Penn State would be required to pay $17 million into an escrow account within 20 business days.

If the proposal gains final approval, payments would be sent within 60 days. Those who may receive a check would have 180 days to cash it, otherwise the uncashed checks would be redistributed or designated to a scholarship fund for Penn State students.

No hearings are scheduled as of Wednesday afternoon.

There were about 300 such lawsuits as of August 2023, according to Times Higher Education, which USA Today described as a British publication that partners with The Wall Street Journal on rankings and evaluations of U.S. schools.

Most seats are blocked off in classroom 105 in the Forum building on the Penn State campus on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. Because of coronavirus restrictions the classroom was limited to 58 people.
Former U.N. Ambassador and Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley waves to the crowd after speaking on stage on the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 16, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party's presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Former South Carolina governor and presidential contender Nikki Haley has a new role with an international public relations firm, the company announced Wednesday.

Haley, who lives on Kiawah Island, will start this month working for Washington-based Edelman Global Advisory, the public affairs division within the 72-year-old Edelman. Her title will be vice chair, according to the news release, which provides no detail on what the role entails or her salary.

In a time of growing complexities in business, policy, and politics  brands need to anticipate whats coming next, Haley was quoted as saying in a press release from Edelman. Im excited to join the team at Edelman to help their clients navigate the challenges ahead.

Haley, first elected the Palmetto States governor in 2010, left during her second term to be then-President Donald Trumps ambassador to the United Nations, starting in January 2017.

Richard Edelman, the company CEO, was quoted in the press release praising Haleys work as ambassador and her efforts to bring foreign businesses to South Carolina. Economic development wins for Haley, who branded herself the jobs governor, include Volvo selecting South Carolina for its first North American plant in 2015.

Haley has said shes not looking for a job in a potential second Trump administration.

In 2023, Haley jumped into the Republican presidential primary, opposing her former boss. She ended as the last serious challenger to Trump.

Haley ultimately suspended her campaign after Super Tuesday, having won just Vermont and Washington, D.C. while Trump cruised to victory even in her home states GOP primary.

Although Haley declined to endorse Trump when she left the race, her public support for him since has grown from confirming she would vote for him to fully endorsing him at the Republican National Convention.

A month after leaving the race, she also took a job with the conservative, Washington, D.C.-based Hudson Institute think tank as the Walter P. Stern Chair. The position, created in 2020, is named for the institutes longtime chairman.

Haley also worked in the private sector after resigning as U.N. ambassador, including giving a number of high-dollar speeches that paid at least $100,000 and possibly up to $1 million each, according to a mandated financial report she filed last spring.

A spokesperson for Edelman referred questions about her new role to her spokespeople. They did not immediately respond with further details.
NANNING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong has called for consistent efforts to consolidate and expand China's poverty alleviation achievements, in order to advance rural revitalization.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an investigation and research tour in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from Monday to Wednesday.

During the trip, Liu learned about the development, construction and governance of rural industries, as well as the income of the people who have been lifted out of poverty.

He emphasized the need to improve the regular mechanisms for preventing rural residents from relapsing into poverty and ensure timely and precise implementation of support measures to see that no large-scale return to poverty occurs.

Liu also visited planting bases for agricultural products, breeding enterprises for pigs and agricultural research institutes, to investigate the development of special farming and breeding industries as well as scientific and technological innovation in the agricultural sector.

He emphasized the need to stabilize the area of grain sown, promote stable and increased grain production, and shoulder the responsibility of ensuring grain security.

At the site of a water control hub project in Baise City, Liu learned about the development and utilization of water resources. He urged for comprehensively considering flood control, water supply, irrigation and ecological protection, and scientifically advancing the planning, construction and scheduling management of water conservancy projects. 
Former New York Gov. Kathy Hochul aide Linda Sun charged with working as agent of China

NEW YORK  Linda Sun, a former aide to Gov. Kathy Hochul and ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, has been arrested alongside her husband for working as an agent of China a month and a half after the feds raided their $3.6 million home in Manhasset.

Sun, 41, and her husband Chris Hu, 40, were taken into federal custody early Tuesday morning and accused of helping shape state policy in exchange for millions in kickbacks and gifts  including specially cooked salted ducks for her parents. They were expected to be arraigned in Brooklyn Federal Court.

Sun was charged with violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and money laundering conspiracy, while her husband was charged with money laundering conspiracy, as well as conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of means of identification.

While working in the governors office, she blocked representatives of the Taiwanese government from having access to the governor and changed Cuomo and Hochuls messaging regarding issues important to the Chinese government, the feds allege.

She also obtained gubernatorial proclamations, without permission, for Chinese government officials, arranged meetings for visiting diplomats, and issued unauthorized invitation letters from the governors office to make it easier for Chinese officials to travel to the U.S., the feds allege.

In return, she had business steered to her husbands companies and got an array of gifts, including Nanjing-style salted ducks prepared by one Chinese government officials personal chef and delivered to her parents, according to the feds.

The proceeds of her scheme were laundered to pay for her Manhasset home, a $1.9 million condo in Honolulu, and luxury vehicles, including a 2024 Ferrari Roma, the feds allege.

As alleged, while appearing to serve the people of New York as Deputy Chief of Staff within the New York State Executive Chamber, the defendant and her husband actually worked to further the interests of the Chinese government and the CCP, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said Tuesday. The illicit scheme enriched the defendants family to the tune of millions of dollars. Our Office will act decisively to prosecute those who serve as undisclosed agents of a foreign government.

Sun started working in the governors office in 2012, when then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo hired her to become his administrations liaison to local Asian American communities, specifically in Queens.

But she was working for an entirely separate set of bosses in the Chinese government and at the Chinese consulate in New York, according to a 64-page indictment.

She became the external affairs director of Empire State Developments Global NY program, a post that included leading trade and investment missions to five different countries each year, according to her LinkedIn profile.

She repeatedly and for years saw to it that officials in the Hochul and Cuomo administration, including the governors themselves, did not meet with Taiwanese officials or attend their events, the feds allege.

In one episode in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sun texted a Chinese consulate official, according to the indictment, boasting, "Im still in charge of all Asian affairs. A few weeks (ago) when we released a press release for international travel  I almost had a heart attack when we referred to Taiwan as a country. Thankfully I had the press team correct it immediately.

The consulate official responded, Thank you for your every effort to improve understanding and cooperation between the two great peoples of China and the United States. Keep in touch.

In another, she surreptitiously added an official from Chinese consulates political section to a private New York State government conference call in March 2020 about the response to the pandemic and the Cuomo administrations response to rising hate crimes against Asian Americans, the feds allege.

Sun repeatedly wrote notes telling the official, Keep your phone muted, during the call, the feds allege.

Part of Suns rewards involved opportunities for Hu, who owned a seafood exporting business, including help from the Chinese government with his plans to import lobsters from the U.S. to China, the feds allege.

Hus business with China brought him millions of dollars, laundered through a family member, structured payments and multiple accounts, which he and Sun used to buy their pricey Long Island home and an ocean-view condominium on the 47th floor of a high-rise building in Honolulu, according to the feds.

When Suns relative fretted in a message that people would wonder why she could afford such an expensive home while house-hunting in Long Island in 2020, she responded with just one word: Mortgage.

Sun and Hu pleaded not guilty at their arraignment in Brooklyn Federal Court Tuesday. She was released on $1.5 million bond, he on $500,000, secured by their friends and business associates.

Her lawyer, Jarrod Schaeffer, said she is understandably upset that these charges have been brought.

We have a lot of confidence in our case. A number of the allegations in the indictment are frankly inflammatory, perplexing, Hus lawyer, Seth DuCharme said.

Sun was appointed as Hochuls deputy chief of staff in September 2021 and left the job in November 2022 to work as a deputy commissioner in the New York Department of Labor.

Sun was fired by the Department of Labor in March 2023 after evidence of misconduct was discovered, Avi Small, a spokesman for Hochul, told the New York Daily News on Tuesday.

Small declined to elaborate on the nature of the evidence, but added that Hochuls administration immediately reported Suns actions to law enforcement and have assisted law enforcement throughout this process.

Once out of state government, Sun managed the unsuccessful campaign of Austin Cheng, a Democrat who ran to represent New Yorks 3rd Congressional District after Republican George Santos was expelled from Congress.

From 2009 and 2012, Sun was chief of staff to then-Queens State Assemblywoman Grace Meng. Meng now represents New Yorks 6th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

_____
LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  Fort Indiantown Gap is notifying residents not to be alarmed at the possible sign of smoke in the sky today, according to a post on Facebook.

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The post says a prescribed burn of around four acres of land is being conducted at Fort Indiantown Gap on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

There is a chance that locals will see smoke emanating from the installation while burns are being conducted, and locals should not be concerned, per the post.

The post adds that the project took detailed planning and coordinated with state agencies to ensure burns would be conducted safely and protectively.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
A Miami federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Fort Lauderdale police officers who unleashed tear gas and rubber bullets at Black Lives Matter protesters in 2020 cant be held liable in a lawsuit brought forth by a woman who officers shot in the face with a foam projectile.

U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz, in a decision that was more than 100 pages long, said qualified immunity extinguishes the officers from liability. The tenet dates back to English common law and largely prevents governments from being sued without their consent.

But Ruizs decision allowed for the City of Fort Lauderdale to stand trial due to its policies, procedures and officers conduct. The lawsuit was filed in 2022 by LaToya Ratlieff, whose eye socket was fractured.

Ratlieff and hundreds of people gathered in downtown Fort Lauderdale on May 31, 2020 to demand justice for George Floyd, who was killed days before by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyds murder sparked the largest racial justice protests in the United States since the Civil Rights Movement  as it spearheaded thousands of Black Lives Matter demonstrations around the country.

READ MORE: They ignited the situation: Fort Lauderdale police cracked skull of peaceful protester

Latoya Ratlieff, in the aftermath of being struck in the eye.

In the order, Ruiz noted that the evidence in the case indicated a disturbing lack of professionalism among officers working at the protest.

One pushed a kneeling woman without provocation, the judge stated. Others agitated the crowd. Vital witnesses didnt turn their body cameras on that day.

On the footage available, several officers were heard laughing and joking about shooting protesters with rubber bullets, with one even saying,Did you see me f--k up those motherf-----s?

The officer accused of shooting Ratlieff, according to the order, turned his body camera on three minutes after she had been shot.

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department hasnt responded to the Miami Heralds request for comment as of Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement, attorneys Michael Davis, Stuart Ratzan and Benedict Kuehne said Ruizs ruling was a significant victory that allows for Ratlieffs case to go before a jury. The legal team also said it is confident that jurors will unequivocally recognize the gravity of the misconduct and deliver the justice that LaToya deserves.

Qualified immunity continues to be a vexing and unjust barrier for citizens harmed by police misconduct, Davis, Ratzan and Kuehne said in the statement. However, todays ruling confirms that despite these challenges, justice will prevail for LaToya Ratlieff. The courts decision reaffirms her commitment to seeking redress and ensuring that those responsible for are brought to justice...

A chaotic scene

Although there had been no violent incidents during the 2021 rally, police have maintained that their heavy-handed tactics that evening were a response to an officer screaming for help over the radio as protesters attacked her unmarked police car, pounding on windows and jumping on the vehicle.

During an interview with attorneys, the officer who made the initial distress call admitted that she never actually saw anyone damaging her vehicle or jumping on the trunk as described in her incident report, according to court documents from an ongoing federal civil rights lawsuit that Ratlieff filed in 2022. A forensic analysis of synchronized video and audio from the scene shows no evidence that protesters were surrounding the vehicle, which the officer reported when she radioed for backup.

READ MORE: A Fort Lauderdale cop reported an attack by BLM protesters. Now, the storys changing

The analysis, commissioned by Ratlieffs attorneys and submitted as evidence, confirmed the findings of a Miami Herald investigation based on publicly available images at the time: the hours of violence between police and rally-goers erupted after an officer pushed a kneeling protester, prompting an angry response from the crowd. Video evidence shows police arriving to the scene following the distress call then began to deploy tear gas and hard-packed projectiles without warning.

Ratlieffs lawsuit isnt the only one connected to the protest.

In June, attorney Michael Davis announced that he filed a federal class action lawsuit against the City of Fort Lauderdale and its police department over officers response to the May 31, 2020 rally. Ratlieff is also part of that suit.

LaToya Ratlieff, center, speaks to the media during a press conference as attorneys announced lawsuit filed by her and others against Fort Lauderdale Police Department for the violent response to peaceful protestors at the May 31, 2020, George Floyd protest on Monday, June 3, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

At the time, Ratlieff asserted the lawsuit is not merely focused on holding cops accountable for their wrongdoings, but also safeguarding Americans right to express dissent against injustices.

If people arent even able to stand up and say that something isnt right ...then where are we as a country? Ratlieff said.
Fort Lauderdale feeling the pressure to come up with homeless fix

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.  Fort Lauderdale leaders struggling to come up with a spot to house the homeless continued the debate Tuesday, well aware that the city might face lawsuits from citizens if they dont come up with a plan soon.

For months, the Fort Lauderdale commission has been prepping for a statewide law against public camping and sleeping that takes effect Oct. 1. Cities across Florida that fail to enforce the controversial state law  signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in March  can be sued starting Jan. 1.

Now Fort Lauderdale has been hit with a new unexpected wrinkle: Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony is making it clear the county jails will not be accepting homeless people who face arrest under local anti-camping laws.

In the next few weeks, cities and counties throughout Florida will enact new ordinances to remove homeless persons from public parks, streets and buildings, Tony wrote in an op-ed published by the South Florida Sun Sentinel. The jail is not the place to shelter and provide services to the homeless. I have directed our Department of Detention to no longer accept individuals who are brought to the jail for purely municipal ordinance violations. Rounding up the homeless and bringing them to downtown Fort Lauderdale or Pompano Beach to be housed in the county jails is neither a good solution, nor an available one.

Downtown Fort Lauderdale, home to the county jail and main bus terminal, is a known hot spot for the homeless. In recent years, the homeless have found other havens, including the beach, alleyways and parking lots.

On Sunday, Fort Lauderdale mayoral candidate Jim Lewis shared what he thought was a great idea: Why not set up a homeless encampment next to Chase Stadium near Commercial Boulevard and Interstate 95, where Inter Miami plays?

The lot, currently being used for overflow parking on game day, is slated to become a park but is months away from breaking ground.

We dont know if were going to have a park in 2025, 2026 or 2027, Lewis said. But we know in October were going to have a homeless crisis problem where these people are going to have to go. Please find a place. Do it now.

Commissioner John Herbst, who represents the district, blasted the idea on Tuesday.

Thats zoned as a park, he said. Were not putting it in a park. We will never have a homeless camp in a park.

Lewis had this retort: You go out there and look. Its not a park. Its a trash pile.

Another idea put forward by Commissioner Warren Sturman would have the city creating homeless villages in public parking lots for people living out of their cars.

The plan did get enthusiastic support from Herbst, who suggested the city set up a safe parking zone on the rooftop of the City Hall parking garage.

But critics, including Mayor Dean Trantalis and Vice Mayor Steve Glassman, are panning the idea as absurd, considering South Floridas dangerous lightning storms and heat.

Resident Charlie King, a frequent critic of City Hall, suggested Fort Lauderdale bus its homeless people out of town, all the way to California.

You should be handing out bus tickets, King told the commission Tuesday. We have to move these people out.

Trantalis interjected with a question: Bus ticket where?

King was quick with an answer: Anywhere. Would you like to go to Seattle? Would you like to go to San Diego?

That idea was also rebuffed by Trantalis, who expressed frustration at the deadline set by the state.

Id really love to see the governor come in and suspend this until they work out the kinks, Trantalis said. Its a big burden for both the Democratic and the Republican counties. (We all) need more time to fund this and plan for this.

Glassman agreed.

These unfunded mandates are difficult, Glassman said. You cant just have laws passed in Tallahassee and have local governments (be forced to) figure it out and pay for it.

Herbsts response drew applause from the audience.

I think well have a better chance of seeing the governor suspend the sheriff, he said, prompting claps from the crowd. I hope Sheriff Tony reconsiders this before Tallahassee steps in and asks him if hed like to pursue job opportunities elsewhere.

Sturman defended his plan for safe parking zones, an idea borrowed from San Diego.

Nothings perfect, Sturman said. Its a temporary thing. But its better than what they (the homeless) have now. We should at least look at it, not shoot it down from the start.

Trantalis noted that everyone was doing their best to find a solution with a fast-approaching deadline.

Nothing is in stone, he said. These are just ideas we are putting out there. Weve been talking. Now we have to put this talk into action.

Glassman shared his concern that the onus was falling on Fort Lauderdale to fix a problem it did not create.

This is not a Fort Lauderdale problem, he said. We cant shoulder the burden (on our own).

_____
This Fort Worth-area state lawmaker is running for speaker of the Texas House

State Rep. David Cook, who represents part of North Texas, is running for Speaker of the House.

He joins two fellow Republicans that have announced bids for the seat amid criticism of current House Speaker Dade Phelans leadership in the lower chamber from some Republicans.

The announcement also follows a contentious legislative session in 2023 and primary season in the months after, which Cook made note of in a letter announcing his bid.

The letter was reported by a reporter for The Texas, a conservative news outlet, on X, formerly called Twitter. A copy of the letter sent to Republican lawmakers and candidates on Tuesday was later obtained by the Star-Telegram.

The current state of the Republican caucus is of grave concern, Cook said in the letter. Internal strife threatens to weaken our leadership and distract us from the work we were elected to do.

Cook, who is from Mansfield, previously served as the citys mayor from 2008 to 2021. He joined the House in 2021.

Also running for the leadership role is Rep. Tom Oliverson of Cypress and Rep. Shelby Slawson of Stephenville.

Theyll challenge Phelan, who was first elected as speaker in 2021.

Some members of the Republican Party have criticized Phelans handling of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons impeachment proceedings and his appointment of Democrats as committee chairs. Past Republican speakers have also had Democrats lead House committees, but in recent years, theres been a push to stop the practice.

Cook in his letter said its time for leadership to better reflect the will of the majority party. Republicans make up most of the Texas House.

This includes a shift to a Republican committee chair model, Cook said. However, Democratic members will still have the opportunity to work their bills and see them considered fairly, as preserving the rights of the minority party remains part of facilitating the orderly transaction of business in the Texas House.

Cook said hed ensure that the House runs efficiently, with clear and frequent communication to all Members.

My presence and engagement will reflect the deep commitment I hold to each of you and the people of Texas, he said in the letter.

Cooks district includes a small part of Fort Worth, as well as parts of Arlington, Burleson and Mansfield.

Phelans office declined to comment on Cooks Tuesday announcement.
Two students and two teachers were killed in a Wednesday shooting at a Georgia high school, a Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) official said in an afternoon press briefing.

The suspect, a 14-year-old student at Apalachee High School in Winder, will be charged as an adult with murder, said Chris Hosey, director for the GBI.

Hosey said the suspect, Colt Gray, is in custody.

Nine other people were taken to local hospitals with various injuries.

The shooting came as students returned to school after summer vacations, and it led to a familiar pattern of statements from federal, state and local officials.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) said in a post on the social platform X he directed all available state resources to respond to the incident, adding that he was working with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation.

[I] urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state, Kemp said.

President Biden was briefed on the shooting by Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall, the White House said in a statement, and his administration will continue coordinating with federal, state, and local officials as we receive more information.

Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.), whose district includes Apalachee High School, issued a statement offering prayers for victims and their families and saying hes been in touch with local authorities to offer his assistance.

Leigh Ann and I are praying for the victims, their families, and all students at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, he wrote on X. We extend our gratitude to law enforcement for their swift action to secure the school and get the shooter in custody. I have spoken with Sheriff Smith and told him my team and I are available to assist in any way necessary. We will continue to monitor and provide updates as prudent.

Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters that he was devastated for the families who have been affected by this terrible tragedy, adding that the Justice Department stands ready to provide any resources or support.

The Barrow County Sheriffs Office said fire and EMS personnel were dispatched to Apalachee High School in Barrow County shortly before 10:30 a.m. EDT in reference to a reported active shooting, according to The Associated Press.

FBI and GBI agents and local authorities were also on scene as the school remained on lockdown Wednesday afternoon.

Updated at 6:06 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.
Four dead, nine injured in shooting at Apalachee High in Winder

Atlantas Grady Memorial Hospital has received at least one person with gunshot wounds from Apalachee High School after law enforcement responded to a shooting there. (John McCosh | Georgia Recorder)

ATLANTA Law enforcement is responding to a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia that took place Wednesday morning.

Four people are dead, including two students and two teachers, and nine have been hospitalized.

I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state, Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement. We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation.

According to a White House statement, President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting by Homeland Security Advisor, Liz Sherwood-Randall, and his administration is in communication with federal, state and local officials.

Georgia Congresswoman Lucy McBath, whose son Jordan Davis was killed by gun violence, said she was praying for families of victims.

I am praying for the students of Apalachee High School and the community of Winder, she said in a statement. I am praying for families across our state and entire country. Too many continue to experience the pain of gun violence. No family should have to go through this.

This story was produced by the Georgia Recorder which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
Four Oregon megafires still burning after nearly 50 days

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Oregons wildfire season continues to devastate parts of the state as four megafires remain burning after nearly 50 days.

A megafire, according to the U.S. Interagency Fire Center, is a wildfire that reaches a size of at least 100,000 acres. Of the 109 fires currently burning in Oregon, the Durkee, Falls, Lone Rock, and Monkey Creek fires have each reached this status.

RELATED: East wind event possible in Oregon this week

The longest-running megafire is the Falls Fire, which sparked July 10 in Harney County and quickly grew into a wildfire of devastating proportions. So far, the fire has destroyed 13 homes and 15 other buildings, injured 17 people, and killed one firefighting air tanker pilot.

Falls Fire

Start Location: Harney County

Time Burning: 56 days

Size: 151,689 acres

Containment: 100%

Lone Rock

Start Location: Gilliam County

Time Burning: 53 days

Size: 137,222 acres

Containment: 99%

Durkee

Start Location: Baker County

Time Burning: 49 days

Size: 294,265 acres

Containment: 99%

Monkey Creek

Start Location: Morrow County

Time Burning: 48 days

Size: 115,269 acres

Containment: 48%

The 2024 wildfire season is the largest since 2020, with a little less than one month of summer remaining. So far, these fires have consumed enormous areas of land, particularly in Eastern Oregon, but the fires are far less destructive than the 2020 Labor Day Fires.

The Falls Fire seen burning in Eastern Oregon on July 20, 2024. (Inciweb)

The Falls Fire. (Inciweb)

(Gaston Rural Fire District)

The Lee Falls Fire. (Gaston Rural Fire District)

A column of fire rises from a burning tree within the Lone Rock Fire. (Inciweb)

A firefighter works to secure the southwest corner of the Lone Rock Fire. (Inciweb)

A group of firefighters protects structures on the Lone Rock Fire. (Inciweb)

Firefighters working to contain the Durkee Fire in eastern Oregon. (Photo by Brook Smith, Southern Area Gold Team)

A Bureau of Land Management Battalion Chief scouts ahead of the Durkee Fire burning in Easter Oregon on July 21. (Photo by Marcus Johnson, courtesy of Inciweb)

The Durkee Fire burns alongside Interstate 84 in Eastern Oregon (ODOT)

A firefighter slides down a fire line along a steep hillside on the Monkey Creek Fire in the Battle Mountain Complex. (Inciweb)

The 2020 fires killed 11 people and destroyed more than 4,000 homes. Meanwhile, Oregons 2024 fire season has caused one death and destroyed 36 homes, according to the State of Oregon Fires and Hotspots Dashboard.

However, fire season isnt over yet, as a rare forecast of 100-degree temperatures for September is slated to hit on Thursday and possibly Friday, with the heat being paired with east winds, which fueled the 2020 Labor Day fires.

As these megafires rage on throughout the state, Oregon State Fire Marshal spokesperson John Hendricks said his teams have been on site of 14 emergency conflagrations this year.

We had a little bit of a lull, and we dont want folks to get complacent thinking that fire season is over, Hendricks said. Weve got some triple-digit temperatures on the way, Red Flag Warnings. So were, were ready to go, in case anything does happen.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue our wildfire coverage.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Four Sacramento men are accused of traveling to Southern California to kidnap a Los Angeles County businessman at gunpoint in an attack last year that left the victim beaten and abandoned as his home burglarized.

A federal grand jury indicted the four men, charging them each with two counts of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping. Three of the accused men have been arrested, but authorities have not found 43-year-old Jerome Franklin Jr., who remains at large, the U.S. Attorneys Office in Los Angeles announced Wednesday in a news release.

The three accused men who were arrested last week, ages 57, 29 and 39, are expected to be arraigned in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles in the coming weeks, federal prosecutors said.

The FBI booked the arrested men Thursday at the Sacramento County Main Jail, where they remained in custody ineligible for bail on a federal hold, jail records show.

These defendants are charged with putting the victim through a terrifying ordeal, one that will leave lasting emotional and psychological scars, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in the news release. We will not tolerate such brazen acts of violence and will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to ensure stiff penalties for perpetrators of such violent acts.

Kidnapping in Lancaster

The prosecutors allege that on Oct. 27, 2023, the defendants traveled from Sacramento to Lancaster to kidnap the Antelope Valley businessman at gunpoint from his workplace. The defendants beat the businessman, zip-tied his hands and duct-taped his turban over his face, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

The defendants allegedly demanded $100,000 or more from the victim, as well as gold and jewelry. Prosecutors said the four Sacramento men threatened to kill the businessman if he did not comply with their demands, telling him: This is your last day.

Prosecutors allege that Franklin and another kidnapper, who has not been identified, held the businessman captive as the three other Sacramento men went to the victims home to burglarize it, according to the grand jury indictment filed in federal court on Aug. 27 and unsealed on Tuesday.

The victims wife noticed burglars on their home security system, so she called her husbands phone. Prosecutors said the kidnappers had her husbands phone, and they eventually abandoned the businessman in a desolate area of California.

The victim was held captive in a vehicle as Franklin and the unknown accomplice drove him around on an interstate highway and elsewhere while his home was burglarized, according to the indictment. One of the arrested defendants rented one of the two vehicles used in the kidnapping, including the vehicle used to commit the home burglary, prosecutors said.

One of the defendants allegedly rented a Toyota Rav4 in Sacramento to use in the kidnapping in Los Angeles County, stealing a license plate from another vehicle in Palmdale to conceal their identities. A temporary license plate was also allegedly stolen to disguise the other vehicle used in the kidnapping.

The FBI and the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department investigated the reported kidnapping.

The community can rest assured that the perpetrators of this violent and heinous kidnapping are now in custody and will face serious consequences for their actions, Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI Los Angeles field office, said in the news release.

If convicted of both charges, prosecutors said the defendants could each face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
France, Greece and Spain pledge investment in water-saving tech to shield farmers from drought

France, Greece and Spain pledge investment in water-saving tech to shield farmers from drought

European Union officials pledged on Tuesday to develop more water-saving technologies in agriculture as droughts worsen.

Officials from nine southern EU countries said they will work together to mitigate strain on farmers and threats to food security.

The promises came during a gathering in Cyprus of the so called MED9 countries - Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Slovenia - to address growing water scarcity as a result of climate change, especially in the Mediterranean region, which they say is being affected to a greater degree than other parts of the 27-member bloc.

The officials also pledged to share technical and practical data and launch joint research programs to make water use as efficient as possible.

Climate change is a real threat to food production worldwide, and this risk is even more severe in the Mediterranean area, Spains Agriculture Minister Luis Planas told the meeting. We must both fight climate change and, at the same time, adapt the working conditions of our farmers to this new climate situation.

Related

How could the EU save water in farming?

Cyprus Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou warned that Europe last year faced its worst drought in 500 years and cited local examples of smart irrigation systems and solar power-related technologies that help protect crops, generate electricity and save water use by 30 per cent.

Portuguese Agriculture Minister Jose Manuel Fernandes urged for more EU funding to help finance new water-saving technologies and create new incentives to attract younger people to revitalise an ageing farming population.

French Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau highlighted latest techniques that help create new crops, able to thrive in harsher climate conditions while Fernandes said so-called genomic research is totally different from genetically modified crops that have stirred controversy within the bloc in the past.

The MED9 officials also urged the EU to come up with a common approach to water conservation while taking into account regional requirements.

As the climate crisis will have a major impact on global food security, climate change adaptation must be placed at the heart of our common policies, Slovenia's Agriculture Minister Mateja Calusic said.
ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- A Yemeni government naval official said on Wednesday that a minor oil spill had been detected from a Greek tanker targeted by Houthi forces two weeks ago in the Red Sea.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the oil spill was observed at a limited distance from the rear of the tanker MV Sounion, which sustained a direct hit during a Houthi attack on August 21. The tanker was carrying approximately 150,000 tonnes of crude oil.

Following the attack, a rescue vessel was able to successfully evacuate the tanker's crew to Djibouti. Last week, the Houthi group said that it had agreed to permit the rescue operation and towing of the tanker.

However, the Yemeni government official accused the Houthi group of obstructing the arrival of technical teams tasked with towing the tanker, despite the group's previous approval for the operation.

"We are on the precipice of a major environmental disaster if the technical teams are not granted access to contain the oil spill and tow the tanker with the utmost urgency," the Yemeni official warned.

The European Union's naval mission, Aspides, announced Tuesday that it is suspending efforts to salvage the MV Sounion after an attack by the Yemeni Houthi forces.

Aspides said on social media platform X that it had been protecting tugs involved in salvaging the tanker since Sunday, with the primary goal of preventing "an unprecedented environmental disaster in the region."

However, the private companies overseeing the salvage determined that conditions were too dangerous for a safe towing operation and are now exploring other solutions, Aspides said. 
Franklin County man allegedly caught with 40 bricks of heroin with child in car

POTSDAM, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  After pulling over a car in Potsdam in Franklin County on Monday, September 2, New York State Police found the driver allegedly had roughly 40 bricks of heroin in the vehicle.

The driver, 31-year-old James Labarr of Franklin County, was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, Class B felonies.

State police also say Labarr had a child with him in the car, causing him to also be charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a Class A misdemeanor.

Labarr was arraigned and remanded without bail to the St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility due to prior felony convictions, according to NYSP.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
The Franklin County Courthouse is shown in downtown Frankfort. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

FRANKFORT  Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd urged Democratic Gov. Andy Beshears administration and Republican Auditor Allison Balls office to resolve a dispute over access to an abuse and neglect database before further litigation ensues.

In a Wednesday morning motion hour, Shepherd gave attorneys on both sides until close of business Thursday to let his office know if they had agreed on a mediator. Otherwise, he would appoint one for them.

I think theres probably a practical solution out there if everybody will just step back, take another look at it, take another try, maybe get somebody to help hammer out an agreement, Shepherd said.

Last week, Ball filed the lawsuit against the Beshear administration seeking access for the office of the ombudsman to information about abuse and neglect cases through the iTWIST database. The auditor is seeking an expedited resolution on the matter so that the new Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman can review information in the database. Named in the lawsuit are Beshear, Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander and Ruth Day, the chief information officer of the Commonwealth Office of Technology.

The legislature replaced the Office of the Ombudsman and Administrative Review in 2023 with the Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman and attached it to the auditors office, effective July 2024. The original office was part of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS).

The ombudsman investigates and resolves complaints about agencies in CHFS, including protective services for children and elderly Kentuckians. The ombudsman appointed by Ball, Jonathan Grate, cant do his job without access to iTWIST, (the Workers Information System), Ball previously told lawmakers.

On the other hand, CHFS says state law limits access to the computer system iTWIST to cabinet social service officials, with some exceptions for certain parties within the cabinet, law enforcement and prosecutors, outside medical or social service officials and the parent or guardian of the child in question, the Lantern has reported.

Balls lawsuit is the latest in a series of back and forth between her office and Beshears administration over access to the database. In July, she sent the governor a demand letter to Beshear and CHFS Secretary Eric Friedlander seeking database access.

The governor later said that while he supported the office having access, we have a written statute that is on the books that says we cant provide certain access.

And I dont think the General Assembly is going to tell me that if you think that you know what we wanted you to do, then you can ignore the other statutes that we passed on the books, Beshear said at the time.

On Tuesday, Shepherd did say he could understand the positions of both the auditor and CHFS. Balls office has sought access to the database for months, but CHFS is concerned about maintaining the confidentiality of information regarding minors and families.

The judge said that he thought everyone in the case could agree that the General Assembly will likely pass a law clarifying access to the database for the Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman. The legislature reconvenes in January, about four months away, and has a veto-proof Republican supermajority.

Alexander Magera, general counsel for the auditors office, asked Shepherd to consider granting court-ordered access to the database for the new ombudsmans office.

If you all cant reach an agreement on this within the next week or two, Im going to reserve the right to take whatever action the court thinks is necessary to make sure the statutory mandate is implemented, Shepherd said.

Robert Long Jr., on behalf of the chief information officer for COT, and Travis Mayo, general counsel for Beshear, both filed motions to dismiss the case. They argued the auditors office did not have standing to include Day and Beshear as parties in the lawsuit. Shepherd said the governors argument could be different on that front since he is the head of the executive branch and has authority over decisions within it.
From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch

Writing for a periodical means having to return to certain topics periodically. There will always be another Super Bowl for the sportswriter to cover, another superhero movie for the suffering film critic to endure.

Its no different with politics. There will always be another proto-fascist Tucker Carlson stunt to digest, another round of distressed When did Tucker lose his mind? speculation to consider.

Ive known Tucker for 30+ years, Jonah Goldberg tweeted on Tuesday about Carlsons latest interview. For most of that time, if I told him hed become this guy one day, hed have laughed, cursed me out, or punched me. Fellow Dispatch-er Jamie Weinstein agreed: Its become a D.C. parlor game to discuss whats happened to Tucker.  Lots of theories and plenty of signs where he was headed, but still no definitive answer.

The occasion for their angst was Carlsons lengthy chat with Darryl Cooper, whom Tucker described as possibly the best and most honest popular historian in the United States. Their topic was World War II. In hyping the interview, Carlson promised to shed light on aspects of the conflict that are supposedly forbidden to discuss.

Can you guess where this is going?

Cooper did in fact go there, calling Winston Churchill the chief villain of the war and implying that the Holocaust was an on-the-fly response to Germany being overwhelmed by a POW problem. As the interview circulated online, critics began examining his social media account and  that too was what you would expect, replete with musings about Hitlers efforts to find, and I quote, an acceptable solution to the Jewish problem.

Who knew that a guy like Tucker prone to slobbering over shopping-cart technology in Vladimir Putins Russia might also be prone to promoting pro-Nazi propaganda?

I dont think Carlson has lost his mind, or at least no more so than anyone whos been politically radicalized has. Hes been engaged in a coherent, if despicable, ideological project for years. As far back as 2017, he was airing segments in Fox News prime time on the gypsy infiltration of America. He surrounded himself at the network with white-nationalist chuds. Hes become a committed postliberal. It was inevitable that hed start pulling his chin one day about the supposed moral complexity of World War II.

Theres nothing unusual about populists Nazi-pilling themselves with historical revisionism in search of their next contrarian high. Whats unusual about Tucker is that hes maintained a degree of national popularity and even mainstream acceptance as he goes about trying to make the world unsafe for democracy.

How? Hes taking advantage of a leadership vacuum on the right.

The end of assignment editors.

Right-wing media is in shambles, podcaster Adam Johnson wrote this week. [Roger] Ailes then [Rush] Limbaugh dying has left a total power vacuum. Its an ideological Holy Roman Empirenatural news guys, Christian wackos, Joe Rogan adjacents, MAGA coin hustlers, weirdos who stalk trans people. There is no unifying narrative anymore.

Theres truth to that, his disdain for Christian wackos aside. A decade ago it was no exaggeration to say that Limbaugh and Fox News, where Ailes presided, served as de facto assignment editors for populist right-wing media. Whatever the daily hobby horse was in their programming, thats what talk radio and online commentators would be chattering about.

Whos the assignment editor now?

Donald Trump? Occasionally the stars will align and hell hit on something that electrifies the right, like the rigged election argle-bargle after the 2020 election. But on an average day, hes too scatterbrained to drive a consistent message. In fact, the narratives involving Trump that tend to unify the right are ones in which hes a character, not the author. When the FBI searches Mar-a-Lago or some prosecutor drops a new indictment on him, suddenly everyones on the same page. Trumps own reaction is largely irrelevant.

Right-wing talk radio still draws an enormous audience, but no one follows, say, Sean Hannitys lead the way they followed Limbaughs. And while Fox remains influential, the network increasingly takes its cues from populist outlets rather than vice versa, as last years nearly billion-dollar defamation settlement demonstrated.

The populist monster that establishment right-wing media created is consuming the industry. Certain social-media users and conspiratorial blogs promoted by Trump now command as much attention from the grassroots right as more mainstream personalities do, like meth dealers luring away a coke peddlers clientele with promises of stronger stuff. Populism has grown more democratic in its media tastes even as its grown more monarchical in its political tastes.

There are no more assignment editors. And because Trump himself doesnt care about policy apart from a few nationalist obsessions like immigration, theres not even a clear ideological vision for right-wing media to rally around.

So its a free-for-all. Anti-vaxxers, manosphere bros, crypto enthusiasts, Holocaust revisionists, plus the motley crew that Johnson identified. Theyre all jockeying for audience share, hoping to fill the rights intellectual power vacuum with their personal bugaboos. The analogy to the Holy Roman Empire is a clever one, but I tend to imagine whats happening as a sort of populist Homestead Act: Trump took over the right, ousted the former ideological landowners, and encouraged anyone who wanted a piece of it to stake their claim, no matter how wacky they might be. All they had to do was swear allegiance to him.

The sudden promise of free ideological territory explains why all roads out of Crazy Town lead to MAGA. As if to illustrate the point, it wasnt Tuckers fascist agitprop that inspired Adam Johnsons analysis; it was the backlash Daily Wire podcaster Matt Walsh drew from fellow populists after warning them of the risks of  drinking unpasteurized milk. Walsh found out the hard way that the Daily Wires political turf now abuts the intellectual homestead of all-natural freaks who think making milk safe for human consumption is some sort of elitist scam.

He offended his new neighbors. And thanks to Trump, they have as much of a claim to their territory on the right as he does.

The new three-legged stool.

So, no, Tucker Carlson hasnt lost his mind. Hes rationally capitalizing on the ideological free-for-all that Trumpism and the flattening of populist media has created. Hes staking a claim for his own preferred ideology to be treated as respectably as The Daily Wire and the raw-milk nuts are.

Id go so far as to say that he and his fellow travelers now represent one leg of a new three-legged stool.

The three-legged stool of Reaganism came up on Friday in a column about the future of the GOP. Fiscal responsibility, national-defense hawkishness, and social conservatism were pillars of the mainstream right for 35 years. But under Trump, the first is now long gone, the second is unlikely to survive his second term, and the third is in the process of being, er, aborted.

Theres a new stool, the first leg of which is represented by postliberal ideologues. Thats the Tucker faction, the group that wants to rip out the liberal Western order by the roots. Pluralism, feminism, democracyits all got to go if Christian white men are to regain their pride of place as rulers of the West. Carlson seems to believe that his audience has been programmed to respect liberal values and can be reprogrammed to admire authoritarianism. All it takes is the right incentive structure.

Tuckers game is to train his fans to believe that questioning their most basic moral and civic commitments is proof of courage and the key to accessing knowledge to which only the freest thinkers are privy. (Thats why he hyped the subject of Coopers revisionism as forbidden.) Are the Hells Angels just free spirits? Does Israel really respect Christians? Is Putin actually the villain in the Ukraine war? Was Hitler actually the villain in World War II?

Hes building a tolerance in his audience for ever more extreme forms of illiberalism by gradually upping the dose. Hes not stupid.

The second leg of the stool is conspiratorial contrarians of all stripes, people who have one or more kooky preoccupations theyre eager to share but who lack the sort of grand ideological ambition that Carlson and his wing have. Vaccine skeptics, raw-milk guzzlers, flat-earthers, colloidal-silver enthusiasts, you name it: Snake oil is welcome here. Id place QAnoners in this category, although the conspiracy theory to which they subscribe is more overtly political than the others I mentioned.

These are people who feel theyve uncovered some secret (forbidden!) truth covered up by elites and are very much open to the possibility that there are other secret truths to which they might be awakened. Theyre perfect marks for radicals like Carlsonand of course for grifters who are eager to monetize them.

Intellectual cross-pollination among this cohort probably explains why its rare to find an anti-vaxxer who isnt skeptical of Ukraine and vice versa. Once youve thrown in with them, youre forever at risk of damaging your populist credibility if you evince skepticism of any outre belief, which in turn creates sustained pressure toward full-spectrum paranoia. As Matt Walsh is discovering, you dont order off the kook menu a la carte.

Elon Musk belongs in this group after he let his fondness for edgelord contrarianism turn Twitter into a megaphone for bigots. Very interesting and worth watching is how he described Tuckers descent into Nazi revisionism on Tuesday.

The third leg of the stool is the anti-anti-Trump partisans who disdain the first two groups but not quite enough to disabuse them of their belief that being governed by the worst Republican is preferable to being governed by the best Democrat. This group will do its best to paper over differences with the other two and to turn a blind eye to their excesses whenever possibleand when it isnt possible, theyll suddenly sound surprised, even aghast, at what cretins like Carlson have become.

Creeping fascism on the right has been a-creepin since at least 2016. If youre shocked, shocked to find that theres gambling going on in here in 2024, it can only be because you went out of your way for tribal reasons not to notice. My fondest wish is that this third leg of the stool will break in November and send Trump down to defeat. Given what its members have been willing to overlook and excuse to reach this point, however, no one should be optimistic.

Trump himself is an amalgam of all three legs of the stool on which he sits. He was a conspiratorial contrarian before he entered politics. Hes always admired ruthlessness of authoritarians. And hes leveraged Republican partisanship to the hilt to keep the right on his side in conflicts with Democrats over his most reprehensible behavior.

Inside the tent.

All movements have their share of kooks. Before Trump, there was Ron Paul. Until a few weeks ago, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. threatened to spoil the GOPs chances in November by hoovering up a meaningful share of the rights considerable crank contingent.

Sometimes the kookery even reaches Congress. One of the many populists who scolded (and in some cases berated) Walsh for scoffing at the virtues of raw milk was Thomas Massie, the Republican representative from Kentucky.

Whats different about Trumps movement is that the kooks arent just treated respectfully by the leader; theyre valued friends and advisers in some cases. They wield real influence.

Who was it that was given the honor of addressing the nation shortly before Trump himself at this years Republican convention? Who was it that prevailed upon Trump to choose J.D. Vance over Doug Burgum as his running mate? Who is it thats currently scheduled to host Vance for an event on September 21 in, of all places, the most important swing state in America?

Thats Tucker Carlson, of course. His politics are somehow too obnoxious for Fox News but not too obnoxious for the head of a major political party who stands a 50-50 shot at being president next year.

Carlson is so mainstream on the right that I doubt Vance would dare insult him by canceling on him this month for having promoted a Nazi apologist. Again: A staunch populist like Vance doesnt get to pick and choose which crank beliefs he respects. Either he respects all of them or hes deemed a coward prone to letting the establishment bully him into adopting conventional wisdoman especially damning perception for a modern Republican politician. After all, a vice president who would sneer at someone for calling Churchill the chief villain in World War II might also be moved to sneer at them for refusing to vaccinate their children.

Anyone with a serious moral objection to Carlsons influence over Trump and Vance abandoned the right some time ago, I suspect. Postliberals love him; conspiratorial contrarians have no issue with him; and anti-anti-Trumpers whove lasted this long have surely made peace by now with the fact that the Buchananites and Birchers are in charge. There will be no Buckley-esque expulsion of the fringe by Reaganites this time, they must realize. If anyones going to be expelled as a drag on the movement, its the Buckleyites themselves.

They should have the basic dignity to renounce an organization that can no longer muster meaningful outrage at Tucker Carlson, as Jonah and Steve Hayes once did. But I suppose if they were capable of that sort of dignity, the stool propping up Trumps ample political girth would have collapsed long ago.

Realistically, all we can hope for is that Harris and her party hang Trumps affiliation with Carlson around his neck, starting with calling public attention to the Vance event on September 21. (If you want weird, granting interviews to a guy who wants to relitigate Nazi Germany is weird.) Trump will never do the right thing simply because its the right thing, but sometimes hell do the right thingor make a gesture toward doing itwhen the wrong thing begins to cost him politically.

The right will not be shamed into caring that fascist propagandists are in orbit around the Republican nominee for president, but swing voters are a different story, I hope.

Read more at The Dispatch

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Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam were convicted last week by Hong Kong District Court Judge Kwok Wai-Kin on charges of "conspiracy to publish and reproduce seditious publications," per NPR. The charge of sedition includes "inciting hatred or contempt against the Chinese central government [and] the Hong Kong government." Following their convictions, the two journalists each face a maximum of two years in prison and a fine of HK$5000 (or $640).

Pui-kuen and Lam, the former editors in chief of Stand News, which shut down following a 200-officer police raid in December 2021, had charges brought against them in October 2022 for 17 articles published from July 2020 to December 2021. Prosecutors alleged these articles, including "opinion pieces criticizing the national security law" and "interviews with former pro-democracy lawmakers," promoted "illegal ideologies" and smeared the 2020 National Security Law (NSL) during the 2019 protests.

Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests were prompted by the Hong Kong Security Bureau's proposed amendments to extradition laws, which would enable Chinese extradition of Hong Kongers, in February 2019. In response, thousands took to the streets in March of that year and over half a million followed suit in June. On October 23, 2019, the extradition bill was withdrawn, but this victory for Hong Kong's freedom was short-lived. In May 2020, Beijing announced it would impose the NSL on Hong Kong. The Chinese parliament approved the measure on May 28, and a month later, the law went into effect.

Jimmy Lai, the billionaire founder of clothing retailer Giordano and founder of the newspaper Apple Daily, was arrested in August 2020 under the NSL for "collusion with foreign forces," to which Lai pleaded not guilty. Lai is currently being held in solitary confinement.

Then, in June 2021, Apple Daily was raided under the NSL. Five editors were arrested for "'use of journalistic work' to incite foreign forces to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China," according to the Associated Press, citing Hong Kong Security Secretary John Lee. Following the 500-officer raid, Apple Daily shut down for good.

Other courageous pro-democracy voices have faced even stricter punishment under Chinese jurisdiction. Yang Hengjun, a Chinese-Australian writer, academic, and former employee of China's Ministry of State Security, was convicted of espionage in a closed-door hearing in May 2021. Hengjun's death sentence was commuted to life in prison this February, following a two-year probationary period.

Francis Lee, a journalism professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, tells NPR that last week's ruling against Pui-kuen and Lam extends the definition of smearing to include speech critical of the government. In the wake of the ruling, Eric Chan, Hong Kong's chief secretary for administration, said there would be no restrictions on freedom of speech if "journalists conduct their reporting based on facts." Apparently these facts do not include those inconvenient to the government.

The law invoked to prosecute Pui-kuen and Lam is a holdover from Hong Kong's British colonial era that had not been invoked since the nation was brought under Chinese control in 1997. The British origin of the sedition law is bitterly ironic: Lai credited the British with giving "us the institutions of freedom.Rule of law, free speech, and the free market." Given the U.K.'s unimpressive record on free speech, the law's British provenance is not terribly surprising.

As if speech were not sufficiently curtailed in China and Hong Kong by the NSL and the British sedition law, the Article 23 law, a.k.a. Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, was signed into law unanimously in March of this year. Article 23 "expands the crime of seditionand raises the maximum punishment from two years in prison to 10," according to NBC News.

In a letter to the court, Lam wrote that "journalists do not have to be loyal to anyone.If we have any true allegiance, it is to the public and only the public, because we believe in freedom of the press and freedom of speech." In an earlier display of courage, Lai said he was "happy" to have "[gotten] into trouble" for standing up for what's right because "if we just surrenderwe will lose the rule of law. Lose the freedom." Despite the best efforts of Lai, Pui-kuen, and Lam, Hong Kong has become less free.

The post Is Free Speech Doomed in Hong Kong? appeared first on Reason.com.
FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO)  A Freeport woman is under arrest after allegedly pointing a gun at city workers on Tuesday. Authorities also charged her with methamphetamine possession.

According to the Freeport Police Department, workers with the Street Department said a woman driving a silver Chevrolet pointed a gun at them while they were paving the road at the intersection of Oak Avenue and John Street.

Arriving officers said the suspect vehicle was parked in the 200 block of W. John Street and Kaila Bahr, 34, was located at the residence.

A search warrant was served, and police said they found a loaded semi-automatic pistol, ammunition, and less than 5 grams of methamphetamine and cannabis that was packaged for sale.

Bahr was charged with Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Aggravated Assault, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Intent to Deliver Cannabis.

She was booked into the Stephenson County Jail pending the outcome of a detention hearing.

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Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla discusses the arrest of Alice Guo, the former mayor of Bamban, during a press conference Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Philippines Department of Justice/Facebook

Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Alice Guo, a fugitive and former Filipino mayor, has been arrested in Indonesia, President Bongbong Marcos Jr. of the Philippines said Wednesday.

In a recorded statement, Marcos said the 34-year-old former mayor of Bamban, located about 62 miles northeast of the capital Manila, was arrested at about 1 a.m. local time Wednesday in Jakarta, Indonesia.

"I congratulate all law enforcement personnel who made this apprehension possible," he said. "The public may not know the intricate details of this mission that you have successfully accomplished, but on their behalf, accept my thanks."

Guo is believed to have fled the Philippines for Malaysia in July before moving on to Singapore and then Indonesia the middle of last month. The Filipino authorities have been searching for Guo, who they have accused in criminal complaints of human trafficking and money laundering in connection to an illegal offshore gaming operator.

The Philippines Department of Justice also confirmed Guo's arrest, saying in a statement carried by the official Philippine News Agency that she was currently in the custody of the Indonesian police.

"We will ensure that all legal processes are followed to hold her accountable for any crimes committed," Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said.

"The DOJ is committed to pursuing justice and will continue to coordinate closely with Indonesian authorities to facilitate the necessary legal procedures."

The charges against Guo followed a raid of a Bamban casino operated by Chinese-owned Zun Yuan Technology Inc. in March. Nearly 800 people, more than half being foreigners, were rescued by the authorities, who alleged human trafficking was being perpetrated by the Philippine offshore gaming operator.

According to the Justice Department, Baofu is the leasing company that was incorporated by Guo that rented the space to Zun Yuan Technology.

Guo was elected mayor of Bamban in 2022, but authorities allege that she never divested from the company. She was dismissed from office last month by the Office of the Ombudsman, which found her to be "guilty of grave misconduct," it said in a statement.

Her sister, Shiela, and a business associate, Cassandra Li Ong, had earlier been arrested in Indonesia and deported to the Philippines in connection to the case.

"Let this serve as a warning to those who attempt to evade justice: Such is an exercise in futility. The arm of the law is long and it will reach you," Marcos said.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Funeral services for Arkansas City Firefighter/EMT Trevor Rusk were held Wednesday at Wellington Free Will Baptist Church.

The service was live-streamed on the Wellington Free Will Baptist Church Facebook page for those unable to attend.

Rusk died while off-duty on Aug. 24. However, since it was less than 24 hours since his last shift, it is considered a line-of-duty death. Rusk served the Arkansas City Fire Department since June 5, 2023. The governor directed flags to fly half-staff in honor.

At the service, Capt. Joel Potter read a statement from the family about Trevors interest in becoming a firefighter.

He came home from second or third grade, and we had to draw out a fire escape plan after learning about fire safety at school. We not only had to have an escape plan but a meeting place across the street in case we got separated. We even had to sign it, Potter said.

Why flags will be at half-staff on Wednesday

Following his funeral, a procession proceeded to Jordan Cemetery.

To allow all members of the Arkansas City Fire Department to attend the service, fire and EMS agencies from EagleMed/AMR, Windfield, Burden and Atlanta covered Arkansas City.

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A new program at Mercyhurst University started on Tuesday, bringing students to the computer for a digital competition.

Mercyhurst held tryouts for its very first esports team, inviting students to compete in video games such as Overwatch, Valorant and Rocket League.

Calling all captains  Registration for Cardboard Boat Regatta now open

The university helped the program acquire 10 brand-new computer monitors along with gaming headsets and keyboards.

The programs director said over 60 students have expressed interest in the esports team, and he only expects it to grow from there.

Beast on the Bay preparations begin at Presque Isle

For me, esports has always been so much more than the expectation, right? Its Oh staring at a screen and rotting your brain, you know. but I want to show people, I want to teach these students as well that theres team building communications, theres broadcasting opportunities, theres way to make money and make a name for yourself in a scene that a lot of people dont realize how big it is yet, said Mathew Corfee, director of esports at Mercyhurst University.

Corfee said the university is also planning to create a production room for the esports team to learn gaming broadcasting and analyst skills.

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Gov. Gavin Newsom is essentially ensuring a debate about Californias high energy prices extends deeper into election season.

His move Saturday to call a special legislative session in Sacramento focused on gasoline price spikes is something of a bet that running headlong into the Democrat-led states political vulnerabilities will turn them into an asset.

The next time theres a price spike at the pump, we can remind people theres a solution ready to go, Newsom spokesperson Bob Salladay said Tuesday. The governor wants to stop the roller coaster at the pump, which only benefits Big Oil. This plan will do that.

Gas prices in California right now are not sky-high  theyve actually been tracking less than a dollar per gallon above the U.S. average for the past month, which is pretty good considering theyre usually at least $1.10 higher than the national average, according to Jamie Court, president of the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog.

And Newsom has tamped down gas prices the two previous autumns by authorizing the early sale of winter-blend gasoline, which is made with cheaper ingredients but produces more pollution when it interacts with warmer air.

But theyre creeping higher  the differential was $1.12 per gallon as of Tuesday, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Newsom wants to have another tool ready for when refineries go offline for maintenance and supplies get tight, which is why hes proposing to give the California Energy Commission the ability to mandate refiners keep more supplies on hand.

Lawmakers in the Assembly balked at passing his plan last week, fearing it was rushed, while Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire said hed had the votes and didnt want to do a special session, which could run through November.

The legislative slugfest has already begun on the right: The National Republican Congressional Committee today hit a half-dozen Democratic House candidates, including former Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D), whos challenging Rep. David Valadao (R), for remaining conspicuously silent on the bill last week as congressional Republicans made hay.

The oil industry is signaling a fight, as well. You would think youd want to wrap this up sooner and cleaner, or wait, rather than drag more politicians through what will be a probably pretty ugly fight, said Western States Petroleum Association spokesperson Kevin Slagle.

This is all separate from the question of whether the supply mandate would actually work. University of California, Berkeley, economist Severin Borenstein, who coined the phrase mystery gasoline surcharge to describe the remaining difference between gas prices in California and other states after accounting for the roughly $1-per-gallon effect of state taxes and fees, said its not a bad idea  even though its effect wont be felt until well after the election.

Every politician has political motivations for everything they do, but I think he can certainly justify saying we need to be doing something about this, Borenstein said.

Borenstein cautioned that Newsoms proposal would be complicated to implement. And it would only address the price spikes  not the underlying reasons for Californias perpetually higher prices. Those include the state gas tax and environmental programs like cap and trade and the states low-carbon fuel standard (which is scheduled for a Nov. 8 vote to tighten supplies, which would also drive up gasoline prices), as well as the remaining price gap that the Energy Commission has been investigating.

It is a potential solution to the occasional very high price spikes due to a physical supply shortage, he said. But thats not most of why we pay high prices for gasoline in California.

Blanca Begert contributed to this report.

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Mourners gather by the grave of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli hostage whose body was recovered with five other hostages Saturday in Gaza. The six were among hostages seized during Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Pool Photo by Gil Cohen-Magen/UPI

Sept. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. President Joe Biden and his administration are finalizing a final offer for a ceasefire and return of the hostages held in Gaza by Hamas. This comes days after the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) recovered the bodies of six hostages presumably shot dead just before they could be rescued. One was an American.

In Israel, massive protests and strikes broke out over the failure of the Netanyahu administration to retrieve the remaining hundred or so hostages being held by Hamas. It has been almost 11 months since they were taken captive. Tragically, their fate and well-being remain unknown.

It remains to be seen whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu will take reprisals against Hamas for the murders. In the United States, students are returning to colleges and universities. It is uncertain if further Israeli violence against Palestinians in the war on Hamas in Gaza will lead to more riots and protests on campus. But with the November elections approaching and the presidential campaigns becoming more vicious, the unrest of the spring could too easily reoccur. This could also affect the elections.

There are several overriding contradictions and delusions that make any responsible solution to the war in Gaza virtually impossible to imagine. First is the delusion that Hamas wants a lasting ceasefire. The proposed 60-day deal will give Hamas breathing room for resupply and consolidation. The IDF says it is prepared for that.

Hamas has no interest in a viable end to the war. The war is exhausting an already overstressed IDF. Lebanon, Syria, Hezbollah and Iran remain high on the threat list for Israel. So a temporary ceasefire merely sets a date for a restart of hostilities. The more Palestinians killed, the more Israel will be seen by much of the outside world as a pariah. And the more casualties on all sides, the more pressure will be placed on the Netanyahu government to change policy and indeed, for a new one to form.

Moreover, hostages are vital pieces in this cynical game for Hamas. A few can be spent on occasion to achieve whatever ends Hamas wishes. But not so many will be used that the pile eventually is reduced to zero.

Likewise, Netanyahu has no incentive for peace other than on his terms. To believe otherwise is a delusion. Hamas is unlikely to concede to an agreement in which all hostages are immediately released. It is to Hamas' benefit to keep some, whether dead or alive. And some Israelis believe if the Netanyahu government falls, Bibi will be subject to legal action and even jail if convicted.

The Biden administration is also trapped in a delusion. It believes it can both support Israel and contain the carnage it is imposing on Palestinians, many of whom detest Hamas. The polio outbreak adds to this humanitarian disaster. Republicans will continue to attack the Biden administration for failing to provide all the weapons and support Israel needs to "win" the war against Hamas.

It is a delusion to think Hamas will be destroyed and this "war" can be won. Hamas is part of Gaza's DNA and a political force that governed Gaza for decades. Interestingly, Netanyahu was supportive of Hamas as a counterweight to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and other radical groups. To destroy Hamas means destroying much of Gaza and killing Palestinians or creating a new political organization to replace Hamas. This organization would have the responsibility of providing governance.

This idea is another delusion: that a new organization can be created whole and inserted into Gaza. Given all these delusions, is there any way out of this tragic nightmare? Only one comes to mind. Will the Israeli people finally demand a new government that is prepared to accept a two state solution and find an end to the war? Part of any solution must include some form of detente or rapprochement with the Saudis and other Gulf states who might be persuaded to contribute to rebuilding Gaza and finding a suitable government that can actually govern.

The final delusion is both Republicans and Democrats believe each has solutions to this crisis that the other does not. Former President Donald Trump asserts he can end the Ukraine War in one day if reelected. But does anyone have a realistic idea of how to end the war in Gaza?

The answer suffers no delusions. It is no. However, as all wars end, so will the war in Gaza. But at what costs and what consequences? Those answers are truly frightening and still impossible to find.

Harlan Ullman is UPI's Arnaud de Borchgrave Distinguished Columnist, a senior advisor at Washington's Atlantic Council, the prime author of "shock and awe" and author of "The Fifth Horseman and the New MAD: How Massive Attacks of Disruption Became the Looming Existential Danger to a Divided Nation and the World at Large." Follow him @harlankullman. The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.
ISTANBUL, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Global e-commerce leaders gathered in Istanbul, Turkiye, on Wednesday for the Global e-Export Summit, discussing the latest trends and strategies in digital trade.

The two-day event held at the Halic Congress Center featured over two dozen major marketplaces and topics such as AI-powered e-commerce, green transformation, and sustainability.

Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat emphasized the rapid growth of global e-commerce, noting it reached 5.8 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023 and is expected to grow to 6.3 trillion dollars by the end of this year.

Turkiye, he said, has seen significant growth in its e-exports, with a 131 percent increase last year and a 94 percent increase in the first eight months of 2024.

The summit aims to connect exporters with international marketplaces, fostering new partnerships and exploring emerging opportunities. A delegation of 100 buyers from global platforms, including Amazon, Tmall, JD CENTRAL, and SHEIN, is expected to participate in a series of bilateral business meetings. 
GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)Many school districts in South Carolina will soon be enforcing a strict no-phone policy after it received final approval from the state board on Tuesday.

Beginning in January 2025, schools across the state must comply with the new policy, which bans using specific electronic devices, including cell phones, during school hours. Educators said they believe limiting distractions will dramatically improve academic and social outcomes for students.

I think this is a critically important step in addressing the mental health crisis faced by our students, as well as improving academic performance and student safety within our schools. A growing body of research demonstrates and documents the ever-increasing negative impact that unregulated or under-regulated access, smartphones, and social media are having on our teenagers, said Patrick Kelly from Palmetto State Teachers Association.

Georgetown County is one of several school districts that have already started the cell phone ban. Many teachers said they have noticed a positive impact on students behavior and involvement.

Engagement in the classroom has risen significantly because distractions are not present, and it was not easily accessible before, even if students werent using it. Having that out of the way increased student engagement, said Alan Walters, GCSDs chief operations officer.

Despite the expected benefits, some parents raised concerns about safety and how they would contact their children in an emergency. Educators said safety is a priority, and the ban will not interfere.

This is a ban on cell phone access during the instructional day. Im a classroom teacher who has been locked in a closet with students during an active shooter situation, and I can assure parents that, at that moment, my priority is keeping students safe. It is not trying to collect a cell phone, said Kelly.

Officials said the statewide mandate will begin in the first quarter of the new year.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, speaks during a press conference on the publication of the final report of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture. The report outlines key strategies for sustainable and resilient agricultural practices within the European Union. Wiktor Dabkowski/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's plan for gender balance in her new team of commissioners is in danger of failing due to a lack of cooperation from member states.

To achieve gender balance, von der Leyen asked the European Union's national governments to nominate both a male a and a female commissioner candidate by the end of August.

The goal is not new  during her first term of office von der Leyen pursued parity with more success. This time several EU countries ignored the German conservative politician's request.

Notably, more than half the governments have only proposed one - male - candidate for the commission job.

A final tally shows that 16 countries proposed male candidates, ten proposed women, and only one, Bulgaria, has complied with von der Leyen's wish by proposing a man and a woman.

If there are no further changes to the nominations, almost two thirds of the overall 27 positions could be held by men. The outgoing college was composed of 15 men and 12 women.

The commission is responsible for proposing new EU laws and monitoring compliance with the European treaties. Around 32,000 people work for the EU institution.

The selection of EU commissioners is the last major step in filling top political positions after the European elections in June.

Each EU country receives a commission position.

"Oldboys'club"

The European Women's Lobby (EWL), an umbrella group working toward gender equality in the bloc, said the situation was indicative of an "old boys' club" mindset and called it "beyond embarrassing."

"If member states truly believe only men are fit for these roles or that there are no qualified women in their countries, they're not just out of touch  they're delusional," said the group's spokeswoman, Mirta Baselovic.

Lina Galvez Munoz, chair of the European Parliament committee on gender equality, said the numbers suggested a clear lack of "political will" from member states that sent a "very bad signal, especially to younger women and girls."

"I believe that this story shows how, unfortunately, gender equality in politics has not yet been assimilated," a source close to the European Commission president said.

Power play

At the root of the situation, observers see a power play between von der Leyen and European capitals that may well back goals like gender parity on paper, but in practice resist having their hands tied in any way.

"As member states, we expect von der Leyen to strive for gender parity," said an EU diplomat.

"At the same time, we also believe that it is up to us to propose the commissioner we prefer," the diplomat added, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Unfortunately, those two desires don't seem to align this time around."

Reputational damage?

Italian EU law expert Alberto Alemanno recently warned that a male-dominated college of commissioners would weaken the authority of the commission president.

Alemanno called on von der Leyen to make her dissatisfaction clear to national capitals and ask them to draw up a new list of candidates as quickly as possible in order to limit the damage to her own reputation and that of the EU as a whole.

According to Alemanno, weaker male commissioner candidates risked not receiving the necessary approval in the European Parliament. In this case, the national governments that nominated them would have to propose a new candidate.

What's next?

Von der Leyen now has to distribute all the portfolios, determining the rank and areas of responsibility for each commissioner, with economy, industry and defence among the most sought-after by the candidates.

Giving female candidates more important portfolios and vice-presidency roles could be a way to compensate for the numerical gender imbalance.

Von der Leyen has already made the first choices for her top team, German newspaper Die Welt reported on Tuesday.

According to Die Welt, a right-wing populist, Raffaele Fitto from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Fratelli d'Italia party, will obtain a top position in the commission.

Fitto is expected to be appointed executive vice-president in charge of the economy and post-pandemic recovery.

France's Thierry Breton is to take charge of industry and Spain's Teresa Ribera has been chosen for a "transition" portfolio that will include ecology and digital affairs, according to the report.

Slovakia's Maros Sefcovic is to stay on as commissioner for inter-institutional affairs, while Czech industry and trade minister Jozef Sikela would be in charge of energy. Poland's Piotr Serafin is to be given responsibility for budgetary affairs.

The parliament has invited von der Leyen to meet with the heads of the political groups and the EU legislature's president on September 11 to present the final proposed distribution of her team.

It is not clear, however, whether she will make her choices public before or after that closed-doors-meeting.

After von der Leyen chooses her new leadership team, the commissioners are expected to sit individual hearings in the parliamentary committees that deal with their portfolio in September and October.

It is usual for at least one candidate to fail at this stage, during which their conflicts of interest are also reviewed, thus forcing their country of origin to nominate an alternative candidate.

Once all candidates have received the green light from their respective committees, the full parliament votes on the team of commissioners as a whole, the final step before their new mandate can begin.

Although the current commission is due to conclude its functions on October 31, its work may be extended until the new executive is ready.

The content of this article is based on reporting by AFP, ANSA, BTA, CTK, dpa, EFE, LUSA, STA, and TT as part of the European Newsroom (enr) project.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, speaks during a press conference on the publication of the final report of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture. The report outlines key strategies for sustainable and resilient agricultural practices within the European Union. Wiktor Dabkowski/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Genetic genealogy leads to man's arrest in 1993 rape and murder of his 19-year-old neighbor

A man has been arrested in the 1993 rape and murder of his 19-year-old neighbor in Indiana after he was linked to the case through genetic genealogy, authorities said.

On March 24, 1993, Carmen Van Huss' father went to her Indianapolis apartment to check on her after she didn't show up for work. He found his daughter dead on the floor, according to the probable cause affidavit.

She was naked and had multiple puncture wounds to her head, face and body, the document said.

PHOTO: An undated photo of Carmen Van Huss who was killed in Indianapolis in 1993 was released by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. (Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department)

"There were obvious signs of a struggle, including a knocked over table, clothing thrown on the floor, a large pooling of blood near the victims head, and blood spatter around the victims body," the probable cause affidavit said.

A resident in the apartment directly below Van Huss told police that, in the early hours of March 23, he heard screams, crying, slamming, banging and "noises and voices of a male arguing that lasted approximately 30 minutes," the probable cause affidavit said.

In the years that followed, police said they interviewed dozens of people and followed up on hundreds of leads. But the case went cold.

In 2013, the unknown suspect's DNA was uploaded to CODIS -- the nationwide law enforcement DNA database -- but there wasn't a match, according to the probable cause affidavit.

MORE: Teen robbery suspect charged in San Francisco street shooting of 49ers' Ricky Pearsall

Then, in 2018, police said they submitted a DNA sample from the crime scene to Parabon NanoLabs to try to solve the case with forensic genetic genealogy -- a new investigative tool that takes unknown DNA and identifies it by comparing it to family members who voluntarily submitted their DNA samples to a database.

In 2023, police said "various investigative methods and lead information from the genetic genealogy analysis" led to a suspect's name: Dana Shepherd.

Police determined Shepherd was Van Huss' neighbor in 1993. Their apartment buildings were connected internally by a shared common area, according to the probable cause affidavit.

MORE: 11-year-old allegedly confesses to fatally shooting 82-year-old man and his daughter

In February, police were granted a warrant to obtain DNA from Shepherd, who was now living in Missouri and working at the University of Missouri, the probable cause affidavit said.

When police showed Shepherd the warrant, he "was visibly shaking," the document said.

In June, testing determined that Shepherds DNA matched the DNA on Van Huss' body and at the crime scene, police said.

Today, with @IMPDnews, Prosecutor Mears announced that Dana Shepherd has been charged in the 1993 murder and sexual assault of Carmen Van Huss. pic.twitter.com/9oxKzppOKE  Marion County Prosecutors Office (@MCProsecutors) September 3, 2024

Shepherd, 52, was arrested in Missouri last week on charges of murder, felony murder and rape, police said. He has not yet been extradited to Indiana, police said.

"There's a lot of people that missed Carmen all these years," Van Huss' brother, Jimmy Van Huss Jr., said at a news conference Tuesday. "She had a lot of family, a lot of friends. She had cousins that loved her like sisters."

"She wasn't able to experience her college graduation or have a wedding or any of life's events," he said.

"She was taken from me when I was a freshman in high school. And I'm thankful that, finally, the man that did it is where he needs to be," he said. "I do have hope that any similar case with DNA can get this same treatment with the genealogy and everything we have available today."

Genetic genealogy leads to man's arrest in 1993 rape and murder of his 19-year-old neighbor originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Georgia high school shooting: What we know about the suspected teenage gunman

A suspected gunman who was taken into custody after allegedly opening fire at a Georgia high school on Wednesday is believed to be a 14-year-old boy, a law enforcement source told CNN.

Four people were killed and at least nine others were injured in the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, an hour outside of Atlanta, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

It is not yet known whether or not the teenager, who has not been named, attended the school.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith confirmed there were multiple injuries but declined to provide more information, saying it would take multiple days to determine what happened and said the investigation into the shooting is very, very fluid and still in the early stages.

What you see behind us is an evil thing today, he said, adding that authorities were working to reunite students with their parents.

The high school was put on lockdown this morning, but has since been cleared for dismissal while all other Barrow County Schools are on a soft lockdown, the Barrow County School District said.

Students at Apalachee High School were evacuated to the football stadium after the campus was placed on lockdown following an active shooter situation (AP)

Sergio Caldera, a 17-year-old senior at the school, told ABC News he was in chemistry class when gunshots rang out.

My teacher goes and opens the door to see whats going on, Caldera said. Another teacher comes running in and tells her to close the door because theres an active shooter.

Caldera said someone banged on their classroom door and shouted open up several times. Afterward, he heard more gunfire and screaming.

A distraught parent posted about the shooting on Facebook, calling it a parents worst nightmare.

Kennedy is shaken up but she is ok. To hear my baby crying and saying she is scared, I felt helpless because I could not get to her, LaTanja Baynes Momon wrote.

The shooting happened very close to her classroom. So close that she heard the gun shots. We are trying to get her now, but as you can imagine, there are so many people trying to do the same. Keep my baby and Apalachee High School in your prayers.

Emergency services swarm the scene at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, in Georgia, on Wednesday morning during the active shooter situation (WSB-TV Channel 2)

Special agents with FBI Atlanta have responded to Apalachee High School in order to assist local law enforcement, and posted on X that it is aware of the situation and agents are on scene coordinating with and supporting local law enforcement.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said his prayers are with the high school students, staff and families affected by the senseless act of violence.

I have been in contact with Chief Schierbaum, and the Atlanta Police Department has been working with the Atlanta Public Schools Police Department to bolster patrols around our schools for the rest of the day out of an abundance of caution, Dickens said.

APD has also been on standby in case law enforcement agencies need assistance with this incident. May God comfort the victims and their loved ones in the difficult days ahead.

Democratic vice presindential nominee Tim Walz also acknowldged the tragic incident ahead of a campaign event in Pennsylvania.

Apalachee High School has about 1,900 students, according to records from Georgia education officials. It became Barrow Countys second largest public high school when it opened in 2000, according to the Barrow County School System. Its named after the Apalachee River on the southern edge of Barrow County.

This is developing story. Check back for updates.
A police line is put up in front of Apalachee High School after a school shooting took place on September 4, 2024 in Winder. Four fatalities and multiple injuries have been reported and a suspect is in custody according to authorities. Megan Varner/Getty Images

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This post was updated 11:25 p.m. Sept. 4 to include statements from the FBI about a prior investigation into the accused killer in the school shooting.

Americans watched in horror on TV and social media Wednesday as students from Apalachee High School in Winder evacuated the building following a shooting that left four dead and nine injured, according to law enforcement and news reports.

The names of the four victims killed in the Apalachee school morning shooting Wednesday were confirmed during the night by law enforcement officials as 14-year-old students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo and math teachers Cristina Irimie and Richard Aspinwall.

Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student will be charged with murder and tried as an adult in connection with the shooting, authorities announced Wednesday.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said there was no evidence that another shooter was involved in the incident at Apalachee Wednesday.

No evidence was found that Gray or anyone else had a list of other Georgia schools that were also targets of violence. A second threat was reported to police Wednesday at another local high school, but police determined there was no threat following an investigation, according to authorities.

Investigators are actively pursuing any leads of any potential associates of the shooter that was involved in this incident, Hosey said.

However, there is a lot of evidence that is being recovered and evaluated, Hosey said. Were going through everything to determine if there are any active threats to any schools in this area, this county and the state of Georgia and we will continue to monitor that throughout this. 

Local law enforcement first received reports of an active shooter on the campus of Apalachee at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and several other state and local law enforcement agencies and emergency responders are helping the Barrow Sheriffs Office with the fluid investigation, Smith said.

Apalachee High School math teacher Christina Irimie was one of four people killed in Wednesdays Sept. 4, mass shooting at the Winder, school, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Barrow County School District

I want to give our sympathies to our community, our school system, our kids, our parents that had to witness this today, obviously what you see behind us is an evil thing today, said an emotional Smith, a lifelong resident of Barrow.

Hosey said Gray was also suspected of making threats prior to Wednesday of a violent attack at another Georgia school. An anonymous tip was received by the FBI that someone was posting threatening messages on social media at the school. Gray was identified as the suspect by the Jackson County Sheriffs Office, however he was not charged after investigators found there was not enough probable cause to arrest him, Hosey said.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp offered his condolences to the families of the four victims killed in the shooting and nine other injured victims as well as to the students and people in the Barrow County community grieving the tragedy. The Winder high school is about midway between Atlanta and Athens.

I would just ask all Georgians and all Americans to continue to keep these families, these educators, and these students in your thoughts and prayers, he said at Wednesday nights news briefing. We will provide every state resource as needed from here until theyre not, to support this community and support this team behind me.

Fallout

The shooting is likely to spur further calls for gun safety measures in the coming state legislative session, set to begin in January. A Senate study committee on safe firearm storage was already scheduled to meet for the first time Thursday morning.

The five-person committee is chaired by Decatur Democratic Sen. Emanuel Jones and includes three Republicans and two Democrats.

As Chairman of the Senate Study Committee on Safe Firearm Storage, I am committed to finding solutions to stop these tragedies before they occur, Jones said in a statement. This is not about infringing on Second Amendment rights but protecting our children and their safety. The technology exists today to secure firearms effectively, ensuring that they do not fall into the hands of those who should not have access to them, particularly children. On average, 1,927 people die by guns in Georgia each yearthese are not just numbers; they are lives lost and families shattered. We must do more.

Georgians have been shocked by several high-profile shootings in recent years, including in 2021 when a gunman killed eight people, including six women of Asian descent at spas across metro Atlanta, and in 2023, when a shooting in an Atlanta medical facility left one dead and put several blocks of the city on extended lockdown.

Those incidents, combined with others nationwide, including 2022s school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, spurred Georgia lawmakers to seek ways to increase student safety.

Kemp has touted measures including a recurring $103.9 million budget item for school safety, which amounts to $45,000 per Georgia public school to fund safety measures.

Democrats called for further steps. State Rep. Michelle Au, D-Johns Creek, achieved a rare victory for gun safety supporters last year when her gun storage bill that would have instated punishments for gun owners who negligently allow firearms to fall into the hands of unsupervised children if those children harmed themselves or others received a public hearing.

That legislation did not pass, and neither did another bill touted as a compromise, which would have provided a tax credit of up to $300 for gun safety devices like safes and trigger locks.

Earlier this year, the parents of a Michigan school shooter were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for failing to prevent their child from carrying out the attack, which killed four.

National reaction

Tributes poured in from around the country, and so did calls for new gun safety legislation.

President Joe Biden said the shooting turned the back-to-school season into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart and called on Congress to enact new firearm regulations.

After decades of inaction, Republicans in Congress must finally say enough is enough and work with Democrats to pass common-sense gun safety legislation, he said in a statement. We must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines once again, require safe storage of firearms, enact universal background checks, and end immunity for gun manufacturers. These measures will not bring those who were tragically killed today back, but it will help prevent more tragic gun violence from ripping more families apart.

Vice President Kamala Harris said Wednesdays deadly Georgia school shooting is yet another reason to ramp up efforts to eradicate the epidemic of gun violence that is affecting young people across the country.

The Biden-Harris administration announced new gun safety initiatives in March to prevent mass school shootings and other gun violence affecting youth, including a greater focus on mental health services and preventing students and people in crisis from having access to guns.

This is just a senseless tragedy on top of so many senseless tragedies, Harris said during Wednesday afternoons presidential campaign stop in New Hampshire. Its just outrageous that every day in our country, in the United States of America, that parents have to send their children to school worried about whether or not their child will come home alive. Its senseless.

Harris called for an assault weapons ban, universal background checks and red flag laws.

Georgia Democrats struck a similar tone.

Georgia Congresswoman Lucy McBath, whose son Jordan Davis was killed by gun violence, said she was praying for families of victims.

I am praying for the students of Apalachee High School and the community of Winder, she said in a statement. I am praying for families across our state and entire country. Too many continue to experience the pain of gun violence. No family should have to go through this.

My heart breaks for the families of the victims at Apalachee High School & for every student, said U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock in a tweet. The entire Winder community is in my prayers, but we cant pray only with our lipswe must pray by taking action.

Until we center the people and start a serious, bipartisan conversation in Washington & state capitols across the country to advance popular, common sense gun safety reforms, the sad truth is its only a matter of time before this kind of tragedy comes knocking on your door, he added.

Former President Donald Trump weighed in on Truth Social.

Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those affected by the tragic event in Winder, GA, Trump said. These cherished children were taken from us far too soon by a sick and deranged monster.

Georgia Republicans were largely sedate, offering prayers for victims and praise for law enforcement but not commenting on any policy ramifications.

I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state, Gov. Kemp said in a statement. We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation.

House Speaker Jon Burns said in a statement that the time to discuss policy will come.

As a father and a grandfather, I am devastated by the horrific tragedy that took place today at Apalachee High School, he said. We continue to mourn the senseless loss of life, and pray for those who were injured as we lift up their families and the entire Barrow County community during this time.

We have prioritized making significant investments in mental health and school safety funding  and while there will be a time and place for policy discussions, our sole focus right now remains on surrounding these students, teachers and families with our love and support.

Republican Congressman Mike Collins, whose east Georgia district includes the school, is known for politically incorrect and inflammatory tweets, but he was staid on Wednesday.

Leigh Ann and I are praying for the victims, their families, and all students at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, he tweeted. We extend our gratitude to law enforcement for their swift action to secure the school and get the shooter in custody. I have spoken with Sheriff Smith and told him my team and I are available to assist in any way necessary. We will continue to monitor and provide updates as prudent.

The school is represented in the state Legislature by two high-ranking Republicans, Sen. Bill Cowsert of Athens and House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration of Auburn, who expressed similar sentiments Wednesday.

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities encourages anyone experiencing emotional distress to call or text 988, a free and confidential resource to connect with trained counselors.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
A police line is put up in front of Apalachee High School after a school shooting took place on Sept. 4, 2024, in Winder, Georgia. Four fatalities and multiple injuries have been reported and a suspect is in custody, according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images)

Americans watched in horror on TV and social media Wednesday as students from Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, evacuated the building following a shooting that left four dead and nine injured, according to law enforcement and news reports.

A 14-year-old Barrow County high school student will be charged with murder and tried as an adult in connection with Wednesdays deadly shooting at Apalachee High School that killed two students and two teachers.

Colt Gray, a 14-year-old Apalachee student, was identified as the alleged shooter by authorities Wednesday afternoon, according to Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey.

Local law enforcement first received reports of an active shooter on the campus of Apalachee at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and several other state and local law enforcement agencies and emergency responders are helping the Barrow Sheriffs Office with the fluid investigation, Smith said.

I want to give our sympathies to our community, our school system, our kids, our parents that had to witness this today, obviously what you see behind us is an evil thing today, said an emotional Smith, a lifelong resident of Barrow.

Fallout

The shooting is likely to spur further calls for gun safety measures in the coming state legislative session, set to begin in January. A Senate study committee on safe firearm storage was already scheduled to meet for the first time Thursday morning.

The five-person committee is chaired by Decatur Democratic Sen. Emanuel Jones and includes three Republicans and two Democrats.

As Chairman of the Senate Study Committee on Safe Firearm Storage, I am committed to finding solutions to stop these tragedies before they occur, Jones said in a statement. This is not about infringing on Second Amendment rights but protecting our children and their safety. The technology exists today to secure firearms effectively, ensuring that they do not fall into the hands of those who should not have access to them, particularly children. On average, 1,927 people die by guns in Georgia each year  these are not just numbers; they are lives lost and families shattered. We must do more.

Georgians have been shocked by several high-profile shootings in recent years, including in 2021 when a gunman killed eight people, including six women of Asian descent, at spas across metro Atlanta, and in 2023, when a shooting in an Atlanta medical facility left one dead and put a several blocks of the city on extended lockdown.

Those incidents, combined with others nationwide like 2022s school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, spurred Georgia lawmakers to seek ways to increase student safety.

Gov. Brian Kemp has touted measures including a recurring $103.9 million budget item for school safety, which amounts to $45,000 per Georgia public school to fund safety measures.

Democrats called for further steps. Johns Creek Rep. Michelle Au achieved a rare victory for gun safety supporters last year in securing a committee hearing for a gun storage bill that would have instated punishments for gun owners who negligently allow firearms to fall into the hands of unsupervised children if those children harmed themselves or others.

That bill did not pass, and neither did another bill touted as a compromise, which would have provided a tax credit of up to $300 for gun safety devices like safes and trigger locks.

Earlier this year the parents of a Michigan school shooter were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for failing to prevent their child from carrying out the attack, which killed four.

Reactions

Tributes poured from around the country, and so did calls for new gun safety legislation.

President Joe Biden said the shooting turned the back-to-school season into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart and called on Congress to enact new firearm regulations.

After decades of inaction, Republicans in Congress must finally say enough is enough and work with Democrats to pass common-sense gun safety legislation, he said in a statement. We must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines once again, require safe storage of firearms, enact universal background checks, and end immunity for gun manufacturers. These measures will not bring those who were tragically killed today back, but it will help prevent more tragic gun violence from ripping more families apart.

Vice-President Kamala Harris said Wednesdays deadly Georgia school shooting is yet another reason to ramp up efforts to eradicate the epidemic of gun violence that is affecting young people across the country.

The Biden-Harris Administration announced new gun safety initiatives in March to prevent mass school shootings and other gun violence affecting youth, including a greater focus on mental health services and preventing students and people in crisis from having access to guns.

This is just a senseless tragedy on top of so many senseless tragedies, Harris said during Wednesday afternoons presidential campaign stop in New Hampshire. Its just outrageous that every day in our country, in the United States of America, that parents have to send their children to school worried about whether or not their child will come home alive. Its senseless.

Harris called for an assault weapons ban, universal background checks, and red flag laws.

Georgia Democrats struck a similar tone.

Georgia Congresswoman Lucy McBath, whose son Jordan Davis was killed by gun violence, said she was praying for families of victims.

I am praying for the students of Apalachee High School and the community of Winder, she said in a statement. I am praying for families across our state and entire country. Too many continue to experience the pain of gun violence. No family should have to go through this.

My heart breaks for the families of the victims at Apalachee High School & for every student, said Sen. Raphael Warnock in a tweet. The entire Winder community is in my prayers, but we cant pray only with our lips  we must pray by taking action.

Until we center the people and start a serious, bipartisan conversation in Washington & state capitols across the country to advance popular, common sense gun safety reforms, the sad truth is its only a matter of time before this kind of tragedy comes knocking on your door, he added.

Former President Donald Trump weighed in on Truth Social.

Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those affected by the tragic event in Winder, GA, Trump said. These cherished children were taken from us far too soon by a sick and deranged monster.

Georgia Republicans were largely sedate, offering prayers for victims and praise for law enforcement but not commenting on any policy ramifications.

I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state, Gov. Kemp said in a statement. We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation.

House Speaker Jon Burns said in a statement that the time to discuss policy will come.

As a father and a grandfather, I am devastated by the horrific tragedy that took place today at Apalachee High School, he said. We continue to mourn the senseless loss of life and pray for those who were injured as we lift up their families and the entire Barrow County community during this time.

We have prioritized making significant investments in mental health and school safety funding  and while there will be a time and place for policy discussions, our sole focus right now remains on surrounding these students, teachers, and families with our love and support.

Republican Congressman Mike Collins, whose east Georgia district includes the school, is known for politically incorrect and inflammatory tweets, but he was staid on Wednesday.

Leigh Ann and I are praying for the victims, their families, and all students at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, he tweeted. We extend our gratitude to law enforcement for their swift action to secure the school and get the shooter in custody. I have spoken with Sheriff Smith and told him my team and I are available to assist in any way necessary. We will continue to monitor and provide updates as prudent.

The school is represented in the state Legislature by two high-ranking Republicans, Sen. Bill Cowsert of Athens and House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration of Auburn, who expressed similar sentiments Wednesday.

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities encourages anyone experiencing emotional distress to call or text 988, a free and confidential resource to connect with trained counselors.
A police line is put up in front of Apalachee High School after a school shooting took place on Sept. 4, 2024, in Winder. Four fatalities and multiple injuries have been reported, and a suspect is in custody, according to authorities. (Megan Varner/Getty Images)

Americans watched in horror on TV and social media Wednesday as students from Apalachee High School in Winder evacuated the building following a shooting that left four dead and nine injured, according to law enforcement and news reports.

A 14-year-old student will be charged with murder and tried as an adult in connection with the shooting that killed two students and two teachers in Winder, a town of about 18,000 on the northeast outskirts of Atlanta.

Colt Gray was identified as the alleged shooter by authorities, according to Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey.

Local law enforcement first received reports of an active shooter on the campus of Apalachee at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said. Winder is

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and several other state and local law enforcement agencies and emergency responders are helping the Barrow Sheriffs Office with the fluid investigation, Smith said.

I want to give our sympathies to our community, our school system, our kids, our parents that had to witness this today, obviously what you see behind us is an evil thing today, said an emotional Smith, a lifelong resident of Barrow.

Fallout

The shooting is likely to spur further calls for gun safety measures in the coming state legislative session, set to begin in January. A Senate study committee on safe firearm storage was already scheduled to meet for the first time Thursday morning.

The five-person committee is chaired by Decatur Democratic Sen. Emanuel Jones and includes three Republicans and two Democrats.

As Chairman of the Senate Study Committee on Safe Firearm Storage, I am committed to finding solutions to stop these tragedies before they occur, Jones said in a statement. This is not about infringing on Second Amendment rights but protecting our children and their safety. The technology exists today to secure firearms effectively, ensuring that they do not fall into the hands of those who should not have access to them, particularly children. On average, 1,927 people die by guns in Georgia each yearthese are not just numbers; they are lives lost and families shattered. We must do more.

Georgians have been shocked by several high-profile shootings in recent years, including in 2021 when a gunman killed eight people, including six women of Asian descent, at spas across metro Atlanta, and in 2023, when a shooting in an Atlanta medical facility left one dead and put several blocks of the city on extended lockdown.

Those incidents, combined with others nationwide, including 2022s school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, spurred Georgia lawmakers to seek ways to increase student safety.

Gov. Brian Kemp has touted measures including a recurring $103.9 million budget item for school safety, which amounts to $45,000 per Georgia public school to fund safety measures.

Democrats called for further steps. State Rep. Michelle Au, D-Johns Creek, achieved a rare victory for gun safety supporters last year when a public hearing was held for her gun storage bill, which would have established punishments for gun owners who negligently allow firearms to fall into the hands of unsupervised children if those children harmed themselves or others.

That legislation did not pass, and neither did another bill touted as a compromise, which would have provided a tax credit of up to $300 for gun safety devices such as safes and trigger locks.

Earlier this year, the parents of a Michigan school shooter were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for failing to prevent their child from carrying out the attack, which killed four.

National reaction

Tributes poured from around the country, and so did calls for new gun safety legislation.

President Joe Biden said the shooting turned the back-to-school season into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart and called on Congress to enact new firearm regulations.

After decades of inaction, Republicans in Congress must finally say enough is enough and work with Democrats to pass common-sense gun safety legislation, he said in a statement. We must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines once again, require safe storage of firearms, enact universal background checks, and end immunity for gun manufacturers. These measures will not bring those who were tragically killed today back, but it will help prevent more tragic gun violence from ripping more families apart.

Vice President Kamala Harris said Wednesdays deadly Georgia school shooting is yet another reason to ramp up efforts to eradicate the epidemic of gun violence that is affecting young people across the country.

The Biden-Harris administration announced new gun safety initiatives in March to prevent mass school shootings and other gun violence affecting youth, including a greater focus on mental health services and preventing students and people in crisis from having access to guns.

This is just a senseless tragedy on top of so many senseless tragedies, Harris said during Wednesday afternoons presidential campaign stop in New Hampshire. Its just outrageous that every day in our country, in the United States of America, that parents have to send their children to school worried about whether or not their child will come home alive. Its senseless.

Harris called for an assault weapons ban, universal background checks and red flag laws.

Georgia Democrats struck a similar tone.

Georgia Congresswoman Lucy McBath, whose son Jordan Davis was killed by gun violence, said she was praying for families of victims.

I am praying for the students of Apalachee High School and the community of Winder, she said in a statement. I am praying for families across our state and entire country. Too many continue to experience the pain of gun violence. No family should have to go through this.

My heart breaks for the families of the victims at Apalachee High School & for every student, said U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock in a tweet. The entire Winder community is in my prayers, but we cant pray only with our lips  we must pray by taking action.

Until we center the people and start a serious, bipartisan conversation in Washington & state capitols across the country to advance popular, common sense gun safety reforms, the sad truth is its only a matter of time before this kind of tragedy comes knocking on your door, he added.

Former President Donald Trump weighed in on Truth Social.

Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those affected by the tragic event in Winder, GA, Trump said. These cherished children were taken from us far too soon by a sick and deranged monster.

A time and place for policy discussion

Georgia Republicans were largely quiet, offering prayers for victims and praise for law enforcement but not commenting on any policy ramifications.

I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state, Gov. Kemp said in a statement. We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation.

House Speaker Jon Burns said in a statement that the time to discuss policy will come.

As a father and a grandfather, I am devastated by the horrific tragedy that took place today at Apalachee High School, he said. We continue to mourn the senseless loss of life, and pray for those who were injured as we lift up their families and the entire Barrow County community during this time.

We have prioritized making significant investments in mental health and school safety funding  and while there will be a time and place for policy discussions, our sole focus right now remains on surrounding these students, teachers and families with our love and support.

Republican Congressman Mike Collins, whose east Georgia district includes the school, is known for politically incorrect and inflammatory tweets, but he was staid on Wednesday.

Leigh Ann and I are praying for the victims, their families, and all students at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, he tweeted. We extend our gratitude to law enforcement for their swift action to secure the school and get the shooter in custody. I have spoken with Sheriff Smith and told him my team and I are available to assist in any way necessary. We will continue to monitor and provide updates as prudent.

The school is represented in the state Legislature by two high-ranking Republicans, Sen. Bill Cowsert of Athens and House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration of Auburn, who expressed similar sentiments Wednesday.

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities encourages anyone experiencing emotional distress to call or text 988, a free and confidential resource to connect with trained counselors.

This article first appeared in the Georgia Recorder, a sister site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network.
By Rich McKay and Andrew Hay

ATLANTA (Reuters) - A 14-year-old boy killed two fellow students and two teachers and wounded nine others in a shooting at a Georgia high school on Wednesday, jolting the United States with the first mass campus shooting since the start of the school year.

The suspect, who had been interviewed by law enforcement last year over online threats about committing a school shooting, was taken into custody shortly after the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, investigators said.

He was identified as Colt Gray, 14, and will be charged and tried as an adult, Chris Hosey, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, told a press conference.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said the gunman, armed with an "AR platform style weapon," or semiautomatic rifle, was quickly confronted by deputies assigned to the school and that the suspect immediately got on the ground and surrendered.

Once under arrest the suspect was speaking with investigators, who believe he was acting alone, but they declined to say if they knew what motivated him.

Officials identified those killed as two 14-year-old students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, and two teachers, Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53. All nine of those hospitalized were expected to recover, Smith told reporters.

"Pure evil did what happened today," Smith said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation later issued a statement revealing that it had investigated online threats to commit a school shooting in 2023 and local law enforcement interviewed a 13-year-old subject and his father in nearby Jackson County. The statement did not identify the teen, but Georgia officials said the statement was in connection to the subject in custody.

"The father stated he had hunting guns in the house, but the subject did not have unsupervised access to them. The subject denied making the threats online. Jackson County alerted local schools for continued monitoring of the subject," the FBI said, adding that there was no probable cause to make an arrest.

The shooting revived both the national debate about gun control and the outpouring of grief that follows in a country where such outbursts occur with some regularity.

People in Winder, a city of 18,000 some 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Atlanta, gathered in a park for a prayer vigil later Wednesday night.

Some leaned on each other or bowed their heads in prayer, while others lit candles to honor the dead.

"We are all hurting. Because when something affects one of us it affects us all," said Power Evans, a city councilman who addressed the gathering. "I know that here tonight, all of are going to come together. We're going to love on one another. ... We're all family. We're all neighbors."

BIDEN CALLS FOR GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION

The White House said in a statement that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the shooting "and his administration will continue coordinating with federal, state, and local officials as we receive more information."

"Jill and I are mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short due to more senseless gun violence and thinking of all of the survivors whose lives are forever changed," Biden said in a statement, calling on Republicans to work with Democrats to pass "common-sense gun safety legislation."

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party nominee for president, called the shooting a "senseless tragedy."

"We've gotta stop it. We have to end this epidemic of gun violence," Harris said at the start of a campaign event in New Hampshire.

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president, wrote on social media that "Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those affected by the tragic event in Winder, GA. These cherished children were taken from us far too soon by a sick and deranged monster."

Georgia's Republican Governor Brian Kemp, asked at a press conference what could be done to prevent shootings, said, "Today is not the day for politics or policy. Today is the day for an investigation, to mourn these precious Georgians that we have lost."

The shooting was the first "planned attack" at a school this fall, said David Riedman, who runs the K-12 School Shooting Database. Apalachee students returned to school last month; many other students in the U.S. are returning this week.

The U.S. has seen hundreds of shootings inside schools and colleges in the past two decades, with the deadliest resulting in over 30 deaths at Virginia Tech in 2007. The carnage has intensified the pitched debate over gun laws and the U.S. Constitution's Second Amendment, which enshrines the right "to keep and bear arms."

(This story has been officially corrected to fix Richard Aspinwall's name in paragraph 6)

(Reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta, Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexico, Brad Brooks in Colorado and Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California; Additional reporting by Jasper Ward in Washington and Nandita Bose in North Hampton, New Hampshire; Writing by Brad Brooks and Daniel Trotta; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, David Gregorio and Michael Perry)
Georgia teen killed in shooting that left another person hospitalized, SC officials say

A teenager was killed Tuesday night in a shooting in the Midlands that also left another person hospitalized, according to South Carolina officials.

Jayvion Jones  a 16-year-old Hampton, Georgia resident  died at the scene, Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker said Wednesday.

The shooting happened in the Dalzell area, according to the Sumter County Sheriffs Office said.

At about 8:30 p.m., Jones body was discovered inside a vehicle on Black River Road and Edens Road, Baker said.

There was no word about what Jones was doing in the Midlands region of South Carolina.

Information about where the surviving victim was found was not available.

The surviving victim was taken to Prisma Health Tuomey hospital, and is expected to make a full recovery, the sheriffs office said. Further information on that victims condition was not available.

No other injuries were reported.

There was no word about a shooter or shooters, or if anyone else was involved in the gunfire. Information about a motive for the shooting was not available.

No arrests have been reported, but both the coroners office and the sheriffs office are continuing to investigate what Sheriff Anthony Dennis called a suspicious death.

An autopsy will be performed Saturday at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, according to Baker.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.
DODOMA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's diplomatic standing continued to thrive across the globe following the recent election of the East African country's citizen as the World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for Africa, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said Wednesday.

Majaliwa made the remarks during talks held in his office in the national capital of Dodoma with Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile, who was recently elected as the WHO regional director for Africa.

He said the government would continue to make efforts to enable as many Tanzanians as possible to secure regional and international posts.

Majaliwa said President Samia Suluhu Hassan's three years of administration have scored tremendous achievements in the diplomatic sphere, citing the election of National Assembly Speaker Tulia Ackson as the 31st president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in October last year.

The prime minister assured Ndugulile of the government's full support during his five-year tenure as the WHO regional director, which starts in late February or early March 2025.

Ndugulile thanked the Tanzanian president for her support and diplomatic influence that enabled him to be elected to the post.

Ndugulile, former minister of information, communication and information technology and former deputy minister of health, was elected recently during the 74th WHO General Assembly in Brazzaville, the Republic of the Congo. 
Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz comments on Russia's attack on Ukraine during an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa). Michael Kappeler/dpa

German opposition leader Friedrich Merz has ruled out cooperation with the Alternative for Germany (AfD), days after the far-right party stunned the country with record results in two state elections.

"There will be no coalition with the AfD, no cooperation with the AfD," Merz told dpa in Berlin in an interview conducted on Tuesday.

Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU) narrowly beat the AfD in the eastern state of Saxony in Sunday's vote, but could only finish second to the AfD in neighbouring Thuringia. The result marks the first time since the defeat of the Nazis in World War II that a far-right party has won a statewide election in Germany.

Politicians in the two states are set for weeks of tough negotiations over potential coalitions, with all parties having already ruled out deals with the AfD.

New governments in both Saxony and Thuringia are likely to rely on support from both the CDU and the insurgent Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), which opposes military aid for Ukraine and the stationing of US missiles in Germany.

Merz called the new party "a largely unknown quantity" for the CDU, saying that his colleagues would now explore whether the BSW's lawmakers are "prepared to participate in the formation of a sensible government."

However, coalition talks could be further complicated by the CDU's long-held opposition to the hard-left Die Linke (The Left), the successor to the former ruling party of communist East Germany. Wagenknecht herself was a senior figure in Die Linke before forming her own party.

Die Linke remains a force in Thuringia and could be crucial to keeping the AfD out of power, but Merz said the CDU's refusal to work with the AfD also "applies to Die Linke."

Ultimately, Merz said that negotiations would be left to state leaders such as Saxony premier Michael Kretschmer, arguing that "unsolicited public advice from the West German comfort zone" would be counter-productive.
Police search rooms in Jena during a smuggling raid. The Federal Police are currently searching the homes and premises of a suspected smuggling gang in several federal states. Alexandra Kruger/Wichmann TV/dpa

German police raided multiple properties across the country early Wednesday as part of an investigation into a suspected people smuggling network.

A police spokesman said that authorities were targeting 19 locations across several German states, including Thuringia, Baden-Wurttemberg, Schleswig-Holstein, North Rhine Westphalia, and Saxony-Anhalt, with the city of Jena in Thuringia being a key focus.

Five arrest warrants have been executed for Syrian and Iraqi nationals, with investigations covering 18 suspects ranging from drivers to those involved in higher organizational roles.

A total of 340 police officers were deployed, the spokesman said, including special forces in Jena.

One suspect was considered potentially dangerous, but police did not say whether he was armed during the raid.

The individuals being smuggled were initially housed in a flat in Jena, police said.

According to the spokesperson, payments were made through an informal system, with cash being transferred via intermediaries.

Investigators tracked down the suspects after several transporters were stopped on the Western Balkans route, revealing a broader operation.

The suspects are accused of trafficking at least 140 individuals through the West Balkan route during 2023 and 2024.

A federal police vehicle stands in front of the house where one of the raids took place. The federal police search the homes and rooms of a suspected smuggling gang in several federal states. David Breidert/dpa

The Federal Police search an affected apartment during a smuggling raid. The Federal Police search apartments and rooms of a suspected smuggling gang in several federal states. David Breidert/dpa
Three female German shepherd puppies, sisters, have a new lease on life after being pulled from a dumpster in San Dimas on Sunday.

The rescue began when a local bakery employee went outside for a break and heard puppies crying. He traced the whimpering sounds to a nearby business complex on the 900 block of North Cataract Avenue and pulled the starving pups, who were covered in filth, from the trash heap.

I dont think there is anything that can justify or give a reason as to why they were dumped in the trash, Carolyn Castro, a good Samaritan and admin on a Facebook group called Lost and Found pets of La Verne and San Dimas, told KTLA.

Castro said that one of the puppies was underneath the dumpster when the worker found them.

She must have hopped out, she said. She nipped his leg to, like, tell him, Hey, my sisters are in there.

Once the worker had wrangled three pooches, he posted a call for help on the Facebook group, Lost and Found Pets of La Verne and San Dimas, where Castro learned about the abandoned sisters.

Three puppies stick close together in the back seat of their rescuers car after they were found abandoned in a dumpster on Sunday. September 2024. (Carolyn Castro)

Three puppies get bathed and sheltered by good samaritans after they were found abandoned in a dumpster on Sunday. September 2024. (Carolyn Castro)

Three puppies get bathed and sheltered by good samaritans after they were found abandoned in a dumpster on Sunday. September 2024. (Carolyn Castro)

An employee found three puppies in a San Gabriel Valley dumpster on his work break and helped start their rescue. September 2024. (Carolyn Castro)

Its unclear exactly how long the dogs had been in and around the dumpster, but Castro said they were definitely hungry. She also said they were covered in ticks and fleas and were weak from dehydration.

So, we brought them to Village Mutt, bathed them, got the ticks off them and treated them, she explained.

The three German shepherd pups are now on their way to recovery and hopefully, new homes.

April Bank, owner of the Village Mutt, said shes offering support to anyone who adopts one of the puppies.

Im offering three months of food for them and then six months of baths, she told KTLAs John Fenoglio. We have a self-dog wash here. So, theyll be clean for at least six months.

In the meantime, Castro is on the hunt for answers and plans to review as much surveillance video as she can to uncover the identity of the person who threw away the three pups.

Putting them in the trash, its an evil person, and I hope theres video footage, she said. I hope somebody knows something where it can be brought to light, so these dogs get justice.

All three of the puppies are around three months old, according to Castro, each one with a sweet disposition despite such a hard start in life.

Anyone who would like to adopt one of the puppies or support their foster care can check out Big Dog Haven Rescue or contact Village Mutt in Claremont.

KTLA Digital Producer Lily Dallow contributed to this report.

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Berlin ordered an additional 17 IRIS-T air defense systems for Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sept. 4, Bloomberg reported.

The new 17 units will be sent to Ukraine on top of the seven other systems that have already been delivered. Ukraine can expect to receive four more IRIS-T systems of different ranges by the end of 2024, government spokesperson Wolfgang Buchner said in August.

By 2026, Ukraine should receive 24 IRIS-T systems from Germany  12 of medium-range versions and 12 short-range  an unnamed German government official told Bloomberg.

"This shows that German support for Ukraine is not letting up," Scholz said at an air force base near the city of Kiel.

According to the chancellor, Berlin had planned and secured the financing and deals in advance "so that Ukraine can continue to fully rely on" Berlin in the future.

Initially a hesitant partner, Berlin has become Ukraine's second-largest military donor after the U.S. However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is still reluctant to supply some key capabilities, namely Taurus long-range missiles.

During a NATO summit in Washington in July, the allies pledged to deliver "dozens" of air defense systems in the coming months.

Faster air defense deliveries are ever more crucial now as Russia launched its largest aerial attack against Ukraine throughout the full-scale war on Aug. 26.

Read also: Systems are there, what is lacking is final go  Kuleba urges partners not to delay Patriot deliveries

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has confirmed the order of 17 additional IRIS-T air defence systems of various configurations for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda citing Bloomberg

Details: Speaking at the German Air Force base, Scholz said that the purchase of six IRIS-T systems for the German Federal Defence Forces will play a key role in strengthening the European air defence initiative Sky Shield, which involves 21 countries.

Scholz also announced the order of 17 IRIS-T systems for Ukraine. The DPA agency specifies that these are eight medium-range (SLM) systems and nine short-range (SLS) systems. Four SLM and three SLS systems are already in Ukraine.

The German chancellor said that these systems have helped Ukrainian defenders shoot down more than 250 Russian missiles, various types of drones and saved many lives. Four of them, two medium- and two short-range systems, will be delivered by the end of this year, and the rest will be delivered next year, he promised.

"This shows that German support for Ukraine is not letting up," Scholz stressed.

In a comment to Bloomberg, the German official clarified that Ukraine will receive 24 IRIS-T systems from Germany by 2026: 12 medium-range and 12 short-range systems.

Earlier, Reuters reported on the delivery of IRIS SLM-T systems in Ukraine.

Last month, Germany confirmed the delivery of an IRIS-T short-range air defence system to Kyiv.

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Germany won't let up in military aid to Ukraine, Scholz says

German Chancellor Scholz and Defence Minister Pistorius take part in the commissioning of the IRIS-T SLM air defence system in Panker

German Chancellor Scholz and Defence Minister Pistorius take part in the commissioning of the IRIS-T SLM air defence system in Panker

TODENDORF, Germany (Reuters) - Germany will not slacken in its military support for Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday, trying to dispel fears Berlin might disappoint Kyiv amid a domestic budget squeeze and media reports of a freeze on new German military aid.

"Germany's support for Ukraine will not cease. We have made provisions, struck (defence) deals and secured the funding in good time so that Ukraine can continue to fully rely on us in future," Scholz said.

European defence stocks fell in mid-August after the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung (FAS) newspaper said the German finance ministry would not approve additional applications for Ukraine military aid due to budget constraints.

A German government spokesperson later called that report "incorrect" and reiterated Berlin's support for Ukraine for "as long as necessary".

Scholz was speaking at a military base close to the northern town of Todendorf, where Germany's first IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defence system was declared operational.

Even before the Luftwaffe took delivery of its first unit, Germany funded several IRIS-T SLM systems for Ukraine, where they are mainly used to guard Kyiv against Russian missile attacks, making it one of the most coveted Western arms donations.

So far, Germany has supplied four out of a total 12 pledged IRIS-T SLM units to Kyiv, with two more systems to be shipped by the end of the year.

"In Ukraine, IRIS-T has shot down more than 250 missiles, drones and cruise missiles so far and saved countless lives, at an impressive hit rate of 95% or even more," Scholz said.

Boasting a range of some 40 km (25 miles) and a 360-degree view, the system built by German arms maker Diehl has been used to shoot down cruise missiles -sed by Russia to attack power stations - and also aircraft, including Iran-made Shahed drones.

(Reporting by Sabine Siebold, Editing by Miranda Murray and Gareth Jones)
Annalena Baerbock (L), German Foreign Minister, and Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Minister of Ukraine, say goodbye after the press conference in the port city of Odessa. German Foreign Minister expresses regret over resignation of Ukrainian counterpart Kuleba. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed regret at the resignation of her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in a posting on X.

"Long conversations on night trains, at the G7, on the frontlines, in Brussels, in front of a bombed-out power plant. There are few people I've worked as closely with as you," Baerbock posted in English on Wednesday.

"You put the people of your country before yourself. All the best from the bottom of my heart. We shall meet again when peace and freedom finally has returned to all of Ukraine," she said.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks at the commemorative event at the former Kroll Opera House to mark the 85th anniversary of Germany's invasion of Poland and the beginning of the Second World War. Fabian Sommer/dpa

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is to visit the Middle East later this week for talks with regional leaders on the prospect of a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages.

Baerbock is to hold talks with her Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Riyadh on Thursday before travelling to Jordan for discussions with Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi in Amman.

She is then set to meet Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Friday ahead of a trip to Ramallah in the West Bank, where she will hold talks with Mohammed Mustafa, prime minister of the Palestinian Authority.

The two-day visit marks Baerbock's ninth trip to Israel - and 11th to the Middle East - since the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas triggered the war in Gaza.

The talks are likely to focus on efforts to conclude a ceasefire agreement and the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

However, the recent recovery of the corpses of six hostages and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's threats of retaliation have placed additional strain on negotiations.

Earlier, a German government spokesman said "the harrowing discovery of the six dead Israeli hostages last weekend has once again made it clear that a ceasefire that opens the way to the liberation of all Hamas hostages must now have the highest priority."

"All other considerations should take a back seat to this," spokesman Wolfgang Buchner added.

The German government called on "all parties in the negotiations to show the greatest flexibility and willingness to compromise," in order for the hostages to finally be released, for more humanitarian aid to be brought into the Gaza Strip and for the people to be given respite from a war that has now lasted almost 11 months.
Giddy up! Officers from around the world competing in Gwinnett motorcycle rodeo today

Gwinnett County police is hosting the first annual Peach State Motorcycle Rodeo and youre invited to cheer on the officers during their competition.

The event is part of a police motorcycle skills and training seminar.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Police from all around Georgia, the country and even countries as far as Brazil will be competing in several skills competitions.

The events include Toot Suite, King Cowboy, The Banjo, Dawg House, a Speed course, Peach Brawl, Last Man Standing and Slow Race.

Gwinnett PD says anyone can attend the event, which will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Gwinnet Stripers Coolray Field in Lawrenceville.

If you cant make it out today, the event will finish on Saturday at the Gwinnett County Public Safety Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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IN OTHER NEWS
Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses a welcome banquet for international guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday lauded the "stellar example" of China-Africa relations as China rolled out the red carpet for African leaders and other guests attending a grand summit expected to further elevate ties.

Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, held a welcome banquet at the Great Hall of the People for the guests who are in Beijing to attend the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the largest diplomatic event hosted by China in years.

The summit, drawing the attendance of over 50 African leaders and the UN secretary-general, runs from Sept. 4 to 6.

Addressing the banquet, Xi said he has been to Africa 10 times.

The China-Africa community with a shared future sets a stellar example for building a community with a shared future for humanity, he said.

The China-Africa community with a shared future is deeply rooted in the traditional friendship between the two sides, Xi said, adding that the friendship remains robust and is growing stronger through generations no matter how the world changes.

"We have together built roads, railways, schools, hospitals, industrial parks, and special economic zones. These projects have changed the lives and destiny of many people," Xi said, noting that the China-Africa community with a shared future thrives on the strength of win-win cooperation.

Noting that the China-Africa community with a shared future grows in step with the times, Xi said the two sides have maintained close cooperation and coordination on major international and regional issues, and together have made the voice of the Global South stronger.

He expressed confidence that as long as the 2.8-billion-strong Chinese and African people are united, "we will accomplish new and even greater feats together on the way toward modernization, spearhead the modernization drive of the Global South, and make greater contributions to a community with a shared future for mankind."

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, co-chair of FOCAC, expressed gratitude for the hospitality of the Chinese people on behalf of the African leaders.

Both Africa and China stand for a more equal, orderly, mutually beneficial and inclusive world, he said.

Faye said that China, under President Xi's leadership, has not only achieved its own rapid development but also made important contributions to promoting world peace and growth.

The African side, Faye said, is ready to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China, deepen the Africa-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and better safeguard their common interests.

Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended the event.

After the banquet, an artistic performance titled "Joining hands for a brighter future" was staged for the guests. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses a welcome banquet for international guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

International guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) are greeted by children on their way to a welcome banquet held by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

International guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) are greeted by children on their way to a welcome banquet held by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, together with international guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), enter the venue for a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

International guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) are greeted by children on their way to a welcome banquet held by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, together with international guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), enter the venue for a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

International guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) are greeted by children on their way to a welcome banquet held by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, together with international guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), pose for a group photo before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Rwandan President Paul Kagame before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Gambian President Adama Barrow and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Tunisian Prime Minister Kamel Maddouri before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Cameroonian President Paul Biya and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Burkina Faso's Prime Minister Apollinaire Kyelem de Tambela before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Algeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad Ahmed Attaf before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Sao Tome and Principe's Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Chairman of Sudan's Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Felix Tshisekedi, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Liberian President Joseph Nyumah Boakai and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Namibia's President Nangolo Mbumba before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Prime Minister of Egypt Mostafa Madbouly and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Guinean President Mamady Doumbouya and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Vice President of Benin Mariam Talata before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with President of the Republic of Madagascar Andry Nirina Rajoelina and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, president of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with President of the Libyan Presidency Council Mohamed al-Menfi before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with South Sudan's President Salva Kiir before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Vice President of Mauritius Eddy Boissezon and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Kenyan President William Ruto and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Lesotho's Prime Minister Sam Matekane before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Malian President Assimi Goita before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Comorian President Azali Assoumani before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo and her husband before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with President of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Cape Verdean Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Tiemoko Meyliet Kone, vice president of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and his wife before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi before a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday to welcome the guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
These are the gifts prosecutors say a former aide to New Yorks governor received from the Chinese government

US prosecutors say the Chinese government gave Linda Sun lavish, expensive gifts in return for violating internal rules and state government protocols while she served as an aide to two New York governors in a scheme that enriched her family by millions of dollars.

The former deputy chief of staff to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and former aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo acted as an undisclosed agent of the Peoples Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party, federal prosecutors say.

Sun was charged on Tuesday with violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registrations Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling and money laundering conspiracy, according to an unsealed copy of the indictment. Her husband and co-defendant, Chris Hu, was also charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to commit bank fraud as well as misusing means of identification, prosecutors said.

The couple allegedly received substantial economic and other benefits from the Chinese government  including facilitating millions of dollars in business transactions  none of which were disclosed to New York state, according to the indictment. They were arrested at their Long Island residence Tuesday morning. Sun and Hu both pleaded not guilty to all charges in federal court Tuesday afternoon.

Heres a rundown of the gifts prosecutors say the couple received from Chinese government officials and the leaders of US-based Chinese organizations:

 Sun and her family received at least four deliveries of Nanjing-style salted ducks prepared by a PRC officials personal chef between 2021 and 2022. They were also invited to dinner at a PRC officials house in 2023.

 An unnamed US permanent resident with business interests in China and who worked with numerous US-based Chinese organizations paid for Suns accommodation and travel to the PRC in 2019, along with event tickets in Beijing celebrating the 70th anniversary of the PRCs founding.

 The millions of dollars in travel benefits Sun and her family received also included a presidential suite previously used by First Lady Michelle Obama in Beijing, where Sun stayed in 2018.

 After Sun was asked in 2017 by the president of an unnamed New York-based association of people from Henan province to speak at an event taking place in Zhengzhou, Henan, the association made travel arrangements, including hotel accommodations, for Hu, Sun and her parents, Hus PRC-based business partner and several representatives of carrier business whose services Sun frequently used. The Chinese government also partially funded the trip, the indictment says.

 The New York-based association also agreed to make efforts to personally intervene as to PRC customs issues to help her husband, a seafood exporter based in Queens, export live lobsters to Henan Province.

 While Sun traveled with a work colleague on official New York state business to Jiangsu Province, she received undisclosed and unapproved benefits from provincial officials, including a 10-year employment contract for Suns cousin in the PRC.

 A bank account held by Sun and Hu received a wire transfer in the amount of $47,895 from a PRC-based bank account in 2016, labeled Payment for Traveling.

 Tickets to various concerts and events, including the Chinese National Traditional Orchestra concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City in December 2015.

CNNs Gloria Pazmino and Mark Morales contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
After a summer of scrutiny of the ethical practices of Supreme Court justices and their spouses, Ginni Thomas is once again proving the need for reform within the court.

Thomas  the wife of Justice Clarence Thomas  has lavished praise on a legal group opposing the Biden administrations efforts to introduce a binding code of ethics to the Supreme Court.

ProPublica reported on Wednesday that Kelly Shackelford, president and CEO of First Liberty Institute, read an email from Thomas during a July 31 phone call with major donors to the conservative political group.

YOU GUYS HAVE FILLED THE SAILS OF MANY JUDGES. CAN I JUST TELL YOU, THANK YOU SO, SO, SO MUCH, Thomas wrote in the email, in praise of First Libertys work opposing efforts to strengthen justices ethical obligations to the public.

Shackelford told donors that the email was an affirmation of the work they were doing on behalf of judges who cant go out into the political sphere and fight.

Its neat that, you know, those of you on the call are a part of protecting the future of our court, and they really appreciate it, he added.

If Shackelfords views werent explicit enough, he went on to attack Justice Elena Kagan as treasonous and disloyal for advocating for an external mechanism of enforcement of the Supreme Courts ethics guidelines.

The battle over Supreme Court ethics reform intensified in May after Justice Samuel Alito refused to recuse himself from cases related to Jan. 6 despite reports that the justice had flown flags associated with the movement to overturn the 2020 election results outside of his residences.

Alito blamed his wife, Martha-Ann Alito, for flying one of the flags outside of the couples home.

Mrs. Alito is by no means the first Supreme Court spouse to invite controversy into the court. Ginni Thomas has plenty of her own links to the 2020 Stop the Steal movement, and has been a party in the scandal surrounding her husbands relationship with influential conservative billionaires.

In the aftermath of the 2020 election, Ginni Thomas was an active voice in efforts by pro-Trump Republicans to subvert the result of the vote. Thomas sent dozens of text messages to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows urging him to stop Democrats from carrying out the greatest Heist of our History.

Thomas also urged Republican lawmakers to take to the streets to protest the election results.

ProPublica has reported extensively on the relationship between the Thomases and conservative billionaire Harlan Crow. The wealthy conservative donor has lavished the couple with rides on private jets and luxury yachts, expensive vacations, tuition payments, and even the purchase of properties.

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee are leading the push to bring comprehensive reform to the court. Its crystal clear that the highest court needs an enforceable code of conduct, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said in June. Despite an approval rating near all-time lows and never-ending, self-inflicted scandals, Chief Justice Roberts still refuses to use his existing authority to implement an enforceable code of conduct. Until he acts, we will continue our push for the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act to become law.

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A right-wing religious rights group is fighting Supreme Court reform, and Ginni Thomas, the wife of Justice Clarence Thomas, is secretly one of its top supporters.



The First Liberty Institute has a budget of $25 million per year and calls itself the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious liberty for all Americans.

On July 31, the head of the institute, litigator Kelly Shackleford, held a private call with his organizations top donors and read out an appreciative email from Thomas, according to ProPublica, which obtained a recording.

YOU GUYS HAVE FILLED THE SAILS OF MANY JUDGES. CAN I JUST TELL YOU, THANK YOU SO, SO, SO MUCH, Thomass email read in all caps, Shackleford said. Shackleford added that Thomas also recently met with a First Liberty Institute staffer.



Great to meet through the meetings today, Thomas wrote, according to Shackleford. I cannot adequately express enough appreciation for you guys pulling into reacting to the Biden effort on the Supreme Court.

Many were so depressed at the lack of response by Rs and conservatives to recent court-reform proposals, Thomass email reportedly continued.

Shackleford told the donors that he saw the email as proof that judges who cant go out into the political sphere and fight appreciated the organizations efforts.



Its neat that, you know, those of you on the call are a part of protecting the future of our court, and they really appreciate it, Shackleford said.



Later, Shackleford attacked liberal Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, who supports enforcing ethics reforms on the court, as treasonous and disloyal and said that an ethics code would destroy the independence of the judiciary.

The conference call came days after President Biden announced his support for Supreme Court reforms, including term limits for the courts justices and a binding code of conduct. Shackleford attacked these and other proposals in the call, calling them a dangerous attempt to really destroy the court, the Supreme Court led by people in the progressive, extreme left who were upset by just a few cases.



Shackleford and Thomas seem to ignore the fact that her husbands ethical lapses spurred the calls for judicial reform, particularly the many gifts the justice received from conservative megadonor Harlan Crow that he failed to disclose, including luxury vacations and the renovation of the home where Thomass mother lives.



Ginni Thomas, for her part, is a longtime conservative activist who played a suspicious role in the January 6 Capitol riot and efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in favor of Donald Trump. This latest revelation seems to indicate that she and her husband have no remorse for their ethically questionable behavior.


Ginni Thomas privately shared her support for a religious rights group working against Supreme Court reforms - which were prompted by what many see as her husbands ethical violations, according to a report by ProPublica.

The wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wrote an email to attorney Kelly Shackelford, who runs the First Liberty Institute, which describes itself as the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious liberty for all Americans.

During a private call with the groups donors on July 31, Shackelford read the email from Thomas aloud. Thomas wrote in all caps: YOU GUYS HAVE FILLED THE SAILS OF MANY JUDGES. CAN I JUST TELL YOU, THANK YOU SO, SO, SO MUCH.

Thomas argued that the groups work opposing suggestions that the court be reformed helped some judges.

According to ProPublica, Shackelford said he viewed Thomass support as proof that judges who are unable to fight in the political sphere were grateful for the groups work thwarting Supreme Court reform, which includes proposals such as term limits and a code of ethics.

The attorney said a First Liberty employee in Washington, DC, had recently met with Thomas. It was after the meeting Ginni Thomas sent the email.

Virginia Ginni Thomas, conservative activist and wife of Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, has been accused of backing a group working against Supreme Court reforms. (Getty Images)

I cannot adequately express enough appreciation for you guys pulling into reacting to the Biden effort on the Supreme Court, she wrote. Many were so depressed at the lack of response by Rs and conservatives.

Shackelford referred to Justice Elena Kagan as somewhat treasonous and somewhat disloyal during the July 31 call following Kagans endorsement of efforts to enforce a new Supreme Court ethics code, adding that the rules would destroy the independence of the court.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said over the weekend that she was also open to having the code be enforceable.

Following the conversation, the group sent a 45-minute recording of the call to a number of supporters. The recording was subsequently obtained by ProPublica and Documented.

The executive general counsel at First Liberty Institute, Hiram Sasser, told ProPublica in a statement that the group is extremely alarmed at the Leftist attacks on our democracy and judicial independence.

Calling it a dangerous threat, Sasser went on to say that its shameful that the political left seems perfectly fine destroying democracy to achieve the court decisions they favor instead of working through democratic and constitutional means.

The Independent has contacted First Liberty for comment and has attempted to reach Ginni Thomas.

Ginni is the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas who has faced ethics allegations after receiving millions of dollars worth of gifts (REUTERS)

The call on July 31 took place not long after President Joe Biden announced his plans for a number of changes to the nations highest court.

Biden pushed for term limits, an amendment to reverse the courts recent decision on presidential immunity as well as a binding ethics code for the justices.

Shackelford said on the call that the proposals, including adding seats to the court, were part of a push to destroy the court and that the attempts were spearheaded by progressives and those on the extreme left, adding that they were upset at the outcome of a few cases.

Ginni Thomas has been in headlines since it was revealed she sent a large number of texts after the 2020 election pushing former President Donald Trumps unfounded allegations of fraud. Writing to then-Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Thomas claimed that Biden and the Left is attempting the greatest Heist of our History. She also argued that Trump shouldnt concede the election.

Thomas wrote emails to legislators in Arizona and Wisconsin asking them to take on what she claimed were fraudulent results and to send a clean slate of new electors. She also wrote that the nations eyes are on you now.

Please consider what will happen to the nation we all love if you do not stand up and lead, she added at the time.

In 2022, Thomas said she regretted the texts she sent to Meadows.

The wife of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, Martha-Ann Alito, recently came under fire for flying an upside-down US flag at their home in Virginia. The symbol has been used by those pushing the baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen. The flag was displayed at the home as the court was deciding on whether they would hear a case connected to the 2020 election.

Alito told The New York Times that he wasnt part of the decision to fly the flag and that his wife did so to respond to a neighbors use of objectionable and personally insulting language on yard signs.

The effort to impose an ethics code on the court came after the revelations that wealthy GOP donors had handed Thomas and Alito gifts and travel experiences that they did not disclose. After the reporting by ProPublica, Thomas changed his disclosure reports and the court adopted its first-ever ethics code.

Both Thomas and Alito have claimed that they didnt have to disclose gifts and free travel from friends.
GHENT, WV (WVNS)  The beginning of September marks the start of the Ginseng Season in the Mountain State.

Tourism at three parks in southern West Virginia contributes millions to local economy

According to the West Virginia Division of Forestrys website, Ginseng Season lasts from September 1 through November 30 each year.

The West Virginia Division of Forestry continuously monitors the amount of ginseng that is harvested during ginseng season so that the amount of ginseng for future harvests is protected.

According to the West Virginia Division of Forestry, ginseng is one of West Virginias native plants, and was harvested as a cash crop in the Mountain State for a minimum of 200 years. The ginseng plant can be found in all 55 counties in West Virginia, and can often be found in parts of forests that are moist and cool.

Roadsides in Bloom 2025 Calendar Contest is now open!

The West Virginia Division of Forestrys website stated that characteristics of the ginseng plant include:

Perennial plant

large, fleshy roots (ranging from two to six inches long)

Slow growing (seeds take around two years to sprout)

According to records, ginseng was used for centuries in parts of Asia and North America, with the roots reportedly being used in medicines, soups, and teas to prolong life, increase vitality, cure sickness, and relieve mental and physical fatigue, and the roots are reportedly chewed by people in China.

The West Virginia Division of Forestrys website stated that those who harvest ginseng have until March 31 the following year to sell the plant to someone who is a registered West Virginia ginseng dealer or to have their harvest weigh-receipted at a Division of Forestry weigh station.

The West Virginia Division of Forestry also said the plant cannot be harvested from April 1 through Aug. 31 unless a person has a weight-receipt from the Division of Forestry.

911 Centers in local counties work with the Hatfield McCoy Trail System to add a system to increase response times on trails

There are some rules when it comes to digging for ginseng, according to the West Virginia Division of Forestry, some of the digging rules include:

Digging is not allowed on state forest land.

Digging on private land is not allowed unless there is prior written consent.

Digging on your own land is allowed during ginseng harvesting season.

Ginseng roots can only be harvested when there are three or more prongs on the plant (with at least 15 leaflets) showing that the plant is most likely a minimum of five years old and able to produce fertile berries plant seeds at the root spot.

The berries of the plant need to be red in color, showing a mature ginseng plant.

All ginseng that diggers want to be held until the following season will need to be properly weight receipted.

More information about ginseng and ginseng season can be found on the West Virginia Division of Forestrys website.

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SIMSBURY, Conn. (WTNH)  Who better to take on lifes greatest questions than two comedians committed to the cause and devoted to their callers?

A Simsbury man recently experienced the hilarious yet genuine support of calling into the celebrity-hosted comedy podcast Were Here to Help.

The best doughnut shop in Connecticut, according to Yelps Elite Squad

Dubbed everyones drunk uncles, New Girls Jake Johnson and comedian Gareth Reynolds offer callers free advice that feels free.

From bathroom etiquette at work to avoiding awkward sibling encounters, the hosts dole out advice as trivial or serious as the problems theyre presented with. Theyll often bring on guest helpers- their famous friends and fellow comedians, from the likes of Nikki Glaser and Zooey Deschanel to Justin Long and David Cross.

Lifelong Connecticut resident Drew Capolupo knew this was the team to help him complete a (mostly serious) dream of becoming The Donut King.

About five years ago, the 33-year-old engineer and donut-lover started a private spreadsheet to keep track of the donuts he was trying. Then, during one vacation, he playfully posted reviews on Instagram, and it snowballed from there.

Lifelong Connecticut resident Drew Capolupo knew Were Here to Help could help him complete a (mostly serious) dream of becoming The Donut King.

Lifelong Connecticut resident Drew Capolupo knew Were Here to Help could help him complete a (mostly serious) dream of becoming The Donut King.

Lifelong Connecticut resident Drew Capolupo knew Were Here to Help could help him complete a (mostly serious) dream of becoming The Donut King.

Lifelong Connecticut resident Drew Capolupo knew Were Here to Help could help him complete a (mostly serious) dream of becoming The Donut King.

Lifelong Connecticut resident Drew Capolupo knew Were Here to Help could help him complete a (mostly serious) dream of becoming The Donut King.

Lifelong Connecticut resident Drew Capolupo knew Were Here to Help could help him complete a (mostly serious) dream of becoming The Donut King.

It was almost kind of a joke to start. I was kind of poking fun at myself for my love of donuts, he said. People enjoyed the photos and his descriptive reviews, so he kept it going.

He turned to Johnson and Reynolds for advice on keeping the account fresh and fun, after years of doing it.

It was a success: he came out of the call with a renewed spark and a plan.

Connecticut doughnut chain closes all locations

They always say theyre on the side of the caller, and as I was talking to them, it actually made me feel like somebody was having my back, just listening and pushing me forward, he said.

Since the call about three weeks ago, Capolupo has decided to follow their advice and visit one new donut shop a month while still posting reviews of new donuts from his usual spots, which vary from mom-and-pop shops to gas stations.

When the episode aired two weeks ago, advice continued rolling in, this time from the podcasts listeners, who boosted his follower count and started commenting support, feedback and suggestions on his recent posts.

Capolupo is already earning the title of Donut King by dishing out advice of his own to those new followers. When someone new to his area messaged asking where they should go first, he was ecstatic to see they actually took his suggestion and ended up loving it.

2023: Waterbury bakery on list of top 100 doughnuts in the country

That was just really awesome to see, that somebody took my advice and enjoyed it, he said.

But he does not take all the newfound advice to heart, still wanting to stay true to himself.

My goal isnt to gain viewers or followers. This has always just been my thing for fun. So if people want to follow along and see what Im doing, thats cool, Capolupo said, happy to welcome more people to the donut community.

Listen to Capolupos call on Were Here to Help on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. His donut reviews can be found on Instagram @drewrunsondonuts.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A yearlong project to reline a set of four secondary pipes inside Glen Canyon Dam is currently underway, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation revealed on Tuesday.

The river outlet works are separate from the pipes that are used to generate power through the dam, but they have gained increasing attention during the current megadrought. The four 8-foot pipes cant move as much water as the main pipes, but if water levels dropped dramatically they might be the only option.

And that would be a problem because the river outlet works cant move enough water to meet requirements of the Law of the River, a century-old agreement that guarantees certain amounts of water to Nevada, Arizona and California.

It is Reclamations duty and obligation to operate all of our facilities  including Glen Canyon Dam  in a safe manner and to maintain reliable downstream releases to meet the nations water and energy needs, Reclamations Upper Colorado Basin Regional Director Wayne Pullan said. The relining of the outlets ensures Glen Canyon Dam continues to operate in a manner that meets its congressionally authorized purposes safely and efficiently well into the future.

Tubes are positioned over one of four 8-foot pipes in the river outlet works as work proceeds to reline the pipe. (Photo: Bureau of Reclamation)

With all that in mind, the $8.9 million price tag for relining pipes that are just too small might raise a few eyebrows.

This is a really big infrastructure problem. And it really has a big impact on how water is managed throughout this whole basin, Eric Balken, executive director of the nonprofit Glen Canyon Institute, said in an April interview.

I dont think decision makers are seriously considering enough, the fact that Glen Canyon Dam needs to be completely re-engineered, Balken said.

Reclamation has known that the work needed to be done since 2017, according to a memo released in March. But the urgency escalated in 2023, when the pipes were inspected following a High Flow Experiment (HFE)  a five-day burst of water sent through the river outlet works that raised Lake Mead by 2 feet. The HFE was one of Reclamations tools to solve a couple of problems. It disrupted populations of non-native smallmouth bass below the dam, and it rebuilt sandbars important for recreation along the river. Water released from the river outlet works is colder because it is drawn from deeper in Lake Powell.

This year, Reclamation shelved the HFE even though concerns about smallmouth bass eating other endangered fish in the river was growing. Instead, the bureau is using a cool-mix flow to disrupt spawning.

The inspection found cavitation in the river outlet works. Simply put, the pipes were eroding from the inside. Air bubbles and sediment are known to cause cavitation  shockwaves powerful enough to damage steel. Once the integrity of the coating is compromised by initial cavitation damage, further damage can occur from direct flow forces, additive to continuing cavitation, which will eventually damage the steel pipe if allowed to continue for long durations, according to the March memo.

The original coal-tar coating that covers the inside of the outlets is more than 60 years old, is showing normal signs of wear and tear, and is due for replacement, according to Reclamations Tuesday news release. The original lining was brushed on by hand with spot repairs completed as needed over the years. The project includes removing the old lining and replacing it with an epoxy primer and polysiloxane topcoat, which will be applied by a robotic sprayer. This lining system has been extensively studied in various laboratory tests and successfully applied to numerous infrastructure, including Fontana (North Carolina), Pineview (Utah) and Grand Coulee (Washington) dams.

Large bags of sand are staged near Glen Canyon Dam. The sand will be used to remove the original lining inside the dams river outlet works. Their original coal-tar coating will be replaced with an epoxy primer and polysiloxane topcoat. (Photo: Bureau of Reclamation)

The March memo indicates cavitation will increase if Lake Powell drops below levels necessary to route water through the hydropower penstocks. It goes further to question if using the river outlet works to deliver water long-term was ever part of Glen Canyon Dams design.

In the various Glen Canyon Dam references cited, there is nothing to indicate the river outlet works were intended for long-term water conveyance use at low reservoir water levels.

If the water gets that low again, there are a lot of unknowns involved.

While relining the outlets wont prevent the risk of additional cavitation when operating at low reservoir levels, Reclamation is working on reducing that risk through the recent development of interim operating guidance for the outlets and additional analyses, Tuesdays news release said.

Glen Canyon Dam antique plumbing a water blocker, new report says

Conservation groups lined up in August 2022, pointing out the flaws in Glen Canyon Dams design  which they labeled antique plumbing. The Utah Rivers Council and other partners called on Congress to act to expand the capacity to release water from Lake Powell.

That hasnt happened. Instead, a wet winter bought time. Snowpack reached 160% of normal and the nations two largest reservoirs  Lake Mead and Lake Powell  refilled from the brink of disaster. Both reservoirs remain low: Lake Mead at 33% full and Lake Powell at 40% full.

Las Vegas will remain under Tier 1 water shortage restrictions through the end of 2025, based on projections that the surface of Lake Mead will be between 1,050 feet and 1,075 feet at the start of the year. Lake Mead is currently at 1,063.50 feet.

The $8.9 million to pay for relining the river water works is coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has paid $4.2 billion toward 575 water projects to date.

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NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WJBF)

Rebecca Dover knew that she wanted to pursue a career in Special Education when she was a child. The desire to pursue this path came early.



I was fortunate to grow up where my neighbor had multiple special needs, and just dealing with him, Dover says. His parents taught me a lot of patience. And it showed me that I really wanted to help people. Even as a tutor when I was in high school, Ive always just had a passion with wanting to help people.

We caught up with Mrs. Dover in an 8th grade Science class. Typically shes working with self-contained students in Science and Social Studies.



Our goal is to always show at least 80-percent mastery. And if were not there, then were able to go back and re-pace and everything that we need for the students.

Mrs. Dover has been doing this for 20 years. 2-decades of creating such strong bonds.

I do have, typically, my students for three years in a row and Ive had the ability to build relationships with not only my kids, but with their families. And just help them with community and everything they need to be successful.



Every day is another chance for Rebecca Dover to make a difference. A chance to remind her self that she is right where shes supposed to be.



I think it makes me matter, she says. I think thats my main goal. I just want to make sure that Im being part of the community and I matter to my point in life.

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Goldman Sachs says Comrade Kamala is better for economy. She can't even do communism right!

Great news, fellow patriots. Ive found another thing Democratic presidential nominee "Comrade Kamala Harris" is bad at: Communism.

As youve probably heard from GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump and other wise leaders on the right, Harris is a communist, a socialist, a Marxist and probably a bunch of other -ists meant to scare you.

On Wednesday, Trump posted a video of himself on his social media account saying: Comrade Kamala Harris is terrible for our country, absolutely terrible. She is a communist, has always been a communist and will always be a communist.

Trump and Co. make it clear Kamala Harris is a communist ... right?

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris campaigns in North Hampton, N.H., on Sept. 4, 2024.

At a reelection campaign event last month, Trump said of Harris: All we have to do is define our opponent as being a communist or a socialist or somebody thats going to destroy our country.

Trump supporter Elon Musk recently posted an AI-generated image of Harris wearing a red commie uniform and wrote: Kamala vows to be a communist dictator on day one. Can you believe she wears that outfit!?

Vance finds a new low: JD Vance takes 'Worst VP pick EVER!' crown from Sarah Palin, and gets less likable every day

And at an annual Moms for Liberty conference in Washington, D.C., last week, The Associated Press noted a painting near a security checkpoint attendees had to pass through that showed Vice President Kamala Harris kneeling over a bald eagle carcass, a communist symbol on her jacket and her mouth dripping with blood.

So why are economists saying Comrade Kamala's economic plan is good?

Look, if Trump, Musk AND Moms for Liberty are communicating to me that the sitting vice president of the United States is a communist, Im going to believe them, because Ive never known those folks to lie or be hypocritical.

And so I am appalled  APPALLED, I tell you  that an actual, dyed-in-the-wool communist is running for president.

But whats even more appalling is recent revelations from economists at investment giant Goldman Sachs that a Harris victory in November would boost the U.S. economy while a Trump victory would be a hit to growth.

I'm sure Trump would be reasonable: Donald Trump's 10 very specific demands for a debate with Kamala Harris, probably.

Thats right, the economists wrote: "If Democrats sweep, new spending and expanded middle-income tax credits would slightly more than offset lower investment due to higher corporate tax rates, resulting in a very slight boost to GDP investment due to higher corporate tax rates, resulting in a very slight boost to GDP growth on average over 2025-2026.

Goldman Sachs says Harris' economic plan leads to growth, Trump's plan doesn't

And if Trump beats Comrade Kamala the communist? The Goldman Sachs report said: We estimate that if Trump wins in a sweep or with divided government, the hit to growth from tariffs and tighter immigration policy would outweigh the positive fiscal impulse from continuing most corporate tax reductions.

WHAT IN THE NAME OF VLADIMIR LENIN IS GOING ON HERE?!?

A media tour of the Ukrainian-controlled Russian town of Sudzha in the Kursk region shows a damaged statue of the Soviet Union founder Vladimir Lenin on Aug. 16, 2024. A few days later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his forces have taken control of more than 90 settlements over 480 square miles in Kursk. The invasion has driven nearly 200,000 Russians from their homes.

Why are some of the biggest capitalists on the planet at Goldman Sachs telling us that a communist-dictator-in-waiting will be better for our economy?

This comes hot on the heels of a nonpartisan Penn Wharton Budget Model report showing that Capitalist King Trump's economic plan would balloon the deficit nearly five times more than Communist Comrade Kamala's.

Kamala Harris is proving to be the worst communist in history

Ill be honest, I dont know exactly what the words communism and socialism mean, because figuring that out would require reading and I believe knowledge is a form of liberal indoctrination.

But Im 100% sure that Trump, Musk and other Republicans and sensible right-wing activists who want to ban books know the precise definition of the words theyre assigning to Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice at the group's summit in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 30, 2024.

So if Harris and Walz are DEFINITELY communists I should be afraid of, then the only logical conclusion from the Goldman Sachs news is this: Harris and Walz are absolutely terrible at being communists.

And thats pathetic. I dont think America can afford to elect communist leaders who fail so miserably at their most basic function of being communists.

Why is a communist like Harris promising to help small businesses?

Just listen to what Comrade Kamala was spouting on the campaign trail Wednesday as she touted her communist economic policy aimed at helping small businesses: We will expand the tax deduction for startups to $50,000. It's essentially a tax cut for starting a small business.

"Second, my plan will help existing small businesses grow. We will provide low and no interest loans to small businesses that want to expand and we will  and this is very important  cut the red tape that can make starting and growing a small business more difficult than it needs to be.

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What the heck kind of commie talks like that? Harris should view the petite bourgeoisie of small business owners as a group bound to fail in a capitalist system, one that eventually gets absorbed by either the bourgeoisie who own the means of production or the proletariat who work for them. Its Workers of the world, unite! not Small business owners of the world, succeed with low-interest government loans!

Comrade Kamala is clearly not just a failed vice president, as Trump has said. Shes also a failed communist who would help grow Americas economy with sound, worker-friendly capitalist policies.

No way I'm voting for that kind of incompetence.

Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on X, formerly Twitter, @RexHuppke and Facebook facebook.com/RexIsAJerk

You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump calls Harris a communist, but economists strongly disagree
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shakes hands with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi during a welcome ceremony in Ankara, Turkiye, on Sept. 4, 2024. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, vowed on Wednesday to enhance bilateral relations during the first visit by an Egyptian president to Turkiye in 12 years. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye and Egypt have agreed to enhance bilateral relations with a win-win approach, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.

He made the remarks at a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, who arrived in Ankara earlier in the day for an official visit, the first of its kind in 12 years.

The visit came as the two countries seek to normalize their relations after over decade-long animosity.

At the same press conference, Sisi expressed hope that his visit would pave the way to "a new phase" of cooperation and integration between the two countries, according to a statement by the Egyptian presidency.

During his visit, Sisi and Erdogan co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, following which the ministers of the two countries signed a series of cooperation agreements.

Erdogan highlighted the goal of "increasing bilateral trade volume to 15 billion U.S. dollars in the next five years," adding that the two sides have affirmed their willingness to improve relations in various areas, including trade, defense, health, and energy.

Egypt and Turkiye were at odds in the past decade, mainly because of the ouster of former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 and the subsequent banning of his Turkiye-backed Muslim Brotherhood group, which led both countries to expel each other's ambassadors.

A thaw of the long-frozen bilateral ties loomed in 2020 when Ankara initiated a diplomatic effort to reduce tensions with its one-time foes in the region, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

Last year, Ankara and Cairo mutually reappointed ambassadors. In February, Erdogan made his first visit to Egypt since 2012, scoring another success in Turkiye's reset of relations with estranged regional rivals.

Taking Sisi's Ankara visit as a fresh push in the two sides' reconciliation efforts, analysts indicated that the two regional powers, through burying the hatchet, have sealed a full-on normalization.

Batu Coskun from TRENDS Research & Advisory, a research center based in the UAE, said, "Sisi's visit to Ankara represents a new sign of trust in the bilateral relationship."

Meanwhile, some expect coordination between the two regional powers to address regional crises, such as the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Oytun Orhan, a senior researcher at Ankara's Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies, said Turkiye and Egypt are likely to increase their cooperation to help end the Gaza crisis, noting that "Turkiye has been coordinating humanitarian activities with Egyptian authorities to aid Gaza."

Orhan added that the two nations' improvement of ties and cooperation will also help promote stability and peace in various crisis spots across the region, such as Libya and Sudan. 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi co-chair the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Ankara, Turkiye, on Sept. 4, 2024. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, vowed on Wednesday to enhance bilateral relations during the first visit by an Egyptian president to Turkiye in 12 years. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi speaks during the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Ankara, Turkiye, on Sept. 4, 2024. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, vowed on Wednesday to enhance bilateral relations during the first visit by an Egyptian president to Turkiye in 12 years. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi co-chair the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Ankara, Turkiye, on Sept. 4, 2024. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, vowed on Wednesday to enhance bilateral relations during the first visit by an Egyptian president to Turkiye in 12 years. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shakes hands with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi during a welcome ceremony in Ankara, Turkiye, on Sept. 4, 2024. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, vowed on Wednesday to enhance bilateral relations during the first visit by an Egyptian president to Turkiye in 12 years. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shakes hands with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi during the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Ankara, Turkiye, on Sept. 4, 2024. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, vowed on Wednesday to enhance bilateral relations during the first visit by an Egyptian president to Turkiye in 12 years. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shakes hands with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi during the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Ankara, Turkiye, on Sept. 4, 2024. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, vowed on Wednesday to enhance bilateral relations during the first visit by an Egyptian president to Turkiye in 12 years. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)
SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO)  Firefighters battling the First Thunder Wildfire south of Rapid City made a good handle on the blaze Tuesday night, according to a social media update from the Pennington County Sheriffs office.

First Thunder Fire reaches 170-acres

The post says the fire is burning 154 acres, a decrease from Tuesday, where the fire spread to an estimated 170 acres.

Fire weather improving today; Fall-like start to the weekend

On Wednesday, weather conditions are improving and officials hope to clean the damage and further contain the fire, they said in the post.

An evacuation warning is still in affect for the area.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Seth Hyman, a criminal defense attorney who was the GOP nominee to be the next Orange-Osceola state attorney, filed to drop from the race Wednesday and announced his support for current top prosecutor Andrew Bain.

In a statement to supporters published online hours after officially withdrawing, Hyman cited two reasons for his move: a meager war chest compared to his opponents and his concern that his candidacy boosted the chances of suspended State Attorney Monique Worrell, a Democrat who is vying to get her job back.

Polling from Worrells campaign released in July suggested she would cruise to victory in November in a three-way race, sparking fears of vote-splitting between Bain, who is not affiliated with any party, and the Republican candidate.

If Worrell is re-elected, there will be an exodus of talent, chaos will return, and her never-ending battles with law enforcement will resume, Hyman said in his statement backing Bain. To those who disagree with her firing, I ask you not to cast a protest vote for Worrell, as that will not do anything to harm the Governor, that will only harm the people of this community. Vote for Andrew Bain because of what he has accomplished as State Attorney over the past year.

The decision to withdraw comes two weeks after Hyman won the Republican nomination against fellow attorney Thomas Feiter in a landslide. Hyman was endorsed by the Republican parties in Orange and Osceola counties as well as the Florida GOP.

Under Florida law, filling the new vacancy for the Republican ticket in state attorney race would be the task of state and county party officials. Feiter and representatives of the GOP chapters did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

The November race for state attorney is billed as a referendum on the progressive prosecutorial visions of Worrell and her predecessor, Aramis Ayala. In 2023, Worrell was removed from office after DeSantis accused her of dereliction of duty, though the Orlando Sentinel reported some of the governors arguments, namely botched Osceola County drug trafficking investigations, were dubious. DeSantis appointed Bain to replace her.

Worrell has previously criticized her removal as political retaliation by the governor, arguing she was merely exercising her legal discretion as state attorney. Last month, Bain boasted about his accomplishments in his initial year in office, among them crediting his administration for filling vacant positions at the office, including with former prosecutors said to have been disgruntled with Ayala and Worrell.

Bains campaign did not respond a message seeking comment on Hymans withdrawal. But Worrells team issued a statement labeling Bain a Republican challenger remaining in the race.

No matter how he tries to spin it by claiming to be an independent, Bain is the favored candidate of the most powerful Republican in Florida, Ron DeSantis, Worrell said. Bain is DeSantis handpicked puppet and this November we are going to ensure that residents once again have a democratically elected State Attorney with the courage and independence needed to ensure we keep our communities safe.

The candidates for state attorney are scheduled to appear in a debate Sept. 11 hosted by the League of Women Voters of Orange County.
CNBC

Republican former Sen. Pat Toomey, who voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and again four years later, wont be doing so a third time, he revealed Tuesday.

On CNBCs Squawk Box, Toomey explained that Trumps refusal to concede his election loss in 2020 and his subsequent efforts to remain in power were a deciding factor.

When you lose an election and you try to overturn the results so that you can stay in power, you lose me. You lose me at that point, said Toomey, who voted in favor of convicting Trump of incitement of insurrection during the former presidents impeachment trial in 2021.

But, Toomey added, he wouldnt be voting for Vice President Kamala Harris, either.

I acknowledge that the outcome is a binary situation, but my choice is not, Toomey said, after co-host Joe Kernen argued that every non-Trump vote is essentially a vote for Harris. It is an acceptable position for me to say that neither of these candidates can be my choice for president.

Toomey advocated for GOP control of the Senate, saying it would be absolutely essential to check the power of a Harris administration. A Democratic trifecta, he warned, would mean that Democrats will repeal the filibuster, and they will be dragged by their left wing, which clearly is in charge nowand I think Kamala Harris proved that with her vice presidential selection.

Toomeys rejection of Trumps candidacy follows that of other notable Republicans like former Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger and former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncanboth of whom spoke at the Democratic National Convention last month in favor of Harris. Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, in an interview last November, has also made clear that he wouldnt be supporting Trump, and has left the door open to voting for a Democrat.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Miguel Cardona, U.S. education secretary, speaks during a ceremony in the Indian Treaty Room in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 26, 2023. On Tuesday, seven GOP-led states sued the Department of Education to stop Cardona's latest effort to cancel student debt held by millions of borrowers. File Photo by Ting Shen/UPI

Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Seven GOP-led states have filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration's latest attempt at cancelling student debt, stating the plan will begin erasing loans as soon as this week if not stopped by the courts.

President Joe Biden has twice previously tried to cancel hundreds of billions of dollars in student debt held by millions of borrowers, which have been met by Republican lawsuits and injunctions by the court.

In the lawsuit filed Tuesday, the states, led by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, accused Education Secretary Miguel Cardona of attempting to secretly mass cancel student debt after the courts stopped him from doing so twice before.

"This is the third time the Secretary has unlawfully tried to mass cancel hundreds of billions of dollars in loans. Courts stopped him the first two times, when he tried to do so openly. So now he is trying to do so through cloak and dagger," the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit is centered on a new rule that was announced by the White House in April that would provide debt relief to some tens of millions of Americans.

The plan, which has yet to be finalized, would eliminate accrued interest for 23 million borrowers, cancel the full amount of student debt held by 4 million borrowers and provide some 10 million borrowers with at least $5,000 in debt relief.

The lawsuit describes the plan as not only Cardona's "weakest" of the three so far proposed but the "most aggressive" as it could start canceling loans as soon as this week.

"That is both extraordinarily inequitable and also expressly violates a statute prohibiting the Secretary from implementing rules like this one sooner than 60 days after publication," the lawsuit states, while accusing Cardona of "trying to quietly rush this rule out too quickly for anybody to sue."

Bailey said the plan was the Biden administration's attempt to saddle working Americans with "Ivy League debt."

"We successfully halted their first two illegal student loan cancellation schemes; I have no doubt we will secure yet another win to block the third one," he said in a statement. "They may be throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks, but my office is meeting them every step of the way."

Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, North Dakota and Ohio joined Missouri in the lawsuit.

The first plan to cancel debt by the Biden administration -- called the HEROES Plan -- was unveiled by Cardona in late August 2022 that would have erased up to $20,000 of federal student loan debt for borrowers below a certain income level. It was blocked by the Supreme Court last year.

Then in July 2023, the Biden administration unveiled the SAVE Plan, which would have lowered monthly payments and ended interest growth. It was blocked by the Supreme Court last week.
A group of seven GOP-led states on Tuesday sued to block the Biden administrations latest effort to provide student loan forgiveness.

The lawsuit, led by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, accuses Education Secretary Miguel Cardona of trying to unlawfully provide $73 million in student debt relief overnight with hundreds of billions more to follow.

This is the third time the Secretary has unlawfully tried to mass cancel hundreds of billions of dollars in loans, the lawsuit states. Courts stopped him the first two times, when he tried to do so openly. So now he is trying to do so through cloak and dagger.

Bailey is joined in the lawsuit by the attorneys general of Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, North Dakota and Ohio.

The GOP attorneys general are taking aim at a proposed plan, which is due to be finalized this fall, under which millions of student borrowers would be eligible for debt relief.

In April, the U.S. Department of Education announced the proposed rules, which, if approved, would allow the department to offer partial or full debt relief to four groups of student borrowers: borrowers who currently owe more than they did when they entered repayment, those who have been in repayment for over 20 years, borrowers eligible for immediate debt forgiveness who havent applied for the relief, and those who enrolled in institutions with low financial value.

The department offered that borrowers could opt out of the relief by Aug. 30.

The lawsuit follows a ruling by the Supreme Court last week, which put on hold the Saving on a Valuable Education plan, which would have reduced the payment for millions of student borrowers, while legal challenges continue in the lower courts.

Last year, the Supreme Court declared Bidens student loan forgiveness plan unconstitutional.

One would have hoped the Secretary would have learned to stick with the statutory forgiveness programs that Congress actually passed. Instead, the only lesson the Secretary learned was the need for secrecy, Tuesdays lawsuit reads.

The attorneys general noted that the seven states have documents showing that Cardona is implementing this plan without publication and has been planning to do so since May. They added that the documentation shows Cardona has ordered third-party organizations that service federal loans to cancel hundreds of billion of dollars in debt as soon as this week.

However, none of this relief could actually be provided to borrowers until the rules are finalized.

Still, Bailey expressed confidence that they would emerge successful in their effort to block the proposed rules from going into effect.

They may be throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks, but my office is meeting them every step of the way, Bailey said in a statement.

The Department of Education has declined to comment on the lawsuit.

So far, the Biden administration has approved over $168 billion in student loan relief for about 4.8 million borrowers through various actions.
Seven GOP-led states are suing to block President Bidens policy that would lower or eliminate debt for millions of student loan borrowers.

The lawsuit claims the Department of Education is unlawfully trying to mass cancel hundreds of billions of dollars of loans before the rule is finalized.

The lawsuit, led by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, was joined by Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, North Dakota and Ohio.

The lawsuit, first reported by The Washington Post, argues that Education Secretary Miguel Cardona is secretly, through cloak and dagger, trying to forgive student loan debt after courts stopped him twice before.

In a statement, Bailey said his latest lawsuit challenges the Biden-Harris administrations third and weakest attempt to cancel loans in mass in the dark of night without letting Congress or the public know.

We successfully halted their first two illegal student loan cancellations schemes; I have no doubt we will secure yet another win to block the third one, Bailey said in a statement. They may be throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks, but my office is meeting them every step of the way.

The new plan to forgive student debt has yet to be finalized and will be some time this fall. No debt can be forgiven before then, but the lawsuit argues the Biden administration is cutting corners to begin canceling debt potentially this week.

That is both extraordinarily inequitable and also expressly violates a statute prohibiting the Secretary from implementing rules like this one sooner than 60 days after publication, the suit said.

The lawsuit alleges Cardona knows that student loans that have already been forgiven cannot be turned back by states, and thats why he is trying to quietly rush this rule out too quickly for anybody to sue.

The Department of Education said it declines to comment on pending litigation but will continue to fight for borrowers across the country who are struggling to repay their federal student loans.

The Department remains committed to supporting borrowers and fighting for affordable repayment options and relief for those who qualify, a department spokesperson said in a statement. We will continue to follow the law as we continue to prepare for possible debt relief this fall, which would only be implemented after the proposed rules first introduced this spring are finalized.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.

Updated Sept. 4 at 11:25 a.m.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Gov. Laura Kelly talks about the significance of Juneteenth during a June 17, 2024, celebration at the Statehouse in Topeka

Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, said the surge in state individual income tax and sales tax collections in August didn't mean the state could go on a spending spree because tax cuts signed into law in June won't fully be felt until Jan. 1. Meanwhile, GOP House Speaker Dan Hawkins said the August revenue surge indicated the state had the resources to cut property taxes during the 2025 legislative session. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  Gov. Laura Kelly said August state government tax revenue of nearly $23 million above projections reflected greater-than-last-year collections of personal income tax and retail sales tax.

Kelly, a Topeka Democrat, said total state revenue for the month hit $665 million, which was $22.8 million and 3.5% above the estimate developed in April by state budget and economic analysts. Tax collections by the Kansas Department of Revenue during August were 4% higher than in August 2023.

The revenue stream to state government hasnt been fully modified by tax-cut law approved during a special session by the 2024 Legislature and Kelly. In June, the governor signed a bill reducing state taxes by $1.2 billion over three years that was approved with bipartisan support of legislators.

The focus of that compromise law was change to the state income tax rate, but a statewide sales tax on groceries will be fully repealed Jan. 1.

While we are seeing collections higher than the estimate, we likely wont see the impact of the income tax cuts from Senate Bill 1 on monthly collections until the beginning of next year, Kelly said. Because of that timing, we must continue to be fiscally responsible for our long-term outlook.

Individual income tax collections for Kansas were $329 million, or $19.4 million, more than the August estimate. That represented a 10.1% surge from August one year ago. In terms of corporate income tax collections, the state took in $20.2 million during the month. That meant the state received $9.8 million and 32% less than the official projection for August. Kansas corporate tax revenue was 19% higher in August 2023.

Combined retail sales tax receipts to Kansas grew to $294 million in August. That was $12.6 million or 4.5% more than the estimate and up $2.2 million or 0.7% from August 2023.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said the revenue report demonstrated the state continues to take in more taxpayers dollars than needed.

He said the 2025 Legislature  the entire House and Senate are up for election in November  should work on property tax reform when the session opened in January.

The special session tax bill was endorsed 121-2 in the House and 34-4 in the Senate in June, but there was bipartisan disappointment the final compromise didnt do much to moderate state property taxes.

To help get Kansans taxpayer money back in their hands where it belongs, House Republicans are already working on legislation for the 2025 session that would help ease the burden of rising property taxes, Hawkins said. These revenue numbers (for August) provide even more proof that additional tax relief, especially property tax relief, is not only needed but can be implemented responsibly.
Corrections and clarifications: An original version of this story listed the wrong start date of Jennifer McCormick's television ad buy. Her ads started streaming today, but go on air Thursday.

It's officially election season: Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Republican Mike Braun are both hitting the television airwaves tomorrow with their first ads of the general election season.

McCormick's 30-second spot takes direct aim at the Republican party that she left after serving as Indiana's state schools superintendent, saying that she'll "end the extremism" and saying twice that she'll "bring back common sense."

Braun's 30-second TV spot marks a transition in tone from a competitive Republican primary campaign season to a general election in which he needs to appeal to moderate voters. Out with the frequent references to former President Donald Trump, the southern border or China; in with the kitchen-table issues like gas and grocery prices.

Braun, currently a U.S. senator, edged out five other Republicans to secure his nomination in May. McCormick, a former teacher and public school superintendent, ran unopposed in her Democratic primary, and they'll both face Libertarian Donald Rainwater on the ballot in November.

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Braun has considerable advantage in the numbers game this election  Trump won Indiana in both the 2016 and 2020 elections by at least 16 percentage points, and Braun's campaign war chest of $1.7 million outpaces McCormick's $700,000, as of July 1. McCormick, however, raised much of that cash in a the span of just a few months from small donors, and has raised another $230,000 since mid July from large donors, mostly I-PACE, the state teachers union's political action committee.

A Democrat hasn't won an Indiana gubernatorial election in more than two decades.

What the gubernatorial ads say

McCormick made a six-figure ad buy and plans to stay on the air through the election, a campaign spokesperson said.

In the ad, she reminds viewers that they first elected her to the Statehouse as a Republican. But in contrast with her mission to "serve Hoosiers," she says, "some Republicans had other ideas"  namely, becoming the first state to pass a near-total abortion ban post-Roe v. Wade.

"My party changed, but what I believe hasn't," she says.

She says in the ad she wants to repeal the abortion ban, lower taxes and "deliver for our kids."

Braun's ad, a $500,000 ad buy lasting 10 days, begins by setting the scene in Jasper, Indiana, Braun's hometown, where he "kept his head down" and built his company, Meyer Distributing, into a national enterprise.

"He'll use that same determination for us," the ad reads: To lower the price of gas, groceries and health care, and to "improve education"  in other words, expand school choice, as text on the ad says.

"Because when you're Mike, working hard is just what you do," it says.

Election Day is Nov. 5, with early voting starting Oct. 8.

Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @kayla_dwyer17.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: It's election season: Mike Braun, Jennifer McCormick get on TV
BOSTON (SHNS)  Gov. Maura Healey used the new powers afforded to her under law and picked the retired second-in-command of the New Jersey State Police to take over as the next superintendent and colonel of the Massachusetts State Police.

Geoffrey Noble, who retired as New Jersey State Police lieutenant colonel in 2022 and has been working as a regional president for a private security firm since, will take over command of the MSP in October, Healeys office announced Wednesday afternoon.

Healey is the first governor able to take advantage of a provision of the 2020 policing reform law allowing the State Police colonel to be hired from outside of the departments current ranks.

Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Noble has dedicated his career to public service, rising to the highest levels of the New Jersey State Police and delivering results on some of the most pressing issues facing law enforcement. He is a principled, respected leader who is widely praised for his integrity, compassion and ability to bring people together, Healey said. Im confident that he is the leader that our hardworking State Police team and the people of Massachusetts deserve.

The State Police has been under the leadership of Interim Col. John Mawn Jr. since Col. Christopher Mason retired in February 2023. Healey praised Mawn on Wednesday as a model for all of the men and women of the Massachusetts State Police and for the generations of troopers to follow.

The State Police has been in the spotlight of controversy numerous times in recent years, with concerns about the forces culture given new life this summer when a troopers crude text messages were read aloud on the stand during the widely-watched Karen Read murder trial. Healey said last year that she was looking for someone with integrity and managerial competence to lead the department on a more permanent basis.

Noble joined the New Jersey State Police in 1995, following two years as a summer police officer in Nantucket, according to Healeys office. His time in New Jersey included stints as a uniformed patrol officer, a field training officer, detective, commander of the New Jersey attorney generals Shooting Response Team, commander of the Forensic and Technical Services Section, chief of staff for the entire agency, and as deputy superintendent from 2018 to 2022.

Since 2022, Noble has been working for Inter-Con Security Systems, Inc. He was raised in Rhode Island and spent much of his childhood on Cape Cod, Healeys office said.

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NAIROBI, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Raymond Kavila, a medical engineer, had his eyes fixated on a health monitoring device showcased at the Medic East Africa exhibition that is taking place in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, Wednesday.

Kavila, who works at a leading medical equipment supplier in Kenya, is among the hundreds of visitors who were attracted to the modern machines on display at the stand of Shenzhen Osen Technology, a Chinese manufacturer of medical equipment.

Kavila told Xinhua that the equipment is ideal for healthcare facilities because of its ability to monitor vital health signs of patients, including blood pressure and heart rate, at an affordable price.

"Chinese medical equipment will help to expand access to healthcare even in remote areas because they are portable and easy to use," he said.

Szosen Ava Xie, a sales manager at Shenzhen Osen Technology, said their products are designed to provide high-quality health service even in regions without reliable electricity supply because they come with rechargeable high-energy batteries.

Xie said they are keen to partner with local distributors to ensure that health care is readily available to all patients regardless of income levels.

Daniel Green, exhibition manager at the Medic East Africa exhibition, said the three-day exhibition that began Wednesday hosted 200 exhibitors as well as industry investors from across the globe.

Green added that Chinese medical equipment manufacturers represented the largest block of exhibitors, with about 60 showcasing the latest devices designed to promote universal healthcare. He revealed that the huge interest from Chinese manufacturers in participating in the exhibition indicates that their equipment is well suited for Africa's healthcare facilities.

Patrick Alibu, president of the Uganda Medical Laboratory Technology Association, said China has emerged as a leading supplier of medical devices in East Africa because they have become the original manufacturers of a wide range of products required by health facilities, making the procurement process seamless, especially for hospitals with limited budgets.

Another visitor at the exhibition was Emelda Demesi, a sales representative at Medicplus Med Systems, which supplies medical equipment to hospitals across Kenya.

Demesi said she was impressed by the latest Chinese technology in anesthesia machines, which are used to inject medication to prevent patients undergoing medical procedures from experiencing pain.

Eric Edukor, who operates a hospital in Turkana County in northwest Kenya, said he met several Chinese manufacturers of medical equipment while at the exhibition.

Edukor added that after careful assessment, he is keen to purchase Chinese-made maternity equipment such as ultrasound machines and baby incubators because their spare parts are readily available even in remote villages of Kenya. 
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) vowed to kill Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, an architect of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, if former President Trump is elected to a second term in office.

Graham criticized the Biden administrations approach to dealing with Iran and its proxy groups in the Middle East, suggesting in an interview on Fox Newss Hannity that a hypothetical second Trump administration would play a more forceful hand in the region.

When Donald Trump gets in office, these hostages will come home because he will tell the Ayatollah, Im holding you accountable for the safety and the wellbeing of these people, and if they dont come home, youre going to pay a price, Graham said in the interview, without evidence.

[President] Joe Biden has let Iran get away with murder. Hes infused them with money. In their eyes, he is a weak person. Only person weaker than him is [Vice President] Kamala Harris, he continued. God bless our friends in Israel. God help our friends in Israel. Donald Trump is on the way.

Attorney General Merrick Garland unveiled an indictment Tuesday against Sinwar and other militants for their role in carrying out the Oct. 7 strike in southern Israel that killed more than 1,100 people, including at least 40 Americans, and sparked the war in the region. About 250 people, including a dozen or so Americans, were taken hostage and held in Gaza by Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.

In the early morning hours of Oct. 7 last year, Hamas, led by these defendants, committed its most violent, large scale terrorist attack to date, Garland said in a video announcement Tuesday. They perpetrated the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

The attorney general added that the unsealed charges are just one part of the Justice Departments efforts to target every aspect of Hamass operations.

These actions will not be our last. The Justice Department has a long memory, he said. We will pursue the terrorists responsible for murdering Americans and those who illegally provide them with material support for the rest of their lives.

Graham, however, scoffed at the indictment, in the Tuesday interview. He suggested Hamas members would not be deterred by the legal action, saying, Weve lost deterrence. Nobody is afraid of Joe Biden or Kamala Harris.

What is Biden doing? Charging Sinwar with crimes in an American court, the senator said. Were not fighting a crime here. Were fighting a war. Sinwar [couldnt] care less about being indicted by Garland.

Sinwar, your days are numbered, pal, he continued. Were not going to indict you. Were going to kill you.

The Hill has reached out to the Biden administration for comment, as well as the Trump and Harris campaigns.

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By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Texas woman has been formally indicted by a grand jury in the attempted drowning of a 3-year-old Palestinian American Muslim girl in a May incident that local police said was motivated by racial bias.

The suspect, identified as Elizabeth Wolf, aged 42, was charged by a Tarrant County grand jury in an indictment filed last month that included a hate crime enhancement, according to court records that came to light on Tuesday. The enhancement may raise the severity of Wolf's sentence if she is found guilty.

Wolf, whose representative could not immediately be reached for comment, was charged with attempted capital murder of a person under 10 years of age and intentionally causing bodily injury to a child.

According to a police report, the incident in May occurred at an apartment complex swimming pool in the Dallas-Fort Worth suburb of Euless, when the suspect argued with the mother of the 3-year-old girl, who was also at the pool with her 6-year-old son, and asked where they were from.

The suspect tried to drown the 3-year-old and attempted to grab the 6-year-old boy, the police report said.

The mother was able to pull her daughter from the water, police said, and local medics responded to the scene and the children were medically cleared.

Human rights advocates have warned about rising threats against American Muslims, Arabs and Jews since the eruption of Israel's war in Gaza.

Other recent alarming U.S. incidents include the October fatal stabbing of a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy in Illinois, the February stabbing of a Palestinian American man in Texas and the November shooting of three Palestinian American students in Vermont.

A former Cornell University student was sentenced in August to 21 months in prison for posting online threats against Jews, and a Jordanian citizen in Florida was charged over threats against businesses over perceived support of Israel.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese)
Granderson: Trump keeps talking about bacon prices, but that's not making the point he intends

It was then-President Trump who botched the pandemic response and sent the economy reeling, so it doesn't resonate when he tries to fault the current administration. (Saul Loeb / AFP via Getty Images)

When it comes to the price of bacon, Donald Trump is absolutely right: Its too damn high. What he doesnt tell you when he brings this up on the campaign trail  which is a lot  is that the sharp increase was headed our way while he was in the White House.

In 2018, 61% of California voters passed Proposition 12, which required the space for breeding pigs and their piglets to be increased to a new standard  which only 4% of pork suppliers met at the time. Essentially the industry had to choose between spending money to meet the new requirements or risking losing the nations most populous state as a customer.

The industry challenged the constitutionality of the new law. In 2023 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in Californias favor, and the law took full effect a bit over a year ago . Two of the justices in favor were selected by Trump.

Read more: Granderson: Why bacon is off the menu

While the Constitution addresses many weighty issues, the type of pork chops California merchants may sell is not on that list, Justice Neil M. Gorsuch wrote.

Californias law is not the only factor that has made bacon more expensive. Theres also Trumps initial handling of the pandemic.

On Feb. 7, 2020, after speaking with the president of China, Trump was interviewed by journalist Bob Woodward. On the recording the former president said : It goes through air, Bob. That's always tougher than the touch. You know, the touch  you don't have to touch things, right? But the air, you just breathe the air. That's how it's passed. And so that's a very tricky one. That's a very delicate one. It's also more deadly than your  you know, your  even your strenuous flu.

Read more: Granderson: Trump keeps flip-flopping on abortion. Women are so over it

Yet on Feb. 10, he told the country a lot of people think that goes away in April.

By that he meant COVID-19.

On March 30, he doubled down: Stay calm. It will go away.

Read more: Granderson: You can't compare Trump's record to Bidenomics

He later told Woodward: I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down because I don't want to create a panic."

This wishful thinking was not an effective containment strategy.

In April 2020, Tyson and Smithfield  two of the largest meat processors in the country  were forced to shut down plants because their employees were getting sick.

As late as Aug. 31 that year, Trump was still telling the country: Its going to go away. (Update from four years later: It hasnt gone away .)

But in 2020, thousands of people were dying daily, the supply chain was at a standstill and tens of thousands of pigs were being euthanized because of the plant closures. When do you ever see big businesses just eat a loss of revenue? We know its usually passed on to the customer, unless competition is keeping prices reasonable. When Proposition 12 passed in 2018, 70% of the market was controlled by four hog processing companies.

And so like clockwork, in January 2021 the average cost for a pound of bacon was $5.83, and by October it was $7.31. Consumers noticed. In trying to reach voters struggling to make ends meet, Trump has focused on the cost of bacon as the anecdote to use when attacking Bidens economic policies. He couldnt have chosen a worse example to make his case: The price of a BLT was destined to jump around now regardless of whether Trump or President Biden were in office. And it was Trumps own handling of the pandemic that exacerbated the issues surrounding the cost of bacon.

In April 2020, House Democrats introduced the Price Gouging Prevention Act to try to stop corporate America from taking advantage of the pandemic to raise profits, but Trump was still telling the country this is going to go away. The bill went nowhere, because of Republican opposition. Even though Senate Democrats  including then-Sen. Kamala Harris  sponsored a companion bill to match the House initiative.

We saw the same script with gas prices. In 2022, House Democrats passed a gas price gouging bill. Republicans in the Senate wouldnt get on board to solve the problem facing consumers; they wanted to ensure that Trump could campaign by complaining about gas prices.

So much for America first, right?

Its quite telling that Trump felt misleading voters about the pandemic was a better campaign strategy than winning voters over by leading us through it. During her acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, Vice President Harris warned the nation that Trump is not a serious man but that reelecting him would have serious consequences. His rhetoric around the price of bacon is the perfect illustration.

In March 2020, Trump himself issued an executive order intended to prevent price gouging. Today he characterizes Harris call for a national price gouging ban as communist, even though 37 states  including ones that voted for him in 2016 and 2020  already have similar bans. Trump likes to complain about current-day America as if hes a fresh face with a new vision, but he does have a record we can refer to. In January 2017, bacon was $5.18 a pound. That September, while Trump was issuing Citizenship Day proclamations, the price of bacon reached a then-record $6.36, and surprisingly, he didnt fault the White House.

Thats because pointing out the cost of bacon wouldnt have been a good look for him then. When you look at the facts today, they dont look good for him now either.

@LZGranderson

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
90% of cease-fire and hostage deal is in place, US official says

Amid all the quarreling and distrust in the negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage-release deal, Israel and Hamas have actually settled on the vast majority of the terms, according to a senior U.S. official.

"Basically 90% of this deal has been agreed, and it has been agreed on terms that even Hamas had in their own proposal," the official told reporters Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The current proposal seeking to break a stalemate features three elements: cease-fire arrangements, including the redeployment of some Israeli military resources; a prisoner and hostage exchange; and increased humanitarian relief for Palestinians in Gaza that, in addition to food and fuel trucks, would include addressing immediate infrastructure needs and rehabilitating hospitals and bakeries.

That would all be part of the initial six-week truce, which would stop the war and continue as long as the parties kept talking. Mediators would then try to guide the process to phase two, which is a permanent cease-fire and full withdrawal of Israeli forces.

An exchange of hostages for an estimated 800 Palestinians prisoners, some with life sentences, was complicating talks as of Wednesday. The U.S. official said the prisoner release was a central component of the deal and was colored by the execution of the six hostages in a Rafah tunnel last week, reducing the number of captives on the exchange list. All women hostages, including soldiers, all men over 50 and all ill and wounded hostages would be freed in the first phase.

That stage would also see the withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas. But a dispute has emerged over whether the Philadelphi Corridor in southern Gaza constitutes a densely populated area. The official said Israel produced a proposal to significantly reduce troops along the corridor and that the issue is still under discussion.

Developments:

 Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning Israel's claims that withdrawing from the Egypt-Gaza border would allow Hamas to re-arm as "absurd attempts to justify the continuous Israeli violations of international laws and norms."

 Globally known Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was among those apprehended by Danish police Wednesday at Copenhagen University during a protest against the war in Gaza, Students Against the Occupation said.

Netanyahu claims Hamas 'wiped the floor' with deal

Under intense international pressure to reach a deal for a cease-fire and release of hostages, and amid accusations he's sabotaging negotiations for political reasons, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the claims at a news conference Wednesday and instead blamed Hamas.

Once again using maps to illustrate his arguments, Netanyahu said it was essential Israel maintain control of the narrow strip of land between southern Gaza and Egypt known as the Philadephi Corridor, which has become a major sticking point in a truce deal. He maintained that without a military presence there, Hamas could use the passageway to take hostages to other countries or smuggle weapons into Gaza.

Gaza cannot have a future if Gaza remains porous and you can enable the rearmament of Gaza through the Philadelphi Corridor, he said. "If you want to release the hostages, youve got to hold on to the Philadelphi Corridor."

Opposition leader Benny Gantz and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who joined Netanyahu in a War Cabinet before it was disbanded in June, are among those who have rejected the notion that holding on to the corridor is critical to getting the hostages freed.

Speaking in English to the foreign media, Netanyahu denied he was using the Philadelphi argument as a pretext to avoid reaching an agreement, which would alienate the far-right flank that keeps his governing coalition in place. Israel did not enter the corridor until seven months into the war, which Netanyahu said was because there were other key military targets.

And he refuted the premise of a journalist who asked if Israeli control of the Philadelphi strip was ever mentioned in a U.S.-backed proposal Israel presented May 27 and Hamas mostly accepted, according to multiple reports. The Israeli news site Ynet reported this week that two months later Netanyahu added a number of alterations that scuttled the agreement.

Hamas didnt accept the deal," Netanyahu said of negotiations that continued into August. "On the May 27 proposal, they had 29 changes and corrections. Twenty-nine, which effectively eviscerated them from any meaning. It was a rejection. In fact, a detailed rejection of the deal.  Hamas basically wiped the floor with it."

WHO announces pauses in Gaza fighting: Polio vaccinations targeted

Palestinian students attend a class in a tent set up on the rubble of the house of teacher Israa Abu Mustafa, as war disrupts a new school year, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, September 4, 2024.

Netanyahu reportedly torpedoed deal this week

Israeli negotiators told mediators this week that Israel would agree to withdraw troops from the Philadelphi corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border, only to be overruled by Netanyahu in a press conference hours later, Haaretz and other Israeli media reported Wednesday. Netanyahu has for several weeks refused to consider removal of Israeli troops from the border as part of cease-fire and hostage-release deal. Hamas, with international backing, has demanded complete withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Haaretz, citing a senior Israeli official and foreign sources, said Mossad chief David Barnea told mediators on Monday that Israel was willing to withdraw from the corridor if all its operational demands were met. The senior Israeli official told Haaretz that Netanyahu's press conference was meant to stall the talks for political purposes. Netanyahu's coalition government is dependent on the support of far-right ministers who adamantly oppose a deal.

Polio vaccination program making 'great progress'

A polio vaccination program that has brought three days of pauses in fighting to central areas of Gaza resulted in "great progress" with about 187,000 children receiving doses, the U.N. said Wednesday.

The program now moves into southern Gaza for three days, then into northern Gaza for three more days. The U.N. hopes to vaccinate an estimated 640,000 children. The temporary pauses in fighting, lasting several hours each day, must be respected for the program to succeed, the U.N. Relief and Works Agency said. Reaching 90% vaccination coverage is crucial to stop an outbreak of polio and prevent the spread of the virus, the agency said.

The vaccination program was prompted after the World Health Organization confirmed on Aug. 23 that at least one baby has been paralyzed by the type 2 poliovirus, the first such case in the territory in 25 years.

"Great progress! Every day in the middle areas of Gaza, more children are getting vaccines against polio," UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said in social media post Wednesday. "While these polio 'pauses' are giving people some respite, what is urgently needed is a permanent cease-fire, the release of all hostages and the standard flow of humanitarian supplies including medical and hygiene supplies."

Justice Department charges: Senior Hamas members charged in Oct. 7 attacks in Israel

Israel trades fire with Hezbollah

Israeli strikes hit targets of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon on Wednesday after dozens of missiles were fired into northern Israel, starting fires but causing no significant damage, the Israel Defense Forces said.

The military said around 65 projectiles were fired from Lebanon, some of which were intercepted by Israel's aerial defense systems and some of which fell into open areas. Emergency services were dealing with fires caused by falling projectiles, the IDF said. There were no reports of casualties.

Reuters

Palestinian girl shot to death looking out window, father says

The father of a 16-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed in an Israeli raid on the occupied West Bank said she was merely looking out a window at home when a sniper's bullet hit her.

The IDF said it's investigating the reported death Tuesday of Lujain Osama Musleh during a large operation that included hundreds of soldiers and armored vehicles. Israel has said it's trying to stamp out resurgent terrorism in the West Bank.

Osama Musleh said his daughter opened a curtain as Israeli troops surrounded the house next door to their home in Jenin when she was shot in the forehead.

"She didn't go to the roof, she didn't hurl a stone, and she wasn't carrying a weapon," he said. "She is 16 years old. The only thing she did is look from the window and the soldier saw her and shot her.''

6 Hamas leaders charged in Oct. 7 attack

The Justice Department charged six leaders of Hamas with the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The charges included conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens, conspiracy to support a terrorist organization and conspiracy to use bombs and weapons of mass destruction. The six defendants named in charges unsealed Tuesday include: chief leader and Oct. 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar, Khaled Meshaal and Ali Baraka. Also included, although declared or reported dead, are Ismail Haniyeh, Mohammad Al-Masri and Marwan Issa.

Haniyeh, Hamas' political chief, was assassinated in Tehran in July. Issa, the third-ranking Hamas leader, was reportedly killed in March. And Oct. 7 planner Al-Masri, known as Mohammad Deif, was reportedly killed in an Israeli strike in June. The Oct. 7, Hamas-led militant assault into Israel killed almost 1,200 people, and another 250 were kidnapped and taken to Gaza. More than 100 remain there and dozens of them are dead, Israeli authorities say.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said the charges are for financing and directing a decades-long campaign to kill Americans and endanger the security of the United States.

 Bart Jansen

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel war: 90% of cease-fire and hostage deal settled, official says
FILE - Paul Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, made famous by the television show "Whale Wars", talks with media at his home office in Woodstock, Vt. on Aug. 23, 2016. A court in Greenland has again extended the time in custody for a prominent anti-whaling activist as Denmark considers an extradition request from Japan. (AP Photo/Lisa Rathke, File)

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  A court in Greenland on Wednesday again extended the time in custody for a prominent anti-whaling activist as Denmark considers an extradition request from Japan.

The court ruled that Canadian-American Paul Watson must remain in detention until Oct. 2 while Denmarks justice ministry considers the request. Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, which doesn't have an extradition treaty with Japan.

Watson is the former head of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, whose high-seas confrontations with whaling vessels have drawn widespread attention.

He was arrested on July 21 when his ship docked in Greenlands capital. Japans coast guard sought his arrest over an encounter with a Japanese whaling research ship in 2010, when he was accused of obstructing the crews official duties by ordering the captain of his ship to throw explosives.

Watson is said to face up to 15 years in prison.

In a statement, the prosecution noted that Watson has appealed Wednesday's decision by the Nuuk district court to the High Court of Greenland. One of Watson's lawyers, Julie Stage, confirmed the appeal, adding no date had immediately been set.

We are not satisfied with the outcome, Stage told The Associated Press.

Omar Todd, the CEO and co-founder of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, has visited Watson in the detention center outside Nuuk. Todd told the AP on Tuesday that Watson is doing fine. He is, I guess, getting a little bit accustomed to the life there at the moment. But he is doing well. He is determined and optimistic.

In Paris, hundreds gathered in support of Watson. Japan wants Paul Watson. Hes like the enemy. It would be really, just absolutely, horrible," said Elodie Pouet, a volunteer with Sea Shepherd France.

Another member of Watson's legal team, William Bourdon, said it would be a stain in Denmarks history to extradite him and expressed concern over the "criminalization of citizen militants who stand against the impunity of those committing crimes against the environment.

Watson, who left Sea Shepherd in 2022, was also a leading member of Greenpeace but left in 1977 amid disagreements over his aggressive tactics.

___

Philipp-Moritz Jenne in Vienna, Austria, and video journalist Alex Turnbull in Paris contributed to this report.
Grenfell families hold press conference as inquiry comes to an end

Grenfell families hold press conference as inquiry comes to an end

By Catarina Demony

LONDON (Reuters) -Hisam Choucair lost his mother, sister, brother-in-law and three young nieces when a devastating fire engulfed Grenfell Tower, a 23-storey social housing block in west London, seven years ago.

"Words cannot describe the pain I have gone through," said the 46-year-old, as he held back tears at a news conference on Wednesday to mark the release of the final report by a public inquiry into the tragedy that killed 72 people.

The inquiry panel blamed the disaster on failings by the government, construction industry and, most of all, the firms involved in fitting the tower's exterior with flammable cladding.

Choucair thanked the inquiry for its findings and recommendations, but said the probe had delayed the justice his family deserved as it did not allow for criminal proceedings to begin.

A public inquiry seeks to establish facts but it is not a criminal court. The Crown Prosecution Service said it did not expect to make any charging decisions until the end of 2026, meaning trials might only take place a decade after the blaze.

Choucair said the inquiry not only delayed justice but it was also distressing to watch.

"I have seen witnesses laugh while giving evidence, knowing they are partially to blame for what happened on the horrific day," he said.

Karim Khalloufi, from Morocco, whose sister Khadija died in the fire, said the inquiry "robbed" him and other family members and survivors of justice, but the time for it had now come.

"The minimum we are asking is criminal prosecution for manslaughter," Khalloufi said, promising to fight on.

'LIVING IN FEAR'

Khalloufi said the group he is part of, the Grenfell Next of Kin, which organised the news conference, would meet with the government and other authorities, including police and prosecutors, to ensure justice was served.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Wednesday's release of the final report was a "long awaited day of truth but it must now lead to a day of justice".

Some are not hopeful. Shah Aghlani, who lost his mother and aunt in the fire, said he was pessimistic about criminal prosecution, saying he expected "smaller charges" that might only lead to fines and not jail time.

If there is no adequate criminal prosecution, unsafe cladding such as that used at the Grenfell Tower will continue to be an issue in Britain and around the world, Aghlani argued.

"There are no consequences," he said. "Seven years on and people are living with this cladding, they are living in fear."

As of July 2024, 4,630 buildings standing at 11 metres (36 ft) or higher still had unsafe cladding, with remediation work yet to start on half of them, British government data showed.

Maryam Adam, a survivor of the fire, said she wanted everyone to remember that the 72 who died were "people who lived and had dreams".

"I just want justice for them," she said.

(Reporting by Catarina DemonyEditing by Alexandra Hudson and Rosalba O'Brien)
London  The public inquiry into the deadly 2017 fire that engulfed Grenfell Tower, a high-rise public housing apartment building in central London, published its final report Wednesday on the disaster that killed 72 people. The blaze  London's deadliest since World War II  was blamed on a litany of failures, from shoddy construction and materials to poor local management and inadequate fire safety standards.

Retired judge Martin Moore-Bick, who headed the inquiry, said all the deaths were avoidable, and that while no single cause could be blamed for the disaster, a number of factors and entities "contributed to it in one way or another, in most cases through incompetence, but in some cases through dishonesty and greed."

Among the parties found to have played a role in the tragedy by the inquiry is the American company Arconic, which made and sold the building's exterior cladding through a French subsidiary.

Debris hangs from the blackened exterior of Grenfell Tower, in a June 15, 2017 file photo, in London, England. / Credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty

The report's authors said the Pittsburgh-based company "deliberately concealed from the market the true extent of the danger of using" the materials that were added to Grenfell Tower during a renovation, "particularly on high-rise buildings."

"By late 2007 Arconic had become aware that there was serious concern in the construction industry about the safety of ACM panels and had itself recognized the danger they posed," the report says. "By the summer of 2011 it was well aware that Reynobond 55 PE in cassette form [the material used on Grenfell Tower] performed much worse in a fire and was considerably more dangerous than in riveted form. Nonetheless, it was determined to exploit what it saw as weak regulatory regimes in certain countries (including the UK) to sell Reynobond 55 PE in cassette form, including for use on residential buildings."

In a statement to CBS News on Wednesday, Arconic said it rejected "any claim that AAP [Arconic's subsidiary, Arconic Architectural Products SAS] sold an unsafe product," and insisted it had "regularly conducted tests of its materials using third-party testing bodies."

"Reports on these results were all publicly available, and AAP made these reports available to its customers," the company said, adding that it "did not conceal information from or mislead any certification body, customer, or the public."

Grenfell Tower fire: Could it happen in the U.S.?

Arconic said AAP had "acknowledged its role as one of the material suppliers involved in the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower," and that the company "respects the Inquiry process" and "cooperated fully with the work of the Inquiry and will continue to engage with further legal processes."

"Together with other parties, AAP has made financial contributions to settlements for those affected, as well as to the restorative justice fund," the company said.

Ongoing inquiry

Earlier phases of the multi-year inquiry concluded that some of the companies that manufactured the materials used in the exterior cladding on Grenfell Tower, including Arconic, continued to market their products as safe despite some employees knowing they were flammable.

Emails shared with the inquiry appeared to show that some Arconic employees knew of the fire risk associated with the cladding product used on Grenfell Tower, but that the company continued to sell it anyway.

When approached in 2021 about whether its employees knew about the fire risks associated with the cladding, Arconic told CBS News it was "continuing to offer their full support to the authorities as the inquiry works through the complex questions presented. It is not appropriate for us to comment further while the Inquiry is ongoing and before all evidence has been presented in Phase Two."

A photograph taken on Sept. 3, 2024 shows Grenfell Tower, in west London, covered in scaffolding. / Credit: HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP/Getty

"These corporations are still operating as if nothing has happened," Karim Mussilhy, whose uncle was killed in the fire, told CBS News in 2021.

In the wake of the deadly blaze, apartment buildings across the U.K. that were covered in the same or similar external cladding materials were found to be unsafe, leaving thousands of people trapped in dangerous homes and unable to sell because banks won't provide new mortgages on the properties in question.

"People should be safe in their homes. People shouldn't have to feel like they're going to sleep and not knowing if they're going to wake up or not," Mussilhy said in 2021.

Victims still seeking justice

The Grenfell Inquiry launched with a first hearing on Sept.14, 2017. The families of some victims and survivors said they had been denied justice as it went on.

"It's meant criminal prosecutions couldn't have happened," said Nazanin Aghlani, whose mother Sakina Afrasehabi was killed in the fire. She told CBS News' partner network BBC News that prosecutions should have happened before the public inquiry.

She said the inquiry had even given "all those people that should be facing criminal prosecutions" a platform "to tell their version of the story."

U.K. prosecutors said Wednesday they were unlikely to file any charges over the fire until the end of 2026, citing the "sheer volume of evidence and complexity of the investigation."

"When you hear that everything was avoidable, and because of their dishonesty, you have anger inside you," Karim Khalloufi, whose sister Khadija died in the fire, told the BBC on Wednesday. "What are they waiting for, to make charges, to make criminal prosecutions, manslaughter? So why are we going to wait more years, three or four or five years to have this justice?"

"We've been waiting seven years to find out the facts, that are gonna be in black and white," Nick Burton, who was rescued from the 19th floor of the tower, told the BBC, hoping the report would "tell the truth about these corporations and their part that they played in the fire."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan supported the calls for swift justice, saying "those responsible must now be immediately held to account for their systematic dishonesty, corporate greed, institutional indifference and neglect."

"Companies found to have been to blame by the inquiry must no longer receive any public contracts, as the police and CPS look into the bringing of criminal charges," Khan added.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also pledged to take action, telling lawmakers on Wednesday that his government would "write to all companies found by the inquiry to be part of these horrific failings as the first step to stopping them being awarded government contracts."

Starmer said in a separate statement that the building's residents had been "ignored" and left in "a death trap," voicing what he called a "profound determination" to ensure that the disaster brought about "defining changes in the memory of Grenfell."

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Danish police detained Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and five others at the University of Copenhagen on Wednesday during a protest against Israels war on Gaza.

The 21-year-old activist, who was captured on video being escorted into a police vehicle, was released from custody the same day, according to Reuters, which cited Danish media reports.

The demonstration occurred in the universitys administration building as the Danish student group Students Against the Occupation demanded that the school stop collaborating with Israeli universities.

While the situation in Palestine worsens, the University of Copenhagen continues its collaboration with Israeli universities and thereby contributes knowledge that is used to commit genocide. Our university must not contribute to genocide, the group said in a press release.

Thunberg, who is not a student of the university, posted videos on her Instagram account about the demonstration before she was detained.

Students Against the Occupation and I are at the University of Copenhagens administration building, Thunberg wrote Wednesday morning in an Instagram Story.

Police have been called, violently entered the building with a ram wearing assault rifles. They are evicting everyone as we speak, she wrote.

Thunberg added in a separate story post, Students have been arrested and are being taken to the station this very moment.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, center, participates in a march from the University of Copenhagen to Vor Frue Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Sept. 4, 2024. EMIL HELMS via Getty Images

While Thunberg is known for her climate activism, in recent months she has also been an advocate for Palestinians  even garnering the ire of a spokesperson for the Israeli military who later apologized.

In an opinion piece for The Guardian in December, Thunberg and three fellow members of Fridays for Future Sweden, the climate activism movement Thunberg started, explained their stance.

Advocating for climate justice fundamentally comes from a place of caring about people and their human rights. That means speaking up when people suffer, are forced to flee their homes or are killed  regardless of the cause, they wrote.

Demanding an end to this inexcusable violence is a question of basic humanity, and we call on everyone who can to do so. Silence is complicity. You cannot be neutral in an unfolding genocide, they continued.

Protests over the war in Gaza have erupted around the world, including in the U.S., since the longstanding conflict in the region intensified on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing more than a thousand people and taking 250 more hostage.

Since then, Israeli forces have killed more than 40,000 Palestinians and injured at least 94,398 others, according to Al Jazeeras tracker of the conflict.

A United Nations special rapporteur on human rights said earlier this year that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Israels military offensive in Gaza amounts to genocide.

Related...
YANGON, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has received four projects funded by the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Special Fund from 2021 to 2023, an official from the ministry told Xinhua on Wednesday.

He said the ministry has completed the Establishment of Tourism Research Center Project with LMC fund 2021 and is working on three new projects.

These ongoing three projects are the Establishment of Bakery and Pastry Training Project in Yangon with LMC fund 2022, the Center for Tourism Development Project in Kengtung Township of Shan State, and the Making Tourism More Sustainable on Cultural Heritage Destination in Post Pandemic Project in Bagan with LMC fund 2023, he added.

The LMC-funded projects improve human resources and vocational skills, create jobs, and provide valuable skills for tourism workers, he said. 
Climate activist Greta Thunberg speaks during an interview with the German Press Agency (dpa). Thunberg was detained by Copenhagen police as she participated in a pro-Palestinian protest in the Danish capital on 04 September. Oliver Berg/dpa

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was detained by Copenhagen police as she participated in a pro-Palestinian protest in the Danish capital on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old activist was shown being taken away by police on photos in the Politiken and Ekstra Bladet newspapers and in a video posted by the protest organizers on Instagram. She was wearing a Palestinian shawl at the time.

Fellow protesters called out repeatedly: You are not alone, as she was taken away from the protest in front of an administrative building of Copenhagen University, which lies in the centre of the city close to the Great Synagogue.

Police reported the arrest of six demonstrators in a post on X, without mentioning Thunbergs name. They would face charges of disturbing the peace, the post said.

On Instagram, Thunberg shared videos of the protest, saying the demonstration was being held because the university that had not responded to demands for an institutional academic boycott.

Copenhagen University needed to halt all cooperation with Israeli universities on account of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, she said.

The organizers of the protest, Studerende mod Besttelsen (Students against the Occupation) have long called for a boycott.

While Thunberg gained global recognition for her School Strike for Climate campaign, also known as the Fridays for Future movement, she has repeatedly drawn attention to the situation in Gaza since the current war erupted in October last year.

She has repeatedly been arrested at climate protests in several countries and was detained during a demonstration in Malmo against Israels participation in the Eurovision Song Contest held in the Swedish city in May.
ALBANY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY)  Senator Joe Griffo announced on Wednesday, September 4 that a bill that would support law enforcement efforts across the Mohawk Valley has been signed by Governor Kathy Hochul.

The bill allows Madison and Oneida Counties to enter into agreements with the Oneida Indian Nation to house inmates in their jails. Under the bill, which was created thanks to an agreement between the three entities and New York State, criminal defendants could be remanded to county jails under Oneida Nation court directives.

I thank Sen. Griffo for his strong support of this important public safety bill, Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol said in a statement. The strong partnership between the Oneida County Sheriffs Office and the Oneida Indian Nation Police is a key part of keeping our county and our people safe. From our deputization agreement in 2013 to this recently signed county-tribal detention agreement and everything weve done together in between, we are a successful model of how local and tribal law enforcement agencies partnering with elected officials at the county and state levels can accomplish great things.

The bill was created in conjunction with a 2013 agreement between the Oneida Nation, New York State, Madison and Oneida Counties. The agreement resolved all legal disputes between the four entities. In the 11 years since the agreement was ratified, it has generated more than $700 million in Silver Covenant payments. Those payments support public safety initiatives in local municipalities.

The agreement also allowed the deputization of Oneida Indian Nation Police officers by both Madison and Oneida County Sheriffs. That allowed all three police departments to increase the number of on-duty officers and expand coordination between them.

The collaboration between the Oneida Indian Nation Police Department, Oneida Sheriffs Office and Madison County Sheriffs Office has made our communities safer and become a national model for tribal and local public safety coordination, Oneida Indian Nation Representative Ray Halbritter said in a statement. This legislation will help deepen our partnership and improve our efforts to make our region a safe place to live, visit and work. We are grateful to Sen. Griffo and Assembly Member Hunter for their efforts to pass this legislation into law.

This legislation marks a significant milestone in our ongoing partnership with the Oneida Indian Nation, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente said in a statement. By allowing Oneida and Madison counties to enter into county-tribal detention agreements, we are strengthening our collaborative efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of all our residents. This agreement not only reinforces our commitment to public safety, but also demonstrates the power of cooperation between regional governments and law enforcement agencies. I thank Sen. Griffo and Assemblywoman Hunter for their efforts to usher this bill into law. Together, we are building safer, more resilient communities for everyone.

Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter of Syracuse sponsored the bill in the assembly.

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(Bloomberg) -- A fight over Gulf of Mexico oil production is looming in Washington as US regulators race to redo guidance on how to protect endangered species ahead of a deadline that could ultimately threaten about 15% of the nations crude output.

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The standoff stems from a scientific assessment that underpins oil and gas operations in the Gulf. Under a court ruling, the US government has until Dec. 20 to revise that analysis, when the current one will be tossed out. If regulators dont finish by the deadline  and courts or Congress dont intervene to provide more time  existing oil and gas operations that depend on the evaluation could grind to a halt.

The effects could be sweeping: If the Gulf of Mexico were a country, it would rank among the worlds top 12 oil producers globally.

The ramifications could be potentially enormous for operations in what we and many others recognize is such a vital, producing region, said Dustin Meyer, a senior vice president for the American Petroleum Institute. The level of concern is very high.

Even with some uncertainty over the impact, the potential for peril has triggered a lobbying frenzy by oil companies and industry groups mulling legal strategies and possible legislation to head off major disruption. One lobbyist likened the situation to an all-hands-on-deck moment. Impacts could be felt well before the Dec. 20 deadline, colliding with a presidential election thats putting the spotlight on economic stability and energy security.

Legal Foundation

At issue is the governments main Endangered Species Act analysis of oil and gas activity in the Gulf, a so-called biological opinion released in 2020 documenting how drilling, pipeline construction and other operations might jeopardize protected species in the region.

The broad assessment provides a legal foundation for oil and gas activity under existing Gulf leases. US offshore drilling and leasing regulators generally rely on it instead of doing case-by-case evaluations.

Environmental groups challenged the biological opinion four years ago, arguing it didnt properly analyze how oil operations affect endangered and threatened species. Last month, a Maryland-based federal district judge sided with them, tossing out the biological opinion  effective Dec. 20  and sending it back to the National Marine Fisheries Service for a redo.

The agency had already started work on a new version preemptively, but told the court it might not be done until late winter or early spring 2025.

Without a valid biological opinion in place, energy regulators would likely be forced to consult on hundreds  if not thousands  of decisions annually, according to data they provided the court.

Cascading Effects

The individual reviews would overwhelm the agencies and have cascading effects not just for oil operations in the Gulf but also renewable permitting on federal waters, Walter Cruickshank, the deputy director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, told the court in April.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which houses the fisheries service, and the Interior Department, which handles offshore oil and gas leases, said they are reviewing last months court decision, but declined to comment further.

The issue is already causing anxiety for some Gulf operators worried not just about delayed government approvals but the viability of existing work authorized under the court-invalidated biological opinion. At stake are operations as varied as traffic from ships supplying offshore platforms to continued production at long-permitted wells, according to industry lawyers who asked not to be named speaking about private legal discussions.

Oil companies and suppliers operating offshore could face additional legal jeopardy if they continue work without new authorizations.

The government previously authorized incidental takes  where oil and gas activities cause harassment, harm or other injury to certain species as long as companies are complying with the 2020 biological opinion. Without that authorization in place, companies will have to decide whether they continue to operate at their own risk, or instead shut down their activities while waiting for a new biological opinion, Holland & Knight warned in an alert last week.

With about 2 million barrels of oil produced daily from the Gulf, the potential disruptions would likely cause considerable economic and national security harm to our country, said Erik Milito, head of the National Ocean Industries Association, which along with other industry trade groups, including the API, and Chevron USA Inc., has intervened to defend the government in the lawsuit. Talks with the government are ongoing.

Industry stakeholders are considering legal options, including seeking a stay, if another solution doesnt materialize soon. They also have been talking with congressional offices about the issue, and are weighing legislation that could address the issue by giving the fisheries service more time.

Given the vital importance of the Gulf of Mexico, Milito said, we remain optimistic that cooler heads will prevail, and we will see much-needed resolution to this issue.

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14-year-old student suspect in Georgia school shooting that left 4 dead will be booked tonight, officials say

The 14-year-old suspect in the fatal mass shooting at a Winder, Georgia, high school will be booked Wednesday night, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said at an evening news conference.

Colt Gray will be charged with murder in connection with the deaths of two teachers and two students at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, authorities said.

The deceased victims were 14-year-old Mason Schermerhorn, 14-year-old Christian Angulo, and Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, according to Hosey. The schools website shows the two adults were both math teachers and Aspinwall was also an assistant football coach.

Gray is a student at Apalachee High School and will be handled as an adult as he moves through the court system, Hosey said at an earlier news conference.

Richard Aspinwall, Cristina Irimie, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo were all victims in the Apalachee High School shooting on September 4. - Apalachee High School/Family Photo/GoFundMe

Nine other victims  eight students and one teacher  were taken to hospitals following the Wednesday morning shooting, according to the GBI.

Hosey said the gun was an AR-platform weapon while a law enforcement official earlier told CNN it was an AR-15-style.

The gunfire sent students and faculty desperately scurrying for cover as schools across the county went into lockdown and parents scrambled for information.

During the shooting, 14-year-old Macey Right texted her mom saying she heard gunshots and asked her mother to come get her. Right and her friends held hands and prayed in their classroom, she said. Moments later, they were disrupted by banging and yelling, according to Macey.

I heard gunshots outside my classroom and people screaming, people begging not to get shot, and then people sitting beside me just shaking and crying, Macey said.

Follow live updates: Police respond to reported shooting at Georgia high school

Authorities spoke to suspect and his father last year

The suspect was interviewed by local law enforcement in May 2023 after the FBI received several anonymous tips about online threats to commit a school shooting at an unidentified location and time, according to a joint statement from the FBIs Atlanta office and the Jackson County Sheriffs Office.

The online threats included photographs of guns, the statement said.

The father stated he had hunting guns in the house, but the subject did not have

unsupervised access to them, the statement said. The subject denied making the threats online.

The FBI said there was no probable cause for an arrest at the time.

Wednesdays shooting is the deadliest of the 45 school shootings so far this calendar year, according to a CNN analysis. It is one of 11 school shootings with four or more deaths since 2008, when CNN first started tracking school shootings.

Authorities said the first report of an active shooter came in at 10:20 a.m. ET. A school resource deputy assigned to Apalachee High confronted the shooter, who got on the ground and was taken into custody, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith told reporters.

Witness sat next to suspected shooter

Lyela Sayarath, 16, told CNN the alleged shooter sat next to her in an algebra class.

She said he left class early, around 9:45 a.m., but didnt take a bathroom pass. She thought he might be skipping.

Toward the end of class, someone told her teacher over the loudspeaker to check their email, she said.

Shortly after, Gray was outside the classroom door, which was shut, Lyela said. Another student who went to the door jumped backwards when she saw he had a gun.

I guess he saw we werent gonna let him in, Lyela said. And I guess the classroom next to me, their door was open, so I think he just started shooting in the classroom.

At first, she told CNN she heard a burst of gunfire  maybe 10 to 15 shots  and then they were kind of just one after another.

Students dropped to the floor and crawled to the corner, Lyela said.

It seemed like this wasnt something he planned too well or that he wasnt really strong with the gun because he didnt try and shoot our door. Once he saw he couldnt get in our room, he just went to the next one.

Latest developments

 The high school had received an earlier phone threat, multiple law enforcement officials told CNN. The phone call Wednesday morning warned there would be shootings at five schools, and that Apalachee would be the first. It is not known who placed the call.

 Investigators have spoken to the suspected shooter and have been in touch with his family, Smith said.

 It was not immediately known whether the assailant had some connection with his victims, the sheriff said, though officials stressed that will be part of the investigation.

 Schools in Barrow County will be closed the rest of the week.

 The US has suffered at least 385 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which, like CNN, defines mass shootings as those in which four or more victims are shot. Thats an average of more than 1.5 mass shootings every day.

Student texted mom: Im scared

Erin Clark was at work Wednesday morning when she got a series of text messages from her son, a senior, who was attending class at Apalachee High School.

School shooting.

Im scared, he wrote.

pls im not joking, the flurry of messages said.

Im leaving work, Clark replied. I love you, her son, Ethan Haney, 17, wrote back.

Love you too baby, his mom texted before racing to the high school.

Clark told CNN her son heard eight or nine gunshots before he closed his classroom door and, with the help of another classmate, moved chairs and tables to block the door.

Clark told CNN she was absolutely terrified when she read her sons messages. Just kept praying hed stay safe, she said.

Schools in county went into lockdown

As emergency responders came from several counties, video from outside the school showed at least five ambulances and a large law enforcement presence at the campus, and at least one medical helicopter could be seen airlifting a patient from the scene.

At the football field, where authorities had students gather, people lowered their heads and formed a prayer circle in the end zone, standing on the letters for Apalachee as their classmates milled around the field.

All schools in the Barrow County School System, which includes the high school, were placed on lockdown and police were sent out of an abundance of caution to all district high schools, according to the sources, but there are no reports of secondary incidents or scenes.

Some of the critically injured were removed by helicopter, and additional helicopters are on standby.

Atlanta trauma center, other hospitals take patients

Grady Health System  a Level 1 trauma center in Atlanta, about an hour drive from Winder  received one gunshot wound victim from the incident who was transported by helicopter, a hospital spokesperson told CNN.

Earlier, a source with knowledge of the situation who is not authorized to speak to the media, told CNN Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital in North Georgia received two victims from the shooting. The source said one victim is an adult with a gunshot wound to the stomach and was in surgery, and another is a minor with unspecified injuries.

Three gunshot victims were taken to nearby hospitals following the shooting, according to a hospital official, and five other patients reported to the hospital with symptoms related to a panic attack.

Two gunshot victims were taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center Barrow with non-life threatening injuries, Northeast Georgia Health System spokesperson Layne Saliba said. Four other patients came with symptoms related to panic attacks.

Another gunshot victim was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville with non-life threatening injuries, Saliba said, and an additional patient came to Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton with symptoms related to a panic attack.

Law enforcement and first responders are seen at the scene following a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday. - Christian Monterrosa/AFP/Getty Images

Georgia governor sends prayers and says he can send resources

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has directed all available state resources to assist at the scene, he said in a statement on social media. The governor urged all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state.

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident, the White House said, offering federal support to state and local officials.

His administration will continue coordinating with federal, state, and local officials as we receive more information, the White House said in a statement.

Attorney General Merrick Garland similarly said the US Department of Justice stands ready to support the community after the shooting.

We are still gathering information, but the FBI and ATF are on the scene, working with state, local and federal partners, Garland said at a meeting of the Justice Departments Election Threats Task Force.

Winder had a population of about 18,338 as of the 2020 census, according to the US Census Bureau. The Barrow County School System is the 24th largest school district in the state, per the districts website. It serves about 15,340 students, 1,932 of whom are enrolled at Apalachee High School.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

CNNs Isabel Rosales reported from Winder, while Nick Valencia reported from Atlanta. CNNs John Miller and Dakin Andone reported from New York. Taylor Galgano, Jaide Timm-Garcia, Holly Yan, Steve Almasy, Josh Campbell, Maureen Chowdhury, Amy OKruk, Alex Leeds Matthews, Shawn Nottingham, Rebekah Riess, Devan Cole, Hannah Rabinowitz and Mark Morales contributed to this report.

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A 17-year-old suffered a gunshot to the leg Tuesday in Rock Falls, according to a news release from Sterling Police.

(Getty Images)

Shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday, Sterling Police received a 911 call of a person who had been shot. That person was said to be at a residence in the 500 block of 3rd Avenue, Sterling. Officers responded to the residence and as they arrived a vehicle fled the residence.

Believing this vehicle was possibly involved in the shooting, Sterling officers tried to stop this vehicle and it took off. A brief pursuit ended when the suspect abandoned the vehicle near East Lefevre and 11th Avenue in the Jefferson School parking lot, and the suspect ran off.

During the pursuit the suspect vehicle, which was reported stolen on Monday, struck a fence at Sterling High School and caused minor damage. The suspect was not located after a K9 track was completed.

During the pursuit, Sterling officers found a 17-year-old who had been shot in the leg at a residence in the 500 block of 3rd Avenue, where the original call came from. The teen, who said he was shot at a Rock Falls location, was transported by CGH EMS to CGH Medical Center, and later airlifted to Javon Bae Hospital, Rockford, where he remained Tuesday. His condition was unknown but the injury was not considered life-threatening.

About 6:48 a.m., Sterling Police received a report of a gun in the roadway near 5th Avenue and East 14th Street. This gun was recovered and found to have been stolen from Clinton, Iowa.

Preliminary investigative information indicates the male juvenile victim accidentally discharged the stolen gun in the area it was recovered and struck himself in the leg, the release says. It is believed he was with another person traveling in the stolen vehicle prior to and after the self-inflicted gunshot, the release says. He then went to the residence in the 500 block of 3rd Avenue.

Contrary to social media posts, there were no shooting incidents that occurred on Sterling Public School property or involving Sterling Police Officers, the release says. Sterling Public Schools only relation to these incidents occurred when their property was struck and the stolen vehicle was abandoned in a SPS parking lot. These incidents caused no threat to any Sterling Public Schools students or staff and the school is/has continued as normal.

Sterling Police and Sterling Public Schools administration have been in communication about the incidents and believe there is no further threat to the general public from the incidents.

This investigation of these incidents continued Tuesday.

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The Justice Department is charging top Hamas leaders for their role in the October 7th massacre in Israel. The terrorism charges come as pressure mounts in the Middle East for a ceasefire deal, after Hamas killed six hostages this weekend, including an Israeli American.

Attorney General Merrick Garland says this newly unsealed complaint charges Hamas with directing a decades-long campaign to murder Americans.

They murdered entire families, said Garland.

The U.S. has charged top Hamas leaders in connection to the October 7th terror attack in Israel.

Hamas terrorists murdered nearly 1,200 people, including over 40 Americans, and kidnapped hundreds of civilians, said Garland.

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the terrorism charges just days after six hostages were found dead in Gaza, including 23-year-old Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

We are investigating Hershs murder and each and every one of the brutal murders of Americans as acts of terrorism, said Garland.

The State Department says the hostage deaths make reaching a ceasefire deal even more urgent.

The people of Israel cannot afford to wait any longer. The Palestinian people, who are also suffering the terrible effects of this war, cannot afford to wait any longer. The world cannot afford to wait any longer, said State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller.

The White House says its working around the clock to get a deal but also justice for so many families.

Make no mistake about it. Hamas leaders are going to pay for these crimes, said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

Garland promised these charges would not be the last against Hamas.

The Justice Department has a long memory, said Garland.

The case though may be mostly symbolic since the Justice Department notes three of the six defendants are believed to have been killed in recent months.

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Hamas leaders charged by US for role in October 7 attack on Israel

Yahya Sinwar, Hamas's chief who is believed to be hiding in the tunnels beneath Gaza, ihas been charged - GETTY IMAGES

The US has charged six senior Hamas leaders with terrorism charges linked to the Oct 7 attack on Israel.

Yahya Sinwar, the terror organisations chief, and Ismail Haniyeh, the groups former political leader who was assassinated in July, were among those named in the complaint unsealed by a New York court.

The seven charges include conspiracy to murder US nationals, conspiracy to support a foreign terrorist organisation resulting in death and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction resulting in death.

Two of the charges can be punished with the death penalty, while others carry maximum sentences of life or 20 years in prison.

The charges were filed under seal to position the United States to be ready to take into custody Haniyeh and the other defendants, a Justice Department official said in a statement.

The official cited Haniyehs death - which Hamas and Iran say was an Israeli assassination - and unspecified recent developments in the region, as reasons for the unsealing.

As outlined in our complaint, those defendants - armed with weapons, political support, and funding from the Government of Iran, and support from Hezbollah - have led Hamass efforts to destroy the State of Israel and murder civilians in support of that aim, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

Justice Department Announces Terrorism Charges Against Senior Leaders of Hamas pic.twitter.com/z8gS2lUGvV  U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) September 3, 2024

Mr Garland added: The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamass operations. These actions will not be our last.

Mr Garland said the US authorities were also investigating the killing of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli-American taken hostage by Hamas, who was among the six hostages killed by Hamas last week.

We are investigating Hershs murder, and each and every one of Hamass brutal murders of Americans, as an act of terrorism, Mr Garland said.

In a video statement, Mr Garland said the Justice Department had charged the men for financing and directing a decades-long campaign to murder American citizens and endanger the security of the United States.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin was among six hostages killed by Hamas last week - CNN

He added: The Justice Department has a long memory. We will pursue the terrorists responsible for murdering Americans and those who illegally provide them with material support for the rest of their lives.

Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organisation by Washington since 1997, launched its attack on Israel on October 7, triggering the brutal ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by the Palestinian group.

Charged along with Sinwar and Haniyeh was Mohammed Deif, the former commander in chief of the al-Qassam Brigades who is believed to have died in July.

Also charged was Marwan Issa, known as the Shadow Man, was the deputy commander of the al-Qassam Brigades from approximately 2007 until his reported death earlier this year.

Qatar-based Khaled Meshaal, the head of the groups diaspora office responsible for overseeing Hamass presence outside of Gaza was also charged.

The final defendant was Ali Baraka, Hamass head of national relations, who is also based outside of Gaza.

Israeli commanders believe most-wanted Sinwar, 61, is hiding in a labyrinthine maze of tunnels that Hamas has built under the Gaza Strip. He was spotted in the tunnels in February:

The Justice Department said Hamas had received tens of millions of dollars to fund its terrorist activities from cryptocurrency contributions from supporters abroad, including in the United States.

The court document, which is dated Feb 1, states 43 Americans were killed by Hamas during the Oct 7 attack, in which more than 1,100 people were murdered.

Israels campaign against Hamas has so far killed at least 40,819 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry.

FBI Director Christopher Wray said the organisation had been working to identify and charge those responsible for the heinous crimes committed on Oct 7.

The FBI has and will continue to relentlessly investigate these attacks on civilians, including Americans. Hamas is a Foreign Terrorist Organisation with a long history of violence, and the groups actions have resulted in increased terrorism threats in the US and against American interests throughout the world, he said.

Other charges unsealed in the document include conspiring to provide material support for acts of terrorism resulting in death, conspiring to finance terrorism, and conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

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Hamas murders 6 more hostages  including an American. Biden must do more to save them.

The 2023 film "Irena's Vow" tells the true story of Polish nurse Irena Gut Opdyke, who became the housekeeper for a German army major in World War II. She manages to hide 12 Jews in the Nazi officer's villa to save them from extermination in the death camps.

An innkeeper she meets encourages Irena to keep a low profile to survive. When he realizes she's hiding Jews, he feigns ignorance: "I don't want to know anything."

No one in America or anywhere else in 2024 can say they do not know about the rampant antisemitism percolating in elite American universities, around the globe and at the hands of Hamas terrorists.

But have times really changed? Have we learned anything from history about how antisemitism infects and spreads?

Israeli army recovers bodies of 6 hostages

On Sunday, Israel Defense Forces recovered the bodies of six hostages, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, an Israeli American, from a tunnel in Gaza, where they had been held captive by Hamas.

Hamas insinuated Monday that the captives were executed because Israeli forces were about to rescue them. The terrorist group also threatened to murder dozens of remaining hostages if Israel attempts to free them.

Hamas has released propaganda footage of the murdered hostages, including Eden Yerushalmi, 24. In the video, she said she missed her family, did not think she would make it out of Gaza alive and blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of abandoning her and other hostages.

Hamas also killed hostages Ori Danino, 25; Alex Lobanov, 32; Carmel Gat, 40; and Almog Sarusi, 27.

Fate of hostages changes each second: US and world leaders must help bring them home

The captives were among more than 200 hostages taken Oct. 7, when Hamas invaded Israel and murdered 1,189 innocent people, most of whom were civilians. Hamas continues to hold at least 101 hostages, including seven Americans.

The Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza says more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began last fall.

Biden blames Netanyahu, but is US doing enough?

Protesters gather on Sept. 1, 2024, in Tel Aviv, Israel, to demand a Gaza hostages deal.

The murder of hostages has exacerbated a fraught political environment in Israel. As many as 500,000 people took to the streets in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to protest the hostages' deaths and the way Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has handled negotiations for a cease-fire and the release of hostages.

Even President Joe Biden agreed on Monday that Netanyahu has not done enough to aid the hostages' release.

Yet, it's not clear how Biden could pin any part of these murders on Netanyahu. After all, an American hostage was killed and more Americans remain in captivity. Is Biden also not doing enough to secure the hostages' release?

From the parents of a US hostage: For five months, we thought our son was alive. Release Hamas hostages and spare others our pain.

The fact is that Netanyahu and the Israeli government have tried to secure a cease-fire resolution, even though it was Israel that was forced to defend itself after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack.

In August, Israel agreed to the Biden-Harris administrations cease-fire deal, but Hamas rejected it. And U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in June that Hamas had refused to accept an earlier U.S.-backed agreement to end the war.

On Tuesday, the Justice Department charged six leaders of Hamas with the Oct. 7 attack on Israel for charges that include conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens, conspiracy to support a terrorist organization and conspiracy to use bombs and weapons of mass destruction.

Harris, Trump must vow to protect Jewish Americans

As the war in Gaza rages on, Jews in the United States and around the world continue to face blatant antisemitism. Whether on elite university campuses or on the streets of New York, antisemitism in any form must be rejected.

Both presidential nominees Kamala Harris and Donald Trump must make clear that no matter the election outcome in November, the new administration will do everything in its power to protect Jewish people in America and elsewhere.

Opinion newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter on conservative values, family and religion from columnist Nicole Russell. Get it delievered to your inbox.

On Monday, the family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin gathered for his funeral in Jerusalem. Only 23, he was kidnapped and held captive for nearly 11 months in Gaza, for no other reason than the fact that he was a Jewish man attending a music festival in Israel on the day that his murderers invaded.

We can never say we don't want to know what Hamas is doing to Jews. We cannot feign ignorance for the sake of peace.

"May his memory be a revolution," Jon Polin said at his son's funeral.

A revolution is necessary. May it come now.

Nicole Russell is an opinion columnist with USA TODAY. She lives in Texas with her four kids. Sign up for her newsletter, The Right Track, and get it delivered to your inbox.

You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hamas murders six more hostages. Biden isn't doing enough to save them
CANBERRA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has committed additional funding to prevent feral cats from harming native species.

Tanya Plibersek, the Minister for the Environment, on Wednesday announced more than 60 million Australian dollars (40.1 million U.S. dollars) in new funding for the government's war on feral cats.

The funding has been allocated to 55 projects across the country aimed at preventing the ecological destruction caused by invasive feral cats.

According to the government, feral cats kill a combined 1.5 billion native mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs in Australia every year as well as 1.1 billion invertebrates.

Feral cats have contributed to two-thirds of Australia's mammal extinctions and posed a threat to over 200 threatened species, Plibersek said.

"Feral cats are dangerous and ruthless predators, pushing our threatened native species like the greater bilby, numbat, and Gilbert's potoroo, to the brink of extinction," she said in a statement.

"We are mobilizing artificial intelligence, cat trap technology and strong community action to combat this invasive pest and safeguard Australia's biodiversity," she said.

The federal government declared war on feral cats in 2023 and released a draft national action plan to prevent them from spreading further. Plibersek said that the finalized plan will be released soon.

New projects that will receive funding include traps for feral cats equipped with artificial intelligence (AI), humane animal nets and an AI-supported audio deterrent that emits a high-pitched sound to act as a virtual fence.

Researchers will also receive funding to explore drone-based thermal cameras and eDNA technologies to track feral cats in the Christmas Island National Park off the coast of Western Australia in the Indian Ocean. 
NORTH HAMPTON, New Hampshire  Donald Trump hasnt set foot in New Hampshire since he won the states GOP primary in January. His campaign hasnt sent a high-profile surrogate here since the spring.

And now, even as they insist he can win here, some of Trumps most ardent supporters in this blue-leaning swing state are openly saying that his campaign should focus its efforts elsewhere.

This election is going to be won in those seven swing states and not in New Hampshire, said Lou Gargiulo, who co-chairs Trumps campaign in this state. Thats where the efforts got to be put.

Its a marked shift from when New Hampshire was among the bluish battlefields where Trumps campaign boasted it could expand its electoral map as President Joe Biden faltered. Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley said days after the June debate that the party had started to engage in New Hampshire, Minnesota and Virginia. A post-debate survey showed Trump had erased Bidens polling lead in the Granite State, leaving Republicans gleeful and Democrats spooked.

Today, New Hampshire stands as the latest sign of how Trumps map is constricting in his run against Kamala Harris. A trio of surveys have shown the vice president opening an outside-the-margin-of-error lead over Trump  one that she aimed to cement on Wednesday with a campaign event at a brewery on New Hampshires Seacoast where she touted her new plan for small business tax breaks. Race raters have shifted the state to the left. And Republicans here are privately bemoaning the Trump campaigns lack of investment in this state where Democrats outnumber Republicans in field offices by 17 to 1.

The Trump campaign does not appear to be matching or contesting New Hampshire, said Matthew Bartlett, a Republican strategist from the state and former Trump administration appointee.

Organizationally speaking there have been no visits, no surrogates. They have their institutional support and theyre going to go with it, said Bartlett. Whereas Democrats, even with a lead, continue to flood the zone week after week with high-profile people.

Trumps campaign insists it is contesting New Hampshire, a state where he has thrice won GOP primaries but lost two consecutive general elections, including by 7 percentage points to Biden in 2020. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trumps campaign who hails from New Hampshire, said the campaign is maintaining an offensive posture here and in the other blue-leaning swing states of Minnesota and Virginia.

Theyre not in our target seven battleground states, Leavitt said. But New Hampshire is certainly a state we believe the president can flip red.

But Harris sought to put Trump on defense on Wednesday, when she touted her latest economic plan to a crowd of more than 3,000 people who waited hours under the blazing sun to see the Democratic nominee  and slammed Trumps stances on everything from taxes to abortion access.



We will move forward because ours is a fight for the future and it is a fight for freedom, Harris said. And I dont have to tell the folks in New Hampshire, the Live Free or Die state  you know the importance of individual freedoms.

Trump and his allies seized on Harris visit as a sign that Democrats were concerned about their standing in a state that hasnt voted red in a presidential election since 2000 and that prognosticators view as likely to vote blue in November.

Comrade Kamala Harris sees there are problems for her campaign in New Hampshire because of the fact that they disrespected it in their primary and never showed up, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday. I protected New Hampshires First-In-The-Nation Primary and ALWAYS will! To my friends in New Hampshire, get out and vote TRUMP.

And he pledged to return to New Hampshire before the election while calling into a local radio show Wednesday morning.

Its a very important place in terms of winning this election. It could come down to New Hampshire. I'll be there, Trump said.

But Trump put no date on the calendar. Meanwhile, in his absence, Trumps campaign has not sent a high-profile surrogate to rally the troops here since appearances by North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum in April and Florida Rep. Byron Donalds in May  despite requests from the state GOP, according to a person familiar with the conversations granted anonymity to discuss the internal matter.

And his team has done little to expand its official footprint in New Hampshire since the primary. Trumps campaign maintains its headquarters in Manchester and has several paid staff on the ground, Leavitt said  though she declined to specify a number.

Im not seeing any organized effort on Trumps behalf, whatsoever, said Fergus Cullen, a former New Hampshire GOP chair. Im not getting any phone calls automated or otherwise. Im not seeing a county headquarters.

Republicans affiliated with Trumps campaign in New Hampshire argued they are fielding a strong grassroots effort for their partys nominee in the state. The campaign runs training sessions for volunteers out of its Manchester office and online. Supporters have marched in local parades and staged a boat parade last month on Lake Winnipesaukee.

And there is some benefit to Trump staying away from New Hampshire  at least for another week. Should he visit before Tuesday, the former president would face pressure to put his thumb on the scale in the hotly contested gubernatorial primary. In that race, polls show former state Senate President Chuck Morse, who shares an adviser with one of the super PACs supporting Trump and who is running on his loyalty to the former president, trailing far behind former Sen. Kelly Ayotte.

But after Tuesday, it would be good of him and [Ohio Sen.] JD Vance to show up, said Sean Van Anglen, a Republican consultant in the state.

I have hopes they can win in New Hampshire  but you have to be here. You have to go person to person, you have to have surrogates here, the candidates got to be here a few times, Van Anglen said of the state that prides itself on putting even the highest-profile candidates through the retail-politics ringer. I know its only four electoral votes, but it has played a crucial role in so many presidential elections.

The paucity of the Trump campaigns operations in New Hampshire is particularly glaring when contrasted with that of his rivals. Democrats have flooded the state with field offices and dispatched some of the partys biggest stars  among them: California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and, over Labor Day weekend, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and California Rep. Ro Khanna  to launch canvasses and headline fundraisers. Biden visited the state twice after the primary  partly as a mea culpa after a bitter battle between state and national Democrats over the order of this years nominating calendar led the president to leave his name off the January ballot (he won the contest on the write-in campaign his allies waged on his behalf).

And on Wednesday, it was Harris turn to make the appeal. Standing behind thick panes of glass on a stage erected in the middle of a field ringed by bleachers full of eager supporters, she professed adoration for the state  its so good to be back in New Hampshire  and urged her backers to treat her campaign as the underdog against Trump.

This race is going to be tight until the very end, Harris said. But we are up to the task. And with your help, we will win in November.
HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY)  Several historically Black colleges and universities opened the new school year with record enrollment, at a time when some predominately White institutions are reporting a decline in student diversity.



So, whats causing a shift in interest in the black education experience?

In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed affirmative action, preventing colleges from using race in admissions. While the decision has been major blow for many, one group is benefiting  HBCUs.

It may not be a surprise that black and brown students have fewer opportunities of acceptance at elite predominately White institutions, in which some have even disposed race-based scholarships. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, undergraduate HBCU enrollment is up 4% this fall.

I think that many students recognize that this ruling impacted them personally, said Angela Nixon Boyd, Hampton University assistant vice president of enrollment and dean of admission. And so they, again, want to be in an environment where they feel welcomed, feel safe and that they feel that they will have an opportunity for success.

Virginias Hampton University now joins the list of historically Black Institutions of higher learning seeing a jump in this years enrollment numbers. Boyd also attributes the spike in interest in HBCUs to the Black Lives Matter movement.

This is when I noticed the shift, Boyd said. We were certainly receiving a lot of applications. But during that time there was a little bit of an explosion and a welcomed one.

HU is also seeing significant growth in enrollment from the previous two years.

We are expecting a class of about 1,200 new students, Boyd said. And so we are very excited about that. Our undergraduate population is about 3,600. Our overall population is probably nearing 4,000 this year.

The university hopes to reach a goal of 5,000 students in the future  online and on campus.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
This combination photo shows Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an event, Aug. 15, 2024, in Bedminster, N.J., left, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign event in Raleigh, N.C., Aug. 16, 2024. (AP Photo)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted the rules set forth for next week's debate with former President Donald Trump, although the Democratic nominee says the decision not to keep both candidates' microphones live throughout the matchup will be to her disadvantage.

The development, which came Wednesday by way of a letter from Harris' campaign to host network ABC News, seemed to mark a conclusion to the debate over microphone muting, which had for a time threatened to derail the Sept. 10 presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

Harris acceptance of the debate rules came as Trump  using a night he had proposed as a debate with Harris on Fox News Channel  instead participated in a solo town hall with host Sean Hannity in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a version of debate preparation with a longtime ally who queried him about his plans to take on the Democratic nominee.

President Joe Bidens campaign had made the muting of microphones, except for the candidate whose turn it is to speak, a condition of his decision to accept any debates this year. Some aides have said they now regret that decision, saying voters were shielded from hearing Trumps outbursts during the June debate. A disastrous performance for the incumbent Democrat fueled his exit from the campaign.

Once Harris rose in Biden's stead and became their party's pick for president, her campaign had advocated for live microphones for the whole debate, saying previously that the practice would fully allow for substantive exchanges between the candidates.

But on Wednesday, in a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Harris advisers wrote that the former prosecutor will be fundamentally disadvantaged by this format, which will serve to shield Donald Trump from direct exchanges with the Vice President."

We suspect this is the primary reason for his campaigns insistence on muted microphones, her campaign added.

Despite those concerns, Harris' campaign wrote, we understand that Donald Trump is a risk to skip the debate altogether, as he has threatened to do previously, if we do not accede to his preferred format. So as not to jeopardize the debate, Harris' campaign wrote, we accepted the full set of rules proposed by ABC, including muted microphones.

According to an official with Harris campaign, a pool of journalists will be on hand to hear what the muted candidate may be trying to say when his or her microphone is turned off. That detail was not in the full debate rules, also released Wednesday by ABC, which are essentially the same as they were for the June debate between Trump and Biden.

The network laid out parameters from the basic format  90 minutes, with two commercial breaks  to specifications that moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis will be the only people asking questions, perhaps hoping to avert a free-for-all between the candidates.

Moderators will seek to enforce timing agreements and ensure a civilized discussion, the network noted.

The Harris campaign official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss planning around the debate, said a candidate who repeatedly interrupts will receive a warning from a moderator, and both candidates' microphones may be unmuted if there is significant crosstalk so the audience can understand what's happening.

After a virtual coin flip held Tuesday and won by Trump, the GOP nominee opted to offer the final closing statement, while Harris chose the podium on the right side of viewers screens. There will be no audience, written notes or any topics or questions shared with campaigns or candidates in advance, the network said.

In the town hall on Wednesday, Hannity steered Trump through many of the topics typical of the GOP nominee's campaign events, with a heavy focus on immigration, and posed questions after showing video clips of Harris in media interviews and other appearances.

Trump also repeatedly returned his focus from Harris to Biden, calling Democrats' substitution of their top candidate a coup and saying he would have preferred a debate with Harris, rather than the town hall.

Asked about next week's debate, Trump repeated his former criticism of ABC as a dishonest and unfair network, also reiterating his previous claims that Harris' campaign is "going to get the questions in advance.

The location of Trump's town hall, coupled with next week's debate in Philadelphia, highlights the importance of battleground Pennsylvania, where 19 Electoral College votes are up for grabs in the November election.

___

Price reported from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. AP White House Correspondent Zeke Miller contributed to this report.

___

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and former U.S. President Donald Trump in combo photograph

By Nandita Bose and Kanishka Singh

PORTSMOUTH, New Hampshire (Reuters) -The campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has accepted the rules of next week's debate against Republican Donald Trump, including microphones being muted when it is not a candidate's turn to speak, a source familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

The debate would be the first between Trump and Harris, who took over as the Democratic candidate from President Joe Biden following his decision to step aside on July 21 after a faltering debate performance in late June against the former president.

The source, who declined to be identified, said the Harris campaign was still hoping for moments where ABC News, which will host the Sept. 10 debate, is forced to unmute the mics and let the candidates respond.

Harris' rise to the top of the Democratic ticket has re-energized a Democratic campaign that had harbored doubts about Biden's chances.

Polls showed that Trump had built a lead over Biden but Harris has since edged ahead of the Republican candidate in some national opinion polls.

Over the weekend, Harris called on Trump to debate her with their microphones switched on throughout the event.

So-called "hot mics" can help or hurt political candidates, catching off-hand comments that sometimes were not meant for the public. Muted microphones also prevent the debaters from interrupting their opponent.

Trump senior adviser Jason Miller said he was thrilled that Harris and her team had accepted the rules.

"Americans want to hear both candidates present their competing visions to the voters, unburdened by what has been," he said. "No notes, no sitting down, no advance copies of the questions."

Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz and Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance have also agreed to an Oct. 1 debate on CBS News.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose; Writing by Kanishka Singh; Additional reporting by Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Deepa Babington and Stephen Coates)
Kamala Harris campaign has accepted the terms of next weeks presidential debate with former President Donald Trump, including the fact that the candidates microphones will be muted when it is not their turn to speak, according to a person familiar with the debate negotiations.

However, in a letter to ABC News Wednesday afternoon agreeing to the rules, the Harris campaign again laid out their objections to the muted mics condition, insisting that they believe the vice president will be disadvantaged by the format.

Vice President Harris, a former prosecutor, will be fundamentally disadvantaged by this format, which will serve to shield Donald Trump from direct exchanges with the Vice President. We suspect this is the primary reason for his campaigns insistence on muted microphones, the letter from the Harris campaign to the network, shared in part with CNN, said.

ABC News officially announced the rules later Wednesday, noting that both candidates had agreed to the format.

The network, according to the source familiar, has offered assurances to the Harris campaign that if there is significant cross talk between Harris and Trump, it may choose to turn on the mics so that the public can understand what is happening, the moderator would discourage either candidate from interrupting constantly and the moderator would also work to explain to viewers what is being said.

Pool reporters, who can report on what they hear both sides saying, will also be in the room, the source added.

Beyond the debate rules published today, which were mutually agreed upon by two campaigns on May 15th, we have made no other agreements, an ABC News spokesperson told CNN.

The campaign wrote in its letter that it was accepting the terms so as not to risk Trump pulling out of the debate.

Notwithstanding our concerns, we understand that Donald Trump is a risk to skip the debate altogether, as he has threatened to do previously, if we do not accede to his preferred format, the campaign said. We do not want to jeopardize the debate. For this reason, we accept the full set of rules proposed by ABC, including muted microphones.

The former president on Wednesday said he was going to let her talk when asked about the upcoming debate with Harris.

You know when I had Biden, you and I had the same discussion, and I let him talk. Im going to let her talk, Trump said to Fox News host Sean Hannity during a town hall in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

It depends a lot on ABC, will they be fair or not? Trump said. I hope they will be fair.

Trump, according to ABC News, won a virtual coin flip held earlier in the week to determine podium placement and order of closing statements during the debate. Trump chose to offer the last closing statement, and Harris chose the right podium position on screen.

The Trump campaign had previously accepted the rules governing the September 10 matchup.

The former president addressed the issue of microphones during an event in Virginia last week, saying: We agreed to the same rules, I dont know, doesnt matter to me, Id rather have it probably on, but the agreement was that it would be the same as it was last time.

But in a post on his Truth Social platform the next day, Trump added, The Rules will be the same as the last CNN Debate, which seemed to work out well for everyone except, perhaps, Crooked Joe Biden.

ABCs rules, first shared with the campaigns last month, largely mirror the format of CNNs presidential debate in June between Trump and President Joe Biden, during which the candidates microphones were muted as their opponent spoke. It was a rule that the Biden campaign had insisted on but something the Harris campaign had sought to change after she became a presidential candidate.

The networks rules also state that there will be no audience, the candidates will not be permitted to have written notes, no staff can visit them during the two commercial breaks and the candidates cannot ask questions of one another.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Hadas Gold and Kate Sullivan contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Kamala Harriss campaign staff, various Democratic politicians, and social media users are accusing Donald Trump of deliberately choosing towns with racist histories as sites for his rallies.

Trump has held several events in what were once sundown towns  communities were Black people were told by law or threat to stay away after sunset. They include Howell, Mich.; LaCrosse, Wis.; and Johnstown, Pa.

These relatively small cities  spread across midwestern swing states and far from dense metropolitan areas  all have one thing in common: They are former sundown towns, where threats of Jim Crow-era violence enforced racial segregation, The Independent reports.

Howell, a town of about 10,000 in the eastern part of the state, was once the KKK capital of Michigan, the Harris campaign said. A Ku Klux Klan leader, Robert Miles, held Klan rallies on a farm near Howell in the 1970s and 1980s.

Trump held a rally in Howell August 20. A month earlier, about a dozen white supremacists, wearing masks, marched through the town while chanting We love Hitler. We love Trump.

The Trump campaign denied any association with the marchers and said Howells history had nothing to do with the decision to have an event there. However, the Republican presidential nominee did make what could be construed as a racist dog whistle in Howell, saying sheriffs deputies from the largely white town should monitor voting in Detroit, a majority Black city. That isnt simply a dog whistle, its a bullhorn, said a statement from Harris campaign spokesperson Alyssa Bradley.

Ahead of the Trump event, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, told ABC News, Anyone whos doing a little bit of research might have said thats really a bad idea [to have a rally in Howell]. Look at the optics. Youre showing up where the KKK was just at the same time youre in Michigan.

At the Howell rally, Trump claimed he would be better at fighting crime than a Democratic administration. You cant walk across the street to get a loaf of bread, he said, according to the Associated Press. You get shot, you get mugged, you get raped, you get whatever it may be.

He said there has been a 43 percent increase in violent crime nationwide since President Biden and Vice President Harris took office, but this figure is wildly inaccurate, the Detroit Free Press reports. The violent crime rate in the U.S. fell 6 percent in 2023, the paper notes, citing FBI data. Crime is also down in Michigan and in Detroit, the states largest city.

A TikTok user called attention to Trumps choice of event sites. You got a presidential candidate for the GOP doing a sundown town tour around the country, not looking for political gain, the user said. Hes f****** rallying the troops.

Trumps campaign press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, told The Independent that Biden and Harris should be equally scrutinized for appearances in former sundown towns. Biden visited Howell in 2021, and Harris had an event in LaCrosse this year. But the mainstream media has not focused on these appearances because it serves as a divisive, anti-Trump, mouthpiece for the Democrat Party, Leavitt said.

Steven Cheung, communications director for the Trump campaign, told the publication Harris should be questioned about holding events in large cities that have been the site of racist incidents, such as Atlanta, Detroit, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, and Phoenix.

Democratic Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, whose district includes Howell and surrounding Livingston County, wrote on X that the area has changed since her youth and that many activists are working to make it more welcoming and inclusive. But Donald Trump didnt come to Howell today to bring people together, to call out that hateful behavior, or to offer any kind of hopeful vision for the future, she posted August 20. The recent marches may or may not be why Trump and [Republican Congressman Mike] Rogers chose Howell  but the visit risks reopening old wounds. Real leaders should take the opportunity to condemn the hatred that has been on display.

Another X user, University of Alabama law professor and former prosecutor Joyce Vance, wrote Sunday that shed been following the reaction to Trumps appearances in former sundown towns and noted that hed had a rally in another of them, Cullman, Ala., in 2021. Could it be coincidence that is bringing Trump to these places? she wrote. Anything is possible, but Cullman, for instance, is out-of-the-way. Any number of places in Alabama wouldve been more suitable. Sometimes the dog whistle is actually works, loudly spoken.
Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally at the Enmarket Arena on Aug. 29, 2024, in Savannah, Georgia.

Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally at the Enmarket Arena on Aug. 29, 2024, in Savannah, Georgia.

The campaign of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has waded into Louisianas reproductive health debate, criticizing Republican Donald Trump for restrictive policies that states have approved since the U.S. Supreme Court reversed its stance on legal abortion in 2022.

Lets be clear: Donald Trump is the reason Louisiana women who are suffering from miscarriages or bleeding out after birth can no longer receive the critical care they would have received before Trump overturned Roe, Harris-Walz spokeswoman Sarafina Chitika said in a statement to the Illuminator.

Because of Trump, doctors are scrambling to find solutions to save their patients and are left at the whims of politicians who think they know better, she added. Trump is proud of what hes done. He brags about it. And if he wins, he will threaten to bring the crisis he created for Louisiana women to all 50 states.

Chitikas comments came after the Illuminator reported earlier Tuesday that Louisiana hospitals are preparing to remove misoprostol from their obstetric hemorrhage carts now that the medicine has been reclassified as a controlled dangerous substance. The new law goes into effect on Oct. 1, and health care providers are scrambling to come up with new protocols for a medication they have relied upon to save women with life-threatening hemorrhages after delivery.

Misoprostol is prescribed for a number of medical reasons, one of which is to prevent and treat postpartum hemorrhaging. A new Louisiana law reclassifying the medicine as a Schedule IV drug has introduced extra barriers for access because controlled substances have different storage and prescription requirements.

The drug, along with mifepristone, is being targeted because it is also used for abortion. Gov. Jeff Landry signed the law in May, despite more than 200 doctors sending him a letter of concern that the law could have unintended medical consequences.

Misoprostol will still be available in Louisiana hospitals, but it wont be able to be easily accessible on the rolling carts and in-room kits that OB-GYNs typically use if a patient starts bleeding profusely after childbirth. This could mean a delay in care. Some hospitals have already started preemptively removing the medication from their obstetric carts.

Were trying to fix something that is not broken and that is absolutely safe, said Dr. Stacey Holman, division director for Touro Infirmarys maternal child services. Its an unnecessary barrier and really critical to the regular everyday care that we provide to our patients.

In August, 50 Louisiana doctors signed a letter requesting the Louisiana Department of Health and Surgeon General Ralph Abraham provide guidance on the use of misoprostol in the inpatient setting. This is a nationally recognized guideline to emergently treat life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage and it is critical that providers are aware and have access to medication without delay, the doctors wrote.

Louisiana has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country, and Black women are disproportionately affected. Seventy-five percent of the states rural hospitals dont have maternity care. The Illuminator spoke with a physician who treats pregnant women at a rural hospital in northwestern Louisiana who was shocked to hear misoprostol was being reclassified as a controlled dangerous substance.

What? Thats terrifying, the doctor said. Take it off the carts? Thats death. Thats a matter of life or death.

The physician said she uses misoprostol as one of the first drugs to treat hemorrhages because it is easily accessible, doesnt require syringes or IV access, and has fewer side effects for women with high risk pregnancies.

Other politicians and reproductive health activists have weighed in since the Illuminator published its report on Louisianas new law.

Starting 10/1, mifepristone and misoprostol  two drugs used for medication abortion  will become controlled, dangerous substances in Louisiana. This political move will have dangerous consequences for pregnancy care. H/t @lorenaoneil & @IlluminatorLAhttps://t.co/kwEvwtc3tq  Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) September 3, 2024

Misoprostol can be a *lifesaving* medication. Women are at risk of emergency hysterectomies and even death if its not administered promptly. Trumps Supreme Court overturned Roe, and now look where we are. Miso isnt dangerous  Republicans stance on abortion is. https://t.co/L3HiOJ1fY4  Senator Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) September 3, 2024

Restricting a lifesaving drug isnt just extreme, its preventing doctors from doing their job. Women deserve better. Doctors deserve better. Americans deserve better. We cant let such dangerous measures become the norm. https://t.co/lrScSyUpwU  Rep. Diana DeGette (@RepDianaDeGette) September 3, 2024

MAGA abortion bans put all pregnant women in danger. One in three American women have had their reproductive freedom stripped away by Trumps friends, and this is the future that #Project2025 will bring to every state. We wont go back. https://t.co/R17se0WIqD  Michigan Democrats (@MichiganDems) September 3, 2024

The US has the highest maternal mortality rate of all developed nations  but extreme MAGA attacks on our reproductive freedom are making it harder for all women to get the lifesaving health care they need. https://t.co/rfhJbts9Dx  Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) September 4, 2024
Pro-Palestinian activists are growing increasingly frustrated with Vice President Harris as she remains in public lockstep with President Biden on the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, but some are holding out hope she could take a harder line on Israel if elected as president.

Harris has not indicated that she would waver in weapons sales to Israel and has not shown breaks with Bidens handling of the war, aside from slight changes in rhetoric when addressing the human suffering in Gaza.

Activists who initially expressed some optimism about Harris are ready to treat her candidacy the same as Bidens  with protests at campaign stops and, for some, efforts to get progressives to vote against her in November.

To many of the activists, Harriss talking points about maintaining more or less unconditional military support for Israel just sound like a continuation of the Biden policy and approach, said Khaled Elgindy, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute.

Admittedly, its hard for her as a sitting vice president to stray too far from the Biden line, but even with that there is still room for her to go further than she has.

Anger from the left was stoked during the Democratic National Convention last month, when the party refused to feature a Palestinian American speaker. The Uncommitted National Movement and progressive lawmakers including Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) slammed the decision.

I think there was an excitement at the beginning, I think some of that has been dampened, James Zogby, founder of the Arab American Institute, said of Harriss candidacy.

Despite my efforts to see the convention as a success, and I do believe that it was  the campaign made an unforced error. I call it a boneheaded move that ended up casting a pall over everything  the refusal to allow a speaker.

Israels brutal war on Hamas, which has left some 40,000 Palestinians dead, has divided the Democratic Party and showed its potential electoral impact with some 700,000 protest votes against Biden in the primary, before he exited the race and endorsed Harris.

Biden appeared to be in serious danger of losing Michigan, which has a large Arab American population, to former President Trump after his handling of the war led thousands in the Democratic primary to vote uncommitted. Harris faces the same risks, activists warn.

Theres still a significant group who are not going to vote for her, are not going to vote for Trump, are going to vote for third-party candidates because they feel this hurt. I would not want to leave those votes behind, said Zogby. Theres still an important component in the community who feels this hurt and is not budging, and she can move them.

Harris campaigned Sunday in Detroit and was met with one protester, a few blocks away from the school she visited, holding a large sign that read cease-fire. There was also someone on a megaphone shouting Democrats you cant hide and Harris isnt welcome here, while a few Palestinian flags were on display outside the school.

While Biden was greeted at events with chants of Genocide Joe when he was on the top of the ticket, those chants have now turned into Killer Kamala, which was heard in Chicago during the convention.

Activists said they were hopeful that Harris would approach relations with Israel differently after she didnt attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus address to Congress in July and met with him privately instead.

There were a lot of high hopes and expectations for Harris after Biden dropped out, particularly after the Netanyahu visit when Harriss tone really stood out from that of the presidents  she hinted at taking a tougher line with Netanyahu and above all was able to empathize with Palestinians and acknowledge Palestinian humanity in ways that Biden never could, said Elgindy of the Middle East Institute.

A lot of that hope and excitement around Harris has since dissipated, however.

The vice presidents rhetoric is subtly different on the situation, though, bolstering hopes that she could break with Bidens support for Israel if she wins the election. Harris could be open to imposing conditions on aid to Israel if elected in November, after she conducts an analysis of the U.S.-Israel relationship, according to The Washington Post, citing several people familiar with her thinking.

She has told protesters at rallies that she is pushing for an end to the war in Gaza, but she has also argued the stakes of the election in November against Trump are too high for pro-Palestinian Americans to oppose her.

Zogby also suggested that he is hopeful she could change gears if elected, citing conversations he had with her early into the conflict, before she was running for president.

I have spoken with her and I know how she feels. This is one of those let Kamala be Kamala situations; the consultant deciders are not the people to be making these kinds of personal, and also strategic, decisions, he said. If she were to do something to recognize the Palestinian suffering in a personal way, there are no voters to be lost. But there are votes to be lost by not doing it.

While some activists are protesting her candidacy, the Biden administration is focused on brokering a cease-fire deal. Biden said Monday that Netanyahu is not doing enough to secure a hostage deal, adding pressure to the Israeli leader after six hostages were found dead, including Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose parents spoke at the convention.

Harris, in her remarks at the convention, vowed to always defend Israel while also expressing her concern about the toll in Gaza, saying the scale of suffering is heartbreaking.

In an interview with CNN a week later, she indicated that she would not take a different policy approach to the war from Biden, but repeatedly stressed that a cease-fire deal has to get done.

Some activists see these statements as an indication that Harris is too far apart from them on the issue and vow to vote against her in November.

The Abandon Harris campaign, formerly Abandon Biden, is doubling down on its efforts to ensure Harris loses in November.

Kamala Harriss active complicity in supporting Israels genocide in Gaza has made her unfit to lead, and we will not stand by as she tries to normalize these atrocities, the group said in a statement Tuesday.

Make no mistake, the Harris-Walz campaign is not a campaign of joy; it is a campaign that, for the first time in modern history, is seeking to normalize genocide and ethnic cleansing, it added.

Brad Dress contributed reporting

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Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday called the shooting at a Georgia high school an outrageous and senseless tragedy, telling a crowd in New Hampshire that gun violence is one of the issues at stake this November.

This is just a senseless tragedy on top of so many senseless tragedies, and its just outrageous that everyday in our country, in the United States of America, that parents have to send their children to school, worried about whether or not their child will come home alive. Its senseless, Harris said.

Weve got to stop it, and we have to end this epidemic of gun violence in our country once and for all. You know it doesnt have to be this way.

Yet Harris, who has regularly called for an assault weapons ban and universal background checks, did not mention any specific policy changes in her remarks.

Harris addressed the shooting during a campaign event in New Hampshire, hours after a shooter opened fire Wednesday morning at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, about an hour outside of Atlanta. At least four people are dead and an additional nine have been taken to hospitals with injuries, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The suspect is alive and in custody.

The tragedy came just weeks into the high schools new school year, making it the 385th mass shooting of this year, in which four or more people were injured or killed, according to the Gun Violence Archive.



The vice president, who was briefed on the incident before leaving Washington, has been heavily involved in the White Houses response to gun violence. President Joe Biden tapped her to lead the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which helps coordinate policy across the federal government, aid communities in the aftermath of a tragedy and identify new executive actions while gun safety legislation remains stalled in Congress.

Harris on Wednesday said that during her monthlong tour of college campuses last year she heard from young voters who told her about their experiences with active shooter drills  now routine practice in American schools.

Our kids are sitting in a classroom where they should be fulfilling their God-given potential, and some part of their big beautiful brain is concerned about a shooter busting through the door of the classroom. It does not have to be this way, Harris said.

Ahead of Harris event, Biden called the shooting a horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart. He noted thats why he signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law, established the White House guns office and announced dozens of executive actions since taking office.

Republicans in Congress must finally say enough is enough and work with Democrats to pass common-sense gun safety legislation. We must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines once again, require safe storage of firearms, enact universal background checks, and end immunity for gun manufacturers, he said in a statement. These measures will not bring those who were tragically killed today back, but it will help prevent more tragic gun violence from ripping more families apart.
Harris goes off script to address Georgia school shooting: It does not have to be this way

Harris goes off script to address Georgia school shooting: It does not have to be this way

Vice President Harris on Wednesday went off script at a rally in New Hampshire to condemn gun violence following a shooting at a Georgia high school earlier that day.

Harris called the shooting a senseless tragedy, adding, weve got to end the epidemic of gun violence in our country once and for all.

She then said she was going off script and described her visit to college campuses last year, when she met with Generation Z students to discuss gun violence.

By the way, I love Gen Z, I just love Gen Z, she said. One of the things that I asked every time that I went to an auditorium  raise your hand if at any point from kindergarten to 12th grade you had to go through an active shooter training.

She added, Every hand went up.

Harris noted she had earthquake drills and fire drills as a student in California.

But our kids are sitting in a classroom, where they should be fulfilling their God-given potential, and some part of their brain is worried about a shooter busting through the classroom. It does not have to be this way, she said.

This is one of the many issues thats at stake in this election, the vice president added, before moving back on script to talk about her economic plan.

Georgia authorities said four people were killed in the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder. The suspected shooter is in custody, and Gov. Brian Kemp (R) said he directed all available state resources to respond and gather information.

President Biden was briefed earlier Wednesday on the shooting and said in a statement that he is mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short due to more senseless gun violence.

What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now turned into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart. Students across the country are learning how to duck and cover instead of how to read and write. We cannot continue to accept this as normal, the president said.

He also called for Republicans in Congress to work across the aisle to do more on curbing gun violence.

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(Bloomberg) -- Vice President Kamala Harris called for a 28% capital gains tax rate on people earning $1 million or more, touting it as a measure that would ensure the wealthy paid their fair share as she sought to detail her economic agenda and draw a contrast with Republican rival Donald Trump.

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While we ensure that the wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share, we will tax capital gains at a rate that rewards investment in Americas innovators, founders and small businesses, Harris said Wednesday at an event in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

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The Democratic presidential nominees proposal falls short of the 39.6% rate that President Joe Biden has embraced, marking her efforts to chart an economic vision separate from the sitting president in an election in which voters skepticism of the administrations handling of the economy threatens to weigh down her ticket. The current capital gains tax rate is 20%.

The Wall Street Journal previously reported Harris plan to push for a lower capital gains rate than Biden.

Harris in recent weeks has sought to roll out her agenda, seeking to convince voters to trust her on the economy and to assure them that she will work to curb the high prices that have hit US households hard under the current administration.

Her proposals have included calls for expanded tax credits for parents and $25,000 down-payment assistance for first-time home buyers. Harris plans to pay for those tax cuts by increasing the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21%, imposing a minimum income tax on billionaires and quadrupling a levy on stock buybacks, according to a campaign official who spoke on condition of anonymity to detail policy discussions.

Harris has vowed to pay for all of her spending plans with higher taxes on businesses and wealthy households.

Small Business Relief

Harris on Wednesday detailed plans to expand small business tax relief for entrepreneurs. Her blueprint calls for increasing the small business tax deduction for startup costs tenfold to $50,000 from $5,000. And the vice president is setting a goal of 25 million new small business applications in the first term of a potential Harris administration, a tally that would surpass the record 19 million so far under Biden.

She is also proposing measures to cut red tape for startups, such as developing a standard deduction to save business owners time when filing their taxes and easing barriers to occupational licenses to allow workers and businesses to ply their trades across state lines.

Earlier: Harris to Expand Small Business Tax Relief to Boost Startups

As president one of my highest priorities will be to strengthen Americas small businesses, Harris said.

Tax policy is taking center stage in the contest between Harris and Trump as the two propose dueling measures aimed at courting key swing state voters and business leaders.

Trump has called for a series of tax cuts on corporations, individuals and retirees. Whoever wins the White House in November will contend with a major tax bill next year with parts of Trumps 2017 tax cuts on households and small businesses set to expire at the end of 2025.

Harris policy rollout comes a little over a month after she entered the presidential race and with about two months until Election Day. The vice president has seen a surge in momentum in the polls and fundraising but is still seeking to counter Trump on the economy, an issue on which polls show voters trust the former president more.

On the campaign trail, Harris surrogates have sought to pitch her as a pro-business candidate to donors to assuage concerns over the Biden administrations policies.

Her vision is pro-capitalism, pro-innovation, pro-growth, you know, lots of employment, lots of housing. Its just forward looking, her husband Doug Emhoff told donors at an event last month.

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Vice President Kamala Harris will propose a $50,000 tax benefit for new small businesses, a campaign official said, as the Democratic presidential nominee aims to detail her economic policy vision ahead of next weeks debate with former president Donald Trump.

The new tax plan, part of a broader effort to encourage entrepreneurship, would massively expand an existing $5,000 deduction for start-up firms, said the official, who shared the plan with reporters on the condition of anonymity because it had not yet been made public. Harris is eyeing the measure as a way to draw a contrast on economic policy with Trump, who has called for cutting the tax rate paid by corporations and maintaining lower tax rates for high-income individuals, along with other policies aimed at helping lower- and middle-class taxpayers.

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The proposal is expected to be unveiled ahead of a Harris campaign speech Wednesday in New Hampshire. Advisers to the Harris campaign also have discussed including plans to bolster the safety net, such as through child-care or paid-leave expansions, alongside tax proposals, although it is unclear whether those or other policies will be in Wednesdays announcement, two other people familiar with the matter said. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe details not yet made public.

The plans will help bring Harriss economic policy vision into focus as her team tries to assemble a presidential campaign at a breakneck pace since President Joe Biden dropped out of the race. Harris has thus far largely called for preserving the overall direction of Bidens policies, which have embraced a more aggressive role for federal intervention in the economy than his recent Democratic predecessors supported. Her first set of economic policy proposals, released last month, struck a populist tone, calling for major new housing subsidies, a $6,000 child benefit for newborns, and the first federal ban on price gouging in the grocery and food sectors.

The new focus on small businesses and entrepreneurs is probably aimed in part at reassuring voters who believe Harris is too liberal. In addition to the $50,000 tax deduction, Harris is proposing to create a new standard deduction for small firms to expedite their tax filings, lower barriers for occupational licenses and approve incentives for state and local governments to make it easier to form start-ups, among other changes, the campaign official said.

Although support for small businesses and start-ups polls well, policymakers have long struggled with how to approve policies to spur their growth. Short of cash grants to new firms, providing tax deductions often has only a limited impact because companies tend to have only limited tax liability in their early years. Conservatives are also likely to see targeted measures as subject to be gamed by larger firms. Harriss plan would also allow new firms to wait to claim the deduction until they first earn a profit.

The plan did not come with an estimated price tag. Harriss first set of economic plans were estimated by nonpartisan budget analysts to cost roughly $1.7 trillion over 10 years.

Small business and entrepreneurship are appealing politically, so they make sense for Harris to lean into as part of her pitch for an opportunity economy, said Tobin Marcus, head of U.S. policy and politics at Wolfe Research and an economic policy staffer to Biden during the Obama administration. But in practice, targeted federal policies to help small businesses tend to be fairly small-bore.

A Harris campaign spokesman declined to comment on the upcoming package, the precise contents of which remain unknown. The Harris campaign also released an advertisement Tuesday, its fourth focused on the economy, attacking Trump for aiming to give tax cuts to corporations.

Roughly 62 million U.S. workers are employed by a small business, typically defined as having 500 employees or fewer. The White House has touted record numbers of new business applications during the first three years of the Biden administration, with Black and Latino business ownership growing at the fastest pace in more than a decade. The administration has taken credit for this small-business boom, although the rise of remote work during and after the pandemic also probably played a key role. Harriss campaign said her small business proposals aim to spark 25 million new business applications in her first term, after the record 19 million seen during the Biden administration thus far.

The United States is in the midst of an unprecedented small-business and start-up boom that nobody saw coming, said John Lettieri, president and chief executive of the Economic Innovation Group, a nonpartisan policy organization. Theres been precious little from any policymaker to harness this and keep it going.

Lettieri added that making the start-up deduction more generous is unlikely to substantially increase the number of start-ups because federal tax liability is not a key factor in whether a new business gets started.

A Congressional Research Service report found that the existing deduction costs roughly $200 million per year.

Republicans have assailed the Biden administrations record on business, arguing that its regulatory push through various federal agencies has stifled innovation and growth. The 2017 Trump tax cuts slashed the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, while also cutting individual rates and doubling the standard deduction paid by most taxpayers. Trump has talked about lowering the corporate tax rate again to as low as 15 percent. The 2017 law also created a 20 percent deduction for what are known as S-corporations - including many small businesses - that pass along their corporate income to individuals, which is set to expire in 2025.

If Americans want more money in their pockets, the only option is to vote for President Trump, the Trump campaign said in a statement Sunday.

It is unclear whether the upcoming policy announcement will detail Harriss overall vision for the nations tax code. The Harris campaign has previously told reporters that it supports the roughly $5 trillion in tax plans outlined in the White House budget. Some outside advisers to the campaign have called for Harris to include versions of the billionaire tax and higher tax on corporations previously endorsed by Biden.

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Their graves were marked only by numbers. She fought to find their names.
Vice President Kamala Harris agreed to ABC News rules for next weeks debate with Donald Trump, relenting on her campaigns demand that both candidates microphones be unmuted for all 90 minutes they are on stage.

In a letter to the network, Harris senior adviser for communications Brian Fallon wrote that he believed the format fundamentally disadvantaged the vice president, denying the former prosecutor the opportunity to fully cross-examine the GOP nominee, according to a person familiar with the missive.

The muted mic, Fallon wrote, will serve to shield Donald Trump from direct exchanges with the Vice President. We suspect this is the primary reason for his campaign's insistence on muted microphones.

He continued: We understand that Donald Trump is a risk to skip the debate altogether, as he has threatened to do previously, if we do not accede to his preferred format. We do not want to jeopardize the debate. For this reason, we accept the full set of rules proposed by ABC, including muted microphones.



In the letter, portions of which were conveyed to POLITICO, Fallon also laid out other verbal agreements about the debate format that were important in getting Harris team to sign off on the final rules, the person familiar with the matter said.

Those agreed-to stipulations enable the moderators to admonish any candidate who interrupts and urge them to convey anything said into a muted mic to the broader audience. Additionally, the network will have the ability to keep both microphones open during crosstalk or any heated back-and-forth. And, unlike in the June 27 debate between Trump and President Joe Biden, the small pool of journalists traveling with Harris should be in the debate hall and close enough to the stage to be able to hear any remarks that are muted for the wider television audience.

But ABC News disputed that there were any new agreements beyond what they agreed to in May when Trumps campaign and Bidens team, who pushed for the muted mics, committed to the Sept. 10 debate. Beyond the debate rules published today, which were mutually agreed upon by two campaigns on May 15, we have made no other agreements, the network said in a statement. We look forward to moderating the presidential debate next Tuesday.

While Harris told reporters Wednesday that debate prep was so far, so good as she departed New Hampshire after a day of campaigning, the team of aides involved in what will be nearly a week of prep in Pittsburgh have been somewhat flustered about having failed to amend one of the rules Trump and Bidens teams agreed to months earlier and ensure that Trumps mic would not be muted.

When Harris team made its first public push on the matter last week, Fallon suggested that Trumps team [doesnt] think their candidate can act presidential for 90 minutes on his own.

Trump, perhaps aware of the optics, said he was fine with un-muting the mics. But his team  namely senior adviser Jason Miller, who has been the campaigns representative in meetings with ABC about the debate  has refused to agree to the rule change, according to a person familiar with the meetings.

Thats left Harris debate prep team in some upheaval as it decamps for Pittsburgh, where the vice president plans to hunker down until Tuesday nights main event.

Another person familiar with the groups private conversations described Karen Dunn, the longtime Democratic operative who is overseeing the prep sessions along with policy adviser Rohini Kosoglu, as morose over the networks muting of Trumps microphone while Harris is speaking. Dunn, not exactly a prolific tweeter, posted POLITICOs coverage of the microphone negotiations last week. Twice.

Harris team has already held some mock debate sessions with longtime Hillary Clinton aide Philippe Reines playing Trump. But the second person familiar with the campaigns conversations and thinking suggested that the final, more concentrated debate prep sessions may include an overhaul of Harris strategy.

The vice president, the person said, cant have her Kavanaugh moment without sound on [the] mic  a reference to Harris interrogation of Brett Kavanaugh during his 2018 Supreme Court confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Harris, whose stump speech leans into her work as a prosecutor and her familiarity with Trumps type, may be looking to reprise the kind of direct questioning that bruised Trumps second Supreme Court pick about the special counsel investigation of the then-president and his stance on reproductive rights.

Can you think of any laws that give government the power to make decisions about the male body? she asked in an exchange that went viral.

But directly questioning Trump  whether about his contradictory recent statements on abortion; his familiarity with Project 2025, the hard-right policy template drawn up for a second term by conservative activists and veterans of his first administration; or anything else  may be possible only if ABC allows the candidates to engage in a dialogue that would require both of their microphones being open at the same time.

Thats a big if.

But for all the Harris teams public and private focus on the microphones, theyre also aware that the pressure is largely on the vice president, a candidate many voters dont know well, facing off against a former president whose personality and aggression on stage are well documented.

In some early expectation-setting, top campaign aides, including senior adviser David Plouffe on Tuesday, have described Harris as the underdog against an opponent who will be taking part in his seventh general election debate. But Jim Messina, an informal adviser to the Harris campaign, said a solid Harris performance could be decisive with voters trying to assess whether they can see her in the Oval Office  just as it was, Messina recalled, for Barack Obama in his first 2008 debate.

That race was basically over after the first debate, he said. America saw Obama and said, Okay, yes, he can be our president.
Harris to roll out new plan on tax relief for small businesses

Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on stage during the final day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to announce economic policy proposals aimed at helping small businesses during a campaign speech Wednesday in New Hampshire.

The Democratic presidential candidate will stump in Portsmouth for expanding the tax deduction to $50,000 on business start-up costs, up from $5,000, a campaign official said on background Tuesday. Harris will also propose a standard deduction for businesses as a way to simplify tax filing for entrepreneurs.

Congress writes the nations tax laws, so any changes will hinge on which party wins control of the House and Senate in November. Many provisions enacted under the 2017 Trump-era tax law are set to expire at the end of 2025, teeing up for the next Congress the major task of reworking the tax code.

The announcement comes as part of Harris pitch for what she calls an opportunity economy that would include an expanded child tax credit  up to $6,000  for new parents, $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time home buyers, and tools to combat price gouging by big businesses, whom Harris blames for high grocery prices, she told CNNs Dana Bash on Thursday.

Middle-class message

Harris, whose running mate is Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, has in recent weeks largely homed in on helping the middle class.

The former California attorney general and U.S. senator is also expected to announce a host of other proposals Wednesday to incentivize the creation of more small businesses  with her goal of 25 million new business applications under her administration, if elected.

Among the proposals are easing licensing to allow businesses to expand across state lines and incentivizing state and local governments to cut red tape and reduce regulations. Harris will also pitch granting more federal contracts to small businesses and launching a fund that would allow community banks to pay interest costs for businesses expanding in regions that see little investment.

Harris stop in New Hampshire is one of at least three presidential campaign events this week. On Thursday she will return to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she and President Joe Biden campaigned on their support for organized labor during Mondays Labor Day holiday.

The Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, is scheduled to attend a town hall in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Wednesday and a Saturday campaign rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin.

Trump attacked Biden and Harris on his online platform Truth Social Monday, blaming the administration for high prices.

Trump wrote in his signature mix of upper and lowercase letters that under Harris, whom he refers to as comrade, 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.

U.S. presidents do not set transportation or grocery prices.
A website called KBSF-San Francisco News painted a horrible picture: According to the site, thenCalifornia Attorney General Kamala Harris hit a 13-year-old girl with her car in 2011, fleeing the scene before she could be caught or identified. The site included a video, credited to KBSF-TV, of a young woman in a wheelchairthe alleged victim, Alicia Brownrecalling the harrowing moments after their vehicles collided.

Except none of it appears to be real.

There is no KBSF-TV in San Francisco, and, according to a BBC Verify investigation, the original website that published the story was registered less than two weeks ago. The photograph attached to the article, which supposedly depicted the crash itself, was actually snapped in Guam in 2018. And the video of Brownwhom the article and video misname several timesalso appears to be a deepfake. The x-ray images of Browns spine, allegedly taken after the accident, can be traced back to medical journals that have no relation to the supposed crash.

Strangely, its not the only recent instance of a wildly fabricated story taking root against Democrats. Behind the operation is John Mark Dougan, a former Florida cop who has since relocated to Moscow to work full-time inventing fake news sites in an effort to spread misinformation among American voters ahead of the 2024 election, according to the BBC.

Another site launched by Dougan, The Houston Post, accused the FBI of illegally wiretapping Donald Trumps Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago. Other sites bore equally American names, including the Chicago Crier, Boston Times, and DC Weekly. According to the BBC, most of the stories posted on the sites were not necessarily fake, but rather poor copies of actual news items that had been reworked by A.I. engines. Some of the articles still sported the users instructions to the bot at the bottom of the text, at the time of the BBCs investigation: Please rewrite this article taking a conservative stance.

Russia will be involved in the U.S. 2024 election, as will others, Chris Krebs, who oversaw election integrity during the 2020 presidential election as director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, warned the BBC.

Were already seeing themfrom a broader information operations perspective on social media and elsewhereenter the fray, pushing against already contentious points in U.S. politics, he said.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  A high stakes debate is six days away. Former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris will present their ideas for the country in their first debate, but neither is waiting to court as many voters as possible.

While Vice President Kamala Harris lays out a new plan she says will help small businesses. Former president Donald Trump is targeting her policies ahead of next weeks debate

Harris traveled to New Hampshire to announce a plan to help create more small businesses.

My vision of an opportunity economy is one where everyone can compete and have a real chance to succeed, said Harris.

Harris wants to expand tax deductions from $5,000 to $50,000, a move she says will create about 25 million small businesses in the next four years.

I believe Americas small businesses Are an essential Foundation to our entire economy, said Harris.

Trump and Harris will meet next Tuesday in Philadelphia for the first time ever and it will be on the debate stage.

Ive been preparing all my life for this debate, said Trump.

When it comes to the economy Trump is pushing to extend the tax cuts he and Republicans enacted while he was president.

During a radio show appearance on Good Morning New Hampshire, Trump accused Harris of flip-flopping on policy.

Shes changed every policy. Thats why she doesnt want to debate because she doesnt know what shes talking about. Shes changed every policy, said Trump.

Harris will be in Pittsburgh Thursday and Trump will be in New York for campaign events.

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Introducing her new small business tax proposal, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris told voters, "It's not that they don't have the skills, not that they don't have the work ethic, it's access to these resources. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/ Maine Morning Star)

In Kamala Harris first appearance in New England as the Democratic nominee, she spoke to thousands of voters in New Hampshire about her proposed tax cut for small-business owners, highlighting their contributions to the economy.

At Throwback Brewery in North Hampton, Harris, joined by U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, and U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas of New Hampshire, outlined her new proposal incentivizing small-business development and growth that her campaign is calling the opportunity economy.

During the speech, she detailed her vision for Americas economy and tax code, and contrasted her proposal to strengthen the middle class to former President Donald Trumps plan to offer tax cuts to billionaires.

Harris and the other speakers stressed the initiatives under the Biden-Harris administration that led to doubling of small-business loans and broke the record for the number of small-business applications, and Harris revealed a new promise to expand the tax deduction from $5,000 to $50,000 for business start-ups.

Theyre pursuing a dream, theyre building a better future for their employees and for the people they love in their community, the vice president said about small business owners. And by extension, theyre building a strong middle class and a stronger America.

Harris outlined her goal to receive 25 million small business applications  there were 19 million under the Biden-Harris administration  during her first term if elected, which she said could be made possible through the tax benefit she promised. The countrys tax code is passed by Congress, so it will depend on which party wins control of the U.S. House and Senate in November to determine whether the tax proposal will pass.

We know that talent exists everywhere in our country, from rural towns to city centers, but not everyone has access to the financing  or expert advice, she said. Its not that they dont have the skills, not that they dont have the work ethic, its access to these resources.

Lets just take away some of the bureaucracy in the process to make it easier for people to actually do something thats gonna benefit our entire economy, Harris added.

Nicole Carrier, one of the owners of the North Hampton brewery, described her experience starting and growing a small business, and the help she got from the Biden-Harris administration. She had not taken a public stance on politics before this election, she said, but this time, she felt like she didnt have a choice.

To me, this is not about party, its really about values, Carrier said. Shell bring together all of us, entrepreneurs and workers, large and small businesses alike, to invest in America, create jobs and deliver for all Americans.

Before Harris introduced her tax cut proposal, Shaheen, who chairs the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, spoke about her experience with the Biden-Harris administrations commitment to supporting small business owners, which has led to more business applications and doubled the amount of small business loans.

This means that small businesses across the country have more access to capital. They have more opportunity to invest in their businesses, and theyre able to create more new good jobs, Shaheen said.This election, we need leaders who are going to prioritize American businesses and families.

Harris addresses gun rights after school shooting

Harris also spoke about the importance of personal freedoms, including reproductive rights, marriage, and voting. In the wake of a shooting at a Georgia high school that left four dead on Wednesday, she said reasonable gun control, like background checks, was not out of line with supporting the Second Amendment.

Now, I dont have to tell the folks in New Hampshire, the Live Free or Die state, the importance of individual freedoms, fundamental freedoms, she said. You know how hard you fought for these and that they are foundational to who we are and what we stand for as America, including the fundamental freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body.

She said Trump hand picked his U.S. Supreme Court appointees with the intention that they would overturn Roe v. Wade. She also pointed to the high courts decision to establish broad presidential immunity as a reason the stakes were higher in this election than in 2016 or 2020.

Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails, Harris said.

Claire Sullivan of New Hampshire Bulletin contributed to this story.

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Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, will visit New Hampshire on Sept. 4, 2024. Here, she speaks at a campaign rally at the Georgia State Convocation Center on July 30, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Megan Varner | Getty Images)

Vice President Kamala Harris will make a campaign stop at a North Hampton brewery Wednesday afternoon, where shes expected to announce proposals aimed at bolstering small businesses.

Her remarks will begin around 2:45 p.m. at Throwback Brewery, according to the campaign. Among the speakers will be Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, 1st District U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, and the co-founders of the brewery, Annette Lee and Nicole Carrier, the campaign said.

The campaign highlighted the ways the brewery has benefited from the Biden-Harris administration agenda: a credit initiative for small businesses in the American Rescue Plan allowed for the opening of the North Hampton location, it said, and funding from the Rural Energy for America Program that helped fund solar panel installation at the business.

President Joe Biden won North Hampton by 532 votes in 2020, 1,987 to 1,455, over former President Donald Trump. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the town, with a population less than 5,000 people, by a smaller margin of 114 votes over Trump.

Trump speculated on his social media app Truth Social Tuesday that Comrade Kamala Harris sees there are problems for her campaign in New Hampshire because of Bidens choice to skip the primary. He won, instead, through a write-in campaign.

Additionally, the cost of living in New Hampshire is through the roof, their energy bills are some of highest in the country, and their housing market is the most unaffordable in history, Trump wrote. I protected New Hampshires First-In-The-Nation Primary and ALWAYS will!

Harris maintains a significant lead over Trump in the state, polls show. Since Bidens exit from the campaign in July, separate polls from Emerson College, the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, and Saint Anselm College Survey Center have shown Harris ahead by a five to seven point margin.
JAKARTA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's national police counterterrorism squad, Densus 88, has arrested two individuals on suspicion of terrorism activities in the country's province of West Java, according to the unit's spokesperson Aswin Siregar on Wednesday.

He said the arrests took place on Tuesday in the Bekasi area with several pieces of evidence and the suspects are currently undergoing intensive interrogation. 
Harris/Walz is about not going back. So why is the campaign selling throwback merch?

Democratic nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, are campaigning on more than joy  theyre also pounding the theme Were not going back, aiming to denigrate both Donald Trump and his policies.

So why is the Harris/Walz campaign going retro when it comes to merchandise?

On the campaign website  which has been criticized for containing no information about policies  there is throwback merchandise, including an obviously not contemporary photo of Doug Emhoff (a throwback Doug mug for $22) and a retro Kamala Harris T ($32) and other merchandise showing photographs of Harris in various stages of life.

The Doug mug features an image of Emhoff that the second gentlemen posted on social media when #MeAt20 was trending in 2020. Its unclear why the 80s-era photo, in which Emhoff wears a Laguna Beach T-shirt, resonated with Harris fans, but one wrote on X Totally the boy at SkateWorld we would all be after.

Kamala's campaign team tells me you liked this photo so much they made merch out of it: https://t.co/t57XrbiNsv  Doug Emhoff (@DouglasEmhoff) August 1, 2024

Harriss opponent, former President Donald Trump, has even more merch available on his campaign website, ranging from his signature Make America Great Again hats (available in not just red, but an array of colors), T-shirts that abbreviate the MAGA slogan to just Again! and items featuring Trump pumping his fist in the air after getting shot in Butler, Pennsylvania, as well as his booking mugshot in Georgia.

Trump, it might be said, revolutionized presidential campaign merchandise, with pop-up shops featuring Trump merch opening around the country in the lead-up to all of his presidential campaigns. Some of the shops reported a renewed surge of interest after the assassination attempt, which occurred days before the Republican National Convention.

Political merch is so hot that Walmart is selling Trump and Harris T-shirts through third-party sellers on its website  even though the retailer was criticized for such sales when some vendors were selling shirts and baby clothes that said Impeach 45 in 2018. Facing boycotts from Trump supporters, Walmart took the impeachment-related merchandise off its website.

One new feature in this years presidential campaign merchandise is the merch that features not just the candidate and running mate. Former candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s endorsement of Trump has led to a wave of Trump-Vance-Kennedy merchandise on the Etsy website, some with the slogan Make America Healthy Again.

There are a few Etsy sellers that go even further, adding Elon Musk and Tulsi Gabbard to a dream ticket.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  The Harrisburg City Planning Commission is set to review the site plans for a new Veterans Village along the Susquehanna River.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T)an organization supporting first responderspreviously unveiled plans to construct a new Veterans Village on 1103 South Front Street along the Susquehanna River in June.

The new T2T Veterans Village community would be situated on an 8.5-acre parcel and boast a 64-unit complex with 20 one-bedroom Comfort Homes. Once completed, the new complex will provide high-quality permanent housing, and 24/7 support services to more than 80 veterans.

Some services offered for the veterans at the village would include job training, legal services, benefits assistance, education assistance, transportation resources, and mental health support.

No veteran should be homeless, said Frank Siller, the Chairman & CEO of the Tunnel to Towers

Foundation. They put everything on the line for us. Unfortunately, many veterans feel lost when they return after their service, and thousands become homeless. That is unacceptable.

The Harrisburg Planning Commission will meet at the City Council Chambers tonight at 6:30 p.m. on 10 North Second Street in Harrisburg to discuss the plans for the Veterans Village.

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At the last meeting in June, the Planning Commission approved a variance and special exemption; while also directing Tunnel to Towers members to continue discussing the potential re-routing of the Capital Area Greenbelt.

Currently, the Greenbelt follows Sycamore Street to Cameron Street to a potential path along the Veterans Village property.

Vice President of the T2T Homeless Veteran Program, Gavin Naples, said that the foundation has discussed and proposed potential routes for the trail with the Greenbelt Association.

According to T2T, they are open to allowing the trail to traverse the propertys eastern border, parallel to the current access road. The foundation also noted that given the high volume of foot and bike traffic, the eastern boundary route is the only route that would be acceptable to the foundation.

We are committed to ensuring the safety, dignity, and privacy of our residents, and our primary objective is to provide housing and services to our nations heroes, Naples added.

To date, the Foundation has built and is planning to build Veterans Villages in Houston, TX; Atlanta, GA; Memphis, TN; Buffalo, NY; Bradenton, FL; Las Vegas, NV; Charleston, SC; Detroit, MI; Denver, CO, among many other places.

Tunnel for Towers Foundation was created after the September 11, 2001 attacks. The foundation supports firefighters, law enforcement officers, Gold Star families, and veterans by providing housing options for our heroes and paying off the mortgages for the families of fallen heroes.

abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT)  Hattiesburg leaders are working to implement a safety action plan to better the citys roadways, and they need residents input.

The city is in Phase 2 of its Safe Roads Hattiesburg project, which includes an online survey for residents to share their roadway safety concerns. Leaders want neighbors to weigh in on possible solutions to address identified problem areas.

Data from the survey will be used to make a plan that will be presented to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) to seek funding for making improvements.

Hattiesburgs Fire Station 1 crews temporarily relocate

The main one weve heard about are some areas in 49, particularly an area where William Carey Parkway comes into 49, where Service Road intersects there as well. And so, weve had a fatality there a couple of years ago. And really, there are spots like that across our city where the road design itself is not conducive to safe driving. And in fact, weve had over 50 motorist fatalities in the last five years, said Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker.

Theres a lot of red lights that are run, and its just super dangerous because theres a lot of times, especially today, everybodys so distracted on their phones, whatever, kids in the back. Super dangerous. You know, theres been several instances where Im driving through the lights green and another car real quick right in front of me, almost caused multiple wrecks, Ive seen wrecks, said Gavin McClinton, whos concerned about distracted driving in the Hub City.

The last day to take the survey is Tuesday, September 10.

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How Hawaiis parents, teachers can prepare our keiki for an AI future

HONOLULU (KHON2)  Nicole Cacal, the founder and CEO of Forbes Ignite, recently shared her insights on how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping our world and how schools and parents in Hawaii can prepare children for careers in this AI-driven future.

Cacals expertise in innovation and technology makes her a valuable source of information on this topic.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

AI and its impact

Cacal, who also runs a consultancy called NicoleCacal.com, emphasized that AI is more than just a set of tools; its becoming an integral part of daily decision-making.

She explained that AI is quickly moving from just being a set of tools to becoming a seamless part of how we make decisions every day.

For instance, she described AI as a smart assistant that helps businesses analyze customer data and suggest ways to engage with them effectively.

In the future, AI will transform industries by making systems more personalized, empathetic, and responsive.

Cacal noted that AI could even change the retail experience by altering store layouts and product recommendations based on who enters the store.

Preparing for an AI-driven future

To thrive in an AI-dominated world, Cacal stressed the importance of adaptability and lifelong learning.

She said, The ability to adapt and learn new skills will be crucial for staying relevant in the job market.

While technical skills in AI are essential, she believes that emotional intelligence and creativity are equally important.

AI is great at processing data, but it cannot replicate human creativity or emotional intelligence, she noted. These human qualities will set individuals apart in an AI-enhanced workplace.

Cacal also emphasized the need for reskilling, especially in Hawaii, to help workers transition into roles where they work alongside AI.

Investing in reskilling is pretty critical so workers can transition into roles where they work alongside AI to achieve more than either could alone, she said.

AI in education

When it comes to education, Cacal advocates for integrating AI in ways that enhance students critical thinking skills.

She likened AI to the calculator, which was once controversial but ultimately proved to be a valuable tool.

Just as the calculator allowed us to do more, AI should be used to enhance students critical thinking skills, she explained.

Cacal encourages students to show their work when using AI tools, similar to how they would in math, to understand and critique the information provided.

She also stressed the importance of teaching AI ethics from a young age.

Teaching the ethics of AI from a very young perspective is essential because its not enough to just know how AI works; its also understanding its impact on society, Cacal said.

A well-rounded education that includes technical skills, ethics, and cultural insights will prepare students for future careers.

AIs role in Hawaii

Cacal highlighted how AI can address Hawaiis unique challenges. For instance, AI-driven solutions can improve healthcare access in remote areas through telemedicine, reducing the need for residents to travel long distances for specialist care.

She also mentioned that AI can enhance education by tailoring learning experiences to individual needs, particularly in under-resourced rural schools.

In addition, Cacal pointed out that AI can help small businesses in Hawaii compete with larger mainland companies.

AI-driven business insights and customer relationship management tools can help small businesses in Hawaii compete more effectively, she said.

This can keep wealth within the local economy and support community-based growth.

Practical advice for students and schools

Cacal encourages students to seek out opportunities to apply AI in ways that benefit their communities.

Any initiative should be tied back to the community at large, she advised. Hands-on experience through internships and projects can help students understand how AI can solve local problems.

Building a strong network within the AI community, both locally and globally, is also crucial for opening doors to new opportunities.

She also advocates for interdisciplinary education.

Cacal believes that combining AI with courses in ethics, social sciences, and environmental studies will provide a well-rounded education.

Interdisciplinary programs that combine AI with other fields will prepare students for the future, she said.

Schools should encourage real-world projects and collaborations to help students apply their AI skills in practical settings.

Embracing diversity and critical thinking

Cacal emphasized the importance of diversity in AI development.

We need more diverse lived experiences being taken into account to train these algorithms so that they are truly representative of the people they serve, she said.

She encourages students to think critically and ask questions to develop their problem-solving skills.

Nicole Cacals insights provide a comprehensive view of how AI is changing our world and how we can prepare for an AI-driven future.

You can click here to learn more about Forbes Ignite.

Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8

By focusing on adaptability, lifelong learning, ethical considerations, and practical experience, schools and parents can help students thrive in this evolving landscape.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Its 61 days out until the election, and conservatives seem to be Harris-curious.

On Wednesday, Fox Business host Stuart Varney interrupted RNC Co-Chair Michael Whatley in order to highlight the significance of one of Vice President Kamala Harriss tax policies.

I just want to press the point, when a political candidate comes up with what I think is a good idea, I have to call it a good idea, Varney said. And a $50,000 tax cutnot tax cut but tax creditfor small businesses, coupled with less red tape, I gotta say that is a good idea. Regardless of her other tax ideas.

That seemed to get Whatleys attention.

While that may be a good idea, its hard to see how shes going to move forward with it, and shes certainly not going to reduce red tape, Whatley speculated.

Fox Business host Stuart Varney and RNC Chair Michael Whatley agree that Kamala Harris's proposal for a small business tax deduction is a good idea pic.twitter.com/rrXrNzwbck  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 4, 2024

Harris is expected to roll out her new tax plan at a New Hampshire campaign event on Wednesday. The $50,000 allotment would be 10 times the current allowable deduction. Under the new guidelines, small businesses could spread the deduction over several years or postpone it until they turn a profit, an unidentified Harris staffer told NBC News. The initiative would also aim to erase some of the bureaucracy surrounding small businesses, including by reducing barriers for occupational licenses and creating a standard tax deduction, according to Politico.

Donald Trump, meanwhile, has spent much of his campaign focusing on corporate tax cuts and advertising an expansion to his 2017 tax plan, which is set to expire in 2025. An analysis by the Tax Policy Center found that the proposed $5 trillion in tax cuts under Trumps plan would benefit the upper class rather than middle or lower-class households, with the vast majority of cuts going to households earning more than $450,000 a year. It would also add significantly to the national deficit and shift the benefit of funding the government to lower-income Americans.
People light candles during a vigil in memory of slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin in Jerusalem on Sept. 1, 2024. Credit - Leo CorreaAP

I knew that as soon as we came home to Israel, Id ask myself why wed been so eager to get back. Id disconnected for a few days in New York with my family, even stopped wearing the hostage necklace I wore every day, and I knew it would be hard to return.

What I didnt know was that the day we got back Id hear that the bodies of six young hostages had been found, shot by Hamas shortly before the Israel Defense Force (IDF) got to them.

In the weeks following Oct. 7, I couldnt hear anything about the atrocities without breaking down. I was a new mother, only beginning to understand my role protecting the worlds most precious person, and it all felt too raw, too horrifying, too close. I walked out of rooms when people started talking. I watched no TV and avoided unnecessary news and shut down social media. I even averted my eyes in the street when I caught sight of the red letters on the hostage posters, name and age at the top, and BRING HIM/HER HOME NOW! printed beneath a smiling photograph.

After some weeks had passed, and the radio started playing regular songs and not only sad ones, I let myself look up at one of the posters, into the eyes of a hostage. Alex Lobanov. He wore an apron and stood next to a lemonade dispenser and smiled back at me. The simplicity of the scene, contrasted with where I knew he was now, twisted my stomach. I thought of his mother.

Read More: Scenes From Israel, Where Protesters Blame Netanyahu for the Deaths of Hostages

At an intersection by my house hung a huge poster of Hersh Goldberg-Polin in a floral printed shirt. Having grown up near my office, in the Baka neighborhood of Jerusalem, in an American family like mine, he felt just one degree away from me. Many people I know knew him. Along with thousands of others, I walked with a flag to meet his funeral procession.

Id held a poster with Carmel Gats face on it  smile and curls  at one of the weekly protests for the return of the hostages a few months ago. She reportedly taught meditation and yoga to the other hostages to help them survive. Almog Sarusi was from Raanana, where I grew up. His father runs an electric store in my parents neighborhood and had a table outside his store with prayer cards and a picture of his son. Id paused several times at Eden Yerushalmis poster and wondered who her friends were. Id read about Ori Danino, who fled the tragic party on October 7 and then went back to save people.

All dead. Abandoned.

The night we were supposed to fly home from the States turned out to be the night (or morning, Israel time) of Hezbollahs planned massive missile attack and Israels preemptive strike. At the gate, we received news alerts about the Tel Aviv airport shutting down, power outages up North, and Israels Defense Minister and IDF spokesperson warning civilians about the situation. For a few minutes  which coincided with the planes boarding  it looked like this might be the beginning of a much bigger war weve all been dreading. With little information and no time, my husband and I decided not to board. We didnt want to take our toddler into a war zone.

Shortly after the plane took off, it became clear that this was not a regional war  just another crazy day in Israel. But now we were stuck. Almost all airlines had stopped flying to Israel, and the remaining flights were fully booked. We spent 15 hours at JFK with a 20-month-old Imri, who shouted up-up at every airplane he saw, but we did not go up.

At the end of another futile day at the airport that week, I walked straight up to the pilots. Please, I begged them. Is there anything you can do? I want to get my family home.

What were we so anxious to get back to? Nothing, really. Work. Daycare. Our own washing machine. Buying overpriced cottage cheese at the minimarket down the road. Being home. We had Central Park, but I missed the little playground by our house where Imri rides his baby bike and eats other kids Bamba.

Finally, we made the very expensive decision to buy tickets from a different airline, with a nine-hour layover in Athens, and a 3:30 a.m. arrival in Israel. In the check-in line, an older Israeli couple smiled at Imri and told us their story of getting stuck without a flight. We met them again near the gate, looking for a smoking lounge. As soon as they found it, the woman sent her husband inside and then whispered to me, Hes driving me crazy. If I dont get some time away from him, Im going to get divorced after 42 years.

That particular blend of humor and honesty, immediate closeness and hot-blooded temper -- Id never met her, but I knew her.

As the plane neared Ben Gurion Airport, I heard a woman behind me mutter, Dear, fascist country. Her words were pained and loving, like a disappointed mother.

When we awoke the next morning, the names of the dead hostages theyd found were made public. It was like reading the news in those first few weeks, checking one outlet after the other to make sure Id gotten it right. The kind of news you cant get out of bed from. The kind of news that devastates, nauseates, doesnt leave you. Shock that theyd survived this whole time, and disbelief that they were shot just before we rescued them.

They should have been home. They should have hugged their parents and children and brothers and sisters so long ago. They should have been alive.

Before we left for our trip, Id started entertaining thoughts of relocation, like many people I know. Our liberal friends, many of whom are parents, are all wondering what were still doing here, with one war after the other, Jewish extremism on the rise, an economy that may soon fall apart, and a government seemingly more focused on resettling the Gaza Strip than on saving lives.

Why are we here? I asked my husband Yoav on the night of the Iranian missile attack a few months ago. I had actually gone to sleepknowing there would be missiles a few hours later. We woke up at 2 a.m. to go to our neighbors bomb shelter, where Imri pet their dog as we waited for the sirens to cease. Then we walked back to our building and put him back to sleep. How is this a normal place to raise a child?

At Monday nights protest, a man held a poster in Hebrew that read, I no longer recognize my country. I looked at it for a long time.

Here we are, in the place we were so desperate to come back to  feeling crushed, confused, and hopeless since we landed. Dreading tomorrows news.

But also feeling like were home.

And so with a tight chest and heavy legs, I drag myself outside with an Israeli flag week after week. To protest, fight, and try to protect everything good that still exists here. And to save the lives we still can.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
The height differences between all the US presidents and first ladies

Though they've achieved similar heights of political success, some US presidents' and their first ladies' physical heights differ greatly.

George Washington was more than a foot taller than his wife, Martha, according to historical records.

Michelle Obama, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Melania Trump are the tallest first ladies at 5 foot 11 inches whose heights are known.

While every American president and first lady have reached the same heights of political office and public service, not all reached the White House at the same physical height.

We found the heights through online research and speaking with presidential historical sites and libraries, but a few first ladies' heights have been lost to history.

John Adams and Abigail Adams were only separated in height by an inch, while Thomas Jefferson was over a foot taller than his wife, Martha Jefferson. Abraham Lincoln was 6 feet 4 inches, and Mary Todd Lincoln was 5 feet 2 inches.

The shortest first lady was Eliza Johnson at 4 feet 9 inches, and Eleanor Roosevelt, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump tied for the tallest at 5 feet 11 inches.

Here is the height difference of every US president and first lady we could find.

George and Martha Washington: 1 foot 2 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

George Washington met his future wife, then a wealthy widow whose maiden name was Martha Dandridge Custis, while he was serving in the military.

The pair were married on January 6, 1759, and were married for 40 years before the first US president died in December 1799.

John and Abigail Adams: 1 inch

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

John and Abigail Adams were married in 1764, and the couple lived on a small farm in Braintree, while John commuted to Boston to work as a lawyer. During their marriage, they had two daughters and three sons, including John Quincy Adams, who would follow in his father's footsteps and become the sixth US president.

Thomas and Martha Jefferson: 1 foot 2.5 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Jefferson was a widower when his presidency began, and his daughter, Martha, acted as first lady, along with wives of the Cabinet secretaries.

James and Dolley Madison: 3 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Dolley Madison, then Dolley Todd, was a young widow when she caught the eye of then-Rep. James Madison of Virginia, who was then 17 years her senior. The pair married in September 1794 and were together for more than 40 years until Madison's death in 1836.

James and Elizabeth Monroe: 1 foot

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

James and Elizabeth Monroe were married in February of 1786, just before she turned 18 years old. They shared two daughters and had a son who died in infancy.

John Quincy and Louisa Adams: 1.5 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

The younger Adams married Louisa Adams on July 26, 1797 at the Church of All Hallows in London. Two days after their union, John Quincy Adams sent a letter addressed to his father and former US president John Adams and mother and former first lady Abigail Adams back in the states announcing their marriage.

I have now the happiness of presenting to you another daughter," he wrote in the letter, per the Massachusetts Historical Society. "My recommendation of her to your kindness and affection I know will be unnecessary."

He continued: "My sentiment of her merit, will not at this moment especially boast its impartiality, but if there be as I believe an inseparable chain of connection which binds together all the domestic virtues, I have the strongest pledge that she, who has in an amiable and respectable family, adorned the characters of a daughter and Sister, will prove an equal ornament to that of a wife."

Andrew and Rachel Jackson: 1 foot 1 inch

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Rachel Jackson died just months before her husband's inauguration. Her niece Emily Donelson and his daughter-in-law Sarah Yorke Jackson acted as first lady in her absence.

Martin and Hannah Van Buren: Unknown

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Martin Van Buren was also a widower, and his daughter-in-law Angelica Singleton Van Buren oversaw the duties of first lady.

William Henry and Anna Harrison: Unknown

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

William Henry Harrison and his wife Anna got married in a secret ceremony on November 25, 1795, as it was done against her father's wishes.

Anna was too ill to accompany her husband to his inauguration, but William Henry Harrison only held office for one month after he died exactly one month later on April 4, 1841.

She became the first First Lady to be widowed while technically serving in the role for just a month.

John and Julia Tyler: 9 inches; John and Letitia Tyler: Unknown

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Tyler's first wife, Letitia, died from a stroke while in the White House. He married his second wife, Julia, while still serving as president.

James K. and Sarah Polk: 6 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Sarah Polk, whose maiden name was Childress, was 20 years old when she married 28-year-old James K. Polk on New Year's Day in 1824. It's said that former US President Andrew Jackson, who took Polk on as a political protege, encouraged the young couple's romance.

Zachary and Margaret Taylor: Unknown

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Margaret was 31 when she met 26-year-old Zachary Taylor in 1809 when he was a lieutenant in the army, and the couple wed just a year later on June 21, 1810.

Serving as First Lady from 1849 to 1850 before her husband's death, Margaret was one of the most elusive in the role with no portrait being made during her lifetime, according to Britannica.

Millard and Abigail Filmore: 3 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Millard and Abigail Fillmore met in 1819 while they were both students when he was 19 and she was 21, but the pair did not wed until February 1826. Following Zachary Taylor's death in 1850, the Fillmores moved into the White House, where Millard lasted one term as president.

Franklin and Jane Pierce: 5 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Franklin and Jane Pierce had an unusually long courtship by societal standards at the time before they were married in 1834. Jane Pierce had a distaste for Washington and the political scene, despite her husband's service as a US senator, prompting his decision to retire in 1842.

Franklin Pierce went on to serve in the Mexican-American war, and upon his return home, they lived a quiet life in Concord, New Hampshire, before the Democratic Party named Franklin their presidential candidate in 1852.

Their son, Benjamin, wrote to his mother in a letter: "I hope he won't be elected for I should not like to be at Washington and I know you would not either."

James Buchanan and Harriet Lane: 5 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Buchanan was a lifelong bachelor. His niece, Harriet Lane, acted as first lady during his term.

Abraham and Mary Lincoln: 1 foot 2 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln were married for nearly 20 years by the time of his inauguration on March 4, 1861.

The iconic US president acknowledged the couple's large height difference, describing them as "the long and the short of it"  he was 6 feet 4 inches; she was 5 feet 2 inches.

Andrew and Eliza Johnson: 1 foot 1 inch

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Andrew and Eliza Johnson were married on May 17, 1827, and had five children together.

Ulysses S. and Julia Grant: Unknown

An infographic shows the height of Ulysses S. Grant and First Lady Julia Grant. Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/Business Insider

Ulysses S. and Julia Grant were married in 1844, and the Grant family moved into the White House in 1869 to begin what Julia described as "the happiest period" in her life.

Rutherford B. and Lucy Hayes: 4.5 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Rutherford B. and Lucy Hayes met on campus of Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware in 1850, later marrying in a simple ceremony on December 30, 1852.

James A. and Lucretia Garfield: 9 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

James and Lucretia Garfield had a five-year-long courtship from December 1853 to when they were married in November 1858. They had nicknames for each other, with Lucretia calling her husband "Jim," and James calling his wife, "Crete."

Chester A. and Ellen Arthur: Unknown

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Chester A. Arthur was a widower when he became president after Garfield was shot, and his sister, Mary Arthur McElroy, served as first lady in his wife's place.

Grover and Frances Cleveland: 4 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Grover Cleveland served as the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland's two terms were split apart by the presidency of Benjamin Harrison.

He married Frances during his first term, and she took over the duties of White House hostess from his sister, Rose Cleveland.

Benjamin and Caroline Harrison: 5 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

While she attended the Oxford Female Institute in Ohio, Caroline Harrison met Benjamin Harrison when he was a student at Miami University. They married soon after graduating in October 1853.

William and Ida McKinley: Unknown

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

William and Ida McKinley married on January 25, 1871, in Canton, Ohio. The couple had two daughters  Kate, who died shortly before her fifth birthday, and Ida, who died at four months old.

The loss of their children coupled with the difficult pregnancy with their second daughter took a toll on Ida, whose poor health impacted her involvement in her husband's political career.

Theodore and Edith Roosevelt: 3 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Edith Roosevelt was Theodore's second wife, though the pair knew each other since infancy because she was playmates with the future president's younger sister Corinne.

They married in December 1886 in London after Theodore's first wife died.

William Howard and Helen Taft: 7.5 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

A year before she met her future husband, whom she referred to as "that adorable Will Taft," Helen "Nellie" Herron Taft visited the White House as guests of then President Rutherford B. Hayes and First Lady Lucy Hayes, who were close friends with her parents.

Helen and William Howard Taft married in 1886, and he described his wife as a "self-contained, independent, and of unusual application," calling her a "treasure."

Woodrow and Edith Wilson: 2 inches; Woodrow and Ellen Wilson: 8 inches

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Wilson's first wife, Ellen, died from an illness during her husband's presidency. He then remarried in 1915 to his second wife, Edith.

Warren G. and Florence Harding: 5 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Warren G. Harding was Florence's second husband. The pair married in 1891, and throughout the course of their marriage and Warren's political career, Florence was at her husband's side supporting him.

"I have only one real hobby  my husband," she once said.

Calvin and Grace Coolidge: 6 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Calvin and Grace Coolidge married in her parents' home in 1905, living a modest life as Calvin's political career took off. Grace Coolidge is remembered for her "fine personal influence exerted as First Lady of the Land."

"For almost a quarter of a century she was borne with my infirmities, and I have rejoiced in her graces," Calvin Coolidge wrote of their marriage in his autobiography.

Herbert and Lou Hoover: 3.5 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Herbert and Lou Hoover married on February 10, 1899, the day before the couple left for China where Herbert investigated the conditions in Chinese mines under contract with the country's government.

Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt: 3 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor, his fifth cousin once removed, were married on St. Patrick's Day in 1905. A year after their wedding, former President Theodore Roosevelt, Eleanor's uncle, wrote in a letter to Franklin, saying "you and Eleanor are true and brave, and I believe you love each other unselfishly."

But Franklin and Eleanor had an unconventional marriage, giving "each other space" to having extramarital romantic relationships, according to author Hazel Rowley, who wrote a biography of their marriage titled "Franklin and Eleanor."

Rowley dubbed the Roosevelts' relationship as "one of the most interesting and radical marriages in history."

Harry S. and Bess Truman: 5 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Harry and Bess Truman were married in June 1919, and Bess joined her husband's office staff as a secretary when he was elected to the Senate in 1934.

After Harry Truman assumed the presidency following FDR's death, he said his wife was "not especially interested" in the "formalities and pomp or the artificiality which, as we had learned inevitably surround the family of the President," according to the White House.

Dwight D. and Mamie Eisenhower: 9.5 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Mamie met Dwight D. Eisenhower when he was a second lieutenant serving in Texas in 1915. Dwight described her as a "vivacious and attractive girl, smaller than average, saucy in the look about her face and in her whole attitude."

John F. and Jackie Kennedy: 5 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

John F. and Jackie Kennedy were married on September 12, 1953, in Newport, Rhode Island, with more than 800 guests in attendance.

Lyndon B. and Lady Bird Johnson: 9.5 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Lyndon Baines and Lady Bird Johnson met in 1934, where the future president immediately asked her for a date. The couple shared a lightning-fast courtship for less than two months, and they were married in November 1934.

"Sometimes Lyndon simply takes your breath away," she said.

Richard and Pat Nixon: 5.5 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Richard Nixon met Pat, whose maiden name was Thelma Catherine Ryan, when they were cast in the same play at a Little Theater Group. The couple married on June 21, 1940.

Gerald and Betty Ford: 9 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Betty Ford, whose maiden name was Bloomer, met Gerald Ford in 1947 when he served as a Navy lieutenant in World War II. A year later, the couple married in October 1948, two weeks before he was elected to Congress.

In 1973, Ford replaced Vice President Spiro Agnew, who served in the Nixon administration, before taking up the presidency himself after Richard Nixon resigned in 1974.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter: 4.5 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were family friends before they were married in 1946, first meeting as early as when Rosalynn was a newborn. The couple have been married for nearly 80 years as of 2023.

Ronald and Nancy Reagan: 9 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Nancy Reagan was Ronald Reagan's second wife after the pair was married in March 1952. Actor Charlton Heston described the Reagan's relationship as "probably the greatest love affair in the history of the American presidency."

George H.W. and Barbara Bush: 11 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

George H.W. and Barbara Bush met at a Christmas dance in Greenwich, Connecticut, when they were just teenagers. They were married for more than 70 years.

"I thought he was the most beautiful creature I had ever laid eyes on," Barbara said of her husband. "I couldn't even breathe when he was in the room."

Bill and Hillary Clinton: 8 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Bill and Hillary Clinton met in 1971 and married four years later in 1975. Their relationship came into a national spotlight following his impeachment after he admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with Monica Lewinsky in 1998.

George W. and Laura Bush: 5.5 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

George W. and Laura Bush met when they were both 31 years old in 1977, and three months later, they were married. The pair share twin daughters, Jenna and Barbara, who were born in 1981.

Barack and Michelle Obama: 2 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Barack and Michelle Obama met at a Chicago law firm where she served as the future president's mentor. They married in 1992, recently celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary in October 2022.

Donald and Melania Trump: 3 inches

Shayanne Gal and Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Melania Trump is Donald's third wife and the former president's longest relationship  they started dating in 1998 and later married in 2005.

Joe and Jill Biden: 6 inches

Whitehouse photographer/Whitehouse; Alswang, Ralph/Library of Congress; Arif Qazi/Insider

Joe and Jill Biden first met in 1975 after being introduced by the president's brother. At the time, Joe, a widower whose wife and daughter died in 1972, was a 33-year-old US senator, and Jill, a 24-year-old college senior, filed for divorce from her first husband the year prior.

"I was a senior, and I had been dating guys in jeans and clogs and T-shirts; he came to the door, and he had a sport coat and loafers, and I thought, 'God, this is never going to work, not in a million years,'" Jill Biden told Vogue.

"He was nine years older than I am! But we went out to see 'A Man and a Woman' at the movie theater in Philadelphia, and we really hit it off," she continued. "When we came home ... he shook my hand good night ... I went upstairs and called my mother at 1 a.m. and said, 'Mom, I finally met a gentleman.'"

Correction: September 4, 2024  An earlier version of this story included an infographic that misstated the height of Ulysses S. Grant. He was 5'8", not 6'0".

Read the original article on Business Insider
How you can help fight hunger

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  More than 106,000 people are food insecure in South Dakota, according to a study by Feeding America.

Right now, hunger is in the spotlight during Hunger Action Month.

Volunteers were busy at Feeding South Dakota in Sioux Falls Tuesday packing food for the non-profits backpack program.

Theyre bags of food that will be delivered to students in and around Sioux Falls and then teachers will discreetly put them in their backpacks for a little extra sustenance during the weekend, Feeding SD Eastern Volunteer Coordinator Alyssa Albrecht said.

Lending a helping hand isnt the only way to get involved during Hunger Action Month.

Feeding South Dakota also encourages people to hold food and help raise money.

During the month of September our board has contributed a match which will help stretch dollars even further, so now for every dollar raised it provides six meals to those who are facing hunger in our state, Feeding SD Community Engagement Manager Jennifer Stensaas said.

Whether youre donating your time, food, or money, it all adds up in the fight against hunger.

It really takes a team to tackle food insecurity, Albrecht said.

Its such a basic need, providing food assistance, that it just makes sense for everyone to come together as a community and do what we can do to help those who are facing hunger in our communities, Stensaas said.

You can also use social media to help fight hunger.

Click here for more ways to get involved.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
HELVETIA, W.Va. (WBOY)  If you missed Fasnacht earlier this year, the Swiss village of Helvetia is inviting visitors to its annual fair on Sept. 14.

Founded by Swiss immigrants in 1869, Helvetia is one of West Virginias most unique communities, and its residents still hold onto their European heritage more than 150 years later through events like the Helvetia Community Fair.

Fair president Thrayron Morgan said visitors will have a lot to look forward to at this years fair; here are some of the highlights:

Swiss-Alpine parade with homemade floats, Swiss costumes and animals

Helvetia vendors selling locally made food and crafts like cheeses, honey and maple syrup

Dance party featuring traditional Swiss dancers, alphorn players and yodellers

Example of an alphorn (Photo by Christof STACHE / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images)

Youre in for a treat. All the Swiss traditions, we bring em out of the closet and we perform em that day, Morgan said. Its been in my family for all those years, and I love history and I love the traditions of the Swiss and we just like to keep that.

Unlike Fasnacht, which is more of a Marti Gras-style celebration, the Helvetia Community Fair serves as a homecoming and harvest festival for residents who have moved away from the village to reconnect with friends and family.

When [settlers] came from Switzerland, they wanted to find a place that reminded them of Switzerland, Morgan said. When they got here, the mountains and the scenery reminded them of Switzerland and they decided this was the place to be.

To learn more about the Helvetia Community Fair, you can visit Helvetias website. Festivities for the fair kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday 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 WBOY.com.
Henyard appoints new village staff members despite board of trustees trying to cancel meeting

Henyard appoints new village staff members despite board of trustees trying to cancel meeting

DOLTON, Ill.  Tiffany Henyard, the polarizing mayor of south suburban Dolton, appointed new village staff members Tuesday night, despite the village board of trustees trying to cancel the meeting where the appointments took place.

One of the appointees was a new village administrator, even though former Henyard ally Keith Freeman is still doing the job.

This all happened at a meeting the Dolton Board of Trustees postponed until next week  A move Henyards lawyer said they did illegally so, the Dolton mayor held a meeting without them

Its called the open meetings act  [It] says you have to give ten days of notice to the public, said Beau Brindley, Henyards lawyer. They didnt give any notice.

Earlier Tuesday, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raouls Office found Dolton violated the open meetings act at its June and July meetings after complaints from residents that Henyards administration limited seating, blocked the entrances to village hall with barriers, and created a hostile environment.

The acting police chief at the time cited threats to Henyards safety, including a letter mailed to Henyards moms house that was written in blue marker, and stated, See you in prison your mother raised a Loser!! Your mother is a Loser!

Raouls office found that the letter, which was mailed from Rhode Island, was the only evidence the board provided in support of the manner in which it conducted the meetings in question.

The letter was critical and insulting, but Raouls office found it did not implicitly or explicitly threaten violence. More importantly, the letter also did not arrive until after the two meetings occurred.

Tuesday nights meeting, if you can call it that, was much less attended, where WGN News counted fewer than 20 people who showed up.

Just pay attention to who brings all the drama to your community, Henyard said. Thats how you know everybody are plants in the audience.

Last week, Henyard couldnt hold a meeting in Thornton Township, where she is supervisor, because the trustees there did not show up, amid an ongoing power struggle in both governments.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CANBERRA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Twenty animals and plants, including an iconic flower, have been added to Australia's list of wildlife threatened with extinction.

The federal government on Wednesday added 15 plants and five animals to the threatened species list for the first time, taking the total number of species on the list to almost 2,250.

Among those species newly added to the list are the Gibraltar Range waratah, a flowering shrub endemic to the east coast state of New South Wales (NSW). Fewer than 2,500 mature adult plants of the species are believed to be left in the wild.

"It's hard to imagine that the Gibraltar Range waratah, a symbol of our nation, is under threat in Australia from disease and predators," Tanya Plibersek, the Minister for the Environment, said in a statement.

The animals added to the list on Wednesday include two lizards, one sea snake, one crayfish and one fish.

Additionally, one ecological community, a scrub complex on King Island off the Australian mainland's south coast, was added to the list.

Plibersek said that invasive weeds and pests and the ongoing impacts of the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires, which caused widespread ecological damage, are the biggest threats to the newly-listed species.

She said that listing the species would give them better protection from threats.

"Our government is committed to giving our precious threatened plants and animals a brighter future. That's why today we've listed 20 species and 1 ecological community under national environment law for the first time, giving them stronger protection under law," Plibersek said.

It came after 13 plants and animals were added to the threatened species list in August, including three freshwater fishes that were listed as critically endangered, three lizards and one frog. 
A May 2024 photo of a warning sign for people to avoid the water due to bacteria levels at Mother's Beach in Marina del Ray. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times)

As Los Angeles County enters the peak of a blistering heat wave this week, public health officials are warning residents to avoid swimming at several beaches where ocean bacteria levels have become potentially unsafe.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautioned residents about swimming, surfing and playing in the water at 10 beaches stretching from Malibu to San Pedro.

Among the beaches listed are those at Topanga Canyon, Ramirez Creek and Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove, as well as at the Santa Monica Pier and Mothers Beach in Marina del Rey. The full list can be accessed at the public health department's website.

The beach alert comes amid an excessive heat warning for much of Southern California. Forecasters expect temperatures to reach between 110 and 115 degrees in the San Fernando Valley. Burbank, Woodland Hills, Pasadena, Santa Clarita and Palm Springs could also experience triple-digit temperatures. And in downtown Los Angeles, the forecast calls for temperatures in the mid- to high 90s.

The heatwave is expected to last until Saturday, when temperatures will start to slowly decrease, according to the National Weather Service.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  In less than a week, 14 hikers have been arrested and face criminal trespassing charges for hiking in the Haiku Stairs construction zone. Eight of those 14 were arrested Tuesday morning.

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The hikers, HPD told DLNR, reached the top of the stairs using a non-state-sectioned trailthe Middle Ridge Trail, which is illegal.

Litigation has put the deconstruction on hold but while that is being worked out in the courts, hikers continue to access the stairs, even though several modules have been removed from the hillside.

Ready for the NFL season opening game? Food tips

The hikers who were arrested used ropes from the top of the Middle Ridge Trail to get down to where stairs still cling to the side of the mountain, DLNR stated in a news release.

Officials are concerned someone will get hurt or worse.

How Hawaiis parents, teachers can prepare our keiki for an AI future

It is dangerous for people to enter the construction zone and dangerous for them to try to descend the ridge. They need to think about the consequences if someone gets hurt, or worse, and needs rescue. It is a difficult place for first responders to reach, which could delay medical treatment. Plus, its incredibly disrespectful and self-centered for anyone to be on the Haiku Stairs, or on the Middle Ridge Trail, when its been made abundantly clear that these areas are off-limits for safety and natural resource protection reasons. They fail to consider not only the risks theyre taking, but the risks emergency teams face when having to rescue people who are breaking the law, DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla 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 KHON2.
A group of citizens trooped in to a recent Hillsborough County Commission meeting hoping to convince the board not to ax money for affordable housing.

In purple T-shirts bearing the name of a grassroots group called Hope, they spoke of the homeless, of low-income seniors, of places for people to live near work. Geraldine Rogers-Toombs quoted a Bible verse to commissioners: Proverbs 14:31 states he who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

Commissioner Josh Wostal, the first board member to speak, responded with a Bible verse of his own: Exodus: 20:15, he said, which, of course, is thou shalt not steal.

Connecting affordable housing to theft is not the most attention-getting thing Wostal  a fiercely conservative, libertarian, anti-property tax Republican  has done since his surprise 2022 election.

Wostal said he didnt want to run for office. But hes been busy. Hes taken aim at funding for nonprofits, called a health care tax for the poor a form of socialism and tried to block a tax to pay teachers. His causes have made this former political unknown one of the most talked-about politicians in town, getting both outraged pushback and enthusiastic thumbs-up.

Ive met a lot of elected officials that believe they can manage peoples money better than (people can) themselves, said Wostal, 40. Which I think is offensive.

His style can be pleasant and turn blunt, confrontational and prickly. In a commission discussion on what qualifications should be required to serve on a veterans advisory board, Wostal, who spent 10 years in the Navy, told fellow commissioners he didnt need a lecture on military service.

When he went before the local legislative delegation last year to rail against the the countys longtime health care tax for the poor as illegal taxation without representation, one legislator accused him of throwing bombs and called his manner as disrespectful.

When Tampa Mayor Jane Castor left the local public transit board, Wostal called it a shameful display of cowardice that she did not accept accountability for her direct role in leading this critical public institution into financial turmoil. Castor declined to comment for this story.

Privately, some have called him Hostile Wostal.

Brash? He doesnt deny that. Even at times rude? Yep, he said. Im very direct. He disagrees with disrespectful.

I wont sit silently just because others want to say less, he said.

He has fans: Last year came a tweet from influential east county Republican political activist and donor Sam Rashid: Joshua Wostal was a warrior at the (Board of County Commissioners) today well done buddy!

From fellow Republican Commissioner Michael Owen just before Owen left the board to run for the Florida House: Hes one of the most brilliant men Ive ever met  when it comes to the budgeting, hes unmatched.

Wostal, he said, stands up for conservative values.

Others are less impressed.

Last year, longtime environmental and civic activist Vivienne Handy served on the City-County Planning Commission and on a citizen task force helping implement a government-sanctioned community plan for the town of Wimauma. Wostal called it a potential conflict of interest and invited her to resign from the planning commission. She suggested he stop being a bully.

Theyre demanding and fairly thankless roles to serve on those committees, Handy said. And to be treated that way by a board member is pretty egregious.

Commissioner Pat Kemp, a Democrat, often has found herself at odds with Wostal. She says the way he has weighed in against middle and lower-income residents, schools, not-for-profits and affordable housing is no way to build our future.

Mariella Smith, longtime community activist turned county commissioner, was ousted in 2022  the same year Wostal won  by another political unknown, Donna Cameron Cepeda. A founder of Glory Ministries International with her husband, Cepeda often seconds Wostals motions and votes with him. Cepeda did not return calls to her office for this story.

Smith, a Democrat, said the new commissioners came in like bulls in a china shop with no regard for some of the work that had gone on before and the compromises on all sides that had gone on before.

Said Wostal: Were not doing anything they didnt do.

Wostal wears a neatly trimmed red beard that gives him an almost mischievous air. He grew up in trailer parks in South Texas where he says a piece of carpet covered a hole in the floor.

He was raised mostly by his father, a diesel engine mechanic and bullet manufacturer, didnt meet his mother until he was 23 and has a brother with schizoaffective disorder who was once homeless, he said.

He has a masters in business administration from the University of Florida, owns a UPS store near Raymond James Stadium and lives in suburban Westchase with his wife Noelle, whos in real estate, and their son Matthew, 9.

Wostal said his wife and friends urged him to run, the friends knowing that the governments handling of the pandemic would break my willpower and get him to seek elected office.

On the campaign trail, he called commissioners absolute cowards and told them lockdowns are a violation of liberty repeatedly at a meeting. He was removed from one pandemic-related discussion by deputies.

I did debate in school and I was good at it, according to my teachers, Wostal said. I believe in people arguing passionately.

He said he didnt get politically active until Hillary Clinton ran for president. A longtime independent, he ran as a Republican. When he beat Democratic incumbent Kimberly Overman 52% to 48% for the District 7 countywide seat, many were surprised. He says he wasnt.

With the boards 4-3 Republican majority, votes often split down party lines.

Wostals scorecard is mixed. He got enough votes to take $200,000 back from the budget of longtime elections supervisor Craig Latimer despite Latimer returning unspent money yearly.

His attempt to regulate money for nonprofits was scaled back to what other commissioners called common sense rules to govern the process  which Wostal ultimately voted against.

The current structure (of the board) is not in my favor, he said. Republican chairperson Ken Hagan has on occasion been the swing vote for Democrats.

His biggest splash was leading the recent charge to delay a property tax referendum for teacher pay from getting on the November ballot, saying citizens were being priced out of their homes. When the vote was criticized by schools superintendent Van Ayres, Wostal called him a bureaucrat that makes a third of a million dollars a year of peoples taxes.

When school officials sued, Wostal got a majority of board members to ditch the services of their county attorney and pay outside counsel up to $50,000  seemingly clashing with his spending philosophy and a move fellow Commissioner Harry Cohen called a flagrant waste of taxpayer dollars. The school district ultimately won the battle.

Though the two often disagree, Wostal names Cohen, a Democrat, as a local politician he respects.

You dont have the luxury of getting angry at people, said Cohen, because on the next item you might be allies.

Theres more discord to come: Residents who previously banded together to push back against a plan to further widen Interstate 275 are decrying Wostal leading a vote to make it a priority again.

Recently came a less predictable Wostal moment as the board discussed a community sales tax that has paid for decades of projects and is up for renewal.

Wostal warned Cohen not to pinch himself, then called for making provisions for a grocery store in the food desert neighborhood of Sulphur Springs  a move he acknowledged as a pivot from his usual free market policies.

In a power-lunching town where whom you dine with gets noticed, Wostal can be glimpsed contentedly lunching solo at the upscale private University Club.

I eat by myself there every time I can, he said. Its a way of clearing my thoughts.

He says hell run again because it takes two terms to get anything across the finish line. The question of political office after that, he said, will be up to his wife.

All of my quote unquote friends Im making now will not be there when Im done, he said. But she will.

On a recent rainy Monday, members of that grassroots group Hope gathered for a news conference outside County Center to keep pushing for affordable housing dollars in the budget.

Asked just before the event began about Wostals Bible verse, Rogers-Toombs said she thought it was an inappropriate response. It motivated her to look at his online profile, which describes him as a passionate advocate for disadvantaged children.

But if people cant afford housing, then what about the children? Rogers-Toombs said. I dont understand his mindset.

Wostal said this about the Bible verses: The Bible is simply there to be a moral compass for things  not to pick which parts you like in a moral debate.
For the first time in my adult life I did not vote in the general election. Or rather, I spoilt my ballot. An empty gesture, I admit. But I dont like passively staying away from the poll, yet once there I could not bring myself to vote for any of the parties. The Greens were dangerous. The Lib Dems vacuous. Reform, destructive.

Labour, untrustworthy and probably incompetent, and in any case advocates of things I oppose, especially the EU and the whole woke panoply. As for the Conservatives, they had failed in so many things, and seemed out of energy, ideas and even self-belief: they, indeed, were the party with which I felt most angry.

In its short period of office, the Labour government has been worse than I expected. Yesterdays latest error  banning a small amount of arms exports to Israel  produces the maximum aggravation for the least effect: willing to wound but afraid to strike, in Wildes devastating phrase. Three policies that directly affect areas in which I am personally involved include scrapping the law to protect academic freedom (the Tories hate speech charter) and dismissing the group advising on a new history curriculum.

Small things, some might say, but they show that Labour are gearing up for the culture wars that many on the Left say dont exist. The third policy is the slide towards the EU. If the government was hard-headed and competent, it might make sense to get rid of the obstacles left by earlier negotiators. But in the hands of the present incumbents, I fear an utterly irrational policy of appeasing the faltering EU, motivated by a wish to gratify the party faithful  public sector workers and their teenagers, as one distinguished economist defines them.

While this has been happening, the Conservative Party has been ruminating on a new leader. The country urgently needs an effective and pugnacious leader of the Opposition. Not because it is the job of Opposition to oppose  a silly catchphrase  but because the damage being done by this government is alarming.

Although not a party member, for all these reasons, I feel involved in the Tory choice. Several of them I have met, and they are able and personable: there should fairly soon be a strong Opposition Front Bench. But one for me stands out as being capable of taking the fight to Labour straight away, and of developing into a credible future prime minister. That is Kemi Badenoch.

We have watched her performing in the Commons, and I really want to see her knock the stuffing out of Keir Starmer. But there is more to her, I believe, than a potent mixture of charisma, humour, pugnacity and charm. During the last government, she was the most effective  and alas often the only  minister defending and realising the benefits from Brexit.

The most damaging failings of the Conservatives since 2016 were to dither over carrying out the Brexit mandate, and then to refuse to defend it. This was disastrous for the party and damaging for the country. Many who had voted Leave in one of our greatest democratic acts were encouraged to think that Brexit had failed. The enemies of Brexit and of the government were allowed to get away with saying I told you so.

The exception was Kemi Badenoch, who as Trade Minister defended the policy, pointed out its successes (with deplorably little support from her colleagues), and worked tirelessly to shift Britains future trading opportunities from a stagnant Europe to a dynamic Pacific. It is largely her achievement that we have now acceded to the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

In her parallel job as Equalities Minister, here again she stood up to vicious attacks from the culture warriors. She commissioned the Sewell Report on race relations  disgracefully attacked by the Left for not being negative enough. She also condemned transgender extremists and supported the Cass Report. She has defended our history and our national identity, the raw materials of a decent democratic society.

In a speech yesterday, she said Our country is not a dormitory for people just here to make money or a hotel for those passing through. It is our home and no one else will look after it. That she chose it as her home is for me an indication of her commitment. Looking after it in future years will be a Herculean task. She seems eager to get to work.

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The claim that a victim of a Kamala Harris-caused hit and run accident in 2011 continued to be shared on the social media platform X in 2024, despite the only evidence for the claim being a demonstrably fake media outlet.

In early September 2024, several accounts on X began sharing a story from the website of an alleged San Francisco television station with the call sign KBSF:

The story claimed that Harris hit two pedestrians with her car in San Francisco  a mother and her young daughter leaving the child disabled for life:

In June, 2011 Kamala Harris was driving a car when she hit two pedestrians and left the scene of the incident in San Francisco. One of the victims, Alisha Brown, decided to make the story public. She explains that after the accident, Harris's people threatened her mother so that she would not report the incident to the police. It was only after the death of her mother 13 years later Alisha decided to tell this story.

These claims appear to be part of an effort to mislead the public, as KBSF is not a legitimate news outlet. The website was registered on Aug. 20, 2024. There has never been a KBSF television station in San Francisco or anywhere else in the United States. Snopes reached out to the Harris campaign for comment.

BBC misinformation reporter Shayan Sardarizadeh argued on X that the KBSF story was "most likely part of a pro-Kremlin disinformation operation" connected to a former Florida cop living in Moscow named John Mark Dougan.

Thread: A viral story claims Kamala Harris was involved in a 2011 hit-and-run that left a 13-year-old named Alicia Brown paralyzed.



But the story is fake, and is most likely part of a pro-Kremlin disinformation operation run by an ex-Florida cop we've previously reported on. https://t.co/FnmsG5B3np pic.twitter.com/0gjGZzQXWq  Shayan Sardarizadeh (@Shayan86) September 3, 2024

Prior to September 2024, the only notable search results for "KBSF" and "TV" on Google were for content produced for a YouTube channel belonging to the Korea Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (KBSF).

The assertion that Harris committed this 2011 crime is therefore supported only by an anonymous and overtly deceptive website.

Sources:

Kamala Harris Hit a 13-Year-Old Girl with a Car and Left the Crime Scene  KBSF  San Francisco News. 3 Sept. 2024, https://web.archive.org/web/20240903181856/https://kbsf-tv.com/kamala-harris-hit-a-13-year-old-girl-with-a-car-and-left-the-crime-scene/.

A Bugatti, a First Lady and the Fake Stories Aimed at Americans. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c72ver6172do. Accessed 4 Sept. 2024.

"Korea Bobsleigh Skeleton Federation_KBSF TV." YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRGK9H_yCoyxHXVmDYChVeQ. Accessed 3 Sept. 2024.

"WHOIS: Kbsf-Tv.Com." ViewDNS Info, https://viewdns.info/whois/?domain=kbsf-tv.com.


Spirit Airlines, one of the worlds most prominent ultra low-cost carriers, has launched new service out of Burbank, giving passengers a direct link to Silicon Valley for under fifty bucks.

On Wednesday, Spirit began daily service between the Hollywood-Burbank Airport and San Jose Mineta International Airport in San Jose.

The direct flights are currently available at an introductory price of $39 one way for any trips that take place between Sept. 25 through Nov. 19  subject to availability.

The control tower at Hollywood Burbank Airport stands over a Spirit Airlines plane as it taxis on September 25, 2023 in Burbank, California. (Getty Images)

Were thrilled our California Guests can now enjoy an elevated travel journey on our new nonstop service between San Jose and Burbank, said John Kirby, Vice President of Network Planning at Spirit Airlines. Our daily route offers affordable, high-value travel options between two major cities for Golden State travelers and is a convenient alternative to driving.

Its the fourth direct flight Spirit offers out of Burbank; the airline also flies to Las Vegas, Oakland and Sacramento.

Spirit Airlines says it has strived to improve the guest experience on its flights, offering four new travel options that all include the flexibility of no change or cancel fees.

Each travel option offers a range of perks from larger seats, checked bags and WiFi access to the bare-bones, get-me-there-as-cheap-as-possible option.

Spirit joins Southwest as the only airlines that fy direct between Burbank and San Jose. You can catch a direct flight from Los Angeles other airport to seven cities within California.

For ticketing information, click here.

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Home of Tennessee Pastor Is Riddled with Bullets While His Child Was Home: 'Horrific'

Police tell PEOPLE roughly "30 to 40" shell casings were recovered at Greg Locke's home in Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

William DeShazer for The Washington Post via Getty Greg Locke

A shooter or shooters opened fire on a Tennessee pastors house late Tuesday night, firing dozens of bullets into the residence while one of the pastor's children was home, according to police.

The Wilson County Sheriffs Office tells PEOPLE it is investigating the Tuesday night shooting and that "approximately 30-40" shell casings were recovered at the home of pastor Greg Locke in Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

Officers responded to the home around 10:30 p.m. local time, Cpt. Scott Moore of the Wilson County Sheriff's Office says.

"No one was hit or injured during the incident and detectives are actively working on the case," Moore says.

The sheriff's office spokesperson says there were "multiple shots that had penetrated the house, garage, and a vehicle."

Locke is the lead pastor at Global Vision Bible Church in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., and has drawn controversy over his conservative views and his churchs practices, which have at times included burning books , according to local WZTV.

On social media, Lock shared photographs showing investigators marking evidence outside his home, writing in a lengthy Facebook post that the gunfire erupted about a minute before he pulled into his driveway. However, Locke wrote, one of his children were home during the shooting, though the child was not injured.

Describing his house as a full blown crime scene, Locke wrote that according to the security cam footage, we pulled into our driveway exactly ONE MINUTE after a madman unloaded an entire magazine of bullets from an automatic weapon into our house, garage and my truck.

The sound on the video is truly horrific, the pastor added.

William DeShazer for The Washington Post via Getty Greg Locke

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Locke shared a number of photos that show his house damaged by the shooting. The pastor pointed out a blurry photo of a pillow on a bed in his post, writing in the caption that one of the bullets cut through the headboard of our youngest daughters bed and lodged in her pillow.

We are all being [securely] escorted to a hotel tonight, Locke added. We have no further details.

The pastor claimed God protected him and his family in unimaginable and supernatural ways.

The Tennessean reports that Lockes church has been vandalized previously, including in March when local police responded to a trailer fire in which hundreds of Bibles were burned on the intersection where the church is located.

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Read the original article on People.
CHICAGO  Cook County prosecutors have charged one person with murder after four people were shot to death Monday on a train at the Forest Park Blue Line station, an early morning attack that ranks among the worst acts of violence in memory on the CTA system.

According to Forest Park police, Cook County prosecutors approved charges of four counts of first-degree murder against Rhianni Davis, 30, police said.

At a press briefing late Tuesday, Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx called the shootings a horrific, heinous, inexplicable act of violence.

Foxx did not immediately offer evidence of a motive in the case.

There is an absolute urgent need to address safety in our communities, she said. Public transportation should be a safe space for everyone.

A review of Cook County court records showed Davis has faced financial hardship and housing instability while keeping steady contact with local police, including at least two arrests for illegal gun possession, one occurring at a Metra train station in the south suburbs.

Records show Davis was charged with disorderly conduct after a round of looting and rioting in the downtown area in August 2020. Davis eventually pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one day in jail.

Court records show Davis was arrested at a Metra train station in south suburban Blue Island in 2019 and charged with illegal possession of a firearm and having an open container. Davis was arrested again in 2021 and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon  allegedly a Taurus pistol and a magazine of ammunition  following a car crash on the Southwest Side.

Records show Davis filed for bankruptcy in 2018 and, four years later, faced an eviction lawsuit. Several addresses on the South Side and south suburbs, as well as one in Nashville, are listed in Davis various arrest reports.

Earlier Tuesday, the medical examiners office released names for two of the four people killed Monday at the station, as officials called attention to safety and security issues on city trains that have long frustrated riders.

Forest Park police were dispatched to the villages Blue Line station just before 5:30 a.m. Monday after someone called 911 to report that three people were shot on a train car. Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while a fourth died at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, police said in a news release.

Sixty-year-old Adrian Collins died of a gunshot wound to the abdomen, an autopsy found, while Simeon Bihesi, 28, died of multiple gunshots. Identities for the other two victims were not yet released.

All four deaths were ruled homicides.

Chicago police officers took Davis into custody a short time later on a CTA Pink Line train  authorities didnt say where the train was  and a weapon was recovered, according to Forest Park police.

In a statement Monday, CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. called the shooting the definition of a heinous crime and tragedy and said all current information points to it being an isolated incident.

At the Tuesday evening press conference, Carter said: We hear you and we understand your concerns about safety.

The shooting was the first multi-victim homicide to occur on a CTA train in at least 30 years, according to available 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.

Hours after the shooting, Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins called the violence 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.

During a press briefing Monday, Hoskins said the four people killed had been sleeping on the train. The housing status of the victims remained unknown, but advocates pointed out the risks to people who shelter on trains and called for a whole continuum of services to address the citys homelessness problem.

Its a vulnerable situation if your existence is riding a train and all you have is one or two bags that are all your worldly possessions, said David Wywialowski, director of health outreach at The Night Ministry, which does homelessness outreach at Blue and Red line terminals.

People without homes may opt to sleep on public transit because its a place they feel safer relative to a host of bad options in front of them, said Chicago Coalition for the Homeless Executive Director Doug Schenkelberg, noting that some people may feel unsafe in shelters or that a particular facilitys rules dont work for them. Advocates said trains also offer shelter from the weather and have surveillance cameras and lights.

Chicago has historically taken a housing-first approach to getting people off the streets. Schenkelberg called for increases in funding for permanent housing, but also street outreach and the whole continuum of services that need to be in place to address homelessness. A review of Cook County court records showed Davis has faced financial hardship, housing instability while keeping steady contact with local police throughout his adult life, including at least two arrests for illegal gun possession, one occurring at a Metra train station in the south suburbs.

Outreach workers at the train stations help connect people with food and resources while also stressing safety practices, such as looking out for each other and staying in small groups, Wywialowski said.

What is the heart and soul of Chicago and what it means to be a Chicagoan? Do we care about people and want to support them or are we OK walking past them and allowing them to suffer on a curbside? Wywialowski said. I believe in the Chicago that has a good heart and soul and wants to help its most vulnerable citizens.

In a statement, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless called the slayings a glaring example of a pattern of violence, suffering, and cruelty people experiencing homelessness face every day.

We cannot write this moment off as a tragic, isolated incident, but must acknowledge it is the direct result of  systemic failures, the statement said.

The high-profile tragedy along a major Chicago-area transit line comes as the Illinois General Assembly continues to mull what transit in the region could look like in the future, including whether the CTA should be consolidated with Metra and Pace into one agency and how to address a transit fiscal cliff expected when federal pandemic aid runs out, which could be as soon as 2025.

The regions transit agencies face a combined $730 million budget hole and the agencies have warned that failure to plug the hole could lead to catastrophic service cuts and fare increases.

But at an unrelated event on Tuesday, Gov. JB Pritzker said the broader question of why isnt there enough security being provided on the CTA needs to be addressed.

And of course Springfield is going to be a very important part of that. Were not the only funder or the only available partner in that but certainly were trying to put together a plan that will make sense for the future and that will keep people safe on public transit, said Pritzker. But weve got to make sure we can afford to not just to make our current system operate the way it should but also build it because we need more, not less, public transit.

In recent months, theres been a series of hearings held by the Illinois Senates Transportation Committee over ways to improve the Chicago-area transit systems in light of a possible fiscal cliff. On Tuesday, state Sen. Ram Villivalam, a Chicago Democrat who heads the committee, said through the hearings weve learned close to $100 million is being spent on safety throughout the CTA, Metra, Pace public transit systems.

How is it being spent? Is it working? Clearly not, said Villivalam. And the third piece is what can we do to improve? I look at having a holistic approach where were not having five or six different piecemeal entities trying to provide safety.

We need to make sure that safety is the number one priority for our public transit and accountability and transparency around that is incredibly important, he said.

Villivalam also acknowledged that the embattled Carter, whos faced intense criticism from people who think hes running the transit agency inefficiently, needs to explain what happened Monday that led to the quadruple homicide.

He has shown up to all four Senate Transportation Committee hearings that weve had throughout the RTA region. That being said, theres no question that its going to be impossible for the Illinois General Assembly to vote for funding even if the service plans for improvement and expansion are presented properly, said Villivalam. Unless people are safe, unless they feel safe its not going to be something that the Illinois General Assembly is going to move forward with.

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.

Asked on Tuesday if CTAs new AI gun-detecting technology was used during the shooting or aftermath, or if the agency would be sending additional security guards to the area, the agency said only the AI technology is not available on trains, only in stations.

Beyond that, we are unable to comment on the specifics of our security strategies, including locations equipped with (the AI) technology, spokeswoman Catherine Hosinski said in a statement. That said, we can say that each day, CTAs Security Dept. works in close coordination with the Chicago Police Department, as well as suburban police departments within the CTA service region, to strategically deploy resources based on recent security data and information.

______

(Chicago Tribunes Sarah Freishtat contributed.)

_____
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  Horry County leaders on Tuesday advanced several high-profile projects that will reshape the areas economy and infrastructure.

Heres a look at some of the biggest votes of the night.

Legends Drive improvement plan ready to go

Council members gave final approval to the creation of a special tax district for Legends Drive property owners allowing them to finance improvements to the road by paying an additional surcharge.

Property owners in the area voted 385-182 in a July referendum asking the county council to form the district. Council member Michael Masciarelli said last month the assessment would cost taxpayers an average of $176 annually.

Officials say it would take nearly $2.5 million to upgrade Legends Drive, with additional expenses for maintenance.

Those who live near the private road claim it has not been maintained by the owner. They have tried to find multiple solutions since the early 1990s and believed a special tax district is the only way to get it fixed.

As a private road, the county has no authority to make repairs or send law enforcement into the area. Its fallen upon property owners to shore it up since a holding company that owns Legends Drive has refused to do so.

Tax breaks coming for $40 million international residence hall campus

Myrtle Beach leaders last week backed a rarely-used series of tax breaks to ensure construction of a $40 million international residence hall they say is essential for citys economic stability.

The city council unanimously supported an incentive package that sets a 30-year property tax rate of at least 273.2 mills and an additional perk offering tax credits of between 50% and 75% for 20 years.

Without the agreements in place, IRHs $40 million investment would contribute $200,000 worth of annual property tax revenues to the city.

Instead, Myrtle Beach will collect $50,000 a year for the first five years, $100,000 annually in years six through 20 and $200,000 a year after that.

County officials had to sign off on the deal, and city leaders are expected to give final authorization soon.

Conway Medical Center gets key rezone for $18 million facility

Conway Medical Center plans to open an $18 million freestanding emergency department along the rapidly growing Highway 90 corridor as part of multi-year expansion plan.

This is probably one of the most important projects weve done in quite some time. When we looked at the county and did our due diligence on this, we realized that area of the county is really way underserved for healthcare, Paul Richardson, CMCs chief medical officer, told News13 last month.

The facility, to be located at the intersection of S.C. highways 90 and 22, hinges on a 44-acre rezone allowing for medical uses  which won another round of approval on Tuesday after an initial vote in favor of the plan last month.

Officials are hoping to open the campus in 2026 and anticipate serving 17,000 patients annually.

Key features include:

12 emergency treatment beds

state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technologies

24/7 care

Meals on Wheels close to securing new home

Its been a year of uncertainty for Meals on Wheels of Horry & Georgetown County, which announced in December it was being forced to suspend services because of a massive rent hike and surging demand.

In February, Horry-Georgetown Technical College said it was providing space temporarily as the organization worked to secure a long-term home.

Last month, Horry Countys planning commission reviewed plans to rezone 22 acres Adrian Parkway and Highway 701 in Conway for a new Meals on Wheels facility.

County leaders on Tuesday signed off on the request.

* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

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HELSINKI, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- A teenager was shot on Wednesday morning at a primary school near the Swedish capital of Stockholm, according to local reports.

The reports said the incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. local time (1430 GMT) in Trangsund of Huddinge Municipality, located south of Stockholm.

The condition of the teenager remains unclear, but according to the police, the victim was conscious and able to speak when officers arrived at the scene. The teenager was transported to the hospital by ambulance.

One person has been arrested in connection with the crime. Police spokesperson Helena Bostrom Thomas confirmed that authorities are not searching for any additional suspects, and no further injuries have been reported.

The shooting occurred at a large primary school with approximately 700 students. The police have not released details about the exact location of the shooting or whether it took place inside or outside the school. 
BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)  In the past two years, theres been an increase in the amount of students who attend cyber charter schools. According to Children First PA, Pennsylvania is considered the Cyber Charter Capital of the nation.

WTAJ looked at the enrollment numbers for a few schools.

For the 2022-23 school year, Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School had a total of 9,856 students enrolled. The following year, attendance increased by 5% to 10,379 students. Commonwealth Charter Academy saw a 15% increase in students over the past year, as their attendance jumped by 3,000. The Altoona Area School District saw a decline in enrollment by almost three percent, according to the Department of Education.







Its becoming a more popular option. You have to understand, and particularly in rural areas, so we dont have as many private school options as perhaps in the suburbs or in some of the urban environments. So cyber charters become one of the few alternatives to a traditional public education setting for families who maybe their students just simply dont feel like theyre as comfortable or fit in as well, or are looking for a different sort of education for their kids, Representative Jesse Topper for the 78th District said.

Fort Roberdeau to add new exhibit in 2025

So how are they funded and where is that money coming from? Representative Topper said that when the initial cyber charter and charter law was put into place, the state never anticipated so many students logging out to learn.

Well, now, as weve seen so many students matriculate towards cyber charters, that formula needs to be redone. And thats what we did in the budget this year. On the special education side, we made some changes that will result in savings for the traditional K through 12 public school districts, but well also keep cyber as a viable option. So I thought it was a good first step to kind of taking the toxic competition out of it between these two forms of public education, Topper said.

The changes to the charter law could result in up to $160 million in savings for school districts between the reimbursement formula and the special education formula reform. With that kind of money, the Altoona Area School District said it could serve another purpose.

We would be looking at personnel and additions in that area, because if we didnt have 500 students in our cyber academy and another 300 or so in outside cyber options, we would have an additional, you know, anywhere from 400 to 700 students attending school every day, which would require increased staff and increased services and at the end of the day, increased opportunities for our kids, Brad Hatch, Superintendent of the Altoona Area School District said.

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However, House Bill 2370 has not passed yet. It was referred to the Education Committee, where it has been since mid-June. In the meantime, school dollars still linger in recess.

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The House Education and the Workforce Committee issued a subpoena Wednesday for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, in relation to a nonprofit in his state that has been charged with defrauding the government during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minnesota-based Feeding Our Future (FOF) has been accused of misusing $250 million in taxpayer funds that were meant to go to hungry children.

The federal government has charged more than 70 people associated with the nonprofit, and five of them have been convicted of fraud. The group allegedly submitted the names of fake children receiving free meals during the pandemic.

Education Chair Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) issued subpoenas for Walz, Minnesota Commissioner of Education Willie Jett, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Agriculture Inspector General Phyllis Fong.

Statements in the press by you and your representatives indicate that you and other executive officers were involved, or had knowledge of, MDEs [Minnesota Department of Educations] administration of the FCNP [Federal Child Nutrition Program] and responsibilities and actions regarding the massive fraud, Foxx said in the letter to Walz.

The governor was given until Sept. 18 to provide documents and the requested information to the committee.

The subpoenas were first reported by NBC News.

The Hill has reached out to the governors office and the Harris-Walz campaign for comment.

It is not the first time House Republicans have opened investigations into Walz or Vice President Harris since their run for the presidency began.

Republicans are also looking into Walzs ties to China and Harriss duties at the border and on migration policy.

Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) promptly accused the Education Committee of abusing its power for political purposes.

Blatant use of official resources for a campaign. Pretty disgusting! he said on the social platform X in reaction to the subpoena.

Updated at 4:34 p.m.

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House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) subpoenaed Secretary of State Antony Blinken for what he described as a refusal to testify on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

The subpoena mandates Blinken appear before the committee on Sept. 19 or face contempt, the committee said in a statement Tuesday. It follows a more than a yearlong battle between the committee and the State Department over documents related to the countrys deadly pullout from Afghanistan at the end of August 2021.

The Committee is holding this hearing because the Department of State was central to the Afghanistan withdrawal and served as the senior authority during the August non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO), McCaul wrote in the letter to Blinken. As Secretary of State throughout the withdrawal and NEO, you were entrusted to lead these efforts and to secure the safe evacuation of Americans and Afghan allies.

The subpoena comes months after McCaul threatened to hold Blinken in contempt in February if the State Department continued to allegedly withhold subpoenaed documents regarding the U.S. exit from Afghanistan. McCaul had repeatedly demanded the documents as part of Republicans investigation into what he called a chaotic withdrawal from the Middle Eastern country.

In March, McCaul postponed a markup for a contempt resolution for Blinken after the secretary agreed to produce the documents, months after the committee sent a subpoena for them in July 2023.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Blinken has testified before Congress more than 14 times, and he said Blinken is currently unavailable to testify on the dates proposed by the committee.

This includes four times directly before Chairman McCauls Committee, including a previous hearing that focused exclusively on Afghanistan, all while the Department has provided the Committee with nearly 20,000 pages of Department records, multiple high-level briefings, and engaged on transcribed interviews on nearly 15 current and former State Department officials with the Committee, Miller wrote in a statement to The Hill.

Miller said the State Department has opposed reasonable alternatives to comply with McCauls request for a public hearing.

It is disappointing that instead of continuing to engage with the Department in good faith, the Committee instead has issued yet another unnecessary subpoena, he said.

In March 2023, McCaul issued a separate subpoena for a sensitive diplomatic cable on the withdrawal. The State Department missed the deadline, previously telling The Hill that Blinken offered to brief the chair without providing the actual document.

McCaul claimed a briefing or summary would not fulfill the subpoena and threatened again to hold Blinken in contempt of Congress.

The State Department eventually agreed to allow all committee members to view the diplomatic cable the following month.

Last week marked the three-year anniversary of the end of the deadly and chaotic U.S. withdrawal from the Middle Eastern country. Many evacuees and allies remain in limbo, and thousands airlifted out of the country are stuck in an immigration backlog that leaves them without a permanent way to remain in the U.S.

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Republicans on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce issued a subpoena to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and the states Education Commissioner related to an alleged $250 million pandemic fraud scheme perpetuated by a nonprofit providing school meals to underprivileged children.

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), the committees chair, announced the latest probe into the Democratic vice presidential nominee as congressional Republicans continue to mine the governors past decade in Minnesota politics for scandals.

The COVID fraud scandal the House committee is currently probing was first uncovered in 2022, when the Justice Department indicted a total of 70 people for what Attorney General Merrick Garland called the largest pandemic relief fraud scheme charged to date. The defendants were charged with counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and bribery.

The defendants were involved with a now-defunct nonprofit called Feeding Our Future, which worked with the states Department of Education to disburse federal funds for school meals. According to the Justice Department, Feeding Our Future went from disbursing $3.4 million in 2019 to over $200 million in 2020.

Tim Walzs Pro-Trump Relatives Troll Him Ungrammatically

According to a federal indictment, employees of the nonprofit created lists of fake children they claimed they served meals to using a website called www.listofrandomnames.com. They then submitted these names for reimbursement from the state.

This money was diverted back into the pockets of individuals who organized the scheme, who spent it on luxury vehicles, residential and commercial real estate in Minnesota as well as property in Ohio and Kentucky, real estate in Kenya and Turkey, and to fund international travel, according to the Justice Department.

In June, five of the defendants were found guilty after the first trial related to the scheme. One of those defendants, Abdimajid Nur, pleaded guilty in July for trying to bribe a juror with $120,000.

A state auditors report found the Department of Education failed to act on the warning signs of fraud and was ill-prepared to deal with the massive scheme.

The subpoena issued by House Republicans seems to point to this auditor's report, with Rep. Foxx writing in a subpoena on Wednesday that the documents we have received to date indicate the actions taken by you and other executive officers were insufficient to address the massive fraud.

Tim Walzs Trumpy Brother Breaks Silence on Facebook Tirade

Statements in the press by you and your representatives indicate that you and other executive officers were involved, or had knowledge of, MDEs (Minnesota Department of Education) administration of the FCNP (Federal Child Nutrition Program) and responsibilities and actions regarding the massive fraud, Foxx wrote.

However, Walz has previously defended his administrations conduct during the scandal.

Theres not a single state employee that was implicated in doing anything that was illegal. They simply didnt do as much due diligence as they shouldve, Walz told the Star-Tribune earlier this year.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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U.S. House Republicans sent a subpoena Wednesday to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, for information about how his state responded to a massive fraud scheme by a nonprofit operating a pandemic relief program.

Federal prosecutors have charged dozens of people affiliated with a Minnesota organization called Feeding Our Future that stole $250 million worth of aid intended to feed children.

You are well aware of the multi-million-dollar fraud that has occurred under your tenure as Governor, House Education and Workforce Committee chair Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) said in a Wednesday letter accompanying the subpoena to Walz.

The subpoena requests any emails between Walz and the Minnesota agencies administering the aid that Foxx said would show the extent of your responsibilities and actions addressing the massive fraud that resulted in the abuse of taxpayer dollars intended for hungry children.

Foxx had requested information about the fraud scheme from the Minnesota Department of Education in November 2023 and in June. In August, Walz became Kamala Harris running mate  and a much juicier target for Republican oversight.

This was an appalling abuse of a federal COVID-era program, a spokeswoman for Walz said in an email on Wednesday. The state department of education worked diligently to stop the fraud and were grateful to the FBI for working with the department of education to arrest and charge the individuals involved.

Congress greatly expanded social programs and authorized hundreds of billions of dollars in aid to businesses in order to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from wrecking the U.S. economy in 2020. One of the major changes allowed states to distribute free school lunches to kids regardless of whether they were poor enough to qualify and even while many schools were closed during the summer of 2020.

People affiliated with Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit that Minnesota hired to distribute food, instead used the funds to spend lavishly on themselves, according to prosecutors, such as by purchasing cars and even summer homes overseas.

Nobody in the Minnesota government has been charged with wrongdoing, but an audit by the state legislature faulted the Minnesota Department of Education for ignoring red flags about Feeding Our Futures grant applications and program operations. The audit said that the department asked the FBI to investigate in April 2021 and that the FBI opened its investigation the following month.

Walz responded to the audit when it came out in June, noting no state officials were accused of crimes.

This wasnt malfeasance, Walz said. They simply didnt do as much due diligence as they should have.

After pandemic aid expired, Walz was one of several Democratic governors who signed into law universal free school meals. It isone of Walzs best-known achievements as governor.

Related...
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  As kids head back to school, theres a list of vaccines they must have.

In Virginia, the HPV shot is not one of them, but pediatricians highly recommend it as the only vaccine that offers protection from cancer.

As a pediatrician, it is so much better for me to prevent cancer than to treat cancer, said CHKD pediatrician and Fortify Childrens Health executive director Dr. Suzanne Brixey.

A new report from the CDC shows teens overall are not up-to-date with the HPV vaccine. Immunizations for this cancer-preventing vaccine stalled in 2023 for the second year in a row since the pandemic.

HPV is short for human papilloma virus and is linked to at least six types of cancers, including head and neck cancer, cervical cancer and anal cancer.

I often share with my families, if we had a vaccine this safe that would protect you against lung cancer, would you would your answer be different, Brixey said.

Brixey believes theres been a lot of misinformation about the safety of vaccines as a result of the pandemic.

The HPV vaccine has been given hundreds of thousands of times since 2006 and has been found to be safe in many studies.

HPV vaccines prevent cancer in men as well as women, new research suggests

Brixey encourages parents to talk about their concerns with their childs pediatrician  and the sooner the better.

We actually know that youll make more antibodies and have a stronger duration the earlier we vaccinate kids, so [its] really important, she said.

Three out of every four people between the ages of 15 and 24 are exposed to HPV through intimate contact or skin-to-skin contact, but studies show being immunized is not linked to an earlier start of sexual activity.

When we give a child their tetanus vaccine to keep them safe from stepping on a rusty nail, they are not more likely to jump on a rusty nail as a result, Brixey said.

The vaccine has been tied to a big drop cervical cancer cases.

Since it was widely introduced 16 years ago, cervical cancer rates have been reduced by almost 90% in women in their 20s who received the vaccine as children.

Cervical cancer increasing among women in poor areas, new report finds

The American Cancer Society has a goal to reach an annual vaccination rate of 80% of 13-year-olds in the United States by 2026.

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FILE - A police officer searches a man in the Kiwanis Community during a preventive patrol in search of gang members in Soyapango, El Salvador, Aug. 16, 2022, amid a state of exception. (AP Photo/Salvador Melendez, File)

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP)  The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights urged El Salvador Wednesday to end the more than two-year state of emergency, which has suspended fundamental civil rights while the government pursued the countrys powerful street gangs.

The regional human rights body noted that plunging rates of violence in El Salvador made clear that the state of emergency was no longer justifiable.

They show the emergency situation has been overcome and thus a situation that justifies maintaining active the suspension of rights and protections in line with the American Convention no longer exists, the commission said in a report.

El Salvadors Congress granted President Nayib Bukele extraordinary powers to take on the gangs in March 2022 after a surge in gang violence. Since then, lawmakers have renewed the special powers every month, including this Tuesday.

Human and civil rights organizations have argued that the gangs could be pursued without the suspension of such rights as access to a lawyer or being told why police are arresting you. They argue that there has been little due process in the more than 80,000 arrests made.

Last week, Bukele said in a magazine interview that the security gains made in the past two years could be maintained without the state of emergency, but that more gang members needed to be arrested to ensure they did not re-establish themselves.

The human rights commission cited arbitrary arrests, the lack of evidence presented against those arrested, mass hearings, little access to defense lawyers among the troubling aspects of the crackdown. Other organizations have emphasized mounting deaths of suspects held in prison while awaiting trial.

Despite those measures, Bukeles crackdown has been widely popular and he was elected to a second term by a huge margin earlier this year.

The gangs once dominated daily life for much of the Salvadoran population, preying on their children, extorting their businesses and filling the countrys streets with bodies. Less than a decade ago it was considered one of the world's deadliest countries.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The cat who survived a vicious fire attack in July has made great progress, despite setbacks in his healing journey.

The Humane Society of Greater Dayton posted an update on social media on Tuesday, sharing that Joffrey has made amazing strides in his recovery.

They say the animal has been continually on pain medications and antibiotics while receiving daily bandage changes at OSUs Veterinary Center. Hes reportedly purring and cuddling, thriving on affection from his medical team.

26 organizations receive $117K in grants from The Dayton Foundation

According to the Humane Society, the fire incident caused severe burns to the tissues of Joffreys ears, requiring them to be removed. However, the brave kittens fight is not yet over. Additional minor procedures are expected soon.

Joffrey is expected to return to Dayton in a few weeks.

To make a financial contribution to Joffreys care and the care of other animals who endure abuse, visit the Humane Societys website.

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ZAGREB, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese tourists are crucial to Croatia's tourism industry, with their numbers steadily increasing this year, a Croatian tourism official has said.

About 100,000 Chinese tourists have visited Croatia so far this year, marking a 93-percent growth compared to last year's same period. This upward trend is expected to continue, as Chinese tourists travel year-round, Kristjan Stanicic, director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

He said Chinese tourists are drawn to Croatia not just for its sunshine and beaches, but also for year-round activities like sightseeing, exploring cultural monuments and historical heritage sites, experiencing local gastronomy, and enjoying everything else that makes Croatia a vibrant destination throughout the year.

"This is why our promotional efforts are specifically tailored to the Chinese market, with the goal of attracting as many Chinese tourists as possible year-round," he added.

Tourism has long been a pillar of the Croatian economy, accounting for about 20 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), according to official statistics.

The number of Chinese tourists visiting Croatia hit a record 300,000 in 2019, Stanicic said, expressing hope that these figures will soon return to pre-pandemic levels. "I hope this will be achieved in the next few years."

Stanicic praised the efforts of the Shanghai Representative Office of the Croatian National Tourist Board, which was established in 2018, for its promotional activities in China this year in collaboration with local partners. These efforts include participating in fairs in Shanghai, organizing a series of workshops, working with Chinese media, and collaborating with airlines to attract "as many Chinese tourists as possible to Croatia."

"It is evident that the prospects for cooperation between Croatia and China are on an upward trajectory," he said. "Croatia offers numerous attractions and year-round experiences that appeal to Chinese tourists. Conversely, China is also an intriguing destination for Croatian travelers." 
When the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020, humans had been the only species with reported cases of the disease. While early genetic analyses pointed to horseshoe bats as the evolutionary hosts of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, no reports had yet surfaced indicating it could be transmitted from humans to other animal species.

Less than two weeks later, a report from Belgium marked the first infection in a domestic cat  presumably by its owner. Summer 2020 saw news of COVID-19 outbreaks and subsequent cullings in mink farms across Europe and fears of similar calls for culling in North America. Humans and other animals on and around mink farms tested positive, raising questions about the potential for a secondary wildlife reservoir of COVID-19. That is, the virus could infect and establish a transmission cycle in a different species than the one in which it originated.

Researchers have documented this phenomenon of human-to-animal transmission, colloquially referred to as spillback or reverse zoonotic transmission, in both domestic and wild animals. Wildlife may be infected either directly from humans or indirectly from domestic animals infected by humans. This stepping-stone effect provides new opportunities for pathogens to evolve and can radically change how they spread, as seen with influenza and tuberculosis.

For example, spillback has been a long-standing threat to endangered great apes, even among populations with infrequent human contact. The chimpanzees of Gombe National Park, made famous by Jane Goodalls work, have suffered outbreaks of measles and other respiratory diseases likely resulting from environmental persistence of pathogens spread by people living nearby or by ecotourists.

We are researchers who study the mechanisms driving cross-species disease transmission and how disease affects both wildlife conservation and people. Emerging outbreaks have underscored the importance of understanding how threats to wildlife health shape the emergence and spread of zoonotic pathogens. Our research suggests that looking at historical outbreaks can help predict and prevent the next pandemic.

Spillback has happened before

Our research group wanted to assess how often spillback had been reported in the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. A retrospective analysis not only allows us to identify specific trends or barriers in reporting spillback events but also helps us understand where new emergent threats are most likely.

We examined historical spillback events involving different groups of pathogens across the animal kingdom, accounting for variations in geography, methods and sample sizes. We synthesized scientific reports of spillback across nearly a century prior to the COVID-19 pandemic  from the 1920s to 2019  which included diseases ranging from salmonella and intestinal parasites to human tuberculosis, influenza and polio.

We were also interested in determining whether detection and reporting bias might influence whats known about human-to-animal pathogen transmission. Charismatic megafauna  often defined as larger mammals such as pandas, gorillas, elephants and whales that evoke emotion in people  tend to be overrepresented in wildlife epidemiology and conservation efforts. They receive more public attention and funding than smaller and less visible species.

Complicating this further are difficulties in monitoring wild populations of small animals, as they decompose quickly and are frequently scavenged by larger animals. This drastically reduces the time window during which researchers can investigate outbreaks and collect samples.

Small animals such as deer mice are harder to surveil. Christopher Kimmel/Moment via Getty Images

The results of our historical analysis support our suspicions that most reports described outbreaks in large charismatic megafauna. Many were captive, such as in zoos or rehabilitation centers, or semi-captive, such as well-studied great apes.

Despite the litany of papers published on new pathogens discovered in bats and rodents, the number of studies examining pathogens transmitted from humans to these animals was scant. However, small mammals occupying diverse ecological niches, including animals that live near human dwellings  such as deer mice, rats and skunks  may be more likely to not only share their pathogens with people but also to be infected by human pathogens.

COVID-19 and pandemic flu

In our historical analysis of spillback prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the only evidence we found supporting the establishment of a human pathogen in a wildlife population were two 2019 reports describing H1N1 infection in striped skunks. Like coronaviruses, influenza A viruses such as H1N1 are adept at switching hosts and can infect a broad range of species.

Unlike coronaviruses, however, their widespread transmission is facilitated by migratory waterfowl such as ducks and geese. Exactly how these skunks became infected with H1N1 and for how long remains unclear.

Shortly after we completed the analysis for our study, reports describing widespread COVID-19 infection of white-tailed deer throughout North America began surfacing in November 2021. In some areas, the prevalence of infection was as high as 80% despite little evidence of sickness in the deer.

This ubiquitous mammal has effectively become a secondary reservoir of COVID-19 in North America. Further, genetic evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 evolves three times faster in white-tailed deer than in humans, potentially increasing the risk of seeding new variants into humans and other animals. There is already evidence of deer-to-human transmission of a previously unseen variant of COVID-19.

There are over 30 million white-tailed deer in North America, many in agricultural and suburban areas. Surveillance efforts to monitor viral evolution in white-tailed deer can help identify emerging variants and further transmission from deer populations into people or domestic animals.

Investigations into related species revealed that the risk of spillback varies. For instance, white-tailed deer and mule deer are highly susceptible to COVID-19 in the lab, while elk are not.

H5N1 and the US dairy herd

Since 2022, the spread of H5N1 has affected a broad range of avian and mammalian species around the globe  foxes, skunks, raccoons, opossums, polar bears, coyotes and seals, to name a few. Some of these populations are threatened or endangered, and aggressive surveillance efforts to monitor viral spread are ongoing.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported the presence of H5N1 in the milk of dairy cows. Genetic analyses point to an introduction of the virus into cows as early as December 2023, probably in the Texas Panhandle. Since then, it has affected 178 livestock herds in 13 states as of August 2024.

How the virus got into dairy cow populations remains undetermined, but it was likely by migratory waterfowl infected with the virus. Efforts to delineate exactly how the virus moves among and between herds are underway, though it appears contaminated milking equipment rather than aerosol transmission, may be the culprit.

Researchers are investigating outbreaks of H5N1 in cows. Jacob Wackerhausen/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Given the ability of influenza A viruses such as avian flu to infect a broad range of species, it is critical that surveillance efforts target not only dairy cows but also animals living on or around affected farms. Monitoring high-risk areas for cross-species transmission, such as where livestock, wildlife and people interact, provides information not only about how widespread a disease is in a given population  in this case, dairy cows  but also allows researchers to identify susceptible species that come into contact with them.

To date, H5N1 has been detected in several animals found dead on affected dairy farms, including cats, birds and a raccoon. As of August 2024, four people in close contact with infected dairy cows have tested positive, one of whom developed respiratory symptoms. Other wildlife and domestic animal species are still at risk. Similar surveillance efforts are underway to monitor H5N1 transmission from poultry to humans.

Humans are only 1 part of the network

The language often used to describe cross-species transmission fails to encapsulate its complexity and nuances. Given the number of species that have been infected with COVID-19 throughout the pandemic, many scientists have called for limiting the use of the terms spillover and spillback because they describe the transmission of pathogens to and from humans. This suggests that disease and its implications begin and end with humans.

Considering humans as one node in a large network of transmission possibilities can help researchers more effectively monitor COVID-19, H5N1 and other emerging zoonoses. This includes systems-thinking approaches such as One Health or Planetary Health that capture human interdependence with the health of the total environment.

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: Anna Fagre, Colorado State University and Sadie Jane Ryan, University of Florida

Read more:



Anna Fagre receives funding from The National Science Foundation (NSF BII 2213854) and The National Institutes of Health (K01OD037645).

Sadie Jane Ryan receives funding from The National Science Foundation (NSF BII 2213854; DBI 2016265; CCE 2200140).
As landslides continue to threaten the community of Rancho Palos Verdes, hundreds of homes in the southern California city have lost power.

The governor, Gavin Newsom, imposed a state of emergency on Monday as officials cut power to 245 homes in the seaside community, about 25 miles (40km) south of Los Angeles, due to worsening land movement. The electricity provider in the region, Southern California Edison, shut off power to 140 homes on Sunday and another 105 on Monday, citing the risk of igniting fires.

While the city has long dealt with landslides, a historic storm in February intensified and accelerated the movements leading to shifts as great as 1ft a week. Rancho Palos Verdes is now grappling with buckling streets, buildings sinking and cracking and hundreds of families forced to leave their homes, said Janice Hahn, a Los Angeles county supervisor, at a news conference on Monday.

I think were all learning there is no playbook for an emergency like this one, Hahn said. What we do know is many families are struggling, are suffering, are feeling great anxiety about what is happening. They are watching their homes  they are watching their streets  crumble around them.

The supervisor called on the governor to visit the region, adding: This is bigger than Rancho Palos Verdes. This land movement is so gigantic and so damaging that one city or one homeowners organization should not have to bear this burden alone.

She said that although this had been an issue for decades, the movement was now accelerating beyond what any of us could have foretold.

Southern California Edison notified Rancho Palos Verdes that electricity service would be discontinued at multiple homes due to fire risk because of the ongoing movement.

Larry Chung, SoCal Edisons vice-president of the customer engagement division, said the land movement had created such a dangerous situation that we must make that difficult decision to disconnect power indefinitely. Residents of the affected neighborhood previously suffered gas shutoffs in July.

Chung called the current emergency unprecedented, saying: We have an obligation not only to serve but a higher obligation to ensure the safety of our community.

City officials said they were identifying hotels and other accommodations that can offer discounted rates for residents affected by the loss of power.

Related: Typhoon Shanshan: Japan prepares for major disaster as storm makes landfall

The latest power shutoff will affect the Seaview neighborhood, which was designed in 1960 by the architect Paul Williams.

Earlier this year, landslides in the region led to the dismantling of the Wayfarers chapel, Frank Lloyd Wright Jrs celebrated glass sanctuary. The chapels leaders took it apart before it was destroyed by the land movement, with hopes of someday relocating it to a more stable site.

Last year, hillside homes in the affluent Rolling Hills Estates in Los Angeles crumbled and cracked due to similar cliffside shifts, leading to rushed evacuations.
The Clark County community continued to grieve Wednesday after a 15-year-old girl was hit and killed by a school bus one day earlier.

The girl, McKenna Letcher, was a freshman at George Rogers. She was hit Tuesday morning while trying to cross Veterans Memorial Parkway, near Ironworks Road, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Students were on the bus at the time of the crash.

Clark County Schools Superintendent Dustin Howard held a press conference Wednesday morning to discuss the incident, but he said he couldnt share specifics about the crash.

We are hurting. We are heartbroken, Howard said. We are managing the loss of a 15-year-old girl, trying to support her family, trying to support our staff, our students, the entirety of our community.

The school system has worked to support McKennas family, plus classmates and staffers in Clark County affected by the crash, Howard said.

The superintendent also thanked the community and school districts statewide for providing support. He said Kentucky Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher visited the high school on Tuesday.

We have to be a light in this time of darkness, Howard said. Although one light, one candle, doesnt burn very bright, we need everyone to support the family, our school system, our students and our community.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing, Howard said. The Clark County Sheriffs Office is investigating the crash and has not responded to a request for comment.

Lawyer Jon Hollan, with Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers, has been hired by the family.

It is my intention to respect the formal investigative process of involved law enforcement as it continues to unfold while also working diligently with our own team of investigators and experts who are in the field seeking evidence as to the tragic events of yesterday morning, Hollan said in a news release. We welcome anyone with additional information to contact our office directly.

Letcher was described in the news release as a caring, joyful and creative child who dreamed of being a mechanic. Letchers mother and family thanked the community for their support and positivity.

She was just a real loved, positive person

Letcher was a member of Catalyst Church in Winchester, according to her obituary. She was also a Girl Scout with troop No. 2619.

Steve Caudill, lead pastor at the church, said in an interview Wednesday Letcher was a joy to be around.

Shes a hugger, and she loved people. She loved life, Caudill said. She was just a real loved, positive person to be around.

Letcher was baptized in November 2021, Caudill said, and has been a member at the church since then.

Caudill said the church community is grieving Letchers death, but is appreciative of the support that has been offered.

The family really appreciates (the support) and had no idea of the love that would be reached out to the family the way it has been, Caudill said. It has been very well received.

A GoFundMe has been created to collect money for Letchers family. As of Wednesday afternoon it had raised more than $10,000.
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  IDEA Public Schools said in a release on Tuesday that it will be opening a new campus with two schools to the families of Odessa for the 2025-2026 academic year. IDEA Lopez Academy and College Preparatory will serve Kindergarten through second and sixth grade levels in its first year. The campus will then continue to add a grade level each year until it is fully scaled Kindergarten through 12th.

The organization said IDEA Lopez honors IDEAs late Acting CEO and Superintendent, Al Lopez. Lopez was a first-generation college student who paved the way for students to unlock their full potential and make a lasting impact in their communities, according to a release from IDEA on Tuesday. Lopez was introduced to IDEA in 2012 as planning for the first campus in Austin began. Over the following 10 years, IDEA said he served at every moment the organization needed him. In 2015, he joined the national board, later serving as its chair in 2020 and as Acting CEO and Superintendent in 2021 until his passing in 2022.

RELATED: IDEA Public Schools welcomes students to new high school campus

IDEA said the school aims to close the opportunity gap and increase levels of achievement by preparing students from underserved communities for success in college and beyond.

I am grateful Als incredible legacy will continue to live on through our new school in Odessa, said Dr. Jeff Cottrill, CEO and Superintendent of IDEA Public Schools. By continuing our partnership with families, educators, and Odessas community, IDEA aims to empower students with the tools they need to prepare them for a bright future to college and beyond.

With the expansion, the school will serve as the third campus in the IDEA Permian Basin region. The campus will be located at 3401 W. 5th Street, Odessa, TX 79763.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin.
Ill. (WTVO)  Gone are the days when you could count on mini plastic bottles of body wash and shampoo to be available in hotels across Illinois.

Governor J.B. Pritzker recently signed the Small Single-Use Plastic Bottle Act into law, which bans hotels from providing various toiletries that come in plastic bottles.

For hotels with more than 50 rooms, the law will be enforced starting July 1, 2025. Hotels with under 50 rooms must abide by the law beginning July 1, 2026.

Hotels will be expected to switch to refillable containers and could face warnings if they fail to do so. Another failure to comply will result in a $1,500 fine.

The law does state that a hotel can still provide plastic bottles of personal-care products at no charge, but the person must ask for them at a place other than a room or restroom.

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IMF to send its first delegation to Russia since full-scale invasion's start, Russian representative claims

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will send its first mission to Russia since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the IMF's Russian Executive Director Aleksei Mozhin claimed in a comment for Reuters on Sept. 3.

The mission, which will be headed by Argentine economist Jacques Miniane, will allegedly begin in an online format and then include a visit to Moscow from an IMF delegation in October.

No such announcement has been made on the IMF's website or social media.

The last IMF mission to Russia was in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We were excluded from this process under pressure from our Western 'friends,' and there were no further missions in 2022-23," Mozhin told Reuters.

Mozhin will be stepping down from his position in November. He confirmed to AFP on Sept. 3 that he will be replaced by Ksenia Yudaeva, former first deputy governor at Russia's Central Bank and a current adviser to its current governor, Elvira Nabiullina.

Yudaeva was sanctioned by the U.S. in April 2022 for her links to the Central Bank and the Otkritie commercial bank, which was sanctioned by the U.S. on the day the full-scale invasion began.

On paper, sanctioned individuals are banned from entering the U.S., where the IMF's headquarters are located.

"(Yudaeva) will have to run the office from Moscow initially," Mozhin told Reuters. He did not add if she planned to relocate to the Washington, D.C. office later.

Read also: Russias economy will face sharp decline after second quarter of 2024, Bloomberg reports

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Congressional candidates running in New Jersey agree border security poses deep concerns but split on how to stem illegal immigration. (Photo by John Moore | Getty Images)

As New Jersey voters begin to mull how to vote in November  when the White House, a Senate seat, and all 12 House seats will be on the ballot  immigration is a key issue dividing the two major parties.

Republicans nationwide have made the influx of migrants at the southern border a focal point of their campaigns, while Democrats have accused Republicans of blocking immigration reform so the GOP can campaign on chaos on the border.

Immigrant advocates, meanwhile, say Democrats have bowed to pressure from the right and are beginning to mirror Republicans tough-on-immigrants policies.

This is especially disappointing in New Jersey, a state where immigrants make up nearly a quarter of the population, said Erik Cruz Morales, policy manager with the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice.

I think the candidates that are running for office should really stand up for their communities and their districts because the majority of people who live in some of these districts are immigrant populations, he said.

His frustration is shared by Rep. Rob Menendez (D-08), who agreed that Democrats need to articulate their own vision of a better immigration policy. Menendez is seeking reelection in a majority Hispanic district that includes sections of Jersey City and Newark.

Democrats must lay out a clear vision of what comprehensive immigration reform looks like and show how it impacts the economy, Menendez said in an interview. The party should support work authorization so more people can find jobs and tout how much immigrants contribute in tax dollars, he added.

That should be the message for Democrats  if we solve immigration and if we fix our broken system, we win in the future, and wed be stronger because of it, he said. That, to me, is why we should all dedicate ourselves to figuring it out, and not allowing the Republican narrative be how we talk about this.

There has to be a better way

This years Republican National Convention featured attendees holding signs calling for mass deportation, and the partys presidential nominee, Donald Trump, has said hed push for the deportation of 11 million undocumented immigrants nationwide.

Those are not positions shared by Menendezs Republican challenger, Anthony Valdes, a son of immigrants who works as a dwelling inspector. Valdes supports building the border wall that Trump championed and said more funds should go to securing the border, but he doesnt support mass deportation and would rather see a push for working papers for some undocumented immigrants.

Valdes, a West New York native, said voters he speaks to take no issue with legal immigration, but they dont believe whats happening now is fair compared to how they had to really suffer when they immigrated to the United States decades ago. Immigrants who arrived legally believe undocumented immigrants are having an easier time accessing resources like housing and health care than legal immigrants, Valdes said.

Were a country of immigrants, but whats happening at our southern border, in my opinion, is an invasion. These people are coming in illegally, he said.

And the blame for that lies with the Biden-Harris administration, said GOP political consultant Alex Wilkes. The spike in border crossings has led to every state becoming a border state, Wilkes said, and thats why the issue is top of mind even for New Jersey Republicans who live more than 2,000 miles away from the border with Mexico.

Since Biden took office, illegal border crossings have averaged 2 million per year, according to the Washington Post, an average more than quadruple that of Donald Trumps administration. Crossings plunged earlier this year after the Biden administration used emergency powers to suspend the entry of most migrants attempting to illegally enter the U.S., effectively cutting access to asylum seekers.

Wilkes hailed Trumps remain in Mexico policy, which required migrants seeking asylum to stay in Mexico until their immigration court date, as a success. Now, she said, Republicans have a clear message to close the border, deport the most dangerous undocumented migrants, and create a legislative fix that removes bureaucratic hurdles from those seeking to immigrate legally.

There has to be a better way between the system we have now and a completely open border where we dont even know whos coming through, she said. Most Republicans want to talk about this in terms of, how do we make this system work for people who want to legitimately better themselves, who fear for their safety in their home countries?

Valdess contention that his views on immigration are more moderate than Trumps does not convince Menendez, who said Republicans may publicly stray from Trumps more hard-line immigration stances in a state like New Jersey  which hasnt voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1988  but they still support a White House hopeful who is seeking to deport millions of people.

Thats that election posturing, when we all know that sending another Republican down to Washington will be a yes vote for every damn awful policy of the Republican Party and Trump administration, so lets not lose sight of that, Menendez said.

8th Congressional District candidates

Rep. Rob Menendez (Democrat), incumbent

Anthony Valdes (Republican)

Pablo R. Olivera (Labour)

Christian J. Robbins (Green)

Lea Sherman (Socialist Workers Party)

Morally wrong

Menendezs thoughts aside, immigration advocates worry that Democrats by and large arent doing enough to oppose the Republican narrative on this issue.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, has said if elected president she would hire thousands more border agents and crack down on fentanyl and human trafficking.

There hasnt been much conversation around any other significant pieces of legislation that would fix the broken immigration system, Morales said.

Recent polling from the American Civil Liberties Union found that voters in key battlegrounds nationwide prefer an immigration policy that would manage the border and provide a road to citizenship for long-time residents, rather than fear-based policies. The polling included voters in New Jerseys 7th District, one of the nations most competitive, where Democrat Sue Altman will face incumbent Tom Kean Jr., who was elected in 2022.

Neither candidate was available to comment for this story.

In the 7th, 66% of voters said the United States needs a balanced approach to immigration that addresses the challenges at the border and includes a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and other long-time residents, while 31% said it is too dangerous to open up our country to more people from other countries.

The key to success in 2024s electoral battlegrounds lies in presenting innovative, solution-focused approaches to immigration and public safety, the ACLUs report says.

Julie Flores-Castillo, an immigrant advocate from Red Bank and a local Democratic Party official, comes from a mixed-status family and has undocumented family members. She said theres more fear in the community because the messaging coming from politicians on both sides isnt humane.

She noted the emphasis on detaining undocumented immigrants. A 2021 New Jersey law bars public and private entities from entering into contracts to house immigrant detainees, but the law has been deemed partially unconstitutional by a federal judge. While the law is being challenged in court, private prison company GEO Group seeks to sign a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to house detainees at Delaney Hall, a facility near the Essex County jail in Newark.

I dont see that being discussed at all here, and its creating more fear, Flores-Castillo said. We dont want any more detention centers opening here, but I dont see candidates calling for it not to happen.

Menendez, who along with his Democratic colleagues in the House has been outspoken on closing detention centers in New Jersey, said he plans to fight immigrant detention more if he wins another term in Congress. He said its a reflection of the broken system and echoed that Democrats should strive to present larger measures to fix immigration.

Just because we havent come up with a holistic fix doesnt mean we should allow these things to continue to exist when they do harm to our communities, Menendez said. Ill never shy away from saying that because we know its morally wrong to rip people away from their families.

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SAN DIEGO (KUSI)  Tuesday was a somber milestone for people who live in the South Bay.

Imperial Beachs coastline has been closed for 1,000 days in a row. Now, theres a new call for President Joe Biden to declare a federal state of emergency.

Watch Dan Plantes report in the video player above.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Hey Rupam, open the door. Take this fish, a woman yelled from outside. I was sitting in the kitchen at my friend Rupams house in rural northeast India. It was the heart of monsoon season, and rain had been falling since morning. The woman must have been shouting because the noise of the rain on the tin roof muted everything else.

The aunty who lived next door stood outside with a large bowl of Boriala fish. Her husband had gone fishing on the Subansiri River, which flows next to the village, and he had fished all evening. My husband cannot stay indoors in this weather, she said in Assamese, the local language. You can catch a lot of fish during this time.

The monsoon season has long brought a bounty of fish from May to September for people living downstream.

However, this is likely to change once the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, one of the largest hydropower dams in India, is completed upstream. Expected to be fully operational in 2026, the dam will change the natural flow of the river.

For most of the day, the dam will hold back water, letting only a small amount through, roughly equivalent to the regions dry season. But for about four hours each night, it will release water to generate power, sending a raging river downstream almost like during monsoon season.

The dam will not only block the movement of fish, but also change the way people living downstream experience the rivers flows.

A fisher collects his net on a winter evening in the Subansiri. The river is calm and shallow in many places at that time of year, and people can walk across parts of the river. Parag Saikia

In a 2010 report on the likely impact of the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project on downstream populations, experts from three premier institutes of Assam  the central state of northeast India  identified several concerns for downstream communities, including flood and erosion risk, earthquake risk, the loss of water flow for fishing and groundwater recharge, and the survival of species including river dolphins.

Now, a decade later, as the dam is nearing completion, the central question remains: What will happen to people like Rupams neighbor, whose lives and livelihoods depend on the river?

In 2023, I lived in a village next to the Subansiri River. My dissertation research brought me there to study how this hydroelectric dam, under construction since 2005, is affecting communities downstream.

Small displacement by benign dams

Northeast India has been the focus of hydropower dam construction since the beginning of this century. In order to secure the countrys energy future, Central Electricity Authority of India in 2001 identified the Brahmaputra River basin as having the highest hydropower potential  63,328 megawatts. It proposed constructing a whopping 168 hydropower dams in the region.

This earned the region the nickname Indias Future Powerhouse. The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project was the first project.

The Subansiri River in 2020. Manisha Kakati, CC BY

The government sees the mega-hydro dam initiative as a win-win. It expects the dams to increase Indias energy security while also developing large infrastructure networks in one of Indias contentious borderland regions.

About 80% of the power for Indias Future Powerhouse is proposed to be generated in Arunachal Pradesh, the largest state of northeast India. China has repeatedly challenged Indias sovereignty over Arunachal since the latters independence in 1947.

Building dams in Arunachal Pradesh has another advantage: very low population density. It has about 17 people per square kilometer, and over 80% of Arunachals total territory is forest. That helped the government of India to argue that there is relatively small displacement by submergence as compared to that in other parts of the country and therefore these projects are benign.

However, these projects are in no way benign to the people who live downstream.

The disruption to lives downstream

The flood plains of the Subansiri are home to people belonging to indigenous communities and lower castes of Hindu caste hierarchy. Mising  the largest indigenous community in the downstream region  call the river Awanori, which means mother river.

As part of my long-term ethnographic fieldwork, I observed how a range of livelihoods in the downstream region  fishing, agriculture, livestock grazing, recovering driftwood and transporting people by boat in remote areas  are all dependent on the 79-mile Subansiri River. I interviewed people who live there and attended community events to understand how the river plays a big role in everyday life.

The Golden Jubilee celebration of Takam Mising Porin Kebang, or All Mising Student Union, in 2023. A banner in Assamese reads: We are a riverine civilization. Save the River, Save the Community. No Big Dam. The student union led protests over the dams downstream impacts. Parag Saikia

Their reliance on the river has been based on natural, uncontrolled flows. Once the dam is completed, the river flows will be controlled by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation.

Once in operation, the dam will block most of the rivers flow for 20 hours of the day, and then release that water  about 2,560 cubic meters per second  to power turbines that can meet peak electricity demand between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. every night. During the 20 nonpeak hours, the dam would release less than a tenth as much water.

What happens when the river flow changes?

When the dam was first proposed, there was no plan to release water during the nonpeak 20 hours. Activists argued that cutting the waters flow would have made it impossible for any aquatic animal to survive downstream.

In 2017, the nonpeak-hour flow proposal was increased to a range of 225 to 250 cubic meters per second. That year, the National Green Tribunal, which resolves civil cases related to the environment, asked the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation to ensure a minimum level of water for the survival of Gangetic dolphin, Indias national aquatic animal. This judgment helped pave the way for restarting the construction after an eight-year delay. However, the tribunal did not address how people living downstream would be affected by the changes.

The calculation of minimum flow only for the survival of one aquatic mammal leaves out numerous ways the flows of the Subansiri matter to people and other animals.

The dam itself threatens the downstream existence of many fish varieties, including the golden mahseer. It will also alter the flow and sediment supply in the river, and the abrupt and powerful flow for four hours each night will have greater scouring capacity and risks eroding the riverbed and banks.

Traditionally, from October to April, the dry riverbed and sandbar islands have been used to grow early-maturing ahu rice and mustard before the monsoon flood waters arrive. People also graze their livestock in the islands and in the fields after crops are harvested.

Once the dam begins flooding the river for four hours a night, however, the riverbed and sand-bar islands will be largely unusable.

Dried stems of mustard lie on the ground after they have been harvested in a riverbank field downstream of the dam. Parag Saikia

The rainy season when the river floods is the most productive time for fishing and collecting driftwood. However the dam will obstruct the movement of fish and trap wood behind the dam. So, even though there will be flood waters every day in the river, fishermen and wood collectors may not benefit from it.

For people like Rupams neighbor, the Subansiri River they know will change. They will have to navigate the river more cautiously, and every evening there will be monsoon-season water levels.

Will they be able to catch enough fish to share with their neighbors? Only time will tell.

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: Parag Jyoti Saikia, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Parag Jyoti Saikia received research funding from the International Dissertation Research Fellowship from Social Science Research Council and Dissertation Fieldwork Grant from Wenner-Gren Foundation, Carolina Asia Center and UNC's Graduate School. He wrote this article as a Sapiens Public Scholar Training Fellow for 2023-24, which is awarded by Sapiens magazine. In the past, Parag was the Assistant Coordinator for South Asia Network on Dams, River, and People, a non-governmental organization based in Delhi, India. He is also associated with non-governmental organizations working on water in Northeast India.
RIGA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics has expressed his support for Albania's accession to the European Union (EU) during a meeting here with Albanian President Bajram Begaj who is on a two-day visit to the Baltic country.

The two leaders focused on bilateral relations, economic exchange, and cooperation on tourism and transport during the meeting on Tuesday, according to the office of the Latvian President.

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina, who also met with Begaj, echoed Rinkevics' support for Albania on its path to EU accession. She highlighted the developing relations between the two countries, as well as the potential to expand cooperation on ICT, tourism and trade.

Begaj said that Latvia has been an inspiration for Albania on its path to membership in the EU. 
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India supports a policy of development and not expansionism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Brunei on Wednesday, though he did not name any country.

Brunei is located south of the South China Sea, which is claimed almost entirely by Beijing. Ties between India and China have been strained since 20 Indian and four Chinese troops were killed in a border clash on their Himalayan frontier in 2020.

Modi also said India supports freedom of navigation and overflight under international laws similar to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides a framework for global maritime navigation and regulates use of marine resources.

(Reporting by YP Rajesh and Tanvi Mehta; Writing by Krishn Kaushik; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
The Indiana Treasurer of State said more than 800 students will use Education Scholarships Accounts during the 2024-25 academic year  more than ever before. (Getty Images)

Indianas Education Scholarship Accounts  meant to help students who require special education services  have reached full enrollment for the first time since the program went live in 2022, according to the Office of the Indiana State Treasurer.

The announcement came less than two weeks after the office indicated that participation had boosted 200% even before the start of the new school year. The program application deadline was originally set for Sept. 1.

We are thrilled to announce that every dollar allocated to the Indiana ESA Program has been distributed, ensuring that families have the resources they need to provide their children with the best possible education, Indiana State Treasurer Daniel Elliott said in a statement. This program is a testament to Indianas dedication to supporting diverse educational opportunities and fostering an environment where every child can thrive.

Eligible Hoosier families will pull from the $10 million appropriated for ESAs in the 2024-25 academic year.

Participating in the program will be 862 students and  for the first time  156 siblings, according to the treasurers office.

A law approved earlier this year extended eligibility for ESAs to the siblings of students who have disabilities, even if those siblings do not have disabilities themselves. Previously, ESAs were only available for students who require special education services.

With over 600 providers, the program is expected to serve students in 67 of Indianas 92 counties. About 80% of students who participated last year reapplied again, state officials said.

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During the 2023-2024 school year, 957 unique ESA applications were created. Of those, 557 applications were approved and 540 ultimately participated.

We recognize that every child is unique, and their educational experiences should reflect that. Its all about the kids, said Tina Kaetzel, executive director of the Indiana ESA Program. The success of this program underscores the importance of empowering parents and guardians with the resources necessary to make informed decisions about their childrens education. The program is growing, and it is working.

To be eligible for an ESA, school-aged Hoosiers must have an active service plan, Individualized Education Plan or Choice Special Education Plan (CSEP). They must also have an income below 400% of the Federal Free or Reduced School Meals limit, according to the Indiana Department of Education.

Accounts set up by the state treasurers office provide each qualifying student with thousands of dollars for private school tuition and various other educational services from providers outside of their school district.

Other expenses can include transportation, examinations and assessments, occupational therapy, paraprofessional or education aides, training programs and more.

The ESA program was created by the General Assembly in 2021 despite pushback from public education advocates who argued that the program lacks oversight and takes money away from traditional public schools.

During the 2024 legislative session, a top state Republican lawmaker floated a bill to eliminate the ESA program  in favor of a new grant program that would allow all Hoosier families, regardless of income, to choose where their students get educated.

The proposal did not advance, but discussion around the measure previewed possible legislative momentum in 2025.

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This article will update.

An Indianapolis police officer was arrested late Tuesday in Hendricks County for alleged sex crimes.

Kamal Bola, 35, was preliminarily charged with one count of public voyeurism and three counts of child molesting, one count alleges he committed the crime while using deadly force or armed with a deadly weapon.

On Sept. 3, a family member of the minor reported the allegations to a detective at the Hendricks County Sheriffs Office, which led to detectives investigating the claims, interviewing Bola and ultimately arresting him, according to a statement released by IMPD.

When IMPD discovered that one of the involved parties was an off-duty IMPD officer, detectives from IMPDs Special Investigation Unit were contacted and offered to assist with the investigation.

Chief Bailey learned of the allegations on Wednesday and suspended Bola from the department pending a recommendation of termination to the Civilian Police Merit Board.

These allegations against the officer are disturbing and entirely unacceptable, Bailey said.

Children must be able to trust that those in positions of authority will protect them at all times. We demand the highest standards of conduct from our officers, both on and off duty. These allegations represent a severe breach of trust the community places in law enforcement. Our thoughts are with the victim and their family. Ensuring the safety of our community, especially our most vulnerable members, is and will remain our highest priority."

Bola is a 6-year veteran with the department and was recently assigned to Southwest District.

Bola is being held with no bond.

Bola will be the fourth officer in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's ranks arrested and suspended this year on accusations of committing sex crimes.

Javed Richards was arrested in August and charged with 13 counts of child exploitation and one count of possession of child pornography after detectives discovered Richards was allegedly uploading and downloading material sexually exploiting children on the internet. Myron Howard was arrested in April after two women called for help and alleged they were sexually assaulted after meeting Howard at those calls. And in January, Paul Humphrey faced charges after he was accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old. All three officers' cases remain pending.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department had not released a statement or details about Bola's time on the force at time of publication.

Four officers arrested this year on sex crime allegations

In an interview with Bowling Green State University professor Phil Stinson, after Richards was arrested, Stinson highlighted how alarming these arrests were across the nation.

"We're seeing on average, several times a month, an officer being charged with child porn offenses," Stinson said. "It's troubling, and it's bizarre to me."

What's going on? The Indy cops charged with sex crimes in 2024.

His team's database shows that between 2005 and 2018, Indiana departments saw 62 cops arrested for sex crimes.

The same traits that make officers good at their jobs  a tendency to take risks, bold actions and act impulsively  also can lead to criminal behavior, he explained.

Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@indystar.com. IndyStar reporter Ryan Murphy contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis police officer facing molestation, voyeurism charges
Indianapolis teacher among top 3 finalists for Indiana Teacher of the Year 2025

Graciela Miranda is an English language learners teacher at Pike High School and was part of the top three finalists for Indiana's teacher of the years 2025.

A Pike High School teacher is among three finalists for Indiana Teacher of the Year, the Indianapolis Department of Education announced Wednesday.

Graciela Miranda, an English language learners teacher at Pike High School, is part of the top three, along with Chet Dixon, an alternative school teacher at Mooresville High School, and Ellie Minogue, who teaches fourth and fifth-graders at Klondike Elementary School in West Lafayette.

The Indiana Teacher of the Year program celebrates the teaching profession by recognizing existing teachers who excel in their field while encouraging others to join the profession.

Teachers make a difference in the lives of our students each and every day, said Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education in a press release. The Indiana Teacher of the Year process gives us another opportunity to elevate the educator profession and celebrate their incredible impact. Among 65,000 educators in the state, what an accomplishment it is to be a top three finalist for Indiana Teacher of the Year!

School districts are encouraged to nominate their local teacher of the year and finalists are selected by a committee made up of former teacher of the year recipients, state department staff, educational organization leaders, business and community leaders and representatives from higher education.

Keep up with school news: Sign up for Study Hall, IndyStar's free weekly education newsletter.

Miranda has been teaching for 23 years and incorporates parents and community connections within her classroom to maximize success for students, according to the IDOE press release.

She also helps other Latino educators by connecting them to the community and professional learning opportunities.

The winner of the 2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year will be announced in late September.

Contact IndyStar reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy teacher one of top 3 finalists for Teacher of the Year
Family members stand around a photograph of Milo Warnock during a celebration of life memorial held for him in Meridian, Jan. 13, 2024. Warnock was killed by a fellow prisoner in the Idaho State Correctional Center in December. Pictured from left: brothers Murray Warnock, Yancey Warnock, mother Kathy Warnock, father Mike Warnock, brother Clinton Warnock and sister Hallie Johnson.

Its been a long, excruciating nine months since Milo Warnock was killed in an Idaho prison.

And while Tuesdays announcement that the Ada County Prosecuting Attorneys Office has finally indicted a suspect brings some relief, Milos family hopes to see broader justice beyond the conviction of a suspect.

What I want to see happen is the investigation opened up so we can expose what goes on in the prison, Milos father, Mike Warnock, told me by phone Tuesday. Our rage is against the system and the prison and the whole works.

As I wrote in a column back in January, Milos family feels he got a raw deal in being sent to prison for a DUI to begin with, and then things only got worse from there. During a two-year delay in his trial because of COVID, Milo rode a bicycle to work every day and never missed or failed a required urinalysis. And yet, the judge sentenced Milo to 10 years in prison, with at least two years fixed.

By all accounts, Milo Warnock was a hard worker, curious, kind-hearted, funny, intelligent and intellectual, someone who reveled in deep thoughts and deep discussion about deep ideas. He was killed by a fellow prisoner on Dec. 10 at the Idaho State Correctional Center.

Then, once Milo was at the Idaho State Correctional Center, he was cheeking his prescribed medication, or pretending to take it at night and saving it for the next morning, because the medication kept him awake at night. He filled out paper forms to request a change in his medication time, but unbeknownst to him, the prison had stopped using paper forms, even though the forms and dropboxes were still available.

This was a resident concern form that Milo Warnock filled out on Sept. 27, explaining that he had filled out a paper form for a request to change his medication time, unaware that paper forms were no longer accepted and that he was supposed to fill out an electronic form. That misunderstanding led him to be placed in G block at the Idaho State Correctional Center, where he was killed by a fellow prisoner less than three months later.

When he was caught cheeking his medication, it added 22 points to his offender rating, putting him one point over a medium-level offender and making him a maximum-level offender, according to the Warnocks.

Milo was taken to Cell Block G with other maximum-level offenders  a place Milo did not fit in or belong or deserve. And he landed in a cell with James M. Johnson, with whom Milo told his family he was having problems.

Milo said he was trying to help Johnson, reading Catch-22 to him, buying a $300 television to have in their cell and spending 12 hours making a shelf out of folded cardboard for him.

I have tried to help him, so that I can feel good about myself (philanthropy is self centered behavior, as Dickens points out in Bleak House), Milo wrote to his mother Dec. 7, three days before he was killed. I cant help him, tho. .

Johnson was indicted last week by a grand jury, accused of killing Milo.

From Milos original prosecution and imprisonment to his treatment in prison and the nine-month wait for even an indictment, the family has felt the system has been working against them all along.

I feel thankful finally things are moving, although my rage is not so much at Johnson, as it is at the prison, Mike Warnock said. I mean, (Johnson) had all of these problems, and they throw him in with Milo, who shouldnt have been there to begin with. I mean, thats where the problem is. But Im glad at least we got to this point.

Its a sentiment echoed by Milos sister, Hallie Johnson.

Over the past nine-plus months weve agonized over the lack of information about Milos death as well as what has felt like a very slow investigation, she wrote to me in an email. It is a relief that the indictment has occurred, but we know its the beginning of more waiting as the judicial process plays out.

Milos mother, Kathy Warnock, told me earlier that the issue of the death penalty in this case never was broached.

We wouldnt want that, Kathy wrote to me in an email. We think James Johnson is a badly broken individual. Milo said this from the beginning. We have had no contact with James family, but we feel they also have cause for anger.

For the family, justice for Milo will be more than just a conviction.

Its impossible not to be reminded of the senselessness of Milos death, Hallie wrote. I hope that these painful reminders for our family are reminders to the public that there are issues with the criminal justice system.
(From left to right) Sen. Melissa Agard, Josh and Megan Lowe, Nora Lowe, senior intergovernmental affairs specialist for the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin Michael Decorah, District II representative for Ho-Chunk Nation, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association founder Rob Pero. (Photo | Isiah Holmes)

Right now, there is no bill up for legalizing cannabis in our state, said Rob Pero, founder of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association and the owner of Canndigenous, which focuses on providing high quality hemp-derived CBD products to Native American communities. Pero spoke during at a Tuesday morning press conference in the Capitol. We know that weve been sort of stuck in the middle of a prohibition island here between these three other states surrounding us, where our citizens are having to make a choice of whether to really commit a crime to go get their medicine and bring it back to the state.



Pero joined other Indigenous leaders, state elected officials and affected Wisconsin families at the Capitol Tuesday to announce a public awareness campaign called Wisconsin Wellness. The new Indigenous-led effort will call for the legalization of medicinal cannabis in Wisconsin and work to increase access to communities across the Badger State. We understand the need, said Pero. We know veterans with PTSD, people with debilitating ailments, chronic pain. This is an adult choice, a responsible solution to bring medicine to our state, to really benefit our communities and to make them well again.

Hemp plant

Kristin White Eagle, District II representative for the Ho-Chunk Nation and one of the directors of Wisconsin Wellness, said on Tuesday that its long past time for Wisconsin to accept cannabis legalization. I think its time that we end that prohibition, we allow this to be a choice for people who need this  medicinal cannabis  for their lives. White Eagle recalled the struggles of her own grandfather, who survived being a prisoner of war during the Korean War, and did two tours in Vietnam. This wouldve been really his lifesaver for not only his relationships with his family, but in his own state of mind, and his wellness, she said, adding, If we had had the ability to help our veterans in that way, it wouldve been crucial for many relationships that he had. White Eagle said it is imperative that Wisconsin become a state of choice for medicinal cannabis.

Ending cannabis prohibition in Wisconsin has grown more and more popular over the years. Public opinion surveys have shown that 84% of respondents in Wisconsin support medicinal cannabis, with 62% supporting recreational legalization. In November 2022, non-binding ballot initiatives in half a dozen Wisconsin communities asking whether cannabis should be legalized statewide passed with an average of 75% of voters supporting legalization.

What seems to be ample support among the public, however, has not convinced the Legislature. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has proudly supported a Republican-crafted bill which would create what he called one of the most restrictive programs of state-run dispensaries in the country. A very limited number of dispensaries would only provide cannabis in the form of a pill, tincture, topical, vapor, or edible form to patients who suffer from a select number of chronic ailments. Those would include cancer, epilepsy, HIV or AIDS, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder, severe chronic pain, severe muscle spasms, severe chronic nausea, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and terminal illness with a life expectancy of less than one year.

The bill has failed to pass in past legislative sessions, in part because it is so highly restrictive. Meanwhile, bills to fully legalize cannabis have also been shot down without a public hearing. Sen. Melissa Agard (D-Madison), who joined the press conference Tuesday, recalled introducing the very first bill to legalize cannabis in 2014. Not long afterward, Agard was invited by the St. Croix tribe to discuss their own vision of how cannabis could help their people.

We shared our stories, we learned that we shared values from those conversations, said Agard. Back then, she recalled, people would approach me in hushed tones and talk from behind their hands saying, I think what youre working on, wink, wink, nod, nod. Today, people are much more vocal about their support for cannabis legalization, despite an enduring sense even having the conversation carries a stigma. Wisconsin is one of just 12 states with no form of legalized cannabis. Agard hopes that campaigns like Wisconsin Wellness will bring this conversation out of the shadows, and into our main streets across the state of Wisconsin.

Josh Lowe, father of cannabis patient Nora Lowe. (Photo | Isiah Holmes)

Nora Lowe, who suffers from seizures and is wheelchair bound is one of the Wisconsinites pushing the conversation, along with her family. Six years ago, Lowe set out to get an advisory referendum for medicinal cannabis on the Sauk County ballot It passed. Yet, her mother and caregiver Megan said on Tuesday, Were still sitting here six years later with no action. Meanwhile, Nora has had to watch as all of her friends in neighboring states freely access medicine that helps them. Their lives have incredibly improved, said Megan Lowe. So, she could be seizure-free if we drove 75 miles in either direction, and I dont want to have to move out of my home state. We need action now.

Each year, Wisconsin loses over $36 million in state revenue across the border as residents travel across state lines in search of medicinal cannabis. Legalizing and taxing cannabis in Wisconsin, just like we already do with alcohol, will ensure that we have a controlled market that is safer for our communities, said Agard, and provide opportunities of health and security for people like Nora, and other folks across the state of Wisconsin.

Although there are pharmaceutical options available to help control seizures, chronic pain and other conditions, Noras family says they are not as effective or as safe as cannabis. Just by using hemp, Noras family has been able to take her off four pharmaceutical medicines, using CBD and just one anti-seizure medication. We could get off the anti-seizure med if we had THC more readily available, which is what really helps her condition at least from our understanding at this point, said Noras father Josh. Its all about having the right to try something thats natural, right? Because what we found out when we went down the pharmaceutical was, Oh heres this thing, but it causes this other thing. And Oh, heres another medicine to fix that thing that we just caused. And youre just plugging holes to leaks that keep popping up from that medication.

By comparison, the side-effects associated with cannabis such as sleepiness, relaxation, decreasing depression, and increasing appetite are things that were desperately searching for for our daughter, said Josh Lowe. Cannabis has been shown to have a wide variety of applications, from helping to treat cancers, chronic pain, and even autism and addiction to opioids.

Noras father said during the press conference that although they dont support the very restrictive Republican-backed bill, it would still be better than whats happening now. Josh Lowe said, Do I think that its a good bill that shouldve been passed? Not necessarily. But do I think it wouldve helped somebody in this state, especially our children who are medically fragile, who are probably the most vulnerable, and the most overlooked in this whole conversation, it absolutely wouldve got her medicine.

Sen. Melissa Agard (Photo | Isiah Holmes)

He hopes that people of different political beliefs in the state can work together to at least get on the path towards a decent medical bill. Agard stressed that with all policy-making, the devils in the details. Its not clear whether the restrictive Republican bill would have been good, bad or even constitutional. Having legislators in a back room coming up with the bill, so that they can put it forward and simply be able to say on a piece of literature, Im running for office, and one of my successes [was] that I introduced a bill to legalize cannabis, knowing that it was not a good faith effort that was ever going to move forward, feels like a nasty, nasty trick to families like Noras when literally her health and the wellbeing of people like her is on the line. It is not OK. Agard said. What we are doing in the state of Wisconsin is creating a scenario where people are felons because theyre taking care of themselves and the people who they love the most.

Until the state takes action, some local communities are choosing to take their own steps. In Milwaukee, Madison and some other areas, possession of under an ounce of cannabis has been deprioritized by local law enforcement. In the city of Milwaukee, the Fire and Police Commission also supported a policy preventing officers from searching a vehicle simply based on the smell or presence of burned cannabis.

White Eagle noted that the Ho-Chunk have decriminalized cannabis on their reservation, meaning possession is no longer a criminal offense. The tribes, while sovereign nations, also have a unique relationship with the federal government which prevents them from outright legalizing cannabis.

Earlier this year, the Biden Administration signaled that it would move to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I (which includes drugs with high potentials for abuse) to Schedule III. Rescheduling cannabis  which is still under review and consideration by the Drug Enforcement Administration  would also be good news in the eyes of the Wisconsin Medical Society, one of the only organizations besides police associations that has lobbied against legalization bills in Wisconsin. Since cannabis is considered highly illegal under federal law, researchers have been unable to conduct the level of study which would satisfy medical officials. While the Wisconsin Medical Society supports adjusting the laws so that cannabis could be studied, and protections so that doctors and patients could explore alternative treatments without fear of criminal sanction, it does not support the use of smoked cannabis for any medicinal reason.

Spokesperson Mark Grapentine told Wisconsin Examiner in May, The proposal to reschedule cannabis as a Schedule III controlled substance aligns well with our policy, which is focused on allowing more widespread research on cannabis and how it can be used safely and effectively. More study could also lead to better regulations. At Tuesdays press conference, Agard and others pointed to Wisconsins current hemp and CBD market, parts of which are virtually unregulated. This creates questions about the level of quality control, and whether patients are being provided with accurate information, and safe products.

Agard says she understands the Medical Societys reluctance to support medicinal cannabis up to this point. It is tricky, said Agard. It is their job to follow the law to keep us all healthy and under the protections of what science and medicine are. And I think we need to honor that. I honor science and research, and I want us to be able to study this plant.

A previous version of this article mistakenly stated that Asprin is categorized as Schedule III, and mistakenly called Mark Grapentine Michael. The article has been edited to correct those errors.

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In this handout photo provided by the Philippine Senate Social Media Unit, then Bamban Mayor, Alice Guo, speaks during the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality inquiry on the alleged human trafficking and cyber fraud operation in Angeles, Pampanga province held at the Philippine Senate in Pasay City, Philippines on May 22, 2024. Guo, a dismissed town mayor who fled from the Philippines after being accused of helping establish an illegal online gaming and scam center that catered mostly to clients in China, has been arrested near Indonesia's capital, officials said Wednesday Sept. 4, 2024. (Joseph Vidal/Philippine Senate Social Media Unit via AP)

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  A dismissed town mayor who fled the Philippines after being accused of helping establish an illegal online gaming and scam center catering mostly to clients in China has been arrested near Indonesias capital, officials said Wednesday.

Indonesian authorities arrested Alice Guo at a house in Jakartas satellite city of Tangerang just before midnight on Tuesday, according to Khrisna Murti, chief of the international division of the National Police.

Guo was in custody and awaiting deportation to the Philippines, Murti said, adding that her arrest was the result of "cooperation between Indonesian and Filipinos police.

Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. thanked the Indonesian authorities.

Let this serve as a warning to those who attempt to evade justice, Marcos said and added that arrangements were being made to bring Guo back to the Philippines where she faces a slew of criminal charges.

After Guo fled the Philippines in July, she was tracked in Malaysia and Singapore before turning up in Indonesia. Two companions, who reportedly slipped out of the Philippines with her without going through normal immigration and clearing procedures, were recently arrested in Indonesia.

Guo ran as a Filipino candidate in 2022 elections and won as mayor of the rural town of Bamban in Tarlac province north of Manila. She was accused of helping establish a massive complex with several buildings near the town hall as a hub for an illegal online gambling and scam outfit that catered mostly to clients in China, where gambling is forbidden.

A Senate committee ordered Guo arrested after she refused to appear in hearings looking into the illegal gambling business that flourished under Marcoss predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who nurtured cozy ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping while often criticizing the United States and European countries.

Guo has also been accused of concealing her Chinese nationality to run for public office, which is reserved for Filipino citizens only. At the time, a few senators suggested she may be working as a Chinese spy.

Guo has denied any wrongdoing but was dismissed from her post for grave misconduct by the Ombudsman, an agency that investigates and prosecutes government officials accused of crimes, including graft and corruption.

In July, Marcos ordered an immediate ban on widespread and mostly Chinese-run online gaming operations, accusing them of involvement in human trafficking, torture, kidnappings and murder.

The crackdown on the Chinese-run online gambling outfits  estimated to number more than 400 across the Philippines and employing tens of thousands of Chinese and Southeast Asian nationals  was backed by Beijing.

It resulted in the shutdown in the Philippines of sprawling complexes, where authorities suspect thousands of Chinese, Vietnamese and other nationals mostly from Southeast Asia have been illegally recruited and forced to work in dismal conditions.

Philippine senators say the massive online gambling industry has flourished largely due to corruption in government regulatory agencies and big payoffs to officials.

Indonesia and the Philippines signed an extradition agreement in 1976.

___

Gomez reported from Manila, Philippines. Associated Press writer Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.
GLENVILLE, W.Va. (WBOY)  An inmate who is accused of injuring four correctional officers in Gilmer County during an altercation was indicted on Wednesday.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of West Virginia, Mark Harken, 42, who was an inmate at Federal Correctional Institution Gilmer in Glenville, West Virginia, was indicted on four counts of assault of a correctional officer resulting in bodily injury.

Information about the extent of injuries was not provided.

4 people indicted in relation to Harrison County homicide

Harken faces up to 20 years for each of the four counts, the release said.

According to the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) website, Harken is now being housed at Federal Medical Center Devens in Massachusetts, which is an administrative security federal medical center with an adjacent minimum security satellite camp.

Before this offense, his projected release date was in November of this year, according to the BOP.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
Inside the lavish life of an ex-N.Y. state official accused of being a secret Chinese agent

A $3.5 million mansion on Long Island. A $2.1 million "ocean view condominium" in Honolulu. A brand new 2024 Ferrari.

And more than a dozen Nanjing-style salted ducks, personally prepared by the private chef of a Chinese government official.

Those were just some of the luxuries that Linda Sun, a former top aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, and her husband, Chris Hu, received for allegedly betraying their country to China, prosecutors claimed in court papers Tuesday.

Linda Sun and her husband, Christopher Hu, leave Brooklyn federal court after their arraignment on Tuesday.

Sun, according to the indictment, also received millions of dollars in transactions for the China-based business activities of her husband, a job for her cousin in China, as well as tickets to various sporting and cultural events, including a performance of the Guangzhou Ballet at Lincoln Center and the Chinese National Traditional Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, both in Manhattan.

As alleged, while appearing to serve the people of New York as Deputy Chief of Staff within the New York State Executive Chamber, the defendant and her husband actually worked to further the interests of the Chinese government and the CCP, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for Eastern District of New York said in a statement, using the initials for the Chinese Communist Party. The illicit scheme enriched the defendants family to the tune of millions of dollars."

As for those salted ducks, a delicacy made from a recipe that goes back to the 14th century, an unidentified Peoples Republic of China (PRC) official had them "delivered to the residence of Suns parents," the Department of Justice disclosed in both a press release and in the indictment detailing the charges against the couple.

Linda Sun.

The first delivery of six ducks was made "on or about July 28, 2021," according to the indictment.

Six more ducks were delivered "on or about November 23, 2021," the indictment states. And in 2022, there were two more salted duck deliveries.

Additionally, the PRC official had Sun and her family over to his home at least once for dinner.

By that point, the couple was on the radar of federal investigators.

Sun, in July 2020, had already taken part in a "voluntary interview" with FBI agents where, according to the indictment, she "misrepresented the purpose of one of her trips to the PRC, and concealed the fact that it was arranged and funded by co-conspirators representing the PRC government and the CCP."

Sun, 41, was charged Tuesday with violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling and money laundering.

Prosecutors said Sun used her high-ranking positions in state government to serve the interests of the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party in exchange for millions of dollars.

Hu, 40, was charged with money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of means of identification. He allegedly laundered millions through bank accounts opened in the name of a close relative.

The home belonging to Chris Hu and Linda Sun in Manhasset, N.Y., on July 24.

To open these accounts, Hu unlawfully used an image of a relatives drivers license, prosecutors said.

Both pleaded not guilty Tuesday afternoon. Sun was set to be released on a $1.5 million bond and her husband on a $500,000 bond.

Sun had been on the New York State payroll for roughly 15 years, holding positions in the administration of then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo before becoming Hochuls deputy chief of staff.

On Wednesday, Hochul said Sun "was put in the position of liaison to the Asian community and global trade issues" before she became governor in August 2021 and served in her administration for 15 months.

"The moment we discovered the misconduct, we fired this individual," Hochul said at a press conference. "And we reported immediately to law enforcement."

Hochul declined to go into specifics about why Sun was fired. She said that while Sun engaged in "potentially dangerous activities" her "access to information was fairly limited."

Still, Hochul said, Sun's alleged actions were an "absolute betrayal."

"I also requested the State Department to take appropriate action in response to the dangerous and outrageous actions taken by the Peoples Republic of China," Hochul said, adding that the Chinese consul general who was allegedly in contact with Sun is no longer posted in New York City.

Asked whether she personally has been questioned about the case by the FBI, Hochul said "they asked me one question." She did not say what it was.

Sun is represented by attorneys Ken Abell and Jarrod Schaeffer.

We are disappointed by the filing of these charges, which are inflammatory and appear to be the product of an overly aggressive prosecution," the lawyers said in a statement. "Our client is eager to exercise her right to a speedy trial and to defend against these accusations in the proper forum  a court of law.

Sun's husband is represented by attorneys Seth DuCharme and Nicole Boeckmann. NBC reached out to them for comment about the charges that could send Hu to prison for years but there was no immediate response.

In Beijing, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said at the regular briefing Wednesday that she was not aware of the arrests and declined to comment on what she called "domestic cases of the United States."

"However, we oppose any malicious attempts to implicate, smear or slander China," Mao Ning said.

Sun and Hu launched their spending spree in 2021. They bought both the mansion in a gated community in Manhasset, Long Island, which is now worth about $4.05 million, and the Honolulu condo, which is "currently valued at approximately $2.1 million," the indictment states.

"There were no mortgage loans taken in connection with these acquisitions," prosecutors charged in the court papers.

The couple purchased the properties after Hu received a series of wire transfers totaling more than $2.1 million from a PRC-based account, prosecutors said. And Sun "did not report the real estate acquisitions on her financial disclosure statements, as she was obligated to do."

In 2020, while Sun was house-shopping on Long Island, a worried  and unnamed relative  expressed concern "that people would wonder" how she could afford to buy an expensive property, according to the indictment.

"Mortgage," Sun allegedly replied.

In fact, according to the indictment, while the couple was buying real estate and fast cars, "their personal and business tax returns reflected little to no income earned."

Hu operated a Queens-based seafood company and wine store that did not generate much in the way of income.

But in addition to the Ferrari, Hu also had at his disposal a 2024 Range Rover/L460 and a 2022 Mercedes GLB250W4, according to the court papers.

Now the houses, the cars, some $210,000 in cash, as well as money from various other accounts that Hu allegedly controlled, are in the hands of the federal prosecutors.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(Photo illustration via Getty Images)

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has announced its intent to award a contract to Iowa Total Care, a subsidiary of the Medicaid managed-care company Centene.

The state department this week announced its intent to award a Managed Care Organization (MCO) contract to Iowa Total Care that will begin July 1, 2025, with no change in operations. The new contract is set for four years, with a possible two-year extension.

The current contract with the organization is set to expire in 2025, after having began July 1, 2019. According to a Centene news release, Iowa Total Care plans to continue to provide care for 218,600 Medicaid, Iowa Health and Wellness Plan and Hawki members across the states 99 counties, with a focus on expanding home and community-based services.

Since 2019, Iowa Total Care has provided Iowans with local and personalized care, Sarah London, CEO of Centene said in a Wednesday statement. We look forward to expanding our partnership with HHS as Iowa Total Care puts the health of Iowans at the center of all it does  investing in programs and partnerships that reduce barriers to care and improve health and well-being.

Centene paid Iowa $44.4 million in 2022 to settle claims that it defrauded the states Medicaid system by Iowa Total Care overbilling taxpayers for prescription drugs through transactions handled by Envolve, which is also owned by Centene.

Iowa Total Care is one of three health insurance companies companies to contract with the state to provide managed care services for the states $7 billion program. In 2022, Amerigroup Iowa and Molina Healthcare of Iowa were awarded MCO contracts that began July 1, 2023, taking over after AmeriHealth Caritas withdrew from its Iowa contract in 2017 and UnitedHealthcare in 2019. The companies cited major financial losses due to their MCO contracts with Iowa, while program members said they saw cuts to medical services following the 2016 move to a privatized Medicaid system.

Department officials said in a news release that Medicaid members will not see any changes to their benefits under their current plan due to the contract award. Iowa HHS director Kelly Garcia said the state remains committed to providing access to quality health care through the program, and that Iowa Total Care has shown it has advanced in its provision and standards for care during its time serving as an MCO provider for the state.

Iowa Total Care has demonstrated a commitment to continuous quality improvement and innovation  making them a valued partner for Iowa Medicaid, Garcia said in a statement. We are pleased to award Iowa Total Care with this contract as they continue to meet the needs of Iowans and deliver essential medical services.
ROME, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Seven people have been rescued and 21 others remain missing at sea after the boat they were traveling in capsized off the island of Lampedusa on Monday, the Italian coast guard said Wednesday.

The survivors were picked up from a semi-sunken boat about 10 nautical miles (18.5 km) southwest of Lampedusa, a statement said on Wednesday.

The survivors told rescuers they had set off on Sunday from Libya, and that 21 of the 28 people on board, including three children, had fallen into the sea during rough weather.

The refugees were disembarked in Lampedusa, and search and rescue efforts for the remaining missing refugees are still ongoing. 
Iowa Memorial Wall exhibit to be on display in MidAmerica Museum of Aviation and Transportation

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  A special exhibit will be making its way to the MidAmerica Museum of Aviation and Transportation in Sioux City.

The exhibit, the Iowa Memorial Wall, honors fallen heroes rom the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts.

Last day of ArtSplash sees thousands of attendees

The Iowa Memorial wall will open starting on Thursday, Sep. 5 and will remain through Sep. 24. Admission is free with the museum open Monday through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The museums executive director, Kevin Blosch, visited the KCAU 9 studio with more on the exhibit.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
A series of smiling Instagram photos of diplomats wearing purple and enjoying cupcakes has caused a spat between Iran and Australia, with the Australian ambassador summoned to explain the disrespectful behavior.

The Australian Embassy in Tehran posted photos on Monday to mark Wear It Purple Day, an annual celebration of LGBTQIA+ youth founded in Australia.

Today, and every day, were dedicated to creating a supportive environment, where everyone, especially LGBTQIA+ youth, can feel proud to be themselves, the caption read.

The post drew swift condemnation from Irans Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which deemed it disrespectful and contrary to Iranian and Islamic cultural norms, according to state news agency IRNA.

Homosexuality is illegal in Iran, which considers same-sex relations a breach of Islamic values, punishable under the countrys Sharia-based law.

The official Instagram page of the Australian Embassy in Tehran has promoted homosexuality in a derogatory post, IRNA reported.

Australian ambassador Ian McConville responded by saying the embassy had no intention of offending the Iranian people, according to IRNA.

The bi-lingual post on the official Australia In Iran Instagram account has drawn thousands of likes and comments, including from the German Embassy Tehran which responded with three purple heart emojis.

Asked about the diplomatic spat in an interview with Australias national broadcaster, the ABC, government minister Murray Watt said he was concerned about Irans reaction to a message he said was in keeping with his own countrys values.

We support all Australians, regardless of their sexual orientation, their gender, their race, and I am concerned to see this reaction from the Iranian government to the activities of the Australian embassy, Watt told the ABC.

Were very proud about the fact that our embassies promote Australian values internationally and Im very concerned to see an overseas government seemingly take action against an Australian embassy that is upholding Australian values, he said.

According to Amesty International, LGBTQIA+ people suffer systemic discrimination and violence in Iran, where the punishment for consensual same-sex relations ranges from flogging to the death penalty.

Iranian authorities have sentenced rights advocates to death over posts on social media.

In 2021 prominent Iranian LGBTQIA+ campaigners Zahra Sedighi-Hamadani and Elham Chobdar were arrested and later sentenced to death for alleged crimes including corruption on earth and promoting homosexuality over social media, according to the US government and Amnesty International.

Both advocates were released on bail in 2023, and Sedighi-Hamadani fled Iran for an undisclosed country the next year. Chobdar was re-arrested in 2024 and remains in detention, according to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

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Iraqi women fear rise in child marriages as lawmakers consider giving conservative clerics more say

FILE- An Iraqi woman protests against a proposed law to permit underage female marriage in Tahrir Square in Baghdad, Iraq, July 28, 2024. Rights groups and many Iraqi women fear the country's parliament will open the door to child marriages as lawmakers consider legal changes that would give religious authorities more power over family law. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban, File)

IRBIL, Iraq (AP)  Shaimaa Saadoun is haunted by her memory of being forced into an abusive marriage to a 39-year-old man just after she turned 13.

Her impoverished family near the southern Iraqi city of Basra hoped that the dowry of gold and money would help improve their circumstances. Her husband presented a bloodstained piece of linen to prove her virginity after their wedding night.

I was expected to be a wife and mother while I was still a child myself. No child or teenager should be forced to live what I have lived and experienced, said Saadoun, who divorced her husband when she was 30 and is now 44.

Saadouns marriage was illegal, though a judge  who was related to the husband  signed off on it. Iraqi law sets 18 as the minimum age of marriage in most cases.

But such child marriages of girls might be state-sanctioned soon. Iraqs parliament is considering controversial legal changes that would give religious authorities more power over family law matters, a move that rights groups and opponents warn could open the door to the marriage of girls as young as 9.

Law would let clerics rule how young a girl can be married

The push for the changes comes mainly from powerful Shiite Muslim political factions backed by religious leaders that have increasingly campaigned against what they describe as the West imposing its cultural norms on Muslim-majority Iraq. In April, the parliament passed a harsh anti-LGBTQ+ law.

The proposed amendments would allow Iraqis to turn to religious courts on issues of family law, including marriage, which currently are the sole domain of civil courts.

That would let clerics rule according to their interpretation of Shariah, or Islamic law, as opposed to national laws. Some clerics interpret Shariah to allow marriage of girls in their early teens  or as young as 9 under the Jaafari school of Islamic law followed by many Shiite religious authorities in Iraq.

Many Iraqi women have reacted with horror, holding protests outside parliament and campaigning against the changes on social media.

Legislating a law that brings back the country 1,500 years is a shameful matter  and we will keep rejecting it until the last breath, Heba al-Dabbouni, an activist among dozens at a protest in August, told The Associated Press. The Iraqi parliaments job is to pass laws that will raise the standards of society.

Conservative legislators say the changes give people a choice whether to use civil or religious law, and argue they are defending families from secular, Western influences.

Human Rights Watch Iraq researcher Sarah Sanbar said the changes prioritize the husband's preference. "So, yes its giving a choice, but its giving a choice to men first and foremost.

Not all religious leaders are on board

The often furious debate has spilled into Iraqi media  even among clerics. On one recent news show, a Sunni cleric argued against a younger marriage age, calling it damaging to girls and saying there was no problem under Islam with the existing laws.

In a lecture posted on social media, Shiite cleric Rashid al-Husseini insisted Shariah allows marrying a 9-year-old girl. But in practice, is this something that actually happens?  It might be zero percent, or 1% of cases," he said.

The proposed amendments are backed by most Shiite legislators in a bloc called the Coordination Framework that holds a parliament majority. But disputes continue over the draft. Parliament was meant to hold an initial vote on the law Tuesday but could not reach a quorum and had to postpone it.

Iraqs personal status law passed in 1959 is broadly perceived as a strong foundation largely protecting women and childrens rights. It set the legal marriage age at 18, though it allows girls as young as 15 to marry with parental consent and medical proof that the girl has hit puberty and is menstruating.

Marriages outside state courts were forbidden. Still, enforcement is lax. Individual judges sometimes approve younger marriages, whether because of corruption or because the marriage has already taken place informally.

Parliamentarian Raed al-Maliki, who presented the proposed amendments, said the state would still provide protections and that discussions were still taking place about a minimum marriage age.

The age will be very close to the current law, al-Maliki told the AP, without elaborating.

Iraqi women are leading the fight against the changes

Al-Maliki and other proponents depict the changes as a defense against Western secularism.

He said the original law was influenced by communists and Baathists, the latter in reference to the secular pan-Arab nationalist party that ruled the country with an iron fist from 1968 until its rule under Saddam Hussein was toppled in the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

In the West they take children away from their parents for the simplest reasons and accuse them of violence, then they change their culture and create homosexuals out of them, al-Maliki said, referring to Iraqs law passed in April that criminalized same-sex relations and the promotion of LGBTQ+ rights. We cannot imitate that or consider it as development.

Criticism of Western culture has gained new strength since the latest Israel-Hamas war broke out, with most Iraqis sympathizing with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Many see statements about human rights by the United States and others as hypocritical because of their support of Israels campaign in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

But the most vocal opponents of the changes are Iraqi women, said Sanbar of Human Rights Watch.

It speaks volumes to the fact that this is what Iraqi women want, not foreign organizations dictating what Iraq needs to do, she said.

This wasn't the first such set of amendments to be proposed over the past decade. But now, Shiite parties are more unified behind them.

Harith Hasan, a non-resident fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Center, says Shiite parties previously had different priorities, focused on the many conflicts rocking the country the past two decades.

Now there is sort of a consensus" among them on cultural issues, he said, adding that the new amendments would create institutionalized sectarianism in Iraq and could weaken civil courts.

When they say it is the right of religious officials to handle marriage, inheritance, divorce, and the court cannot challenge this, you create two parallel authorities, Hasan said. This will create confusion in the country.

Saadoun, who now lives in IrbiI, in Iraqs semi-autonomous Kurdish region, said she fears for women and girls in Iraq.

The new amendments in the personal status law will destroy the future of many little girls and many generations, she said.

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Chehayeb reported from Beirut. Associated Press videographer Ali Abdulhassan in Baghdad contributed to this report.
Irish PM arrives in Kyiv for talks with Zelensky

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris arrived in Kyiv on Sept. 4 for a bilateral meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The two leaders are expected to sign a support and cooperation agreement between Ireland and Ukraine, the Irish government said in a press release.

The visit comes the same day when Russia launched a deadly attack against the western city of Lviv, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens more, including children. Moscow has intensified aerial strikes against Ukrainian cities over the past week.

Taoiseach Simon Harris arrived in Kyiv Oblast this morning. He will hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later today and officials from humanitarian aid organisations  @rtenews pic.twitter.com/j10hiCc0gA  Liam Nolan (@liamnolanRTE) September 4, 2024

Harris and Zelensky "will discuss Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, EU support for Ukraine and its path towards EU membership, as well as bilateral links and Ireland's bilateral assistance in support of Ukraine."

Harris arrived in Ukraine on an overnight train. Upon his arrival, he paid a visit to areas damaged during the early phase of Russia's full-scale invasion of Kyiv Oblast, accompanied by Governor Ruslan Kravchenko.

Harris visited Hostomel, a site of heavy battles in 2022, to see the results of the Irish support for reconstruction efforts, the RTE public broadcaster reported.

During the visit, Ireland announced a new package of support worth 36 million euros ($40 million) for "Ukraine and its neighbors" to provide "essential humanitarian assistance, support rehabilitation and eventual reconstruction, and contribute to Ukraine's longer-term goals, including peace, stability, and political aspirations."

Since the outbreak of the full-scale war, Dublin's funding to Ukraine has amounted to over 380 million euros ($420 million), the Irish government said.

This included humanitarian, economic, and non-lethal defense support but no lethal aid due to Ireland's long-standing military neutrality policy.

Read also: Kuleba resignation, reshuffle expected long ago ahead of difficult times for Ukraine, lawmaker says

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Construction on the Islands Expressway Bridge project is delayed, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).

The project began in 2018 with the replacement of the drawbridges connecting Savannah to Whitemarsh Island, followed by a second phase that includes the construction of an additional bridge.

The District Communications Officer for GDOT, Jill Nagel, told News 3 that the original March 31, 2024, completion date will now be delayed for over another year.

As a result, the private contracting company, Prince Contracting, now faces fines upwards of $5k per day of extra work.

Hyundai unveils new 2025 IONIQ 5 lineup

Nagel sent News 3 the following statement from GDOT:

Since the work is incomplete, effective April 1, 2024, liquidated damages in the amount of $5,089.00 per calendar day are being assessed against contractor earnings until the Contract is complete or until an agreement to add time to the Contract brings the project into satisfactory status.

Some people who use the expressway often, such as Wilmington Island resident Robert Callaway, said that they are frustrated with the delay.

That bridge has been kind of a hassle for a long time, Callaway said. I feel for a lot of us island residents, from the construction slowing us down, to the bumps, to the problems with construction, I feel like it should have been better managed from the get-go.

Callaway uses the Expressway daily for his job in real estate. He said that his biggest qualm is dealing with the bumps, which he said are dangerous.

I already had to scrape off the undercarriage of my car because the car that I have is a Mercedes, and it has a liner that goes underneath it, and it scraped off my whole liner from the undercarriage of my car, Callaway said.

Nagel says Prince Contracting crews are still working on construction for the twin bridge while finishing up the removal of the drawbridges.

She also sent us this statement on behalf of GDOT:

We have met our challenges on the Island Expressway Bridges replacement project. Through all these challenges, we have kept traffic moving through the project, and the opening of the new bridge has improved mobility in this area. Maritime traffic no longer impedes traffic flow on the new bridges.

Nagel said the project is expected to be complete in the summer of 2025.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
Israel-Hamas war latest: UNICEF says polio vaccination campaign in Gaza is surpassing its target

The U.N. childrens agency says a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza reached 189,000 children, surpassing its target and providing a rare bright spot in nearly 11 months of war.

UNICEF said Wednesday that more than 500 teams deployed across central Gaza this week, administering the vaccine to children under 10.

It said Israel and Hamas observed limited pauses in the fighting to facilitate the campaign. U.N. agencies now hope to expand the campaign to the harder-hit north and south of the territory. They hope to vaccinate a total of 640,000 children.

The campaign was launched after Gaza had its first reported polio case in 25 years  a 10-month-old boy, now paralyzed in the leg.

Health experts have warned of disease outbreaks in the territory, where the vast majority of people have been displaced, often multiple times, and where hunger is widespread.

Hundreds of thousands of people are crammed into squalid tent camps with few if any public services as Israel continues into offensive, which has killed more than 40,800 people in Gaza, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 people.

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Here's the latest:

Israeli drone strike kills 5 men in a car in the West Bank, Palestinian news agency reports

The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported early Thursday that an Israeli drone strike killed five men and wounded another in a car in Tubas in the West Bank.

The Israeli military said in a statement that it carried out three targeted strikes on armed terrorists that posed a threat on the soldiers, without immediately elaborating.

For more than a week, hundreds of Israeli forces have been carrying out the deadliest operation in the occupied West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war began.

Israel and Hamas in agreement on 14 of 18 paragraphs in proposal, US official says

Israel and Hamas are in agreement on 14 of the 18 paragraphs in the proposal meant to bridge gaps in cease-fire talks between the two sides, according to a senior Biden administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing negotiations. But the official said Israel and Hamas have technical differences about one paragraph and deeper differences about three paragraphs of the proposal.

Those three paragraphs focus on the number of Palestinian prisoners who would be released in exchange for Hamas' Israeli hostages during the first phase of the three-phased cease-fire deal.

Hamas has also raised objections about a continued presence of Israel Defense Forces in the Philadelphi corridor, a narrow 14.5-kilometer-long (9-mile) stretch of land along the coastal enclaves southern border with Egypt.

Netanyahu has been adamant that Israeli troops remain in the corridor, while Hamas says that position is in breach of the bridging agreements call for Israel to leave densely-populated areas of Gaza. The official, however, said there is no direct mention of the Philadelphi corridor in the bridging proposal.

Significant differences remain between the two sides regarding the prisoner-for-hostage exchange in phase one. The list of Palestinian prisoners to be released in the initial phase of the deal includes some who are serving life sentences in Israeli prisons. But the official said that dispute about the ratio of prisoners to hostages to be swapped has been further complicated by last weeks execution of six people taken captive by Hamas in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

For each hostage, theres a certain number of Palestinian prisoners that were to be released. Now, you just have fewer hostages as part of the deal in phase one, the official said.

The official also expressed frustration with far-right members of Netanyahus coalition who are staunchly opposing a cease-fire agreement, arguing it would jeopardize Israels security in the long term. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir say that the war must continue until Hamas is destroyed and have threatened to topple the government if Netanyahu were to move forward with a cease-fire deal.

The official called the far-right ministers position fundamentally, totally untrue and argued that not getting into this deal is more of a threat to Israels long-term security than actually concluding the deal.

___

Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.

US and Israeli officials discuss tensions at the Israel-Lebanon border

WASHINGTON  White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer held a virtual meeting Wednesday to discuss the ongoing tensions at the Israel-Lebanon border, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter.

The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly, said that senior White House national security officials Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein also took part in the discussions about concerns that the tensions with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah could cause the war in Gaza to spread into a regional conflict.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said White House officials on Wednesday continued conversations with Israeli officials in hopes of sealing a cease-fire deal. U.S. officials also spoke with Egyptian and Qatari officials, who have served as intermediaries for Hamas. But Kirby declined to confirm that Sullivan and other senior White House officials spoke with Dermer on Wednesday.

___

Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.

Netanyahu says Israel must keep open-ended control of Gazas border with Egypt

JERUSALEM  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel must keep open-ended control of Gazas border with Egypt, digging in on his stance on an issue that has threatened to derail cease-fire efforts.

The question of Israeli control of the Philadelphi corridor  a narrow strip of land along Gazas border with Egypt, seized by troops in May  has become a central obstacle in the latest negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage release. Hamas has demanded an eventual full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in the multi-phase truce deal.

Egypt, a mediator in the talks along with the U.S. and Qatar, has also demanded a concrete timeline for Israeli troops to leave the Philadelphi corridor.

In a press conference Monday, Netanyahu repeated his stance that Israel must maintain its hold on the border to prevent Hamas from rearming by smuggling weapons into Gaza.

Gaza must be demilitarized, and this can only happen if the Philadelphi corridor remains under firm control, he said, claiming Israeli troops had discovered dozens of tunnels under the border.

He said Israel would only consider withdrawing from the corridor when presented with an alternative force to police it.

Hostages' families demand that Netanyahu stop wearing a yellow pin of solidarity

JERUSALEM  A group representing families of the hostages held in Gaza demanded Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stop wearing a yellow pin, a global symbol of solidarity with the hostages.

Stop creating a false impression of support and of striving to bring back the hostages when in reality you are doing everything to torpedo the deal, the group, the Hostages and Missing Families forum, said in a statement.

The demand comes as protests rock Israel over the recent recovery of six young hostages from Gaza, who the military says were shot by their Hamas captors as Israeli forces closed in on the tunnel in which they were held.

The news has escalated calls for Netanyahu to immediately agree to a deal that would free some of the hostages remaining in the strip in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a pause in combat. Netanyahu wants to maintain the presence of Israeli troops along a key corridor inside Gaza, a demand that Hamas has refused and the families of the hostages say is derailing negotiations.

Israeli shelling kills woman, injures child in southern Lebanon, officials say

BEIRUT  Israeli shelling Wednesday in southern Lebanon killed a woman and wounded two others, including a 12-year-old child, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.

The ministry did not disclose details about the second person wounded in the southeastern town of Qabrikha.

The Health Ministry also said two people in Khiam and three others in Houla were wounded following Israeli attacks over the southern towns.

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah also announced six rocket and artillery attacks on military positions in northern Israel.

German foreign minister says cease-fire deal must be highest priority

BERLIN  Germany, a close ally of Israel, says a cease-fire agreement with Hamas must have the highest priority. The foreign minister is expected to underline the message on a trip to the Middle East this week.

Government spokesperson Wolfgang Buchner said Wednesday that the killing of six Israeli hostages has once again made clear that a cease-fire that opens the way to the freeing of all hostages held by Hamas must now have the highest priority. Other considerations should stand back.

He called on all involved in the negotiations to show flexibility and readiness to compromise, and said an agreement could also help de-escalate regional tensions.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is setting off Wednesday evening on a trip to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and the West Bank to speak with regional officials, including Israels foreign and defense ministers and the Palestinian prime minister. It will be her 11th visit to the Middle East and her ninth to Israel since Hamas attack on Israel triggered the war nearly 11 months ago.

Greta Thunberg among 6 detained at anti-Israel demonstration in Denmark

COPENHAGEN, Denmark  Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was among six people who were detained in Denmark, police said, after they demonstrated against the University of Copenhagen for cooperating with Israeli universities and shouted pro-Palestinian slogans.

The group was detained Wednesday for suspected trespassing after police said they briefly occupied one of the entrances to the university. They were all later released.

Police evicted the demonstrators after they hung an anti-Israel banner from one of the windows of the universitys old administration building in downtown Copenhagen.
Tens of thousands have been killed in Gaza since 7 October, according to the strips health ministry (Getty)

A forever war will carry on in Gaza for as long as Benjamin Netanyahus government is in power, the countrys opposition leader has warned.

Yair Lapid, leader of opposition party Yesh Atid, said the Israeli prime minister was offering Israel years of war and destruction with no end date to the conflict.

It comes as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas  that would also see the release of hostages held in Gaza  remains elusive. The war was triggered when Hamas launched a bloody attack inside Israel on 7 October, killing around 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. In response, Israel has bombarded Gaza from the air and ground. More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in the offensive, health officials in the strip have said.

Mr Netanyahu leads a coalition government propped up by far-right factions who are committed to destroying Hamas and continuing the war. On Wednesday, national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for an end to indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas. A country whose six hostages are murdered in cold blood does not negotiate with the killers, but ends the talks, stops the transfer of fuel and electricity, and crushes them until they collapse, he wrote on X/Twitter.

Mr Lapid said: What Mr Netanyahu is saying, what his cabinet is telling us, is that we are in a new version of Lebanon [which shares a border with Israel].

It took us 18 years to leave Lebanon and they are offering us the same thing: years of war, years of economic crisis, years of destruction and fear and violence.

Yair Lapid warned a forever war would carry on in Gaza for as long as Netanyahus government remained in power

This is what the government is offering us. A war that will go on and on. A forever war that has and will never have an end date, Mr Lapid said.

It prefers the war. Because it frees it from the need to face the challenges. We do know how to face these challenges. Weve done it before, well do it again, better. Its time to change the government and end the war, he added.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Israel in recent days after six hostages, including an American-Israeli citizen, were found dead on Sunday. They had been shot by Hamas militants just before soldiers were able to rescue them from a tunnel, Israels military said.

The protesters chanted Now! Now! and urged Mr Netanyahu to bring home the remaining 101 hostages, about a third of whom Israeli officials believe to be dead.

In response, the 74-year-old Mr Netanyahu has sought to deflect the building pressure. He has said no one can preach to me on the issue and claims that nobody has been more committed to returning hostages than he is.

On Monday, Mr Netanyahu said he was ready to carry out the first phase of the ceasefire  a plan that would include the release of some hostages and a partial pullout of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets of Tel Aviv in recent days to demand a ceasefire and to bring remaining hostages home (Reuters)

But he rejected a full withdrawal from the embattled region, saying he saw no other party that could control Gazas borders.

He has previously pledged total victory over Hamas and blamed it for the failure of the negotiations which have dragged on for months.

Meanwhile, the UN childrens agency has said a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza reached 189,000 children, surpassing its target and providing a rare bright spot in nearly 11 months of war. Unicef said more than 500 teams deployed across central Gaza this week, administering the vaccine to children under 10.

It said Israel and Hamas observed limited pauses in the fighting to facilitate the campaign. UN agencies now hope to expand the campaign to the harder-hit north and south of the territory. They hope to vaccinate a total of 640,000 children.

The campaign was launched after Gaza had its first reported polio case in 25 years  a 10-month-old boy, now paralysed in the leg.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures in front of a map during a press conference at the Government Press office in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (Abir Sultan/Pool via AP)

JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel must keep open-ended control of Gazas border with Egypt, digging in on his stance on an issue that has threatened to derail cease-fire efforts.

Netanyahus comments came as the United States is developing a new proposal for a cease-fire and hostage release, hoping to break a long deadlock and bring an end to the nearly 11-month-old war.

The question of Israeli control of the Philadelphi corridor - a narrow strip of land along Gazas border with Egypt, seized by troops in May - has become a central obstacle in the talks. Hamas has demanded an eventual full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in the multi-phase truce deal.

Egypt, a mediator in the talks along with the U.S. and Qatar, has also demanded a concrete timeline for Israeli troops to leave the Philadelphi corridor. And on Wednesday, the United Arab Emirates, which established formal ties with Israel in the 2020 Abraham Accords, also criticized the Israeli stance.

Speaking to foreign journalists, Netanyahu repeated his stance that Israel must maintain its hold on the border to prevent Hamas from rearming by smuggling weapons into Gaza. He said it was a vital part of the war goal of ensuring Hamas cannot repeat its Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Gaza must be demilitarized, and this can only happen if the Philadelphi corridor remains under firm control, he said, claiming Israeli troops had discovered dozens of tunnels under the border.

He said Israel would only consider withdrawing from the corridor when presented with an alternative force to police it.

Bring me anyone who will actually show us  that they can actually prevent the recurrence of smuggling, he said. I dont see that happening right now. And until that happens, were there.

Families of remaining hostages have stepped up their demands that he agree to a deal after Hamas killed six hostages last week as Israeli troops appeared to be moving to rescue them. In angry public statements, hostage families have accused Netanyahu of blocking a deal and potentially sacrificing their loved ones lives for the sake of holding the border strip. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets in recent days, calling for a deal and saying time is running out to bring home the hostages alive.

Netanyahu pushed back against the pressure, saying his stance was necessary to ensure Hamas doesnt pose a threat to Israel.

I can understand the torment of families, he said. But the responsibility of leaders is not merely to share the sentiment, the emotion, but also to exercise judgment.

Asked by journalists for a timeline on ending the war, he refused to give one. How long can we do this? As long as it takes to achieve this victory. And I think were getting a lot closer, he said.

Netanyahu repeatedly insisted holding the border would also pressure Hamas to release hostages. At one point, he erroneously claimed the invasion of Rafah in May forced Hamas first release of hostages  which took place months earlier in November under a weeklong ceasefire deal. He then said the deal was the result of our invasion, the military pressure we put on them.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported early Thursday that an Israeli drone strike killed five men and wounded another in a car in Tubas in the West Bank.

The Israeli military said in a statement that it carried out three targeted strikes on armed terrorists that posed a threat on the soldiers, without immediately elaborating. For more than a week, hundreds of Israeli forces have been carrying out the deadliest operation in the occupied West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war began.
Description

Join us for a day of creativity in the Museum and Heckscher Park! Enjoy a broad array of activities designed for all ages, including watercolor painting, collage, and more. Live music throughout the day. Docents will be in the galleries to bring the artwork to life! The first 100 attendees* will receive free art supplies!

Watercolor Painting by the Pond

Sketching from a Live Model

Docents in the Galleries

Live Music by Dead Ahead

Artist demonstrations with Long Island Biennial exhibiting artists Jeremy Grand and Herold Patrick Alexis

Food from Roadhouse Empanadas Food Truck

In collaboration with Community Partners:



Blue Umbrella Experience

Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum

Huntington Arts Council

Huntington Fine Arts

Huntington Public Library

National Art Honor Society Students from Half Hollow Hills HS East & Hicksville HS

One River School

Protege Art Studio

Sepa Mujer

Spirit of Huntington Art Center

Town of Huntington Anti-Bias Task Force

Town of Huntington Asian American Task Force

Town of Huntington Hispanic Advisory Task Force

Tri CYA (Tri Community and Youth Agency)

Vanderbilt Museum & Planetarium

Free

*Art supplies are limited to the first 100 attendees. While supplies last!

Rain Date: Saturday, September 28
Jamaican man sentenced for role in defrauding Lenoir City woman out of nearly $700,000

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  A Jamaican man has been sentenced to serve more than five years in prison for his role in defrauding a 76-year-old woman from Lenoir City out of nearly $700,000, the Department of Justice shared.

Morice Armani Brown, 24, a Jamaican national who currently lies in Florida, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and was sentenced to serve 63 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. Brown was also ordered to repay nearly $700,000 in restitution.

Bear cub relocated after mother euthanized due to aggressive behavior at East TN cabin

A Department of Justice release said that Brown and other co-conspirators convinced the victim to pay various fees and taxes to claim the winnings and travelled to Lenoir City to collect the money from the victims, the DOJ said. Then, they reportedly split the proceeds between themselves and others.

The charges were the result of an investigation by the Lenoir City Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Kerns Food Hall suspends parking fees

So far, Browns co-conspirators, Marklyn Antonio Forrester, Jamali Jermaine Ramsay, and Jahmarley Kiboki McFarlane were sentenced to 63 months, 36 months, and 57 months in prison, respectively. A fifth individual, Tessa Nicole Hines, is scheduled to be sentenced in October for her role in laundering money related to the scheme.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Jamestown man pleaded guilty to his role in a narcotics conspiracy wherein an individual died from an apparent 2019 overdose, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced Wednesday.

Officials said Curtis Snyder, 51, was allegedly involved with Rocco Beardsley, who sold large quantities of heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances in the Jamestown area.

Beardsley was believed to be involved in the apparent overdose of an individual identified as J.A., who was discovered deceased in a Jamestown residence on April 9, 2019, officials said.

About a month later, Beardsley allegedly sent Snyder to a residence to force an individual to make a video about Beardsleys lack of involvement in the overdose. Snyder would receive a bundle of heroin and fentanyl in exchange.

The individual allegedly complied and made the video, stating that Beardsley was not present at J.A.s residence on the day of J.A.s overdose death.

Snyder pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin, fentanyl and meth. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 9, 2025.

Latest Local News

Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
A 63-year-old from Ridgeland was killed over the weekend after his 4-wheeler collided with a tree, according to the Jasper County Coroners Office.

John Stephen Mullis was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash Sunday night, Coroner Willie P. Aiken said.

The accident occurred just after 10 p.m. Sunday as Mullis drove his red Honda ATV southbound on Sycamore Drive, which runs parallel to I-95 and passes the Camping World RV Sales building in southeast Ridgeland. His 4-wheeler left the road and struck the treeline, the coroner said.

Because they are designed for off-road use, dirt bikes and 4-wheelers are illegal to ride on public roads in South Carolina unless permitted in a parade or special event, according to the states department of public safety.

Sunday nights fatal collision remains under investigation by the Ridgeland Police Department and Jasper County Coroners Office.

Funeral arrangements for Mullis had not been made public as of Wednesday.
LAWRENCE, Mass. (WWLP)  The state police featured a playing card on social media Wednesday with the unsolved case of a Lawrence victim.

PVTA workers approve new one-year contract

Six years ago, on September 3, 2018, Jaithian Jay Amador was walking around 17 Brook Street in Lawrence when he was shot and killed. Surveillance footage showed that shots were fired from a silver SUV that drove away from the area.

If you have any information that could be crucial to solving this case, you are asked to call 1-855-MA-SOLVE.

The Massachusetts State Police Department, the Massachusetts Department of Correction, and the District Attorneys Offices collaborated to create playing cards that feature homicide and missing persons on them.

The cards are funded by the Department of Correction and are made available to state prison inmates. With this, they hope that they will be able to find out additional information about the crimes on the cards.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  An Ohio man faces multiple felony charges after an alleged kidnapping in Johnson City Monday.

According to the Johnson City Police Department (JCPD), officers responded to a possible kidnapping at a business in the 2600 block of North Roan Street.

An investigation determined that Raymond Miller, 28, of Cincinnati, Ohio, requested a ride from the victim. Miller then reportedly used a knife to threaten the victim, forcing him from the drivers seat.

10 arrested for roles in alleged Southwest Virginia drug ring

Miller then drove the victims vehicle, refusing to let him exit, the report stated. Later, the victim was able to get back into the drivers seat and drive away.

Miller was arrested and charged with carjacking, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault.

He was taken to the Washington County Detention Center.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
New Jersey joins fight against state bans on care for transgender minors

New Jersey has joined 19 other states in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to block Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. (Photo by Greg LaRose)

New Jersey has joined 19 other states in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to block a Tennessee law that bans gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

In a brief filed to the court Tuesday, the states attorneys general argued that gender-affirming care is endorsed by every major medical organization and categorically denying youth access to it departs from traditional norms of state medical regulation.

It also violates their constitutional right to equal protection of the laws, they wrote.

Gender-affirming care can provide highly beneficial  indeed, potentially life-saving  treatment to transgender adolescents with gender dysphoria, the attorneys wrote. And clinical standards of care account for any limited risks of that treatment by requiring doctors to make individualized findings that gender-affirming care is medically necessary.

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin seconded that sentiment on social media Tuesday, writing: As the medical community recognizes, gender-affirming care saves lives.

Gov. Phil Murphy last year declared New Jersey a safe haven for transgender and nonbinary people seeking gender-affirming care. New Jersey has more than 45,100 transgender and nonbinary residents, according to the Williams Institute at UCLA.

The other states joining the petition filed Tuesday include all of New Jerseys nearest neighbors, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New York and Connecticut.

Tennessees 2023 law prohibits doctors from providing transgender care for minors, including puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries. Several families of transgender youth sued to block the law, and the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld it.

The American Civil Liberties Union and Lamba Legal asked the Supreme Court to review the case, and the high court agreed in June to hear it this fall. A decision is expected next summer.

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Former Secret Service Agent Clint Hill, who appears in the unearthed film clip, tells PEOPLE that the previously unreported footage is "an emotional thing" to watch six decades later

Bettmann Archive John and Jackie Kennedy in the presidential motorcade on Nov. 22, 1963

More than six decades after the murder of President John F. Kennedy, never-before-seen footage of the assassination's immediate aftermath has come to light.

A minute-long, 8mm color film  the existence of which was previously unknown  will soon be sold through RR Auction. Online bidding is now underway, and the live auction is scheduled for Sept. 28.

The unearthed footage, in two parts, shows the presidents motorcade driving in downtown Dallas and then speeding toward Parkland Hospital as Clint Hill, Jackie Kennedys Secret Service agent, shields both her and the president.

After the first shot rang out on Nov. 22, 1963, Agent Hill leapt onto the back of the presidential limousine and placed his body spread-eagle over the back seat.

Now 92, Hill tells PEOPLE that the discovery of the film is an emotional thing for me because I know what has happened. I know what Im seeing in that film is a dead president.

Related: JFK and Jackie's Final Hours Before the Assassination

RR Auction A still image of Dale Carpenter Jr.'s newly discovered film from the day of JFK's assassination

The footage was shot by Dale Carpenter Sr., a local Dallas truck driver who filmed from Stemmons Freeway. Carpenter's grandson, James Gates, tells PEOPLE that the film landed in his possession when his mother handed down family mementos sometime after his grandfather's death from Parkinson's disease.

"She gave me several reels of family films and audio recordings, a projector and the reel-to-reel audio recorder," Gates says. "The film was stored in a plastic Dean Foods milk crate and had been in my closet for several years before I decided to put it in a fire safe."

Bobby Livingston, executive vice president at RR Auction, says, "Unlike any other footage known to exist, this film captures a segment immediately following the Zapruder film, providing a fresh perspective on one of the most analyzed moments in history."

"Once you see it," Livingston adds, "you'll never forget Clint Hill's heroic efforts to protect Mrs. Kennedy, racing at 80 miles an hour in a desperate attempt to save the president's life as they sped to Parkland."

Related: Jackie Kennedy's Secret Service Agent Opens Up About His Suicide Attempt After JFK Assassination: New Book

ZAPRUDER FILM 1967 (Renewed 1995) The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza A still from the famous Zapruder film, which showed the part of JFK's assassination that Dale Carpenter Sr. missed

The Zapruder film, taken by clothing manufacturer Abraham Zapruder, as the presidential motorcade passed through Dealey Plaza, is considered the most complete  and graphic  footage of the assassination, whereas the new footage depicts the aftermath as the presidential motorcade races to the hospital and Mrs. Kennedy leans over her wounded husband.

It brings it back so vividly, says Agent Hills wife, Lisa McCubbin Hill, with whom he wrote Mrs. Kennedy and Me and three additional bestsellers.

It really brings the moment to life, she continues. When you see the presidents limousine, you see Clint on the back of the car. To see the speed of the car and how precarious that was  Clint is still trying to protect the president and Mrs. Kennedy from whatever else might be coming. One slip and he would have gone flying off and he would have been killed.

Related: Behind the Zapruder Film: The Untold Story of the Man Who Recorded JFK's Assassination

There are two segments to Carpenter's film. PEOPLE obtained the first segment, which can be seen below, that shows the presidential motorcade before it arrived at Dealey Plaza.

As Hill explains, Carpenter initially missed seeing the president in his open top car, but he captured the rest of the motorcade. You see the back of the follow up car and then he made his way to Stemmons Freeway because the president was on his way to the Dallas Trade Mart to give a speech.

The second segment of the film shows the motorcade's dramatic race to the hospital after President Kennedy was shot.

Not knowing at that point that Kennedy had been injured, Carpenter stood on the shoulder of the Stemmons Freeway hoping to catch a glimpse of the president. Thats when he captured the footage showing the first lady wearing her now-iconic bright pink suit, draped over the wounded president.

Gates decided to track Agent Hill down around 2012 to let him and his wife know that his grandfather had been holding onto private footage from the assassination.

"About 10 years or so ago, I started to research the JFK assassination, knowing I had something possibly of some historical value," Gates says. "I found Clint and Lisa, but it wouldn't be until another 10 years when I made the decision to properly preserve and archive the film."

Tom Pennington/Getty

The Carpenter film will now be included in an upcoming documentary about Hill called Agent Number 9: The Clint Hill Story, which is set for release in 2025.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.

As remarkable as the film is, Hill says matter-of-factly, It doesnt change anything for me. Nor does it bring the events of that horrible day back any more than usual.

Im back there all the time anyways," he says.



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Read the original article on People.
Jim 'The Shark' Dreyer turns back in latest attempt to swim across Lake Michigan after 1 days

Jim "The Shark" Dreyer will have to wait again to finish what he started.

The 62-year-old resident of the Grand Haven, Michigan, area who set out on his second attempt of the summer to swim across Lake Michigan from Grand Haven to Milwaukee on Monday, had to turn back late Wednesday morning after swimming for over 1 days. A rescue boat returned him to shore in Michigan around noon, according to the online GPS tracker people could use to follow Dreyer's progress.

Accomplished long-distance open-water swimmer Jim "The Shark" Dreyer has attempted to swim across Lake Michigan four times since 2023.

"The swim is over. I am safe. There were only two good hours in this 40-hour swim," Dreyer said on Facebook Wednesday.

Dreyer intended to swim self-supported about 83 miles across Lake Michigan, an ultra-endurance feat expected to take at least 72 hours. Dreyer was towing over 200 pounds of supplies in a raft tied around his waist  including a GPS, batteries and plenty of liquid nutrition.

A member of Dreyer's crew posted on Facebook Tuesday evening that Dreyer was "in good health and high spirits after communicating with the crew" after experiencing a technical issue with his navigational equipment. In total, he swam from about 6 p.m. Monday until around 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, according to GPS data.

Dreyer, an accomplished open-water swimmer who swam across all five Great Lakes between 1998 and 2005, was hoping to mark the anniversary of his successful 1998 swim across Lake Michigan, which took him 65 miles from Two Rivers, Wis., to Big Sable Point, Mich., near Ludington, in just under 41 hours.

Dreyer first set out to swim from Milwaukee to Grand Haven in 2023. He wanted to mark the 25th anniversary of his life-changing swim  and his 60th birthday  by undertaking the same journey along a route a symbolic 25 miles longer.

Unfortunately, he was forced to abort his first attempt last summer after just over 12 miles because his support crew boat kept getting swept off-course. To avoid those issues, Dreyer made his second attempt solo, pulling an inflatable supply raft around his waist. However, over 25 hours of constant 8-foot waves damaged his boat and equipment, forcing him to call for rescue after 27 miles.

In August 2024, Dreyer decided to attempt the swim again, this time along a route from Grand Haven to Milwaukee. However, issues with his GPS batteries forced him to call off the attempt after swimming for just over two days.

August interview with Dreyer: At 61, Jim Dreyer will attempt to swim 90 miles across Lake Michigan for the second time

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Jim Dreyer turns back in latest attempt to swim across Lake Michigan
FILE - Jimmy McCain, son of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., pauses at his father's casket during ceremonies honoring McCain at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, Aug. 31, 2018. Jimmy McCain has registered as a Democrat and will vote for Kamala Harris for President in 2024. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)

PHOENIX (AP)  Jimmy McCain, a son of former Arizona senator and 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain, said this week he has registered as a Democrat and will vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, a valuable nod of support for the Democratic nominee in a battleground state.

Meanwhile, Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, appeared outside Phoenix Wednesday for an event with the conservative youth organizing group Turning Point USA, which has been instrumental in remaking the Arizona GOP as a faithful organ of former President Donald Trump's Make America great again movement.

Jimmy McCain's endorsement and Vance's Turning Point USA appearance reflect the disparate segments of the GOP that Harris and Trump are trying to reach. Democrats are appealing to traditional conservatives disillusioned by Trump's takeover of the GOP, while Republicans are looking to shore up their base and ensure that their young supporters turn out.

Democrats have made big inroads over the last six years in Arizona, once a Republican stronghold that routinely backed McCain and other Republicans for president, with an anti-Trump coalition that includes Republicans and conservative independents.

That reality is clear in each campaigns approach to winning the state. Harris has staked out moderate positions in contrast to the progressive stances she outlined in her 2020 Democratic primary campaign, including on the border, an important issue in this border state, while elevating Republican backers.

Trump, meanwhile, is counting on support from young voters turned off by politics and distrustful of institutions. He chose Phoenix for a rally joining forces with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who abandoned his own independent campaign to back Trump.

The Turning Point event where Vance spoke was aimed at promoting the groups chase the vote initiative to identify supporters who might need an extra nudge and ensure they participate. The event, at a mega church on the outskirts of metro Phoenix, began with a concert by a Christian rock band with a heavy, seat-shaking base and a colorful light show.

Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk spoke to Vance onstage for nearly an hour, focusing the conversation on social issues that have animated Trumps base, including immigration and transgender rights.

We just want Americans to be able to live a decent life in the country their parents and grandparents built, Vance said.

Jimmy McCain said he had been an independent since leaving the Republican Party after Trump became its standard bearer in 2016. He decided during a nine-month overseas deployment that just ended to switch his registration to Democratic and announce it publicly. His decision was first reported by CNN.

He said he was further fired up by the decision after seeing Trump's campaign visit to Arlington National Cemetery, a visit that Harris called a political stunt that disrespected sacred ground.

Trump has had a fraught relationship with the McCain family since he denigrated the senators status as a war hero during his 2016 campaign.

Jimmy McCain said it was personally difficult for him to hear his father disrespected, but he said his father chose a public life and Americans are allowed to criticize their leaders.

With Arlington, the people who are buried there gave their lives and the ultimate sacrifice, McCain said. They dont get a political opinion. ... We dont know what those people felt, thought, what they believed. We know they believed in their country and thats about it.

Trump said he was invited to Arlington by the families of Marines killed in a suicide bombing during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. His campaign released statements from the relatives accusing Harris of playing politics with the issue.

There has been no greater advocate for our brave military men and women than President Trump, said Karoline Leavitt, Trumps national press secretary. He secured new military investments and pay raises for troops while he was in the White House, and no new wars broke out, she said.

Jimmy McCain, 36, enlisted in the U.S. Marines as a teenager and served four years. He reenlisted in the Army National Guard and was later commissioned as an officer, currently holding the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

Ideologically, McCain said he's a moderate and hearkened back to his father's 2008 campaign slogan, Country first.

Im a center man who cares about his country more than anything, McCain said.

Cindy McCain, the late senator's widow, endorsed President Joe Biden shortly before the 2020 election, a vote of confidence that helped the Democrat eke out a narrow win in Arizona with support from Republicans disaffected with Trump. Biden appointed McCain to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations food and agriculture agencies in Rome, where she is now executive director of the U.N. World Food Programme.

A Navy pilot, John McCain was shot down over North Vietnam in 1967. He was captured, beaten and held prisoner for more than five years, refusing to be released ahead of other American servicemembers.

Trump said of McCain, Hes not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who werent captured. McCain later angered Trump with his dramatic thumbs-down vote against repealing Obamas health care law.

McCain represented Arizona in Congress for 31 years until his death in 2018 from an aggressive brain tumor and built a national reputation as a maverick willing to buck his party. While he sometimes took flack from the GOP base and faced fierce primary challengers, he was overwhelmingly reelected and remains a beloved figure in the state.

Still, the endorsement wont sway the Republicans who still dislike McCain.

I didnt respect John McCain, said Jerry Lyn of suburban Phoenix, who went to the Turning Point rally because hes been so impressed by Vance he wanted to see him in person. I really didnt. He did a lot of bad things and people dont realize it.

I think its disgusting."
The enlisted son of former Arizona senator and 2012 Republican presidential candidate John McCain has entered the political arena with an official endorsement for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.

Jimmy McCain told CNN he recently changed his voter registration to Democrat and plans to cast his ballot against Trump.

McCain said the former president deeply offended him by visiting Arlington National Cemetery last week, where an altercation occurred when people with the GOP nominee took photos in a part of the sacred burial ground where thats not allowed.

These men and women that are laying in the ground there have no choice, McCain said of Trumps unofficial campaign stop.

While his war hero father was buried at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery in Maryland after he died in 2018, McCains grandfather and great grandfather were laid to rest at Arlington, according to CNN.

McCain became a Marine in 2006 when he was 17 years old and fought in Iraq a year later. In 2014, he served in Afghanistan, according to his McCain Institute bio. He now serves in U.S. Army Intelligence.

Insulting service members  his old GOP political rival John McCain in particular  is nothing new to Trump.

Hes not a war hero, Trump said at a 2015 event for conservatives when asked about the former Navy pilot who spent more than five years in a Viet Cong prison camp. Hes a war hero because he was captured. I like people who werent captured.

McCain told CNN he still recalls Trump making those remarks about his dad.

Ive never forgotten it, he said. To hear those things said about him, I could never forgive.

McCains political pundit sister, Meghan McCain, has also expressed a distaste for Trump, but stopped short of jumping parties to support a Democratic candidate. Her little brother said hell get involved in any way he can to help Harris.

Numerous news outlets, along with retired four-star Marine general and Trump White House chief of staff John Kelly, quoted Trump calling soldiers who died at war suckers and losers.

Trump, who has denied that claim, also said his team didnt get into an altercation with a guard at Arlington National Cemetery who asked that no pictures be taken.

The 78-year-old presidential candidate received five draft deferments to avoid serving in the military during the war in Vietnam.

_____
The S&P 500 set a new all-time high in early January 2024, providing the final confirmation that the bull market (which began when the index bottomed in October 2022) was underway. Since then, the technology sector has continued to drive the market higher, led by trillion-dollar giants like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple.

The S&P 500 was up 15% in the first half of this year, with the 156% gain in Nvidia stock contributing about one-third of that entire return. In other words, investors who don't have exposure to the tech sector are likely to underperform the broader market. Buying exchange-traded funds (ETFs) which hold a high concentration of technology stocks can be a simple way to get that exposure.

Here's why investors with a spare $950 might want to allocate it toward buying a share of the Vanguard Growth ETF (NYSEMKT: VUG) and a share of the Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSEMKT: VGT).

1. Vanguard Growth ETF

The Vanguard Growth ETF holds 188 different stocks, but a whopping 59.8% of the fund is allocated to the technology sector. For context, the S&P 500 assigns a 31.4% weighting to technology, so this ETF is significantly concentrated by comparison.

That can be a blessing and a curse. When technology stocks lead the market, this ETF handily outperforms the S&P 500. But any sell-off in the tech sector leads to a much steeper relative decline in the ETF.

The top five holdings in the Growth ETF are exactly the same as the top five in the S&P 500. However, take note of the difference in weightings:

Stock Growth ETF Weighting S&P 500 Weighting 1. Apple 12.89% 6.89% 2. Microsoft 12.39% 6.70% 3. Nvidia 10.90% 6.20% 4. Amazon 4.87% 3.69% 5. Meta Platforms 4.15% 2.24%

Data source: Vanguard. Portfolio weightings are accurate as of July 31, 2024, and are subject to change.

All five companies are betting big on artificial intelligence (AI). Apple recently revealed its new Apple Intelligence software, which was developed in partnership with ChatGPT creator OpenAI. It will transform existing apps like the Siri voice assistant, and add new capabilities to other apps like iMessage and Mail. With over 2.2 billion active devices worldwide, Apple could soon become the largest distributor of AI to consumers.

Microsoft also used OpenAI's technology to develop its Copilot virtual assistant. But Microsoft's bigger AI opportunity might be in the cloud because its Azure platform is quickly becoming the go-to destination for businesses looking to develop AI applications.

Story continues

Nvidia's graphics processors (GPUs) for the data center are at the heart of the entire AI revolution. They are used by almost every company developing AI including OpenAI, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta, to name just a few. Demand for GPUs continues to outstrip supply, which is driving a surge in Nvidia's revenue and earnings.

Outside of its top five, the Growth ETF holds several other important tech stocks. They include Alphabet, Tesla, and Advanced Micro Devices. But it does offer a sprinkle of diversification because non-technology stocks like Eli Lilly, Visa, and Costco Wholesale are among the ETF's top 20 holdings.

The Growth ETF has generated a compound annual return of 11.3% since it was established in 2004, which beats the 10.1% average annual return in the S&P 500 over the same period. However, the proliferation of technologies like enterprise software, cloud computing, and AI have propelled the ETF to a compound annual gain of 15.3% over the last 10 years. That represents an even greater outperformance compared to the 13.2% annual return in the S&P 500 over the past decade.

2. Vanguard Information Technology ETF

The Information Technology ETF might be a good option for investors who are comfortable with more risk in exchange for an even higher exposure to the leading names in the S&P 500. It holds 317 different stocks from 12 segments of the technology sector, specifically.

The semiconductor sector is the largest in this ETF with a 29.1% weighting, which perhaps isn't a surprise given the surge in value of companies like Nvidia and AMD over the past year.

The composition of its top five holdings is slightly different from that of the S&P 500. But its top three holdings are the same, with substantially higher weightings:

Stock Information Technology ETF Weighting 1. Apple 17.21% 2. Microsoft 15.83% 3. Nvidia 14.07% 4. Broadcom 4.74% 5. Salesforce 1.68%

Data source: Vanguard. Portfolio weightings are accurate as of July 31, 2024, and are subject to change.

Stocks like Adobe, AMD, and Oracle fall inside the top 10 in this ETF, whereas they are much further down the order in the S&P 500. That makes the ETF's performance highly dependent on the success of technologies like AI, since that's where those companies are investing an increasing amount of money.

The Information Technology ETF has delivered a compound annual return of 13.5% since its inception in 2004, so it has fared better than both the Growth ETF and the S&P 500. The same is true for its performance more recently, with an impressive compound annual gain of 20.2% over the last 10 years.

One minor drawback of the Information Technology ETF is its expense ratio of 0.1%, which is the proportion of the fund deducted each year to cover management costs. It's slightly more expensive to own than the Growth ETF which has an expense ratio of 0.03%, and that can negatively impact returns over time. However, it's still substantially cheaper than similar funds in the industry, according to Vanguard, which charge an average of 0.97%.

This ETF could be volatile given 47.1% of the value of its entire portfolio is invested in just three stocks, so it's a good idea to own it as part of a balanced group of other ETFs. Alternatively, it could be a good addition to any portfolio which currently underweights the technology sector.

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As Election Day approaches, the number of Republicans coming out against former President Donald Trump continues to grow. Jimmy McCain, the son of late Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, has publicly announced that he will vote for Vice President Kamala Harris after one of Trumps latest political stunts.

Jimmy McCain endorses Kamala Harris for president

Jimmy McCain, the youngest son of the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, told CNN on Tuesday that he supports Harris in the 2024 presidential election. McCain, formerly an independent, said he registered as a Democrat and decided to support Harris weeks ago. But 1st Lt. McCain, who has been in the military for 17 years and became a commissioned officer in Army intelligence in 2022, decided to go public with his support for Harris after Trump staged a campaign event while visiting Arlington National Cemetery with families of soldiers killed during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Continued fallout from Trump campaigns use of Arlington

Trump stirred controversy by breaking federal law and cemetery rules by filming in the section reserved for casualties of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Furthermore, a member of Trumps staff got into a physical altercation with an Arlington employee who tried to enforce the no-filming policy, and Trumps team has since insulted staff members. McCain told CNN that it just blows me away that Trump would use Arlington as the setting for a campaign advertisement, adding that the people buried at the cemetery  including members of McCains family  have no choice in being used for political purposes.

McCain familys history with Trump

The McCains and Trump have a history of animosity. In 2015, Trump denigrated the military service of McCain, who was wounded and captured by enemy forces during the Vietnam War.

Hes not a war hero, Trump said of Sen. McCain. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who werent captured.

In 2017, McCain dramatically gave a thumbs down as he cast the deciding vote to save the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, as Trump and his allies attempted to repeal it.

In 2019, less than a year after McCains death, Trump reiterated his dislike for McCain, saying, I was never a fan of John McCain and I never will be.

Since then, McCains widow, diplomat and World Food Programme Executive Director Cindy McCain, endorsed Joe Biden for president in 2020, and their daughter, political commentator Meghan McCain, has been critical of Trump but unwilling to endorse Harris. On Tuesday, she tweeted that shes not voting for Harris or Trump.

However, Jimmy McCains endorsement of Harris adds to the growing list of former Republicans and conservative figures siding with her against Trump. As the Harris and Trump campaigns compete for voters, even more cross-party defections are likely to become public.
The late senator's youngest son endorsed Trump's opponent, Kamala Harris, telling CNN he will help her campaign "in any way" he can

McCain Institute; Justin Lane - Pool/Getty James McCain; Donald Trump

John McCain's youngest son, 1st Lt. Jimmy McCain, revealed that he is now a registered Democrat  and plans to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election.

Jimmy announced his decision in an exclusive interview with CNN published Tuesday, Sept. 3, during which he also slammed former President Donald Trump and his campaign staffers alleged behavior at Arlington National Cemetery last week  which Jimmy, 36, dubbed a violation.

According to NPR, on Monday, Aug. 26, a cemetery official was scolded for preventing Trumps campaign team from filming and taking photographs in an off-limits area of the grounds called Section 60, where service members killed in action in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom are buried, per the cemetery's website.

Both NPR and the U.S. Army said that when the official tried to stop Trump from staging a campaign promo in Section 60, they were pushed aside by members of his team.

Related: Trump Campaign Staff Reportedly Had Altercation with Arlington National Cemetery Official During Photo Op

Reacting to the Trump campaign's Arlington scandal, Jimmy told CNN, It just blows me away."

He went on to say that the people buried at the Virginia military cemetery (which includes several members of his family tree, including his grandfather and great grandfather) cannot consent to being part of Trump and J.D. Vances campaign  or any political campaign, for that matter.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Donald Trump at Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 26

"These men and women that are laying in the ground there have no choice, said Jimmy, who has a long history in the military  at 17, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and he now serves as an intelligence officer in the 158th Infantry Regiment.

I just think that for anyone whos done a lot of time in their uniform, they just understand that inherently  that its not about you there, he told CNN. Its about these people who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the name of their country.

Related: J.D. Vance Says Kamala Harris Can Go to Hell as He Attempts to Defend Trumps Arlington Cemetery Scandal

The youngest son of John and Cindy McCain also told CNN that he was particularly upset by the Arlington incident because as he saw Trump pose in front of gravestones, it reminded him of three U.S. service members who recently died at a military base he had just returned from.

It was a violation, he said, adding that the photo op was likely much more upsetting for the loved ones of the individuals buried there.

"That mother, that sister, those families, see that  and its a painful experience, he said.

Drew Angerer/Getty Jimmy McCain, center, stands between his mother, Cindy, and sister Meghan at his father's funeral on Sept. 1, 2018

Jimmy, who has served in the military for 17 years, also told CNN that he believes the recent events at Arlington National Cemetery are indicative of not only Trumps disrespect for the fallen but also his insecurities about his lack of military experience.

Many of these men and women who served their country chose to do something greater than themselves. They woke up one morning, they signed on the dotted line, they put their right hand up, and they chose to serve their country, he said. And thats an experience that Donald Trump has not had. And I think that might be something that he thinks about a lot.

Related: Cindy McCain Says Late Husband, Sen. John McCain, Wouldn't Recognize GOP Today: 'We've Lost Our Way'

Jimmy has been moving away from the Republican Party for some time, per CNN. He has been registered as an independent for several years, and after recently registering as a Democrat, wants to help Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, defeat Trump "in any way" he can.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Tim Walz and Kamala Harris visit a campaign office in Glendale, Ariz., on Aug. 9, 2024

Addressing his noteworthy decision to veer away from his late fathers conservative politics, Jimmy told CNN that to him, John was his dad first and foremost.

John McCain was my father, and a lot of people lose that in the minutia. He wasnt John McCain the way he is to the world. He was the man who loved me, he said. And the one thing Ive known about my dad since the moment I could think, was that he was a good man and that he had done his part.

And for me to be with him towards the end of his life, hearing things [from Trump] like, he was a loser because he was captured  I dont think I could ever overlook that, he added.

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Seemingly addressing her younger brothers decision to vote blue, Meghan McCain took to X (formerly known as Twitter) on Tuesday, Sept. 3, to share a message of support  and clarify her own political leanings.

I greatly respect the wide variety of political opinions of all of my family members and love them all very much, she wrote. I however, remain a proud member of the Republican Party and hope for brighter days ahead.

But, she added in parentheses, she is not voting for Harris or Trump.



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Read the original article on People.
The late Sen. John McCains youngest son, Army 1st Lt. Jimmy McCain, told CNN on Tuesday that he has changed his voter registration to Democrat and plans to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.

His endorsement of the vice president arrives after Republican candidate Donald Trump received widespread backlash following reports that one of his campaign aides pushed a staffer at Arlington National Cemetery during a visit to the burial ground last week. Following the visit, the former presidents campaign social media posted videos and images taken at the cemetery  including photos in Section 60, an area reserved for recently deceased service members with strict rules surrounding media presence.

Trump has since suggested that it was Gold Star families, not his campaign, who distributed images and videos of him at the cemetery.

It just blows me away, McCain, who has served in the military for 17 years, told CNN. He added that these men and women that are laying in the ground there have no choice in being part of a political campaign backdrop.

Many of these men and women, who served their country, chose to do something greater than themselves, McCain continued. They woke up one morning, they signed on the dotted line, they put their right hand up, and they chose to serve their country. And thats an experience that Donald Trump has not had. And I think that might be something that he thinks about a lot.

Trump, who avoided the military draft multiple times, has a long history of insulting U.S. service members and veterans. In August, he doubled down on his claim that the the Presidential Medal of Freedom is superior to the military Medal of Honor because the former involves no sacrifice.

The Atlantic has also reported that Trump privately disparaged U.S. service members and veterans during a trip to France in 2018 and called Marines who died at Belleau Wood suckers and soldiers who were buried at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery losers. Although Trump denies this, John Kelly, his former White House chief of staff, confirmed many of the claims in the story, adding that at one point, Trump did not want to be seen with military amputees because it doesnt look good for [him].

During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump infamously took aim at longtime Republican senator John McCain for having been captured during the Vietnam War. Hes not a war hero, Trump said. He is a war hero because he was captured. I like people who werent captured.

The Vietnam veteran was not only shot down and tortured as a prisoner of war from 1967-1973, but he refused early release because other American soldiers had been imprisoned longer. When the senator died, Trump reportedly said: Were not going to support that losers funeral.

When speaking to CNN, Jimmy McCain called the altercation between the Trump campaign aide and a cemetery staffer a violation and a painful experience. McCain, who had been registered independent for years, told the outlet that he would get involved in any way I could to help Harris win.

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Jim McCain, a son of the late U.S. Sen. John McCain, said Tuesday that he is backing Vice President Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump and cited his campaigns confrontation with a staffer at Arlington National Cemetery as only the latest reason why.

McCain, one of the more private members of his politically notable family, publicly rolled out an endorsement that could pack more importance than most because of his fathers standing in the state he represented on Capitol Hill for decades.

It comes a week after the Trump campaign had what the cemetery described only as an incident involving a staffer who tried to stop what that person saw as prohibited campaign-related activities during a wreath-laying service for one of the 13 American soldiers who died during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

McCain told The Arizona Republic the incident was an affront to everyone buried at the cemetery.

The part that drives me the most insane is that those men and women at that cemetery dont get an opinion. They have passed away. They dont get a political opinion, he said. Theres three generations of McCains buried there. There would be four, but my fathers buried at Annapolis.

Jim McCain, son of the late Arizona Senator John McCain, gives an interview with the Arizona Republic after confirming he is a registered democrat and supporting Kamala Harris in The Arizona Republic newsroom on Sept. 3, 2024, in Phoenix.

Its a very sacred place, not only to myself but to every veteran.  The point of Arlington is to honor and remember the brothers and sisters who have given their lives in service to their country  the ultimate sacrifice. Whether or not (Trump) was invited, it is a place of memorialization and there are rules against having a campaign stop.

McCain is a former independent who last month re-registered as a Democrat, he said, after getting back home from nine months in the Middle East as part of the Arizona National Guard.

He made clear that his political views arent an expression of his family as a whole, though his mother, Cindy McCain, was similarly troubled by the incident at Arlington.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment.

Trump campaign officials told the New York Times the staffer was a disgrace who was clearly suffering from a mental health episode.

Jim McCains sister Meghan McCain said she remains a Republican and said politics doesnt limit her family bonds.

Jim McCain, son of the late Arizona Senator John McCain, gives an interview with the Arizona Republic after confirming he is a registered democrat and supporting Kamala Harris in The Arizona Republic newsroom on Sept. 3, 2024, in Phoenix.

I greatly respect the wide variety of political opinions of all of my family members and love them all very much, she said in a social media post Tuesday. I however, remain a proud member of the Republican Party and hope for brighter days ahead. (Not voting for Harris or Trump, hope that clears things up).

The Harris endorsement from a member of the McCain family isnt a complete surprise after Cindy McCain, endorsed President Joe Biden in 2020 and after years of hostility from Trump toward John McCain. Trumps feud with McCain extended well past his 2018 death from brain cancer.

Jim McCain acknowledged personal hurt from Trumps attacks on his father, but said his Harris endorsement reflects his view that she can bring Americans together. He emphasized that he only spoke for himself, not others in his family.

What Kamala Harris is trying to do is unite this country, and thats what I believe she can do with (Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz), he said. What I tell people is its country first.

That is an echo of the rallying cry of his fathers 2008 presidential campaign. John McCain won the Republican nomination but lost the race to President Barack Obama.

Were the greatest country in the world. Lets keep that going, but we cant do it divided, Jim McCain said. Its a new breath of life into politics. Its what I feel like a lot of people were waiting for.

Cindy McCains 2020 endorsement was likely a key ingredient to Bidens narrow win in Arizona four years ago. Jim McCain said he is willing to campaign on behalf of Harris campaign perhaps to similar effect.

Ive put a ton of thought into this. Ive really looked inside and what I feel is best for the country, he said. Impact or not, at this moment, what Im really thinking about is possibly my opinion could help with someone else who is thinking this way.

It begins with the treatment of my father, but its not just all that, McCain continued. This isnt the words of a resentful man whos angry about some bad words said about his father. Its from then on; his actions.

McCain has generally shunned the public spotlight that has followed his family. In 2022, he drew headlines for expressing dismay that Republican Kari Lake had had attacked his father during her gubernatorial race that year after years of personal friendship with his family.

He declined to say whether he planned to back U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who is running against Lake for the Senate seat currently held by the retiring U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: John McCain's son endorses Kamala Harris over Donald Trump. Here's why
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  Tim Hicks, a homebuilder since the 1980s and current Tennessee State Representative, remembers well the last time new homes were being built at their current pace: never.

Johnson City Schools doubles down on cell phone policies, joining statewide effort to pass legislation

According to interest rates and according to inflation, we are in the middle or probably at the end of a slowdown, and we have more building permits this year at this time than we had last year, Hicks told News Channel 11 Wednesday.

So what kind of a slowdown is that for Northeast Tennessee and Washington County? Its not much of one, in my opinion.

Combined new single-family home starts in unincorporated Washington County, Johnson City and Jonesborough are at 556 through August  and thats with several large developments still waiting in the wings. Thats up nearly 40% from 2023, when there were 407 at this point, and almost 20% higher than 2022s 474.

Several dozen homes have been built this year in Johnson Citys Archers Pointe subdivision. New single-family home permits are up 38% through August compared to 2023. (Photo: WJHL)

The historically high numbers, including 109 new starts in August alone, are part of a trend Hicks said he doesnt see ending anytime soon. U.S. Census data show Northeast Tennessees estimated population grew by 12,682 from July 2021 through July 2023. That two-year boomlet represented more growth than the entire decade of 2010 to 2020, and Washington County continued to lead the way in growth that is outpacing the national rate by more than two times.

Ive been in this business a long time, Hicks said. Youre always waiting for the next big slowdown, trying to anticipate that.

With national home starts in a lull  they reached a four-year low recently  Hicks isnt sure the current soft market will have much impact on whats been happening in the Tri-Cities area.

General Morgan Inn exhibit showcases advertising during World War II

Hicks chalked the continued growth up to what he and others have been attributing it to since a noticeable shift began about four years ago.

I think that people have heard and have found out about our great area and theres just a lot of growth going here, he said.

Jonesborough, Johnson City and unincorporated Washington County all appear on pace for record housing construction this year.

Washington County has had 242 permits pulled in eight months, with a total value of more than $94 million and an average of $389,658. Thats 25% more permits than last years pace, with an average value $9,500 higher. In 2022, the countys average new permit value was $304,634.

Homebuilder and state Rep. Tim Hicks says hes never seen this pace of new home construction over the past three-plus decades hes been a builder. (Photo: WJHL)

Johnson Citys 190 permits are 39% higher than last years total of 137 through this date. The total value of $53.6 million averages out to $281,987 and is pulled lower by the fact that a good number of the new starts have been attached townhomes. Last years average value was $330,1175 in Johnson City.

Jonesborough has seen the highest percentage increase in permits, with a 63% jump from 76 in 2023 to 124 in 2024. The total value of $28.1 million averages out to $226,903. Overall, the 556 permits represented an estimated value of more than $175 million.

Johnson City has also approved permits for several large apartment complexes, including a $29.3 million, 152-unit combination of permits for the Universal at Mountainview just beginning construction in north Johnson City.

Hicks said he hopes to be part of a state and local leadership group that tries to ensure development is done sensitively and infrastructure keeps pace. He admitted that as a small town guy, theres a part of him that doesnt like to see so much new development.

I hate to see it change, but when the growth comes like this, you cant put it on a back burner, he said. Its something that I talk about and work on a lot.

Hicks said people may who have been here for generations need to realize we cant build a wall around Northeast Tennessee, but he added they also deserve the most consideration.

Thats the people that Im concerned about we have a lot of room to grow in northeast Tennessee. Its just how we go about that, how cities and counties plan that growth. I think it is extremely important to make it go into areas where we can handle the growth.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Palestinian journalists say that they were fired on by the Israeli military during a raid in the occupied West Bank town of Kafr Dan.

Mohammed Mansour, a journalist for the Palestinian news agency WAFA, was injured when the car he was driving was struck by gunfire, according to video of the aftermath and his employer.

Footage filmed in the car by freelance journalist Jarah Khalaf shows a chaotic scene, as Mansour races through the streets and blood pours from his leg. All journalists were wearing flak jackets with press labels, and the car bore a press identifier on its hood.

The occupation surprised us by shooting at us directly. Our colleague Mohammed Mansour was here in this car, said Khalaf. The army shot at us more than once, even though we had press signs and were wearing body armor and everything.

WAFA said that the Israeli military fired live bullets directly at the vehicle, which was carrying four journalists reporting on the Tuesday raid. The Palestine Red Crescent Society said that it treated four journalists who were injured by gunfire and shrapnel.

CNN has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for comment.

Violence from the Israeli offensive in Gaza since the Hamas-led October 7 attacks has spilled into the occupied West Bank in recent months. The IDF unleashed a barrage of raids and airstrikes in multiple parts of the territory on August 28  including in the cities of Jenin, Tubas and Tulkarem  bulldozing highways and razing buildings to rubble.

The IDF has said that its operations in the West Bank are necessary in order to remove immediate terror threats in real time.

Humanitarian groups have accused the Israeli military of using disproportionate force against Palestinian residents, inflicting severe damage on critical infrastructure and disrupting health care services. On Tuesday, a UN spokesperson warned that Israeli forces are using lethal war-like tactics in the occupied territory, with people being killed, injured and displaced  and have blocked critical access to aid organizations.

An Israeli bulldozer tears up a street as members of the press film during an Israeli raid in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on September 1, 2024. - Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images

We were directly targeted

On Monday, two Palestinian journalists were injured by shrapnel and had to dodge Israeli bulldozers while covering the devastation left by forces in the city of Jenin, according to video obtained by CNN and interviews with the journalists. The sound of gunfire can be heard in the background.

In another video, reporters film Israeli military bulldozers tearing up the surface of a street in Jenin. The IDF says this is done to find and dismantle explosive devices.

This was one of the craziest and most dangerous days of coverage, as we were directly targeted, Shatha Hanaysha, a reporter for the Mondoweiss news website, said on Monday. She told CNN that she sustained minor shrapnel injuries to her leg. We saw Israeli journalists with the military today  While they fire at us, they treat the Israeli journalists in a different way. These are double standards.

Khalaf said he was also among the journalists filming the Israeli military bulldozers on Monday, when suddenly a bulldozer started backing on us.

We moved down the road when the bulldozer turned  and chased after us, added Khalaf. We were trapped behind a wall, but the bulldozer kept coming forward toward us when it started destroying shops and the sidewalk we were on. We were trapped for a few minutes before we managed to get away.

Israeli forces have killed 33 Palestinians in the West Bank, including six children and two elderly people, since launching the operation last month, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah. Another 130 people have been injured. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and militants.

The Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas armed wing, said Friday that three of its members had been killed.

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ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  A federal judge has ruled that Illinois ban, forbidding concealed carry owners to carry guns on public transportation, is unconstitutional.

On Friday, U.S. District Judge Iain Johnston ruled in favor of four plaintiffs who brought a 2022 lawsuit, arguing that a portion of the states concealed carry law, prohibiting holders of concealed carry licenses to bring guns on public buses or trains violated their Second Amendment rights.

Illinois 2013 concealed carry law limited license holders from carrying weapons into certain places, such as government buildings, stadiums, hospitals, or public transportation.

In his ruling, Johnston said the defendants, including Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx, and DuPage County States Attorney Robert Berlin, failed to meet their burden to show an American tradition of firearm regulation at the time of the Founding that would allow Illinois to prohibit Plaintiffs  who hold concealed carry permits  from carrying concealed handguns for self-defense onto the CTA and Metra.

Johnston cited a 2022 Supreme Court decision, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which struck down a 100-year-old law requiring citizens to show proper cause for needing a gun before they could be issued a concealed carry permit.

Asked about the ruling while at an unrelated event on Tuesday, Gov. JB Pritzker responded, saying, Unfortunately many of the conservative judges who have been appointed have misunderstood what it means to uphold public safety. It will be disappointing if they uphold this but Im hopeful that the law that was passed in Illinois a number of years ago thats done a lot to keep people safe will be upheld.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Raouls office said it would review the decision and would likely file an appeal.

The ruling comes as four people were murdered while they slept on a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) train early Monday morning.

According to police, a 30-year-old man, identified as Rhianni Davis, of Chicago, killed the four on a train was nearing Forest Park. Investigators havent determined a motive.

Margaret Miller, 64, and three men including Simeon Bihesi, 28, and Adrian Collins, 60, were fatally shot, according to the Cook County medical examiners office.

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Three people charged in the fatal beating of 16-year-old Preston Lord are closer to getting out of jail after a judge reduced their bail by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge on Tuesday cut the $1 million bonds ordered when they were arrested in half  or more.

The ruling follows a series of bail reductions over the protest of prosecutors and Lord's family for nearly all of the defendants in the case.

Of the seven people charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping, only one remains in custody on the original bond.

"Please consider that my family must deal with seven different scenarios on top of our grief and what this has all put us through," said Lord's mother, Autumn Curiel, during her remarks in court opposing the reductions. One of the people charged was remorseless and remained a threat to society, she said.

"This defendant should not have his bond lowered for a potential release to society because he has a history of violence and an unstable home environment," she said.

Judge Bruce Cohen ultimately sided with defense lawyers. He said the views of Lord's family weighed tremendously, but other factors, such as the defendants' potential danger to the community and the weight of evidence, also played a role.

"Justice for Preston can only occur if I properly consider the law and not act upon the outrage over the unconscionable loss of Preston," he said.

Cohen set different amounts for each of the defendants: $250,000 for Dominic Turner, $350,000 for Jacob Meisner and $500,000 for Talan Renner.

Even with a reduced bail, Meisner and Renner, both 17, cannot post bail until they are transferred to the adult justice system when they turn 18. Renner will remain in custody until at least October, and Meisner until at least January.

Lord was beaten in a gang attack at an Oct. 28 Halloween party in Queen Creek. He was punched, kicked and stomped. He died two days later of traumatic brain injuries without regaining consciousness.

A December investigation by The Arizona Republic detailed how Lord's death was tied to the "Gilbert Goons," a gang of teenagers who recorded their blitz-style attacks on teens in parks and parking garages, outside fast-food restaurants and at house parties. The attacks, mostly in Gilbert, went unchecked by authorities for more than a year.

The other four charged in the Lord case are Treston Billey, 19, William "Owen" Hines, 18, Taylor Sherman, 19, and Talyn Vigil, 18. All seven defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Billey and Sherman were released from custody after Cohen reduced their bonds in July. Vigil was released after he posted a million-dollar bond imposed in March. Hines remains in custody and has not requested a lower bond.

7 defendants in Preston Lord case, clockwise from top left: Talan Renner, 17; William Owen Hines, 18; Treston Billey, 18; Talyn Vigil, 17; Jacob Meisner, 17; Taylor Sherman, 19; and Dominic Turner, 20.

Defense lawyers say their clients are not flight risks, question evidence

In the courtroom on Tuesday, Meisner, Renner and Turner, 20, sat apart from each other in the jury box. Lord's family and their supporters and family of the defendants sat in the gallery.

All three defense lawyers argued their clients were not a flight risk, posed no risk to the community and questioned the weight of evidence against them. Lawyers for Meisner and Renner said they were doing well while in juvenile detention. Both were wearing blue polos, which is a symbol of good behavior.

"It's also possible that this tragic incident was just a good, old-fashioned wake-up call," said Meisner's lawyer, Andrew Marcantel. "And it was. It absolutely was a wake-up call."

Lord's stepmother reacted hotly to that suggestion in an address to the judge.

"This is not a 'good, old-fashioned wake-up call,'" said Melissa Ciconte. "This was a choice. A choice that they made of their free will to attack another person. Their display of violence is not new."

Meisner was sentenced in June to probation after admitting his involvement in two Gilbert Goons attacks in Gilbert and Mesa. He was ordered to remain in juvenile detention until his 18th birthday, when he would be transferred to the adult detention facility.

Attorney Andrew Marcantel arrives for the sentencing on June 28, 2024, of one of his clients, Jacob Meisner, at the Maricopa County Juvenile Court Southeast Facility in Mesa. Jacob Meisner was charged with one "Gilbert Goons" attack in Gilbert and the other one in Mesa.

Marcantel said what happened in the Lord case differed from what Meisner was involved in the past  fights among high schoolers, "mostly of a misdemeanor nature."

He argued no eyewitness at the Halloween party properly described Meisner's costume, including friends of Lord and other co-defendants. He also said that in messages after the beating, Meisner said he never touched Lord.

Renner's lawyer, Christine Whalin, made nearly identical arguments, saying much of the evidence against her client was hearsay.

She said Renner had no prior criminal history and argued he wasn't a threat. Even when he was the subject of an August attack in juvenile detention, Whalin said, Renner didn't fight back.

Whalin said Renner lacked the funds to post the million-dollar bail. Prosecutors argued in court documents that Renner's parents had vast financial resources. Whalin argued the bond should be based on what Renner can post on his own.

Christine Whalin (left) and David Cantor (right), attorneys for Talan Renner, walk to their vehicle after attending their client's first appearance in court in the case of Queen Creek teen Preston Lord's murder, at the Durango Juvenile Court in Phoenix on March 7, 2024.

Whalin also said there was significant concern about Renner's safety if and when he would be transferred to adult detention and referenced the earlier attack. She did not specify what led to the attack or why he would be in danger.

Turner's lawyer argued he had no criminal history. Turner, in June, requested to have his bail reduced but was denied.

Louis Spivack said after his client was denied, Sherman filed a similar request, which was granted. Spivack said Turner and Sherman had similar circumstances and backgrounds. Spivack also said Turner has no ties to the Gilbert Goons.

Prosecutors, Lord family members oppose bond reductions

Prosecutors made various arguments against each of the three defendants.

One said the progress Meisner made while in juvenile detention was "commendable" but didn't change the evidence against him. Another said Turner's situation was not similar to Sherman's, including the fact that Turner was also charged with aggravated robbery in the case. They said Renner admitted his involvement in the attack on Lord.

Lord's mother and grandfather pleaded with the court not to reduce the bonds for the three charged.

"Preston was sucker-punched, surrounded and brutally attacked by the defendants and left in the street to die," Curiel said.

Cohen said if all three posted bail, they would all be placed on house arrest and electronic monitoring. He said Renner would not be allowed to live with his dad, who was facing drug charges. The three would not be allowed to leave their houses except for appointments with their lawyers.

Cohen ordered the three to submit to random drug tests. He said they must turn in their passports and prohibited their use of social media. They would not be allowed to have contact with victims, witnesses, co-defendants or anyone charged in related assault cases.

Renner's lawyer asked that he be allowed to be in contact with his father and brother, but Cohen made no ruling.

Cohen set Renner's bond at $500,000, saying the teen had financial resources. He also flagged reports of Renner's whereabouts after the attack on Lord.

Police reports indicate Renner left town in the days after the attack. He also traveled to Costa Rica in December, which was brought up during the hearing.

Outside the courtroom, Renner's parents, Travis and Rebecca Renner, were served with the wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of Lord's father.

Lord's grandfather said after the hearing, the bond reduction was not what the family wanted.

"Everybody is allowed their due process. There's nothing we can, as a family, can do to change that," said Tony Reich. "And we'll just press forward. And when the trial starts, it's a whole different ballgame."

Elena Santa Cruz is a justice reporter for The Republic. Reach her at elena.santacruz@gannett.com. Follow her on X @ecsantacruz3.

Robert Anglen is an investigative reporter for The Republic. Reach him at robert.anglen@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X @robertanglen.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: More Preston Lord defendants have bail amounts lowered by judge
Linus Thuston, right, is led from the Neosho County courtroom in Erie on Sept. 4, 2024, after being sentenced to jail time for misdemeanor financial crimes

Linus Thuston, right, is led from the Neosho County courtroom in Erie on Sept. 4, 2024, after being sentenced to jail time for misdemeanor financial crimes. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

ERIE  A rural Kansas prosecutor apologized for his shortcomings and committing misdemeanor crimes before being escorted to jail Wednesday after years of investigation into allegations of more serious misconduct.

In a hearing at the courthouse where he spent nearly 16 years as top prosecutor, Linus Thuston pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors and was sentenced to pay more than $3,000 and to serve 120 days in jail. He had stepped down as Neosho County attorney on Aug. 13.

The hearing was a culmination of seven years of scrutiny and criminal investigations. Retired District Judge Merlin Wheeler accepted a plea deal from Thustons attorney and the Kansas Attorney Generals Office, which prosecuted the case, but he rejected their agreement to avoid jail time for Thuston. Under the deal, Thuston will avoid being prosecuted for any other cases that were investigated by the attorney generals office.

I admit that I have made mistakes, and I admit that I have sinned, but I am a recovering sinner, Thuston said at the hearing.

Wheeler sentenced Thuston to 60 days in the Neosho County jail for each of the two crimes, which were for misusing a county credit card and falsifying the purchase price of a vehicle to avoid paying sales tax. After serving 30 days, Thuston will be eligible for 12 months of supervised probation.

There is no way that I can look at this and condone what you did here, Wheeler said.

Retired District Judge Merlin Wheeler addresses Linus Thuston during a Sept. 4, 2024, plea hearing in Neosho County District Court

The charge of misusing public funds was linked to a payment Thuston made on Dec. 24, 2019, to a woman who he claimed needed money for Christmas presents for her children. He said he paid her around $64 from his personal PayPal account, which was connected to his county credit card. Thuston requested and received nude photos from the same woman, according to previous reporting from Kansas Reflector.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation questioned Thuston about the payment multiple times in the years following. He told KBI agents in July 2022 that he thought the payment was related to firearm shooting expenses.

Wheeler asked Thuston whether he thought to double check the payment after being questioned. Thuston said in court that he initially didnt recognize the name associated with the payment but later identified it as the PayPal transaction. He eventually reimbursed the county for the $64.

When youre dealing with public funds and youre questioned by a KBI agent, maybe you should check, Wheeler said.

Thuston also admitted Wednesday to violating the state Retailers Sales Tax Act when he bought a $17,500 Chevrolet Camaro for his wife in October 2021 but submitted paperwork that said it only cost $11,000, avoiding more than $600 in sales tax. Wheeler ordered Thuston to pay the missing $617.50 as restitution in addition to a $2,500 fine for violating the sales tax act.

The attorney generals office and Thustons attorney initially proposed he pay a $10,000 fine and avoid jail time, but the judge rejected their recommended sentence.

It looks to me like someone decided to put a price on what freedom is, Wheeler said.

He later asked Thuston what he had learned from the experience.

Thuston said he learned to be more diligent and pay attention, and he acknowledged he approached the line between right and wrong.

Ive got to stay away from the line, he said.

Wheeler said Thustons actions destroyed his credibility.

It also impairs the credibility of everyone that holds public office, Wheeler said.

Linus Thuston hands his wedding ring to his wife before being handcuffed following a Sept. 4, 2024, hearing in Neosho County District Court

At the end of the hearing, Thuston handed his wedding ring to his wife. He was handcuffed in court, escorted out the back door of the courthouse and taken to jail.

Thuston is still a private attorney, but the conditions of his sentencing dictate that he must self-report ethical violations to the state board that handles attorney discipline, which could result in the forfeiture of his law license.

The sentencing conditions also make Thuston ineligible to hold public office while in custody and on probation. He also cannot be a fiduciary or trustee for any organization and must undergo a mental health evaluation.

Area officials have scrutinized Thustons behavior for years, admonishing him for his use of public funds, his propensity for granting high-dollar diversion agreements and the reduction or settlement of charges for serious crimes.

Neosho County Sheriff Greg Taylor, who began documenting alleged crimes by Thuston seven years ago, said he was frustrated the plea deal allowed Thuston to escape accountability for more serious allegations, including sexual extortion for compelling women to send him nude photos.

Taylor began investigating the sexual extortion case in 2022 when a woman, who was a part of an unrelated criminal investigation, said Thuston requested nude photos from her in exchange for his continued legal services through his private practice. The sheriff turned over the sexual extortion case and 10 more to the attorney generals office for review.

Taylor said authorities found roughly 50 women who said Thuston pressured them to send him nude photos.

Under the plea deal, the attorney generals office agreed not to file criminal charges for the felony investigations into Thuston. However, at least one Neosho County Sheriffs Office investigation into Thuston remains open and wasnt included in the terms of the plea deal.

Taylor said he was thankful Thuston is no longer in office.

I applaud the judge for bringing some credibility back to our justice system, Taylor said.

Taylor said he was beyond ready to move on, but every time hes in the media, we get new complaints. The plea agreement wouldnt apply to any new cases, he said.

I wonder if now that hes not in a position of power and control over people, if well have more people come forward, Taylor said.

If they do, the sheriff said, Ill do my job and investigate it.
Japan's stock markets have shown resilience, with the Nikkei 225 Index gaining 0.7% and the broader TOPIX Index up 1.0%, recovering from earlier volatility driven by interest rate hikes and global economic concerns. Amidst this backdrop, identifying growth companies with high insider ownership can provide valuable insights into potential investment opportunities. In this article, we will explore three growth stocks on the Japanese exchange that boast up to 23% insider ownership, offering a closer look at how internal confidence aligns with market performance.

Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In Japan

Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth Micronics Japan (TSE:6871) 15.3% 32.7% Hottolink (TSE:3680) 27% 61.5% Kasumigaseki CapitalLtd (TSE:3498) 34.7% 43.5% Medley (TSE:4480) 34% 30.4% SHIFT (TSE:3697) 35.4% 32.1% Kanamic NetworkLTD (TSE:3939) 25% 28.3% ExaWizards (TSE:4259) 22% 63% Money Forward (TSE:3994) 21.4% 68.1% Astroscale Holdings (TSE:186A) 21.3% 90% Loadstar Capital K.K (TSE:3482) 33.8% 24.3%

Click here to see the full list of 101 stocks from our Fast Growing Japanese Companies With High Insider Ownership screener.

Let's review some notable picks from our screened stocks.

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Stella Chemifa Corporation manufactures and sells inorganic fluorine compounds in Japan and internationally, with a market cap of 49.49 billion.

Operations: Stella Chemifa Corporation's revenue segments include High-Purity Chemical at 27.44 billion and Transportation at 7.60 billion.

Insider Ownership: 23.5%

Stella Chemifa shows strong growth potential, with earnings forecasted to grow 23.5% annually, significantly outpacing the Japanese market's 8.7%. Revenue is expected to increase by 9.6% per year, above the market average of 4.2%. Despite trading at a substantial discount to its estimated fair value, its dividend sustainability is questionable due to recent decreases and high payout ratios. No significant insider trading activity was reported in the last three months.

TSE:4109 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Sep 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Rakuten Group, Inc. operates in e-commerce, fintech, digital content, and communications sectors serving users in Japan and internationally with a market cap of 2.29 trillion.

Operations: Rakuten Group's revenue segments include Mobile (382.95 million), Fin Tech (772.29 million), and Internet Services (1.24 billion).

Story continues

Insider Ownership: 17.3%

Rakuten Group is forecast to achieve 83.06% annual earnings growth and become profitable within three years, outperforming the average market growth. Revenue is expected to grow at 7.6% per year, faster than the Japanese market's 4.2%. However, its share price has been highly volatile recently and its Return on Equity is projected to be modest at 9.7%. No significant insider trading activity was reported in the last three months.

TSE:4755 Ownership Breakdown as at Sep 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Capcom Co., Ltd. is a company that plans, develops, manufactures, sells, and distributes home video games, online games, mobile games, and arcade games both in Japan and internationally with a market cap of 1.37 trillion.

Operations: Capcom's revenue segments include Digital Content at 103.38 billion, Amusement Facilities at 20.09 billion, and Amusement Equipment at 10.34 billion.

Insider Ownership: 11.5%

Capcom's earnings are forecast to grow at 14.5% annually, outpacing the Japanese market's 8.7%, with revenue expected to increase by 9.5% per year. The company's Return on Equity is projected to reach 20.4% in three years, indicating strong profitability prospects. Despite recent share price volatility and no significant insider trading activity in the last three months, Capcom remains a prominent growth company with high insider ownership in Japan.

TSE:9697 Ownership Breakdown as at Sep 2024

Seize The Opportunity

Discover the full array of 101 Fast Growing Japanese Companies With High Insider Ownership right here.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.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 TSE:4109 TSE:4755 and TSE:9697.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
U.S. President Joe Biden boards Air Force One at Hagerstown Regional Airport in Hagerstown

By Ted Hesson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S. judge on Wednesday left in place a temporary block on a Biden administration legalization program for immigrant spouses of U.S. citizens.

The decision by Texas-based U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker maintains a pause on the program through Sept. 23 to allow for legal briefing and a possible hearing.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration opened applications last month for the Keeping Families Together program, which offers a path to citizenship to around 500,000 immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally if they are married to U.S. citizens.

Texas and a coalition of U.S. states with Republican attorneys general sued to end the Biden program, saying it overstepped the executive branch's authority to grant legal immigration status to people who entered unlawfully and circumvented U.S. immigration law.

Biden announced the initiative in June before dropping out of the presidential race against Republican Donald Trump, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee.

Immigration is a top voter concern heading into the Nov. 5 election, Reuters/Ipsos polling shows.

Keeping Families Together provides a path to citizenship to immigrant spouses who entered the U.S. illegally and have at least 10 years of residence. Without this option, many would need to leave the U.S. for years before being able to return legally.

The program also allows some 50,000 children under age 21 with a U.S.-citizen parent to obtain temporary "parole" status that creates a path to citizenship.

America First Legal, an organization led by Trump adviser Stephen Miller, served as co-counsel in the lawsuit alongside Texas and 15 other states with Republican attorneys general.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler and Lisa Shumaker)
Tim Blakeley, manager of Sunset Junction medical marijuana dispensary, fills a marijuana prescription on May 11, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. A Montgomery judge said Tuesday that he may loosen a temporary restraining order against the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission to allow them to vet licenses. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

A Montgomery judge Tuesday said he would be open to lifting some restrictions on the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) to allow some vetting of license awards.

Montgomery County Circuit James Anderson said that he might be inclined to amending it (a temporary restraining order) to allow some investigative things to go forward.

The discussion came near the end of a nearly two-hour hearing that covered motions to intervene and the potentially ongoing role of the Agriculture Commissioner.

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Anderson had previously directed the AMCC and companies denied a license to provide a joint proposed order that would allow investigative hearings but no licenses to be issued.

The Alabama Legislature approved a medical cannabis program in 2021 that would allow the use of cannabis for about 15 different medical conditions, including chronic pain, cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

But the program has been put in limo amid controversies and litigation over the issuance of cannabis production and distribution licenses. AMCC first awarded licenses in June 2023 but voided them due to scoing inconsistencies. The commission tried to award licenses again later that summer but suspended them amid lawsuits alleging the AMCC violated the state Open Meetings Act. The commission tried to award licenses again in December where further litigation occurred.

Will Somerville, an attorney for Alabama Always, a company rejected for licenses that has been heavily involved in the lawsuits, told reporters in the courthouse after the hearing on Tuesday that he did not think that he heard that the judge was inclined to modify the order to allow the investigative hearings to go forward.

What I would like for the judge to do is to keep the injunction in place, make a ruling on invalidating the December license awards in the integrated category, and then rule that the investigative hearing process that the commission has planned is invalid, and then have the judge actually institute a process to figure out who can actually comply with the requirements of the cannabis act and who can actually grow and make medical cannabis, he said.

Somerville said that it is incumbent on them to file for a summary judgment on the legal issues and legality of the investigative hearing process.

Bryan Taylor, attorney for TheraTrue Alabama LLC, which received licenses in the first two rounds but not the third, said they were seeking answers.

I think thats a question that needs to be answered, and thats part of this lawsuit is making sure that we understand what happened in December, he said. Why did all the licenses change?

The Legislature attempted to remedy some of the issues last session, but they were mostly unsuccessful, only shifting licensing powers for cultivators from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries to the AMCC.

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DELPHI, Ind.  Jurors will not hear Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen's defense that Libby German and Abby Williams were ritually sacrificed by a group of Odinists, Special Judge Frances Gull ruled Wednesday.

In a 136-page memorandum, Allen's defense alleged in September 2023 that worshipers of the pre-Christian Norse religion of Odin killed the teenagers on Feb. 13, 2017, as a ritual sacrifice. But jurors won't hear the defense case built around this theory. They also will not hear the names of suspected Odinists, who Allen's defense allege likely killed the teens.

Gull ruled that Allen's defense team did not produce admissible evidence that linked Odinism or specific suspected Odinists to the killings.

Special tip lines have been set up to take information in the deaths of Libby German and Abby Williams, who were killed while hiking the Delphi Historic Trails on Feb. 13, 2017.

The defense memo states the girls were killed with a knife and their bodies were laid out in a specific way that might indicate an occult sacrifice. Libby's blood was used to write a letter on a tree where the girls were found. Abby was dressed in Libby's clothes, and tree branches were used to form Germanic letters associated with Odin, according to the defense memorandum.

"The Court will not permit the evidence submitted by the defense in support of their arguments regarding third-party perpetrators in the trial of this cause as the probative value of such evidence is greatly outweighed by confusion of the issues and its potential to mislead the jury," Gull wrote in her order published Wednesday.

More: Jurors will hear Delphi murder suspect's statements allegedly admitting to the killings

Gull did not close the door entirely on Allen's defense, noting the court will allow Allen's attorneys to argue during trial why the evidence should be admitted. These "offers of proof" are done outside of the presence of jurors.

Wednesday's ruling comes on the heels of last week's ruling in which Gull ruled that Allen's statements admitting to the killings will be allowed.

This means that the defense's theory of Libby and Abby's killings will not be presented to jurors, and dozens of Allen's admissions to the killings made while in isolation at a maximum-security Indiana prison will be admitted into evidence.

Allen's trial begins in roughly six weeks with jury selection in Fort Wayne in Allen County. After a jury is selected and sequestered, the trial will move to Delphi. The trial is scheduled to run through Nov. 15.

Police investigated the killings for nearly six years until Oct. 26, 2022, when they arrested Allen after linking an unfired bullet found at the scene to Allen's sidearm found in his house during a search.

Allen's defense has tried for nearly two years to suppress the search warrant that allowed police to confiscate Allen's pistol.

Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: No evidence of Odinist or ritual killings at Delphi suspect's trial
Ruth Esperance, left, and her attorney, Daniel Gebhardt, in front of the federal courthouse in Rapid City. (Courtesy of Daniel Gebhardt/Solomon Law Firm)

Ruth Esperance, left, and her attorney, Daniel Gebhardt, in front of the federal courthouse in Rapid City. (Courtesy of Daniel Gebhardt/Solomon Law Firm)

A federal judge has reduced a former Black Hills National Forest employees jury award from $400,000 to $300,000, and the lawyers who won the verdict are also asking the judge to make the federal government cover nearly $500,000 in attorney fees, costs and expenses.

The judge also dismissed the defenses effort to seek a reconsideration of the case. The defendant in the case is the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which includes the Forest Service.

The litigation centers around allegations of longstanding gender discrimination within the Black Hills National Forest. It started when District Ranger Ruth Esperance filed a lawsuit claiming a hostile work environment and an unfair reassignment from her district ranger role to a position with less responsibility.

Esperance, who served as a district ranger from 2012 to 2018, argued that her reassignment was driven by gender bias and claimed male colleagues were given preferential treatment. A jury ruled in her favor last September.

Esperances legal team is led by Washington, D.C.-based attorney Daniel Gebhardt of the Solomon Law Firm. Gebhardt told South Dakota Searchlight that this weeks $100,000 verdict reduction was expected, because federal law limits compensatory damages in cases such as Esperances to $300,000.

An updated request last week from Gebhardt and the rest of Esperances legal team seeks $494,491.32 from the federal government for attorneys fees, costs and expenses. The judge has not yet ruled on that request.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for South Dakota represents the Ag Department and Forest Service. The office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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A U.S. district court judge reduced the sentence Wednesday for an Army veteran and former cop who was convicted on six charges for his participation in the mob that breached the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Virginia resident Thomas Robertson was sentenced in 2022 to serve seven years in prison on charges of interfering with police officers during a civil disorder and entering a restricted area with a dangerous weapon. Robertson carried a large wooden stick during the riot and was photographed in the Capitols crypt making an obscene gesture in front of a statute of John Stark, an American general during the Revolutionary War, prosecutors said during the jury trial.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper reduced Robertsons sentence Wednesday to six years in prison, The Associated Press reported. The new sentence follows Coopers dismissal of one of Robertsons convictions: obstructing the congressional certification of President Joe Bidens 2020 electoral victory.

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in June that a charge of obstructing an official proceeding must include proof that a defendant tried to tamper with or destroy documents  a distinction that did not apply to Robertsons case, nor most of the hundreds of Jan. 6 criminal cases.

The Army veteran is the first Capitol riot defendant to be resentenced following the Supreme Courts ruling. In court filings, prosecutors had urged the judge to preserve the original sentence.

Army veteran sentenced to 7 years in prison on Capitol riot charges

Robertson, who declined to address the court at his first sentencing hearing, told the judge Wednesday that he looks forward to returning home and rebuilding his life after prison, AP reported.

I realize the positions that I was taking on that day were wrong, he said of Jan. 6. Im standing before you very sorry for what occurred on that day.

Robertson served four years in the U.S. Army from 1991 to 1994, and then joined the Army Reserve in 2001, his attorneys wrote in court documents. He deployed to Iraq in 2008 and was injured by gunshot and mortar shrapnel in Afghanistan in 2011, the documents state. He underwent 10 surgeries for his injuries.

After recuperating, Robertson joined the police department in Rocky Mount, Virginia, and became a sergeant. He was off duty but still working for the police department when he joined the Capitol riot. The town fired him after his arrest.

In a Facebook post on Nov. 7, 2020, Robertson said, Ive spent most of my adult life fighting a counter insurgency. (Im) about to become part of one, and a very effective one.

Before his initial sentencing in 2022, Robertson wrote a letter to the judge, saying he took full responsibility for his actions on Jan. 6 and any poor decisions I made.

He blamed the vitriolic content of his social media posts on a mix of stress, alcohol abuse and submersion in deep rabbit holes of election conspiracy theory.

I sat around at night drinking too much and reacting to articles and sites given to me by Facebook algorithms, he wrote.

This story was produced in partnership with Military Veterans in Journalism. Please send tips to MVJ-Tips@militarytimes.com.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent presidential candidate, hosted an event at the Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines April 13, 2024, to gain ballot access for the 2024 presidential election. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

A Michigan Court of Claims judge ruled Tuesday that presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cannot withdraw from Michigans November general election ballot, despite suspending his campaign and endorsing former President Donald Trump.

Elections are not just games, and the Secretary of State (SOS) is not obligated to honor the whims of candidates for public office, concluded Judge Christopher Yates.

Kennedy was nominated in April by the Natural Law Party to appear on the presidential ballot in Michigan this November, but sought to have his name removed after suspending his campaign last month and throwing his support behind Trump  the GOP presidential nominee.

The SOS rejected that eleventh-hour change of heart, so plaintiff has come to the Court at the very last minute seeking immediate relief on the basis that the SOS has violated Michigan law in denying his request to be removed from the ballot, wrote Yates. Because the Court concludes that the SOS acted well within the bounds of the law, the Court shall deny the requests by plaintiff for mandamus relief, injunctive relief, and declaratory relief.

The SOS rejected Kennedys request on Aug. 26, three days after he suspended his campaign, citing a section of Michigan Election Law concerning candidates nominated by minor political parties.

The language of MCL 168.686a cited by the SOS is clear and conclusive, ruled Yates, who noted that it unambiguously states that a candidate nominated by a so-called minor party who has accepted the partys nomination shall not be permitted to withdraw.

Yates said that by allowing a candidate to unilaterally withdraw after the August primary election, the Natural Law Party would be left without a candidate for inclusion on the general-election ballot.

(S)o plaintiffs request to withdraw at this late date is just a self-serving act that would cause harm to the party that nominated him by leaving the party with no candidate at the top of the ticket, he stated. Had plaintiff obtained the requisite number of signatures on nominating petitions to appear on the ballot as a candidate, his desire to withdraw as a candidate might be a result he could unilaterally pursue. But he is the nominee of a party, which put forward his name for the ballot after he accepted that partys nomination.

In response, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said the ruling confirmed the unambiguous nature of Michigan election law, and that the secretary of state made the correct decision.

The law does not apply less because a candidate changes their plans, said Nessel. I appreciate the Court making a quick and wise ruling on this matter.

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A federal judge denied Donald Trumps request to move his New York hush-money case to federal court on Tuesday after his attorneys cited the Supreme Court immunity ruling that granted him immunity for official acts taken as president.

U.S. District Judge Allen Hellerstein ruled that there were no new facts that would warrant the case being moved, despite the immunity ruling. He added that Trumps actions were private, unofficial acts that do not warrant immunity from criminal prosecution.

Trumps attorneys first asked that the case be moved to federal court last week, but they needed Hellersteins approval to do so. Just hours after they requested his approval on Tuesday, Hellerstein denied the request.

Nothing in the Supreme Courts opinion affects my previous conclusion that the hush money payments were private, unofficial acts, outside the bounds of executive authority, Hellenstein wrote in the four-page ruling.

This is Trumps second unsuccessful attempt to move the case to federal court after he pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records last spring. In May, he was convicted on all 34 counts.

Trumps attorneys also argued the case should be moved to federal court because the New York judge presiding over the case, Judge Alan Merchan, is biased, they claimed.

Hellerstein shot down the argument and wrote that it is not his role as a federal judge to evaluate the New York case.

It would be highly improper for this Court to evaluate the issues of bias, unfairness or error in the state trial, Hellerstein wrote.

Trump has separately asked Merchan to drop the jurys verdict in his case, arguing that his actions were official under his presidential duties and therefore make him immune from criminal prosecution. He has also requested the sentencing be postponed until after Novembers election.

Merchan is expected to rule on the former request on Sept. 16, just two days before Trumps scheduled sentencing on Sept. 18.
An initiative to repeal a tax that funds child-care programs in Whatcom County wont appear on the Nov. 5 ballot, after a judges ruling Tuesday afternoon.

At the end of a 90-minute hearing Tuesday, Superior Court Judge Lee Grochmal said that the initiative violates the contracts clause of the Washington Constitution.

This is not an action that can be repealed by initiative, Grochmal said in granting an injunction sought by the group Protect Whatcom Kids.

Chuckanut Health Foundation Board President Erin Lynch shakes the hand of lawyer Knoll Lowney, who represented the group Protect Whatcom Kids in a case to prevent an initiative from appearing on the Nov. 5, 2024, ballot that would have asked voters to repeal a tax that funds child-care programs in Whatcom County.

Protect Whatcom Kids alleged that the measure proposed by a Lynden business owner and others made procedural errors and false statements during the signature-gathering process, citing what the groups lawyer Knoll Lowney said were four fatal flaws.

But ultimately, the case turned on the plaintiffs allegation that the initiative would interfere with the countys budget authority.

(The child care tax) was not subject to repeal. For that reason, the initiative is invalid, Grochmal said.

Whatcom County officials have crafted plans and signed contracts to spend funds raised by the Healthy Childrens Fund that was created by Proposition 5, which passed by 20 votes in 2022.

Proposition 5 charges property owners 16.75 cents for every $1,000 of assessed valuation, raising an estimated $10 million annually.

In an interview inside the courtroom, Lowney told The Bellingham Herald that he was pleased with Tuesdays ruling.

Lawyer Knoll Lowney successfully represented the group Protect Whatcom Kids on September 3, 2024, in a case to prevent an initiative from appearing on the Nov. 5 ballot that would have asked voters to repeal a tax that funds child-care programs in Whatcom County.

They judge made the right decision. Were happy that this important program can continue without interference, Lowney said.

Joel Ard, the lawyer who was representing the initiative supporters, declined comment Tuesday.

A Whatcom County Superior courtroom was full on September 3, 2024. Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Lee Grochmal ruled that an initiative to repeal a tax that funds child-care programs in Whatcom County violates the contracts clause of the Washington Constitution so it wont appear on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Named in the lawsuit were Tim Koetje of a commercial roofing company called Axiom Division 7; Whatcom County; and Whatcom County Auditor Stacy Henthorn, whose office runs elections countywide.

Petitions seeking to overturn the tax were filed with the Whatcom County Auditors Office on June 3, and they had enough signatures to qualify for the ballot as an initiative. Supporting the repeal is a political action committee called Washingtonians for a Sound Economy.

Lawyer Knoll Lowney successfully represented the group Protect Whatcom Kids on September 3, 2024, in a case to prevent an initiative from appearing on the Nov. 5 ballot that would have asked voters to repeal a tax that funds child-care programs in Whatcom County.
Judges may soon have to run for election in Mexico. Critics say thats bad news for its democracy

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has long been critical of his countrys Supreme Court as it stood in the way of some of his signature policy proposals. This month, as he closes out his six-year term in office, he appears poised to remake the entire judiciary in his mold.

Lawmakers in Mexico City this week began to push through a sweeping constitutional reform that would see Mexicans select judges at all levels of government through elections, a procedure that legal experts say would turn Mexico into an international outlier.

The controversial measure passed the lower chamber of Congress on Wednesday with overwhelming support. The reform will next be voted on in the Senate, where its approval is likely due to Lopez Obradors ruling coalition being one senator short of a supermajority.

Lopez Obrador, a popular leftist, says the overhaul is necessary to rid the judiciary of corruption and ensure its responsive to the popular will. Critics of the reform call it a power grab that will expose one of the last remaining checks on presidential power to political influence.

I see this as a constitutional crisis, said Mariana Campos, the general director of Mexico Evalua, a civil society organization. The judiciary has been a counterweight for the executive and the legislative branches, and the president and his political group believe that they cant advance their objectives with this type of counterweight.

Opposition to the reform has quickly manifested into monumental schisms, with the countrys Supreme Court justices voting this week to join a nationwide protest of judicial workers grinding most legal proceedings to a halt.

A rare and stinging critique from US Ambassador Ken Salazar in Mexico City, in which he called the election of judges a major risk to the functioning of Mexicos democracy, led to an international spat between the countries. And warnings from business groups that the reform could undermine the Mexican investment environment sent the value of the peso tumbling.

On Tuesday, protesting judicial staff blocked the entrance to the lower chamber of Congress, forcing lawmakers into an overnight session held in a sports complex, with basketball hoops hanging overhead.

Still, even critics of the reform acknowledge it appears likely to move swiftly through the Mexican legislature with the presidents political party exerting wide margins of control.

A battle for seats

Under the current law, Supreme Court judges in Mexico are nominated by the president and must be approved in the Senate. Federal judges are selected by a judicial commission that uses professional exams and coursework to evaluate candidates on a meritocratic basis.

If the reform passes, judicial elections would take place next year after a period of campaigning. About 7,000 judges would be required to battle for their seats, or turn the gavel over to the most popular candidate.

Under the new procedures, candidates for judicial postings will have to submit applications and be nominated to run in an election by evaluation committees within the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Additionally, the number of judges serving on the Supreme Court would be reduced from 11 to nine, and their term would be shortened to 12 years instead of 15.

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador speaks during the daily morning briefing at Palacio Nacional on August 29, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico. - Juan Abundis/ObturadorMX/Getty Images

While the reform spells out judicial elections that are independent of political parties, an analysis released earlier this year by the Center for Constitutional Studies, an investigative branch of the Supreme Court, concluded that the new selection process for judges would undermine the perception of impartiality in the judiciary.

The method of designating candidates to judicial positions favors their proximity to political authorities, political parties or judicial leaders, the analysis said.

The analysis also noted that judicial elections would generate a risk of co-optation of jurisdictional bodies by private interests, such as large business groups or even criminal organizations, who already use widespread violence to influence local political elections.

The government is creating an institutional infrastructure that will permit external pressures on judges so that theyre not necessarily responding to the law and the facts, but rather trying to look good in order to be able to maintain their position, Campos, with Mexico Evalua, said.

The effort to hand over the selection of judges to a popular vote arrives as Lopez Obradors political movement grows in power. In June, Claudia Sheinbaum, a former mayor of Mexico City and Lopez Obradors political protege, was elected president in a landslide, winning nearly 60 percent of the nationwide vote.

Sheinbaum, who will take office on October 1, has challenged the perception that the reform would concentrate power for ruling party Morena. In a video statement last week, she emphasized that the process to nominate judge candidates will be split between the three branches of government.

Law students demonstrate against judicial reform. - Ian Robles/Eyepix Group/LightRocket/Getty Images

Defenders of the reform have also pointed to the United States as an example of a long-running model for judicial elections. But the comparison between the two countries is inadequate, said Michael Nelson, a political science professor at Pennsylvania State University who studies judicial systems around the world.

Thirty-nine states in the US carry out judicial elections in some form, while federal judges are appointed by the president and confirmed in the Senate. Mexico would be the only country in the world that elects judges at such a scale, he said.

The heavily politicized context that the reforms are being made under could also impact how voters view the elections in the near-term, Nelson said.

The Mexico proposal is not coming out of nowhere  this isnt people sitting around in Philadelphia in the 1700s saying how should we design a judiciary, he said. (Voters) are going to remember that these elections came about because the president was angry at the courts and their experience of the election is going to be filtered through that.

Legal experts say the closest benchmark to weigh the Mexican reform against comes from Bolivia, the small Andean state which in 2011 became the first modern country to directly elect its federal judges.

The reform there achieved some of its desired results: Bolivias federal bench became the most diverse constitutional court in the Western Hemisphere, with historically high numbers of female and minority jurists, according to a 2015 paper in the Journal of Law and Courts.

But opinion polls measured a decrease in public confidence in the Supreme Court after the reform took hold, the research found.

Even if changes are perfectly designed and adopted with broad consensus, if the public perceives the process to have been politicized then public faith in the resulting institutions may be in jeopardy, said Florida State University professor Amanda Driscoll, one of the authors of the paper.

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Jurors in Shasta County to receive a significant increase in pay. Here's how much.

Shasta County Superior Court officials are sweetening the pot for residents called for jury duty.

For many years jurors were paid $15 a day to serve on a jury in Shasta County. But beginning Tuesday, any county resident receiving a jury summons will be paid $100 a day, beginning on the second day of service, according to court officials.

The increase in juror pay is part of a pilot program implemented in seven counties in California, including Shasta, Alameda, El Dorado, Fresno, Imperial, Monterey and San Bernardino counties, court officials said. The pilot program was established by AB1891 in 2022.

The increased pay is designed to increase the diversity of people who serve on juries, according to the bill's author, Assemblyman Alex Lee, a Democrat who represents the East Bay area.

"This incredibly low pay results in jurors being excused for financial hardship, which in turn decreases the diversity of juries that are not as representative of the community," Lee wrote in an argument supporting the bill.

When residents are paid only $15 a day, jury pools are reduced to those who can afford to serve, according to a State Senate Rules Committee bill analysis.

"According to the author of this bill, in spite of Californias rich diversity, jurors in our state are disproportionately whiter, older and more affluent than the states population as a whole. The author suspects this is the result of simple economics: Jury service is so woefully undercompensated (at just $15 per day; the equivalent of one hours work at minimum wage) that only those with sufficient means or paid time off of work can undertake it without enduring significant financial hardship as a result," the bill analysis says.

The mileage reimbursement for jurors will also increase from 34 cents to 67 cents per mile, roundtrip, court officials said.

At the end of the pilot program, or when funding for the program is exhausted, the Judicial Council of California is required to submit a report to the state Legislature describing the effect of the program, court officials said. The bill analysis said the estimated cost of the program was $27 million.

The bill was approved on a vote of 75-0 in the Assembly and 40-0 in the state Senate.

The increase in pay could help ensure the outcome of jury trials are decided "by a jury of peers," according to California Chief Justice Patricial Guerrero.

"Jurors help deliver that fundamental right and the promise of fair and equal access to justice for all Californians," Guerrero said.

Reporter Damon Arthur welcomes story tips at 530-338-8834, by email at damon.arthur@redding.com and on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @damonarthur_RS. Help local journalism thrive by subscribing today!

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Shasta County jurors will receive significant pay increase
By Allison Lampert

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su on Wednesday encouraged Boeing and more than 30,000 of the planemakers factory workers to bridge a divide in negotiations and reach a fair contract, as a vote on a new deal looms on Sept. 12.

Boeings Seattle-area workers, who produce its strongest-selling 737 commercial jet and other planes, vote next week on their first full new contract in 16 years, with the two sides still tackling demands such as job security.

The workers can strike as early as Sept. 13 if they reject the contract and overwhelmingly support a work stoppage.

The U.S. planemaker has been seeking to restore 737 MAX production to a rate of 38 per month after a January mid-air panel blowout on a new plane led Boeing to slow output of the jet.

We fully support collective bargaining, Su told Reuters on the sidelines of a New York convention held by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), which represents the Boeing workers. I would just continue to encourage the parties to bargain, like theyre not quite there, and that reaching a fair contract is a good thing."

Its the way to allow everyone to then march forward together to accomplish the mission of the company in a way that prioritizes the workers, she added.

The largest percentage of Boeing's global workforce, or more than 66,000 employees, live and work in Washington state on the MAX, 767 and 777 widebody jets, along with other planes.

The IAM wants the planemaker to provide guarantees that its next airplane program will stay in Washington state's Puget Sound area. The timing of a new Boeing plane, however, is unclear.

The issue is "definitely an obstacle to getting an agreement," said Jody Bennett, the IAM's general vice president, in an interview.

"They always have engineers working on upcoming programs," he added. "All we're asking for is the next program."

The IAM has also asked for better retirement benefits, a seat on Boeing's board and wage increases exceeding 40% over three to four years after what it termed years of stagnant earnings.

U.S. unions have capitalized on tight labor markets to win hefty contracts at the bargaining table, with mainline pilots, autoworkers and others scoring big raises in 2023.

"We remain confident we can reach a deal that balances the needs of our employees and the business realities we face as a company," Boeing said in a statement on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Allison Lampert in New YorkEditing by Matthew Lewis and David Gregorio)
Jury awards $1 million payout to former NC deputies in retaliation case against former sheriff

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  The final decision in a wrongful termination lawsuit against a former Wake County sheriff ended with a $1 million payout in court Thursday morning.

A U.S. District Court jury found former Sheriff Gerald Baker responsible for retaliating against former Master Deputies Gray Speight and Steven Williamson who he terminated shortly after taking office. Each man was awarded a $500,000 compensation for damages.

New Wake County sheriff defends restructuring, personnel moves

At this time, it is unclear who is responsible for paying the damages and if taxpayer dollars will be used.

On Thursday night, the current Wake County Sheriffs Office administration made a statement in response to the verdict. Captain D.R. Jones said:

The Wake County Sheriffs Office acknowledges the recent decision regarding a lawsuit involving personnel actions that occurred under a previous Sheriffs administration.

Despite that outcome, the Wake County Sheriffs Office under the leadership of Sheriff Willie Rowe remains dedicated to moving forward and upholding its commitment to the highest standards of integrity and service to the citizens of Wake County.

CBS 17s reporting on the terminations traces back to early 2019 when Baker answered questions about his efforts to restructure his staff after his predecessor, Donnie Harrison, left.

The Wake County chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police came out against Baker for creating what it called a hostile work environment where officers fear reprisal for speaking out and identifying wrongdoing.

According to Wake County NC FOP Lodge No. 41 President Frank Sancineto, Master Deputies Speight and Williamson were fired after speaking out against then Lt. Teddy Patrick after he made homophobic remarks during a training seminar.

In January 2019, Baker said Thats not true. They were terminated because I didnt have the confidence in them to follow and implement my policies moving forward.

Lawsuit: Sheriff fired former Wake County deputies after they reported coworkers homophobic slurs

On April 6, 2021, Speight and Williamson filed a lawsuit detailing their terminations and the comments from Lt. Patrick.

The lawsuit alleged that Patrick made several homophobic and discriminatory statements about homosexual persons. Among them were that he didnt believe in being gay and identifying one of the deputies present as being gay.

It also said Patrick, who is Black, made several comments that were racially inappropriate. According to the lawsuit, he said, in effect, If white people keep killing themselves, we black people will be the majority, instead of the minority.

Speight and Williamson ended up voluntarily reporting Patricks conduct during the training to supervisors. Then-Sheriff Donnie Harrison pulled Williamson aside to discuss Patricks behavior. Harrison told Williamson there would be an internal investigation, the court document said.

Patrick was demoted in August 2017 after the investigation. He subsequently filed a complaint to challenge the demotion, but it was dismissed, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit also outlined a relationship between Patrick and Baker. It said the two traveled together, including trips with other deputies to the Dominican Republic.

Upon information and belief, Patrick and Baker discussed Bakers campaign against Sheriff Harrison, and Patricks demotion by Sheriff Harrison and Plaintiff, during these trips, the lawsuit read.

After Baker won the November 2018 election for sheriff, he named Patrick to a five-person transition team. Baker then promoted Patrick to captain in December 2018, then again to major, effectively making him second-in-command at the sheriffs office, the lawsuit alleged.

Richard Johnson, who informed Patrick of his demotion, was one of two deputies not sworn in by Baker, effectively terminating him. Baker, after taking office on Dec. 3, 2018, terminated Speight and Williamson on Dec. 21, 2018, the lawsuit said.

Speight and Williamson said they were provided no reason other than that their services were no longer needed.

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  The owner of Greater Binghamtons first legal dispensary launched a non-profit organization on Wednesday to support communities affected by marijuana prohibition.

Just Breathe Tomorrows, created by entrepreneur Damien Cornwell, will raise funds for programs focused on addiction recovery, economic development, and community growth. Its mission is to help deliver on the promise of New York States cannabis law to build an industry that gives back to communities hit hardest by the disproportionate enforcement of cannabis prohibition

It will partner with organizations such as the Urban League and the Hope Foundation to further support local initiatives.

The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, New Yorks cannabis law, calls on the cannabis industry to give back to the communities hit hardest by the over-policing of cannabis prohibition and Just Breathe Tomorrows provides the pathway for members of the industry, and consumers, to do just that, Cornwell said. With Just Breath Tomorrows, were organizing the broader cannabis community, raising funds, and granting those resources to service providers and education programs that do the on-the-ground work of helping New Yorkers and Im thrilled that were up and running to serve our neighbors.

The cannabis industry has grown exponentially over the past few years, bringing more jobs to local economies and creating tax revenue that often gets redistributed to programs that benefit local communities. Just Breathe Tomorrows is doing just that; working to raise money that will go directly back into our community to help us build a better tomorrow. The Broome County Urban League is proud to be part of this initiative, said Jennifer Lesko, Broome County Urban League President and CEO.

Just Breathe Tomorrows recently hosted a cornhole tournament to raise money for the Urban League. The tournament was possible thanks to cannabis industry sponsors as well as Binghamton community members.

Just Breathe Tomorrows plans to grow its fundraising efforts and has several events in the works for the near future.

Binghamton has been proud to be on the forefront of the legal cannabis industry in New York State, with Just Breathe leading the way in downtown Binghamton. While our area benefits from new jobs and revenue from the industry, this new foundation looks to grow the investments in our community by delivering resources to local non-profits. Thanks to Just Breathe Tomorrows founder Damien Cornwell and Broome County Urban League President/CEO Jennifer Lesko for their partnership and work on this effort, said Mayor Jared Kraham.

Just Breathe Tomorrows is a separate entity from the Just Breathe dispensaries located in Binghamton and Manlius. They will work together to build a community of cannabis operators that focuses on charity however, they have no fiscal relationship.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
BOSTON  More than 50 family and friends of Whitman nurse Maggie Mbitu gathered Tuesday as the international fugitive accused of stabbing her to death answered a murder charge.

Prosecutors say Kevin Kangethe, 42, stabbed Mbitu 10 times in the face and neck alone when he allegedly murdered the 31-year-old, WCVB reported from Suffolk County Superior Court.

He is being held without bail. Kangethe, described by police as Mbitu's boyfriend, allegedly left her body in the front passenger seat of a Toyota Venza at Logan Airport, according to an affidavit from FBI Special Agent Zachary Brune. She was covered by several jackets and investigators found a large amount of blood in the vehicle, which had been left at Central Parking.

Margaret Mbitu, 30, of Whitman, was reported missing by her family on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, and found dead in a garage at Logan Airport. An arrest warrant was issued for Kevin Kangethe, 40, of Lowell.

Suspect flees to Kenya, is captured, escapes and is recaptured

Kangethe bought a one-way ticket to Nairobi, Kenya on Oct. 31, 2023, investigators say. Kangethe entered the African country on Nov. 1, 2023, Kenyan officials confirmed to U.S. law enforcement. Nairobi police captured him on Jan. 29, 2024 only for him to escape, according to the FBI's Boston office. Nairobi authorities later re-captured him and held him until he was flown back to the U.S. under guard from FBI agents and a Massachusetts State Police trooper.

Brockton-area housing market right now Stoughton home located in Lenox Village sold for $945K

'Today gives us hope': Statement from victim's sister

Dozens of family and friends came to court, according to family spokesperson David Guarino. A cousin read a statement from Mbitu's sister, Ann Mbitu.

"It has been a long journey and today gives us hope and represents a step forward towards justice," read Mary Kinyariro, a cousin of Mbitu. "When I lost my sister, I lost a personal friend, a confidant and the only person I knew I could speak to. We will continue to fight until this coward is locked up and never sees the light of day again."

During Tuesday's arraignment, Kangethe was allowed to stay out of view not only of cameras, but also of Mbutu's family and friends, WCVB reported. According to the Boston Globe, he pleaded not guilty.

Accused murderer Kevin Kangethe in a court room in Nairobi after being recaptured.

Back in custody Fugitive who escaped Kenyan jail after allegedly killing Whitman nurse is back in custody

'A bright light': Statement from victim's cousin

Another cousin, Joel Muhoro, read a statement from the family to assembled media, Guarino said.

"Maggie was a bright light in the lives of all the people she met and touched," the statement read. Mbitu, who worked as a nurse in a long-term care facility in Halifax, had dreams of becoming a business owner and nurse practitioner. "The path to this moment was long and difficult for our family and all who love Maggie. We are grateful to reach this moment and are eager for a full, fair and open process to secure justice for Maggie," the family's statement said.

Next court date

The next court date in the case is a pre-trial hearing scheduled for Nov. 5, said the office of Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden.

"This is only the beginning of a long road to justice for Maggie Mbitu and her family," Hayden said, according to a recording of his remarks provided by his office. "She was deeply loved. She was a caregiver. A nurse. Beloved by every patient that she served. A beautiful soul and a wonderful daughter and a loving sister."

Send your news tips to reporter Chris Helms by email at CHelms@enterprisenews.com or connect on X at @HelmsNews.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Slain Whitman nurse's boyfriend who fled to Kenya held without bail
49ers rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall, shown at a practice in May, was shot in San Francisco on Saturday. (Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)

The 17-year-old suspected of grappling with and shooting San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall on a San Francisco street has been charged with attempted murder.

San Francisco's district attorney filed the murder and related firearm charges against the teenager Tuesday. Dist. Atty. Brooke Jenkins said the teenager, who has not been identified, would be arraigned Wednesday in juvenile court.

The charges include allegations of personal use and intentional discharge of a firearm, assault with a semiautomatic firearm and attempted second-degree robbery, Jenkins said at a news conference.

She declined to say whether she would seek to transfer the defendant to adult court. That would require a ruling by a judge that "essentially means that the juvenile system would not be equipped to rehabilitate that minor," Jenkins said.

"My office will review the case more closely to determine whether or not we will seek that fitness hearing," she said.

She said the San Francisco Police Department was collecting and reviewing all available surveillance video that might have recorded the shooting during an attempted robbery Saturday in the city's Union Square.

Jenkins also declined to confirm reports that the teen acted alone, saying the investigation would take time.

Pearsall, 23, was treated at San Francisco General Hospital for a bullet wound to the chest and released Sunday. His mother posted a message on social media saying the bullet exited his back without striking any vital organs.

The suspect, whom police described as a 17-year-old male from Tracy, a city about 70 miles east of San Francisco, was quickly apprehended as he tried to flee near the scene and taken into custody.

San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said Pearsall was walking alone when the assailant confronted him and attempted an armed robbery. A struggle ensued, and the attacker's gun fired multiple times, Scott said. Both Pearsall and the suspect were shot.

The suspect was also treated at San Francisco General, authorities said.

Jenkins said she wanted to send a message that "San Francisco is very different than it was 2 years ago."

"I took over in large part because the city was fed up with the fact that crime was being overly tolerated," she said. "So I have attempted to make it clear there will be accountability when people commit crimes, most certainly serious crimes of this nature, regardless of the status of the victim."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SANDY, Utah (ABC4)  The juvenile suspect who allegedly took the life of Kian Hamilton, a 16-year-old Jordan High School student, in a parking lot stabbing in Sandy has been charged as an adult, court records show.

Christopher De La Rosa, 16, was charged with one count of first-degree felony murder and two counts of second-degree felony obstructing justice, according to court documents.

PREVIOUS: Candlelight vigil to honor Jordan High student killed in tragic stabbing incident

Hamilton was allegedly stabbed by De La Rosa during a physical fight on South State Street on Friday, Aug. 23. He was taken to the hospital where medical staff provided life-saving aid, but he ultimately died due to his injuries.

One witness reportedly told investigators that De La Rosa and another person had beef with Hamilton and his friend group for about a year before the stabbing. De La Rosa and his friend group had allegedly jumped Hamilton previously, which led to ongoing tension between the two groups.

Multiple witnesses told detectives the two groups met in the parking lot to settle things with a one-on-one fight but several fights broke out. In the altercation, De La Rosa allegedly threw a rock at Hamilton, which led to a fight between the two that escalated into the stabbing.

Detectives say they were able to obtain a cell phone video of the fight through their investigation. In the video, De La Rosa can allegedly be seen pulling a knife out of his waistband before lunging at Hamilton. Prosecutors say De La Rosa then walked away without any regard for the victim.

After the fight, De La Rosa allegedly told several people who were at the fight to delete any video taken of the incident.

Upon being apprehended by police, De La Rosa reportedly did not know Hamilton had died from the stabbing, exclaiming He died? after learning of his charges. According to court documents, De La Rosa asked the detective if he was joking and made comments about ruining his future.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Kamala Harris Is Right To Back Away From an Electric Vehicle Mandate

Since entering the race as the designated Democratic candidate for president, Vice President Kamala Harris has seemingly walked back some of her previous positions. In the latest example, Harris has apparently abandoned support for federal rules that would mandate the production of electric vehicles (E.V.s).

"In a lengthy 'fact-check' email last week that covered several issues, a campaign spokesperson included a line saying that Harris 'does not support an electric vehicle mandate,'" report Alex Thompson and Ben Geman of Axios, "suggesting she changed her previous position, without elaborating."

As a U.S. senator, Harris co-sponsored the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act of 2019, establishing "a schedule for increasing the percentage of zero-emission vehicles a vehicle manufacturer delivers for sale," phasing out all other vehicles by 2040.

While the bill never passed, Harris doubled down on the proposal when she ran for president in 2019, pledging to implement federal rules that would require half of all new vehicles sold by 2030 to be zero-emission, increasing to 100 percent by 2035.

But when asked by Axios "whether she would sign or veto a bill" like the ones she previously supported, Harris' campaign "declined to comment."

This suggests that Harris is not only backing away from a position that she had previously supported, but one that President Joe Biden's administration put forward in new rules from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) earlier this year.

Some suggest that Harris' reasoning is nakedly political. "Vice President Harris is lying about her supposed opposition to an EV mandate," Sen. Pete Ricketts (RNeb.) said in a statement. "This sudden reversal just months before the election is a pathetic and transparent attempt to distance herself from the unpopular EV mandates already being pushed by the Biden-Harris EPA."

In fairness, Harris' reasoning probably is less ideological than political: Polling conducted by the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, an oil industry trade group, indicates that most Americansincluding a majority of Republicans and independents and a plurality of Democratsoppose bans on gas-powered cars. The poll further found that majorities in eight battleground states oppose the bans by healthy margins, including Arizona, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsinmost or all of which Harris must win to become president.

While a group representing the oil industry is hardly a neutral party, Pew Research Center found similar results in a poll conducted last year, in which 59 percent of Americans indicated that they opposed phasing out gas-burning cars.

Americans are also speaking with their dollars, as demand for fully electric vehicles has cooled in recent months. Automakers, recognizing this downturn, are reinvesting in hybrids, which they see as more palatable to drivers who may not be ready to swear off internal combustion engines altogether.

"Many of our hybrids in the U.S. are now more profitable than their non-hybrid equivalent," Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley said in May. "We should stop talking about it as transitional technology."

Hopefully Harris' about-face is sincere. Market demand indicates that Americans are not yet ready to embrace fully electric vehicles as their only option. Until they are, the industry should be free to use whatever technologies it can to most effectively move toward the goal of fewer carbon emissions.

The post Kamala Harris Is Right To Back Away From an Electric Vehicle Mandate appeared first on Reason.com.
Kamala Harris On Georgia School Shooting: It Doesnt Have To Be This Way

A deadly school shooting in Georgia is yet another example of why the country needs more common-sense gun laws, Vice President Kamala Harris said at a New Hampshire rally Wednesday.

Its just outrageous that every day in our country, in the United States of America, that parents have to send their children to school worried about whether or not their child will come home alive, the Democratic nominee for president said.

Hours earlier, a gunman at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, shot several people, reportedly killing at least four people and injuring dozens of others.

We have to end this epidemic of gun violence in our country once and for all. You know, it doesnt have to be this way, Harris continued.

She also pushed back against the pro- and anti-gun dichotomy used by Republicans, saying a Harris administration would seek to implement basic guardrails while still protecting Americans gun rights.

A medical helicopter is seen in front of Apalachee High School after a shooting at the school Wednesday. via Associated Press

Let us finally pass an assault weapons ban and universal background checks and red flag laws, she said. Because we are clear on that point: It is a false choice to say youre either in favor of the Second Amendment or you want to take everyones guns away. Im in favor of the Second Amendment, and I know we need reasonable gun safety laws.

California, where Harris is from and once served as attorney general, has the nations strictest gun laws and one of the lowest rates of gun-related deaths. States with stricter gun laws generally follow that pattern.

Former President Donald Trump, the GOP nominee, was noncommittal on universal background checks during his first term, at times saying he liked the idea and other times signaling he would veto background check legislation  despite the fact that more than 80% of Americans support such reforms.

In July, a senior advisor to the Trump campaign said that if he wins in November, hell appoint judges who oppose new firearms limits.

In the past, hes suggested arming teachers with guns to stop school shooters.

Related...
As we get close to the November elections, experts are scrambling to figure out what would be Democrat Kamala Harris policies toward Latin America if she becomes president. She has said very little about the region, but people who have worked with her gave me some preliminary clues about her positions.

First, she is likely to be more hard line on immigration than President Joe Biden was during his first three years in office, because, among other things, U.S. public opinion has shifted significantly to the right on this issue.

Although the flow of undocumented migrants has plummeted this year, 55% of Americans want immigration levels to be reduced, the highest number since 2001, according to a recent Gallup poll. Much of the anti-immigration sentiment is due to a surge in unauthorized border crossings in 2022 and 2023, and to Republican candidate Donald Trumps false claims that migrants are driving up U.S. crime rates.

In her recent speeches and in a CNN interview, Harris did not spend time debunking Trumps lies and exaggerations about immigration, such as his frequent claim that the United States is being invaded by migrants who allegedly steal American jobs and murder record numbers of people.

Instead, Harris accused the former president of asking Republican legislators to sabotage a bipartisan Senate bill that would have established the toughest controls on the border to date. Harris told CNN that Trump effectively killed the bill because he wanted to keep his narrative of an immigration crisis alive as a campaign issue.

(For the record, official figures show that undocumented migrant border crossings fell by about 40% since last years highs, homicide rates have gone down to their lowest levels in about 50 years, and there are labor shortages in industries that employ migrant workers.)

When pressed about what she would do on immigration, Harris told CNN that she would support and sign the failed bipartisan bill to drastically reduce unauthorized border crossings, and vowed to enforce our laws against border crossings.

Trump supporters claim Harris is trying to hide the fact that she failed in her alleged role as Bidens border czar. But the Harris campaign counters that the vice-president was never tasked with trying to control the border, but rather with reducing the root causes of migration in Central America, namely poverty and violence.

On other issues, Harris has also moved to the center  or wants the world to believe she has  since she became vice president in 2021, after running a failed progressive campaign for the Democratic nomination in 2020 and serving as a Senator and California attorney general.

Ricardo Zuniga, who was the Biden Administrations special envoy to Central Americas Northern Triangle countries and worked closely with Harris in 2021 and 2022, told me that she is much more pragmatic and less ideological than many people think.

I understand her reputation from her time in the Senate, but those are not the best guidelines of how she looks at problems, Zuniga told me. In the times that I worked with her, her questions were always about problem solving.

Harris record

During her years in the Senate from 2017 to 2021, Harris said she would have voted against the North American Free Trade Agreement of 1992, as well as against the Obama Administrations Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, citing environmental, labor and womens rights concerns.

In 2020, she was among the few senators who voted against the renegotiated NAFTA deal with Mexico and Canada, which was re-named USMCA, on mostly environmental objections.

On Cuba, the Harris 2020 presidential campaign said in response to a questionnaire from the Tampa Bay Times that she favored ending the U.S. embargo on the island and empowering Cubas civil society. But as vice-president, she is not known to have pressed for relaxing U.S. sanctions on Cuba.

On Venezuela, Harris sent a letter to opposition leaders Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and Maria Corina Machado on Aug. 16 in which she strongly criticized the Venezuelan regime. Harris said in her letter that the international community, particularly the countries within our shared hemisphere, must remain vigilant and vocal in condemning Venezuelan ruler Nicolas Maduros abuses.

Roberta Jacobson, a former U.S. ambassador to Mexico and Biden Administration border coordinator who worked closely with Harris in 2021, said in an Americas Quarterly magazine podcast that It would be a mistake to judge her (Harris) by her Senate record alone.

Jacobson added, I think the four years that she has spent as vice president are ones in which she has learned an enormous amount. She has spoken to something like 150 world leaders, and she has gone to something like 21 countries.

Several former U.S. officials who worked with Harris told me that her experience as vice-president helping put together an international coalition mostly in Europe and Asia to support Ukraine after Russias 2022 invasion would probably mark her overall foreign policy if she becomes president.

She is truly committed to the idea that the United States cannot do it alone, and needs alliances with other countries to get things done, Rebecca Bill Chavez, who was Harris Western Hemisphere adviser and co-director of her foreign policy team during the 2020 campaign for the Democratic nomination, told me.

The fact that Harris father was born in Jamaica, and that she vacationed there as a child, may also make her focus on the Caribbean, several former aides told me. Harris made an official visit to the Bahamas last year to announce a $100 million Caribbean aid package, and organized Bidens meetings with Caribbean leaders at the 2022 Summit of the Americas.

Bill Chavez, who now heads the Inter-American Dialogue think tank in Washington D.C., added that Haiti would be a priority for Harris. She is tracking the humanitarian crisis in Haiti incredibly closely, Chavez told me.

But unlike Biden, who traveled to Latin America 16 times during his eight years as vice-president, Harris has had relatively little contact with the region. She spent one day each in Guatemala and Mexico in 2021, meeting with their respective leaders, and traveled to Honduras in 2022.

If she wins, Harris is likely to be more focused on environmental, labor and womens issues, but few people who know her expect her to depart significantly from current U.S. policies.

Harris biggest asset for Latin America would be that she is not Trump: She would not demonize Latin American immigrants, nor promise the biggest mass deportation in U.S. history, nor impose tariffs that would mostly hurt Latin American producers and U.S. consumers.

Dont miss the Oppenheimer Presenta TV show on Sundays at 9 pm E.T. on CNN en Espanol. Blog: andresoppenheimer.com
PORTSMOUTH  Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to speak to supporters at Throwback Brewery in North Hampton Wednesday, a campaign official confirmed, bringing her 2024 presidential campaign to New Hampshire for the first time.

The campaign official said the time of the event was not yet being made public. The event is ticketed and at capacity.

Live updates from event: Kamala Harris visiting Throwback Brewery in North Hampton, NH

Harris is expected to propose a tax break intended to help entrepreneurs offset the costs of starting a small business. She also plans to outline how she intends to pay for the proposal.

Harris is coming to New Hampshire after a Labor Day weekend campaign blitz visiting toss-up states like Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Vice President Kamala Harris campaigns for president in Atlanta on July 30, 2024.

It is her first visit to the Granite State since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee, as well as her first since April 2021, when she came to promote bipartisan jobs and infrastructure legislation. Her husband, Douglas Emhoff, visited the state on July 31 to take part in a rally promoting reproductive freedom.

Harris last visited the Seacoast in February 2019, drawing an overflow crowd to Portsmouth's South Church as a candidate in the New Hampshire presidential primary. That year, her early popularity faded and she dropped out of the contest in December.

Now, she returns as the favorite to win the state, leading former president Donald Trump by seven points in the two latest New Hampshire polls. The state's four electoral college votes could be important in what is expected to be a tight election in November.

More: Harris to propose $50K tax break for small business in economic plan

Trump weighs in ahead of Harris visit to NH

Trump responded to Harris planned visit to the state on Truth Social, posting Harris sees there are problems for her campaign in New Hampshire because of the fact that they disrespected it in their primary and never showed up. Neither Harris nor Biden visited the state prior to the January presidential primary due to a dispute between New Hampshire and the Democratic National Committee regarding the state's place in the presidential primary calendar.

I protected New Hampshires First-In-The-Nation Primary and ALWAYS will! Trump stated.

Trump last visited the state in January before the presidential primary. However, the Boston Globe reported this week Trump's campaign is shifting its attention elsewhere because it no longer views New Hampshire as a battleground state.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Kamala Harris to speak at Throwback Brewery in North Hampton
(Bloomberg) -- OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altmans plans for a massive buildout of the machinery and systems needed for artificial intelligence are coming into clearer focus, beginning with an effort in US states slated to costs tens of billions of dollars, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Altman had spent the early part of the year seeking the US governments blessing for the project, which aims to form a coalition of global investors to fund the costly physical infrastructure needed to support rapid AI development, Bloomberg reported in February. Now, Altman and his team are working on several details that havent previously been reported, including the plan to first target US states.

The types of projects under discussion include building data centers, increasing energy capacity and transmission with turbines and generators, as well as expanding semiconductor manufacturing, the person said.

Backers are likely to include investors in Canada, Korea, Japan and the United Arab Emirates, they said. OpenAI also envisions other private companies being involved in the project. The ChatGPT makers largest investor, Microsoft Corp., could be one potential partner. Microsoft would not comment on this project specifically but said its aware of and involved in any broad infrastructure-related efforts by the company.

OpenAI executives including Altman have been meeting with investors in recent weeks to advance the deal, according to people familiar with the discussions. OpenAI Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon recently traveled to Japan and Korea to speak with investors about the plan. OpenAIs Vice President of Global Policy Chris Lehane has spoken to investors in Canada. And Altman held additional conversations with investors in the UAE following earlier talks, the people said. He has also spoken to US-based investors.

The discussions come as OpenAI is nearing a new multibillion-dollar funding round that would value the company at more than $100 billion. That deal is expected to be led by Thrive Capital with participation from Microsoft, as well as Apple Inc. and Nvidia Corp.

Asked about its plans for an infrastructure push, an OpenAI spokesperson said the company believes building additional infrastructure in the US is critical to further advancing artificial intelligence and making its benefits widely accessible. They added: We are exploring opportunities with this goal in mind and look forward to sharing more details at a later date.

Story continues

Altman has previously voiced concern over what he calls an urgent need for US infrastructure to power AI, critical to maintaining the countrys technological lead over authoritarian governments. In a column for the Washington Post, he wrote, US policymakers must work with the private sector to build significantly larger quantities of the physical infrastructure  from data centers to power plants  that run the AI systems themselves.

Part of the pitch is that other companies besides OpenAI will benefit from the infrastructure projects, a person familiar with Altmans thinking said, as will countries allied with the US. Proponents of the effort believe an added benefit will be creating jobs building the projects, complementing the Chips and Science Act, which set aside $39 billion in grants for US semiconductor manufacturing.

But OpenAIs global ambitions could raise US national security concerns, including scrutiny by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which has paid increasing attention to Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds and their ties to China.

In recent months, OpenAI has held meetings with the US National Security Council about the planned investments, according to people familiar with the discussions who asked not to be identified discussing private matters. That builds on previous conversations with a range of US officials, including an April meeting between Altman the US ambassador to the UAE, Bloomberg previously reported. An NSC spokesperson declined to comment.

In those talks, Altman and other OpenAI executives have emphasized that the global infrastructure plan would help fuel Americas geopolitical advantage by establishing a multinational coalition to compete with Chinas own infrastructure consortium, and that foreign capital that might otherwise go to China would go to the US, one of the people said. The Biden administration has been working to build stronger technology ties to the so-called Global South, including by supporting a landmark partnership between Microsoft and Abu Dhabi AI firm G42.

--With assistance from Dina Bass.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  A Kansan who fell victim to a Nigerian cryptocurrency scam will be getting their money back thanks to the Kansas Attorney Generals office.

On Wednesday, Sept. 4 Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced the successful recovery of more than $32,000 in digital currency in connection to a scam. The AGs office investigated the incident after a woman from Kansas made a complaint that she had been scammed.

The attorney generals Charities and Financial Scams unit filed the lawsuit against a resident of Nigeria under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act.

The individual didnt respond to being served but the district court filed an order for full restitution. As a result of the order, the Nigerians digital wallet was seized containing $28,900 in Bitcoin and more than $4,000 in other digital currencies.

Dump truck hits US-75 bridge, rips bed off

Cryptocurrency is a borderless asset that allows international scammers to target and defraud Kansans from the comfort of a keyboard, said First Assistant Attorney General Nathanial Castillo. Scammers realize they have a better chance at getting away with fraud if they convince victims to send cryptocurrency. Kansans should always thoroughly scrutinize anyone they meet online before sending payment in cryptocurrency.

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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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KSNW)  Joe and his family have been heavily involved with St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital over the years. It started with their son Nick, who was diagnosed with cancer.

Now, in a lot of places, that brain tumor would have been inoperable, Joe said. But because of St Jude, because of the doctors that they have, because of the brain surgeon in particular at the time that they had, they said they were willing to attempt surgery here, which they did. And they further were able to diagnose specifically the type of tumor that it was and what was happening with him.

Doctors told them Nicks time was limited to two years.

One of the things that makes it, I would say, bearable, even though its very hard, is that you have immediately a team of people around you who understand what youre going through to the best of anybodys ability and start to be supportive of everything to help not only minister to and care for the child, but also to the family.

Joe says Nick was cared for in every way possible, from his eyesight to his dental care.

Nick was cared for 100%, and as parents, that was such a reassurance and care for us, and then to know that we were never going to receive a bill for that was also such a comfort, Joe said.

Family finds hope at St. Jude amid leukemia diagnosis

The last thing the family wanted to think about during this time was finances. Thanks to St. Jude, they didnt have to worry about that.

When youre having to go through that, the last thing you want to have to do is stop and worry about where are the funds going to come from and how are you going to juggle things around and what are you not going to pay that month to be able to take care of helping your child, and we never had to worry about that because of St. Jude, because of the people who give, Joe said.

Nick lived for 16 months after his diagnosis. Joe says his son was a brave, strong hero. Doctors tried a treatment plan with Nick that also served as research for others.

He did a lot of good for a lot of people in his last 16 months, Joe said. We realized what they gained in terms of knowledge from the treatments they attempted on him and his surgeries.

St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway helps kids like Jessica, who learned she had cancer at the age of 2

Doctors put Nicks tumor in a bank as a research tool. A year after Nick passed, their second son Jacob developed a brain tumor.

Jacob wakes up in the middle of the night having seizures, and we end up at the hospital, and its you know, its round two of this thing, Joe said. As a dad, to say frustrated was the least that I was feeling. I was upset. I was really angry inside that this would happen again to my family.

Joe is a preacher and says their faith and St. Jude made all the difference.

To know that, hey, theres something larger at work here than just me and just us, Joe said. But we also knew that we could take Jake to St. Jude, and I immediately reached out to St. Jude and they took Jacob on as a patient. Immediately, they were able to, within a few days, remove Jacobs tumor and compare it to Nicks tumor, which was in the tumor bank from his procedure.

Today, Jacob is healthy. Their youngest son, Josh, also had a spot on his brain, but he didnt need treatment.

Having all three of our children receive a patient number from St Jude thats life-changing, Joe said.

Although there are questions as to why this has happened to their family, they walked away knowing they could use their story to make a positive impact.

If you have the means and you have the wherewithal to give to St Jude, I think you should do that, Joe said.

Reserve your ticket here!

You can help children with cancer by reserving a ticket for the Wichita St. Jude Dream Home giveaway.

The house is located in the Trails at Freestone community, near 21st and 143rd St East in Wichita. Its value is estimated at $725,000.

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 KSN-TV.
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNW)  Governor Laura Kellys office has announced the second round of consult meetings on the Kansas Water Plan.

The public is invited to attend the meetings to provide input and hear preliminary ideas on sustaining access to water across the state. Local consult and Regional Advisory Committee meetings were held earlier this summer.

I-70 bridge comes down, detour continues

Preserving the quality and quantity of our water is an existential issue for our state, says Governor Laura Kelly. These meetings will help build a program that provides the collective, coordinated action on water conservation and quality that communities across Kansas need, in both the short and long term.

Those who attend can participate in group discussions about possible investments to address state water issues, learn more about the criteria for choosing investments that will support the plans long-term goals around aquifers, reservoirs, and water quality, help decide on objectives and reasonable goals to achieve them, and how best to fund the plan.

The meetings will be hosted by the Kansas Water Office, Kansas Department of Agriculture, and Kansas Department of Health and Environment at the following dates and locations:

Tuesday, Sept. 17

9 a.m.  Noon

City Limits Convention Center

2227 S Range Ave

Colby, KS Tuesday, Sept. 24

9 a.m.  Noon

KHP Training Academy

2025 E Iron Ave

Salina, KS Wednesday, Sept. 18

9 a.m.  Noon

Boot Hill Conference Center

4100 W Comanche St

Dodge City, KS Wednesday, Sept. 25

9 a.m.  Noon

Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center

503 North Pine St

Pittsburg, KS Thursday, Sept. 19

9 a.m.  Noon

Hotel Topeka at City Center

1717 SW Topeka Blvd

Topeka, KS Thursday, Sept. 26

6  9 p.m.

Frontier Conference Center

350 Biddle Blvd

Leavenworth, KS Monday, Sept. 23

9 a.m.  Noon

Meridian Center

1420 E Broadway Ct

Newton, KS Monday, Sept. 30

9 a.m.  Noon

WSU Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex

5015 E 29th St N

Wichita, KS

Those who plan to attend must RSVP in advance by clicking here. Those who cannot attend in person can use the link to sign up for information about future virtual online consult meetings.

To learn more about Kansas Water Plans or the first round of consult meetings, 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 KSN-TV.
Kansas ranked among the worst places to work in the U.S. How does Missouri compare?

The anti-poverty nonprofit Oxfam has released new rankings measuring which states are the best for workers in the U.S.  and Kansas and Missouri didnt fare too well.

Kansas ranks 42nd in the nation for pro-worker policies, while Missouri ranks 28th, the report concludes. The rankings combine scores on state-level wage policies, worker protections and the right to organize.

Heres a closer look at the state policies that affect workers in Missouri and Kansas.

What policies govern wages in Missouri and Kansas?

Kansas ranks extremely low on wage policies, coming in at 45th out of 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. Kansas tipped minimum wage is just $2.13 per hour, and its full minimum wage is at the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour.

Kansas minimum wage covers less than 20% of the cost of living for an average family of four, the report finds. According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, even a single adult with no children must make at least $20.35 per hour to cover basic necessities in Kansas  far higher than the current minimum wage.

This bar chart shows where Kansas ranks out of all 50 U.S. states plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., in a new report by Oxfam on state-level labor policies and protections around the country.

Missouri ranks a little better on wage policies due to its statewide minimum wage of $12.30, enough to cover around a third of the cost of living for a family of four. The state is ranked 23rd in the nation on wage policies, putting it slightly above the midpoint.

Minimum wage will be on the Missouri ballot this November after the state approved a citizen-led signature petition last month. If passed, the measure would raise Missouris minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2026 and would allow all employees to accrue paid sick time based on their hours worked.

The living wage in Missouri for a childless adult is $20.20 per hour  and for an adult to support a family of four, its $38.24 per hour.

Both states prohibit localities from setting their own minimum wages above the state standard  and both have minimum wages that fall far below the typical cost of living. That makes it difficult to afford the cost of living in the states more expensive areas, including in and around Kansas City.

What protections do workers have in Missouri and Kansas?

Oxfam ranked states based on 16 criteria for worker protections that are enshrined in state laws. They included paid family and sick leave policies, regulations around shift scheduling, heat protections for outdoor workers, and equal protections for farm and domestic workers, who are often excluded from labor laws.

Kansas and Missouri each only met three of the 16 total criteria, landing them in a tie for 37th place on the overall ranking for worker protections.

This bar chart shows where Missouri ranks out of all 50 U.S. states plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., in a new report by Oxfam on state-level labor policies and protections around the country.

The two states have the same three types of listed protections: They mandate equal pay across race and gender, provide some form of sexual harassment protection in state laws and regulate child labor.

However, the rankings dont rate the effectiveness of these legal protections, leaving their impact on workers up to interpretation. The ranking merely records whether some protections exist on the books  not how robust they are or how well theyre enforced.

What organizing rights do workers have in Missouri and Kansas?

Both Kansas and Missouri landed in the bottom half of Oxfams rankings for labor organizing rights.

Kansas ranks 33rd out of 52 jurisdictions for organizing rights. While it provides collective bargaining rights to teachers and some other public workers, it does not protect workers from retaliation for wage theft or ensure fair wages to contracted workers.

Perhaps most importantly, Kansas is a right-to-work state, meaning employees cant be compelled to pay union dues even if a union represents and protects their interests in the workplace. Kansas is one of 26 states with these laws, which are generally seen as hurting labor unions.

Missouri ranks slightly higher on organizing rights for workers. Voters overturned the states right-to-work law in 2018 in a resounding defeat that gives labor unions authority to collect some dues from those it represents. It also requires collective bargaining for public workers, something Kansas law does not fully require. These measures land the state in 27th place out of 52 jurisdictions.

Do you have more questions about wages or labor rights in Missouri or Kansas? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre quickly shutdown a Fox News correspondents question accusing Kamala Harris of faking a Southern accent.

Since when does the vice president have what sounds like a Southern accent? asked Peter Doocy of Fox News at a press conference on Tuesday.

I have no idea what youre talking about, Jean-Pierre responded.

As Harris campaigns across battleground states, right-wing social media accounts claim she is faking an accent in some of her speeches.On Monday, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumps campaign X account shared two different videos of Harris speaking at rallies in Detroit and Pittsburgh, noting the differences in her voice between the two speeches.

When Doocy explicitly referenced Harris remarks in the two different cities, Jean-Pierre didn't entertain the query, instead asking Doocy if he thinks Americans seriously think this is an important question?

You know what they care about? They care about the economy. They care about lowering costs. They care about healthcare. Thats what Americans care about, Jean-Pierre said.

Is that how she talks in meetings here? Doocy pressed.

Peter, were moving on. Were so moving on, Jean-Pierre responded.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  More than $1,500 worth of items were donated to Noahs Hope Wednesday morning.

That partially comes from is about 853 pounds of food, treats, and litter. Blankets, cleaning supplies, and toys were also donated to Noahs Hope Animal Rescue in Sioux City. The donations came as part of the 4th annual Cause for Paws donation event.

Iowa Memorial Wall exhibit to be on display in MidAmerica Museum

During the month of August, Siouxlanders dropped off pet supplies at drop-off locations at Velocity Clinical Research on Sunnybrook Drive, the Bomgaars stores on Hamiliton Boulevard and Gordon Drive, and at KCAU 9.

KCAU 9 would like to thank everyone who donated to the Cause for Paws event and helped make it a success.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
SOMERSET, Ky. (FOX 56)  A central Kentucky mayor is pushing for the state to take a tougher position on who is qualified to have their medical bills paid for when recovering from drug abuse.

Those that deserve the treatment they need should get it and anyone that doesnt qualify should not be on taxpayer money, Somerset Mayor Alan Keck told the crowd at Tuesdays Somerset-Pulaski Co. Chamber of Commerce luncheon, where he delivered his State of the City Address.

4 Kentucky counties deemed Recovery Ready amid decrease in drug overdose fatalities

Keck called on Kentuckys Cabinet for Health and Family Services (KCHFS) to return to a pre-COVID policy he said brings more guardrails to substance abuse treatment that is covered by Medicaid.

When were treating people from Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, that then becomes a problem and its really stretched our local resources, Keck later told FOX 56.

In July, Keck wrote to KCHFS with a request to once again require pre-authorization for Medicaid to cover substance abuse treatment. He explained that his reasoning isnt just about being a better steward of tax money but he questioned the rapid growth of recovery facilities. In his words, these facilities have become a free for all.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

Theres countless new facilities opening up. Theres countless new people getting into this, what unfortunately Im going to call business instead of folks that just have a heart to help others, and now were having people come from candidly, all over the region to get treatment in Somerset when theyre not even from here, Keck said.

Keck said since sending the letter he has not heard much feedback nor a timeline from the Cabinet and wanted to put his position on record. He said he believes in second chances but has a responsibility to keep his community safe.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

I shouldnt hear from people on Main Street that have to treat the front of their house like a prison, those are their words, because people are showing up on their front porch at all hours of the night. Again, not Somerset residents, Keck said.

FOX 56 contacted the Cabinet for Health and Family Services for comment.

FOX 56 has also contacted the Governors Office spokespeople but has not yet returned a request 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 FOX 56 News.
Kentucky teens accused of intentionally hitting geese with trucks, killing two

Two Kentucky teens accused of intentionally driving pickup trucks into a flock of geese in a parking lot have been charged with cruelty to animals.

Dalton Noe and Bricen Brock, both 18, are also charged with illegal taking of a migratory bird, according to court records.

The incident happened Aug. 19 at the Village Center Mall in Harlan, according to citations.

An officer with the Kentucky Division of Fish and Wildlife said the investigation showed Noe ran through a flock of Canada geese in his pickup truck, followed by Brock.

The trucks hit two geese, leaving them injured and unable to fly away, according to the citation.

The agency said in a Facebook post that one goose died in the parking lot.

Officers took the other to a rehabilitation facility in Hazard, but it had to be euthanized because of its injuries.

Noe and Brock are scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 9.
Kevin Kelly and The Tate Twins have filed a lawsuit against AEW, among others, following the circumstances of their respective departures from the company.

As first reported by The Wrestling News, Kevin Kelly and The Tate Twins, also known as The Boys, have brought a lawsuit against AEW. Kelly, who had been on the AEW Collision commentary team, was fired by the company in March after he made heated remarks online about the company and commentator Ian Riccaboni, who commented on Kellys support for Sound of Freedom film, which some have tied to the QAnon movement.

Real name Kevin Foote, Kelly is seeking monetary damages claiming, among other things, that AEW breached his contract, and has interfered with ability to find work elsewhere. Also named in the lawsuit is AEW announcer Ian Riccaboni, whom Kelly also seeks monetary damages from and  The Wrestling News (@WrestlingNewsAV) September 4, 2024

Kelly is seeking monetary damages from both Riccaboni and AEW, as he alleges defamation and claims that his termination was in breach of his contract. He also claims that the situation has caused him to struggle to find work.

Likewise, The Tate Twins, who were released in April, also allege that Tony Khans comments about how they no-showed bookings are defamation, as they denied his remarks. Khan said that he stood by his comments following The Tate Twins response.

BREAKING: Three former talents terminated by the company have brought a lawsuit against All Elite Wrestling, among others.

The suit, brought by announcer Kevin Kelly and wrestlers Brandon & Brendan Tate, was filed on August 30 in the Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania Court of  The Wrestling News (@WrestlingNewsAV) September 4, 2024

Additionally, the lawsuit aims to void the arbitration clause of the talent contracts Kevin Kelly and The Tate Twins were under. Plus, they are requesting the court to certify a class-action suit against AEW over claims the company is misclassifying its wrestling talent as independent contractors, rather than employees.

Kelly, who joined AEW in June 2023 after working as the English speaking commentator for New Japan, was fired from his position as an AEW play-by-play announcer in March, after he went public on his social media expressing his frustrations with the company and Riccaboni.  The Wrestling News (@WrestlingNewsAV) September 4, 2024

Attorneys Statement

Attorney Stephen P. New, who filed the lawsuit on August 30 alongside Benjamin Baer, in the Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, shared the following statement, per The Wrestling News:

I applaud the bravery of these Plaintiffs in bringing this long-overdue action, challenging the mis-classification of pro-wrestlers as independent contractors instead of employees. We know we are in for a long, hard fight, but in the end, I believe justice always prevails.

Additionally, New shared the following statement with The Takedown on SI.

I am proud to represent Kevin Kelly and the Tate Twins in this lawsuit, New said in an email statement. I am looking forward to them having their day in Court and the truth coming out about their situations. Finally, I hope this lawsuit is the genesis of a change in the pro wrestling industry wherein we can make pro wrestlers the employees they are instead of independent contractors which they are not and never have been.

Update: The Takedown on SI provided the following statement from AEW PR:

AEW does not comment on pending litigation, AEW PR told The Takedown.

Following his termination, Kevin Kelly said that he planned to take legal action and sue AEW.

WrestleZone will monitor the situation and provide more information as it becomes available.

RELATED: Kevin Kelly Goes In-Depth On His AEW Release, Issues With Ian Riccaboni

The post Kevin Kelly, The Tate Twins File Lawsuit Against AEW, AEW Issues Statement appeared first on Wrestlezone.
What key figures say about Browns new stadium plans: I-Team

What key figures say about Browns new stadium plans: I-Team

CLEVELAND (WJW)  The FOX 8 I-Team pressed for answers Tuesday about what is happening with plans to renovate the Cleveland Browns downtown stadium, or replace it with a dome.

We caught up with Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam as they announced a new name for the stadium, Huntington Bank Field.

But, we wondered when well hear the announcement of the big decision regarding a stadium project. The Browns have narrowed that down to massive renovations of the current stadium, or construction of a new domed stadium in Brook Park.

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We asked Jimmy Haslam, Whats the general timetable, or the specific timetable, for that to happen?

Haslam answered, Thats a great question. I think its a question for another day, though.

Haslam only wanted to talk about the stadium name.

Yet, the debate about stadium plans has everyone talking. So, we followed up.

We reminded Haslam, Thats on the top of mind of everyone in Northeast Ohio, thats why were asking.

He responded, Yeah, we realize that. I think weve been very explicit. Its complex and complicated, and its going to take some time.

Meantime, the mayor of Brook Park spoke out to the I-Team making his strongest pitch yet for a dome in his city.

It, really, is a special project for the region, Ed Orcutt said.

Orcutt argues the Browns cant lose building a dome. And he told us hes now convinced the site for the dome and the highways around it can handle the parking and traffic.

He also believes a dome would bring in a lot more money with concerts and events year-round.

We know that theres going to be more opportunities for more shows here which, obviously. means more revenue for the region, the mayor said.

Tough to say exactly how much tax money comes in from Browns stadium. Last month, Cleveland City Hall gave the I-Team an estimate of $900,000 to $1 million a game. That would include tax money from parking, and hotels, and bar and more. Hard to come up with the exact amount due to the way taxes get reported, according to the Cleveland mayors office.

The Brook Park Mayor also said, We dont have time to waste. Its been a year and a half that weve been looking at this project.

Speed camera officer clocking drivers while hidden in the woods: I-Team

He wants to keep moving on a dome project. Yet, questions remain.

The cost to taxpayers and the public money involved are figures that are still unclear.

Weve learned of more talks set with the Browns and both cities involved.

Plans for the home of the Browns are not decided even as the team now has a new name at the front door to the stadium.

Jimmy Haslam said, At the appropriate time, well address that. Thats not today.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
We recently published a list of 10 Best Alcohol Stocks To Own According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) stands against the other alcohol stocks.

There is a substantial amount of evidence that suggests that any alcohol consumption, however moderate, can have negative health consequences. Even low levels of drinking can increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and even certain types of cancer. Understanding that there is no such thing as risk-free drinking, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines moderate drinking as 2 drinks or less per day for men and no more than one drink per day for women. Still, despite the well-publicized health risks, more than two-thirds of adult drinkers regularly exceed those levels.

READ ALSO: 20 Largest Publicly Traded Liquor Companies in the US and 20 Best Wine Brands in the World.

The Global Alcohol Industry:

In 2019, the global alcohol consumption, measured in liters of pure alcohol per person of 15 years of age or older, was 5.5 liters, which is a 4.7% relative decrease from 5.7 liters in 2010. As we mentioned in our article  20 Countries with the Highest Alcohol Consumption per Capita in 2024  the global alcoholic beverages market size was valued at $1.62 trillion in 2021 and is projected to reach $2 trillion by 2031, with a CAGR of 2.2% during the forecast period.

The market is likely to be driven by the increasing global young-adult demographic, coupled with high disposable income and consumer demand for premium/super-premium products. Globally, beer drives the market for alcoholic beverages. Regionally, North America and Asia-Pacific are expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.

The American Liquor Market:

The American liquor industry is overcoming economic headwinds to meet changing consumer preferences as it chips away at the dominance of beer. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the spirits revenue market share grew from 28.7% in 2000 to 42.1% in 2022, while beer held a 41.9% market share that year. Thus, in 2022, the spirits industry surpassed beer in revenue for the first time ever. The trend continued in 2023 when the spirits market share again totaled more than 42%. The spirits supplier sales in the United States totaled $37.7 billion last year, while volumes rose 1.2% to 308.8 million 9-liter cases.

The rise to the top for spirit-makers is fueled in part by the resurgent cocktail culture, including the growing popularity of ready-to-drink concoctions, as well as strong growth in the tequila and American whiskey segments.

Story continues

The Financial Impact of Alcohol in America:

As stated in our article  20 Drunkest States in the US  booze plays an enormous role in the American economy. As of 2021, the total share of the beverage alcohol market in the U.S. represented almost $250 billion and over 3.4 billion cases sold. Beer/FMB/hard seltzer accounted for 43.5% of value share, followed closely by spirits at 39.5%, and wine at a 17% share.

The U.S. alcohol beverage industry is responsible for sustaining more than 4 million jobs and generating almost $70 billion in annual tax revenue. And that doesnt even scratch the surface of the economic benefits the industry provides to late-night restaurants and pizza shops. According to the Beer Institute, the beer industry alone supports 1.75 million jobs. From the farmers harvesting the barley in your beer, to the beer truck driver, to your local bartender, every aspect of your drink exists because of someone in the alcohol industry working hard behind the scenes.

However, theres obviously also a downside to the heavy alcohol consumption in America. According to the CDC, excessive drinking costs the country around $249 billion annually, when combining healthcare expenditures, lost earnings and productivity, criminal justice implications, vehicle crashes, property damage, and more. The federal government picks up roughly $100 billion of the tab, largely through Medicare and Medicaid payments. Several evidence-based strategies can help reduce excessive drinking, including increasing alcohol excise taxes, limiting alcohol outlet density, and commercial host liability.

At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

Is Ambev S.A. (ABEV) The Best Alcohol Stock To Own According to Hedge Funds?

A close-up on several cans of freshly brewed beer in a commercial brewery.

Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 18

Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV), formally Companhia de Bebidas das Americas, is a Brazilian brewing company that has now merged with Anheuser-Busch InBev. It offers beer under several brand names such as Skol, Brahma, Antarctica, etc. It is the largest beverage firm in Brazil with a well-established presence in the country and also enjoys a footprint in other Latin American nations and non-alcoholic goods.

The Sao Paulo-based company reported a revenue of around $3.6 billion in Q2 of 2024, up 6.5% from the same quarter last year, thanks to a growth in volume in Brazil and CAC. One of its core premium brands, Spaten, is one of the fastest-growing beers in the Brazilian market, with Corona and Budweiser also gaining significant ground.

Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) boasts a 60% share in the Brazilian beer market and has almost doubled its revenue in the local currency in the last ten years, from around R$37 billion to almost R$80 billion, despite the intense competition from the likes of Heineken N.V. However, its over-reliance on the Brazilian market and beer losing its share to spirits internationally could also prove to be risky.

The shares of Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) were held by 18 hedge funds at the end of Q2 2024 in the Insider Monkey database, 4 more than the previous quarter. The largest stake of over 310 million shares was held by First Eagle Investment Management, valued at around $635.8 million.

Overall ABEV ranks 8th on our list of the best alcohol stocks to own according to hedge funds. While we acknowledge the potential of ABEV as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold great promise for delivering high returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ABEV 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.
KFile: Harris move to the center on border wall, asylum contradicts her years of progressive immigration positions

Vice President Kamala Harris likes to portray herself as tough on the border and immigration.

Recent TV ads highlight her time as a border state prosecutor who aggressively targeted criminal cartels and drug smugglers, as well as her support for the toughest border security bill in decades.

That bill, which failed in the Senate in February and again in May, included $650 million for new border wall construction. Images of the border wall built during the Trump administration are featured in the Harris ads, yet Harris repeatedly criticized the wall over the years, describing it as an affront to both hers and Americas values.

In her 2019 book, The Truths We Hold, Harris called the wall useless and said it was nothing more than a symbol, a monument standing in opposition to not just everything I value, but to the fundamental values upon which this country was built.

A CNN KFile review of Harris social media posts found that she criticized the border wall more than 50 times during the Trump administration, calling it, among other things, stupid, useless, and a medieval vanity project.

As she tries to strengthen her image on the border, Harris will have to reckon with her years of opposing some of the very policies she now embraces. That includes building more border wall and also making it harder for migrants to come to the US seeking asylum.

Harris has tacked to the middle on other key issues, such as no longer banning fracking or supporting Medicare for All  positions she once supported before being picked as Joe Bidens vice presidential nominee.

In an interview with CNNs Dana Bash last Thursday, Harris said, despite her policy shifts, my values have not changed.

Immigration and the border remain significant vulnerabilities for Harris and the Democratic party, according to some national polls, although recent polling suggests Harris has managed to narrow the gap.

Not all border work stopped during the Biden administration.

In 2021 and 2022, the administration continued work near the border wall to prevent flooding, complete prior construction of access roads and close small gaps that remain open from prior construction activities and remediating incomplete gates.

In October 2023, the Biden administration allowed the additional building of border wall in Texas, with Biden saying he had to use money appropriated for the wall in 2019 and could not redirect it.

I tried to get them to reappropriate it, to redirect that money. They didnt, they wouldnt. And in the meantime, theres nothing under the law other than they have to use the money for what it was appropriated. I cant stop that, Biden told reporters in the Oval Office at the time.

In response to questions from CNN, a Harris campaign aide said in referencing the recent campaign ad that it was inaccurate to imply a few images are somehow representative of the VPs overall policy position on a complex issue when the entirety of the ad, the VPs remarks as the nominee, and the governance of this Administration have been clear where she stands on border security - supporting the bipartisan border agreement.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and US Vice President Kamala Harris sit for an interview with CNNs Dana Bash on Thursday, August 29, 2024, in Savannah, Georgia. - Will Lanzoni/CNN

Asylum shift

Along with extending funding for more border barriers and hiring more federal immigration authorities, the border security bill that Harris has vowed to sign as president would also largely bar migrants from seeking asylum if they crossed the border unlawfully. Many of the people who encounter Border Patrol agents at the southern border are migrants seeking asylum and claim to be fleeing conflict or persecution in their home country.

A CNN KFile review of Harris comments from 2017 through August 2020, before Biden picked her as his running mate, found that she repeatedly pledged to honor the process of asylum established decades ago and slammed policies that restricted asylum seekers.

Harris was one of seven US senators who signed onto an amicus brief in late 2018 supporting a lawsuit filed by asylum seekers challenging a Trump administration rule that effectively barred all asylum claims outside ports of entry.

United States law is crystal clear that men, women, and children who arrive at any point on our borders may seek asylum, read the brief. In our democratic system, laws may not be overturned by Executive fiat.

A judge struck down that rule in August 2019 and the Trump administration lost its appeals.

While running for president in 2019, Harris pledged to respect asylum law and called restricting asylum a stain on our moral conscience.

Under a Harris administration, issues like asylum, for example, we are gonna honor the process and not try to circumvent the process and expedite the process for the sake of some political goal as opposed to the sake of justice and fairness, Harris said on the Pod Save America podcast in 2019.

She reiterated the pledge in several tweets at that time, writing in July 2019, As president, I will immediately put in place a meaningful process to review asylum cases. I will release children from cages. I will get rid of the private detention centers. Its time we had a president whose actions reflected the values of our country.

During a June 2019 interview with CBS News, she vowed that a Harris administration would honor established asylum procedures, stating, If they are deserving of protection, we will give it to em.

A year later, in June 2020, Harris was one of 34 senators to sign a congressional letter criticizing the Covid-era Title 42 authority, which allowed the government to bar migrants from entering the country because of the public health crisis. The letter equated Trumps asylum policies to the denial of safe passage to Jewish refugees fleeing the Holocaust.

Harris and Guatemala's Minister of Foreign Affairs Pedro Brolo face each other upon arrival at the Aeropuerto Internacional La Aurora in Guatemala City in June 2021. - Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

Shortly after Biden and Harris took office in 2021, the mass influx of asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border significantly strained US immigration resources. The Biden-Harris administration initially kept Title 42 in place. In 2022, Republicans sued to keep the administration from ending Title 42, which it finally did in May 2023 when it announced the end of national Covid-era emergency restrictions.

As vice president, Harris was tasked with overseeing diplomatic efforts to address the root causes of migration.

Despite this role, Harris current stance on asylum marks a notable departure from her earlier promises to uphold the asylum process and protect vulnerable migrants.

After Senate Republicans abandoned the border bill at the behest of Trump, the Biden administration took executive actions to restrict asylum. In June, Biden signed an executive order largely barring migrants who cross the border illegally from seeking asylum once a daily threshold is reached, a departure from longstanding US asylum policy.

While Harris has yet to publicly comment on her plans for asylum, her campaign manager has signaled Harris would continue implementing Bidens executive orders curbing asylum.

Repeatedly attacked the border wall

Throughout the Trump administration, Harris was a consistent critic of the border wall.

In April 2018, Harris signed onto a letter that urged the appropriations committee to reduce funding for the border wall and to halt hiring new Border Patrol agents.

CNN identified one of the border walls in her new campaign ads as constructed during Trumps presidency in Sasabe, Arizona, in an area where there had not previously been border wall. The other walls feature signs that they were Trump-era walls, such as so-called anti-climbing plates that were built during the Trump years.

Its the presidents vanity project, Harris said in June 2019 at an event promoting her book. Lets just point to the facts and the evidence and the data. And the fact is that we are not facing a crisis.

This president rode a wave into office of vilifying, a whole population of people, she said at another event in 2019. His multi-billion dollar vanity project called a wall is nothing more than a distraction from the fact that he actually hasnt focused on working people in America. So instead of focusing on the needs of working families in America, he creates a scapegoat, a boogeyman.

CNNs Priscilla Alvarez contributed to this report.

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If I killed her, I should get the death penalty: Man arrested 28 years after girlfriends body found in Manatee County ditch

If I killed her, I should get the death penalty: Man arrested 28 years after girlfriends body found in Manatee County ditch

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A Delaware man is accused of murdering his girlfriend and dumping her body in a ditch in Manatee County 28 years ago.

Stephen Ford, 72, lived in St. Petersburg with the victim, Doris Korell, 45 at the time of her disappearance, according to the Manatee County Sheriffs Office.

A body, identified one year later as Korell, was discovered face-down in a drainage canal along US-41. Her body had 83 stab wounds and trauma to the neck and face.

I reported her missing, and I mean, because of her and I talked every day, twice a day. He, you know, never called to say, hey, your mom didnt come home or anything, the victims daughter Laura Gaddy said.

The remains were found on Dec. 15, 1996, just days after her daughter reported her missing. Ford claimed Korell drove away from their home to go shopping after an argument and hadnt been seen since.

The Manatee County Sheriffs Office was not aware that St. Pete police were searching for a missing woman at the time. The agencies discovered they were working on the same case when Korells remains were identified in 1997.

Korells car was found at the Pinellas Square Mall on Dec. 18, but detectives believe it was placed there by Ford and wiped down. Her belongings were discovered in a storage unit that was kept secret from her daughter.







St. Pete detectives said Ford attempted suicide at least once during their investigation. They believe Fords behavior showed a clear pattern of consciousness of guilt.

When asked what should happen to Korells killer, detectives reported Ford saying, An eye for an eye. He went on to say, If I killed her, I should get the death penalty, according to the Manatee County Sheriffs Office.

A former girlfriend told law enforcement she received a letter from Ford in October that said, He has no time for you know who, and hopes shell leave soon, and I hope she gets the message that I dont want her here anymore.

Ford moved to Delaware as the case went cold. It was reopened in 2017, and in the years that followed, Korells acquaintances reported domestic and financial problems between the couple.

Cold case detectives noted Fords behavior showed a clear pattern of consciousness of guilt, a Manatee County Sheriffs Office news release stated. The evidence obtained in this investigation, including Fords deliberate actions and statements to mislead law enforcement and ultimately his attempts to commit suicide, provide in their totality, probable cause to believe that Stephen Ford murdered Doris Korell and disposed of her body in Manatee County, just minutes South of Pinellas County.

Ford was arrested on August 16 during a traffic stop near his home in Georgetown, Delaware and was booked into the Manatee County Jail on August 30. He was charged with second degree murder with a weapon.

Korells daughter has spent decades seeking justice, and while the arrest brings some relief, the fight for justice continues.

I never game up, you know kept fighting for this case, I miss her, Gaddy said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
After the king's endorsement, Thailand has a new Cabinet but with some familiar faces

FILE - Thailand's new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra talks to media members after receiving a royal letter of endorsement for the post at the Pheu Thai party headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)

BANGKOK (AP)  Thailand on Wednesday welcomed a new Cabinet after King Maha Vajiralongkorn approved the appointment of 35 members to serve under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Paetongtarn took office on Aug. 16, after her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin was forced out of office by a court ruling that he had violated an ethics law by appointing a Cabinet member who had served time in prison in connection with a bribery case. She is the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006 but remains politically influential.

Paetongtarn is leader of the Pheu Thai Party, which took power after last years general election. It formed a government after members of the conservative Senate refused to endorse the prime minister nominated by the progressive Move Forward Party, which won the most seats in the poll.

The new Cabinet is substantially the same as Sretthas, with five of the deputy prime ministers retaining their jobs. Also keeping their jobs are Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, who are both also deputy prime ministers, as well as Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa.

The new Cabinets royal endorsement, published in the government gazette, followed weeks of speculation over its composition after the pro-military Palang Pracharath Party was removed from the ruling coalition that Srettha had formed. The party and its leader, retired General Prawit Wongsuwan, were widely believed to be behind the ethics case brought before the Constitutional Court that cost Srettha his job before he completed a full year in office.

Paetongtarns Pheu Thai party invited its long-time rival, the Democrat Party, to join the governing coalition, with party leader Chalermchai Sri-on appointed Minister of Natural Resources, a post previously held by Prawits brother.

Pheu Thais predecessor, the Thai Rak Thai Party, ended years of Democrat domination of electoral politics in 2001 when its billionaire founder and leader, Thaksin, became prime minister. After Thaksin was ousted in 2006, the Democrats linked up with other conservative forces in Thai society to try to thwart a comeback of his political machine. Thaksins ouster triggered years of struggle between his supporters and his opponents, in the streets, in the courts and at the ballot box.

Because Srettha lost his position over an ethics issue involving a Cabinet minister, Paetongtarns appointments were vetted to ensure they were free of legal problems.

Sretthas Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaised, once accused of ordering two murders in the early 2000s, was replaced by his daughter Sabida, while Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thammanat Prompao, who was jailed in Australia for heroin trafficking in 1994, also lost his seat.

Theres a lot of openings in the constitution for all sorts of ethics probes, and the Constitutional Court has great power in interpreting the constitution, commented Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, a law professor at Thailand's Thammasat University. Terms used by the court, such as evidently honest and ethical standards, are entirely subjective, he told The Associated Press.

Its all systemic. When you have vengeful people and a court with power to rule over entirely subjective matters, the Pheu Thai party wont have any problems with the opposition in Parliament. It would have problems with all the people theyve upset, launching petitions that put them into the courts hands," he said.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) said he is not courageous for speaking out against former President Trump, calling other Republican lawmakers who feel the same way but remain silent cowards.

Kinzinger joined Jimmy Kimmel Live Tuesday evening, and he was asked by the late night host if other GOP lawmakers feel similarly about Trump and MAGA politics but arent speaking out or are not as vocal as the former Illinois congressman.

Oh, theres so many of them, Kinzinger said. And thats the thing, is like, people will tell me sometimes, Adam, youre courageous. And I appreciate it.

Im not courageous, though. Im surrounded by cowards.

Kinzinger was one of 10 House Republicans to vote to impeach Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and one of two Republicans on the select committee investigating what happened that day, along with former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.).

Hes become a staunch critic of Trump and the modern Republican Party. He endorsed both President Biden and Vice President Harris in their presidential bids.

On Tuesday, he said he expects Cheney to speak more publicly soon because she is so committed to preventing Trump from taking office again.

But there are so many people I talk to that are sitting around like, I just cant speak out, Kinzinger said. Theyre scared.

Kinzinger said that while he was still in office, he had Republican members of Congress tell him that they appreciate what hes doing, but they could never do the same because they would lose in their districts.

Kinzinger joked that he knew he was going to lose in his district by speaking out, too. Kinzinger chose to retire from Congress in 2023, after Illinoiss congressional map was redrawn with one fewer seat, forcing him into a tough primary.

The former congressman said he wasnt surprised by the level of vitriol hes experienced since speaking out against Trump and leaving office because Trump has built a cult. He said he was shocked by the number of friends and family who have disowned him since speaking out.

This is whats happening to families all around this country, is theyre being torn apart for a man that is more flawed than anybody thats ever sat in the Oval Office, he said.

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Knife-wielding man robs Tampa hotel, still on the run, police say

Knife-wielding man robs Tampa hotel, still on the run, police say

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The Tampa Police Department is asking the community to help identify an armed suspect in a robbery at the Barrymore Hotel.

According to TPD, on July 30 at around 4 a.m., the suspect was seen climbing over the reception counter and going through the cash register.

Police said the suspect was seen removing cash from the register and confronted by the employees where he threw cash at them before pulling out a knife.

The suspect left on a bicycle wearing dark clothes and a backpack.

The Tampa Police Department asked the community to call the non-emergency number or share a tip on the TampaPD 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.
What we know about the Apalachee High School shooting that left four dead in Georgia

Two students and two teachers were killed following a mass shooting at a Georgia high school on Wednesday morning.

The shooting took place at Apalachee High School in Winder, an hour outside of Atlanta.

Law enforcement yesterday named the suspected gunman as 14-year-old Colt Gray  a student at the school who surrendered to authorities on the scene. He will be charged with murder and tried as an adult, authorities said.

Mason Schermerhorn, Christian Angulo, both 14, and teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53, all lost their lives in the senseless violence.

The investigation is ongoing with yet another community reeling from gun violence in what is the 385th mass shooting in the country this year.

My heart hurts for these kids. My heart hurts for this community. But I want to make it very clear that hate will not prevail in this county, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said.

Heres everything we know about the Georgia high school shooting.

What happened?

The school day had only just begun when the violence unfolded.

In the moments before the suspect opened fire, his classmate, Lyela Sayarath, revealed she had been sat elbow to elbow with the alleged shooter in algebra class before he got up and left the room.

The accused returned and tried to get back into the classroom, the 16-year-old told CNN, but when a student went to open the door for him, they backed up - presumably having noticed the firearm.

Im pretty sure she saw that he had a gun and so she backed away, she said.

Mason Schermerhorn, Christian Angulo, both 14, and teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53, all lost their lives (Supplied)

Then, Sayarath and her classmates pushed desks to act as a blockade and got down low.

Once the suspect wasnt able to get back inside - the doors lock automatically once closed - he appeared to turn to the classroom next door.

The shooting started.

Down the hall Stephen Kreyenbuhl, was in the middle of a second-period social studies class when the institution went into lockdown. Just moments later, the 26-year-old said he heard gunfire ring out.

Mason Schermerhorn, 14, was identified by his family as one of the victims of the shooting at Apalachee High School (Social media)

Pop, then pause, then six shots, pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop, he toldThe Washington Post. My students were on the ground... Some crying, some consoling, some swearing.

Students all over the school heard the shots ring out. Julie Sandoval took cover and sent a message to her parents telling them how much she loved them, CNN reports. She apologized for not being a perfect daughter.

Another mother, Anetra Pattaman, told her daughter: No matter what you do, keep texting me, just text me, just text me, to let me know that youre OK.

At 10.20am the alarm was raised when someone pushed a wearable panic button to notify authorities of an active shooter - only installed a week ago, according to Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith.

Minutes later, police were on the scene and immediately encountered the accused. He surrendered straight away.

He gave up, got on the ground. And the officers took him into custody, Smith told a press conference yesterday.

Students wait to be picked up by their parents after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia (Getty Images)

More police swooped onto the school once the suspect was detained, helping to evacuate the students and paramedics tended to the wounded.

Meanwhile, parents endured an agonizing wait as reports began to circulate that four people at the school had been shot.

By 1pm, local officials started reuniting students into the arms of their parents.

At 2.15pm, the bureau confirmed that four people had died  two teachers and two students. They were later identified at a press conference on Wednesday night.

A vigil was held for the victims of the shooting in the evening where the community came together in mourning.

Who is the suspected shooter?

GBI identified the suspected shooter as 14-year-old Colt Gray, a student at Apalachee High School.

Now it has since emerged that the FBI and the police had interviewed Gray and his father Colin Gray in May 2023 over online threats to commit a school shooting, from the social media platform Discord, which contained photographs of guns, the FBIs Atlanta office said in a statement.

Police allegedly traced the online threats to Gray, then 13 years old, and interviewed him and his father, who said he had guns in the house.

When deputies visited Grays home on Rice Creek Court in Jefferson, Georgia, in 2023, they spoke to Gray who claimed he had deleted his Discord account before he and his father moved to their new home, according to a report obtained by WSB-TV.

He remains in police custody.

What have students and parents said?

Some of Apalachee Highs 1,900 students and their parents recounted the terrifying experience.

Sergio Caldera, a 17-year-old senior, told ABC News that he was in chemistry class when shots rang out. My teacher goes and opens the door to see whats going on, Caldera told the outlet. Another teacher comes running in and tells her to close the door because theres an active shooter.

Caldera said someone banged on their classroom door and shouted open up several times. Afterward, he heard more gunshots and screams.

Another student, Camille Nelms, told WXIA about taking shelter as bullets came flying into her classroom: I was crying, I didnt want to die that wayI dont want to meet the Lord that way.

People leave the scene of a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia on September 4 (EPA)

Student Miguel Eduardo Perichi Orta told WXIA he was was shaking, scared when he heard a loud boom followed by banging near his classroom. I saw a huge puddle of blood in the classroom, and that really, it like dropped my stomach, he said. It was heartbreaking to see that.

Orta also said he was disappointed in his school. If something like this can happen here when you think its a normal day, it can happen anywhere, he said.

In a Facebook post, one parent, whose child was close enough to hear gunshots, called the incident a parents worst nightmare.

How have officials responded?

In the aftermath of the shooting, all other Barrow County Schools were on a soft lockdown, the county school district said. Other Georgia school districts have offered their condolences and prayers to Apalachee High School.

Barrow County school system superintendent Dallas LeDuff said on Wednesday afternoon that the high school will be closed for the remainder of the week. He added that grief counseling will be available for the community.

President Joe Biden said we cannot continue to accept this as normal in the wake of the shooting.

Jill and I are mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short due to more senseless gun violence and thinking of all of the survivors whose lives are forever changed, the president said in a statement. What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now turned into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart.

Richard Aspinwall, math teacher at Apalachee High School who was killed in Wednesdays mass shooting (Apalachee High School)

At a New Hampshire rally, Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, said: This is a senseless tragedy on top of so many senseless tragedies, and its just outrageous that every day in our country in the United States of America, that parents have to send their children to school worried about whether or not their child will come home alive.

We gotta stop it and we have to end this epidimeic of gun violence in our country once and for all - it doesnt have to be this way, she added.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz said there was work to be done to prevent similar tragic incidents. He said they are all too common.

Former president Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those affected by the tragic event in Winder, GA. These cherished children were taken from us far too soon by a sick and deranged monster.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has directed all available state resources to the school, he said in a post on X. He also urged all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state.

House Speaker Mike Johnson called for swift justice in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Christina Irimie, math teacher killed at Apalachee high school in Georgia (Apalachee High School)

Our prayers go out today for the Apalachee High School community, and especially the victims and their families who have endured this terrible tragedy, he said in a statement. The officers of the Winder Police Department are commended for their quick action in apprehending the suspect.

Gun safety groups were mourning yet another gun violence tragedy  the 385th mass shooting this year in the US, according to Gun Violence Archive.

Students are barely a month into the semester. We dont have to live like this. Our children shouldnt be dying like this, Everytown for Gun Safety posted on X.

Gun safety group Giffords similarly wrote: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Our children should be able to go to school without being met with gun violence.

Who were the victims?

Mason Schermerhorn, Christian Angulo, both 14, and teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53, all lost their lives in the senseless violence and were idenfitied by the GBI on Wednesday evening.

Angulo has been described by friends and family as a beautiful soul who was loved by so many.

His sister, Lisette Angulo, shared the familys heartbreak and shock over his death in a GoFundMe.

Unfortunately my baby brother was one of the victims of the school shooting at Apalachee High School, she confirmed.

Mason Schermerhorn, 14, was identified by family members as one of the dead students. A family friend, Doug Kilburn, told The New York Times that the teenager really enjoyed life and always had an upbeat attitude about everything.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing video games, telling jokes and trips to Walt Disney World, the paper reported.

Christian Angulo, 14, was described by friends and family as a beautiful soul (Supplied)

Math teacher Aspinwall was a 39-year-old married father-of-two and math teacher at the school.

He died while protecting his students, a Gofundme page set up for his family says.

A tribute to the teacher, who also coached the school football team, posted on Facebook said the Gofundme fundraiser would go towards supporting his wife and two daughters.

We are all in shock over the news that Ricky Aspinwall lost his life protecting his students, the page, set up by Julie Woodson, reads. It has so far raised more than $100,000.

Irimie, 53, was also a math teacher at the school. She was described as an incredible teacher by a friend in a post on Facebook.

Christina Irimie was an incredible teacher. I feel blessed to have known her, but she went into her school building today, to teach math because she was amazing at it, and she will never come home to her family and friends, the friend wrote.

Special education maths teacher David Phenix has been identified by his family as one of those injured in the shooting (Facebook/Katie Phenix)

Special education teacher David Phenix was among the nine people hospitalized. We are so thankful for all the texts, calls, and messages about my dad, David Phenix. There was a shooting this morning at Apalachee High School and my dad was shot in the foot and in the hip, shattering his hip bone. He arrived to the hospital alert and awake. He just got out of surgery and is stable, his daughter Katie Phenix posted on Facebook.

We will update as we hear new information. We are so, so lucky, but please keep our family as well as the AHS family in your prayers.

Arrest of suspects father

On Thursday evening Grays father was arrested in connection with the shooting at Apalachee High School, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Colin Gray, 54, has been charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children.

Earlier on Thursday CNN reported that Colin Gray had told investigators he bought his son the assault rifle allegedly used to kill two students and two teachers as a Christmas present last year.

The purchase came months after the FBI told local law enforcement in May 2023 about anonymous online threats about a school shooting. Colt Gray denied he was behind them and no arrest or other legal action was taken.
Hunter Biden is set to go on trial Thursday for alleged tax crimes, in a case that was once seen as a potential political liability for President Joe Biden, but is now a sordid closing chapter to his presidency.

Special counsel David Weiss, who has investigated Hunter Bidens finances and foreign deals since 2018, filed the nine-count indictment in December, accusing the presidents son of failing to pay $1.4 million in federal taxes and executing a tax-evasion scheme.

Hunter Biden, 54, pleaded not guilty and says he belatedly paid all of his tax debts after regaining his sobriety in 2019, amid a lifelong struggle with alcoholism and drug abuse.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin Thursday at the federal courthouse in Los Angeles, the trial could last about one month. The trial will feature salacious details about Hunter Bidens extravagant partying and spending during the peak of his addiction, including money for strippers, escorts and luxury cars  all while he allegedly didnt pay taxes.

The stakes are high for Hunter Biden, who was convicted of three gun felonies in June and will be sentenced for those crimes after the election. Most federal cases are resolved with a guilty plea, and its always possible Hunter Biden opts for a last-minute deal instead of rolling the dice with another trial.

Joe Biden has unfettered power to pardon his son or wipe away his sentence if hes convicted in the tax case. The president has repeatedly ruled that out in his public comments, though that was before he dropped out of the 2024 race.

Heres everything you need to know about the trial.

How did we get here?

The investigation began in 2018, when Weiss was the Trump-appointed US attorney for Delaware. Over the years, Weiss scrutinized Hunter Bidens finances, his lucrative business deals, a gun purchase, potential violations of foreign lobbying laws and more.

Everything appeared to be winding down last summer, when the parties announced a plea deal. Hunter Biden wouldve admitted to two tax misdemeanors, resolved the gun matter and likely avoided jailtime. But the deal imploded under scrutiny from a judge.

At that point, Weiss requested special counsel status from Attorney General Merrick Garland, a Biden appointee. The request was approved and Weiss later filed two indictments against Hunter Biden: a gun case in Delaware and a tax case in California.

CNN reported last month that there were plea discussions earlier in the summer between Weiss team and Hunter Bidens lawyers, but that did not lead to an agreement at that time to resolve the tax charges.

In the year since Weiss became a special counsel, he has spent more than $3.7 million of taxpayer dollars on his investigation, according to Justice Department disclosures.

Hunter Biden and his wife Melissa Cohen Biden walk outside the federal court as his trial on criminal gun charges continues, in Wilmington, Delaware, on June 11. - Hannah Beier/Reuters

What are the charges?

There are nine charges in the tax indictment against Hunter Biden. If convicted on all counts, he could face as much as 17 years in federal prison and up to $750,000 in fines.

The most serious allegations in this case stem from the three felony charges: tax evasion for 2018, filing a false personal tax return for 2018 and filing a false corporate tax return for 2018. Prosecutors say Hunter Biden claimed tax deductions for personal expenses that were disguised as business expenses, significantly lowering his tax bill.

According to the indictment, some of those supposed business expenses included $43,693 to stay at the famous Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, $30,000 for his daughters tuition at Columbia Law School, $11,500 for two nights with an escort, $3,947 at a strip club, $1,727 for a Lamborghini rental and $275 for dinner at Nobu.

He is also accused of failing to pay taxes on time for 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, and failing to file tax returns on time in 2017 and 2018. These six counts are misdemeanors.

Hunter Biden had all this money to spend on everything but his taxes, as prosecutors put it, thanks to lucrative deals in China, Ukraine, Romania and elsewhere. He earned more than $7 million between 2016 and 2020, working for foreign clients on energy consulting, lobbying, corporate advising and legal services, according to court filings.

Under last years plea deal that fell apart, Hunter Biden planned to plead guilty to two misdemeanors for failing to pay his 2017 and 2018 taxes when they were due. (He owed nearly $1.2 million, according to court filings.) After the deal collapsed, those two charges were included in the nine-count indictment that Hunter Biden is now facing.

What is Bidens defense?

Hunter Bidens defense team is led by Mark Geragos, the high-profile attorney who has represented celebrities including Michael Jackson, Chris Brown and Colin Kaepernick.

At a pretrial hearing last month, Geragos said Hunter Bidens addiction would be the centerpiece of the defense. His team wrote in court filings that Hunter Biden was severely addicted to alcohol and drugs when he fell behind on his taxes, but after he got sober, he took concrete steps to get his finances in order and paid all his debts.

Defense attorneys asked for permission to present evidence about Hunter Bidens belated $2 million payment to the IRS in 2021. But the judge refused, citing binding legal precedents that late tax payments arent a viable defense to these alleged crimes.

Evidence of late payment here is irrelevant to Mr. Bidens state of mind at the time he allegedly committed the charged crimes, US District Judge Mark Scarsi wrote.

Julian Andre, a former federal tax prosecutor who is a partner at the law firm McDermott Will & Emery, said this and other pretrial rulings likely hamper the defense strategy.

If you rob a liquor store, if you go back a year later, after the police started investigating the crime, and return what you stole, that doesnt change the fact that you robbed a liquor store, Andre said. Thats one of the arguments that the prosecutors made.

For a conviction, prosecutors must prove Hunter Biden willfully broke the law. They need to convince jurors he wasnt acting in good faith when preparing his allegedly fraudulent 2018 taxes and that he intentionally missed the other tax deadlines. Hunter Bidens lawyers say his addiction impaired his ability to act with the proper willfulness.

Willfulness is a step beyond intentional.  Its hard to argue you have a good-faith belief that you dont have to pay if theres an email telling you that you have to pay, Andre said, pointing to emails in the indictment between Hunter Biden and his accountants.

Who is the judge?

Ever since the case landed on his docket, Scarsi has taken a non-nonsense approach.

He has kept things moving, often issuing quick rulings after oral arguments on important matters like Hunter Bidens unsuccessful bid to dismiss the charges. He has done his homework  demonstrating his fluency with the convoluted history of the investigation.

In this courtroom sketch, Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, center, appears in front of judge Mark C. Scarsi, left, and alongside attorney Abbe Lowell, right, at federal court on January 11 in Los Angeles. - Bill Robles/AP

Former President Donald Trump appointed Scarsi during his final year in office, and Scarsi was confirmed by the Senate in a bipartisan vote in September 2020. Vice President Kamala Harris, who was a US senator from California at the time, did not vote.

Scarsi told senators he was a member of the Republican National Lawyers Association and the conservative Federalist Society. He was born in Syracuse, New York, and got his law degree from Georgetown University. Before becoming a judge, he had a 30-year career at Los Angeles law firms, where he specialized in intellectual property litigation.

Who are the witnesses?

The tax trial overlaps significantly with parts of Hunter Bidens recent gun trial, which featured testimony about his drug addiction from some of his past romantic partners.

Court filings indicate that prosecutors will present testimony from Hallie Biden  the widow of Hunter Bidens late brother Beau, who subsequently dated Hunter after Beau died in 2015. CNN also previously reported that Lunden Roberts, the mother of one of his children, who witnessed his crack cocaine abuse, has been subpoenaed to testify.

Prosecutors said they have roughly 30 witnesses lined up for trial. This includes a stripper that Hunter Biden allegedly paid, and an employee from a company called Streamray, a pornography website where he allegedly spent approximately $30,000.

Hunter Bidens former business partners could also testify, including some who were also interviewed in the House Republicans impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden. The tax case overlaps significantly with that GOP inquiry, delving into many of the same foreign deals. But prosecutors have never backed up Republicans unproven assertions that Joe Biden was in business with his son and abused his office to enrich his family.

Who is on the jury?

The jury pool hails from Los Angeles and six nearby counties. Taken together, these counties supported Joe Biden over Trump in 2020 by a landslide margin, 63% to 35%.

About 120 California residents have been summoned for jury service, the judge said.

They will be peppered with questions about their views on taxation, their participation in political activities, if any of their close family members struggled with addiction, and whether their views on the 2024 election hamper their ability to fairly judge this case.

The goal is to seat a jury of 12, plus four alternates. Their verdicts must be unanimous.

Could there be a pardon?

Looming over the entire trial is the possibility that Joe Biden will pardon his son. As president, Joe Biden could do that at any time or reduce his sentence if convicted.

Joe Biden has personally ruled out a pardon or commutation, and so have his White House advisers. But that was before he dropped out of the 2024 presidential race.

Shortly after Hunter Bidens gun conviction in June, Joe Biden said, Im not going to do anything. I said Id abide by the jury decision. I will do that. And I will not pardon him.

There arent public indications that Joe Bidens thinking has changed. But hes famously protective of his son, and presidents have pardoned family members before. Decisions are likely to happen between father and son, as the term wraps up, CNN reported.

If Hunter Biden is found guilty, I cant imagine his father will want him in prison, CNN presidential historian Douglas Brinkley said. He lost Beau to cancer. His other son going to prison would be a very inglorious way to end his presidency, filled with a lot of sorrow, pain and hurt. Most fathers would lean into the pardon, if they had that power.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
What to know about Israels major weeklong raid in the West Bank city of Jenin

For more than a week, hundreds of Israeli forces have carried out the deadliest operation in the occupied West Bank since the war in Gaza began. Their focus has been the Jenin refugee camp  a bastion of Palestinian militancy that has grown more fervent since the Hamas attack on Israel that launched the war.

The fighting in Jenin accounts for 18 of the 33 Palestinians health officials say have been killed, most of whom the military says have been militants. Israel says its soldiers are dug in for battle with Hamas and other groups, meaning the death toll is likely to rise.

Israeli military officials say the operation targeting militants in Jenin, Tulkarem and the Al-Faraa refugee camp is necessary to curb recent attacks against Israeli civilians they say have become more sophisticated and deadly. One Israeli soldier has been killed in the operation.

The Jenin raid has been devastating for Palestinian civilians, too. Water and electric service have been cut, families have been confined to their homes and ambulances evacuating the wounded have been slowed on their way to nearby hospitals, as Israeli soldiers search for militants.

Heres what we know about the raid on Jenin:

A troubled city in the West Bank

Jenin has long been a flashpoint in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

It was originally established to house Palestinians who fled or were forced from their homes during the war surrounding Israels creation in 1948. But over time the refugee camp morphed into a crowded, urban neighborhood that  like the rest of the West Bank  has been under Israeli military occupation since 1967.

In 2002, during the height of the second intifada, or uprising, Israeli forces flattened large sections of the impoverished city. The gunfighting that ensued killed 52 Palestinians and 23 Israeli soldiers, according to the United Nations.

In recent years, the Palestinian Authority, which administers urban pockets of the West Bank, has had a diminishing influence in Jenin. It is seen by many Jenin residents as a subcontractor of the occupation because it coordinates with Israel on security matters. On occasion, the authority's forces have clashed and exchanged fire with Palestinian militants.

The militant groups Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas operate freely across Jenin, and fight together in Gaza, too. Jenin's streets are regularly lined with posters depicting slain fighters as martyrs to the Palestinian struggle, while young men carrying walkie-talkies patrol the alleys.

Since war broke out on Oct. 7, Israeli forces have stepped up their raids on Jenin, often launching drone strikes on targets there. But until the most recent raid, most had only lasted several hours, or at most a few days.

Also since Oct. 7, there has been a surge of violence by settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, and an increase in the construction of settlements in the occupied territory.

More than 680 Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed since October, most by Israeli troops and some by settlers, according to local health officials. The Israeli army did not immediately respond to a query seeking the number of Israelis killed in the West Bank over the same period.

A longer Israeli raid, not a new strategy

In Jenin, armored vehicles have blocked entrances and exits, and bulldozers have plowed roads. Soldiers set up positions inside abandoned buildings, searched homes and traded fire with militants. Israeli forces surrounded hospitals, stopping ambulances carrying in waves of wounded to check if they were sheltering militants.

Israeli aims in Jenin are more modest than in Gaza, where it publicly pledged to wipe out Hamas military capabilities in the enclave for good through a months-long campaign

In the West Bank, Israel is not aiming to entirely wipe out the militant activity concentrated in several of the territorys refugee camps, said a military official who spoke on the condition of anonymity in line with military restrictions. Instead, the raids are intended to thwart pending attacks on Israeli civilians  such as an attempted bombing in Tel Aviv claimed by Hamas in August and a shooting of an Israeli civilian in the Palestinian town of Qalqilya in June.

The military official said the operation across the West Bank involves fewer soldiers than a major raid on the Jenin camp before the war that killed 12. But he could not say when the raid would end.

Some analysts are skeptical the latest raid in Jenin would have any dramatic long-term impact, in terms of making Israel less vulnerable to West Bank militancy.

The current escalation relies on intense efforts of Hamas and Iran and deep weakness of the PA  which are not going to be changed," said Michael Milshtein, a former Israeli army intelligence officer who is now an analyst of Palestinian affairs at Tel Aviv University. "Another operation is a matter of time.

Ambulances inspected and hospitals surrounded

Jenins residents have described scenes of destruction. They said some Israeli soldiers are moving from house to house, while others are digging up roads with armored bulldozers.

When asked, the army said its troops are clearing militant command centers scattered across the city and uprooting explosive devices buried underneath streets.

They cut off the water, they cut off the electricity, they cut off the internet. We are ready to live by candlelight, said Jenin resident Mohannad Hajj Hussein.

Oroba al-Shalabi said she fled her family home in the heart of Jenin last Saturday after being briefly detained by Israeli forces and separated from her male relatives.

"They (the Israeli soldiers ) locked us in a room at the beginning, and when we went out (of the room) the men were tied to the floor, she said. Soon after she was allowed to leave, but without her male family members.

The Israeli military official said there is no curfew in Jenin and that the army is allowing civilians to leave different areas of the city if they wish.

But many districts of the city remain near impossible to access, said Nebal Farsakh, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent, whose ambulances must coordinate with Israeli authorities before they can be dispatched. Over the past week, she said the humanitarian organization has received hundreds of calls from residents in Jenin asking for food, medications and baby formula.

People are trapped now in Jenin refugee camp.....were still getting dozens of calls, she said.
[Source]

South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in, 38, was sentenced to one year in prison on Tuesday for habitual drug use, including propofol abuse and illegal drug purchases. He was fined 2 million won (approximately $1,490) and detained immediately.

Yoo, whose real name is Um Hong-sik, was convicted of using propofol 181 times under the guise of medical procedures, buying over 1,100 sleeping pills illegally and smoking marijuana in the U.S. with four people, including 33-year-old acquaintance identified only as Choi. Yoo and Choi were also found guilty of charges related to evidence tampering and intimidating a YouTuber to leave Korea and change his statement. Choi received an eight-month sentence deferred for two years. In court, Yoo said, Whatever the [ruling] result may be, I will repay those who took care of me by becoming much healthier and more honest and by living my life as someone who can contribute to society.

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We recently published a list of 10 Best Alcohol Stocks To Own According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) stands against the other alcohol stocks.

There is a substantial amount of evidence that suggests that any alcohol consumption, however moderate, can have negative health consequences. Even low levels of drinking can increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and even certain types of cancer. Understanding that there is no such thing as risk-free drinking, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines moderate drinking as 2 drinks or less per day for men and no more than one drink per day for women. Still, despite the well-publicized health risks, more than two-thirds of adult drinkers regularly exceed those levels.

READ ALSO: 20 Largest Publicly Traded Liquor Companies in the US and 20 Best Wine Brands in the World.

The Global Alcohol Industry:

In 2019, the global alcohol consumption, measured in liters of pure alcohol per person of 15 years of age or older, was 5.5 liters, which is a 4.7% relative decrease from 5.7 liters in 2010. As we mentioned in our article  20 Countries with the Highest Alcohol Consumption per Capita in 2024  the global alcoholic beverages market size was valued at $1.62 trillion in 2021 and is projected to reach $2 trillion by 2031, with a CAGR of 2.2% during the forecast period.

The market is likely to be driven by the increasing global young-adult demographic, coupled with high disposable income and consumer demand for premium/super-premium products. Globally, beer drives the market for alcoholic beverages. Regionally, North America and Asia-Pacific are expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.

The American Liquor Market:

The American liquor industry is overcoming economic headwinds to meet changing consumer preferences as it chips away at the dominance of beer. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the spirits revenue market share grew from 28.7% in 2000 to 42.1% in 2022, while beer held a 41.9% market share that year. Thus, in 2022, the spirits industry surpassed beer in revenue for the first time ever. The trend continued in 2023 when the spirits market share again totaled more than 42%. The spirits supplier sales in the United States totaled $37.7 billion last year, while volumes rose 1.2% to 308.8 million 9-liter cases.

The rise to the top for spirit-makers is fueled in part by the resurgent cocktail culture, including the growing popularity of ready-to-drink concoctions, as well as strong growth in the tequila and American whiskey segments.

Story continues

The Financial Impact of Alcohol in America:

As stated in our article  20 Drunkest States in the US  booze plays an enormous role in the American economy. As of 2021, the total share of the beverage alcohol market in the U.S. represented almost $250 billion and over 3.4 billion cases sold. Beer/FMB/hard seltzer accounted for 43.5% of value share, followed closely by spirits at 39.5%, and wine at a 17% share.

The U.S. alcohol beverage industry is responsible for sustaining more than 4 million jobs and generating almost $70 billion in annual tax revenue. And that doesnt even scratch the surface of the economic benefits the industry provides to late-night restaurants and pizza shops. According to the Beer Institute, the beer industry alone supports 1.75 million jobs. From the farmers harvesting the barley in your beer, to the beer truck driver, to your local bartender, every aspect of your drink exists because of someone in the alcohol industry working hard behind the scenes.

However, theres obviously also a downside to the heavy alcohol consumption in America. According to the CDC, excessive drinking costs the country around $249 billion annually, when combining healthcare expenditures, lost earnings and productivity, criminal justice implications, vehicle crashes, property damage, and more. The federal government picks up roughly $100 billion of the tab, largely through Medicare and Medicaid payments. Several evidence-based strategies can help reduce excessive drinking, including increasing alcohol excise taxes, limiting alcohol outlet density, and commercial host liability.

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Is Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD) The Best Alcohol Stock To Own According to Hedge Funds?

A retail point showcasing the alcoholic and soft beverages of the company.

Anheuser-Busch InBev Sa/NV (NYSE:BUD)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31

Anheuser-Busch maintained its dominance as the Largest Beer Company in the World in 2023, with a global production volume of 585 million hectoliters and a revenue of $59.38 billion, an increase of over 2.7% from the previous year. This revenue increase was despite the company facing some headwinds in the American market last year after the recent controversy regarding its best-selling brand Bud Light, which resulted in the iconic brand losing its crown as the Top-Selling Beer in America after nearly two decades.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) witnessed a slight decrease in volume during the first half of 2024, as it fell by 0.7% to 285.8 million hectoliters. The companys volume growth in the Middle Americas, South America, Europe, and Africa regions was primarily offset by performance in Argentina and China. However, the Bud Light brewers revenue grew 2.7% to $29.9 billion but still fell short of analysts estimates. Meanwhile, normalized EBITDA beat Wall Street expectations and rose 7.8% to $10.3 billion.

Anheuser-Busch is a global company with a portfolio of over 500 brands and a strong presence in around 150 markets around the world. The company benefits from its ability to use its scale to expand globally and although its growth has recently remained flat in the US, the Budweiser maker is growing aggressively in countries like Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil.

Michael Doukeris, the CEO of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD), stated the following in the companys Q2 2024 earnings call transcript:

Our global momentum continued this quarter with revenue growth in more than 65% of our markets. Bottom line increases in four of our five operating regions and margin expansion in all five regions. Our scale and diverse geographic footprint has been driving consistent results and has us well placed to deliver superior long-term value creation.

Keeping up with the modern trends, AB InBev is also investing heavily in the non-alcoholic beer category, with its Bud Zero brand being one of the Most Popular Non-Alcoholic Beer Brands in the world. In fact, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) even managed to score a sponsorship for the recently held Olympic Games, making it the first beer company ever to sponsor the grand event. The IOC specifically highlighted Corona Cero  the non-alcoholic version of the global best-seller Corona  as the beer of choice for the partnership, which will stretch from the Paris 2024 Summer Games to the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games. Notably, the company has also partnered with brands such as Roland Garros, NBA, NFL, and even UFC to market its core beers, reflecting its broad marketing capabilities. AB InBev has set the ambitious goal of ensuring that low- or no-alcohol beer products make up at least 20% of its global beer volume by 2025.

Overall BUD ranks 5th on our list of the best alcohol stocks to own according to hedge funds. While we acknowledge the potential of BUD as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold great promise for delivering high returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than BUD 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.
Wednesdays Top Stories

Wednesdays Five Facts

[1] Muhammad Syed pleads no contest to two second-degree murder charges  Muhammad was arrested for a string of murders of Muslim men in Albuquerque in 2022. Earlier this year he was convicted in the killing Aftab Hussein. Tuesday, Syed pled no contest to the killings of Muhammad Afzaal Hussain and Naeem Hussain. Syed is expected to be sentenced sometime in the next two months. The 30-year sentence Syed agreed to in Tuesdays plea will be served at the same time as his sentence for the first killing. That case hasnt been sentenced yet but Syed faces life in prison.

[2] Governor talks human trafficking in Tuesday press conference  Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham was joined by federal, state, and local law enforcement officials at the State Capitol to announce the results of a major law enforcement operation. Sixteen law enforcement agencies participated in Operation Disruption, which focused on human trafficking. Border Patrol Agents say that during the 12-day operation, they saw a 90% reduction in deaths and were able to rescue three times the usual number of migrants in distress.

[3] Fewer storms & more 90-degree temperatures  While most of the region will still be mostly dry today, storms will be most likely in the San Juan Mountains and parts of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. More storms are more likely tomorrow and while conditions will dry out this weekend, temperatures will remain near to slightly above normal.

[4] Ordinance could get ABQ westside film studio project into motion  The Mesa Film Studios Project is set to be introduced for approval by the Albuquerque City Council. The studio is looking to build a new sound stage studio on 56 acres by Double Eagle II Airport. If approved, the studio would have six sound stages, a production office space, a backlot and a permanent blue screen. The studio has a price tag of $57 million. The state would provide $6 million for the project and the city would provide $1 million.

[5] Southbound I-25 ramp closed  Construction crews closed the loop ramp that connects westbound Montgomery to southbound I-25. Drivers traveling west on Montgomery will need to turn onto the frontage road to access the southbound lanes. To help accommodate the expected increase in traffic, crews will be adding another left turn lane.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The resignation of Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and a major government reshuffle was "expected long ago" ahead of a difficult few months for Ukraine, a senior lawmaker told the Kyiv Independent on Sept. 4.

"It is a big reshuffle. It was expected rather long ago," said Oleksandr Merezhko, Ukrainian MP and chair of the parliament's foreign affairs committee.

"Ahead of us are difficult times, a difficult autumn and winter. Perhaps this reshuffle is somehow related to the new period of challenges for Ukraine."

Speaker of Ukraine's parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk reported earlier on Sept. 4 that Kuleba had already submitted his letter of resignation.

The speaker added that Kuleba's potential resignation would be "considered at one of the upcoming plenary meetings" but did not provide a date.

The statement followed a number of other high-profile ministers submitting their letters of resignation the previous day  Strategic Industries Minister Alexander Kamyshin, Justice Minister Denys Maliuska, Ecology Minister Ruslan Strilets, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna, and Deputy Prime Minister and Reintegration Minister Iryna Vereshchuk.

Vitalii Koval, head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine (SPFU), also submitted his resignation nine months after being in office.

The reasons for the resignations were not specified. The news came after months of reports about the possible replacement of several Ukrainian ministers.

The reshuffle comes amid an uptick in Russian missile strikes on cities across Ukraine in recent weeks and a worsening energy crisis.

The largest-ever aerial strike against Ukraine so far took place on Aug. 26, with Russia firing over 230 missiles and drones and yet again targeting energy infrastructure, placing further strain on the country's energy grid as autumn and winter approach.

On Sept. 3, it was confirmed that the head of Ukraine's state grid operator Ukrenergo, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, was dismissed from his role on Sept. 2.

His dismissal came after days of speculation over his future at the company, with Ukrainian media reporting he was facing the axe on grounds of failing to safeguard energy facilities amid intensified Russian attacks.

The last few days have been particularly deadly in Ukraine, with Russia launching devastating missile strikes three days in a row.

At least seven civilians were killed and 47 were wounded in Lviv in the early hours of Sept. 4. Children were among the casualties, Lviv Oblast Governor Maksym Kozytskyi and Mayor Andrii Sadovyi reported.

Russian forces launched two ballistic missiles against the city of Poltava on Sept. 3, killing at least 53 and injuring almost 300 people.

The Military Institute of Communications and a neighboring medical facility were hit in the attack. The building of the educational institution was partially destroyed, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In the early hours of the morning on Sept. 2, several waves of explosions were heard in Kyiv when air defenses intercepted cruise and ballistic missiles in yet another attack on the capital. Three people were injured.

Read also: Ukraines deep drone strikes aim to break Russias war machine, sow discontent

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his forces have no immediate plans to leave Russias Kursk Oblast, which they entered in a surprise attack on Aug. 6. The roughly 500 square miles Ukraine claims to have seized so far is a bargaining chip, he told NBC News in an exclusive interview.

Our operation is aimed to restore our territorial integrity, Zelensky said in his first one-on-one interview since the Kursk incursion began. We capture Russian troops to replace them with the Ukrainians. The same attitude is to the territories. We dont need their land.

Thats something we posited shortly after the operation was launched that might be a major goal.

I get asked multiple times a day why Ukraine decided to invade when the situation on the front is precarious in places.



Beyond the obvious of Russia diverting resources from the front and the horrible domestic optics for Putin, bargaining chip has flashed brightest in my mind.  Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) August 14, 2024

Zelensky said the move was spurred by Ukrainian intelligence reports that Russia was looking to set up a buffer zone along the border.

We had to make the military operations so that the buffer zone was made not by them, but by us, he said.

Confirming what the Pentagon told us on Aug. 7, Zelensky said he didnt inform Washington about his plans before they were activated.

No, we didnt inform anybody. And this is not the question of distrust, Zelensky explained, adding that Kyivs counteroffensive last summer failed in many ways because of how much it was advertised and talked about, which gave Russians a chance to prepare. Thats a sentiment a high-ranking retired Ukrainian officer shared with us Aug. 14.

This time, even Ukrainian intelligence services did not know, said the Ukrainian president.

I shrunk to the maximum the circle of people who knew about this operation, Zelensky said. I think it was one of the reasons why it was successful.

The U.S., which has provided Ukraine with tens of billions of dollars in military aid, now supports the Kursk operation, Zelensky suggested.

Our partners do know that we have a full right for that because we were protecting ourselves, he said.

Zelensky declined to say if Ukraine would try to seize more territory.

Im sorry, I cant speak about it, he told Engel. Its like the beginning of our Kursk operation. I think that the success is very close to surprise.

Tonight, in an exclusive interview, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy tells @RichardEngel why he kept his plan to attack Russia secret from the U.S., and what he plans next. The interview took place on the day of one of the deadliest Russian missile strikes since the war began. pic.twitter.com/7HaPACSbnj  NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) September 3, 2024

The invasion helped boost flagging morale and proved Russia vulnerable on its home turf. However, Kyiv runs the danger of this becoming a grinding offensive that will only add pressure to withdraw as Russia continues to advance in the east.

Thats one of the key takeaways from a recent analysis by Michael Kofman (@KofmanMichael), a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Rob Lee (@RALee85), a Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute.

If Russia contains the offensive and focuses on weakening Ukrainian forces with aviation, drones, and only a minimal commitment of troops, then this gambit may not pay off for Kyiv, the two noted in a piece for Foreign Affairs.

Ukraines strategy does not yet appear fully formed, they argued. The countrys military is working out logistics, communications issues, and other necessities for sustaining this salient. It will have to establish a defensible set of positions and a broader but shallower buffer inside Russia.

The Kursk advances are likely designed to secure these objectives; the strikes on bridges, for example, are supposed to further isolate Russian forces along the border, according to Kofman and Lee.

At some point, Kyiv will have to choose whether to hold what it has or to invest more scarce resources into the operation in an effort to force a much larger Russian effort to counter it.

This is a large gamble.

The best-case scenario is that Ukrainian forces will hold Russia to relatively minor gains in Donetsk and retain Kursk with a sustainable force commitment, they stated. The offensive could also lead to changes in Western policy on the use of long-range strike weapons and infuse much-needed energy into the Wests thinking on the way forward at this point in the war. The worst-case scenario is that, months from now, Ukraine will have lost significant tracts of land in its east and retained no territory in Kursk that it can use as a bargaining chip. The deeper Ukraine advances into Russia, the greater the risk of overextension.



Very good overview of Ukraine's Kursk operation, risks vs rewards, current battlefield dynamics, and current strategy (or lack thereof), by @KofmanMichael & @RALee85. Some key parts that stuck out to me in screenshots below. https://t.co/yl3YfNRubm pic.twitter.com/28cj0n7Epo  Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) September 2, 2024

Meanwhile, a Russian parliamentarian offered a blistering take on the Kursk incursion, saying that it is worse than Russia is letting on.

Kurchatov is closed, he said, referring to the home of the Kerch Nuclear Power Plant. That is, a special siege regime is imposed there. Do you remember 1941? Moscow under siege. That is the analogy, only milder.

The fighting, he added, is moving toward KurchatovAnd this special regime doesnt protect us from drones, from shelling, from missiles. It protects against sabotage reconnaissance groups. So this means that sabotage reconnaissance groups are expected in the city of Kurchatov at the very least.

A Russian MP doesn't believe official Russian reports about the situation in Kursk region. He thinks the situation is much worse:

"But if there's no offensive, why evacuate the villages? This means that the fighting is moving towards Kurchatov. This means that the enemy troops pic.twitter.com/SppKPymSVY  Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) September 3, 2024

Russia too is making a wager, that it can temporarily allow more risk of loss of land in its own territory to grab more land in Ukraine. As we have previously reported, if Russia captures the key logistics hub of Pokrovsk, it could lead to wider losses for Ukraine in the east, forcing Zelensky to reassess his Kursk initiative. So far, Russian President Vladimir Putin has withstood criticism that hundreds of square miles of his country are in Ukrainian hands.

The coming weeks will give us a better sense of who placed the better bet.

The Latest

Elsewhere on the battlefield, Russia continues to press toward Pokrovsk, though it appears the pace of the advance has slowed.

Russian forces recently advanced southeast of Pokrovsk amid continued offensive operations east and southeast of the town on September 3, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in its latest assessment. Geolocated footage published on September 3 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced into southwestern Halytsynivka (southeast of Pokrovsk), and ISW assesses that Russian forces have likely seized the settlement.

Russia advanced across 184 square miles of Ukrainian territory in August last month alone, according to the Kyiv Post. It was Moscows biggest monthly increase since October 2022, the publication explained.

NEW: Russian forces struck civilian infrastructure and a military educational facility in Poltava City with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, killing and wounding a significant number of people, as part of a wider strike series on the night of September 2 to 3. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/iQfliaq2l1  Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) September 4, 2024

In addition to looming territorial losses, as Russia pushes closer to Pokrovsk, Ukraine also faces a serious hit to its coal production, a key resource powering its defense industry.

Officials say 30,000 people remain, and several hundred leave each day, The Wall Street Journal reported. 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 Just over half of the mines 8,000 employees remain in Pokrovsk

"Officials say 30,000 people remain, and several hundred leave each day



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 pic.twitter.com/XE47oUObBH  Rob Lee (@RALee85) September 2, 2024

Russia continues to pay a heavy price for its advances in the east. The video below shows a Ukrainian MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter dropping a salvo of four U.S.-made GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs) on a Russian position somewhere in the east.

Eastern Ukraine, a Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 Fulcrum drops a salvo of four US-supplied GBU-39 SDB glide bombs on a Russian-held complex, leveling the area. pic.twitter.com/5l9mC1s8pY  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) September 1, 2024

At least 50 people were killed and another 180 injured after a Russian missile strike on the city of Poltava, about 25 miles from the border, according to Ukrainian authorities.

According to the information available now, two ballistic missiles hit the territory of an educational institution and a neighboring hospital, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address. One of the buildings of the communications institute was partially destroyed. People were trapped under the rubble. Many were rescued.

The Russian scum will undoubtedly be held accountable for this strike, he added. And once again, we urge everyone in the world who has the power to stop this terror: air defense systems and missiles are needed in Ukraine, not in a warehouse somewhere. Long-range strikes that can defend against Russian terror are needed now, not sometime later. Every day of delay, unfortunately, means more lives lost. Eternal memory to all whose lives have been taken by Russia!

According to available information, the Russians used two Iskander missiles, Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, said on Telegram.

Ukrainian news outlets said that those who died were cadets of the Poltava Institute of Military Communications, The New York Times reported.

It would not be the first time that Russia attacked Ukrainian troop concentrations, the publication noted. Last fall, a Russian missile struck a medal ceremony for artillery troops in the Zaporizhzhia region, killing 19 soldiers in an episode that stirred criticism of the military and civilian leadership.

Horrific scenes in Poltava as Russians have just hit the Poltava Institute of Communications with 2 ballistic missiles.



41 dead, 180 wounded, rescue efforts ongoing. pic.twitter.com/NR3wN1QH2K  KyivPost (@KyivPost) September 3, 2024

Russian channels that support aggression are the first to publish photos and videos of the consequences of rocket strikes on Poltava  how is that possible pic.twitter.com/0QIDKIHbfn    | (@tweet4Anna_NAFO) September 3, 2024

Russia used 48N6DM missiles from one of its S-400 air defense systems in a surface-to-surface mode to strike Kyiv on Sept. 2, the Ukrainian Defense Express news outlet reported.

The outlet published a photo of the fragments of one of those missiles claiming it was from a 48N6DM missile.

A photo of a claimed 48N6DM missile fragment found in Kyiv on Sept. 2, published by the Ukrainian Defense Express media outlet. (Defense Express)

The particular danger of the 48N6DM missiles from the S-400 is their extremely low accuracy when used in surface-to-surface mode, which primarily threatens civilian infrastructure and residents, the publication reported.

In July 2022 we reported that Russia began using S-300 air defense missiles to attack ground targets, which you can read more about here.

russia Used 48N6DM from S-400 in Kyiv Strike on September 2, Ukrainian Air Defense Successfully Intercepted Ithttps://t.co/BG7uyqW5t5 pic.twitter.com/bZyuUWpheT  DEFENSE EXPRESS (@DEFENSEEXPRESS) September 2, 2024

Russia will soon receive a new tranche of ballistic missiles from Iran, Bloomberg reported.

The move could escalate the war in Ukraine and prompt a swift response from Kyivs allies, according to Bloombergs anonymous sources.

Iran has also provided Russia with thousands of drones and the two countries signed a licensing deal allowing Russia to produce them domestically. The Russian government has reportedly paid for those drones, at least in part, in gold. The regime in Tehran has also been working to acquire advanced Russian weapon systems, including Su-35 Flanker-E fighters, as part of exchanges in kind.

Iran may transfer ballistic missiles to Russia within the next few days, according to Bloomberg. The specific quantity and type of missiles are not mentioned. The US and allies have repeatedly warned Tehran against shipments. https://t.co/Be03qqq2fw  NOELREPORTS (@NOELreports) September 2, 2024

Several missiles that hit Ukraine recently were provided to Russia by North Korea, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dymytro Kuleba.

Russia launched a barrage of 35 missiles and 23 drones into Ukraine early [Sept. 2,], while people were sleeping, Kuleba said on Twitter. Fortunately, Ukraines air defense saved lives, but civilian infrastructure was damaged. Some of the ballistic missiles fired at Ukrainian civilians this morning were KN-23 [short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs)] from North Korea. The regimes in Pyongyang and Moscow have no restrictions on long-range strikes against any place in Ukraine. However, in defending itself against these two barbaric war machines, Ukraine is forced to fight with hands tied behind its back. Isnt this absurd?

Kuleba joined the chorus of Ukrainian officials calling for the U.S. to allow the use of donated long-range weapons on Russian soil.

It is past time for Ukraines partners to abandon baseless fears and lift restrictions on the countrys legitimate right to self-defense under the UN Charter, which includes the right to strike any legitimate military targets on Russian territory, he said.

North Korea has already been providing artillery shells and missiles to Russia. There are growing concerns that Russian expertise might be used to help with the further development of Pyongyangs ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons  as well as other weapons and technologies. The two nations even raised the possibility of Pyongyang sending troops to help Russia in Ukraine.

This night, Ukrainian school-age children and their parents slept peacefully at home before the start of the school year.



Russia launched a barrage of 35 missiles and 23 drones into Ukraine early this morning, while people were sleeping. Fortunately, Ukraine's air defense saved  Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) September 2, 2024

A new video emerged on social media of Ukraines drones dropping what appears to be thermite on Russian positions in a treeline. Previously used in grenades, thermite is a combination of oxidized iron and aluminum that burns at about 4,440 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Ukrainian Militarnyi news outlet.

The eerie video shows the drone slowly passing over the treeline like some flaming apparition, showers of sparks descending on whatever lies below. During the spring and summer months, both sides use these often thick rows of vegetation to hide. The drone in this video burns a path along one of those areas. Its an alternative to pounding it with artillery, which has a cost in both shells and the barrels that fire them.

Another Ukrainian drone flies over Russian position and burns it out. pic.twitter.com/OU8FgzvyfR  MAKS 24 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) September 3, 2024

The first recorded use of these new drones appeared on social media Monday, posted by the Ukrainian 108th Territorial Defense Brigade. They used an FPV drone to drop the incendiary substance on a Russian position in a Zaporizhhiza treeline. This video is even more vivid, showing the treeline erupting into flames after the drone passes slowly overhead.

Russia will change its nuclear doctrine based on the analysis of the latest conflicts and the Wests actions in response to its full-on invasion of Ukraine, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told the official Russian TASS news outlet.

As we have repeatedly said before, the work is in the advanced stage, and there is a clear intent to introduce a correction [to the nuclear doctrine], caused, among other things, by the examination and analysis of the development of recent conflicts, including, of course, everything connected to our Western adversaries escalation course in regards to the special military operation, Ryabkov said.

He added that the corresponding document is being finalized, but it is too early to discuss a specific deadline.

The timeframe for its completion is a rather complicated issue, considering that we are talking about the most important aspect of our national security, Ryabkov noted.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has frequently raised the specter of nuclear weapons use in the wake of his invasion.

Putin said earlier that the Russian nuclear doctrine is a live document, which could be amended if necessary, according to TASS. Meanwhile, the Russian leader underscored that Moscow assumes that a nuclear exchange will never happen.

This is an alarming announcement by Russia. As I reported in March, Russia came alarmingly close to using a nuclear weapon in Ukraine in 2022, and already has a lower threshold for nuclear use than the U.S.:



Russia is adjusting its protocols for nuclear weapon use in light of  Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) September 2, 2024

Ukraine used its new long-range jet-powered Palianytsia drone against a military target Crimea for the first time last month, Ukrainian Pravda reported.

The publication could not say where that attack took place or provide any battle damage assessments.

AFU used the Ukrainian long-range missile-drone "Paliyanytsia" for the first time against a military target in the temporarily occupied Crimea. It was a complex operation and the target was successfully hit,  UP pic.twitter.com/0wYMDgDs4Q  MAKS 24 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) September 2, 2024

Zelensky said that while his nation is producing its own long-range drones and developing a missile program, more money is needed to invest in these programs.

We have begun to produce our long-range drones and work on the missile program, and it is also effective, he said, according to Ukrinform. We need to invest in our production. The state does not have enough money for mass production. We are already producing a very large number of long-range drones, but in order to stay ahead of Russia, we need more, faster.

Ukraine lacks funds for mass production of long-range weapons  Zelenskyi



"We started to produce our long-range drones, we also started working on a missile program, which is effective. But today we need money to invest in our production. We are working to ensure that we can pic.twitter.com/hmiTLr88NO  MilitaryNewsUA (@front_ukrainian) September 2, 2024

Poland and other countries bordering Ukraine have a duty to shoot down incoming Russian missiles before they enter their airspace despite the opposition of NATO, the nations foreign minister told the Financial Times.

Warsaw has an obligation to ensure the safety of its citizens, regardless of fears that shooting Russian missiles down over Ukraine could drag NATO into the war, said Radosaw Sikorski.

Membership in NATO does not trump each countrys responsibility for the protection of its own airspace  its our own constitutional duty, Sikorski said. Im 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.

Poland has right to shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski says.



"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 pic.twitter.com/tZdNyucFhV  Clash Report (@clashreport) September 3, 2024

Romanias lower house of parliament approved a draft law on Tuesday greenlighting the donation of a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine, Reuters reported.

NATO member Romania shares a roughly 400-mile border with Ukraine. Russian drone fragments frequently stray into its territory as Moscow attacks Ukrainian ports just across the Danube River.

The government sent the law to parliament for approval on Monday, Reuters noted.

Earlier today, Romania's parliament approved the donation of one of its two operational PATRIOT SAM systems to Ukraine.



The PATRIOT donation now heads to the desk of President Klaus Iohannis for final approval. pic.twitter.com/ryFul5BfJo  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) September 3, 2024

Ukrainian State Emergency workers recovered parts of Russian Kinzhal and Kh-101 missiles in Lviv Oblast.

After the most massive shelling of the territory of Ukraine, they were removed by sappers of the 2nd Special Rapid Response Center of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Lviv region, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (DSNS) said on Telegram. Quick and professional actions of the State Emergency Service specialists prevented further destruction and possible casualties among the civilian population.

DSNS issued a warning to residents, telling them not to approach suspicious items or try to remove or disassemble them.

The warhead of the Kinzhal missile found in the Lviv region after one of the last Russian missile attacks on Ukraine.https://t.co/SdWN1YbqYE pic.twitter.com/5h3kJRC2c2  Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) September 1, 2024

Operations at the Gazpromneft refinery at Kapotnya in Moscow Oblast have been suspended in the wake of a Ukrainian drone attack on Sept. 1, Reuters reported. The suspension affects the combined refining unit Euro+, which includes crude distillation unit CDU-6.

The plant may resume oil processing after repairs in some five to six days, Reuters added, citing sources.

The Moscow refinery in the southeast of the Russian capital was hit as part of a massive drone attack across Russia.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin initially claimed on Telegram that a downed drone damaged a separate technical room of the oil refinery as a result of its fall. The local fire is currently being extinguished.

He later updated the information, saying the fire at the Moscow Oil Refinery has been localized. There is no threat to people or the operation of the plant.

You can see videos of the drone striking the plant below.

Video from earlier this morning of a "mysterious" UAV arriving at the Gazpromneft oil refinery in #Kapotnya, #Moscow Oblast, Russia, which is located about 10-miles southeast of the #Kremlin.



Geolocation: 55.646666, 37.805246 pic.twitter.com/q7TgEt3qmf  OSINT (Uri Kikaski) (@UKikaski) September 1, 2024

A Moscow refinery shut down about half of its capacity after a drone attack,  Reuters



The GazpromNeft plant, which provides every third liter of gasoline sold in Moscow and is the largest supplier of kerosene for the capital's airports, was forced to stop the Euro combined pic.twitter.com/JdDvbmKdtO    | (@tweet4Anna_NAFO) September 3, 2024

The Konakovo Power Station in Tver, Russia, was also hit in that attack. The videos below show the moment of impact on the power station and its aftermath. The plant is located about 320 miles from the Ukrainian border and about 100 miles northwest of Moscow.

Newly released footage captures the exact moment a Ukrainian drone struck the Konakovo Power Station, located in #Russia's Tver region, approximately 150 kilometers northwest of #Moscow. pic.twitter.com/ZDhLSvjvQB  NEXTA (@nexta_tv) September 1, 2024

An overnight Ukrainian drone strike successfully hit the Konakovo Power Station in Tver Oblast, Russia. The facility, which is just north of Moscow, is now burning heavily. pic.twitter.com/cDs298HTZ9  Jimmy Rushton (@JimmySecUK) September 1, 2024

There were also claims that the nearby Migalovo airfield was attacked. However, it is unclear what, if any damage, was inflicted. Migalovo is home to the Russian 12th Military Transport Aviation Division, which flies Ilyushin Il-76MD Candid airlifters among other aircraft.

Russia claims that Migalovo air base in the Tver region was allegedly attacked by Ukrainian drones late on the evening of September 2. It is not clear if the air base was damaged or the drones were downed. Neither the Ukrainian nor Russian sides have officially commented on the pic.twitter.com/JD3ZIe000b  Hromadske Int. (@Hromadske) September 3, 2024

The refineries and air base were hit in the biggest Ukrainian drone attack since Russias full-scale invasion. The Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) claimed on Telegram that it downed 158 Ukrainian drones, including nine over the Moscow area. Ukrainian officials have yet to comment.

158 Ukrainian UAVs attacked 15 regions of the russian Federation, including Moscow, this night.



As mentioned before, two GRES were affected  one in the Tver region and one in the Moscow region. And also refineries in Moscow. pic.twitter.com/ch0HyhBoSE  Jurgen Nauditt (@jurgen_nauditt) September 1, 2024

The attack on Kapotnya in particular highlighted Russias air defense woes, according to University of Oslo doctoral research fellow Fabian Hoffman.

Keep in mind that Moscow is protected by a ring of 22 S-300/S-400 air defense sites, most of which should cover the refinery, Hoffman posited on Twitter. Additionally, there are at least 9 recently redeployed Pantsir S1/S2 systems that should have been able to protect against this type of drone attack. The inability of Russias air and missile defense systems to protect against relatively crude long-range one-way drone attacks is surprising. While the S-300/S-400 have demonstrated utility in Ukraine, they appear to consistently underperform in territorial point defense.

Keep in mind that Moscow is protected by a ring of 22 S-300/S-400 air defense sites, most of which should cover the refinery.



Additionally, there are at least 9 recently redeployed Pantsir S1/S2 systems that should have been able to protect against this type of drone attack



1/2 https://t.co/SLL5SwLxFd pic.twitter.com/tnVZ6CfJLD  Fabian Hoffmann (@FRHoffmann1) September 1, 2024

Several Russian troops trying to advance around homes in an unidentified village were killed after being spotted by Ukrainian drones belonging to the National Guards 3rd Operational Brigade (Spartans). The Russians were killed by first-person view (FPV) drones and artillery fire, according to the brigades Telegram channel.

Large group of Russian militants discovered and destroyed by the National Guard's Spartan Brigade.https://t.co/bzrXi5jQSw pic.twitter.com/knA7CVsbyg  WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) September 3, 2024

An analysis of a Russian Kh-69 cruise missile downed by Ukrainian air defenses shows that the weapon contains two electro-optical (EO) guidance sensors, according to a Telegram channel purporting to be run by a Ukrainian military officer.

One is a Digital Scene Mapping and Correlation (DSMAC) sensor that has three lenses and is directed downward at a 90-degree angle, according to the Colonel of the General Staff Telegram channel. Thats designed to navigate the munition to the target using terrain images. The second is a terminal seeker, directed at an angle of 45 degrees and downward. Its intended for the terminal phase of the attack, matching a pre-inputted image with that of the target to guide it to its final destination.

This makes the weapon essentially impervious to electronic warfare. You can read more about how this works here.

Instead, it is necessary to consider the options for setting obstacles to the Kh-69, including smoke, aerosols, lasers, searchlights, and reflective surfaces.

Recovered wreckage indicates Kh-69 has received a terminal seeker (1) in addition to its Digital Scene Mapping Area Correlation sensor (2).



While Kh-59MK2 mockups featured an infrared terminal seeker, it was removed on Kh-69 mockups and initial production articles.



in pic.twitter.com/O1ylhTeVml  John Ridge (@John_A_Ridge) September 2, 2024

On Aug. 30, Ukrainian air defenses downed a new kind of Russian jet-powered drone that was reportedly used to overwhelm the system. The drone was found without a warhead, optics or other reconnaissance equipment, which essentially turns it into a cheap flying dummy equipped with a jet engine, the Unian news outlet reported on Telegram. According to the military, this new jet UAV was probably used to overload our air defenses as a false target.

The Ukrainian Obosrevatel news outlet said the drone was poorly constructed.

The level of manufacturing of the drone corresponds to the aviation model circle,' the outlet said on Telegram. The control surfaces are attached with door hinges, some rivets are missing, reinforced tape is used to fix the wire laid along the wing.

Ukrainian troops down mysterious Russian jet-powered dronehttps://t.co/4ZYYB3lSuN  Defence Blog (@Defence_blog) September 1, 2024

Russian troops are seen in this video below building a log-covered enclosure to protect a T-72 tank from Ukraines Baba Yaga night bomber drones.

Russian soldiers building a covered position with logs to protect a T-72 tank in Luhansk from night bomber UAVs / baba yaga.https://t.co/pjhXcelAbl https://t.co/YuSH4qqJi1 pic.twitter.com/55whGlENk3  Rob Lee (@RALee85) September 1, 2024

The man in charge of overseeing Ukrainian domestic weapons production was among three ministers who submitted resignations Tuesday.

Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin wrote on Telegram that he was leaving the government, but would still work in the defense industry.

Kamyshin, 40, was appointed in March 2023 and has spearheaded Ukraines effort to ramp up defense production of everything from attack drones to long-range missiles as Kyivs forces battle Russia, according to Reuters. In the year after the Kremlins full-scale invasion in February 2022, he carved out an image as an effective wartime manager running the national railways, a vital logistics artery for both civilians and the military.

In addition, Justice Minister Denys Maliuska and Environment Minister Ruslan Strilets also submitted resignations, Reuters noted.

'Ukraine arms chief, two ministers resign in government shake-up' https://t.co/PiVtrEi9vf  Hans de Vreij (@hdevreij) September 3, 2024

The resignations are part of one of the biggest government shakeups during Zelenskys time in office.

A brief summary for those asking about all the resignation letters and dismissals in Ukraines government and presidential office today: One of the biggest government reshuffles in Zelenskys tenure and since the start of the Russian full-scale invasion is underway. Some people https://t.co/4igKgw2wLc  Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) September 3, 2024

Croatia donated another DOK-ING MV-4 robotic demining system. Potentially these can cover 4,000-5,000 square meters of territory per day.

Ukraine has received a robotic demining system DOK-ING MV-4, as a generous gift from Croatia. pic.twitter.com/ISB0hk3SzI  MilitaryNewsUA (@front_ukrainian) September 1, 2024

And finally, in an opinion piece for The Washington Post, journalist and policy analyst Anna Husarska called for the Biden administration to allow Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia with long-range donated weapons like Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missiles.

Husarska wrote about her trips to supply Ukrainian forces and the tremendous toll the war is taking. She noted a large increase in the number of troop graves.

In Kharkiv, I drove to the cemetery and filmed some footage, she explained. There seem to be twice as many graves of killed soldiers as I saw there exactly a year ago. I started reading the names, dates of birth and death, calculating ages, looking at the faces  but it was too much.

I wish someone in the Biden administration would look at my video and ask themselves, How many more graves will there be next year if we keep Ukraine from fighting back?

The piece was accompanied by a video she took of the Municipal Cemetary Number 17 in Kharkiv, which you can see below.

Polish journalist Anna Husarska visited Municipal Cemetery Number 17 in Kharkiv, Ukraine.



Husarska observed a dramatic increase in the number of soldier graves compared to her visit a year earlier.



She states:



"There seem to be twice as many graves of killed soldiers as I pic.twitter.com/LHtsYQ0SBp  Clash Report (@clashreport) September 3, 2024

Thats it for now.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Wednesday, KXAN is launching its first episode of Inside Austins Agenda  a KXAN Live show and podcast  with guest Council Member Ryan Alter.

Every other week, KXAN will interview local news makers to give you an idea of whats happening behind the scenes in local government  and the impacts these leaders have on your daily life.

Well get Alters reaction to a lawsuit that forced the city of Austin to remove charter amendments from your November ballot. Well also talk about the recently passed budget and city councils return to the dais after summer break.

The full episode will be posted in this article after air and you can also find it on KXANs YouTube 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 KXAN Austin.
GHENT, WV (WVNS)  How much do you know about female spies?

What about female spies of the American Civil War? Figures like Rose ONeal Greenhow and Elizabeth Van Lew often come to mind when this topic is brought up, but did you know that the Mountain State (or at least what would become part of the Mountain State) lays claim to a prominent Confederate female spy?

Maria Isabelle Belle Boyd, born in Martinsburg, Virginia (Now West Virginia) on May 9, 1844, was a bit of a firecracker in terms of personality, according to records. Even prior to her first formal act of espionage, she courted controversy after she shot and killed a Union soldier in her family home, records stated.

On July 4, 1861, Federal troops, drunk and causing trouble, decided to storm the Boyd home and attempt to remove any rebel flags that may have been on the property and raise a Union flag as a sign of submission. When Belles mother began to protest, the soldiers insulted her, sparking a fury within 17-year-old Belle. Outraged, she picked up a pistol and fired upon the men, hitting and killing one member of the group. The American Battlefield Trust writes that her initial thoughts on the clash with the soldier were as follows:

Civil War and West Virginia: Who is considered the first Union casualty?

[He] addressed my mother and myself in language as offensive as it is possible to conceive. I could stand it no longer we ladies were obliged to go armed in order to protect ourselves as best we might from insult and outrage. Belle Boyd

According to The American Battlefield Trust, from then on, she began to involve herself heavily in espionage activities in support of the Confederacy. According to Larry Eggleston, author of Women in the Civil War, Boyd began sewing [messages] into the soles of shoes, packing them inside loaves of bread, in hollowed-out fruit and the heads of dolls, and writing them on eggs which could only be read by holding them up to a coal oil lamp.

Records showed that she played a pivotal role in the Battle of Front Royal, providing information to General Thomas Stonewall Jackson that allowed them to take Front Royal with ease, which in turn led Jackson to let down his guard and trust her. According to Eggleston, his response after the battle was I thank you, for myself and for the army, for the immense service that you rendered your community today. Hastily, I am your friend, T.J. Jackson, C.S.A.

Belle couldnt avoid capture forever, unlike some of her peers undertaking espionage in the period. She was imprisoned for a month in July of 1862, released in August, and forbidden to return to Union territory. According to The American Battlefield Trust, Eggleston noted that almost a year later, in June 1863, she was arrested for being within Union lines visiting her sick mother in Martinsburg, now part of West Virginia. In July, Boyd was placed under arrest and was not released until December.

Join the Greenbrier Historical Society in marking the 250th anniversary of Camp Union

La Belle Rebelle was no stranger to violating the rules at this point. At the age of 20 in 1864, she set out on a mission for Jefferson Davis. The plan was for her to use the $500 supplied to her by Confederate President Davis to sail to England and make connections with Confederate contacts. This would, yet again, not be successful. The ship was captured by Union forces and brought back to Fortress Monroe.

After her arrest and being sent to Boston, she was banished from the United States, forced to go to Canada. If she came back, the penalty would have been death. Eggleston states that although she destroyed the messages prior to her arrest, she committed them to memory and relayed them to the English connections after her departure from Canada.

At the end of the war, Belle released her book, Belle Boyd in Camp and Prison in 1865. She declared with pride that she was Cleopatra of the Secession, but she was hailed by others in England and America as The Rebel Joan of Arc and the Siren of the Shenandoah, nicknames that are still commonly associated with her.

Belle passed away in 1900 at the age of 66 in Wisconsin. Her determination and bravery by participating in the war is often awe-inspiring to some, as women were not afforded many avenues of political participation in the nineteenth century. Belle Boyd certainly left behind an incredible legacy that deserves remembrance, regardless of political ideology.

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Labor Day warrior from Oklahoma History: The life and times of Kate Barnard

Labor Day warrior from Oklahoma History: The life and times of Kate Barnard

PONCA CITY, Okla. (KFOR)  The Pioneer Woman Museum tells the stories of all kinds of brave people who came here to scour out lives for their families, but the building reserves special honors for a few women who helped build for the rest of us as well.

This is the perfect place to talk about the life of Kate Barnard, author Connie Cronley tells her audience.

GREAT STATE: OKCs Hope Lodge celebrates its first year fully booked

Cronley, who wrote A Life on Fire: Oklahomas Kate Barnard has given talks on her biography before, but never here and never on a Labor Day weekend, the date wholly appropriate for the states first Commissioner of Charities and Corrections.

Cronley explains, She was mandated to inspect, and make recommendations for all of the states hospitals, orphanages, foundling homes, prisons, and mental institutions.

She helped the 1st Oklahoma Legislature write the state Constitution. Elected by huge margins a generation before women could even vote.

She was very good at wriggling herself into positions of influence., Cronley chuckles.

Commissioner Barnard had a talent for tireless work and fiery oratory.

She is famous for saying, How can women wear diamonds when babies cry for bread?'

Barnard championed public education, juvenile justice, mental health, prison reform, and organized labor without much care for diplomacy.

Every time she accomplished something, Cronley says, she left a trail of enemies behind her.

Her championing of Native American orphans robbed of their allotments and mineral rights ran against powerful, moneyed interests.

The 4th Oklahoma Legislature, meeting at the Huckins Hotel in 1911, defunded her agency.

Barnard left office in 1915, her already fragile health broken, much of her work incomplete ot this day.

I think she worked herself to death, and I think it broke her heart.

State officials and lawmakers must still file past her likeness at the Capitol. If she were alive, Cronley insists she wouldnt ever be caught sitting down.

GREAT STATE: Re-Opening the Dairy Sweet, new owners restore an old diner in Covington

Her compassion burned like a flame, says Cronley.

Her legacy forms the foundation of the work still done in legislative chamber that exist on the floors above of her bronze sculpture.

Her lifes work still echoes to every corner.

She is the good angel of Oklahoma.

Cronleys book is available through the OU Press here.

For more information on the life of Kate Barnard, go to okhistory.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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Its time to call out the greatest lie in British politics: the claim that the Left is more moral than the Right. This sanctimonious humbug goes to the heart of how the Labour Government sees itself, and drives its insufferable messiah complex. Self-styled progressives consider themselves to be better people: they care, they are compassionate, they are kind, they believe in social justice, trade union powers, anti-racism, altruism, equity and saving the planet  unlike the selfish, demagogic, reactionary, hateful, imperialistic, capitalist, corrupt barbarians on the Right.

This ludicrous caricature is the product of a toxic psychological conceit. The truth is that Labour in 2024 is the new nasty party, obsessed with divide and rule. Far from occupying the moral high ground, it fights dirty. It specialises in pitting one group against another, in buying votes and paying off potential supporters, and is supremely skilled at dressing up political self-interest as virtue, hypocrisy as philosophy, and revenge as careful policy. It should engage in less virtue-signalling and more soul-searching. Its angry self-righteousness, constant slandering of the Tories as having crashed the economy, shamelessness in making up noble lies about fiscal black holes, the assumption that anybody who questions or disagrees must be evil, is backfiring, as Sir Keir Starmers plummeting popularity indicates.

Labours peculiar tone, its mix of the hectoring and the triumphalist, derives in part from the fact it has abandoned its more benign traditions. It is no longer committed to its original mission of ameliorating the living conditions and opportunities of working people in Britain. Yes, it still wants to regulate companies more  which will reduce job-creation and productivity  but that is primarily displacement activity. It has become more interested in post-material concerns, in telling everybody how to live, in re-engineering society along environmental, woke and egalitarian lines.

In the 1940s, it wanted the NHS to serve the people; today it sees the people as serving our NHS, hence proposed restrictions on smoking outdoors (a misguided policy on its own terms, as smokers generally die earlier). Labour once wanted the working class to own cars and travel on holiday abroad like the rich; Barbara Castle, the 1970s Left-wing firebrand, argued that the private car has brought the boon of mobility to millions of people  that boon should be available to everyone. Now Labour, by forcing a ban on new pure-petrol cars in just five and a half years, will price poorer drivers off the roads, at least until the cost of electric cars drops. How can it be right to prevent people from seeing friends or family?

Ed Miliband is driving up energy prices, rushing through decarbonisation before technologies are ready, hurting the poor and middle classes for the sake of reductions in emissions that will barely make a dent to the global picture. At the same time, Labour now prefers technocracy to democracy, handing powers to quangos, such as the Office for Budget Responsibility, or lawyers, and is uncomfortable with traditional, old Labour varieties of patriotism. It venerates so-called international law, remains secretly devastated by Brexit and is heavily influenced by woke ideology. Its refusal even to pretend to tackle illegal immigration wont do genuine refugees any favours. It is cowardice camouflaged as liberalism.

When Robin Cook was foreign secretary, Labour boasted of its ethical foreign policy (until it was discredited by Iraq); today, it appears driven by an unprincipled fear of losing votes to Jeremy Corbyns alliance. Labours treatment of Israel is revolting.

One day after six Israeli hostages were butchered by Hamas savages, David Lammy signalled that the terrorists tactics are working when he suspended 30 arms export licences to Israel. We continue to sell far more weapons to Qatar, protectors of Hamas; we continue to tolerate Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Britain. Lammys disgraceful decision came on the 85th anniversary of the Tiger Hill scandal, an earlier British capitulation to terrorism, when the Royal Navy opened fire on Jewish refugees seeking to disembark off Tel Aviv.

Labours other betrayals may not be as extreme, but they emphasise its nastiness. Angela Rayner is considering stopping people buying their council houses, despite having benefited from the policy herself. Pulling up the ladder is a Leftist trait; there is nothing moral about dashing working peoples dream of home ownership. The right to buy didnt create the housing crisis. Britain still has a huge supply of social homes  only three European countries have a larger share of sub-market rental housing than we do, as noted by the Centre for Policy Studies. Our problem is that we have a much smaller overall housing stock per capita, exacerbated by very high levels of immigration.

This Government seems to revel in preventing others from obtaining the advantages they themselves enjoyed. Keir Starmer received a bursary to fund his sixth-form studies at Reigate Grammar School when it became a fee-paying institution after he joined (itself the result of an earlier battle in Labours never-ending war against private education). Yet now he is punishing private-school parents, most of whom scrimp and save to pay fees out of post-tax income, with his despicable imposition of VAT and removal of business rates relief.

His party is reducing opportunities for state school children, too. Ofsted single-word school judgments have been scrapped: this makes life easier for headteachers, and harder for parents. Labour doesnt care about strivers, those seeking to better the lives of their families. It puts Left-wing ideology and the interest of the public sector first.

I support the removal of pensioners winter fuel payments, a universal benefit that cannot be justified at a time of population ageing. But even then Labours motivations are vicious: the savings are being transferred to overpaid train drivers. Labours approach to pensioners is inspired by zero-sum generational warfare, tinged with Brexit revanchism, not principled anti-welfarism. The assumption is that young people want to hurt the old, even if they dont themselves gain directly; there is no constructive attempt at building a more viable retirement system.

Any move to impose a wealth tax would confirm Labour is primarily concerned with hurting those it doesnt like, not helping those that need a hand-up. The politics of envy has never worked in Britain in the past, and it wont succeed this time.

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The Home Office is spending 15m on returns partnerships with 11 countries to boost the number of deportations of small boat migrants, The Independent can reveal.

It comes after 12 people died on Tuesday, including six children and a pregnant woman, in an attempted crossing of the English Channel, the deadliest crossing attempt in the year to date.

The department is looking for charities and non-profit organisations to support migrants with reintegration when they have been sent back to their home countries.

Under a contract published last month, the government will spend 5m each year with charities offering failed asylum seekers and those with no right to remain in the UK help such as accommodation and cash.

According to Labour, home secretary Yvette Cooper is sorting out the mess the Tories left behind (PA)

The money will also provide food packages, assistance with family tracing and reunification, mental health and employment support, and transportation to onward destinations in an individuals home country.

The countries included are Albania, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Iraq, Jamaica, Nigeria, Pakistan, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.

Currently, citizens from each of the countries can be returned if their asylum claims are rejected by British authorities, but many have long records of human rights violations, including Iraq.

There, Human Rights Watch has identified flaws in the justice system that deny defendants due process and a fair trial, discriminatory legal norms disproportionately impacting LGBT+ people, women, children and minorities, and inadequate provision of government services remain key areas of concern.

The organisation has also criticised Zimbabwes repression of civil society and said the government is not taking any meaningful steps to uphold rights and ensure justice for serious past abuses.

The department hopes that by supporting the reintegration of those who Britain deports from the UK, migrants will be better protected and will not be encouraged to attempt to return to the country.

The contract, seen by The Independent, states the money will support the Home Offices key priorities of tackling illegal migration, removing those with no right to be here, and protecting the vulnerable.

It comes as the government is increasing detention spaces to support the higher pace of removals including reopening and adding 290 beds across immigration removal centres at Campsfield and Haslar.

Ministers hope the increase will ensure there is additional capacity for more enforcement and returns and act as a deterrent to future small boat migrants.

More than 19,000 migrants have arrived in Britain by crossing the English Channel in small boats so far this year (Gareth Fuller/PA)

More than 19,000 migrants have arrived in Britain by crossing the English Channel in small boats so far this year  with more than 7,000 of those having made the journey since Labour came to power in July.

The new government scrapped the Conservative governments Rwanda deportation scheme, which had cost taxpayers 700m and saw only four volunteers sent to the east African nation.

Instead, it is ploughing money into a Border Security Command to tackle the smuggling gangs running the small boat trade and investing in speeding up detentions and returns.

A Labour spokesperson said: As the home secretary announced last week, the government is planning to deliver a major surge in immigration enforcement and returns activity to remove people with no right to be in the UK and ensure the rules are respected and enforced.

The Conservatives left us with a 6.4bn overspend on the asylum budget, 8m a day being spent on hotels and four volunteers having been flown to Rwanda, rather than getting on with the job.

The home secretary is sorting out the mess they left behind and that means continued international cooperation with partner nations, and working closely with a number of countries across the globe as part of the mission to end irregular migration.

The party hopes it will serve as a contrast with the Conservative government and be seen as part of a drive to implement practical border control solutions rather than the gimmicks they accused Rishi Sunak and a slew of former home secretaries of pursuing.

The newly elected Labour MP for Dover Mike Tapp, who has worked closely with Yvette Cooper, told The Independent: As the home secretary announced recently, the government is planning to deliver a major surge in immigration enforcement and returns activity to remove people with no right to be in the UK, something that is increasingly important given the dire inheritance that the Tories left us in the asylum and migration system.

This is a practical measure and shows that the Labour government is interested in results and a controlled system that Britain deserves, not the gimmicks that saw the Tory government spending huge amounts of taxpayer money with little to show for it.
In the wake of the devastating wildfires that ravaged the Northwest coast of Maui, Hawaii, the Lahaina community has come together under the banner of Lahaina Strong, a grassroots, mutual aid initiative dedicated to rebuilding their homes, their future, and way of life.



Lahaina Strong was born out of necessity in 2018 when Hurricane Lane led to a backfire, a controlled burn designed to remove flammable material and stop the wildfires from spreading, that destroyed around 20 homes. Jordan Ruidas, a Lahiana Native, mother of three, and one of the key organizers of the Lahiana Strong initiative, felt the need to help and started a fundraiser to support the victims.

I was really young and didnt think anything like this would happen again, Ruidas told Native News Online.

Yet, five years later, a more catastrophic disaster struck, leading to the revival of Lahaina Strong. The movement, driven by the passion and dedication of community members like Ruidas, quickly mobilized to advocate for fire survivors who felt their needs were being overlooked.

When the fires hit us again in 2023, on a much larger and more devastating scale, we realized that our community needed us more than ever. Lahaina Strong wasnt just an idea anymore; it became a lifeline for so many of us, Ruidas said.

The fires, which began on August 8, 2023, have been among the deadliest in the United States in recent history. As of September 2024, the fires have claimed the lives of over 115 people, with hundreds still unaccounted for.

The fire originated in the upcountry areas of Maui and quickly spread toward the historic town of Lahaina, driven by winds from Hurricane Dora, which passed south of the island. Within hours, large parts of Lahaina were engulfed in flames, leaving residents little time to escape. The fire burned for nearly two weeks before being fully contained, devastating approximately 2,200 acres.

Over 2,100 structures were damaged or destroyed, with the estimated cost of damages exceeding $5.5 billion. The fires were exacerbated by drought conditions and high winds from a nearby hurricane, creating a perfect storm that decimated large portions of the island.

As the world moves on from the initial shock of the fires, the 12,900 residents of Lahaina continue to struggle with the aftermath. According to the latest reports, around 60% of those affected by the fires are still without permanent housing, relying on temporary shelters, or staying with family and friends. The stress of displacement has led to a significant increase in mental health issues, with reports of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on the rise.

People are trying their hardest to move on, but many are still slipping through the cracks, Ruidas said. The world may have moved on, but were still here, still fighting every day to hold onto what we have left. We need helpreal helpnot just words or promises, but action.

Ruidas says that the community faces many challenges, from the threat of foreclosure to the lack of access to basic services like healthcare. Mental health services remain a critical need, and some residents still struggle to make it to doctors appointments.

People are still needing mental health services, Ruidas said. Our people are hurting, and the longer this goes on, the harder it will be to heal.

Rebuilding Lahaina is a complex and multifaceted challenge. The biggest struggle is that its not just one need, Ruidas said. Its not just about housing; its about restoring every aspect of life that was lost.

Ruidas said that Lahaina Strong has been advocating for safer transportation for students, addressing issues like the lack of a school bus for children relocated outside of Lahaina.

The community is also grappling with obstacles to housing, water access, and economic stability.

Lahainas limited water resources have been a long-standing issue, exacerbated by the fires. With 75% of the water being privately owned, the county struggles to meet the needs of rebuilding.

The lack of affordable housing adds another layer of difficulty. Before the fires, the median home price in Maui was already over $1 million, making it one of the most expensive housing markets in the country. The destruction of so many homes has only intensified the housing crisis.

The response from the local government has been slow, but there are signs of improvement. Ruidas noted that the government is beginning to work more closely with community groups like Lahaina Strong. However, the process is far from perfect, with delays in permit approvals and exorbitant fees hindering progress.

For too long, they ignored us, but now theyre starting to realize that were not going anywhere, Ruidas said. Were here, were organized, and were not backing down. Weve been through too much to let them forget about us or push us aside.

Ruidas noted that 45% of affected residents are still waiting for permits to rebuild, with many facing costs of $5,000 to $7,000 just for the approval process. These high costs are a significant barrier for families already stretched thin by the loss of their homes and livelihoods.

Its outrageous, Ruidas said. These are people who have lost everything, and now theyre being asked to pay thousands just to start rebuilding. Its not right, and were fighting to make sure those fees are covered so people can focus on putting their lives back together.

Lahaina Strong continues to provide vital support to those still displaced or struggling. The group recently launched a needs assessment survey to gather data on the communitys current situation, which will inform their advocacy efforts moving forward.

They are also exploring various initiatives, such as a Lahaina Strong Attendance Award to address school attendance issues and a potential Lahaina Strong market to promote local businesses.

Despite the challenges, Lahaina Strong has already made significant strides. One of their biggest successes has been changing the narrative around the communitys recovery.

We came out with, Okay, lets regulate short-term rentals, Ruidas said. For so long, the narrative was just about rebuildingmore homes, more development. But we said, Lets slow down. Lets make sure were rebuilding in a way that serves our community, not just the tourists or the developers. And now, they cant ignore us. Theyre listening, and theyre starting to see that we were right all along.

For those looking to support Lahaina Strong, Ruidas encourages people to follow the movement on social media and join its email list to stay informed about upcoming initiatives.

Thats how we kind of build the army, Ruidas said. Were all in this together, and the more people we have behind us, the stronger we are. This fight isnt just for usits for every community thats ever been ignored, overlooked, or forgotten.

About the Author: "Kaili Berg (Aleut) is a member of the Alutiiq\/Sugpiaq Nation, and a shareholder of Koniag, Inc. She is a staff reporter for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. Berg, who is based in Wisconsin, previously reported for the Ho-Chunk Nation newspaper, Hocak Worak. She went to school originally for nursing, but changed her major after finding her passion in communications at Western Technical College in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. "

Contact: kberg@indiancountrymedia.com
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A judge declined to reset bail Wednesday for the teenager accused of plotting an ISIS-inspired terror attack, keeping the amount at $1 million.

Joshua Robles was 16 when Las Vegas Metro police arrested him in late November. Because of his age at the time, the courts and police kept Robles name and details about his arrest confidential. Earlier this month, a judge certified Robles as an adult before a Clark County grand jury indicted him on terror-related charges, including providing material support for acts of terrorism or terrorists and attempting to commit or cause an act of terrorism.

In court Wednesday, Clark County District Court Judge Erika Ballou declined to change Robles bail from the million-dollar amount. Robles two public defenders had requested Ballou set bail at $10,000 and put Robles on house arrest with no access to computers pending trial. Prosecutors argued Ballou keep bail at $1 million.

Last month, Las Vegas Justice Court Pro Temp Judge Lauren Diefenbach initially set Robles bail at $10,000, adding should Robles post bail, he would be placed on house arrest with electronic monitoring. A third judge later upped the amount to $1 million.

Though Robles did not post bail in August, Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill sent a letter to the court citing two state laws, which allow him to deny putting an inmate on house arrest amid a potential public safety risk.

Photos submitted as evidence in the case include suspected bomb-making materials, ISIS-inspired writings and notes about the terror group and terror-related videos and memes, prosecutors said.

A jury trial was tentatively scheduled for Oct. 21.

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By Toby Sterling

(Reuters) -The chief executive of Dutch computer chip equipment supplier ASML said on Wednesday a U.S.-led campaign to restrict the company's exports to customers in China in the name of national security has become more "economically motivated" over time.

Christophe Fouquet, speaking at a Citi conference in New York, said he expects push-back against U.S.-led restrictions to grow. At the same time, he argued Chinese advances in chip making are slowing due to restrictions that are already in place.

"I think to make the case that this is about national security is getting harder and harder," Fouquet said.

"Most probably there will be more pressure for restrictions, but I also think there will be more push-back and I think we have to hope we reach a certain equilibrium because as a business what we all want is a bit of clarity, a bit of stability."

The Netherlands' prime minister said on Friday he would carefully weigh the economic interests of ASML, the country's largest company and Europe's largest technology firm, following successive rounds of U.S. and Dutch restrictions in 2022 and 2023.

The U.S. government has been pushing since April for ASML to stop servicing some of the equipment it sold to Chinese customers before 2024 that would now fall under restrictions.

Separately, Fouquet repeated ASML's financial forecasts for 2024 and 2025, saying that while a recovery in computer chip markets has been uneven, demand for AI chips has been a bright spot.

ASML's biggest customer is TSMC, the Taiwan-based firm that manufactures chips for Nvidia and Apple.

(Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Jamie Freed)
Election 2024 Latest: Trump and Harris zero in on economic policy plans ahead of first debate

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks with Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice during an event at the group's annual convention in Washington, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

The two presidential nominees are using the week before their debate to sharpen their economic messages about who could do more for the middle class. Vice President Kamala Harris discussed her policy plans on Wednesday in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, while Donald Trump will address the Economic Club of New York on Thursday.

Harris used the New Hampshire campaign stop to propose an expansion of tax incentives for small businesses, a pro-entrepreneur plan that may soften her previous calls for wealthy Americans and large corporations to pay higher taxes. Trump, meanwhile, is betting that Americans crave trillions of dollars in tax cuts  and that growth will be so fantastic that its not worth worrying about budget deficits.

The candidates will debate next week in what will be their first meeting ever. The nations premier swing state, Pennsylvania, begins in-person absentee voting the week after. By the end of the month, early voting will be underway in at least four states with a dozen more to follow by mid-October.

In just 62 days, the final votes will be cast to decide which one of them will lead the worlds most powerful nation.

Follow the APs Election 2024 coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024.

Heres the Latest:

Harris accepts rules for Sept. 10 debate with Trump on ABC, including microphone muting

Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted the rules set forth for next weeks debate with former President Donald Trump, although the Democratic nominee says the decision not to keep both candidates microphones live throughout the matchup will be to her disadvantage.

The development, which came Wednesday by way of a letter from Harris campaign to host network ABC News, seemed to mark a conclusion to the debate over microphone muting, which had for a time threatened to derail the Sept. 10 presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

Republican Liz Cheney says shell vote for Kamala Harris

Former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney on Wednesday said she would support Kamala Harris for president, ending weeks of speculation about how fully the member of a GOP dynasty-turned-Trump critic would embrace the Democratic ticket.

Cheney, who co-chaired the House investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, became a fierce Trump critic and was ousted in her 2022 Republican primary in Wyoming as a result, made her announcement at an event at Duke University. In a video posted on the social media network X, she finished by talking about the danger she believed Trump still poses to the country.

I dont believe that we have the luxury of writing in candidates names, particularly in swing states, she said. As a conservative, as someone who believes in and cares about the Constitution, I have thought deeply about this. Because of the danger that Donald Trump poses, not only am I not voting for Donald Trump, but I will be voting for Kamala Harris.

Read more here.

That photo of people wearing Nebraska Walzs for Trump shirts? Theyre distant cousins

A sister of Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz says she doesnt recognize the people wearing Nebraska Walzs for Trump T-shirts in a photo that is making the rounds on social media. It turns out they are distant cousins.

The photo shows eight smiling people wearing navy pro-Trump shirts, underneath a Trump 2024  Take America Back sign. The photo was eventually reposted by former President Donald Trump, who wrote on his Truth Social platform: It is a Great Honor to have your Endorsement. I look forward to meeting you soon!

The photo was first posted on X by Charles Herbster, a former candidate for governor in Nebraska who had Trumps endorsement in the 2022 campaign. Herbsters spokesperson, Rod Edwards, said the people in the photo are cousins to the Minnesota governor, who is now Kamala Harris running mate.

The family in the picture are the descendants of Francis Walz, who was brother to Tim Walzs grandfather, Edwards said. Theyre all Walzes and spouses.

Read more here.

Harris calls Georgia school shooting senseless tragedy

Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the senseless tragedy of Wednesdays school shooting in Georgia during a campaign stop in New Hampshire.

Its just outrageous that every day, in our country, in the United States of America, that parents have to send their children to school worried about whether or not their child will come home alive.

She added, Weve got to stop it. It doesnt have to be this way.

Harris talked about meeting with college students who told her they grew up with active shooter drills.

Our kids are sitting in a classroom where they should be fulfilling their God-given potential and some part of their big beautiful brain is concerned about a shooter busting through the door of the classroom, she said.

Jimmy McCain, a son of the late Arizona senator, registers as a Democrat and backs Harris

Jimmy McCain, a son of former Arizona senator and 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain, said this week he has registered as a Democrat and will vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, a valuable nod of support for the Democratic nominee in a battleground state.

Meanwhile, Trumps running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, is scheduled to appear outside Phoenix Wednesday at a rally with the conservative youth organizing group Turning Point USA, which has been instrumental in remaking the Arizona GOP as a faithful organ of former President Donald Trumps Make America great again movement.

Jimmy McCains endorsement and Vances Turning Point USA appearance reflect the disparate segments of the GOP that Harris and Trump are trying to reach. Democrats are appealing to traditional conservatives disillusioned by Trumps takeover of the GOP, while Republicans are looking to shore up their base and ensure that their young supporters turn out.

Jimmy McCain said he had been an independent since leaving the Republican Party after Trump became its standard bearer in 2016. He decided during a nine-month overseas deployment that just ended to switch his registration to Democratic and announce it publicly.

Kennedy files lawsuit in Wisconsin, trying to force his way off the state's presidential ballot

MADISON, Wis.  Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has filed a lawsuit in Wisconsin trying to force his way off of the presidential battleground states ballot after the state elections commission voted to keep him on it.

Kennedy suspended his campaign in August and endorsed Republican Donald Trump. Kennedy said he would try to remove his name from the ballot in battleground states while telling his supporters they could continue to back him in the majority of states where they are unlikely to sway the outcome.

Kennedy also filed a lawsuit in neighboring Michigan but a judge ruled Tuesday that he must remain on the ballot. A Kennedy lawsuit filed on Friday in North Carolina seeking removal from the ballot is pending.

Republicans and Democrats have until 5 p.m. on the first Tuesday in September ahead of an election to certify their presidential nominee. Independent candidates like Kennedy can only withdraw before the Aug. 6 deadline for submitting nomination papers.

State law does not provide a way for independent presidential candidates to remove themselves from the ballot after they have submitted nomination papers unless they die. Kennedy filed his papers before the Aug. 6 deadline.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission, citing that law, voted 5-1 last week to approve Kennedys name for the ballot after an attempt by Republican commissioners to remove him failed.

Kennedy is asking the court for an order that bars the elections commission from putting his name on the ballot and puts on hold its vote last week placing him on the ballot.

The US is preparing to accuse Russia of disinformation campaigns targeting the presidential election

The Biden administration is preparing Wednesday to accuse Russia of disinformation campaigns targeting the presidential election, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Intelligence agencies have previously accused Russia of using disinformation to try to interfere in the election. But the announcement expected from Attorney General Merrick Garland is expected to show the depth of U.S. concerns and signal legal actions against those suspected of being involved.

The people who discussed the announcement spoke on condition of anonymity with The Associated Press because the matter was not public. One of the people said the announcement will involve, in part, an accusation of the use of Russia-state media to spread disinformation and propaganda.

Garland and other law enforcement leaders are expected to speak briefly at the opening of a meeting of the Justice Departments elections threats task force.

In a speech last month, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said Russia was the primary threat to the election.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his proxies are using increasingly sophisticated techniques in their interference operations. Theyre targeting specific voter demographics and swing-state voters to manipulate presidential and congressional election outcomes, she said. Theyre intent on co-opting unwitting Americans on social media to push narratives advancing Russian interests.

A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment.

CNN first reported the expected announcement.

___

Associated Press reporters Eric Tucker and Matthew Lee contributed to this report from Washington.

Election Day is about 2 months away and ready or not, the first ballots could go out within days

It might feel like the presidential election is still a long way off. Its not.

Election Day on Nov. 5 is only 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 are scheduled to be sent to voters this Friday. The first presidential debate is set for Sept. 10. 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.

DNC runs digital billboard focused on reproductive rights and Trump in Pennsylvania's capital city

As Trump returns to battleground Pennsylvania, his Democratic opponents argue that the former presidents plans around abortion and reproductive rights threaten health care for American women.

On Wednesday, the Democratic National Committee is running a digital mobile billboard in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, around the area where the GOP nominee will participate in a Fox News town hall.

The billboard focuses on reproductive rights, with news commentators referencing Project 2025 and saying Trump and Republicans are not going to stop until they have all but eliminated access to reproductive health care in this country.

Project 2025 is the term for the Heritage Foundations nearly 1,000-page handbook for the next Republican administration, which has become a chief target for Democrats ire in the general election. Trump has said Project 2025 is not related to his campaign.

DNC spokesperson Addy Toevs said in a statement that banning abortion and threatening access to IVF is central to Donald Trump Project 2025 agenda for a second term.

Trump has said that, if he wins, he wants to make IVF treatment free for women, but has not detailed how he would fund the plan or how it would work.

Last month, he said he would vote no on a Florida ballot measure that would repeal the states six-week abortion ban.

Takeaways from APs report on JD Vance and the Catholic postliberals in his circle of influence

Ohio Sen. JD Vances 2019 conversion to Catholicism helped shape his political worldview, he has written.

It has also put him in close touch with a Catholic intellectual movement, viewed by some critics as having reactionary or authoritarian leanings, that has been little known to the American public.

Thats changing with Vances rise to the national stage as the Republican vice presidential nominee and running mate to former President Donald Trump.

The professors and media personalities in this network are generally known as postliberal. Vance has used that term to describe himself as well.

 Here are some takeaways from the APs reporting.

Harris is visiting New Hampshire, away from bigger swing states, to tout her small business tax plan

Vice President Kamala Harris is using a New Hampshire campaign stop on Wednesday to propose an expansion of tax incentives for small businesses, a pro-entrepreneur plan that may soften her previous calls for wealthy Americans and large corporations to pay higher taxes.

She wants to expand from $5,000 to $50,000 tax incentives for small business startup expenses, to eventually spur 25 million new small business applications over four years.

Harris is expected to stop at Throwback Brewery in North Hampton, outside Portsmouth, and meet with co-founders Annette Lee and Nicole Carrier. Their brewery got support to open its current location through a small business credit and installed solar panels using federal programs championed by the Biden administration, according to the Harris campaign.

The New Hampshire trip is a rare deviation for a candidate who is spending most of her time in Midwest and Sun Belt states with pivotal roles in Novembers election.

 Read more here.

JD Vances Catholicism helped shape his views. So did this little-known group of Catholic thinkers

By his own account, Ohio Sen. JD Vances 2019 conversion to Catholicism provided a spiritual fulfillment he couldnt find in his Yale education or career success.

It also amounted to a political conversion.

Catholicism provided him with a new way of looking at the addictions, family breakdowns and other social ills he described in his 2016 bestselling memoir, Hillbilly Elegy.

I felt desperate for a worldview that understood our bad behavior as simultaneously social and individual, structural and moral; that recognized that we are products of our environment; that we have a responsibility to change that environment, but that we are still moral beings with individual duties, he wrote in a 2020 essay.

His conversion also put Vance in close touch with a Catholic intellectual movement, viewed by some critics as having reactionary or authoritarian leanings, that was little known to the American public until Vances rise to the national stage as the Republican vice presidential nominee.

 Read more here.

Federal judge rejects Donald Trumps request to intervene in wake of hush money conviction

A federal judge on Tuesday rejected Donald Trumps request to intervene in his New York hush money criminal case, thwarting the former presidents latest bid to overturn his felony conviction and delay his sentencing.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein ruled that Trump had not satisfied the burden of proof required for a federal court to take control of the case from the state court where it was tried.

Hellersteins ruling came hours after Manhattan prosecutors raised objections to Trump's effort to delay post-trial decisions in the case while he sought to have the federal court step in.

In a letter to the judge presiding over the case in state court, the Manhattan district attorneys office argued that he had no legal obligation to hold off on post-trial decisions and wait for Hellerstein to rule.

Read more here.
A week before classes at Los Angeles Unified began earlier this month, attendance workers tasked with fighting chronic absenteeism fanned out across the city, visiting the homes of children to make sure theyd show up for the first day of instruction.

Knocking on the doors where kids had repeatedly missed school, the workers told parents of assistance the district could offer with transportation, school supplies, and even clothing.

The effort, a standard strategy for LAUSD at this point, was designed and implemented by the district after the pandemic, when the number of students deemed chronically absent reached nearly half of total enrollment.

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Since then, the number of kids missing class has fallen, but its still nearly one-third of all students, so LA Unified has continued its push, said superintendent Alberto Carvalho.

The first priority is having kids at school, he said. We need kids in school.

Both for academic and financial reasons, as it turns out.

Rates of chronic absenteeism  defined by the district as missing ten percent or more of a school year  exploded in the pandemic, with nearly half of students missing that much class.

Prior to the pandemic, the fire had already started. In the two years before Covid, percent of students deemed chronically absent jumped from 13% to more than 18%. When school returned after shutdowns it rose to nearly half of all students.

The situation in LA wasnt unique. But it threatened both academic and financial standing of the district, as well as endangering the lives of children who missed school. And causes for the persistent problem are complex, said Victor Flores, principal of John H. Liechty Middle School in Westlake.

Sometimes its the parents that are working long hours, double jobs, and so its hard to get them to and from school, said Flores. Sometimes its chronic illnesses that some students may have. There may be mental illness or other issues in the family.

Even though daily attendance in LAUSD is rising, rates of chronic absenteeism stood at nearly one-third of students at the end of the last academic year, nearly double pre-pandemic levels. Officials in Los Angeles, around the state and even the rest of the country dont see a full recovery any time soon.

Heres whats to know about the sticky issue and how it affects LA Unified:

1. No easy fixes for a long-term problem impacting LAs most vulnerable students

In L.A. Unified, just over 45% of students were chronically absent in 2021-22. The percentage dropped to 36.5% in 2022-23. The preliminary rate for the 2023-24 school shows improvement to 32.3%, but thats still way above historic norms  and Carvalho said yearly, incremental gains will be how the district digs itself out.

Some of the challenges faced by these families transcend that which the school system can address, said Carvalho.

The students impacted by the problem are the citys neediest, said Graciela Ortiz, field coordinator for pupil services and attendance. Data kept by the district show homeless kids, poor kids and students with disabilities are far more likely to be absent. Likewise for kindergartners and pre-kindergarteners entering the system, and high school kids.

Its our working-class families and low-income communities that are affected the most by attendance issues, said Ortiz. After the pandemic, its as if those barriers [that prevent kids from getting to class] were just exacerbated.

2. Showing up for class makes nine times the difference when it comes to LAUSD academics

Research has long shown chronic absenteeism is bad for academics. And showing up for class is good. But LAUSD has now quantified just how important this is, Carhvalho said at a press conference given at Venice High School on the first day of class.

For every one percent of daily attendance improvement, particularly for the most fragile students, we see a nine percent improvement in academic performance, Carvalho said. The calculations were made with principals from 100 schools that are fighting the problem, he said.

3. Chronic absenteeism creates a financial problem in LA Unified, too

Unlike many other large states that look more aggressively at enrollment, California uses attendance as a weighty measure to make decisions about school funding, said Carvalho. For every 1% of improved attendance in the district, thats an additional $60 million in state funding it would receive, he said. So students who dont go to class regularly actually deflate the total potential revenue for all students in the district, he said.

Like other districts, Los Angeles is under financial pressure and is trying to avoid closing schools amid enrollment declines. Given those circumstances, Carvalho said, the money is more important than ever, even if the district managed to avoid layoffs this year.

4. LA Unifieds novel toolbox to fight absenteeism includes concierge bussing for kids who miss class

The complex causes of chronic absenteeism demand a complex response. So LAUSD is using an array of tools at the problem, including concierge transportation thats almost door-to-door, Carvalho said. Transportation is one of the most challenging obstacles in getting kids to class, so the district is rerouting its bus lines to pick up students as close to their homes as possible. Were constantly rerouting, said the superintendent.

Customized bus routes are just part of the package. The district is continuing with home visits, attendance counselors at each school, and provides wraparound social services meant to boost attendance, such counseling, medical care, or even laundry. Other novel approaches include trying to make school fun, for example, and principals taking the time to talk to parents individually at pickup and dropoff.
By Dmitry Antonov and Mark Trevelyan

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, responding to a question about the potential delivery of long-range U.S. missiles to Ukraine, warned the United States on Wednesday not to joke about Russia's "red lines".

Lavrov said the U.S. was losing sight of the sense of mutual deterrence that had underpinned the balance of security between Moscow and Washington since the Cold War, and that this was dangerous.

He was commenting on a Reuters report that the U.S. is close to an agreement to supply Ukraine with long-range JASSM cruise missiles that could reach deep inside Russia - for which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been lobbying.

"I won't be surprised by anything - the Americans have already crossed the threshold they set for themselves. They are being egged on, and Zelenskiy of course sees this and takes advantage of it," Lavrov told a Russian TV interviewer.

"But they should understand - they are joking about our red lines here. They shouldn't joke about our red lines."

President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned the West since launching what he called his "special military operation" in Ukraine in 2022 not to try to thwart Russia, which has the world's biggest arsenal of nuclear weapons.

But Washington and its allies have increased military aid to Ukraine, including by providing tanks, advanced missiles and F-16 fighter jets.

That has prompted some Western politicians to suggest Putin's nuclear rhetoric is a bluff and that the U.S. and NATO should go all-out to help Ukraine win the war. Zelenskiy has said Ukraine's incursion into Russia, launched on Aug. 6, makes a mockery of Putin's red lines.

Lavrov said Washington knew where these limits lay but was wrong if it believed the consequences of any escalation of the war in Ukraine would be suffered mainly by Europe.

"They have a genetic conviction that no one will touch them," Lavrov said. This, he said, undermined all the principles that had underpinned strategic stability with Washington since Soviet times.

"This feeling of mutual deterrence - for some reason they are starting to lose it. This is dangerous," he said.

WARNINGS

Lavrov alluded to remarks by White House national security adviser John Kirby, who said in June that President Joe Biden had repeatedly said Washington was not looking for "World War Three".

Kirby said a major escalation of the Ukraine war could have "disastrous consequences, potentially, across the European continent" and would not be good for U.S. interests.

It was the second time in just over a week that Lavrov has cautioned the U.S. that a third world war would not be confined to Europe.

The Kremlin said on Wednesday Russia was making changes to its nuclear doctrine because Washington and its allies were threatening Russia by escalating the war in Ukraine and riding roughshod over what it called Moscow's legitimate security interests.

It has not said how it plans to update the policy document setting out the circumstances in which it might use a nuclear weapon, or when the changes will take effect.

(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov in Moscow and Mark Trevelyan in London, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

What should have been a win for skilled trades unions has instead turned into a yearslong wait with no resolution in sight.

Assembly Bill 227 from the Nevada Legislatures 2021 session was designed to curb the use of under-the-table workers, gig workers, and other temporary labor on construction sites, which unions have long argued are exploited by companies in the name of profit. It would be, proponents believed, progress toward addressing rampant employee misclassification within the construction industry.

As it made its way through the Legislature, AB227 was hotly debated by groups with stakes in the outcome, but it did not garner much widespread attention. It was signed into law in May 2021.

Then, in August of that year, the American Staffing Association, which had vehemently lobbied against the bill, filed a lawsuit in Nevadas 2nd Judicial District Court challenging the new state law and requesting a temporary injunction barring it from going into effect. Judge Lynne K. Jones granted the injunction. Like the original bill, the lawsuit appears to have received little attention.

The following year, in May 2022, a hearing before the judge was held and testimony was provided  four days worth, recalls an attorney with the American Staffing Association.

And since then, nothing.

Litigation extending years beyond their original filing isnt by itself unusual, but outside observers believe AB227 is intentionally being left on the legal backburner by a state regulatory agency that has no interest in defending the law as passed.

(Nevada State Contractors Board investigators) are spending a whole lot of time enforcing guys who are scamming on driveway repairs, but not on stuff like this thats costing the state multi-millions in tax revenue, said Matt Driscoll, a consultant and lobbyist working with Carpenters Local 1977.

AB227 clarified in statute that any work requiring a contractors license must be performed by a licensed contractor or by an employee of a licensed contractor. It removed ambiguous phrasing that had left a gray area for the use of temporary employees paid through IRS 1099-forms and leased employees provided by personnel employment agencies.

We have always interpreted (statute as meaning) W2-W4 employees, the contractor board told lawmakers at the time.

Since 2021, the problems lawmakers sought to address with AB227 have only increased, representatives from the carpenters union claim, with high profile construction projects like the Super Bowl and Formula 1 using temp employees instead of full-time employees.

With the growth of the city, with the world-class events and all the big projects, Las Vegas has become a target for these bad actors, said Driscoll, the carpenters union consultant. They know they can make a lot of money here. If theres disinterest in keeping them out or enforcing laws that are on the books, its going to reverse 20 or 30 years of work. It certainly wont be good for the community.

Business as usual

Ed Lenz, the attorney for American Staffing Association, acknowledged in an interview with the Current that they have no reason to be concerned about the ongoing legal limbo of AB227: It is, from our perspective, business as usual.

At some point the proceedings will end, he added. Courts have different schedules. They have different workloads. They have different issues. At some point there will be a final ruling, but I cannot predict when.

The Nevada State Contractors Board  the sole defendant in the case  declined the Currents request to provide a board member or staffer for an interview and did not respond to emailed questions, including one asking why the board has not pushed for a final ruling.

They cant comment on ongoing legal matters, the boards public relations firm said via email.

The Southern Nevada Building Trades Unions, which supported AB277 when it was in the Legislature and joined the lawsuit as an intervenor, as well as its attorney, Nathan Ring, did not respond to the Currents requests for an interview about the case. SNBTU did not respond to questions submitted via email.

Carlton speculated that defending the law may have fallen off the priority list at SNBTU after a change in leadership at the organization. Bill Stanley, the executive treasurer who worked with Carlton on the bill and presented it to lawmakers during the 2021 session, has retired. He left the organization around the time the lawsuit was heard by the court.

As for the contractors board, the carpenters union suspects it is simply not interested in defending the state law  and for more than one reason.

The contractors board is all non-union, said Michael Hawk of Local 1977. They participate in all these activities.  Its the fox watching the hen house.

Then, there is the fact the regulatory board is part of the executive branch.

AB227 passed the Legislature on party lines, with all Democrats supporting and all Republicans opposing. It was signed into law in 2021 by then-Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat. Sisolak lost his re-election campaign the following year to Republican Joe Lombardo, who, given the position of his party colleagues, likely would not support such legislation.

Lombardos office ignored the Currents emailed questions on whether the governor is aware or concerned about a state law going unenforced since 2021.

Among the questions the contractors board declined to answer was whether its official position had changed since the new administration.

The Current also reached out to Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford to ask why his office, which was originally named as a co-defendant in the lawsuit, sought to be dismissed from the case and whether he is concerned about the lack of action.

Fords office did not respond by press time, but after publication referred the Current to their pleadings, which argued the contractors board, not their office, is responsible for enforcement of AB227 and therefore the proper defendant. The office declined to speak more generally about the issue.

It should be the law

Carlton says as an elected official she always followed the legislation she sponsored as it went through the regulatory process but has never gotten involved with litigation out of respect for the separation between the legislative and judicial branches of government.

Once it gets to court, my philosophy is, unless the judge, unless the court calls me, Ive done my part, she said. They enforce it. They know who to ask if they need. But I dont get involved.

Carlton served in the Nevada State Legislature for the maximum amount allowable by law  24 years. The 2021 session was her final one. She now sits on the Nevada State Board of Education.

The carpenters union is hopeful another lawmaker might be willing to sponsor legislation related to employee misclassification, but they are worried that the lack of final ruling on AB226 will complicate any efforts.

AB227 was presented to lawmakers in 2021 as a bill to clarify the existing position of the Nevada State Contractors Board on temp employees after an unfavorable ruling years earlier that year. A future bill could further clarify gray areas, but not if those gray areas are never identified, said Matthew Driscoll, a consultant and lobbyist who is working with the carpenters union.

If this has to be fixed, we need to know about it. he said.

The 2025 Legislative Session is scheduled to begin in early February but the process of proposing and drafting bills is already well underway.

Lenz of the American Staffing Association said the personal employment agencies they represent remain adamant AB227 was a misplaced effort. He said the association has previously proposed working with the contractors board to address concerns around personal employment agencies through regulation  rather than going back to the Legislature and redoing all of this.

One idea might be for personal employment agencies to fall under the jurisdiction of the contractors board.

Were certainly interested in being good citizens, said Lenz. We will work with their constituents. Were always open to constructive conversations. But (AB227) wasnt the right law.

Carlton said she doesnt know what exactly the next steps should be but believes something needs to be done.

It passed, she said. We signed it. It should be the law. Thats just the way it works.

She continued, Somebody needs to hold the court system accountable if they havent done anything. Somebodys lawyers need to talk to somebody.

[Editors Note: This article has been updated to include a response from the Nevada Attorney Generals Office.]
A man accused of misleading police on an investigation into the death of a missing Lawrence mother has been ordered held without bail.

Cristian Montero, 35, was arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Lawrence District Court on charges of witness intimidation and misleading investigators in the death of 37-year-old Carol Flaz-Burgos, whose body was found Tuesday near Kenoza Lake in Haverhills Winnikenni conservation area, according to the Essex District Attorneys Office.

A plea of not guilty was entered on behalf of Montero, who was also told to return to court for a dangerousness hearing next week.

Montero, who was arrested Tuesday, could face an upgraded charge of murder in Flaz-Burgos death when the medical examiners office completes its autopsy, the DAs office said in a statement.

Flaz-Burgos body was found Tuesday by a specially trained K9, three days after the mother of two vanished from her apartment building. Authorities said Montero and Flaz-Burgos lived near each other in the same building but didnt elaborate on how or if the two knew each other.

An investigation into Flaz-Burgos whereabouts was launched on Aug. 31 after a 911 caller reported calling her phone several times with each attempt going to voicemail, Assistant District Attorney Jessica Fleet said during Wednesdays arraignment.

When police arrived at Flaz-Burgos apartment, they found her keys, purse, and wallet on a dresser but there was no sign of her, according to Fleet.

Fleet told the court that Flaz-Burgos was last seen walking just a couple of doors down to Monteros apartment. Flaz-Burgos was texting and spotted on surveillance video making the sign of the cross before she entered, Fleet said.

Flaz-Burgos was never seen again on the surveillance video but Montero was spotted about two hours later pulling a beach wagon that appeared to be filled with clothing, according to Fleet. At about the same time, cellular data showed Flaz-Burgos phone moving away from the apartment building on Broadway and toward Haverhill, Fleet added.

In conversations with police on Sunday and Monday, Fleet alleged that Montero misled investigators by feeding them a fake alibi. Cellular data later reportedly showed his phone location in Haverhill, not on Trenton Street in Lawrence where he claimed to be.

Officers from many different agencies including the Lawrence Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, Haverhill Police Department, and Methuen Police Department have spent numerous hours trying to confirm or dispel the defendants alibi, Fleet told the Court. This false information that he provided to the investigators did mislead the investigators.

Flaz-Burgos was ultimately found dead late Tuesday and Montero was taken into custody.

In a statement Wednesday, Lawrence Police Chief Melix Bonilla said, This is not the outcome that we were looking for and we are sad for this loss.

Lawrence Mayor Brian A. De Pena added, It is a tough day for the City of Lawrence. It is not easy for the family or the community, but we thank everyone for working together.

Montero is due back in court on Sept. 11 at 2 p.m.

An investigation is ongoing.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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A visitor to the "Darwin" exhibit inspects a display with illustration of animals, plants and insects during a press preview at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, in this Nov. 15, 2005 file photo. As issues like global climate change and how to teach evolution in schools increasingly become part of the public discourse, institutions like the Natural History museum are finding that their roles as educators are expanding. | MARY ALTAFFER

Atheists may support the theory of evolution, but that doesnt mean public school lessons on evolution unlawfully promote atheism, according to a new ruling from a federal district court.

The decision dismissed a lawsuit brought by Christian parents in Indiana, who were fighting to force changes to Indianas state standards for science education and to get books referencing evolution out of public school classrooms.

The familys main argument was that teachers violate religious freedom law when they promote the atheist religion by teaching students about evolution.

The court ruled that evolution is not a religious concept and allowed the science education standards to remain in place, per Religion Clause.

Religion and evolution

Its not new for religion to play a key role in court battles over science lessons in public schools.

Throughout the 20th century, supporters of evolution education used religious freedom law to push back against policies barring teachers from tackling the topic.

These families argued that efforts to block evolution lessons unlawfully prioritized Christianity in the public school setting, as Pew Research Center noted in its overview of the evolution debate.

The recent case out of Indiana stands out because it features a very different religious freedom argument  the claim that teaching evolution violates the Constitution by promoting atheist beliefs.

The parents who filed the lawsuit, Jennifer and Jason Reinoehl, argued that schools that teach evolution essentially choose sides in a faith-based debate, thereby violating the First Amendments prohibition on government establishment of religion.

Because the atheistic Theory of Evolution specifically attacks the Judeo-Christian origin story it has the purpose and effect of advancing the atheist religion, the lawsuit claimed, per WISH-TV in Indianapolis.

Federal District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker wrote in her ruling that the Reinoehls had misinterpreted the establishment clause.

Despite Plaintiffs assertions to the contrary, the purported similarities between evolution and atheism do not render the teaching of evolution in public schools violative of the Establishment Clause, which has never been understood to prohibit government conduct that incidentally coincide(s) or harmonize(s) with the tenets of some or all religions, Barker wrote, per WISH-TV.

What has the Supreme Court said about evolution?

The U.S. Supreme Court has previously come out against efforts to restrict lessons on evolution in cases dealing with faith-based science lessons.

In Epperson v. Arkansas in the late 1960s, the justices unanimously said that an Arkansas law banning instruction on evolution in public schools, including state universities, was unconstitutional because its purpose was to promote theological claims.

The Epperson case put an end to state and local prohibitions on teaching evolution, Pew reported.

Then, in Edwards v. Aguillard 20 years later, the Supreme Court disrupted another effort to promote religious ideas about human creation by ruling that Louisiana could not require teachers to pair lessons on evolution with lessons on creation science.

Justices in the 7-2 majority decided that legislators goal in passing the requirement was to advance a religious viewpoint, per Pew.

Pews article noted that these past Supreme Court rulings do not prevent schools from addressing the Bibles creation stories in other contexts, such as a world literature class.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  Its been more than four years since Tennessees last execution, and Governor Bill Lee says the state is closer to resuming executions after a two-year pause.

Lee paused executions in April 2022, after discovering the state had not been testing lethal injection drugs as it was required to, just ahead of the scheduled execution of Oscar Smith, who has been on death row since 1990.

Sheriff says casualties have been reported in Georgia high school shooting

Last week, Governor Bill Lee told 6 News that he suspects the state is closer than further from having a death penalty protocol in place. This comes just weeks after Sean Finnegan was sentenced to death in an Anderson County court after he was convicted of Jennifer Paxtons gruesome murder.

In that case, the jury cited several aggravating factors in its decision to give the death sentence, including how the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, and that it involved serious torture or abuse beyond what was needed to produce death.

Currently, there are 46 people on Tennessees death row, and Finnegan is the latest person to join death row in the state. According to the Isaacs Law Firm, only four of the 46 individuals on death row in the state are from Knox County, and 23 were convicted in Shelby County. There is only one woman on Tennessees death row: Christina Pike, who was convicted in the brutal 1995 murder of a 19-year-old woman.

Previous Story: Tennessee closer to resuming executions after more than two-year pause

In this weeks Ask Isaacs, 6 News Bo Williams and Attorney Greg Isaacs discuss the death penalty in Tennessee, and what will be needed for executions to be rescheduled.

If you have a legal question, send it to AskIsaacs@wate.com. To watch full episodes of Ask Isaacs, click here.

WATEs Lori Tucker and Attorney Greg Isaacs answer your legal questions from the WATE Alert Desk on Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. and on WATE Channel 6 at 5:30 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 WATE 6 On Your Side.
Lawyer Arianit Koci speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in Pristina, Kosovo, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Zenel Zhinipotoku)

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP)  A lawyer representing the family of a man from Kosovo who was arrested in Turkey for allegedly transferring money to Mossad operatives there insisted on Wednesday that the suspect is innocent and offered the family's cooperation in the investigation.

The suspect, identified as Liridon Rexhepi, entered Turkey on Aug. 25, and was detained last Friday and formally arrested on Tuesday, the Anadolu Agency said. The report said he had confessed during interrogation that he conducted the money transfers.

Since January, Turkish authorities have detained dozens of people on charges of collecting data on individuals, mostly Palestinians residing in Turkey, for the Israeli intelligence.

Israel has not commented on the arrests in Turkey.

In the Kosovar capital of Pristina, lawyer Arianit Koci said Rexhepi's family is shocked by this arrest and convinced that he has "nothing to do with these charges.

Both the family and Liridon are ready to fully cooperate with authorities he told The Associated Press, adding that due to the sensitivity of the case, for the moment there is no information that I can share with the public.

We are convinced that our brother is innocent because we have never been involved in the above-mentioned claims, neither we as a family nor Liridon, Koci wrote on Facebook.

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been one of the strongest critics of Israels military actions in the war-torn coastal enclave and has praised Palestinian Hamas militants as a liberation group.

In May, Turkey halted all trade with Israel and has also applied to participate in a genocide case against Israel at an international court.

___

Semini reported from Tirana, Albania. Follow Llazar Semini at https://x.com/lsemini
The alleged perpetrator of the knife attack in Solingen is taken by a helicopter after being brought before the investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice (BGH). Several people were killed and injured in a knife attack on Friday evening at the city festival celebrating the 650th birthday of the city of Solingen. Uli Deck/dpa

A far-right group is suspected of having threatened attorneys who represented the alleged perpetrator in the Solingen stabbing when he applied for asylum in Germany, police in the city of Dresden said on Wednesday.

Several suspects put up three wooden crosses in front of the Dresden law firm which represented the alleged perpetrator, a 26-year-old Syrian national, in his asylum proceedings, police said.

The man identified as Issa Al H in line with Germany's strict privacy laws is accused to have killed three people and injured eight more in the stabbing in the western city of Solingen on August 23.

He has been placed in custody.

The state security service launched an investigation after a group of people put up the crosses as well as posters accusing the firm of being partially responsible for the deaths in the Solingen attack in front of the company's driveway on Saturday, police said.

The anti-immigrant, anti-Islam Identitarian Movement has claimed responsibility for the action in Dresden on Telegram, according to police.

Among the suspects is a 25-year-old from the eastern city of Chemnitz, it said.

The Identitarian Movement campaigns against multicultural societies and spreads far-right conspiracy myths. In Germany, it is monitored by Germany's domestic intelligence agency.
Banking Deserts Or Cash Traps? Why $90 Million In Cash-Back Fees Is Draining Wallets Across America

Cash-back fees are not a new concept. They are common at small retailers and convenience stores across the country. But are major retailers taking advantage of people by asking for a cash-back fee, particularly from those living in banking deserts?

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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) discovered that three large companies charging cash-back fees collect over $90 million in fees annually to provide access to cash. These three retailers are Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Kroger, which also runs brands like Family Dollar, Harris Teeter, Ralph's, and others.

The two-dollar stores in the CFPB's report charge the highest for small withdrawal amounts: $1 or more for any amount under $50. Kroger brands vary in what they charge, running from 50-75 cents for amounts of $100 or less. Larger amounts typically have higher fees.

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These fees may not seem like a lot, but when they add up, they can become a real drain on your wallet. And they typically hit lower-income families the hardest.

Dollar stores are generally located in small rural towns, low-income communities, and places where there are fewer banking locations to withdraw cash. CFPB's report noted, Low-income communities and communities of color often face barriers to banking services, and rural communities are ten times more likely to meet the definition of a banking desert than urban areas'."

Retailers say these fees help cover the costs of processing cash-back transactions and protect against fraud. They also argue that fees prevent abuse of the service, making it available to everyone who needs it.

But here's the catch: these fees hit low-income consumers the hardest. Critics argue this isn't fair, especially when these folks are already financially disadvantaged.

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The CFPB's findings have sparked conversations about whether more rules should be established regarding cash-back fees. Some are calling for clearer information on fees and better practices to ensure they don't disproportionately impact those who can least afford them.

Story continues

There's also a push to improve access to banking services in underserved areas. More people having access to affordable financial services, including free cash-back options, could make a big difference.

If these fees are causing you financial strain, it might be time to talk to a financial advisor, who can help you navigate your options and find ways to better manage your money.

The $90 million in cash-back fees isn't just a number  it represents real financial stress for many Americans. By staying informed and seeking out better financial practices, we can work towards a system that's fairer and more accessible for everyone.

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This article Banking Deserts Or Cash Traps? Why $90 Million In Cash-Back Fees Is Draining Wallets Across America originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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By David Ljunggren

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suffered an unexpected blow on Wednesday when the small party helping keep his minority Liberal government in power withdrew its automatic support, forcing him to attempt new alliances to govern.

Promising to continue governing and pushing through social programs, Trudeau dismissed talk of early elections after the left-leaning New Democratic Party's leader Jagmeet Singh said he was "ripping up" a deal struck between the two men in 2022.

But the move leaves Trudeau reliant on support from other opposition lawmakers to survive confidence votes in the lower chamber of parliament at a time when polls show he will lose badly if an election were held now. An election must be held by the end of October 2025 under Canadian law.

"An election will come in the coming year, hopefully not until next fall, because in the meantime, we're going to deliver for Canadians," Trudeau told reporters at a school where he had arrived to talk about expanding lunch programs.

"I really hope the NDP stays focused on how we can deliver for Canadians, as we have over the past years, rather than focusing on politics."

Trudeau, 52, first took office in November 2015 but has over the last two years struggled to fend off attacks from the opposition center-right Conservatives, who blame him for high inflation and a housing crisis.

With the NDP's support, his government has pushed through social programs designed to address the cost of living.

But the NDP's Singh had expressed growing frustration with Trudeau in recent months, especially over what he said was the Liberals' failure to deal with high prices at grocery stores.

"Justin Trudeau has proven again and again he will always cave to corporate greed," Singh said in a video posted on social media where he also declared that he would run for prime minister in the next election. "Liberals have led people down - they don't deserve another chance."

ESTABLISHING INDEPENDENCE

Polls indicate the same voter fatigue plaguing Trudeau has also spread to the NDP, which despite successfully pushing the Liberals to introduce measures such as a national dental program is languishing far behind in third place.

Under the 2022 deal, the NDP agreed to keep Trudeau in power until mid-2025 in return for more social spending.

Fred Cutler, an associate professor at the University of British Columbia, said the party needed to reestablish its full independence well before the election.

"At least some voters will say, 'Oh, yeah ... the NDP are not just in the Liberals' back pocket, they're competing against the Liberals in the election,'" Cutler said.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre reiterated his call for an early election to break up what he called a Liberal-NDP coalition driving up prices for Canadians.

The House of Commons resumes work on Sept. 16, after which the Conservatives will have the ability to propose a vote of confidence. Trudeau's Liberals could still survive if the NDP abstained on such a vote.

A statement from the NDP said the party would decide on an issue-by-issue basis whether to support the Liberals on confidence votes, suggesting it may continue to prop up Trudeau if his fate hung in the balance.

A key moment for Trudeau's government will be its budget update later this year, which, if voted down by legislators would trigger a new election.

(Additional reporting by Promit Mukherjee in Ottawa and Nivedita Balu in Toronto; Editing by Deepa Babington)
An 82-year-old Black liberation leader, and three others, are on trial in a Florida federal court, accused of plotting a scheme with Russian operatives in 2016 to promote the Kremlins political interest in the United States through staged protests.

The defendants  Omali Yeshitela, 82, Penny Hess, Jesse Nevel, and Augustus Claudius Romain Jr.  arent accused of interfering with the 2016 election. The trial is expected to last a month, the Associated Press reported.

For nearly 60 years, the U.S. government has viewed Black-led political organizations such as the Black Panther Party, Black Lives Matter, and Yeshitelas African Peoples Socialist Party as threats to democracy. Those organizations originated, in part, to provide resources and education, fight for reparations for Black Americans, and protect their Black and brown communities from police brutality and other forms of violence.

Federal prosecutors accuse Yeshitela of traveling to Russia in 2015, where he met with two Russian nationalists. According to the April 2023 indictment, he entered into a partnership with them knowing they were agents for their government. Yeshitela called for unity with Russia, and the independence of the Russian-occupied Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, prosecutors alleged, according to the Associated Press.

Hess, chairwoman of the African Peoples Solidarity Committee, is accused of facilitating communications between Yeshitela and Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov, the president of the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russian, an organization that is funded through Russian grants. Ionov has been indicted in connection with the allegations, too, but is not currently on trial.

Yeshitelas attorney, Ade Griffin, said in an opening statement that the group shared many goals of a Russian organization called the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia but was not acting under control of that nations government, the Associated Press reported.

They shared some common beliefs, said Leonard Goodman, who represents Hess. That makes them threatening.

Prosecutors allege that in 2022, Romain Jr., a leader of the Black Hammer Party, acted at the direction and with funding from Ionov to engage in direct action with in the United States to further the interests of Russia in relation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine  including opposition to U.S. policy in the Ukraine war, according to the indictment.

Nevel, chairman of the Uhuru Solidarity Movement, ran an unsuccessful campaign for mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida, and is accused of spreading Russian propaganda.

Yeshitela, Hess, and Nevel each face up to 15 years in prison if convicted on conspiracy and foreign agent registration charges. Romain faces up to five years in prison if convicted on a foreign agent registration charge.

The post Leaders of Black Liberation Groups Are Accused of Working With Russia appeared first on Capital B News.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, shakes hands with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon during a meeting at the Presidential Office in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (Jin Sung-chul/Yonhap via AP)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  The leaders of South Korea and New Zealand strongly condemned the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia as they met Wednesday for a summit meant to strengthen bilateral ties.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrived in Seoul, the South Korean capital, on his first trip to the Asian country since he took office last November.

Luxon and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol condemned in the strongest possible terms the expanding military ties between North Korea and Russia, including North Koreas export of ballistic missiles to Russia in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, according to a joint statement released by Luxons office.

The two leaders denounced in the most serious of terms North Koreas illegal nuclear and missile development programs. They also strongly condemned Russias war against Ukraine and pledged to continue to support the sovereignty of Ukraine and its efforts to secure a just and lasting peace, according to the joint statement.

During the summit, Yoon and Luxon decided to launch a regular bilateral economic security dialogue to discuss challenges and opportunities. The two emphasized the importance of strengthening trade and economic connections, noting that the two-way trade volume between South Korea and New Zealand has approximately doubled in the past decade, according to the joint statement.

The U.S., South Korea and their partners have steadfastly accused North Korea of supplying much-needed conventional arms to Russia to support its invasion of Ukraine in return for military and economic assistance. Worries about the North Korean-Russia ties deepened in June, when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a pact stipulating mutual military assistance if either country is attacked.
One person is in custody after multiple law enforcement agencies responded to reports of a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday.

A source at a nearby hospital told CNN that patients with gunshot wounds had been transferred there for care. Sources told CNN that at least four people were killed and around 30 more injured, although its unclear how many of the injuries are from gunshots.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said nine of those injured have been transported to various hospitals.

Video from a helicopter operated by Atlanta News First showed at least one person being airlifted from the scene, with multiple other ambulances in the vicinity. Officials told the outlet that the person being airlifted had been taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, a level 1 trauma center in Atlanta.

Law enforcement arrives after a shooting was reported at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. AP Photo/Jeff Amy

Ciera Roberts, a spokesperson for Barrow County Schools, told HuffPost that all of its schools district-wide are on a soft lockdown and asked parents not to attempt to pick up their children until further notice.

At this time, only parents with children at the high school have been cleared for reunification. Approximately 1,900 students attend the school.

Students at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, are evacuated to the football stadium after the school campus was placed on lockdown due to a shooting on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. Erin Clark via AP

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith told reporters at a mid-morning press conference that there have been multiple injuries, but declined to elaborate, calling the situation very fluid and very early.

We do have a suspect in custody and we are asking for your patience as the media to please let us get the facts we need to make sure we get this right, he said. This is going to take multiple days to get answers as to why this happened.

Smith pledged to provide more information at a press conference tentatively scheduled for 4 p.m. local time on Wednesday.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said during a separate news conference that the Justice Department will readily provide whatever resources local and state law enforcement partners require.

Im devastated for the families who have been affected by this terrible tragedy, he said.

Approximately 1,900 students attend Apalachee High School in Georgia. WSB via AP

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) said that hed directed all available state resources to the school and was praying for the safety of those in our classrooms.

We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the shooting at the top of a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon, calling on Congress to recognize that this is not normal and to take long-overdue action.

She said that includes universal background checks, a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, requiring the safe storage of firearms, investing in violence-prevention programs and passing a national red-flag law.

Students across the country are learning how to duck and cover instead of how to read and write, President Joe Biden said in a written statement. We cannot continue to accept this as normal.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris echoed that sentiment while speaking at a rally in New Hampshire, telling the crowd that America shouldnt have to accept school shootings as normal.

Our kids are sitting in a classroom where they should be fulfilling their God-given potential, and some part of their big, beautiful brain is concerned about a shooter busting through the door of the classroom, the vice president said. It does not have to be this way. It does not have to be this way.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
At least four of the Shaheds launched by Russia entered the airspace of Belarus on the night of 3-4 September, and a Belarusian Air Force fighter jet was scrambled.

Source: Belaruski Hajun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring media outlet

Details: Hajun analysed Ukrainian monitoring sources on Telegram and wrote that at least four Shahed-type kamikaze drones flew into Belarusian airspace last night. The first of them crossed the border with Belarus at around 01:50 near the village of Verkhniya Zhary and, a few minutes later, flew into Ukraine towards the Chornobyl zone.

The next airspace violations took place at 04:48, 05:49 and 08:04. Most of the Shahed drones flew near the Belarusian-Ukrainian border, constantly crossing it in both directions, but one of them flew over the border and headed north.

Quote from Belaruski Hajun: "The last time it was seen was at 05:49 near Zhlobin, after which it was lost; where it went is unknown. It should be noted that the Ukrainian Air Force also reported that one of the Shaheds entered Belarus at night. This is probably the UAV in question.

According to our information, a Belarusian Air Force fighter jet took off from the Baranovichi airfield at around 06:20 and, after flying for 1.5 hours, returned to Baranovichi at 08:00."

Background: On the night of 3-4 September, the Russian army attacked Ukraine with air- and ground-launched missiles and Shahed-type attack UAVs. Ukrainian air defence managed to shoot down 29 air targets.

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On Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris became the latest prominent political figure to agree that the federal government ought to block the sale of U.S. Steel to a Japanese competitor.

On Wednesday, reports surfaced that President Joe Biden is ready to do exactly that. Biden "is preparing to announce that he will formally block Nippon Steel's proposed $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel," The Washington Post reported, citing a number of anonymous sources.

If Biden moves to block Nippon's purchase, he'll likely be applauded by former president Donald Trump and Trump's running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (ROhio), both of whom have called for the Biden administration to prevent the deal from going through. Vance has been particularly vocal about this issue since U.S. Steel announced that it would be acquired by Nippon Steel last year. (In a bit of circular authoritarian logic, he's even asked the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to investigate whether the deal could be blocked because U.S. Steel's shareholders may not have been adequately scared of the federal government's ability to block the deal.)

In short, the four most prominent politicians in the country (sorry, Tim Walz) agree: U.S. Steel, a private company, should not be allowed to conduct a transaction with another private company unless the federal government agrees.

This is absurdparticularly because the deal is obviously in the best interest of U.S. Steel.

"We'll admit that the competition for the dumbest economic policy is fierce these dayswith prices controls on food, a 10% across-the-board tariff, and national rent control on the table," opined The Wall Street Journal's editorial board this week. "But opposition to the Nippon deal deserves careful consideration for this distinct dishonor given the deal's manifest benefits and nonexistent harm."

Indeed, Nippon's plan to buy U.S. Steel gives the legacy steelmaker something that Trump's tariffs and Biden's blather about blue-collar jobs never could: A chance to actually become more competitive in the global marketplace. Among other things, Nippon has promised to invest $2.7 billion in revamping U.S. Steel's plants.

"Nippon Steel's investment would help revitalize U.S. steel manufacturing," the Journal notes. "But these days America appears to be led by a confederacy of economic dunces."

It's correct to assume incompetence rather than malice when government officials demonstrate economic illiteracy, but evidence suggests that's not the case here. Cleveland-Cliffs, an Ohio-based steelmaker (hence Vance's interest), lost out to Nippon in the bidding war to purchase U.S. Steel. Since then, it has been leading the effort to get the government to block the deal over completely imaginary national security concerns.

Unsurprisingly, Cleveland-Cliffs reportedly anticipates being able to buy U.S. Steel on the cheap if the deal with Nippon is blocked. The company's CEO, Lourenco Goncalves, argues that the Nippon deal should be blocked simply because "Japan is not a friend" of the United States.

What? This is naked cronyism wrapped in nonsensical xenophobia: Japan is one of America's closest allies, and the Biden administration has worked to tighten that bond.

The political opposition to the U.S. Steel/Nippon deal is a perfect example of why concentrating more economic power in Washington, D.C., is a terrible idea. Politicians seeking to create more opportunities for American workers should be celebrating this major foreign investment in domestic manufacturing. Instead, the levers of power are being manipulated by lobbyists and special interests to do the oppositein pursuit of policies that will leave U.S. Steel and its employees worse off.

The executives and shareholders of U.S. Steel are the ones who have the best interests of U.S. Steel in mind. But if the Post's reporting is correct, the Biden administration is about to overrule their judgment in the interest of political pandering and crony capitalism. That's gross.

The post Leave U.S. Steel Alone appeared first on Reason.com.
Lebanon's former central bank chief to remain in detention until hearing is scheduled, sources say

BEIRUT (Reuters) -Former Lebanese central bank chief Riad Salameh, who was arrested on Tuesday over alleged financial crimes, will remain in detention at least until a hearing is scheduled, likely next week, two judicial sources told Reuters on Wednesday.

After the hearing, the presiding judge can decide whether to keep Salameh in detention, the sources said, adding that no decision had yet been taken. One of them said the judge was expected to schedule a hearing for early next week.

Reuters could not immediately reach a lawyer for Salameh.

Salameh, 73, was the bank governor for 30 years but his final years were marred by the collapse of Lebanon's financial system along with charges of financial crimes, including illicit enrichment through public funds, by authorities in Lebanon and several Western countries.

The state-owned National News Agency said prosecutor Ali Ibrahim, to whom the case was referred by public prosecutor Jamal al-Hajjar on Wednesday, charged Salameh with "embezzlement, theft of public funds, forgery, and illicit enrichment", before referring the case to investigating judge Bilal Halawi, who will set the date for the hearing.

The authorities have not published the charges against him.

Two judicial sources told Reuters on Tuesday that Salameh had been held on charges of accruing more than $110 million via financial crimes involving Optimum Invest, a Lebanese firm that offers income brokerage services.

Optimum Invest said in a statement it was "fully assisting the judicial authorities in their investigation and provided them with all the information and documents previously requested".

The firm said its dealings with the Lebanese central bank "were conducted in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations."

Neither Salameh nor his lawyer responded to requests for comment on Tuesday. Salameh has previously denied all accusations of financial crimes.

Tuesday's charges are separate from previous charges of financial crimes linked to Forry Associates, a company controlled by Salameh's brother, Raja. The brothers - who deny any wrongdoing - were accused of using Forry to divert $330 million in public funds through commissions.

(Reporting by Laila Bassam and Timour Azhari; Writing by Ahmed Elimam and Tom Perry; Editing by Alex Richardson, Peter Graff, William Maclean, Philippa Fletcher and Marguerita Choy)
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  A local construction company is attempting to purchase a plot of land behind many homes in the Leeds area, and many community members arent happy with the idea.

I did receive a rezoning request from the property owner of the property, 3700 Jefferson Street, to rezone from General Commercial to General Industrial, Chris Madsen with Sioux City Planning and Zoning said.

After its voted on to be an industrial zone, they want Knife River to be able to build more of their business up here in the Leeds area, resident Barry Bohlke said.

Knife River is currently located on Hawkeye Drive, just off of Floyd Boulevard. The land proposed to be rezoned sits right behind many Leeds homeowners in an empty field. Sioux City Planning and Zoning officials informed residents of this possible change quickly.

Crofton girls in critical condition after Friday crash

Before the Planning and Zoning Commission, we do send notice by state requirement within 200 feet plus any right-of-way to any property owners, Madsen said. So there are a number of property owners along Floyd Boulevard to the west that did receive notice.

Once residents were informed, they became worried about the possibility of a construction company in their backyard.

Were very concerned about the amount of dust thats going to be in the air now, the increased traffic from large vehicles, Bohlke said. They have increased noise from their equipment. They are producing asphalt, which many of us, until we can get questions answered from Knife River themselves, we dont know what chemicals or smells or anything else is going to be put in the air for a place like us thats just a residential neighborhood.

For Leeds residents to be heard, a petition was created and has gained signatures fast.

You can hear hearsay all the time, Bohlke said. Its a different thing for a person to put their name, address and signature down saying We dont want this here. It shows a paper that shows numbers of who doesnt want it here. We have about 150 signatures just as of today, and thats with us not even going door-to-door throughout the rest of Leeds.

Volunteers use Labor Day Weekend to help McCook Lake flood recovery efforts

The rezoning hasnt been made official yet. For an ordinance to pass, it requires three readings from the city council and additional information. So far, Sioux City officials have only read it twice.

If the third reading were to be approved, then we would actually have to receive a site plan from either the property owner or Knife River saying This is how were going to lay the site out,' Madsen said. The last reading will be at the next city council meeting, and depending on how they vote, that site plan would have to come back if theres approval given.

KCAU 9 reached out to Knife River on Tuesday to find out more about the project but was unable to talk with someone that day.

This Wednesday night, Knife River invites the public to North Middle School to ask questions about the project.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
Canadas Teck Resources has revealed a new corporate structure focused on two regional business divisions, North America and Latin America, as part of its transition to a pure-play energy transition metals company.

The North America division includes the Highland Valley copper mine in British Columbia (BC), the Red Dog zinc mine in Alaska and the Trail zinc mine in BC. It also includes the Galore Creek, Schaft Creek and New Range copper development projects in BC and Minnesota.

This new structure will ensure Teck is optimally positioned to operate safely, efficiently and responsibly while capitalising on profitable growth opportunities and enhancing value for our shareholders and all stakeholders, said Jonathan Price, Teck Resources president and CEO.

The company has also changed its leadership roles, effective 1 September. For example, Ian Anderson, currently serving as senior vice-president and chief commercial officer, has been promoted to executive vice-president and chief commercial officer. In his new role, he will be responsible for improving profit margins through sales and procurement strategies and execution.

Price added: This change simplifies our business with a streamlined executive leadership team and regional structure to support our strategy focused on growth in copper, balanced with shareholder returns and the long-term resiliency of our business.

Teck has stated that it will support the two regional units through enterprise-wide functions and a dedicated projects group, which will be responsible for developing and implementing brownfield and greenfield projects.

The Canadian mining company has also transformed its business by selling its steelmaking coal unit based in BC to Glencore, a Swiss commodities trader. This deal, one of the largest in the industry, was finalised earlier this summer, with Glencore paying almost $7bn (SFr5.95bn) for Teck's 77% stake in the coal business.

In related news, sources familiar with the matter revealed that Chile's Codelco has bid $500m (464.35bn pesos) to acquire a stake in the Quebrada Blanca mine operated by Teck Resources, according to reports.

According to anonymous sources, Codelco is reviewing a proposal to purchase a 10% stake in the Quebrada Blanca mine from the state company Enami. The deal has not been made public yet.

The Quebrada Blanca mine is 60% owned by Teck and 30% by Sumitomo, with Enami having a 10% carried interest that relieves it from funding capital expenditures.

Reports say the sale would help Enami reduce its debt after years of losses from processing minerals for small Chilean mines while avoiding the need for more public funds.

Story continues

If Codelco acquires the stake, it could increase its output, which reached a 25-year low last year, and prevent BHP Group from becoming the world's largest copper company.

"Canadas Teck Resources announces new business and leadership structure " 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.
The legacy of Bloody Thursday urges us to do right by our most vulnerable South Carolinians

Ruins of the Chiquola Mill in Honea Path, S.C. (Paul Hyde/Special to the SC Daily Gazette)

About eight or so AT&T employees were on strike the other day in a parking lot in Anderson County.

They didnt march. Too hot for that.

They stood or sat in the intense August sun holding signs that said things like HONK IF YOU SUPPORT WORKERS.

Few drivers honked in sympathy.

How long do you think the strike will last? I asked.

We hope itll end today, one striker said with frustration. We want to get back to work.

It didnt end that day. The strike against AT&T in the Southeast is in its third week, involving 17,000 workers in at least nine states, including South Carolina.

But even a small-scale strike is a rare and strange sight to see in our state.

South Carolina has the lowest rate of union members, at 2.3% of all employees, of any state in the country.

To understand one reason why, drive about 20 miles from the parking lot of striking workers to the town of Honea Path, population 3,788.

In a quiet corner of Dogwood Park, theres a small granite monument with these words: They died for the rights of the working man.

A monument in Dogwood Park in Honea Path, S.C., honors the seven people killed on what became known as Bloody Thursday. (Paul Hyde/Special to the SC Daily Gazette)

Underneath the inscription are seven names.

Next, journey nine decades into the past.

Remembering Bloody Thursday

On Sept. 6, 1934, in the midst of the Great Depression, about 300 desperately poor workers formed a picket line at the huge Chiquola Mill in Honea Path, as the Gazettes Jessica Holdman detailed in a recent article.

They were striking for higher wages and better working conditions.

Their protests were part of the textile strike that year that shook the Southeast and New England. It was the largest textile strike in the history of the United States, involving 400,000 workers.

But it was in the small town of Honea Path that something nightmarish happened.

At 7:45 p.m. Dan Beacham, the superintendent of the mill, who was also the mayor and magistrate of the town, ordered an armed posse of strikebreakers to fire into the crowd of strikers from inside the mill.

Six workers were shot in the back and killed; a seventh victim died later. At least 30 more were injured in the massacre known locally as Bloody Thursday.

But for decades, it seems that few people in Honea Path spoke of the incident, as if folks in the town were ashamed that people took up arms against their own neighbors.

It was the journalistic work of Dan Beachams grandson, Frank Beacham, that helped revive the memory of the massacre. The incident was also prominently featured in a searing 1995 documentary, The Uprising of 34.

Theres also a music video about the massacre called Honea Path by Matthew Grimm and Red Smear.

The mill itself, which opened in 1903, closed exactly 100 years later. Its now in ruins.

It was in 1995 that the stone marker was placed in nearby Dogwood Park, a poignant commemoration but one that took 60 years to finally happen.

A large crowd assembles for the funeral of striking workers killed at Chiquola Mill (Provided by University of South Carolina Libraries)

Bloody Thursdays 90th anniversary on Sept. 6 will pass, as usual, almost unnoticed.

But perhaps we can take a moment to read the names of the victims: Claude Cannon, 27; Lee Crawford, 26; Thomas Yarbrough, 54; E.M. Bill Knight; Ira Davis, 26; Maxie Peterson, 27; and C.R. Rucker, 39.

A brutal crackdown

When that posse shot unarmed workers in the back, it dealt a brutal blow to the labor movement in South Carolina.

Whether the incident undermined the labor movement in our state or merely reflected pre-existing anti-union sentiment is a question that historians will continue to debate.

Historians argue that the Chiquola Mill massacre helped to inspire President Roosevelt in 1935 to sign the National Labor Relations Act, allowing workers to more freely unionize, collectively bargain and strike if necessary.

The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, meanwhile, established the 40-hour work week, created the minimum wage and curtailed child labor, as Holdman writes.

Today, South Carolina not only remains the least unionized state but, perhaps not unexpectedly, average wages in the state are toward the bottom of the nation.

A study published in the American Journal of Sociology in 2020 suggests that right-to-work laws, like those in South Carolina, lead to greater economic inequality by reducing the power of labor unions.

Workers have limited rights in this right-to-work state, but theres no doubt theyve made tremendous strides toward livable wages and better working conditions.

Nothing so brutal as Bloody Thursday could happen here again.

Yet some old attitudes remain about how we treat South Carolinas low-income workers.

One could point to Gov. McMasters decision not to participate in a summer food program to benefit the children of South Carolinas needy families or the fact that South Carolina remains one of only 10 states that still refuses to expand Medicaid eligibility to more poor adults.

The legacy of the Chiquola Mill massacre  if we remember it  is one that urges South Carolinians to do right by our most vulnerable citizens.

South Carolina has yet to realize the best version of itself.

Back in the sweltering parking lot in Anderson County, the striking workers are weary and packing up for the day after observing a tradition that still abides in South Carolina if only in muted form: The right of Americans to stand up for the dignity of the ordinary working person.

Come tomorrow, theyll be there again.

Let us know what you think...
Signs in the bowels of the Nebraska State Capitol advocate for legalization of marijuana. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  The Legal Marijuana Now Party has decided it will put no name on the November ballot against Republican U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and nonpartisan candidate Dan Osborn.

The close of business Tuesday was the partys deadline to offer a name after its original nominee resigned. No replacement form was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of States Office.

Mark Elworth Jr., who chairs the party, said Tuesday that the group chose not to run someone because supporters of Osborn and Kerry Eddy, the former nominee, threatened to sue.

We dont want to deal with it, Elworth said. We dont fundraise. We have every right to run a candidate. We think Dan Osborn is dishonest.

The party considered backing Ed Williams after Eddy, who won the party nomination in May, followed through on her pledge to quit the race and back Osborn if she thought he could win.

Some party members knew Williams from his work gathering signatures for the medical marijuana ballot initiatives.

Questions about party involvement

Some longer-tenured members of the Legal Marijuana Now Party argued that Eddy and a group of Osborn supporters took over their party to clear the ballot for him in his run against Fischer.

Fewer names on the ballot consolidate protest votes against incumbents, giving challengers a better chance to secure more votes.

Eddy has denied she ran for that reason. But she posted online during the primary that she might step aside for Osborn. She cited July polling as her reason for resigning.

Dustin Wahl, an Osborn campaign spokesman, said the campaign made no threats. He said the person who advised the party it couldnt run another candidate was Eddys campaign treasurer.

Focus on letter

In a letter Elworth shared with the Examiner, Eddy treasurer John Cartier argued the party had flubbed how it handled a convention Aug. 14 to weigh whether to replace Eddy.

He wrote that the party had illegally kicked out 19 people who voted against adding a new candidate. Elworth said the party had adopted a rule disallowing Osborn and Eddy supporters to participate in the convention, sharing a party Facebook post from before the gathering as evidence.

Cartier wrote that the party or its members could face a lawsuit and possible prosecution for potentially falsifying election-related documents if it replaced Eddy on the ballot. In a follow-up call, Cartier said he was not threatening the group.

Due to not receiving the proper amount of votes and illegally kicking off multiple party members  filing for Mr. Williams to replace Kerry Eddy would be invalid, Cartier wrote.

The partys decision leaves only Fischer and Osborn on the ballot, since the Nebraska Democratic Party also decided not to run a write-in candidate.

Fischer criticized Osborn during an interview Tuesday for playing games with the Legal Marijuana Now Party and the Democratic Party.

Elworth, in a follow-up text, said he is so angry at Osborn and his supporters for what happened to his party that he plans to vote for Fischer, who opposes legalizing marijuana.

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The return of the sandhill crane to Wisconsin is a conservation success, but now the state needs to manage the population and the crop damage the birds can cause. (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)

Rick Gehrke operates a farm outside of Omro where he mainly grows corn, soybeans and alfalfa. On Wednesday, he laid out how catastrophic damage from sandhill cranes can be to a farmer if the birds force farmers to re-plant their crops.

Corn is most vulnerable to sandhill crane damage in the month after the seeds are planted before the stalks grow taller than eight inches. If the birds destroy a field after its planted, Gehrke said  accounting for time, labor, gas and added costs in the fall caused by planting late  the cost to the farmer can go from about $150 per acre to more than $300. In an agricultural world in which farmers profit margins are getting smaller, that increase can be devastating.

Gehrke, also a board member of the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, spoke at a meeting of a Legislative Study Committee looking at how the state can help farmers address the estimated $900,000 in damage the birds cause to corn crops every year, as well as additional damage to farmers who grow potatoes, cranberries and other vegetables.

Gehrke said that the best option available to farmers is Avipel, a chemical compound put on the seed before its planted that makes it unappetizing to the birds.

It has been somewhat effective, or probably the most effective method that we do have on the farm as of right now, he said.

But, he said, its not a perfect solution. The chemical costs about $15 an acre, so its cheaper than replanting, but can still add up.

Plus, if a farmer only treats one field, the birds will often just move to a nearby untreated field. And for the treatment to even work, the birds have to dig up and eat five or six seeds to realize they dont like the taste. If a flock of 200 cranes lands on a field and all of them need to eat five seeds before realizing the corn cant be eaten, that still causes quite a lot of damage.

Sandhill cranes are a conservation success story in Wisconsin. The number of breeding pairs once dropped to 15; now an estimated 100,000 live across the upper Midwest. But that success has come with crop damage as much of the agricultural land in central Wisconsin covers the birds historical range, traditionally wetlands and prairies.

A farmer in Wisconsin who has crops damaged by cranes can apply for a depredation permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That permit allows the farmer to shoot and kill a number of birds, but the farmer must first exhaust other abatement methods, including treating seeds with Avipel.

Hunting sandhill cranes has been a political issue in Wisconsin for many years. Several bills have been introduced in the Legislature to create a hunting season for the birds, which hunting advocates often call ribeyes in the sky.

Wisconsins wildlife damage abatement program, which pays farmers for crop damage caused by animals such as deer and geese, includes a provision that states sandhill crane damage can only be claimed under the program if there is a hunting season for the birds.

Conservation groups, including the Baraboo-based International Crane Foundation, oppose a hunt. Opponents contend that a hunt in which the state Department of Natural Resources set a quota for a few thousand birds wouldnt do anything to solve the crop damage problem  and could in fact make it worse by opening up territory controlled by one pair of mates to a much larger flock.

The wildlife damage abatement program is largely funded by a $2 fee added on to the cost of most hunting licenses, Hunters argue that if theyre going to be paying for the cost of damages caused by cranes, they should be able to hunt them.

I think something thats very important is that the damage abatement money is coming from hunting licenses, and unless theres an alternate source, they have basically told us that sandhill cranes would probably disseminate that fund within a few years, Rep. Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc), the committees chair, said at Wednesdays study committee meeting. If we were going to do that, I think this capital might be flooded with a lot of orange  hunters will not think very kindly of taking money from their license fee and putting it towards something that they cant harvest.

The committee includes legislators and groups representing the interests of conservationists, hunters and farmers. Wednesday the legislators questioned the best way to construct a program that could help farmers harmed by crane damage. Sen. Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) asked Gehrke if he thought farmers would be better off if the state subsidized the cost of treating seed with Avipel or just reimbursing farmers for damage after it happens.

Gehrke said that farmers would likely be happy to avoid the paperwork associated with reimbursement.

I would say, I would think most farmers would support and be happy with [help in to covering] the cost of the Avipel, he said. Anytime you have crop damage, its usually more of a hassle to go through all the paperwork and all that kind of thing, to where most farmers just say, the heck with it, well live with it  [that] type of thing. So if theres any kind of subsidy that we could do for the cost of Avipel, I think they would be greatly appreciated.

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LEROY, Ill. (WMBD)  The LeRoy Police Department, on Monday, helped to arrest a man who was wanted by a sheriffs office in Indiana.

According to information from LeRoy police Chief Jason Williamson, Evan Wayne Smith, 39, of Plainfield, Ind., was wanted for felony domestic battery by the Hendricks County Sheriffs Department. Thats in the south central part of the state.

LeRoy officers received information that Smith was armed and dangerous and staying in LeRoy with his two daughters.

Officers located Smiths vehicle at a Holiday Inn in LeRoy and began surveillance. They also requested assistance from the McLean County Sheriffs Office.

LeRoy man charged with aggravated battery to a police officer

At 1:20 p.m. on Monday, Smith was arrested. His two daughters were located and taken into protective custody by LeRoy police and taken to DCFS.

Smith is being held in the McLean County Jail while he awaits extradition.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
Theres less COVID-19 data now. But heres how to track the virus in Idaho.

A mask is seen on the ground at John F. Kennedy Airport on April 19, 2022 in New York City.

A mask is seen on the ground at John F. Kennedy Airport on April 19, 2022 in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

As new vaccines become available, COVID-19s spread is rising in Idaho and across the nation.

Data suggest Idahos current uptick  from lower levels earlier this summer and late spring  isnt as severe as early pandemic surges.

But Idaho public health experts are bracing for COVID levels to rise even more in the coming months. Thats as the school year starts, and respiratory viruses typical season approaches.

Its probably going to get worse in the fall and winter, Idaho epidemiologist Dr. Christine Hahn told the Sun in an interview last week, adding that Idaho hospitals say they arent strained by the COVID uptick.

But the public has significantly less data to make personal health decisions, for instance, about mask wearing and limiting public outings. Since public health entities declared COVID no longer a public health emergency, data reporting around the coronavirus has dropped off.

Theres no longer daily case counts. Federally required hospitalization data  which stopped in May  is set to soon return starting in November.

Dr. David Pate, former CEO of St. Lukes Health System, said it looks likely that the surge has peaked. But he stressed that its easier to make that call with more information.

Of course, it will not be long until we have a new surge, he told the Sun last week.

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How can we tell how much COVID is spreading in Idaho?

Heres what key COVID data for Idaho show:

Wastewater: While the CDC reports Idahos wastewater COVID levels are very high, the rate of detecting the virus in wastewater isnt nearly as high as it was last winter, Hahn said. Idahos current wastewater levels are 42% higher than the national rate, and 33% higher than the rate for the western U.S., CDC data show. Idaho was among 31 states with very high levels, CDC data for the week ending Aug. 29 show.

Emergency room visits: Visits to Idaho emergency departments for COVID-like illnesses are up compared to lower levels this summer, with 93 hospitalizations reported on Aug. 14, compared to 57 on June 16. But Idahos latest emergency-visit levels are still well below highs this spring and winter, which peaked at 177 visits on Jan. 3. Only a fraction of people who go to the emergency room get admitted to the hospital for COVID, Hahn said. But the emergency data is an indicator of people who are at risk of hospitalization, she said.

Hospitalizations: Idahos last hospitalization reports in late April showed 27 patients had suspected or confirmed COVID cases, compared to 103 on Jan. 15.

Deaths: Idahos last reported COVID-related death was on July 22. Four deaths were reported in early June, the state health departments data showed.

What Idaho COVID data should you turn to?

Theres less data on COVIDs spread in Idaho now, compared to early in the pandemic. But some of that information is still around.

For now, wastewater is the key data point to watch, Pate said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions National Wastewater Surveillance System reports COVID wastewater data, comparing states levels on a map. The CDC shares historical wastewater data for states.

Data from the CDC shows wastewater levels in the West are higher than levels nationally and compared to most other U.S. regions. While the Wests high levels fell the week of Aug. 24, the CDCs reporting showed the Wests latest wastewater levels were still higher than many weeks in 2022 and 2023.

This was the highest level of wastewater in the Western part of the United States that we have had. So it does appear that these were very high levels, probably rivaling what level of transmission we had last winter at the end of the year, Pate said last week.

But since the Idaho Legislature in 2023 rejected $16 million in federal grants, Idaho has less COVID wastewater data, the Sun reported. Only three Idaho sites recently reported wastewater data to the Centers for Disease Control, compared to an average of 17 sites per U.S. state.

Idahos contributing wastewater sites are two in the city of Boise, along with one in Coeur dAlene, Hahn said. That leaves Idaho without data from eastern or south central Idaho, she said.

Data by the city of Boise shows the latest wastewater levels, on Aug. 28, were higher than in the summer and late spring, but below a surge in early 2024.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still reports test positivity rates by state, which was 14.3% for Idaho in the week ending Aug. 24.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Healths COVID dashboard, called Get Healthy Idaho, reports: emergency department visits, deaths and historical hospitalization levels.

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Former President Trump, center, participates in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 26. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press)

To the editor: I take great umbrage that the brave souls resting at Arlington National Cemetery have been used as props for a draft-dodging, racist former president. There have been no members of Donald Trump's family who have been "suckers" or "losers" and earned a place among our heroes.

My great grandfather, all of his brothers, my grandfather, all of his brothers, all of my uncles, my stepfather and my brother are all resting in national cemeteries. My birth father, who was Bahamian, was honored with an American flag.

They were all Black. Not a single one of them was a Republican. What they really were simply American boys fighting for their country.

Let them rest in the peace and honor they deserve.

Rene Childress, View Park

..

To the editor: My father is buried in Section 4 of Arlington National Cemetery. He is between two Vietnam War veterans.

My father, Army Col. Robert R. Selway Jr., died of a stroke, presumably from the stress of training the Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black military fighter pilots and bombers during World War II. He went to the United States Military Academy at West Point. My mother is buried with him.

Did Trump really think he could have a photo-op in Section 60 at Arlington? Did one of his staff members strike a woman working for the cemetery?

He should stay away from my mother and father.

Bonnie Selway, Manhattan Beach

..

To the editor: Federal law prohibits campaign activities in military cemeteries. Although we do not know the intent of the invitation by the Gold Star families who invited Trump to Arlington, it cannot override federal law and military policy.

There should have been no question that Trump's staff overstepped when one of its members reportedly pushed aside an Arlington staffer who tried to stop the developing political event. The "sacred moment" has subsequently appeared on social media, which is precisely what Arlington officials intended to avoid.

Was Trump honoring the loss experienced by Gold Star families with his visit? Or was he trying to rehabilitate his reputation following repeated missteps in which he labeled our veterans as "suckers" and "losers" and questioned the significance of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Frederick Roth, Rancho Cucamonga

..

To the editor: I always enjoy reading Robin Abcarian's opinion columns, as I do with all of the journalists at the L.A. Times.

However, I long for the day when we don't have to read yet another article about this terrible man who has done yet another terrible thing.

Is it newsworthy? Most definitely. Im just so tired of it all, after what seems like 100 years now and not just nine. I'm exhausted from it all.

I'm not normalizing his behavior. I'm just saying please, go away.

Shelley Keith, Sherman Oaks

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Letters to the Editor: Israeli protesters put their democracy on display after hostage deaths

To the editor: What stands out to me in the protests against Israeli leadership is that Israel is a democracy that allows for dissenting voices to be heard. ("Strikes and protests roil a divided Israel amid funerals for hostages, including California native," Sept. 2)

Where are the Palestinians demonstrating against the Hamas terrorist leaders in the Gaza Strip? Hamas fighters barbarically murdered Israelis at a music festival, took hostages and killed hostages. It is the cause of thousands of Palestinian civilian deaths.

Let's see protests against Hamas in the West Bank and Arab countries. Is it just that they don't have the freedom Israelis enjoy, or do they approve of Hamas' mission to kill Jews?

Esther Friedberg, Studio City

..

To the editor: It's hypocritical for President Biden to express disgust at the murder of six Israeli hostages and state that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not doing enough to bring about peace.

Netanyahu knows that Biden will continue to supply him with weapons to kill innocent Palestinians regardless, so he can afford to ignore him.

With a stroke of his pen, Biden could stop arms shipments to Israel, and Netanyahu would stop the carnage immediately.

Charles Blankson, Menifee

..

To the editor: Six Israeli hostages were murdered in cold blood. This is another heinous, despicable crime perpetrated by Hamas. Israel, as to be expected, will retaliate severely.

Expect then that Israel's critics will scream quietly about what Hamas has done, yet scream "bloody murder very loudly at what the Israelis will be doing.

Hamas, by its very mandate, is directed to the destruction of Israel. How, therefore, should Israel negotiate with a group that is ideologically determined to destroy its people?

I therefore ask that Israel's critics spare us their piety and calls for a "balanced" response. Israel will do what it must to survive.

Jack Salem, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: After seeing the huge protests resulting from the deaths of six Israeli hostages, Benjamin Netanyahu fired back with, "No one will preach to me."

Here is the mind of a dictator revealed.

A democratically minded prime minister would say, "I'm here to serve the will of the people, as our laws require, so I will pay close attention to their concerns."

A despot pays no attention to the will of the people. He has no room for learning, no desire for compromise, no need to serve.

Kimball Shinkoskey, Woods Cross, Utah

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Life-saving efforts could be jeopardized due to these: HFD

HONOLULU (KHON2)  The Honolulu Fire Department has a warning about the dangers their aircraft, rescuers and victims face when there are slacklines rigged in mountainous areasan occurrence that HFD said theyre observing an increase in.

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The slacklining community here on Oahu is small but tight knit.

Slacklining will be on the ground and we take it up into airspace between mountain peaks and over valleys. Thats when we start referring to it as highlining, stated Caleb, a slackliner.













Slacklines can be rigged up in a tree or across valleys high above ground.

Theres a lot of good rigging practice thats implemented to make sure that everythings above board and peoples lives are taken seriously, said Caleb.

Daredevil illegally walks tightrope between downtown L.A. skyscrapers

That includes first responders who say slacklines could put them in danger.

Its virtually impossible to see. Not only the aircraft itself can collide with the slackline, but if were slinging external cargo that can get tied up in it, potentially bring the aircraft down, stated HFD Senior Helicopter Pilot, Joshua Yeager.

Caleb stated his community of slackliners is just as concerned.

We dont want our recreation putting anybodys lives in danger, said Caleb.

HFD is asking the public to avoid placing slacklines permanently or even temporarily in areas that could affect search and rescue efforts. According to Yeager, an unreported slackline may mean having to diver or delay response times or canceling helicopter missions altogether, which could add hours to the rescue.

Caleb said his community does not leave slacklines up in exposed airspaces where they can be a threat to aircraft. He added the community makes sure nothing is left above ground unattended.

HFD is asking the public to report the location of slacklines so responding units are aware during operations and can take appropriate precautions to avoid it. Contact HFD at (808) 723-3473.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 U.S. Department of Labor recovered about $141,000 in back wages to North Texas employees who were not properly compensated for overtime at a home health care business, according to a news release.

The Labor Departments investigation found Solid Care Home Health, in Carrollton, paid 28 non-exempt employees straight time for work over 40 hours and not the time and a half rate required by the Fair Labor Standards Act, the release says.

The business also failed to maintain proper timekeeping and personnel records, the department determined.

Back wages and liquidated damages each totaling $70,631 were recovered, according to the release.

Home healthcare employees are among the nations hardest-working, lowest-paid workers and their employers must pay them all of their earned wages, said Jesus A. Valdez, Dallas director for the Wage and Hour Division.

The announcement comes after the Department of Labor also found a Southlake based-business, J.P. Above & Beyond Landscaping, failed to pay its employees overtime, according to a news release. The company misclassified the affected employees as independent contractors, failing to pay its workers the time and a half rate for overtime worked, the department found.

Those employees were recovered $103,655 in back wages.

A spokesperson with Solid Care Home Health did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Employees can learn more about the departments Wage and Hour Division, file a complaint, and determine if they are owed back wages.

For assistance, employees and employers can call the agencys helpline at 866-487-9243.
Who is Linda Sun? How NYC political operative charged with being Chinese agent became aide to Hochul, Cuomo

Linda Sun landed in Albany about 15 years ago as a young political staffer and worked her way into the executive chamber  where the feds alleged she worked to advance Chinese interests in New Yorks government.

Political insiders were shocked by the arrests Tuesday of Sun and her husband Christopher Hu, on charges of violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling and money laundering conspiracy, to which they have pleaded not guilty.

Theres nobody who worked in or around politics in the Asian American community who knew Linda Sun who isnt absolutely floored by this, one source familiar with Sun told the Post.

Linda Sun and Christopher Hu leaving Brooklyn Federal Court on Sept. 3, 2024. Paul Martinka

Ive worked with Linda Sun for many years and have only known her to be diligent, professional, and conscientious, and she is absolutely innocent until proven otherwise, state Sen. John Liu (D-Queens) wrote in a statement defending Sun after her arrest.

According to an indictment unsealed in Brooklyn federal court, Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, were paid millions of dollars in kickbacks in exchange for acting as foreign agents for China  and the couple allegedly laundered their corrupt gains, including on a gaudy $4 million mansion in Manhasset.

The Queens operative had a modest upbringing, so her sudden move to a fancy Long Island home raised eyebrows even before it was raided by the FBI in July.

Linda doesnt come from money at all, the source familiar with Sun said.

Several were also confused on how a government staffer and her husband who owns a liquor store and some other non-descript businesses were able to buy the nearly expensive home, which was purchased without a mortgage, according to property records.

Sun and Hu are accused of acting as foreign agents for China in exchange for luxurious gifts. Paul Martinka

Sun previously worked as a top aide for Gov. Kathy Hochul and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

It seems crazy to me, one source said.

Sun came to the state capitol in 2009 as a close ally and chief of staff to then-Assemblywoman Grace Meng.

They got to Albany and didnt have anybody except each other, a source said of Sun and Meng.

As Mengs star rose amongst New York Democrats, so did Suns.

Rep. Grace Meng, was a close ally of Sun who worked as her chief of staff while she was in the state Assembly. AFP via Getty Images

Several people told The Post they were always impressed with Suns work ethic in the legislature and through her posts in the administrations of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and then Gov. Kathy Hochul.

One source said Meng, who is now a US congresswoman, recommended Sun for her job in the Cuomo admin as a rep handling Asian American affairs in Queens. A rep for Meng said in a statement Tuesday: We dont know anything about the charges other than what is being reported.

After joining the administration, Sun continued working in Asian American affairs but eventually came to wear other hats as well, shifting to the Empire State Development office, where she handled trade missions with a portfolio focusing on Asian countries including China.

The FBI raiding Suns Long Island house on July 22, 2024. James Staubitser

She also worked for the Department of Financial Services in intergovernmental affairs.

According to the indictment, Sun sat for a voluntary interview with the FBI in July 2020. Its unclear what the exact purpose of that interview was, but the indictment notes that the agents told her about the requirements of the Foreign Agents Registration Act and discussed a think tanks report on Chinese influence operations.

Sun was brought on as a deputy chief of staff to the executive chamber in 2021 following Cuomos resignation  over a year after that FBI interview.

Sun at a PRC Consulate event in 2023. US Eastern District Court

Sun attending a PRC event in Beijing in 2019. US Eastern District Court

She was ultimately fired in March 2023, after the Hochul administration said it uncovered evidence of misconduct, which it reported to law enforcement.

After being canned from the Department of Labor, Sun managed a campaign by Austin Cheng to try and unseat then-Rep. George Santos. Cheng dropped out after Rep. Tom Suozzi announced his bid to retake his old seat.

We terminated her employment in March 2023 after discovering evidence of misconduct, immediately reported her actions to law enforcement and have assisted law enforcement throughout this process, the spokesperson said in a statement.

Cuomos spokesman Rich Azzopardi, meanwhile, pointed fingers at Hochul.

While Ms Sun was promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff in the subsequent administration, during our time she worked in a handful of agencies and was one of many community liaisons who had little to no interaction with the governor, he said.
Lithuania and Germany are to sign an agreement on the stationing and rights of a German brigade in the Baltic republic next week, Defence Minister Laurynas Kasciunas said in Vilnius on Wednesday, the Baltic News Service reported.

The intergovernmental agreement, to be signed on September 13, will regulate use of the bases and the arrival, movement and departure of German troops in the fellow NATO country.

The establishment of educational and medical facilities for the force will also be covered by the agreement.

In response to the changed security situation in Europe following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Germany has decided to permanently station a combat brigade in Lithuania. It is to be ready for deployment by 2027.

The plan is for up to 5,000 troops to be stationed in the country, 80% of them at Rudninkai and the remainder at Rukla. The advance command unit of around 20 troops arrived on April 8, with a further 120 set to arrive at the beginning of October.
LIVE UPDATES: Most Barrow County schools to resume on Tuesday, counseling services available

LIVE UPDATES:

Saturday, Sept. 7 at 2 a.m.

The Barrow County Schools Superintendent announced most schools would return to class on Tuesday, though Apalachee High School would resume at a later date. GEMA has counseling services available in Barrow County all week.

Friday, September 6 at 11:00 a.m.

District Attorney Brad Smith said Colt Gray will face more charges in the coming days. Its unclear what those charges are.

9:55 p.m.

The Barrow County Sheriffs Office released the mugshot of Colin Gray.

8:55 p.m.

Colin Gray has been booked and is being held in the Barrow County Detention Center, according to jail records. Channel 2 Action News

8:00 p.m.

GBI Director Chris Hosey said Colin Gray allowed his son to possess the weapon used in the deadly school shooting in a news conference.

7:37 p.m.

The GBI has announced that they will be charging Colt Grays father, 54-year-old Colin Gray, with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children.

5:53 p.m.

Family identifies one of the surviving victims as Taylor Jones. She was life-flighted to Grady Memorial Hospital and is currently listed as stable.

5:06 p.m.

Governor Brian Kemp has ordered all flags across the state to be flown at half-staff until all four victims have been laid to rest.

1:57 p.m.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says Colt Gray has been charged with four counts of felony murder.

The autopsies of the four victims will be performed today at the GBI Medical Examiners Office.

11:23 a.m.

Channel 2 Action News has confirmed that Colt Gray will appear in court on Friday morning.

11:00 a.m.

Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Justin Gray has obtained a report that details the investigation into the accused shooter a year before he allegedly killed four people and wounded nine more at Apalachee High School.





4:28 A.M., Thursday

Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice confirms shooting suspect in custody at Gainesville RYDC.

10:52 P.M.

GoFundMe links have been created for:

Christian Angulo, 14

Richard Aspinwall, 39

Apalachee High School Centralized Hub

Apalachee High School Shooting Victims Fund

9:14 p.m.

All patients at NGMC Barrow and Braselton that were injured have been treated and released. The patient at NGMC Gainesville is stable.

The GBI said they believe everyone else will survive the shooting.

9:07 p.m.

The GBI has identified the victims who were killed as:

Mason Schermerhorn, 14

Christian Angelo, 14

Richard Aspinwall, 39

Cristina Irimie, 53

9:04 p.m.

The GBI said there is no evidence there was any additional shooter, but agents are investigating the accused shooters associates.

9:02 p.m.

Gov. Brian Kemp is addressing the media for the first since four people were killed and nine were injured in a mass shooting at Apalachee High School.

This hits home for us. Being from Athens just down the road, having a daughter that taught first grade just a few years ago, this is our worst nightmare, Kemp said.

8:01 pm.

The Jackson County Sheriffs Office and the FBI Atlanta have released a statement saying that in May 2023, the FBIs National Threat Operations Center got several anonymous tips about online threats to commit a school shooting at an unidentified location. The threats, which were posted to an online gaming site, contained pictures of guns.

The Jackson County Sheriffs Office located a possible subject, a 13-year-old boy, who denied making the threats. They spoke to the teens father, who said the family did own hunting rifles but the teen did not have access to guns. At the time, there was no probable cause for arrest.

The FBI has confirmed to Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Justin Gray that the 13-year-old was Colt Gray, the same teen arrested in connection to the shooting that killed four people at Apalachee High School.

7:35 p.m.

The GBI says they will update the media again tonight at 9 p.m.

7:16 p.m.

The GBI now says eight of the people injured in the shooting are students and one is a teacher. The severity of their injuries has not been released.

6:39 p.m.

The GBI and ATF have swarmed what appears to be the suspected shooters house. They appear to be collecting evidence.

We are on scene of what we believe is the family home of 14 year old Colt Gray. ATF agents among large presence of law enforcement here processing the home pic.twitter.com/8JUREFVqtY  Justin Gray (@JustinGrayWSB) September 4, 2024

6:05 p.m.

All Barrow County Schools will be closed on Thursday and Friday.

5:34 p.m.

A mother has confirmed that her son, Mason Schermerhorn, who was a student at the high school, was among the victims killed in the shooting. Family members had circulated Schermerhorns picture on social media when the couldnt locate him. His mother told Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Ashli Lincoln that her son, who is autistic, was among the dead.

4:40 p.m.

Apalachee High School will be closed for the rest of the week, but counseling will be available to the community.

4:33 p.m.

The GBI said two students and two teachers are among the dead.

All nine people who were injured were shot in some capacity according to the sheriff.

The suspect has been identified as 14-year-old Colt Gray who will be charged with murder and will be handled as an adult.

4:19 p.m.

Former President Donald Trump issued a statement on Truth Social, writing:

Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those affected by the tragic event in Winder, Ga. Those cherished children were taken from us far too soon by a sick and deranged monster.

4:16 p.m.

Northeast Georgia Health System said they treated two gunshot victims with non-life-threatening injuries at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Barrow. Four additional patients were taken to that hospital with anxiety/panic attacks.

Another gunshot wound victim was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical center in Gainesville with non-life-threatening injuries. One patient was treated at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Braselton with symptoms of anxiety/panic attack.

3:54 p.m.

A woman says her father, a teacher and coach at the school, was one of the victims who was shot and wounded at Apalachee High School. Katie Phenix said David Phenix, who is a curriculum specialist, was shot in the foot and hip and rushed into surgery. He is currently stable and recovering.

3:38 p.m.

A 14-year-old student has been identified as the shooter, according to ABC News.

3:25 p.m.

Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a statement, reading:

Marty, the girls, and I are heartbroken by todays tragedy at Apalachee High School. This is a day every parent dreads, and Georgians everywhere will hug their children tighter this evening because of this painful event.

We continue to work closely with local, state, and federal partners to make any and all resources available to help this community on this incredibly difficult day and in the days to come.

2:37 p.m.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, reports of additional shootings at nearby schools are false.

2:26 p.m.

President Joe Biden has released a statement, writing, in part:

Jill and I are mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short due to more senseless gun violence and thinking of all of the survivors whose lives are forever changed. What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now turned into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart. Students across the country are learning how to duck and cover instead of how to read and write. We cannot continue to accept this as normal.

2:18 p.m.

The GBI said nine people were taken to hospitals with injuries.

1:53 p.m.

Channel 2s Courtney Francisco spoke to a student, who said at least one of her classmates was killed and several more were injured. She said the shooting happened on E Hall.

1:46 p.m.

At least four people are dead, sources confirmed to Channel 2 Action News. The Barrow County Coroner said none of the victims have been identified yet.

1:20 p.m.

The shooter has been neutralized according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Authorities initially said the shooter had been taken into custody.

1:17 p.m.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said they plan to provide another statement to the public at 4 p.m.

1:13 p.m.

Deputies say they are in the process of reuniting students with their parents.

This is going to take multiple days to get answers as to what happened and why this happened, deputies said. We ask that you please be patient with us.

1:09 p.m.

One gunshot victim has been taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Barrow and another victim is en route to Northeast Medical Center in Gainesville.

12:59 p.m.

Channel 2s Matt Johnson spoke to one mother, who said her sons coach locked the door and barricaded the students inside as shots rang out.

12:46 p.m.

Mayor Andre Dickens issued the following statement.

My prayers are with the high school students, staff and families affected by the senseless act of violence in Winder, Georgia. I have been in contact with Chief Schierbaum, and the Atlanta Police Department has been working with the Atlanta Public Schools Police Department to bolster patrols around our schools for the rest of the day out of an abundance of caution. APD has also been on standby in case law enforcement agencies need assistance with this incident. May God comfort the victims and their loved ones in the difficult days ahead.

12:36 p.m.

Channel 2s Courtney Francisco spoke to a woman who said her grandson is a 10th-grader at the school. She said that he is OK and with his mother.

You know they have the kids still at the field. You know its just humbling. Never thought this would happen in this small county, she said.

12:34 p.m.

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation, according to the White House:

President Biden has been briefed by his Homeland Security Advisor, Liz Sherwood-Randall, on the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia and his administration will continue coordinating with federal, state, and local officials as we receive more information.

12:29 p.m.

At least one victim with a gunshot wound has been taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. That persons identity and condition has not been released.

12:21 p.m.

Emergency workers wheeled someone away from the stadium on a stretcher. Its unclear if that person was injured in the shooting.

12:15 p.m.

Channel 2s Audrey Washington is at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, where she saw patients being rushed into the emergency room.

12:11 p.m.

A second medical helicopter has responded to the school.

12:10 p.m.

The GBI is also responding to the scene and urging people to avoid the area while authorities investigate.

12:08 p.m.

A suspect has been taken into custody.

12:06 p.m.

The Barrow County Sheriffs Office confirms there have been casualties at the high school, but didnt reveal how many victims there are or their conditions.

12:01 pm.

Gov. Brian Kemp issued a statement, writing:

I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state. We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation.

12:00 p.m.

The FBI office in Gainesville is assisting with the investigation, they said in a statement:

FBI Atlanta is aware of the current situation at Apalachee High School in Barrow County. Our agents are on scene coordinating with and supporting local law enforcement.

11:50 a.m.

At least one person was being loaded into a medical helicopter that had landed on the field. That person was flown to a local hospital. His or her condition is unclear.

There were at least six ambulances at the scene. Emergency crews loaded at least one more person onto an ambulance.

11:40 a.m

Students appear to be gathering in the stadium. School officials said students have been cleared to be released to their families.

At one point, students gathered in what appeared to be a prayer circle on the football field. Another prayer circle gathered in the end zone.




Former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney said Wednesday that she will vote for Vice President Kamala Harris for president because of the danger she believes former President Donald Trump poses.

Her remarks, during an appearance at Duke University, came after the Wyoming Republican briefly flirted with her own third-party bid for president. Once the No. 3 leader of the House Republican Conference, Cheney has long warned of the threat she says the former president poses to American democracy.

As a conservative, as someone who believes in and cares about the Constitution, I have thought deeply about this, and because of the danger that Donald Trump poses, not only am I not voting for Donald Trump, but I will be voting for Kamala Harris, she said to applause and a standing ovation from the audience.

The former Wyoming representative, who had not previously said how she planned to vote in November, said that voters in swing states, like North Carolina, who dislike Trump need to do more than just not vote for him  but actively cast their ballots for Harris.

Because we are here in North Carolina, I think it is crucially important for people to recognize not only is what Ive said about the danger that Trump poses something that should prevent people from voting for him, but I dont believe that we have the luxury of writing in candidates names, particularly in swing states, she said.

Her announcement comes after more than 200 staffers for four Republican presidential nominees  former President George H.W. Bush, former President George W. Bush, former Arizona Sen. John McCain and Utah Sen. Mitt Romney  last week endorsed Harris for president.

Cheney, a fierce Trump critic, was ousted from her seat after she refused to temper her criticisms of Trump following the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. She served as the vice chair of the Jan. 6 select committee, which probed the attack.

The former presidents political operation was crucial to Cheneys 2022 primary defeat. Her opponent ran with Trumps support, was advised by those in his camp and was funded by his donors.

Trumps running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, criticized Cheney on Wednesday night during an event in Arizona, accusing her of sending other peoples children off to fight and die for her military conflicts and her ridiculous ideas.

Kamala Harris and Liz Cheney make very, very interesting partners, he said. They get rich when America's sons and daughters go off to die.

In a statement, Harris campaign chair, Jen OMalley Dillon, praised Cheney as a patriot and said the vice president is proud to have her vote.

In December, Cheney published a book, Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning, which details how her former Republican colleagues, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, laid the groundwork for the events that led to the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Mia McCarthy contributed to this report.
Former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney has thrown her support behind Kamala Harris in the upcoming election.

Cheney, who represented Wyoming, made the endorsement while speaking at Duke University on Wednesday. An X video posted by an attendee captured what she said.

Liz Cheney endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris at Duke University@newsobserver pic.twitter.com/taoMYNQ6d1  Emma Cline (@emmacline_) September 4, 2024

It is crucially important for people to recognize, not only is what I said about the danger Trump poses something that should prevent people from voting for him, but I dont believe that we have the luxury of writing in candidates names, particularly in swing states, she told the audience.

As a conservative, as someone who believes in and cares about the Constitution, I have thought deeply about this, and because of the danger that Donald Trump poses, not only am I not voting for Donald Trump, but I will be voting for Kamala Harris, she continued. The crowd burst into applause after her endorsement.

While this is the first time the politician has given Harris her support, it isnt the first time shes spoken out about Donald Trump.

In January, while speaking to Dartmouth students, Cheney warned the audience about what a Trump election could look like.

He wont leave office, Cheney told the audience. He already tried not to leave office once. So I think theres a lot of living in a fantasy world thats going on with Republicans telling themselves, Look, well vote for him, it wont be so bad. It may well be the last real vote you ever get to cast. It will be that bad.

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Liz Cheney, in swing state of NC, reveals she will vote for Kamala Harris for president

Former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, a Republican, told an audience at Duke University on Wednesday that she is going to vote for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

Cheney said because she was speaking in Durham  in the swing state of North Carolina  its crucially important for people to understand the danger that GOP former President Donald Trump poses.

I dont believe that we have the luxury of writing in candidates names, particularly in swing states, Cheney said, according to video posted on X, formerly Twitter.

And as a conservative, as someone who believes in and cares about the Constitution, I have thought deeply about this, Cheney said. And because of the danger that Donald Trump poses, not only am I not voting for Donald Trump, but I will be voting for Kamala Harris.

In a statement Wednesday night, Harris campaign chair Jen OMalley Dillon said Harris is proud to have earned Cheneys endorsement, and called Cheney a patriot who loves this country and puts our democracy and our Constitution first.

This election is a choice between the fundamental threat Donald Trump poses to our democracy and a leader who will stand up for our freedoms and the rule of law in Vice President Harris, OMalley Dillon said.

Vice President Harris will be a president for all Americans, regardless of political party, she said. For any American who is looking to reject the chaos and division of Donald Trump, turn the page, and pursue a new way forward that protects our freedoms and defends the American values we all believe in, there is a place for you in the Harris-Walz coalition, and we will continue working to earn your support.

Liz Cheney endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris at Duke University@newsobserver pic.twitter.com/taoMYNQ6d1  Emma Cline (@emmacline_) September 4, 2024

Cheney was at Duke for a conversation on Defending Democracy, presented by the Sanford School of Public Policy.

Cheney is the daughter of former Dick Cheney, who was vice president under George W. Bush. She represented Wyoming in Congress from 2017 to 2023 and was chair of the House Republican Conference from 2019 to 2021.

She has been a regular critic of Trump and served as vice chair of the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack. She ran for reelection but lost in the 2022 primary.

Shes the latest high-profile Republican to endorse Harris in her bid for president. Multiple former Trump administration staffers spoke at the Democratic National Convention, with former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger giving a prime-time endorsement of Harris.

Harris courting conservative voters

The New York Times reported last week that Cheney planned to weigh in soon on the presidential race.

Instead of appearing at the DNC, The Times reported, Cheney had decided to speak after the convention at a time when she could maximize her impact on the outcome of the race.

The Times also reported that the Harris campaign had reached out directly to Cheney and her team, courting an endorsement.

Cheneys endorsement comes as the Harris campaign and its allies are making efforts to pull away moderate and conservative voters who are disillusioned by Trump and the Republican Party as he has shaped it.

In Harris first interview with a news outlet since ascending to the top of the Democratic ticket, she told CNN last week that she would appoint a Republican to her cabinet if elected, saying that doing so would be of benefit to the American public.

Responding to the endorsement, N.C. Republican Party spokesman Matt Mercer said, Washington, D.C. liberals like Liz Cheney stick together, in this case in their support of the most dangerously radical left-wing Presidential nominee in history.

On X, a Trump campaign account meanwhile pointed to Cheneys past comments about Harris, made after she was tapped by future-President Joe Biden to be his running mate.

In that clip, Cheney said on Fox News in August 2020 that Harris was a radical liberal and that her voting record in the U.S. Senate is to the left of Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.

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Liz Cheney, in swing state of NC, reveals she will vote for Kamala Harris for president

Former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, a Republican, told an audience at Duke University on Wednesday that she is going to vote for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

Cheney said because she was speaking in Durham  in the swing state of North Carolina  its crucially important for people to understand the danger that former GOP President Donald Trump poses.

I dont believe that we have the luxury of writing in candidates names, particularly in swing states, Cheney said, according to video posted on X, formerly Twitter.

And as a conservative, as someone who believes in and cares about the Constitution, I have thought deeply about this, Cheney said. And because of the danger that Donald Trump poses, not only am I not voting for Donald Trump, but I will vote for Kamala Harris.

Cheney was at the university for a conversation on Defending Democracy, presented by the Sanford School of Public Policy.

Cheney is the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, who served in George W. Bushs administration. She represented Wyoming in Congress from 2017 to 2023 and was chair of the House Republican Conference from 2019 to 2021.

She has been a regular critic of Trump and served as vice chair of the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack. She ran for reelection but lost in the 2022 primary.

This story will be updated.

Liz Cheney endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris at Duke University@newsobserver pic.twitter.com/taoMYNQ6d1  Emma Cline (@emmacline_) September 4, 2024
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  Many local farmers have spent the last several days preparing for harvest season. However, there is potential for a dry spell that could impact crops.

Harvest season is approaching for local farmers and a dry spell is expected to carry on for weeks. Despite this, farmer Joe Eslinger says the weathers impact is expected to be manageable.

Weve been getting things ready and as far as the dry weather goes, we have had a dry August, so weve been irrigating quite a little bit, Eslinger said. Going into harvest, if we stay dry, I think the elevators and all will have a hard time getting rid of the crop because there wont be enough place to put it.

Fortunately, National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Ryan says that the drought should not get any worse due to the expected cooler temperatures.

Theres another cool shot this weekend, and then likely well settle back in the anywhere from mid 70s to mid 80s for highs as we go through the middle of the month, Ryan said. Even though it is going to be dry, those temperatures are not going to be hot to the extent where it would potentially make any developing drought worse.

The USDA ranked Indianas corn and soybean crops at 68 percent good to excellent, but Eslinger says the number could have been even higher.

A month or two ago, I think we probably would have had a record crop, but since dry weather has hit, I think its taken some, Eslinger said. I dont foresee that well have the record crop that they are predicting, but everything is really good, its just not over-the-top good.

Indianas corn and soybean rating currently sits three percent above the U.S. average, which is a good sign for local farmers.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
RIVERSIDE, Ohio (WDTN)  Safety on school campuses will look very different in Ohio this year as select teachers are now trained to use a firearm on school property against an armed threat.

2 NEWS spoke with Mad River Local Schools which has supported the program for years.

The district has 20 faculty who would have access to a firearm in the event of an active shooter.

If there is a threat, you have to be willing to go to that threat and stop that threat, said Superintendent Chad Wyen.

New poll gives snapshot into Ohio voters minds 2 months out from election

Wyen says the district is excited to bring back the trained response team this school year. Among the nearly 500 staff of the district, only a select, handful are trained to use a firearm inside of the school.

Mad River officials say it undergoes more training than the state requires for its armed staff.

This includes the state-mandated 24-hour initial course, a 20-hour private security firearms course, and gun range practice alongside local first responders.

Wyen says this level of preparation and repetition makes a big difference for the schools response team.

So its almost like an automatic response versus, you know, a one-off situation where maybe theyre not prepared to respond, said Wyen.

The program has been in place since 2017 but stalled for several years due to a legal challenge. In 2022, House Bill 99 was signed by Governor Mike DeWine, clearing the way for all districts to make their own choice on arming teachers.

Community members say they support the programs return, adding that families are now more scared than ever to send their kids to school.

WATCH: Officer delivers DoorDash order after Dasher gets traffic stop

I dont want anything that bad to happen to no kid, you know? its a good idea for the teachers to bear arms, you know, to protect whats rightfully, you know, our kids and things like that and, you know, protect their own self that that will too, said Shane Coterel, community member.

Mad River Local Schools is one of nearly 70 school districts in the state participating in the program this year.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
Local, state, national Democrats rally in support of Harris in Duval, contrasting candidates stance on abortion rights

Campaign surrogates for Vice President Kamala Harris pulled into Jacksonville Wednesday as part of a statewide tour aimed at rallying support for the Democratic candidates pro-choice policies.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Local, state and national Democratic leaders spoke to more than a hundred supporters in a Jacksonville union hall as part of Vice President Kamala Harris Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour.

Kamala Harris knows that if you want to win the State of Florida, youve got to win Duval, said Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried.

Democratic National Committee Chair Jamie Harrison made the case with Amendment 4 on the ballot, which would restore abortion access in Florida, the Sunshine State is well positioned to deliver a surprise victory for Harris.

A vote for Trump is a vote to silence our nations daughters and take power from our mothers, said Harrison.

Democratic leaders also highlighted former President Donald Trumps recent struggles to deliver a consistent message on abortion.

Specifically, his stance on Amendment 4 and Floridas six-week abortion ban.

On Thursday, Trump indicated he did not agree with his adopted home states current restrictions.

Well, I think the six weeks is too short. It has to be more time, said Trump.

The following day, however, he committed to voting no on Amendment 4.

For the radicalization on the Democrat side, were voting no, said Trump.

UNF political science professor Dr. Michael Binder argued with Florida Republicans boasting a voter registration advantage of nearly one million, Democrats hopes to win statewide are unlikely.

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But he noted abortion is a motivating issue for the party.

And if you have elevated turnout, maybe you only lose the state by five or six points, but youre showing up in some of those tighter congressional seats and maybe you can pick off a Republican seat, said Binder.

Jacksonville State Senator Tracie Davis argued the state remains competitive and voters who support Amendment 4, will ultimately pick Harris as well.

They will be voting for their family, they will be voting for generational things and they will be voting for a womans choice to have that freedom, said Davis.

The Real Clear Polling Average currently has Trump up by more than six points in Florida.

Amendment 4 is polling right around the 60 percent support it would need to pass.

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By Lisa Barrington and Joanna Plucinska

(Reuters) -Cathay Pacific Airways said it would return all Airbus A350s to operation by Saturday following engine fuel lines repairs, while other airlines were waiting for guidance from manufacturer Rolls-Royce on whether they needed to inspect their engines.

Several Asian A350 operators have chosen to carry out their own precautionary inspections after Cathay Pacific found 15 planes that needed fuel line repairs following the in-flight failure of an engine part this week that forced its A350-1000 passenger plane to dump fuel and return to Hong Kong.

Other airlines have said they are closely monitoring the situation and are in touch with Rolls-Royce.

The inspections and repairs to Cathay's fleet of 48 A350 widebody jets made the carrier cancel 45 round trips on mostly regional Asian routes this week, it said in its latest update.

Cathay Pacific said six A350s had been repaired and were cleared to operate. The remaining nine were expected to be fixed and returned to operation by Saturday.

"This was a significant situation for Cathay to manage as the engine component failure was the first of its type to occur on any A350 aircraft anywhere in the world," Cathay's Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer Alex McGowan said.

The airline, which operates A350-900 and A350-1000 planes fitted with different Rolls-Royce engines, did not specify which models were being repaired.

A person familiar with the matter said a leak in a fuel system appeared to have caused a brief engine fire that was quickly extinguished by the crew of a Zurich-bound A350-1000 plane on Monday, which returned to Hong Kong just over an hour after take-off.

There were no immediate signs that the incident would trigger significant regulatory action involving the A350 fleet, the person added.

NO OFFICIAL MANDATE

Rolls-Royce, which makes the two types of engines for the A350-900 and the slightly longer A350-1000, has not issued an official mandate for fleet-wide inspections of either engine type and airlines are taking different approaches.

Still, a number of carriers have said they are either inspecting their fleet or are in touch with Rolls-Royce over the issue at Cathay.

Tokyo-based Japan Airlines (JAL), which has five new A350-1000s, said on Wednesday it was conducting its own engine inspections.

By Tuesday, three had been inspected and found to be safe, the carrier said, and the remaining two would be checked on Wednesday.

Qatar Airways, which operates the most A350-1000s, on Tuesday said the issue had no impact on its planes and it continued to monitor any developments.

Story continues

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, which operate A350-1000s, did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Taiwan's Starlux, which has six A350-900s said: "Out of caution, we have contacted Rolls-Royce, the engine manufacturer, and are awaiting an official reply."

Singapore Airlines is inspecting its A350-900 engines as a precaution, but said flights were not impacted.

Air China, a major A350-900 operator, will perform general engine checks, reported Caixin, a Chinese business and economics publication, on Tuesday. Air China did not respond to a request for comment.

Air France and Lufthansa, which also have A350-900s, also told Reuters they are in touch with Rolls-Royce and Airbus and are monitoring the situation closely.

The incident caused a sharp drop in the shares of British engine maker Rolls-Royce on Monday, but they bounced back on Tuesday as concerns over implications for the global fleet eased and some analysts called the sell-off overdone.

Rolls Royce shares were down 0.1% at 0824 GMT on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Rishav Chatterjee in Bengaluru, Joanna Plucinska in London and Lisa Barrington in Seoul; Editing by Rashmi Aich, Jamie Freed, Tomasz Janowski and Miral Fahmy)
NEW CASTLE, Pa. (WKBN)  One of the seven locals indicted in October 2022 for selling drugs in Western Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday.

Kailin Stewart, 37, pleaded guilty before Senior United States District Judge Arthur J.

Schwab to conspiring to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 10 grams or more of

fluorofentanyl between May 2021 and October 2022.

Her sentencing is set for Jan. 8, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, or both.

Others indicted in the case in 2022 were: Eliot Gentry, William McCree, and Teqwan Scott, all of Youngstown; Daivahn Brown, of Boardman; Donald Jeter and Donald Snowden, of New Castle.

Gentry pleaded guilty in August and is set to be sentenced Dec. 4.

Scott pleaded guilty in May and is set to be sentenced Oct. 1.

Jeter also pleaded guilty in May and is set to be sentenced Sept. 24.

Snowden pleaded guilty in Aug. 2023 and was sentenced in Jan. 2024 to 37 months in federal prison and will have served three years of probation once he is released.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Locals accuse Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump of taking what is ours for billion-dollar resort project in Albania

Locals accuse Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump of taking what is ours for billion-dollar resort project in Albania

Local residents in Albania are accusing Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump of attempting to take land away from them for two luxury resort projects.

The daughter and son-in-law of former President Donald Trump are looking to invest almost $1bn in the area. Kushner previously announced his plans to build a hotel and a number of beach villas on a part of land that has been farmed by an Albanian family for generations but which was seized from them after the end of the Communist regime in 1991, according to The New York Times.

They are trying to take from us what is ours, Bledar Alexandros Konomi told the paper. Konomi used to help take care of cattle on the part of the mainland where Kushner now wants to build a hotel. His claim to the land is supported by court records.

Kushner is also seeking exclusive development rights on the small island of Sazan, where the Soviet Union stored military supplies during the Cold War.

A second bid to develop the island has been submitted by an Albanian-American developer from New York, documents obtained by The Times show.

Developer Evi Kokalari-Angelakis told the paper that the Albanian government has disregarded her proposal to ingratiate themselves with the former president in the event he returns to office in January.

Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump and Tiffany Trump, daughters of former U.S. President Donald Trump, look on during the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The land they plan on developing in Albania is subject to several disputes (Getty Images)

Kokalari-Angelakis added that she chose to speak to the paper after Ivanka Trump claimed in July that she and Kushner had made an agreement to develop Sazan, which was used as a submarine base by Italy during World War II.

Opposition party member in the Albanian parliament Agron Shehaj said the process of choosing a developer had lacked transparency, which makes it look like this is a private deal that is in the political interest of the prime minister of Albania.

Prime Minister Edi Rama and Kushner both rejected the notion that the former president had anything to do with the development process.

The fact that such a renowned American entrepreneur shows his interest on investing in Albania makes us very proud and happy, a spokesperson for the prime minister told The Times in a statement. It shows on another level to the U.S. and the world that there is a new rising star in the beautiful Mediterranean world of tourism named Albania.

The projects on the Albanian coastline are not connected to the Trump Organization, which is partly owned by Trump, and it will not be linked to the Trump name.

Kushner, a former White House advisor to Trump, has established an investment company called Affinity Partners, which is supported mostly by funds coming from the Saudi Arabian government.

The former advisor told The Times that his plans had raised Albanias status as a tourist destination.

We want to make something that people can be very proud of, he told the paper.

We have this 1,400-acre island in the Mediterranean and were bringing in the best architects and the best brands, Ivanka Trump said on the Lex Fridman Podcast earlier this summer.

An American real estate executive put in charge of the projects by Kushner, Asher Abehsera, told The Times that while the Albanian government has given preliminary approval to go ahead with negotiations to build the hotel complex on Sazan, which is now controlled by the Albanian military, final terms have yet to be determined.

Both Abehsera and Kushner told the paper theyre not receiving any special treatment.

On the mainland, villagers in Zvernec, near the site where one of the projects is planned, have notified Kushner that they claim to own the land, which is subject to several disputes.

Konomi, a University of Cincinnati professor of statistics, told the paper that its very obvious that a big corruption scheme is going on.

We are confident we are working with the rightful titleholders, Abehsera told The Times. If proven otherwise, we will respectfully withdraw from the purchase.
BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP)  Late last week, almost a month after the end of formal sessions, state lawmakers reached a compromise on a long-term industry reform bill and sent it to Governor Healeys desk.

Voter turnout could be higher than expected

A prominent feature of this bill is increasing scrutiny of the role of private equity in long-term careespecially relevant in the aftermath of Steward Healthcares bankruptcy and the hospital closures and sales that have followed.

Other main aspects of this bill include infection control plans, uniform patient transfer forms, the creation of a workforce training fund, and training programs.

Senator Michael Rodrigues was the main negotiator on the Senate side and released a statement saying that the legislation will substantially increase the penalties for bad actors in the industry, and protect LGBTQ+ seniors from discrimination. [It] protects and empowers seniors all across the Commonwealth.

House Speaker Ron Mariano named long-term care reform a priority over eighteen months ago and explained the bills impact.

This legislation will not only improve the quality of care that residents receive, said Mariano. It will increase capacity and help acute care hospitals more efficiently discharge patients.

One aspect of this billinfection control plans is especially important to western Massachusetts in the wake of a COVID-19 outbreak that killed over 70 residents of a long-term care facility for veterans in Holyoke in 2020.

Governor Healey has until September 8th to sign or veto this bill.

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.
Looking to vote early or absentee in Livingston County? Here's how

LIVINGSTON COUNTY  The election is over two months away, but many are already preparing to cast their votes.

According to MIT Election Data and Science Lab, absentee ballots were historically used by voters who were temporarily away from home. But in 2020, absentee and early in-person voting spiked. That's been bolstered, now that all Michigan voters can request an absentee ballot regardless of reason and early voting has expanded.

According to a press release sent July 10 from the Michigan Department of State, over 1.5 million voters requested an absentee ballot for the primary in August, already breaking records set in 2020.

The election is over two months away, but many are already preparing to cast their votes.

More: Our go-to guide for races in Livingston County

On Aug. 5, another press release announced more than a million votes had already been cast  over 73,500 in-person early votes and more than 970,000 absentee ballots.

Hamburg Township and Putnam Township had the highest number of early votes cast in the primary, with just over 280. Cohoctah Township had the fewest, with just 16.

How can I vote absentee in Livingston County?

Voters can apply for an absentee ballot online or through their city or township clerk. They can choose to be placed on a permanent ballot list so an absentee ballot will automatically be sent to their registered address for every election.

Voters applying at the clerks office must show their ID or sign an affidavit of identity. Ballots must be sent to a voters registered address unless they are hospitalized, institutionalized or at an address outside of their community.

The deadline for applying for an absentee ballot at a clerks office is 4 p.m. the day before the election. The deadline to received a ballot by mail is 5 p.m. the Friday before the election.

The first ballots are sent out 40 days before the election, but voters can apply now. Ballots can be placed in a drop-off box, handed to a clerk or mailed in.

Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage

If you mail your ballot, you can check the Michigan Voter Information Center to ensure it was received by the clerk.

Answers to frequently asked questions about absentee ballots are available at milivcounty.gov/elections/absentee-voter-ballots.

When can I vote early in-person?

Early in-person voting starts nine days before a major election, including weekends. In November, local residents can cast their votes beginning Saturday, Oct. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 3.

The county website has an interactive map where voters can input their address to find their early voting polling place, which can differ from their regular precinct. Find the map at milivcounty.gov/elections/early-voting.

An interactive map shows voters where they can vote early in-person for the 2024 presidential election.

Where are early in-person voting centers in Livingston County?

City of Brighton: Brighton City Hall at 200 N. First St. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

City of Howell, Howell Township, Cohoctah Township: Livingston Educational Service Agency at 1425 W. Grand River Ave. 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Brighton Charter Township: Brighton Township Hall at 4363 Buno Road 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Conway Township: Conway Township Hall at 8015 N. Fowlerville Road 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Deerfield Township: Deerfield Township Hall at 4492 Center Road 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Genoa Charter Township: Genoa Township Hall at 2911 Dorr Road 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Green Oak Charter Township: Green Oak Township Hall at 10001 Silver Lake Road 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Hamburg Township: Hamburg Township Hall at 10405 Merrill Road 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Handy Township: Handy Township Voting Center at 6520 W. Grand River Ave. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Hartland Township: Hartland Township Hall at 2655 Clark Road 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Iosco Township: Iosco Township Hall at 2050 Bradley Road Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Tuesday, Friday, Saturday 7 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Marion Township: Marion Township Hall at 2877 W. Coon Lake Road Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Oceola Township: Oceola Township Hall at 1577 N. Latson Road 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Putnam Township: Putnam Township Hall at 3280 W M-36 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Tyrone Township: Tyrone Township Hall at 8420 Runyan Lake Road 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Unadilla Township: Putnam Township Hall at 3280 W. M-36 10 a.m.-6 p.m.



 Contact reporter Tess Ware at tware@livingstondaily.com.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: How to vote early or absentee in Livingston County
There was a lot of opportunity: OCC students gain experience and employment after interning with Micron

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  As Central New York continues to make room for Micron, Micron is making room for new employees, more specifically, Central New York college students.

11 Onondaga County Community College students returned from Idaho and Virginia this summer after interning with the tech giant.

William Appleton spent his summer in Virginia, working 45-hour work weeks for Micron.

If something is down, if something is broken, if something is angry, I can fix it, he said. That could take five minutes. That could take an hour.

His internship was one hed been hoping to land with the company for a few years.

There was a lot of opportunity happening with Micron, Appleton said. So, I have known for a long time that was something I wanted to get into.

After a successful summer, William was offered a job with Micron but is mulling over the offer.

Second-year student Allison Wilcox also got a job offer in Microns metrology section and will be leaving for Idaho next summer.

We were in charge of the measurement styles on the microchip turn-on. We made sure the image was the correct image the computer wants defined, Wilcox said. And if it wasnt, we would search around Wafer to find that little, tiny image for MicroScript.

The Onondaga County Executive is hoping to see these students in 2044.

Youre going to see a lot of transferable talent coming here, said Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon. But we got five kids here that might go to Boise for a little bit, but theyll be back.

A commitment they are ready to make.

Whenever its ready, Im going to be coming back. Thats the plan, Wilcox said.

In 20 years, I can definitely see myself working there, Appleton said.

OCC has announced they will be working with Micron next summer to have another dozen students intern with them.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
Lots of meat left on the bone: Half of a house in Monrovia on sale for half a million dollars

You could say that it would be pretty easy to have an open house here.

Half of a Monrovia home that had a tree fall on it in May has hit the market for precisely $499,999.

Sky5 footage showed the enormous pine atop nearly the entire property just after 7 p.m. on May 9; one of the homes renters, a woman named Shelly, told KTLA at the time that when the tree came down, it sounded like a bomb had exploded.

Legendary rock guitarist Brian May reveals health scare

Two people and two dogs were inside the home at the time but fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. A van parked in the driveway of the home sustained heavy damage.

A giant pine tree topples over, crushing a Monrovia home and trapping residents inside on May 8, 2024. (KTLA)

The trees massive roots are seen as the trunk crushes a van parked on the driveway of a Monrovia home. (KTLA)

The toppling of a large pine tree left a trail of destruction in Monrovia on May 8, 2024. (KTLA)

The toppling of a large pine tree left a trail of destruction in Monrovia on May 8, 2024. (KTLA)

The trees massive roots are seen as the trunk crushes a van parked on the driveway of a Monrovia home. (KTLA)

The trees massive roots are seen as the trunk crushes a van parked on the driveway of a Monrovia home. (KTLA)

The trees massive roots are seen as the trunk crushes a van parked on the driveway of a Monrovia home. (KTLA)

Now, months after it was crushed, a buyer is being sought for whats left of the one-bedroom, one-bathroom 645 square-foot residence.

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, listing agent Kevin Wheeler said that there has been considerable interest in the property  valued at $499,999 based on nearby property values  and that in the days after the tree fell on the house, several people tried to lowball the owner with offers of $300,000 or less.

Half of a Monrovia home that had a tree fall on it in May has hit the market for precisely $499,999. (KTLA)

Half of a Monrovia home that had a tree fall on it in May has hit the market for precisely $499,999. (KTLA)

Half of a Monrovia home that had a tree fall on it in May has hit the market for precisely $499,999. (KTLA)

Half of a Monrovia home that had a tree fall on it in May has hit the market for precisely $499,999. (KTLA)

According to the Zillow listing, the home, located at 113 S. Mountain Ave. near Foothill Boulevard, is a partial structure that is situated on a flat, abated lot and is ready for new construction or rebuild.

A miracle on Mountain, the listing reads. Lots of meat left on the bone for investors. Already a great location and as Monrovia rezones, could this be next? Build your dream. It was always destiny.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  Court documents show a Louisiana man has been indicted after being accused of multiple sexual assault charges in April.

Court records show 32-year-old Bobby John Bergeron Jr. of Saint Martinville, Lousiana, was indicted for first-degree rape, second-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse and first-degree sodomy on Aug.21.

The DeKalb County Sheriffs Office said Bergeron was initially arrested on April 5 in Louisiana and was held at the Parish Correctional Center.

The sheriffs office says Bergeron was extradited to DeKalb County on Friday, April 27 and is currently being held without bond at the DeKalb County Detention Center.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Several El Paso area organizations and political leaders joined the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in asking for the federal government to step in and investigate the Texas Attorney Generals Office on allegations of official oppression.

The news conference was held outside the El Paso County Courthouse where LULAC alleged Attorney General Ken Paxton and his agents were responsible for oppressing minority voters through intimidation tactics.

This comes after the AGs Office announced its Election Integrity Unit executed multiple search warrants in South Texas as part of a 2-year-long election integrity investigation based on allegations of election fraud and vote harvesting.

County Judge Ricardo Samaniego

Ray Mancera is the national vice president for the Southwest for LULAC

According to LULAC, the individuals being investigated were members of LULAC and registered Democrats.

These armed agents wanted to send a message of fear and intimidation to scare others from helping Latinos and other minorities in Texas to register to vote. We have seen this pattern before in Texas, where alleged voter fraud investigations are conveniently launched right before an election, only to disappear afterward or get thrown out of court. But by then, the damage is done, El Paso County Commissioner Sergio Coronado said.

LULAC is asking for the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI to investigate the legality of the raids  wanting the AGs Office to be held responsible should the investigation reveal a violation of civil rights.

Shame on any party member  Republican, Democrat, Independent. Shame on not wanting to have an even playing field. If you want a win, win on an even playing field, El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said.

Participants at the news conference echoed similar sentiments, that the recent actions by the State of Texas would not deter them from exercising their right to vote.

We will not be intimidated. We will not be discouraged. We will not be stopped. We will continue to register the young, the old, the middle aged. We challenge all voters to educate yourselves on whats going on, make informed decisions, and elect leaders that will stand up for you, said Carl Dwyer, president of the NAACP El Paso branch.

KTSM reached out to the Attorney Generals Office for comment on LULACs allegations but did not receive a response.

On Sept. 4, U.S. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, and other members of the Texas Democratic Delegation will hold a news conference to call on the DOJ to investigate any potential civil rights violations by Paxton and take necessary 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 KTSM 9 News.
Maddow Blog | As elections near, Trumps incoherence seems to be getting worse

Donald Trumps public appearances tend to follow a pattern. The former president will have a message he intends to deliver, and hell have a teleprompter to guide his rhetorical path, but the Republican will invariably ramble, sharing weird and random thoughts about all sorts of things.

To hear the GOP candidate tell it, his stream-of-consciousness nonsense only appears to be incoherent.

You know, I do the weave, Trump boasted last week. You know what the weave is? Ill talk about like nine different things, and they all come back brilliantly together, and its like, friends of mine that are, like, English professors, they say, Its the most brilliant thing Ive ever seen.

For one thing, the idea that the former president hangs out with like, English professors is hilarious. For another, theres no hidden genius in Trumps rambling. He seems to enjoy sharing bizarre ideas, theories, and the details of conversations that occurred only in his mind. Theres nothing brilliant about it.

Elaine Godfrey wrote for The Atlantic this week about one of the GOP candidates latest gems.

During a conversation onstage at a Moms for Liberty event last week, Donald Trump said something that made even me  a seasoned visitor to Trumps theme park of hyperbole  look around in confusion at the people around me in the audience. Said Trump: The transgender thing is incredible. Think of it; your kid goes to school, and he comes home a few days later with an operation. The school decides whats going to happen with your child.

Not to put too fine a point on this, but Trumps claim was plainly delusional. The is no epidemic of school-based gender-related surgeries.

But while the rhetoric was certainly ridiculous, it wasnt altogether surprising.

Trumps bizarre comments about the transgender thing came on the heels of the former president blaming wind power with people eating less bacon.

You take a look at bacon and some of these products, he told a Wisconsin audience last week. Some people dont eat bacon anymore. And we are going to get the energy prices down. When we get energy down  you know, this was caused by their horrible energy  wind, they want wind all over the place. But when it doesnt blow, we have a little problem.

As my MSNBC colleague Jahan Jones responded, I dont know how you can even fact-check a tangent like that.

This rhetoric followed Trump speaking  more than once  about his fear of sharks, which apparently had something to do with electric boat batteries. It led author Steven King to note, This is like listening to your senile uncle at the dinner table after he has that third drink.

The larger question is whether Trump is actually getting worse.

My MSNBC colleague Zeeshan Aleem presented a persuasive answer this week: Trump has been embedded in the public consciousness as a rule-breaker for so long that it can be easy to forget how far he is from fulfilling the basic requirement of a politician to speak clearly. Trumps speeches seem to be growing more discursive and difficult to comprehend by the day.

The New York Times Jamelle Bouie made a related case, arguing that the Republican presidential hopeful is unable not just to speak truthfully about a topic, but speak coherently about any topic. ... Trump hasnt just deteriorated, hes clearly cognitively impaired, and it is bizarre to me that this isnt just a major story.

For much of the year, there was a spirited public conversation, fueled by intense media interest, about whether President Joe Biden was too old and addled to do the job. Perhaps its time to renew that conversation, turning attention to the incumbents immediate predecessor and would-be successor?

As MSNBCs Chris Hayes summarized last week, It is a little weird that age concerns have disappeared as a constant focus of campaign reporting and discussion even though the GOP nominee would be the oldest man ever sworn in to the office and is very obviously sharply declining before our eyes.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
In mid-July, The Wall Street Journal highlighted a polling report from Blue Rose Research, a Democratic firm, that found President Joe Biden not only losing every battleground state, but also struggling in states he won with relative ease four years ago. The list included New Hampshire, which the Democrat won by more than seven percentage points in 2020.

A great deal has changed since mid-July. The Boston Globe reported over the holiday weekend:

Tom Mountain, who had served as one of several vice chairs for the former presidents effort in Massachusetts, wrote in an email to Trump volunteers in the state that the campaign has determined that New Hampshire is no longer a battleground state, and advised supporters to instead direct their attention to Pennsylvania. ... In the email, Mountain, a former official with the Massachusetts GOP, said Trump was sure to lose by an even higher margin in New Hampshire than in 2016 and 2020, citing campaign data/research.

The same message added that, according to Mountain, resources would be diverted away from the Granite State, and the Republican campaign would not send the nominee or his top surrogates to the state.

The reporting was based on an email obtained by the Globe, but it has not been independently verified by MNSBC or NBC News.

Nevertheless, the report did not go unnoticed. In fact, the Trump campaign and its allies downplayed Mountains role and said he will no longer have any involvement going forward. Brian Hughes, senior advisor to the Trump campaign, added that the Republican operation continues to believe that New Hampshire is in play.

For his part, the former president himself published an item to his social media account insisting that Vice President Kamala Harris is seeing problems in New Hampshire, which is something he appears to have made up in order to respond to the Globes reporting.

Trump went on to argue in his missive that Harris never showed up for New Hampshires presidential primary, which was an odd thing to say given that (a) Harris wasnt running for president at the time of the primary, and (b) the state wasnt home to a competitive primary anyway.

Regardless, the most recent polls appeared favorable for the Democratic nominee in the state, and neither campaign has devoted significant resources to New Hampshire in recent weeks. Watch this space.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Some users who posted videos of themselves performing this hack later showed their bank accounts having massive negative balances of tens of thousands of dollars. - Getty Images

Forget Monopoly: A bank error in your favor almost never works out.

Some people who tried to take advantage of the viral Chase Bank glitch could face serious consequences, experts say, including frozen bank accounts, negative balances in the thousands of dollars  and even jail time.

Most Read from MarketWatch

The glitch, which has been highlighted in several viral TikTok videos, had some people believing that they could get free cash from Chase JPM ATMs. According to these posts, at least some Chase cash machines allowed customers to deposit a check that they wrote to themselves for an amount larger than the balance in their bank account. This gave them immediate access to some or all of the money listed on the check.

Banks can sometimes take several days to verify checks prior to making funds available in customers accounts. But in the case of the Chase Bank glitch, some or all of the money listed on the deposited check was available immediately, allowing people to withdraw the funds before the checks were identified as fraudulent. Posts online showed that some of these fraudulent transactions were for as much as $40,000.

As one would expect, the bank took action after social-media posts surfaced of this glitch occurring. Chase said the issue has been addressed and urged people not to try it anymore.

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 said.

Legal and account experts agree. The intent to do this is nothing short of fraud, Dr. James Mohs, accounting professor at the University of New Haven, told MarketWatch. Depending on the severity of the fraud, penalties can be levied on a state or federal level or both, and can run from fines to incarceration. Facts and circumstances would dictate the severity of the penalties.

And some people who did this could face severe penalties, depending on which state theyre in and how much money the check was written for. Heres an example of how these check-fraud punishments could be handed down in New Jersey, for example, according to criminal law attorney Kevin Conway.

Story continues

Check amount Offense Jail time (up to) Fine amount Under $200 Disorderly persons 6 months Up to $1,000 $200-$1,000 Fourth-degree 18 months Up to $10,000 $1,000-$75,000 Third-degree 5 years $15,000 Over $75,000 Second-degree 10 years $150,000

These charges listed above are only for check fraud, and depending on the case, other charges could be added to a persons actions.

If they cash the money, take the money, dont give the money back, then it becomes criminal, Conway said. If they are bragging about it, that they know its a mistake, [then] its grand larceny. It doesnt take much to become a felony.

To be clear, not every bank error is a criminal offense. Ive had cases where the bank puts money into someones account by mistake, said Conway. Thats OK that in and of itself isnt a crime.

But you do have to give that money back. If you spend it and dont give it back, or take it to the next level like people are doing here, where they realize its a problem with the system, [then] it becomes a bigger problem, because your actions are intentional, Conway added.

See: Before the Fed lowers interest rates, make these 4 money moves to prepare your finances

So how could people really think they could get away with such a move  especially after sharing it on social media?

When it comes to intentional fraud, peoples motivations are always confusing and defy logic and are hard to justify. Fraud is fraud, whether the amounts are small or not, Mohs said.

Will people actually go to jail over the Chase Bank glitch? It depends.

If a person didnt return the money, they could face harsh penalties, as its up to the financial institution whether it wants to make a criminal referral.

JPMorgan Chase declined to comment on possible criminal referrals.

First-degree and second-degree is an automatic state prison sentence, the ranges are high. Third- and fourth-degree, you can get local time or probation with local time. Its not good, Conway said.

But the charges could change, too.

If you negotiate it down to a lesser sentence, you can plead to a second degree and get sentences to a third [degree], then potentially you wouldnt have jail. Its all subject to negotiation, Conway said.

But jail time isnt the only punishment that people who exploited this glitch could face. Many users who uploaded videos of themselves performing this free money hack later posted shots of their bank accounts having massive negative balances, sometimes in the tens of thousands of dollars, once Chase deducted the stolen cash from the accounts. Other people who tried taking advantage of the glitch reported holds being placed on their bank accounts.

This Chase glitch s***, dont do this s*** man, one person who claimed to try the glitch said in a follow-up video. His account showed a negative balance of $10,997.58.

Most Read from MarketWatch
Over the course of many years, Americans have gotten to know Donald Trump. By and large, theyre not impressed: The latest ABC News/Ipsos poll found only a third of U.S. voters had a favorable opinion of the former president.

In theory, the Republicans 2024 campaign team could invest heavily in advertising intended to make the GOP nominee more popular, but in practice, those involved in the process realize that its far too late for that. As a Washington Post report summarized on Labor Day, With little chance of improving Trumps standing, Trumps advisers see the only option as damaging [Vice President Kamala Harris standing].

As campaign strategies go, this one isnt complicated: If the 2024 race comes down to whether the electorate likes the former president or not, hell lose. Left with few options, Team Trump believes it has no choice but to try to tear down the Democratic nominee.

But while the plan seems straightforward, the execution of the plan is off to a mendacious start.

The problem isnt that Trump is reluctant to attack Harris. On the contrary, he seems desperate to do so. Rather, the problem is that the Republican candidate hasnt been able to come up with criticisms rooted in reality.

Team Trump recently released a campaign ad, for example, that said Harris literally unleashed the IRS to harass workers who receive tips. That never happened. Team Trump then released another ad with several claims related to the vice president and the U.S./Mexico border, none of which is accurate.

The Republican nominee has told voters that Harris is a communist. Hes said Harris killed American troops. Hes insisted that the Democratic nominee is trying to ban gas stoves. Each of these lines of attack are utterly bonkers.

But Trump has been especially interested of late in the work the vice president did while she was still a student. At a conservative event late last week, the GOP candidate declared:

She also said, I worked at McDonalds. Turned out she didnt work at McDonalds. Anybody see that? After an exhaustive study that took about 20 minutes, they found out she never worked there. So, you know, a lot of fake stuff going on.

His audience apparently found this amusing, as a video clip showed.

Trump: You remember the story of the bus? Fake story probably. She also said, I worked at McDonald's. Turned out she didn't work at McDonald's. Anybody see that? After an exhaustive study, they found out she never worked there. pic.twitter.com/kQrSqHtYNf  Acyn (@Acyn) August 31, 2024

A day later, he published an item to his social media platform that read, Kamala said she worked at McDonalds  She never did. Lie! Two days later, Trump once again returned to the subject, insisting that Harris never worked at McDonalds.

Harris really did work at McDonald's. She didnt include this on her resume when she sought a job at the Alameda County district attorneys office in 1987 because it didnt seem especially relevant to the position, but it doesnt change the fact that she made French fries and worked a register, just like plenty of other young people nationwide.

Or put another way, Trump lied about Harris lying.

But stepping back, the broader circumstances should probably give Republicans pause. The Democratic nominee has been involved in public service for decades, working as a prosecutor, a state attorney general, a U.S. senator, and a vice president. If the GOP candidate and his team are eager to scrutinize her record, there should be plenty of accurate things to choose from.

So why is it that Trump has relied so heavily on made-up nonsense? If Harris is as bad as her partisan critics claim, why cant Trump simply tell the truth?

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Attorneys for ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan have compiled years worth of unflattering press about the political powerhouse in hopes that a judge will let them examine potential jurors more closely at Madigans racketeering trial.

For at least the past two decades, the press coverage of Madigan has bordered on obsession, defense attorneys for Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain wrote in a filing late Monday, calling the coverage intense and grossly unfair.

The filing repeatedly complained about stories by the Tribune, including the ongoing Culture of Corruption series examining how self-dealing has been embedded in Illinois politics for generations. The filing insinuates strongly that the series must have been timed to undermine Madigans case.

Defense attorneys used Mondays motion to reiterate requests they have already made to U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey: They want permission to review prospective jurors social media posts, and they want to question potential jurors about what they may have seen or heard about Madigan in greater detail than standard procedure usually allows.

The trial is slated to begin Oct. 8. Madigan, 82, is charged in a 23-count indictment alleging he participated in an array of bribery and extortion schemes from 2011 to 2019 aimed at using the power of his public office for personal and political gain.

Also charged was McClain, 76, a former state legislator and lobbyist who was convicted last year of orchestrating an alleged bribery scheme by Commonwealth Edison. McClains sentencing in that case is pending; his attorneys want the case thrown out entirely given a U.S. Supreme Court ruling this year that upended part of a commonly used anti-corruption statute.

But the bulk of the publicity that defense attorneys complained about centered on Madigan, who spent decades at the top of the Springfield hierarchy and statewide Democratic politics.

The coverage  along with attack ads from Republican opponents  cemented Madigans image as an iron-fisted boss who derived power from a political machine, an image that could be hard for potential jurors to shake, the filing wrote.

Federal prosecutors have already brought related cases to trial, including the ComEd Four case involving McClain and the perjury trial of longtime Madigan ally Tim Mapes.

Evidence and court filings in those cases were reported on extensively, including testimony by a retired FBI agent that Madigan ran his political operation like a mob boss. And before any of them went to trial, news outlets found out the salacious details in the investigation against FBI cooperator and ex-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis, sparking a continuous, ongoing press frenzy involving Madigan that has often read strikingly similar to the political attack ads.

The pretrial filings in Madigans case have also been written about at length; Tribune journalists, who have no obligation to hide the details of publicly available records, recently described a wiretapped recording that Madigans attorneys are trying to prevent jurors from hearing. That seemed to particularly draw the defense attorneys ire.

The pretrial publicity has presented unsupported, negative spin on the exact information at issue in this case and spread speculation and misinformation that will likely not be admissible at trial, the filing states.

Blakey has not yet ruled on the defenses request to review potential jurors social media posts; in a hearing earlier this year, he seemed skeptical that it could be done efficiently.

The defendant is entitled to a fair trial, not every question possibly asked under the sun, he said from the bench in July.  At some point you have to presume some honesty on the part of the jury.
Madison County coroner releases name of woman killed in wrong-way crash on I-55

A 65-year-old Troy woman apparently suffered a medical emergency and was driving the wrong way before she died in a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 55 in Madison County early Wednesday, the coroner said.

Patricia A. Corey was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to a news release from Coroner Steve Nonn.

Corey was going west in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 when she then took the exit ramp that led to Interstate 55 against the flow of traffic, according to preliminary witness statements cited in the news release.

As Corey was headed north at the 19 mile marker in the southbound lanes of I-55, she attempted to perform a U-turn in the lanes of traffic when a 2012 Honda Civic collided with her vehicle causing heavy damage to the drivers side.

A 2020 Honda Civic then collided with Coreys vehicle, striking the rear passenger side.

The drivers in the two Hondas suffered non-life-threatening injuries, Nonn said.

Corey may have been experiencing a diabetic emergency before the crash, the news release stated.

Funeral arrangements are pending with Meridith Funeral Home in Highland.

The 4:14 a.m. crash is being investigated by Illinois State Police.

Corey was the first of two people killed in crashes on Interstate 55 in the metro-east Wednesday. A motorcyclist died in a collision with a tractor-trailer in East St. Louis at about 12:17 p.m., according to Illinois State Police.
MADISON, Wis. (WFRV)  The Madison Police Department announced that two were cited following a road rage incident that occurred at the intersection of Femrite Dr and S Stoughton Rd around 10:40 a.m. on Friday.

The release said that officers arrived on the scene, learning that a driver brake-checked another driver and cut them off. This led the other driver to pull out a gun and point it at the other driver.

Driver in Madison arrested for 7th OWI offense following hit and run incident

Both parties were at the scene and cooperated with officers when they arrived. One driver was cited for disorderly conduct due to starting the incident, and the second was cited for a CCW violation and disorderly conduct while armed.

Neither has been identified and no more details were provided.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Republican North Carolina gubernatorial candidate and current Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson bought hundreds of bootleg porn videos and went to a porn shop nearly every day of the week in the 90s and early 2000s, according to a new report.

Robinson has run on his evangelical Christian views and ultra-MAGA politics and has been strongly endorsed by Donald Trump.

Five men who worked at or patronized a pair of 24-hour video-pornography stores in GreensboroGents Video & News and and I-40 Video & Newstold the North Carolina Assembly that Robinson would frequently drop in after finishing work for the day at a nearby pizza shop.

Louis Money, a former employee, told the outlet that Robinson would often purchase two or more previews, which consisted of a viewing in a private booth, over the course of a night.

The future lieutenant governor also bought hundreds of bootleg porn videos that Money sold on the side, he said.

He told Raleigh station WRAL that Robinsons tastes lay in just straight American porn.

And I dont trust anybody that doesnt like good old American porn, he went on. So, no, he shouldnt be [judged]. He should be judged on everything else, but he should not be judged for this.

This QAnon Candidate Could Cost Trump a Key Swing State

A Donald Trump acolyte and espoused Evangelical Christian, Robinson has professed hard-line stances on everything from abortion to members of the LGBTQ+ community, whom he once referred to as filth.

I know he might have problems with gay people, but I dont think he has problems with lesbians, Money told the Assembly.

Robinson has also railed against the practice of teaching public school students about gender identities and sexual orientations, calling books that discuss the subject borderline child pornography. If elected, he would be the states first Black governor.

In a 2022 memoir, Robinson explained he became a devout Christian in the 1980s, but that locking into his faith took longer than most. A young married father of two when he was saved, he told an audience at a Baptist church in 2021 that the devil doubled down in my life soon after.

[God] told me what I was supposed to do, he continued, according to the Assembly. As I was doing wrong, that voice was in the back of my head, saying, Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! And I still continued in disobedience after being saved. And Im not ashamed to say it.

Both stores he allegedly frequently have since closed, having gone the way of most video-porn shops in the internet era. I dont know if he still watches porn, Money said. You know, people change in 20 years.

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, far right, appears on stage as former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the North Carolina Aviation Museum & Hall of Fame in Asheboro last month. Jonathan Drake/Reuters

Money has since become the frontman of a Greensboro band called Trailer Park Orchestra, which earlier this year released a song called The Lt. Governor Owes Me Money.

He insisted to both the Assembly and WRAL that the song was based on a true story about $25 Robinson never paid him for the final bootleg tape he bought from him in 2004. He admitted to WRAL, however, that he was promoting his band and trying to make money from the song by taking his story to the press.

On election day in November 2022, Robinson stopped into a Planet Fitness in High Point, where Money happened to be working at the time, he said.

Robinson, who had been lieutenant governor for more than a year at that point, recognized Money and called out his name. The men, who hadnt seen each other in about a decade, spoke for about 20 minutes, Money recalled.

I was like, Dude, Im so proud of you, man, he said, adding that he jokingly scolded Robinson for $25 he still owed him for a bootleg porn tape hed fronted him years ago. The lieutenant governor laughed, he said.

Later that day, Money posted a photo to social media of the two of them posing together at the Planet Fitness. I disagree politically with this guy. However we have always been cool, he captioned it. Thats our Lt. Governor who still owes me money LOL.

North Carolina Guv Frontrunner Had Secret Meeting With Ginni Thomas After Jan. 6

Robinsons spokesperson Mike Longeran told the Assembly in an email that Moneys story was a false and personal attack and complete fiction. He characterized Money as a freak show grifter with a long history of criminal charges who used to hang around the Papa Johns where Robinson worked and ask for free pizza.

Court records obtained by the Assembly show that Money has faced nine criminal charges over the last 13 years. He has two drug-related misdemeanor convictions on his record; the other cases were dismissed.

Money said he sold marijuana for two decades, but never to Robinson. He admitted he may have also asked for a free pizza here and there.

But he disputed the rest of the spokespersons characterization. I think Im going to write a song called Freak Show Grifter, he added.

The Daily Beast also reached out to Robinsons campaign for comment.

Pornography was not illegal in North Carolina at the time Robinson is alleged to have indulged in it, nor is it banned today. But state legislators last year passed a law requiring would-be porn viewers to first submit photo identification to an explicit website to verify their age.

The current governor, Democrat Roy Cooper, signed the bill into law in June.

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Three cornerstone paintings from the Brauer Museum of Art on the Valparaiso University campus, including one by Georgia OKeeffe that has been displayed in museums across the globe, will be auctioned off to fund dorm renovations for first-year students after a Porter County magistrate ruled the sale could proceed.

The ruling, by Porter Superior Court Magistrate Ana Osan, came Aug. 29, the day after Richard Brauer, the museums namesake and founding director, withdrew his attempt to intervene and halt the court amending the trust through which the paintings were purchased.

In a note to the campus Wednesday morning, Jose Padilla, the universitys president, said he was pleased to report that the petition to amend the trust allowing for the sale of the paintings had been approved, completing the due diligence required for the artworks sale.

As of now, a definitive timeline for the sale has not been established. The artwork will be stored securely at an off-site facility until the sale is finalized. Following the completion of the sale, work on dorm renovation will begin, Padilla said.

Although this process has been lengthy, I remain dedicated to pursuing opportunities that will ensure the highest quality experiences for our students.

The ruling came as a disappointment to supporters of both Richard Brauer and the museum, including John Ruff, a senior professor of English at the university.

Im not absolutely surprised but I did hold out hope that a person entrusted with a decision of such importance would ask some questions, he said of the magistrate assigned the case.

Padilla first announced the possible sale of the artwork in February 2023, with plans to use the proceeds from the sale of Georgia OKeeffes Rust Red Hills, Frederic E. Churchs Mountain Landscape and The Silver Vale and the Golden Gate by Childe Hassam, to fund dorm renovations for first-year students.

The announcement generated widespread criticism from the art world and the campus. In the ensuing months, as part of budget cutbacks, the university fired Jonathan Canning, the museums director and curator, and closed the museum to the public and the campus in June.

Brauer has threatened to remove his name from the museum if the university sold the paintings.

According to appraisals received by the university, the fair market value of the OKeeffe is estimated at $10.5 million to $15 million; the Hassam, between $1 million and $3.5 million; and the Church at $1 million to $3 million.

University officials removed the paintings from the museum and put them in a secure, off-site location on Sept. 12 out of security concerns. Ruff found that disappointing as well since they had been on display for almost 70 years without any issues.

The university said in its petition to amend the Percy H. Sloan Trust, which paid for two of the paintings directly and provided funding for the third, that funds from the sale would be used to renovate freshman dorms, and create therein the Sloan Gallery of American Paintings in order to directly display other works of the Sloan collection to students, all of which is intended to increase student enrollment and more consistently honor Sloans intent of furthering conservative art and art education so far as is possible and as is consistent with the general plans of Valparaiso University.

The university also argued in its petition that two of the three paintings werent conservative in nature and therefore did not fit in with the Sloan collection or the tenets of the trust, and said that Brauer knew as much when he purchased the paintings. Brauer and his supporters have disputed the notion that he violated the trust and said all of the paintings he purchased were vetted at the time.

The sale of the artwork to renovate the dorms, the university argued in its petition, would help increase student enrollment. The university is facing a $9 million deficit this fiscal year, and the cost to renovate the museum to securely store the paintings would cost $50,000 to $100,000, with museum security guards and front desk staff costing $150,000 in salaries annually.

The OKeeffe, Hassam, and Church paintings have all substantially appreciated in value such that Valparaiso University can no longer, as a practical matter, securely display them without incurring substantial capital improvement costs and recurring labor costs for security, which has resulted in those paintings being moved to storage, Osan said in her ruling, going on to note the universitys operating deficit, its decline in enrollment and its lack of funding to securely display the paintings.

Given those circumstances the Court finds that it is no longer economically or practically feasible to display those three paintings, and that keeping those three paintings in storage would only impair, not enhance, the original purpose of the Trust to utilize the Collection, so far as possible, and as is consistent with the general plans of Valparaiso University and to serve and promote conservative art and the causes of art education in a practical and cultural way, Osan wrote.

Under the tenets of the trust established by Sloan, any sale proceeds were to be reinvested back into the collection through the purchase of additional artwork.

Osan found that impractical given the universitys financial situation.

The Court also finds that it would be wasteful to use any proceeds from any sale of those three paintings for the purpose of purchasing more works of art for the Collection given that Valparaiso University already lacks the capacity to display the works that it currently has, let alone additional works.

Osan gave the go-ahead for Valparaiso University to proceed with the plans to sell the artwork, use the funds to renovate the dorms and create a gallery, as it presented in its petition to the court.

Specifically, the proposal described in the Petition to sell the OKeeffe, Hassam, and Church paintings would relieve Valparaiso University of the burden and expense of improving a facility and more security guards to securely display them, put that property to productive use, and generate substantial funds for it to increase its enrollment and thereby increase the number of students exposed to conservative art and art education generally which was Sloans general charitable objective, Osan said in her ruling.

Osans ruling marks the end of the attempts to stop the sale and keep the paintings on campus at the museum.

This is it. Theyre going to pick an auction house now, said Portage attorney Patrick McEuen, who has been involved in the case since last year, representing Brauer and other museum supporters through two court attempts to stop the sale of the artwork.

The news wasnt a surprise, McEuen said Wednesday, after the filing became public.

Im disappointed in the Attorney Generals Office, he said of the office, led by Munster native Todd Rokita. We anticipated that there would be some attempt to prove the petition and instead, they capitulated. Its not the way the government is supposed to function.

Ruff called the situation a lose-lose from the start, including the loss of Canning and the museums closure, compounded by the sale of the paintings.

Its a terrible shame. No plans have been mentioned to reopen the Brauer. Thats a violation of the trust in itself, he said.

alavalley@chicagotribune.com
(Bloomberg) -- Russia and Malaysia will discuss collaboration in areas from aerospace to advanced technologies on Wednesday, as Anwar Ibrahim becomes the latest Asian leader to shrug off Western efforts to cast Vladimir Putin as an international pariah.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar is on a two-day visit to Russia, where he will meet President Putin on Wednesday evening and brief media on Thursday, according to his office. The meeting will allow talks on a broad range of topics, from agriculture and food security to trade and investment, Malaysias Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

This visit will no doubt bring the best benefits to Malaysia, especially in strengthening cooperation as well as two-way ties between Malaysia and Russia, Anwar wrote on X at the start of his two-day visit to the federation.

Anwar follows in the footsteps of Indias Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Koreas Kim Jong Un, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Myanmar army general Min Aung Hlaing in meeting with Putin since the start of Russias invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago. That shows many Asian leaders have been unmoved by the Wests condemnation of Putin and his charges for alleged war crimes.

Earlier this week, Putin agreed to boost economic ties in a visit to Mongolia, which was criticized by Ukraine for not executing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for the Russian leader. And in July, Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto, visiting in his capacity as defense minister, described Russia as a real friend when he met Putin in Moscow.

Washington has been critical of nations like Vietnam that have played host to Putin since it attacked Ukraine, with the US Embassy in Hanoi saying earlier this year no country should give Putin a platform to promote his war of aggression and otherwise allow him to normalize his atrocities.

A spokesman with the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur did not respond to a request for comment on Anwars visit to Moscow.

Anwar will also reiterate Malaysias interest in joining the BRICS grouping to Putin, who is chairman of the bloc for 2024, according to the foreign ministry statement. He is set to speak at the Eastern Economic Forum in Russias Far East region on Thursday, it added.

Russias rivals have reason to be wary of its warming ties with Malaysia. The Southeast Asian nation has emerged as a hub in the global chip supply chain, and tech giants have invested billions of dollars in the countrys infrastructure. Anwar has pledged at least 25 billion ringgit ($5.7 billion) in support of Malaysias semiconductor industry, and aims to attract at least another 500 billion ringgit in investment.

But there are risks. Malaysian firm Jatronics Sdn. was added to the US unilateral sanctions list after allegedly supplying components to Russian military-linked firms, and Poland has cautioned Asian countries to be mindful of the risk of sanctions and the sale of dual-use goods, which can be used for civilian and military applications.

Russia doesnt make its own semiconductors. There are all kinds of other dual-use goods and if you look at the figures of Russian imports or transit to some Central Asian countries for example, some of them are very surprising, Polands Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosaw Sikorski said in Singapore this week.

Such warnings are unlikely to deter Anwar. The veteran politician has maintained a non-aligned stance since coming to power in 2022, saying that he wont choose sides as he looks to court investment and grow the economy.

In 2022, Russia was Malaysias eighth-largest trading partner among European countries, with total trade rising 15.6% to $3.1 billion that year, according to Malaysias Foreign Ministry.

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"This is a book for after the election, after the inauguration," the author insists

Hachette Books; J. Scott Applewhite/AP Mallory McMorrow

Sen. Mallory McMorrow is documenting her journey into politics in her debut book.

PEOPLE can exclusively reveal the cover for McMorrows new book, Hate Wont Win: Find Your Power and Leave This Place Better Than We Found It, coming from Hachette Book Group next spring. The book is a "a step-by-step guide for anyone whos fed up with the divisiveness in American politics," per its official description.

McMorrow did not start out with her sights set on being a politician. In fact, she worked in product design and advertising for many years. But things changed when she woke up the day after the 2016 election and "Googled 'how to run for office,'" she tells PEOPLE in an exclusive statement.

She has since become a staple in the United States political sphere and currently serves as the Senate Majority Whip and is in her second term in the Michigan Senate.

Hachette Books Mallory McMorrow's New Book 'Hate Won't Win'

"Ive learned the ins and outs of government, and have seen what works and what doesnt in terms of how anyone can advocate effectively for change," she explains.

"But Ive also found myself at the forefront of the ugliest of our current moment: staring down armed gunmen looming above my head in the Senate chambers, grappling with a global pandemic and the rise of conspiracy theories and political violence, sexual harassment, misogyny and a personal smear so ugly and unfounded that the speech I gave in response went viral and turned me into a household name overnight," she says.

Related: Dr. Ruth Shares a Final Lesson After Her Death: How to Live Without Loneliness (Exclusive)

In 2022, a fundraising email sent by Sen. Lana Theis to supporters went viral . It accused McMorrow of being a sexual predator who wants young children to feel "responsible for slavery." The email alleged that "our children are under assault in our schools" as a result of teaching critical race theory.

Theis' email contained no evidence of such practices in her state's classrooms or of the accusations against McMorrow, who later said in a speech on the floor of the Michigan Senate that she didn't expect to see her name associated with the baseless message.

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow

"I sat on it a while, wondering why me," McMorrow said. "And then I realized  because I am the biggest threat to your hollow, hateful scheme."

Within two days, the video of McMorrow's speech had been viewed on Twitter, now X, more than 10 million times.

Looking back on the controversy today, McMorrow says she "leveraged that moment to turn hate on its head, raise millions of dollars to support other candidates running for our state legislature." Since then, she has "met thousands of people all across the country who want to get involved and make change, but who have no idea where to start."

Related: In True Gretch, Gretchen Whitmer Shares What She Does When 'Your Figure Becomes a Matter of Public Discussion' (Exclusive)

That's where her new book comes in.

"This book is the culmination of it all  how I got here, what Ive learned and a step-by-step guide for anyone on how to find your own voice, find your people, get involved and make real change to create the communities and the future we want to see."

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

But maybe not quite yet. "This is a book for after the election, after the inauguration," McMorrow insists. "When the dust settles on all of that, what happens next is on us."



Hate Wont Win: Find Your Power and Leave This Place Better Than We Found It will be published on Mar. 25, 2025 and is now available for preorder, wherever books are sold.

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Man accused of exposing himself to women at St. Charles County park

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo.  A man faces criminal charges after he allegedly exposed himself to women at a St. Charles County park.

The St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorneys Office has charged Stuart Bridges, 33, with three counts of first-degree sexual misconduct amid the investigation.

The St. Charles County Police Department reports, according to victims, Bridges was recently walking around Dardenne Greenway at Barathaven Park and wearing only boxer briefs. Victims reported to police that they could see his genitalia exposed in front of the boxer briefs.

This city in the St. Louis region named among fastest-growing in America

Officers later responded to the park and questioned Bridges about the reported behavior before taking him into custody.

Bridges was booked into St. Charles County Jail on a $10,000 bond and ordered to no contact with the victims, according to online Missouri court records.

The St. Charles County Police Department is asking anyone with information to contact Detective Sgt. Adelsberger at 636-949-7900 ext. 2549 or badelsberg@sccmo.org.

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Leonard Jones IV, 50, is accused of setting fire to the New Jersey property following a "dispute" with his partner

South Brunswick Twp Police Department A man in South Brunswick has been accused of setting fire to his girlfriend's parents' house

A 50-year-old man has been arrested after being accused of setting fire to a New Jersey home following an argument with his girlfriend.

In the early hours of Tuesday, Sept. 3 at around 2:58 a.m. local time, the South Brunswick Police Department received a 911 call asking officers to make Leonard Jones IV leave the property following a "dispute" with his partner, per a release obtained by PEOPLE.

"As officers were responding a second 911 call reported the house was on fire. The first officer arrived within a minute and observed fire through the home's roof," the release, also shared on Instagram alongside multiple photos of the fire, added.

South Brunswick Police Dept./Instagram A man in South Brunswick has been accused of setting fire to his girlfriend's parents' house

Related: Pregnant Mom Jumps from Two-Story Window to Flee Fire at 36 Weeks: Her Family's Incredible Story of Survival (Exclusive)

Police Chief Raymond Hayducka confirmed Jones' arrest, with the release stating the suspect, from South Brunswick, had been charged with aggravated arson and domestic violence.

Officers said the three people in the 155 Old Beekman Road property made it out safely, in addition to the suspect. Deputy Chief James Ryan confirmed to PEOPLE that it was the girlfriend's parents' home that had been set on fire.

South Brunswick Police Dept./Instagram A man in South Brunswick has been accused of setting fire to his girlfriend's parents' house

Related: 6-Year-Old Girl Runs into Burning Home and Saves Her Family from Fire: 'Wake Up Mom'

"Jones was lodged in the Middlesex County Correction Center pending his first court appearance," the release stated.

"The 2-alarm fire was fought by all three Township fire companies  Kendall Park, Monmouth Junction, Kingston, and several surrounding communities fire department. The Kendall Park, Monmouth Junction, and North Brunswick EMS all responded," police confirmed, sharing a video on X (formerly known as Twitter) showing the firefighters at work.

South Brunswick Twp Police Department A man in South Brunswick has been accused of setting fire to his girlfriend's parents' house

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Per WABC, officers were aware of some issues in the household the night prior to the fire.

Boyfriend charged with setting fire to girlfriends parents home. Three residents escaped the fire.#Arson pic.twitter.com/rtdaS7YJDv  So Brunswick PD (@SoBrunswickPD) September 3, 2024

"We were here two times earlier, once for a noise complaint at about midnight, that noise was abated, and then we got a call about 10 minutes before the fire that there was an out-of-control male at the residence, officers then got a call a fire had broken out, seemed to be out of control, officers responded, by the time they got here, the house was fully engulfed," South Brunswick Police Department Detective Tim Hoover said, according to the outlet.

The investigation is ongoing.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man who threatened to shoot up two Memphis Shelby County Schools on Thursday afternoon was in court Wednesday for a bond hearing.

21-year-old Charles Davis faced Judicial Commissioner Kenya Smith for his bail hearing while his public defender and the state prosecutor made recommendations for his bond.

Man allegedly threatens to shoot up two Memphis schools

I find that he is a danger to the community and I will set the bond at $1 million, Smith said.

Smith also says she believes Davis is a threat to the community because of his past.

Davis faces several charges from those incidents and this case including two counts of threats of mass violence on school property and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Before his bond was set Davis could be seen in court crying after talking to his attorney.

Memphis Police says on August 29, just before 1 p.m., they were called to John P Freeman Optional School on Tulane Road.

The principal advised at John P Freeman Optional School the defendant was en route to shoot up the school, the state prosecutor said. Mr. Davis said he should have killed her when he had the chance and that she better pull the kids out of school because she was about to shoot it up.

Davis allegedly said he was going to shoot up John P Freeman and Oakshire Elementary School.

Officers say they found Davis four miles away from Freeman, where he led them on a foot chase. While he was running, police say he tossed a black bag with a handgun inside.

Davis and his public defender are expected to be back in court on September 18th for his preliminary hearing.

In addition to those threats, Davis is also charged with first-degree murder in connection with a deadly shooting along Winchester earlier this year.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A man who came to City Hall Tuesday to inquire why authorities were recently at his residence was arrested on a warrant for rape charges.

Read next: New details released in Canfield Fair gun incident

Reports state when Nicholas Kowal came to City Hall Tuesday to ask officers why U.S. Marshals were recently at his house, he was informed of a warrant issued for his arrest and taken to the Mahoning County Jail.

A Mahoning County grand jury handed down a secret indictment for Kowal Thursday on charges of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles and two counts of rape, and a warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest, according to a police report.

The charges stem from an October 2023 incident where Youngstown police spoke to a woman at a hospital who told them Kowal had sexually assaulted her 12-year-old daughter.

Reports state at one point during the incident, Kowal took out his phone and showed the victim a pornographic video on a website and told her to mimic the actions shown in the video.

Reports state Kowal told the victim, You cant tell anyone about this or I will go to jail.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)  A man is facing charges after he allegedly provided the drugs that killed a man in 2023.

Eric Zmitravich, 42, is facing felony charges after he allegedly provided fentanyl to three men who all overdosed, one of which was fatal, according to a criminal complaint. On April 25, 2023, officers from the Pennsylvania State Police out of Punxsutawney were called to a home on the 2000 block of Harmony Road in Young Township for a report of three unresponsive men.

On scene, EMS found two men who were unresponsive and one man, later identified as Robert Harmick Jr., who was already deceased. The two men were transported by EMS and when police arrived on scene they found Zmitravich and a woman. The woman told police in an interview that she and Zmitravich had arrived at the home to find the three men lying on the floor and called 911 for help. Police noted that they could not interview Zmitravich as he was visibly under the influence.

Man arrested in Altoona, caught with over 800 grams of cocaine

During a search of the home, police found multiple items of drug paraphernalia and suspected controlled substances. They also noted that they found a handbag that contained multiple items of suspected controlled substances. All of these were seized and placed into evidence, according to an affidavit.

The two men who overdosed were taken to the Punxsutawney Area Hospital. One was released later that day and taken to the Jefferson County Jail on other warrants. The second had to be taken to another hospital for long-term treatment as a result of the overdose, according to the report.

On April 28, Zmitravich was screened by PA State Parole and tested positive for methamphetamine and fentanyl. On May 1, 2023, police interviewed the man who overdosed and was arrested at the jail about what had happened. He reported that Zmitravich and the woman were at the home with him and the other victims and they had used methamphetamine and alleged cocaine. He added that the drugs came from Zmitravich and that soon after they took the alleged cocaine they passed out.

In the interview with police, the man added that he had taken cocaine before and was aware of its effects, but added that what Zmitravich provided did not feel the same. He said that he felt that the cocaine was actually fentanyl and accused Zmitravich of giving it to them intentionally.

Police applied for and were granted warrants for the toxicology reports of the two men who overdosed. Reports showed that they both had methamphetamine and fentanyl in their system. On May 24, 2023, the autopsy report of the victim showed that he had fentanyl and methamphetamine in his system. The Jefferson County coroner ruled his death as fentanyl, methamphetamine toxicity and that his consumption of the drug was a direct and substantial factor in his death.

In a follow-up interview with the woman from the scene, she allegedly admitted to police that she lied during the first interview. She admitted that she and Zmitravich were there before the overdoses started and that they had brought the drugs to the scene, according to the criminal complaint. She added that Zmitravich was the one who allegedly bought and sold drugs, but that she had brought the drugs that night in her purse. She added that Zmitravich told them all that he had cocaine and that all four men did a line. Soon after she said they all passed out at which point she used Narcan to wake Zmitravich back up.

She continued to tell police that 48 hours prior to the incident she had gone with Zmitravich to buy meth, cocaine and fentanyl in Ohio. Zmitravich then allegedly began bagging the cocaine and fentanyl but got the two confused because they looked alike, according to the complaint. The woman added that Zmitravich allegedly took what he thought was cocaine, which was actually fentanyl, and that he overdosed and she had to use Narcan to revive him.

In the interview with police, the woman said she was upset the night of the incident because she thought Zmitravich had thrown away the cocaine and fentanyl after the first overdose. According to the affidavit, she confirmed to police that Zmitravich told all three men that he had cocaine.

Police added that the drugs they found inside the purse were swabbed for DNA evidence and were positive for Zmitravichs DNA.

In an interview with police, Zmitravich allegedly admitted to doing meth but then said that the woman was the one who had brought the drugs and that he did not know she had them. Police told him that his DNA was found on the baggies, but he said that was impossible. He also denied having or providing any drugs that night.

Zmitravich is facing felony charges for drug delivery resulting in death, possession with the intent to deliver and misdemeanor charges of recklessly endangering another person and involuntary manslaughter.

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He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Sept. 12.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
NEWARK, N.J.  A Kansas City, Missouri, man appeared in federal court last week for attempted data extortion of his former employer.

According to prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Jersey, Daniel Rhyne, 57, worked for an industrial company based in Somerset County, New Jersey, as a core infrastructure engineer.

Prosecutors allege Rhyne gained unauthorized access to the companys computer systems last November through an administrators account. He then changed the company administrators passwords and began shutting down the computer servers, among other network tasks.

On Nov. 25, 2023, certain employees received an extortion email, threatening to delete or shut down company servers over a 10-day period unless Rhyne was paid 20 Bitcoin, worth approximately $750,000 at the time.

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Investigators said Rhyne controlled the email address used to send the extortion email to his employer.

Rhyne was arrested in Missouri on Tuesday, August 27. He made an initial court appearance the following day in Kansas City federal court and was released pending trial.

Rhyne was charged with one count of extortion in relation to a threat to cause damage to a protected computer, one count of intentional damage to a protected computer, and one count of wire fraud.

If convicted, Rhyne faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for extortion, 10 years and a $250,000 fine for intentional damage to a computer, and up to 20 years and a $250,000 fine for wire fraud.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Man detained after reportedly running across roofs, breaking into a home in Tujunga

A man was taken into custody after allegedly running across the roofs of multiple homes and eventually breaking into one in Tujunga.

Preliminary information indicates that a homeowner on Tujunga Canyon Place called police around 1:45 a.m. Wednesday to report hearing someone running through their backyard and across their roof.

According to stringer service OnSceneTV, after the call was placed, the man ran across the street and into the backyard of a second home before proceeding to a third property which he forcefully entered.

Video obtained by KTLA shows a man running through a backyard in Tujunga before he fell while trying to climb a fence on Sept. 4, 2024. (OnSceneTV)

Video obtained by KTLA shows a man running through a backyard in Tujunga before he fell while trying to climb a fence on Sept. 4, 2024. (OnSceneTV)

Video obtained by KTLA shows a man running through a backyard in Tujunga before he fell while trying to climb a fence on Sept. 4, 2024. (OnSceneTV)

Video obtained by KTLA shows a man running through a backyard in Tujunga before he fell while trying to climb a fence on Sept. 4, 2024. (OnSceneTV)

Video obtained by KTLA shows the man running through a backyard before falling while attempting to climb a fence.

South Bay shooting leaves 1 dead; person of interest in custody

Los Angeles Police Department officers arrived on the scene and were able to take the man into custody after searching the home.

His identity is not known. No injuries were reported.

KTLA has reached out to police for more information but is yet to receive a response.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA)  A man died after he caught on fire in a Florida parking lot on Tuesday afternoon.

Shortly after noon, the Charlotte County Fire and Emergency Medical Services arrived at the Port Charlotte Town Center Mall, where they found a man with burns over his entire body.

A medical helicopter was called to the scene; however, just as the helicopter was landing, the man went into cardiac arrest.

Credit: Charlotte County Public Safety

Credit: Charlotte County Public Safety

Credit: Charlotte County Public Safety

Credit: Charlotte County Public Safety

Due to the lack of space for CPR in the helicopter, the man was taken to the hospital by ambulance, NBC affiliate WBBH reported.

The man, who has not yet been identified, died shortly after. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Charlotte County Sheriffs Office Major Crimes Unit and the State Fire Marshal are investigating the incident.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. (WMBB)  A widow says a Florida doctor removed the wrong organ while performing surgery on her husband, leading to his death and prompting an investigation.

William Bill Bryan, 70, and his wife Beverly were visiting their rental property in Destin, Florida, on Aug. 19 when Bill felt pain on his left side.

He started having some pain in his left shoulder, his neck and his left side. So we went to Ascension Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast and he was admitted, Beverly told Nexstars WMBB.

Beverly, a retired nurse, said a doctor at the medical facility diagnosed a spleen issue and insisted on performing surgery on it.

1000-Lb Sisters star arrested at Tennessee zoo after claiming camel bit her

We called Bills doctor, here at home in Northwest Alabama, and he told Bill that he would have surgeons here in North Alabama waiting when we got home, Beverly explained. She said she tried to convince the doctor in Ascension Sacred Heart to let her take Bill back to Alabama, or have him transported, but was told Bill would bleed to death if he was moved.

According to Joe Zarzaur of the Zarzaur law office, instead of removing Bills spleen, the doctor removed his liver on Aug. 21. Bill died on the operating table.

A pathologist reportedly told Beverly a bag labeled spleen contained Bills liver. Beverly said a medical examiner then performed an autopsy and confirmed Bill still had his spleen.

Everyone knows you cant live without your liver. Its about the same thing as if they had pulled out your heart. His heart, Beverly said. I know Im not the only wife whos lost her husband suddenly, but the loss of my Bill was exceptionally unnecessary and brutal.

The doctor was said to have been practicing medicine for 14 years. Zarzaur claims, however, that the same doctor was involved in another wrong-site surgery within the past two years, with the previous case being settled at the same facility in 2023.

Zarzaur and Beverly say they want justice.

Navy destroyer commander relieved of duty after photo sparked ridicule

I would go so far as to say just be very careful if youre even seeing the doctor for something non-surgical, Zarzaur said. That guy, I would not allow him to do anything with anybody here.

We do not want this to happen to anyone else, but for this particular individual especially, Beverly said. I didnt realize it takes so long for a doctor to lose a license. I thought it would be something, you know, as soon as this was known, it would be immediate. That is not the case.

In a press release issued on Aug. 30, Ascension Sacred Heart said, Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Sacred Heart Emerald Coasts leadership is investigating this matter.

Since then, the surgeon has been removed from multiple medical office websites including North Walton Doctors Hospital, HCA Florida, and Ascension Sacred Heart.

The Walton County Sheriffs Office says it is working with the medical examiners office and the Office of the State Attorney to review the facts involving the death of William Bryan to determine if anything criminal took place.

At this time, it would be incorrect to say criminal charges have been filed, the sheriffs office said. Our agency asks for the publics patience as these cases are extremely complex and take time to investigate. The only reliable source of information regarding any criminal case will come from our office.

Zarzaur said he is starting the six-to-nine month pre-suit process that must be followed before any civil lawsuit can be filed for medical malpractice.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
DENVER (KDVR)  A man has died weeks after a shooting at an Aurora complex that has been described by residents as having a myriad of problems.

Residents at The Edge at Lowry apartment complex near Dallas Street and East 12th Avenue said theyve been plagued by problems for months, including a large pileup of trash, a deadly shootout and attempted break-ins.

On Aug. 18 at around 11:30 p.m., Aurora Police Department officers responded to a shooting at the apartment complex. One man was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Warfare. Warfare. It was different caliber of guns, different kinds of guns. You dont expect to hear that when you are laying your head down at night, resident Cindy Romero said of the shooting.

Residents at Aurora apartments say deplorable conditions the issue, not gangs

On Tuesday, the Aurora Police Department provided an update on the shooting and said the man who was shot died from his injuries while in the hospital. The Major Crime Homicide Unit is now investigating the case.

Police said the victim was identified on Aug. 27 as 25-year-old Oswaldo Jose Dabion Araujo.

At this time the investigation is ongoing, and Aurora police said officers have not made any arrests. Anyone who has information on the shooting is asked to contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)  A California man who is accused of shooting another man twice in January at a Somerset County inn has now been extradited back to the state.

Andrew Vega, 33, was extradited back to Pennsylvania and is now being held in the Somerset County Prison. He is facing charges of criminal attempt of murder in the first degree, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with an attempt to cause serious bodily injury, possessing a firearm prohibited and other misdemeanor charges.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man facing attempted murder charges for Somerset County shooting

On Jan. 4 officers from the Somerset Borough Police Department were called to the Holiday Inn Express for a report of a gunshot victim. Police arrived on scene and found Lancaster man who told them he had been shot twice by a man, later identified as Vega. The victim had two bullet wounds, both in his thighs, and was taken to the hospital and later released, according to the criminal complaint.

The victim stated that Vega had pulled up to him while he was sitting in his car, drew a firearm and fired several shots at him. In an interview with police, he said that he thought Vega fired 5-6 shots and then started cheering before he fled the scene. The victim told police he was afraid for his life as he thought Vega was trying to kill him.

Police spoke to the Holiday Inn Express worker who had called in the shots being fired who was then able to provide them with the hotel registry for the night. Police noted that Vega had been checked in the day of the shooting and were also able to see him on the surveillance camera both shooting at the victim and fleeing the scene.

On Jan. 11, the Flloyd County Sheriffs office in the state of Indiana contacted Somerset County police and informed them that Vegas car had been seen and that officers engaged in a high speed chase in an attempt to catch Vega. Vega then allegedly dumped his car and took off on foot before he was arrested by officers.

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Vega has a preliminary hearing set for Sept. 10.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
We recently published a list of 10 Best Alcohol Stocks To Own According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) stands against the other alcohol stocks.

There is a substantial amount of evidence that suggests that any alcohol consumption, however moderate, can have negative health consequences. Even low levels of drinking can increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and even certain types of cancer. Understanding that there is no such thing as risk-free drinking, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines moderate drinking as 2 drinks or less per day for men and no more than one drink per day for women. Still, despite the well-publicized health risks, more than two-thirds of adult drinkers regularly exceed those levels.

READ ALSO: 20 Largest Publicly Traded Liquor Companies in the US and 20 Best Wine Brands in the World.

The Global Alcohol Industry:

In 2019, the global alcohol consumption, measured in liters of pure alcohol per person of 15 years of age or older, was 5.5 liters, which is a 4.7% relative decrease from 5.7 liters in 2010. As we mentioned in our article  20 Countries with the Highest Alcohol Consumption per Capita in 2024  the global alcoholic beverages market size was valued at $1.62 trillion in 2021 and is projected to reach $2 trillion by 2031, with a CAGR of 2.2% during the forecast period.

The market is likely to be driven by the increasing global young-adult demographic, coupled with high disposable income and consumer demand for premium/super-premium products. Globally, beer drives the market for alcoholic beverages. Regionally, North America and Asia-Pacific are expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.

The American Liquor Market:

The American liquor industry is overcoming economic headwinds to meet changing consumer preferences as it chips away at the dominance of beer. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the spirits revenue market share grew from 28.7% in 2000 to 42.1% in 2022, while beer held a 41.9% market share that year. Thus, in 2022, the spirits industry surpassed beer in revenue for the first time ever. The trend continued in 2023 when the spirits market share again totaled more than 42%. The spirits supplier sales in the United States totaled $37.7 billion last year, while volumes rose 1.2% to 308.8 million 9-liter cases.

The rise to the top for spirit-makers is fueled in part by the resurgent cocktail culture, including the growing popularity of ready-to-drink concoctions, as well as strong growth in the tequila and American whiskey segments.

Story continues

The Financial Impact of Alcohol in America:

As stated in our article  20 Drunkest States in the US  booze plays an enormous role in the American economy. As of 2021, the total share of the beverage alcohol market in the U.S. represented almost $250 billion and over 3.4 billion cases sold. Beer/FMB/hard seltzer accounted for 43.5% of value share, followed closely by spirits at 39.5%, and wine at a 17% share.

The U.S. alcohol beverage industry is responsible for sustaining more than 4 million jobs and generating almost $70 billion in annual tax revenue. And that doesnt even scratch the surface of the economic benefits the industry provides to late-night restaurants and pizza shops. According to the Beer Institute, the beer industry alone supports 1.75 million jobs. From the farmers harvesting the barley in your beer, to the beer truck driver, to your local bartender, every aspect of your drink exists because of someone in the alcohol industry working hard behind the scenes.

However, theres obviously also a downside to the heavy alcohol consumption in America. According to the CDC, excessive drinking costs the country around $249 billion annually, when combining healthcare expenditures, lost earnings and productivity, criminal justice implications, vehicle crashes, property damage, and more. The federal government picks up roughly $100 billion of the tab, largely through Medicare and Medicaid payments. Several evidence-based strategies can help reduce excessive drinking, including increasing alcohol excise taxes, limiting alcohol outlet density, and commercial host liability.

At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

Is Constellation Brands, Inc. (STZ) The Best Alcohol Stock To Own According to Hedge Funds?

A winemaker examining a glass of red wine from a barrel in a cellar.

Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 46

Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) continues to be the Best Alcohol Stock According to Hedge Funds, with 46 hedge fund holders in Q2 2024 boasting an overall stake value of over $1.2 billion. The New York-based company is involved in the production, import, marketing, and sale of beer, wine, and spirits across the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. STZ also made headlines last summer when its Mexican beer brand, Modelo Especial, became the Best-Selling Beer in America after dethroning Bud Light.

Even after a year, there are no major signs of a slowdown and in Q1 2025, Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ)s beer business (responsible for raking in the lions share of its revenue) attained the second-largest share gain in the total beverage industry, as well as, once again, the top share gain in all beverage alcohol. The company also returned $185 million to shareholders in dividends and executed $200 million in share repurchases, in addition to completing over $40 million more of buybacks in June.

Despite the huge continued success of its beer segment, Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) remains focused on diversification and announced the purchase of California winery, Sea Smoke, in May to further enhance the companys higher-end wine focus and portfolio growth strategy with one of the preeminent Pinot Noir producers in the world. Another factor helping STZ is that Americas Hispanic population (a segment that makes up over 50% of the companys client mix) is growing almost twice as fast as its general population, so brands like Modelo and Corona are expected to stay in high demand.

Overall STZ ranks 1st on our list of the best alcohol stocks to own according to hedge funds. While we acknowledge the potential of STZ as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold great promise for delivering high returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than STZ 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.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  California Highway Patrol are investigating after a man was found dead on a Spring Valley highway early Tuesday, authorities report.

Officers with the California Highway Patrol El Cajon office responded to reports of a person lying in the road on State Route 94 in Spring Valley at 3:35 a.m. Tuesday.

Officer severely hurt in deadly crash released from hospital

CHP says officers found a man wearing a motorcycle helmet surrounded by motorcycle fragments from what appeared to be an accident, however there was no motorcycle found in the area.

First responders attempted life-saving measures on the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Man, 81, killed in hit-and-run crash in East County

According to CHP, the investigation so far points to the man crashing after traveling east on SR-94, east of Sweetwater Springs Boulevard. However the circumstances of the accident are still under investigation.

The California Highway Patrol El Cajon office is asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident to call their office at 619-401-2000.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
GRAFTON, W.Va. (WBOY)  The West Virginia Medical Examiner was called to the scene of an incident where a pickup truck hit a home in Grafton on Wednesday.

The call came in just before 10 a.m. on Parkview Road, according to the Taylor County 911 log.

West Virginia State Police told 12 News crews at the scene that a man was found dead inside a Toyota Tacoma that had hit the house.

VFD says Fairmont plane crash was best case scenario

The West Virginia State Police, Taylor County Sheriffs Office, Taylor County EMS and Grafton Fire Department all responded. No patients were transported, according to the Taylor County 911 log.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A man who robbed a bank in Wyoming in March  just weeks after getting out of jail for robbing the very same bank branch in 2022  is heading to prison.

John Leon Tipton was sentenced Wednesday to 12 to 30 years in prison for armed robbery. The heist happened March 22 at the Fifth Third Bank on Michael Avenue SW at 28th Street.

Man targets same bank days after jail release, records show

It was familiar territory for Tipton, who earlier this year pleaded no contest to robbing the same bank branch back in August of 2022.

On March 7 of this year, Tipton was sentenced in Kent County Circuit Court to 573 days in jail for the 2022 robbery, but he received credit for time served since his arrest. He got out of jail that same day.

Then, just weeks later, police say Tipton again entered the branch at 2828 Michael Ave. SW and demanded money from a bank teller.

Defendant stated he had a gun and threatened that he would shoot the teller if she didnt give him the money, a Wyoming officer wrote in court documents. Defendant took the money from the teller and fled the scene.

Police caught up with Tipton later that day and arrested him.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  A man accused of killing a Huntsville police officer changed his plea to not guilty by mental defect and will receive a mental competency exam from the state.

A judge granted a motion for Juan Laws to be given the exam by a certified forensic examiner appointed by the Alabama Department of Mental Health.

PREVIOUS: Defense attorney for man accused of killing HPD officer to remain on the capital case

After the exam, a written report will be given to the court advising them of Lewiss mental condition as it relates to his alleged actions.

Juan Laws is facing a capital murder charge following the shooting death of Huntsville Police Officer Garrett Crumby in March of 2023.

Laws was indicted for capital murder and domestic violence on Friday, August 30.

On September 3, Laws pled not guilty to each of those charges. Later that day, attorneys for Laws filed a formal change of plea from Not Guilty and Not Guilty by Reason of Mental Disease or Defect.

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Attorneys representing Laws believe that he needs a mental competency evaluation to determine both his competency to stand trial, as well as to determine whether he was suffering from a mental disease or defect at the time of the alleged incidents.

On March 28, 2023, HPD said that Crumby, along with fellow officer Albert Morin, was shot by Laws when they responded to a shots fired call at the Governors House Apartments.

According to HPD, Crumby died from his injuries, and Morin was later released from the hospital after recovering.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) charged 24-year-old Laws with capital murder of a law enforcement officer.

Laws was facing charges from another incident where he was accused of shooting two people outside of Sammy Ts in January of 2022 and was out on bond at the time of Crumbys death.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Police are investigating after a man was killed and a woman was injured during a shooting Tuesday night in Kansas City, Missouri.

According to the Kansas City Police Department, on-duty officers were patrolling the area of 55th Street and Prospect Avenue when they heard sounds of gunfire to their east.

Lees Summit police identify man killed in 50 Highway motorcycle crash

KCPD said officers drove to the area to investigate, and upon arriving at 55th Street and South Benton Avenue, they found a man, 39-year-old Shroy Lapsely, and a woman suffering from gunshot wounds.

After EMS arrived, both victims were taken to a hospital: the woman with non-life-threatening injuries, and Lapsely with more serious injuries.

Police said he later died at the hospital at about 1 a.m. Wednesday morning.

The investigation is ongoing as detectives and crime scene investigators process the scene and search for witnesses.

At this time, there is no word of one or multiple suspects.

Fight leads to deadly shooting at Kansas City home Tuesday morning

If you or anyone you know has information regarding the deadly shooting, police ask that you call homicide detectives directly at (816) 234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at (816) 474-8477,

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Editors note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Cory Crandells first name.

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A 53-year-old man was sentenced on Tuesday to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a 2021 shooting, the 15th Circuit Solicitors Office said.

Cory Crandell pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and battery, the solicitors office said. He shot a man in the parking lot of a North Myrtle Beach gas station on Nov. 2, 2021.

Crandell fled the scene but was arrested by North Myrtle Beach police within minutes, according to the solicitors office. He pleaded guilty just before his trial was supposed to start.

North Myrtle Beach Police Department did an incredible job bringing the defendant to justice before anyone else could get hurt, Solicitor Jimmy Richardson said in a news release.

* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Man pleads no contest to all charges in DUI crash that killed 2

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A man faces 12 years in prison after pleading no contest to all charges  including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated  filed in connection with a crash that killed two people last year.

Luis Angel Esquivel-Muro, 49, entered the no contest pleas Wednesday morning, according to court records. Sentencing is scheduled for next month.

RELATED: Alleged drunken driver held to answer on all charges in double-fatal crash

He pleaded no contest to two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, two counts of DUI causing bodily injury and driving on a license suspended or revoked for DUI.

On Aug. 17, 2023, Esquivel-Muro drove a pickup that collided with a car at the intersection of California and Chester avenues, police said.

Peter Preciado and Justina Marie Alston, the driver and passenger of the car, were fatally injured. Police arrested Esquivel-Muro after determining hed been driving while under the influence of alcohol.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A defendant accused of rape in Mahoning County entered a plea in his case Wednesday and was sentenced.

Abraham Riley, 39, pleaded guilty to two counts of gross sexual imposition, third-degree felonies. He was then sentenced to five years in prison, and he must register as a sex offender for 25 years, according to Assistant Prosecutor Caitlyn Andrews.

Riley initially faced six counts of rape and three counts of gross sexual imposition charges following an indictment in June.

He was accused of raping a minor from 2015 to 2020.

Joe Gorman contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
DENVER (KDVR)  A man found guilty earlier this year of killing four people in an Aurora home and then fleeing to Mexico has been sentenced to life in prison.

Joseph Castorena, 22, was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences, plus 24 years in prison on Tuesday. A jury found him guilty in May of four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder.

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Castorena was charged after he broke into the victims home in the 900 block of Geneva Street and waited inside while residents were at a party on Oct. 30, 2022. When they arrived home after 2 a.m., Castorena shot four adults, killing them. A woman and two children were rescued from the scene, later identified as Castorenas ex-girlfriend and her nieces.

Police identified the four victims as:

Jesus Serrano, 51

Maria Anita, Serrano, 22

Kenneth Eugene Green Loque, 20

Rudolfo Salgado Perez, 49

The victims were found to be the ex-girlfriends father, sister and brother-in-law, in addition to a neighbor.

The FOX31 Problem Solvers investigated and found that the ex-girlfriend and her father had applied for restraining orders against Castorena a week before the murders. In the application for the protection order, the ex-girlfriend wrote that Castorena was waiting for her when she got to her car on Oct. 22 to leave for work.

I was planning on going home and he didnt let me..While being pregnant with my first child he would hit me. Really controlling, harassing all the time, I had to listen to him or hell hit. Wouldnt let me see my family, she wrote.

Her father, Jesus Serrano, applied for a protection order on the same day, writing his daughter never made it home from work on Oct. 22, 2022.

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Police also arrested Castorenas brother and one of his cousins in Aurora, each on a charge of accessories after the fact. They both pleaded guilty to the charges.

According to court records, one accomplice was sentenced to three years of probation and 75 hours of community service, and the other was sentenced to 340 days in prison, which the man had already served while awaiting court.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Groove Face sentenced to prison after deadly shooting at Portland hotel

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A man convicted of a deadly 2023 shooting at an Embassy Suites hotel near Portland International Airport was sentenced in late August.

According to court documents, 34-year-old Ramond Lawrence received a life prison sentence for the murder of 24-year-old Teonjenique Elizabeth Lashay Hudson Howard, as first reported by The Oregonian/OregonLive. He has the potential for release after serving 30 years behind bars.

According to court documents, the shooting erupted at a party on March 15 for Hudson Howard in a hotel room when her partner and Lawrences associate got into an argument and Lawrence started shooting.

This was a win: Fred Meyer workers wrap up week-long strike in Portland metro area

After receiving several 911 calls reporting the shooting, authorities arrived at the hotel, on the corner of Northeast Airport Way and Northeast 82nd Avenue, shortly before 3 a.m.

Port of Portland officers reported witnessing Lawrence  also known as Groove Face  running away from the hotel, court documents stated, noting he ignored the officers calls to stop before he escaped through a hedge bordering the hotel parking lot.

Authorities found Lawrence at a nearby convenience store, and noticed his hand was bleeding from an apparent gunshot wound while handcuffing him. Lawrence was taken into custody after being treated at a local hospital.

Cessna pilot had control issues moments before deadly crash into Fairview townhouse

Officers found several guns in nearby foliage, including a 9mm Taurus with blood on the trigger guard, court documents stated.

Meanwhile, at the hotel, officers described walking into a scene of carnage, according to court documents  noting authorities witnessed blood smeared on the hotel lobby floor tiles and elevators.

Officers identified the shooting victims as Hudson Howard and 19-year-old Adrian Daeshawn Granville.

Oregon ranked among least hardworking states, WalletHub says

A Port of Portland spokesperson previously told KOIN 6 News that two additional victims  including a hotel security guard  were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries that night.

In June, Lawrence was found guilty of several charges including first-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, Lawrence had a previous conviction of manslaughter with a firearm in 2010.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(Reuters) - Germany's Daimler Truck Holding AG said on Wednesday it had appointed Karin Radstrom as its new CEO, effective Oct. 1.

Radstrom, who joined the board in 2021, will take over from current CEO Martin Daum, the company said in a statement.

She will also remain responsible for Mercedes-Benz Trucks until her succession is decided, the company said.

Daum joined Daimler-Benz AG in 1987 and has served in various roles in the company, including CEO of Daimler Trucks North America.

The truck maker on Sunday said it will cut hours and impose a job freeze for employees in its truck-making business in Germany as it grapples with subdued demand in Europe and Asia.

Last week, the truck maker cut its guidance, now expecting 2024 earnings before interest and taxes "significantly below" that of 2023.

(Reporting by Nilutpal Timsina in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli and Vijay Kishore)
Man who shot Beech Grove KFC coworker banned from chain as part of punishment

INDIANAPOLIS  A man accused of shooting his Kentucky Fried Chicken coworker after being fired has entered a plea, according to court records.

Wednesday, Roberto Petties pleaded guilty to aggravated battery in Marion Superior Court as part of an agreement with prosecutors stemming from the 2023 shooting. As part of the deal, which the judge approved, the state dismissed his count of unlawful carrying of a handgun.

Petties and prosecutors agreed to a sentence of nine years in the Indiana Department of Correction followed by two years on home detention. The Anderson man was also ordered to serve an additional two years on home detention for unlawful possession of a handgun in a separate case.

Petties is further prohibited from all KFC restaurants in Marion County.

According to court records, the restaurants manager told police Petties had been fired earlier that day and threatened to come back and shoot people. Just before 8 p.m. Nov. 28, callers reported gunshots erupting at the fast food chain at 4035 South Emerson Ave., then seeing the shooter run west.

Responding officers found an employee with a gunshot wound to the head. He identified Petties as the shooter at the scene, according to an arrest affidavit. The man survived, though his injuries required brain surgery.

Investigators found Petties at a residence on the east side of Indianapolis. After being taken into custody, he denied pulling the trigger or being at the restaurant at the time of the shooting but told police he exchanged threatening texts with his injured coworker.

The restaurant where the shooting happened is among a list set for closure, according to a KFC spokesperson. The location is listed as temporarily closed on Google Maps.

The plea agreement and sentencing are expected to be finalized at a hearing on Oct. 3.

Contact IndyStar reporter Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Man who shot Beech Grove KFC coworker banned from chain as punishment
Man shot by deputy responding to domestic dispute after wife calls 911, hangs up

A Bartow County deputy shot a man after officers responded to a domestic violence call in Adairsville on Monday.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said a woman called 911 and then abruptly hung up. A man, identified as James Lee Rourks, called back from the same number and told police everything was fine.

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Officers went to the home off Barnsley Village Drive to check. At the house, Rourks wife told officers there was a domestic dispute and Rourks had a gun.

When he came back inside, Adairsville officers said he would not follow their commands. They called the Bartow County Sheriffs Office to help with a potentially barricaded gunman.

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Deputies went into the house and found Rourks. Inside, a deputy shot at Rourks and injured him. Paramedics took Rourks to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Adairsville police have charged Rourks with aggravated assault by strangulation and interfering with a 911 call.

The GBI said no officers were injured during the incident.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Man shot at NYC West Indian Day parade speaks out: I thought I was going to die

Man shot at NYC West Indian Day parade speaks out: I thought I was going to die

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11)  Five people were shot along the route of the West Indian American Day Carnival in Brooklyn on Monday.

Marius Sirju was one of the victims. I thought I was going to die, Sirju said.

Sirju showed PIX11 News the gunshot wounds on his back and arm. It scared the devil out of me, Sirju said.

The 64-year-old native of Trinidad and Tobago was enjoying the parade with his family and friends when shots rang out.

More Local News

Sirjus sister-in-law was also hit by a bullet. The 69-year-old woman spoke with PIX11 from her hospital bed and sent a plea to the gunman.

Put the guns down. You come to the party to have a good time. No need for violence, the woman said.

Denzel Chan, 25, died after he was shot in the abdomen. His uncle Emanuel Dover said his nephew was a good young man and the family is devastated.

Chans family is from Guyana. They started the day on Monday cooking and getting ready to have fun at the parade, but now they have to plan a funeral.

Dover said everyone in the family is crying over Chans death. He said his nephew was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Police are still searching for the gunman. The shooting is believed to have been targeted, NYPD officials said.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

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EAST VILLAGE, Manhattan (PIX11)  A man was slashed in the face and neck in the East Village Tuesday night, police said.

The suspect attacked the 45-year-old victim near 420 East 14th St. at around 11:55 p.m., according to the NYPD. The man was taken to the hospital with injuries to his neck and face.

The suspect ran off after the incident, police said. There have been no arrests.

It was unclear if there was a dispute or if it was an unprovoked attack.

More Local News

The slashing occurred near where a new $1 million mobile NYPD command center was stationed on 14th Street between First Avenue and Avenue A in the East Village, officials announced last month.

The command center is geared to crack down on illegal vending, substance abuse, retail theft, mental health crises, illegal smoke shops, homeless encampments, and graffiti on private property in the East Village area, officials previously said.

The neighborhood has seen an uptick in violence following a fatal stabbing during a brawl between street vendors and a deadly shooting in Tompkins Square Park this summer.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Man wanted for warrant in Girard arrested on new charges in Youngstown

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A man wanted on a warrant out of Girard Municipal Count was arrested in Youngstown for possession of a firearm despite the fact that he was not allowed to own one.

Youngstown Police officers were on patrol in the area of E. Avondale Avenue when reports state they observed an SUV repeatedly swerving left of the center lines around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and pulled the vehicle over.

The driver of the SUV, Daraeius Joy, told police he did not have a license due to a hold out of Girard Municipal Court for a separate incident that took place in Liberty Township, according to reports.

When police searched Joy in the system, reports state he had an active warrant out for his arrest for a probation violation on the charge of improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle from his case in Girard court.

When asked, Joy told police he had a pistol in the vehicle underneath the drivers seat, which was recovered with a loaded magazine but no round in the chamber, reports state.

During the search of the SUV, police also recovered a bottle with oxycodone pills with no prescription, reports state.

Joy was arrested on the warrant as well as additional charges of driving under suspension, driving left of center, possession of drugs, having weapons under disability and improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle in Youngstown Municipal Court.

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Manhattan prosecutors in a new letter said there is no basis to delay former President Trumps upcoming criminal sentencing over his effort to move the case to federal court, now that a judge has swiftly rejected the gambit.

District Judge Alvin Hellerstein on Tuesday rejected Trumps second attempt to move courts.

Trump is hoping to leverage the strategy to delay his Sept. 18 sentencing, but prosecutors have voiced opposition. After Hellersteins order, they wrote the new letter to reinforce their position to Juan Merchan, the New York state judge who will oversee the sentencing.

Because there is no pending notice of removal with the federal court, there is no basis for the relief sought in defendants August 29 letter-motion, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo wrote in the brief letter, which was made public Wednesday.

Trump has begun to appeal the rejection to move courts, but it remains unclear if the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will step in before the historic sentencing, now just two weeks away.

In May, a jury found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records connected to hush money deals during his 2016 campaign.

At the onset of the case, the former president attempted to move his hush money case to federal court. A judge rejected the effort, and Trump later abandoned his appeal.

Trumps lawyers are now making a second attempt, latching onto the Supreme Courts immunity ruling that carved out broad protections for former presidents official acts.

Nothing in the Supreme Courts opinion affects my previous conclusion that the hush money payments were private, unofficial acts, outside the bounds of executive authority, Hellerstein wrote in his Tuesday ruling rejecting Trumps gambit a second time.

The former president has claimed the landmark Supreme Court decision means his guilty verdict must be wiped, insisting the Manhattan district attorneys office improperly brought in immunized conduct as trial evidence. Prosecutors have dismissed Trumps arguments.

Merchan, the state judge, is set to rule as to whether the verdict can stand on Sept. 16, just two days before the sentencing.

Though prosecutors have insisted Trumps attempt to move courts does not merit a delay, they have expressed openness to a postponement on other grounds to avoid the chaos of Trump mounting last-minute immunity appeals in the hours before his sentencing.



Merchan could announce whether he will delay the schedule as soon as this week.

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(KRON)  A nurse in Marin County allegedly felt forced to leave her job after she wore a Free Palestine badge on a lanyard at work, according to the San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

CAIR-SFBA filed a formal complaint on Tuesday with the California Civil Rights Department on behalf of Yasmin Bishr, a former nurse at MarinHealth Medical Center in Greenbrae.

According to CAIR-SFBA, Bishr was singled out by hospital administrators who ordered her to remove her badge or face possible termination. The nurse was compelled to resign from her job in April because of workplace discrimination, attorneys said.

Bishr said, I wore the Free Palestine badge reel as a reminder of the humanitarian health crisis in Gaza and to express my solidarity with those suffering. I was shocked and hurt when I was singled out for my badge reel. I felt like I was being punished for who I am and what I stand for.

Bishr, who is of Libyan-Swiss origin, wore a Free Palestine badge reel as a symbol of her support for humanitarian efforts in Gaza and advocacy against atrocities, attorneys said.

Slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin mourned in Berkeley and Jerusalem

CAIR-SFBA civil rights attorney Jeffrey Wang said, The way Ms. Bishr was treated in comparison to her colleagues is a clear example of discrimination. It is no coincidence that only Ms. Bishr, who is visibly of Middle Eastern/North African descent, faced consequences for her badge reel, while her colleagues were not similarly disciplined. The hospitals discriminatory actions left us no choice but to file a complaint.

A spokesperson for MarinHealth said all employees are required to uphold a professional standards of appearance policy.

The spokesperson wrote in a statement to KRON4, MarinHealth recognizes that professional co-worker appearance is essential to the overall patient experience and in helping patients feel confident, welcome, respected, comfortable, and safe. Consistent with MarinHealths desire to provide the ideal patient experience, MarinHealths Standards of Appearance Policy helps employees and the contingent workforce with expectations concerning their appearance while working at MarinHealth. This policy is clear, apolitical, and neutrally applied by hospital administration. MarinHealth cannot make public statements about any specific employee, but all employees are subject to the policy.

CAIR is a Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization dedicated to enhancing the understanding of Islam and empowering American Muslims.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
When U.S. Marine commanders hear about instances of extremism or gang activity in their ranks, theyre now required to call Marine Corps headquarters to report the allegations within 30 minutes of learning about them.

The new rule is part of a step-by-step guide for reporting extremism and gang activity released by the Marine Corps at the end of August. The guidance streamlines the reporting process, which has been inconsistent across the services.

The lack of uniformity for reporting and tracking allegations complicated efforts by the Defense Department Office of Inspector General to gauge the militarys response to extremism, the IG reported in 2023. The watchdog determined the DOD investigated 183 allegations of extremist activity among service members in 2023, but the IG doesnt know how many allegations were made that werent investigated.

The report highlights ongoing challenges in compiling and validating data, emphasizing the need for consistent implementation of data collection, the IG said.

The National Defense Authorization Act approved by Congress in 2021 mandated the IG to report every year how effectively the Defense Department prevents and responds to extremist activities in the ranks. That same year, the Pentagon expanded its definition of extremist activities to include online interactions that promote terrorism, as well as rallies, fundraising and organizing in support of extremist ideologies.

The changes were made in reaction to the presence of veterans and service members at the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. As of May, 222 individuals with military backgrounds had been charged or convicted in connection with the attack, and 24 were active-duty troops, National Guard members or reservists, according to data from the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism.

The new Marine Corps reporting guidelines follow similar rules imposed by the Army in June. The Armys rules require commanders to train troops about off-limits extremist activities, take action when they spot extremism in their units and report any incidents to the Inspector General.

Army imposes stricter rules for addressing extremism among troops By Nikki Wentling

During an initial call about an allegation, the Marine Corps Operation Center will talk through reporting requirements with commanders and help determine whether the incident is a threat to mission success. If it is a threat, the allegation would trigger a faster reporting timeline, the guidelines say.

If an instance of extremism or gang activity isnt mission-critical, commands have three days to send a serious incident report detailing the allegation to Marine headquarters. For senior service members, commands must send the report within one day.

Marine headquarters will share those reports with the Judge Advocate Division, which will share redacted reports to the Inspector General of the Marine Corps, the new guidelines stipulate.

In addition to calling the Marine Corps Operation Center and filing a serious incident report, Marine commands must notify several other groups about the allegations. Those include the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Marine Counterintelligence Element, the Marine Corps Insider Threat Program and the staff judge advocate in the chain of command.

If a service member whos facing an allegation has a security clearance, the commands security manager must also be informed. The security manager will then determine whether to suspend the Marines access to classified material, the rules state.

Lt. Gen. James Bierman, the deputy commandant for plans, policies and operations, sent the message outlining the new rules. His message orders commanders to share the guidelines with their units and to spend time instructing all personnel about the requirements.

This story was produced in partnership with Military Veterans in Journalism. Please send tips to MVJ-Tips@militarytimes.com.
MARION COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A Loris man accused of killing his estranged wife in 2021 had his bond revoked Wednesday in Marion County Circuit Court and is expected to face a jury early next year.

Corey Dontray Rowell, 29, killed Lasha Bellamy on May 13, 2021, authorities said. Her body was found on Tylaura Road in Mullins.

When I came this morning, I was very nervous. I didnt know what to expect. I really felt like there was going to be no justice for my daughter, Bellamys mother, Lizzie said. And when I got here and listened to the charges, listened to the judge, and was able to speak, I am satisfied with the result. Im happy, and then I feel like Lasha is getting what she is supposed to have given to her.

Rowell already was in the Marion County Detention Center on charges of first-degree domestic violence, resisting arrest and a weapons charge when the murder count was added. He also had been charged with firearms violations in connection with a drive-by shooting in 2020.

In November 2021, Rowell posted an $85,000 bond on those charges  a decision that Bellamys sister Antazhia Richardson said brought another layer of anguish to the family.

Rowell was arrested again by Florence County authorities on March 1, 2023, on charges that included assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and throwing bodily fluids. Court records show that he posted bond two days later.

On Wednesday, Richardson said she was relieved that Rowell wont have a chance to get back on the street before his trial begins.

Honestly, I expected something totally different, but I couldnt ask for a better outcome today, she said. I do feel like once this process is started, she will, in the end, her justice will be served.

In court, prosecutors laid out Rowells lengthy criminal history, including prior convictions for violent crimes. They also claim Rowell violated his bond by failing to appear in court and removing a GPS monitor.

Rowells attorney claimed the monitor was taken off by Florence County authorities.

Multiple family members attended Rowells court appearance Wednesday, asking for his bond to be denied.

I just really want other mothers and other people who are going through domestic violence, I just want them to know that theyre worth so much more than that they dont have to put up with that, another younger sister of Lasha, Azariah Richardson told News13 in 2021.

This is a developing story. Count on News13 for updates on-air and online.

* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

* * *

Savannah Denton joined News 13 in July 2023 as a reporter and producer. Savannah is from Atlanta, Georgia, and is a graduate of the University of Alabama. Follow Savannah on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Baron Funds, an investment management firm, released its Focused Growth Fund second quarter 2024 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The fund decreased 0.21% (Institutional Shares) in the second quarter outperforming the Russell 2500 Growth Indexs (the Benchmark) 4.22% decline. It became clear throughout the quarter that the Federal Reserve's (the Fed) restrictive actions over the previous year were starting to reduce employment, job growth, and inflation. The deceleration of economic growth gave investors hope that the Federal Reserve would begin reducing interest rates as early as this fall. Please spare some time to check the funds top 5 holdings to know more about their top bets for 2024.

Baron Focused Growth Fund highlighted stocks like Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) in the second quarter 2024 investor letter. Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) is a hospitality company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The one-month return of Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) was 11.34%, and its shares gained 29.90% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On September 3, 2024, Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) stock closed at $149.13 per share with a market capitalization of $15.241 billion.

Baron Focused Growth Fund stated the following regarding Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) in its Q2 2024 investor letter:

"Global hotelier Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) declined 4.7% in the quarter and hurt performance by 29 bps. The disappointing share price performance was due to a deceleration in growth in revenue per available room as a result of modestly slower leisure bookings. However, the company continues to increase its business transient and group bookings, which are now pacing 7% ahead of 2023 levels. These bookings are half of its business today. Robust mid-single-digit growth in units and modest margin expansion should lead to double-digit growth in EBITDA this year. In addition, Hyatt continues to sell assets in its bid to become a more asset-light business. It also has one of the strongest balance sheets in its industry today. All of the above should generate significant free cash flow that Hyatt can use to accelerate share buybacks. Hyatt has repurchased more than 80 million shares since its IPO in 2009! It now has just 100 million shares outstanding. Yet, despite 85% of Hyatts cash flow generated by fees, its stock still trades at a discount to peers."

A wide angled view of an upscale lobby of a luxury hotel, capturing the warm hospitality offered to guests.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) is not on our list of 31 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 24 hedge fund portfolios held Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) at the end of the second quarter which was 28 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is as promising as NVIDIA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

Story continues

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) contributed to Baron Partners Funds performance last quarter, driven by improvement in its ongoing transition to a more asset-light business model. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q2 2024 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors.

READ NEXT: Michael Burry Is Selling These Stocks and A New Dawn Is Coming to US Stocks.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The Maryland Car Rally Task Force uncovered 14 guns after doing a search warrant at two homes in Prince Georges County on Wednesday morning.

In June, the Maryland Car Rally Task Force started investigating illegal street exhibitions and takeovers throughout Prince Georges County.

19-year-old Adin Tyrone Carr, of District Heights, Maryland, was identified as being in possession of a firearm, according to police.

Dump truck hits, kills pedestrian in Charles County

Police saw Carr holding an AR-style pistol while on the passenger side of a window during one of the street exhibitions.

An investigation was started, and it was discovered that Carr, who is not of legal age, was not allowed to have guns.

Carr was charged with handgun on person, handgun in vehicle, possession of a firearm by a minor and regulated firearm: illegal possession.

Police then served two search and seizure warrants at two homes in Rockville and District Heights and discovered eight handguns and six long guns.

Carr was found at the District Heights home and arrested.

Police said an additional gun was found on Carr at the time of his arrest.

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Its been more than two decades since the body of Woodlawn High School senior Hae Min Lee was found at Leakin Park in West Baltimore, Maryland. For years, it seemed like an open-and-shut case. In 2000, Lees ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed, who has maintained his innocence, was sentenced to life plus 30 years in prison for her murder. Then Syeds case garnered national attention after it became the subject of the podcast Serial in 2014.

Syeds conviction was vacated in September 2022, but a Maryland appellate court reinstated it a few months later in March 2023 due to a procedural issue. The Maryland Supreme Court reviewed that appellate decision upon Syeds request and, on Friday, upheld the reinstatementyet another twist in the ongoing legal saga.

There might be just as many questions surrounding the case now as there were then. Meanwhile, justice for Lee remains elusive.

What is certain is that the 18-year-old woman was last seen on January 13, 1999, driving her 1998 Nissan Sentra on her way to pick up her 6-year-old cousin and then head to her job at LensCrafters, The Baltimore Sun reported at the time. She never showed up to either.

Professionals and amateurs, alike, have scrutinized and studied Lees murder and Adnan Syeds trial and subsequent legal proceedings, including the U.S. Supreme Court denying to hear an appeal for a new trial in 2019. Here, we piece together the timeline of accounts as they reportedly happened in the 1999 teen murder case.



Hae Min Lees Murder

December 1998: Syed and Lee break up.

Although their relationship was kept a secret because of both religious and cultural differences, classmates Syed and Lee dated in 1998 and broke up in December of that year, according to court records.

January 1, 1999: Lee and Don Clinedinst go on their first date.

According to the Undisclosed podcast, Lee goes on her first date with her LensCrafter co-worker Don Clinedinst, who happens to be the son of the store manager.

January 13, 1999: Lee disappears.

What happened on this particular day depends on who you talk to. As described by Syed to Serial, he goes to his photography and English classes and then calls his friend Jay Wilds, offering to lend him his car during his lunch period. Wilds then drops Syed back off at school, where he has a free period and then arrives late to his psychology classit started at 12:50 p.m., but he entered at 1:27 p.m., as his teacher notes.

After class, he goes to the Woodlawn Public Library to check his email and chats with friend Asia McClain. Then he goes to track practice. Wilds picks him up, and the two go to a friends house. Its while hes there that Officer Scott Adcock calls Syed asking if he knew where Lee was. The student told the official that he was suppose[d] to get a ride home from the victim, but he got detained at school and felt that she just got tired of waiting and left, according to the 2019 appeal. Syed then picks up food on his way to meet his dad at the mosque for evening prayers, Serial reported.

Meanwhile, Wilds version of the day changed throughout his interviews and testimony. In his testimony at the second trial, he says that he and Syed drove to Security Square Mall and claims that Syed reportedly told him he was going to kill Lee. That afternoon, he says that Syed asked him to pick him up at Best Buy, where Syed shows him Lees body in the trunk of her car. They leave the car at a park-and-ride lot. That night they bury Lees body in Leakin Park and leave her car in a residential parking lot.

As for Lees family, all they knew was that she didnt show up to pick up her cousin, which is when they reported her missing. Classmates last saw her leaving school around 2:15 p.m.

February 9, 1999: Lees body is found in Leakin Park.

Maintenance worker Alonzo Sellers, known as Mr. S on Serial, claimed he was drinking a 22-ounce Budweiser while driving when he made a pit stop. I had to go to the bathroom so I pulled over, and I went further in the woods so no one could see me, he said on the HBO docuseries The Case Against Adnan Syed. I walked around through the bushes and everything, and I got back that way, and I was getting ready to urinate. When I looked down, I seen something that looked like hair, something was covered by the dirt. And I looked real good again, and thats when I seen what looked like a foot. He later becomes a suspect because he walked 127 feet to find a place to use the restroom. Sellers had a previous record as an alleged streaker. Autopsy results later show that Lee was strangled, The Baltimore Sun reports.



Investigation and Adnan Syeds Arrest

February 12, 1999: Anonymous calls inform the police to look into Syed.

HBO - HBO

Baltimore City police detective Darryl Massey received two anonymous phone calls telling him to look into Lees ex-boyfriend as a possible suspect, the Undisclosed podcast reported. There was a reward of $3,075 from CrimeStoppers for information on the case leading to the indictment.

February 28, 1999: Syed is arrested.

In the wee hours of the night, Lees car is found around 4:30 a.m., and around 6 a.m., Syed is arrested at his home on the 7000 block of Johnnycake Road. He is 17 at the time but charged with first-degree murder as an adult. Lees 16-year-old brother, Young Lee, speaking for his grandparents and mom, tells The Baltimore Sun that the news provided some closure and some peace. But they were just as shocked. We were kind of surprised because she told us that he was one of her best friends, he said.

March 1, 1999: McClain writes Syed a letter.

Just after his arrest, McClain writes a letter to Syed and details talking to him in the library on January 13, Serial reported.

Syeds Trials and Conviction

December 15, 1999: A mistrial is declared.

The Syeds trial begins the second week of December and quickly ends as a mistrial, the court appeals papers say.

January 2000: The second trial begins.

A second court proceedings begin, the papers say.

February 25, 2000: Syed is convicted.

Following a six-week trial and two-hour jury deliberation, Syed is found guilty. He remains calm as handcuffs are being put on him, saying, Ill be alright... I have faith in the Lord. I know I didnt kill her. The Lord knows I didnt kill her, The Baltimore Sun reported.

March 25, 2000: McClain writes an affidavit.

Family friend and attorney Rabia Chaudry asks McClain to write an affidavit after Syed is convicted, Serial reported.

June 6, 2000: Lees mother gives an emotional testimony, and Syed is given a life sentence.

Elizabeth Malby/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service - Getty Images

Lees mother, Youn Wha Kim, says she moved to America from Korea to give her kids a better life. I would like to forgive Adnan Syed, but as of now, I just dont know how I could, she says. When I die, my daughter will die with me. As long as I live, my daughter is buried in my heart. The paper says she almost collapsed as she stepped off the witness stand and that her sobs from outside the courtroom could still be heard inside. Judge Wanda K. Heard gives Syed a life sentence plus 30 years.

March 19, 2003: Syeds appeal is denied.

Syeds first appeal is denied by the Court of Special Appeals, according to court records.

December 30, 2013: Syeds petition for post-conviction relief is denied.

After hearings in the Circuit Court between November 2010 and October 2012, Syeds petition for post-conviction relief is denied, according to court papers.

October 3, 2014: Serial debuts.

The creators of the public radio show This American Life debut the podcast series Serial, hosted by Sarah Koenig, about the Lee murder mystery. In it, Koenig talks to Syed who says he is innocent.

November 20, 2014: Syeds family gives their first interview.

Syeds brother Yusef talks to CBS This Morning and admits he listens to the Serial podcast. I wake up as soon as they put it on, he said. Some days Ill be like, This is a really great episode, and some days Ill feel down and depressed.

A 2015 Appeal Leads to a New TrialAlmost

February 6, 2015: Syed can appeal the post-conviction relief denial.

Syed is given the chance to overturn the Baltimore City Circuit Court ruling that denied him post-conviction relief, thanks to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, Vulture reported.

November 6, 2015: The post-conviction relief case is reopened.

Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service - Getty Images

The case is reopened to take into account McClains new testimony, new cell phone data, and allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel as well as prosecutorial misconduct, according to Harpers Bazaar.

February 2016: The hearing takes place.

The five-day hearing includes witness testimonies from McClain, as well as a cell phone expert, Harpers Bazaar reported.

June 30, 2016: Syed is granted a new trial.

Justice Martin Welch vacates the original conviction, saying there should be a new trial. However, Syed is not allowed out on bail while he waits for the new trial. He ends up waiting more than two years.

March 8, 2019: The trial is then denied.

In a sudden twist, the Maryland Court of Appeals votes 4 to 3 to reverse the decision, denying a new trial saying, There is not a significant or substantial possibility that the verdict would have been different, the Associated Press reported.

August 19, 2019: The Supreme Court is asked to look at the case.

Syeds lawyers asked the nations highest court to look into reversing the states decision.

November 25, 2019: The Supreme Court rejects bid for a new trial.

Without comment, the Supreme Court decided not to open a new trial. We are deeply disappointed by the Supreme Court, but by no means is this the end of Adnan Syed, attorney C. Justin Brown told AP at the time. There are other legal options, and we are exploring each and every one of them. Family friend and lawyer Chaudry added: He is hanging in there. He knows that none of us are basically giving up. He has a great legal team. He has a lot of public support, and walking away is not an option.

Latest News: Syed Walks Free as Conviction Status Flip-Flops

September 19, 2022: Syeds conviction is vacated.

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn vacated Syeds conviction, effectively setting him free. Phinns decision came after prosecutors told the court they lost faith in Syeds conviction in light of new evidence and violations in the governments turning over evidence.

October 11, 2022: Prosecutors drop charges against Syed.

Prosecutors dropped all charges against Syed, eliminating the possibility of a retrial.

December 12, 2022: Georgetown University hires Syed.

Syed began a full-time job as a program associate for the Georgetown Universitys Prisons and Justice Initiative, the Washington Post reported. One of his roles is providing support for an undergraduate class called Making an Exoneree, in which students seek to help free innocent people in prison by examining their cases and creating documentaries.

March 28, 2023: Syeds conviction is reinstated.

In a 2-1 decision, a Maryland appellate court panel reinstated Syeds murder conviction after deciding a lower court violated the right of Lees family to attend the September 2022 hearing in the case in person, the Washington Post reported. The decision ordered that the Baltimore Circuit Court conduct a new legally compliant, transparent hearing on prosecutors motion to vacate the case, after Young Lee, who lived in California, argued he received less than one business days notice of the hearing at which Syed was freed. Lee attended the September hearing via Zoom. The courts latest decision is delayed 60 days to allow the parties involved time to assess how to proceed. For now, Syed remains free outside of prison.

May 24, 2023: Syed asks the Maryland Supreme Court for a review.

Syeds attorney files a motion asking the Maryland Supreme Court to review the appellate courts decision that reversed his vacated conviction, according to CNN. The motion seeks further evaluation of Young Lees stance that he wasnt given appropriate notice of the 2022 hearing at which Syed was freed. Syeds attorneys argue Young had confirmed he would attend the hearing via Zoom.

August 30, 2024: The Maryland Supreme Court upholds the reinstated conviction.

In a lengthy 4-3 opinion, the Maryland Supreme Court rules Syeds conviction should be reinstated and that the case return to the circuit court for a new hearing. The court found that prosecutors and a lower court judge worked an injustice by not giving proper notice of Syeds 2022 hearing to Young Lee, according to The Washington Post. Syed remains free, while a date for the next hearing hasnt been set.

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MADISON, Wis. (AP)  The mayor of Waukesha on Wednesday condemned a campaign ad run by a Republican independent group that links Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin with the killings of six people at a 2021 Christmas parade in that Wisconsin city.

Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly called the ad a pitiful political tool that doesnt just hurt the families that had members that were killed, or those that were injured or those that even saw it, it hurts the whole entire community.

Baldwin faces Republican Eric Hovde in one of the most hotly contested Senate races in the country this year. The race is crucial for Democrats to win to maintain majority control of the Senate.

The ad, which began airing across Wisconsin last week, was paid for by One Nation, an independent group aligned with Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

This issue ad focused on Senator Baldwins vote against increased funding for pretrial detention of violent criminals and included a call-to-action at the end, said One Nation spokesperson Torunn Sinclair. Its not political.

She said the ad stopped running on Monday. It remained viewable online on Wednesday.

Reilly said in a telephone interview that our pain and our suffering from the 2021 Waukesha Christmas parade is once again being used by unprincipled people to drive votes.

Reilly referred to a joint statement issued by Baldwin and Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson shortly after the parade killings in 2021 urging no one to use it for political gain.

I would hope that Eric Hovde would also support what Sen. Johnson said, Reilly said. No politician should allow the use of the Waukesha Christmas parade attack and its impact on our community to drive votes by creating fear and disgust to purposely create divisions.

Hovde said after touring a manufacturing business in Waunakee, Wisconsin, that he wasn't familiar with the ad in question. But he accused Baldwin and her allies of unfairly attacking him, including the allegation that he is more of a Californian because he bought a business and a home there than he is a Wisconsinite where he was born.

I think we need to lower the rhetoric on both sides, Hovde said. I would prefer not to see all these negative attack ads. Id rather focus on the issues.

Baldwins campaign spoke out against the parade ad.

Using the attack for political purposes is not only wrong, it is deeply hurtful to a community still recovering from the tragedy of that day, her campaign spokesman Andrew Mamo said.

Reilly used to be a Republican but disavowed the party after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. He said he is now an independent who supports Baldwin in the Senate race.

The ad shows footage from the Waukesha Christmas parade in November 2021 after Darrell Brooks Jr. drove his SUV through the parade route, killing six people. Brooks was sentenced to six life consecutive sentences without parole.

It never should have happened, the narrator of the ad says over the sound of sirens and video images of people running along the parade route and people hovering over those struck by the SUV. The narrator adds that Brooks was released on $1,000 bail just days earlier after trying to run over his girlfriend with the same car.

The ad then shows an image of Baldwin on the Senate floor, with the narrator saying she voted against funding for pretrial detention of violent criminals. The ad cites an Aug. 7, 2022, vote, which came nearly a year after the parade killings.

The narrator says the vote made it easier for criminals like Darrell Brooks to terrorize our communities." The ad ends with side-by-side images of Baldwin on the Senate floor and Brooks in an orange prison outfit.

Baldwin had nothing to do with the setting of Brooks bail before the Christmas parade.

The $1,000 bail was the amount requested by the Milwaukee County district attorneys office. District Attorney John Chisholm acknowledged later that the $1,000 bail request from an assistant prosecutor in his office was far too low.

The judge granted the bail request, which Brooks posted, just days before he drove through the Christmas parade, killing six.

Wisconsin voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2023, pushed by Republicans after the parade killings, that makes it easier for judges to post higher bail amounts.

___

This story has been corrected to show that One Nation is an independent group and not a super PAC.
Mayor Andre Dickens proposal to invest $60 million into affordable housing seeks to address Atlantas ongoing housing crisis by building 700 new affordable units by the end of 2025.

This would be the single largest investment in homelessness in Atlantas history, Dickens said Tuesday at a Woodruff Park press conference.

Despite average rent prices declining over the past two years, homelessness has been on the rise, as prices still sit well above pre-pandemic averages.

In January, Partners for HOME, a nonprofit organization that tallies Atlantas unhoused residents every year, discovered a 7% year-over-year rise in homelessness; that census found that 86% of the citys unhoused people were Black. The prior year, overall homelessness jumped by 33%.

This is a crisis in our community, said Cathryn Vassell, CEO of Partners for HOME. Until we get a hold of our affordable housing crisis, we will continue to have people coming into our homeless system.

Although the mayors office hasnt framed his proposal as part of his public safety plan, Southern Poverty Law Center has reported that 1 in 8 people booked into the city jail in 2022 were unhoused.

Unhoused people are often arrested for misdemeanors like trespassing, panhandling, shoplifting, and public drinking  quality-of-life offenses that cannot be solved by a stint in jail.

The city has begun to address this by partnering with Policing Alternatives and Diversion (PAD), an organization that offers wraparound services to people arrested on low-level offenses with the aim of keeping them out of the criminal justice system.

The overwhelming majority of people PAD engages are experiencing homelessness, according to Executive Director Moki Macias.

In 2023, PAD provided housing support to 380 people, less than 15% of the more than 2,500 unhoused people living in Atlanta.

Policies and investments that expand options and provide safe places to live are the clear answer, said Macias.

The mayors proposal would create 500 new units by the end of 2025  including on-site wraparound services through his Rapid Housing Initiative  and 200 units distributed throughout new or renovated apartment buildings across the city.

We must act with urgency to rehouse our homeless, to stop the displacement of low-income renters and to [protect] our legacy residents from being priced out, Dickens said.

The majority of funding for the mayors proposal would come from a $50 million Homeless Opportunity Bond with $10 million from the citys Affordable Housing Trust Fund over the next six years, both of which need to be approved by the City Council.

The post Mayor Dickens Proposes $60 Million to Combat Homelessness appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta.
McCormick, Braun take to the airways after Labor Day; outside group also funds ads for Braun

Screenshots from recent ads purchased either by or on behalf of gubernatorial campaigns for Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Republican Mike Braun. (Screenshots from ads)

Hoosiers may already have noticed television and radio ads for Indianas gubernatorial candidates during their favorite shows, and more are coming.

The largest campaign buy so far comes from Republican Mike Braun, whose campaign said he would spend $500,000 on a 10-day statewide campaign starting on Sept. 5. Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Libertarian Donald Rainwater also have ad buys airing in the coming days.

Brauns campaign is also getting a boost from an outside conservative group with close ties to Braun, though its labeled as a Non-candidate issue ad heavily featuring the sitting U.S. Senator.

All three candidates are on the ballot for the general election. Nov. 5 is Election Day.

McCormick goes live

Both McCormick and Rainwater made purchases for airtime directly from their campaigns, as documented in a review of records filed with the Federal Communications Commission.

The FCC lists several buys from the McCormick campaign set to air this week from Sept. 5 to Sept. 9. On Wednesday, McCormick released two 30-second ads on her YouTube account  Places Like This and Whats Right. McCormicks campaign didnt respond to the Indiana Capital Chronicle but told the IndyStar it paid six figures for advertising.

Places Like This has an agricultural focus, accusing Braun of selling out our workers to China and stacking the rules in his favor. McCormick additionally vows not to outsource talent, resources or land if elected.

The other ad, Whats Right, features the former educator in a classroom and discusses her background. McCormick was the states last elected Superintendent of Education, a position she held as a Republican.

My party changed. But what I believe hasnt, McCormick tells viewers. She adds that she would reverse the states near-total abortion ban and lower taxes in addition to her education priorities.

The biggest individual purchase, which doesnt indicate the ad to be played, is airtime with NBCs WTHR in Indianapolis for $13,775. Several of the buys, including WTHRs, appear to be coordinated through McKenna Media, a Maryland firm that has worked on several national Democratic campaigns.

Other McKenna Media buys include ads placed with South Bend stations WSBT and ESBT as well as Fort Waynes WFFT and Indianapolis WRTV. The FCC also documents McKenna Media advertising purchased on Indianapolis WISH for $4,545, Indianapolis WNDY and Fort Wayne CBS affiliate WANE.

The combined advertising buys found on the FCC total at least $42,081.

A separate media campaign, scheduled for Aug. 29 to Sept. 4, aired on iHeartMEDIA stations WFBQ, WNDE, WOLT, BOLT and WZRL but had a reported cost of $0.

Advertising on Brauns behalf

A search of FCC records for the Braun campaign displayed pages of results related to his primary run, but nothing so far for the general election. Braun won the May 7, 2024 primary shortly after polls closed.

Brauns campaign shared a new, 30-second television ad that will begin airing this week that it said cost $500,000. The Working Hard ad highlights Brauns multi-million dollar company, Meyer Distributing, and says he will lead the charge on lowering the price of gas, groceries and health care.

Outside groups appear to also be paying for advertising on Brauns behalf, such as Hoosier HOPE, Inc. The group recently launched a new ad and every video associated with its YouTube account is about Braun, including one with a thumbnail about Brauns plan to deport illegals.

The latest ad, titled Mike Braun on its YouTube channel, says the U.S. Senator prioritizes smart policies over partisanship on issues such as lowering health care costs and improving patient care. The ad also highlights his support for expanding school choice.

However, the advertisements, which are scheduled to run from Aug. 29 until Sept. 11, are categorized as Non-candidate issue ads by the FCC.

The group spent $8,720 on running an ad with the Indianapolis CBS affiliate and $14,560 with Fox59. The advertising filing with the FEC lists prominent conservative attorney and known Braun supporter Jim Bopp as the contact and treasurer for Hoosier HOPE.

The website listed on the filing includes a board with several prominent conservative Hoosiers, including American for Prosperitys Ryan Black and Betsy Wiley, who advocates for school voucher expansion. Both videos on the sites homepage feature Braun but its sparse Facebook page doesnt include much information at all.

Priorities for the group, according to its website, include: free enterprise, reducing health care regulations and shrinking government size.

Libertarian approach

Rainwater appears to have focused his 2024 advertising on radio, as documented by the FCC. Rainwaters campaign has purchased $165 worth of advertising from WBIW; $145 from WPHZ; and $190 from WBIW/WQRK, all stations based in Bedford, for 30-second spots that will air in late September.

Rainwaters campaign indicated that roughly half of the radio ads will be heard statewide while the other half will be aired in targeted communities. Other advertising will focus on online radio and digital purchases but campaign manager Kristin Alexander didnt include a total ad buy.

The FCCs public documentation includes a rate request form from the Rainwater campaign to conservative radio station WIBC & Network Indiana, a station he advertised with for his 2020 gubernatorial campaign.

Rainwaters campaign shared that it has spent $10,000 on digital ads for various screens, such as those at gyms and gas pumps, along with nearly $5,000 for print ads. The Bedford-area buys are some of the most recent, Alexander said, but radio buys total over $18,000 for October too.

Alexander anticipated more advertising purchases ahead for the campaign.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  In preparation for the annual Bridging the Gap event on September 7, the Monroe County Sheriffs Office partnered with the Baptist Ministers Alliance of Greater Rochester to host a pre-event press conference.

The event aims to bring the community together to connect with law enforcement and the church.

In their 8th year, MCSO and the Baptist Ministers Alliance are using this as an opportunity to speak with community members and show the good that can come from a high-quality relationship.

Theres more positive that happens on a daily basis than people see. The people around here are wonderful people, and youll see that on Saturday. We see that on a daily basis, Deputy Mike Favata said.

The event will feature a lot of fun things for families to do including a bounce house and SWAT course, free haircuts and a lot of great food.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.


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When Jimmy Carter entered hospice care in February 2023, his family thought they had days left with him.

"Obviously we're not in charge, and God had other plans," his grandson, Jason Carter, tells T&C. "What that has done for us as a family is these last 18 months, it's given us a chance to have an enormous amount of reflection with each other, with him." He adds, "The whole world has had this opportunity for real reflection about him and my grandmother and their legacy. It's been a remarkable outpouring of love and respect, but also of admiration for what he actually accomplished, both in the White House and after."

The former president's health hasn't changed much while he's been in hospice, even following the death of his beloved wife, Rosalynn, in November of last year. "He's still really in the same physical situation he's been in for the 18 months," Jason says. "He's very physically diminished. He can't do much on his own, but he is mentally and emotionally engaged in what's going on around him and in the news. In fact, in the last several months, he's really gotten more engaged, just for whatever reason. Again, we're not in chargethat is for sure true."

Pool - Getty Images

The 99-year-old former president has been following the upcoming presidential election. In fact, Jason spoke at the Democratic National Convention about how his grandfather is holding on to vote for Kamala Harris this autumn. "He's excited to cast a ballotfor a host of reasonsfor Kamala Harris," Jason says. "There's a lot of poetry to it, if you want to go down that line." (One poignant detail that comes to mind: Jimmy Carter was born just four years after women got the right to the vote, and he could be alive to see the first woman president.) Jason adds, "He also is excited to turn the page on this Donald Trump era that has really been defined by a meanness and a darkness that's very different than what Jimmy Carter has always been about."

The DNC was an interesting experience for Jason, who brought his sonsHenry, 17, and Thomas, 15with him to Chicago. "They got to see some of the behind-the-scenes stuff and some of the high-energy parts of the convention, and it was a lot of fun," he says. "There's an enormous amount of enthusiasm everywhere right now within the Democratic Party. We're from Georgia, and my kids are hardcore Atlanta hip-hop fans. So they're watching this roll call, and when it gets to Georgia and Lil Jon comes out for his impromptu concert, it was awesome."

Courtesy Jason Carter

The public spotlight on the president's family has evolved significantly since Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were in the White House. (Jason was just two years old when his grandfather was elected.) "When my grandparents were in the White House, my dad owned a grain elevator in Calhoun, Georgia, and nobody even talked about it, partly because it was boring," he jokes. Now, he notes, the first families find themselves in the spotlight. "For a long time, it seems like presidential families were all the same, even though that's not really true," Jason says. "Nowbecause of social media, because of people's ability to interactwe just know so much more and see so much more. It really highlights the remarkable aspect of what American family life is, which is incredibly diverse in a host of ways, not race, not gender only, but also all these other different ways you can be a family. I love it."

At the DNC, in fact, Jason connected with Jack Schlossberg, president John F. Kennedy's only grandson, and he's been in touch with some of President Joe Biden's grandchildren on social media. His children, too, spent time with Chelsea Clinton's family, he says. "Once you do that, you realize that all of these people who were president of the United States or who are going to be president of the United States, they're just regular people," he says.

He enjoyed spending time with Jack, in particular, as they have the unique shared experience of being eldest grandsons of beloved Democratic presidents. Though they are from different generations (Jason is 49, Jack is 31), and Jason has run for office and served in the Georgia legislature, while Jack is currently a political correspondent for Vogue, they understand each other. "We were joking about what percentage of the time we get asked if we're running for office," Jason says. "I bet you there's not a single person who's ever met [Jack] who didn't ask him when he was running for officethe celebrity that he has just demands that question. You confront it in a different way than others. We laughed, and I think we had a good talk about that." The two plan to stay in touch and even appear at events together, Jason says.

There's no one right way to move through the world as a child or grandchild of a president, he reflects. "There's a lot of grandkids in my family, and I have a lot of cousins, and we've all confronted the world in very different ways. And my kids have gotten to see a lot of different ways to be Jimmy Carter's grandchild," he says, "so it's a real blessing in that way. My family confronts the same issues that every other family confronts."

Jessica McGowan - Getty Images

It's an ongoing process to understand what it means to be part of the Carter family in 2024. A question on the top of his mind, and one that he hopes his sons Henry and Thomas, too, are thinking about is: "What am I going to do with this life that I've been given?"

"We've tried to be really careful not to make them think that they have a special obligation other than to be themselves, to do what they can do. So my hope is that they're not trying to chase some legacy and instead they're living out their own. That's really been our goal."

This summer, their family traveled to Alaska. Discussions about Jimmy's wide-ranging legacy have surfaced since he entered hospice, including his role in conserving 158 million acres of land in the state with the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), which the former president called "the most significant domestic achievement of my political life." That achievement was top of mind for Jason and his family on vacation. "I have this picture of the boys standing in this National Park looking out on it, and their great-grandfather played this really important role in preserving it," he says. "You could sort of feel them taking in the idea that a person can do a lot with what they've been given."

Courtesy Jason Carter

Following the death of his grandmother Rosalynn, and as his grandfather continues to defy expectations in hospice, Jason's been reflecting on how they both dedicated their lives to service.

"The idea that they did what they could is a pretty powerful one," he says, "and they took advantage of every opportunity that they had to do good for other people. They come from a tiny town, and they have enormous respect for people at the end of the road, that sometimes others look at with pity and think, 'Oh my God, these poor people.' And my grandparents always looked at those folks with real respect for the power that people in those communities had."

It's clear that for Jason, to be Jimmy Carter's grandson is to be someone who is always working to made the world a better place. "I understand the impact on the world that a single human being can have," he says. "I recognize that I've been dealt a really powerful hand, and my goal is to take that hand and to play it as well as I can to do good in the world. At the same time, I know that I have to be myself, and I've never wanted being Jimmy Carter's grandson to do my day job, but it's something that makes me proud and excited to go out and figure out what I can do."

Bettmann - Getty Images

In the immediate future, that includes helping plan celebrations for Jimmy's 100th birthdaythe Carter Center is hosting "Jimmy Carter 100: A Celebration in Song"on September 17 in Atlanta, ahead of his actual birthday on October 1and doing what he can to elect Kamala Harris.

The first joint stop for Harris and Walz after the DNC was in South Georgia, where the Carter family is from. That choice, Jason says, was particularly exciting for him. "When you see Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in South Georgia, you see them campaigning in areas that Democrats haven't won in a long time, and make the case that, 'Hey, we're going to be the president and the vice president for everybody, not just folks in Atlanta, but everybody,' That message resonates in Georgia, but I also think it resonates across the country. That's what folks want: We want to be able to say, 'This is somebody who's going to represent our whole country.' And no doubt Georgia is in play, and I'm super glad to see them campaigning the way that they are."

He plans to campaign as much as he can this fallalongside his oldest son, who turns 18 later this month. "This election is going to be close enough that the campaign matters, that people's individual contributions matter. I'm going to do what I can to help Kamala get elected, and we're going to be out with my newly minted 18-year-old voter knocking on doors and talking to our friends."

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Media reveals how many IRIS-T systems were supplied to Ukraine by Germany

Germany intends to provide Ukraine with 12 IRIS-T SLM medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems. Several of these have already been delivered.

Source: Reuters, as reported by European Pravda

Details: According to the source, this concerns Berlin's previous promises. The source stated that four IRIS-T units have already been supplied, two more systems are expected by the end of the year, and another six will be delivered later.

It is also reported that Germany intends to purchase six additional IRIS-T SLM systems for its Air Force.

Earlier, DW claimed, citing a German government representative, that Germany planned to transfer a variety of weapons to Ukraine by the end of 2024, including four IRIS-T air defence systems of various ranges and ten Leopard tanks.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung reported that the current budget planning of the German federal government does not provide for additional funds to support Ukraine and that at Chancellor Scholzs request, additional applications from the German Ministry of Defence for military aid to Ukraine would no longer be approved.

The German government denied any intention to cut the military aid to Ukraine. A government spokesperson reported that the German government expects that international partners will provide Ukraine with a loan totalling US$50 billion next year, which will be covered by interest from frozen Russian assets.



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We recently published a list of 10 Stocks That May Be Splitting Soon. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NYSE:DECK) stands against the other stocks that may be splitting soon.

Understanding Stock Splits

A stock split is when a company literally splits its stocks  it divides its existing shares into multiple new shares. This increases the number of shares outstanding without changing the companys overall value while making the stock more affordable and accessible to smaller investors.

A companys board of directors determines the ratio of a stock split. This can range from a common 2-for-1 split, and go as far as 100-for-1, or more. For instance, in a 2-for-1 split, each existing share is divided into two new shares. The price per share is reduced by half, but the total market capitalization remains unchanged. So, a stock split can increase liquidity and potentially attract more investors, by giving 2 shares valued at $50, instead of 1 at $100, and the companys market cap is not impacted.

As the share price adjusts downward, dividends per share will also be adjusted to maintain the same total dividend payout. Similarly, all things tied to the share price are adjusted according to the split. However stock splits are non-dilutive, so existing shareholders voting rights remain unchanged.

Stock splits arent just beneficial to small investors trying to buy shares in big companies, they can also benefit companies by allowing them to repurchase shares at a lower price. But in one way or another, the eventual goal is to enhance a stocks appeal to investors and make it more accessible to retail or individual investors.

At the end of the day, a stock split does not inherently create additional value for a company, a good company remains a good company after a stock split. Similarly, a bad company remains a bad company. A temporary reduction in share price followed by higher investor interest might cause the stock to surge in the short run, but no meaningful impact should be expected in the long run.

Experts Weight In on The Market Situation Right Now

Weve seen a range of high-profile stock splits in 2024, especially in the semiconductor space. They seem to be the new cool thing to do for every company. However, these moves should be treated as no more than just making shares more accessible to smaller investors, and value investors should focus on fundamentals when theyre contemplating their next best idea.

The markets have been on a wild ride, all thanks to AI. The valuations have gotten out of hand, but weve also seen some corrections. Analysts are expecting earnings growth of 15% in 2025 along with rate cuts of up to 225 basis points. The Fed is expected to deliver its first cut in September after hiking interest rates constantly and holding them higher for longer. Jeff Krumpelman, the chief investment strategist at Mariner Wealth Advisors, and Julie Biel, the chief market strategist at Kayne Anderson Rudnick, recently appeared together on CNBC to discuss these dynamics and both had similar but contrasting opinions.

Story continues

Krumpelman expressed optimism, citing strong fundamentals and improving economic indicators, particularly inflation. He believes were not in a recessionary scenario and sees potential for the S&P 500 to reach 6,000 by mid-2025, driven by solid earnings growth, healthy guidance, and projected GDP growth of 1.5% to 2.0%. Heres what he said:

We look at the individual stocks, we find a broadening market, and we find general health in terms of earnings growth and valuation. So, were optimistic and constructive.

Biel, on the other hand, raised concerns about potential risks related to high valuations making stocks more fragile. She emphasized that the last time the market was this optimistic was back in 1984, just once in modern history. Biel remained cautiously optimistic and pointed to the $1 trillion in credit card debt and rising delinquency rates.

Most successful companies have a history of stock splits, but their share prices consistently return to levels where another split is warranted. Yet it is a widely practiced phenomenon and investors globally anticipate such moves from big companies to improve trust. In this context, were going to talk about the top 10 stocks that may be splitting soon.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

Is Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) Splitting Soon?

A customer browsing a retail store, finding the perfect footwear for their casual outfits.

Deckers Outdoor Corp. (NYSE:DECK)

Share Price as of August 30: $941.43

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 52

Deckers Outdoor Corp. (NYSE:DECK) is a global footwear designer and distributor renowned for its iconic brands UGG Australia, Teva, and Sanuk. They offer a range of footwear for various activities, from casual wear to outdoor adventures, with a focus on comfort.

In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded a 22.13% year-over-year improvement. This translated into a revenue of $825.35 million, which was $19.17 million higher than analyst estimates for the quarter. The earnings per share were $4.52.

HOKA footwear brand running shoes was the main growth driver, rising 30%. UGG also experienced growth, increasing 14%. Both D2C and wholesale channels saw increases of over 20%, demonstrating strong demand across the US and global marketplace, particularly in China and EMEA. International regions increased by 21% overall. These impressive results give the company confidence in its updated outlook for the fiscal full year 2025.

HOKAs performance was driven by compelling product assortment, including new launches, and growth of continued designs. The brand is expanding its distribution through its global marketing campaign, FLY HUMAN FLY.

UGG revenue increased due to strong full-price selling of key iconic franchises. In addition to product development and marketing activations. The brands upcoming Feels Like UGG campaign will further enhance its consumer connections.

Both UGG and HOKA brands are well-positioned for continued growth in the future. The company also has other footwear brands like Teva, Sanuk, and Koolaburra, which have exhibited a combination of increases, declines, and flat sales. The brands focus on innovation and consumer-informed product development has contributed to its success

In just 1 year, this company saw a surge in its stock price by 81.44%. Given that it has used stock splits as a way to deal with stock price surges to improve investor interest, another stock split may happen for Deckers Outdoor Corp. (NYSE:DECK). So far, investors seem to trust this company, as it is held by 52 hedge funds. The largest stakeholder is Millennium Management, with a position of $226,316,390.

FPA Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund stated the following regarding Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NYSE:DECK) in its Q2 2024 investor letter:

Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NYSE:DECK) is a footwear and apparel company that owns the UGG, Hoka, Teva, Sanuk, and Koolaburra brands. We think management has done a terrific job growing and extending the UGG franchise. Now they are replicating that success with Hoka running shoes, which surpassed $1 billion in sales in 2023. At over thirty times forward earnings (as of June 30, 2024), we have weighed Deckers valuation against the quality of its management team, strong brands, and net cash balance sheet and have trimmed our position. We first bought a small position in Deckers in 2015 and 2016 when the company was struggling with supply chain issues. Its stock price has increased more than ten times since then because of excellent operating performance, and we have trimmed all the way up. Given the companys exceptional financial performance and growth, the stock trades on the higher side of our range of reasonableness and we have continued to trim accordingly.

Overall DECK ranks 6th on our list of stocks that may be splitting soon. While we acknowledge the potential of DECK as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold great promise for delivering high returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than DECK 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.

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BRADENTON  As the women trickled into the community clubhouse late last month, each grabbed a red flyer printed with a message: Pregnancy is personal, not political.

That was the resounding theme at the Bradenton mixer hosted by a group of conservative women who plan to vote yes on a ballot question that could undo Floridas six-week abortion ban.

Over snacks and small glasses of wine, the hosts informed other mostly conservative women about the November ballot question and let them know that they werent alone. The mixers aim was to dispel misinformation and get attendees to speak in favor of Amendment 4  despite their own partys opposition.

While Democrats have taken up abortion rights as a key issue for 2024 elections across the country, polling shows the issue doesnt fall strictly along partisan lines. Some Republican women are working to create room for conservative people who oppose abortion bans.

Alyssa Nohren, a Republican, first heard about Conservative Women for Freedom after reading about it in a local news report.

You should have the option to do with your body what you see fit, said Nohren, who co-hosted last months event. (Political parties) have just gone so far right and so far left. Im just moderate. And unfortunately, theres just not a lot of people for us.

If Amendment 4 passes in November, the state constitution would say that no law could prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability.

Support from conservative and independent voters is essential for the amendment to meet the 60% voter support to pass. Floridas electorate has leaned increasingly red in recent years. Democrats make up about 32% of active registered voters; Republicans make up about 39%.

This is math, said Anna Hochkammer, executive director of Florida Womens Freedom Coalition, a political committee focused on raising support for Amendment 4 from conservative and independent voters. We need to keep about two out of three independent voters with us, and two out of five Republicans.

Republicans respond well to right-to-privacy arguments about issues like vaccines, and abortion is no different, Hochkammer said.

A recent survey conducted by KFF, a leading health policy organization, found that two-thirds of Florida women of reproductive age support a right to abortion. Half of those surveyed identified as Republicans.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who opposes the amendment and who signed Floridas six-week abortion ban, said last month that if only Floridians who are anti-abortion oppose the amendment, it may well pass. He said, though, that if every Republican votes against it, it would fail.

The Bradenton mixer drew about 30 attendees, including many older women. A local obstetrician and gynecologist took questions about things like ectopic pregnancies and why menstrual cycles may be irregular for some women.

Many of the attendees said they felt stuck in the middle of increasingly polarized politics.

Debbie Scaccianoce, a Republican Bradenton Beach commissioner who attended, said she knows a woman who last year traveled to three different states before she could get an abortion, finding access in Illinois after trying Georgia and South Carolina.

Its her body, it should be her choice, and taking it away is unfathomable, Scaccianoce said.

Organizers with Hochkammers group have held roughly 20 mixers like the one in Bradenton, including in Orlando, Coral Gables and Tampa.

David Karol, a professor of government and politics at the University of Maryland, said the two-party system is limiting and voters often choose a political party that doesnt completely align with their beliefs.

Before Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, Karol said conservative voters who disagreed with the GOP stance on abortion may have been able to assure themselves that no real action could limit abortion access. Now, conversations are changing.

Carol Whitmore, a former Republican Manatee County commissioner and one of the hosts of last Tuesdays mixer, said she and other Republicans arent going to give up our party because of one issue. But she said she knows many Republican women support the amendment even if they wont say so publicly.

Whitmore said when she gave petitions to conservative friends last year to get the amendment on the ballot, only two refused to sign.

In 2021, when Whitmore was on the county commission, she publicly told her own story about getting an abortion after getting tired of hearing that Republicans couldnt be anything but opposed to the procedure.

At the time, one of Whitmores fellow Manatee County commissioners was hoping to pass a local abortion ban.

So, during a commission meeting, Whitmore talked about how shed gotten pregnant in 1973 after a nonconsensual sexual encounter with a man she never saw again. She told her fellow commissioners and those in the audience that shed borrowed $150 and had an abortion.

Whitmore said she knew shed get backlash for speaking in support of abortion access. She lost her commission seat in 2022 to a Republican primary challenger. But Whitmore has only become more outspoken.

Its a personal cause for me, Whitmore said. And its a personal cause for a lot of people.

Floridians Protecting Freedom, the group behind Amendment 4, has intentionally kept its campaign nonpartisan. The organization hasnt worked with any Democratic candidates and isnt targeting voters of any particular political persuasion.

This nonpartisan approach has been met with resounding support and encouragement, the groups communications director, Natasha Sutherland, said in a statement. We know that the majority of Floridians support abortion access free from government interference and are eager to have their voices heard at the ballot box this November.

DeSantis and other opponents hope to paint the amendment as too extreme even for people who support abortion access. He is hoping to tie it to figures that conservatives may see as too far left, like Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.

But the conservative women supporting the amendment say that the issue isnt about party politics  its about government overreach.

Jaymie Carter, a Manatee real estate agent, said shes always been a Republican because she agrees with ideas like smaller government and fiscal conservatism.

But she said she always believed it should be a womans decision on what to do with her body.

It shouldnt be up to Gov. DeSantis or any politician to tell us whats right and whats wrong, said Carter, another co-host of the Bradenton mixer.

Hochkammer said the ballots abortion question shouldnt make Florida Republicans feel like they are splitting with their party on the issue because the Legislatures six-week restriction goes beyond where most conservatives are comfortable.

Trump doesnt support a total abortion ban, Hochkammer said. (After making ambiguous statements about how he felt about Floridas amendment, Trump last week said he would vote no on it, but indicated he still thought Floridas six-week ban was too short.)

Hochkammer added: We dont need to trash a party to get voters on this side.
Megan Hilty Remembers Family Members on 2-Year-Anniversary of Fatal Plane Crash: 'They Will Always Be with Me'

Megan's sister, Lauren Hilty, brother-in-law Ross Mickel, and their son Remy were among the 10 people killed in a plane crash in Washington on Sept. 4, 2022

Santiago Felipe/Getty Megan Hilty

Megan Hilty is honoring her family members who died in a tragic plane crash two years ago.

Megan's sister, Lauren Hilty, brother-in-law Ross Mickel, and their son Remy were among the 10 people killed in a plane crash in Washington on Sept. 4, 2022. At the time, Lauren was eight months pregnant.

"The two years without my beautiful sister, Lauren, seems like an eternity," the 43-year-old Broadway star wrote in an Instagram tribute. "Not a day goes by that I dont think of her and try to be a little more like her."

"If you were lucky enough to know her, you also know how she lit up every room she walked into," she added. "If Lauren was there, you knew you would be loved, and supported, and that youd definitely have a good time."

Related: Megan Hilty Breaks Silence on the Death of Her Sister, Brother-in-Law and Nephew: 'No Words'

Megan went on to share how much she also misses "Ross, sweet Remy and the promise of baby Luca."

"They will always be with me - on my mind, in my heart and in the grief Ill carry for the rest of my life," she added. "Ill always be so grateful for everyone who supported [our] family through those terrible months after we lost them and every day since."

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In the aftermath of the tragic crash, Megan and her sister, Kristen Hilty Eaton, created a GoFundMeto help raise money to locate the remains of their loved ones.

In an update on Nov. 19, 2022, Hilty wrote that "despite our trusted search teams very best efforts, Lauren, Remy and Luca were not found." (Hilty's brother-in-law was one of the victims whose bodies were recovered by authorities.)

"When all is said and done, we are now able to move on knowing that our dear family members are, indeed, gone," she wrote. "Because of your support, we wont have the lingering doubts of what could have happened, had we not tried to find them. Because of your help, we can finally put those thoughts to rest and simply mourn Lauren, Ross, Remy and Luca. Thank you for your kindness and support. We are infinitely grateful for your breathtaking generosity."

Related: 6 Bodies Have Been Recovered a Month After Plane Crash That Killed 10, Including Megan Hilty's Family Members

Also killed in the crash were Seattle attorney Gabrielle Hanna, 29; pilot Jason Winters; passenger Joanne Mera; civil rights activist Sandra Williams and her partner, retired teacher Patricia Hicks; and married couple Luke and Rebecca Ludwig.

The wreckage of the seaplane was eventually discovered off Whidbey Island, approximately 190 feet down on the Puget Sound sea floor, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.



The NTSB has concluded that a broken link between the pilots controls and the planes tail caused the crash, The Seattle Times reported.

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Meghan McCain, the daughter of the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), said she will not support Vice President Harris or former President Trump in November.

Her comment came just hours after her brother, Jimmy McCain, threw his support behind Harris.

I greatly respect the wide variety of political opinions of all of my family members and love them all very much, Meghan McCain wrote Tuesday on the social platform X. I, however, remain a proud member of the Republican Party and hope for brighter days ahead. (Not voting for Harris or Trump, hope that clears things up).

She did not touch upon who else, if anyone, she might support for the White House.

Responding to calls last month to endorse Harriss ticket, McCain said, Please stop trying to turn me into a progressive.

Its a fever dream, she added Im a life long, generational conservative.

McCain, 39, has frequently criticized Trump, who attacked her father numerous times when he was still alive.

In 2015, Trump came under harsh scrutiny for saying John McCain was not a war hero because he was captured. The senator, who died in 2018, was a prisoner of war in Vietnam for more than five years.

Jimmy McCain told CNN on Tuesday he changed his voter registration from independent to Democrat weeks ago and plans to vote for the vice president in the fall. He said he would get involved in any way I could to help Harris get elected.

Jimmy McCain, 36, served for 17 years in the military and is an intelligence officer. He also weighed in on Trumps recent visit to Arlington National Cemetery, calling the former presidents conduct a violation.

It just blows me away, he told CNN, referring to the reported incident. These men and women that are laying in the ground there have no choice about being in a political ad.

I just think that for anyone whos done a lot of time in their uniform, they just understand that inherently  that its not about you there. Its about these people who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the name of their country, Jimmy McCain added.

Trump visited the cemetery last week to mark the third anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. He was joined by some family of the 13 U.S. service members killed in the 2021 Kabul airport attack.

The former president said the family asked him to visit and to take pictures in the wake of criticism he was using the graves as a campaign backdrop.

A confrontation also reportedly took place when cemetery staff members tried to stop Trumps campaign team from photographing and filming a solemn area of the cemetery dedicated to those who fought in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activists within the cemetery, and the Army last week said an employee was pushed aside by the Trump team when trying to enforce the rules prohibiting political activities on cemetery grounds.

The GOP nominee and his team have pushed back on the claims, calling it a made up story.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(The Hill)  Meghan McCain, the daughter of the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), said she will not support Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump in November.

Her comment comes just hours after her brother, Jimmy McCain, threw his support behind Harris.

I greatly respect the wide variety of political opinions of all of my family members and love them all very much, McCain wrote Tuesday on social media platform X. I, however, remain a proud member of the Republican Party and hope for brighter days ahead. (Not voting for Harris or Trump, hope that clears things up).

She did not touch upon who else, if anyone, she might support for the White House.

Responding to calls last month to endorse Harris ticket, McCain said, Please stop trying to turn me into a progressive.

Its a fever dream, she added Im a life long, generational conservative.

McCain, 39, has frequently criticized Trump, who attacked her father numerous times when he was still alive.

Harris, Trump in close races in key swing states: Polling

In 2015, Trump came under harsh scrutiny for saying the senator was not a war hero because he was captured. The senator, who died in 2018, was a prisoner of war in Vietnam for more than five years.

Jimmy McCain told CNN on Tuesday that he changed his voter registration from independent to Democrat weeks ago and plans to vote for the vice president in the fall. The late senators son said he would get involved in any way I could to help Harris get elected.

McCains brother, 36, served for 17 years in the military and is an intelligence officer. He also weighed in on Trumps recent visit to Arlington National Cemetery, calling the former presidents conduct a violation.

It just blows me away, he told CNN, referring to the reported incident. These men and women that are laying in the ground there have no choice about being in a political ad.

I just think that for anyone whos done a lot of time in their uniform, they just understand that inherently  that its not about you there. Its about these people who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the name of their country, Jimmy McCain added.

Trump visited the cemetery last week to mark the three-year anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. He was joined by some family of the 13 U.S. service members killed in the 2021 Kabul airport attack.

The former president said the family asked him to visit and to take pictures in the wake of criticism he was using the graves as a campaign backdrop.

A confrontation also reportedly took place when cemetery staff members tried to stop Trumps campaign team from photographing and filming a solemn area of the cemetery dedicated to those who fought in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activists within the cemetery, and the Army last week said an employee was pushed aside by the Trump team when trying to enforce the rules prohibiting political activities on cemetery grounds.

The GOP nominee and his team have pushed back on the claims, calling it a made up story.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
More people are venturing out to explore the worlds coldest corners before its too late.

Ice caps in far-flung destinations around the globe are rapidly melting due to climate change, making a new travel trend called last chance tourism both more popular and riskier as visitors rush to see the disappearing glaciers and ice caves, The New York Times reported. Those rising temperatures have taken a toll in cold-weather places like Icelanda vacation hot spot where half a million people partake in epic Arctic adventures each year.

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One of the most popular activities travelers can sign up for while visiting the country is glacier tours. However, intense meltwater runoff is making the excursions even more treacherous, according to the Icelandic park service. Last month, an American tourist died while on a group tour within Vatnajokull National Park. During the outing, the Breiamerkurjokull ice cave collapsed, killing the man and injuring his girlfriend.

Its a good example of the consequence that climate change can have on glacier tourism, Emmanuel Salim, an assistant professor of geography at the University of Toulouse in France, told The New York Times.

Since the incident occurred, ice cave tours have been temporarily suspended, and in the meantime, tour operators are looking for ways to make these trips safer, like adding more guardrails and revamping hiking paths, bridges, and stairs. However, rising temperatures can oftentimes make weather less predictable. For example, over in Canada, Corin Lohmann, the owner of IceWalks, reroutes trails to the Athabasca Glacier in Alberta two to three times each season because of glacier melt. In addition, wildfires shut down his routes through Jasper National Park this summer.

Emerging events can happen that never happened in the past, added Johannes Theodorus Welling, a postdoctoral researcher in glacier tourism at the University of Iceland.

Despite the Iceland accident that occurred in August, interest in extreme tourism is booming, which means the more people that visit these fragile sites threatened by climate change, the faster and more likely they are to deteriorate. And to put it plainly, the Land of Fire and Ice is having trouble living up to its name these days.

There are more outdoor enthusiasts, but glaciers are also more unstable than they used to be, Trevor Kreznar, general manager of Exit Glacier Guides in Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska, explained to the NYT. If there were just more enthusiasts but glaciers remained the same as in the 1980s, it wouldnt be as big of a deal.

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The legislature convenes on the third floor of the the Kentucky Capitol in Frankfort, photographed here the night of Jan. 4, 2023. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)

When Rep. Daniel Grossbergs attorney, Anna Whites, said that he has no plans to resign after multiple sexual harassment allegations, my first and only thought was: He deserves due process, and he should resign.

The Legislative Ethics Commission is investigating Grossbergs alleged behavior unbecoming a state representative. There is additional Lexington Herald-Leader reporting that three more women  ages 26 to 28  came to them directly with detailed allegations, including text messages, of unwelcome, sexually explicit comments and behavior.

Louisville Democrats  his own party  issued a statement on Aug. 29 asking that Grossberg temporarily refrain from participating in LDP events and meetings while the Legislative Ethics Commission investigation is in process.

And still, he has no plans to resign. Why would he? Powerful men behaving badly, arrogantly and even offensively in the Kentucky legislature is todays norm. And there are not enough watchdogs to consistently call it out.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us got so used to viewing meetings online, at our leisure, that we gladly traded long commutes and time away from home for a video screen. But what we see/hear on legislative video feeds is extremely limited, kind of like being locked in your cabin on a cruise ship where all you can see of the expansive and potentially treacherous ocean is whats visible through your one, tiny porthole.

One, tiny porthole is not enough.

After the Old National Bank mass shooting in April 2023, I spent as much of the next year in Frankfort as I could. I learned what it feels like to be there, to be present; that there is a staggering difference between being inside the Capitol Annex meeting rooms and in the Senate and House galleries in person vs. following online; that not everything happens on camera.

To give credit where credit is due, at least House Democrats have shown integrity by suspending Grossberg from their caucus and interim committee meetings during the ethics investigation.

The last couple of columns I filed about the 2024 General Assembly  one on sexism, one on racism  centered on what it felt like to be in those rooms, to experience the steady offensiveness that permeates the GOP supermajority in our legislative body. The sexism and racism are features, not bugs, and not even a little bit hidden.

You might remember the shocking photo of Senate President Robert Stivers and Floor Leader Damon Thayer scowling, shaking fingers, losing their tempers at Sen. Karen Berg for questioning data supporting House Bill 5, arguably the most consequential bill of the session. What if that photo had not been taken?

There was the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection meeting, led by Sen. Rick Girdler, in which a little, dark-skinned girl sitting with Sen. Gex Williams witnessed nothing but 21 minutes of a good old boy, misogynistic, frat-house-like romp masquerading as legislative work. I remember turning to the person sitting next to me, in a meeting I almost skipped because it had such a short agenda, and saying something like, My God, there is an entire story in this one awful meeting.

There was a snarling Rep. Ryan Dotson on the House floor, finger-pointing and raising his voice as Rep. Sarah Stalker dared  yes, a woman, dared  to ask him the most basic questions about a discriminatory housing bill, to the point that House Speaker David Osborne stopped Dotson and advised caution. And then everyone carried on as if nothing happened.

Is it any wonder that a male legislator like Grossberg, working in this same Capitol Annex, feels like he can do whatever tickles his fancy in such a consistently vulgar, unrepentant, frat-boy atmosphere?

I have often found myself looking around a committee room and wondering, did you guys hear that? Where is leadership? Is someone going to stop this, call it out, say something, say anything at all?

In one  just one!  of the many allegations, reported by the Herald-Leader, against Grossberg, Woman B, who is 26 and involved in Democratic politics, shared several different occasions in 2024, both in person, through texts and in other messaging apps where he repeatedly made comments she considered harassing or threatening. He asked questions about her sexual orientation and expressed serious romantic interest, she said. Woman B also said Grossberg told her if she were to learn what his porn preferences were, I would never forgive him, she recounted in a text to a friend. He also relentlessly asked for nude photos.

Please tell me what can be misconstrued or misunderstood here?

Ah well. Grossberg says he is not resigning, that he will continue working, so Woman B will also go back to her job and things will be  the same?

And then we wonder why women do not report.

After sine die in April, I needed a break from being in Frankfort in person, so I took the summer off. When people asked why I wasnt there, why they did not see me in this meeting or that, I said with all honesty, Because being there feels like drinking poison.

Who knows what is going to happen with Grossberg. Its his decision. At minimum, lets hope he takes Gov. Andy Beshears advice to seriously consider if a public office is the best or most appropriate place for him to be at this time.

Based on experience, I wont hold my breath.

Meanwhile, what I know is that being a professional woman in and around Kentuckys testosterone-fueled, frat house-like legislative body often makes me feel like its 1984 instead of 2024 and that I need a shower.

The women of Kentucky deserve a hell of a lot better.
Meta board: From the river to the sea does not violate hate speech policy

Metas Oversight Board ruled Wednesday that using the phrase from the river to the sea does not violate the companys hate speech rules and should not result in content removal from its social media platforms.

The independent board reviewed three Facebook posts from November with the phrase in question and determined the uses do not qualify as hate speech because they do not attack Jewish or Israeli people with calls for violence or exclusion, nor do they attack a concept or institution associated with a protected characteristic that could lead to imminent violence.

The board also ruled the phrase did not violate Metas rules on violence and incitement, or dangerous organizations and individuals.

The majority of the board concluded the phrase has multiple meanings and does not always translate to a call for the expulsion or annihilation of Israels Jewish population, as many critics suggested.

While it can be understood by some as encouraging and legitimizing antisemitism and the violent elimination of Israel and its people, it is also often used as a political call for solidarity, equal rights and self-determination of the Palestinian people, and to end the war in Gaza, the board said.

The phrase predates the current conflict, but it has seen a resurgence since Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel and Israels subsequent military response, leading to growing debate about the meaning of the words.

The oversight board argued there are a variety of people using the phrase in different ways and pushed back against arguments that point to its use in the 2017 revised Hamas charter.

The phrases use by this terrorist group with explicit violent eliminationist intent and actions, does not make the phrase inherently hateful or violent, they wrote.

Because the phrase does not have a single meaning, a blanket ban on content that includes the phrase, a default rule towards removal of such content, or even using it as a signal to trigger enforcement or review, would hinder protected political speech in unacceptable ways, the board added.

Each of the three posts was reported by users who argued they violated the companys community standards, but Meta had previously ruled the posts should be left on Facebook. Users then appealed to the oversight board, which is run independently from Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and funded by a grant provided by the company.

The group also made recommendations for better access to the platforms data for journalists and other third-party researchers, as well as better methods for tracking hate speech.

We welcome the boards review of our guidance on this matter, Meta said in an emailed statement about the ruling.

While all of our policies are developed with safety in mind, we know they come with global challenges and we regularly seek input from experts outside Meta, including the Oversight Board, the company added.

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WACO, Texas (FOX 44)  Looking for a job? Wacos Methodist Childrens Home can help!

A Career Expo open to the general public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday. The event will be held at the administration building on the MCH campus, located at at 1111 Herring Avenue. Interested applicants seeking a full-time, part-time or PRN position are encouraged to bring their resume and prepare for onsite interviews.

In addition, more information about open positions can be found at MCH.org/career-opportunities.

MCH says it offers employees unique benefits, including outstanding health insurance with stable rates, a generous retirement plan with matching contributions, financial assistance for employees pursuing higher education and certification programs.

The Methodist Childrens Home was founded in 1890, and is a nationally accredited nonprofit serving children and youth.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Metros Parks and Recreation Board heard several concerns involving topics ranging from a new name for Cumberland Park to required park permits for outreach groups.

In August, Colbys Army, an outreach program, went to Richland Park to serve Nashvilles unhoused  as it has for the past 12 years. The program has served the community there every Tuesday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. The program provides packaged food, water, canned goods, clothing and toiletries. Colbys Army also assists in providing people with mental health and social services.

However, instead of being able to help the unhoused community, they were told they needed a permit. They risked paying a $5,000 fine if they proceeded without a permit. On Tuesday, that permit requirement was up for debate.

Metro Nashville Schools report record number of homeless students

Reverent Ingrid McIntyre spoke against the permit regulations and brought attention to the need for Christian ministry towards Nashvilles unhoused, citing Matthew 25:35.

This demonstrates that feeding the hungry where they are is not just an act of charity but a direct service to God, McIntyre said.

Colbys Army presented a similar argument. The Executive Director of Colbys Army, Lisa Wysocky, spoke to the need for constant service and the unnecessary costs of getting a permit.

Without us being able to go into a park to serve those people, they are never going to leave the park, Wysocky said. They are never going to be out of there because there is no one providing those services for them.

Others, like Tim Tomes, argued for the permit. Tomes said that he lives near Richland Park, adding that residents could not enjoy the park due to safety concerns.

I went by there three times yesterday, but there is not one person at Richland Park because the neighborhood doesnt want to go there anymore, Tomes said.

The boards final decision was to dismiss the permit requirements so that Colbys Army could continue serving the community in Richland Park on Tuesdays.

One afternoon a week in Richland Park, that is great, but there are a lot of other parks that we serve, and there are a lot of parks that other organizations serve, Wysocky explained. We need to have access to all of the homeless in all of the parks throughout the city. And not just us  all of the providers.

Also up for discussion was a new name for Cumberland Park.

RELATED: Advocates hope to rename Cumberland Park

The Indigenous Peoples Coalition Nashville, the Global Education Center, and the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation submitted the argument to change Cumberland Parks name.

The new name for Cumberland Park would be Wasioto Park. No one spoke against the name change in the open discussion. Instead, several people argued for an act of respect and honor for Nashvilles original roots and residents.

Plus, a recognition of the contemporary and modern presence of Indigenous people in Nashville will bring a greater awareness to the mainstream population of Nashville, chairperson of the Indigenous Peoples Coalition, Albert Bender, said.

The naming committee unanimously approved the start of the re-naming process. The next step in the process involves gathering community input, which will be led by Metro Parks.

The board also decided to proceed with an $18 million project in the Opry Mills area.

As the plan stands, the new greenway would extend from the Cumberland River Greenway through Stones River Greenway to the Opry Mills Campus.

Cindy Harrison with Metro Parks Greenways, Trails and Open Space told News 2 that this is a regionally significant project.

Tennessee State Parks launches How To program series to teach basic outdoor skills

In addition to a linear park and conserving open space and getting people out in nature along the Cumberland River, it also provides an opportunity for off-street multi-modal transportation, Harrison said.

Metros Parks and Recreation Board approved the grant submission request. The project will move to the Metro Council for approval before Metro Parks can apply for federal funding from the Transportation Alternatives Program.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
A billboard of the ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich e. V. Dresden branch. Arno Burgi/ZB/dpa

The business climate in Germanys automotive industry darkened in August, the leading ifo institute said on Wednesday after publishing its latest index showing a drop of 6.2 points to minus 24.7 points.

Sentiment in the automotive industry is nosediving, ifo automotive sector analyst Anita Wolfl said. The fall was the fourth in a row, following a slight temporary recovery, according to the Munich-based institute.

Wolfl said that extremely pessimistic business expectations for the next six months were behind the decline in sentiment. The forward-looking index plummeted to -40.5 points, down from -29.5 points in July.

Companies in the German automotive industry are suffering from a lack of new orders, especially from abroad. That is now also reflected in the personnel planning, Wolfl said.

The indicator for export expectations dropped significantly for the third time in a row and is now at -29.6 points  the lowest it has been in a long time.
By Cassandra Garrison and Diego Ore

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexico's lower house of Congress approved an overhaul of the country's judiciary early on Wednesday that would usher in a new era of elections for all judges, in a vote cheered by the ruling party but seen as a dangerous experiment by the opposition.

The overwhelming vote of approval by lawmakers paves the way for the constitutional reform to go to the Senate, where debate is expected to begin next Wednesday.

While the ruling coalition is also expected to approve the proposal in the upper chamber, the vote there could be closer.

"We've achieved a civic feat," said a triumphant Ricardo Monreal, lower house leader for the ruling Morena party shortly after the bill's approval.

"Without arrogance and without excessive attitudes, we can say that we have fulfilled our promise to the people."

The overhaul is expected to be enacted later in September, during the final month of outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's term in office. The leftist leader has often railed at what he calls corruption among top judges.

After a marathon overnight session in the lower house that began late on Tuesday night, the bill's passage marks a crucial step toward cementing the popular Lopez Obrador's final legislative priority.

His leftist Morena ruling party and its allies - which in the lower house hold the two-thirds supermajority required for constitutional reforms - easily approved the bill. It passed on a vote of 357 votes in favor, 130 votes against.

The reform push has led to a strike by judicial workers, strained relations with the United States and generated concern from financial markets, as investors worry about the security of their investments in Mexico under the new system.

Lopez Obrador and his supporters have argued that elected judges will boost accountability and reduce corruption.

The reform also reduces the number of Supreme Court judges to nine from 11, limits their terms to 12 years, and abolishes age restrictions for ministers and magistrates.

Critics have noted the bill will not impact prosecutors or police, which they say are the real culprits of impunity and corruption.

On Tuesday, lawmakers began their session after a six-hour delay as they relocated to a sports complex in Mexico City after striking judicial workers blocked the entrance to the lower house in protest. They argue that the proposed reform would trample on their labor rights.

"They don't want to face the thousands of people who are outside demanding their rights," said opposition lawmaker Maria Josefina Gamboa during the session.

In a rare move, most Supreme Court judges also voted on Tuesday to join the work stoppage.

Mexico's peso has taken a beating since last June's national election saw Morena's Claudia Sheinbaum win the presidency, while the party also secured majorities in Congress.

But on Wednesday, it only dipped slightly by 0.16% immediately after the bill's final large approval.

(Reporting by Cassandra Garrison, Diego Ore and Kylie Madry; Additional reporting by Brendan O'Boyle and Noe Torres; Editing by Angus MacSwan, David Alire Garcia and Sandra Maler)
Miami Beach apologizes for posting docs with sensitive info. How long were they public?

The city of Miami Beach has issued an apology after removing documents from its website Tuesday that contained residents unredacted personal information, including Social Security numbers, drivers license numbers and federal tax identifications.

A folder within the citys portal for archived public documents was removed hours after a Miami Beach resident flagged the problem to city officials.

But it appears the folder, which contained about 10,000 records related to utility billing, may have been publicly available for decades. It was created in 2001 and last modified in 2007, according to metadata on the page.

In a response to the Miami Herald on Wednesday, Miami Beach spokeswoman Melissa Berthier said the city was investigating how the situation occurred.

Decades-old files on the citys document management system were immediately removed from public view after the city learned some files contained personal information, Berthier said. The citys Information Technology Department is conducting an investigation. We apologize for this error and are committed to identifying the extent of the exposure and doing our best to assist those affected.

A page on the city of Miami Beach website housed old utility billing documents that included peoples social security numbers, drivers licenses and other personal information.

The resident who flagged the issue to the city had been looking up his home address on Google when he stumbled upon a link to a city utility record from 1993, which contained his Social Security and drivers license numbers.

The mans son-in-law sent a tip about the issue to the Herald.

The Herald reviewed dozens of the documents Tuesday, though it was unable to review all of them before the folder was taken offline. The publicly available documents included records  dated as early as 1988 and as late as 2006  that memorialized various utility-related processes, including new customer applications, water meter replacements and water tap applications. Many of the documents were for transfers of utility services to new addresses.

The documents containing sensitive information were located within a section of the public document portal that held records from the citys finance department. The portal houses hundreds of archived documents related to city business, including meeting minutes, campaign finance records and memos from the city manager.

Among the property owners whose information was exposed was Saul Gross, a Miami Beach city commissioner from 2001 to 2009. Reached by phone, Gross said he was unaware that a document he signed in 1993 for a South Beach condo building was available online. The document, which has now been removed, featured Grosss drivers license and Social Security numbers.

Gross said he wasnt too disturbed by the revelation, given that its so easy to steal peoples identities if youre trying to. Still, he said, Im not pleased to hear about it.

Ive been lucky, I guess, that nobodys ever tried to use it for nefarious purposes, Gross said. There is a lot of identity theft out there.
MIAMI TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WDTN)  A local government is asking for its community to provide feedback relating to adult use of cannabis.

Miami Township is looking for opinions from residents and businesses relating to what they want to see in their community. According to Miami Twp., officials have not yet issued licenses for cannabis dispensaries within the Township.

New dashboard displays fire department grants

Proposed comments for Miami Twp. cannabis use and facilities could include any restrictions the residents want to see, if the facilities should be allowed and general thoughts on adult use.

To make your voice heard, send an email to Miami Twp. planning leaders by Sept. 30.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
MIAMI, Okla.  A Miami woman suspected of being intoxicated is accused of ramming her truck into a house, injuring a woman, and killing her dog, according to a Miami police report.

Cherokee Nation citizen Samantha May Johnson-Frazier, 37, of Miami, was taken into custody on Aug. 31 by the Bureau of Indian Affairs police. She is being held in the Cherokee County, Kansas jail on $5,100 bail on the following complaints:

Driving under the influence, misdemeanor

Reckless driving

Cruelty to animals, knowing kill/injure

Failure to stop at accident; result in bodily harm

Failure to appear

Miami Police Officers and BIA Officers were notified a possible drunk driver had driven into a home on the 600 block of E Street SE in Miami, according to the police report.

Police said Sheila K. Draper was sitting in a recliner in her living room when Johnson-Fraziers Ford Ranger crashed into the home around 7:30 p.m., pinning Draper and killing the family dog. A preliminary investigation showed the Ford Ranger had accelerated, leaving tire marks before leaving the roadway and entering the yard.

When police arrived at Drapers home, they found the 60-year-old woman unresponsive and pinned between the front of the pickup and furniture in the living room, and Johnson-Fraizers truck was blocking the front door of the home.

A witness told police they heard the crash and saw a female who had been the apparent driver crawl out of the home. After fleeing the scene on foot, Johnson-Fraizer dropped her cell phone and was found hiding in a storage shed and taken into custody, the report stated.

Draper remains hospitalized in a Joplin hospital with six broken ribs and a broken clavicle, according to family members.

While removing Draper, Miami Fire and Rescue workers saw a deceased dog under the front passenger side tire and heard barking from a second dog pinned inside the home.

We will continue to update this developing story as more information becomes available.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
Sixteen-year-olds in Michigan can't vote for a couple of years. But they can take a step toward filling out their first ballot now by preregistering to vote.

A new law that passed along party lines earlier this year lets 16-year-olds preregister to vote with the Secretary of State. Backers of the legislation hope it will boost youth voter turnout in future elections. Others who opposed say it will complicate Michigan's voter rolls.

Here's a rundown of how preregistration works:

What is preregistration?

Prior to the new law, Michiganders could register as young as 17 years old as long as theyd be 18 by Election Day. Now, 16-year-olds can preregister to vote, which will make them eligible to vote when they turn 18. Once preregistered, individuals would automatically have active voter registrations when they reach the eligible registration age, the Secretary of State's website says.

To preregister, a 16- to 17-year-old or a family member can request a form from their local clerks office, or fill out the form digitally at Michigan.gov/Vote.

Who is eligible to preregister to vote?

The teen must be a Michigan resident, U.S. citizen, at least 16 years old, and not actively serving a prison sentence. Eligible teens will be able to participate in early or absentee voting, as long as they turn 18 on or before Election Day.

Whats important for parents to know?

The Secretary of State notes that young voters are more likely to vote if a parent educates them about the voting process, but the law specifies rules for parents. A parent cannot preregister their child to vote or forge their childs signature on the application.

Parents should also know that if their teen preregisters at a different address, like a college address, the address on their state ID or driver's license will change as well, which may affect dependent insurance coverage or a child's dependent status for tax purposes.

What does preregistration do?

Preregistration is intended to increase turnout among young people. State Rep. Besty Coffia, D-Traverse City, who sponsored the bill, said that in other states with preregistration in place, theres an increase in youth participation in their first election, regardless of political affiliation.

A 2015 study in the American Journal of Political Science says states with preregistration laws tend to see an increase in turnout, primarily when changes in law are followed by voter drives in high schools or other efforts to reach students 16 and older.

Laura Brill, director of The Civics Center, a California-based nonpartisan effort that advocates for preregistration laws, emphasized those efforts to reach students.

In California, weve had preregistration since 2016, but theres been very little done in terms of resources from the government to get it implemented, said Brill, who said voter drives at high schools are crucial because college drives can miss students who don't attend college.

Who supported preregistration and why?

The bill was widely lauded by local and national organizations that advocate for voting rights and easier ballot access, including Promote the Vote, All Voting is Local and the League of Women Voters. But reactions were more varied in Lansing. It passed 56-52 in the state House, with Democrats voting for and Republicans voting against.

Proponents of the law said that preregistration will make young people more likely to vote when they turn 18, simplify high school registration drives and give students more time to prepare for their first voting experience.

Allowing young people to register, especially while theyre taking civics classes, will help set democracy up for success in the future, said Stella Camerlengo, communications director for the Michigan College Democrats.

Michael Siegrist, Canton clerk, spoke at a House Elections Committee hearing last year in support of the bill. He said when conducting voter registration drives at high schools in his community, he hated the fact that he couldnt register a student who was slightly younger than 17. He also said he couldnt think of a reason why 16- and 17-year-olds could be poll workers, but couldnt preregister to vote.

Who opposed preregistration and why?

Opponents of preregistration said they are concerned that registering future voters further complicates election administration and will lead to lower public confidence in Michigan elections.

State Rep. Ann Bollin, R-Brighton Twp., a former clerk, said that the influx of regulations that election officials must follow removes checks and balances between clerks and the Secretary of State. Its not that we dont trust young people. Its the burden on the system, on our local clerks and administrators, Bollin said. They have to set up an extra database system because 16- and 17-year-olds cant vote.

Clerks often have to handle the inactive registrations of citizens who leave Michigan. Bollins concern is that clerks will be overwhelmed by the addition of having to manage an influx of inactive voters who preregister.

Young conservatives have similar reservations. Its a good idea to encourage young people to vote and get active in politics, said Krish Mathrani, a Youth Executive Committee Member for the Oakland County Republican Party, in a statement. But our SOS should focus on fair and transparent elections before further encouraging other ideas.

How many voters are we talking about?

The Secretary of States Office was unable to provide the Detroit Free Press with information about preregistration statistics.There is limited information on the number of preregistered Michigan teens, in part because of a clause in the law that prohibits the records of preregistrants from being made public.

I included this because were registering minors, says state Rep. Coffia, a Democrat from Traverse City and the author of the bill. Until they turn 18, I dont want their information to be available before theyre of age.

Here is what is known: About 130,000 people turn 18 in Michigan every year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Approximately 1.3 million young Michiganders, aged 18 to 29, are active registered voters.

But a new report by the state shows that more work is needed to get young people who are registered to vote. Forty percent of registered voters ages 18 to 29 did not cast a ballot in the 2020 presidential election.

Michigan has a historic status as a swing state with low margins of victory, and bridging the young voter gap would increase youth participation, and could influence races up and down the ballot.

In its report, the state cites a 2018 study out of Tufts Universitys Center for Information & Research On Civic Learning and Engagement, or CIRCLE, showing that 52% of young voters who did not vote needed to rearrange work or school schedules, or did not know where to vote.

According to a 2023 CIRCLE study, young people who did not vote in 2020 and were unlikely to vote in 2024 were much less likely than other youths in the study to have seen information about elections and registration.

One proposed solution by the state is to partner with schools and workplaces to distribute nonpartisan voter education information. The state put an emphasis on reaching young people who dont attend college by partnering with trade schools and apprentice programs. Additionally, the report recommends sharing voter information on social media platforms young people are already using, in the ways they tend to consume that information, suggesting videos and infographics.

Jaxson Kaplan-Rudolph, a Detroit Free Press high school apprentice, is a rising senior at the International Academy in West Bloomfield.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan 16-year-olds can preregister to vote. Here's how.
Michigan man wins long shot appeal over burglary linked to his DNA on a bottle

This undated photo provided by the Michigan Department of Corrections shows Gregory Tucker. (Michigan Department of Corrections via AP)

DETROIT (AP)  A Michigan prisoner has persuaded a judge to throw out his burglary conviction, overcoming long odds by serving as his own lawyer in an appeal of a case that rested solely on his DNA being found on a soda bottle in a beauty shop.

Gregory Tucker, 65, argued that the DNA wasn't sufficient on its own to convict him in the 2016 break-in near Detroit, citing U.S. Supreme Court rulings about evidence.

U.S. District Judge David Lawson agreed that the case against Tucker was thin.

Any inference that (Tucker) must have deposited his DNA on the bottle during the course of the burglary was pure speculation unsupported by any positive proof in the record, Lawson wrote in the Aug. 1 ruling.

Anne Yantus, a lawyer who spent 30 years at the State Appellate Defender Office and who isn't connected to the case, said what Tucker managed to do isn't easy.

I'm just impressed that this is a man who had enough confidence in himself and his legal skills to represent himself with a habeas claim, said Yantus, referring to habeas corpus, the Latin term for a last-ditch appeal that lands in federal court long after a conviction.

The petitioner tries to argue that a guilty verdict violated various protections spelled out in federal law. Success is extremely rare.

Tucker was accused of breaking into a beauty shop in Ferndale in 2016. Supplies worth $10,000 were stolen, along with a television, a computer and a wall clock.

Tucker was charged after his DNA was found on a Coke bottle at the crime scene. Authorities couldn't match other DNA on the bottle to anyone.

Speaking from prison, Tucker told The Associated Press that he was overwhelmed by Lawson's ruling. He said he has no idea why a bottle with his DNA ended up there.

A pop bottle has monetary value, Tucker said, referring to Michigan's 10-cent deposit law. You can leave a bottle on the east side and it can end up on the west side that same day.

His victory hasn't meant he's been freed. Tucker is still serving time for a different conviction and can't leave prison until the parole board wants to release him.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, aren't giving up. The Michigan attorney general's office said it plans to appeal the decision overturning Tucker's burglary conviction.

___

This story was corrected to reflect that the break-in happened in 2016, not 2018.

___

Follow Ed White on X at https://twitter.com/edwritez
EAST LANSING  It's been a year since Michigan State University suspended Mel Tucker before eventually firing him following a USA Today story that detailed a long-running sexual harassment investigation.

A new coach is in place and the football team started the season with a win, but the book can't quite be closed on the scandal that ended Tucker's time in East Lansing.

Here's a look at what's happened in the past year and what still needs a resolution.

How we got here

The USA Today story published in the early hours of Sept. 10, following MSU's 45-14 win over Richmond, the first public report to reveal that Tucker had been under investigation by the university for nearly a year. The story also included an interview with Brenda Tracy, the woman who filed the complaint.

Tracy is a prominent national advocate for sexual assault survivors. She's spoken to college athletes across the country, including to MSU's football team, as part of her nonprofit Set The Expectation.

In December 2022, Tracy filed her complaint with the university and said that during a phone call the previous April, Tucker made sexual comments about her and masturbated.

Tucker has denied any wrongdoing and said that he and Tracy had an intimate and consensual relationship.

MSU Athletic Director Alan Haller suspended Tucker without pay on the day the story published, and fired him for cause on Sept. 27.

More: Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker accused of sexually harassing rape survivor

How much of Mel Tucker's contract is guaranteed?

About two years before Haller fired Tucker, the coach signed one of the most-lucrative contract extensions in the history of college sports.

The deal was worth about $95 million guaranteed across a decade, unless MSU fired him for cause. The contract included specific language that set out the reasons such termination could happen. When Haller cited those stipulated grounds in Tucker's termination letter, the contract had about $80 million in guaranteed salary remaining.

Tucker filed his lawsuit in federal court on July 31. He named the university, the entire Board of Trustees, Haller, General Counsel Brian Quinn and former interim President Teresa Woodruff as defendants. MSU hired its new president last winter and Woodruff remains at the university.

In April, Tucker's wife Jo Ellyn filed for divorce in Ingham County Circuit Court and, in a court filing, accused him of pulling money, including $1.5 million to pay his legal expenses, from their joint funds without notice.

More: MSU president Teresa Woodruff: I and the board didn't know details of Tucker complaint until Sunday

Tucker sues MSU over 'sham investigation'

In the lawsuit, Tucker accused the school of conducting an "improper, biased, and sham investigation" designed to fire him, violating his right to due process. Tucker, a Black man, also accuses school officials of discriminating against him based on his race.

Tucker's lawsuit against MSU is ongoing. The university could file its response  or a motion for summary judge or motion to dismiss  as soon as mid-September, although extensions for filing deadlines are common.

Last year, contract and sports law experts told the State Journal that they expected an expensive and ugly litigation with one estimate putting a possible settlement in the $10 to $15 million range.

But that's not the only lawsuit connected to the scandal.

About a month after Tucker was fired, Tracy filed a lawsuit against him that sought to prevent him from releasing additional text messages from a phone owned by Tracy's friend and assistant who died in a car crash. Tucker's attorneys said the text messages confirm his claim that he and Tracy had a consensual relationship.

His attorneys argued in Ingham County Circuit Court that Tucker did not improperly obtain the phone or its contents and therefore Tracy's lawsuit should be dismissed. In May, Judge Wanda Stokes agreed with them.

More: Experts: Ugly court fight between former coach Mel Tucker, MSU likely

Title IX investigation found Tucker violated school rules

Brenda Tracy attends the Michigan State University Board of Trustees meeting at the Hannah Administration Building in East Lansing, Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.

The Title IX investigation that preceded Tucker's firing started in December 2022 and concluded in January 2024, following his failed appeal effort.

The university hired outside attorneys to both conduct the initial investigation, which found he violated policy, and adjudicate his appeal. In the appeal, Tucker's attorneys reiterated arguments made throughout the investigation, including that the school lacked jurisdiction to investigate his private life and that the investigator was biased against him.

His appeal was denied, with the determination that the investigator "had a reasonable basis for each of the challenged findings."

More: Mel Tucker appeal of sexual harassment case denied, ending Michigan State investigation

MSU spent more than $1 million on leak investigations

Before any of the lawsuits found their way to court, MSU hired the law firm Jones Day to investigate whether Tracy's identity or other confidential information related to the Title IX investigation had been improperly shared by university officials and others.

Tracy had said that she did not intend to make her case public before a hearing set for October 2023. In a statement last year, her attorney said an "outside source" leaked Tracy's identity, leading to USA Today's story being published.

The State Journal reported in December that the law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan was also billing MSU for work related to the leak investigation, but not to work with Jones Day. The second firm was representing Trustee Rema Vassar, who at the time was board chair.

Combined, the two law firms billed the university for about $850,000. Jones Day couldn't find any evidence that school officials leaked Tracy's name.

USA Today reporter Kenny Jacoby contributed to this story. Contact reporter Matt Mencarini at 517-377-1026 or mjmencarini@lsj.com.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: What happened to Mel Tucker? MSU fired coach 1 year ago
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  Micron has announced that they have selected downtown Syracuse to be their office location.

With the bond of Micron, Syracuse and Boise, Idaho declared sister cities

The office will be located inside One Lincoln Center on West Fayette Street.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Micron said the downtown location will serve as a hub for people to learn more about the project and aid with recruiting to grow their local workforce.

Courtesy of In-Architects

Courtesy of In-Architects

Courtesy of In-Architects

Latest local news

Today marks a major milestone for Micron making its home in Central NY. Microns logo will soon shine on the historic Syracuse skyline with its new offices opening at One Lincoln Center next to Armory Square, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. With Micron beaming atop Syracuses One Lincoln Center, it is becoming clearer by the day that the sky is the limit for growth in Central NY, and Syracuses future will shine brightly for all to see.

Micron said they will be filling out their new office space with people who will help drive Central New York operations forward and serve as Micron ambassadors.

For more information on Microns presence in Central New York, visit their website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue recently arrested a Greenbrier woman on a felony tax evasion charge after she was indicted by the Robertson County Grand Jury earlier this summer.

Her bond was set at $5,000, a release said.

The woman's July indictment alleges that she falsely underreported a vehicle's purchase price to the Robertson County clerk's office at the time of her vehicle registration.

Robertson County Circuit Court documents say she avoided paying about $1,207.50 in use taxes on the purchase of the 2019 Toyota Camry in September 2021.

If convicted, she could face up to two years in prison and be fined up to $3,000.

Its not fair to allow people to falsify vehicle registration documents by lowering the actual sales price, Revenue Chief Compliance Officer Tommy Sneed said in the release.

The Department of Revenue pursues criminal sanctions to provide accountability for such actions.

The department collects around 87% of total state revenue and is responsible for the administration of state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws, and the collection of associated taxes and fees.

During the 2023 fiscal year, almost $22 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $4.7 billion in local government taxes and fees were collected.

Suspected state tax law violations can be reported anonymously online, in writing and by phone via the toll-free tax fraud hot line at (800) FRAUDTX (372-8389).

Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Middle Tennessee resident indicted, arrested on felony tax charge
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  Midland College recently announced it will be offering free dual credit courses for all high school students within its service area.

MC said the initiative aims to provide wider access to transfer and career and technical education dual credit classes through the removal of financial barriers, as well as the creation of educational and career opportunities. This initiative is open to public, private, charter, and home school students, covering all fees for tuition, books, and supplies.

Midland College Provost Michal Dixon acknowledged the concern from students and families about the cost of college, especially for dual credit courses when families may not have budgeted for college credit classes while students are in high school. The College said dual credit classes help fast-track their path to a degree, ultimately saving time and significantly reducing the overall cost of education.

Midland College helps future HS graduates through new C3 program

President Dr. Damon Kennedy said the CTE dual-credit courses provide opportunities for students to develop the technical skills needed to secure a job right after high school, which aligns with the needs of employers in the Permian Basin.

For more information about Midland Colleges Dual Credit programs, please visit the MC website or call the Office of Admissions at 432-681-6341.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin.
We recently published a list of 10 Stocks That May Be Splitting Soon. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) stands against the other stocks that may be splitting soon.

Understanding Stock Splits

A stock split is when a company literally splits its stocks  it divides its existing shares into multiple new shares. This increases the number of shares outstanding without changing the companys overall value while making the stock more affordable and accessible to smaller investors.

A companys board of directors determines the ratio of a stock split. This can range from a common 2-for-1 split, and go as far as 100-for-1, or more. For instance, in a 2-for-1 split, each existing share is divided into two new shares. The price per share is reduced by half, but the total market capitalization remains unchanged. So, a stock split can increase liquidity and potentially attract more investors, by giving 2 shares valued at $50, instead of 1 at $100, and the companys market cap is not impacted.

As the share price adjusts downward, dividends per share will also be adjusted to maintain the same total dividend payout. Similarly, all things tied to the share price are adjusted according to the split. However stock splits are non-dilutive, so existing shareholders voting rights remain unchanged.

Stock splits arent just beneficial to small investors trying to buy shares in big companies, they can also benefit companies by allowing them to repurchase shares at a lower price. But in one way or another, the eventual goal is to enhance a stocks appeal to investors and make it more accessible to retail or individual investors.

At the end of the day, a stock split does not inherently create additional value for a company, a good company remains a good company after a stock split. Similarly, a bad company remains a bad company. A temporary reduction in share price followed by higher investor interest might cause the stock to surge in the short run, but no meaningful impact should be expected in the long run.

Experts Weight In on The Market Situation Right Now

Weve seen a range of high-profile stock splits in 2024, especially in the semiconductor space. They seem to be the new cool thing to do for every company. However, these moves should be treated as no more than just making shares more accessible to smaller investors, and value investors should focus on fundamentals when theyre contemplating their next best idea.

The markets have been on a wild ride, all thanks to AI. The valuations have gotten out of hand, but weve also seen some corrections. Analysts are expecting earnings growth of 15% in 2025 along with rate cuts of up to 225 basis points. The Fed is expected to deliver its first cut in September after hiking interest rates constantly and holding them higher for longer. Jeff Krumpelman, the chief investment strategist at Mariner Wealth Advisors, and Julie Biel, the chief market strategist at Kayne Anderson Rudnick, recently appeared together on CNBC to discuss these dynamics and both had similar but contrasting opinions.

Story continues

Krumpelman expressed optimism, citing strong fundamentals and improving economic indicators, particularly inflation. He believes were not in a recessionary scenario and sees potential for the S&P 500 to reach 6,000 by mid-2025, driven by solid earnings growth, healthy guidance, and projected GDP growth of 1.5% to 2.0%. Heres what he said:

We look at the individual stocks, we find a broadening market, and we find general health in terms of earnings growth and valuation. So, were optimistic and constructive.

Biel, on the other hand, raised concerns about potential risks related to high valuations making stocks more fragile. She emphasized that the last time the market was this optimistic was back in 1984, just once in modern history. Biel remained cautiously optimistic and pointed to the $1 trillion in credit card debt and rising delinquency rates.

Most successful companies have a history of stock splits, but their share prices consistently return to levels where another split is warranted. Yet it is a widely practiced phenomenon and investors globally anticipate such moves from big companies to improve trust. In this context, were going to talk about the top 10 stocks that may be splitting soon.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

Is Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) Splitting Soon?

An array of pharmaceutical pills with the company's logo on the bottle.

Eli Lilly And Co. (NYSE:LLY)

Share Price as of August 30: $940.20

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 100

Eli Lilly And Co. (NYSE:LLY) is an American pharmaceutical company with offices in 18 countries, known for developing and manufacturing a range of prescription drugs for various medical conditions. Some of its products include insulin, antidepressants, and treatments for cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases, sold in over 125 countries.

The company has a very strong position among investors, with 100 hedge funds holding long positions as of June 30. The highest stake has a value of $4,426,141,743 and is held by Fisher Asset Management.

The company has a history of stock splits with 4 2-for-1 splits implemented in the late 1900s. Considering that its share price soared by 71.57% in one year, it might just be time for another stock split.

Eli Lilly And Co. (NYSE:LLY) is focused on manufacturing expansion and is increasing global access to Lilly medicines. In Q2, revenue grew 35.98%, with a total value of $11.30 billion, and new products generating nearly $3.5 billion. The earnings per share were $3.92.

US demand for Mounjaro and Zepbound remains strong, and despite early-year prescription volatility, supply improvements are promising. Non-incretin growth was 17% globally and 25% in the US. Lilly is adding 11 new obesity treatments and investing $5.3 billion in Indiana manufacturing.

Since 2020, the company has invested over $18 billion in US and European facilities, and now production is ramping up, including at Concur North Carolina, which starts in late 2024.

Recent milestones include Kisunlas Alzheimers approval, Jaypircas Japan approval, tirzepatides submissions for sleep apnea, and positive Phase 3 results in heart failure and obesity.

In July, it agreed to acquire Morphic, which develops oral therapies for chronic diseases. At the same time, management announced that Zepbounds new doses were coming.

Its strong financial performance, innovative drug pipeline, and strategic investments position it as a leading player in the healthcare market. Revenue guidance is up $3 billion for the full year 2024.

Baron Health Care Fund stated the following regarding Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) in its Q2 2024 investor letter:

Shares of global pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) increased on continued investor enthusiasm around GLP-1 drugs for diabetes and obesity. We remain shareholders. Lillys Mounjaro/Zepbound not only offers superb blood sugar control for diabetics but can drive 20%-plus weight loss and likely improve cardiovascular outcomes in both diabetic and non-diabetic obese patients. Lilly is developing next generation drugs, including retatrutide, which drives approximately 25% weight loss, and orforglipron, a daily pill that produces approximately 15% weight loss. In the U.S. alone, there are 32 million Type 2 diabetics and an additional 105 million obese patients who we estimate would qualify for GLP-1 drugs. Although supply and access are limited near term, we think GLP-1 drugs will become standard of care for both diabetes and obesity and will become a $150 billion-plus category. We see Lilly setting a high efficacy bar and capturing significant long-term market share. We think the adoption of GLP-1s will drive Lilly to triple total revenue by 2030.

Overall LLY ranks 1st on our list of stocks that may be splitting soon. While we acknowledge the potential of LLY as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold great promise for delivering high returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than LLY 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.
FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Some officials across the Central Valley have warned residents that they might hear an increase in gunshots, especially in the rural areas of the counties.

This is because of the dove season. In California, Dove hunting season begins on Sept. 1 and goes through Sept. 15, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Sanger Police Department said on Monday gunshots might begin in the early morning and can be heard just outside of the city limits. They assure residents they are aware of it and are keeping an eye on things but advise the community to contact them if they notice something unusual or have any concerns.

Gunshot noise can be heard as early as 30 minutes before sunrise, according to the Merced County Sheriffs Office, and will end at sunset. They advise all hunters, including junior hunters, to have their hunting licenses with them at all times.

The Sheriffs Office says all hunters must have written permission from the landowner before hunting on private land. Bad limits apply to each hunter and they cannot take more than one legal limit. They also say it is illegal to shoot within 150 yards of any occupied structure, and hunters cannot shoot from or across any public roadway.

For more information on dove hunting season and a full list of hunting laws, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife webpage.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
A day after 12 deaths, other migrants risk their lives trying to cross the English Channel

A boat thought to be with migrants is escorted by a vessel from the French Gendarmerie Nationale off the Wimereux beach, France, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. A boat carrying migrants ripped apart in the English Channel as they attempted to reach Britain from northern France on Tuesday, plunging dozens into the treacherous waterway and leaving 12 dead, authorities said. (AP Photo/Nicolas Garriga)

WIMEREUX, France (AP)  A day after 12 migrants died when their small inflatable ripped apart on a failed effort to cross the English Channel, several dozen others made another crossing attempt on a crowded vessel from northern France on Wednesday, as French patrol boats watched it labor through the seas.

That migrants were prepared to risk their lives so soon after a dozen others lost theirs trying to cross the busy waterway from France to Britain underscored the magnitude of the problem for the French and U.K. governments. It was the deadliest accident involving a migrant boat in the English Channel this year.

The mayor of Wimereux, a French coastal town where Associated Press journalists filmed the crowded inflatable boat on Wednesday, pleaded for French and British officials to do more to limit the number of migrants attempting the often perilous journey.

Unfortunately, every day is like this for us. The smugglers  a criminal network  continue with insistence to send people to their deaths in the channel. It really is unacceptable, scandalous. And it is high time that a lasting solution is found with Britain, Mayor Jean-Luc Dubaele said by phone.

Let's ask ourselves the question: Why do they want to go to Britain? Because something is drawing them there, he said. They can ask for asylum in France. (But) none ask for the right to asylum in France. They all want to go to Britain. So it is high time that we sit around a table with the new British government.

Cross-Channel migration was a key focus in the U.K. general election in July, which the Labour Party won resoundingly to make its leader, Keir Starmer, the new prime minister.

A French prosecutor investigating Tuesday's sinking, Guirec Le Bras, said 10 of the 12 dead were women and six of the victims were minors. Many appeared to be Eritrean, he said. The inflatable boat sank about 5 kilometers (3 miles) off the French coast, he said. Maritime authorities said many aboard didn't have life vests.

Fishermen who recovered some of the dead said they were moved to tears.

The bodies of two women were very young. That hurt me. I cried all day. I couldnt stop," said 53-year-old Samba Sy Ndiaye, who works aboard the Murex, one of two fishing boats that assisted the French rescue effort.

Another crew member, Axel Baheu, said the body of one young woman  he guessed she was between 15 and 20  had a telephone in a waterproof pouch around her neck. It started to ring as he was pulling her out of the water and checking for a pulse, he said.

That was hard because you know full well that no one will ever answer," Baheu said.

His father, Jean Marie Baheu, said he saw another heavily laden migrant boat set off Wednesday in front of his house.

When the weather is good and theres no wind, there are departures every day, he said. At the beginning, youd see 20, 30 people. Now, its minimum 70, 80.

The inflatable boat the AP saw and filmed on Wednesday was carrying migrants, French maritime authorities confirmed. AP journalists estimated that 40 to 50 people were aboard.

Many wore life preservers. A patrol boat flying a French flag approached the inflatable at one point and the crew tossed more life vests  about half a dozen  to the migrants.

The English Channel's gray seas were comparatively calm, with small waves lapping the beach as people walked dogs on the sand.

Still, the inflatable appeared to make slow headway. Even though journalists filmed it for more than two hours, it remained clearly visible from shore, with the patrol vessel buzzing around it and a larger one shadowing it from farther away.

The French maritime agency that oversees that stretch of sea said the boats were monitoring the inflatable in case it ran into difficulty or people aboard requested assistance.

In a statement to the AP, the agency said that although maritime law forbids the use at sea of makeshift inflatables, it's too dangerous to force them back to shore when the boats are heavily laden.

It's difficult to achieve with more than 50 people on board who are vehemently refusing to be rescued. The main risk is a stampede on board and then a capsizing, these boats being neither stable nor reliable. The risk of loss of human life being too high for an intervention under duress, the choice is made to prioritize the protection of the people on board and by simply monitoring from a distance the navigation capabilities of these boats, the statement said.

It is therefore more a question of ethics than of blind application of the law, it added.

By the U.K. government's count, at least 21,720 migrants have managed to cross the English Channel so far this year. That's 3% more than at the same stage last year, but 19% lower than during the same period in 2022.

The boat that ripped apart on Tuesday, plunging 65 people into the sea, was one of several crossing attempts that day. British authorities said at least 317 migrants succeeded, arriving aboard five boats.

One of the first measures the new U.K. government immediately enacted was to scrap the previous Conservative governments plan to send some migrants arriving in small boats to Rwanda rather than being allowed to seek asylum in Britain. Human rights groups criticized the plan.

Starmer called the plan a gimmick and wouldn't act as a deterrent. Instead, his government has opted to divert some of the money saved from ditching the program into setting up a strengthened border force to smash the criminal gangs behind the small-boat arrivals.

___

Leicester reported from Paris. Pan Pylas contributed to this report from London.

___

Follow APs coverage of migration issues at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
Migrants attempt to cross the English Channel, on the beach of the Slack dunes in Wimereux

Migrants attempt to cross the English Channel, on the beach of the Slack dunes in Wimereux

By Amina Ismail

CALAIS, France (Reuters) - Around 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Anwar Mansour, a 17-year-old Eritrean, and some 60 other migrants including women and children boarded a 10-meter(33-foot)-long dinghy on a beach in northern France and set off across the choppy waters of the Channel for Britain.

Two hours out to sea, the vessel punctured. Within minutes it had sunk, killing at least 12 people in one of the deadliest cross-Channel migrant accidents in years.

The incident, which comes amid a sharp uptick in migrants making the perilous journey across the busy waterway, has underlined the need for London and Paris to get a firmer grip on an issue with major political implications in both nations.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under pressure to fulfil his pledge to "smash the gangs" who bring asylum seekers to Britain in boats, and pledged deeper cooperation on the issue with President Emmanuel Macron in talks in Paris last week.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, during a visit on Tuesday to the Channel town of Boulogne-Sur-Mer from where the migrants set sail, said the French government will need to negotiate a new migration treaty between the European Union and Britain.

In a sign of the scale of the problem, Reuters reporters on Wednesday witnessed another migrant boat setting sail across the Channel, despite the deaths the day before.

Reuters interviewed eight survivors who had returned to a campsite in Calais, where many of them had been residing prior to their ill-fated journey, and spoke with another rescued migrant at the hospital in Boulogne-Sur-Mer.

Mansour told Reuters he had left his hometown of Keren, in Eritrea, in 2021 because he wanted a better education and was concerned he would be conscripted into the military like his brother. Conscription in the poor, northeastern African country is indefinite, and it can be hard to ever leave the military.

Mansour said he first migrated to Sudan, where he lived for three years. But he found conditions similar to those in Eritrea, so he decided to head to Europe. In January, he and 50 others sailed from Libya to Italy. The 24-hour trip was dangerous, but he wasn't too worried.

"What's destined will happen," he said. "No point in being scared."

After Italy, he moved to Belgium, but after five months without work in Brussels, he set his sights on Britain, where he has friends who seem to be leading a good life. An English-language education added to the UK's charms.

Mansour said he paid 1,000 euros ($1,107) for the Channel crossing, transferring the money via Western Union to an unknown person in the UK. He said he didn't know the smugglers and the captain of the boat was masked, with only his eyes showing.

The fees for crossing the Channel varied, migrants said, with rates between 700 and 1,500 euros. Few of those making the journey had life jackets, they said.

FAMILY SEPARATION

Amna, 42, and her three adolescent children were among the Eritrean migrants who had gathered at Boulogne-Sur-Mer to try to cross the Channel on Tuesday morning. They had been in Sweden before, but left after two failed asylum attempts. Fearing a similar outcome in other European Union nations, they decided to try for the UK. Still, Amna said she was aware of the risks.

"Who throws their kids into the sea unless they have no other choice," she said. "We just want to live and for (my children) to study."

As the dinghy pulled away from the beach, Amna was unable to jump into it, and watched with horror as her children headed out to sea without her.

Later, when the boat capsized panic erupted.

"People started screaming and pulling each other down," said 20-year-old Abdelwahab, who declined to give his last name. "Only God knows how we survived. I can't swim."

Like Mansour, Abdelwahab left Eritrea in 2021, following a similar path to France, where he arrived in July.

"I want to fulfil my dreams in the UK," he said. "I want to learn English and find a job. There is no freedom in Eritrea, no human rights."

Mansour, wearing a sling and looking pale, said his shoulder was dislocated as the boat sank and people scrambled for safety. He only survived by clutching onto a piece of driftwood until rescuers arrived around 15 minutes later.

Amna's three children, aged 15, 16 and 19, survived.

($1 = 0.9033 euros)

(Reporting by Amina Ismail in Boulogne-sur-Mer; Additional reporting by Marta Fiorin in Boulogne-sur-Mer; Writing by Gabriel Stargardter; Editing by Sandra Maler)
New Hampshire's population has grown by about 6.5 percent since 2010. (Courtesy of the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute)

New Hampshires population size and shifting demographics have undergone several key trends during the past decade. Although the states population has continued to grow and diversify, more than 210,000 residents will be reaching traditional retirement age in the coming decade.

Changes in New Hampshires population provide valuable insights into how the economy may evolve, as well as highlight the potential benefits of future investments to support a thriving workforce.

Based on U.S. Census Bureau data, New Hampshires population has grown by about 6.5 percent since 2010, reaching approximately 1.4 million residents as of July 2023. While the population increased each year throughout this period, growth slowed from 2022 to 2023 compared to most years since 2010.

Statewide growth has continued since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but population changes have varied by county.

As of 2023, Hillsborough County remained the largest county by population. However, Carroll County experienced the fastest rate of population growth since 2020. Coos County, the states northernmost county, remained the smallest by population size and experienced the lowest growth during this time.

Migration into New Hampshire has been a significant driver of population change across the state since 2010, with in-migration contributing to the entirety of population growth from 2020 to 2023. Domestic migration contributed about 79.2 percent of this net gain, while international migration comprised the rest, and deaths among state residents outnumbered births.

While migration from Massachusetts, the largest source of new residents moving to New Hampshire, increased during the pandemic, New Hampshire continued to lose residents to Maine. A larger number left for Maine in 2021 and 2022 compared to the two years before the pandemic, and outnumbered the number of people moving in the other direction.

New Hampshire has become increasingly more diverse over the last three decades, and this trend continued during the pandemic.

Those identifying as white and non-Hispanic comprised about 88.5 percent of the states population in 2023. However, the number identifying with a racial or ethnic minority group in New Hampshire has increased at a faster rate since 2020, at about 9.7 percent compared to 0.8 percent for non-Hispanic white residents.

While the state has become more diverse, the population is continuing to age.

As of 2023, the median age in New Hampshire was 43.4 years old, making it tied with Vermont as the second oldest state, behind only Maine. Approximately 20.8 percent of the 2023 population was aged 65 or older, while about 15.3 percent was between the ages of 55 and 64. Moreover, the number of children under 18 in the state has continued to decline.

Migration has influenced demographic changes, with younger adults making up a significant portion of those moving to the state. From 2018 to 2022, about 60.5 percent of those migrating into the state were between the ages of 18 and 44.

The states aging population has several implications for the Granite State workforce.

As of April 2024, about 30 percent of New Hampshires workers were over the age of 55 years, with approximately 21 percent in the 55- to 64-year-old age group. The states working-age population, or those between the ages of 18 to 64, declined between 2020 and 2023 and is projected to continue declining.

The shift in the states demographics will impact the younger Granite State workforce who may have to reduce their working hours or leave work temporarily to care for older family members. From June 2023 to June 2024, an average of 4,606 people were not in the states labor force each month because they were caring for an older adult.

Although more older adults will be leaving the workforce, more have delayed retirement across the country. National projections indicate that the number of older adults aged 75 or older in the workforce will grow by about 77 percent by 2032. Prolonging retirement, especially among older adults who work physically strenuous jobs, may lead to a greater risk of health conditions and early mortality. Because older adults are more likely to experience a disability, an aging population may also increase the demand for health care services and place pressure on an already strained health care workforce.

Younger people moving to the state has the potential to help offset the aging populations impact on the workforce. However, key factors may limit the potential for labor force growth through migration.

People seeking to move into the state may experience difficulty securing housing due to high demand, high costs, and relatively low availability. Additionally, barriers to accessing child care may prevent current residents with children from entering the states workforce, especially as more parents may also be caring for an older relative. As the state continues to grow and change, investments in the states child care and housing infrastructure, health care, and workforce development will be crucial for helping to accommodate these population shifts.

Learn more in the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institutes most recent Issue Brief, New Hampshires Growing Population and Changing Demographics Before and Since the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Mike Lynchs Friend Reveals What Life Was Like Onboard Yacht Before It Sunk: 'Truly Luxurious Cabins'

"He was really happy and wanted to start a new life," Corrado Broli shared of Lynch, who he worked with for 25 years

PERINI NAVI PRESS OFFICE/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The 'Bayesian' yacht

Mike Lynch's friend and former colleague has detailed what life was like onboard the luxury Bayesian yacht before it sank off the coast of Sicily.

In an interview with the Italian current affairs show Quarta Repubblica that aired on Monday, Sept. 2, Corrado Broli opened up about his relationship with the tech entrepreneur  who was found dead along with six others after the 183-foot yacht sank on Aug. 19  and his time on the luxury vessel.

"I had been on this boat several times, it was a really fantastic boat, I have to say," Broli, who worked with Lynch for 25 years, told the outlet.

"I have never met this captain, I had met the previous one though. It was a boat with truly luxurious cabins," Broli said, before noting its special functions.

"Perini boats are famous for a series of automatisms they have. You can practically control them directly through a control unit, and everything is done automatically," he claimed, adding, "...And the portholes were sealed so you cannot open them."

Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty Mike Lynch

Related: Sunken Yacht's Crew Reveals What They Say Happened Before Tragedy: 'Thrown Into the Water' and 'Walking on the Walls'

Broli, who worked at Lynchs software companies Autonomy and Darktrace until 2022 after meeting him in 1999, went on to open up about the pair's relationship over the years.

"I knew him well, and obviously his wife and family. It was a relationship that extended beyond a professional relationship, it was also a friendship," he said.

Lynchs 18-year-old daughter Hannah also died in the tragedy, though his wife Angela Bacares survived and was rescued along with 14 others onboard. Karsten Borner, the captain of a nearby boat, told PEOPLE that she did not want to leave the scene until her husband and daughter were found. Their bodies were later recovered from the sunken vessel.

Broli, who was not on the yacht during the incident, suspects that Bacares was "in the cabin with Mike, and Mike told her you go, save yourself and I will go and look for Hannah. He knew she was in the cabin near to them." He claims that since the incident, Bacares "does not speak or communicate with anyone, we have only exchanged a message."

Broli added that Lynch was using the trip as a celebration with colleagues and friends after he had "undergone a very long trial, out of which he had emerged fully acquitted."

"He was really happy and wanted to start a new life," Broli said, adding that he will remember his friend as the "British Bill Gates" and a "very happy person."

Lynch went to trial, and won, after he was accused of financial fraud in connection to the sale of Autonomy  a business software company he founded  to Hewlett-Packard in 2011, and a source previously told PEOPLE the group had traveled to the Aeolian Islands to celebrate the win.

PERINI NAVI PRESS OFFICE/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The 'Bayesian'

Related: Everything We Know About the Luxury Yacht Sinking in Sicily, Killing 7 on Celebratory Trip

The captain of the Bayesian, James Cutfield, is currently under investigation for the incident and has been questioned several times by Italian authorities, a source close to the investigation previously told PEOPLE. Italian authorities launched a manslaughter and negligent shipwreck investigation in connection with the sinking, Ambrogio Cartosio, the chief prosecutor of Termini Imerese, announced last month.

On the day of the incident, Italian news agency ANSA reported that the vessel, which was carrying 22 people, was anchored when a tornado formed over the water, known as a waterspout, striking the yacht before it lost its balance and sank.

ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Members of the 'Bayesian' search operation

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Recalling the design of the ship, Broli speculated, "The walkway out of the cabins is brief. There is a small set of steps that takes you up to the bridge, it's short because it is just seven to eight steps. Something abnormal must have happened beyond the weather conditions.

However, he added that he does not "think there is a conspiracy here," as many have drawn their own suspicions about the cause of the sinking ship.

Many details of why the yacht went into the water so quickly remain unclear.

Along with Lynch and his daughter, the tragic incident claimed the lives of several high-profile individuals. They have been identified by authorities as the yacht's chef Recaldo Thomas, prominent New York attorney Christopher Morvillo and his wife Neda, and Morgan Stanley International chairman Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy.

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Read the original article on People.
Miliband told to crack down on pylon levy that drives up electricity bills

Labour donor Dale Vince is writing to Ed Miliband and Chancellor Rachel Reeves to demand change - Peter Nicholls/Getty Images Europe

Ed Miliband has been urged to cut household energy bills by 200 with a cap on pylon levy charges imposed by electricity distribution companies.

The Energy Secretary is being encouraged to launch a review of the profits made by power distribution networks, which manage the cables that connect homes to the grid. In contrast to heavily regulated suppliers, their operating profit margins can be as high as 42pc.

Dale Vince, the Labour donor and founder of energy business Ecotricity, suggested that trimming the companies profits to a lower level could cut 6bn from standing charges  saving customers an average 200.

Power distribution networks are a little known component of the electricity system. Britain is divided into eight distribution regions with a single company delivering power from the grid to homes and businesses. It means each is a regional monopoly free of competition.

Mr Vince is writing to Mr Miliband and Chancellor Rachel Reeves to demand change.

Dale Vince is encouraging the Government to launch a review of the profits made by power distribution networks - Aaron Chown/PA Wire

Describing the charges as a pylon levy, he said: These distribution companies are monopolies, regulated by Ofgem, which also sets the energy price cap but which allows [the distribution companies] a 40pc profit margin on average.

I find this incredible at a time when suppliers like Ecotricity are allowed 1.5pc profit and when were all agonising over the size of retail energy bills.

Its also the responsibility of suppliers to pay the distribution companies even when customers havent paid us  these guys are just having a field day. Why does the regulator allow that when were trying to get bills down?

Mr Vinces comments, backed by other energy suppliers, follow research published in July by the consultancy IbisWorld revealing the 10 industries with the UKs highest profit margins.

Banking was top at nearly 50pc but electricity distribution came fourth at 42pc. IbisWorld estimated the industrys revenue at 8.9bn this financial year, with profits of 3.7bn.

The industry argues that operating profit is an unfair measure because it is capital-intensive and needs to generate cash to invest in its systems.

Mr Vinces stance was backed by the End Fuel Poverty Coalition. Its energy firm profits tracker system suggests distribution company charges have cost UK homes an average of 1,100 since the start of the energy crisis in 2022.

Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: The excesses of the energy industry profits dont just extend to the firms who generate our power. In fact, billions in profits have been made by the networks who run the wires and pipes that take electricity and gas to our homes.

If the Government is serious about asking those with the broadest shoulders to help fill a financial black hole, it should look again at the excess profits in the energy industry.

The UKs electricity transmission system has two main components.

National Grid, Scottish Power and SSE manage the high voltage grid that carries electricity over the long distances from power plants to the regions where it is needed. Eight regional distribution companies then take that power from the grid and deliver it to homes and businesses across Britain.

SSE runs two of these, Scottish Power runs two more and National Grid runs a fifth. The North East is covered by Northern Powergrid and the North West by Electricity North West.

The largest by customers is UK Power Networks, serving 8.3m homes and businesses across London, the South East and East of England. It is owned by CK Infrastructure, a Chinese company.

A spokesman for the Energy Networks Association, which represents the industry, disputed the use of company operating profits as a way of assessing their performance.

He argued that because the industry was highly capital-intensive, a better measure would be return on capital  which averaged around 5pc.

The spokesman said: Network companies arent making excessive profits. Their returns are regulated by Ofgem and average around 5pc. Running, maintaining, and upgrading the electricity network costs about 48p per day on your energy bill.

This supports 26,000 jobs, 1,500 apprenticeships  with 700 more being recruited this year, and maintains over 500,000 miles of wires and cables.

Additionally, network operators are investing more than 30bn in the coming years to ensure a reliable energy grid.

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said the profits of energy suppliers and distributors were regulated by Ofgem  which is carrying out a review of the standing charges.

Ofgem did not comment directly on Mr Vinces demands but pointed to a previous statement, which said: Network companies, including distribution network operators, are funded through the network price controls which Ofgem allocates.

Funding includes allowances for replacement, repair and refurbishment to network infrastructure.

Funding, which is recouped via energy bills, is regularly reviewed to ensure levels are appropriate for the work required to ensure the maintenance and development of safe and reliable energy networks.

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MILLERSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Millersville Police Department was locked down Wednesday morning for internal evidence gathering, officials announced.

According to the Robertson and Sumner County district attorneys, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has been requested to assist in the investigation.

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In a statement to News 2, the TBI confirmed that the police department is still open and allowed to operate amid the investigation.

(Photo: WKRN)

(Photo: WKRN)

(Photo: WKRN)

In addition, District Attorney Ray Whitley told News 2 that its part of a joint investigation that the TBI has been working on. There are reportedly no charges or indictments at this time.

Officials said they will evaluate what the TBI finds Wednesday and then go from there.

At the scene, a News 2 crew observed several agents who appeared to be focused in the office of area of the police department with folders in their hands.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

In July of 2023, former Millersville Police Chief Melvin Brown and Assistant Police Chief Glenn Alred resigned from the department, citing anonymous allegations as a reason for the resignation. On Jan. 30, a new commissioner, Alisa Huling, was sworn in. Within 15 minutes, the new commissioner was the deciding vote to fire the acting city manager. The city attorney, acting police chief and fire chief were then terminated shortly after.

No additional information was immediately released.

 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.

 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.

 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Zane McAttee-Adams died on July 22, with his father's girlfriend accused of intentional homicide and neglecting a child.

Anitra Burks appeared in court Tuesday and for the second time in 11 years is facing charges surrounding the abuse of a child.

Burks, 33, appeared in a Milwaukee County courtroom for a preliminary hearing with her attorney Russell Jones, of Milwaukee. She is charged with intentional homicide and neglecting a child in connection with Zane McAttee-Adams' July 22 death.

A detective would testify the wounds on the 6-year-old's body lined up with the adjustment holes of a crutch Burks used to walk after a recent ankle surgery. Burks was brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair with her foot and ankle in a support boot and elevated off the ground on the wheelchair's foot rest.

She was arrested after police said she took Zane to a hospital and medical personnel found the child covered in bruises.

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Laura Crivello rejected a motion by Jones to dismiss the case against his client on the grounds the prosecution had not met its burden of proof. Burks then pleaded not guilty to the charges through her attorney.

Burks pleaded "no contest" to child abuse-recklessly causing bodily harm and was sentenced in 2013 to three years in prison and six years of extended supervision for burning a 10-month-old boy with hot water during a bath, according to online court records.

A judge in 2015 reduced her supervision from six to five years. She served two years and two months at Taycheedah Correctional Institution, followed by roughly five years on extended supervision that ended in August 2021.

Burks was dating Zane's father, Devon Adams. She was left to care for him Devon Adams was arrested and jailed while awaiting sentencing in an unrelated crime, stemming from a 2022 New Year's Day party.

Adams pulled out a gun and "the gun went off," with the bullet striking a 9-year-old child in the leg, according to the complaint. He was found guilty on Aug. 14.

Here's what police and prosecutors say happened to the child

Zane was first taken to St. Joseph's hospital on July 21. Milwaukee police Detective Joseph Newell testified that doctors at St. Joseph's described Zane as barely conscious, with bruising and lacerations on his face.

He was later transferred to and died at Children's Wisconsin hospital with a lacerated small intestine and fractured pelvis.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner cited blunt force trauma as the cause of death and stated his injuries were extremely rare in accidental trauma.

More: A grandmother remembers her 6-year-old grandson: 'I know God got him.'

Anitra Burks gave a statement to police

Newell testified Burks told investigators Zane was very thirsty and vomiting earlier that day, and that she had put him to bed for misbehaving. He showed signs of bloating, and Burks eventually reached out for medical help.

Surveillance cameras captured footage of Burks and Zane at St. Joseph. He initially was able to stand on his own, but showed signs of losing his balance, Newell testified.

He lost consciousness once inside the hospital.

Investigators went through Burks' phone and turned up a variety of searches, including those for "stomach bloating" and "internal bleeding."

An autopsy determined some of the injuries discovered on Zane's body lined up with the adjustment rivet holes on a crutch found at the home, Newell said. Burks told investigators she had recently undergone an ankle surgery, the detective said.

Zane McAttee-Adams died on July 22, with his father's girlfriend accused of intentional homicide and neglecting a child.

What's next for Anitra Burks?

Crivello found there was enough probable cause for the criminal case against Burks to be bound over for trial.

A scheduling hearing was set for Oct. 4.

Bond for her release was set at $250,000.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee woman accused of killing Zane McAttee-Adams, 6, going to trial
By Julie Zhu and Selena Li

HONG KONG (Reuters) - A top 10 Chinese fund manager has asked senior executives to return pay received over the past five years that exceeds a new cap, to tally with a government initiative promoting economic equality, said two people with direct knowledge of the matter.

China Merchants Fund Management (China Merchants FM) wants the executives to repay income beyond a 3 million yuan ($421,330) limit imposed this year for each year from 2019 to 2023, the people said.

The firm, wholly owned by China Merchants Group (CMG) - one of the country's largest state-owned conglomerates - is run by six executives and there are another three who run subsidiaries.

Neither China Merchants FM nor CMG responded to Reuters requests for comment.

Capping salaries and recalling pay have become avenues through which state-owned companies can adhere to the government's "common prosperity" campaign which since 2021 has sought to address social and income inequality as economic growth slows.

The campaign has seen authorities discourage extravagant lifestyles among the financial elite. Fund managers have come into focus due to the high profit earned even though the stock market has performed poorly, the people said.

China Merchants FM has already asked some portfolio managers to return pay from last year that exceeded the 3 million yuan threshold, Reuters reported in July.

The Shenzhen-based firm informed both the portfolio managers and senior executives - about 60 in total - in June and started to receive money in July, said one of the people, who declined to be identified as the information was private.

It was not clear whether China Merchants FM can pursue repayment from former staff.

Group affiliate Bosera Asset Management, 49% owned by CMG, capped pay at 2.9 million yuan and asked some staff to return any excess received last year, Reuters previously reported.

At least two other fund managers have introduced a five-year claw-back, with senior management the most prominent "targets", the second person said.

AUDITORS' REVIEW

Auditors from the National Audit Office visited China Merchants FM and around a dozen fund managers in the first half of this year, underscoring widening scrutiny of the sector, said two other people with knowledge of the visits, declining to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.

They deemed salaries at some of the firms too high and requested they set pay caps and recover money, the people said, without specifying what they requested of China Merchants FM.

Story continues

The National Audit Office did not respond to a request for comment.

The base salary of senior executives and department heads in sales and investing at Chinese fund managers ranges from 1.6 million yuan to 6 million yuan, showed the 2023 China Salary Guide of headhunter Morgan McKinley.

($1 = 7.1203 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Julie Zhu and Selena Li; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
Smart Therapy Center, on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, was incorporated in late 2019 and claimed it served over 199,400 snacks, breakfasts, lunches and dinners in 2020-2021 under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. Photo by Deena Winter/Minnesota Reformer.

At least four autism centers were reimbursed over a million dollars by the state of Minnesota through a fraud-riddled federal child nutrition program, while several others tried to get into the program, according to internal state emails obtained by the Reformer.

Federal prosecutors say over a quarter of a billion dollars was stolen from the program  designed to feed hungry children as schools and daycares shuttered during the pandemic  in what theyve called the nations largest pandemic relief fraud. The U.S. Department of Justice has secured 23 convictions  including five in June after the first jury trial  while dozens more defendants await trial.

The investigation  informally dubbed Feeding Our Future after the Minnesota nonprofit at the center of the conspiracy  wound up unearthing connections to autism centers. The FBI is investigating possible Medicaid fraud in the states autism program, which has exploded in size and spending in recent years.

The number of autism service providers  who diagnose and treat people with autism spectrum disorder  increased 700% in the past five years, climbing from 41 providers in 2018 to 328 last year.

And the amount of money paid to providers during that time increased 3,000%, from $6 million to nearly $192 million, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, which administers Minnesotas Medicaid health insurance program for low-income people and people with disabilities.

No one has yet been charged with defrauding the autism program, but some Feeding Our Future defendants also founded or had ties to autism centers, state records show.

Feeding Our Future defendant Bekam Addissu Merdassa of Inver Grove Heights owned an autism clinic called Epic Therapy in St. Paul, according to an FBI search warrant. Epic Therapy was paid over $106,000 for autism services in 2020 and over $613,000 in 2021, according to DHS records. It is no longer an active DHS provider.

Merdassa pleaded guilty to using his nonprofit Youth Inventors Lab as a shell company and submitting fake invoices for food while claiming to serve over 1.3 million meals over seven months, receiving over $3 million in federal funds. Prosecutors said Youth Inventors Lab never received any meals from S&S Catering to serve.

Separately, Epic Therapy of St. Paul also signed up for the federal child nutrition program, and was authorized to distribute free food to up to 5,500 children per day. Epic Therapy was reimbursed over $945,000 in 2021 for after-school snacks and dinners  under the sponsorship of a nonprofit called Partners in Nutrition  that it said it served from a brick storefront at 2430 University Ave. in St. Paul. Nobody could be reached at the center.

Feeding Our Future and Partners in Nutrition were supposed to oversee food distribution sites run by others, but prosecutors say they enabled and participated in the fraud, although Partners in Nutrition officials have not been charged so far.

Another autism center called Smart Therapy Center, on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, was incorporated in late 2019 and claimed it served over 199,400 snacks, breakfasts, lunches and dinners in 2020-2021 under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. The autism center was reimbursed over $465,000, according to the state Department of Education.

Smart Therapy also claimed it gave away nearly 41,000 snacks, breakfasts, lunches and dinners in 2019 under the sponsorship of Partners in Nutrition, for which it was reimbursed over $85,000, according to MDE. The center is located inside an office building in a busy retail area on Nicollet Avenue, designated with a paper sign on the outside of the building and a sticky note on the suite inside. Center officials did not return a phone call seeking comment.

According to DHS records, it was paid $2.6 million for autism services last year, the seventh highest statewide among fee-for-service providers.

Twin Cities Autism Center, on Central Avenue in Columbia Heights, was paid over $152,000 for autism services in 2020, a number that grew to $1.7 million last year, according to DHS records.

The center also reported serving 93,000 snacks and suppers in 2021 under the sponsorship of Partners in Nutrition, for which it was reimbursed over $219,000. It also reported serving 300,500 breakfasts and suppers in 2021, for which it was reimbursed over $1 million, under the sponsorship of another nonprofit called Youth Leadership Academy, also known as Gar Gaar Family Services, a nonprofit created during the pandemic to feed the Somali community.

MDE banned Youth Leadership Academy from serving meals in December 2021, one month before the FBI raided homes and offices and its massive investigation went public. The summer prior, the nonprofit was reimbursed $28 million for over 7 million meals it claimed to serve over three months.

Gar Gaar Family Services has a connection to the attempted bribery of a juror in the first Feeding Our Future trial: The Seattle woman charged with delivering the bribe listed Gar Gaar as her employer in the past.

Ladan Mohamed Ali of Seattle is one of five people charged with conspiring to bribe a juror. Ali is charged with delivering $120,000 in cash to a jurors home the night before the jury was set to begin deliberations. In bank records, Ali listed her employer as Gar Gaar Family Services.

Several other autism centers appeared to have attempted to join the program, but ultimately received no payments, according to MDE.
Minnesota Uber/Lyft Drivers Association President Eid Ali (center) speaks to reporters on Aug. 17, 2023 after a divided Minneapolis City Council passed an ordinance setting minimum pay for drivers. Mohamed Egal (left) would later split with Ali to help start a new group called MULDA Members. Farhan Badel (right of Ali) is now suing MULDA for alleged fraud and deceptive business practices. Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer.

The organization that led the two-year-long campaign to win minimum wages and labor protections for Uber and Lyft drivers now faces a lawsuit brought by drivers alleging fraud and deceptive trade practices.

The six drivers bringing the lawsuit allege Minnesota Uber/Lyft Drivers Association President Eid Ali set up other organizations with similar names to funnel money to himself. They also accuse Ali of fraud for soliciting membership payments through MULDAs website long after Ali changed the bylaws to say the group doesnt have members.

The drivers  four of whom say theyre MULDA board members and two who say theyre dues-paying members  filed the lawsuit on Friday in Hennepin County District Court after trying unsuccessfully for months to get Ali to share documents with them, including the organizations financial records, bylaws and meeting minutes.

We want this organization back in the hands of drivers, Farhan Badel, a dues-paying member of MULDA and plaintiff in the lawsuit, told the Reformer. Drivers have the right to have an organization that has proper governance.

Ali and his attorney Stephen Cooper did not respond to calls seeking comment.

Badel, who said he paid $100 to join MULDA, says he and the other drivers dont have any sense of the organizations finances and were often confused by who was actually in charge of the nonprofit and its finances besides Ali.

Ali served as the public face and behind-the-scenes negotiator in the effort to make Minnesota one of the first states to enact minimum pay rates for Uber and Lyft drivers, as well as greater pay transparency, protections against unfair terminations and insurance that covers being assaulted on the job.

The efforts success was heralded by national media this year after earlier versions of the legislation were vetoed by Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey following threats by Uber and Lyft to pull out of the state.

But the laws passage wasnt MULDAs final mission, which is why the groups mostly Somali members are still concerned about its future.

At stake now are valuable contracts from Uber and Lyft to provide driver services  as well as MULDAs organizing infrastructure that could prove to be a powerful political tool to advance the goals of the East African immigrant community.

Under the law passed by state lawmakers earlier this year, transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft must contract with a nonprofit advocacy organization to provide driver services like assistance with onboarding and appealing terminations, which are known as deactivations.

The law seems tailored to describe the Minnesota Uber/Lyft Drivers Association, requiring that the advocacy organization must have been operating for at least two years and be able to provide culturally competent driver services.

A spokeswoman for Uber said the company issued a request for proposals last month and plans to contract with a nonprofit by the Dec. 1 deadline. The law does not say the details of the contract have to be made public, including how much the companies pay to the advocacy organizations. The law also mandates that the nonprofit must operate without excessive influence from the companies.

The drivers bringing the lawsuit say Ali has treated the organization like his own private business rather than a nonprofit advocacy organization: Hes added and removed board members at will, kept details about the organization secret from its members  including the bylaws  and negotiated with lawmakers without input from dues-paying members.

Complaints about a lack of transparency in MULDA have been simmering for at least a year. Last fall, some drivers split off and formed a new group called MULDA Members during negotiations of the governors task force on driver pay.

Ali has led MULDA since its inception in June 2022, when a group of drivers began meeting at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport waiting lot to discuss ways to address their long-standing complaints about Uber and Lyft.

The drivers selected 13 people to serve on a drivers committee and Ali to be the groups president because he said he had experience organizing taxi drivers, according to the lawsuit.

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Ali incorporated MULDA as a nonprofit that month and set up a website that invited drivers to join for $30 per month. Although he never registered as a lobbyist, Ali has said he gave up driving when leading the fledgling organization became a full-time job.

In their lawsuit, Badel and the five other drivers estimate MULDA collected more than $60,000 from 280 drivers, but Ali frequently said the group represented thousands of drivers.

In October 2023, Ali held one of the groups first press conferences at the state Capitol with Democratic lawmakers to call for legislation and said the four-month-old group had 1,000 driver members.

That spring, in April, Ali adopted bylaws for the organization and amended them a week later to say this corporation shall have no members, according to the lawsuit.

Ali then created two new organizations  MULDA and MULDA-RC  in August while an associate incorporated MuldaActionFund, P.A.

The purpose and structure of those organizations was never clear to members of MULDA, although Ali said it was for fundraising purposes, according to the lawsuit.

Ali added four more drivers to MULDAs five-member board of directors in December 2023. Those are the four who are now suing MULDA: Mohamed Bulle, Mustafa Abdile, Ahmed Mohamed and Dawit Kassa.

They say in their lawsuit that Ali said he kicked them off the board in June and then denied their requests last month for financial documents, bylaws and other records, saying they werent board members. The two dues-paying members  Badel and Ahmed Igale  say in the lawsuit Ali denied their requests by telling them MULDA doesnt have members.

Bulle, Abdile, Mohamed and Kassa protested their removal from the board, telling Ali it wasnt valid because they werent given enough notice ahead of a meeting, provided an explanation for their removal or voted out by a two-thirds majority as required by the bylaws, according to the lawsuit.

Ali responded by arguing the four were never valid board members to begin with, according to the complaint. On Aug. 27, the four board members were informed of a MULDA meeting on Sept. 4, when the board would vote on a motion for the four to be proactively removed as directors  whether or not they are found to have been elected as a matter of law or otherwise.

The attorneys for the six drivers asked a judge for a temporary injunction ahead of the meeting, but the first hearing for the case was scheduled for later this month.
DAYTON, Maine (WAVY)  A 23-year-old Newport News woman who had gone missing in Maine was found dead inside a parked car Monday afternoon, Maine State Police said.

Autumn Cleveland

Autumn Cleveland, 23, was found inside a parked car near the Goodwins Mills Road in Dayton, Maine, about 25 miles southwest of Portland, Maine, State Police said. The woman matched the description of a missing person out of Newport News.

Maine State Police said a 911 call came in around 3:27 p.m. reporting that a woman who was dead was found.

The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South responded and has started an investigation into the incident.

Maine State Police said there is no danger to the public, and Clevelands death remains under investigation pending an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

A news report from the Portland Press Herald in Maine, citing Facebook posts from family members, said Cleveland had been staying in a rental home in Maine for the weekend and had not been in touch with her family since last Saturday evening. Information from the Virginia State Polices missing persons page online said she had last been seen Aug. 31 in Newport News.

The report said she had been last seen driving a blue 2018 Mazda CX5 with Washington state plates in southern Maine, and authorities confirmed she was found in the same 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 WAVY.com.
Cole County Circuit Court Judge Cotton Walker listens to arguments during a Sept. 8, 2022, hearing (pool photo courtesy of Emily Manley/Nexstar Media Group).

A judge could decide as early as Thursday whether Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcrofts fair ballot language summary for an abortion-rights amendment is truly fair.

Missouri voters will be asked on Nov. 5 whether they support Amendment 3, which would establish a constitutional right to an abortion up until fetal viability and protect other reproductive rights, including access to in-vitro fertilization and birth control. Abortion became illegal in Missouri in June 2022, with limited exceptions for the life and health of the mother.

Posted at every polling station around the state, next to sample ballots, is fair ballot language that summarizes the questions that voters will be asked to decide on. State law requires that this language, written by the secretary of state, be true and impartial.

In a lawsuit filed two weeks ago, organizers behind Amendment 3 claimed that Ashcrofts summary was intentionally argumentative and could create confusion among voters.

The same day Ashcroft certified the measure for the November ballot, his office also published to its website a fair ballot language summary statement for the amendment which reads:

A yes vote will enshrine the right to abortion at any time of pregnancy in the Missouri Constitution. Additionally, it will prohibit any regulation of abortion, including regulations designed to protect women undergoing abortions and prohibit any civil or criminal recourse against anyone who performs an abortion and hurts or kills the pregnant women.

The abortion rights campaign is asking the court to issue new fair ballot language and order that Ashcroft remove his current language from his government website.

A brief bench trial Wednesday afternoon in Cole County Circuit Court focused in particular on the last sentence of Ashcrofts summary, and how a court could interpret subsection 5 of the amendment, which reads: No person shall be penalized, prosecuted, or otherwise subjected to adverse action based on their actual, potential, perceived, or alleged pregnancy outcomes, including but not limited to miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion. Nor shall any person assisting a person in exercising their right to reproductive freedom with that persons consent be penalized, prosecuted, or otherwise subjected to adverse action for doing so.

Andrew Crane, representing Ashcroft on behalf of the Missouri Attorney Generals Office, argued Wednesday that this subsection would result in effectively neutering the governments ability to enforce any effective regulations on abortion.

Tori Schafer, an attorney with the ACLU of Missouri, which is representing the plaintiff, called this claim politically-charged and unfounded, as it fails to take into account other language in the amendment protecting patients.

The amendment will provide greater independence from the government, she told the court. But it does not create the boundless, limitless, unregulated right the secretary continues to make it to be.

Schafer said Ashcroft in the latest language resurrects his false claims that have already been denounced by the Missouri Court of Appeals.

Ashcroft was sued last year by the abortion-rights campaign over the initial ballot summary he drafted, which would have asked Missourians, in part, if they wanted to allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth.

Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem ruled a year ago that Ashcrofts language was problematic and inaccurate.

An appeals court agreed, ruling that it is not a probable effect that the amendment would allow unrestricted abortion in all nine months of pregnancy or that it would toss aside health and safety regulations, including requirements that physicians perform abortions and that they maintain medical malpractice insurance.

However, Crane on Wednesday argued that the appeals court ruling didnt specifically address the immunity provisions of subsection 5.

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Ashcroft, who recently lost a bid for the GOP candidate for governor, has been open about his opposition to abortion.

During the Midwest March for Life outside in May, he told The Independent of the abortion initiative petition: I just want to make sure that people know what this amendment will actually do. That its abortion from conception until the very last second that the last toenail leaves the birth canal.

Cole County Circuit Judge Cotton Walker, who is overseeing the current case, said he intends to rule on Thursday.

Walker recently upheld the fair ballot language summary written by Ashcroft for a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban ranked-choice voting after two voters sued over the language. The voters called the language imprecise, in part because it doesnt state that its currently illegal for non-citizens to vote in Missouri.

The Amendment 3 lawsuit was filed by retired physician Dr. Anna Fitz-James, who initially filed the abortion rights initiative petition in spring 2023 on behalf of Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the campaign behind the amendment.

The campaign has raised millions of dollars this election cycle, and recent polling by St. Louis University/YouGov showed 52% of Missouri voters supported Amendment 3. The poll surveyed 900 voters across nine days in August.

Meanwhile, a second lawsuit regarding Amendment 3 is also pending in Cole County after a number of anti-abortion activists and lawmakers asked a judge to block the amendment from the Nov. 5 ballot. Their lawsuit claims Amendment 3 violates the state constitution by including more than one subject and fails to specify which laws and constitutional provisions would be repealed if it was approved.

A bench trial in that lawsuit is scheduled for Friday.
Missouri man accused of stealing $3,300 in lottery tickets, cashing out winnings

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo.  A Missouri man is accused of stealing $3,300 in lottery tickets from his employer and cashing out prizes from those tickets.

The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorneys Office has charged Joshua Karl Markhart, 25, with two felony counts of stealing amid the investigation.

Markhart allegedly stole tickets while working overnight shifts on Dec. 9 and Dec. 22 last year.

This city in the St. Louis region named among fastest-growing in America

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, surveillance video shows Markhart taking various amounts of lottery tickets throughout both shifts without paying for the tickets, then taking money from the cash register.

Court documents state that Markhart did not pay a combined total of $3,375 in lottery tickets, which had combined payouts of $2,452. Investigators did not disclose the employer that was impacted.

Markhart has a criminal summons hearing scheduled for Oct. 28, 2024, per online Missouri court records.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Mongolia laid out the red carpet  literally  for Russian President Vladimir Putin when he arrived in the country on Sept. 2. But as the country is a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC)s Rome Statute, the visit should have meant Putins arrest.

Putin was issued an arrest warrant by the ICC in March 2023 for the forcible transfer of children from Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. Adherents of the statute are required to arrest individuals wanted by the court upon arrival in their country.

Ahead of the visit, both Ukraine and the West urged Mongolia to fulfill its obligations and arrest the Russian leader, but citing economic ties with its neighbor, refused to do so.

For Putin, the trip was likely more strategic than a chance to snub the ICC. While not officially listed as part of the official visit, Putin is widely believed to have used it as a chance to discuss the construction of pipelines to carry gas from Russia to China through Mongolia.

After the visit, the two countries announced they had signed several agreements to cooperate on energy projects, the supply of Russian aviation fuel, rail connections, and an environmental study on how a proposed Mongolian hydroelectric plant could pollute Russias Lake Baikal.

Ukrainian lawmakers, for their part, in an open letter called for Putins arrest, telling the Kyiv Independent before the trip the visit was a well-planned provocation aimed at showing the weakness of the ICC and international law.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed during the visit it had nothing to do with sending any signals to the West but was instead focused on further developing bilateral relations.

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a signing ceremony with Mongolia's President following their talks in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on Sep. 3, 2024. (Sofia Sandurskaya /Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

At the same time, Peskov also said the following day that the whole story with the ICCcannot and will not be a limitation in the development of Russia's relations with partner states that are interested in developing bilateral relations and covering international contacts.

The notion that it was a trip based on economic partnership was dismissed by some Western analysts.

The overriding reason for this trip will have been to show that Putin can travel right now, said Sam Greene, the director of democratic resilience at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA).

Mongolia in a bind

A country of only 3.4 million in a massive landmass of more than 600,000 square miles wedged between two much larger powers  Russia and China  Mongolia has tread lightly in the thirty years since the fall of the Soviet Union.

While the country is one of the few democracies in the region and has sought to increase its ties to the West, its larger neighbors limit how far that can go  and how much Mongolia can truly spurn Russia.

In a defense of its inaction, a Mongolian government spokesperson told Politico on Sep. 3 that its hands were essentially tied in not arresting Putin.

Mongolia imports 95% of its petroleum products and over 20% of electricity from our immediate neighborhood (Russia), which has previously suffered interruption for technical reasons. This supply is critical to ensure our existence and that of our people," the spokesperson said.

Mongolia has not actively supported Russias full-scale war but also abstained from a U.N. vote to condemn it.

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Vladimir Putin and Mongolia's President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh walk past honor guards during an official welcoming ceremony in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on Sep. 3, 2024. (Sofia Sandurskaya /Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

On Mongolian social media, some users criticized the statement from Heorhii Tykhyi, a spokesperson for Ukraines Foreign Ministry, who said that the country should face consequences for refusing to arrest Putin.

Many wrote that despite personal feelings of support for Ukraine, the government had no choice.

Arresting Putin would have been committing suicide for Mongolia, one user wrote.

Other commentators acknowledged that the visit  initiated by an invitation from President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh  was a diplomatic faux pas that at the very least could have been avoided.

Mongolias gas bridge to China

The trip was most likely about pursuing national interests, which in this case was in the sphere of energy, according to Pavel Havlicek, a research fellow at the Association for International Affairs.

The fact that he wasnt captured and transferred to The Hague comes only as an added benefit, said Havlicek. As Europe has sought to wean itself from Russian energy, Moscow has found new customers, primarily India and China.

"The fact that he wasnt captured and transferred to The Hague comes only as an added benefit."

Russia has significantly boosted its export of oil and gas to India since the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as well as a more modest increase to China, but its pipeline infrastructure pales in comparison to what Russia previously constructed to connect it to Europe.

The 3,968-kilometer (2,466 mi) Power of Siberia pipeline, which came online in 2019, connects natural gas fields in eastern Siberia with China. It is expected to reach its full capacity of 38 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2025.

Russia and the state-owned energy giant Gazprom have also planned another project, the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, to further increase the flow of gas to China.

The proposed 3,550-kilometer (2,205 miles) pipeline, which has been planned since 2013, would bring gas from Russias Yamal peninsula in the Arctic through existing pipelines, down through western Siberia, across Mongolia, and into China.

The Yamal fields are the source of gas that used to primarily flow to Europe.

The construction, which includes 950 kilometers of new pipeline through Mongolian territory, was originally set to begin in 2024. Gazprom said in a 2020 feasibility study that the pipeline should be operational by 2030.

Photo for illustration purposes: A Gazprom compression station, the starting point of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, in Ust-Luga, Russia, Jan. 28, 2021. (Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

But Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene said in January 2024 that China and Russia have yet to agree on some key parts of the project.

"The Chinese and Russian sides are still doing the calculations and estimations and they are working on the economic benefits," Oyun-Erdene said.

Some analysts have speculated that the delays are likely because China knows that it has the upper hand over Russia, which has shrunk its pool of export partners due to its military aggression against Ukraine.

As a result, China may be trying to negotiate a better deal.

Speaking to reporters on Sept. 3, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that talks on the pipeline are ongoing and that their conclusion is not tied to a certain date, a certain visit.

In an interview with the Mongolian newspaper Onodar ahead of the trip, Putin said that Mongolia could potentially use some of the gas in transit through its territory.

Even if the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline wasnt on the official agenda, that does not mean the pipeline was not discussed.

There are things that are officially mentioned, and there are things you dont want to speak about, said Havlicek.

Read also: Opinion: Mongolia should arrest Putin or face consequences

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Mongolian herders that are the subject of the documentary The Wolves Always Come at Night have been denied visitor visas by the Canadian government to attend a Sept. 9 premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.

Davaasuren Dagvasuren and Otgonzaya Dashzeveg, the writers and protagonists of the hybrid doc from Mongolia, are not expected to be at TIFF after they failed to secure visitor visas. The visa process is so blatantly unfair. What took me 30 seconds online for my approval was a two-month-plus process for our Mongolian team, and they still didnt get approved, the documentarys producer Rita Walsh said in a statement on Wednesday.

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Director Gabrielle Bradys documentary portrays a young couple, Dagvasuren and Dashzeveg, after a devastating storm brought about by climate change, forced to relocate from their home in the Mongolian countryside to the city, where they must adjust to a new way of life.

The initial Aug. 19 application for Dagvasuren and Dashzeveg, who are also credited as co-writers, has been seen by The Hollywood Reporter and stated that Canadian government regulations had not been met and permission to travel to Canada had been refused.

I am refusing your application because you have not established that you will leave Canada, the decision stated. The films producers argued the doc subjects have children in Mongolia as an incentive to return to Mongolia and that their travel costs, including flights and accommodations, had been covered.

The films producers have lodged appeals with the Canadian government but have yet to receive a response and they urge time is running out for the doc subjects to travel to Toronto in time for the world premiere at TIFF Lightbox on Monday night.

A third visitor application for Dorjpagma Dugar has been approved but awaits a final stamp from the Canadian visa office in Hong Kong before one of the films Mongolian producers can fly to Canada. Late Wednesday, news came that Dugars passport had been stamped by Canadian visa officials and the race was on to get the document from Hong Kong to Mongolia in time to allow travel to Toronto.

The Toronto Film Festival was not available for direct comment, but its understood TIFF organizers have intervened with Canadian officials to explain the reason for Dagvasuren and Daszeveg seeking permission to travel to Canada and the urgency of allowing enough travel time to reach Toronto.

The Australia, Mongolia and Germany co-production has a second TIFF public screening set for Sept. 11.

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By Sabrina Valle

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) will acquire a 35% equity stake in Exxon Mobil Corp's proposed low-carbon hydrogen project in Texas, with the companies announcing a one-year start-up delay until 2029.

ADNOC's investment shows a sign of confidence in a multi-billion dollar project that Exxon has threatened to cancel if the U.S. government restricts tax credits for it. A final investment decision has been pushed into 2025, from 2024.

Exxon and ADNOC declined to disclose the value of the transaction.

"This is a very significant investment and the partners it is attracting give a sense for the momentum that's building around this project," Exxon President of Low Carbon Solutions Dan Ammann told Reuters.

TAX INCENTIVES

Exxon in 2022 disclosed plans to build the world's largest low-carbon hydrogen facility at its refining site at Baytown, Texas. Hydrogen is a fuel that produces water when burnt.

The project would be powered by natural gas, with associated CO2 captured and buried underground. It was announced on the back of clean energy tax incentives proposed by the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden.

But the government limited incentives for natural gas-run facilities. Exxon CEO Darren Woods earlier this year said the project could be canceled without similar tax credits offered to hydrogen facilities powered by renewable fuels.

AMMONIA BOOST

The project's estimated production has been revised since its initial announcement. It was initially set to produce 1 million tons of hydrogen annually.

Now, the goal is to produce 900,000 tons of low-carbon hydrogen and over 1 million tons of low-carbon ammonia, a well-established industrial product commonly used as fertilizer.

Ammonia, which has three atoms of hydrogen in its composition, is also used as a carrier for hydrogen, allowing it to be exported by ship in a liquid form.

Exxon earlier this year signed an agreement with JERA, Japan's top power generator, to explore selling about 500,000 tonnes annually of low-carbon ammonia.

"The timing (for the hydrogen project) depends on supply, demand and supporting regulation coming together in sync," said Ammann.

(Reporting by Sabrina Valle; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy speaks on stage with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Aug. 9, 2024, in Bozeman, Montana. Michael Ciaglo via Getty Images

In August 2023, shortly after launching his bid for the U.S. Senate, Tim Sheehy took to social media to post a picture of two horses, each with one of his campaign signs strapped to its saddle, at the annual Crow Fair.

Proud to be at the Crow fair today! the businessman and former Navy SEAL wrote of the annual event at the Crow Reservation in southeast Montana.

At a pair of private fundraising events a few months later, in November, Sheehy disparaged the Crow Tribe by peddling a longstanding racist trope about Native Americans and alcoholism, according to audio recordings of the events first obtained by Char-Koosta News, the official publication of the Flathead Indian Reservation, and reviewed by HuffPost.

In one recording, Sheehy, a multimillionaire businessman who has listed cowboy or rancher as his occupation in several past political contributions, talks about having helped rope and brand cattle on the Crow Reservation.

My ranching partner and one of my really good friends, Turk Stovall, hes a Crow Indian. We ranch together on the Crow [reservation], Sheehy told a crowd in Shelby, Montana. I rope and brand with them every year down there  great way to bond with all the Indians out there, while theyre drunk at 8 a.m.

Every heel shot you miss you get a Coors Light can upside the head, Sheehy added.

Stovall, the ranching partner Sheey mentioned, is a fifth-generation Montana rancher, a board vice chairman of the Montana Stockgrowers Association and operates a ranch on the Crow Reservation. He is the son of the late Jay Omer Stovall, Jr., a former Montana legislator and proud enrolled member of the Crow Tribe. The senior Stovalls obituary notes that he was appointed by President George H. Bush to represent Indian and minority issues in education and in the [U.S. Department of Agriculture] and felt called to help give Crows a voice.

In a campaign advertisement for Sheehy last month, Stovall says hes been working with Sheehy to strengthen Montana agriculture and to create more opportunities for ranchers and farmers across our state. Stovall goes on to accuse Sheehys opponent, incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, of leveling disgusting attacks against Sheehys character and his aerial firefighting company and ranching operation.

At a second campaign event in Hamilton, Montana, the same month, Sheehy boasted of participating in the Crow Fair a few months earlier.

Six weeks after I launched, one of the first things I did was I strapped a Sheehy sign to a horse and rode through the Crow res parade, he said, adding that it was a tough crowd.

They let you know whether they like you or not, theres Coors Light cans flying by your head as youre riding by, he added, drawing sporadic laughter. They respect that. You go where the action is. They say, Hey, that guys not that bad. He got on a horse and rode through the parade, thats pretty cool. I threw a beer can at his head and he didnt even flinch. I like that guy.

HuffPost reviewed footage of the Aug. 19, 2023, Crow Fair parade that Sheehy and Republican Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte rode in. Not a single beer can was hurled through the air. It was just a beautiful, peaceful, powerful event.

In comments to the Daily Montanan at the time, Sheehy said he tries to come to the fair every year with his family.

These are the first Montanans, you know, so its great to connect with them, he told the publication.

Montana tribal leaders have roundly condemned Sheehys recorded remarks.

In a letter to Sheehy on Wednesday, obtained by the Missoulian newspaper, the Montana American Indian Caucus, which consists of eight Indigenous state senators and representatives, said Sheehys words were wrong, derogatory, and hurtful to a racial population that is fighting for equality and to improve their homeland.

As a candidate for office in Montana, you have a responsibility to know and respect the Indian communities you are running to represent, the letter says. You are also responsible for using your platform to advocate for that respect to your political supporters. Instead, you have chosen to disrespect the original Montanans as a strategy to pander to the non-Indian vote and political funders. Your remarks have only further alienated the tribal people from your party.

The Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, which represents the Crow Tribe and 10 other tribes in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho, demanded a formal apology in a Tuesday letter to Sheehys campaign, The Associated Press reported.

You ask for our votes and then you go to your fundraiser, ironically with alcohol flowing and laughter at our expense behind closed doors, and you insult us with a stereotype that only seeks to severely diminish and dishonor our people, Bryce Kirk, the councils chairman, reportedly wrote. The Crow people are not your punchline. Native Americans are not your punchline.

Sheehys campaign has largely remained silent despite his remarks receiving national media attention. The campaign did not respond to HuffPosts multiple requests for comment.

The Crow Tribe and Stovall also did not respond.

The recordings are the latest in a campaign that has been plagued by scandal, from Sheehy admitting he lied to a national park ranger about how he received a gunshot wound to questions about the viability of what he has repeatedly described as his successful aerial firefighting company. As HuffPost recently reported, Sheehy has been doing damage control after previously advocating for federal public lands to be turned over to states  an effort that bizarrely included tapping a pro-transfer advocate for a TV ad in which he casts himself as a champion of public lands.

But in perpetuating a racist stereotype about Native Americans, one that has been debunked and has had sweeping negative impacts on Indigenous communities, Sheehy risks ostracizing a sizable portion of Montana voters.

Six percent of Montana residents are Indigenous, making it the U.S. state with the sixth-highest percentage of Native Americans. The state is home to 12 tribal nations and seven reservations.

Sheila Hogan, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party, called Sheehys comments inexcusable.

Tim Sheehys comments, which play into racist and harmful stereotypes about Native Americans, show just how unfit Sheehy is to represent Montanans and how little he cares about our state, she said in a statement Wednesday. We condemn Sheehys comments in the strongest possible terms.

In posts on X responding to news of Sheehys remarks, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, applauded Testers record of advocating for Montana tribes as a member of the committee.

Jon is from Montana so he doesnt talk about anyone like that - especially not the members of the 12 tribal nations in Montana, Schatz wrote. Jon fights hard for Montana Tribes and doesnt talk about them like he just got off a private jet from California.

This story has been updated to note that Sheehy did appear in Crow Fair parade footage from 2023.

Related...
Montana needs more affordable housing units, and the Villagio, pictured here, and Trinity both opened in 2023, together bringing 402 new homes to Missoula. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan)

In a 5-0 decision released Tuesday, the Montana Supreme Court reversed a preliminary injunction handed down by a retired Gallatin County judge that blocked two bills related to residential zoning passed by the legislature as part of a housing package last year.

The five-justice panel found that Montanans Against Irresponsible Densification, a consortium of single-family homeowners from across Montana, had failed to meet the four requirements needed for a preliminary injunction  another law changed by last years legislature.

The court found that Judge Mike Salvagni, a retired judge who was brought in for the case, incorrectly issued the preliminary injunction based on whether there was a possibility of harm to the group and that it had only offered generalized fears and supposition about the effects of Senate Bills 323 and 528.

SB 528 allows municipalities to allow accessory dwelling units on land that already has a single-family home, while SB 323 allows duplexes to be built in cities with populations of at least 5,000 people where single-family homes are allowed.

Both were to take effect on Jan. 1 this year, so the reversal of Salvagnis late-December injunction means they are now the law of the land, though MAID continues to challenge the two laws, along with Senate Bills 382 and 245, in Gallatin County District Court.

The package of bills was a major piece of the legislature and Gov. Greg Gianfortes housing package from last year, meant to address ballooning home prices in most of Montana and to allow for more new homes and different types of homes to be built in the state.

I appreciate the Montana Supreme Court for rejecting this injunction, which held back two key reforms identified by our bipartisan Housing Task Force and passed into law by the Legislature, Gianforte said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. We will continue to find innovative ideas to increase housing supply so that affordable, attainable housing is within reach for every Montanan.

In his order in late December enjoining the two laws, Salvagni had said the bills created one group of newer homeowners protected by covenants from having accessory dwelling units and duplexes from popping up in their neighbors yards, and another of more longtime homeowners who were not protected. He said that MAID was likely to succeed on the merits of its equal protection clause claim. Salvagni also criticized the legislature for rushing the bill package and creating laws that he said contain apparent contradictions and irreconcilable differences.

One of MAIDs members submitted an affidavit in the district court case said he worried that developers putting in multi-unit housing close to his home would negatively affect his property value.

More important than economic value is the moral, aesthetic neighborhood values that my wife and I share with the neighbors, all of which will be adversely affected if my neighborhood is impacted by development which is more dense, Glenn Monahan wrote in the affidavit.

In evaluating the appeal, the Montana Supreme Court panel wrote it agreed that MAID had made sufficient claims to ask for a preliminary injunction, but reversed Salvagnis decision because the group had not met the four factors now required for a preliminary injunction in Montana: that the applicant is likely to succeed on the merits; is likely to suffer irreparable harm absent preliminary relief; that the balance of equity tips in the applicants favor, and that the injunction is in the public interest.

Before last years session, an applicant for a preliminary injunction only had to show proof that one of those factors were met.

The Supreme Court opinion, written by Justice Beth Baker, notes that though the Montana Constitution grants a fundamental right to acquire, possess and protect property, the court has also held that those rights are subject to the states police power to protect public health and welfare.

Baker wrote that while plaintiffs have won other court cases challenging zoning approvals by showing material harms could occur, MAID offered only generalized fears and supposition about the effects of the two bills.

The District Court therefore abused its discretion when it entered a preliminary injunction based on the possibility of harm that MAID presented in support of its claim to irreparable injury, Baker wrote in the opinion.

The court also found that Salvagni abused his discretion in granting the injunction because MAID presented thin evidence of imminent harm, while legislators and a housing coalition that wrote friend-of-the-court briefs siding with the state had shown the court the work the Housing Task Force and legislature had done to get the bills crafted and passed.

Finally, the court said that upon remand to the district court, the judge there will have to determine which levels of scrutiny  strict, middle-tier, or rational basis  to apply when considering the challenges to the four bills. The Supreme Court said it did not consider that question because it was not pertinent to resolving the appeal.

Jim Goetz, one of the attorneys representing MAID, declined to comment on the courts decision and said the district court case would proceed.

Republican legislators, who had submitted an amicus brief siding with the states appeal, have for eight months been angered that Salvagni, who is retired, enjoined the housing bills. In July, the Senate Select Committee on Judicial Oversight and Reform, led by Senate President Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, included Salvagnis name in a letter the committee voted to send to the Supreme Court questioning the chief justices abilities to, and reasoning for, appointing retired justices for certain cases.

The committee was formed in the wake of a host of court decisions that did not go the way that Republican legislators had hoped for, and many of those decisions struck down laws they created during the past two legislative sessions as unconstitutional.

The legislation imperiled by his decision was thoughtfully drafted, vetted through a public process, debated on the floors of both chambers, and passed by a recently elected group of bipartisan legislators, the letter said. In contrast, retired judge Salvagni was last subject to a vote of the people a decade ago, retired eight years ago, and is accountable to just one person, the Chief Justice.

Ellsworth, who has issued subpoenas to eight commission members and other court employees to appear at the committees meeting Thursday and is now fighting with McGrath and Mike Menahan, a Lewis and Clark County District Court judge and chairperson of the Judicial Standards Commission, acknowledged in a statement that the Montana Supreme Court got this one right and I thank them for that.

Its unfortunate that judicial activism in the Gallatin County District Court has improperly delayed pro-housing reforms for nearly a year as Montanans face ever-increasing housing costs, Ellsworth said in a statement. I encourage the courts to reject future spurious legal arguments from the plaintiffs and let the Legislatures bipartisan pro-housing reforms begin to chip away at Montanas housing crisis.

DA 24-0039 Published  Opinion
Tim Sheehy, the Republican Senate nominee in Montana whose race could flip the balance of the Senate, was recorded last year making comments about Native Americans that perpetuated racist stereotypes, according to several reports.

Sheehy, a former Navy Seal, made remarks specifically about members of the Crow Tribe of Indians at private fundraisers in 2023. At one event, Sheehy said he had roped cattle with Crow members, calling it a great way to bond with all the Indians while theyre drunk at 8 a.m. and youre roping together. At another event, while talking about participating in a parade at the Crow Fair, he said, Theyll let you know whether they like you or not  theres Coors Light cans flying by your head.

His comments were first reported last week by Char-Koosta News, a local outlet that covers the Flathead Indian Reservation. The New York Times also published audio of Sheehys comments on Tuesday. According to recordings published by Char-Koosta News, Sheehy repeated his Coors Light cans line at two other events, though its unclear when those took place.

Sheehy's remarks were met with anger by the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, which represents a number of tribes and First Nations in North America. Council Chair Bryce Kirk said in a letter to Sheehy on Tuesday that the Republican "insult[ed] us with a stereotype that only seeks to severely diminish and dishonor our people, according to The Associated Press. The Crow people are not your punchline. Native Americans are not your punchline, Kirk added.

Neither MSNBC nor NBC News has verified the recordings. Sheehy's campaign did not immediately respond to MSNBCs request for comment on Wednesday, but his spokesperson, Jack OBrien, did not dispute the veracity of the recordings to The Associated Press.

OBrien did not say if Sheehy will respond to the councils letter or apologize for his comments, but he told the AP, What folks are insinuating about him, thats just not who he is.

The reporting comes amid a tight race that has the potential to determine which party controls the Senate next year. Native Americans are an important voting bloc in Montana, and their support will be crucial in November. Although Donald Trump handily won Montana in 2020, counties with majority Native Americans largely backed Democratic candidates. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat seeking his fourth term, last won re-election in 2018 by 3.5% of the vote.

Indigenous voters have said that political candidates dont often prioritize their communities, but both Sheehy and Tester are hoping tribal support can push them to a narrow victory. Tester, who is widely considered as the most vulnerable Senate Democrat running for re-election, has spent $1 million on tribal-focused voting initiatives.

There are seven federally recognized Native reservations in Montana, and Native Americans make up 6.4% of the states population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The Crow Indian Reservation is the largest in the state, and the Crow Tribe endorsed Donald Trumps 2020 re-election bid. An MSNBC request for comment to Frank White Clay, the Crow Tribe chairman, was not immediately returned.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDHN)  33-year-old Roddrecius Lavelle Goldsmith, of Montgomery, was sentenced today to 157 months in prison for his role in an armed robbery in 2023.

According to records from the court, Goldsmith entered a gas station on Highway 231 in Wetumpka, Alabama, and walked directly to the counter.

Goldsmith asked about the stores restroom, and then pulled out a handgun.

Goldsmith forced the clerk to go with him into the bathroom, where he struck her in the head with the firearm multiple times, then forced her back to the counter where he demanded money from the register.

Goldsmith was given $79 from the drawer, and exited the store, but realized once he got to his vehicle that he had left his car keys inside the store.

The clerk hit a panic button that magnetically locked the doors, so when Goldsmith returned for his keys he was unable to enter.

Goldsmith fired his gun into the locked gas station doors, and then entered through the shattered glass door for his keys.

Goldsmith then fled the scene.

On May 23, 2024, Goldsmith pleaded guilty to interference with interstate commerce by robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

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The man whose appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed the status of tribal reservations in Oklahoma has been arrested, accused of failure to register as a sex offender.

Jimcy McGirt, 75, was arrested in Seminole. He allegedly had not told his federal parole officer that he was staying on the Seminole Nation reservation.

Seminole Lighthorse Police began looking for McGirt after he reportedly approached two children in Seminole. Their mother called police, who found him staying at a home nearby. More details about the arrest were not immediately available.

Who is Jimcy McGirt?

McGirt, a member of the Seminole Nation, was convicted of child sex abuse in Oklahoma state court nearly 30 years ago and was given a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Because the crime happened on a historical tribal reservation, he appealed in federal court arguing that the state had no jurisdiction to prosecute his case.

After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled for McGirt in 2020, he was charged and sentenced in federal court. As part of a plea deal, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison, but was given credit for time already served and released this year. The plea deal required him to serve five years of probation, register as a sex offender and have no contact with his victim, who is now an adult.

McGirt v. Oklahoma: How case reshaped tribal law

The eventual Supreme Court ruling led to the recognition of nine tribal reservations in the eastern part of the state and upended the states ability to prosecute Native Americans accused of committing crimes in those areas. Federal and tribal courts now have jurisdiction over those cases, but the relationship between tribes and some state leaders have remained tense.

More: Oklahoma task force on tribal reservation safety lacked tribal input. Here's how it went

Beyond criminal prosecutions, the McGirt ruling and subsequent cases have added nuance to laws on tribal sovereignty, which has shaken up issues like public safety, taxes and other agreements between tribes and the state.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Jimcy McGirt, of Supreme Court case, arrested, accused of failure to register
A group of more than 30 current and former Republican officials filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday condemning a Tennessee law that bans gender-affirming medical care for trans youth.

States have no business overruling the decisions of fit parents who make an informed medical choice for their children that is supported by their doctors, the filing reads.

The Supreme Court is preparing to take up a constitutional challenge to the law, which restricts access to puberty blockers, hormone therapies and surgeries specifically for the purpose of gender transitioning for people under the age of 18. The law does not restrict this care for non-transgender patients.

At least 25 states have passed similar bans on gender-affirming medical care.

PHOTO: Former Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., listens to Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., speak during the Principles First 2023 Summit Preserving American Institutions at the Conrad Hotel, March 5, 2023, in Washington. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images, FILE)

MORE: Families, trans adults sue South Carolina to block state's gender-affirming care ban

The Republican signatories include representatives from state legislatures, the George W. Bush administration, as well as the John McCain and Mitt Romney presidential campaigns. It also includes Jordan Willow Evans, the nations first openly transgender elected Republican.

The signatories argue that the law is nothing less than a vast government overreach,' quoting former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, who vetoed a gender-confirming medical care ban for transgender youths in his state.

Hutchinsons veto was followed by a veto from Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine against his states own proposed gender-affirming care ban. Both Hutchinsons and DeWines vetoes were overridden by their respective state legislature.

Republicans and political conservatives in opposition to the Tennessee law say they are against the law because of their values of limited government and respect for families  in particular, the rights of parents to make weighty decisions about the upbringing and medical care of their own children.

Parents want their children to be safe, happy and healthy. Parents of transgender children are no different, the filing reads. Reasonable people can disagree about what is best for kids, but the question presented here is who makes that decision: their parents or government bureaucrats?

The filing also quotes Republican former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie  whose former staff is also represented among the amicus brief signatories.

On the presidential campaign trail in 2023, Christie said that parents are the people who are best positioned to make these judgments and the government should [n]ever be stepping into the place of the parents.

PHOTO: The U.S Supreme Court is viewed from the lawn of the U.S. Capitol, June 20, 2024, in Washington. (Mariam Zuhaib/AP)

MORE: Florida parents of LGBTQ students band together to fight anti-LGBTQ bills

Tennessee Republican lawmakers in favor of trans care bans have defended the law in light of the impending Supreme Court case, often arguing that children should wait to receive care until they are adults.

"Tennessee is committed to protecting children from permanent, life-altering decisions," Gov. Bill Lee said in an April 2023 post on the social media platform X after the Justice Department argued the law violates the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.

In a statement on the Supreme Court case, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti also defended the law: "We fought hard to defend Tennessee's law protecting kids from irreversible gender treatments and secured a thoughtful and well-reasoned opinion from the 6th Circuit.

He continued, I look forward to finishing the fight in the United States Supreme Court. This case will bring much-needed clarity to whether the Constitution contains special protections for gender identity.

The filing notes people and medical professionals believe that it endangers children with gender dysphoria not to provide them with gender-affirming care.

Major national medical associations -- including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and more than 20 others -- agree that gender-affirming care is safe, effective, beneficial and medically necessary.

Research has found that hormone therapy can improve the mental health of transgender adolescents and teenagers, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, reducing depression and anxiety and increasing life satisfaction.

More than 30 Republicans file amicus brief against Tennessees transgender care ban originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Community members spoke about a proposed public camping ban during a more than six-hour Morgantown City Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, in Morgantown, W.Va. (Morgantown City Council livestream screenshot)

Following more than five hours of public comment that stretched into early Wednesday morning, the Morgantown City Council approved a measure expanding its laws targeting homeless people who camp in public. Council members voted four to three in favor of the ban.

The ordinance prohibits camping on any public property  including streets, parks and trails  and also prohibits storing personal property in public areas. Second and third violations of the law are punishable by fines of $200 and $300 and/or 30 days in jail, respectively.

Morgantown already had an ordinance banning camping or temporary lodging within a park without the written consent of the city manager.

Councilwoman Louise Weez Michael originally proposed the ban during the regular July 2 meeting of city council, just days after a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court upholding an Oregon citys public camping ban. In the June 28 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that ordinances by the city of Grants Pass, Oregon, prohibiting homeless people from sleeping within the city limits do not violate the Constitutions ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

During the July meeting, Michael said she believes homeless people sleeping in public has become an immediate and serious safety and health issue that we can no longer wish the issue to go away.  We need to send a message that this city will no longer tolerate nefarious behaviors. A first reading of the legislation was approved with a 4-3 vote on Aug. 20.

The vote, which took place around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, followed public comments from more than 25 speakers, all but a couple of who opposed the ban. Molly Kennedy, a representative of the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia, told the council that the human rights organization would be watching closely if the ordinance passed. An attorney for the organization told West Virginia Watch in July that despite the Grants Pass decision, there are other constitutional challenges that could be made against camping bans.

Elrick Rose, of Morgantown, was one of at least two homeless people who spoke against the ban during the meeting.

When I heard about this ordinance, it made me feel afraid, he told the council. More afraid than I normally do every night. Being homeless isnt a choice. Were not out there because we want to shoot up. Were not out there because were lazy.

He went on to say that the ordinance being discussed makes him feel like hes not valued or welcome in the city and that the ordinance would make challenges against him insurmountable.

Dozens of cities across the country have passed or considered similar camping bans in the two months after the Supreme Courts decision. The new bans come after the United States saw an increase of 12% last year, the highest reported level since the US started doing point in time counts of homeless people in 2007.

The cities of Wheeling and Parkersburg also passed ordinances banning public camping last year.

Morgantowns law is effective 30 days after the bill passes, provided the city has an emergency shelter thats open and accepting new people.

A representative of Mountain State Justice said Tuesday there would be a petition for a referendum on the ordinance to have it either repealed or put to a vote during the citys election next year.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  The Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) has awarded Morningside University $20,000 to go towards aviation and aerospace education.

The university announced Wednesday that the money will fund Advancing Vigorous Instruction for Aviation Training Excellence (AVIATE). This project, led by School of Agriculture and Aviation dean Dr. Thomas H. Paulsen, aims to bring hands-on STEM education to undergraduate and K-12 students in Siouxland.

LifeServe planning 2 Woodbury County blood drives for September

We are thrilled to receive this grant from the Iowa Space Grant Consortium, Dr. Paulsen said in a statement. AVIATE represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide our students with the best possible education in aviation. By creating these innovative learning modules, we will enhance student preparation for successful careers in the aviation industry while also inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers in our community.

According to a release, AVIATE will develop new learning modules for the schools new aviation program and two other courses. The initiative will also look to bring these modules to younger students and organizations such as the Mid America Museum of Aviation & Transportation, all to encourage students to pursue STEM pathways.

The IGSC, affiliated with NASA, supports NASA-relevant STEM research, education and outreach activities for all Iowans, the release states.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
BOSTON (SHNS)  Cryptocurrency attorney John Deaton secured his spot in the contest against U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, voters picked at least six new state lawmakers, and ballots were still being counted hours after polls closed in Tuesdays state primaries.

Only a handful of races up and down the ballot featured any kind of contest, and the results largely favored sitting incumbents, though one veteran House Democrat might be headed for a loss.

At the top of the Republican ticket, voters picked Deaton, a U.S. Marine and cryptocurrency lawyer, to challenge Warren in November.

Deaton, who moved from Rhode Island to Massachusetts in January and approached the MassGOP about the prospect of running against Warren, defeated fellow Republicans Ian Cain and Robert Antonellis in a three-way primary. The Associated Press called the race for Deaton at 8:42 p.m.

Hes touted himself as a small government, fiscally-conservative, socially moderate Republican, roughly similar to the approach deployed by some other Massachusetts Republicans like former Gov. Charlie Baker. Deaton also wrote a memoir, Food Stamp Warrior, about his experiences growing up impoverished in Detroit.

Tomorrow, we begin the next phase of the campaign  an effort that will hold Elizabeth Warren accountable for her failures on the border, the unaffordable cost of supporting a family, a broken healthcare system, abandoning our ally Israel, and restoring faith in our politics, Deaton said Tuesday night. Voters are turning their back on divisive partisan politics and are ready to support a message of optimism, unity, and solving problems.

Warren did not face an opponent of her own as she sought a third term. Six years ago, she swept past Republican challenger Geoff Diehl by 24 points, then ran a short, unsuccessful primary campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.

Even if every state House and Senate incumbent running for reelection cruises to victory, voters will still effectively pick half a dozen new state lawmakers in open districts Tuesday with no Republicans on the ballot.

One of those is Newtons Greg Schwartz, who topped a three-way primary to succeed Rep. Ruth Balser, according to the AP.

Schwartz is a medical doctor  according to his campaign, hed become the only one in the Legislature  and a former Newton city councilor. Among his many policy positions, Schwartz said he would support banning private equity ownership of hospitals and medical groups, back a local-option real estate transfer tax, and advocate for fully funding the MBTA so that we stop kicking the can down the road.

He defeated current City Councilors Rick Lipof and Bill Humphrey, and projects to be the only candidate on the ballot in November.

Another new de facto representative-elect is Sean Reid of Lynn, who beat Hong Net, also of Lynn. That north-of-Boston district is represented today by Rep. Peter Capano, who is not seeking reelection.

Reid is a member of the Lynn School Committee, and he works as a legislative director for Lynn Sen. Brendan Crighton. His campaign priorities included housing and public transit, climate and coastal resilience, and education.

Amy Mah Sangiolo bested Alexander Jablon in a Newton-versus-Newton Democratic primary to succeed Rep. Kay Khan, who is retiring 29 years after joining the House. Sangiolo will match up against Republican Vladislav Yanovsky in November in a district that has not crowned a GOP winner since some time before 1970.

Out in the southwesternmost corner of the state, Democrat Leigh Davis of Great Barrington declared victory in a crowded primary to succeed outgoing Rep. Smitty Pignatelli, according to Josh Landes of WAMC. Shell go on to face unenrolled candidate Marybeth Mitts of Lenox in the general election.

Continuing a long-running trend, most voters did not have any choices to make Tuesday. Only 26 of 160 House districts and six of 40 Senate districts saw a contested primary in either major political party, even though all 200 districts are up for reelection every two years, allowing most incumbents to sleepwalk into reelection.

Some Democrats who did not have primary opponents will face Republicans in November, though even taking that into account, a majority of districts still have no competition.

MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale said Tuesday her partys candidates would restore much-needed commonsense to the Legislature.

The Democrats are reeling as their policies have led to the largest immigration crisis in Massachusetts history. The Commonwealth is less affordable than ever, residents are leaving in droves, and our legislature remains one of the least transparent in the nation, Carnevale said in a statement.

Most sitting lawmakers who did face opponents appeared to fare well on Tuesday, but a high-profile upset could be brewing in Cambridge.

Just after 10:45 p.m., the Globes Samantha Gross reported that graduate student and organizer Evan MacKay declared victory over six-term incumbent Rep. Marjorie Decker.

MacKay campaigned pointedly against the Legislatures status quo, in which power is centralized among a few Democrats, many decisions are made behind closed doors, and the public  and some lawmakers  receive little notice about upcoming votes.

The race still had not been officially called as of 11 p.m.

Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven, a Somerville Democrat who is one of the Legislatures most progressive members, effectively locked up a third term by defeating fellow Somerville resident Kathleen Hornby. No Republicans nor unenrolled candidates are on the ballot.

Sen. Adam Gomez of Springfield, who in the days leading up to the primary touted an endorsement from Gov. Maura Healey, also won his primary against Springfields Malo Brown.

His colleague, Sen. Mark Montigny of New Bedford, similarly fended off a challenge from Molly Kivi, AP results show.

Turnout figures to be a bit of a paradox, at least depending on the metrics used to rate it. Secretary of State William Galvin last week forecast more than 500,000 votes will be cast in Democratic primaries and another 250,000 in Republican primaries, which would be a turnout rate of close to 15 percent.

Thats far lower than general elections, which in recent presidential years have surpassed 70 percent, and significantly below the 36.5 percent turnout in 2020s primaries. But it would also be much higher than the 8.8 percent in 2016 and the 12.4 percent in 2012, two other recent comparable years.

Many voters continue to take advantage of the ability to cast their ballots by mail, with more than 468,000 having done so by 7 a.m. Tuesday.

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Most North Carolina residents express confidence in integrity and accuracy of 2024 election in new poll

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  A new poll finds most North Carolina voters are confident their vote will be accurately counted this year and in the integrity of the states election, but the poll also reveals partisan divides on those issues.

The poll, conducted by Catawba College and YouGov, found that 71% of voters are either very or somewhat confident in the safety, security and integrity of the election in North Carolina. Additionally, about 75% of voters expressed confidence in their vote being counted accurately this year.

Republicans seek removal of 225,000 people on NC voter rolls

While 83% of Democrats and 69% of independents expressed confidence about election integrity in the state, only 63% of Republicans did. About one-third of Republicans said they are not confident.

It is certainly a partisan dynamic at play within this level of confidence about election integrity, said Michael Bitzer, a professor at Catawba College and one of the leaders of the Commission on the Future of NC Elections. They tend to have a lack of confidence in basic things like how votes get counted and accuracy in those vote counts. We have seen a very distinctive partisan divide.

The commission, which is sponsored by the Carter Center, has held events across the state seeking to educate voters about the election process in North Carolina and to address election myths.

I think administrators both at the local and state level have an uphill battle against some of these conspiracies, some of this disinformation, Bitzer said.

More candidates on NC ballot following key court rulings

The poll of 1,000 North Carolinians was conducted from Aug. 7-20. It also found peoples confidence drops as you ask them about the integrity of the election in other states.

I think there is something to be said about people trusting their friends and neighbors, but not those folks in those other states. I think that is a national dynamic we are seeing play out, Bitzer said.

The poll was released as the first ballots of the 2024 general election began to be mailed out to voters who requested them on Friday.

In the survey, 57% of voters said they were either very or somewhat confident that voting by mail is a secure way to cast a ballot. Meanwhile, 37% said they were not too confident or not confident in that at all. Bitzer noted that 62% of Republicans lack confidence in mail-in voting being secure.

Delegate says North Carolina back in play ahead of Democratic National Convention

Over the objection of Democrats, Republicans in the General Assembly voted to move up the deadline for mail-in ballots to Election Day, eliminating a three-day grace period that had been in place. Under the states voter ID law, people who vote by mail also must include a copy of their ID.

The poll also found that 84% of North Carolinians think its important for losing candidates to publicly accept winning candidates as legitimate winners.

When voters hear from their elites, particularly their presidential candidate, calling into question the processes without real foundation of information or facts, that oftentimes skews them to see things through his lenses, Bitzer said.

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LONDON (Reuters) - Global companies including Anheuser-Busch InBev, Coca-Cola and Target have suffered hits to sales and, in some cases, reputations, after shoppers boycotted their products or services over the years.

Consumer boycotts date back at least as far as an 18th century anti-slavery sugar protest in Britain. In more recent years, activists have used social media to target companies whose policies are perceived as irresponsible.

Below are examples of situations that led to consumer boycotts.

ISRAEL'S WAR IN GAZA

* Israel and Hamas have been waging war since gunmen from the Palestinian militant group stormed into southern Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and capturing 253 hostages, by Israeli tallies. More than 40,800 people have been killed in Gaza during Israel's subsequent invasion of the Palestinian enclave, according to Gazan health authorities.

Since then, consumers in several Muslim-majority countries have avoided products from companies they perceive as friendly toward Israel. Some companies with operations in Israel, including Unilever and Nestle, say sales have been lower in Muslim countries such as Indonesia.

* In January, McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said several markets in the Middle East and some outside the region experienced a "meaningful business impact" due to the Israel-Hamas conflict as well as "associated misinformation" about the brand.

* Starbucks said in January that the war had hurt business in the Middle East as it missed market expectations for forecasted first-quarter results.

* In March, Reuters reported that Gulf retail giant Alshaya Group, which owns the rights to operate Starbucks in the Middle East, planned to lay off over 2,000 people as the business suffered from the boycotts.

* In February, Britain's Unilever said fourth-quarter sales growth in Southeast Asia was hurt by shoppers in Indonesia boycotting brands of multinational companies "in response to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East."

APARTHEID

* Universities in the United States and Britain's Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM) encouraged people in Britain and the U.S. to boycott products made in apartheid-era South Africa. The movement ballooned by the 1980s and everything from fruit to cigarettes and alcohol was on a list of South African products to avoid.

* The movement also lobbied supermarkets around the world like Britain's Tesco to stop stocking South African products.

DISCOURAGING BREASTFEEDING

* Shoppers and activists boycotted Nestle in the mid-1970s over claims it discouraged breastfeeding by promoting breast milk substitutes. The degree to which the boycott impacted sales is unclear, but a subsequent international marketing code was developed by the World Health Organisation to prevent the comparison of manufactured baby milk with breast milk, and Nestle responded with its own policy based on the WHO code during the 1980s.

Story continues

CRUELTY TO SHEEP

* Driven by activism group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, animal-loving U.S. shoppers waged a nine-month boycott in 2004 and 2005 against Italian fashion brand Benetton for using what PETA called "cruelly obtained Australian wool." PETA, which at one point descended upon Benetton's headquarters, alleged a "gruesome Australian procedure" called "mulesing" - removing strips of skin from live sheep - was used in the production of wool used for the company's clothing. Benetton maintained that it had "no involvement" in mulesing. It was unclear if the boycott impacted sales.

TRANSGENDER AND LGBTQ+ MARKETING

* Brewer Anheuser-Busch's Bud Light lost its position as the top U.S. beer after a transgender influencer promoted the beer on social media in April 2023, resulting in a conservative backlash. The companys stock is still down 9% since the launch of the promotion which took place as part of Bud Lights March Madness contest.

* U.S. retailer Target encountered confrontations between customers and employees, along with incidents of merchandise being thrown on the floor, following the launch of its LGBTQ-themed collection for Pride Month, celebrated in June. In response to the backlash, the company removed the controversial items from all its stores and website just days after the collections debut in May 2023.

(This story has been refiled to remove extraneous letter in paragraph 1)

(Reporting by Richa Naidu, Siddharth Cavale and Aishwarya Venugopal; Editing by Vanessa O'Connell, Frank Jack Daniel and Matthew Lewis)
Protesters for and against abortion outside the U.S. Supreme Court. A new survey of swing state voters shows bipartisan support for protecting abortion before fetal viability. | Getty Images photo by Alex Wong

A majority of Wisconsinites are opposed to criminalizing abortion before fetal viability, according to a recent poll conducted by University of Marylands Program for Public Consultation.

The survey, which polled groups of voters in six swing states with about 600 participants coming from Wisconsin, comes in an election year in which abortion is at the center of consequential campaigns at a federal and state level. Vice President Kamala Harris has made speaking out on reproductive rights a central component of her campaign for president, while former President Donald Trump has been inconsistent on his views about abortion. In the 8th Congressional District, OB-GYN and outspoken reproductive rights advocate Kristin Lyerly says that messaging on abortion rights will help flip the Republican-voting district blue and defeat Trump-endorsed candidate Tony Wied. Meanwhile, 10 states will have abortion referendums on ballots in November, and Democratic state legislative candidates who are seeking to build a Democratic majority in the Republican-dominated state Legislature in Wisconsin have also said the issue could motivate voters to the polls.

Program director Steven Kull said the goal of the polling is to bring policy issues to the foreground during an election year.

The election is always a key time where people really think about public policy issues, and the swing states are so central. The attitudes in those states are really quite prominent, Kull said. So, we thought we would give people in the swing states a real opportunity to express their views on policy issues.

Kull said that the bipartisan agreement on criminalizing abortion was the most striking result. It found that 78% of Wisconsinites  including 57% of Republicans and 93% of Democrats  do not want abortion to be criminalized before fetal viability. About 65% of Wisconsinites  including 85% of Democrats and 41% of Republicans  said they oppose criminalizing abortion at any stage of pregnancy.

Democrats go further. The majority of Democrats oppose any criminalization but the kind of middle ground position where theres majorities on both sides is that it should not be criminalized before fetal viability, Kull said.

Meanwhile, support for criminalizing abortion at all stages of pregnancy was low at 13% of respondents in Wisconsin, including 25% of Republicans and 3% of Democrats.

The survey was conducted as a policymaking simulation, which is supposed to put participants in the shoes of policymakers. Kull said that the point is to give people the kind of tools that a policy maker has when they come to their conclusions and this enables us to ask questions about a wider range of issues than one can in a standard poll.

Participants were informed ahead of the questions that criminalizing abortion means prison time or fines for the doctor, the woman or both and had the opportunity to evaluate arguments for and against criminalizing abortion.

Those that chose to criminalize abortion were also asked to choose whether the doctor, the woman or both should receive fines or prison time. In Wisconsin, among those who favored criminalization, 5.8%  10% of Republicans and 2% of Democrats  said the doctor should be punished, 3% said the woman, and 12.3% said both. About 14% said they didnt know or refused to answer.

Kull said he was also surprised at how many participants wanted a federal law related to abortion  73% of Wisconsinites said they favor having a federal abortion law, including 59% of Republicans and 87% of Democrats. This included the range of participants, who wanted to criminalize abortion at any stage of pregnancy and those who oppose any criminalization.

After the Dobbs decision, there was a kind of articulation of the idea that this settles the issue, each state can decide for themselves, Kull said. But interestingly, thats not how the American people feel. They want there to be a federal decision, a federal law.

In Wisconsin, abortions ceased following the overturn of Roe v. Wade because of an 1849 criminal law, which had been widely interpreted as making almost all abortion illegal. Abortion access restarted last year after a Dane County judge ruled the law applied to feticide, not abortion. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has agreed to hear two cases that ask whether the law applies to abortion and to consider whether the state Constitution protects abortion access.

Bipartisan agreement also existed on questions about access to birth control. The survey found that 84% of Wisconsinites, including 80% of Republicans and 93% of Democrats, support requiring public schools to provide education about birth control.

85% of Wisconsinites, including 81% of Republicans and 93% of Democrats, support ensuring nationwide access to birth control, by prohibiting state governments from restricting or banning birth control, and 84% of Republicans and 96% of Democrats in Wisconsin support continuing the Affordable Care Act mandate that most insurance plans cover long-term birth control, such as the pill and IUDs. About 79% of Wisconsinites support increasing funding for health care clinics so they can provide long-term birth control for free or at a low cost.

Kull noted that partisan differences were prominent on methods for trying to reduce abortions by putting more requirements on the process of getting an abortion. Wisconsinites were split on requiring doctors to show an ultrasound of the fetus to the woman before providing the abortion with 51% of Wisconsinites in favor and 49% opposed. Most of those in favor  66%  were Republicans, while only 37% of Democrats were in favor. A 1-3 day waiting period was supported by 64% of Republicans and 39% of Democrats.

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DENVER (KDVR)  A woman was arrested over the weekend when deputies say she was driving under the influence with her two young kids in the back seat.

At about 3 p.m. Friday, a 911 caller reported a vehicle weaving erratically before crashing near Jaguar Point and McArthur Ranch Road, the Douglas County Sheriffs office said in a post.

New details: Suspect charged, 2 puppies found in Colorado dog breeders death

The driver reportedly attempted to leave the scene by ramming the victims car to push it out of the way, the sheriffs office said.

According to the sheriffs office, the deputy who stopped the driver alleged that she appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both and noticed an overwhelming odor of alcohol, as well as slurred speech and the inability to stand on her own.

The driver, a 40-year-old woman, was unable to complete a roadside sobriety test, according to the sheriffs office. A preliminary breath test indicated that she had a blood alcohol content of .334, which is over four times the legal limit of .08.

Driving impaired is reckless enough, but doing so with young children in the car is beyond unacceptable. Thankfully, no one was injured, but it could have ended much worse, Sheriff Darren Weekly said. We will continue to make it a priority to take impaired drivers off the road.

Five open alcoholic beverage containers were found in the vehicle, as well as a full bottle of wine, according to the sheriffs office.

The woman was arrested on charges including:

Driving under the influence

Reckless driving

Reckless endangerment

Child abuse.

The Douglas County Sheriffs Office said it arrested 15 people for driving under the influence over Labor Day weekend.



If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or substance abuse, find resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website, call 800-662-45377, or text your zip code your zip code to 435748.



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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Mother and her 3 children killed in Russian missile attack on Lviv

The family in question. Photo: Andrii Sadovyi on Telegram

The latest Russian missile strike on Lviv has claimed the lives of four members of one family: a mother and three daughters.

Source: Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi on Telegram

Quote from Sadovyi: "Out of all the people in this photo, only the man survived today's attack.

His wife Yevheniia and their three daughters  Yaryna, Daryna and Emiliia  have been killed in their own home."

Details: The mayor posted a photo of the family and noted that 21-year-old Yaryna Bazylevych, who worked in the office of Lviv  European Youth Capital 2025, is standing behind her parents in the image.

"Russia is massacring entire families of Ukrainians in the centre of Europe. The Russians are killing our children, our future.

I don't know what words to use to support Yaroslav, the family's father. Today, we are all with you. My sincere condolences and in loving memory," Sadovyi concluded.

Background:

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Marketha Cooper, whose 15-year-old son Victor was brutally killed July 5, spoke exclusively to WREG, two months after an arrest was made in her sons death.

She says one arrest isnt enough.

My son was killed at 15. Im never going to be quiet about that until I get full justice for my child, she said.

Mother speaks after teen charged in sons death

Cooper says a 17-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder. But, she claims video evidence shows multiple people were involved and demands they all face justice.

He wasnt alone, she said. If Im with someone that intentionally commits a crime, Ill get a charge, so everyone needs to get charged with my childs death.

But she doesnt stop there. She demands the teens parents be charged as well, believing they bear responsibility for their sons actions.

They went to arrest him, and he was almost in a standoff with police and found in a house full of guns and hes on house arrest  thats an issue, she said. It starts at home. If his parents were parenting my son would still be alive.

Coopers pain is evident, but shes also fighting for her surviving sons, Jarvis and Jordan, who are still struggling to cope.

I never knew I would be a broken mother and woman, and when I want to throw in the towel my kids are there, and they feel just like me. And I cant even help them, she said.

 See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South.

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Victor had appeared on The Ellen Degeneres Show for his academic achievements. Now, Cooper wants to keep his memory alive and ensure those responsible face justice she urges anyone with information come forward.

Dont be crying like me trying to be a voice when its too late. Do it now. I lost a good child. Do it now, she said,

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill.  Interstate 55 southbound is closed in East St. Louis after a fatal accident occurred Wednesday afternoon.

Just after 12:15 p.m., the Illinois State Police arrived at the scene on southbound I-55, just north of Illinois Route 3.

The crash involved a motorcyclist and a truck tractor semi-trailer, police stated. The motorcycle driver has been pronounced dead.

The interstate will remain closed as police investigate the scene.

This is a developing story. More will be posted as it comes into the FOX 2 newsroom.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Motorcyclist killed in Interstate 55 crash in East St. Louis; highway closed for hours, police say

A motorcyclist died in a collision with a tractor-trailer Wednesday afternoon and southbound Interstate 55 in East St. Louis was closed for several hours for the investigation, Illinois State Police said.

The victims name has not been released.

The crash occurred at about 12:17 p.m. on southbound I-55 north of Illinois 3 at the 1 mile post, according to a news release from Illinois State Police.

All lanes reopened at 4:40 p.m., state police said.

No other information was released.

This was the second fatal crash Wednesday on I-55 in the metro-east. A Troy woman died in a three-vehicle crash at 4:14 a.m. in Madison County.

Illinois Department of Transportation trucks block access to southbound Interstate 55 in East St. Louis, Ill. on Sept. 4, 2024, following a fatal motorcycle crash.
I moved from the US to Germany 2 years ago. Here are the 7 biggest culture shocks I've experienced.

My husband and I moved to Germany despite never visiting before. Ashley Packard

The first time I visited Germany was when I moved here with my husband two years ago.

I couldn't believe how easily accessible and convenient the public-transportation system was.

I was shocked to find that most stores, including grocery stores, were closed on Sundays.

In July 2022, I fulfilled my lifelong dream of moving to Europe.

When my husband and I married in January that year, we didn't opt for the typical wedding registry. Instead, we sold, donated, or tossed almost everything we owned. Even our cars  which we sold two days before we left the US  had to go.

We headed to Germany, a country we'd never visited, with just a few suitcases and our two cats. As soon as we arrived, we noticed a lot of cultural differences.

Here are seven things that surprised us about life in Germany.

We had to come up with alternative ways to keep cool. Ashley Packard

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Public transit is easily accessible in most major cities.

I haven't had to drive for the two years I've lived in Germany. Ashley Packard

Growing up in the Massachusetts suburbs, I relied on my car and only used the train to commute to Boston. Though I got a German driver's license, I haven't driven in the past two years.

My husband and I have moved to a few different cities within Germany and luckily always had easy access to public transportation.

Most stores are closed Sundays.

Many stores in Germany are closed on Sunday. Kerstin Waurick/Getty Images

We landed in Germany on a Sunday and soon learned that most shops, including grocery stores, were closed, forcing us to use a food-delivery app.

That's because Sundays are rest days in Germany. Most people aren't supposed to work or shop, though there are a few exceptions for touristy spots and gas stations.

Most apartments don't come with equipped kitchens.

Most German apartments only include an empty room with appliance hookups. hanohiki/Shutterstock

When I was apartment hunting, I was surprised that many rentals didn't have kitchens stocked with a refrigerator, oven, cabinets, counters, washing machine, or dishwasher. Instead, there was typically only an empty room with appliance hookups.

That's because tenants in Germany often take most of their kitchen appliances with them when they leave, or they sell the major parts to whoever is moving in. This allows tenants to personalize their spaces, can help landlords save on costs, and may encourage tenants to stay longer.

Carrying cash is a necessity.

It's always a good idea to keep cash with you. Ashley Packard

To avoid fees and mitigate security concerns, many restaurants, local businesses, market stalls, and cafes only accept cash payments.

Luckily, many larger businesses, grocery stores, and malls accept credit and debit cards and forms of digital payment.

There's no social expectation to tip.

Usually, customers in German restaurants don't add a tip to the receipt. frantic00/Shutterstock

In Germany, tipping is appreciated but not expected.

At restaurants, it's not common to add a tip to the receipt. Instead, people will leave a few euros on the table as a thank you.

The first time I went to pay at a hair salon, I was prepared to give a 20% tip. However, the stylist explained that while she appreciated the gesture, a 5% to 10% tip is typical. She also said some salons don't process tips by card, so cash is preferred.

Sparkling water is preferred over still.

Don't expect to be served water with ice. Ashley Packard

In Germany, restaurants automatically serve sparkling water without ice. If a customer asks for ice in their water, it signals they're American.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Multi-vehicle crash damages restaurant in St. George, one sent to hospital

ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4)  A multi-vehicle crash damaged a restaurant in St. George earlier today and sent one person to the hospital.

Four vehicles were involved in the crash, which also included a truck hitting a Tropical Smoothie Cafe at N. 1000 E. and E. Red Hills Parkway.

READ NEXT: Lehi child dies after accidentally shooting self in Maverik parking lot

A truck hit the restaurant near the drive-through window, according to video of the scene from St. George Police.

Tiffany Mitchell, St. George Polices Public Information Officer told ABC4.com that one person was taken to the hospital by ambulance due to a possible medical emergency.

We had a white Ford Ranger going eastbound on Red Hills Parkway where he struck a vehicle at approximately 900 E. Red Hills, Mitchell said.

Mitchell said that the collision had also caused damage to another car from the debris of the first car that was hit.

[The driver] then went up onto the sidewalk on the south side of Red Hills and through the intersection of 1000 E. and hit another vehicle in that intersection before going into the drive-through of Tropical Smoothie and hitting their building, she said.

The driver of the Ford Ranger was taken to an area hospital. The right-turn lane was the only lane of traffic affected after the crash.

In the video, Mitchell told drivers that they should be careful and drive undistracted and do your best to not be looky-loos.

This was not the first incident of its kind in the area this year. According to a post from Jan. 23 on St. George Polices Facebook page, a 29-year-old male had crashed into the same area that was impacted today.

The male driver was traveling eastbound on Red Hills Parkway when the truck left the roadway, jumped the curb, struck two lava rock boulders, snapped an approximately eight inch in diameter tree in half before striking the building. The building suffered significant structural damage, the post from January said.

The male was arrested a list of charges that included DUI that night and the Tropical Smoothie Cafe was closed for several months.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  One side of the Hawthorne Bridge is set to temporarily close as crews repave the roads later this week.

Multnomah County will shut down all westbound driving lanes, along with the Southeast Water Avenue ramp, in both directions starting at 2 p.m. on Thursday. The lanes are expected to reopen at 5 a.m. on Friday, but officials said the closure is weather dependent.

East wind event possible in Oregon this week

Flaggers will direct vehicular traffic. Westbound bike lanes and pedestrian walkways will remain open.

According to the county, the closure is part of Hawthorne Bridge Paving and Repair Project. The project is estimated to cost $9.5 million.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
KSNF/KODE  Murder charges are dismissed against a Seneca man in the shooting death of his roommate.

Joshua Taft, 42, was in court today for a preliminary hearing on charges that he killed Eric Whittington, 50, back in May.

Joshua Taft, 42.

Newton County Judge Jake Skouby ruled there was not enough evidence to go to trial on the charges of second-degree murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, or armed criminal action.

The shooting happened at a residence on Freddy Lane just south of the Loma Linda area in Newton County on May 30th.

PREVIOUS: Newton County murder suspect appears in court

Thats where police say they found Whittington  dead in the front yard.

Authorities say Taft and Whittington were arguing when the fight turned deadly.

Taft was arrested nearly two weeks later in Oklahoma.

A child was in the residence when police say Whittington was killed.

The judge did rule there was enough evidence to try Taft on the fourth charge of child endangerment.

The next court date has not been set.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
Ford Motor Company F is recalling 90,736 vehicles across several models due to issues with the engine intake valves, which could potentially break during driving, increasing the risk of a crash.



The recall affects the Ford Bronco, Ford Edge, Ford Explorer, Ford F-150, Lincoln Aviator and Lincoln Nautilus, each from model year 2021-2022. These models feature a 2.7-liter or 3-liter Nano EcoBoost Engine. No injuries or accidents related to the issue have been reported so far.



Ford informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the recall on Aug. 23, 2024. Dealers will be notified by the end of this month, and customers will receive notification by mail in early October. Dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and, if needed, replace the engines at no cost to the owners. Ford will offer owners delivery, pick-up and rental services while their vehicles are being repaired.



Owners who have covered the cost of these repairs themselves might be eligible for reimbursement, as outlined in the recall reimbursement plan filed with the NHTSA.



Last month, Ford recalled 374,290 vehicles due to faulty airbags that hadn't been repaired, urging owners not to drive these models until the issue is resolved. The advisory applied to all Ford customers with 2004-2006 Ford Ranger trucks, 2005-2014 Ford Mustangs, 2005-2006 Ford GTs, 2006-2012 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln MKZ/Zephyr models, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles and 2007-2011 Ford Ranger trucks.

Zacks Rank & Key Picks

F currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).



Some better-ranked stocks in the auto space are Dorman Products, Inc. DORM, Blue Bird Corporation BLBD and Douglas Dynamics, Inc. PLOW, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.



The consensus estimate for DORMs 2024 sales and earnings suggests year-over-year growth of 3.71% and 35.46%, respectively. EPS estimates for 2024 and 2025 have improved 20 cents and 22 cents, respectively, in the past 30 days.



The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BLBDs 2024 sales and earnings suggests year-over-year growth of 17.58% and 215.89%, respectively. EPS estimates for 2024 and 2025 have improved 65 cents and 80 cents, respectively, in the past 30 days.



The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PLOWs 2024 earnings suggests year-over-year growth of 60.4%. EPS estimates for 2024 have improved 15 cents in the past 60 days.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

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Muscogee County school evacuated as police respond to second bomb threat in Columbus

Students and staff at a Muscogee County school evacuated the building Wednesday after a bomb threat  the second one of the day in Columbus.

After the Columbus Government Center was evacuated in downtown during the morning, Jordan Vocational High School was evacuated in midtown during the afternoon.

Students and staff at a Muscogee County school evacuated the building Wednesday after a bomb threat  the second one of the day in Columbus. 09/04/2024

Replying to the Ledger-Enquirers questions in an email, Muscogee County School District communications director Kimberly Wright said the bomb threat was communicated via phone to a Jordan staff member at 1:56 p.m.

The school was evacuated at 2 p.m., and the scene was declared safe for everyone to return to their classes at 2:20 p.m., Wright said.

Students and staff at a Muscogee County school evacuated the building Wednesday after a bomb threat  the second one of the day in Columbus. 09/04/2024

First responders from the MCSD and Columbus police departments, as well as Columbus Fire & EMS, were on the scene.

The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely, Wright said. The case is currently under investigation and there is no additional information at this time.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Want a Live Nation venue in Portland? A non-profit group held their first in a series of events to say, Not so fast.

Music Portland held what they called a town hall at the Lollipop Shoppe on the Central Eastside to explain why they are so deeply opposed to the Portland City Auditor Hearings Offices decision to allow Live Nation/Ticketmaster to co-develop and exclusively operate a music venue with 3500 seats on Southeast Water Avenue.

Jamie Dunphy, the Music Policy Council Chair for Music Portland, September 3, 2024 (KOIN)

Our music industry desperately needs investment. We need mid-size venues. We get skipped over by tours all the time. But who is operating that venue really matters, said Jamie Dunphy, the Music Policy Council Chair for Music Portland. Live Nation is the largest media company in the world right now. They own Ticketmaster. They own Seat Geek. They own Stub Hub. They own thousands of artist contracts and music venues. And every state, every city that theyve come into and built, the local independent music scene suffers. They actively predate on local independent businesses. They close local venues. They put local artists into exclusivity contracts.

Oregon could see 500 new electric vehicle chargers with help from $15M award

He said for the past two years, Music Portland has tried to work with Live Nation, Prosper Portland and the City Council but hasnt had any real results.

Weve asked for very specific tangible and we think reasonable bookends on their worst business practices, and for 2 years we have been told absolutely no. Theyve been unwilling to make any concessions about the very clear demonstrated business practices they have in every other major city. Theyve told us explicitly to our faces that Were the only game in town, and they dont have to concede to what the locals want, he said.

Music Portland opposes Live Nation venues in Portland, September 3, 2024 (KOIN)

So, Music Portland challenged the building permits for the Live Nation venues. On September 19, the city council will hear an appeal of that permit, and Dunphy said Music Portland will testify against the venue at that hearing.

Music Portland plans to have a series of events over the next two weeks, including a rally outside City Hall, a day of digital action, and reaching out to the board of directors of Prosper Portland. Theyve also added a page on their website for anyone who wants to volunteer and get involved more deeply,

Dunphy said theyre trying to raise $20,000 to cover their expected legal expenses. He said there is no other city that has successfully pushed back against Live Nation.

Portland nonprofit files appeal challenging Live Nation venue proposal

In almost every community they come into, theyre treated as victors. Theyre treated as economic development. Nobodys offering to bring $60 million to a city to build a local arts venue. And to a local elected official, to a local economic development agency, that sounds like found Manna from heaven, he told KOIN 6 News. But to the local independent industries its been detrimental in every community theyve come into.

Music Portland, he said, is not willing to let just anyone come in and mess up for our $3 billion a year independent music industry.

In this May 11, 2009 file photo, Ticketmaster tickets and gift cards are shown at a box office in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

Other cities who tried to fight back against Live Nation have encouraged Music Portland to fight, Dunphy said.

We have been hearing from the music industry that this is the fight of our lives. This is truly an existential fight, he said. We need to take this moment now to say Portlands independent music industry is suffering coming out of COVID, and now is not the time to introduce an enormous monopoly into our fragile ecosystem.

KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Starlink, Elon Musks SpaceX satellite internet service, said Tuesday it will block Musks social media platform X in Brazil to comply with the countrys recent Supreme Court order blocking the platform in the South American nation.

The Starlink team is doing everything possible to keep you connected, the company wrote Tuesday on X.

Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered the freeze of Starlinks financial transactions, prompting the company to initiate legal proceedings and fight what it said was the illegality of the order.

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, the company wrote. We continue to pursue all legal avenues, as are others who agree that @alexandres recent orders violate the Brazilian constitution.

Court documents showed Starlink missed the deadline to present a new appeal against the order to freeze the accounts, Reuters reported.

Prior to Starlink agreeing to comply with the order, Brazils telecommunications regulator Anatel threatened sanctions against the company, CNBC reported.

The order to freeze Starlinks assets came as part of de Moraess larger order to block access to X amid an ongoing feud with Musk, who purchased the platform in 2022.

The months-long feud between Musk and de Moraes escalated earlier this month when X closed its office in Brazil after the judge ordered the platform to remove posts from the site. If X failed to comply, the judge said he would levy a daily fine of $3,650 and an arrest decree against its representative, Rachel Nova Conceicao.

Tensions came to a head last week amid de Moraess threat to shut down the billionaires social media platform in the country. Musk hit back, calling de Moraes an evil dictator cosplaying as a judge.

The next day, de Moraes ordered the immediate suspension of X throughout the country after the platform refused to name a new legal representative. He directed internet service providers and app stores to block X in Brazil within five days and ordered daily fines of 50,000 reais  or nearly $9,000  for those who use virtual private networks (VPNs) or other methods to access the platform.

The order will remain until the company complies with all court orders and pays all fines, the court said last week.

Musk quickly sought to characterize it as an attack on free speech and alleged the judges order was for a political purpose.

Some legal experts questioned the grounds and enforcement of the decision, while some suggested it was an authoritarian move, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

The Brazilian Bar Association said last Friday it would request that the Supreme Court review the fines imposed on all citizens using VPNs or other means to access X without due process, the AP reported. The bar contended the sanctions should not be imposed until an adversarial process is ensured, the AP added.

Musk previously challenged an order from de Moraes in April ordering the platform to block certain accounts in the country and vowed to reverse the restrictions. However, X ultimately said it would comply with the rulings.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Joshua McElwee and Stefanno Sulaiman

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Wednesday urged political leaders in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, to guard against religious extremism, which he said distorted people's beliefs through "deception and violence".

On a packed first full day of his longest ever overseas journey that includes nine days in Southeast Asia, where Christians are a small minority, the pontiff also met local Catholics and asked them not to force their faith on others.

In a speech to Indonesia's political leaders, Francis said the Catholic Church would increase its efforts toward inter-religious dialogue in hopes of helping tamp down extremism.

"In this way, prejudices can be eliminated, and a climate of mutual respect and trust can grow," the 87-year-old pope said in an address at Jakarta's presidential palace.

"This is indispensable for meeting common challenges, including that of countering extremism and intolerance, which through the distortion of religion attempt to impose their views by using deception and violence," said Francis.

About 87% of Indonesia's population of 280 million is Muslim. Freedom of religion is guaranteed in the country's constitution.

Though Indonesia has seen some instances of Islamist violence in recent years, including suicide bombings in 2021 and 2022 linked to an Islamic State-inspired group, religious extremism has been on a decline since a spate of high-profile attacks two decades ago that included the 2002 Bali bombing, which killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.

Indonesia's president of 10 years, Joko Widodo, thanked Francis for his calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war.

"Indonesia appreciates the Vatican's attitude which continues to voice (and) call for peace," he said in his welcoming speech.

RELIGION 'MANIPULATED'

Francis was greeted by crowds waving small Vatican and Indonesian flags as his car arrived at the presidential palace.

Dorothea Dawai, 10, was among the group welcoming the pope. Wearing a green kebaya, a traditional Indonesian dress, she said she hoped to ask for a blessing.

The pontiff, who suffers from knee and back pain, was in a wheelchair as he left his car and met the president outside the building.

In his public remarks, Francis did not mention any specific violent incidents, but made several references to extremism, intolerance and manipulation of religion.

"There are times when faith in God is ... sadly manipulated to foment divisions and increase hatred instead of furthering peace, communion, dialogue, respect, cooperation and fraternity," said the pontiff.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Francis and Widodo had not spoken specifically about the Gaza war in their meeting, but more generally about ongoing conflicts and "the importance of peace".

NOT FORCING FAITH

Francis later met local Catholics in Jakarta's cathedral. An enthusiastic crowd of hundreds, including a small child dressed in a pope outfit, gathered outside to see him.

Inside the church, children played the angklung, a traditional bamboo instrument, as they awaited Francis' arrival.

Sitting at the back of the cathedral under a Teak wood ceiling, the pope listened to brief testimonies from four Indonesian Catholics.

One was from a nun who elicited a smile from Francis when she asked him to press Vatican officials to hurry Indonesian translations of Catholic texts.

The pope peppered his prepared remarks with off-the-cuff additions and jokes. He praised Indonesia's cultural diversity and told the Catholics that following the church's teachings "does not mean imposing our faith or placing it in opposition to that of others".

The pope will leave Indonesia on Friday before heading to Papua New Guinea, then East Timor and Singapore and will have clocked nearly 33,000 km (21,000 miles) when he returns to Rome on Sept. 13.

Francis has emphasised Catholic-Muslim dialogue and in 2019 was the first pope to visit the Arabian peninsula. On Thursday, he will join an inter-religious meeting at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Southeast Asia's largest mosque.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee and Stefanno Sulaiman and Stanley Widianto; Editing by John Mair, Lincoln Feast, Martin Petty and Tomasz Janowski)
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WBTW)  Three South Carolina women, including one from Myrtle Beach, have been charged with stealing thousands of dollars from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program fraud, according to the state Department of Social Services.

Robyn Davis, 45, of Myrtle Beach, Sasha Price, 36, of Dillion County, and Erin Barber, 48, of Greenwood County, fraudulently received SNAP benefits, DSS said. The three cases are unrelated.

Davis was also charged with forgery. According to arrest warrants, she submitted seven SNAP application forms between Aug. 1, 2019 and July 31, 2022, with eight fraudulent paystubs, indicating she received $2,310 per paycheck.

She also allegedly received additional commissions from her employer that she did not report. The pay discrepancy resulted in an overpayment of $15,816 in SNAP benefits.

Price was charged after submitting three SNAP application forms from Dec. 1, 2021 to Nov. 31, 2022 that claimed her biological son was a household member, according to warrants provided to News13 by DSS. During this time, he was not in her legal or physical custody. This resulted in Price receiving an overpayment of $10,217 in SNAP benefits.

Barber was charged after submitting eight SNAP application forms during the periods of April 26, 2019 through March 31, 2020 and Oct. 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2023, warrants showed. On six of the forms, Barber reported herself and her two biological children on her household composition.

It was found after investigation that the children were living with their biological father and going to school in Rock Hill, warrants showed. This resulted in Barber receiving an overpayment of $21,455 in SNAP benefits.

Davis was arrested on Friday and booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center. She posted a $105,000 bond and was released the same day, according to online jail records. Price was booked into the Dillion County Detention Center, and Barber was booked into the Greenwood County Detention Center.

* * *

Jordan White is a Digital Producer at News13. She joined the News13 team in August 2024. Jordan, a Myrtle Beach native, graduated from St. James High School in Murrells Inlet and is a graduate of Coker University. Follow Jordan on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
The NAACP has joined a host of students in calling for the University of South Carolina to cancel a scheduled roast of Vice President Harris.

In a letter to university President Michael Amiridis, the organization said that while it is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates, it was compelled to write this letter because of the blatant sexist and racist nature of the event, the advertisement for it, and the potential for violence on campus because of the proposed event.

Hate speech has long served as a weapon to undermine the progress of our nation. At a time where we are witnessing groundbreaking history, bad actors aim to cast a dark shadow on those very achievements, Derrick Johnson, NAACP president and CEO, said in a separate statement.

If South Carolina Universitys leadership values their Black students, its only right they shut this event down. Our nations schools must remain havens for learning, not platforms for hate. It is imperative that the university takes swift action in this matter and protects the campus community from patterns of divisiveness and degradation.

The event, scheduled for Sept. 18, is the work of the student chapter of Uncensored America, a nonpartisan organization fighting for freedom of speech.

The events roastmasters are Gavin McInnes, founder of the Proud Boys, and Milo Yiannopoulos, a right-wing media personality who has previously come under fire for misogynistic, racist, xenophobic and transphobic comments.

While the NAACP is a staunch advocate for, and defender of, free speech, in light of the advertisement used for the proposed event, the NAACP urges USC to cancel the proposed event, not because of what might be said at the event, but because of what already has been said and depicted in the obscene advertisement, the NAACPs letter reads.

History also has shown that the presence of these speakers creates an undeniable risk of violence from those attracted to campus by such speakers, the letter adds, referring to when Yiannopoulos was scheduled to speak at the University of California, Berkeley but canceled after a group of about 150 violent agitators interrupted a peaceful protest of more than 1,500. The protest saw large fires and several broken windows as a result.

The NAACP also highlights that the Proud Boys organization is on the Canadian terrorist list; McInnes is a Canadian citizen.

Put simply, inviting to USC the founder of a terrorist group, which has a history of violence, and a speaker, whose presence results in violence and property damage, would present a clear and immediate danger to the student body, campus personnel, and visitors, the NAACPs letter concludes.

As President, you have a duty to protect the students who have chosen to matriculate at USC, your employees, and campus guests. We urge you to make the correct decision and cancel the proposed event.

The NAACPs letter follows an online petition organized by student leaders, which has garnered more than 22,000 signatures.

The values espoused by both speakers, including the Founder of the Proud Boys organization and another individual with a history of making racist, sexist, and homophobic comments, are not in alignment with the values outlined in the Carolinian Creed. Their discriminatory views directly target the diverse minority population of students and alumni at USC, a community that the university takes great pride in, the petition states.

The petition adds that the event exemplifies a larger campus issue in which minority students have raised concerns about the campus environment.

In order to ensure an environment of inclusive excellence, we must prevent USC from being associated with events like [the roast] to ensure marginalized students who experience discrimination outside of campus can feel safe and welcomed at our university, the petition says.

Amiridis said in a statement with Thad Westbrook, chairman of the universitys Board of Trustee, that the university is steadfast in safeguarding the First Amendment rights of our students, even when we may be offended by their choices and statements.

We do not know what the speakers plan to say during the event, but they have used vulgar language in promotional material, and they have said troubling and offensive things in the past. As a university, we denounce hate and bigotry, the pair said.

They added that censoring even the most hateful individuals and groups does not solve the problems we face in our society and instead provides them with a platform to win more publicity and support, because their message was silenced.

Democracy requires active engagement and participation in the face of views we oppose, they concluded. Let your voices be heard through peaceful civil discourse that generates constructive debates even amid the most hateful words or images you can imagine. In these divisive times, we can change the narrative with the skills, grace and intelligence that USC has long cultivated in its students.

Updated: Sept. 4 at 9:06 a.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
NASA Will Attempt to Launch Boeing's Troubled Starliner Away From Space Station as Fast as Possible, Just in Case

Last month, NASA officially announced that Boeing's plagued Starliner is returning without a crew on board.

The decision, which came as a black eye to the embattled aerospace giant, means that stranded NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will return to the surface on board SpaceX's Crew-9 mission in February instead.

Later this week, likely on Friday evening, the space agency will attempt to have the faulty spacecraft undock from the International Space Station autonomously and eventually reenter the atmosphere.

And it sounds like NASA will be playing it as safe as possible. With the helium leaks affecting Starliner's propulsion system, the agency is looking to get the capsule away from the space station as fast as possible to ensure that it doesn't careen out of control  or, in a worst case scenario hypothesized by experts, even crash into the station.

During a teleconference today, NASA officials laid out the plan. The agency has chosen to have Starliner perform a "breakout burn" which, according to NASA's Johnson Space Center lead flight director Anthony Vareha, is a "series of 12 burns, each not very large, about one Newton meter per second each."

"It's a quicker way away from Station, way less stress on the thrusters," added NASA commercial crew program manager Steve Stich.

The original plan involved having the spacecraft perform a "dress rehearsal" for a "fly-around inspection" of the space station. That's something NASA is requiring both Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon to be able to perform before being certified, as part of its Commercial Crew program.

"The reason we chose doing this breakout burn is simply it gets the vehicle away from Station faster and, without the crew on board, able to take manual control if needed," Vareha explained. "There's just a lot less variables we need to account for when we do the breakout burn and allows us to get the vehicle on its trajectory home that much sooner."

During testing at NASAs White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico earlier this summer, engineers discovered that a Teflon seal in a valve known as a "poppet" had expanded as it was being heated by the nearby thrusters. The seal was found to significantly constrain the flow of the oxidizer, greatly cutting into the thrusters' performance.

As a result, NASA is trying to be extremely light on the trigger button during its upcoming attempt to return Starliner.

When asked how confident he was in Starliner's ability to one day return to space, Stich appeared optimistic.

"We know that the thrusters work well when we don't command them in a manner that overheats them and gets the poppet to swell on the oxide," he explained. "We know that the thruster is a viable thruster, it's a good component," but the goal is to "not overheat it."

In other words, the space agency is far from giving up on Starliner, despite an extremely messy and potentially disastrous first crewed test flight.

NASA has openly discussed what it has learned from previous spaceflight disasters. During NASA's announcement that Starliner would come back empty last month, NASAs chief of safety and mission assurance Russ DeLoach went as far as to invoke the agency's fatal Challenger and Columbia shuttle disasters in 1986 and 2003 respectively.

In short, Starliner's return to the ISS still appears to be on the table, no matter how far off such a mission may be at this point. That of course also depends on how successful NASA is in getting Starliner back on the ground.

The agency will be looking to "fill in some of the gaps we had in qualification," Stich said, adding that teams are already looking for ways to get Starliner "fully qualified in the future."

More on Starliner: NASA Engineers Were Disturbed by What Happened When They Tested Starliner's Thrusters
Later this week, Boeing's plagued Starliner is set to attempt its return journey from the International Space Station.

But instead of ferrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams back to the ground, it'll be undocking and reentering without any crew on board  after a software update, that is, because it was originally unable to fly without astronauts inside it.

Even before the ill-fated capsule launched in early June, engineers noticed several helium leaks. During Starliner's docking procedures, the leaks quickly turned into a real problem. The spacecraft missed its first attempt to dock with the space station.

Ever since, Boeing and NASA engineers have been struggling to identify the root cause of the problem.

At first, NASA remained adamant that it was simply a matter of routine procedure to investigate the mishap before imminently returning Wilmore and Williams on board Starliner. The agency repeatedly fought off reports that the two astronauts were "stranded" in space, arguing that engineers just needed a little more time to figure out the issue.

But it didn't take long for NASA to change its tune. While attempting to duplicate the issue at NASAs White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico, engineers eventually found what appeared to be the smoking gun, as SpaceNews' Jeff Foust details in a detailed new breakdown of the timeline.

A Teflon seal in a valve known as a "poppet" expanded as it was being heated by the nearby thrusters, significantly constraining the flow of the oxidizer  a disturbing finding, because it greatly degraded the thrusters' performance.

Worse, without being able to perfectly replicate and analyze the issue in the near vacuum of space, engineers weren't entirely sure how the issue was actually playing out in orbit.

During a late August press conference announcing its decision to send Starliner back empty, NASA commercial crew program manager Steve Stich admitted that "there was just too much uncertainty in the prediction of the thrusters."

"People really want to understand the physics of what's going on relative to the physics of the Teflon, what's causing it to heat up and what's causing it to contract," he admitted. "That's really what the team is off trying to understand. I think the NASA community in general would like to understand a little bit more of the root cause."

While engineers found that the thrusters had returned to a more regular shape after being fired in space, they were worried that similar deformations might take place during prolonged de-orbit firings.

A lot was on the line. Without perfect control over the thrusters, NASA became worried that the spacecraft could careen out of control.

"For me, one of the really important factors is that we just dont know how much we can use the thrusters on the way back home before we encounter a problem," NASA associate administrator for space operations Ken Bowersox said, as quoted by SpaceNews.

"If we had a way to accurately predict what the thrusters would do all the way through the deorbit burn and through the separation sequence, I think we would have taken a different course of action," Stich said during last month's teleconference. "But when we looked at the data and looked at the potential for thruster failures with a crew on board... it was just too much risk."

That's a polite way of saying that NASA had very serious concerns. According to Faust's reporting, the saga evolved into "NASAs biggest human spaceflight safety crisis since the shuttle Columbia accident more than two decades ago."

Earlier this week, NASA announced that Starliner's uncrewed undocking will take place as soon as Friday evening.

Wilmore and Williams will stay behind, presumably watching as their ride to space departs without them.

The two astronauts will have to be patient as their ersatz shuttle, SpaceX's Crew-9 mission, won't arrive until no sooner than September 24. Even then, the pair will have to wait until the Crew Dragon spacecraft returns to Earth in February, extending what was supposed to be an eight-day mission into an eight-month affair.

More on Starliner: Astronauts Hear Strange Sounds Coming From Boeing's Cursed Starliner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man accused of rape and kidnapping is the newest addition to Nashvilles list of Most Wanted fugitives.

This list is updated every Wednesday on the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) Criminal Warrants Divisions Facebook page. According to detectives, those featured on the list are often considered to be some of the most violent offenders in the city.

Crime in Nashville: At least a dozen homicides reported in one month

Of the suspects on this weeks list, more than half are wanted for either homicide or charges related to alleged sex crimes. The rest of Nashvilles Most Wanted suspects are accused of crimes such as aggravated assault, aggravated robbery and evading arrest.

The newest addition to the list was recently indicted on several charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of a minor, officials said. But while the search for these suspects continues, the list has aided police in several arrests.

Just a week after being featured among Nashvilles Most Wanted, authorities said 46-year-old Joseph Brintle surrendered himself. Brintle was wanted for two counts of child abuse and two counts of aggravated assault by strangulation.

Tips from the public have also been vital in several arrests. Last month, detectives were able to track down the suspect in a deadly shooting after spending more than two years looking for him. Tyrone Walker was taken into custody following a short pursuit in the Edgehill area.

Nashvilles Most Wanted: Man arrested for Christmastime assault

In total, at least 131 Most Wanted fugitives have been arrested since the program was launched in October 2022. Below is a list of the suspects who made the police departments Most Wanted list the week of Sept. 4, 2024.

This weeks list only features nine suspects since Joseph Brintle reportedly turned himself in.

1. Adrian L. Cameron

Adrian Cameron (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

At number one, Adrian Cameron, 19, is considered this weeks Top Most Wanted fugitive, according to the MNPD. Its now been three months since Cameron first appeared at the top of the list. However, police began looking for him in mid-April.

Investigators said Cameron is one of three suspects in the death of 32-year-old rapper Chris King, who was shot and killed just before 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 20. King and his friends were reportedly hanging out in an alleyway between Hayes Street and Church Street that night.

PREVIOUS: 1 killed, 1 injured in shooting along Hayes Street

Eventually, three other men began interacting with the group. Kings friends told police it started out cordial, but after some time, the three suspects allegedly tried to rob them. Thats when gunfire ran out, injuring King and his 29-year-old friend.

Both of them were brought to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, but King did not survive. Cameron, who was out on bond for the 2021 murder of 50-year-old Josh Evans at the time, was identified as a suspect in the shooting only days later.

Officials believe Cameron cut his ankle monitor shortly after the shooting. Cameron had just turned 17 years old when police said he turned himself in for Evans murder. Evans was found shot and wrapped in trash bags in the Cumberland River in Sept. 2021.

Unbelievable: Mourning Lebanon family outraged teen murder suspect was out on bond, accused of killing again

Cameron was arrested again for gun charges in Rutherford County less than four months after turning himself in for the 2021 murder. Hes now charged with criminal homicide in connection with Kings death, as well as failure to appear.

However, efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful. Anyone with information on Camerons whereabouts is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

2. Raceme L. Crutcher

Raceme Crutcher (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Police have been looking for Raceme Crutcher, 22, since July 2023, when he was named as one of two suspects in a deadly Fourth of July shooting.

Officials said the shooting happened at the Fallbrook Apartments on Dellway Villa Road. Etabo Malanda, 16, was reportedly standing on the porch of an apartment when two armed individuals came from around the corner and confronted him.

RELATED: Teen killed in shooting at East Nashville apartment complex

Malanda allegedly tried to pull out a pistol that was inside his hoodie, but he was shot. Police said he died shortly after he was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

According to investigators, four guns were recovered from the apartment, including one that was reported stolen. Crutcher and 17-year-old Jaylin Brown were reportedly connected to the crime through witness accounts.

Investigators also obtained surveillance footage and additional information from community members that they said pointed to Crutcher and Brown as suspects in the case. Officials believe the motive may have been an ongoing dispute between the suspects and Malanda.

SEE ALSO: Teen wanted in connection with deadly Fourth of July shooting arrested

Brown was taken into custody on Aug. 31, 2023, after police said they caught him driving a stolen car. However, Crutcher is still on the run. He was added to the Most Wanted list on Nov. 15, 2023. His last location is unknown.

3. Lagarrion L. Blacksmith

Lagarrion Blacksmith (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Lagarrion Blacksmith, 35, has been at the top of Nashvilles Most Wanted list for around nine months as police continue to try to track him down.

He was initially added to the list on Nov. 29, 2023, after investigators said they were able to connect him to a deadly shooting that took place outside a Dickerson Pike bar last year.

Officers found 35-year-old Chancellor Eddins lying on the ground just outside of Trvth Lounge on Feb. 18, 2023. He had been shot and later died at the scene. Another man who had also been hit by the gunfire was able to give officers an account of what happened.

RELATED: Man wanted for homicide, other charges following fatal February shooting on Dickerson Pike

According to police, the injured man told them he and Eddins had gotten into an argument with the suspect inside of the bar. Then, shots were fired as they left the location. At the time, the identity of the alleged shooter was unclear.

Months later, investigators announced Blacksmith had been identified as a suspect. On Nov. 22, 2023, officials said arrest warrants had been issued against Blacksmith for criminal homicide, attempted homicide, and felon in possession of a handgun.

However, efforts to locate him have reportedly been unsuccessful.

4. Ladonte J. Groves

Ladonte Groves (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Ladonte Groves, 24, was added back to the list on April 3 after first being featured among Nashvilles Most Wanted on Aug. 16, 2023. Police said Groves has since been indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges related to alleged sex crimes.

The charges against him include two counts of rape, two counts of sexual battery and one count of domestic assault. Authorities said Groves was last seen in the East Nashville area. However, efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful.

5. Antonio Jiminez-Calderon

Antonio Jiminez-Calderon (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Antonio Jiminez-Calderon, 56, is a new addition to the list this week. Authorities said Jiminez-Calderon was recently indicted by a grand jury on several charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of a minor.

The charges against him include aggravated rape with bodily injury, statutory rape by an authority figure, aggravated kidnapping and sexual battery. Officials said Jiminez-Calderons last location is unknown.

6. Adrian Abernathy

Adrian Abernathy (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Adrian Abernathy, 31, is believed to have been behind the wheel of a stolen car in a deadly October 2022 crash on the Rosa L. Parks Boulevard exit ramp from I-65 North.

Abernathy has outstanding warrants for vehicular homicide, three counts of aggravated assault, felon in possession of a weapon, theft of a motor vehicle, theft of a firearm, reckless endangerment and making a false report.

RELATED: Man wanted after allegedly lying about driving stolen car involved in deadly crash

According to police, Abernathy initially said he was a backseat passenger in the stolen Lincoln Navigator SUV. However, over the course of the investigation, detectives determined the seating positions were reversed, and Abernathy was the one driving the car.

Authorities said he was traveling over 100 mph shortly before the crash, which killed 29-year-old Todd Bryant of Antioch.

Abernathy has been featured on the Most Wanted list several times since early February 2023. He was added back to the list on May 1 after last being featured in November. Officials said he was last seen in Hermitage.

7. Magic E. Johnson

Magic E. Johnson (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Magic Johnson, 36, is wanted on outstanding warrants for two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault by strangulation and felon in possession of a weapon, according to officials.

Court records show Johnson has an extensive criminal history dating back to 2006. He has previously been convicted of charges such as disorderly conduct, misdemeanor evading arrest, aggravated robbery, assault and multiple order of protection violations.

Johnson was added to the list on July 31. However, efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful.

8. Quierra C. Spear

Quierra C. Spear (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Quierra Spear, 27, is wanted on multiple outstanding warrants stemming from an incident in which she fired gunshots from within a vehicle, according to authorities.

The charges against her include two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, reckless endangerment and vandalism. Detectives said Spear, who was added to the Most Wanted list on Aug. 7, was last seen in the West Nashville area.

9. Joshua R. Starkey

Joshua R. Starkey (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Joshua Starkey, 19, is among some of the youngest suspects to ever appear on Nashvilles Most Wanted list. Police said Starkey is wanted for one count of aggravated robbery with a weapon or object. He was added to the list on July 10. His last known location was in Hermitage.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Anyone with information on any of the suspects listed is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
In many ways, lithium miner Albemarle (NYSE: ALB) and copper miner Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) have a lot in common. Both are beneficiaries of the growth of electric vehicles, and both are mining metals that could rise in price due to an imbalance of demand over supply. That said, Freeport McMoRan is a better stock to buy. Here's why.

Albemarle and Freeport-McMoRan

There's no debate over why the market has gotten excited about lithium in recent years. Its use in electric vehicle (EV) batteries is the key marginal demand driver for the metal and, ultimately, Albemarle's earnings. An example of the level of Albemarle's sensitivity to EV demand comes from a quick look at its sharp decline in revenue in 2024.

This is because the price of lithium has come down from above $80 a kilogram at the start of 2023 to around $15 a kilogram at the start of 2024 and to just above $10 a kilogram at the start of writing. The decrease is occurring due to reduced expectations for electric vehicle (EV) production in 2024. For example, S&P Global cut its 2024 EV production forecast by 10% from January to June.

ALB Revenue (TTM) Chart

Freeport-McMoRan is more diversified

In comparison, there's much less risk in end demand for copper and, ultimately, Freeport-McMoRan because its end demand is more diversified. While it's true that EVs are a significant part of the copper demand story (the average EV has three to four times the amount of copper than an internal combustion engine vehicle), there's much more to the long-term copper demand story.

For example, copper is an integral part of the "electrification of everything" megatrend. This encompasses EVs and EV charging networks, renewable energy (notably solar power), smart buildings/infrastructure/grids, industrial automation, and the electrical transmission and distribution infrastructure needed to support these technologies.

In addition, traditional sources of copper demand, such as construction, industrial, consumer products, and electrical infrastructure, must be considered.

As such, copper and Freeport-McMoRan are much less exposed to demand from one industry than lithium and Albemarle are.

Supply is also a factor

It's time to turn to the supply side after discussing the demand side. While both lithium and copper bulls can point to industry research that supports the idea of insufficient supply relative to demand, there are a couple of differences.

There is a lot of lithium in the world, and more than a few governments are actively trying to encourage investment in the industry. Moreover, the geopolitical environment differs greatly from when the last U.S. administration took over. Rising geopolitical tensions might encourage lithium mining to ensure the provision of an essential resource for EV production.

Story continues

For example, the European Union, Rio Tinto, and the Serbian government continue to plan for a major mine in the non-EU country. Meanwhile, Chile is encouraging investment in lithium, and the new regime in Argentina is aggressively trying to ramp up capacity. In addition, Australia, the U.S., and Canada are all expanding production.

Image source: Getty Images.

The point is that supply growth might not be curtailed by low prices as much as many investors think. There's a strategic need to ensure lithium supply in local markets, such as lithium production in China for EV production in China or the U.S. trying to reduce reliance on lithium from China.

Freeport-McMoRan stands well placed in copper

I've discussed Freeport-McMoRan in more detail elsewhere. The miner is in a powerful position regarding copper. Its leaching initiative offers a low-cost way to recover a mine's worth of copper from existing stockpiles. For example, management believes it can reach an annual run rate of 800 million pounds of copper over time, compared to an estimated sales volume of 4.1 billion pounds in 2024.

It also has expansion projects in the pipeline (notably in the U.S.) with which it can ramp up production to meet higher demand and prices. Meanwhile, its low-cost operations in Indonesia continue to bear fruit, with management hoping to extend mining rights beyond 2041.

Image source: Getty Images.

In addition, it's attractively priced and highly profitable based on the current copper price, while Albemarle lost money in the first half of 2024. Investing in Albemarle is fine if you want to go "all-in" on lithium and EV demand, but Freeport-McMoRan has exposure to a wider range of exciting megatrends, including EVs.

Putting all these factors together, Freeport-McMoRan is the more attractive stock.

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Forget Albemarle: Buy This Magnificent Mining Stock Instead was originally published by The Motley Fool
U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Oregon, speaks Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at the passport application facility at the University of Oregon in Eugene. She spearheaded a letter from Oregon's congressional delegation calling on the State Department to hasten passport processing. (U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle's office)

A national Republican group will start running ads attacking first-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle on Eugene TV stations on Wednesday, the latest signal that the GOP faithful view Hoyle as an easy target in their efforts to keep control of the U.S. House.

The National Republican Congressional Committee spent $200,000 to reserve the ads in Eugene, after staying off the airwaves in the 4th Congressional District in 2022, when Hoyle handily defeated Republican Alek Skarlatos. This time around, Republicans are more optimistic about their chances of defeating Hoyle with a new candidate, Air Force veteran Monique DeSpain, and a rash of headlines related to Hoyles relationship with La Mota, a cannabis company under federal investigation.

Corrupt career politician Val Hoyle sold out Oregonians to her donors, attracting the attention of a federal criminal investigation, NRCC Spokesperson Ben Petersen said in a statement. Southwest Oregon voters are sick of Hoyles corruption and cover-ups and ready to deploy veteran Monique DeSpain to restore transparency and accountability in Congress.

The 30-second ad, first shared with the Capital Chronicle, consists solely of clips from local TV news coverage of La Mota. In it, reporters from KDRV and KEZI note that Hoyle received more than $20,000 in campaign donations from La Motas owners and that federal investigators subpoenaed documents relating to a grant La Motas owners received from the Bureau of Labor and Industries during Hoyles tenure as labor commissioner. Hoyle has not been charged or publicly accused of wrongdoing by law enforcement.

Hoyle returned campaign donations La Motas cofounders made to her state political action committee when she decided to run for Congress in 2022. She received $5,800 from cofounders Aaron Mitchell and Rosa Cazares for her 2022 congressional run and refunded that money in 2023, federal campaign finance records show.

For months, she has been under scrutiny for her involvement with the labor bureaus decision to give a nonprofit established by La Motas cofounder a $554,000 grant for an apprenticeship program. In January, federal prosecutors subpoenaed the bureau for records related to that program, which Hoyles critics describe as a federal investigation into Hoyle herself.

Hoyle disputes that characterization, calling it a bald-faced lie in a recent interview with Eugene-based KVAL. In that same interview, she described her relationship with Cazares as the same kind she had with business owners throughout the state.

That interview prompted DeSpain to send a letter to Oregons U.S. Attorney on Tuesday, asking the federal prosecutor to investigate all of Hoyles statements and actions.

Val Hoyle explained in her recent TV interview that the way she communicated with and assisted La Mota was the same as how she dealt with all other employers in Oregon, DeSpain said. I am urging the US DOJ to review Hoyles statements and the BOLI communications theyve subpoenaed for evidence of illicit pay-to-play activity with other employers, similar to Hoyles activity currently being investigated.

The 4th District includes the Democratic strongholds of Eugene and Corvallis, as well as more conservative rural areas in the southern Willamette Valley and along the coast. Nonaffiliated voters make up about 35% of the district; Democrats, 32% and Republicans, 25%.

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Correction: Hoyle received and later refunded a combined $5,800 in campaign contributions from La Motas cofounders for her 2022 congressional campaign. An earlier version of this article omitted the congressional contributions.
The commander of a Navy destroyer who was photographed firing a rifle that had a scope pointing backward was relieved of duty last week, the service has confirmed.

Cameron Yaste, commanding officer of the destroyer USS John S. McCain, was removed Friday due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command the guided-missile destroyer, according to a Navy statement.

Yaste was relieved by Rear Adm. Christopher Alexander, commander of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group.

The San Diego Union-Tribune first reported the firing, which comes as the USS John S. McCain is helping protect the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Gulf of Oman, a deployment that comes amid tense regional disputes in the Middle East.

Yaste took on the role of USS John S. McCains commanding officer less than a year ago in October. The service did not elaborate further as to the nature of his removal.

The Navy holds commanding officers to the highest standards and holds them accountable when those standards are not met, according to the statement, which adds that Yaste has been temporarily reassigned to Naval Surface Group Northwest.

Four months ago, Yaste was seen in a photo firing a rifle with a scope that was mounted backward. The image, posted to social media, brought the Navy plenty of ridicule, including from the Marine Corps. The post was later deleted.

Yaste has been temporarily replaced by Capt. Allison Christy, the deputy commodore of Destroyer Squadron 21. That squadron is part of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, also currently in the Gulf of Oman.

The U.S. military ordered the two carrier strike groups to the Middle East earlier this year to aid Israel should it be attacked by Iran or its proxies amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

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(The Hill)  The commander of a Navy destroyer who was photographed firing a rifle whose scope was pointing backward was relieved of duty last week, the service has confirmed.

Cameron Yaste, commanding officer of the destroyer USS John S. McCain, was removed on Friday due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command the guided-missile destroyer, according to a Navy statement.

This undated photo, provided by Stars and Stripes, shows Cameron Yaste, commanding officer of the destroyer USS John McCain, firing a rifle with a backwards scope. (Stars and Stripes/Stars and Stripes via AP)

Yaste was relieved by Rear Adm. Christopher Alexander, commander of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group.

The San Diego Union-Tribune first reported the firing, which comes as the USS John McCain is helping protect the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Gulf of Oman, a deployment that comes amid tense regional disputes in the Middle East.

Yaste took on the role of John S. McCains commanding officer less than a year ago in October. The service did not elaborate further as to the nature of his removal.

The Navy holds commanding officers to the highest standards and holds them accountable when those standards are not met, according to the statement, which adds that Yaste has been temporarily reassigned to Naval Surface Group Northwest.

Four months ago, Yaste was seen in a photo firing a rifle whose scope was mounted backward. The image, posted to social media, brought the Navy plenty of ridicule, including from the Marine Corps. The post was later deleted.

Yaste has been temporarily replaced by Capt. Allison Christy, the deputy commodore of Destroyer Squadron 21. That squadron is part of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, also currently in the Gulf of Oman.

The U.S. military ordered the two carrier strike groups to the Middle East earlier this year to aid Israel should it be attacked by Iran or its proxies amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NC man charged with driving while impaired after hitting trooper in the face, highway patrol says

(The above video was shared with FOX8 by Patrick Priest)

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP)  A man accused of hitting a trooper in the face after being stopped for speeding has been charged with driving while impaired on Sunday, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Around 4:55 p.m., a trooper stopped a vehicle for speeding on I-73 near mile marker 46 in Montgomery County.

21 charges added for Charlotte bus driver accused of being impaired with children on board

The vehicle was slow to stop before pulling over to the right shoulder of I-73.

The trooper asked the driver, later identified as Clint Andrew Snipes, 24, of Rockingham, to get out of the vehicle. While the trooper tried to detain him, Snipes hit the trooper in the face.

A struggle began, and Snipes was taken into custody after Montgomery County Sheriffs Office deputies arrived at the scene.

The trooper and Snipes were treated for minor injuries at a hospital and later released.

Snipes was later taken to the Montgomery County Jail where he was charged with driving while impaired.

Additional charges will be forthcoming, troopers say.

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NC school test scores move closer to pre-pandemic levels. How far behind are they?

North Carolinas public schools are making incremental gains as they try to return to pre-pandemic achievement levels.

New statewide test scores released at Wednesdays State Board of Education meeting show that 54.2% of students were proficient on state exams during the 2023-24 school year. Thats up from 53.6% the prior year and the post-pandemic low of 45.4% in the 2020-21 school year.

But the passing rate is still well below the 58.8% mark from the 2018-19 school year. State education leaders have repeatedly said it will take time to fully recover from pandemic learning loss.

We are proud of the steady progress reflected in this years state test scores, State Superintendent Catherine Truitt said in a news release Wednesday. This progress highlights the hard work and incredible dedication of educators and students across the state.

The data in the accountability report provides us with a clear picture of whats going well in our schools and what areas need additional support. This years data shows us that were headed in the right direction in most areas, but that we must remain committed to advocating for additional support for our teachers.

Wakefield High School Jakyra Bridges, center, asks teacher Anthony Calabria a question during speech class on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 in Raleigh, N.C.

The test results will likely become part of this falls heated election campaigns.

Republicans have cited the academic struggles in public schools to promote measures such as increasing funding for private school vouchers. Democrats have cited the test scores to argue more money is needed to support public schools.

Is there a diploma integrity problem?

The uptick in state performance included an increase in the high school graduation rate, more schools meeting growth expectations on state exams and fewer schools being labeled as low performing.

The state also saw more schools receiving an A, B or C performance grade and fewer receiving a D or F grade.

The states four-year graduation rate rose to 86.9%, up from 86.4% the prior year. The Class of 2024 consisted of students who had begun their high school career in 2020 receiving mostly virtual instruction due to the pandemic

Wakefield High School student Luke Langheim, center, listens to teacher Anthony Calabria during his speech class on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 in Raleigh, N.C.

There had been concern that the graduation rate would drop this year because one in six freshmen werent promoted to the 10th grade after the 2020-21 school year.

But Truitt said Wednesday its shocking how graduation rates are increasing at the same time students of color have low proficiency rates on state exams. She called it unacceptable how the majority of Black and Hispanic students are attending failing schools and are receiving a substandard education.

What does it say about the students who are graduating? Truitt said at the state board meeting. We have a diploma integrity problem.

Reading results mixed

The results show theres still significant room for improvement.

The passing rate on the states third-grade reading exam rose to 48.6%. It had been at 47.8% the previous year.

Last years third-grade students started kindergarten in 2020 receiving limited amounts of in-person instruction. Some kindergartners received only remote instruction until the latter half of the 2020-21 school year.

State leaders say they expect early literacy skills to increase over time as teachers become more comfortable using their LETRS science of reading training.

LETRS, which stands for Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling, stresses phonics when teaching students how to read. All of the states elementary teachers completed the 160 hours of training this year.

But the state also saw drops in reading in fourth- and seventh-grades. Truitt, who lost in the Republican Primary to Michele Morrow, said state lawmakers should focus next year on providing appropriate training for middle school and high school teachers.

As a state, we have invested an incredible amount of time and effort into teaching our elementary students essential literacy skills using the science of reading, Truitt said. But many of our literacy supports fall off after third grade, and this years data shows us that focusing on elementary students, specifically kindergarten through third grade is not enough.

The state exam passing rate for elementary school students is only 50.1% for reading and 54.6% in math.

Can you compare scores over time?

In addition to still being below 2019 levels, passing rates are much lower than they were 20 years ago.

In 2004, 91% of students in Wake County and 81% of students in North Carolina passed state exams.

At the time, the John Locke Foundation had argued the state exams were too easy. The conservative think tank had pointed to how students could pass some state exams by getting as few as a third of the questions right.

Test scores dropped in 2006 and 2007 when the state revised the exams. They dropped even further in 2013 when the exams were revised to reflect Common Core standards in reading and math.

The state Department of Public Instruction has cautioned against comparing current results with those from many years ago when the exams and the curriculum standards were different.

Caution against overreliance on test scores

Multiple state board members cautioned Wednesday against placing too much focus on the new test results and the school performance grades. The grade is largely based on passing rates on state exams, so high-poverty schools on average have lower grades than affluent schools.

Overreliance on tests and school performance grades can misrepresent school quality and mask both the growth and achievement of our students as well as the challenges and the obstacles they face, said Eric Davis, chair of the state board.

Proposals to overhaul the school performance grading system have died in the General Assembly.

Davis said that the performance grades can destructively misrepresent school performance. He said test scores should be viewed alongside other factors, including school climate and a schools relationship to the community.

Lets keep all this in mind and resist using test results to demean and punish public schools, Davis said.

Find your district or school in our searchable database.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools saw steady improvement in test scores last year and fewer low-performing schools compared to the 2022-23 year, according to new school accountability data.

The states Department of Public Instruction on Wednesday released school performance grades, which are calculated from testing data that includes end-of-grade exam scores and academic growth students made during the previous school year. This year, state education officials released data for the 2023-24 school year, the third post-pandemic academic year.

About 53% of CMS students were proficient on statewide exams this year  just under one percentage point better than last year. Thats slightly behind the state average of 54.2%, which is up .6 percentage point from last year.

A student is considered proficient if they demonstrate sufficient understanding of grade-level knowledge and skills, according to the state. That requires a score of three out of five or higher on end-of-grade exams.

The district-wide student proficiency rate has improved significantly since 2020-21, the first year after the pandemic. However, it remains well below the pre-pandemic rate of 59.8%.

CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill said in a news release district leaders are excited and encouraged by the districts gains.

This progress is the result of diligent and intentional efforts from our school and district leaders, as well as our classroom teachers, school support staff and our entire community  proving that when we work together, we can achieve great results and improved outcomes for our students, Hill said in a news release.

CMS schools with A or B grades

Approximately 32% of CMS schools received A or B grades, which is about the same as in 2022-23, according to N.C Department of Public Instruction data.

Ten CMS schools received A performance grades immediately before and after the pandemic, when data was not collected. They are:

Ardrey Kell High School

Cato Middle College High School

Polo Ridge Elementary School

Harper Middle College High School

Hawk Ridge Elementary School

Jay M. Robinson Middle School

Levine Middle College High School

Providence Spring Elementary School

Providence High School

Charlotte Engineering Early College-UNCC

Find school performance grades for CMS and surrounding school districts in the table below.

CMS schools exceeding growth

For the second year in a row this year, more than one-third of schools in CMS exceeded their growth goals.

Slightly over 83% of CMS schools, or 146, met or exceeded growth this year.

Thats the largest number in CMS history and the second largest percentage, behind only 2015-16, CMS Chief of Strategy and Innovation Beth Thompson said.

NCDPI defines growth as the amount of academic progress that students make over the course of a grade or class. It uses a model with data from end-of-grade and end-of-course assessments, career and technical education state assessments and NC Final Exams.

A number of CMS schools are no longer on the low-performing list, including Albemarle Road Middle, Lawrence Orr Elementary, Tuckaseegee Elementary, Mallard Creek Elementary and Croft Community School.

While 19 schools came off the low-performing list this year, 17 schools were added. Its the first time more CMS schools were removed than added.

The new data show 56 schools  or about 32%  were considered low-performing schools in 2023-24, according to a Charlotte Observer analysis.

You can expect our assistant superintendents to be working very closely with these schools, Thompson told the media Wednesday.

Still, the number of low-performing schools exceeds pre-pandemic numbers, when 42 CMS schools made the low-performing list in the 2018-19 year, records show. A school is considered low-performing if it received a D or an F accountability grade from the state and did not exceed growth.

About 39% of CMS schools received D or F grades, a slight improvement from last years 41%. Not all of those schools are considered low-performing, since some exceeded growth targets this year.

The way North Carolina calculates school accountability grades has come under fire in recent years, with some educators and advocates saying the A through F model stigmatizes students and teachers at low-performing schools, which often have the highest proportion of low-income students and the least resources, without giving them the adequate support to improve. They say this worsens problems like teacher shortages at those schools.

Fewer than 10 out of 50 states used an A through F school accountability model as of May 2023. Out of those states, North Carolina gives the most weight to student test scores and had the highest rate of D and F schools.
NE OKC motel sees second shooting death in less than a month

NE OKC motel sees second shooting death in less than a month

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  One man was found dead Monday night in a northeast Oklahoma City motel after a shooting.

Officers right now do not have anybody in custody, Sgt. Dillon Quirk with the Oklahoma City Police Department said Tuesday morning.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man found shot, killed in NE Oklahoma City hotel room

The Oklahoma City Police Department responded to the Lincoln Inn Hotel & Suites Monday night around 8:30 p.m.

They told us numerous calls came into 911 regarding gunshots being fired, Sgt. Rob Robertson said on scene Monday night.

When they got there, a man was found with a gunshot wound in one of the rooms. They tried CPR, but he was pronounced dead on scene. Right now, investigators dont know who did it or why.

This marks the second shooting at that location in roughly a months time. Back in early August, those same 911 calls came in. At that time 28-year-old Joel Rodriguez was found dead in a hallway on the second floor. Just over a week later, multiple suspects were arrested in that case.

RELATED STORY: Police searching for suspects after fatal shooting at NE OKC hotel

As of right now, police dont have a suspect description for this one as the case moves forward.

If anyone has any information, we just ask that you call our crime stoppers line, Robertson said on scene.

Police do not believe the two incidents that happened there are connected.

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ROOTSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) in Rootstown has earned accreditation in dentistry, making it the only public dental college in Northeast Ohio.

The Bitonte College of Dentistry earned accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

Now the university can offer a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S) program, according to information from the university.

New students will be recruited for fall 2025.

University leaders say that oral health is the number one unmet health need in Ohio and there is a health professional shortage in 77 of Ohios 88 counties.

The Bitonte College of Dentistry was made possible through a $10 million commitment from the Dr. Dominic A. and Helen M. Bitonte Family Foundation in September of 2022.

NEOMED has four colleges:

College of Medicine

College of Pharmacy

College of Graduate Studies

Bitonte College of Dentistry

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in July effectively spiked a draft hostage and ceasefire deal by introducing a raft of new, 11th-hour demands, according to a report by the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth citing a document it obtained.

The report lends credence to charges often leveled at the prime minister  most notably by hostage families  of purposefully prolonging the war and torpedoing deals for his political benefit. Far-right members of Netanyahus coalition have pledged to bring down the government should he end the war.

Several news outlets, including CNN, have reported on the late July demands made by Netanyahu, but this is the first time the Israeli document has been obtained in full.

Among the 11th-hour demands, according to the newspaper, was that Israel retain control of the Egypt-Gaza border area  a condition Netanyahu has since portrayed as non-negotiable, including at a press conference on Wednesday.

Yedioth Ahronoth also reported that at least three of six hostages found dead in Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces over the weekend were due for release as part of the May draft agreement  Carmel Gat, Aden Yerushalmi, and Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

The Israeli Prime Ministers Office in August confirmed to CNN the existence of the document but denied that it added new conditions to the May 27 proposal. The statement came in response to a report by the same Israeli correspondent who wrote the Yedioth Ahronoth report, Ronen Bergman, this time in The New York Times.

A senior Israeli official on Wednesday said the new report was misinformed, misleading and hampers the chance of achieving the release of hostages.

But separately, an Israeli source familiar with the talks said Netanyahus demands were to blame for the deaths of the hostages over the weekend.

Two months ago, when he (Netanyahu) put the obstacles, he said no to the deal, the source told CNN. The hostages died because he insisted.

The Hostages Families Forum said this weekend that the finding of the bodies yesterday is a direct result of Netanyahus thwarting of the deals.

On July 25, a senior US Administration official told CNN that negotiators were closer than weve ever been and that it was up to the Israelis to accept it.

The Netanyahu Outline

Yedioth Ahronoth reported that rather than accepting that proposal, the Israeli negotiators submitted new demands, making changes to the proposals they themselves had originally made.

The new demands were nicknamed the Netanyahu Outline, the newspaper reported.

Hamas at the time said that Netanyahu had returned to the strategy of procrastination, evasion, and avoiding reaching an agreement by setting new conditions and demands.

Bergman, writing in Hebrew, wrote in Tuesdays report that among the new demands was that Israeli forces continue to occupy the Egypt-Gaza border area, known as the Philadelphi Corridor, and maintain a 1.4-kilometer perimeter in Gaza along the Israeli border. The newspaper posted maps reportedly from the late-July Israeli response. The original May 27 proposal, according to Yedioth Ahronoth, offered an eventual full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

The Israeli hostages who were found killed in Gaza over the weekend. Top row, from left: Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi and Carmel Gat. Bottom row, from left: Ori Danino, Almog Sarusi and Alex Lobanov. - Courtesy Goldberg-Polin family/Courtesy Gat family/Hostages and Missing Families Forum

The Israeli source familiar with the talks who spoke to CNN said: The moment he (Netanyahu) insisted to stay in Rafah, to stay in the Philadelphi corridor, it was very clear that it was an obstacle.

At Wednesdays press conference, at which only foreign media were allowed, Netanyahu doubled down on his argument that control of the corridor is central to Israels war aims.

The first war goal was to destroy Hamas military and governing capabilities. The second was to free our hostages, and the third was to ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel. And all three of those goals  all three of them  go through Israels control of the Philadelphi corridor, Netanyahu said in English.

Israels prior lack of control of the corridor had allowed Iran to arm Hamas, the prime minister argued, adding, Its clear Gaza must be demilitarized, and it can only be demilitarized if the Philadelphi corridor remains under firm control and is not a supply line for armaments and for terror equipment.

However, he insisted he was still willing to make a deal, saying, The real obstacle to making a deal is not Israel, and its not me. Its Hamas.

In a Telegram post Wednesday, Hamas condemned Netanyahus refusal to withdraw from the corridor, saying it was an attempt to thwart reaching an agreement.

Frustration mounts

Frustration at what many see as Netanyahus failure to secure a deal has continued to mount in Israel, with demonstrations on Wednesday marking the fourth straight day of protests since the bodies of the six hostages were found.

Large crowds of protesters gathered outside the homes of members of the Knesset (Israels parliament) on Wednesday night to demand a deal be reached, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

Videos released by the forum show demonstrations in various cities, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Protests also took place outside the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Kirya headquarters in Tel Aviv.

In a sign of the growing hostility toward Netanyahu, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum demanded Wednesday that he stop wearing the yellow ribbon pin, which has become a symbol of support for the hostages.

However, it was clearly visible on the Israeli prime ministers lapel during the press conference Wednesday  a meeting where CNNs Jeremy Diamond pressed him to answer the question of a hostages wife who wanted to know if her husband, Israeli-American Keith Siegel, would come back alive or dead.

I spoke to Aviva Siegel tonight she told me that she believes that you are sentencing her husband Keith to die by prioritizing the Philadelphi Corridor over a deal, and she has this question for you: is Keith going to come home alive or dead? Diamond asked.

Netanyahu responded, Ill do everything to make sure that Keith and all the other hostages come back  though he did not reply specifically to the alive or dead part of the question.

Im telling you that if we relieve the pressure, if we get out of the Philadelphi Corridor, were not going to get the hostages back, the Israeli prime minister continued. Certainly, were going to condemn a lot of them to stay there.

He went on to say he could understand the torment of families, adding that many of the families also did not believe Israel would be able to get hostages released during Novembers temporary truce or previous negotiations. I believe that our strategy is the best way to achieve both goals  both releasing, freeing the hostages and ensuring that Gaza never poses a threat to Israel again.

Roadblock to a deal

A diplomatic source familiar with the matter told CNN on Wednesday that there would be no ceasefire deal until Israel and Hamas settle the dispute around the deployment of Israeli troops along the Philadelphi corridor.

Things are very tense. Very much up in the air, the source said.

David Barnea, the director of Israels intelligence agency Mossad, met on Monday with officials from Qatar, which is mediating a deal, but there are no meetings this week and nothing planned, the source said.

CNN understands that during his visit to Doha, Barnea insinuated that while troop withdrawal from the Philadelphi corridor in Phase One of a deal is not up for discussion, it may be possible in Phase Two.

In its report on Tuesday, Yedioth said Israeli negotiators in July insisted as part of their new demands on specific guarantees that Palestinian civilians be allowed to return to northern Gaza would not bring weapons with them.

Netanyahus team, also for the first time, submitted a list of 40 hostages it wanted released as part of a first phase of a potential agreement, the paper reported. It added that the move was controversial because the Israeli negotiators were themselves determining whom they considered to be sick, and thus eligible for release, rather than leaving it vague.

Finally, the newspaper reported that the new Israeli demands said a specific group of long-term Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged for female Israeli soldiers be sent abroad after their release, rather than  as the previous agreement reportedly stated  abroad or into Gaza.

In its August statement to CNN, the Prime Ministers Office said that this proposal did not introduce new terms. To the contrary, it includes essential clarifications to help implement the May 27 proposal.

Additional reporting from CNNs Hamdi Alkhshali.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
SAO PAULO (Reuters) - General Motors said on Wednesday that it would begin producing its first-ever hybrid-flex vehicles that can run on 100% ethanol or gasoline alongside their batteries in Brazil.

Rival automakers Stellantis and Honda have also announced plans this year to launch hybrid-flex vehicles in the South American country, where most cars can run on 100% biofuel made from sugarcane or corn due to the strength of its large ethanol industry.

GM said in a statement that two hybrid-flex models would be made at its factories in Sao Paulo state, though it did not specify which they would be.

The U.S. manufacturer makes other kinds of hybrid vehicles, but has said it is committed to shifting toward fully electric cars over the longer term.

GM did not say when it planned to launch the hybrid-flex vehicles, but a local union at its plant in Sao Jose dos Campos said the first model would hit the market in 2025.

The expected production and sale of hybrid-flex cars in Brazil is part of a 7 billion real ($1.42 billion) investment plan in the country GM disclosed in January.

On Wednesday, the firm said 5.5 billion reais of that amount will be invested in its operations in Sao Paulo state, where it has two car factories.

GM is the third-largest automaker in Brazil by sales, according to data in the year through August from the Fenabrave dealers' association.

Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin told Reuters last year that hybrid-flex vehicles were a great asset for the nation's decarbonization efforts.

GM also has plans to expand the portfolio of electric vehicles it sells in Brazil, South America head Santiago Chamorro said on Wednesday in the statement, as the automaker currently offers just one option exported from Mexico.

GM is also studying the possibility of creating a plug-in hybrid-flex model that could run on gas, ethanol or electricity, it said.

(Reporting by Alberto Alerigi Jr.; Writing by Andre Romani; Editing by Jamie Freed)
PARIS  The Netherlands picked Israeli firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to supply an upgrade for the countrys more than 200 medium-range anti-tank missile launchers that will boost combat range, for an investment of as much as 250 million ($277 million).

The Dutch Army and Marines plan to switch to Rafaels Integrated Command Launch Unit, which can fire the Spike LR2 missile with a range of 5,000 meters (5,468 yards), Dutch State Secretary of Defense Gijs Tuinman said in a letter to parliament on Monday. The system is backwards-compatible with the countrys stock of older Spike missiles, Tuinman said.

The Netherlands medium-range anti-tank (MRAT) systems have been in use with the anti-tank units of the countrys Army combat brigades and Marines amphibious battalions since 2002 and are reaching end-of-life, with outdated targeting and guidance optics limiting the use of longer-range missiles, according to the Defence Ministry.

Replacement of the MRAT capability is urgent, also given the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Europe, Tuinman told parliament. The ability to take out enemy combat vehicles at long range is essential to the safety of our military.

The Dutch Defence Ministry is targeting contract signature in October. The ministry has a contract option through to Oct. 31, and Tuinman called on parliament to take the deadline into account in dealing with the equipment request. Delivery times are increasingly under pressure, which means later ordering would result in a delay and higher prices.

The deal would be for off-the-shelf equipment, with Rafael delivering the first launchers in 2026 and final handover expected in the first half of 2028. The investment is in the range of 50 million to 250 million, the ministry said.

Requirements for the new system include increased targeting range and non-line-of-sight firing capability, according to the ministry. The Rafael launcher is a further developed and modernized version of the system currently in use with the Dutch, and will represent a significant increase in the ability to target enemy tanks and other combat vehicles, Tuinman said.

The Rafael system has potential for further development to expand its combat range, and an expected near-term development is coupling the launcher with drones for target detection and beyond-visual-range engagement, according to the ministry. The Netherlands modernized CV90 fighting vehicles will be equipped to fire the Spike LR2, it said.

Germany has also purchased the Rafael launcher with Spike LR2 missiles, and the Dutch choosing the same system responds to a parliamentary request to consider standardization in equipment buying, the defense secretary said. The new launcher has a very large European user group ranging from Spain to Finland, including neighboring Belgium, Tuinman said.

The Netherlands purchased hundreds of Spike missiles in recent years to bolster stockpiles, while the new system will be able to use older-generation missiles for live firing exercises, preventing those munitions from exceeding their expiration date and having to be destroyed, the ministry said.

Dutch policy toward Israel allows for the acquisition of defense equipment from an Israeli company, in this case Rafael, the defense ministry said in a note accompanying Tuinmans letter. The armed forces procuring the best equipment possible is in the interest of the security of the Netherlands, its allies and its personnel, it said.

Rafael has a German joint venture with Diehl Defence and Rheinmetall called Eurospike that is in charge of marketing the family of Spike missiles in Europe. Meanwhile, Poland said last year it was buying hundreds of Spike missiles through Rafaels local partner Mesko.
Susie Holland offered a ride to a Burner on their way to Burning Man, the annual summer art event in the Black Rock Desert.

The 61-year-old Reno resident and grandmother ended up with potentially thousands of dollars in fines after she was caught in a sting by the Nevada Transportation Authority.

When I pulled in  they just swooped up on me in three undercover Ford Explorers, Holland told the Reno Gazette Journal, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. They were coming at me so fast, so hard and so intensely, I was like, what is happening right now?

How did this all start?

Holland got the idea to offer rides when she picked up a friend and a few other Burners who were stuck last year at Burning Man in the gluey mud.

Holland had a blast listening as they all recounted their Burner experiences on the ride home. She got to experience the burn without actually having to go.

I've never been, probably will never go. It's not my kind of thing, Holland said. But we were talking and (they) suggested I do it the following year, like just give rides.

Several weeks ago, she posted an ad on Craigslist, just to help some Burners out and make an extra buck.

And then she got an inquiry. Someone asked how much. Holland had no idea what the going rate was, so she just said $65 per person. The Burner offered $500, as long as Holland would come back to pick them up. Then, she didnt hear from them again for weeks.

You know how you get that thing in your stomach? Something seemed a little off, Holland said.

So on Saturday, Holland started to do some research. She had Burners heading off the next day, and they confirmed that giving rides was normal. Drivers couldnt go into the Burning Man gates unless they had a permit, but she was reassured it was fine to drop them at the gate.

I thought I was doing due diligence. I even Googled it, Holland said. The NTA never appeared in any of that research.

I didnt know anybody that realized that they even existed.

Holland set a meeting spot at the Grand Sierra Resorts back parking lot at 6:30 a.m. Monday to pick up her Burners.

But the Burners were actually undercover NTA agents.

I couldn't figure out what was happening, Holland said with a shocked laugh. I couldnt wrap my head around it. Im 61 years old, you know. Ive never been in a situation like that.

When the black Fords pulled up on her, she was confused, so she tried to turn her car around but was blocked. When she kept trying to go forward, they laid their car horns on at her and she was overwhelmed.

She stepped out of the car and the three NTA agents -- tall, bald-headed dudes with big badges on their chest -- started to search her car.

More: Woman who died on first day of Burning Man identified

As they searched her car in the middle of the parking lot, one of the agents told her that her Subaru was one of the cleanest cars hed ever seen.

I'm looking at him with my mouth open, and I'm like, You don't say, Holland said.

They told Holland she was facing up to $10,000 per violation. She was under the impression that she was looking at $30,000 in fines for supposed violations of Nevada laws including that a person must obtain a certificate for driving and that it's illegal to advertise services that require a certificate.

Her car was impounded. In order to get it out, she was scheduled for an NTA council hearing.

Holland contacted John Routsis, a Burning Man lawyer, who said hed help her when he got back from the burn. This meant she was alone for the hearing, not able to obtain a lawyer in time.

Holland said Routsis, whos been helping the Burning Man community for 13 years, had never heard of a similar situation.

No one knew that it was illegal to give rides to Burning Man, Holland said.

What does the Nevada Transportation Authority say?

Teri Williams, spokesperson for the NTA, told the RGJ that they could not disclose the number of people who were hit with the sting, how long the sting was on for, or when it started.

Williams said it's illegal for paid transportation drivers to operate without the appropriate licensing or insurance.

As a law enforcement agency, the NTAs mission is to protect the traveling public which requires that the agency regulate certificated and permitted providers as well as take proactive measures to identify and deter unlicensed activity, Williams said via email.

Ultimately, people that engage in commerce of any kind must be knowledgeable about what is required to operate legally . . . the onus falls on the individual to be informed and in compliance, Williams wrote.

How common is it to give rides?

The short answer: Very common.

Theres an entire Facebook group dedicated to ridesharing for Burning Man. Most are inviting people to hop in their cars already on their way to Burning Man, but its not uncommon to find people looking to give rides for money.

Holland said that when she went to pick up her car at City Auto Towing on Tuesday morning, the woman at the counter told her 18 cars had been towed that morning for the sting.

City Auto Towing declined to comment to the RGJ.

I need to be accountable for not knowing. And that's my problem, I accept that, Holland said. But the way that it was handled was phenomenal. They could have just like given you a slap on the hand, let you know that this is not OK. They didnt need to impound your car and charge you thousands of dollars. Its beyond me."

However, by law, the NTA isnt allowed to just give a warning. They are required to cite an individual and impound their car for noncompliance, even on a first offense, according to Williams.

When someone is taken to the NTA, a hearing officer decides what the punishment is based on factors like a first-time offense, or other hardships.

Williams said that the NTA enforcement is aimed at keeping drivers and passengers safe.

The NTA takes its public safety mission seriously, Williams wrote. The potential harm to either the driver or the passenger could be life-altering.

Holland paid $1,000 in cash to the NTA to release her vehicle, since they suspended many fees as it was her first offense. She then paid $500 to the impound lot to get her car out.

According to Holland, while they were searching her car, the NTA agents said she could've been charged with up to $10,000 for three different fines, totaling at $30,000. However the NTA told her that her fees will be reduced, so now shell sit at home waiting for the final bill to come in a few months.

Clearly Im just a grandma giving rides to the burn, Holland said. But they know what they're doing. We just weren't (aware). No one was aware of it.

Jaedyn Young covers local government for the Reno Gazette-Journal. Her wages are 100% funded by donations and grants; if youd like to see more stories like this one, please consider donating here. Send your story ideas and feedback to Jaedyn at jyoung@rgj.com.

This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette Journal: Nevada grandma faces fines for Burning Man rides
Following two wet winters that boosted California's water supplies, Gov. Gavin Newsom has officially lifted a drought emergency declaration in 19 counties. Here, a bridge crosses drought depleted Lake Oroville in June 2022. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Following two wet winters that boosted Californias water supplies, Gov. Gavin Newsom has officially lifted a drought emergency declaration in 19 counties that are home to 70% of the states population.

The decision will roll back certain drought-related state authorities in counties including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Orange and Riverside, among others.

At the same time, Newsom decided to keep the drought state of emergency in effect in 39 counties where state officials say significant effects of the severe 2020-22 drought have persisted, including depleted groundwater supplies and threats to native fish.

These 39 counties include parts of the Central Valley and in the watersheds of the Scott, Shasta and Klamath rivers, among other areas.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a visit to the San Diego Zoo in August. (Derrick Tuskan / Associated Press)

Newsom referred to this week's extreme heat wave as he explained why his administration is retaining certain drought authorities in parts of the state.

As this weeks weather makes clear, California and the West experience extreme weather swings that exacerbate our water challenges and make it more important than ever that we build a climate-resilient water system," Newsom said. "This targeted action is responsive to current conditions while continuing the tools and support for work underway to help future-proof water supplies in the most impacted communities."

State officials said Newsoms order responds to the improved conditions in parts of the state while continuing efforts to support drought recovery. They said where certain drought measures remain in place, they will help the state address continued impacts to local water supplies.

We continue to help local communities recover from drought conditions, said Wade Crowfoot, Californias natural resources secretary. In some cases, the powers that we have under these orders are quite helpful to support local communities recovering.

Read more: The American West's last quarter-century ranks as the driest in 1,200 years, research shows

The measures that will remain in place in 39 counties include suspending environmental requirements for certain groundwater recharge projects, giving the state natural resources secretary the authority to suspend environmental requirements for conservation projects and allowing the Office of Emergency Services to continue providing disaster assistance funding. State agencies will also continue to have the authority to adopt emergency regulations to require minimum flows in the Klamath River and Clear Lake watersheds to protect salmon and other fish.

We know that our water extremes are getting more extreme. Our dry periods are becoming drier. Our wetter periods are becoming wetter," Crowfoot said. "So business as usual is no longer an option. That is in part why were maintaining some of these provisions, to enable us to move more quickly to allow communities to recover from these impacts, but also to prepare for what will be worsening droughts and floods over time.

California suffered through the states driest three-year period on record from 2020 through 2022.

Newsom declared a statewide drought emergency in October 2021 and called for Californians to voluntarily reduce water use 15%.

The drought ended dramatically in early 2023 as one of the wettest winters on record unleashed flooding and blanketed the Sierra Nevada in heavy snow.

In March 2023, following that series of storms, Newsom rolled back some of the most stringent drought measures , including an order that had required urban suppliers to activate conservation plans for a shortage of 20%.

The termination of the drought emergency in 19 counties ended provisions that had enabled emergency conservation measures, suspended restrictions on water diversions during storms for groundwater recharge, and suspended requirements of state contracting laws, among other things.

In addition to lifting the drought measures, the governor rescinded provisions of prior executive orders that were aimed at recovery efforts following the flooding in 2023.

During the last two wet years, the governor's drought executive order effectively became a "drought-flood" executive order, enabling expanded efforts to capture floodwaters and address damage, said Karla Nemeth, director of the state Department of Water Resources. She said it's now the drought provisions that have a "long tail" and are still needed in parts of the state.

"Even if there isn't a hydrologic drought, we still have the supply challenges," Nemeth said.

Read more: Court orders California county to ensure groundwater pumping doesnt harm streams and fish

In the coming decades, climate change is projected to shrink the amount of water California can deliver in an average year. The Newsom administration's long-term water plans call for California to prepare for an estimated 10% decrease in the states water supply by 2040.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor website, about 41% of the state is currently classified as being abnormally dry or in a moderate drought. The unusually dry regions include large portions of Northern California and the southeastern corner of the state.

"We have full reservoirs. That's a really good thing. But we also have dry conditions on the horizon. We've had really high temperatures this summer that are kind of reminiscent of the summer of 2020," at the beginning of the last drought, Nemeth said. "So at the onset of yet another year that may provide a degree of extremes, we know we continue to have these counties that we consider to be kind of drought hot spots still because of supply problems, and we're ready to address those issues as they arise."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Claire Murdoch, head of Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, interrupted her holiday to deal with the controversy - CNWL/PA WIRE

One of Britains largest NHS trusts has issued an apology after telling staff not to attend an anti-Semitism training course.

More than 9,000 employees at the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) were invited to attend an online workshop to better understand the roots and modern manifestations of anti-Semitism.

The 90-minute event, due to be held on Thursday, is sponsored by NHS England and will see Danny Stone, the chief executive of the Antisemitism Policy Trust (APT), discuss, among other things, Holocaust denial, Israel and Zionism.

However, a weekly bulletin sent to all CNWL staff on Monday said: We have become aware of concerns regarding the anti-Semitism training that was recently advertised to staff.

Conducting an investigation

We have determined that this training and its content may be inappropriate. For this reason we advise staff members not to attend this training.

We are currently conducting an investigation into our training approval processes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The note, headlined Important notice regarding previously advertised anti-Semitism training, concluded by saying the trust was committed to providing appropriate and valuable training opportunities for all.

On Wednesday, Claire Murdoch, the trust chief executive, interrupted her summer holiday to personally and swiftly address how the message was sent in error.

In an email to staff, she said she was launching an investigation into exactly why the advice was given in the bulletin.

I want to apologise for the communication which did not go through our usual sign-off processes, she says. I have asked that colleagues look into how such a message was communicated in error and we will get to the bottom of it.

She explains how a small number of concerns [were] raised by some individuals through the BAME network  the black, Asian and minority ethnic community  within the trust about the training.

She added that too would be properly investigated with the findings shared with the APT and NHS England. Ms Murdoch wrote that she had called Mr Stone to apologise for what I can only describe as poor process and error on our part.

She stressed that staff who were planning to attend the NHS England-sponsored training  are still encouraged to do so.

Her email adds that staff are also encouraged to attend NHS England-sponsored training on Islamophobia later in September.

She concluded: The trust will work with our BAME network and colleagues to ensure that our training and awareness offers on anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and all kinds of racial, cultural and religious intolerance is of a high quality across the organisation.

Internal procedural error

An APT spokesman said: We understand that an internal procedural error led to the Central and North West London NHS Trust distributing a message about a session run by the Antisemitism Policy Trust that should not have been sent.

We are pleased that the trust has now endorsed our training and encouraged its members to attend, and we were grateful for the apology we received.

We are proud to have run educational events for organisations large and small across different sectors and to have received consistently positive feedback. We would encourage anyone considering such training to be in contact with us.

As anti-Jewish racism continues to rise, it is vital that people have the tools to identify and challenge it.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Voters cast their ballot for the Idaho primary election on May 21, 2024, at Thunder Ridge High School in Idaho Falls

Voters cast their ballot for the Idaho primary election on May 21, 2024, at Thunder Ridge High School in Idaho Falls. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

Nine presidential candidates, including five independent candidates, have qualified to appear on Idahos 2024 ballot, the Idaho Secretary of States Office announced Wednesday.

Independent candidates Shiva Ayyadurai, Claudia De la Cruz, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Jill Stein and Randall Terry all qualified to appear on the ballot for Idahos Nov. 5 general election, the Idaho Secretary of States Office said.

Kennedy qualified even though he suspended his presidential campaign in August.

The nine candidates who have qualified for the ballot in Idaho include:

Republican Donald J. Trump, vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance.

Democrat Kamala Harris, vice presidential nominee Tim Walz.

Constitution Party Joel Skousen, vice presidential nominee Rik Combs.

Libertarian Chase Oliver, vice presidential nominee Mike ter Maat.

Ayyadurai, vice presidential nominee Crystal Ellis.

De la Cruz, vice presidential nominee Karina Garcia.

Kennedy, vice presidential nominee Nicole Shanahan.

Stein, vice presidential nominee Samson Kpadenou.

Terry, vice presidential nominee Stephen Broden.

The deadline for independent presidential candidates to file for candidacy in Idaho was Sept. 1, officials with the Idaho Secretary of States Office said. Candidates have until Friday to withdraw. As of Wednesday, the state had not received a request to withdraw from Kennedy, said Chelsea Carattini, communications director for the Idaho Secretary of States Office.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Kennedy has filed a lawsuit in an attempt to get his name off the ballot in Wisconsin.

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(Bloomberg) -- Nippon Steel Corp. said it will appoint a board for United States Steel Corp. with a majority of US citizens should its takeover bid be approved, reiterating it will remain an American firm headquartered in Pittsburgh.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Japanese giant, which launched a $14.1 billion bid for the American counterpart in December, will also name three independent directors who are US citizens, while the core senior management will be Americans, it said in a statement outlining its post-acquisition governance policy on Wednesday.

The announcement is an olive branch to US lawmakers who have opposed the deal, and comes after Democratic Party presidential nominee Kamala Harris this week called for the steelmaker to remain American-owned, and American-operated. Both the vice president and Republican nominee Donald Trump have voiced their concerns about the takeover ahead of the November election.

Nippon Steel has said the acquisition will benefit the US steelmaking industry, and has promised it wont move capacity outside the the nation, and wont close plants or conduct layoffs. The Japanese firm last week pledged an additional $1.3 billion of investment at US Steel to bolster its case.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Four suspects were recently arrested after a 44-year-old man was shot and killed in July during a home invasion in Capitan, New Mexico, according to New Mexico State Police (NMSP).

The incident took place at about 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 28, at 104 Aspen Dr., where four individuals drove up to a trailer home.

The four individuals were identified to be Daniel Hernandez, 29, Gabriel Thyberg, 41, Samuel Rey Duran, 30, all of Roswell, and Benisha Shanta, 33, of Capitan.

According to NMSP, Shanta exited the vehicle and knocked on the trailer door for several minutes.

When the resident of the trailer home opened the door, the three men got out of the vehicle wearing masks, bandanas, and t-shirts with RPD printed on the front and POLICE printed on the back.

The three men were armed with rifles and announced themselves as police as they entered the trailer home, according to NMSP.

The men shot and killed Nathan Ogden, 44, stole an unknown amount of money and narcotics, and ran from the scene, according to NMSP.

Ogdens girlfriend was also in the trailer at the time of the shooting but was not harmed, NMSP said.

Benisha Shanta, 33. Photo courtesy to New Mexico State Police.

Shanta was arrested on Monday, Aug. 5, in El Paso by NMSP agents with the help of the U.S. Marshals Service. She is being charged with murder in the first degree, armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

The other three suspects have been arrested on the following dates with their charges:

Samuel Rey Duran, 30. Photo courtesy to New Mexico State Police.

Duran was arrested by NMSP agents with the help of the U.S. Marshals Service on Friday, Aug. 30, in Albuquerque, according to NMSP. He was charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery, attempt to commit a felony, impersonating a peace officer, and felon in possession of a firearm.

Gabriel Thyberg, 41. Photo courtesy to New Mexico State Police.

Thyberg was arrested by NMSP agents with the help of the U.S. Marshals Service on Friday, Aug. 9, in Albuquerque, according to NMSP. He was charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery, attempt to commit a felony, and impersonating a peace officer.

Daniel Hernandez, 29. Photo courtesy to New Mexico State Police.

Hernandez was arrested by NMSP agents on Tuesday, Aug. 6, in Roswell, New Mexico, according to NMSP. He was charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery, attempt to commit a felony, and impersonating a peace officer.

Angela Montoya, 27. Photo courtesy to New Mexico State Police.

Officers also arrested Angela Montoya, 27, who is the girlfriend of Duran and was charged with felon in possession of a firearm.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
According to a viral post that has reemerged online recently, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has gained significant wealth since being elected to Congress in 2018. A broke bartender elected to Congress, assumes office in 2019 with a salary of $155,000 is now worth $29 million and the DOJ is prosecuting Donald Trump, the post reads. Similar claims circulated in 2021 asserting that the congresswomans net worth had risen to more than $1 million in the two years following her election to Congress.

The claim is false: Ocasio-Cortezs financial disclosures show that the congresswomans net worth is significantly lower than $29 million.

Members of Congress are required by law to file financial disclosure reports (FDRs) for each year that they are in office and for the year preceding their election. Ocasio-Cortezs new member filing, submitted in May 2019, reported that the congresswoman held between $3,001 and $45,000 across three personal bank accounts before taking office. The reports also show that she earned approximately $25,463 in income during the prior two years, most of which came from her 2018 congressional campaign.

Despite earning approximately $174,000 in pre-tax income per year as a member of Congress, Ocasio-Cortezs wealth has not grown substantially during her five-and-a-half years in office. Ocasio-Cortezs most recent FDRfiled in August 2024show that, as of December 31, 2023, the congresswoman held between $3,002 and $46,000 in total funds across four bank accounts, as well as between $15,001 and $50,000 in debt from student loans.

Ocasio-Cortez won election to Congress in 2018 after defeating 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary for New Yorks 14th Congressional District. She faced Republican Anthony Pappas in the 2018 general election, whom she defeated with more than 78 percent of the vote in the heavily Democratic district. Ocasio-Cortez famously worked as a bartender at a Manhattan taqueria while running for office, a working-class background that she leveraged as a talking point throughout her progressive campaign.

Ocasio-Cortezs office did not return a request by The Dispatch Fact Check for additional details related to the congresswomans finances.

If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com.

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Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido says there will be no criminal charges in connection with possible double voting by four people in the August primary in St. Clair Shores, where the city clerk told the Free Press on Wednesday that some changes have been put in place ahead of the Nov. 5 general election.

Lucido announced Aug. 29 that his office would not authorize charges, stating in a release that a review of the evidence concluded probable cause did not exist to believe a crime had occurred.

Dawn Fraylick, his office's communications director, said Wednesday the voters wanted to spoil their absentee vote and vote in person, and there was no intent to double vote.

"We evaluate cases based on facts. St. Clair Shores elections officials quickly identified the issue, preserved records for review, and reported it promptly. This demonstrates that election safeguards are effective and maintain overall integrity," Lucido stated in his office's release.

The incident involved an allegation of possible double voting by the four during the primary election, with the people casting two ballots, one by mail and one in person. The city clerk reported the situation shortly after the primary to the Macomb County clerk, and they notified Lucido's office, which asked St. Clair Shores police to investigate.

More: Michigan 16-year-olds can preregister to vote. Here's how.

More: Michigan's 'I voted' stickers are getting a makeover this November: 9 designs revealed

County Clerk Anthony Forlini stated in a prior release that the alleged double voting occurred in precincts 7, 15 and 16. There are 21 precincts in St. Clair Shores.

Lucido's release stated that voting twice is a felony in Michigan, but documented instances of double voting are "exceedingly rare due to the robust safeguards in place. The review confirmed that the appropriate mechanisms functioned as intended to detect the issue."

He stated the situation "highlights an opportunity for law enforcement and elections officials to review and train on this and other issues. Macomb County clerks know the rules and follow them, they are diligent to safeguard our elections and keep the process tight."

St. Clair Shores City Clerk Abby Barrett said Wednesday that some changes have been put in place, including new training, ahead of the November election.

She said eight inspectors who used the laptops in the affected precincts in the primary were let go, but could be brought back in a different capacity in the future.

Barrett said it's unclear who made the errors as multiple inspectors work on the laptop throughout the day. She said some voters did not remember they voted absentee even though they did and were allowed to vote in person.

"They should have never been allowed to vote in person," she said.

Barrett said the state Bureau of Elections still is investigating. In an Aug. 15 release, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson stated she referred the matter to the Michigan Attorney General for further investigation and potential criminal charges.

Barrett said she asked the state to look at updating its software to include some safeguards, such as a pop-up on the laptop the inspector is working on to not allow someone with an absentee ballot to vote again. She said she's hoping the state provides some support and updated training guidance.

Barrett said her office hires more than 200 people to work an election  closer to 300 for the general election  and it's hard for their election inspectors who work one day out of the year "to know everything and not make mistakes."

She said there are more than 51,000 registered voters in the city. She said there were 13,146 votes cast in the primary, about a 20% turnout, and she anticipates more than double that  about a 40% turnout  for the presidential election.

Ultimately, Barrett said, the responsibility is with the voter not to vote in person if they have already dropped off an absentee ballot.

Barrett said with early voting, deadlines to spoil a ballot have changed and someone who voted absentee cannot spoil their ballot on Election Day.

According to the Michigan Voter Information Center on the Department of State website, if a voter already voted absentee and wants to change their vote, a voter can spoil their ballot by submitting a written request to the city or township clerk.

The voter must sign the request and state if they want a new absentee ballot mailed to them or if they will pick it up in person at the clerk's office. The request must be received by 5 p.m. on the second Friday before the election if the absentee ballot has been returned to the clerk, according to the website.

"There is no option during the mandatory early voting period or an Election Day to spoil an absentee ballot that has been received by the clerk," it states.

The website adds that an absentee ballot that has not been returned to the clerk may be spoiled in person at the clerk's office until 4 p.m. the Monday prior to the election.

It also states that if a voter has not returned their ballot, the person can surrender the ballot or sign a statement that the ballot was lost or destroyed and vote in person at an early voting site or on Election Day.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.

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Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: No charges in alleged double voting, changes made ahead of election
Gov. Tim Walz's Personal Story: How Social Security Survivor Benefits Lifted His Family From Financial Ruin

When Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accepted the Democratic vice presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention, he spoke extensively about Social Security survivor benefits, particularly how this program personally affected his family.

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When Walz was 19 years old, his father died of lung cancer, leaving his family with "a mountain of medical debt," as Walz put it. He posted on Instagram that Social Security "gave my family the chance to live with dignity," and that he and Kamala Harris will protect Social Security and programs that stop people from falling through the cracks.

Walz emphasized the importance of ensuring that children and families going through similar circumstances are aware of or claim their survivor benefits.

Social Security Commissioner Martin O'Malley noted that many children don't claim their survivor benefits. In fact, the SSA estimates that if a working parent dies, 98 out of 100 children in the U.S. would be eligible for benefits, yet many people may not be aware of this.

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 death of a parent is already traumatizing and difficult enough to work through emotionally, but it can also have financial, health, and educational impacts on children. According to the SSA, these benefits  which average around $1,103 per month  can help alleviate at least some of the financial stressors on a child and eligible surviving parents.

According to the Social Security Administration, about 3.7 million children receive Social Security benefits.

For a child to receive benefits, they must have a parent who is retired or has a disability that entitles them to Social Security, or they must have a parent who died after working long enough in a job where they paid Social Security taxes. Unmarried children can receive these benefits if they are younger than 18, between ages 18 and 19 and a full-time student in grade 12 or below, or 18 and older with a disability that began before they turned 22.

See Also: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement How do you compare?

Despite the importance of these benefits, there remains a significant gap in awareness and utilization. Data suggests that many children who qualify for survivor benefits do not receive them, potentially leaving them vulnerable to financial hardship.

Story continues

Joyal Mulheron, founder and executive director of Evermore, a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on improving the lives of grieving people, highlights that as many as half of orphaned children in the U.S. eligible for Social Security benefits are not receiving them.

To address this issue, the Social Security Administration has been working to identify these families and develop targeted approaches to reach them. Initiatives include sending information letters to households with potential applicants, launching a new webpage dedicated to survivor benefits, and collaborating with states and communities to raise awareness. For example, Utah has added a checkbox on death reporting forms to indicate if the deceased has a minor child, making it easier to connect eligible families with the benefits they deserve.

Trending: Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved? The percentage may shock you.

Gov. Walz's story powerfully reminds us of the critical role Social Security survivor benefits play in supporting families during their most challenging times. By sharing his experience, Walz hopes to encourage more families to seek out and claim the benefits they are entitled to, ensuring that no child is left without the financial support they need after losing a parent.

For those who may be facing similar circumstances or know someone who is, it's essential to understand the benefits available through Social Security. Consulting a financial advisor can be crucial in navigating these options and ensuring that all eligible benefits are claimed, providing much-needed support to families in their time of need.

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This article Gov. Tim Walz's Personal Story: How Social Security Survivor Benefits Lifted His Family From Financial Ruin originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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No country should give Putin platform to promote war of aggression  US State Department on Putin's visit to Mongolia

The US Department of State, commenting on Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's visit to Mongolia, has urged countries not to provide him with a platform to promote his war of aggression.

Source: Matthew Miller, Spokesperson for the US Department of State, during a briefing on 3 September, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Miller emphasised that the US believes no country should give Putin a platform to promote his aggressive war against Ukraine.

Quote: "We do expect Mongolia to adhere to its commitment and its support for the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty and territorial integrity, and convey that those principles must be upheld around the world."

Meanwhile, Miller expressed an understanding of the situation Mongolia is in, being caught between two much larger neighbours.

"We do very much understand the difficult position that Mongolia is in. Its a much smaller country between two neighbours. We look to continue to support Mongolia, but we do think its important that they uphold their international obligations.

And its important that if they do communicate with Russia that they make clear that they support Ukraines territorial integrity and sovereignty," Miller emphasised.

Background:

Putin's visit to Mongolia on 3 September is his first visit to a state that is party to the Rome Statute of the ICC after the court issued an arrest warrant for him in March 2023.

According to media reports, the Mongolian authorities assured Putin that they would not arrest him. Mongolia explained that they would not do this due to its energy dependence on Russia.

The European Union expressed regret that the Mongolian authorities hosted the Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and did not arrest him, as required by the International Criminal Courts arrest warrant.

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No drownings, rescues at Conimicut Point since new warning system installed

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI)  Its been more than three months since a new warning system was turned on at Conimicut Point Beach.

The warning system, which includes lights, sirens and an audio announcement urging beachgoers to stay out of the water, went live back in June.

Warwick Police Captain Robert Hart said that no one drowned or had to be rescued there over the summer.

The warning system was installed in July 2023 after the families of a man and young girl who drowned at nearly three years ago sued the city for failing to properly warn beachgoers of the dangers of the sandbar.

RELATED: Conimicut Point warning system now up and running

The city installed warning signs at the beach shortly after their deaths, which alert swimmers to the dangers of the rip currents. The warning system, however, is based off of the tides and activates when the water has risen high enough to become dangerous.

The warning system was supposed to take only a couple of weeks to install, but the city needed to address a number of glitches and concerns regarding its effectiveness.

Hart said there have been five reported drownings at Conimicut Point Beach dating back to 2008. The reason the sandbar is so dangerous, he added, is because it looks deceptively safe at low tide.

What people dont realize is that as the tide starts to change, that sandbar quickly disappears, Hart explained. Its very easy to lose your footing.

Ocean, Bay & Beach // A look at the conditions at the coast 

Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi, who lives near Conimicut Point Beach, knows the dangers of that sandbar well.

Ive seen the U.S. Coast Guard helicopters searching for swimmers, Picozzi said.

Thats why Picozzi spearheaded efforts to create the new warning system. Picozzi said it was important to him that the warning system alerted beachgoers in a way that couldnt be ignored.

The warning systems blaring audio message repeats three times in English, Portuguese and Spanish, according to Picozzi. He said the warning system can be reprogrammed at any time to inform beachgoers of sudden and unexpected hazardous conditions.

Warwick IT Director Phil Carlucci created the system using equipment he already had on hand.

We found a small little recorder and we created the audio message, Carlucci explained. We then set the timer up [using] a school bell software package that I found online.

But will the new warning system save lives? Picozzi said only time will tell.

We have the warning system now, but I dont know if we can attribute it to that, he said, referring to the lack of drownings and rescues. Were hoping [the warning system is] helpful.

Kate Wilkinson (kwilkinson@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

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A European green crab captured in Grays Harbor during July 2024. (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Invasive European green crabs have likely found a lasting home in Washingtons coastal waters and parts of Puget Sound.

The question now is whether the state can pinch down hard enough on the aquatic pests to prevent serious harm to native wildlife, shoreline ecosystems, and the commercial shellfish industry. Washingtons Department of Fish and Wildlife, tribes, shellfish growers, and local conservation districts are all taking part in the battle against the unwelcome crustaceans.

This is one of the rare environmental issues that everybody has, basically, the same goal, which is to see fewer green crabs in Washington, said Emily Grason, crab team manager at Washington Sea Grant. Its brought together a lot of groups that dont always work together.

Trapping is the main method in the fight. As of Aug. 4, the Department of Fish and Wildlife said about 905,320 European green crabs have been captured since 2022  more than 258,888 this year.

Were seeing signs of successful green crab population control and progress limiting their spread in Washingtons portion of the Salish Sea, but this invasive species remains prolific in coastal bays, particularly Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor, Chase Gunnell, an agency spokesman, said in an email.

Sustained heavy trapping will continue to be required in those areas to prevent impacts on clam and oyster growers, native shellfish, and estuary habitat, he added.

What to do if you think youve spotted a green crab

Washingtons Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking the public not to kill suspected green crabs and instead report their sightings.

You can find more information here about how to identify the crabs and how to report a possible sighting.

Last year, the Legislature approved about $12 million in the current two-year budget for European green crab management.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is on track to send a six-year green crab response plan to the Legislature and the governor by Oct 1. In it, the department is preparing to recommend continued state funding at $12 million per two-year budget cycle. The agency intends to press for federal funding as well.

Fish and Wildlife said in mid-August the crabs had, for the first time, been detected in the Quillayute River estuary near La Push. Chelsey Buffington, who leads the agencys efforts to deal with the crab, described the discovery as unsurprising given populations to the north in Makah Bay and the south around Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay.

The Quileute Tribe has deployed crab traps around the Quillayute River since 2021 with no green crabs captured.

Now that we know they are here in the Quillayute River system, our management strategy will need to be revisited, said Jennifer Hagen, marine policy advisor and a marine biologist with Quileute Natural Resources. Ultimately our concern is the displacement of native species and species that are of cultural importance to the Quileute Tribe.

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It requires getting a break from nature

European green crabs began spreading on the nations eastern seaboard in the 1800s, arriving by ship. They were first found in the late 1980s on the West Coast and began to surge in Washingtons waters about five years ago.

Grason, with Sea Grant, pointed out that, unlike places in the East where the crabs have been around for a century or more, Washington is catching them at an earlier stage. We have a unique opportunity in terms of our timing with this invasion, she said.

There are also features of the states coastline that offer advantages when combating the crabs.

Still, Grason noted that this past winter was warm, which is favorable for green crabs spread and survival. The folks who are trapping in the coastal estuaries are seeing catch rates at least two to three times what they were this time last year, she said.

A cold winter  even a cold snap  can kill off crab larvae. Something that helps keep the larvae out of Puget Sound and the Salish Sea more broadly, is that rivers in Washington and British Columbia, including the Fraser, push water near the seas surface out the Strait of Juan de Fuca, into the Pacific. Larvae originating on the coast, awash in this top layer of water, are blocked by the westward current. But winter storms can sometimes cause the current to reverse, sweeping the larvae eastward into the Salish Sea.

Doing anything to try to control the population of green crab requires not only a lot of hard work from people, but it requires getting a break from nature, Grason said.

Theres evidence showing its possible to suppress green crab populations at individual sites. But Grason added: It is not the case that we believe that we can fully eradicate them from Washingtons waters. Were trying to figure out what the best solutions are for a realistic outcome, she said.

David Beugli, director of the Willapa-Grays Harbor Oyster Growers Association, said seven shellfish operations that are part of the group are catching green crabs this month and that the number of growers trapping would be slightly higher in the weeks ahead. Shellfish farmers have played a key role in controlling the crabs, capturing thousands of them. Its work that mainly happens this time of year and into the fall. In winter, the water is too rough to check traps frequently.

In his region, Beugli said he was aware of some isolated damage to areas with oysters, as well as clam beds, but so far nothing widespread.

Going after the crabs means added work for businesses that can already struggle to find employees. But the consequences of letting them spread could be severe for the industry, as the invaders prey on and can otherwise harm species that shellfish growers harvest.

A green crab can eat 40 half-inch clams a day and can feed on other crabs their own size or young oysters. By digging for food, they can damage eelgrass, estuaries, and marshes. Dungeness crabs, native fish, and some birds could also be at risk from the invasive crabs.

While edible, green crabs are only about fist-sized, not known for their culinary appeal, and are often tossed into soups and stocks if used for cooking.

Beugli credited the state for its efforts. But he also said some shellfish farmers are frustrated and would like to see more support, perhaps a massive trapping push in Willapa Bay. I just dont know how we could pull that off, he said. Its kind of a specialized skill to get out there and understand the bay and where to trap. And the farmers know it better than everybody.

As for how much of a threat the crabs might ultimately be for the industry, he said there are still many unknowns. Were keeping the numbers down to levels where environmental damages are not occurring, he said. I dont know what the tipping point will be.

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A European green crab captured in Grays Harbor during July 2024. (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife photo)

Invasive European green crabs have likely found a lasting home in Washingtons coastal waters and parts of Puget Sound.

The question now is whether the state can pinch down hard enough on the aquatic pests to prevent serious harm to native wildlife, shoreline ecosystems, and the commercial shellfish industry. Washingtons Department of Fish and Wildlife, tribes, shellfish growers, and local conservation districts are all taking part in the battle against the unwelcome crustaceans.

This is one of the rare environmental issues that everybody has, basically, the same goal, which is to see fewer green crabs in Washington, said Emily Grason, crab team manager at Washington Sea Grant. Its brought together a lot of groups that dont always work together.

Trapping is the main method in the fight. As of Aug. 4, the Department of Fish and Wildlife said about 905,320 European green crabs have been captured since 2022  more than 258,888 this year.

Were seeing signs of successful green crab population control and progress limiting their spread in Washingtons portion of the Salish Sea, but this invasive species remains prolific in coastal bays, particularly Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor, Chase Gunnell, an agency spokesman, said in an email.

Sustained heavy trapping will continue to be required in those areas to prevent impacts on clam and oyster growers, native shellfish, and estuary habitat, he added.

What to do if you think youve spotted a green crab

Washingtons Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking the public not to kill suspected green crabs and instead report their sightings.

You can find more information here about how to identify the crabs and how to report a possible sighting.

Last year, the Legislature approved about $12 million in the current two-year budget for European green crab management.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is on track to send a six-year green crab response plan to the Legislature and the governor by Oct 1. In it, the department is preparing to recommend continued state funding at $12 million per two-year budget cycle. The agency intends to press for federal funding as well.

Fish and Wildlife said in mid-August the crabs had, for the first time, been detected in the Quillayute River estuary near La Push. Chelsey Buffington, who leads the agencys efforts to deal with the crab, described the discovery as unsurprising given populations to the north in Makah Bay and the south around Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay.

The Quileute Tribe has deployed crab traps around the Quillayute River since 2021 with no green crabs captured.

Now that we know they are here in the Quillayute River system, our management strategy will need to be revisited, said Jennifer Hagen, marine policy advisor and a marine biologist with Quileute Natural Resources. Ultimately our concern is the displacement of native species and species that are of cultural importance to the Quileute Tribe.

It requires getting a break from nature

European green crabs began spreading on the nations eastern seaboard in the 1800s, arriving by ship. They were first found in the late 1980s on the West Coast and began to surge in Washingtons waters about five years ago.

Grason, with Sea Grant, pointed out that, unlike places in the East where the crabs have been around for a century or more, Washington is catching them at an earlier stage. We have a unique opportunity in terms of our timing with this invasion, she said.

There are also features of the states coastline that offer advantages when combating the crabs.

Still, Grason noted that this past winter was warm, which is favorable for green crabs spread and survival. The folks who are trapping in the coastal estuaries are seeing catch rates at least two to three times what they were this time last year, she said.

A cold winter  even a cold snap  can kill off crab larvae. Something that helps keep the larvae out of Puget Sound and the Salish Sea more broadly, is that rivers in Washington and British Columbia, including the Fraser, push water near the seas surface out the Strait of Juan de Fuca, into the Pacific. Larvae originating on the coast, awash in this top layer of water, are blocked by the westward current. But winter storms can sometimes cause the current to reverse, sweeping the larvae eastward into the Salish Sea.

Doing anything to try to control the population of green crab requires not only a lot of hard work from people, but it requires getting a break from nature, Grason said.

Theres evidence showing its possible to suppress green crab populations at individual sites. But Grason added: It is not the case that we believe that we can fully eradicate them from Washingtons waters. Were trying to figure out what the best solutions are for a realistic outcome, she said.

David Beugli, director of the Willapa-Grays Harbor Oyster Growers Association, said seven shellfish operations that are part of the group are catching green crabs this month and that the number of growers trapping would be slightly higher in the weeks ahead. Shellfish farmers have played a key role in controlling the crabs, capturing thousands of them. Its work that mainly happens this time of year and into the fall. In winter, the water is too rough to check traps frequently.

A European green crab trap in a Grays Harbor estuary in July 2024. (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife photo)

In his region, Beugli said he was aware of some isolated damage to areas with oysters, as well as clam beds, but so far nothing widespread.

Going after the crabs means added work for businesses that can already struggle to find employees. But the consequences of letting them spread could be severe for the industry, as the invaders prey on and can otherwise harm species that shellfish growers harvest.

A green crab can eat 40 half-inch clams a day and can feed on other crabs their own size or young oysters. By digging for food, they can damage eelgrass, estuaries, and marshes. Dungeness crabs, native fish, and some birds could also be at risk from the invasive crabs.

While edible, green crabs are only about fist-sized, not known for their culinary appeal, and are often tossed into soups and stocks if used for cooking.

Beugli credited the state for its efforts. But he also said some shellfish farmers are frustrated and would like to see more support, perhaps a massive trapping push in Willapa Bay. I just dont know how we could pull that off, he said. Its kind of a specialized skill to get out there and understand the bay and where to trap. And the farmers know it better than everybody.

As for how much of a threat the crabs might ultimately be for the industry, he said there are still many unknowns. Were keeping the numbers down to levels where environmental damages are not occurring, he said. I dont know what the tipping point will be.

Washington State Standard originally published this article. Like the Alaska Beacon, Washington State Standard is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Washington State Standard maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Bill Lucia for questions: info@washingtonstatestandard.com. Follow Washington State Standard on Facebook and X.

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Some local election officials have refused to certify election results in the past few years. Georgia has new administrative rules that invite election officials to investigate results before certifying. And worries abound that election officials might subvert the results of the 2024 presidential election by refusing to certify the results.

While states may have different names or processes, certifying an election typically looks something like this: On election night, the local precincts close, and local election workers tabulate the vote; they affirm or attest that the precinct results are the proper tabulation and send those results to the county.

In a matter of days, the county election board assembles the results across all the countys precincts, tabulates them and certifies the countys result. Those results are sent to the state election board, which adds up the results from all the counties and certifies the states winners. The governor then signs certificates of elections for the winning candidates.

There isnt one weird trick to steal a presidential election. And there are ample safeguards to ensure ballots are tabulated accurately and election results are certified in a timely manner.

Its just arithmetic

Certifying an election is a rather mundane task. In law, it is often called a ministerial obligation, which means it does not involve individual discretion. It is little more than making sure all precincts have reported and the arithmetic is correct. But it is an important task, because it is the formal process that determines who won the most votes.

Election officials typically carry out this obligation with little fanfare. But in recent years, some election officials have questioned the election results. Some officials have wondered whether the voting machines that tabulate votes were functioning correctly, or they wanted to investigate other aspects of the election. At the certification stage, however, election officials do not have that power.

A photo of New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver and a headline on June 15, 2022, that says the state Supreme Court was asked to intervene when a county board refused to certify primary election results. NBC News

If there are major questions about the election, the power to investigate them lies elsewhere. Other election officials verify absentee ballot signatures or calibrate ballot tabulation machines well before the election, a task typically open to public viewing.

A losing candidate might file an election contest in court to challenge the results of the election, and a court can take evidence and hear the legal dispute. Certification, in contrast, is a simple and ministerial task.

Courts can step in

If an election official or board refuses to certify an election, that refusal does not last long. After some refusals in recent years, election officials learned of the legal consequences for failing to perform their obligations, including being removed from office and facing criminal prosecution. Most officials quickly relented and ended up certifying. And none of the delays in certification ever lasted long enough to miss deadlines set by state law for certification.

If election officials still refuse to do their job, they can be sued in court. The secretary of state might sue to ensure officials complete the tasks required for election administration. Or a winning candidate might sue to ensure that he or she receives a certification of election.

In 2022, for instance, after an election board refused to certify the results in Otero County, New Mexico, the secretary of state filed a lawsuit in the New Mexico Supreme Court. In just one day, the court ordered the board to certify the election. The board did.

But these elections were not presidential elections, and the stakes are high as 2024s election approaches. What if election officials refuse to certify results  and, worse still, defy courts that order them to certify results?

The law is prepared for that, too.

If a party refuses to comply with a court order, the court can order someone else to perform it, and it is given the same legal effect. A court can quickly and easily ensure election results are certified in a timely fashion.

For those worrying about the 2024 presidential election, there are even more safeguards. Congress enacted the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022. The act clarifies the rules surrounding the certifying of results in presidential elections and the counting of electoral votes in Congress.

For instance, the act requires state officials to finish the certification of election results by the second Wednesday of December, which is Dec. 11 this year. Courts can ensure that election officials who may be dragging their feet will comply with this federally mandated deadline.

Read more: Congress passes legislation that will close off presidential election mischief and help avoid another Jan. 6

And if officials miss that deadline, the act anticipates that a court may be asked to step in. The act instructs Congress to give full effect to any certification of election results issued by a court, even if its after the Dec. 11 deadline.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, prepares for a Senate Rules Committee meeting on Sept. 27, 2022, to consider legislation to reform the Electoral Count Act. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Good faith and respect

In short, the legal system is built to handle election officials who delay certification or refuse to certify results. No single election official or group of them can stymie an election.

Of course, the refusal to certify an election can still have consequences. It can sow confusion and discord among the public. It can undermine peoples faith in elections and call into question the results when there are no reasonable grounds to dispute the outcome.

Those political and practical concerns are serious, and it is important for the public and election officials to act in good faith and to respect the legal process as it plays out.

But such rhetoric will not prevent the election of a winning candidate.

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: Derek T. Muller, University of Notre Dame

Read more:



Derek T. Muller 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.
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  The Muscogee County School District has confirmed a bomb threat was made to a local high school earlier on Wednesday.

At 1:56 p.m., a bomb threat was received by a staff member at Jordan Vocational High School in Midtown off Howard Avenue. Students were immediately evacuated from the facility out of an abundance of caution, school district spokesperson Kimberly Wright told WRBL.

Muscogee Co. School District Police, Columbus Police, and Columbus Fire & EMS all responded to the scene. Bomb-sniffing dogs entered the building.

Students returned to the building at 2:20 p.m. The case is under investigation.

It was the second known public bomb threat of the day in Columbus. Earlier in the day, the government center downtown was evacuated after a phone bomb threat.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
From April 2025, wealthy foreigners will only be able to claim tax breaks for four years - Aaron Chown/PA

The non-dom crackdown could end up costing the Government 1bn, Labour has been warned.

The Governments plans to raise billions by overhauling the controversial regime could backfire, according to research by Oxford Economics, as wealthy foreigners flee the country to escape higher taxes.

Currently, non-doms can avoid paying tax on overseas income and gains for up to 15 years.

But from April 2025, this system will be scrapped and replaced by a less generous residence-based regime that only allows wealthy foreigners to claim the tax break for four years.

The Office for Budget Responsibility initially forecast that scrapping the tax break could raise around 3bn a year.

However, the watchdog admitted that this estimate was highly uncertain because it was difficult to predict how non-doms would react to the proposals.

Now, Oxford Economics has forecast based on results from a survey that the non-dom population could fall by 32pc as a result of the reforms.

Meanwhile, tax revenue could drop by 0.9bn in 2029-30 due to fewer wealthy foreigners living in the country.

Experts said the Government had rushed forward with the non-dom proposals despite limited research on their potential impact.

Chris Etherington, of accountancy firm RSM, said: Rather than fixing the foundations, the Chancellor could find her financial forecasts are built on sand if we see large numbers of non-doms leaving the UK.

The proposals to change the rules for non-doms have arguably been driven more by politics than economics, as there has only been limited research undertaken on the impact in the past.

The Government is naturally keen to deliver on its manifesto commitments but they have rushed forward with no real understanding of how non-doms will respond.

Oxford Economics based its analysis on surveys of 73 non-doms and 42 tax advisers representing 952 non-dom clients.

It found that 63pc of the non-doms surveyed were planning on leaving the UK within two years or actively considering leaving shortly.

Those surveyed had a total 8.4bn invested in the UK economy, working out at an average of 118m per person.

More than half (57pc) of advisers said that inheritance tax reforms were a key concern for non-dom clients considering leaving the country, while 83pc of non-doms said it was a major reason why they were likely to emigrate.

According to the survey, 96pc would reduce their investment in the UK if they emigrated.

An Oxford Economics spokesman said the research highlighted the risk that a large migration response could reduce the size of a cohort that bring demonstrable value to the UK economy and the associated tax base.

Official data also shows that non-doms paid 8.9bn in taxes in 2022-23.

The plans to bring non-doms worldwide assets into the inheritance tax net are particularly controversial, the research showed.

More than half (57pc) of advisers said that inheritance tax reforms were the main reason their non-dom clients were leaving the country, while 83pc of non-doms said it was a key driver behind their decision to emigrate.

Under the Governments plans, wealthy foreigners will be liable to pay death duties on their worldwide assets after 10 years.

Labour has also scrapped an exemption that allowed non-doms to avoid paying the 40pc charge on foreign assets held in a trust.

Stealing a key Labour policy, Jeremy Hunt axed the non-dom status in the March 2024 budget, with Rachel Reeves later strengthening the reforms by closing this inheritance tax loophole.

Oxford Economics found that in one scenario, assuming a smaller population response, the reforms could raise 1.1bn by 2029 and lead to a 7pc fall in the number of non-doms in the country. This is still significantly less than the 3bn a year estimated by the OBR.

In another scenario, based on the survey results, revenue fell by 0.9bn and the population by 32.1pc.

Sir Keir Starmer last week hinted at tax rises when he warned a painful Budget was needed to fix a 22bn black hole in the public finances.

Nimesh Shah, of accountancy firm Blick Rothenberg, said: Given the recent dark picture painted by the Prime Minister and Chancellor, it has set even more hares running that taxes are about to exponentially increase, which is also leading UK entrepreneurs to consider their future in the UK.

An HM Treasury spokesman said: We are committed to addressing unfairness in the tax system. Thats why we are removing the outdated non-dom tax regime and replacing it with a new, internationally competitive, residence-based regime focused on attracting the best talent and investment to the UK.

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NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD)  A Normal man, arrested in 2021, on more than 50 counts of possessing child porn, was sentenced this week to more than 200 years in prison.

Stephen M. Schultz, 61, was sentenced in McLean County Circuit Court to 210 years on 38 counts of possessing the illicit images.

Man hit with 55 child porn charges

According to the Normal Police Department and online court records, Schultz pleaded guilty to 38 counts in June. At that 17 other counts were dismissed.

It appears from the sentence and from the number of charges that the sentences were to be served consecutively.

In April 2021, Normal police began to investigate images on the internet that depicted child pornography. The detective, who was assigned to the Illinois Attorney Generals Office Internet Crimes Against Children, were able to identify Schultz as the man who had uploaded them.

According to Brad Park, the images involved individual children and were found on electronic devices such as phones. Officers learned of Schultz and the images through a tip, he said.

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UPDATE (8:24 p.m.)  The Town of Normal approved a local grocery tax on Tuesday.

During Tuesdays council meeting, the tax passed four to three, with council members Scott Preston, Kathleen Lorenz and Andy Byars voting against it.

According to information presented during the council, the average American pays about $5,703 in the U.S. so the tax would charge the average person about $57.03 a year.

Council member Chemberly Harris voted for the tax and said we would have paid down the road if we did not approve the tax today.

This is not the short-term play, Harris said. It looks cute on paper to say that we just saved you money, but in two, three, four, five years when we have to go back and find a new way to charge that back to you, then we will really be the bad guys.

Council member Kathleen Lorenz said she was voting against it due to the growing expenses residents have to pay at the store.

Lets focus on smart efficient budgeting before we just take the easy route and add more money, Lorenz said. Taking from the pockets of a growing number of households that can least afford it.

NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD)  The state will eliminate the grocery tax starting on Jan 1. 2026, but some municipalities are taking matters into their own hands.

Normal town council will vote Tuesday night on implementing a grocery tax. The council said this will maintain the status quo on grocery taxes.

Illinois grocery tax to end in 2026

The town currently receives roughly 2.3 Million dollars from the tax to fund capital projects, delivery of high-quality services and attainment of strategic goals and priorities.

Washington Mayor, Gary Manier said Washington will lose roughly half a million dollars without the tax.

If we implement this tax, its a replacement tax. Its not a brand-new tax. Its just a matter of not doing away with the grocery tax that the governor suggested and actually put in a budget that the legislators signed into law. So well see what happens, said Manier.

Normal Town Council will vote on the grocery tax on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

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In a break with President Joe Biden, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris called Wednesday for a smaller capital gains tax increase on the rich than hes proposed.

Harris would hike the top total rate on people making more than $1 million to 33 percent, including a special 5 percent surcharge, well below the nearly 45 percent levy Biden has pitched.

We will tax capital gains at a rate that rewards investments in Americas innovators, founders and small businesses, she said at a campaign stop in New Hampshire.

When the government encourages investment, it leads to broad-based economic growth and it creates jobs, which makes our economy stronger.

Harris had previously endorsed Bidens slate of tax increases, including his plan to nearly double the top long-term capital gains rate on the highest earners to 44.6 percent from 23.8 percent.

Its one of nearly $2 trillion in tax increases Biden has proposed on the wealthy.

Her shift toward what her campaign considers a more moderate capital gains increase comes ahead of her first debate with former President Donald Trump, and as Republicans try to paint her as a creature of the extreme left.

It's also part of an effort to woo business owners, with Harris separately calling for start-up firms to be allowed to deduct more of their costs. She also proposed creating a type of standard deduction for businesses.

And it prefaces a major debate next year in Washington over the future of the tax code, when big chunks of Republicans 2017 tax cuts will expire, and taxing the rich will be a key issue.

Harris rethink of Bidens plan may disappoint some progressives who have been anxious to more steeply hike taxes on capital gains, a key source of income for people at the very top of the income ladder. Capital gains frequently comprise more than half the income of those reporting making more than $10 million.

At the same time, though, Bidens capital gains proposal likely goes well beyond what many congressional Democrats would be willing to support.

It's also possible that Harris plan may still be too much for some Democrats. In 2021, when Democrats controlled Congress and the White House, they considered increasing the capital gains tax rate to 28.3 percent before dropping the idea.

Biden has proposed requiring people making more than $1 million to pay taxes on capital gains  which include things like appreciation in the value of stocks  at ordinary income tax rates, instead of a special preferential rate. He has also proposed raising the top marginal income tax rate to 39.6 percent from 37 percent and increasing an investment surcharge on high earners to 5 percent from 3.8 percent.

Story continues

Harris would hike the top base rate on capital gains to 28 percent, while keeping Bidens increased investment add-on tax.

She backs Bidens other proposals to increase levies on high earners and large companies.

Billionaires and big corporations must pay their fair share, Harris said Wednesday.
Kim Jong-un's regime punishes minor mistakes with dismissals and even execution, according to a defector - STR/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

North Koreas elites are becoming disillusioned with Kim Jong-uns erratic behaviour, according to a high-level defector who has called for a greater push to destabilise the authoritarian regime.

Ri Il-gyu, 52, served as a political counsellor at the North Korean embassy in Cuba until he escaped last November, becoming the highest ranking defector since 2016. He is now a well-known media figure in South Korea.

The reclusive countrys upper, or cadre, class had experienced a significant shift in how they perceived the Kim family dynasty, he told the Global Korea Forum in the Souths capital, Seoul, this week.

Theyve become disillusioned with the regime due to Kim Jong-uns impulsive behaviour, Mr Ri said, explaining that the punishment of minor mistakes with dismissals and even execution had created an atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty.

The North Korean leader was seen inspecting the performance of new drones - KCNA/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK

Kim reportedly ordered the execution of 20 to 30 regional government officials over their alleged failure to minimise the devastation caused by extensive flooding in July that killed thousands.

The officials were charged with corruption and dereliction of duty, South Korean outlet TV Chosun reported, citing an unnamed North Korean official.

Kim had vowed in late July to strictly punish the officials for the severe neglect of their duties.

Mr Ri pointed out that citizens were hesitant to rise up against Kims reign of terror because of the draconian surveillance system and the brutal repression of any dissent.

Kims war on corruption had fostered a culture of bribery among North Korean officials, who saw it as a survival tactic, he added.

Mr Ri pointed out that citizens were hesitant to rise up against Kims reign of terror because of the draconian surveillance system and the brutal repression of any dissent.

He urged the South Korean government to step up efforts to stoke the Norths collapse from within through targeted information campaigns inside the country and a strategy to win over diplomats stationed abroad to build a force for change.

Seoul had to underscore the message that everyone living under the regime was a slave to the Kim family, he said.

Vladimir Putin drove Kim Jong-un around the North Korean capital in a luxury limousine in June - KCNA/KNS

Mr Ri has previously recounted  in his first interview with the South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo  that his own defection was spurred by disillusionment and frustration that his career had been derailed by his inability to pay large bribes to his superiors.

He made the decision to defect in 2023 after he was denied permission for treatment for a spinal injury, but he only gave his wife and child six hours notice that they would be escaping abroad.

The one-hour wait at the airport felt like years, he said, adding: For the first time, I prayed earnestly for God to protect my family, understanding why people believe in religion.

Mr Ri also revealed in the same interview that he had had tea with Kim Jong-un.

In person, Kim Jong-un is just an ordinary human, he said. Up close, you cant help but think his blood pressure must be extremely high; his face is always red, like hes been drinking, even redder than on screen.

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While studying how light affects baitfish in Berkley Canyon off the Pacific coast of British Columbia, Canada, an international team of scientists was in for a big surprise. Several young male northern elephant seals were caught on camera and detected by hydrophones. They appeared to be using the underwater observatory as a place to forage for fish.



An elephant seal forages for fish near an underwater observatory called in Berkley Canyon off the coast of British Columbia. This subsea lab named NEPTUNE is over 2,000 feet deep and a team of scientists observed the seals feeding behaviors, prey preferences, and resting habits all by chance. CREDIT: Ocean Networks Canada

The chance encounter gave scientists a glimpse into this marine mammals deep-sea behaviors, sophisticated feeding strategies, preferred prey, and resting habits. The findings are detailed in a study published September 4 in the journal PLOS ONE.

A slippery seal

Scientists at one time believed that northern elephant seals were extinct due to commercial sealing during the 1800s. They are now considered a species of Least Concern due a large and growing population and growing range.

The northern elephant seal, named for its long, elephant-like nose (called a proboscis), is the largest of the true seals (phocids) in the Northern Hemisphere, Heloise Frouin-Mouy, a study co-author and marine biologist and bioacoustician at the University of Miami and a visiting professor at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, tells Popular Science. Renowned for their remarkable diving abilities, northern elephant seals can dive to depths of up to 1,735 meters [5,692 feet] and remain submerged for nearly two hours.

[Related: Seals snooze during 20-minute sleeping dives to avoid predators.]

Every year, northern elephant seals migrate from their molting and breeding sites in California and Mexico, to their feeding grounds in the North Pacific Ocean. Their long-distance migrations and deep-diving behavior has primarily been tracked with adult female northern elephant seals because they have higher survival rates, return to the same sites more often, and are easier to handle when placing satellite trackers.

There is less data available on male northern elephant seals, with even less known about sub-adult males. These are males who have passed through their juvenile stage, but are not yet fully developed into an adult.

Ringing the dinner bell

Between 2022 and 2023, at least eight male elephant seals, ages four to seven, were seen on camera and detected by hydrophones at Ocean Network Canadas subsea cabled observatory NEPTUNE. It is over 2,000 feet deep and equipped with a high-definition camera, acoustic imaging sonar, hydrophone, pair of LED lights, and automatic bait release.

Sonar videos revealed that the seals were taking short naps when visiting the site, while camera footage provided insights into their prey selection, showing that sablefish is their preferred meal, says Frouin-Mouy. Interestingly, several seals were recorded on both camera and hydrophone, bobbing their heads and producing low-frequency sounds while chasing prey.

Four individuals made repeated visits to the site over 10 days, with one staying 30 days, which Frouin-Mouy says was quite unexpected. The repeated presence suggested that the mammals were not only attracted to the site, but could precisely locate a small area in the open ocean, that is shrouded in complete darkness, and do this multiple times.

[Related: Hungry seals may have begun following their whiskers 23 million years ago.]

It is suspected that the seals have learned to associate the noise produced by the sonar with the presence of fooda phenomenon known as the dinner bell effect, says Frouin-Mouy.

Whenever it was possible, the team identified individual elephant seals based on their visible body marks or scars, and the distinctive eyeliner markings that are located near their eyes while theyre at sea. In total, they identified eight sub-adult male elephant seals.

[The seals] were named after members of the Beach Boys to track the frequency of their visits and their observed behaviors, says Frouin-Mouy.

Mikenamed for Beach Boys vocalist and songwriter Mike Lovevisited the site over the longest period and was spotted 20 times on nine different days from September 30, 2022 to October 29, 2022.

The data collected at this deep sea observatory is currently open to anyone and a resource for citizen science and classrooms. Frouin-Mouy is working on the possible presence of harbor seals at another underwater site monitored by Ocean Network Canada. Study co-author Rodney Rountree is currently also analyzing the interactions between snailfish and crabs at this site, which was one of the original aims of this study. Additionally, the results from a fish acoustics experiment study will also be published in the near future.

My work as a marine biologist and bioacoustician focuses on studying and understanding the behavior and ecology of elusive marine mammals using both passive and active acoustic techniques, says Frouin-Mouy. By leveraging advanced technology and scientific methods, I can gain insights into species that are often hidden from view, contributing to our understanding of ocean health and the complex relationships within marine ecosystems.
Notorious Pillowcase Rapist is about to be released from prison

Christopher Hubbart, dubbed the Pillowcase Rapist, is set to be released from prison once again and will be making his home somewhere in Los Angeles County, the countys District Attorneys office announced Wednesday.

In March 2023, against the objections of the LADA to his conditional release, Santa Clara County Superior Court ultimately granted the conditional release resulting in Hubbart coming back to Los Angeles, the DAs office said in a news release.

The decision also transfers the responsibility of housing Hubbart from Santa Clara County Superior Court to Los Angeles County Superior Court, which will make the final decision regarding his placement.

Hubbart was convicted in 1973, 1982 and 1990 in Los Angeles and Santa Clara counties for a series of rapes and other sex crimes targeting dozens of women.

Secret Los Angeles life of man dubbed the Boston Strip Mall Rapist

The DAs office said that DSH and Liberty Healthcare, a health and human services management company, have been charged with finding appropriate housing.

Continuing to release sexually violent predators into underserved communities like the Antelope Valley is both irresponsible and unjust, said District Attorney George Gascon.

In 2014, Hubbart was released from a mental hospital and placed in a home just east of Palmdale amid opposition and protests from local residents.

Coalinga State Hospital police officers took Hubbart back into custody two years later after he violated the terms of his conditional release, including failing five lie detector tests, the DAs office stated at the time.

Repeatedly placing these individuals in the same community shows a blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of our residents, Gascon said Wednesday. Our deputy district attorneys will persist in opposing Mr. Hubbarts placement in the Antelope Valley. We must demand more from our judicial system, ensuring decisions serve the best interests of our communities while exploring alternative locations for these placements.

A hearing to determine where Hubbart will be placed is scheduled for October 1 at the Hollywood Courthouse.

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SUMMERFIELD, N.C. (WGHP)  A charter school employee who was charged with peeping and indecent liberties made a court appearance on Tuesday.

According to a release from Guilford County Sheriffs Office, Michael David Evans, 40, of Summerfield, was arrested on Saturday and charged with eight counts of indecent liberties with a student and eight counts of secret peeping into a room occupied by a female.

He had a court appearance on Tuesday, where the judge explained that the secret peeping is a Class H felony, which could carry a maximum of three years for each count, and the indecent liberties is a Class G felony, which could carry a maximum sentence of four years per count. He was appointed a public defender.

Detective Allen with the sheriffs department spoke at the hearing, saying they were called on Friday afternoon and spoke with the principal at Summerfield Charter Academy and reviewed security footage, which he said showed Evans allegedly using his cell phone to take pictures up the skirts of his eighth grade students while they walked up the stairs. The victims were 13-14 years old.

Michael David Evans (Guilford County Sheriff's Office)

Summerfield Charter Academy said in a released statement that they were appalled to learn of the disturbing allegations against Evans, who they describe as a former employee, though the detective in court did say he committed the offenses in his capacity as an eighth-grade teacher at the school.

The safety and well-being of our school community remains one of our highest priorities, the school said, adding that they are cooperating with the investigation. He was given a $200,000 bond at the time of his arrest.

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U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn is facing Democratic challenger Lanon Baccam in the 2024 election for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District. (Photos by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch, photo illustration via Canva)

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn is pushing back against claims from his Democratic opponent, Lanon Baccam, that his anti-abortion stances would impact access to in-vitro fertilization treatments and contraceptives.

An ad released by Baccams campaign this week features footage from a primary debate during the 2022 election cycle. Nunn, the Republican representing Iowas 3rd Congressional District, was asked alongside other candidates if they supported a full abortion ban without exceptions. The video shows Nunn raising his hand, endorsing the ban.

Thats all you need to know, about Nunns view on abortion rights, the ad states.

But Nunns campaign is arguing that the ad is intentionally misleading Iowans about where Zach Nunn stands on the subject of reproductive health care access.

Here are the facts: Zach has always been clear on where he stands, Kendyl Parker, Nunns campaign manager, said in a statement. Hes pro-life, voted for exceptions, including life of mother, rape, and incest, and fought for access to contraceptives and IVF. He opposes a federal ban and believes this policy should be left up to the states. In Washington, he is fighting for Iowa families against extremes on both sides of the aisle.

Nunn supported the 2018 so-called fetal heartbeat law as a state legislator in 2018  a proposal similar to the 2023 law that was recently allowed to take effect. Both measures prohibit most abortions after cardiac activity is detectable, which can occur as early as six weeks of gestation, with narrow exceptions for cases of rape, incest, and when the procedure was necessary to save the life of the pregnant person.

Reproductive care access a top issue ahead of 2024 election

Other ads from the Baccam campaign this campaign cycle also highlight abortion access  as well as access to other reproductive health care  as a top issue.

Womens reproductive rights are under attack, from IVF to birth control to emergency care, Baccam says in an August ad. Nothing seems off the table to Zach Nunn or his colleagues.

Recent issues on subjects like IVF have also risen in prominence this year after an Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos count as children under a state unborn personhood law. A measure containing personhood language passed the Iowa House in the 2024 legislative session, but did not advance in the Senate.

That legislation would have raised penalties for the nonconsensual ending of a pregnancy while changing language on these crimes from references to the termination of a pregnancy to the death of an unborn person.

Reproductive care is predicted to be a salient issue in the 2024 election, as more states have moved to implement state abortion laws after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. This was an issue some election analysts said was a deciding factor for Democrats faring better than expected in the 2022 midterms in several states.

But in Iowa, Republicans saw major wins during the 2022 midterm elections, including the election of Nunn, making Iowas congressional delegation entirely GOP, as well as victories in statewide elected offices and state legislative races.

Chris Larimer, a political science professor at the University of Northern Iowa, said one reason Iowa Democrats didnt fare better in 2022 was because Republicans downplayed discussion of abortion. Gov. Kim Reynolds, who was reelected in 2022, and other Republicans said they did not plan to talk about abortion or address the issue further until the Iowa Supreme Court made a decision about the six-week abortion ban.

But headed into 2024, a lot has happened with abortion rights in Iowa, Larimer said, which could have a major impact on close elections.

I think it has the potential to have a significant effect on congressional races in Iowa, particularly the 3rd Congressional District and the 1st Congressional District that were already expected to be close, Larimer said.  If reproductive rights are front and center or a major concern, and you have, you know, national mobilization efforts as a result of that, and with Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket now, whos talked about that as a big part of her campaign  if theyre able to make that connection to Iowa, you could see increase in mobilization among voters where that is a top concern.

Outside investments showcase expected competitive race

The 3rd Congressional District race is expected to be tight in 2024, with both national Democrats and Republicans investing resources into Nunns and Baccams campaigns in recent months. The Congressional Leadership Fund, U.S. House Republicans campaign arm, announced reserving $2.7 million in ad reservations for the Des Moines media market as part of a $141 million national investment in competitive races.

This is a significant early down payment on Republicans holding the House Majority, CLF President Dan Conston said in a news release. The map is undoubtedly small, and we are in a dogfight. Yet we are in a stronger position than the mainstream narrative suggests, with a promising political environment and standout Members and candidates in the toughest races.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, supporting U.S. House Democrats, also announced making $2.5 million in ad buys for Iowa races they say pit Democratic challengers against vulnerable Republicans in August. The effort focuses on the 3rd District as well as Iowas 1st Congressional District, where U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, the incumbent Republican, faces Democratic challenger Christina Bohannan.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  For the second time this year, nurses at the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children are set to strike.

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The union that represents 600 Kapiolani nurses provided notice to hospital management of their intention to go on strike at 7 a.m. Friday and end at 6:59 a.m. Saturday for, what they said are, unfair labor practices.

Hospital management said they have secured a temporary workforce of experienced nurses to fulfill its commitment to the community.

Nurses previously said they were assigned too many patients to ensure adequate care and attention to patients at the bedside and that they have faced retaliation for documenting unsafe staffing conditions and patient safety concerns.

With a straight face, Kapiolanis management publicly claims they value their nurses and want to reach an agreement, but their actions belie their words, said Rosalee Agas-Yuu, HNA president. Contrary to what they say publicly, they have created a culture of retaliation, intimidation and bullying that has adversely impacted open communications and impeded negotiations. Based on this ongoing pattern of unfair labor practices, the nurses are not confident our next scheduled negotiations session this Thursday will be any different.

Hospital management said they presented a fair and generous offer and that they showed they wanted to reach an agreement.

We are disappointed that HNA decided to go down this path again, Gidget Ruscetta, RN, Kapiolani chief operating officer, said. Despite receiving another strike notice eight months after the first strike, our commitment will always be to our patients and their families. We want our community to know that our doors will remain open. We will continue to care for the women and children in Hawaii and the Pacific region as we have for more than 100 years.

The contract for registered nurses expired on Nov. 30, 2023 and negotiations for a new contract began nearly a year ago, on Sept. 13, 2023.

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GOWANUS, Brooklyn (PIX11)  Mayor Eric Adams said New Yorkers must step up and help the thousands of children living in shelters as the school year begins.

It comes as teachers said they are inundated with children who lack even basic supplies especially with the migrant crisis having ballooned the shelter system in size.

More Local News

One elementary school teacher at P.S. 124 in Gowanus, Brooklyn, which is right next to a shelter, posted a plea on the community site Nextdoor for supplies for her many students living in shelter.

The reality is, everyone needs to chip in, the mayor said when PIX11 News told him about the post. Hats off to that individual who posted about what theyre doing, and hats off principals and teachers. We have a lot of principals and teachers who have volunteered to step into the moment.

Adams acknowledged this is a challenging time and his team said city schools often work with nonprofits and religious groups to fundraise and gather supplies around this time of year.

However, Adams said with the city having already spent billions on the migrant crisis, this is not something the government can solve alone.

This is a real call for all New Yorkers, he said. When we go to buy for our children, pick up three or four different items and bring them to the shelter. Buy that windbreaker, buy that pair of sneakers. We have spent $5.6 billion on this crisis and we all need to step up and help.

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NEW YORK (PIX11)  An NYPD officer was arrested in Brooklyn on Wednesday, according to authorities.

Darleen Barbier, 37, was taken into custody around 3 a.m.

More Local News

She was charged with assault and criminal mischief.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

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The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool is now closed for the season, but earlier in August the Oak Ridge City Council honored the lifeguards that prevented a tragedy at the pool.

Jon Hetrick, Oak Ridge Recreation & Parks Department director, told how the lifeguards rescued a 13-year-old boy at the pool on July 2 through their "courageous efforts." Speaking at the Oak Ridge City Council meeting in the Municipal Building, Hetrick told how at about 5:45 p.m. that day the boy jumped off the diving board and into the pool but did not resurface. The lifeguards brought him to the surface and onto the side of the pool. He was reportedly having a seizure at that point and bleeding from his nose.

Oak Ridge lifeguards Jackson Grant, from left, Samiah Wooten, Alex Waraksa, Claudia Trabalka, Alice Perez, and Colin Suddeth are honored at the August 2024 Oak Ridge City Council meeting in the Municipal Building for saving a 13-year-old boy. Several other lifeguards were not present at the meeting. Sitting behind them are council members Ellen Smith, from left, Chuck Hope, Mayor Warren Gooch, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Dodson and council member Charlie Hensley.

The lifeguards could find no pulse and began CPR, Hetrick said. The boy's pulse returned and by that time the Oak Ridge Fire Department had arrived and took over, stabilizing the boy. He was taken to East Tennessee Children's Hospital in Knoxville, "where he made a full recovery from the near-drowning incident," Hetrick said.

Honored were Alex Waraksa, Claudia Trabalka, Grant "Zeke" Vanatta, Samiah Wooten, Alice Perez, Collin Suddeth, Zach Dorman, Conner Rehill, Jasmine Chitwood, Eurydice Delmau, and Jackson Grant.

Several of the young lifeguards came to the front of the courtroom where the meeting was held amid applause.

Mayor Warren Gooch thanked them on behalf of the city for their "extraordinary efforts," and assured them they'd have success in whatever they do in life, but would always remember saving a young life.

"You help make us a better city," he said and asked for a standing ovation for the young adults.

Hetrick also honored Vonda Wooten, the city department's aquatics manager, and the members of the Oak Ridge fire and police departments.

The Oak Ridger's News Editor Donna Smith covers Oak Ridge area news. Email her at dsmith@oakridger.com and follow her on Twitter@ridgernewsed.

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This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Oak Ridge council honors lifeguards for saving teenager from drowning
Today, millions of Ukrainian children are starting another school year, either in Ukraine or abroad in the West. However, some remain under occupation, as more than 500 Ukrainian schools are still under Russian control.

Parents and teachers who resist the imposed education risk their own freedom and that of their students. Meanwhile, children are increasingly fearful of returning to Ukraine, labeling themselves as traitors.

How Russia is implementing its plans to enslave new generations through distorted education is explored in a study by The Reckoning Project, specially for Ukrayinska Pravda.

In October 2020, the Kherson City Court released Tetiana Kuzmich, head of the "Rusych Russian National Community", on bail of half a million hryvnias. This NGO operated in the Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odesa regions and Kuzmich was suspected of spying for Russia.

At the same time, Kuzmich served as a senior lecturer at the Kherson Academy of Continuing Education, giving her access to the teaching staff of local schools.

The Rusych community claimed its purpose was to "preserve and disseminate among young people the traditions of the Russian people." Similar organizations in Crimea and eastern Ukraine had previously become hubs for collaborators engaged in spying and bribing local elites. In the two years leading up to the invasion, over a hundred such organizations were active in Ukraine, but Kuzmichs case stood out as particularly significant.

"At the time, we had her in our hands, and during the pre-trial investigation, we collected more than enough evidence to find her guilty and observed all the rules. Obviously, Russia simply made a deal with its rats among us, and she was released," a law enforcement source who worked on the criminal case against Kuzmich told the authors of the material.

Tetiana Kuzmich in handcuffs at the Kherson City Court. August 2020.

Photo: Ivan Antypenko

Tetiana Kuzmich waited for Russias full-scale invasion and became one of the key figures in the takeover of education in the Kherson region, assuming the role of head of the occupation department of education and science for the region. In mid-summer 2022, in Kherson, the spy Kuzmich announced that schools in the region would operate according to Russian standards and that children would receive Russian certificates.

Today, Kuzmich has risen to the position of deputy for refugees affairs under the so-called governor of the Kherson region, Volodymyr Saldo. She also claims her mission is to "restore Russianness to those Ukrainians who remain on the other side today, which she describes as an aspect of the so-called denazification of Ukraine".

Recruitment of teachers

The occupiers conducted an inventory not only of the property but also of the staff at the schools. Starting in mid-summer 2022, most of the regions institutions held working meetings. This was possible where principals cooperated with the occupation authorities or where the Russians could easily appoint someone to the position of head of the institution.

"Our principal, Oksana Kryvenkova, sent us an invitation to the meeting via Viber. My colleague, computer science teacher Natalia Vaskovska, and I decided to attend. We suspected what was coming. Kryvenkova, speaking in Russian, said that she had been appointed by Saldo and that the school would operate offline according to the Russian curriculum," says Viktoria Kovaleva, an English teacher at Mykilskyi Lyceum.

The Russians aimed to make this school in the Darivka community of Kherson Oblast an exemplary one. This was facilitated by the then-principal and a group of local pro-Russian activists who appealed to the occupation administration to open the school.

"The expressions on our colleagues faces immediately revealed who was ready to cooperate. They had succumbed to propaganda," Kovaleva adds. "Natalia and I listened to all of this, took our things, and left. I havent been back to our school since."

According to the teachers, about ten of their colleagues at Mykilske School cooperated with the occupation administration.

Teachers of Mykilske Lyceum: Viktoria Kovaleva (left) and Natalia Vaskovska (right)

Photo: Ivan Antypenko

Mykilske Lyceum, July 2024.

Mykilske Lyceum, July 2024.

Photo: Viktoria Novikova

Mykilske Lyceum, July 2024.

Photo: Viktoria Novikova

Mykilske Lyceum, July 2024

Photo: Viktoria Novikova

Mykilske Lyceum, July 2024

Photo: Viktoria Novikova

Mykilske Lyceum, July 2024

Photo: Viktoria Novikova

Mykilske Lyceum, July 2024

Photo: Viktoria Novikova

"I wanted to demonstrate that we have not given up."

In all schools in the occupied territories of the Kherson region, teachers were promised a bright future with Russia. They were offered retraining in Crimea, encouraged to resign from Ukrainian schools, and given opportunities to work in new institutions established by the Russians based on Ukrainian schools. In Kherson alone, more than 25 such "state institutions of the Russian Federation" were created.

Natalia Zhurzhenko, head of the Kherson City Councils education department, explains that the occupiers spent the entire summer taking over school buildings but then realized they didnt need them all:

"They couldnt open all the schools because there werent enough people willing to study, so they created a separate list of institutions. In Kherson, this list includes our best schools."

One of these was Preparatory High School No. 6, located in the very center of the city. The occupiers conducted repairs to prepare for the new school year and invited the schools teachers to return to work. They began recruiting the schools management in hopes that others would follow. However, in August 2022, an incident occurred at the school that greatly alarmed the occupying officials.

After another refusal to accept an offer of cooperation, which ended in threats to her family, Iryna Radetska, the deputy principal of Preparatory High School No. 6, took a desperate step. Disguised as a mother seeking to enroll her child, she visited her former school and requested a personal meeting with the new "principal" appointed by the Russians.

Upon entering the office, Iryna told the self-styled director that she had a grenade in her bag and intended to detonate it right there. A few days after this dramatic encounter, the Russian military visited her home. She was forcibly taken to a temporary detention center on Teploenerhetykiv Street, where the occupiers had set up a torture chamber for residents of Kherson who resisted their rule.

Iryna Radetska in the cell where she was held by the Russian military in August 2022

Photo by Ivan Antypenko.

Radetska was held there for just over a week, enduring torture with electricity, water, and beatings with sticks and kicks. Following her bold action, the Russians forced her to record a video apology before allowing her to return home.

"It was a conscious decision. Perhaps I didnt fully understand the consequences, but I just love my Ukraine. I wanted to show that we are not afraid of anyone, that we have not surrendered. I wanted them to know that they are here temporarily," says Radetska.

In addition to seizing school buildings, the Russians took control of the entire educational infrastructure: departments, the Institute of Postgraduate Education for Teacherswhere meetings with collaborating teachers were heldand they opened an office of the Russian Ministry of Education in the building of "Pryvatbank."

This office was chaired by Mikhail Rodikov, the so-called Minister of Education of Kherson Oblast. In August, he sent a letter to Alexander Bugayev, Deputy Minister of Education of the Russian Federation, detailing the number and titles of textbooks for the Kherson region, which were to be supplied under subsidies from the "Russian World" Foundation. On the eve of September 1, Rodikov stated: "If there are not enough teachers, we will request them from Russia."

"They recruited anyone willing to take on a leadership role. For example, the School No.27 was headed by a former law enforcement officer," says Natalia Zhurzhenko.

In another city school, an English teacher was offered by a collaborating principal to join the occupation teaching staff with the rationale, "What difference does it make whether you teach English according to the Russian or Ukrainian curriculum?"

"Now this principal has fled to Russia and is working in their education system, while here she is suspected of treason," said a teacher at a Kherson school, who requested to remain anonymous for security reasons.

The preparations for the first occupation school year in the Kherson region followed the same pattern everywhere: establishing a controlled administration, persuading parents to send their children to school through loyal teachers, offering one-time financial assistance of 10,000 rubles, and importing Russian textbooks and curricula.

"...Portraits of Putin and tons of Russian textbooks"

Russian State Duma deputy Igor Kastiukevych faithfully performed his duties as a curator during a Kremlin business trip to the Kherson region. From the first days of the occupation, he was in charge of "the humanitarian policy of United Russia." Kastiukevych was involved in war crimes, including the illegal deportation and forced displacement of Ukrainian children, for which he was suspected by the SBU.

At the same time, Kastiukevych actively promoted hatred toward everything Ukrainian. In March 2022, he posted a video promising to send Ukrainian textbooks from a Kherson school to Moscow for an examination of "Nazi ideas."

Meanwhile, the Russians printed and brought more than 600,000 copies of their textbooks to the Kherson region, including 257 different types.

"Russia is the worlds largest power, actively advocating peace and stability on the planet... It pursues a balanced, peace-loving foreign policy, taking into account its geopolitical interests," reads the 11th-grade History of Russia textbook.

Serhiy Horbachov, who was the Education Ombudsman of Ukraine at the time, responded to our inquiry by stating that children in the Kherson region were effectively banned from studying Ukrainian subjects.

"All Ukrainian textbooks were confiscated and sometimes destroyed, and Ukrainian historical and fiction books were also removed from libraries. Instead, new, propagandistic subjects such as History of the Fatherland were introduced in schools," Horbachov commented.

Russian educational materials in the basement of a Kherson school. June, 2024

Photo: Ivan Antypenko

Russian educational materials in the basement of a Kherson school. June, 2024

Photo: Ivan Antypenko

Russian educational materials in the basement of a Kherson school. June, 2024

Photo: Ivan Antypenko

"We still have this crap in our schools  tricolors, portraits of Putin, and tons of textbooks," says Stanislav Kovalenko, Coordinator of the VDOMA Center.

After the de-occupation of Kherson, he toured the citys educational institutions and discovered that while the Russians took documents and equipment with them, they left behind large quantities of educational literature. These textbooks are now being used as evidence in criminal proceedings related to the imposition of Russian educational standards in the occupied areas.

Stanislav shows us a Life Safety Fundamentals textbook published in Moscow in 2022. The project researchers found similar copies in most schools on the right bank.

The book is filled with terms such as "national security strategy of the Russian Federation," "national interests of the Russian Federation," "extremism," "enemies of society," and the name "Putin." It also stresses the importance of adhering to international law during military conflicts: "If there is a likelihood of heavy civilian casualties, a military operation should be canceled or postponed."

Coordinator of the VDOMA Center Stanislav Kovalenko

Photo: Ivan Antypenko

"Russian textbooks and other paper materials from the occupiers should never be burned," says Stanislav. "They should be collected and recycled, for example, into toilet paper, and copies should be sent to museums so that we do not forget that it is not only bullets that kill."

TRP Senior Legal Advisor Tsvetelina van Benthem notes that Russias indoctrination policy in the education system is a clear violation of international law. Both in peacetime and during armed conflict, children must be guaranteed the right to freedom of thought and education, and their identity must be preserved and protected.

"The right to freedom of opinion is fundamental to human dignity, and the protection it provides is far-reaching and profound," says van Benthem. "Under international human rights law, there is an absolute prohibition on interference with freedom of opinion. No restrictions or derogations are allowed. However, we see a Russian policy aimed at manipulating and brainwashing Ukrainian children, erasing their Ukrainian identity."

Yanina Tertychna, Head of the Department for Child Protection and Violence Prevention at the Office of the Prosecutor General, says that Russias control over the temporarily occupied territories imposes obligations on it under Article 50 of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.

"The occupying power must facilitate the proper functioning of institutions responsible for the care and education of children, and children must be taught by individuals who share their nationality, language, and religion," the prosecutor said.

"Imposing the ethnic community (common language, culture, territory) of the Russian Federation on children through the education system poses a real threat of altering the consciousness of Ukrainian children regarding their own identity by reformatting them from a Ukrainian group to a Russian one, thus indoctrinating them."

"And the tricolor was hanging, and the anthem was sung."

Zhenya Ihnatov was forced to attend the 9th grade at School No.51 in Kherson in 2022. The school had been opened by the occupation administration. Prior to this, his mother had been visited by the Russian military and strongly advised to enroll her children in school.

"There were few people, and the tricolor was hanging, and the anthem was sung. We were also given camouflage-colored backpacks, and my first-grade sister received a small blue backpack with the United Russia logo," Zhenya recalls the September 1 celebrations.

The boy mentions that his class teacher, who came from Crimea, was obsessed with Russia:

"He kept telling us, Russia is our mother! In the Soviet Union... Stalin would have dealt with you properly..."

A backpack for first-graders issued by the occupation authorities in 2022.

Photo: Viktoriia Novikova.

In October 2022, the occupation administrations of educational institutions received a letter with recommendations from the Russian Ministry of Education. The letter included guidelines for incorporating Putins quotes into the interiors of educational institutions and general recommendations.

It stated that the educational process and comprehensive development of children should align with the Federal State Educational Standards and emphasized the need to display Russian symbols and celebrate Russian national holidays, such as "Day of National Unity," "Constitution Day," "Days of Military Honor of Russia," "Reunification of Crimea with Russia," and others.

Zhenya Ihnatov studied under the Russian program for just over a month because, in November 2022, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated Kherson and the right bank of the region from the occupiers. He knows nothing about the fate of his pro-Russian teacher but suspects that he fled to Crimea.

According to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion by Russia, juvenile prosecutors have been investigating over 500 criminal cases related to collaboration activities involving the implementation of the aggressor states educational standards in Ukraine.

So far, only two indictments have been sent to court in the Kherson region. Among those indicted is Leonila Shchehol, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison. She had taken over as principal of the Shipbuilding Lyceum in Kherson during the occupation.

Our contacts in law enforcement agencies noted that they actually have a much larger number of similar cases that have yet to be properly qualified and documented for court proceedings. At the same time, investigating such cases in the occupied areas on the left bank of the Kherson region is almost impossible, law enforcement officials say.

The head of Khersons education department, Natalia Zhurzhenko, is convinced that those who agreed to cooperate with the Russians in 2022 did so voluntarily.

"However, on the left bank, these processes have definitely become forced over time," Zhurzhenko adds. "You cannot treat the right and left banks of the Dnipro in the same way. They are two different universes."

The destruction of Ukrainian identity persists

The context of the war on the left bank of the Kherson region is indeed different, primarily because this part of the region is still under Russian control. After the de-occupation of the right bank, the Dnipro River became the front line, with villages on both sides being destroyed and people dying.

In the early months of the Russian invasion of Kherson region, many families fled to relatives in the villages. For three years now, residents of Kakhovka, Skadovsk, Henichesk, smaller towns, and rural communities have remained under occupation, cut off from the world. The aggressive Russification processes, which became evident after the liberation of the right bank, have become entrenched and systemic on the left bank.

For security reasons, the Ministry of Education of Ukraine does not provide data on the number of students on the left bank who continue their education in Ukrainian schools online. Ukrainian teachers also speak with great caution about this. However, such families do exist, and there are many of them. We managed to speak with some of them on the condition of anonymity.

The daily struggle of these individuals to maintain Ukrainian education under the threat of Russian violence is both striking in its courage and terrifying in its consequences.

Billboard in the de-occupied Kherson region: "Left Bank, hold on. We will be together soon."

Photo by Serhiy Mukayelyants

"Do you need Ukrainian?"  "No"

Halyna Ivanivna* taught at one of the village schools in the Kakhovka district for many years (names of some individuals have been changed for anonymity  authors note). The occupation authorities were unable to reopen her home school due to a lack of staff, as most of the teachers had fled west.

Out of a dozen nearby schools in the community, only a few reopened in the 2023-24 school year, and only because the Russians were desperately looking for teachers.

"People in uniform have come to me recently for the third or fourth time, all with the same question: Why dont you go to work at the school?" says Halyna. "At first, I told them I had health issues. And then, I am a teacher of Ukrainian language and literature. Just between us, do you need this language? They say no. I would have to speak Russian. You know, Im not a clown; Im not going to do it."

Halyna explains that she goes to great lengths to avoid teaching under the Russian curriculum. However, some of her colleagues were forced to work in the occupation schools this year due to increasing pressure from the military.

"They comply because they need to survive. Groceries are very expensive, and there are no jobs. I am very afraid because my children do not attend a Russian school but study online in a Ukrainian school. If they find out about us, we will be in trouble," Halyna Ivanivna says sadly.

Since the beginning of the full-scale war, the Education Ombudsman of Ukraine has received about 700 appeals from teachers in the temporarily occupied territories. Former Ombudsman Serhiy Horbachov notes that all educational institutions under occupation have been re-registered as legal entities of the Russian Federation. Children, parents, and teachers are being forced to integrate into the Russian education system

"Parents are required to provide a certificate from the school stating that their child is studying in a Russian school; otherwise, they will not be employed," Horbachov comments. "The military periodically conducts house-to-house inspections to force children to study. If they find Ukrainian links, Ukrainian textbooks, chat rooms about education, or links to Ukrainian educational resources on childrens gadgets, they destroy the gadgets and pressure and threaten the parents."

"My mother had to write an explanation that they were refusing to go to a Ukrainian school."

Larysa Halipenko, a teacher of foreign literature and arts, teaches at a school in Kherson and has students from the left bank. Maksym* is one of them. Together with his family, he left Kherson for a small town on the Black Sea coast. The boys mother had two SIM cards: one for her sons education only.

"The boys mother told me, Larysa Oleksandrivna, Id hide behind the trees, behind the market, insert the second SIM card, take pictures of Maksyms homework, and send them to the Ukrainian school so that he could graduate," says teacher Larysa.

Teacher at a Kherson school, Larysa Halipenko.

Photo: Ivan Antypenko

But Maksym cannot obtain a Ukrainian certificate of incomplete secondary education. For now, the family is under occupation, and the document is stored in a school on the right bank with no one available to retrieve it.

According to Maksyms mother, her son is now forced to attend a Russian school due to pressure from the local occupation authorities. She notes that the Russian school imposes strict control over students phones and prohibits the use of Viber, a messenger traditionally used by Ukrainian educators for online learning.

The principal of Kherson School No. 47, Viktoria Khamzaeva, describes the situation of a student from occupied Skadovsk. The girls family endures constant searches by the military but continues to educate the child online through a Ukrainian school.

"Its a private house. While the child is at school, someone is always on duty in the yard. Either grandma or mom would break a glass as a signal if they saw someone, due to the constant rounds and searches. They had already received a warning because the authorities discovered Zoom. The mother had to write an explanation renouncing their attendance at a Ukrainian school," Khamzaeva says.

View of the Dnipro River and the left bank, August 2023

Photo: Ivan Antypenko

"Russia destroyed my dreams"

We interviewed high school students who study at a Ukrainian school online and also attend a local Russian school. For security reasons, we do not disclose their place of residence or names.

Our respondents expressed feelings of depression due to homesickness, as they were forced to move across the occupied territories in 2022. For various reasons, they remain on the left bank of the Kherson region, where they resist the Russian re-education efforts and strive to think critically.

However, years of Russian propaganda, coupled with restrictions on freedom of speech and movement, have left their mark. Some students now struggle to clearly define who is to blame for the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and believe that peace could have been achieved if Ukraine had made concessions.

This viewpoint is constantly reiterated by the top political leadership of the Russian Federation.

"I think both countries are to blame. I love Ukraine very much, but I think our president is a bit strange. We could have already reached an agreement with Putin. I know for sure that almost everyone in Crimea definitely does not want to go to Ukraine. I am sure that the LPR and DPR have the same position. What is the point of fighting? We could have given these territories to Russia, and Kherson and Zaporizhzhia should have been given to Ukraine because people here are still waiting for Ukraine," says 16-year-old Karina from the occupied city of N*.

The girl dreams of returning home to her village on the right bank of the Dnipro, but her parents cannot leave her sick grandfather, who is unlikely to survive the long journey.

Oleksandr* also left Kherson with his family in October 2022, just before its liberation. He explains that the family was influenced by Russian propaganda about the dangers posed by Ukrainian armed forces.

"We were afraid that the city would be bombed, so we decided to move to Henichesk," he says.

Sasha completed the 8th grade at a Ukrainian school online. Last year, his mother suggested studying at a Russian school for safety reasons but insisted he should not leave the Ukrainian school as the situation remained uncertain.

According to Sasha, the local Russian school lacks qualified teachers.

"Some of our teachers are not teachers at all. For example, a math teacher used to be a watchman. It has become common here for people without special education to take short courses in Crimea and become teachers," Sasha adds.

He also notes that the school conducts ideological lessons and historical events aimed at justifying the actions of the Russian Federation.

"People usually say that there are Nazis over there, but we are doing fine. I dont like to always turn to one side; I read different sources. But I still have a dislike for Russia because it destroyed my past life, my dreams, and my plans for the future," Sasha admits.

Currently, Oleksandr still hopes to live in territory controlled by Ukraine, but he openly expresses his fear that his family will be considered traitors.

Ukrainian teachers note that this way of thinking results from Russian narratives that tell residents of occupied territories that no one is waiting for them in Ukraine and that they will be persecuted for "treason."

"Changing the consciousness of adolescents, influencing their moral values and ability to distinguish between good and evil happens gradually and subtly, but it becomes deeply ingrained," says Ukrainian teacher Larysa Halipenko.

Children under occupation are also in constant danger due to ongoing hostilities. Our respondents spoke about explosions, encounters with armed individuals, and military equipment in their vicinity, which has caused them significant anxiety.

Children in Kherson after the shelling of a residential building by the Russian army, 2024

Photo: Ivan Antypenko

Ukrainian certificate is a chance for higher education

Serhiy Horbachov describes what is happening in the occupied territories as educational genocide. The Reckoning Project has documented cases where, due to parents refusal to send their children to Russian schools, children have faced fictitious criminal charges and imprisonment. There have also been systematic threats to deprive parents of their parental rights for resisting the new rules imposed by Russia in the occupied territories.

One reason people risk continuing their online education in Ukrainian schools is the option to obtain a Ukrainian secondary education certificate. Parents view this document as a gateway for their child to pursue higher education in Ukraine or Western countries, rather than in Russia.

Currently, it can be argued that Ukrainian children in the occupied territories are subjected to pervasive Russian influence that distorts their perception of reality, even within families that strive to maintain connections with Ukraine.

A team of teachers from temporarily occupied territories, along with legal and psychological experts, has developed the White Book titled "Restoration of the Educational Process in the De-occupied Territories". This document explores various state-level decisions regarding education during the de-occupation process and the potential consequences of each scenario.

Officials note that the White Book also includes proposals for territories that have been under aggressor control for ten years. However, as long as Ukrainian children remain in the occupied cities and villages, preventing their widespread Russification becomes increasingly challenging.

The material was produced as part of The Reckoning Project, an initiative by Ukrainian and international journalists, analysts, and lawyers to document war crimes through 25 in-depth interviews with educators and children who have survived or are currently enduring Russian occupation. For security reasons, some names and locations have been altered.
After experiencing sharp declines in 2022, the capital markets have showcased unparalleled resiliency over the last 20 months or so. Since January 2023, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite have boasted total returns of 48% and 66% respectively (as of the time of this article). While it may be tempting to let the good times roll, savvy investors know that now may be a good time to take some gains off the table and seek more reliable opportunities.

Why is that? Well, September is generally a poor month in the stock market  one that's hallmarked by hefty selling activity. There are many factors that influence selling stocks toward the end of the year including tax planning or potential changes in monetary policy from the Federal Reserve. However, 2024 carries another variable: the upcoming presidential election. The common theme among these items is that widespread unpredictability pertaining to a number of important topics can result in abnormal levels of selling in the market.

For these reasons, investors might want to consider opting for more predictable opportunities over volatile growth stocks. A good example of this would be to allocate a portion of your portfolio to consistent dividend stocks. Below, I'll share one ultra-high-yield dividend stock that I think should be on your radar and explain why September could be the perfect time to scoop up shares for this particular player.

This telecom stock sticks out for one big reason

I'll concede right off the bat that the telecom industry is not nearly as exciting as other opportunities in the technology realm. Telecommunications businesses offer a commoditized set of products and services, ultimately forcing major players to compete for customers with price. This dynamic can take a toll on growth, which often leaves investors uninspired.

However, I see things differently with Verizon (NYSE: VZ)  and history suggests that September could be the perfect time to buy, especially for those seeking some passive income.

The chart below illustrates that Verizon has raised its dividend for 17 consecutive years. But so what? Many other companies raise their dividends each year.

While that's true, Verizon tends to announce raises to its quarterly dividend in September.

Image Source: Verizon Investor Relations.

Why Verizon might raise its dividend again

It's interesting to identify a pattern regarding the timing of Verizon's dividend raises. However, smart investors know that historical performance does not guarantee future outcomes. A close assessment of Verizon stock's recent trading activity combined with a thorough analysis of its financial position will help us determine whether an upcoming dividend raise seems likely or not.

The table below breaks down Verizon's revenue and free cash flow growth over the last few years. Clearly, there have been some inconsistencies in Verizon's growth.

Growth Metric (Year-over-Year) 2020 2021 2022 2023 Revenue (3%) 4% (2.4%) (2%) Free Cash Flow 32.4% (18.3%) (27%) 33.1%

Data Source: Verizon Investor Relations

While the trends above might make you skittish, it's important to zoom out and look at the bigger picture. The company has consistently generated heaps of cash flow, and even during years when its growth decelerated, it still managed to sustain its dividend and raise it.

Through the first six months of 2024, Verizon has generated a total of $65.8 billion in total revenue. Considering this only represents about a 0.5% increase year over year, you might think the rest of Verizon's financial profile is equally uninspiring. Yet despite this mundane level of acceleration across the top line, Verizon has done a respectable job growing its profitability. For the six months ended June 30, Verizon generated $8.5 billion in free cash flow  an increase of 6.9% year over year.

In my eyes, Verizon's dividend looks safe right now.

Should you buy Verizon stock right now?

Right now, Verizon stock boasts an ultra-high dividend yield of 6.2%. By comparison, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust has a dividend yield of just 1.2%. Moreover, Verizon's forward price to earnings (P/E) multiple of 9.4 lags considerably from the S&P 500's forward P/E of 22.4. While an upcoming dividend hike is speculation on my end, recent upticks in Verizon shares could suggest that I'm not the only one anticipating the company will continue rewarding shareholders and announce a dividend raise soon.

Historical trends suggest that prolonged hefty market sell-offs could be imminent, so I encourage investors to look for more insulated opportunities. Given Verizon's consistent ability to generate cash flow, combined with its historical tendency to announce dividend raises in September and its noticeable valuation discount to the broader market, I think now is a great time to pounce and scoop up shares.

Should you invest $1,000 in Verizon Communications right now?

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History Says September May Be The Perfect Time to Pounce On This Ultra-High-Yield Dividend Stock was originally published by The Motley Fool
Ocean County real estate agent pleads guilty to role in Jan. 6 riot at U.S. Capitol

Robert Coppotelli (circled in red) on U.S. Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021.

TOMS RIVER - A local real estate agent and small business owner pleaded guilty Tuesday to participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to federal court records.

Robert Coppotelli, 28, of Toms River, admitted to one count of disorderly and disruptive conduct in the Capitol complex and one count of parading, demonstrating or picketing at the Capitol. Two other misdemeanors for knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and for a disorderly persons offense, were dropped as part of a broader plea agreement reached on Aug. 14.

When Coppotelli is sentenced at the end of the year, he faces a maximum term of one year in prison and up to $10,000 in fines, as well as damage costs to the Capitol assessed at $500 for Coppotelli, according to the agreement.

Initial report: Toms River man faces January 6 charges , wore name on clothes during riot, FBI says

The defendant was identified from video recordings taken in and around the Capitol on the date of the attack by third-parties, which were reviewed during the investigation.

Coppotelli is seen in the mob wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, a black hat under the red hood, a surgical-style, blue facemask and a dark-colored jacket with the name of his Toms River company  Coppotelli Heavy Equipment Sales & Services, Inc.  embroidered into the front and back, along with its 732 area code.

Jacket worn by suspect Robert Coppotelli inside the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021 (phone number partially redacted).

The Capitols surveillance videos show that Coppotelli approached the Capitol building from the west, at a time when grossly outnumbered police officers fought to keep an amassing crowd of hundreds from approaching the Capitol building, according to the complaint.

The video then captures Coppotelli scaling the northwest staircase, which leads from the west plaza to the first floor of the Capitol building.

Shortly after, Coppotelli entered the Capitol building through the Senate Wing door, about 11 minutes after the mob first breached the complex at this entrance, the FBI reported.

Jacket worn by suspect Robert Coppotelli inside the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021 (phone number partially redacted).

Twelve minutes later, he exited the building by crawling through a broken window adjacent to the Senate Wing door, according to the court records.

As of Tuesday, Coppotelli had been listed as a real estate agent in Ocean County; he was even using the same mobile business number for client calls that the FBI had identified after the Capitol riot. On Wednesday, however, Coppotellis name, portrait, contact information and biography were no longer visible on a popular real estate agencys website.

Contact Asbury Park Press reporter Erik Larsen at elarsen@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Toms River NJ real estate agent admits role in Jan. 6 insurrection
OCPS assists families who are new to the country; do not speak English

Orange County Public Schools opened a new Global Family Welcome Center on Wednesday.

The center is located at the John T. Morris complex in Orlando and is designed to help families who are new to this country with enrollment, language screenings, and academic support.

School leaders said they hope the center will help bridge the education gap.

Watch: WFTV anchor Greg Warmoth speaks with Orange County Public Schools superintendent

Navigating a new school system can be challenging for anyone, but even more so when you dont speak the language.

The center will provide a centralized location for enrollment and transition services for students and their families who dont speak English or are new to the United States.

In 2017, following Hurricane Maria, OCPS absorbed more than 3,000 displaced students from Puerto Rico and some of them struggled with English.

Watch: Central Florida Spotlight: Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Maria Vasquez

Now, nearly 12% of students are second-language English learners.

The resources will not stop at enrollment. Staff will provide ongoing assistance to ensure a smooth transition for students and their families.

Read: Orange County Public Schools changes absence notification policies in light of Madeline Soto case

School leaders hope to expand this center to other areas in the county to serve all of those who need it.

See more in the video above.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
ODU students, police react to armed robbery on campus, suspect still at large

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  Students living in the Scotland House dorm on the Old Dominion campus had a scary situation unfold Tuesday morning as university police responded to calls of an armed robbery.

It was pretty scary, just knowing that there was someone in our building, one student Maggie Metz said.

2 sought after armed robbery at ODU dorm

University police responded to the report of the armed robbery at the dorm at 2:38 a.m.

As they were arriving to go check on those inside, they observed a vehicle leaving the area at a high rate of speed, Old Dominion University Police Chief Garrett Shelton said.

The officers followed the vehicle and stopped the driver, 25-year-old Sekai Hughley, and took him into custody.

Hughley faces four counts of armed robbery, four counts of brandishing a firearm, four counts of using a firearm in the commission of felony and one count of carrying a loaded firearm into certain localities: extended magazine.

The other two suspects ran away, one of them 20-year-old Quincy Banks, who was later taken into custody. Banks faces four counts of armed robbery and four counts of use of a firearm in the commission of felony.

The individual pictured below, police said, still remains at large:

We cant do it alone and we need everybodys help, Shelton said, and if you see something that again makes you feel uncomfortable or doesnt look right, call us.

Shelton said thankfully no one was hurt, but it is alarming to see a crime like this on ODUs campus.

Typically, we deal with incidents like this well off of our campus within our concurrent jurisdiction, he said.

How the three got inside the building is still under investigation. Students believe its possible they slipped in behind someone.

Its just kind of crazy that they got in, said Old Dominion student Damien Howie.

Police advise students and staff to stay alert as the investigation continues.

Usually, we have our doors unlocked going in and out of each others room, but now we cant do that, Metz said. We dont want to risk anything because that couldve been a dangerous situation.

Shelton said they will continue to monitor this situation, as student safety remains a top priority.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Ohio K-12 schools would be required to publicly disclose their Pledge of Allegiance policies under a recently introduced bill.

Under Ohios current law, local boards of education must adopt a policy specifying if its schools recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and if so, how and when. The pledge is not a required part of the school day; however, boards of education cannot deny teachers reasonable periods of time for reciting the pledge. Ohio law also specifies teachers cannot force students to participate.

The Transparency in Pledge of Allegiance Act, or House Bill 657, was introduced in the Ohio House in August and would slightly tweak the states current law. The bill, sponsored by Reps. Gail Pavliga (R-Atwater) and Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville), would add the requirement that each district make its policy publicly available and post the districts policy on its website if it has one.

Richardson said the pledge reflects our shared commitment to what it means to be American and unites the country, adding that she wants parents to be aware of schools policies.

We need to ensure we meet Ohioans expectations when it comes to openness and schools are no different, Richardson said. As a veteran who believes and understands the significance of our flag and the pledge and the fact that I believe in the unity that it symbolizes, I want to keep parents informed, empowering them to engage with their schools about this important issue.

The Supreme Court ruled in West Virginia v. Barnette in 1943 that public school students cannot be forced to salute and pledge allegiance to the U.S. flag.

In 46 states, some requirement that the pledge be recited in schools exists. These requirements typically state schools must set aside time for the pledge, according to Freedom Forum, which describes itself as a nonpartisan foundation dedicated to fostering First Amendment rights. In 34 states, there are stated exemptions or requirements that schools remind students that they cannot be forced to say the pledge.

The Transparency in Pledge of Allegiance Act has not yet been assigned to a committee. Richardson said she is hopeful the bill will pass out of the House by the end of the year.

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A ballot drop box is seen outside the Athens County Board of Elections. (Photo by Tyler Buchanan, Ohio Capital Journal.)

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has asked Statehouse leaders to create a law eliminating ballot drop boxes after a court ruled that people with disabilities should have more opportunities to vote. Using his own powers, he put more steps in place for voters to use drop boxes ahead of the November election.

Nearly four million Ohioans voted last November, with 1 in 4 people voting absentee, according to state data.

State Sen. Bill DeMora, D-Columbus, worries that LaRoses new proposals will make that much more difficult to do.

Working people work  they go home and they vote and they drive it to the board of elections knowing that the law already says it has to be a secure location, it has to be monitored, DeMora said.

LaRose issued a directive Friday that requires someone delivering an absentee ballot for another person to sign an attestation that they are complying with state law  which means they must go into the board of elections to sign the form.

As a practical matter, this means that only a voters personal ballot may be returned via drop box, LaRose ordered.

The secretary also sent a letter to legislative leaders asking them to either drastically cut down who can submit an absentee ballot to a drop box or eliminate the use of drop boxes entirely.

DeMora called it ridiculous.

It hurts working people and working families and college students  the people, of course, who dont vote for Republicans, DeMora said. They make it tougher for people to vote, make it tougher for people to take their own spouses ballot to the one box in the county that theyre allowed to have to drop off their ballots, anything they can do to make it tougher to vote.

In his letter, LaRose explained his worry is about ballot harvesting  someone collecting a bunch of other peoples ballots and submitting them. But right now, there is a defined list of who can submit absentee ballots.

In 2023, Ohio House Bill 458 changed state law so the only people allowed to deliver a sealed absentee ballot besides the voter are members of the postal service or specific relatives. This includes a spouse, a parent, grandparent, child, sibling, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew. It excludes caregivers, employees of a care facility, grandchildren, cousins, neighbors, friends and anyone else unrelated.

If anyone not listed returns the ballot, that would be a fourth-degree felony. If a voter receives a felony conviction for helping their loved one, they would no longer be able to vote themselves.

Case Western Reserve University elections law professor Atiba Ellis explained that this letter stems from a case LaRose lost in federal court earlier this summer.

These proposals have come in the wake of the recent lawsuit that has required the state of Ohio to offer more opportunities for persons with disabilities to get assistance when voting, Ellis said.

Jen Miller with the League of Women Voters of Ohio (LWV) filed a lawsuit along with the ACLU, saying Ohio is violating the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and the Voting Rights Act.

A U.S. district court sided with Miller, striking down that specific provision of the law.

LaRose, in his letter, claimed that the LWV wanted to make Ohios elections less secure and more vulnerable to cheating, especially as it relates to the use of drop boxes.

This effectively creates an unintended loophole in Ohios ballot harvesting law that we must address, he alleged. The security of the delivery of absentee ballots remains paramount, so this leaves us with the obvious question of a remedy.

We reached out to LaRoses office to ask exactly what loophole LWV created but did not hear back.

The ruling just struck down the one provision that dealt with people with disabilities and who can deliver their absentee ballot for just them.

To be clear, there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud. However, Republican leaders across the country have cast doubt on mail-in or drop-boxed ballots.

The desire to eliminate drop boxes, narrow the ways that one can vote  to what almost seems like simply in-person on Election Day  is driven by the belief that the other methods are somehow automatically fraudulent, Ellis explained.

There have rarely been any significant examples of voter fraud via drop box, the nonpartisan professor expert said.

All too often, the evidence of fraud is evidence of partisans, and most notably Republican partisans, in other states who have tried to manipulate absentee ballots, he continued.

DeMora said LaRose is trying to stay relevant after losing his primary for U.S. Senate earlier this year.

This is another solution, another MAGA solution to a problem that doesnt exist here, DeMora said, insulting LaRose at length  even asking for the secretary to run against him in 2026 for state Senate to see what happens. Its time for him to just to go away and leave the people of Ohio alone because we have fair elections as it is and hes just trying to ruin it.

This is another way LaRose is trying to prevent the November redistricting amendment from passing, DeMora added.

LaRose has argued that he is not trying to disenfranchise voters, but rather protect against fraud that could happen.

He also proposed two other ideas in his letter. He asked for lawmakers to adopt a proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration and for changes on the ability to cast a provisional ballot.

We reached out to both House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, and Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, for comment about the proposal they received from LaRose.

Its an important issue we need to consider to ensure our elections are secure, Stephens said.

Huffmans spokesperson John Fortney also said the Senate would consider it.

Protecting the integrity of Ohios elections remains a priority as we witness the impact of the Biden administrations dangerous failure to secure the border. Secretary LaRose has led the effort to protect Ohios election system by working with the General Assembly to pass common sense voter ID laws, including photo ID. We look forward to continuing the discussion to protect our state and local elections from a growing danger, Fortney said.

But not all Ohio Republicans agreed with LaRoses unsubstantiated claims of incoming ballot harvesting. When asked, Gov. Mike DeWine physically scoffed at LaRoses ideas.

Look, I have said consistently that I think we do a very good job in Ohio running elections, DeWine said. I think anyone who wants to change what we do has a burden of proof of showing that theres a problem with what we do now.

Ohio lawmakers arent expected back until after the November election, so drop boxes can still be used for now  but with more steps.

Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on X and Facebook.

This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland.

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The Ohio Township Police Department issued a warning regarding a scam circulating on social media.

The department said there have been postings on Facebook collecting money from potential vendors for a 2nd Annual Holiday Pop-Up hosted by The Music Boosters at Avonworth Community Park on Sept. 21 and 22.

Police said that the event does not exist and that it is a complete scam.

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Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt attends a budgetary meeting at the Oklahoma Capitol in Oklahoma City, on Monday, May 13, 2024.

A federal judge has given the parties attempting to resolve a mental health competency restoration lawsuit filed against the state less than two weeks to address an issue in a proposed settlement agreement.

U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell said Friday in an order that the proposed settlement contained a provision not authorized by law.

He wrote that state law does not allow for a community-based restoration treatment pilot program, permitting competency restoration services to be provided outside of physical confinement.

The Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita is the only department-operated mental health hospital that provides secure, in-patient competency restoration treatment.

Whether Oklahoma should permit outpatient competency restoration treatment services to persons charged with a crime, declared incompetent by a state-court judge, and incarcerated at a county jail or similar detention facility is best left to the judgment of the Legislature, not this court, Frizzell wrote.

He gave the parties until Sept. 13 to submit additional court filings to address his concerns.

More: Mental health treatment suit at center of latest dispute between Gov. Stitt, AG Drummond

The lawsuit alleges the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is violating the rights of mostly indigent defendants declared incompetent to stand trial and being held in county jails.

The suit alleges the state is failing to provide timely court-ordered competency restoration treatment to defendants, who in some cases, had been waiting for many months while their criminal cases remained on hold.

Gov. Kevin Stitt and the agency, represented by the Attorney Generals Office, oppose the proposed settlement agreement. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond supports it, arguing it will save taxpayers money.

Last week, Stitt sent the judge a letter outlining concerns, including the financial obligations to the state.

Stitt issued a statement Friday following the judges order.

Not only was this proposed consent decree bad for Oklahoma taxpayers, it was fundamentally against the law, Stitt said. Mental health must maintain its authority to provide care in alignment with state law and best practices, not instead being hamstrung by a sham consent decree that would turn power over to out-of-state consultants and cost taxpayers $100,000,000.

I applaud the Judge for refusing to sign a bad deal that clearly violated state law.

Drummond said Tuesday that neither mental health officials nor Stitt have complained about piloting an out-patient mental health treatment program, and the judges concerns will be addressed.

Despite what the Governor might think, the consent decree does not violate state law and was not rejected by the judge, he said This political theater is a distraction. My office will continue working toward an appropriate resolution on behalf of Oklahoma taxpayers.

Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Judge: Part of settlement in OK mental health lawsuit not authorized
Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office arrests Tennessee man in connection to alleged rape of a minor

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)  The Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office arrested a Tennessee man for allegedly raping a minor in another county, according to a Facebook post from the sheriffs office.

Execution scheduled for man found guilty in Citronelle ax murder that killed 6

40-year-old Adam Duanne Colvin was arrested as a fugitive by OCSO deputies with Bravo Central at around 10:40 a.m. on Tuesday.

Adam Duanne Colvin (Okaloosa Department of Corrections)

(Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office)

The arrest happened at Windham Avenue in Fort Walton Beach after deputies learned Colvin was wanted by the Warren County Sheriffs Department in McMinnville Tennessee, according to the post.

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Colvin allegedly committed aggravated sexual battery and raped a minor in Warren County. He was charged with aggravated sexual battery and two counts of rape of a child.

UPDATE: Family of homicide suspect speaks on tumultuous relationship between woman and her ex

Bond for Colvin was denied and he is set to remain in the Okaloosa County jail until another agency retrieves him, officials said.

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One of China's neighbors is sending out more naval patrols to challenge its attempts to dominate the South China Sea

The Philippines says it's ramped up naval patrols and air surveillance in the South China Sea.

Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said it was to counter the growing number of Chinese vessels there.

China has been escalating tensions with the Philippines in the contested waters for months.

The Philippines says it has stepped up its naval patrols and air surveillance around a disputed island in the South China Sea to counter the growing number of Chinese vessels in the area.

"So far, our Coast Guard will stay there, while our Navy and Air Force have increased their patrols by sea and by air," Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad told the Philippine outlet the Daily Tribune on Monday.

He said the new operations would support the activities of the BRP Teresa Magbanua, one of the newest and largest patrol vessels deployed by the Philippine coast guard.

Trinidad said the vessel had been operating around the island of Sabina Shoal since April with the aim of "advancing our national interest and safeguarding our position at Escoda Shoal," using the island's Filipino name.

Tensions have heightened between China and the Philippines because of territorial claims over Sabina Shoal, a disputed atoll in the South China Sea, where flashpoints have become more frequent in recent months.

In June, Chinese coast guards armed with swords and knives attacked Philippine vessels in the contested waters, resulting in injuries and one soldier losing a thumb.

Chinese coast guards holding knives and machetes as they approached Philippine troops in the disputed South China Sea in June. Armed Forces of the Philippines via AP, File

A month later, China's largest coast-guard vessel dropped anchor in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, which the Philippines described as an act of "intimidation."

And as recently as last week, the spokesperson for the Philippine coast guard, Jay Tarriela, said China had deployed 40 vessels to block its delivery of supplies to soldiers stationed in Sabina Shoal.

In an X post on Saturday, Tarriela said a Chinese coast-guard vessel had rammed and collided three times with the BRP Teresa Magbanua, damaging the ship.

Outnumbered and outgunned

The Daily Tribune reported that since late last month, the Teresa Magbanua had been outnumbered by more than 50 Chinese ships, including three Chinese coast-guard vessels, two People's Liberation Army Navy ships, one Chinese hospital vessel, one research ship, and 47 Chinese maritime militia vessels.

But Trinidad told the outlet that, for now, sending further naval assets remained unlikely.

The BRP Teresa Magbanua "was deployed alone," he said, continuing: "We are watching it because there are reports of crushed corals being piled up there."

The US Department of State has condemned what it describes as China's "dangerous" and "escalatory" actions against "lawful" Philippine maritime operations in the vicinity of Sabina Shoal.

China's coast guard, meanwhile, said a Philippine ship "illegally" entered Sabina Shoal on Saturday and "deliberately" crashed into a Chinese ship that was enforcing maritime rights under a routine operation.

"We once again warn the Philippines to face reality and give up illusions," Liu Dejun, a spokesperson for China's coast guard, said.



"Withdrawing the ship immediately on its own is the only correct way," Liu added.

Exhausting rivals and testing the US

Sari Arho Havren, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute who specializes in China's foreign relations, said China's provocations were meant to "exhaust" neighboring countries into accepting its claims over contested waters.

(Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also lay claim to parts of the South China Sea.)

"China wants to change the status quo by force  exhaust the countries to give in to their claims," she told BI in June.

Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, said China wanted to test how far the US would support one of its allies in the region.

"China is deliberately escalating the situation, with a likely intention to test how far Washington would support Manila," Koh told CNN last week.

Under a defense treaty signed in 1951, the US is supposed to come to the aid of the Philippines if an armed attack occurs on its forces.

Adm. Samuel Paparo, head of the US Indo-Pacific Command, seemed to suggest that some limited support could be forthcoming. Speaking at a conference last week, he said that the "escort of one vessel to the other is an entirely reasonable option within our Mutual Defense Treaty."

Alexander Lopez, a Philippine National Maritime Council spokesman, called for a review of the treaty last week, saying it needed to be adapted to new security challenges in Philippine waters.

He said that since 1951, "the strategic landscape has changed so much," continuing: "So, maybe it's high time now to maybe review."

Correction: September 5, 2024  An earlier version of this story misstated the pronoun of one of its sources. Sari Arho Havren should have been referred to as "she," not "he."

Read the original article on Business Insider
KEARNS, Utah (ABC4)  A suspect believed to have fired multiple shots at a park near the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns on Sunday night, striking a victim three times has been safely taken into custody.

The Unified Police Department announced Tuesday night that Colby Hawkins, 20, of West Valley was taken into custody for his involvement. Court records show he was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on second-degree felony charges of aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury and felony discharge of a firearm resulting in serious bodily injury.

Sgt. Aymee Race said detectives believe Hawkins was at one of the two parties taking place at the park on Sunday night when an altercation near the restrooms turned violent. Hawkins allegedly pulled out a gun during the altercation and fired multiple shots. Another individual responded by firing a gun in self-defense, reportedly forcing Hawkins to flee the scene.

Woman, 3 children found dead in car at West Haven home

Race said there were about 100 people, including numerous children, attending the two parties at the time of the shooting. One person, who has not been identified, was reportedly shot three times in the gunfight and taken to a local area hospital. They have since been released.

Through interviews and items left behind at the scene, detectives believe Hawkins to be a suspect in the shooting and were able to safely take him into custody on Tuesday afternoon.

According to court documents, Hawkins said he was meeting with a person at the park to give them money he owed. Hawkins said there were several men at the meeting and he believed he was about to be assaulted, adding that he thought he heard someone rack a gun.

Hawkins allegedly claimed he fired at the group when he believed another man was trying to hit him.

The shooting appears to be gang-related and isolated, Race said.

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(Bloomberg) -- Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. reported weaker-than-expected margins, suggesting lower profitability than anticipated in its closely watched business of selling servers for artificial intelligence work.

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Fiscal third-quarter adjusted gross margins were 31.8%, a decline from the period a year ago, the company said Wednesday in a statement. Analysts, on average, estimated 33.4%. The decline was driven by a higher mix of AI server revenue, Chief Financial Officer Marie Myers said on a call with analysts after the results were released.

Hardware makers including HPE, Dell Technologies Inc. and Super Micro Computer Inc. have enjoyed a jump in customer demand for high-powered servers to handle AI tasks. HPE reported $1.3 billion in revenue from this business line in the quarter that ended July 31, a 39% increase from the previous period and higher than analysts average estimate.

Investors have become increasingly concerned about the lower margins of most AI servers, owing to the expensive semiconductors they contain made by companies such as Nvidia Corp. In an interview, Chief Executive Officer Antonio Neri said that over time HPE will sell more higher-margin products and services along with the AI servers.

The shares declined about 3% in extended trading after closing at $18.77 in New York. The stock has gained 11% this year through the close.

Weak AI-server margin has been a theme for the sector, tripping up Super Micro and Dell over the past couple of quarters, Woo Jin Ho, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, wrote in a note. HPEs soft margins may overshadow its healthy AI sales momentum, he added.

The majority of HPEs AI server business continues to come from cloud service providers, but there is increasing momentum with enterprises and governments, Neri said.

HPE reported that total revenue increased 10% to $7.71 billion in the period, compared with the $7.66 billion average estimate. Its the biggest year-over-year sales increase in six quarters. Profit, excluding some items, was 50 cents a share. Analysts, on average, projected 47 cents.

In the quarter ending in October, HPE projected sales of $8.1 billion to $8.4 billion. Profit, excluding some items, will be 52 cents a share to 57 cents a share. Analysts, on average, estimated profit of 54 cents on revenue of $8.15 billion.

Story continues

HPE said it received about $2.1 billion from the partial sale of its stake in H3C Technologies Co. The financial impact of that transaction will be reflected in the current quarters results, the company said.

Neri said the cash will be used toward financing the companys acquisition of Juniper Networks Inc., which is expected to close later this calendar year or in early 2025.

(Updates with comments from CFO in the second paragraph.)

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FRANKFORT, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY)  One person is dead after a vehicle hit a person in the town of Frankfort late on Friday, August 30, according to Frankfort Police.

Officers were called to the area of Bleecker Street in the town of Frankfort  between Ferguson Road and Industrial Park Drive at approximately 8:35 pm on Friday. Upon their arrival, officers learned that a 42-year-old male  whose identity was not released  had been struck by a vehicle and was unresponsive. Life-saving measures were taken by officers, as well as Frankfort Center firefighters and Kunkle Ambulance.

The male eventually succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Frankfort Police say that the incident is currently under investigation and the driver is cooperating with police. Police also say that they do not believe drugs and alcohol were factors in the accident.

No criminal charges have been filed against the driver at this time.

Frankfort Police were assisted at the scene by the Frankfort Center Fire Department, Kunkel Ambulance, the New York State Polices Crash Reconstruction Unit, the Herkimer County Coroners Office, the Herkimer Police Department and the Herkimer County District Attorneys Office.

The investigation into the incident remains ongoing. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man was left critically injured and a nearby Chick-fil-A was left damaged after an overnight shooting in the Hickory Hill area, according to Memphis Police.

Around 1:13 a.m., officers say they heard multiple gunshots in the area of Winchester Road and Riverdale Road where they saw a black Nissan Maxima speeding with a rifle hanging out of the back passenger window.

That is when officers say they started to follow the vehicle northbound on Riverdale Road but lost sight of the vehicle at the Walnut Grove exit.

Police say at the initial shooting scene, a male victim was found lying on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound to the left side of his stomach and pelvis.

The man was then taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition.

WREG crews at the scene saw what appeared to be a bullet hole in a car window. Police also say there was $300 worth of damage at the nearby Chick-fil-A due to the shooting.

 See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South.

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MPD says the suspects are still on the loose at this time.

If you have any information that could help police, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that dairy workers don a respirator and goggles or a face shield, among other protections, whether they are working with sick animals or not.(Dusty Pixel photography via Getty Images)

GREELEY, Colo.  In early August, farmworkers gathered under a pavilion at a park here for a picnic to celebrate Farmworker Appreciation Day. One sign that this year was different from the others was the menu: Beef fajitas, tortillas, pico de gallo, chips, beans  but no chicken.

Farms in Colorado had culled millions of chickens in recent months to stem the transmission of bird flu. Organizers filled out the spread with hot dogs.

No matter the menu, some dairy workers at the event said they dont exactly feel appreciated. They said they havent received any personal protective equipment beyond gloves to guard against the virus, even as they or colleagues have come down with conjunctivitis and flu-like symptoms that they fear to be bird flu.

They should give us something more, one dairy worker from Larimer County said in Spanish. He spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear hed lose his job for speaking out. What if something happens to us? They act as if nothing is wrong.

Agricultural health and safety experts have been trying to get the word out about how to protect against bird flu, including through bilingual videos on TikTok showing the proper way to gear up with respirators, eye protection, gloves, and coveralls. And Colorados health and agriculture departments have offered a free months supply of protective equipment to any producer who requests it.

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But so far, many farms arent taking them up on it: According to numbers provided by the state health department in late August, fewer than 13% of the states dairies had requested and received such PPE.

The virus is known to infect mammals  from skunks, bears, and cows to people and house pets. It began showing up in dairy cattle in recent months, and Colorado has been in the thick of it. Ten of the 13 confirmed human cases in the U.S. this year have occurred in Colorado, where it continues to circulate among dairy cows. It isnt a risk in cooked meat or pasteurized milk but is risky for those who come into contact with infected animals or raw milk.

Weld County, where the farmworker event was held, is one of the nations top milk producers, supplying enough milk each month this year to fill about 45 Olympic-size swimming pools, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. Neighboring counties are notable producers, too.

Concerns are growing about undiagnosed illness among farmworkers because of a lack of testing and safety precautions. One reason for concern: Bird flu and seasonal flu are capable of gene trading, so if they ended up in the same body at the same time, bird flu might end up with genes that boost its contagiousness. The virus doesnt appear to be spreading easily between people yet. That could change, and if people arent being tested then health officials may be slow to notice.

Strains of seasonal flu already kill some 47,000 people in the U.S. a year. Public health officials fear the havoc a new form of the flu could wreak if it spreads among people.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that dairy workers don a respirator and goggles or a face shield, among other protections, whether they are working with sick animals or not.

A recent study found that not all infected cows show symptoms, so workers could be interacting with contagious animals without realizing it. Even when it is known that animals are infected, farmworkers often still have to get in close contact with them, sometimes under grueling conditions, such as during a recent heat wave when Colorado poultry workers collected hundreds of chickens by hand for culling because of the outbreak. At least six of the workers became infected with bird flu.

One dairy worker in Weld County, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of losing his job, said his employer has not offered any protective equipment beyond gloves, even though he works with sick cows and raw milk.

His bosses asked the workers to separate sick cows from the others after some cows produced less milk, lost weight, and showed signs of weakness, he said. But the employer didnt say anything about the bird flu, he said, or suggest they take any precautions for their own safety.

He said he bought protective goggles for himself at Walmart when his eyes became itchy and red earlier this summer. He recalled experiencing dizziness, headaches, and low appetite around the same time. But he self-medicated and pushed through, without missing work or going to a doctor.

We need to protect ourselves because you never know, he said in Spanish. I tell my wife and son that the cows are sick, and she tells me to leave, but it will be the same wherever I go.

He said hed heard that his employers were unsympathetic when a colleague approached them about feeling ill. Hed even seen someone affiliated with management remove a flyer about how people can protect themselves from the bird flu and throw it in a bin.

The dairy worker in neighboring Larimer County said he, too, has had just gloves as protection, even when he has worked with sick animals  close enough for saliva to wipe off on him. He started working with them when a colleague missed work because of his flu-like symptoms: fever, headache, and red eyes.

I only wear latex gloves, he said. And I see that those who work with the cows that are sick also only wear gloves.

He said he doesnt have time to wash his hands at work but puts on hand sanitizer before going home and takes a shower once he arrives. He has not had symptoms of infection.

Such accounts from dairy workers echo those from farmworkers in Texas, as reported by KFF Health News in July.

Employers who are being proactive and providing PPE seem to be in the minority in most states, said Bethany Boggess Alcauter with the National Center for Farmworker Health, a not-for-profit organization based in Texas that advocates for improving the health of farmworkers and their families. Farmworkers are getting very little information.

But Zach Riley, CEO of the Colorado Livestock Association, said he thinks such scenarios are the exception, not the rule.

You would be hard-pressed to find a dairy operation that isnt providing that PPE, he said. Riley said dairies typically have a stockpile of PPE ready to go for situations like this and that, if they dont, its easily accessed through the state. All you have to do is ask.

Producers are highly motivated to keep infections down, he said, because milk is their life source. He said he has heard from some producers that their family members who work on the farm are doing 18-to 20-hour days just to try to stay ahead of it, so that theyre the first line between everything, to protect their employees.

Colorados health department is advertising a hotline that ill dairy workers can call for help getting a flu test and medicine.

Project Protect Food Systems Workers, an organization that emerged early in the covid-19 pandemic to promote farmworker health across Colorado, is distributing PPE it received from the state so promotoras  health workers who are part of the community they serve  can distribute masks and other protections directly to workers if employers arent giving them out.

Promotora Tomasa Rodriguez said workers see it as another virus, another covid, but it is because they dont have enough information.

She has been passing out flyers about symptoms and protective measures, but she cant access many dairies. And in some instances, she said, a lot of these workers dont know how to read, so the flyers are not reaching them, and then the employers are not doing any kind of talks or trainings.

The CDCs Nirav Shah said during an Aug. 13 call with journalists that awareness about bird flu among dairy workers isnt as high as officials would like it to be, despite months of campaigns on social media and the radio.

Theres a road ahead of us that we still need to go down to get awareness on par with, say, what it might be in the poultry world, he said. Were using every single messenger that we can.

KFF Health News correspondents Vanessa G. Sanchez and Amy Maxmen contributed to this report.

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Three years ago, the U.S. and its allies evacuated thousands of Afghans who had worked with them during the war against the Taliban. But the women and girls who remain in Afghanistan now live under a gender apartheid system.

Gender apartheid is not defined in international law, nor is it considered as part of U.S. asylum and refugee law: But it should be.

In Afghanistan today women live under a barbaric system of repression. The Taliban have stripped women of their human rights, freedom and dignity. They use intimidation, violence and the methodical issuance of edicts to keep women in their homes, invisible and with no opportunity to live a full life.

Taliban restrictions affect every aspect of womens lives  from basic participation in society to education, employment and access to justice. The Taliban most recently banned womens voices and bare faces in public. Outside of the home, women must cover their faces and bodies entirely and be accompanied by male relatives.

Shortly after taking power in Afghanistan, the Taliban banned girls from attending secondary school. Directives about education have worsened over time. The Taliban ordered gender-segregated classrooms, then limited the subject areas women could study and finally excluded female students from universities.

In the workforce, the Taliban have forbidden women from holding decision-making and managerial positions. Women are also prohibited from running certain businesses and cannot serve as lawyers, judges or in other positions in the justice system.

Since taking over Afghanistan, the Taliban have stopped institutional and legal support for women facing gender-based violence. As a result, more women and girls suffer domestic violence, exploitation and abuse, including forced marriages and child marriages.

The Taliban have issued more than 80 edicts, directives and statements that target and segregate women, restrict their rights and discriminate against them. If women violate these rules, they can be flogged, stoned, arrested or killed.

The situation for women in Afghanistan mirrors the situation of Black South Africans under apartheid  institutionalized regimes of systematic oppression and domination. And the elements of a gender apartheid definition would approximate the elements of apartheid in the Apartheid Convention  if gender were substituted for race and Afghanistan for South Africa.

In October, the United Nations Sixth Committee is scheduled to consider draft articles for a Crimes Against Humanity Convention. As part of its deliberation, it should add language to the treaty to include gender apartheid. We must join with Afghan women, international legal practitioners and human rights activists to advocate for United Nations member states to act and codify gender apartheid in international law.

Codifying gender apartheid in international law would not move the Taliban to end its gender apartheid system. But it should move countries to take increased, collaborative action, as they did in the 1990s with South Africa.

The collaborative effort should include increased diplomatic and economic sanctions, criminal sanctions for violations of international law and support for Afghan women, thus layering and compounding the alienation of the Taliban, and inhibiting its evasion of accountability.

In support of Afghan women, countries must offer more protection for those who seek safety outside of Afghanistan.

In January 2023, the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) issued guidance that women are in general at risk of persecution in Afghanistan, and thus are eligible for refugee status. Several European countries now recognize all Afghan women and girls outside the country as refugees.

Under current U.S. immigration law, which has traditionally focused on individual status determinations for refugees and asylees, the guidance could not be easily replicated.

However, Congress could accelerate and simplify refugee or asylum recognition for Afghan women and girls. Congress could amend the definition of a refugee as it did in 1996 for victims of Chinas One Child Policy.

It could deem any woman who has lived under the Talibans gender apartheid system or who fears returning there as having been persecuted or having a well-founded fear of persecution, and meeting the refugee definition based on membership in a particular social group.

Congress could also amend the eligibility for a special immigrant visa. It could not only include eligible Afghans who were employed by the U.S. government but also women living under the Talibans gender apartheid system.

Aside from changes in U.S. law, which would face political and legal challenges, the U.S. government could modify policy. Afghan women and girls could be given priority consideration for refugee status.

As a group of special humanitarian concern, Afghan women should have access to the U.S. refugee system by virtue of their circumstances and need for resettlement. Although the U.S. government has prioritized Afghans who assisted with the war against the Taliban, Afghan women as a group need protection.

Gender apartheid is an all-encompassing violation of human rights. It should be codified in international law to activate governments to hold the Taliban regime to account and to offer support for the determination that any woman living under the Talibans gender apartheid system or in fear of being returned there is a prima facie refugee in need of protection.

AnnaMarie Bena is the senior vice president of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. She previously served as the director of policy in the Office of Refugee Resettlement at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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There are many differences between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. But one crucial similarity is that both have proposed terrible economic policies that have political appeal because of widespread voter ignorance.

Trump has proposed both large-scale tariff increases and mass deportation of undocumented immigrants. Harris plans include price controls and rent controls. All would cause great harm if enacted, but candidates advocate them because much of the public doesnt understand the damage such policies bring with them.

Such misunderstandings are part of a broader problem of widespread voter ignorance about government and public policy.

Trump has proposed a 10 percent tariff on virtually all imported goods. This would predictably increase prices on a wide range of products, costing the average American family roughly $1,700 per year. The economic damage will increase if foreign governments retaliate against American exports, as they likely would. In addition, because many American industries rely on imported inputs, tariffs often destroy jobs and cause shortages. Trumps first-term tariffs on aluminum and steel eliminated more jobs than they created, because these metals are inputs into many products.

The harmful effects of tariffs are the subject of a broad cross-ideological consensus among economists. Yet tariffs often get support from voters if presented as a way to save American jobs.

Trumps mass deportation plans would cause similar harm. Undocumented immigrants are important contributors to many sectors of the economy. Mass deportation would predictably create disruption, increase prices and cause shortages. Deportations also destroy more American jobs than they create, because many U.S. citizens work in industries that depend on goods and services produced by undocumented workers. Such effects would be exacerbated by Trumps plans to massively cut legal immigration, as well. Slashing immigration would also worsen the governments already dire fiscal position. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the increase in immigration since 2021 will reduce deficits by almost $1 trillion over the next decade.

As with free trade, there is broad agreement among economists on the beneficial economic effects of immigration. But many voters dont understand that. Today, about half of Americans support mass deportation of undocumented migrants, though 70 percent also support creating a path to citizenship for them.

Meanwhile, Kamala Harris has tried to assuage voter concerns about high prices by promising to impose price controls to prevent price gouging in grocery sales. She has also endorsed President Bidens plan to limit many housing rent increases to no more than 5 percent per year.

Price controls have a long history of causing shortages, including in the U.S. during the 1970s. When government artificially restricts prices, producers have less incentive to increase supplies in response to increasing demand. The same is true of rent control, which numerous studies consistently show exacerbates housing shortages.

Economists across the political spectrum agree here, too. Jason Furman, chair of Barack Obamas Council of Economic Advisers, notes that [r]ent control has been about as disgraced as any economic policy. Nonetheless, polls indicate that both rent control and price controls more generally are often popular with voters. That is partly because a majority of the public wrongly believes that high prices are caused by corporate greed.

Businesses are indeed greedy for profits, but there is no good reason to believe corporations suddenly become more greedy during periods when prices rise. Corporate greed is a constant that cannot explain a variable like price increases.

Harriss terrible proposals are less dangerous than Trumps because nationwide price controls and rent control cannot occur without new legislation, which would be hard to pass. In contrast, much of Trumps immigration and trade agenda could be enacted by executive action alone. Still, any idea endorsed by a major-party presidential candidate becomes thereby more likely to be enacted

Extensive support for these terrible policies is part of a broader pattern of widespread political ignorance. Decades worth of data show that most voters know very little about government and public policy. For example, surveys show only about one-third to a half of Americans can even name the three branches of government.

Political ignorance is perfectly rational for most voters. If your only reason for following politics is to be a better voter, that turns out to not be much of an incentive at all, because there is so little chance that your vote will actually make a difference to the outcome of an election (about 1 in 60 million in a presidential race). Such rational ignorance incentivizes politicians to promote harmful-but-popular policies.

The danger of ignorance isnt just that it leads voters to choose the wrong candidate. Its that it incentivizes both parties to promote harmful policies that cater to ignorance. Not all bad policies are caused by ignorance, but voter ignorance does facilitate some terrible policies that a better-informed electorate would reject.

Many hope that ignorance can be alleviated through education. But political knowledge levels have remained flat for decades, despite massive increases in education spending and educational attainment.

A more promising approach is to reduce the impact of ignorance by limiting and decentralizing government, thereby empowering people to make more decisions by voting with their feet. People can vote with their feet in the private sector (by choosing which products to buy or which civil society organizations to join) or by choosing what state or local government to live under in a federal system. If federal power is reduced, more issues will be left up to states, localities, and the private sector, and people will have a wider range of foot voting options.

Most people spend more time and effort acquiring information deciding what television to buy than deciding whom to vote for in a presidential election. That isnt because the presidency is less important than your television. Its because when people choose a television, they know the decision will make a difference. Extensive empirical and experimental evidence shows that foot voters seek out more information and use it better than ballot box voters.

Limiting government power also reduces the danger of voter ignorance by reducing the range of issues voters must consider. Currently, federal regulation reaches almost every type of human activity, from toilets to health care. A government with more limited powers would be easier for voters to keep track of.

At the very least, we must recognize political ignorance is a serious problem. If we continue neglecting it, we can expect more awful policies.

Ilya Somin is Professor of Law at George Mason University, B. Kenneth Simon Chair in Constitutional Studies at the Cato Institute, and author of Democracy and Political Ignorance: Why Smaller Government is Smarter and Free to Move: Foot Voting, Migration and Political Freedom.

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Kamala Harris has had a strong start to her presidential campaign, but the remaining weeks leading up to the Nov. 5 election will be closely contested and Harris faces real obstacles.

She must articulate her own positions to separate her candidacy from some of the less popular policies and outcomes seen during the Biden-Harris administration. And as she fills in the details, her plans will be picked apart, diminishing her chances to sway voters in the swing states that will decide the 2024 election.

In important policy areas, Harris has undergone an almost complete transformation, switching from unabashed progressive to careful centrist. Some voters will question the authenticity of her revised views. But for others, inconsistency wont be the problem. Its the policies themselves  appealing at first but ineffective, challenging to implement or more progressive than most Americans are comfortable with. Its policy, therefore, that could prove to be the Achilles' heel in Harris efforts to keep Trump from a second term.

Read more: Granderson: Trump keeps talking about bacon prices, but that's not making the point he intends

In her first extensive media interview since becoming the Democrats 2024 standard-bearer, Harris argued that voters should be comfortable with her reversals because her  values  have not changed. Maybe so, but voters will wonder what her values could cause her to do once elected.

On domestic energy exploration, Harris has gone from saying in 2019 that she opposed fracking and offshore oil drilling to noting that she would not seek to ban fracking after all. On healthcare that same year, the then-presidential primary candidate was an ardent supporter of Medicare for All, a reform to institute a government-run system that would significantly disrupt existing coverage arrangements. But a campaign spokesman recently said that she no longer favors this plan.

Similarly, on immigration policy  a topic that voters earlier this year in a Wall Street Journal survey identified as their 2024 top issue  Harris has struck an aggressive tone and changed positions on the Trump border wall, embracing the recent bipartisan border security bill that includes $650 million in funding for the wall, while walking away from her previous support for decriminalizing illegal border crossings.

In other issue areas, its simply the weaknesses in the ideas shes proposed that will dog her. This is particularly the case with some of her economic policy proposals.

Read more: Calmes: Is Kamala Harris' rise backlash against Donald Trump's misogyny?

Her housing plans, for example, include an idea that sounds appealing at first: providing $25,000 in down-payment assistance to first-time home buyers, as well as an additional $10,000 tax credit for purchasing a home. Such a plan would increase demand for new homes but, without significant additional supply, would also likely increase home prices for those it intends to help and potentially others in the market for a new home as well. (Its worth noting that Harris has also proposed incentives for developers who build starter homes, as well as making it possible to build new affordable housing on federal lands. But in supply-constrained states like California, these proposals alone may not create sufficient inventory to lower prices.)

Harris has conceded that food prices still remain far too high for too many Americans, but her solution  a federal ban on price-gouging  has been panned by even some progressive economists as counterproductive to encouraging the macroeconomic trends that would bring down prices. Her plan would do nothing to change the factors that drive up food prices  supply chain challenges, geopolitical conflicts and high energy costs to name a few  and its unclear that a president would be able to do much, if anything, to address these root causes, in any case.

Then theres the fact that lawmakers from her own party have said that Harris price-gouging idea wouldn't pass Congress, even if Democrats win a majority in both chambers, and would be difficult to implement as well. Its also a lightning rod for opposition from conservatives who can easily equate it to the price controls seen in some economies around the world.

Finally, there are Harris proposed $5 trillion in tax increases.

Read more: Opinion: Why I'm not worried about Trump without guardrails

Shes called for raising the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%, after Congress enacted the lower rate and Trump signed it into law in 2017. But this would only serve to restore incentives for companies to locate elsewhere to avoid paying the higher rates.

Perhaps most controversial is the Harris plan to create a new wealth tax, which would require some high net-worth families to pay taxes each year on the value of their assets, even if they remain unsold. The taxation of what are known as unrealized capital gains is problematic for many reasons, not the least of which are the administrative challenges in collecting the tax and the issues created by trying to accurately value assets that fluctuate over time or arent publicly traded.

For most voters in most states, the policy proposals of either presidential candidate wont matter. Theyve made up their minds. But for the few remaining undecided voters in swing states, what Harris has proposed and how she defends and explains her future policies may very well be dispositive. To secure their support, shell have to hope that these Americans forgive the inconsistencies in her record and the deficiencies in what shes proposed thus far.

Lanhee J. Chen is the David and Diane Steffy Fellow in American Public Policy Studies at the Hoover Institution. He was a candidate for California state controller in 2022 and served as policy director of Mitt Romneys 2012 presidential campaign.



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In her recent speech to the Democratic National Convention accepting the partys nomination for president, Vice President Kamala Harris drew one of her most thunderous applause lines when she called for an end to the violence and suffering Israel is inflicting in Gaza and for the long-denied fulfillment of Palestinian rights to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination.

This enthusiastic reception, evinced by tens of thousands of die-hard Democrats at Chicagos United Center, was a faithful reflection of where the base of the party stands on Palestinian-Israeli issues.

A May 2024 public opinion poll conducted by Data for Progress and Zeteo found that 83 percent of Democrats support the U.S. brokering a permanent ceasefire. A March 2024 Gallup poll found more Democrats sympathetic toward Palestinians than toward Israelis by a 10-point margin (43 percent to 35 percent) as Israel continues killing Palestinians in Gaza.

While Harriss rhetorical commitment to Palestinian freedom and self-determination is noteworthy, these will be yet more empty words unless they are accompanied by a commitment to tangible policy change. Most importantly, this means following U.S. law and ending weapons transfers to Israel. No other policy step would have as much of an impact in generating a permanent ceasefire and advancing Palestinian freedom.

For decades, Israel has denied Palestinians their freedom under a brutal system of apartheid and military rule, backed by the munificent support of U.S. taxpayers, who have provided Israel with more than $100 billion in weapons.

As Israels violence against Palestinians over the past 10 months has increased, so too has the amount of weaponry the U.S. is providing to Israel. The Biden administration has circumvented congressional oversight to rush to Israel the delivery of more than $6 billion in weapons, and the Pentagon recently notified Congress of $20 billion in potential new sales, which will undoubtedly be financed by U.S. taxpayers.

From fighter jets to missiles, bombs, tank shells and mortars, U.S. weapons to Israel make us complicit in the war crimes and potential crimes against humanity Israel is inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza, as the death toll eclipses 40,000 people, including more than 16,500 children.

In her acceptance speech, Harris committed to hold sacred the principle of the rule of law. If elected president, her most immediate test of fidelity to this principle will emerge from her decision on whether to send additional weapons to Israel.

U.S. law is clear: no country can receive U.S. weapons to commit human rights abuses. The Foreign Assistance Act prevents the U.S. from furnishing any support to a country with a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights. The Arms Export Control Act mandates that U.S. weapons be used solely for internal security, for legitimate self-defense, and for a few other scenarios not relevant to Israels attacks on Palestinians in Gaza. No sales or deliveries of any weapons are permitted to a country in substantial violation of these limitations.

In addition, current White House guidelines, embodied in its Conventional Arms Transfer policy, prohibit weapons deliveries to a country when it is more likely than not that the arms to be transferred will be used by the recipient to commit, facilitate the recipients commission of, or to aggravate risks that the recipient will commit: genocide; crimes against humanity; grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, including attacks intentionally directed against civilian objects or civilians protected as such; or other serious violations of international humanitarian or human rights law, including serious acts of genderbased violence or serious acts of violence against children.

As attested to by myriad Palestinian and international human rights organizations, as well as United Nations agencies and judicial bodies, Israel is brazenly violating every single clause of the Conventional Arms Transfer policy, which is supposed to prevent U.S. complicity in atrocities.

Not only should Harris commit to ending weapons transfers to Israel because U.S. law and policy mandate she do so if elected president, stopping weapons to Israel is also a smart electoral strategy to adopt. A March 2024 public opinion poll conducted by the Center for Economic and Policy Research found that 62 percent of Biden 2020 voters support halting weapons shipments to Israel, whereas only 14 percent oppose.

In addition, an August 2024 public opinion poll of voters in the critical swing states of Pennsylvania, Arizona and Georgia, conducted by the IMEU Policy Project, found that Democratic and independent voters would be more likely to cast their ballot for Harris if she were to support an arms embargo on Israel. Thirty-nine percent of Georgians would be more likely to vote for Harris in this scenario, whereas only 5 percent of voters would be less likely to vote for her, with similar results obtained in Arizona (35 percent to 5 percent) and in Pennsylvania (34 percent to 7 percent).

Unfortunately, Harris appears wedded to Bidens failed strategy of providing Israel with weapons. As she put it in an interview with CNN, she would not withhold weapons.

More than 75 years ago, in November 1947, as the U.N. debated partitioning Palestine against the wishes of its majority indigenous inhabitants, the Truman administration imposed an arms embargo on all sides in Palestine for the commonsense reason, in the subsequent words of Secretary of State George Marshall, that to permit American arms to go to Palestine and neighboring states would facilitate acts of violence and the further shedding of blood and thus render still more difficult the task of maintaining law and order.

The Truman administration maintained its arms embargo against Israel after its establishment in May 1948, despite fierce lobbying from members of Congress, Zionist organizations in the U.S. and the Israeli government. Israel engaged in massive ethnic cleansing, driving more than 80 percent of Palestinians from their homes in what became Israel and turning them into refugees. But at least U.S. weapons did not contribute to this atrocity.

Today, as Israel continues its horrendous violence against Palestinians, which is in some respects even more deadly than the catastrophe of 1948, the obverse is true. The U.S. is profoundly complicit in Israels mass killing of Palestinians.

Because of her stated commitment to the rule of law, a permanent ceasefire and Palestinian freedom, Harris must now end U.S. complicity by backing a renewed arms embargo against Israel.

Josh Ruebner is policy director of the Institute for Middle East Understanding Policy Project.

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While celebrating the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court on Oct 26, 2020, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) said, A lot of what we have done over the past four years will be undone sooner or later by the next election. But, he added, They wont be able to do much about this for a long time to come.

So it was inevitable that McConnell would instantly offer a rebuke of President Bidens Supreme Court reform proposals.

Dead on arrival, said McConnell.

He is, by any fair measure, the architect of the extreme Supreme Court whose supermajority has run roughshod over long-standing precedents that protected constitutional rights and the prerogatives of other branches of the federal government, as well as state and local governments.

The court has also become an ethical nightmare of millions of dollars in previously undisclosed gifts from right-wing donors, possible tax evasion and potentially insurrectionist flag-waving.

Far from the independent judiciary he proclaims it to be, this extreme and corrupt court is McConnells greatest triumph and personal pull toy. He cant resist the chance to return to the scene of his victory.

McConnell starts his argument by falsely claiming that for decades, the courts were a reliable ally of the left and its policy aims.

America had a conservative Supreme Court beginning in 1969 when President Richard Nixon, who had pledged to move the court to the right in reaction to the rulings of the liberal Warren Court, nominated and had four justices confirmed in less than three years.

From 1969 to 1993, a full quarter century, Republican presidents nominated, and the Senate confirmed, 10 consecutive justices.

Democrats undoubtedly disagreed with some of the courts decisions during that long period of Republican-appointed justices. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court maintained public support.

Several of these justices, Harry Blackmun, John Paul Stevens and David Souter, proved to be surprisingly liberal. Others, such as Lewis Powell, Sandra Day OConnor, and Anthony Kennedy, proved to be moderate. William Rehnquist, much more conservative than the others, turned out to be a collegial chief justice who by and large respected precedent.

These justices also had legitimacy because they were confirmed through a thorough, searching confirmation process, which continued to be the case for nominees made by Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. While Rehnquist in particular was opposed to the civil and individual rights established from the 1950s through Roe v. Wade in 1973, they were not uprooted.

But a judicious Supreme Court, especially one that contained justices who demonstrated independence once appointed, was anathema to many powerful groups.

The Christian Right committed to restricting abortion, much of the Republican corporate donor base that despises government regulation and The Federalist Society, which spearheaded the long battle to capture the court to move it decisively to the right, were all factors in influencing the courts ideological change.

And McConnell delivered for them, big time when he prevented the Senates consideration of President Obamas nomination of Merrick Garland for 10 months on the specious grounds that it was an election year in 2016. This contrasted sharply with his zeal to ram through the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett in 2020, eight days before an election that Trump seemed likely to lose. It is before the backdrop of this ignominious history that McConnell criticizes Bidens proposal for Supreme Court term limits on the grounds of the dangerous blow it would deal to the Senates power of advice and consent.

No one has done more damage to the Senates power of advice and consent than McConnell, who personally poisoned the last five Supreme Court confirmation fights while projecting his own behavior onto Democrats, accusing them of being responsible for every escalation of the judicial wars.

McConnell writes that Biden proposes to hamstring the only independent branch of the federal government empowered to shield individual Americans from the whims of the executive and the tyranny of legislative majorities.

McConnell, who has been a Senate leader longer than anyone in history, surely does not truly view the political branches of the government with such self-critical contempt. Its just part of McConnells scheme to shield the Supreme Court from the torrent of well-deserved criticism of its radical decisions on abortion, guns, affirmative action, church and state and government regulation.

McConnell correctly points out that Alexander Hamilton expressed support for lifetime appointments for judges as a guarantee of their independence in The Federalist No. 78. Of course, life spans were much shorter in 1787, and since that time, every other constitutional democracy in the world has chosen to place age limits or term-limits on the judges of their highest court.

McConnell fails to mention that Hamilton famously conceived of the judiciary as the least dangerous branch with no influence over either the sword or the purse.

Since the days of Marbury v. Madison, when the court gave itself the power to strike down democratically passed laws, the least dangerous branch has become the most dangerous and least democratic, with the justices imposing their own ideological views in a way that is difficult to counteract.

We the people are not obligated to ignore the real-world evidence of the damage that the court is doing to the rights protected by the Constitution, or the proper functioning of our government.

Waxing philosophical this past February, McConnell mused: History will settle every account. For McConnell, the accounting may begin quite soon.

If Kamala Harris wins the election, it will be in large part a consequence of McConnells legacy  his creation of the extreme court, whose decisions will spur millions of outraged Americans to vote for a president who will have the power to appoint justices to end the reign of reaction.

Ira Shapiro is a former Senate staffer and Clinton administration trade ambassador. He is the author of three books about the U.S. Senate, the most recent of which is The Betrayal: How Mitch McConnell and the Senate Republicans Abandoned America (2022).

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For political junkies like us, nothing sparks the childlike joy of Christmas morning quite like a fresh set of political polls. We discuss the latest election forecasts.

Jan 6. BLM protests. An assassination attempt on a former president. America has seen its fair share of political violence recently. A new Deseret News/HarrisX survey shows most U.S. voters, regardless of party affiliation, believe there is a real possibility of political violence before and after Election Day. Should they be concerned?

Pignanelli: Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political moral questions of our time.  Martin Luther King, Jr.

If voters had responded to this question 12 years ago, the results would be remarkably different, as there was nominal rioting then.

However, the nation suffers a history of hostile reactions to political events stretching back before the birth of our republic. My experiences as a child of the 60s and early 70s reaffirm this tragic legacy. The protests against the 2016 Trump election, massive demonstrations after the 2020 George Floyd killing and 2021 post-election hostilities are recent reminders of our troubled heritage.

We are enduring an unusual election, and another strange episode affecting a candidate could trigger a nasty preelection response. Regardless of what happens in November, I worry that too many Americans will take to the streets. Healing must be the first order of political business in 2025.

Cowley: Neither party is without radical factions that could pose a threat if their team doesnt win on Nov. 5. Fringe activists do not represent the majority of voters and I pray any protests are peaceful.

America deserves leaders who will model civility and decorum. Donald Trump claims the 2020 election was fraudulent, while Kamala Harris portrays a Trump victory as an existential threat to democracy. Both sides should start now, not wait for Election Day, to ensure the peaceful transfer of power, a hallmark of our nations successful governance.

According to a new Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll conducted by HarrisX, most Utah voters said they approve of Gov. Spencer Coxs endorsement of former President Donald Trump. Yet Trump performed the worst in Utah of any red state on Super Tuesday. What accounts for Utah voters change of heart?

Pignanelli: The problem for Cox is he has a conscience and socializes his inner quandaries. Most Republicans share the concerns over Trumps behavior that Cox has broadcasted. But they dont have his public megaphone and are not subject to critiques. Cox legitimately believed that Trump would possibly be a different person after the assassination attempt and reached out to him for that reason. The former president is the standard-bearer for the party with which Cox shares the ballot, and the Utah GOP wants team players. Cox demonstrated thoughtfulness in his admirable selection process, but such is not always politically astute.

Cowley: Utah is often criticized as a one-party state where voters unthinkingly cast ballots for anyone with an R next to their name. Donald Trumps repeated poor performance in the Beehive State indicates something else  Utahns place a premium on ethics and integrity and expect the same from their elected officials. However, they dont always get it. Both presidential candidates have plenty of moral failings. I respect politicians like Cox who defy political pressures and follow their conscience, even when I disagree with the outcome.

Cox and Utah voters have expressed their frustrations with Trumps antics but at the end of the day want someone in the White House who will promote policies that serve our state and nation. Utah witnessed a Trump administration and Biden/Harris administration. The evidence is clear: Utah thrived under the former.

Gov. Cox and Congressman John Curtis (now vying for senate) have large leads ahead of their Democrat competitors. The Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll reveals Cox leads with 56% and 17% for Brian King, and Curtis also with 56% to 22% for Caroline Gleich. (The remaining percentages in each race were for other candidates or undecided.) What accounts for their strong popularity, and is there any hope for an upset in these races?

Pignanelli: History documents that Democrats will increase their share of votes on Nov. 5 to approximately 30%. With some notable exceptions, those were the standard results for Democrats in 21st-century Senate and gubernatorial races. The Republican nominees are also likely to increase their percentages.

The Democrat candidates are articulate and intelligent. Thus, they could benefit if a huge controversy or scandal erupts, either at the top or inside the state.

Cowley: It is interesting that Cox and Curtis, who can both be described as moderate Republicans, have such significant leads in statewide races. Is this an indication that the stranglehold the Republican Party has over Utah is loosening? Unlikely. What it does indicate is that voters like pragmatic leaders who demonstrate civility and a willingness to work across the aisle. Curtis has shown tremendous leadership in environmental policies, and Cox has demonstrated compassion for transgender students, both while sticking to their Republican ethos.

An upset in either race seems as likely as Frank Pignanelli learning to fly.

Republican Renae Cowley is a political consultant, lobbyist, social media influencer and professional rodeo athlete. Email: capitolcowgirl@gmail.com. Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser who served as a Democrat in the Utah State Legislature. Email: frankp@xmission.com.
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Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) is partnering with Intel to establish a new research and development center focused on advanced chip production, reports Nikkei citing sources with knowledge of the matter. This facility is expected to be operational within three to five years and will focus on process technologies that use EUV lithography.

The new R&D center will cost hundreds of millions of dollars (as each EUV litho machine costs around $200 million) and will provide an opportunity for various industry players in Japan to collaborate with AIST and Intel by jointly using EUV equipment for prototyping and testing. The move will enable chip designers in Japan to adopt the latest process technologies, such as those relying on EUV tools, which will ultimately make them more competitive with industry peers based elsewhere.

Currently, many Japanese companies must rely on foreign research centers, such as Belgium's IMEC, to access EUV equipment for product development. By establishing a domestic facility, Japan aims to reduce this reliance on overseas resources, thereby speeding up the development process and improving the competitive standing of its semiconductor industry.

Notably, Japanese companies like Lasertec and JSR are already global leaders in several areas of EUV technology. Lasertec dominates the market for EUV inspection equipment, while JSR excels in photoresists used in chip production. Through the new research center, Intel aims to strengthen its collaboration with these companies to solidify its own capabilities while also strengthening Japan's position in the global semiconductor supply chain.

Another advantage that Intel gets by working closely with Japanese companies is to ensure that its existing rival TSMC (and upcoming rival Rapidus with a presence in Japan) can't secure key strategic advantages, such as customer relations or better tools and/or raw materials.

Nikkei also believes that a joint R&D center between an American company and Japans AIST is strategically significant given the increasing tensions between the U.S. and China. The U.S. has imposed stricter export controls on EUV-related technologies to China, complicating the process of transferring research data back to Japan. A domestic EUV facility will help Japan circumvent these challenges, providing greater security and efficiency in semiconductor development.
Former President Donald Trumps running mate, JD Vance, is embracing a say yes to everything media strategy. Since being picked by Trump, Vance has done nearly a hundred interviews, press gaggles and press conferences, Axios reports. Hes also spent a lot of time outside of friendly territory, going on several Sunday talk shows and talking to left-of-center media outlets. Trump reportedly believes Vance is doing wonderfully. The public: not so much.

The more Americans have gotten to know Vance, the more theyve come to dislike him. When Trump named Vance as his running mate, the Ohio senator had a net favorability of -3.3% in 538.coms polling average. But at that time, nearly half of Americans did not express a view. Since then, a lot more Americans have gotten to know him. The number of people who view him favorably has increased  but the number of people who view him unfavorably has increased at a faster pace. Vances average net favorability is now negative 10%.

This stands in stark contrast to Vice President Kamala Harris running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Americans hold a net favorable view of Walz of nearly 5%. Thats not as strong as he was around the moment Harris picked him, but his favorability has remained steady for weeks as hes campaigned aggressively with Harris and released tons of videos on social media showcasing his personality. Its also a pretty remarkable statistic at a time when most nationally known politicians are underwater on favorability.

In a civic sense, technically it is a good thing that Vance is eager to talk to media outlets outside of his own ideological bubble and to share his views of the world with citizens who may vote for or against him. But on a strategic level, it isnt paying off for him. Part of the reason is that the Trump camp seems delusional about how Vance registers with the public. Vances team told Axios that his strategy is trying to persuade the middle. But with the press, and at rallies, Vance comes across as exactly the kind of politician that Trump sought out when he picked him: a MAGA warrior who obediently sticks to Trumps script.

In interviews with the mainstream press, the newsiest moments typically revolve around Vance defending Trumps or his own extreme and distasteful remarks. Vance has downplayed or dismissed criticism for comments he made in 2021 saying Harris was a childless cat lady. He has tried to act as a shield for Trump on questions over whether Trump would enact national restrictions on abortion, which then spurs the Biden campaign and reporters to bring to light Vances own extremist record on the issue. Vance has misogynistically likened Harris to a clueless Miss Teen USA contestant, and then refused to apologize for it. After Harris' campaign responded in a measured tone to Trumps appalling exploitation of Arlington Cemetery for a campaign photo-op, Vances comms strategy was to tell Harris to go to hell. Vances emergence as Trumps attack dog has prompted journalists and activists to dig up videos where he does things like criticizes women for daring to prioritize their career and question the value of child-rearing.

Vance isnt particularly good at doing this stuff either. He auditioned for the role of Trumps veep by positioning himself as a Trump mimic. Yet at the same time, Vance does a terrible Donald Trump impression, as my colleague Hayes Brown has discussed. Vance can follow Trumps script, but he lacks Trumps charisma, strategic vagueness and ability to entertain, which can cloak the nefariousness of Trumps autocratic and white nationalist-leaning agenda. Vances swift plunge in net favorability is a reflection of what happens when a politician systematically adopts Trumps unpopular and polarizing positions while lacking the ability to mystify the electorate about how serious he is about any of the off-the-wall things he says.

If Vance really wanted to have a chance of speaking to the middle, he might look to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who is fond of going on shows on Fox News and other conservative media shows to talk policy. Buttigieg is a relative moderate within the Democratic Party. He does not need to constantly play defense about dehumanizing or distasteful comments about his opponents. Instead he tries to calmly identify common ground, draw attention to data and push back against conservative myths about the Democratic Party.

Ultimately even if Vance had more charisma he would be trapped by his ticket. Trump chose him to be a loyal foot soldier, and he is fulfilling the assignment. Vance can try to help fire up the base and try to persuade swing voters that Trump is better for the economy, which is Trumps entire electoral strategy. But he's going to make more enemies than friends doing it.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Last school year, American colleges and universities found themselves embroiled in contentious debates about the war between Israel and Hamas. Protests roiled campuses from coast to coast. Encampments arose, buildings were occupied, classes were moved. Some peaceful demonstrations became volatile, and members of campus communities felt threatened or intimidated.

This year must be different.

As a university chancellor, I cant affect the course of the war in Gaza or redress its tragic impacts. What I and my campus counterparts can do is create conditions for thoughtful debate.

We can model active listening. We can insist on principled argument. We can strike a balance between supporting free expression and protecting our communities.

Summer provided a temporary respite, but the U.S. presidential election and escalating hostilities in the Middle East are keeping societal passions at a boil. Within this context, colleges and universities must ensure that teaching, research and scholarship can proceed in a framework of physical safety and respect.

The lessons of last school year were forged in a crucible of duress. This year, decisions must be made deliberately and with conviction. And although every campus community has distinct cultural needs and considerations, I believe we would all benefit from reemphasizing a few important principles.

First, free expression is foundational to education  and has limits. Free speech and healthy debate are cornerstones in the search for truth. Peaceful protest can be a powerful means of expressing a point of view. But behavior or speech that threatens, intimidates, harasses, discriminates or unreasonably disrupts teaching and learning cannot be tolerated. Whether speech or actions cross that line must be discerned carefully and on an absolutely content-neutral basis.

Second, a university campus is no place for a tent city. Last school year, nearly 150 campuses in the U.S. saw the emergence of protest encampments and associated demonstrations. Such ongoing assemblies and makeshift structures impede passage to classes, labs and offices and raise public health concerns. Protesters, whether affiliated with our institutions or not, cannot occupy campus buildings or damage property. Students and employees have a right to cross our campuses to their classrooms and worksites without intimidation or undue obstruction.

Third, although we must not act rashly, we also cannot be passive. We cannot tolerate anyone  within or outside of our campus communities  violating our policies, creating chaos or instilling fear in those we serve. Individuals found to have done so should face appropriate consequences under established policies and applicable laws. We have an obligation to our entire community  students, faculty and staff, as well as patients in our hospitals and children in our campus schools  to ensure that our campus is safe and that our work in support of our mission continues.

Some may view such measures as suppressing free expression. To the contrary, these are the steps we must take to create the conditions that will allow us to focus on the final and most important principle: that we must close the distance through discussion and dialogue. We must welcome all voices to the table, grounded by frameworks for how to discuss, debate and even argue about important topics with civility and respect. Closing distance is the very essence of higher education. Enforcing speech and demonstration policies is vital to maintaining an environment where civil discourse can thrive.

The truths of our world are far more complex than any one individual can know in full. Our knowledge is deepened by every encounter with someone whose life experience is different from our own. In my role as a university chancellor, Im called to uphold conditions of community life in which every member has the right to speak and, concurrently, the right to learn without intimidation.

Now more than ever, colleges and universities must be places that close distance  not where rifts become wider and problems more intractable.

Andrew D. Martin is chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis, where he also is a professor of political science, law, statistics and data science

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Students walk past the Great Dome on the MIT campus. The school's percentage of Black, Latino, Native American and Pacific Islander students has dropped from 25% to 16% since the Supreme Court ended affirmative action in admissions last year. (Charles Krupa / Associated Press)

MIT is the first college to release racial data on the class of 2028 since the Supreme Court ended affirmative action in admissions last year. To no ones surprise, the schools percentage of Black, Latino, Native American and Pacific Islander students dropped from 25% to 16% in just one year. MIT is not alone; it is just the first university to announce the inevitable. If a college formally used race in the admissions process, and most American colleges did until the courts decision, its percentages will likely be down as well.

Without seeing racial checkboxes on applications, admissions committees are not able to know with certainty whether a student is coming from a background that's underrepresented at their schools. But there are other ways to learn this, and a students race is not the only type of minority group that colleges are actively trying to recruit. While affirmative action is no longer used in its original form, a different type of action is being employed by colleges  one that is as nuanced as its predecessor.

Read more: Caltech's latest STEM breakthrough: Most of its new students are women

Certain genders, family compositions and geographic communities, as well as educational and socioeconomic backgrounds, make up a colleges definition of diversity. With race eliminated from admissions criteria, at least on the surface, these other categories are more strongly prioritized. In contrast, students coming from backgrounds that are common in an applicant pool may be held to a higher standard.

Everyone wants to know how to seem desirable on a college application. Simply put, schools want what they don't have  or dont have much of.

People of Black, Latino, Native American or Pacific Islander descent continue to be highly sought after by most colleges. Male-identifying students are very desirable too, especially for liberal arts schools and programs. With a few exceptions, such as MIT, males represent the minority at most colleges . Students coming from single-parent homes are rare in an applicant pool. Lower- and middle-income students, first-generation college students, and those coming from states including Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Alaska, Mississippi and Alabama are seen as highly desirable by most colleges, as are students coming from rural communities within states that have many urban and suburban applicants.

Read more: Granderson: Here's one way to bring college costs back in line with reality

In contrast, female-identifying students are admitted at lower rates than their male counterparts at most colleges. Students coming from a family where both parents received college degrees will be held to a higher standard than first-generation college students because the former group has traditionally had more resources to succeed. If parents have graduate or advanced degrees, the bar is higher, and it will be raised further if the parents seem to have high-paying jobs.

White, Asian, Jewish and wealthy students apply in large numbers to colleges, which can make admission more competitive for people in those groups. Some of these students try to hide their backgrounds. But admissions officers look for identifiers in the application. When I worked in admissions at an Ivy League university, among the things I paid attention to were students and parents names, home addresses, high school attendance, activities and awards, any of which could suggest or reveal things about the students background.

This is why I have always told students not to hide their histories. Admissions officers will almost always figure it out, with or without checkboxes. Students coming from underrepresented backgrounds need to write about this aspect of their identity somewhere in the application, whether it is the main essay or a supplemental essay on diversity. Overrepresented students worry about what to write for those diversity-focused essays. I push them to consider aspects of their life that they may overlook. These could include something that makes their family unconventional, such as having a grandparent who lives with them, a unique cadence to their speech or even something unusual about their neighborhood.

Read more: Editorial: Supreme Court's affirmative action ban is a catastrophic blow to the American dream

The coming admissions cycle is stressful for all applicants. Not all Black, Latino, Native American and Pacific Islander students know that writing about their race can give them a leg up. And overrepresented students may not know how to identify what makes them different from their peers.

Colleges claim racial discrimination doesnt happen in the admissions process, at least not anymore. But forms of bigotry have plagued the industry for more than a century, always with a moving target. Some group is always in and others are always out  the public often just doesnt know who it is until it's too late.

This admissions cycle, students must do all they can to reveal how their backgrounds and experiences will enhance the mix of a student body. And schools have at least one clear target: Without explicit racial considerations, colleges seeking minorities must do even more work to diversify their campuses.

Sara Harberson is the author of Soundbite: The Admissions Secret That Gets You Into College and Beyond and the founder of Application Nation . She was the associate dean of admissions at the University of Pennsylvania and the dean of admissions at Franklin & Marshall College.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In taking credit for the suspension of a University of Virginia student-led tour program that was less than flattering for the schools founder, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Neale, a 1974 alum and president of the conservative Jefferson Council, said his group merely wants tours that provide more context about who Jefferson was.

Students who are a part of the University Guide Service have provided tours of UVA for visitors, including prospective students and their families. A co-founder of the Jefferson Council said on the councils website in 2021 that the University Guides now seem intent on contextualizing Mr. Jefferson as a slave holder and rapist, and to completely undermine his part of the Founding of America and our University.

The student group, which wants to resume its tours, said in a statement to The Cavalier Daily, We believe our mission is better fulfilled when we can offer tours in collaboration with the University. This will remain true so long as this relationship does not harm our ability to share an honest and complete account of U.Va. and its history.

In an interview with NBC News, Neale claimed victory for the suspension of the student-led tours inasmuch as the Jefferson Council is now responsible for 13 of the universitys 17 trustees, and those 13, he said, looked at this and said this has to change.

According to NBC News, Neale insisted his group doesnt want a whitewashing of Jeffersons status as a slaveowner, but a greater contextualization of Americas third president and Declaration of Independence author. That report says that Neale believes it should be taught that Jefferson signed into law, in 1807, the prohibition against the importation of slaves.

Be careful what you wish for, Mr. Neale. Because, as we wrote in our book The American Slave Coast, the context you call for doesnt reflect favorably on the nation's third president.

Yes, Jefferson did push through the law prohibiting the unpopular practice of importing enslaved people from the African continent. But contrary to the myths that spin that as a humanitarian act, the prohibition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade was protectionism for Jefferson and the planters in Virginia and Maryland that he represented. If he were acting out of humanitarian concerns, then hed have pushed to end slavery altogether and grant personhood to the formerly enslaved, but that would have pauperized Jefferson and his most enthusiastic supporters.

Neale wants Jefferson to have credit for ending the trans-Atlantic slave trade. But that means giving him credit for playing a foundational role in the domestic slave trade and its concomitant slave-breeding industry. If plantation owners who worked their human property to death in the brutal heat of, say, Tennessee or Mississippi could no longer buy kidnapped victims from Africa, then theyd have to go to Maryland or to the No. 1 supplier of young bodies for the emerging interstate slave trade: Jeffersons Virginia.

Jefferson, it must be recalled, had also just purchased the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon, vastly expanding the territory for slave labor and thereby driving up the value of the human beings that Virginians were raising for sale. The new generation of Louisiana planters resented having to buy laborers from the Chesapeake instead of cheaper human chattel from Africa, but, thanks to Jefferson, they had no choice.

Neale, the president of the Jefferson Council, says he wants greater contextualization for Jefferson, but adding in the context would tell us why Jeffersons reputation has been going downhill since Mr. Neales college days half a century ago. Its not just because he owned slaves or fathered children with an enslaved woman who had no right to tell him no, or even because of his influential and utterly racist book Notes on the State of Virginia, in which he elaborated a pseudo-scientific view of Black people as intellectually less capable and thus became a founding theorist of white supremacy in the new United States. Its that he was a driver of an industry that bred human beings like livestock.

Despite the importance of the schools founder to UVAs brand, this is what it means to put Jefferson in context.

So yes, teach that Jefferson signed into law the prohibition against the importation of persons. But also teach that the law he signed did nothing to end American slavery and arguably made it even more cruel.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
In his classic text On War, the great philosopher of war Carl von Clausewitz introduced the concept of the center of gravity.

The center of gravity in war is the hub of all power and movement, on which everything depends. That is the point against which all [ones] energies should be directed, Clausewitz wrote. Political and military leaders should not imprudently disperse their military forces, sending them on fools errands beyond the decisive theater of conflict.

Unfortunately for Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky and the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces seem either not to have read On War or forgotten this key insight.

Ukraines Kursk operation has, unfortunately, devolved into a fools errand  a glorified light-cavalry raid or medieval chevauchee that has diverted Ukrainian energies away from the center of gravity in the war against Russia. Rather than drawing Russian forces away from more critical battlefronts in Donetsk, the incursion has dispersed Ukrainian forces, allowing the Russian military to focus on the current center of gravity in this conflict and accelerate its push towards the strategically vital city of Pokrovsk.

Initially conceived as a tactical maneuver to draw Russian forces away from more strategically crucial fronts, the Kursk operation now appears to have been a strategic miscalculation that could carry severe consequences for Ukraines broader military strategy.

Ukrainian leadership likely hoped that by striking into Russian territory, they could achieve several objectives: drawing Russian forces away from key battlefields in Donetsk; creating a psychological impact by demonstrating Ukraines capacity to attack Russian soil; and disrupting Russian supply lines.

These objectives have not been realized. Despite the incursion, Russian forces have not significantly redirected their efforts away from Donetsk. Instead, the Russian advance on Pokrovsk  a city of substantial strategic value  has only accelerated.

Pokrovsk is a crucial logistical and transportation hub in the Donetsk region, sitting at the crossroads of major road and rail networks vital for the supply and reinforcement of Ukrainian positions throughout the eastern front. If Russian forces capture Pokrovsk, they would effectively cut off these critical supply lines, isolating Ukrainian units defending other key areas in Donetsk.

The loss of Pokrovsk could have a cascading effect, leading to a broader collapse of Ukrainian defenses in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian troops in these areas rely heavily on the supply routes passing through Pokrovsk for ammunition, reinforcements and logistical support. Any disruption to these supply lines could severely compromise their ability to hold their ground against Russian advances, potentially allowing Russia to make further gains in eastern Ukraine and altering the course of the conflict.

From a military perspective, the incursion into Kursk has not yielded any significant gains for Ukraine. Rather than forcing Russia to divert substantial forces away from its main effort in Donetsk, it has resulted in the diversion of some of Ukraines best troops and advanced equipment away from the most strategically critical frontlines. This shift has not only weakened Ukraines defensive posture in the Donetsk region but has also exacerbated existing manpower shortages, compounding the challenges Ukrainian forces face in holding key defensive positions.

Moreover, the Ukrainian incursion has not achieved any substantial territorial gains. The operation has largely been confined to a series of skirmishes and localized engagements that have not shifted the balance of power on the ground. In a protracted war of attrition, such operations carry significant risks. Every soldier, tank and artillery piece is a vital asset, and the decision to commit these resources to an incursion with limited strategic value may prove costly for Ukraine in the long run.

For Ukraine, the Kursk operation represents a missed opportunity to consolidate its defensive positions in the east. And for Russia, the Kursk incursion may be viewed as a strategic victory, not because of any direct military engagement in Kursk but because it has drawn Ukrainian resources away from more critical fronts. By maintaining their focus on Donetsk, Russian forces have been able to press their advantage, potentially opening new opportunities to exploit Ukrainian vulnerabilities along the eastern front.

Although bold maneuvers and psychological operations may have their place, the primary objective for both sides remains control over strategically significant territory. This is why Ukraine must reassess its strategic priorities, focusing on defending key positions in the Donetsk region, particularly around Pokrovsk, where the outcome of the conflict could be decided. Ukraine cannot afford to overextend its forces on operations that do not yield tangible benefits.

The war has already taken a heavy toll on Ukrainian forces, and the risks of overextension are becoming increasingly apparent. By reinforcing key positions and ensuring that every move is calculated and purposeful, Ukraine can better withstand Russian advances and protect its territorial integrity.

For Russia, continued focus on strategic targets such as Pokrovsk reflects a broader strategy aimed at consolidating gains in eastern Ukraine. The capture of key logistical hubs and transportation networks would significantly bolster the Russian position and potentially pave the way for further advances into Ukrainian-held territory, perhaps leading to a decisive breakthrough.

The Kursk gambit violates the Clauswitzian principle of maintaining the focus on the center of gravity. While it may have been intended as a bold tactical maneuver, the operation has instead diverted crucial resources away from more important fronts. Ukraine must instead prioritize the defense of its most strategically important positions, strengthening its center of gravity with every action. Only thus can it hope to withstand the pressures of a prolonged conflict and protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Andrew Latham is a professor of international relations at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minn., a senior fellow at the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy, and a non-resident fellow at Defense Priorities in Washington, D.C.

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The Uncommitted National Movement, a loose coalition of activists, is praiseworthy for its spirited efforts to pressure the Democratic Party, and now its nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza and impose an arms embargo against Israel.

Despite the movements success in galvanizing tens of thousands of activists, it was denied a speaking spot at last months Democratic National Convention. There is every reason for these activists to sour on Harris for such a snub and for failing to do more to stop the suffering of Gazans under a relentless Israeli occupation.

In an opinion article in Al Jazeera, Maura Finkelstein, a cultural anthropologist, explains why she wont be voting for Harris: My red line is genocide, and no good vibes campaigning will move it. She also points out that More than 700,000 Americans have cast an uncommitted vote in the Democratic primaries, demonstrating their rejection of the Democratic Partys ironclad support for Israel.

Such a principled objection to Harris may seem justified. However, an unflinching commitment to the people of Gaza requires not succumbing to the temptation of prioritizing emotions and optics over the actual consequences of actions. The coalitions use of the ballot box as a pinata to vent their frustration would amount to nothing more than an act of performative conscientiousness  while making things far worse for the very people they claim to be fighting for.

What is needed is skillful and strategic action, not the nurturing of grievances and impulsiveness. My concern is that the movements aggressive anti-Harris stance is an unforced error that may deal them a defeat in their end game.

Such a stance would have been perfectly valid and constructive if it were solely a binary dynamic between Kamala Harris and the Uncommitted National Movement. However, this is a triangular play in which Donald Trump, the elephant in the room, cannot be ignored without jeopardizing the cause at hand. Surely the activists who are mobilizing with so much passion against Harris cant be oblivious to the fact that her opponent would be considerably more ruinous to the fate of Palestinians. Maligning Harris at this crucial phase of the election would amount to tilting the scale in favor of Trump, an unabashed pro-Israel hawk.

Despite her progressive rhetoric, Harris has turned out to be a disappointment because of her inability or unwillingness to fundamentally challenge Americas pro-Israel policy, which extends even to supplying bombs that are being used against the people of Gaza. But it would be prudent to consider that she is not yet the commander-in-chief. There are limits to what she can do at this point as the vice president.

What is important is that, compared to all other politicians who are in a position to have an impact on this situation, she has been the most vocal in acknowledging the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the urgent need for a ceasefire.

Therefore, making this a battle against Harris, the person most uniquely positioned to become a powerful ally for the uncommitted, is an act of self-sabotage. Additionally, by vilifying Harris, the uncommitted movement risks alienating a significant portion of the American electorate who might otherwise be sympathetic to their cause.

Harris, as the first female, Black and South Asian vice president, carries substantial symbolic weight. Her position within the Democratic Party is also pivotal; she represents a bridge between the partys progressive and moderate wings. Alienating her could push the party further to the right on issues related to Israel and Palestine.

A more pragmatic approach would involve holding Harris and the Democratic Party accountable while recognizing the political realities of the American system. By engaging constructively with Harris and advocating for change from within, the uncommitted movement could have a far greater impact on U.S. policy toward Israel and Palestine.

No matter how unintentional, it would be a monumental act of hypocrisy for those advocating to end the suffering of the people of Gaza to undercut Harriss chances, knowing that doing so directly translates into paving the way for Trump, who in his first term attempted to implement a Muslim travel ban and is eager to support Israel in finishing the job in Gaza. From that standpoint, fussing over Harris would be like fretting over a splinter while ignoring the sword that would come crashing down over the Palestinians if Trump gains control of the White House.

Parthiv N. Parekh is the editor-in-chief of Khabar, a magazine serving Indian American readers.

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Then Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid gives a statement following the swearing-in of Israel's 25th parliament. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid called on Wednesday for a deal with Hamas to end the war in the Gaza Strip and free the hostages still being held by the Palestinian group.

Ending the war is in Israels interest, Lapid posted in Hebrew on X.

At the same time he repeated his call for a change in Israels political leadership. The war will continue for as long as this government exists, he said. The government does not want peace, the former prime minister and head of the centrist Yesh Atid party added.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of the right-wing extremist Otzma Yehudit party, said earlier that he was working to put an end to current indirect talks with Hamas on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Israel should not negotiate with murderers, Ben-Gvir said.

Over the weekend, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the discovery of the bodies of six hostages, provoking a wave of grief and anger in Israel. According to media reports, the hostages had been shot at close range between 48 and 72 hours before their bodies were found.

The news brought hundreds of thousands of protesters onto the streets. They demanded a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages. Further demonstrations were planned for Wednesday.

Relatives of the hostages have accused the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of sabotaging attempts at mediation by the United States, Egypt and Qatar with the aim of securing an agreement.
For the past 6 1/2 years, Brian Kelly led the California High-Speed Rail Authority through a complicated re-calibration of its scope, budget, schedule and priorities as construction proceeded slowly in Fresno and the central San Joaquin Valley.

As he approached his last day on the job before retiring on Friday, Aug. 30, Kelly sat for an exclusive interview with The Fresno Bee last week to reflect on his tenure. The discussion ranged from the progress of construction after a slow start to the challenges that lie ahead for the ambitious rail project.

Succeeding Kelly will be Ian Choudri, a senior vice president for transportation engineering firm HNTB Corporation. Choudri will officially start work at the rail authority later this month.

Kelly inherited a massive project that had been bogged down by slow acquisition of property for the route through the central San Joaquin Valley and beset by schedule delays and cost increases. Those were challenges with which he was already familiar after five years as secretary of Californias State Transportation Agency under then-Gov. Jerry Brown.

Construction began 11 years ago on the first 119 miles of a Valley stretch between Merced and Bakersfield  billed as the backbone of a system thats planned to eventually run between Los Angeles and San Francisco. But its been slow going, Kelly acknowledged.

When I walked in the door in 2018, it was hard to know where we were on the 119 miles in construction down here, because so much of it was still not fully designed yet, Kelly said. The three construction contracts in the Valley were awarded starting in 2014 on a design-build basis, meaning that design for the project would progress even as construction was taking place.

But the process turned out to be much slower than anticipated.

For the whole 119 miles, we need these pieces that are designed to a detail where you can go to construction, Kelly said. So for the entire 119 miles, we needed 163 of those pieces. But in 2018, we only had 18.

Brian Kelly, left, retired as chief executive officer of the California High-Speed Rail Authority on Aug. 30, 2024. He will be succeeded in September 2024 by Ian Choudri, right, senior vice president for transportation engineering firm HNTB Corporation.

Now, engineering designs are completed for all 163 of those components of civil infrastructure  the grubbing of the right of way and construction of viaducts, bridges, overpasses, trenches and other work, and construction is now moving, Kelly said. Today the 119 miles (from north of Madera to northwest of Bakersfield) is about 65 to 70% complete, and it will, in my view, by done by about the end of 2026.

And then well be laying track and getting ready for testing trains.

Kelly recalled telling Tom Richards, chairperson of the rail authoritys board of directors and a Fresno-based developer, that he hoped the construction would be completed by the time he retired.

It wont be, Kelly added. But what I am satisfied about, what I do feel good about is that it is so much clearer today about what it takes to get that done.

It will be up to Choudri to shepherd the next stage of the project  extensions north into downtown Merced and south into downtown Bakersfield to form a 171-mile operational segment of tracks for the electric-powered trains to run at up to 220 mph. The goal is for that construction to be finished, trains to undergo testing, and be ready to carry passengers sometime between 2030 and 2033.

Im not entirely satisfied that the 119 miles (from Madera to Shafter) isnt done, but I am very optimistic and satisfied with how we have set up the future, Kelly told The Bee.

Hard lessons learned

One of the challenges that the rail agency faced even before any construction contracts were awarded included deadlines imposed by the Obama administration when the Federal Railroad Administration awarded $2.5 billion for Californias bullet-train program in 2011.

The federal stimulus funds came with the condition that the money be spent on work in the economically stressed San Joaquin Valley. Under the original terms of the grant agreement, California was obligated to achieve substantial completion of the civil construction work in the Valley by the end of September 2017.

Those terms were later modified to indicate that the grant money needed to be committed and spent by September 2017.

But the grants came before the rail authority had even begun acquiring the land it needed up and down the Valley for the bullet-train right of way  something without which construction could not begin.

The need to begin spending money forced the rail agency to rush its process, putting work out to bid and awarding contracts before it had acquired a critical mass of property to begin construction.

Between the cart-before-the-horse process imposed by the federal grants and awarding contracts on a design-build basis instead of the traditional design-bid-build model, the combination has proven problematic, if not disastrous, in terms of cost and schedule.

Its a strategic error that Kelly, early in his tenure, determined would not be repeated. Its the biggest lesson that we learned, he said. And its kind of an obvious lesson, but we learned it the hard way.

The relatively new design-build process that was intended to keep costs lower has seen costs escalate well above the original contract amounts due to unforeseen issues with relocating utilities, slow land acquisition. And then the feds said youve got to spend your federal money right away.

All of these things led to perverse incentives.

While it will be up to Choudri to navigate the next few years of work, Kelly said the plans for extensions to Merced and Bakersfield will call for design work to be more or less fully completed before the agency begins buying or acquiring the land it needs for right of way and identifying all of the utilities  gas, water, electric lines and irrigation facilities  that will need to be relocated.

Only after all that is completed, he said, will contracts for construction be awarded.

The other thing is youre not going to see one large contractor building the entirety of those extensions, Kelly added. Unlike the lengthy stretches under the existing construction contracts, he said he believes work will be awarded in smaller chunks that can be accomplished more quickly.

Next steps in the Valley

By the end of this year, the rail authority anticipates awarding a contract for track and systems in the central San Joaquin Valley  construction of which will include building the trackways and laying the tracks, and putting in the electrification and signal-control systems for the trains.

The agency also solicited bids for manufacturers to build the actual trainsets. Two multinational companies that have built trains for high-speed rail lines in other countries  Germanys Siemens and Frances Alstom  have submitted bids to build the six trainsets California wants to buy, and Kelly said he expects a contract to be awarded by the end of this year.

Design work for the Bakersfield and Merced extensions is expected to continue through 2024 and be completed by the end of 2025.

The latest cost estimate for completion of a Merced-Fresno-Bakersfield line ranges between $26.2 billion and almost $33 billion.

Early design work is also taking place in other parts of California. Environmental approvals have been completed for the entire 520-mile length between San Francisco and Los Angeles, so if and when money does become available, the stage will already be set for right of way acquisition, utility relocation and construction.

That would include the costly prospect of engineering and building tunnels through part of the Pacheco Pass to reach Gilroy and San Jose, and through parts of the Tehachapi range between Bakersfield and Palmdale and the San Gabriel Mountains between Palmdale and Burbank.

Beyond Merced and Bakersfield

More than five years ago, in February 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom turned the project on its head when he called for refocusing the rail agencys efforts on finishing the initial operating section of the line between Merced and Bakersfield. Newsom declared he did not foresee a means to complete the decade-long effort to complete a path to get from Sacramento to San Diego, let alone from San Francisco to L.A.

Lets be real, Newsom told legislators in Sacramento in his State of the State address, adding that what the state could accomplish with its available resources was complete a high-speed rail link between Merced and Bakersfield.

It was up to Kelly to shift the rail authority into alignment with Newsoms goal.

The biggest single challenge on saying when will San Francisco to L.A. be ready, it just comes down to money, Kelly told The Bee last week.

Unlike other countries in which the national government has plunged forward with major financial investments in high speed rail, the federal government in Washington has been far more cautious.

If you look at countries around the world where they have built out full high-speed rail networks, China is the best example, just because they did it so aggressively; their national government went all in, Kelly said. And its the same thing in European countries, too. When they say they want to do it, they do it. 

But the capital cost is so high that youve got to have a huge investment, he said. So for San Francisco to L.A. to happen, were still going to need the federal partner to say, Get it done. And if you get that, its going to happen. I believe it will happen.

In 2008 when California voters passed Proposition 1-A, a $9.9 billion high-speed rail bond, the rail agency optimistically predicted that it could build Phase 1 of a statewide system  520 miles between San Francisco and Los Angeles  for about $33 billion.

Just three years later, in November 2011, revised cost estimates soared to an eye-popping $98.1 billion.

Now there is no forecast on when California might undertake work reaching San Jose, San Francisco or Los Angeles, but the latest incarnation of the rail authoritys business plan indicates that in 2024 dollars, the cost of going from San Francisco to Los Angeles is about $130 billion, Kelly said.

While a system of fast trains flowing through Fresno to Bakersfield and Merced would demonstrate to the rest of California how it can work, I still think an electrified high-speed train connecting San Francisco through the Central Valley to Los Angeles in about three hours changes the world, Kelly said. I mean it just changes the way people move here.
A housing development planned to be built near Orange is drawing controversy, even after the number of homes has been slashed by about 90% over decades of debate.

Orange Heights has long been proposed for the site, though developer Irvine Company has pared down the project, which once planned for about 12,000 homes but is now whittled down to about 1,200.

Opponents  even some who say they support building more housing  think this project is the wrong solution to the long-running problem of Californias housing shortage.

Were not against development, but this is not the sort of development thats actually going to serve those who need housing, said Joel Robinson of the No Orange Heights Campaign. Its not the sort of development thats going to serve folks who want to take advantage of public transit.

Opponents are also worried about wildfires and the impact on the environment, including wildlife corridors.

However, the project received all needed approvals back in 2016, and Jamie Yoshida, executive vice president of the Irvine Company, said theyre pleased the Orange Heights vision is now coming to fruition.

Over 90% of the land has been preserved for public enjoyment and a collection of single-family homes will offer a unique outdoor lifestyle connected to miles of equestrian, hiking and biking trails, Yoshida said.

Construction is expected to start sometime next month, though it will likely be years before anyone can move in.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Volunteers with Project Never Again, an Oregon nonprofit, prepare duffel bags for foster children in August 2022 at its annual event in Hillsboro. (Courtesy of Project Never Again)

More than a year after the Oregon Legislature passed a law to stop forcing foster children to pack their belongings in garbage bags, a nonprofit that pushed for the law is still fielding requests from state caseworkers who dont know where to find luggage.

The 2023 law, Senate Bill 548, came about after former foster children testified about the emotional harm and hurt they suffered when they were forced to put their things in plastic garbage bags instead of duffel bags. Project Never Again, an Oregon-based nonprofit, advocated strongly for the legislation, which requires the Oregon Department of Human Services to maintain a luggage supply and report how many times foster children use trash bags. The law took effect Jan. 1, and the agency is supposed to provide its first annual report to state lawmakers Sept. 15.

Before the law passed, Project Never Again raised money for duffel bags for children in the foster care system, distributing about 20,000 duffel bags for children in foster care as well as other agencies and organizations like the Oregon Youth Authority and Lane County Youth Services. More than 4,600 children are in Oregons foster care system, and the agency recently settled a class-action lawsuit that will require years of improvements.

In 2023  before the law passed  the Oregon Department of Human Services said the agency rarely if ever uses trash bags and already supplies children with luggage. But more than a year after the law passed, Project Never Again still hears from caseworkers across Oregon who need duffel bags, even as the agency tells lawmakers and the public that all of its foster care offices are authorized to purchase the supplies. In response, the nonprofit decided to pitch in and donate about 1,000 additional duffel bags.

Every organization has its issues, and this is more like a culture change, Seema Steffany, the nonprofits founder and president, said in an interview. But communication is the biggest issue with them.

Before the law went into effect, Steffany said she offered to help the agency find appropriate luggage for the foster children.

We asked them, Do you need help with bags? If you do, let us know, Steffany said. They said theyll handle it, then they couldnt handle it.

Agency deeply concerned about inquiries

Records show that DHS managers were concerned about foster care caseworkers contacting the nonprofit for help. On June 4, Lacey Andresen, the agencys deputy child welfare director, emailed Steffany after the organization reached out to district managers.

I am deeply concerned that you continue to field many inquiries from caseworkers who do not know how or where to locate duffel bags for children and young adults they are serving, Andresen wrote to Steffany.

Andresen asked Steffany to contact an agency manager when that happens so the agency could handle problems itself. Even after that email, Steffany continued to hear from agency workers.

I had to refer them to Laceys email, because she is the one who said that we will take care of it, Steffany said. How theyll take care of it, theyre not very clear about.

Andresen was unavailable for an interview.

Regarding procurement, ODHS tracks luggage inventory and usage, and offices buy luggage locally when needed, Lisa Morawski, the agencys communications director, said in a statement.

On Jan. 25, Michelle Pfeiffer, the agencys child welfare legislative coordinator, updated Sen. Janeen Sollman, D-Hillsboro, and Rep. Anna Scharf, R-Dallas, two sponsors of the bill. The agency has provided billing codes to managers to purchase the supplies, Pfeiffer said.

We are not aware of any offices that are out of duffel bags or unable to replenish supplies, Pfeiffer said in the email, obtained by the Capital Chronicle.

In a Feb. 28 report to legislators, the agency reported four instances of children using trash bags instead of luggage since November 2023. In one instance, an ice storm kept a caseworker from retrieving luggage. In another, the clothing needed to be washed.

But as the year wore on, Project Never Again kept hearing from employees. Steffany said caseworkers shouldnt be responsible for finding appropriate luggage. Some caseworkers have taken creative steps to come up with luggage, like hosting personal parties to get donated luggage or asking friends for help.

The caseworkers were struggling, and its not their responsibility, Steffany said. Theyre employees. Why do they have to go procure bags?

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Once known for its urban decay and financial turmoil, Detroit is emerging as an unlikely haven for real estate investors, offering opportunities that seem almost too good to be true in some cases.

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Miami is expected to take New York's place as the U.S. Financial Capital. Here's how you can invest in the city before that happens .

Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are bullish on one city that could dethrone New York and become the new financial capital of the US. Investing in its booming real estate market has never been more accessible.

Chase Hunter, a Houston native turned Detroit real estate investor, symbolizes the new wave of opportunity seekers. I closed on my first two properties the same day in June of 2021, Hunter recounted to Realtor.com. The day I closed was my very first time in Detroit.



Her initial purchases were a $2,000 property and another for $1,800.

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Hunter went from searching for cheap properties online to becoming a Detroit-based real estate agent and investor. And it points to the citys dramatic turnaround. In 2013, Detroit filed the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, burdened by $20 billion in debt.



Today, its being called Americas most unlikely real estate boomtown.

The numbers tell the story. Detroits median home sale price has skyrocketed from a low of $58,900 in 2009 to $250,000 in May 2024, according to data from Realtor. That's a 324% increase over 15 years.

Buyers, including investors, took advantage of low home prices in the area over the last decade, bringing energy and funds into the city, said Hannah Jones, a senior economic research analyst at Realtor.

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However, it's not so straightforward. Many properties come with baggage, including back taxes and the need for renovation. Hunters experience reflects just that. Her $2,000 property required an additional $85,000 in renovations before it was ready for renters.

The citys reputation for crime is also a concern for potential investors. Crime is definitely still a major challenge, Hunter said to Realtor. It can deter you from buying here for sure. However, she said that the situation is improving, with Detroit reporting its lowest crime rate in 57 years last year.

Story continues

Despite the near-term challenges, major players are betting big on Detroits resurgence. Dan Gilbert, the billionaire co-founder of Rocket Mortgage, is a driving force behind the citys revitalization, according to the Wall Street Journal.



His real estate venture, Bedrock Detroit, has acquired over 130 properties downtown, pouring billions into development projects.

Other corporate giants are following suit. According to the WSJ, Ford is investing more than $900 million to redevelop the iconic Michigan Central Station and its surroundings. General Motors recently announced plans to relocate its headquarters to a new development in the downtown area.

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This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to become a landlord in just 10 minutes, and you only need $100 .

If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it?

The influx of investment is reshaping Detroits skyline and streetscape. Luxury retailers like Gucci have opened stores downtown, the WSJ noted, while the number of apartments in the central business district has more than doubled since 2010.

For investors like Hunter, Detroits appeal is in its combination of low entry costs and high potential returns. Investors come to Detroit from all corners of the country because the market is like no other, she says.

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This article Investors Cashing In On Detroit's Real Estate Surge: 'A Market Like No Other' originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Orlando police arrest man accused of threatening woman with a knife, robbing her

Orlando police arrest man accused of threatening woman with a knife, robbing her

A man was arrested Tuesday after an armed robbery and attempted kidnapping outside a local Walmart, the Orlando Police Department said.

Police said 54-year-old Juan Perez is accused of stealing a womans purse and threatening her with a knife on Monday.

Orlando police officers received a call for the incident around 4:30 p.m. at the Walmart on South Goldenrod Road and Market Place Drive.

Surveillance video led police to see the suspect pacing the parking lot before approaching the woman.

Read: Pedestrian dies after crash involving SunRail train in Orlando, troopers say

Investigators said that after Perez threatened the woman, he forced her into the trunk of her car and tried to flee with her bag.

The police department said a bystander stepped in to help the woman.

Read: Police: Drunken, speeding driver hits, kills 2-year-old riding tricycle in Tavares

Police identified Perez on Tuesday, who now faces charges of attempted kidnapping, armed robbery with a deadly weapon and battery.

According to a news release, Perez was on federal probation for a previous kidnapping charge.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
OSAGE BEACH, Mo.  Tonight was filled with emotion and some moments  brought together by the love of a community by supporting one of their own  after the death of Officer Phylicia Carson.

Everybody knew her because of her personality and the way she was to others and how she treated others, said Osage Beach Police Lieutenant Michael ODay. And she treated others with respect and treated everyone like theyre like we are.

Springfield police host neighborhood watch training

Officer Carson died on Saturday, August 31, when her car crashed into a tree during a high-speed chase.

23-year-old Christopher Wehmeyer has been charged with resisting arrest  creating a substantial risk of death in connection to her death by fleeing from police in that chase and is being held without bond.

For Lt. ODay, the last few days have been hard.

We all know each other. We know each others families. And so when something like this happens, it affects everybody within the agency, said Lt. ODay. And what Ive learned over the last four days is not just the agency itself. Its the other employee, you know, county thats throughout this region. Its been a community.

Whether its Tuesday nights vigil celebrating Officer Carsons life or a memorial cruiser continuing to grow with flowers, balloons and other items, Lt. ODay says theyll continue to support Carsons family however they can.

Birds migrating over Missouri by the millions, Gateway Arch turns dark

Anything they want, theyre going to get, well make it happen, said Lt. ODay.

An online fundraiser for the Carson family has even raised over $18,000 in just the last couple of days.

Funeral services will be held in Lake Ozark this Thursday starting at 11 a.m., where the public is encouraged to line the streets in support.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels has a treat for their guests

HONOLULU (KHON2)  OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels has renewed its important partnership with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries in its continuing commitment to promote and support ocean conservation.

This renewed collaboration was announced on Sept. 3 and highlights OUTRIGGERs dedication to protecting marine environments and promoting sustainability.

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The partnership focuses on enhancing guest experiences through educational tools and programs about marine conservation. OUTRIGGER plans to use NOAAs resources to help guests learn more about the ocean and its ecosystems, blending their commitment to hospitality with environmental stewardship.

At OUTRIGGER, we believe hospitality and environmental care go hand in hand, said Monica Salter, VP of Global Communications & Social Responsibility at OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group. She emphasized that the partnership helps weave the spirit of kuleana, or responsibility, into every guest experience.

As part of the partnership, NOAA took part in the 8th annual OUTRIGGER Zone Day at the Waikiki Aquarium, celebrating World Ocean Month.

This event showcased NOAAs life-size inflatable whale, Kamakai, which was a highlight of OUTRIGGER Kaanapalis July 4 celebration.

Kim Hum, Superintendent of NOAAs Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, noted that this agreement allows NOAA to reach a larger audience and make a bigger impact on marine conservation.

She praised OUTRIGGERs commitment to sustainability and its ability to engage the public in important conservation efforts.

This agreement with OUTRIGGER enables us to reach a wider audience and make a meaningful impact on marine conservation and education, said Hum. For example, our life size inflatable whale, Kamakai, was a big hit at OUTRIGGER Kaanapalis July 4 celebration. Their commitment to sustainability and expansive reach in key coastal locations provide an ideal platform to engage the public in conservation efforts  in Hawaii, Asia Pacific and beyond.

The partnership also aligns with OUTRIGGERs global OUTRIGGER Zone conservation platform, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of protecting oceanic ecosystems.

For more details about OUTRIGGERs sustainability efforts, click here.

Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8

By combining their hospitality expertise with NOAAs educational programs, OUTRIGGER and NOAA are working together to ensure that future generations can enjoy and appreciate the beauty of the worlds oceans.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Over $39 million in unclaimed property returned to Floridians in August. How to find yours

Ever get the feeling you were missing something?

The state of Florida returned more than $39 million in unclaimed property to residents last month, according to a release from the state's Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, part of nearly $2.5 billion that has been returned since 2017 through FLTreasureHunt.gov. All you have to do to get yours (if you have any) is ask.

"It's estimated that one in five Floridians has unclaimed property just waiting to be claimed, with an average claim of $825," Partonis said. "Dont delay  start your treasure hunt today!"

This can be money in old bank accounts, insurance and utility company accounts, securities and trust holdings, uncashed checks, traveler's checks, life insurance benefits, trust distributions, customer overpayments, stocks and bonds, utility security deposits, and more. It also can be tangible things like watches, jewelry, coins, currency, stamps, historical items and other miscellaneous articles from abandoned safe deposit boxes.

Here's how you can check for yourself.

What is Florida Treasure Hunt? What is missingmoney.com?

The FLTreasureHunt.gov site was established in 2017 to allow Florida residents to easily search for missing property.

About four million Floridians have unclaimed property waiting on them, which means there's a 1-in-5 chance some of it is yours.

Missingmoney.com is a nationwide search site. Both are free to use.

How much money was returned to Floridians in August?

According to Patronis, more than $39 million was returned last month, broken down by region:

Pensacola: $961,773

Panama City: $470,801

Tallahassee: $823,647

Jacksonville: $2.1 million

Gainesville: $595,096

Orlando: $7.1 million

Tampa/St. Petersburg: $9.56 million

Fort Myers/Naples: $2.1 million

West Palm Beach: $4.7 million

Miami: $10.6 million

What happens to missing property in Florida that isn't claimed?

Under Florida law, unclaimed money must be held by business or government entities for a set amount of time, usually about five years while they try to track down the owners. Then it is deposited into the state school fund and used for public education, but there is no statute of limitations and citizens may claim their property at any time.

Some unclaimed property may be auctioned off to the public. You can find the schedule here.

Does it cost anything to reclaim my missing property?

No, the service is completely free, per state law. Don't trust any services promising to find them for you for a fee.

How do I search for my missing money in Florida?

You've got a couple of ways to check for your loose change, both free of charge.

Florida's Treasure Hunt: Search for forgotten financial accounts with this state-provided search

MissingMoney.com: Search for missing money across all 50 states at once, and submit claims

Enter your name or the name of a family member to search for unclaimed property. If something pops up, click on it to see the amount (if available), who reported it, and how to claim it. You'll have to prove you owned the account.

Be sure to search for different versions of your name, including common misspellings, nicknames, and even your last name and just the initial of your first name. If you are or were married, try a plural version of your last name with just THE after it, like SMITHS THE.

The state has up to 90 days to make a determination once it gets your completed claim and proof of ID. You can check the status here.

Can I claim property that belongs to a deceased relative?

You can claim property on behalf of a deceased person, provided you are the next of kin and can provide certified copies of official documentation that establishes your entitlement to the property and a certified death certificate for the owner.

Does the state pay interest on unclaimed money?

No. Two St. Petersburg residents are currently suing the state for that, claiming that the state does not offer "just compensation" to people who claim property, according to the News Service of Florida.

U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle sided with the state last year, but it's going to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Georgia in November.

Are there other ways to find missing money in Florida?

There are several different places to check for money or property that belongs to you.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida unclaimed property, money returns hit $39 million in August
Over a million dollars coming to Dothan, Houston Co. for public safety upgrades

DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN)  The city of Dothan and Houston County Commission will receive $1.47 million for the two municipalities upgrades and additions to public safety systems.

According to a release from Senator Katie Britts office, approximately $1.25 million will go to the City of Dothan to buy and install a gunfire detection system around the city.

This system will use acoustic sensors to identify and report gunshots as soon as a shot is fired.

This empowers police officers with accurate information to quickly move into the area where a shot was fired in order to protect the community, said Sen. Britts office in the release.

The release says $221,000 will go to the Houston County Commission to upgrade the emergency communications infrastructure.

These upgrades will include a radio tower to enhance signal strength in remote portions of the County. This radio tower will be used for fire and EMS communications.

The speed and accuracy of information makes a world of difference for law enforcement officers and first responders protecting and serving our communities, said Senator Britt. Im proud to have secured $1.47 million in funding for the City of Dothan and Houston County. These funds would help keep local families safe, said Sen. Britt.

The funds came from the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act and Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
Overdose deaths in Fayetteville and Cumberland County ticked up. What can we do about it?

The United States is in crisis when it comes to drug overdoses, particularly related to opioids like fentanyl and heroin.

Our figures in Fayetteville and Cumberland County are sobering and a call to action for the community. One part of the rescue plan? Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, a medication that public safety personnel and others carry that can reverse an opioid overdose. It is a bonafide lifesaver.

Cumberland County, post-COVID-19 pandemic, saw a spike in overdose deaths. In 2021, the overdose death rate in the county was 64 out of 100,000 people, above the state average of 39 of 100,000 people, according to dashboard data from a search engine by North Carolina Opioid Settlements.

Narcan, or naloxone, can reverse an opioid overdose.

It was part of longer term trend. Between 2015 and 2019, opioid-related deaths in the county doubled, according to figures from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

In Cumberland, the 'danger is still real'

Whether overdoses in Cumberland County are up or down presently depends on what metric you are looking at, says Greg Berry, who is the project coordinator for the Cumberland-Fayetteville Opioid Response Team, a collaborative of organizations and individuals with 160 stakeholders. Berry is also the countys lead program coordinator for North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, a grassroots advocacy organization on the front lines of the opioid fight. In that role, he helps steer people with substance abuse issues into diversion programs and away from lockup.

More: Schools chief: Cumberland, Fayetteville schools chief: 8 highlights for a promising school year

More: 'How long?': Cumberland, Bladen seek relief from PFAs pollutants

It is in a better place than we were two or three years ago for sure, he said about overdoses in our county. Over the last six or seven months, we've seen a steady decline in the amount of people who are presenting in the emergency room for overdose.

We noticed in October last year that we were down to where we were the year before, and ever since, then we've been ticking down. Now, that's great news,and that tells us that our naloxone distribution efforts are working and the naloxone were putting in the community is working as keeping people from going to the emergency room.

However, a July report based on state figures showed that two more people had died from overdoses compared to the same point last year, the toll rising from 33 to 35, he said, citing figures from the NC Injury and Prevention website, operated by the DHHS.

The danger is still real, he said, noting they had lost two on the recent International Overdose Awareness Day last Saturday.

Naloxone: Should we all be carrying it?

A naloxone dose works similar to an EpiPen auto-injector for severe allergic attacks; it is relatively easy to administer and is compact. There are also nasal spray versions.

So should we all be carrying it?

My wife brought me a little white Narcan box with the nasal spray the other day. She had attended a meeting of fellow clergy and heard a counselor on the front lines of the opioid crisis in Robeson County and who distributed the Narcan.

The idea is that I carry the Narcan in my car, in case I am out somewhere and someone is in crisis. Carrying naloxone and knowing how to use it these days can be compared, I suppose, to learning how to do CPR for a person in cardiac arrest or knowing how to do the Heimlich maneuver if we see someone choking.

Administering naloxone: Are you protected?

Berry noted that state law provides limited immunity for anyone who responds to an overdose in good faith in case they give someone naloxone and they wake up and want to sue you.

It also provides limited immunity for people who are reporting an overdose," he said. The messaging is 'Yes' we do want folks to carry naloxone because overdose can occur to anyone and anywhere.

He also said CFORT partners offer overdose response training.

We've probably trained 600 Cumberland County personnel, school personnel. We've trained Board of Elections, Justice Services, librarians, we do community trainings at the library that are open to the public. We got kind of robust training that goes on with the naloxone distribution.

Then theres another naloxone distribution that goes directly to people who use opioids, he said.

Berry said the distribution and screening process also helps identify additional dangers related to opioids  such as a finding two years ago that an adulterant, xylazine, was added to the drug supply that has been circulating in Cumberland County and causes a lot of different adverse health effects.

Lives saved by timely intervention, Narcan  including Fayetteville officer

In May, a Raleigh high-school girl quickly retrieved Narcan from her car to help a man who was ODing by the side of the road.

"It takes anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes to work," the teen lifesaver, Victoria Taton, told WRAL. She clearly knew something about it. "In about 30 seconds to 60, still with the EMS on the phone, he comes out of the state of response that he was in. He throws up. Hes coming in and out of consciousness. The EMS are telling us that."

In 2018, a Fayetteville police officers life was saved by naloxone after he had suffered effects from exposure to fentanyl.

Fayetteville, Cumberland, health officials unified on Naloxone message

Last Saturday was International Overdose Awareness Day, and the city of Fayetteville marked the occasion by lighting up City Hall downtown in purple colors through Monday.

A news release noted that personnel with the Fayetteville Fire Department and Fayetteville Police Department carry Narcan.

The FFD reported a total of 499 overdoses from August 2023 to August 2024 and had 263 instances where Narcan was administered, the release states. FPD provided 38 administrations of Narcan in the same time period.

The citys public safety departments routinely partner with Cape Fear Valley Health System to educate residents in an attempt to lower the number of overdose related incidents across the community, the release also says.

City and county officials seem to be on the same page in that they want to make Narcan available to anyone who wants it.

Narcan is available at the county Department of Public Health and in vending machines at the county jail. In August 2023, the nonprofit (and excellent community partner) North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition donated $9,000 worth of Naloxone to the Fayetteville Police Department.

Lars Paul, a retired police captain who is with NCHRC and coordinates with law enforcement, said he hopes the donation better equips officers who respond to overdoses, a police news release said.

'EpiPen of our generation'

As for whether, lay people should carry Narcan, the experts seem to lean heavily on yes.

It should be like  the EpiPen of our generation, Dr. Dan Ciccarone, a professor of addiction medicine at the University of California-San Francisco, told the San Francisco Chronicle last September.

Dr. Beth Mulchachy, a hospital emergency room physician, told the same publication: Everyone should be aware this is something they can carry if they feel they might come into contact with someone  if they have teenagers in the house or relatives who are on multiple medications  who might potentially accidentally overdose.

Opioid deaths: 'I lost family members to this'

Its hard, Berry acknowledges from the opioids front lines. I lost family members to this. You know, I've worked with people on Monday and came back on Wednesday with the stuff that we talked about doing, and they're no longer there you know? Its tough work.

But he says he tries to keep his focus on the work he and other partners are doing and success they achieve: He cited as an example Cumberland Countys move to open a recovery center in the next couple of months.

I try to keep my focus on the big picture, he said. Were monitoring this, were seeing real impact in the community. I look for all the folks that were able to connect, all the folks that were able to to help, all the folks that were able to save. I just try to focus over there and not on who were losing.

Columnist Myron B. Pitts can be reached at mpitts@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3559.

Opinion editor Myron B. Pitts.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Is Naloxone the new EpiPen? Cumberland's response to opioid overdoses
PACs are donating cash to Pierce County campaigns. Heres who is benefiting the most

The News Tribune recently took a look at where candidates in the Pierce County Council and Executive races got their campaign funding and how they spent it.

We took an even deeper dive to explore which candidates received funding from Political Action Committees (PACs), which often represent business, labor or ideological interests and raise and spend money with the purpose to elect candidates and defeat their opponents.

Under Washington law, PACs, unions and corporations can donate up to $1,200 to a candidate in local primary and general elections.

According to the state Public Disclosure Commission, this year Pierce County Democrats received more on average from PACs in the primary and general election.

A reminder: the general election is Nov. 5. Learn more about how to register to vote, who your candidates will be and where your nearest ballot box is online at the Pierce County Elections website.

Heres a breakdown of what we learned:

Pierce County Executive

Republican Kelly Chambers is a state representative in the Washington Legislature in her third term. Chambers accepted $14,700 from PACs in the primary and $5,263.86 for the general election. PAC funding has made up 7.8% of her campaign contributions so far for her 2024 campaign.

Chambers received $1,200 donations from the Washington Retail Association, Concerned Taxpayers of Washington State, Associated General Contractors of Washingtons Build PAC, Cascade PAC, Puget Sound Chapter- NECA PAC, WA Beverage Association PAC, Trucking Action Committee, Washington Health Care Association PAC, Washington Realtors PAC, Washington Multifamily Housing Association PAC and the Washington Retail Association. She also received $464 from Cascade PAC, $500 from UnitedHealth Group Inc., $600 from WTIA, $500 from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington PAC, $500 from the WA State Tree Fruit Association PAC and $600 from the Washington State Auto Dealers PAC.

County council chair Ryan Mello, a Democrat, accepted $10,100 from PACs in the primary and $5,000 for the general election. PAC funding has made up 5% of the campaign contributions so far for his 2024 campaign.

Mello received $2,400 total from the Harry Truman Fund, Sustainable Future PAC and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility Victory Fund. He received $1,200 each from the HNTB Holdings LTD PAC, UFCW Active Ballot Club General Fund Washington, Broadband Communications Association of WA PAC, Service Employees Intl Union 925 Public Service PAC, $1,000 from FUSE Votes, $600 from the UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 26 Segregated Fund, $500 from the NW Regional Council of SMART SSF, $500 from Culture PAC, $500 from FairVote Washington PAC, $500 from the East Pierce Firefighters Local 3520 and $500 from Fifty Plus One PAC.

Pierce County Council - District 2

Republican incumbent Paul Herrera, a veteran with law enforcement experience, received $2,400 total from the Master Builders Association of Pierce County Affordable Housing Council. PAC funding has made up 8.5% of the campaign contributions so far for his 2024 campaign.

Democrat Davida Haygood, an educator and community organizer, received $4,321 from PACs. She accepted $2,400 from the Washington Education Association, $1,200 from Win with Women, $150 from FairVote WA, $470 in in-kind donations for staff time from Sage Leaders and $102 of in-kind donations for staff time from the WA Progress Alliance. PAC funding has made up 13% of the campaign contributions so far for her 2024 campaign.

District 2 includes the communities of Edgewood, Milton, Pacific, Puyallup, South Hill, Summit View and Sumner.

Pierce County Council - District 3

Republican incumbent Amy Cruver, a long-time assistant of state senator and prior county councilman Jim McCune, received a total of $2,400 from the Master Builders Association. PAC funding has made up 4% of the campaign contributions so far for her 2024 campaign.

Democrat John Limboe, a fire commissioner and farmer, received a total of $1,200 from the Pierce County Firefighters PAC. Funding from PACs has made up 10% of the campaign contributions so far for his 2024 campaign.

District 3 includes Ashford, Eatonville, Elbe, Elk Plain, Frederickson, Graham, Harts Lake, Lacamas, McKenna, Roy and Spanaway.

Pierce County Council - District 4

Democrat Rosie Ayala, a Metro Parks board commissioner and director of Operations for Foundation for Tacoma Students, accepted $6,050 from PACs. She received $1,200 each from the Win with Women PAC, Active in Democracy/Tacoma Firefighters Union, Service Employees International Union 1199 Northwest PAC and The Share Fund. She received $600 from the WA Alliance for Gun Responsibility Victory Fund, $500 from the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 612 Political Fund and $150 from FairVote Washington PAC. Funding from PACs made up 13.9% of the campaign contributions so far for her 2024 campaign.

Democrat Rodney Robinson, the director of the Campaign to End and Prevent Youth and Young Adult Homelessness in Pierce County, received $500 from the WA Association of Realtors PAC. Funding from PACs made up 10.6% of the campaign contributions so far for his 2024 campaign.

District 4 includes Fircrest, parts of Tacoma (like Central Tacoma, Downtown, Hilltop and South Tacoma), as well as University Place.

Pierce County Council - District 6

Democrat incumbent Jani Hitchen, a former educator who has served on the council since 2020, accepted $15,300 from PACs.

She received $2,400 each from the Active in Democracy/Tacoma Firefighters Union, WA Education Association PAC and Win with Women PAC. She also received $1,200 each from the WA Teamsters Legislative League, the United Food and Commercial Workers No. 367 PAC and Citizens for Better Government. Hitchen received $1,000 each from the UFCW Active Ballot Club General Fund and People for Derek Kilmer, $600 from the WA Alliance for Gun Responsibility Victory Fund, $500 each from the WA Conservation Voters Action Fund, WA State Council of County and City Employees PAC and the NW Regional Council of SMART SSF, $250 from the WA Conservation Voters Action Fund and $150 from the FairVote Washington PAC.

Funding from PACs has made up 17.8% of the campaign contributions so far for her 2024 campaign.

Republican Loujanna LJ Rohrer, a twice elected Steilacoom Historical School Board director and a senior legislative assistant, received $1,200 from the Washington Association of Realtors Political Affairs Council and $300 from the South Puget Sound Republican Women.

PAC funding has made up 1.3% of the campaign contributions so far for her 2024 campaign.

District 6 includes the communities of DuPont, Joint Base Lewis McChord, Lakewood, Parkland, Steilacoom, Anderson Island and Ketron Island.

Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer race

County Council member Marty Campbell is running for Assessor-Treasurer and pulled ahead in the primary. He raised $64,076 in his campaign, spent $53,004 and reported $6,311 in debt, according to the Public Disclosure Commission.

He received $2,400 total each from the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and Active in Democracy, $1,200 from the WA Association of Realtors PAC and $1,000 from the People for Derek Kilmer. PAC funding has made up 10.9% of the campaign contributions so far for his 2024 campaign.

Kent Keel, who served on the University Place City Council and was twice elected to the University Place School District board, reported no PAC funding to the Public Disclosure Commission. He raised $18,269 in his campaign and spent $12,276. Most of his contributions, $15,351, were from individuals.
Palestinian girl killed in West Bank was looking out the window, her father says

By Ali Sawafta

JENIN, West Bank (Reuters) - A 16-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin this week was shot dead by an Israeli sniper as she looked out of the window of her home, her father said on Wednesday.

The Israeli military has said it is looking into reports of the death of Lujain Osama Musleh on Tuesday, during a major operation in different areas of the West Bank involving hundreds of soldiers and armoured vehicles.

Osama Musleh said troops had surrounded the house next door to his when his daughter was shot through the forehead after opening the curtain to look outside.

"She didn't go to the roof, she didn't hurl a stone, and she wasn't carrying a weapon," he said. "She is 16 years old. The only thing she did is look from the window and the soldier saw her and shot her. One bullet that targeted her forehead."

More than 30 Palestinians have been killed and dozens of arrests have been made during the operation, which began a week ago in different areas of the West Bank. Most have been claimed as members of armed Palestinian groups like Hamas, Islamic Jihad or Fatah but some, like Lujain, have been uninvolved civilians.

The Israeli military said it launched the operation, its biggest in the West Bank for months, to thwart Iranian-backed militant groups preparing attacks on Israeli civilians.

Over the past week, troops have fought gunbattles with Palestinian fighters, damaging houses and other buildings and tearing up large stretches of roadway in what it says is a hunt for improvised explosive devices.

SHORTAGES OF FOOD, WATER

Kamal Abu al-Rub, the governor of Jenin, said Israeli troops had made 12 major incursions into Jenin since the start of the Gaza war almost a year ago. "This is the most severe, the most painful and oppressive," he told Reuters.

He said the operation, now in its eighth day, was causing major hardship to people in the city and the adjacent refugee camp, a densely populated area housing thousands of people whose families left their homes or were driven out during the 1948 Middle East war.

Privately organised aid trucks from other areas of the West Bank had helped alleviate some shortages of food and water and products such as baby formula but "arbitrary" controls were impeding deliveries in many areas.

"The situation of people in the besieged areas in particular is very difficult," he said.

About 4,000-5,000 people had been ordered from their homes in the refugee area and the eastern part of Jenin city and were being put up in temporary accommodation arranged by the Palestinian Authority, he said.

In Tulkarm, another flashpoint city in the West Bank, the military said soldiers killed two armed fighters during an exchange of fire, finding an M-16 automatic rifle beside the men. In addition, soldiers located an explosive device in a baby stroller as well as an explosives laboratory.

Thousands of Palestinians have been arrested in raids and more than 680 - fighters and civilians - have been killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since the war in Gaza began nearly 11 months ago, according to Palestinian health ministry figures.

At the same time, dozens of Israelis have been killed in attacks by Palestinians.

(Writing by James Mackenzie, Editing by William Maclean)
Palm Beach County school leaders OK a $5.6B budget for 2025. Here's what to know

Palm Beach County's School Board has given final approval to a $5.66 billion budget with a lower tax rate for the 2025 fiscal year.

The budget once again includes the estimated impacts of the state's expanded voucher program, and although increases in property values are cooling off, the school district budget is balanced with a slightly lower tax rate.

The new tax rate levies nearly $6.31 for every $1,000 of taxable property value, a decrease from the $6.45 levied last year.

Unlike other counties in Florida, Palm Beach County's schools continue to grow and bring in more per-student funding from the state. Budget documents show the district expects 900 new students to enroll in public schools next year.

Students eat breakfast on the first day of school at Grove Park Elementary School on August 12, 2024, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Budget documents also show it expects about 6,600 new students in Palm Beach County to use taxpayer-funded vouchers to attend private school next year  down from 8,400 new students they expected to use the vouchers last year. These students' vouchers create a transfer of $202 million from public schools to private schools, budget documents show.

Six of the seven board members voted to approve the budget Wednesday. Board member Alexandria Ayala voted against the budget, but did not publicly explain her reasons for opposition.

The budget will go into effect July 1, 2025.

Rising property value vs. lower tax rate: What will you pay?

In contrast to local governments, which set their own tax rate to pay for services such as law enforcement and waste pickup, a school district's rate is largely determined by state lawmakers. In order to qualify for hundreds of millions of dollars in education funding, school districts are required to levy the state-controlled tax rate.

This year, Florida's legislature approved a modest increase in the amount of state funding awarded to districts per student served: State funding increased by 2.71% over last year.

Although local property values have been soaring in recent years, increases in 2024 home values appear to be coming back down to earth  meaning agencies that use money from property taxes aren't likely to see the same influxes of cash as they did previously.

In 2022, the total taxable value of all property in Palm Beach County was $234 billion. That value jumped 22% in 2023 and the next year, it grew again by nearly 16% to $332 billion.

In 2024, the total taxable value of homes rose to $356 billion, representing a 7% increase. District Chief Financial Officer Heather Frederick said she doesn't expect to see double-digit increases in taxable value in future years.

A graph showing property values in Palm Beach County shows large jumps between 2022 and 2024 and a tapering off between 2024 and 2025. School district officials say they don't expect to see double-digit increases in property values moving forward.

But rising home values are still good news for public schools.

In 2025, the school district's tax rate could have been lowered to $6.09 from last year's rate of $6.45 and the district would have collected the same amount of money. Instead, the tax rate for the upcoming year will be set at $6.31 and bring in $2.15 billion to the school district.

That means homeowners will pay slightly less if their property values stayed the same, but more if their home's value rose in the past year.

A home that maintained an assessed value of $300,000 will pay $41 less this year in property taxes under the new tax rate  to $1,894 from $1,935.

Want more education news? Sign up for ourExtra Credit weekly newsletter, delivered every Friday!

Katherine Kokal is a journalist covering education at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at kkokal@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today!

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County schools OK 2025 budget of $5.6 billion
The IRS Auditor Who Beat Warren Buffett At His Own Game

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Not many people can claim to be a better investor than Warren Buffett. However, a little-known woman named Anne Scheiber beat the "Oracle of Omaha" at his own game. When Scheiber retired in 1944, she only had a $5,000 pension. She invested wisely enough to grow her nest egg into a $22 million fortune by the time she died at 101. Even Buffett couldn't match her return on investment.

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Anne Scheiber worked as an auditor for the Internal Revenue Service for 23 years. During her entire employment with the agency, she was never promoted and never received more than $4,000 in annual salary. She didn't attend the Wharton School of Business or any of the other Ivy League colleges that typically produce America's premier bankers and investors.

Anne Scheiber's $5,000 pension was not extravagant; she was 51 when she got it. That's roughly the equivalent of $89,000 in today's money. It wasn't enough for her to retire comfortably in 1951. Facing several decades of life with relatively little money, Anne Scheiber had no choice but to invest wisely to build her wealth.

So, how did she do it? Scheiber and Buffett never met, but they shared a few things. Chief among them is a commitment to living frugally. Scheiber preferred walking to work over taking the bus to save money. Her attorney Ben Clark told Money Magazine, "She was saving 80% of her salary at least. In those days, you could get a hot dog lunch at Nedicks for 15 cents, but I know she found an even cheaper place."

The closest modern equivalent to a 15-cent hot dog would be Costco's famous $1.50 hot dog and drink special. It would probably be impossible for Anne Scheiber to beat that price, but she would surely find other innovative ways to save if she were alive today. It's not hard to imagine her scouring the internet for special deals on all her favorite products. But saving money is only half the battle.

Don't Miss Out:

Story continues

Scheiber still had to grow her wealth. To do so, she adopted an investing strategy remarkably similar to Buffett's. She believed in investing in industries that she had personal knowledge of and invested for the long term. Scheiber's broker, William Fay, told the New York Times that "She was never looking for a quick buck. Her whole idea was to get performance on a long-term basis."

Scheiber's portfolio included blue-chip stocks like PepsiCo, Chrysler, Bristol-Myers, and Columbia Pictures. She also made it a point to stay very informed about her investments. Anne faithfully attended shareholder meetings for the companies in her portfolio. As the portfolio grew in value, her experience as an IRS auditor came in very handy.

Scheiber strategically held investments or liquidated them in such a way as to minimize her capital gains tax exposure. Eventually, Scheiber's portfolio grew to an estimated $22 million  a 4,400% gain on her original $5,000 pension. After Scheiber died in 1995, her lawyer, Ben Clark, told the New York Times, "You think Warren Buffett, you know, that guy, was good at this sort of thing? She ran rings around Warren Buffett."

Perhaps the most amazing thing about Scheiber is that she didn't begin investing until she was in her early 50s. It's also encouraging to middle-aged investors who are behind on their retirement planning. Living within your means and investing wisely for the long term can still serve you well. It worked for Anne Scheiber and Warren Buffett. It could certainly work for you too.

Are You Missing Out On Higher Yields?

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For example, the Jeff Bezos-backed investment platform just launched its Private Credit Fund, which provides access to a pool of short-term loans backed by residential real estate with a target 7% to 9% net annual yield paid to investors monthly. The best part? Unlike other private credit funds, this one has a minimum investment of only $100.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to take advantage of high-yield investments while rates are high. Check out Benzinga's favorite high-yield offerings.

This article The IRS Auditor Who Beat Warren Buffett At His Own Game originally appeared on Benzinga.com
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB)  Panama City Port Authority officials are excited for a new phase in their East Terminal Turning Base & Expansion project.

The terminals existing berth will be extended to accommodate the large vessels that frequent the port.

Panama City Port Authority looks ahead to 2025

We are finalizing a memorandum of agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today, and well be working with them over the planning period and permitting to get the project approved and move it to construction, Panama City Port Authority Executive Director Alex King said.

The work will allow the East Terminal to accommodate larger vessels that frequent the port. Its a key element for the Port Authoritys 2025 fiscal year planning. King said the berth extension is crucial to keep up with todays shipping requirements.

40 or 50 years ago, [the berth] could accommodate two ships. As ships have gotten larger, and our average size ship that were handling lengthwise at that terminal is in excess of 600 to 650 feet, you need two berths to be able to effectively handle more than one vessel at a time, King said.

The extension will provide 1,500 feet of berthing, enabling two vessels to maneuver at the same time. King said the port is currently working on securing grants for the project, and the upgrade will bring more opportunity to the port.

Downtown Panama City murder suspect appears in court

Youll see more cargo opportunities that will be available to bring in more import cargo there, export cargo. Well also be shifting cargo here across town for more capacity here as well, King said.

Construction wont begin until 2027 at the earliest. The port is required to complete an environmental impact study before any changes are made.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
Paralympics-Paris mayor renews support to Ukraine, says Russia should have been banned

By Julien Pretot

PARIS (Reuters) - Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo pledged her support to Ukraine on Wednesday as she welcomed a delegation of mayors from the country and said Russian and Belarusian athletes should have been banned from the Olympics and Paralympics.

Some 88 Russians and eight Belarusians are taking part in the Paralympic Games in Paris but compete under a neutral banner.

Their podium finishes are not recorded on the medals table and if a neutral athlete wins a gold medal, the Paralympic anthem is played.

The International Paralympic Committee in 2023 voted against maintaining a full ban of the two countries, imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and allowed them to compete as neutrals.

A similar decision was taken for the Olympics, with the International Olympic Committee saying athletes should not be punished for the actions of their governments. Russia called that decision unacceptable and the conditions for participation discriminatory.

"I would have wished that there would not even be a neutral banner, but at least it means they are not celebrated," Hidalgo told the mayors.

Some 140 athletes from Ukraine have been taking part in the Paralympics.

After Ihar Boki won the S13 50-metre freestyle swimming, Ukrainians Illia Yaremenko and Oleksii Virchenko, who clinched silver and bronze, did not pose alongside the Belarusian and walked away from the podium after the Paralympic anthem was played.

"You are our friends. We've been on your side since the first day of the Russian aggression on Ukraine," Hidalgo said at the gathering promoting the integration of people with disabilities and impairments.

The Ukrainian delegation included the mayor of Poltava, where on Tuesday at least 50 people were killed and 271 wounded when Russia hit a military institute with two ballistic missiles in the war's deadliest single attack this year.

"We've been hit but we're all the more convinced that we will win (the war)," Kateryna Yamshchikova, the town's mayor, said.

Ukraine will also need to deal with those who will be left with disabilities after the war.

"Our task is to win (the war) and we must create acceptable conditions for people with disabilities so they can feel like any other citizen in our society," Karkhiv mayor Ihor Terekhov said.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Alison Williams)
CNN

The parents of an Israeli-American being held hostage by terrorist group Hamas in Gaza said Tuesday that they believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prioritizing his own political ambitions over securing a deal to release hostages like their son.

Ronen and Orna Neutra, whose 22-year-old son, Omer, was taken captive last October, spoke with Anderson Cooper on CNN, where they first reacted to the deaths of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five others.

Were completely devastated, Anderson. This shouldnt have happened, Oma said. Hersh was supposed to come out in the first phase of a deal thats been on the table for a long time now, and its just completely outrageous and devastating that this is what happened.

Hersh managed to survive the 11 most terrible months with the monsters of Hamas in Gaza, and yet was murdered and executed a couple of days ago in the most brutal way, Ronen added. Its just heartbreaking.

When Cooper asked if Goldberg-Polins death could mark a turning point in hostage negotiations, both were skeptical, citing Netanyahu.

Its not a clear path. Were seeing still many challenges in the region, Oma said. Were seeing a prime minister that is not willing to make the compromises needed to reach a deal to bring our son and the other hostages back.

Thousands of anti-Netanyahu protesters took to the streets in Tel Aviv for the third straight night on Tuesday, calling for a hostage release deal.

Cooper followed up, asking if the pair have faith in Netanyahu and whether he has the hostages front and center in his priorities.

Both said they didnt.

Unfortunately not, Ronen said. We met him in the White House with President Biden. We looked him in the eyes ,and unfortunately our feeling is that he has his own political future ahead of him rather than the safety of our son.

Its not just our son, his wife added. I dont believe that he has the interest of the Israeli people as his top priority. Anyone thats looking at this can see that Israelis need the hostages to come home for them to be able to recover from this, to move forward. But the first step would be to bring the hostages back. To make the families whole, to bring back some sense of security, right? This was a breach between the Israeli government and its people.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.  Missouri Governor Mike Parson has ordered all U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff on Thursday at government buildings in Camden and Miller counties, as well as all police stations across the state, to honor an Osage Beach police officer who died in the line of duty.

Officer Phylicia Carson was on patrol just before 1:20 a.m. on August 31 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.

Carson pursued the vehicle 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.

Officer Carson was a member of the Osage Beach Police Department for just under a year, but in that short period, she made a difference for Osage Beach and contributed to an enduring legacy of public service, Parson said.

Chief Davis said Carson joined the department in June 2023. She leaves behind a husband and their six children.

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As Officer Carson prepared to enter into a law enforcement career, she wrote, As a mother of six children, I want to know I can make a difference in the area I am raising my children. I want to show my children how to grow up and be outstanding members of society. These are values we can all embrace, regardless of our careers. Teresa and I lift up in our prayers Officer Carsons husband, Miller County Deputy Sheriff Grant Carson, and their children, Teighan, Raye, Emlyn, Roma, Chevy, and Rhenner.

The speeding driver was later apprehended in the area of Route A and Canary Lane, Davis said. No charges have been filed as of Saturday afternoon. However, the Camden County Prosecuting Attorneys Office said the speeding driver may face an additional felony charge under the newly-implemented Valentines Law.

Officer Carson served in both Camden and Miller counties and lived in Miller County. Flags in both counties will also be at half-staff on the day Carson is laid to rest.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Part of 17th Street to shut down for crane installation at Washburn University

Part of 17th Street to shut down for crane installation at Washburn University

TOPEKA (KSNT)  Construction work at Washburn University will cause some local roads to be closed to traffic this month.

Joseph Harrington with the City of Topeka announced in a press release that as of Monday, Sept. 9 work crews will close Southwest 17th Street between Southwest Jewell Avenue and Southwest Boswell Avenue. The closure is being put in place to allow a crane to be installed for construction work on the universitys campus.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Drivers are encouraged to follow marked detours while the road work is in progress. These include the following for eastbound and westbound drivers on Southwest 17th Street:

Eastbound 17th Street to MacVicar Avenue, then south on MacVicar Avenue to 21st Street, east on 21st Street to Washburn Avenue and north on Washburn Avenue to 17th Street.

Westbound on 17th Street to Washburn Avenue, then south on Washburn Avenue to 21st Street, west to 21st Street to MacVicar Avenue and north on MacVicar Avenue to 17th Street.

Drivers told to expect slow speeds at highway interchange in Topeka

Harrington said the work is expected to last until Monday, Sept. 16. The contractor for this project is Crossland Construction.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Tennessee is working to purchase 5,477 acres of forest land near Grand Junction from the Hobart Ames Foundation. The land is part of the Wolf River watershed. (Photo: Wolf River Conservancy)

Tennessee is working to purchase 5,477 acres of forest land near Grand Junction from the Hobart Ames Foundation. The land is part of the Wolf River watershed. (Photo: Wolf River Conservancy)

About 60 miles east of Memphis near the Mississippi line, verdant hardwood trees and ecologically exceptional streams weave through thousands of acres of rolling hills.

The land is home to a diverse array of aquatic and terrestrial life, decades-old archaeological sites and a watershed that feeds into the aquifer where hundreds of thousands of Memphians source their drinking water.

If all goes to plan, 5,477 acres of this land will soon become Tennessees newest state forest, securing its preservation for posterity.

The land is a portion of the 18,400-acre historic Ames Plantation, a privately owned tract in Fayette and Hardeman Counties amassed by Massachusetts industrialist Hobart Ames in the early 1900s.

For the last several decades, the Hobart Ames Foundation has partnered with the University of Tennessees AgResearch and Education Center to maintain and study the land and its history. The universitys website calls the center an 18,400-acre laboratory home to an archaeology field school, vet school, forestry camp, tree research nursery, row crop research fields and more.

When the roughly 5,500-acre portion of forest hit the market around early 2023, Tennessees forestry division rushed to piece together funding to buy it.

Deal cobbled together at breakneck speed

Work toward the purchase was already underway when State Forester Heather Slayton was appointed to her role this January. After calling her staff to inform them of her new title, my second act was to call the Hobart Ames Foundation to let them know that we were hustling to get this project off the ground, she said. In the relative scheme of forest legacy projects, it was breakneck speed.

A man paddles down the main stem of the Wolf River in West Tennessee. (Photo: Wolf River Conservancy)

The land was only on the market for a short time before the Hobart Ames Foundation agreed to remove it and allow the state a little bit of time to patch together the funds to keep it protected and conserved in perpetuity, Slayton said.

News of the project surfaced in August when the state Department of Agriculture brought an approval request to a State Building Commission subcommittee, warning that the land will be under immediate threat of development if sold to a third party.

The forest is located near Grand Junction, about 30 miles south of Fords new BlueOval City electric vehicle manufacturing plant.

This tract is important and irreplaceable as it maintains the longest continuous research tree nursery in the country. It also contains one of the best examples of long-term, well-managed bottomland hardwood forest in West Tennessee, the request states.

Slayton said an initial $16.9 million to secure the purchase will come from Tennessees Heritage Conservation Trust Fund, in addition to about $1.5 million in state wetland funding and help from other state agencies. Tennessees Division of Forestry applied to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Forest Service Legacy Program, which helps keep working forests kept intact. The program would cover 75% of the total $22.5 million purchase price, with state funds making up the remaining 25%. If the federal grant is approved, the plan is to repay the Heritage Conservation Trust Funds contribution, she said. Including additional costs, the total worth of the project is around $24.3 million, Slayton said.

The Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit conservation group, has acted as an intermediary to negotiate the purchase of the land from the Hobart Ames Foundation and plans to sign over the contract to the state.

Zachary Lesch-Huie, Tennessee state director for The Conservation Fund, said the land is valuable for a multitude of reasons. It contains a major part of the upper fork of the Wolf River, which feeds the aquifer system responsible for Memphis water supply. Its home to several species prioritized by Tennessee for protection, and features an outstanding forest habitat. Theres potential for future recreational and educational opportunities there, including hunting, river access, hiking and continued archeological research on more than 40 historical sites on the property.

The purchase is not yet final  Lesch-Huie said the process is going well but could take several more weeks, barring any unforeseen snags. He said he credits the lands excellent condition to the stewardship of the Hobart Ames Foundation and the University of Tennessee, and the states conservation vision for making the deal possible.

I also want to give credit to  the Hobart Ames Foundation, because their willingness to even do this important deal for the State of Tennessee is what this (project) hinges on, he said. All these conservation deals rely on a willing landowner, and they are that.

The University of Tennessee declined to comment on the pending deal, and the Hobart Ames Foundation did not respond to a request for comment.

Once the sale is complete, the University of Tennessee will continue to manage the property alongside the state and continue its tree nursery research project.

The information that comes out of the research for tree genetics and how to produce healthier, more resilient trees helps the forests of all the rest of the State of Tennessee as well, Slayton said.

Safeguarding the Wolf River and Memphis drinking water

The north fork of the Wolf River flows through this portion of bottomland forest  essentially a river swamp or forested wetland  on the Ames property. It meets the Wolf River in Moscow, Tennessee, and the Wolf River then flows into the Mississippi River at Mud Island, north of Downtown Memphis.

Wetlands are really integral to protecting and providing clean water, so this system helps to do that for about 2.8 million people downstream in the city of Memphis area and the surrounding counties.

 Heather Slayton, Tennessee State Forester

Memphis is the largest city in the country that relies fully on ground water, according to the University of Memphis.

Ryan Hall, director of land conservation at the Wolf River Conservancy, said the entire tract of forest land lies within an aquifer recharge zone for the Memphis Sand Aquifer. Rainwater is slowly filtered through layers of sand, purifying the water. Natural sand aquifers are separated by thick clay that protects water from contaminants, according to the University of Memphis. But thinning clay and breaks in its surface in several areas throughout Shelby County pose ongoing pollution concerns.

Wetlands are really integral to protecting and providing clean water, so this system helps to do that for about 2.8 million people downstream in the city of Memphis area and the surrounding counties, Slayton said. So just being able to protect that wetland function of creating clean water for those people is really, really special.

The Wolf River Conservancy aims to preserve the Wolf River watershed as a natural resource and provide conservation education. The organization is working to build a Wolf River Greenway trail through Memphis. The group has acted as supporters and advocates of transforming this land into a new state forest, Hall said.

(The property) has been stewarded well for a long time, and now we know its going to be stewarded well in perpetuity, so that peace of mind is just  the Wolf River Conservancy and all of our volunteers, donors, were very grateful that this is happening, he said.

A rich cultural site

The Ames property was one of several large plantations located in the area in the 1800s, Slayton said.

This particular forest block and the larger Ames property has a very rich cultural history of enslaved people in this part of Tennessee, she said.

The University of Tennessee, in partnership with the Hobart Ames Foundation, has done extensive research on the property, identifying historical artifacts and tracing ancestors who lived there.

The greater Ames property features the Ames Manor, a cabin and the remains of multiple 19th-century buildings, including houses, stores, churches, schools, cotton gins and the quarters of enslaved people, according to the university. There are 26 known cemeteries on the property, including up to six burial grounds for enslaved people, some of which have more than 100 graves.

Thats another part of this project thats super exciting: keeping it in public ownership so we can protect the cultural significance of the property, Slayton said.

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(WHTM)  A new poll of Pennsylvanias U.S. Senate race shows incumbent Democrat Bob Casey tied with Republican Dave McCormick.

The new CNN polls conducted by SSRS on Wednesday showed Casey and McCormick with 46% support. Eight percent of likely Pennsylvania voters said they supported another candidate or had no opinion of the race. The poll had a +/- 4.7% margin of error.

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According to FiveThirtyEight, this is the first poll where Casey and McCormick have been tied.

Leading up to the election, polls recorded by FiveThirtyEight in July and August have shown Casey with as high as a 14-point lead and an average lead of 7%.

An Emerson College Polling/The Hill poll released in late August found Casey with a 4% lead in the race. The race was unchanged from Julys poll after Caseys lead on McCormick dipped slightly from his 6% lead in Emerson College Polling/The Hills June survey.

Whos running for Senate in Pennsylvania?

The CNN poll found Casey leading among female voters with 53% support and McCormick leading among men with 55%. Black/non-Hispanic voters overwhelmingly supported Casey at 72%.

McCormick led in the poll among voters 45 and older, though Casey led among voters 18-49 and 65+. McCormick also led among those making less than $50,000 a year, non-college graduates, and white non-college graduates. Fifty-two percent of Independent voters in the poll said they would support Casey.

The economy led as the top issue (40%) followed by protecting democracy (27%), abortion and reproductive rights (12%, immigration (10%), and health care (5%).

In the presidential race, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump were tied at 47% each.

Sixty-nine percent of Pennsylvanians said they were extremely motivated to vote in the November 5 election.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Pentagon silent on possible transfer of long-range missiles for F-16s to Ukraine

The Pentagon has decided not to provide any comment regarding the possible transfer of long-range aircraft cruise missiles to Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, citing Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder at a briefing on 3 September

Details: At the briefing, Ryder was asked to comment on media reports about the missile supplies.

"I saw those press reports. I don't have anything to provide on that. Again, no announcements to make," he said.

Background:

Earlier, Reuters reported that the United States is nearing an agreement to supply Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles capable of reaching deep into Russia. However, Kyiv will have to wait several months as technical issues must be resolved before any delivery can occur.

Three sources said the inclusion of joint air-to-surface standoff missiles (JASSMs) in a military assistance package is expected to be announced this autumn, although a final decision has yet to be made.

Last month, Politico reported that the administration of US President Joe Biden was "open" to providing Ukraine with JASSMs.

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People Who Used "Glitch" to Get Free Money From Chase ATMs Are Now in Huge Trouble

Wild Goose Chase

"Free" money? Not a chance.

Viral videos on social media purportedly showed a "glitch" that let people withdraw "unlimited" amounts of cash from Chase Bank ATMs. It supposedly worked like this: you wrote a check for an ungodly sum, deposited it either through your bank's app or through a Chase ATM, and then immediately withdrew that amount before the check could bounce.

This apparently worked  in the very short term, anyway.

As CNN reports, this money hack doesn't take advantage of some legal loophole or magically exonerating circumstance. Nope: this is just straight up check fraud, a criminal offense  and the banks are acting accordingly, according to scattered reports online, by quickly cracking down on the bank accounts of the fraudsters.

"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 CNN.

Laughing All the Way

It's unclear how widespread this Chase ATM trend was, or how many people actually attempted it.

Some viral videos showing people celebrating their "glitched" windfalls of cash, such as one where they throw money into the air outside a Chase bank, are almost certainly just skits.

It's also hazy just how much money individuals were able to walk away with in one go, since ATMs have limits on the amount of cash that can be withdrawn  or if there was indeed a "glitch" or some other exploit that allowed fraudsters to circumvent the withdrawal limits.

At any rate, the situation was real enough for the banks to take action. Chase told CNN that the issue has "been addressed," and its parent company, JPMorgan, is carefully reviewing the situation, CNN sources said, as it tries to determine how many Chase customers and how much money was involved in the viral scheme.

Neither Chase nor the Federal Reserve commented on whether regulators would investigate.

Checks and Balances

The aftermath has been brutal. At least one video shows a distressed Chase customer with a negative balance of $31,000 in their account, and another shows one with a seven day hold.

Again, these examples could be jokes, some a little more plausible than others. But according to Jim Wang, a personal finance expert, this is in line with what banks would actually do, which is placing a hold on the offending accounts by deducting the amount of fraudulently obtained cash.

"You cant spend that money because its not yours," Wang said in an Instagram video. "Just because money appears in your account doesnt mean it's literally yours. And if you spend it and are forced to give it back, you're gonna have to figure out a way to pay it back."

More on social media trends: Doctors Suggest 'Raw-Dogging' Your Flight Is Bad For Your Health
We recently compiled a list of the 20 Under The Radar AI Stocks. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Ivanhoe Electric Inc. (NYSE:IE) stands against the other AI stocks that are under the radar.

Artificial Intelligence has become increasingly vital across various industries, including some under the radar sectors like utilities, mining, and media. AI tools are driving efficiency, safety, and innovation in these domains. In the utilities industry, AI is playing a critical role in enhancing the efficiency and reliability of power generation, distribution, and consumption. One significant application is in predictive maintenance, where AI algorithms analyze data from sensors embedded in infrastructure such as power grids and pipelines. This allows for early detection of potential failures, reducing downtime and maintenance costs. For example, a report by McKinsey & Company estimates that AI-driven predictive maintenance can reduce maintenance costs by up to 40%, extend the life of assets by 20%, and decrease unplanned outages by 50%.

Read more about these developments by accessing 33 Most Important AI Companies You Should Pay Attention To and 20 Industrial Stocks Already Riding the AI Wave.

The mining industry, traditionally labor-intensive and hazardous, is also seeing significant benefits from AI. One of the most impactful applications is in automation and autonomous operations. AI-powered autonomous vehicles and machinery are now commonplace in large mining operations, reducing the need for human presence in dangerous environments. According to a report by PwC, the use of autonomous haulage systems (AHS) in mining can lower operational costs by up to 15% while increasing productivity by 20%. AI is also enhancing mineral exploration and resource estimation. Machine learning algorithms can analyze geological data to identify potential mining sites with higher accuracy and less time than traditional methods. This not only reduces exploration costs but also minimizes environmental impact by focusing efforts on the most promising areas.

In the media industry, AI is revolutionizing content creation, distribution, and consumption. AI-driven algorithms are increasingly used to personalize content recommendations, which is vital for streaming platforms. These algorithms analyze vast amounts of user data to predict preferences, keeping users engaged and boosting subscription rates. According to Netflix, its recommendation engine, powered by AI, saves the company over $1 billion annually by reducing churn and increasing viewing hours. Moreover, AI is crucial in combating digital piracy and protecting intellectual property. Machine learning algorithms can scan the web for unauthorized distribution of content, allowing companies to take down pirated material swiftly. The global AI in media and entertainment market is expected to reach $100 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 27% from 2023 onwards, underscoring the importance of AI in this rapidly evolving industry.

Story continues

Read more about these developments by accessing Billionaire Stan Druckenmiller Is Betting On AI Infrastructure, Tobacco and Industrial Stocks and 10 Tech Stocks to Monitor Amid Market Volatility According to Bernstein Analyst.

Our Methodology

For this article, we selected AI stocks that have been in the news this week. A recent investment note from investment bank Goldman Sachs regarding under the radar AI stocks was also used for this article. These stocks are popular among hedge funds as well. 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 miner in a safety helmet examining a mineral core sample in a laboratory.

Ivanhoe Electric Inc. (NYSE:IE)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 10

Ivanhoe Electric Inc. (NYSE:IE) operates as a mineral exploration and development company in the United States. The demand for copper has increased across the world in the past few months as businesses invest in AI hardware. Nearly all AI devices need powerful chips, and copper forms an essential part of these chips. Earlier this year, the company announced that it would be partnering with mining giant BHP to search for copper and other critical minerals in the southwestern US. The initial area of interest will be in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. BHP will provide $15 million in initial funding for the project.

Ivanhoe Electric Inc. (NYSE:IE) stock is grabbing the attention of financial analysts. Scotiabank recently lowered the price target on the stock to $14 from $14.50 and kept an Outperform rating, noting that the firm had lowered its near-term commodity price outlook to reflect the impact of weaker global demand, which seemed to be more than offsetting supply-side challenges.

Overall IE ranks 19th on our list of the under the radar AI stocks. While we acknowledge the potential of IE 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 IE but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: Michael Burry Is Selling These Stocks and Jim Cramer is Recommending These Stocks.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
KENOSHA, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in southeast Wisconsin are investigating an incident in which a train hit a person on Wednesday afternoon.

According to a release, officers from the Kenosha Police Department are investigating an accident involving southbound Metra train #338 and a pedestrian.

Pilot of small aircraft becomes trapped, dies at the scene of Fond du Lac County plane crash

The accident occurred around 12:15 p.m. near the 6800 block of the Union Pacific North Line.

Metra train services are expected to be temporarily affected as investigators try to determine how the accident occurred.

Wisconsin DNR will pay money for bushels of pine cones, part of reforestation program

The Kenosha Police Department says the train was carrying about 20 passengers at the time of the accident. There were no reported injuries onboard.

This is an active investigation, and law enforcement is expected to provide an update as they 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
VICKSBURG, Miss. (WJTV)  A black bear was spotted in downtown Vicksburg early Wednesday morning.

Vicksburg police said the bear was in a tree outside the old courthouse. If anyone sees the bear, police said you should not attempt to approach or feed the bear.

MDWFP uses multiple methods to study states black bears

For your safety, and the safety of your pets, please avoid the area. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) has been notified. They have advised us to leave the bear alone and allow it to leave the area on its own, without human interaction, Vicksburg Police Chief Penny Jones said.

Vicksburg police circulated the area on Wednesday to inform pedestrians of the situation. Neighbors are encouraged to stay indoors if theyre near the downtown area and ensure their pets are secure.

A black bear was spotted in downtown Vicksburg early Wednesday morning. (Courtesy: Vicksburg Police Dept.)

MDWFP encourages citizens to adopt a few simple practices that will minimize human-bear conflict from occurring:

Never feed or approach bears

Remove or secure any items around your house that may attract bears such as trash, grills/smokers, bird feeders, pet food, etc.

Once common in Mississippi, black bears nearly disappeared from the state in the early 1900s. While the exact population in Mississippi is unknown, it is thought to have increased over the last 25 years.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
Tree damage from a July 31 wind storm is shown near North 66th Street and Fairacres Road in Omaha. (Cate Folsom/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  Gov. Jim Pillen has requested his fourth round of federal funding to assist with Nebraska storm recovery, this time for severe storms, wind and flooding on July 31 and Aug. 1.

The storms impact included Cass, Douglas, Lancaster, Sarpy and Saunders Counties that were hit with hurricane-force winds, severe thunderstorms and hail. Current damage estimates for the summer storm exceed $34.6 million, according to the Governors Office.

The summer storm also included a historic outage for Omaha Public Power District, at more than 221,000 customers, or half of OPPDs entire customer base in a storm unlike any other weve seen, according to an OPPD news release. Some customers were without electricity for several hours, others for more than a week. Approximately 34,000 customers with Lincoln Electric System were also without power.

OPPD President and CEO Javier Fernandez said it was the sixth storm-related outage that his team has faced in just over three months.

Recovery continued until the morning of Aug. 8, with 175 mutual aid crews assisting from across the country. The Governors Office said damage was estimated to span 230 miles.

If the federal request is granted, funds would assist with associated local recovery costs.

At $34.6 million, the July-August storm is estimated to have cost more than the previous three storms combined that Pillen received assistance for earlier this year:

President Joe Biden granted Pillens request for a federal disaster declaration for all three storms, estimated at $34.5 million.

Were working incredibly hard to get more than our fair share of federal dollars back home, Pillen said in May. Vastly different than whats gone on for a lot of years.

Pillen has also used the Governors Emergency Fund to help with other disasters. This included declaring a state of emergency for a Nebraska Panhandle wildfire in June that began in Box Butte County and went through Merrill County. Approximately 10,000 acres were scorched.

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HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH)  The student center and an academic building at Quinnipiac University were evacuated Wednesday due to a pipe bomb threat, according to university officials.

The Carl Hansen Student Center and Tator Hall Academic Building on Mt. Carmel Avenue were evacuated around 2 p.m. The evacuation was lifted at around 5 p.m. and buildings are now accessible to students.

The Regional Bomb Squad is on its way to campus to investigate, university officials said.

An official from Quinnipiac said that a student noticed the threat on the app Yik Yak, an anonymous message board program based on location.

4 killed, 9 injured in Apalachee High School shooting: Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Further information was not immediately available.





This is a developing situation. Check back for updates.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
SSE's Viking wind farm comprises 103 turbines and service roads built on wild land across the middle of Shetland - SSE/PA

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to crack down on profiteering wind farms after one of Britains biggest energy companies was accused of acting like a pirate at a new site on Shetland.

The Prime Minister said it was not acceptable that Scotland-based SSE had received over 2m in compensation for being forced to switch off its Viking wind farm, and promised to address the practice.

Speaking to MPs at Prime Ministers Questions, Sir Keir said: It is a problem that was not fixed over the past 14 years, but a problem we are determined to fix.

Analysis by the Renewable Energy Foundation (REF) found that 62pc of Vikings output had to be discarded in its first month because it was producing more power than the transmission network could cope with.

SSE was paid for the lost output  a system known as constraint payments  with REF calculating it has so far received 2.5m from the National Grid.

The value of constraint payments to wind farms is increasing in line with the expansion of renewables because many northern sites have been built in areas without enough grid capacity to carry the power they generate.

Wind farms were paid more than 310m to stop producing energy last year, up from 174,000 in 2010, according to REF data.

John Constable, the director of the REF, said: These facts make a mockery of claims that projects such as Viking offer good value to consumers, or, as Vikings launch publicity claimed, that this would be one of the most productive onshore wind farms in Britain.

On the contrary, it is shaping up to be one of the most heavily constrained, least productive and yet extortionately profitable wind projects ever built.

At the same time, SSE was attacked by the islands only Green councillor, Alex Armitage, for allegedly selling power from the Viking wind farm at vastly inflated prices.

It comes after an analysis by REF calculated that SSE has been selling the power it generates to the grid for 200 per megawatt hour (MWh)  far more than the 67 agreed with the Government under its Contracts for Difference (CfD) system.

Mr Armitage, who supports wind farms in general, said: This is a beautiful landscape and they have exploited it to make a lot of profit without giving enough back. The company is acting like pirates.

SSE has been able to charge extra, said REF, because it completed the wind farm a year before the start of its contract and therefore has no cap on charges at present.

Mr Armitage contrasted the huge profits being made by SSE in its first month of operation with the community benefit fund established by the company, which is due to pay 72m to Shetland causes over the next 25 years.

He said: This is a pittance. It is galling to see them making so much money when the island is struggling. There is a lot of local anger.

SSEs Viking wind farm comprises 103 turbines and service roads built on wild land across the middle of Shetland. The project was hugely controversial, with protesters fighting it all the way to the Supreme Court, where they lost an appeal against planning permission in 2015.

Mr Constable said Viking sold 52,000 MWh of power into the grid and was paid 10.4m over August  suggesting a cost of 200/MWh.

He said: We estimate that Viking has earned over 10m in August, when it would have only received about 3.5m if it had been paid under the CfD ... This implies a staggering price of about 200/MWh, as opposed to the already generous CfD price of 67/MWh.

SSE disputed REFs figures, pointing out that wind farm operators are paid according to their predicted output, rather than for the amount of electricity actually supplied to the grid. Based on this different calculation, said a spokesman, its energy cost 57/MWh.

Roger Hutcheon, SSEs head of regulation for group energy markets, said: Decisions on which assets to constrain or not are made by the electricity system operator, not individual companies.

SSE is investing more than 20bn in strengthening UK energy security, including recently connecting Shetland to the GB grid for the first time ever.

The UK needs many more homegrown electricity assets like Viking to harness our own natural resources and end our reliance on imported gas.

The significant grid upgrades already in development will significantly reduce constraint costs in the future. The faster the UK can build clean energy projects, the quicker well fully benefit from the UKs massive renewable resources.

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Pittsburghs Jewish Community Center held a vigil Tuesday for hostages still being detained in Gaza.

Officials said vigils have been held in person or virtually every week since the hostages were taken. But this one was especially emotional in the wake of the news of the death of six hostages.

RELATED COVERAGE >>> Israel recovers the bodies of 6 hostages in Gaza, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin

This event became an opportunity to honor their lives.

We appreciate the fact that 11 months into this horrific war, people are still gathering, people are still united. That people really, really do care. And that hopefully we see better days, Brian Schreiber said.

The JCC says the coal was to be in community tonight and deliver prayers of well wishes and support.

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Grandmother beat 3-year-old, left her in bed for days before death, court documents say Pennsylvania State Police looking for missing Connellsville woman Man killed in McKeesport shooting; 17-year-old arrested VIDEO: Kamala Harris opposes US Steel sale during joint campaign visit with Biden in Pittsburgh DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
The point of Trumps dishonor: Why the Arlington debacle is about more than the fallen

Much has been written about Donald Trumps utter contempt for American patriotism as displayed at Arlington cemetery last week. Trump's desecration of the hallowed ground where the bodies of recently fallen soldiers lay has generated disgust in most Americans. Yet, what makes the moment so significant goes beyond his politicizing sacred ground in self-service. The debacle encapsulates the craven elements of his lust for power:

His disregard not only of norms but also of the rule of law that protects all of us. The bullying use of force to get his way, always by others not himself. Leveraging the threat of further violence to intimidate those who can hold him to account. His dependence on Republican enablers without whom he cannot succeed. In this case, the key enabler was House Speaker Mike Johnson, the highest-ranking elected Republican in the nation.

Lets briefly recount what happened. On August 26, Trump went to a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington with the family of a service member killed during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Federal regulation has long prohibited partisan campaign activity, including photographs and videography, at Arlington, as Army officials informed the Trump team. The rule protects all families:

Partisan activities are inappropriate in Arlington National Cemetery, due to its role as a shrine to all the honored dead of the Armed Forces of the United States and out of respect for the men and women buried there and for their families.

There is no exception for the politicization of a memorial service, even if sanctioned by a grieving family.

When Trump campaign photographers and videographers accompanied the former president to the gravesites, a female Army official attempted to enforce the law. As she attempted to stop them, she was pushed aside by a Trump campaign aide. They proceeded to video Trump at the grave site, including grotesquely inappropriate hand gestures  Trump grinning with his thumbs up next to a tombstone, and a woman next to him apparently holding her hand in the shape of a known white supremacy symbol. The campaign posted the video on TikTok.

You dont need a docent to describe the fine points of each element of Trumpism. First, once Trump saw the opportunity for personal interest, he could not have cared less about norms or rules that safeguard the feelings of others. At least one of the other grief-stricken Gold Star families expressed their strong displeasure with Trumps misconduct.

Second, is there anything familiar sounding about Trumps backers resorting to force when following the law doesnt get them what they want? January 6 was an event of a completely different order, but Trumps MO doesnt change, whatever the setting or scale: Law and order be damned, do what it takes to dominate.

Then there was the third element described above: the disempowering through intimidation of those who might hold an authoritarian to account. The Army has reported that the federal official who sought in vain to prevent a violation of Arlingtons rules has declined to press charges.

Who can be surprised by someone who apparently fears retaliation from a mob boss violent soldiers? Their previous targets have included judges and prosecutors, journalists who dare to criticize the former president, and election officials doing their jobs. Trump understands the future intimidation value of weaponizing his bases brownshirts  it allows him to break glass with impunity.

Now lets focus on enabler Mike Johnson. On August 28, the right-wing Daily Caller quoted an anonymous source proudly proclaiming that Trump being at Arlington would not have happened without Speaker Johnson. He had apparently intervened with the military to ensure that Trump could be present despite hesitation from Arlington authorities who foresaw the abuse of sacred ground that would occur.

The takeaway is familiar, even if all the details are yet to emerge. Trump only gets by with a little help from his MAGA friends. The House Speaker carries no portfolio for enforcing or bypassing military regulations; but the House does control the Pentagons purse strings. Political strong-arming carries a strong smell.

The Daily Caller reported the events as if Johnson got involved only through a series of calls from the Trump-friendly family stating that Trump was being excluded from the service. But lets not be naive. This was a leaked story with the look of what former Marine Ben Kesling called out in the Columbia Journalism Review as the Trump campaign successfully mudd[ying] the waters by alleging that the photographer had been invited to the event by family members of soldiers buried there.

The Armys moral and law-based objection to making partisan hay out of a sacred ceremony was surely made known to Johnson, as it was made known to Trump. Ultimately, as Kesling put it, The sacred was profaned.

If you hope in the next four years for some small measure of respect for those who serve the country in uniform, or regard for law and order, keep in mind the image of Trumps team pushing over a female officer to get their way. If he becomes commander-in-chief again, we are all in for an unparalleled reign of self-interest and cruelty that is unlikely to end in 2028. A candidate who would track cheap political mud across the hallowed grounds at Arlington is capable of anything.
Poland to assist with rebuilding Lviv after Russian air attack

Destroyed cars are seen in the street in the Zaliznychna district after the Russian missile attack on Lviv, western Ukraine. Seven people were killed, including two children, and 53 people were injured. -/Ukrinform/dpa

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has offered assistance in reconstructing buildings in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv that were destroyed overnight in a heavy Russian airstrike.

"Lviv needs help! The target of the Russian attack was the city centre. Many old buildings were damaged," Tusk posted on X.

The city has taken in many internally displaced Ukrainians.

Lviv lies just 70 kilometres from the Polish border and has in the past been part of Poland. It changed hands twice during World War II.

People stay outside a hotel in the Zaliznychnyi district after the Russian missile attack on Lviv, western Ukraine. Seven people were killed, including two children, and 53 people were injured. -/Ukrinform/dpa
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark.  Police in Russellville said a juvenile is in custody after investigators accused them of being behind a social media threat targeting a school.

Officials with the Russellville Police Department said Wednesday afternoon that officers had successfully apprehended the suspect after working with community members of authorities with the Russellville School District.

4 killed, 9 injured in Apalachee High School shooting; 14-year-old suspect in custody

The juvenile is not being identified, but police officials said they would face charges in this matter.

Department officials posted on social media Saturday evening that they were aware of the online threat at that time. Police increased their security presence at the school and the department began its investigation.

Enough is enough, officials react to Georgia school shooting

A spokesperson for the Russellville School District said a message was sent to parents of RJHS students Wednesday updating them on the situation. In that response, district officials said they are grateful for the efforts of police and that staff & student safety remains a top priority.

Hello RJHS families,



RPD has notified the District that the source of the potential threat reported over the weekend has been identified and a suspect has been taken into custody.



The District is grateful for Russellville Police Departments continued support in keeping students and staff safe. The safety of students and staff remains a top priority. RSD safety protocols will continue to be followed.



Find the full statement from RPD on the Russellville Police Department Facebook page. Russellville School District statement



On Wednesday, authorities said they would continue their investigation into this case and release any updates when they become available.

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In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan discussed a range of topics in this nearly three-hour podcast. One of the most intriguing subjects was the French authorities arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov.

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Durov, who is a French and Emirati citizen (not Russian as Rogan initially suspected), was detained at an airport near Paris. The reason? Allegations that his platform, Telegram, has been used for illegal activities such as money laundering and drug trafficking.

Rogan questioned the fairness of this approach, saying, Should we arrest Google because Gmail is used for money laundering and drug sales because it certainly is? His point was that many platforms, including major ones like Google, can be misused by criminals, so why is Telegram being singled out?

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Rogans friend, Elon Musk, also posted a series of tweets and responses on this topic as it developed. Among them were tweets like "Yeah, this is super messed up!" and POV: It's 2030 in Europe and you're being executed for liking a meme.

Baker, a former CIA agent and frequent JRE guest, explained that Durov's arrest likely occurred because his social network has a reputation for not cooperating with law enforcement, particularly in France. They are not cooperating with criminal investigations, not releasing information or complying with requests from ... Europol, Interpol, Baker said.

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He also found it ironic that Russia, known for its lack of free speech, was upset about Durov's arrest. The Russian government is notoriously tough on dissent and they have arrested people for holding a blank piece of paper since the war on Ukraine began.

Russias reaction to the arrest is especially surprising since Durov, who was born in Russia, has had past conflicts with the Russian government over similar issues. Its all about free expression over there in Russia, Rogan joked.

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News also emerged that the financial health of the popular messaging and social media platform Telegram was not in the best shape. The company recorded a loss of $108 million on revenue of $342 million in the previous year.

The Financial Times reports that Durov had been considering publicizing the company with an IPO, aiming for a $30 billion valuation. However, the recently revealed financial issues, combined with the charges Durov is facing from French authorities, have made that ambitious valuation seem less likely.

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This article Joe Rogan Reacts To Telegram Boss Arrest: 'Should We Arrest Google Because Gmail Is Used For Money Laundering And Drug Sales?' originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Police took a woman into custody Wednesday morning for allegedly killing a man at an apartment complex in the east valley nearly a week ago.

Ilana Ceniceros, 18, was arrested and booked into Clark County Detention Center on charges of murder and buying/possessing/receiving stolen property.

19 year-old man shot, killed in east Las Vegas neighborhood; police seek suspect

Las Vegas Metropolitan police say Ceniceros shot and killed 19-year-old Khoice Robertson on Aug. 29, at the Cotton Creek apartment complex near Desert Inn Road and McLeod Drive. Initially, police reported the suspect as a male based on witness accounts.

The coroner listed Robertsons cause of death as a gunshot wound to the chest.

Ceniceros is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, Sept. 5.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Police want help solving this burglary in Merced

MERCED, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  The Merced Police Department is asking for the publics help in solving a residential burglary that happened in August.

Police say the residential burglary occurred on Aug. 8, on the 3400 block of San Carlos Ct. Officers responded to the incident and discovered several firearms that had been stolen from the home.

Officers reviewed surveillance footage from the area and police say the video showed multiple individuals dressed in dark clothing driving two vehicles.

The vehicle seen was a light grey or silver SUV and a white four-door car.

Police believe the individuals may be linked to other recent burglaries in Merced. This is an ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Jesus Lopez at 209-388-7782 or by email at LopezJ@CityofMerced.org.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
Ascension St.Thomas Rutherford Hospital, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is no longer offering forensic exams to victims of sexual assault, say multiple sources. Photo: John Partipilo)

Ascension St.Thomas Rutherford Hospital, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is no longer offering forensic exams to victims of sexual assault, say multiple sources. Photo: John Partipilo)

(Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect that a statement about sexual assault victims exams came from the Murfreesboro Police Department, not its chief of police.)

The Murfreesboro Police have not obtained sexual assault examination evidence in nearly a year from Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital  the countys largest hospital and historically its main provider of the specialized forensic exams, according to a statement from police.

Police are instead directing victims seeking rape kit exams to facilities elsewhere in Rutherford County or to Nashvilles Sexual Assault Center, the statement said. Other facilities in Rutherford County have limited capacity and the Nashville center is a 45-minute drive away.

The last sexual assault kit (rape kits) completed for the Murfreesboro Police Department by Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital was in November 2023, the statement said.

The police departments statement echoes assertions from Rutherford County District Attorney Jennings Jones and victim advocates that the hospital ceased providing exams as early as January of this year, placing the prosecution of perpetrators and the wellbeing of victims in jeopardy. Advocates were called into accompany 69 victims at the hospital last year, said Ericka Downing, executive director of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center in Murfreesboro. This year the agency hasnt received a single call from the hospital to accompany a victim, she said.

A hospital spokesperson last week denied the assertions it had ceased providing the exams, noting the hospital has experienced challenges in making the exams available 24/7 but continues to provide rape kit exams.

In a new statement issued Wednesday, the spokesperson said Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford was committed to preserving and expanding this critical service and are working closely with community leaders to explore sustainable solutions that ensure survivors have the support and resources they need.

Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford recognizes the concerns raised regarding access to forensic exams for sexual assault survivors, read the statement from David Leaverton, senior director of external services.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner exams, also called SANE exams or rape kits, are evidence-gathering procedures performed by specially trained nurses to obtain DNA and other evidence from victims. If a victim opts to undergo an exam, the evidence can be used by law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice. The exams also include pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease prevention.

Murfreesboro officers direct or assist victims to the nearest medical facility equipped to treat the victims medical needs, which in most instances would be Ascension St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital, the department noted in its statement.

But if a victim decides to undergo a sexual assault exam to preserve evidence of a crime, he or she would then have to head to a different facility, the statement noted.

If the decision is made to conduct a sexual assault examination, including the collection of a rape kit, the victim would need to be sent to the Rutherford County Domestic Violence Center, the SAFE Clinic in Nashville, TriStar Stone Crest Medical Center, or other facility that completes these types of examinations.

Asking victims who have just survived the trauma of a sexual assault to then go to a second location for a forensic exam may discourage them from seeking the critical evidence-preserving procedure, Jennings, the district attorney, noted last week.

Downing, who leads the countys chief survivor advocacy nonprofit group, said she was aware, in broad terms, of survivors seeking the exams who were turned away this year from Ascension St. Thomas Rutherford then declined to go to a second location.

I cannot emphasize the importances of providing forensic exams to survivors of sexual violence, Downing said Wednesday.

It is a part of the puzzle piece to potential prosecution and to resources to address the trauma that they have experienced. We want all survivors to be seen, heard, and believed.We are looking forward to seeing the restoration of this vital service in the community that we are proud to support.

Downing said she encouraged sexual assault survivors in Rutherford County to reach out to her agency at 615-896-7377.

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BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11)  A day after the West Indian American Day parade in Brooklyn, the question is how to reconcile over a million attendees and good times with a gunman who fired several shots into the crowd near the end of the parade route along Eastern Parkway.

Five people were shot, ranging in age from 16 to 69. One of the victims, a 25-year-old man, died from his injuries.

The NYPD described it as an intentional act. It is unclear who the shooter was aiming at, or if any of the victims were the intended target.

The shooter is still on the loose, with detectives scouring the scene and surveillance video on Tuesday.

More Local News

Mayor Eric Adams spoke about this shooting Tuesday morning.

Lets be clear, one nut shot five people. When you look at that one person that were going to find that shot five people, when you remove him from the equation, you got hundreds of thousands of people who were out this weekend and really heard the call of peaceful Jouvert and a peaceful West Indian Day parade, said Adams.

Robert and his daughter Nevaeh said they attend the parade annually.

This is a place where you come to have a good time. We dont need that. You got kids out here. We got women out here. Just come out and enjoy yourself and go home, said Robert.

Man shot at NYC West Indian Day parade speaks out: I thought I was going to die

The parade does not exist in a bubble but runs through the heart of Brooklyn, a bustling borough in a sprawling city struggling with what continues to be a national epidemic  gun violence; and this latest incident, not on a side street, but right on the parade route, is once again complicating the way we process an otherwise joyous event.

Rhea Smith is the first vice president of the association that throws the parade.

When we have our celebrity presentations as a Caribbean community to celebrate our contributions and all of our hard work, that we dont have these issues in Alabama or Mississippi or New York, we want to make sure that the scourge of gun violence is eradicated, said Smith.

A.T. Mitchell-Mann is the citys gun violence prevention czar and founder of the anti-violence organization Man Up!

We were able to create a late shift, from 4 p.m. to midnight. We covered up until a certain amount of blocks. But we were unable to cover the entire route. You cant be everywhere. These things are random. Its troubling because it could have been much worse, said Mitchell-Mann.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Editors note: Police said Thursday that two people had been shot, instead of one. And three people have been arrested. See an updated story here.

Police say they are evaluating operations at the Old Town parking garage after a man was shot there Sunday night.

Police are looking at whether changes are necessary to ensure everyones safety, Wichita police spokesperson Aaron Moses said in an email Tuesday.

A 20-year-old Wellington man was grazed by a bullet while sitting in a truck in the garage. Police were called at 11:55 p.m. Sunday. The man was treated and released from a hospital.

The shooting comes roughly a year after two people were shot and killed at the garage. After that the second and third floors of the garage were closed to the public for more than a month.

In Sundays shooting, the Wellington man was sitting in the passenger side of a red Ford truck when someone opened fire on the truck. It is not known how many people shot at the truck.

Moses said the shooting stemmed from an earlier incident.

The victim reported that he was involved in an altercation earlier in the evening in Park City, that is believed to be related to the shooting, Moses said Tuesday afternoon.

Last year, a Wichita couple were found shot and killed on the top floor of the garage on July 27. Josephina Lerma-Dominguez, 20, and her boyfriend, 21-year-old Bryan Lara-Hernandez, had been helping Dominguezs friend, 20-year-old Zachary Ramirez, jump start his car.

A argument broke out between Lara-Hernandez and Ramirez and escalated into a shoving match. Lara-Hernandez reportedly pulled and pointed a gun at Ramirez and his friends to stop the fight.

The couple got back into their car to leave. Ramirez pulled a gun and fired 14 times into the car, striking Lerma-Dominguez and Lerma-Hernandez.

Ramirez was convicted in April on two counts of first-degree felony murder, two alternative counts of second-degree intentional murder, two counts of battery and one count each of criminal discharge of a weapon and aggravated battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office.

Ramirezs sentencing has not been set yet. Hes facing life in prison plus the possibility of additional time.

Wichita police closed the entrance ramp to the second and third floors sometime between July 27 and Aug. 2 2023. It was reopened on Sept. 9 2023.
Four people have been killed and nine others shot at a Georgia high school Wednesday, in the deadliest school shooting in the U.S. so far this year.

Authorities said two students and two teachers were killed by a 14-year-old student at the school, identified as Colt Gray, after Gray opened fire at Apalachee High School Wednesday morning. Law enforcement apprehended Gray after being called to the school with reports of an active shooter around 10:20 a.m., the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said during a press conference Wednesday afternoon. Authorities said Gray gave up and immediately surrendered and got on the ground after officers arrived within minutes of being called.

Among the nine people who were injured, eight are students and one is a teacher, the GBI said in a statement. Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith told the media on Wednesday night that all the hospitalized victims are expected to survive and recover well.

Smith, who was born and raised in the county, said that his heart hurts for the community.

I went to school in this school system. My kids go to this school system. Im proud of this school system, he said. My heart hurts for these kids, my heart hurts for our community, but I want to make it very clear that hate will not prevail in this county. I want that to be very clear and known. Love will prevail over what happened today, I assure you of that.

During an earlier press conference in front of the school Wednesday afternoon, Smith said What you see behind us is an evil thing today.

TIME has reached out to the Barrow County Sheriffs Office, and other local authorities, for comment.

FBI Atlanta said in a statement that Gray had been questioned by law enforcement last year after authorities received several anonymous tips about online threats to commit a school shooting at an unidentified location and time.

When interviewed by the Jackson County Sheriffs Office after the tips were received in May 2023, Gray denied making the threats online and his father stated he had hunting guns in the house, but the subject did not have unsupervised access to them, the statement said. At that time, there was no probable cause for arrest or to take any additional law enforcement action on the local, state, or federal levels.

The FBI, GBI, and Barrow County Sheriffs Office are investigating the shooting. GBI director Chris Hosey said Wednesday night that Gray would be booked in jail and would appear in court in a reasonable amount of time. In an earlier news conference in front of the school, Hosey said that Gray would be charged with murder and tried as an adult.

The priority right now for us within this investigation is to gather all the facts to make sure that were accurate with it, because this is a murder investigation, Hosey said during the news conference.

Video footage earlier on Wednesday on the scene showed students evacuating, multiple ambulances, and police congregating outside the school, which reportedly has close to 1,900 students.

Apalachee High School junior Lyela Sayarath, who told CNN that she had been sitting beside Gray on Wednesday morning before the shooting, described him as a quiet and shy student who gave single-word responses during their group projects. Sayarath said that Gray had walked out of the classroom, which had an automatic locking door, and that was going to be let back in until a classmate that went to open the door presumably saw he had a gun with him.

I guess he saw we werent going to let him in. And I guess the classroom next to me, their door was open so I think he just started shooting in the classroom, she said, adding that they then heard consecutive gunshots. When we heard it, most people just dropped to the floor and like kind of crawled in an area like piled on top of each other.

Authorities said schools in Barrow County will be closed for the rest of the week and grief counseling will be made available.

I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state, Gov. Brian Kemp posted on X.

Read more: Politicians React to Deadly Mass Shooting at Georgia High School

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the shooting at a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon: This week, kids across the country are heading back to school for the new school year. Today is supposed to be an exciting day for students and parents, but instead were seeing yet another horrific shooting.

She added that the administration's hearts are with the families in Winder and that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have both been briefed and will continue to work with state and local law enforcement officials.

President Joe Biden said that we cannot continue to accept this as normal in a statement on Wednesday afternoon. We must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines once again, require safe storage of firearms, enact universal background checks, and end immunity for gun manufacturers.

The shooting at Apalachee High School was the 45th school shooting in the U.S. this year, according to a data review by CNN, which together have left at least 23 people dead and 62 injured.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The victim in a deadly shooting at a northeast Oklahoma City hotel on Monday has been identified.

According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, officers responded to a shooting at a hotel in the 5400 block of N Lincoln Blvd. around 8:30 p.m.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: NE OKC motel sees second shooting death in less than a month

Upon arrival, they found the victim, 38-year-old Michael Trojak, deceased inside of a room. Police say an altercation led to the shooting.

No arrests have been as the investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Tip Line at 405-297-1200.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
A man who reportedly sexually assaulted a Community College of Allegheny County student.

According to an email sent to students, faculty and staff, the college received a report that a student was sexually assaulted on the North Side campus early Tuesday morning.

College officials said the assault allegedly happened at or near the east side of the Physical Education Building, which is the building that houses the CCAC Bookstore.

The suspect has not been identified, but he has been described as a Black man around 30 to 40 years old. He was carrying a backpack.

CCAC officials said an investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who believes they may have information relevant to the incident is encouraged to contact CCAC College Security at 412-237-2662.

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Police on patrol hear gunfire and find two people shot, one fatally, in Kansas City

Update: Police identified the man who was killed as 39-year-old Shroy Lapsely.

A man died and a woman was injured in a shooting in Kansas Citys North Town Fork Creek neighborhood Tuesday, police said.

Officers on patrol around 11:30 p.m. heard the sound of gunshots to their east, across Highway 71, police said in a news release. They responded near East 55th Street and South Benton Avenue, where they found a man and a woman with gunshot wounds.

Officers helped the victims and called for paramedics. The man and woman were taken to a hospital by ambulance.

The man, later identified by police as 39-year-old Shroy Lapsely, was pronounced dead at a hospital around 1 a.m. Wednesday. The woman was still receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

As of Wednesday morning, police have not yet said what may have led up to the shooting. Detectives were processing the scene for evidence and searching for witnesses.

Police are working to identify a suspect, said Capt. Jake Becchina, a spokesman with the Kansas City Police Department, in an email Wednesday.

The killing is Kansas Citys 109th homicide of 2024, according to data maintained by The Star. At this time last year, the city had recorded 139 homicides.

Anyone who might have information about the shooting should contact homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS hotline anonymously at 816-474-8477. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Oklahoma City Police have released new details following a standoff Monday afternoon.

According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, officers responded to a call regarding a man shooting at another man near SE 44th St. and Shields Blvd. around 4 p.m.

LOCAL NEWS: Officer-involved shooting, house fire in Edmond

Upon arrival, officers discovered 24-year-old Mario Cruz had barricaded himself inside of a house.

Officials say Cruz broke through an attic wall and fired shots at officers. He later jumped to the ground from the hole in the attic wall, moved towards the back of the house where he met officers with a pistol.

Shortly after, Cruz was shot by a member of the OKCPD Tactical Unit. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he remains.

The officer involved has been placed on routine administrative leave as the investigation continues.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Billionaire entrepreneurs Mark Cuban and Elon Musk found themselves at odds over a controversial interview conducted by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. The interview, which focused on World War II and Winston Churchill, sparked a strong reaction from Cuban after Musk endorsed it as worth watching.

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What Happened: The spark of controversy ignited when Musk, the CEO of Tesla Inc. and SpaceX, took to X (formerly Twitter) to endorse an interview featuring Carlson and Darryl Cooper, host of The MartyrMade Podcast.

Musk wrote, Very interesting. Worth watching, drawing attention to the interview. Carlson had introduced Cooper as possibly the best and most honest popular historian in the United States, noting that Coopers latest project delves into what Carlson termed the most forbidden of all: trying to understand World War Two.

Cuban, entrepreneur and part-owner of the Dallas Mavericks, responded to Musks endorsement with a simple yet pointed message: Delete your account.





Delete your account https://t.co/DKOWv72ly0  Mark Cuban (@mcuban) September 4, 2024

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The interview between Carlson and Cooper covered a wide range of controversial topics. They discussed the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict and delved into World War II, including an assessment of former U.K. Prime Minister Churchill.

The conversation also touched on how history is rewritten and propagandized, a topic that often generates intense debate in academic and political circles.

Furthermore, Carlson and Cooper explored contemporary issues such as mass immigration in Europe and the Civil Rights Movement, drawing parallels to the Black Lives Matter movement.

They also shared their views on several prominent political figures, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and former U.S. President Donald Trump.

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Why It Matters: In August, Musk sent Carlson a Tesla Cybertruck to review, which Carlson used for stunts, including shooting at the vehicle.

The tension between Cuban and Musk is not new. Recently, Cuban raised concerns about a discrepancy in a poll on X, suggesting Musk could influence the platforms algorithm. This incident further fueled the ongoing friction between the two billionaires.

Additionally, Musks response to Cubans poll debacle, where he commented on the tenacity of his stupidity, added another layer to their public feud.

Despite the criticism, Cuban continues to post on X, stating he values the platform for its diversity of opinions.

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 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
One person is in custody after multiple law enforcement agencies responded Wednesday to a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, that killed four people and left nine others hospitalized.

Two of those killed in the shooting were students. The other two were teachers.

Georgia officials identified the student victims as Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both of whom were 14. The two adults killed were Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53.

The suspect, identified as Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student, has been arrested and charged with murder.

Chris Hosey, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, told reporters the suspect surrendered to a school resource officer.

Sources told CNN earlier Wednesday that about 30 people were injured in the days violence, including those who have been transported to hospitals with gunshots.

Investigators said there was no apparent relationship between the shooter and the victims but that its still early in the case and further information may emerge. Its not yet clear how the gunman might have obtained the firearm or brought it onto school property.

The FBIs Atlanta office revealed later Wednesday that the Jackson County Sheriffs Office interviewed the suspect and his father last year after the FBI received several anonymous tips about online threats to commit a school shooting.

The father stated he had hunting guns in the house, but the subject did not have unsupervised access to them, the FBI said in a statement. The subject denied making the threats online. Jackson County alerted local schools for continued monitoring of the subject. At the time, there was no probable cause for arrest or to take any additional law enforcement on the local, state, or federal levels.

Out of the nine injured, eight are students and one is a teacher, authorities said.

Neither Hosey nor Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith were prepared to discuss the extent of the injuries at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

Video from a helicopter operated by Atlanta News First showed at least one person being airlifted from the scene at Apalachee High, with multiple ambulances in the vicinity. Officials told the news outlet that the person being airlifted had been taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, a Level 1 trauma center in Atlanta.

Law enforcement arrives after a shooting was reported Wednesday at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. Jeff Amy/Associated Press

Ciera Roberts, a spokesperson for Barrow County Schools, told HuffPost that all schools in the district were put on a soft lockdown as soon as Apalachee locked down. Approximately 1,900 students attend the school.

All Barrow County schools will be closed the rest of the week, with grief counselors available every day this week and thereafter, Superintendent Dallas LeDuff told reporters.

Students at Apalachee High are evacuated to the football stadium Wednesday after the school campus was placed on lockdown due to a shooting. Erin Clark via Associated Press

Smith at times struggled to maintain his composure during the afternoon news conference, telling reporters that as a lifelong Barrow County resident, he never could have anticipated the pure evil that happened today.

This hits home for me. I was born and raised here. I went to school in this school system. My kids go to this school system, he said. Im proud of this school system. My heart hurts for these kids. My heart hurts for our community. I want to make it very clear that hate will not prevail in this county.

Love will prevail over what happened today, he said. I assure you of that.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said during a separate news conference that the Justice Department will provide whatever resources local and state law enforcement partners require.

Im devastated for the families who have been affected by this terrible tragedy, he said.

Approximately 1,900 students attend Apalachee High. WSB-TV via Associated Press

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) said he has directed all available state resources to the school and was praying for the safety of those in our classrooms.

We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation, Kemp said.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the shooting at the top of a briefing Wednesday afternoon, urging Congress to recognize that this is not normal and calling for steps like universal background checks, a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, requiring the safe storage of firearms, investing in violence-prevention programs and passing a national red-flag law.

Students across the country are learning how to duck and cover instead of how to read and write, President Joe Biden said in a written statement. We cannot continue to accept this as normal.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, echoed that sentiment while speaking at a rally in New Hampshire.

Our kids are sitting in a classroom where they should be fulfilling their God-given potential, and some part of their big, beautiful brain is concerned about a shooter busting through the door of the classroom, Harris said. It does not have to be this way. It does not have to be this way.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump called the shooting a tragic event on social media.

Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those affected by the tragic event in Winder, GA, he wrote, calling the shooter a sick and deranged monster.

The suspect is being charged as an adult, an approach to juvenile criminal justice that has been criticized.

Lydia OConnor and Marita Vlachou contributed reporting.

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KIELCE, Poland  Polish defense company WB Group has presented an expanded portfolio of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at this years MSPO defense industry show here, responding to the rising interest in long-range strike capabilities by Polands military, but also other countries across the region.

At this edition of the MSPO event, we have a number of premieres, Remigiusz Wilk, the head of communications at WB Group, told Defense News. In the field of unmanned systems, this includes the Warmate TL-R reconnaissance system, FT5 mini tactical class UAV in new variants, Warmate 20 loitering munition, and our latest extended-range addition, Warmate 50.

Asked about the ranges of the systems, Wilk said that Warmate 20 has a range of several hundred kilometers and the range of Warmate 50 is operational, suggesting that it exceeds that of Warmate 20.

The expansion of the companys portfolio comes as Russias invasion of Ukraine is driving Polands efforts to modernize its armed forces and acquire enhanced combat capabilities.

The distance between Polands capital Warsaw and the Russian capital Moscow is around 1,151 km (715 miles).

The privately-owned manufacturer is one of the few major industry players in Poland that are not run by the state. WB Group supplies various unmanned systems to the Polish military, but also to foreign customers. The producer makes unmanned solutions, as well as communication, command, reconnaissance and weapons control systems, among others.
As more details are released about a Georgia high school mass shooting that left four dead and at least nine injured on Wednesday, politicians across the country have issued statements expressing their grief and condemning the persistent American problem of gun violence.

The shooting occurred at Apalachee High School in Winder, about 45 miles outside Atlanta. One suspect has since been taken into custody.

White House

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the shooting first thing at a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon: This week, kids across the country are heading back to school for the new school year. Today is supposed to be an exciting day for students and parents, but instead were seeing yet another horrific shooting.

She added that the administration's hearts are with the families in Winder and that Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have both been briefed and will continue to work with state and local law enforcement officials.

President Joe Biden said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon: We cannot continue to accept this as normal.

Jill and I are mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short due to more senseless gun violence and thinking of all of the survivors whose lives are forever changed, Biden said.

He also called for bipartisan common-sense gun safety legislation, saying: We must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines once again, require safe storage of firearms, enact universal background checks, and end immunity for gun manufacturers.

Presidential candidates

Harris, the Democratic nominee for President, spoke on the shooting at a campaign event in New Hampshire saying: This is just a senseless tragedy on top of so many senseless tragedies.  We have to end this epidemic of gun violence in our country once and for all. You know it doesnt have to be this way.

Harris running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz addressed the shooting at a meeting in Pennsylvania. This is tragic. We dont know any of the details on it yet, but its a situation thats all too common, and our hearts are out there right now, he said. Our work needs to [be] to prevent these in the future.

Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump reacted to the shooting on his social media site, Truth Social, Wednesday afternoon: Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those affected by the tragic event in Winder, GA, he wrote. These cherished children were taken from us far too soon by a sick and deranged monster.

Trumps running mate Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance also appeared to respond to the shooting in a post on X. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this despicable violence just days into the new school year, Vance wrote. We are keeping the victims, their families, and the whole community of Winder, Georgia in our prayers this evening.

Georgia politicians

Gov. Brian Kemp (R-Ga.) said in a statement on X that he and his family are heartbroken over the shooting. This is a day every parent dreads, and Georgians everywhere will hug their children tighter this evening because of this painful event. Kemp earlier ordered all state resources to respond to the incident.

Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Ga.), who has become a vocal advocate against gun violence after she lost her son to it in 2012 and has advocated against it, said on X that she is praying for the school students and the Winder community as well as families across the country. Too many continue to experience the pain of gun violence. No family should have to go through this, she wrote.

Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.), who represents the district where Apalachee High School is located, said that he is praying for the victims, their families, and all students, in a statement on X.

Sen. Raphael G. Warnock (D-Ga.) wrote in a lengthy thread on X that we cant pray only with our lipswe must pray by taking action, and he said that without bipartisan action, its only a matter of time before this kind of tragedy comes knocking on your door.

We dont have to live this way, he wrote.

Others

Condolences also came from outside the state. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said on X that he was heartbroken that the start of a school year has already been marred by senseless violence. My thoughts are with all those mourning the loss of innocent life in Georgia, and with all students who fear the terrible violence that mass shootings have brought to our schools.

Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), the only Gen Z member of Congress, also spoke out on X regarding the shooting: Not even a month into the new school year and we're seeing kids running for their lives from classrooms that were supposed to be safe spaces, he said. It's time to stop putting guns over childrenour communities deserve to live free from this senseless violence. Frost once served as national organizing director of March for Our Lives, a gun violence activism group born out of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), an outspoken anti-gun violence advocate especially in the years since the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in his state, posted on X a brief reaction to Wednesdays shooting in Georgia: Our hearts are breaking. Again.

Former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.), a victim of a 2011 shooting who has since become an advocate for gun control, also said that she was heartbroken and angry after the Winder incident. This isnt freedomfreedom is knowing your kids can live safe from gun violence, Giffords said, repeating a theme of Harris presidential campaign. For too long our leaders have put gun industry profits over our childrens safety. It must end.

Write to Simmone Shah at simmone.shah@time.com.
Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks has a 5-point lead over Republican Larry Hogan in their U.S. Senate contest, a new poll shows. File photo by Danielle E. Gaines.

Democrat Angela Alsobrooks holds a 5-point lead over Republican Larry Hogan in their campaign for U.S. Senate, according to a poll released Wednesday.

The newly released Gonzales poll shows Alsobrooks leading Hogan 46%-41% with 11% still undecided.

I wouldnt call in the dogs. The hunts still on, and its absolutely still a race, said pollster Patrick Gonzales.

Gonzales surveyed 820 registered voters who said they are likely to vote in November. The poll, conducted between Aug. 24-30, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5%.

On Tuesday, Gonzales released a poll that included updated job performance numbers for Gov. Wes Moore (D), whose job approval was improving, as well as look at the state of the presidential campaign in deep-blue Maryland, where Vice President Kamala Harris (D) holds a wide lead over GOP nominee Donald Trump.

The Gonzales poll on the Senate race contrasts with a recent survey suggesting a tighter race: Last week, a poll conducted for AARP, showed Alsobrooks and Hogan in a dead heat. That poll sampled 600 voters in mid-August and had a 4-point margin of error.

Alsobrooks, the two-term Democratic executive of Prince Georges County, and Hogan, just the second two-term Republican governor in Maryland history, are vying to succeed Sen. Ben Cardin (D). The three-term senior senator announced his retirement more than a year ago.

If elected, Hogan would become the first Republican to hold a U.S. Senate seat in Maryland since Charles McC. Mathias Jr., who retired in 1987.

Alsobrooks and Hogan enter the final 60 days of the campaign with distinctly different levels of name identification among those polled.

For Hogan, 98% of voters said they recognized his name including 50% who said they have a favorable impression of the former governor. Another 19% had an unfavorable opinion and 29% said they were neutral.

Alsobrooks name was recognized by roughly 67% of voters surveyed, including four in 10 who said they had a favorable opinion of the county executive. Another 7% said they had an unfavorable opinion of Alsobrooks.

More than three in 10 people surveyed did not recognize her by name.

It means regular people have lives that dont revolve around politics, Gonzales said.

The high number of those who do not have an impression of Alsobrooks could be an opportunity for her, but it also leaves open the door to be defined by her opponent if she does not do so herself, Gonzales said. He said Alsobrooks has a blank slate when it comes to how voters see her that allows Alsobrooks to define herself to voters or be defined by her opponent who can paint whatever they want on it.

Gonzales said many voters are not yet paying close attention to the race.

Democratic voters in Maryland outnumber their Republican counterparts by a roughly 2-1 margin. The poll shows Hogan has the support of a sizable number of Democrats  21% said they would vote for Hogan, compared to 72% for Alsobrooks  but Gonzales said Hogan has a math challenge  namely his ability to get to 30% support from Democratic voters.

Larrys got to get to 30% of Democrats, no matter what, Gonzales said. Hes got to get 90% of Republicans, 55% of independents, and hes got to get to 30% of Democrats. Mathematically, thats the only way it adds up to a victory.

So, is that possible? Of course, its possible. But when you look at the numbers (the poll), its not possible because theres only 6% of Democrats undecided, he said.
Significant majorities of voters in six key swing states do not want to criminalize abortion before fetal viability, according to a poll released Wednesday.

The survey by the University of Marylands Program for Public Consultation found large bipartisan majorities in Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin do not want abortion to be criminalized before fetal viability.

Democrats are leaning heavily on abortion this election, and reproductive rights have been front and center politically in the two years since the conservative Supreme Court majority ended Roe v. Wade.

Support for criminalizing abortion at all stages of pregnancy ranged from 7 percent to 13 percent in the swing states, including a low of 10 percent to a high of 25 percent of Republicans. Nationally, support is 11 percent, according to the survey.

The numbers in Nevada and Arizona bode well for those states backers of ballot measures that would protect access to abortion up to fetal viability and prevent the states from criminalizing it. At least 69 percent of Republicans and 90 percent of Democrats in both states said they oppose criminalizing abortion.

Before making their decision, respondents were informed that criminalizing abortion can mean prison time or fines for the doctor, the woman, or both. Pollsters offered strong arguments for and against criminalizing abortion and informed respondents that if they choose to criminalize it, they would be able to choose who should be punished.

In addition, the poll found majorities of voters in both parties across all the swing states, except Nevada Republicans, support a federal law governing abortion.

That runs counter to the messaging from former President Trump, who insists that the end of Roe meant states can decide abortion policy, whether through legislation or ballot measure.

Large majorities of both parties nationally and in swing states said they support policies that seek to reduce unintended pregnancies and abortions through access to birth control, including requiring all public schools to provide education about birth control. At least 74 percent of Republicans in every swing state said they supported such a policy.

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[Source]

Pope Francis started his longest and farthest trip yet, landing in Jakarta to kick off a 12-day Asia Pacific tour that will also take him to Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore.

Despite his advanced age and recent health struggles, the 87-year-old Catholic leader is expected to emphasize interfaith dialogue and environmental protection, which are key themes of his pontificate. Please pray that this journey may bear fruit, he wrote on social media. His visit in Indonesia  the worlds most populous Muslim-majority nation  is seen as a historic opportunity to bridge religious divides. President Joko Widodo welcomed the Catholic leader, emphasizing their shared commitment to peace and brotherhood. The popes itinerary includes a visit to Jakartas Istiqlal Mosque and meetings with both religious leaders and refugees.

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Pope Francis attends a meeting with members of the Society of Jesus, during his apostolic visit to Jakarta. Vatican Media/IPA via ZUMA Press/dpa

Pope Francis on Wednesday called for increased interfaith dialogue during his visit to Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country.

The 87-year-old head of the Catholic Church stressed the need to "foster a peaceful and fruitful harmony" and increase interreligious dialogue to address "imbalances and suffering," at a meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta.

"In this way, prejudices can be eliminated and a climate of mutual respect and trust can grow", Pope Francis said.

He said that both Christianity and Islam must unite in the fight against "extremism and intolerance, which through the distortion of religion attempt to impose their views by using deception and violence."

Pope Francis arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday, kicking off the longest foreign trip of his tenure so far, due to take him to four countries in South-East Asia and Oceania over the next 12 days.

With more than 240 million Muslims, Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world.

On Thursday, he is scheduled to visit the nearby Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in South-East Asia. On Friday, he will continue his journey to Papua New Guinea.

Further stops will be East Timor and Singapore.

Pope Francis attends a meeting with members of the Society of Jesus, during his apostolic visit to Jakarta. Vatican Media/IPA via ZUMA Press/dpa
Pope Francis weighed in Wednesday on a subject that has played a major role in U.S. political discourse in recent weeks, praising those who choose to have children instead of a cat or a small dog, and not a child.

In remarks while visiting the presidential palace in Indonesia on Wednesday, Francis lamented the lack of true and forward-looking commitment to implement the principles of social justice in certain countries that has left people without the means to support themselves or a potential family.

As a result, a considerable part of humanity is left on the margins, without the means for a dignified existence and no defence against the serious and growing social imbalances that trigger acute conflicts, he said.

The pontiff said many respond by limiting the number of children families have, but he praised Indonesians for taking a different approach.

How is this often resolved? With a law of death, that is by limiting births, limiting the greatest richness that a nation can have, its births, Francis said. Your country, meanwhile, has families with three, four, and five children. This is seen in the average age of the nation. Keep going like this. It is an example for all countries.

It may seem funny that perhaps some families prefer to have a cat or a small dog, and not a child, but this is not right, he continued.

The remarks, which were highlighted by Reuters, come as Francis kicks off his 11-day trip, the longest of his pontificate. He met Wednesday with Indonesian clergy and leaders.

The pope has made similar remarks in the past. In 2022, he called it a form of selfishness when people have dogs and cats that take the place of children, and last year, he joined Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in calling on Italians to have more kids instead of pets.

The subject took on new life in the U.S. this summer after a 2021 video resurfaced of Ohio Sen. JD Vance, the GOP vice presidential nominee, saying the country was run by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that theyve made, and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too.

Its just a basic fact  you look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC  the entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children, Vance said at the time. And how does it make any sense that weve turned our country over to people who dont really have a direct stake in it?

Vice President Harris has two stepchildren, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has adopted twins with his husband.

In the face of blowback from Democrats, Vance has since called the comment sarcasm, though he added that having children, becoming a father, becoming a mother, I really do think it changes your perspective in a pretty profound way.

Harriss campaign website now sells shirts and mugs with the slogans Proud member of the Childless Cat Ladies Club and Childless Cat Ladies for Kamala.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Pope Francis praised Indonesians on Wednesday for their large families and suggested that people in other countries are choosing to have pets rather than bring up children.

The 87-year-old pontiff was speaking alongside Indonesia's president Joko Widodo in Jakarta on the first stop on a four-country trip to Asia.

"And your country...has families with three, four or five children that keep moving forward, and this is reflected in the age levels of the country," he said.

"Keep it up, you're an example for everyone, for all the countries that maybe, and this might sound funny, (where) these families prefer to have a cat or a little dog instead of a child," he added, turning to Widodo with a chuckle.

The pope made similar comments in May when he addressed a conference in Rome on the demographic crisis gripping Italy and Europe.

"Homes are filled with objects and emptied of children, becoming very sad places. There is no shortage of little dogs, cats, these are not lacking. There is a lack of children," he said on that occasion.

Although Indonesia has a higher birth rate than many Western nations, the trend has also been declining there in recent years.

In the United States, JD Vance, the running mate of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, has faced a wave of negative press over past comments referring to some rival Democrats as "a bunch of childless cat ladies."

(Writing by Keith Weir; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
Hewlett Packard Enterprise said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE that that they intend to "follow the proceedings through to their conclusion"

Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty Mike Lynch in 2014

Hewlett Packard Enterprises is not dropping fraud claims against British tech mogul Mike Lynch, who died last month after a luxury yacht sank off the coast of Sicily  and will continue to pursue damages of up to $4 billion from his estate.

In 2022, Britains High Court ruled that the information technology company had substantially succeeded in its civil fraud claims, according to a statement from the company that was obtained by PEOPLE.

The claims were made against Lynch and Sushovan Hussain, the former chief financial officer of Autonomy, a business software company Lynch founded, which was sold to Hewlett Packard in 2011 for $11 billion.

A damages hearing was held in Feb. 2024  months before Lynch was acquitted in a separate U.S. trial related to the sale  and HPE said in its statement that the "judge's decision regarding damages" due to the company is expected to be issued "in due course."

It is HPEs intention to follow the proceedings through to their conclusion," the statement continued.

Angela Bacares, Lynch's widow  who was rescued after the sinking, which also resulted in the death of the couple's 18-year-old daughter Hannah  could be liable for the damages, per the Associated Press.

A spokesperson for Lynch's family had no comment when contacted by PEOPLE on Tuesday, Sept. 3.



PERINI NAVI PRESS OFFICE/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The 'Bayesian' sailing boat

Related: Captain Who Saw Sicily Yacht Sink Says Mike Lynchs Wife Didnt Want to Leave Scene Without Husband and Daughter

In 2015, HPE sued Lynch and Sushovan, who both denied wrongdoing, seeking $6.5 billion in damages, according to The New York Times.



Although it remains to be seen how much HPE will be awarded in damages, Judge Robert Hildyard previously said he expected the amount will be "substantially" less than what the company sought, according to the Times and the AP.

The newspaper reported that Lynch planned to appeal.



Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

A source close to the survivors previously told PEOPLE that the yacht had traveled from the Aeolian Islands to celebrate Lynch's recent acquittal, the end of a legal saga that began in 2018, when he was indicted on several counts of securities fraud and conspiracy.

That's why he took his closest friends and colleagues on the trip, the source added.

Story continues

ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images A life boat searching for the passengers who were aboard the 'Bayesian'

Related: Sunken Yacht's Crew Reveals What They Say Happened Before Tragedy: 'Thrown Into the Water' and 'Walking on the Walls'

Lynch and his daughter were among the seven victims who died after the luxury yacht Bayesian sank off the coast of Sicily on Monday, Aug. 19.

Other victims were identified as New York City-based lawyer Christopher Morvillo, who helped Lynch get acquitted, and his wife Neda, as well as Morgan Stanley International chairman Jonathan Bloomer and his wife. Yacht chef Recaldo Thomas also died.

ITALIAN COAST GUARD HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Rescue personnel conducting dicing inspections of the 'Bayesian' yacht's wreck

Ambrogio Cartosio, the chief prosecutor of Termini Imerese, announced on Aug. 24 that a manslaughter investigation had been launched into the sinking.

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Read the original article on People.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A Portland middle school teacher accused of luring a minor pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Wednesday morning.

The Portland Police Bureau first arrested 38-year-old Craig Douglas-Meyers on Aug. 23. Officials alleged the Hosford Middle School employee was caught having sexual conversations with a detective posing as a 13-year-old girl.

Portland police investigate deadly Old Town shooting, no arrests made

Although Douglas-Meyers was indicted of just one felony, Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Afton Coppedge wrote that the singular charge underrepresents the number of crimes committed by [the] defendant.

Court documents show PPB joined the investigation on July 18, when the Yuba City Police Department reported that Homeland Security Investigations helped identify Douglas-Meyers as the suspect.

Investigators found he engaged in both grooming behavior as well as verbal depictions of sexually explicit conduct with who he believed to be a young girl. According to officials, the math teacher told the undercover officer he had mapped a route to Marysville, Calif.  where he believed the teenager was located.

Portland police conducted a search warrant on Douglas-Meyers residence on Aug. 24, before the school year began. In an ensuing interview with detectives, authorities said the suspect admitted to using chat rooms starting in 2020 to blow off some steam and chat with random people.

Former Mt. Hood Community College coach sentenced over 13 years for child sex crimes

Investigators alleged the Portland Public Schools employee initially denied initiating the conversations, but later confessed to having discussions he should not have.

Defendant stated that he has become addicted to chatting with minors and that he hates this side of himself, Deputy District Attorney Coppedge wrote. Defendant admitted that he has struggled with his attraction to teens and did not want to talk to anyone about it.

According to court documents, Douglas-Meyers also agreed there is concern for his teaching sixth- and seventh-grade students around the same age as what he is attracted to.

Four Oregon megafires still burning after nearly 50 days

PPS previously stated there was no information indicating that students were impacted by Douglas Meyers actions.

His next hearing is in November.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The man who was killed in a shooting in the Sumner neighborhood has been identified as 37-year-old Ryan Stone Zinkand, the Portland Police Bureau announced.

North Precinct officers responded to the shooting at Northeast 92nd Avenue and Webster Street at 3:31 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1, when Zinkand was found injured in the street.

Portland middle school teacher accused of luring minor pleads not guilty

He was pronounced dead later at a hospital. A medical examiner determined he died of homicide by gunshot wound.

According to PPB, no arrests have been made and the potential suspect or suspects fled the scene before officers arrived. Authorities are asking anyone with further information on the incident to contact detectives.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Postmark problems from primary vote should not be repeated, North Dakota election official says

North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe, center, speaks during a meeting of the State Canvassing Board on June 26, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

The person in charge of North Dakotas elections said he hopes a return to an all hands on deck policy by the U.S. Postal Service will prevent the postmarking problem that arose during the state primary.

At least five counties reported receiving absentee ballots for the June primary election that did not have a postmark. That left it up to each countys canvassing committee to decide whether to accept the ballots.

North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe said the U.S. Postal Service is returning to an extraordinary measures policy that was first used in the COVID-19 pandemic year of 2020.

Its basically all hands on deck at USPS, if any piece of election mail comes through, ensuring it gets a postmark, ensuring its delivered in a timely manner, ensuring nothing gets missed, Howe said.

Howe was with Postal Service officials in Grand Forks last week and took part in a panel about mail delivery problems, including delays in newspaper delivery.

I was so very glad they came to the table and are working with us and very confident things will go smoothly as we march toward Nov. 5, Howe said.

The Postal Service mentioned extraordinary measures in a fact sheet along with a news release about other potential changes in mail delivery.

As is the case with all elections, USPS will pursue extraordinary measures to ensure timely ballot delivery and will continue working with Boards of Elections to ensure clear communication regarding Election Mail, the fact sheet said.

A media contact for the Postal Service did not reply to a Monitor email requesting more information on the policy.

Howe said the nationwide election policy was implemented for the 2020 primary elections, when COVID-19 forced more voting by mail. He said it also was used in the 2022 general election.

Using Burleigh County as an example, Howe said that in the 2020 primary that was all mail voting, there were 22,628 votes cast with only 15 that had no postmark, 0.06%. The 2022 primary had 3,027 absentee ballots and only one with no postmark, or 0.03%

But in this years primary, without the policy, out of 2,666 absentee votes, 58 had no postmark, or 2.17%. He said he shared those numbers with the Postal Service while in Grand Forks.

I hope June 2024 is an anomaly, Howe said.

The Burleigh County canvassing board voted 5-4 to approve the 58 ballots that were not postmarked.

Howe said a bulk of them arrived the day after the June 11 primary election, so it seems likely that they were mailed before the June 10 deadline.

The Secretary of States Office has a ballot tracker that allows absentee voters to know if their ballot was received by the county, but they wont know if their ballot was accepted.

He said absentee voters can go into a post office and bring their ballot to a clerk at the counter to ensure their ballot is postmarked, but he said that should not be necessary.

Howe said he also has requested a point of contact for every North Dakota post office to share with election officials. He said that is something he has requested in the past from the Postal Service but has not received.

Absentee voting for North Dakotans who are overseas begins Sept. 20. Early voting begins Sept. 26.

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The power levers in our state run through its courts. Your choices for NCs next justice

Amid presidential ballot shake-ups and gubernatorial attack ads, a neglected but consequential campaign is being waged in North Carolina politics for a seat on the state Supreme Court.

Incumbent Justice Allison Riggs, a Democrat appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to fill a vacancy last year, aims to defend her seat against Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin, a judge on the Court of Appeals.

Their campaigns lack much of the public vitriol or big personalities present in races higher on the ballot  but the stakes are high.

For Democrats, the race is the first step in a four-year plan to wrest control of the high court back from the GOP.

For Republicans, the race is the chance to further solidify a conservative majority on a court that has already become an integral part of upholding the will of the state legislature.

As major cases dealing with elections, gubernatorial powers and public school funding await judgment, Riggs and Griffin campaign on very different visions of the high courts duties  all while attempting to remain above the partisan fray.

The News & Observer spoke with both candidates about their experience, philosophy and politics, and looked at what their parties are doing to win the seat.

Values, politics and judicial philosophy

Although theyre running in a partisan election, Riggs and Griffin, both of whom are in their early 40s, emphasize that they are running to be impartial jurists rather than party loyalists.

Griffin, a Nash County native and lifelong Republican, has already won several judicial elections as a GOP candidate.

It has no bearing on how I interpret the law, Griffin said. ... Judicial philosophy and how I carry myself is a lot more pertinent than the letter by my name on the ballot.

Riggs, who spent most of her career working at a progressive law firm, stresses that her career as an attorney taught her to examine all sides of an issue.

I know people will try to put me in a box, but I have a lived experience thats very diverse, Riggs, who grew up in West Virginia, said. My family is very politically diverse, so the lessons Ive learned over the Thanksgiving dinner table are ones that I think are very helpful to me on the bench now  that ability to treat everyone with respect.

That doesnt mean either of them are shy about their values, though.

Griffin, a veteran and captain in the North Carolina Army National Guard, refers to himself as a conservative in campaign materials and speaks against activist judges who he believes legislate from the bench.

Id call myself more of an originalist than anything, he said. My interpretation of it is, Im gonna look at this legal document, whatever it is, as of the time it was written, because if I dont, if I say well, Ill look at it now, then Im putting my spin on it.

Riggs is even more specific about her beliefs.

I think voters deserve to hear from their judges what their values are  and thats not partisanship, Riggs said. I value reproductive freedoms. I value democracy and know that it doesnt defend itself without people on the bench being willing to enforce the Constitution. I value having hard discussions about where we are on race equity.

Experience in the courtroom

Both candidates bring over a decade of courtroom experience to the campaign, which can offer insight into how theyd serve on the high court.

For Riggs, most of that experience comes from the nearly 14 years she spent as a lawyer for the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, a law firm specializing in voting rights, justice system reform and environmental cases.

She handled several cases challenging North Carolina laws during her time at SCSJ, including a high-profile lawsuit accusing state Republicans of partisan gerrymandering that she argued before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Riggs also served as the lead counsel for the Moore v. Harper case, in which she argued against North Carolina lawmakers who posited a controversial legal theory stating that state courts should have no oversight over state redistricting plans. The case ultimately went to the U.S. Supreme Court, which rejected lawmakers theory last year.

Since becoming a judge (first on the Court of Appeals in 2023 and then on the state Supreme Court later the same year), Riggs has authored several decisions, though many of the high courts more controversial cases happened before she took office.

Griffin has spent nearly 10 years as a judge: first at the District Court level in Wake County and then later as a judge on the Court of Appeals.

During that time hes handled cases ranging in scope from domestic violence to constitutional interpretation.

If elected, Griffin would be the only justice on the state Supreme Court with experience as a trial court judge.

In 2021, Griffin wrote an opinion in a traffic stop case which rebutted the notion that racism exists in the criminal justice system.

Defendants brief implies that U.S. citizens are treated differently under our laws based on the color of their skin, he wrote. I reject this argument. The law is color blind and applies equally to every citizen in the United States of America.

Griffin also made headlines last year after signing on to an opinion stating that life begins at conception. That opinion was later withdrawn, making it as if it never happened, Griffin said. Three judges including Griffin ordered the withdrawal last November.

Griffin told The N&O he was unable to provide details about why the opinion was withdrawn.

Key rulings include cases on sexual abuse, school funding

When talking about the decisions shes most proud of, Riggs points to a bipartisan opinion she authored last year when she was on the Court of Appeals.

In the case, the court upheld the SAFE Child Act, a state law that allowed victims of childhood sexual abuse to file lawsuits against their abusers that may otherwise have been blocked by the statute of limitations.

I think it demonstrates that I wasnt looking to just stick it to the legislature every time, she said. Because I know people speculated that I would be unfriendly to the legislature, which is not true.

Cases involving the SAFE Child Act will be coming back before the Supreme Court this month. Given her previous involvement at the Court of Appeals level, Riggs said she would recuse herself from these cases.

Asked what cases hes most proud of, Griffin pointed to his decision in the Hoke County v. Board of Education case  better known as Leandro. The case, which deals with funding for low-income school districts, has been going for 30 years now.

In 1994, several school districts sued to get more state funding, arguing that disparities in school resources violated the state constitutions requirement of equal opportunity for all students.

The case has ricocheted between courts for years without a permanent resolution. It came to Griffins court in 2021 after a trial judge ordered the state to transfer $1.7 billion to public schools.

In a 2-1 decision, a panel of judges including Griffin blocked the transfer, writing in the majority opinion that The Separation of Powers clause prevents the courts from stepping into the shoes of other branches of government.

Griffin told The N&O that he found the case extraordinary.

This is clearly a legislative function to appropriate money, and you cant order that, he said. ... You can make up 100 different reasons why thats bad  think about a judge being able to appropriate money.

Control of NC Supreme Court

Republicans will hold the majority on the Supreme Court until at least 2028.

NC Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton said defending Riggs seat is the first step in retaking the majority on the high court and overturning conservative rulings on voting, education and more.

I think the state Supreme Court has done a lot to make itself stand in the line of North Carolinians getting what they need for their future, Clayton said. And thats something that were desperately this year trying to prevent in future years.

For the first time ever, the state Democratic Party has hired a judicial coordinated campaigns director to take the lead on the partys court races. Republicans have had the position for years now as theyve invested in flipping statewide courts red.

In fairness to Republicans, I do believe in 2010 they sat down and realized that the power levers in our state ran through the state courts, Clayton said.

Republicans investment in judicial races has paid off.

After the GOP swept statewide judicial races in 2022, the Supreme Courts new conservative majority acted quickly to reverse key decisions from the courts former Democratic majority.

Shortly after taking office, the courts Republicans overturned a previous decision that had blocked North Carolinas voter ID law. Because of that decision, voters will have to present ID to vote this year, the first time in a general election for president in the state.

The courts Republican majority also reversed a previous ruling that had struck down the states electoral maps for gerrymandering. Going further than just reversing the decision, the court found that it had no authority over partisan gerrymandering at all  essentially giving state lawmakers free rein to draw electoral maps that favor their own party.

These rulings represented major wins for state Republicans who had spent years trying to implement a voter ID law and gain more control over the redistricting process.

With more legal battles expected to come over legislative authority, education funding and election laws, Republicans are focused on keeping the court conservative.

We need to elect judges each cycle that are conservative constitutional justices, Susan Mills, chair of the NC GOP Judicial Victory Fund. Just because we have the majority this cycle does not mean that well always keep it.

Polls and money show close race

Few polls have been conducted on the Supreme Court race, and the ones that have been done show neither candidate with a sizable lead.

Carolina Forward, a progressive organization, found Riggs leading Griffin by 1 percentage point (41 to 40) in an August poll. Meanwhile, The Carolina Journal, which is owned by the conservative Locke Foundation, found Griffin to be 3 points ahead of Riggs in a August poll of likely voters.

Both candidates are treating it like a close race: criss-crossing the state on frequent campaign visits and raking in significant campaign contributions in the process.

Though Griffin started with an early fundraising lead over Riggs, shes almost bridged the gap between them, according to quarterly campaign finance reports covering mid-February to the end of June.

As of June 30, Griffin had raised over $1.3 million in total. Riggs was close behind, having raised slightly over $1.1 million.

Each candidate has also been racking up endorsements.

In addition to left-leaning groups like Equality NC, Planned Parenthood and NC Asian Americans Together in Action, Riggs has also been endorsed by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

Griffin, on the other hand, has been endorsed by over a third of the states sheriffs as well as the NC Asian American Coalition.

Despite all of their campaigning, a down-ballot race like the state Supreme Court may be most affected by drama higher on the ticket.

Whether Griffin or Riggs comes out victorious could depend on which partys voters are more energized by the change in the presidential ticket or the vitriol in the governors race.

Regardless, each candidate says they are laser-focused on the vision they have for the courts.

I think that North Carolinians want judges who interpret the law and arent activists, who dont go up there with any agenda, Griffin said. I go there just like I do as a soldier. Im there to do my job, I have no policy agenda  Im there to interpret the law.

And as for Riggs:

My background is one that Im not looking to burn down the courts  I want our courts to work, she said. I just want us to live up to the aspirational promise because I know so many everyday North Carolinians need our courts to live up to that promise and want to be able to go to court and believe theyll get a fair shake.

Election Day is Nov. 5.

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Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road, sits on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on April 25, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

An Alabama lawmaker prefiled a bill that would create a pilot program requiring minors who commit a nonviolent offense to be held at a youth detention center to complete an intervention class.

Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road, the sponsor of HB 33, said he believed the program would deter participants from committing crimes in the future.

We are losing our youth by not having a handle on them, Ingram said in an interview Tuesday. A lot of our parents are working multiple jobs, and we dont have a handle on them like we used to before COVID, and even way before COVID.

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The intervention class would be hosted at a youth detention facility for a couple of hours in which the minor and a legal guardian would be required to attend. The goal, Ingram said, would be giving those in the program a sense of what it feels to be incarcerated.

Counties participating in the program would be selected by the Alabama Department of Youth Services based on certain criteria, including the number of local juvenile delinquency cases; juvenile delinquency adjudications, and population growth.

The Alabama Department of Youth Services was unaware of this bill until it was recently brought to our attention, the department said in a statement Tuesday. DYS has not been involved in any discussions in regards to the conceptualization and/or details of the bill. We are currently reviewing the bill and will determine next steps.

The pilot program expires after five years.

The process starts for the minor and the guardian starts when a law enforcement officer reaches out to a youth probation officer when a minor is suspected of having committed a nonviolent crime. If the probation officer receives permission from a court to detain the child, the law enforcement officer will then transport the child to a detention center to undergo intervention training along with the minors legal guardian.

The program is going to be designed by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Ingram said. It is pretty broad, but it is a program where it teaches them of the consequences when they commit a crime and has some filler in there that teaches them wrong from right and the consequences. It teaches them that if they commit this crime, they will go to prison, and it is just a bad track.

A message was left with ALEA seeking comment. Ingram added that the governors office would also have input for deciding the elements of the program. Participants will also be required to take a test to gauge their understanding of the material that Ingram said is pass or fail.

Youth would also be placed into a database to track whether they commit additional crimes in the future and ensure they are not truant.

Jefferson County has implemented a similar program, absent the need for individuals to be transported to a detention facility. The Reset Program is a pretrial diversion program for those arrested for low level offenses. The program sends people from court to a class hosted on Saturday for a few hours. Should they successfully complete the training, the participants crimes are removed from their record.

We want to make sure we save these kids and catch them at an early age, Ingram said. I was in that process. I was a dropout from school. My mother was a drug addict. I feel like I was in the trenches for several years, and I had mentors that were able to get a hold of me and straighten me out. I just feel like this is a piece that is missing from this state, to be able to have a net to catch these juveniles from committing crimes again.

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Preparing for a pandemic that never came ended up setting off another  how an accidental virus release triggered 1977s Russian flu

Nineteen-year-old U.S. Army Pvt. David Lewis set out from Fort Dix on a 50-mile hike with his unit on Feb. 5, 1976. On that bitter cold day, he collapsed and died. Autopsy specimens unexpectedly tested positive for an H1N1 swine influenza virus.

Virus disease surveillance at Fort Dix found another 13 cases among recruits who had been hospitalized for respiratory illness. Additional serum antibody testing revealed that over 200 recruits had been infected but not hospitalized with the novel swine H1N1 strain.

Officials worried about a repeat of something like the 1918 flu pandemic, which took hold in soldiers and spread globally. PhotoQuest/Getty Images

Alarm bells instantly went off within the epidemiology community: Could Pvt. Lewis death from an H1N1 swine flu be a harbinger of another global pandemic like the terrible 1918 H1N1 swine flu pandemic that killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide?

The U.S. government acted quickly. On March 24, 1976, President Gerald Ford announced a plan to inoculate every man, woman, and child in the United States. On Oct. 1, 1976, the mass immunization campaign began.

Meanwhile, the initial small outbreak at Fort Dix had rapidly fizzled, with no new cases on the base after February. As Army Col. Frank Top, who headed the Fort Dix virus investigation, later told me, We had shown pretty clearly that (the virus) didnt go anywhere but Fort Dix  it disappeared.

Nonetheless, concerned by that outbreak and witnessing the massive crash vaccine program in the U.S., biomedical scientists worldwide began H1N1 swine influenza vaccine research and development programs in their own countries. Going into the 1976-77 winter season, the world waited  and prepared  for an H1N1 swine influenza pandemic that never came.

By September 1976, New York State Health Department workers were unloading cartons of swine flu vaccine for distribution. AP Photo/Jim McKnight

But that wasnt the end of the story. As an experienced infectious disease epidemiologist, I make the case that there were unintended consequences of those seemingly prudent but ultimately unnecessary preparations.

What was odd about H1N1 Russian flu pandemic

In an epidemiological twist, a new pandemic influenza virus did emerge, but it was not the anticipated H1N1 swine virus.

In November 1977, health officials in Russia reported that a human  not swine  H1N1 influenza strain had been detected in Moscow. By months end, it was reported across the entire USSR and soon throughout the world.

Compared with other influenzas, this pandemic was peculiar. First, the mortality rate was low, about a third that of most influenza strains. Second, only those younger than 26 were regularly attacked. And finally, unlike other newly emerged pandemic influenza viruses in the past, it failed to displace the existing prevalent H3N2 subtype that was that years seasonal flu. Instead, the two flu strains  the new H1N1 and the long-standing H3N2  circulated side by side.

Here the story takes yet another turn. Microbiologist Peter Palese applied what was then a novel technique called RNA oligonucleotide mapping to study the genetic makeup of the new H1N1 Russian flu virus. He and his colleagues grew the virus in the lab, then used RNA-cutting enzymes to chop the viral genome into hundreds of pieces. By spreading the chopped RNA in two dimensions based on size and electrical charge, the RNA fragments created a unique fingerprint-like map of spots.

Researchers were surprised to see the genetic fingerprint for the 1977 H1N1 Russian flu strain closely matched that of an extinct influenza virus. Peter Palese

Much to Paleses surprise, when they compared the spot pattern of the 1977 H1N1 Russian flu with a variety of other influenza viruses, this new virus was essentially identical to older human influenza H1N1 strains that had gone extinct in the early 1950s.

So, the 1977 Russian flu virus was actually a strain that had disappeared from the planet a quarter century early, then was somehow resurrected back into circulation. This explained why it attacked only younger people  older people had already been infected and become immune when the virus circulated decades ago in its earlier incarnation.

But how did the older strain come back from extinction?

Though called the Russian flu, the virus appears to have been circulating elsewhere before being identified in the Soviet population. Gilbert UZAN/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Refining the timeline of a resurrected virus

Despite its name, the Russian flu probably didnt really start in Russia. The first published reports of the virus were from Russia, but subsequent reports from China provided evidence that it had first been detected months earlier, in May and June of 1977, in the Chinese port city of Tientsin.

In 2010, scientists used detailed genetic studies of several samples of the 1977 virus to pinpoint the date of their earliest common ancestor. This molecular clock data suggested the virus initially infected people a full year earlier, in April or May of 1976.

So, the best evidence is that the 1977 Russian flu actually emerged  or more properly re-emerged  in or near Tientsin, China, in the spring of 1976.

A frozen lab virus

Was it simply a coincidence that within months of Pvt. Lewis death from H1N1 swine flu, a heretofore extinct H1N1 influenza strain suddenly reentered the human population?

Influenza virologists around the world had for years been using freezers to store influenza virus strains, including some that had gone extinct in the wild. Fears of a new H1N1 swine flu pandemic in 1976 in the United States had prompted a worldwide surge in research on H1N1 viruses and vaccines. An accidental release of one of these stored viruses was certainly possible in any of the countries where H1N1 research was taking place, including China, Russia, the U.S., the U.K. and probably others.

Years after the reemergence, Palese, the microbiologist, reflected on personal conversations he had at the time with Chi-Ming Chu, the leading Chinese expert on influenza. Palese wrote in 2004 that the introduction of the 1977 H1N1 virus is now thought to be the result of vaccine trials in the Far East involving the challenge of several thousand military recruits with live H1N1 virus.

Although exactly how such an accidental release may have occurred during a vaccine trial is unknown, there are two leading possibilities. First, scientists could have used the resurrected H1N1 virus as their starting material for development of a live, attenuated H1N1 vaccine. If the virus in the vaccine wasnt adequately weakened, it could have become transmissible person to person. Another possibility is that researchers used the live, resurrected virus to test the immunity provided by conventional H1N1 vaccines, and it accidentally escaped from the research setting.

Whatever the specific mechanism of the release, the combination of the detailed location and timing of the pandemics origins and the stature of Chu and Palese as highly credible sources combine to make a strong case for an accidental release in China as the source of the Russian flu pandemic virus.

The H1N1 influenza virus identified at Fort Dix wasnt the one that ended up causing a pandemic. CDC/Dr. E. Palmer, R.E. Bates, 1976 via Getty Images

A sobering history lesson

The resurrection of an extinct but dangerous human-adapted H1N1 virus came about as the world was scrambling to prevent what was perceived to be the imminent emergence of a swine H1N1 influenza pandemic. People were so concerned about the possibility of a new pandemic that they inadvertently caused one. It was a self-fulfilling-prophecy pandemic.

I have no intent to lay blame here; indeed, my main point is that in the epidemiological fog of the moment in 1976, with anxiety mounting worldwide about a looming pandemic, a research unit in any country could have accidentally released the resurrected virus that came to be called the Russian flu. In the global rush to head off a possible new pandemic of H1N1 swine flu from Fort Dix through research and vaccination, accidents could have happened anywhere.

Of course, biocontainment facilities and policies have improved dramatically over the past half-century. But at the same time, there has been an equally dramatic proliferation of high-containment labs around the world.

Across the globe, researchers work on dangerous pathogens in labs that are part of biocontainment facilities. AP Photo/Michael Probst

Overreaction. Unintended consequences. Making matters worse. Self-fulfilling prophecy. There is a rich variety of terms to describe how the best intentions can go awry. Still reeling from COVID-19, the world now faces new threats from cross-species jumps of avian flu viruses, mpox viruses and others. Its critical that we be quick to respond to these emerging threats to prevent yet another global disease conflagration. Quick, but not too quick, history suggests.

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: Donald S. Burke, University of Pittsburgh

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Donald S. Burke 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.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  According to an article by our affiliate station WXYZ Detroit, President Joe Biden will be in Ann Arbor on Friday.

According to the article, the White House announced President Biden will deliver remarks about his Investing America agenda.

The presidential visit comes shortly after Vice President Kamala Harris visit to Detroit on Monday to speak to union workers during the UAW Labor Day Parade.

Former President Donald Trump was also in Michigan a few times last month, with a visit to Potterville on August 29, a visit to Detroit on August 26, and spoke about crime in Howell on August 20.

Costs of former President Donald Trumps visits to Michigan

There is no information on where or when the President will speak or if it will be open to the public.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
The presidential candidates are weighing in on todays mass shooting at a Barrow County high school.

Sources confirmed to ABC News that a 14-year-old student at Apalachee High School in Winder went into the school Wednesday morning and opened fire.

Emergency officials confirmed that four people are dead and at least nine others were injured. The gunman is also in custody.

They identified the shooter as Colt Gray and said he would be charged with murder and will be tried as an adult.

On Truth Social, former President Donald Trump posted: Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those affected by the tragic event in Winder, GA. These cherished children were taken from us far too soon by a sick and deranged monster.

This is just a senseless tragedy on top of so many senseless tragedies, and its just outrageous that every day in our country, in the United States of America, that parents have to send their children to school worried about whether or not their child will come home alive, Vice President Kamala Harris said during a campaign rally in New Hampshire. Our hearts are with all the students, the teachers and their families, of course, and we are grateful to the first responders and law enforcement that were on the scene.

The motives and the political ramifications of this shooting remain unclear.

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Throughout the day, officials across the state and federal governments have promised help in any ways they can.

I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state, Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement.

The Justice Dept. stands ready to provide any resources or support that the Winder community needs in the days ahead, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said during an unrelated meeting Wednesday.

Jill and I are mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short due to more senseless gun violence and thinking of all of the survivors whose lives are forever changed. What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now turned into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart. Students across the country are learning how to duck and cover instead of how to read and write. We cannot continue to accept this as normal, President Joe Biden said in a statement.

Every child and educator should be safe in the classroom. Unity, not division, is how we combat those who wish us harm. Together, we are strong, U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter said in a statement.

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CLINTON, Okla. (KFOR)  Johann Theron remembers even the simple, mundane tasks around his Clinton, Oklahoma home becoming more and more difficult.

I couldnt walk from my house to my mailbox and back without being out of breath, said Theron. I think it was more serious than what I realized.

LOCAL NEWS: Loss of ARPA funds could hurt childcare providers, Oklahoma families

After getting checked out at the CardioVascular Health Clinic in Northwest Oklahoma City, he learned one of his arteries was 95% blocked, the other 75%.

When asked how close Theron was to having a stroke, Dr. Jim Melton said, With both sides blocked as badly as they were, he was at very high risk.

It was a terrifying discovery for 60-year-old Theron, who was born and raised in South Africa. Hes lived in the U.S. for about seven years.

I thought, did I come to America just to come and die here? said Theron.

To treat Theron, this summer, Dr. Melton performed a minimally invasive procedure called Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR). It became FDA approved in 2015.

Its always been done in the hospital setting, said Dr. Melton.

However, according to Dr. Melton, hes the first vascular surgeon in the United States to perform the TCAR procedure in an outpatient facility.

Its a pretty big deal Were very proud of it, said Dr. Melton.

LOCAL NEWS: What Oklahomans should know about the new vehicle pre-registration process

Dr. Melton said doing the procedure in an outpatient center is a more efficient approach.

The cost is approximately 38% to 40% less in this setting than the hospital to do the same procedure, and the infection rates are less just because its a smaller space, said Dr. Melton. He has one on one nursing the entire time hes here.

Now trips to the mailbox, among many other tasks, are much easier for Theron. Hes fully back to work as a forklift driver.

Ive been given a second chance on life again, said Theron.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(Bloomberg) -- Elon Musks satellite internet provider Starlink reversed course and said it would comply with an order by Brazils top court to block access to X, the billionaires social network, in Latin Americas largest country.

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Starlink, which had its bank accounts frozen by judicial order, had informally told Anatel, the countrys telecommunications watchdog, that it wouldnt comply with the requirement, according to the agency.

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, the company said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Musk is in a bitter standoff with Brazil after Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered X be banned as part of his campaign against disinformation. The dispute expanded to Starlink after X failed to pay fines and the judge moved to block the internet providers accounts in a bid to force the billionaire to comply with previous orders.

The list of assets frozen by the court includes the bank accounts and financial assets of Starlink Brazil Holding Ltda and Starlink Brazil Servicos de Internet Ltda along with cars, real estate, boats and aircraft. Moraes also ordered the central bank to prevent the company from sending or receiving money from abroad.

Anatel has registered an increase in hacking attacks, which caused momentary system and network instability, it said in a statement Tuesday. Brazils Supreme Court and the Federal Police have also reported cyberattacks.

Brazils ban on X has become a rallying cry for the network of right-wing political allies Musk has cultivated in recent years.

In the US, Donald Trumps son has used it as a warning of what awaits if his father is defeated in his bid to reclaim the White House. Republican senators, meanwhile, are calling on the National Football League to cancel a high-profile game in Sao Paulo this week thats part of its international marketing push.

Within Brazil, former President Jair Bolsonaros supporters are seizing on claims of censorship a month ahead of a municipal vote that will be a key test of support for the governing Workers Party nationally.

Though its depriving X of one of its biggest markets outside the US, the ban so far seems to be a cost Musk is willing to eat as it raises his profile and burnishes his image as a global defender of free speech.

Story continues

Starlink has about 225,000 broadband internet contracts in Brazil, according to Anatel. That makes it the 16th ranked provider with just a 0.5% market share.

(Updates with context from 7th paragraph.)

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The Supreme Court, as Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. said, is a storm center.

Conflicts over institutional power, individual rights and, most significantly, the meaning of the Constitution all find their way to the justices chambers.

Because the Court has come to exercise final interpretive authority over the Constitution, a power increasingly viewed with skepticism across the ideological spectrum, how justices interpret the text takes on extraordinary importance.

Its not surprising then that the Supreme Court continues to be a source of electoral conflict and that battles over nominations resemble pitched political warfare.

Living constitutionalism made an impact on court decisions

Under the tenure of Chief Justice Earl Warren in the 1950s and '60s, a version of living constitutionalism was ascendant.

Justices, in that view, must interpret the text according to changing social conditions. For example, when interpreting the Eighth Amendments prohibition on cruel and unusual punishments, justices, according to Warren, should be informed by evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society.

This evolving approach led the court to offer a range of new readings of the Constitution particularly of the Bill of Rights and 14th Amendment. Most famous, or infamous, was the Warren Courts decision in Griswold v. Connecticut identifying a right to privacy not in any specific amendment but instead saying that it was implied in the First, Third, Fourth and Fifth amendments.

The guarantees in the Bill of Rights have penumbras, the majority ruled, formed by emanations.

Keep the lights on. The partys not over in presidential elections

This rather flexible approach led to a political backlash. Impeach Earl Warren billboards were a common site on Americas roads during the 1960s.

Originalism evolved after the Warren Court

It also gave rise to another school of constitutional interpretation known as originalism.

While many variations of originalism exist today, at its core, originalism looks to ground interpretation of the Constitution in the meaning of its words when it and its amendments were adopted.

Doing so, originalists maintained would prevent justices, who are not elected and have life tenure, from reading their own preferences into the text or amending the Constitution under the guise of interpretation.

Only by restraining judicial interpretation could judicial power be reconciled with constitutional self-government.

While initially ridiculed as simplistic, particularly during the failed nomination of Robert Bork in 1987, and the province of only self-styled conservatives, originalism became a growth industry in the legal academy and the judiciary.

While still a minority position among constitutional scholars, it has attracted high-profile progressive adherents such as Yale Law Schools Akhil Amar. And during her 2010 nomination hearing, Justice Elena Kagan said that in some ways we are all originalists now. Such a confession would have been unimaginable from a Democratic nominee 15 years earlier.

SCOTUS today rules in an originalist storm center

However, the importance of originalism today comes from its prominence among the current six justices, Chief Justice John Roberts along with Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, associated with the conservative wing of the Court. While their commitment to originalism varies, it shapes how all of them interpret the document.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 07: (L-R) U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, retired Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy, Chief Justice John Roberts, Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Elena Kagan, Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch and Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh attend U.S. President Joe Biden's State of the Union address during a joint meeting of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol on March 07, 2024 in Washington, DC. This is Bidens last State of the Union address before the general election this coming November. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776087421 ORIG FILE ID: 2067180103

This turn to originalism has not reduced the conflict surrounding the Court.

For example, the Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson overturning Roe v. Wade was an originalist one but anyone who watched the Democratic National Convention or has the faintest political pulse knows that the ruling is not without its critics. Whether you agree with such decisions or not, to understand the contemporary Court and the role that it will continue play in our system you have to understand originalism.

The Supreme Court shows no signs of ceasing to be a storm center. But this time it happens to be an originalist one.

For those interested in understanding of originalism, the Institute of American Civics will be hosting Professor Keith Whittington of Yale Law School on Constitution Day, Sept. 17, at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Joshua Dunn

One of the nations leading constitutional scholars, Professor Whittington will lecture on Originalism, the Roberts Court, and the Future of Constitutional Interpretation. For information and to register please visit, https://calendar.utk.edu/event/originalism-the-roberts-court-and-the-future-of-constitutional-interpretation

Joshua Dunn is executive director of the Institute of American Civics at the Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at University of Tennessee Knoxville.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Supreme Court justices evolved into an originalist 'storm center'
A group of Christian nationalists will be working the polls across the country this election season.



A group called Lion of Judah, led by self-described Republican opposition researcher Joshua Standifer, is traveling the nation to recruit Christians to key positions of influence in government like Election Workers. The group plans to stop what they believe will be widespread election fraud in November as the first step on the path to victory this Fall.

The Guardian obtained the Lion of Judahs election worker training program, featuring a series called Fight the Fraud: How to Become an Election Worker in 4 Easy Steps! In it, the group asks poll workers to report suspicious activities or irregularities to the Lion of Judahs fraud hotline first, and then tell their local authorities.

To spread the gospel during his Courage Tour, Standifer has traveled with Christian nationalist preachers and pro-Trump figures to sow fear about election fraud in swing states, including Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, and Michigan.



The groups work has gone largely unnoticed, even as local officials in those states make it easier to challenge election results. Last month, for example, the Georgia state election board made it simpler for county election officials to delay or refuse to certify election results.

Just imagine: its election night. Chaos is happening. The polls are closingthey go and volunteers are getting kicked out, said Standifer on one of his Courage Tour stops. But what if we had Christians across America, in swing states like Wisconsin, that were actually the ones counting the votes?

In the same speech in Wisconsin, Standifer described the strategy to train Christians as election workers as a Trojan horse.



They dont see it coming.


The prosecutor overseeing Alec Baldwins Rust shooting case asked the judge to reinstate the charge against the actor after the case was dismissed over the summer.

Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey argued in a court filing made public this week that there were insufficient facts to support the New Mexico judges ruling to dismiss the case in July. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled the state withheld evidence, and the case could not be retried.

The involuntary charge against Baldwin was dismissed with prejudice, which means it cant be brought back to court after any appeals of the decision are exhausted. The case was dismissed about halfway through the trial, which came nearly three years after the deadly shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a Western movie set in New Mexico.

Baldwin, 66, pleaded not guilty earlier this year. He was charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to the death of Hutchins, at whom he was pointing the gun while on set in 2021. The gun went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza.

The dismissal stemmed from ammunition that was brought into the sheriffs office in March from a man who said it could be related to the Rust shooting. The prosecutors and law enforcement were accused of withholding this evidence because it was not turned over to the defense.

The prosecutors maintained at the time that they deemed the ammunition as unrelated to the case, according to The Associated Press.

In Morrisseys request to reinstate the charges, she reemphasized that the ammunition was not applicable to the case and asserted there was no violation of Baldwins due process rights. She also argued the defense was aware of the ammunition but did not address it before the trial.

Specifically, the State asserts that, while the State may have suppressed the ammunition from Defendant Baldwin, the Defendant was aware of the existence of the ammunition and the specific characteristics of the ammunition prior to trial, the ammunition is not favorable to the defendant and is not material to his defense, Morrissey wrote.

She asked the judge to demand that the defense provide a description of when and how they learned of the ammunition provided by Troy Teske, who dropped off the ammunition at the sheriffs department.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the films armorer, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March and sentenced to 18 months in prison after prosecutors argued she brought live ammunition onto the set despite rules against it. Gutierrez-Reed has asked for a new trial since Baldwins case was dismissed.

A representative for Baldwins lawyer did not have a comment on the prosecutors request when reached by The Hill.

The Associated Press contributed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Prosecutor asks for a charge to be reinstated against Alec Baldwin in the 'Rust' case

FILE - Actor Alec Baldwin, right, hugs his defense attorney Alex Spiro after District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer threw out the involuntary manslaughter case, July 12, 2024, in Santa Fe, N.M., for the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during filming of the Western movie "Rust." (Luis Sanchez Saturno/Santa Fe New Mexican via AP, Pool, File)

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  A prosecutor asked a New Mexico judge to reconsider the decision to dismiss an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of a Western movie, according to a court filing made public Wednesday.

Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey said there were insufficient facts to support the July ruling and that Baldwins due process rights had not been violated.

State District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the case halfway through a trial based on the withholding of evidence by police and prosecutors from the defense in the 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust.

The charge against Baldwin was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it can't be revived once any appeals of the decision are exhausted.

Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer on Rust, was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal when it went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer  but not the trigger  and the revolver fired.

The case-ending evidence was ammunition that was brought into the sheriffs office in March by a man who said it could be related to Hutchins killing. Prosecutors said they deemed the ammunition unrelated and unimportant, while Baldwins lawyers alleged that they buried it and filed a successful motion to dismiss the case.

In her decision to dismiss the Baldwin case, Marlowe Sommer described egregious discovery violations constituting misconduct" by law enforcement and prosecutors, as well as false testimony about physical evidence by a witness during the trial.

In the request to reconsider, Morrissey argued again that the undisclosed ammunition was not relevant to the case against Baldwin, which hinged on his responsibility to handle a gun safely under familiar industry guidelines.

No one on the prosecution team ... ever intentionally kept evidence from the defendant, it simply didnt occur to the prosecution that the rounds were relevant to the case even if they were the same or similar to the live rounds found on the set of Rust,' Morrissey wrote.

She asserted that defense attorneys knew about the rounds but canceled an opportunity to view them prior to trial.

This is a smoke screen created by the defense and was intended to sway and confuse the court ... and it was successful," Morrissey wrote.

Baldwin attorney Luke Nikas said a response will be filed with the court, without further comment.

Movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is serving an 18-month sentence on a conviction for involuntary manslaughter. She was accused of flouting standard safety protocols and missing multiple opportunities to detect forbidden live ammunition on set. Assistant director and safety coordinator David Halls pleaded no contest to the negligent use of a deadly weapon and was sentenced to six months of unsupervised probation. A no contest plea isn't an admission of guilt but is treated as such for sentencing purposes.

It hasn't been officially determined who brought the live rounds that killed Hutchins to the set, though prosecutors allege that Gutierrez-Reed was responsible.

The ammunition that skuttled the case was handed over to a Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office crime scene technician who filed the evidence under an unrelated case number. Three of those rounds resembled live rounds that were collected from the Rust set after the fatal shooting.

The mysterious ammunition was dropped off at the sheriff's office by Troy Teske, of Bullhead City, Arizona, who routinely stored weapons and ammunition for his friend and longtime movie-gun coach Thell Reed  Gutierrez-Reed's stepfather and mentor as a film-set armorer.

Morrissey asked the judge to order defense attorneys to show when and how they learned of the ammunition provided by Teske, calling the defense motion to dismiss the case all a ruse.

Attorneys for Baldwin have said he was unaware that live ammunition had been brought to the film set and that prosecutors hid evidence while trying to establish a link between the live ammo on set and Gutierrez-Reed. They said prosecutors wanted to drive home the argument that Baldwin should have recognized the armorer's blundering youth and inexperience.

Gutierrez-Reed is seeking the dismissal of her involuntary manslaughter conviction based on the allegations of suppressed evidence that emerged at Baldwins trial.

Separately, Gutierrez-Reed has requested a hearing on a proposal to change her plea to guilty in exchange for a deferred sentence on a felony firearms charge pertaining to accusations that she took a gun into a Santa Fe bar weeks before Rust began filming.

Under the agreement with prosecutors, Gutierrez-Reed would serve 18 months under supervised probation with the potential for incarceration for probation violations. Terms of probation agreement, if approved, would forbid possession of firearms and the consumption of drugs or alcohol and would require registration in a criminal justice DNA database.
One prosecutor still wants to see Alec Baldwin behind bars for the fatal October 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of "Rust."

The 66-year-old actor had been charged with involuntary manslaughter along with armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who is currently serving 18 months behind bars.

Even though a judge dismissed the charges against Alec Baldwin with prejudice, a prosecutor wants the judge to reconsider.

Prosecutor Asks Judge To Reconsider Dismissing Alec Baldwins Rust Charges

MEGA

According to a court filing made public on Wednesday, a prosecutor asked New Mexico Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer to reconsider the charges to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin with prejudice, which means he can no longer be held criminally responsible for her death. He is, however, still facing multiple civil lawsuits related to the case.

In July 2024, the judge dismissed charges against the actor after she concluded that the prosecution had worked with law enforcement to bury evidence related to the "Rust" case. Special prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey insisted that there were not enough facts to support the ruling in district state court and that Baldwin's rights were not violated, as per The Guardian.

Alec Baldwin Thanks Fans For Their Support

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alec Baldwin (@alecbaldwininsta)

Shortly after the charges against Baldwin were dismissed, the 30 Rock actor took to Instagram to thank fans for their support. "There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now," he wrote in the caption alongside a photo of him looking somber during the trial. "To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family."

Many fans felt that the charges against Baldwin should never have been brought. "They never should have charged him with anything. When an actor is provided with a weapon--normally a 'prop' -- the actor assumes all is OK and doesn't stop to examine the 'weapon' to see if it is 'loaded' or not," one fan commented. "It was pure stubbornness on the part of the New Mexico D.A. why this unbelievable and shocking case was brought to trial disrupting Mr. Baldwin's and his loving family's lives for years to come, if at all!"

Fans Are Glad The 'Rust' Drama Is Finally Over

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brett Ashley McMillan (@brettashleymcmillan)

Although some fans want to see the actor behind bars for his role in the fatal shooting, others think that the "Rust" drama should be left in the past. "How many people did John Wayne point guns at in his 60-year film career?? Clint Eastwood?? You think they broke open every single weapon every single time and questioned the executive assistant, or armorer or whoever was in charge of the props on set in every single movie that they made every single time?? Are you serious??" another fan asked in the comments of Baldwin's post.

"Its not an excuse, but it is just a fact that movies are made to be on time and need to be made on budget. Thats why these people are hired in the first place layers of security to protect the actors from the actors. The actors are there to ACT. Cameramen are in charge of the cameras. Set decorators are responsible for dressing the set. Horse wranglers are in charge of the horses. Prop Masters are in charge of the props, on and on and on," they continued. "This case never shouldve been brought, and my condolences go out to not only the Hutchins' family but the Baldwins as well, who have been put through a completely different kind of hell for the last three years. Thank God for them this is finally over. At least I hope so."

Quentin Tarantino Believes Actors Are Responsible For Gun Safety

MEGA

As The Blast previously reported, last month, director Quentin Tarantino discussed the "Rust" shooting on Sunday's episode of the Club Random post.

It's a situation, I think I'm being fair enough to say, that the armorer  the guy who handles the gun  is 90% responsible for everything that happens when it comes to that gun... but but but but but.... the actor is 10% responsible, the Pulp Fiction director stated, adding, "You are a partner in responsibility to some degree."

SAG-AFTRA Says It Is Not An Actors Job To Check Firearms

MEGA

In January 2024, after charges were refiled against the actor, SAG-AFTRA released a statement on their website making it clear that anyone stating that actors have a responsibility to check firearms is "an incorrect assessment of the actual duties of an actor on set."

An actors job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert," they wrote at the time. "Firearms are provided for use on set under the guidance of multiple expert professionals directly responsible for the safe and accurate operation of that firearm.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  These days, more people have a greater appreciation for the great outdoors. The Mahoning County Soil and Water Conservation District (MCSWCD) is hoping that leads to a push towards protecting it.

The water district has been around for nearly 75 years and its role is ever-changing to meet the needs of the community. Since 1950, The agency has been spearheading the conservation of soil and water resources in the Valley, overseeing six watersheds in Mahoning County and tackling everything from stormwater control to wetland protection.

You cannot create any new soil or land. And once weve damaged or destroyed it, the cost to bring it back to what it was, if we can ever do that, is very expensive, said Kathleen Vrable-Bryan, MCSWCD district administrator.

With Youngstowns large industrial past and a renewed post-COVID push for accessible green spaces, reclaiming nature is not always an easy job.

It can be extremely challenging remediating natural resources once theyre already degraded, especially with our industrial past here in Youngstown and the greater Mahoning Valley area, said Zack Felger, MCSWCD outreach and education specialist.

This is why theyre emphasizing being proactive, keeping things clean with a watershed cleanup later this month at the Newport Lake boat launch inside Mill Creek Park.

A lot of people have become very attached to it, so for us to be able to teach people to be better stewards of that watershed is very important  helping people become involved to be the solution to pollution, Felger said.

Its just one of many initiatives the authority is advocating, supplementing its small staff by tapping people to help protect and preserve.

Its critically important that people participate because then they get to see first hand what can I do to protect and preserve this amazing gem of the Valley, Vrable-Bryan said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
BEDFORD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)  More than a year after a mans drug overdose death, a Saxton woman is facing charges for allegedly supplying the deadly drug mixture.

Jada Putt, 42 (Huntingdon County Prison)

Jada Putt, 42, is facing felony charges including drug delivery resulting in death after a man was found dead in February 2023.

State troopers said they were called to investigate a death in Feb. 2023 on Brook Road in Wood Township where Ricky Winfield was found on his bedroom floor by his wife, unresponsive, according to the criminal complaint.

An autopsy and lab work later revealed that Winfield died from an overdose of methamphetamine and fentanyl, the complaint reads.

Huntingdon bed and breakfast burglar IDd after using Weis rewards card, police said

Through investigation and search warrants, detectives were able to trace various Facebook messages between Winfield and the name Justin Kase back to Putt. Although using an alias on Facebook, troopers noted in the complaint that Putt and Justin Kase had the same birthday and the profile also listed Putts maiden name.

Troopers said in the complaint that messages between the two included things such as Any D? which they say is code for drugs. Messages then turned into a conversation about money.

In the complaint, troopers noted that they issued a search warrant to Google on an email associated with the Justin Kase Facebook. Results revealed that the name Jada Putt was associated with the Justin Kase Gmail account.

Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices.

Putt was arraigned Sept. 4 at 3:30 a.m. and placed in Huntingdon County Prison with bail set at $500,000.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
The News

The US Department of Justice, the Department of State, and the Treasury took a slew of actions Wednesday aimed at curbing what they described as a sprawling Kremlin-backed campaign to influence the 2024 presidential election.

The Treasury announced sanctions targeting 10 people and two entities, including executives at RT, formerly Russia Today, a Moscow-funded news outlet. The Treasury said that beginning in 2024, RT  began an effort to covertly recruit unwitting American influencers. RT used a front company to disguise its own involvement or the involvement of the Russian government.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice announced indictments Wednesday that alleged two Russians employed by RT  Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva  acted as covert foreign agents on behalf of Russia and committed money laundering as part of a scheme to influence the US election.

The Justice Department will not tolerate attempts by an authoritarian regime to exploit our countrys free exchange of ideas in order to covertly further its own propaganda efforts, and our investigation into this matter remains ongoing, said Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Together, the sanctions and charges lay out a scheme whereby RT employees funneled a Tennessee-based content creation company nearly $10 million to push pro-Russia content. Separately, the State Department designated media company Rossiya Segodnya and five subsidiaries  RIA Novosti, RT, TV-Novosti, Ruptly, and Sputnik  as Foreign Missions, and offered a $10 million reward for information on foreign interference in an American election.

Taken together, its the Biden administrations most significant response yet to Russian influence operations, CNN wrote.

The Russian government has long sought to sow discord and chaos in the United States... RT employees exploited our free and open press and targeted millions of Americans as unwitting victims of Russias psychological warfare, said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen.

Know More

RT and its associated media outlets were already on the Biden administrations radar for pushing the Kremlins agenda. The Justice Department in July accused an RT employee of being involved in a scheme that used about 1,000 bot social media accounts to pose as US residents and spread disinformation about the Ukraine war.

US intelligence officials believe Russias current efforts may be designed to boost Republican nominee and former President Donald Trumps chances of winning reelection, The New York Times reported, as Moscow sees the former president as more skeptical of continuing US support for Ukraine. However, The New York Times noted, that has led some, and particularly Mr. Trumps supporters, to see accusations that Russia is spreading disinformation as efforts to undermine their views and policy positions.

The newly revealed campaign echoes the 2016 US election, when Russian actors were found to have hacked the Democratic National Committee and leaked documents in an effort to undermine Hillary Clintons presidential campaign.
Site of new pub has a varied history that goes back almost to Bellevilles beginning

A BND series about what makes Belleville, St. Clair County and southwestern Illinois a unique place to live. Send questions and tips to newsroom@bnd.com.

One of the great things about Belleville is its history, which goes back more than 200 years. One of my favorite parts of that history are the buildings that have been here for the majority of that time.

In my recent column about The Harp Pub, located at 1110-1112 W. Main St., I mention that the building dates back to around the mid-1800s and that some recent updates were made.

While looking to the future is typically a good thing, its also important to remember the past. And this building has a past that was filled with life and commerce.

With the help of Belleville Historical Society historian Bob Brunkow and the BNDs archives, I was able to put together a timeline with some highlights from the buildings history:

1850s-1890s

In 1857, German immigrant Ernst Weissenborn bought the property now known as 1110-1112 W. Main St.

According to Brunkow, a map of the area from 1863 shows the building. A map of Belleville from 1867 also shows the building at the site at the corner of West Main and Silver streets. (Silver Street was later renamed 11th Street.)

He said that the building was likely there by the Civil War.

Weissenborn was the mover and shaker of the town, said Brunkow.

He owned a quarry and provided the limestone used to build the rock road from West Main Street to East St. Louis, said Brunkow. Weissenborn was the town weigher, weighing wagons bringing coal and hay into town.

Weissenborn was also involved in coal mining.

The April 11, 1850, edition of The Daily Advocate ran an item that stated, Ernst Weissenborn and Son became proprietors of the Harmony coal mines on the Pittsburg road.

In the 1880s, William Wagner utilized the east side of the building (1110 W. Main) as a tin smithy, according to Brunkow.

Belleville city directory editions from 1884, 1891-92 and 1894-95 include listings for Wagners stove and tinware shop at 1110 W. Main St.

People typically resided in the upper levels of the building while the main level continued to house businesses.

Brunkow said that things happened between 1890 and 1897, and by the turn of the century, Frank J. Schaeffler became the owner of the property at 1110-1112 W. Main St.

1900-1910

Schaeffler, who was Weissenborns stepson, resided at 1112 W. Main St. He operated multiple businesses at that address, among them a general merchandising store, a series of saloons, a gaming parlor and a confectionery.

West Belleville saw a lot of business turnover in the early 1900s, said Brunkow.

A variety of saloons  very trendy at that time  opened on the west side of town.

A couple of establishments operated at 1110-1112 W. Main St. between 1900 and 1910 such as Frank Schaefflers and The Oak Bar, which, based on ads in The Daily Advocate archives, had multiple proprietors including H.M. Wagner (July-October 1905), George Hessler, Jr. (October 1905 - November 1906) and Henry Conrath (December 1906).

A clip from the Jan. 29, 1901, Daily News-Democrat

1931-1983

Schaeffler died in September 1931 at the age of 71, and both the business and property were taken over by his daughter, Eleanora Schwarztrauber, and her son Eugene Schwarztrauber.

By 1933, mother and son ran the establishment, marketed as Schaefflers West End Hotel. In addition to lodging, Schaefflers offered lunches, sandwiches, beer, wine and liquors, and the hall next door was available as a rental for card or lotto parties.

A display ad for Schaefflers from the Belleville Daily News-Democrat, June 22, 1934

By the end of the 1930s, the hotel and restaurant was renamed Genes West End Hotel, also known as Genes Place, Genes Good Food, Genes Fine Foods, Genes Restaurant and Genes.

The restaurant served food until its closure in the 1950s. The last reference I found in the archive was for Thanksgiving dinner at Genes Good Food 1958.

While the Schwarztraubers remained on West Main Street, other businesses came and went, most notably Clarks Shoe Salon, which was better known as Cancellation Shoe Store, at 1110 W. Main St.

The shoe store opened in 1953 and held its grand opening on July 18 of that year. The stores last day was April 27, 1985.

Eugene Gene Schwarztrauber died Oct. 13, 1983.

Display ad for Cancellation Shoe Store, July 16, 1953

From 1985 to Today

The building at 1110-1112 W. Main St. remained within the same family from 1857, when built by Weissenborn, until its sale in 1985 by Eugene Schwarztraubers widow Ethel, who sold it to restauranteur Norman J. Davis.

Davis was the owner and operator of establishments that included the General Candy and Supply Co. at 4507 North Belt, the Green Parrot (former Capitol Restaurant) at 15 E. Main St. and the Davis Cup Restaurant, which occupied multiple addresses in Belleville, Freeburg and Smithton during its run, including a brief stint at 1110-1112 W. Main St. in 1986.

Belleville attorney Kevin J. Kubitschek bought the building on Dec. 31, 1986, and moved his law office to 1110 W. Main St.

Over the years Kubitschek also leased space in the building to other businesses that included:

Barry Moon, barber;

Color Concepts;

Harry J. Deppe, Ph.D., licensed clinical psychologist;

Slugwerks;

Hamilton Security and Investigations, Inc.;

Olde Fashioned Bakery  The bakery was co-owned by Tracy Tarrant and her then fiance Glen McElligott, who co-owns the building today. The bakery opened in December 1996 and closed one year later.

Little Bohemia Coffee House & Cafe  This was owned by Kubitschek. It opened in January 1999 and closed in February 2000.

Gatlins Pizza & Pasta  Opened in September 2000 and closed in March 2002. It reopened as Gatlins in April 2002 at 400 S. Illinois St. In mid-December 2002, the BND reported that a sign posted at the business said the space was for lease.

Kubitchek owned the building until spring 2021, when it was sold in auction to Glen McElligott and Greg Partelow, who are currently working on the building to open The Harp Pub later this year.

BND Clips for West Main Building by Jennifer Green on Scribd

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Pete and Erik Nordstrom have offered to take the Seattle-based company private for $23 per share, with financial backing from the rest of their family and Mexican department store chain El Puerto de Liverpool.

The coalition of Nordstrom family members and Liverpool are proposing a deal in which the family would collectively own 50.1% of the company, while Liverpool would own the rest, according to a Wednesday regulatory filing. Liverpool took a 9.6% stake in Nordstrom about two years ago.

The Nordstroms and Liverpool are committing cash and equity to the deal, valued at nearly $3.8 billion, along with $250 million in new bank financing to purchase shares from all investors.

Nordstroms board of directors confirmed in a news release Wednesday that its special committee had received the offer. The special committee was formed in April in response to Erik and Peter Nordstroms interest in going private.

The special committee and the other independent directors will carefully review the proposal in consultation with independent financial and legal advisors to determine the course of action that is in the best interests of Nordstrom and all shareholders, the special committee said in the news release. No action is required by Nordstrom shareholders at this time.

Erik and Peter Nordstrom, respectively CEO and president of the company, are the great-grandsons of founder John W. Nordstrom, who founded the department store chain as a shoe store in 1901.

The brothers cited their father Bruce Nordstroms health earlier this year as a motive for wanting to take the company private, according to the regulatory filing.

Bruce Nordstrom, the companys former chairman who helped guide it through massive growth, died in May at age 90.
Pictures posted by Australias embassy in Iran showed the ambassador holding purple flowers and wearing a puple bow tie (Australiainiran)

A picture of Australias ambassador to Iran posing with purple cupcakes to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community has led to a diplomatic spat between Tehran and Canberra.

Iran summoned Australias ambassador over the Instagram post shared on the annual "Wear It Purple Day" after it was deemed "norm-breaking, Irans semi-official ILNA news agency reported on Tuesday.

Irans foreign ministry said the post was disrespectful and contrary to Iranian and Islamic cultural norms, according to state news agency IRNA.

A series of pictures of ambassador Ian McConville with his family, smiling and wearing a purple bow tie, were shared on the embassys official Instagram account on Monday.

It was to mark Wear It Purple Day, an annual celebration of LGBTQIA+ youth founded in Australia.

Celebrating Wear it Purple Day with a splash of purple in every corner, and some delicious cupcakes made with love, the post said.

Today, and every day, were dedicated to creating a supportive environment, where everyone, especially LGBTQIA+ youth, can feel proud to be themselves.

Australian foreign minister Penny Wong responded with support to human rights at home and abroad (@australiainiran)

Homosexuality is illegal in Iran, governed by Islamic clerical authorities that impose strict interpretation of Islamic law. Same-sex activities are a punishable offence with punishments ranging from flogging to the death penalty.

Director of the regional department at the Iranian foreign ministry "strongly condemned the action of the Australian embassy in posting such content that was against the accepted norms", according to Irans Mehr news agency.

"The content published by the Australian embassy is insulting and contrary to Iranian and Islamic tradition, customs and culture," the diplomat said, adding that the move violated international law.

Mr McConville said the Australian embassy had no intention of offending the Iranian people and their values, according to IRNA.

He added that the Islamic Republic was not mentioned in the post.

Reacting to the row, Australian foreign minister Penny Wong said: "Australia is a proud advocate for human rights. At home and in the world, we work to advance these principles."

The bi-lingual post on Instagram remains live on the account and has received hundreds of supportive comments.

Mr McConville is a senior career diplomat who was appointed as the ambassador to Iran in April of this year. He had previously been posted in South Korea and Nigeria and at the United Nations.

The row comes after Irans ambassador to Australia was called in last month by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade over a post on X stating that wiping out the Zionist plague out of the holy lands of Palestine happens no later than 2027.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese denounced the remarks as hateful and anti-Semitic.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin believes that Russia can slowly absorb Ukraine through a gradual offensive and exhaust Ukrainian forces.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: Military experts believe that although the Ukrainian operation in Russias Kursk Oblast appears to have had an impact on the Russian military at the operational level, it has not changed the strategic thinking of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

The ISW noted that Putin believes that Russia can slowly subsume Ukraine through a gradual offensive and that Russia can achieve its goals through a war of attrition against Ukrainian forces.

These assessments make Putin unwilling to negotiate peace on terms other than capitulation by Ukraine and the West to his demands.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 3 September:

Russian forces struck civilian infrastructure and a military educational facility in Poltava City with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, killing and wounding a significant number of people, as part of a wider strike series on the night of 2-3 September.

The wider impacts of the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast on the war and any envisioned diplomatic solution to the war are not yet clear, and assessments of these impacts are premature.

Attempts to assess the impacts of the Ukrainian incursion at this premature stage will likely come to partial and inaccurate conclusions about Ukraine's ability to change the trajectory of the war and the Kremlin's appetite for peace negotiations on acceptable terms.

Reuters reported that the US is considering providing Ukraine with long range Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSMs) but that Ukraine would not receive the missiles for months.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin concluded his trip to Mongolia by signing agreements that strengthen bilateral economic ties and trilateral energy relations between Russia, Mongolia, and the People's Republic of China (PRC).

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and People's Republic of China (PRC) President Xi Jinping issued a joint statement praising each others purported efforts to address the war in Ukraine.

Russian forces recently advanced near Toretsk and Pokrovsk and southwest of Donetsk City.

Russian occupation authorities continue to advertise Russian military service to civilians in occupied Ukraine.

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(Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he intended to discuss a gas supply contract with Serbia that expires in March 2025 with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin.

Putin met Vulin at the Eastern Economic Forum in Russia's far eastern port of Vladivostok.

Serbia, which was bombed by NATO during the 1999 war in Kosovo, has historically close ties to Russia but also aspires to join the EU.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic has walked a fine line, condemning the Russian military action but refusing to join European sanctions against Moscow.

Serbia largely depends on gas supplies from Russia and its NIS oil monopoly is majority owned by Russia's Gazpromneft, although it is seeking to diversify its energy supplies.

In a statement, Vulin's office made no mention of gas supply talks but said Vulin had reassured Putin about Serbia's relationship with Russia.

"Serbia led by Aleksandar Vucic ... will never become a member of NATO, will never impose sanctions on the Russian Federation, and will never allow anti-Russian actions to be carried out from its territory," it said.

Vulin, the former head of Serbia's BIA state security agency, is under sanctions by the United States for helping Moscow in its "malign" activities, and for having links to an arms dealer and a drug trafficking ring. He resigned from the BIA when sanctions were imposed, and has denied wrongdoing.

His visit to Russia comes only days after Belgrade and France's Dassault Aviation agreed about the purchase of 12 new Rafale fighter jets for 2.7 billion euros ($2.98 billion), a move seen as a major shift away from Russia, Serbia's major weapons supplier.

($1 = 0.9053 euros)

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Peter Graff)
On Monday, en route to Mongolia in open contempt of its International Criminal Court obligation to arrest him as a war criminal, Vladimir Putin told a class of Siberian children that some youngsters in his family have learnt to speak Chinese fluently. He said that growing economic, political, and social contacts between Moscow and Beijing make Chinese a popular foreign language for Russians to learn.

This unusual personal revelation by the Russian dictator tells us about how his regime views its interactions with Chinese authoritarian power. He sees them as involved in an ever-closer partnership, tied to a political and intelligence nexus, with shared ambitions to collectively overthrow the global geopolitical status quo.

He is right in one sense and wrong in another. Yes, they are in partnership  but only for now. Before long the Chinese dragon seems destined to turn on its current ally. In fact, there is already some evidence it is doing so.

From an economic perspective, the relationship between Russia and China is fundamentally transactional, unequal, and ultimately weakening to Russian regional authority. In Siberia alone, Chinese influence in Eastern Siberia is growing organically, with an influx of business interests, workers and organised criminal activity which Putin does not contest.

Putins Russia is a willing victim of the resource curse syndrome, where massive oil and gas exports to China bring in billions to be squandered on a pointless war in Ukraine, but  crucially  do not result in revival of the wider Russian domestic finances.

There is a growing recognition of this even within Russia itself. Putins chief propagandist Vladimir Solovyov  perhaps in an effort to maintain an impression of balanced objectivity  highlighted the risk that Russia might become too dependent on imported Chinese cars and drone parts. (He had just visited Russian troops in Ukraine, where Chinese drone parts are well-known to be put to military use). But even so Russia cannot produce enough of its own to keep up with the losses inflicted by Ukraine. China is therefore crucial to keeping Putins deluded dream of triumph in Ukraine alive.

This partnership, if that is the appropriate term, will survive for a while, but one has to wonder when Beijing will seek to exploit its power over Moscow yet further. As the Taiwanese President cheekily said this week: if the Chinese Communist party truly believes it has a territorial claim to Taiwan, then it should  logically  also be trying to take back land from Russia. In a sense, it already is. Reabsorption of Eastern Siberian territories briefly subjected to the Manchu Qing Dynasty is already under way, and the more Beijing can increase and exploit Russian dependency now, the sooner this will become a reality. The Siberian school where Putin voiced his statesmanlike picture of Sino-Russian cooperation stands on lands which once were ruled by China. Putin likes to be photographed bare-chested on horseback during his Tuvan holiday fishing trips  if Xi has his way, the Russian autocrats new clothes may soon be even more transparent.

But that is the long-term direction of travel. For now, we must deal with the relationship as it stands. Despite wishful Western thinking that China remains a status quo power  a power which relies too heavily on the current international order to risk outright conflict with the West  Chinese support for Putin, and Beijings own accelerating proliferation of nuclear warheads, surely shows that the supposed status quo no longer exists. With its developing-world and other clients and quasi-allies, China bandies talk of a benign new era based on multipolar co-operation, but the subtext is always that the PRC will have hegemony in place of the US.

At the moment, it suits the CCPs hand to play Putin against Europe while it contests Western influence in the Indo-Pacific. It seems that Russia and China are co-operating, rather than competing, in efforts to bring sub-Saharan Africa under their influence. We neglect these realities at our peril.

There are undoubted differences between China, Russia, North Korean and other states aligned against the West. But we would be wrong to assume that this reduces the danger they pose, individually and as an increasingly interconnected political-military nexus. It has recently emerged that last March President Biden ordered the US military to prepare for possible co-ordinated nuclear confrontation with Russia, China and North Korea.

The lesson is immediate and clear. Whatever their differences, the shared Russia-China agenda now poses a combined existential threat to world peace and security; Western, and particularly UK, engagement with both that is not properly aligned to this reality will fail.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  PVDFest is back this weekend and making its return downtown.

The festival will be held on Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. In response to a rained-out festival last year, the city is holding Sunday as a rain date.

Earlier this year, Mayor Brett Smiley announced the festival would move back to the downtown area after a one-year stint at 195 District Park. He said the feedback from the community was consistent, adding that he heard the criticism about moving the event loud and clear.

RELATED: PVDFest announces full lineup of performers

Streets will come to life with local and global performers, including Italian aerialists, an all-womens salsa group, and hip-hop and R&B performers.

There will also be block parties and artists showing off their crafts, as well as a food truck village.

Smiley told 12 News that what is most looking forward to this year will be the mural battle in Burnside Park. Two teams will create and complete a mural in real time and festivalgoers can vote on the winner.

Public safety officials are readying what Smiley expects will be tens of thousands of visitors to flock to downtown this weekend.

The festival comes on the heels of a violent couple of days in the capital city. The mayor said those were isolated incidents.

Theres no reason to believe that theres anything targeting a public event or the festival in general, and our public safety plan is as complete as it could be, Smiley said. This is an all-hands-on deck moment for the Providence Police. It was before and it will be either way.

Alexandra Leslie contributed to this report.

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Queen Camilla supported a cause close to her heart on Tuesday as she unveiled the plaque for the official opening of the Dyson Cancer Centre.

The center, in Bath, England, is part of the Royal United Hospital, which serves a population of over 500,000 people. The new state-of-the-art facility includes a research hub, chemotherapy and radiotherapy services, a 22-bed inpatient ward, a specialized pharmacy, and teams for nuclear medicine and physics.

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In photos from the unveiling, Camilla is seen chatting with doctors and patients, as well as well-wishers. She looked casually elegant for the occasion in a green leaf-print wrap dress and comfortable light brown heels.

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As this magazine has previously reported, Camillas husband, King Charles III, is currently battling cancer. The British monarch shared the news of his diagnosis in February and revealed that he would be undergoing outpatient treatment for the condition. The king is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible, Buckingham Palace said in a statement at the time.



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Princess Catherine is also battling her own form of cancer. She shared the news in March, and said she would be undergoing preventative chemotherapy. As of late, the Princess of Wales has been slowly returning to some of her public duties. In a personal letter released by Kensington Palace in June, she gave a rare update on her progress with chemotherapy. There are good days and bad days, she wrote. On those bad days you feel weak, tired, and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.

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What questions will be on your November ballot?

BOSTON (WWLP)  Now that the Massachusetts state primary has come and gone, voters are turning their attention back to the five ballot questions to consider in November.

The five questions Massachusetts voters have to consider are submitted by voters and organizations and go through a petition and certification process.

Question 1, which would allow State Auditor Diana DiZoglio to examine the finances of the state legislature, is under scrutiny from lawmakers who say the executive and legislative branches should be kept separate.

Perhaps the most vocally supportedand opposedballot question deals with removing MCAS standardized testing as a high school graduation requirement.

We have a moral responsibility to educate all children, and there is a certain learning profile every single year that is being harmed, said Deb McCarthy, Vice President of the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

Governor Healey has voiced her disapproval for getting rid of the MCAS in the past, but ultimately its up to the voters.

The third question asks whether Uber and Lyft drivers should be allowed to unionize. Advocates say it is essential to ensure fair treatment by rideshare apps.

Question 4 would legalize and regulate some natural psychedelic substances including magic mushrooms.

The final question looks to raise the minimum wage for tipped workers, which has garnered support from many employees and opposition from many restaurants who worry about the impact this could have to their bottom line.

You can visit vote.gov to register to vote or check your registration status ahead of casting your ballot on November 5th.

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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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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel  who has pleaded guilty to more than two dozen felonies  could still qualify to receive taxpayer-funded retirement benefits for his public service. (Photo from Clark County Sheriff's Office. Photo illustration by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Even after Jamey Noel pleaded guilty last week to 27 felony charges as part of a massive, ongoing corruption case, the former Clark County Sheriff could still receive taxpayer-funded retirement benefits for his public service.

The prominent Hoosier Republican worked as a state trooper for more than 20 years before embarking on a campaign for county sheriff in 2014. Now 53, he was ultimately elected Clark County Sheriff twice and his second term ended in 2022.

Per Indiana law, Noel still qualifies to receive a pension based on his years employed by the state police, said Abhi Reddy, legislative counsel for Indianas Treasurer of State. A criminal conviction does not necessarily disqualify a trooper from receiving retirement benefits, according to state statute.

Uncertain, however, is whether those pension benefits will be subject to garnishment or forfeiture  a decision that the courts have sole discretion to exercise, Reddy said.

Pending official sentencing, Noel could be on the hook to pay back more than $3.1 million in public funds.

Separately, whether Noel will retain eligibility for benefits at the county level also remains in question.

In Indiana, sheriffs benefits are decided by local policy. Clark Countys police retirement plan, obtained by the Indiana Capital Chronicle, fully vests employees at normal retirement age  typically at 55  who have completed eight years of service.

Its up to the sitting sheriff and Clark County Sheriffs Merit Board to decide otherwise.

Who qualifies for a pension?

Across the country, only 15 states have laws to revoke or garnish an employees pension benefit if he or she is convicted of a felony related to misconduct on the job, according to a 2020 analysis by the Reason Foundation, a Libertarian think tank. Of those, 13 relate specifically to police convictions.

Indiana Code stipulates that public employees pension benefits can be garnished following conviction of a misdemeanor or felony relating to an offense which causes their employer  the state  financial loss.

Pension garnishment intercepts a convicted elected officials or public employees taxpayer-funded benefit to offset the cost of his or her incarceration, pay for restitution for bodily injury or loss of property, or to help pay settlements in a civil suit.

A forfeiture, on the other hand, entirely revokes any taxpayer-funded pension benefit the convicted member has earned through civil service.

But unlike for other Hoosier public servants, retirement benefits for Indiana State Police are not managed by the states public retirement system.

Rather, the State Police fund rules make clear that a members contributions or benefits, or both, may be transferred to reimburse the persons employer for loss resulting from the persons criminal taking of the employers property by the trustee if the trustee receives adequate proof of the loss.

Even so, Noels criminal charges stem from his employment in Clark County  not the state police.

Lingering questions

According to the retirement plan for the Clark County Sheriffs Office, an individual whose employment is severed due to dishonesty or misconduct could be forced to forfeit the benefit for which he would otherwise be eligible, if decided by the sheriff and local merit board.

Noel, though, finished his term without incident. Six months later the new sheriff alerted the Indiana State Police to potential criminal activity.

Col. Mark Grube, assistant chief at the Clark County Sheriffs Office, confirmed that employees are vested after eight years of service. Under most circumstances, sheriffs office employees are able to collect benefits once they turn 55, though there is an option for early retirement with a penalty.

Story continues below.

Retirement Plan 2013 Restatement

Noel has not yet turned 55, but he has achieved the minimum service requirement to qualify for a pension.

Theres nothing in state law that governs (retirement) plans  and every county is going to be different, said Stephen Luce, executive director for the Indiana Sheriffs Association.

Still, Luce noted that most counties have bad boy clauses that preclude sheriffs from receiving retirement benefits after a criminal conviction.

Those safeguards prevent sheriffs from getting those checks cashed  even if theyve met service requirements and are already vested.

They control everything locally, Luce added. For there to be any physical changes to the plan, it has to be an agreement between the sheriffs pension board, mayor and the county council  so nobody can change one thing without the other.

Its unclear what actions, if any, could be taken by Clark County officials.

Pending plea agreement

Noel is currently being held in the Scott County Jail and faces years behind bars. As of Tuesday, the judge assigned to the case hadnt yet accepted Noels guilty plea nor had a sentencing hearing been scheduled.

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Last week, Noel pleaded guilty to 27 of 31 felony charges after he allegedly misused money from the fire and EMS departments which he oversaw.

A plea agreement submitted to the Clark County Circuit Court shows Noel agreed to plead guilty to charges of theft, money laundering, corrupt business influence, official misconduct, obstruction of justice and tax evasion.

Additionally included in the plea deal is an agreement for Noel to pay back more than $3.1 million in public funds: $2,870,924 to the Utica Volunteer Firefighters Association; $61,190 to the Clark County Sheriffs Department; $173,155 to the Indiana Department of Revenue; and $35,245 to the Indiana State Police.

Noel faces a 15-year prison sentence but with three of those years suspended to probation if the deal is approved by the judge. He ultimately could serve as little as six years with good time credit.

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By Deborah Mary Sophia

(Reuters) - Nvidia's shares recouped earlier losses to trade higher on Wednesday, propping up chip firms after a bruising sell-off in the prior session, in a sign that AI optimism on Wall Street held out despite concerns around the stocks' lofty valuations.

AI heavyweight Nvidia rose 1% after opening in the red and dipping about 3% premarket. That followed Tuesday's 9.5% fall which wiped out $279 billion from Nvidia's market value, in the biggest ever single-day decline for a U.S. company.

The collective market valuations of seven of the biggest beneficiaries of the AI boom - including Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices and Broadcom - have dipped to $3.99 trillion as of previous close, from $5.06 trillion in mid-June.

Enthusiasm around the growth of artificial intelligence technologies has propelled much of the equity market's gains this year, lifting the valuation of chip companies to levels some investors consider inflated.

Worries around a slow payoff from hefty AI investments have mounted, and Nvidia's forecast last Wednesday fell short of lofty expectations even though the company posted strong quarterly revenue growth.

"The focus is now shifting to valuations in the U.S. equity market in general, and some of the tech names have pretty large premium built in," said Tai Hui, Asia chief market strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Hong Kong.

Since peaking on June 18, Nvidia's shares have lost roughly 20% of their value. Its forward price-to-earnings ratio now sits just below 30, representing a decline in its valuation. The stock, however, is up more than 650% since the start of 2023.

"The whole AI development...is very promising. It's just the question of ... how are companies going to monetise all this development, how do we justify all this capex that is going in right now? Investors are just waiting for that answer."

Other chip stocks, including Micron Technology , Broadcom and Qualcomm, were up between 1% and 2.3% on Wednesday.

U.S.-listed shares of TSMC - Nvidia's chip manufacturing partner - also edged 1.3% higher.

AMD climbed nearly 4% after the company late on Tuesday named former Nvidia executive Keith Strier as its senior vice president of global AI markets.

Meanwhile, Intel slipped 1%. Reuters reported earlier on Wednesday the company's contract manufacturing business suffered a setback after tests with chipmaker Broadcom failed.

Nvidia shares are also taking a hit after Bloomberg News reported the U.S. Department of Justice sent a subpoena to the company, deepening its probe into the AI heavyweight's antitrust practices.

Story continues

Analysts have warned that regulatory scrutiny into Nvidia could step up further. The company last week disclosed requests for information from U.S. and South Korean regulators.

"Nvidia is not only the biggest player in the AI chips market, but it is also invested in a large number of other AI companies which means its fingers are in multiple pies," said Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell.

"Regulators might want to know if it is giving preferential treatment to these investee companies or to customers who exclusively use its chips."

(Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Tom Westbrook; Editing by Arun Koyyur, Janane Venkatraman and Shreya Biswas)
Madeleine Mbalaka, centre, whose son was killed during the recently attempted jailbreak sits outside her house with family members in Kinshasa, Congo, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. Families of those that died in what Congo's authorities described as an attempted jailbreak in the country's biggest prison demand answers from the government, as criticism mounts over what activists describe as inhumane conditions in Congo's overcrowded penitentiary facilities. (AP Photo/Benz Bokote)

KINSHASA, Congo (AP)  Families of those killed in what authorities called an attempted jailbreak in Congo's biggest prison are demanding answers from the government as activists denounce what they say are inhumane conditions in the nation's overcrowded penitentiaries.

Officials have said that 129 people died, including some who were shot by guards and soldiers, and others who died in a stampede trying to escape the Makala Central Prison in the capital of Kinshasa early on Monday. Justice Minister Constant Mutamba called the attempted jailbreak a premeditated act of sabotage and promised a stern response.

But rights groups and the opposition called for an independent investigation, accusing the government of using excessive force and covering up the true death toll. One prominent activist said more than 200 were killed.

Everixk Nzeu, a 25-year-old who died in the chaos, was arrested two months ago in the western part of Kinshasa, and transferred to Makal on a provisional arrest warrant, his mother Madeleine Mbalaka told The Associated Press  without trial or conviction.

"I visited my son on Sunday, he was fine," Mbalaka said. But around 6 a.m., his roommates called us to tell us he was dead.

Her son left behind an 8-year-old daughter.

The family has not been able to see his body, she said, adding that they had gone to the morgue but were turned back.

I ask the Congolese authorities to provide us with explanations because we do not know exactly what happened, she pleaded. I ask that justice be done.

Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani said on the social media platform X that a provisional assessment showed that 24 inmates were fatally shot by warning shots fired by guards as they tried to escape the facility.

There are also 59 injured people taken into care by the government, as well as some cases of women raped, he said, adding that order had been restored at the prison, part of which was burned in the attempted jailbreak.

It wasnt immediately clear if all 129 fatalities were inmates and officials did not say how the stampede happened. Shabani also did not elaborate on the alleged rape cases at Makal, which has both female and male inmates.

The European Union on Wednesday called on Congolese authorities to quickly shed light on these tragic events in order to establish the various responsibilities, including with regard to respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Martin Fayulu, an opposition leader, compared the death toll to summary executions and said it was an unacceptable crime that cannot go unpunished.

However, Emmanuel Adu Cole, a prominent prison rights activist, told the AP that there were more than 200 dead, many of them shot, citing videos shared from the prison as well as according to inmates he spoke to. The AP was unable to independently verify the videos.

Gunfire inside the prison started around midnight on Sunday and lasted into Monday morning, local residents in the area said.

Shots were ringing out everywhere, said Stephane Matondo, who lives nearby, adding that military vehicles arrived shortly after and the main road to the prison was blocked.

Monday's tragedy underscored the overcrowding and dire living conditions in Congo's prisons. Makala, Congos largest, with a capacity for 1,500 people, holds over 12,000 inmates, most of whom are awaiting trial, Amnesty International said in its latest country report.

The facility has recorded previous jailbreaks, including in 2017 when members of a religious sect stormed the prison and freed dozens of inmates.

Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala, a prominent Congolese journalist who was recently detained in the prison for months, spoke of its deplorable and inhumane conditions and how inmates constantly lack food, water, access to sanitary facilities and medical care.

Makala prison, seen from the inside, looks more like a concentration camp than a penitentiary," he told the AP. The conditions of detention are absolutely deplorable and inhumane. The inmates are treated like sub-humans, deprived of their fundamental rights and subjected to inhuman living conditions.

Congo's deputy Justice Minister Samuel Mbemba Kabuya blamed the countrys judicial system for overcrowding in prisons, saying people are quickly jailed at the early stage of their trials. Mutamba, the justice minister, announced a ban on the transfer of inmates from Makala and pledged that authorities will build a new prison, among other efforts to reduce overcrowding.

But these pledges have little meaning for the victims' families of the victims, who said they were being kept in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.

It is sad that prisoners die as if they were animals, said Joyce Imongo, whose 43-year-old brother was among those who died on Monday.
The historic South Mountain Speedway has brought joy to families and kids of all ages for years, but the racetrack now faces threats of demolition.

The idea to demolish the speedway dates back to 1989 when it was a part of a master plan, but the city kept the track open.

Plans to demolish the speedway returned in 2023 when the city decided not to renew the lease for the South Mountain Speedway facility. That decision came after the city conducted assessments of the facility's condition and its electrical site. The assessments revealed critical issues that could cost up to $1 million dollars to repair.

Issues about the track were presented to Phoenix Sonoran Preserve and Mountain Parks Committee, the Gila River Indian Community and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, each of which supported removing the track.

During a Parks and Recreation meeting in May 2024, the board presented two options for the future of the speedway one being to repair the facility, the other to restore the land to its natural condition.

AJ Imperial, the president of Valley of the Sun Quarter Midget Association, says the racetrack is an important historic landmark that adds to Arizona's history and brings families together.

"We've been using the facility since 1949 and have been in a lease agreement since 1974. It's just another sport we have for kids ages five to 17," Imperial said. "A lot of racers came out of Arizona to do bigger and better things. This is the only thing we have in the metropolitan area for kids for that type of racing environment."

Even though the city estimates repairs at about a million dollars, Imperial disagrees.

"We're a nonprofit. We get support from the community, businesses and people with families that race with us, and we do a yearly update to the facility," Imperial said. "We've been asking for the city's help for years, for grants for the lighting and for water and stuff like that, but they failed to provide to us."

Imperial hopes to sit down with the city and discuss an agreement that could save the speedway and keep racing a sport in the metro area.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix may demolish South Mountain Speedway. Here's what to know
Racial and political gerrymander look virtually the same with Tennessees U.S. House maps

Voters at Nashville's Downtown Library cast ballots in 2022 after redistricting realigned electoral maps. (Photo: Ray DiPietro)

Middle Tennessee has three corridors in which a large portion of the states nonwhite population lives, and two of them used to be in one congressional district. Now, they are spread across four.

The move to split Clarksville, North Nashville, and the Antioch-Smyrna region into four different U.S. congressional districts allowed Republicans to flip a seat previously held by a moderate Democrat  a seat that had never had a Republican congressman.

A group of Black leaders sued the state over this split, but in late August, a federal court panel ruled that while Tennessee Republicans gerrymandered map  the process of splitting communities to gain electoral advantage  resulted in a political win for the GOP, it was a legal political gerrymander, not an illegal racial decision.

Tequila Johnson, executive director of The Equity Alliance, a plaintiff in the lawsuit, said its difficult to disentangle race and politics in Tennessee, as drawing maps to dilute Black and Hispanic voters can be both racist and politically beneficial.

The courts were just trying to justify racism through process, Johnson said. The courts understand racism is intertwined in our politics.

For years, the U.S. Supreme Court has chipped away at federal judges ability to rein in gerrymandering. In a 5-4 decision in 2019, divided along ideological lines, the Supreme Court ruled that judges couldnt block maps if they were gerrymandered for partisan purposes but could if they were designed to create a racial majority.

But the court further eroded this precedent in 2024, when it allowed a U.S. House map in South Carolina to remain intact, even though Republicans collaborated with South Carolinas only Black U.S. representative, James Clyburn, to pack Black voters into his district, ensuring it remained Democratic instead of creating two potentially competitive districts.

The ruling made it clear that the map resulted in a political benefit that overruled any racial justification.

The federal court applied the precedent to Tennessees map despite a GOP lawmaker saying the maps werent about politics.

During the redistricting process, Democrats in the Senate spent hours in several committee hearings grilling their Republican colleagues over the maps. In one instance, Nashville Democrat Sen. Jeff Yarbro asked Republican Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson of Franklin if the maps were politically gerrymandered.

Johnson replied, No.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man who was released from jail without bond after being accused of shooting at least four people outside of Railgarten last month is set to face a judge Wednesday morning.

Detawn Gunn faces multiple charges including five counts of criminal attempt second-degree murder after he allegedly fired shots at a Midtown restaurant, Railgarten, over a parking spot.

Arrest made in Railgarten shooting that left 4 injured

Gunns initial bond was set at $500,000 by a Judicial Commissioner and the District Attorney requested to keep that bond amount.

Even though Gunns attorney asked for the bond to be reduced to $75,000, he walked away from jail without paying anything after he was released on his own recognizance.

Corey Coleman, one of the victims allegedly shot by Gunn, says hes confused about the court decision to release him following what happened.

He pulled out the gun the first time and I had my 14-year-old next to me, Coleman said. I said man, lets go. So, as we moved, he drove toward the exit like he was going to go and then I heard the people from behind say He got a gun! Like, he was getting out the car and thats when he started trying to come down on me.

Coleman was able to get away, but he says he was shot multiple times by birdshot rounds.

Shots in the rib, the back, stomach. I got staples all the way across. Whole back ate up here and the back of the head, Coleman said.

Report: 3 people hit by gunfire over parking spot at Railgarten

After Gunns release from jail, lawmakers began to share their concerns.

Brent Taylor, Tennessee State Senator, wrote a letter to Marshall Davidson who serves as the Disciplinary Counsel for the Board of Judicial Conduct and investigates complaints made against judges.

Senator writes letter to Mulroy, State regarding Railgarten shooting suspect

In the letter, Taylor states that when Judge Bill Anderson let Gunn out of jail he violated the new state law requiring the safety of the community to be the first consideration of bail. Another letter was also written to District Attorney Steve Mulroy, attempting to get Gunns bond reinstated.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Railway partially without power in Lviv Oblast following Russian strike

Several power outages have occurred on the railway network in Lviv Oblast during a large-scale Russian strike on 4 September. Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) has deployed reserve diesel locomotives to ensure transportation continues.

Source: Ukrzaliznytsia on Telegram

Quote: "Reserve diesel locomotives have been deployed. We are sending trains with minimal delays."

Details: The affected trains include:

No. 59 Kyiv-Chop

No. 91 Kyiv-Lviv

No. 25/135 Odesa-Yasinia, Chernivtsi

No. 11 Odesa-Lviv

No. 149 Poltava-Chernivtsi

No. 746 Lviv-Kyiv

No. 368 Uzhhorod-Kovel

"We continue operations in all oblasts," Ukrzaliznytsia added.

Background: On the morning of 4 September, a fire broke out in a residential building near the main railway station, injuring six people, following a Russian strike in Lviv. Two schools were damaged and many windows were shattered in the city's central area.

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What would ranked choice voting look like in Idaho? This Boise election offers glimpse | Opinion

Then-Mayor Dave Bieter and then-challenger Lauren McLean faced each other in a runoff election on Dec. 3, 2019. In a way, its illustrative of ranked choice voting, otherwise known as an instant runoff.

Another term for the ranked choice voting system that Idaho voters could be asked to approve in November is instant runoff.

It is perhaps more instructive to look at ranked choice voting through the lens of a runoff election.

And we have a recent example of how it would look: the 2019 Boise mayoral election.

You might remember that in 2019, Boise had a crowded field for mayor, with six candidates challenging then-incumbent Mayor Dave Bieter.

Most notable among the challengers were now-Mayor Lauren McLean, Rebecca Arnold and former Boise Mayor Brent Coles.

In the first round of voting on Election Day in November 2019, McLean received the most votes, but she didnt receive a majority.

The first round of voting looked like this:

Lauren McLean: 23,669, 45.7%

David H. Bieter: 15,711, 30.3%

Rebecca W. Arnold: 6,863, 13.2%

Brent Coles: 3,804, 7.3%

Three other candidates: 1,795

Under city ordinance, if no candidate receives a majority, it goes to a runoff between the top two vote-getters.

On Dec. 3, McLean and Bieter faced off.

Runoff election

The second round of voting looked like this:

Lauren McLean: 30,306, 65.5% (6,637 more votes than general election.)

David H. Bieter: 15,998, 34.5% (287 more votes than general election.)

So how would this have looked if it were an instant runoff election?

Its reasonable to assume that most voters who voted for Arnold probably had Coles as their second choice, and vice versa. Although its a nonpartisan race, Arnold and Coles are Republicans and presented similar, more conservative campaign platforms.

In that scenario, after the first round of voting on Election Day in November, Coles would have been eliminated because he received the fewest votes. If we assume all of the votes for Coles would have gone to Arnold, Arnold would have had 10,667 votes after the second round, meaning she would then be eliminated because she still had fewer votes than Bieter.

That would take it down to the final round of voting, with Bieter and McLean going head-to-head.

In this case, that final round of voting would have been that runoff election in December.

McLean next choice for many

Its pretty clear from the December runoff results that most of the people who voted for Arnold and Coles had McLean as their next choice. You can tell this by the fact that McLean picked up nearly 7,000 new votes in December, while Bieter didnt even add 300.

Many of those residents who voted for Coles or Arnold in November showed up again at the polls in December to cast their ballots for McLean. Sure, maybe McLean was their third choice, but its clear they preferred her over Bieter.

In an instant runoff with ranked choice voting, you wouldnt need to go back to the polls a month later; you simply would have marked down your second, third and fourth choice on your ballot on Election Day.

Ballot exhaustion

As for ballot exhaustion  the idea that if someone doesnt mark a second, third or fourth choice and their first choice is eliminated, their ballot is wasted  an instant runoff is actually better, because you wouldnt have to show up at the polls yet again a month later to cast your vote. An exhausted ballot isnt a wasted vote, its just an instance where a voter didnt support any of the candidates with a shot at winning  something that happens all the time in every kind of election.

About 5,500 fewer people cast ballots in the December 2019 Boise mayoral runoff than cast votes in November. But that doesnt mean their ballots were wasted or not counted in November. It just means they didnt feel compelled enough to vote again in December.

In the coming weeks leading up to the November election, Idaho voters are going to have to learn more about the open primaries initiative thats on the ballot.

No doubt, the latter part of the initiative  ranked choice voting  is the more complicated for some to understand and arguably the more radical change to how we choose our elected officials.

But put into the context of a runoff election, the concept isnt so foreign.
Downtown Grand Junction on May 21, 2021. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

In two months, Colorado voters will decide whether to make some of the biggest changes to their election system in the Centennial States 148-year history.

Connecting the news in Colorado to the big picture.

Initiative 310, backed by centrist megadonor Kent Thiry and the nonprofit Unite America, would abolish party primaries in favor of a single all-candidate primary for each state and federal office. The top four candidates in each primary would advance to a general election decided by ranked choice voting.

Proponents of the system bankrolled a successful effort to establish it in Alaska in 2020, and want to spread it to a half dozen other states this year. They pitch their model as a cure for political division and dysfunction. Critics in both parties argue that it will diminish the value of grassroots organizing and primarily benefit wealthy candidates, and some local elections officials are skeptical about its implementation.

Founded in 2014 and co-chaired by Thiry, the deep-pocketed former CEO of dialysis company DaVita, Denver-based Unite America  previously known as the Centrist Project  has backed reforms like vote by mail and independent redistricting commissions, including the anti-gerrymandering measures approved by Colorado voters in 2018. But with its big bet on its top-four model, its aiming to achieve a history-making transformation of the U.S. election system.

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If that comes to pass, it wont be the first time that Colorado has played a pivotal role in experimenting with new ways for Americans to vote. More than a century ago, the nascent movement to adopt ranked choice voting in the U.S. was jumpstarted by voters in the city of Grand Junction and a political iconoclast named James W. Bucklin.

Amid a wave of progressive reform efforts against the corrupt city machine politics of the era, Bucklin, a former state legislator, wrote a new city charter for Grand Junction, and voters adopted it in a special election in 1909. Its ideas included a new commission form of municipal government, with the mayor, renamed the commissioner of public affairs, elected alongside citywide commissioners for water, finance, highways and civic beauty.

But the most controversial change was the charters enactment of preferential voting: Grand Junction voters were given ballots asking for their first, second and third choice for each office. Though there are important differences between the Bucklin system and the ranked choice voting methods proposed today, the basic idea was the same: If no candidate received a majority of first-choice votes, second-choice votes would be counted, and then third-choice votes if necessary.

Some of Bucklins rhetoric in espousing the virtues of his system might as well have been written by proponents of the Colorado Voters First initiative today.

If  we are to establish good government, we must enact some electoral system that will destroy political machines, and prevent the election of officials by minorities, Bucklin wrote in 1911. The preferential ballot for cities is a plan to restore majority elections and true representative government.

But the very first election held under the new system in Grand Junction appalled its critics. Thomas M. Todd, the Socialist Partys pick for mayor, trailed two other candidates in the first round of voting. But with no one even close to winning a majority in the six-way race, the contest proceeded to count second- and then third-choice votes, putting Todd over the top. He would go on to serve a single four-year mayoral term, appoint the nations first socialist police chief and set up a municipal lumber yard where the unemployed could chop wood in exchange for a hot meal, while leading unsuccessful attempts to establish a city-owned icehouse, coal mine and electric utility.

But the outrage over the new voting system, and its seemingly counterintuitive results, was instant. The headline of a Grand Junction Sentinel editorial the following day declared: Preferential System Offspring of Bone Head.

The Sentinel says that the system is all wrong. It is un-American, thundered editor Walter Walker. The Sentinel appeals to every other community in the state to steer clear of this fool means of making selection of officers in a municipality.

But many other cities in Colorado and around the country, fed up with the preceding decades of machine politics, didnt listen, and chose to join the wave of cities experimenting with new voting methods. More than 60 U.S. municipalities, including Denver and San Francisco, went on to adopt the Bucklin system or something very similar to it.

Denver adopted ranked voting in 1913, and the system was in use throughout a turbulent period in the citys history. Mayor Ben Stapleton, a pro-business candidate backed by the then-influential Ku Klux Klan, needed third-choice votes to win his first election in 1923. Eight years later, he narrowly lost his bid for a third term, again thanks to the third-choice tally, but went on to return to power in 1935.

Criticisms of the Bucklin system mounted over the years, and election reformers and political scientists generally take a dim view of it today. By adding second- and third-choice votes to the first-round tally, rather than transferring each ballots vote, it arguably violated the one-person, one-vote principle, which several state courts cited as a reason to declare the method unconstitutional. At the same time, the system contained a glaring contradiction: It incentivized voters to bullet vote for a single candidate and decline to rank any others, since doing so would prevent their candidates vote share from being diluted in subsequent rounds.

With the support of Stapleton, who no doubt blamed the system for his 1931 defeat, Denver voters approved an initiative ending preferential voting in 1935. For a variety of reasons, most other cities around the country followed suit by the mid-20th century. Grand Junction, which had pioneered the system, abandoned it in 1921, after using it for just three municipal election cycles.

The version of ranked choice voting endorsed by most reform advocates today, including Thiry and Unite America, is sometimes known as instant runoff voting. It aims to overcome the Bucklin systems shortcomings by transferring votes, rather than adding them. After each round without a majority winner, the last-place candidate is eliminated, and votes for that candidate are transferred to the next-ranked choice on each ballot.

The new system isnt without its critics, either. The choice between sticking with the status quo and experimenting with something new will fall to Colorado voters in November  but if nothing else, history shows that in a democracy, theres no guarantee that experiment will be permanent.

The Trendline offers analysis on public policy in Colorado. Articles explore ways to think about the news based on research, history and other important context, helping Coloradans connect the headlines to the big picture.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Authorities in Rapid City are investigating what theyre calling a suspicious shooting that happened Monday just before noon.

Rapid City Police say they responded to a call of a male juvenile who had just been shot at a residence in the 400 block of E. Fairlane Dr.

The juvenile was taken to the hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries.

SFPD investigating 4 different shootings over holiday weekend

Police say the circumstances surrounding the shooting are suspicious in nature. They stated that they dont believe there is any ongoing threat to public safety as a result of the shooting.

Youre asked to call 605-394-4133 if you have any information about the shooting.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The health district is warning Clark County residents about the potential health risks associated with consuming raw milk.

Southern Nevada Health District issued a warning about the health risks of consuming raw milk after the increase in illegal sales of raw milk. Since 1987, the Food and Drug Administration has prohibited the interstate sale of raw milk due to the risks.

SNHD reports that raw milk can harbor harmful bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli, listeria, brucella, and campylobacter, which can cause severe health problems or even be fatal. Vulnerable groups include children under 5, adults over 65, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.

To mitigate these risks, SNHD advises residents to consume pasteurized milk because the pasteurization process effectively eliminates harmful germs by heating the milk to a high temperature.

Clark County encourages those who observe raw milk being sold to contact the Nevada Department of Agriculture at (775) 353-3607. Those who become sick after consuming raw milk can call (702) 759-1300 or submit a complaint report by visiting this form

For additional information regarding the dangers of consuming raw milk visit the U.S Food and Drug Administration.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
By Max A. Cherney

(Reuters) -Nvidia did not receive a U.S. Justice Department subpoena, a spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday.

"We have inquired with the U.S. Department of Justice and have not been subpoenaed. Nonetheless, we are happy to answer any questions regulators may have about our business."

Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday the Justice Department had sent a subpoena related to a potential antitrust investigation, which would signal an escalation in the probe. Bloomberg News said subpoenas had been sent to other companies in addition to Nvidia.

The Justice Department has been asking tech companies about Nvidia's business practices in recent weeks, including questions about the company's hardware bundling practices, two sources familiar with the questions investigators are asking told Reuters.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In addition to questions about bundling, Justice Department officials are examining a recent acquisition of the Israel-based Run:AI for a reported $700 million in April, the sources also told Reuters. Officials are probing whether the purchase could further increase Nvidia's grip on the artificial intelligence computing market.

(Reporting by Max Cherney in San Francisco; Additional reporting by Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Leslie Adler and Lisa Shumaker)
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Youngstown State University and Youngstown City Schools hosted viewings of The Right to Read documentary Tuesday highlighting the importance of childhood literacy.

They held two showings of the film with about 170 YSU students and faculty in attendance for the first showing.

In addition to the film, free vision screenings were offered by Sight for All United.

We were just talking about obviously the importance of being able to see as that pertains to then being able to read. So the idea came to be that we would be able to offer vision screenings for both adults and children connected to this movie screening, said Sokolov Honors College Director Mollie Hartup.

Following the film there was a panel discussion about literacy led by educators and the Youngstown City Schools Superintendent.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, right, speaks as Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, left, and his wife Gwen Walz listen at a campaign event, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in Rochester, Pa. | Julia Nikhinson

Vice President Kamala Harris and running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz have touted their records on laws protecting and expanding abortion access as they have hit the campaign trail.

When Harris did an interview on Face the Nation, she was asked multiple times at what week abortion access should be legal. She did not give a specific week and answered by saying she wanted to restore Roe v. Wade  the U.S. Supreme Court decision that said abortion would be recognized as a constitutional right up until the point of viability.

I am being precise. We need to put into law the protections of Roe v. Wade, said Harris. And that is about going back to where we were before the Dobbs decision.

As a senator, Harris voted against a proposed 20-week abortion ban, calling it another example of politicians playing politics with health care.

She also co-sponsored the Womens Health Protection Act, which would codify abortion up to viability and also prohibit states from restricting abortion after the point of viability if a physician determined continued pregnancy would pose a risk to a womans life or health.

Here is a closer look at the legislation Harris and her running mate have supported and opposed throughout the last few years.

How did Kamala Harris vote on abortion in the Senate?

When Harris was a California senator, she voted against proceeding on a 2019 bill that would have ensured no federal funds go toward abortions. The bill carved out an exception for rape, incest or where an illness or injury threatens the life of the mother.

It would have also prohibited qualified health plans from providing coverage for abortions and restricted federal health care facilities from providing abortions.

That same year, Harris also voted against proceeding on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. In cases where a child survived an attempted abortion, the bill would have required health care providers to preserve the life and health of the child as they would for any other child born alive at the same gestational age.

The bill required health care practitioners to ensure children born alive would be immediately transported and admitted to a hospital.

Harris voted against advancing the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act in 2020. The bill would have prohibited abortions of fetuses 20 weeks or more with exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother. It also said women who undergo prohibited abortions may not be prosecuted for violating the bill. She also opposed advancing the bill in 2018.

As a senator, Harris also voted against denying funding to Planned Parenthood as well as suspending funding to Planned Parenthood for a year.

In 2019, Harris co-sponsored the Womens Health Protection Act, which would have prohibited state or local governments from imposing restrictions on access to abortion services such as unnecessary tests or procedures in connection with the provision of abortion services. The bill would have also prohibited local or state governments from requiring patients to disclose why they sought an abortion.

A state or local government also may not prohibit abortions prior to fetal viability nor prohibit abortions after fetal viability in cases where the health care provider determines that continuing the pregnancy poses a risk to the patients life or health, said the bill.

Other legislation she co-sponsored included measures to require public health insurance to provide coverage for abortion and ensure abortions are available at the federal level and are federally supported.

Harris co-sponsored the Womens Health Protection Act, which was aimed at prohibiting any government from imposing on abortion services through requiring medical tests, limiting training on abortion, a prohibition prior to fetal viability and limiting abortion providers from prescribing drugs or providing services through telemedicine.

After the Department of Health and Human Services implemented a rule during the Trump administration to protect conscience rights of individuals as well as insurers, health care providers and employers, Harris co-sponsored legislation to prohibit this rules application. The rule was aimed at protecting the rights of health care providers who refuse to participate in abortions.

While still a senator, and also a presidential candidate, Harris in 2019 proposed a plan to require states to obtain preclearance from the Justice Department before enacting laws related to abortion access if they had attempted to restrict abortion access multiple times before, Politico reported. Preclearance would only be granted to laws that do not violate either Roe vs. Wade or the Womens Health Protection Act.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America graded Harris an F for her record as a senator from 2017 to 2021. The organization graded her based on the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act as well as judicial confirmations and other bills.

In 2019, Harris received a 100% on her scorecard from the self-described pro-choice organization National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws (now known as Reproductive Freedom for All). The scorecard graded senators on how they voted on the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act as well as a series of judicial confirmations.

Tim Walzs record on abortion

As governor of Minnesota, Walz signed the Protect Reproductive Options Act into law. It enshrined a fundamental right to continue the pregnancy and give birth, or obtain an abortion, and to make autonomous decisions about how to exercise this fundamental right into law.

At the time of its passing, state Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson and House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth wrote a letter to Walz urging him to veto it. The two Republican leaders said they offered amendments to it.

These amendments included prohibiting third trimester abortions, and a requirement that all abortions facilities be licensed to ensure women are provided the safest environment possible, said Johnson and Demuth. Sadly, each of these amendments were struck down by a Democrat majority.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund president Alexis McGill Johnson called the PRO Act inspiring and needed and said in a statement it cemented Minnesota as a leader for reproductive rights.

Walz and the Minnesota Legislature also repealed a state law that required women seeking abortions to wait 24 hours after receiving informed-consent. And he also reduced how much data needs to be collected  now health care providers will need to record how the abortion occurred, the age of the woman and the gestational age. He also signed into law a measure that would protect women traveling to Minnesota for an abortion from out of state.

Under Walz, funding for pregnancy resource centers under the Positive Alternatives program was eliminated. These centers provide women with resources to carry their unborn child to term. Often these resources include counseling and financial support.

Walz also signed into a law amendments to the Born Alive Act, including a repeal of the language requiring doctors to preserve the life of babies born alive. Instead, the law now says health care practitioners need to care for babies consistent with good medical practice.

During his time as an U.S. House representative, Walz also cosponsored the Womens Health Protection Act. On the Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act, his vote was recorded as a yes to advance it, but he told the House speaker he had intended to vote no.
Members of the combined Deseret News and KSL editorial boards meet with 3rd Congressional District Democratic candidate Glenn Wright in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

A military veteran who wants to reform welfare. An auto parts executive who voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020. A small-town lawyer who wants to preserve coal-fired power plants. And a self-described patriot who grew up off the grid on a commune.

Welcome to Utahs 2024 cast of Democratic candidates for U.S. Congress.

It is no secret that the Beehive State tends to favor politicians with an R by their name: Republican nominees won all four of Utahs congressional seats by around 30 percentage points in 2022.

But this years assembly of unorthodox office-seekers believes their fresh approach to issues will attract voters who are tired of the predictable partisanship of Washington, D.C.

I think I can convince enough people to make  maybe make  a competitive election, 3rd Congressional District candidate Glenn Wright told the combined Deseret News and KSL editorial boards on Tuesday. Im the eternal optimist.

Each of the Beehive States Republican incumbents in the U.S. House of Representatives will face a Democratic opponent in the November general election.

Rep. Blake Moore, representing Utahs 1st Congressional District, will face off against his former GOP convention challenger, Bill Campbell. Rep. Celeste Maloy, of Utahs 2nd District, will face attorney Nathaniel Woodward. And Rep. Burgess Owens, of the 4th District, will face marketing specialist Katrina Fallick-Wang.

Republican state Sen. Mike Kennedy will compete for the open 3rd Congressional District seat against Wright, a former Summit County Councilman.

Who is Glenn Wright?

Members of the combined KSL Deseret News Editorial boards meet with 3rd Congressional District Democratic candidate Glenn Wright in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Wright, a now-retired loss control consultant for Chubb insurance, is quick to recount war stories from his time in Vietnam as an Air Force pilot from 1969-1975.

The former Utah Democratic Party volunteer believes his party better represents the Constitution he swore to protect, and has framed his candidacy around individual freedom  particularly as he sees it in relation to abortion, transgender access in public spaces and books in public schools.

We have a faction in (the Republican) Party right now that likes to tell people what to do with their lives, said Wright, who lives in Park City.

Wrights opponent was the sponsor of a recently enacted bill that bans transgender surgeries and hormone treatments for Utah minors. Kennedy also voted in favor of a 2024 bill to increase penalties for individuals who use public bathrooms that dont match their biological sex.

Wright said he questions the commitment to the Stars and Stripes of those who support former President Donald Trump. Wright believes the current GOP nominee for president tried to overthrow the government following the 2020 election and put American service members in danger by retaining classified documents in his home.

Wright strays from the party line in his openness to talk about the soaring debt and porous border. Wright recognizes that Democrats virtually never talk about the principle drivers of deficit spending  entitlement programs. But he believes we have to have people that are willing to run on solving the impending insolvency of programs like Social Security.

After reading the report on the Social Security trust fund, Wright proposes removing the limit on taxable earnings for Social Security so the 6.2% payroll tax applies to annual incomes above $170,000. Wright said there are also ways to push back the retirement age while compensating those who would be immediately affected.

Wright holds familiar Democratic views on other top national issues. He said the Utah energy industry should transition jobs away from fossil fuels toward renewable alternatives. He called for comprehensive immigration reform that allows for a lot more legal immigration to meet labor demands. And he criticized the GOP under Trump for damaging relationships with NATO allies.

As a lone congressman, you cant do too much, but what you have to do is to put your ideas out there and see if you can get some people who agree with you, Wright said.

Wright ran in the 3rd District in 2022 but lost to Rep. John Curtis, who is running for Utahs open Senate seat, by 35 percentage points. If he could compete with Kennedy on the fundraising front, Wright said he could envision a path to victory with the younger voters of the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University. At the time of the last filing deadline, Wright had $3,500 in cash on hand; Kennedy had $62,000.

Who is Bill Campbell?

Bill Campbell is the Democratic nominee running for U.S. Congress in the Utah 1st Congressional District against Rep. Blake Moore. | Bill Campbell

Like Wright, Bill Campbell also ran for the seat he is currently pursuing back in 2022. That year, he challenged Rep. Moore in the GOP convention as a Republican candidate.

Campbell voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020. He said he is undecided about who he will support for president this year and has since changed his party affiliation to Democrat, reflecting his focus on people and not political parties. But Campbells platform, which he believes makes him a better conservative than Moore, hasnt changed.

Democrats had a much broader tent, Campbell said in an interview with the Deseret News. I was basically told I can keep my positions as long as I continued with full respect and the character, ethical aspects.

Campbell, who spent decades as the chief financial officer of automotive safety supplier Autoliv, and as a board member of multiple charities, said his qualifications for office include having business experience, no conflict of interests (he is not accepting campaign donations) and a record of community service.

Campell said his priorities are to increase government efficiency and bipartisanship. His website says if elected he would work to stop illegal immigration, reduce regulations and balance the budget within four years. Campbell lives within the 1st District in Davis County.

Who is Nathaniel Woodward?

Nathaniel Woodward is the Democratic nominee running for U.S. Congress in the Utah 2nd Congressional District against Rep. Celeste Maloy. | Nathaniel Woodward

Nathaniel Woodward recently moved his young family back to rural Price where he was raised to start his own law firm and ensure that the town his ancestors helped found would continue to be home to the seventh and eighth generations of Woodwards.

While he lives outside of the 2nd Congressional District, Woodward says he is in touch with the concerns of rural Utahns more than any other congressional candidate and chose to run for office to make sure their voices are heard  particularly in the energy sector.

I dont think anyone from a city background can possibly understand the issues surrounding people that live in small communities, Woodward said in an interview with the Deseret News. If you remove an industry from a rural community, its not a wound, its a death sentence.

The Democratic Party has failed in its treatment of climate policy by being environmentalists first instead of humanists first. There is a human price paired with every regulation meant to decrease emissions that can, and does, decimate towns like Price. Understanding this mindset will lead to commonsense solutions, not just on energy, but on other issues like immigration and the economy, Woodward said.

Woodward proposes government subsidies to provide carbon scrubbers for every carbon-fired power plant, remedying what Woodward sees as a current market failure. Doing so would make this important energy source environmentally sustainable and would preserve the communities that power Utah.

Our cultures cannot be the currency in which we exchange for progress, Woodward said.

Who is Katrina Fallick-Wang?

Katrina Fallick-Wang is the Democratic nominee running for U.S. Congress in the Utah 4th Congressional District against Rep. Burgess Owens. | Katrina Fallick-Wang

As a resident of South Salt Lake, Katrina Fallick-Wang also lives outside of her district. But her poverty-stricken childhood  which included hunger, no formal education, and a teenage pregnancy  has given her an inside view of what working-class voters in the 4th Congressional District are dealing with, Fallick-Wang told the Deseret News.

Fallick-Wang, who has often worked as a community activist on progressive issues, decided to run for office this year for the first time because she thought the country was failing to provide opportunities to some of its most vulnerable populations, like working mothers, she said.

Were not living up to our potential. And the reason for that, I think, is this extremism and partisanship that is happening in politics, Fallick-Wang said.

Fallick-Wang said the top issues that have emerged in her conversations with voters are air quality, housing affordability and social mobility. While she is a vocal supporter of the Democratic Partys emphasis on LGBTQ and transgender issues, Fallick-Wang also sees a need for economic deregulation.

Fallick-Wang, who works as an email marketing manager for Zagg, said she was first attracted to Utah for its flourishing tech sector. She said she would support a process of deregulation to streamline the permitting process for small businesses.

We need to lift up Americas middle class and Utahs middle class, she said. Small businesses are so, so heavily taxed that we need to really give them a little bit of breathing room to be able to succeed and grow.

Wright, Campbell, Woodward and Fallick-Wang will face their Republican opponents in the general election on Nov. 5. Debates will be hosted by the Utah Debate Commission in October.

Correction: A previous version of the story said Bill Campbell lives outside of the 1st District. He lives in the 1st District.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  An annual event to remember and honor the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

Registration is still open for the LION Gem City 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb happening on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The event has been happening in Dayton for the last 10 years. The stair climb will take place at the University of Dayton Arena and will see participants climb the equivalent of 110 stories.

According to a post from the events social media page, participants will carry a badge with the name and picture of an FDNY firefighter, NYPD or Port Authority police officer.

Through firefighter and community participation we can ensure that each of the 343 firefighters is honored, and that the world knows we will never forget, the social media post reads.

Click here to register for or donate to someone participating in the stair climb. Click here for more general information on the event. You can register individually or as a team. Registration is $35.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
The hospital managed to identify some of the people who were wounded. Sorrasak Jar Tinyo/Getty Images

Some of the people who were injured in a missile strike on Poltava on 3 September are being treated in the regional hospital. Medical professionals have managed to identify some of the survivors, and they are being visited by their families.

Source: Valentyn Bilyi, head of intensive care unit of the regional hospital, writes Susilne. Poltava, a Poltava-related branch of Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne

Details: Relatives of those who were injured in the attack started to visit the Poltava Regional Clinical Hospital named after M.V. Sklifosovskyy.

Among them is 69-year-old Halyna Butko from Poltava Oblast, who came to the regional centre to see her 48-year-old son Volodymyr Butko. Following the missile attack, the man has yet to recover.

Halyna Butko stated that her son had surgery, which partially improved his health. However, medical personnel planned two additional interventions in the future.

Quote: "Yesterday I received a call from the hospital saying that my son is in a critical condition [...] His abdominal cavity [was wounded - ed.], and he cant feel his legs now. He has five children: three sons and two daughters," Volodymyrs mother explained.

Read also: Institute of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine employee killed in Russian attack on Kharkiv on 30 August

Oleksandra Holub arrived at the Poltava hospital from Sumy. Her spouse was at the Institute of Communications at the time of the attack. He had been mobilised for military service two months earlier.

Oleksandra claims that by 09:00, her badly injured husband was able to call her and tell her about the consequences of the attack.

"I was studying at the training centre. At 09:10, he calls me: Missile. He was already badly injured, and the only thing he could do was call me and talk to me. He said that a lot of people were killed," the woman recalls.

Relatives of the people wounded in the Russian attack in the regional hospital.

Photo: Suspilne. Poltava

According to Oleksandra, her spouse suffered major injuries, particularly to his legs.

Another survivor, Oleksandr, was visited at the Poltava Regional Hospital by his parents. On 3 September, their son arrived at the educational institution to begin lessons.

Read also: Out of 50 injured, 7 are in serious condition: Lviv hospital reports on missile strike victims

"He was at the Institute studying. We came from Hlobyne and are now waiting here," the father of the wounded Viktor Tokar told reporters.

On 3 September, Russia launched two ballistic missiles towards Poltava. The time interval between the air-raid warning being issued and the strike of the missiles was insufficient for the citizens to move to shelters.

As of 4 September, emergency workers are continuing to clear the rubble after the Russian attack, where 13 people may be still trapped. The latest information indicates that 53 people were killed and 289 were injured.

Following the incident, Poltava Oblast declared three days of mourning for the people killed in the Russian strike.

Read also: Russian attack on Lviv: at least 7 architectural monuments damaged  photos

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FILE - This June 2024 photo provided by Survival International shows members of the Mashco Piro along Las Piedras River in the Amazon near the community of Monte Salvado, in Madre de Dios province, Peru. (Survival International via AP, File)

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP)  Two loggers have been killed by bow and arrow after allegedly encroaching the land of the uncontacted Mashco Piro Indigenous tribe deep in Peru's Amazon, according to a rights group.

The group, known as FENAMAD, defends the rights of Peru's Indigenous peoples. It says tensions between loggers and Indigenous tribes are on the rise and more government protective action is needed.

Two other loggers in the attack were missing and another was injured, FENAMAD said, and rescue efforts were underway.

The rights group, which represents 39 Indigenous communities in the Cusco and Madre de Dios regions in southeastern Peru, said the incident took place on Aug. 29 in the Pariamanu river basin while loggers were expanding their passageways into the forest and came into contact with the reclusive and renowned territorial tribe.

The Peruvian state has not taken preventive and protective measures to ensure the lives and integrity of the workers who have been gravely affected, the group said in a statement Tuesday, adding authorities have yet to arrive in the area since the incident.

FENAMAD said the attack happened just 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from a July incident, when the Mashco Piro again attacked loggers. The group said in their statement that even though they advised the government of the risk of a rise in violence, nothing has been done.

Its a heated and tense situation," said Cesar Ipenza, an Amazon-based lawyer who specializes in environmental law in Peru. Undoubtedly, every day there are more tensions between Indigenous peoples in isolation and the different activities that are within the territory that they ancestrally pass through.

There have been several other previous reports of conflicts. In one incident in 2022, two loggers were shot with arrows while fishing, one fatally, in an encounter with tribal members.

In January, Peru loosened restrictions on deforestation, which critics dubbed the anti-forest law. Researchers have since warned of the rise in deforestation for agriculture and how it is making it easier for illicit logging and mining.

Ipenaza said some effort has been made by authorities in the area like mobilizing a helicopter, but overall there has been little commitment by Peru's Ministry of Culture, responsible for the protection of Indigenous peoples.

The Ministry of Culture did not immediately respond to a message Wednesday seeking comment on the attack and their protection efforts.

The attack took place a day before the Forest Stewardship Council suspended the sustainability certification of a logging company for eight months which rights groups and activists have accused of encroaching on the Indigenous groups land.

Its absurd that certifiers like the FSC keep the certification of companies that clearly and openly violate basic human rights and Indigenous rights, said Julia Urrunaga, director of the Peru program at the Environmental Investigation Agency. How terrible that people have to keep dying and that it has to be an international scandal for action to be taken.

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Follow Steven Grattan on X, formerly Twitter: @sjgrattan

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The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  After 8 On Your Side began asking questions about weeks of flooding at a Tampa apartment complex, management acted.

While the complex is drying out, renters are left with some hefty bills because of the damages.

Water pumped out of Tampa apartment complex, but residents fear for next storm

Some renters at Lake Azzure said they are out thousands of dollars because of the damage. A clogged cross drain under Himes Avenue could be partially to blame. Now were asking what rights do renters have?

Shin-deep water had been the reality for renters at Lake Azzure apartments for nearly a month, even prior to Tropical Storm Debby.



When you go to sleep and the next day, its raining, said Junette Baul, a Lake Azzure resident. The next day, its raining you dont know how youre going to make it to work, and you have bills to pay, and you have to walk in the water to get your car to get your car. You have no choice.



While Hillsborough County investigates the cause of the flooding, crews discovered a drainage pipe under Himes Avenue, near a HART bus stop, was clogged.



We have a couple of neighbors actually complaining about all the water going inside the house, renter Johnny Navarro-Quyntanilla said.



When 8 On Your Side began asking questions, management pumped all the water out. The leasing office has previously told us renters should have insurance to cover their losses. Some are out hundreds of dollars; others are out thousands in damages, wondering what to do next. So, we asked landlord tenant Attorney Jesse Philippe.



Florida Chapter 83 gives them rights to do a seven day notice which is to put the landlord on notice that there is some damages in their home that need to be repaired so the home can be habitable, Philippe said.



Josh Bellotti is the Director of Engineering & Operations of Hillsborough County. He shared this statement on Tuesday:

Hillsborough County engineering and operations worked with the apartment complex to help the community get floodwaters out of the complex parking lot last week. The privately-run apartment complex pumped water for several days to a greenspace near the edge of its property so that the water could flow through an outfall pipe underneath Himes Avenue and away from the complex. Hillsborough County worked to clear an obstruction in the pipe to make sure that overflow could drain.

Renters wonder if their drainage dilemma was caused when the transit agency installed the bus stop last October.



You have the right to live in a habitable home, Philippe said. If there is negligence found on HART or the apartment complex, then theyll be liable personally to any tenant that they caused damage to.



We reached out to the company that owns the complex, Goldelm, and were waiting to hear back.

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In early September 2024, several accounts on X began sharing a story from the website of an alleged San Francisco television station with the call sign KBSF:

The story claimed that Harris hit two pedestrians with her car in San Francisco  a mother and her young daughter leaving the child disabled for life:

In June, 2011 Kamala Harris was driving a car when she hit two pedestrians and left the scene of the incident in San Francisco. One of the victims, Alisha Brown, decided to make the story public. She explains that after the accident, Harris's people threatened her mother so that she would not report the incident to the police. It was only after the death of her mother 13 years later Alisha decided to tell this story.

These claims appear to be part of an effort to mislead the public, as KBSF is not a legitimate news outlet. The website was registered on Aug. 20, 2024. There has never been a KBSF television station in San Francisco or anywhere else in the United States. Snopes reached out to the Harris campaign for comment.

BBC misinformation reporter Shayan Sardarizadeh argued on X that the KBSF story was "most likely part of a pro-Kremlin disinformation operation" connected to a former Florida cop living in Moscow named John Mark Dougan.

Thread: A viral story claims Kamala Harris was involved in a 2011 hit-and-run that left a 13-year-old named Alicia Brown paralyzed.



But the story is fake, and is most likely part of a pro-Kremlin disinformation operation run by an ex-Florida cop we've previously reported on. https://t.co/FnmsG5B3np pic.twitter.com/0gjGZzQXWq  Shayan Sardarizadeh (@Shayan86) September 3, 2024

Prior to September 2024, the only notable search results for "KBSF" and "TV" on Google were for content produced for a YouTube channel belonging to the Korea Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (KBSF).

The assertion that Harris committed this 2011 crime is therefore supported only by an anonymous and overtly deceptive website.

Sources:

Kamala Harris Hit a 13-Year-Old Girl with a Car and Left the Crime Scene  KBSF  San Francisco News. 3 Sept. 2024, https://web.archive.org/web/20240903181856/https://kbsf-tv.com/kamala-harris-hit-a-13-year-old-girl-with-a-car-and-left-the-crime-scene/.

A Bugatti, a First Lady and the Fake Stories Aimed at Americans. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c72ver6172do. Accessed 4 Sept. 2024.

"Korea Bobsleigh Skeleton Federation_KBSF TV." YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRGK9H_yCoyxHXVmDYChVeQ. Accessed 3 Sept. 2024.

"WHOIS: Kbsf-Tv.Com." ViewDNS Info, https://viewdns.info/whois/?domain=kbsf-tv.com.



Updates:

Sep. 4, 2024: Information from BBC reporter Shayan Sardarizadeh was added to this article.
Some Republican leaders think Trump is bad for the partys future  and secretly want him to lose

Some Republicans are secretly rooting for Donald Trump to lose the election in November for the sake of their party, according to reports.

Some of the GOP  including long-standing members who are publicly enthusiastic about a second Trump presidency  are secretly hoping the White House will go to his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, according to Politico.

Last week, conservative commentator Erick Erickson said on X that many Republicans are rooting for a Harris presidency with a GOP-controlled Senate in order to save their party.

The damage Trump is doing to himself is playing out in private conversations like this: We have a really good shot at taking the Senate, Erickson wrote on X.

[Senator Joe] Manchin leaving gets us to 50. [Senator Jon] Tester is toast. Thats 51. Between that and the Supreme Court, we can hold off Harris for two years and get more reinforcements then fight in 2028 for the White House. If Trump gets in, we set back the pro-life cause and free markets by a generation at least.

Independent Senator Joe Manchin is retiring at the end of his term and Democratic Senator Jon Tester is fighting a close race against Republican Tim Sheehy in Montana.

The damage Trump is doing to himself is playing out in private conversations like this:



"We have a really good shot at taking the Senate. Manchin leaving gets us to 50. Tester is toast. That's 51. Between that and the Supreme Court, we can hold off Harris for two years and  Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) August 30, 2024

The Never-Trump movement, made up of Republicans who have publicly disavowed the former president, is nothing new. The movement includes The Lincoln Project, an organization of Republicans dedicated to keeping Trump out of the White House, and Republican Voters Against Trump.

Politico columnist Jonathan Martin also argued that the fate of the Republican party could depend on Trump losing this November.

The best possible outcome in November for the future of the Republican Party is for former President Donald Trump to lose and lose soundly, Martin wrote. GOP leaders wont tell you that on the record. I just did.

Martin said many Republicans are looking to accelerate Trumps exit from politics.

One high-level Republican, conceding it may only be wishful thinking, even floated the idea of a Harris victory followed by Biden pardons of both his son, Hunter, and Trump, Martin wrote. That would take the issue of both cases off Harris plate and, more to the point, drain the energy behind Trumps persecution complex so that Republicans can get on with the business of winning elections.

Many Republicans are secretly hoping that Donald Trump will lose the White House this November, new reports reveal (AP)

Meanwhile, anti-Trump Republicans are spending big to keep the former president down in the polls. Republicans Voters Against Trump spent millions to air 30-second attack ads in key swing states last week. The ads featured testimonials from Republicans who say theyre voting for Kamala Harris.

John Conway, director of strategy for the group, called Trump a threat to democracy who promises to do even more damage to our system if he is returned to power.

Thats why were reminding voters of how high the stakes are this election. And were doing it by spotlighting the voices of the most credible, trusted messengers available: real former Trump voters who refuse to support him again, he said.

The group is also financing a series of billboards that feature the same anti-Trump testimonials.

Harris is currently ahead of Trump by 3.1 points, according to the latest average of national polls.

A CNN poll, released September 4, found that Harris leads Trump in four battlegrounds states: Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia and Nevada. Trump leads in Arizona, while the two are tied in Pennsylvania.
Tim Walz was governor of Minnesota when the multimillion-dollar fraud scheme accurred.

Tim Walz was governor of Minnesota when the multimillion-dollar fraud scheme accurred. Photograph: Jim Vondruska/Getty Images

A Republican-led US House committee sent a subpoena to Minnesotas governor, Tim Walz, seeking documents and communications related to a vast fraud scheme conducted by a non-profit that used pandemic relief funds meant for feeding kids.

NBC News first reported the subpoenas, which were sent to Walz; Minnesotas commissioner of education, Willie Jett; the US agriculture secretary, Tom Vilsack; and the agriculture inspector general, Phyllis Fong.

The US House committee on education and the workforce wrote to Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, to say it had been investigating the US Department of Agriculture and the Minnesota department of educations oversight of federal child nutrition programs and Feeding Our Future, the group that is alleged to have stolen more than $250m in pandemic funds.

The subpoena does not seek an in-person appearance from Walz before the committee. It sets an 18 September deadline for turning over documents.

Five of the people involved in the scheme were convicted for their roles earlier this year in a trial that included an attempt to bribe a juror with a bag full of $120,000 in cash left at her home. In total, 70 people have been charged in relation to the scheme.

Walzs increased prominence in national politics has brought fresh scrutiny of his role as Minnesotas top executive and whether the state education department, which is under his purview, should have caught the fraud.

The committees Republican chairwoman, Virginia Foxx, wrote to Walz: You are well aware of the multimillion-dollar fraud that has occurred under your tenure as governor.

A spokesperson for Walz said the Feeding our Future case was an appalling abuse of a federal Covid-era program.

The state department of education worked diligently to stop the fraud and were grateful to the FBI for working with the Department of Education to arrest and charge the individuals involved, the spokesperson said.

Walz has previously defended the department but acknowledged there were improvements to be made in oversight, after a state audit found the departments lacking oversight created opportunities for fraud.

Theres not a single state employee that was implicated in doing anything that was illegal. They simply didnt do as much due diligence as they shouldve, Walz said after the audit report.

Foxx claimed the committee had made voluntary requests to Minnesotas education department for documents but has been unable to obtain substantive responsive materials.

Walzs office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Nvidia employees stock shares put them in the 1%  but they cant enjoy it. How to make your money work for you

Nvidia employees apparently make so much money from their stock options that the company has a Slack channel dedicated to offering up personal finance tips.

Yet many of the chipmakers employees cant simply enjoy their millions. Instead, theyre stuck in the office. Bloomberg recently spoke with 10 former and current employees, who report that a cultural problem is brewing within the chipmaking company as the work hours remain long, stressful and grueling.

Don't miss

Nvidia stock has increased 2,374% since 2019 thanks to the chips it makes being used in AI technology. The 31-year-old companys employees can vest their share options after four years. And Bloomberg reports that with the massive increase in the companys stock, many employees have become overnight millionaires.

The Nvidia employees get worked by their job, rather than letting their job  and their money  work for them. But you dont have to be chained to your desk to build yourself a tidy fortune.

Find a lazy girl job

Although most Nvidia employees told Bloomberg theyre working long hours for a CEO who likes to torture people into greatness, there are rumors that there are some who skate by doing nothing at all. A former employee told the publication that some employees complained about colleagues who were acting like they were semi-retired, just waiting for their stocks to vest.

Though another Nvidia employee told Bloomberg that its fairly hard to get away with resting and vesting, it can happen at the company.

But this semi-retirement path is the one that can make you the most money, according to Gabrielle Judge, a self-proclaimed anti-work girlboss who is popular on TikTok.

Judge advocates for getting a lazy girl job. She explained in a 2022 TikTok that this is usually a remote or hybrid position with a high salary, low expectations and no technical skills required. You can finish your work for the day in less than eight hours. Examples of lazy girls jobs are customer success manager or marketing associate.

In a later video she put out this year, Judge breaks down the math of how a lazy girl job with an $100,000 annual salary earns you more money per hour than a more demanding job (e.g. a 16-hour day) with a $200,000 annual salary.

Story continues

By Judges argument, an employee will bring in $52 per hour whether they work eight hours at a $100,000 a year job or if they work 16 hours at a $200,000 per year job.

Hustle culture makes you broke, Judge tells her followers.

Read more: These 5 magic money moves will boost you up America's net worth ladder in 2024  and you can complete each step within minutes. Here's how

Unshackle yourself from the golden handcuffs

Many Nvidia employees have enough money to retire. But theyre waiting on the next big stock payout until they finally do, Bloomberg reports. The golden handcuffs keep many people at their desks, rather than out enjoying their millions.

You dont have to endure a never-ending hustle in order to retire with a comfortable amount of wealth. You can make your money work for you to get to a point where you dont have to work in order to survive.

A good way to do this is to contribute to your 401(k) on a regular basis. Though teachers dont typically make a million dollars a year, many end their careers with that amount. The median teacher salary in the U.S. is $64,390 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data. But as a Ramsey Solutions study discovered, teachers are often able to retire as millionaires because they consistently invested their money into their 401(k)s.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Attorney John Deaton won a three-way Republican primary to face off against incumbent U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who ran unopposed in Tuesdays Massachusetts primary.

Deaton, a former U.S. Marine and cryptocurrency attorney who was born in Detroit, announced earlier this year that he would vie for the chance to challenge Warren as she runs for her third term in office. He defeated fellow Republicans industrial engineer Bob Antonellis and Quincy City Council President Ian Cain.

Deaton will face off against Warren in November.

Warren said in an email that shes accepted two October debates, one in Boston and one in Springfield.

A small handful of crypto billionaires and corporate special interests poured more than $2 million into a super PAC to handpick their preferred Republican candidate, and now Massachusetts voters have a clear choice that could determine control of the Senate, Janice Rottenberg, Warren campaign manager, said in a statement.

Relatively unknown in Massachusetts politics, Deaton faces a steep climb against Warren, a former Harvard law professor who has twice won a Senate seat but came in third in Massachusetts in her 2020 bid for president. She remains popular in the heavily Democratic state.

Warren faced a competitive race in her first U.S. Senate bid in 2012, when she toppled Republican incumbent Scott Brown. She received more than 60% of the vote in 2018. Biden carried the state with 66% of the vote in the 2020 presidential race.

In eastern Massachusetts 8th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch faces no primary challenge in his race for a 12th full term. Vying for the Republican nomination are videographer Rob Burke, health care worker and retired Verizon employee Jim Govatsos and bar owner Daniel Kelly.

Burke challenged Lynch in the 2022 general election, receiving 30% of the vote, compared to 70% for Lynch. Biden won this Boston-area district in 2020 with 67% of the vote. Lynch had about $1.1 million in the bank as of the end of June. None of his Republican challengers have reported raising any money.

Democrats have a lock on the Bay States congressional delegation, with both U.S. Senate seats and all nine U.S. House seats firmly in their column. They also hold lopsided supermajorities in both chambers of the state legislature, where all seats are up for election in November. Nonetheless, Republicans hope they can build on their toehold in the state Senate, where they flipped a vacant Democratic seat in 2023.

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As the presidential election gets closer and polls show former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in a tight race, conservative pundits are testing out a new line of attack on Harris.

At a White House press briefing on Tuesday, Fox News Peter Doocy asked press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre why Harris has what sounds like a Southern accent.

Jean-Pierre quickly shot down Doocys question and moved on, but conservative pundits are still treating Doocys premise  that Harris, who was born in Northern California, is using a fake accent  as a national incident.

HARRIS SLAMMED FOR FAKE ACCENT IN DETROIT SPEECH, Fox Business blasted in a chyron.

Kamala Harris rallies across the country repeating same speech in different accents, read one Fox News headline.

Kamala was raised by an Indian mother in Canada, but now she sounds like Fani Willis, Fox News Jesse Watters said on Tuesday night, referring to the district attorney of Fulton County, Georgia, who is a Black woman.

What Harris is doing on the campaign trail is called code-switching: the practice of changing your tone and syntax depending on your audience. Its not a new phenomenon and is not just for politicians. Black people and other marginalized groups often code-switch in order to connect culturally with their own communities.

But conservatives are instead accusing Harris, who identifies as both Black and Indian, of faking an accent as another way to question her identity. Theyre trying to portray her as a fraudster who is only pretending to be Black.

Its the same strategy that Trump deployed in a widely panned interview at the National Association of Black Journalists convention last month. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black, he said. So, I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black?

His running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), who has mixed-race children, defended Trump and claimed he was just trying to say that Harris is a chameleon.

But conservatives who are trying to use Harris ability to code-switch as a line of attack are feigning ignorance. Its something presidential hopefuls of various backgrounds and political ideologies have deployed during their campaigns. For example, former President George W. Bush used cowboy rhetoric to endear himself to Republican voters during his time in office, and in 2016, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) spoke in Spanish and touted his use of Spanglish at a meet-and-greet in the Bronx, New York.

The dustup is also reminiscent of how conservative media treated the first Black president.

In 2007, as a senator from Illinois, Barack Obama delivered a speech, largely using Black dialect, to a mostly Black audience in Hampton, Virginia. In the speech, he talked about the federal response to Hurricane Katrina and racism. When Obama ran for president the following year, the media covered the speech  but it was during his reelection campaign in 2012 that conservative pundits made a big deal of it.

The Daily Caller ran a video of the full speech, saying it revealed new, inflammatory comments.

Tucker Carlson, then working at the Daily Caller, took credit for breaking the story.

This accent is absurd. This is not the way Obama talks, Carlson told Sean Hannity on a Fox News appearance. At least, it is not the way he has talked in the dozens, the scores of speeches I have watched him give, or public appearances as Ive seen him make. This is a put-on. This is phony.

Related...
(Bloomberg) -- Ukraines foreign minister became the latest cabinet minister to resign as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pushed ahead with the most sweeping government shakeup in the 2 1/2-year war with Russia.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Dmytro Kuleba, the public face of Zelenskiys diplomatic effort to forge a path to NATO and the European Union, became the sixth cabinet member to submit his resignation in the last two days. Hell likely be replaced by his deputy, Andrii Sybiha, according to a person familiar with the overhaul who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The shakeup leaves Western allies guessing after they were caught off guard by last months incursion into Russias Kursk region. With Zelenskiys firing of his top general and the removal of a minister who worked closely with the US earlier this year, Kyiv has a track record of raising questions over the rationale of abrupt personnel changes.

And while several top officials will get new posts, the presidents reshuffle caps a week of turmoil as Russia steps up missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and its forces quicken their advance in the eastern Donetsk region.

International Monetary Fund monitors are meanwhile poised to raise pressure to devalue the currency among measures to shore up Kyivs financing, Bloomberg reported. IMF staff began meetings in Kyiv Wednesday.

Looming above all is the approaching cold season  the third full winter since the war began  as the nations energy infrastructure has been decimated by attacks. Ukrainians have already grappled with rolling blackouts during the summer months.

Autumn is going to be very important, and our government institutions have to be tuned to help Ukraine achieve its results, Zelenskiy said in a daily video address late Tuesday. We have to strengthen certain areas in the cabinet, and staff decisions have already been prepared.

Different Emphasis

Kuleba, Ukraines youngest-ever foreign minister at 43, has been a visible interlocutor with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other NATO foreign ministers. He will now focus on strengthening Ukraines relations with NATO as it seeks accession, according to a person familiar with the reshuffle, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

And while Kuleba has been the foreign policy chief, some of Zelenskiys main diplomatic projects  such as security guarantees, the so-called peace blueprint and engagement with the Global South  went to top presidential advisor Andriy Yermak. Incoming minister Sybiha had also worked as Yermaks deputy since 2021.

Volodymyr Fesenko, the head of the Penta research institute in Kyiv, said the overhaul had been signaled for months  and attributed the changes to the presidents emotional fatigue over the functioning of the cabinet and a desire to give new impetus to the government.

Kulebas departure follows the resignations of Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna  who is likely to receive a broader mandate  as well as the ministers of justice, environment, reintegration of occupied territories and the minister overseeing strategic industries. The Ukrainian parliament will vote to approve the resignations during its next session, the assembly speaker, Ruslan Stefanchuk, said in a post on Facebook.

The president said he expected a somewhat different emphasis in some areas of domestic and foreign policy, without elaborating. He said there would also be changes in the presidential office.

As Ukrainian officials focused on rebooting the government, there was no respite from Russias attacks. An early morning aerial strike in the western city of Lviv  far from the front line  killed at least five people. Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said at least 35 were injured and some 50 residential buildings in Lvivs historic center were damaged.

The strike came a day after more than 50 people were killed in the central city of Poltava, some 300 kilometers (186 miles) southeast of Kyiv, in one of the most brutal attacks in the war.

Zelenskiys shakeup reached other parts of the administration. The head of the state-owned Ukrenergo power grid, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, was dismissed over accusations of overseeing frequent blackouts and failing to provide sufficient protection to energy infrastructure. That prompted the resignation of two supervisory board members, who called the move politically motivated.

The head of the state property fund and the deputy head of the presidential office who oversaw economic issues also resigned.

--With assistance from Daryna Krasnolutska and Volodymyr Verbianyi.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Restaurant Week, an event hosted by Downtown Partners Sioux City that offers residents discounted items from participating restaurants, returned Tuesday.

Delicious specials are available for $10 or less at 17 locations through the end of the week. The event features a variety of options and will go from Sep. 3 to Sep. 7 in downtown Sioux City.

Iowa Memorial Wall exhibit to be on display in MidAmerica Museum of Aviation and Transportation

Downtown Partners will also be offering a free lunch giveaway for anyone who participates in Restaurant Week. In order to win you must attend to one of the 17 locations, grab something to eat and post it on social media with the tag #SCRWLunch24, and be sure to tag Downtown Partners.

Its areally fun way to get people out into the community Tracie Tuttle with Downtown Partners said, so they can not only try something brand new [but also] really dig into and enjoy their favorites for lunch.

Participating restaurants include:

Best Day Ever Nutrition

Brightside Cafe and Deli

Daily Downtown Nutrition

Fuel American Grill

Jitters (Wednesday through Saturday Only)

Little Chicago Deli

Marto Brewing Co.

Melting Cow (Wednesday through Saturday only)

Petes Thai on Fifth

Rebos

Reds Savoy Pizza

Sweetwater Cafe

Table 32

Tacos El Guero

The Shack (Saturday only)

Trattoria Fresco

Woodburys American Steakhouse



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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
Results are in for the Massachusetts state primary

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Massachusetts voters cast their ballots in the state primary election on Tuesday.

The importance of casting your ballot in the Massachusetts State Primary

Voters headed to the polls all across the Commonwealth and the results are in. Republican and Pro-Cryptocurrency Attorney, John Deaton, secured the GOP Senate seat with 64.62% of votes, and he will challenge Senator Elizabeth Warren, who has held her position since 2013, in the November general election.

Political Consultant Evan Garber told 22News what may be key to Deatons race.

Now, the campaign starts for him. Now until November, hes really gotta mobilize, try, if he could take out Senator Warren, who has a massive campaign war chest, and is fairly well-liked in Massachusetts, said Garber.

Incumbent Senator Adam Gomez took the Massachusetts Senate seat for the Hampden District in the Democratic party, securing 70.59% of the votes over Malo Brown.

For the State House of Representatives, in what ended up being the closest race, the 11th Hampden District seat, incumbent state Representative Bud Williams came out victorious over Johnnie McKnight, garnering 53.70% of votes, while McKnight was not far behind with 46.30%.

No Republican candidate is running against.

For Massachusetts House third Berkshire district. This seat has long been held by Lenox State Representative Smitty Pignatelli, who did not run for re-election. Wednesday morning, Great Barrington Select Board Vice Chair Leigh Davis beat out Patrick White and Jamie Minacci for the State House. Davis will now face independent candidate Marybeth Mitts in the general election.

Ahead of the November general election, make sure you have a plan to vote, whether its by mail or in person at the polls.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
RFK Jr., Who Endorsed Trump, Not Allowed to Remove Name From Michigan Ballot

After Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s campaign dumped millions of dollars to secure ballot access as a third-party candidate  and following the independent candidates recent campaign suspension and endorsement of Donald Trump  he swiftly attempted to remove his name from the ballot in key swing states.

However, try as he might to avoid swaying the election against his new Republican ally, a Michigan judge ruled Tuesday that RFK Jr.s name will remain on the states November presidential ballot, the Associated Press reports.

Kennedy filed the lawsuit last week against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, arguing that he still had time to withdraw his name. A few months prior, in April, the Natural Law Party had nominated Kennedy for the Michigans presidential ballot.

In a post shared to X, Benson wrote that nominated candidates who accept a minor partys nomination shall not be permitted to withdraw.

The sentiment was echoed in Michigan Court of Claims Judge Christopher P. Yates opinion and order agreeing with the secretary of states previous rejection of Kennedys request to withdraw. Elections are not just games, and the Secretary of State (SOS) is not obligated to honor the whims of candidates for public office, Yates wrote.

Kennedy argued in the lawsuit that his notice of withdrawal was timely and the electorates votes could be diminished and rendered invalid if he remains on the ballot. He filed a similar lawsuit in North Carolina on Friday, where he is trying to withdraw his name from the ballot.

On Friday, Kennedy announced that in about 10 battleground states where my presence would be a spoiler, Im going to remove my name. He urged voters not to vote for him and to instead back Trump in those states. However, in the 40 other states, Kennedy encouraged his supporters to vote for him  and even suggested he could still win the whole thing.

So far, hes managed to remove his name from the ballot in the key states of Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, Ohio, and Texas.

Prior to Kennedy suspending his campaign, Trump in August said that he would certainly be open to the independent candidate playing a role in his administration if he dropped out of the race and endorsed him. Trumps remarks arrived about a month after The Washington Post reported that Kennedy discussed the potential drop out-endorsement in exchange for a position in the former presidents administration should Trump win the election in November.

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., shown here announcing in Phoenix, Arizona, August 23 that he was suspending his race for president and endorsing Republican Donald Trump, is suing the Wisconsin Elections Commission to have his name taken off the presidential ballot in Wisconsin. (Rebecca Noble | Getty Images)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sued the Wisconsin Elections Commission in the hopes of forcing his name off of presidential ballots in the state in November.

The WEC voted last week to keep Kennedy on the ballot after he had filed the paperwork to be included but dropped out of the race and endorsed former President Donald Trump. The commission decided that state law requires a candidate to be on the ballot if they qualify unless they have died.

The lawsuit comes after municipal clerks across the state have already begun printing ballots with his name on them because absentee ballots begin to be sent to voters in two weeks.

Kennedys lawsuit, filed Tuesday, argues that the WEC forcing him to remain on the ballot violates his constitutional rights to free speech and association.

Despite seeking withdrawal 10 days ago, and despite having his lawyers ensure there was no mistake about it, the Wisconsin Election Commission has kept him on the ballot, a brief filed by Kennedys attorneys states. In First Amendment parlance: it has compelled him to not just speak, but to associate with a cause he doesnt want to be part of. In doing so, Kennedys rights have been violated.

The brief also raises legal questions about Wisconsins state laws, which give independent presidential candidates different deadlines than candidates from the two major parties. State statute requires the Democratic and Republican parties to certify their candidates by the first Tuesday in September. Independent candidates must file paperwork by the first Tuesday in August.

Politics is an ugly business, the brief states. While political maneuvering and gamesmanship will always be present and to a certain extent tolerated, the Supreme Court has been clear that it goes too far when there is a different playbook for the major parties than for the independent or third-party candidates. Third parties cant be treated differently and they cant be discriminated against. Yet thats what happened here.

Kennedy is represented in the lawsuit by a firm that touts its expertise in vaccine injury cases. The brief also claims that Kennedy, like President Joe Biden, served for decades in Congress. Kennedys uncle, Ted, was in the Senate for nearly 50 years, but he has never been elected to office.

The lawsuit seeking to force Kennedy off the ballot is another episode in the wrangling by the two major parties over the independent candidates on the ballot this fall.

Polling shows Kennedy largely pulls support from Trump. An effort by the Democratic party to force Green Party candidate Jill Stein off the ballot recently failed. Polls show that Stein and another left-wing candidate, Cornel West, largely draw support from the Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Richard Hammond confirms future of The Grand Tour after all three hosts step away

Richard Hammond has spoken about the future of The Grand Tour after ending his TV partnership with Jeremy Clarkson and James May.

The former Top Gear trio began presenting the show in 2016 and have worked on the show for five seasons and 46 episodes in total.

Fans of the series may have feared that the show would be leaving their screens for good when the final episode debuts on 13 September but Hammond has now quashed those concerns.

Speaking to Metro.co.uk, the presenter has revealed the show will be carrying on.

He said: The Grand Tour continues. Were stepping away as the hosts, but Prime will be continuing it.

Hamond then jokingly added: So I cant wait to sit on my own chair and watch somebody else do it. Thats amazing.

The TV star admitted that he didnt know who the new presenters would be but did share some advice with his successors. If youre making any show that at its heart has a subject, whether its cooking, dancing or cars, the hosts, the primary makers of it, have to have that passion in their heart. And we always did, said the 54-year-old.

Clarkson, Hammond and Mays 22-year journey of working together, across both Top Gear and The Grand Tour, comes to an end later this month with an episode called One For The Road which was filmed in Zimbabwe and Botswana. The episode will reportedly end on Kubu Island, which the gang visited as part of a Top Gear special in 2007.

Clarkson, Hammond and May final ever episode together will debut on 13 September (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, 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.
(Bloomberg) -- Nvidia Corp. has joined a $100 million-plus funding round for Tokyo startup Sakana AI, one of the larger investments the US chipmaker has made so far in Japans fledgling artificial intelligence arena.

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Sakana, founded in 2023 by a pair of former Google engineers, secured the Series A or early-stage financing led by New Enterprise Associates, Khosla Ventures and Lux Capital. The startup said it will team up with Nvidia on research, data center access and AI community-building locally.

Sakana  which means fish in Japanese  sets out to train low-cost generative AI models using small datasets. Its team unveiled several AI models for Japanese speakers this year, demonstrating how quickly domestic companies can ramp up their capabilities in the sphere.

Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang said he was drawn in particular to Sakanas endeavors in Japan to popularize AI. His company, which makes the accelerator chips that drive the global development of generative AI, has since 2023 stepped up its pace of startup investment.

Countries are embracing sovereign AI to capture and codify their data, culture and language through their own unique large language models, Huang said in a statement. The team at Sakana AI is helping spur the democratization of AI in Japan.

The Asian nation is beginning to draw global attention as an AI market. Microsoft Corp. is investing $2.9 billion over two years to build out the countrys data centers and cloud computing infrastructure, while OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman just opened a Tokyo office. Microsoft is also partnering with SoftBank Corp. on generative AI, while OpenAI is working with Rakuten Group Inc.

Previously valued at around $200 million, Sakanas approach contrasts with those of industry leader OpenAI and others spending billions of dollars training AI on huge datasets. Sakana says its algorithms can help automate the creation of AI models that process language or images by mimicking natural selection when they combine, test and discard data, reducing the amount of human input required.

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FILE - Migrants aboard a Cyprus marine police patrol boat as they're brought to a harbor after being rescued from their own vessel off the Mediterranean island nation's southeastern coast of Protaras, Cyprus, on Jan. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias, File)

BEIRUT (AP)  European aid sent to Lebanon in an attempt to regulate migration by sea is funding practices that violate human rights, according to a global watchdog report published Wednesday.

As part of a policy to contain migration, authorities in Cyprus have physically pushed Syrian refugees back to Lebanon, and Lebanese security agencies have deported them, the Human Rights Watch report said.

The report, based on interviews with 16 Syrians who tried to leave Lebanon via smuggler boats, found that 15 of them suffered human rights violations at the hands of Lebanese and/or Cypriot authorities.

Rights groups have frequently criticized the tactics of authorities in both Lebanon and Cyprus in dealing with would-be migrants and asylum seekers. Officials from the two countries deny violating any laws but say they are overwhelmed by the migration they are facing.

Lebanon, which has been in the throes of a severe financial crisis since 2019, hosts around 775,000 registered Syrian refugees and hundreds of thousands more unregistered, the worlds highest refugee population per capita.

Lebanese political officials have pushed for western countries to resettle the refugees or assist in returning them to Syria  voluntarily or not. At the same time, Lebanon has an agreement with Cyprus to halt the smuggling of migrants and has received substantial funding from the European Union and European countries for border control.

In some cases, Syrian refugees who were caught by the Lebanese army attempting to leave to Cyprus by sea have been driven to the Lebanon-Syria border and dumped on the Syrian side, Human Rights Watch said. Allegedly, some of them were then detained by the Syrian army, while others were extorted by smugglers for passage back to Lebanon.

Cyprus, meanwhile, suspended processing of Syrian asylum applications in April. Human Rights Watch accused Cypriot authorities of forcibly turning back boats carrying asylum seekers coming from Lebanon.

In some cases, Cypriot authorities forcibly prevented asylum seekers from landing, and in other cases they made it to shore but were not given the opportunity to claim asylum and instead were detained and then returned to Lebanon, where some were then deported to Syria, the report said.

Both Lebanese and Cypriot authorities used excessive force at the time of arrest and during detention, Human Rights Watch said.

The European Union and European countries gave Lebanon some 16.7 million euros ($18.5 million) from 2020 to 2023 for border management mainly in the form of capacity-building projects explicitly aimed at enhancing Lebanons ability to prevent irregular migration, the report said. In August, the European Union allocated another 32 million euros ($35.3 million) to continue implementing border management enhancement projects in Lebanon through 2025, it said.

Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection in a statement denied carrying out so-called pushbacks. It noted that Cyprus is a small frontline country that has received massive migrant flows over the last few years.

The states capacity to host additional migrants is overstretched, the statement said. Therefore, we aim to strike a balance between our legal obligations and the realities on the ground.

Lebanons General Security agency told Human Rights Watch that between Jan. 1, 2022, and Aug. 1, 2024, it recorded 1,388 people, including 821 Syrians, on 15 departing boats, who were caught attempting to leave Lebanon. General Security maintained that every deportation of which it had knowledge and on which it coordinated, was subject to international human rights law standards.

Acting Director-General Beate Gminder of the European Commissions Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs said in a response to the reports findings that the commission takes allegations of wrongdoings very seriously, but that it is the responsibility of national authorities to investigate any allegations of violations of fundamental rights and to prosecute wrongdoing.

___

Associated Press writer Menelaos Hadjicostis in Nicosia, Cyprus, contributed to this report.
Samuel Cotthoff has always tried to be as independent as possible. He filled out his college applications himself, and his scholarship forms, too.

But in October of his first year at Centre College, he was alone in his dorm room, struggling with what he later realized were undiagnosed body image issues he had never fully confronted. Cotthoff completed a screening on Centres counseling website, and he learned he likely had an eating disorder.

He called a friend who was a resident assistant and asked for the number for the crisis line for Centres counseling services.

I needed someone else in that moment, and it probably should be a professional, he said. I was really scared because I was admitting to myself that I had a problem, and (it was) something I needed to talk with someone else about. It wasnt something I could fix myself.

Counselors helped Cotthoff calm down and make it through the moment. Then, the next morning, they sent him an email to follow up and schedule an appointment with a counselor.

Cotthoff was  and is  thankful for the help.

Since it is a free resource for students, I think its pretty invaluable, he said. Especially, in my case, the crisis moments, but I know a lot of people who went for multiple years, built really close relationships with their therapists and felt they could really talk to someone about anything.

Nationally, instances of depression, anxiety and suicidality have steadily increased among college students over the past decade. The percentage of students reporting depression and anxiety has doubled since 2013, according to the Healthy Minds Survey, which examines the mental health and well-being of college students across the country.

And though more students are seeking help, the number of students reporting mental health concerns continues to grow, said Sarah Lipson, an associate professor in the Department of Health Law Policy and Management at Boston University and a principal investigator of the Healthy Minds Network.

Those increases have far outpaced things that we see in help-seeking. There are even greater unmet needs now than there were 10 years ago, and even more students are seeking help, she said.

The good news, Lipson said, is that colleges and students alike better understand how to identify and treat mental health needs. And the stigma around seeking help continues to recede.

Levels of stigma are low and going down, and levels of knowledge are quite high, she said.

So the majority of students say, I know what resources are available, I have a sense of the signs and symptoms to look out for, I think treatment is effective, and I dont think less of someone whos received mental health treatment.

The same is true in Kentucky. The Herald-Leader contacted 16 colleges and universities across the state to discuss what resources are offered to students, and campus leaders largely agreed that needs were increasing.

But so, too, are the resources available. And those college administrators insist the job is not yet done.

The four Herald-Leader Interns took on Kings Island last weekend to figure out what to ride, where to eat and what to see.

I think we still have this weird way of separating mental health from other aspects of our life, and so oftentimes students dont make this connection between a negative experience  maybe I was discriminated against, or I had some trauma  and now I cant concentrate in class, said Tina Bryant, acting executive director at the University of Kentuckys counseling center.

Sometimes thats what were doing in therapy, is helping connect the dots and helping people understand how all the aspects of their life are connected.

Integrating mindfulness and well-being at Centre

During the 2013-14 school year, 16% of students at Centre College used counseling services offered by the university, according to school data. A decade later, that number has jumped to 25%.

Ann Goodwin, associate dean for student well-being and director of Centre Counseling, attributed the increase, in part, to the availability of resources.

In 2015, Centre had three full-time counselors, including the director. Today, the counseling center has four full-time therapists, plus a director, with each counselor seeing 25 to 27 appointments per week.

A big push for student resources came in 2022, when Centre was awarded the Garrett Lee Smith Suicide Prevention Grant and a nationwide program through the JED Foundation to help schools improve their mental health support launched the Office of Health Promotion.

Ahead Centre Colleges spring semester finals week, guest Cassandra Lam led a Collective Rest session for students, faculty and staff in May 2024.

JED Campuses work with the JED foundation to take a comprehensive look at their mental health support for students and build on existing systems to meet a higher level of care for mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention.

(JED) is the national expert on suicide prevention on college campuses and they came in and worked with us to develop a plan with our college about how to do things better, Goodwin said. Always were trying to decrease barriers to accessing services.

The department looks to take a student-centered approach to support holistic well-being on campus, focusing on alcohol and drug prevention, suicide prevention, sexual assault and interpersonal violence prevention and holistic well-being.

The goal is to ensure that Centre students make physical, emotional, social and spiritual health a priority during their time in school, including offering courses that focus on well-being.

One of our goals is to integrate wellness across the campus everywhere, Goodwin said.

In addition to offering classes like Mindful Living, Centre professors are encouraged to include well-being into their curriculum each semester, no matter the subject. Aaron Godlaski, associate professor of psychology and behavioral neuroscience, teaches the mindful living course.

Centre students taking of a free outdoor yoga session hosted by the Office of Health Promotion shortly after classes began during the fall semester in September 2023.

Its a course on meditation (and) I also talk about nature and wellness, he said.

They do a little yoga here and there, they keep a daily journal of their practice. It focuses a lot on trying to get them to slow down a bit, focus more on their immediate experience, become more self-aware, more intentional in the way they approach their day-to-day lives instead of just rushing from class to class like they do.

Godlaski said almost all his classes have some components that try to build motivation for health and well-being.

In my health psychology course, students do a behavior change plan, Godlaski said.

They basically do a single, individual experiment on themselves where they try to incorporate some practice thats going to promote their health and wellness. Some will start meditating every day, some will start a creative project, some will work their way through a self-help book.

A counseling room within Kentucky State Universitys Counseling Center at the Carl M. Hill Student Center, July 3, 2024.

Kentucky State University tackling perceived stigmas

As the only historically Black public university in Kentucky, Director of Student Wellness and Experience Kelly Ruff said Kentucky State Universitys approach to mental health services has to be focused and intentional for its students.

Theres still a great deal of stigma as it relates to Black people getting behavioral healthcare, Ruff said. Were hoping to move away from that. We see some movement away from that. This is a community having more conversations, creating more opportunities, but there is still a barrier when it comes to men, Black men in particular, seeking clinicians (and) seeing it as a weakness.

With three full-time counselors in its department seeing around 80 students a month each, almost a third of Kentucky States student population sought mental health counseling through the university during the 2023-24 school year.

School leaders see that as a success attributable to the departments plan.

Kentucky States most recent graduating class did not have a prom, a graduation or a senior week in high school. School officials say the increase in the number of students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic asking for help to work through the issues that came from that period of their lives.

That traumatized every single student that came in that freshman class, KSU Mental Health Counselor William Mynk said. Their entire world was turned upside down. Im a believer that COVID didnt necessarily cause mental health issues, but it exposed a lot of things that were not at the surface.

Mental health counselor William Mynk within his office in Kentucky State Universitys Counseling Center at the Carl M. Hill Student Center, July 3, 2024.

Cultivating a culture of care is a cornerstone of the counseling departments philosophy, ensuring that students are familiar and comfortable with their staff, even if they never set foot in the door, Ruff said. Engaging with organizations allows for an expectation for at least one program each year to cover behavioral health, substance use and interpersonal violence.

Were present in our campus community, so they see us, that were visible, but also so they feel comfortable knowing who we are, coming to us when theyre in need, Ruff said.

I eat in the cafeteria to be visible. We dont just hide in our offices. When theres time and space, we move around campus, we engage our student organizations.

Finding a fit at Northern Kentucky University

During the 2023-24 academic year, 3,087 of the nearly 16,000 total students at Northern Kentucky University received counseling services through the schools counseling center, which is made up of 12 staff members available to meet with students for free through both scheduled in-person and telehealth meetings and crisis walk-in appointments.

Staff members at NKUs counseling center include a full-time director, a full-time associate director, six full-time clinicians specializing in disciplines including clinical mental health counseling, clinical psychology and social work and four part-time interns who are graduate students in the NKU clinical mental health counseling and social work programs.

Amy Clark, director of counseling services at the university, said a diverse staff has been intentionally curated to make students more comfortable with receiving counseling. She said students and counselors are often matched based on similarities in demographics and personalities.

We try to match the student with whats going to be the best fit for them, Clark said.

Students are first told about counseling services during new student orientation, in the classroom, with promotions through social media and campus televisions during months such as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Mens Mental Health Awareness Month.

Staffers also chat with students and give out informational items at tables around campus.

Clark said there is a wide array of reasons students seek services including anxiety, depression, the struggle with transitioning into college life, family and relationship issues and trauma. She said most students who seek counseling are in crisis mode.

Students are dealing with pretty significant issues, most of the time, when they come in, Clark said.

And Clark said there has been a steady increase in students seeking counseling services since COVID-19. She said she thinks that is due to a lessened stigma surrounding mental health that both NKU and general society have contributed to through an increase in information and awareness.

I think we have done a good job doing the work to break down the stigma about mental health as well as offer an extension of how important mental health, wellness and taking care of yourself is, Clark said.

Mental health challenges at Berea College

Berea College has a different element to consider when supporting its students: It is one of 10 federally recognized work colleges in the United States, and the only one that provides its students with a paycheck.

Each student works at least 10 hours per week at a campus job in one of the schools 130 departments, and tuition is free.

This past school year, almost 40% of Bereas first-year students were from counties that ranked among the top 25% for most economically distressed in the U.S.

During the 2023-24 school year, Berea College saw 420 students at its counseling center  around 28% of its student body  according to Jodi Whitaker, media relations manager for the school.

We have a counseling services website in addition to going to new student orientations and a variety of first-year classes to talk about services that we offer, Whitaker said via email. Additionally, we train faculty and staff on how to refer students to our office given the sometimes delicate nature of complex mental health situations.

The counseling centers staff of seven includes four counselors, a case manager, a director and an administrative assistant, all of whom work full time. On average, Whitaker said each counselor sees 24 to 26 students each week.

Like other schools, Berea has seen an increase in the number of students seeking mental health services in recent years.

During the 2024 school year, the counseling center provided 2,181 sessions, 46 of which were crisis appointments. Sessions at Berea can range from individual sessions to couples, group and crisis counseling.

The two biggest issues seen in Berea students coming to the counseling center are depression and anxiety, said Brad Stepp, the schools director of counseling. He joined Berea about a year ago after leaving a job at Indiana University.

A lot of students are coming to not only our college campus but campuses across the country with mental health issues, longstanding mental health issues, Stepp said.

In addition to major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, Stepp said, Berea sees a lot of students with trauma and PTSD.

Additionally, Stepp said, the jump from high school to college can be a key factor in college students struggles.

Students who may have struggled with depression or anxiety in their background and maybe they become stable toward the end of their high school careers, anytime they experience a new transition, like moving across the state or across the country and starting college, being on their own for the first time, that can often trigger some mental health concerns, Stepp said.

EKU uses counseling center to address trauma

Eastern Kentucky University, home to nearly 17,000 students, offers two primary programs  a counseling center and psychology clinic  to help students seeking mental health resources.

We do a lot of individual counseling, which is probably what most people think of, said Kevin Stanley, director of the counseling center. We also do group counseling, and we have therapy groups where people are really processing their issues.

EKU also offers support groups, and the counseling center has a relaxation room equipped with a massage chair for students.

The counseling center keeps track of the main concerns presented by students, including several subcategories for anxiety such as: generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, specific phobias, test taking and unspecified anxiety, according to Stanley.

Our top five (concerns) would be generalized anxiety, depression, stress, social anxiety and trauma, Stanley said.

Some students, Stanley said, have dealt with an issue for a while. They have kept it together until they can get out of mom and dads house, then come to us and say, My family doesnt believe in mental health but Ive been struggling.

Over the past 10 years, EKU has seen a steady increase in the number of clients they see. In the 2012-2013 academic year, they saw 493 students; Last year, that number jumped to 741 students, with 79 seeking services over the summer, too.

In the 2022-2023 academic year, nearly 40% of EKU Counseling Center clients reported finances as a source of stress, and about 35% reported their finances had caused them stress in the past, Stanley said.

There will be 11 full-time counselors in the EKU counseling center starting in August, two of whom will be on an internship to complete their doctorate degree in psychology.

A staff of 11 counselors is the largest that EKU has had, and Stanley said he is hopeful that the large number of counselors aids in the workload of each counselor. There is no waiting list for appointments at EKU, meaning that every student who comes for services is matched with a counselor and is typically seen within two days.

There are three significant times during the fall semester when counselors find their caseloads increase: the beginning of the semester, midterms and finals. Stanley said the spring semester follows a similar pattern.

Mental health has become something that is more okay to talk about. People will be open about having a therapist in a way that you never used to see, Stanley said. Theres more people hurting, and its less looked down upon to get help.

Louisville faces unique challenges

For students attending the University of Louisville, unique challenges from 2020 still linger.

Along with the COVID-19 pandemic, which upended higher education as students knew it, the killing of 26-year-old Breonna Taylor by Louisville police officers and the resulting community fallout brought new challenges for students.

Geetanjali Gulati, the director of the Counseling Center, said Taylors death was felt throughout the city, and made an impact on UofLs student body. Protests broke out in Louisville as the community railed against the police departments handling of a warrant that led to her death and the investigation of her death.

We had rioting downtown and protests and such, and students were involved, Gulati said.

Geetanjali Gulati, Associate Director of Clinical Services for the Counseling Center within University of Louisvilles Student Activities Center, July 1, 2024.

The counseling center offered telehealth appointments to create a safe space for students. Gulati said the center encouraged students to seek individual services, and added a Black male therapist to their staff who ran a group for men.

Last school year, 1,266 students received services from two different locations of the counseling center. The number of students requesting services has been on the rise in recent years with a gradual 1-2 percentage point increase per year.

Gulati said the severity of issues students have brought to the center has also increased, and most students struggle with anxiety stemming from a wide range of issues: financial instability, academics, relationships, family issues and depression.

You would not believe how many students are actually taking care of their families as well.  Theyre taking loans, theyre making stipends, but theyre also supporting families through their own education and any additional work that they do, Gulati said.

This generation, theyre not coming in fancy, free and footloose, theyre not. Theyre coming in burdened, presenting burden to us on multiple levels.

Following the pandemic, Gulati noted that most students social networks dwindled. While most students recovered, recouped and relearned, she said a significant subsection didnt have the ability or means to learn how to renegotiate that developmental state and overcome the deficiencies that they have to suffer.
Facebook posts containing the phrase from the river to the sea did not always glorify Hamas and should be allowed to remain online, the companys oversight board has ruled.

The body  which includes Alan Rusbridger, the former Guardian editor  said the slogan should not be automatically removed by technology giant Metas moderators.

Hate speech campaigners have condemned the slogan  a shortened version of from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free  as anti-Semitic because they claimed it implied the destruction of the state of Israel. From the river to the sea has been adopted by Hamas and is used in the terror groups official charter.

However, the Facebook panel, whose members also include Helle Thorning-Schmidt, the former prime minister of Denmark, said the phrase by itself and regardless of context should not necessarily be understood as harmful, violent or discriminatory.

Pamela San Martin, the boards co-chairman, said: There has been an unacceptable and deeply disturbing rise in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia on and offline. But context is crucial. Simply removing political speech is not a solution. There needs to be room for debate, especially during times of crisis.

The board ruled that three posts which had included the phrase should not be taken down and did not glorify Hamas.

Users had appealed to the oversight board after Meta originally refused to remove the posts. One of the posts condemned the senseless slaughter in Gaza by the Zionist state of Israel.

In its decision, the board said while the phrase can be understood by some as encouraging and legitimising anti-Semitism and the violent elimination of Israel and its people, it is also often used as a political call for solidarity, equal rights and self-determination of the Palestinian people and to end the war in Gaza.

The board added that since the phrase had different meanings in different contexts, a blanket ban would hinder protected political speech in unacceptable ways.

While the majority of the board ruled Meta had acted correctly, a minority of its members argued the technology giant should adopt a default rule presuming the phrase constitutes glorification of Hamas or its massacre of Israelis on Oct 7. The votes of individual members were not disclosed.

Meta included Hamas on a list of dangerous organisations in its moderation rules. It upgraded Hamas to a tier one group in December, barring praise and legitimisation of the terror organisation.

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Watch the Digital Desk segment with Riverside Health in the video player on this page.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY)  In 2024, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be 299,010 new cases of prostate cancer.

1 in 8 men diagnosed will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their life.

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. During the month, Riverside Health is raising awareness and hosting free screenings around Hampton Roads.

Amanda Norman, Nurse Practitioner and Marina Moore, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) from Riverside Urology Specialists joined the Digital Desk to discuss prostate cancer and the importance of screenings. Watch the Digital Desk segment in the video player on this page.

When its detected early the prognosis can really be great, said Norman. Our patients can live normal, happy lives after treatment.

There are several types of tests for early detection.

At age 50, Moore said men are recommended to start having prostate exams. The screening age could be earlier, if the patient had a higher risk.

The digital rectal exam is performed by a physician. It helps to identify changes in size or texture.

There is also the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. The test measures the level of PSA in a blood sample to help detect prostate cancer.

During the month of September, Riverside Health will offer free prostate cancer screenings for the community. Take a look at the flyer, below.

To learn more about prostate cancer screening and early detection, visit riversideonline.com/prostatescreening.

Watch the full Digital Desk segment with Riverside to find out more about prostate cancer.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Ronald McDonald House Charities of Siouxland (RMHC) is continuing to celebrate its 30th anniversary with updates to the family kitchen at the Ronald McDonald House in Sioux City.

The renovation is part of an expansion in outreach services by RMHC after help from an anonymous donor. A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday showed off the renovations that will provide a new and improved kitchen for families.

Restaurant Week: Lunch Edition kicks off in Sioux City

These types of facilities are very important we were the first ones, RMHC executive director Christy Batien said. We were the first ones in the RMHC system worldwide to do a program like this, and since then other places have started up something similar or the same thing as us, so we were kind of a template for this across the world.

The Ronald McDonald Family Kitchen opened in 2006 to make sure families are getting taken care of while their newborn is receiving treatment in the NICU.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
A judge in Michigan ruled Tuesday Robert F. Kennedy Jr. must remain on the ballot in the state, despite his attempts to remove himself as a candidate after he dropped his presidential bid.

Kennedy withdrew from the race last month and endorsed former President Donald Trump after a long effort  backed by a number of lawsuits  to appear on ballots across the nation. He has since waged a tactical battle to remove his name from key swing states, amid concerns his appearance could pull votes from Trump.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said late last month that state law prohibits minor-party candidates from removing themselves from the ballot once theyve been selected as their partys nominee. Kennedy qualified for the Michigan ballot after being nominated by the Natural Law Party.

But Kennedy sued on Friday, saying the states votes could be diminished and rendered invalid if he remained on the ballot.

Michigan Court of Claims Judge Christopher Yates rejected that request.

Elections are not just games, and [Benson] is not obligated to honor the whims of candidates for public office, Yates wrote in his decision.

The Detroit Free Press notes that Kennedy could file an appeal.

Darren Burke wears a "Kennedy 2024" tee shirt during a campaign rally for presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at St. Cecilia Music Center on Saturday, February 10, 2024 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Photo by Joshua Lott/The Washington Post via Getty Images

One of Kennedys attorneys told The Associated Press that keeping Kennedys name on the ballot would upend ballot integrity. And Kennedy himself said on Fox News on Tuesday that he was trying to get off the ballot in any state where he might be a spoiler and cause harm to President Trump.

Kennedy is not attempting to remove himself from ballots everywhere, and is actively trying to remain on the ballot in some jurisdictions, like New York.

Trumps allies have attacked election officials in swing states that have ruled Kennedy must remain on the ballot. Former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani called Benson corrupt in a tweet this week, claiming she had engaged in election interference in an attempt to keep the former president out of the White House.

Benson fired back on X, noting once again that once a candidate from a minor party is nominated, they are not allowed to withdraw.

Hi @RudyGiuliani 



I know you're no longer a licensed attorney because you made several demonstrably false and misleading statements about the 2020 election, so allow me to clarify Michigan law for you.



MCL 168.686a(4): Candidates who are nominated and accept a minor party's https://t.co/b2BHtWx3jT  Jocelyn Benson (@JocelynBenson) September 3, 2024

Related...
FILE - Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks as he endorses Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at the Desert Diamond Arena, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has filed a lawsuit in Wisconsin trying to get his name removed from the battleground state's presidential ballot after the state elections commission voted to keep him on it.

Kennedy suspended his campaign in August and endorsed Republican candidate Donald Trump. Kennedy said he would try to get his name removed from ballots in battleground states, while telling his supporters that they could continue to back him in the majority of states where they are unlikely to sway the outcome.

Kennedy also filed a lawsuit in neighboring Michigan but a judge ruled Tuesday that he must remain on the ballot. A lawsuit filed Friday in North Carolina seeking his removal from the ballot is pending.

Kennedy argued in the Wisconsin lawsuit filed Tuesday in Dane County Circuit Court that third party candidates are discriminated against because state law treats Republicans and Democrats running for president differently.

Republicans and Democrats have until 5 p.m. on the first Tuesday in September before an election to certify their presidential nominee. Independent candidates like Kennedy can only withdraw before the Aug. 6 deadline for submitting nomination papers.

State law does not provide a way for independent presidential candidates to remove themselves from the ballot after they have submitted nomination papers, unless they die. Kennedy filed his papers before the Aug. 6 deadline.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission, citing that law, voted 5-1 last week to approve Kennedys name for the ballot after an attempt by Republican commissioners to remove him failed. That vote allowed county election clerks to begin printing ballots to meet upcoming state deadlines for mailing absentee ballots.

Kennedy is asking that the elections commission be barred from putting his name on the ballot and that the court put the commissions vote on the matter on hold.

A spokesperson for the Wisconsin Elections Commission did not respond to an email seeking comment on the lawsuit.

Kennedy is one of eight presidential candidates on the ballot in Wisconsin.

The presence of independent and third party candidates on the ballot could be a key factor in a state where four of the last six presidential elections have been decided by between 5,700 votes and about 23,000 votes.

In 2016, Green Party nominee Jill Stein got just over 31,000 votes in Wisconsin  more than Trumps winning margin of just under 23,000 votes. Some Democrats have blamed her for helping Trump win the state and the presidency that year.
Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI

Nvidia stock was briefly lower on Wednesday after a report said it received a Justice Department subpoena in an antitrust probe.

The DOJ is investigating Nvidia's dominance in the AI chip market and potential anti-competitive practices.

Nvidia's market value has dropped as much as 16% since its Q2 earnings, amid rising scrutiny over return on AI investment.

Nvidia stock extended its weeklong decline on Wednesday after a report from Bloomberg said the company received a subpoena from the Department of Justice.

Shares of Nvidia were down as much as 3% in Wednesday morning trades, a day after the stock experienced the largest one-day market value wipeout in history when it fell nearly 10% on Tuesday.

The stock has since ping-ponged between slight gains and losses for the day, with the stock lower by 0.17% at 12:01 p.m. in New York.

Since the AI darling reported its second-quarter earnings last week, the stock dropped as much as 16%, erasing $505 billion in market value. Based on current levels, Nvidia's weeklong stock decline has slightly recovered to $437 billion.

The DOJ's antitrust investigation into Nvidia is another concern for investors who worry about just how long the company's dominance of the AI chip sector can last.

Nvidia captured over 90% of the GPU market in 2023, according to estimates from JPMorgan.

The DOJ's subpoena includes "legally binding requests" that require recipients to provide information, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the investigation.

This step from the government is a common precursor to a formal complaint being levied against a company that's under investigation. The DOJ also sent subpoenas to other technology companies as part of the probe.

At issue with antitrust officials is whether Nvidia is making it harder for its customers to switch to competing suppliers, and whether the company punishes customers that don't exclusively use its AI-enabled GPU chips.

According to the report, Nvidia's acquisition of RunAI in April is also under scrutiny. RunAI offers software to manage AI computations, and there are concerns that the tie-up will further strengthen Nvidia's ecosystem and make it more difficult for its customers to switch to a competing product.

The DOJ's probe into Nvidia was initially launched in June.

In its defense, Nvidia said its market dominance of the GPU market is based on the high quality of its products.

"Nvidia wins on merit, as reflected in our benchmark results and value to customers, who can choose whatever solution is best for them," Nvidia said in a statement to Business Insider.

Story continues

Nvidia's closest competitor in the GPU market is AMD, which released its own GPU accelerator chip, the MI300, late last year.

AMD has said it expects to generate more than $4 billion in revenue from its suite of AI chips this year, which pales in comparison to the $100+ billion in revenue Nvidia expects to generate this year from its AI chips.

Nvidia also faces competition from its own customers, as cloud hyperscalers like Microsoft, Amazon, Meta Platforms, and Alphabet are internally developing their own AI chips that are specialized in completing inference computations, a key part of the AI workload.

Read the original article on Business Insider
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A Rochester man has been sentenced to 14-years in prison after he was convicted of Hobbs Act Conspiracy and Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery for four different home invasions targeting drug dealers.

Officials say 28-year-old Raekwon Green, also known as Bundy or Bundles conspired with Robert Forbes Jr. and others to commit four home invasion robberies in Rochester and Greece between February 2020 and April 1, 2020.

According to officials, during some of the home invasions, individuals were restrained, pistol whipped or suffered other injuries while Green and others took controlled substances and money from the homes.

Robert Forbes Jr was also previously convicted and sentenced to serve 19-years in prison.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
The Rock Island-Milan superintendent laid out the districts plan for the future Tuesday at the State of the Schools address at the Quad Cities Botanical Center.

Among the plans are updates for the facilities management plan, a new website and app, as well as how theyll prepare for a curriculum management audit. That will help us better understand what the gaps are in our curriculum and so we can implement new things as needed, said Superintendent Sharon Williams.

In addition to the audit, the district is hoping new faculty can continue to change the schools for the better.

Institutional knowledge is important to a school district. I also believe that new ideas, new innovations are needed for schools districts, so we take it as a transition process, said Williams. We have some very serious learning needs in our school district, and feel like this is an opportunity to strengthen our central office team to be laser-focused on student achievement and improving in those areas.

The district is looking to improve communication with the community, knowing they need their support to execute these plans.

The Rock Island-Milan school district cannot do the work we do with our scholars and staff alone, it takes the community being supportive of our schools, said Williams. So its always important for us to communicate back to our stakeholders how were doing in the school districts. We believe that communication and closing those communication gaps is one of the biggest pieces of feedback we can act upon.

A meeting for the districts facilities management plan will be held September 16th at 6 p.m. in the administration center board room.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Johnson County District Attorneys Office charged a suspect with first-degree murder after police found a man dead in a Roeland Park home in late July.

Court records show Kerry Malone, 55, was charged with first-degree murder on August 23 for the death of David Stark. Malone was arrested on Tuesday, a criminal complaint shows that investigators say the killing happened on July 18.

Discovery of females remains near Jackson County park leads to death investigation

In a report from Roeland Park police, officers responded to a call on July 20 concerning a welfare check near 49th and Briar.

Upon arrival, police found Stark dead inside a home, causing them to launch an investigation. His cause of death has not yet been released.

Officers secured the scene, and the investigation was turned over to the Johnson County Investigative Unit and Medical Examiners Office.

Malone made his first court appearance on Wednesday afternoon and has his next court date set for September 12. Hes being held on a $1 million bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
A Roeland Park man has been arrested and charged with murder in the July death of another Roeland Park man, according to jail records and documents filed in Johnson County court.

Kerry Paul Malone, 55, was charged Aug. 23 with first-degree premeditated murder in the death of David Earl Stark, 65. He was arrested in Johnson County on Tuesday.

The altercation that allegedly led to Starks death happened on July 18, according to Johnson County court documents. According to an obituary posted online, Stark passed away two days later, on July 20.

His death had not been publicly classified as homicide before Tuesday.

The Johnson County Sheriffs Office was unavailable Tuesday evening to comment on Starks death

According to his obituary, Stark was born in Overland Park and raised in multiple states, graduating from high school in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He served in the Air Force before starting a career at Alpine Lithographics, a commercial printer based in Kansas City, Missouri.

Starks family and friends described him as funny and industrious, with a lifelong passion for art and music. He played the guitar in several local bands, according to the obituary.

His gentle sound was a blessing to so many, Starks obituary read.

Stark was preceded in death by wife Brenda and son Brandon.

Malone was previously incarcerated multiple times in Kansas, according to court records. Between 1993 and 2009, he was convicted of charges including aggravated arson, battery, criminal damage, possession with intent to sell drugs and harassment by telephone.

Malone is being held on a $1 million bond. His first court appearance has not been scheduled.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
On Tuesday 3 September, the Romanian Parliament's lower chamber, the Chamber of Deputies, adopted a measure transferring the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system to Ukraine.

Source: Reuters, as reported by European Pravda

Details: After being approved by both houses of the Romanian Parliament, the measure transferring the Patriot system to Ukraine must be signed by President Klaus Iohannis before it takes effect.

Romania chose to transfer its Patriot system to Ukraine in June. The Romanian Ministry of Defence submitted a bill to parliament last week, which was approved by the government earlier on Monday.

According to the draft law passed by parliament, the replacement Patriot system from the United States shall not cost more than Romania originally paid per unit, and the costs will be funded by "non-refundable foreign sources".

Kyiv's NATO allies offered seven air defence systems in total, but Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that some of the promised Patriot systems have not been delivered.

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Rome could start charging an entrance fee to the Trevi Fountain, one of the citys most popular attractions, in the latest effort to thin the crowds and stop the nuisance they cause.

The monument, which was immortalised by a famous scene in the 1960 film La Dolce Vita, attracts millions of tourists a year.

It has led to rampant overcrowding, with tourists gathered on the steps leading down to the fountain basin, tucking into pizzas and ice cream, and instances of visitors jumping into the water.

Rome city council is now looking at ways of managing the crush and is mulling the idea of an entrance fee.

A new form of access needs to be studied, said Alessandro Onorato, the councillor in charge of tourism and big events.

There would be a booking system: entrance would be free for Romans but tourists would have to pay the symbolic sum of one euro, he told Corriere della Sera newspaper.

It is not yet clear how access to the monument would be controlled. In the past, proposals to install a plexiglass barrier around the fountain, or metal chains, were rejected as unsightly and out of keeping with the surrounding piazza.

It is not yet clear how exactly access to the Trevi Fountain would be controlled - The Image Bank RF/Edwin Remsberg

The fountain is thronged with tourists throughout the year. Many come to throw a coin with their right hand over their left shoulder into the water  according to legend, the gesture ensures you will one day return to the Eternal City. The coins are regularly collected and donated to a Catholic charity, Caritas.

The debate over how to protect the Trevi Fountain and other iconic monuments comes as Rome braces for next years Jubilee, a holy year celebrated by the Vatican once every 25 years. It is expected to attract millions of extra visitors.

Even in a normal year, Rome is visited by about 20 million tourists.

Completed in 1762, the Trevi Fountain occupies one side of Palazzo Poli in the historic centre. It features statues of Tritons and a shell chariot driven by the god Oceanus.

Marcello Mastroianni and Anita Ekberg kiss in the 1960 film La Dolce Vita, a scene that immortalised the Trevi fountain - Kobal Collection

It is where Italian film director Federico Fellini set one of the most famous scenes in cinema in La Dolce Vita, with the Swedish actress Anita Ekberg wading into the fountain at night and beckoning Marcello Mastroianni to join her.

Short-term lets also under scrutiny

The city council is also looking at clamping down on the thousands of short-let apartments and bed and breakfasts that have sprung up in the last few years. The number has increased from 17,000 in 2018 to more than 30,000.

The city is awash with stories of landlords kicking out their long-term Italian tenants in order to put their properties on short-term let platforms, such as Airbnb, in the hope of making much more money.

Tourism has bounced back with vigour since the end of the pandemic and the numbers will only grow with next years Jubilee, which consists of special masses and events for the Catholic faithful.

Venice introduced a 5 entrance fee earlier this year to combat its own problems with overtourism.

The tax  the first of its kind in the world  was launched at the end of April and applied to 29 of the busiest days between then and mid-July.

The idea was to deter day-trippers who visit Venice, use the facilities, clog the streets for a few hours and then depart without having contributed much to the city economically.

Visitors who spent at least one night in the city were exempt.

Opponents of the entrance fee said that 5 was too little to deter most tourists from visiting and that it reinforced the impression that Venice is becoming a cultural Disneyland.

It comes as other countries announce measures to address overtourism.

On Tuesday, New Zealand announced that it will nearly triple the entrance tax imposed on foreign visitors, starting in October, to help protect and preserve its national treasures.

The government said that the entrance fee, known as the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), will increase from NZ$35 (16.50) to NZ$100 (47).

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SALISBURY, N.C (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A prominent Rowan County attraction landed nearly a half-million dollars in state money for renovations.

The bathhouse at Dan Nicholas Park will be renovated through a $450,000 Accessible Parks Grant, according to the Rowan County Parks and Recreation Department. This grant, which was the second highest-scoring application in its batch, will significantly enhance the parks accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Gov. Roy Cooper announced $17.9 million in grants to fund 46 parks and recreation projects across North Carolina through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF). The states Parks and Recreation Authority approved these grants at their meeting on Aug. 23.

Grabbing a drink in Salisburys social district just got easier

These awards through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and the Accessible Parks Grant will bring tremendous impact to communities across North Carolina by providing more parks, more trails, and more accessible recreation, Cooper said in a press release.

The renovation of the bathhouse at Dan Nicholas Park will include modernizing the facilities to ensure they are fully accessible and meet the needs of all visitors. This project is part of Rowan Countys ongoing commitment to providing inclusive and accessible recreational opportunities for all residents and visitors.

We are incredibly grateful to receive this $450,000 Accessible Parks Grant for the renovation of the bathhouse at Dan Nicholas Park, said Rowan County Parks and Recreation Director Don Bringle. By modernizing our facilities, we are taking a significant step towards ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can fully enjoy the beauty and recreational opportunities our park has to offer. This project underscores our commitment to accessibility and community well-being.

Dan Nicholas Park, on Bringle Ferry Road east of Salisbury, is home to a campground, lake, carousel, train, gem mine, aquarium and nature center, animal habitats and more.

Sheriff: Cherry bomb fireworks placed in mailboxes, closing Rowan County highway for hours

The bathhouse renovation is expected to be completed by the end of next year, providing a more inclusive and enjoyable experience for all park visitors.

The Accessible Parks Grant program, which appropriated $12.5 million in the 2023 budget, aims to provide matching grants for local parks and recreation projects that benefit people living with disabilities.

Last year, facilities in China Grove and Spencer received more than $800,000 in the PARTF grants.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Russian forces bombarded Ukraine with air- and ground-launched missiles and Shahed-type attack UAVs on the night of 3-4 September. Ukrainian air defence managed to shoot down 29 air targets.

Source: Ukraines Air Force on Telegram

Quote: "In total, air surveillance troops from the Air Force detected and monitored 42 air targets: two Kh-47 M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles (launched by MiG-31K aircraft from Russias Tula Oblast); two Kh-22 cruise missiles (launched by Tu-22M3 aircraft from the airspace over the Black Sea); six Kh-101 cruise missiles (launched by Tu-95MS aircraft from Russias Volgograd Oblast); three Iskander-K cruise missiles (launched from temporarily occupied Crimea); and 29 Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs (launched from Russias Kursk Oblast)."

Details: It is reported that aircraft, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units and mobile firing groups of the Air Force and the Ukrainian defence forces were repelling the Russian air attack.

As a result of combat efforts, 29 air targets were shot down:

Four Kh-101 cruise missiles;

Three Iskander-K cruise missiles;

22 Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs.

Six attack drones were lost on radar, as they were presumably jammed by electronic warfare, and one flew to Belarus.

Air defence responded to the attack in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Volyn, Ternopil, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Poltava and Sumy oblasts.

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Russia executed three Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) near Toretsk in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office said on Sept. 3.

The Prosecutor General's Office said it is launching an investigation into the incident.

Earlier, a video circulated on Telegram that showed three Ukrainian soldiers coming out of a basement with their hands up. The Ukrainians were then apprehended by Russian soldiers, placed face down on the ground and summarily shot.

As of March 2024, Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office collected pretrial information on over 128,000 victims of war crimes. The prosecutors said at the they are investigating cases of at least 54 Ukrainian POWs being executed by Russia. More cases have likely appeared since then.

In a similar circumstance as the more recent alleged Russian war crimes, a widely circulated video taken in May showed four Ukrainian soldiers being executed face down on the ground after surrendering.

Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin said in June that Russian commanders had given orders "not to capture Ukrainian servicemen, but instead to kill them with inhuman cruelty." He made the statement after footage was revealed that showed a Ukrainian soldier beheaded by Russian troops.

"This is terrible barbarism that has no place in the 21st century," Kostin said at the time.

Read also: Russian troops beheaded Ukrainian soldier in Donetsk Oblast, Kyiv claims

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KYIV (Reuters) - Russian airstrikes hit energy facilities and critical infrastructure in nine Ukrainian regions over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian officials said on Wednesday.

Energy facilities in the western region of Lviv, Sumy and Kharkiv in the northeast, Donetsk in the east, east-central Dnipropetrovsk, and Mykolaiv in the south were attacked, the energy ministry said on Telegram.

The ministry did not provide additional details on the scale of recent damage to the energy grid, which has been battered by Russian airstrikes during the war touched off by Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Ukraine's air force said it had shot down seven out of 13 missiles and 22 out of 29 drones across the country during Russia's aerial salvo.

The Ukrainian grid operator Ukrenergo said on Telegram it was increasing emergency cut-offs on Wednesday introduced after a major Russian air strike on the energy sector on Aug. 26. It cited decreased generating capacity.

The air force command added that critical infrastructure was also targeted by Russian missiles in the western regions of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil and Volyn, far from the main battlefronts in the east and south of Ukraine.

Overnight, Russian drones and missiles also killed seven people in Lviv, damaging historic buildings in the heart of the city, local officials said. Lviv is situated close to the border with NATO member Poland.

On Tuesday, Russia struck a military institute in Poltava, killing at least 50 people.

(Reporting by Anastasiia Malenko; editing by Alex Richardson and Mark Heinrich)
SEOUL (Reuters) - A Russian company registered in the far eastern city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur has been cleared to import beer produced in North Korea, Russian media reported, in the latest sign of warming ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.

The shipments come as other North Korean trade restricted by United Nations sanctions for its weapons programmes comes under international scrutiny.

The U.S. and South Korea say North Korea has been supplying artillery and ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine, which both Moscow and Pyongyang deny.

Ties between Pyongyang and Moscow have been blossoming recently. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea for the first time in 24 years in June to hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The North Korean beer will be imported by a company named Vostokbirtrade, which was registered in June, Russia's RBC business daily reported, citing documents.

North Korea has recently ramped up beer production in an effort to earn foreign currency through exports, Daily NK, a Seoul-based website that releases news and information based on sources inside North Korea, reported last month.

The move to allow beer imports comes after Russian authorities recently announced the export of prized horses and the shipment of more than 400 goats to North Korea.

Last month, Russia's Primorsky Interregional Office of Rosselkhoznadzor said it monitored the export of 24 Orlov Trotter sport horses to North Korea at the Khasan railway checkpoint, with all horses microchipped.

The Orlov Trotter is prized for its speed and stamina.

North Korea's Kim is known to be a keen horseman and the last batch of horses were delivered to the country in 2022.

(Reporting by Hyunsu Yim in Seoul and Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Ed Davies and Lincoln Feast.)
Moscow has warned the US not to cross a red line by giving Kyiv missiles that would be among its longest-range yet.

Washington and Kyiv are close to an agreement which would see Ukraine given Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (Jassm), capable of reaching targets deep inside Russia, US officials said.

Jassms have a range of about 230 miles compared with the US-made Atacms missiles that Ukraine currently possesses, which have a range of about 190 miles.

Russia has repeatedly warned that supplies of long range missiles to Ukraine would breach its red lines. Fearing an escalation of the conflict, Ukraines allies have been reluctant to supply and when they have, its with the caveat that they not be fired at Russian targets.

On Wednesday, Russias foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, said he wouldnt be surprised if the US yielded to Ukraines demand for the weapons, adding that Volodymyr Zelensky was egging on the West.

But they should understand - they are joking about our red lines here. They shouldnt joke about our red lines, Mr Lavrov warned.

Mr Zelensky stepped up calls for the West to give Ukraine long-range missile capabilities after Russias attack on Lviv.

Everyone who persuades partners to give Ukraine more long-range capability to respond to terror fairly is working to prevent exactly these kinds of Russian terrorist strikes on Ukrainian cities, the president said after seven people were killed on Wednesday.

03:27 PM BST

Thanks for following todays live blog

Thank you for following todays live coverage of the war in Ukraine.

Well be back soon with more updates and analysis from the conflict.

03:18 PM BST

Watch: aftermath of Lviv strike

Footage showed the aftermath of Russias attack on Lviv, which killed seven people, including three children.

Cars and buildings were on fire as emergency services scrambled to rescue Ukrainians from the rubble.

Dozens more were injured in the attack.

03:10 PM BST

Father loses entire family in hypersonic missile strike on Lviv

A Ukrainian father lost his wife and three young daughters in Russias hypersonic missile attack on Lviv, the citys mayor said on Wednesday.

Andriy Sadovyi shared a picture of Mr Bazylevych and his family, including his 21-year-old daughter Yaryna, who worked on youth projects in the mayors office. The only person in this photo who survived is the man, Mr Sadovyi said.

Yaroslav Bazylevychs wife and three daughters were among seven people who were killed in the attack, which was so close to the Polish border that the country activated its aircraft for the third time in eight days.

Several buildings were destroyed in the devastating strike, which also forced local schools to cancel their lessons for the day, according to Maksym Kozytskyi, the regional governor.

The attack came after at least 51 people were killed in a Russian missile attack on the city of Poltava in central Ukraine on Tuesday.

Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine in what Kremlin-linked military bloggers have described as Moscows response to Kyivs Kursk invasion.

Yaroslav Bazylevych's (centre) wife (left) and three daughters were among seven people who were killed in the attack - X

02:42 PM BST

Germany vows to continue supporting Ukraine

Germany will not restrict its military support for Ukraine, Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday.

The German chancellor has been trying to dispel fears Berlin might disappoint Kyiv amid a domestic budget squeeze and media reports of a freeze on new military aid.

Germanys support for Ukraine will not cease. We have made provisions, struck (defence) deals and secured the funding in good time so that Ukraine can continue to fully rely on us in future, Mr Scholz said.

02:15 PM BST

Zelensky enacts largest shake-up of wartime government

Ukraines top foreign diplomat has resigned in the largest shake-up of Volodymyr Zelenskys wartime government.

Dmytro Kuleba was one of the most recognisable members of the cabinet, but his pleas for air-defence systems and looser restrictions on Western missiles have fallen on deaf ears in recent months.

He was among two deputy prime ministers, three ministers and the head of the countrys state property fund who also offered to vacate their roles, Ruslan Stefanchuk, the speaker of Ukraines parliament, announced.

Mr Zelensky, Ukraines president, said the ministerial overhaul would give new strength to Ukraines institutions.

Autumn will be extremely important for Ukraine. And our state institutions must be set up in such a way that Ukraine will achieve all the results we need  for all of us, he said late on Tuesday.

Read the full story here.

Volodymyr Zelensky said the reshuffle was necessary to give Ukraine 'new energy' ahead of the winter - AFP

01:53 PM BST

Lviv resident details horror of last nights strike

We have been speaking to people on the ground in Lviv after last nights hypersonic missile attack by Russia.

That includes Sasha, 44, a volunteer who is part of a project funded by the World Jewish Relief humanitarian agency to help vulnerable Ukrainians resettle after Russian attacks, the latest of which were described by Paul Anticoni, the agencys chief, as yet another devastating blow to the people of Ukraine.

Having spent years helping others, on Wednesday, Sashas home in Lviv was damaged, an area which had largely been spared from Russian bombardment.

Sasha said she was sitting with her husband in their living room when she heard the dreaded air raid siren sounding off outside of her apartment, causing them to drop to the floor for protection.

Then we heard the sound of weapons that want to kill Ukrainians, she told The Telegraph. It was getting closerand then we heard the sound of glass breaking.

Sasha and her husband heard explosions going off around their district, the impact of which was so strong that their apartment windows and front door were blasted through.

We are okay and we survived, very stressed but we survived. Its horrible to see that so many people died, she said.

Sasha's apartment windows were blasted through during Russia's strike on Lviv - Supplied

01:44 PM BST

Ukraine may be invited to join Nato next year

Ukraine may be invited to join Nato before the next summit in the Netherlands in June 2025, Kyivs outgoing foreign minister has said.

Dmytro Kuleba told CNN: I clearly see an opportunity for that to happen before the next Nato Summit in the Netherlands in 2025.

This does not necessarily mean Ukraine would immediately become a Nato member, but simply start the official process, Mr Kuleba added.

Dmytro Kuleba announced his resignation as foreign minister on Wednesday - AFP

01:30 PM BST

Pictured: Ukrainian who lost entire family in Lviv strike

Earlier we reported that a Ukrainian man lost his entire family in Russias strike on Lviv, as revealed by the citys mayor.

Yaroslav Bazylevych was pictured being comforted by local residents in the aftermath of the strike, which killed his wife and three daughters.

Yaroslav Bazylevych (centre, right) lost his wife and three daughters in Russia's attack on Lviv - REUTERS

01:07 PM BST

Poland seeks to ramp up military production

Poland wants to ramp up its production of 155 mm artillery rounds in the hope of ensuring sufficient supplies if Russia attacked Nato, a senior official has said.

Some Nato officials say the Kremlin might be ready militarily to attack a member in five to eight years time, once it has rebuilt its forces after the war in Ukraine, though Moscow has regularly dismissed these suggestions.

Our ambition ... is to have the ability to fill up Polish warehouses in parallel to achieving a full, independent capacity to produce ammunition in Poland, within five to eight years, Maciej Idzik, board member of the state-owned Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), said.

12:24 PM BST

Five more resignations accepted by Ukrainian parliament

Ukraines major reshuffle continued on Wednesday, with the deputy prime minister among those who handed in their resignations.

These steps are related to strengthening our state in various areas, Volodymyr Zelensky said.

12:00 PM BST

Ukraine needs new energy, says Zelensky amid reshuffle

Ukraine needs new energy, Volodymyr Zelensky said while overseeing a major government reshuffle.

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraines foreign minister, handed his resignation in on Wednesday after a slew of resignations yesterday.

More resignations and appointments are expected over the coming days in what a senior ally of Mr Zelensky described as the start of a government reset ahead of winter.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a joint press conference in Kyiv last month - AFP

11:37 AM BST

Russians are killing our children, our future

Andriy Sadovyi, the mayor of Lviv, has given a further statement on the death of Mr Bazylevychs wife and three daughters, accusing Russia of exterminating entire families.

I dont know what words to support Yaroslavs father. Today we are all with you. Sincere condolences and bright memory, Mr Sadovyi said.

11:19 AM BST

Putin returns to Russia after controversial Mongolia visit

Vladimir Putin is back in Russia after his controversial trip to Mongolia.

The Russian president visited the east Asian country on Monday and Tuesday, defying an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) last year.

Kyiv slammed the trip, arguing that Mongolia had an obligation to arrest Putin.

Putin was pictured on Wednesday on sidelines of an economic forum in Russias Vladivostok.

Vladimir Putin meets with Aleksandar Vulin, the Serbian Deputy Prime Minister, at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok - AFP

Vladimir Putin and Han Zheng, China's Vice President, pose for a photo at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok - Pool Sputnik Kremlin

10:56 AM BST

Putin is Xis puppet - he just doesnt realise it yet

On Monday, en route to Mongolia in open contempt of its International Criminal Court obligation to arrest him as a war criminal, Vladimir Putin told a class of Siberian children that some youngsters in his family have learnt to speak Chinese fluently, writes Matthew Henderson.

He said that growing economic, political, and social contacts between Moscow and Beijing make Chinese a popular foreign language for Russians to learn.

This unusual personal revelation by the Russian dictator tells us about how his regime views its interactions with Chinese authoritarian power.

He sees them as involved in an ever-closer partnership, tied to a political and intelligence nexus, with shared ambitions to collectively overthrow the global geopolitical status quo.

He is right in one sense and wrong in another. Yes, they are in partnership  but only for now. Before long the Chinese dragon seems destined to turn on its current ally. In fact, there is already some evidence it is doing so.

Read the full story here.

Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping during a meeting in Kazakhstan in July - Pool Sputnik Kremlin

10:35 AM BST

Russia confirms strike on military building in Poltava

Moscow has confirmed it struck a military institute in a missile attack on the central Ukrainian city of Poltava on Tuesday.

On September 3, the armed forces of the Russian Federation launched a precision strike on the 179th joint training centre of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the city of Poltava, the Russian defence ministry said.

Ukrainian officials said at least 50 people had been killed and 271 wounded in the attack.

At least 50 Ukrainians were killed in a strike on a building in Poltava on Tuesday

10:19 AM BST

Moscow captures another village near Pokrovsk

Russia said on Tuesday its forces had captured the village of Karlivka near the key east Ukraine hub of Pokrovsk.

Moscow has targeted the military logistics hub for several months as it seeks to take control of the wider Donbas region.

09:48 AM BST

No sign future Russian leader will opt for peace

Vladimir Putins eventual successor is unlikely to be any more receptive to the idea of peace with Ukraine, according to military analysts.

The ISW pointed out that the Kremlin has spent years denying Ukraines existence, which will have had long-term impacts on Russian society and elite opinion.

Putins successor is far more likely to hold such views than to reject them in the absence of significant Russian setbacks, the US-based think tank said.

Vladimir Putin visits a navy base in Vladivostok, Russia on Wednesday - Pool Sputnik Kremlin

09:27 AM BST

Ukraine plans to hold Russian territory indefinitely

Ukraine has vowed to hold the territory its forces have captured in Russias Kursk region indefinitely as Volodymyr Zelensky refused to rule out taking more land.

We dont need their land. We dont want to bring our Ukrainian way of life there, Mr Zelenskyy told NBC News.

But Kyiv will keep control of the land as part of Mr Zelenskyys victory plan, which he says will end the war.

For now, we need [Kursk], he said.

Kyivs invasion in Kursk has slowed in recent weeks after the daring assault was launched on Aug 6.

Clashes were reported in Kursk on Tuesday but Kyivs forces did not take any more territory, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US-based think tank.

Smoke erupts from a Russian building on fire following Ukraine's offensive in Kursk - REUTERS

09:10 AM BST

Moscow warns of extremely painful response if Kyiv given long-range missiles

Moscow will exact an extremely painful response if the West gives Ukraine long-range missile capabilities.

Ukraine and the US are reportedly close to an agreement on long-range missiles, which Kyiv has repeatedly asked for in order to be able to strike targets inside Russia.

08:57 AM BST

Watch: Fire ravages building after Lviv attack

New footage showed a building being ravaged by a fire after Russias brutal attack on Lviv.

Maksym Kozytskyi, the regional governor, said on Wednesday that several residential buildings were left burning after the missile and drone attack.

Click here to view this content.

08:47 AM BST

Trump has exciting plan to stop war in Ukraine

We have more from Donald Trumps interview with Lex Fridman, a Russian-American computer scientist and podcaster who interviewed the former US president on Tuesday.

As president-elect, Ill have a deal made, Trump said about the Ukraine war.

Youve gotta get that done, that could end up in a third world war.

He added: But I cant give you those plans, because if I give you those plans, Im not going to be able to use them, theyll be very unsuccessful. You know, part of its surprise, right? They wont be able to help us much.

Here's my conversation with @realDonaldTrump



It's here on X in full, and is up everywhere else too. Links in comment.



Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction

1:09 - Psychology of winning and losing

3:51 - Politics is a dirty game

5:28 - Business vs politics

8:04 - War in Ukraine

9:53 - pic.twitter.com/64pCfH8JPs  Lex Fridman (@lexfridman) September 3, 2024

08:30 AM BST

Zelensky reveals damage after Lviv attack

Volodymyr Zelensky has posted more pictures which show the extent of the damage caused by Moscows attack on Lviv.

The Ukrainian president denounced the strikes as a terrorist attack by Russia.

A view of burnt roof of destroyed hotel as extinguishing works have been completed after Russia's attack on Lviv - Anadolu

A view of fire posted by the Ukrainian presidency after Russia's attack on Lviv - Anadolu

Volodymyr Zelensky posted this photo after Wednesday's attack - Anadolu

08:07 AM BST

More pictures from Lviv after Russian missile attack

Several residential buildings were damaged in Wednesdays attack, according to Maksym Kozytskyi, the regional governor.

We have been getting more pictures in from the scene of the attack, which reveal the extent of the damage caused by Russias missile strikes.

Lviv has largely been spared the worst of Russias attacks since war broke out in February 2022 but Moscows attacks have stepped up in recent weeks following Ukraines invasion of Kursk on Aug 6.

A damaged car stands at the site of a Russian missile strike on Lviv on Wednesday - Global Images Ukraine

A woman stands in front of a residential building damaged during Russia's attack on Lviv - REUTERS

08:02 AM BST

Trump: Ukraine lies about death toll numbers

Donald Trump has accused Kyiv of lying about the number of people who have died in the war so far, insisting the actual figure is a lot higher than people think.

When you take a look at the destruction and the buildings coming down all over the place in Ukraine, I think those numbers are going to be a lot higher, Trump told Lex Fridmans podcast on Tuesday.

They lie about the numbers, they try to keep them low. They knock down a building thats two blocks long  these are big buildings  and they say that one person was mildly injured, he continued.

No, no, a lot of people were killed. And there are people in those buildings, and they have no chance. Once they start coming down, theres no chance.

Donald Trump speaks as Volodymyr Zelensky looks on during a meeting in New York in 2019 - AFP

07:53 AM BST

Ukraines foreign minister resigns

Moving away from Russias attack on Lviv, Ukraines foreign minister has just resigned, according to the speaker of Ukraines parliament.

Dmytro Kuleba, who recently attended a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, handed his resignation in on Wednesday.

More resignations and appointments are expected over the coming days after five ministers stepped down on Tuesday, in what a senior ally of Volodymyr Zelensky described as the start of a government reset ahead of winter.

Dmytro Kuleba has resigned as foreign minister - REUTERS

07:43 AM BST

Pictured: Aftermath of Lviv attack

Rescuers work at the site of a residential building damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike - REUTERS

A police officer and emergency workers carry an injured person rescued from a residential building damaged during Lviv attack - REUTERS

07:31 AM BST

Zelensky calls for long-range missiles after Lviv attack

Volodymyr Zelensky stepped up calls for the West to give Ukraine long-range missile capabilities after Russias attack on Lviv.

Everyone who persuades partners to give Ukraine more long-range capability to respond to terror fairly is working to prevent exactly these kinds of Russian terrorist strikes on Ukrainian cities, Zelensky said after seven people were killed on Wednesday.

Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated calls for Western nations to give Ukraine long-range missiles - X

07:26 AM BST

Welcome to our live coverage

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage.

Were bringing you the latest updates from Ukraine after Russia pounded the western Ukrainian city of Lviv overnight.

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On 4 September, the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned a representative from the Russian Embassy and expressed its protest over the recent Russian terrorist actions in Ukraine.

Source: Lithuanian Foreign Ministry, as reported by Europea Pravda

Details: The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry noted that it had summoned a representative of the Russian Embassy "in response to the intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian objects, including the attack in Poltava that killed dozens of people."

Quote: "Lithuanias Foreign Ministry noted that rockets and bombs hitting educational institutions, hospitals, and residential areas demonstrate Russias desperation and complete disregard for human life and international humanitarian law," the statement said.

They also reminded Russian diplomats that the responsibility for these war crimes lies not only with their direct executors, but also with those responsible for planning and implementing Russian military aggression against Ukraine.

"Lithuania, together with the international community, once again calls on Russia to immediately stop its criminal brutal aggression and reiterates that it will do everything possible to further strengthen the support to Ukraine," the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry stated.

On 3 September, Russia launched two ballistic missiles towards Poltava. The time interval between the air-raid warning being issued and the strike of the missiles was insufficient for the citizens to move to shelters.

As of 4 September, emergency workers are continuing to clear the rubble after the Russian attack, where 13 people may be still trapped. The latest information indicates that 53 people were killed and 289 were injured.

On the morning of 4 September, Russia carried out a huge strike on Ukraine, which, as the latest reports indicate, killed seven people in Lviv, including three children. On the same morning in Kryvyi Rih, the Russians struck a hotel, injuring five people, one of whom was a 10-year-old child.

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MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian lawmakers denounced as an infringement of freedom of speech U.S. punitive measures against state media group RT as part of what officials in Washington described as a campaign to influence the November presidential election.

The U.S. justice department on Wednesday filed money-laundering charges against two employees of Russian state media network RT for what was described as a scheme to hire a U.S. company to produce online content to influence the election.

Previous U.S. intelligence assessments have found that Moscow tried to meddle in the 2016 and 2020 elections. Russian officials have suggested that the United States has also meddled in its domestic affairs.

The Kremlin and the Russian Foreign Ministry have repeatedly said that Moscow has not meddled in the U.S. election, but is watching it closely.

Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's upper house of parliament, told RIA news agency that the U.S. moves were aimed at preventing alternative views from being made known.

"Russian media in this sense have become increasingly popular and in demand," Kosachev told RIA.

"That is the reason behind the rabid reaction of the U.S. authorities, which is totally at odds with the principles of freedom of speech and defending the rights of journalists."

Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the State Duma lower house's foreign affairs committee, branded the sanctions "a witch-hunt, pressure on freedom of speech and vulgar censorship".

"The agents of the 'empire of lies' are waging war on everyone who tells the truth about the policy of contemporary neo-colonialists," said Slutsky.

There was no immediate Kremlin reaction to the sanctions.

The Kremlin in June dismissed as absurd U.S. intelligence assertions that Russia sought to meddle in the election and has said that U.S. spies were intent on casting Russia as an enemy.

President Vladimir Putin had suggested in the past that, for Russia, Joe Biden would have been preferable to Donald Trump, though he spoke with irony about Biden.

Ahead of the announcement of the sanctions, Russian lawmaker Maria Butina said any suggestion of meddling in the election was nonsense. Moscow, she said, felt that the only winner of the election would be the U.S. military-industrial complex.

"The U.S. claims were and are pure rubbish and a witch hunt," Butina, who spent 15 months in U.S. prison for acting as an unregistered Russian agent and is now a lawmaker for the ruling United Russia party, told Reuters.

"Russia thinks it does not matter who wins the U.S. elections  the only winner is the U.S. private military-industrial complex. That is what matters  and nothing else," Butina said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview published on Sunday that Russia saw U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris as a more predictable opponent than Trump, but said there was no prospect of an improvement in relations with Washington anyway.

(Reporting by Guy FaulconbridgeEditing by Andrew Osborn, Ron Popeski and Michael Perry)
Russian missile attack on Lviv: 17 people injured, including 5 in critical condition, residential buildings on fire and 2 schools damaged  photos

Aftermath of the Russian attack in Lviv. Photo: Andrii Sadovyi

A fire broke out in a residential building near the main railway station in the city of Lviv and 17 people were injured as a result of a Russian attack on the night of 3-4 September. Two schools were damaged and many windows were shattered in the central part of the city.

Source: Maksym Kozytskyi, Head of Lviv Oblast Military Administration; Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi

Details: Kozytskyi said that all relevant services had arrived at the scene.

    . :    pic.twitter.com/bc4MCJkUOC     (@ukrpravda_news) September 4, 2024

Update: Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi wrote that residential buildings near the main railway station are on fire.

:  

Photo: Igor Zinkevuch

The information about the casualties is being confirmed.

    , :  

Aftermath of the Russian attack in Lviv

Photo: Andrii Sadovyi

At 06:44, Sadovyi reported that six people were injured in the attack on Lviv.

        pic.twitter.com/xdJ8s3Wp1m     (@ukrpravda_news) September 4, 2024

A 10-year-old boy is among the injured. Medics are providing the necessary assistance.

Updated: Mayor Andrii Sadovyi reported at 07:12 that the number of people injured due to the Russian attack had increased to 17.

"Two children, 10 and 15 years old, and 15 adults have been taken to city hospitals. Five patients are in critical condition," the mayor wrote.

He also added that authorities were forced to temporarily close several streets in Lviv to traffic. Specifically, traffic will be restricted on the Sknylivskyi Bridge and Konovalets Street.

"Tram No. 2 will run only to the train station. Buses 52, 92, 21 and 84 are operating on modified routes via Zbyralna Street," Sadovyi concluded.

Background:

On the night of 3-4 September, Ukrainian air defence in Lviv Oblast was targeting Russian drones, and explosions were heard in the city.

Two groups of cruise missiles were flying towards Lviv Oblast.

Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles also struck Lviv.

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Seven people, including 3 children, have been killed and 47 others injured in a Russian missile strike on the city of Lviv on 4 September.

Source: Maksym Kozytskyi, Head of Lviv Oblast Military Administration; Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi; Ihor Zinkevych, member of Lviv City Council; State Emergency Service of Ukraine on Telegram

Quote from Kozytskyi: "A sad day for our oblast. A fifth person has died. A child. The number of injured has risen to 38."

Details: Just a few minutes later, Sadovyi reported that the death toll had increased to seven. Later, the Lviv mayor reported that three of the seven fatalities were children.

Ukraine's Interior Ministry noted that the search and rescue operation continues.

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported that the number of victims had risen to 47 as of 11:23.

Photo: Ihor Zinkevych on telegram. Collage: Ukraiska pravda

Earlier, Sadovyi reported that a woman and a man had died. He said the deceased woman was 50 years old and worked as a midwife at the 5th outpatient clinic in Lviv. Information about the deceased man is still being confirmed.

Kozytskyi added that the third person killed is a 14-year-old girl.

Quote from Kozytskyi: "Five children are among the casualties. As of now, it is known that one 15-year-old child is in a moderate condition, while four others have minor injuries."

Ihor Zinkevych, a member of Lviv City Council, said that "11 people are in a critical condition in Lviv hospitals".

Photo: Ihor Zinkevych on telegram. Collage: Ukraiska pravda

More details: Zinkevych said that over 50 residential buildings had been damaged in the central part of the city. People will be relocated from there.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine on Telegram

In addition, two medical institutions and two schools were damaged.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine on Telegram

Background: On the morning of 4 September, a fire broke out in a residential building near the main railway station, injuring 17 people, following a Russian strike in Lviv. Two schools were damaged and many windows were shattered in the central part of the city.

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The aftermath of the Russian attack on Lviv on 4 September. Photo: Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi

Seven people have been killed as a result of the Russian missile strike on Lviv this morning, including a 7-year-old child.

Source: Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi on Telegram

Quote: "Today, Lviv has lost seven of its residents:

Emiliia Bazylevych, aged 7;

Daryna Bazylevych, 18;

Yaryna Bazylevych, 21;

Yevheniia Bazylevych, 43;

Iryna Demydova, 52;

Oleksandr Pohoretskyi, 54;

Yurii Arabskyi, 55 years old"

Details: Sadovyi noted that information about the funeral arrangements and farewells for the deceased will be provided later.

Background:

On the morning of 4 September, a fire broke out in a residential building near the main railway station, injuring 17 people, following a Russian strike in Lviv. Two schools were damaged and many windows were shattered in the central part of the city.

Earlier, Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi reported that seven people, including one child, had been killed in the attack.

The mayor also noted that four members of the same family  a mother and three daughters  had been killed in the Russian strike on the city.

Rescuer workers completed emergency and rescue operations to address the aftermath of the morning Russian missile strike on Lviv. The attack resulted in seven deaths and 64 injuries. On 5 September, the city declared a Day of Mourning in memory of those killed in the Russian attack.

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By Alex Lawler, Olesya Astakhova and Ahmad Ghaddar

LONDON (Reuters) -OPEC+ is discussing delaying an oil output increase scheduled to start in October after oil prices hit their lowest in nine months, four sources from the producer group told Reuters on Wednesday.

The move comes as oil prices have been falling together with other asset classes on concerns about a weak global economy and particularly soft data from China, the world's biggest oil importer.

Last week, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia, or OPEC+ as it is known, was set to proceed with a 180,000 barrels-per-day output hike in October, part of a plan to gradually unwind its most recent cuts.

Still, fragile oil market sentiment over the prospect of more supply from OPEC+ and an end to a dispute halting Libyan exports, coupled with a weakening demand outlook, have raised concern within the group, one of the sources said.

A delay to the October output increase is looking "highly possible," another of the four OPEC+ sources said. All of the sources declined to be identified by name.

Oil prices rose on the possible delay, with global benchmark Brent crude climbing by over $1 to a session high of $74.80 a barrel and later giving up its gains to fall to about $73, its lowest since December.

OPEC and the Saudi government communications office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

CHINA CONCERNS

A dispute between rival factions in OPEC producer Libya over control of the central bank that led to a loss of at least 700,000 bpd of production has supported oil in recent weeks.

But prices slumped by about 5% on Tuesday on news that a possible deal to resolve the conflict was in the works. Weak Chinese demand and a slump in global refining margins which could prompt refiners to process less crude, have also weighed.

"China's underperformance has dented 2024 growth projections and has continued to trail both 2023 crude import and refinery throughput levels," RBC Capital analyst Helima Croft said in a note.

It may be prudent for OPEC+ to wait until December before returning extra barrels to the market, she added.

In all, OPEC+ is cutting output by a total of 5.86 million bpd, or about 5.7% of global demand, in a series of steps agreed since late 2022 to support the market due to uncertainty over the demand outlook and rising supply outside the group.

OPEC+ agreed in June to extend 3.66 million bpd of those cuts until the end of 2025. It also agreed to prolong the most recent cuts - a 2.2 million bpd cut by eight members - by three months until the end of September 2024, and to then gradually ease this cut from October to September 2025.

Story continues

The planned 180,000 bpd output increase in October, which may now be delayed, was scheduled to come from the eight OPEC+ members who have been making this most recent layer of cuts.

(Reporting by Alex Lawler, Olesya Astakhova, Ahmad Ghaddar and Maha El Dahan. Additional reporting by Yousef Saba in Dubai; Editing by Louise Heavens, Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Sharon Singleton)
Russians hit Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast with Smerch MLRS, killing and injuring people

The Russian army attacked the city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast on the evening of 4 September, killing one person and injuring four more.

Source: Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration; Donetsk Oblast Prosecutors Office

Quote: "At least one person was killed and four were injured as a result of the Russian attack on Kostiantynivka.

The city was attacked with a Smerch multiple-launch rocket system. The Russians struck an industrial zone, killing a man aged 39 and injuring four people aged from 38 to 65."

Details: The prosecutor's office clarified that a local resident sustained fatal injuries in the destroyed house. At least three men aged 38, 61 and 65, as well as a 63-year-old woman, sustained injuries of varying severity and are currently receiving qualified medical care.

The final number of casualties is being established.

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At least six civilians were injured in Lviv overnight on Sept. 4 amid Russia's attack against Ukraine, Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi reported. Several explosions were heard in the city amid a nationwide air raid alert. A 10-year-old boy is among the wounded, Sadovyi added.

Several buildings near the central railway station caught fire following the strike. At least two schools won't re-open on Sept. 4, according to Sadovyi. First responders were dispatched to the site of attack.

The Air Force warned earlier of the threat of drone and missile attacks across multiple regions of Ukraine, including Lviv Oblast.

Lviv, located approximately 540 kilometers (about 335 miles) west of Kyiv remains among frequent targets of Russian drone and missile attacks. The city is about 70 kilometers (approximately 43 miles) east of the Polish border.

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.

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.

Read also: Most Poles believe Poland should down Russian drones over Polish airspace, survey shows

"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."

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed has agreed to plead guilty to bringing a gun into a bar in Santa Fe, N.M., and will be sentenced to 18 months of probation.

Gutierrez Reed, 27, is already serving an 18-month prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The plea does not alter that case.

More from Variety

She could have faced up to 18 additional months in prison for bringing the gun into a bar, but will instead get to serve supervised probation from her home in Arizona.

Gutierrez Reed was convicted by a Santa Fe jury in March of negligently loading a live bullet into Alec Baldwins gun, which then fired, causing Hutchins death.

The manslaughter case against Baldwin was dismissed during his trial in July, after a judge found that prosecutors had withheld evidence from the defense.

Gutierrez Reeds lawyers are seeking to have her manslaughter conviction thrown out on similar grounds.

While the manslaughter case was pending last fall, prosecutors indicted her on an additional felony charge for bringing a gun into the Matador bar on Oct. 1, 2021, about three weeks before Hutchins death.

Gutierrez Reeds defense argued that the charge was an attempt to pressure her into pleading guilty in the manslaughter case, and into accepting responsibility for bringing live bullets onto the set, which she has denied doing.

A hearing was scheduled for Thursday on a defense motion to throw out the gun case. The defense had argued that special prosecutor Kari Morrissey lacked authority to bring the charge, because it was unrelated to the Rust shooting.

The defense also argued that the charge was vindictive, in retaliation for refusing to accept the plea deal in the other case, and that it was the result of an overly broad search of Gutierrez Reeds phone.

That hearing has been canceled, and the defense has instead asked for a hearing sometime in the next week so that Gutierrez Reed can enter her plea.

A separate hearing is set for Sept. 26 on Gutierrez Reeds motion for a new trial in the manslaughter case. Her defense has accused Morrissey of failing to turn over key evidence that might have influenced the outcome of the trial.

The defense has also asked that she be released from prison pending the outcome of a new trial.

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Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed looks back at her family members at her sentencing at district court on April 15, 2024 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Armorer on the set of the Western film "Rust,"Gutierrez Reed was convicted by a jury of involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins who was fatally shot by Alec Baldwin in 2021. Gutierrez Reed was sentenced to 18 months in prison. - Credit: Luis Sanchez Saturno-Pool/Getty Images

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who worked as an armorer on the set of the Alec Baldwin-led film Rust, has reached a plea agreement to bringing a gun into the Matador bar in Santa Fe, New Mexico, according to court documents reviewed by Rolling Stone.

The 27-year-old is currently serving 18 months in prison after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the on-set death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. A Santa Fe jury determined that Gutierrez-Reed loaded a live bullet into Baldwins gun, leading to the death of Hutchins.

More from Rolling Stone

The bar incident is said to have occurred in October 2021, around three weeks before Hutchins was killed. The indictment emerged last fall, at which point the manslaughter conviction was still pending. Gutierrez has accepted a plea agreement with the prosecution, according to a defense motion, though a plea hearing has yet to be scheduled.

In July, Gutierrez-Reed requested for a dismissal of her conviction after Baldwins manslaughter case was permanently dismissed. Baldwins defense lawyers filed an emergency motion alleging prosecutors and investigators withheld evidence, and the court granted the motion for dismissal with prejudice.

This Court stated on July 12 that the integrity of the judicial system demanded that the court dismiss Mr. Baldwins case with prejudice. How can it be any different with Ms. Gutierrez Reeds case, with this proven litany of serious discovery abuses? Gutierrez-Reeds defense lawyer Jason Bowles argued in a 23-page motion. Justice demands that Hannah Gutierrez Reeds conviction be overturned immediately, ensuring that the legal system does not perpetuate this core affront to our system, that has been watched all over the world.

Gutierrez-Reed received the maximum sentence for her role in Hutchins death, with Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer saying: You alone turned a safe weapon into a lethal weapon. But for you, Ms. Hutchins would be alive, a husband would have his partner, and a little boy would have his mother.

This post has been updated on September 5th at 2:15 p.m. EST to reflect that Gutierrez-Reed reached a tentative plea agreement in the case.

Best of Rolling Stone
Koci Selamaj is serving a minimum of 36 years for the sexually motivated murder of Sabina Nessa

The killer of the schoolteacher Sabina Nessa stabbed a prison guard with a porcelain shard of his lavatory bowl after smashing it in his cell, a court has heard.

Koci Selamaj, 37, an Albanian garage worker, was jailed for life in April 2022 for murdering Ms Nessa, 28, as she walked through Cator Park in Kidbrooke, south-east London.

On Wednesday, he admitted wounding one guard with intent to cause really serious harm at Frankland Prison, a maximum security jail near Durham, and assaulting another occasioning actual bodily harm in May 2023.

Judge Penny Moreland sentenced him to four and a half years in jail and said he should be treated at Broadmoor secure hospital for his mental illness until he is well enough to return to the prison system.

Ms Nessa taught a year one class in Catford, south-east London - METROPOLITAN POLICE/PA WIRE

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Selamaj was in his cell when a prison officer asked if he would be leaving for lunch.

Selamaj let out a scream and began to smash up his lavatory before arming himself with a shard of porcelain with which he attacked the guard.

The officer, who was stabbed in the knee and forearm, was assisted by colleagues, one of whom was punched two or three times in the face by Selamaj.

The judge determined the piece of porcelain was sharp enough to be considered like a blade.

It could have been worse

In a victim statement, the stabbed officer said that in 10 years as a guard he had never been assaulted and that he had loved his job.

He said: His strength was unbelievable. I feel very lucky as it could have been worse.

Selamaj is in prison for murder so I know what he is capable of.

Aidan Harvey, mitigating, said Selamaj used to hear voices and thought the electricity in the wall was talking to him, and noted that his mental condition had improved since he had begun treatment at Broadmoor.

Judge Moreland was told Selamaj will be at least 73 years old before he is eligible to apply for parole.

She determined that he will only serve the sentence for attacking the prison officers after the minimum term for murdering Ms Nessa has been completed.

Broadmoor videolink

Selamaj watched the proceedings via a videolink from Broadmoor.

He had refused to come to court when he was sentenced at the Old Bailey for Ms Nessas murder, causing widespread outrage.

That court heard how he travelled to London from the south coast to carry out the premeditated attack on a random woman on Sept 17 2021.

He targeted Ms Nessa as she walked through the park to meet a friend.

Ms Nessa, who taught a year one class at Rushey Green Primary School in Catford, was found nearly 24 hours later near a community centre in the park.

Days later, Selamaj, from Eastbourne in East Sussex, was arrested in the seaside town and pleaded guilty to murder.

Mr Justice Sweeney said at the sentencing hearing that it was a savage sexually motivated attack.

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The Salt Lake City-County Building is pictured on Aug. 28, 2023. The Salt Lake City Council is reviewing its compensation plan after a 26% raise in the city's latest budget. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Leaders in Utahs capital city approved a significant pay raise in time for the 2025 fiscal year that began in July, but now some residents are concerned as the Salt Lake City Council begins work on a larger and more detailed review of the citys compensation plan.

The City Council unveiled some initial long-term options in a staff report prepared before its work session last week, although it barely discussed the measure because of time.

The document outlines several options that could be hashed out, including the possibility of increasing the mayor-to-City Council member salary ratio, "additional compensation" for members serving in council leadership roles, as well as other items like making city government a "full-time elected legislative branch" or setting up term limits.

Salt Lake City Council Chairwoman Victoria Petro told KSL.com last week that the review is still in its earliest stages, but touching on compensation appeared to strike a nerve with some residents who attended the council's formal meeting on Aug. 27.

"You just received a 26% raise and some of you want more. It seems ungrateful and greedy," said resident Keiko Jones.

Salt Lake City's raises

Salt Lake City went forward with large pay raises for the mayor and City Council that drew some criticism when the 2025 budget was going through final revisions in May and June. Leaders approved a 26% raise for Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, upping her salary to $211,764.

Andrew Wittenberg, a spokesman for the mayor's office, explained at the time that the request was meant to take into account several factors, including not having a "market rate adjustment" in at least a decade and that the position essentially serves two roles now, mayor and city manager  the latter being a job the city doesn't have.

Members of the City Council, serving in part-time positions, also received a 26% raise. Their salaries jumped from $42,017 to $52,941. The mayor's office requested the raise to fit a ratio established in 2018 where every council member receives 25% of the mayor's salary.

"With all these other fees going up, the tax going up  it's like no, no, no, no, no, this is a bad year," added Margeret Holloway, pointing to proposed tax increases tied to bonds and utility bill increases residents are now starting to face.

An additional review

What the City Council could work on next could be about money, but it also focuses more on philosophy and structure.

Salt Lake City Council members had recommended a review of possible term limits, full-time job status and other items when the council was going through the final touches on the budget, including the pay raises. The staff report states that the council will "more fully evaluate several of the factors related to the City Council member salaries" as those discussions move forward.

These include:

Whether compensation is "adequate" to cover the cost of "time demands" tied to the position plus associated expenses of the job. On top of that, is it a fair market value? And does 25% of the mayor's salary mean they must only do a quarter of the work the mayor does, or should that threshold be increased?

If there are "practical aspects" of the job that create barriers from ever serving in office.

If the council should move from a part-time citizen legislative body to a full-time body.

Should term limits be introduced to eliminate the possibility of creating "career politicians" over "citizen legislators."

The report also tosses in some data for consideration. For instance, the city estimates that the average council member spends about 27 hours per week working on city business  though sometimes this can jump up to 35 hours. It generally depends on the policy issues and other factors.

One of those factors is the growing number of community councils and similar organizations as the city grows. There are now 27 community organizations registered with the city, more than triple the number when the current government structure was established in 1980. Each organization can pull in a council member for a certain number of hours per month.

It's unclear if or when any compensation changes will be made.

Petro said the options, including items tied to money, are options that the City Council could consider but the city isn't anywhere close to finalizing any compensation changes. What was introduced last week is just the beginning of a "much longer discussion" to be had on the topic.

There is no tentative project timeline for those discussions to play out.
Santa Cruz County intends to pursue legal action against the state, claiming "gross negligence" by the Arizona auditor general allowed the county's former treasurer to steal public funds for a decade.

The notice of claim filed Aug. 19 blames negligent audits prepared by the auditor general from 2014 to 2024 for failing to uncover former county treasurer Elizabeth Gutfahr's alleged theft.

Gutfhar is charged with stealing $39.4 million of public funds. The county said it is willing to settle the claim for $45 million, which also accounts for $1.3 million in lost interest and other fees and costs incurred in uncovering the missing funds.

"The Auditor Generals yearly reports never indicated that money was being embezzled from the Treasurers bank accounts and routinely misstated the actual amount of the Countys assets," said the county in its notice.

The county criticized the auditor general for allowing annual reviews of county treasurers' departments to fall "below generally accepted auditing standards for many years."

The county said that included publishing audits with fewer details than in previous years and only auditing fiscal year-end financial statements, instead of randomly sampling treasurer financial documents as part of its yearly county audits.

"Prior to 2020, the Auditor Generals office would physically travel to county offices, shadow employees for an entire day, and conduct a full comprehensive audit," said the county. "Now, the Auditor General does not travel to county offices, only evaluates a limited field of financial documents, and routinely focuses on irrelevant or non-material details in conducting those audits."

A spokesperson for the Arizona Auditor General was not immediately available for comment.

County says auditors report deflects blame

The notice of claim was filed one week before the Arizona Auditor General released a report of its investigation.

The auditor's probe claimed county officials who supervise the county treasurer did not review the monthly cash reconciliation reports. But in a statement, the county claimed the auditor general rushed its report to deflect from its own "failures."

The county blamed the auditor general for not catching former Gutfahrs alleged theft, claiming the office failed to use basic accounting audit principles in its oversight of the Santa Cruz County Treasurer."

The report was published without consulting county personnel, which the county said is contrary to the auditor generals established practice of first meeting with the governmental agency they are auditing to allow the agency to object to the states findings.

The county also pointed to the reports cover letter, which said the auditor general's investigation into the alleged embezzlement was not conducted by generally accepted auditing standards and was "more limited than would be necessary to ensure we discovered all misused public monies or to give an opinion on internal controls."

The fact that this long-standing practice was not followed here is just another example of the Auditor General failing in its basic auditing duties and attempting to avoid financial liability to the citizens of Santa Cruz County, the county said.

The county said it intends to pursue its notice of claim against the auditor general in front of a jury to determine the extent of the auditor generals responsibility in the embezzlement case.

How was the theft discovered?

Gutfahr's alleged theft was discovered in April, after the county's bank, JPMorgan Chase, reported 11 fraudulent transactions for $375,000 to the county. The findings prompted the Federal Bureau of Justice, Department of Justice, Arizona Auditor Generals Office, and Santa Cruz County investigations.

According to court documents, Gutfahr successfully avoided detection for a decade by fabricating investment statements, misrepresenting the total balance of funds in finance reports, and diverting money in certain months.

During the annual audit by the Arizona Auditor General, the state agency reviewed June year-end financial statements from the preceding year, so Gutfahr avoided diverting funds in June and July, prosecutors alleged.

Following an investigation, the county filed a civil lawsuit against Gutfahr and her family on August 1.

The investigation included consulting with Coconino County Treasurer Sarah Benatar, who visited Santa Cruz County several times. In one instance, she found the county treasurer's office was not authoring accurate reports, was failing to reconcile bank statements and was relying on screenshots of bank statements rather than original documents.

"The Auditor General would have noticed similar problems had it appropriately audited the Countys finances," said the county in its notice of claim.

Investigations by the FBI and Department of Justice remain ongoing.

Reach the reporter at sarah.lapidus@gannett.com. The Republics coverage of southern Arizona is funded, in part, with a grant from Report for America. Support Arizona news coverage with a tax-deductible donation at supportjournalism.azcentral.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Santa Cruz County poised to sue AZ auditor over alleged embezzlement
SAYRE, Pa. (WETM)  A Sayre man has been arrested after an incident where police say he strangled someone at a home earlier this week.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, Francis Mukisa, 29, of Sayre, was arrested on charges of strangulation (grade 2 felony), simple assault (grade 2 misdemeanor), false imprisonment (grade 2 misdemeanor) and terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another (grade 1 misdemeanor) after police received a report from the victim of the assault.

Ulster woman arrested on weapon charge following incident in Horseheads

According to the criminal complaint from police, the assault was reported to officers at the Sayre Police Department on Sunday, Sept. 1, the same day the incident occurred. At this time, the victim alleges that Mukisa had become angry and verbally abusive after fighting with the victim all day. It was also reported that Mukisa had been drinking.

The victim related to police that during the incident they attempted to go to another room when Mukisa forced them to stay in the room they were currently in. It was also reported that the victims phone had been stolen and hidden by Mukisa, who then accused them of hiding their phone to set him up. The report states that at this time, Mukisa began to strangle the victim.

Police: Bath woman arrested after chasing kid with knife

The victim then reported that Mukisa threatened to kill them if they called the police and forced them to remain in the room. Mukisa then pulled up the blinds and looked for any police to arrive that the victim may have contacted, continuing to threaten the victim.

Following this series of events, the victim reports that Mukisa then passed out and they escaped to the police department immediately.

Mukisa was arraigned on Sept. 2, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for Sept. 10. He is being held at the Bradford County Prison at this time without bail.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
(L-R) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Boris Pistorius, German Minister of Defence, and Ingo Gerhartz, Inspector of the German Air Force, attend the ceremonial commissioning of the IRIS- T SLM air defence system at the Todendorf barracks. The new air defense system is being introduced into the Bundeswehr at the air defense missile group 61. Christian Charisius/dpa

The German military put its first IRIS-T SLM air defence system into service on Wednesday, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in attendance.

Speaking in Todendorf in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein, Scholz said the new system was "about maintaining security and peace in Europe."

Scholz said Russia under President Vladimir Putin has been rearming for years, including in its Baltic Sea enclave of Kaliningrad.

"He has moved missiles to Kaliningrad - 530 kilometres as the crow flies from Berlin. It would be negligent not to react appropriately," the chancellor stated.

The new IRIS-T SLM system was developed by German manufacturer Diehl Defence.

The German government has already delivered four of the new systems and three related IRIS-T SLS systems to Ukraine, where they have been used at least 250 times to repel Russian cruise missiles and drones, Scholz said.

Six systems are now to be used by Germany's military, the Bundeswehr.

"This is an important step for the security of our country as air defence has long been neglected," said Scholz.

The new weapons system is also to become a central component of the European Sky Shield Initiative, a joint air defence system initiated by Germany.

A training centre is also currently being built in Todendorf, where Ukrainian soldiers are being trained.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R), Boris Pistorius (C), German Minister of Defense, and Ingo Gerhartz (L), Inspector of the German Air Force, take part in the ceremonial commissioning of the IRIS- T SLM air defence system at the Todendorf barracks. The new air defense system is being introduced into the Bundeswehr at the air defense missile group 61. Christian Charisius/dpa
(Bloomberg) -- Chancellor Olaf Scholz took delivery of an advanced air-defense system for the German armed forces and confirmed orders for five more, as well as an additional 17 units for Ukraine to help repel Russian attacks.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Speaking Wednesday at an air force base on the north coast near Kiel, Scholz said the procurement for the Bundeswehr of the six IRIS-Ts, manufactured by Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG, will play a key role in strengthening the European Sky Shield Initiative. So far, 21 nations including the UK and Turkey have signed up to the German-led project, designed to make the continent less vulnerable to air strikes at a time of increasing geopolitical tension.

The IRIS-Ts earmarked for Ukraine are on top of seven already delivered, which have helped bring down more than 250 Russian rockets, drones and missiles and saved many lives, Scholz said. Four will be sent before the end of this year and the rest starting next year, he pledged.

This shows that German support for Ukraine is not letting up, Scholz told guests including Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

We have planned ahead and secured contracts and financing in a timely manner so that Ukraine can continue to fully rely on us in the future, he added. And that also shows that our industry is highly efficient  when it has the necessary planning security.

Despite mounting budget constraints, Scholzs government has been one of the most generous backers of Ukraine since Russias full-scale invasion, supplying or promising materiel worth some 28 billion ($31 billion), behind only the US in value.

By 2026, Ukraine will have received 24 IRIS-T systems from Germany, 12 of the medium-range version and 12 shorter range, according to a government official.

The six IRIS-Ts for the Bundeswehr will cost about 950 million, added the official, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential planning.

While Scholz has earned praise for bolstering Ukraines air defenses, he has also been criticized for refusing to supply the government in Kyiv with longer-range missiles. The concern expressed by the German leader is that the country could be drawn into a wider conflict if weapons it provides are deployed against Russian targets.

In his speech Wednesday, Scholz pushed back against criticism of his governments decision to allow the US to station conventional long-range weapons in Germany from 2026.

The issue featured in campaigning for two regional elections in eastern Germany on Sunday, in which populist parties that oppose the move performed strongly.

Our sole aim is to deter possible attackers, Scholz said, addressing everyone who has doubts about this decision.

Any attack on us must pose a risk to the attacker, he added. Our aim is to secure peace here and prevent war  and nothing else.

For the German governments list of its military support for Ukraine, click here.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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NEW BEDFORD  General Mills began promoting Wheaties cereal by putting athletes' pictures on the boxes back in the 1930s.

WildFish LLC, better known as Red's Best, is doing something similar today to promote its freshly landed seafood.

They provide background information, including pictures, of the fishermen involved in the catch that reached your dinner plate. It's called: Meet some Fishermen.

CEO Jared Auerbach says the promotion helps people connect with the product.

"We've had success telling the stories of the fishermen, and sharing the stories of the fishermen we work with."

He added, "That's very impactful. These are compelling people in our society that the consumer cares about  I'm not the only person who thinks commercial fishermen are cool."

Red's Best is settling into its new processing location in New Bedford at 11 Hassey St.

Spending $2.8 million on acquisition, refit in New Bedford

They've been slowing down on that promotion of late, though, as they get settled into their new processing location in New Bedford at 11 Hassey St.

Red's Best bought the fish plant for $2.5 million and is spending approximately $300,000 to refit it.

They had to move when the property they were leasing at 360 S. Front St., was sold to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to support the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal.

City officials OK tax deal in return for investment, jobs

The City Council and Tax Increment Financing Board approved a five-year tax agreement that will save Red's Best a total of $83,154.24 to support its investment and create new jobs.

The move to 11 Hassey St. will allow Red's Best to retain 39 current jobs and add 30 new permanent jobs over that five-year period, according to the TIF Board.

Derek Santos, New Bedford Economic Development Council executive director, said during a meeting with City Councilors, "We're really glad that in a very tight waterfront that Jared's company was able to find space. That can be a difficult thing to do. That's a big investment to make. If we had another dozen waterfront sites for advanced processing, we would have them all filled."

Company has grown from one-man operation

Red's Best has continued to grow since it was founded by Auerbach in 2008. It was a one-man company back then  Auerbach  operating out of a single, refrigerated truck, according to the TIF Board.

Auerbach was a young fisherman from Boston who had worked on commercial vessels in Alaska and Cape Cod during the early 2000s, according to his bio.

Auerbach saw the dual impact of government regulation and industrial technology on the fishing industry.

Story continues

"Red's Best created a system to aggregate catches by networking small boats with proprietary technology to form a large market presence thereby leveling the global playing field," according to the board.

Company software developed to facilitate process

The company's software enabled it to input massive amounts of data, and track a daily catch from landing through processing, packaging, labeling and shipping, according to the board.

Auerbach said, "Every single pound of fish that gets landed has to be reported electronically to the federal government by species, by size, the pounds, the price. Everything. Boat name. It made it more inefficient for a dealer to buy off a small boat."

He thought at the time, "Maybe we could create a foothold by using the technology that was becoming available. This was in early teens to 2008, 2009."

It worked and allowed the start-up company to accumulate enough volume to start investing in infrastructure, he said.

CEO Jared Auerbach founded Red's Best in 2008. Back then it was a one-man operation.

Company now employs over 100 people

Red's Best today has four different processing facilities and two retail locations in the state. The processing facilities process, pack and ship seafood nationwide for retail and wholesale.

The board states the company has grown to include 20 managerial positions and 85 non-managerial employees.

Auerbach stated in a May letter to the City Council that the company's average wage was $18 per hour, which increases to $24.43 with overtime and piecework. Health insurance is also offered.

Auerbach said the two retail locations are located at Logan Airport's Terminal B in Boston and the Boston Public Market on Hanover Street in Boston.

Core business is as an 'aggregator'

But the core business is as an "aggregator," working with the fishermen to get them the most value possible, he said.

"We're gathering fish together, bringing it all together, aggregating it. Our core business is selling that fish to wholesalers around the country, who then have relationships with restaurants, and retailers in their city or in their region."

With government regulation limiting what fishermen can land, which is the right thing to do to maintain sustainability, he said, it's important to maximize their revenue.

Treat it well and it will taste good

Red's Best sells every type of species that's landed in Massachusetts, including less ballyhooed species that can get overlooked.

Auerbach said, "I'd say right now some of the species that are very abundant  where supply is greater than the demand  are monkfish, skate wing and flounder."

But, he added, "What's very abundant this year might be different next year. And it might be different the year after."

One thing the different species have in common?

They all make tasty eating, he said.

"There are some nuances to the different species of fish, but anything you take out of the ocean, if you handle it well and treat it well, it tastes good."

Looking forward to many more years in New Bedford

Auerbach said he looks forward to many more productive years working out of New Bedford.

"I love New Bedford, so I'm really happy to be a real estate owner down here now," he said.

"We hope this is the first of many big investments in the city of New Bedford."

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Red's Best seafood in New Bedford tracks dinner from ocean to plate
School board presidents response to hate post was wrong, but her critics are worse | Opinion

LaTonya Williams is president of the St. Joseph School District Board of Education. A critic wrote a vile, disrespectful comment about Williams 15-year-old daughter in a social media post and Williams lost it. She used the f-word. As an elected official, everything Williams does publicly or privately reflects on the district.

She should apologize.

As a parent, I can understand her furor after someone disrespected her daughter. She wrote: If I werent such a professional, Id seriously tell you to go f*** yourself. Repeatedly. Probably at least 26 times in a handful of minutes.

I deleted the expletive from her reply just now, not Williams. She was just getting started.

The fact that you spoke of anyone in my family in such a manner makes me hope and pray that your miserable soul chokes on my big d*** energy, she wrote. Disrespectfully, go f*** your mom and your dog.

In a recent phone interview, Williams said her daughter is a member of the LGBTQ commmunity. The comment about her child  posted Aug. 16 on a public Facebook page critical of conservative-leaning nonprofit Herzog Foundation  was despicable.

The person responsible didnt even bother to spell Williams first name correctly.

Latanya should take the keurigs and start boujee brews by Latanya LLC. the poster in question misspelled. She should be able to afford the gender affirming care then for her family.

Williams contends the person behind the comment is using a fake profile. I couldnt independently authenticate the posters identity so I will not use the screen name here.

Nevertheless, Williams reply was flat out wrong.

Some people are more upset at what I wrote than at what was said, she said. If anyone was offended by what I wrote, I will personally apologize to them only if they ask me how my daughter is doing.

This column is not meant as an attack on Williams. She had a good reason to reply the way she did. Someone on the internet attacked her teenage child. Williams had every right to defend her daughter or any other student that attends St. Joseph schools. I just wish she hadnt given haters and detractors fodder to use against her as they collectively wage a culture war on the districts minority and non-conforming students.

Jan. 6 insurrectionist targets school board

In recent months, the St. Joseph school board has been embroiled in more controversy than one district should have to deal with. There have been book challenges, accusations of Sunshine Law violations and other infractions against the school board, and a relentless attack on the boards more tolerant members, according to Williams.

One of her loudest critics is Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrectionist Kimberly Dragoo, a former school board candidate who placed eighth out of 10 candidates in Aprils election. By contrast, Williams, an incumbent, was the top vote-getter in this past springs school board race.

That same month, Dragoo and her husband Steven were sentenced to three years probation and two weeks of intermittent confinement, and also fined $5,000 fine for their involvement on Jan. 6.

By the way, on Dragoos personal Facebook page are copies of letters she received from the offices of Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, Secretary of State John Ashcroft and the Missouri Ethics Commission acknowledging separate complaints she filed against the school district.

In July, Bailey announced an investigation into the district that Williams estimated will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to comply with. Imagine that. An insurrectionist turned potential whistleblower. How rich.

Dragoo thinks Williams should step down, saying, She should resign.

I dont think so. But Williams using profanity to make a point isnt right. I understand her reaction. Anonymous online trolls taking personal shots at my family would set me off, too. When it comes to my children, all bets are off.

Williams said she doesnt mind being criticized for her policy positions and decisions that help protect marginalized students in St. Joseph schools.

But dont come for my kids, she said. On this point, I agree. In a perfect world, Williams would have ignored the online hate thrown her way and not replied.

No matter the situation, an elected official using inappropriate language on a public platform is not a good look.
Scientists Found the Missing Glue That Binds Our Memories Togetherand May Help Us Edit Them



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Scientists have long known that the molecule protein kinase Mzeta (PKMzeta) plays a central role in forming memories.

Now a new study identifies its partner-in-crime, another molecule named kidney and brain expressed adaptor protein (KIBRA), which forms long-term memories through interactions that tag certain synapses in neurons.

Further study of this interaction could help scientists develop therapies in relation to memory.

Famous Irish poet, author, and playwright Oscar Wilde once wrote that memory is the diary we all carry about with us, but the biological author of this lifelong memoir is far from certain. In the 1970s, scientists discovered long-term potentiation (LTP), which detailed how strengthening and weakening synapses helped form memory, but thats only part of the story.

In order to pull off this wondrous feat, synapses rely on a variety of molecules to form certain types of memories. One of these is PKMzeta (protein kinase Mzeta), which, when inhibited in the brains of rats during a 2006 experiment, caused disruption in spatial memory in the hippocampus. So there you go. Problem solved, right? Well, as you might imagine, when it comes to understanding the inner workings of the human brain, things are bit more complicated.

One of the big drawbacks of relying on PKMzeta to be the molecule responsible for memory formation is that it simply doesnt last in the brain very long, sticking around for only a couple hours or days. Humans likely wouldnt have invented agriculture let alone launch rockets into space with such subpar recall. Also, with 10,000 synapses to every one neuron, scientists didnt know exactly how PKMzeta strengthened some synapses and not others.

Now, a new study from scientists at the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Health Sciences University has an answer for those long-standing questions. It turns out PKMzeta gets a little help from a friendin this case, another molecule known as the kidney and brain expressed adaptor protein, known as KIBRA. The results were published in the journal Science Advances this past June.

During memory formation the synapses involved in the formation are activated, SUNYs Todd Sacktor, senior author of the study, said in a press statement, and KIBRA is selectively positioned in these synapses. PKMzeta then attaches to the KIBRA-synaptic-tag and keeps those synapses strong. This allows the synapses to stick to newly made KIBRA, attracting more newly made PKMzeta.

The researchers call this KIBRA the missing link molecule that acts as a glue that allows memories to persist for years or even decades. The study analyzes these molecules in laboratory mice and found that blocking this molecular interaction disrupted spatial memory, and while both molecules are short-lived, their interaction persists.

Sacktor references a 1984 hypothesis by Francis Crick, the co-discoverer of DNA, that described the creation of memories as molecular turnover. Sacktor compares the idea to the famous philosophical concept known as the Ship of Theseus, which asks whether a ship thats been repaired so frequently that not even the keel is original is still the same ship that first left port. Similarly, Sacktor says, PKMzeta and KIBRA could work together to create long-term memories.

The persistent synaptic tagging mechanism we found is analogous to how new planks replace old planks to maintain Theseuss Ship for generations, Sacktor said in a press statement, and allows memories to last for years even as the proteins maintaining the memory are replaced. Francis Crick intuited this Theseuss Ship mechanism, even predicting the role for a protein kinase. But it took 40 years to discover that the components are KIBRA and PKMzeta and to work out the mechanism of their interaction.

Exploring the interactions of these two molecules opens a world of possibilities, some of which are decidedly sci-fi.

Im seeing more and more the possibilities of directly putting proteins in neurons through gene therapy, Sacktor told Scientific American , which would theoretically strengthen fading memories. But for now, memory wiping like some sort of Harry Potter spell or Men in Black gadgetpick your favorite cultural referenceare a bit more far-fetched. If you wanted to use this sort of mechanism to target unwanted memorieswhich creates ethical issues anywaysyoud have to find a way to make it specific to certain memories.

True to Wildes words, memory might be the diary we carry with usbut in the future, who says we can edit a few chapters?



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Search continues for missing grandmother with dementia last seen on Southwest Side

CHICAGO  A search continued Tuesday for a missing Chicago grandmother, whose family says she disappeared over Labor Day weekend.

Francisca Renteria, 85, was last seen Sunday near a relatives home on the citys Southwest Side. Renterias granddaughter, Karina Juarez, told WGN News that she remains hopeful for her loved ones return.

She was being taken care of by one of my family members. He accidentally fell asleep at the time and she just went out the front door, Jaurez said.

Around 1 p.m. Sunday, a ring doorbell video showed Renteria walking northbound on Melvina to 55th Street in Garfield Ridge. Family members said are unsure where she was headed.

Renteria recently arrived in the city from Mexico two months ago and has dementia.

A sweet human being: Daughter hopeful for safe return of 82-year-old mother missing in Skokie

She could go from thinking shes younger, wheres shes asking for parents and thinking she has to go home [] she just goes up and down in age, Juarez said. She doesnt remember how old she is. She remembers her name is Francisca. If you call her name, shell answer at times, but if shes really confused, she probably wont. But she will ask for help unless shes really scared. She might be trying to hide if shes really confused about where she is.

When she went missing, Renteria wore a black T-shirt with white lettering on the front that said Not today, a light blue jacket, and blue and white shoes. The missing 85-year-old is 4-foot-11-inches and weighs 130 pounds.

According to family members, loved ones received notice that Renteria may have been spotted on an Orange Line CTA bus on Pulaski, at Farmers Best Market in Northlake, and near Cermak and Ridgeland around 1 a.m. Tuesday

Detectives are busy working on the case, while her family keeps hope Renteria is OK and will return home.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Just (hope) that someone finds her, Juarez said, (and) helps her and keeps her safe.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The aftermath of the Russian attack on Lviv. Photo: Ukraine's State Emergency Service

Emergency workers have completed search and rescue operations in response to the morning Russian missile strike on Lviv, which claimed the lives of 7 people, and left 64 more injured. 5 September has been declared a day of mourning in the city.

Source: Ukraine's State Emergency Service (SES)

Quote: "Emergency workers have rescued 12 people. 53 people have been injured. Sadly, seven people have been killed, including, based on updated data, two children (7 and 14 years old)."

The aftermath of the Russian attack on Lviv

Photo: Ukraine's State Emergency Service

Details: It is also noted that psychologists from the Lviv Oblast branch of the SES and the Lviv State University of Life Safety provided assistance to 103 people, including 16 children.

The aftermath of the Russian attack on Lviv

Photo: Ukraine's State Emergency Service

Over 150 emergency workers and 38 appliances have been involved to deal with the aftermath of the attack.

Later, the mayor of the city said that 64 people, including 8 children, had been treated in the hospitals of the First Medical Association after the morning attack. Everyone is receiving proper medical care. Lviv also declared Thursday, 5 September, a day of mourning in memory of those killed in the Russian attack.

Background:

On the morning of 4 September, a fire broke out in a residential building near the main railway station, injuring 17 people, following a Russian strike in Lviv. Two schools were damaged and many windows were shattered in the central part of the city.

Earlier, Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi reported that seven people, including three children, had been killed in the attack.

The mayor also noted that four members of the same family  a mother and three daughters  had been killed in the Russian strike on the city.

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Second teen charged with murder in shooting of KC chef Shaun Brady to remain in custody

The second of two teens charged with the murder of popular local Irish chef Shaun Brady last week will remain in secured detention, a Jackson County judge ruled during a hearing Wednesday.

The boy  identified in Jackson County Family Court by his initials, L.M.  was charged with second-degree murder and attempted stealing, both felonies, for his role in the Aug. 28 shooting.

Brady, 44, was fatally shot during a confrontation with a group in the back parking lot of Brady & Fox, the Irish restaurant he co-owned in Kansas Citys Brookside neighborhood. Two teenage boys and a vehicle police linked to the killing were found shortly after the shooting.

Shaun Brady, as pictured in 2019 when he worked as the chef at Bradys Public House, was shot and killed outside his restaurant Brady & Fox on Aug. 28.

Jennifer Ware, who represented the Jackson County Juvenile Officer during the hearing, said L.M. was part of the group that was attempting to steal a vehicle when Brady was shot.

The group displayed complete disregard for the victims life, she said.

Megan Roth, who represented L.M. during the hearing, emphasized that he wasnt alleged to be the one who shot Brady.

L.M. understands the charges are extremely serious, but wants the court to be aware that he is not alleged to be the shooter, but was a passenger in the car, she said.

Jackson County Family Court Administrative Judge Jennifer Phillips ruled L.M. would remain in custody in secured detention. She said she anticipated he would have a public defender appointed to represent him.

His next hearing was set for Sept. 25. The other teen charged in the shooting, who faces charges of second-degree murder, attempted theft of a motor vehicle and armed criminal action, also has a hearing set for the same day. He also remains in custody.
Created by Jane Hynous of Grosse Pointe, a student at Brownell Middle School. | Michigan Secretary of State

As the November election looms, Michigan voters can rest easy knowing the results have already been tallied in another important vote: the designs for the states I Voted stickers.

After launching Michigans first I Voted sticker design contest in May, more than 480 designs were submitted, before members of the Michigan Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force narrowed it down to 25 designs for the public to vote on.

With more than 57,700 public votes cast for the winners, nine designs were selected across three categories: elementary/middle school or grades K-8, high school or grades 9-12 and general entry, which was open to submissions from Michiganders of all ages. The stickers will be available for clerks to order and give to voters this fall as the states official stickers for the 2024 Presidential Election.

I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and creativity from the people of our great state. Now, lets use the same energy in casting a vote this November. I encourage every eligible voter to make a plan now to have your voice heard  vote with an absentee ballot, at an early voting site, or on Election Day  and feel proud to wear a sticker designed by a fellow Michigander, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in a statement.

Here is the list of the creators alongside their winning designs:

Elementary/middle school

Jane Hynous of Grosse Pointe, student at Brownell Middle School:

Gabby Warner of Rockford:

Katelyn Stouffer-Hopkins of Lansing:

High school

Olivia Smiertka of Holly, student at Holly High School:

Michelle Lekhtman of West Bloomfield, student at West Bloomfield High School:

Andrew Brasher of Saint Louis, student at Alma High School:

General

Kelsey Winiarski of Livonia:

Breanna Tanner of Grand Rapids:

Madelyn VerVaecke of Livonia:

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit the island of Hispaniola on Thursday and Friday, where he will reaffirm the United States commitment to both Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which share the island.

In Haiti our goal is to recognize the positive progress made towards improving security and encourage efforts to appoint the Provisional Electoral Council so Haiti can move toward elections, Brian Nichols, assistant secretary of state for the Western Hemisphere, told reporters ahead of the visit to Port-au-Prince. In the Dominican Republic we will reinforce our shared priorities such as promoting democratic governance, supporting free and fair elections in the region, and fighting corruption.

Blinkens visit to the island comes amid tense relations between the two countries. The Dominican Republic, upset over the construction of a privately funded irrigation canal near its border in northeast Haiti that it claims is diverting water away from its farmers, has blocked most commercial air traffic from Haiti.

The tensions led Haitis leaders last month to boycott the swearing-in of Dominican President Luis Abinader, who was elected earlier this year to a second four-year term.

Blinken will arrive in Port-au-Prince on Thursday, where the multinational security force led by Kenya and largely funded by the U.S. has been hobbled by lack of money and equipment. And an ongoing bank bribery scandal is threatening the U.S.-backed political transition while undermining efforts to finally organize long-overdue elections.

Nichols said Blinken, who will meet with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and Edgard Leblanc Fils, the current head of the presidential council, plans to discuss Haitis return to a democratic path and the urgent need for elections.

Nichols said Haiti has come a long way since its dark moments earlier this year when a violent insurgency by armed gangs forced the closure of the international and domestic airports in Port-au-Prince for nearly four months, led to the escape of more than 4,000 prison inmates and blocked thousands of containers containing humanitarian aid at the seaport. The chaos also prevented the prime minister at the time, Ariel Henry, from returning to the country after he visited Kenya to secure the agreement for the missions deployment.

We have seen Haiti take important steps forward in the last few months, Nichols said, highlighting Aprils installment of the presidential council and its selection of Conille, a longtime U.N. technocrat, to head a new government. Weve seen tangible signs of progress on the ground, including the opening of the airport and resumption of commercial flights, increased economic activity and movement in pockets of Port-au-Prince and the deployment of the U.N. authorized Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission, which is working in close partnership with the Haitian national police.

The mandate of the security mission, which was authorized for a year by the U.N. Security Council, expires on Oct. 2. The council is expected to debate ts renewal on Sept. 30.

Though Haitians have been frustrated by the slow progress of the security mission and its lack of visibility on the streets, Nichols highlighted an ongoing joint operation involving members of the mission, along with specialized SWAT units of the Haiti National Police and soldiers in Haitis small army.

They are going after gangs and their leaders in a way that hasnt happened in eight years, Nichols said. From a security standpoint, that is a major step forward.

Nichols confirmed a Miami Herald and McClatchy exclusive report that the U.S is exploring transferring the mission, which relies on voluntary contributions for its operations, to a more formal United Nations peacekeeping force or some other hybrid that would allow for its financing and staffing to be more reliable.

Our challenge going forward is to make sure that theres a reliable, sustainable source of funding for the MSS to take it through stabilization, elections and the growth of the Haitian national police, Nichols said. We will be working and coordinating with our partners around the world, particularly in the Security Council and in the region, to figure out how we best address that.

Another concern is the slow progress on the political front. Haiti hasnt had an election since 2016, when late President Jovenel Moise was elected in a controversial vote. The current efforts to organize general elections have been hampered by arguments over which sectors of Haitian society should be represented on the electoral council, as well as the bank-bribery scandal.

On Tuesday, an effort by four of the seven voting members of the presidential council to take steps against three of its members who have been accused of shaking down the director of a state-owned commercial bank failed. The vote resulted in a deadlock because the council needs five out of seven votes for major decisions.

Blinken, who will meet with some of the political and civil leaders involved in forming the presidential council, is expected to discuss the scandal and the importance of having Haitian officials investigate the allegations.

The Haitian people deserve transparency and good governance, NIchols said.

Blinken will also travel to the Dominican Republic, where he will discuss three main priorities with Abinader: strengthening the U.S.-Dominican economic ties, respect for human and labor rights and promoting increased security in the region, particularly in Haiti, Nichols said. The two leaders will also discuss the 2025 Summit of the Americas, which the Dominican Republic is hosting.

Nichols said the U.S. hopes to see more normal relations between the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

The countries are inexorably linked, he said. Were very cognizant of the fact that the Dominican Republic is providing significant assistance to Haiti and to the MSS, and that we more broadly, hope to see the ties between the two countries operate in a normal fashion in the future.
Bernie Moreno doesn't want to talk about abortion.

During a campaign stop in Washington Court House last month, the Republican Ohio Senate candidate accused news media of using abortion to "gaslight Democrat voters." Ohio voters have spoken, he argued  it's time to move forward and "stop picking at wounds that are 52 years old."

But abortion has emerged as a top issue in Moreno's race against Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who's seeking a fourth term in one of the country's most competitive Senate campaigns that could decide which party controls the chamber. After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago, states including Ohio voted to protect reproductive rights and block abortion bans pushed by the GOP.

The outcome of the 2023 ballot issue put Republicans in a bind, while Brown and other Democrats have cast their opponents as out of touch. Even now, Moreno appears to harbor frustration about the decision to enshrine abortion rights in the Ohio Constitution.

"Look, we lost Issue 1 last year because only 52% of evangelical Christians bothered to show up at the ballot box," Moreno said during a July campaign event, according to audio obtained by the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau. "What did we get in exchange? We have abortion right until birth. We have no parental consent for minors getting an abortion because we didn't show up to vote. Can't do that. They can only cheat so much."

Abortion is legal in Ohio up to 22 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions beyond that to preserve the patient's life and health. The state's parental consent law remains on the books and has yet to be challenged in the wake of the amendment's passage.

When asked about Moreno's comments, spokesperson Reagan McCarthy said he was "referring to low turnout and encouraging voters to be engaged in this election, rather than sit on the sidelines."

U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno speaks to reporters before a rally for Ohio Sen. JD Vance at Middletown High School in July.

Where do Bernie Moreno, Sherrod Brown stand on abortion?

Since Ohio's election, Republicans nationwide have pivoted on abortion and said they're focused on policies to support families. Former President Donald Trump came out against federal abortion restrictions after waffling on whether he would support a 15-week ban.

Trump's stance guided a policy platform at the Republican National Convention that painted abortion as a states' issue, frustrating social conservatives who wanted to see a stronger rebuke of the procedure.

"We will oppose late term abortion, while supporting mothers and policies that advance prenatal care, access to birth control, and IVF (fertility treatments)," the platform stated.

Moreno's position has also evolved. He told a Cincinnati radio host in 2022 that he was "absolute pro-life, no exceptions." During his Senate primary campaign, Moreno advocated for a 15-week national ban with "commonsense restrictions," including exceptions for rape, incest and to save the pregnant person's life.

Citing the RNC platform, Moreno told reporters in Washington Court House that Republicans don't support abortion bans  even though GOP officials and anti-abortion activists worked for years to curtail access and overturn Roe v. Wade. Moreno also said adoptions should be more available and called for women to have better access to health care and contraception.

"I don't think most Ohioans think that a 35-week-old baby that's healthy with a healthy mom should be killed," Moreno said. "Most people don't think that. Left-wing European countries put restrictions  not bans, restrictions  after 15 weeks, but that's my personal belief. I support the party platform, which says let's leave this up to the states."

Moreno donated $100,000 to a group opposing Ohio's abortion rights amendment  a stark contrast to Brown, who openly campaigned in favor of it. The three-term senator supported efforts to codify the right to an abortion, protect access to fertility treatments and birth control, and prevent restrictions on out-of-state abortions. He previously said he supports the parameters in Roe, which guaranteed abortion access until fetal viability.

Brown is backed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio. He received an "F" grade from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America  which endorsed Moreno  for opposing legislation to codify the Hyde Amendment and prohibit abortion when there's a diagnosis of Down syndrome. He also voted against a federal abortion ban after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Unlike Moreno, Brown has sought to highlight the issue on the campaign trail  even holding a media call with feminist activist Gloria Steinem.

"It's not just that (Moreno is) wrong on women's reproductive rights. It's not just that he disregards women and the rights of half of our society," Brown said in an interview. "It's also that he's flying in the face of what the voters have said we should do. You're going to go off to Washington fundamentally fighting against something your voters just overwhelmingly passed? This should not be a ticket to office."

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Bernie Moreno waffles on abortion in Ohio Senate race vs Sherrod Brown
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India in September 2022. ALEXANDR DEMYANCHUK/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Russia drafted plans to covertly purchase critical goods from India, the Financial Times said.

According to leaked documents, Moscow considered investing in Indian factories to support critical production.

The country would use its trove of Indian rupees it was unable to repatriate due to Western sanctions.

Russia covertly turned to India to secure critical electronic supplies and sensitive goods, according to leaked documents cited by the Financial Times.

In October 2022, Russia's industry and trade ministry made plans to spend around $1 billion worth of Indian rupees on trade channels that would operate outside Western scrutiny, the outlet said.

According to the FT, the project was disclosed in letters sent to a shadowy trade group with ties to Moscow's secret services.

The organization  the Consortium for Foreign Economic Activity and International Interstate Cooperation in Industry  was asked to develop a plan on how to source critical electronic components in India.

Central to these efforts was Russia's massive trove of Indian rupees. As Western sanctions bore down on Moscow for its war in Ukraine, Russia was left unable to repatriate rupee profits from its ballooning oil trade with India.

By the summer of last year, the Kremlin was amassing as much as $1 billion worth of rupees per month without a way to convert or spend the currency.

The Consortium's plan offered some way out, FT said.

Under its scheme, rupees would be spent to secure dual-use components through a "closed payment system" between Russian and Indian firms, the outlet cited.

This would provide a steady inflow of electronic equipment originally bought in Western markets, the leaked letters said.

Further funds could be directed toward investments in Indian electronic factories, that would provide Russia with needed information infrastructure, FT said.

Though it's unclear how much of this plan went into effect, customs data tracked by FT align with the operation's goals.

For instance, the leaked correspondence outlined that rupees would be used on electronics and machinery purchases from India  since mid-2022, trade has soared steeply in these categories.

Separately, an Indian businessman with knowledge of the matter told the FT that Russia has since looked into creating facilities in India.

For the Kremlin, continued access to electronic components is imperative as Russia's fighting in Ukraine drags on through its third year. Since 2022, sanctions have grown much tighter, gradually cutting off Russia's access to key financial lifelines.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The political attention in Erie continued on Tuesday with a U.S. senator visiting the city for his re-election campaign.

Senator Bob Casey came to Lavery Brewing Company on West 12th Street Tuesday evening for a small rally promoting his re-election campaign.

The battle for PA  Erie to potentially see influx in presidential, VP candidate visits

Senator Casey highlighted his plans to protect PA union workers from corporate greed while criticizing his political opponent Dave McCormick.

The senator said workers rights and womens rights are at stake in this election, but also the economy.

Erie County election officials seeing an uptick in voter registration ahead of Election Day

I also think for a lot of Americans, some basic economic issues are at stake; getting costs down for families, trying to figure out ways to build upon some of the successes of capping the cost of insulin like we did, investing in families with senator a child tax credit, bringing that back to help families deal with higher costs, said Casey.

Bob Casey and Dave McCormick will be on Pennsylvanias ballot in November.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Charlotte man who was in possession of a machine gun received a lofty prison sentence on Wednesday, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of North Carolina announced.

Durell Smith, 22, of Charlotte, will serve over four years in prison after pleading guilty to machine gun possession in April.

Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area  >> Latest stories here

Court records stated that in February 2023, Smith was observed by officers in a car with two guns with machine gun conversions. Smith was arrested after a warrant was served by CMPD on his home and two machine guns were seized. Several stolen guns that he was also in possession of at a residence were also later seized, records stated.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
PHILADELPHIA REGION SEPTA will increase regional rail service with new schedules rolling out for all lines as the transportation agency seeks to restore service to pre-COVID-19 levels.

SEPTA is adding 99 weekend trains and 24 weekday trains to its schedule. The changes go into effect on Sunday.

The service additions will restore 80 percent of pre-COVID service on weekdays (up from 77 percent) and 84 percent on weekends (up from 63%).

Regional Rail ridership recovery is currently at about 67 percent of pre-pandemic levels, with weekend ridership growth outpacing weekdays.

As we continue to rebuild ridership, SEPTA is still facing a $240 million annual budget deficit, and the need for a permanent solution grows more urgent by the day, said SEPTA CEO and General Manager Leslie S. Richards. Despite this funding crisis, we can not put critical investments in our system on hold. We must move forward with efforts to make our service more reliable for our riders who depend on us to get where they need to go.

With recruitment and training, SEPTA will be able to add additional crews to address personnel shortages and provide more consistent service.

With 189 engineers, SEPTA is on track to meet its budgeted headcount of 213 by next spring.

The schedule changes support the goals and vision of SEPTAs Reimagining Regional Rail initiative by adding additional service to accommodate off-peak, evening, and weekend trips.

Below are some highlights of the upcoming service changes:

Full restoration of 30-minute weekend service to the Philadelphia International Airport

Full restoration of hourly weekend service on most lines

Additional off-peak (late-night and mid-day) and reverse peak service on most lines

Additional railcars on select trains to mitigate overcrowding, particularly mid-week when ridership is highest

Connection of Airport Line service to the Manayunk/Norristown Line for a one-seat ride between the airport and Norristown on weekends

Schedule adjustments to help improve on-time performance

State of good repair project on the Warminster Line will require shuttle bus substitution from Sept. 7 through Nov. 3

Weekends between Warminster and Glenside stations

Weekdays (mid-day only) between Warminster and Roslyn stations

Parking Fees Reinstituted

As a reminder, after four years of offering free parking to help attract customers back to the system, SEPTA will reinstate parking fees with a phased approach beginning Sept. 23.

Daily parking rates at SEPTA-owned surface lots will increase to $2 from $1 and to $4 from $2 at the three garages: Frankford Transportation Center, Norristown, and Lansdale. Parking at surface lots will remain free on weekends and major holidays.

The new, state-of-the-art parking system will provide several convenient options to pay for parking, including the new SEPTA Park app.

For more information about SEPTA, visit septa.org, follow @SEPTA, or download the official SEPTA app.

SEPTA Increasing Regional Rail Service originally appeared on the Warminster Patch
Houston, Tx (FOX 44)  A 26-year-old Bryan man has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for an attempted robbery of the Bryan Post Office back in 2019.

Adon Bryce Clary had been convicted back in March in a four day trial on charges of attempted robbery of a post office with a dangerous weapon, assault of a public official with a dangerous weapon and assault of public officials with intent to commit a felony. The jury deliberated about two hours before returning the guilty verdict.

U.S. District Judge George Hanks Tuesday ordered Clary to serve 84 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court considered statements from postal employees and customers, including one victim that explained the harrowing experience they underwent and the effect it continues to have on their lives. In handing down the sentence, Judge Hanks noted Clary could not be trusted to not put others in harms way if released.

On April 29, 2019, Clary entered the post office located at 2121 Wm. Bryan Parkway in Bryan. Clary proceeded to bang a Game of Thrones beer bottle while pointing an apparent firearm at the clerks. Clary demanded all of the mail while stating he had a gun. The firearm was actually an empty pack of menthol cigarettes.

Five postal workers, three post office customers, three Bryan police officers and two postal inspectors testified during the trial. The postal workers and civilians all explained in emotional detail the fear they had for their lives.

Temple man held on sex assault charges

In addition, the jury saw body camera video from the officers and a cell phone video of the incident taken by one of the postal workers.

Clary will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
When Annabeth Surbaugh moved to southern Overland Park, she quickly grew frustrated by her homes unreliable water supply.

A citizen activist, Surbaugh started pushing leaders to do something, regularly showing up to meetings of the then-rural water board. Deciding she would need to sit on the board to enact the changes she wanted to see, Surbaugh joined in 1988, becoming its first female member.

It was the start of a long career of firsts. She led the merger of the rural district with the countys much larger public water utility. She later became the first woman to serve as chair of the WaterOne board. In 1992, she won a seat on the Johnson County Commission, and years later became the first countywide elected chair.

Surbaugh, credited with helping shape Johnson County as it is today, died last week at the age of 79.

She was best known for being the first woman in places where women had not been before, Johnson County Commissioner Becky Fast said. She had gone before me and created a place for me, so I could be here today. She walked where only men had previously been allowed. And she left footprints for me to follow and for other women to follow. To me, that was the greatest gift.

After Fast began her campaign for commissioner, she said she developed a closer relationship with Surbaugh, who many remember as a passionate mentor, especially for other women.

When I filed for county commission in 2018, she was one of the first people who called me to talk to me and ask how she could help me, Fast said. That was Annabeth. As a woman, as a leader, she felt great responsibility to mentor others and help get them to where they want to be. She was a huge champion for mentoring women leaders.

Long after Surbaugh retired from public service, she remained active in Johnson County politics. Fast remembers receiving a call from Surbaugh after every Thursdays commission meeting, where the former chair would share her thoughts and offer advice.

Lenexa Mayor Julie Sayers said she also benefited from Surbaughs advice as she ran her campaign, about how to effectively convey her message and what to expect as a woman in politics.

Any time that we can reflect to other women that things are possible, its that type of representation that leads to other women stepping up to do the same things, Sayers said. All of that really matters because we are still largely in the minority of women who hold office in Johnson County. So she and others have a legacy of doing that and lighting that path.

Annabeth Surbaugh was a longtime leader in Johnson County, the first woman to chair the WaterOne board and the first countywide elected chair of the commission.

Changed by her leadership

Surbaugh was born in St. Louis, but moved several times with her family as a child. She had an interest in art and fashion, according to previous Star reporting, and attended the University of Missouri in Columbia to earn a bachelors degree in retail.

She became involved with student government while attending the university. She moved to Kansas City in 1968 and became a buyer of ladies ready-to-wear fashions for The Jones Store, The Star reported.

Surbaugh was active in Johnson County issues as soon as she moved there, becoming known as a neighborhood leader. Shes been affectionately called a hell raiser over the years.

After chairing the WaterOne board, she won a seat on the Johnson County Commission, where she served for 18 years, starting in 1993.

She represented a very rural area. And keeping intact older neighborhoods was very important to her, Fast said. And it was the first time there had been three women on the county commission in 1993. That was controversial at the time.

Surbaughs win flipped the commission to be majority-female at the time.

Many credit Surbaugh with helping to push to reform Johnson County government in the late 1990s. That included the creation of the countys charter, a legislative document defining the structure and powers of county government, enacted by a public vote in 2000. It was the first of its kind in Kansas, according to the county.

The charter established an appointed county manager. It included an appointed county treasurer and clerk, rather than those positions being elected. It added a countywide, publicly elected chair position, and established non-partisan elections for commissioners.

At that point on the commission, they would rotate chairs. She felt like Johnson County didnt really have a say in regional issues because that position was constantly changing, Fast said. And the charter also meant the professionalization of the treasurer. The county was growing and she was concerned that you would have a partisan, elected treasurer who had no background in finance.

Our county government structure was forever changed by her leadership.

Annabeth Surbaugh, Johnson Countys first countywide elected chair who is remembered as a trailblazer for women in local politics, died last week.

The peoples chairperson

Surbaugh was the first to be publicly elected as the first at-large chair, a position she held for two terms, from 2003 to 2011.

Johnson County Chair Mike Kelly said when Surbaugh held his position, She wasnt shy about being steadfast in her commitment and taking votes that otherwise might have been unpopular. She made monumental decisions. She was often one vote away from the county looking very differently today if she had voted differently.

One of the most notable actions was Surbaughs deciding vote to stop the proposed Wonderful World of Oz Theme Park from taking over the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant site in De Soto. Many red flags about the company were raised leading up to the vote. And Surbaugh cited the companys failure to pay Wyandotte County money it was owed, saying its credibility and financial capabilities were too concerning.

Surbaugh was also instrumental in the county dodging an unpopular plan to build a massive beltway that would have looped around the southern side of the metro region.

She wasnt afraid to make big decisions and let the chips fall where they may, Kelly said.

Kelly and others also say Surbaugh was ahead on many issues, including pushing for energy efficiency in development. She also was concerned by racial disparities and rising incarceration rates in the county jail, Fast said, leading her to start a criminal justice council in 2008. The Star at the time said the panel was focused on addressing the root causes of criminal behavior, as well as exploring alternatives to traditional incarceration and how to help people succeed while on probation.

The Johnson County Parks and Recreation District posted on Facebook that Surbaughs profound impact on Johnson County is etched into its history, saying she was dedicated to quality development, urban core preservation, financial accountability, transparency, and restorative justice.

As a leader, officials say Surbaugh was always personable, naturally gifted at finding ways to connect with everyone she encountered.

What made her so strong is that everyone was her friend. She could connect to everyone. She was very outgoing, had a humorous personality. She was generous, kind, Fast said. She was the peoples chairperson. But she stood strong on her values.
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Credit: Lockheed Martin

NASA is considering pulling a pair of shelved spacecraft out of storage to facilitate a non-agency mission to spy on notorious asteroid Apophis.

Apophis, also known as asteroid 99942, is a 1,100-foot (340-meter) asteroid set to fly by Earth in 2029. Named after the Egyptian god of chaos and destruction, the massive space rock was once predicted to have close to a 3% chance of hitting Earth. More recent calculations have downgraded the chances of that potential 2029 collision, but planetary defense scientists are still studying the asteroid closely to determine any future risk of an Earth impact.

NASA has already sent its OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft (formerly called OSIRIS-REx) on a "bonus mission" to study Apophis, and the European Space Agency is developing its own relevant mission known as Ramses. Still, it appears NASA wants more intel on Apophis ahead of the object's 2029 approach. In a notice posted to federal government contracting site SAM.gov, the space agency has requested information on how to develop a non-NASA-led "reconnaissance mission" to Apophis using its shelved Janus spacecraft.

The Janus spacecraft are two asteroid probes originally designed to launch with NASA's Psyche probe that lifted off atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket on Oct. 13, 2023.

Delays to that mission meant the Janus probes would miss their targets  a pair of near-Earth asteroid binaries  so NASA decided to "stand down further work on the Janus mission," the agency wrote in July 2023. Now, it seems the Janus spacecraft could have second lives  fitting for a mission named after the Roman god of duality who is usually depicted as having two faces.

NASA's Request for Information (RFI) asks industry, academia and other researchers to propose new approaches for using the Janus spacecraft to "demonstrate a rapid-response flyby of Apophis" and further our scientific understanding of the asteroid ahead of its April 2029 near-Earth encounter.

In particular, NASA wants proposals for how to "demonstrate and test capabilities to fly by and characterize a hazardous NEO," or near-Earth object, using a low-cost, rapid turnaround mission.

The Earth is seen with a space rock toward its top right.

RELATED STORIES:

 NASA shelves Janus asteroid mission after launch delay

 Asteroid Apophis will swing past Earth in 2029  could a space rock collision make it hit us?

 Apophis: The infamous asteroid we thought might hit us

Earlier this year, the director of NASA's planetary science division Lori Glaze said that while the 2029 Apophis approach "presents a unique opportunity," getting a mission together to study the space rock is difficult given NASA's ongoing budgetary issues. "Our budget situation is really, really challenging, and that is a reality that we have to live within." Glaze said, according to SpaceNews. "You can have the will, but without the funding it makes it really challenging,"

NASA's RFI notes that proposals for using the Janus spacecraft to fly by Apophis should include information on how interested parties will approach obtaining funding.
ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  An Upstate man is waiting to be brought back to Anderson County after he allegedly stole another persons car at gunpoint while he was out on bail for other charges.

According to the Anderson County Sheriffs Office, Cody Kyle Moore, of Easley, is charged with larceny, armed robbery, grand larceny and assault and battery.

On August 2, while out on bail from the Greenville County jail, Moore allegedly cornered an associate in a parking garage in Belton and demanded their keys and wallet at gunpoint.

When the associate refused, Moore reportedly shot at the ground near the victims foot, and eventually took the victims keys and drove to North Carolina.

He was arrested in Cleveland County and is awaiting extradition back to Anderson County Detention Center.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
Telia Lietuva

Swedish telecommunications company Telia Company, AB, the largest shareholder of Telia Lietuva, AB (hereinafter Telia Lietuva or the Company), holding 88.15 per cent of the Companys shares, announces a change program that is set to simplify its operations in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The more decentralised and streamlined organisation will focus on local customers needs, while the Group intends to reduce its number of personnel by 3,000 during the full year of 2024.

In Lithuania, Telia Company Group plans to reduce the total number of employees by about 400, whereof approximately 200 at Telia Lietuva, and remaining  at Telia Global Services Lithuania, UAB, a fully owned subsidiary of Telia Company in Lithuania.

With the program, Telia Company aims to maximize the value of its network infrastructure and service offerings to sustain growth, increase efficiency and profitability, and improve its ability to serve its customers.

The Group will decentralise a major part of its common activities and will move decision making into the countries. Nevertheless, entities of Telia Company Group will further benefit from regional agreements and economies of scale.

Giedre Kaminskaite-Salters, CEO of Telia Lietuva, says: The announced change of the Groups business model gives us an opportunity to make strategically necessary decisions in Lithuania, the benefits of which we will see in the nearest future. Digitizing the business, decommissioning legacy systems, harnessing the breakthrough of artificial intelligence (AI) and attracting the best talent is our path to becoming a leading organization. Unfortunately, growing investment and talent retention also drives demand to optimize a number of employees: by the year end Telia Lietuva is planning to reduce it by 200. We have started consultations with trade union representatives and from our side will provide full support and appropriate compensation to redundant employees.

It is expected that talks with Telia Lietuvas trade unions will be over by mid-October, and a new organizational structure with less personnel will come into effect from December 2024. Now Telia Lietuva employs around 1,900 employees.

Telia Lietuvas restructuring charges of the change program is expected to amount to approximately EUR 1 million, with expected annual savings of EUR 6.3 million.



Darius Dziaugys,

Head of Investor Relations,

tel. +370 5 236 7878,

e-mail: darius.dziaugys@telia.lt










(NEXSTAR)  Two students and two teachers were killed after authorities said a 14-year-old suspect opened fire at a high school in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday morning.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) identified the students killed in the shooting at Apalachee High School as Mason Schermerhorn, 14, and Christian Angulo, 14. The two teachers were identified as Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie.

Nine other people  eight students and one teacher  were injured and taken to local hospitals, the GBI said. They are all expected to recover. Police did not release their ages or any further details about the survivors.

The suspected shooter, Colt Gray, is in custody and will be charged with murder and handled as an adult, GBI Director Chris Hosey said in an afternoon press conference.

Transgender teen says group of high schoolers attacked him at a party in Massachusetts

Sheriff Jud Smith said law enforcement received a call about an active shooter around 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, prompting the dispatch of multiple agencies, including firefighters and EMS personnel. Officers arrived within minutes, Hosey said.

The suspect surrendered after he was confronted by a school resource officer, Smith said.

The shooter quickly realized that if he did not give up that it would end with an OIS, or an officer-involved shooting, Smith said, adding that the suspect gave up and got on the ground.

Students are evacuated to the football stadium after the school campus was placed on lockdown at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (Erin Clark via AP)

Law enforcement arrive as students are evacuated to the football stadium after the school campus was placed on lockdown at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)

Law enforcement arrive as students are evacuated to the football stadium after the school campus was placed on lockdown at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (Erin Clark via AP)

Law enforcement arrive as students are evacuated to the football stadium after the school campus was placed on lockdown at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)

Students are evacuated to the football stadium after the school campus was placed on lockdown at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (Erin Clark via AP)

An AR-platform style weapon was used in the shooting, Hosey said during another press conference later in the evening. Its still unclear how the suspect got the gun into the school, and a potential motive has not yet been named.

Were still trying to clarify a lot of the timeline from the time that he got here to school today until the incident, Hosey said.

Back in May of 2023, the teen was interviewed by local law enforcement after the FBI received several anonymous tips about online threats to commit an unspecified school shooting, the agency said in a statement.

The FBI narrowed the threats down and referred to the case to the sheriffs department in Jackson County, which is adjacent to Barrow County. The sheriffs office interviewed the then-13-year-old and his father, who said there were hunting guns in the house, but the teen did not have unsupervised access to them. The teen also denied making any online threats.

The sheriffs office alerted local schools for continued monitoring of the teen, but there was no probable cause for arrest to additional action, the FBI said.

Man dies after doctor removes the wrong organ during surgery, widow says

School will be closed for the rest of the week as police continue to investigate Wednesdays shooting, Superintendent Dallas LeDuff said.

This hits home for me. I was born and raised here. I went to school in this school system. My kids go to this school system. Im proud of this school system, Smith said. My heart hurts for these kids, my heart hurts for our community, but I want to make it very clear that hate will not prevail in this county.

Gov. Brian Kemp said the shooting hit home for him as well.

This is everybodys worst nightmare, and I just want to offer my sincere condolences and our thoughts and prayers to the families that have lost loved ones, for those that are injured and continuing to fight through just a tragic time, Kemp said during the nighttime press conference.

Earlier in the day, the governor posted a message on X, saying he has directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School. He also said local, state and federal authorities were working to gather more information.

The White House said President Joe Biden has been briefed by his Homeland Security Advisor, Liz Sherwood-Randall, about the shooting and the administration will coordinate with federal, state and local officials as it receives more information.

The shooting had reverberations in Atlanta, where patrols of schools in that city were beefed up, authorities said. More patrols of Atlanta schools would be done for the rest of the day out of an abundance of caution, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said.

Apalachee High School, located northeast of Atlanta, has an enrollment of around 1,900 students. The school year started a little over a month ago.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Shooting of 2 Phoenix officers worries neighbors: 'It makes us want to move away'

The neighborhood where two Phoenix police officers were shot was quiet on Wednesday morning, with people filtering through a business near 16th Street and McDowell Road like it was any other day.

The night before, Phoenix police officers spotted a person who appeared to be attempting to break into a vehicle. They pursued on foot, and the person shot at officers, injuring two, police said.

Saul Bal was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after an over-three-hour search which resulted in the closure of several city blocks and police stops and searches of vehicles in the area, police said.

Diana Spies and her fiance live in the area but were both away from home when the shooting happened and were unable to get home in the immediate aftermath.

Spies, who has lived in the neighborhood since 2020, told The Arizona Republic that she worries about the children and families in the area at a time when she and her fiance are thinking about starting a family of their own.

She said she doesnt want to be scared to be pregnant in this neighborhood. She wants to walk to the coffee shop just behind her house without having to worry about getting friendly fired on the way.

Do I want to start a family in this neighborhood? she said.

Spies said she has watched as some areas have gentrified. A lot on the corner where the shooting took place used to be dark and empty, which made it a hotbed for illicit drug use. The area was littered with needles and burnt tin foil, she said. Spies said she adopted the habit of carrying Narcan and a Taser with her, just in case.

Businesses have moved in over recent years, including a carniceria and a coffee shop, which Spies said have breathed new life into the area. Over the summer, the lot was repaved, too, and lighting was installed. She said she had hoped that would cut down on the crime.

With all the progress, you cant forget about the dirty parts, she said.

Attempted murder charges: Suspect arrested after 2 Phoenix officers shot

Spies said that though some aspects of the community show promise of improvement, the shooting was a reminder of how much further they have to go to feel safe. She said she still feels the threat of gun violence creeping its way closer to her doorstep.

Even just a few streets down, she said there seems to be more care from the city in upkeep and safety. There are speed bumps and less trash on the streets, compared with her neighborhood, where she said neighbors have tried for years to get speed bumps installed.

Spies said she wishes police would have a regular presence in the area, not just show up when a crime happens. That would go a long way to making them feel safe.

The more and more this happens, it makes us want to move away," Spies said.

Arizona Republic reporters Rey Covarrubias Jr. and Miguel Torres contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Shooting of 2 Phoenix police officers raises concerns for neighbors
Two students and two teachers at a Barrow County high school were shot and killed Wednesday morning by a 14-year-old student, state and local law enforcement authorities said.

Colt Gray, a student at Apalachee High School near Winder, surrendered to two school resource officers responding to the shootings shortly before 10:30 a.m., Chris Hosey, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, said late Wednesday afternoon during a news conference outside the school.

Nine others who were shot were transported to various hospitals, Hosey said.

Law enforcement had a very, very swift response to this incident, he said. I am extremely grateful for that quick response.

Pure evil happened today, said Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith, who followed Hosey to the microphone. My heart hurts for these kids. My heart hurts for our community. But I want to make it clear that hate will not prevail in this county.

Investigators did not release the names of the dead or wounded. Smith said he wasnt aware of any warning the school may have received prior to the shootings, how the suspect got into the building or what weapon he used.

Federal and state leaders reacted with horror and sadness in the hours following the shootings.

Jill and I are mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short due to more senseless gun violence and thinking of all of the survivors whose lives are forever changed, President Joe Biden said. What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now turned into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart.

Marty, the girls, and I are heartbroken by todays tragedy at Apalachee High School, Gov. Brian Kemp said. This is a day every parent dreads, and Georgians everywhere will hug their children tighter this evening because of this painful event.

We continue to work closely with local, state, and federal partners to make any and all resources available to help this community on this incredibly difficult day and in the days to come.

My heart and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those affected and the entire Barrow County community, State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. This is an unimaginable loss for Barrow and for our entire educational community across the state.

Today is tragic for our community and the state of Georgia, said state Sen. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, whose Senate district includes portions of Barrow County. The senseless act of violence at Apalachee High School has left us grieving for the innocent lives affected and the families shattered by this unimaginable tragedy.

Democrats at the state and federal levels are certain to renew their calls for laws curbing access to firearms in the wake of the latest school shooting. Coincidentally, a Georgia Senate study committee formed to consider safe firearm storage legislation will meet Thursday at the state Capitol.

I am committed to finding solutions to stop these tragedies before they occur, Sen. Emmanuel Jones, D-Decatur, the committees chairman, said Wednesday. This is not infringing on Second Amendment rights but protecting our children and our safety.

Hosey said Gray will be charged with murder and tried as an adult.

As the investigation continues, Hosey asked anyone with information related to the shootings can call an anonymous tips line at 1-800-597-8477 or download the GBIs See Something Send Something app.

Dallas LeDuff, superintendent of the Barrow County School District, said Barrow schools will be closed for the rest of this week. Grief counseling will be available at the district office, he said.

As a school system, were here for you, he said in a message to students and families. We support you ... as we grieve together.
Georgia teen killed in shooting that left another person hospitalized, SC officials say

A teenager was killed Tuesday night in a shooting in the Midlands that also left another person hospitalized, according to South Carolina officials.

Jayvion Jones  a 16-year-old Hampton, Georgia resident  died at the scene, Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker said Wednesday.

The shooting happened in the Dalzell area, according to the Sumter County Sheriffs Office said.

At about 8:30 p.m., Jones body was discovered inside a vehicle on Black River Road and Edens Road, Baker said.

Information about where the surviving victim was found was not available.

The surviving victim was taken to Prisma Health Tuomey hospital, and is expected to make a full recovery, the sheriffs office said. Further information on that victims condition was not available.

No other injuries were reported.

There was no word about a shooter or shooters, or if anyone else was involved in the gunfire. Information about a motive for the shooting was not available.

No arrests have been reported, but both the coroners office and the sheriffs office are continuing to investigate what Sheriff Anthony Dennis called a suspicious death.

An autopsy will be performed Saturday at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, according to Baker.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.
HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WETM)  Village of Horseheads residents will have the chance to get rid of old documents over the weekend.

The Village of Horseheads is holding a free community shredding event from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, at the village hall parking lot. The shredding event will be held rain or shine, and participants will be helped on a first-come, first-served basis.

Harvest Drive-Thru Picnic returns this month in Chemung County

This event is open to village residents only, and participants must bring proof of residency. Businesses are not allowed to participate in this event.

All papers will be shredded on-site in a mobile shredding truck. The village recommends bringing documents like bank statements, credit card statements, canceled checks, tax information, and insurance documents to be securely disposed of. Only paper will be accepted (no cardboard), and its not necessary to shred junk mail.

Any questions about this shredding event should be directed to the village clerks office by calling 607-739-5691 ext. 7.

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There were 107 combat clashes on the line of contact since the beginning of the day, 32 of them on the Kurakhove front in Donetsk region.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine report as of 16:00 on 4 September

Quote: "The situation is currently the most intense on the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk fronts. The defence forces are taking all necessary measures to prevent the enemy from advancing deep into Ukrainian territory."

Details: The General Staff reports that the situation on the Kurakhove front remains difficult. Russian troops have launched 32 attacks on Ukrainian positions since the beginning of the day, trying to break through the defences near Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka and Kostiantynivka.

In addition, the Russians are actively using aviation and artillery to shell the border areas of Sumy and Chernihiv oblasts. Five air strikes involving 11 guided aerial bombs were recorded against the settlements of Sumy, Tokari, Nova Sloboda, Yampil and Yunakivka. The settlements that came under artillery fire: Sydorivka, Novovasylivka, Slavhorod, Popivka and others.

Active hostilities also continue on other fronts. In particular, the Russians made 31 assaults on the Pokrovsk front, 14 combat clashes were recorded on the Kupiansk front, and 11 more on the Lyman front.

The General Staff reports that despite numerous attempts by Russia to break through the defences, Ukrainian forces continue to hold their positions, inflicting significant losses on the Russian forces.

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Sixty days of Starmer: How has the Labour leader done in his first two months in power?

Sir Keir Starmer, the first Labour PM in 14 years, has been leading the country for two months (Getty)

Its now been two months since Labour won their landslide victory at the 2024 general election, bringing to an end 14 years of Conservative rule.

Running on a central message of change, Sir Keir has looked to set his party apart from the previous Conservative administration. Standing on the steps of Downing Street on 5 July, the new prime minister said people had voted for national renewal and a return of politics to public service.

You have given us a clear mandate, he added, and we will use it to deliver change, to restore service and respect to politics, end the era of noisy performance, tread more lightly on your lives, and unite our country.

As the new Labour government begins to roll out some of its promised reforms, the new leader now warns that things may get worse before they get better. Sir Keir has made no secret of the challenges to come during his sixty days in power, as his first two months have seens controversial policy decisions, political disagreements, and civil disorder.

Sir Keir Starmer makes his first speech as prime minister outside No 10, July 5 (REUTERS)

Heres a look back at the past 60 days of Sir Keirs leadership as we head into autumn:

Labours black hole

It was just 20 days after Sir Keir took to the steps of Downing Street that Rachel Reeves revealed a 20bn black hole in public finances, which Labour describe as a shocking inheritance from the previous government. The statement has shaded the partys rhetoric since, with many decisions being traced back to this central problem.

If we cannot afford it, we cannot do it, the chancellor repeated as she announced a range of cost-cutting measures during her speech. Amongst them was the controversial move to means test Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners, marking the first change to the cold weather benefit since it was introduced by Tony Blair in 1997.

Rachel Reeves delivers her black hole speech to Commons on July 20 (Reuters)

The move has proved divisive. While many have long-argued that fuel payment should be means-tested so that it only goes to older people who need it, campaigners say Labours cut-off point for eligibility is too sharp. Charity Age UK says around 2 million vulnerable pensioners will miss out on the benefit due to the changes.

Criticism has also come against Labours refusal not to scrap the two-child benefit cap which prevents parents from claiming universal credit or tax credit for more than two children. The measure was introduced by previous chancellor George Osbourne in 2017, and has long been criticised by Labour MPs.

The disagreement formed the backdrop to Sir Keirs first in-house fallout, as he suspended seven Labour MPs for supporting an amendment to the Kings Speech in favour of scrapping the two-child benefit cap. This included veteran MP John McDonnell, as well as Coventry Souths Zarah Sultana.

Far-right riots

The prime minister faced with his first major challenge still less than a month after his election success when far-right rioting broke out across the country following the tragic killing of three young girls in Southport on July 29.

The scenes of civil disorder that broke out in Southport the next day were understood to be provoked by misinformation about the identity of the suspect. The following weekend, violence erupted in towns and cities all over the country as police clashed with rioters spreading anti-immigrant and Islamophobic messages.

Riot officers push back far-right rioters targeting a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotheram, August 4 (Getty Images)

This was the end of the unrest, as planned violence for Wednesday largely did not materialise with anti-racist counter demonstrations forming in their place. Work was already underway to combat further disorder, as hundreds had already been arrested and many sentenced following the weekend.

Responding to the violence, Sir Keir condemned the behaviour of far-right thugs, vowing to deliver swift justice to those involved. Just over a month on, over 1000 people had been arrested following the violence over the weekend and 600 charged in a massive operation conducted by the police and courts.

Some bold changes to come

Amid the challenges it has faced, Labour has also begun the work of enacting bold reforms that it promised ahead of the general election. This includes the planning reforms spearheaded by deputy prime minister Angela Rayner which looks to deliver on the partys promise promise of 1.5m new homes by 2029.

The party has taken steps towards its pledges on workers rights, which were promised to see concrete legislation within their first 100 days. Post-election, there has been talk of including a new right to switch off policy, which would allow employees to ignore bosses calls outside of work, as well as the right to request hours be compressed to four days.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband during a visit to Hutchinson Engineering in Widnes, Cheshire, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (James Glossop/The Times/PA) (PA Wire)

Transport secretary Louise Haigh has also reaffirmed Labours commitment to renationalise the railways, saying the party will wait for existing contracts to expire or be broken. Meanwhile, energy secretary Ed Miliband says the publicly-owned GB Energy is being established at pace, with more news to come over the next few months.

Taking the punch out of these bold reforms is the admission by Ms Reeves that departments will need to find spending cuts across the board as she looks to plug the public spending shortfall. Its likely this will mean cancellations or pushbacks on some projects as Labour prioritises its central goal of economic growth.

Painful budget on the horizon

Hitting back at criticism to their cost-cutting measures, the new government continues to blame the Conservative government for concealing the true scale of the countrys public spending shortfall. The Treasury audit unveiled by Ms Reeves gives some credence to this claim, with director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, Paul Johnson saying the deficit does genuinely appear to be greater than could be discerned from the outside.

However, many experts warn the extent to which Labour was hoodwinked has been overstated by the party. The IFSs Mr Johnson later said that the underfunding problem was obvious and that Labour knew the broad outline of these challenges before their election.

Sir Keir Starmer set a sober tone ahead of Parliaments return from the summer recess (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Wire)

In light of all this, critics say the tightly-budgeted, low-cost Labour manifesto perhaps should have prepared for more surprises. With an absolute commitment to not raising income tax, national insurance or VAT, the party is forced to look at more targeted measures which are less able to raise considerable sums alone.

Ms Reeves has now said voters can expect tax rises in her budget at the end of October, which Sir Keir warns will be painful. Experts predict capital gains, pension tax relief, and inheritance tax will all be looked at as Labour attempts to plug its spending shortfall and fix the foundations of the country.

The sense of the whole system isnt working for ordinary people says Luke Tryl, executive director of the More in Common research group. You cant get a doctors appointment, you cant afford the cost of a weekly shop without having to put stuff back.

Its a fairly miserable public mood, and I think the danger with their current strategy is they risk enforcing that.

The fight for public opinion

It is against this backdrop that Labours approval has dropped to a new low. Recent opinion polling by BMG Research shows that the party is on 30 percent, the lowest since September 2021 and only four points ahead of the Conservatives.

The election was truly a decisive parliamentary victory for Labour, winning 411 seats and a majority of 174. This is the largest since Tony Blairs secured the party a 178-seat majority in the 1997 landslide.

However, less convincing is the vote share behind the massive victory. Sir Keirs Labour secured 9,708,716 votes, representing 33.7 percent of the vote to the Tories 23.7. However, this won them 63.2 of seats, with the result being the least representative in British history. Most strikingly, the Conservatives and Reform UK combined secured over a million more votes than Labour.

This has given the party a unique challenge says Mr Tryl, as it tries to win over the electorate by repeating the 2010 Conservative strategy of blaming the previous government for the hard decisions: Voters splintered in all sorts of different directions, he says.

They have other places they can go [...] and thats why I think trying to repeat that playbook is somewhat of a mistake.

Still in the early days of his premiership, time is firmly on Sir Keirs side. The party has navigated some major challenges and seen some successes, including reaching a much-needed pay deal with public sector workers.

But with voter approval reaching new lows as the prime minister promises more gloom to come, many have been left wondering when, or if, things really will start to get better.
Update: She has been found safe.

-

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  State agents and local authorities are searching for a missing elderly woman said to be endangered.

88-year-old Elizabeth Anna Poinsette-Fisher was last seen Monday around 6:27 p.m., according to Charleston police.

According to Sgt. Chris Stinson, she is five feet two inches tall, weighs about 150 pounds, has memory issues, and owns a silver Dodge Journey with S.C. tag MZH714.

03_20240904-EPA-BulletinDownload

Police said they captured Ms. Poinsette-Fishers vehicle traveling south on Highway 78 at US 278.

Law enforcement says she could be in the area of Savannah, Georgia. Agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) also put out an advisory.

Provided by Charleston police

Provided by Charleston police

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SLED: Union Co. Animal Control employee had sex with inmate

UNION COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  A Union County Animal Control employee is accused of having sex with an inmate and supplying them with contraband.

Vallerie Renea White, 32, was charged on Tuesday with misconduct in office, criminal conspiracy and first degree sexual misconduct with an inmate.

According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, White, while working at as an employee with animal control, had sex with an inmate.

White also allowed the inmate to maintain possession of a contraband phone within the Union County Detention Center to communicate outside visitation hours, according to SLED reports.

White was booked into the Union County Detention Center.

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BUCHANAN, Va. (WFXR)  On the historic grounds of Wilson Warehouse in Buchanan, there is hidden treasure sitting on the property.

The natural treasure is the largest English Elm tree, and is considered a sleeping giant. It has recently been designated the states champion by the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech.

Virginia Techs Dr. Eric Wiseman and intern Tiffany Harris, the Buchanan Town Improvement Society, owner of the Warehouse worked on this and received the designation.

Its move-in day for Virginia Tech students

The organization worked with Virginia Tech landscape design students this past spring when the discovery was made.

Owner of Roanokes roaming Emu has been identified, RPD says

Steve Grigg, Town Improvement Society president, a Virginia Tech Horticulture graduate, a former Virginia Society of Landscape Designers member, and a licensed tree expert, realized the Warehouse had something special on its property.

Griggs then reached out to Virginia Tech to verify what the tree was.

The tree is approximately 125 years old with a circumference of 17.5 ft, a height of 81 feet, and a crown of 81 feet.

Experts say the elm tree is in perfect health and free of Dutch elm disease, therefore The Town Improvement Society is working hard to protect and ensure its future.

For more information visit wilsonwarehouse.org or visit their Facebook at Buchanan Town Improvement Society.

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Thames Water

Creditors to Thames Water are attempting to broker a peace deal between the beleaguered supplier and regulator Ofwat amid fears that a breakdown in relations between the two sides risks speeding up the companys demise.

Sources involved in attempts to stop Thames Water being nationalised are warning privately that it may prove impossible to draw up a rescue deal unless a detente can be quickly thrashed out.

Thames is in a race against time to avoid running out of cash months after being abandoned by shareholders, but it is feared that the companys chances of survival are fading because it is at loggerheads with Ofwat.

With managements own efforts floundering, an army of senior creditors consisting of many of the largest financial institutions on the planet have begun tentatively crunching the numbers on a comprehensive financial restructuring plan they believe could remove the need for the Government to intervene with a taxpayer bailout.

However, those involved in the discussions are concerned they will be unable to step in until relations between Thames management and Ofwat are repaired.

Efforts to save Thames, which provides water to around a quarter of the UK population, have been hampered by an increasingly bitter stand-off between Ofwat and the industry over how much customers should be forced to pay to fund critical investment in the countrys dilapidated water infrastructure.

Ofwats decision to hit Thames with a succession of fresh fines for past misdemeanours is thought to have caused further antagonism and dismay at the company.

Industry sources warned that further financial penalties risked worsening Thamess perilous financial situation. A recent report from the ratings agency Moodys calculated that the industry is facing fines of as much as 2bn over the next five years, exacerbating the funding gap even further.

Hopes for a compromise between Thames and the regulator have plunged to an all-time low after the company returned to the negotiating table with an attempt to force through even higher bill increases than it had demanded previously, despite Ofwat rejecting that proposal out of hand.

Lenders say that until an agreement is reached on how much Thames needs to invest to upgrade leaky pipes and improve its poor environmental record  together with how much of the outlay will be paid for through increases to household bills  it cannot finalise the terms of any restructuring plan.

The companys latest request is to increase bills by as much as 59pc. The business insisted that customers needed to fork out 18.99 more a month, or 228 a year, to fund investment in its pipes and sewage systems.

Story continues

But Ofwat has already dismissed a previous attempt in July to raise bills by 40pc, saying any rises should be limited to 23pc.

Sir Adrian Montague, the Thames Water chairman, said: After decades of focusing on keeping bills low, now is the time for difficult choices.

The trade body Water UK has also weighed in, claiming lower bill increases will slow the recovery of rivers and we will fail to deal with water shortages.

Boss David Henderson said the regulators plans will reduce the UKs attractiveness to investment.

Industry experts say Thamess various creditors will need to agree to a debt write-off of many billions of pounds for it to stand a chance of survival.

The company is buckling under borrowings of more than 18bn and some lenders risk being wiped out altogether. Without a substantial reduction in its debts, it is thought Thames will find it virtually impossible to attract new investors.

According to Westminster sources, Whitehall officials have made it clear to the company and its advisers that nationalisation must be avoided at all costs.

A deal that does not involve taxpayer money would deliver a significant boost to the Governments standing, ministers are said to believe, after their Tory predecessors repeatedly avoided tackling the situation.

Thames Water declined to comment.

An Ofwat spokesman said: Thames Water must continue to pursue all options to seek further equity to fund its turnaround plan for the benefit of customers and the environment.

Safeguards are in place to ensure that services to customers are protected, regardless of issues faced by shareholders of Thames Water.

It comes as ministers prepare a major crackdown on water bosses found guilty of polluting Britains waterways.

Industry executives could face up to two years in prison under moves to come down hard on pollution in rivers and seas. Regulators will be handed new powers as part of the Governments Water Bill.

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Smiley Martin, suspect in mass shooting, died in jail from drug overdose, Sacramento coroner says

Smiley Martin, the man accused of being a triggerman in Sacramentos worst mass shooting that killed six people, died from a methadone toxicity, the Sacramento County Coroners Office said on Wednesday.

Martin was charged along with two others  including his brother Deandrae Martin  in an April 2022 shooting at the corner of 10th and K streets that also injured 12 other people. The brothers, along with Mtula Payton, faced numerous murder and attempted murder charges after prosecutors said the trio were a part of two rivals gangs who unleashed a hail of bullets that cut down dozens of innocent people as people exited area clubs.

The Sacramento County Coroners Office also classified Martins death as an accident. Its unclear when autopsy results will be released. Sacramento County Coroner Rosa Vega did not answer a question about the timeline.

Martin was found unresponsive June 8 in his cell in downtowns Sacramento County Main Jail in the East-300 pod during a cell check, according to the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office.

Sgt. Amar Gandhi, a spokesman for the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office, said on Wednesday an investigation into Martins death at the jail was still ongoing.

Public defender Norm Dawson questions a witness as murder suspect Smiley Martin, 23, listens on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, during a preliminary hearing in Sacramento Superior Court for the case of the April 2022 mass shooting in downtown Sacramento.

Yamile Martinez-Andrade, 21; Johntaya Alexander, 21; and Melinda Davis, 57, were killed in the gunfight between two rival groups. Also killed include Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi, 32; DeVazia Turner, 29; and Sergio Harris, 38; who police say were involved in the shooting.

Smiley Allen Martin was freed from prison two months before the deadly gunfight, serving five years of a 10-year sentence before his release. His release, possible because of good behavior and time served in county custody, became an ignition point in the political debate over sentencing and rehabilitation.

A preliminary hearing for Dandrae Martin and his co-defendant Payton is ongoing in Sacramento Superior Court. The hearing returns to court Sept. 11 with the lead detective of the mass shooting to resume his testimony.

Martins death was among five inmates who died in the Sheriffs Office custody in 11 weeks this year.

Last year, the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office arrested six people accused of smuggling drugs into jail for money that also prompted Sheriff Jim Cooper to call for an overhaul of the jails health care system.

Cooper, through the Sheriffs Office spokesman, declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding Martins death.

What is methadone?

Methadone treats opioid addiction and can help manage pain, according to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The medication, which can be ingested daily, blunts drug withdrawals and other effects of opioids.

In practice, the drug can be safe and effective but doses are specifically tailored for each patient. Patients could unintentionally overdose if methadone is not taken as prescribed, SAMHSA said.
It's no secret that governments around the world are chiseling away at people's liberties. Rights advocates document a nearly two decade decline in freedom. Civil liberties activists warn of a worldwide free speech recession. And while American restrictions on government power hold the line better than pale equivalents elsewhere, the political class seems determined to end-run those protections and impose creeping totalitarianism by leveraging the authority of allies in other countries.

U.S. Politicians Give Thanks to Foreign Censors

"Obrigado Brasil!" Keith Ellison, Minnesota's attorney general, wrote this week to thank that country's authoritarian Supreme Court for its recent ban on the X social media platform.

The court demanded X censor political views it called "disinformation" and appoint a new legal representative to receive court ordersafter threatening the previous one with arrest. Importantly, the ban threatens ordinary Brazilians with hefty fines if they evade the prohibition on the social media network. Nevertheless, demand for blockade-piercing VPNs surged in Brazil after the court decision.

Ellison serves alongside Minnesota's Gov. Tim Walz, who is the Democratic candidate for vice president and has falsely claimed "there's no guarantee to free speech on misinformation or hate speech." He's also not the only prominent politician to have a real hate-on for X and its CEO, Elon Musk.

"Regulators around the world should threaten Musk with arrest if he doesn't stop disseminating lies and hate on X," Robert Reich, Labor Secretary in the Clinton administration and one-time adviser to President Barack Obama, huffed in The Guardian. He cited the recent arrest in France of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov as a precedent. "Like Musk, Durov has styled himself as a free speech absolutist," Reich sniffed.

But the animus doesn't stop with X, Telegram, and their bosses.

"For too long, tech platforms have amplified disinformation and extremism with no accountability," former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton claimed in 2022. "The EU is poised to do something about it. I urge our transatlantic allies to push the Digital Services Act across the finish line and bolster global democracy before it's too late."

Leveraging Foreign Authoritarianism for Domestic Purposes

Why would a former U.S. presidential candidate cheerlead for European speech regulations?

"The Digital Services Act will essentially oblige Big Tech to act as a privatized censor on behalf of governments," Jacob Mchangama, founder of the Danish think tank Justitia and executive director of The Future of Free Speech, warned in 2022. "The European policies do not apply in the U.S., but given the size of the European market and the risk of legal liability, it will be tempting and financially wise for U.S.-based tech companies to skew their global content moderation policies even more toward a European approach to protect their bottom lines and streamline their global standards."

Now in effect, the law is used to squeeze online speech, including as an end-run around U.S. protections for expression. It's not the only overseas bypass of U.S. law, either.

Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina "Khan can't get Congress to pass her antitrust agenda and is losing in U.S. courts, so now she's leaning on foreign governments to do the anti-business work for her," The Wall Street Journal editorial board noted last year about Khan's reliance on European regulators.

Behind-the-Scenes Pressure for Censorship

But attempts to impose control and stifle dissent in the absence of legal authorization or in defiance of constitutional protections also occur here at home. Days after Telegram CEO Durov's arrest in Paris, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed what had already been revealed by the Twitter and Facebook filesthat the government leaned on private companies to suppress dissent and criticism of officialdom.

"Senior officials from the Biden administration, including the White House, repeatedly pressured our teams for months to censor certain COVID-19 content, including humor and satire," Zuckerberg told the House Judiciary Committee. He also admitted to suppressing reports about Hunter Biden's laptop and its incriminating contents under pressure from the FBI.

That implicates not only incumbent President Joe Biden, but also Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate for president. Harris has complained in the past that social media companies are "speaking to millions and millions of people without any level of oversight or regulation."

Oversight, it seems, is now applied through back-channel pressure, and regulation by governments in countries that lack serious protections for free speech. The result is to endanger the role of the United States as a haven for free speech and other liberties in a world growing ever-more authoritarian.

The Political Class Embraces an Increasingly Authoritarian World

"Global freedom declined for the 18th consecutive year in 2023. The breadth and depth of the deterioration were extensive," Freedom House cautioned in its 2024 annual report. "Political rights and civil liberties were diminished in 52 countries, while only 21 countries made improvements."

"Today, we are witnessing the dawn of a free-speech recession," Justitia's Mchangama mourned two years ago. "Liberal democracies, rather than constituting a counterweight to the authoritarian onslaught, are themselves contributing to the free-speech recession."

This erosion of protections for free speech and other rights occurs with the encouragement of American officials who want more control over our lives but have been (partly) stymied by American protections for liberty. In a world of global platforms and international travel, these officials are applying extra-legal pressure and relying on overseas friends to punish people for activities that are legal in the U.S.

Readers will notice that most if not all these officials are Democrats. Much ink has been spilled in recent yearsrightlyabout the authoritarian drift of the Republican Party. GOP vice presidential hopeful J.D. Vance wants to punish ideological opponents and advocates that his allies "seize the administrative state for our own purposes" and that they "seize the assets of the Ford Foundation, tax their assets, and give it to the people who've had their lives destroyed by the radical open borders agenda."

But as illiberalism rises across the political spectrum, Democrats are leapfrogging authoritarianism to embrace a soft totalitarianism enforced by unofficial pressure and foreign allies subject to minimal restraints on their power. They ignore legal constraints and display contempt for this country's protections for liberty in their quest to leave no refuge for dissent.

If liberty has a future in this country, it will be despite the best efforts of the political class.

The post The Soft Totalitarianism of the Political Class appeared first on Reason.com.
How someone could be using your cars number plate to break the law

Criminals are using number plate cloning to get round the rise in ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras - Getty

Thousands of drivers are being hit with fines for crimes they havent committed. But when they investigate, they are shocked to discover that its because someone else is using their cars number plate to break the law.

Cloning of cars registrations is becoming an epidemic, with fake plates hitting policing, counterterrorism and councils enforcement of schemes such as Ultra Low Emission Zones and congestion charges.

How bad is the problem?

A recent investigation by the BBC found that in 2023 there were 36,794 cases of fines being cancelled across 30 of Londons 32 boroughs because they were issued to drivers whose number plates had been cloned. That figure was up by 64 per cent from 2021.

But its not only a London problem: plates cloned to commit a crime in the capital can be from anywhere in the UK. Figures obtained by the RAC from the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), through a Freedom of Information request, show that incidents of cloned number plates have escalated from 7,431 in 2021 to 9,850 in 2023, a 25 per cent increase.

Yet even the DVLA admits its figures arent representative of how bad the problem really is, saying that car owners dont always alert it to the crime.

What is number plate cloning?

Cloning is applying the registration number of one car to another, usually identical model. The aim is to confuse Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.

Thieves may steal the physical number plate by removing it from a victims car. Or they may simply jot down the registration number and have a new set of plates made up for the car whose identity they want to obscure.

Why are number plates cloned?

At its most extreme, cloned number plates are put on stolen cars that look like the donor vehicle. That way ANPR cameras in police cars wont pick up anything untoward with the nicked motor.

But cloners usually just want to get away with low-level crime. That might be driving in a low emissions zone without paying, or driving off without paying for fuel. Any resultant punishment will then end up with the number plates registered keeper.

So much policing is done by ANPR camera now, the RACs Simon Williams said. Whether its cameras on no left or right turns, yellow box junctions, traffic lights, speeding and even the latest AI cameras that spot drivers on the phone or not wearing their seatbelts, they rely on reading peoples number plates.

The use of ANPR technology is growing dramatically. The National ANPR Service says in 2024 there are about 80 million ANPR reads every day  nearly three times the number from six years ago.

But ANPR relies on drivers displaying the correct registration number. And if criminals use someone elses identity, it nullifies ANPR as a tool for maintaining law and order.

Number plate company Platehunter issues replacement plates to people who have had theirs stolen. Its boss Jon Kirkbright told us last year that his companys 300 per cent year-on-year sales increase was largely down to cloning. This year its a similar story.

He said: Our sales are up again. The trouble is theres not much the authorities can do. The DVLA appears to have washed its hands of the problem.

What is driving the increase?

There are a couple of factors at play. Rising living costs are causing some to resort to desperate measures. People are struggling. If they can get around paying for something like fuel, simply by swapping number plates, they will, Kirkbright said.

Theres also Londons Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). From the end of August 2023, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan expanded the ULEZ to cover all of Greater London. Policed by ANPR, it charges 12.50 a day to enter in non-ULEZ-compliant vehicles  below Euro 4 for petrol and below Euro 6 for diesel.

It has resulted in drivers of a criminal disposition using cloned number plates, the RACs Williams said. The stats back that up. Transport for London revealed a 69 per cent increase in ULEZ fines because of cloning in the five months after the zones expansion.

Getting out of paying to drive through Greater London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is one motive for car criminals - Howard Pugh/Moment RF

How are dodgy plates made?

The law states that number plates should only be made by companies registered with the DVLA. These should demand the correct vehicle documentation before creating new plates.

But Platehunters Kirkbright revealed: You can legally buy machines that will make number plates and supply no end of dodgy plates to anyone who wants one. Its too easy.

A quick internet search revealed a UK company selling a number plate machine on eBay for 520. Other companies advertise replacement number plates over the internet to anyone whos prepared to pay for them. These circumvent DVLA rules by being based outside the UK.

How do you know if your number plate has been cloned?

Its clear if your cars number plates suddenly vanish. Otherwise you may simply find a fine or notice of intended prosecution on the doormat. Whatever, the first thing to do is call the police. They should issue you with a crime number and will put a marker against that number plate on the Police National Computer. This will alert officers with ANPR that they should stop cars with your registration.

Next, call whoever has issued the ticket and explain the situation. At this point you will have to prove your innocence, which seems a bit wrong, said the RACs Williams. And there are plenty of horror stories from drivers who havent been believed by local authorities.

Keith Williams from Anglesey in North Wales received a parking ticket from London when hed never driven there. He explained: I ended up having to engage a solicitor to remove the Parking Charge Notice as the local authority wouldnt accept what I was telling them.

Another cloning victim, Michael Stokes from Hackney in London, said: I would ring up whoever issued the tickets and get stuck in automated phone hell. Then when you do talk to a human, they dont want to know and dont believe you. The DVLA wasnt interested either. It was like talking to robots.

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South Carolinas 2024 presidential ballot is set. When is the deadline to register to vote?

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD)- The 2024 race for the White House is coming down to its final months, with early voting in South Carolina set to begin in less than 50 days.

Tuesday was the deadline for political parties to submit certified candidates names to the State Election Commission to be printed on the ballot.

The finalized ballot will include seven candidates for president, according to officials:

Constitution Party  Randall A. Terry

Workers Party  Claudia De La Cruz

Democratic Party  Kamala D. Harris

Libertarian Party  Chase Oliver

Green Party  Jill Stein

Republican Party  Donald J. Trump

United Citizens Party  Cornel West

An eighth candidate  Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  was initially nominated by the South Carolina Alliance Party in May. However, party leaders withdrew him from the ballot after he suspended his presidential campaign last month and joined forces with former President Trump.

With the first ballots going out to military and overseas voters in less than three weeks, time is running out for South Carolinians to register to vote.

Heres what voters need to know to prepare:

Who is eligible to vote?

An individual must meet the following qualifications in order to vote in South Carolina:

U.S. citizen

At least 18 years old

A resident of South Carolina, the county, and precinct in which you are registering

Not deemed mentally incompetent by the court or currently incarcerated

Teenagers who turn 18 on or before the general election (Nov. 5, 2024) can register to vote.

How to register to vote in South Carolina

There are 3 ways to register to vote in South Carolina:

Register online at scvotes.gov

Download a voter registration form. Complete and return the form to your county voter registration office by mail, fax, or email.

Register in person at your county voter registration office or while receiving services at the DMV or other state agencies.

If you moved to a different county since the most recent election, you must re-register to vote in the new county. If you have moved to a new location within the same county, you can update your address using this form on scvotes.gov.

When is the voter registration deadline?

State law requires an individual to register to vote at least 30 days prior to the election.

Here are the deadlines for registration:

In-person: Oct. 4

Online or by fax or email: Oct. 6

By mail: Oct. 7 (must be postmarked by this date)

You can check your voter registration status at scvotes.gov.

When is early voting?

Governor Henry McMaster signed a bill into law in May 2022 that replaces in-person absentee voting with an early in-person voting period for the two weeks leading up to election days.

Any voter can visit an early-voting polling location in their county between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and vote the same way they would on Election Day. Counties are required to have at least one polling place open during the early voting period.

Early voting for the 2024 general election will start on Monday, Oct. 21, and end on Saturday, Nov. 2.

How can I request an absentee ballot?

Eligible voters can request an absentee ballot from their county election office starting Jan. 1 of the election year.

The deadline to return your application is 5:00 p.m. on the 11th day prior to the election, which falls on Oct. 25 for the 2024 election.

All absentee ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

You can find more information on eligibility requirements and how to return your absentee ballot here.

Can I get a sample ballot?

Who will be the next president is not the only choice facing South Carolina voters this November.

All seven of South Carolinas members in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election this year as are all 170 members of the state legislature.

A slew of county-wide races are also on the ballot, including sheriffs, solicitors, probate judges, coroners, and other local-level offices.

Voters can also check who is on the ballot where they live by obtaining a sample ballot from the South Carolina Election Commission.

As Election Day nears, you can count on News 2 as your Local Election Headquarters to keep you up-to-date on the latest from the campaign trail.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SOUTH CAROLINA (WBTW)  South Carolinas Board of Education on Tuesday approved a policy barring students from using electronic devices during the school day, giving districts until January to draft local rules or risk losing state aid.

Research and feedback show that the widespread use of smartphones in schools has created serious academic, mental health, and discipline challenges, State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver said in a statement. With this policy, South Carolina students will be free to focus on their academic future and building life-long friendships in a safe environment, while South Carolina educators are free to focus on teaching.

During the school day, students are prohibited from accessing their personal electronic

devices, unless authorized for classroom use. Students may not wear or access device

accessories during the school day, language in the policy says.

Students must store their devices and device accessories in lockers, backpacks, or otherwise as directed by the school district during the school day. Districts may forbid student possession of devices and device accessories on school property.

Horry County Schools spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier said district officials are expected to discuss the policy in the coming weeks. News13 has asked all of the school districts in our coverage area about how they plan to address the new policy.

Between May 27 and June 7, 9,738 teachers responded to a four-question survey, sent to all educators statewide, about their experiences with student cell phone use in their schools. The responses spanned 4,816 elementary, 2,834 middle, 1,785 high and 303 administrative and support staff. Teachers also had the opportunity to provide open-ended feedback on the topic. Major themes of their responses are described below.

Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Virginia and major cities including New York and Los Angeles have all either banned or are planning to bar electronic devices in classrooms, according to S.C. Department of Education data.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  The highest court in South Carolina will hear four oral arguments next week on The Citadels campus in downtown Charleston, and the public is invited to attend.

South Carolinas Supreme Court justices will hear arguments from two separate cases each day on Sept. 10 and Sept. 11 in an effort to make the judicial system more accessible to those interested.

Citadel officials said the location change is part of a program to promote engagement between the court and communities across the state.

The hearings will take place in the Capers Hall auditorium and are free.

Also, on Sept. 10, visitors from the Charleston School of Law, Joseph Rice School of Law, South Carolina Legal Services, and Charleston Legal Access will provide free legal services for the public who otherwise may not be able to afford them.

The lawyers will be at the Holliday Alumni Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and can discuss topics such as wills, powers of attorney, expungements, and more. To register, contact Megan Seiner at seinerm@law.sc.edu or 803-777-3047.

To view the cases that will be discussed, 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 WCBD News 2.
Search ends for South Carolina teenager who was reported missing, West Columbia police say

A search for a missing teenager from Lexington County has ended.

Jasmine Johnson was safely located, the West Columbia Police Department said Wednesday.

Jasmine publicly reported missing by police Tuesday. The 16-year-old wasconsidered a runaway, police said in a news release.

Jasmines family reported her missing Monday, according to the release.

Jasmine Johnson was reported missing by the West Columbia Police Department.

Information about where and when Jasmine was found, and if she was alone, was not available.

There was no word why Jasmine ran away.
Editors note: In this three-part series, News 8 is exploring the resurgence of South Division Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids. Click here to read how it transformed into a vintage and cultural hub, and come back Thursday to read whats next for the street.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Construction throughout downtown Grand Rapids this summer has proved difficult for businesses.

Along South Division Avenue, businesses like Second Vibes, Rewind and Otono are dealing with construction just outside their doorsteps.

Weve got quite a few construction projects going around the city, retail retention and attraction specialist Richard App said. Were trying to get through them as quickly as possible and trying to be as conscientious to the businesses that are in and around the neighborhoods where work is being done.

The intersection of Division and Fulton Street has been closed since July. The road work in front of the vintage shops is set to last until November, App said.

Fulton/Division closure nerve-wracking for business owners

Construction on South Division Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids.

App said while hes heard some frustration from residents about the construction downtown throughout the summer, by and large its not stopping people from going downtown.

Second Vibess owners Kaitlynn Fitzpatrick and Camille Steverson said that typically, their store gets a lot of customers who stop in after driving by the storefront.

One thousand percent, we are losing all of our driving by traffic because the street is shut off, so thats unfortunate, Steverson said. I think just in general construction deters people, they dont know if they necessarily can walk over there, they dont know if were open. So we have definitely felt that in our shop.

Inside WOODTV.com: Building West Michigan

She said the store is going to continue to try to get people in the doors with things like events and signs. The store is planning a fill-a-bag event for September and a Halloween-themed shop hop for later this fall.

Were still open. You can still take the sidewalk. We are working hard to try to make it as easy and convenient as possible because we know it is an inconvenience, Fitzpatrick added.

Second Vibess at 13 Division Ave. in downtown Grand Rapids.

The two said theyll keep customers updated on the timeline and encouraged people to support the store by telling their friends about it.

Support for small businesses goes a long way, more than just buying an item, Steverson said. Reposting our stuff, sharing it, telling your friends about it, just helping the community stay alive through this next time period. Because running business can be difficult and we want to be able to be here. We want to be able to be part of the community. So just help support your small businesses in any way that you can.

App echoed the sentiment, encouraging people to support local businesses impacted by construction.

We do have inconveniences with construction and thats never going to change, especially in  a state like Michigan, he said. If you want these businesses to be around, you have to support them during their good times and in these trying times, too. And so my hope is that these people that have not had an opportunity to go down Division can do so, or if they havent been down in a while, come out and check out whats new.

South Division resurgence: Empty storefronts to vintage hub

Construction on South Division Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids.

ArtPrize, which runs from Sept. 13 through Sept. 28 this year, already brings more people into the downtown area. App hopes it will help with the businesses with the stresses of construction.

We had a lot of walkable traffic that time of year, so its hopefully thats going to help mitigate that a little bit, he said.

Matthew Rothenberg, the president of the Heartside Business Association and co-owner of Art Rat Gallery, said the neighborhood  which he said stretches from Fulton Street to the north, Wealthy Street to the south, Jefferson to the East and the Grand River to the east  is set to have 10 more venues than last year.

His own gallery is going from five artists to 13 within its expanded space.

The area will also be hosting Heart Prize the second weekend of ArtPrize, Sept. 21 and Sept. 22.

Heart Prize is our opportunity to capture a lot of the excitement of ArtPrize and direct attention to the most artistically engaged part of downtown Grand Rapids, Rothenberg said.

ArtPrize teases huge, Canadian surprise: An amazing spectacle

He said there will be free trolleys available to take people to people to Heartside from the city center during ArtPrize. People can also check out a special art installation at Pekich Park near the intersection of Division Avenue and Cherry Street.

Second Vibess said theyre interested to see what happens to the business community during the construction, adding they dont expect any new stores to pop up in the projects area until after the construction is done.

I definitely think that its exponential growth from here, Steverson said. The construction is a little bit of a roadblock, but I see so many more businesses popping up, the amphitheater and in general Grand Rapids is going to be growing so much in the next couple of years. So we would still like to keep branding this as the vintage shopping hub art hub of Grand Rapids and I would love to see more people become familiar with it, more businesses pop up.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Space X rocket launch platforms loom over members of the ENTRE Film Center gathered to celebrate and preserve Boca Chica Beach near Brownsville on Aug. 31. Credit: Ben Lowy for The Texas Tribune

BOCA CHICA  It wasn't just a day at the beach.

But it never is on this small strip of sand near the Texas-Mexico border, not since SpaceX began launching rockets here.

On this particular Saturday in August, about a dozen people traveled here to celebrate what the beach meant to them and raise awareness about the harm they see the new space industry doing to the environment.

An art installation of fabrics waving in the wind met the crowd as they approached the water and splashed into the waves. It was meant to evoke memories of families spending time here in decades past.

For a few hours, the beachgoers were treated to quesadillas, oysters, and a variety of casseroles as they lounged under tents appreciating the beach that has undergone drastic changes in less than a decade.

A SpaceX rocket launch platform towered behind them.

The beach was once considered a local secret but is now at the center of a struggle between locals who want to preserve it as it once was and those who see it as a site for innovation.

Members of the ENTRE Film Center, a local film center and regional archive, hosted the gathering at Boca Chica to celebrate the beach and motivate people to fight for its preservation, which they view as being in jeopardy since the arrival of Elon Musk's SpaceX.

This is the people's beach, this is our beach, said Nansi Guevara, a visual artist who created the art installation. And we're gonna fight to protect it.

ENTRE is among a coalition of Rio Grande Valley groups that have scrutinized the activity at Starbase, SpaceX's Boca Chica headquarters, and have spent years pushing back on attempts by the company to expand its operations here.

A panoramic view of Boca Chica Beach with the SpaceX launch facility to the left and members of the ENTRE Film Center, a local film center and regional archive, set up near the dunes on the right. Credit: Ben Lowy for The Texas Tribune

This summer, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have noted environmental concerns over SpaceXs proposal to increase the number of launches per year here.

The concerned groups continue to challenge the company and the government agencies over fears of the environmental impact and increasing denial of beach access to the public.

The Federal Aviation Administration was set to hold public hearings in August on SpaceX's proposal to launch its Starship/Super Heavy rocket 25 times per year from Boca Chica. However, the coalition urged the agency to restart its public participation process.

In a letter to the FAA, they called for a full environmental impact statement, in English and Spanish, that takes into account all the potentially adverse effects of SpaceX. They also asked for more time for the public to review the reports.

SpaceX is an issue that's constantly changing, that is getting rubber-stamped permits by regulatory agencies that have really broken processes, said Bekah Hinojosa, co-founder of the South Texas Environmental Justice Network.

A spokesperson for SpaceX declined an interview for this story.

The FAA, ultimately, postponed the public hearings after the agency became aware of allegations first reported by CNBC that SpaceX violated the Clean Water Act at the Boca Chica Launch Site and was unable to confirm the accuracy of SpaceXs license application and its draft environmental assessment, according to an agency spokesperson.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality also confirmed that it cited SpaceX for violating regulations. The state reached an agreement with SpaceX to address the issue. The formal agreement is pending approval from the commission or its executive director.

SpaceX responded to the allegations in a post on X, stating it was working with the environmental commission to obtain an individual permit for its water deluge system after previously operating under a Texas Multi-Sector General Permit, which regulates the discharge of stormwater used for industry. The company also noted that both TCEQ and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have allowed their operations to continue.

The CNBC report also raised concerns about traces of mercury in the non-stormwater discharge. However, SpaceX said there was a typo in the permit application and assured that mercury levels were well below state and federal water quality criteria.

Christopher Basaldu, a member of the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe, doesn't take SpaceX at its word and believes the environmental harm on the area is undeniable. The tribe considers Boca Chica to be sacred land and is currently suing the Texas Park and Wildlife Department for agreeing to a land swap deal with SpaceX.

As part of the deal, the Texas Park and Wildlife Commission agreed to give 43 acres of Boca Chica State Park to SpaceX in exchange for 477 acres adjacent to Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge.

Christopher Basaldu from the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas near Port Isabel on April 1, 2023. Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune

SpaceX has always been polluting, Basaldu said. And I think people are kind of brainwashed into thinking that rockets  constructing rockets, testing rockets and blowing up rockets  that somehow that's not causing pollution.

He added that if SpaceX were to receive FAA approval to launch rockets 25 times a year, that would prompt more frequent shutdowns of State Highway 4, the only road that leads to Boca Chica, limiting access to residents.

If they're launching 25 times a year, that's basically every other week, so it looks like they are going to shut down Highway 4 for half of the year, he said.

In addition to limiting beach access due to SpaceX launches, another change to the area is the arrival of Musk and SpaceX superfans who gather along the road adjacent to the launch site.

Swimmers at the Boca Chica Beach on Aug. 31. The popular beach near Brownsville is adjacent to a massive SpaceX facility. Credit: Ben Lowy for The Texas Tribune

On that same Saturday, a brown pickup truck with the words Base Camp Zero emblazoned on the side sat parked across the launch site. A large tent covered the truck where Calvin Wehrle heated food on a hot plate.

Wehrle, a Galveston resident, travels to Boca Chica several times a year. He camps out for weeks at a time, hoping to get a front-row seat to rocket launches.

As a former member of the Galveston Sierra Club, Wehrle thinks environmentalists are in a losing fight against SpaceX and advises that they work with the company to preserve what they can.

I've seen this happen and I made the mistake of fighting that, Wehrle said. And a lot of this development, you can't win.

But Basaldu, who wants nothing short of the complete dismantling of SpaceX's operations at Boca Chica and the restoration of the wildlife habitat areas, believes a complete reversal of what SpaceX has done can be accomplished.

Shut it down, take it apart, Basaldu said. Human hands made it, built it; human hands can tear it down, too.

Reporting in the Rio Grande Valley is supported in part by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Time is running out to get your TribFest tickets!

Be there Sept. 57 for 100-plus unforgettable conversations featuring more than 300 speakers, including Stacey Abrams, Colin Allred, Liz Cheney, Richard Linklater, Nancy Pelosi, Rick Perry, Gretchen Whitmer and Glenn Youngkin.

Hurry - buy your tickets today!
As European inflation nears the central bank's target and economic sentiment improves, Sweden's tech sector has been drawing increased attention from investors. In this environment, identifying high-growth tech stocks with strong fundamentals and innovative potential is crucial for those looking to capitalize on market opportunities.

Top 10 High Growth Tech Companies In Sweden

Name Revenue Growth Earnings Growth Growth Rating Truecaller 20.32% 21.61%  Fortnox 20.18% 22.60%  Xbrane Biopharma 53.90% 118.02%  Bonesupport Holding 33.76% 31.20%  Scandion Oncology 41.84% 75.34%  Hemnet Group 20.13% 25.41%  Skolon 31.76% 121.72%  BioArctic 42.38% 98.40%  Yubico 20.43% 42.51%  KebNi 34.75% 86.11% 

Click here to see the full list of 82 stocks from our Swedish High Growth Tech and AI Stocks screener.

Let's dive into some prime choices out of from the screener.

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: BioArctic AB (publ) develops biological drugs for patients with disorders of the central nervous system in Sweden and has a market cap of SEK14.59 billion.

Operations: BioArctic AB generates revenue primarily from its biotechnology segment, which reported SEK299.35 million. The company focuses on developing biological drugs for central nervous system disorders in Sweden.

BioArctic's recent Q2 2024 earnings report revealed a significant increase in sales to SEK 49.84 million from SEK 2.71 million the previous year, while the net loss narrowed to SEK 68.43 million from SEK 102.31 million. The companys R&D expenses are substantial, reflecting its commitment to innovation; for instance, exidavnemab phase-1 studies showed promising results in treating Parkinson's disease with high selectivity and tolerability among participants. Revenue is projected to grow at an impressive rate of 42.4% annually, outpacing the Swedish market average of 1%.

OM:BIOA B Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Sep 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ), along with its subsidiaries, offers mobile connectivity solutions for telecom operators and enterprise customers across numerous regions including North America, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, North East Asia, South East Asia, Oceania, and India; it has a market cap of approximately SEK255.09 billion.

Operations: Ericsson generates revenue primarily from its Networks, Enterprise, and Cloud Software and Services segments, with Networks contributing SEK157.93 billion, Enterprise SEK25.83 billion, and Cloud Software and Services SEK63.35 billion. The company provides mobile connectivity solutions to telecom operators and enterprise customers across multiple regions worldwide.

Story continues

Ericsson's recent collaboration with NRTC, Southern Linc, and Anterix to deliver private network solutions for electric cooperatives across the U.S. underscores its strategic focus on resilient and secure infrastructure. The company reported a 98.85% forecasted annual earnings growth, despite a net loss of SEK 11.13 billion in Q2 2024 from SEK 686 million last year. With R&D expenses reflecting their commitment to innovation, Ericsson's revenue is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.7%, outpacing the Swedish market average of 1%.

OM:ERIC B Revenue and Expenses Breakdown as at Sep 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Vitrolife AB (publ) specializes in providing assisted reproduction products and has a market cap of SEK34.07 billion.

Operations: Vitrolife AB (publ) generates revenue through three primary segments: Genetics (SEK1.25 billion), Consumables (SEK1.57 billion), and Technologies (SEK708 million). The company focuses on products related to assisted reproduction.

Vitrolife's revenue growth forecast of 7.8% annually surpasses the Swedish market average, highlighting its potential despite being unprofitable currently. Earnings are projected to grow at an impressive 105.81% per year, indicating a positive outlook for profitability within the next three years. The company reported SEK 941 million in Q2 sales, up from SEK 905 million last year, and a net income increase to SEK 143 million from SEK 106 million. Its commitment to innovation is evident with substantial R&D expenses supporting future advancements in biotechnology solutions.

OM:VITR Revenue and Expenses Breakdown as at Sep 2024

Key Takeaways

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include OM:BIOA B OM:ERIC B and OM:VITR.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
LARCHWOOD, Iowa (KCAU)  Next week, residents in Lyon County, Iowa will head to the polls for a special election.

Voters will decide whether or not to continue the West Lyon Community School Districts physical plant and equipment levy. The current levy expires in June 2025. The property tax would not exceed 67 cents per $1,000 of the assessed valuation of property within the school district. The money is approved every 10 years.

Nebraska Supreme Court will hear lawsuit challenging measure to expand abortion rights

School district officials say if the levy is continued, the funds would help buy new school buses and keep building repairs and replacements ongoing, along with technology and security equipment.

Voting will take place at the city hall in Larchwood, Iowa.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
I spent 4 nights on the Amalfi Coast. It was one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited, but I'd never go back.

As part of our honeymoon, my husband and I spent four nights on the Amalfi Coast.

Although it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited, I didn't leave wanting to go back.

A lot of the hot spots on the Amalfi Coast felt like tourist traps, and it was hard to get around.

From the moment my husband and I got engaged in 2021, we knew we wanted to honeymoon in Italy. After all, our shared Italian heritage really bonded us during our early days of dating.

When we began mapping out our trip, we planned to visit historical sites in Rome, sip wine in the Tuscan countryside, and explore the colorful hillside towns and turquoise waters of the Amalfi Coast.

I was perhaps most excited for our four-night stay on the Amalfi Coast, which was named one of the best honeymoon destinations for 2024 by Conde Nast Traveller.

Although the Amalfi Coast is absolutely gorgeous, and we enjoyed our time there, I left feeling as if something was missing from the experience.

When we returned home and told our family and friends about this portion of our honeymoon, many were shocked to hear that my husband and I had no desire to return.

Here's why our trip to the Amalfi Coast didn't quite live up to our expectations.

We rarely found sidewalks along the busiest roads

We often clung to the wall as we walked down the street. Stephanie Pitera Statile

As soon as we were dropped off on the busy road outside our Airbnb, I noticed one thing  there weren't sidewalks or pedestrian walkways.

As my husband and I explored the town we were staying in, we clung to the walls on the side of the roads as buses and motorbikes sped by.

We found that the majority of the towns we visited along the coast didn't have sidewalks either, which meant getting around on foot felt a little more difficult and dangerous than we expected.

Although the locals didn't seem fazed, I was a little nervous about walking down the busier streets.

The steps and steep inclines were more intense than I expected

My twice-weekly Pilates classes didn't prepare me for the hundreds of steps and steep inclines of the Amalfi Coast.

One night, we decided to visit a gorgeous seaside restaurant in Praiano. When figuring out the best way to get there, we discovered it was only a 40-minute walk from our Airbnb.

Since it was a nice night, we thought we'd give the walk a go. I didn't realize, however, that it would be more like a hike.

Before leaving home, I'd been warned about the many steps on the Amalfi Coast, but I severely underestimated how difficult it would actually be to get around on foot.

In all fairness, I did visit in July, when temperatures reached up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. But although the heat definitely made the steps harder to conquer, I'm not sure I would have fared much better in cooler temperatures.

A lot of the hot spots on the Amalfi Coast felt like tourist traps

Positano was gorgeous, but many of the shops carried nearly identical products. Stephanie Pitera Statile

As someone who grew up right outside New York City, I can typically smell a tourist trap from a mile away. To me, a lot of the most popular destinations on the Amalfi Coast felt as though they were specifically designed for tourists.

I guess this makes sense since the coast attracts roughly 5 million visitors a year, but it felt like a far cry from the more authentic Italian experience I was expecting to find.

For example, while wandering the gorgeous streets near the port in Positano, we found that many of the gelato shops were owned by the same company. The gelato was delicious, but I was a little disappointed that we couldn't sample flavors from a variety of different local merchants.

When I travel, I love checking out the products from local vendors. In Positano and Amalfi, I was looking for one-of-a-kind mementos and handcrafted pieces but mostly found dresses and pottery that looked nearly identical from place to place.

In my experience, it was hard to find authenticity in many of the tourist-filled locations on the coast. Although we genuinely enjoyed our experience there, I preferred immersing myself in the culture of the small towns we visited in Tuscany.

In our experience, the public transportation wasn't super reliable

When I was researching and planning our trip, one of the tips I read the most was not to rent a car on the Amalfi Coast. After all, the steep, winding cliffside roads aren't for the faint of heart.

With this advice in mind, we decided to use public transportation to get around. Although we loved how cheap the buses were (typically less than 3 euros per person), we soon discovered they rarely showed up at the scheduled times.

This led us to have to cancel reservations and plans, which was disappointing since we were in town for only a few days. We also found the taxis to be quite expensive  one 15-minute drive cost us 50 euros.

Because navigating public transportation quickly became draining, we ended up spending more time at our Airbnb than at the beach.

That said, we still loved our time on the Amalfi Coast

Despite everything, we had a great time on the Amalfi Coast. Stephanie Pitera Statile

In terms of honeymoon destinations, it doesn't get more romantic than the stunning seaside towns on the Amalfi Coast.

My husband and I genuinely enjoyed our time there  it just isn't the type of place I'm dying to return to.

The views were incredible, the people were friendly, and the food was delicious. But next time we return to Italy, we'll probably stick to less-touristy areas to really immerse ourselves in the local culture.

Read the original article on Business Insider
ILLINOIS  Should Cook County, home to Chicago and sprawling suburbs, break away from Illinois to form a new state? Voters in several Illinois counties could encounter a striking question, similarly phrased, on their ballots this fall.

The vote, however, is non-binding and doesnt ensure such a change would happen. Instead, it serves as a declaration from voters toward the possibility of splitting Cook County from the rest of Illinois.

130 cats found in Wildwood home that was target of previous welfare checks

The Center Square reports that at least seven counties intend to vote on a ballot question around that possibility this November, including Calhoun, Clinton, Greene, Iroquois, Jersey, Madison and Perry counties. Four of the seven counties (Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey and Madison) are within the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area.

The ballot question ahead for voters will read as such:

Shall the board of _______ County correspond with the boards of other counties of Illinois,

outside of Cook County, about the possibility of separating from Cook County to form a

new state and to seek admission to the Union as such, subject to the approval of the people?

The Calhoun County Clerks Office informed FOX 2 that it has certified a petition among residents to place such a measure on the ballot. It appears that Clinton, Jersey and Madison counties approved the groundwork for a November ballot question on the matter through board votes earlier this year.

As recently as last year, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul submitted an opinion that would seemingly strike down the idea of not only Cook County, but any Illinois county separating from the state. The opinion stated that any referendum on the issue of county secession would have no binding legal effect.

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Based on Article IV, Section 3, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution, in the hypothetical situation that Cook County would separate from Illinois, such a possibility would need approval from the Illinois General Assembly, Illinois governor, both houses of U.S. Congress and the President of the United States of America.

According to a 2020 poll by the Simon Institute, around half of Illinois Republicans would support dividing Illinois into two states. Some claim that Chicagos dense population drives the states politics, clashing with the priorities downstate voters.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  The Springfield Police Department (SPD) is working to help keep local neighborhoods safe.

SPDs community services section hosted free neighborhood watch training for the public from 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Jordan Valley Ice Park to receive a new name

The training is geared towards existing neighborhood watch groups and those wanting to start a program.

We want them to have that extra knowledge, help be vigilant in their neighborhoods, protect their livelihoods and their homes and their neighbors and be able to know what to look out for when crime may be happening, said SPD officer Brandan Locke. The biggest goal is to try to prevent it before it can happen.

More information on the neighborhood watch can be found on the citys website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY, N.Y. (WWTI)  The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is making area businesses aware about a pair of recent scams.

The chamber is letting the public know about two recent scams across the county.

St. Lawrence County Chalk the Walk for Suicide Prevention Month

One scam involves reports of a male subject approaching business owners attempting to sell advertisement space on flyers/posters. These advertisements are thought to be fraudulent.

The other scam is attempts to sell the chamber Contact list. The chamber warns businesses to not purchase from these entities. The chamber does not sell their contact list. However, the membership directory is available for free on their website, VisitSTLC.com

Businesses are encouraged to contact your local police department if you encounter this suspicious activity.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com.
ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY, N.Y. (WWTI)  St. Lawrence County District Attorney Gary Pasqua announced today in a press release, that Kaitlyn Cyrus, 24, and Jovannie Vega, 24, both of Massena, entered pleas today in the death of a 3-year-old child from November 28, 2023.

According to the press release, both defendants were arraigned today on one count of Aggravated Murder, Murder in the Second Degree, Manslaughter in the First Degree, Assault in the First Degree, and Assault in the Second Degree.

St. Lawrence County pair charged with manslaughter after death of toddler

Defendant Cyrus pled guilty to Murder in the Second Degree and Defendant Vega pled guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree.

DA Pasqua stated, No amount of time in prison will ever rectify the tragic loss of life that happened in this case. There can never be true justice in a case like this one. This child will never experience a full and happy life. Hopefully, the decades these defendants will spend incarcerated will bring some peace to the family.

In the press release, Judge Gregory P. Storie committed to sentence Cyrus to an indeterminate term of imprisonment with the NYS Department of Corrections with a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of lifetime imprisonment. He committed to sentence Vega to a determinate term of imprisonment with the NYS Department of Corrections of 25 years. Sentencing is scheduled for November 18, 2024, at 10 a.m.

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During Tuesdays vice presidential debate, Sen. JD Vances answer to a question about whether he would attempt to challenge the 2024 election results, even if every state governor certified them, led to one of the nights more memorable exchanges.
SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C.  The South Carolina Department of Education approved a state-wide policy barring students from using personal devices throughout of school day.

It essentially says from the start of the school day until the end of the school day students should not have their cell phones out, you can keep it in a backpack, put it in a cell phone locker, if a school provides one, said SC DoE spokesperson Jason Raven.

Districts now have until January to draft up local rules, or they risk losing state aid. School districts do have some flexibility.

School districts will either tweak current policies they have in place on cell phone usage or implement a new policy depending on what they had in place, Raven continued. If school districts want to take it further [by implementing the ban on] school field trips, buses, that up to them, thats not addressed in the policy.

Officials said the goal is to cut down classroom distractions.

We did survey the states 50,000 teachers earlier this year, Raven said.

With around 10,000 responses from teachers, an overwhelming amount of teachers said they are losing instructional time every day dur to cell phone use in the classroom.

Parents agreed that cell phones dont mix with learning.

I do understand what cellphones can be a distraction in school, said mother Alexa Bearden. I clearly have not been in high school for a while but I know when I was in school cell phones were a distraction.

Bearden added that cell phones being put up and away can be a double-edged sword for parents.

Truly my first thought is, I just think about the gun violence that happens in schools, Bearden said. My main concern is that quick communication with your parents and a lot of times parents are the ones talking to their kids, asking them questions and everything, so I feel like that direct communication is important now days.

Officials said there are other ways for parents to get in touch with their child throughout the day, like calling the school office. Parents can also contact schools to determine the best way to get in touch with your child during school hours.

Exceptions to the ban will be made for medical reasons, as well as students who are first responders.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
By Julian Luk and Pratima Desai

LONDON (Reuters) - Commodities trading company Trafigura has extended the notice period for traders leaving the firm to a minimum of six months or up to one year, three sources with knowledge of the matter said, after recent employee departures.

It is not known exactly when changes were made to extend the notice period, but the sources said they apply to new and existing employees and depend on seniority levels.

A longer notice period could discourage traders from applying to work at Trafigura, one of the sources said.

Trafigura declined to comment.

Energy traders including Mercuria, Gunvor and Vitol are returning to trading in metals after an absence of many years, looking to diversify from oil and cash in on a bonanza they expect to be created by demand for clean energy transition and wider use of artificial intelligence.

They have made hefty profits from fossil fuels such as oil and gas, prices of which rocketed in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Leaving Trafigura and joining Mercuria in recent months are Mehdi Wetterwald in Geneva, Michaela Dempsey in the United States and Leonard D'Offay in Dubai, according to their LinkedIn profiles.

They are joining ex-Trafigura trader Kostas Bintas at Mercuria.

Wetterwald, Dempsey and D'Offay did not immediately respond to requests for comment on LinkedIn.

Mercuria declined to comment.

Trafigura in June sent a letter to current and former employees proposing share clawbacks for breaches of confidentiality and its code of conduct.

Clawbacks are typically used by financial firms which require money already paid out to employees to be returned in the event of misconduct or poor performance.

(Reporting by Julian Luk and Pratima Desai; Editing by Veronica Brown and William Maclean)
BEAUFORT, S.C. (WSAV)  South Carolina is mourning the loss of Dr. Barbara Nielsen, a former state superintendent of education.

She was the first woman elected to the states top education position in 1991.

Current State Superintendent Ellen Weaver remembered Nielsen as not only a champion of education but a dear friend and mentor.

Barbara believed fiercely in the God-given potential of every student and dedicated her life to equipping them to reach it, Weaver stated. As a teacher, administrator, and State Superintendent, she was tough but fair, and she never lost faith in the hope found in a great education.

Even in retirement, she never stopped fighting for students and teachers, most recently chairing SCs Teacher Recruitment and Retention Taskforce in 2023, the superintendent continued. Her wit and wisdom will be greatly missed, but her shining legacy lives on forever in the lives of the students and state she served.

South Carolina adopts ban on use of electronic devices during school day

Gov. Henry McMaster said Nielsens passing is a profound loss for our state.

She was a dedicated leader and a true friend, he said.

As the first woman elected as South Carolina Superintendent of Education and the second as a constitutional officer, she was a true pioneer and an inspiration to many, McMaster continued. Her commitment to modernizing and reforming our education system transformed the lives of thousands upon thousands of our children.

The governor said hell order the State House flags to be lowered to half-staff on the day of Nielsens funeral.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican, said the former superintendent was a GOP trailblazer.

She was a passionate leader in education who was dedicated to every child, he added. Barbara was a great leader and an even better friend.

We will miss her dearly. May she rest in peace.

Nielsen served as the state superintendent until 1999.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
MARLBORO COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  The South Carolina Attorney Generals Office likely wont bring back state charges against Marlboro County Sheriff Charles Lemon, the agency told News13.

Lemon was acquitted last month in his federal excessive force trial in Florence. He returned as sheriff once his suspension was lifted just days after his acquittal.

State charges against Lemon were dropped in March. News13 asked the state attorney generals office if they planned on indicting Lemon again on those charges. The agency responded on Wednesday with the following statement.

We do not believe it serves the interest of justice to reindict on the same set of facts which have been fully presented before a jury in federal court in cooperation with the state investigators and prosecutors.

Lemon and former Deputy David Cook were indicted in January in an excessive use of force incident stemming from a May 2020 incident at the countys detention center. Cook pleaded guilty in federal court in February.

Lemon was accused of ordering Cook to use a Taser on the prisoner, Jarrel Johnson, without legal justification. A video of the incident showed Lemon telling his deputy to take off the victims handcuffs and then shows Cook using the Taser on the Johnsons head as he turns around. In all, the Taser was deployed six times in the incident.

* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
How to stay safe during Southern Californias latest heat wave

The latest heat wave to hit Southern California is expected to last throughout the workweek.

Extreme temperatures are forecast for communities throughout the Los Angeles region, reaching between 110 and 115 degrees in the San Fernando Valley. Burbank, Woodland Hills, Pasadena, and Palm Springs are also expected to see triple-digit temperatures.

Downtown L.A. and coastal communities, like Long Beach, will see temperatures in the mid to high 90s while coastal communities, according to meteorologists.

Augmented cooling centers to open as excessive heat warnings take effect

Whether you live in a desert community or closer to the beach, local officials urge residents to take precautions to stay safe during the heat wave.

Heres what you need to know:

Stay hydrated, wear loose-fitted, light-colored clothes and hats

Avoid exercising outdoors when it is too hot.

Stay cool by staying in the shade outside, setting air conditioners between 75 and 80 degrees, and closing windows, shades, and blinds when inside.

If those options arent feasible, people can visit nearby cooling centers. A list of ones across California can be found here.

Drink at least 2 cups of water every hour, even if youre not feeling thirsty.

Check-in on friends and family, especially elderly relatives or neighbors. Call 911 in case of a high fever or other emergencies.

Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, especially those with high water content.

Wear sunscreen and avoid too much sun time.

Bring pets inside and make sure they have fresh water.

Avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks

Take cold showers

Check-in on vulnerable populations, like the elderly, people with severe or long-term illnesses and people who live on their own

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  This year, STEM Academy added a new career pathway to their program. The new teacher pathway is the schools fourth pathway, and provides an emphasis on training science and math teachers.

The goal for STEM Academys new pathway is to grow their own educators right here in the Permian Basin.



Here at STEM, we had a few of our graduates graduate a few years ago, go on and finish their degrees, and they came back and chose to teach here with us, said STEM Academy executive director, Shannon Davidson. So, we have two of our recent graduates that are now teachers here. And we have several more of our graduates working through the education course, and that made us think that many of our graduates are going on and becoming educators. So, why not work on that here while theyre in high school, and give the emphasis on the science and math education.

The education pathway also gives students the opportunity to see if education is the right career for them.



Students participating this pathway get hands-on experience. They also get to fill out interest surveys, which can help them figure out the best educational area for them.



Ive got a math teacher. Ive got a gal that was looking at the biochemistry part, which is just amazing. The things that came back on their interest surveys, they were like, that is so amazing, because that is literally what I want to do, Pathway coordinator, Dr. Amanda Hart, said. Were trying to raise those math and science students and give them the basics of teaching, in the hopes that theyll go right through that UTPB pipeline, and then they can come back and be my next door neighbor again.

STEM Academy educators hope this pathway will also help with the teacher shortage in the Permian Basin, and prepare their students for a successful future.

RELATED: Forward together: ECISDs interim superintendent prepares to take the reins

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin.
Stephen King had a 3-word reaction to news his books are banned in some Florida schools

Author Stephen King learned his books have been pulled from some Florida public school libraries, and he's not happy about it.

"Florida has banned 23 of my books," King wrote in a weekend social media post. "What the (expletive)?"

That short statement from the now Sarasota County-based writer has gotten 18 million views and counting on X, formerly known as Twitter.

An important note: The Florida government doesn't directly make school bookshelf decisions, leaving that to local school leaders. But free expression advocates have blasted Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-dominated Legislature for passing laws in recent years that have significantly driven a state surge of school book removals.

They have also accused the DeSantis administration of giving bad guidance on those laws. Interpreting the new state standards on bookshelf decisions in dramatically different ways, officials have removed hundreds of books in some school districts and few to none in others.

"I know Stephen King happens to write for an audience generally considered adult, but we do have adults in high schools," said Stephana Ferrell of the Florida Freedom to Read Project, a book access advocacy organization. "Many of his books do not contain content that would be considered obscene or pornographic by anyone's standards."

American author Stephen King poses for photographers on November 13, 2013 in Paris, before a book signing event dedicated to the release of his new book "Doctor Sleep", the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining". The best-selling author has written over 50 novels and sold 350 million copies worldwide. AFP PHOTO / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP) (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)

While King did not elaborate on the "23" figure in his post, Ferrell believes he could be referring to Escambia County, where a similar amount of his books have been removed pending review.

The county, which is on Florida's westernmost tip, has drawn a couple of federal lawsuits for its book removals.

That hasn't been the case in Sarasota County, where King lives. Ferrell's group hasn't found any documented removals due to allegedly inappropriate content there; however, some of King's titles were weeded out for reasons like poor condition.

A search of Sarasota County school library catalogs shows a number of King books still on high school shelves, including "The Stand" and "On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft."

Meanwhile, both have been pulled in Clay County. Around 70 King books were challenged there by a conservative activist and removed by school officials last school year.

So were classics like "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker, "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison and "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess.

"It's not just about his books. It's just not just about 23 books," Ferrell added. "It's about the thousands that have been removed over the last few years."

King has been a frequent critic of the DeSantis administration. While the governor's office didn't respond to a request for comment, other Florida higher-ups were quick to weigh in.

"Could you give us a list? I bet I can buy all of them at the local bookstore," said Evan Power, the chair of the Republican Party of Florida, in a X post.

Many conservatives, including DeSantis, have disagreed with the term "book banning" and maintained that's not happening in Florida.

Exposing the book ban hoax is important because it reveals that some are attempting to use our schools for indoctrination, DeSantis said last year. In Florida, pornographic and inappropriate materials that have been snuck into our classrooms and libraries to sexualize our students violate our state education standards."

The governor has also closely aligned himself with Moms for Liberty, a conservative parents group that is one of the loudest voices calling for book removals.

The pushback has not slowed the lawsuits over book removals and related policies, including one in which Ferrell is a plaintiff.

The latest lawsuit was filed just last week, with six major book publishers and several prominent authors suing over what they call "unconstitutional book banning."

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule can be reached at DSoule@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Stephen King reacts to books being banned in Florida schools
Sterling teen faces multiple charges after running from police while armed

STERLING, Ill. (WTVO)  Leland Stephenson, 18, was arrested Tuesday after running from police and was later found to be armed.

According to Sterling Police, around 10:25 p.m. officers attempted to stop Stephenson and identify him, but he ran.

Authorities said he was apprehended a short time later and a handgun was found in his possession.

He is being charged with Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Possession of a Firearm without a Firearm Owners Identification, Illegal Possession of Alcoholic Liquor, and Resisting Arrest.

He is being held in the Whiteside County Jail.

Authorities stressed that Stephenson is not the teen who apparently shot himself in the leg and crashed a stolen car into a fence at Sterling High School earlier Tuesday morning.

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BOSTON - Ralph de la Torre, the CEO of Steward Health Care, says he will not testify at a hearing in Washington next week led by a bipartisan group of senators looking into his bankrupt company.

Back in July, de la Torre was ordered to testify at a public hearing next Thursday before the Senate Committee on Healthcare, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Ralph de la Torre's response

He responded to the subpoena Wednesday with a scathing letter from his attorney, Alexander Merton, to the HELP Committee, saying the senators appeared "determined to turn the hearing into a pseudo-criminal proceeding in which they use the time, not to gather facts, but to convict Dr. de la Torre in the eyes of public opinion."

Instead, he's asking the panel to reschedule the hearing until after Steward's bankruptcy process has finished.

Steward filed for bankruptcy reorganization in May and is working to sell all of its hospitals, including five in Massachusetts.

Bernie Sanders "disappointed"

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, chairman of the HELP Committee, released a statement Wednesday afternoon, saying he is "disappointed, but not surprised" that de la Torre will not testify.

"Perhaps more than anyone else in America, Dr. de la Torre is the poster child for the type of outrageous corporate greed that is permeating through our for-profit health care system," Sanders said. "Working with private equity vultures, he became obscenely wealthy by loading up hospitals across the country with billions in debt and selling the land underneath these hospitals to real estate executives who charge unsustainably high rent. As a result, Steward Health Care, and the more than 30 hospitals it owns in eight states, were forced to declare bankruptcy with some $9 billion in debt."

Sanders said he is now working with committee members "to determine the best path forward."



"But let me be clear: We will not accept this postponement. Congress will hold Dr. de la Torre accountable for his greed and for the damage he has caused to hospitals and patients throughout America," Sanders continued. "This Committee intends to move forward aggressively to compel Dr. de la Torre to testify to the gross mismanagement of Steward Health Care. It is time for Dr. de la Torre to get off of his $40 million yacht and explain to the American people how much he has gained financially while bankrupting the hospitals he manages."

Senators call refusal to testify "outrageous"

Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey and Sen. Elizabeth Warren issued their own joint statement, calling his refusal to testify "outrageous."

"Dr. de la Torre's defiance of a subpoena to appear before the Senate is outrageous," Markey and Warren said. "He got rich as private equity and real estate vultures picked apart, and drove into bankruptcy, hospitals that employed thousands of health care workers who served communities in Massachusetts and across the country. De la Torre used hospitals as his personal piggy bank and lived in luxury while gutting Steward hospitals. De la Torre is as cowardly as he is cruel. He owes the public and Congress answers for his appalling greed - and De la Torre must be held in contempt if he fails to appear before the Committee."

Criminal investigation into Steward

CBS News was first to report in July that federal prosecutors in Boston are investigating Steward Health Care on allegations of fraud and corruption.

The Senate investigation is aimed at holding de la Torre and Steward accountable for its management of dozens of community hospitals across the country.

"Indeed, there have been calls for criminal investigations of Dr. de la Torre by members of this Committee, ascribing guilt to him without a factual basis for doing so," de la Torre's attorney said in his letter Wednesday.

"It is not within this Committee's purview to make predeterminations of alleged criminal misconduct under the auspices of an examination into Steward's bankruptcy proceedings, and the fact that its Members have already done so smacks of a veiled attempt to sidestep Dr. de la Torre's constitutional rights by seeking sworn testimony on matters for which the Committee has pre-determined his guilt. Dr. de la Torre's testimony before the Committee under these circumstances would be wholly inappropriate."

Merton said his client won't testify at this time because "as doing otherwise may run afoul of the federal court order prohibiting him from discussing the above-referenced mediation efforts."

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(Bloomberg) -- Steward Health Care Chief Executive Officer Ralph de La Torre has informed senators he wont participate in an upcoming hearing probing the hospital operators failure until after its bankruptcy has concluded.

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Lawyers for de la Torre also said in a Wednesday letter to Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, that members of the Senate health committee he chairs are attempting to turn an upcoming Sept. 12 hearing into a pseudo-criminal proceeding in which they use the time, not to gather facts, but to convict Dr. de la Torre in the eyes of public opinion. The Senate committee in a bipartisan vote authorized the investigation and subpoena of de la Torre to testify.

Democratic lawmakers have blamed de la Torre for Stewards bankruptcy and criticized his compensation as chief executive. Sanders has also criticized the executive for declining past invitations to testify before Congress. The subpoena is the first to be issued by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions since 1981.

It is not within this Committees purview to make predeterminations of alleged criminal misconduct under the auspices of an examination into Stewards bankruptcy proceedings, de la Torres letter said.

Sanders said in a statement that the Senate committee will not accept this postponement and intends to move forward with its plan to compel de la Torre to testify about the gross mismanagement of Steward Health Care.

Congress will hold Dr. de la Torre accountable for his greed and for the damage he has caused to hospitals and patients throughout America, Sanders said.

Being forced to testify later this month could also jeopardize a recently announced settlement with Stewards landlord Medical Properties Trust Inc. intended to keep most of its hospitals open, de la Torres lawyers said. A federal court order to keep negotiations private also prohibits de La Torre from discussing information that was exchanged in those settlement talks, according to the letter.

The CEO said Steward also prohibited him late last month from testifying about issues related to the bankruptcy. Those matters, including Stewards debt obligations and financing transactions, have been delegated to an independent board committee, the letter said.

The letter said de la Torre needs to respect the ongoing settlement and restructuring process by remaining silent regarding the reasons for Stewards bankruptcy.

The settlement with MPT, which must be approved by a bankruptcy judge, would resolve billions of dollars of lease obligations that would provide a path toward keeping most of its hospitals open. Steward, which filed Chapter 11 in May, is also seeking court approval on the sale of some of its hospitals which had been at risk of closing.

--With assistance from Sri Taylor.

(Updates to include Sanders statement beginning in fifth paragraph.)

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The CEO of Steward Health Care told a Senate panel he wont testify at a hearing next week as part of an investigation into the companys bankruptcy, in defiance of a subpoena.

In a letter to the Senate Health Committee sent Wednesday, attorneys for Ralph de la Torre said it would be inappropriate for him to testify on matters related to Stewards bankruptcy while those proceedings are ongoing. They asked for a postponement until the proceedings are resolved.

Steward filed for bankruptcy in May and has been trying to sell all 30 of its hospitals across eight states. A federal bankruptcy judge on Wednesday cleared the way for the company to sell five hospitals in Massachusetts.

The letter further accused members of the committee of trying to turn the hearing into a pseudo-criminal proceeding in which they use the time, not to gather facts, but to convict Dr. de la Torre in the eyes of public opinion.

It is not within this Committees purview to make predeterminations of alleged criminal misconduct under the auspices of an examination into Stewards bankruptcy proceedings, the letter stated.

The committee in July issued a subpoena to compel de la Torre to testify about the failure of Steward Health Care. The committee voted on a strong bipartisan basis 16-4 to authorize the subpoena, the first in its history.

De la Torre for years has faced accusations that he has personally profited while Stewards hospitals across the country have been failing financially, but he has so far avoided any public response. He declined an earlier opportunity to testify, lawmakers said, and offered no counter date or alternate company official.

Last month, on the same day Steward announced it would close two Massachusetts hospitals that it could not find buyers for, de la Torre was attending Olympic equestrian events in Paris.

Steward took over a failing hospital system run by the Archdiocese of Boston in 2010, and backed by private equity company Cerberus Capital Management, converted it into for-profit institutions before buying up hospitals across the country.

While the hospitals were struggling, to the point where bills werent being paid and medical instruments were being repossessed, the owners paid themselves millions in dividends.

According to the committee, de la Torre owns a 190-foot, $40 million yacht; a $15 million sportfishing boat, as well as a mansion in Dallas. De la Torre also had a majority stake in a Steward affiliate that owned two corporate jets that committee chairman Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) valued at $95 million.

I am disappointed, but not surprised, that Dr. Ralph de la Torre, the CEO of Steward Health Care, who has made hundreds of millions of dollars ripping off patients and health care providers, is refusing to testify in the HELP Committee in defiance of a subpoena, Sanders said in a statement.

Sanders and committee Democrats have characterized Stewards failure as an example of what happens when private equity firms get involved in health care.

Sanders said he is working with members of the committee to determine the best path forward. But let me be clear: We will not accept this postponement. This committee intends to move forward aggressively to compel Dr. de la Torre to testify to the gross mismanagement of Steward Health Care.

In a separate joint statement, Massachusetts Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D) and Edward Markey (D) also condemned de la Torres refusal to testify.

He owes the public and Congress answers for his appalling greed  and De la Torre must be held in contempt if he fails to appear before the Committee, the Massachusetts Democrats said.

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All-Time Low

The share price of former president Donald Trump's Truth Social meme stock has plummeted to a new low after several key executives started offloading their holdings.

Around midday Tuesday, shares dropped below $18, setting a new record low since the company began trading after merging with a blank check acquisition company in March. Minutes after trading opened on Wednesday, it hit new lows again.

The crash shouldn't come as much of a surprise, as it wouldn't be surprising if Trump himself pulls the rug on investors within just weeks. The six-month lockup period determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission is almost over, opening the door for the former president to sell his own shares.

And that could be a make-or-break moment for Truth Social's parent company Trump Media. Trump owns 114 million shares  roughly 60 percent of the company's outstanding stock  so if he cashes out, it would be yet another major vote of no confidence.

Cash Grab

The current selloff is also likely being accelerated by a number of executives, including CEO Devin Nunes and COO Andrew Northwall and CFO and treasurer Juhan Phillip, selling millions of dollars worth of company shares.

The company has burned through many millions of dollars in cash, despite only making a measly $4.1 million in all of 2023. In the last quarter alone, the company reported a net loss of $16.4 million.

Even with shares sliding, the company is still being valued at billions of dollars, making it astronomically overvalued by any standard calculation.

However, with executives  and possibly Trump himself  looking to jump ship, Trump Media could look like a very different company within just weeks.

Given the broad failure of Truth Social to turn into any form of viable product  especially since Trump has taken up tweeting on X-formerly-Twitter again  the company was arguably never anything more than a thinly veiled attempt by Trump to raise some much-needed cash to cover lawsuit- and election campaign-related expenses.

Business failures aside, Trump could still have the last laugh. The former reality TV host could still rake in over $2 billion by offloading his shares, bookending a sketchy and blatant cash grab.

More on Trump: Trump Posts AI-Generated Image of Kamala Harris as Joseph Stalin, But Instead It Just Looks Like Mario
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on Tuesday sent a cease and desist letter to Columbus City Schools, saying the district needed to resume providing transportation to hundreds of nonpublic charter and parochial school students it dropped without warning or face a lawsuit.

Yost's announcement in a media release came just hours before Columbus City school board met Tuesday evening and voted on a new resolution saying it cannot transport some charter and nonpublic students because of the cost and disruption to its transportation services.

In an email response to The Dispatch the district said it had received Yost's letter and would "respond as appropriate." A spokesperson told The Dispatch at Tuesday's meeting that the district would issue a statement about the letter.

At Tuesday's meeting, the CCS board voted on another resolution declaring more students impractical for transportation. The Dispatch has requested the district provide how many children the district has already said it cannot transport.

Under Ohio law, school districts are obligated to provide transportation for nonpublic school students who live within district boundaries and will attend a school no more than 30 minutes from the public school which they would attend if they were enrolled.

At Tuesday's meeting and other recent meetings, the district has declared some charter and nonpublic students "impractical" for transportation, meaning the district says it cannot transport them and agrees to pay families for the costs of transportation at the end of the school year. Families would be responsible for transporting those students themselves using their vehicles, COTA bus service or Uber, Lyft or cab services they pay for up front.

More: Columbus Schools warns of late buses when school starts as district seeks more drivers

The district says it transports more than 8,000 charter and nonpublic school students in addition to CCS students.

Charter parents, students, administrators: busing situation 'unthinkable'

During Tuesday's meeting, Saturn Messina, 16, a student at the Metro Public Early College High School charter school, said that forcing female students to use COTA transportation to get to school every day threatened girls' safety.

"I have lost my ability to feel safe making my way to school," Messina said. "I am consistently afraid to ride COTA every morning."

Messina said that for many young girls, there is a constant threat of sexual violence from using public transportation.

"I am not delusional enough to think that I can change your mind," Messina said. "But tonight, when you go home, please look at the young women in your life, and think they deserve to feel safe on the transit that they have to use, and so do I."

Ignazio Messina, parent of Saturn Messina, told the district last week that he received his notice that his child was ineligible for transportation just 12 days before school started, and that the district has failed to continue to provide transportation during a mediation process as required by law.

He said he and other parents have been met with either rudeness  or silence  from the district as they tried to sort out their children's transportation situation.

"I think we should be reminded that for many parents in the district, transportation required by law is a need, not a want," Messina said. "They need this."

Andy Boy, CEO of United Schools Network, a network of central Ohio charter schools, said the "kinds of challenges that have have been put in front of families are just unthinkable or unacceptable." He said that many parents were informed of busing impracticality just a week or two weeks before school starts in some cases.

He said some parents have even had to immediately withdraw from United Schools as a result.

"The consternation of their families is off the charts. We've got mothers, grandmothers, families and tears like, 'What am I supposed to do? I worked so hard to set this up for my family to make sure that this is working,'" Boy said.

Jennifer Griffith, principal of Franklinton High School, a charter school, told The Dispatch that she was glad to see Yost taking action against CCS because "someone is standing up for underserved families who want school choice for their children."

She said that not only have many students at the school been declared impractical for transportation, 20 students have been declared "ineligible" for transportation, meaning they do not qualify for a transportation reimbursement from the district.

"This is just flat out erroneous as all of our students live within the Columbus City Schools district and our school is located in Franklinton," Griffith said.

'Strong-arm tactic:' Yost threatens suit against CCS

In a prepared media release, Yost called the district's move to decline transportation of some charter and nonpublic students "a strong-arm tactic."

"The solution of 'Well just come back to Columbus City Schools because we're great' doesn't work," Yost said. "The parents have already made the decision that they want to avail themselves of the other options. This kind of strong-arm tactic will not stand."

More: Nine Columbus City schools potentially face closure. Here's what to know

Yost said the district was refusing to comply with state law to transport children. He said in a video statement that the cease and desist letter warns the district that if it don't resume transportation to charter and nonpublic students, the Attorney General's Office will take CCS to court.

"Columbus City Schools has decided not to comply with state law  you don't get to do that  state law has to be followed," Yost said.

Cbehrens@dispatch.com

@Colebehr_report

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio AG threatens Columbus City Schools with suit over busing policy
What was just a normal day inside a Winder high school turned into terror when a gunman opened fire, killing at least four and injuring at least nine.

Channel 2s Tom Jones spoke with a senior at Apalachee High School, who recounted the moments she says her teacher was shot and killed.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The student said she and her classmates were in statistics class when they heard someone beating on a locker outside the classroom.

She says her teacher went out to investigate and thats when they heard a shot. Their teacher fell back into the doorway of their classroom, Jones reported.

The student said thats when the shooting stopped. She then said a group of classmates went out into the hallway and grabbed their teacher and dragged him or her back into the classroom.

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She said that the group of students then barricaded the door and hid inside the classroom, waiting for help to come.

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The teacher who was killed has not been identified.

Video shared with Channel 2 Action News showed one faculty member lying on the ground bleeding heavily. Its unclear if that is the teacher who was killed.

Jones then spoke to a student who said she heard gunshots and then heard police tell the gunman to put his hands up. Kerrigan Murdoch said she was in class when a sign inside the classroom said there was an emergency lockdown.

All I hear is Boom, boom boom boom! We all booked it down. Everyone was crying, Kerrigan said. It was a scary moment.

Kerrigan said that as police were escorting her outside, she saw a student shot and killed near a bathroom.

The GBI has not confirmed if any of the victims were students.

None of the victims have been identified.

Authorities have confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that the suspect is in custody.

It remains unclear if the shooter is a student.




(SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind.) WTWO/WAWV  Next week, we mark the anniversary of the September 11th attacks on our country. Faculty, staff and students at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, placed memorial flags along The Avenue at the college.

Each flag represents a victim of the attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and a hi-jacked passenger plane that crashed in Pennsylvania.

Local farmers prepare for possible drought

The flags will remain up through September 12. They remind students at the college to remember the past.

A lot of our current students were not alive when this happened like me myself I was born in 2004 so I was not here when 9/11 occurred but its extremely important to remember our history and to learn from it. These flags serve as the idea that this country can rebuild and that we need to stay united, said SMWC Senior Hannah Harvey.

It was an opportunity that just made sense. The generations that are here today attending classes they werent here in 2001 so its an opportunity to help the generations that are here remember what happened on 2001 and its an opportunity to display a flag for each life that was lost and remember those lives, added Director of Alumni Relations Sarah Mahady.

Richard Goodall headed back to Hollywood

This event is in partnership with Indiana State University. You will find flags at ISU between the Welcome Center and the Career Center.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
Students scared to speak their minds for fear of being cancelled, Oxford dons claim

Prof Lawrence Goldman, of St Peter's College, Oxford has said students feel there are 'ideologies that they mustn't transgress' - David Rose

University students are too scared to speak their minds in seminars because they fear being cancelled, Oxford dons have claimed.

Prof Lawrence Goldman, of St Peters College, said todays undergraduates are frightened of how their peers will react if they are offended by their views on topics such as slavery and the British Empire.

Last month, Labour halted the introduction of a law aimed at forcing universities to actively promote free speech on campus, just days before it was due to come into force.

Speaking to Times Radio on Tuesday, Prof Goldman said students were now somewhat reticent to speak openly because they feel that there are ideologies that they mustnt transgress.

Its become the case that there are certain areas of historical study that are very sensitive for obvious reasons, like slavery and colonialism, he said.

And its very difficult, as it were, for students to speak openly, and you can sense that they may not be agreeing with each other but its not done anymore for them to disagree, as was the case, say, 10 or 15 years ago in seminars.

And it is ironic that, as it were, in the opening up of British history and other histories to, as it were, full scrutiny, actually, weve made it rather more difficult.

Prof Goldman added: What saddens me is that its been imposed in such a way, and I think imposed is the word.

Its been imposed on young people so that they dont have the confidence to think for themselves based upon the sources that theyre reading.

Prof Nigel Biggar, regius professor emeritus of moral theology at Oxford, told The Telegraph that self-censoring fear is now a fact of academic life.

He feared association with my views would damage his career prospects

In Oxford a few years ago, I was approached by a young post-doctoral fellow in history, Prof Biggar said. He expressed firm sympathy with my moderate, nuanced views of colonialism and asked to meet.

When I agreed, he then urged that we find a venue where none of his colleagues would see us, since he feared association with views like mine would damage his career prospects.

If a junior academic was scared of publicly owning his dissent from decolonising orthodoxy, we can be sure that even more vulnerable undergraduates are also biting their tongues.

Self-censoring fear is now a fact of academic life, and university leaders who pretend theres no problem with free speech simply arent looking.

Last month, Labour announced it was halting the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023  a flagship Tory policy.  with Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, saying she would consider repealing it.

The Department for Education said the Bill would have a negative impact on vulnerable groups and that it opened universities up to costly legal challenges from academics if they fell foul of the new law.

But legal documents, seen by this newspaper, revealed vice-chancellors desires to protect their operations in authoritarian states such as China were also considered.

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Who is the Sultan of Brunei  worlds longest-reigning and most extravagant monarch?

Indias prime minister Narendra Modi (R) shakes hands with Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (L) prior to a meeting at Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan on 4 September 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)

With his fleet of 7,000 cars and 15,000 haircuts, the Sultan of Brunei couldnt be more different than Indias Narendra Modi, who has made much over the years of his modest upbringing.

Modi is making the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to the tiny, oil-rich nation in Southeast Asia this week, and his talks with the sultan underscore the growing importance of Brunei for Indias geopolitical ambitions in the region.

Modi, who is said to have sold tea at a railway station as a boy, has expressed his intention to strengthen Indias ties with the small country on the northern coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia.

Brunei is an important partner in Indias Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision  policies meant to serve stronger trade and business ties with South East Asia and other Indo Pacific countries.

Who is Haji Hassanal Bolkiah?

The Sultan of Brunei, whose wealth is estimated at $30bn, is known for his lavish lifestyle. His car collection is reportedly valued at $5bn and has 7000 vehicles, including a gold Rolls-Royce that he acquired for his daughters wedding.

He was crowned the 29th Sultan of Brunei in 1968 and is the second-longest reigning monarch after the late Queen Elizabeth II. He resides in the Istana Nurul Iman, the worlds largest residential palace with 1,788 rooms.

The power of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who is also the prime minister of Brunei, extends far beyond that of a typical monarch. According to his official biography, he holds multiple high-ranking positions, including the portfolios of defence, finance, and external affairs.

He was named crown prince at 15 in 1961 and six years later his father Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddin abdicated. Although Brunei was still a British protectorate at the time, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah had already received military training in Britain and studied in Malaysia.

The sultan trained as an officer at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst in the UK between 1966 and 1967, the official website noted.

He is also a qualified pilot and can fly both aeroplanes and helicopters.

This handout picture taken by Brunei's Information Department on 11 January 2024 and released on 12 January 2024 shows Brunei's Prince Abdul Mateen, right, touching his forehead on his father's hand, Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, second from left, after his solemnisation at Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei (via AP)

Under his rule, Brunei solidified its status as one of the worlds richest nations based on its vast oil wealth with a high per-capita income upon gaining independence in 1984.

The last parliamentary elections in Brunei, a country roughly the size of Delaware in the US, were held in 1968.

The sultans extravagant spending has fascinated outsiders for decades. His palace has an extensive polo complex, complete with around 100 ponies and a stud farm. He reportedly paid Michael Jackson $17m to perform at his 50th birthday party, attended by Britains then Prince Charles. The celebrations went on for over two weeks.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is believed to have a private collection of around 500 Rolls-Royces and during the 1990s, the Bolkiah family was reportedly responsible for nearly half of all the luxury car purchases worldwide.

Prince Abdul Mateen, one of the Sultans 12 children, frequently posts images of his lavish lifestyle on Instagram. Prince Mateen is the sixth in line to Bruneis throne and a pilot and polo player with over 2.4 million followers on Instagram. The Instagram posts of the prince, who has often drawn comparisons in the past with Britains Prince Harry, show a mix of official duties with yachting, travelling in private jets and stays at world-class hotels.

Indias prime minister Narendra Modi (L) and Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (R) pose for pictures prior to a meeting at Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan on 4 September 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiahs younger brother, Prince Jefri Bolkiah, was accused by the state of Brunei on behalf of the sultan of misappropriating some $40bn in state funds, in one of Asias most sensational royal scandals. The sultan sued his younger sibling in 2000 leading to a long-running feud between the two.

Brunei, a small country of about 463,000 people with a predominantly Muslim population, bans liquor, dancing, gambling and homosexuality. The sultan faced increasing international scrutiny, especially after 2019, when Brunei rolled out its interpretation of Islamic laws, or sharia, allowing whipping and stoning to death for those found guilty of adultery, sodomy and rape.

This picture taken by Bruneis Information Department shows the royal powdering ceremony for Brunei's Prince Abdul Mateen's, centre, at Istana Nurul Iman, ahead of his wedding with Anisha Rosnah, in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei (via AP)

The new measures were met with global outcry and caused alarm and fear among Bruneis gay community. Even though homosexuality was already illegal in the country, the enforcement of these harsher penalties led to calls to boycott luxury hotels owned by the sultan, including the Dorchester in London, the Beverly Hills Hotel, and the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles.

The US, Britain, France, Germany, and other nations, along with several celebrities such as George Clooney, Ellen DeGeneres, and Elton John, protested the law. Seeking to temper the backlash led by celebrities, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah extended a moratorium on the death penalty but critics said other harsh punishments, including whipping and maiming, remained and called for stricter revisions to the law.

Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah looks on as US president Joe Biden reacts to a reporters question during a family photo for the US-ASEAN Special Summit on the South Lawn of the White House on 12 May 2022 in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

The sultans flying palace is a private aviation fleet of ultra-luxurious planes, including a Boeing 747-8 (V8-BKH), a luxurious, long-range aircraft, a Boeing 767-200 (V8-MHB), another high-end aircraft for long-haul flights, a Boeing 787-8 (V8-OAS), a modern and spacious jet designed for comfort, apart from Sikorsky S70 and S76, helicopters used for shorter journeys and local travel.

The sultan reportedly spends approximately 15,000 for a haircut and arranges for his favourite barber, who works at Londons Dorchester Hotel, to fly first class to Brunei.

The 78-year-old also owns a private zoo with 30 Bengal tigers and a range of exotic birds like falcons, flamingos and cockatoos which can reportedly ride miniature bicycles, play with a ball, sing, and imitate other animals, according to a GQ report.

Observers say the sultans lavish lifestyle contrasts sharply with the lives of commoners, who live in a nation where strict Islamic laws and a state of emergency have long restricted personal freedoms. The sultan is also criticised for promoting a conservative interpretation of Islam that contrasts sharply with the lifestyles of those from the royal family.

The sultan is currently married to Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha. He has 12 children from three spouses. In 2020, Prince Abdul Azim, the sultans 38-year-old son and fourth in line to the throne, passed away. Azim was known for his work as a movie producer in Hollywood.

Azim was also known for his prominent presence on the international party scene, often seen with celebrities such as Pamela Anderson, Janet Jackson, and Mariah Carey.

In a 2017 CNN report, Michael Auslin of the Hoover Institution was quoted as saying: Theyre [the royal family] probably fairly well insulated from criticism, as the Bruneians are living better than almost anyone else in Asia. Here youre talking about oil wealth that has been spread throughout society, the majority are benefiting.

Their lifestyle is literally inconceivable for the vast majority of humanity. Its lavish beyond belief. Take everything you can imagine in the lifestyles of the rich and famous and multiply it.
The crisp November air nipped at the incoming freshmen representatives as they filed into the Capitol Visitor Center for orientation. Within less than two months, half the chamber would be at each other's throats over the nomination for House Speaker. But for now, the members-elect were busy meeting their new colleagues and praying they'd get the best offices in the lottery.

However, as the days went on, a nerve-racking realization washed over Congresswomen Delia Ramirez (D-IL) and Summer Lee (D-PA). Against the odds, the two women had made history in the 2022 midterms. In Pennsylvania, Lee, an organizer turned state representative, battled millions of dollars in campaign spending from the PAC operated by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) to win her Pittsburgh district and become the first Black woman elected to Congress in Pennsylvania. In Illinois, Ramirez, a housing advocate and state representative whose mother had crossed the Rio Grande with Ramirez in her belly, defeated a crowded field to become the first Latina congresswoman from the Midwest.

Now, they were facing a crisis familiar to millions of Americans across the country: how to pay rent. "We were both silently in our heads doing the math of how much an apartment costs," Lee, 36, tells Teen Vogue, recalling orientation. "We weren't [prepared] for the fact that we've had to leave our jobs. We were going to have to furnish a housemove our stuff in, and we're going to have to pay rent in DC (one of the most expensive cities) and our hometowns."

The pair had met at a friends place in July 2022 and hit it off. But even before then, the two politically aligned women kept a close eye on each other's races. So, it made sense when one day Lee leaned over her seat to ask Ramirez, 41, the all-too-familiar freshman orientation question, Do you want to be roommates?

The pair moved into a three-bedroom house within walking distance of their offices and have been living there for the last two years. "It was a godsend for us to find each other, and not just for the financial piece," says Ramirez, who splits her time between the town house with Lee and her home with her husband in Chicago. "But for the navigating Congress piece," interjects Lee.

"We relatable members really struggle in this place," explains Ramirez. "Because the truth iswe have to have uncomfortable conversations with colleagues of ours, who've never known what it's like to live paycheck to paycheck, who have never known what it's like to wonder if their husband is going to get deported because the Dream Act is about to expire, or a judge is going to make a decision.

The Squad fights for political survival

Ramirez and Lee, who were adopted into the progressive political coalition known as the Squad, need allies in Congress now more than ever. The new generation of progressives  the lawmakers most vocally championing issues like a ceasefire in Gaza, student loan forgiveness, immigrant rights, and curbing money in politics  is bracing for the fight of their political lives.

In New York, AIPAC's Super PAC United Democracy Project spent over $14 million in a successful bid to oust fellow squad member Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) from his seat. Then in Missouri, AIPAC and its allies helped unseat one of the progressive movement's most prominent voices, Congresswoman Cori Bush (D-MO). In total, AIPACs PAC is expected to spend roughly $100 million working to defeat progressives who've called for a ceasefire in Gaza, putting the entire Squad, including Lee and Ramirez, on notice.

Although AIPAC sat out Lee's primary race this cycle, her opponent received significant financial contributions from billionaire Jeffrey Yass, a strong supporter of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. And Lee says she's prepared to face off against big-dollar donors again in Novembers general election, whether that's AIPAC or other well-funded organizations.

"In my race, we are always at risk of monied interests coming in and trying to influence the election," says Lee, adding, "As we say, let's stay ready to get ready, right? Our job is always to prepare as if your challenge could come any day."

However, Lee notes that candidates from working-class backgrounds vying to represent working-class communities simply can't withstand the kind of dark money spending that occurred in Bowmans race. "A district like mine would not be able to sustain raising $20 million for me every two years like that," explains Lee. "And the people who are most likely to be impacted are the people who are the least likely to have historic traditional access to money, the people who are not from the country club class, right? Jamaal Bowman was a school principal. I came from a working-class Black neighborhood. I was an organizer. Cori Bush was a nurse, an activist, an organizer."

Joanna Zdanys, deputy director of the Brennan Center's Elections & Government Program, notes that money can be a massive barrier to entry into politics for women of color and people without access to personal wealth or traditional fundraisers. "We know that women especially are underrepresented at all levels of government. You know, they make up about half of the United States population but are less than a third of congressional and state officeholders. And this disparity is even greater for women of color," says Zdanys. "And research shows that fundraising is a major barrier to entry for women, especially for primaries. It's incredibly expensive to run for office and it's getting more expensive all the time."

Ramirez, who has yet to face the same torrent of outside spending in her race, says the point of going after Bowman was to send a clear warning to progressives to shut up and stand down, especially on calls for a ceasefire. Unfortunately, she says that for some of her colleagues, it's worked. "I asked a colleague about a recent vote two weeks ago, like why would you vote inconsistent with how you [typically] vote and their response was, Did you see what happened to Jamaal?" Ramirez recounts. "This is the reality of what's happening. It's a sickening effect of big, unaccountable dark money in our democratic elections and it has devastating effects on [our] communities, especially communities of color."

Despite the risks, Lee and Ramirez say they're committed to continuing to push the envelope  because for them these issues aren't just political, they're personal.

A fight for her family

When Ramirez and her husband, Boris Hernandez, married in October 2020, the country appeared to be on the precipice of change. "Immediately after we got married, I told him we needed to apply for an adjustment of status," recalls Ramirez, whose husband, a DACA recipient, arrived in the United States when he was 14 years old from the same town as Ramirezs family in Guatemala. "And he said to me, 'No, let's wait because if Joe Biden wins, he's willing to give dreamers a pathway to citizenship. It'll be faster and it won't be you who does it,' she says.

Only that didn't happen. A year later, Ramirez says her husband came to her "heartbroken," asking her to apply for the status adjustment that would help him get on the pathway to citizenship. To this day, he's still undocumented and the fear that she could lose her husband to deportation looms large over the freshman congresswoman.

Ramirez says she recounted her husband's story to President Biden during an immigration meeting. "You get to choose what kind of president you are," she recalls telling Biden. "Do you want to be the president who keeps families together or separates them?"

During the meeting, Ramirez gave feedback on an upcoming executive order that helped to create a clearer path to citizenship for undocumented spouses of US citizens, among other immigration-related reforms pushing the President to help keep mixed-status families together. After a lawsuit from 16 Republican-led states, a federal court paused the program.

A freshman congresswoman speaking plainly and out of turn in front of the head of her party isnt how things are done in Washington, says Ramirez. But she knew she had to take the opportunity when she had it to push Biden. "Our people have no time to wait," she says. "They're tired of waiting."

While much of what gets argued about in the halls of Congress is theoretical for many members, Lee says the stakes are different when these issues impact you directly. As a first-generation college and law school graduate with hundreds of thousands of dollars of student debt, Lee knows no one will fight for student loan forgiveness harder than someone who understands the weight of it. "I represent the lived experiences of somebody who was working class, a Black woman in the Mon Valley. And I recognize that the whole purpose of us having a reflective democracy and representative government is that those experiences are supposed to have space," she says.

Nina Smith, a communications strategist and former senior advisor to former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and then-presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, says Lee, Ramirez, and other members of the Squad are doing something new and that's going to ruffle some feathers. "The Squad shook Washington because they came in and they didn't do things the way things are done in Washington," says Smith, who has also worked with the Working Families Party, a minor political party founded in New York that also supports progressive campaigns, including Ramirez and Lee's. "Washington is a place that is very built on structure and tradition, and a lot of the progressives since 2018 who have come into Congress have walked the line and at times crossed the line over what that tradition meansand that can be unnerving for people who've spent 20, 30 years navigating those structures."

A new era in politics

Seated in Lee's office in the Cannon building on Capitol Hill, the two congresswomen trade jokes and observations about their colleagues, laughter echoing through the room. The pair speak in the casual lockstep of roommates who've stayed up until the early hours debating everything from television shows to politics. It's an ease that feels necessary as they fight not only for reelection but also for their place in a political system that up until their election had excluded them and people like them entirely.

"We are creating a home for liberated Black and brown folks," says Lee. "We're creating a home for liberated, marginalized folks who are like, you know what, electoral politics might not be our God, but it is a weapon."

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SunFresh Linwood was supposed to revive business in east KC. The store is now in crisis

Teenage grocery store shelf stockers have taken to carrying tasers in their pockets in case they have to defend themselves from customers at the SunFresh Linwood at 31st Street and Prospect Avenue in East Kansas City.

The SunFresh, which anchors the Linwood Shopping Plaza along Prospect, has changed hands several times in the past few years as city leaders and organizations tried to keep East Kansas City from becoming an urban food desert. Most recently, CBKC, a Black-owned development agency, took over operations of the entire plaza in 2022.

But today, its common for unhoused residents to sleep outside the SunFresh, and reports of fighting, drug use and public sex lead to frequent 911 calls from the plaza, according to residents and CBKC.

Two managers have quit in the last year, citing hazardous working conditions. The store is now managed by assistant manager Adriana Rentie, who said at an August meeting with Mayor Quinton Lucas and Kansas City Police Department chief Stacey Graves that her short tenure has been far from easy.

Sales are so low that the store cannot afford to repair its broken front door, developer and CBKC CEO Emmett Pierson said in August. About 85% of the stores total revenue goes to security.

Meanwhile, Rentie and other SunFresh staff have begun calling 911 frequently, often reporting limited success. On one recent occasion, Rentie said, a Kansas City police officer declined to intervene with a SunFresh customer accused of theft because the officer was busy responding to another customer wielding a machete.

Another time, Rentie said an officer refused to arrest a man threatening to kill Rentie and other customers, instructing Rentie to instead talk it out.

Five years ago, city officials put more than $20 million into businesses along the Prospect Avenue commercial corridor, including $17 million into SunFresh, hoping to get ahead of blight and make the area a more attractive gathering place for residents - and their dollars.

Now, CBKC wants Kansas City officials to know that evidence of the citys investment has all but vanished along Prospect Avenue  and Pierson is considering shutting down the store if conditions continue.

[Adriana] is young and fearless, but I dont want her putting her life at risk to sell groceries, Pierson said. Thats whats happening.

Problems at SunFresh

The Sunday meeting with the mayor was one of several similar events in the last week as community leaders work to draw attention to deteriorating conditions at the grocery store.

Urban Summit of KCMO, a nonprofit dedicated to advocacy in east Kansas City, hosted a meeting to discuss the problem Friday at Morningstar Family Life at 27th and Prospect, while third district councilmembers Melissa Patterson Hazley and Melissa Robinson scheduled a news conference at the SunFresh on Tuesday.

At the first meeting on Aug. 24, about twenty residents walked with Lucas and Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves from 30th and Prospect to the Linwood Square shopping center. Lucas spent most of the walk conferring with Rentie, who pointed out areas along the street where loitering has escalated into incidents of crime in recent months.

Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas speaks with a concerned resident outside SunFresh Linwood. The grocery store at 31st Street and Prospect Avenue may close due to public safety concerns, despite a multimillion dollar investment from the city to keep it open five years ago.

I cant bring my kids here, one neighbor told Mayor Lucas. Its unthinkable.

Before the recent five-year, multi-million dollar revitalization plan funded by the city, the plaza had been vacant for several years. At the time, local developers and supporters of the plan said it was necessary and would bring food security to the neighborhood for good.

Its a big deal, Pierson told The Star in 2022. First of all, its a grocery store in an urban community. Its in a food desert. But its a bigger deal because its owned by a minority led organization. Theres not that many African-American grocers in the country.

But grocery is an industry with tight profit margins, Pierson said. With fewer safety concerns consuming profits, other SunFresh locations have more to spend on security and cleanliness.

Pierson noted that a nearby store just off of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard generally has a clean parking lot with fresh plants outside, visual improvements which he says SunFresh Linwood cannot afford to make.

Along with theft and vandalism, store owners and workers near Linwood Square said they frequently witness people soliciting prostitution.

This is an emergency, Patterson Hazley said on that Sunday. I aint never seen this many people outside before Just outside, I slowed down and counted 20-some-odd folks, most of them being some women that look like its unsafe for them to be in that atmosphere.

Drug use has also been a concern in store parking lots, which Rentie and Pierson say is underpoliced when it occurs outside of SunFresh.

People use drugs and then they go straight to the grocery store and steal, Pierson said.

Building a business district

Third District councilwoman Melissa Patterson Hazley said that she and fellow councilwoman Melissa Robinson have been attempting to alert city leaders about growing safety concerns in the district for months. She also said she has noticed an increase in residents sleeping and panhandling along Prospect.

Im begging my colleagues to take this seriously, Patterson Hazley said. ...This is a place we want to be safe. I love Popeyes, but I cant go through that drive-thru anymore because of the mayhem that is going on in this neighborhood, and its true that anyplace else in the city, this would not be tolerated.

SunFresh Linwood stood vacant in the Linwood Shopping Center on Prospect Avenue from 2007 until 2014, when the city purchased it from developer Don Maxwell. Despite hopes of a two-year turnaround, the store instead reopened after four years, in 2018, to high hopes from neighbors.

The project represented a fresh start for businesses in predominantly Black and historically marginalized neighborhoods east of Troost Avenue, Maxwell told The Star in 2019.

Nestled between 31st Street and Linwood Boulevard, the Linwood Shopping Center also includes a tax preparation office, a beauty supply store, a T-Mobile cell phone store and a Pizza Hut, as well as at least one empty retail space. Across the street, a Popeyes, a Wingstop, an Arvest Bank, a health center and several other clothing stores and cell phone retailers fill out Linwood Square, a strip also owned by CBKC.

CBKC took over operations at SunFresh between 2020 and 2022, though the nonprofit did not officially own the building until 2022. Pierson said the move was meant to keep the store open in the absence of interest from larger developers. Maxwell officially sold the shopping center and SunFresh to the city in 2022, where it currently operates as a for-profit subsidiary managed by CBKC.

After several infusions of cash from the city in 2019, CBKC believed SunFresh was close to stabilizing, expecting developers to break even that year.

Now, Pierson said hes had to chip in his own money to keep the store running. According to a third-party audit, SunFresh at Linwood lost $1.3 million in its second year under new ownership.

If we send the message that no one cares, that message gets around the community, Pierson said of the Linwood business corridor, bordering the Santa Fe and Oak Park Northwest neighborhoods in Kansas Citys third district.

Though the city has continued to invest financially in the area in some capacity, high rates of blight and crime near Prospect and Linwood essentially cancel out the last five years of work and funding, Mayor Lucas said.

We have spent money on the east side over the years, but if were just going to spend a bunch of money and then not have the follow-up, its not worth anything, Lucas said.

My staff is in jeopardy

Pierson laid out a stark message for community leaders at an Urban Summit meeting Friday: If this continues we will shut down the store, he said, after the images of problems in the parking lot and inside the store flashed up on a screen.

My staff is in jeopardy every single day, he said. Ive been saying this now for a year. For a year.

At the same meeting, KCPD Chief Graves said the department would have a two-person patrol in the area of 31st Street and Prospect Avenue 24 hours a day until further notice.

Were going to get this under control, she said. I do not want the grocery store at 31st and Prospect to leave.

Graves said officers are frustrated when they arrest people and then they are staring us right in the face 12 hours later.

Were dealing with the same people over and over again, she said.

At Sundays event, Lucas said he believes that the absence of a jail in Kansas City has been contributing to crime trends near SunFresh, as well as citywide. Officials are planning to reopen a temporary detention center on the eighth floor of city hall, he said.

Still, SunFresh staff are not confident that Kansas City police officers and Jackson County prosecutors always follow through with arresting and charging people after 911 calls, especially for non-violent offenses.

At Sundays event, neighbors said they dont have the same concern when shopping at other grocery stores in Kansas City.

I guarantee you I could not go to the Brookside Stop & Shop and make a threatand [only] get a ticket, one resident said.

One contributing factor that city officials have seen, Lucas said, is a rise in juvenile crime across Kansas City. The mayor noted that increasing police presence may no longer be an effective long-term solution.

We see an interesting set of assailants, Lucas said. Younger, and a bunch of people who dont care if there are 15 cops standing at the grocery store, theyre still going to roll up with their guns and do whatever theyre trying to do.

Lucas acknowledged that some residents feel Jackson County prosecutors are not effective enough at following through, particularly on charges for property crimes. But he said thats out of his hands.

Thats not my spot, Lucas said on that Sunday as he toured the area.

About 80% of cases delegated to the Jackson County Prosecutors Office are fully prosecuted, including property crime charges, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said earlier this month. However, Peters Baker said, one police report is often not enough to build a successful case against someone accused of causing damage to public or private property.

To Patterson Hazley, more community policing could be one solution.

If [officers are] living out in Harrisonville and you get to drive up to work, its a paycheck for you, its not an investment, Patterson Hazley said. Its not to protect and serve, its to protect and get paid.

Its an unfortunate misconception to believe that the Black community does not want the protection of policing, Patterson Hazley added. ...We want to get that protection, and we want to get that service, and, by the way, were paying lots of money for that to happen.

Meanwhile, conditions at the SunFresh keep getting worse, cutting into store profit. The supermarket had to close its profitable liquor department recently after receiving a citation for a patron drinking outside.

Without a long-term solution, attracting additional commercial tenants to the area could be difficult, Pierson said. At the same time, he noted, residents of nearby Hyde Park and Beacon Hill generally dont spend their dollars at the SunFresh despite its close proximity.

We cant be community builders and not be for the community, Pierson said. But we need help.

A place we want to be safe

Just across the street from SunFresh sits the Lucile H. Bluford branch of the Kansas City Public Library, which has turned into a de facto overnight shelter for unhoused residents, Lucas said. He said this incentivizes people to return to the area, and the Linwood Shopping Center, even if they have been previously arrested or asked to leave the parking lot.

When you have people fornicating on a bus stop, or you have some of the substance abuse issues, thats a person where even if arrested and cited, theyre going to come back, Lucas said. We need to do more with that there are people that need help for real that are showing up.

Similarly, some residents feel criminal activity near the SunFresh is harder to control when store management cant discourage repeat offenders from staying at the bus stop at 30th and Prospect. Rentie also said she has seen multiple people jump on a bus to evade police.

KCPD Chief Stacey Graves said that Kansas City police officers continue to track suspects who utilize public transit after officers are called.

Just because someone gets on the bus doesnt mean they got away, Graves said.

A KCPD patrol car sits in the parking lot of the Linwood Shopping Center on September 3, 2024. Due to reports of crime and vagrancy, the shopping center has increased security and police presence.

To third district councilwoman Melissa Robinson, improving public safety near 31st and Prospect would instead mean redefining and expanding what types of aid and programming the city is willing to provide with their public safety dollars.

At Tuesdays press conference, Robinson proposed putting city dollars toward harm-reduction programs, a low-barrier shelter or transitional housing programs, rather than just constructing a new city jail.

Residents also called for the city to fence in the SunFresh parking lot, drawing comparisons to existing fencing near Kansas City Hall.

We should not be treated differently just because our zip code happens to be 64128, Patterson Hazley said.

Lucas said he was surprised at the number of people who raised concerns at recent events.

Rentie, on the other hand, witnesses the decline of the business corridor daily. Most recently, Rentie alleges she was punched in the face by a SunFresh customer after she tried to confront them about stealing merchandise.

I dont like this trend for the city, Lucas said. If we spend $20 million somewhere, then five years later we just jump to somewhere else because we couldnt focus on actually making something quality and good, thats what we need to try to address and fix.

The Stars Nathan Pilling contributed reporting.
ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN)  A new, multi-million dollar supercomputer is headed to Round Rock. The Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) at the University of Texas at Austin (UT) partnered with Sabey Data Centers for the project.

The supercomputer, dubbed Horizon, is expected to be online in 2026. The technology is part of a new, larger program from the National Science Foundation (NSF), which recently helped fund $457 million to UT to help bring the academic supercomputer to the area.

New super computer helps artists bring scientists work to life at Austin computer lab

NSF said, once its up and running, the computer will be the largest supercomputer for academics in its portfolio.

Sabey Data Centers has locations across the country. In 2022, Round Rock City Council approved an economic incentive agreement to bring the company to Central Texas.

What is a data center?

Twitter, Snapchat, all those different things. It all runs out of a data center that is designed to stay up at all times, Mark Noon said. Hes Senior Vice President for Sabey and handles the local operations in Central Texas.

Simply put, these data centers funnel almost everything you use online, whether it be at home or on your phone.

RELATED: Taylor soon home to new data center

Sabey said it invested around $185 million in property improvements and around $5 million for new equipment. The building is located on the former site of a Sears at 1300 Louis Henna Boulevard.

Rather than house them in a corporate building, or an industrial park, or a server closet, theyre going to run very inefficient, Noonan said.

The state-of-the-art center has the environment in mind. Which will be needed when the new supercomputer from TACC goes online.

What is a supercomputer?

These supercomputers are mega-fast and do things that your home computer cannot. Highly technical things, like quantum mechanics, climate research and even very precise weather forecasting.

Because it can generate a lot of heat from processing a lot of detail information, technology for cooling is even changing as computers become faster and more powerful.

RELATED: NOAAs weather predictions get a boost

Liquid cooling wasnt a very common thing a couple of years ago, Noonan said. With the advent of these newer chips that are rolling out, its going to become old hat.

TACC said Horizon will be 100 faster than its current supercomputer.

Sabey said the new data center is expected to bring 20 jobs to the area over the next five years.

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The Supreme Court has declined to reinstate millions of dollars in federal funding for family planning services that the Biden administration stripped from Oklahoma after officials refused to provide a hotline number for patients to call and receive information on abortion.

In an order Tuesday, the court denied Oklahomas request for an emergency injunction that would have stopped the administrations efforts to block about $4.5 million in Title X family planning grants from the state while it continues to fight the decision. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch said they would have granted Oklahomas request.

The Biden administration in 2021 required that state-funded providers who want to receive money from the Title X program give patients neutral, factual information and nondirective counseling about all their options, including abortion, followed by facts about where the service could be obtained, if asked.

In the wake of the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said states such as Oklahoma that banned abortion could comply with the Title X rules by simply ensuring that providers offer the telephone number of a third-party hotline to patients who request pregnancy counseling or a referral.

According to a brief from Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, Oklahoma initially agreed to provide the accommodation but then promptly revered course, so HHS terminated the grant. HHS said the same conditions Oklahoma initially agreed to are currently in effect for every other Title X grantee in the country.

Title X says grants cannot be used in programs where abortion is a method of family planning, and a 2004 appropriations rider called the Weldon Amendment bars discrimination against state agencies that decline to provide referrals for abortions.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R) said HHSs actions violated the Weldon Amendment because it punished the state for declining to refer for abortions, even though that wasnt a condition of the funding.

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 in July that HHS was allowed to withhold funding because the state did not meet the conditions for participation in the grant program. In a similar ruling, the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals denied Tennessee relief in a dispute over a $7 million grant.

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In new survey of Latino voters in Florida, Harris up over Trump by just 5 points, 47%-42%

Vice President Kamala Harris, who has gained the support of enough delegates to win the Democratic presidential nomination, speaks to the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Grand Boule at the Indiana Convention Center on July 24, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

When it comes to the Latino vote, Florida has become an outlier compared to other big states in terms of its political preferences, and that fact is apparent upon reviewing a public opinion survey released Tuesday by a leading Latino civil rights organization.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris leads Republican Donald Trump in Florida, 47%-42%, in a survey of 400 Florida Latino voters in the UnidosUS 2024 pre-election poll of the Hispanic electorate. The organization polled in eight (mostly battleground) states, and the close margin between the two candidates stands out compared to results in seven other states included in the survey.

Nationally, the poll shows Harris up over Trump with Latinos, 59%-31%.

In Georgia, Harris is up by 31 points, 60%-29%. In Pennsylvania, Harris is up by 35 points, 62%-27%. In North Carolina, she leads Trump by 29 points, 56%-34%.

Asked who they would support for U.S. House of Representatives, 40% of Latinos in Florida said they would support a Democrat and 37% would support a Republican. Thats a closer margin than in any other state surveyed. Nationally, 53% of voters polled said they would vote for a Democrat while just 27% would support a Republican.

In Texas, considered a solidly red state like Florida, 50% of Latinos would vote for a Democrat and just 30% for a Republican.

One issue where Florida Latino voters are in synch with other states is abortion rights.

Asked: No matter what my personal beliefs about abortion are, I think it is wrong to make an abortion illegal and take that choice away from everyone else, 68% of Florida Latino voters either strongly or somewhat agreed, very much in line with 71% nationally among Latino voters.

The survey of 400 Florida voters was conducted Aug. 5-23 and has a margin for error of +/-4.9%. Seventy five percent of respondents took the survey online and 25% in live telephone interviews, in Spanish or English.
MOSCOW (AP)  NATO member Turkey has applied for membership in the BRICS bloc of developing economies, a senior Kremlin official said Wednesday, as Russia and China seek to counter the West's global influence.

Yuri Ushakov, President Vladimir Putin's foreign affairs aide, told reporters that Turkey has submitted an application for full membership in the bloc that Russia this year chairs, and it will be considered.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated several times that his country aspires to become a member of the BRICS alliance, according to Omer Celik, a spokesman for Erdogan's ruling party. But Celik stopped short this week of confirming that Turkey has applied formally.

The BRICS alliance was founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining in 2010. It recently has undergone an expansion, and now includes Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has said its considering joining, and Azerbaijan and Malaysia have formally applied.

BRICS has a stated aim to amplify the voice of major emerging economies to counterbalance the Western-led global order. Its founding members have called for a fairer world order and the reform of international institutions like the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Erdogan, who has been in power for more than two decades, has sought to carve a more independent foreign policy for Turkey and to enhance its global influence. The country is also frustrated by the lack of progress in its membership talks with the European Union.

Last week, Erdogan said Turkey should simultaneously develop relations with both the East and the West.

Turkey, which straddles Europe and Asia, joined the NATO military alliance in 1952. It began talks to join the European Union in 2005 but the negotiations have stalled due to concerns over democratic regression under Erdogans administration, and ongoing disputes with Cyprus, an EU member, among other challenges.

BRICS is expected to discuss taking in new members in a meeting in Russia next month.

Putin earlier this year welcomed Turkey's interest in the bloc and promised that Moscow will support this aspiration and desire to be together with the countries of this alliance, to be together, closer, to solve common problems.

On Monday, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said Turkey expressed interest in joining BRICS.
BALTIMORE  Survivors of child sexual abuse in Maryland on Wednesday demanded expediency from the state attorney general in its investigations of the Catholic dioceses of Washington and Wilmington, Delaware.

Members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, told reporters at a news conference that they hoped the Maryland Office of the Attorney General would release a report soon on child sexual abuse committed within the Archdiocese of Washington and the Diocese of Wilmington, both of which operate in several Maryland counties.

David Lorenz, Maryland director of SNAP, said he hoped the attorney generals report on the abuse in those outposts of the Catholic Church would resemble the report that office released on abuse within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Released last April, that document spanned more than 400 pages, detailing the abuse of more than 600 children by 156 clergy and others in the church, dating to the 1940s and spanning Baltimore and the nine other counties the diocese serves.

After releasing the report on abuse within the Baltimore diocese, Democratic Attorney General Anthony Brown pledged his office would continue to investigate clergy abuse in other Catholic dioceses that operate in Maryland. Headquartered in Hyattsville, the Archdiocese of Washington has parishes in five Maryland counties: Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince Georges and St. Marys. The Diocese of Wilmington serves Marylands Eastern Shore.

The OAG was given an infusion of funds to complete the investigation into the misdeeds of the Catholic Church in both of those dioceses, Lorenz said. They have staffed up and are performing their job well. Nevertheless, we want to urge them to complete this work as quickly as possible, but yet thoroughly.

It cannot be understated, Lorenz added later, the impact this report will have on survivors that have lived with guilt and shame for all of their lives, for decades, theyve carried this burden around for a long, long time. When we finally get this report out, victims can finally release that burden of shame and guilt onto the place it belongs, onto the predator.

Jennifer Donelan, a spokeswoman for the attorney generals office, said in a statement that investigators want survivors to come forward by contacting the offices abuse hotline.

We continue to receive information from survivors about allegations of child abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore  including information received after our office released the Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore in April 2023  and we continue to investigate sexual abuse associated with the Archdiocese of Washington DC and the Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware, Donelan said.

Spokespeople for the dioceses of Washington and Wilmington did not respond immediately to requests for comment Wednesday afternoon.

Unless youve experienced it, its almost impossible to bring voice to the feeling someone gets when their predators name is put on a piece of paper and they see it, and it says I was right, Lorenz said. Even if theyve never told anybody, theyve been telling themselves for 20, 30, 40 years, Did this really happen? Did this really happen? And the sense of validation you get to see that name in print saying, yes he was what I thought he was, you cant describe it.

It brought David Schappelle, an abuse survivor who is suing the Washington diocese in Montgomery County Circuit Court, a weird sense of joy and delight to see one of his abusers named in the attorney generals report on the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Everybodys going to have their own reaction, but for me it was a little bit of a sense of relief and a sense of, Aha, lets tell this story, Schappelle said.

The Baltimore Sun does not typically identify victims of sexual abuse without their consent. Schappelle said it was OK to include his name.

Schappelle filed the lawsuit after Maryland lawmakers passed the Child Victims Act, which erased time limits for people sexually abused as children to sue their abusers and the institutions that enabled their torment, on the back of the release of the attorney generals report on abuse in the Baltimore diocese.

A Montgomery County Circuit Judge ruled the law was unconstitutional when the Archdiocese of Washington challenged Schappelles lawsuit, but the fate of the Child Victims Act rests in hands of the Supreme Court of Maryland, which is handling several appeals about that laws constitutionality. Oral arguments are scheduled for Tuesday, and the abuse survivors who urged expediency from the attorney general Wednesday also defended the child victims law.

Schappelles lawsuit alleges he was repeatedly sexually abused when he was a boy by two priests at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Gaithersburg.

A report on abuse like his in the Washington diocese, Schappelle told reporters, would represent the truth being exposed.

That is why were all here, Schappelle said, so that the truth will come out.

_____
Grenfell Tower was a 'death trap' after failures by UK government and industry, inquiry says

FILE - A resident in a nearby building watches smoke rise from the Grenfell Tower building on fire in London, Wednesday, June 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

LONDON (AP)  A damning report on a deadly London high-rise fire concluded Wednesday that decades of failures by government, regulators and industry turned Grenfell Tower into a death trap where 72 people lost their lives.

The public inquiry into the 2017 blaze found no single cause of the tragedy, but said a combination of dishonest companies, weak or incompetent regulators and complacent government led the building to be covered in combustible cladding that turned a small apartment fire into the deadliest blaze on British soil since World War II.

The inquiry's head, retired judge Martin Moore-Bick, said the deaths were avoidable and all contributed to it in one way or another, in most cases through incompetence but in some cases through dishonesty and greed.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer apologized on behalf of the British state, saying the tragedy should never have happened and promising to act on the report's recommendations.

Today is a long-awaited day for truth but it must now lead to a day of justice," he told Parliament.

While the report may give survivors some of the answers they have long sought, they must wait to see whether anyone responsible will be prosecuted. Police will examine the inquirys conclusions before deciding on charges, which could include corporate or individual manslaughter.

They say prosecutions are unlikely before late 2026.

Natasha Elcock of the group Grenfell United urged authorities to deliver justice.

We paid the price for systematic dishonesty, institutional indifference and neglect," said Elcock, a survivor who lost her uncle in the fire.

The fire broke out in the early hours of June 14, 2017, in a fourth-floor apartment and raced up the 25-story building like a lit fuse, fueled by flammable cladding panels on the exterior walls.

The tragedy horrified the nation and posed one central question, the report said: How was it possible in 21st century London for a reinforced concrete building, itself structurally impervious to fire, to be turned into a death trap?

The search for answers focused on a refurbishment completed in 2016 that covered the 1970s building in aluminum and polyethylene cladding  a layer of foam insulation topped by two sheets of aluminum sandwiched around a layer of polyethylene, a combustible plastic polymer that melts and drips on exposure to heat.

The report was highly critical of companies that made the cladding. It said they engaged in systematic dishonesty, manipulating safety tests and misrepresenting the results to claim the material was safe.

It said insulation manufacturer Celotex was unscrupulous, and another insulation firm, Kingspan, cynically exploited the industrys lack of detailed knowledge. Cladding panel maker Arconic concealed from the market the true extent of the danger," the report said.

The three companies expressed sympathies to the bereaved, but all denied responsibility for the deaths. Arconic said its products were not unsafe. Kingspan said its historical failings were not causative of the tragedy. Celotex said the decision to combine its insulation with combustible cladding panels had been made by others.

The inquiry said the combustible cladding was used because it was cheap and because of incompetence of the organizations and individuals involved in the refurbishment - including architects, engineers and contractors  who all thought safety was someone elses responsibility.

It concluded the failures multiplied because bodies in charge of enforcing building standards were weak, the local authority was uninterested and the complacent U.K. government  led in the seven years before the fire by the Conservative Party  ignored safety warnings because of a commitment to deregulation.

The inquiry has held more than 300 public hearings and examined around 1,600 witness statements.

An initial report published in 2019 criticized the fire department for initially telling residents to stay put and await rescue. By the time the advice was changed, it was too late for many on the upper floors to escape.

London Fire Brigade came in for further criticism for a chronic lack of effective management and leadership," poor training in high-rise fires and outdated communications equipment.

The Grenfell tragedy prompted soul-searching about inequality in Britain. Grenfell was a public housing building set in one of Londons richest neighborhoods, near the pricey boutiques and elegant houses of Notting Hill. The victims, largely people of color, came from 23 countries and included taxi drivers and architects, a poet, an acclaimed young artist, retirees and 18 children.

The report said the inquiry had seen no evidence that any of the decisions that resulted in the creation of a dangerous building or the calamitous spread of fire were affected by racial or social prejudice," though it said the public body that managed Grenfell had failed to treat residents with understanding and respect.

The prime minister said the tragedy poses fundamental questions about the kind of country we are, a country where the voices of working class people and of those of color have been repeatedly ignored and dismissed."

After the fire, the U.K. government banned metal composite cladding panels for new buildings and ordered similar combustible cladding to be removed from hundreds of tower blocks across the country. But the work hasnt been carried out on some apartment buildings because of wrangling over who should pay.

Starmer said the work had been far, far too slow.

The report made multiple recommendations, including tougher fire safety rules, a national fire and rescue college and a single independent regulator for the construction industry to replace the current mishmash of bodies.

The ruined tower, which stood for months after the fire like a black tombstone on the west London skyline, still stands, covered in white sheeting. A green heart and the words Grenfell forever in our hearts are emblazoned at the top.

Sandra Ruiz, whose 12-year-old niece, Jessica Urbano Ramirez, died in the fire, said that for me, theres no justice without people going behind bars.

Our lives were shattered on that night. People need to be held accountable, she said. People who have made decisions putting profit above peoples safety need to be behind bars.

___

Associated Press writers Danica Kirka and Pan Pylas contributed to this report.
WILLOUGHBY, Ohio (WJW)  The FOX 8 I-Team has learned US Marshals have arrested a man wanted for the deadly hit and run of a child.

The Marshals arrested Donald Mynatt Wednesday morning in the 4800 block of E. 355 in Willoughby.

Mega Millions jackpot never won at this level

Mynatt was wanted for the hit and run last month in Cleveland that took the life of 7 year old Amir Prewitt.

The US Marshals and Cleveland Police had been searching for the suspect for days.

Weve learned investigators found the suspect tied to multiple phones and vehicles.

Last week, the I-Team reported that Mynatt was already wanted in another case.

Records show his drivers license was suspended.

Cleveland Police issued an arrest warrant for Donald Mynatt last Wednesday.

Investigators believe he ran over the child, turned around in a parking lot on Lakeshore, then took off.

The I-Team found an arrest warrant for Mynatt for not showing up in Cuyahoga County Court in a domestic violence case.



City Councilman Mike Polensek says hes been dealing with Donald Mynatt and run-ins with the law since Mynatt was 15.

2 men who drowned at Ohio state park over Labor Day Weekend identified

Meantime, the State says Mynatts drivers license is suspended due to a child support issue.

His driving record also shows his license has been suspended multiple times before. Hes also been convicted in the past for hit and run.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Police arrested a Providence man accused of killing another man during a fight at his home late last month.

Dwayne Gibson, 51, was taken into custody Tuesday and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of 47-year-old Ricky Saunders.

Prosecutors believe the men got into a heated argument at Gibsons Cliff Street home on Aug. 24 that ended when he punched Saunders once, causing him to fall and hit his head.

Saunders was brought to Rhode Island Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries a week later.

The state later determined that Saunders died from blunt force trauma to his head. His death was subsequently ruled a homicide.

Angela Lawless, Gibsons attorney, argued that Saunders brought several other men with him that night. Lawless added that she believes Saunders was looking for a fight.

Youre at your own home and theres someone significantly larger than you hovering over you and arguing with you, Lawless said. What point do you have to let it get to before youre able to throw a single punch to protect yourself? Do you have to wait until youre on the ground or until the alleged victim starts swinging?

Lawless explained that Gibson threw one reasonable punch to defend himself, noting that surveillance footage reveals he stepped back and did not continue to assault Sanders afterward.

Gibson was ordered held without bail pending his next court date, which is slated for December.

12 News has confirmed that Saunders witnessed the theft of a womans car back in November 2022. Saunders told detectives he followed the car from the parking lot where it was stolen to the Omni Hotel, which is where the suspect abandoned it. He decided not to chase the suspect into the hotel upon noticing that the womans 3-year-old child was in the backseat.

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A 41-year-old man believed to have shot two Phoenix officers Tuesday night during a suspected car break-in in central Phoenix faces two counts of attempted murder, according to a Phoenix police statement.

Saul Bal was arrested late Tuesday after two officers were injured in the shooting. One officer was critically wounded and the other was saved from more severe injuries by his ballistic vest, according to police.

One officer remained in critical condition as he continued to fight for his life at the hospital, Phoenix police said in a statement on Wednesday night. The second officer was released and will continue his recovery at home, police said.

The unnamed officers got a call at about 6:30 p.m. about a car break-in in the neighborhood of 16th and Brill streets.

According to police, the officers were told that Bal had been the man attempting the break-in and when they approached him, Bal took off running.

Officers reported that Bal shot at the officers  hitting them both  and the officers shot back, according to the police statement.

Bal escaped but was captured after an over three-hour search that resulted in the closure of several city blocks and police stops and searches of vehicles in the area.

At a short news conference held Tuesday night in front of the hospital where one officer was still in critical condition, Phoenix interim police Chief Michael Sullivan said this was the 11th time an officer had been the target of gunfire in 2024.

"It angers me. I hope you share my anger, he said.

Bal was booked into a Maricopa County jail on two counts of attempted murder, one count of criminal trespassing, and one count related to weapons.

The Arizona Republic obtained a recording of Bal's initial appearance where Josh Maxwell, a prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, asked Commissioner Jane McLaughlin that Bal be held on a $2 million cash-only bond.

"Last night, Mr. Bal tried to murder two on-duty and fully uniformed Phoenix Police Department officers," Maxwell said. "He has a lengthy criminal history. He is on parole from the Arizona Department of Corrections and a prohibited possessor."

Maxwell asked that, should Bal post bond, he be placed on electronic monitoring.

McLaughlin sided with Maxwell, noting that Bal had an extensive criminal history and included "at least two prior allegations of violence against police officers" and set his bond at $2 million cash-only. McLaughlin added that most of Bal's criminal history was based out of California, which suggested he had ties to the state.

McLaughlin also ordered Bal to contact his parole officer within 24 hours if he's released from jail but noted that his parole was set to expire on Thursday and wasn't sure what, if any, actions the Department of Corrections would take.

Maxwell also asked McLaughlin that the initial arrest documents, which often include a police narrative about the events that led to a suspect's arrest, be sealed with Bal's case.

"We're doing so because the investigation remains ongoing," Maxwell said. "Interviews remain ongoing, and sealing the (initial arrest documents) will ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation."

Maxwell also requested a protective order for the body-worn camera footage depicting the shooting so as to not taint a potential jury pool.

McLaughlin granted Maxwell's request to seal the initial arrest documents and noted that the state would have to provide a redacted version once the charges are filed. In regard to the protective order for the body-worn camera footage, McLaughlin said her court doesn't have a clerk and recommended Maxwell file the request with the presiding criminal judge or associate presiding criminal judge.

Near the end of the hearing, Bal appeared to deny that he shot the officers.

"I know they're saying that I shot 'em  shot at 'em or something like that  but I didn't have a gun," Bal said.

McLaughlin reminded Bal that he had the right to remain silent about the crimes he is accused of, and while he was free to not exercise that right, recommended he wait to consult with his attorney before making any public statements to the court that could be used against him.

Asked if he understood the warning, Bal appeared to mumble something unintelligible before saying, "I guess so, yeah."

Bal's next scheduled court hearing is Sept. 10 at 8:30 a.m. in Maricopa County Superior Court.

Phoenix police said Wednesday morning that there were no updates on the investigation.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Saul Bal arrested on suspicion of shooting 2 Phoenix officers
The suspect will be charged as an adult with murder, authorities said at a press conference on Wednesday, Sept. 4

CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA/AFP via Getty

The suspect accused of killing four people and injuring nine others in a school shooting on Wednesday, Sept. 4, was identified as Colt Gray, a 14-year-old male student at Apalachee High School, the Winder, Ga., school where the attack took place, authorities announced at a press conference.

The suspect will be tried as an adult with murder, authorities said.

Two of the four fatal victims were students at the school and two were teachers, authorities said. All nine injured victims were shot.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said authorities do not know a motive.

Authorities said the initial calls about the shooting came in at about 10:20 a.m., and the shooter was confronted by law enforcement within minutes, whereupon he surrendered and was taken into custody.

The suspect has been interviewed by law enforcement, authorities say.



Related: Victims of Georgia School Shooting Were 2 Students, 2 Teachers; Teen Suspect Will Be Charged as Adult

The school was put on lockdown in the aftermath of the shooting. State authorities urged anyone near the area to stay clear while they investigate.

President Joe Biden said in a statement shared by the White House Wednesday afternoon that he is "mourning the deaths" of those killed in the shooting and that he is "thinking of all of the survivors whose lives are forever changed."

Vice President Kamala Harris also addressed the shooting during a public speech on Wednesday, calling the prevelance of gun violence in American schools "outrageous."

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Read the original article on People.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  The Austin Police Department identified the suspect who was allegedly involved in a June shooting on South Pleasant Valley Road that left two people dead and one injured.

APD said Hector Olvera, 37, is facing capital murder charges in connection with the shooting. According to online jail records, Olvera is being held in the Travis County Jail on a bond of more than $1 million on several different charges.

APD investigates shooting in southeast Austin, two dead

KXAN is working to reach out to an attorney representing Olvera to request a comment. We will update this story when we receive a response.

The shooting happened on Wednesday, June 26 in the 2300 block of South Pleasant Valley Road, near the intersection of Willow Hill Drive.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

APD said multiple calls came in at approximately 11:30 p.m. regarding several shots being fired and people screaming.

MAP: Where have Austins homicides occurred in 2024?

Three victims were on the scene when police arrived. One of them was pronounced dead on the scene, and another died at a hospital. The third victim had non-life-threatening injuries, according to APD.

Police identified the victims as Ricardo Martinez, 39, and Aldo Edgar Romero-Milan, 30.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Suspect in Killing of College Student ID'd After Tipster Claims to Know Him from 'Sugar Daddy' Website

Muna Pandey was fatally shot in her apartment, per Houston police, who identified and arrested suspect Bobby Shah

GoFundMe Muna Pandey

Authorities in Texas are investigating the homicide of an international college student who was found fatally shot in her apartment last month, leading to an arrest of a suspect allegedly identified by a tipster from a "Sugar Daddy" website.

Muna Pandey, a 21-year-old student from Nepal, was found in her Houston apartment on Monday, Aug. 26, after an unknown male allegedly called her building manager to notify them about a dead body in her unit, according to a criminal complaint reviewed by PEOPLE. The man subsequently hung up, authorities allege.

Houston police arrested 51-year-old Bobby Singh Shah on a capital murder charge on Aug. 28, the Houston Police Department said in a statement.

The criminal complaint cites accounts from the victim's friends, neighbor and employer, who all say they last heard from Pandey on Saturday, Aug. 24. The neighbor told authorities he heard "loud thumping" that evening from her apartment and had not seen Pandey since then.

According to the complaint, Pandey's friend said the victim had previously been stalked. The complaint states that Pandey installed a security video system, which ultimately helped authorities determine what happened.



Houston Police Dept. Bobby Shah mugshot (left); Bobby Shah seen in security camera

The complaint claims security footage from Saturday, Aug. 24, shows Pandey outside her apartment with shopping bags while Shah allegedly points a gun at her and compels her to enter the home. A little more than an hour later, Shah is allegedly seen leaving the apartment with one of Pandey's bags.

Two days later, the building manager was notified by the unknown caller about the body in the apartment. Authorities responded to Pandeys apartment and found her with several gunshot wounds.

After police released a photo of the suspect taken from Pandey's security footage, a local restaurant owner told police that an acquaintance allegedly identified Shah as a regular patron at his establishment, where Pandey previously worked.

On Aug. 28, a woman called police to notify them that she allegedly knew the suspect from a Sugar Daddy website from 2012 and instantly recognized him as Shah, per the complaint.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

A GoFundMe has been set up to assist Pandey's mother, Anita, fly from Nepal to Houston to be able to say goodbye to her only daughter.

"No mother should have to face such heartbreak, especially from so far away," reads a part of the fundraiser, adding that funds raised will be used to "ease the financial burden during this tragic time and allow Anita to be present for her daughters final journey."

Online court records of the Harris County District Clerk's office show Shah is being held without bond. He is also facing a charge of unlawfully carrying a weapon. Lawyers listed for him in court records did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

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Read the original article on People.
A man was arrested after allegedly trying to pick up a 14-year-old girl for sex in Southern California.

The suspect was identified as Laith Fathi Sikta, 44, from Sacramento, according to the Riverside County Sheriffs Department.

Authorities completed a month-long undercover operation focusing on suspects soliciting sex from minors online.

During the investigation, Sikta had been communicating with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl who, in reality, was an undercover officer.

Plans were made to meet up with the suspect. On Aug. 30, Sikta drove from Sacramento to Murrieta believing he would pick up the young girl in the middle of the night.

When Sikta arrived, he was immediately taken into custody by deputies. Cannabis was also located in his vehicle, authorities said.

Laith Fathi Sikta, 44, a Sacramento resident. (Riverside County Sheriffs Department)

Suspect escapes with thousands of dollars worth of tools in Orange County

Sikta was arrested on multiple charges including contacting a minor with the intent to have sex, sending harmful matter through electronic means to a minor, and offering to furnish cannabis to a minor.

The incident remains under investigation.

Anybody with information on the case is encouraged to call Deputy Au or Lead Investigator Roberge at the Southwest Sheriff Station at 951-6963000.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
By Jody Godoy

(Reuters) - Alphabet's Google faces trial in a second antitrust case next week where the U.S. Department of Justice will challenge how the search giant monetizes advertising through a system that prosecutors say harms news publishers.

The case is part of the Biden administration's effort to rein in Big Tech through antitrust law, and follows a major win for the Justice Department in a separate lawsuit on Aug. 5 when a judge found that Google illegally monopolized online search.

While that case focused on Google's ubiquitous search engine, the trial beginning in Alexandria, Virginia, on Monday will home in on less conspicuous Google technology that connects website publishers and advertisers.

Those advertising tools contributed to the more than 75% of Google's $307.4 billion in revenue last year that came from advertising.

"Google is far and away the largest seller of advertising on earth. They touch every part of the industry, if not directly, then indirectly. Everyone has an interest in Google one way or another," said Brian Wieser, an advertising consultant and financial analyst.

The Justice Department and a coalition of states will seek to show Google broke U.S. antitrust law in its digital advertising businesses. A victory for the states and Justice Department would set the stage for them to ask U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema to order a breakup of the company.

The antitrust regulators accuse Google of dominating the markets for the technology behind website ads by tying its tools for publishers and advertisers together, staking out a "privileged position as the middleman."

Google has denied the claims, saying it is not required to share technological advantages with rivals and that its products are interoperable with those offered by competitors.

The Justice Department alleges that Google controls 91% of the market for ad servers, where publishers offer ad space, more than 85% of the market for ad networks, which advertisers use to place ads, and over half of the market for ad exchanges.

Google says its share of those markets is 30% or less when including advertising on social media, streaming TV and apps, and says the Justice Department's narrow focus on website ads obscures the fierce competition it faces as those categories grow.

Google competitors on the advertiser side, such as Trade Desk and Comcast, and publisher side, such as PubMatic, are on the list of potential witnesses.

The case will also highlight how advertising technology has affected news organizations. One-third of newspapers in the U.S. have been closed or sold since 2005, according to a Northwestern University study published last November.

Story continues

"Journalism is under threat in large part due to consolidation in the advertising market," Justice Department antitrust chief Jonathan Kanter said at an event held in June by the Open Markets Institute, an anti-monopoly advocacy group.

Current or former executives from News Corp, the Daily Mail and Gannett, which has also sued Google, may testify at trial.

Google has focused on small businesses and publishers, some of whom it plans to call as witnesses at trial. A breakup would "slow innovation, raise advertising fees, and make it harder" for small companies to grow, Google has said.

The way Google viewed its ad tech will be a key focus at trial, with potential testimony from more than two dozen current or former employees and executives, including YouTube Chief Executive Neal Mohan, a former Google advertising executive.

(Reporting by Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
FILE - Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom speaks with the media as he arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Jan. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom, who steered the Scandinavian country along a sometimes bumpy road to NATO membership and stood tall on supporting Ukraine, stunned the political establishment Wednesday by saying he was leaving the Swedish government next week.

It has not been an easy decision but something that I have thought about and processed for some time, Billstrom wrote on X.

Billstrom became foreign minister in October 2022, when Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson formed a coalition government with his own conservative Moderate Party, the smaller Christian Democrats and the Liberals.

In May 2022, Sweden and neighboring Finland sought NATO membership, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality and centuries of broader non-alignment with major powers as security concerns in Europe spiked following Russias 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

After 18 months of delays, Swedens membership bid cleared the final hurdle in February Hungary gave its consent.

Turkey also objected to Sweden joining the alliance, but on Jan. 23, Turkish legislators voted in favor. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan put forth a series of conditions including a tougher stance from Stockholm toward groups that Turkey regards as threats to its security, such as Kurdish militants and members of a network it blames for a failed coup in 2016.

Sweden became the 32nd member of the military alliance in March. The 50-year-old Billstrom said on X that he had taken Sweden through a sometimes challenging NATO process.

On Facebook, Kristersson said that Billstrom had discharged his duties with flying colors.

Billstrom said on X that he would leave politics completely. This means that I am also leaving my seat in the Riksdag, the Swedish parliament. The 349-member assembly will convene next week after the summer recess.

Billstrom has not announced what hell do next and his replacement has not yet been named.
Annual Meeting of Heads of Finland's missions abroad and foreign policy leaders in Helsinki

HELSINKI (Reuters) -Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said on Wednesday he will step down next week after almost two years in office, during which his traditionally non-aligned country joined NATO.

"It is with a mixture of sadness and pride that I have today informed the prime minister that I will leave the post of foreign minister at the opening of parliament next week," Billstrom, a member of the conservative Moderate Party, said in a post on X.

The 50-year-old, who became foreign minister in October 2022, said he would leave politics but had not decided what he would do next.

"The government has under Tobias' lead clearly changed Swedish foreign policy's priorities," Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Instagram.

Billstrom, who previously served as migration minister, said he had been considering stepping down for some time.

(Reporting by Essi Lehto, Elviira Luoma and Anna Ringstrom; editing by Terje Solsvik and Mark Heinrich)
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said on Wednesday that he will resign when parliament reconvenes on Tuesday after the summer recess next week.

Billstrom, 50, a member of the Moderate party, made the announcement on X.

Billstrom said he was leaving office with a mixture of regret and pride in what he had achieved. The decision had not been easy, but the move was something that he had thought about for some time, he said.

Billstrom said he had informed Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson that he was leaving politics completely and would surrender his seat in parliament. He did not say what he planned to do in the future.

Billstrom served as migration and asylum policy minister between 2006 and 2014 under Fredrik Reinfeldt as prime minister. He has been foreign minister since October 2022 guiding the process of Sweden's drawn-out accession to NATO.

Sweden became the 32nd member of the defence alliance in March after being blocked by Turkey and Hungary.
Seniors celebrate after receiving their diplomas during what was thought to be the final commencement ceremony at Sweet Briar College womens liberal arts college VA 2015

Sweet Briar College in Virginia has barred transgender people from enrolling, based on administrators understanding of the founders will  from 1900.

The private liberal arts college was founded by Indiana Fletcher Williams in honor of her deceased daughter, Daisy. Williamss will stipulated that Sweet Briar would be a place of girls and young women, college officials told the Associated Press.

Sweet Briar, located on the former Williams plantation in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, has never had an admissions policy specifically for transgender students but has evaluated and admitted trans applicants on a case-by-case basis, Inside Higher Ed reports. The new policy holds that an applicant must confirm that her sex assigned at birth is female and that she consistently lives and identifies as a woman.

Sweet Briar President Mary Pope Hutson and the colleges board chair spelled out the new policy in a letter to the campus community in August. The phrase girls and young women, they wrote, must be interpreted as it was understood at the time the Will was written.

The board cannot change the words or the interpretation of the will, Hutson told Inside Higher Ed. I think thats important.

The will is from 1900, and the college was established in 1901. It began admitting students in 1906. The Virginia legislature codified the will, and therefore the college must follow it. And based on existing state case law, Sweet Briar leaders are required to consider how Williams viewed women and to honor that intent  even if current social norms do not reflect the founders perspective, according to Inside Higher Ed.

The college has deviated from the will in one major way, however. The will mandated that Sweet Briar would admit whites only. In 1964, Sweet Briar sought the states permission to integrate, and that led to a long legal battle. The college admitted its first Black students in 1966 under a temporary court order, and a court struck down the whites-only policy for good in 1967.

The ban on trans students has brought backlash from students, faculty, and others. The Sweet Briar College Student Government Association approved a statement saying it is alienating, unnecessary, and it reflects the rise of transphobia in our country.

Association President Isabella Paul, who is nonbinary, told the AP about 10 percent of Sweet Briars roughly 460 students are trans or nonbinary, or otherwise dont fit the policys definition of a woman. Its unclear how the policy would affect students already enrolled; Hutson said only that Sweet Briar seeks to ensure that all of our students feel welcome on campus, according to the AP.

And there are allies here who may identify as women but have friends and lovers and family members who are nonbinary, genderqueer, and transgender, Paul said. So this is also affecting their pride in their institution.

Faculty members last week voted 48-4, with one abstention, to call on administrators to revoke the trans ban. Faculty Senate President John Gregory Brown told the AP the ban is absurd. Many things have changed since Williamss time, he said. Williams also wouldnt have entertained the notion that somebody who was disabled would be a potential student, he noted.

Trans students are precisely the students who benefit from attending an institution that is historically dedicated to gender equity in a world where women were underserved and undervalued, the faculty resolution states. Brown said the ban would likely lead to a drop in applications and donations.

One board member has resigned over the ban, Hutson told the AP. Some alums have objected to it as well, while others support it, she said. Many want Sweet Briar to remain a place where women can thrive, and they believe that a broader policy is a slippery slope toward coeducation, she said.

Private colleges admissions policies are exempt from Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which bans sex discrimination in education, and therefore from the Biden administrations new rule that Title IX applies to discrimination based on gender identity. However, students can still bring lawsuits, Nicholas Hite, a senior attorney with Lambda Legal, told the AP.

The Sweet Briar policy defines how to live and identify as a woman, but thats something that every cis and trans woman should be able to decide for herself, Hite said.

Twenty-three colleges that were established as women-only admit at least some trans women, and three, including Sweet Briar, bar most or all trans students, the AP reports.
Swim warnings issued for some of Southern Californias most popular beaches amid heat wave

Southern California is entering one of the hottest stretches of the summer, but health officials are warning residents not to use some of Los Angeles Countys most popular beaches to cool off.

The warnings were issued because tests showed bacterial levels have exceeded health standards at several beaches, including Mothers Beach in Marina del Rey and the areas around Santa Monica Pier.

The closures come as most of Southern California is under an excessive heat warning for temperatures exceeding 100 degrees.

Southern California to get blasted by warmest heat wave in years

Beachgoers are urged to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters at the following locations:

Mothers Beach in Marina del Rey, the entire swim area

Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach, the entire swim area

Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove, the entire swim area

Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast from the public access steps

Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove, 100 yards up and down the coast from the Paradise Cove Pier

Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, the entire swim area

Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu, 100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon

Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier

Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker County Beach, the entire swim area

Pena Creek at Las Tunas County Beach, 100 yards in each direction of the outfall

Beach monitoring map

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the countys beach closure hotline: 800-525-5662.

More information and an interactive map of impacted locations can be found here.

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Hundreds rally at the state Capitol for the MI Body MI Choice event on Oct. 2, 2021 | Allison R. Donahue

This summer, thousands of voters were taken through an online policymaking simulation produced by the University of Maryland, in which they were briefed on very specific policy questions that get to the heart of what it means practically to ban abortion. At the end of it, majorities of both Democrats and Republicans across the nation  and in six key swing states  said they oppose criminalizing abortion before fetal viability and favor access to birth control.

Steven Kull, the director of University of Marylands Program for Public Consultation, told States Newsroom that the study makes it clear that voters do not want state abortion bans, regardless of how they feel about abortion.

We often have the impression that Republicans and Democrats are very polarized on the question of abortion  and we did find some areas of polarization. But what is striking is that we found two areas, big areas, where there is a kind of consensus, Kull said.

Released Wednesday, this study is the fifth in the Swing Six Issue Surveys that the university has been rolling out in the run-up to the November election. The survey involved nearly 5,000 adults, including around 600 in each state of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and another 1,200 nationally. (Kull said his team had selected the states before North Carolina was considered a swing state.) The survey was fielded June 18 through July 3, before Vice President Kamala Harris replaced President Joe Biden on the Democratic presidential ticket, but Kull said he didnt think that would have much bearing on the abortion surveys results.

Unlike many public opinion polls, this is a public consultation survey, offered in English and Spanish, that provides participants briefings and arguments for and against each policy. Participants were informed, for example, that criminalizing abortion can mean prison time or fines for the doctor, the pregnant person or both. They were then guided to choose whether and whom to punish. Kull said the content is reviewed by experts with different takes on the issues to ensure accuracy and balance.

Large bipartisan majorities in every swing state said they did not want abortion to be criminalized before fetal viability (73% to 80%), including Republicans (57% to 70%) and Democrats (83% to 93%). Nationally, among those who favored making abortion a crime, 5% said the doctor should be punished, 5% said the woman, and 10% said both.

In Arizona and Nevada, where voters will cast ballots on whether to protect abortion rights in their state constitutions, 9 in 10 Democrats and 7 in 10 Republicans do not want to criminalize abortion before viability.

When it comes to criminalizing abortion at any stage of pregnancy: 61% to 70% in the swing states were opposed, including 73% to 85% of Democrats across the states and 52% to 55% of Republicans in Arizona, Michigan and Nevada. Among Republicans in Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, it was 41% to 48%. Nationally, 8 in 10 Democrats and half of Republicans held this view.

Participants also broadly supported ensuring access to birth control nationwide by prohibiting state governments from restricting or banning it, including 71% to 81% of Republicans and 86% to 93% of Democrats, as well as 81% nationally. There was more division when it comes to federal funding of abortion and regulations like mandatory ultrasounds and waiting periods.

Seventy percent of participants nationally also overwhelmingly said abortion should be decided at the federal level, regardless of where they stood on the issue.

After the Dobbs decision, there was widespread commentary that, OK, well now  its going to be a states issue, and that appears to not have been a real resolution for most Americans. Most Americans seem to want it to be a federal law, for it to be resolved nationally, Kull said.

The survey is now available to the public.
Supporters of reproductive rights protested outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as justices heard oral arguments over access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)

This summer, thousands of voters were taken through an online policymaking simulation produced by the University of Maryland, in which they were briefed on very specific policy questions that get to the heart of what it means practically to ban abortion. At the end of it, majorities of both Democrats and Republicans across the nation  and in six key swing states  said they oppose criminalizing abortion before fetal viability and favor access to birth control.

Steven Kull, the director of University of Marylands Program for Public Consultation, told States Newsroom that the study makes it clear that voters do not want state abortion bans, regardless of how they feel about abortion.

We often have the impression that Republicans and Democrats are very polarized on the question of abortion  and we did find some areas of polarization. But what is striking is that we found two areas, big areas, where there is a kind of consensus, Kull said.

Released Wednesday, this study is the fifth in the Swing Six Issue Surveys that the university has been rolling out in the run-up to the November election. The survey involved nearly 5,000 adults, including around 600 in each state of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and another 1,200 nationally. (Kull said his team had selected the states before North Carolina was considered a swing state.) The survey was fielded June 18 through July 3, before Vice President Kamala Harris replaced President Joe Biden on the Democratic presidential ticket, but Kull said he didnt think that would have much bearing on the abortion surveys results.

abortion polling results on a graph

Unlike many public opinion polls, this is a public consultation survey, offered in English and Spanish, that provides participants briefings and arguments for and against each policy. Participants were informed, for example, that criminalizing abortion can mean prison time or fines for the doctor, the pregnant person or both. They were then guided to choose whether and whom to punish. Kull said the content is reviewed by experts with different takes on the issues to ensure accuracy and balance.

Large bipartisan majorities in every swing state said they did not want abortion to be criminalized before fetal viability (73% to 80%), including Republicans (57% to 70%) and Democrats (83% to 93%). Nationally, among those who favored making abortion a crime, 5% said the doctor should be punished, 5% said the woman, and 10% said both.

In Arizona and Nevada, where voters will cast ballots on whether to protect abortion rights in their state constitutions, 9 in 10 Democrats and 7 in 10 Republicans do not want to criminalize abortion before viability.

When it comes to criminalizing abortion at any stage of pregnancy: 61% to 70% in the swing states were opposed, including 73% to 85% of Democrats across the states and 52% to 55% of Republicans in Arizona, Michigan and Nevada. Among Republicans in Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, it was 41% to 48%. Nationally, 8 in 10 Democrats and half of Republicans held this view.

Participants also broadly supported ensuring access to birth control nationwide by prohibiting state governments from restricting or banning it, including 71% to 81% of Republicans and 86% to 93% of Democrats, as well as 81% nationally. There was more division when it comes to federal funding of abortion and regulations like mandatory ultrasounds and waiting periods.

Seventy percent of participants nationally also overwhelmingly said abortion should be decided at the federal level, regardless of where they stood on the issue.

After the Dobbs decision, there was widespread commentary that, OK, well now  its going to be a states issue, and that appears to not have been a real resolution for most Americans. Most Americans seem to want it to be a federal law, for it to be resolved nationally, Kull said.

The survey is now available to the public.
ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss prosecutors have opened a fraud investigation into the collection of false signatures to trigger a referendum - touching on a cornerstone of the country's tradition of direct democracy.

The Federal Chancellery, whose role is to oversee elections, said in a statement it has filed criminal charges with the federal prosecutor against unknown persons.

Swiss Federal Chancellor Viktor Rossi said he was taking the issue very seriously.

"The falsification of signatures in order to make money is an abuse of our direct democracy," he told broadcaster SRF.

Because of time constraints to get enough signatures, some campaigns have turned to companies to help them collect enough names. The companies are paid for the service, leading to allegations that some have submitted false data.

In Switzerland, 100,000 signatures are needed to trigger an initiative, which proposes a change to the country's constitution and 50,000 for a referendum on laws passed by parliament.

Once triggered, the referendum leads to a national vote, with polls in recent years into issues such as buying new fighter jets and banning facial coverings, which became known as the "burqa ban".

The Federal Chancellery lodged a criminal complaint with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in 2022, which has since been expanded. It said it is also preparing a second criminal complaint.

The Chancellery said it had received indications of false signatures affecting around 12 popular initiatives, but declined to say which.

Still, it did not think votes had taken place largely due to the use of false signatures.

The OAG said it has launched several investigations on the suspicion of voter fraud, and has carried out house searches and confiscated property. It declined to give more details, citing an ongoing inquiry.

Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger, which first revealed the investigation, said one company had offered to provide a referendum campaign with 10,000 signatures at a price of 4.50 Swiss francs ($5.29) each.

Local authorities later found between 35% and 90% of signatures were invalid, much higher than the normal invalidity rate of 8% to 12%, the paper said.

Among the problems were addresses of signatories which did not exist, or signatures from people who had not lived in the area for several years, the Tages-Anzeiger said.

Checks of signatures have now been stepped up, while senior lawmakers have also called for the paid collection of signatures to be banned.

($1 = 0.8499 Swiss francs)

(Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
The Swiss Federal Council has decided to appoint a "delegate on Ukraine" to coordinate the financial and other assistance that the state allocates for Kyiv, as well as the reconstruction processes.

Source: SRF, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The Swiss government appointed Jacques Gerber, 51, Minister of Health and Economics of the French-speaking canton of Jura in northwestern Switzerland, to the post of delegate for Ukraine.

Gerber will take office on 1 January 2025, completing nine years of work in the cantonal government of Jura.

 

Jacques Gerber.

Photo: Keystone-SDA

According to Swiss Federal Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, Gerber is the best person to coordinate assistance to Ukraine.

The delegate for Ukraine will be in charge of overseeing all Swiss government aid projects now carried out by the State Secretariats for Foreign Affairs and Economic Affairs.

With the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Swiss government provided approximately 3.7 billion Swiss francs (approx. 4 billion) to the Ukrainian population affected by the war, both in Ukraine and as refugees in Switzerland.

Switzerland declared in April 2024 that it intends to invest 5 billion over the next twelve years in Ukraine's economic development and long-term rebuilding.

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Syracuse airport receives $9M as part of a $60M grant to modernize airports across NYS

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  On Wednesday, September 4, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $59,115,204 in federal funding will be granted to 26 airports across New York State.

The funding was granted through the Federal Aviation Administrations Airport Improvement Program.

The federal funding will modernize facilities and strengthen airfield safety in airports across the state. The projects will also help address safety, capacity and security at New Yorks airports.

Latest local news

Syracuse Hancock International Airport will receive $9,575,869 as part of this grant. The money will go towards taxiway rehabilitation and signage.

From big cities like Buffalo & Syracuse to our rural communities in the North Country, Upstate NYs regional airports are gateways for commerce, tourism and travel for residents. It is essential that they have the resources they need to deliver a safe and comfortable experience to all travelers, which is why I am proud to deliver a whopping $59+ million for airports across the Empire State to help our airports of all sizes reach new heights, said Senator Schumer.

Other airports in the Central New York region to also receive funding include the Oswego County Airport, Hamilton Municipal Airport and the Cortland County/Chase Field Airport.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
Daniel Acker / Bloomberg via Getty Images U.S. Steel CEO David Burritt CEO in 2018.





Key Takeaways

U.S. Steel's CEO said the company would have to close plants and might move its headquarters out of Pittsburgh if the Nippon Steel acquisition falls through.

David Burritt told the Wall Street Journal the company needs the planned infusion of cash Nippon has promised.

Both leading U.S. presidential candidates have said they oppose the acquisition.







The CEO of U.S. Steel (X) warned that the company would have to close steel plants and likely move its headquarters from Pittsburgh if the $14.9 billion purchase of the company by Nippon Steel doesnt go through.

The comments by David Burritt to the Wall Street Journal came two days after Democrat presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris said she supported President Bidens position that the company should remain American-owned. That sent shares tumbling yesterday. Harriss Republican rival in the campaign, former President Donald Trump, has also opposed the acquisition.

Burritt in the interview said that Nippon has committed to investing nearly $3 billion in U.S. Steels older mills, cash that was needed to keep them competitive and retain jobs. We wouldnt do that if the deal falls through," he said. "I dont have the money.

Burritt said that without Nippon, U.S. Steel would continue to shift more production to lower-cost sites such as its Arkansas factory that turns scrap metal into new steel. He added that would allow the firm to close its Mon Valley plant, its last in the Pittsburgh area.

U.S. Steel has been based in Pittsburgh since 1901. Nippon executives have indicated that they planned to keep the headquarters there after the merger, the Journal noted.

U.S. Steel shares bounced back today, but theyve lost about a quarter of their value this year.

TradingView

Read the original article on Investopedia.
What is T-1 steel and should the Tri-State be concerned?

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  The Twin Bridges are confirmed by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) to be made from T-1 steel.

The technical name of this type of steel is AASHTO M244 Grade 100 steel, which is often shortened to T-1.

There are some concerns in regard to this type of steel.

Why is T-1 steel an issue?

According to the KYTC and INDOT, T-1 steel is a grade of high-strength quenched and treated steel known for being highly amenable to welding and machining. This steel is no longer used in bridge construction but was used in the 1950s and 1960s around the country.

INDOT says concerns related to T-1 steel surfaced in the 2000s, prompting specific inspection and mitigation requirements from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). KYTC says in May 2021, a fracture was discovered in a weld, referred to as a butt weld, in a T-1 steel component of the Interstate 40 Hernando de Soto Bridge between Memphis, Tennessee, and West Memphis, Arkansas. As a result, the FHWA in December 2021 issued a memorandum to states to identify and inspect specific T-1 steel bridges to verify the soundness of all butt welds with the use of non-destructive testing.

Nighttime closure planned for Highland Pointe Drive

Who sets the standards?

There are two entities transportation officials mentioned that set standards when it comes to steel.

FWHA says the American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is a nonprofit association in charge of setting design and installation standards, providing guidance and resources and developing outreach materials. ASTM International says it offers global access to fully transparent standards development.

Tri-State transportation departments weigh in

Illinois

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), there are no impacts on T-1 steel on either the I-64 Bridge in Grayville or the Mt. Carmel Wabash River Bridge in Mt. Carmel, nor is either bridge made out of T-1 steel. However, outside the Tri-State area, there are three bridges in Illinois that contain T-1 steel.

IDOT says the three bridges in Illinois with T-1 steel are:

I-270 over the Mississippi River, which is expected to be removed at the end of the year This is near St. Louis, Missouri.

I-24 bridge over the Ohio River This is near Paducah, Kentucky and Metropolis, Illinois.

I-55/64 bridge over the Mississippi River This is near Cape Girardeau, Missouri.



Officials with IDOT say currently, there are no issues with T-1 steel bridges in Illinois, and all bridges have been inspected per the FHWA December 13, 2021 memorandum. These days, bridges are made out of AASHTO M270 Grade 50 steel.

Officials say the I-64 bridge in Grayville has ASTM A36 steel and ASTM A441 steel, and the Mt. Carmel bridge has AASHTO M270 Grade 50W and Grade HPS 70W steel.

This is what those types of steel are:

M270 According to AASHTO, this is structural steel for bridges.

A36 According to Leeco Steel, this steel is one of the most common grades of steel used in structural applications. Its a mild carbon steel grade that contains chemical alloys that give it properties such as machinability, ductility and strength that are ideal for use in constructing a variety of structures.

A441 According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, this is a high-strength low-alloy manganese-vanadium steel.



Construction projects continue as calendar turns to Fall

Kentucky

According to the KYTC, while the welds found in T-1 bridges posed no immediate safety issues, there are a few Kentucky bridges that contain T-1 steel components. In the Tri-State, this Kentucky bridge is the U.S. 41 southbound Ohio River bridge between Henderson and Evansville, known to most as just the Southbound Twin Bridge.

In terms of other areas in Kentucky, those bridges with T-1 components are:

Two I-24 Tennessee River bridges connecting Marshall and Livingston counties.

I-65 southbound John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville.

I-275 Carroll Lee Cropper Bridge over the Ohio River in Boone County.

I-275 Combs-Hehl twin bridges over the Ohio River in Campbell County.

KYTC notes todays high-strength steel used to build bridges must meet enhanced federal requirements and specifications. To further ensure safety, the KYTC inspects bridges at least once every two years and, in some cases, yearly, depending on age, condition and design.

Indiana

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) says it inspects and maintains more than 5,700 state bridges on its transportation network. Each structure is inspected at least once every two years to ensure safety.

INDOT says Indiana maintains three bridges that have T-1 steel in them:

I-64 over the Ohio River  Sherman Minton Bridge in New Albany, Indiana. SR 237 over the Ohio River  Bob Cummings Lincoln Trail Bridge in Cannelton, known to some as either the Bob Cummings Bridge or the Lincoln Trail Bridge. SR 135 over the Ohio River  Matthew E. Welsh Bridge in Mauckport, Indiana.

INDOT says all three have been inspected and any concerns mitigated per guidance from FHWA.

Officials say today, high-strength steel used in bridge construction must meet requirements of the AASHTO M270 or its equivalent, ASTM A709 specifications. These standards have led to improved material properties such as ductility, toughness and hardness.

According to Leeco Steel, ASTM A709 is a common steel plate grade used primarily for the manufacture of bridges.

Lane and ramp closures planned for I-69 in Vanderburgh Co.

Conclusion

Overall, there are two T-1 bridges in the Tri-State. One is the southbound Twin Bridge in Henderson, and the other is the Bob Cummings Bridge near Cannelton and Hawesville, and this bridge is sometimes referred to as the Lincoln Trail Bridge.

As both INDOT and KYTC say those bridges have been inspected, there is no cause for concern.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Coates will be honored for his work having "recovered and discovered countless essential works of Black literature," says the National Book Foundation

Elias Williams/for The Washington Post via Getty Ta-Nehisi Coates will present his dad, W. Paul Coates, with a lifetime achievement award

W. Paul Coates is being honored for his extensive contributions to literary society.

On Wednesday, Sept. 4, the publisher and community activist, 78, was named the recipient of the 2024 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. Coates will be presented with the Literarian Award by author and National Book Award Winner, his son, author, journalist and activist Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Dr. Maya Angelou, Terry Gross, Kyle Zimmer, the literary organization Cave Canem, Doron Weber, Oren J. Teicher, Carolyn Reidy, Nancy Pearl, Tracie D. Hall and most recently, Paul Yamazaki, are among the past recipients.

WireImage / Getty Images Past winner Maya Angelou

The official ceremony will take place on Nov. 20 at the 75th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner, the National Book Foundation said in a press release.

Over the course of his career, W. Paul Coates has recovered and discovered countless essential works of Black literature, and readers everywhere have reaped the benefits of his passion and care for the written word, said David Steinberger, chair of the board of directors of the National Book Foundation.

Related: LeVar Burton Replaces Drew Barrymore as National Book Awards Host

Since the 1970s, Coates has modeled what it means to be a community-focused independent publisher and tireless advocate for Black diasporic writers and books," Steinberger continued. "The foundation is proud to count him among the former members of our board of directors, and it is our great pleasure to recognize Coatess tremendous contributions to the American literary community at the 75th National Book Awards Ceremony.

Before Coates, who is also the founder of Black Classic Press and BCP Digital Printing, got his start in the literary world, he was a member of the United States Army and served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967.

Related: LeVar Burton Calls Out Moms for Liberty at National Book Awards: Books Are Under Attack

After serving, the West Philadelphia, Penn. native joined the Black Panther Partys community breakfast program and also worked with other community programs, providing access to healthcare, clothing and housing assistance for those in need. Several years later, Coates established the George Jackson Prison Movement  a prison literacy program that provided incarcerated individuals with access to progressive Afrocentric reading material.

Theo Wargo/WireImage LeVar Burton at the 70th National Book Awards

As a librarian, publisher and community activist, W. Paul Coates has been instrumental in preserving the legacy of remarkable writers and elevating works that have shaped our personal and collective understanding of the Black experience within the borders of the United States and around the globe, Ruth Dickey, executive director of the National Book Foundation, said via the press release.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Coates has demonstrated for more than 40 years the importance of reading the past and nourishing the creative imagination of present and future writers of the Black diaspora," she continued. "We are honored to celebrate his extraordinary career with the 2024 Literarian Award.Literature.

For more information about the 75th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner and to register for the broadcast, visit the National Book Foundation.



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Credit: Samsung

Taiwan has accused several Chinese semiconductor companies of illegally recruiting its engineers and stealing proprietary technologies as part of its efforts to boost its semiconductor production capabilities. A recent investigation identified eight Chinese firms, including Naura Technology, as violators of Taiwanese law, reports Bloomberg.

According to Taiwan's top intelligence and investigative agency, Naura Technology, a maker of etching and chemical vapor deposition tools trying to make its lithography tools, unlawfully hired engineers to develop chipmaking tools in Taiwan. The report does not disclose whether it hired etching or lithography specialists. Still, this recruitment is seen as part of a broader effort by Chinese companies to gain a competitive edge in the semiconductor industry by poaching experienced engineers from Taiwanese companies.

Naura has responded to these allegations by denying any wrongdoing, stating that its operations in Taiwan comply with all local laws and regulations. The company emphasized that its presence in Taiwan was established by legal requirements and denied involvement in poaching talent.

It is not the first time Taiwanese authorities and companies have accused Chinese entities of poaching experienced engineers. Back then, China-based chipmakers like SMIC, HSMC, and QXIC would hire people from TSMC and UMC to develop advanced process technologies. Other examples of Chinese poaching talent from Taiwan include the hiring of electronic design automation (EDA) tools by Huawei and SMIC. Another way to get experienced workers is to set up operations in Taiwan without following regulations and then hide Chinese ownership by making these entities look like local and foreign companies.

Earlier this year, Taiwan's ambassador to the U.S. accused China of trying to compete with Taiwan's semiconductor industry through unethical practices, including intellectual property theft. China's ambassador to the U.S. has denied these accusations, asserting that Chinese companies have not done anything wrong.

It is not exactly true. Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC), China's leading chipmaker, was found guilty of stealing TSMC's fabrication processes twice in the early 2000s. However, advanced FinFET technologies are now so complex that stealing them is nearly impossible today. Nonetheless, UMC was found guilty of stealing a DRAM process technology from Micron, so Taiwan companies and authorities probably have reasons to worry about.
TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry said on Wednesday it was monitoring Chinese landing drills taking place in a province that lies opposite the island on the other side of the Taiwan Strait, where previous such exercises have taken place.

China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, has ramped up military and political pressure over the past five years to assert its claims, which Taipei strongly rejects.

The ministry said in a statement that since Tuesday it had detected Chinese combat aircraft, helicopters, drones, amphibious ships and roll-on/roll-off freighters loaded with ground troops carrying out "joint landing exercises".

The drills were taking place around Dacheng Bay in the southeastern Chinese province of Fujian, facing Taiwan, the ministry said, adding it was monitoring the situation closely.

Calls to the Chinese defence ministry seeking comment outside of office hours went unanswered.

Taiwan has in previous years, also around the month of September, detected similar Chinese drills in the same location.

However, China lacks the ability to "fully" invade Taiwan as it does not have the equipment, the island's defence ministry said in a report to parliament last week.

China last staged large-scale war games around Taiwan in May shortly after Lai Ching-te took office as the island's new president, a man Beijing calls a "separatist".

Lai has repeatedly offered talks with Beijing, but has been rebuffed. He says only Taiwan's people can decide their future.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; editing by Mark Heinrich)
Across the U.S., programs at all levels of government  federal, state and local  are striving to reduce maternal mortality and erase the racial gap.

Many are making headway in their communities and paving the way for other places.

He is delusional: Woodbury County supervisor, attorneys union continue compensation dispute at meeting

The Associated Press examined efforts that are focused on individual patient needs and efforts seeking to improve medical care generally. Here are key takeaways.

Guiding vulnerable women through pregnancy helps keep them healthy

Healthy Start is a federal program that has worked with vulnerable populations for decades. This year, the federal government gave out $105 million in grants to fund local projects. Officials say its essential part of the Biden administrations plan for addressing maternal health.

It manages women through their pregnancy, said Corrina Jackson, who heads up a local Healthy Start project in Tulsa, Oklahoma. You try to get them in their first trimester and then work with them to delivery day, and then we also work with the babies to make sure that they reach their milestones.

Leeds residents start a petition to stop rezoning project

Healthy Start programs coordinate prenatal and postpartum care, as well as educate moms on health and parenting; provide referrals to services for things like depression or domestic violence; and help with transportation.

In Jacksons more than 25-year tenure in Tulsa, she said there have been no maternal deaths among clients. The maternal death rate for Oklahoma as a whole, meanwhile, is currently higher than the national average.

Improving medical care can lower maternal mortality dramatically

California, by contrast, has the lowest maternal mortality in the nation at 10.5 per 100,000 live births. That wasnt the case before it created a maternal quality care collaborative in 2006.

The partnership founded at Stanford Universitys medical school brings together people from every hospital with a maternity unit to share best practices on problems that could lead to maternal injury or death, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and sepsis.

Special election to be held on West Lyon CSD levy

When you look at the rate of maternal death in the United States compared to California, they basically ran neck-and-neck until it was established, said Dr. Amanda Williams, clinical innovation adviser for the collaborative. At that time they totally separated and California started going down. The rest of the country started going up.

The hospitals get toolkits that describe what to do, how to set up medical teams and what supplies to keep on the unit. The collaborative also looks to improve obstetric care by integrating midwives and doulas  whose services are covered by the states Medicaid program.

Experts: Tailoring solutions to individual communities works best

New York City has a goal of reducing maternal mortality overall and achieving a 10% drop in Black maternal mortality by 2030. The city is targeting low-income residents, those living in public housing and others with its New Family Home Visits Initiative, which supports pregnant and new parents by offering visits from nurses, midwives, doulas and lactation consultants.

Jacksons Healthy Start project in Tulsa is also grounded in her community. She and her staff understand the lingering effects of the citys 1921 race massacre, which is estimated to have killed 100-300 people and destroyed homes, churches, schools and businesses. Jackson said all sorts of health disparities persist, and added that many Black women also distrust the health care system, so being relatable is valuable.

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Debate over whether college campuses should host polling locations on Wednesday derailed the Tarrant County election administrators proposal for early voting sites for the general election.

After sometimes heated discussion, the Tarrant County commissioners voted along party lines to reject the list of 50 sites. Early voting begins Oct. 21 for the Nov. 5 election.

The motion to approve the list failed on a 2-2 vote, since it did not receive a majority. Precinct 4 Commissioner Manny Ramirez was not present for the vote.

Tarrant County Elections Administrator Clint Ludwig presented the list to the commissioners, stating that the county needs as many [early voting sites] as we can get in order to ensure that voters get to the ballot box in a timely manner.

When pressed by County Judge Tim OHare on how many early voting sites he recommended the county needs, Ludwig said probably 60 to 70.

OHare called the number of polling locations a waste of money and manpower, and called out the eight sites on college campuses for being difficult to access by the general public.

Furthermore, these college locations primarily serve a small segment of the population, OHare said. Our polling places should be selected to be broadly accessible to our citizens, even presuming that these locations serve the purpose of catering to a small segment of the population.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Roy Brooks called the rejection of the sites an act of voter suppression and countered OHare by saying all sites are targeted to get specific people to vote. Thats why theyre in specific neighborhoods.

The sites on college campuses favor one group, OHare said, adding that the courts role is not to get college students to vote.

Its not trying to favor one group over another, Brooks responded. It is trying to make it easier for people to vote, and that is the job of this commissioners court, to make it easier for everyone to vote.

Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French addressed the commissioners, urging them to reject the sites on grounds that college campuses are difficult for non-students to access.

He said a pay lot was the closest parking location to the proposed site at UT Arlington.

It is unacceptable to force our citizens to pay for access to polling places, he said. I believe these locations must be removed to ensure a free and fair election with equal access for all voters.

Ludwig had previously ensured commissioners that all early voting locations had free parking for voters.

Fort Worth resident Jenny Blount said she had signed up to speak about parking issues, but that Ludwig had cleared up her doubts on the issue.

It was unclear what will happen with early voting in Tarrant County after the list was rejected. Ludwig left Wednesdays session without answering questions.

The issue of polling locations at college campuses in Tarrant County also drew debate ahead of the 2020 election. The initial proposal for voting locations did not include college campuses, but the county ultimately included them on the final approved polling location list.

OHare also voted against the list of 350 election day voting sites on grounds that the proposed list was not balanced between majority Democrat and majority Republican precincts.

Tarrant County does not need 350 polling locations on election day, but that number meets the countys requirements by law, Ludwig said.

The list was approved 3-1, with Ramirez absent.

The commissioners also voted unanimously to increase pay raises for election workers. Election judges hourly rate was raised from $15 to $18, and that of election clerks went from $13 to $15.
Tarrant County hires 3 more attorneys for jailers involved in inmates death. Heres the cost

The price tag for the death of Anthony Johnson Jr. in the Tarrant County jail grew a bit bigger on Tuesday after the Tarrant County commissioners approved hiring of three more attorneys to represent jailers in the lawsuit brought by his family.

The hiring of the attorneys for jailers Jaquavious Simmons, Elijah Marez and Johnathan Nymoen, who were named as defendants in the lawsuit last month, was approved without discussion in the courts consent agenda.

Simmons sprayed pepper spray into Johnsons mouth while he was already handcuffed on the floor, Daryl Washington, the Johnson familys attorney, told the Star-Telegram in August. Marez and Nymoen pinned Johnsons legs to the floor when Moreno placed his knee in his back, Washington said.

Moreno can be seen in video of the altercation released by the sheriffs office putting his weight on Johnson for around a minute and a half and failing to let up after Johnson said he could not breathe.

The Johnson family sued Tarrant County in July, naming jailers Rafael Moreno and Joel Garcia as defendants alongside 10 unnamed defendants. The two were indicted on murder charges in June.

The county commissioners voted to hire outside legal representation for Moreno and Garcia in August, approving as much as $30,000 for each attorney.

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The attorneys hired on Tuesday are also approved for up to $30,000 each, potentially adding $90,000 to the countys bill for Johnsons death.

Lynn Winter of Cox of the Dallas firm Cox PLLC will represent Simmons for $260 per hour. She declined to comment on the case while it is in litigation.

Fort Worth attorney Wayne Olson will represent Nymoen for $300 per hour and Fort Worth attorney Brian Garrett will represent Marez for $295 per hour. They did not respond to requests for comment.

Washington did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11)  A teacher was shot at a middle school in the Bronx Wednesday, the day before school starts in New York City, police said.

A 33-year-old teachers hand was grazed by a stray bullet inside his sixth-floor classroom at M.S. 391 The Angelo Patri Middle School in Fordham around 11:50 a.m., according to the NYPD.

More Crime News

The teacher was taken to a hospital for treatment and has since been released.

[The teacher] was preparing his room for the first day of class tomorrow when a bullet entered the classroom through a window, striking him, said Keiyon Ramsey, the deputy chief at Patrol Borough Bronx. Thankfully there were no children inside the school or around the school at the time of the incident.

Authorities said the bullet was fired from outside the school, likely from a long distance away and at an elevated height. Police do not believe the school was targeted.

Out of an abundance of caution tomorrow, we will have additional school safety agents and police officers on site to ensure that children coming tomorrow and their parents feel safe and are safe, Ramsey said.

Jenna Lyle, a spokesperson for the New York City Department of Education, called the incident upsetting and reprehensible.

We will provide support additional support to this school community, Lyle said.

Police are looking for surveillance video to help identify who fired the shot.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered New York City since 2023. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.

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Teen charged with twice threatening to shoot up a South MS high school, authorities say

Authorities charged a 16-year-old with making terroristic threats to Harrison Central High School, which went on lock down twice in recent weeks after the suspect called and threatened to shoot up the school, the Harrison County Sheriffs Office said.

The juvenile, who authorities did not name, faces two counts of making terroristic threats.

Authorities said the suspect made two calls, one on August 30 and one on Wednesday, that threatened a shooting at the high school. Authorities found no credible threat in either case, said Hanna Hendry, a spokesperson for the Sheriffs Office.

The juvenile was not a student at Harrison Central, Hendry said.

Investigators arrested the teenager at his home on Wednesday. He was booked at the Harrison County Juvenile Detention Center and is held without bond pending a juvenile detention hearing.

Wednesdays lock down has since been lifted and school operations have returned to normal, the Harrison County Sheriffs Office said. Police said the school entered a soft lock down, which meant it did not allow anyone in or out but kept operating while deputies checked the building.

The school also entered a lock down on Friday but returned to normal after authorities said they found no active threat.

This is a developing story and may be updated.
PRICE, Utah (ABC4)  One teenager was taken into custody on Wednesday morning after allegedly stabbing another student while riding on a school bus.

Daneil Robison with the Carbon County Sheriffs Office told ABC4.com the stabbing happened while the bus was en route to Carbon High School in Price. Upon arrival at the school, deputies took the juvenile suspect into custody.

Three Utah-based real estate coaches barred from teaching, ordered to refund $2.8M

The victim reportedly suffered a minor puncture wound on the hand. They were treated on scene before being released to their parent at the school.

Due to their ages, neither student has been identified.

Details on what led to the stabbing were not publicly released, however, Robison did confirm that deputies confiscated a sharp item believed to be used in the incident.

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HUTTO, Texas (KXAN)  The Hutto Police Department arrested five people early Monday morning who they believe stole valuables from cars in a south Hutto subdivision.

Police got a call around 1:30 a.m. Labor Day from the Glenwood Subdivision about a group of people walking around stealing from parked cars. The suspects were minors, police said.

Within minutes, officers got there and arrested the suspects, according to Lt. Nathan Spraggins. He attributes that speed to how the department has reprioritized patrol units.

KXAN INVESTIGATES: DATA: Auto theft happens across Austin  8% of cases ended in arrest

Be in the neighborhoods more than the highways, really putting an emphasis on being in the neighborhoods in the late hours, he said. We really want our guys focused on the neighborhoods and being visible so were available for fast response.

Spraggins added that most of the cars the suspects stole from were unlocked, and valuables were left visible.

Investigators said the teens drove to Hutto in vehicles stolen from Austin, and auto theft and burglary of vehicle cases have risen.

Law enforcement: Truck stolen from Domain used in human trafficking incident

In the last few months, weve had approximately 50, Spraggins said.

Law enforcement agencies across Central Texas said the biggest concern regarding a spike in auto theft is the fact the vehicles are often used for more serious crimes.

The below chart highlights the most frequent crimes committed in Austin with stolen vehicles or during auto thefts for all of 2022 and most of 2023, according to APD data.

As the trend spikes not only statewide, but nationwide, Spraggins has a message for anyone planning to target cars in Hutto.

Our community is not going to tolerate this, he said. They are going to call us. And we are going to go out there and we are going to make it a priority to catch you.

In the spirit of continuing to build relationships with the community, Spraggins encourages the people of Hutto to attend next months National Night Out event on Oct. 3.

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UPDATE: The Davenport Community School District has issued a news release about yesterdays arrest of two students.

The safety of our students and staff, and the security of our buildings, remains a top priority for the Davenport Community School District. DCSD leadership and West administration coordinated closely with the Davenport Police Department to ensure that the execution of this search warrant was done in private, away from other students. It did not cause further incident or disruption to the school day.

The District values our ongoing partnership with the Davenport Police Department. We are currently consulting with DPD and our school resource officers on implementing enhanced security protocols in our buildings over the coming days to ensure the safety of our students and staff.

EARLIER: Two teenagers face charges of carrying weapons on school grounds, according to a news release from Davenport Police.

At 9:14 a.m. Wednesday, Davenport Police arrived at Davenport West High School to serve a search warrant on two students related to an ongoing investigation, the release says.

Davenport West High School is the worst performing school in the Iowa QC area.

The two students were called out of the classroom to meet with law enforcement. Officers located a gun inside each of their backpacks. The students were arrested and charged::

17-year-old student  carrying weapons on school grounds.

15-year-old student  carrying weapons on school grounds, dominion/control of

firearm/offensive weapon by felon, interference with official acts  firearm.

Davenport Police worked closely with Davenport Community School District leadership and West High School administration to ensure the safety of students and staff. The school day continued without interruption, the release says.

The investigation continues. No other information was available as of 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

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Temporary workers and advocates rallied outside the Statehouse in Trenton on Dec. 19, 2022, to urge support for a bill that would provide protections to temporary workers. (Courtesy of Make the Road New Jersey)

A federal judge has denied another effort by staffing agencies to stop the enforcement of a landmark state law requiring them to pay temporary workers the same in benefits and pay as full-time staff.

After more than a year of legal battles that failed to stop the law from going into effect, temporary staffing agencies filed another motion this past spring, taking a proverbial second bite at the apple, U.S. District Court Judge Christine OHearn wrote in a Friday ruling.

Staffing agencies argue the law, which first went into effect in May 2023, was unconstitutional. The court denied their bid to halt it, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that decision. But the agencies filed another motion last May with a new claim.

Granting a preliminary injunction now would needlessly disrupt the status quo, since the law has been in effect for over a year, OHearn said. The Department of Labor is finalizing regulations, and nonprofit groups have begun training affected workers on the laws provisions  all of which would come to an abrupt halt, temporarily changing the staffing landscape in New Jersey for the third time in a year, the judge wrote.

Many workers and families depending on their increased wages and benefits have already made important life decisions, like buying a car or enrolling a child in school, she notes. Enforcing an injunction would undoubtedly cause substantial harm to workers, and not serve the public interest, the ruling states.

Immigrant advocates celebrated Fridays ruling as one that certainly seems to be the most embarrassing loss for the staffing industry lobby to date.

Being required to actually follow the law may be a bitter pill for staffing agencies, particularly, to swallow, but thats reality for the rest of us, and is for them now too. Its time to drop the schemes and games and accept that the Temp Workers Bill of Rights is not going away, said Garrett OConnor of Make the Road New Jersey, a group that fought for years to pass the law.

The law was signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in February 2023. Its intended to protect an estimated 127,000 temporary workers, some of whom work at the same job site for years, by improving working conditions, requiring equal pay and benefits as full-time workers with similar responsibilities, and mandating companies to provide basic work information in the workers native language. All provisions took effect August 2023.

The New Jersey Staffing Association, American Staffing Association, and New Jersey Business and Industry Association claimed that the new law would drive companies out of business and agencies would be forced to move out of New Jersey, harming the states labor force. They lobbied aggressively against the bill for years before ultimately launching a legal battle.

But the detrimental impacts the groups warned about havent occurred to the extent they predicted, OHearn said, leaving the court with some skepticism.

The staffing agencies latest claim that the law is preempted by ERISA, a federal employment retirement law, came too late, OHearn said. That law has been consistently used to challenge state statutes since it went into effect in 1975, and the staffing agencies should have asserted this claim before the equal benefits provision went into effect in August 2023, the judge wrote.

Because the groups waited to request injunctive relief, it diminishes their argument that they will continue to be irreparably harmed if the equal benefits provision remains in effect, the judge wrote.

An injunction, OHearn added, would bring up new questions  does pay revert back to what it was prior to the law, and would benefits suddenly be rescinded?

Because of the injunctions impact on the status quo and lack of public interest, the groups havent shown irreparable harm, OHearn said. The plaintiffs are also unlikely to succeed on the merits that would outweigh public interest, she added.

The ruling comes after a federal appeals court declined in July to halt enforcement of the laws wage and benefit provisions.

Adriana Alvarez, a temp worker in the logistics industry, said shes glad to see the judge side with workers who have long endured late or docked pay, spent their own money for mandatory transportation to work sites, and been baffled by vague scheduling  all of which is illegal now under the new law.

The staffing agencies are probably so used to getting away with unjust and unfair treatment of its workers that they expected a judge to take their side and agree to reward their negligence and lack of preparation, she said in a statement. Im glad to see a judge is setting a bar for the staffing agencies. Theyre definitely not used to it.

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A group of Georgia tenants receiving housing assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are planning to protest poor conditions outside of the regional HUD office in Atlanta.

According to a release by the tenants, who come from all across Georgia, theyll be demanding urgent intervention and accountability to what they call ongoing civil rights and fair housing violations that residents are facing across the region.

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The tenants gathering at the federal office in Atlanta include former residents of the long-troubled property Forest Cove Apartments as well as residents of the GE Tower in Southwest Atlant and residents of Hudson Malone Towers, a senior living facility in Albany.

The common thread among these issues is the dysfunction at HUD, which has failed to provide the necessary oversight and support. The upcoming mobilization aims to highlight these deficiencies and demand federal intervention to secure the justice that residents deserve, the tenants said in a statement ahead of the protest.

TRENDING STORIES:

Describing what theyre facing where they live now, tenants of GE Tower in Atlanta said they are enduring a problematic renovation process funded by city elites, facing unmanageable junk fees, harassment, and the absence of official lease agreements.

For those living at Hudson Malone Towers, residents are grappling with serious civil rights violations, including non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Health issues exacerbated by pervasive mold further compound their suffering.

Finally, former Forest Cove residents say they are struggling under the mismanagement of Leumas Group, a contracted service group that has shown incompetence and a lack of urgency in addressing their housing needs. Many of these former residents are at risk of homelessness due to inadequate support.

As a result of these claims of violations, tenants, advocates and their allies plan to gather outside of the HUD Southeast regional office Wednesday morning to demand action by the federal agency.

In response to questions from Channel 2 Action News, a HUD spokesperson said HUD prioritizes the safety and security of the residents we serve, ensuring that they have the safe, affordable, and quality housing they deserve. Our leadership is aware of the concerns raised today by the Housing Justice League, and its members, and has met with organizers. Further, we are in close contact with the local housing authority and owners of the impacted properties to ensure their residents concerns are being addressed. HUD will continue monitoring the conditions at each of the impacted properties to ensure that all issues are quickly and effectively addressed.

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DETROIT, Mich. (WKBN)  Workers at the Ultium Cells battery plant in Tennessee are following suit with the Lordstown facility and unionizing.

About 1,000 workers at the plant in Spring Hill will be represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union after a majority of workers signed union cards, according to the UAW.

The unionization will come with hefty pay raises once a contract is hammered out.

Pay will fall under the UAW national contract and will include a starting wage of $27.72 an hour. Over three years, minimum production worker pay will go to $30.88.

Ultium Cells in Lordstown unionized last year and had a tentative agreement early this summer. The contract was ratified in June and included a 30% pay raise over three years and a $3,000 bonus.

Workers at Lordstown will be making $35 an hour by October 2027, according to the UAW.

The UAW says that battery plants that will employ thousands of workers are being built across the country and the Ultium contracts set a powerful precedent for those facilities and the entire EV industry.

Ultium Cells is a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution of Korea. The Spring Hill plant was built in 2021 with production beginning in January 2024.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation searched the Millersville Police Department Wednesday.

Susan Niland, spokesperson for the TBI, confirmed via email just before 11:30 a.m. that agents "are conducting a search warrant execution at the Millersville Police Department as part of an ongoing investigation."

Niland said later Wednesday afternoon that a second search warrant was carried out at Millersville Police Assistant Police Chief Shawn Taylor's White House area home on Skyhawk Court. The house sits in Robertson County, between White House and Cross Plains.

Niland did not provide any details about the nature of the investigation.

"This is part of the ongoing investigation. We don't have any additional information to provide at this stage," Niland said in an emailed statement.

The search comes after months of turmoil in Millersville that led most city officials to resign or be fired, including a recently hired police chief.

Bryan Morris, formerly chief of the now defunct-Ridgetop Police Department in Robertson County, was named Millersville's police chief in February. In April, Morris was appointed interim city manager, working both jobs but largely relinquishing day-to-day police operations to Taylor.

Efforts to reach Morris or Taylor were not immediately successful Wednesday.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TBI agents search Millersville Police Department amid continued strife
FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WBOY)  A Tennessee man was indicted Wednesday on federal drug charges stemming from a traffic stop that turned into a pursuit in Fairmont, West Virginia.

Kenneth Frye, 51, of Kingsport, Tennessee, was charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of West Virginia (USAO).

After officers with the Fairmont Police Department caught Frye while he was attempting to flee the stop, they found a large amount of methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl in his possession, the release said.

Clarksburg man sentenced for selling fentanyl in Upshur County

Frye faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison for the methamphetamine charge and faces up to 20 years for each other charge, the USAO said.

Fryes mugshot was not available on the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitations website as of 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

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Former first lady Melania Trump joins Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump on stage after he officially accepted the nomination on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024 in Milwaukee. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Former first lady Melania Trump joins Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump on stage after he officially accepted the nomination on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024 in Milwaukee. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

The first time I heard the phrase jumping the shark, I was confused: I didnt understand the phrasing at first, but I understood the negative connotation when it referenced my favorite television show at the time, Lost.

During Season 5 of the series, the plot skipped off track and left viewers grasping for coherence. A TV critic declared that Lost had officially jumped the shark  a phrase referencing the episode of the 1970s sitcom Happy Days in which Fonzie literally jumped a shark on water skis, changing the course of the show so drastically that the show no longer resembled what the audience initially loved about it.

Ive found myself thinking about that phrase quite a bit over the last month  ever since President Joe Biden announced he would no longer seek the Democratic Presidential nomination and the undeniable optimism that followed  optimism because the Democratic party once again stood a chance and the possibility that the partys messaging could override the draconian noise of the far-right.

As the joy-filled Democratic National Convention closed Aug. 22 night and Vice President Kamala Harris officially accepted the nomination, it was clear that most Americans were thirsting for something different. Had the hateful, fear-based rhetoric of the Republican Party finally jumped the shark?

While the Democratic Party attempts to ride this wave of positivity to a win in November, a larger question can be raised about its effect on Tennessee. How much have the toxic narratives of the far right impacted legislation in Tennessee? And if the Democratic party can shift the mood on the national level, could that start to lighten the color of a deep-red state like Tennessee?

The Trump train is clearly running out of steam: Theres a new feel to the political atmosphere across the country and hate and divisiveness may not be in vogue anymore.

Since Donald Trump arrived on the political scene in 2015 and single-handedly reshaped the messaging of the Republican Party, most Tennessee Republican politicians have followed in sycophantic suit.

Sen. Bill Hagerty has made it his mission to parrot stereotypical Trump talking points about migrants that have no basis in truth, even going so far as visiting the border for a photo-op and bringing back anecdotal stories that dont reflect the reality of the immigration issue that currently exists in our country. Hagerty regularly refers to Democratic leaders as communists or pedals half-baked misinformation regarding decision-making at the Federal level.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn hasnt held a public town hall since early 2017 when she was congresswoman for the 7th District, when she faced backlash  from both Democrats and Republicans. Yet, she was elevated to the U.S. Senate in 2018 because she sticks to the script. But the script doesnt resonate as much as it has in the past.

Even Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee  a recent recipient of a Trump scorn  was too scared to stand up for himself in the face of Trumps influence. Lee simply tucked his tail and continued to kiss the ring of the man who had directly set the tone for the current iteration of the Republican Party.

On the legislative front, Tennessee has proven itself to be a model for far-right government, positioning itself as a standard-bearer for the far-right narrative that Trump helped usher into politics.

Since Trumps arrival on the scene, Republican House and Senate candidates in Tennessee have invoked his name to win local primaries, calling opponents RINOs and Democratic challengers socialists. After securing positions in office, these lawmakers have enacted some of the most extreme and dangerous legislation the state has ever seen.

Parameters surrounding gun ownership have been whittled down to next to nothing. The legislature still refuses to accept billions of federal dollars to expand Medicaid coverage. Fourteen laws have been enacted against LGBTQ+ Tennesseans. And, the coup de grace for Trump Republicans? Enacting a trigger ban on abortion that officially went into effect when the Trump-appointed Supreme Court Justices voted on the Dobbs decision. Does any of this legislation happen without a Trump presidency? I dont think it does.

But the Trump train is clearly running out of steam. Theres a new feel to the political atmosphere across the country. Hate and divisiveness may not be in vogue anymore. The Republican Party AT (After-Trump) on the national level is perilously close to skipping off track, just like Season 5 of Lost did. Maybe its time to give the man some water skis like The Fonz and let him and the party go ahead and finally jump the shark.

If the momentum of unity and joy continues to ride this blue wave that is seemingly growing each day, I cant help but think it will drown Trump and any influence he continues to have on states like Tennessee.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The man whose acrobatic vault over a judges bench  knocking the jurist to the ground, injuring her, and causing injury to a man who intervened in defense of her  stands trial Tuesday for attempted murder.

The case of Deobra Redden, 31, completed one day of jury selection and, if that process is completed by Wednesday, that newly-empaneled jury could hear attorneys opening statements immediately thereafter.

The 8 News Now Investigators broke the story and first disseminated the viral video that is the impetus for the charges against Redden, who is accused of trying to kill Eighth Judicial District Court judge Mary Kay Holthus in January. Holthus was in the process of sentencing Redden on a separate charge, indicating that she was about to levy some prison time on the three-time felon when  out of nowhere  he flew into the air and landed atop Holthus.

Absolutely terrified, Las Vegas judge describes courtroom attack: He literally trampolines like Superman

A police report originally obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators attributes Redden with saying he had a bad day and tried to kill the judge. Other documents indicate Redden threw Holthus to the ground  which is corroborated by the video  and pulled the hair out of the left side of her head.

Reddens trial will occur before a different District Court judge, Susan Johnson, who in June sentenced the man who crashed into two Nevada state troopers in November 2023. Johnson sentenced that man, Jemarcus Williams, to between 16 and 40 years.

Video, photos show aftermath, injuries from Las Vegas judge attack; man spits on officer

The states witness list includes Holthus, who has not yet spoken publicly. She did, however, testify before the grand jury who indicted Redden in February.

Holthus clerk, Michael Lasso, is also on that witness list. Lasso spoke with 8 News Now shortly after the attack on Holthus.

He went, jumped over that defense desk, Lasso explained, referencing the courtroom. Kinda ran over here, hopped this, and that was where the judge was sitting.

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TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)Texarkana is extending its farmers market into the new season. This is the citys first year hosting vendors in the Fall.

Many of the same crafts, activities, specialty foods, and meats will be available. Only the local fresh produce will look a little different during the Fall.

Another difference is the location; the Fall market will be held at Spring Lake Park instead of downtown.

Weve had a lot of requests from vendors to extend our season. And we thought that Spring Lake Park is a little more centrally located in a good place for people to stop after work to pick up groceries, crafts, and everything else on their way home, says Keith Beason with the Texarkana, TX Parks & Rec Department.

The Fall farmers market will be held every Tuesday from 4 p.m.  7 p.m. It will run through October 29th.

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Completely eliminating Texas' high property taxes would have cost the state $81.5 billion last year  or more than half the state's current two-year budget  state budget officials told Texas senators Wednesday. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune

Texas would have to spend tens of billions of dollars to get rid of the states property taxes, state budget officials said Wednesday  a reality check on some conservatives who want to end them once and for all.

Republican lawmakers have been on a yearslong push to bring down the states property taxes, among the highest in the nation. Some Texas conservatives have long dreamt of getting rid of at least some property taxes altogether  an idea others have criticized as unrealistic given the gargantuan cost of doing so. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a skeptic of doing away with property taxes, tasked lawmakers earlier this year with tallying the cost.

Now, lawmakers have those figures in hand. Getting rid of all property taxes collected by school districts would have cost the state $39.5 billion in tax year 2023, figures presented to the Texas Senate Finance Committee by the Legislative Budget Board show. School property taxes, which pay for costs like teacher salaries and new facilities, represent the largest chunk of a property owners tax bill.

In addition, the state would have had to shell out another $42 billion to cover the property taxes collected by cities, counties and special taxing districts last year. All told, the state would have had to spend $81.5 billion to completely eliminate all local property taxes. Thats more than half of the $144 billion that lawmakers allocated for Texas current two-year budget.

Spending that much money on tax cuts would significantly hamper the states ability to pay for other costs and would likely require a significant sales tax hike, lawmakers said Wednesday. There appeared to be little appetite among committee members to do so.

This is not something that you can find $81 billion on a per-year basis and not have a major impact on the remaining sales tax rates, because that is a huge amount of money to be able to replicate, said state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a Houston Republican and Patricks chief lieutenant on property taxes.

Texas doesnt levy its own property tax. Instead, cities, counties, school districts and special taxing entities collect property taxes. Property tax bills have climbed over much of the last decade as the states economy boomed and property values and tax rates rose.

[Texas Republicans have tried to rein in property taxes for five years. Has it worked?]

To try to rein in rising property tax bills, state lawmakers have spent billions of dollars and put tighter limits on how much more in property taxes school districts and local governments can collect. Last year, legislators approved a $12.7 billion package consisting of targeted tax breaks for homeowners and money for school districts to drive down how much they collect from property owners. For homeowners, those efforts appear to be working.

The amount of property taxes school districts collected fell by nearly 10% between 2022 and 2023, according to figures provided by the Texas Comptrollers office. Total property tax collections, however, fell less than 1% in that time frame, driven by a 10.3% increase in the amount of property taxes collected by cities, counties and special taxing districts.

The states top Republicans have signaled theyre not done slashing property taxes. Patrick, the leader of the Texas Senate, and House Speaker Dade Phelan each tasked legislators in their chambers with exploring more cuts before they reconvene in Austin for next years legislative session. Gov. Greg Abbott said earlier this year that the Legislature should continue to hammer away at property taxes until we get rid of the school property tax rate here in the state of Texas.

Doing away with the property tax rate that pays for school districts maintenance and operations has long been a dream among some Texas conservatives, but proposals to do so have been dead on arrival in the Legislature. Still, some conservative thinkers contend the state should chip away at property taxes over time until theyre eliminated.

Property taxes are not just a financial burden, said Vance Ginn, a conservative economist who runs his own economic consulting firm. They are fundamentally immoral.

Even if lawmakers had an appetite for doing away with property taxes, finding the money to make up for that revenue would be difficult.

Texas doesnt have an income tax, and outside of the property tax, the state relies heavily on sales taxes to pay for government services. Thus, getting rid of the property tax would likely require a significant hike in the sales tax  an idea that has proven highly unpopular in the past. Texas would have to more than double its sales tax rate to eliminate all property taxes, a recent analysis by the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association found.

Sales taxes are also a more volatile way to fund the government because theyre more vulnerable to economic downturns and shifts in consumer spending. The burden of paying sales tax falls harder on lower-income households because sales taxes make up a higher share of their income than they do for households higher up the income ladder.

Hitting low- and middle-income Texas families with this dramatically higher rate would seriously damage both their household budgets and the state economy as a whole, Shannon Halbrook, a fiscal analyst at the left-leaning Every Texan, told lawmakers Wednesday.

Disclosure: Every Texan and Texas Taxpayers and Research Association have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit Wednesday trying to stop one of the biggest counties in Texas from mailing voter registration forms to large swaths of unregistered voters.

On Tuesday, the county judge and commissioners in Bexar County, which includes San Antonio, approved a contract with a vendor to mail the unsolicited forms to approximately 210,000 people, with the goal of registering about 75,000 voters.

Paxton, a Republican, had previously warned of legal action if Bexar County moved forward with its plan to work with the vendor, Civic Government Solutions. In the new complaint, Paxton argues that its illegal for county officials to arrange for unsolicited, mass mailing of voter registration forms.

Despite being warned against adopting this blatantly illegal program that would spend taxpayer dollars to mail registration applications to potentially ineligible voters, Bexar County has irresponsibly chosen to violate the law, Paxton said in a statement announcing the filing.

Paxtons lawsuit is the latest step in a large-scale effort by Republican leaders in Texas against largely Democratic cities that are trying to make voting easier and more accessible. Paxtons office also launched an election integrity unit in 2018 investigating allegations of voter fraud, but the unit has yielded few convictions.

Civic Government Solutions is run by a known progressive activist, Jeremy Smith, but Smith sought to reassure county leaders on Tuesday that his company is strictly nonpartisan, saying its in the companys financial interest to register as many voters as possible on both sides of the aisle.

I understand where people are coming from, Smith said at the meeting, responding to questions about his background. I have a personal view on who I would like to win the federal election. That is not to say that the contracts that we undertake with governments are in any way partisan.

Commissioners and the county judge brought up concerns about Smiths partisan ties, as well as Paxtons legal threats multiple times at a meeting on Tuesday but ultimately decided to approve the contract, citing a need to make it easier for new residents in the county to sign up to vote.

The county judge, who is a Democrat, and two Democratic commissioners approved the contract. A third Democratic commissioner abstained from voting, and a fourth commissioner, the lone Republican, voted against it.

Several residents showed up to the meeting and voiced stark opposition to the initiative, alleging that the mostly Democratic body of commissioners was trying to register more Democrats and non-citizens.

Commissioner Justin Rodriguez, a Democrat, has led the effort to work with CGS and sharply pushed back on the accusations.

From my perspective, this is about democracy with a lowercase d and making sure that people have access, he said. Im getting texts as recent as last week from people who say, look, we just moved into the county. We dont understand the process.

Reached for comment after the lawsuit was announced, county leaders indicated they still plan to move forward with the registration effort. In a statement, Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai said he and the commissioners sought their own legal opinion and feel the county still has the right to mail out registration forms.

We are confident we can defend that position, if needed, in a court of law, Sakai said in the statement. He added there are robust safeguards to vet all applicants and prevent any non-eligible residents from becoming registered voters, even if they receive a form in the mail.

Bexar Countys nonpartisan effort to provide voter registration applications to targeted eligible citizens is within the authority of the County and consistent with State law, he said.

This story has been updated with a statement from Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai.

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WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  A new lawsuit to stop the building of Lake Ringgold was filed in Travis County in 201st District Court.

The suit was filed at the end of August 2024.

The petition claims the permit issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is the product of numerous errors and must be reversed. This appeal is not surprising, as the TCEQ issued the permit to the city of Wichita Falls in May of this year.

The plaintiffs allege the commission committed six errors when issuing this permit, including granting the permit even though the application did not propose a beneficial use for the requested appropriation and making a mistake in determining that the city met its burden of proof that the proposed appropriation is not detrimental to the public welfare.

Texas Conservation Alliance Senior Policy Director Janice Bezanson said this is the next step for the plaintiffs, which includes the alliance and multiple Clay County landowners.

While theres no timetable for the hearing, Bezanson said the judge will have thousands of documents and testimony from December 2023s contested hearing, which recommended that the permit for Ringgold be denied.

The evidence in that hearing shows clearly that Wichita Falls has enough water. Lake Ringgold is much bigger than would be needed, even if they even if they do need some water, it wont be anywhere near that much, Bezanson said.

Today in city council, councilors approved next years budget, which includes $5 million put aside to assist with the federal permit for Ringgold.

The city released the following statement:

The administrative appeal is simply the next step in the process and we remain confident in TCEQS defense of its permitting decision and its critical importance to support a water-secure future for the city, its residents, and the wholesale customers across the region who rely upon the city for their own water supplies. City of Wichita Falls

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A delegation of congressional Democrats from Texas is asking the U.S. Justice Department to investigate Attorney General Ken Paxton's actions amid his office's hunt for instances of voter fraud that has largely targeted the state's Latino communities.

During a press call Wednesday, Democratic U.S. representatives from Houston, San Antonio, Austin and El Paso chastised Paxton's effort as an attempt to disincentivize citizens from registering to vote and a continuation of civil and voting rights violations that have been endured by Latinos in Texas for decades.

After Paxton's office in August carried out several search warrants at private residences in South Texas, local, state and federal officials along with civil rights groups have questioned the attorney general's motives behind the voter fraud search and have asked federal authorities to intervene.

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, right, accompanied President Joe Biden on his Jan. 8, 2023 flight to El Paso, where he was greeted by Gov. Greg Abbott. On Wednesday, Escobar joined other Texas congressional Democrats in calling on the U.S. Justice Department to investigate Attorney General Ken Paxton's recent hunt for possible voter fraud. They say Paxton's efforts aim at voter suppression.

"We know very well that the attorney general has used his office historically as a way of pursuing political efforts," U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, said Wednesday. "From my perspective, he has a history of misusing his power."

The coalition of Democrats expects to submit a letter to the Justice Department later in the week to formally request an investigation into Paxton's recent actions, Escobar said.

More: 'We didn't break any laws': Latino civil rights group demands investigation into Ken Paxton voter fraud chase

The League of United Latin American Citizens has also called for a federal investigation after Paxton's initial raids targeted several of the group's members who previously participated in voter registration efforts.

"Unfortunately, our state has a long record and a dark history of trying to suppress voter turnout, and we think it's imperative that the Department of Justice investigate the attorney general's actions," Escobar said.

Paxton, in a news release in August, celebrated the successful start of "undercover operations" by his office to identify and prevent possible illegal voter registration efforts in major metropolitan areas in Texas, accusing nonprofit organizations of setting up registration drives near Texas Department of Public Safety driver's license offices.

Paxton then touted having executed multiple search warrants last month in Frio, Atascosa and Bexar counties tied to ongoing investigations into alleged voter fraud and vote harvesting during the 2022 election cycle, which prompted the federal investigation requests by LULAC and congressional Democrats.

U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, criticized Paxton's voter fraud search as perverse, saying his office is guilty of interfering with the election by discouraging voters from casting a ballot through the possible threat of legal action.

More: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues Bexar County over voter registration mailer plan

"All he knows how to do is play cheap political gigs at the expense of Texas taxpayers, and we know he'll break the law or violate all codes of ethics for his own political gain," Garcia said.

"This is right out of a dictator's playbook, going after those with whom you disagree," Garcia said.

League of United Latin American Citizens National Vice President for the Southwest Ray Mancera speaks at a news conference Tuesday in El Paso. LULAC has called for a federal investigation after Ken Paxton's raids targeted several of the group's members who previously participated in voter registration efforts.

Democrats during Wednesday's call also expressed disdain for Gov. Greg Abbott's recent boast about the removal of more than 1 million people from the state's voter rolls since 2021 and legislation from U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Hays County, to alter voting registration requirements.

Paxton's interest in voter registration extended further Wednesday when he followed through on a previous threat to sue several Bexar County officials if they approved a plan to send voter registration information to unregistered voters in the county.

More: Policy change bars transgender Texans from altering sex on birth certificates, state says

"This is a devious effort to make us even more solid as ground zero for voter suppression" said U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin.

Outside of the investigatory requests to federal authorities, Texas state Sens. Roland Gutierrez and Jose Menendez, both Democrats from San Antonio, announced last week that they will be asking the Senate, under the leadership of Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, to begin a state-level probe into Paxton's actions as well.

U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, takes a selfie with President Joe Biden as the president arrived at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on July 29 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act at the LBJ Presidential Library. Green is among the Texas Democrats seeking an investigation into Attorney General Ken Paxton's raids on people involved in voter registration efforts.

Paxton's office has not responded to multiple American-Statesman requests for comment on the recent voter fraud searches or on the mounting calls for a federal investigation into the matter. Paxton has not publicly released evidence pointing to voter fraud in the election.

Recounting the experience of Lidia Martinez, an 87-year-old retired teacher from San Antonio who was targeted in the initial raids last month in South Texas, U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, said it is paramount to prevent others from experiencing the same invasion of privacy.

More: When does early voting start? Here's where Travis County voters can cast their ballot

Martinez, during a LULAC news conference last week, said she opened her front door at 6 a.m. Aug. 20 to nine officers from the attorney general's office who were there seeking information about her efforts to register voters.

"She said she got scared. I would be afraid," Green said. "There has to be more explained to the public. There needs to be more transparency; they've not said enough to convince me that they had the probable cause to do what they did."

The deadline to register and be eligible to vote in the Nov. 5 election is Oct. 7.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas AG Paxton's voter fraud push is 'outrageous,' Democrats argue
AUSTIN (Nexstar)  The short answer: no. The longer answer: definitely no, at least not anytime in the foreseeable future, and not without drastic increases to the sales tax or sacrifices of vital state services like healthcare and education at all levels.

State senators tasked with steering the states massive budget gathered at the Capitol on Wednesday to do the math.

Eliminating property taxes would cost the state more than $81 billion per year, they found. The state raises about $47.5 billion per year in discretionary spending. That means the legislature would have to either cut nearly twice that much from the budget or make it up through other taxes  like nearly tripling the sales tax to 22%. Senators signaled both options are nonstarters.

Priced out: Texans fed up with the politics of property taxes

Thats foster care, Child Protective Services, Medicaid, Department of Family Services, and a lot of this federally mandated, of course, costs that we have to do, Senate Finance Chair Joan Huffman, R-Houston, said. All the money put on higher education, all the money in public education, all the money for Medicaid, all the money for mental health, human trafficking, all the things that the state has made priorities we would not have the funding for. Is that correct?

State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, the Senates architect of property tax reform, told Nexstar the impact on sales taxes would force consumers across state lines and distort everything in the market. Hes hoping to continue his efforts to keep property taxes at bay through a mix of buying down local taxes, increasing homestead exemptions, and limits on local tax rate increases, and

You have to set up something sustainable. And when we look at these changes, we have to not only pay for it now, but in the future, he said.

Conservative policy analysts and advocates argued to the Senate Finance Committee that property taxes are immoral, akin to renting your land from the state. While senators agree the burden is far too high for many homeowners, they admonished people for proposing cuts without offering ways to raise the money for basic services elsewhere.

People like to have clean water. Theyre funny that way, State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, said. So when you propose a cut, lets make sure you come up here and say, if you cut this, you can still do X by this measure.'

Texas homestead tax exemption increase approved by voters

Earlier this year, Gov. Greg Abbott doubled down on his ambitious goal to zero out the largest chunk of your property tax bill.

I am insisting that we come back once again and ensure that we will continue to cut those property taxes until we get rid of the school property tax right here in the state of Texas, he told the Texas Public Policy Foundation in March.

Last year, Abbott signed a monumental property tax relief bill to increase the homestead exemption to $100,000 and provide municipalities billions to compress their tax rate. The plan is estimated to save the average homeowner about $1,400 a year. Abbott argues that measure puts school districts on a pathway to ending those property taxes.

So, can the legislature cut them even further?

According to Sen. Huffman, Thats the $80 billion question.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(Bloomberg) -- Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra unveiled her new cabinet lineup, retaining Pichai Chunhavajira as finance minister in a signal of policy continuity as she faces the task of bolstering Southeast Asias second-largest economy.

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A former chairman of the Thai stock exchange, Pichai was named finance minister, and most members of the previous cabinet led by ousted leader Srettha Thavisin were also retained, according to a list published in the Royal Gazette on Wednesday. The cabinet is set to be sworn-in by the king within days and Paetongtarn is expected to deliver a policy statement to the parliament soon.

Phumtham Wechayachai, a senior member of the Pheu Thai Party, which leads the multi-party ruling coalition, was named the defense minister, while Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, the leader of military-backed United Thai Nation Party kept his former post as the energy minister.

Paetongtarn, the third member of the influential Shinawatra clan to become prime minister, took over from Srettha who was ousted by the nations Constitutional Court for an ethical breach last month. She has to lead a $500 billion economy that has posted average sub-2% growth rates for nearly a decade under military-backed rule, well below its regional peers.

What to Know About Thailands Youngest Prime Minister: QuickTake

Pichais challenges include accelerating an economic recovery with a controversial $14 billion cash handout to nearly 70% of the population that Srettha had touted as a way to boost growth to 5%. He may have to rework the so-called digital wallet program as Paetongtarn had hinted at a review after being elected as the leader.

The parliament is set to approve this week a 3.75 trillion baht ($109 billion) budget for the fiscal year starting in October to bolster an economy hobbled by near-record household debt, high living costs and a sluggish manufacturing sector battling cheap imports of goods from China.

The cabinet formation is good news for policy continuity and budget disbursement, said Nattaporn Triratanasirikul, an economist at Kasikorn Research Center.

We dont expect any delay in the next fiscal budget for now, Nattaporn said. We think they will continue main policies as announced by the previous government as they are still the same team.

Political Newcomer

Paetongtarn, 38, is a relative newcomer to politics and will need to prove that her lack of administrative experience isnt a handicap in keeping the unwieldy coalition together, while seeking to attract foreign investment into high-tech industries and stem the exodus of foreign funds from the nations stocks.

Investors have cheered the end of the monthslong political turmoil with Thailands benchmark SET Index bouncing about 5.7% since Paetongtarn was nominated as the next prime minister on Aug. 15. The baht has rallied about 2% during the period, reaching its highest level in more than a year.

Pichai, who first took the finance post in April this year, has taken steps to tighten oversight of the stocks and bonds markets, besides introducing tax breaks to drive investment in so-called sustainable funds. Hes also promised to launch a state fund which will guarantee a minimum annual return and principal protection for investors.

Still, investors will be closely watching how Paetongtarns administration deals with the central bank, which previously ignored calls from Srettha to cut rates. The Bank of Thailand has also pushed back at Pichais suggestions to raise the inflation target range of 1% to 3%.

Thaksin Shadow

Now with a scion of the Shinawatra clan in power, political analysts expect Paetongtarns father, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, to wield significant influence on his daughters administration. Known for his populist policies before he was overthrown in a military coup, Thaksin is already giving his views on how the country should be run.

At a lavish dinner talk last month, Thaksin said the finance minister along with the central bank should take a lead in addressing the nations chronic debt problem.

Theres no question if shes his proxy, said Titipol Phakdeewanich, dean of political science at Ubon Ratchathani University. Thaksin has been conducting himself as if in a leadership role, which only makes him increasingly overshadow his daughter.

--With assistance from Pathom Sangwongwanich and Anuchit Nguyen.

(Updates with comments from an economist from paragraph seven.)

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Ukraines employment of so-called Dragon drones capable of spewing the incendiary compound thermite on Russian positions appears to be rapidly gaining momentum as more units are releasing videos of them in action.

Primarily used in grenades and artillery shells, among other applications, thermite is a combination of oxidized iron and aluminum that burns at about 4,440 degrees Fahrenheit. The drones attack by dispersing the compound over tree-lines and other foliage under which Russians seek cover, as well as into trenches. Burning growth away reduces where the enemy can hide, increasing their exposure, and deploying it where troops are hiding, including into trenches, can kill anything exposed inside and can choke off oxygen to and burn those not directly in contact with it.

Its a terrifying substance to say the least.

The 60th Mechanized Brigade released a video montage on Wednesday showing a drone recording another fire-bombing drone covering a Russian position along a treeline with burning thermite.

https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1831323867308085593

Strike Drones are our wings of vengeance, bringing fire straight from the sky! the brigade wrote on its Facebook page. They become a real threat to the enemy, burning his positions with an accuracy that no other weapon can achieve.

The unit then made a reference to Vidar, the Norse God of Vengeance.

When our Vidar works  orcs will never sleep again, the brigade wrote, using the disparaging Ukrainian term for Russian invaders that is based on the evil foot soldiers from the J.R.R. Tolkiens famed works.

The 116th Khorne Group, another Ukrainian military unit, released a video of one of its thermite-dropping drones flying over a wooded area. The unit groused about the recent appearance of these videos on social media.

We are against anyone sharing new technologies to destroy the enemy in a video on the Internet, Khorne Group complained on Telegram. But its already been done, so were sharing our video where orcs are incinerated with thermite ammunition.

The 22-second video shows the drone, resembling a comet with a smoky tail, torching a Russian position. With plumes of smoke in the background, it appears this was one of perhaps several such weapons Khorne Group deployed in this area.

https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1831320689925648827

On Wednesday, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry (MoD) confirmed the use of these drones,

https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1831312003404865561

As we reported yesterday, the first video of one in action emerged on social media Monday. Another appeared on Tuesday.

This new drone weapon application differs from those in the past as it provides wide-area effects in a way no other can, while also doing so with incredible precision and no risk to the operator. One drone can do immense damage on a thermite spewing run, compared to far more limited effects usually associated with small weaponized drones. The psychological angle to this weapon is also substantial.

While far more limited in potential battlefield effects, the Russians too appear to be tinkering with using thermite-dropping drones. A video posted by the Ukrainian Landmines and Coffee Telegram channel purports to show one such effort. It uses ignition elements from a 120 mm mortar mine, Landminds and Coffee said. The mortar shells contain thermite.

The 62-second video appeared to show a demonstration of the technology. The drone hovered a few feet off the ground, emitting a torrent of fire and dropping likely thermite-containing submunitions. They created a small fire when hitting the ground. The video ended with the drone rising higher before crashing in flames.

https://twitter.com/grandparoy2/status/1831060824175296718

The use of thermite in this war is not new. In May 2022, video emerged on social media appearing to show that Russia may have used artillery shells containing a thermite mixture to bombard Mariupol. A few months later, another video purported to show the Donetsk city of Marinka being struck with thermite-filled artillery shells. In both cases, the fiery cloud fell from the sky indiscriminately burning a wide area. You can see the Marinka attack in the video below.

https://twitter.com/IntelCrab/status/1561806024167890944

Thermite has also been used in grenades dropped by drones. Videos from the time show that they were employed largely as a method of finishing off damaged vehicles and other equipment.

Steel Hornets, a Kyiv-based drone weapons maker, started promoting them online.

Recently, there have been many questions about incendiary ammunition, Steel Hornets said on Telegram in April. It is necessary to understand that this is not a thermobar, it does not explode, but burns. It is designed to be dropped from a drone from a height of up to 30 m.

The munitions were designed to begin burning in flight once initiated.

If it hits a place where there is no reason to burn  then it will not set fire to anything, Steel Hornets wrote. The higher the drop height, the greater the probability of a bounce from the site of impact. When burning on inclined surfaces  the molten metal will flow and burning will be worse.

The munitions could also be used with kamikaze drones, Steel Hornets noted at the time. You can see this type of munition being dropped by the Ukrainian Birds of Magyar unit in the following video from February.

https://twitter.com/UaCoins/status/1756257401743802426

The use of thermite as a weapon isnt specifically banned under the Geneva Convention.

The Protocol on prohibitions or restrictions on the use of incendiary weapons (Protocol III) aims at protecting civilians and civilian objects from the use of this type of weapons. It prohibits targeting civilians and restricts targeting military objects located within populated areas. The Protocol also prohibits the use of incendiary weapons on forest or other plants unless the vegetation is used to conceal military objects.

Human Rights Watch decried those exceptions as loopholes in the Geneva Convention.

Incendiary weapons contain different chemical compounds, such as napalm or thermite, that ignite and cause significant human suffering at the time of attack and in the weeks, months, and even years that follow, the organization stated.

It is unclear when the concept of using drones to disperse torrents of thermite was developed or when it was first fielded. However, from the complaints made by the Khorne Group about exposing it online, it seems like they have been around for at least a little while and that the initial video opened up the floodgates.

More such videos are likely to emerge in the coming days. Its yet another iterative step in a conflict that has become a field lab of sorts for weapons development, and especially those related to uncrewed technologies.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Wells Fargo employees disturbing death details give office workers pause. What happens if you die on the job?

The news of a Wells Fargo employee's body being found in her cubicle four days after her death has sparked outrage and questions nationwide.

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Sixty-year-old Denise Prudhomme clocked into work at the companys Tempe, Arizona office at 7 a.m. on Friday, August 16. Sadly, she never made it home.

Her death went unnoticed for days until a colleague discovered her body slumped over her desk in a cubicle away from the main aisle.

It's really heartbreaking, a Wells Fargo worker told 12News. I'm thinking: 'What if I were just sitting there? No one would check on me?

Another employee who exclusively spoke to 12News anonymously explained that most employees in the Tempe office work remotely, but the building has 24/7 security. That employee suggested someone should have found Prudhomme sooner.

That's the scary part. That's the uneasy part, the employee said. It's negligence in some part.

The Tempe Police Criminal Investigation Bureau is now investigating, with the full cooperation of Wells Fargo, but does not suspect foul play, and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner is working to determine the cause of death.

What happens if you die on the job?

The circumstances of Prudhommes sad demise may get you thinking: what happens if I die on the job? Heres what you need to know:

If you die at work  for instance, from a fatal slip, trip or fall, or deadly contact with workplace objects, equipment or substances  your dependents, like your spouse or your children, may be eligible to receive survivors benefits.

The primary mechanism most employers use to provide these benefits is workers compensation insurance. Your family may also be able to claim reimbursement for funeral and burial costs, up to a maximum amount provided by state law.

However, if you die of natural causes like a heart attack or a stroke in the workplace, your employers workers compensation insurance will typically not pay out death benefits unless its proven that the working conditions or job stress directly contributed to your death. Prudhommes cause of death was still under investigation at the time of writing, so it is unclear whether insurance will pay out in this case.

Story continues

If your death is down to employer negligence, your dependents may be able to sue for wrongful death. In cases where work conditions might have exacerbated a pre-existing condition, there could be room for legal claims, but its generally difficult to prove.

Read more: These 5 magic money moves will boost you up America's net worth ladder in 2024  and you can complete each step within minutes. Here's how

What happens to your 401(k) and other benefits

If you die on the job, any funds youve saved for retirement in a 401(k) account will pass on to the beneficiaries you named when setting up your account.

If anything changes in your life  for example, you get married, divorced or have a child  be sure to review your beneficiaries and bring them up to date, so the right people inherit your money.

If you have not named any beneficiaries, your spouse will automatically inherit the account.

Upon your death, the 401(k) plan administrator should reach out to your beneficiaries to offer them your account balance in one of a few ways. Their options and the withdrawal rules depend on the plan and their relationship to you. They could take a lump sum. They might be able to roll it into their own 401(k), individual retirement account (IRA) or inherited individual retirement account (IRA). Some plans may allow beneficiaries to leave the money in the 401(k) plan and withdraw it over time.

Similar rules apply for other employee benefits you might have, like life insurance.

In all of these instances, if you havent named a beneficiary, your assets will typically go to your estate and may end up going through probate, which can be a costly and time-consuming process.

Finally, if youre enrolled in an employer health plan at work, your dependents might be able to "special enroll" in that plan or continue their existing health coverage for up to 36 months after your death. Per the U.S. Department of Labor, the health plan should notify your dependents of their right to purchase extended health care coverage under COBRA.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Do these things to make your house safe for kupuna

HONOLULU (KHON2)  Knowing how to keep a loved one safe in their home after coming home from rehab can be pivotal in their transition back to the familiar.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

There is a service that can help caregivers plan well ahead of time.

That kind of affected the walking and mobility, Ryan Hagihara told KHON2.

A fall landed Hagiharas mother-in-law in rehab for 10 days.

Their next challenge was bringing her home.

I think the biggest concern was, is the house ready?

Kupuna Caregiver  Elder Care 808

It is common for the family to have anxiety around bringing home the loved family member.

Kauhale Smooth Transitions was there to help.

There is a whole lot more that goes on when you bring someone home. It wasnt really on my radar until my dad fell, Lynne Nohara-Kido of Kauhale Smooth Transitions, LLC told KHON2.

Nohara-Kido uses her background in physical therapy to assure family members can carefully and confidently care for their loved ones at home.

Her bedroom, her bathroom, living room, kitchen area. They did a walkthrough with us just to see what areas needed to be tended to, said Hagihara.

Nohara-Kido assessed the entrances, terrain and furnishing around the house to decide what areas could be used to make entrance into the home and things that would be better moved elsewhere.

The 3 Ds of kupuna mental health

The reason they need to know whats going on and proper knowlege is to prevent further injury, said Dr. Kent Yamamoto, a physiatrist.

There are a number of things that a caregiver can do now to assist a mobility-impaired loved one.

One of the best things is looking for clutter. Things that would trip youthrow rugs, anything on the floor, even pets can be a trip hazard. Other things they can do is lighting. I think lighting is huge especially when you get up, Nohara-Kido said.

Our anxiety subsided after that, Hagihara said, knowing that were in a good place and headed the right direction.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch objected Tuesday to their colleagues decision to side with the Biden administration in an abortion-related appeal. The high court majority let the government withhold federal family planning funds for Oklahoma because the state refuses to refer pregnant patients to a national hotline that provides information about abortion.

The order rejecting Oklahomas emergency application doesnt provide an explanation; it simply notes that the application was denied and that Thomas, Alito and Gorsuch would have granted it if they had their way.

That lack of explanation isnt unusual on the courts so-called shadow docket, where issues are decided on an expedited timeline without full briefing or hearings. Nor is it surprising that those three justices split from their colleagues in the latest abortion-related action, following the courts overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. While Thomas, Alito and Gorsuch were just three of the five justices in the Dobbs majority who voted to ditch Roe  Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett were the other two  they might be the most reliable votes for anti-abortion litigants.

We saw that just this past term, for example, when the court allowed emergency abortions in Idaho to go forward for the time being, over dissent from those same three justices.

In another recent order over the summer on a separate issue, those three justices noted in a voting rights appeal from Arizona that they would have fully sided with the Republicans in that case, Republican National Committee v. Mi Familia Vota. That was the most recent indicator that voting rights are a wild card heading into Novembers election, with those three justices potentially willing to go as far as Republicans want while the courts other Republican appointees could decide just how far the court will go as a whole.

The Supreme Courts next term begins in October, and Tuesdays order suggests that that dynamic is in play with abortion-related matters as well.

Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for updates and expert analysis on the top legal stories. The newsletter will return to its regular weekly schedule when the Supreme Courts next term kicks off in October.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced on Wednesday that his office successfully recovered and returned a fraudulent crypto investment to a Kansas victim who almost lost thousands from an international scammer.

According to the AGs Office, Bimbo Toyin Akinyemi of Nigeria had promised the victim a large return for investing in cryptocurrency.

Kansas high school forfeits 2024 varsity football season

After the investment was sent to Akinyemi digitally, he defrauded the victim, causing AG Kolbachs Charities and Financial Scams unit to file a lawsuit against the international scammer under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act.

The AGs Office said that Akinyemi failed to respond after being served the lawsuit, but the district court issued an order against Akinyemi for full restitution and assessed penalties.

Shortly after, Akineyemis international electronic wallet was seized, which the AGs office said, contained half of a Bitcoin, valued at more than $28,900 and other digital currency valued at more than $4,000.

This was the states first successful civil action lawsuit against an international internet scammer.

Cryptocurrency is a borderless asset that allows international scammers to target and defraud Kansans from the comfort of a keyboard, said First Assistant Attorney General Nathanial Castillo.

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Scammers realize they have a better chance at getting away with fraud if they convince victims to send cryptocurrency. Kansans should always thoroughly scrutinize anyone they meet online before sending payment in cryptocurrency.

This investigation was conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI, the AGs Office said.

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Thousands of Rohingya flee to Bangladesh from violence in Myanmar, official says

By Ruma Paul

DHAKA (Reuters) -Around 8,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh in recent months, escaping escalating violence in Myanmar's western Rakhine state, according to Bangladeshi officials.

The violence has intensified as fighting between Myanmar's ruling junta and the Arakan Army, a powerful ethnic militia drawn from the Buddhist majority, continues to worsen.

"We have information that around 8,000 Rohingya crossed into Bangladesh recently, mostly over the last two months," said Mohammad Shamsud Douza, a senior official in charge of refugees for the Bangladeshi government.

"Bangladesh is already over-burdened and unable to accommodate any more Rohingya," he told Reuters on Wednesday.

The Bangladesh government has not previously provided any estimate of how many Rohingya have crossed over in the last few months.

The government will hold a "serious discussion at the cabinet" within the next two to three days to address the crisis, Bangladeshs de-facto foreign minister, Mohammad Touhid Hossain, told reporters late on Tuesday.

While expressing sympathy for the Rohingya, Hossain said that the country no longer has the capacity to provide humanitarian shelter to additional refugees.

"It is not possible to fully seal the border," he said, adding that efforts will be made to prevent further infiltration.

Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh held rallies in camps on August 25, marking the seventh anniversary of the 2017 military crackdown that forced them to flee Myanmar, demanding an end to violence and safe return to their homeland.

Over one million Rohingya currently live in overcrowded camps in southern Bangladesh, with little hope of returning to Myanmar, where they are largely denied citizenship and other basic rights.

The recent surge in violence is the worst the Rohingya have faced since the 2017 Myanmar military-led campaign, which the United Nations described as having genocidal intent.

Rohingya who recently fled to Bangladesh have urged the government to provide them with shelter.

"How long can we stay with relatives in such a cramped space?" said a Rohingya refugee who fled to Bangladesh last month with his wife and parents.

"We appeal to the government to provide us with shelter and ensure we receive food and other essential assistance."

Last month, Hossain told Reuters Bangladesh cannot accept more Rohingya refugees and called on India and other countries to take greater action.

He also urged the international community to apply more pressure on the Arakan Army to cease attacks on the Rohingya in Rakhine state.

(Reporting by Ruma Paul; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Three days after Oregon kicked off its new drug possession law, is it working?

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Its been three days since Oregons new drug possession law went into effect, leaving the Portland community to wonder: Is it working?

The new law, House Bill 4002, recriminalizes the possession of small amounts of hard drugs for the first time since Measure 110 went into effect in 2020. It also gives people the choice between being charged and treatment when they are caught carrying drugs like fentanyl and meth.

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Treatment, according to the law, includes completing a behavioral health screening and participating in a deflection program in order to sidestep fines.

Last Friday, Portland Police Chief Bob Day predicted a very narrow window in which people could qualify for deflection due to Multnomah Countys standards. For instance, a person is not eligible for deflection if they have any active warrants or additional charges.

Still, Portland police say roughly 40% of the people theyve caught using drugs since Sunday morning have already started the deflection process.

This [drug] withdrawal is not like anything weve faced. And to top it off, you can get [fentanyl] for 50 cents to $1 and so, there hasnt been this desire to get clean, Sgt. Jerry Cioeta said. So now maybe we can find a desire to get clean a little quicker.

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Sgt. Cioeta with PPBs Central Precinct Bike Squad is no stranger to the drug epidemic on Portlands streets, but he said that with the rollout of the states new drug possession laws, officers have more tools to help the community and those addicted.

They ask the person, Do you want to go to deflection? The resource team comes out if they do want to go to deflection. And then it just becomes a police report that is just an information report, thats not a criminal report, Cioeta said. They go out of handcuffs, and its over. If theyre not eligible for deflection then we go another route.

According to data from Gresham and Portland police, at least nine people have been arrested for drug possession, one was cited, and four people who qualified for deflection accepted services since Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office  which includes the Transit Police  told KOIN 6 News they have yet to arrest anyone for drug possession since the law went into effect.

4-D Recovery is one of the few mobile outreach providers working with the county to offer deflection services on the ground. On Monday, KOIN 6 News saw the team kickstart a womans deflection process  though no immediate services were available.

We may not be able to get people into services right away, so that piece is still missing  that immediate access, 4-D Executive Director Tony Vezina said.

Arsonist targets Portland Fire Station on E. Burnside

In response, Multnomah County shared the following statement:

We are aware that the holiday weekend was challenging because many places were closed and not accepting clients. We also learned one person filled out the paperwork but had a dog, was worried about the dog and did not want to take additional steps at this time. In situations like these, a state-certified peer outreach worker will continue to support the individual in their recovery and keep them engaged. Weve been informed that 4D will continue connecting with individuals for whom services were not immediately available to help them access services, including beds.

Access to treatment is expected to gradually expand as state investments kick in and as the County and its partners bring additional services online, including sobering. We are grateful to our law enforcement partners and the team at 4D Recovery for all their outreach efforts over the holiday weekend.

Meanwhile, Sgt. Cioeta said deflection is a work in progress as the city continues its fight against drug addiction.

If you look at pictures of downtown Portland from today and in 2021, theyre vastly different, Cioeta said. Things are changing. Granted, there may be a little slower than people want them to be.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue to follow this story.

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(Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba submitted his resignation on Wednesday, taking the total to six cabinet ministers in two days amid speculation of preparations for a broad government reshuffle.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Kuleba followed Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshyn, who oversees domestic weapons production, Deputy Premier for European Integration Olha Stefanishyna and the ministers of justice, environment protection and reintegration of occupied territories in submitting resignations to parliament. The legislature will vote to approve the resignations at the nearest session, the assemblys speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said in a post on Facebook.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is preparing for a government overhaul as Ukraine approaches its third winter since the start of Russias invasion and faces a growing barrage of Russian missile attacks in recent weeks. The shakeup is taking place as Ukraine contends with mounting challenges in maintaining energy supplies amid the Russian attacks as the winter heating season looms.

Autumn is going to be very important, and our government institutions have to be tuned to help Ukraine achieve its results, Zelenskiy said in his daily video address late Tuesday. We have to strengthen certain areas in the cabinet, and staff decisions have already been prepared.

The president said he expected a somewhat different emphasis in some areas of domestic and foreign policy, without elaborating. He said there would also be changes in the presidential office.

The head of the State Property Fund, Vitaliy Koval, also submitted his resignation. Late Tuesday, Zelenskiy dismissed the deputy head of his office Rostyslav Shurma, who oversaw economic issues.

Earlier this week state-owned company Ukrenergo, which operates Ukraines power grid, dismissed its chief Volodymyr Kudrytskyi. He lost his post amid an increasing outcry over regular blackouts and allegations of failing to provide effective protection to energy infrastructure against Russian aerial strikes.

(Updates with Zelenskiys comments and three more resignation requests)

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  As the First Thunder Fire grows to 170 acres in western South Dakota, local residents received evacuation warnings Tuesday.

In a news conference held Tuesday and posted online, Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun stated this is a serious fire and it is growing. There is no reason to panic but people need to be prepared for possible evacuations.

First Thunder Fire, Sept. 3, 2024 courtesy Craig Goth

Salamun stated people in the area should put a plan together now, know where to go and what you are going to do with your pets.

Central States Fair is taking livestock and the Black Hills Animal Hospital is helping out with smaller animals.

People should get their most important things together such as birth certificates, social security cards, personal daily needs, prescriptions and priceless photographs. Be ready to go should the evacuation take place.

We need to pray for the best but plan and not be caught by surprise, Salamun said.

First Thunder Fire reaches 170-acres

Salamun stated the fire is being fought by many crews on the ground and in air round the clock and the fire is close to many structures. The fire, which started Monday three miles southwest of Rapid City, is 0% contained.

Taylor Ranch, Norseman, Victoria Lake, and Falling Rock roads are currently closed. Buzzards Roost Trail is also closed.

Salamun said there are many variables with the weather and the wind could change.

We know there are just people working through bitter heat. Thats the challenge with this. From what Im told its the dry air combined with the high heat that really brings little relief, Salamun said. Temperatures are near 100 degrees in the area with winds 15-25 mph, which fan the flames. Afternoon and evening dry thunderstorms are possible.

According to the Black Hills National Forest press release on Tuesday, the fire is burning grass and timber in steep, rugged and rocky terrain.

First Thunder Fire, Sept. 3, 2024

First Thunder Fire 0% contained- no evacuations yet

Salamun also stated people should stay away from the fire areas and let the professionals do their work on the frontlines. 100 crews are operating bulldozers, fire engines, airtankers and multiple helicopters.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

For more information, Great Plains Fire Information blog at http://gpfireinfo.blogspot.com. Public safety information can be found at www.facebook.com/PennCoSheriff

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Its Wednesday, September 4. Take a look at our top stories in news and weather with KELOLAND On The GO First@4.

Firefighters battling the First Thunder Wildfire south of Rapid City made a good handle on the blaze Tuesday night, according to a social media update from the Pennington County Sheriffs office.

A good handle: Progress on First Thunder fire

Firefighters are battling a fire on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

White Horse fire burns Pine Ridge Reservation

A vigil was held in Dunham Park Tuesday night for 29-year-old Joshua Allen, who was killed there on August 25.

Vigil held in Dunham Park Tuesday night

A cold front will continue to move through KELOLAND this evening and tonight. This front will help spark scattered showers and thunderstorms.

Isolated rain tonight; cooler starting tomorrow

Download the KELOLAND News app to find the latest headlines while on the go.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Happy Tuesday, Utah! Active weather continues for the Beehive State this afternoon as low pressure to the north drives in moist and unstable air.

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to remain a threat for much of the state with the exception of far southern Utah which should remain dry. The focus will be on the spine of the state along the mountain ridges, but thunderstorms will be seen across the West Desert and into the Wasatch Front.

A weak cold front will skim northern Utah which will knock temperatures back a few degrees into Wednesday. Daytime highs will run in the upper 80s to low 90s for most, mid to upper 90s in warm spots, and low 80s in cooler spots.

The incoming cold front will also contribute to thunderstorms by taking advantage of the excess moisture, generating prime conditions for thunderstorms. We have a risk of isolated severe thunderstorms for northern and central Utah. Hail will be possible, but the main concern will be powerful microburst winds. Wind gusts in excess of 58 mph are considered to be severe with hailstorms around 1 inch in diameter.

Drier air near the surface means precipitation will evaporate before reaching the ground in some storms, which means dry lightning. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for most of the West Desert and the Wasatch Front/Mountains until midnight tonight. Dry lightning could ignite new fires while gusty erratic wind gusts of 45+ mph will fan the flames of existing fires.

A strong ridge will take control of the weather pattern by midweek bringing dry stable conditions and warming temperatures. We can expect sunny skies through the workweek with temperatures warming from the mid-80s on Wednesday to the low 90s by Friday. We have our eyes on another system slated to move through this weekend, but its too far out to say where it wants to go for certain.

Well keep you posted on the latest updates in our 4Warn Weather forecast both on-air and online, we are Good4Utah!

Red flag warning through midnight

Strong microburst winds are possible

Thunderstorms mainly in N. and C. Utah

Clearing Wednesday

High pressure through the rest of the week

Warming temps

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Tim Walz has blasted the pessimism at the heart of the Republican presidential campaign, accusing former President Donald Trump and his allies of rooting against America.

While barnstorming through Pennsylvania on Wednesday, the Democratic vice presidential nominee compared Trumps vision of America to the dystopia of the Mad Max movies.

He said the GOP campaign wants voters to believe that our political system is broken, to make them believe that things are pessimistic.

My God. Every time I hear Donald Trump give a speech, its like the next screenplay for Mad Max or something. Walz said. Theyre rooting against America.

They do not believe in the exceptionalism of this country. They do not believe in the people who built this country. They simply want to complain about them, he added.

Walz: There is deliberate effort by some people to make them believe that things are pessimistic. Every time I hear Donald Trump give a speech, its like the next screenplay for Mad Max or something. They are rooting against America. pic.twitter.com/GuHigo4WlR  Acyn (@Acyn) September 4, 2024

Trump has returned to the downbeat tone of his 2016 campaign, when the phrase American carnage was emblematic.

Eight years later, his messaging is again distinctly doom-laden  referring to a bloodbath if he loses and making repeated dehumanizing attacks on immigrants and his opponents. Trump has also rambled about sharks, fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter and windmills.

Walz also trolled his vice-presidential rival, JD Vance, on Wednesday over the Republicans now-notorious doughnut store flub, which caught him struggling to engage with a store employee.

Look at me, I have no problem picking out doughnuts, Walz quipped while visiting Cherry Hill Orchards in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Related...
On a day when Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled a new plan for small businesses, the Democratic nominee also announced a change in her plans to pay for it by saying that the long-term capital gains rate for the ultra-rich should be 28%.

It marked a split with President Joe Biden, who has proposed a rate about ten percentage points higher than that for Americans making over $1 million dollars a year.

The tax pivot from Harris came after a wave of critiques from many business leaders of the Biden-Harris approach to capital gains, which is sometimes described as unworkable and punitive  and likely to dampen innovation.

Wednesday's move from Harris was announced in a speech in North Hampton, N.H., and was part of a larger attempt by the Democratic nominee this week to beef up her business world bona fides.

"My plan will make our tax code more fair while also prioritizing investment and innovation," Harris said in the speech in North Hampton as she tried to outline an approach focused on encouraging innovation and the long-term Biden-Harris priority to make the ultra-rich pay their "fair share."

"We know when the government encourages investment, it leads to broad-based economic growth, and it creates jobs which makes our economy stronger," Harris added Wednesday.

Read more: Trump vs. Harris: 4 ways the next president could impact your bank accounts

Splitting with the boss? Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris waves on Wednesday before a campaign stop in North Hampton, N.H. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Continued support for taxing the 'unrealized' gains of the richest

But Harris also obliquely reaffirmed Wednesday that she supports an even more controversial idea from Biden: taxing the unrealized gains of the ultra-wealthy. (Unrealized gains are the growth in one's net worth that exists on paper but is still tied to an asset that hasn't yet been sold.)

"I support a billionaire minimum tax," Harris again said during the speech focused on economic policy at a picturesque small business near Portsmouth, N.H.

The billionaire minimum tax is a separate Biden plan that includes an effort to target the unrealized gains of households if their net worth exceeds $100 million.

It's an echo of calls from figures like Democratic Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren for a "wealth tax" but with more limited effects. The plan has nevertheless faced a wave of criticism, especially on the question of how it would be implemented.

Donald Trump has zeroed in in particular on the unrealized gains proposal charging that the idea was "beyond socialism."

Liberty from taxes? Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks during a Moms For Liberty political event on August 30. (Tom Brenner for The Washington Post via Getty Images) (The Washington Post via Getty Images)

A focus Wednesday on regular capital gains

What Harris was nonetheless focused on Wednesday  in addition to a tenfold expansion of a key small business tax credit and cutting red tape for small businesses  were these regular capital gains taxes.

Story continues

These are taxes that are paid when investors sell their stocks or other assets and then actually reap the profits.

Long-term capital gains are currently taxed at 20% for the richest Americans.

Biden had proposed making those capital gains  at least for households making over $1 million a year  in line with the current top tax rate on wages. That rate is currently 37% but could rise to 39.6% in 2026 if Trump-era tax cuts are allowed to expire.

Harris, on Wednesday, clearly was attempting to find a middle ground with her 28% proposal, saying, "We will tax capital gains at a rate that rewards investment in America's innovators, founders, and small businesses."

Also on Wednesday, Harris reaffirmed that she supports increasing the federal corporate tax rate. A Harris aide previously told Yahoo Finance she wants that rate raised from 21% to 28%. Donald Trump has discussed lowering that rate to 15%-20%.

In any case, Harriss varied tax ideas could face an uphill fight in Congress with many of these plans echoing ones that President Biden has been unsuccessfully pushing for years.

Those plans werent enacted even in 2021 and 2022, when Biden was in the White House and Democrats controlled both the House and the Senate.

But even with this weeks push for a middle ground on capital gains, Harris also signaled Wednesday that she will keep up a focus on tax fairness that has been a hallmark of the Biden years.

"It's just not right that those who can most afford it are often paying a lower tax rate than our teachers and our nurses and our firefighters," Harris said Wednesday. "It's just not right. It's just not right."

Ben Werschkul is Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

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Tim Walzs brother stands by criticism of his policies but says Facebook wasnt the right platform to express views

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walzs brother said Tuesday that he doesnt agree with the Democrats policies but expressed some remorse for inserting himself into the spotlight after he posted on social media last week he is 100% opposed to his brothers political views and was considering officially endorsing former President Donald Trump.

Jeff Walz, the older brother of Vice President Kamala Harris running mate, told NewsNation in an interview that he didnt intend to influence the general public with social media posts that indicated his support for Trump over Harris and his brothers campaign and said he has no plans to be campaigning for him or against him ahead of Novembers election.

The Harris-Walz campaign declined to comment.

Jeff Walzs comments come after he wrote on Facebook that he hasnt spoken to his brother in eight years but is 100% opposed to all his ideology.

In another comment on Friday, he responded to someone suggesting he get on stage with Trump and offer his official endorsement by saying hes weighing his familys privacy against his desire to keep his brother out of higher public office, indicating he knows stories about Gov. Walz that would reflect poorly on him.

Ive thought hard about doing something like that! he wrote in response to the idea of formally endorsing Trump. Im torn between that and just keeping my family out of it. The stories I could tell. Not the type of character you want making decisions about your future.

Jeff Walz said he regrets sharing his views on Facebook, and explained he made the posts to clarify his views to people in his life who thought he was aligned with Tim Walz politically.

It was a post that  that I made because I was getting a lot of feedback from my friends, old acquaintances, thinking that I was feeling the same way that my brother did on the issues, and I was trying to clarify that just to friends, he told NewsNation. I used Facebook, which wasnt the right platform to do that for.

Jeff Walz lamented the distance between him and his brother, saying its too bad theyve grown apart and expressing hope for the possibility they can disagree and still be civil brothers. He added that any stories he had to share about Tim Walz wouldnt reveal anything hidden about him.

My little brother, when we were younger, we would go on family trips and in a station wagon. And the thing was, nobody wanted to sit with him, because he had car sickness and would always throw up on us, he said. That sort of thing. Theres really nothing else hidden behind there. People are assuming something else.

Jeff Walz declined to share with NewsNation who he would be voting for in November. But he has a history of supporting Trump dating back to 2016.

The Facebook comments he posted on Friday occurred underneath a post he originally wrote on March 30, 2023, the same day Trump was indicted by a grand jury in New York as part of the investigation into hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Trump was eventually found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records.

Weve just become a third world banana republic, he wrote that day.

He previously donated $20 to Trumps 2016 presidential campaign, federal campaign finance records show. And on the day after Election Day in 2022, he appeared to react to stronger than expected performances by Democrats in races across the country except in his home state of Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis won reelection by 19 points.

Sure glad to live in Florida today!, he wrote at the time.

Jeff Walz is one of three of Tim Walzs siblings. They have a sister, Sandy, who lives in Nebraska, and a brother, Craig, who died in 2016.

His brothers apparent opposition to his campaign puts Tim Walz in company with Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who have both seen family members criticize their presidential bids. Trump has faced continued attacks from his niece, Mary Trump, and his nephew, Fred Trump, who have both published books about their uncle. Kennedys siblings condemned his campaign at various points over the past year, including after he dropped out of the race in August and endorsed Trump.

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Right-wing media have tried to create controversy over a series of Facebook posts from Minnesota Governor Tim Walzs brother, but Jeff Walz threw cold water on that effort Tuesday.



In his Facebook posts last week, which were reported on by the New York Post, the older Walz declared hes 100% opposed to all his ideology, referring to his brother, the Democratic vice presidential nominee. Jeff Walz also replied to another Facebook commentator who urged him to publicly endorse Trump.

Ive thought long and hard about doing something like that! Im torn between that and just keeping my family out of it, Walz, a 67-year-old Florida resident, said. The stories I could tell. Not the type of character you want making decisions about your future.

Jeff Walz donated to Donald Trumps campaign in 2016, and reportedly hasnt spoken to his brother Tim in eight years, aside from one conversation through their mother last month. But despite his differences with his brother Tim, Walz decided not to dive further into politics, telling NewsNation that the stories were mostly of the embarrassing family nature. He mentioned that Tim was carsick as a child and was prone to throwing up in the car on family trips, with no one wanting to sit beside him. Theres really nothing else hidden behind there, he added.

Tim Walz's conservative older brother, Jeff, told NewsNation that the "stories" he alluded to in a recent Facebook post are limited to stuff like puking on his siblings due to car sickness when they were kids. pic.twitter.com/TRJNJ1ZQmv  bryan metzger (@metzgov) September 4, 2024

I was getting a lot of feedback from my friends, old acquaintances, thinking that I was feeling the same way that my brother did on the issues, and I was trying to clarify that just to friends, Jeff Walz said to NewsNation. I used Facebook, which wasnt the right platform to do that. But I will say, I dont agree with his policies.

There is going to be no further statements to anybody, and were not campaigning or anything for him or against him or anything like that, Walz added.

The whole effort seems to be yet another flat GOP effort to smear the Harris-Walz ticket, much like their attacks on Tim Walzs military service or the bizarre conspiracy theory that he faked his dog Scouts identity. Perhaps Republicans should be more worried about their own vice presidential nominee, J.D. Vance, who was easily mocked by the Minnesota governor ordering donuts like a normal person.


It is all the fault of years of Tory austerity, made worse by a Labour establishment in Westminster that ignores the countrys interests. As the Scottish Finance Secretary Shona Robison announced painful spending cuts she was quite clear who was to blame. The English. But hold on. In reality, this is a mess created by the SNP. And the time has surely come for fiscal independence.

The cuts will certainly hurt. Robison will impose a recruitment freeze in the public sector, reimpose peak time fares on the railways, and scrap free bus travel for asylum seekers. At the same time, she raided Scotlands green energy fund for extra money. There is a 1 billion black hole in Scotlands finances, and given that the new Chancellor Rachel Reeves does not seem minded to cover the shortfall the devolved administration will have to find the money itself.

Both the First Minister John Sweeney and Robison were clear that responsibility for that rested solely in London. But it really lies with nationalist politicians (and the voters who kept them in power for two decades).

There are three reasons for that. First, Scotland has been wildly overspending for years. In the last financial year, Scotland ran a deficit of an extraordinary 9pc of GDP, higher than other countries in the developed world. If it was an independent country, with its own currency, the bond vigilantes would have called time on its extravagance years ago, the IMF would have taken up residence in Edinburgh, and tough cuts would have been imposed.

Next, it has mismanaged its finances. Under the woeful reign of Nicola Sturgeon, and just as much as under his successors, the SNP has been handing out freebies to try and bribe the voters into supporting independence. From university fees, to free NHS prescriptions, to free bus travel, the SNP has spent money with a carefree abandon. It never occurred to any of its ministers to demand value for money, or to wonder how all would be paid for. It is too late to start learning now that nothing is actually free after all.

Finally, it has hammered its economy with tax rises and regulations. Income taxes have been raised significantly higher than the area across the border, while environmental and social targets have made Scotland a very difficult place to operate a company. It is hardly a surprise that growth has started to lag behind even the woeful rate across the rest of the UK, with PwC predicting an expansion of only 0.9pc for this year. If Scotland had used its power to vary taxes to push pro-growth, pro-enterprise policies then the country would be booming, and there would be plenty of tax revenue to spend. Instead, as England is about to find out, when you put up taxes too much, the economy suffers, and you collect less money. That was clear from the start, but the SNP refused to listen to the warning of lower growth, and pushed up marginal tax rates anyway.

Over the last 20 years Scotland has made no effort to balance the books. It can hardly complain now that the money has finally run out. The SNP has been arguing for more powers for years. Surely the moment has arrived where it should be given full fiscal independence, allowing it to set its own spending, and raise its own taxes. It might be painful - but it would be a lot better for everyone than constantly blaming England for all of its problems.

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A federal judge denied Donald Trumps bid to move his hush money case in New York to a federal court on Tuesday, just two weeks before the former president is set to be sentenced after being convicted for falsifying business records to help his 2016 campaign.

Despite the Supreme Courts July decision that upheld limited presidential immunity for official acts taken while in office, District Judge Alvin Hellerstein of the Southern District of New York shot down Trumps second attempt to move the criminal court case to federal court, arguing that nothing in the Supreme Courts opinion affects my previous conclusion that the hush money payments were private, unofficial acts, outside the bounds of executive authority.

Trump was convicted on all 34 felony counts in May for falsifying business records. Judge Juan Merchan scheduled the sentencing for the former president on Sept. 18a date that Trumps lawyers argue is too close to the presidential election.

In the ruling, Hellerstein argued that federal court was the wrong place to take the criminal case. The proper recourse for parties seeking to remedy alleged errors made during a state trial is to pursue a state appeal or, at the highest level, seek review from the Supreme Court of the United States. It would be highly improper for this court to evaluate the issues of bias, unfairness, or error in the state trial. Those issues are for the state appellate courts.

Judge and Prosecutors Agree to Postpone Trumps Manhattan Sentencing

Trump previously tried to move the case to federal court last Julywhich was also rejected by Hellerstein. The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the matter was a purely a personal item of the President-a cover-up of an embarrassing event, the federal judge wrote in the previous ruling. Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a Presidents official acts. It does not reflect in any way the color of the Presidents official duties.

Despite the lack of success in their first attempt at removal, Trumps attorneys tried again after the landmark Supreme Court ruling this July. In a notice filed in August, Trumps lawyers called the New York criminal case a zombie case and argued that the original grand jury indictment relied on official acts taken as president.

They also argued that Merchans decision to allow prosecutors to admit tweets as evidence violated the Supreme Court decisionwhich were part of the presidents extraordinary power to speak to his fellow citizens.

Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Delay Trump Hush-Money Sentencing

Hellerstein addressed the tweets in questionstatements from Trump related to his relationship with his former attorney Michael Cohenin his 2023 ruling. Even if I accept Trumps allegations in the Notice that the payments to Cohen were compensation for his services as Trumps personal attorney, the requirement that the removing party demonstrate a relationship to an official act is not satisfied, the federal judge wrote. Not every act of or on behalf of a federal officer is an act under color of office.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Beast. The former presidents campaign spokesperson Stephen Cheung told the Associated Press they would continue to fight to move this Hoax into federal court where it should be put out of its misery once and for all.

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Ceratopsians are most famous for the triceratops, but the beaked family of herbivorous dinosaurs also included numerous other relatives throughout the Late Jurassic to Late Cretaceous Periods. Recently, however, a set of bone fragments revealed a totally new, much smaller primitive ceratopsian speciesthe most easternmost of its kind ever found in Asia. Given initial dating estimates, the dinosaur may also reinforce theories of how these unique animals migrated to modern-day North America roughly 110 million years ago.

Sasayamagnomus saegusai is described in a September 2 study published by an international research team in the journal Papers in Palaeontology. Based on their analysis, they believe Sasayamagnomus helped form a distinct neoceratopsian cladea phylogenetic group composed of a single ancestor and all its lineal descendantsalong with North Americas Aquilops americanus and Chinas Auroraceratops rugosus. With this new information, researchers argue for a revised evolutionary timeline that saw ceratopsian migration across continents occur during the late Aptian or early Albian age, somewhere between 113-110 million years ago.

[Related: Dinosaur footprints from Africa and South America are a match.]

According to a September 4 announcement from Carleton University in Canada, paleontologists uncovered the fossils in southwestern Japans Tambasasayama City, most of which belonged to a single, young dinosaur that died before fully maturing. With a genus name translating to a [gnome] guarding hidden treasures under the ground of Sasayama, an adult Sasayamagnomus likely measured only around 80 cm (31.5 in) long and weighed just 10 kg (22 lbs). The neoceratopsian lacked the recognizable large horns and frills of its descendents, but an accompanying illustration indicates it still featured the trademark beak.

Due to its similarities to other primitive North American ceratopsians, researchers think it is likely these dinosaurs began their march from eastern Eurasia into the continent during the mid-Cretaceous period by way of the Bering land bridge. Depending on the era, the Bering Land Bridge at times measured up to 1000 km (620 mi) wide, totalling 1.6 million-square-km (620,000-square-mi)the size of Alberta and British Columbia combined. Unlike todays Arctic climate, however, temperatures during the Cretaceous allowed for large forests containing the biodiversity necessary to allow for Sasayamagnomus ceratopsian descendents to arrive in modern-day Canada and America.

Although researchers can only confidently describe the young Sasayamagnomus based on an assortment of cranial, tibia, and coracoid bone fragments, it likely wont be the last paleontologists studyat least some of the 17 fossils mentioned in the paper likely came from a second Sasayamagnomus.
Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus

Tom Horne, our states Republican superintendent of public instruction, isnt known for cozying up to the truth. But his latest attempt to spin private school voucher numbers marks a new low even for him.

Last week, Horne fired off a press release bragging that the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA), the formal name for the universal voucher program, couldnt possibly be causing the states massive budget crisis because his department ended the year with a $4 million surplus.

Hornes deceptive messaging ignores the reality that the Republicans who control the Arizona Legislature allocated nearly $650 million in the K-12 budget to ESA vouchers  money the state could have dedicated to the public schools Horne is supposed to support  and that is what is driving fully half of the states $1.3 billion budget deficit. In other words, Arizona is now spending hundreds of millions of dollars in new funds it doesnt have for the universal ESA voucher program, primarily as a coupon for wealthier families who already chose (and paid for) private schooling before the state stepped in to subsidize that cost.

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Republicans have repeatedly gouged ever larger holes in the state funding bucket and then ask where the water went and why they cant water their lawn. The current deficit is the direct result of vouchers and a massive income tax cut for the rich passed by legislative Republicans that has strangled state revenue.

Absent these, Arizona would currently have hundreds of millions of extra dollars in its coffers to fund teacher pay raises and to lift Arizonas public schools out of 49th place in state education funding.

But Arizona doesnt have any additional funds to spend, and instead faces massive shortfalls. In fact, this year the legislature was forced to slash funding for roads, water, community colleges, universities, and K-12 schools to balance the budget.

That Horne brags about a $4 million surplus is utterly laughable. Its like saying your irresponsible uncle (the legislature) gave you $600 (that he didnt have) and you only spent $596, so now theres a $4 surplus and youre saving money.

Hornes false math is a shell game that attempts to distract from the ESA voucher programs rampant fraud, waste and abuse. Horne would rather we not talk about the three dune buggies his department approved for voucher spending. Hed rather we look the other way from $1,800 Lego collectible sets, more than $100,000 in non-educational spending, ghost students in fraud cases and the $10 million in taxpayer funds hes using to advertise the irresponsible program.

Further, Hornes statement makes clear a staggering new statistic: 1 in every 10 dollars our state spends on K-12 education is now going to the off-the-rails, unaccountable voucher program. While ESA vouchers are only used by 6.3% of Arizonas student population, vouchers are receiving 11.3% of state funding  nearly double the per-student funding given to public schools.

Whats worse, Hornes attempted spin rings hollow considering the massive funding cuts to Arizona schools his department has mismanaged. Over the summer, schools were abruptly informed that they would face a $28M cut to their Title-1 funding, a federal fund specifically for schools with the highest poverty rates. Some schools saw devastating cuts of up to 20%. Hampered by ADEs inadequate communication, schools were forced to make difficult decisions about whether to cut teacher positions or student programs.

If Horne was truly doing his job to support Arizonas schools, he would be working tirelessly to find solutions to the funding cuts his departments inaction has created. Instead, he is doubling down on the irresponsible private school voucher program that is draining Arizonas budget of the very funding that should be preparing our public school students to thrive.

To position Arizona for the future, we must elect a pro-public education legislature that will rein in ESA vouchers, put an end to the fraud and abuse in the program, and shift priorities where they belong: to ensuring our schools are properly funded, our students have access to excellent neighborhood public schools, and our educators are finally paid what they deserve.

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Huang Ping, the consul general of the Chinese diplomatic mission in New York, has reportedly been booted from his position in connection with the FBI arrest of Linda Sun, former deputy chief-of-staff to Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Hochul revealed during an unrelated press conference on Wednesday that she made a request to Secretary of State Antony Blinken to have Ping expelled.

And I have been informed that the consul general is no longer in the New York mission, said Hochul.

Ping assumed the position in November 2018, and it was previously held by Sun Guoxiang from 2011 onwards. Suns alleged spying began in January 2015 when she worked as a Global New York Trade Manager under Gov. Andrew Cuomo, according to her indictment.

Linda Sun, a former aide to New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, exits Brooklyn Federal court accompanied by Chris Hu. Kent J. Edwards/Reuters

Suns husband, Chris Hu, was also charged with money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of means of identification.

Hochul described Sun as a mid-level employee, adding that her access to information was fairly limited. Hochul explained, Were talking about correspondence and invitations and information like that.

Sun, according to the indictment, allegedly edited correspondences given by Hochul to remove sentences or words not approved by Chinese officials.

Im still in charge of all Asian affairs. A few weeks [ago] when we released a press release for international travelI almost had a heart attack when we referred to Taiwan as a country. Thankfully I had the press team correct it immediately, Sun wrote in a text message to a Chinese official in October 2020.

Linda Sun, a former aide to New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul, exits Brooklyn Federal court accompanied by Chris Hu and lawyers. Kent J. Edwards/Reuters

Sun also asked a Chinese official to share with me some talking points of things you want her to mention, in regard to a Lunar New Years video being put out by Hochuls office.

Hochuls speechwriter had attempted to insert lines about the Uyghur situation into the video but none made it in, as she could not let Hochul mention the situation. Sun sent the video to a Chinese official after its recording, to which the official wrote back, It is very good.

Hochul said that she requested the State Department to take appropriate action in response to the dangerous and outrageous actions taken by the Peoples Republic of China, and they are involved.

State department spokesperson Matthew Miller said there was no expulsion action taken against Ping in a statement released Wednesday, reported The Guardian.

This individual was not expelled, said Miller. That said, foreign interference, including attempts to influence through covert activity, are things that we take very seriously.

Sun and Hu appeared in court on Tuesday, both pleading not guilty to their charges.

The Chinese consulate did not return the Daily Beasts request for comment.

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Topeka Chalk Art Fest looking to set new record in 2024

Topeka Chalk Art Fest looking to set new record in 2024

TOPEKA (FOX 43)  Alexander Lancaster with Two Wolves Studio joins the FOX 43 AM Live team ahead of the upcoming Topeka Chalk Art Fest in Downtown Topeka.

The event takes place on Sept. 7th. This year, organizers are looking to break the previous record of covering downtown Topeka in chalk with more than 4,339 feet of art.

Dump truck hits US-75 bridge, rips bed off

For more information, watch the interview above.

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.
We recently published a list of 10 Stocks That May Be Splitting Soon. In this article, we are going to take a look at where W.W. Grainger Inc. (NYSE:GWW) stands against the other stocks that may be splitting soon.

Understanding Stock Splits

A stock split is when a company literally splits its stocks  it divides its existing shares into multiple new shares. This increases the number of shares outstanding without changing the companys overall value while making the stock more affordable and accessible to smaller investors.

A companys board of directors determines the ratio of a stock split. This can range from a common 2-for-1 split, and go as far as 100-for-1, or more. For instance, in a 2-for-1 split, each existing share is divided into two new shares. The price per share is reduced by half, but the total market capitalization remains unchanged. So, a stock split can increase liquidity and potentially attract more investors, by giving 2 shares valued at $50, instead of 1 at $100, and the companys market cap is not impacted.

As the share price adjusts downward, dividends per share will also be adjusted to maintain the same total dividend payout. Similarly, all things tied to the share price are adjusted according to the split. However stock splits are non-dilutive, so existing shareholders voting rights remain unchanged.

Stock splits arent just beneficial to small investors trying to buy shares in big companies, they can also benefit companies by allowing them to repurchase shares at a lower price. But in one way or another, the eventual goal is to enhance a stocks appeal to investors and make it more accessible to retail or individual investors.

At the end of the day, a stock split does not inherently create additional value for a company, a good company remains a good company after a stock split. Similarly, a bad company remains a bad company. A temporary reduction in share price followed by higher investor interest might cause the stock to surge in the short run, but no meaningful impact should be expected in the long run.

Experts Weight In on The Market Situation Right Now

Weve seen a range of high-profile stock splits in 2024, especially in the semiconductor space. They seem to be the new cool thing to do for every company. However, these moves should be treated as no more than just making shares more accessible to smaller investors, and value investors should focus on fundamentals when theyre contemplating their next best idea.

The markets have been on a wild ride, all thanks to AI. The valuations have gotten out of hand, but weve also seen some corrections. Analysts are expecting earnings growth of 15% in 2025 along with rate cuts of up to 225 basis points. The Fed is expected to deliver its first cut in September after hiking interest rates constantly and holding them higher for longer. Jeff Krumpelman, the chief investment strategist at Mariner Wealth Advisors, and Julie Biel, the chief market strategist at Kayne Anderson Rudnick, recently appeared together on CNBC to discuss these dynamics and both had similar but contrasting opinions.

Story continues

Krumpelman expressed optimism, citing strong fundamentals and improving economic indicators, particularly inflation. He believes were not in a recessionary scenario and sees potential for the S&P 500 to reach 6,000 by mid-2025, driven by solid earnings growth, healthy guidance, and projected GDP growth of 1.5% to 2.0%. Heres what he said:

We look at the individual stocks, we find a broadening market, and we find general health in terms of earnings growth and valuation. So, were optimistic and constructive.

Biel, on the other hand, raised concerns about potential risks related to high valuations making stocks more fragile. She emphasized that the last time the market was this optimistic was back in 1984, just once in modern history. Biel remained cautiously optimistic and pointed to the $1 trillion in credit card debt and rising delinquency rates.

Most successful companies have a history of stock splits, but their share prices consistently return to levels where another split is warranted. Yet it is a widely practiced phenomenon and investors globally anticipate such moves from big companies to improve trust. In this context, were going to talk about the top 10 stocks that may be splitting soon.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

Is WW Grainger Inc. (GWW) Splitting Soon?

A portrait of an industrial worker wearing safety equipment, smiling while inspecting a piece of equipment.

WW Grainger Inc. (NYSE:GWW)

Share Price as of August 30: $968.04

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 32

W.W. Grainger Inc. (NYSE:GWW) is an industrial supply company that deals with maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products, ranging from tools and fasteners to safety equipment and electrical components. The company has a strong online presence and physical branches worldwide, catering to various industries.

Recently, the company released its 2024 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report. It reduced its global absolute Scope 1 & Scope 2 emissions by 31% since 2018, achieving its 2030 target of 30% reduction 7 years early. Now the updated 2030 target is a 50% reduction.

W.W. Grainger Inc. (NYSE:GWW) partnered with YouthBuild USA, aligning with its community strategy pillars to advance the emerging workforce and empower youth.

In Q2 of 2024, the company reported a sales increase of 3.1%. The High-Touch Solutions and Endless Assortment segments contributed to this aggregate sale with individual 3.1% and 3.3% rise respectively. The increase in sales resulted in 3.11% year-over-year revenue growth, with $4.31 billion in revenue, and $9.76 in earnings per share.

Due to temporary market dislocation, it might not meet the 2024 market share target. Yet, by June 30, 32 hedge funds were long in the company, with the highest stake at $74,434,800 by Citadel Investment Group.

In 1 year, the company saw a 33.47% increase in its stock price. While this might not say a lot about whether a company plans a stock split or not, given W.W. Grainger Inc.s (NYSE:GWW) history of 3 stock splits in the late 1900s, the option does not seem unlikely.

The company adjusted its margin outlook for the remainder of 2024. Its now focused on managing expenses and returns while growing SG&A slower than sales over time. The daily organic constant currency sales are expected to grow 4-6%. Such plans make it plausible for the company to go for a stock split.

ClearBridge Multi Cap Growth Strategy stated the following regarding W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW) in its first quarter 2024 investor letter:

W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW), in the industrials sector, was our largest new buy. Grainger is the biggest industrial maintenance, repair, and operations distributor in North America. The company is a share gainer in a large and fragmented market, with less than 10% share of the addressable market for their direct, high touch solutions business estimated at more than $165 billion. Grainger has also barely scratched the surface with its online endless assortment platform, Zoro.com, which targets an even larger market. In addition to its growth and profit potential, we are attracted to Graingers strong balance sheet and improved capital allocation under its current management.

Overall GWW ranks 10th on our list of stocks that may be splitting soon. While we acknowledge the potential of GWW as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold great promise for delivering high returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than GWW 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.
Touring group aims to use VR to address antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment

LANSING Mich. (WLNS)  Caught in the chaos of the horrific attack on October 7th in Israel, a group is using virtual reality to show students what they witnessed to spark change.

A touring program stopped at Michigan State University Tuesday night with the purpose of addressing anti-Israel sentiment and antisemitism. Its called Survived To Tell, and it is a virtual reality viewing of the October 7th attacks.

6 News spoke with 2 sisters, Sapir and Shir Golan, who were at the Nova Peace Festival when Hamas invaded the event.

VR goggles (WLNS)

All I can see is dead bodies, burned bodies, burned cars, burned fields, Sapir said.

Shir said she couldnt believe she survived. She buried herself in the ground under bushes, but many people around her who were hiding the same way did not make it.

I just started to pray to God, I just told him Please God, I dont want to die, I dont want to die,' Shir said.

The sisters told 6 News people were dying left and right.

While we run there is shots, so people get hurt and fall while we are running, Shir said.

Shir said she lost her friends in the chaos and never saw them again. She showed pictures of the ones she lost.

Shirs friends. (WLNS)

Its really important to me that people know them because I think thats all I have left. Just people to know them, and that they were great people, Shir said.

Sapir said as she was running through the woods that day she tried to help a woman who was out of breath, but

As I give her the bottle of water her hand touches mine, and she got shot in the head and just fell on the ground, Shir said.

The 2 said since that day it feels like people are more open to sharing hate towards Israel online.

The group Israel-Is created Survived to TellBe the Witness to show people that day and start a conversation. Israel-Is global coordinator, Aviv Kurnas, explained what the event at MSU will look like.

It gives you an immersive experience of 5 different testimonies of October 7thwhere you actually feel like youre walking with the heroes of that day with their story, Kurnas said.

The virtual reality brings you into the scene, abandoned cars, rockets, people hiding. Those involved with the project say they want students to see that the people in Israel are just like everyone elsehuman.

We see on college campuses in the last 11 months, rallies and anti-Israel statements. And we understand that Israel is not perfect, but obviously we want to go back to that day and say Why are we in this in the first place? And what did the people who went through this suffered, Kurnas said.

The virtual reality was at MSU for one night. Its a tour that will end up covering 40 college campuses across 25 states.

No one wants to die, no one wants the war here, Shir said.

You cant take a position by hearing one side. Hear both sides, listen, and then decide, Sapir said.

The tour will head to the University of Michigan next.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Recent data showed that more than 800,000 tourists at Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma contributed thousands of dollars to the local economy.

According to a recent report by the National Park Service, 810,000 people who visited the monument in 2023 spent an estimated $54.3 million in areas around the park.

Demolition work begins on Freedom Park at Navy Pier

Most of visitor spending went toward lodging expenses (30.7%) followed by restaurants (23.3%) and gas (15.6%).

Their contributions benefited 678 jobs, $29.7 million in labor income and $46.6 million in added value to local communities, the data showed. In addition, tourism at Cabrillo National Monument resulted in more than $76 million benefiting the local economy.

Imperial Beach coastline closure hits 1,000 consecutive days

Were proud that Cabrillo National Monument supports jobs and generates economic benefit to communities near the park, said Chris Rodriguez, superintendent of the park.

Within the past decade, the years that saw the most money collected from tourists at the park were 2015, 2016 and 2017, which all reported upwards of $56 million in visitor spending.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
VANDALIA, OHIO -Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ohio Republican U.S. Senator JD Vance. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images.)

Its no secret that former President Donald Trumps campaign has been sputtering ever since Vice President Kamala Harris entered the race six weeks ago.

Down in most polls, Trump so clearly still wishes he was running against President Joe Biden  even writing fanfic on social media that his old nemesis will soon jump back in  and has yet to land on a clear strategy to defeat Harris. In fact, hes even struggled to bestow a consistent nickname upon her, bouncing around between Kamabla, Laffin Kamala and Comrade Kamala.

When you cut through all the insults, meandering stories and off-color jokes from both Trump and his running mate, Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, their argument is this election should come down to Harris proving that shes up to the job  and because shes weak and dumb, she flunks that test.

The flip side is that Trump, of course, has nothing to prove  even though his presidency was an abject failure, aside from shoveling more tax cuts to billionaires. He prostrated himself to dictators like Vladimir Putin and made America a laughingstock; his slapdash, conspiratorial response to COVID doomed thousands to suffering and death; and he tried to instigate a coup to stay in power after he lost reelection, which ended with him becoming the only president to be impeached twice.

And Vance, who just turned 40 and hasnt even served in the Senate for two years, doesnt seem to believe he needs to show hes qualified to be the VP for the oldest presidential nominee in history.

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But at a rally in Big Rapids, Michigan last week, Vance had plenty of questions about Harris abilities, asking the crowd if she was the vice president or the vice principal while complaining that shes too busy whining, running on a fake joy and telling a joke to demonstrate to Americans why they should promote her to the Oval Office.

Then Vance argued that there was no way for Harris to compete with Trumps strength and vision for the country, so her only option for their upcoming debate was to put on a navy suit, and long red tie and adopt a slogan, Make America Great Again.

Its obvious why Trump thinks Vance deserves to be a heartbeat away from the presidency and why both of them believe its preposterous for Harris to be the commander-in-chief, despite her long resume as a prosecutor, California attorney general, U.S. senator and vice president.

Its the ultimate identity politics argument: Presidenting is for men.

And Kamala Harris is a woman  and a woman of color (a DEI hire, as some Republicans have sneered just to put a fine point on it). Case closed.

Team Trump was already pushing that it was a boys vs. girls election back when Biden was still in the race. As Axios cringingly put it: Its Donald Trumps chest-beating macho appeals vs. Joe Bidens softer, reproductive-rights-dominated, all-gender inclusivity  hence a Republican National Convention that featured 80s wrestling star Hulk Hogan ripping off his shirt.

Now that Trump is running against a woman, he and Vance have just made the attacks more personal.

We saw Trump use this misogynistic playbook against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton back in 2016, when he slammed her as a nasty woman who shouted and lacked the look to be president. He also has a long history of disparaging Black women, in particular, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and U.S Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), who he called an extraordinarily low IQ person.

Not surprisingly, Trump has repeatedly trashed Harris intelligence.

I dont think shes a very bright person, he said of the vice president late last month. I do feel that. I mean, I think thats right. I think I am a very bright person, and a lot of people say that.

Trump also has been banging the drum that Harris is frail and feckless  even though hes been the one trying to weasel out of debates  telling Fox News in July that world leaders would treat her like a play toy. That message has been reinforced by right-wing media figures like Jesse Watters, who mused if voters really want to gamble the country away on a frightened woman.

In a separate rant, Watters contended that when a man votes for a woman, he actually transitions into a woman  which probably came as a shock to Republican men who have voted for MAGA faves like Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) and U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).

Then there was Trumps hostile performance at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference in July. He proclaimed that Harris, who is the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, just happened to turn Black in the middle of her career and asked, So I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black?

Vance followed that up by trying to paint Trumps crude racism as a clever line of attack. Its perfectly legitimate to question Harris identity since shes a chameleon and a fundamentally fake person, the senator told CNN.

Vance has undergone quite the metamorphosis himself, having gone from savaging Trump as Americas Hitler in 2016 to joining his ticket eight years later. But the one ideological throughline in his career has been his bizarre fixation on single women bucking their supposed biological imperative to reproduce.

We are effectively run in this country  by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that theyve made, and so they wanna make the rest of the country miserable, too, Vance said in his most well-known diatribe in 2021. Its just a basic fact. You look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez], the entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children.

As a rising progressive star, AOC is frequently and weirdly subjected to right-wing male ire, but Vances other two targets reveal an even deeper ugliness. Harris is the mother of two stepkids (who call her Momala) and Buttigieg and his husband actually adopted twins just days after Vances interview.

Running mates are typically the tickets attack dogs and thats a role Vance has embraced with gusto. But his offputting, elitist delivery often falls flat, whether hes speaking at campaign rallies or attempting to order doughnuts (in sharp contrast to Trump, who was still greeted by adoring fans at last weeks rally in Potterville).

Meanwhile, Harris VP pick, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, has been the happy warrior, framing Trump and Vance in simple terms: These guys are weird (which has clearly gotten under Trumps skin, as he wont stop talking about it).

Its little wonder why Walz  who returned over the weekend to one of his favorite places, the Minnesota State Fair, to jovially serve up ice cream to throngs of people  is so much more popular than Vance in the polls.

But Vance has kept at it, recently posting an old meme of teen beauty queen Caitlin Upton stumbling through an answer on geopolitics with the caption: BREAKING: I have gotten ahold of the full Kamala Harris CNN interview.

He refused to back down  even when an interviewer informed him that Upton had once considered suicide  because Vance, who worships at the altar of toxic masculinity, knows that apologies are weak.

No foray into misogyny would be complete without speculation about Harris attractiveness and sexual history, so naturally Trump has weighed in, oddly telling his supporters, I am much better looking than her. Im a better-looking person than Kamala.

Just a few days ago, he reposted a photo of Harris and Clinton, with the comment: Funny how blowjobs impacted both their careers differently 

Right-wing media types have been more than happy to jump on the vulgar bandwagon, with Watters painting a disturbing picture of generals hav[ing] their way with Harris and Megyn Kelly accusing the VP of having slept her way to the top.

Harris, of course, is no shrinking violet. Shes spent four years as the presidents understudy on the world stage and was known for slicing and dicing Republicans during her days on the Judiciary Committee  memorably leaving Brett Kavanaugh befuddled during his Supreme Court confirmation hearing and incensing Trump, who carped she was extraordinarily nasty.

No doubt, Trump and Vance assumed Harris couldnt resist brawling with them over sexism and racism  and would come out looking weak, entitled and shrill to enough swing voters to turn the tide.

You could hardly blame Harris if she noted, for instance, that Vance appears to wear eyeliner to make his baby blues pop, while Trump squeezes into Spanx, all while they run on their macho MAGA platform.

But Harris has taken another tack. When CNNs Dana Bash asked her last week about Trump ridiculing her racial identity at NABJ, the vice president dismissed it as the same old tired playbook and said, Next question, please.

Her message that the attack wasnt even worthy of a response is powerful. Because if theres one thing that Trump cant abide, its being ignored. Hes devoted his entire life to ginning up media attention for whatever reason  real estate deals, bankruptcies, divorces, affairs, Trump steaks, even a board game  culminating with the most egocentric presidential campaigns weve ever seen.

But this is not a redux of Michelle Obamas 2016 mantra of when they go low, we go high.

Consider Harris Democratic National Convention acceptance speech, when she declared, In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man. But the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious.

The vice president then detailed how Trump has been found guilty of fraud, liable for sexual abuse, tried to throw away your votes in 2020 and sent an armed mob to the United States Capitol rather than peacefully concede.

Harris relishes taking the fight to Trump. But like women who truly understand how to wield power, she insists on doing it on her own terms.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Two men will appear in court Wednesday afternoon after the lack of a turn signal led police to conduct a traffic stop where officers reported recovering drugs and a gun.

Officers with the Youngstown Police Department were on patrol in the area of Hillman Street and Indianola Avenue late Monday afternoon when a Jeep SUV failed to use a turn signal and began picking up speed in an effort to evade officers, reports state.

The SUV pulled into a driveway in the 100 block of West Florida Avenue where reports state a passenger, identified as Jason Clay, ran from the vehicle and led police on a chase through nearby yards before he was caught.

Reports state the SUVs driver, DaJauan Moore, remained in the vehicle and told officers that he didnt know why Clay ran from the vehicle, other than that Clay had an active warrant.

During a search of the vehicle, reports state officers recovered a bag of cocaine in the passenger-side door. A K-9 was brought to the scene, discovering a bag of cocaine and two bags of fentanyl on the path Clay had taken through yards.

Police also recovered a 9 mm pistol near the sidewalk of West Florida Avenue in the direction of the drivers side of the vehicle, which the men stated their DNA would not be found on, reports state.

Both men were arrested on the scene and are set for video arraignment at Youngstown Municipal Court on Wednesday afternoon.

Court records show Clay is facing felony charges of tampering with evidence, possession of drugs, and possession of a fentanyl-related compound. Moore is facing charges of tampering with evidence and improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle.

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EL PASO, Texas (Border Report)  A 4-year-old child is dead, a woman has lost her foot, and firefighters were trying to contain a spill of sulfuric acid after a train carrying stowaway migrants left the tracks Tuesday night just south of Juarez, Mexico.

Twelve boxcars and tank cars lay on their sides near the tracks, surrounded by dozens of firefighters and Mexican National Guard troops keeping people away from the spill, authorities in the border state of Chihuahua said.

US troops help Mexican army deal with mock train derailment, chemical fire

We are maintaining safety measures due to the hazardous spill near the Juarez-Ahumada highway, said Luis Corral Torresday, head of the Chihuahua Civil Protection Office. In the early hours, a search was conducted for a missing child  as the accident involved (migrants), one from Nicaragua and four from Venezuela. First responders are reporting the child was found (Wednesday morning) with no signs of life.

A 28-year-old womans foot was severed during the derailment and a 17-year-old male suffered serious head injuries. Both were taken by ambulance to a hospital in Juarez, the Civil Protection Office said.

Woman cant keep up with smugglers, gets run over by train

The cause of the derailment is under investigation and the spill appears to involve a single tank car, authorities on the scene told Border Report news partner ProVideo.

Sulfuric acid is a corrosive fluid used in petroleum refining, metal processing and to make fertilizers. It can catch fire if it comes into contact with other chemicals and can emit toxic fumes if heated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

Migrants used to travel atop trains from southern Mexico to border communities like Juarez by the hundreds before the Mexican government cracked down on the practice last May.

A few migrants still manage to get on trains undetected to arrive at a border where asylum-seekers without an appointment at a U.S. port of entry are sent back or expeditiously removed because of a June 4 Biden administration executive order.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Transgender people in Idaho Department of Correction custody can get hormone therapy  for now

Judge David Nye on Tuesday blocked Idaho's House Bill 668 from impacting individuals with gender dysphoria in Idaho prisons. (Getty Images)

A federal judge on Tuesday granted a preliminary injunction and class action status in a lawsuit filed on behalf of transgender incarcerated people who sued the state of Idaho over House Bill 668, a law that prohibits state funds and facilities from providing gender-affirming care.

This means that all people in Idaho correctional facilities who are or will be diagnosed with gender dysphoria who would normally receive hormone therapy are now exempt from having to comply with the law for the remainder of the lawsuit.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are two transgender women incarcerated in Idaho prisons who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and have been prescribed hormone medications. As a class action lawsuit, they are representing other incarcerated individuals with gender dysphoria. They argue the law violates the Eighth Amendment as it denies them necessary medical treatment.

The defendants include Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador, Idaho Gov. Brad Little, Idaho Department of Correction Director Josh Tewalt and Deputy Director Bree Derrick, and Centurion Health. The defendants argue that the state is in control of setting a standard for medical care.

After health care provider releases documents, class action lawsuit status granted, judge rules

Judge David Nye initially denied the plaintiffs request to proceed as a class action lawsuit because there was no evidence presented in the lawsuit showing numerous people in correctional custody had gender dysphoria.

Documents later presented to the court from Centurion, the health care provider employed by the Idaho Department of Correction, showed that before House Bill 668 took effect, 54 incarcerated people were receiving hormone therapy in Idaho prisons, and between 60 to 70 incarcerated patients had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

Nye said the plaintiffs raise serious questions going to the merits of their case, and they have shown they would experience irreparable harm from enforcement of the law. He referenced Estelle v. Gamble, a case where the Supreme Court ruled the government has an obligation to provide medical care for those whom it is punishing by incarceration.

The Supreme Court has made clear that prison officials who exhibit deliberate indifference to serious medical needs of prisoners violate the Eighth Amendment rights of those prisoners, Nye said.

Nye said there is no dispute that gender dysphoria is a serious medical need.

The parties disagreement stems from whether (House Bill 668s) prohibition on appearance-changing medical interventions requires prison officials to act in a way that is deliberately indifferent to that serious medical need, Nye wrote in his decision.

House Bill 668 still remains in effect for non incarcerated individuals with gender dysphoria.

Plaintiffs, ACLU of Idaho react to judges decision

The lawsuit was originally filed using the pseudonyms Jane Roe and Jane Poe, but the plaintiffs have since started using their legal names, which are not the names they go by today, according to a press release from the ACLU of Idaho.

Katie Heredia, whose legal last name is Robinson, is listed as the lead plaintiff.

Im not [a plaintiff in the lawsuit] because I want recognition, Heredia said in the press release. Im doing it because it has to be done. We are just normal people who happen to be trans. We have medical conditions and deserve access to medical treatment.

Rose Mills is the other plaintiff who dropped their use of anonymity for the remainder of the lawsuit.

We really are human beings who just want to be treated like everybody else, Mills said in the release. This decision (House Bill 668) was not people-led. It was just a few people who decided that, and the public needs to know that.

ACLU of Idaho legal director Paul Carlos Southwick said his team is thrilled at Nyes decision.

We are grateful that this class action lawsuit will protect the rights of both our plaintiffs and all incarcerated people diagnosed with gender dysphoria, he said in the release. People who are serving time have a right to access health care, adequate food, and housing conditions while in the states care, and we are grateful those rights were upheld today.

Emily Croston, ACLU of Idaho staff attorney, said she is proud of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

We are proud of the lead plaintiffs in our class action lawsuit for standing up for their community and challenging the state to protect their rights, especially in a legislative environment that is growing more and more hostile to transgender people, she said. The reality is that the state has a responsibility to the people in its care, and it is unconstitutional to abdicate that responsibility. That is contrary to the values against government tyranny that our country was founded on.

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After a recurrence of ovarian cancer in 2023, Francine Milano of Pennsylvania has made the hours-long drive to Vermont twice as part of a multistep process to arrange medical aid in dying. Legislation to allow medical aid in dying in Pennsylvania hasnt been approved. (Eric Harkleroad/KFF Health News)

In the 18 months after Francine Milano was diagnosed with a recurrence of the ovarian cancer she thought shed beaten 20 years ago, she traveled twice from her home in Pennsylvania to Vermont. She went not to ski, hike, or leaf-peep, but to arrange to die.

I really wanted to take control over how I left this world, said the 61-year-old who lives in Lancaster. I decided that this was an option for me.

Dying with medical assistance wasnt an option when Milano learned in early 2023 that her disease was incurable. At that point, she would have had to travel to Switzerland  or live in the District of Columbia or one of the 10 states where medical aid in dying was legal.

But Vermont lifted its residency requirement in May 2023, followed by Oregon two months later. (Montana effectively allows aid in dying through a 2009 court decision, but that ruling doesnt spell out rules around residency. And though New York and California recently considered legislation that would allow out-of-staters to secure aid in dying, neither provision passed.)

Despite the limited options and the challenges  such as finding doctors in a new state, figuring out where to die, and traveling when too sick to walk to the next room, let alone climb into a car  dozens have made the trek to the two states that have opened their doors to terminally ill nonresidents seeking aid in dying.

At least 26 people have traveled to Vermont to die, representing nearly 25% of the reported assisted deaths in the state from May 2023 through this June, according to the Vermont Department of Health. In Oregon, 23 out-of-state residents died using medical assistance in 2023, just over 6% of the state total, according to the Oregon Health Authority.

Oncologist Charles Blanke, whose clinic in Portland is devoted to end-of-life care, said he thinks that Oregons total is likely an undercount and he expects the numbers to grow. Over the past year, he said, hes seen two to four out-of-state patients a week  about one-quarter of his practice  and fielded calls from across the U.S., including New York, the Carolinas, Florida, and tons from Texas. But just because patients are willing to travel doesnt mean its easy or that they get their desired outcome.

The law is pretty strict about what has to be done, Blanke said.

As in other states that allow what some call physician-assisted death or assisted suicide, Oregon and Vermont require patients to be assessed by two doctors. Patients must have less than six months to live, be mentally and cognitively sound, and be physically able to ingest the drugs to end their lives. Charts and records must be reviewed in the state; neglecting to do so constitutes practicing medicine out of state, which violates medical licensing requirements. For the same reason, the patients must be in the state for the initial exam, when they request the drugs, and when they ingest them.

State legislatures impose those restrictions as safeguards  to balance the rights of patients seeking aid in dying with a legislative imperative not to pass laws that are harmful to anyone, said Peg Sandeen, CEO of the group Death With Dignity. Like many aid-in-dying advocates, however, she said such rules create undue burdens for people who are already suffering.

Diana Barnard, a Vermont palliative care physician, said some patients cannot even come for their appointments. They end up being sick or not feeling like traveling, so theres rescheduling involved, she said. Its asking people to use a significant part of their energy to come here when they really deserve to have the option closer to home.

Those opposed to aid in dying include religious groups that say taking a life is immoral, and medical practitioners who argue their job is to make people more comfortable at the end of life, not to end the life itself.

Anthropologist Anita Hannig, who interviewed dozens of terminally ill patients while researching her 2022 book, The Day I Die: The Untold Story of Assisted Dying in America, said she doesnt expect federal legislation to settle the issue anytime soon. As the Supreme Court did with abortion in 2022, it ruled assisted dying to be a states rights issue in 1997.

During the 2023-24 legislative sessions, 19 states (including Milanos home state of Pennsylvania) considered aid-in-dying legislation, according to the advocacy group Compassion & Choices. Delaware was the sole state to pass it, but the governor has yet to act on it.

Sandeen said that many states initially pass restrictive laws  requiring 21-day wait times and psychiatric evaluations, for instance  only to eventually repeal provisions that prove unduly onerous. That makes her optimistic that more states will eventually follow Vermont and Oregon, she said.

Milano would have preferred to travel to neighboring New Jersey, where aid in dying has been legal since 2019, but its residency requirement made that a nonstarter. And though Oregon has more providers than the largely rural state of Vermont, Milano opted for the nine-hour car ride to Burlington because it was less physically and financially draining than a cross-country trip.

The logistics were key because Milano knew shed have to return. When she traveled to Vermont in May 2023 with her husband and her brother, she wasnt near death. She figured that the next time she was in Vermont, it would be to request the medication. Then shed have to wait 15 days to receive it.

The waiting period is standard to ensure that a person has what Barnard calls thoughtful time to contemplate the decision, although she said most have done that long before. Some states have shortened the period or, like Oregon, have a waiver option.

That waiting period can be hard on patients, on top of being away from their health care team, home, and family. Blanke said he has seen as many as 25 relatives attend the death of an Oregon resident, but out-of-staters usually bring only one person. And while finding a place to die can be a problem for Oregonians who are in care homes or hospitals that prohibit aid in dying, its especially challenging for nonresidents.

When Oregon lifted its residency requirement, Blanke advertised on Craigslist and used the results to compile a list of short-term accommodations, including Airbnbs, willing to allow patients to die there. Nonprofits in states with aid-in-dying laws also maintain such lists, Sandeen said.

Milano hasnt gotten to the point where she needs to find a place to take the meds and end her life. In fact, because she had a relatively healthy year after her first trip to Vermont, she let her six-month approval period lapse.

In June, though, she headed back to open another six-month window. This time, she went with a girlfriend who has a camper van. They drove six hours to cross the state border, stopping at a playground and gift shop before sitting in a parking lot where Milano had a Zoom appointment with her doctors rather than driving three more hours to Burlington to meet in person.

I dont know if they do GPS tracking or IP address kind of stuff, but I would have been afraid not to be honest, she said.

Thats not all that scares her. She worries shell be too sick to return to Vermont when she is ready to die. And, even if she can get there, she wonders whether shell have the courage to take the medication. About one-third of people approved for assisted death dont follow through, Blanke said. For them, its often enough to know they have the meds  the control  to end their lives when they want.

Milano said she is grateful she has that power now while shes still healthy enough to travel and enjoy life. I just wish more people had the option, she said.

This article was first published by KFF Health News, a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

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Travelling to Indonesia? You need to fill out an Mpox questionnaire

Travelling to Indonesia? You now have to fill out an official form. Carola Frentzen/dpa

Travellers heading to Indonesia must now fill out a health questionnaire online before entering the country, due to concerns about the spread of Mpox.

You will need to provide proof you have completed the form when you check in at the airport and when entering the country, Indonesian officials say.

You can find the questionnaire online at the Indonesian Health Ministry website, at https://sshp.kemkes.go.id. It is available in English and several other languages.

Alongside your personal details and information about your trip, you are asked to note down possible symptoms of illness such as shortness of breath and headaches, and list any contact with infected people during the weeks before your departure.

Ideally, to reduce any stress later on, fill out the form before you travel to the airport. Once it is completed, you receive a QR code which is then scanned on arrival.

Officials may take your body temperature based on the information you provide in the questionnaire. If they find you have a higher temperature, they may carry out an Mpox test.
Trial for man charged in Independence police officer shooting set for 2026

Trial for man charged in Independence police officer shooting set for 2026

INDPENDENCE, Mo.  A trial date has been set for the man accused of shooting and killing an Independence police officer and a Jackson County process server in February.

Larry Acrees attorneys appeared in court Tuesday on his behalf after filing a motion to delay his court proceedings last month.

Ronald McDonald House offering limited Chiefs flags on Red Wednesday

The judge set Larry Acrees trial date for July 6, 2026.

Attorneys estimate the trial could take around six weeks from jury selection to sentencing.

According to the motion filed by Larry Acrees lawyer, Acree needs surgery before he could be reasonably expected of participating in his own defense.

During the hearing on Tuesday, defense attorneys couldnt provide a timeline for medical procedures.

The judge denied the motion to stay.

Acree is accused of killing Independence police officer Cody Allen and Jackson County process server Drexel Mack in February.

Court records show that Acree owed thousands of dollars to the county as property taxes went unpaid.

Acree faces two counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of first-degree assault, and nine counts of armed criminal action in what investigators say was an ambush on Allen, Mack and others who responded to his Independence home on Feb. 29.

Charging documents say Mack and Two others arrived at the home to physically evict Acree and used tools to remove a padlock from the gated drive.

After knocking and announcing themselves, they didnt receive a response or any indication that the home was occupied, according to court records.

They drilled out the front door lock and entered the home. Thats when prosecutors say Acree started shooting from inside the house.

Mack was shot and fell to the floor immediately, court documents say.

Investigators say when Independence police officers, including Cody Allen, arrived at the scene in response to the shooting, Acree started shooting from inside the house.

Lees Summit police identify man killed in 50 Highway motorcycle crash

Court records say thats when Allen was shot and killed.

The Jackson County Prosecutors office notified the 16th Circuit Court back in May that its seeking the death penalty against Acree.

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First Lutheran Church at 3200 E. Military Ave. in Fremont will be hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8.

All blood types are needed. Appointments to donate can be made at redcrossblood.org or by calling Niki at 402-720-1825.

Donors should bring their donor card or photo ID, eat breakfast, and drink plenty of water prior to donating blood.

Donors can streamline their donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting RedCross-Blood.org/RapidPass to complete their predonation reading and health history questions on the day of their appointment.
FILE - Tim Sheehy speaking during the second day of the Republican National Convention Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)  Tribal leaders in Montana urged Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy to apologize over remarks he made to supporters about Native Americans being drunk at 8 a.m. and throwing beer cans at him on the Crow Reservation

Audio recordings of Sheehy's derogatory comments were obtained and published by Char-Koosta News, the official publication of the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Sheehy is backed by former President Donald Trump as he challenges three-term incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Tester in one of the most closely-watched congressional races in the nation.

A Republican victory could help swing control of the closely divided Senate.

Sheehy is heard commenting in one of the recordings that his ranching partner is a member of the Crow Tribe with whom Sheehy ropes and brands cattle on the tribe's southeastern Montana reservation.

Great way to bond with all the Indians, to be out there while they're drunk at 8 a.m., Sheehy says.

In another recording, he describes riding a horse in the parade at Crow Fair, an annual gathering in Crow Agency that includes powwows, a rodeo and other events.

If you know a tough crowd, you want to go to the Crow res," Sheehy says. They let you know whether they like you or not  there's Coors Light cans flying by your head riding by."

The Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, which represents 11 tribes and First Nations in the western U.S. and Canada, said Sheehys comments perpetuated stereotypes about Native Americans.

Council Chairman Bryce Kirk asked Sheehy to apologize in a Tuesday letter to the campaign obtained by The Associated Press.

You ask for our votes and then you go to your fundraiser, ironically with alcohol flowing and laughter at our expense behind closed doors, and you insult us with a stereotype that only seeks to severely diminish and dishonor our people, Kirk wrote. The Crow people are not your punchline. Native Americans are not your punchline.

Its uncertain if Sheehys comments will still be on voters minds when they start casting ballots. But political analyst Paul Pope said their unseemly nature could spur more Native Americans to register to vote, which could boost Tester.

Maybe there's some fence-sitters out there and this might be a tipping point for them, added Pope, a professor at Montana State University Billings.

A Sheehy campaign spokesperson did not dispute the authenticity of the recordings, which the tribal newspaper said came from fundraising events held in Montana last November.

Sheehy is a former U.S. Navy SEAL with no previous political experience who moved to Montana a decade ago and founded an aerial firefighting company. He knows members of the Crow Tribe and visits the reservation to work cattle with them, said spokesperson Jack O'Brien.

He works with them, he brands with them, O'Brien said. What folks are insinuating about him, thats just not who he is."

He did not say if Sheehy would apologize or otherwise respond to the tribal leaders request.

Montana has seven Indian reservations and almost 70,000 Native Americans, representing about 7% of its total population, according to U.S. Census data. Its a voting block thats long been considered Democratic-leaning, but Montana Republicans in recent years have courted tribal leaders hoping to gain their support in elections.

Crow Tribe Chairman Frank White Clay did not immediately respond to a message left with his office seeking comment.

Testers campaign declined to comment on the matter.

White Clay and other Crow representatives attended a rally last month in Bozeman featuring Trump and Sheehy. White Clay told an AP reporter at the rally that their presence was not meant as an endorsement. He said the tribe wanted to maintain good relations with whatever administration holds office.

Char-Koosta News editor Sam Sandoval said Sheehy's campaign had not responded to his outlet's queries about the recordings, which he said came from a credible source who wanted the comments publicized in a tribal newspaper.

For a lot of tribal people, having that statement out there, saying they're drunk at 8 o'clock in the morning, it really hits a sore spot that Natives have been working to change for years, Sandoval said.
The proposed Bahsahwahbee National Monument in White Pine County, Nevada. (Photo courtesy Kyle Roerink)

Several Native American Tribes in Nevada fear a new solar development plan created by the federal government could lead to utility scale solar projects on the site of the proposed Bahsahwahbee national monument.

Last week, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management released their long-anticipated Western Solar Plan, a roadmap that will set the trajectory for solar energy development across 11 western states for the next two decades.

Under the plan, about 12 million acres of public land in Nevada would be available for solar development. Utility scale solar developments would be permitted up to 15 miles from existing and planned transmission lines or designated energy corridors, as well as on previously disturbed lands.

The boundary of the proposed 25,000 acre Bahsahwahbee National Monument in White Pine County falls within those 15 miles.

Bahsahwahbee is the site of three 19th century massacres committed by settlers and the federal government against the Newe people  including one of the largest recorded massacres of Native Americans in U.S. history, resulting in the death of an estimated 525 to 700 men, women, and children. The sacred site is also home to an ecologically-unique grove of juniper trees where several Nevada Tribes still gather to connect with their ancestors, offer prayers, and hold healing ceremonies.

While the federal Western Solar Plan lists traditional cultural properties and Native American sacred sites as eligible criteria for exclusion from utility scale solar development, those sites would also need to be recognized by the BLM.

A portion of the proposed Bahsahwahbee national monument is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but those protections are limited and only apply to a portion of the much larger cultural area.

The proposed national monument does enjoy broad support throughout Nevada, including a bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto to create the 25,000 acre national monument. A national monument can only be designated by Congress through legislation, or by the president through the Antiquities Act of 1906.

Without the ironclad protection of national monument status, Tribes in Nevada say they fear Bahsahwahbee could be targeted by solar developers under the federal plan.

I am stunned and confused that while our Tribes are in discussions with the Biden-Harris Administration about establishing this monument, the BLM just issued a plan allowing the graves of our massacred ancestors to be bulldozed, said Amos Murphy, the Chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation.

Under the Western Solar Plan, utility scale solar projects would still need to undergo the permitting process and environmental analysis before being approved. Part of that process requires consultation with Tribes, but Tribes in Nevada have been spurned by the BLM consultation process in recent construction projects on public land.

Cortez Mastos office said the senator is a strong supporter of Nevadas growing solar energy economy, but not every location in Nevada is suitable for development.

Bahsahwahbee is sacred to numerous Tribal nations and until it is designated as a national monument, Senator Cortez Masto will continue to work with the Tribes and BLM to prevent disruptions to the area, said Lauren Wodarski, a spokesperson for Cortez Masto.

The Ely Shoshone and the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation called on the Biden-Harris Administration to quickly designate Bahsahwahbee as a national monument within the National Park System, a call thats been repeated for months.

We need the Administration to support, not harm our Tribes, and that means swiftly preserving and commemorating this area at the highest level: our National Park System, Murphy said.

If Bahsahwahbee became a monument, the land would transfer to the National Park Service, where it would be managed in cooperation with the Ely Shoshone Tribe, the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe, and the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation.

Our Tribes dont want to keep fighting, but we will do whatever is necessary to protect our ancestors and culture from threats, said Alvin Marques, the Chairman of the Ely Shoshone Tribe. Its time for the Biden-Harris Administration to once and for all turn the page to a brighter future and establish this monument.

Monte Sanford, the Bahsawhabee National Monument campaigns director, said the fact that BLM included Bahsahwahbee as an area available for utility-scale solar development is a bit baffling.

I think that sends a lot of mixed signals to not just tribes, but to the public who want these places protected, Sanford said. They know theres a monument effort.

This just goes to show that action by the administration is needed now, he continued.

Under the Western Solar Plan, about 35 million acres of public land with high conflict potential in Nevada would be excluded from solar development.

The plan is now open for a 30-day administrative protest period, during which people and groups that have already commented on the plan can raise concerns. Governors within the 11-state planning area also have up to 60-days to identify inconsistencies with approved state or local plans, policies, or programs and to provide written recommendations to the BLM.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Three suspects are now behind bars after they were accused of stealing a mans car from a Hickory Hill Walgreens on Tuesday night.

Ethan Harper, 19, was charged with Aggravated Robbery and Evading Arrest on Foot.

Tavion Davis, 18, was charged with Theft of Property-Motor Vehicle $10,000-$60,000, and Evading Arrest on Foot.

Ronald Gatewood, 18, was charged with Aggravated Robbery, Evading Arrest in an Automobile, Evading Arrest on Foot, No Drivers License, Financial Responsibility, and Reckless Driving.

Man accused of robbing South Memphis homeowners at gunpoint

According to Memphis Police, just before 9 p.m., officers responded to a vehicle robbery at Walgreens at 3670 Riverdale Road.

The victim stated he was standing outside his Mercedes when a blue car approached him. Two armed men allegedly got out of the blue car with assault rifles, demanding the victims keys before leaving in his car.

Around 10:50 p.m., officers say they saw the stolen Mercedes in South Memphis near South Wellington Street and East E.H. Crump Boulevard. That is when a traffic stop was initiated.

Police say one of the male suspects got out of the car and ran in the area of Mississippi Boulevard and Walker Avenue. Additional officers searched the area but were unable to find him.

Operation Code Zero leads to 33 arrests; seizure of illegal drugs, guns

The other suspects continued driving from police in the stolen vehicle and hit a car at I-240 East near Millbranch Road. The stolen vehicle stopped and three suspects got out at that time and ran from the scene.

MPD says two of the suspects were quickly taken into custody. The third suspect was later found in the 1600 block of Nonconnah Boulevard.

No injuries were reported during the incident.

If you have any information that could help police, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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BURLINGTON, Mass. (WWLP)  A man from Malden was sentenced to prison in connection with robbing two Massachusetts spas at gunpoint, and duct-taped victims.

According to the Department of Justice in Boston, in June 2022 Li Wen Tang entered the Balance Reflexology Spa in Brookline pretending to be a customer seeking a massage. Because the victim was the only employee in the spa that night, she locked the door before taking Tang into the back room to begin the massage.

Tang said he no longer wanted a massage and demanded a refund. The employee called her boss to approve the refund. While she was on the phone in the lobby, Tang unlocked the front door, and two masked men, later identified as Alfeu Barbosa and Jonas Nunez, entered the business carrying firearms.

Once inside the business, one of the men hit the employee in the face, knocking her to the floor and putting a gun to her head. Barbosa and Nunez then pulled the victim by her hair into the back hallway, bound her wrists and ankles with duct tape, and gagged her. The men ransacked the spa and found approximately $500 along with the victims cell phone and left. Surveillance video showed all three men drive away together.

On the same night, Barbosa, Nunez, and another person committed a similar robbery of Mays Spa Massage in Stoneham. They entered the business wearing masks and firearms and duct-taped several victims who were in the spa at the time. They stole approximately $600, three cell phones, a persons license, gift cards, and credit and debit cards from the business and victims. They were seen leaving in the same vehicle.

Tang was sentenced to 78 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Barbosa was sentenced to 121 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Nunez was sentenced to 23 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
(Bloomberg) -- A parliamentary pact that has kept Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus Liberal Party in power has fallen apart, increasing the chances that an election will happen soon.

Most Read from Bloomberg

New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh announced hes pulling out of a power-sharing deal he signed with Trudeau in 2022, saying the prime minister is too weak to stop Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre from winning the next election, which is currently scheduled for October 2025.

The Liberal-NDP agreement  which committed Singhs elected party members to supporting the government in key parliamentary votes  had been set to expire next June.

Its demise does not necessarily mean an imminent election. Trudeau will instead have to court one of the three main opposition parties in Parliament on a case-by-case basis to avoid losing a confidence vote in the House of Commons, which would trigger an election.

However, the collapse of the deal puts Trudeau on shakier ground, politically. The Liberals had hoped to benefit from a yearlong runway before an election call, allowing voters to benefit from lower interest rates and cooling inflation.

Rising living costs, in particular for food and housing, have been a problem for Trudeau, who was quick to claim credit after Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem announced a third straight interest rate cut earlier on Wednesday. This is a strong signal that were going in the right direction, and its welcome relief for a lot of people looking to buy a home, the prime minister posted on social media.

Trudeaus Liberal caucus has 154 of 338 House seats, so it cant pass laws on its own. The Conservatives are the next largest party with 119.

Bad Polls

The Liberals are hoping to avoid an election right now because theyre far behind the Conservatives. Over the past year, the Liberals have trailed by 15 to 20 percentage points in a number of public opinion surveys  a gap that, if it held through election day, would put Poilievres party in office with a majority government for the first time since 2015.

Speaking to reporters after Singhs announcement, Trudeau said he hoped parliament would continue to function. An election will come in the coming year, hopefully not until next fall, Trudeau said. In the meantime, were going to deliver for Canadians.

But Singh, whose party sits in third place in national surveys, is urging voters to back him as the best alternative to Poilievre.

The fact is, the Liberals are too weak, too selfish and too beholden to corporate interests to fight for people, Singh said in a video posted Wednesday. They cannot stop the Conservatives. But we can. Hes scheduled to speak to the media Thursday morning in Toronto.

Poilievre, meanwhile, issued a statement that called Singhs move a media stunt and said the NDP should force an election at the first opportunity.

In a press release, Singhs office said the New Democrats are ready to vote against the Liberals at any time, but did not make specific promises. The NDP is ready for an election, and voting non-confidence will be on the table with each and every confidence measure.

The government typically delivers an economic policy statement in November or early December, and an annual budget in March or April. It must be able to pass legislation related to those in the House to stay in government. Three opposition parties have enough seats to help pass bills: the Conservatives, the New Democrats, and the Bloc Quebecois.

Cowardly

A work stoppage by Canadas two national railways last month created tension between the Liberals and the New Democrats, who are heavily supported by unions. On the first day of a lockout, Trudeaus labor minister sent the dispute to a labor board to try to force workers back. Singh called the move cowardly, anti-worker, and proof that he will always cave to corporate greed.

Under the power-sharing deal, the Liberals pledged to implement certain social programs, such as dental care and pharmaceutical drug coverage. It also included legislation banning federally-regulated workplaces from using replacement workers during strikes.

The major parts of the deal have been acted on, though drug-coverage legislation  which is limited to birth control and diabetes drugs  still has to pass one last vote in parliament.

The arrangement with the NDP added to spending pressure on the government, with the dental-care program alone estimated to cost C$13 billion ($9.6 billion) over the first five years. The governments fiscal plans forecast a federal deficit of about C$40 billion each year until 2026.

--With assistance from Randy Thanthong-Knight.

(Updates with prime ministers comments and other new information, beginning in the fifth paragraph.)

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While Donald Trump faces a fresh indictment over efforts to overturn the 2020 election, some of his biggest allies are hoping the revised charging document helps them evade professional consequences and criminal prosecution for their roles nearly four years ago.

Special counsel Jack Smith rewrote Trumps federal indictment after the US Supreme Court ruled this summer that the president cant be prosecuted for official acts taken while president. Smith not only narrowed the allegations against Trump but also removed references to communications between Trump and federal government officials.

Now former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark are trying to use their onetime boss winnowed indictment to their advantage.

Trump is the only one charged in the federal case, but several of his allies and members of his administration are facing state-level criminal charges over their meddling after the last election, including Clark and Meadows. Clark and others also are facing professional disciplinary proceedings that could disrupt their ability to practice law.

Meadows, in particular, could stand to benefit from the new Trump indictment handed up in federal court last week. Meadows was cut from much of the document, except for some interactions he had with Trump as the then-president sought to reach the secretary of state in Georgia on the phone to pressure him into aiding his election reversal gambit.

That has led Meadows attorneys to argue he should not be prosecuted for actions he took while serving in the White House. Hes been charged in Georgia and Arizona over his efforts to reverse the election results in the battleground states. His main defense so far has been to try to get the cases moved to federal court, which could make it easier for him to make a bid for his own immunity.

I dont think thats Jack Smiths intent, an attorney close to the case told CNN about the new indictment bolstering Meadows argument. But, the attorney added, its the way chips have fallen.

Smiths office declined to comment.

The Supreme Courts ruling on immunity doesnt provide protections outside of the president, but some legal experts say the fallout naturally extends beyond Trump  even if the arguments arent ultimately successful.

These are not legal arguments that are, you know, outside the bounds of plausibility or just kind of good legal argumentation, said Anthony Michael Kreis, a constitutional law professor at Georgia State University.

But I think that they are weak, he added.

Carrying out his official duties

Meadows has already seized on the changes in the new federal indictment in his Arizona criminal case.

Mr. Meadows case for removal (to federal court) is supported by the superseding indictment filed this week by Special Counsel Jack Smith in United States v. Trump, Meadows attorneys wrote in a court filing two days after the new indictment was unveiled.

The lawyers pointed to language Smith added to the indictment about the Georgia call in an apparent effort to distinguish it from Meadows role as chief of staff. The new indictment notes that Meadows sometimes handled private and Campaign logistics for (Trump).

Meadows attorneys took issue with that in the Arizona case.

This is not an alleged criminal act by Mr. Meadows; as Chief of Staff, he was carrying out his official duties, even if the President was engaged in unofficial activity, they wrote in the court filing.

A federal judge in Arizona is set to consider Meadows arguments for moving his state criminal case to federal court during a hearing Thursday. A grand jury in Arizona handed up an indictment in April against Meadows and 17 other Trump associates over their election reversal efforts. Meadows has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Two federal courts have already rejected Meadows bid to move his Georgia prosecution to federal court. His request for the Supreme Court to review the matter remains pending.

Unindictable

Clark could also stand to benefit from the new Trump indictment.

As an environmental lawyer at the Justice Department, Clark tried to push through a letter to officials in Georgia after the 2020 election, urging the state to interfere with the election results.

Though Clark was previously an unindicted co-conspirator of Trumps in Smiths case, the special counsel prosecutors have taken him out of the indictment entirely, because of the Supreme Court decision that his efforts were undertaken as an officer of the president.

Like Meadows legal team, Clarks attorney has wasted no time in trying to invoke the superseding indictment to his clients advantage. In a filing last week as part of professional disciplinary proceedings, Clarks attorney said it bolsters Mr. Clarks immunity and evidentiary arguments.

The issuance of a new indictment handed down by a new grand jury effectively concedes that Mr. Clark is not just unidicted (sic), but unindictable, his attorney, Harry MacDougald, wrote.

Clark also is trying to move his Georgia criminal case to federal court. That criminal case is currently on hold while a Georgia appeals court considers an attempt by some of the defendants to disqualify the Atlanta-area prosecutor who brought the charges.

Concerns over future testimony

Several former Trump administration officials  including some who were compelled to speak to the grand jury more than a year ago or were described as witnesses in the previous indictment  were relieved to see the new version deleted them as well as the allegations they witnessed, sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

They hope the superseding indictment means they wont have to testify publicly against the former president, if his case goes to trial, the sources said.

Smith waged secret court fights for months to force advisers like former White House counsel Pat Cipollone to appear before the grand jury in the Trump election subversion investigation. Cipollone, who was described in the original indictment, no longer appears in the superseding indictment.

Some legal experts say the Justice Department could be less likely to push for testimony from White House officials in future criminal investigations if prosecutors arent able to use their testimony at trial.

Still, some witnesses like Meadows could appear in court in Trumps case before a trial. Courts still must determine whether some of Trumps actions after the 2020 election were presidential  and therefore immune  or part of his campaign, and Trumps allies could be called to testify.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Former President Donald Trump will continue to fight to move his New York hush money case into federal court  and delay his sentencing on that conviction  by now appealing to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, according to a notice of appeal filed Tuesday night.

A federal judge in Manhattan denied his initial request to move the case to the Southern District of New York on Tuesday. Trumps attorneys filed a notice of appeal of that decision soon after.

Trumps legal team filed the petition last week to move the state case to federal court in the wake of the Supreme Courts presidential immunity decision. They also asked the federal judge to postpone Trumps sentencing, currently set for September 18.

Last week, Trumps attorneys asked Judge Juan Merchan to refrain from issuing a decision over presidential immunity to allow the process in federal court to play out. Merchan had previously said hed rule on that motion September 16.

In a letter filed with the state court on Wednesday, the Manhattan district attorneys office said Trump now has no basis for his request to pause the state proceedings because of that federal ruling.

Because there is no pending notice of removal with the federal court, there is no basis for the relief sought in defendants August 29 letter-motion, the letter says.

The letter does not reference Trumps notice of appeal.

Merchan still has not ruled on Trumps separate request to delay the sentencing until after the election.

The judge could issue a decision as soon as this week.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Trump-backed Senate candidate Tim Sheehy has been caught on tape making offensive comments about Native Americans, according to reports.

Audio recordings, first reported by Char-Koosta News last week, revealed that the Montana Republican made racially-charged remarks about the Crow Tribe, who have land in the southcentral part of the state. At one point, Sheehy accused tribal members of being drunk in the morning.

I rope and brand with them every year A great way to bond with all the Indians while theyre drunk at 8am. Sheehy is heard saying with a laugh in a clip from a fundraiser on November 6, 2023. The remark came after Sheehy said that one of his ranching partners is a Crow member.

The Independent has not independently verified the tapes but has contacted Sheehy for comment.

Sheehy is Trumps pick for Montanas Senate seat and will face Democratic Senator Jon Tester in November.

In another recording, four days later at another campaign event, Sheehy called the tribe a tough crowd. He recalled when he strapped a Sheehy sign to a horse and traversed the Crow reservation. Theyll let you know when they like you or not, if Coors Light cans flying by your head They respect that, he said.

Donald Trump poses and gives a thumbs up with Montana Senate candidate Tim Sheehy, who was caught on audio recordings from last November making racially-charged comments about a Native American tribe (Tim for MT)

At other campaign rallies, the Republican candidate reportedly claimed that Crow members made fun of him by calling him white boy and threw beer cans at his head when he missed a double-heel shot at their rodeo, Char-Koosta News reported.

Trump, who has endorsed Sheehy, won Montana in 2020 by 16 points. Despite the former presidents support in the red state, Sheehy could see some trouble in November, as Native American voters have been a powerful force in recent years. Indigenous residents make up about 6 percent of the states population, according to the New York Times.

Native American voters are hugely important to the Democratic base, Jim Messina, an Obama White House aide and former adviser to Tester, told Politico in May.

Senator Tester defeated a Republican in 2006, due in part to peeling off some of his rivals Indigenous support. Tester was able to cut into that bloc and really move them towards him, Messina said.

Sheehy is leading Tester by 3.5 points, according to The Hills polling averages.
Tim Sheehy, a wealthy rancher seeking to flip a Senate seat to the Republicans, was accused of invoking drunken Indian trope.

Tim Sheehy, a wealthy rancher seeking to flip a Senate seat to the Republicans, was accused of invoking drunken Indian trope. Photograph: Rachel Leathe/AP

A Republican candidate in a race that could decide control of the US Senate made disparaging comments about Native Americans at campaign fundraising events, according to recordings disclosed in local media.

Tim Sheehy, a wealthy cattle rancher who has been endorsed by Donald Trump in his bid to become senator for Montana, made the remarks repeatedly at a series of gatherings where he boasted of cultivating ties and bonding with members of the Crow Reservation, the official home of the Indigenous Crow tribe.

In one clip, Sheehy says he ropes and brands cattle with Crow members and calls it a great way to bond with all the Indians while theyre drunk at 8am.

In another recording, he says:  I was actually at the Crow Res and if you want a tough crowd  you miss that double heel shot, theres a Coors Light can on the side of your head.

The references to a Coors Light can being thrown were recorded at three different gatherings, according to the Char-Koosta News, which covers the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana. On one occasion, Sheehy says the flying cans are a sign of whether Crow members like you or not.

Related: South Dakota governor Kristi Noem banned from all tribal lands in her own state

Each time, the comments were greeted by audience laughter, according to the recordings.

The outlet reported that it was still trying to establish the recordings authenticity but identified the date and place of two of the fundraisers, which occurred in November last year.

The Guardian has contacted Sheehys campaign for comment.

Sheehy, 37, a former Navy Seal who moved to Montana 10 years ago, is trying to unseat the Democratic Senate incumbent Jon Tester. The contest is viewed as potentially crucial to the Republican quest to retake control of the Senate, where Democrats have a 51-49 majority.

Revelation of his comments could undermine his efforts. Indigenous tribes make up 6% of the population of Montana, which is home to seven reservations and 12 tribes. Native groups have accused both Democrats and Republicans of ignoring the basic needs of reservations.

Polls show the two parties candidates locked in a tight race, with the most recent aggregate of 13 voter surveys published by the Hill giving Sheehy a 3.5% lead in a state that trends heavily Republican.

Tester, a moderate and native-born Montanan who skipped last months Democratic national convention to focus on defending the seat he has held for 18 years, has tried to paint Sheehy  who has been, in part, bankrolling his own campaign  as a wealthy outsider.

The GOP candidates comments about Crow members are seen as particularly embarrassing because the tribe has been seen as vociferously pro-Trump. Native Americans have been a key voter bloc for Tester in his three previous successful campaigns but he has been warned that their support is not guaranteed.

Calvin Lime, who lives on another Indigenous reservation in the state, called Sheehys comments a slap in the face to Crow members.

For them to bring him there, work with him, theyre happy, theyre promoting him, but behind closed doors theyre the drunken Indian, he told the New York Times. Behind closed doors, youre actually getting looked at as a lesser-than.

The Crow Reservation is located across parts of three different counties in southern Montana and has a population of about 7,900.

News of Sheehys comments is not the first potentially damaging episode of his campaign. Last year, he was forced on the defensive after sexist and racist Facebook posts allegedly written by him came to light.

Insiders said the posts  made between 2006 and 2008 and since taken down  were full of questionable photos and featured lewd photos of women, a caricature of Middle Eastern people and homoerotic jokes.
A federal judge in Atlanta on Tuesday issued a temporary injunction ordering Donald Trump and his campaign to stop using a song co-written by the late musician Isaac Hayes at their events.

The song "Hold On, I'm Coming," published in 1966, was played at Trump rallies and can be heard in campaign videos that were posted online, according to court documents reviewed by ABC News. The judge did not order that these videos be taken down, according to a statement from Trump representative Ronald Coleman.

"The campaign had already agreed to cease further use," Coleman told ABC News in a statement. "Were very gratified that the court recognized the First Amendment issues at stake and didnt order a takedown of existing videos."

Isaac Hayes III, Hayes' son, said in a social media post last month that he was demanding $3 million in licensing fees from Trump and his campaign for unauthorized use of the song "Hold On, I'm Coming." Trump and his partners played the song over 150 times without permission, court documents said.

PHOTO: Isaac Hayes In Concert - Concord CA 2004 (Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)

"We won," Isaac Hayes III posted on Instagram on Tuesday after the hearing. "@realdonaldtrump has been barred from playing @isaachayes music forever."

The injunction stops the campaign from playing the song pending further proceedings, Coleman told ABC News, and the court would consider a motion for reconsideration based on copyright ownership if appropriate.

The campaign has a license to play the music through an agreement with BMI and ASCAP," the Trump campaign said in a statement emailed to ABC News in response to the ruling, referring to performance rights groups Broadcast Music Inc and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

Neither Isaac Hayes III nor attorneys for Isaac Hayes Enterprises -- the company that handles licensing for Hayes' estate -- have responded to ABC News' request for statements. Neither sides' attorneys have responded to ABC News regarding any decision made on money allegedly owed to Isaac Hayes Enterprises.

The song was popularized by the music duo Sam & Dave in 1966 and reached No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time, according to court documents. Hayes, who wrote the song with David Porter, passed away at age 65 in 2008, but his estate is the current owner of right and title to the song, the court documents noted.

PHOTO: Election 2024 Trump (Alex Brandon/AP)

After Trump and his campaign played the song in 2020 as "outro" music at one of their events, a cease-and-desist letter was sent to the Trump campaign on behalf of Isaac Hayes Enterprises, according to court documents.

The Donald J. Trump for President campaign, Republican National Committee (RNC), conservative advocacy group Turning Point, National Rifle Association (NRA), American Conservative Union and BTC were named as defendants on the complaint filed by Isaac Hayes Enterprises last month, for hosting events and uploading videos where the song was played, according to court documents.

The motion was withdrawn on Tuesday by Hayes Enterprises as to Turning Point, NRA and RNC, the court noted.

Hayes is part of a group of musicians who have called for Trump to stop playing their music at his events, which include Beyonce, the Foo Fighters, Jack White and Celine Dion.

ABC News' Sabina Ghebremedhin contributed to this report.

Trump campaign ordered to stop using Isaac Hayes song at rallies after family sues originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Trumps die-hard support may be explained by one of his most misunderstood character traits  charisma

Of all the questions confronting voters in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, few are as puzzling as the seemingly unwavering support for a political candidate deeply mired in embarrassing sex scandals and criminal business practices.

Such is the case with Donald Trump, whose behavior would have sunk the campaigns of most U.S. presidential candidates.

In the 1980s, for example, Democrat Gary Harts presidential ambitions went to ground over allegations of extramarital affairs on a boat aptly named Monkey Business. Over the past 20 years, two New York governors, Andrew Cuomo and Eliot Spitzer, both Democrats, resigned over charges of sexual misconduct. Democrat Al Frankens career in the Senate was scuttled over charges of indiscretions during a USO tour.

But Trumps convictions of financial fraud and being found culpable for sexual misconduct have not dampened the enthusiasm of supporters of Trump and his Make America Great Again movement.

Part of the reason may be explained by Max Weber, an early 20th century German sociologist and social theorist. At the center of Webers thinking about political authority was the word charisma.

In todays street lingo, charisma has been shortened to rizz and defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as style, charm or attractiveness, and the ability to attract a romantic or sexual partner.

Nothing could be further from Webers understanding of charisma.

The religious roots of charisma

In his Theory of Social and Economic Organization, Weber goes back to the Christian roots of the word charisma to describe how social and political power achieved legitimacy within a society.

According to the Greek Bible, Jesus followers received spiritual gifts from God. Much later, derived from the Greek word charis  meaning grace, kindness, favor  the word was brought over to English and referred to the gifts of healing, prophecy and other endowments of the Holy Spirit.

A portrait of the German sociologist Max Weber in the 1900s. Mondadori via Getty Images

For Weber, what makes people charismatic is the possession of such gifts, through which they become mediators between God and their communities.

These gifts of the spirit transform the believer into a prophet.

Weber made a crucial distinction between a priest and a prophet. The priest acquires power through official credentialing and the routine performance of functions such as liturgies and rituals prescribed by the religion.

In contrast with the priest, the prophet derives authority not from official mechanisms but directly from God. The prophet thus stands outside the framework of the official religion  and even beyond society and a political state.

What characterizes the modern-day prophet is his defiance of the regimented order of society and his call to heed a higher calling. The prophet is inherently subversive.

While not religious, as historian Lawrence Rees has pointed out, the political prophet is "quasi-religious, and the followers of such a person are looking for more than just lower taxes or better health care, but seek broader, almost spiritual, goals of redemption and salvation.

A call to arms

Throughout modern history, charismatic leaders have shown their extraordinary ability to elicit devotion to themselves and their causes.

Some have been great spiritual leaders  Russian writer Leo Tolstoy, Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, Civil Rights Movement leader Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela among them.

A portrait of German Nazi leader Adolph Hitler. Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Others have been a scourge to humans  including Russian leader Josef Stalin, German dictator Adolf Hitler, Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong and cult leader Jim Jones.

Of those charismatic prophets, none may have possessed more charisma than Hitler. He was the prototype of a charismatic leader, according to Webers definition.

Like the prophets of old, Hitler was an outsider who possessed remarkable gifts of oratory and uncanny good luck. Of his charismatic traits, none was more important than his ability to persuade. One early follower, Kurt Ludecke, highlighted the power of a Hitler speech in 1922:

When he spoke of Germanys disgrace I felt ready to spring on an enemy. His appeal to German manhood was like a call to arms, the gospel he preached a sacred truth. He seemed another (Martin) Luther. I forgot everything but the man. Glancing around, I saw that his magnetism was holding these thousands as one.

In his Inside the Third Reich, Albert Speer confessed that his decision to join Hitlers movement was emotional rather than intellectual: In retrospect, I often have the feeling that something swooped me up off the ground at the time, wrenched me from all my roots, and beamed a host of alien forces upon me.

Speer was later convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Trumps charisma

Webers concept of charisma helps us understand Trumps appeal to his Christian followers.

Trump portrays himself as an outsider who will attack the decadent mainstream system  and his followers are willing to fight and die for him.

Indeed, the Jan. 6, 2021, rioters risked their freedom, their careers and, in at least one case, their lives for their leader. One of them, Ashli Babbitt, was fatally shot climbing through a shattered glass door inside the U.S. Capitol.

The list of lives and careers who were imprisoned as a result of service to Trump includes former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, ex-Trump fixer Michael Cohen and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, among others.

Meanwhile, several ex-Trump lawyers have suffered or are facing disbarment and, in some cases, criminal charges related to their work for the Trump administration.

Its my belief that Trump is not just an ordinary politician  people think he is a spiritual leader offering to bring them to the promised land.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Johnstown, Pa., on Aug. 30, 2024. Justin Merriman/Getty Images

Right-wing evangelicals such as Paula White, Tony Perkins and Hank Kunneman praise him as a man fulfilling Gods will through his actions.

Social media is filled with images of Trump being supported by Jesus, or even of Trump being crucified like Jesus.

And Trump himself has said that divine intervention saved him from an assassins bullets.

And Id like to think that God thinks that Im going to straighten out our country, Trump told Fox News host Mark Levin in September 2024. Our country is so sick, and its so broken. Our country is just broken.

A critical flaw

But the Achilles heel of the charismatic leader is lack of success.

In the case of Hitler, his battlefield failures in Dunkirk and Stalingrad during World War II punctured the charismatic balloon. But rebellions against his authority were fruitless, and Hitler was able to command obedience until his suicide in April 1945.

The need for continuous success is a cautionary tale for Trump, whose charisma appears to be ebbing.

Trumps reputation as a winner took a blow with his loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 election. With Bidens decision to drop out of the race, Vice President Kamala Harris has made the 2024 presidential campaign a much closer race.

If the erosion continues, Trump will likely confront the fates of all failed prophets  to be barred access to the levers of power they crave.

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: Michael Scott Bryant, Bryant University

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Michael Scott Bryant 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.
Eric Trump praised Elon Musks X network as amazing after hackers breached Lara and Tiffany Trumps accounts on the social media platform.

Eric had earlier issued a panicked appeal on behalf of wife Lara, co-chair of the Republican National Committee, and Tiffany, Donald Trump's daughter with second wife Marla Maples, writing: This is a scam!!! @LaraLeaTrump and @TiffanyATrumps Twitter profiles have been compromised!!

The posts, which included fake links to a real Trump crypto project, were then deleted. X has not yet commented on the breach.

The debacle was awkward for the family considering Donald Trumps close relationship with X boss Elon Musk, who acquired the platform, then known as Twitter, two years ago and is an outspoken supporter of the GOP presidential nominee.

Musk Claims Hackers Turned Trumps X Interview Into Disaster

X wasted no time in shutting down the hackers and Eric was quick to ensure there were no hard feelings, posting on his X account that, @Twitter was amazing and has locked down @LarsLeaTrump and @TiffanyATrump accounts within minutes.

.@twitter was amazing and has locked down @LaraLeaTrump and @TiffanyATrump accounts within minutes.  Eric Trump (@EricTrump) September 4, 2024

The posts promoted a real Trump crypto project called World Liberty Financial the former president teased in a statement last week. It has not yet been formally launched, and the posts contained links to fake websites claiming to be run by World Liberty Financial but registered to The Pirate Bay dark-web marketplace, according to CNBC.

World Libertys official account confirmed the breach, posting on X: ALERT: Laras and Tiffany Trumps X accounts have been hacked. Do NOT click on any links or purchase any tokens shared from their profiles. Were actively working to fix this, but please stay vigilant and avoid scams!

The top reply read: Scammers getting scammed.

ALERT: Laras and Tiffany Trump's X accounts have been hacked. Do NOT click on any links or purchase any tokens shared from their profiles. We're actively working to fix this, but please stay vigilant and avoid scams!  WLFI (@worldlibertyfi) September 4, 2024

On Monday, a British newspaper, the Independent, wrote that the Trump-backed crypto company had been hi-jacked by scammers who planted ads on the companys Telegram account offering fake currency airdrops or token sales. Users were warned against clicking on the ads.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

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Former President Donald Trump headed to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for a town hall forum on Wednesday as new polls show a toss-up race with Kamala Harris in the crucial Keystone State.

Trump will interact with voters at the Fox News event hours after a new poll of battleground states showed him and Harris each winning 47% of Pennsylvania voters, even as the Democrat grabs a narrow lead in other Rust Belt swing states.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz is countering Trump by appearing in Lancaster, just 40 miles away from Trumps event in a swingy section of otherwise deep red central Pennsylvania.

Walz, whose folksy style and small-town upbringing makes him a big asset to Harris in the heartland, will hold another day of campaign events Thursday in Erie while Harris returns to Pittsburgh for the second event in a week on Friday.

The importance of winning Pennsylvania, for Trump in particular, is underlined by a new CNN poll of the battleground states that shows the former president trailing in Michigan and Wisconsin, the other two states in the so-called blue wall of Rust Belt battleground states.

Harris has razor-thin edges in the Sun Belt battleground states of Georgia and Nevada, while Trump leads in Arizona.

If Trump can flip the Sun Belt swing states President Joe Biden won in 2020, he still needs to pick off at least one of the blue wall states to get to 270 electoral votes, which may explain why Trump and his Republican allies are so laser-focused on Pennsylvania.

Analysts note relatively high numbers of voters say they could still switch candidates across all the battleground states. Those seven states include North Carolina, which Trump narrowly won over Biden four years ago.

About one in six voters told CNN pollsters they are still open to changing their mind between Trump and Harris.

When youre talking about such close races, thats a sizable chunk, said David Chalian, CNNs political director.

Megan Hays, a Democratic strategist, said the enthusiasm sparked by Harris has put in play a large group of voters who were previously leaning to Trump when he was seeking to oust Biden.

There are a lot of independent voters who are not firmly in Trumps camp like we thought, Hays said on CNN.

The new campaign action comes as Trump and Harris ready themselves for their debate on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

The clash is considered a potentially crucial turning point in the race, particularly for Harris.

The Democratic nominee upended the race when Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed her in July. She unified the Democratic base and has forged a narrow lead in polls over Trump.

Most voters already have very strong opinions about Trump. But Harris remains relatively little known to the electorate, particularly the less-engaged independent voters who will likely determine the winner in November.
Former President Donald Trump, already facing criticism over an aide pushing aside an official at Arlington National Cemetery, has been caught misleading Gold Star families over troop deaths during his administration, according to a Washington Post analysis that gave him two Pinocchios.

In the TikTok video Trump's campaign filmed at the cemetery, marking the third anniversary of a suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. military personnel during the evacuation of Afghanistan in 2021, Trump attempts to make the case that he has been a far better commander in chief of the armed forces than President Joe Biden.

"We lost 13 great, great people, what a horrible day it was," Trump said in the video, with clips of him laying wreaths at soldiers' gravestones and talking to members of Gold Star families. "We didn't lose one person in 18 months and then took over that disaster, the leaving of Afghanistan."

Trump's phrasing suggests that no troops were killed in Afghanistan during the last 18 months of his presidency, which an analysis of the Defense Casualty Analysis System, a Department of Defense database, proves to be false. The Washington Post confirmed that there was no 18-month period in Trump's presidency that did not see combat fatalities in Afghanistan; during the last 18 months of his presidency before Biden took over, the database shows 12 deaths from hostile action in that period.

The last two deaths were Javier Jaguar Gutierrez of San Antonio and Antonio Rey Rodriguez of Las Cruces, New Mexico, who were killed in February 2020. Trump and then-Vice President Mike Pence greeted the returning bodies at Dover Air Force Base. Those deaths occurred 11 months before the end of his presidency, while the suicide bombing at Kabul Airport took place in August 2021, seven months after Biden took office. That adds up to 18 months, but it's not what Trump was claiming in the video.

Trump, who negotiated the withdrawal from Afghanistan that Biden later implemented, has bragged about the 18-month claim at rallies across the country.

You know, they were executing a lot of our soldiers. And I spoke to him, I said, Abdul, dont do it anymore. Therell be no more,'" he said at a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, referring Abdul Rahman al-Logari, the Islamic State-Khorasan member who an investigative report by the Department of Defense identified as the suicide bomber. "Anyway, I said it pretty tough. And you know what? For 18 months, we didnt have one American soldier killed in Afghanistan. And then I left, and then I left, and theres a bunch of incompetent people took over, and it all started up again.
The News

John Podesta, the top US climate envoy, is in China this week for talks with his counterpart Liu Zhenmin as the countries try to find agreement on climate finance, the future of the coal industry, and clean energy trade ahead of the COP29 summit in November.

The visit is one of the last scheduled meetings between US and Chinese officials on any subject before the US presidential election. Its a chance for Podesta to press China to adopt more ambitious emissions-reductions targets, something both countries are expected to announce at COP or early next year. He can also lay the groundwork for a potential meeting between presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping before Biden leaves office  and discuss contingency plans for US-China cooperation on climate in case Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Tims view

The Nov. 5 election looms large over this meeting. During Trumps first term, relations with China ground to a halt, especially on climate. On the surface, theres little reason for China to agree to anything major with Podesta. House Republicans are expected next week to push forward a number of anti-China bills on electric vehicle tax credits and other issues that, while doomed in the Senate, give a good preview of what China can expect if Trump wins. China has already independently stepped up its climate policy ambitions in the last few months, extending new cheap lending for green energy and curbing permits for new coal plants, among other measures. That means Podesta may have a negotiating partner still willing to keep up the Biden administrations momentum on climate even if Trump wins.

This trip is about preparing for the scenario [in which Vice President Kamala Harris wins the election] and deciding how to leverage climate as an issue that will help stabilize the broader bilateral relationship during the transition phase, said Li Shuo, director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute. But its also about injecting some resilience into that relationship, because theres a shared interest from both sides to be able to talk to each other regardless of the election outcome.

One thing Podesta should do, Shuo said, is to promote more partnerships between states or cities instead. California and the province of Hainan agreed in June to collaborate on climate action; other pairs of states or cities in both countries could follow suit, as well as private companies and NGOs. China may also be willing to continue to press for certain climate policies that have been priorities for Biden and that come with significant cost savings for industry, like reducing methane leakage.

Room for Disagreement

One area where Podesta will likely continue to struggle is on climate finance fundraising. The US has pressed China for years to contribute more to global funds to help developing countries adapt to climate impacts. Climate finance will be the central issue at COP29, and Chinas willingness to step up as a donor will likely make or break the summits success. But during preliminary negotiations in June, Chinese diplomats continued to strongly resist accepting any additional financial responsibility.

Podestas meetings will also be shaded by ongoing trade tensions related to Chinas dominance in the supply chains for EVs, solar panels, and critical minerals. Last week the Biden administration revealed plans for a price support program to help US mineral mining projects compete with China; in June, it cleared the way for higher tariffs on solar panels produced by subsidiaries of Chinese companies in Southeast Asia. The US market remains critical for Chinese cleantech exporters, so it will be hard to separate disagreements about trade barriers from the broader negotiations on domestic climate targets.

The View From DRC

Meanwhile, China is working to shore up trade relations that exclude the US. Xi met in Beijing this week with a number of heads of state from African countries, including President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to cultivate them as customers for Chinese cleantech and suppliers of critical minerals.

Notable

The wave of bankruptcies that swept the oversupplied Chinese solar market may be winding up. Analysts from Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs see prices stabilizing next year as a number of factories close down.
(Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump appealed a ruling that prevents him from moving his New York hush money case to federal court, pressing ahead with a bid to delay his Sept. 18 sentencing until well after the November presidential election.

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The former president late Tuesday filed a notice of appeal after US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan ruled he didnt have jurisdiction over the state case, in which Trump was convicted in May. Hellersteins ruling is a setback for Trump, who has repeatedly sought to delay the sentencing.

Trump argues that the US Supreme Courts landmark July ruling that presidents have broad immunity from criminal charges over official conduct meant his conviction should be dismissed, even though the hush money case related to his actions just before his 2016 election victory. He has further contended that the issue should be decided by a federal court.

The former president argues the New York trial was tainted by testimony and other evidence that would have been barred under the Supreme Courts immunity standard, while Manhattan prosecutors have said the high court ruling should have no impact on the jury verdict.

The 78-year-old billionaire faces as long as four years behind bars, though a far shorter sentence or even probation is also possible. Its one of four prosecutions Trump is facing as he campaigns to return to the White House, including a federal case over his alleged conspiracy to overturn the result of the 2020 election and incite a deadly riot at the Capitol. He denies wrongdoing in all of them.

Hellerstein, who last year rejected a previous Trump bid to transfer the case to federal court, said the high court hadnt altered his view.

Nothing in the Supreme Courts opinion affects my previous conclusion that the hush money payments were private, unofficial acts, outside the bounds of executive authority, Hellerstein said in his decision. Private schemes with private actors, unconnected to any statutory or constitutional authority or function of the executive, are considered unofficial acts.

In a statement, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said the former presidents legal team will continue to fight to move this hoax into federal court where it should be put out of its misery once and for all.

Moving the case to federal court would create a faster route for Trump to appeal his conviction to the Supreme Court. It would also give him an opportunity  if he wins the election  to order the Justice Department to drop the case, a power he doesnt have over state cases.

New York state Justice Juan Merchan, who presided over Trumps trial, will also consider the immunity argument. He has said he will rule by Sept. 16 on Trumps motion to overturn his conviction.

The former president was convicted in May of falsifying business records tied to a scheme to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels to keep her from going public just before the 2016 election. Daniels said she was paid to stay quiet about a sexual encounter she had with Trump a decade earlier.

(Updates with Trumps notice of appeal)

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A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version.

Trump: It Was A Made Up Story

The plot, as they say, thickens.

Since we last touched base on Trumps Arlington National Cemetery fiasco, none of the big six outstanding questions have been answered  but Trump may have given himself a new self-inflicted wound.

With the Army declaring the case closed after the cemetery staffer in fear of MAGA reprisals declined to press criminal charges over the alleged incident and with a holiday weekend allowing attention to drift away from the story, Trump took the curious step of reigniting the firestorm by publicly issuing a complete denial Tuesday that any kind of altercation took place.

Not only did it not happen but the story was made up, Trump claimed, by Comrade Kamala and her misinformation squad. It was, in Trumps telling, just a BEAUTIFUL DAY OF HONOR with no fights or problems.

Heres his post:

seems like it should be pretty easy to prove Trump is lying here given that the Arlington altercation was reported to police pic.twitter.com/xwZzJ9XIv2  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 3, 2024

So now we have a situation where the Trump campaign disparaged the cemetery staffer as having a mental health episode, said she shouldnt be in her job, suggested she suffered from Trump Derangement Syndrome  and now Trump himself is claiming nothing even happened.

At the same time, the Army seems desperate to make this all go away.

The Army is currently sitting on the police report filed by the cemetery staffer recounting her version of the incident where she was reportedly verbally abused and shoved aside by two Trump campaign staffers when she tried to enforce cemetery rules against political activities.

As of late last week, Democratic staffers on the Senate Armed Services Committee have been directly communicating with Army officials about the incident, and are in the process of seeking and receiving the information in the report and about what happened, according to Greg Sargent.

At the same time, House Democratic staffers attempting to looking into the matter are frustrated about resistance from the Army theyre running into, Sargent reports:

Meanwhile, senior House Democrats are privately pushing Army officials to say more clearly what laws or regulations they think may have been broken and to reveal more details about what happened, another aide says, noting that Democratic staffers are encountering resistance, leaving them frustrated.

With Trump issuing a blanket denial of any incident even occurring, is the Army going to release the police report and provide more details about the incident or leave the cemetery staffer twisting in the wind?

A Story Begging For More Attention: Trump And Egypt

Minority Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, who lack subpoena power, are trying to keep attention focused on last months WaPo article on a secret probe into whether Donald Trump accepted $10 million from Egypt  an investigation that was allegedly stymied by the Trump DOJ.

In a letter to Trump dated yesterday, Democratic Reps. Jamie Raskin (MD) and Robert Garcia (CA) asked him to immediately provide the Committee with information and documents necessary to assure the Committee and the American public that you never, directly or indirectly, politically or personally, received any funds from the Egyptian President or government.

Trump is under no obligation to respond to their request.

Trump Prosecution Watch

Hush money case: A federal judge in Manhattan rejected Donald Trumps effort to remove his hush money case from state to federal court, in what amounted to a last-ditch bid to avoid his upcoming sentencing for his conviction.

Jan. 6 case: While we await tomorrows hearing in federal court in DC on how U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan will handle the issue of presidential immunity, some light reading for you:

Another stellar thread from Roger Parloff on how unjust the Supreme Courts presidential immunity decision was.

The folks at Just Security tackle the presidential immunity issue with the question: How Judge Chutkan Should Apply Trump v. U.S.and When

Tucker Carlson Is At It Again

The ousted Fox News host invited Holocaust revisionist Darryl Cooper onto his show on X, where Cooper proceeded to call Winston Churchill the chief villain of World War II and stripped the Nazis of their own agency in the concentration camps, saying millions of people ended up dead there as if by happenstance. Elon Musk tweeted about the episode  Very interesting. Worth watching  before deleting the tweet.

Eeesh 

GOP Senate nominee Tim Sheehy (R-MT), the challenger to Sen. Jon Tester (D), was recorded during multiple private fundraisers last year trafficking in stereotypes of Native Americans.

The recordings were first reported last week by the The Char-Koosta News, which bills itself as The Official News Publication of the Flathead Indian Reservation. It was subsequently picked up by the NYT:

In one recording, Mr. Sheehy, a cattle rancher and businessman, can be heard saying that he had participated in roping and branding cattle on the Crow Reservation, in southeastern Montana, and that it was a great way to bond with all the Indians out there, while theyre drunk at 8 a.m. In another clip, he said that he had ridden in a Crow parade, and that theyll let you know whether they like you or not, theres Coors Light cans flying by your head.

Neither Senate campaign opted to comment to the NYT.

Okaaay 

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R-NC), the GOP nominee for governor with a long history of online extremism, allegedly had a different pastime in his pre-Facebook days, according to the North Carolina news site The Assembly. That prompted this tweet for the ages:

Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for governor in North Carolina, reportedly watched porn in private booths up to five days a week in the 90s. He strenuously denies that as well as the Holocaust. https://t.co/C3P4jT3bMv  New York Magazine (@NYMag) September 3, 2024

Chinese Influence Scheme Alleged  In NY Guvs Office

Manhasset, N.Y.: This an aerial view of the Saxony Court, home in Manhasset, New York belonging to Chris Hu and Linda Sun, July 24, 2024. Sun is the former deputy chief of staff for New York State governor Kathy Hochul. The FBI searched the home on July 23, 2024. (Photo by J. Conrad Williams Jr./Newsday RM via Getty Images)

A woman who worked at senior levels of the New York governors office for more than a decade was indicted on multiple counts for what federal prosecutors allege was a long-running, wide-ranging scheme to do Chinas bidding in return for money, travel, and other goodies. Her husband was also charged in connection with the alleged scheme. They both pleaded not guilty.

Linda Sun and Chris Hu were apparently not subtle about their expenditures, via the NYT:

Prosecutors say Ms. Sun and Mr. Hu laundered the money they received to buy, among other things, their $3.6 million, five-bedroom home on a cul-de-sac in Manhasset, on the North Shore of Long Island; a $1.9 million condominium in Honolulu; and luxury cars, including a 2024 Ferrari.

The FBI raided their Long Island home in July. Sun was a deputy chief of staff to Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) for about 15 months, ending in 2022.

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Despite efforts to bury the story, the Trump campaigns New Hampshire scandal is still developing.

A top volunteer with the Trump campaign issued an internal message Sunday notifying fellow volunteers that the campaign has determined that New Hampshire is no longer a battleground state, adding that the campaign has no New Hampshire surrogates and no advertising expenditures there. He also wrote that internal polling indicated Donald Trump could lose New Hampshire by a wider margin than he did to Joe Biden in 2020.

That volunteer, Tom Mountain, is reportedly no longer with the campaign, and Trump himself has made it apparent that he intends to keep courting New Hampshire voters through November. But Mountains message was, apparently, not a one-off. Instead, other New Hampshire Republicans have also signaled that the race is a done deal, according to CNN correspondent Steve Contorno.

Speaking with Erin Burnett on CNNs OutFront Tuesday night, Contorno argued that the tides have turned for the Trump campaign among New Hampshire voters.

When I talked to other Republican operatives in the state, they said that this volunteer is painting a pretty clear picture thats really illustrative of whats happening there, Contorno said.

One such Republican was GOP strategist Mike Dennehy, who said that Trump could lose New Hampshire by six to eight percentage points.

Now Mike and others have said that theres still two months left in this race that has already had a lot of twists and turns, Contorno continued. So the momentum could shift again. But, Erin, hes running out of time. And I will point out that he has no advertising reserved for the fall.
Trump promises to release Epstein client list if he wins the election

Trump claimed he could publish a list of Epstein's clients  though it is not clear the list actually exists - AP

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Donald Trump has said he would have no problem releasing more files related to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein if he returns to the White House.

Asked why a so-called list of clients who had visited Epsteins private island had not yet been made public, Trump said it probably will be.

Scores of names associated with Epstein were made public this year when a tranche of court documents were unsealed by a judge in New York.

Public figures including Prince Andrew, former US President Bill Clinton and Trump himself were among those named in the files released in January.

Many names in the documents were mentioned in passing and their inclusion does not suggest wrongdoing related to Epstein.

Trump with Melania, Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at his club in Florida in 2000 - ARCHIVE PHOTOS

Asked by computer scientist turned podcaster Lex Fridman why he had hesitation about the documents being released, Trump, 78, said: I dont think Im not involved. I never went to his island, fortunately, but a lot of people did.

Pressed on why so many smart, powerful people allowed him [Epstein] to get so close?, Trump replied: He was a good salesman. He was a hailing, hearty type of guy.

He had some nice assets that hed throw around like islands, but a lot of big people went to that island. But fortunately, I was not one of them.

Mr Fridman said it was very strange that a list of clients who visited Epsteins island  Little Saint James in the US Virgin Islands  had not been made public.

Its very interesting, isnt it? It probably will be, by the way, probably, Trump said, before adding that hed certainly take a look at it.

Little Saint James, Epstein's island - REUTERS

He added: Now, [John F] Kennedys interesting because its so many years ago. They do that for danger too, because it endangers certain people... so Kennedy is very different from the Epstein thing but Id be inclined to do the Epstein. Id have no problem with it.

The documents released in January included depositions, police reports and emails related to a 2015 defamation case.

The unsealed files did not include a list of clients and it is not clear whether such a document exists.

Some parts of the Epstein documents remained redacted including those identifying victims abused by the convicted paedophile.

Epstein committed suicide aged 66 at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan in August 2019, while awaiting trial on new charges of trafficking teenage girls.
A federal judge has once again rejected Donald Trumps attempts to move his hush money case out of a Manhattan courtroom, a last-ditch effort to overturn his conviction and avoid sentencing after a jury found him guilty on 34 felony counts this spring.

Trump will be sentenced by New York Justice Juan Merchan on September 18.

The former presidents lawyers had argued in court filings that the case and evidence against him should be tossed out under the Supreme Courts immunity ruling, which determined that presidents are absolutely immune from criminal prosecution for their official acts in office.

For the second time, District Judge Alvin Hellerstein rejected those claims. He wrote on Tuesday that nothing in the Supreme Courts opinion changes his opinion that hush money payments through Trumps then-attorney Michael Cohen to an adult film star were private, unofficial acts, outside the bounds of executive authority.

Trumps attorneys had previously tried, and failed, to remove the case from New York courts before a trial was underway.

A judge has shot down another attempt from Donald Trump, pictured at Manhattan Criminal Court earlier this year, to move his hush money case to federal court. (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

On May 30, a Manhattan jury found the former president guilty on all counts of falsifying business records in connection with a scheme to unlawfully influence the 2016 presidential election by concealing hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, whose story about having sex with Trump threatened to derail his campaign.

Judge Merchan is also preparing to rule on Trumps motion in his court on whether the case should be tossed under the immunity decision.

Shortly after the Supreme Courts decision, Trumps lawyers argued that impermissible evidence in the hush money trial includes Trumps conversations with White House aides who testified at the trial, phone records from his time in office, and posts on Twitter, which they claim was recognized as a formal channel of White House communication in the Trump Administration.

Judge Merchan is expected to issue a decision on those arguments on September 16.

Trumps sentencing is scheduled two days later, though Trump has also pushed Judge Merchan to delay that court date until after Novembers presidential election.
Trump remains fixated with Biden weeks after he dropped out of the race

Trump remains fixated with Biden weeks after he dropped out of the race

Joe Biden withdrew from the race over six weeks ago after a disastrous debate performance.

But Trump doesn't seem to have gotten over it and keeps bringing it up in interviews and speeches.

The former president appears bewildered at the sudden ascent of his new opponent, Kamala Harris.

Donald Trump is no longer running against President Joe Biden.

That's been the case for the more than six weeks since Biden bowed to Democratic pressure and withdrew from the race, weeks after his June 27 debate performance amplified long-standing fears among his own party that he could not defeat the former president.

Democrats have eagerly and swiftly moved on, turning their attention toward Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign and the sudden burst of enthusiasm that the ticket swap generated within the party's base.

But in recent interviews, speeches, and on social media, Trump has regularly returned to the topic of Biden's sudden withdrawal, describing it as a "coup" while expressing disbelief that the events of late July ever came to pass.

"You know we were up massively by Biden. How would you like to be me?" Trump said at a rally in Michigan last week. "I spent $100 million dollars on fighting him. We weren't fighting anyone else. We weren't fighting a vice president. We didn't even know who the hell she was, and then all of a sudden they say, 'Joe, you're losing badly, you got to get out.'"

In an interview released Tuesday, the podcaster Lex Fridman asked Trump if he would like to see Harris sit for more interviews. "I don't know," the former president said. "I can't believe the whole thing is happening."

Minutes later, he returned to the topic in the midst of a meandering response to a question from Fridman about how he would negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, in which Trump painted a portrait of a world ablaze as Biden stands by.

"He sort of checked out," Trump said of Biden. "Hey look, you know, you can't blame him. That was a coup. They took it over."

The notion that Biden's decision was a "coup," though often repeated by Republicans, ultimately doesn't hold up. If anything, the tortured three weeks that Democratic officials spent trying to convince Biden to drop out illustrated the weakness of modern American political parties and the ability of one person to resist the will of the party's base.

"You know, there was a coup," Trump said at a Wisconsin event last week with former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, going on to note Biden's performance in this year's relatively uncompetitive Democratic presidential primary. "I'm not a fan of his. He was the worst president. But think of this: He got 14 million votes."

The previous week, Trump claimed in a Truth Social post that Biden was exhibiting "ANGER at being humiliated by the Democrats" during his speech at the party's convention. "I don't know why he gave up, I don't know why he quit," Trump wrote.

It's a dynamic that's led some Democrats to question whether Trump is personally upset by Biden's decision to withdraw from the race. After all, reporting suggests that Trump's 2024 campaign  a much more disciplined and organized operation than either of his previous campaigns  was designed specifically to beat Biden.

Trump's campaign, of course, won't say such things publicly. "It is important to remind voters of what happened with Biden," Steven Cheung, Trump's campaign spokesman, said in a statement for this story. "There was a political coup by the Democrats to force him out of the race."

But privately, the tone is a little different. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, Trump's running mate, told donors days after Harris launched her campaign that her ascent was a "political sucker punch," according to a recording obtained by The Washington Post.

"The bad news is that Kamala Harris does not have the same baggage as Joe Biden," Vance said at a fundraiser, according to the recording. "Because whatever we might have to say, Kamala is a lot younger."

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For the past week, Donald Trump has been repeating the same story about a Venezuelan gang supposedly taking over a residential building in Coloradobut everyone, from the residents to the police, says that the story is complete fiction.

Residents of The Edge at Lowry Apartments in Aurora, Colorado, held a press conference Tuesday to hit back at right-wing claims that their building has been taken over by a violent Venezuelan gang.

Last week, a video that appeared to show armed gang members speaking Spanish and storming into an apartment complex began circulating online. The video was boosted by City Council member Danielle Jurinksy and Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, who took to Facebook to call for an emergency court order to clear the building. The story was promptly picked up by conservative media outlets and then dutifully regurgitated by Trump as an anti-immigrant talking point.

During his chaotic messaging event in Potterville, Michigan, on Friday, the Republican presidential nominee referred to the skit video as evidence of a worsening immigration crisis, which he argued has led to an increase in violent crime. In reality, violent crime is at its lowest levels in five years.

You havent seen even the beginning of this migrant crime, Trump said, according to KFOX14. And you know, they have a hat that said, Trump was right about everything, and I have to say, I pretty much was right about everything.

The Aurora Police Department posted a video statement Saturday that debunked the outrageous story.

Weve been talking to the residents here, and learning from them to find out what exactlys going on, and theres definitely a different picture, said Interim Chief Heather Morris.

Im not saying that theres not gang members that dont live in this community, but what were learning out here is that gang members have not taken over this complex.

Morris said shed also been told that residents were not paying rent to gang members, as some on the right had speculated.

On Monday, Coffman, following up on his blatant fearmongering, also visited The Edge and said that although conditions were bad, residents werent afraid of gang violence. Instead, they just wanted the building to be maintained. He baselessly suggested that the building was run down because management had been chased off the premises.

During their press conference to set the record straight, Edge residents disputed the right-wing claims that their building had been taken over by a Venezuelan gang. Residents said that they were living in uninhabitable conditions as a result of neglect from CBZ Management, which was also responsible for another Aurora building where there was a mass eviction last month, according to Denver7.

Oscar Rojas, a tenant who is from Venezuela, told Denver7 that the right-wing firestorm made him feel targeted. Im scared to go out. Theyre accusing all of us at the complex of being in gangs, and this is completely false, Rojas told the outlet. Its completely false. There are good people here, families. Theres always going to be crime everywhere.

Even though the story has proved to be false, there is little indication that Trump will stop telling it. Even after the police came out with their statement, Trump referred to tough young thugs who were taking over buildings with their big rifles during a conspiracy theoryladen podcast interview on Tuesday.

Were not going to let this happen, Trump said. Were not going to let them destroy our country. He then seamlessly transitioned into his stand-by line about immigrants coming from foreign prisons, jails, and mental institutions.

The same day, Trump started pushing another story that turned out to be fake. On Monday, a 911 call alleged that 32 Venezuelan gang members had overrun an apartment building in Chicago, bringing motorcycles into the courtyard, filling the stairwells, and flashing firearms at residents. Several far-right social media accounts boosted the outlandish call, including Libs of TikTok and Elon Musk.

When officers arrived at the building, they found no migrants with guns or motorcycles, a source told The Chicago Tribunes Armando L. Sanchez. Residents in the area and migrants living at the building confirmed to the Tribune that the claims in the call were completely unfounded.

Trumps wild, ultimately baseless stories about migrant crime are likely to continue, and reproduce into more and more unsupported claims to fit the former presidents anti-immigrant narrative.
Trump Tax Cuts Would Cost More Than Almost All Federal Agencies

(Bloomberg) -- Republican nominee Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance are campaigning on a grab bag of tax cut proposals that could collectively cost as much as $10.5 trillion over a decade, a massive sum that would exceed the combined budgets of every domestic federal agency.

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Even if Congress were to eliminate every dollar of non-defense discretionary spending  projected to be $9.8 trillion over the next 10 years  it still wouldnt offset the estimated expense of the wide-ranging tax cuts Trump and Vance have floated in recent weeks.

The price tag is based on rough, initial estimates from tax and budget specialists because the Trump campaign hasnt released detailed policy plans for its tax promises.

The Trump campaign said in a statement the former president will cut wasteful spending and increase energy production to pay for the tax cuts and lower the national debt. The campaign didnt offer more detail.

Though Democrat Kamala Harris also has proposed a few large tax cuts  she would exempt tips from taxation and expand the child tax credit  the impact on the nations finances pales in comparison. She calls for offsetting the lost income, which one think tank estimates at roughly $2 trillion, with tax increases on corporations and wealthy individuals.

Harris is continuing to roll out policy ideas piecemeal, which could add to that total. On Tuesday, she called for an expanded deduction for start-up businesses and her campaign has signaled that more policy plans could be released in the coming weeks. On Wednesday, she proposed increasing the capital gains tax rate to 28% from 20%, which would raise federal revenue.

The sheer magnitude of the Trump campaigns tax promises make it highly unlikely they all would pass even in a Congress controlled by Trump allies. The Republican tickets tax proposals include extending Trumps 2017 tax cuts, a big expansion to the child tax credit and exemptions for tips and Social Security payments.

Congress is not going to pass a $10 trillion deficit-financed tax cut, said Kyle Pomerleau, a senior fellow with the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute.

Republicans have long argued that tax cuts boost growth. But its not clear how much Trumps proposals, which largely cut levies for individuals rather than businesses, would spur new economic activity.

The combined cost of the Trump plans is so big that if Congress were to try to pass the tax cut proposals and keep spending flat, it means they could continue to fund the military, federal benefit programs, like Social Security, pay interest on the debt  and nothing else. That means eliminating major federal agencies that handle duties such as law enforcement, border security, air traffic control, tax collection and international relations.

Trumps supporters are accustomed to his impromptu, broad-stroke policy pronouncements, while some key Democratic constituency groups demand detailed policy proposals from their candidates and a firm plan offsetting the cost.

For more: See {ELEC GO} on the Bloomberg Terminal for US election news

Harris and President Joe Biden released a detailed budget proposal this year to cut federal deficits $3 trillion over a decade, by raising taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals and other measures. Those plans mirror some of the offsets Harris has proposed but previously have run into powerful opposition from major business lobbies.

Without those compensating tax increases, the Harris proposals could increase the deficit by as much as $2 trillion over the next decade, according to the University of Pennsylvania Penn Wharton Budget Model.

Tax Agenda

For both candidates, much will hinge on how well their party does in congressional elections, said Wendy Edelberg, a former Federal Reserve and Congressional Budget Office economist whos now director of the Brookings Institutions Hamilton Project.

The outlook depends on a million different factors, particularly the balance of power in Congress, Edelberg said. Perhaps no policy will get enacted as specifically proposed by either candidate.

Taxes will be a top agenda item in Congress next year, regardless of who wins the White House or which party controls the House and Senate. Major portions of Trumps 2017 tax cuts  including lower individual rates and deduction for small businesses  expire at the end of 2025, which will force Congress to address the tax code next year.

Trump has made extending his signature tax law the centerpiece of his agenda. The Congressional Budget Office says that would cost $4.6 trillion over ten years. Hes also floated lowering the corporate rate to 15% from 21%, adding another $874 billion to the total, according to a budget model by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

On the campaign trail, the Republican ticket has verbally floated more tax ideas with hefty price tags: excluding Social Security payments from taxes ($1.8 trillion), exempting taxes on tipped wages ($250 billion) and increasing the $2,000 child tax credit per child to $5,000 ($3 trillion).

Added all up, thats $10.5 trillion. If Congress were to seriously consider these ideas, official federal scorekeepers would model out the effects, including how the tax cuts interact with one another.

Revenue Raisers

Trump has offered very few options to raise more federal revenue. Hes vowed to block any cuts to Medicare and Social Security benefits and has called for an increase in military spending. Hes proposed universal tariffs ranging from 10-20%. The left-leaning Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center has estimated a 10% across-the-board levy could raise $2.8 trillion over ten years.

That has the potential to cover some of the cost of his tax cuts, but doesnt take into account what economists warn are large negative economic growth effects or the cost of compensating farmers for trade retaliation from other countries.

The rising national debt is already stoking concern among investors and ratings agencies.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has warned that higher government budget deficits are on an unsustainable path. In November, Moodys Investors Service signaled it could downgrade the US from the highest investment grade, Aaa.

CBO projects federal debt held by the public will exceed 100% of the GDP next year and rise to 122% in ten years without any new tax cuts.

The fiscally responsible thing for either candidate to do, if they are proposing tax cuts, is to tell us how they are going to pay for them, said Keith Hall of George Mason University, who once led the nonpartisan CBO.

Sign up for the Washington Edition newsletter to find out how the worlds of money and politics intersect in the US capital.

(Updates with additional details on Harris tax proposals)

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Trump thanks husbands for allowing wives to attend hundreds of rallies: 'They love me'

Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump thanked the husbands of some of his supporters for allowing the women to come to his rallies.

Speaking at a rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania Friday, Trump mentioned a group of women in attendance from North Carolina who he said had been at more than 220 of his rallies.

"Somebody said 'women don't like Donald Trump.' I said, 'I think that's wrong. I think they love me. I love them,'" he said to a crowd of cheers. According to a recent ABC News/Ipsos poll, opponent Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris leads Trump by 13 percentage points among women.

"Their husbands are great, but they allow them to go all over the country, they follow me all over the country," he said of the women at the Johnstown rally. "I spoke to the husbands one time, I say 'how do you put up with this? ...Your wives are traveling all over the place."

He also called the group "beautiful" and "always perfectly coiffed," praising them for being wealthy.

Harris-Trump polls: Kamala Harris heads into Trump debate with lead, rising enthusiasm

Donald Trump promises a great administration for women amid abortion, IVF stance scramble

"My Administration will be great for women and their reproductive rights," Trump wrote in a recent Truth Social post.

Leading up to the 2016, the Trump campaign was in hot water with some women, especially after the "Access Hollywood" tape surfaced his comments about inappropriately grabbing women by their genitals.

Since then, he has been found liable by a jury for sexual abusing writer E. Jean Carroll and bragged about appointing the U.S. Supreme Court justices who helped to overturn the abortion-protecting decision Roe v Wade.

Trump has waffled on his stance on abortion, especially when it comes to how he would vote for Florida's own ballot measure to make the procedure legal up until viability (currently a six-week ban is in place). He recently said he would vote against it.

The Harris campaign has repeatedly bashed Trump's record on reproductive rights and vowed to sign a law protecting the right an abortion.

Contributing: Zac Anderson

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump praised supporters' husbands despite "allowing" wives to travel
Former President Trump is twisting himself into knots on abortion as he tries to navigate an issue that has proven galvanizing for Democrats and politically fraught for his party ahead of November.

Trump has repeatedly urged Republicans to prioritize winning elections, even if it means softening their position on abortion. But his approach risks alienating social conservatives without the benefit of winning over more moderate voters.

The advice weve always given to clients on this issue is do not stand in the middle of the road, because youll get hit by traffic going both ways, said Chuck Coughlin, an Arizona-based GOP consultant.

Trump last week made a slew of statements on reproductive issues that were all over the map politically.

He argued Floridas ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy was too strict and claimed on social media his administration would be great for women and their reproductive rights. He later said he would vote no on a referendum that would overturn the Florida law and protect abortion access.

Trump also vowed the government would cover the cost of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments if he is elected, an announcement that seemed to catch some in the party off guard, even as he has bragged about ending Roe v. Wade, the same decision that has cast uncertainty around IVF access.

Lila Rose, a prominent anti-abortion activist, has argued Trumps positions on reproductive rights run counter to how he governed during his first term. She cited his criticism of certain state-level abortion bans as too strict, changes to the GOP platform on abortion and his support for taxpayer-funded IVF.

This has killed the enthusiasm of Trumps own base, Rose posted on the social platform X, urging Trump to change course and take advantage of the momentum among conservatives from his opposition to the Florida ballot measure.

The Trump campaign and its allies have been adamant the former president has a strong record to appeal to anti-abortion activists and social conservatives.

President Trump is pro-parents, pro-babies, and pro-family and his strong pro-life policies reflect that. His support for protecting and expanding IVF coverage for families should be applauded by the pro-life community as it will further promote the culture of life, said Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), chair of the House GOP conference, in a statement provided by the Trump campaign.

Kristan Hawkins, president of the anti-abortion group Students for Life, said she wants to see Trump outline a pro-life commitment that mobilizes his social conservative base.

I think his statements have caused more confusion for his base than clarity. Hawkins told The Hill.

I do believe his statement that he will vote no on the all-trimester abortion referendum in Florida. It was a powerful statement. We want to see him do more of that. He needs to be, you know, first and foremost encouraging voters in other states who have these similar late-term, all trimester abortion ballot referendums to also vote no.'

Trump has tried to walk a tightrope on abortion since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022.

The former president has taken credit for ending Roe through his appointment of conservative justices, arguing the issue of abortion should be left to the states and calling it a beautiful thing to watch as a patchwork of restrictions takes place. Hes spoken in support of exceptions for rape, incest and instances where a mothers life is at risk.

Although he said he wouldnt sign a national abortion ban, he declined to say whether he would veto such a ban if it made it to his desk. And he has painted Democrats as radical on the issue, claiming they support abortion up to the moment of birth, though such cases are extremely rare.

The former president has also argued abortion is no longer a big deal for voters, but that claim clashes with polling on the issue.

A New York Times/Siena College poll of registered voters in seven battleground states found abortion has become increasingly important in deciding whom to support in November, particularly for female voters.

The poll, which was conducted Aug. 6-15, found the economy remained voters top issue. But 14 percent of voters cited abortion as their most important issue in deciding their vote, up from 11 percent in May, and 22 percent of women said it was their top issue, up from 17 percent in May.

According to Ashley Kirzinger, associate director for public opinion and survey research at the health policy research group KFF, the overturning of Roe in 2022 was transformational in how reproductive issues, particularly abortion, motivated voters.

Prior to the Dobbs decision, you know, single-issue abortion voters  those that were especially motivated by the issue of abortion to turn out to vote  were largely pro-life, conservative voters, Kirzinger said. And now we are seeing that switch, and they are largely pro-choice.

Kirzinger noted that across the political spectrum, most voters support abortion access for people experiencing pregnancy-related emergencies and for patients right to travel to access abortions services.

The Harris campaign has long viewed abortion as a winning issue and has signaled it will lean into the topic in the closing stretch of the campaign.

When Vice President Harris took over the Democratic bid for the Oval Office, reproductive rights activists predicted she would take the issue of abortion to Republicans in a way they wouldnt be able to ignore.

Harris brought a higher degree of fluency on abortion issues than President Biden, and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), has been able to speak to voters on issues like IVF by sharing his experience with infertility.

Democrats on Monday launched a Fighting for Reproductive Freedom bus tour in Trumps home state of Florida. The bus tour will make at least 50 stops leading up to Election Day in red, blue and purple states. Speakers will include Democratic lawmakers and women directly impacted by abortion bans enacted following the end of Roe.

Jessica Mackler, president of the abortion rights political action committee EMILYs List, said Trumps recent comments on abortion show hes scared.

Its clear from his latest lies and flip-flopping on abortion that Donald Trump is scared  and he should be. After extensive research, EMILYs List has long known that women will decide this election and we are voting on abortion, she said.

Some Republicans have suggested that Trumps efforts to play all sides of the abortion debate could ultimately dilute the effect of the issue with voters by November, when other policies may be more front and center.

If he did this in October it would really be a problem, said one Republican strategist. The closing argument is going to be about the economy. The American people feel like the economy is not working. [Harris] is a continuation of this economy.

Updated: 1:07 p.m.

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A hand with red-painted nails is holding a smartphone, and another hand is pressing a finger against the screen. The phone displays a red prohibition symbol (a circle with a diagonal line through it) over an eggplant emoji.

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In March, health technology startup HeHealth debuted Calmara AI, an app proclaiming to be your intimacy bestie for safer sex. The app was heavily marketed to women, who were told they could upload a picture of their partners penis for Calmara to scan for evidence of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Users would get an emoji-laden Clear! or Hold!!! verdict  with a disclaimer saying the penis in question wasnt necessarily free of all STIs.

The reaction Ella Dawson, sex and culture critic, had when she first saw Calmara AIs claim to provide AI-powered scans [that] give you clear, science-backed answers about your partners sexual health status can be easily summed up: big yikes. She raised the alarm on social media, voicing her concerns about privacy and accuracy. The attention prompted a deluge of negative press and a Los Angeles Times investigation.

The Federal Trade Commission was also concerned. The agency notified HeHealth, the parent company of Calmara AI, that it was opening an investigation into possibly fraudulent advertising claims and privacy concerns. Within days, HeHealth pulled its apps off the market.

HeHealth CEO Yudara Kularathne emphasized that the FTC found no wrongdoing and said that no penalties were imposed. The HeHealth consumer app was incurring significant losses, so we decided to close it to focus on profitability as a startup, he wrote over email, saying that the company is now focused on business-to-business projects with governments and NGOs mostly outside the United States.

More and more AI-powered sexual health apps have been cropping up, and theres no sign of stopping. Some of the new consumer-focused apps are targeted toward women and queer people, who often have difficulties getting culturally sensitive and gender-informed care. Venture capitalists and funders see opportunities in underserved populations  but can prioritize growth over privacy and security.

The 19th spoke with sexual health educators and computer science researchers on how best to evaluate claims about AI, especially when it comes to sensitive health applications. They pointed to three main areas: marketing, medical claims and privacy policies.

Health technology has boomed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when telehealth laws were relaxed to allow remote care. Some companies used that opportunity to innovate, Dawson said, but some turned out to be profit grabs that dont prioritize privacy concerns the way real doctors do.

Sexual health is a topic few people are fluent in, and there is a large societal stigma around STIs. People who are looking for STI tests are a vulnerable, underserved population that is often in an emotional state and not able to make clear decisions, Dawson said.

Services that substitute machine learning for human interaction are attractive because they allow people to take care of their concerns in the privacy of their own homes, Dawson said. People, especially young people, may not want to talk to someone  even a doctor  due to the shame of a potential STI exposure. And that is a very dangerous dynamic to exploit for the startups that see an opportunity, she said.

Dylan Baker, lead research engineer at the Distributed AI Institute, approaches claims about artificial intelligence  more accurately called machine learning systems in most cases  with skepticism.

In medical settings, doctors and researchers have utilized machine learning for a long time, Baker said. For example, a 2012 study in the American Journal of Roentgenology demonstrated how automated image detention systems could help radiologists diagnose lung nodules more efficiently. But those applications work because medical staff are trained in all the nuances of the models they are working with and know the limits of computation. That knowledge doesnt extend to patients.

One of the first things to consider is whether an AI app can actually do what it claims. Be wary of technology that oversimplifies the problem, experts said. For example, many STIs are asymptomatic and can be confirmed only through lab tests.

Sexual health in particular requires specialized knowledge that even many doctors lack, said Emily L. Depasse, a trained sex therapist and sex educator. AI is usually marketed to be smarter than humans, but thats not necessarily the case, Baker said. Any app promising clear results is something to be suspicious of.

Thats why its important to identify what knowledge a machine learning model powering an app has been trained on. Many companies have research papers available on their websites detailing the model they are using. You want to make sure that the data that your model is trained on matches your use case as effectively as possible, Baker said. If app developers dont use real pictures with a variety of lighting conditions, angles and skin tones to train their model, it may lead to inaccurate results.

Training data is one of the aspects HeHealth was criticized for. In addition to training their model on actual photographs of penises with STIs, the engineers trained it on fabricated images created by layering pictures of infections over those of healthy penises.

Companies making commercially available AI products should audit their models for potential biases, because the relationship between training data itself and bias in the outcomes isnt always completely clear, Baker said. Ideally this information would be accessible on a companys website, or within linked research papers, for potential customers to peruse.

The limits of an application should be communicated clearly in its instructions. Gender inclusivity can be an issue in health applications, said Maggie Delano, professor of engineering at Swarthmore College. For instance, Delano has done research on a weight-tracking app that asks users to choose a binary gender. It may seem like a small choice, but that information is used to calculate body fat percentage.

If an application has multiple inputs, Delano recommends trans folks try different options and go with what works best for their body. One of the things I would love to see, that I have never seen, is an actual discussion of, Hey, if youre trans, this is the value you should use when you input into this algorithm, they said.

Delano also cited the adage that if you arent paying for a product, that typically means you are the product  in the form of personal data being sold or your attention being used for ads. Thats also why its important to thoroughly scan the privacy policy of any application, as many AI models train on user input. There should be clear information about how personal health information is stored and used by the company after interfacing with their product.

Consumer health applications arent necessarily covered by HIPAA, the most famous health privacy law that generally applies to health care entities, but there are many overlapping regulations that could apply. The FTC recommends reviewing what information will be gathered and how it will be shared by the app.

Try to identify in the applications terms what recourse there is if privacy promises are broken by the company, Baker said.

Marketing claims can be boastful and, in some cases, against the law. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates medical devices, so its important to check if a given application has the agencys approval. Dawson said this information is usually at the bottom of a webpage, and might include a disclaimer about how the service does not offer diagnosis. If so, its important to see if the marketing reflects that. A lot of advertising tries to anthropomorphize AI, Baker said, making it seem like it could replace a trained doctor when that is not the case.

Sexual health is serious, Depasse said, and she is personally wary of any infantilizing language in marketing copy. Using euphemisms or cutesy language  like seggs instead of sex to get around social media filters  reinforces stigma and can cover up a lack of expertise about the subject.

Tech founders should be collaborating with sexual health professionals, OBGYNs, sex educators and people in reproductive health, Depasse said. Dawson recommended looking into the background of the founders: Are they fresh out of business school? Are they focused on raising capital? Is their team devoid of medical professionals? If so, theyre indicators that a team is more concerned about sales than creating a secure, accurate health product.

The educators and researchers interviewed by The 19th expressed disappointment and anger about how AI is marketed toward people with limited health care options.

As an AI ethics researcher, seeing predatory apps on the market also gets Baker a little fired up.

Because I know people are struggling, they said. Health care can be hard to access and this is trying to fill a very real void.

The post Would you trust AI to scan your genitals for STIs? appeared first on The 19th.

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PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. (WMBD)  The Peoria Heights Board of Trustees voted to defer voting on a motion that would repeal an earlier decision to hire three full-time firefighters for a department that is typically volunteer-based.

The decision came at Tuesdays meeting, which featured a lengthy public comment portion. Former Peoria Heights fire chiefs Greg Walters and Norm Reichert, along with other Heights residents, made their voices heard regarding the motion.

The proposal was made by trustee Sarah DeVore, who shared concerns over the villages current budget situation. After running surpluses over the past six years or so, there is a projected deficit of just over $200,000, nearly $350,000, and nearly $490,000 over the next three years.

Peoria Heights wants you to be part of the fire department

She and other board members expressed concern over whether there will be money to pay the firefighters, and they wanted to get ahead of a potential problem.

Trustee Matt Wigginton applauded DeVore for the investigative work she did to bring it to the boards attention.

But Mayor Mike Phelan expressed confusion over why the proposal was made.

Weve known for months what the salary is going to be, and we know what our benefits cost, and we have an estimate of the pensions, so I really dont know what new financial information has emerged in some peoples minds that have caused them to take another look at this, he said.

Trustee Brandon Wisenburg brought up the potential for a longer response time if the motion goes through, and the lack of an alternative concerned him. He also expressed concerns about calls that went unanswered.

Ultimately, the item was tabled for the next meeting, as the board decided to wait until Chief Dan Decker was back in town.

After the meeting, Phelan said the pensions were the biggest cost due to their unknown nature, but said the new firefighters were on the precipice of being hired.

Im not really the biggest fan of waiting until the 11th hour as the Fire Commission was ready to offer jobs to three candidates tomorrow, but itll work itself out, he said.

He also said the budget has inflated due to rising costs, and theyve also added more than $1 million to the fire departments budget.

Those costs have escalated a lot that has caused the surplus to go away, the economy is always going to ebb and flow but we need to identify a solution, Phelan said.

But Phelan hopes that the issue is resolved really soon.

The most important thing is public safety, and we need to provide personnel. We need to be prompt and on time so when theres an emergency, were there as quickly as possible, he said.

There was also a discussion about a potential ballot question for Peoria Heights residents in April, regarding funding for the fire department. There was discussion about increasing the sales tax in order to get more funding.

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Tucker Carlson accused of airing pro-Nazi propaganda on show  as Elon Musk promotes it as worth watching

Tucker Carlson has come under fire for platforming a guest who claimed Winston Churchill was the villain of Second World War and that millions of people ended up dead in Nazi concentration camps.

On Monday, the right wing media personality hosted self-proclaimed historian Darryl Cooper on his podcast show  a man who has been accused of being a Nazi apologist for comments which appear sympathetic towards Adolf Hitler.

The two-hour conversation was condemned by many on social media, including Liz Cheney  whereas Elon Musk promoted the video to his 196.5 million X followers, calling it very interesting and worth watching.

The controversial tech billionaire appears to have since deleted his post.The Independent has contacted X for comment.

During the podcast show, former Fox News host Carlson, who hailed Cooper the most important historian in the United States, asked him how he would assess Churchill.

Cooper, explaining that he was being a little hyperbolic, said: I thought Churchill was the villain of the Second World War.

He continued: He didnt kill the most people, he didnt commit the most atrocities I think when you get into it and tell the story right, you see he was primarily responsible for that war becoming what it did.

Elon Musk promoted the interview on X but appears to have since taken the post down (Elon Musk/ X)

Cooper, after acknowledging this doesnt mean he believes Hitler was WW2s protagonist, went on to explain how the Nazis launched a war they were completely unprepared to deal with.

Six million Jews were systematically murdered by the Nazis in concentration camps by the end of the Holocaust in a calculated plan to eradicate Europes Jewish population.

Cooper sparked fury by downplaying the death camps and for suggesting the Nazis expressed humanity while he cited letters from German soldiers.

[The Nazis] are saying: We cant feed these people, we dont have the food to feed these people. One of them says [in a letter]: Rather than wait for them to slowly starve this winter, wouldnt it be more humane to quickly finish them all off now?

Self proclaimed historian Darryl Cooper was a guest on Tucker Carlsons podcast (The Tucker Carlson show)

Both conservatives and liberals quickly called out Carlson for giving Cooper a platform for his comments.

Former Republican congresswoman Cheney slammed Carlson for peddling pro-Nazi propaganda.

Actually, this is pro-Nazi propaganda, including, Churchill was the chief villain of WW2 and Hitler didnt want to fight. No serious or honorable person would support or endorse this type of garbage, she said in a post on X.

Conservative commentator Erick Erickson said: Didnt expect Tucker Carlson to become an outlet for Nazi apologetics, but here we are.

And anti-hate organization Anti-Defamation League said: Tucker Carlsons praise of Nazi apologist Darryl Cooper is an insult to the memory of the 6,000,000 Jews who were murdered by Hitlers Nazi regime.

The Republicans Against Trump account also chimed in saying: Tucker Carlson just hosted a Nazi apologist to explain why Hitler wasnt so evil and how Winston Churchill was the real bad guy. This is a reminder that Tucker Carlson got a major speaking slot at the Republican Convention and speaks regularly with Donald Trump.

Tucker Carlson has come under fire for hosting a Nazi apologist on his podcast (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The Independent has contacted Cooper and Carlson for comment.

Cooper responded to the backlash on X, posting a lengthy thread on X where he said his intention was not to defend the actions of the Third Reich or any of its leaders but to argue of all the belligerent leaders, Churchill was the one most intent on prolonging and escalating the conflict into a world war of annihilation.

Germany and Italy did not want it - in fact, before the conquest of Western Europe, German leaders including Hitler were skeptical that theyd be able to take on Britain in a fight, he added.

We can be skeptical of Hitlers motives for offering peace again and again, and for holding back against British civilians despite months and months provocations, but the fact is that Germany was offering peace, and by all accounts sincerely wanted it.

Cooper has a history of making offensive comments in connection to the Nazis.

Multiple reports cited a photo Cooper posted on X during the Olympic Games in July, where he shared a picture of Hitler by the Eiffel Tower. In the post, which has since been taken down, he appeared to suggest Nazi-occupied France was preferable to modern-day Paris during the 2024 opening ceremony.

This may be putting it too crudely for some but the picture on the left was infinitely preferable in virtually every way than the one on the right, he said.

After deleting that post, Cooper appeared to address the backlash. I like posting provocative s***, seeing how close I can step up to various lines with going over them, he said in a post on X. But there are a few people who, even though they often disagree w/me, try to give me the benefit of the doubt, and when they tell me Ive crossed over, I check myself. Simple.

Following the assassination attempt on Trump in Butler on July 13, Cooper made another bizarre comment about Hitler.

He posted on X the following day: If youre having a bad day, just remember that the Trump shooter is currently wandering around Hell looking for Hitler while the two guys Kyle Rittenhouse dropped figure out how to break the news to him.
Two Colorado Department of Transportation employees were among three who died Wednesday in a crash along U.S. Route 6 in Mesa County.

According to Colorado State Patrol, at 10:42 a.m., troopers received reports of the crash along westbound U.S. 6 near mile marker 40, between Grand Junction and Palisade.

State Patrol investigators said a Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling westbound struck two CDOT workers outside of their vehicles along with a parked CDOT vehicle, which caused the Jeep to roll.

CSP chief Col. Matthew C. Packard said the CDOT workers were walking back toward their truck, "on the shoulder, out of the lane of traffic," when they were struck by the Jeep.

The workers and an adult female passenger in the Jeep died at the scene, according to Packard.

"I can't say this enough, that today is a tragic day in Colorado," Packard said.

The driver of the Jeep was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. The man and woman in the Jeep are Mesa County residents, and believed to be married, Packard said.

Gov. Jared Polis commented on the crash on social media, saying in part: "These Coloradans will be missed by their state, families and communities."

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CSP crash investigators are continuing their work, but impairment is not believed to be a factor at this time.

"Our team is absolutely devastated to be here today, honoring the lives of two of our friends and family members from our organization," CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew said during an afternoon press conference.

Lew and Packard reminded the public of Colorado's Move Over Law for motorists to slow down or move over whenever overtaking a stationary vehicle on the side of the road.

A failure to move over or slow down for a disabled vehicle can result in a Class 2 misdemeanor, a possible fine of $150 and a 3-point license violation. Drivers that fail to slow down or move over who cause a serious injury or death of another person can face a felony charge and prison time.

"All these crashes are preventable," Packard said.

"When you see vehicles pulled over, doing the public's work, please please treat them like they were your own family," Lew said.
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson prefaced his latest podcast episode by lauding guest Darryl Cooper as the best and most honest popular historian, and then looked on entranced in the video recording of it as Cooper argued Nazi Germany dictator Adolf Hitler wasnt the chief villain of World War II.

Cooper, who has shared pro-Hitler posts on social media, argued on the podcast that then-British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was to blame for the war.

I thought Churchill was the chief villain of the Second World War, he told Carlson, adding that maybe he was being provocative. Now, he didnt kill the most people, he didnt commit the most atrocities, but  he was primarily responsible for that war becoming what it did.

Carlson, who had encouraged Cooper to expound by arguing its fair to ask about this subject, went on to urge his guest to make the case for Churchills apparent crimes. Cooper claimed he doesnt believe Hitler was part of the good guys, but then seemingly argued as much.

Cooper accurately stated that Hitler launched a war but then claimed the Nazi high command only ordered the millions and millions of prisoners of war killed out of pity  to save them from dying of starvation  as the Nazis were completely unprepared to deal with them.

He then claimed Hitler pushed for peace with Britain and France, while Churchill bombed Nazi Germany, the purpose of which was to kill as many civilians as possible.

Carlson, who was fired from Fox News in 2023, never corrected his guest in Mondays episode.

German historian Michael Geyer, however  a professor emeritus of German and European history at the University of Chicago  notes that Coopers take is inaccurate.

The question Id have is whether it is worth engaging someone like him on any of his claims, Geyer said. You get from one distortion to the next, his Holocaust story being interesting because it is no longer outright denial (i.e., it never happened) but considered collateral damage.

Former Rep. Liz Cheney was among those on social media who jumped to correct Coopers take on history.

Actually, this is pro-Nazi propaganda, including, Churchill was the chief villain of WW2 and Hitler didnt want to fight, Cheney wrote Tuesday in a post on X, formerly Twitter. No serious or honorable person would support or endorse this type of garbage.

Tucker Carlson launched his podcast in 2023 after being fired from Fox News. Joe Raedle via Getty Images

This isnt the first time Cooper espoused a pro-Hitler ethos either.

In a since-deleted post from July on X, Cooper shared side-by-side images of Hitler in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris and of a controversial moment from the recent Olympics opening ceremony in the city  and said the former is infinitely preferable in virtually every way to the latter.

He also recently implied in a post that Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was killed after attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump earlier this year, went to hell  but Hitler didnt. In June, Cooper argued that a thousand years of tyranny is preferable to geopolitical anarchy.

Carlson has elevated extremist opinions like these before, and notably regurgitated a baseless conspiracy theory in 2018 about South Africa engaging in a genocide against white farmers. The Fox News segment, while ludicrous, eventually reached then-President Trump.

The conservative pundit also famously used his airtime to promote the great replacement theory, which aims to convince white Christians that theyre being replaced by immigrants, people of color and non-Christians  and that this is being orchestrated by liberal elites.

Tucker is a chameleon, Melissa Ryan, whose CARD Strategies tracks online extremism and disinformation, told NPR in 2023. Hes very good at reading the room and figuring out where the right-wing base is at and adapting to give them as much red meat as they want.

Related...
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)  The Augusta Fire Department will commemorate the 23rd Anniversary of 9/11 on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at 8 a.m. with its annual run/walk event.

The entire Augusta community is invited to participate in the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk and ceremony Saturday morning to remember and recognize the sacrifices made on that day.

The ceremony will be on the Summerville Campus of Augusta University located at 2500 Walton Way in Augusta. The run will begin officially at 8:46 a.m., when the first plane, hijacked American Airlines Flight 11, was crashed into floors 93 to 99 of the North Tower of One World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m.

They are inviting the public to come together to honor the heroes of 9/11 23 years later and looking to have as many participants as possible.

Those wanting to be part of this meaningful event are encouraged to register at here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
Turkey applies to be first Nato member to join Russias G7 rival

Turkey has become the first Nato member to formally apply to join the Brics group of emerging market nations led by Russia and China.

The move is a sign of Ankaras frustration with the West over long-delayed negotiations to join the EU, which have stalled for years after beginning in 2005, and support for Israels war in Gaza.

Despite being part of the US-dominated military alliance, Ankara has not joined Western sanctions imposed on the Kremlin for Vladimir Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Instead, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, has carved out a mediation role between Russia and Ukraine, playing a crucial role in negotiations over grain shipments from Black Sea ports and the recent prisoner swap between Moscow and Washington.

Turkey can become a strong, prosperous, prestigious and effective country if it improves its relations with the East and the West simultaneously, he said in Istanbul at the weekend.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, at a bilateral meeting with Putin in Kazakhstan - GETTY

Mr Erdogan, who has repeatedly criticised US support for Israels war on Hamas, insisted Ankara did not have to choose between the EU and other partners in an increasingly polarised world.

On the contrary, we have to develop our relations with both these and other organisations on a win-win basis, he said. Any method other than this will not benefit Turkey, but will harm it.

The Brics rivals the US-led G7 group of rich nations on the world stage. It is named after Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa but the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Egypt joined earlier this year.

Russia and China, both thorns in Natos side, have a no limits alliance, which has deepened since Moscow was ostracised by the West.

Brics nation leaders meet at a summit in Johannesburg in May 2023 - ALET PRETORIUS/SHUTTERSTOCK

Turkeys application will be discussed at a Brics meeting in Russia this October. The Kremlin welcomed reports of Ankaras desire to join in June but the balancing act is likely to strain relations with the US and other Nato members.

Sources told Bloomberg that the Turkish government thinks the geopolitical centre of gravity is moving away from the most developed economies.

Sinan Ulgen, a former diplomat and head of the Istanbul-based think tank EDAM told Newsweek it was a strategy to strengthen relations with non-Western powers at a time when the US hegemony is waning.

The bilateral relationship with the US has also been problematic, he added.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (L) pose for a photo during the signing of 17 agreements between Turkiye and Egypt after the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council Meeting at the Presidential Complex. -/Turkish Presidency/dpa

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi on Wednesday called for a ceasefire in the besieged Gaza Strip, stressing that the two countries share a common approach to the conflict.

Al-Sissi was in the Turkish capital Ankara on Wednesday on n his first visit to the country since he took office in 2014, amid a rapprochement between the two countries.

His visit to Turkey lays the foundation for further cooperation between the two countries, al-Sissi told a joint press conference with Erdogan.

The two leaders signed deals in areas ranging from trade, energy to defence, among others, Erdogan said.

Turkey and Egypt share a common position in Gaza, which is to primarily to secure a ceasefire, Erdogan told reporters.

Egypt's al-Sissi stressed that Turkey and Egypt agree that an "immediate ceasefire" must be achieved to end what he called an "unprecedented catastrophe" in Gaza.

In the Gaza war, Egypt, alongside the US and Qatar, has been trying for months to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. However, negotiations are at a standstill.

Relations between Turkey and Egypt have been tense for years, partly due to Erdogan's support of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, whose loyalists Egypt has been cracking down on in recent years.

In February, Erdogan visited Egypt for the first time since 2012 and spoke of a turning point in bilateral ties.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (L) hold a joint press conference after their meeting at the Presidential Complex. -/Turkish Presidency/dpa

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (L) at the Presidential Complex. -/Turkish Presidency/dpa
Two construction workers die after ceiling collapses in Austria

Police stand outside a house after a ceiling collapsed killing two construction workers during construction work in Scharding, a small town in Upper Austria near the Bavarian border. Daniel Scharinger/APA/dpa

Two construction workers died following the collapse of a ceiling in a house in Scharding, a small town in Upper Austria near the Bavarian border.

The collapse occurred during construction work on Tuesday morning. One worker managed to free himself, but the other two men were trapped under the debris.

An emergency doctor confirmed the deaths of the two men after hours of searching, press officer Markus Oppitz told Austrian news agency APA early on Wednesday.

Their bodies were expected to be recovered on Wednesday morning. No other people were injured.

The risk of the building collapsing further complicated the rescue efforts, leading responders to attempt access from a neighboring house.

Police and emergency workers stand outside a house after a ceiling collapsed killing two construction workers during construction work in Scharding, a small town in Upper Austria near the Bavarian border. Daniel Scharinger/APA/dpa

A construction vehicle cleans the ruins after a ceiling collapsed killing two construction workers during construction work in Scharding, a small town in Upper Austria near the Bavarian border. Daniel Scharinger/APA/dpa
Two men arrested days after Miami-Dade tattoo shop employee shot and robbed, cops say

Miami-Dade detectives arrested two men Tuesday in connection with a shooting and robbery at a Kendale Lakes tattoo shop last week.

Elijah Young and Nathaniel Sweeting, both 18, are accused of sticking up two employees of Eazy Street Tattoos in the Miller Shops Plaza at 13433 Miller Drive, Thursday night while they were taking a break. One of the workers was shot in the back as he tried escaping, according to police.

The armed men then took the victims belongings, including jewelry, and drove off in a car, Detective Angel Rodriguez, a Miami-Dade police spokesman, said in a statement.

Police announced Tuesday that they arrested Young and Sweeting on attempted murder, carjacking and armed robbery charges. They were both booked into the Metro West Detention Center in Doral Tuesday. Bond had not been set.

Police have not named the victims. A bystander took the wounded man to HCA Kendall Hospital, where he was listed in critical, but, stable, condition, Rodriguez said.

The other man was not hurt during the robbery, according to police.
2 more gang members found guilty in murder of 10-year-old girl in DC

WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia announced Tuesday that two final gang members were found guilty in the murder of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson after five gang members were convicted of her murder in June of 2023.

A Superior Court jury returned guilty verdicts for 30-year-old Mark Price and 31-year-old Antonio Murchison on Sept. 3.

In the courtroom on Tuesday, the jury found Price and Murchison guilty of first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, participation in a criminal street gang, obstruction of justice, and multiple counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and related firearms offenses.

Officials said the pair are members of the Wellington Park crew in Washington D.C.

RELATED STORY | 4 DC gang members sentenced in shooting that killed 10-year-old girl

The jury also found 31-year-old Quanisha Ramsuer guilty of obstruction of justice in connection to the investigation.

In July of 2018, Price and Murchison, along with three other gang members drove to the Clay Terrace community with guns. The trial revealed that Price was driving and briefly stopped to allow the group to exit the car.

Thats when they began shooting in the Clay Terrace courtyard firing more than 50 rounds and injuring several people.

Makiyah was sitting on the front stoop of her home when she was hit and killed.

Despite having witnessed the group preparing for the shooting, no witnesses were willing to provide information on who the shooters were. Officials said that throughout the case, the government presented forensic evidence, statements the gang had made on social media and motive evidence.

MS-13 gang members found guilty in shooting that killed 19-year-old, left 2 hurt

As the investigation developed, detectives learned that Ramsuer lived in or hung out in the Wellington Park neighborhood most of her life and knew the gang members. Officials said one of them was her cousin.

Investigators obtained surveillance video that showed Ramsuer interacting with the group as they loaded into the vehicle before the shooting. She was also captured on video interacting with one of the members who orchestrated the attack but remained behind.

Despite this evidence, Ramsuer refused to identify the people she engaged with in the video and was charged with obstruction of justice.

According to the attorneys office, sentences are scheduled for Dec. 13, 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Two people find human remains in heavily wooded area of southwestern Wisconsin

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (WFRV)  Two people in southwestern Wisconsin notified authorities after coming across what appeared to be human remains in a heavily wooded area on Monday.

According to the Platteville Police Department, officers responded to what is only being described as a heavily wooded area of Platteville on the evening of September 2.

Authorities confirmed that what was found was an unidentified, deceased subject.

Sheriffs Office: No criminal charges filed following fire that killed six people in Wisconsin

Platteville PD was assisted with processing the scene and recovering the human remains by the Wisconsin Department of Forensic Sciences, Crime Scene Response Unit (CSRU). Crews worked overnight into Tuesday morning.

Officers are continuing to work to positively identify the deceased while investigating the circumstances of their death.

One arrested after single-vehicle rollover on College Avenue in Appleton

Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the Platteville Police Department at 608-348-2313.

No other details were provided.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Two people were taken to the hospital Tuesday night after a shooting on the South Side of Youngstown.

Read next: Sheriff says casualties have been reported in Georgia high school shooting

It happened near Brooklyn Avenue near Market Street around 10:30 p.m. Police responded to the area for ShotSpotter gunshot sensor activation and multiple calls that people were shot.

A male and female were shot and taken to St. Elizabeths main campus and should be OK, according to Youngstown police.

A crime scene lab responded to the scene and collected multiple spent shell casings from the nearby area, reports state. A vehicle was part of the crime scene as well; however, the extent of its involvement is unknown due to redactions in the police report.

While police were investigating, two men walked under the crime scene tape and began to walk directly through the crime scene, according to YPD. Reports state one of the men left as instructed while another refused and was arrested on the charge of misconduct at an emergency.

TJ Renninger contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
U.S. charges Hamas leaders with terrorism in connection with Oct. 7 attacks

Six senior leaders of Hamas, including the militant group's political head Yahya Sinwar, were charged with terrorism and other crimes in connection with the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, the U.S. Justice Department announced Tuesday.

Other members of the group charged in the indictment include Ismail Haniyeh, Mohammad al-Masri, Marwan Issa, Khaled Meshaal and Ali Baraka. They were charged with conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals and other alleged crimes.

In a news release, the Department of Justice identified the defendants as senior leaders of Hamas who have played a key role in overseeing a decadeslong campaign of terrorism, including on Oct. 7.

"Hamas, led by these defendants, committed its most violent, large-scale attack to date" on that day, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a video statement.

Sinwar, who has led Hamas in Gaza since roughly 2017, became the group's political leader earlier this month after Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran.

Yahya Sinwar in the Gaza seaport west of Gaza City in 2022.

Before his killing, Haniyeh was chairman of Hamas' politburo and led Hamas in Gaza, the Justice Department said.

Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, was commander-in-chief of Hamas' military wing, Qassam Brigades, the department said. Earlier this month, Israel's military said it had killed the military leader in an air strike that left at least 90 others dead.

Issa was deputy commander of the Qassam Brigades until his reported death in March, the department said. Issa also died in an Israeli airstrike, according to the BBC, which cited White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

Meshaal, 68, leads Hamas' diaspora office and is responsible for the group's presence outside of Gaza and the West Bank, the department said, noting that he is based in Qatar.

Baraka, 57, leads Hamas' National Relations Abroad and is responsible for the group's foreign relations, according to the complaint.

The complaint points to public statements from the defendants supporting Hamas Oct. 7 attack, including a speech from Haniyeh announcing the attack and an Oct. 8 media interview with Baraka in which he described Hamas' social and civic activities as a ruse aimed at making it appear as though they were focused on governing in Gaza.

All the while, under the table, Hamas was preparing for this big attack, the complaint quotes him as telling a Russian TV outlet.

Roughly 1,200 people were killed and another 250 were taken hostage when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, according to Israeli officials, who have said that dozens still remain in captivity.

The bodies of six hostages, including Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were recovered in a tunnel under Rafah on Sunday, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces said.

In Gaza, local officials have said that more than 40,000 people have been killed since Israeli forces launched an offensive in response to the Hamas attacks.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
After three years of delays due to the questioned mental state of the alleged Boulder mass shooter, mental health evaluations continue to take center stage during jury selection for the criminal trial.

Twentieth Judicial District Judge Ingrid Bakke, along with prosecution and defense attorneys, continued dwindling down the pool of prospective jurors on Tuesday during voir dire  or the preliminary examining of prospective jurors  prior to the opening statements and presentation of evidence in the murder trial of 25-year-old Ahmad Alissa.

Alissa is charged with 55 counts overall, including 10 counts of first-degree murder, 38 counts of attempted first-degree murder, one count of first-degree assault and six counts of possessing large-capacity magazines during the commission of a felony in connection to the mass shooting that occurred at the King Soopers on Table Mesa Drive in Boulder on March 22, 2021.

While Alissas defense attorneys, led by Kathryn Herold and Samuel Dunn, did not assert that Alissa committed the mass shooting, he pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in November 2023 following a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

That decision of whether Alissa was insane during the shooting, which will fall on prosecutors to disprove during the trial, remained the sole focus of the prosecutors questions to potential jurors Tuesday.

Assistant District Attorney Ken Kupfner, for example, started by asking jurors Tuesday to define the terms crazy, mental illness and insanity separately, potentially pegging what evidence jurors would need to see to decide that Alissa was not insane during the incident. Prosecutors must prove he intended, and planned, to kill the 10 victims in order for jurors to convict on the first-degree murder charges.

Most jurors defined crazy as a term to define something, like a shooting, as incomprehensible. Most defined mental illness as an overall spectrum and insanity as the inability to see right from wrong, due to a mental condition, while committing an act.

The question in this case is not going to be for you to decide whether or not Mr. Alissa has mental illness. Every doctor that you will hear from will tell you he has mental illness, Kupfner said, noting that the question during the trial will be whether or not Alissa was insane and whether he was capable of determining right from wrong.

Kupfner also asked jurors what it would take to prove to them that someone was insane while committing a crime.

To me, it would be relevant what the person did ahead of time before the act, particularly what kind of attempts they took to conceal what was about to happen or whether they did not attempt to conceal what was about to happen. To me, thats an indicator of whether they knew right from wrong, one potential juror said, adding that attempting to hide plans and actions would prove to them a guilty mindset.

You dont just stumble upon a semi-automatic weapon, another said, pointing toward the idea that pinpointing Alissas potential actions before the shooting, and the timeline of them, could prove intent and therefore mental cognition.

The only possible motive revealed so far was by a mental health evaluator who testified during a competency hearing last year. They claimed that Alissa said he bought firearms to carry out a mass shooting and suggested that he wanted police to kill him.

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If prosecutors can prove to the jury that Alissa wasnt mentally insane during the shooting and was aware of his actions, ultimately proving his guilt, he will be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

If, on the other hand, he is found not guilty by reason of insanity, he could be committed to a state-run mental institution  where he would be treated until he was deemed no longer a danger to himself or others.

The question of Alissas mental health pushed the trial back over three years, with Alissa being deemed not competent to stand trial by a judge in December 2021 based on evaluations from doctors at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo.

Alissa was ruled competent to stand trial by Bakke on Oct. 6, 2023, though the defense attempted to order a second evaluation earlier this year. It was denied by Bakke.

The defense argued in a court filing that his relatives said he irrationally believed that the FBI was following him and that he would talk to himself as if he were talking to someone who was not there.

A collection of Alissas relatives are expected to act as witnesses during the trial.

Prosecutors argued that Alissa was never previously treated for mental illness and was working around 60 hours a week leading up to the shooting, something they say would not have been possible for someone severely mentally ill.

Initially, 1,500 Boulder County residents were summoned for potential jury duty, filling out questionnaires last week, according to court records. During this week, 12 official jurors and four alternates will be decided upon by the court and attorneys.

The jury is expected to be seated, and opening statements could begin, by Friday or the beginning of next week.

Victims included: Denny Stong, 20; Neven Stanisic, 23; Rikki Olds, 25; Tralona Bartkowiak, 49; Teri Leiker, 51; Boulder Police Ofc. Eric Talley, 51; Suzanne Fountain, 59; Kevin Mahoney, 61; Lynn Murray, 62; and Jody Waters, 65.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Attorney General Merrick Garland announced charges Tuesday against six senior leaders of Hamas for their role in planning the "terrorist atrocities" in Israel on Oct. 7. The charges were unsealed days after "Hamas murdered an additional six people they had kidnapped and held captive for nearly a year, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli American." File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Days after Israel's military recovered the bodies of six hostages killed in Gaza over the weekend, the U.S. Justice Department announced terrorism charges against the six senior leaders of Hamas for their role in "planning, supporting and perpetrating the terrorist atrocities" in Israel on Oct. 7, and the "brutal murders of more than a thousand innocent civilians, including over 40 American citizens."

The charges against Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, Mohammad Al-Masri, Marwan Issa, Khaled Meshaal and Ali Baraka were unsealed Tuesday. Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran in July. Sinwar, one of the alleged planners of the Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel, took over as Hamas' new political leader.

"The Justice Department has charged Yahya Sinwar and other senior leaders of Hamas for financing, directing and overseeing a decades-long campaign to murder American citizens and endanger the security of the United States," Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Tuesday.

Justice Department Announces Terrorism Charges Against Senior Leaders of Hamas pic.twitter.com/z8gS2lUGvV U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) September 3, 2024

Hamas Political Bureau Head Ismail Haniyeh (C) attends a funeral prayer for the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, in Tehran, in May. On Tuesday, the U.S. Justice Department announced terrorism charges against the six senior leaders of Hamas for their role in "planning, supporting and perpetrating the terrorist atrocities" in Israel on Oct. 7, and the "brutal murders of more than a thousand innocent civilians, including over 40 American citizens." File Photo by Islamic Republic News Agency IRNA/UPI

"As outlined in our complaint, those defendants -- armed with weapons, political support and funding from the government of Iran and support from Hezbollah -- have led Hamas' efforts to destroy the state of Israel and murder civilians in support of that aim," Garland said.

"On Oct. 7, Hamas terrorists -- led by these defendants -- murdered nearly 1,200 people, including over 40 Americans, and kidnapped hundreds of civilians," Garland added. "This weekend, we learned that Hamas murdered an additional six people they had kidnapped and held captive for nearly a year, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli American."

Garland warned these "actions will not be our last."

"We are investigating Hersh's murder, and each and every one of Hamas' brutal murders of Americans, as an act of terrorism. The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas' operations," he said.

According to court documents, Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyya -- or Hamas -- is a terrorist organization founded in 1987 and was designated a foreign terrorist organization by the United States in 1997. Hamas' stated purpose is to "create an Islamic Palestinian state throughout Israel by eliminating the state of Israel through violent holy war, or jihad."

"Hamas is a Foreign Terrorist Organization with a long history of violence, and the group's actions have resulted in increased terrorism threats in the United States and against American interests throughout the world. Countering terrorism remains our number one priority and our work continues," said FBI Director Christopher Wray.

The complaint unsealed Tuesday charges each of the six defendants, some of which are deceased, with conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death; conspiring to provide material support for acts of terrorism resulting in death and conspiring to murder U.S. nationals outside of the United States. All of these charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Additional charges include conspiring to bomb a place of public use resulting in death and conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction resulting in death. Both of these charges carry a maximum penalty of death or life in prison.

The charge of conspiring to finance terrorism and conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act both carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

"Yahya Sinwar and the other senior leaders of Hamas are charged today with orchestrating this terrorist organization's decades-long campaign of mass violence and terror -- including on Oct. 7. On that horrible day, Hamas terrorists viciously massacred nearly 1,200 innocent men, women and children, including over 40 Americans, kidnapped hundreds more, and used sexual violence as a weapon of brutality," said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.

"Since that horrific day, we have worked to investigate and hold accountable those responsible, and we will not rest until all those who kidnapped or murdered Americans are brought to justice," Monaco added. "Our thoughts continue to be with the families of all the victims of this barbaric terrorist attack."
Federal prosecutors charged six senior Hamas officials with terrorism and other crimes in connection with years of attacks on Israel, including the Oct. 7 massacre, according to an indictment unsealed on Tuesday.

The complaint, originally filed in February, names as defendants Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, as well as Ismail Haniyeh, Mohammad Deif, Marwan Issa, Khaled Meshaal, and Ali Baraka.

Each man faces seven criminal charges: conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals; conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death; conspiracy to provide material support for acts of terror resulting in death; conspiracy to bomb a place of public use resulting in death; conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction resulting in death; conspiracy to finance terrorism; and conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a sanctions-evasion charge.

Second All-Out War on Israels Border Now Closer Than Ever

The complaint also directly accuses Iran and the Lebanon-based group Hezbollah of supporting, supplying, and training Hamas members.

It goes on to lay out several decades of alleged terrorist activity on Hamas part, including the Oct. 7 attack, which it called the organizations most violent, large-scale terrorist attack to date.

In the early morning hours of October 7, 2023, Hamas sent more than 2,000 armed fighters into farms and towns in southern Israel, where they carried out the massacres of over a thousand people and the kidnappings of more than 200 others, the complaint states, going on to accuse Hamas fighters of firing more than 5,000 rockets at Israeli settlements and weaponizing sexual violence on the ground.

As of the date of this Complaint, at least 43 American citizens were among those murdered, and at least ten American citizens were taken hostage or remain unaccounted for, it adds.

Palestinians inspect damage after an Israeli attack in Asdaa area, northwest of Khan Yunis, Gaza on September 03, 2024. Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images

In a statement released by the Justice Department, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said, Since that horrific day, we have worked to investigate and hold accountable those responsible, and we will not rest until all those who kidnapped or murdered Americans are brought to justice. Our thoughts continue to be with the families of all the victims of this barbaric terrorist attack.

The complaint was kept under seal until this week in case federal authorities had the opportunity to make any arrests in the case, a Justice Department official told CNN on Tuesday.

Since the charges were filed, three of the defendantsDeif, Issa, and Haniyehhave been killed. Deif and Issa, both top military commanders, were killed in Israeli airstrikes in July and March, respectively, according to Israel.

Haniyeh, a politician who had been involved in ceasefire talks, was assassinated in Tehran in July. Furious Iranian authorities blamed Israel, which has not claimed responsibility for his death.

White House Says Iran Could Attack Israel This Week in Retaliation for Hamas Assassination

Following Haniyehs death and recent developments in the region, it was no longer necessary to keep those charges under seal, the official said.

Sinwar, 61, who was named Hamas political leader after Haniyehs death, is widely believed to have masterminded the Oct. 7 attack. He spent more than two decades in an Israeli prison on a sentence of four life terms before being released in a prisoner swap in 2011. He and Deif were designated international terrorists by the U.S. in 2015.

Sinwars current location is unknown, but it is speculated that he has been underground in Gazas tunnels for roughly the past 10 months, according to the Associated Press.

Meshaal, 68, chaired Hamas Politburo from 2004 to 2017. He now heads Hamas diaspora office and is effectively responsible for Hamas official presence outside of the Gaza Strip, according to the Justice Department. He is based in Qatar.

Senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, center, is surrounded by bodyguards during his visit to the Rafah border crossing in the southern Palestinian territory on June 27, 2009. Said Khatib/AFP via Getty Images

Baraka, 57, is Hamas head of national relations abroad and from 2011 to 2019 he was the groups representative in Lebanon, where he is based, the department said.

The unsealing of the charges comes just days after six of the hostages kidnapped on Oct. 7 were found dead in Gaza, triggering mass protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government. A one-day general strike was held across the country on Monday.

One of the hostages was a 23-year-old Israeli-American named Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who along with two of the other hostages was scheduled to be released as part of the terms of a potential ceasefire deal.

We are investigating Hershs murder, and each and every one of Hamas brutal murders of Americans, as an act of terrorism, Attorney General Merrick Garland said. The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas operations. These actions will not be our last.

Defiant Netanyahu: No One Will Preach to Me on Gaza Hostages

Netanyahu, who has vowed the wholesale annihilation of Hamas, has been accused of stonewalling the talks. President Joe Biden told reporters on Monday that the prime minister was not doing enough.

More than 60 living hostages and 35 believed to be dead are still being held in Gaza.

In the months since Oct. 7, Israel has killed more than 40,800 Palestinians and displaced nearly the entirety of Gazas 2.3 million residents.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Monique DeSpain, a white woman with medium-length brown hair, poses with her arm on a fence in front of an out-of-focus background of a house and trees.

Air Force veteran Monique DeSpain, a Republican, will challenge U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Oregon, in the 4th Congressional District. (Campaign photo)

U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle is out with a new ad attacking Republican opponent Monique DeSpain on abortion as Democrats in close congressional races continue hammering the GOP on reproductive rights.

Hoyles ad, which began airing on Eugene-area TV stations Wednesday, is the latest in a series of salvos over abortion access. It features a clip from a November 2023 television interview with DeSpain in which she said she was very pleased with the U.S. Supreme Courts 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization that overturned the federal right to abortion.

Abortion access is secure in Oregon, which is tied with Vermont as the state that does the most to protect reproductive rights, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit that tracks abortion rights. But abortion remains a key congressional campaign issue, as Democrats in Oregon and elsewhere raise alarms about the prospect of a national abortion ban.

We need leaders who will protect our freedoms, not strip them away, Hoyle said. I will always fight to keep health care decisions between a patient and their medical provider.

DeSpain called Hoyles ad a lie in a statement Wednesday.

My record on this issue is clear and concise  Oregons laws guarantee important health decisions are made between a woman and her doctor, not the government. I pledge to protect Oregons laws in Congress, she said. I oppose a federal ban on abortion, and as a mom, I fully support federal protection for both IVF treatments and contraception. Unlike Val Hoyle, I wont be a puppet for party leaders.

DeSpain has said repeatedly in interviews that she believes abortion laws should be left up to individual states, and that she doesnt support any attempts to regulate abortion at the federal level  whether a national ban or a return to abortion rights nationwide. The House Republican Study Committee, which represents 80% of House Republicans, endorsed a national abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest with a budget proposal this spring. U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, who represents a large swath of eastern Oregon, is part of that group; the states other Republican member of Congress, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, is not.

Like Chavez-DeRemer, DeSpain has said she intends to be an independent voice in Congress while running to represent a closely divided district that favors Democrats. But Hoyle campaign manager Sage Lawrence said those words conflict with DeSpains record and statements.

Monique DeSpain is telling voters she would be an independent voice in Congress, despite the fact that she worked as a paid lobbyist in a coalition that fought to take away reproductive rights in Oregon and has admitted that the reason she is running for Congress is to serve as reinforcements for extreme politicians like Mike Johnson, Lawrence said, referring to the U.S. House speaker. Voters deserve to know where she stands on this critical issue.

DeSpain has worked as a lobbyist for Common Sense for Oregon, a nonprofit organization founded by state Rep. Kevin Mannix, R-Salem. Its part of the Oregon Liberty Alliance, a coalition of conservative groups that formed in 2014 in opposition to the states leading Republican gathering, the Dorchester Conference, moving toward accepting same-sex marriage and abortion rights.

Oregonians support abortion access at a higher rate than the national average, statewide surveys have found. In 2022, shortly after the Dobbs decision, the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center found that 72% of respondents said abortion should be legal in most or all cases.

That polling data makes abortion access a focus for Democratic candidates: state Rep. Janelle Bynum, a Clackamas County Democrat challenging Chavez-DeRemer, also released an ad this week featuring a Portland nurse criticizing Chavez-DeRemer for voting with anti-abortion Republicans in Congress.

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Masked militants from the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, a military wing of Hamas, march with their weapons along the main road of Nusseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021. The United States Justice Department leveled charges against six senior Hamas leaders for their central roles in planning, supporting, and perpetrating the terrorist atrocities that Hamas committed in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, the DOJ announced Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. | Adel Hana

The United States Justice Department leveled charges against six senior Hamas leaders for their central roles in planning, supporting, and perpetrating the terrorist atrocities that Hamas committed in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, the DOJ announced Tuesday.

The Associated Press called the charges the first effort by American law enforcement to formally call out the masterminds of the Oct. 7 attack.

The charges  which include terrorism, murder conspiracy and sanctions-evasion  were filed in February but were sealed until Tuesday.

Which Hamas leaders have been charged?

The unsealed complaint names Yahya Sinwar the leader of Hamas, as a defendant, alongside five others.

Below are the six Hamas leaders who were charged, according to The New York Times:

Yahya Sinwar, Hamas political chief, who is believed to be in hiding in Gaza.

Ismail Haniyeh, former Hamas political leader, who was assassinated in Iran.

Muhammad Deif, commander of Hamas military wing, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike.

Marwan Issa, deputy commander Hamas military wing, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike.

Ali Barakeh, a senior Hamas official based in Beirut.

Khaled Meshal, a top official of Hamas.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a video posted to social media that the charges are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas operations. These actions will not be our last.

Justice Department Announces Terrorism Charges Against Senior Leaders of Hamas pic.twitter.com/z8gS2lUGvV  U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) September 3, 2024

The unsealing of the charges comes after the bodies of six hostages, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were recovered by Israels military Saturday.

National security spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday that the U.S. is continuing to work toward a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.

The killing over the weekend just underscores the sense of urgency that we have to have in order to get it to closure, Kirby said during a teleconference.

Israel continues raids on West Bank refugee camps

Since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed in the ensuing war, including Hamas combatants.

Wednesday marked the eighth day of Israels military operations in the occupied West Bank, which Israeli officials say is a move to target militants in the Jenin, Tulkarem and the Al-Faraa refugee camps.

According to The Associated Press, Israels military is carrying out the deadliest operation in the occupied West Bank since the war in Gaza began.
Jeffry Umana Munoz, a Cal State L.A. graduate student, is at the precipice of a life-changing moment: the potential ability to get a campus job at one of California's public higher education systems, even though he was brought to the country illegally from El Salvador at age 2 and has no legal work permit.

But the passage last week of Assembly Bill 2586, which would allow the state's higher education systems to hire him and nearly 55,000 other undocumented college students in similar straits, has raised concerns at the University of California, California State University and California Community Colleges. In letters sent to state officials, UC and CSU have expressed fear that the bill could cause them to run afoul of a federal law that bars employers from hiring undocumented people  putting at risk their students, their employees who would hire them and billions of dollars in federal funding.

"While we understand the motivations of AB 2586, the uncertainty and risk cannot be understated or ignored," Eric Bakke, CSU director of state relations, wrote in a June letter to the bill's author, Assemblyman David Alvarez (D-San Diego).

Gov. Gavin Newsom has until Sept. 30 to decide whether to sign or veto the bill; his office declined to comment. Hundreds of supporters are planning to rally at the state Capitol on Thursday to press him to support the bill, as California is home to 1 in 5 of the nation's undocumented college students.

The ramifications are considerable, taking in humanitarian needs, legal risks and explosive politics. Amid a tight presidential contest between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump, immigration is a major issue and some fear that a California law clearing the way for UC, CSU and community colleges to hire undocumented students would be political "red meat" to Republicans. Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, introduced a bill in March cutting off federal funding to universities that hire undocumented people  and he specifically called out UC for scrutiny.

Left-wing college administrators want to transform their campuses into sanctuary cities, Vance said in announcing the bill with Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), which is pending in a Senate committee. Their latest scheme at the University of California is the most lawless yet: ignore federal law and hire illegal immigrants. Our legislation would put this madness to an end. We cannot let American tax dollars fund illegal wages.

Turbulent politics

Those politics have given some UC regents pause.

"Do we really want to rattle the hornet's nest?" if Trump wins, asked Regent Jose Hernandez. Although he wants UC to find a way to hire the undocumented students, he said, "you have to look at the political landscape."

Undocumented students were given a lifeline under the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program  better known as DACA  which granted work permits and protection from deportation to certain youth who were brought to the United States as children. But Munoz could not obtain that status because then-President Trump rescinded the program as he was about to apply. He filed an application in January 2021 under the Biden administration, but a court order has frozen all petitions.

Students such as Munoz who do not have DACA protections now outnumber those who do. Among an estimated 86,800 undocumented students in California, only 37% are recipients of DACA or are eligible for it. Each year, 14,000 more undocumented students graduate from California high schools, according to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal.

Even at a time of hardening public attitudes toward illegal immigration, these students who came here unwittingly through no fault of their own draw widespread sympathy and support. A July 2024 Gallup poll showed the majority of Americans wanted immigration reduced, the highest share in two decades. But 81% favored allowing those brought to the U.S. illegally as children the chance to become U.S. citizens if they meet certain requirements  including 64% of Republicans polled.

The bill  which passed the Assembly, 63 to 7, and the Senate, 31 to 8  would prohibit UC, CSU and California community colleges from disqualifying any student for campus job opportunities due to their failure to provide proof of federal work authorization. The bill exempts situations where federal law explicitly requires such proof or work permits are a condition of a federal grant. A grant to work on a military project, for instance, might require U.S. citizenship while a job at a campus labor center might not.

The three systems have not taken a formal position on the bill. In the California Community Colleges system, at least four districts are supportive  Citrus, Long Beach, Los Angeles and Southwestern. UC and CSU have expressed concerns even as they back the bill's goal to provide jobs for undocumented students.

"Unfortunately, AB 2586 does not protect our undocumented students or employees from prosecution, nor does it protect the University from the risks of potentially losing billions in federal dollars," UC Legislative Director Mario Guerrero wrote in a July letter to Sen. Anna Caballero (D-Salinas), who heads the Senate Appropriations Committee.

UC receives more than $12 billion in annual federal funding for research, student financial aid and healthcare. The system is the largest recipient of federally sponsored research  $3.8 billion last year  among U.S. higher education institutions.

Novel legal theory

The legislation is built on a novel legal theory that asserts the federal ban on hiring undocumented people does not apply to states because they are not specifically mentioned as employers subject to sanctions in the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act. Before that law, the legal analysis notes, the U.S. Supreme Court established that Congress must use "unmistakably clear" language if it wants to regulate state governments.

Scholars at the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at the UCLA School of Law developed the theory and 29 immigration and constitutional scholars  including Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law  have signed on as backers.

Others have pushed back on the argument. An analysis by the Center for Immigration Studies, a conservative think tank, asserted that federal lawmakers did not feel the need to "state the obvious" in the legislation  that states were included in the law's overriding purpose to reduce illegal immigration by removing the job magnet for it.

Read more: UC pushed to break legal ground by hiring immigrant students without work permits

At UC, the issue of hiring undocumented students has provoked sharp and emotional divisions for nearly two years. University officials point to their "long history" supporting them, buttressing state grants and private scholarships with such resources as university legal aid and fellowships that offer hands-on learning with grants of up to $7,200.

But the UC Board of Regents in January shelved action on the issue after concluding, following months of consultation with numerous law firms and legal experts inside and outside UC, that there were too many legal risks to hiring the students. UC legal concerns are rooted in precedents by the U.S. Supreme Court and others that established federal supremacy over conflicting state laws in immigration matters. Regents plan to take up the issue again next January.

We have concluded that the proposed legal pathway is not viable at this time, and in fact carries significant risk for the institution and for those we serve, UC President Michael V. Drake said then. I know that many in our community will be disappointed that we are unable to take immediate action. ... I would like nothing more than to do so, right here, right now, because it is the right thing to do.

Regent John A. Perez, in a fiery dissent, said he had never been more disappointed as a board member and called on his colleagues to lead with courage. Students in the audience, some with mouths taped shut to symbolize their hunger strike over the issue, reacted with fury, calling out, Cowards! and other epithets after the 10-to-6 vote, with one abstention.

Ahilan Arulanantham, co-director of the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at UCLA, said those cautious about the politics were "misreading" the situation. Even if Republicans sweep the White House and Congress and pass the Vance bill, he said, Democrats would still have the power of the filibuster to block it.

He also said fears about legal risks to undocumented students and university employees who hire them were misplaced. He said federal law doesn't impose criminal sanctions on undocumented people for working; only those who hire them in some cases. And he and his legal researchers have found no cases in which people were prosecuted for following a state law based on a "good faith" interpretation of federal statutes. They believe that the proposed state law would essentially shield universities and that no punitive actions  such as cutting off funding or prosecuting employees  would be taken by federal officials unless the law was struck down and the institutions flouted the ruling.

Arulanantham and others said colleges and universities would adhere to whatever ruling comes down and believe the legal theory should be tested.

Alvarez said UC would not be forced to comply with the law because the system has constitutional autonomy from the state. But he said he expects compliance so all of the state's public higher education systems are on the same page.

"I would definitely be disappointed if an institution that receives public funding decides not to implement this and follow the expectations we have," he said.

If the bill becomes law, one possible response would be for UC, CSU and community colleges to ask a federal judge to weigh in on its validity before implementing it. Arulanantham said he believes such action would be unnecessary  state laws are assumed to be valid, he said. And, asking for a federal judgment would further delay the chance for thousands of undocumented students to get campus jobs that can help pay for their education and keep them on track to career success.

Munoz agrees. Despite his failure to secure DACA protections, he studied hard and got into highly selective UCLA, graduating in the spring with double majors in labor studies and Chicana/o and Central American studies. He is pursuing a master's degree at Cal State L.A. and dreams of returning to UCLA for a PhD. But due to his inability to work legally, Munoz has lived precariously, surviving on donated grocery cards, loans, visits to campus food pantries, grants and scholarships and the kindness of others, raising $3,000 on GoFundMe to cover a shortfall for housing and tuition.

He rejects UC and CSU concerns about protecting their students as "infuriating" and "paternalistic."

"Even if it increases risk, I still need to eat," he said.

Osmar Enriquez, a student at Santa Rosa Junior College, said he aspires to transfer to UCLA, UC Berkeley or Stanford but needs to work to earn money for those college dreams. He has received a $1,000 fellowship for undocumented students but it requires 150 hours of community work  amounting to $6.60 an hour.

Ana Lara, a UCLA graduate student who was brought to the United States at age 6 from El Salvador, is aiming for a career in informatics and library science. Being able to work legally in campus jobs will be a game changer for her  and, she hopes, her community.

"I'll be able to give back to the community, produce more knowledge and become a tutor," she said. But without the law, "there really is no hope."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
TAMPA  One day in 2015, Omali Yeshitela sent an email to fellow leaders in the African Peoples Socialist Party about a Russian organization that had hosted him at a conference in Moscow.

He wrote that the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia was most likely using forces inside the United States to sow discord.

It is clear that it is an instrument of the Russian government, Yeshitela wrote. That does not disturb us.

A prosecutor quoted the email Tuesday as the trial of Yeshitela and three others connected to the St. Petersburg-based Uhuru Movement opened in a Tampa courtroom.

The four are on trial for charges that they were involved in a conspiracy to act as unregistered agents of the Russian government, part of that countrys effort to meddle in U.S. politics and foster social divisions.

They failed to be transparent, as federal law requires them to be, prosecutor Menno Goedman told the jury.

He asserted that the defendants were not being prosecuted for their political beliefs. But that is exactly what the defense says the case is all about.

This is a case of censorship, said defense lawyer Ade Griffin, who represents Yeshitela. The evidence will show that this case is a direct attempt by the United States of America to censor the views of the (African Peoples Socialist Party).

The trial began a little more than two years after FBI agents executed a stunning predawn search at the groups St. Petersburg headquarters, known as the Uhuru House.

The Uhuru Movement, long a social and political presence in St. Petersburg, operates as the activist arm of the African Peoples Socialist Party. Yeshitela, 82, has led the group since the 1970s, advocating for freedom and reparations for African people worldwide.

Jesse Nevel, 34, and Penny Hess, 78, who lead branches of the groups white allies, are also charged in the case, along with Augustus C. Romain Jr., 38, who left the Uhurus in 2018 and started his own Atlanta-based group called the Black Hammer.

Goedman, of the Department of Justices counterintelligence section, walked the jury through what he described as a seven-year scheme of Russian meddling in U.S. politics that ensnared the Uhurus.

It began, he said, in May 2015, when a Russian man named Aleksandr Ionov invited Yeshitela on an all-expenses paid trip to Russia to communicate on future cooperation.

Ionov, 34, leads the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia, which is funded by the Russian government. He offered to pay the Uhurus in return for a series of actions and events, the prosecutor said. It was later that year that Yeshitela attended a Dialogue of Nations conference hosted by Ionovs organization.

Goedman quoted Yeshitela in an email saying he assumed the meeting was being convened by forces of the Kremlin. He said their discussion centered on the shared interests of their respective groups, and that Ionovs organization meant to sow division in the U.S.

Goedman listed several examples of things Ionov directed the Uhurus to do. They included preparing a petition to the United Nations accusing the U.S. of committing genocide against African Americans. He directed them to publish pro-Russian articles in their community newspaper, the Burning Spear, including one in support of Russias Olympic team after a doping scandal.

In 2017, Ionov gave the Uhurus $12,000 for a multi-city protest tour focused on the genocide of African Americans, the prosecutor said. He also meddled in local elections, including Nevels 2017 run for St. Petersburg mayor.

Romain also communicated with Ionov after starting the Black Hammer. The Russian paid for Romains group to visit California for a protest at Facebooks headquarters, the prosecutor said. Ionov even helped design some of the signs they carried.

Video of another protest at the Georgia state Capitol showed Romains group waving Russian flags.

Im not ashamed to say that the Black Hammer Party has relationships with the Kremlin, Goedman quoted Romain saying in the video.

All the while, Ionov reported regularly to intelligence officers in Russias Federal Security Service, known as the FSB. He communicated directly with two FSB officers, Aleksey Sukhodolov and Yegor Popov, about his work with the Uhurus and efforts to interfere in American elections. The three Russians are not in U.S. custody.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Ionov wrote in an email to the officers that we fked up the information war. Thereafter, he enlisted the Uhurus to speak out in Russias favor. One member later wrote publicly that the African Peoples Socialist Party stands with (Vladimir) Putin.

The Uhurus dont deny that theyve spoken favorably of Russia. But they reject the notion of being controlled by any foreign entity.

Theyve been consistent since the 1970s in their calls for reparations and freedom from colonialism, the defense argued.

Omali Yeshitela has dedicated his life to the liberation of all Black people, Griffin, his attorney, told the jury. He has not and never will work at the direction of anyone other than himself.

Chicago attorney Leonard Goodman, who represents Hess, told the jury the government would highlight language where the Russians sound a little bossy. But he urged them to look at the full context.

The governments position is somewhat puzzling, Goodman said. Even though this group has been saying the same thing for 50 years, after 2015 theyre saying it for Russia.

Their real crime, Goodman argued, was holding positive views of Russia at a time when the U.S. government was telling people to hate and fear the nation.

Nevels attorney, Mutaquee Akbar, noted that the word Uhuru means freedom in Swahili. The freedom to speak on issues that might not be popular, he said, is at the heart of the case.

Freedom, he said. Thats what this case is about.

Attorneys for the government and defense spent much of Tuesday sorting through a panel of 80 prospective jurors. The panelists came from as far south as North Port and as far north as Spring Hill. They were told they would need to be able to devote three weeks to hear the case.

A panel of 12 jurors with six alternates was selected by midafternoon.

The trial drew more than 60 spectators. It took place in the largest courtroom in the Sam Gibbons U.S. District Courthouse. Every bench in the gallery was packed.

The trial resumed Wednesday.
UK Ambassador opens Crimean Room, soon to be adorned with MAGURA V5 from Ukrainian intelligence officers

UK Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris has opened a new room dedicated to Crimea and the Crimean people at his official residence in Kyiv. The room will be adorned with a symbolic model of a MAGURA V5 maritime attack drone, a gift from Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU).

Source: UK Embassy and the DIU press service, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The embassy said the room demonstrates the UKs historical ties with the peninsula, in particular during the Crimean War, and emphasises the United Kingdom's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity.

The UK Embassy has specially commissioned Crimean Tatar artefacts  metal, ceramics and fabrics by renowned artisans  to showcase the rich and ancient culture of the Crimean Tatars on the peninsula.

The room will also be graced with a symbolic model of a MAGURA V5 maritime attack drone presented by Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. This particular type of drone has destroyed the largest number of Russian ships in the Black Sea since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

A model of a MAGURA V5 maritime attack drone

Photo: DIU on Telegram

The room also contains authentic medals from the Crimean War, lent to the UK Embassy by the Light Dragoons Regimental Museum.

The French and Italian embassies in Kyiv have also presented Harris with engravings depicting Sardinian and French troops who fought alongside the British in the Crimean War.

"The new Crimean Room at the UK Ambassador's residence in Kyiv emphasises the United Kingdom's firm support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and its unequivocal position that Crimea is Ukraine," Harris concluded.

The MAGURA V5 is a versatile Ukrainian surface unmanned vehicle capable of performing a wide range of tasks, including surveillance, reconnaissance, patrolling, search and rescue, mine countermeasures, maritime security, and combat missions.

Background:

On the night of 8-9 August, Ukrainian reconnaissance men used a MAGURA V5 surface attack drone to destroy a Russian Tunets (Tuna) speedboat near Chornomorske in temporarily occupied Crimea.

In July, the Polish Sejm (the lower chamber of the Polish parliament) adopted a resolution to commemorate the victims of the 1944 genocide of Crimean Tatars when they were deported from Crimea by the Soviet authorities.

In 2022, Canada's House of Commons unanimously recognised the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars as an act of genocide. The deportation of Crimean Tatars had previously been recognised as a genocide in Ukraine, Latvia and Lithuania.

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Branding for Air India is seen on Airbus A350-900 at Farnborough International Airshow, in Farnborough

MOSCOW (Reuters) - An Air India Boeing 787-800 passenger plane en route from India to Britain made a precautionary landing in Moscow on Wednesday due to "technical problems", Sheremetyevo Airport said.

The plane, en route from New Delhi to Birmingham, landed safely without any injuries to all 258 passengers and 17 crew members.

The scheduled departure time of the flight was set for 2135 Moscow time (1835 GMT).

In July, an Air India plane operating from Delhi to San Francisco made a precautionary landing in the Russian region of Siberia after the cockpit crew detected a potential issue in the cargo hold area.

(Reporting by Maxim Rodionov; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is also leaving his post as part of a major government reshuffle after two and a half years of war.

The 43-year-old career diplomat took over the Foreign Ministry in 2020, before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

Parliamentary Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk on Wednesday posted a photograph on his Facebook page of Kuleba's handwritten request to step down from the government.

The speaker said that the request would be discussed at a future parliamentary session.

Kuleba's application is one of numerous resignations since Tuesday that were also published on Stefanchuk's Facebook page.

Olexander Kamyshin, who is responsible for the defence industry, Justice Minister Denys Maliuska and Environment Minister Ruslan Strilets also announced their resignations.

Vitaly Koval, the head of the State Property Fund responsible for privatization, also wants to leave office.

The resignations of the deputy heads of government Olha Stefanishyna and Iryna Vereshchuk also emerged late on Tuesday. Vereshchuk is responsible for refugee issues, while Stefanishyna is responsible for Ukraine's European integration.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a reshuffle of the government in July. The aim, he said, is to make the government more effective as the war against Russia continues.

Five ministries are already being run by acting ministers.

A list of new appointees is expected to be announced at a meeting of Zelensky's party on Wednesday.

Current Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has been in office since March 2020.
Each year thousands of children in the United States are preyed upon, exploited, held captive, forced into labor and sold into sex and human trafficking markets. And with some half a million unaccompanied minor immigrants crossing the southern border and being released to adult sponsors under what critics call a fairly lax system, more are ending up in the same situation.

Theres a serious problem, said Tara Lee Rodas, who recently became a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services whistleblower, when she reported that children were being handed over to gang members and people with criminal convictions.

I dont believe people know theres a problem, and the reason I can say that with confidence is that I had no idea what was going on. But kids were telling me how they were lured and didnt know who they were going to, she said.

To help people learn more about the problem and ways to prevent trafficking, including of their own children, a slate of big-name speakers that include Rodas and Ret. Army Lt. General Michael T. Flynn are coming to Colorado Springs this month as part of a nationwide tour by Florida-based Americas Future.

The two-day educational summit will be held Sept. 20-21 at the Church at Briargate, 9550 Otero Ave. Anyone interested can register to attend at www.americasfuture.net/get-in-the-fight-colorado-summit. The cost is $40 for both days.

A summit panel will be held from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 20, with an overview of local laws, best practices and other information from experts.

A full day of training on Sept. 21 begins at 9 a.m. and runs through 4 p.m. The moderator is investigative journalist Lara Logan.

Flynn, who was National Security Advisor under the Trump administration, will speak as chairman of the board of Americas Future, a 78-year-old nonprofit that preserves individual rights, promotes American values and traditions and protects the nations Constitutional Republic.

Colorado is the sixth state for the organization's Get in the Fight campaign that began in December of 2022. Each presentation is tailored to the individual states issues, said Mary Flynn ONeill, executive director of Americas Future and Flynns sister.

Colorado earned a "C" grade on the 2023 Report Card of Child and Youth Sex Trafficking by Shared Hope International, failing with an "F" in "continuum of care" and received "Ds" in the categories of identification of and response to victims, and prevention and training.

People will take away a lot of training, tools and knowledge that will help them combat any type of child exploitation and trafficking thats in their area, she said. Well help them understand what it is and give them information about whats going on in their communities, warning signs and how they can respond.

If Rodas, the whistleblower who will speak at the summit, hadnt seen some unaccompanied immigrant children being placed into the hands of sponsors who have a criminal history and gang affiliation, she told members of Congress about two months ago that she wouldnt have believed the federal government was using taxpayer dollars in such a way.

Its shocking and shameful, she said during her July 9 testimony during a U.S. Senate hearing titled, The Exploitation Crisis: How the U.S. Government is Failing to Protect Migrant Children from Trafficking and Abuse.

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What keeps me up at night is wondering about the safety and well-being of children, she said.

As examples, Rodas spoke of a 16-year-old Guatemalan girl who went home with a North Carolina man who claimed to be her older brother. But on his social media he was photographed touching her inappropriately; he later was traced to online child pornography. Rodas also mentioned a 13-year-old girl from El Salvador who had been released to an adult sponsor in Ohio with confirmed MS-13 gang affiliation, which she called unthinkable.

A sophisticated network begins with children being recruited in their home country and smuggled to the U.S. border, where the federal government delivers them to a sponsor, some of whom are criminals and traffickers, she said.

The Department of Homeland Security was flagged two weeks ago for not knowing the location of 291,000 unaccompanied minors who were handed over to adult sponsors after illegally entering the U.S.

Rodas, who remains working as a federal employee for the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency in Washington, D.C., said she does not speak on behalf of any government agency or the federal government itself but talks about child trafficking from a personal level.

She was on loan as a federal employee to the Department of Health and Human Services, as a volunteer responding to the Biden-Harris administrations call in early 2021 for assistance with the border crisis when she said she uncovered some disturbing aspects. She served as deputy to the director of the federal case management team at the Pomona Fairplex Emergency Intake site, where 8,300 children were funneled through.

I thought this was going to be the humanitarian mission of my life, she said in a phone interview Tuesday. I thought I would be able to do something really incredible for children. I had no idea they were trafficking kids until I reported that MS-13 (an international criminal gang that originated in Los Angeles) were getting the kids.

At the time I learned about this came the overwhelming horror: can any of these kids be saved? I thought it was hopeless. But there are organizations saving kids, and the average person with a little information could save a child.

Parents, teachers, business owners, neighbors and others who attend the local summit will learn indicators such as if a child shows up with expensive gifts, like new shoes or clothes, or if they are on their cell phone more than usual, Rodas said.

Yes, theres a problem, but there are solutions, she said. We need people to get involved. Protecting children is a bipartisan issue.

Americas Future also operates a legal resource center and advocates for policy changes.

The organization is backing Congressional reversal of Department of Health and Human Services rules that allow for optional vetting of sponsors, not considering a sponsors criminal record including illegal drug use and history of child abuse or neglect, not sharing a sponsors immigration status with law enforcement, weak standards for post-release home studies to determine a childs status or safety once in the custody of a sponsor and restrictions on whistleblowers to disclose suspected wrongdoing.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is leaving his post as part of a major government reshuffle after two and a half years of war.

The 43-year-old career diplomat took over the Foreign Ministry in 2020, before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

Parliamentary Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk on Wednesday posted a photograph on his Facebook page of Kuleba's handwritten request to step down from the government.

The speaker said that the request would be discussed at a future parliamentary session.

Kuleba's application is one of numerous resignations since Tuesday that were also published on Stefanchuk's Facebook page.

Olexander Kamyshin, who is responsible for the defence industry, Justice Minister Denys Maliuska and Environment Minister Ruslan Strilets also announced their resignations.

Vitaly Koval, the head of the State Property Fund responsible for privatization, also wants to leave office.

The resignations of the deputy heads of government Olha Stefanishyna and Iryna Vereshchuk also emerged late on Tuesday. Vereshchuk is responsible for refugee issues, while Stefanishyna is responsible for Ukraine's European integration.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a reshuffle of the government in July. The aim, he said, is to make the government more effective as the war against Russia continues.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed regret at the resignation of her Ukrainian counterpart in a post on X.

"Long conversations on night trains, at the G7, on the frontlines, in Brussels, in front of a bombed-out power plant. There are few people I've worked as closely with as you," Baerbock wrote in English on Wednesday.

"You put the people of your country before yourself. All the best from the bottom of my heart. We shall meet again when peace and freedom finally has returned to all of Ukraine," she said.

Five ministries are already being run by acting ministers. A list of new appointees is expected to be announced at a meeting of Zelensky's party on Wednesday.

Current Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has been in office since March 2020.
The Ukrainian advance into Russias Kursk region has so far failed to achieve one of its main objectives: diverting Russian troops from the front lines of eastern Ukraine in a bid to reshape the battlefield.

Ukraines surprise August incursion has achieved other goals, including dealing a blow to Russias image of strength, destroying military assets and taking territory and prisoners for negotiating leverage.

But the failure of the more crucial goal to divert troops has opened the door to criticism of Kyivs military gamble, especially as Russia makes advances along the wars 600-mile eastern front line.

Russian forces have continued pounding away in Ukraine, taking vast swaths of territory in the past month and closing in on the key rail junction town of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who just weeks ago was expressing frustration with the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk, touted his militarys progress while visiting a school.

The enemy did not achieve the main task that they set themselves: to stop our offensive in the Donbas, he said. We have not had such a pace of offensive in the Donbas for a long time.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has argued the Kursk offensive is a key part of Kyivs strategy and would be included in a proposal for winning the war that he plans to present to the United States this month.

Zelensky said in a Sunday video address that repeated Russian strikes on cities across Ukraine has proved the correctness of our tactics, particularly in Kursk.

We must push the war back to where it came from, into Russia, he said. And not just in the border areas. The terrorist state must feel what war truly is.

But some Ukrainian civilians and soldiers have publicly questioned the Kursk offensive at a time when Russias army is using its mass to press forward across the front lines, and particularly in Donetsk. Moscow is aiming to take the rest of the region, along with the neighboring Luhansk province, to cement control in the Donbas, Ukraines industrial heartland.

Mariana Bezuhla, a Ukrainian member of Parliament, said Ukrainian commanders have placed zombie squads and inexperienced troops to defend Pokrovsk.

Now we have further consequences, she wrote last week on Facebook. Human lives and territories.

Capturing Pokrovsk would help Russian forces by severing a crucial supply line that Ukraine uses to defend its troops on the front line. It would also help them advance further into Donetsk and threaten Ukrainian positions in southeastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials have ordered mass evacuations in recent days from Pokrovsk, which had a prewar population of some 60,000, with Russian forces just a few miles from the town.

George Beebe, director of grand strategy at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said the Kursk operation was still in its early stages but looks like its heading toward a failure.

The Russians have not diverted significant numbers of forces from the front lines in Ukraine. If anything, theyve stepped on the accelerator pedal, he said. There seems to be a great deal of skepticism about what this incursion is going to accomplish, and I think growing concerns that it was a blunder.

Russia appears to have accepted the reality of Ukrainian troops in Kursk for now. The Institute for the Study of War assessed this week that Putin is attempting to preserve the Russian drive on Pokrovsk at the expense of delaying the clearing of Kursk.

Beebe said Russia has also turned the Kursk operation into an opportunity to take out Ukrainian troops and armor, which have suffered high casualties in the Russian region.

The Ukrainians simply lose more men, lose more armor, lose more weaponry, use up ammunition, he said. And from the Russian point of view, thats all good. So I dont think theyre in any hurry to end this incursion.

Ukraine has seized some 500 square miles of land in Kursk, captured hundreds of Russian soldiers and taken 100 settlements, including the key town of Sudzha.

Zelensky also told NBC News this week that Russia has diverted 60,000 troops from Ukraine but did not specify where they were pulled from.

But Ukraines gains in Kursk are minimal compared to the nearly 20 percent of Ukrainian territory that Russia occupies.

Stephen Walt, professor of international affairs at Harvards Kennedy School, said Ukraines territory grabs in Kursk amount to 0.0064 percent of Russias total land area and 0.138 percent of its population.

The operation is a tactical success but not a major strategic achievement, he said in an email. It has bolstered Ukrainian morale and exposed some continued Russian weaknesses, but there are clear limits to how far they can advance.

Walt said the war will be determined primarily by what happens on the ground in Ukraine, not by the Kursk incursion.

Indeed, this short-term Ukrainian success may eventually be seen as a strategic blunder, if it weakened Ukraines defenses in the east and allowed Russia to make more rapid gains there, he added. Russia can afford to let Ukraine occupy a tiny slice of its territory, knowing that it will be able to restore full control later.

Michael OHanlon, a senior fellow and director of research in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution, said Ukraine is looking to use Kursk territory for negotiations after recognizing theyre not going to get back most of their land through a counteroffensive.

But theres no way Putins going to do a 1,000-to-1 trade, he said, noting the discrepancies between Russian-held land in Ukraine and the Kursk territory held by Kyiv.

OHanlon added theres definitely been a cost to the Kursk operation by reshuffling troops into Kursk at a time when Ukrainian units are outgunned and outmanned at home.

Theres no doubt theres a downside, he said. They really should have tried to add, in some ways, new forces to strengthen their defenses, not to go on the offense.

But Elina Beketova, a democracy fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, said the Kursk incursion has its benefits, including protecting the northeastern Ukrainian regions of Sumy and Kharkiv from Russian attacks, and that it could also hurt Moscow in the long run.

As time goes on, the Kremlin will increasingly be forced to withdraw resources from Ukraine and redirect them to the Kursk direction, she said. And it shows that Ukraine can take this initiative  that Ukraine, that Ukrainians, can take it and show the whole world, like, look, Ukrainian troops are on the territory of Russia.

Russian troops have made huge progress in Ukraine since the Kursk operation began, taking 184 square miles of territory in August, the largest gain since October 2022, according to data from the Institute for the Study of War analyzed by Agence France-Presse.

Besides Pokrovsk, the towns of Toretsk and Chasiv Yar, also in the Donetsk, are under the sight of Russian advances. Both could prove instrumental for the Kremlins objective of taking the twin cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk and then the rest of the eastern region.

The pace of Russias advance is exposing the weakness in Ukraines front line positions, which have for months struggled to halt Russian troops, mostly because of a lack of manpower. Ukraine has lowered the draft age but has yet to see its ranks significantly replenished.

Zelensky has said Ukraine does not seek to occupy Russia forever but that he will hold on to the Russian territory indefinitely. But doing so will continue to expose Ukrainian troops on the front lines of eastern Ukraine.

Michael Butler, associate professor of international relations at Clark University, said there is increasing concern inside of Ukraine at a time when it is not only struggling on the battlefield, but also when future support from Western allies is uncertain, with the U.S. election just around the corner.

Russia redoubling their efforts in Donetsk and pushing forward, the maybe suboptimal outcomes from the Kursk offensive, the changing political landscape  and concerns in Ukraine about the kind of support they can expect going forward are pointing to a critical moment, he said.

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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris signed a bilateral cooperation agreement during the latter's visit to Kyiv on Sept. 4.

As of today, Kyiv has signed 26 bilateral agreements with foreign partners based on the declaration made by the G7 during a summit in Vilnius in July 2023.

The Agreement on Support for Ukraine and Cooperation between the two countries outlines Dublin's humanitarian aid, support for Ukraine's recovery, EU integration efforts, and holding Russia accountable for war damages, among other items.

As part of the 10-year agreement, Ireland has pledged an additional 128 million euros ($140 million) in non-lethal military support and at least 40 million euros ($44 million) in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine this year.

Ireland said it would supply mine clearance systems and explosive ordnance disposal equipment, support the training of Ukrainian soldiers through an EU mission, and explore other pathways for aid within the Ramstein group, such as the IT coalition.

"I want to express my special gratitude to Ireland for the joint efforts in demining our land  this is truly saving countless lives," Zelensky wrote on X after the agreement was signed.

Harris arrived in Kyiv earlier on Sept. 4, visiting settlements in Kyiv Oblast damaged by Russian forces in 2022, namely Hostomel.

During the visit, Ireland announced a new package of support worth 36 million euros ($40 million) for "Ukraine and its neighbors" to provide "essential humanitarian assistance, support rehabilitation and eventual reconstruction, and contribute to Ukraine's longer-term goals, including peace, stability, and political aspirations."

Since the outbreak of the full-scale war, Dublin's funding to Ukraine has amounted to over 380 million euros ($420 million), the Irish government said.

This included humanitarian, economic, and non-lethal defense support but no lethal aid due to Ireland's long-standing military neutrality policy. The country is one of the few EU members that is not a member of NATO.

Read also: Ukraine is expecting to sign security agreements with 9 more countries, Zelensky says

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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba considers it possible that Ukraine will be invited to join NATO before the Alliance's summit in the Netherlands in 2025. Kuleba specified that it is not about immediate accession to the Alliance but rather an invitation that would send a signal of political clarity and certainty.

Source: Dmytro Kuleba, in an interview with CNN, as reported by European Pravda

Quote from Kuleba: "I clearly see an opportunity for that to happen before the next NATO Summit in the Netherlands in 2025."

Details: Dmytro Kuleba says if there is a will, there is no need to look for a way to do this because "Ukraine can receive an invitation even now, even today".

Quote from Kuleba: "For us, the issue of invitation is still on the table, we are bringing this point in talks with our allies, first and foremost with the United States."

He specified that this is not about immediate accession to the Alliance but rather an invitation that will send a signal of political clarity and certainty.

Quote from Kuleba: "We are convinced that Ukraine deserves to receive such an invitation in all respects right now."

Background:

Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euroatlantic Integration of Ukraine, stated that Ukraine would join the North Atlantic Alliance as a sovereign and independent country within the 1991 borders and that no other options have been discussed.

The Ukrainian authorities admitted that the Alliance would not provide an accession invitation for Kyiv until the end of the war.

Czech President Petr Pavel recently said that Ukraine's accession to NATO should not depend on whether Kyiv controls all of its territory.

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Ukraine 'needs new energy,' Zelensky says of government reshuffle

Ukraine's government reshuffle is needed to strengthen the country, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sept. 4 at a press conference with Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris.

"We need new energy today. And these steps (reshuffle) are only related to strengthening our state in various sectors. International politics and diplomacy are no exception, Zelensky said.

"I cannot predict today what exactly some ministers will do. The answers will come when they are offered certain positions."

His remarks come as the parliament supported the resignations of four ministers  Strategic Industries Minister Alexander Kamyshin, Justice Minister Denys Maliuska, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Olha Stefanishyna, and Ecology Minister Ruslan Strilets.

The lawmakers failed to gather enough votes to back the resignations of State Property Fund head Vitalii Koval and Deputy Prime Minister and Reintegration Minister Iryna Vereshchuk. The resignation of Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has not yet been considered.

It is not yet known who will replace the dismissed ministers. The candidates may be announced after a meeting of the Servant of the People's faction, which is expected later on Sept. 4.

David Arakhamia, the head of President Volodymyr Zelensky's Servant of the People's party in the parliament, said on Sept. 3 that the reshuffle would affect more than half of the government's staff.

Zelensky said in March that Ukrainians can expect more government reshuffles in the future, following a shake-up of his inner circle.

Infrastructure Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction Oleksandr Kubrakov and Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi were then dismissed in May.

Read also: Zelensky dismisses one of his top aides, Rostyslav Shurma

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At a crucial juncture of the war against Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky has undertaken a major reshuffle of his government, insisting "new energy" in government was needed "today."

"These steps are only associated with strengthening our state in various sectors  international politics and diplomacy are no exception," he said on Sept. 4 during a press conference in Kyiv with Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris.

While lawmakers and political analysts close to the president told the Kyiv Independent the reshuffle is a way of bringing "new energy" to a tired government apparatus, those who are critical of Zelensky say its more about the President's Office, run by Andriy Yermak, willing to consolidate power even more.

Yaroslav Zhelezniak, an MP from the Holos party, told the Kyiv Independent that "it doesn't matter" who resigns and who replaces them.

"Everything will stay the same. There will be more people in the government loyal to Yermak, he said. They are all loyal anyway."

But Oleksandr Merezhko, a lawmaker and member of Zelensky's Servant of the People party, denied the reshuffle was about the President's Office tightening its grip on the government.

"The situation now is too serious, and to cope with the challenges, the government and the president need not only loyal, or rather reliable people, but also professional people, he said.

"Loyalty is only one of the criteria, and the final word on these issues (replacements) belongs to the parliament," Merezhko told the Kyiv Independent, referring to the fact that the parliament needs to vote to accept the resignations and appoint the ministers replacements. It successfully passed several of the resignations on Sept. 4, while others failed to get enough votes.

Meanwhile, Oleksii Honcharenko, a lawmaker with the opposition European Solidarity party critical of Zelensky, believes that the reshuffle cant bring positive changes because the government lacks general strategy and is a department of the Presidents Office.

The attempt to mass replace the ministers isnt entirely a surprise  such reshuffles have become relatively common in Ukrainian politics, and the announcement of resignations followed weeks of reports about the possible replacement of several ministers.

But the timing of the reshuffle has raised some eyebrows, coming amid an uptick in Russian missile strikes on cities across Ukraine in recent weeks, a worsening energy crisis, and a deteriorating situation on the front lines in the east.

Late on Sept. 4, David Arakhamia, a lawmaker and head of Zelenskys Servant of the People faction in the parliament, announced the list of candidates for replacements.

Deputy foreign minister Andrii Sybiha at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany on May 14, 2023. Sybiha is set to replace Dmytro Kuleba as foreign minister. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Who's out, and whos in?

Here are the outgoing ministers, and who will replace them:

Dmytro Kuleba, foreign minister. Early on Sept. 4, it was confirmed that Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had submitted his resignation, a day after several other high-profile ministers were reported to have done the same. Kuleba has been in government since the 2019 parliament elections, last on record, serving first as deputy prime minister and later as foreign minister, a post he occupied for 4.5 years.

Kuleba's resignation was expected to be voted on by Ukraine's parliament on Sept. 4 but was postponed.

According to Arakhamia, Kuleba will be replaced by his top deputy, Andriy Sybiha. Sybiha is a career diplomat who served as Ukraines ambassador to Turkey in 2016-2019. In 2021, he joined Zelenskys administration as the deputy of its head, Yermak, focusing on international relations. In April, he moved to the government and was made Kulebas deputy.

A source close to the President's Office told the Kyiv Independent that Kuleba "wanted out.

Alexander Kamyshin, then-minister of strategic industries, attends the Annual International Veterans Forum in Kyiv, Ukraine on Aug. 22, 2024. (Viktor Kovalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Alexander Kamyshin, strategic industries minister. Other ministers that resigned include Strategic Industries Minister Alexander Kamyshin, who has been in post since March 2023, and has been tasked with bolstering Ukraine's domestic weapons production. The parliament approved his resignation on Sept. 4.

"Kamyshin will be closer to the president," the Kyiv Independents source said.

Later on, Arakhamia confirmed that Kamyshin will be moved to the presidents office, where he will continue to work on the issues of weapons and infrastructure.

Arakhamia said that the new minister for strategic industries will be Herman Smetanin, who has served as head of Ukraines state-owned defense production conglomerate Ukroboronprom since June 2023.

Then-Justice Minister Denys Maliuska attends a joint briefing with Justice Minister of Japan Ryuji Koizumi during the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation. (Hennadii Minchenko / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Denys Maliuska, justice minister. Justice Minister Denys Maliuska also submitted his resignation, thanking the president. Maliuska was the long-liver of the government, one of only two ministers who remained in place since the 2019 parliamentary elections and Zelenskys first government. One of his memorable initiatives was the move to privatize Ukraines prisons.

The parliament passed his resignation on Sept. 4, and gave the outgoing minister a round of applause. Kamyshin and Maliuska are the only two outgoing ministers who made a traditional personal appearance in parliament when it was considering their resignation.

Maliuska will be replaced by Olha Stefanishyna, the current deputy prime minister, according to Arakhamia.

Iryna Vereshchuk, then-minister of reintegration of temporarily occupied territories, attends the Annual International Veterans Forum in Kyiv, Ukraine on Aug. 22, 2024. (Viktor Kovalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Iryna Vereshchuk, deputy prime minister and minister for reintegration of temporarily occupied territories. Iryna Vereshchuk is leaving the job she has been in since 2021. She played a big role in the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, when she had daily briefings, announcing green corridors for evacuation from the recently occupied territories, such as the city of Mariupol.

The parliament didnt gather enough votes to support Vereshchuk's resignation on Sept. 4, and will have to try to pass it again on the next day.

Like Kamyshin, Vereshchuk is moving to the Presidents Office, where she will be deputy head of the office, with the same focus she had in the ministry  occupied territories.

As for Vereshchuks ministry, it will be reformed, according to Arakhamia. Its working title is the Ministry of bringing Ukrainians home.

Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna attends the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President of Ukraine in Kropyvnytskyi, Ukraine on Aug. 20, 2024. (Kirill Chubotin / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. Stefanishyna was appointed to the role in June 2020. Her resignation was backed by Ukraine's parliament on Sept. 4.

According to Arakhamia, Stefanishyna will hold a double job: she will be appointed justice minister and re-appointed as the deputy prime minister responsible for European integration.

Stefanishyna is a suspect in a criminal case connected to her previous stint in the justice ministry. According to the case, opened in 2014, ex-President Viktor Yanukovych's last serving Justice Minister Olena Lukash and several other ministrys officials, including Stefanishyna, were charged with embezzling over Hr 2.5 million (around $60,600) of public funds. The money was allocated to adapt Ukraines legislation to the EU one.

Stefanishyna, who then headed one of the ministrys departments, has denied wrongdoing. The case was filed to the High Anti-Corruption Court in 2023, which hasnt yet reached a verdict.

Culture and information policy minister. The ministry has been without an official head for over a year, after Oleksandr Tkachenko was fired and deputy minister Rostyslav Karandeyev became the acting minister in July 2023. Mykola Tochytsky, a career diplomat, is set to be the new culture and information policy minister.

According to Arakhamia, Tochytskys international experience will help strengthen the work against disinformation.

Minister of agriculture. The agriculture ministry has been ruled by acting minister Taras Vysotsky since spring 2023. The previous minister, Mykola Solskyi, was fired after he was accused of illegally appropriating more than $7 million-worth of state land.

The new minister will be Vitaly Koval, according to Arakhamia.

Koval served as the governor and then head of the regional military administration of Rivne Oblast in 2019-2023. He spent one year as head of the State Property Fund. He filed his resignation on Sept. 3. The parliament failed the vote for Kovals resignation on Sept. 4, and will take a second vote on it on Sept. 5.

Development of communities, territories and infrastructure minister. Oleksiy Kuleba will temporarily lead the ministry of development of communities, territories and infrastructure, a structure that united the former ministries of regional development and infrastructure. According to Arakhamia, the ministry would later be split into two, with Kuleba leading the one in charge of Ukraines regions.

Rumors of Kuleba becoming minister have been circulating for months, after Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov, under whom the two ministries were merged, was ousted in May.

Kuleba is currently serving as the deputy head of the presidents office, where he is tasked with regional development. Prior to being appointed into the presidents office in January 2023, Kuleba was the governor of Kyiv Oblast for nearly a year.

Ruslan Strilets, ecology minister. Ruslan Strilets was among the least known ministers in Ukraine despite serving in his post since 2021, first as acting minister and later taking on the role officially. Strilets will be replaced with Svitlana Hrynchuk, according to Arakhamia.

Hrynchuk is the sitting deputy energy minister, under the current minister Herman Halushchenko, who was able to keep his post in the reshuffle. Hrynchuk is a career government official, serving as a department head in the ecology ministry and later as an advisor to the finance minister and prime minister, where according to official records her tasks were tied to ecology and climate.

Sports and youth minister. Matviy Bidny, who has been acting minister, will be officially appointed to the job. Bidny became acting minister in November 2023, when then-Minister Vadym Gutzeit resigned to focus on his other role  President of Ukraines National Olympic Committee.

Bidny has been a career government official since 2016, appointed as the ministrys deputy head in 2020, and surviving a handful of government changes.

Minister of veterans affairs. The ministry will be led by Natalia Kalmykova, serving as the deputy defense minister since September 2023. She will replace Oleksandr Porkhun, who served as the acting minister since February.

Kalmykova has previously been employed at the Come Back Alive, a high-profile non-government organization that raises funds for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. She later served as the head of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation.

Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, takes part in a government forum in Kyiv, Ukraine on Aug. 27, 2024. (Viktor Kovalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Prime minister stays put

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal will save his seat, for now. Rumors about Shmyhals upcoming resignation have circulated for months.

The most likely candidate to replace him was Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. According to a source close to the President's Office, that is off the table, for now.

The Zelensky administration didnt go for replacing Shmyhal in the end because firing a prime minister would trigger replacing the whole cabinet, which would violate the Martial Law Act, political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko told the Kyiv Independent.

They were reluctant to fire the whole cabinet because, if parliament had not approved dismissing the whole cabinet, it could have triggered a political crisis, he added.

"No bad blood, some were tired, some needed a shake up," the source at the Presidents Office said of the reshuffle.

Still, the tone from some opposition lawmakers has ranged from weary resignation to outright fury.

In comments to the Kyiv Independent, MP Roman Lozynsky, representing Holos, an opposition party, said the power of Ukraine's parliament had been supplanted by the President's Office, describing the reshuffle as a "mess, chaos."

"The country has now created a vertical where the President's Office has a significant influence on decision-making," he said. "This also affects the work of the government because instead of reporting to the government and working in coordination with the parliament, reporting to the parliament, the government is in coordination with someone else.

The Kyiv Independent reporters Andrea Januta, Oleg Sukhov and Natalia Yermak contributed reporting to this story.

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Ukraine says it has a new ballistic missile  here's what they do

Speaking at a press conference at the end of August, President Volodymyr Zelensky made a cryptic announcement: Ukraine had carried out a successful test of its first domestic-made ballistic missile.

"It may be too early to talk about it but I want to share it with you," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in reference to the ballistic missile test on Aug. 27 at the Ukraine 2024 Independence Forum in Kyiv.

The president gave no further details about the missile and there is currently no public information on the new missiles capabilities.

The announcement, along with another just days prior that Ukraine had carried out an attack with its new home-grown missile-drone, the Palianytsia.

As the countrys Western partners continue to restrict Kyivs use of their weapons to strike deep into Russian territory over fears of escalation, the announcements show how Ukraine is increasingly turning inward to bolster its fight against Russias almost three-year invasion.

How significant is the development of its own ballistic missile for Ukraine and what could it mean for the war?

What is a ballistic missile?

In general, the term "missile" covers a whole range of weapons, from a small, shoulder-launched Javelin designed to take out a single tank, right up to nuclear weapons designed to destroy an entire city.

A Ukrainian serviceman holds a Javelin during large-scale military exercises in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine on Feb. 20, 2023. (Kaniuka Ruslan / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Regardless of their purpose, they broadly fall under two types  ballistic and cruise.

There are various subtypes based on characteristics including launch-mode missiles that comprise air-to-air, surface-to-air, and sea-to-surface; range missiles like short, medium, intercontinental missiles; propulsion missiles that comprise solid, liquid, and scramjet missiles; and payload missiles, which include conventional, chemical, and nuclear missiles.

Ballistic missiles are rocket-powered and are launched high into the atmosphere before arcing back down onto their target.

They're only guided during the initial stages of launch, so they can be less accurate than cruise missiles, but have the advantage of reaching incredibly high speeds  sometimes more than 3,200 kilometers per hour  as they approach their targets.

Crucially, ballistic missiles also have a very long range  anything from around 1,000 kilometers, up to over 5,000 kilometers.

Russia uses several models, including the Iskander and the Kinzhal. Due to their high speed, only certain air defense systems are capable of shooting them down, the U.S.-made Patriot system being one of them.

Ukraine currently has U.S.-supplied ATACMS ballistic missiles, but is prohibited from being used against targets deep inside Russian territory.

Photo for illustration purposes: In this handout image released by the South Korean Defense Ministry, an Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is fired during a joint training of the United States and South Korea, on Oct. 5, 2022, at an undisclosed location. (South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images)

For comparison, cruise missiles are jet-powered missiles that fly at a low altitude, are guided throughout their flight, and can be precisely targeted.

They can change direction during flight, maneuver, and hug the ground, often making them difficult to detect.

This ability to fly low at a low altitude was starkly illustrated last month when fishermen in the Caspian Sea managed to record what appeared to be two Russian cruise missiles headed toward Ukraine.

Reported as the moment of flight of Russian cruise missiles over the Caspian Sea towards Ukraine on July 8th. pic.twitter.com/NdZK3KokFG  Maria Drutska  (@maria_drutska) July 10, 2024

They can be launched from aircraft, ships, or ground-based platforms, and use guidance systems such as GPS or ground mapping.

Russia currently uses numerous models, including the Kalibr, the Kh-101, and the Kh-59, all of which were used in Russia's latest mass missile attack on Ukraine earlier this week.

During the terrorist attack today, russia fired at Ukraine at least 127 missiles and 109 drones, according to Zelenskyi. The Air Forces shot down 102 missiles and 99 UAVs, or 201 air targets in total. Our giants! pic.twitter.com/TVZQ1gf6UL  Olena Halushka (@OlenaHalushka) August 26, 2024

Ukraine has its own Neptune cruise missile, as well as Western-supplied models like the Storm Shadow. Ukraine is also currently prohibited from using the Storm Shadow against targets deep inside Russian territory.

Why does Ukraine want its own ballistic missile?

It's no secret that Ukraine wants to strike targets deep inside Russia, particularly the Russian airfields from which bombers take off and launch missiles at cities across Ukraine.

Ukraine has managed to strike deep and far into Russia with drones, launching its widest-reaching attack across Russian territory on Sept. 1.

But as experts have previously noted to the Kyiv Independent, slow-moving drones are nothing compared to high-speed missiles in inflicting the damage necessary to slow down the Kremlins war machine and turn the tide of the war.

Zelenskys announcement about the ballistic missile came just a few days after Ukraine released the first images of its new Palianytsia missile drone, designed to strike Russian military airfields and "destroy the enemy's offensive potential."

Photo for illustration purposes: A Ukrainian-made Neptune missile being fired on April 5, 2019. (The Presidential Office of Ukraine)

The first successful use of the Palianytsia was confirmed by Zelensky during his Independence Day speech on Aug. 24, and a new video posted on his social media on Aug. 25 provided further details of the project.

The video begins by highlighting that Russia has launched "43,000 types of various missiles and glide bombs at Ukraine" during the full-scale war, from airfields located deep within Russian territory.

"One of the most effective ways to counter this is to strike at the carriers of these weapons  Russian aircraft at military airfields," it adds.

In the two and a half years of full-scale war, Russia has launched about 10,000 missiles of various types and more than 33,000 glide bombs at Ukraine. Stopping attacks on our cities can be achieved by targeting the carriers of this weaponryRussian aircraft stationer at military pic.twitter.com/mzisamRWd8  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) August 25, 2024

Ballistic missiles would be even more useful, though, as they have a longer range and are capable of carrying a more powerful warhead  perfect for taking out Russian aircraft at Russian airfields deep inside Russia.

As practically nothing is known about Ukraine's new ballistic missile, all the public has to go on so far is what Zelensky said at the press conference on Aug. 27.

"What developments does Ukraine have? Well, I thought its too early to speak about it but the first Ukrainian ballistic missile has been successfully tested, he said.

"I congratulate our defense industrial base on this."

One thing is known  Ukraine has been developing a ballistic missile for a number of years now, the Hrim-2. While nothing has been confirmed, there has been speculation that this was the ballistic missile test Zelensky was referring to.

Read also: Ukraines deep drone strikes aim to break Russias war machine, sow discontent

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In Ukraines supposed safe haven city, an entire family is wiped out by a Russian missile strike

Writing in her college application letter, Daryna Bazylevych described her family as incredibly close knit and harmonious. She spoke of her parents infinite support and the way they told stories about Ukraines history to her and her sisters. They are the strongest pillar in my life and they help me overcome any obstacle, she wrote.

Of the five members of her family, only Yaroslav, Darynas father, is now alive, a lone survivor of a Russian strike on their home in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on Wednesday.

According to eyewitnesses, Daryna, 18, her sisters Yaryna, 21, and Emilia, 7, and their 43-year-old mother Yevhenia were killed while sheltering in the staircase of their residential building, the Ukrainian emergency services said.

It is likely that Yaroslav survived only because he was in the family apartment when the missile hit the building. He popped over to grab some water for the family  it was him who went because the staircase was meant to be the safe place.

Yaroslav Bazylevych is the only remaining member of the family-of-five. - Andriy Sadovyi/Telegram

The deaths of the three sisters and their mother caused a huge outpouring of grief among people in Lviv and across Ukraine.

Andriy Sadovyi, the mayor of Lviv, said the eldest girl, Yaryna, worked in the town hall as part of the Lviv - Youth Capital of Europe 2025 initiative.

Daryna, the middle sister, was a scholarship student of Ukrainian culture at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. She had just began her second year.

This is a great and irreparable loss. There are no words that can describe this grief. Let us pray for the souls of the innocent victims. Let us pray for Yaroslav, the father, the university said in a statement.

Yevhenia, the mother, and the two older girls were members of the Ukrainian Scouts movement. In a statement, the Scouts described Yevhenia as a creative, intelligent, positive and bright personality.

The family are pictured wearing vyshivankas, the traditional Ukrainian national costume. - Vasyl Stus Lyceum of International Relations/Facebook

Tragic week for Ukraine

The staircase where the Bazylevyches died was meant to be a safe place in a safe city.

Lviv lies in western Ukraine, near the border with Poland, and it has always been seen as one of the safest places in the country.

Tens of thousands of internally displaced people from eastern parts of Ukraine are living in Lviv. Russia is far away, which means missiles and drones take longer to reach the city  giving the Ukrainian military more time to shoot them down.

It has been an exceptionally deadly week for Ukraine  the four members of the Bazylevych family were among seven people killed in Lviv on Wednesday. On Tuesday, two Russian missiles hit a military educational facility in Poltava, killing 53 people and injuring more than 270 others.

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Ukraine war latest: At least 7 killed, over 70 injured in Russian attacks on Lviv, Kryvyi Rih

Key developments on Sept. 4:

Casualties reported in Lviv, Kryvyi Rih as Russia launches another mass attack on Ukraine

Ukrainian military uses 'dragon drones' against Russia, Defense Ministry says

Germany orders 17 IRIS-T air defense systems for Ukraine, Scholz says

Ukraine, Ireland sign agreement on cooperation, support

Russia executed 3 Ukrainian POWs in Donetsk Oblast, prosecutors say

At least seven civilians were killed and 64 injured in Lviv in the early hours of Sept. 4 amid Russia's attack against Ukraine, regional authorities reported. Children were among the casualties.

Several explosions were heard in the city amid a nationwide air raid alert as Russia launched drones and missiles against the country. Multiple casualties were reported also in Kryvyi Rih.

Explosions were heard in other cities overnight, including Kyiv, Sumy, Lutsk, and Rivne.

Initial reports said that three children were among the killed, but the latest updates confirmed a single 7-year-old girl among the fatalities. The girl, Emilia Bazylevych, was killed in her home along with her 43-year-old mother, Yevhenia, and two sisters, 21-year-old Yaryna and 18-year-old Daryna.

Only their father, Yaroslav, survived the attack, according to Mayor Andrii Sadovyi.

"I dont know what words to use to support the father of the family, Yaroslav. We are all with you today. Sincere condolences," Sadovyi said on Telegram.

The other killed victims included a 52-year-old woman and two men aged 54 and 55.

There are eight children among the wounded, including a 10-year-old boy. Some 47 people have been hospitalized as a result of the attack, of whom seven are in critical condition, Governor Maksym Kozytskyi reported earlier during the day.

The State Emergency Service reported at around 12:50 p.m. that the search and rescue operations had concluded.

Several buildings near the central railway station caught fire following the strike. Some 50 buildings were damaged overall by the attack. This included three schools and an arts center, which were hit only a few days after the new school year began in Ukraine.

The attack damaged buildings in the historical center in an area recognized as a UNESCO buffer zone. At least seven architectural sites of local importance were damaged, according to Governor Kozytskyi.

Lviv, located approximately 540 kilometers (about 335 miles) west of Kyiv with a population of over 700,000, has been targeted several times by Russian drones and missiles during the war. The city is about 70 kilometers (approximately 43 miles) east of the Polish border.

"Everyone who convinces our partners to give Ukraine greater range to respond to this terror is helping to prevent Russian terrorist attacks on Ukrainian cities," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Russia also launched a missile attack against the city of Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast the same morning, injuring at least five civilians, Governor Serhii Lysak reported. The victims include women aged 62, 83, and 84, a 70-year-old man, and a 10-year-old girl.

Later during the day, city administration head Oleksandr Vilkul reported on a sixth victim  a 58-year-old woman who was hospitalized with a fracture.

A hotel, 57 apartment buildings, four educational institutions, and four cars were damaged in the attack, according to local authorities.

Kryvyi Rih, with a population of around 660,000, is the second most populous city in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, lying over 60 kilometers (under 40 miles) north of Russian-occupied territories in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Overnight on Sept. 4, Russia reportedly fired 42 drones and missiles against Ukraine, including two Kh-47 Kinzhal missiles launched from MiG-31K aircraft, two Kh-22 cruise missiles launched from Tu-22M3 bomber planes, six Kh-101 cruise missiles fired from Tu-95MS bomber planes, three Iskander-K cruise missiles, and 29 Shahed-type "kamikaze" drones.

Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 22 drones, four Kh-101 missiles, and three Iskander-K missiles, the Air Force said. Six drones were lost, likely as a result of electronic warfare means, and one flew to Belarus, according to the statement.

Read also: Death toll of Russias attack on Poltava rises to 53 as rescue operations continue

Ukrainian military uses 'dragon drones' against Russia, Defense Ministry says

Ukrainian soldiers are using so-called "dragon drones" against Russia, that rain fire down on the battlefield, Ukraine's Defense Ministry confirmed on Sept. 4.

The ministry published new footage resembling a video shared by Ukrainian and Russian Telegram channels just a few days prior. The video showed what appeared to be a drone raining down fiery, white-hot metal on unseen soldiers hidden in a tree line.

The Ukrainian military-focused media outlet Defense Express wrote that the drone had been deployed by Ukraine's 108th Territorial Defense Brigade, adding that the video was taken near the village of Ukrainske, Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims.

The video shared by Ukraine's ministry on Sept. 4 was filmed by the Perun unit of Ukraine's 42nd Mechanized Brigade. The "dragon drone" in the video is operating in the Kharkiv sector, according to the Defense Ministry.

Another video showing the alleged use of such a drone at night was posted by Ukraine's 60th Separate Ingulets Brigade on Sept. 4.

"Strike drones are our wings of revenge, carrying fire straight from the sky. They are becoming a real threat to the enemy, burning their positions with an accuracy that no other weapon can achieve," the military said in a Facebook post.

A number of reports suggests that the drones are equipped with thermite munitions that are dropped on Russian positions.

Thermite weapons disperse thousands of tiny pieces of molten metal burning at temperatures that exceed 2,000 degrees Celsius, which means that it can melt through some armored vehicles.

Ukrainian drones that drop a continuous stream of the molten metal in such a manner appear to be another military innovation.

Russia has deployed similar incendiary weapons, such as the banned white phosphorus bombs, from very early on in the full-scale war.

Thermite and other incendiary weapons can cause devastating injuries.

Human Rights Watch writes that being exposed to such munitions can lead to "extensive and excruciating burns that require painful treatment" that include "respiratory damage from inflamed airways and toxic fumes, infection, extreme dehydration, and organ failure."

Read also: Ukraine says it has a new ballistic missile  heres what they do

Germany orders 17 IRIS-T air defense systems for Ukraine, Scholz says

Berlin ordered an additional 17 IRIS-T air defense systems for Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sept. 4, Bloomberg reported.

The new 17 units will be sent to Ukraine on top of the seven other systems that have already been delivered. Ukraine can expect to receive four more IRIS-T systems of different ranges by the end of 2024, government spokesperson Wolfgang Buchner said in August.

By 2026, Ukraine should receive 24 IRIS-T systems from Germany  12 of medium-range versions and 12 short-range  an unnamed German government official told Bloomberg.

"This shows that German support for Ukraine is not letting up," Scholz said at an air force base near the city of Kiel.

According to the chancellor, Berlin had planned and secured the financing and deals in advance "so that Ukraine can continue to fully rely on" Berlin in the future.

Read also: US General Breedlove on balancing air superiority and drone warfare

Ukraine, Ireland sign agreement on cooperation, support

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris signed a bilateral cooperation agreement during the latter's visit to Kyiv on Sept. 4.

As of today, Kyiv has signed 26 bilateral agreements with foreign partners based on the declaration made by the G7 during a summit in Vilnius in July 2023.

The Agreement on Support for Ukraine and Cooperation between the two countries outlines Dublin's humanitarian aid, support for Ukraine's recovery, EU integration efforts, and holding Russia accountable for war damages, among other items.

As part of the 10-year agreement, Ireland has pledged an additional 128 million euros ($140 million) in non-lethal military support and at least 40 million euros ($44 million) in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine this year.

Ireland said it would supply mine clearance systems and explosive ordnance disposal equipment, support the training of Ukrainian soldiers through an EU mission, and explore other pathways for aid within the Ramstein group, such as the IT coalition.

"I want to express my special gratitude to Ireland for the joint efforts in demining our land  this is truly saving countless lives," Zelensky wrote on X after the agreement was signed.

Harris arrived in Kyiv earlier on Sept. 4, visiting settlements in Kyiv Oblast damaged by Russian forces in 2022, namely Hostomel.

During the visit, Ireland announced a new package of support worth 36 million euros ($40 million) for "Ukraine and its neighbors" to provide "essential humanitarian assistance, support rehabilitation and eventual reconstruction, and contribute to Ukraine's longer-term goals, including peace, stability, and political aspirations."

Read also: Kuleba resignation, reshuffle expected long ago ahead of difficult times for Ukraine, lawmaker says

Russia executed 3 Ukrainian POWs in Donetsk Oblast, prosecutors say

Russia executed three Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) near Toretsk in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office said on Sept. 3.

The Prosecutor General's Office said it is launching an investigation into the incident.

Earlier, a video circulated on Telegram that showed three Ukrainian soldiers coming out of a basement with their hands up. The Ukrainians were then apprehended by Russian soldiers, placed face down on the ground and summarily shot.

As of March 2024, Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office collected pretrial information on over 128,000 victims of war crimes. The prosecutors said at the they are investigating cases of at least 54 Ukrainian POWs being executed by Russia. More cases have likely appeared since then.

In a similar circumstance as the more recent alleged Russian war crimes, a widely circulated video taken in May showed four Ukrainian soldiers being executed face down on the ground after surrendering.

Read also: Energoatom denies accident at South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant but says issues found

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Recognizing Colorado Christian University's public displays of support for Israel and for Jewish students, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu penned a handwritten note of gratitude to the college last month.

With much appreciation for your stalwart support for Israel, and with all best wishes, Netanyahu wrote.

The letter was given to CCU Chancellor Donald Sweeting while he and two scholars visited Israel to develop a new course on the political philosophy of the Hebrew Bible.

The university, with its main campus in Lakewood and a satellite campus in Colorado Springs, is collaborating with the Herzl Institute, a Jewish think-tank based in Jerusalem, on the new introductory course. Sweeting said the course hopes to address what he calls the "pervasive ignorance" of Gen Z students on the history of Israel and the Bible's teachings that he says goes unmentioned in other universities.

We wanted to do something positive together to help change the increasingly radicalized American university culture, with its growing antisemitism and its ignorance about Israel and the Bible, Sweeting said. So we collaborated in a highly unusual project between Jews and Christians.

According to CCU's website, the course will introduce students to the biblical narrative from Genesis to Kings along with the biblical conception of the family and the Mosaic rule of law and limited government.

During the two weeks in Israel, Sweeting and evangelical scholars met with Hebrew scholars, survivors of the Oct. 7 attacks, members of the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli cabinet members before making their own recommendations for the course.

When speaking with someone who works closely with Netanyahu, Sweeting mentioned the work the university had done over the past year.

Netanyahu later sent the handwritten letter.

"It was unexpected, but I'm grateful," Sweeting said. "Because he has a heavy task these days."

Following the assault on Israel by Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups on Oct. 7 last year that killed about 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages, protests erupted on college campuses throughout the U.S. against the subsequent retaliation by Israel.

Protesters' concerns largely stemmed from the number of Palestinian casualties caused by Israel's offensive operation along with the U.S. government's financial support toward it. The Associated Press last month reported the total Palestinian death toll to be over 40,000.

Hamas' initial attack killed about 1,200 Israelis in addition to taking more than 250 as hostages.

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Since the start of the war, pro-Israel groups and individuals have expressed concerns that the pro-Palestinian demonstrations have increased instances of antisemitism and Jewish students feeling unsafe at their respective campuses.

Shortly after the initial attack, CCU held a prayer vigil and benefit dinner for Israel that raised over $1 million. Proceeds were sent to United Hatzalah, a volunteer emergency medical service organization that provides free services throughout Israel to those in need.

In July, following Netanyahu's address to Congress in Washington, CCU President Eric K. Hogue and Indiana Wesleyan University President Jon Kulaga released a joint press release in response to the pro-Palestinian demonstrations and increased hostility toward Jewish and Israeli students across U.S. colleges and universities.

We want to make it clear to our nation and the world that our Christian institutions will not tolerate this behavior, the letter read.

We also want to express our profound concern that the terrible events we all witnessed at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year are already being forgotten. What we have all seen reveals a profound problem in the culture of many institutions, a problem which must be addressed.

The letter goes on to call all seminaries and universities to "review their commitment to upholding biblical principles of inclusivity and diversity" and invites Jewish students to enroll with the two universities.

"You will be welcomed, and you will be safe. We stand with you in solidarity and thank you for your communitys stewardship through many centuries of the values underpinning our institutions," the letter read.

Last Spring, campuses across Colorado held various pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Protests on Denver's Auraria campus  which hosts the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver and University of Colorado Denver  resulted in damages totaling over $600,000.

Protests have reignited at the campus upon the start of the current semester, though to a much lesser degree than those during the spring semester.

In Colorado Springs, Colorado College was recently named in a federal complaint alleging that the private university allowed antisemitism and harassment to persist against Jewish students on campus since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

In a statement, Colorado College said that it strongly condemns antisemitism along with any kind of discrimination and harassment.

CCU's new political philosophy course is expected to begin instruction in the next academic year. For as long as the Israel-Hamas conflict continues, the university plans to put on further events that will likely feature lectures, guest speakers and additional fundraisers for Israeli victims.

"There's the whole question of why we're doing this and it's because this is a moment (in history) where university professors need to speak," Sweeting said. "We're going to stand with our Jewish friends and we think that other universities should, as well."
The parliament has not supported the proposal to dismiss Iryna Vereshchuk from the position of Deputy Prime Minister  Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories.

Source: Yaroslav Zhelezniak, Ukrainian MP, on Telegram

Quote: "The parliament failed to dismiss Iryna Vereshchuk from the position of Deputy Prime Minister  Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories.

214 MPs voted in favour of the decision.

There was no report [from Vereshchuk on the work she has done while in office], nor was one expected..."

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Ukrainian air defence responded to a Russian drone attack in Lviv Oblast on the night of 3-4 September, and explosions were heard in the city.

Source: Maksym Kozytskyi, Head of Lviv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Ukrainska Pravda journalist

Quote: "Air defence responds to the attack in Lviv Oblast. Do not film it or post anything!"

Update: Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi reported that Russian Shahed attack UAVs were detected on the territory of Lviv.

Sadovyi wrote at 05:50 that Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles were approaching Lviv. The air defence was responding to it as well.

Background: On the late evening of 3 September, the Russians launched Shahed attack drones across Sumy and Poltava oblasts. The drones reached Lviv Oblast at around 04:00.

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Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba submitted his resignation on Wednesday as Kyiv undergoes a major leadership shakeup amid its war with Russia.

Parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said Kuleba's resignation will be considered at an upcoming plenary meeting that has not been set. Kubela has been one of the most visible members of President Volodymyr Zelensky's cabinet since the war started.

He had taken the lead in helping Ukraine build international relationships during the war. He has served as the country's leading foreign diplomat since 2020.

"It is a big reshuffle," Parliament member Oleksandr Merezhko told the Kyiv Independent. "It was expected rather long ago. Perhaps this reshuffle is somehow related to the new period of challenges for Ukraine."

Other recent resignations include Strategic Industries Minister Alexander Kamyshin, Justice Minister Denys Maliuska, Ecology Minister Ruslan Strilets, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishya and Deputy Prime Minister and Reintegration Minister Iryna Vereshchuk.

The resignations come at a critical time in the fighting with Ukraine's risky but so far successful counter-invasion of some western Russian land near its border and Moscow's intensified bombing across Ukraine, including the one-time safe haven of Lviv.

In a speech on Tuesday, Zelensky said he hoped the upcoming changes would strengthen the government on its way to what many are predicting to be the country's most difficult winter since Russia's invasion.

"The autumn will be extremely important for Ukraine," Zelensky said. "Our state institutions must be set up so that Ukraine achieves all the results that we need, We must strengthen some areas in the government and personnel decisions have been prepared."
The News

Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba resigned on Wednesday as part of a major government reshuffle that could see President Volodomyr Zelenskyy re-appoint half of all cabinet positions.

Kulebas resignation is the latest in a series of high-profile departures, which also include Oleksandr Kamyshin, who oversaw weapons production, as well as the countrys justice, environmental, and reintegration ministers.

In an evening address Tuesday, Zelenskyy said the government needed to be reconfigured so that Ukraine achieves all the results we need ahead of his expected visit to the US this month.

SIGNALS

This is not Zelenskyys first major reshuffle

Sources: Financial Times, Atlantic Council, Chatham House

The dramatic reshuffle has been a long time coming  the idea is to make Ukraines cabinet  which barely has a quorum, one Ukrainian lawmaker noted  into a fully-fledged government body, the Financial Times wrote. Some of the ministers who tendered their resignations this week may hope to return in new roles with expanded portfolios. However, Zelenskyys shakeups have not always been well-received: His decision to dismiss various pro-reform ministers half a year into office in 2020 sparked substantial hand wringing in both Washington and Kyiv, an expert wrote in the Atlantic Council, while there was some speculation that he removed the head of the army in February over fears of being personally upstaged amid a decline in popularity, think tank Chatham House noted.

Zelenskyy may hope reshuffle will breathe fresh life into war effort

Sources: The Counteroffensive, The Moscow Times

Zelenskyy is putting together a team he believes can take him across the finish line as he prepares to present US President Joe Biden with a victory plan this month, pro-Ukraine Substack the Counteroffensive wrote. Its possible that the plan includes proposals for negotiating an end to the fighting  while there is no official plan to hold talks, Ukraine has signaled increasing willingness to consider peace negotiations and the cabinet reshuffle could reflect that aim. But officially at least, the Kremlin remains intransigent: A spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin said Zelenskyys shakeup was being carefully monitored, and insisted they would have no impact on any potential negotiations, The Moscow Times reported.
The Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) has voted to dismiss Oleksandr Kamyshin as Minister of Strategic Industries.

Source: Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak

Quote: "The Rada supported the dismissal of Oleksandr Kamyshin from the post of Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine," he said.

The decision was voted for by 243 MPs. Zhelezniak said Kamyshin had reported on the work he had done.

Background:

The Verkhovna Rada did not collect enough votes to dismiss Vitalii Koval as head of the State Property Fund.

In addition, not enough members of the Rada voted to allow Koval to report on his work in office before his dismissal.

The Economic Development Committee had recommended that the Verkhovna Rada dismiss Koval from his post.

The Committee also recommended that the Rada dismiss Minister for Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin.

Both officials had submitted resignation letters to the Parliament the day before.

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LONDON (AP)  Priti Patel, who was Britain's interior minister when Boris Johnson was prime minister, has become the first candidate to be eliminated in the Conservative Party's leadership election, two months after the party resoundingly lost power following 14 years in office.

In a vote open to the party's lawmakers Wednesday, Patel garnered the support of only 14 Conservative members of Parliament, placing her last of six.

Patel, who was home secretary between 2019 and 2022, was a prominent backer of Britain's departure from the European Union in the referendum in 2016 and is widely perceived to be on the right wing of the party. However, she has a reputation for being a divisive figure, and faced bullying allegations when at the Home Office.

Robert Jenrick, who quit his role in the government led by Rishi Sunak over his opposition to its policies on immigration, came in first with 28 votes. Jenrick was never a senior member of government but has sought to bolster his credentials with the party's right wing since he resigned. He has argued that the U.K. should leave the European Convention on Human Rights in order to get a handle on high levels of illegal immigration, one of the main reasons why many traditional Conservative voters deserted the party at the election on July 4.

He was followed by the bookmakers' favorite Kemi Badenoch, the former business secretary, who got 22 votes, and James Cleverly, who was home secretary at the time of the election defeat, who got 21.

Former security minister Tom Tugendhat got 17 votes, and Mel Stride, who was work and pensions secretary, got 16.

The five remaining candidates face another contest next week, when one more will be eliminated. The remaining four will then make their pitch to delegates at the Conservative party conference in October, after which their number will be whittled down to two when lawmakers return to Parliament.

The new leader, who will be decided by party members, will be announced Nov. 2.

The winner will replace Sunak, who led the Conservative Party to its worst election result since 1832. The Conservatives lost more than 200 seats, taking their tally down to 121.

The party, which is the second biggest in the House of Commons, is well behind the Labour Party's 404 seats. With such a big deficit, it's going to be extremely difficult for the Conservatives to return to power in the next election, which has to take place by 2029.
(Bloomberg) -- The United Nations nuclear watchdog is widening its oversight in Ukraine to include high-voltage power networks critical to maintaining safety at atomic plants that generate the bulk of the countrys electricity.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The International Atomic Energy Agencys decision followed a meeting between Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi on Tuesday in Kyiv. It also comes as Russia intensifies its attacks, including a massive assault last week on energy infrastructure.

Earlier this week, the supervisory board of grid operator Ukrenergo removed the companys chief executive, following a report about the protection of high-voltage facilities from Russian strikes.

Read: Two Ukrenergo Supervisory Board Members Quit Over CEO Ouster

Zelenskiys government asked whether the IAEA could also look at critical substations in the country that have been subject to pressure or attacks, in the sense that they are also linked to the nuclear power plants, Grossi told reporters. We think this is relevant and we are going to be making an evaluation of the situation in some of these substations.

Unlike other power sources like coal, gas or renewables, nuclear plants require a constant flow of electricity to keep safety-control systems operational. Without this supply, fuel inside of a reactors core risks overheating, raising the specter of a meltdown.

Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukraines power grid in recent months, with key thermal-generation plants and transmission nodes disabled. Those strikes have had a knock-on effect at the three nuclear plants still under Ukrainian control west of the Dnieper River.

The heightened vulnerability of Ukraines energy infrastructure is deeply concerning for nuclear safety at Ukraines nuclear power plants, as we saw last week when several reactors stopped operating because of damage to the energy infrastructure elsewhere in the country, Grossi said in a separate statement late Tuesday.

While in Ukraine, Grossi said hell leading an IAEA monitoring team across the battle line to visit the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

--With assistance from Olesia Safronova.

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Palestinian children are vaccinated against polio, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip

Palestinian children are vaccinated against polio, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) -Good progress is being made in rolling out a polio vaccine to children in Gaza but a permanent ceasefire in the 11-month war is needed to ease humanitarian suffering, the main U.N. agency for Palestinians said on Wednesday.

UNRWA said that three days into the campaign in areas of central Gaza, around 187,000 children had received the vaccine. The campaign will move to other areas of the Palestinian enclave for the second stage.

The campaign was prompted by the discovery of a case of polio in a baby boy last month, the first in the Gaza Strip for 25 years. Israel and Hamas militants agreed to daily pauses of eight hours in the fighting in pre-specified areas to allow the vaccination program. No violations have been reported.

"Great progress! Every day in the Middle Areas of #Gaza, more children are getting vaccines against #Polio," the head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, said on X on Wednesday.

"While these polio 'pauses' are giving people some respite, what is urgently needed is a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages + the standard flow of humanitarian supplies including medical and hygiene supplies (into Gaza)," he said.

Palestinians say a big reason for the return of polio is the collapse of Gaza's health system and the destruction of most of its hospitals during the war. Israel accuses Hamas of using hospitals for military purposes, something the Islamist group denies.

On Tuesday, COGAT, an Israeli defence ministry agency tasked with coordinating aid deliveries into Palestinian territories, said since the onset of the war, it has facilitated the entry of 282,126 vials of the polio vaccine, enough for 2,821,260 people.

It also said in a statement that approximately 554,512 vials of vaccines have entered the Gaza Strip, enough for 4,973,736 individual vaccines for various diseases and potential epidemics in the territory.

Gaza has around 2.3 million people and is one of the world's most densely populated places.

DIPLOMATIC STANDSTILL

Despite the success of the polio campaign, diplomatic efforts to secure a permanent ceasefire, release hostages held in Gaza and return many Palestinians jailed by Israel, have faltered.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted on Monday that Israeli troops would remain in the Philadelphi corridor on the southern edge of Gaza bordering Egypt, one of the main sticking points in reaching a deal.

Hamas, which wants any agreement ending the war to include a withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza, says such a condition, among some others, would prevent an accord. Netanyahu says the war can only end when Hamas is eradicated.

The impasse is frustrating Israel's international allies and the 15 members of the United Nations Security Council.

Slovenia's U.N. envoy - the council's president for September - said on Tuesday that patience is running out and the global body will probably consider taking action if a ceasefire cannot be brokered soon.

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that the only way a deal could be reached was if Israel agreed to a U.S. proposal on July 2, endorsed by the Security Council, and accepted by the group. Both Israel and Hamas blame failure to clinch a deal on conditions added by each of the two sides.

Israeli forces continued to battle Hamas-led militants in several areas of Gaza, saying they had killed many senior Hamas operatives and struck military infrastructure and command centers over the past 24 hours.

Later on Wednesday, the Israeli military said Israeli troops operating in Rafah, near the Egyptian border, had killed around 200 Palestinian gunmen over the past week and located dozens of weapons in civilian buildings. Hamas denies exploiting civilian facilities and population for military purposes.

The armed wing of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad said their fighters had again confronted Israeli troops in the north and south of the territory with anti-tank rockets, mortar fire and explosive devices.

In Khan Younis, an Israeli airstrike killed two Palestinians, including a girl, medics said, while an airstrike in the Darraj suburb of Gaza City killed a local doctor, Nehad Al-Madhoun, in his house.

In the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya, medics said an Israeli airstrike killed six Palestinians awaiting aid trucks near the Sheikh Zayed housing project.

The war in Gaza was triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7 rampage into southern Israel, when its fighters killed 1,200 people and captured more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Since then, more than 40,800 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the enclave's health ministry.

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi; additional reporting by Emily Rose and Steve Scheer in Jerusalem; editing by Sharon Singleton and Mark Heinrich)
Uncle Sam wants to know: What can your country do for AI?

The News

The federal government is formalizing its behind-the-scenes consultations with the new AI giants as the US battles for position in the global AI race.

The Department of Commerces National Telecommunications and Information Administration, along with the US Department of Energy, put out an open request for comment Wednesday, asking industry leaders and experts to help lay the groundwork for new policies meant to aid and secure data centers in the coming years.

We have heard privately from many sources about the coming demand, particularly driven by AI. This is a chance to transparently create a public record for future action to meet that growing data center demand, said NTIA administrator Alan Davidson in an interview with Semafor. Makers of massive foundation models like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini have long spoken informally with policy leaders to prepare them for the next step of AI advances.

Companies are concerned about power supply. Theyre concerned about security and cyber security standards. Theyre concerned about the workforce, he said.

Davidson, who also serves as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications, said the federal government is also eyeing the needs of small- and medium-sized companies, academic institutions and researchers who need access to powerful data centers that now are mainly owned and controlled by private industry.

Know More

Policy around technological growth has become a big topic in the tech industry as the election approaches.

And laws regulating AI have become a political lightning rod, particularly in California, where industry leaders and some Democratic lawmakers have called on California Governor Gavin Newsom to veto SB 1047, a comprehensive AI bill.

At the same time, tech companies like OpenAI and Microsoft are looking to the Middle East for sources of funding and potentially cheaper electricity and infrastructure to build the massive new data centers they believe will be required for the next leap in AI capabilities.

National security officials are already concerned about US adversaries like China and Russia stealing secrets from American companies, whose security defenses are currently vulnerable to espionage from determined and well resourced nation states.

Companies shouldnt have to take on nation states all by themselves and we do think theres a role for the federal government there. Thats part of what we need to hear from industry about, Davidson said.

Reeds view

Were going to be paying a lot more attention to the federal governments role in AI development in the coming months and years.

If AI capacity keeps growing as the amount of compute available increases, two things are likely to happen. First, the energy requirements of AI will surpass what the US can currently handle. Second, the models will become so powerful that they will become strategic national security assets.

If the US cant produce enough energy for the AI revolution, other countries are waiting in the wings. And if the development of the most advanced AI models happens outside the US, it will be much more difficult to guard the intellectual property from the prying eyes of Americas adversaries.

The risks might not materialize. But the challenge for policymakers is that theres no time for a wait-and-see approach.

At the same time, policymakers have constituencies that would like to see the development of AI slow down. Some people are worried that AI will lead to job losses and wreak economic and social havoc. Some fear AI will become a threat to humanity.

So, how can the US simultaneously facilitate a politically unpopular acceleration of AI while protecting its citizens from all the potential downsides?

Lets hope todays request for comment will yield some smart responses from those in industry.

Room for Disagreement

Left-leaning advocacy group Good Jobs First calls subsidies for AI datacenters a waste of taxpayer funds:

In the upcoming year, we expect to see many more data center investments and more secretive subsidy deals, driven in large part by AI infrastructure investments. Data Bridge Market Research expects such spending, which includes data centers, to reach nearly $423 billion by 2029. Companies surely plan to ask for taxpayer support to offset those costs.

To go with those, we hope to see more local communities standing up to big tech companies and more public officials voicing skepticism about the promised economic benefits of these projects, and for residents to weigh in before any deals are finalized.

Notable

Bloomberg reported Tuesday that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman isnt waiting around for the US government to bolster AI efforts. Rather, he has been courting Canada, Korea, Japan and the United Arab Emirates in an effort to build out data centers and energy production to power new and increasingly large AI datacenters.
Law enforcement at the preliminary hearing for accused University of Colorado Colorado Springs shooter Nicholas Jordan on Tuesday outlined the overwhelming amount of evidence that led to Jordan being bound over on all charges by an El Paso County judge.

Jordan, 25, is accused of shooting and killing Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, of Pueblo, and UCCS student Samuel Knopp, 24, of Parker, in the early morning hours of Feb. 16 in a campus dormitory.

Jordan and Knopp were roommates and students at UCCS. Jordans arrest affidavit states that he had made a death threat against Knopp and that campus security and housing staff recorded multiple complaints about Jordan before the shooting.

Three witnesses testified in Jordans preliminary hearing, with the bulk of the time taken by a pair of Colorado Springs police detectives who outlined the extensive disputes between Jordan and his roommates leading up to the shooting, and the evidence that pointed police to Jordan as the suspect.

Detective Mark Kerr testified that he interviewed the roommate of Jordans who was not shot but present at the dorm the morning of the shooting. Kerr testified that the roommate, Knopp and Jordan had extensive issues that led to both of Jordan's roommates attempting to move out.

Jordan, Knopp and the roommate lived at the Crestone House, a dormitory in the Alpine Village community on UCCS campus. The dorm room where the deaths occurred was in a pod arrangement, with four individual bedrooms with locking doors, organized around a common area. The fourth room at the pod was vacant, Kerr testified.

Jordan and Knopps roommate informed Kerr, according to his testimony, that on the morning of Feb. 16 he woke up to a series of loud bangs he identified as gunshots and called police. On cross-examination, Jordans attorney, Nick Rogers, confirmed with Kerr that the roommate only heard gunshots but did not see Jordan that morning.

Detective Ed Crofoot later testified that Jordan was the only person who entered Crestones eastern entrance between midnight and 9 a.m. on Feb. 16, doing so twice. One of those instances occurred less than 20 minutes before police responded to gunfire.

Kerr testified that Knopp and his roommate were looking to move out of the dorm on the day of the shooting because of an argument weeks earlier, when Jordan allegedly threatened to kill Knopp over a dispute about taking out the trash.

Your actions will have consequences, Jordan allegedly said to Knopp one day when Knopp told Jordan he was going to file a report to UCCS housing, according to Kerrs testimony.

During Crofoots testimony, prosecutor Andrew Vaughan attempted to have Crofoot testify that Jordan had a previous incident at a UCCS housing facility before moving to Crestone. Vaughan said Jordan allegedly was evicted from the apartment due to complaints from neighbors, and that Jordan attempted to hunt them down after the eviction.

Rogers objected to any testimony about this alleged incident, which was sustained by Judge David Shakes.

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Crofoot testified that law enforcement determined one of the two guns recovered in Jordans car during his arrest fired the 11 shell cartridges found at the scene of the homicide. Crofoot also testified that, during Jordans four-hour interview after his arrest, he first denied ever being at the dorm during the semester, but later after being presented with evidence of him entering Crestone, changed his story to say he went to the dorm that morning to use the bathroom in the lobby.

On cross-examination, Crofoot stated that at no point did Jordan admit to shooting either Montgomery or Knopp, and that there are no eyewitnesses of Jordan entering the dorm room.

One thing that remains unclear to detectives is the relationship between Montgomery and Knopp, and why she was at the dorm on Feb. 16. Crofoot testified that analysis of all parties cellphones is ongoing.

A fourth witness, Sheriff's Deputy Taylor Smith, briefly testified about Jordans second case, in which he is accused of assaulting a deputy at the El Paso County jail in a dispute over cleaning supplies.

At the end of the nearly four-hour hearing, Rogers argued that the court could not bind Jordan over the charges of first-degree murder due to a lack of evidence of deliberation and intent. Vaughan disagreed, and said the prosecution entered numerous pieces of evidence showing deliberation and intent, including Jordans threat to kill Knopp, keycard entries from Jordan the morning of the shooting, and the testimony of Crofoot that Jordan had emailed UCCS to attempt to drop out of his classes 14 hours before the shooting.

Shakes ruled that Jordan would be bound over on both charges of first-degree murder, the single menacing charge, all three violent crime sentence enhancers, as well as all charges related to Jordans alleged assault of a deputy.

Jordan will return to court on Oct. 25 for an arraignment hearing, which will be the first time he has a chance to enter a plea in either case.

Since his arrest, Jordan's case has stalled because of ongoing competency issues.

In April, Shakes announced that the first competency evaluation, performed by the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo, found Jordan incompetent to proceed. The prosecution then requested a second evaluation by an expert unaffiliated with CMHIP. The second evaluation found Jordan competent, leading to a competency hearing.

In August, Shakes held a competency hearing in which he ruled Jordan competent to proceed.

Jordan remains in custody at the El Paso County jail on a $5 million bond and appeared to court on Tuesday in an orange jumpsuit, sitting at the defense table for the entirety of the preliminary hearing.
How quickly people forget the COVID pandemic and our reliance on essential workers  many of them undocumented  to pick our crops or work in food processing plants made our survival possible. These individuals were disproportionately affected by the pandemic because they lacked a health safety net, live in bigger households that make it nearly impossible to self isolate and had no or limited access to personal protective equipment.

Farmworkers, who brave the scorching summer heat to make sure crops get harvested, are essential to the worlds fifth largest economy.

Yet, the same scare tactics sprout up anytime the government tries to help the undocumented community. Sixteen Republican states have effectively frozen a Biden administration plan to allow undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to remain in the country while they get legal status.

In more than 40 years of reporting on farmworkers in the San Joaquin Valley, I have found these skilled workers more than willing to handle the work no one else wants. They are family-oriented. Some of them nudge their children into college, where they have later become judges, school administrators and held other impressive career titles.

Thankfully, California does value the contributions of the undocumented, who make up 6% of the states residents, with more than recognition. And every August 26, California recognizes them with a day in their honor.

Asm. Joaquin Arambula has led efforts to make sure California recognizes the important role of our undocumented community in powering the states economic engine. The Fresno Democrat has successfully pushed bills to expand health coverage to undocumented residents.

Now, he wants the states housing assistance program for first-time homebuyers expanded to include undocumented residents who are eligible.

(Assembly Bill) 1840 is not a bill about immigrant policies. It is not a bill about the housing crisis. We know that no single bill can solve those issues, Arambula noted in a Wednesday press release. This is a bill about fairness.

The legislation (which Gov. Gavin Newsom should sign) allows any resident who secures a bank loan or mortgage to apply for a 20% down payment assistance of up to $150,000 from the California Dream for All program. The applicant, if successful, must repay the loan when they sell the home  plus an additional 20% of the appreciation on the homes value.

The popular two-year-old program has quickly gone through the $700 million it was given, and no new applications are being accepted.

More than one in five undocumented residents owned a home in 2019. Thats 604,000 homeowners.

AB 1840 is about providing an opportunity to hard-working, responsible people who dream of owning a home and passing that legacy to their children  a dream that we all have for all our families in California, Arambula said.

That, he said, includes undocumented immigrants who have lived here for decades and pay their taxes. They are people who pay millions of dollars into our system and should be able to receive the same benefits as everyone else.

Rhetoric seeks to sink a reasonable bill

Judging by the knee jerk reaction, some folks refuse to look at the fine print of AB 1840. Listening to X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk, FOX news and some conservatives on social media, you would think Arambula wants to greet undocumented border crossers with bundles of dollars while denying legal residents a chance of buying a home.

Some examples:

 Politico reports that California Democrats are likely to pass a bill granting up to $150,000 to each illegal immigrant to help them buy a house.

 In California, if youre an illegal immigrant, youll soon get $150k. So whats $25k?

 This isnt just misguided; its an outrageous betrayal of every hardworking taxpayer in our state. It is just part of the continued effort by the state to incentivize illegal immigration through numerous handouts.

Its a good thing Arambula and his colleagues have done the hard work (the bill survived seven hearings) to make sure that essential workers, including the undocumented, get a chance at homeownership.

Senate Republicans are asking Newsom to veto the bill, saying it is yet another example in a long litany of taxpayer dollar giveaways by California Democrat politicians that encourages and rewards illegal immigration.

What gets overlooked is the fact that undocumented residents contribute their labor and taxes, just like any other resident, but they are barred from Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Ultimately, California should be looking for any way to increase housing opportunities in a state where the median price for a home jumped past $900,000 earlier this year.
State Auditor Jessica Holmes speaks at a Wednesday press conference as four Black political action committees offer their endorsement of Holmes and other Democrats. (Photo: Ahmed Jallow)

State Auditor Jessica Holmes speaks at a Wednesday press conference as four Black political action committees offer their endorsement of Holmes and other Democrats. (Photo: Ahmed Jallow)

Four leading Black political action committees (PACs) in North Carolina came together Wednesday to endorse candidates for the 2024 elections, including the presidential, gubernatorial and other statewide races, marking the first time these groups have collectively endorsed candidates.

The announcement was made at a press conference in front of the North Carolina Legislative Building in Raleigh.

The candidates we are endorsing today have demonstrated time and again, the dedication to the issues that affect us all, issues that are critical to ensuring that every North Carolinian, regardless of their race or background has the opportunity to be successful, said Melvin Skip Alston who leads Greensboros George C. Simkins, Jr. Memorial PAC.

The coalition includes the Raleigh Wake Citizens Association, the George C. Simkins, Jr. Memorial PAC of Guilford County, the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, and the Bladen Improvement Association. The Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg is also involved and plans to announce its endorsements later.

This is the first time that we have ever come together as a united coalition of PACs across the state of North Carolina, but we have the same strategy  that is to get out the vote, to make people know who they are voting for, and to make sure that we have representatives at the polls, said Melvin Skip Alston, who leads Greensboros Simkins Memorial PAC.

Alston said the groups will mobilize their resources to support the candidates through voter registration drives, door-to-door canvassing, voter training sessions, and provide transportation to the polls. These activities are aimed at ensuring that every eligible voter has the opportunity to participate in this critical election and have information to candidates who best represent their voices, he said.

The groups are backing only Democrats, including Josh Stein for governor; Justice Allison Riggs, who is seeking to retain her seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court; Jessica Holmes, the current Democratic state auditor; and several other candidates running for statewide office.

Asked by reporters if the groups considered endorsing Republican Mark Robinson, who would be the states first Black governor if elected, Steve Bowden of the Simkins Memorial PAC said, We hope the united front of this PAC demonstrates to our Black community where the leadership theyve relied on for so many years stands on this issue. We have endorsed Josh Stein for governor.

Speaking at a press conference, Stein highlighted the longstanding commitment of these organizations to improving the lives of Black North Carolinians.

These organizations that weve just heard have spent decades loving North Carolina, even when that love was not reciprocated, Stein said. Theyve been working to improve the lives of black North Carolinians and bringing us closer to fulfilling the promise of North Carolina, which is that if you work hard, where you come from, should never limit how far you can go.

During her speech, Holmes compared her treatment to that of Kamala Harris, the first African American and Asian woman running for president, noting that both have faced similar doubts about their qualifications for the positions they are seeking.

I am here because Im qualified. I am here because I earned it. I am here because I have integrity, Holmes said.

Beth Wood, the longtime Democratic state auditor who resigned in December following a grand jury indictment for misusing a state-issued car, is backing Republican David Boliek in the upcoming auditors race. She has criticized Holmes, saying Holmes does not have a clue about the office.

Holmes, who was appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to replace Wood, responded to this criticism in her speech.I would say the difference between the people standing behind me and their opponents is the word integrity, Holmes said. One thing that taxpayers of North Carolina do not have to worry about is me misusing state assets or betraying the publics trust for selfish gain.
VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  A call center dedicated to connecting people in need with available services is getting more space thanks to a major state grant.

New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie joined Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo at the United Way of Broome County in Vestal this morning to announce a $1 million grant. The money will cover the cost of putting an addition onto the United Way building to house an expanded 211 center.

The 211 Susquehanna River Region Community Resource Center offers referrals to callers seeking help with food insecurity, homelessness, rental and heat assistance and other social service needs.

Heastie, who is on his annual statewide tour, says Lupardo lobbied him for the much-needed expansion.

This is your money, this is taxpayer money, and I couldnt think of anything better to spend taxpayer money on than expanding a system, or actually giving adequate spacing to a system that will end up saving and preserving peoples lives, said Heastie.

The 211 call center serves five counties in our region: Broome, Tioga, Chenango, Delaware and Otsego.

Last year, it handled 55,000 phone calls looking for help.

It currently has a staff of 7, with plans to add an 8th, crammed into a window-less room.

United Way Executive Director Paula Perna says her dedicated staff needs a better work environment for their challenging job.

Our 211 specialists are a team of compassionate, highly trained community specialists who are often dealing with a wide range of issues from basic needs to complex problems such as mental health issues. It requires someone who has the ability to handle high stress situations with empathy and efficiency. The emotional toll can be significant, said Perna.

Heastie had originally planned to announce a state grant of $750,000 to cover just the expansion, but later decided to increase it to $1 million after Perna explained that the building has other infrastructure needs such as a leaky roof and outdated bathrooms.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa closed the Black Student Union, as well as queer resource center Safe Zone in late August. The decision comes after the state passed legislation prohibiting public universities from giving resources to diversity, equity and inclusion programs in March.

It feels terrible, like there is no place to go, Cierra Gilliam, a student who was interested in becoming involved with BSU, told the Associated Press. They ripped all the signage and things down, and there is nothing left.

The Black Student Union offered students resources for trips to the airport and Black hair salons  which provided a sense of community at a predominantly white institution.

You dont realize how assuring a space like that is until its gone, student Rowan Aldridge said about the importance of Safe Zone for the LGBTQ+ community on campus. And it doesnt make me feel optimistic about the direction this school is going in if theyre willing to make decisions like this.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Black Student Union (UA) (@bsu_ua)

Safe Zone has staff positions, which were held by several students. The center provided counseling and served as a liaison for students and the administration.

Im a senior student who is trying to get my degree and pay my rent and make my money, Queer Student Association president Bryce Schottelkotte told the AP. I care very much about QSA, but I just dont have the time or ability to focus every single thing in my day on QSA.

The University will continue to provide resources and support to every member of our campus community, Alex House, the University of Alabamas associate director of communications, told the AP in a statement.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Black Student Union (UA) (@bsu_ua)

Similar decisions over DEI regulations are happening across the U.S. As Blavity reported, a Black student group at the University of Missouri was forced to rename its annual Welcome Black BBQ event in late August because the school wanted it to reflect that our campus is open and welcoming to all, according to a spokesperson for the university.

The Tuscaloosa chapter of the NAACP noted the enduring importance of organizations like the Black Student Union on university campuses.

In Tuscaloosa and across Alabama, organizations like BSU play a critical role in continuing the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement, Tuscaloosa NAACP chapter president Lisa Young told the AP.

Even though we did lose our space, we want to say it does not define us. It just means that were going to have to work harder as a community, Black Student Union president Jordan Stokes said.

I dont think a lot of people really understand or know how much the BSU office meant to so many students, and how many relationships formed and how many people went through the university and went on to graduate, she added. I dont think the lawmakers really understand that.
A University of Kentucky student was strangled and sexually assaulted by another student in an on-campus residence hall Tuesday, the university reported.

Both the victim and the suspect are UK students, and the suspect is known to the victim, according to a report received by the UK Police Department on Sept. 3. The gender of the victim and suspect were not provided.

The fall semester began Aug. 26.

UK Police is actively investigating this matter, and the appropriate campus units are working with individuals involved to provide resources and support, the university said in a crime bulletin issued on Wednesday evening.

The university offers several supports for students who have experienced sexual assault, or need mental health support. Free and confidential survivor support is provided through the Violence and Intervention Prevention Center, which can be contacted by calling 859-257-3574 or visiting uky.edu/vipcenter.

Other resources are available through the Office of Student Success, https://studentsuccess.uky.edu/get-help.

Incidents of harassment or sexual assault also can be reported to the Title IX Coordinator by calling 859-257-8927 or visiting the website at oeo.uky.edu. To report an incident of sexual assault to campus police, the UK Police Department Special Victims Unit can be contacted by calling 859-257-8573.

Sexual assault is never the victims fault, the crime bulletin said. The only person responsible for sexual misconduct is the perpetrator.

The crime bulletin was issued on Wednesday in compliance with the Clery Act, which requires colleges and universities that receive federal funding to notify students of any crime that represents a serious or continuing threat to the safety of the campus community, according to the UK police department website.

Sexual assault is defined as rape, fondling, incest or statutory rape, according to UKs most recent Campus Safety and Security Report.
An unseen problem with the Electoral College  it tells bad guys where to target their efforts

Congressional clerks pass an Electoral College certificate. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Over the past four years, Congress and state governments have worked hard to prevent the aftermath of the 2024 election from descending into the chaos and threats to democracy that occurred around the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

A new federal law cleaned up ambiguities that could allow for election subversion. New state laws have been enacted across the country to protect election workers from threats and harassment. Technology experts are working to confront misinformation campaigns and vulnerabilities in election systems.

But untouched in all of these improvements is the underlying structure of presidential elections  the Electoral College.

Here is a quick refresher about how the system works today:

After citizens vote in the presidential election in November, the Constitution assigns the task of choosing the president and vice president to electors. Electors are allocated based on the number of congressional representatives and senators from each state. The electors meet in their separate state capitals in December to cast their votes. The ballots are then counted by the vice president in front of members of Congress on Jan. 6 to determine which ticket has won a majority.

The widely varied pros and cons of the Electoral College have already been aired and debated extensively. But there is another problem that few have recognized: The Electoral College makes American democracy more vulnerable to people with malicious intent.

A state-centric system

The original brilliance of the Electoral College has become one of its prime weaknesses. The unusual system was devised at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 as a compromise that prioritized the representation of state interests. This focus helped win over reluctant delegates who feared that the most populous states would disregard small states concerns.

Nowadays nearly every state has chosen to award all of its electoral votes to whichever ticket wins more votes in the state. Even if a candidate gets 51% of the popular vote, use of the winner-take-all rule in these states means they will be awarded 100% of the electoral votes.

This is what leads to the battleground state phenomenon: Presidential candidates focus their rallies, advertisements and outreach efforts on the few states where campaigns could actually tip the balance. In 2020, 77% of all campaign ads ran in just six states that were home to only 21% of the nations population.

In this way, the Electoral College system naturally draws campaign attention to issues that might tip the balance in these hotbeds of competitiveness.

A road map for bad behavior

By doing so, the system essentially identifies the states where malicious people who want to alter or undermine the election results should focus their energies. The handful of battleground states are efficient targets for harmful efforts that would otherwise not have much success meddling in elections.

Someone who wants to infiltrate the election system would have difficulty causing problems in a national popular vote because it is decided by thousands of disconnected local jurisdictions. In contrast, the Electoral College makes it convenient to sow mischief by only meddling in a few states widely seen as decisive.

In 2020, the lawsuits, hacking, alternative electors, recount efforts and other challenges did not target states perceived by some to have weaker security because they had less strict voter ID laws or voter signature requirements. Opponents of the results also did not go after states such as California and Texas that account for a large share of the countrys voters.

Rather, all of the firepower was trained on about a half-dozen swing states. By one account, there were 82 lawsuits filed in the days after the 2020 presidential election, 77 of which targeted six swing states. The fake elector schemes in which supporters of Donald Trump put forward unofficial lists of electors occurred in only seven battleground states.

The popular vote alternative

A majority of Americans say in surveys they prefer to scrap the Electoral College system and simply award the presidency to the person who gets the most votes nationwide.

Dumping the Electoral College would have a variety of consequences, but it would immediately remove opportunities for disrupting elections via battleground states. A close election in Arizona or Pennsylvania would no longer provide leverage for upending the national result.

Any election system that does not rely on states as the puzzle pieces for deciding elections would remove opportunities like these. It could also seriously reduce disputes over recounts and suspicion about late-night ballot counts, long lines and malfunctioning voting machines because those local concerns would be swamped by the national vote totals.

Although not without its own concerns, an agreement among the states to award their electoral votes to the winner of the popular vote is probably the most viable method for shifting to the popular vote, in part because it does not require passing an amendment to the Constitution.

There is no ideal way to run a presidential election. The Electoral College has survived in its current form for almost two centuries, a remarkable run for democracy. But in an era where intense scrutiny of just a few states is the norm, the system also lights the way for those who would harm democracy.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Democrat Dave Upthegrove, a current member of the King County Council and a former state representative, is a candidate for Commissioner of Public Lands.

Dave Upthegrove will advance to the general election after recounts solidified his second-place standing in the primary race for Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands.

Upthegrove, a Democrat, gained four net votes in the recount and finished with a 396,304 statewide votes, according to certified results from the states 39 county.

Meanwhile, Sue Kuehl Pederson, a Republican, gained six net votes to finish with 396,255 votes  49 votes less than Upthegrove.

Upthegrove, a King County Council member, will now face former U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, a Republican who won first place in the primary with 419,297 votes.

Secretary of State Steve Hobbs called for a hand recount of the votes cast between Upthegrove and Pederson in the Aug. 6 primary race after the final tally showed a difference of just 51 votes between the second- and third-place candidates. Hobbs certified the recount results on Wednesday.

Seven candidates competed in the primary race, including four Democrats and two Republicans. Though Beutler took the lead, about 57% of primary voters chose Democrat candidates while 43% chose the two Republican candidates.

With this outcome voters now will have a choice between two sharply different visions for the office of Commissioner of Public Lands, Upthegrove said in a statement released after the vote count was certified.

The largest gains for Upthegrove occurred in the Snohomish County recount where he got five votes, followed by Okanogan County where he got one vote, according to state data.

Upthegroves biggest loss happened in King County where he lost four votes, according to King County election results. State data showed all other counties had no change or single vote changes for Upthegrove.

Pederson gained four votes in Island County, two votes in Snohomish County, one vote in Douglas County and one vote in Skagit County, according to state data. However, she also lost one vote in both Chelan and Grays Harbor Counties.

Pierce and Thurston Counties saw no change in their results for Upthegrove and Pederson, state data showed.

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall said she was very proud of her team after the county certified its portion of the statewide recount on Tuesday.

I love hand recounts because they validate our tabulation equipment, our processes and our ballot inspection team, Hall said. No votes changed between candidates, and we had only one vote change from an undervote to a candidate. One ballot out of 88,000 is pretty impressive.

Nearly all counties certified their election results by Tuesday. The one exception was King County, which certified its results before noon Wednesday.

The Washington State Republican Party issued a statement after the certification saying the process raised questions about vote curing, undercounts and some counties use of apps.

The WAGOP is keeping all options open for responding to todays certification from the WA Secretary of State, the statement reads. The Party may file lawsuits challenging the certification. It may also file lawsuits challenging specific county recounts. Or the Party may focus on improving recount processes, going forward.

Shasti Conrad, chair of the Washington State Democratic Party, celebrated efforts to cure ballots in a news release. Conrad also called on everyone who voted for a Democratic candidate to unite behind Upthegrove.

Today we celebrate the Washington Democrats volunteers and the Upthegrove campaigns efforts to cure ballots, ensuring that every lawfully cast ballot was counted, Conrad said. Their efforts ensured that Washington voters will have a candidate in the general election for Public Lands Commissioner who not only believes in human-caused climate, but who will work passionately to restore health and resilience to our state forested lands and iconic waterways.
US charges employees of Russia's RT network in crackdown on election influence efforts

By Sarah N. Lynch, Andrew Goudsward and Christopher Bing

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. on Wednesday filed money-laundering charges against two employees of Russian state media network RT for what officials said was a scheme to hire an American company to produce online content to influence the 2024 presidential election.

Justice Department officials said the two employees used shell companies and fake personas to pay $10 million to an unnamed Tennessee company to produce online videos aimed at amplifying political divisions in the United States.

The U.S. Treasury and State departments also announced actions targeting RT, including the network's top editor, Margarita Simonovna Simonyan.

U.S. officials said Russia's goal is to exacerbate U.S. political divisions and weaken public support for American aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia.

"We will be relentlessly aggressive in countering and disrupting attempts by Russia and Iran, as well as China or any other foreign malign actor, (to) interfere in our elections and undermine our democracy," U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said.

The FBI separately sought court permission to seize 32 internet domains it said were part of Russia's foreign influence effort.

RT responded with ridicule. "Three things are certain in life: death, taxes and RT's interference in the US elections," the media outlet told Reuters.

RT ceased operating in the United States after major television distributors dropped it following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russian lawmaker Maria Butina told Reuters that Moscow does not think it matters whether Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Kamala Harris wins the Nov. 5 election.

"The only winner of the U.S. election is the U.S. private military industrial complex," said Butina, who spent 15 months in U.S. prison for acting as an unregistered Russian agent.

The Russian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Moscow has repeatedly said it has not meddled in the upcoming U.S. election.

The criminal indictment charged the two RT employees, Konstantin Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, with conspiracy to violate U.S. money laundering and foreign agent laws. Both are based in Russia and remain at large, U.S. officials said.

'HETERODOX COMMENTATORS'

Authorities said the RT employees worked with two foreign nationals in the United States, who set up a company that recruited prominent conservative commentators to post regular videos on topics like immigration and U.S. politics.

Though the company is not named in the indictment, details provided in court filings match up with Tenet Media, a Nashville-based company that has posted nearly 2,000 videos to YouTube in less than a year.

The indictment's description of a "network of heterodox commentators that focus on Western political and cultural issues" matches Tenet's own promotional wording on its website. In addition, Tenet's incorporation date of Feb. 19, 2022, filed with the Tennessee Secretary of State matches the date mentioned in the indictment.

The company did not respond to a request for comment and Justice Department officials declined to confirm that it was the company mentioned in the indictment.

The company paid $8.7 million to the production companies of three of the online stars it recruited, according to the indictment. The company's founders also received more than $760,000.

The commentators, who were not named in the indictment, did not know they were paid by RT, the Justice Department said.

In one instance, the indictment said, Afanasyeva asked the company to produce a video that would blame Ukraine and the United States for a mass shooting at a Moscow music venue, the Justice Department said, even though Islamic State had claimed responsibility.

A company founder responded that one of the commentators is "happy to cover it," according to the indictment.

Benny Johnson, one of the commenters who has worked with Tenet, said in a statement he is disturbed by the indictment and said it "makes clear that myself and other influencers were victims in this alleged scheme."

Tim Pool, another commenter, also said he and the other influencers "were deceived and are victims." He said no one else had editorial control of his broadcasts.

Alphabet, which owns YouTube, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Justice Department has not charged Tenet executives with wrongdoing. However, it alleges that the company failed to disclose that it was funded by RT and its executives never registered with the Justice Department that they were acting as agents of a foreign government.

The Justice Department has previously warned that Russia remains a threat in the election and appears to be favoring Trump over Harris.

U.S. intelligence assessments found that Moscow tried to help Trump in 2016, when he defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton, and in 2020 when he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Moscow has denied the allegations.

After the charges were announced, Trump posted on social media that the Justice Department was working to defeat him in the election.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch and Andrew Goudsward; additional reporting by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow, and Christopher Bing, Katie Paul, Katharine Jackson Doina Chiacu and Daphne Psaledakis in Washington; Editing by Andy Sullivan, Caitlin Webber, Deepa Babington, Jonathan Oatis and Lisa Shumaker)
A three-day extradition hearing for the Colorado Springs woman accused of killing two of her children is underway in a London court, according to reports from NBC.

Kimberlee Singler, 36, appeared in court on Wednesday for the first day of her extradition hearing in Westminster Magistrates Court in Central London.

NBC reports via its London-based journalists that the court heard details of how Singler allegedly drugged her children before fatally stabbing and shooting two of them because God told her to do it.

Singler's attorney argued to the court Wednesday that her potential sentence if convicted of life in prison without parole is a "breach of the European human rights law," according to NBC.

Previous Gazette reporting outlines that Singler was in the midst of a lengthy custody battle with her ex-husband, Kevin Wentz, and failed to show up to a police station to return custody of the three children to Wentz the day before she allegedly killed two of the three children.

Singler faces seven charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, for allegedly killing her two children, Elianna Wentz and Aden Wentz, and attempting to kill her third child.

The El Paso County Coroner's Office ruled that both children's deaths were homicides.

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Elianna Ellie Wentz, 9, suffered a gunshot wound to the head and cuts to her neck that caused her death.

Her brother, Aden Wentz, 7, was killed by a gunshot to his head, an autopsy states. He suffered neck wounds, as well.

Kate Singh, a spokesperson for the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office, stated that she had no updates on Singler's extradition when asked for an update from The Gazette on Wednesday morning.

NBC reports that the ongoing extradition hearing is expected to last three days.
US announces sanctions against Russian propagandist Simonyan and Russian hackers for interfering with US presidential elections

The US Department of Treasury has announced the sanctions against the management of a Russian propagandistic channel RT and the RaHDit hacker group on 4 September for interfering with the 2024 US presidential elections.

Source: European Pravda; US Department of Treasury

Details: The US Department of Treasury stated that at the beginning of the year, the management of RT started recruiting American officials for its campaign of influence on the US elections in addition to spreading fake news and disinformation.

"RT used a front company to disguise its own involvement or the involvement of the Russian government in content meant to influence US audiences," the statement says.

Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of RT; her deputies Yelizaveta Brodskaia and Anton Anisimov; Andrei Kiyashko, Deputy Director of the RT English-Language Information Broadcasting; Konstantin Kalashnikov, digital media projects manager; and his subordinate Elena Afanasyeva have been subject to US sanctions.

The US Department of Treasury states that Anisimov conducts activities on behalf of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), and Afanasyeva has covertly tried to get in touch with American officials under the cover of a fake persona and recruit them.

The sanctions were also imposed on the pro-Kremlin hacktivist group RaHDit, which is composed of active and former Russian intelligence officers: Aleksei Garashchenko, Anastasia Yermoshkina and Aleksandr Nezhentsev.

In addition to this, new US sanctions concern Autonomous Non-Profit Organisation (ANO) Dialog linked to Doppelganger, a Russia-linked influence operation network identified in 2022, its subsidiary organisation Dialog Regions and the heads of both of these companies owned by Vladimir Tabak.

The media announced earlier that Joe Bidens administration may publicly accuse Russia of attempting to influence this years US presidential elections via Kremlin-controlled media and online platforms.

American intelligence reported earlier that foreign enemies of the US would try to influence presidential elections in November 2024, adjusting their operations to domestic political events in the US.

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Editor's note: The article was edited to indicate the individuals designated by the U.S. Treasury Department.

The U.S. on Sept. 4 announced a sweeping crackdown on supposed Russian election interference, sanctioning high-profile propagandists like Margarita Simonyan and seizing 32 internet domains linked to Kremlin propaganda campaigns.

The announcement comes following U.S. intelligence warnings on July 9 that Moscow has plans to wage information campaigns against U.S. voters during the upcoming election.

The U.S. State, Justice, and Treasury departments have acted jointly against the Kremlin's propaganda machine, seizing web domains, issuing indictments, and imposing visa restrictions against participants in Russia's "malign influence" campaign.

Along with the domain seizures, the U.S. Treasury Department designated 10 individuals and two entities as part of Russia's coordinated propaganda campaign, nicknamed "Doppelganger." This included RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Elizaveta Brodskaia, and Director of the RT English-Language Andrey Kiyashko.

The Justice Department said that the campaign included funding an unnamed Tennessee-based company, which the U.S. media identified as Tenet Media, an outlet hosting prominent right-wing commentators like Benny Johnson or Tim Pool.

The U.S. State Department also introduced a new visa restriction policy, designated certain Russian media companies as foreign missions, and offered up to $10 million as a reward for those who provide information on Russian election meddling.

As part of the Doppelganger operation, the Russian firms Social Design Agency (SDA), Structura National Technology (Structura), and ANO Dialog were directed by Russian President Vladimir Putin's First Deputy Chief of Staff, Sergey Kiriyenko, to covertly disseminate Kremlin propaganda with the intent to reduce support for Ukraine and influence the outcome of international elections, the DOJ alleged.

An internal planning document stated that the Russian government's goal is to "secure Russia's preferred outcome in the election," U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said.

The State Department designated the Russian state-run media conglomerate Rossiya Segodnya and its subsidiaries RIA Novosti, RT, TV-Novosti, Ruptly, and Sputnik, as foreign missions under the U.S. Foreign Missions Act. The designation requires the companies to notify the department of all personnel working in the U.S. and disclose all property held in the U.S.

"(W)e now know that RT, formerly known as Russia Today, has moved beyond being simply a media organization," the department's statement read.

"RT has contracted with a private company to pay unwitting Americans millions of dollars to carry the Kremlins message to influence the U.S. elections and undermine democracy."

The crackdown also included an indictment against two RT employees by the DOJ.

Russia has been accused of using social media disinformation, bot farms, and other means to back Donald Trump against his Democratic opponents  Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden  during the 2016 and 2020 elections.

Trump is running for president a third time, and will face off against Vice President Kamala Harris in November. U.S. intelligence officials said they "have not observed a shift in Russia's preferences for the presidential race from past elections."

The Doppelganger operation allegedly used tactics such as cybersquatting, fake influencers, and artificial accounts to promote AI-generated disinformation campaigns on social media.

Many Doppelganger sites imitated legitimate news outlets to bolster pro-Russian narratives while obfuscating their ties to the Russian government.

"Our actions today make clear that the Justice Department will be aggressive in countering and disrupting attempts by the Russian government, or any other malign actor, to interfere in our elections and undermine our democracy," Garland said.

Read also: US investigates American commentators with ties to Russian state TV, NYT reports

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In an exclusive interview at the Globsec forum in Prague, retired U.S. General Philip M. Breedlove discusses how the delayed introduction of F-16s has limited their immediate effectiveness in Ukraine and what lessons on balancing air superiority and drone warfare NATO should learn from Ukraine war.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
US government joins forces with local conservation groups to establish new wildlife refuge area: 'Treasured outdoor spaces for current and future generations to enjoy'

In a move that will protect important ecosystems and wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced the newest addition to its national wildlife refuge system  the Willamette Valley Conservation Area in Oregon.

KEZI 9 News reported on this newly protected area, which spans 600 acres in the Diamond Hill wetlands about 90 miles south of Portland and protects oak and prairie habitat.

Endangered and threatened species, including the Western monarch butterfly, Western meadowlark, and Oregon white oak, depend on this ecosystem.

The USFWS first began collaborating with local conservationists in 2014 to identify habitats in the Willamette Valley that needed protection.

Over the last decade, the department has worked with stakeholders, such as the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Willamette Valley Oak and Prairie Cooperative, and private landowners to help establish the conservation area.

Protecting ecosystems like the Willamette Valley Conservation Area can have cascading effects for humans.

Such conservation efforts safeguard butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. In turn, those pollinators help supply us with food  about one out of every three bites we eat is available to us thanks to our pollinator friends, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Prairie soil stores planet-warming carbon as well, which helps us in the fight against rising global temperatures.

This is just one of many campaigns across the globe that seek to preserve or restore Mother Nature. For instance, the U.S. military is joining forces with conservationists to safeguard over 2.7 million acres of land as part of Utah's newly designated Great Salt Lake Sentinel Landscape.

In Spain, the government is allocating about $1.5 billion to protect Donana National Park from intensifying drought.

Oregon's new wildlife refuge is part of a nationwide effort to conserve lands and waters through the America the Beautiful Initiative, per KEZI 9 News.

"The National Wildlife Refuge System plays an invaluable role in providing vital landscapes for wildlife species, offering outdoor recreation and bolstering climate resilience across the country," Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement. "In communities across the nation, the Biden-Harris administration is investing resources and bringing together local, state, Tribal, and conservation partners to protect treasured outdoor spaces for current and future generations to enjoy."

USFWS Director Martha Williams added that the newly created refuge "is the result of robust relationships that are coming together for the benefit of people and wildlife. It's because of these partnerships that today we celebrate the new Willamette Valley Conservation Area, which will help support Oregon's outdoor economy while protecting and restoring threatened and endangered species."

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IOWA  The US Marshals Service in northern Iowa is asking for the publics help to find a wanted fugitive who is believed to be in the Humboldt or Webster County areas. Nathan Nickless, 39, is facing weapons and drug charges related to a December 2023 incident, according to the US Marshals Service. Nickless is 5 9 tall and weighs 170 lbs.

Anyone with information about Nickless location is asked to call the US Marshall Service at 712-252-3077 or to call 911 to connect with local police.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
A US service member has been detained in Venezuela, according to four US officials familiar with the matter.

The service member, a US Navy sailor, is a US citizen and was detained on August 30 in Caracas, according to the officials. One of the officials said he is being held by the Venezuelan intelligence agency SEBIN.

A defense official told CNN, we are aware of reports that a US Navy Sailor was detained on or about August 30, 2024, by Venezuelan law enforcement authorities while on personal travel to Venezuela. The US Navy is looking into this and working closely with the State Department. We refer you to the State Department for additional questions.

Another official said the service member was not on official travel or approved leave when he traveled to the country. It is not clear why he traveled there.

We are aware of reports of the detention of an individual in Venezuela, a State Department spokesperson said.

We have no further information to share at this time, the spokesperson said.

The White House said Wednesday that they are in touch with Venezuelan authorities to get more information about the situation, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said.

Were obviously in touch, as appropriate as you think we would be with Venezuela authorities to try to get more knowledge and information about this, Kirby said in Wednesdays White House press briefing.

The State Department advises Americans against traveling to Venezuela, warning that there is a high risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals.

Security forces have detained U.S. citizens for up to five years, the travel advisory for Venezuela says. The U.S. government is not generally notified of the detention of U.S. citizens in Venezuela or granted access to U.S. citizen prisoners there.

CNN has asked the Venezuelan government for comment.

The detention of a US citizen comes during a period of serious unrest within Venezuela, after opposition and multiple Latin American leaders refused to recognize the reelection of the countrys authoritarian leader, Nicolas Maduro, in July. Protests erupted in Venezuela over the election, which reportedly killed at least 11 people and resulted in the detention of hundreds of others.

Just this week, the US seized Maduros airplane in the Dominican Republic. CNN first reported the seizure, which was a significant development in an already tense relationship between the US and Venezuela. One US official told CNN the seizure sends a message all the way to the top.

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 official said.

The latest detention of a US service member comes roughly two years after nine Americans  including the Citgo 6  were brought home from Venezuela by the Biden administration in 2022. after five years of detention in the country. In December 2023, the US secured the release of six wrongfully detained Americans and four other Americans held in Venezuela.

CNNs Jennifer Hansler and Samantha Waldenberg contributed reporting.

This story is breaking and will be updated.

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The US mulls a peacekeeping operation for Haiti to secure money and equipment to fight gangs

People run from tear gas fired by police to disperse protesters demanding police and the Prime Minister take immediate action against gangs in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)  The U.S. is mulling a U.N. peacekeeping operation in Haiti as one way to secure funding and staffing for a Kenya-led mission deployed to quell gang violence in the Caribbean country, a top U.S. diplomat said Wednesday.

Brian A. Nichols, U.S. assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs, spoke hours after The Miami Herald reported that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is considering the possibility of a traditional U.N. peacekeeping operation given the limited funding and equipment available to the current mission.

A (peacekeeping operation) is one of the ways we could accomplish that, Nichols told reporters. But we are looking at multiple ways.

The U.N. Security Council would ultimately have to vote on a peacekeeping mission. But experts have said its unlikely it would support one, and note many Haitians would likely balk at it given the introduction of cholera and sexual abuse cases that occurred when U.N. troops were last in Haiti.

When asked about a possible peacekeeping mission, a U.N. spokesman said only that, It would be a decision of the Security Council."

Nichols noted that the current U.N.-backed mission to Haiti depends on voluntary contributions, with the U.S. and Canada providing the bulk of the funding so far.

Some 400 Kenyan police are currently in Haiti, but the mission also calls for the deployment of police and soldiers from the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Chad and Jamaica for a total of 2,500 personnel. They would be deployed in phases that would cost roughly $600 million a year. Currently, the U.N. has $85 million in pledges for the mission, out of which $68 million has been received.

Contributions to the U.N. fund for the mission, however, have been limited, and Haitians complain that they have not seen a decrease in gang violence since the first contingency of Kenyans arrived in late June.

We need the rest of the international community to step forward with much more significant financial contributions so that the force can continue to operate and that additional nations can deploy their units as part of the (mission), Nichols said.

He spoke a day before U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to visit Haiti on Thursday and the neighboring Dominican Republic afterward.

Blinken is expected to meet with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and a transitional presidential council and push for the appointment of a provisional electoral council so Haiti can hold long-awaited elections.

The prime minister is rightly concerned about the future, but I think we have come quite a long way since the beginning of the year, Nichols said.

Haiti held its last presidential election in November 2016, with gang violence and political upheaval preventing any elections since then.

Former President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in July 2021, and gang violence surged in the political vacuum that followed. In February, gangs launched coordinated attacks targeting key government infrastructure to prevent the return of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was in Kenya to talk about the upcoming mission.

Gangs raided more than two dozen police stations, opened fire on the main international airport, forcing it to close for nearly three months, and stormed Haitis two biggest prisons, releasing thousands of inmates.

Henry, unable to return to Haiti, resigned in April. A transitional presidential council was later created, and it appointed Conille as prime minister.

Weve come a long way since those very dark moments, Nichols said, noting that Haiti's police and military recently launched its first joint operation with the Kenyans, going after gangs and their leaders in a way that hasnt happened in years.

But gangs still control 80% of the capital of Port-au-Prince, and their leaders continue to order attacks into surrounding areas. From January to May, more than 3,200 people were killed, with violence leaving more than half a million people homeless in recent years.

Efforts to move forward politically also have stalled, and Haitis transitional council now finds itself embroiled in a high-profile corruption scandal. Three of its nine members have been accused of demanding more than $750,000 from the director of the government-owned National Bank of Credit to secure his job. The director has since resigned, and the three council members have denied accusations that the government is investigating.

The Haitian people deserve transparency and good governance, and the international community, which provides good assistance, also needs to see that, Nichols said.

After visiting Haiti, Blinken is expected to meet with Dominican President Luis Abinader, who has barred Haitians from flying into the country and is building a fence along a border that both nations share on the island of Hispaniola.

Nichols said the U.S. hopes to see more normal relations between the two countries, but obviously those are sovereign decisions.
By Steve Holland, Jonathan Landay, Andrew Mills and Ahmed Mohamed Hassan

WASHINGTON/DOHA/CAIRO (Reuters) - The White House is scrambling to put forward a new proposal for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages by Hamas in the coming days, two U.S. officials, two Egyptian security sources and an official with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The new proposal aims to work out the major sticking points behind a months-long impasse in talks mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt seeking a truce in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the U.S. officials said.

Much of the deal has been agreed upon, a senior Biden administration official separately told reporters on Wednesday, but negotiators were still trying to hammer out solutions to two main obstacles.

Those are Israel's demand to keep forces in the Philadelphi corridor, a buffer zone in southern Gaza on the border with Egypt, and the specific individuals who would be included in an exchange of Hamas hostages and Palestinian prisoners in Israel, said the administration official, who declined to be identified.

The first U.S. official said a new draft accord could be produced next week or even sooner. "The feeling is the time is up. Don't be surprised if you see (the revised draft) this weekend," that official said.

The administration official said Hamas' killing of six hostages, whose bodies were returned to Israel over the weekend, complicated the effort. "We all feel the urgency," the administration official said. CIA Director William Burns, the lead U.S. negotiator, heads the small group of senior U.S. officials working on the draft which includes White House coordinator for the Middle East Brett McGurk and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the first U.S. official said.

"There is a very strong perception on the part of the negotiators that the ceasefire is slipping away," the first U.S. official said, underscoring the urgency underpinning the effort.

Since Blinken's latest tour of the region last month failed to produce a breakthrough, mediators have kept up working-level discussions, and those talks are continuing, the first U.S. official said.

The Egyptian sources said the U.S. was shifting from a more consultative approach to trying to impose a ceasefire plan on the parties.

Both U.S. officials said the revised plan would not be a final take-it-or-leave it offer and that Washington would continue working towards a ceasefire if it fell through.

ISRAELI PRESENCE

On Tuesday, five Arab countries including regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia as well as the Palestinian Authority joined Egypt in rejecting Israel's demand to keep its troops deployed in the Philadelphi corridor. On Wednesday, Turkey issued a similar statement.

Parts of the three-phase agreement already accepted by both sides require Israel to withdraw from all densely populated areas of Gaza in the first phase of the deal. The senior administration official said the current dispute is whether the corridor qualifies as a densely populated area.

"So we're really talking here about Phase One, about what that configuration will look like," the official added.

The U.S. group is considering areas of the Philadelphi corridor where Israeli troops would have to withdraw and areas where they could stay, the first U.S. official said.

At talks in Qatar on Monday, an Israeli delegation led by Mossad chief David Barnea told mediators that Israel was willing to withdraw its troops from the corridor after the first 42-day phase of a ceasefire, the official with knowledge of the talks said.

But hours later Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a news conference in Jerusalem and insisted that Israel retain control of the Philadelphi corridor, comments the official said were made after the delegation had returned home.

Netanyahu on Wednesday repeated his outright rejection of a withdrawal from the corridor in the first phase of a deal. Israel would only agree to a permanent ceasefire after that if there were guarantees the corridor could never be used as route for smuggling weapons and supplies into Gaza for Hamas.

"This has placed the mediating parties in a difficult position. If Israel remains in the Philadelphi corridor, neither Egypt nor Hamas would agree to any agreement," the official with knowledge of the matter said.

Netanyahu's office declined to comment.

Senior Hamas official Izzat Al Risheq told Reuters on Wednesday that the group would deal with a new proposal that "responds to the demands of the resistance and the demands of our people", without providing specifics. Hamas said in a statement there was no need for new proposals, and accused Netanyahu of seeking to thwart a deal.

Israel seized control of the Philadelphi corridor in May, saying it was used by Hamas to smuggle weapons and banned material into its tunnels to Gaza.

The Israeli advance resulted in the closure of the Rafah crossing, sharply reducing humanitarian aid entering Gaza, halting most medical evacuations and potentially depriving Egypt of its role brokering access to the only border crossing into Gaza not directly controlled by Israel.

Egypt says that tunnels used for smuggling into Gaza have been closed or destroyed, a Palestinian presence at Rafah should be restored and the Philadelphi corridor buffer zone is guaranteed by the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty.

The 11-month-old conflict erupted on Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed nearly 41,000 Palestinians and largely leveled the coastal enclave, displacing most of its 2.3 million people and creating a humanitarian crisis, Gaza's health authorities have said.

(Reporting by Andrew Mills and Imad Creidi in Doha; Trevor Hunnicutt, Steve Holland and Jonathan Landay in Washington; Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ahmed Mohamed Hassan in Cairo; Emily Rose and James Mackenzie in Jerusalem; Writing by Andrew Mills and Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Aidan Lewis and Cynthia Osterman)
A man who allegedly smashed out the windows of a car with a steel rebar pipe during a domestic violence incident early Tuesday morning has been arrested following an hours-long standoff, Colorado Springs police said.

Colorado Springs police said the suspect, 37-year-old Matthew Chavaries, could be facing multiple felony domestic violence charges, including second-degree assault, stalking, menacing and false imprisonment after a series of incidents that ultimately led to his arrest Tuesday night.

The standoff, which prompted a shelter-in-place order for residents along Parkside Drive, between Bijou Street and Pikes Peak, stemmed from a domestic violence incident earlier in the day.

Just before 8 a.m., the Colorado Springs Police Department Communications Center received a call for service regarding an in-progress domestic violence incident at Interstate 25 and Nevada Avenue. The reporting party told police that they were being followed in their vehicle by an ex, who was in another vehicle and was threatening to kill them, the police department reported.

The suspect reportedly smashed out multiple windows of the victim's car with a steel rebar pipe while chasing the victim, police said. As the victim attempted to flee, "multiple traffic accidents occurred," police said.

Before officers arrived, the suspect fled in what police determined was a stolen vehicle.

Hours later, around 1 p.m., the vehicle was located by patrol officers near Bijou Street and Chelton Road, which prompted a brief shelter-in-place order around the 1300 block of East Bijou Street.

Upon learning the suspect had fled that area, the shelter-in-place was lifted.

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About 30 minutes later, the suspect was located in a residence on Lawrence Avenue, near Bijou Street and Parkside Drive, and another shelter-in-place was issued shortly before 2:30 p.m.

Police made numerous attempts to contact the suspect, who had barricaded inside the home.

At 5:30 p.m., police obtained a search warrant for the home, and efforts continued to contact the suspect inside.

A chemical irritant was introduced and at 7:20 p.m., the suspect, Chavaries, who was unarmed, surrendered and was taken into custody without incident.

Due to the chemical irritant exposure, he was taken to a local hospital to get checked out before being being booked into the El Paso County jail.

"Our tactical guys, I give them so much credit. They really work these situations methodically, and it really boils down to not only officer safety, but suspect safety and safety of the residents," police spokesman Ira Cronin said.

"We really want to keep these situations peaceful, and hopefully people comply in a way that again, like tonight, our guys can end this without incident."
US has not changed position on Ukrainian strikes deep into Russian territory  Pentagon

The United States has not changed its policy on Ukraine striking deep within Russian territory with the use of US-provided weapons.

Source: Pentagon Spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder during a briefing on 3 September, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "I don't have any announcements to make in terms of any change in policy."

Details: Ryder reiterated that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will have the opportunity to meet with Ukrainian and international partners later this week in the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (Ramstein-format) meeting.

"We'll be very focused on, again, better understanding Ukraine's security assistance needs and how best to meet those," he said.

"But in terms of any changes to our policy, I'm  Im not going to have anything to provide. Again, there has been no changes," Ryder emphasised.

Background:

Russia launched a ballistic missile attack on an educational institution and hospital in the city of Poltava on 3 September. The latest information says that the number of people killed has risen to 51, with 219 people injured in the attack.

After the attack, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics called for the removal of all restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western-provided weapons.

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US official lays out new details on Gaza ceasefire talks, says Netanyahu comments on Philadelphi Corridor not constructive

A prospective hostage and ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is 90% completed, but disputes remain over the exchange of prisoners for hostages and the redeployment of Israeli forces in Gaza, according to a senior US administration official and others familiar with the matter.

American officials, with Qatar and Egypt, have for months worked to broker a deal to bring an end to the nearly year-long conflict. Those negotiations have taken on new urgency following the killings of six hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, and American officials have said they are preparing to present a final offer to the parties soon.

Its not the first time over the past several months that US negotiators have described the talks as entering their end stage, only for hopes to be dashed. Thats a reality US officials have acknowledged in recent days.

The painstaking negotiations have prompted the families of the remaining Americans held by Hamas to press the White House to explore a separate agreement with Hamas that would secure the release of their relatives. So far, US officials have said they are focused only on the larger deal.

A senior Biden administration on Wednesday offered one of the most detailed looks yet at key elements of the negotiations, which spokespeople for the US government said they would not negotiate in public. The official offered the previously unreported details after repeated public statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu casting doubt on his potential willingness to accept a deal, despite claims by the US that he had agreed to a bridging proposal.

The agreement itself makes no mention of the length of the Egypt-Gaza border known as the Philadelphi Corridor, the official told reporters on a call on Wednesday. Netanyahu has held two news conferences this week to argue that maintaining permanent control of the corridor is vital to Israeli security.

The first war goal was to destroy Hamas military and governing capabilities. The second was to free our hostages, and the third was to ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel. And all three of those goals  all three of them  go through Israels control of the Philadelphi corridor, Netanyahu said Wednesday at a news conference for foreign press.

That emphasis on Philadelphi in Netanyahus recent public statements hasnt been constructive, the official said.

In my view, the less thats said about particular issues, the better, the official said, adding: Staking out concrete positions in the middle of a negotiation isnt always particularly helpful.

In the agreement being discussed for the first phase of a deal, Israel Defense Forces are supposed to withdraw from densely populated areas, the official said. Israel argues that the border isnt one and is vital to preventing weapons smuggling into Gaza.

In the second phase, the IDF is supposed to withdraw entirely from Gaza.

The official said Hamass recent killing of six hostages had colored the ongoing negotiations and thrown into question Hamass willingness to reach a deal.

Hamas said this week that militants guarding Israeli hostages in the buildings and tunnels of Gaza had new instructions to kill them if Israeli troops closed in.

Still, the talks remain ongoing on finalizing the 18-paragraph proposal that American officials believe is the best chance of securing the hostages release.

Of the 18 paragraphs, all but four are finished and agreed to, the official said.

We still see this deal, this very complex but necessary arrangement, as really the most viable, perhaps the only viable, option for saving the lives of the hostages, stopping the war, bringing immediate release to Gazans, and also making sure we fully account for Israels security, the official said.

Its essentially down to the prisoner exchange and the deployment of Israeli forces, the official said.

The deal on the table currently includes the release in the first phase of some 800 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, including some serving life sentences, the official said. They would be released for the remaining female, elderly and wounded or sick hostages, which was believed to be around 30.

Yet Hamas has proved to be a frustrating negotiating partner of this issue, the official said.

There was some progress on last week but is difficult and requires Hamas to engage on it. Otherwise you just cant move forward, the official said.

Frustrated by the progress of the talks, some families of Americans still held hostage by Hamas have asked the Biden administration to look into a deal that would go around Israel to secure their loved ones release. US national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with the families virtually over the weekend.

While not ruling out such a possibility, US officials have stressed this week that the broader deal is the best, and potentially only, viable option to secure the hostages release.

We are working on a proposal that would release all the hostages, including the American hostages, and that is the proposal that weve been talking about in the region last week, and it was the same proposal that the president met with his team over the weekend to discuss. That is what were working on, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday.

The broader deal being discussed carries a significant aid component that would be launched immediately once the first phase goes into effect.

As part of the deal, 600 aid trucks a day would be allowed into Gaza, including 50 trucks of fuel. Equipment to clear rubble, supplies to support internally displaced Gazans and provisions for rehabilitating infrastructure would also be included in the first phase of the three-phase agreement.

Although the negotiators are working to close the remaining gaps, it is unclear when the in-person negotiations will resume. The latest round wrapped up last week. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said earlier Wednesday, We want to get this proposal developed as soon as possible and get it over to Israel and Hamas and then try to get a final agreement.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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With the general election on November 5 and early voting around the corner on October 18, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) laid out its plan to make sure that the service they provide during this years election is completed without any hiccups.

On August 29, the USPS outlined the preparation they are taking to make sure election mail is handled, processed and delivered with success.

In a brief to House and Senate committee staff, USPS pointed to the success they had in the 2020 and 2022 elections as their models to build this years preparations.

Our letter carriers and facilities teams across the country, the 640,000 women and men of the Postal Service, are fully focused on the critical mission of delivering the nations election mail  just as we have done so excellently through this current primary season and as we have done in the past, said Postmaster General and CEO Louis DeJoy. We are proud to do our part to help citizens who choose to use the mail to vote to do so effectively.

According to USPS, in 2020 the organization delivered 99.89 percent of election mail within seven days and 99.93 percent during the 2022 midterm elections.

To ensure success in 2024, they plan to start implementing their measure starting October 21, which may include additional pickups, extra deliveries and specific improvements to their sorting equipment. The measures are scheduled to run through November 15.

USPS will also limit making any changes to establish collection procedures to reduce any negative perception or optics, such as replacing or removing collections boxes, changing collections times or changes to the eLocks will be avoided. USPS will still take action in certain scenarios, such as vandalism.

Since late last year, The Postal Service has met regularly with stakeholders across the election mail landscape, including State and Local election administrators, Postal Unions and Management Associations, Federal Agencies & Congress, the Mailing Industry and non-governmental organizations. We have good working relationships with these organizations, and we greatly appreciate their partnership, said Adrienne Marshall, director of Election and Government Mail Services. Our dedicated election preparedness team will remain closely engaged with state and local election officials and other stakeholders through November to ensure we are acting quickly to address any Election Mail-related issue that may arise in the delivery of a ballot to and from a voter.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is expected to implement its own measures to quickly respond to any threats or incidents.

We understand the critical role we play in the democratic process, and we are resolute in our efforts to secure the delivery of ballots and all Election Mail, said Brendan Donahue, Assistant Inspector in Charge. We are committed to ensuring the safe and secure delivery of Election Mail to and from voters, the integrity of our nations elections, and the protection of election officials from threatening and dangerous mail. We take a whole of agency and a whole of government approach to this critical mission, employing all our law enforcement resources and working in close coordination with our local, state, and federal law enforcement and security partners.

To find a drop-box near you, visit the Washington Secretary of State website here.

To find your county elections office, click here.

To find your nearest post office, click here.
Two U.S. researchers claim to have pinpointed the likely deployment site in Russia for the 9M730 Burevestnik, a nuclear-powered cruise missile that President Vladimir Putin has hailed as "invincible."

While Putin asserts that the missile, known to NATO as the SSC-X-9 Skyfall, boasts nearly unlimited range and can outmaneuver U.S. missile defenses, some Western analysts remain skeptical, Reuters reports. They argue that the Burevestnik may not offer any new strategic advantages for Moscow and could pose a significant risk of a radioactive disaster.

Using satellite images captured on July 26 by Planet Labs, two U.S. researchers have identified a possible deployment site for Russia's 9M730 Burevestnik missile. The site is adjacent to a nuclear warhead storage facility known as Vologda-20 or Chebsara, located about 295 miles (475 km) north of Moscow.

This discovery, reported first by Reuters, was made by Decker Eveleth, an analyst at the CNA research and analysis organization. Eveleth analyzed the satellite images and spotted what appears to be nine horizontal launch pads under construction, arranged in three groups.

These pads are positioned within high protective berms, likely designed to guard against attacks or to minimize the risk of chain explosions in case of an accidental detonation. The berms are connected by roads to structures that Eveleth believes are facilities for servicing the missiles and their components, as well as to the existing complex of five nuclear warhead storage bunkers.

Eveleth said that the site is intended for a "large, fixed missile system," and noted that the only large, fixed missile system Russia is currently developing is the Skyfall.

A 2020 report from the U.S. Air Force's National Air and Space Intelligence Center suggested that if Russia managed to deploy the Burevestnik, it would provide Moscow with a "unique weapon" capable of intercontinental range.

However, eight experts interviewed by Reuters expressed skepticism, citing the missile's troubled development history and inherent design flaws, and questioned whether its deployment would significantly alter the nuclear balance with the West and other adversaries.

Read also: Russian Navy trained to strike Europe with nuclear-capable missiles, FT reports, citing secret files

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US-sanctioned Serbia official meets Putin, says Belgrade is an ally and won't join Western penalties

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin pose for a photo on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (Kristina Kormilitsyna, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Serbia is a Russian ally and will never impose sanctions against Moscow or join NATO, the Balkan nations deputy prime minister said Wednesday as he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The remarks by Aleksandar Vulin, a former intelligence chief who is under U.S. sanctions, reflect persistent close relations between Belgrade and Moscow despite Serbias proclaimed bid to join the European Union.

Its a great honor for me to have the privilege to talk to you, Vulin told Putin. Please believe me when I say it is a great encouragement for all Serbs, wherever they may live.

Serbia has refused to join Western sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine though it has condemned Moscow's aggression. Populist President Aleksandar Vucic has said that imposing the sanctions wasn't in Serbias national interest.

Serbia is not only a strategic partner of Russia, Serbia is also Russias ally, Vulin said. This is why pressure on us by the West is huge.

Vulins meeting with Putin in Russias far-eastern city of Vladivostok came just days after French President Emmanuel Macron visited Serbia when Belgrade signed an agreement to buy French Rafale fighter jets, a move that was seen as possible a shift away from Moscow. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier also visited Belgrade for the signing of a tentative EU deal with Serbia on raw materials needed in green transition.

The two met in Vladivostok on the sidelines of an economic forum designed to attract foreign investment and showcase Russia to them. Greeting Vulin as the two sat down for talks, Putin expressed hope that Serbia's deputy prime minister will be able to take a close look and evaluate the possibilities of cooperation with such a large and promising region as Russia's far east.

Vulin told Putin that Serbia's close ties with Russia will continue in the future.

Serbia led by Aleksandar Vucic is a Serbia that will never become a member of NATO, which will never impose sanctions against the Russian Federation and which will never allow its territory to be used for any anti-Russian actions," he said.

Serbia has not become and will not become part of anti-Russian hysteria, Vulin said.

The U.S. imposed sanctions on Vulin last July, accusing him of involvement in illegal arms shipments, drug trafficking and misuse of public office and aiding Russia's influence in the volatile Balkans.

Vulin has received two medals of honor from Russia.

The U.S. sanctions against individuals and companies in the Balkans are designed to counter attempts to undermine peace and stability in the volatile region and Russias malign influence.

The West has stepped up efforts to lure the troubled region into its fold, fearing that Russia could stir unrest to avert attention from the war in Ukraine. The Balkans went through multiple wars in the 1990s, and tensions still persist.
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The luxury jet Dassault Falcon 900EX was purchased in violation of US sanctions. | Credit: Miguel Gutierrez / AFP via Getty Images

What happened

The U.S. has seized a luxury jet used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the Justice Department announced yesterday, saying the Dassault Falcon 900EX was purchased by a shell company in violation of U.S. sanctions and smuggled out of the U.S.

Who said what

The plane, "described by officials as Venezuela's equivalent to Air Force One," was flown to Florida from the Dominican Republic, where it had been undergoing repairs, CNN said. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the aircraft was "illegally purchased for $13 million" for use by "Maduro and his cronies." Venezuela's government said the seizure of Maduro's jet "cannot be described as anything other than piracy."

What next?

Maduro's private jet was one of dozens the U.S. has seized from top Venezuelan leaders either sanctioned or indicted for alleged drug trafficking or corruption. Investigating the "corrupt practices of the Venezuelan government" is a "continued body of work," Anthony Salisbury, a special agent at Homeland Security Investigations, said to The Associated Press. "Obviously, we are not done yet." The U.S. will be pursuing forfeiture with the confiscated Falcon, CNN said, so "the Venezuelan government has a chance to petition for it" after the U.S. searches it for evidence.
US Steel warns jobs could be lost if sale falls through

US Steel warns jobs could be lost if sale falls through

U.S. Steel warned Wednesday that it may cut staff and move its headquarters from Pittsburgh if the companys planned sale to Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel falls apart.

Nippon Steel announced it would acquire U.S. Steel in December, prompting outcry from lawmakers across the political spectrum who argued the deal could undermine national security and industrial capacity.

President Biden, Vice President Harris and former President Trump have all voiced opposition to the deal.

U.S. Steel should remain American-owned and American-operated, and I will always have the backs of Americas steelworkers, Harris said during a Monday rally in Pittsburgh.

The steelmaker said its employees would rally Wednesday at the U.S. Steel Tower in Pittsburgh in support of the deal, including calls to elected officials.

We want elected leaders and other key decision makers to recognize the benefits of the deal as well as the unavoidable consequences if the deal fails, said U.S. Steel President and CEO David Burritt in a press release.

Nippon Steel announced plans last week to invest more than $2.7 billion to replace and upgrade facilities to increase their competitiveness and maintain jobs. If the deal collapses, U.S. Steel said in a press release that it would not make the same financial commitments.

We wouldnt do that if the deal falls through, Burritt said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. I dont have the money.

U.S. Steel said it would largely pivot away from blast furnace facilities that would receive Nippon steel investment, which could put thousands of good-paying union jobs at risk.

The company also warned that if the deal fell through, it raises serious questions about keeping its longtime headquarters in Pittsburgh.

In response to The Hills question about how many jobs would be at risk, a U.S. Steel spokesperson said there were currently around 3,800 employees in Pennsylvania and 4,300 employees at the Gary Works, Ind., facility set to receive the Nippon Steel investment.

The spokesperson did not respond to The Hills question about where the company might move its headquarters.

Updated at 10:37 a.m. EDT

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By Lucia Mutikani

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. job openings dropped to a 3-1/2-year low in July, suggesting the labor market was losing steam, but the reduction on its own is probably not enough to warrant a half-percentage-point interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve this month.

The larger-than-expected decline in unfilled jobs shown in the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS report, from the Labor Department on Wednesday meant there were 1.07 open positions for every unemployed person in July. That was the least since May 2021 and down from 1.16 in June. The vacancies-to-unemployed ratio peaked just above 2.0 in 2022.

Still, the labor market is likely not deteriorating. A separate report from the Fed described employment levels as "generally flat to up slightly in recent weeks."

The labor market is being closely watched by investors and policymakers following four straight monthly increases in the unemployment rate, which stoked fears of a recession. Economists are sticking to their forecasts for a 25-basis-point rate cut at the U.S. central bank's Sept. 17-18 meeting. Much depends on the employment report for August, which is due to be published on Friday.

"Does this report suggest the need for a 50-basis-point rate cut in September?" asked Conrad DeQuadros, senior economic advisor at Brean Capital. "We would say no because ... the vacancies-to-unemployed ratio is still high by historical standards."

Job openings, a measure of labor demand, had fallen by 237,000 to 7.673 million on the last day of July, the lowest level since January 2021, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics said. Data for June was revised lower to show 7.910 million unfilled positions instead of the previously reported 8.184 million.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 8.100 million job openings. Vacancies peaked at 12.182 million in March 2022 and are down by 1.1 million over the year. The decline in open jobs was concentrated among small businesses.

Unfilled jobs declined by 187,000 in healthcare and social assistance and decreased by 101,000 in state and local government, excluding education. These two are among a handful of sectors that have driven job growth this year.

The transportation, warehousing and utilities sector had 88,000 fewer open positions. But job openings increased by 178,000 in the professional and business services category and there were 28,000 vacancies in the federal government. The job openings rate fell to 4.6%, the lowest level since December 2020, from 4.8% in June.

Hires increased by 273,000 to 5.521 million. They rose by 156,000 in accommodation and food services, but decreased by 8,000 in the federal government. The hires rate rose to 3.5% from 3.3% in June.

Layoffs rose 202,000 to 1.762 million, the highest level since March 2023. Layoffs, however, remain low by historic standards. The rise in July was led by an increase of 75,000 in accommodation and food services as well as an advance of 21,000 in finance and insurance.

The layoffs rate rose to a still-low 1.1% from 1.0% in June. Low layoffs were underscored on Wednesday in the Fed's "Beige Book" report, which reported that five of the U.S. central bank's districts saw slight or modest increases in overall headcounts in late August.

It, however, noted that "a few districts reported that firms reduced shifts and hours, left advertised positions unfilled, or reduced headcounts through attrition, though accounts of layoffs remained rare."

Financial markets saw less than a 50% chance of a half-percentage-point rate reduction this month, according to CME Group's FedWatch Tool. A 50-basis-point rate reduction was also put in doubt by strong consumer spending in July.

Stocks on Wall Street were trading lower and the dollar slipped against a basket of currencies. Prices of U.S. Treasuries rose.

TRADE DEFICIT WIDENS

"The labor market is still in pretty good shape, but it has cooled dramatically over the last year and a half," said Bill Adams, chief economist at Comerica Bank. "Most Americans who want jobs have them, but there are fewer opportunities or alternatives for workers who are laid off or simply prefer something different."

Solid domestic demand was reinforced by other data from the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis on Wednesday which showed a surge in imports pushed up the trade deficit 7.9% to $78.8 billion in July, the widest since June 2022.

Imports rose 2.1% to $345.4 billion. Goods imports jumped 2.3% to $278.2 billion, the highest since June 2022. Capital goods imports increased $3.3 billion to a record high, mostly reflecting computer accessories.

While the increase in imports would subtract from gross domestic product, it highlighted the economy's resilience. Businesses are also likely front-loading imports in anticipation of higher tariffs on goods.

President Joe Biden's administration has announced plans to impose steeper tariffs on imports of Chinese electric vehicles, batteries, solar products and other goods.

The government said last week a final determination will be made public in the "coming days." There are also fears of even higher tariffs on Chinese imports should former President Donald Trump return to the White House after the Nov. 5 election.

The politically sensitive goods trade deficit with China increased $4.9 billion to $27.2 billion.

Exports gained 0.5% to $266.6 billion. Goods exports climbed 0.4% to $175.1 billion. The goods trade deficit increased 6.9% to $97.6 billion after adjusting for inflation.

Trade has subtracted from GDP for two straight quarters. Most of the imports are, however, likely to end up as inventory amid slowing domestic demand, which could blunt some of the impact on GDP. Goldman Sachs lowered its third-quarter GDP growth estimate to a 2.5% annualized rate from a 2.7% pace. The economy grew at a 3.0% pace in the second quarter.

"Net trade will weigh on third-quarter GDP growth, but that is hardly cause for concern when it reflects the continued strength of imports, painting a better picture of domestic demand than renewed recession fears would suggest," said Thomas Ryan, North America economist at Capital Economics.

(Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise, Andrea Ricci and Paul Simao)
(Bloomberg) -- The US Justice Department announced Tuesday that it had charged six senior leaders of Hamas with terrorism and conspiracy to kill Americans, days after six hostages including an Israeli-US citizen were slain in the Gaza Strip.

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The charges against Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and other top Hamas operatives were filed in February and include counts linked to Hamas Oct. 7 assault on Israel as well as a string of other attacks over more than a decade. In a statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Hamas leaders had financed and directed a decades-long campaign to murder Americans and endanger US national security.

The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas operations, Garland said. These actions will not be our last. The Justice Department has a long memory.

Garland cited the death of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, the 23-year-old Israeli-American who was captured in the Oct. 7 attack and who was killed with five other hostages over the weekend, in his statement. He said the department was investigating Goldberg-Polins killing as an act of terrorism.

The Justice Department didnt say why it waited until Tuesday to unseal the charges. As the American presidential election campaign has heated up, Republicans have accused President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, of not doing enough to secure the hostages release or support Israeli forces campaign against Hamas.

The Biden administration has worked for months to forge a cease-fire accord that would end the fighting in the Gaza Strip and lead to the release of the hostages. Israel and Hamas have so far failed to agree on a proposal put forward by the US, Qatar and Egypt. On Tuesday, White House spokesman John Kirby said the killing over the weekend just underscores the sense of urgency that we have to have.

Hamas is designated a terrorist group by the US and the European Union. The Oct. 7 attack killed some 1,200 people, including about 40 Americans.

Among those charged was Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader who was killed in a bomb blast in Iran in July, an attack that Iran blamed on Israel. Israel has so far declined to take responsibility for Haniyehs death, though the killing has sparked fears that Iran, and its allies Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas might retaliate and plunge the region into fresh conflict.

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A Utah man is facing charges  including attempted murder  after he allegedly strangled his roommate and threatened him, according to court documents.

Ryan Cory Elkington, 39, is facing one count of attempted murder, a first-degree felony; and one count of retaliation against a witness, victim, or informant, a third-degree felony. Both of the charges are considered domestic violence, according to documents.

READ NEXT: Felon indicted after being found with more than $80K, 9K fentanyl pills

On Aug. 29, Elkington and another person reportedly attacked Elkingtons roommate in the victims bedroom, according to documents.

The previous night, the victim called police for an unrelated incident involving Elkington, documents said. The other individual reportedly entered the victims room while he was sleeping and began yelling and throwing things at him.

While the pair argued about the incident from the previous day, Elkington got involved in the situation. When the victim attempted to close the door, Elkington aggressively pushed the door open and started a physical altercation, documents said.

The victim had a security camera in his room, and officers reviewed the footage, which captured the roommate and the other person entering the room and threatening the victim, according to documents.

Documents said Elkington admitted to strangling his roommate and said he would have killed the guy. The victim reported being unable to breathe and losing consciousness during the incident.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Shanghai sees growing foreign trade with Africa in Jan-July

Xinhua) 08:44, September 04, 2024

SHANGHAI, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's financial hub Shanghai saw its foreign trade with African countries grow 9.4 percent year on year to 218.53 billion yuan (about 30.73 billion U.S. dollars) in the first seven months of 2024, official data showed Tuesday.

This trade volume accounted for 18.4 percent of the total China-Africa trade during the January-July period, according to Shanghai Customs.

During this period, the value of agricultural products imported from Africa through Shanghai ports reached 5.43 billion yuan, marking an 18 percent year-on-year increase.

African specialty agricultural products have become a key aspect of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. For example, more than 6,000 tonnes of sesame from African countries, including Tanzania, Niger and Burkina Faso, were handled at Shanghai's Wusong Port in the first seven months.

Shanghai's exports of mechanical and electrical products to Africa totaled 68.39 billion yuan, accounting for 57.4 percent of the city's total exports to Africa during the period.

China has remained Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, with bilateral trade rising 5.5 percent year on year to 1.19 trillion yuan from January to July, according to the General Administration of Customs.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
An El Paso County judge on Wednesday ruled that evidence of a previous attempt to flee law enforcement from the Colorado man who now stands accused of killing a parole officer last year can be used at his trial next month.

Justin Kula, 42, is accused of killing Pueblo parole officer Christine Guerin Sandoval with his car after he attempted to flee from her and two other parole officers who were attempting to make contact with Kula on Sept. 28.

At Kula's preliminary hearing, evidence was presented that Kula had allegedly been using narcotics before his interaction with Sandoval. Kula's attorneys argued at the hearing that Kula did not know Sandoval was a member of law enforcement when she approached his car, while the District Attorney's Office argued that he was fully aware Sandoval was a member of law enforcement when he attempted to flee.

On Wednesday an El Paso County judge was tasked with deciding whether evidence of an alleged previous attempt from Kula to flee would be prejudicial to his defense.

The court stated that on Aug. 27, 2020, Kula allegedly fled from law enforcement in his car after they attempted to make contact with him. Prosecutors argued that Kula's attempt to flee could be used at trial as evidence that he knowingly was attempting to evade law enforcement when he allegedly killed Sandoval on Sept. 28.

Kula's defense argued that the evidence would be prejudicial to his defense, and previous interactions with law enforcement were irrelevant to Kula's state of mind during the incident that led to Sandoval's death.

Judge David Shakes said he was struck by how "similar" the two incidents were, and that he felt the evidence was relevant, because it potentially rebuts the argument from Kula that "I would have done something different had I known I was being contacted by law enforcement."

Shakes ruled that the evidence of the previous attempt to flee could be used in trial as a result.

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Kula's attorney, Kimberley Davis, unhappy with the ruling, requested for Shakes to give a further record on his reasoning, but Shakes declined to do so.

"I've made my record, thanks," Shakes said before ending the motions hearing.

Davis also informed the court that her theory of defense for Kula at trial will be about self defense, likely arguing as she has at previous hearings that Kula did not know Sandoval was a parole officer when she approached his car, and nobody identified themselves as law enforcement to Kula.

Kula pleaded not guilty to 13 charges  including leaving the scene of an accident causing death, vehicular homicide and reckless manslaughter  in March and is scheduled to begin trial on Oct. 28.

Attorneys at Kula's arraignment say the trial should last approximately two weeks. He remains in custody at the El Paso County jail on a $250,000 bond.

Previous reporting from The Gazette indicates Kula has a long criminal history, including more than a dozen felony convictions over two decades in Colorado and Texas. In 2020, Kula was convicted of disorderly conduct, and assaulting a peace officer, among other crimes, according to court records.

Additionally, Kula faced 13 felony charges in Texas between 2000 and 2018 including six drug-possession charges, two theft charges, three assault charges, a harassment charge, and a misdemeanor charge in 2007 for making terrorist threats.
Vaccine-skeptic doctor on Boise-area health board let his medical license lapse. Now this

Dr. Ryan Coles medical license is now active after having lapsed for 65 days.

The Garden City pathologist and Central District Health board member was no longer licensed by the Idaho Board of Medicine after his license lapsed June 30, placing his position on the board in question, the Idaho Statesman reported Wednesday.

Idaho law requires every public health district in the state to have at least one licensed physician on its board. Cole had filled that role for the Boise-area board of health. The district, which covers Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley counties, has seven board members.

By late Wednesday afternoon, the status of Coles license went from lapsed to active on the states database for occupational and professional licenses, according to Bob McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses. The license was originally issued Sept. 13, 2003.

Lapsed means the window to renew has passed, and the license is out of compliance, the divisions website says. Active means the licensee can operate legally.

Dr. Ryan Cole was appointed to the Central District Health board in 2021.

The Idaho Board of Medicine gives physicians five years to renew their licenses before they have to start over with a new application, McLaughlin previously told the Statesman.

Cole did not respond Tuesday to a phone call or text from the Statesman. Elizabeth Duncan, a spokesperson for the Ada County Commission, which appointed Cole, said the commission reached out to Cole over the weekend as soon as the license lapse was brought to their attention.

Dr. Cole realized it was an oversight and provided the appropriate materials and documentation, Duncan said Wednesday evening in a statement. We are happy this was resolved quickly.

Maria Ortega, communications manager for Central District Health, told the Statesman by phone Tuesday that the health district was unaware Coles license had lapsed until an Idaho Press reporter inquired about it by email Aug. 27.

Cole narrowly secured the votes needed to become the only physician on the Boise-area district health board in 2021. The position became vacant when the Ada County Commission chose not to reappoint Dr. Ted Epperly, who had served on the board for 15 years and pushed for public health measures during the pandemic.

Cole, on the other hand, questioned the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, advocated against masks and suggested a Boise surgeons death was tied to the vaccine, a comment the surgeons life partner called an outright lie.

Earlier this year, he was restricted from practicing most medicine in Washington after that states Medical Commission said he spread disinformation in dishonest presentations about COVID-19, the Idaho Statesman reported.

Ada County put Ryan Cole on the Boise areas health board. Then his medical license lapsed

Washington restricts license of controversial Idaho doctor for COVID-19 dishonesty

Ryan Cole presents COVID falsehoods at Idaho Capitol, says his speeches cost me my career
Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (Ohio) condemned pro-Palestinian protesters for turning college campuses into garbage dumps and calling demonstrators crazy.

Vance joined Fox Newss Laura Ingraham on Tuesday to discuss the start of the school year at Columbia University, where earlier this year, a pro-Palestinian encampment became violent and sparked a nationwide movement to call on the U.S. to stop sending arms to Israel in its war with Hamas.

If elected, Vance said he and former President Trump will enforce the law.

Nobody gets the right to harass their fellow students. Nobody gets a right to set up 10 encampments and turn their college campuses into garbage dumps. And nobody gets the right to block their fellow students from attending class, Vance said. This isnt rocket science.

After encampments began late in the spring semester at Columbia, students across the country at more than 400 higher education establishments began their own encampments. The demonstrations were mostly peaceful, but a few became violent as police and students clashed over First Amendment rights and the ongoing war in Gaza.

Vance reiterated that the law needed to be enforced.

Whether its anti-Jewish bigotry or any other form of bigotry, just enforce the law, he said.

Make the crazy people protest within the First Amendment and within the legal frameworks that are appropriate, and so, as long as you do that, these college campuses are going to be fine, Vance continued.

The Ohio senator criticized university administrators for allowing students to break the law, harass other students and turn campuses into dumps.

Just stop it. Enforce the law, he said. Let everybody speak their mind, but do it without harassing your fellow students. Its not hard.

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SENECA FALLS, N.Y. (WROC)  A town board meeting in Seneca Falls Tuesday evening focused on the vote for the Seneca Meadows landfill to continue operations.

Those who live in Seneca Falls say the area has become a dumping ground due to the landfill and add change is long overdue.

To be greeted by a horrendous odor, the smell, from the dump, one resident said. I have people ask me all the time why I still live here. I often ask myself the same question.

Residents told the Town Board they have had to suffer for years because of that odor that comes from the nearby Seneca Meadows Landfill. Many say it interrupts their daily life.

The horrendous stench of the dump, one resident said. I couldnt even light enough candles.

The landfill is planned to permanently shut down next year, however Waste Connections, the Seneca Meadows Landfill operator, has applied for a permit through the state to continue operations through 2040.

However, the Town still has a persuading vote. One that has business owners nearby begging for the permit to be refused. Beyond a smell, for residents health.

It has been reported that there is a cancer cluster in the census tracks surrounding the Seneca landfill, Mark Pitifer with Waterloo Container Company told News 8. Thats concerning. Thats concerning to our employees. Thats concerning to our company.

The Seneca Falls Town Board made the decision to table the vote for three months, until December, to review letters from the community. Town Supervisor Frank Schmitter says many reflect what resident said at Tuesdays meeting.

Outside the town hall, residents say theyre glad the board didnt vote in favor tonight, but argue with the evidence presented at the meeting, the Towns decision should not even be a question.

Money talks, and thats what were really fighting here, Jean Gilroy said.

Theres not a price tag that you can place on health, Diane DePasquale-Hagerty said. And you can come in with your checks, and you can buy your way into the community, but what you cant do is deny the damage you are doing.

The board says it will revisit the vote in three months, but even then, the State Department of Environmental Conservation has the final say. The DEC told News 8 that their permits do not supersede local authorizations. Seneca Meadows is responsible for obtaining the required permits.

The DEC says Seneca Meadows is authorized to operate the facility until December 31, 2025.

Full Statement from DEC

DECs permits do not supersede local authorizations. Seneca Meadows currently holds a solid waste management facility permit issued by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) pursuant to the State Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) and Part 360 series regulations that authorize the facility to operate until Dec. 31, 2025. As noted in its permit, Seneca Meadows is responsible for obtaining any other required permits or approvals to carry out the activities authorized by the facilitys DEC permit.

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Kamala Harris condemned the deadly shooting that occurred at a high school in Winder, Georgia on Wednesday, calling it a senseless tragedy and saying we have to end this epidemic of gun violence in our country.

The US vice-president and Democratic nominee for president paused before she began a speech about economic matters on the election campaign trail in North Hampton, New Hampshire, to address the incident.

She shook her head and called the killings outrageous in commenting on the first mass shooting at a school since she became the nominee.

Related: Georgia high school shooting leaves four confirmed dead and nine injured

Were still gathering information about what happened, but we know that there were multiple fatalities and injuries, and our hearts are with all the students, the teachers and their families, she said.

She added: Of course, we are grateful to the first responders and the law enforcement that were on the scene. But this is just a senseless tragedy, on top of so many senseless tragedies, and its just outrageous that every day in our country, in the United States of America, that parents have to send their children to school worried about whether or not their child will come home alive.

Visibly frustrated, Harris continued: Its senseless. It is. Weve got to stop it, and we have to end this epidemic of gun violence in our country once and for all. You know, it doesnt have to be this way. It doesnt have to be this way.

Four people have been confirmed dead and multiple others injured. The suspect is currently in custody, according to authorities.

Joe Biden also issued a statement, saying: Jill and I are mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short due to more senseless gun violence and thinking of all of the survivors whose lives are forever changed.

What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now turned into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart, he added before calling on Republicans to finally say enough is enough, and pass more gun control legislation.

In a separate statement on Wednesday, the US attorney general, Merrick Garland, said that the justice department stands ready to support Winders community.

I am devastated for the families that have been affected by this terrible tragedy, Garland said.

Meanwhile, posting on his Truth Social account, Donald Trump called the shooter a sick and deranged monster, adding: Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those affected by the tragic event in Winder, GA.
CULLMAN, Ala. (WIAT)  A U.S. military veteran is recovering after he was allegedly attacked in by a 21-year-old immigrant who was reportedly living in the country illegally.

In a press conference held Wednesday, Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry said the veteran was looking to purchase equipment online from a person in Cullman. The veteran, who is not from the area, went to Brunner Street Sunday to meet him.

Gentry said when the veteran met the person, he was told the equipment was not on site. They got into a vehicle and traveled when the person allegedly stuck a knife to the veterans throat and said, Give me the money, or Im going to kill you. Gentry claimed the veteran then shot the suspect, later identified as Abel Medardo Sacrab-Chen, who had allegedly come into the country illegally from Guatemala and had been living in Cullman the last couple of months.

He is an illegal alien that crossed the border a couple years ago, was identified, and let go into the U.S. to become a violent criminal in our community, Gentry said.

Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry to retire from office at end of term

Cullman County deputies and Cullman police responded to a call of a person who had been shot three times on County Road 463. Gentry said they soon found Sacrab-Chen in the victims truck at the intersection of Highway 278 and Highway 31. The veteran was also found shot.

Gentry said investigators concluded that Sacrab-Chen, who had been shot once or twice, had used the veterans gun against him, shooting him three times and making cuts to his face. As of Wednesday, the veteran who was recovering at home with his family.

Sacrab-Chen, who is currently recovering in a hospital, has been charged with first-degree robbery. Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker said his office has approved a warrant for certain person forbidden to possess a firearm against Sacrab-Chen and that he expects more charges to be filed against him.

Gentry added that the sheriffs office and Cullman Police Department are safe places to meet for picking up items found online and that if a seller is not willing to meet at a law enforcement office for the transaction, they should not go through with it.

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Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz lands in Lancaster for campaign event

LANCASTER, Pa. (WHTM)  Minnesota Governor and Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Tim Walz has officially landed in Lancaster to campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Walz will be in Lancaster today before traveling to Pittsburgh and Erie for campaign events, including a rally in Erie on Thursday night.

Walzs visit to the Midstate is occurring the same day Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump will arrive at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg for a town hall event.

How to attend Donald Trumps Fox News town hall in Harrisburg

Pennsylvania continues to be a frequently visited swing state between both parties as Election Day looms, as Vice President Harris recently visited Pittsburgh alongside President Joe Biden on Labor Day.

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VIRGINIA BEACH  A perennial mayoral candidate contends two opponents are not eligible to run because of a technical requirement and has filed a lawsuit seeking their removal from the ballot before the November election.

Virginia Beach residents Richard R.K. Kowalewitch and Donald Edwards petitioned the Supreme Court of Virginia to force the Virginia Beach Voter Registrar and Electoral Board to remove Mayor Bobby Dyer and Councilwoman Sabrina Wooten from the ballot.

They claim Dyer and Wooten violated the city charter by not tendering their resignations, effective Dec. 31, before qualifying for the ballot. The plaintiffs contend that the registrar and the board placed ineligible and unqualified candidates on the ballot.

They have to put the resignation letter in, Kowalewitch said by phone Wednesday. It wasnt done.

Dyers term as mayor expires Dec. 31. Wooten represents District 7; her term also expires Dec. 31.

Virginia Beachs charter states: In the event any councilman, including the mayor, shall decide during his term of office to be a candidate for mayor, he shall tender his resignation as a councilman not less than ten days prior to the date for the filing of petitions as required by general law. Such resignation shall be effective on December 31, shall constitute the councilmans intention to run for mayor, shall require no formal acceptance by the remaining councilmen and shall be final and irrevocable when tendered.

Kowalewitch contends resignation letters would have needed to be filed by June 18.

Wooten submitted a resignation letter, effective Dec. 31, to City Clerk Amanda Barnes on Aug. 27. Wooten declined to comment about the lawsuit when reached by phone Wednesday.

Dyer has not submitted his resignation letter, according to Barnes. The mayor also declined to comment.

Another mayoral candidate, council member Chris Taylor, provided a resignation letter, also effective Dec. 31, to the city clerk May 30. Taylor is in the middle of his four-year term as the District 8 representative.

The fifth mayoral candidate, former Councilman John Moss, doesnt currently hold office. The upcoming election will be Kowalewitchs fourth run for mayor.

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Kowalewitch and Edwards are seeking a writ of mandamus from the court, which is a judicial order that requires a government official to comply with the law. The petition names Virginia Beach Voter Registrar Christine Lewis and the citys Electoral Board: chairman Jeffrey Marks, vice chair Nanette Miller, and secretary Lauralee Grim. Lewis declined to comment on the lawsuit. Marks, on behalf of the board, also declined to comment.

The legal action was filed ahead of the start of early voting, which begins Sept. 20. It references a recent opinion by the Virginia attorney general on a election matter unfolding in neighboring Chesapeake, though the issue at hand there appears unique to the citys charter.

Chesapeake City Council filed a lawsuit against sitting member Don Carey in a dispute over whether he should have resigned  in this case, officially stepped down from his current seat  in his bid for mayor.

The Chesapeake city charter calls for a resignation by June 30, six months before Careys term ends. But it was established when Chesapeake held elections in May.

General Assembly action in 2021 shifted the citys elections to November, but the accompanying provision for resignation was not altered, according to an opinion issued in May by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares. His opinion concluded that Carey was required to step down by June 30.

In contrast to Chesapeake, the Virginia Beach charter states that the resignation to run for mayor must be made 10 days prior to the deadline for filing a petition to run, which occurs in June. But it is effective Dec. 31.

Kowalewitch says Miyares opinion proves candidate eligibility requirements in a municipal charter must be upheld.

Theres a value in that, said Kowalewitch.

He cited another part of the city charter which states that the term of office for each council member continues until his successor has been duly elected and qualified. Kowalewitch worries if Dyer and Wooten didnt follow the proper resignation procedure, they could stay in office beyond their term should a problem arise with the election of their successor.

Kowalewitch and Edwards previously filed a federal lawsuit contending that the city illegally changed its voting system prior to the 2022 election. The lawsuit was dismissed. A separate state lawsuit challenging the citys district voting system was allowed to proceed in circuit court.

When the resign to run issue arose in Chesapeake, The Virginian-Pilot asked Virginia Beach City Attorney Mark Stiles if Dyer and Wooten each was required to submit a letter of resignation.

No, Stiles wrote back in an email on Aug. 6. The resign to run provision states that the effective date of the resignation is December 31. Because their terms end on that date anyway, there is nothing for them to resign from.

On Aug. 12, The Pilot asked Stiles to provide more context as to why Dyer and Wooten were not required to submit a resignation letter.

Because their terms naturally expire, there is nothing for them to resign from and there is no need for a special election to fill the balance of their terms, Stiles wrote.

On Wednesday, Stiles said he would not comment on the lawsuit because the citys not a party in it.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
A candidate for the Virginia Beach School Boards District 3 seat is challenging the eligibility of his opponent, citing what he calls discrepancies in the signatures required to collect in order to be on the ballot.

A legal complaint filed by Mark Bohenstiel names his opponent, John Sutton III, along with the City of Virginia Beach, and the citys Director of Elections and three Electoral Board members as co-defendants. Bohenstiel alleges that 14 of Suttons petition signatures are dated Feb. 4, 2024, while the witnesss signature is dated the prior day  therefore his candidacy is invalid because he would not have reached the required 125 signatures.

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Presiding Circuit Court Judge Afshin Farashahi said he would rule on the matter this week so that it could be resolved prior to ballots officially being printed.

Following the brief hearing, Sutton called the complaint frivolous and said it is an example of his opponent engaging in the politics of personal destruction.

In my 18 years as a teacher and administrator, my integrity has never been questioned, Sutton said in an interview.

John Kaptan, Bohenstiels attorney, said after the hearing that the citizens of Virginia Beach deserve qualified candidates for school board. Asked if he was referring to whether Sutton was personally qualified or legally qualified, Kaptan said his words speak for themselves.

Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com
The jailing of a mother for opposing reunification therapy between her two youngest sons and her ex-husband, who is facing charges of sexually abusing his daughters, prompted state lawmakers to press Colorado Supreme Court Justice Monica Marquez to address what the lawmakers termed a crisis in the states family court system.

An article in The Gazette detailing the jailing of Rachel Pickrel-Hawkins also generated intense national interest, attracting more than 5 million views on X, as donors contributed $70,000 to defray the mothers legal costs.

Everyone who has donated, thank you so much, said Pickrel-Hawkins, 48, in a video she posted on her Facebook late Sunday after her release from jail. I cannot thank you enough for standing with me to fight for the children. Together we do this. Justice for the children now.

There is power in numbers, and we have started a movement, said Erin Siegel, an advocate who set up the GoFundMe fundraiser for Pickrel-Hawkins. Siegel on her website said she and Hawkins are hoping to sue for coercion and obstruction of justice in our cases and are seeking lawyers to represent them.

Siegel maintains her case involved collusion between a parental evaluator, Terri Finney, and her ex-husband's lawyer, Edward Dale Parrish. Siegel lost custody of her now-15-year-old daughter. Parrish denied any impropriety in his legal representation and said Siegel had her parenting time restricted for valid reasons. Finney also denied any impropriety and said Siegel's parenting time was restricted for valid reasons.

The article on Pickrel-Hawkins' jailing prompted lawmakers to gather signatures for a petition they planned to send to Marquez, who was sworn in as chief justice in July. They also organized a rally for 11 a.m. Thursday in front of the Ralph L. Carr Judicial Center, home of the state Supreme Court.

Too many judges and magistrates continue to place children in the custody of abusers, order forced reunification therapy, ignore credible evidence of abuse, void protection orders and, in some cases, send protective parents to jail while abusers are unaccountable, states the letter signed by five legislators.

Larimer County District Court Judge Daniel McDonald on July 9 ordered Pickrel-Hawkins to spend seven weekends in the Larimer County jail, enforcing a magistrates earlier contempt ruling against her for balking at the court-ordered reunification therapy.

The magistrate had found the mother interfered with the therapy, which costs $1,500 a month, for her two youngest sons, ages 10 and 13, and their father. McDonald found she interfered with that therapy once again June 25, and the judge restored a jail sentence the magistrate had imposed but then suspended.

Pickrel-Hawkins had balked at taking the children to the therapy sessions and had told Christine Bassett of Fort Collins-based Christian Lighthouse Counseling she didn't think she was the proper reunification therapist, because no assessment was done to determine whether reunification therapy was appropriate. She added that the children's personal therapist stressed that the reunification efforts were harming the children, who were expressing thoughts of self-harm.

In December 2022, the Larimer County Department of Human Services confirmed that the father had sexually abused a daughter and had been engaged in neglect and injurious environment of his oldest son in 2018 for holding the boy, then 12, underwater in a pool in Costa Rica until the son feared he was going to drown.

Despite the child-protective service findings, McDonald still ordered reunification therapy to continue for the two younger sons in an effort to repair the fathers relationship with them. Later in July, after McDonalds ruling, the father, retired Aurora Police Sgt. Michael Hawkins, 55, was criminally charged with seven counts of child sexual abuse and one count of physical abuse of a child.

In court documents, Hawkins has denied any sexual abuse of his three daughters, including two of whom he adopted. His lawyer Christopher Estoll in court documents has said the mother of the children lacks credibility and "is highly manipulative."

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For now, Pickrel-Hawkins has primary custody of the couples three minor children. The father is seeking full custody of the couples two youngest sons and has drawn support from the reunification therapist.

Bassett, who declined comment, has said she does not believe the allegations of child sexual abuse, while the personal therapist for the minor children has said she does believe the claims from the children.

Last week, McDonald suspended the reunification therapy and scheduled a hearing for Sept. 12 to determine whether it remains appropriate. Still, McDonald upheld Pickrel-Hawkins' jail sentence, ruling she had not convinced him that she had not engaged in contemptuous behavior by interfering with therapy sessions.

The dispute comes at a time when such therapy is coming under new scrutiny.

The treatment is used by family courts to settle custody fights. Reunification therapists use confrontation and exercises to reverse a childs rejection of a parent. In extreme cases, children have been sent across state lines to reunification camps with parents they reject, while they are barred from having contact with another parent.

Last year, Colorado lawmakers placed new restrictions on the use of reunification therapy, barring courts from using such therapy to restrict the parenting time of a competent, protective parent who has not engaged in child abuse. Legislators took that action following a series of investigative reports by The Gazette into Colorado's family court system, which has been beset by accusations of bias, usually from mothers who say they are punished and can have their parenting time restricted during custody disputes when they seek to protect their children from abusive former partners.

State Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Greenwood Village, who persuaded lawmakers to pass the restrictions on reunification therapy, has successfully pushed other family court reform legislation and was leading the petition effort and organizing the rally.

Froelich said she remains frustrated that the state judicial branch has resisted efforts to bolster domestic violence training for family court judges in Colorado. She said she unsuccessfully pushed for new mandates on such training and was rebuffed by the judiciary, which she said claimed the legislature could not issue mandates because of a separation of powers.

In a compromise, the judicial branch, at the behest of the legislature last year agreed to convene a task force on the issue, but Froelich on Tuesday said that task force still hadnt alleviated her fears that judges arent well-versed in how to respond to allegations of domestic violence.

She said she continues to hear of instances of court-ordered reunification therapy between children and parents accused of child and sexual abuse even in instances when protection orders have been issued barring contact between a parent and a child.

Froelich told The Gazette the judicial branch wont give legislators the names of judges who have undergone domestic violence training.

Thats just a bridge too far for them, she said.

We just keep having these cases that demonstrate a complete lack of comprehension of the realities of domestic violence, child abuse and child sex abuse, Froelich said.

Also signing the petition letter were House Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge; Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial; Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango; and Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City.

We call upon you to issue a response with all due speed in honor of the lives lost, the continuing trauma and the injustices perpetrated every day in family court, the letter states.

It calls on Marquez to consider issuing a Supreme Court directive, a judicial disciplinary action or an emergency reconvening of a task force that reviewed whether judges in the state were sufficiently trained to understand domestic violence. The letter states that despite recent legislation meant to protect parents credibly alleging child abuse and to restrict the use of reunification therapy, too many judges are not following the new laws.

We are calling upon you to take immediate action to address the crisis in family court. This is a public health and safety crisis that affects every judicial district in Colorado.
When Jessica Walden and Jamie Weatherford founded Rock Candy Tours to showcase Macons musical history, they eventually feared the popularity of the business would be too much to keep up with.

But Visit Macon announced Wednesday that it has acquired Rock Candy Tours to keep its services growing and boost Visit Macons existing tourism offers.

Rock Candy Tours is a locally owned and operated tour company focused on Macons music history. The purchase will allow Visit Macon to expand its tour offerings through an already trusted and established business, said Visit Macon CEO Gary Wheat.

To be able to have our tours here at Visit Macon fall under the Rock Candy brand, that iconic Macon brand, is such a celebration for us, Wheat said.

Rock Candy Tours brochures sit in the Visit Macon Downtown Visitors Center on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, in Macon, Georgia. Rock Candy Tours gives tours exploring downtown Macon, including its music history, and will now be run through Visit Macon.

How Rock Candy Tours was founded

Walden and Weatherford founded Rock Candy Tours in 2011. Walden worked as a music journalist and had relatives in the former Georgia Music Hall of Fame, while Weatherfords family operated the Crown Candy Corporation, which is based in Macon.

Weatherford and Walden started the tours after the Georgia Music Hall of Fame closed as a way to honor Macons musical legacy. The day after the closure, they met in Washington Park with about 40 other people and held their first walking tour.

We started this  as a love letter to the community, Walden said. Our simple mission was that Macons music history does not have to live within a museums walls.

The tours proved wildly popular, and soon Rock Candy Tours expanded its offerings to include ghost tours and tours focusing on Macons nightlife and commercial district.

However, as interest kept expanding, Weatherford and Walden worried about their ability to keep up with the company. With Macon growing and the Ocmulgee Mounds possibly becoming a National Park, Weatherford said he wasnt sure he and Walden could keep up with the demand.

When Visit Macon stepped in and offered to purchase the company, Walden and Weatherford were grateful for the opportunity for their business carry on.

History only lasts as long as the people who love it, support it, Weatherford said.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)Volunteers for Youth Justice (VYJ) provide support and community care for children, youth, and families in crisis.

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My Community Cares (MCC) is one of VYJs numerous programs that help strengthen families and support the community. Their vision statement states, MCC envisions communities where all children and families are healthy and safe and have equitable access to services and supports.

Louisianas child welfare data shows that numerous families involved in the child welfare system typically live within the same neighborhoods. Louisiana judges and legal and child welfare advocates agreed that there are no better voices and opinions than those of the affected neighborhoods to state how and what is needed to support and build community.

Four parishes with many children entering foster care were chosen as pilots. These parishes are Caddo, East Baton Rouge, Livingston, and Rapides. Fourteen neighborhoods were identified within each of these parishes.

Over the past four years, MCC has been able to provide thousands of families with resources, opportunities, and solutions to prevent more children from entering the foster care system.

Below are the upcoming events that My Community Cares will be providing for all community members:

Be Strong Parent Cafe

The event will occur at the AB Palmer Community Center on Thursday, September 5th, from 5  6:30 pm.

Parents and caregivers are invited to join this engaging and informal gathering to discuss strategies, share experiences, and connect with others in similar situations.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

Engage in meaningful conversations with fellow parents.

Enjoy a variety of refreshments and snacks.

Participate in a chance to win one of several door prizes.

This event is specifically for parents, and no childcare will be provided.

Neighborhood Team Meeting

This meeting aims to foster discussions on strengthening families and supporting the community in Shreveport, LA. This one-hour meeting will allow community members to share their insights and get updates on new services coming to the area.

The Neighborhood Team Meeting will take place on Monday, September 9th, from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Mamie Hicks Community Center, located at 200 Mayfair Drive, Shreveport, LA 71107. Light refreshments will be provided.

We invite all interested community members to join us for this important discussion, says Kreesha Bennett, Parish Director of My Community Cares. Your participation will help us shape the future initiatives of My Community Cares and strengthen our community bonds.

For family support or need of an assessment, please contact:

Kreesha Bennett, My Community Cares Caddo Parish Director Phone: 318-725-4267 ext. 405 Email: Kreesha.bennett@vyjla.org

Brenda Peek, My Community Cares Connect Coordinator Phone: 318-725-4267 ext. 413 Email: brenda.peek@vyjla.org



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Volvo becomes latest carmaker to scale back electric ambitions, eases goal to at least 90% by 2030

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP)  Sweden-based Volvo Cars has eased off on its pledge to stop selling cars with internal combustion motors by 2030, saying slow rollout of places to charge up and withdrawal of purchase incentives will leave room for a few cars that still need fossil fuels.

Volvo Cars, part of China's Geely Holding, now foresees a model lineup at the end of the decade that's at least 90% electric cars and has widened that to include both battery-only and plug-in hybrids that combine battery power with an internal combustion engine.

On top of that, up to 10% could be a limited number of mild hybrids, which mainly run on internal combustion and store electric power from braking in a 48-volt battery to assist acceleration and improve fuel economy.

The company said it was adjusting to changing market conditions and customer demands.

We are resolute in our belief that our future is electric, CEO Jim Rowan said in a statement Wednesday. However, it is clear that the transition to electrification will not be linear, and customers and markets are moving at different speeds of adoption.

The push into electric cars is driven by European limits on emissions that end sales of internal combustion cars by 2035, with a possible exception for those running on carbon-neutral fuels. The regulatory push is part of efforts to meet goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the 2015 Paris accords aimed at combating climate change.

But the uptake of electric cars has hit headwinds. Germany suddenly dropped purchase subsidies at the start of this year, and construction of places to charge away from home have lagged. That pushes consumers toward internal combustion or hybrids that can make it home on the fuel-powered motor in case the battery gets low.

In July 2024, registrations of battery only cars in Europe declined by 10.8% to 102,705 units, with their total market share slipping to 12.1% from 13.5% a year before, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association.

Volvo also cited uncertainties around recent new tariffs on electric vehicles made in China. The U.S. has imposed a new 100% tariff that blocks most Chinese cars, while the European Union has added tariffs of 17.4% to 37.6% though it is not collecting them as it seeks a trade unerstanding with China. Higher tariffs could mean higher prices as cheaper Chinese EVs are kept off consumer markets.

Volvo is the latest carmaker to scale back electric ambitions. Mercedes-Benz said its goal of 50% of its cars having electric motors by 2025 would slip to 2030, while Ford Motor Co. has delayed or dropped electric models and cut back on investments in electric production and technology.
Over three years after saying it would sell only electric vehicles by 2030, Volvo has lowered its EV ambitions. The automaker now says it will aim for 90 to 100 percent electrified vehicles (including full EVs and plug-in hybrids) by the decades end, with the remaining 0 to 10 percent being mild hybrids. Volvo chalked up its revised ambitions to changing market conditions and customer demands.

Volvo says its still committed to long-term electrification. The automaker has launched five fully electric models since laying out its (now aborted) 2030 goal three years ago: the EX40, EC40, EX30, EM90 and EX90.

The company cites the slower-than-expected rollout of EV charging infrastructure as one factor in its decision. Despite the passage of President Bidens Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021, which allocated $7.5 billion to support the creation of 500,000 EV charging stations, only seven stations in four states had been built as of March. Reasons for the slow rollout allegedly include a lack of experience in the state transportation agencies in charge of execution and various government requirements (submitting plans, soliciting bids, awarding funds).

The Biden Administration said earlier this year it still expects the US to reach 500,000 charging stations by 2026.

Volvo also cited additional uncertainties created by recent tariffs on EVs in various markets. That likely refers to the hit the automaker is taking from manufacturing some models in China. Earlier this year, the White House announced new levies on EVs made in China and batteries sourced from China. (Volvos parent company, Volvo Car AB, is majority-owned by Chinas Geely Holding.) Forbes reported in May that the China-made EX30, expected to start at around $37,000, would be pushed to over $50,000 after tariffs.

The automaker adjusted its CO2 reduction expectations alongside the tweaked timeline. It now says it aims for 65 to 75 percent reduced per-car emissions (compared to a 2018 baseline) by 2030; its previous goal was a hard 75 percent. In addition, it also changed its previous 40-percent per-car reduction (also compared to 2018) by 2025; that goal is now a 30 to 35 percent drop.

We are resolute in our belief that our future is electric, Jim Rowan, Volvo Cars CEO, wrote in a press release. An electric car provides a superior driving experience and increases possibilities for using advanced technologies that improve the overall customer experience. However, it is clear that the transition to electrification will not be linear, and customers and markets are moving at different speeds of adoption. We are pragmatic and flexible, while retaining an industry-leading position on electrification and sustainability.
Employees protest before the start of a works meeting in a hall at the VW plant. Volkswagen has announced that it will tighten its austerity measures due to the tense situation of the core brand. Even compulsory redundancies and plant closures could no longer be ruled out. Moritz Frankenberg/dpa Pool/dpa

German auto giant Volkswagen held a staff assembly with management on Wednesday, as employees protested cost reduction plans that could potentially result in plant closures in Germany.

More than 16,000 employees gathered at the company's headquarters in the northern city of Wolfsburg, according to the works council.

Volkswagen said on Monday that the company could no longer rule out mandatory redundancies and plant closures as part of major austerity plans aimed at turning around the carmaker's core VW brand.

Volkswagen has never closed a plant in Germany, and has not shut down a factory anywhere in the world since 1988.

Participants at the employees' meeting held banners accusing management of "double standards" on wage cuts and chanted "We are Volkswagen, you are not" as board members took their seats on stage.

VW chief executive Thomas Schafer was due to address employees' concerns at the private meeting on Wednesday.

Daniela Cavallo, the head of the works council, said at the meeting that management, not employees, are to blame for the crisis at VW.

Cavallo identified clear red lines for employees, arguing that there should be no plant closures, no cuts in wages and an extension to job security.

"Volkswagen is suffering because the board is not doing its job," said Cavallo.

Another employees' meeting is planned for this afternoon at VW's site in the north-western port city of Emden.

Employees protest before the start of a works meeting in a hall at the VW plant. Volkswagen has announced that it will tighten its austerity measures due to the tense situation of the core brand. Even compulsory redundancies and plant closures could no longer be ruled out. Moritz Frankenberg/dpa Pool/dpa

Employees protest before the start of a works meeting in a hall at the VW plant. Volkswagen has announced that it will tighten its austerity measures due to the tense situation of the core brand. Even compulsory redundancies and plant closures could no longer be ruled out. Moritz Frankenberg/dpa Pool/dpa
On the morning of Oct. 7, 2019, two Cape Coral, Florida women were brutally murdered. Kristine Melton, 35, was strangled to death as she slept in her bed. Hours later, Diane Ruiz, 43, was strangled, beaten, pushed out of a car and run over repeatedly.

Wade Wilson, then 25, was arrested the next day and charged with killing both women.

Five years later, Wilson went on trial for the murders. A Lee County jury found him guilty on Jun 12, 2024, and recommended the death penalty for each of the murders. Trial judge Nicholas Thompson imposed the two death sentences on Aug. 27, 2024.

The evidence showed both murders were heinous, atrocious and cruel, and that the second murder was cold, calculated and premeditated, Thompson said during sentencing.

Here's everything to know and what happened on the day of the murders and afterward:

Who was Kristine Melton?

Kristine Melton grew up in Illinois and moved with a friend to Cape Coral where she worked as a waitress.

She reportedly was godmother to her cousin Samantha Catomer's child, owned a cat and lived in a Cape Coral duplex.

Melton loved to dress up and her favorite holiday was Halloween, Catomer testified during Wilson's trial.

Kristine Melton, 35, of Cape Coral, was murdered Oct. 7, 2019, by Wade Wilson, 30.

Melton had a quick wit, made everyone around her feel safe and understood and "was precious, not just to me, but to everyone who knew her," Catomer said.

Melton was 35 years old when she met Wilson at Buddah LIVE, a Fort Myers bar. After leaving the bar and spending several hours at the home of Jayson Shepard, Melton, Sailors and Wilson went to Melton's duplex.

After Sailors left, Wilson strangled Melton to death in her sleep and stole her car.

Who was Diane Ruiz?

Diane Ruiz, 43, a mother and engaged to be married, was described as caring and hardworking.

She worked as a bartender at the Moose Lodge in Cape Coral and never missed a shift in five years.

Ruiz was walking to work for her 10 a.m. shift when she encountered Wilson.

Diane Ruiz's body was found in a field in Cape Coral on Oct. 10, 2019, four days after she was reported missing.

A short time after killing Melton, Wilson saw Ruiz walking along a Cape Coral street and lured her into the car after asking for directions.

When she tried to leave, Wilson beat and strangled Ruiz, pushed her out of the car and ran her over repeatedly.

Her body was found in a field three days later.

Who is Wade Wilson and what did he do?

Wade Wilson was born on May 20, 1994 and grew up in Tallahassee.

He attended Chiles High School and has a history of arrests in Leon County dating back to 2012 on charges including sexual assault, burglary, child cruelty and firearms offenses, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.

According to prison records, Wilson was incarcerated in the Florida Department of Corrections on burglary and grand theft convictions from Nov. 26, 2013, to Sep. 19, 2014. He served a second prison sentence for firearms theft from Oct. 17, 2017, to July 15, 2018.

In 2015, Wilson was charged with sexual battery and kidnapping in Tallahassee but was acquitted at trial.

In 2018, he emerged as a figure but was never charged in the Tallahassee murder conspiracy case of Denise Williams in the death of her husband Mike Williams.

In February of 2019, a woman reported to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office that Wilson, her ex-boyfriend, beat and strangled her. According to reports, authorities did not find probable cause to arrest Wilson.

On Oct. 7, 2019, Wilson met Kristine Melton, 35, and her friend Stephanie Sailors at Buddah LIVE, a Fort Myers bar.

After the bar closed, Wilson and the two women went to the home of Jayson Shepard where they stayed for several hours before leaving in the morning.

Wilson, Melton and Sailors then went Melton's Cape Coral home. After Sailors left, Wilson strangled Melton to death as she slept in her bed and stole her car.

A short time later, Wilson saw 43-year-old Diane Ruiz walking along a Cape Coral street, asked her for directions to a nearby school and lured her into the car.

When Ruiz tried to exit the car, Wilson attacked her, beating and strangling her before pushing her out of the car and running her over 10 to 20 times.

After the murders, Wilson called his biological father Steven Testasecca several times confessing to and narrating the gruesome details of his crimes.

After initially dismissing the calls and attributing the admissions to Wilson being a "good storyteller," Testasecca, 46, put his phone on speaker with Testasecca's wife listening in and relaying information to police.

Testasecca asked Wilson for his location and told him he would send an Uber to him. Instead, his whereabouts were provided to police who arrested Wilson on Oct. 8, 2019 at an unoccupied home he'd broken into.

Was Wade Wilson adopted?

Wilson's biological parents were teenagers when he was born, his biological father, Steven Testasecca testified at his murder trial. The couple eventually gave him up for adoption.

His adoptive parents, Cindy and Steve Wilson, addressed the court in a letter read by one of Wilson's attorneys during sentencing.

"Wade was a joyful child. Loved his parents, they wrote. They said Wilson became delusional after his drug addiction began.

The system failed him on that fateful day in 2019, they wrote, "Please see it in your heart to not take our son."

Wade Wilson sentenced to death

During the penalty phase of Wilson's trial, the 12 jurors had the option of recommending life in prison without parole or death.

Florida juries don't have to be unanimous and can recommend death with as few as 8 votes.

On June 25, 2024, the jury voted 9-3 in Melton's case and 10-2 in Ruiz's case in favor of the death penalty.

On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, Judge Thompson imposed the two death sentences.

Where is Wade Wilson now?

Wilson was back in court Aug. 29, two days after receiving two death sentences for the murders of Melton and Ruiz, to resolve unrelated drug and attempted escape charges he racked up while in custody in the Lee County Jail.

His move to death row was on hold while the criminal charges he accumulated in jail were pending.

As part of a plea agreement, Wilson pleaded no contest to charges of attempted trafficking in amphetamine or methamphetamine between 28 and 200 grams and conspiracy to traffic in amphetamine or methamphetamine. He received a 12-year sentence to run concurrently to the death sentences. Charges related to the escape attempt were dropped.

Just after 1:30 a.m. the next morning, Wilson was transferred from the Lee County jail to Florida's death row at Union Correctional Institution.

Union Correctional Institution is located in Raiford, about 45 miles southwest of Jacksonville.

Did Wade Wilson escape from jail?

In 2020, Wilson, who shares his name with the alter ego of the Marvel character Deadpool, and his cellmate were accused of tampering with a window in their Lee County jail cell in an attempt to escape. Wilson, who was reportedly the primary planner and instigator of the escape effort, also tried to set up a getaway car.

Deputies searched the 10x10 cell Wilson and his cellmate were housed in and found the window tampered with. The metal frame holding the window had been removed and there were several cracks in the thick security glass.

Wilson was charged with attempted escape and criminal mischief. The charges were dropped in 2024 as part of a plea agreement involving drug charges.

Court records in the case connect Wilson to the prison-based white supremacy gang "Unforgiven."

Will Wade Wilson be executed?

Capital cases are automatically appealed to the Florida Supreme Court.

If the Florida Supreme Court affirms the defendants conviction and sentence, most defendants will ask the United States Supreme Court to review the case, according to the Florida Attorney General's office. This is known as a petition for writ of certiorari.

Most capital defendants continue to pursue their cases in court, even after losing their direct and discretionary appeals. Discretionary appeals can be filed before cases even go to trial. They involve issues that may arise during or before the trial.

If Wilson loses all appeals and is denied executive clemency by the governor, he can be executed once the governor issues a death warrant.

The process can take years. Tommy Zeigler has been on Florida's death row since 1976.

In 2020, the national average time from sentencing to execution was 227 months.

Contributing: Tomas Rodriguez, Fort Myers News-Press

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Wade Wilson: Everything to know, Kristine Melton, Diane Ruiz killings
HONOLULU (KHON2)  A rock and protector is how one family describes one of the women killed on Saturday, Aug. 31 in a horrific shooting in Waianae.

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The Honolulu Medical Examiners office identified the victims  all from Waianae  on Wednesday, Sept. 4:

Cherell Keamo, 36

Courtney Raymond-Arakaki, 34

Jessyca Amasiu, 29

Their deaths have been ruled a homicide.

KHON2 spoke to loved ones  several asked for privacy. Family members have not granted KHON2 permission to share photos of those killed in Saturdays tragedy as of Wednesday, but the aunt of Courtney Raymond-Arakaki said the following through a a statement about her niece:

How can you sum up a persons life? Its more than words can say, but the essence of who she was, was someone so pure, who had the biggest heart Renee Arakaki, Courtney Raymond-Arakakis aunt

The attorney of the man who shot the suspect said his client was only protecting his loved ones  36-year-old Cherell Keamo was his cousin.

He has this party every year, Green said. He said, with all the noise and the music and the laughing, he heard the sound of of what turned out to be this piece of heavy equipment.

I think when my client was was taken into custody, he may have thought there were five dead women in the driveway! Michael Green, attorney for Rishard Keamo-Carnate

The front loader that was used to ram the home was still there on Wednesday, family members at the house asked KHON2 to give them privacy and not to use any photos of the victims that are posted on social media.

Self-defense still being investigated after latest West Oahu shooting

Green added that he has tried cases in several states for decades.

This is probably, of all the things Ive done, capital murder cases on the mainland, Green said, Whether its drugs involved, organized wise guys in Chicago getting paid for stuff. This is pure evil.

Raymond-Arakakis aunt said her niece had a strong devotion to her ohana and added:

She lived for her family, immediate and extended, and loved them fiercely. She truly was a rock and a protector, Arakaki 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 KHON2.
Two years after the killing of Wake County Sheriffs Deputy Ned Byrd, one of the two brothers charged in his death remains in Mexico awaiting extradition, with no clear timeline on when hell be brought back to the United States.

Alder Marin-Sotelo, 27, and Arturo Marin-Sotelo, 31, are charged with murder in Byrds Aug. 11, 2022, shooting death. The 48-year-old Air Force veteran was found dead by his patrol vehicle in a rural area near Auburn Knightdale and Battle Bridge roads. His K9 partner, Sasha, was found unharmed in Byrds patrol vehicle.

The brothers were arrested Aug. 16, 2022, in Burke County on unrelated federal detainers. They were charged with murder the next day, court records show.

Wake County Sheriffs Deputy Ned Byrd was shot and killed while on duty on Aug. 11, 2022, in eastern Wake County.

Brother maintains he is innocent

No potential motive has been released in Byrds killing, and Arturo Marin-Sotelo maintains his innocence, claiming he had nothing to do with the shooting. He filed a motion May 2 to separate his case from his brothers, according to court documents.

This defendant has cooperated with law enforcement since his initial contact with detectives, including providing a statement detailing his knowledge about the shooting death of the victim, Deputy Ned Byrd, the motion states. The statement exculpates defendant and inculpates his brother, Alder Marin Sotelo.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrols Caisson Unit carrying Wake County Deputy Ned Byrds casket arrives at Providence Baptist Church for his funeral on Friday, August 19, 2022 in Raleigh, N.C.

Sister helped brother escape from jail

Alder escaped to Mexico from a jail in Farmville, Virginia., in April 2023 after his sister, Adriana Marin-Sotelo, and another woman worked with a fellow inmate to provide Alder with a getaway car. He was arrested in the state of Guerrero, where the brothers are originally from, on May 4, 2023, and has remained in Mexican custody ever since.

Adriana Marin-Sotelo pleaded guilty to conspiring to assist or instigate an escape and was sentenced to 10 months in prison on Nov. 17, 2023, federal court records show. She was released from prison Feb. 29, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Court records show the brothers next court date is an administrative hearing scheduled for Dec. 19, 2024. Jay Ferguson, Arturo Marin-Sotelos defense attorney, told The News & Observer his client has been awaiting trial in Raleighs Central Prison since his arrest. The state announced in a September 2023 hearing it will not seek the death penalty for either brother, according to court documents.

Brother fighting extradition to U.S.

Meanwhile, Alder Marin-Sotelo separately faces a federal conspiracy charge tied to his escape from jail. He was indicted on that charge on May 30, 2023, court records show. Marin-Sotelo also pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien in December 2022. His sentencing hearing on that charge has been rescheduled multiple times and is currently set for March 13, 2025, at the Winston-Salem federal courthouse, according to court documents.

U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina Sandra J. Hairston said in a written statement last month her office plans to pursue the conspiracy charge.

No charges have been dropped in the federal cases filed in the Middle District of North Carolina, and the defendant is currently pursuing an appeal of the initial decision granting extradition, she said.

Conversely, in the Eastern District of Virginia, Marin-Sotelos charge of escape from custody was dismissed June 25, according to court records. ABC 11, The News & Observers news gathering partner, reported last month the charge was dropped to speed up Marin-Sotelos extradition from Mexico.

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said via email Tuesday that the case is pending while Alder Marin-Sotelo fights extradition.

Mr. Marin-Sotelo is pursuing an appeal of his extradition order as allowed under law in Mexico, Freeman wrote. Unfortunately, we do not have a time frame on this.

NC Reality Check is an N&O series holding those in power accountable and shining a light on public issues that affect the Triangle or North Carolina. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email realitycheck@newsobserver.com
Walz meets with volunteers in Lancaster in first solo campaign trip to Pennsylvania

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democrats' nominee for vice president, called voters at a field office in Lancaster County Sept. 4, 2024 (Capital-Star photo by John Cole)

LANCASTER During his first solo visit to Pennsylvania since joining the Democratic presidential ticket, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz campaigned in Lancaster County on Wednesday, visiting a campaign office to speak with volunteers and make some calls to voters.

I think all of you in this room, its not hyperbole to say, this election could very well hinge on this county here and this field office here and the folks that we get out, Walz told campaign volunteers. That is an awesome responsibility, but its also an awesome opportunity.

Walz spent about 30 minutes at the field office, thanking the volunteers for their work boosting the campaign, and spoke about the issues on the minds of voters in the election.

Were here first and foremost to say thank you, Walz said. The energy that youre feeling in this room is across the country.

Walz said that he and Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats presidential nominee, support policies that would improve peoples lives and specifically cited access to reproductive care and healthcare, good public schools, building infrastructure, and creating jobs that pay a living wage.

He said he believes that the Republican Partys presidential ticket of former President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) is providing a different vision of America, one that is pessimistic.

My God, everytime I hear Donald Trump give a speech, its like the next screenplay for Mad Max or something, Walz said, to laughs in the room. Theyre rooting against America, they do not believe in the exceptionalism of this country, they do not believe in the people who built this country, they simply want to complain about them and by you coming here, and talking neighbor to neighbor, thats what inspires people.

In addition to Wednesday being Walzs first solo campaign trip to Pennsylvania, it is the first time that a candidate from either the Democratic or Republican ticket has made an appearance in Lancaster County in 2024.

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Lancaster County has the sixth-largest population of the states 67 counties. Trump won Lancaster in both 2016 and 2020, the largest Pennsylvania county where he did so. During Trumps first successful bid for the White House, he won Lancaster County by 20 points over Hillary Clinton and beat Joe Biden there in 2020 by 16 points.

Lancaster County has traditionally been safely conservative, but Democrats see an opportunity to make gains in the 2024 election there. Gov. Josh Shapiro and U.S. Sen. John Fetterman both reduced Republicans margins of victory in the county for the 2022 election and statewide judicial candidates continued to close the margins in 2023.

I know gubernatorial and presidential turnout can be a little bit different, but when you look at those types of numbers, obviously it makes sense to invest in Lancaster County, Stella Sexton, Vice Chair of the Lancaster County Democratic Committee told the Capital-Star.

The Harris-Walz campaign, which has 50 offices across the commonwealth, has two offices in the county, opening its first one in Lancaster in March, which is the earliest a Democratic presidential campaign has done so, according to the campaign. They recently opened a campaign office in Ephrata, which is in a more rural region of Lancaster County.

Sexton also pointed to Democrats attempts to court Republicans who supported former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in the GOP presidential primary. Haley received 20% of the vote in Lancaster County, even though by that point she had already ended her bid for the White House.

So we look at Lancaster County as a place where we can increase our margins everywhere, Sexton told the Capital-Star. We do think that theres a lot of persuadable Republicans out there as well who are not happy with Donald Trump.

The Trump campaign criticized Walzs visit to Lancaster in a press release Wednesday. Theres no chance he or Kamala are going to change the fact that Lancaster County is Trump Country, Trump spokesman Kush Desai said in the release.

Joining Walz at the campaign office was his daughter, Hope. He also brought apple cider donuts and whoopie pies with him, which he purchased at Cherry Hill Orchards in Lancaster County.

Walz joked that Pennsylvania and Minnesota have so much in common, although he added thatt Super Bowl rings are not one of them.

At the beginning of his brief remarks, Walz said he had been briefed on the school shooting in Georgia that left four dead on Wednesday, calling the situation tragic and all too common and there was work to be done to prevent such shootings in the future.

Our hearts are out there right now, Walz said.

Nikki Rivera, Manheim Township School Board President and candidate for the Pennsylvania General Assemblys 96th state House District, met Walz in the campaign office. They talked briefly about the importance of state legislature races and she thanked him for his background as a teacher, Rivera said.

I told him how inspiring he is because I, too, am a high school teacher and Im the GSA advisor where I teach and I said what youre doing is very inspiring, youre bringing all people into it and thats what we should be doing in this country, Rivera told the Capital-Star. I thanked him for that.

Rivera said she most often hears about education funding when talking to voters in the district shes seeking to represent, while Sexton says she hears most about reproductive rights knocking doors in Lancaster County.

Walz did not take questions from the media during the visit to the Lancaster office. He headed next to Pittsburgh for a political engagement according to the campaign.

Walz isnt the only candidate on either ticket to be in the Keystone State on Wednesday. In the evening, former President Donald Trump is scheduled appear at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg to tape a town hall event for Fox News,hosted by Sean Hannity.

Harris will return to Pittsburgh on Thursday, just three days after appearing with President Joe Biden in the Steel City on Labor Day.

Harris and Trump will face off in Philadelphia next week, for a nationally televised debate on ABC News.

The Cook Political Report rates the presidential race for Pennsylvanias 19 electoral votes as a toss-up.

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By Elizabeth Pineau and Leigh Thomas

PARIS (Reuters) - Nearly three months after plunging France into political crisis by calling a snap election, President Emmanuel Macron is struggling to name a new prime minister whom rivals will not immediately topple - and who will preserve his pro-business legacy.

The election delivered a hung parliament, with Macron now having to pick a prime minister who can please three similar-sized political blocs - the left, the far right and his centrist grouping - with little inclination to make concessions.

Macron has been meeting with political leaders from across the political spectrum to identify a possible prime minister for weeks, but to little avail. With his hand irrevocably weakened by the election result, he has been left with little choice but to weigh concessions on his hard-won pension reform detested by the left or forswear tax hikes as demanded by conservatives.

"The president is taking his time because he doesn't want a prime minister who will touch his economic legacy. Tax hikes and retirement reform are his red lines," Socialist lawmaker Arthur Delaporte told Reuters.

Rivals are loathe to be seen cutting any favours to Macron, who is deeply unpopular on the left and right alike.

His bargaining position weakened further on Tuesday after Edouard Philippe, his popular former prime minister, chose to capitalise on the void, announcing his candidacy in the next presidential election in 2027.

Despite his unpredictability, Macron is unlikely to heed calls from the left to resign. Still, Philippe's move, coupled with the difficulty of the president's predicament, raises questions about whether Macron will see out his second and final term.

Delaporte called Philippe's move "a stab in the president's back," while Conservative Senator Bruno Retailleau suggested the Macron era was now drawing to a close.

"We've entered a new period," he told BFM TV.

WEEKS OF TALKS

Sources close to Macron said that after weeks of consultations, Macron had narrowed contenders for prime minister down to ex-Socialist Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve from the left and former labour minister and Hauts-de-France regional head Xavier Bertrand for the conservatives.

It is unclear if either of them could win enough parliamentary support to form a government, or face immediate no-confidnce votes that would humble Macron and bring France back to square one.

Senator Laure Darcos, a Bertrand ally, told Reuters he would not try to dismantle Macron's 2023 retirement reform, which led to weeks of street protests and was only passed by bypassing parliament.

While the left and far right are dead set on rolling it back, even Macron's centrist ally and political veteran Francois Bayrou has said the president should consider tweaks to water it down.

As Macron's hunt for a prime minister has dragged on, public finances have fast deteriorated and outgoing Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire says tens of billions of euros in budget cuts are needed to plug the hole.

But left-wing lawmakers demand broad-based tax hikes instead, which is scarcely palatable for Macron after he cut taxes on companies and households by over 50 billion euros since he first took office in 2017.

Conservative lawmaker Veronique Louwagie told Reuters that her Republicans party could not back a prime minister who would raise taxes or allow the public finances to spiral out of control.

Whoever Macron picks will face a baptism of fire as time is running out to prepare 2025 budget legislation, which could trigger a separate vote of no confidence if other parties are not satisfied.

Should that happen, "I don't see any other solution than Macron's resignation," said left-wing lawmaker Eric Coquerel. "When things are blocked, something's got to give."

(Reporting by Elizabeth Pineau and Leigh Thomas; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
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An Arianespace Vega rocket launches the Sentinel-2C Earth-observation satellite on Sept. 4, 2024. It was the final mission for the standard version of the Vega. | Credit: Arianespace

Europe's Vega rocket aced its final mission tonight (Sept. 4).

The Vega, which is operated by France-based company Arianespace, lifted off from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana tonight (Sept. 4) at 9:50 p.m. EDT (10:50 p.m. local time in Kourou; 0150 GMT on Sept. 5), carrying the Sentinel-2C Earth-observing satellite skyward. Launch had been scheduled for yesterday (Sept. 3), but electrical issues with ground links scuttled that try.

Sentinel-2C was deployed into orbit 57.5 minutes after launch as planned, prompting applause and handshakes in mission control.

a white rocket launches at night

Vega stands about 100 feet (30 meters) tall and can deliver 3,300 pounds (1,500 kilograms) of payload to a circular orbit 435 miles (700 kilometers) above Earth, according to Arianespace's spec sheet.

Related: Vega rocket launches Earth observation satellite and 4 cubesats into orbit

The rocket debuted in February 2012 and has now flown a total of 22 missions, 20 of them successful. Tonight's mission was the last ride for the standard version of the Vega; Arianespace is transitioning its smallsat operations to the new, more powerful Vega C.

The Vega C has launched twice to date  in July 2022, then again in December of that year. The first mission was successful but the second failed due to a flaw in the rocket's second-stage nozzle. The Vega C is scheduled to return to flight late this year.

RELATED STORIES:

 Arianespace Vega rocket launches 3 satellites into orbit for French military

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The final Vega launch services Sentinel-2, a mission run by Europe's Copernicus Earth-observation program. Sentinel-2 uses twin satellites  currently, Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B  to study our planet from 488 miles (786 km) up, collecting "high-resolution optical imagery for a wide range of applications including land, water and atmospheric monitoring," according to an ESA mission description.

Sentinel-2C is designed to replace Sentinel-2A, which launched atop a Vega rocket in June 2015. Sentinel-2B will be replaced by Sentinel-2D, which does not yet have a firm launch date.

Editor's note: This story was updated at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sept. 3 with news of the scrubbed attempt on that day due to electrical issues. It was updated again at 10:05 p.m. ET on Sept. 4 with news of successful liftoff, then again at 10:50 p.m. ET with news of satellite deployment.
Representative Lauren Boebert did not have a good debate with her Democratic opponent, Trisha Calvareseand Calvarese has video to prove it.

Calvarese posted a statement to X (formerly Twitter) after the debate, which was held Tuesday afternoon in Littleton, Colorado, calling out Boebert for disrespecting veterans, opposing lower prices for prescription drugs, and skipping critical votes. She replied to the post with videos from the debate that quickly went viral and caused Boeberts name to trend on the social media site.



At the debate, Calvarese mentioned her father who had cancer, and said that lifesaving medication covered by his union benefits allowed her to spend four extra years with him. Calvarese pointed out that Boebert voted against allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug costs, putting high-cost medicines out of reach for millions.



Let me tell you a story about my experience with prescription drugs and their ability to extend my dad's life... Lauren Boebert voted against lowering their cost. pic.twitter.com/ooKe4CTjDO  Trisha Calvarese for Colorado (@trisha4colorado) September 3, 2024

Calvarese also attacked Boebert for voting against the PACT Act, which expanded benefits and health services to military veterans who were exposed to toxic substances, particularly from burn pits, during their service.

You voted against care for veterans exposed to cancer-causing toxins and burn pits during war, Calvarese said. So we definitely have different priorities because I believe we should take care of our veterans, always.



Boebert tried to justify her vote by saying that she couldnt suggest amendments for the bill and was unwilling to spend a billion dollars forever because we couldnt get a couple of pieces of language right in the legislation.

Calvarese fired back by calling out Boeberts votes to cut funding to the Department of Veterans Affairs, which Boebert weakly tried to claim were due to the VAs unresponsiveness.

Speaking of America First, how can you be America First if you put Veterans last? You voted against care for our Veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. pic.twitter.com/L5Ui5vwlII  Trisha Calvarese for Colorado (@trisha4colorado) September 3, 2024

Tuesdays debate was the only one scheduled between the two candidates, and it was held at a country club with an entry fee and not televised. Calverese told reporters after the debate concluded that there should be two more televised debates, to which Boebert responded that Calvarese had her debate today.

I debate Democrats on a daily basis, Boebert said. It is my job.

Boeberts reelection campaign hasnt gone smoothly, as she switched districts to have an easier time staying in office and didnt receive an initial warm welcome from the new constituents she was running to represent. She also had a rough time at earlier debates during the Republican primary, and has had struggled to defend her poor record in Congress. Her sons criminal trial has undercut her attacks against Hunter Biden, and her efforts in Congress to seem like an effective legislator have backfired. And of course, there was her lewd behavior at a Denver theaters showing of Beetlejuice that was caught on camera.


Judge Aileen Cannon should be removed from former President's Donald Trump's government documents case should the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals reverse her ruling to dismiss it, according to an amicus brief filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a federal watchdog group that alleges she was biased in favor of Trump throughout the process.

At every possible opportunity, Judge Cannon has demonstrated her apparent bias in favor of Donald Trump, said CREW President Noah Bookbinder in a statement. She has at every stage made this case more difficult than the law mandated, and she then dismissed it on largely unprecedented grounds, delivering a significant win to Trump. Should the Court reverse her decision, it must also ensure that the case is reassigned to allow it to proceed fairly and expeditiously and to help restore the credibility of the federal court system.

The document CREW filed with the 11th Circuit pointed out that if the higher court reverses Cannon's decision, it would be the third time in less than three years that they've had to do so in a seemingly straightforward case about a former presidents unauthorized possession of government documents.

A reasonable member of the public could conclude, as many have, that the dismissal was the culmination of Judge Cannons many efforts to undermine and derail the prosecution of this case, CREW argued in its amicus brief.

While CREW has filed plenty of amicus briefs to highlight what it sees as ethical lapses by legal, political and moneyed actors, the group has rarely gone so far as to call for a judge's outright removal from a case. The request for the 11th Circuit to remove Cannon is part of a cascade of criticism aimed at holding her accountable for what many legal experts say are unprecedented, legally dubious decisions that they say reflect either her incompetence, her bias in favor of the president who appointed her, or both.

Those decisions, which included allowing outside attorneys to argue in her court against the appointment of a special counsel, ultimately resulted in the case's dismissal on the grounds that Attorney General Merrick Garland unlawfully chose Jack Smith to lead the case.

Smith filed an 81-page document with the 11th Circuit at the end of August seeking to reverse Cannon's decision, highlighting that no court since 1974 has denied the right of an attorney general to appoint an outside prosecutor, a right upheld by four separate statutes and the Supreme Court case, U.S. v. Nixon.

Some legal experts worry now that the Supreme Court could uphold Cannon's decision. And with this Supreme Court, theres no ceiling, former U.S. District Judge Nancy Gertner and CREW friend of the court told ProPublica. All precedents are up for grabs.
When special counsel Jack Smith filed his appellate challenge to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannons dismissal of the classified documents case, he didnt also ask for her removal. But now a third party, the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), has jumped in to make that request of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

CREW has good evidence for its argument that Cannon should be removed because of her apparent bias, but it may still be a long shot, even though the appeals court will most likely reverse her dismissal of the case.

Filed Tuesday and joined by a former federal judge and judicial ethics experts, CREWs brief focuses on three areas:

(1) Judge Cannons unprecedented assertion of equitable jurisdiction to block the Government from using or even viewing documents seized at Mar-a-Lago pursuant to a lawful search warrant; (2) Judge Cannons inexplicable call for jury instructions on a spurious legal defense that would have gutted the Governments case had it ever gone to trial; and (3) Judge Cannons failure over the course of one year to move the case forward in any significant way  until a one-Justice concurrence in the Supreme Courts presidential-immunity opinion expressed approval of the novel constitutional theory that allowed her to end the case.

Ive previously highlighted those issues, and they indeed reflect Cannons apparent favoritism toward the criminal defendant who appointed her to the bench. Having a less-tainted jurist preside over this historic case would serve justice.

But one of the challenges to removing Cannon may be the context in which this appeal arises  that is, in the context of her dismissing the case partly based partly on the reasoning of a sitting Supreme Court justice. As CREWs brief recounts, after Justice Clarence Thomas went out of his way in the July 1 immunity decision to write a separate opinion questioning the constitutionality of Smiths appointment, In just two weeks, Judge Cannon had penned a 93-page decision abruptly dismissing the case based on the reasoning of that lone concurrence.

To be sure, the 11th Circuit may disagree with Cannon (and, in effect, Thomas). But even in the likely event that it reverses her dismissal, it may nonetheless be an awkward fit to use her endorsement of a justices opinion  however wrong that opinion is  as a data point for removing her from the case, however well deserved that removal would be.

Of course, we first need to see how the circuit will rule on the underlying substance of the issue, as this appeal is just getting underway. We might not have an answer before Trump can retake the White House and get rid of the case himself. Such a scenario would underscore the degree to which Cannons slow walking of the case will have helped Trump tank it without facing trial. But that isnt much help to Smith in the meantime.

Theres also the bigger question of what the Supreme Court would decide if the issue of Smiths appointment reaches the high court. It may be necessary to resolve that issue before either of Trumps federal cases can go forward (again, thats if he loses the presidential election and, therefore, doesnt gain the power to dismiss them).

While no other justice joined Thomas concurrence in the immunity case, Smiths appointment wasnt the issue in that appeal, so we dont know the degree to which Thomas opinion is an outlier. But the fact that thats an open question may further underscore the awkwardness of removing Cannon from the case based partly on her endorsement of a Supreme Court justices opinion whose validity is technically unresolved by the high court.

Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for updates and expert analysis on the top legal stories. The newsletter will return to its regular weekly schedule when the Supreme Courts next term kicks off in October.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB)  News 13 brings you a segment focused on health and fitness on News 13 Midday every Wednesday called Wellness Wednesday.

This week, Personal Trainer, Traycee Green, from Pure Platinum was in the studio with News 13s Chris Marchand explaining the benefits of cardio and weights.

Theres benefits for both, but it definitely depends on what your goals are, Green said.

Green said the weight loss is the fine line of what people are always debating about. She then explained the truths and myths of cardio.

Green states that cardio being best for weight loss is a myth.

You dont want to just do cardio, you want to mix it up a little bit, Green said.

She states that cardio is great for heart health, but weights are good for muscle building and weight loss.

Another myth is cardio burns more calories.

When you are done with a cardio session, you continue to burn calories for a short amount of time. But when you are done lifting weights, you burn for a much longer time, Green said.

Green suggests combining weight and cardio and alternating.

For more information, watch the interview above.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
GREENVILLE, N.C (WNCT)  Health officials with the State of North Carolina is reporting three cases of the West Nile Virus just this month, including one in Beaufort County.

The virus is contracted from mosquitoes and the State Department of Health and Human Services is now investigating these cases. West Nile Virus is contracted from infected mosquito bites.

Experts said mosquito numbers are especially high during the end of summer when peak hurricane season arrives. Mosquitoes find stagnant water and excess water left from storms so that they can breed.

Especially with one case in the county, Beaufort County Health Director, Janell Octigan, said its important to combat mosquito breeding. Over the last two months, we have had a case of West Nile Virus, she said. West Nile Virus is something we actually see annually. Its very common at this time of year. This is actually peak season around this time. Thats why we are out with at least three trucks a day spraying around the county.

Click the video above for more information.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
On a summer morning at the White Plains Children's Defense Fund Freedom School, the sound of kids cheering and chanting could be heard through the halls of Union Baptist Church.

G-O-O-D M-O-R-N-I-N-G, GOOD MORNING!" The chanters clapped rhythmically. GOOD MORNING!

Staff members and children sing songs during the opening day of the Freedom School at Union Baptist Church in White Plains July 7, 2024. The Freedom School is a six-week enrichment program that focuses on literacy. Sponsored by the YWCA of White Plains & Central Westchester in collaboration with the Children's Defense Fund and Union Baptist Church, it is the first of its kind in the area. The opening day included a ceremony attended by elected officials including Westchester County Executive George Latimer, State Senator Shelley Mayer, and White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach.

At Freedom School, children get a chance to bolster reading skills, and in White Plains, the need for such a program is greater than ever.

On the states 2023 standardized tests in English/language arts for grades 3-8, 43% of White Plains students were deemed proficient, compared to 48% of students statewide. Results varied greatly by race in White Plains.

During the 2022-23 school year, 59% of White Plains students were Latino/Hispanic, 22% white, 11% Black and 5% multiracial.

On the third-grade tests, 63% of white students in White Plains were deemed proficient, compared to 38% of Black students and 28% of Latino/Hispanic students.

As of 2022, the achievement gap between white and Black students, as well as between white and Latino students, when it comes to reading is now worse for New York fourth graders than it was in 1992, according to government data provided by the Nation's Report Card website.

White and Black students in NY both scored slightly lower on state reading exams in 2022 than they did in 1992. According to the data, Black fourth graders a 199 in reading in 1992, while white students scored 226. In 2022, Black students scored 194, while white students scored 223. In 2019, Black students scored 203, and white students scored 229. Students were not tested in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and only Session 1 tests were required in 2021.

How were students selected for White Plains Freedom School?

The educational gap and reading literacy gap drove why we needed to do Freedom School," said Tiffany S.W. Hamilton, CEO of YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester. Hamilton called recruitment for Freedom School a "grassroots" effort, which incorporated social media, hitting the pavement at community events and "talking about it everywhere we went."

The recruitment effort paid off  the program, structured to serve 50 kids, received 52 applicants. No student was turned away from the inaugural White Plains program.

CDF Freedom School is a national movement. Across the country, children (called scholars in Freedom School) gather with paid, college-age instructors (called servant leader interns) for a social justice-themed program for kids. During the program, instructors guide students through a literacy curriculum meant to help children retain the reading skills they gained during the school year.

Enrichment activities, such as art, science and field trips (virtual and in-person) supplement the curriculum to create a holistic program that is not quite summer camp and not quite school, but a combination of the best of both, with no cost to the families whose students are enrolled in it.

Some folks cant afford Camp Funkist [the YWCAs summer camp], Hamilton said about distinguishing Freedom School from the camps that took place this summer. We wanted to identify an equally quality and fun experience that we could offer at no cost to families while implementing fun, implementing the social engagements, but also peppering in the social justice components that come with Freedom School.

The program came at no cost to the students, thanks to YWCAs fundraising efforts, sponsors and community partners like Regeneron, the Pepsico Foundation, the White Plains Community Development Building Grant (CDBG), the Westchester County Board of Legislators and many others.

Hamilton said calls to expand the White Plains Freedom School are already happening, and the YWCA is working toward fostering fresh relationships with school districts. Building relationships and other grassroots efforts will allow Hamilton to tell the "story" of Freedom School, "so that we can get on the radar of families early."

Why Union Baptist Church?

The Union Baptist Church was a natural fit as the setting for the program.

They definitely have deep presence in our service area as it relates to offering services and support to community members that arent members of the church," Hamilton said, noting that its location near public transit and across from Theodore Young Community Center also sent a message to the community "that 'this was for you.'"

Churches are often selected as Freedom School locations.

The Freedom Summer of 1964, the safest place for the Freedom Schools of that time, to be able to do the work that they needed to do, were within faith-based spaces. A lot of local churches opened their fellowship halls so that those courses could take place," Hamilton continued, noting that Union Baptist also deeply discounted the use of the space. "That model has consistently repeated itself because it's often those entities offer the spaces at a much more reduced rate than if we were to go rent a community center.

Children's Defense Fund Freedom School's historic origins

The Defense Fund started its first Freedom School sites in 1995. Two locations, in Bennettsville, South Carolina, and Kansas City, Missouri, opened that year. But the inspiration for the programs founding was three decades earlier.

It was the summer of 1964 in Mississippi. The Freedom Summer Project was started by the Council of Federated Organizations, a coalition of groups including the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) came together to create a program to engage both Black and white voters in the political process and ensuring basic rights, such as the right to vote, for Mississippians.

That summer, more than 800 students volunteered to be trained to register Black voters, teach literacy and civic engagement and promote the challenge that the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Partys made against the all-white Democratic delegation at that summers Democratic National Convention.

Marian Wright Edelman founded the Defense Fund in 1973 with the aim to ensure every child had a healthy, fair, safe and moral start to life. To carry out that mission, the Defense Fund launched a campaign in 1990 called the Black Community Crusade for Children, which included youth development programs, the Harlem Childrens Zone and CDF Freedom Schools.

These actions inspired the principles that eventually formed CDFs first Freedom Schools: leadership, literacy and social responsibility.

By the time those first Freedom School locations launched in 1995, the Defense Fund had a reading curriculum and lessons plans ready, with hands-on activities to accompany them. Combined with parental involvement, conflict resolution and social action, the program set out to, as the CDF Freedom Schools online history reads, change the odds for Americas children.

The program grew from that point on. According to the Defense Fund, Freedom Schools have served more than 200,000 students since they first began in 1995; more than 11,600 students were served in 2023 alone.

A typical day at Freedom School in White Plains

Of 139 Freedom Schools across the country, eight are in New York, and White Plains is the only Freedom School in the Hudson Valley.

For six weeks this summer, more than 50 students showed up to Union Baptist Church in White Plains from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Students received breakfast as a group, then shouted Harambee together  a series of high-spirited chants and cheers with African roots focused on empowerment  before heading to classrooms organized by grade level.

Instructors led students through reading activities for the first half of the day, which included exercises like D.E.A.R. ("Drop Everything and Read"). During D.E.A.R., a student gets free time to read a book of their choosing. Sometimes, a special guest chose a book to read to the students for "Read Aloud."

YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester launched a Childrens Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom School this summer. On July 25, 2024, Talen Bannister, site coordinator, played games with fourth and fifth graders during their free time.

During the afternoons, the program dovetailed into the more summer-camp-like activities. Students went on virtual and in-person field trips, including an online tour of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and a visit to the Kensico Dam to learn how it plays a part in Westchester Countys water supply.

In the fourth and fifth grade classroom, instructor Jenesis Norwood, a senior at Howard University, began one of her literacy lessons with a novel called Take Back the Block. She asked for volunteers to take turns reading the first chapter of the book, a story about a boy who hates getting dragged to protests with his mom, but realizes their importance once he sees new buildings going up in his neighborhood that are pushing out the longtime residents.

Three children volunteered to read. For each student, Norwood stood behind them to help them if they stumbled upon any unfamiliar words. Page by page, Norwood alternated reading with the students, stopping every few minutes to ask questions of the children, checks to make sure they understood what they read.

As they finished the first chapter, one student shouted: I feel accomplished!

Contributing: Lohud's Gary Stern and Ashley Fontones

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: White Plains Freedom School to narrow literacy gap in students of color
What's it like in courtroom in Kroger showdown with the FTC over the Albertsons merger?

PORTLAND, Ore. - After more than a week of the Federal Trade Commissions antitrust case against Krogers $25 billion bid to take over rival Albertsons, you might wonder what its like in the courtroom.

The stakes are high: Last week, a Kroger attorney said during the ongoing hearing at the U.S. District Court, "this merger will not occur" if the company doesnt block regulators bid for a court order to halt their merger. The proceeding, scheduled to last as long as through Sept. 13, is a hearing for a preliminary injunction that would stop the merger as the FTC pursues the rest of its case against the merger in Washington, D.C. But antitrust experts say such an order would mean months of delay, which would be unacceptable to the companies.

So how is the courtroom battle playing out? Here are a few observations:

There are so many lawyers

In a courtroom that could easily seat 150 people, the hearing has required an overflow room two flights below the 14th-floor venue.

Court officials say there are some 80 attorneys involved in the case, which has the FTC, eight states, and the District of Columbia as plaintiffs, Kroger and Albertsons as defendants, and Keene, NH-based C&S Wholesale Grocers and others testifying.

Questions, answers and questions not asked

Most court testimony in a trial is not like the courtroom dialogue dramatized in your favorite cop show or legal drama on TV.

Attorneys on both sides pepper witnesses with dozens of yes or no questions. But other questions are not asked that might provide additional context.

For example, both the government and the grocers questioned a Dollar Tree executive about how much food his company sells to customers. FTC attorneys asked the executive about his companys narrow food selection. Attorneys for the grocers, who have argued the food business is swamped by nontraditional competitors like dollar stores, barely questioned the executive, apparently satisfied the executive had already talked about his company selling food.

Evidence, exhibits and redactions

A lot of evidence and testimony in the case touches on secret, proprietary information by Kroger, Albertsons, C&S Wholesale Grocers and other companies, such as financials, strategies and internal communications. What little information is filed in the case docket is often heavily redacted or sealed.

During the testimony of several witnesses, some exhibits were made visible only to the witness, the judge and the attorneys. Those witnesses were also instructed to discuss the confidential information generally without disclosing specifics on the screens before them.

VIPs have been spotted

Vivek Sankaran, CEO of Albertsons Companies, Inc.

So far, no sign of Krogers CEO Rodney McMullen. But last week Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran was spotted in a crowded elevator. He was stony silent.

Theres no official word on whether either might testify, but last week the CEO of C&S Wholesale Grocers Eric Winn took the stand to defend the deal and his companys plans to acquire 579 stores to be divested from the merged companies.

Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen speaks during the company's annual shareholders meeting at the School for Creative and Performing Arts in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati on Thursday, June 22, 2017.

Also last week, plaintiff and Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum told The Enquirer she admired Judge Adrienne Nelson. She was a judge in some of Nelsons cases when she was still a trial attorney.

Judge keeps hearing moving and people on their toes

On the first day of the hearing, Nelson broke for less than half an hour for lunch so the court could get through three 90-minute opening statements (by the FTC, Kroger and Albertsons), the testimony of two witnesses, and half the testimony of a third.

There have been some nervous giggles in the courtroom when Judge Nelson has told a hesitant witness or attorney to proceed. Nobody wants to be on her bad side. Nelson has been poker-faced through the proceedings but hasnt hesitated to enforce rules. Last week, she admonished two expert witnesses to be quiet from the bench when she overheard them whispering.

Last week, she issued an order reversing a plan to webcast closing arguments because a similar live presentation of the opening remarks was recorded and distributed  and she was displeased.

For the latest on Kroger, P&G, Fifth Third Bank and Cincinnati business, follow @alexcoolidge on X (formerly Twitter).

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kroger merger hearing: What it's like in the courtroom
Where children of the past 13 US presidents attended college

Many children of US presidents attend their parents' alma maters.

Others choose to chart their own paths at a different school, or they skip graduating altogether.

Barron Trump recently began his first year at New York University.

Deciding where to go to college is a big moment for any teenager, but when you're the child of a president and the entire world is watching to see where you'll end up, the pressure is even greater.

The announcement of where Barron Trump, Donald Trump's youngest child, would be attending college has been highly anticipated ever since his father teased that he had made his decision in July.

Unlike his siblings, Barron isn't attending his father's alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania. Instead, he'll be at NYU this year, which costs $72,080 as a commuter student. (The New York Post reported that Barron is expected to live at Trump Tower and commute.)

Here's where every child of a president has attended college as far back as JFK's children, Caroline and JFK Jr.

Joe Biden's two living children, Hunter and Ashley Biden, attended Georgetown University and Tulane University for their undergraduate degrees, respectively.

Joe and Hunter Biden at a Georgetown basketball game in 2010; Joe and Ashley in 2017. Chuck Myers/MCT/Tribune News Service/Getty Images; Gary Gershoff/WireImage/Getty Images

Hunter attended Georgetown for his undergraduate degree and then matriculated to Yale Law, graduating in 1996.

The president's daughter, Ashley, obtained a degree in cultural anthropology from Tulane and a master's degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania.

Biden's other son, Beau, who died in 2015, attended the University of Pennsylvania for undergrad before continuing his studies at Syracuse University's College of Law.

Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka, and Tiffany all graduated from their father's alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania.

Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, and Tiffany Trump in November 2015. Lorenzo Bevilaqua/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty Images

Three of President Trump's children followed in his footsteps and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. Ivanka and Donald Jr. took it one step further and also attended the Wharton School of Finance. Tiffany, on the other hand, graduated with a degree in sociology.

Eric attended undergrad somewhere else  he went to Georgetown University  but he earned a similar degree in finance. Ivanka had also started her college career there, but she later transferred to Penn.

Tiffany also ended up attending Georgetown, but for law school. She graduated in 2020.

Their younger brother, Barron, is starting his freshman year at NYU.

Barron, Donald, and Melania Trump in November 2019. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Trump first teased at a campaign rally in July that his son Barron had decided where he was going to go to college, but did not specify which one.

On September 4, he confirmed to the Daily Mail that his youngest child would be attending NYU  specifically, the Stern School of Business.

"It's a very high-quality place. He liked it. He liked the school," Trump said.

Paparazzi spotted Barron heading to the first day of classes accompanied by his Secret Service guards.

Malia Obama graduated from Harvard University in 2021. Her sister, Sasha, graduated from the University of Southern California in 2023 after transferring from the University of Michigan.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks with his daughters Sasha and Malia on November 25, 2015. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Malia took a gap year after graduating high school in 2016 before attending Harvard University. She graduated in 2021 with a degree in visual and environmental studies, according to E! News. Malia made her directorial debut at the Sundance Film Festival this year.

Sasha started her college career at the University of Michigan in 2019, but she later transferred to the University of Southern California. She graduated in 2023 with a degree in sociology.

George W. Bush's twin daughters, Jenna and Barbara, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and Yale University, respectively.

Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush on September 26, 2019. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

The Bush twins graduated from college during an election year  2004  and their parents opted to skip their graduations due to concerns about their security, according to NBC.

Barbara graduated from her father's alma mater, Yale, with a humanities degree, while Jenna left UT Austin with an English degree.

Chelsea Clinton graduated from Stanford University before attending the University of Oxford and Columbia University for post-grad education.

Hillary Clinton with daughter Chelsea Clinton and Bill Clinton at Chelsea's first day of college at Stanford University in September 1997. Cynthia Johnson/Getty Images

Chelsea moved across the country from the White House to attend Stanford in Palo Alto, California, during her father's second term.

She then moved even further away to get a master's degree in international relations at the University of Oxford in London. Chelsea also holds a master's in public health from New York City's Columbia University.

George W. Bush, the 43rd president, is the son of a president himself: George H. W. Bush. The younger Bush graduated from Yale.

George W. Bush during his Yale University years. Newsmakers/Getty Images

During his time at Yale, Bush was a member of the cheerleading team and a part of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

After graduating with a history degree in 1968, he attended Harvard Business School and obtained a master's in business administration, making him the only US president with an MBA, per The New York Times.

His four siblings each attended a different college.

Barbara and George Bush with their children: Dorothy, Neil, Marvin, Jeb, and George. Dirck Halstead/Getty Images

All of the Bush children attended different colleges. As previously stated, George, the eldest, attended Yale like his father.

Next up was Jeb, who graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Latin studies. Then came Neil, who attended Tulane University for both undergrad and grad school. The third Bush brother, Marvin, graduated from the University of Virginia.

Dorothy, or Doro, graduated from Boston College.

None of President Ronald Reagan's children graduated from college, though all four attended for various periods of time.

Patti Davis, her husband Paul Grilley, first lady Nancy Reagan, President Ronald Reagan, daughter-in-law Doria, and son Ron. Bettman/Getty Images

Reagan's oldest child, Maureen, whom he shared with his first wife, Jane Wyman, attended Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, but didn't graduate. She died in 2001.

Michael, who was adopted by Reagan and Wyman, attended Arizona State University and Los Angeles Valley College, but he didn't graduate from either.

Patti Davis, the first child of Reagan and his second wife, Nancy, attended both Northwestern University and the University of Southern California, but he also didn't earn a degree from either.

His youngest son, Ron, matriculated at Yale but also never graduated.

Jimmy Carter's son Jack graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology, his daughter Amy graduated from Brown University, and his son Jeff graduated from George Washington University.

Amy Carter and Jimmy Carter in 1995. Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Carter's oldest son, Jack, earned a degree in nuclear physics from Georgia Tech and then attended the University of Georgia for law school.

His son Donnel, who goes by Jeff, graduated from George Washington University with a degree in geography.

His daughter, Amy, attended Brown University for undergrad and then moved to New Orleans to obtain her master's in art history at Tulane.

Carter's second-oldest child, Chip, decided to forego college to work for his family's peanut business.

President Gerald Ford's eldest son, Michael, graduated from Wake Forest University. Two of his other three children attended college, but they didn't graduate.

Steven Ford, John Ford, first lady Betty Ford, President Gerald Ford, Susan Ford, daughter-in-law Gayle Ann Ford, and her husband, Michael Ford, in 1974. White House Photos/Getty Images

The eldest Ford child, Michael, graduated from Wake Forest University in 1972. He later returned to work at the university for 36 years before retiring in 2017.

According to the Miller Center, his two younger brothers, Jack and Steven, were each interested in the outdoors. Jack attended Utah State University and worked as a park ranger during the summers, but he did not graduate.

Steven skipped college altogether and worked as a ranch hand before becoming an actor. He starred in the soap opera "The Young and the Restless."

Ford's daughter, Susan, attended Mount Vernon College studying photojournalism, but she left to further her career.

Tricia Nixon graduated from Finch College, while her sister, Julie, graduated from Smith College.

Tricia Nixon Cox and Julie Nixon Eisenhower in 2012. Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Julie didn't actually attend her graduation from Smith because of threats of protests, and she even wrote that attending the college was like "hell on Earth for me," according to the Los Angeles Times.

Her older sister, Tricia, graduated from Finch College, a now-defunct women's college in New York City.

Lyndon B. Johnson's daughter Lynda graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. Her sister, Luci, attended Georgetown but was forced to drop out. She later attended St. Edward's University.

Lyndon B. Johnson's daughters Luci Baines Johnson and Lynda Johnson Robb at the LBJ Library in 2012. Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis/Getty Images

According to the UT Austin chapter of Zeta Beta Tau, Lynda lived in their house while attending the school, complete with Secret Service agents who were able to move in.

Her younger sister, Luci, originally attended Georgetown's nursing school, but she was forced to withdraw when she got married  Georgetown's rules stated that all the nursing students had to be single women, The Washington Post reported.

At age 49, Luci returned to college and earned a communications degree from St. Edward's University in 1998. She graduated with a 4.0 GPA.

"I didn't need to do it to earn a nickel more," she told Texas Monthly in 1998. "I did it so I could put a lifetime of feeling inferior behind me. I did it for myself."

President John F. Kennedy's only living child, Caroline, graduated from Harvard University. Her brother, John Jr., graduated from Brown University.

Caroline Kennedy at the 1980 Harvard University graduation with her mother. Bettman/Getty Images

Technically, she graduated from Radcliffe College, an all-female college within Harvard. Eight years later, she graduated from Columbia Law School.

Her brother, who died in 1999, graduated from Brown University before getting his law degree at New York University.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A farmer bales a crop on an irrigated field in southwest Kansas. (Kevin Hardy/Stateline)

Congress couldnt pass a new farm bill last year, so it punted. The extension of the old bill ends in less than a month, on Sept. 30. It will likely miss that deadline, too, an unprecedented two-year delay.

Farm state representatives predict doom without a new farm bill. They would have us believe we will go hungry and sit naked while parked in line to gas our cars. Scare tactics. Continuing the existing law might be the better option.

Instead of writing a new farm bill, working on policy instead of politics, the least productive House in generations spent 21 days flailing and replacing the speaker  internecine nonsense. It wasted time on bills with no prospect of becoming law, messaging bills: the Stop Unaffordable Dishwasher Standards Act, the Refrigerator Freedom Act and the Save Our Gas Stoves Act. It also found time to rename a slew of post offices and other federal buildings, including the National Museum of Play. But it couldnt pass a farm bill.

Then the House went on vacation for the summer, one week earlier than planned. It will be in session just 13 more days this year. More, maybe, if it convenes a post-election lame duck session. Its top priority will be avoiding a government shutdown  as well as funding its own pay, which it also failed to accomplish.

Even that is in jeopardy. House leadership seems intent on attaching another messaging bill to its government spending legislation. Congress will spend the few days remaining before the farm bill extension expires on a proposal restating existing voter eligibility requirements in every state, including Kansas.

The distinguishing feature of the proposed 2024 farm bill the House Agriculture Committee wrote is its stunning price tag. It will spend more than $1 trillion, $43 billion dollars more than the current law, but not because it changes policy. It simply adds money to existing programs, making them even more lucrative. The Senate agriculture committee has yet to produce anything.

Boosts in subsidies for individual crops  as much as 20%  account for most of the new spending. At the same time, the limit a single farm can earn will jump almost 25%. The bill carves new exemptions into the caps that restrict the largest, richest farmers from receiving payments. These two changes cost more than $1 billion dollars.

Supporters have not offered a compelling case for this bill. They argue that lower prices justify raising subsidy levels, but for some of the key crops, prices are 10-20% higher than when the current bill was written.

The rationale appears to be the mere fact that farm spending has not increased. This is a plainly stated version of the House committees justification for its bill: We havent increased spending in a long time so therefore we have to increase spending.

Not only are they peddling a mindboggling budget buster without a persuasive policy rationale but they are also failing farm bill politics 101.

Wheat farmers alone have never passed a farm bill. Corn growers and cotton ginners, the sugar boys, ag lenders, cowboys and dairy farmers, fruit and vegetable producers, and more must get on board. But they are only half the political equation.

Every senator has some agricultural constituency. Only about 75 members of the House represent purely rural districts. But every district includes voters who eat, and every farm bill has depended on support from metropolitan and suburban non-farm votes.

Instead of building a coalition, adding support, the House Agriculture Committee is subtracting. Non-farm, urban members who in the past voted for farm bills  because of the food assistance and nutrition provisions  are jumping ship. This bill would hurt their constituents in Philadelphia and Houston, as well as Kansans in Dodge City, Coffeyville and Liberal. Some of the highest participation rates in these programs are in rural Kansas.

The House bill proposes the largest cut in 30 years to food stamps  now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. For every dollar it cuts from SNAP, it adds two dollars in new farm subsidies. It would eliminate 40 million recipients from the program, including 17 million children. In Kansas, for every farmer receiving more in subsidies, SNAP benefits for approximately four Kansans would fall.

The historic farm-food alliance is wildly out of balance in this bill.

The first sentence of the original food stamp act declares its purpose: To strengthen the agricultural economy and that establishing and maintaining adequate national levels of nutrition will  strengthen our agricultural economy.

They are no longer common along Kansas highways, though a few remain  the billboards proclaiming: If you eat, thank a farmer.

Maybe its time for some new ones: If youre a farmer, thank an eater and a taxpayer.

Greg Frazier served as a staff director on the House Agriculture Committee, USDA chief of staff and chief agriculture negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. He worked on six farm bills. While growing up in McPherson, he worked summers on Belly Acres, his grandparents farm. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Where RFK Jr. got off the ballot after suspending campaign -- and where he couldn't

Though Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced last month he was suspending his struggling independent campaign and endorsing former President Donald Trump, voters in many states are still likely to see him on their ballot this fall.

Announcing his decision in Phoenix, Arizona, Kennedy said that he would remove himself from the ballot in battleground states where he could act as a "spoiler" for Trump, but he encouraged voters in solidly Democratic or Republican states to vote for him.

Kennedy did not name the states from which he would withdraw, but ABC News has confirmed that he has successfully removed himself from several battleground state ballots.

MORE: RFK Jr. says he's suspending 2024 campaign, joins Donald Trump at Arizona rally

However, in a hiccup for the campaign -- and for Trump -- Kennedy was unable to remove his name from the ballot in at least three states expected to be competitive: Michigan, Wisconsin and North Carolina.

Here's a look at where Kennedy has been taken off from the ballot -- and where he'll still be on them.

PHOTO: Former Republican presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump shake hands during a campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena on August 23, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

Where has Kennedy been removed from the ballot?

As of Wednesday, ABC News had confirmed that Kennedy has successfully withdrawn his name from the ballot in at least 10 states: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and South Carolina.

Many of those states are considered presidential battlegrounds, or at least contain some competitive congressional districts -- such as Maine's 2nd District, which Trump won in 2020, but is currently a seat held by Democratic Rep. Jared Golden.

Kennedy has moved quickly to scratch his name from ballots: in Arizona, his team scrambled to file withdrawal paperwork the night before he suspended his campaign. They were working to beat a crucial deadline: the Arizona secretary of state's office was set to print ballots, which included Kennedy's name, just hours later.

Then, in the hours after his announcement, Kennedy's campaign successfully withdrew his name from the ballot in Texas, Pennsylvania and Ohio, ABC News confirmed.

PHOTO: Former Republican presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. listens during a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump at Desert Diamond Arena on August 23, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

In the days since, officials in several other states have told ABC News that Kennedy has successfully removed his name from the ballot.

In Georgia, a key battleground, the secretary of state's office received two letters from lawyers for Kennedy asking to remove him from the ballot, according to a spokesperson.

But the office never considered Kennedy to be "on the ballot" in the first place -- as an administrative judge ruled that the independent candidate did not meet the qualifications.

A spokesman for the office told ABC News, "He won't be on the ballot."

MORE: From 'liberal lunatic' to 'respect': How Trump's stance on RFK Jr. has evolved

Officials in Nevada confirmed to ABC News last week that Kennedy is now off the ballot in the state -- in that case, because of a court order received by the office.

The Nevada Independent reported that the court order is due to an agreement between Kennedy's lawyers and the Nevada Democratic Party, which had challenged his petition to get on the ballot in Nevada, to drop the lawsuit and to mutually agree that Kennedy should not be on the ballot.

In New Hampshire, the office of the secretary of state confirmed to ABC News that Kennedy's campaign submitted signatures to get him on the ballot the morning he suspended his campaign. But days later, a spokesperson for the office told ABC News that the Kennedy campaign "withdrew the nomination petitions required to be a certified candidate on the general election ballot."

Where is Kennedy still on the ballot?

As of Wednesday, ABC News had confirmed that Kennedy will likely be on the ballot in about 30 states, although this could shift with any further successful withdrawals, legal challenges or decisions by elections offices ahead of state ballot certifications.

That number includes battleground states whose ballots Kennedy tried in recent days to withdraw from, such as Wisconsin, Michigan and North Carolina.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission voted 5-1 on Tuesday to certify Kennedy and some other independent candidates for the ballot. The board debated over whether to remove him given his withdrawal from the race, with commissioner Ann S. Jacobs, a Democratic Party appointee on the board, arguing that Kennedy could not withdraw due to state statutes.

"It literally says, 'if you filed nomination papers you cannot withdraw unless you're dead.' I mean, all of this is just vibing to try to ignore a statute. And this statute's clear -- like this isn't even equivocal," Jacobs said during a meeting of the commission.

A lawyer for Kennedy had submitted a letter to the Wisconsin Elections Commission requesting to withdraw him from the state's ballot. But a spokesperson for the commission told ABC News recently that if a candidate files to get on the ballot in Wisconsin, "there is no mechanism to 'take back' the filing."

ABC News has reached out to the Kennedy campaign to see if he plans to appeal the decision.

MORE: Environmental group asks federal agency to investigate RFK Jr. for allegedly strapping severed whale head to roof of car in 1990s

In Michigan, a judge ruled against Kennedy, who had sued Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for ordering his name to remain on the ballot.

Nominees of minor political parties may not remove themselves from the ballot, a representative for Benson's office told ABC News.

The Natural Law Party, a two-member political party with ballot access in Michigan, nominated Kennedy to lead its ticket in April.

And in North Carolina, election officials voted to keep Kennedy's name on the ballot since nearly two million ballots had already been printed across the state.

Reprinting them would be costly and leave most counties without ballots until at least mid-September (under state law, absentee ballots must go out by Sept. 6 to voters who have requested them).

On Friday, Kennedy sued the North Carolina Board of Elections to get his name removed from the ballot.

In an oddity, there are also some states where Kennedy's campaign filed to get on the ballot even after he announced suspending his campaign.

Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams wrote on X on Monday afternoon that Kennedy filed to run in Kentucky (a state that his campaign had not discussed much or at all previously) that afternoon.

"Having just completed review of his submission of signatures, we are placing him on the ballot," Adams wrote. The Kentucky secretary of state's website also shows his filing.

And in Oregon, Kennedy achieved a spot on the ballot three days after announcing his suspension through the We the People Party and "at this time" will be on the ballot in the state, a spokesman for the Oregon secretary of state's office said. The Oregon secretary of state's website also has an entry for his filing.

Where RFK Jr. got off the ballot after suspending campaign -- and where he couldn't originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
TechCrunch

SpotHero, a parking startup that lets drivers reserve nearby parking spaces, announced on Tuesday that it has teamed up with Google to integrate its offering into Google Maps and Google Search, allowing users in the U.S. and Canada to reserve parking spots at over 8,000 locations. Clicking will direct them to the SpotHero website to finalize their booking without leaving Maps or Search. Users also have the ability to reserve their parking space in advance.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he spoke to the families of hostages found dead over the weekend.

I apologize that we didnt get them out, Netanyahu said. It tears your heart out.

Netanyahu says Israel will continue its operations to keep pressure on Hamas, as the terror group has not accepted a ceasefire deal yet.

Until that happens, were there, Netanyahu said.

The White House says the administration is doing everything it can to facilitate a ceasefire and hostage exchange.

Were going to keep doing everything we can to get their loved ones home where they belong. Everything we can, White House National Security Advisor Spokesperson John Kirby said.

The administration says it supports the plan for a short-term ceasefire that could lead to something bigger.

Six weeks of no fighting. And that means more humanitarian assistance. And then getting the at least the first tranche of hostages out, the ones that are at the most risk, Kirby said.

The State Department echoed this call, as the U.S.s partners in these negotiations help push this deal through.

We believe self-evidently in the interests of Israel as well as, of course, the Palestinians and others in the region, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

The administration says it will also take more actions to punish the leader of Hamas, who the Department of Justice recently charged.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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(Bloomberg) -- The latest clashes in the tense South China Sea feature Chinas coast guard wielding knives and an axe, firing water cannons and ramming Philippine vessels.

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The hostilities between China and the Philippines continue to draw global attention though other Asian countries also stake claims on the resource-rich seas. A new flashpoint has opened between the two nations recently  the Sabina Shoal  just weeks after Beijing and Manila agreed to ease tensions in another hot spot.

The developments raise the stakes for the US, which is treaty bound to help defend the Philippines from any armed attack in the South China Sea. Washington could find itself dragged into a direct conflict with Beijing, making the South China Sea, at times more dangerous than the Taiwan Strait, observers say.

Philippine-China strategic relations boil down to a cold war that may turn to a hot war if mishandled, said Chester Cabalza, who heads a Manila-based security think tank.

Why are tensions rising now?

The Philippines maritime strategy has seen a dramatic shift under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who took office in June 2022. Marcos discarded his predecessor Rodrigo Dutertes non-confrontational approach in the South China Sea and has become more assertive, backed by the US.

Marcos granted the US military access to more Philippines bases, including those facing the South China Sea and Taiwan in early 2023, much to Beijings chagrin. The Philippines also increased missions in the disputed waters, including resupplying the countrys lone outpost, a dilapidated World War II-era ship which has been fortified, after years of worry that it would fall apart.

China, which claims much of the waters for itself, has been trying to block these missions and assert its expansive maritime claims. These have led to more frequent  and increasingly violent  clashes, which the Philippines publicizes. Thats a strategy that Beijing has recently adopted. The encounters have caused damage to Philippine vessels and crew injuries.

Both nations tried to ease tensions around the Philippines military outpost in Second Thomas Shoal through a pact, only to have the clashes shift to nearby Sabina Shoal. The airspace over the disputed sea is also a site of hostilities.

What has China said?

China claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea where it has built numerous artificial islands. Beijing maintains that its actions are lawful and within its rights.

Beijings claims overlap with the Philippines 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea. Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam also lay claim to parts of the waterway.

China has repeatedly blamed the Philippines for instigating maritime encounters and has accused Manila of ignoring its warnings. The Philippines is being emboldened by external forces, according to Beijing, in an apparent swipe at the US. Manila had branded Chinas remarks as disinformation.

A particular point of contention for China was the regular Philippine convoy to provide food and other supplies to personnel on the grounded World War II-era ship in the Second Thomas Shoal. Mutually suspicious of each others motives, the two nations have since moved on to accusing one another of trying to establish a permanent presence in the nearby Sabina Shoal.

How did the US react?

The US has criticized Beijing for its South China Sea actions, repeatedly blasting its escalatory moves. At the same time, Washington has assured the Philippines that it will come to its defense in case of an armed attack, as stipulated in the nations decades-old treaty.

President Joe Biden has also boosted defense funding and pledged investments to the Philippines as Washington seeks to counter China in the region.

Stronger ties with the US have opened up other deals for the Philippines. Marcos has also entered into a key defense pact with Japan, and is aiming to forge a similar one with France.

The Philippines has held joint patrols with US and Australia in the disputed sea, and is considering holding similar exercises with other countries.

Could this lead to war?

Though the collisions at sea have become more frequent, the rhetoric from China and the Philippines suggest that neither is prepared to take the region to the brink of war.

After meeting with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in November, Marcos said: I do not think anybody wants to go to war.

The Philippine leader suggested a higher bar for invoking a defense pact with the US: the death of a Filipino soldier in the event of a foreign attack that triggers the two countries mutual defense treaty.

Whats next?

The Philippines plans to continue its missions in the contested waters, with Marcos saying that skirmishes with China have steeled his nations determination to defend its sovereignty. A US military official has said Washington can escort Philippine vessels during resupply missions in the South China Sea.

Manila is also exploring diplomatic and legal steps to respond to Chinas actions, including protests and another potential arbitration case.

China doesnt intend to back down either. Beijing said it will continue asserting maritime claims, opening the possibility for more encounters at sea.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost warned Columbus City Schools on Tuesday that he would pursue legal action without an immediate change to its bus plan.

Yost is taking issue with CCS decision to mark certain private and charter school students as transportation impractical, meaning the districts buses wont transport them. A resolution rolled out on Aug. 27 by the CCS Board of Education included six factors to determine if a student gets the marking, such as how far a student lives from their school and how many other students need a ride.

Parents and staff at the private education facilities only received a warning about the change at the beginning of August. For charter school manager United Schools Network, its quickly created a problem. CEO Andy Boy told NBC4 that more than 60 of his students dont have a reliable way to get to school after being marked impractical.

Hybrid vehicles dominate Ohio green car market over electric vehicles

Yost stepped in with a cease-and-desist letter to CCS, saying his office would seek relief in court if the district did not amend its current plan.

Ohio law requires notice 30 days before the start of the school year for most students, Yost wrote. It appears that the district has chosen to ignore its legal obligations to transport thousands of students, perhaps calculating that the district is better off paying future non-compliance fines than meeting its current legal obligations.

Families are allowed to request mediation from CCS, and at that point, the district said it will either have to transport the student if it has the means or itll pay families since it did not provide bussing. Parents can also challenge the impractical marking, making the district prove whether the student meets five of its six conditions.

Read the cease-and-desist letter from Yost below:

CCS-9-3-2024Download

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Why Did They Only Send Conscripts to Defend the Border?

NORTHERN UKRAINEA powerful smell of cigarettes and sweat, mingled with the odors of a school cafeteria, overwhelms the corridor as a Ukrainian guard escorts us through the prison.

A little further on, a guard with a Cossack mustache escorts a Russian prisoner of war. The prisoner wears pants too big for him, and his face is tired. His arm is wrapped in a bandage stained with blood and yellow fluids, topped with an iron bar inserted directly into the bone, holding his fracture in place.

Were taking him to the infirmary, the guard said.

Another guard, with a smooth turn of the key, unlocks the massive green iron door and escorts my translator and me into the room. Behind it, a dozen Russian prisoners of war are crammed together. (In return for access to the prison, we agreed not to disclose its precise location. The prisoners we met agreed to the interviews and acquiesced to being photographed.)

All were captured by Ukrainian forces during their offensive in the Kursk oblast in early August. Since then, the flow of Russian prisoners hasnt stopped and could reach several thousand, according to one of the Ukrainian guards.

Askerkhan, a 30-year-old marine, is among those captured by Ukrainian forces during their summer operation in Russias Kursk oblast. (Photo by Iryna Matviyishyn)

Askerkhan, a 30-year-old prisoner, steps forward. His face, dotted with a small black beard, is emaciated. His hand, wrapped in a bandage, is injured. A bullet broke my finger.

Three months into his contract military service, Askerkhan and his unit were ambushed by the Ukrainian army. He is one of the few survivors.

The conscripts surrendered as soon as the first shots were fired, Askerkhan explains with a shrug. Those from the marine units who tried to resist were crushed.

Disillusioned, Askerkhan even dares to criticize his superiors: Why did they only send conscripts to defend the border?

The inmates sit around a small table with a television on it, and eat a mixture of porridge and stew from plastic bowls, accompanied by a cucumber salad roughly chopped with dill.

The wounded, lying on their bunks, stare blankly at the ceiling of their cell, blowing away flies that land on their faces.

Other prisoners, in a corner, play a game of backgammon and, in the stifling summer heat, enjoy a moment of relaxation with smiles on their faces. They know they will soon be exchanged.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that one of the reasons for the offensive was also to capture Russian prisoners to fill their exchange fund. On August 24, one day after our visit, Ukraine and Russia completed a prisoner exchange of 230 soldiers, 115 for each side. Its unlikely any of the men we spoke to were included in that exchange.

Respect for the Geneva Conventions.

A 19-year-old conscript who asked to be called Rustam (not his real name), had only three months left before finishing his military service. Stationed in the region since mid-April, Rustam is one of the hundreds of conscripts captured during the offensive.

Without proper equipment or experience, many surrendered as soon as the fighting began.

Our superiors sent us [to Kursk] telling us that [the Ukrainians] were gathering their troops at our border. But once we got there, no one gave us any orders, he explained.

Rustam, whos from Dagestan in the Caucasus region, recounted the first days of the offensive.

We were driving and driving [to another position], and then a drone hovered above us. It exploded, and thats itthe shrapnel hit my finger, said Rustam, who has a thick bandage with a splint on his left hand. We were then captured by the Ukrainians.

Andrey, a 31-year-old contract soldier, didnt have time to understand what was happening to him. I signed a contract on July 23 and was captured on August 7, he explained, almost with despair.

Surprised by the Ukrainian offensive, Andrey explains that he did everything to stop the advance.

We came under Ukrainian fire during our retreat. Almost our entire unit was decimated. Those who survived were captured. As they say, you cant stop a tank with a machine gun.

Russian prisoners of war play backgammon after lunch. They were captured by the Ukrainian army during the Kursk offensive in August. (Photograph by Iryna Matviyishyn)

Conscripted directly after finishing his studies, 22-year-old Yevgeniy said he was surprised by the Ukrainian advance and admits, after a pause, that he never supported the war.

Today, all seem to be biding their time, hoping to be freed soon. Yevgeniy, upon his release, said he planned to resume his studies. Id like to study languages. Maybe English.

Rustam is more evasive. He hopes to return home to Dagestan and resume his job as a mechanic.

Andrey explains that since his arrival, he and his comrades have been well treated.

Our officers said that if we were captured, we would be tortured, added Rustam, who, in an almost inaudible voice, admitted he never believed them.

We expected a different reception, but we received normal humane treatment, continued Andrey. We are fed and receive all the necessities of daily life. We are treated like human beings, even though we are prisoners.

Red Cross personnel came by last week, and Andrey and other inmates were able to write letters to their families in Russia.

Rustam, having arrived recently, hasnt had the opportunity to do so yet.

With a strained expression, an officer of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in charge of moving POWs explained that Ukrainian prison staff strictly adhere to the Geneva Conventions.

But between two hallways, he confided his frustration. They are our enemies, above all, and what we do for them is already too much. I can assure you its no pleasure taking them to the hospital and caring for them.

Many of them, the guard explained, were in a pitiful state when they were found. Ive heard that some were abandoned by their commander and went more than three days without eating. Here, as soon as they arrive, they are immediately taken care of, fed, and treated.

Askerkhan, under the watchful eyes of the guards, wanted to thank the Ukrainian combat medics.

They didnt differentiate between us and their own, he explained. Here, no one threatens us, and we are well treated, whether by the guards or the doctors. I wish our soldiers treated Ukrainian prisoners of war the same way we are treated.

Iryna Matviyishyn contributed to the reporting.

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If you've walked along the Milwaukee lakefront in the past few weeks, you might have suddenly found yourself amid a swarm of dragonflies.

The insects are making their yearly migration south, which includes a several-week stretch passing through Milwaukee  and we're right in the thick of it.

Though you may feel an urge to duck at the large and helicopter-like insects, dragonflies are harmless to humans. Occasionally, a tired dragonfly may land on a human for a few seconds, but they'll typically just fly right by, according to Dan Jackson, treasurer of the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society.

In fact, Jackson only has one piece of advice for anyone who finds themselves in the swarm these coming weeks: "Just enjoy the show."

Here's what else to know about dragonflies on the lakefront, from how much longer they'll be around to new species in Wisconsin.

Dragonflies are seen flying in Bayside on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022.

Why are there so many dragonflies on the lakefront?

Dragonflies are swarming the lakefront this month as they head south to Mexico and the Gulf Coast, according to Jackson. There, the insects will lay their eggs, which will hatch and develop throughout the winter.

The cycle then starts again when those offspring migrate back north in the spring.

As for why so many dragonflies end up in Milwaukee, eastward winds push the dragonflies toward Lake Michigan during their migration, Jackson said. However, the insects will typically avoid flying directly over the lake.

"They're going to be real hesitant to do a migration across that lake, because if they get tired, they aren't going to be able to land anywhere," Jackson said. "So at that point, they're going to really work hard to migrate south, but they'll probably stay pretty close to that lake edge."

The common green darner is among the most widely observed dragonfly species in Wisconsin.

What type of dragonflies are on the lakefront?

About eight to 10 different species account for the lakefront dragonfly swarms, according to Jackson. However, if you spot a dragonfly, it'll most likely be a common green darner, which is among the most abundant species in North America.

Jackson is also the record reviewer for the Wisconsin Odonata Survey, which logs sightings and data on dragonflies statewide. The "very big, very obvious" green darner is widely seen in large swarms across Wisconsin, he said.

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't keep an eye out for other species: a few rarer dragonflies are also among the swarms, included two species spotted this year for the first time in Wisconsin. The Odonata Survey has verified southern Wisconsin sightings of the golden wing skimmer and is in the process of verifying gray petaltail sightings, Jackson said.

Red saddlebags are another brightly colored, albeit more common, dragonfly you might be able to spot on the lakefront.

Red saddlebags are another migrant dragonfly spotted in Wisconsin recently.

How long will the dragonflies stick around?

The dragonflies typically emerge in the second half of August and continue their migration into mid- to late September, Jackson said.

In Milwaukee, the swarms are at their peak for the next couple weeks, before they begin petering off. Still, we might see dragonflies passing by the city until early October, Jackson said.

"I was out at a location [Monday] that has a lot of those migrants emerging, and they leave behind their nymphal exoskeletons, which is called exuviae," he added. "The numbers of those [exoskeletons] was just mind boggling."

The exoskeletons of four dragonflies that emerged to migrate in Wisconsin.

How to get involved in dragonfly watching

If you're ready to get in the dragonfly spirit, the Odonata Survey has a reporting form where anyone can report a dragonfly observation.

The Wisconsin Dragonfly Society, which has grown to about 150 members since its 2013 founding, also hosts annual field trips and dragonfly-watching events. Or you can join the group's Facebook group of about 3,000 people to post about your own sightings, see what others have spotted and keep up on the migration.

Grabbing a glimpse, let alone a photo, of a dragonfly can be pretty tricky, since they're among the fastest insects in the world. But even observing the swarms from afar can be worth your while, Jackson said.

"Their flight capabilities are pretty amazing. They can literally turn on a dime, and they probably won't ever even get touched," he said. "So, like I said, just enjoy the show. It's pretty spectacular."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why are there so many dragonflies by Lake Michigan in Milwaukee?
This is what happens to mountain lions that attack people in California

This is what happens to mountain lions that attack people in California

After a 5-year-old boy was mauled by a large mountain lion in a popular Southern California picnic area over the weekend, prompting wildlife officials to euthanize the big cat, authorities said in these circumstances, they have no choice but to put the animal down.

In the most recent attack, which occurred on Sept. 1 around 4:30 p.m. at Tapia Park inside Malibu Creek State Park, the cougar snatched the young boy by the head and began running away.

Some 40 people in the picnic area of the park witnessed the attack as the children were playing.

The victims aunt, who did not want to be identified, spoke to KTLA about the incident by phone.

Somebody screamed the babys name, and his dad started running, she explained. The father grabbed the mountain lion with his hands, and he just fought. Then the mountain lion let go.

Mountain lion attacks 5-year-old boy at Malibu Creek State Park

Captain Patrick Foy with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife told KTLA that attacks by big cats are rare, but they do happen. Including Sundays terrifying ordeal, there have been two this year.

A mountain lion is spotted in a tree outside a Woodland Hills home on May 9, 2024.

The first one, in Northern California, ended up being fatal.

In a rural part of El Dorado County, two young, strong guys, 18 and 21 years old, very comfortable and competent in the woods, were attacked by one mountain lion that fought them both, Foy explained. Unfortunately, the oldest brother was killed by the lion.

In Sundays attack at Malibu Creek State Park, the 5-year-old was airlifted to Northridge Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. He was released late that night, but the family returned on Monday due to complications with injuries to the boys eyes.

The extent of his injuries and current condition was not immediately available.

In 2021, barely three miles away in Monte Nido in the Santa Monica Mountains, another 5-year-old boy was mauled by a mountain lion in the familys front yard. He was rescued by his mother who also attacked the big cat, though the child suffered injuries to his head, neck and torso, the L.A. Times reported.

In all three instances, the mountain lions were killed by wildlife officials, who cited public safety concerns. While some may disagree with putting the animals down, officials with CDFW say there are no other options.

If you have a lion that has attacked and arguably tried to kill a small child, where do you bring that lion? Foy said. Well, people say, Bring it to the middle of nowhere, but they frequently dont point to a county in the state of California and say, Well, I think that county is in the middle of nowhere. Well have people say, Bring it to the other side of the Sierra. That way it cant possibly come back. The people who live in Inyo County and Mono County and Alpine and Lassen County are going to say, Well, no. Thats not fair to do that.

Foy added that theres really no such thing as the middle of nowhere in the state of California.

Theres 39 million of us, he explained.

For advocates of capturing the wild animal and moving it into captivity, somewhere like a zoo, Foy said that pretty much every zoo in California and across the country that has a mountain lion exhibit has all the mountain lions they want.

VIDEO: Female pursuit suspect in Southern California tackled by police

While the boy in Sundays attack is expected to recover, wildlife officers contacted the family at the hospital and collected evidence of the attack, samples from the bite and scratch wounds.

Forensic testing conducted by CDFW at a lab in Sacramento found matching DNA from the mountain lion and evidence collected from the boys wounds.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Why are nurses protesting at the VA? If you care for veterans, you have to invest

The nurses came to make a point. Many dressed in red and carried signs. Their message to the federal government: End what they say is a national hiring freeze that has led to thousands of vacancies across the veterans health system, affecting patient care.

Leaders overseeing the federal health system say medical facilities are hiring, but are being more strategic based on need and demand.

Recent announcements of plans to cut 10,000 jobs across the national Veteran Affairs system due to expected budget shortfalls has also raised questions and concerns among employees and lawmakers.

What we see at our VA and across all VAs is a failure to veterans and those of us who care for veterans, Bill Frogameni, a registered nurse who works at the Miami VA Medical Center and is the director of National Nurses United Miami VA chapter, told the Miami Herald in a phone call ahead of the demonstration.

If youre going to care for veterans, he said, you have to invest in people who care for veterans.

The Aug. 21 rally outside the Miami VA, 1201 NW 16th St, was part of a series of demonstration across the country calling for safer staffing levels by National Nurses United, a union that represents more than 15,000 registered nurses at 23 VA facilities. A similar demonstration was held in front of the Tampa VA last week. The registered nurses union, in a news release, said the VA hiring freeze, which has been in effect since Jan. 30, has contributed to more than tens of thousands of vacancies across the health system, including thousands of RN positions.

Sixty nurses hold signs as they protest in advocating for increased investment in the VA healthcare system, opposing job freezes and cuts that jeopardize veterans access to medical care. The demonstration, supported by the National Nurses United Union at the Miami VA Hospital, was part of a nationwide effort calling for enhanced funding for veterans healthcare services on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, in Miami, Florida.

According to the VAs own inspector general, 82 percent of VAs are experiencing critical nurse shortages. Some of the hardest hit patient care areas include ICUs, units where the sickest patients receive life-saving care, the union said. Due to the hiring freeze ... there are not enough RNs to cover patients coding, rapid responses, or routine transportation and testing needs. Due to the short staffing in the critical care units, RNs without critical care specializations are being floated there. As a result of short staffing, beds in these units are closing, limiting patient care for veterans.

VA Press Secretary Terrence Hayes, in an emailed statement to the Miami Herald, disputed the unions claims and said there is no nationwide hiring freeze on VA nurses and that the VA has continued to strategically hire nurses where needed to provide the care that Veterans deserve.

Every year since 2014, nursing positions in the health system have experienced a severe shortage, although there has been some improvement, with fewer facilities reporting a nurse shortage for fiscal year 2024, according to the most recent inspector general report.

READ MORE: Everythings gone up. Nurses at Miami VA hospital rally for higher pay

Over the past three years, VA has aggressively hired nurses nationwide  increasing our nursing workforce by 14,000 nurses to a total of 122,000 nurses, the largest nursing workforce in the country and in the history of VA, according to Hayes. VA is also retaining our great nurses, with turnover rates currently at 3.4%  far outperforming the private sector.

Hayes said the VAs hiring efforts has led to more care to more veterans than ever before, outperforming non-VA care, and veterans trust VA care at all-time record rates.

After a hiring spree, VA cutting jobs

The hiring spree was fueled by an increase in veterans seeking care after President Joe Biden in 2022 signed the PACT Act into law, expanding healthcare benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, which owns and operates all VA hospitals in the country. An expected historic $15 billion budget shortfall through the end of September 2025 has pushed the department to find ways to reduce costs. In March, it announced plans to cut about 10,000 jobs.

When you consider the VAs 400,000 employees, the cuts are not much greater then traditional attrition, Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough said in May while testifying before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee about the departments fiscal year budget requests for 2025 and 2026. McDonough, in response to questions by lawmakers, said the VA is seeing historically high retention and historically low quit rates due to various pay enhancements, which will make trimming jobs a little tough.

Hiring decisions will be made by local leaders based on facility needs, he said. Agency leaders in a February news conference said the department wont need to hire as many workers this year due to the recent hiring spree and will focus on need and demand.

And while agency leaders previously declared front-line workers who provide care to veterans would be largely protected from cuts, staff including psychologists and clinical social workers have seen cuts, CNN reported. Some prospective employees have had job offers rescinded.

Frogameni, the director of the registered nurses union at the Miami VA, said the veterans hospital saw a stream of new hires last year after the union secured a contract with more competitive wages in May 2023. He said hiring has slowed to a standstill in recent months. The VA says it is still hiring.

Wesley Chau leads a group of sixty nurses in protest advocating for increased investment in the VA healthcare system, opposing job freezes and cuts that jeopardize veterans access to medical care. The demonstration, supported by the National Nurses United Union at the Miami VA Hospital, was part of a nationwide effort calling for enhanced funding for veterans healthcare services on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, in Miami, Florida.

At the Miami VA, we have seen year-over-year growth, with a 14.9% increase year to date, said Hayes, the VA press secretary. In addition, we currently have more than 51 nurses in some stage of the hiring process. We completed our annual staffing methodology, and we will hire staff to meet patient care needs. 

This years inspector general report, which relies on survey responses from facilities, said the VA health system has more staff this year compared to last year. But, the report said, there are still shortages. The Top 5 clinical positions with severe staff shortages in the VA health care system this year are psychology, practical nurse, psychiatry and nursing assistant, with medical technologist and primary care tied for No. 5.

Is there a nursing shortage?

At the Miami VA, retaining trained and experienced staff has been a concern for unionized employees. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic may be officially over, the country is still facing a nationwide nursing shortage with hospitals competing to hire and retain nurses to staff their units. And the shortage is expected to intensify as adults born between 1946 and 1964, the baby boomers, get older and need more healthcare, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

READ NEXT: Jacksons registered nurses to get hefty raise after staff shortages fueled by pandemic

Theres no one answer to as why theres a nursing shortage. The nursing association says theres a variety of factors causing the shortage, including nursing school enrollment not growing fast enough to meet projected demand, retirement, and insufficient staffing leading nurses to leave the profession due to high stress and lack of job satisfaction. Others like National Nurses United says the shortage isnt because of a lack of nurses, but rather because nurses want better working conditions, STAT News reported.

A group of sixty nurses protest advocating for increased investment in the VA healthcare system, opposing job freezes and cuts that jeopardize veterans access to medical care. The demonstration, supported by the National Nurses United Union at the Miami VA Hospital, was part of a nationwide effort calling for enhanced funding for veterans healthcare services on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, in Miami, Florida.

Besides sufficient staffing, Frogameni says the Miami VAs nurses are calling for the federally run agency to invest in updating and fixing the more than 50-year-old veterans hospital. Workers have complained about roof leaks, sagging ceilings and broken and malfunction equipment inside the building, including a faulty A/C that broke down last year amid South Floridas summer heat.

The AC meltdown forced the hospital to move some patients to other floors and temporarily suspend elective surgeries. A fix for the A/C is on the way, but it will take years, with the Miami VA saying that two significant HVAC infrastructure projects are expected to be completed by 2027, as the Miami Herald has reported.

For veteran and registered nurse Shardrick Ridley, who works at the Miami VA and attended the rally to call for the end of the hiring freeze, coming into the hospital and seeing that we are not investing fully like we should in our veterans really really hurts.

We are here to demonstrate and say, Hey, lets make a change,  Ridley said. We should be doing all that we can to invest in our veterans and make sure the care they are being provided is being provided in a safe manner.
Many are wondering what the Chroming trend on TikTok is about as it has garnered immense concerns among adults due to its dangerous nature. Young users are engaging in this viral trend making videos and posting them online. But, whats this dangerous chroming TikTok trend is about, and why should it not be tried?

Heres what you need to know about the Chroming trend and why it poses such a serious threat.

What is the TikTok Chroming trend?

Chroming is a harmful trend wherein an individual inhales toxic fumes, like aerosol cans, deodorants, or a paint pot, to achieve a temporary high.

The trends name stems from Australian slang. It has become popular among Gen Z and Alpha users on TikTok, where they inhale these dangerous substances into their bodies, putting their lives at stake for massive views. They then share their experiences online using the hashtag, Whiptok, which is slang for nitrous oxide use. (via The Tab)

The consumption of these fumes could temporarily make an individual high. However, it could also have fatal effects on ones body including choking, seizures, and heart attack. At times, it could also lead to an individuals death. According to one of the Fox News reports, several young individual deaths were reported from different parts of the world following this trend.

Most recently, Nichola King, a mother shared a distressing story about her 12-year-old son, Cesar who followed this trend. She revealed having heard a moaning sound downstairs and thought that Cesar might have gotten some injury falling. However, when she reached downstairs, she couldnt believe her eyes. I started going downstairs and saw Cesar lying on the floor and his eyes were rolling back into his head, she said. (via Dexerto)

He was immediately rushed to the hospital. Further, he was diagnosed with cardiac arrest and was in a medically induced coma for 48 hours. Thankfully, he survived and was released from the hospital. Following this tragedy, her mother warned other parents and children to be cautious and not carry out this dangerous trend.

Due to the serious nature of the chroming trend, TikTok has implemented stricter content policies. The platform now actively removes any content promoting or engaging in chroming, and users found participating in this trend face having their videos taken down. TikToks efforts aim to protect its users, particularly younger audiences, from the dangers associated with this and similar harmful trends. (via New York Post)

The post Why the TikTok Chroming Trending Is so Dangerous appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Common sense suggests that Donald Trump would want his Arlington National Cemetery controversy to end as quickly as possible. The story generated a ton of highly unflattering coverage last week  followed by some additional unfavorable headlines over Labor Day weekend  so it stood to reason that the former president would try to move on from the mess he helped create.

But as the 2024 presidential election enters its final stretch, the Republican nominees common sense is in short supply.

In fact, for reasons that defy comprehension, Trump spent much of Tuesday keeping the story alive for yet another day, starting in the morning with a missive published to his social media platform. It read in part:

There was no conflict or fighting at Arlington National Cemetery last week. It was a made up story by Comrade Kamala and her misinformation squad. She made it all up...

Soon after, the GOP candidate appeared on Sean Hannitys radio show and echoed the line, insisting that there was no conflict between members of his campaign team and an official at Arlington National Cemetery. There was no fight, Trump added, there was no anything.

At this point, I could spend a few sentences explaining that Vice President Kamala Harris obviously played no role in manufacturing this controversy. I could then add a paragraph or two marveling at the former president voluntarily breathing new life into a damaging scandal that appeared to be nearing its endpoint.

But as notable as those angles are, what was perhaps most striking about Trumps latest rhetoric about the story was his willingness to contradict, not only the U.S. Army, but also his own team.

As regular readers know, the core details of the controversy are difficult to dispute. Team Trump was made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and Pentagon policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. Team Trump apparently decided to ignore those restrictions, and according to an official written statement from the U.S. Army, when an employee who works at the cemetery attempted to ensure adherence to the rules, she was abruptly pushed aside.

Team Trump acknowledged from the outset that thered been some kind of dispute at Arlington last week, with a campaign spokesperson telling media outlets that a cemetery employee had a mental health episode. Another campaign official added around the same time that he considered the cemetery official a despicable individual.

In fact, as a New York Times report noted, Trump campaign officials also said they were prepared to release footage of the episode, though the campaign has not yet done so after repeated requests.

That was last week. This week, the former president himself has decided to contradict his own teams comments and declare that there was no incident whatsoever, despite the Trump campaigns recent rhetoric. The entire fiasco, the GOP candidate wants the public to believe, was "made up," reality notwithstanding.

And in case this example of trying to rewrite recent history wasnt brazen enough, a Washington Post fact-check report added that the Republican nominee, during his appearance at Arlington, also appears to have misled the Gold Star families in attendance about his administrations record in Afghanistan.

Will Trump find new ways to keep the story going even longer? At this point, I wouldnt put it past him.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Wichita nurse aide injured 90-year-old by moving her without help. Hell serve probation

A 31-year-old Wichita man was sentenced to one year of probation after mistreating an elderly woman in a way that caused injuries before she died.

Jose Luis Reyes pleaded guilty in July to a felony charge of mistreating a 90-year-old resident of a Bel Aire nursing home in December 2022, according to a news release from the Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office.

He was sentenced on Wednesday to one year of probation and agreed to surrender his Kansas medical certifications, the release said. He cannot work anywhere he would be providing medical care to patients.

Reyes worked as a certified nurse aide at Catholic Care Center in Bel Aire, where the resident died on Dec. 10, 2022, the DAs office said.

Although the residents main cause of death was heart disease, her autopsy showed she had suffered injuries including broken bones in her legs, bruising under her armpits and a bruise to her head.

Investigators learned that Reyes injured the resident when he attempted to move her from a bed to a wheelchair without assistance.

Evidence showed the woman either fell or was dropped onto the floor of her room on the day she died, the release said. Medical records showed the nursing home staff was aware that S.C. required at least two people to move her at all times.

If Reyes violates the terms of his probation, he could serve nine months in prison.
Wichita restaurant owner planned to close if he didnt find a buyer. Just in time, he did.

Back in May, Avivo Brick Oven Pizzeria owner David Hensley announced that, if he didnt find a buyer for the NewMarket Square restaurant, hed have to close it at summers end.

Now, summer is nearly over, and Hensley has some news to share. He has, in fact, found a new owner for the restaurant, and he took over on Sept. 1.

Avivo, which first opened at 2441 N. Maize Road, #101, in 2005, will continue on with the same name and the same menu.

Avivo Brick Oven Pizzeria, one of NewMarket Squares longest-running restaurants, has new owners.

The buyer is Cullen Elliott, who says hes been a business investor on and off for about 14 years. He once served in the military as a medic and was stationed at Fort Riley in Junction City, where he later bought and ran a bar.

Most recently, Elliott was living in Albuquerque but always thought about how much he liked Kansas, he said. He was looking for a business investment near Kansas City or Topeka when he came across a brokers listing for Avivo. (Todd Bailey of Transworld Business Advisors of Wichita brokered the sale.)

Elliott decided to purchase the restaurant, and along with Andrew Wright, who will work as the manager at Avivo, he moved to Wichita in June. The sale of the restaurant was official on Sunday.

I dont plan on changing anything in the functionality of the business  the pizza, the prices, none of that, Elliott said. What I plan on doing is expanding the hours and doing a lot more community outreach type things.

As he worked to sell the restaurant, Hensley had shortened Avivos hours to 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

David Hensley bought Avivo Brick Oven Pizzeria in 2021 but decided in May that he wanted to sell it.

Elliott said hell keep those hours for a couple of weeks then plans to be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily except on Wednesdays, when Avivo will be closed. Eventually, hell open the restaurant seven days a week, he said.

Hell still welcome dine-in customers but also says hell try to put more focus more on takeout and delivery. Elliott says his 10-year-goal is to open more Avivo restaurants, first on the east side of Wichita and then in other cities in Kansas.

Wright, Elliotts manager, will be his right-hand man, Elliott said. Previously, Wright was the head cook for a high-volume bar in Albuquerque.

Hensley, who bought Avivo three years ago, said his and his familys priorities had changed and they wanted to move on from owning a restaurant. He said in May that if he didnt find a buyer by Aug. 31, the day his lease was up, hed have to close.

Hes relieved that wont happen, Hensley said. Part of his agreement with Elliott is that hell stay around for a couple of weeks to help with training and the transition.

There were a lot of things that were going on in our personal lives that really made it difficult for us to give Avivo 100% of our time and effort and energy, Hensley said. And now you have younger, more energetic and 100% hyper-focused owners coming in who are able to give Avivo the attention it deserves. And so everythings just going to be elevated. And I think people are going to notice.

Cullen and Wright both have made pizzas during their careers, they said. (Fans of Breaking Bad: I did ask whether they had anything to do with the pizza that Walter White flung onto the roof of his Albuquerque house. No such luck, though Elliott said his parents do live in that neighborhood.)

Elliott said hes excited to get to know his new customers. Hell keep the changes Hensley made a year ago when he switched the restaurant from full-service to quick-service  where customers order at the counter then pick up their pizzas themselves.

Its a very good product at a good price, Elliott said. Its very quick, very efficient, in-and-out, and I dont really see changing that too much.

Complete Orpheum restoration starts next June, will shutter historic theater for a year

A new restaurant tenant is taking over the old Hardees space at 13th and Tyler in Wichita

Northeast Wichita will have to wait a bit longer for this new upscale brunch restaurant
By Sebastian Rocandio

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Firefighters succeeded on Wednesday in reducing the extent of a massive wildfire that blazed for two days and destroyed 20% of a forest in the Brazilian capital, cloaking the city in clouds of gray-white smoke, according to officials, who suspect that it may have been started by arsonists.

The National Forest of Brasilia is a conservation area that extends over 5,600 hectares of woodland that protects the springs that are the source of 70% of the city's freshwater.

The fire broke out at the peak of the dry season when vegetation is parched and temperatures high allowing flames to spread fast.

"We have put out three of the four blazes and we hope to have the fire under control by the end of the day," said Fabio dos Santos Miranda, who manages the forest.

"We are sure this was an environmental crime, but we haven't confirmed if it was intentional or not," he said in an interview, adding that three suspected arsonists were seen in the area where the fire started.

Firefighters struggled to contain the forest fire and stop it spreading to adjacent orchards where farmers grow tomatoes and flowers.

"We are working to protect the orchards, but the wind is blowing the fire towards them and the sparks fly a long way." said fireman Major Godoy.

Emilia Vasconcellos, who raises cattle and chickens on a farm at risk of being caught in the blaze, said she thought people had set off the fire to clear land for themselves, but she had no evidence.

The forest was cut in size by almost half in 2022 to give way to urban development by the government of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, who reduced environmental controls and allowed deforestation to surge in the Amazon rainforest.

A record drought in the Amazon increased fires in the rainforest for the month of August to the highest level since 2010, government data showed on Sunday.

Last year's rains came late and were weaker than usual because a weather pattern, known as El Nino, was supercharged by climate change, leaving the rainforest especially vulnerable to this year's fires.

(Reporting by Sebastian Rocandio, writing by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
Newly released details compiled from police-written arrest affidavits hinted of a twisted tale involving two Venezuelan brothers who allegedly intimidated other immigrants with guns and threats.

Witnesses said they bragged that they owned an apartment complex in north Aurora and funded their gang by stealing from Walmart stores, documents show.

But just before dawn on July 28, Jhonardy Jose Pacheco-Chirinos, 22, and his older brother, Jhonnarty DeJesus Pacheco-Chirinos, 24, were part of a group of several men who terrorized residents of the The Aspen Grove apartments at 1568 Nome St., Aurora, with automatic weapons, police said.

It was a drunken night-turned-violent, according to a July 30 arrest document and Aurora city statements.

The brothers are now in ICE custody, city of Aurora officials and relatives said.

Their names are almost identical and are often spelled with a consonant or two out of place, which could happen because neither speaks English and police must work through translators.

The older brother has a wife and children and they share the same parents, but this may be a step-parent situation, in which one is the biological child of the mother and the other is the biological child of the father, according to family conversations with their bail bonds company.

Jhonardy, Jhonnarty, his wife and two children and their parents all lived together, sandwiched at a unit at the Aspen Grove apartments this summer.

Jhonardy and Jhonnarty were arrested after a shootout at the 1568 Nome complex in late July.

Police noted in the arrest document that the younger brother is a documented member of Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua (TDA), and that his brother is also believed to be a member of the group.

Referring to Jhonardy, the Aurora police said authorities are not aware of his status within the gang, likely a reference to reports that he is the ringleader or shot caller of the Venezuelan gang in the region.

Jhonnarty is facing two attempted murder charges and one assault charge in connection with the July shootout. There is no official arrest affidavit for Jhonardys role that night, although the city has admitted that he was involved and being held for it.

Charges related to Jhonardys involvement in the shooting are unknown at this time, but he has had other, prior run-ins with law enforcement.

Aspen Grove Apartments

Today, the Aspen Grove apartment complex is boarded up. The city of Aurora supervised a mass evacuation there last month, saying the buildings had violated code violations and become uninhabitable, overrun by rodents, poor conditions and mountains of trash.

But the affidavits tell another side of the story.

At 4:32 a.m. on July 28, Aurora police were called to the property on reports of shots fired and a possible stabbing.

When they arrived, vehicles were careening out of the parking lot and two men were throwing spent shell casings from the balconies, according to the affidavits.

By the time the incident was under police control, a man had jumped out of a fourth story window trying to escape, one man was shot in the arm, and another was found across the street bleeding from his stomach, according to an arrest document for the older brother.

A search by the Adams County court clerk did not turn up any record that Jhonardy Jose Pacheco-Chirinos had been arrested for the incident, but the city of Aurora sent a news release Friday affirming that he is in ICE custody, in part for his role in the July 28 incident.

The man known as Galleta

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The younger brother, Jhonardy Jose Pacheco-Chirinos  he was previously identified by police as Chirino, with no s  is known to family and friends as Galleta, which translates to Cookie.

According to court documents, Galleta entered the United States on Oct. 2, 2022 and was charged with an alien inadmissibility order under the federal code. He was supposed go to New York to answer to the charge, but there is no record that he ever got there and he may have instead wound up in Denver.

In August of 2023, records show that he was pulled over for a traffic stop. They also show that, in October 2023, he was a victim of domestic violence.

On Nov. 23, 2023, a year after he entered the country illegally, Jhonardy Jose Pacheco-Chirinos beat up a man, which lead to a traumatic brain injury, during a drunken argument, the arrest affidavit said. There was so much blood, he went into hiding because he thought he killed his victim, according to the court document.

Pacheco-Chirinos was arrested in March on charges of first-degree assault and given a $20,000 bond, but his parents bonded him out on April 8, 2024 with $2,000 cash, according to the woman who did the paperwork.

Rose Burton, with 720 Denver Bailbonds, told The Denver Gazette that Pacheco-Chirinos was released  but it would not be the last time she heard from the family.

In August, Pacheco-Chironos parents returned seeking to pay bond for the older brother, also for the July 28 shooting incident. The bond for the charges of attempted murder, assault and illegal discharge of a firearm had been set at $100,000  and the mans parents couldnt pay the entire amount.

We never met the young men, said Burton. But the parents seemed like really nice people. They were cooperating.

Burton said that the parents eventually came up with $5,000, but it was not enough to post bond. During this time, the mother, sobbing, told Burton that her older son had been apprehended by ICE, was in the federal agencys custody, and the rest of the family was being evicted from 1568 Nome.

TDAs influence in the metro Denver area unknown

Its unclear exactly how extensive TDAs footprint has spread in metro Denver.

Last week, the City of Aurora described it as a a small presence, but its unclear how much influence the gang yields in the metropolis and at three apartment complexes owned by an out-of-state company.

CBZ Management wrote emails to the Colorado Attorney Generals office complaining of the gangs activities as early as June 28.

The three CBZ-owned apartment complexes mentioned in the emails were:

The Aspen Grove at 1568 Nome St.

The Edge at Lowry at 1208 N. Dallas St.

Whispering Pines at 1357 Helena St.

Just last week, video of men with long guns busting down doors at The Edge apartments surfaced.

On Tuesday, tenants at The Edge disputed claims that gangs controlled the property.

Galleta has a scheduled hearing on Thursday in Adams County and his older brother, Jhonnary, has one scheduled for the next day.

In an interview on Thursday, Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman told The Denver Gazette that there will be more arrests.
FILE - This undated image from a court document provided by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana shows golden eagle feet recovered by law enforcement officers from a Washington state man's vehicle. (Courtesy of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana via AP, File)

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)  A man helped kill at least 118 eagles to sell their feathers and body parts on the black market as part of a long-running wildlife trafficking ring in the western U.S. that authorities allege killed thousands of birds, court filings show.

Travis John Branson is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court on Sept. 18 for his role in the trafficking ring that operated on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana and elsewhere.

Prosecutors say the Cusick, Washington man made between $180,000 and $360,000 from 2009 to 2021 selling bald and golden eagle parts illegally.

It was not uncommon for Branson to take upwards of nine eagles at a time, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Montana wrote in a Tuesday court filing. "Not only did Branson kill eagles, but he hacked them into pieces to sell for future profits."

Eagle wings, tails, feathers and other parts are highly sought after by Native Americans who use them in ceremonies.

Prosecutors asked Judge Dana Christensen to sentence Branson to significant imprisonment and restitution totaling $777,250. That includes $5,000 for every dead eagle and $1,750 for each of 107 hawks that investigators said he and his co-conspirators killed.

Branson's attorney disputed the prosecutors' claims and said they overstated the number of birds killed. The prosecution's allegation that as many as 3,600 birds died came from a co-defendant, Simon Paul, who remains at large. Branson's attorney suggested in court filings that the stated death toll has fueled public outcry over the case.

It is notable that Mr. Paul himself went from a 3,600 to 1,000 bird estimate, Federal Defender Andrew Nelson wrote in a Tuesday filing, referring to a statement Paul made to authorities in a March 13, 2021, traffic stop.

Nelson also said restitution for the hawks was not warranted since those killings were not included in last year's grand jury indictment. He said Branson had no prior criminal history and asked for a sentence of probation.

Branson and Paul grew up in the Flathead Reservation area. Since their indictment, Paul has been hiding in Canada to evade justice, according to Nelson.

Pauls defense attorney did not immediately respond to a telephone message seeking comment.

Investigators documented the minimum number of eagles and hawks killed through Branson's text messages, prosecutors said. Two years of his messages were not recovered, leading prosecutors to say the full scope of Branson's killings is not captured.

Government officials have not revealed any other species of birds killed.

Bald and golden eagles are sacred to many Native Americans. U.S. law prohibits anyone without a permit from killing, wounding or disturbing eagles, or taking their nests or eggs.

Illegal shootings are a leading cause of golden eagle deaths, according to a recent government study.

Members of federally recognized tribes can get feathers and other bird parts legally through from the National Eagle Repository in Colorado and non-government repositories in Oklahoma and Phoenix. Theres a yearslong backlog of requests at the national repository.

Branson pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy, wildlife trafficking and two counts of trafficking federally protected bald and golden eagles. He faced a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the most serious charge, conspiracy. Under a plea deal, prosecutors said they would seek to dismiss additional trafficking charges.

Federal guidelines call for a sentence of roughly three to four years in prison for Branson, they said.
The Justice Department may have understated its findings in an indictment unsealed on Wednesday.

Manhattan federal prosecutors revealed the indictment as part of a long-running investigation into Russian efforts to interfere in U.S. elections, charging two employees of state-owned media firm RT with money laundering and violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Similar efforts have been confined to low-follower social media accounts, involving significant effort and expense, both on the part of Russian operatives and American investigators, with little discernible impact.

But the indictment on Wednesday of Konstantin Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, the two RT employees, may suggest an operation that resulted in greater reach, employing high-profile, well-known right-wing media personalities.

Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva, prosecutors allege, secretly financed and directed the operations of an American media company based in Tennessee. Prosecutors said in the indictment that the company described itself on its website as a network of heterodox commentators that focus on Western political and cultural issues.

The description of the company in the indictment matches that of Tenet Media, a Tennessee firm created in January 2022.

Tenet Media appears to have worked with and hosted content from several prominent right-wing media personalities, including Benny Johnson, Tim Pool, Lauren Southern, and Dave Rubin.

Per the indictment, at least some of commentators are essentially victims: when they asked who was paying them, representatives of the company replied by fabricating a wealthy benefactor named Eduard Grigoriann.

Prosecutors also said that the company was incorporated on January 19, 2022. On that day, corporate records show, a company called Roaming USA Corp  doing business as Tenet Media  was created. Tennessee corporate records list Lauren Chen, a host on Blaze TV, and her husband Liam Davidson as associated with the company.

It was a $10 million effort, prosecutors said, and its videos racked up more than 16 million views on YouTube.

Per the charges, RT started in October 2023 to use shell companies in a variety of countries to transfer millions of dollars to the firm that matches Tenet Medias description. In one case, a $318,000 wire payment from a Turkish firm was listed as for BUYING GOODS-INV.013-IPHONE 15 PRO MAX 512GB, prosecutors said.

From there, the two RT employees allegedly created fake personas on the messaging platform Discord, from which they edited content and directed video posts.

In one episode detailed by prosecutors, the companys Canadian founders worked with the now-indicted Russians to allegedly deceive two commentators with millions of YouTube subscribers between them.

When the commentators asked during contract negotiations about the companys sponsor, one of the Canadian founders sent a fake profile describing Eduard Grigoriann, an accomplished finance professional from Western Europe who was supposedly funding the venture.

That was enough for the unnamed commentator, who went on to produce around 130 videos for the platform, prosecutors said.

One conservative influencer featured on Tenet Media, Benny Johnson, issued a statement on Wednesday saying that his attorneys had negotiated a deal with an unnamed media startup, which was later terminated. Johnson added that the indictment makes it clear that he and other influencers were victims in this alleged scheme.

Margarita Simonyan, the head of RT, mocked the indictment on X, writing they have no other scenarios at all, except for sinking a competitor by scaring off the penguins with ties to the all-powerful RT.

Emails and messages to Tenet Media employees, including to the two Canadian co-founders, were not returned as of this writing. Well update if any of them get back to us.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The Michigan Department of State has announced the winners of its first I voted sticker design contest, including two submitted by artists from West Michigan.

There are nine winners in all, three from each category: elementary and middle school students, high school students, and an all-ages bracket.

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Rockfords Gabby Warner was one of the three elementary/middle school winners. A design submitted by Breanna Tanner, from Grand Rapids, was one of the three selected from the all-ages contest.

The I voted sticker design submitted by Gabby Warner of Rockford. (Courtesy MDOS)

Warners design is simple and gets right to the point. It includes thin red text on a white background that reads, I voted yay  no punctuation needed. And who says the lowercase E needs to point the right way? Message received.

Tanner leaned into Michigans Midwestern roots while bringing the classic sticker into the 21st century. On an oversaturated red and purple background, Ope, I voted stands brightly in bold, white letters.

Congratulations to our winners in the states first I voted sticker design contest, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in a statement. I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and creativity from the people in our great state. Now, lets use the same energy in casting a vote this November. I encourage every eligible voter to make a plan now to have your voice heard.

The I voted sticker design submitted by Breanna Tanner of Grand Rapids. (Courtesy MDOS)

The contest was first announced in May. The MDOS says more than 480 designs were submitted and more than 57,000 votes were cast online after the finalists were announced in July.

West Michigan had four finalists in the elementary/middle school category. Joining Warner were Haden Burrell from Hesperia, Hailey Hue from Rockford and Mikayla Yeaw from Wyoming.

Behind the scenes on election day with GR City Clerk

West Michigan also had four finalists in the high school category: Lucas Barker, Rylee Fraaza and Kaylee Kourakis from Gull Lake High School and Evalyna Mei from East Kentwood High School.

Out of the 22 finalists in the all-ages contest, eight were from West Michigan. Along with Tanner, they were: MaKayla Burns from Rockford, Lydia Ellison from Saranac, Hannah Howery from Grand Rapids, Kerri Neymeier from Howard City, Patrick Rogers from Ada, Janette Scott-Lucas from Kalamazoo and Carissa Smith from Grandville.

The I voted sticker design submitted by Jane Hynous of Grosse Pointe. (Courtesy MDOS)

The I voted sticker design submitted by Gabby Warner of Rockford. (Courtesy MDOS)

The I voted sticker design submitted by Katelyn Stouffer-Hopkins of Lansing. (Courtesy MDOS)

The I voted sticker design submitted by Olivia Smiertka of Holly. (Courtesy MDOS)

The I voted sticker design submitted by Michelle Lekhtman of West Bloomfield. (Courtesy MDOS)

The I voted sticker design submitted by Andrew Brasher of Saint Louis. (Courtesy MDOS)

The I voted sticker design submitted by Kelsey Winiarski of Livonia. (Courtesy MDOS)

The I voted sticker design submitted by Breanna Tanner of Grand Rapids. (Courtesy MDOS)

The I voted sticker design submitted by Madelyn VerVaecke of Livonia. (Courtesy MDOS)

All nine sticker designs will be available for election clerks to order to be used in the upcoming November election. Here is a list of all nine winners.

Elementary/Middle School

Jane Hynous, Grosse Pointe

Gabby Warner, Rockford

Katelyn Stouffer-Hopkins, Lansing

High School

Olivia Smiertka, Holly High School

Michelle Lekhtman, West Bloomfield High School

Andrew Brasher, Alma High School

General

Kelsey Winiarski, Livonia

Breanna Tanner, Grand rapids

Madelyn VerVaecke, Livonia

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Nearly a decade ago, Wisconsin traded its designation as one of the easiest places to cast ballots for stricter voting rules that set off a still-ongoing debate over voter access.

The implementation of a state law that requires voters to show photo identification increased ballot security, Republican authors argue, but the side effects have disproportionately hit Black voters in Milwaukee who are more likely not to have a photo ID and less inclined to seek one than their white peers, experts and advocates say.

Anita Johnson is the outreach and education specialist for voting at Souls to the Polls. She trains people on how to register to vote, assists people who may need to get an ID and gives presentations on voting.

"You don't realize the effect it has on you until it happens to you," Anita Johnson, who has spent the last eight years helping Milwaukee voters navigate the state's voter ID law, said in an interview. "And then you're like, 'Do I want to go through this? I mean, is this really worth it?' It really stops people from voting."

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 2024 is examining the experience of Black voters in the states largest city, exploring issues that affect turnout. The reporting is supported by a grant from the Pulitzer Center.

Since the state's voter ID law survived a number of legal challenges and went into effect for the 2016 presidential election cycle, a host of studies and advocacy groups have popped up to study and help voters navigate the law.

Richard Dorbin requests to vote without a photo ID at the 14th Aldermanic District, Ward 238, in 2016. He was denied the opportunity and sat on the floor next to poll workers for 10 minutes as a protest.

Their findings show a drop in accessibility that began in 2012, when Republicans took control of state government, and accelerated after the voter ID law became practice.

"It's a small factor compared to not liking the candidates or not caring about the outcome," said Barry Burden, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and director of the Elections Research Center. His university colleagues published a 2017 study on the effect of the law.

"But many thousands of people would have named (the law) as their primary barrier for not participating."

The study by UW-Madison political scientist Ken Mayer, who did not respond to interview requests, concluded 16,800 to 23,250 voters in the two counties with the highest number of Democratic and Black voters  Dane and Milwaukee counties  did not vote in the 2016 election because of the state's voter ID law.

Key portions of those surveyed said they did not vote because they did not have ID that would allow them to, or did not believe the IDs they had could be used under the voting law. The study found the ID law disproportionately affected Black voters and low-income people.

Those who work to help voters navigate the law say confusion over its rules persists more than a decade after the law was signed.

Republicans who championed the law say it has provided a needed level of voting security and downplay the confusion characterized by the law's opponents.

Photo ID law has added new layers to voting process

Under Wisconsin's law, voters must present a driver's license, state ID, passport, military ID, naturalization papers or tribal ID to vote. A student ID is acceptable only if it has a signature and a two-year expiration date.

Those who do not have an acceptable ID can cast a provisional ballot that will be counted only if they return with the proper ID within a few days of the election.

To obtain a state ID card, voters must complete an application at a DMV customer service center, where they are required to provide proof of name and birth (through a birth certificate, passport or certificate of naturalization), Wisconsin residency, U.S. citizenship and their Social Security number.

Johnson, who worked in the past with voter access advocacy group VoteRiders and now helps train others to help voters, said she has likely helped more than four dozen people get a photo ID since the law went into effect.

The most complicated was a man who was a military veteran who could not obtain a state ID because, among other hurdles, he did not have a birth certificate and could not obtain one because he did not go by the name initially given to him. It took six months, she said.

"I found that in the African American community, and I'm sure in other communities as well, the birth certificate was the main thing that people did not have," Johnson, who is Black, said. "Probably because the birth was by a midwife, or they move. In my community, people move a lot and they lose their documents, or their documents are stolen from them, and they really don't know what to do in order to retrieve those documents."

And many others simply don't realize that they can get a state photo ID, Johnson said.

"They're afraid to go to the DMV and get anything," she said. "They don't know that you can walk in there and say I need an ID so I can vote and then not be charged for it."

Sam Liebert, All Voting is Locals Wisconsin state director and a former municipal clerk, said Black men feel a duty and obligation to get out and vote, but Wisconsins voter ID rule makes that a challenge.

Liebert said All Voting is Local supports ID options that don't include a photo. In some other states, state or federal employee IDs, membership IDs and certificates of citizenship, permits to carry concealed weapons, and paychecks are acceptable identification.

Expanding the types of acceptable ID would be a game changer, Liebert said.

Mayers study found ID laws also confuse voters about which IDs are compliant, leading some voters who do have qualifying IDs to mistakenly believe they are invalid, due to technical and administration details that are frequently misunderstood.

For example, while Wisconsin driver's license holders are required to update address information with the state Department of Transportation when they move residences, they arent required to obtain new physical licenses until their current one expires. And under the voting law, the address on a voter's photo ID does not have to be their current address.

Still, Black Leaders Organizing for Change executive director Angela Lang said she was nearly turned away from voting in 2018 after her driver's license didnt reflect her new address. She eventually obtained a ballot, but said she suspected others wouldve left discouraged, without casting a ballot.

Angela Lang, executive director of Black Leaders Organizing for Change, said she was nearly turned away from voting in 2018 after her driver's license didnt reflect her new address, but she eventually obtained a ballot.

I'm sure this happens to other folks, Lang said. You're adding a whole extra layer into it.

U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, a Black Democrat who represents Milwaukee, said she views the law as a direct attempt at suppressing Milwaukee's Black voters.

U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, speaks at an early voting event at North Division High School in Milwaukee ahead of the November 2022 election.

Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin and the only one where voters of color make up the largest demographic group, with Black residents people accounting for nearly 40% of the city population.

Black voters in Milwaukee play a crucial role in the outcome of each presidential contest in Wisconsin, the nations quintessential battleground. They make up less than 10% of the states electorate but carry enough voting power to deny national Democratic victories if turnout in the citys Black neighborhoods is down.

"When they got voter ID, that just unleashed all of their shyness, as it were, about suppressing our votes," Moore said.

Anita Johnson of Milwaukee, shown in 2018, helps residents comply with the state's voter ID law through the nonprofit group VoteRiders. Johnson says she is certain Wisconsin's requirement that voters show a photo ID at the polls suppressed turnout in the 2016 general election.

Wisconsin's voter ID law has been subject to litigation

Republican lawmakers and former GOP Gov. Scott Walker enacted the state's first photo ID law for voting in 2011, but it wasn't until the 2016 election that the law was set into practice.

Litigation over the voter ID law has been going on since shortly after the measure was approved seven years ago. The law has largely been upheld, but courts have modified parts of it to make it easier for people who dont have birth certificates to get free IDs.

In July 2016, a federal court ruled that the law was unconstitutional and that an alternative to showing an ID, such as signing an affidavit attesting to identity, must be permitted, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Later the same year, an appeals court ruled that the law could be implemented as long as the state kept its pledge to provide temporary free IDs to those in need, and to publicize the law, according to the group.

In 2016, U.S. District Judge James Peterson in Madison struck down restrictions on early voting and a prohibition on allowing early voting in more than one place in each municipality. He found those laws discriminated against minorities.

"The Wisconsin experience demonstrates that a preoccupation with mostly phantom election fraud leads to real incidents of disenfranchisement, which undermine rather than enhance confidence in elections, particularly in minority communities," Peterson wrote.

In response, Milwaukee and Madison expanded their voting hours.

'I don't hear about it'

Republican Party of Wisconsin chairman Brian Schimming said he views characterizations of the law's effects being confusing to be hyperbole.

He said photo identification requirements are ubiquitous in daily life, making the law a seamless fit with others, like obtaining a marriage license or opening a bank account.

"The claims that there's voter disenfranchisement or a disparate impact, or whatever, I haven't seen a single study from any state that backs that up," Schimming said. "It is part of people's literal, almost daily lives, and certainly weekly lives. If we do any kind of anything, you have to have a photo ID."

Schimming said the goal of the law for Republicans was to improve ballot security rather than indulge baseless claims of massive voter fraud.

"People understand the gut check that we want secure elections," he said. "It's not about proving massive voter fraud. It's about making sure that everyone's identity as a voter is protected. It's really about (confirming) people's identity."

Schimming said he doesn't put a lot of stock into Mayer's study.

"I think that people will take a study or two and try to trumpet it as evidence that there's a problem. But, you know, I haven't heard Tony Evers talking about this much lately, or any other Democrat legislator," he said. "The Legislature is good about trying to ameliorate whatever pressures there might be. I'm not seeing (issues) and I don't hear about it."

'We need to be able to get in here and vote'

"I'm a firm believer that folks can't fully participate in democracy until their basic needs are met," Lang said. "If you can't even have safe, affordable housing, and we knock on your door saying, 'Hey, vote for this person,' it feels a little out of touch."

Lang's group and dozens of others include the voter ID law as part of their menu of services they help voters navigate during each election, during which the groups largely work to turn out voters for Democratic candidates.

Jake Spence, Wisconsin state coordinator for VoteRiders, the nonprofit group that helps voters obtain photo identification, said Black voters seek the group's services more often than their white counterparts in Milwaukee.

"We see voters of every demographic, you know, just about every socioeconomic bracket ... but in terms of the people we see there's definitely an outsize need in the Black community," he said.

He said for the 2023 spring election, the group helped about 300 people obtain photo identification in order to vote.

Research shows ID possession is lower among minority populations. But even individuals with the right documentation to obtain an ID may lack the time, transportation or money often needed to acquire an ID at the appropriate government office, creating additional hurdles that hurt Black voters in Milwaukee disproportionately.

One voter, Ligia Naba of the northwest side of Milwaukee, tried to update her address at the Milwaukee County clerk's booth during the Juneteenth Festival, but she didnt have her driver's license with her.

A lot of us don't have cars right now, since gas is so high. We don't have our IDs with us or our licenses with us, and then we cant properly register," she said. "We are the majority, even though we're called the minority, and we need to be able to get in here and vote."

William Marshall of River Hills, who also attended Milwaukee's Juneteenth celebration, told the Journal Sentinel state politicians should understand that voter ID laws also disproportionately affect formerly incarcerated people, citing his uncle's experience struggling to obtain a photo ID since serving a prison sentence.

A lot of that stems from a lot of people having criminal backgrounds that prevent them from getting a license, which then prevents them from having access to vote, Marshall said.

I would like people who have paid their debt to society to be fully reinstated and to be refranchised in the system and be allowed in to partake in politics and public policy.

Molly Beck and Rachel Hale can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com and rhale@gannett.com.

A grant from the Pulitzer Center supported reporting for this report. All work was done under the guidance of Journal Sentinel editors.

Voter ID laws in the U.S.

According to Ballotpedia, as of April 2024:

24 states require photo ID to vote, including Wisconsin

11 states accept forms of identification other than photo ID

15 states don't require identification

What photo IDs are acceptable in Wisconsin

Driver's license

State ID card

U.S. passport

Tribal ID

Military ID

U.S. Certificate of Naturalization

Wisconsin student ID (must be issued by an accredited Wisconsin college and include name, signature, photo, issue and expiration date)

Source: Wisconsin Elections Commission

How to get a state ID card in Wisconsin

Wisconsin state ID cards, which can be used as voter ID, are issued by the DMV. The application requires proof of your identity, citizenship/legal status, Wisconsin residency, and name and date of birth.

Common documents that are accepted as proof include certified birth certificates, Social Security cards and utility bills (including a cellphone bill). A full list of documents can be found at bringit.wi.gov/how-do-i-get-free-state-id-card.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin voter ID law stifles turnout of Black voters, advocates say
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  New details are emerging about the Navy sailor that was gunned down in East Village over the weekend. We are now hearing from a witness that saw the shooting first hand.

At the intersection of F Street and 9th Avenue, friends and fellow Navy sailors are mourning the death of 18-year-old Albert Lee Soto.

San Diego Police homicide detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of the 18-year-old Navy sailor in East Village early Saturday morning.

Soto, an Operations Specialist Seaman Apprentice assigned to the USS Pinckney at Naval Base San Diego, was shot and killed near the intersection of F Street and 9th Avenue in San Diegos East Village neighborhood.

18-year-old Navy sailor killed in downtown San Diego shooting

According to witnesses, a group of young men, including Soto, became involved in an altercation at the F6ix Nightclub. Shortly after, around 12:30 a.m., shots were fired as Soto and his friends walked along F Street.

Local resident Jonelle Mahoney, who lives nearby, reported hearing the argument escalate.

I heard a lot of arguing. I heard some people say we thought this was over, Mahoney said. Moments later, she heard at least five gunshots. When she looked outside, she saw Soto collapse on the sidewalk.

Navy identifies 18-year-old sailor killed in weekend downtown shooting

And then I saw everybody screaming, saying Call the police, call the police,' Mahoney said. She also saw four men running away from the intersection. Soto was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

San Diego Police have collected surveillance video and are working to identify the four men who fled the scene. Investigators believe they may be the same individuals involved in the earlier altercation at the nightclub.

The death of Soto, who had joined the Navy to serve and protect his country, has left friends, fellow sailors, and the community in mourning. A vigil was held Sunday night at the site of the shooting, where a memorial now stands.

Marine veteran Randy Ward, who lives in the area, expressed his sorrow over the loss of a young service member.

Vigil held for 18-year-old Navy sailor killed in East Village shooting

The fact that he was only 18 that really crushed me and Im still trying to get over it, Ward said. Especially for a service member, someone who is trying to put their life on the line for their country, and they lose their life in their country, I think that is so unfair.

Investigators say they will soon be providing new information on the four suspects.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Woman charged in US with murdering her children fights extradition from UK

By Sam Tobin

LONDON (Reuters) - An American woman wanted in the United States for the murder of two of her children and attempting to kill her third child denied the charges in a London court on Wednesday as she fought extradition to the U.S.

Kimberlee Singler, 36, has been charged in Colorado with seven counts including the first-degree murder of her nine-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son in December 2023.

Prosecutors allege Singler killed two of her children by shooting them in the head and stabbing them in the neck in their home, amid a protracted custody battle with her ex-partner.

Singler is alleged to have also tried to kill her third child, a girl then aged 11.

"Ms Singler denies that she is responsible for the death of her two younger children (and) denies that she is responsible for the attempted murder of her surviving child," her lawyer Edward Fitzgerald told Westminster Magistrates' Court.

She is challenging her extradition on the grounds that if convicted she faces a mandatory sentence of life without parole, which her lawyers argue is a breach of her human rights.

Joel Smith, a lawyer representing U.S. prosecutors, said Singler's surviving child had told police: "The defendant said God was telling her to do it and that the child's father would take them away."

Singler "initially blamed an unknown male and cast suspicions on her former partner", Smith said. "That can be proved to be false," he added.

Fitzgerald, however, said Singler was "concerned that the statement made against her by her surviving child was not voluntary".

Singler sat in the dock taking notes throughout the hearing, which will continue on Thursday.

(Reporting by Sam Tobin; Editing by Gareth Jones)
An Ohio woman was killed last week while climbing a popular route in El Dorado County made famous by legendary California climbers.

The El Dorado County Sheriffs Office was called about 5 p.m. Thursday to the area of Lovers Leap, near the town of Strawberry along Highway 50, said Sheriffs Office spokesman Sgt. Kyle Parker.

The 30-year-old victim and her partner were climbing on the east face of Lovers Leap when an accident happened on an expert level route called Fantasia. The woman died from injuries she suffered.

She has been identified as Janel Mathews of Ohio, Parker said.

By all indications, Ms. Mathews was an experienced climber, he said.

Lovers Leap contains world-class climbing very popular among outdoor enthusiasts, said Petch Pietrolungo, the owner of Lovers Leap Guides. Its a business that helps novices and experts alike traverse a place dotted with about 150 routes.

Its a really good area because it has such a great variety of climbs, Pietrolungo said.

He said the route Fantasia is one of his favorites and it took him years to navigate the correct path. Mathews death is the first fatality to happen on Fantasia in his 31 years of climbing Lovers Leap, Pietrolungo said.

Fantasias first accent was completed by American rock climbing pioneer Royal Robbins, Pietrolungo said. Robbins, a Modesto resident, notched his place in history as the first person to ascend several routes in Yosemite.

Robbins died March 14, 2017, after a long illness, according to previous reporting. His family called him a leading figure in the Golden Age of Yosemite Valley and one of the most vocal proponents of clean climbing, a practice in which climbers avoid damaging the rock.

Fantasia boasts beautiful views, but has few chances for outdoor enthusiasts to protect themselves from falling, Pietrolungo said.

Helicopters whirred around Highway 50 on Thursday over the 400-feet nearly straight ascent as El Dorado Countys search and rescue team fanned out. The investigation by the Sheriffs Office is closed, Parker said.

He noted climbing is a high-risk activity, and accidents can happen even while wearing all the right gear.

Its unfortunate, Parker said.
MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH)  A woman accused of leaving the scene after striking a pedestrian in Meriden last year has been sentenced to a combined 13 years in prison, suspended after three years.

Paige Cassina was sentenced on Aug. 21 at Meriden Superior Court for evading responsibility with serious physical injuries and tampering with physical evidence. She pled Nolo Contendere (no contest) to both charges and was found guilty by the judge.

Previous: Meriden woman arrested in connection to serious hit-and-run in April

Cassina was sentenced to 10 years suspended after three years for the first charge, and three for the second.

The charge stems from a crash on April 4 of last year, around 11:17 p.m. Police said Cassina was driving north on Bee Street when she struck pedestrian Amanda Otfinoski in front of 491 Bee St., then never stopped.

Previous: Police locate car, driver of Meriden hit-and-run after woman struck on Bee Street

Police said her vehicle left a trail of debris to Meadow Brook Drive, where police located her vehicle, then her inside one of the homes.

The pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries, but has been slowly recovering since, according to police.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  A woman has been arrested in San Angelo for allegedly stealing mail from at least 30 addresses while working as a United States Postal Service employee at the Boerne Post Office.

Andrea Barickman, 48, was booked into the Tom Green County Jail at around 5 p.m. on Sept. 3. She faces charges of mail theft from 30 or more addresses, abuse of official capacity and theft of property with a value between $2,500 and $30,000. She has a posted bond of $60,000.

Footage of Concho Valley water rescue released

According to a public statement issued on Aug. 20, the Kendall County Criminal District Attorneys Office and the Boerne Police Department were searching for Barickman due to her alleged involvement with mail theft from the Boerne Post Office.

The criminal district office stated that Barickman was believed to be in San Angelo, though her last known address was located in San Antonio. The office asked anyone with information to contact the Boerne Police Department or the Kendall County Crime Stoppers.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Two boys peer over a UNHCR aid tent as newly arrived refugees gather at a relocation camp near the border in Adre, Chad, on April 19, 2024. Credit - Dan KitwoodGetty Images

Two decades ago, the world came together in an effort to Save Darfur, a mass mobilization of collective outrage that forced governments and multilateral institutions to act. Rallies, postcard- and letter-writing campaigns, moments of silence on college campuses, Global Days for Darfur, widespread support from Hollywood celebritiesall of it made Darfur and the Janjaweed, the notorious devils on horseback, into household names.

In many ways it is unfair but it is nevertheless true that this genocide will be on your watch, George Clooney told the U.N. Security Council in 2006. How you deal with it will be your legacy.

The carnage today, not only in Darfur but across Sudan, is in many ways worse than it was then.

The bitter war launched 17 months ago between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)the Janjaweed rebrandedhas, according to the U.N., killed 18,800 people. But that estimate is a vast undercount. No one knows the true number of dead.

Refugees wait for a WFP food distribution point to open at a temporary camp in Adre, Chad, on April 22, 2024. Dan KitwoodGetty Images

Sudans catastrophe can now only be described in superlatives: it is the worlds largest humanitarian catastrophe, is home to the worlds largest displacement crisis, and the worlds largest hunger crisis. More than 10 million people, representing 20% of the population, have been displaced by the fighting. More than half of the population, some 26 million people, are now facing crisis levels of hunger. Famine, the F-word long avoided by the international community, has now been declared in North Darfur. A harrowing report in May from the Clingendael Institute warns that up to 2.5 million people could die from hunger by September this year.

Twenty years ago, the SAF and RSF led a genocidal campaign against landed African ethnic groups in Darfur. Today, they are fighting each other while perpetuating serious rights violations. The RSF, in particular, has revived its genocidal campaigns against those same populations and extended it to the rest of the country. Alongside its allied Arab militias, the RSF have been accused of deliberate attacks on civilians amounting to crimes against humanity and war crimes. The International Criminal Court has opened new investigations into allegations of grave crimes committed by both the SAF and RSF in Darfur.

El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, is currently surrounded and under siege by the RSF, the last population center in Darfur that hasnt fallen to the RSF. It is unquestionable that risk factors and indicators for genocide and related crimes are present [in El Fasher], and the risks are increasing, said Alice Wairimu Nderitu, a U.N. Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide.

Sudanese military personnel stand guard in the basement of a building that had been used as an arms depot by Rapid Support Forces fighters in Omdurman, Sudan, on April 25, 2024. Ivor PrickettThe New York Times/Redux

From the outset, Sudans war against civilians has caused devastating consequences for women and girls. As I told the U.N. Security Council on Aug. 7, widespread and systematic conflict-related sexual violence is taking place throughout the country. It is clear that the RSF and the SAF have subjected women and girls from ages nine to 60 to sexual violence, which is a war crime, and neither party has taken meaningful steps to prevent its forces from committing rape, attacking health care workers, nor investigating such crimes. The deliberate use of conflict-related sexual violence, chiefly by the RSF, aims to terrorize the population into submission.

The time for the international community to act is now. We need to renew the call to action that gripped the world two decades ago.

Much of the international communitys diplomatic effortsincluding recent U.S.-mediated efforts to secure talks between SAF and the RSFare focused on securing an elusive ceasefire. Neither SAF nor the RSF have shown serious commitment to one. Both calculate that leveraging external support will lead to significant military gains, particularly the RSF, who have taken over much of the country due in large part to UAE support. More energy should be placed on protection efforts that focus on vulnerable populations. The need of the hour is to prevent genocide and save lives, and three steps are crucial.

Rem Abduli holds the wrist of her one-year-old daughter, Bara, who is suffering from severe malnutrition in the malnutrition ward of the Cap Anamur German Emergency Hospital near Kauda in the Nuba Mountains on June 15, 2024. Guy PetersonAFP/Getty Images

First, the world must come together around a call for a civilian protection force, particularly in Darfur. Civil society and rights groups have called for the African Union and the U.N. to work together to establish one that could, per Human Rights Watch, protect civilians, monitor human rights and international humanitarian law violations, including obstruction of humanitarian aid, and facilitate the safe return of displaced people. Such a mission could help women and girls in particular and include mobile policing units to focus on locations where people are most at risk.

Second, the international community must demand that foreign players cease arming Sudans warring parties. A U.N. Panel of Experts report corroborates media reports that the UAE is sending weapons and supplies to the RSF. (The UAE has denied the allegations.) A July report from Amnesty International found that weapons and ammunition from China, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Yemen, and the UAE are being imported in large quantities into Sudan. These arms are even flowing into Darfuras aid is being stymieddespite a U.N. Security Council arms embargo imposed back in 2004. The decades-old initiative should be enforced and expanded to cover the whole of Sudan.

Third, there must be a unified and coordinated peace process involving all relevant stakeholderswith the full, equal, meaningful participation of women. Sudans war has been cursed with an array of peace processes over the past 16 months but the situation continues to deteriorate. Putting women at the center of peace negotiations can help chart a new way forward that prioritizes civilian, rather than military, interests.

Sudanese refugees arrive in Renk, South Sudan, on Feb. 13, 2024. Luis TatoAFP/Getty Images

Unfortunately, none of this will happen until the world begins to pay more attention to Sudans plight. More prominent figures should follow the lead of the American rapper Macklemore, who announced he is refusing to perform in Dubai over the UAEs role in the ongoing genocide and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Africas third largest country cannot be allowed to disintegrate while the world averts its gaze, with so many other crises boiling over. We must Save Darfur, and Save Sudan, before it is too late.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Some of it is worse than your words. Congressman reacts to Independence Towers tour

U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II gazed up in horror at Anna Heetmanns living room ceiling on the fourth floor of Independence Towers on Tuesday morning.

A three-year-old dark, gaping hole stared back, filled with exposed rusty poles and sheet metal framed with peeling paint and what Cleaver believes to be asbestos.

Some of it is worse than your words, I dont know how Im going to describe it to people,  Cleaver said.

The hole in Anna Heetmanns ceiling that has not been fixed for three years, taken on Sept. 3, 2024.

Cleaver, the U.S. Congressional representative for Missouris fifth district, was interested in taking a tour of several apartments occupied by residents of the Independence Towers high-rise apartment at 728 N. Jennings Road after a toddler fell eight stories to his death from a reportedly unsecure window, which made headlines in July.

He continuously shook his head in dismay as he saw both abandoned and occupied apartments with fire damage, broken appliances, bent blinds, heavily stained carpets, wet hallways, gaping ceilings, water damage and a rusty elevator.

He listened to tenants talk about their steep energy bills caused by their new window units, as well as their plumbing problems.

Im concerned about the management and whos getting paid, Cleaver said. I want to find out who all is getting paid for (managing), or not (managing).

Tenants unionize, demand change

Emanuel Cleaver II toured tenant Matt Fullertons apartment on the second floor of Independence Towers on Sept. 3, 2024.

Earlier this year, tenants formed a union with local organization KC Tenants, recounting poor living conditions in the building, which until this spring was managed by Tango Management, owned by FTW Investments. The company, owned by Parker Webb, also managed a complex The Star reported on in January 2023 for leaving tenants for days without heat in the winter.

A Jackson County judge in May appointed Trigild Inc. as receiver of the property, after FTW Investments allegedly failed to pay back Fannie Mae for the loan and maintaining the building according to the loan agreement.

But since Triguild took over, residents say things havent gotten much better.

An alleged arson fire in June displaced 27 residents across three floors of the apartment building. As of Tuesday morning, the unit where the fire originated remains the same  charred debris and melted paint fill the now-uninhabited space.

Several units on the floor are still labeled as condemned and abandoned.

KC Tenants report they have not been able to get in contact with Nancy Daniels, vice president of Trigild, for three months.

I knew someone was gonna die eventually because of something going on in here, said tenant Elliot West about the toddler death in July.

Whether it was from heat stroke because of an elderly person or somebody thats too immunocompromised, or a kid, which is unfortunately what happened, he said.

Our reality for years

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II tours Elliot Wests apartment on Sept. 3, 2024.

When Trigild took over, residents said inspections were done of some apartments  Heetmans hole was noted  and one meeting was held between vice president of Trigild Nancy Daniels and the union.

Both the tenants and Justin Stein with KC Tenants agreed there has been a decrease in pests and an increase in the number of window air conditioning units, but said that many issues persist.

West said their energy bill used to be $70, but now with the window unit provided by Trigild this summer, their bill has increased to roughly $200 a month.

In Heetmanns apartment, the kitchen sink didnt work for eight months. She still has to scoop out the water from her bathtub when she finishes showering, she said.

It sounds unbelievable because it should be, Heetmann said.  But this has been our reality for years.

After the tour, Cleaver said he was committed to holding those responsible accountable, and would call Fannie Mae right away Tuesday afternoon to get someone to tour the building. He also said that gaining support from other politicians in a public hearing down the line wouldnt be an issue.

Even the people who are not politically akin to me would think this is unacceptable, Cleaver said. I dont know anybody who would think this as acceptable, except maybe Kim [Jong-un], the head of North Korea.

Members of the tenant union said they have had ongoing discussions about the possibility of going on a rent strike if living conditions dont improve. Cleaver said he would gladly back them.

I would have to be mentally ill to say, oh, no, please pay your rent, Cleaver said.

Justin Stein with KC Tenants said they expect to come to a decision towards the end of September.

Nancy Daniels, vice president of Trigild, did not immediately respond to The Stars requests for comment on Tuesday.
Around 40 Hollywood writers have joined a hotel union boycott of two Los Angeles hotels, the Cameo Beverly Hills by Hilton and the Beverly Hills Marriott.

The Good Place creator Mike Schur, Emily in Paris writer and co-executive producer Grant Sloss, The Simpsons writer and executive producer Ian Maxtone-Graham and Abbott Elementary supervising producer and writer Brittani Nichols are among the scribes that joined the campaign, spearheaded by the major Los Angeles-area hospitality union Unite Here Local 11. One Day at a Time co-showrunner Mike Royce, Halt and Catch Fire writer and executive producer Angelina Burnett and Two Sentence Horror Stories writer Liz Alper also joined the boycott on Labor Day weekend.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Unite Here Local 11 initiated the campaign against the two Remington Hospitality-operated properties last month after the Cameos existing union contract expired and the union and employer were unable to come to an agreement. (The Cameo was formerly the Mr. C Beverly Hills.) In early August the union also filed a wage theft complaint with the California Labor Commission, alleging that housekeepers were performing unpaid work prior to their shifts starting and that workers were not able to take mandated rest breaks due to the volume of work.

Unite Here Local 11, meanwhile, is attempting to unionize the Beverly Hills Marriott and claims that management has rejected a request that the hotel agree to a fair process whereby workers can choose whether to unionize in an environment of mutual respect and without management interference. The union is attempting to persuade management to commit to remaining neutral during the union drive and voluntarily recognize the group if a majority of workers sign union cards.

We hope the ownership and management of these ritzy Beverly Hills-adjacent hotels will change course and demonstrate the respect that their hardworking staff deserve, a union petition explaining the boycott reads.

In a statement, Remington Hospitality said, We recognize our team members as our greatest asset and take immense pride in fostering positive, open, and trusting relationships with them and said it was currently engaged in contract negotiations with UNITE HERE Local 11 at the Cameo Beverly Hills by Hilton. Added the company, With over five decades of experience in the hotel industry, Remington Hospitality is dedicated to treating every associate with dignity and respect, while upholding principles of integrity, transparent communication and unwavering accountability.

This isnt the first time that members of the Writers Guild of America and Unite Here Local 11 have supported one another during labor disputes. In 2023 the WGA West backed a boycott of the hotel that served as the headquarters of the American Film Market during the event, while earlier that year Unite Here Local 11 supported the WGA strike and vowed that its members would not cross writers picket lines at hotels served as filming locations.

Parent union Unite Here, an especially active labor group with more than 32,000 members nationwide, launched its own rolling strike over the course of Labor Day weekend at hotels across the country. More than 10,000 members struck at affected sites including Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Hyatt Regency Greenwich, The Royal Hawaiian and Westin Seattle.

Sept. 5, 9:10 a.m. Updated with Remington Hospitality statement.

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As WSU Tri-Cities turns 35 this year, leaders reflect on past and needs of the future

If you ask James Cochran whats changed the most since Washington State University Tri-Cities was christened in 1989, hell flip the question on its head.

One thing that hasnt changed: You cant do anything at WSU Tri-Cities, in my opinion, without cooperation. Everything is done with cooperation, said Cochran, now 88, who served as the campus first dean.

From its foundation as an engineering school in the salad days of plutonium production at the Hanford site, to its role as a research hub leading Washingtons transition to clean energy sources and technology, WSU Tri-Cities history and successes are shared with the very community its served for 35 years.

Chancellor Sandra Haynes says they continue to meet the needs of the Mid-Columbia region at every turn.

Today, the university conducts research and educates students in dozens of in-demand fields  including wine sciences, education, nursing, engineering and earth sciences. They offer more than 20 bachelors degrees and more than 30 graduate degrees.

If you look around at the major industries in the Tri-Cities, we have programs that meet their needs. That was our history, thats what we were founded on more than 35 years ago, and I think weve remained very true to that, she told the Tri-City Herald.

The campus anniversary marks a testament to the dedication and vision of all who have contributed to our growth and success, Haynes said.

At the same time, the satellite campus shares in many of the struggles its larger peers have dealt with in recent years, including slowed enrollment growth, fallout over the new FAFSA rollout, turnover in instructional staff and questions about the value of a four-year degree.

While higher education headwinds are affecting colleges and universities around the country, Phil Weiler, WSUs VP for marketing and communications, says their background as a land-grant institution sets them apart.

Washington State University Tri-Cities officials and members of the public tour the Richland campus $30 million academic building when it opened in 2021.

We werent created to necessarily serve the average, stereotypical student. Were really created to serve communities that have traditionally been under served by higher ed, he said.

College degrees remain highly sought after, especially for first-generation students. And an employee with a degree on average will still make tens of thousands of dollars more in annual salary than their counterpart without.

Enrollment outlook

WSU Tri-Cities said about 1,440 students attended the fall 2023 semester. Enrollment grew 36% from 2014 to 2017  peaking at nearly 1,940  but has slowly withered in the years since.

The number of students today is comparable to 2014s levels. About 95% are Washington residents, most from the Tri-Cities, and half are students of color, mostly Latino.

Fall semester instruction began Aug. 19, but the current enrollment count wasnt yet available.

Last year, total fall enrollment at WSU Tri-Cities grew for the first time since 2017. The five-year slump was broken by a large incoming freshman class.

Haynes characterized WSU Tri-Cities enrollment woes as a long-term rebound, adding that they expect to see continued growth.

To be flat this year is going to be great, given the FAFSA (rollout problems), and I think were only going to go up from here, she said.

WSU Tri-Cities now has about 160 full- and part-time faculty and 168 staff serve students across seven buildings in north Richland.

WSU, UW and OSU partnership

So much has changed over the last 3 1/2 decades.

When it transitioned into the WSU family in 1989, the Richland campus was home to six full-time faculty, 100 part-time faculty and 25 staffers.

Together, they served 800 part-time students in a single 40,000-square-foot building.

Today, 160 full- and part-time faculty and 168 staff serve students across seven buildings on 200 acres on the north Richland campus near Hanford High School.

But in order to understand its transition into a research mecca, Cochran argues that you have to look farther back.

1947 is where things began  and thats a long time ago, he told the Herald in a phone interview.

Thats when the campus opened up for the first time as the General Electric School of Nuclear Engineering.

It served as a partnership between WSU, University of Washington and Oregon State University to offer graduate-level programs that would benefit workers at the Hanford site in the years following World War II and the end of the countrys top-secret research project to build the atomic bomb, Manhattan Project.

In 1958, the school was renamed the Joint Center for Graduate Studies.

There were no facilities out where there are now, and the first building didnt come along until 10 years later, 1968, Cochran recalled.

UW had fiscal authority over the fledgling college campus.

The Joint Center for Graduate Studies even had an unofficial mascot that many called their own: The Huscoubea, a mixed-up animal with the head of a cougar, the body of a husky and the tail of a beaver. The creature is featured in a 1983 sketch by Dennis Brunson.

WSU Tri-Cities informal mascot, the Huscoubea, as seen in a 1983 sketch by Dennis Brunson.

Two more universities joined the university pact in 1985: Eastern Washington University and Central Washington University. According to Cochran, EWU brought with it courses on education studies, while CWU contributed undergraduate business courses.

They were trying to diversify from science and engineering, he said.

Most faculty by that point were part-time adjunct, who worked by day at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory or Westinghouse Hanford Co. and taught for a modest stipend.

WSU branch campus born

Cochran served a decade as the first dean of WSU Tri-Cities, from 1989 to 1998. During his tenure, research and instruction spaces grew five fold.

The Legislature established WSU Tri-Cities as a branch campus out of joint center as a means to provide baccalaureate programs to the states major metropolitan areas.

In addition to the Tri-Cities, WSU branches formed in Spokane and Vancouver, as well as UW branches in Bothell and Tacoma.

Enter Cochran, the Standford-educated PhD and chair of WSU Pullmans mathematics program, with previous stays at Virginia Tech and Bell Telephone Laboratories. A colleague at the university had essentially dared him to apply for the dean position after the formation of WSU Tri-Cities.

There were probably a dozen candidates or so, and they finally selected me not only because of my background in physics and mathematics, but the fact that I had applied, I had a lot of interaction with the engineers, he said. I was selected, and when I joined the faculty down here, I became permanent faculty member No. 7.

One of his first jobs as dean was to ween the five universities off the campus and establish WSU Tri-Cities as an entity in the community.

My job was to do a half dozen things, Cochran said.

One was to secure more funding, because the Legislature thought they dont need much funding in the Tri-Cities because they only use adjuncts. I had to build the faculty. In order to build the faculty, we needed the funding. When I stepped down we had 54 permanent faculty... I did a lot of recruiting, he continued.

The job turned Cochran into a lobbyist overnight  both in Pullman and in Olympia. The flagship campus pulled the strings, and many back then believed the branch campuses werent necessary. For years, Cochran kept an apartment in Pullman.

Bob Ferguson and Sandra Haynes, Washington State University Tri-Cities chancellor, discuss in 2021 Fergusons $500,000 donation for an endowed faculty position in energy and environment.

Washington State University Pullman tried consistently to maintain an iron fist, he said. A new faculty member would join us here, but a faculty member joining in a new discipline? Well, that decision was made in Pullman.

Every community needs to have educational opportunities that go beyond high school into higher education, Cochran said. WSU Tri-Cities was filling a void.

East Building is the universitys oldest, having been there since 1968. In 1991, they opened the West Building and in 1997 opened the Consolidated Information Center.

That was a pride and joy, and the only way it came to pass was in confidence the Department of Energy they wanted to move the Hanford Tech Library and the Department of Energy reading room to Washington State University Tri-Cities. They needed more room and they needed a place where there would be easier access, he said.

We convinced them it would be a happy home, and we convinced them to pay us for this happy home, he said.

Wine, sustainable aviation fuel research

Haynes was named WSU Tri-Cities seventh chancellor in 2018.

Since then, the campus has undergone a big pivot to energy and environmental sciences. That includes the opening in 2021 for the Institute for Northwest Energy Futures (INEF), across the street.

We wanted to build upon that strength. So, weve become really the leaders in the region for clean energy, education and supplying the clean energy workforce, Haynes said.

WSUs INEF has been heralded by Gov. Jay Inslee as a possible future leader in international fossil-free energy research. Haynes says the institute will play a big role in looking at the bigger picture of the regions energy needs and production.

Were trying to tackle the problems of how do we marry these things together and still come up with a reliable and affordable and efficient electric system, Haynes said.

Groundbreaking work also is coming out of the campus Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory, known as BSEL, which plays host to one of the only open labs for sustainable aviation fuel testing in the world and recently patented new biodegradable Styrofoam.

WSUs Wine Science Center, which hosts a state-of-the-art wine library curated by the Washington State Wine Commission, recently turned 10.

Much of the headline-grabbing research in recent years has centered around the impacts of wildfire smoke on vineyards and wine grapes, but Haynes says the future may focus on the business and marketing side.

Younger people tend to not have the loyalty to an alcoholic beverage that older people do, she said. Some of what we need to work on is consumer behavior, and also the sales and marketing of wine.

The Tri-Cities region is home to one-third of the states acreage of wine grape vineyards. Haynes says the campus might consider expanding into distilling and brewing in the future.

A worker at Washington State University Tri-Cities campus in Richland.

First-generation students

What might WSU Tri-Cities look like in the next 35 years, in the year 2059? Haynes has an idea.

I think the whole face of the Tri-Cities is going to change immensely, she said.

Cleanup at the Hanford site could enter its final stages, industries will likely shift to focus on agriculture and energy, and clean energy manufacturing and research could play a larger role in the economy.

Retraining workers for emerging industries, or to obtain additional degrees or certifications, will also become a priority for the campus. The university also has acreage to build new buildings, facilities, labs and research centers.

As we look at the workforce, were going to need to reskill and upskill a lot of people, she said. AI is coming in, the Hanford workers are going to need to go from construction to production, were going to need people to operate the clean energy programs that are coming. As we phase out some technologies, were going to need people to pick up skills in new technologies, she said.

But Cochran says the next 35 years might be a lot like the last 35 years.

I see that WSU Tri-Cities will continue to be a peoples university, meeting the needs of the people, a lot of them first-generation students. And helping this community grow and thrive, in some ways that you and I probably wont imagine, Cochran said.
WV School of Osteopathic Medicine invests in their students and West Virginia

LEWISBURG, WV (WVNS)  One local school is not only helping their students, but potentially the entire state as well.

WVSOM students learn the impact of social determinants of health through experimentation

The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine Foundation partnered with the Encova Foundation to donate $38,000 in awards to twelve WVSOM students.

The scholarship amount per recipient ranges from $2,000 to $8,000.

The Development Officer for the WVSOM Foundation, Shelden Mullens said the Encova Foundation is massively impactful to their organization.

Encova is our biggest corporate and scholarship donor. We are very thankful for their partnership. We have awarded over one million dollars in scholarships over the past few years with the partnership that we have with them, said Mullens.

Medical school students owe an average of $243,493 in total educational debt. That is according to data collected by Educationdata.org in 2023.

Mullens told 59News these scholarships not only help the students but can help the entire state for years to come.

This scholarship really helps students who have a high focus of staying in West Virginia. That is our main mission here, to produce high qualified physicians to stay in the state of West Virginia. Any type of support to these students helps, said Mullens.

67 percent of state medical school graduates in rural areas of West Virginia were WVSOM students, per a report from the West Virginia HEPC Health Sciences and Rural Health Report in 2023.

Local doctor calls for a change in obesity treatment protocol

To be considered for these scholarships, all students had to fill out an application form.

These scholarships are awarded for each academic year.

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(Bloomberg) -- President Xi Jinping unveiled a raft of economic sweeteners for Africa, showcasing Chinas commitment to strengthening its sway over a continent thats key to his geopolitical ambitions.

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Xi vowed to provide $50 billion in financial support at the ninth triennial Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in Beijing on Thursday. That included a pledge to triple Chinas credit lines to the continent to $30 billion, despite an economic slowdown at home thats threatening Beijings annual growth goal.

Beijings commitment marked a 25% up tick from the last forum, when the Asian nations financial pledge to the content fell for the first time in over a decade. The Chinese leader also guaranteed greater support for training African military and government personnel, in a further sign of deepening ties.

This is not the kind of pledge that is going to finance large-scale mega infrastructure projects in Africa, said Eric Olander, co-founder of the China-Global South Project, but the amount does enough to preserve the narrative that China is as committed to Africa as its been in the past.

Xi didnt specify where or how the money would be deployed, but Olander said the credit could finance purchases of vast quantities of solar panels, batteries and EVs  the new three green sectors Beijing is betting on to propel the worlds No. 2 economy out of a housing slump.

The continent that struggles with reliable power was the fastest growing region for Chinese exports of solar panels last year. Xi touted China as a partner in African countries transition to renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, saying it would help build green growth engines.

Still, some African leaders expressed a tentative desire this week to rebalance their economic ties. Chinas trade surplus with Africa rose to a record $64 billion last year, with exports surging to a new high of $173 billion, while imports moderated from 2022.

As South Africa, we would like to narrow the trade deficit and address the structure of our trade, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told Xi on Monday. We urge for more sustainable manufacturing and job-creating investments.

Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye also acknowledged an imbalance in ties, but praised Beijings work addressing it.

Im pleased to see that China is actively promoting a greater balance in trade with Africa, he said, citing Beijings efforts to improve the continents export capacity including by facilitating quarantine clearance of products to China.

Rising trade barriers in Western countries over claims China is exporting its overcapacity has pressed the need for Beijing to find friendly partners in places such as Africa to provide fresh markets for its shipments.

Chinas three-day charm offensive also highlights Beijings ongoing strategy of positioning itself as the leader of the Global South, as Xi tries to challenge the US-led world order. The Chinese president has traveled to the African continent five times since taking power, while neither Joe Biden nor his predecessor Donald Trump visited during their terms.

Xi chided unnamed Western nations for having inflicted immense sufferings on developing countries at the forum, which is Beijings main vehicle for managing its relationships in Africa. He also said China would waive all tariffs for 33 low-income African economies and upgrade diplomatic relations.

The exemption will apply to all least-developed nations with official ties with China, Xi said, meaning countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Cambodia will benefit, while Tuvalu and Haiti wont be eligible because they recognize Taipei over Beijing. China had previously given zero-tariff access to at least six low-income African countries and promised to expand such treatment.

China and Africas joint pursuit of modernization will set off a wave of modernization in the Global South, Xi told African officials including Zambian leader Hakainde Hichilema, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and the Democratic Republic of the Congos Felix Tshisekedi.

The remarks came after Xi hosted a gala dinner the night before for the continents most powerful politicians, illustrating the red-carpet treatment lavished on African leaders in China. Xi met with at least 26 African leaders in the days before the event, in a flurry of diplomacy as he sought to shore up ties across the continent.

Over the past decade, Chinese lending has fueled an infrastructure boom across Africa as part of Xis flagship Belt and Road Initiative, but that slowed to a trickle during the pandemic before picking up again last year. Accusations that Chinas lending has saddled the continent with debt has put pressure on Beijing to recalibrate its relationships.

Broadening out Chinas engagement was a theme of the event. China said it would grant 1 billion yuan in military assistance to Africa that will help train 6,000 military personnel and another 1,000 law enforcement officers. Senegals Foreign Minister said China would set up an academy of peace keeping as part of that security assistance.

Xi also pledged to ramp up government interactions, including by inviting 1,000 members of African political parties to China to deepen exchanges of experience in party and state governance.

Such programs will give African nations the chance to learn from Chinas efficient bureaucracy, said Drew Thompson, a former Pentagon official.

Its giving African countries more choices, he added. But then ultimately those militaries and the leaders of those countries will decide what models work for them.

--With assistance from James Mayger, John Liu, Lucille Liu, Jing Li, Sarah Chen, Yujing Liu, Rebecca Choong Wilkins, Dan Murtaugh, Ocean Hou and Stephen Engle.

(Updates with more details.)

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Bunny, TikTok's beloved "talking" Sheepadoodle, never fails to amaze her millions of followers. From asking for play dates with dog friends on her augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to posing existential questions and reporting her dreams, it appears that the more Bunny talks, the more insight we gain into the minds of dogs. But a question has always lingered: how much does she really understand? What is learned behavior and what is Bunny's understanding?

Understandably, there have been skeptics believing that dogs who use soundboards dont understand the words theyre using, but instead are responding to cues from their owners. However, a new study published in PLOS One by researchers from the University of California, San Diego, and other institutions, concluded that dogs do understand words and use soundboard buttons to produce appropriate responses.

What we can show now is that, at the very least for the participants in this study, is that the dog seems to be paying attention to the words and not with any kind of behavioral cueing from the experimenter, Federico Rossano, associate professor in the Department of Cognitive Science at the University of CaliforniaSan Diego and co-author of the study, told Salon. This is reassuring because it shows that it's not simply a matter of Clever Hans [a fake animal intelligence stunt] effect, and this a good first step towards assessing how far the animals are learning words and what kind of use they can make of them.

The study consisted of two experiments. In the first, researchers went to the homes of 30 dogs across the country to test their responses to soundboard buttons. In this experiment, the researcher placed the dog in a location of the house other than where the soundboard was located. Once the dog was out of sight, one researcher placed three large colored stickers over three buttons containing one of each of the words of interest  such as eat, outside, toy or play. A second researcher, unaware of which button was which and unable to hear the words they produced, pressed one of these buttons and recorded the dogs behavior.

In the second experiment, the dogs owners conducted a similar analysis on their own, but switched between pressing one of the buttons or saying the word themselves.

Amalia Bastos and Patrick Wood with dog study subject

The results found that dogs were seven times more likely to display play-related behavior when the play/toy button was pressed compared to the other buttons being pressed. The dogs didn't exhibit food-related behaviors in response to relevant words, but as the authors note, "this may have occurred because several of the dogs taking part in the study may have been satiated before the start of test trials, or because dogs did not expect that they would be served a meal outside of their usual feeding times."

Our study suggests that dogs were more likely to perform play-related behaviors after an experimenter or their owner produced a play-related word, and were more likely to exhibit outside-related behaviors in response to an experimenter or their owner producing an outside-related word, the researchers wrote in the study. This demonstrates that dogs are, at the very least, capable of learning an association between these words or buttons and their outcomes in the world.

The researchers elaborated that their results demonstrate that dogs contextually appropriate responses to button presses were comparable regardless of the identity of the person using the soundboard.

In other words, they have some sort of comprehension. Rossano said this is a critical first step to move on to more insightful research.

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We have papers under review that look at how intentionally they seem to be using these buttons, Rossano said. How do they seem to combine them, whether, when confronted with a certain situation, they seem to select the appropriate button to request for help, for example.

When asked if this study will put public skepticism to rest, Rossano said such skepticism is a normal part of science.

All I can tell you is, the reviewers we have for this paper said we appreciate you pre-registered the study, he said. We can see that you've done it thoroughly, and you have controlled for a bunch of things, and so while we're not surprised by the finding, it's good that you did it and you did it the right way.

Overall, the goal of these studies and the use of the soundboard, Rossano said, is to help dog owners understand their pets better. For example, if a dog can tell you they are in pain, there could be immense benefit to the dogs well-being.

Ideally, this training helps us understand our dogs better, opens a little window into their cognitive ability and their minds, he said. And by being able to learn more about what they're thinking, what they care about, or what they're going through, hopefully we can better care for them.
Students across the Carolinas are being warned about a serial foot-grabber (yes, you read that right) targeting the toes of female students on several college campuses in the area.



Christopher Jermaine Deas was arrested the evening of Sept. 1, after he was accused of reaching under a table and grabbing the foot of a student while she was studying at a library on the campus of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

According to a Sept. 2 post on the universitys Facebook page, Deas, who is not affiliated with the school in any way, was taken to the Forsyth County Detention Center.

And while this disturbing incident was bad enough, we were surprised to learn that this isnt Deas first offense. In fact, as Greensboro, N.C.s WFMY News 2 reports, his creepy crimes date back over 20 years and include assaults on college students on at least six different campuses across North and South Carolina, including a charge of disorderly conduct on educational property and trespassing at Guilford Technical Community College in 2002 as well as several incidents of assault at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.

In 2016, he was arrested at the University of South Carolina for allegedly rubbing and pinching a womans toes while she was studying at the campus library. According to WFMY, Deas has plead guilty to almost every charge thrown his way in these cases.

Deas, who was given a $1,500 secured bond after the latest infraction, was charged with a misdemeanor and banned from Wake Forest Universitys campus. School officials at all of the campuses that have been impacted are encouraging their students to report any suspicious sightings of Deas to the police.

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New York man sentenced to prison for threatening to kill congressional staffers

A New York man was sentenced Tuesday to more than a year in prison for threatening to kill a congressional staff member and making more than 12,000 harassing calls to dozens of members.

Ade Salim Lilly, 35, was handed a 13-month prison sentence and 36 months of release in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., federal prosecutors announced.

Lilly pleaded guilty in May to threatening to kidnap or injure someone on interstate commerce and repeated harassing telephone calls.

Lilly made more than 12,000 telephone calls to about 54 members of Congress across the nation, both to their state and D.C. offices from February 2022 to November 2023, according to court documents.

While on the calls with staff members, Lilly would become angry and use vulgar and harassing language toward them, per court filings. Staff repeatedly asked him to refrain from calling, and the U.S. Capitol Police also informed him that his phone calls were unwanted and prohibited by law as they were harassing in nature.

In one call in October 2022 to a Maryland congressional office, Lilly allegedly told a staffer, I will kill you, I am going to run you over, I will kill you with a bomb or grenade.

To hide his phone number, Lilly used *67, prosecutors said.

Following an investigation by Capitol Police and the U.S. Marshals Service, Lilly was indicted, and agents were sent to arrest him in Puerto Rico in November 2023.

We will enforce the law anytime someone crosses the line  from free speech to harassment or threats, U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger said in a statement. Our investigators worked to build this complicated case for years, which shows their dedication to protect the Members of Congress.

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New York receives $60 million in federal funding to improve state airports

New York airports are receiving about $60 million in funding from the Federal Aviation Administrations Airport Improvement Program.

The $59,115,204 distributed across 26 airports will help upgrade facilities while addressing safety and security concerns.

From big cities like Buffalo & Syracuse to our rural communities in the North Country, Upstate NYs regional airports are gateways for commerce, tourism and travel for residents, said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said the funding will bring much needed safety and infrastructure improvements to New Yorks airports.

New Yorks airports welcome millions of travelers each year, and it is vital that they have up-to-date infrastructure needed for passengers to travel safely. This nearly $60 million in federal funding will bring much-needed safety and infrastructure improvements to airports across New York State. I am excited to announce this funding and will continue fighting to bring vital modernization efforts and improvements to airports across New York State.

Plattsburgh International airport is receiving over one million dollars for friction measuring equipment plus signage, runway, and lighting reconstruction.

To see which airports are receiving funding, check out the list here.

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Young boy dies after being pulled from pond at Pennsylvania park, police investigating

CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  A tragedy happened at a Chester County park on Labor Day when a young child died after being pulled from a pond, according to police, who are investigating the incident.

A three-year-old boy at Wilson Farm Park was reported missing to police before 7 p.m. on Sept. 2, Tredyffrin Township Police wrote in a news release. Officers learned that a nanny was looking after the child before they went missing.

After arriving, police began looking for the child around the area in the park where he was last reportedly seen.

Court docs: Man captured in Adams County said explosives, guns were to keep police away

The boy was found unresponsive in a pond by a patrol officer, and was pulled out, police wrote. Right away, officers began resuscitation efforts and the boy was hurried to Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), King of Prussia Campus for treatment but he later died, police wrote.

On behalf of the Tredyffrin Township Police Department, we are deeply saddened by this tragic event, and we send our deepest condolences to the childs family, police wrote in a statement.

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An investigation into the childs death is ongoing.

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(Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to nominate Andrii Sybiha, a senior diplomat and former ambassador to Turkey, to become foreign minister as part of the biggest cabinet reshuffle since Russias 2022 invasion.

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Sybiha, who served in the presidential office during the war until becoming first deputy foreign minister this year, is poised to replace Dmytro Kuleba, the head of Zelenskiys political party David Arakhamia said on Telegram after the president met with lawmakers. The 49-year-olds appointment must be approved by parliament, where Zelenskiys party has a majority.

Sybiha will lead diplomatic efforts as Moscows invasion reaches a crucial point with Russian missiles destroying Kyivs energy infrastructure ahead of winter. Ukrainian forces are struggling to hold back a Russian offensive in the east and the war-battered nation seeks air-defense weapons from allies to protect civilians.

Zelenskiy said that he wants a somewhat different emphasis in domestic and foreign policy. Kuleba, who will likely focus on strengthening ties with NATO, was the public face of Zelenskiys efforts on forging a path to the Western military alliance and integrating into the European Union.

Ukraines top envoy to Turkey from 2016 to 2021, Sybiha went on to work in Zelenskiys office, including under the powerful chief-of-staff, Andriy Yermak, who often overshadowed Kuleba on issues including bilateral security guarantees and seeking support from the so-called Global South.

As he climbed the diplomatic ranks in Kyiv, Sybiha also did two stints in the embassy to Poland, one of Ukraines strongest backers in its war against Russia.

While Kuleba became the highest profile official to resign as part of Zelenskiys reshuffle, Olha Stefanishyna, a deputy prime minister, will take an expanded role that adds the Justice Ministry to her portfolio, Arakhamia said on Wednesday.

Oleksiy Kuleba, who works for the presidential administration, will be appointed as infrastructure minister. Oleksandr Kamyshin, the minister who oversaw weapons production will be moved to Zelenskiys office and will be replaced by Herman Smetanin, the head of state-owned arms group Ukroboronprom, he said.

State Property Fund head Vitaliy Koval will be proposed as agriculture minister, according to Arakhamia.

The lawmakers also discussed setting up a ministry responsible for returning Ukrainians from abroad, he said.

--With assistance from Olesia Safronova and Mark Sweetman.

(Updates with context starting in the second paragraph.)

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that Kyiv intends to indefinitely hold the Russian land it seized in its surprise incursion last month.

We dont need their land. We dont want to bring our Ukrainian way of life there, he told NBC News in a translated interview.

The Ukrainian leader said hold[ing] the territory is vital to his victory plan to end the war, which has stretched more than 2-and-a-half years since Russia invaded Ukraine, per NBC Newss translation.

It has been nearly a month since Ukrainian troops launched a surprise attack into the western Kursk region in Russia on Aug. 6. Since then, an estimated 180,000 people have been evacuated from the Kursk region, and Ukraine has captured about 450 square miles of Russian territory, marking the first time the nations sovereignty has been violated since World War II.

More than 100 Russian soldiers were captured as prisoners of war, some of whom were later swapped with Russia for Ukranian prisoners, the Associated Press reported.

Zelensky told NBC News the Aug. 6 mission was a pre-emptive strike to prevent Russian forces from establishing a buffer zone along Ukraines border. He declined to say whether Ukraine is planning to attempt to take more Russian land.

I will not tell, Im sorry, he said, per NBC. With all respect, I cant speak about it. I think the success is very close to surprise.

The incursion forced Russia to divert some troops from parts of eastern Ukraine to the Kursk region, according to Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraines commander-in-chief. He claimed an estimated 30,000 Russian troops were moved to the Kursk area, though The Hill cannot independently verify that number.

Zelensky last week said he is planning to eventually present a peace plan to President Biden and current White House candidates, Vice President Harris and former President Trump. This plan is four stages, he said, with the first being the incursion into the Kursk region.

Zelensky said he plans to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York this month, during which he plans to meet with Biden and present the plan. He will also share with Harris and Trump, given the uncertainty of who will win the 2024 election, he added.

Part of his proposals include holding onto the seized Russian land, he told NBC and stated, For now, we need it.

The Ukranian president revealed the Biden administration was not informed of Kyivs plans to cross into Russia, noting it was not a question of lack of trust, but rather to prevent the Russians from having time to prepare.

I shrunk to the maximum the circle of people who knew about this operation, Zelensky added. I think it was one of the reasons why it was successful.

While Kyiv has made progress in the Kursk region, Russian attacks have continued, with Moscows troops pushing ahead in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region. The army is closing in on Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub for the Ukrainian defense.

Zelensky on Tuesday said a Russian strike killed 41 people and injured more than 180 others in a region of central Ukraine. Other regions across Ukraine were also targeted.

There was no immediate comment from Moscow on the strike.

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Dmytro Kuleba pleaded with allies to take 'bold decisions' over use of Storm Shadow missiles - ALEX BRANDON/REUTERS

Ukraines top foreign diplomat has resigned in the largest shake-up of Volodymyr Zelenskys wartime government.

Dmytro Kuleba was one of the most recognisable members of the cabinet, but his pleas for air-defence systems and looser restrictions on Western missiles have fallen on deaf ears in recent months.

He was among two deputy prime ministers, three ministers and the head of the countrys state property fund who also offered to vacate their roles, Ruslan Stefanchuk, the speaker of Ukraines parliament, announced.

Mr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said that the ministerial overhaul would give new strength to Ukraines institutions.

Autumn will be extremely important for Ukraine. And our state institutions must be set up in such a way that Ukraine will achieve all the results we need  for all of us, he said late on Tuesday.

To do this, we need to strengthen some areas in the government  and personal decisions have been prepared.

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The wave of resignations comes at a perilous time for Ukraine, with Russia making significant gains in the eastern Donetsk region.

Moscow has also ramped up its long-range bombardments across Ukraine in recent days, including an attack that killed at least seven people in the Western city of Lviv on Wednesday.

At the same time, Ukrainian forces have captured more than 500 square miles of territory inside Russias southern Kursk region.

The reshuffle is the largest by Mr Zelensky in the 30 months since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Mr Kuleba, Ukraines foreign minister, is the highest-profile casualty of the shake-up.

He had been tasked with convincing Ukraines Western allies  mainly the US and UK  to grant permission for long-range missile strikes inside Russia.

The diplomat also recently led efforts to secure donations of additional Patriot air-defence batteries. Last week, he accused several unnamed allies of failing to deliver on their promises to provide the systems.

Volodymyr Zelensky has overseen a ministerial shake-up as war with Russia intensifies - ANGELA WEISS/GETTY

However, Ukrainian media reported that the Verkhovna Rada, the countrys parliament, had urgently postponed the foreign ministers dismissal at a hearing on Wednesday. The report by European Pravda, citing Yaroslav Zhelezniak, an opposition MP, gave no reason for the decision.

His likely successor would be Andrii Sybiha, the deputy foreign minister, Ukrainian media reported.

Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraines deputy prime minister for Euro-Atlantic integration, confirmed that she was among those who submitted resignations.

She successfully helped Kyiv to become a candidate for EU membership within months of Vladimir Putin ordering his invasion.

Oleksandr Kamyshin, the minister of strategic industries, Denys Maliuska, the justice minister, Ruslan Strilets, the minister of environmental protection and natural resources and Vitaliy Koval, the head of the state property fund also submitted resignations.

Further resignations and sackings are expected in the coming days.

Mr Kuleba is expected to head up a new ministry overseeing Ukraine's occupied territories - GEORG WENDT/GETTY

Speaker Mr Stefanchuk said their fate would be decided by politicians at an upcoming parliamentary session.

Mr Zelensky also dismissed Rostyslav Shurma, a senior adviser on economic and energy policy, in his presidential office.

Many of the ministers are expected to be offered new roles within an overhauled government.

Ukrainian outlet Suspilne reported that Mr Kuleba would head up a new ministry overseeing Ukraines regions and temporarily occupied territories.

Ms Stefanishyna told the FT she could receive a beefed-up mandate, likely to include the justice ministry portfolio.

Antony Blinken, left, met with Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv in May 2024 - Andrew Kravchenko/BLOOMBERG

The Ukrainian president has fired a number of high-profile officials since the start of the war.

Volodymyr Fesenko, a Ukrainian political analyst, said Mr Zelensky was attempting to avoid stagnation in key ministries.

He thinks that new people will be more motivated and will bring new ideas, Mr Fesenko added.

But the major reshuffle has prompted concerns that Mr Zelensky is seeking to strengthen his control.

In practice, we see that all the decisions are made by the presidents office, Mr Fesenko said.

Moscow said the reshuffle would not have any impact on the potential opening of negotiations with Kyiv.

No, itll have no impact, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. You see the attitude to prospects of a negotiation process. In the past few days especially, you can see how tense the situation is. But of course, we are closely following developments.

Meanwhile, seven people, including three children, were killed when ballistic missiles struck the western city of Lviv in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Dozens of people were also wounded.

Officials said that about 50 buildings in the citys historic centre, which is recognised as a historical landmark by Unesco, had been damaged in the strike.

Explosions were also heard over the capital, Kyiv, as air defences intercepted Russian missiles.

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Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated that all of the Kursk operation's set aims are being met.

Source: Zelenskyys evening address on 4 September

Quote: "Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi delivered his report today. As usual, in respect to each sector of the front, namely in relation to the Pokrovsk, Toretsk, and Kurakhove fronts. Separate attention was paid to the operation in Kursk Oblast.

It is critical that all the objectives set for our Kursk operation are carried out. I am grateful to all the soldiers, sergeants, and officers participating. As of today, this operation remains the largest replenishment of the [PoW - ed.] exchange pool just on one front."

Details: Zelenskyy also stated that Ukraine is preparing meetings with partners. According to his forecast, results in regard to acquiring new air defence will come in September.

Read more: Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi's raid: how the Ukrainian offensive in Russia's Kursk Oblast is progressing and what to expect next

Background:

The operation in Russias Kursk Oblast began on 6 August. On 10 August, on the fifth day of the Ukrainian army's incursion deep into Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that Ukraine had brought the war to Russian territory.

On 13 August, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reported that Ukraines defence forces controlled 74 settlements in Kursk Oblast. On the afternoon of 15 August, Syrskyi said the Armed Forces of Ukraine had advanced up to 1.5 km on some axes in Kursk Oblast since the beginning of the day and controlled 82 settlements in Russia.

On 15 August, sources in the Security Service of Ukraine told Ukrainska Pravda that they had captured 102 Russian soldiers in Kursk Oblast the day before.

Ukrainian troops shared footage of the first few hours of the operation. The video shows mine clearance, a border breach, the destruction of enemy defences, operations by aircraft and artillery, and prisoners being taken.

Later, the 80th Air Assault Brigade of Ukraines Armed Forces shared footage from the early hours of the military operation in Russia's Kursk Oblast in which troops breached the defence line, destroyed a border checkpoint, and captured over 50 prisoners.

Zelenskyy said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will hold the territories seized in Russia's Kursk Oblast until Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin comes to the negotiating table.

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Zelenskyy posts photos of aftermath of Russian strikes on Lviv and stresses importance of providing Ukraine with long-range weapons  photos

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has posted photos showing the aftermath of Russian strikes on the city of Lviv, where, based on the latest reports, four adults and three children have been killed. He reminded Ukraine's partners of the crucial need for air defence systems and urgent provision of long-range weapons, as well as the importance of granting Kyiv authorisation to strike targets deep within Russia.

Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Russian missiles against our cities and people. At the moment, five people, including a 14-year-old girl, are known to have been killed in the strike on Lviv [later reports suggest there have been seven fatalities, including three children  ed.] My condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. Over 30 people have been injured. Residential buildings, schools and medical facilities in the city have been damaged."

The aftermath of Russian strikes on Lviv.

Photo: Ukraines State Emergency Service

Details: Zelenskyy also mentioned the city of Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, where a Russian attack resulted in five people being injured and caused significant damage to houses and civilian infrastructure.

Photo: Ukraines State Emergency Service

Photo: Zelenskyy on Telegram

"Every partner [of Ukraine] in the world who helps Ukraine with air defence is a true guardian of life. And everybody who convinces the partners to give Ukraine more long-range capabilities to respond to [Russian] terror fairly is working to prevent exactly such Russian terrorist strikes on Ukrainian cities. Terror must be stopped," Zelenskyy concluded.

The aftermath of Russian strikes on Lviv

Photo: Zelenskyy on Telegram

Background:

On the morning of 4 September, a fire broke out in a residential building in Lviv near the main railway station due to a Russian strike, and 17 people were initially reported to have been injured.

Later, it was reported that the Russian missile attack on Lviv had left 7 people dead, including 3 children, and 38 more injured.

In addition, on the morning of 4 September, Russian forces launched a missile attack on Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and hit a civilian infrastructure facility in the centre of the city, injuring five people.

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Teams of North Korean hackers are aggressively attempting to infiltrate cryptocurrency businesses and platforms by using malware to steal funds, according to a Tuesday FBI warning that says crypto exchanges, decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, and companies tied to cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are primary targets.

Hackers have been researching targets for the past few months, the agency says. They often impersonate real people or companies to trick victims into trusting them so they can send malware that may be disguised as something innocuous.

Scammers often use social media and information posted there to convince the victim of their legitimacy. They may pretend to be offering a new job or proposing investment opportunities. But these appealing offers are fake, with salaries that are too good to be true. Ultimately, they're used to scam victims and steal cryptocurrency from their current employer.

These hackers, who sometimes have legitimate-seeming websites to back up their fake identities or companies, have asked crypto employees to download apps or execute code on company devices or devices connected to a company network. They've also requested fake "pre-employment tests" that actually get the victim to install malicious files or packages or run scripts. Surprise apps, downloads, links, or attachments are also common vectors for such attacks, according to the report.

"Given the scale and persistence of this malicious activity, even those well versed in cybersecurity practices can be vulnerable to North Korea's determination to compromise networks connected to cryptocurrency assets," the FBI explains.

Cryptocurrency appeals to hackers because transactions cannot be easily reversed once funds are stolen. Chargebacks aren't possible, stolen funds can't be easily intercepted, and it's more difficult to track crypto as it moves across digital wallets. Hackers often use "mixers" like the US-sanctioned Tornado Cash to obscure funds, making it harder for authorities to identify perpetrators and follow wallet movements.

North Korean hackers have made the crypto industry a primary target for years. Its Lazarus Group has been tied to numerous high-profile attacks, from the 2014 Sony hack to a $100 million attack on the Harmony blockchain and the $622 million attack on the Ronin blockchain in 2022. More recently, Lazarus was accused of exploiting a Windows zero-day bug that's since been patched.

Lately, North Korean hackers have also been accused of posing as American IT workers looking for remote jobs. Last month, one US company said it suspected up to 80% of applicants from some job sites were actually based in North Korea. Unfortunately, at least one firm has fallen for the bait, and realized its remote employee was a hacker when a company computer immediately began installing malware.

The FBI wants businesses and individuals to take multiple approaches to verify any prospective person's identity, keep crypto logins, passwords, and seed phrases or keys off the internet, disconnect from company devices and networks to take tests, and be wary of unrequested files or attachments. Malware protection and two-factor authentication apps can also help prevent unwanted access.
Intel's Lunar Lake is here to change how we think about AI PCs because "an NPU isn't enough for the AI Market"

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

Credit: Future

At the launch of Intel's Core Ultra 200V processors (code-named "Lunar Lake"), Vice President of the Client Computing Group Josh Newman described the intention behind the new chipset by claiming "You cant build a great AI PC without building a great PC.

Restating many of Intel's claims from Computex earlier this summer, Newman cited historic x86 performance with up to 50% lower power consumption, the fastest CPU cores, the best built-in graphics, and up to 120 TOPS of AI performance as evidence that they had built just that.

Intel officially launches its Core Ultra 200V series of processors today, September 3, 2024, in Berlin, Germany just ahead of the IFA Berlin 2004 trade show. Laptops featuring the Intel Core Ultra 200V processors are now available for pre-order and are expected to be in customers' hands by September 24, 2024.

While the details of the Lunar Lake chipset haven't changed since Intel detailed the silicon in-depth as part of Computex in Taipei back in June, Intel brought a ton of performance data to compare the new Intel Core Ultra 200V series against the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and AMD Ryzen AI 300.

Intel VP of AI and Technical Marketing Robert Hallock at the Intel Core Ultra global launch event

Newman also confirmed several other bells and whistles coming to the Lunar Lake platform, like integrated Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 4 support, Intel Bluetooth 5.4 over PCie, and connectivity solutions like Intel Killer Network, and Intel Connectivity Performance Suite.

Intel is reinvesting in the Intel Evo platform, he shared, as Lunar Lake "was built with Intel Evo in mind." Evo platforms will be certified after 12 months of rigorous testing and provide all the Intel Core Ultra 200V series benefits alongside a cool, quiet user experience, ePEAT Gold certification, Wi-Fi 7, and a higher camera quality.

Newman also discussed the new V-suffix attached to all "Lunar Lake" systems. As a new suffix for Intel, it will be used exclusively for Lunar Lake processors and those with integrated Arc GPUs. "It doesn't stand for anything," Newman confirmed during a Q&A session during the launch event.

To Intel, "V" is simply a way to distinguish the processor numbers. Much like the "U," "S," and "H" suffixes don't theoretically mean anything, the V-series may earn an implied meaning if the architecture sticks around into the future.

A custom divider that is drawn like the German national flag, it curls at the left side.

Tracking Lunar Lake performance

Intel is still calculating the Intel Core Ultra 200V Lunar Lake systems' AI performance across the NPU, GPU, and CPU, equalling up to 120 TOPS (48 TOPS on the NPU, 67 TOPS on the GPU, and 5 TOPS on the CPU).

Both Meteor Lake and Lunar Lake provide better AI performance than Qualcomm.

However, as Intel's VP of AI and Technical Marketing Robert Hallock told the audience of assorted media, industry analysts, and Intel personnel, TOPS is kind of a goofy metric Its a theoretical peak of AI speed. So while measuring the theoretical peak potential of any hardware to complete AI operations is useful, it isn't the ultimate test of performance.

Intel's AI Roadmap for 2025 indicates that software partners expect AI processes to require a split of 30% NPU power, 40% GPU power, and 30% CPU power because, as Hallock claimed, an NPU is not enough for the AI Market.

The real test of AI is the software shipping to customers compared to benchmarks. Both Meteor Lake and Lunar Lake provide better AI performance than Qualcomm. More AI features and models running than the competition. AI runs best on Intel because of a combination of hardware and software features

So how does the Intel Core Ultra 200V "Lunar Lake" series compare to the Ryzen AI 300 series and Qualcomm Snapdragon X platform?

A custom divider that is drawn like the German national flag, it curls at the left side.

So how does the Core Ultra 200V hardware stack up to Qualcomm and AMD?

Image 1 of 2

Intel VP of AI and Technical Marketing Robert Hallock at the Intel Core Ultra global launch event

Image 2 of 2

Intel VP of AI and Technical Marketing Robert Hallock at the Intel Core Ultra global launch event

For all that Lunar Lake offers the latest in mobile computing like Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5, the most important information Intel offered on the new chipset is performance data. And Intel did not leave us hanging, offering a ton of performance information collected on reference customer systems, not custom-spec hardware.

The systems were running an almost-finalized set of drivers, though Intel expects a bit of a performance boost compared to these numbers once the systems launch. All performance benchmarks were run with the systems in the "Best Performance" power profile in Windows Settings, while the battery tests were run in the "Best Efficiency" profile.

Intel claims Lunar Lake systems perform 1.2x better on the UL Procyon Office Productivity benchmark than the Qualcomm XIE-80-100 Snapdragon X Elite chipset and 2.29x better than the Meteor Lake Intel Core Ultra 7 165H. Intel also claims that gaming on Lunar Lake offers up to twice the GPU power efficiency compared to Meteor Lake, with the processor taking up 50% less power than Meteor Lake.

Intel also claims the best battery life on the UL Procyon Office Productivity battery life benchmark compared to Qualcomm and AMD competitor units.

Intel VP of AI and Technical Marketing Robert Hallock at the Intel Core Ultra global launch event

Overall, Intel claims 20% faster performance with Lunar Lake systems on Cinebench 2024, 21% better performance on Geekbench 6.3, 61% better performance on SPECrate 2017 compared to Intel's Meteor Lake series, AMD's Ryzen AI 300 series, and Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elie XIE-80-100 chipsets.

Intel also indicated the Core Ultra 200V series chips offer up to 3x the performance per thread, so 8 threads of Lunar Lake are 10% better than 22 threads of Meteor Lake at 17 Watts of CPU power.

Image 1 of 2

Intel VP of AI and Technical Marketing Robert Hallock at the Intel Core Ultra global launch event

Image 2 of 2

Intel VP of AI and Technical Marketing Robert Hallock at the Intel Core Ultra global launch event

The Intel Arc GPU integrated inside the Lunar Lake processor has also been upgraded, using the Intel Xe2 GPU architecture with full support for ray tracing. The new iGPU architecture offers about 31% faster graphics compared to an Intel Core i7 155H Meteor Lake iGPU across 45 games.

Intel also compared the Lunar Lake iGPU to the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite XIE-84-100 and AMD Ryzen AI HX 370 integrated graphics chipsets. Lunar Lake is about 16% faster than the integrated AMD Radeon graphics chip on the Ryzen AI HX platform across all 45 games. The Lunar Lake iGPU is about 68% faster than the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (based on the 22 games that run on both systems).

Intel is also offering XeSS super-sampling support on over 120 games which can offer up to 60% faster gaming on applicable titles compared to Meteor Lake. XeSS also offers ray tracing, which is about 30% faster than the AMD Strix Point integrated graphics card, with Intel's 99th percentile being over 30 FPS.

That's pretty decent graphics performance for an integrated GPU. So more games are fully playable on ultra-thin and light systems powered by Intel Core Ultra 200V Lunar Lake systems.

Intel also broke down all nine of the processors that will be released in the Intel Core Ultra 200V Lunar Lake family. Intel will be releasing more Intel Core Ultra 200 processors with the usual "U" and "H" series, though information on those processors will be shared at a later date.

A semi-shaded papercraft illustration of the city of Berlin, Germany in front of a German national flag banner with the words

Laptop Mag's IFA Berlin 2024 Issue celebrates one of the world's longest-running consumer tech expos, Germany's own Internationale FunkAusstellung Berlin.

Our on-the-ground team will bring you all the news emerging from the showroom floor of Messe Berlin and highlight the best in consumer tech as we announce our inaugural Laptop Laurel winners for best-in-show products.

Head over to Laptop Mag's IFA Berlin 2024 Issue for more coverage.
The DOJ also seized 32 fake news sites as part of an effort to clamp down on Russian propaganda and disinformation.

The Department of justice (DOJ) has indicted two employees of the Russian state-owned broadcaster RT over an alleged pro-Russia influence scheme on social media platforms. Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva have been accused of being involved in a plan to pay an unnamed Tennessee company almost $10 million to spread nearly 2,000 videos (most of which included disinformation and/or pro-Russia propaganda) in English across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and X. The DOJ says the videos had been viewed more than 16 million times on YouTube alone.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a press conference that, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, "RTs editor-in-chief said the company had built an 'entire empire of covert projects' designed to shape public opinion in 'Western audiences.'" As part of that goal, RT and employees (including the two defendants) "implemented a nearly $10 million scheme to fund and direct a Tennessee-based company to publish and disseminate content deemed favorable to the Russian government."

"To implement this scheme, the defendants directed the company to contract with US-based social media influencers to share this content and their platforms. The subject matter and content of many of the videos published by the company were often consistent with Russia's interest in amplifying US domestic divisions in order to weaken US opposition to core Russian interests, particularly its ongoing war in Ukraine," Garland said.

The Tennessee company didn't inform the influencers or their millions of followers of its links to the Russian government, Garland added. It instead claimed to be sponsored by a fictitious "private investor," according to the DOJ.

Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva have been charged with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Both are at large. However, the charges do not signal the end of the case. Galand pointed out the investigation is ongoing.

The DOJ unsealed the indictment amid a broader push by the government to clamp down on Russian propaganda and disinformation ahead of November's general election. In a separate action, the DOJ seized 32 websites "that the Russian government and the Russian-sponsored actors have used to engage in a covert campaign to interfere and influence the outcome of our country's elections," Garland said.

The campaign, which Russia is said to have called "Doppelganger," included the creation of websites that "were designed to appear to American readers as if they were major US news sites, like The Washington Post or Fox News, but, in fact, they were fake sites," Garland said. "They were filled with Russian government propaganda that had been created by the Kremlin to reduce international support for Ukraine, bolster pro-Russian policies and interests and influence voters in the United States and in other countries."

Meanwhile, the Treasury and State departments announced parallel actions. The Treasury Department sanctioned ANO Dialog, a Russian nonprofit that's said to help orchestrate the Doppleganger campaign, along with RT editor-in-chief, Margarita Simonyan and other RT employees.

The State Department sanctioned RT and four other state-funded publishers. It is also offering a $10 million reward for information regarding to foreign interference over an American election.

After this story was originally published, CNN reported that the unnamed company that the Russian operatives were paying to spread disinformation was Tennessee-based Tenet Media, a company known for employing far-right commentators including Tim Pool and Benny Johnson, who have millions of subscribers on YouTube. As of now, there's no official confirmation from the government to verify CNN's report.

Update, September 5 2024, 10:05AM ET: this story has been updated to include CNN's report on Tenet Media being involved in the investigation.
Pacific Northwest Ballet company dancers in Justin Peck's "The Times Are Racing," which will be performed at McCaw Hall Sept. 20-29 (and streamed digitally Oct. 3-7). (Angela Sterling)
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With nominating conventions behind them and the presidential campaign now moving into high gear post-Labor Day, the two leading contenders in the race for the White HouseVice President Kamala Harris, who became the Democratic Partys standard bearer after President Joe Biden withdrew from the contest in July, and former President Donald Trump, who Republicans have tapped to run for a second term in the Oval Officehave begun to make their final case to voters ahead of the November 5 general election.



Throughout the primary election season, both parties presented their respective tax policy arguments largely in broad strokes and focused chiefly on disagreements over the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA), the signature legislation of the Trump administration that moved through a Republican-controlled Congress under fast-track budget reconciliation protections. That law fundamentally changed the tax treatment of US-based multinationals, lowered corporate and personal tax rates, and broadened the tax base for both businesses and individuals. The bulk of the TCJAs corporate and business tax code changes are permanent law; however, because of long-term fiscal constraints baked into the budget reconciliation processnamely, that legislation moved under the special parliamentary procedure cannot increase the deficit in the years beyond the budget resolution that includes the underlying reconciliation instructionsCongress opted to make many of the provisions on the individual side of the tax code temporary, with sunset dates at the end of 2025. Congress also included phase-ins and phase-outs for certain TCJA provisionsmany of which have since come into effectthat raised revenue on the business side of the tax code, as well as other changes scheduled to take effect at the end of next year that will raise additional revenue from multinational corporations.

All of this sets up the prospect of a massive fiscal cliff for the next White House and the next Congress as they grapple with how to address the pending expiration of marquee TCJA provisions such as reduced income tax rates for individuals, the doubled child tax credit, increased exemption amounts for the individual alternative minimum tax and the estate and gift tax, and the 20 percent deduction for passthrough business income. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated in May that the 10-year cost of permanently extending all of the lapsing provisions will come in at $4.6 trilliona $1.1 trillion increase from similar projections the agency issued in 2023.

The Kamala Harris tax plan: Key proposals and potential impacts

Vice President Harris and congressional Democrats generally agree that the expiring TCJA provisions should be extended for taxpayers with income of less than $400,000 ($450,000 for joint filers) and should be allowed to expire for more affluent taxpayers. They also support offsetting the cost of any TCJA extensions with new taxes on large corporations and upper-income individuals.

Trump tax policy: Continuity or change in 2025 tax law?

Former President Trump and congressional Republicans, for their part, contend that the TCJA should be extended in its entirety. Trump has not thus far discussed how, or even whether, he intends to pay for renewing the expiring TCJA provisions. But if he wins a second term in the White House, he is likely to face pressure from Congressincluding from some Republicansto include revenue offsets as part of a larger tax plan.
Students, teachers, parents and their supporters gathered on Monday in front of the interior ministry to protest against the firing of the director of the Madach Secondary School in Budapest - as the video below shows.





The protest was held also in connection with a recent government decree banning the use of mobile phones in schools.



Levente Felhofi-Kiss, a Madach alumn, said the use of mobile phones had always been regulated by school rules. "The digital world is our life," he said.



Beata Berta and Oliver Pilz, activists of the Tanitanek movement, said teachers had recently been subjected to "repercussions".



"A policeman became education minister in 2022, and the firing of teachers practising civil disobedience started, then the law on the status of teachers was passed, and many head who stood up for teachers' rights were sacked," they said.



A former teacher at Madach, Andras Ferenc Dukan, said he had been fired "for trumped-up reasons" a year ago, just as a former head, Csaba Meszaros, had earlier this year.



Retvari: Most Agree With Restricting Smartphone Use in Schools

Surveys show that most Hungarians agree with restricting the use of smartphones in schools, a government official said on Tuesday, adding that respondents also backed the government's related decree.



Bence Retvari, the parliamentary secretary of the interior ministry, said devices may only be used in the classroom if doing so is relevant to the lesson at hand, and the government has provided 450,000 laptops to students so far, and 100,000 more will be distributed this year.



Online bullying can be minimised by restricting the use of mobile devices during school hours, he added.



Speeches by activists of the Tanitanek movement



Yesterday we protested in front of the Ministry of the Interior in support of the unfairly dismissed principal of Madach Imre High School and against the failed education government.



Oliver Pilz and Bea Berta spoke on behalf of the School, below you can read their speeches in English as translated by those involved in this movement:



Hey there! Thank you for coming to protest together against the replacement of director Csaba Meszaros! Principal is also an excellent history teacher, apart from the fact that he led the Madach Imre High School very successfully. That's why we were also in the mood for a little history crash course from the events of the last 2 years.



And now that a teacher is coming up, everyone should take out their cell phones (and any smart device) and throw them into this box - or say out loud what you think of this procedure!...



So let's get started! Spring 2022: The education crisis and painfully unattainable salaries are causing educators nationwide to embark on civil disobedience.



In Europe, a policeman became the minister of education. Sandor Pinter designated his sole task to keep the schools in order. This hurts many, because this is not what the school should talk about.



In the autumn - due to civil disobedience - the deputy headmaster of the Herman Otto High School in Miskolc will be replaced and on the same day a crowd of teachers received a threatening letter. It hurts, doesn't it?



Then the teachers' firing started: in Kolcsey, Karinthy, Vorosmarty, Eotvos and Pecs. This hurts many students, parents and colleagues, and a national wave of solidarity has started.



At the end of the school year, the status law was also introduced, which we call the law of revenge, not for a reason. Many people dropped out of the schools and have not been allowed back on the field ever since. But there are people who were not hired because they confessed that they had gone on strike earlier in the job interview. But did it hurt enough?



There was a shortage of directors this summer: many institution leaders - although they applied alone - did not renew their assignments. And we are talking about principals of schools whose teachers have previously voiced their opinions on the sad state of education. But did it hurt enough?



During the vacation, Pinterests surprised teachers and students: they issued ordinances in which - despite the warnings and suggestions of professional organizations - tried to regulate the use of mobile phones by students and teachers. Also, the teachers have to take the exam from the failed NAT. Does this hurt enough?



Then - as it was already heard before us - came the news about the closure of the institutions of Gaborek Ivanyi. Does this hurt enough?



The last point of our history lesson is the replacement of Csaba Meszaros. Does this hurt enough for everybody? Who knows what's coming and who's next? Will it hurt enough only when it is your turn?



What do you filter out from the previous lesson, does this hurt enough? Did they leave the field or those for whom it was justified removed or should someone else leave urgently?



And now we quote Sara Torley-Havas from the Facebook post. Sara is the playwright of the play Sarszeg of the Joseph Katona Theater, the performance is based on the Golden Dragon of Kosztolanyi:



Thanks to power, "for always being down"... "and they will give inspiration for this performance as well. But more so to teachers and students who in recent years have dared to step out of the box. They took some chances. And they proved that there is always something to do, there is a radical, proud and straight spine, uplifting stand.



Those who are fighting against the system today do not do it because they have illusions, but because they have no other option. A man becomes resilient because he has nothing to lose anymore. The rollercoaster of the system has reached its profession, private life, values, family, and is undermining it with a steady pace. He loses everything one way or another. But he doesn't give it voluntarily. Let's not just give it voluntarily!



Solidarity is not only a noble democratic value, but also a mechanism for self-defense. The realization that what they can do with others, they can do with them at any time.



When they are fired, bought, terminated, silenced, bleded out, ignored, hoarded, destroyed... the academia, the editorial office, the university, the farmers, the teachers, the health service, then I can be fired, bought, abolished, silenced, bled out, ignored, bored and destroyed. And then I can decide whether to leave it or resist it. 



Let's hope that tens of thousands of students and their parents learn from the history lessons of today!



More and more of us are in pain, and that's why we want to do it, but not only here, in front of the Ministry of the Interior, we have many people here with us in spirit all over the country, from whom in 3 days (until yesterday evening) we received 475 messages (38 pages, which are printed here and will be transmitted) - and ever since they came - to the principal and the school. 20 of these will now be read by current and former mosquitoes.



Messages came from all counties, both villages and towns.



The soon-to-be-spoken thoughts have arrived from the following settlements:

Vasszentmihaly, Debrecen, Szolnok, Boldog, Borcs, Szentgotthard, Kecskemet, Borsodnadasd, Keszthely, Kapolnasnyek, Godoll l, Sopron, Islandmonostor, Tiszalok, Budaors, Se, Mez ,bereny, Telkibanya.



But before we leave the stage: We demand that the violation that was committed against the director be withdrawn! If this does not happen, we will meet in the fall! Because we need to realize that this is not an isolated case, we are not the only ones in pain! We need to connect these dots so that they can hurt too!



Speech Source: https://www.facebook.com/tanitanek/posts/822072333449057?locale=hu_HU



Source:

MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881.



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Negative internal communication reduces employee loyalty and increases the intent to "quietly quit" in Hungarian businesses. This also diminishes the company's performance, as researchers from Corvinus University and their foreign colleagues have found.

Corvinus researchers and their international colleagues have developed an innovative scale to measure the impact of negative Organizational Internal Communication. The experts found that inadequate internal communication significantly impacts employee loyalty and quiet quitting intentions in Hungarian Enterprises.



The study seeks to measure the perspectives of employee on the lack of effectiveness, manipulation, and miscommunication when interacting within the workplace.



The study, conducted by Prof. Amitabh Anand from Excelia Business School and a Fellow of Corvinus Institute of Advanced Studies of Corvinus University, Budapest in collaboration with colleagues from HSE University Moscow, Elena Sinitsyna, Prof. Sandor Takacs from Corvinus University, and Prof. Sergey Kazakov from the University of Alcala, Spain, demonstrated the substantial influence of inadequate internal communication on employee loyalty and its potential to result in quiet quitting  a phenomenon which seems to have gained traction post-pandemic.



Inadequate, manipulative, misleading?

The authors developed a 15-item scientific scale that underwent thorough statistical validation. To measure the different levels of inadequate, manipulative, and misleading organizational internal communication, interviews were conducted with practitioners and researchers on the subject, and a questionnaire survey was carried out among employees of Hungarian companies.



Based on these, a 15-item scale was developed, which indicates the levels of inadequate organizational communication from the employees point of view. The lowest level is when an employee feels that his or her employer is not communicating the values and norms of the organization properly, and the most radical level is when an employee admits that he or she cannot control his or her temper because of the misleading internal communication at work.



The studys results demonstrate that inadequate communication can result:

 in misconceptions and disengagement,

 manipulative communication can undermine trust,

 and miscommunication can lead to conflict and unhappiness among employees.

These adverse consequences not only detrimentally affect the well-being of employees but also impede the efficacy and production of the firm.



This study is particularly significant in the context of Hungarian organizations due to the cultural emphasis on direct and unambiguous communication. The Hungarian business climate, renowned for its emphasis on transparency and consistency in communication, offers a distinctive context for investigating the impact of negative aspects of internal communication on employees  added Prof. Amitabh Anand.



By utilizing this recently created scientific instrument, Hungarian organizations may gain a more comprehensive understanding of and effectively tackle communication challenges that could potentially result in reduced employee engagement and productivity.



The study emphasizes the significance of efficient internal communication (IC) in preserving employee morale and trust. It provides managers and HR experts with a crucial tool to boost corporate communication strategies and overall performance.



*********************************

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Auto Industry Sales: The domestic passenger vehicle industry volumes declined by low single digit in August 2024 as compared with August 2023, because of weak retail demand trends and higher inventory levels at the dealerships according to Kotak Institutional Equities. The report suggests that the major reason for the sluggishness in sales of tractors is the uneven spatial distribution of rainfall, particularly in northern and eastern regions.

It also highlights that growth will pick up in the coming months on the back of improved monsoon conditions. The upcoming festive season will also improve the situation as traditionally it is a peak period for auto sales. Strong festive demand could help offset some of the losses experienced in the first half of the fiscal year.

The weak wholesale figures in August were driven by private vehicles (PV), commercial vehicles (CV) and tractor original equipment manufacturers (OEM). Retail sales declined in single digits (yoy) for most of the companies.

The PV segment saw a low single-digit decline in domestic wholesale volumes year-on-year (YoY) in August 2024, driven by weak retail demand and elevated inventory levels at dealerships, which stood at approximately 70 days. The retail sales fell by mid-single digits YoY during the month.

Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), the largest player in the segment, reported a 4 per cent YoY drop in total volumes, including a 5 per cent decline in domestic sales but it was partially offset by a 6 per cent rise in the export volumes.

MSIL's wholesale market share is estimated to have slipped by 250 basis points YoY to approximately 40.5-4 per cent says the report. Other major players also faced challenges in sales. Tata Motors recorded a 3 per cent YoY decrease in PV volumes, while Hyundai Motors reported an 8 per cent drop.

However, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) bucked the trend with a 16 per cent YoY increase in PV volumes, and Toyota India posted a significant 37 per cent YoY growth on low volumes. Kia and MG Motors also experienced an uptick in sales.

The two-wheeler (2W) segment showed resilience with high single-digit YoY growth in domestic wholesale volumes, largely driven by channel filling ahead of the festive season. Retail sales of the internal combustion engine (ICE) two-wheelers grew by mid-single digits YoY, while electric two-wheeler (EV 2W) sales surged by 41 per cent YoY, propelled by new mass-market EV launches and attractive discounts.

Among the key players, Hero MotoCorp (HMCL) saw a 5 per cent YoY rise in volumes, and TVS Motor reported a robust 14 per cent YoY increase, with growth in both domestic and export segments.

Bajaj Auto's volumes grew by 18 per cent YoY, driven primarily by domestic sales. However, Royal Enfield faced a 5 per cent YoY decline in volumes.

Going forward, the report highlighted that the Commercial Vehicle (CV) segment underperformed during the month, with domestic volumes declining by low double digits YoY, primarily due to weakness in the Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicle (MHCV) truck and Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segments.

Tata Motors experienced a 15 per cent YoY drop in domestic CV volumes, with sharp declines in Small Commercial Vehicle (SCV) cargo (down 23 per cent) and MHCV trucks (down 15 per cent).

Ashok Leyland also reported a 7 per cent YoY decline in CV volumes, while VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV) managed a modest 1 per cent YoY increase.

In August, the domestic tractor segment remained flat YoY with volumes coming in 5-6 per cent.

During this period, M&M's tractor volumes grew by 1 per cent YoY, while Escort Kubota's volumes remained unchanged compared to the same period last year.

The report says that strong festive demand could help offset some of the losses experienced in the first half of the fiscal year, particularly if economic conditions and consumer sentiment improve.
Teachers' Day is a special occasion dedicated to honoring the hard work, dedication, and impact that teachers have on their students' lives. Celebrated annually on September 5th in India, in honour of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, this day is an opportunity for students to express their gratitude and appreciation.

In 2024, make the celebration even more memorable with these unique classroom activities that both students and teachers will cherish.

1. Classroom Decoration Contest

Transform your classroom into a festive space! Organize a decoration contest where students work in teams to adorn the classroom with handmade posters, banners, and artwork dedicated to their teachers. Themes can revolve around famous educators, inspirational quotes by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, or simply expressions of gratitude. This activity not only encourages creativity but also fosters teamwork.

2. Student-Led Teaching Sessions

Allow students to experience the joy and challenges of teaching by letting them lead the classroom for a day. Each student can prepare a short lesson on a topic of their choice. This role-reversal activity gives students a deeper appreciation for the effort their teachers put into every lesson. Teachers can observe and offer feedback, making it a fun and educational experience for everyone.

3. Personalized Thank You Cards

A heartfelt thank you never goes out of style. Have students create personalized thank you cards for their teachers. Encourage them to reflect on specific moments when their teachers have made a difference in their lives. This activity not only enhances students' writing and artistic skills but also allows them to express genuine gratitude.

4. Teacher Appreciation Wall

Dedicate a section of the classroom or school hallway to a "Teacher Appreciation Wall." Students can post sticky notes, drawings, or small notes expressing their admiration and gratitude. Teachers can read these messages throughout the day, making them feel valued and appreciated. This visual display of affection is a powerful reminder of the positive impact teachers have on their students.

5. Talent Showcase

Organize a talent show where students can showcase their skills, whether it's singing, dancing, poetry, or playing a musical instrument. The twist? Dedicate each performance to a teacher. Students can explain how their teacher inspired them or why they are dedicating their performance to a particular educator. This activity is a great way to celebrate the bond between teachers and students.

6. Classroom Awards Ceremony

Host a fun and lighthearted awards ceremony where students present their teachers with unique titles and awards. Categories could include "Best Storyteller," "Most Creative Lessons," or "Most Patient Teacher." This activity adds a touch of humor and fun to the celebration while acknowledging the unique qualities that each teacher brings to the classroom.

7. Memory Lane Video

Create a video montage featuring short clips from students sharing their favorite memories or lessons learned from their teachers. This could include testimonials, funny anecdotes, or even a group thank-you message. Teachers can watch this during the celebration, making it a touching tribute that they can cherish long after Teachers' Day.

8. Creative Writing Challenge

Encourage students to participate in a creative writing challenge where they compose essays, poems, or short stories dedicated to their teachers. The best entries can be read aloud in class, published in the school newsletter, or even presented as a gift to the teachers. This activity enhances students' writing skills while allowing them to express their appreciation creatively.

9. Interactive Quiz

Organize a fun and interactive quiz with questions about the school, teachers, and even famous educators like Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Include questions that highlight teachers' quirks, favorite phrases, or memorable classroom moments. This activity adds an element of competition and fun to the celebration, allowing students to test their knowledge about their teachers.

10. Teacher Appreciation Song

End the celebration on a musical note by composing a special song for your teachers. Students can collaborate on the lyrics, focusing on the positive impact their teachers have had on their lives. Performing the song as a group adds a memorable and emotional touch to the celebration.
New Delhi: Volkswagen, the renowned German automobile manufacturer, is considering closing its factories in Germany due to increasing pressure on profit margins from rising competition particularly from Asian rivals. According to a New York Times report, if Volkswagen proceeds with this decision, it would mark the first time in the company's 87-year history that it has closed factories in Germany, breaking a long-standing commitment to job security for its workers.

The automaker described the situation as "tense" and emphasised that basic cost-cutting measures won't be enough to address the challenges they are facing. Volkswagen further stressed that the situation is highly serious, The situation is extremely tense and cannot be resolved through simple cost-cutting measures.

The powerful automobile workers' union, IG Metall has declared that it will strongly oppose any job cuts at Volkswagen's factories. Commenting on the situation, Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said, The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation.

Blume, as quoted by the New York Times also expressed concern that Germany in particular as a manufacturing location is falling further behind in terms of competitiveness. In this environment, we as a company must now act decisively. Volkswagen has been losing market share in Europe with demand declining, especially in the electric vehicle segment, leading to a consistent drop in sales numbers.

Volkswagen owns a portfolio of 10 well-known brands, including Skoda, Seat, Cupra, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, Porsche, and Ducati. On Monday, Volkswagen's shares closed 1.25 per cent higher, recovering some of the gains made earlier in the day.
Recent torrential rains have unleashed severe flooding across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, leaving a trail of destruction and prompting major relief efforts. The downpours have claimed 33 lives16 in Telangana and 17 in Andhra Pradeshwhile causing extensive damage to infrastructure, crops, and homes. Both states are bracing for more rainfall, with forecasts predicting continued heavy showers on Wednesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow alerts for several districts in Telangana, including Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, and Jayashankar Bhupalapally. Residents in these areas are advised to prepare for thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds.

In Telangana, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives. The state government has also requested Rs 2,000 crore in immediate assistance from the central government, citing damages exceeding Rs 5,000 crore. Efforts are underway to track and manage floodwaters in affected regions, including Siddipet, Nirmal, and Nizamabad, where rainfall has ranged from 12.7 to 22.3 centimeters.

Meanwhile, in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is urging officials to expedite relief work. Vijayawada, one of the hardest-hit areas, remains submerged despite ongoing rescue operations. Floodwaters have inundated numerous colonies and breached the Budameru Rivulet, complicating the situation. The state has seen a total of 20 fatalities, with substantial impacts in NTR, Guntur, and Palnadu districts. Over 6.44 lakh people have been affected, with 42,000 individuals moved to 193 relief camps.

Rescue operations are being supported by 26 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, 22 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, and two Navy teams. Helicopters from the Indian Air Force and Navy are dropping essential supplies and evacuating stranded residents. Boats and active swimmers are also deployed to assist in rescue efforts. As the Prakasam Barrages water levels recede, flood warnings have been downgraded, but the situation remains critical.

Rain Forecast and Ongoing Damage

Heavy downpours have led to the tragic loss of 33 lives16 in Telangana and 17 in Andhra Pradesh. The floods have submerged thousands of acres of crops, battered roads, and disrupted rail tracks, creating widespread hardship. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for several districts in northern Telangana, including Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, and Mulugu. These areas are expected to experience thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds ranging from 30 to 40 kmph.

Several districts have already seen significant rainfall. For example, Koheda in Siddipet recorded 22.3 centimeters, while Abullapur in Nirmal saw 19.8 centimeters. The ongoing rainfall has further exacerbated the flooding, especially in districts like Khammam, Mahabubabad, and Nalgonda.

Vijayawada's Flood Crisis

Vijayawada, a major city in Andhra Pradesh, remains heavily inundated for the fourth consecutive day. The water level at the Prakasam Barrage has begun to recede, reducing the flood threat to downstream villages. However, numerous colonies in the city remain submerged due to breaches in the Budameru Rivulet.

The unprecedented floods have impacted over 2.70 lakh people in Vijayawada. Authorities have established 77 relief camps in the NTR district alone, providing shelter to 14,160 people. In total, over 6.44 lakh individuals have been affected across the state, with more than 42,000 people moved to 193 relief camps.

Relief efforts are in full swing, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Navy teams actively engaged in rescue operations. Four helicopters from the Indian Air Force and two from the Navy are airdropping food, water, and medical supplies, while boats and active swimmers assist in evacuations. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu remains on-site in Vijayawada, overseeing the relief operations.
In a sign that may indicate a revival of the Bharatiya Janata Party at the grassroots level in Delhi, the BJP has outsmarted the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Delhi MCD Ward Committee elections, winning seven out of a total of 12 seats. The AAP managed to win five ward committees. BJP Councillor and Leader of the Opposition in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Raja Iqbal Singh, credited the party's success in the recent MCD elections to what he described as AAP's inactivity over the past two years.

"... From the last two years, no work was done by the MCD. This is why all councillors voted unanimously for the BJP. We won 7 out of 12 wards... This victory is very important for the people of Delhi since all projects were dependent on the Standing Committee... All are with BJP and we will win the Standing Committee...," said Singh.

Confusion persisted late into Tuesday over whether the polls would proceed as scheduled, as Mayor Shelly Oberoi declined to appoint presiding officers. She expressed concerns about an "undemocratic process and insufficient notice" given for filing nominations.

Criticizing the brief timeframe, Oberoi instructed the commissioner to restart the election process, allowing at least a week's notice to ensure fairness. In a note to the commissioner, the Delhi Mayor mentioned that she had received several representations from councillors who were unable to file nominations due to the one-day notice.

However, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi issued an order for conducting the election of the chairman, the deputy chairman, and the members of the standing committee of the 12 wards as per schedule.

After winning the MCD ward committee election, BJP candidate from Narela Zone Ward Number 30 Pawan Kumar said, "Our MP Yogender Chandoliya and all councillors have worked day and night to win these elections. We will take Narela Zone to the top in Delhi... We will form a standing committee for funds and all the upcoming councillors will get funds."

Another BJP candidate from Narela Zone Ward Number 31, Babita, said that the credit for this win goes to our MP Yogender Chandoliya, the BJP party and all the women councillors.

BJP candidate from Narela Zone Ward Number 29, Anju Devi, said, "I want to thank the party leadership and all the councillors of my zone. The councillors have been struggling for funds for the last 2 years. Now that the standing committee is going to be formed, we would be able to raise our concerns there." (With ANI inputs)
India's first indigenous unmanned bomber aircraft, the 'FWD 200 B,' has completed its maiden flight. This is Indias first homegrown bomber UAV capable of causing significant destruction on the battlefield.

The MQ-9B Predator is currently considered the world's most lethal drone. This highly refined, weaponized drone from the United States is a formidable piece of technology. However, India's UAV, the FWD 200 B, is equally impressive. Notably, while the MQ-9B Predator costs around 250 crore, the FWD 200 B, developed by Indias Flying Edge Defense and Aerospace Technologies, is priced at just 25 crore.

In today's DNA, we have discussed Indias self-reliance and show you a changing picture of India.

Here Is Today's Full Episode

On Tuesday, Indias first indigenous unmanned bomber aircraft, the 'FWD 200 B,' successfully took to the skies. This is India's unseen warrior, capable of causing havoc anywhere in the sky while evading enemy detection. Equipped with every essential attribute, this aircraft is designed to be an infallible asset on the battlefield.

India has unveiled its indigenous unmanned bomber aircraft at a time when Turkey had refused to provide India with Bayraktar UAVs. With this development, India joins the ranks of countries possessing their own unmanned bomber UAVs. Until now, only seven countries the USA, Turkey, Iran, Russia, China, the UK, and Israelhad such capabilities. India is now also on that list.
Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: In a significant development, the West Bengal health department has suspended Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, following his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on charges of financial misconduct.

The suspension was announced on Tuesday.The decision comes 26 days after the tragic discovery of an on-duty woman medic's body inside the hospital premises, which has sparked allegations of rape and murder. Ghosh's suspension adds a new layer of intrigue to the ongoing investigation. Three others, including his security guard and two hospital suppliers, have already been arrested in connection with the case.

"In view of the ongoing criminal investigation against Prof (Dr) Sandip Ghosh, ex-principal, RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, he is placed under suspension... with immediate effect," an order said.

The Calcutta High Court on August 23 ordered the transfer of a probe into the alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar Hospital from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

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 (ED) into multiple counts of alleged financial misconduct at the state-run institute during Ghosh'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 the misconduct and threatening exposure.

Besides Ghosh, the CBI on Monday arrested three others in the same case. They are his security guard and two vendors who used to supply materials to the hospital.
RG Kar Rape-Murder Case: Amid the ongoing agitation against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the state run RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, the ceasework by junior doctors at state-run hospitals in West Bengal continued on Wednesday to protest against the incident that took place last month. Following the ceasework, which has been underway for over three weeks now, health services remained affected at most state-run medical facilities.

A 31-year-old trainee doctor was raped and murdered at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

Speaking on the protests, one of the junior medics said, Our demand for justice is still unfulfilled. The protests will continue till our sister gets justice and the culprits are brought to book. He said Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal has not resigned, too, which was another demand of the agitating doctors.

This comes a day after, Health workers in Kolkata held hands to form human chains in solidarity with the trainee doctor. Amid the calls for the resignation of the police commissioner in the city, protesters demanded swift action and justice for the RG Kar victim.

The protesters have alleged inadequate steps by the police during its probe in the matter, before the investigation was handed over to the CBI by the Calcutta High Court. The body of the trainee medic was found in the seminar room of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. A nationwide outage was triggered following the horrifying incident. We believe that many people are being shielded in the case and the truth must come out, another junior doctor at a state-run hospital told PTI.

One of the health worker said, "We feel that it has been so many days since the incident at R.G. Kar Hospital, but the government has not given us any answersthere has been no justice."

A civic volunteer was arrested shortly after the trainee doctor's body was discovered. The CBI has also arrested former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, for alleged financial misconduct at the college.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) carried out a huge protest march seeking to corner the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government over alleged mishandling of the evidence in the case.

Amid the protests against the TMC government, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said that the party administration was working to provide justice to the victim. The former Uttar Pradesh CM slammed the the BJP saying that the saffron party was 'on the forefront to malign the image of' the West Bengal government.
Haryana, J&K Elections 2024 Live Updates: As the assembly elections approach in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana, political maneuvers are heating up. In Haryana, Congress and AAP are actively discussing a seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming polls. Congress is reportedly ready to allocate 3-5 seats to AAP and one to the Samajwadi Party. This potential alliance echoes their successful partnership during the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year.

Rahul Gandhi is set to campaign in Jammu and Kashmir on September 4, followed by a visit to Maharashtra on September 5. He will then head to the United States, returning to India around September 13-14.

In Haryana, the BJP is gearing up for the elections by preparing to release its first list of candidates for at least 50 of the 90 seats. The BJP held a crucial meeting at former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattars residence in Delhi on Tuesday evening, with key figures like Dharmendra Pradhan and Biplab Dev in attendance. The elections are slated for October 5, with nominations closing on September 12 and vote counting on October 8.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Election Commission of India recently revised the polling date to October 5 and rescheduled the counting of votes for both Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana to October 8. Congress and the National Conference are running a joint campaign, with the NC set to contest 51 seats and Congress 32. Meanwhile, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti has dismissed any possibility of negotiations with the BJP.

The Jammu and Kashmir elections will be held in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, marking the first assembly elections since the abrogation of Article 370.
In a powerful show of electioneering, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, officially kicked off the Congress-NC campaign for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections on Wednesday. Addressing energized crowds at successive rallies in Dooru Anantnag and Banihal Ramban, Gandhi reaffirmed the party's dedication to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

During a large gathering in Dooru Anantnag, where voters will cast their ballots on September 18, Gandhi condemned the current BJP government, accusing it of "disempowering" the region. Speaking at an election rally in Ramban, Gandhi criticized the current administration, stating, "For the first time in Indias history, statehood has been taken away. A state was created, and now its been abolished, with the people's rights and resources being snatched away. We must return statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. It's not just your state that's gone; your rights and wealth are being taken from you too."

He emphasized that the Congress wanted statehood to be restored before holding elections, but criticized the BJP for its stance, which prioritizes elections over the statehood issue. The BJP wants to hold elections first and discuss statehood later. We are committed to pushing for statehood, regardless of BJPs opposition. We will put enough pressure to ensure the people of Jammu and Kashmir get their statehood back.

Gandhi took a swipe at the current administration, likening the present Lieutenant Governor to a 'king' who is misappropriating local resources. He said, "In 1947, we replaced kings with democracy and a Constitution. Now, there's a 'king' in Jammu and Kashmir, who is taking your money and giving it to outsiders. Our first step will be to restore statehood."

The Congress leader also drew a contrast between his partys vision and the BJPs approach. This election is about two ideologies: hatred, violence, and fear on one side, and love and respect on the other. Our Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir embodied our message of spreading love in a market of hatred. The BJP divides; we unite.

Gandhi further criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modis approach, saying, Before the Lok Sabha elections, Modi strutted with a puffed chest, but now hes bowed down. This time, before entering Parliament, he placed the Constitution on his forehead.

Looking ahead, Gandhi promised to address unemployment if Congress comes to power, stating, When our alliance government takes over, we will prioritize filling all government vacancies, extend the age limit to 40 years, regularize daily wage workers, and raise their incomes. We aim to run a government that includes everyone and respects all.

He also expressed his admiration for the region, joking about his short visit, This place is so beautiful, I wish I could stay longer. Youve scheduled a 45-minute program, but Id love to be here for 2-3 days to see more of this lovely place and its people.

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, scheduled to be the first since the abrogation of Article 370, will take place in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1, with votes counted on October 8. The assembly has 90 constituencies, including reserved seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
As Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, once said, "The most precious resource India has is its youth." Youngsters have the power to shape their own destinies. The teenage years are crucialif they go well, the foundation for a successful life is laid; but if they go astray, it can lead to a lifetime of regrets. Between the ages of 15 and 25, students are full of passion and determination to become financially independent and achieve something on their own.

In 2020-2021, a student, Rahul Kumar from Darbhanga, Bihar, while walking to school for an exam, had a thought of becoming financially independent. Using his phone, he encountered what seemed like an ordinary app. Little did he know, this would mark the beginning of a journey that would change his lifeexactly what he had always wanted. But as the saying goes, "Dont trust anything too early." A bad experience while starting something new can be deeply discouraging.

The app promised rewards for winning games, and with just 30 in his account, the student added 10 from his Paytm wallet. But as he quickly learned, not everything that glitters is gold. After adding the money, he tried to understand how the app worked. He joined a contest but didnt win anything. His money was refunded twice, which should have been his cue to walk away. However, he decided to withdraw his remaining balance. Thats when things took a turnsomeone posing as the app's owner contacted him, confirming the transfer of his money. He was relieved at first, but soon realized he had been scammed. This wasnt the only scam he faced. When the app's owner was selling another gaming app, even after receiving the payment, he didnt share the files and blocked him, leaving the student without the app files he had paid for.

This bitter experience ignited a fire within him. He decided to turn this negative event into a positive opportunity. Although he had never considered working a job before, this incident made him start from scratch. With the support of his childhood friends, he built a team and launched his own company. He provided them with everything they neededlaptops, PCs, room rent, and even extra salariesso they wouldnt face any financial difficulties. But despite his efforts, teamwork didnt flourish as expected. Starting something new always involves risks, and risk-taking often leads to success, whether it involves laptops, gaming PCs, blogging, video editing, or phone editing. After six months of providing additional support, he saw no results. It was disheartening, but he had to face reality.

As an entrepreneur, he encountered numerous challenges, from dealing with scams to managing a team. Alongside his business, he also explored other interests such as web blogging, live streaming, and investments. He assigned different tasks to his team, but not everyone was as committed as he had hoped.

After his challenging experiences with scams and failed ventures, Rahul Kumar transformed his setbacks into stepping stones. He created a successful gaming platform that now generates 3-4 lakhs per month. Alongside this, he founded Mashiva Technologies Private Limited, which has grown into a prominent player in the IT industry. Rahul's entrepreneurial spirit didn't stop there; he also ventured into other businesses and investments, diversifying his income streams. Today, Rahul Kumar stands as the director of his company, having overcome numerous challenges and established himself as a successful entrepreneur. His journey from a struggling student to a well-earning business leader is a testament to his resilience and strategic vision.

Since then, he has never looked back. Whether it was earning through his gaming platform, creating opportunities for gamers during the lockdown, or establishing his own company, Mashiva Technologies Private Limited, Rahul Kumar has continued to forge ahead. Now earning 3-4 lakhs monthly, Rahul's journey has not been without its share of challenges. Like any entrepreneur, he faced numerous obstacles, but he met each one with remarkable courage and resilience.

At just 22, Rahul Kumar's company has risen to prominence in the multi-brand IT products market. His YouTube channel, "CS GAMER," is another significant aspect of his diverse career. Through engaging gaming content, Rahul has built a loyal community of subscribers. His Free Fire giveaways and custom matches offer unique experiences, making his channel a favorite among gamers.

In addition to his IT ventures, Rahul has successfully ventured into retail with two stores in Darbhanga. His upcoming clothing store aims to meet the fashion needs of the local community, further expanding his business footprint in the region.

Rahul Kumar's story is far from over. With a net worth of 10 million Indian Rupees and a monthly income of around 1 lakh, his financial success is just the beginning. Rahul's ambition, creativity, and dedication to excellence promise even greater achievements in the future.
RG Kar Murder Case: Amid protests and investigation in the RG Kar rape and murder case, former principal of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College Sandip Ghosh, who is under the scanner of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), on Wednesday moved Supreme Court against Calcutta High Court decision ordering a probe by the central agency into the alleged graft case against him.

His plea has been listed on September 6 before a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. On Monday, the CBI arrested Sandip Ghosh in an alleged corruption case related to the medical college.

Former principal of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College Sandip Ghosh moves Supreme Court against Calcutta High Court decision which ordered CBI probe into graft case against him.



His plea has been listed on September 6 before a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. pic.twitter.com/N3GnxOlgSJ  ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2024

While Ghosh was subjected to a polygraph test as well in the rape and murder of a trainee doctor of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the CBI is yet to find concrete evidence in the case.

The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata on August 9. Ghosh was transferred to another college after an uproar over the case.

The former deputy superintendent of the RG Kar Hospital Dr Akhtar Ali had lodged complaints of financial irregularities on several counts at the establishment during Ghosh's tenure as principal.

The college principal was accused of mishandling the case and not registering the case even hours after the dead body was found.

The CBI has conducted lie detector tests on Ghosh and others as part of their investigation into the rape and murder of a female medical student at the institute. The CBI has also registered a case concerning alleged financial irregularities at the facility.

On August 29, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) suspended the membership of Dr. Sandip Ghosh amid an ongoing CBI investigation. The rape-murder case was transferred to the CBI after an order from the Kolkata High Court.

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.

Meanwhile protest against the rape and murder of the 31-year-old trainee doctor continued in West Bengal. The ceasework protest by junior doctors at state-run hospitals in West Bengal continued on Wednesday to protest against the incident.

Following the ceasework, which has been underway for over three weeks now, health services remained affected at most state-run medical facilities.

(With ANI Inputs)
Four Indian nationals, including two individuals from Hyderabad, are feared dead in a tragic multi-vehicle crash on US Route 75 in Anna, Texas, on Friday afternoon. The collision, which occurred near White Street around 3:30 pm, was reported by the Collin County Sheriffs Office.

The victims have been identified as Aryan Raghunath Orampati and his friend Farooq Shaik both hailing from Hyderabad were travelling along with Lokesh Palacharla, also a Telugu, and Darshini Vasudevan from Tamil Nadu.

The four had arranged to travel together through a carpooling app, heading to Bentonville when the accident took place. Aryan, who lived in Bentonville, was returning home after visiting his cousin in Dallas, while Lokesh was on his way to Bentonville to see his wife. Darshini, a Master's graduate from the University of Texas at Arlington, was traveling to visit her uncle in Bentonville. The use of the carpooling app later assisted authorities in identifying the victims.

Aryans father, Subhash Chandra Reddy, who owns Max Agri Genetic Private Limited in Kukatpally, Hyderabad, expressed his devastation. The family, originally from Rayachoti, now resides in Nizampet, Hyderabad. Aryan had completed his engineering degree at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in Coimbatore. We were in the US in May 2024 for his convocation at the University of Texas Dallas. After the ceremony, we asked him to return to India, but he wanted to work in the US for a couple more years before coming back. Fate has struck like this, a family member of Subhash Reddy said. Farooq was also residing in Bentonville, while Darshini lived in Frisco, Texas.

The collision involved about five vehicles and was reportedly caused by a truck traveling at high speed that failed to slow down, rear-ending the SUV in which the victims were traveling. Witnesses stated that traffic had significantly slowed on the highway, causing vehicles to come to a halt. The impact was so severe that the SUV burst into flames, trapping all four inside with no chance of escape. Due to the intensity of the fire, the bodies were charred beyond recognition, making identification extremely difficult.

Authorities are now relying on DNA fingerprinting, using dental and bone fragments, to confirm the identities. DNA fingerprinting will be done to identify the bodies, and the samples will be matched with the parents, local authorities confirmed. The process has been delayed due to the long holiday weekend in the US, adding to the anguish of the families involved.

Darshini Vasudevans parents, who were in constant communication with her until shortly before the accident, are now desperately seeking assistance from Indias Union External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar. We parents are really worried, and its almost data since weve known the status of our daughter, her father said in a heartfelt appeal. Emergency responders, including Anna Police and fire departments, were on the scene, rerouting traffic to the access road as the highway remained closed.
New Delhi: The tragic incident took place on Wednesday after three people were killed and another one got injured after a head-on collision between two trucks on the Dhaurahra-Dhakherwa road, police said.

The deceased were identified as Saktu (35), Salman (45), and Mishri Lal (55), who was a passenger, Police said, PTI reported.

They also added that Dharmendra the helper, was rushed to the hospital, where his condition has been reported as stable.

The exact cause of the accident was yet to be determined.

Police reported that the collision was so severe that the driver cabins of both trucks were completely crushed.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Singapore on Wednesday and received an enthusiastic welcome. Modi highlighted that this meeting aimed to boost the friendship and closer cultural ties between India and Singapore.

Prime Minister received a from members of the Indian diaspora as he arrived at a hotel in Singapore today. He even tried his hand at playing a 'dhol' as the crowd performed to welcome him outside the hotel.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi tries his hands on a dhol. Members of the Indian diaspora welcomed PM Modi on his arrival in Singapore. pic.twitter.com/JBWG5Bnrzk  ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2024

PM Modi shared a post on the microblogging site X and said that this meeting aims for close cultural ties.

"Landed in Singapore. Looking forward to the various meetings aimed at boosting the India-Singapore friendship. India's reforms and the talent of our Yuva Shakti make our nation an ideal investment destination. We also look forward to closer cultural ties." the post read.

The Indian diaspora in Singapore expressed their excitement over PM Modi's arrival, calling it a "dream come true" moment. Some enthusiasts even woke up at 5 a.m. just to catch a glimpse of him.

"We all woke up today at 5 am with full excitement and made this banner for PM Modi. Because of him, India's image has improved drastically." Indian students in Singapore told to ANI.
New Delhi: It was Zee News who told you first that Anushka Sharma will be arriving in Mumbai to attend a brand event. And here's the actress, the Chakda Xpress actress was spotted at the airport as she arrived in style from London. Anushka was seen fainting her chic avatar in all black and her fans are excited to see her back with a bang. Akaay's mommy sent down a meltdown to her fans with her smashing appearance and she even happily greeted the paparazzi who were present in the early morning to have a glimpse of the actress.

Anushka was seen arriving sans Akaay and Vamika and it looks like the stay of the actress in Mumbai is not going to be long she will attend the event on September 6, and will head back to London to get her family. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is there to look after the kids. Anushka and Virat have been staying in London and living their dream life without their privacy being breached.

Watch the video of Anushka Sharma arriving in style and fans gushing about her beauty.

Anushka Sharma looked absolutely fit and fabulous in her black outfit, she is indeed giving all the fitness goals to the new mommies as she is back in her toned physique. This only shows that the actress has been focused on getting fit after the arrival of baby Akaay.

Will Anushka be back at the movies?

Anushka Sharma had once said that she would happily give up on her career after getting married and having a family. The actress is living by her words, but the fans are hopeful to soon see her making a smashing comeback. Anushka's last film was Zero in 2018 along with Shah Rukh Khan.
New Delhi: Chiyaan Vikram recently spoke about the hardest phase of his life as he appeared on YouTuber Ranveer Allabadia's show TRS, where he revealed how he met with a terrible bike accident and was declared by the doctors that he could not walk. Chiyaan Vikram revealed he had a very bad bike accident doctors told him he could never walk and his mom was devastated at hearing this news. "It was a bad accident, very complicated. When they took me to the hospital, they wanted to amputate my leg. It was that bad because if I had a cut maybe the blood would have come out. Because there was no cut, my bones had broken. My leg swelled up and my pulse stopped. I had gangrene. They didn't know what to do in the government hospital, they said let's amputate his leg."

Watch the video of Chiyaan Vikram talking about his struggle.

The Thangalaan actor further revealed, "In those days, if you had an accident theres a police case. So, you had to take the person to a government hospital. They didn't have the equipment to cut my leg. So, they took me to a private hospital and did some magic. They released the blood and I got my pulse back."

The actor revealed he was on the bed for 3 long years," I was in bed for 3 years. I had 23 surgeries. I had an infection and then one year on crutches. I didn't walk for four years. I had pins and it was crazy and the doctor said you can't walk anymore and my mother was devastated".

Vikram even mentioned that he met the same doctor after 5 years of the accident and he was amazed to see him walk. And after he did his X-ray, he told him that his knees were those of a 76-year-old and he only wondered how he managed to do it.

Vikram revealed about struggling for 10 long years to get recognised in the industry, today he is a well-known name.
Mumbai: IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack web series directed by Anubhav Sinha is right now grabbing all the attention. The web series was released on Netflix a few days ago and it has become the talk of the town for several reasons. The show is being lashed out by many viewers and some are questioning the Hindu code names terrorists Bhola and Shankar and want the makers to remove the names. One more traveller named Rachna made need as her husband Rupan Katiyal was killed by the terrorist.

Rachna wasn't informed about the death of her husband who was taken to business class from economy class and was thrown out at the Dubai airport. One of the co-travellers Mrs Menon had spoken to the NY Times and recalled how one of the terrorists named Burger told her to consider him as her elder brother and asked her to live happily," Poor thing, she was crying for two days. They were avoiding her. Then on the third day, Burger said to her, `I am like your elder brother. Your husband has been released in Dubai. You should be happy he is safe and sound.' Rachna never knew he was killed".

Talking about Rachna she was cared for by her in-laws who stood like a pillar to her, they even did her kanyadaan as she was remarried.

IC 814 Hijack as Vijay Varma, Dia Mirza, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur and other actors play significant roles.
KOLKATA: A study led by a senior professor of IIT-Kharagpur, in collaboration with international researchers, has dismissed previous claims of a severe ozone hole' in the tropical stratosphere after analysing data of 42 years. The study, titled 'No Severe Ozone Depletion in the Tropical Stratosphere in Recent Decades,' reassures that there is no significant ozone depletion in the tropics and no associated health threat, a statement from IIT Kharagpur said.

Led by Jayanarayanan Kuttippurath from the Centre for Ocean, River, Atmosphere, and Land Sciences (CORAL) at IIT Kharagpur, his team analysed ground-based ozonesonde (instrument to measure ozone levels) and satellite ozone measurements to examine the depletion in the tropics during the past five decades (19802022). Their findings contradict earlier research that suggested a potential ozone hole could impact the health of about half of the world's tropical population.

"The previous research suggested that such an ozone hole could potentially impact the health of about half of the world's population residing in tropical regions. But there was no observational evidence," the statement said. The researchers found that the amount of column ozone in the tropics is relatively small compared to high and mid-latitudes.

There is no observational evidence supporting severe stratospheric ozone depletion in the tropics. The study indicates that current understanding and data do not support the possibility of an ozone hole forming outside Antarctica. Stratospheric ozone is an important constituent of the atmosphere. Significant changes in its concentrations have great consequences for the environment, ecosystems and public health.

The study utilised extensive ground-based, satellite, and re-analysis data, showing no robust evidence for a significant ozone hole in the tropics. Average ozone levels in these regions remain well above the critical threshold used to define an ozone hole, the statement said. "The amount of column ozone in the tropics is relatively small compared to high and mid-latitudes. In addition, the tropical total ozone trend is very small as estimated for the period 1998-2022. No observational evidence is found regarding the indications of severe stratospheric ozone depletion in the tropics", the statement added.

"Also, the current understanding and observational evidence do not provide any support for the possibility of an ozone hole occurring outside Antarctica these days," it said. According to the statement, earlier studies that reported an ozone hole relied on inadequate data, primarily from the surface to 11 km altitude, which is insufficient to accurately assess ozone levels at the critical 1520 km altitude.

The IIT-led research attributed any observed decrease in tropical ozone levels to atmospheric dynamics rather than chemical depletion. "In contrast to a previous claim, our study finds that there is no ozone hole in the tropics and therefore, no health threat associated with that. Also, it is very unlikely to have an ozone hole in the tropics with respect to the current halogen levels. The average ozone values are always about 260 DU in the tropics, which is well above the ozone hole criterion of 220 DU," Kuttippurath said.

He further noted that any slight decrease observed in tropical ozone levels in recent decades is due to changes in atmospheric dynamics rather than chemical processes. Ozone holes, as known, are confined to Antarctica due to unique conditions such as extreme cold temperatures, he said.
New Delhi: While Apple's most anticipated product launches on September 9 themed Its Glowtime has everyone glued to the information coming from the tech giant, rumour mill is doing its own jon. Apple has already made it official that it is launching the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max in India on the same date.

As per latest reports in the media, the price of the iphone 16 series has been leaked ahead of its launch. Apple Hub has recently leaked the prices of the iPhone 16 series, although there is no official confirmation from the company.

Check expected India Prices of each variant iPhone 16 , as suggested in the leaked report

iPhone 16 base model: $799

Approximately Rs 67,100)

The iPhone 16 Plus: $899

Approximately Rs 75,500

iPhone 16 Pro: $1,099

Approximately Rs 92,300

iPhone 16 Pro Max: $1,199

Approximately Rs 1,00,700

Meanwhile, we had also quoted media reports that, 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
New Delhi: Amidst the significant rise in spam calls, telecom operators have blacklisted over 50 entities and disconnected more than 2.75 lakh SIP DID/Mobile Numbers/Telecom resources as per Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI's) directives.

TRAI said that it has observed a significant rise in spam calls, with over more than 7.9 lakh complaints reported against Unregistered Telemarketers (UTMs) in the first half of the year 2024 (January to June).

Taking this issue seriously, TRAI had issued stringent directives to all Access Providers on 13th August 2024. It has mandated Access Providers to immediately stop promotional voice calls from unregistered senders or telemarketers using SIP, PRI, or other telecom resources. Any UTM found to be misusing these resources will face severe consequences, including disconnection of all telecom resources for up to two years and blacklisting.

"Consequent of these directions, Access Providers have taken stern measures against misuse of telecom resources for spamming and blacklisted over 50 entities and disconnected more than 2.75 lakh SIP DID/Mobile Numbers/Telecom resources. These steps are expected to have a significant impact on reducing spam calls and providing relief to consumers. TRAI urges all stakeholders to comply with the directives and contribute to a cleaner and more efficient telecom ecosystem," said the telecom regulator.
Embarking on an international road trip is a thrilling adventure that offers a unique way to explore different countries and cultures. For Indian travellers looking to drive abroad, it's essential to know where their Indian driving license is valid. This knowledge can make the journey smoother and more enjoyable. Here is a comprehensive guide to countries where an Indian driving license is accepted, allowing travellers to hit the road with confidence and explore the world on wheels.

1. United States of America (USA):

In the United States, Indian travellers can drive using their Indian driving license for a year, provided it is in English. If the license is not in English, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required along with the original license. Each state in the USA may have specific rules and regulations, so it's crucial to familiarize oneself with the local driving laws.

2. United Kingdom (UK):

Indian driving license holders can drive in the UK for up to 12 months. It is advisable to carry an IDP along with the original license. Remember to drive on the left side of the road in the UK, which may be different from what Indian drivers are accustomed to.

3. Australia:

Travellers from India can drive in Australia using their Indian driving license for three months. An IDP is recommended for ease of communication with local authorities.

4. New Zealand:

Indian driving license holders are allowed to drive in New Zealand for up to a year. As in other countries, carrying an IDP is advisable.

5. South Africa:

Indian travellers visiting South Africa can drive using their Indian driving license for a year. It is recommended to have an IDP as well.

6. United Arab Emirates (UAE):

In the UAE, Indian driving license holders can drive using their license for a limited period. However, it is advisable to obtain a temporary UAE driving permit for an extended stay.

7. Singapore:

Indian driving license holders can drive in Singapore for up to a year. An IDP is recommended for clarity and ease of communication.

8. Germany:

Germany, famous for its Autobahns and scenic routes, allows Indians to drive with their Indian driving licence to explore the countrys picturesque landscapes and historic cities for up to six months. With your valid driving licence, you can enjoy driving through the Black Forest, the Romantic Road, or even head to the Bavarian Alps. Its advisable to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) as well, to avoid any language barriers or legal issues.

9. France:

France offers Indian drivers the chance to explore its charming countryside, vibrant cities, and stunning coastlines. You can drive in France for up to a year with your Indian driving licence, but a French translation of the licence is required. Driving through the vineyards of Bordeaux, the beaches of the French Riviera, or the historic roads of Normandy becomes an accessible adventure with your licence in hand.

Remember, while driving abroad, adhering to local traffic rules, speed limits, and road signs is crucial. It's also essential to have insurance coverage for the vehicle being driven. With the right preparation and knowledge of where an Indian driving license is valid, international road trips can be a memorable and enjoyable experience for travellers from India.
PM Modi Singapore Visit: Following the conclusion of his visit to Brunei, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday arrived in Singapore to 'deepen strategic partnership' between India and Singapore. He arrived in the Southeast Asian country at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong in the second leg of his two-nation visit. This is PM Modi's fifth official trip to Singapore. His last visit to Singapore was in 2018.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is slated to connect with three generations of Singapore's leadership, officials in New Delhi said. He will receive an official welcome at the Parliament House on Thursday and call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

After arriving in Singapore, PM Modi took to X and said, "Landed in Singapore. Looking forward to the various meetings aimed at boosting the India-Singapore friendship. Indias reforms and the talent of our Yuva Shakti makes our nation an ideal investment destination. We also look forward to closer cultural ties."

Landed in Singapore. Looking forward to the various meetings aimed at boosting the India-Singapore friendship. Indias reforms and the talent of our Yuva Shakti makes our nation an ideal investment destination. We also look forward to closer cultural ties. pic.twitter.com/SG2IttCKEg  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2024

During his visit, PM Modi is accompanied by Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other government officials.

In a statement ahead of his departure, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, The leaders will review the progress of the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

PM Modi To Meet Senior Singapore Ministers

PM Modi would call on Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. During the visit, he will also meet with Singaporean business leaders and interact with those in the country's semiconductor ecosystem.

Speaking about Modi's Singapore trip, officials said that this visit will build synergies in the semiconductor ecosystems of the two countries and PMs of both the countries will visit a semiconductor manufacturing facility.

They said MoUs will be signed for cooperation in manpower skilling in the semiconductor sector. From skilling centres to training and recruitment by Singapore firms, this will help India's youth with better skills and opportunities, officials further stated.

(With PTI Inputs)
Sean Duffy, a former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Bill Owens, is a communications and media relations strategist and ghostwriter based in the Denver area.
A Southern Virginia collaborative effort aiming to empower future business owners will host an Oct. 19 summit in Danville.

Targeting entrepreneurs, innovators and visionaries, the Regional Innovation Summit for Entrepreneurs  called RISE  Summit will kick off at 9 a.m. at Danvilles Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.

The inaugural plans are to feature speakers, hand-on workshops on skill-building and unlimited networking chances, according to a news release. Its designed to connect established businesses with entrepreneurs who need resources to start or expand in Southside.

Small business are the heart and soul of the city of Danville, Samantha Bagbey, economic development project manager for Danvilles Office of Economic Development & Tourism, said in a statement. We are thrilled to be a part of a great networking and resource event that puts the focus on entrepreneurs and continuing to create avenues for success, expansions and long-term opportunities.

The RISE Collaborative and the SOVA Innovation Hub are teaming up for the event. The collaborative is a regional program designed to create a network of entrepreneurs and business service providers and is managed by the Longwood Office of Community & Economic Development in Farmville, the Longwood Small Business Development Center, which serves the region, and the innovation hub in South Boston.

Each year, the collaborative hosts programs including a virtual business boot camp and a pitch competition.

The innovation hub is a nonprofit tasked with sparking economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Its building in downtown South Boston has coworking space, a training space and the Microsoft Experience Center.

The collaborative has a wide footprint, encompassing Patrick County, Henry County, Martinsville, Danville, Pittsylvania County, Halifax County, Mecklenburg County, Brunswick County, Farmville, Prince Edward County, Charlotte County, Lunenburg County, Cumberland County, Nottoway County, Amelia County and Buckingham County.

The RISE Summit is more than just another event  its where real connections are made and where your ideas can gain the momentum they need, Natalie Hodge Davis, CEO of Rudys Girl Media and entrepreneur co-chair of the RISE Summit, said.

What makes this summit unique is the intentional gathering of growth-minded entrepreneurs and potential new founders from across Southern Virginia, the Martinsville business owner said. As an entrepreneur, I know how valuable it is to invest in these in-person gatherings. The relationships and insights youll gain here are worth every minute and dollar spent.

Doors will open at 8 a.m. Oct. 19 for breakfast and networking. The program itself starts at 9 a.m. and runs through 3 p.m.

Topics on the coverage agenda include unlocking capital through microloans, grants and contracts; mastering business essentials in marketing, finance and accounting; steps to bring a startup idea to life; and exploring artificial intelligence and emerging technology, the release explained.

With featured speakers, panels and workshops, the summit will have both group and breakout sessions.

In our rural region, starting and growing a business comes with distinct challenges and opportunities, Lauren Mathena of the SOVA Innovation Hub, said in a statement.. The RISE Summit bridges that gap, offering tailored resources and insights for new and existing business owners, while highlighting the economic growth trends transforming our region.

Tickets, available online at https://sovarise.com/summit-2024, are $50 per person through Sept. 30. After that, the prices go up to $65.

There are a small number of tickets for students available, along with scholarships for people needing financial help.
A developer got the green light from Danville City Council for a 25-unit apartment complex at Bridge Street on Tuesday night.

Council members voted 8-0 during their meeting to approve a special-use permit allowing for a waiver of maximum-allowed density for the planned for 400 Bridge St.

The applicant, 400 Bridge, LLC, (Brent Cochran) requested the waiver so the 25 units could be built at the 0.17-acre parcel that contains a three-story brick structure with no setbacks from the property line.

City code allows for 24 units per net acre in the tobacco warehouse commercial zoning district. The special-use permit gives 400 Bridge, LLC, permission to develop its planned multi-family complex with 25 one- and two-bedroom units.

This request exceeds the maximum density alllowed, therefore, a waiver must be granted for the project, Danville Planning Director Renee Burton wrote in a letter to City Council. Adaptive reuse of existing structures in the River District for multifamily dwelling units is common and compatible within our 2030 Comprehensive Plan.

Two dozen notices were sent to property owners within 300 feet of the property. The city received 13 responses, with 12 opposed and one unopposed, Burton wrote.

No one spoke out against the project during a public hearing for it Tuesday night.

Adam Vaught, representing 400 Bridge, LLC, told council the project should be complete by early summer next year.

Vice Mayor Gary Miller expressed support for the project.

This is chipping away at our housing shortage, he said. The more we get, the better.

In other matters, the city of Danville received a $250,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation  Dam Safety, Flood Prevention and Protection Assistance Grant Program. A local match of $250,000 from the city brings the total to $500,000.

The Long Mill Dam was removed earlier this summer.
This photo taken on March 19, 2024 shows a view of the Dashanpu Middle Jurassic Dinosaur Fossils Site in Zigong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (The Zigong Dinosaur Museum/Handout via Xinhua)



Three geological sites in China, comprising vegetation fossils, dinosaur fossils and a karst landform, have recently been listed as Geological Heritage Sites by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).

These newly selected sites include the Permian vegetation of the Wuda Fossil Site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the Dashanpu Middle Jurassic Dinosaur Fossils Site in southwest China's Sichuan Province and the Guilin Karst in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, said Zhang Jianping, vice-chair of the IUGS International Commission on Geoheritage and a professor at the China University of Geosciences, Beijing, at a press conference held by the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIGPAS) on Tuesday.

So far, a total of 10 Chinese geological sites have been included in the list of the IUGS Geological Heritage Sites.

Geological heritages are a precious and non-renewable resource that faithfully records the 4.6 billion years of evolution history of the Earth and bases for geologists to conduct scientific research.

The IUGS Geological Heritage Sites are key places with the highest scientific international relevance, used as a global reference, and with a substantial contribution to the development of geological sciences through history, according to the IUGS.

The three newly selected sites are outstanding representatives of China's geological relics and they have been internationally recognized for their scientific value, research significance and current protection status, Zhang said.

VEGETATIONAL POMPEII

The Wuda Permian vegetation fossil site, dubbed the "Vegetational Pompeii," features a peat-forming tropical rainforest preserved in remarkable detail by volcanic ash. This ancient forest, dating back approximately 298 million years, was buried by ash-fall and now appears as a tuff bed between two coal seams in the Wuda coalfield, according to Wang Jun, director of NIGPAS.

The plant remains are well-preserved, with some retaining anatomical structures. The site provides extensive evidence of the intricate details of an ancient tropical rainforest community and interactions between various organisms, Wang said. "This site offers a unique window to understand past floral community ecology."

The Wuda fossil site is exceptional for best demonstrating what plants formed coal and what a coal-forming forest looked like, he added.

Discovered in 1998 and identified as a forest buried by ash in 2003, the site has since been studied by an international research team of about 30 experts from Britain, the United States, the Czech Republic, Germany and China, who have published over 60 research papers.

JURASSIC PARK

At the Dashanpu Middle Jurassic Dinosaur Fossils Site in Zigong City, Sichuan Province, over 200 specimens of dinosaurs and other vertebrates have been uncovered. According to Zeng Xiaoyun, curator of the Zigong Dinosaur Museum, these include 29 species across 26 genera, such as sauropods, theropods, basal neornithischians, stegosaurs, as well as fish, amphibians, turtles, crocodiles, pterosaurs and therapsids.

This site not only boasts the highest concentration of Middle Jurassic dinosaurs but also exhibits remarkable vertebrate diversity. Described by Zeng as a "Jurassic park," it is acclaimed as "a dinosaur quarry and a world wonder."

The site has yielded unique bone structures that are crucial for inferring dinosaur behaviors. It fills gaps in the history of dinosaur evolution and provides exceptionally valuable samples for studying dinosaurs from various perspectives and their relationships with other vertebrates, Zeng said.

The Dashanpu site, spanning an area of about 70,000 square meters, was first uncovered in 1972. An on-site museum was built thereafter. Extensive studies have been carried out by scientists from home and abroad.

KARST WITH SCIENTIFIC AND ARTISTIC VALUE

Guilin Karst features beautiful continental tower and cone karst formations around the Lijiang River and its tributaries, as well as many caves. Shaped by Paleozoic tectonic movements, the Guilin Karst has created a unique basin that is ideal for karst development, said Chen Weihai, deputy chief engineer of the Institute of Karst Geology of the China Geological Survey.

The geomorphological setting, enriched by thick carbonate deposits and a warm, humid climate with plentiful rainfall, fosters extensive karst phenomena. Guilin's geological stability and comparatively slow tectonic uplift, unlike more rapidly uplifting regions in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, enhance its scientific relevance, making it an outstanding location for studying karst processes and their environmental impacts, Chen said.

Research on Guilin Karst dates back to the 17th century when the Chinese traveler and geographer Xu Xiake explored 88 caves. Contemporary studies focus on understanding karst dynamics and evolution models, as well as the aesthetic influence of Guilin's landscapes on Chinese paintings and poetry.

This painting provided by the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIGPAS) shows a simulated restored view of the Permian vegetation of the Wuda Fossil Site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (NIGPAS/Handout via Xinhua)
The U.S. Postal Service is proposing a new plan in order to keep itself afloat, and the plan involves slower mail in rural ZIP codes across the country. But 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, and 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 site

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 was the first region in the country to get such a facility, known as a Regional Processing and Distribution Center.

Depending on location, time and distance, expected time to deliver will increase for some ZIP code pairs, the proposal reads.

Asked for clarification, USPS spokesperson Philip Bogenberger said 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 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 said. 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, R-1st, 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.

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, D-11th, said 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 region 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.
SPRINGFIELD  Hospital Sisters Health System said there is no evidence information illegally accessed during a network security breach last year has been misused.

Still, hospital system officials said, in an update on the breach Tuesday, anyone whose information has been compromised is being notified, and complementary access to credit monitoring and identity theft protection services is available.

Officials said the types of information accessed varied for each individual, but may have included names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, drivers license numbers, medical record numbers, and/or limited medical, health insurance and/or treatment information related to care received at HSHS."

The breach occurred sometime between Aug. 16 and Aug. 27, 2023; the latter date was when the breach was discovered. The security breach caused a massive systemwide computer and internet systems failure that severely disrupted operations within the Hospital Sisters Health System.

In Central Illinois, HSHS runs St. Marys Hospital in Decatur, St. Anthonys Memorial Hospital in Effingham, Good Shepherd Hospital in Shelbyville and HSHS St. Johns Hospital in Springfield.

Despite the system disruption, the hospitals remained open and cared for their patients throughout the investigation, which involved law enforcement and a forensic investigation with the assistance of a leading forensic security firm.

HSHS has established a toll-free call center to offer support and answer questions. The call center can be reached from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 866-574-0181. For additional information, patients can visit hshs.org.

"As a best practice, individuals should remain vigilant and carefully review statements they receive from healthcare providers and health insurers and report any inaccuracies to those companies," HSHS administration stated.

Photos: Renderings show new HSHS St. Marys Hospital
City walks are trending among urban travelers these days due to being a low-cost, relaxing transportation mode that saves people from the anxieties of hurrying from one tourist destination to another.

Several decades ago, Gu Yizhou and five artists from the Beijing Fine Art Academy who specialized in traditional Chinese ink painting conducted staged city walks from east to west across Beijing.

The tour, lasting a couple of months, was initiated from an undertaking of importance  a painting that offered a renewed panoramic view of the capital city in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the People's Republic of China in October 1959.

The Spring of National Capital, done in the traditional long scroll format, unfolds to 46 meters long. It replicates the blooming spring, documenting the prosperous construction scenes of New China, including landmark architecture along Chang'an Avenue and major industrial projects at the time.

The painting has been exhibited several times to evoke nostalgic feelings among viewers, particularly the elderly who recognize the capital's changes over time.

The Spring of National Capital has joined dozens of other paintings from the collection of the Beijing Fine Art Academy at Picturesque Land, an exhibition running until Oct 13 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, one of the landmarks of Chang'an Avenue.

This time they are on show to mark the country's 75th anniversary.

The Beijing Fine Art Academy was founded in 1957 with a commitment to the research and reform of Chinese art, especially traditional ink painting. Since its founding, it has gathered leading figures, such as Qi Baishi (1864-1957), the founding honorary director.

The exhibition combines the works of the academy's resident artists and those well-connected with it to hold exhibitions, including Huang Yongyu (1924-2023), the prolific ink painter and printmaker. There are also oil works representing the long-term endeavor of homegrown artists attempting to renovate ink art to integrate the cultural spirit of the East with Western painting styles.

Xue Liang, the exhibition's curator, who is also in charge of the Art Museum of the Beijing Fine Art Academy, says the show navigates the evolution of Chinese art since the 1950s.

"It traces the early stage of New China, when a group of veteran artists utilized Chinese painting techniques to depict thriving socialist construction and to reflect the spirit of the country and its people, opening a new chapter of Chinese art.

"Young artists visited factories, construction sites and villages to collect the scenes and stories of people contributing to the social and economic developments while exploring innovative brushwork."

The Spring of National Capital sets an example of these efforts. Fu Baoshi (1904-65), one of the great reformists of ink art, spoke highly of the work: "The details being illustrated, so abundant, and the breadth of its composition makes it difficult to find a similar piece in the history of Chinese art," hailing it as an encyclopedia of Beijing's social lives in the 1950s.

Wu Hongliang, current director of the Beijing Fine Art Academy, says at the time, ink artists confronted challenges to reform Chinese painting, requiring "transitions of art primarily serving the cultured and elite groups, mostly on exclusive occasions, to depicting and attesting to the needs of all members of society for public shows".

He says these paintings show that "artists didn't deviate from the spiritual core of Chinese painting, but tried to keep the tradition alive by addressing new narratives and emerging social themes, as well as reflecting their ideals of society".

Li Keran (1907-89), whose landscapes are on display, spearheaded this movement and traveled extensively in the 1950s to look for new ways of Chinese painting.

"Many times he walked out of the studio loaded with tools and went deep into nature and the lives of people, to see the realities and listen to what people said about the changes in their lives," says Liu Ying, who chairs the board of the Li Keran Art Foundation. "And in such an immersive environment, he created strokes, shades and compositions different from the past."

The spirit to step out of the comfort zone was shared by Yang Gang (1946-2019), whose paintings on display  depictions of ice skaters  reveal that he explored a modern minimalist tendency.

He infused the formalist and abstract styles of modern Western art with the xieyi (presenting the spirit) approach of Chinese painting and calligraphy, demonstrating a modern touch and spirituality.

Wang Ning, president of the National Centre for the Performing Arts, says the exhibition allows the audience to feel the transformations of social and cultural scenarios throughout the decades, which have been documented by artists in their efforts to modernize Chinese art.
Data centre provider NextDC has officially opened A1  Adelaides first Tier IV certified data centre, providing the critical infrastructure needed to support and accelerate the digital transformation of government and business sectors operating in South Australia (SA).

Located within Adelaides city grid, A1 has a target capacity of 5MW and approximately 3,000 square metresof IT space. Built as a next generation data centre, A1 Adelaide will play a critical role in supporting the progress of South Australias government, defence, space, health, mining and resources industries.

A1 will provide world class digital infrastructure which features Artificial Intelligence (AI) Certification, and 100% Uptime guarantee to assure secure, low latency access to a national ecosystem of over 750 global cloud and digital service providers. The facility will allow customers to fully maximise the benefits of Advanced and Quantum computing, automation and robotics and help position South Australia as the nations digital hub for technology innovation.

NEXTDC CEO Craig Scroggie says, The A1 facility is Adelaides first Uptime Institute Tier IV-certified data centre which will play a pivotal role in accelerating digital innovation and preparing South Australia to take advantage of the fourth industrial revolution powered by the development and adoption of AI.

A1 Adelaide which is located in the heart of Adelaides CBD offers high density power, liquid cooling and diverse connectivity, and will provide real-time responsiveness to mission-critical requirements for key South Australian industries such as aerospace, defence and mining.

Additionally with global tech companies expanding their footprint to include a presence in Adelaide, A1 will provide AI certified, trusted critical infrastructure to drive their innovation ambitions as well as make the state attractive for ongoing investment.

South Australian Treasurer Hon. Mr Stephen Mullighan says, NEXTDCs A1 represents a key advancement for South Australias digital economy, providing numerous large-scale investment opportunities for local and global organisations seeking to leverage our state as a platform for economic growth, innovation and development 

The South Australian business and government sectors will be able to substantially improve the resilience of their digital products and services offered to citizens, customers and partners, further strengthening our Digital Strategy to enable every South Australian to live and thrive in the digital world. Hon. Mullighan added.

The economic value of the new NEXTDC A1 facility was also highlighted by Invest SA Executive Director, Chris Wood.

The team at Invest SA has worked with NEXTDC for several years to support the companys investment into South Australia, and it is exciting to see this state-of-the-art data centre come to fruition. The data centre will underpin South Australias critical technologies ecosystem and expand the states digital infrastructure, helping us to make our economy more complex while creating important jobs for South Australians.

Leading Australian fibre network provider  Vocus, is also collaborating with NEXTDC at the A1 Adelaide facility, which will enhance the Vocus fibre network capability from Adelaide to Melbourne, Perth, and Darwin to meet the growing demand for cloud computing and artificial Intelligence technologies (AI).

Vocus CEO, Ellie Sweeney said, Digital infrastructure plays a critical role in the success of every business, and I am delighted to be strengthening our partnership with NEXTDC to advance South Australias digital economy. The A1 Adelaide data centre is another pivotal intersection in the Vocus and NEXTDC footprint that is delivering high-capacity fibre networks and high-capacity data centres for communities and industry across South Australia and beyond.

Several organisations have subscribed to being Foundational Partners in the Digital Ecosystem at A1 Adelaide to further expand and connect the SA digital economy to a nationwide ecosystem of service providers and global cloud platforms. These partners include Aussie Broadband, New Era Technology, GSL Networks, Sygnite, Unibeam and NetVault.

As an A1 Adelaide Data Centre foundation partner, Aussie Broadband welcomed the launch of A1. "The expansion of A1 will provide Aussie Broadband with another point of presence within the growing Adelaide metropolitan area, offering us the potential to further scale our fibre and network footprint in the area," Aussie Broadband CEO Brian Maher said.

"We're proud to continue our deep relationship with NEXTDC as one of our key strategic partners and suppliers who has enabled us to provide high-quality broadband services to Australians and Australian businesses all across the country." He added.

Key technical specifications of A1 Adelaide include:

 5MW

 2,922m2 technical space

 100% Uptime guarantee

 1,470 rack capacity

 Mission Critical Operations Space (MCX)

For details on NEXTDCs A1 Adelaide Data centre, and other facilities please view here: https://www.nextdc.com.au.
Networkpak , a well-established name in the Australian printing industry known for its high-quality printed folding cartons for leading brands, has taken a significant step forward in expanding its service offerings.

In collaboration with Jet Technologies Australia, Networkpak has installed the state-of-the-art Screen L350UV SAI S digital printer, positioning itself to meet a broader range of its clients' label and packaging needs.

This strategic investment is a bold move by Networkpak as it transitions from its traditional focus on folding cartons to include high-quality digital label printing. The new Screen L350UV SAI S press is expected to play a crucial role in this expansion, allowing Networkpak to fulfil the increasing demand for premium labels and packaging solutions.

Paul O'Sullivan, Director of Networkpak, shared his enthusiasm for this new chapter in the company's evolution. "As a company with deep roots in printed folded cartons, we have earned the trust of leading Australian brands by consistently delivering top-tier products. The addition of the Screen L350UV SAI S to our lineup is a natural progression for us, enabling us to offer an even wider array of solutions to our clients. We can now meet their label and packaging needs with the same level of quality and reliability they've come to expect from our carton work."

The Screen L350UV SAI S, known for its vibrant colour reproduction, precision, and speed, is particularly well-suited to the demands of label printing. It offers Networkpak the flexibility to produce a wide variety of labels, from simple designs to complex, high-impact graphics, catering to the diverse needs of its clientele across various industries.

Jet Technologies Australia, a key partner in this project, has been instrumental in facilitating the installation and ensuring that Networkpak is fully equipped to leverage the capabilities of the new press.

"Since installation, we have been very impressed with the L350UV SAI S  it has done absolutely everything that we expected and has not skipped a beat. Jet Technologies have been outstanding with their service and support, ensuring that we have made a seamless transition into labels." O'Sullivan added.

David Reece, Sales Director for Jet Technologies said, "We are delighted to be working with Networkpak. Whilst they may be new in the label space, their team has significant experience in the market and their choice of the L350UV SAI S is a strong endorsement in the brand and our support."

As Networkpak continues to grow, the integration of the Screen L350UV SAI S is expected to significantly boost the company's production capabilities, reduce lead times, and open up new opportunities for creative packaging solutions. This move ensures that Networkpak remains a leader in the printing industry, offering comprehensive services that cater to the evolving needs of its customers.

Jet Technologies will be demonstrating the Screen L350UV SAI S at its Sydney HQ on Friday 11th October 2024. To register please visit: https://info.jet-ap.com/open-house-2024
The modern CIO is under pressure; company executives are looking to them to deliver AI strategies, while their data centre infrastructure lags behind, cybersecurity always looms, and energy costs are rising. New research by Pure Storage highlights the issues, with the company putting forward a blueprint to ensure success.

We're truly in the age of AI. Once purely the domain of academic research or the stuff of science fiction, AI is now a true reality. Today's modern computing infrastructure has caught up. And, we hear regularly from GPU manufacturers, any company that isn't already exploring AI use cases will be left behind.

Yet, it's easier said than done. And while CIO's are being told to execute upon AI strategies, they're most certainly not being told, "AI at any cost." Pressures are mounting on the CIO who must innovate while keeping the lights running, the costs down, and the bad guys out.

New research from Pure Storage puts numbers on the problem, showing 96% of Australian IT leaders recognise the value of AI for transformation, while 84% believe AI-generated data will outgrow their data centre. 92% are concerned their infrastructure won't keep pace. 41% say cyber threats are a major risk. And 91% of CIOs and IT leaders in Australia say their greatest priority - above all else - must be reducing the organisation's risk profile. In fact, this was the highest out of all countries Pure Storage surveyed.

The research gives a great insight into the problems; happily, Pure Storage gives practical, actionable guidance to help make it through to the other side.

Pure Storage released its report this morning, "The Innovation Race: Reducing Risk and Navigating the AI Frontier for Future Success" following a global study involved 1,500 C-level and decision-maker respondents. The company has carved out the local numbers to shine a light on where Australian leaders stand.

The results reflect the grim reality that innovation doesn't simply happen; it balances on a stack of requirements and pre-requisites, while simultaneously holding back attackers. And it falls to the CIO to solve these problems, and make the innovation happen.

In fact, according to Pure Storage, 91% of IT leaders would rather spend the money on innovation that they currently dedicate to cybersecurity.

It's all a good pulse check on what's being discussed at the C-level in Australia, and Pure Storage area vice president - ANZ Amy Rushall noted, "Australian IT leaders are acutely aware of the challenges posed by their current infrastructure's ability to support AI, and many fear falling behind in the Innovation Race. This research is designed to help identify and address a wide range of risks beyond the obvious cyber threats, enabling a strategic balance between security and innovation. By tackling rising energy costs and evaluating AI readiness through a modernized infrastructure approach, Australian organizations can better position themselves to leverage AI for sustained success."

"Everyone is thinking about AI, which is no surprise," Rushall told iTWire, "but what's top of mind continues to be risk management. CIOs are focused on the risk in their business and how they can take care of that, above and beyond AI."

Globally, the report shows 82% of leaders are worried their business will be left behind. 84% believe AI-generated data is likely to outgrow their data centre. Nearly everyone agrees their organisation's infrastructure needs improvement.

Locally, 91% of Australian IT leaders say reducing risk is their top priority, and this was overwhelmingly higher than all other countries.

Rushall explained to iTWire there were several distinctive factors. These included cyberthreat concerns, management of multiple disparate systems, tech debt, rising cloud costs, rising energy costs, and global power shortages. Here too, Australia expressed higher concerns than other nations. "Risking energy costs are affecting all of Australia, not only IT," she said.

Pictured: Pure Storage area vice president - ANZ Amy Rushall

While countries like Singapore have restrictions on data centre construction, "in Australia we have more data centres per capita than any other country," Rushall said.

Ultimately, although every organisation surveyed - 100% - are planning, preparing, or currently adopting AI, it's clear IT leaders lack the time to innovate because they're continuously firefighting. "AI is innovative and they want to get started but have things to address first," Rushall said.

There's a clear consensus AI will be the primary driver of organisational transformation in the coming years, so it's a problem that definitely must be addressed.

Fortunately, Pure Storage has solid recommendations.

Understand all the risks to your business. Address rising cloud and energy costs now. Asses, with honesty, your organisation's AI readiness. Establish a robust recovery plan with multi-tiered resiliency, immutable and indelible snapshots, and ultra-fast data recovery.

These aren't simply throw-away lines. Each recommendation is significant. In fact, much of it comes down to considering just where your data lives. With data growing at explosive rates, pressure continues to increase on cloud costs. If you're not already considering how to balance your data between cloud and on-premises, it's time you did.

In fact, moving some workloads "on-premises can save money and help with risk, and moving forward to having a better platform," Rushall said.

This all goes hand-in-hand with whether your organisation is AI ready, and whether you can recover data if your business goes down. It's a situation Pure Storage is well equipped to help with. "These are key things for us," Rushall said. "All of these things people are concerned by - risk, AI, energy - are addressed by our platform."

You might think of Pure Storage as simply a storage company. After all, why not? It's in the name, and it was the basis of its original product over a decade ago. However, "we evolved our data management to a total platform, a total solution to address the entire enterprise," she said. "We were one of the earliest to the table back in 2016 with a validated design, in conjunction with Cisco and Nvidia."

"We were on the forefront of AI, and it's interesting to see how it has evolved quickly. We've grown our platform to address all aspects of AI and risk management."

In essence, if your business is concerned about rising energy costs, about rising cloud costs, about the risks to your company's data from cyberattack, about your readiness to embrace AI because data is dispersed and ungoverned, about whether your infrastructure can handle the loads that will be demanded of it by AI workloads - then you really must explore a modern platform, one that allows you to manage data in the cloud and on-premises via single management interface, that is energy efficient, and that offers robust, resilient immutable protection against ransomware and other destructive threats.

"Some people interested in adopting Pure Storage get started by a project," Rushall said. "We ask what we can help them with, what's end of life, what's a project like AI that you want to start with and grow in your environment."

Or, sometimes people might start a journey with Pure Storage via its Pure BlockStorage product. "It's cloud block storage that helps with the reduction of costs as it relates to cloud spend," she said. "It can save up to 50% on your current cloud-spend using our data reduction technology and energy efficiency."

"We have a fantastic sales team and a really big team of engineers; they're specialists that can help with any of these challenges," Rushall said.

You can check out Pure Storage online. You can also check it out in person. On 29 October 2024 the company is holding an event, Pure Accelerate, in Melbourne for customers, prospects, and partners. There will be US-based executives flying in to speak about the opportunities of AI and how to execute upon them, and will be an opportunity for the ANZ C-suite to interact with peers.

You can find the report, "The Innovation Race: Reducing Risk and Navigating the AI Frontier for Future Success" online now.
Telstra has launched what it calls the "world-first" Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite internet and voice service, available to eligible small businesses (those with no more than five employees) at the same cost as the consumer plan, priced at $125 per month and the cost of the Starlink Kit $599.

The plan includes unlimited data with maximum speeds of 50Mbps download and 10Mbps upload. It comes with the latest Telstra Smart Modem Gen 3.

In a blog post written by Telstra Business group executive Amanda Hutton, she said the plan is set to provide connectivity options for businesses in rural and remote areas where networks are geographically challenged.

According to Telstra's Business Tech State of Play report, the connected tech that will have the biggest and most positive impact on Australian SMBs over the next one to two years is renewed internet connectivity.

"Businesses cant unlock new and exciting opportunities if they dont have good access to connectivity!" she wrote.

"Today, thats where our world-first Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite internet and voice service powered by Starlink service comes in."

Hutton said regional businesses make up 30% of all small businesses in the country. The new Starlink plan is a new way to support connectivity in more remote locations, "helping customers to reliably connect their business in places theyve never been able to before."

Aside from launching Starlink-powered LEO satellite internet and voice service for small business customers, another milestone Telstra considers was the "insourcing" of the majority of the Telstra Business Technology Centre (TBTC) channel from partner ownership to Telstra-owned operations.

This means, Telstra said, it can now introduce training for its teams. Customers can now expect a "more consistent experience" across its network of 26 TBTCs in the country.

Telstra invested in a new TBTC in Sydney South, ahead of the latest Western Sydney Airport coming online in the next few years.

Complementing its Starlink launch, the telco also partnered with the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA)'s Cyber Wardens program to help deliver free training to SMBs to tackle threats and stay on the lookout for scams.
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Japanese multinational ICT equipment and services corporation Fujitsu announced it will open an open all-photonics network (APN) lab in Dusseldorf, Germany from November 2024 to March 2025 to promote open APNs and the global expansion of the innovative optical and wireless network (IOWN).

Fujitsu signed a contract with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) to establish the lab and conduct field trials towards the overseas deployment of APNs in Europe.

Dusseldorf is home to many telecom-related companies. The lab will be located near Dusseldorf International Airport and major European cities.

According to Fujitsu, open APNs facilitate the connection of multi-vendor products and solutions while also providing capacity, latency, and low power consumption.

A new IOWN service is planned to be introduced in Japan in 2025, and it is expected that APNs will become more widely known.

Fujitsu wanted to open a new lab because, as AI, big data processing, and 5G develop, there is a demand for larger optical data transmission capacities between wireless base stations and core networks, as well as data centres.

As telecommunication infrastructure also expands, network carriers and data centre operators want to reduce power consumption, especially in Europe where costs are soaring.

After the lab closes in March 2025, Fujitsu will conduct field trials. The company also plans to further expand its APN labs globally, including in North America.
This aerial photo shows a cargo ship at a smart container terminal of Tianjin Port in north China's Tianjin, July 7, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

China on Tuesday announced an anti-discrimination investigation amid a slew of countermeasures against Canada's tariff hikes on electric vehicles (EVs) as well as steel and aluminum products imported from the country.



The anti-discrimination probe into Canada's tariff moves will be initiated in accordance with relevant stipulations of China's foreign trade law, and corresponding measures will be taken subsequently in light of actual conditions, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said in an online statement.

It is learned that this was the first such investigation initiated by China and also the first of its kind in the world.

The Canadian side adopted discriminatory unilateral restrictive measures targeting imports from China, in disregard of opposition from various parties, the spokesperson said, noting that China is "strongly dissatisfied with and firmly against" such moves.

China will file an appeal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism against these practices, according to the spokesperson. The country will also launch anti-dumping investigations into rapeseed imports and certain chemical products from Canada.

These decisions came after Canada announced last week that it will implement a 100-percent surtax on all Chinese-made EVs, effective Oct. 1, 2024, and impose a 25-percent surtax on imports of steel and aluminum products from China starting Oct. 15, 2024.

"When setting the surtax rates, Canada has blindly followed the United States without conducting its own investigation or research, a move that is extremely subjective, vicious and unscrupulous," said Liang Ming, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the MOC.

Describing Canada's practices as "outright discriminatory," Liang said China's anti-discrimination probe is aimed at safeguarding the rights and legitimate interests of Chinese companies in accordance with laws and regulations.

Noting that China is Canada's third-largest source of imported EVs and the second-largest source for its steel and aluminum imports, Liang criticized Canada's actions as "a blatant form of trade protectionism" that seriously violates WTO rules.

The basic principles of WTO boil down to non-discrimination, fair trade and transparency. Canada's moves have severely violated these principles and flagrantly challenged the global trade order, observers noted.

China is justified in taking relevant measures when facing discriminatory prohibitions and restrictions imposed by any country or region according to its own foreign trade law, Liang said.

"Such measures could be relatively extensive and are not limited to those sectors targeted by Canada's actions," he added.

By announcing tariff hikes without proclaiming any investigations beforehand, Canada is practicing "stark political manipulation," online media outlet Yuyuantantian cited professionals as saying.

Imposing higher tariffs on Chinese products in both emerging and traditional sectors "fully displays the malicious intention of the Canadian side," it said, noting that the actions taken by China are entirely defensive.

The anti-dumping probe into Canada's rapeseed exports will be conducted in accordance with China's relevant laws and regulations as well as WTO rules, while that into relevant Canadian chemical products will be launched at the request of China's domestic industries.

Citing recent reports from the Chinese domestic industry, the ministry spokesperson said Canadian rapeseed exports to China have increased significantly, with dumping suspected.

Canada exported 3.47 billion U.S. dollars worth of rapeseed to China in 2023, with the volume surging 170 percent year on year and prices continuously moving downward, according to the spokesperson.

"Affected by unfair competition from the Canadian side, China's rapeseed-related industries have continued to suffer losses," the spokesperson said.

China is the largest destination of Canada's rapeseed exports and an important importer of Canadian chemical products.

"China's position is clear-cut. The country will take all measures necessary to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies," the spokesperson said.

"While Canada's actions will not hinder the stable growth of China's foreign trade and economy, their nature is appalling," Liang said, noting that they could mislead some inadequately informed countries and harm global trade liberalization.

However, as a consistent defender of and contributor to the multilateral trading system, China will ensure all the measures it takes are in line with international laws and WTO rules, industry insiders said.
Rick Williams could see the collision coming.

A veteran pilot, Williams was flying into Burlington and coming in for a landing. He was returning from a trip to the coast in 2014  Beaufort or Morehead City he thinks, the quick trips kind of run together  and saw a small herd of deer scamper across the runway.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the lone straggler, he said. At that point, I was traveling about 100 knots  about 115 mph  and hit the deer.

Fortunately at that speed, if the deer had made it another 6 inches, it would have collapsed the (landing) gear on that side. And that would have sent us cartwheeling down the runway.

It could have been worse. A lot worse.

Fact of life

Plenty of people collide with deer every year. Turkeys and bears, too. But theyre behind the wheel of an automobile  not in a cockpit and certainly not on a runway.

We thought to mention this only after a rubber stamp, no debate and unanimous decision by City Council to temporarily waive an ordinance prohibiting the discharge of firearms within city limits so that federal wildlife officers can cull nuisance deer (and turkeys) at Smith Reynolds Airport.

Its a formality, but required to stay within the bounds of the law. And the Council has done so every year since 2019.

I think it is pretty urgent, airport director Mark Davidson told officials when debating that first controlled hunt. We are observing wildlife and (we) get calls to chase them off.

There are conditions, of course.

Wildlife officers will use rifles rather than bows, muzzleloaders, pistols or shotguns loaded with slugs. Theyll use fire suppressors  silencers  so as not to scare the pants off neighbors, some of whom are already terrorized by regular gunfire.

So far, so good.

But doubters remain. Kind-hearted souls who wonder whether dropping Bambi is absolutely necessary and quietly have questioned the actual threat posed by deer.

Davidson has told city officials that, yes, deer have damaged aircraft and that pilots have needed to abort takeoffs because of wildlife on the runway.

Before the Council allowed that first hunt, one concerned citizen  bless her heart  asked in the mandatory public hearing if there were another way. Like, say, tranquilizing and relocating them.

Um, no, said Jimmy Capps, a wildlife biologist who attended that meeting in the event of such a question.

The reason we cant tranquilize them is because of the possibility of spreading disease, Capps said. North Carolina Wildlife Resources will not allow us to move deer.

Until now  and it took a routine 10-second renewal of an old motion to jog our memory  few have heard first-person testimony about the consequences of inaction.

So we phoned Williams, happily retired to the foothills of Virginia, to hear his opinion on controlled hunts.

Something that I certainly think needs to be done, he said. What are you going to do? Poison them? Thatd be inhumane. It sounds crazy but thats a fact of life with airports like Smith Reynolds.

Real world experience

His experience at the Burlington-Alamance Regional Airport speaks volumes, too.

(The collision, by the way, prompted officials at the Burlington-Alamance Regional Airport to build a 10-foot fence topped with barbed wire in 2015.)

As soon as Williams hit it  or more specifically, the deer collided with his plane  he keyed his radio, he said, and called out 61 Kilo. Deer strike.

Coincidentally, N.C. wildlife officers kept an office at the airport so when they heard deer strike they came to investigate.

And Williams, having grown up in Louisiana hunting and fishing, posed a simple question to them.

What are you going to do with it? Id really like to have it, Williams asked.

If it was all the same to them, he planned on eating it. No sense letting good venison go to waste.

Bemused wildlife officers wrote out whats called a salvage tag in case he was stopped with a deer in the back of his truck on the way home.

He kept a yellow copy in his office, an odd souvenir from a very unusual  and very fortunate  incident. But after he retired in 2015, he lost track of it.

Now when I tell people the story about hitting a deer with my plane, Williams said, they always ask Was it a reindeer?
Adams Outdoor Advertising, a privately-held media company, announced Wednesday it has acquired Triad Outdoor Advertisings billboard assets. Terms were not disclosed.

Triad Outdoor Advertising is a family-owned business that was founded in 1965 and installed its first billboard in 1972. The company currently owns and operates 75 display faces, including one digital face.

All billboards are located adjacent to interstates or major U.S. highways.

Adams Outdoor Advertising, founded in 1983 by Stephen Adams, is the fourth-largest, privately-held outdoors advertising operator in the United States. Adams said the Triad Outdoor acquisition expands the company's footprint and strategy in North Carolina.
This aerial panoramic photo taken on Jan. 10, 2023 shows a view of Lujiazui area in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone in east China's Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]

Companies listed on China's A-share market demonstrated stable performance in the first half of 2024, underscoring the resilience and innovation-driven growth of the Chinese economy.



According to data from the China Association for Public Companies, these listed companies reported combined operating revenue of 34.89 trillion yuan (4.91 trillion U.S. dollars) during the period and net profits totaling 3.13 trillion yuan.

Nearly 80 percent of the listed companies were profitable, with 17 out of 19 industry categories recording profits and eight showing net profit growth.

"The overall performance of A-share listed companies remained relatively stable in the first half of the year, signaling the resilience and recovery trajectory of China's economy," said Tian Lihui, a finance professor at Nankai University.

Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and the Internet of Things have rapidly developed, offering new growth opportunities for sectors like consumer electronics and semiconductors. Listed companies in these two sectors reported revenue growth of around 20 percent respectively.

The AI industry also contributed to growth in the telecommunications sector, which saw an overall net profit increase of more than 6.6 percent among listed companies in the first half of 2024.

Within the telecommunications sector, companies related to optical modules and data centers experienced net profit growth of over 130 percent and over 10 percent, respectively.

Wu Chaoze, an analyst at China Securities, noted that demand for AI-related infrastructure, such as optical modules and data centers, remains strong, leading to improved performance for companies in these areas.

China's commitment to high-quality development has driven the trend toward green and low-carbon growth. The new energy vehicle sector continued to thrive, with strong production and sales leading to revenue growth exceeding 20 percent and net profit growth surpassing 30 percent in listed companies.

Recent policies aimed at boosting domestic demand, such as the consumer goods trade-in program, have positively impacted business sentiment in the consumer electronics, textiles and apparel, and automotive sectors. Listed companies in the auto industry reported revenue growth of more than 8 percent and net profit growth exceeding 20 percent.

During this period, listed companies also increased their research and development (R&D) investments in new technologies and products, with total R&D spending rising 1.3 percent year-on-year to 750 billion yuan in the first six months, continuing a growth trend.
A Columbus man died in an aircraft crash Monday.

At 12:18 p.m. Platte County Sheriff deputies responded to the crash at a rural Platte County residence located about five miles southwest of Duncan, a press release from the sheriff's office said.

Upon arrival at the residence, deputies determined that an experimental Apex ultralight trike glider had crashed into the roof of a garage.

The pilot, identified as David Bower, 50, of Columbus, was still secured to the aircraft and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The sheriff's office said an autopsy has been ordered.

This accident remains under investigation by the Platte County Sheriffs Office, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

It is the third fatal plane crash in just over a week.

On Aug. 26, 73-year-old Joseph Rudloff of Norfolk died in a crash that occurred about 4 miles southwest of Crofton in Knox County.

Also that day, 79-year-old Charles Joseph Finck of Elk River, Minnesota, died in a crash in a field about seven miles north and three miles west of Wayne.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2024
A judge ruled last week an Omaha man was criminally insane when he bludgeoned his grandmother and great-grandmother to death with a hammer in 2022.

Gage Walter, 29, was found not responsible by reason of insanity by Douglas County District Court Judge Russell Bowie in the killings of his grandmother, 70-year-old Linda Walter, and great-grandmother, 93-year-old Marceline Teeters.

On the afternoon of Aug. 12, 2022, according to court documents and testimony from prosecutors, Walter knocked on the door of his family's home near 16th and Frederick streets. When his grandmother opened the door, he struck her multiple times with the hammer.

He then went to the bedroom of his bedridden great-grandmother and attacked her with the hammer. By the time police arrived at the home at about 3:15 p.m., both women died from their injuries.

After the killings, Walter washed the hammer and stole a PT Cruiser from the scene. He drove to Winterset, Iowa, where he barricaded himself in a church before surrendering after a brief standoff.

Walter had a lengthy history of incarceration and severe mental illness. He had been released from the Sarpy County Jail after a conviction for methamphetamine possession just three weeks before the murders.

Shortly after his arrest, Walter was committed to the Lincoln Regional Center for a competency evaluation. He was determined to be incompetent to stand trial in March 2023 and was restored to competency this January.

In March, prosecutors filed a motion to determine if Walter was insane at the time of the killings. Doctors at the Lincoln Regional Center concluded that he was.

Competency to stand trial and criminal insanity are different legal concepts. If there are concerns that a defendant is not able to understand the proceedings against them or actively participate in their defense, the defendant is often committed to the Lincoln Regional Center for competency restoration.

A defendant  like Walter  can be restored to competency, meaning they can understand the legal proceedings against them but still be deemed to have been criminally insane at the time of the crime, meaning they did not understand the consequences of their actions or know right from wrong due to a mental disease or defect. Walter will remain at the Lincoln Regional Center for an indeterminate period of time, until he is deemed to no longer pose a risk to himself or others.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2024
Dr. Jeff Gold will be installed as the ninth president of the University of Nebraska system on Thursday at a ceremony to be held in the Rotunda of the Capitol.

Gold, who officially became NU's top administrator on July 1, will present his vision for the university at the investiture ceremony, the theme of which is "From Excellent to Extraordinary."

The ceremony, which is set to begin at 2:30 p.m., comes 10 years to the day after Gold was installed as the chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, as well as five years to the day after his installation as chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Regent Rob Schafer of Beatrice, who will preside over the ceremony, called the event "an opportunity for all Nebraskans to celebrate the work and impact of the University of Nebraska as we look ahead to our next chapter."

"We look forward to hearing President Gold outline his vision for the future at this important moment for our university and state," Schafer said in a news release.

A former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will also provide remarks at the ceremony. Gen. (Ret.) John Hyten, who had a 40-year career in the U.S. Air Force before becoming the nation's second-highest ranking military officer, will give the keynote address.

Gov. Jim Pillen, Sen. Deb Fischer and other dignitaries, including NU students, faculty, staff, administration and alumni, as well as donors and the higher education community, will also provide greetings during the ceremony.

Gold, 71, was selected as NU's priority candidate to become president in March, replacing Ted Carter, who left to become president of Ohio State University on Jan. 1.

He received the unanimous support of the NU Board of Regents after a seven-month national search for a new leader.

A native of New York City who grew up attending a large public high school and using scholarships and student loans to go to college before becoming a cardiac surgeon and university administrator, Gold has described himself as a "Nebraskan by choice."

"I'm thrilled about the opportunity to inspire a generation of people who aspire to something special," he said in March.

The investiture ceremony, a long-held academic tradition for new leaders, will also include an academic procession and music performed by NU talent.

Nebraskans can watch the ceremony live online at https://nebraska.edu/president/investiture/watch.

Top Journal Star photos for August 2024
As the 2024 general election campaigns enter the post-Labor Day phase, U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and her independent opponent Dan Osborn spent Tuesday touting their support from labor unions and organizations.

Thirteen labor unions and trade associations gathered at the Omaha Firefighters Hall to endorse the incumbent Fischer, a Republican, in her bid for a third Senate term. Fischer acknowledged the number of labor organizations supporting her has doubled compared to her 2018 campaign.

Meanwhile, Osborn, a former union leader, appears to have maintained his ties to unions as his campaign said 23 unions have endorsed him in his bid to unseat Fischer.

In a news conference at the Omaha Firefighters Hall, Fischer's union and trade association backers lauded the Nebraska senators work in Congress they said has benefited members of their organizations. Officials highlighted Fischer's work on a bipartisan bill to help law enforcement hire and retain more law enforcement officers, pushing back on efforts to roll back qualified immunity, and her support for the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Sen. Fischer is a trusted ally, said Matt Barrall, vice president of the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police. (She) always has the backs of the men and women in law enforcement.

The Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police are among a group of unions representing first responders which have endorsed Fischer. Other unions representing first responders which have endorsed Fischer include the Omaha Professional Fire Fighters Association and Omaha Police Officers Association.

Fischers campaign also highlighted endorsements from Nebraska Farmers Union and the National Contractors Association, among other organizations. Fischer said she has received double the number of endorsements from labor organizations compared to her previous Senate campaign in 2018.

This is a testament to the partnerships that we built over the years, Fischer said, adding her stronger support from labor organizations is also a testament to their shared commitments.

Osborn comes into the Senate after having served as the leader of the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Local 50-G Union, including during the 77-day strike against Kelloggs in 2021.

Although he has since left his positions as union leader position and at the food manufacturer, Osborn has maintained extensive union ties based on a statement from his Senate campaign.

In an email sent Tuesday morning, Osborns campaign said 23 unions representing workers from a broad range of occupations have endorsed him. Those unions include the AFL-CIO Central Labor Councils and the Nebraska State AFL-CIO, which Osborns campaign said represents more than 100 local unions.

Im honored and humbled to have the support of so many unions representing working people and their families across Nebraska, Osborn said in a statement.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2024
China and African countries are destined to be good friends, good brothers and good partners, and their economic and trade cooperation has broad opportunities and immense potential, said an official Tuesday ahead of the upcoming 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

"China-Africa economic and trade cooperation will continue to maintain strong momentum. Over the past three years, Chinese companies have created more than 1.1 million jobs in Africa," said Lin Honghong, director of the Department of International Relations of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

Lin made the remarks at a press briefing of the FOCAC summit, which will be convened from Wednesday to Friday.

During the briefing, Zhang Shaogang, deputy director of the CCPIT, said the eighth Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs will be held on Friday in Beijing. It will focus on promoting the integration of industrial and supply chains and driving the development of emerging industries.

China is a country with a complete range of industrial sectors, while Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries. China and Africa's industrial and supply chains complement each other strongly, offering vast opportunities for cooperation, according to Zhang.

"China is accelerating the development of new quality productive forces, while Africa is actively exploring paths toward modernization and self-reliant development. The potential for China-Africa cooperation in emerging fields such as the digital economy, green development and artificial intelligence is immense," Zhang noted.
You are here: China

A theoretical seminar on advancing the construction of a community with a shared future in cyberspace to a new stage was held in Beijing on Tuesday.

Organized by the World Internet Conference, the seminar was attended by veteran cyberspace experts from China, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland and Australia.

Attendees engaged in discussions on such topics as the global relevance of the construction of a community with a shared future in cyberspace, international cooperation on cyber security, and global cyberspace governance.

They urged joint efforts to promote prosperity, progress, peace and stability in cyberspace while safeguarding fairness and justice, and to ensure that more people can share the fruits of cyberspace development.
The Wisconsin Groundwater Coordinating Council on Sept. 3 shared key recommendations for protecting and preserving vital groundwater resources in its 2024 annual report to the Wisconsin State Legislature.

Recommendations focused on public health and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) remain a priority, while one focused on finding solutions for water-stressed areas joins the list this year.

The key recommendations in the report address some of the most prevalent and pressing issues in Wisconsin, including:

Setting new and revised health-based groundwater standards to protect public health and the environment from PFAS, nitrate and other contaminants. DNR halted rulemaking to establish groundwater standards for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in December 2023 after determining that state law requires legislative action to adopt the standards as proposed. There are currently 46 unaddressed NR140 groundwater standards. The Groundwater Coordinating Council recommends allowing the Department of Natural Resources and Department of Health Services to finish rule-making that protects groundwater. Without these standards, agencies remain unable to fully protect the public health of Wisconsin residents.

Implementing agricultural practices that protect groundwater from nitrate, pesticides and other agricultural contaminants. Areas of the state with a higher intensity of agriculture generally have higher nitrate levels in wells and a higher frequency of pesticide detections. Women and children are especially at risk when exposed to these contaminants. While also acknowledging the crucial need for Wisconsin agriculture, the Groundwater Coordinating Council recommends continuous program implementation, funding, data assessment tools and education to reduce the risk of high nitrate, pesticides and other contaminants in groundwater.

Addressing public health and environmental concerns regarding PFAS, nitrate and other groundwater contaminants. Exposure to PFAS can have detrimental health effects, like developmental delays, and cause certain types of cancer. PFAS has been detected in Wisconsins municipal and private drinking water sources. In April 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency released its Maximum Contaminant Levels in Drinking Water for PFAS, spotlighting the significant impact of PFAS on public health. The Groundwater Coordinating Council recommends implementing PFAS enforcement standards, identifying PFAS sources and supporting statewide PFAS initiatives.

Finding solutions for water- stressed areas affecting communities, economic activity and water resources. Wisconsins water supply is not evenly distributed across the state. Some areas have aquifers with low water availability, while in other parts, groundwater withdrawals and variable climate may result in environmental harm, such as residential wells or streams going dry. The Groundwater Coordinating Council recommends statewide collaboration, identifying water conservation and efficiency measures and developing a regional framework to manage water withdrawals in some areas of the state to address the newest addition to its priority recommendations.

Wisconsin depends heavily on groundwater, said Jim Zellmer, Groundwater Coordinating Council chair and DNR Environmental Management Division administrator. The level of coordination and investment in protecting this resource is appropriate as new challenges and ideas continue to warrant the collaborative approach of the Groundwater Coordinating Council and, most importantly, Wisconsin state legislators.

The full report and Groundwater Coordinating Council recommendations can be found on the Groundwater Coordinating Council website at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Groundwater/GCC/about.html.

About the Groundwater Coordinating Council

The Groundwater Coordinating Council is made up of representatives of state agencies with groundwater protection responsibilities.

The Groundwater Coordinating Council is directed by Section 160.50 of the Wisconsin Statutes to serve as a means of increasing the efficiency and facilitating the effective functioning of state agencies in activities related to groundwater management.

The council advises and assists state agencies in the coordination of non-regulatory programs and the exchange of information related to groundwater, including, but not limited to, agency budgets for groundwater programs, groundwater monitoring, data management, public information and education, laboratory analysis and facilities, research activities and the appropriation and allocation of state funds for research.
You are here: China

China's National Health Commission and 13 other authorities jointly issued a set of guidelines on Tuesday to improve public health in the country's rural areas.

According to the guidelines, the government will promote healthy lifestyles in rural areas and take preventive measures to avoid people falling into poverty due to illness.

China will improve the healthcare system in rural areas by enhancing infrastructure conditions, optimizing functional layouts, developing talent, and refining operational mechanisms, the guidelines state.

The country aims to substantially reduce the disparities in healthcare development and the health level of residents in urban and rural areas over the next decade, according to the guidelines.
On a hot summer day, workers recently worked to remove asbestos and hazardous waste at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. It is a former nuclear center that the government wants to tear down.

The men wore full-body protective clothing and used respirators to clean the air they breathe. But the clothing does not protect them from high temperatures inside the building and inside their heavy clothing. On their arms, they wear devices that record their heart rates, movements and levels of exertion. The aim is to look for heat stress.

Stephanie Miller oversees safety and health for the company responsible for the cleanup. She watches a computer to observe each workers data looking for danger of overheating.

Miller said, Heat is one of the greatest risks that we have in this work, even though we deal with high radiation, hazardous chemicals and heavy metals.

Heat in the workplace

The issue of heat in the workplace has been getting more attention since a 2021 report from the research organization Atlantic Council. The group said the United States loses an average of $100 billion each year from heat-induced reductions in productivity.

The Environmental Protection Agency said from 1992 to 2022, 986 people died from heat-related causes in U.S. workplaces.

Employers have measured heat-related stress by checking employees temperatures with thermometers. More recently, firefighters and military members have swallowed thermometer capsules.

As the world experiences record-high temperatures, employers are exploring wearable technologies, like sensors and armbands, to help keep workers safe. They collect body temperature and warn workers to take breaks when they get too hot.

Perrigo, a drug company, gave SlateSafety armbands to more than 100 employees at its baby food factory. The devices estimate the wearers body temperature. A reading of 101.3 results in an alert, or a warning.

Another device from the Massachusetts company Epicore Biosystems uses sweat to find out if a worker is overheating.

Experts say the effectiveness of some devices remains unproven although research has shown that some successfully predict body temperature. A 2022 study said age, sex, and the amount of water in the air make it difficult to measure body temperature.

Privacy concerns

However, some groups worry that employers will use the technology to punish people for taking needed breaks.

Travis Parsons is with the Laborers Health and Safety Fund of North America, a labor rights group. Parsons said, Any time you put a device on a worker, theyre very concerned about tracking, privacy, and how are you going to use this against me.

United Cleanup Oak Ridge is the partnership that is responsible for cleaning up the nuclear reactor in Tennessee. The company says it uses medical examinations to make work decisions. Miller, the health supervisor said the company sent a few employees to see their personal doctors who found out they had heart problems.

At Perrigo, safety official Rob Somers said supervisors look at information on people with several alerts and speak to them to see if there is a reason why theyre not able to work in the environment.

Adam Schwartz is with the Electronic Frontiers Foundation, a civil liberties group based in San Francisco. He said the idea that companies could keep years of medical information on employees raises privacy concerns. He said the information could be used to withhold health plans or dismiss workers.

Schwartz said, The device could hurtbecause you could raise your hand and say, I need a break, and the boss could say, No, your heart rate is not elevated, go back to work.

To reduce such risks, employers should permit workers to accept or reject using the devices. They could process only necessary information and delete the information in 24 hours, Schwartz said.

Ikusei Misaka, a professor at Tokyos Musashino University, raised another concern. Misaka noted that information gathered from wearing such devices could result in workers getting unwanted marketing for goods or services.

Im Mario Ritter, Jr.

Cathy Bussewitz reported this story for the Associated Press. Mario Ritter, Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English.

___________________________________________

Words in This Story

hazardous adj. dangerous

-induced adj. -produced

capsule n. a rounded piece of medicine or medical device meant to be swallowed

sensor n. an electrical device that measures something in the physical world and turns it into an electrical signal

armband n. something that is worn on the arm that can have a device attached to it

tracking n. following something or someone to find out more about it

elevate v. to lift something up or bring it to a higher level

delete v. to completely remove something so that it is no longer there

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Schoolchildren in the southern Ukrainian city Zaporizhzhia celebrated the traditional first day of school on Sunday. The ceremonies began just hours after warnings of Russian air raids sounded through the city.

Zaporizhzhia is just 40 kilometers from the wars front. That danger is never far from the minds of teachers and families at one of the citys schools.

Russian artillery and missiles strike there so often that local officials were forced to ban large gatherings. Only students starting their first and last years could take part in the ceremony.

The Associated Press is not identifying the school for security reasons.

Limited space in shelter

The children wore traditional Ukrainian clothing and carried flowers. Each first year student held the hand of a final year student in a small parade.

The school once had 800 students but about 300 fled the city seeking safer places. The remaining children alternate one week of study at school with one week of online study. That is because the schools bomb shelter can hold only around 250 people.

That shelter is about 75 meters away from the main school building, across an open playground. School director Kostiantyn Lypskyi said the youngest students work in a classroom just above the underground shelter. The rest of the school operates in the main building.

Lessons held underground

We prepared everything for the new school year. We equipped the bunker in case of air alarms, so children will have a safe space because our school will continue lessons during the air raid alarms in the bunker, he said.

Sundays ceremony went on without problems.

Olha Komarova-Lesko is the mother of an 11th grader and a 6th grader. She said she was hopeful for the coming school year. She sees it as the best solution for the present conditions.

We are happy that the children had the chance to go to the celebration today just as in the prewar times, she said, This is really exciting and joyful.

Russia launched large numbers of missiles and drones on the capital Kyiv Monday, wounding three people and damaging schools. On Tuesday, Russian missiles killed at least 41 people and wounded over 180 in Poltova, a city in the central eastern part of Ukraine.

Im Caty Weaver.

Lori Hinnant reported this story for the Associated Press. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English.

_______________________________________________

Words in This Story

despite  prep. in defiance or contempt of; without being prevented by

bunker  n. a strong building that is mostly below ground and that is used to keep people safe from attacks

alarm  n. a device that makes a loud sound as a warning or signal

grader  n. US: a student in a particular grade in school

alternate  v. to place or do (different things) so that one follows the other in a repeated series

What do you think of this story? Write to us in the Comments Section.
When Milla Nemoudji divorced her husband following years of physical abuse, she found herself without a way to earn a living. The 28-year-old lived in a village in southern Chad. Though she grew up in a farming family, she struggled to earn money in a community where men usually control access to land.

Divorce is rare in Chad, and she received little support. She sold fruits and other goods. And in the rainy season, she worked in fields as a laborer.

Last year, however, she joined a women's collective that arrived in her village, Binmar. The village is just outside of Chads second-largest city, Moundou.

The collective gave Nemoudji access to land. It also gave her the ability to make decisions on its use. She farmed cotton, peanuts and sesame and earned enough money to pay for basic needs.

The struggle for land rights comes from Chads dual legal system. Recent government laws give any citizen the right to own land. But in rural areas, people follow customary law instead of the modern governments law. And village chiefs control who can use land.

The village chiefs require yearly payments. Women in these villages often cannot own or inherit land. That leaves them dependent on male family members. It also limits their chance to have more influence in their society. And it gives them fewer choices when they are the victims of domestic violence.

Nemoudji told reporters with the Associated Press, "There's no one to come to your aid, although everyone knows that you are suffering.

She added, "If women weren't losing access to farmlands, they would dare to leave their husbands earlier."

Collective land use

Adele Noudjilembaye founded N-Bio Solutions, the collective Nemoudji joined, in 2018. It is a rare program in Chad that negotiates on behalf of women with traditional chiefs. The chiefs connect the collective to local people with available land they are willing to lease.

Noudjilembaye runs five collectives so far, and each has around 25 members.

These efforts are slowly gaining popularity. But Noudjilembaye said that some women who face domestic violence do not leave their situation because of financial dependency, fear of societal judgement or lack of support.

In Chad, life is difficult for women who attempt to assert their rights.

"The system failed me when I sought help after my husband burned down my house," Nemoudji said. When she reported the incident to the village chief, "nothing was done to solve my dispute."

Despite the lack of support from village leaders and local officials, Nemoudji and other women in Binmar have found strength in the collective.

Marie Depaque is another village woman who struggled financially after her second husband refused to support her children from her first marriage. She said, "Our fight for land rights is not just about economic survival but also about justice, equality and the hope for a better future."

Nemoudji dreams of better educational opportunities for the children in her community so they can break the cycle of poverty and violence. She works in the community for changes in the land ownership system.

"Knowing my rights means I can seek help from authorities and demand justice," she said.

Im Jill Robbins.

Robert Bociaga reported this story for the Associated Press. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English.

______________________________________________

Words in This Story

divorce  v. to legally end your marriage with (your husband or wife)

access  n. a way of being able to use or get something

inherit  v. to receive (money, property, etc.) from someone when that person dies

domestic violence  n. violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner.

lease  v. to create a legal agreement that lets someone use a car, house, or land for a period of time in return for payment

assert  v. to state (something) in a strong and definite way

opportunity  n. an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done

authorities  n. (pl.) people who have power to make decisions and enforce rules and laws

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The Labour Affairs Bureaus (DSAL) 2023 annual report revealed a decrease in overall labor dispute cases and fines, even as more workers filed multiple complaints on a wider range of issues.

Last year, the bureau recorded 1,653 labor dispute cases, marking a 5.9% decrease from the previous year.

Top grievances included wages, severance pay and termination notice periods.

Complaints about overtime and public holiday compensation were also prevalent, with nearly 600 workers filing such claims.

While the total value of fines imposed on employers decreased to MOP 22.8 million, the majority were still related to non-payment of wages, holidays and termination benefits. Labor dispute violations also resulted in fines totaling MOP22 million to 161 employers.

Between January and June this year, the DSAL received nine complaints involving 11 employees allegedly forced to take unpaid leave. The DSAL stated that these actions violate labor laws and can lead to employer prosecution or revocation of non-resident worker permits.

Prior to 2020, labor disputes over mandatory suspensions were dealt with via a compensation scheme. However, this scheme was repealed with the implementation of the minimum wage law that year. Concerned about potential underemployment despite tourism recovery, lawmaker Ella Lei has requested details of how authorities are monitoring these risks and strengthening worker protections.

The lawmaker expressed ongoing concerns about suspensions from work and unpaid leave, despite the pandemics end and return of tourism. Lawmakers have called for authorities to implement better mechanisms to protect workers, as the previous compensation scheme was eliminated with the minimum wage law.

In response, the DSAL stated it will review current procedures and strengthen worker protections. The bureau also emphasized its continued strict control over the employment of non-resident workers, prioritizing local employment while supporting key industries staffing needs during economic recovery. Victoria Chan
Cathay Pacific Airways has canceled several flights due to ongoing maintenance on its Airbus A350 fleet, following the discovery of a faulty engine component. This issue has led to the cancellation of ten flights from Singapore to Hong Kong, originally scheduled for yesterday and today, according to Singaporean media reports.

Additionally, eight flights from Hong Kong to Singapore were canceled over the same period, alongside dozens of other flights across the Asia-Pacific region, the airline announced yesterday.

The cancellations follow an incident involving an engine part that failed shortly after one of Cathay Pacifics A350 aircraft took off from Hong Kong on Monday. As a result, the airline has decided to inspect its entire A350 fleet.

Cathay Pacific stated that maintenance on the fleet is progressing well. The airline identified 15 aircraft with the affected engine component, three of which have already been successfully repaired. The remaining aircraft will remain out of service until repairs are completed and they are cleared for operation.

Passengers affected by the cancellations have been notified and offered alternative travel options. The airline has also waived ticket change fees, including rebooking and rerouting charges, to facilitate travel plan adjustments.

Todays cancellations include flights between Hong Kong and cities such as Sydney, Osaka, Tokyo, Taipei, Bangkok, and Singapore. One flight from Seoul to Hong Kong has been canceled for Thursday. Cathay Pacific advises travelers to check its website for the latest flight information.

According to Bloomberg, Cathay Pacific has found the faulty engine component in 15 aircraft across the A350-900 and A350-1000 variants. No other airline has reported similar issues so far. The cause of the defect is still unknown, with possible scenarios including heat from the engine, a pinched fuel hose, or misinstallation, according to Darryl Chan of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers.

Cathay Pacific noted that this is the first reported failure of the engine component in any A350 aircraft worldwide. Other airlines, including Singapore Airlines and Japan Airlines, are inspecting their fleets as a precaution. Deutsche Lufthansa AG is also closely monitoring the situation.

Cathay Pacific expects to have all affected aircraft repaired and back in service by Saturday. MDT/Agencies
Gaming corporations have emerged as important employers of people with disabilities in Macau as the pandemic impacts the job market, according to national director of Macau Special Olympics Hetzer Siu.

Employers now want fully skilled and prepared staff, not just to meet quotas, especially as some businesses scaled back during the pandemic, said Siu on the sidelines of a community event held by Sands China yesterday.

Siu explained that the Covid-19 pandemic forced many small businesses to contract, while larger corporations maintained the ability to hire. As a result, the gaming industry in Macau has emerged as a significant employer of people with disabilities.

You can see more disabled people hired by gaming corporations, not in casinos but in other roles, he said.

I believe that gaming corporations play a significant role in this context. It is evident that more individuals with disabilities are being employed by these companies, reflecting a commendable commitment to hiring a substantial number of people with disabilities, Siu added.

Despite this progress, Siu acknowledged that the employment situation remains uncertain, with new hires sometimes leaving their positions after just a few months. Macau Special Olympics has placed over 10 individuals with intellectual disabilities in corporate roles this year, but the long-term retention rate is unclear.

We hope in the future we have more support to get people with intellectual disabilities into the career path to get their job, Siu said.

The organizations efforts have received a boost from its longstanding partnership with Sands China.

Siu said Sands China has supported the organization for over a decade, providing funding for health advocacy and community programs.

We have so many programs in cooperation with Sands China because [their] partnership supports us to do so many charity events in Macau, Siu explained, adding that in the future, we will show health promotion for people with intellectual disabilities.

Looking ahead, Siu expressed optimism that increased international attention on Macaus social welfare programs could further improve employment opportunities for the disabled community. Gaming companies support makes an impact, with Siu noting that only the gaming corporations have hired a good number of disabled people until now. Victoria Chan
All-age friendly community canteen goes popular in northwest China

Xinhua) 08:48, September 04, 2024

Residents have meals at Qingshuiwan community canteen in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Aug. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Zou Xinyuan)

YINCHUAN, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- For the modest sum of just over 3 yuan (about 40 U.S. cents), 74-year-old He Ying enjoys a nourishing breakfast at Qingshuiwan community canteen in Jinfeng District, Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

His meal typically consists of a steamed roll, an egg and a bowl of porridge. "Following the passing of my spouse, preparing a meal with proper amount became a challenge, and dining out didn't suit my palate," He explained. Now, he enjoys a daily stroll to the community canteen, where he appreciates the diverse offerings and its cleanliness.

In Qingshuiwan community, the elderly make up 25 percent of the over 14,000 residents, with more than 100 living alone or with disabilities. Wu Haiming, the Party secretary of the community, said that a dining facility was established in 2018 to serve lunch exclusively to the elderly, but it closed due to limited patronage and menu variety.

To enhance the quality of services for seniors, China has seen a surge in community canteens in recent years. Chen Weilong, deputy director of Yinchuan municipal civil affairs bureau, said that Yinchuan now has more than 200 community canteens that mainly serve the elderly and continues to invest in their improvement.

Last year, Qingshuiwan community sought financial support from the local government and partnered with a catering company to transform the original 60-square-meter dinning facility into a 260-square-meter community canteen, which is now open to all, regardless of age.

"The community provides us with a rent-free venue, and discounted utilities, so we are committed to offering the best possible service," said Zhao Jiangyu, the manager of the Qingshuiwan community canteen.

In August 2023, the canteen officially opened, initially offering only lunch. However, as the number of diners there grew and its reputation improved, breakfast and dinner were added, and the menu was expanded to include a wider variety of dishes, all based on customer feedback.

Now, as lunchtime approaches, the Qingshuiwan community canteen is bustling with diners. In addition to six regular dishes, there are also specialty items like stewed mutton and a range of staple food including rice, steamed rolls and noodles.

The canteen extends special discounts to the elderly, the disabled and those low-income households. Other residents can receive corresponding discounts by applying for a meal card. For those unable to dine in, delivery services are available.

The "all-age friendly" approach has made community canteens popular with the younger generation, such as students and office workers.

A local resident surnamed Wu and her husband often bring their two children to the canteen for lunch. "Our children's primary school is just across the street, so they have more time for lunch breaks if they eat here. Most importantly, the dishes are diverse and nutritious," Wu explained.

Today, community canteens are not only a convenient and affordable option for the elderly, but they are a social space, as the staff welcome them with a familial warmth.

"By revitalizing under-utilized resources, we aim to ensure the low-cost and sustainable operation of community canteens," said Song Yadong, an official with Ningxia's civil affairs department. "Ningxia is exploring various financing mechanisms and preferential policies to make it more convenient for the elderly to dine."

Senior residents order a meal at Qingshuiwan community canteen in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Aug. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Zou Xinyuan)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 3, 2024 shows a view of the cemetery of the aviation martyrs in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

China released a list of 2,590 anti-Japanese aviation martyrs from the United States for the first time on Tuesday, most of whom were from the Flying Tigers, according to the Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall in east China's Jiangsu Province.

Published on the official website of the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Administration Bureau, this list discloses the names, dates of death and military positions of these Second World War martyrs, with adjustments and amendments based on research.

The Flying Tigers, officially known as the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, was formed in 1941 by General Claire Lee Chennault of the United States. They came to China to help Chinese people fight the invading Japanese troops.

Later, the Flying Tigers refers to all U.S. Air Force personnel who came to China to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Chinese people in fighting the invading Japanese troops from 1941 to 1945, said Dou Ruoqi, a staff member of the memorial hall.

The information about the 2,590 American anti-Japanese aviation martyrs was engraved on the monument in the memorial hall in 1995 and 2015. However, due to the passage of time and the absence of original archives, much of the information about these martyrs is incomplete and difficult to verify.

"We hope that the release of this list will mobilize efforts both domestically and internationally to enhance the collection of historical materials, conduct further research and promote the legacy of American anti-Japanese aviation heroes. This will help identify and correct errors on the monument and recover missing information about these heroes, making the list more complete," said Dou.

Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation Jeffrey Greene tells the stories of Jack W. Hammel, a U.S. pilot, at the Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Sept. 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

On the same day, the memorial hall announced the addition of Jack W. Hammel's name to the monument. Hammel, a pilot from Michigan, died at the age of 23 on July 25, 1945, in east China's Jiangxi Province, after his fighter plane was hit by Japanese ground fire.

In 2017, Hammel's family and friends visited the memorial hall but couldn't locate his name. With assistance from the Chinese Embassy in the United States, the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation and other institutions, Hammel's identity was confirmed and his name has been added to the monument.

Also on Tuesday, the launching ceremony of "Remembering Heros: Flying Tigers Photo Exhibition Tour (Nanjing)" was held at the memorial hall. The exhibition showcases approximately 180 photographs and over 100 cultural relics, including General Chennault's medals.

Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng addressed the ceremony via a short video. He said the story of the Flying Tigers marks an indelible episode in the world anti-fascist cause.

"The bond our two people forged amid the trials of blood and fire has been a constant source of inspiration for the China-U.S. relationship. And the spirit of the Flying Tigers, which remains as relevant as ever, has been and will continue to be our common treasure," he said.

Flying Tigers veteran and centenarian Robert Moore said in a video speech from home: "It was the fact that we were cooperating that the Chinese and Americans were working together to defeat the Japanese. It is my sincere wish that this cooperation will continue."

So far, approximately 500 Flying Tigers veterans and hundreds of their family members have visited China, promoting the spirit and fostering an enduring friendship between the Chinese and American people.

Clifford Long Jr., the son of a Flying Tigers pilot, pointed to a case with tears in his eyes. In this case, a uniform, a hat, and a pair of aviator glasses worn by his father are on display.

His father, Clifford Long, joined the Flying Tigers at the age of 19 and flew 103 missions. Talking about his father, Clifford Long Jr. said, "His time over here was very impressionable on him. He came home with a tremendous love for the Chinese people, and he was always the rest of his life so honored and proud that he was able to come to China as a fighter pilot."

Margaret Kincannon, the daughter of a Flying Tigers veteran, believes that the example of cooperation with the Flying Tigers can be used today, "because if they could do it at that time with the differences in culture and language, then we can do it now."

The Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall is China's first international anti-Japanese aviation martyrs memorial hall. Its collection contains rich historical materials about the air forces of China, the Soviet Union, the United States and other countries that were jointly fighting against the Japanese invaders in China during the Second World War. The names of nearly 4,300 Chinese and foreign anti-Japanese aviation martyrs are engraved on the monument in the memorial hall.
Lawmakers from the Macau General Union of Neighborhood Associations (Kai Fong) emphasized the importance of addressing social and livelihood issues amid the citys post-pandemic economic recovery and noted that Macau is transitioning and developing its industries to achieve moderate economic diversification.

Lawmakers Ho Ion Sang, Leong Hong Sai and Ngan Iek Hang summarized their work during third session of the 7th Legislative Assembly (AL) in a press conference held yesterday.

During the session, a total of 149 written queries, 15 oral questions and 39 advance agenda items were submitted to the AL.

The lawmakers outlined several key strategies, including promoting the 1+4 Plan to foster industrial talent and stable employment, optimizing housing policies and public transportation systems and improving elder care services and medical facilities.

The 1+4 Plan, which was referenced in relation to multiple issues raised at the meeting, focuses on integrating four major industrial talent planning areas to foster talent development and stable employment.

The lawmakers outlined plans to conduct long-term surveys to identify talent needs, provide youth employment assistance, increase support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in adapting to digital transformation and strengthen collaboration with local industries.

Leong advocated for improving accessibility in urban areas and enhancing public transportation systems, calling for smart transportation solutions and better infrastructure planning. This includes light rail systems (LRT), taxis, buses, water management and road construction projects. Additionally, the lawmaker addressed the progress of sea-crossing and district-crossing construction among other critical infrastructure projects.

Meanwhile, Ho offered suggestions for improving elder care services and enhancing general medical facilities.

In terms of tourism, lawmakers referred to the Tourism + initiative, which aims to create outdoor performance venues to boost cultural events and attract visitors. This initiative includes organizing various performing arts festivals, increasing support for local cultural organizations and leveraging the Jockey Club land appropriately.

Ngan reported that Kai Fong handled 1,220 consultations and cases, with 46% related to social security, medical care, and education, while 27% pertained to administrative and legal issues. Nadia Shaw
Macau Legend Development reported a narrower loss of HKD152.4 million (USD19.55 million) for the first half of 2024, down from HKD189.1 million in the same period last year. The improvement comes as revenues increased 16.5% to HKD390.4 million, driven by a 43% rise in gaming-related revenue. However, the company is facing financial strain due to loan covenant breaches linked to the cessation of its Laos operations. Directors warned that without effective remedial measures, the company may struggle to continue operations.

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Pope Francis arrived in Indonesia yesterday at the start of the longest trip of his pontificate, hoping to encourage its Catholic community and celebrate the tradition of interfaith harmony in a country with the worlds largest Muslim population.

After an overnight flight from Rome, Francis was wheeled off the plane in his wheelchair and onto the tarmac for a welcoming ceremony under Jakartas perennial hazy, humid and polluted skies.

Two children wearing traditional clothes handed him a bouquet of vegetables, fruits, spices and flowers.

Francis planned to rest for the remainder of the day, given the rigors of an 11-day voyage zigzagging across time zones that will also take him to Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. However, the Vatican said the 87-year-old pope met with a group of refugees, migrants and sick people at the Vatican residence in Jakarta.

Outside the residence, he was greeted by well-wishers eager to catch sight of the first pope to visit since St. John Paul II in 1989.

When I saw him in the car I was so touched, goosebumps, said Fanfan, a 49-year-old housewife from West Jakarta who uses only one name. I hope he will hopefully appear in front of me to wave his hand again.

Francis first full day of activities begins Wednesday with visits to the countrys political leaders and meetings with Indonesian clergy who are helping to fuel the growth of the Catholic Church in Asia.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo welcomed the pope, saying in a broadcast statement that Indonesia and the Vatican have the same commitment to fostering peace and brotherhood, as well as ensuring the welfare of humanity.

The highlight of Francis first stop will be his participation Thursday in an interfaith meeting in Jakartas iconic Istiqlal mosque with representatives of the six religions that are officially recognized in Indonesia: Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Catholicism and Protestantism.

The mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, sits across a piazza from the capitals main Catholic cathedral, Our Lady of Assumption, and the two are so close to each another that the Muslim call to prayer can be heard during Mass.

Their proximity is not coincidental, but strongly willed as a symbol of religious freedom and tolerance that is enshrined in Indonesias Constitution. The buildings are also linked by an underground Tunnel of Friendship which Francis will visit with the grand imam, Nasaruddin Umar, before they sign a joint declaration.

While Francis will want to highlight Indonesias tradition of religious tolerance, the countrys image as a moderate Muslim nation has been undermined by flare-ups of intolerance. In 2021, a militant Islamic couple blew themselves up outside a packed Catholic cathedral on Indonesias Sulawesi island during a Palm Sunday Mass, injuring at least 20 people.

We have no problem with the visit. Hes a guest and we will welcome him, said Eldy, a 64-year-old retired government worker who uses one name and was out walking during a car-free day in Jakarta on Sunday. He wants to visit our Istiqlal mosque, he can do it.

Even though Catholics make up only 3% of Indonesias population, the sheer number of Indonesians  275 million  makes the archipelago home to the third-largest Christian community in Asia, after the Philippines and China.

As a result, thousands are expected to throng to Francis events this week, which include a Mass on Thursday afternoon at Jakartas main stadium expected to draw some 60,000 people. City authorities have urged residents to work from home that day given roadblocks and crowds.

It is a joy for our country, especially for us Catholics, said Elisabeth Damanik, a 50-year-old housewife outside a packed Mass on Sunday at Our Lady of the Assumption. Hopefully the popes visit can build religious tolerance in our beloved country of Indonesia.

Care for the environment, conflict resolution and ethically minded economic development are the major themes for the trip, and Francis may touch on them during his main speech to Indonesian authorities on Wednesday.

Francis has made caring for the environment a hallmark of his pontificate and has often used his foreign visits to press his agenda on the need to care for Gods creation, prevent exploitation of its natural resources and protect poor people who are bearing the brunt of climate extremes and pollution.

In Jakarta, he will find a metropolis of 11.3 million people choking under gray clouds of air pollution caused by coal-fired power plants, vehicle exhaust, trash burning and factories. Jakartas air pollution regularly registers eight to nine times above World Health Organization limits.

Indonesia has the worst air pollution in Southeast Asia, said Piotr Jakubowski, an air pollution expert and co-founder of Indonesian air quality monitoring company Nafas. The visit of the pope is great because it provides a sounding board  from another, very well-respected world leader.

Residents, too, hope Francis will speak out about the issue.

The pollution in Jakarta is at an alarming level. Thats why the presence of the pope can provide a benefit with the discussion of environmental issues, said government worker Erik Sebastian Naibaho, 26.

Francis is the third pope to visit Indonesia after Pope Paul VI in 1970 and St. John Paul II in 1989. Their attention underscores Indonesias importance to the Vatican both in terms of Christian-Muslim dialogue and Catholic vocations, since it is home to the worlds largest seminary and produces hundreds of priests and nuns a year.

Indonesia is trying to grow in the faith, said Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, the archbishop of Jakarta whom Francis made a cardinal in 2019.

At a briefing last week, he said Francis wanted to express his appreciation for Indonesias interfaith tradition and encourage this kind of brotherhood to continue to be maintained and developed. NICOLE WINFIELA & EDNA TARIGAN, JAKARTA, MDT/AP
The Sands Procurement Academy is now accepting applications for its 15th intake, aimed at local SME suppliers. The registration deadline is September 6, with sessions running weekly from September 17 to October 15 at The Venetian Macaos Adelson Advanced Education Centre.

Co-organized by Sands China Ltd., the Macao Chamber of Commerce, and the Macau Productivity and Technology Centre, this free training program has already assisted over 520 SMEs. It provides valuable business knowledge and skills, helping local suppliers collaborate with larger corporations. The program particularly focuses on micro-enterprises, young entrepreneurs, and Made-in-Macao businesses.

Charlie Cai, vice president of procurement and sustainability at Sands China, highlighted the new course on Xiaohongshu (RED) Operations Strategy, aimed at enhancing SMEs marketing strategies. The academy also offers a business matching session for participants to connect with Sands Chinas procurement team, fostering future business opportunities.
The University of Macau (UM) welcomed the Tsinghua University student national flag honor guard for a ceremonial flag-raising event earlier this week, marking a significant exchange between the two institutions. This ceremony follows UMs visit to Tsinghua University in 2022 and attracted many students and faculty members. The event included discussion of team structures and future collaboration, with both teams exchanging badges and armbands as mementos. UMs He Zhengqiao highlighted the events role in strengthening friendships and creating opportunities for youth exchanges between the two universities

Related
* Aviation alert

 Dozens of Cathay Pacific flights canceled due to faulty A350 engine component

* Aviation | Air Macau sees revenue growth amid widening losses

* Special Olympics | Gaming jobs for people with disabilities a cause for optimism

* Gross gaming revenue for Macaus casinos is forecast to decline in September, according to analysts predictions

* 6% drop in labor dispute cases despite surge in worker complaints: DSAL

* Pope opens Asia odyssey in Jacarta to rally Catholics, hail religious freedom tradition

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Wednesday, September 4, 2024  edition no. 4560
Following former President Donald Trump's visit to La Crosse last week, President Joe Biden is set to make a stop in Westby on Thursday.

Biden is expected to arrive at La Crosse Regional Airport in the early afternoon.

The president will then travel to Westby to deliver remarks touting his "Investing in America agenda," according to a White House news release. The location of Biden's visit to Westby was not disclosed.

Biden's visit to western Wisconsin this week continues to showcase the important role the battleground state will have in the 2024 presidential election and will be his first to Wisconsin since he ended is candidacy for a second term.

The visit pairs with two other campaign stops this week, as the president visited Pittsburgh on Monday and will visit Ann Arbor, Michigan on Friday.
JEROME  The Boise man who was charged with felony vehicular manslaughter Friday afternoon failed to heed multiple warning devices and triggered a five-vehicle chain reaction crash in Jerome County, an investigation concluded.

Ping Zhou, 36, was arraigned Tuesday after the deadly crash at Idaho Highway 25 and U.S. Highway 93.

The Idaho State Police trooper who completed the affidavit of probable cause noted several traffic control devices meant to alert eastbound drivers on Highway 25 that they dont have the right-of-way, including rumble strips, flashing lights and words painted on the asphalt. The trooper said Zhous actions involved gross negligence.

Based on interviews, the ISP investigator said it appeared that Zhou, eastbound in a Toyota Rav 4, failed to stop at the stop sign and entered the intersection, striking a southbound Ford F450 pickup truck, which lost control and struck a Honda Civic in the left-turn lane. The Honda was redirected across northbound lanes of travel where it was struck broadside by a GMC Sierra. The Ford also continued through the left-turn lane and collided with a northbound Subaru.

The driver of the Honda Civic, Cuauhtemoc Ambrosio, 46, of Jerome required extrication from his vehicle and was pronounced dead, records said.

A statement by Zhou said he saw a red light flash and started to brake but it stop out of line, and a truck came from the left and hit his vehicle, records say.
You are here: China

China provided temporary social assistance 4.18 million times during the first half of this year, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA).

As of the end of June, the country had 40.37 million residents living on subsistence allowance, which include 6.48 million in urban areas and 33.89 million in the countryside, Wu Zengfeng, spokesperson of the MCA, said Tuesday.

The MCA has stepped up efforts to guide local authorities in effectively carrying out dynamic monitoring of low-income populations and implementing tiered, classified social assistance, Wu noted.

He emphasized that families not eligible for subsistence allowances but struggling with essential living expenses should be better identified to ensure they receive assistance.

Corruption and misconduct in this area are also being continuously addressed, Wu added.
BOISE  As new vaccines become available, COVID-19s spread is rising in Idaho and across the nation.

Data suggest Idahos current uptick  from lower levels earlier this summer and late spring  isnt as severe as early pandemic surges.

But Idaho public health experts are bracing for COVID levels to rise even more in the coming months. Thats as the school year starts, and respiratory viruses typical season approaches.

New COVID-19 vaccines will soon be in Idaho. But for flu shots, heres why to wait.

Its probably going to get worse in the fall and winter, Idaho epidemiologist Dr. Christine Hahn told the Sun in an interview last week, adding that Idaho hospitals say they arent strained by the COVID uptick.

But the public has significantly less data to make personal health decisions, for instance, about mask wearing and limiting public outings. Since public health entities declared COVID no longer a public health emergency, data reporting around the coronavirus has dropped off.

Theres no longer daily case counts. Federally required hospitalization data  which stopped in May  is set to soon return starting in November.

Dr. David Pate, former CEO of St. Lukes Health System, said it looks likely that the surge has peaked. But he stressed that its easier to make that call with more information.

Of course, it will not be long until we have a new surge, he told the Sun last week.

How can we tell how much COVID is spreading in Idaho?

Heres what key COVID data for Idaho show:

Wastewater: While the CDC reports Idahos wastewater COVID levels are very high, the rate of detecting the virus in wastewater isnt nearly as high as it was last winter, Hahn said. Idahos current wastewater levels are 42% higher than the national rate, and 33% higher than the rate for the western U.S., CDC data show. Idaho was among 31 states with very high levels, CDC data for the week ending Aug. 29 show.

Emergency room visits: Visits to Idaho emergency departments for COVID-like illnesses are up compared to lower levels this summer, with 93 hospitalizations reported on Aug. 14, compared to 57 on June 16. But Idahos latest emergency-visit levels are still well below highs this spring and winter, which peaked at 177 visits on Jan. 3. Only a fraction of people who go to the emergency room get admitted to the hospital for COVID, Hahn said. But the emergency data is an indicator of people who are at risk of hospitalization, she said.

Hospitalizations: Idahos last hospitalization reports in late April showed 27 patients had suspected or confirmed COVID cases, compared to 103 on Jan. 15.

Deaths: Idahos last reported COVID-related death was on July

22. Four deaths were reported in early June, the state health departments data showed.

What Idaho COVID data should you turn to?

Theres less data on COVIDs spread in Idaho now, compared to early in the pandemic. But some of that information is still around.

For now, wastewater is the key data point to watch, Pate said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions National Wastewater Surveillance System reports COVID wastewater data, comparing states levels on a map. The CDC shares historical wastewater data for states.

Data from the CDC shows wastewater levels in the West are higher than levels nationally and compared to most other U.S. regions. While the Wests high levels fell the week of Aug. 24, the CDCs reporting showed the Wests latest wastewater levels were still higher than many weeks in 2022 and 2023.

This was the highest level of wastewater in the Western part of the United States that we have had. So it does appear that these were very high levels, probably rivaling what level of transmission we had last winter at the end of the year, Pate said last week.

But since the Idaho Legislature in 2023 rejected $16 million in federal grants, Idaho has less COVID wastewater data, the Sun reported. Only three Idaho sites recently reported wastewater data to the Centers for Disease Control, compared to an average of 17 sites per U.S. state.

Idahos contributing wastewater sites are two in the city of Boise, along with one in Coeur dAlene, Hahn said. That leaves Idaho without data from eastern or south central Idaho, she said.

Data by the city of Boise shows the latest wastewater levels, on Aug. 28, were higher than in the summer and late spring, but below a surge in early 2024.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still reports test positivity rates by state, which was 14.3% for Idaho in the week ending Aug. 24.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Healths COVID dashboard, called Get Healthy Idaho, reports: emergency department visits, deaths and historical hospitalization levels.
San Jose, Costa Rica  Nicaraguas regime-aligned Congress approved a law Tuesday empowering domestic courts to pass rulings against people and entities abroad that are found to promote sanctions against the internationally criticized government.

The reform can see prison sentences of up to 30 years imposed for the crime of undermining national integrity.

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The courts in Nicaragua are also viewed as loyal to President Daniel Ortegas regime, which has shuttered almost 5,500 NGOs since protests against him in 2018 were met with a crackdown the United Nations said left more than 300 people dead.

The Central American nation has jailed hundreds of critics, real and perceived, in the past six years.

Ortega, a 78-year-old former guerrilla, considers the 2018 protests an attempted coup promoted by the United States and backed by the religious community.

His government is under US and European Union sanctions.

The new law applies to Nicaraguans and foreigners  individuals, companies and NGOs  and makes provision for the confiscation of assets, though it was not made clear how such judgments would be carried out on foreign soil.

The government says the aim is to combat transnational organized crime.

The laws passage came as the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva reported a rise in cases of arbitrary detentions, intimidation of government opponents, ill-treatment in custody and attacks against Indigenous peoples.

The human rights situation in Nicaragua has seriously deteriorated since last year, it said in a statement.

Regarding the law, HRW expressed concern it may be used to further pressure and intimidate exiled citizens and foreigners for the legitimate exercise of their right to freedom of expression, and other rights.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk urged the government to immediately release all those arbitrarily detained, end torture and persecution, and reinstating previously held legal status for civil society organizations and opposition parties.

Nicaraguas opposition movement, most of its members in exile in Costa Rica, the United States and Spain, said the new law would help Ortega extend his repressive reach internationally.

It allows the regime to prosecute anyone, whether in Nicaragua or not, and without their presence at trial, in order to silence opponents at the international level, exiled former presidential candidate Felix Maradiaga told AFP.
President Ferdinand Marcos welcomed the arrest of fugitive former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo earlier Wednesday morning in Indonesia. He said this development should serve as a warning to those who evade the Philippine justice system.

Read his full statement below:

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Mga minamahal kong kababayan,

On or about 1:00 AM, 4 September, Alice Guo also known as Guo Hua Ping was arrested in Tangerang City, Jakarta, Indonesia.

I congratulate all law enforcement personnel, who made this apprehension possible. The public may not know the intricate details of this mission that you have successfully accomplished. But on their behalf, accept my thanks.

The Philippines also thanks the Indonesian government for their assistance on this matter. The close coordination between the two governments has made this arrest possible.

Let this serve as a warning to those who attempt to evade justice. Such is an exercise in futility. The arm of the law is long and it will reach you. This government continues in its duty to apply the rule of law.

Ms. Guo shall be entitled to all legal protections due her under the laws of the land and pursuant to our commitment to the rule of law. But we will not allow this to prolong the resolution of the case whose outcome will be a victory for the Filipino people.

Thank you and good day.

PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR.

Republic of the Philippines

04 September 2024
A fugitive former mayor in the Philippines accused of human trafficking and links to Chinese organised crime has been arrested in Indonesia, according to Philippine authorities who are seeking her extradition.

Alice Leal Guo, a former mayor of a town north of capital Manila, has been on the run since being linked to a Chinese-run online gambling centre where hundreds of people were forced to run scams or risk torture.

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Authorities accused the former Bamban mayor of involvement in the illicit operation  and of being a Chinese national masquerading as a Filipina in order to run for office.

Guo was arrested by Indonesian police in Jakarta late Tuesday, the Philippine Department of Justice said in a statement.

Indonesia tagged Guo as an illegal alien since they know that she is a fugitive here in the Philippines, then there was also a misrepresentation of her nationality in her passport, Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval told AFP on Wednesday, detailing the grounds for Guos arrest.

The Philippines has requested Guos extradition, and Manilas Bureau of Immigration and National Bureau of Investigation are coordinating with Indonesian authorities to secure her return in the soonest possible time, NBI Director Jaime Santiago told AFP.

Guo is also wanted by the Philippine Senate for refusing to attend hearings on her alleged ties to scam farm operations in Bamban.

She faces charges of graft, money laundering and human trafficking in relation to the scam farm raid in Bamban.

Philippine Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla hailed Guos arrest as a testament to the tireless efforts of our law enforcement agencies and the strength of international cooperation in bringing fugitives to justice.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos thanked the Indonesian government for their assistance on the arrest.

Let this serve as a warning to those who attempt to evade justice: Such is an exercise in futility. The arm of the law is long and it will reach you, Marcos said on social media.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is in close coordination with the Indonesian National Police for the immediate deportation of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, Public Information Office (PIO) chief Colonel Jean Fajardo said on Wednesday, September 4.

Fajardo said that Alice Guo was arrested in a hotel in Tangerang City in the province of Banten, Indonesia around 11:30 p.m. (Jakarta time).

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She said the arrest came as a result of active cooperation between the PNP and the Indonesian Interpol, in accordance with a memorandum of agreement on preventing and combating transnational crime and exchanging intelligence information.

Fajardo also said during a press conference that the PNP chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil met with his Indonesian counterpart via Zoom to arrange the extradition of the former Bamban mayor.

Yes, we intend to bring her back to the country within the day, Fajardo said.

She said Alice Guo will be turned over to the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms since the Senate was the one who issued an arrest warrant for Alice Guo and others.

On July 10, the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality issued an arrest order against Guo, who is allegedly one and the same person as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping.

She was apprehended for refusing to heed the call of the panel to attend its ongoing probe on the raided illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub in Bamban, Tarlac.

Sheila Guo was also intercepted in Indonesia on August 21, 2024, along with Cassandra Li Ong, the authorized representative of Lucky South 99the raided illegal POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga.

During her appearance to the Senate committee, Sheila said they left the country on the evening of July 17 using three boats.
Senate President Francis Escudero has tagged the arrest of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo in Indonesia as a crucial breakthrough in local efforts to dismantle organized crime networks linked to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

The arrest of Alice Guo is a crucial breakthrough in our fight against organized crime and corruption. Her capture not only moves us closer to bringing her to justice but also offers a chance to uncover the illegal POGO operations that have plagued our country, Escudero said.

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The Senate President praised the effective collaboration between Philippine and Indonesian law enforcement agencies that led to Guos arrest in Tangerang City, Jakarta.

The success of this operation underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating cross-border criminal activities. I commend both our law enforcement agencies and their Indonesian counterparts for their coordinated efforts, Escudero said.

Also known as Guo Hua Ping, Alice is wanted by the Senate for her refusal to attend congressional hearings regarding her alleged involvement with Chinese criminal syndicates.

The Department of Justice has since confirmed that Guo is now in the custody of Indonesian authorities, with plans underway to expedite her extradition to the Philippines.

With Alice Guo in custody, we can move forward with holding her accountable for her alleged crimes and uncovering the full extent of her criminal activities, Escudero said.
DHAKA  Bangladesh is working to prevent a fresh influx of stateless and persecuted Rohingya refugees, its caretaker government has said, after thousands crossed the border from Myanmar in recent weeks.

Around one million Rohingya live in sprawling and squalid relief camps in Bangladesh, most having fled Myanmar in 2017 during a military crackdown now the subject of a United Nations genocide court case.

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Driving the latest exodus is an escalating conflict between Bangladeshs junta-run neighbor and the rebel Arakan Army near their shared border, displacing many residents from Rohingya-majority Maungdaw township.

We have information that around 8,000 Rohingya have entered Bangladesh, interim foreign minister Touhid Hossain told reporters on Tuesday evening.

Hossain did not specify the time period in which the refugees had crossed over the border.

But he said a serious cabinet discussion would be held this week to work out how to prevent more arrivals.

We are sorry to say this, but its beyond our capacity to give shelter to anyone else, he added.

The situation in Myanmar has been further inflamed by the militarys forced recruitment of Rohingya to battle the rebel group, including reportedly more than 2,000 from Bangladeshi refugee camps.

That has led to alleged reprisal attacks by the Arakan Army against Rohingya civilians.

Watchdog Fortify Rights said in a report last month that its investigation found the Arakan Army had on August 5 launched a drone and mortar attack that killed more than 100 Rohingya men, women and children near the Bangladeshi border.

The Arakan Army has repeatedly denied responsibility for the bombardment.

Further complicating the security situation for Rohingya in Bangladesh was the ousting last month of autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after a student-led uprising.

Hasina was replaced by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who is leading the countrys interim government and faces the challenge of bedding down democratic reforms ahead of expected elections.
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) concluded its one-week visit to Thailand and Vietnam for a bilateral and regional security meeting with its counterparts.

PAF Commanding General Lt Gen Stephen Parreno in the visit emphasized the PAFs commitment to bolstering military cooperation and enhancing strategic ties with these key ASEAN partners.

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The visit focused on defense cooperation, cybersecurity, and personnel management, balancing official engagements with cultural and social interactions to foster strong partnerships between the air forces of the respective nations.

In Bangkok, Parreno honored fallen Thai Air Force heroes with a wreath-laying ceremony and met with Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul to discuss cybersecurity, discipline, and recruitment with RTAF officials. The delegation also explored the RTAFs Rain-Making Facility and reviewed its operations.

In Hanoi, Lt Gen Parreno met with the Philippine Ambassador to discuss embassy efforts and the Philippine Air Forces modernization plans. He also visited the Vietnam Air Defense Air Force to discuss defense cooperation and air force capabilities. Additionally, the team reviewed combat readiness and flight training at Kep Air Base, focusing on maintenance and joint exercises.
NBI: Ex-mayor may be deported within the week

Dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo, allegedly a Chinese national known as Guo Hua Ping, was arrested by Indonesian authorities in Tangerang City, Jakarta late Tuesday evening.

Guo, who was accused of being a Chinese spy and having links to Chinese organized crime through POGOs, is expected to be deported to Manila within the week, the National Bureau of Investigation said.

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Maybe tomorrow (Thursday) or the day after tomorrow, we can bring Alice back here. She will first go straight to the Bureau of Immigration for immigration violations then she will be turned over to the NBI to process her criminal charges and only then will we forward her to the Senate, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said.

Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty said Guos brother, Wesley, is likely in Hong Kong.

[Bureau of Immigration] Commissioner Tansingco said he is already coordinating with his counterparts in Hong Kong, Ty said.

Guo was apprehended at 11:58 p.m. on Tuesday, according to Sr. Supt. Audie Latuheru of the Indonesian Police.

Guo has been on the run since being linked to an illegal POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac where hundreds of people were forced to run scams or risk torture and being accused of being a Chinese national masquerading as a Filipino in order to run for office.

She is also wanted by the Senate for refusing to attend hearings on her alleged ties to the POGO scam farm operations in Bamban.

Guo, who insisted she is a natural-born Filipino, has denied accusations of being a Chinese spy and having links to illegal POGO operations, calling them malicious.

Jakartas law minister said Guo will be deported to Manila but the timing depends on the police investigation results.

Indonesia tagged Guo as an illegal alien since they know that she is a fugitive here in the Philippines, then there was also a misrepresentation of her nationality in her passport, Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla added Guos return it will depend on certain elements and situations emanating from Indonesia.

There are other issues between Indonesia and the Philippines that have to be resolved. We can have many incidents and Alice Guo might be placed in the middle of the pending incidents so that everyone can come to an agreement, he said.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Marbil are studying the possibility of heading to Jakarta to personally escort Guo back to Manila, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said.

Looking at the possibilities, we have two options: whether the police attache will escort her back to the Philippines or it would be the Chief PNP or SILG that will be traveling to Indonesia to fetch Alice Guo, Fajardo said.

Remulla hailed Guos arrest as a testament to the tireless efforts of our law enforcement agencies and the strength of international cooperation in bringing fugitives to justice.

All legal processes are followed to hold her accountable for any crimes committed, he added.

However, Remulla said some Immigration people must be held accountable for Guos escape.

We need to establish an evidence trail against other people who were in cahoots in pulling off illegal acts, he said.

Remulla criticized Immigration chief Norman Tansingco for allegedly not informing the Justice department about Guos escape.

That is why we no longer talk. It was wrong of him not to inform the DOJ secretary of developments in his agency, Remulla said.

During a recent Senate hearing, Tansingco admitted they were alerted by the PNP  Intel Group of Guos flight as early as August 15, but they only informed the DOJ and the Office of the Executive Secretary about the information five days later on August 20.

We got the confirmations (only) on 19th in the morning up to the 20th when all the information we got (was) validated already, Tansingco said.

We endorsed it to the Office of Executive Secretary and DOJ in the morning of August 20, he said, adding that the bureau already had by then confirmation and validation of the information that (was) coming in, considering that there (was) conflicting information.

Guos sister, Shiela, and business associate Cassandra Li Ong were also apprehended in Indonesia on August 21.

Ong, the authorized representative of Lucky South 99the raided illegal POGO hub in Porac, Pampangasaid they left the Philippines on the evening of July 17 using three boats.
There must be a rethink of strategy either by us alone or in consultation with our allies that now include Australia and Japan

HOW does a small country like us with practically no Air Force and Navy solve a goliath problem like China and convince that country to play by accepted international norms of conduct?

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The new problem now is Sabina Shoal.

From all indications, we have decided to station one Coast Guard ship in the area on a more or less permanent basis after concluding that China will or is preparing to create another artificial island there and start militarizing it like it has done to so many Shoals in the WPS.

Sabina Shoal is just about 97 nautical miles from Palawan and is well within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines.

Yet, once again, China is insisting it has sovereignty over the shoal due to its nine dash line proclamation of 1947 and so-called bogus historical Chinese records which has been debunked by the International Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016.

No other country in the world recognizes Chinas proclamation except perhaps North Korea or The Russian Federation.

And since China has the largest Navy in the world, it can always do what it wants to do.

The Chinese Coast Guard in its latest bulletin told us to stop our so-called provocative acts and remove our Coast Guard Ship in the Shoal because that is Chinese territory.

Its ships rammed our supply ship and prevented it from completing its supply mission to BRP Magbanua. The resupply mission had to be completed by the use of helicopters.

All these happened while the United States CinCPac Admiral Samuel Paparo Jr. was on a visit to the country.

While here, he was quoted as saying that the US is willing to provide escorts to resupply missions to our outposts in the WPS.

AFP Chief General Romeo Brawner, however, said the offer was appreciated but, for the time being, the Philippines would prefer to be doing the resupply missions.

General Brawners statement must be interpreted as an attempt to show China we have no desire to further escalate an already tense situation.

But shouldnt it be about time we accept the American offer or at least discuss the details in case this becomes necessary in the future?

For one thing, how much longer can we keep the BRP Magbanua where it is?

At some point, it would need maintenance and personnel rotation unless the government will decide to scuttle a brand ship just like the BRP Sierra Madre and leave it there as another outpost.

It does not look, however, that China appreciates our efforts to lessen the WPS tensions.

Just look at what the Chinese Coast Guard did a few days ago, they rammed the stationary BRP Magbanua three times and blamed it on us.

The CCG did not even bother to think how preposterous their accusation was considering the Magbanua is stationary.

Yes, the international community are always condemning Chinas irrational behavior but this does not seem to bother that country one bit.

There must be a rethink of strategy either by us alone or in consultation with our allies that now include Australia and Japan.

What is becoming clearer as shown and exhibited by Chinas behavior is that it wants all the smaller countries in the region to simply accept its declarations with regard to its territorial claims in the South China Sea.

It is safe to say that all the countries in the region would not like to do that.

But, unlike us, they maintain a quiet posture in their dealings with China as far as territorial differences are concerned.

Question now is, should we follow the same route in the hope China will be less belligerent?

Vietnams strategy for instance is one good example. By maintaining a subdued stance, it is able to further expand its own artificial building efforts with little or no disturbance from China.

We, on the other hand, are always calling the worlds attention on what China is doing.

The result: continued ramming of our ships.

It is admittedly a complicated situation but since our current strategy does not seem to be working, it is time to look for one that will work.
"My first time in China was in 1978, and I'm certainly impressed by the achievements China has made through reform and opening up since then," said Axel Goethals, CEO of the European Institute for Asian Studies, a think tank based in Brussels.



Participants attend the "Chinese Modernization and the Future of the World" symposium during the Mingde Strategic Dialogue 2024 in Beijing, Sept. 3, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Goethals was speaking at a symposium titled "Chinese Modernization and the Future of the World" during the Mingde Strategic Dialogue 2024, held from Aug. 30 to Sept. 3 in Beijing. The five-day event brought together scholars from the United States and Europe to discuss Chinese modernization and its global influence.

Goethals also pointed out that many Europeans, including policymakers and media figures, still cling to outdated and stereotypical views of China, shaped by perceptions from a decade or two ago. To address this, he emphasized the need for enhanced people-to-people exchanges, particularly in academia and among students, as a vital investment in fostering better China-Europe relations.

Zhang Donggang, secretary of the RUC Committee of the Communist Party of China, elaborated on the dialogue's goals by explaining the term "mingde." Drawing from the Confucian classic "The Great Learning," he explained that "mingde" signifies the manifestation of one's bright virtue. "By naming the dialogue 'mingde,' the organizer aims to present a true, positive and comprehensive view of China's development to the international academic community," Zhang said.

He expressed hope that the dialogue would deepen theoretical research on Chinese modernization and its practical applications, creating a high-level strategic platform for discussing global development issues. He also expected this exchange to contribute to building a human community with a shared future by digging into the global significance of Chinese modernization.

The symposium also introduced two research reports: "China's 'Compounding Interest': High-Quality Development and Outlook for 2035" and "Decisive Battle: The Progress of China's Comprehensively Deepening Reform and High-Standard Opening-Up in the New Era and Prospects for 2029 and 2035" published in March and August, respectively. The reports, co-released by the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies in cooperation with think tanks in the United States, Russia, Canada and India, present a positive view of China's economic prospects and the well-being of its people.

During the discussions, participants explored the emerging opportunities and challenges associated with China's modernization, as well as the new tasks arising from the country's ongoing comprehensive reforms and opening up efforts.

Lou Chunhao, a researcher from the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, shared insights into the lessons that Chinese modernization offers the Global South countries. He summed up these lessons in four "Ss": "stable," referring to political stability; "sustainable," indicating the importance of long-term economic growth; "share," emphasizing the inclusiveness of Chinese modernization in benefiting all Chinese people; and "special," recognizing that each country's path to modernization is unique and should be tailored to its own circumstances. The fourth "S" challenges the notion that Westernization is the only viable model for modernization.

Martin Jacques, former senior fellow at the Department of Politics and International Studies, Cambridge University, emphasized the global impact of Chinese modernization, stating that it had not only transformed China but also influenced the trajectory across the developing world. He cited the Belt and Road Initiative as a prime example of China's positive contribution to global development.

The five-day Mingde Strategic Dialogue 2024, organized by Renmin University of China (RUC) and undertaken by the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, provided guests with an immersive experience, incorporating visits to enterprises, universities and rural areas in Shanghai, as well as Yiwu and Wenzhou in Zhejiang province, allowing them to witness the dynamic economic landscapes and distinctive urban cultures of China in the new era.
2024 marks a momentous milestone for Louis Poulsen as the esteemed luxury lighting brand celebrates its 150th anniversary. What started out as a small family business in Copenhagen, Denmark has now blossomed into the iconic First House of Light lauded for offering timeless and innovative lighting design around the globe.

To honor this extraordinary occasion, Louis Poulsen has curated an exhibition that reflects its rich past and visionary future. Dubbed The He(art) of Light, the event drew inspiration from contemporary museums, offering an immersive experience that captivated not only local architects and interior designers, but also members of the press, and dignitaries from the Danish Embassy in the Philippines. The event was also attended by personalities and celebrities who are also big fans of the brand such as Mond Gutierrez, Kylie Versoza, Tim Yap, Nix Alanon, Vania Romoff, Christi McGarry, Maxine Esteban, Janeena Chan, Kris Bernal, and Phoemela Barranda.

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[L-R] Mr. Stephen Sy, FGI Co-founder & President; Mrs. Lolita Sy, FGI Co-founder & Executive VP; Colin Dancel, Photographer; Priscilla Lydia, LP Regional Sales Manager APAC, Ethel Tan, LP Brand & PR Manager APAC

The celebration unveiled the special 150th-anniversary editions of iconic designs, including the AJ Mini lamp, PH5, and PH Artichoke. The anniversary edition captures the essence of its decades of excellence and impresses with its unique color combination: the outside of the shades is painted in a minimalist matte white, while the inside radiates in a pale pink. They are underlined by metallised brass that will retain its shine over the years. The PH Artichoke is only available in 300 pieces, each bearing an individual number.

Tonight is a celebration of 150 years of Louis Poulsen and a reflection on the milestones weve achieved together in the two years since Focus Global introduced Louis Poulsen to the Philippines. Lolita Sy, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of Focus Global said during the event.

At the heart of the museum was a circular pavilion where Louis Poulsens most iconic creation, the PH Artichoke lamp, took center stage. Originally designed by Poul Henningsen in 1958 for Copenhagens Langelinie Pavilion, this masterpiece is composed of 72 hand-placed metal leaves. Each leaf is carefully positioned to ensure flawless illumination from every angle. Over time, the PH Artichoke has become synonymous with modern elegance and harmonious ambiance, a testament to both Henningsens vision and the skilled craftsmanship behind its creation.

Louis Poulsen PH Artichoke

Celebrating 150 years is a testament to the enduring relevance of Louis Poulsens design philosophy. Tonight is a reflection of our journey, our heritage, and the lasting impact weve made across the world, including here in the Philippines, says Ethel Tan, Louis Poulsen Brand and PR Manager for APAC.

The event featured a beautifully curated display of Louis Poulsen lamps, archival treasures, and vintage advertisements. It also featured stories of notable designers presented in LG TVs. Louis Poulsen also collaborated with Filipino photographer Colin Dancel to capture and delve into the essence of light. Her work explored the interplay between light and movement, capturing the essence of emotion and form.

Each photograph in the exhibit allows the guests to experience light not just as a source of illumination, but as a living, breathing entity  one that evolves, moves, and shapes our perceptions.

Colin Dancel looking at photographs at the exhibit

The Philippines has a rich and vibrant artistic community, and at Focus Global, we are proud to be part of this dynamic landscape. By working with a talent like Colin, we not only celebrate the global impact of Louis Poulsen but also highlight the incredible creativity and vision that exists here in the Philippines, says Louis Poulsen Brand Manager Luth Cardano.

The He(art) of Light exhibit is open to the public until September 15, 2024 at the 29th Floor of the Twenty-four Seven McKinley Building.

Louis Poulsens journey of innovation is deeply rooted in history, tracing back to 1874 when Ludvig R. Poulsen founded the company. Over the decades, Louis Poulsen has collaborated with some of the worlds most distinguished designers and architects, creating masterpieces that have become icons of form and function.

A highly influential Danish designer, architect, writer, and cultural critic, Poul Henningsen, has had a huge impact on Danish thinking and design. His legacy as the original master of light is an integrated part of Louis Poulsens heritage of creating exceptional light.

The legacy of innovation at Louis Poulsen doesnt just stop with Henningsen. After World War II, the brand branched out to collaborate with independent designers to create more prominent designs.

One of the most notable collaborations is of Arne Jacobsen to create the famous AJ lamps in line with his distinctive minimalist style. The AJ lamps feature a tiltable shade that provides downward light, making them ideal for reading and spot lighting. Although it was originally only designed for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, the AJ series now covers everything from floor lamps to table lamps.

Another significant collaboration began in 1959 with Verner Panton, a designer known for his playful approach to light, space, and materials. Pantons Panthella series, introduced in 1971, has become a beloved staple for lighting enthusiasts. With its diffused, ambient glow and soft, organic form, the Panthellas rounded shade and base act as reflectors, exemplifying Pantons commitment to creating ultra-functional yet visually captivating designs.

Just recently, Louis Poulsen debuted a collection in collaboration with FENDI Casa. Bringing together elements of both iconic design houses, some classic Louis Poulsen lighting designs have been designed with subtle yet luxurious touches of FENDI Casa design. Adorned with the recognisable pequin stripes on the socket house, and beautiful yellow glass shades, the three-shade lamps are an exquisite take on the classic Poul Henningsen design.

To know more about Louis Poulsen products, you may check their Instagram page, @lightsbyfgi or visit their showroom at the 10th Floor of Twenty-four Seven McKinley Building along 24th Street corner 7th Avenue, McKinley Parkway in Bonifacio Global City. Focus Global, Inc. is the exclusive distributor of Louis Poulsen here in the Philippines.
Marshall Dark Jr. was for many years a dedicated advocate for McDowell County, the community in which he was raised, according to his friends and colleagues. He died on Friday, Aug. 30, at age 90.

His legacy includes leadership with the McDowell Chamber of Commerce, the McDowell County hospital and the Marion Rotary Club.

The longtime civic leader was the son of Marshall Dark Sr. and Edelweiss McDougald Dark. He grew up in Marion and attended Marion High School. He attended Duke University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration that prepared him for his return to Marion to work in the family insurance business, according to his obituary.

The family agency, named McDowell Insurance, was a fixture in downtown Marion.

Marshall cared deeply about the community, said Chuck Abernathy, who is a former McDowell County manager and now director of the McDowell Economic Development Association. He was a very good man. McDowell Insurance provided coverage to McDowell County, so we worked closely together. He taught us all a great deal.

Dark was a leader of numerous civic clubs and organizations. He served as president of the McDowell Chamber of Commerce. It was during his time as president that he worked to attract Baxter Healthcare to Marion, according to Darks obituary. This plant in the North Cove community is the largest IV solution plant in the world and can produce more than 1 million units every day, according to previous stories by The McDowell News.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Dark was also an advocate for building of The McDowell Hospital, now Mission Hospital McDowell, his obituary said. Dark served for 11 years on the hospitals board of directors.

He was also a board member of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, chairman of McDowell County Economic Development Association, president of the Marion Lake Club, chairman of the McDowell Technical Community College Foundation and chairman of the local Bank of America board of directors, the obituary said.

Dark was also a co-founder of the McDowell Rescue Squad. He volunteered for 20 years with the Marion Fire Department where he served as assistant chief. He was a deacon and elder at First Presbyterian Church of Marion before attending Nebo Crossing, according to his obituary.

He was also a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Marion. The club has a scholarship that bears his familys name.

Named for his father, the Marshall Dark Sr. Scholarship is presented each year to one or more young scholars from McDowell County. The program was started in the 1940s, according to information from the Rotary Club of Marion. It is based on financial need, community service and academic excellence. It is sponsored by the Marshall Dark family, according to the Rotary Club.

Dark was a member of the club for 60 years, according to his obituary.

Rotarian Frank Dean said he knew Dark for more than four decades.

Dean said Dark was a true gentleman in every sense of the word as a husband, father, community leader, strong Christian, Rotarian and friend. A pillar of our community.

It was Marshall that encouraged me to take on a greater role in Rotary, Dean said. Numerous graduating students from McDowell High School have been able to continue their higher education through the Marion Rotary Club Marshall Dark Scholarship. It is a legacy that will last into perpetuity. The greatest compliment I can give anyone is that they left the world a better place than when they came in. Marshall Dark earned that compliment.

In 2016, Dark retired from active membership with the Marion Rotary Club. Bill Warren was president of the club at that time and he presented the Rotarian Emeritus Award to Dark.

For me, he always seemed larger than life, Warren said. When he did the Student of the Week introductions, it was like he knew them personally. And I could tell he had actually attended many of their events. Most of what I know about him, I knew from secondhand sources from others that knew him. No one ever spoke anything but good about him.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday at Nebo Crossing. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Marshall Dark, Sr. Scholarship. Donations can be sent by check to the Rotary Club of Marion Foundation, with Marshall Dark, Sr. Scholarship noted in the memo line, at P.O. Box 1213, Marion, NC 28752.
At least 81 people have been killed and several others are missing following an attack in northeastern Nigeria, according to local authorities who spoke to Agence France Presse on Tuesday, September 3. The jihadist group Boko Haram has been blamed for the assault. Yobe State Police reported that approximately 150 suspected Boko Haram members, armed with firearms and grenades, attacked the village of Mafa on motorcycles.

Nigerian police spokesman Abdulkarim Dungus suggested that the attack was likely in retaliation for the killing of two Boko Haram members by local self-defense groups. The jihadists have accused the residents of Mafa of collaborating with the military in its efforts against Boko Haram.

Bulama Jalaluddeen, a spokesperson for the local government of Tarmuwa, where Mafa is situated, confirmed that at least 81 people were killed. Of these, 34 bodies have been buried in Babbangida, the local government seat, while 30 others remain in Mafa.

The police have not yet provided specific numbers, but they estimate that Boko Haram killed many people and set fire to numerous stores and homes during the attack. The villages in Yobe, predominantly populated by farmers and herders, frequently face looting and extortion by jihadists.

In late October 2023, police, aided by villagers, killed several jihadists near Kayayya after receiving threats. In retaliation, Boko Haram killed 37 people over two days, including 20 who were returning from funerals for the previous days victims. Boko Haram has been active since the onset of the jihadist insurgency in 2009, a conflict that has claimed over 40,000 lives.
Police in central Kenya have launched an investigation into a pastor and the congregation of a Pentecostal church, following allegations of sexual assault involving several women aged between 17 and 70.

The case came to light during an investigation into a church fire in Kianjai, approximately 250 kilometers north of Nairobi. According to a police report accessed on Tuesday September 3, the fire was a result of local community anger directed at the Kianjai branch of the Kenyan Pentecostal Churches of East Africa.

The report details serious allegations against Pastor Daniel Mururu, who is accused of instructing church elders and assistants to undress women and girls, shave their pubic hair, perform sexual acts, and engage in sexual relations with them within the church premises.

The police have gathered statements from 23 witnesses who allege these acts were committed against a 17-year-old girl, who is now pregnant. In total, more than seven women, ranging in age from 17 to 70, have reported being victims of similar assaults. The pastor and church elders are accused of radicalizing their followers, coercing them into indecent acts by claiming that non-compliance could result in illness or infertility.

Kenya, a predominantly Christian country in East Africa, has thousands of churchesabout 4,000 officially registeredsome of which have been implicated in criminal or cult-like activities. Last year, Kenya was shocked by the Shakahola Forest Massacre, where hundreds of bodies were discovered belonging to followers of an apocalyptic evangelical sect on the eastern coast.
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:

CURATE.AI operations. Credit: npj Digital Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41746-024-01195-5

Rare diseases affect fewer than 1 in 2,000 people individually. However, with over 7,000 different types identified, their global impact is significant. In the Asia-Pacific region, approximately 258 million people have a rare disease, the highest number globally, with over 45 million in Southeast Asia alone. This vast number highlights significant challenges in treatment, as the diversity of this patient pool contributes to significant health care disparities and increased challenges in clinical trial recruitment.

Additionally, within the small patient pool, each patient is different from each other, and individual patients' conditions change over time. This emphasizes the critical need for accessible and personalized treatments for this population of patients, while highlighting the profound challenges faced in developing treatments for patients with rare diseases.

To address the need for effective treatment for rare diseases without using large population data, researchers from the Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM) at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) leveraged small amounts of data from a single patient with a rare disease to guide his treatment, with promising results.

Co-led by Professor Dean Ho, Director of WisDM at NUS Medicine, the team conducted a clinical trial for the patient who was diagnosed with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemiaa rare blood disorder affecting approximately three in 1,000,000 people annuallyby leveraging an artificial intelligence (AI) derived platform, CURATE.AI.

Unlike traditional AI models that depend on large datasets, CURATE.AI utilizes small data to dynamically adjust treatment dosages based on individual patient responses. Since the trial began in October 2021, substantial improvement in this patient's red blood cell levels was observed, and the patient was able to avoid blood transfusions. Importantly, the patient did not suffer serious side effects from the treatment and hospital admissions were minimized.

In the trial, the research team worked with clinicians from the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS) to identify drug doses for the patient, based on guidance from the CURATE.AI platform. The drug doses were selected based on the patient's own responses prospectively, making the treatment strategy a first of its kind.

Compared to the overall dose under the standard of care regimen, the trial's recommended drug doses were lower and well-tolerated by the patient, demonstrating durable control of the disease. As a result, the patient was able to save approximately USD 8,000 (around SGD 10,500) on drug costs over the first two years of the treatment.

The trial with treatment recommended by CURATE-AI is ongoing and is now open for recruitment of new, suitable patients. The results collected from the first two years of the trial are published in the journal npj Digital Medicine.

Prof Ho said, "No two patients are alike, and even the same patient can change over time as well. It is essential for treatment to evolve alongside the patient. Our study highlights the effectiveness of using small data to treat extremely rare diseasesaddressing the gaps where traditional big data methods fall short, and where large-scale trials are not feasible due to the limited patient population. CURATE.AI's approach, which tailors treatment using small datasets, offers a practical solution for the urgent and challenging need of developing personalized strategies for rare diseases."

Prof Ho is also Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the NUS College of Design and Engineering, and Director of the NUS N.1 Institute for Health.

Dr. Sanjay de Mel, Senior Consultant in the Division of Hematology, Department of Hematology-Oncology, NCIS, and the clinical lead for the trial, added, "Achieving a good treatment response while minimizing side effects is crucial when treating patients with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. Patients may differ significantly in how their bodies handle the treatment and the types of side effects they experience. A personalized approach to medication dosing is therefore required to address this inter-individual variability."

More information: Agata Blasiak et al, Personalized dose selection for the first Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia patient on the PRECISE CURATE.AI trial, npj Digital Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41746-024-01195-5 Journal information: npj Digital Medicine
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Areana Coles receives an ultrasound during a prenatal visit at the Oklahoma State University obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Tulsa, Okla., on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Mary Conlon

At the site of a race massacre that reduced neighborhoods to ashes a century ago, where murals memorialize a once-thriving " Black Wall Street," one African American mother strives to keep others from dying as they try to bring new life into the world.

Black women are more than three times as likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth as white women in Oklahoma, which consistently ranks among the worst states in the nation for maternal mortality.

"Tulsa is suffering," said Corrina Jackson, who heads up a local version of the federal Healthy Start program, coordinating needed care and helping women through their pregnancies. "We're talking about lives here."

Across the nation, programs at all levels of governmentfederal, state and localhave the same goals to reduce maternal mortality and erase the race gap. None has all the answers, but many are making headway in their communities and paving the way for other places.

Jackson's project is one of more than 100 funded through Healthy Start, which gave out $105 million nationally in grants this year. Officials call Healthy Start an essential part of the Biden administration's plan for addressing maternal health.

Other approaches to the crisis include California halving its maternal mortality rate through an organization that shares the best ways to treat common causes of maternal death and New York City expanding access to midwives and doulas two years ago. Several states passed laws this year aiming to improve maternal health, including a sweeping measure in Massachusetts. And last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced more than $568 million in funding to improve maternal health through efforts such as home visiting services and better identifying and preventing pregnancy-related deaths.

Locally and nationally, "we need to really identify the birthing people who are at potentially the greatest risk," New York City health commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan said, "and then wrap our arms around them throughout their pregnancies."

A Healthy Start in Tulsa

Besides coordinating prenatal and postpartum carewhich experts say is crucial for keeping moms alivelocal Healthy Start projects provide pregnancy and parenting education and referrals to services for things like depression or domestic violence. The local efforts also involve women's partners and kids up to 18 months. And they focus on issues that influence health, such as getting transportation to appointments.

"You try to get them in their first trimester and then work with them to delivery day, and then we also work with the babies to make sure that they reach their milestones," Jackson said.

Jackson got help from the local Urban League as a single mom, and felt called to give back to her community. She's been with Healthy Start for more than 25 years, first through Tulsa's health department and recently through a nonprofit she started that received about $1 million in federal funds this fiscal year.

"I'm just like a mom to this program," Jackson said.

Oklahoma overall has a maternal mortality rate of about 30 per 100,000 live births, significantly higher than the national average of about 23. But in Jackson's quarter-century tenure, she said, there have been no maternal deaths among clients.

Pivotal to Healthy Start's success are care coordinators like Krystal Keener, a social worker based at Oklahoma State University's obstetrics and gynecology clinic, where clients get prenatal care. One of her responsibilities is to educate clients about health issues, like how to spot the signs of preeclampsia or how much bleeding is too much after delivery.

She also helps with practical matters: Many clients don't have cars, so they call Keener when they need a ride to a prenatal visit, and she assists in scheduling one.

With doctors, Keener serves as a patient advocate. On a recent afternoon, Keener sat in on a prenatal appointment for Areana Coles. A single mom, Coles was joined by her 5-year-old daughter, who was born prematurely and spent time in intensive care.

Coles, 25, said Healthy Start is "probably the best thing that's happened in this pregnancy." She called Keener "an angel."

Together they navigated several recent medical concerns, including dehydration and low potassium levels that put Coles in the hospital.

With Coles' due date approaching, Keener talked about what to watch for around delivery and shortly after, like blood clots and postpartum depression. She advised Coles to take care of herself and "give yourself credit for small things you do."

During an ultrasound a few minutes later, Coles watched Dr. Jacob Lenz point to her unborn baby's eyes, mouth, hand and heart. He printed an image of the scan, which Coles immediately showed her daughter.

Keener said she's gratified that Coles would not be giving birth prematurely this time.

"You made it to termyay!" she told her client.

Coles smiled. "My body can do it!"

Improving medical care

While programs like Healthy Start focus on individual patient needs, other efforts manage the overall quality of medical care.

California has the lowest maternal mortality in the nation10.5 per 100,000 live births, less than half the national rate. But that wasn't the case before it created a "maternal quality care collaborative" in 2006.

Founded at Stanford University's medical school in partnership with the state, it brings together people from every hospital with a maternity unit to share best practices on how to deal with issues that could lead to maternal injury or death, like high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and sepsis.

"When you look at the rate of maternal death in the United States compared to California, they basically ran neck-and-neck until it was established," said Dr. Amanda Williams, clinical innovation adviser for the collaborative. "At that time they totally separated and California started going down. The rest of the country started going up."

In the collaborative, hospitals get toolkits full of materials such as care guidelines in multiple formats, articles on best practices and slide sets that spell out what to do in medical emergencies, how to set up medical teams and what supplies to keep on the unit. The collaborative also tackles issues such as improving obstetric care by integrating midwives and doulaswhose services are covered by the state's Medicaid program.

At first, some doctors resisted the effort, figuring they knew best, Williams said, but there's much less pushback now that the collaborative has proven its value.

MemorialCare Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach started participating around 2010. The collaborative helps "vet through all the research that's out there," said Shari Kelly, executive director of perinatal services. "It's just so important to really understand how we as health care providers can make a difference."

For example, if a woman loses a certain amount of blood after a vaginal delivery, "we know to activate what we call here a 'code crimson,' which brings blood to the bedside," Kelly said. "We can act fast and stop any potential hemorrhage."

She said the collaborative has also helped reduce racial inequitiesbringing down the rate of cesarean sections among Black moms, for example.

In July, U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed a similar initiative to California's, focused on the quality of maternal care nationwide: the first baseline health and safety requirements for maternal emergency and obstetric services in hospitals.

A community perspective

Experts said getting maternal mortality under control at a national level requires tailoring solutions to individual communities, which is easier when programs are locally run.

New York City has a goal of reducing maternal mortality overalland specifically achieving a 10% drop in Black maternal mortality by 2030. Statewide, Black residents are about four times more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth than white residents.

The city is starting with, among others, low-income residents and those living in public housing. The New Family Home Visits Initiative gives pregnant people and those who've given birth visits from professionals such as nurses, midwives, doulas and lactation consultants. Vasan said more than 12,000 families have gotten visits since 2022.

Nurse Shinda Cover-Bowen works for the initiative's Nurse Family Partnership, which has her visiting some families for 2 1/2 years, well beyond the pregnancy and birth. She said "that consistency of someone being there for you and listening to you and guiding you on your mother's journey is priceless."

Being grounded in the local communityand its historyis also crucial for Healthy Start projects. The lingering effects of racism are evident in Tulsa, where in 1921, white residents are estimated to have killed 100-300 Black people and destroyed homes, churches, schools and businesses in the Greenwood section. That's where Jackson lives now, and where health disparities persist.

Being relatable is valuable for Black women, who may distrust the health care system, Jackson said. Plus, knowing the community makes it possible to work closely with other local agencies to meet people's needs.

Denise Jones, who enrolled in Healthy Start in February, has struggled with anxiety, depression and drug addiction, but has been sober since April.

In mid-July, baby items filled her rooma crib, a bassinet, tiny clothes hanging neatly in a closetin anticipation of her child's arrival. Jones, 32, flipped through a baby book, pointing to a sonogram of her son Levi, who would be born within a couple of weeks.

She said she feels healthy and blessed by the help she's gotten from Healthy Start and Madonna House, a transitional living program run by Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma.

"I have professionals that are working with me and give me support. I didn't have that with my other pregnancies," she said. "I'm at one with my baby and I'm able to focus."

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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DL-based framework for automated HIA to perform virtual staining, segmentation, and classification of label-free PAH. a Virtual staining sequence with explainability to generate VHE images with label-free PAH. PAH photoacoustic histology image; and VHE virtual staining H&E. b Segmentation sequence to generate features: cell area, cell count, and distance. c Classification sequence to classify cancerous or not with PAH, VHE, and segmentation deep feature vectors. Credit: Light: Science & Applications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41377-024-01554-7

A collaborative research team led by POSTECH Professor Chulhong Kim and Professor Chan Kwon Jung of Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system to analyze the label-free photoacoustic histological images of human liver cancer tissues. Their research was recently published in Light: Science & Applications.

Histopathology is the primary source for diagnosing diseases and developing appropriate treatment plans. Typically, examining removed tissue under a microscope requires staining, which involves additional labor and cost due to the use of chemicals.

Photoacoustic histology (PAH) technology has been developed to mitigate these issues. PAH generates images by detecting sound (ultrasound) signals produced by biomolecules when illuminated with light (laser), thus eliminating the need for staining and labeling. However, PAH presented unfamiliar images to pathologists, complicating interpretation and diagnosis, and resulting in relatively low accuracy.

In this study, the researchers integrated PAH with cutting-edge deep learning models capable of virtual staining, segmentation, and classification of human tissue images.

Initially, the virtual staining step transforms black-and-white, unlabeled imagescontaining cell nuclei and cytoplasminto images that mimic stained samples. This step is designed to produce images similar to actual stained samples while preserving tissue structures, and uses explainable deep learning methods to increase the reliability of the virtual staining results.

Next, during the segmentation phase, the unlabeled image and the virtual staining data are used to segment features of the sample such as cell area, cell count, and intercellular distances. Finally, in the classification phase, the model uses the unlabeled image, virtual staining image, and segmentation data to classify whether the tissues are cancerous or not.

The researchers applied their deep learning model to the PAH images of human liver cancer tissues. The AI model, which integrates virtual staining, segmentation, and classification, achieved a high accuracy of 98% in distinguishing between cancerous and non-cancerous liver cells. Notably, the model demonstrated a 100% sensitivity when evaluated by three pathologists, underscoring its potential for clinical application.

Professor Chulhong Kim, who led the study, stated, "The integration of PAH with AI reduces the time required for tissue biopsy and enhances its reliability." He added, "We hope this advancement will lead to more accurate diagnoses and more effective treatment planning for patients."

More information: Chiho Yoon et al, Deep learning-based virtual staining, segmentation, and classification in label-free photoacoustic histology of human specimens, Light: Science & Applications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41377-024-01554-7 Journal information: Light: Science & Applications
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Washington state's summer surge of COVID-19 is showing early signs of waning after a particularly infectious couple of monthsbut don't relax just yet, public health experts say. Respiratory virus season is right around the corner.

Although rates are still nowhere close to where they were during 2022's omicron wave, percent positivity remains high and was higher in late July and August than it had been all year, according to local and state COVID data. In other words, more Washingtonians are testing positive for the virus now than since last winter.

"It's really catching people at a time when they least expect it," said Dr. Eric Chow, King County's chief of communicable diseases. "People don't associate respiratory illnesses with summer weather, during a time when they're traveling, as they're going back to school."

In King County, about 13% to 16% of laboratory tests returned positive for COVID in August, according to Public HealthSeattle & King County's respiratory virus data. About 2% of emergency department visits are COVID-related, still under the county's alert threshold of 3%, but the figure has slowly been ticking up since late May, when it was below 1%.

The rise in cases, which has also emerged the past few summers, is likely due to waning immunity and new variants, as well as increased travel and gatherings, said Dr. Seth Cohen, UW Medicine's medical director of infection prevention.

"We do think [numbers] are plateauing, so we're hoping they'll start to decline," Cohen said.

Staying up-to-date on COVID vaccines

The newest version of the COVID vaccine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in August, and already landed in some Washington pharmacies last week. But local public health officials worry that fewer people are returning to doctor's offices and pharmacies for the updated shot.

While millions of Washingtonians once filled stadiums and parking lots to get a highly coveted vaccine, urgency around the shot has faded for many in recent years. Nearly 70% of eligible residents have received their full primary series, but just 19.5% got an updated shot last fall, according to state data.

"I certainly want to see those numbers higher," Chow said.

More older adults have continued to get an updated COVID vaccine (about 46.2% of those 65 and older are up-to-date), but just 10.2% of those between 18 and 24 years old have gotten the most recent shot.

Black, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and Hispanic/Latino communities have the lowest rates of updated vaccination, according to state data.

"Inequities to health care are certainly a big part of it," Chow said. "If we're not able to provide vaccines that are easily accessible ... that is certainly one barrier. We also know the cost of COVID vaccines since it became commercialized could also factor into someone's decision."

In addition, a lot of people "want COVID to be behind them," he added. "It may not be at the forefront of their mind that they should be staying up-to-date with each new vaccine that comes out."

Because the newest shot is updated with protection against more recent variants, and continues to protect against severe illness and death, it's important to take advantage of it, Chow said.

Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy and Rite Aid/Bartell Drugs started offering some appointments to get the updated vaccine last week, though some stores might get the new doses later than others depending on location. But all Walgreens stores nationwide are expected to offer the updated shot by Sept. 6, a corporate spokesperson said Wednesday.

"The sooner people get them, the better matched they'll be against circulating strains," Cohen added.

A rise in whooping cough

While rates of pertussis, or whooping cough, were lower during the height of the pandemic, they've started to pick back up in Washington and throughout the country.

In King County, public health officials have counted at least 114 cases of pertussis this year, which is higher than the annual numbers from 2018 to 2023 combined, Chow said. Twelve of the cases were identified in infants younger than a year old, and four of those babies were hospitalized.

The disease is spread by respiratory droplets and generally starts with coldlike symptoms that develop into a worsening cough.

"There are probably a number of different factors," Chow said. "Some of it is just the epidemiology of pertussis, or the bacteria that causes the infection, and kind of rebounding as a result of all the changes and the effects of the pandemic."

He also encouraged increased rates of vaccination for higher-risk groups, particularly pregnant people, who can offer protection to their newborns by getting a Tdap shot between their 27th and 36th weeks of pregnancy.

DTaP vaccines also protect against whooping cough and are available for preteens and adults.

"In general, for non-COVID illnesses, residents of King County generally do a good job of keeping up with vaccines," Cohen said. "But there's no question we're seeing a slide in childhood vaccination coverage locally, regionally and nationally."

"Some of these trends are very concerning," he added. "Much lower rates of vaccination have put communities at risk of vaccine-preventable conditions."

Back-to-school vaccine routines

As the new school year gets underway, public health experts expect respiratory infections to increase, fueling their push to get kids shots before they return to classrooms.

"This is a great time to start getting primary care appointments on the books to make sure kids are updated with childhood vaccines," Cohen said. It's safe for children to receive COVID, flu, RSV and other vaccines all at once, and is often more convenient to do so, he added.

"As a parent with kids in elementary school, I certainly empathize with people thinking on these decisions," Cohen said. "Children have a lower risk of illness than adults, but are still at risk of medical complications from acute COVID."

Although there's been a slight decline in childhood immunization rates since 2020, last year's numbers stayed fairly stable, said Debra Berliner, King County's program manager of immunizations.

About 91% of students in King County were up-to-date on immunizations last school year, which is about the same as it was during the previous school year, she said.

"I think that's a testament to the excellent work health care providers and schools and families have done to catch kids up on vaccinations," Berliner said.

Rates are also higher than they were before the pandemic. During the 2016-17 school year, about 88% of students were up-to-date on immunizations. The following year, it increased to 89%.

"We were on an upward trajectory before the pandemic, and the pandemic threw a little bit of a wrench in that progression, but our progress hasn't all been lost, and we are actually in a better place than we were, say, seven or eight years ago," Berliner said.

Certain aspects of respiratory virus season are still difficult to predict, especially COVID trends, but local public health experts reminded community members to remember masking, staying home when sick and increasing ventilation in indoor spaces in order to increase protection.

"I can't control all of my children's interactions with the world, nor do I want to," Berliner said.

"I want them to be able to play sports, to socialize, to study, to explore without worrying about whether they're going to come down with a preventable disease. Because my children are fully vaccinated, I feel confident knowing that if they were exposed to measles, their immune systems will almost certainly fight it off without them ever knowing."

King County public health teams will continue to host regular vaccine clinics (free of charge, regardless of insurance status) that offer COVID and childhood immunizations through the end of the year, including in Shoreline, Burien and Renton in the next couple weeks.

The state Department of Health's mobile Care-a-Van clinics will also continue to offer shots at least through September, including in Ferry County, Snohomish County, Pierce County and Mason County this week. More information about Care-a-Van clinics is available at doh.wa.gov.

2024 The Seattle Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Time from approval to reimbursement of new drugs varies between countries and is shortest in Switzerland and Germany, both of which include health technology assessment decisions that are not used in the United States, according to a study published online Sept. 3 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Camille E.G. Glaus, J.D., from the University of Zurich, and colleagues examined time from approval to reimbursement of new drugs in the United States and European countries. New drugs approved in the United States, the European Union, England, and Switzerland between Jan. 1, 2011, and Dec. 31, 2022, were identified, and reimbursement status and dates were extracted as of Dec. 31, 2023.

The study included 290 drugs approved by all regulatory bodies. The researchers found that the median time from approval to reimbursement was 5.8, 7.4, 9.2, 12.9, and 17.7 months in Switzerland, Germany, the United States, France, and England, respectively. France had the highest reimbursement rate one month after approval (25.9 percent), followed by Switzerland and England (9.7 and 0.7 percent, respectively); at one month, the United States and Germany had no drugs reimbursed. Germany, the United States, and Switzerland had the highest reimbursement rates of 74.3, 70.7, and 62.8 percent, respectively, at one year after approval; in England and France, the rates were 37.1 and 49.0 percent, respectively.

"Our findings suggest that incorporation of a health technology assessment system and drug negotiation process in the United States would not necessarily result in longer time until reimbursement," the authors write.

More information: Camille E.G. Glaus et al, Time From Approval to Reimbursement of New Drugs: A Comparative Analysis Between the United States, England, Germany, France, and Switzerland (20112022), Annals of Internal Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.7326/ANNALS-24-00614 Journal information: Annals of Internal Medicine

Copyright  2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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The tentacle electrodes (right) shown alongside three current technologies using thicker electrodes or an electrode mesh. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49226-9

Neurostimulators, also known as brain pacemakers, send electrical impulses to specific areas of the brain via special electrodes. It is estimated that some 200,000 people worldwide are now benefiting from this technology, including those who suffer from Parkinson's disease or from pathological muscle spasms.

According to Mehmet Fatih Yanik, Professor of Neurotechnology at ETH Zurich, further research will greatly expand the potential applications. Instead of using them exclusively to stimulate the brain, the electrodes can also be used to precisely record brain activity and analyze it for anomalies associated with neurological or psychiatric disorders. In a second step, it would be conceivable in future to treat these anomalies and disorders using electrical impulses.

To this end, Yanik and his team have now developed a new type of electrode that enables more detailed and more precise recordings of brain activity over an extended period of time. These electrodes are made of bundles of extremely fine and flexible fibers of electrically conductive gold encapsulated in a polymer.

Thanks to a process developed by the ETH Zurich researchers, these bundles can be inserted into the brain very slowly, which is why they do not cause any detectable damage to brain tissue. The research is published in the journal Nature Communications.

This sets the new electrodes apart from rival technologies. Of these, perhaps the best known in the public sphere is the one from Neuralink, an Elon Musk company. In all such systems, including Neuralink's, the electrodes are considerably wider.

"The wider the probe, even if it is flexible, the greater the risk of damage to brain tissue," Yanik explains. "Our electrodes are so fine that they can be threaded past the long processes that extend from the nerve cells in the brain. They are only around as thick as the nerve-cell processes themselves."

The research team tested the new electrodes on the brains of rats using four bundles, each made up of 64 fibers. In principle, as Yanik explains, up to several hundred electrode fibers could be used to investigate the activity of an even greater number of brain cells. In the study, the electrodes were connected to a small recording device attached to the head of each rat, thereby enabling them to move freely.

No influence on brain activity

In the experiments, the research team was able to confirm that the probes are biocompatible and that they do not influence brain function. Because the electrodes are very close to the nerve cells, the signal quality is very good compared to other methods.

At the same time, the probes are suitable for long-term monitoring activities, with researchers recording signals from the same cells in the brains of animals for the entire duration of a ten-month experiment. Examinations showed that no brain-tissue damage occurred during this time. A further advantage is that the bundles can branch out in different directions, meaning that they can reach multiple brain areas.

Human testing to begin soon

In the study, the researchers used the new electrodes to track and analyze nerve-cell activity in various areas of the brains of rats over a period of several months. They were able to determine that nerve cells in different regions were "co-activated."

Scientists believe that this large-scale, synchronous interaction of brain cells plays a key role in the processing of complex information and memory formation. "The technology is of high interest for basic research that investigates these functions and their impairments in neurological and psychiatric disorders," Yanik explains.

The group has teamed up with fellow researchers at the University College London in order to test diagnostic use of the new electrodes in the human brain. Specifically, the project involves epilepsy sufferers who do not respond to drug therapy. In such cases, neurosurgeons may remove a small part of the brain where the seizures originate. The idea is to use the group's method to precisely localize the affected area of the brain prior to tissue removal.

Brainmachine interfaces

There are also plans to use the new electrodes to stimulate brain cells in humans. "This could aid the development of more effective therapies for people with neurological and psychiatric disorders," says Yanik. In disorders such as depression, schizophrenia or OCD, there are often impairments in specific regions of the brain, which lead to problems in evaluation of information and decision making.

Using the new electrodes, it might be possible to detect the pathological signals generated by the neural networks in the brain in advance, and then stimulate the brain in a way that would alleviate such disorders.

Yanik also thinks that this technology may give rise to brainmachine interfaces for people with brain injuries. In such cases, the electrodes might be used to read their intentions and thereby, for example, to control prosthetics or a voice-output system.

More information: Tansel Baran Yasar et al, Months-long tracking of neuronal ensembles spanning multiple brain areas with Ultra-Flexible Tentacle Electrodes, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49226-9 Journal information: Nature Communications
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Guinea has confirmed its first case of mpox, the health ministry in the West African nation said Wednesday, without giving further details.

The minister of health ordered an emergency meeting with the ministry's partners on Tuesday "on the detection of the first case" of mpox in the country, a statement said.

"Tuesday's meeting was used by the National Health Security Agency to present the preparedness and response plan, together with a budget", it added

Requesting anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media, a ministry of health official told AFP "it's confirmed that the first case has been discovered in the sub-prefecture of Koyama," near the Liberian border.

Mpox's resurgence and the detection in the Democratic Republic of Congo of a new strain, dubbed Clade 1b, prompted the World Health Organization to declare its highest international alert level on August 14.

Cases are surging in the region, with outbreaks reported in the DRC, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda.

Mpox has also been detected in Asia and Europe.

The first delivery of almost 100,000 doses of mpox vaccines will arrive in the DRC on Thursday, according to the African Union's health watchdog.

More than 17,500 cases and 629 deaths have been reported in the country since the start of the year, according to the WHO.

Formerly called monkeypox, mpox is caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact.

The disease causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions.

 2024 AFP
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In news that should reassure folks glued to their cellphones all day, a new international review finds no link between cellphone use and brain cancer.

Commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO), the review included 11 experts from 10 countries who sifted through decades of research5,000 studies published between 1994 and 2022 to be exact. The final analysis was published in the journal Environmental International.

What exactly were they looking for? They were trying to determine whether greater exposure to radio frequencies commonly used by wireless electronics, including cellphones, might up the chances of a brain cancer diagnosis.

What did they find? In the 63 studies they honed in on, the risk of brain cancer did not increase, even with prolonged cellphone use (defined as 10 years or more), among those who spent a lot of time on their cellphones, or for people who made a lot of calls. They also saw no increased risks of leukemia or brain cancer in children exposed to radio or TV transmitters or cellphone towers.

"These results are very reassuring," lead study author Ken Karipidis told reporters, according to the Washington Post. While cellphone use has "skyrocketed, there has been no rise in the incidence of brain cancers," he noted.

Concerns about a potential link first emerged in 2011 when the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the WHO's cancer agency, classified radio wave exposure as a possible carcinogen to humans, the Post reported, but that was based on limited evidence from observational studies.

Karipidis explained that since then, a "lot more studies have come out" on radio waves and they've been "quite extensive," prompting the WHO to commission the latest review.

Karipidis said the problem with some of the early research was that it relied on case-control studies that compared the responses of people with brain cancer against those without the diseasewhich can be "somewhat biased."

Not only that, but newer generation cellphone networks, including 3G and 4G networks, actually produce "substantially lower" radio frequency emissions than older networks, review co-author Mark Elwood, an honorary professor of cancer epidemiology at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, told the Post.

"There are no major studies yet of 5G networks, but there are studies of radar, which has similar high frequencies; these do not show an increased risk," he added.

Karipidis noted that having more cellphone towers actually reduces the amount of radiation emitted from cellphones, because they don't have to work as hard to get a signal.

One expert noted that new technologies that spread quickly often raise fears of health problems.

"Worries about the health effects of new technology are common and tend to increase when a new technology is adopted widely or adopted quickly," Keith Petrie, a University of Auckland expert who was not involved in the review, told the Post.

"This was seen during the COVID-19 pandemic when people attacked cell towers believing a baseless theory that 5G towers spread the coronavirus."

More information: The National Cancer Institute has more on cellphones and cancer risk. Ken Karipidis et al, The effect of exposure to radiofrequency fields on cancer risk in the general and working population: A systematic review of human observational studies  Part I: Most researched outcomes, Environment International (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108983 Journal information: Environment International

Copyright  2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Resting brain stem cells hardly differ from normal astrocytes, which support the nerve cells in the brain. How can almost identical cells perform such different functions? The key lies in the methylation of their genetic material, which endows these special astrocytes with stem cell properties.

Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University have published their findings in the journal Nature.

In mice, the researchers showed that experimentally-induced lack of blood supply in the brain epigenetically reprograms astrocytes into brain stem cells, which in turn can give rise to nerve progenitor cells. This discovery shows that astrocytes could potentially be used in regenerative medicine to replace damaged nerve cells.

Many different types of cells work together in the brain. In humans, nerve cells (neurons) make up less than half of the cells. The rest are called "glia." The most common glial cells are astrocytes. They supply the neurons with nutrients, form part of the blood-brain barrier, regulate the synapses and support the immune cells.

However, a small proportion of astrocytes are able to produce nerve cells and other types of brain cells. These special astrocytes are therefore also known as brain stem cells. Brain stem cells and ordinary astrocytes hardly differ in their gene expression, i.e. in the activity of their genes.

"How they can perform such different functions and what makes up the stem cell properties was previously completely unclear," explains Ana Martin-Villalba, stem cell researcher at the DKFZ.

Methylation is the key

To solve this puzzle, the teams led by Martin-Villalba and Simon Anders (University of Heidelberg) isolated both ordinary astrocytes and brain stem cells from one of the regions of the brain where young neurons still develop in adult mice, the "ventricular-subventricular zone" (vSVZ). The researchers analyzed gene expression at the level of individual cells using mRNA sequencing as well as the patterns of methylation ("methylome") in the entire genome. They used a specially developed tool to analyze the methylation data.

DNA methylation refers to chemical "markers" with which the cell can switch off unused parts of its DNA. Methylation is therefore crucial for the identity of the cells.

During this study, the stem cell experts noticed that brain stem cells have a special DNA methylation pattern that distinguishes them from other astrocytes.

"Unlike normal astrocytes, certain genes are demethylated in brain stem cells that are otherwise only used by nerve precursor cells. This allows the brain stem cells to activate these genes in order to produce nerve cells themselves," explains Lukas Kremer, first author of the current publication.

Co-first author Santiago Cerrizuela adds, "This pathway is denied to ordinary astrocytes, as the required genes are blocked by DNA methylation."

Lack of blood supply triggers reprogramming of astrocytes to stem cells and increases new nerve formation

Could methylation also be used to convert astrocytes into brain stem cells in other regions of the brain, outside the vSVZ? "This would be an important step for regenerative medicine to repair damaged areas of the brain," says Ana Martin-Villalba.

Earlier studies had already shown that a lack of blood supply, such as occurs in brain injuries or stroke, increases the number of newborn nerve cells. Do altered methylation profiles play a role in this process?

To investigate this, the researchers interrupted the blood supply to the brain of mice for a short time. As a result, astrocytes with the typical stem cell methylation profile could be detected even outside the vSVZ, as well as an increased number of nerve progenitor cells.

"Our theory is that normal astrocytes in the healthy brain do not form nerve cells because their methylation pattern prevents them from doing so," explains study head Martin-Villalba. "Techniques to specifically alter the methylation profile could represent a new therapeutic approach to generate new neurons and treat nerve diseases."

"The lack of blood supply apparently causes astrocytes in certain areas of the brain to redistribute the methyl marks on their DNA in such a way that their stem cell program becomes accessible. The reprogrammed cells then begin to divide and form precursors for new neurons," summarizes Simon Anders.

"If we understand these processes better, we may be able to specifically stimulate the formation of new neurons in the future. For example, after a stroke, we could strengthen the brain's self-healing powers, so that the damage can be repaired."

Why studies on mice are necessary for this research

Strokes or accidents can lead to damage to the brain that is generally irreparable at present and often has dramatic consequences for those affected. As of today, there is no way to replace lost nerve cells. The aim of this work is to find ways to stimulate the regeneration of nerves in the adult brain.

This requires a profound understanding of how and under what circumstances brain stem cells can be induced to provide a supply of young nerve cells. To do this, the researchers need to study developmental processes that only take place in the brains of highly developed mammals.

Epigenetic reprogramming cannot be observed in living animals using imaging techniques, but requires studies at the level of individual cells. The investigations cannot be carried out on cells from the culture dish, as the methylation profile of the astrocytes changes as soon as they are taken into culture, so that the epigenetic reprogramming can no longer be traced.

More information: Ana Martin-Villalba, DNA methylation controls stemness of astrocytes in health and ischemia, Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07898-9. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07898-9 Journal information: Nature
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

We all remember news stories about the so-called "pandemic puppies" and the soaring number of pet adoptions in countries all over the world as the COVID-19 lockdowns brought social life to a halt in 2020.

The sudden surge in pet ownership was largely attributed to people seeking comfort and companionship from animals to cope with things like isolation, anxiety, and depression. However, a new comprehensive study, conducted by researchers from Aarhus University and King's College London, suggests that the benefits of owning a pet might be overstated.

The study, recently published in Mental Health & Prevention, reveals that pet ownership does not necessarily offer the emotional boost many people expect.

No mental health benefits found

The study tracked 6,018 individuals in the UK over a 12-month period, assessing their levels of depression, anxiety, anhedonia (loss of pleasure), and loneliness.

Contrary to popular assumptions, the study found no evidence that pet ownership improved these mental health outcomes. In fact, pet owners reported slightly worse mental health outcomes compared to non-owners.

"Although the body of research done on the topic has been mixed, we were genuinely surprised to find that pet owners generally experienced slightly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and anhedonia during the COVID-19 pandemic," says lead author of the study Professor Christine Parsons from the Department of Clinical Medicine and continues:

"This runs counter to a prevailing public belief that pets are beneficial for mental health."

Testing the validity of the 'Lassie effect'

Another commonly held belief is that dog owners in particular benefit from increased physical activity and a more structured daily routine, which in turn might lead to improved mental health.

Here researchers found that dog owners really were more likely to engage in daily exercise (40% compared to 35% of non-owners).

However, this increased activity did not correlate with better mental health outcomes and no significant difference was found between dog owners and non-owners with regards to maintaining a daily structure.

The myth of the lonely 'Cat lady'

The only area where pet ownership provides a mental health benefit is in relation to loneliness. In popular culture, the trope of the "Cat lady" is a lonely, anxious woman with mental health issues. The new study also gave researchers the opportunity to test some of these cultural assumptions against reality.

Among individuals living alone, both dog and cat owners reported slightly lower levels of loneliness than those without pets. Even though the effects were small, they ran opposite to the lonely "Cat lady" trope.

For those living as couples, families, or roommates, pet owners reported no measurable difference in the feeling of loneliness.

While women in the study were clearly more likely to own cats (30.3 % compared to 22.7% in males), they were not more lonely, depressed, anxious or anhedonic than men who owned cats.

Hope for a more informed public conversation

According to Parsons, this new study will be useful in managing expectations about the mental health benefits of pet ownership. She hopes that the results will nuance the public perception and media coverage, which she and her team of researchers have shown to be in favor of the positive narrative.

"Our findings suggest that while pets can provide companionship, they are by no means a cure-all for mental health issues, especially during stressful times like a pandemic," says Parsons.

Dr. Katherine Young, the senior author notes, "This study adds to the mixed body of research on pet ownership and mental health. While some previous studies have suggested benefits, the large, longitudinal nature of this research provides robust evidence to the contrary."

More information: Christine E. Parsons et al, No beneficial associations between living with a pet and mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large UK longitudinal sample, Mental Health & Prevention (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200354
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DNA, which has a double-helix structure, can have many genetic mutations and variations. Credit: NIH

A team of researchers has developed a radical new technique for analyzing evidence in sexual assault cases. The new approach could streamline the forensics pipeline and reduce delays in the processing of DNA evidence.

The research is described in a paper published in the journal Advanced Science.

There are almost half a million sexual assaults in Canada every year with many more going unreported. The new approach could mitigate one of the reasons victims are reluctant to report assaults: the perception that analysis of forensic evidence is too slow.

"For this research, we read reports and surveys that asked victims why they weren't reporting assaults," says Mohamed Elsayed. "And the most common answer was that they didn't have confidence in the justice systemand that lack of confidence was partly because of how long the process takes."

The lead author is Elsayed, who worked on this project as part of his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and who is now a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto (U of T).

His U of T co-authors include Professor Aaron Wheeler from the Department of Chemistry, the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at U of T, and the Center for Research and Applications in Fluidic Technologies, and Leticia Bodo, a member of Innis College and a master's student in the Department of Chemistry. All three are also affiliated with the Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research.

Additional co-authors of the study include researchers from the Department of Forensic Science, University of Toronto Mississauga; Ontario's Center of Forensic Sciences (CFS); and the ANDE Corporation.

"CFS and ANDE were critical contributors at every step of the project," says Wheeler. "I'm also grateful to NSERC for having the foresight to establish the 'Alliance Society' program which has a mission to 'address a societal challenge that will result in new natural sciences and engineering knowledge and societal impact.'"

Processing forensic evidence in sexual assault cases is a highly technical, multi-step process. Typically, DNA evidence is first collected from the victim, then sent to a well-equipped forensic laboratory for analysis by a skilled technician. Once there, the sample is first processed to isolate the assailant's DNA from the victim's; analysis of the assailant's DNA can then be conducted and used to identify a suspect.

The entire process can take days, weeks or longer. Most of that time is taken up with transporting the evidence to the lab; also, once at the lab, the speed with which the sample is analyzed depends on the number of other cases requiring analysis.

The researchers focused on the first stepthat of separating the DNA of two individuals from a single sample. Currently, this can only be done manually by trained and experienced experts in a lab; i.e. there is no automated solution.

What Elsayed and his collaborators have developed is a process for separating two individuals' DNA employing a process called differential digestion technique using digital microfluidics. The new approach mitigates the current logistical and technical challenges.

The researchers simplified the process by reducing the number of manual steps needed to isolate the assailant's DNA from 13 to five. "Also, because micro-fluidic processes tend to be faster, we expect that one of the eventual benefits will be shortening the overall time needed," says Elsayed.

What's more, the new approach could lead to a mobile solution that doesn't require a lab. For example, testing could be done at a hospital where a victim would typically be taken in a sexual assault casethereby eliminating the time necessary for the sample to reach the lab and circumventing the lab's queue.

The new technique is compatible with the technology known as Rapid DNA Analysis, already in use for the second step of identifying an individual from their DNA. According to the authors, the long term goal would be to integrate the two technologies to make the process even more streamlined.

There are many challenges to overcome before the new technique is operational and deployed. But Elsayed is confident those challenges will be solved and has turned his efforts toward making it commercially viable and widely accessible.

"Our plan is to develop an instrument that will do in five minutes what currently takes 45," says Elsayed. "And to run many more samples than previously. Once we do that, the next step would be to introduce the technology to forensic labs and hospitals. It will take years but the potential is very exciting."

More information: Toward Analysis at the Point of Need: A Digital Microfluidic Approach to Processing Multi-Source Sexual Assault Samples, Advanced Science (2024). DOI: 10.1002/advs.202405712 Journal information: Advanced Science
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Scientists from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and Imperial College London have shown for the first time which aspects of our immune systems are regulated by sex hormones, and the impacts this has on disease risk and health outcomes in males and females.

It is well established that diseases can affect men and women differently, due to subtle differences in our immune systems. For example, the immune condition systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is nine-times more likely to affect women, or with COVID-19, males are known to have a greater risk of acute first-time infections, while females have a greater risk of long-COVID.

But it has proved difficult to unpick the direct influence of our genetics, hormones and behavior on our immune systems; which elements are affected; and how this influences subsequent disease risk.

Now, in a clinical study involving 23 transgender men who are receiving hormone therapy, researchers have been able to untangle which elements of the immune system are dynamically regulated by sex hormones, from elements assigned by our genetics.

The findings reveal how increased testosterone and reduced estrogen levels alter the balance between two crucial immune signaling systems that have direct implications for how the immune system responds to infection and disease: antiviral interferon type 1 (IFN-1) and proinflammatory signals such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-).

According to the researchers, the findingspublished in the journal Naturehelp to explain, for the first time, the mechanisms that underpin differences in the risk of infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancers among males and females, but could also open up potential avenues for new, more targeted treatments.

They add that the work also highlights the importance of ensuring long-term clinical follow-ups for trans individuals undergoing hormone therapy, and the long-term impacts that treatment may have on their immune system and disease risk.

Professor Petter Brodin, Garfield Weston Chair and Professor of Pediatric immunology at Imperial College London, who led the work while based at the Karolinska Institutet, said, "These findings have implications for us all. For the first time, we have been able to identify which parts of a person's immune system are directly regulated by sex hormones rather than genetic sex differences.

"This could have a significant impact not only on our understanding of how different diseases affect males and females differently, but also to develop new treatments which could help in everything from immune diseases to cancer."

Testosterone treatment

In the latest study, clinical researchers at the Karolinska Institutet recruited 23 transgender men, who had been registered 'female' at birth and were undergoing testosterone treatment. The team collected blood samples from patients before treatment, and then, following three months and one year of testosterone treatment, analyzing differences in the immune cells and proteins in the blood.

Analysis revealed several key elements of the immune system that changed following treatment, including pathways for inflammatory responses to infections and disease. Among these were TNF- and IFN-1, which play critical roles in inflammation, recognizing microbial invaders, and modulating immune responses to damage, disease and threats.

To test whether the observed changes were directly due to the increase in testosterone or indirectly from reduced estrogen, the team analyzed blood from 11 female donors. Samples were treated with receptor blockers to show that the effect was directly due to testosterone signaling, rather than loss of estradiol-signaling.

According to the researchers, the findings are important for understanding direct immunological consequences of hormone therapy in trans people. They add that changes to immune regulatory elements seen with hormone therapy may also explain why men and women respond differently to infections, and why males are more likely to experience 'cytokine storms' and increased mortality risk over females with COVID-19 and other severe infections.

Understanding sex differences

Professor Brodin is now continuing the work at the Medical Research Council Laboratory for Medical Science (MRC LMS), hosted at Imperial's Hammersmith Campus. Further studies will see blood samples analyzed to find which elements and pathways of the immune system could be targeted for therapies.

Professor Brodin added, "We're extremely grateful to the people who contributed to this study. Trans individuals are a hugely under-represented and under-served group in medicine. In addition to the invaluable immunological insights we've uncovered here, the involvement of this small group of people will enable us to gain deeper insights which may help the long-term health of trans people around the world."

More information: Petter Brodin, Immune system adaptation during gender-affirming testosterone treatment, Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07789-z. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07789-z Journal information: Nature
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The first delivery of almost 100,000 doses of mpox vaccines will arrive in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday, the African Union's health watchdog said, with a total of 200,000 jabs expected this week.

The vast central Africa country of around 100 million people is at the epicenter of the mpox outbreak, with cases and deaths rising.

"We are very pleased with the arrival of this first batch of vaccines in the DRC," Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told AFP, adding that more than 99,000 doses were expected on Thursday.

More than 17,500 cases and 629 deaths have been reported in the country since the start of the year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The first cargo of vaccine doses will be transported onboard an airplane leaving the Danish capital Copenhagen on Wednesday evening and are due to arrive at Kinshasa's international airport on Thursday at 1100 GMT.

Another flight carrying the rest of the 200,000 jabs is scheduled to arrive before the end of the week, Africa CDC confirmed. These first vaccines come from the laboratory of Danish drugmaker Bavarian Nordic.

According to the WHO, the DRC's government plans to start rolling out the jabs at the weekend.

'Health war'

UNICEF says that thousands of children in the DRC and neighboring countries are at serious risk of contracting the disease.

"We are in a health war against mpox. To face this disease, we need you," Congolese Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba said on X on Tuesday.

In Africa, mpox is now present in at least 13 countries, including Burundi, Congo-Brazzaville and the Central African Republic, according to figures from Africa CDC dated August 27.

On Wednesday, Guinea said it had recorded its first confirmed case of the disease, convening an emergency meeting in response.

A health official speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP that the case was discovered in a sub-prefecture close to the Liberian border.

Outside the continent, the virus has also been detected in Sweden, Pakistan and the Philippines.

Other countries have also promised to send vaccine doses to African nations.

Spain has promised 500,000 doses, with France and Germany each pledging 100,000.

The WHO declared an international emergency over mpox on August 14, concerned by the surge in cases of the new Clade 1b strain in the DRC that spread to nearby countries.

Both the Clade 1b and Clade 1a strains are present in the DRC.

The WHO's Africa bureau said at the end of last month that 10,000 vaccine doses would be delivered to NigeriaBavarian Nordic vaccines donated by the United States.

This was the first African country to receive doses outside of clinical trials.

Formerly called monkeypox, the virus was discovered in 1958 in Denmark, in monkeys kept for research.

It was first discovered in humans in 1970 in what is now the DRC.

Mpox is caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact.

The disease causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions.

 2024 AFP
MANILA  With the local BPO industry valued at over $35B in 2023, the Philippines has become known around the world as a hub for outsourcing...
POLTAVA, Ukraine  Two ballistic missiles blasted a military academy and nearby hospital Tuesday in Ukraine, killing more than 50 people and wounding more than 200 others, Ukrainian officials said, in one of the deadliest Russian strikes since the war began.

The missiles tore into the heart of the Poltava Military Institute of Communication's main building, causing several stories to collapse. It didn't take long for the smell of smoke and word of the deadly strike to spread through the central-eastern town.

"People found themselves under the rubble. Many were saved," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video posted on his Telegram channel. He ordered an investigation.

Shattered bricks were visible inside the closed gates of the institution, which was off-limits to the media, and small pools of blood could be seen just outside hours later. Field communications trucks were parked along the perimeter. Roads were covered in glass from shattered apartment windows.

"I heard explosions  I was at home at that time. When I left the house, I realized that it was something evil and something bad," said Yevheniy Zemskyy, who arrived to volunteer his help. "I was worried about the children, the residents of Poltava. That's why we are here today to help our city in any way we can."

By Tuesday evening, the death toll stood at 51, according to the general prosecutor's office.

Filip Pronin, governor of the region that bears Poltava's name, announced on Telegram that 219 people were wounded. Up to 18 people may be buried under the rubble, he said.

Ten apartment buildings were damaged, and more than 150 people donated blood, Pronin said.

He called it "a great tragedy" for the region and all of Ukraine, and announced three days of mourning starting Wednesday.

Rescue crews and medics saved 25 people, including 11 who were dug out of the rubble, Ukraine's Defense Ministry statement said.

The academy trains officers in communications and electronics, as well as drone operators, honing some of the most valued skills in a war where both sides are fighting for control of the electronic battlefield.

"The enemy certainly must answer for all (its) crimes against humanity," Pronin wrote on social media.

Cost of war

The Kremlin offered no immediate comment on the strike. It was not clear whether the dead and wounded were limited to Ukrainian military personnel, such as signal corps cadets, or if they included civilians.

Since it embarked on its full-scale invasion in early 2022, the Russian military has repeatedly used missiles to smash civilian targets, sometimes killing scores of people in a single attack.

Some of the deadliest such assaults included a 2022 airstrike on a theater in Mariupol that killed hundreds of civilians sheltering in the basement and a strike that same year on the train station in Kramatorsk that killed 61. Apartment buildings, markets and shopping centers have also been targeted.

Poltava is about 200 miles southeast of Kyiv, on the main highway and rail route between Kyiv and Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, which is close to the Russian border.

Zelenskyy repeated his appeal for Ukraine's Western partners to ensure swift delivery of military aid. He has previously chided the U.S. and European countries for being slow to make good on their pledges of help.

He also wants them to ease restrictions on what Ukraine can target on Russian soil with the weapons they provide. Some countries fear that hitting Russia could escalate the war.

"Ukraine needs air defense systems and missiles now, not sitting in storage," Zelenskyy wrote on social media.

"Long-range strikes that can protect us from Russian terror are needed now, not later. Every day of delay, unfortunately, means more lost lives," he said.

Nuclear danger

Meanwhile, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog described the situation at Europe's largest nuclear power plant as very fragile Tuesday following fresh attacks near the site in central Ukraine, and vowed to expand the agency's inspections to include critical electricity supplies.

Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, was on his 10th visit to Ukraine since the war began in February 2022.

He headed to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant after talks in Kyiv with Zelenskyy and top energy officials.

I think the situation  I have very often characterized it  as very fragile, Grossi told reporters in the Ukrainian capital. The station is again on the verge of being on a blackout. We've had eight of those in the past. A blackout (means) no power: no power, no cooling. No cooling, then maybe you have a disaster.

Earlier, Grossi posted on social media he was on his way to Zaporizhzhia to help prevent a nuclear accident.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, which came under Russian control in the wake of its full-scale invasion, saw artillery shelling in the area on Monday that damaged the facilitys power access, according to its operator Energoatom, which blamed Russia for the attacks.

Kids are going back to school during one of the hottest years on record. Here's how heat affects learning. Kids are going back to school during one of the hottest years on record. Here's how heat affects learning. The heat is on education A need to turn down the temperature
A Poplar man accused of carjacking a truck and stabbing the driver on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation admitted to a robbery crime on Aug. 26, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said Wednesday.

The defendant, Brandon Lee Romero, 29, pleaded guilty to robbery. Romero faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

A plea agreement filed in the case calls for other counts of carjacking, transportation of a stolen vehicle and assault with a dangerous weapon to be dismissed at sentencing if the court accepts the agreement.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Sentencing is set for Jan. 5, 2025. Romero was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged that on April 14, 2023, the victim, identified as John Doe, was contacted by his sister who asked him to pick up Romero and give him a ride because she didnt want him at her residence. John Doe agreed and, using his fathers truck, picked up Romero and began driving him to Poplar, on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. When Romero got out of the truck, John Doe noticed that Romero had pulled out two knives.

John Doe attempted to drive away, but Romero jumped into the truck bed, kicked out the back window, climbed into the truck and stabbed John Doe. The victim exited the truck, and Romero got into the drivers seat. Scared that Romero was going to run him over, John Doe hid behind a power pole. Romero was eventually arrested later that day by North Dakota law enforcement after Romero got into a high-speed chase in the truck he took from John Doe.

The U.S. Attorneys Office is prosecuting the case. Fort Peck Law Enforcement Services, the Roosevelt County Sheriffs Office and the Williston (N.D.) Police Department conducted the investigation.
Robert Osborn has been a professional photographer for half a century.

He's 86 now, but he vividly remembers Christmas morning when he was 10, when he unwrapped a Kodak Brownie camera and a dark room kit. He had never expressed any interest in photography, and hed never asked his mom for a camera. He still doesnt know why she got it for him.

I remember consciously thinking that it was really nice of my mother, he recalled, but I would rather have had a bicycle.

But complaining wasnt really an option in the Osborn house. The photographer, who now lives in Livingston, grew up in Watts, a neighborhood in Los Angeles that has pretty much always been low income and high crime. His family didnt have a lot of money, so if a gift was given, it was appreciated.

I took the camera and went outside, just to make her feel good, Osborn said.

He trained the viewfinder on his dads car, a 1938 Chevy Coupe with undulating fenders and teardrop headlights, and pressed the shutter.

I still remember that click, he said. That click eventually determined the entire rest of my life, right up to this second.

Evidently Osborns mom was onto something. Seventy-six years after the gift, her son has a thriving gallery in downtown Livingston, filled with the stunning large-scale black and white portraits hes turned into his trademark.

In 2017 the photographer released The Cowboys of Central Montana, a book that blows up these intimate photos onto coffee table sized pages.

Hes got a show at the Charles M. Bair Family Museum in Martinsdale through October. Next year hell show work at Great Falls C. M. Russell Museum and the Bozeman Art Museum.

And just to stay busy, the 86-year-old has another book of portraits on the way, this time focusing on homelessness on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. That should be out next spring, and to mark the occasion hes planning a 50-year retrospective at his gallery, which, in his words, travels through a number of really interesting stages.

A white kid in Watts

It started, of course, in Watts, not an easy place to be a 10-year-old white kid. Osborn skipped a couple grades, so when he got the camera he was already enrolled in Samuel Gompers Middle School, a place he found absolutely terrifying.

I knew three really good friends who were killed on the junior high school campus, he said. Its a brutal place.

He couldnt control anything, not at home, not at school, not even in his own head. But he could control what he looked at through that Kodak Brownie.

What a viewfinder does is isolate, Osborn explained. It gets rid of all that chaos, crap, junk. Its very selective.

In this world, the eternal battle is chaos versus order, he continued. My life was chaos, and I found that by looking through a viewfinder I could order and organize what I saw. In this chaos, I could find something beautiful.

In James Joyces Dubliners" short story collection, every tale revolves around the idea of an epiphany, a nearly holy moment that, though it seems random or even unimportant at the time, totally changes the characters life. Unwrapping that Brownie was Osborns epiphany. It is the hinge on which his life rotates.

Not that he knew it at the time. It took him 60 years to pinpoint that moment.

Hes done a lot in the meantime. As a young adult he left Watts for Torrence, another city in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. He worked as a firefighter there, and that sporadic schedule allowed him to spend his off-days taking photos.

I spent the usual amount of time growing up, being in the Navy, having kids, getting divorced, things like that, Osborn said. But somewhere along the line photography started taking over more and more of my life.

The rise and fall of BMX

It was BMX, of all things, that got Osborn into full-time photography. The sport  the acronym stands for bicycle motocross  pushes both bike and rider to the breaking point, with riders on highly specialized bikes racing on long, uneven tracks.

The BMX wave hit America around 1975, which is when Osborn started photographing kids in his neighborhood. The young riders dubbed themselves the Arvada Street Gang, after a road in Torrence, and since Osborn was a single parent with lots of room, his house was a safe spot for the group to congregate.

Soon, after all the grass in his front yard was torn up, Osborn had a thick portfolio of photos. He had a passing interest in buying a BMX newspaper, but figured he could kickstart his own publication for the price the publisher wanted.

In 1976 Osborn founded Bicycle Motocross Action, a magazine dedicated to the sport. It exploded, and by 1980 he was able to quit the fire department and go into photography and publishing full time. BMX Action, as the publication became known, was shipped worldwide.

Then Nintendo came out. To hear Osborn tell it, the gaming company slit the throat of BMX when it started gaining popularity in the late 1980s. With the bulk of his clientele suddenly content to stay inside all day, the magazines revenue started plummeting. By 1988, Osborn was pushed to his limit.

I made a deal with God that year, Osborn remembers. If he could get me through that year, Id move to Carmel, become a scenic photographer and live a very peaceful life after this. And I guess God decided to cut me a little slack, because thats exactly what I did.

He sold his stake in the magazine and started turning his camera lens away from people and onto nature. Osborn loved the dominant natural features of California.

God created Yosemite for photographers, he laughed. It fits right into a viewfinder.

God also created Montana

But there was an element of his deal with God that didnt pan out  the photographer was struggling to find peace in California.

California was getting more and more gruesome, he lamented. He couldnt take the population growth, the omnipresent and always packed freeways, the smog.

Then one day, 30 years ago, he came to Montana for a photography trip. Then another one. Then another one. He started to see himself as a magnet, but one whose polarity had flipped. The things that used to draw him in were now pushing him away.

California was repelling me, he remembered, and Montana was attracting me.

So 25 years ago, he moved here. He settled briefly in Bozeman, but couldnt find a contractor to help him rebuild a house he was eyeing, as they were all busy working at the Yellowstone Club.

A realtor friend suggested a house in Livingston, a place Osborn, as a self-professed snobby-ass Californian, wasnt super impressed by.

I thought it was a dumpy little town, he confessed, laughing at himself now.

But he fell in love with the house, so he bought it. And he still lives in it today.

Miraculously, this town has become brilliant, Osborn said, unsure whether it changed or he did. I love this place.

But he struggled with photographing Montana. Hed been a nature photographer for decades, but the landscape out here vexed him. It was gorgeous, but he could never capture it.

Cowboys and Indians

Montana, he realized, was too big. Its easy to photograph a Joshua tree, but what can you do with a wide-open Montana prairie? How can you capture that enormity on a camera lens? Hed spent his life truncating things down so theyd fit on a viewfinder, and you cant do that with places that refuse to be truncated.

Shortly after he came to this understanding, Osborn was talking to a woman he called a normal Montana lady  one of those ladies thats right on the edge.

She works her head off at any job she can get, he described. She'll paint, shell mow your lawn, she cleans a school in the middle of the night. Shes worn.

She had blond hair, was a little bit sunburned, wore a pair of distinct glasses and had a faded old tattoo that stuck out from under her shirt. Here, Osborn realized, was something he could take a photo of.

He asked her for a portrait, and she agreed. As soon as Osborn got her focused in his viewfinder and pulled the shutter, making the familiar click, he had his second great epiphany.

You go to California and everybodys hair is strait. They were just massaged. They just had a manicure. Theyre exercised and tanned to perfection, he said. But not in Montana. People smoke. They get fat. They get skinny. Theyre wrinkled or whiskered or tired or desperate or homeless. We have real people out here.

Ever since then Osborn has been capturing these real people. He is particularly drawn to Native Americans and cowboys, two groups of people who have been mythologized for so long that their personhood can be overshadowed by their legend.

The cowboys came easily. Osborn prides himself in being able to pick out poser cowboys, a skill that comes in handy whenever one is adjacent to the Gallatin Valley.

His cowboy portraits started getting picked up, and they ran in magazines like the Big Sky Journal, Cowboys and Indians and others.

When The Cowboys of Central Montana came out, Osborn was both gratified and terrified that he wouldnt be able to come up with any more ideas. Then his friend, Bozeman-based photographer Chris Douglas, suggested Osborn use his now distinctive portrait style to photograph Indigenous people.

Osborn has always felt an affinity for Native peoples, and he traces that back to his childhood growing up in Watts, where he was a minority. But he was still an unfamiliar white person trying to take very intimate and very close up photographs.

Im a whitey, he said. They dont trust whities, with good reason.

Douglas connected him with a couple Crow people, and Osborn was intrigued. But he wanted more. So he went to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. At the Homestead Inn in Wolf Point, he rented out the conference room and turned it into an impromptu studio.

Without an introduction, he started going up to folks on the street to ask if he could photograph them, offering a modeling fee and copies of the photo.

It was slow going, and the first few times he tried Osborn returned with nothing. But he eventually gained trust with one or two native people, theyd help him open the door.

Reciprocation is a big word, Osborn explained. When I photograph a person, I want them to walk away just tickled to death with everything that happened.

Osborn also doesnt want to force any narrative onto his photos. The subjects tell everything already.

It is my intention for these people to speak for themselves, through the photographs, he explained.

Hes got a good rapport on several reservations now, and his upcoming book will be full of photos hes taken during that time.

After years of photographing Native people, I see dignity, pride and sorrow for everything theyve lost, he said. I see a warrior component. I see a distrust of white people in general and of this white photographer in general. I want every bit of that to be in the photographs I take.

Osborns photos arent documents. Theyre art pieces. He thinks of himself as an artist using photography as his medium more than he thinks of himself as a photographer. Thats why he still shoots on black and white.

Color photographer speaks at a foundational level of documentation, he explained. Black and white speaks at a foundational level of art. I approach this with every cell in my body from an art perspective.

And when you see a Robert Osborn portrait, art is really the only word to use. His lens, which is so close and so detailed, captures things you dont notice with your eyes. Somehow his photos are more real than real life.

I would like to believe that if you walk up and stand in front of my photographs, they have something to say, Osborn said. If they dont open your imagination, if they dont have something to say to you thats meaningful, then theyre not very good photographs.
The Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council on Tuesday urged Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy to formally apologize for remarks they called offensive.

Char-Koosta News, an outlet run by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, on Friday reported that Sheehy made questionable comments about the Crow Nation at several fundraiser events in 2023.

In one audio clip obtained by Char-Koosta, Sheehy tells a crowd in Shelby about cattle ranching on the Crow Reservation.

A great way to bond with all the Indians is being out there while theyre drunk at 8 a.m. and youre roping together, he said to a laughing audience.

At another event in Hamilton, according to audio obtained by Char-Koosta, Sheehy tells a crowd of his time participating in a parade on the Crow Reservation.

If you know a tough crowd, you want to go to the Crow Rez, he said. They let you know whether they like you or not  theres Coors Light flying by your head  but you know, they respect that.

At separate events in Superior and Helena, according to the Char-Koosta, Sheehy said if he missed a double-heel shot in a rodeo on the reservation, theres a Coors Light can in the side of your head.

Sheehy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Crow people are not your punchline

Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council Chairman Bryce Kirk on Tuesday urged Sheehy to issue a formal apology at a public news conference and air a corresponding public service announcement.

We have listened to you and have taken seriously your run for office, Kirk wrote in a letter to Sheehy. But we find your recorded remarks to be a betrayal of the good faith of Montanas Native Americans. You come into our homes, and you ask for our votes and then you go to your fundraiser ... and you insult us with a stereotype that only seeks to severely diminish and dishonor our people.

Kirk argued that Sheehys language showed complete disregard for families, organizations and professionals who work to address issues of addiction in Montana. The Blackfeet Nation in 2022 declared a state of emergency for drug overdoses. Both the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations are dry, meaning the sale of alcohol is prohibited.

The Crow people are not your punchline, Kirk continued. Native Americans are not your punchline.

If meaningful action is not taken, Kirk wrote that Sheehys words will become an inexcusable setback in trust-building and forward progress regarding state-tribal relations.

In a separate letter to Sheehy, Montana's American Indian Caucus said the perpetuation of stereotypes "hurts our young people" and emphasizes the need for Indian Education for All.

"As a candidate for office in Montana, you have a responsibility to know and respect the Indian communities you are running to represent," the caucus wrote.

How well will he represent us?

Several caucus members said Sheehys comments raise concern over how he will represent Indigenous people if elected.

Native Americans comprise about 6.7% of Montanas population and have the power to swing elections. Sheehys opponent, Sen. Jon Tester, in 2018 won his seat by almost 18,000 votes, which experts say is well within the states estimated Indigenous voting bloc.

While tribes have self-governing authority, Congress has tremendous influence on Indian Country. Congress allocates funding for things like broadband projects or Indian Health Service investments. Federal funding, for example, brought $10,000 to the Crow Language Consortium in 2021. And this year, tribal leaders nationwide plan to urge senators to reauthorize legislation that would help tribes combat housing crises in their communities.

Former President Donald Trump held a rally in support of Sheehy's candidacy last month in Bozeman, and in Sheehy's speech in front of a standing room-only field house, he appealed for the Native vote.

"To our Native brothers and sisters, what have the Democrats done for you?" Sheehy asked the crowd. "What have the Democrats done for the reservations and the tribes? Why do you continue to vote for them and send them back to office? I ask you to consider supporting our campaign because we will put you first."

State Rep. Sharon Stewart Peregoy, D-Crow Agency, called Sheehys comments racist, saying they perpetuate stereotypes.

It makes me wonder if he gets in, how well will he represent us? she said. Wed have no voice. Because a drunk doesnt have a voice, right? Hes diminishing us in those terms.  He knows nothing about Indian Country, none of the treaty rights, except what he said  were all a bunch of drunks.

Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, said the recordings left him stunned.

All I can say is, Indian Country, we need to get out and vote, he said. If this guy gets elected, were going to be the last at the trough  the burp at the end of a good meal.
The East Boulder Mine's Plan of Operations and Operating Permit have been approved by the Custer Gallatin National Forest and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

The agencies announced in a joint statement on Tuesday that a Final Decision and Environmental Impact Statement analyzing the mining company's proposed changes had been completed.

The decision comes despite concerns expressed by residents and conservation groups regarding runoff, a tailings dam rupture and downstream flooding.

Stillwater Mining Co., a subsidiary of Sibanye-Stillwater, has produced platinum group metals from the East Boulder Mine in Sweet Grass County since 2002.

The Final Decision will implement Alternative 3 which incorporates additional design elements including construction of the Lewis Gulch and Dry Fork facilities to provide tailings and waste rock storage capacity needed in 2025. This alternative enables platinum group metals to be produced for 11 to 14 years and would provide continued employment of up to 600 people. In addition, Alternative 3 was revised in response to public comments.

The Dry Fork Waste Rock Storage Area storm water channels will convey a 1-in-200 year, 24-hour precipitation event and geomorphic or landform architecture design would be incorporated for both the Lewis Gulch Tailings Storage Facility and the Dry Fork Waste Rock Storage Area.

Geomorphic landform design principles will be used to create a more natural appearance for the two facilities, help reduce erosion and improve revegetation success. The expected reduction in erosion from the design features decreases the potential for sediment delivery to aquatic habitat.

The Final Decision and Environmental Impact Statement and supporting project documents (such as the Plan of Operations, public notices, and technical memorandums), are available on the Forest Service website.

There were no objections received to the Draft Decision and EIS released in November 2023. Implementation of the expansion is projected to begin in 2025.
With kids back in the classroom, the teachers and staff at Jefferson Elementary hope to do what they can to keep their students learning and engaged. For some teachers, this means incorporating new technology.

Since around the start of the new school year, third grade teacher Brenda Todd has been using Timekettle M3 translator earbuds to communicate with her student, Mark Bereza, who is from Ukraine. Through the app, Todd can translate anything shes says in English into Russian in real-time, allowing Mark to understand her more easily.

The school already had access to the technology through its English Language Learners department, Todd said.

Our English Language teacher already had them and had used them last year for a student, and so it was her tool and her idea," she said.

Prior to trying out the earbuds, Todd had instead tried to use Google Translate.

It was really time consuming, she recalled. That first day when we used Google Translate on my phone, it was a lot of just me and him just trying to get the basics down  but on the second day of school, when we got (these tools), it just made communicating so much easier because he just listens, and instead of me needing to think of how to explain something, it just translates it.

Now that he has the earbuds, Bereza can use them during classes such as his English language/literature class, science class, and special classes such as art, music, and gym. In other aspects of his school day, such as with math class, hes able to understand what is being taught without needing as much translation.

If he doesnt think that he needs them for something, then hell just take the earbuds out. But with something like our English Language block, he wants to be able to listen to the stories and understand what were doing, Todd said, adding that the real-time translation has allowed Bereza to engage in class more fully without ever feeling left out.

Its easier to communicate with him (using the earbuds) because I dont have to stop and repeat everything, and the other kids dont have to wait while Im trying to translate something for him, she continued. Then, if he doesnt understand something, he lets me know, but most of the time the app translates just fine.

There are also times, Todd noted, where Bereza has been able to practice his English with his classmates, often still using Google Translate with the other kids, along with getting to speak Russian with other Ukrainian kids at Jefferson.

Hes learning to advocate for himself, Todd said. This has, in turn, inspired some of Berezas new classmates to learn Russian phrases, such as will you be my friend?

His face just lit up at that," Todd said.

Another third grade teacher at Jefferson, Sarah Randleman, also uses the M3 earbuds with one of her students, who is from Cuba and who primarily speaks Spanish.

(The technology) is a lifesaver, Randleman said. I do not have any students this year who are fluent in Spanish, and I dont speak it, so for him to be able to be getting the lessons that I am teaching in English into Spanish has been very beneficial for all of us. He knows how to use the technology himself, so its been a seamless transition between him using and not using (the earbuds).

As educators become more comfortable with using AI and the tools that AI can offer to support teachers, I think were going to find that its going to become more of an asset in educating students, Jefferson Principal Kandy Steel said. Using these tools, were able to offer significant support in helping these students as they become English speakers.

Steel added that the use of this language and communication technology is part of a district-wide initiative to support its English-learning students as well as its teachers.

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Attorney General Dorcas Oduor has moved to address compliance among pastors and Imams who officiate marriages.

In a notice published in the MyGov Newspaper, the AGs office instructed these religious leaders to submit all marriage certificates from previously conducted ceremonies to the Registrar of Marriages.

Furthermore, Oduor mandated that pastors and Imams scan and upload marriage certificates or special licenses for any marriages celebrated from September 1, 2024, to the official website of the Registrar of Marriages ([email protected]).

Starting September 1, 2024, pastors will also need to deliver the original marriage certificates to the Registrar of Marriages in Nairobi within 14 days of the marriage ceremony.

Deliver the original marriage certificates to the Registrar of Marriages, Nairobi within Fourteen (14) days of the celebration of the marriage. For further enquires and/or clarifications kindly reach the Registrar of Marriages office through Tel: 020-2227461 / 0732529995 /0700072929 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected].

This new requirement adheres to Sections 53 to 57 of the Marriage Act, which stipulate that anyone officiating a marriage must forward a copy of the marriage certificate for registration.

The Act states, Where a marriage is celebrated under Part III of this Act, the person officiating at the marriage shall forward a copy of the certificate of marriage to the Registrar within fourteen days of the celebration of the marriage for the registration of that marriage.

This policy applies to all types of marriages, including Christian, Islamic, civil, Hindu, and customary unions, as the AG seeks to enhance accountability and streamline marriage registration in the country.

In May 2024, Principal Magistrate C.N. Ondieki ruled that couples united in customary weddings but not registered under Kenyan law risk annulment at the request of one partner. The court ruling mandates the registration of such marriages.

The magistrate emphasized that a marriage can only be annulled without additional ramifications, such as the splitting of property. He cited a clause from the Marriage Act of 2014, which defines marriage as the voluntary union of a man and a woman, whether in a monogamous or polygamous union and registered in.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, through the State Department for Crop Development, has invited applications for the Empowering Novel Agribusiness-Led Employment (ENABLE) Youth Kenya program.

In an advertisement released on September 3, the department outlined the programs objectives, which include creating jobs, enhancing food security and nutrition, generating income, and improving the livelihoods of youth in both urban and rural areas.

The announcement highlighted the programs focus on recruiting suitable agripreneurs as incubatees who will receive training and support in various agricultural value chains.

ENABLE Youth Kenya Program is currently seeking suitable agripreneurs as incubatees to be trained and empowered within the supported value chains via a countrywide recruitment exercise. Agribusiness ideas must be innovative and novel, stated the advertisement.

The program encompasses the entire agriculture value chain, including production, processing, value addition, input supplies, and marketing. Specific targeted value chains include poultry, vegetables, dairy, beef, pasture, mushrooms, pigs, and fish.

The recruitment will focus on two categories: standard incubators and accelerator incubators.

Youth Incubatee Applications

Youth agripreneurs who wish to become incubatees must have an annual turnover of less than Kes. 500,000. They must also be willing and available to receive capacity building and/or funding to achieve economic viability.

Standard incubatees must have operated their businesses for at least twelve months and will undergo incubation and training for a period of 3 to 6 months. Additionally, applicants must hold a Diploma or Degree from a recognized institution.

Accelerated Incubatee

The accelerated incubator category targets youth agripreneurs with actively running agribusiness ventures that have an annual turnover exceeding Kes. 500,000.

According to the notice, these incubatees must also be open to capacity building and/or funding to upscale their businesses. Furthermore, the businesses must have been in operation for more than twelve months and will undergo incubation and training for a period not exceeding six months.

Applicants must hold a Certificate, Diploma, or Degree from a recognized institution.

Requirements for Application

To apply, candidates must be Kenyan citizens aged between 18 and 35 years and possess a National ID. They are required to submit relevant educational certificates based on the incubation category (Standard or Accelerator), along with a KRA PIN Certificate and a certificate from an approved Credit Reference Bureau.

Moreover, applicants must submit a concise one-page business proposal upon admission. This proposal should outline an innovative and novel business idea, detailing access to business premises, office space, and land for production, where applicable.

It should also highlight the adaptability of the selected value chain to the project location, the availability of a market for the product or service within the targeted value chains, prevailing risks and mitigation strategies, and the availability of necessary licenses and permits. Projects focused on value addition, aggregation, marketing, agricultural services, and distribution will receive priority consideration.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit their applications by filling out the online form available at the provided link.

Candidates can also access detailed application instructions through the ENABLE Youth website at enableyouth.kilimo.go.ke and the Ministry of Agriculture website at kilimo.go.ke under the VACANCIES or MEDIA CENTRE  ADVERTISEMENTS sections.

All applications must be submitted by October 30, 2024. Candidates should specify whether they are applying as standard or accelerator incubatees based on the provided criteria.
Joseph Kimari Machiri, the father of the prime suspect in the Kes. 1.5 billion Equity Bank heist, experienced a dramatic abduction by armed individuals during a raid on his home, an incident captured by CCTV cameras.

On August 11, armed assailants disguised as police officers forcibly took Mr. Kimari from his residence. This occurred just hours after his son, David Machiri, the banks manager at the Group Processing Centre, was also abducted from his home in Thogoto, Kiambu County.

David, 39, is believed to have exploited his credentials to facilitate the massive theft from Equity Bank on July 10.

Following his abduction, Mr. Kimari faced two days of captivity, during which his captors threatened him against speaking to the media or revealing details about his ordeal. He was released on August 13.

After his release, Mr. Kimari expressed gratitude for his safety but declined to share the terrifying details of his captivity. He recounted being taken to an unknown forest, where he could hear lions roaring and hyenas laughing.

I am glad to be alive and okay. I just dont have much to say, but we appreciate the concern shown to me and my family.

A family source disclosed that Mr. Kimari returned home in a convoy of more than five cars, typically used by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

The family has raised significant concerns about the professionalism and motives behind the abduction, amid public backlash about potential involvement from law enforcement and misconduct within the criminal investigation framework.

In light of the bank heist, the familys worries increasingly center on the legal implications of the case, particularly regarding the vulnerability of whistleblowers and suspects in high-stakes fraud situations. Their legal representative, Mr. Ndegwa Njiru, has called for accountability from authorities, emphasizing that the current circumstances reflect a disturbing trend in Kenyan law enforcement.

David Machiri, the prime suspect, had previously faced fraud charges. Reports indicated that during his leave, he executed over 47 transactions using his credentials, amounting to an astonishing Kes. 1,545,887,140.49, all illicitly funneled into various accounts across different banks.

During the initial investigation, Equity Banks internal control unit flagged a series of suspicious transactions from the banks payroll account, prompting a swift response from authorities.

Detectives intensified their inquiry after these revelations, noting the absence of corresponding credits for the large withdrawals, which raised immediate red flags. Following the internal controls teams findings, the bank reported the issue to the Banking Fraud Investigation Unit at the DCI on July 11.

However, when detectives sought an extended detention of Machiri to facilitate deeper investigations, the court released him on bail, only for him to be abducted shortly afterward. The whereabouts of David Machiri remain unknown.

As the investigations escalated, the DCIs Banking Fraud Investigations Unit moved its efforts to the DCI headquarters for increased oversight, underscoring the urgency of the case and the concerns surrounding it.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has summoned Embakasi North MP James Gakuya to address remarks he made about the Somali community.

The commissions statement, dated August 26, accuses Gakuya, an ally of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, of making inflammatory comments in Kikuyu regarding Somalis who operate businesses in Nairobis Central Business District (CBD) and Eastleigh.

According to the NCIC, Gakuya claimed that Kikuyus had surrendered control of Nairobi CBD to Somalis, warning that this might lead to Somalis taking over the entire city and displacing Kikuyus.

In his comments, Gakuya, as quoted by NCIC, said, What I can tell the Kikuyus is that giving properties in Nairobi CBD to those foreigners just because they are the highest bidders with pirate money they obtain from the oceanwill lead to them taking Nairobi from us.

The lawmaker further asserted that Somalis have taken over Eastleigh, claiming that Kikuyus originally owned the apartments in these areas. He suggested that Kikuyus should only sell their plots to fellow Kikuyus, citing the presence of wealthy individuals within the community who are capable of purchasing these properties.

When selling your properties in Nairobi, instruct brokers not to bring Somalis because our people are available and we dont want outsiders buying these properties, Gakuya said. He also criticized Somalis for not employing Kikuyus, contrasting this with Kikuyus who hire people regardless of their tribe.

The Somalis dont even employ kikuyus unlike us who employ everyone irrespective of tribe. These people buy the apartments and then fill them with Somalis, he added.

Gakuya also highlighted that South C is now largely owned by Somalis, making it challenging to find homes owned by Kenyans in the area. He noted that despite their significant numbers in Nairobi, Kikuyus do not fully leverage their potential.

In Nairobi, we have 1,200,000 registered voters, but only 700,000 actually cast their votes, raising questions about where the remaining votes go, Gakuya claimed.

He further commented, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been at the forefront of fighting for our people in Nairobi. Instead of voting for individuals who later turn against us, one of our own should consider running for that seat.

Gakuya also alleged that apartments along the river in Gikomba were demolished because they were owned by Kikuyus, suggesting that if the owners had been from other tribes, the situation would have led to chaos. He mentioned that Deputy President Gachagua is not always aware of such actions because instructions come from the top to others to carry out the work, making it difficult for him to object to these directives.

The NCIC stated that Gakuyas remarks could incite feelings of contempt, hatred, hostility, violence, or discrimination, which undermines harmonious coexistence among different ethnic groups in Kenya, violating Section 62(1)(a) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.

MP Gakuya is scheduled to appear before the commission on Thursday, September 5, 2024, for an investigation into his comments.

Please be advised that you are required to appear at the NCIC offices, Britam Towers, Upper Hill, 18th Floor, on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. to assist the commission with the ongoing investigation, the statement read in part.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has announced that the government will fully implement the second phase of the civil servants Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, September 3, Muturi confirmed that the Treasury has agreed to provide the necessary funds for these payments, which will be backdated to July.

The National Treasury has agreed to provide the resources needed to pay civil servants salaries according to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Muturi stated.

All civil servants will receive their backdated salaries by the end of this month. This move follows a recent court action by the Union of Kenya Civil Servants, which aimed to halt the Salary and Remuneration Commissions (SRC) decision to freeze their members pay increases.

The union had also threatened to strike if the pay rise was not implemented by the end of the month.

On September 2, the Union of Kenya Civil Servants issued a seven-day ultimatum, warning of industrial action if the government did not implement the second phase of the CBA by the end of the week. Union Secretary General Tom Odege condemned the SRCs decision to suspend the CBAs implementation. He described the suspension as illegal and stressed that the finalized terms of the agreement should be honored.

The union clarified that the first phase of the Agreement, signed on September 11, 2023, covered the period from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, while the second phase was intended to cover July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

According to Odeges affidavit, the CBA applies to all civil servants within job groups CSG 17 to CSG 8 of the national government, including those deployed at both the national and county government levels. The agreement aimed to ensure annual salary increments as outlined for the respective grades.

Despite this, the SRC issued a circular freezing salary reviews for all public officers for FY2024-25 until further notice.
The proposed takeover of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by the Indian firm Adani Group has encountered new opposition, as concerns have been raised by Indias Congress.

On September 3, 2024, Indian National Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh voiced these concerns in light of protests from aviation workers in Kenya against the takeover.

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Ramesh criticized the proposal, warning that it could lead to anger against India and the Indian government. He stated, This is a matter of grave concern for India, because the non-biological Prime Ministers friendship with Mr. Adani is now globally well known. The protests can therefore easily convert into anger against India and the Indian government.

Ramesh pointed to recent projects by the Adani Group in neighboring countries that ignited protests against their governments. He specifically referenced a contract between former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas government and Adanis coal plant in Jharkhand, which became a critical factor in the unrest that ultimately led to her resignation.

He further criticized the Indian Prime Ministers relationship with the Adani Group, arguing that it has diminished Indias global standing.

Today, the Prime Ministers collusion with the Adani Group has contributed to the erosion of Indias strength and led to unprecedented setbacks on the global stagejust one of the many sacrifices the country has made due to the non-biological PMs special friendship, he added.

These remarks came after Adani Enterprises established a Kenyan subsidiary to further its efforts to take over the management of JKIA. Adani Group launched a new company in Kenya called Airports Infrastructure PLC (AIP) through its step-down subsidiary, Global Airports Operator L.L.C. (GAO). This new entity aims to manage, upgrade, and modernize airports throughout the country.

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Adani announced the creation of AIP in a notice dated August 30, which it communicated to both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE).

Although Adani has not yet initiated business operations, AIP is officially registered under the Companies Act of 2015 and is wholly owned by Global Airports Operator L.L.C.

Furthermore, no cash consideration or share swap was involved in the formation of this subsidiary, as GAO retains full ownership of the share capital.
Kenya has officially become a fully paid member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), securing its place in the multilateral development institution by fulfilling all financial obligations, including the required membership fees.

The announcement came on September 3, following a meeting between President William Ruto and AIIB President and Board of Directors Chairman Jin Liqun at the banks headquarters in Beijing, China.

President Ruto highlighted the significant benefits that this membership will bring to Kenya. He explained that the government intends to leverage AIIB funding to support critical projects in infrastructure, climate change initiatives, connectivity, and technology.

The membership will enable Kenya to access concessional funding for infrastructure, climate change efforts, regional cooperation, and technology-enabled projects, Ruto stated.

Membership Benefits

As a member of AIIB, Kenya now has access to a development institution with 109 members and a capitalization of $100 billion. This membership opens the door to financing large-scale infrastructure projects that are vital for the countrys growth but may be difficult to fund through other means.

AIIBs focus on infrastructure investment means that Kenya can now secure funding for essential projects such as roads, bridges, ports, and energy facilities. These investments are expected to stimulate economic growth and reduce the cost of doing business in the country.

Elsewhere, President Ruto held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit.

During their discussions, President Xi agreed to grant access for Kenyas agricultural produce to the Chinese market. Ruto also noted that they discussed regional infrastructure projects, including the expansion of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the Rironi-Mau Summit-Malaba dual carriageway.

Furthermore, Ruto emphasized the importance of FOCAC in strengthening the strategic partnership between Kenya and China, highlighting the opportunities it provides for a mutually beneficial relationship. He also mentioned Kenyas commitment to deepening its partnership with Congo-Brazzaville, focusing on trade, investment, and regional security to deliver tangible benefits for citizens.
Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Dr. Alfred Mutua, has assured workers that the proposed 6% minimum wage increase will be implemented before the year ends.

He addressed concerns about the timeline, stating that workers could see the higher wages on their pay slips as early as October.

Dr. Mutua made these statements following a meeting with key stakeholders, including Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) President Gilda Odera and Executive Director Jackline Mugo, on September 3, 2024.

During the discussions, he committed to speeding up the gazettement of essential councils necessary for the wage increase, including the Wages Council, Seafarers Council, Agricultural Workers Council, and Private Security Guards Council.

Emphasizing the governments dedication to economic growth, Dr. Mutua urged employers to adopt best practices and ensure fairness for employees, highlighting the crucial role of occupational health. He stated, The economy cannot grow if the private sector does not grow. If the private sector shrinks, no jobs are created.

Additionally, Dr. Mutua plans to visit various workplaces to personally assess the treatment of workers.

Meanwhile, the FKE said it fully supports Dr. Mutuas efforts to maintain labor sector harmony. FKE President Gilda Odera confirmed that the federation is ready to offer technical support to the government in resolving labor issues as they arise.

Dr. Mutua also announced that the tripartite partnerscomprising the government, FKE, and the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU)will hold quarterly meetings to review the state of labor in Kenya.

These meetings aim to ensure ongoing dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders to address emerging challenges in the labor sector.
The latest effort to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom from office failed to gather enough signatures, the campaign confirmed Tuesday, the deadline to submit the necessary 1.3 million signatures.

Were not turning in any signatures, Anne Hyde Dunsmore, chief petitioner with the campaign, said in an interview Tuesday. The process is time consuming and we felt that we had done what we needed to do.

The groups failure to gather enough signatures means Newsom will not face a second recall election. In 2021, he defeated a recall attempt with 62% of California voters opting to keep him in office. A year later he won a second term in office with 59%. Newsom is term-limited and will leave office in 2027.

Serial losers, losing, Newsom campaign spokesman Nathan Click said.

The latest recall campaign set out in February to remove Newsom from the highest elected office in California but Dunsmore said their mission quickly pivoted to keep him from moving further up, into the White House.

Newsom was actively campaigning for president Joe Bidens reelection this summer before Biden dropped out of the race. Dunsmore and other critics of the governor saw it as an attempt for Newsom to raise his national profile and leverage himself onto the presidential ticket.

Youd have to be blind and deaf not to recognize the fact that his trips to China, his active fundraising for candidates in other states  which hes never done before  his constant acceleration of press opportunities around the world, werent designed with immediate presidential aspirations in mind, she said.

Dunsmore said with another Democrat, Vice President Kamala Harris, now leading the party, Newsom faded into the background. Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee last month.

When you read about Gavin Newsom today, he is termed as irrelevant and thats a victory, she said. He is not on a track to the White House. Thats a victory. He is now having to fix the problems hes created. Thats a victory.

The group, Rescue California, began calling itself Rescue California, Save America. While backed by thousands of volunteers, it failed to raise the millions of dollars needed to support a major statewide recall campaign and gather the more than 1.3 million voter signatures needed to force an election.

With no major financial backing, Dunsmore said the campaign became more of an educational one. It held thrice-weekly conference calls with voters and volunteers where experts discussed issues such as this years $47 billion state budget deficit. She said the grassroots campaign sent millions of emails.

Dunsmore also blasted the California Republican Party for not assisting with the latest attempt to remove Newsom from office.

The California Republican Party is not run by the people  the Republicans  in the state, she said. Its run by the major donors who also give to Gavin Newsom.

She pointed to Pacific Gas & Electric, which supported Newsoms first run for governor. This year PG&E has donated to the California GOP as well as Newsoms behavioral health reform measure Prop. 1, which was on the ballot in March.

Dunsmore also called state party chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson a puppet of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

McCarthy was a mastermind behind a lot of great things, she said. Dealing with the problems in Sacramento, and therefore the problems in California, is not one of them. So were missing leadership at the state party.
China Agricultural University established the Sino-Africa Science and Technology Backyard (STB) in Handan, Hebei Province in 2019. The project invites African students to study agricultural technology in China to implement in their home countries. More than 70 agricultural graduate students from 10 countries, including Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi and Burkina Faso, have participated in the program. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has promoted this cooperation model globally as a means of better empowering small scale farmers. People's Daily reporter Rennie visited to hear their stories and learn more. (Produced by Huang Jingjing, Wang Ruofan, Liang Peiyu, Zheng Qi and Wang Xiangyu)

People's Daily App July 30, 2024
By Zhang Yu

Zhang Hongyan explains wheat management techniques to African students in a wheat field in Quzhou county, Handan, Hebei province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A group of African students studying at China Agricultural University have recently been busy conducting research and learning techniques in Quzhou county, Handan, Hebei province.

The 15 students from China Agricultural University have been in Quzhou since September last year for the Sino-Africa Science and Technology Backyard project.

During the year-long practical training, they focused on learning about the service-oriented agricultural production model for small-scale farmers.

The Sino-Africa Science and Technology Backyard project was launched in 2019, aiming to provide technological support and talent for agricultural development in Africa through agricultural practices and technology exchange, according to the university.

The project has trained over 70 agricultural students from 14 African countries.

Zhang Hongyan explains wheat management techniques to African students in a wheat field in Quzhou county, Handan, Hebei province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

African students collect soil samples in a wheat field in Quzhou county, Handan, Hebei province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

African students collect plant samples and soil samples for potted plant experiments. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

An African student displays a bowl of tomatoes at a greenhouse in Quzhou county, Handan, Hebei province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

African students visit an agricultural machinery cooperative in Quzhou county, Handan, Hebei province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

China Daily APP Aug 27, 2024




Older women struggling with urinary incontinence can benefit from regular, low-impact exercise, with yoga as well as stretching and strengthening showing benefits in a new study published Aug. 27 in Annals of Internal Medicine.

The research, led by scientists at Stanford Medicine and the University of California, San Francisco, is part of a larger effort to identify low-risk, low-cost ways to treat one of the most common health problems women face as they age.

Our study was testing the kind of yoga that just about anyone can do, with modifications for different physical abilities, said the studys senior author, Leslee Subak, MD, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Stanford Medicine. What I love about it is that its safe, inexpensive, doesnt require a doctor and accessible wherever you live. Because the trial was conducted partly during the COVID-19 pandemic, many participants received their yoga or exercise instruction via online meetings, exercising in their own homes, she noted.

The studys lead author is Alison Huang, MD, professor of medicine, urology, and epidemiology and biostatistics at UCSF.

Urinary incontinence, which affects more than half of middle-aged women and up to 80% of 80-year-olds, can lead to a variety of other problems, from social isolation to bone fractures caused by falls. But there is help.

Part of the problem is that incontinence is stigmatized; we dont talk about it, said Subak, the Katharine Dexter McCormick and Stanley McCormick Memorial Professor III. Or we hear folklore about this being normal when you get older. In fact, its very common but its not inevitable, and we have very effective ways of treating it.

Addressing a common problem

Incontinence deserves good treatment because of the many ways it interferes with peoples lives.

It takes away independence, Subak said. My patients will say, I cant stay with my kids or grandkids because Im afraid Ill wet the bed, and I cant talk about it; its too embarrassing."

Patients may avoid activities that could boost their well-being, such as exercising and seeing friends. They are more likely to be admitted to a nursing home and to suffer certain serious medical problems such as hip fractures.

Incontinence and overactive bladder are among the biggest risk factors for falls and fractures among older women, Subak said. Youre rushing to the bathroom at night  with the lights off  tripping and falling, and breaking a hip.

Some factors that contribute to risk for incontinence cant be changed, such as aging or having had children. But others are modifiable.

A lot of my research has focused on weight loss and physical activity, which in fact are effective treatments, Subak said. She became interested in studying yoga as a treatment after some of her patients told her it helped them.

Being active helps

The study compared two 12-week exercise programs: 121 participants were randomly assigned to yoga, and 119 to a physical conditioning control group. The participants were women with urinary incontinence that caused symptoms at least once a day. They were 45 to 90 years old, with a mean age of 62.

In the yoga program, participants learned 16 hatha yoga poses intended to strengthen the pelvic floor, via two 90-minute sessions per week. The pelvic floor consists of the muscles that form the base of the pelvis and hold its organs  including the bladder and urethra  in place. Participants were also asked to practice yoga for at least one hour per week outside of class and to maintain a practice log.

Participants in the control group spent an equal amount of time in exercise classes, but their classes focused on nonspecific stretching and strengthening exercises that did not engage the pelvic floor. They were also asked to practice for an additional hour per week and keep a practice log.

The study began with in-person classes, then transitioned to a videoconference format when the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns began.

Participants recorded when they leaked urine and classified whether each episode was urgency incontinence, when an overactive bladder causes a person to feel the need to urinate more often than usual, or stress incontinence, in response to pressure in the abdomen, such as from coughing or sneezing. They also answered standard questionnaires about their bladder function.

At the beginning of the study, the participants had an average of 3.4 episodes of urinary incontinence per day, including 1.9 urgency-type episodes and 1.4 stress-type episodes.

By the end of the 12-week programs, participants in the yoga group were experiencing 2.3 fewer episodes of incontinence per day, on average. Those in the physical conditioning group were experiencing 1.9 fewer episodes per day.

The two treatments are about equally effective, with both approaches reducing episodes of incontinence by around 60%, and the benefits from both treatments are meaningful, Subak said. Patients who would like to try these approaches can search for low-impact Iyengar yoga or low-impact exercise classes in their communities or online, she said, adding that instructors should be able to adapt the activity to participants physical limitations.

Im impressed that exercise did so well and impressed that yoga did so well, Subak said. One of the take-home messages from this study is Be active!

Other nonsurgical treatments for incontinence, including medications, typically result in a 30% to 70% improvement in symptoms, she noted.

If a patient asked whether yoga could help with incontinence, I would say that I think its a great idea to try it if youre interested, Subak said. Its very low risk, and theres potential for benefit not only for incontinence but also for your general well-being.

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (grants R01AG050588, R01DK116712-04S1 and K24AG068601). Researchers from Yale University and San Francisco State University also contributed to the study.
PNN London [UK], September 4: On Monday, September 2nd, following the Summer recess of the British Parliament, a remarkable event took place to mark the first Pre-Navratri celebration and present awards to 21 distinguished members, including esteemed saints Bhakti Swarup Sanyasi Maharaj and Pandit Gaurangi Gauri Ji. Organized by the International Siddhashram Shakti Centre UK and Sanskar TV, the event was graciously hosted by Bob Blackman, MP, and was a memorable occasion recognizing outstanding contributions to spirituality and community service. The highlight of the event was the second Sanskar TV Award ceremony, held at the historic Parliament of London. The atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm as Pandit Gaurangi Gauri Ji, hailing from the illustrious lineage of Ayodhya, was honored with the prestigious award. A disciple of the revered Shrimad Jagadguru Vasudevacharya Swami Vidyabhaskar Ji Maharaj, Pandit Gaurangi Gauri Ji's achievements were celebrated in the esteemed company of MP Bob Blackman and Shri Rajarajeshwar Guruji, the founder and spiritual leader. The event saw the congregation of notable figures and dignitaries, including Dr. Trupti Patel, President of the Hindu Forum, and community leader Mahendra Jadeja (Dada). Their presence, alongside other distinguished guests and revered saints, added to the grandeur and significance of the ceremony, making it a truly momentous occasion. Special appreciation was extended to Maheshbhai Liloriya and his team for their dedicated efforts in organizing this significant event, which served as a bridge between spirituality, culture, and community service in the heart of the British Parliament. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PRNewswire Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) [India], September 4: Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) has promptly responded to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu's call to assist the flood-affected people of Vijayawada. In collaboration with the Hare Krishna Movement India, MEIL has initiated a food distribution program, providing breakfast, lunch, dinner, and water bottles. On Tuesday it distributed food to 1,35,000 people at Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium in Vijayawada. Breakfast was distributed to 25,000 people and lunch and dinner was distributed to 1,10,000 people. The food, prepared in the kitchens of Hare Krishna Movement India and MEIL, was handed over to government officials at the collector's office in Vijayawada for distribution in the affected areas. MEIL in collaboration with Hare Krishna Movement India will continue food distribution program for few more days in Vijayawada, and will increase the quantity to serve more number of people with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and water bottles. MEIL has a long-standing commitment to social responsibility, particularly during natural calamities. The company has a history of providing immediate relief measures, including hospital management, construction of cancer hospitals, and food distribution through Akshaya Patra. "We are committed to standing by the people affected by natural disasters," said Kommareddy Bapi Reddy, MEIL, AP Regional Office In-charge. "Our organisation will always be at the forefront of helping those in need, fulfilling our social responsibility." About MEIL MEIL is India's largest private infrastructure company with a presence across sectors critical to India's growth. We have significantly contributed to the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' with an unwavering commitment spanning over three decades. Our projects are across renewable energy, electric mobility, CGD, hydrocarbons, defence, transport, railways, manufacturing, infrastructure, water management, and other sectors. MEIL's subsidiaries Olectra Greentech Limited, a BSE and NSE listed company, ICOMM and Drillmec drive 'Make in India' through electric buses and trucks, renewable energy, advanced oil rigs, defence, telecom, and other infrastructure. Megha Gas builds vital CNG and PNG infrastructure across India. Evey Trans is India's largest electric buses fleet operator. MEIL's varied portfolios span across 20+ nations, showcasing our global influence. Media Contact: Siva Reddy E mail : sivaprasad.machireddy@meghaeng.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2494998/MEIL_Food_Distribution.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1996475/MEIL_LOGO.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 4: In the rural heartlands of India, where agriculture remains the backbone of livelihood, farmers have long faced challenges such as climate change, price volatility, and low incomes. These challenges have significantly threatened their productivity and sustainability. In response, the Collectives for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives (CInI), an associate of Tata Trusts, launched the transformative Lakhpati Kisan Programme in 2015. Sowdamini Bhat, CEO LoanXpress.com said, "This ambitious programme is designed to uplift rural communities in Central India by integrating best agricultural practices through technology-led changes, including sustainable energy solutions such as solar pumps, insect traps, cold storages, drip with mulching. The initiative aims to support small & marginal farmers to diversify livelihoods across multiple income sources, ultimately doubling or even tripling returns compared to a baseline year." The Lakhpati Kisan Programme provides a holistic approach ensuring farmers' security by enhancing social resilience to climate change, reducing migration & household's dependency on a single revenue stream by promoting year-round production, thereby ensuring a sustained increase in income & improving the overall quality of life. Environmentally, the initiative emphasizes better soil health, increased water use efficiency, and reduced fossil fuel dependency, thereby leveraging clean energy for all livelihood activities. Spearheaded by women, this community-led initiative is deeply rooted in robust grassroots implementation. It operates within an incubation ecosystem where Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) lead the way, driving positive market growth and offering paid services to their members. By December 2023, the Lakhpati Kisan Programme had made a significant impact on nearly 110,000 families. Till date, over 49000 families have achieved annual income exceeding INR 1,00,000 in an irreversible manner. The programme has also facilitated the creation of over 2,540 irrigation structures, brought 15,000 acres under irrigation, and ensured year-round agricultural water supply for 40,000 households through technological adoption. The Lakhpati Kisan Programme stands out for its unique approach promoting sustainability through strong Community-Based Organizations and fostering partnerships with key stakeholders, including government bodies, private entities, technology partners, financial institutions, and market players. This collaborative effort continues to pave the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future for India's farmer & rural communities. About LoanXpress.com LoanXpress.com - a digitally enabled flagship platform launched by Beacon Group. LoanXpress is the trade name of Vermillion Finalytics Pvt Ltd, formed by a team of veterans in the Debt & Equity Capital markets. Vermillion intends to cater to the capital needs of the SME & MSME, Mid-Market corporate segment, start-ups & NBFCs through structured debt solutions. Our expertise allows you and your organization to focus on the core business strategy, leaving the stressful fundraising hassle on our experienced shoulders. Company profile - https://loanxpress.com/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
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At least 51 people have been killed and 271 others injured Tuesday in a Russian missile attack on the city of Poltava in central Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Some people are still trapped under the rubble of the destroyed building and the rescue operation at the site continues, Zelensky wrote in a statement on Telegram.

According to preliminary investigation, two Russian Iskander-M ballistic missiles struck an educational institution and a hospital in Poltava, Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office said in a statement.
VMPL Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 4: In a momentous occasion that will be etched in the annals of educational excellence, the Asian Education Group (AEG) hosted a grand convocation ceremony at its Noida campus, marking a historic day for the institution. The event celebrated the academic achievements of the graduating students from Asian Law College, Asian School of Business, and Asian Business School. Over 400 students, filled with joy and pride, received their degrees, symbolizing years of hard work and dedication. The event was elevated to an extraordinary level by the esteemed presence of the 14th President of India, Ram Nath Kovind. The dignified leader's attendance added a profound sense of occasion and inspiration to the convocation, making it a day to remember for all attendees. Dr Sandeep Marwah, the visionary President of AEG, expressed his heartfelt gratitude and immense pride during his address. "The presence of Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji has made this convocation not just a ceremony, but a historical event for our institution. For 31 years, our relentless pursuit of educational excellence has brought AAFT and AEG to the forefront of the educational landscape in India," Dr Marwah stated with evident pride. He further motivated the graduating students, emphasizing the importance of hard work and dedication in building a strong, self-reliant nation. "As you step out into the world, remember that your actions can shape the future of our great nation. Strive to be Atmanirbhar--self-reliant--and contribute to the nation's growth and prosperity," he urged the students. In his keynote address, Ram Nath Kovind underscored the critical role of the youth in nation-building. "The future of our nation lies in your hands. Every effort you make, no matter how small, contributes to India's growth. Develop a strong character that will guide you throughout your life's journey, and always uphold and promote our rich culture, making our nation proud," he advised. The convocation was also graced by the presence of Mohit Marwah and Akshay Marwah, who extended their warm congratulations to the young graduates. They wished them a bright and successful future, encouraging them to carry forward the legacy of excellence. The ceremony concluded with Dr Sandeep Marwah presenting a memento and a Scroll of Honour to Ram Nath Kovind, as a token of gratitude and respect for his inspirational presence. This convocation was not just a milestone for the graduating students but also a testament to the enduring legacy of AEG in shaping the future leaders of the nation. (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)
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], September 4: Galgotias University is proud to announce that faculty and students from the Department of Forensic Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, recently played a pivotal role in the national training on Cyber Forensics and Cyber Terrorism at the Central Detective Training Institute (CDTI), under the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. This important event saw our team, including Dr. (Mrs.) Vinny Sharma (Associate Professor), Ankit Kumar (Assistant Professor), and M.Sc. Forensic Science students Shruti Jindal, Shyam Narayan Singh, Deepanshu Singh, and Priyanka Kumari, providing essential training to police officers and paramilitary personnel from across the country. Officials from various states and paramilitary forces received advanced training in cyber forensics and cyber terrorism, guided by our skilled faculty and dedicated students. This achievement reflects the exceptional standards upheld by the Department of Forensic Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology at Galgotias University. Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO of Galgotias University, expressed his pride in this achievement, stating, "The dedication and expertise demonstrated by our faculty and students in training law enforcement personnel underscore our commitment to excellence in forensic science and national security. At Galgotias University, we are not only educating future leaders but also actively contributing to the nation's safety and security." Galgotias University continues to be at the forefront of higher education, particularly in fields critical to national interest, reaffirming its role as a leader in innovation, education, and societal contribution. Galgotias University, renowned for its unwavering commitment to academic excellence and holistic development, remains dedicated to fostering and nurturing the talents of its students. With a strong emphasis on inclusive education and empowering individuals to reach their full potential, the university takes immense pride in seeing its students excel on the global stage. Accredited with an A+ rating by NAAC in its first cycle, Galgotias University offers a diverse range of over 200 programs across 20 schools, including Polytechnic, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and PhD courses. Consistently ranked among India's top universities, Galgotias is celebrated for its innovative approach to education, having earned the "Excellent" status in the ARIIA Ranking 2021. Since 2020, the university has been honoured with the highest 4-star rating by the Ministry of Education Innovation Cell (MIC) for its outstanding efforts in promoting innovation and start-ups on campus. Additionally, Galgotias University has received the prestigious QS 5-Star rating in Teaching, Academic Development, Innovation, Employability, and Facilities. Website: www.galgotiasuniversity.edu.in Facebook: www.facebook.com/GalgotiasUniversity LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/galgotias-university-18544b190/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/galgotias_university Twitter: twitter.com/GalgotiasGU YouTube: www.youtube.com/@GalgotiasUniversity_1 (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)
Welspun Group company Welspun New Energy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government to develop a 1.2 GW pumped hydroelectric storage project. As per a company release, the project, named 'Dhamni Pumped Hydro project', would come with an investment of approximately Rs 5,000 crore. The 1.2 GW pumped hydro project shall be constructed in the Pune and Raigad districts over the next 6-7 years. The MoU was signed at an event in Mumbai on Tuesday, in the presence of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Welspun Group's Chairman Balkrishan Goenka and Welspun New Energy's Executive Director and CEO, Kapil Maheshwari. The MOU is of importance as India, as part of its Panchamrit pledge, has set a target of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Pumped hydro projects are seen as critical to this transition, providing a dependable energy backup that can mitigate the variability of wind and solar power. BK Goenka, Chairman of Welspun World, said, "This project is a significant milestone in our efforts to drive renewable energy adoption in Maharashtra. By harnessing the power of pumped storage we are not only contributing to the state's energy security but also creating green employment opportunities and driving socio-economic growth in the region." Kapil Maheshwari, Executive Director and CEO of Welspun New Energy Ltd, said, "The project will be helpful in increasing the renewable penetration in the grid and provide stability to the intermittency of renewable energy generation." "Further, the project also provides an opportunity for long duration energy storage to manage variable supply and variable demand and will enhance Grid stability," Maheshwari added. The company release said that it aims to establish 5 GW of renewable energy and 2 million tonne per annum of green derivatives (ammonia/methanol) capacity by 2030. Green energy for climate mitigation is not just a focus area for India, but globally it has gained momentum. At COP26 held in 2021, India as a whole committed to an ambitious five-part "Panchamrit" pledge. They included reaching 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity, generating half of all energy requirements from renewables, and reducing emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030. India as a whole also aims to reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 45 per cent. Finally, India commits to net-zero emissions by 2070. (ANI)
The allocated sugar export under the TRQ scheme is for the US fiscal year 2025.

The export of sugar (HS Code 17010000) to the US and EU under TRQ is currently 'Free', subject to certain contains.

"Certificate of Origin, if required, for preferential export of sugar to USA shall be issued by Additional Director General of Foreign Trade, Mumbai on the recommendation of Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) regarding entity and quantity for which eligible," said the DGFT notification.

"Effect of this Public Notice: The quantity of 8606 Metric Tonnes Raw Value (MTRV) of raw cane sugar to be exported to USA under TRQ scheme from 01.10.2024 to 30.09.2025 has been notified," the notification added.

A tariff rate quota essentially is a quota for exports at relatively low duties. Once the limit is exhausted, a higher tariff applies to additional shipments.

India had extended the restrictions on the export of sugar until further orders, in October last year. Initially, the restrictions were imposed starting June 1 to October 31, 2022, and later extended by a year till October 31, 2023.

The restriction is, however, not applicable to sugar being exported to the EU and the US under the concession (CXL) and TRQ quota.

The idea behind the sugar export restriction initially was to make prices of sugar stable domestically. (ANI)
India will soon enter into the aircraft manufacturing to make India a global hub for aircraft manufacturing, indicated Union Minister KR Naidu at an event in Delhi on Wednesday. Civil aviation Minister KR Naidu said that Govt strongly pushing into the idea of India manufacturing its own plane. Naidu said, "We want to inform the industry that the Govt strongly pushing into the idea of India manufacturing its own plane". Naidu's declaration wasn't just about a new policy; it was a vision for India's future in the global aviation market. He also added that the major player in this initiative would be Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which had already been manufacturing a 119-seater aircraft. However, the minister emphasized that the government aimed to expand this initiative dramatically not only to meet domestic demand but also to position India as an exporter of aircraft. He revealed plans to create a special team in the form of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), drawing in industry experts, technicians, and government representatives. This SPV would be responsible for the entire process of building indigenous planes. "Our intention is to build the final plane here in India," Naidu stated. He acknowledged that while there might be a need to source certain components or engines from other players initially, the goal was to develop a self-sustaining ecosystem where every part could eventually be manufactured within the country. Naidu spoke of the need to identify gaps and challenges in the current infrastructure, stressing the importance of the SPV in managing these areas. "To give a push to regional transport aircraft, we are forming this SPV. In the next five years, we will sit down and address all the critical concerns," he assured the audience. When asked whether international giants like Airbus and Boeing would be part of the SPV, Naidu confidently replied, "We are a major client for them, and they have a strong inclination to partner with us. We will involve everyone in terms of know-how and expertise." He clarified that the aim wasn't to create a business model but rather to address broader concerns and bring in necessary reforms to make India a global hub for aircraft manufacturing. Naidu also highlighted the potential for India in the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector. He pointed out that a significant hurdle was the lack of technical expertise, as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) were hesitant to share their manuals and knowledge. "We face difficulties in maintaining these planes, so we must improve our MRO facilities," he said. The minister underscored that the focus would be on resolving domestic issues first, and once India was adequately prepared, it would engage with international players. The room filled with applause as Naidu concluded, painting a picture of an India ready to soar in the aviation industry -- not just as a buyer, but as a builder and innovator, creating its own wings to fly. (ANI)
BusinessWire India New Delhi [India], September 4: Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin Achieves Remarkable Success in His USA Visit, Securing Rs 900 Crores in California and Rs 200 Crores in Chicago on the First Day of His Stay. His Chicago stop holds historical importance, reflecting a connection to the late Kalaignar's visit to the same city during his time as Chief Minister. The agreements cover a wide range of industries, with a special focus on Artificial Intelligence and other multi-disciplinary areas, aiming to drive substantial growth for Tamil Nadu and shape its economic future on a global scale. On September 3, 2024, in Chicago, USA, agreements were signed with Eaton Corporation for an investment of Rs 200 crores to expand their manufacturing facility in Chennai, including setting up research and development, a global utility engineering centre, and with Assurant to establish India's first global capability centre (GCC) in Chennai. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin, during the past three years of the current administration, Tamil Nadu has attracted high-tech industries and created numerous job opportunities, aiming to transform Tamil Nadu into a $1 trillion economy by 2030 through various proactive measures. Due to the friendly environment in Tamil Nadu, many industries have been established over the past three years. As industries grow, the state develops, and the social and economic conditions of the state improve through the job opportunities created. In this context, to attract investments for starting more businesses in Tamil Nadu and to generate job opportunities for the youth, Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin is making an official visit to the USA. During this visit, on August 29, 2024, at an investors' conference held in San Francisco, MoUs were signed with six leading global companies--Nokia, PayPal, Yield Engineering Services, Microchip, Infinx Healthcare, and Applied Materials--for an investment of Rs 900 crores to create 4,100 job opportunities. On August 30, 2024, meetings were held with senior officials from Apple, Google, and Microsoft to invite them to invest in Tamil Nadu, and an MoU was signed with Google to set up artificial intelligence (AI) labs in Tamil Nadu. On August 31, 2024, an agreement was signed with Ohmium for the establishment of a new factory in Chengalpattu district for producing electrolysers and green hydrogen, with an investment of Rs 400 crores and creating 500 job opportunities. Following this, on September 3, 2024, in Chicago, USA, agreements were signed in the presence of the Chief Minister with Eaton and Assurant companies. Here are the details: Eaton Corporation: Eaton Corporation is a management company involved in the production and distribution for data centres, applications, industrial, commercial, machinery, residential, aerospace, and power markets. Their products are used for energy production, transmission, distribution, and consumption for residential, commercial, electric vehicles, data centres, and eVTOL vehicles. The company's headquarters are located in Dublin, Ireland, and Beachwood, Ohio, USA. It operates production facilities in approximately 208 locations across 35 countries and is one of the Fortune 500 companies. Agreement with Eaton Corporation: An agreement was signed in the presence of the Chief Minister for an investment of Rs 200 crores to expand Eaton's existing manufacturing facility in Chennai, and to set up research and development and a Global Utility Engineering Center. The agreement was attended by Eaton Corporation's Global Energy President, Matthew Hockman, and senior officials. Assurant, Inc.: Assurant, Inc., a Fortune 500 insurance company headquartered in Atlanta, provides disaster management products and services. It offers a range of specialty and key market insurance programs, including property, casualty, and extended warranty protection. The company's global headquarters is in Atlanta, USA. Agreement with Assurant: An agreement was signed in the presence of the Chief Minister to establish Assurant's first global capability centre (GCC) in India in Chennai. The agreement was attended by Assurant's Vice President, Biju Nair, and senior officials. During this event, the following dignitaries were present: Minister for Industry, Investment Promotion, and Commerce, T.R.B. Raja, Secretary for Industry, Investment Promotion, and Commerce, V. Arun Roy, I.A.S., Managing Director and CEO of Guidance Tamil Nadu, V. Vishnu, I.A.S., and other senior government officials. It is to be noted the companies that have attended Global Investors Meet or signed an MoU with the Tamil Nadu Government is fully functional and have been operational at a higher efficacy. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 4: PayMate, India's leading digital B2B payments company, has announced its partnership with NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd. (NBBL) to launch the innovative PayMate BBPS-B2B platform. The BBPS-B2B platform seeks to enable large-scale standardization and digitization of commercial processes related to invoicing, payments, and collections across the nation while fostering an interoperable ecosystem between buyers and suppliers. The partnership aims to cater to 634 lakh MSMEs(1) and 16.6 lakh(2) corporates across the country. The NBBL BBPS-B2B platform offers a comprehensive solution across the challenges of the invoice lifecycle, from customer onboarding, invoice generation, financing, collections & payments, to reconciliation & settlement. The platform is designed to empower corporate, mid-market, and SME clients to conduct business transactions with unique features such as business background checks, real-time invoice status visibility between buyer and supplier, access to multiple financers, and streamlined reconciliation processes. PayMate offers a business payments platform that provides businesses with solutions, ranging from Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Invoice Discounting, Cross-Border Payments, Tax, Bill Payments, Rental Collections, and Embedded Finance. PayMate serves businesses of all sizes, helping them optimize working capital, make timely supplier payments, and boost financial efficiency across diverse industries. Through the partnership with NBBL, PayMate will deliver additional value to its customers while expanding its product offerings. PayMate is integrating with NBBL as an operating unit from both the supplier and buyer end to facilitate interoperability between different systems for digital ordering and e-invoicing. This interoperability will allow businesses to seamlessly connect & transact across diverse systems, improving convenience. Through the BBPS-B2B platform, PayMate will offer its customers the option to connect with multiple lenders to get the best rates for capital and avail best financing offers to drive business growth. Additionally, it offers access to a Pan-India interoperable network of verified businesses, allowing PayMate customers to benefit from faster background checks enhancing security and efficiency. The platform also supports e-invoicing, offers a one-stop payment collection solution, and provides real-time invoice status updates between buyers and sellers. Ajay Adiseshann, Founder, MD & CEO, PayMate said, "We are delighted to collaborate with NBBL on this groundbreaking national business payments initiative, set to revolutionize B2B payments and collections. The PayMate BBPS-B2B platform, developed in partnership with NBBL, is designed to meet the diverse needs of India's business payments market. This aligns perfectly with our mission to empower corporates and MSMEs by streamlining B2B transactions, driving growth, and paving the way for a more efficient future for Indian businesses." Incorporated in December 2020, NPCI Bharat Billpay Limited (NBBL), is responsible for driving the RBI-conceptualised Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS). Bharat BillPay is a one-stop ecosystem for payment of all bills providing an interoperable and accessible "Anytime Anywhere" Bill payment service to customers across India with certainty, reliability and safety of transactions. For more information on NBBL, visit www.bharatbillpay.com. PayMate India Ltd - a leading digital B2B payments company that empowers businesses of all sizes to enhance financial efficiency and streamline B2B payments. Our platform simplifies and digitizes B2B payment processes, optimizing working capital, and ensures timely supplier payments. PayMate's solutions encompass Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Invoice Discounting, Cross Border and Embedded Finance. In FY24, PayMate processed USD 10.5 billion in transactions, serving over 500,000 customers worldwide. With a strong presence in India, CEMEA, and APAC regions, PayMate is the trusted partner for businesses seeking to streamline payment processes. For more information, visit paymate.in or follow us on LinkedIn. (1) msme.gov.in/sites/default/files/MSMEANNUALREPORT2022-23ENGLISH.pdf (2) www.statista.com/statistics/1008330/india-number-of-registered-active-companies-by-type/ (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)
India is set to organise the second edition of the International Conference on Green Hydrogen, scheduled for September 11-13 to be held at the Bharat Mandapam. A curtain-raiser ceremony was held on Wednesday, where Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi highlighted the conference's significance in advancing India's green hydrogen ecosystem. "We are committed to making India a world leader in this crucial sector," the minister said. "We are sending a clear message about India's aspirations for a leadership position in clean energy and assert its emerging dominance in the green hydrogen sector." Through the National Green Hydrogen Mission announced last year, India expects to position itself as a hub of green hydrogen and its derivatives. The conference will provide a platform for showcasing products, services, and technologies to a global audience. "2000 registrations have already taken place, and we are expecting over 6000 registrations from international and national scientists, and 120+ exhibitors," the minister added. Since the inaugural edition, the Indian green hydrogen mission has achieved significant progress -- awarding a capacity of 3000 MW for electrolyzer manufacturing; 4,12,000 tonnes per annum for green hydrogen production, issuing tenders for 450,000 tonnes per annum of green hydrogen capacity, and 739,000 tonnes per annum of green ammonia production. With a target of establishing 5 million tonnes of annual green hydrogen production capacity by 2030, the green hydrogen mission represents a significant step towards realising India's ambitions in the hydrogen economy. India meets a sizable portion of its energy needs through fossil fuels, and various renewable energy sources, including green hydrogen, are seen as an avenue to reduce the dependence on conventional sources of power. Green energy for climate mitigation is not just a focus area for India, but globally it has gained momentum. At COP26 held in 2021, India committed to an ambitious five-part "Panchamrit" pledge. They included reaching 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity, generating half of all energy requirements from renewables, reducing emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030. India as a whole also aims to reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 45 per cent. Finally, India commits to net-zero emissions by 2070. (ANI)
Hyderabad is set to host the Global AI (Artificial Intelligence) Summit for two days on Thursday and Friday. With a main theme of 'Making AI work for everyone', the global conference is being organised to deliberate important issues on the use of artificial intelligence in technical advancements. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy along with state IT and Industry minister D Sridhar Babu will inaugurate the global conference on AI in the presence of delegates from across the world, as per a statement from the Chief Minister's Office. More than 2,000 representatives in the field of artificial intelligence from all over the world confirmed their participation in the global summit. The global leaders in AI will share their thoughts, visions, and ideas for the development of the AI sector. The summit will also discuss future opportunities and new innovations in the summit. The delegates will debate the issues of impact, regulation and challenges of AI on society as a social responsibility. Researches, startup demos and innovative projects that are under development will also be presented in this conference. Four additional stages, along with the main venue, have been set up at the two day international conference. Arrangements have been made to hold discussions and interesting sessions on different topics related to AI on all platforms. Panal discussions with high profile leaders in the AI technology and interactive sessions are also being organised. The Telangana government is hosting the Global AI conference aiming to attract the world attention in the field of Information Technology and AI. The state government aims to establish an ambitious AI city on a sprawling 200 acres in the proposed Fourth city in the Greater Hyderabad limits. The state government is hoping that the AI Global Conference will showcase the IT growth in Telangana state to the world and project Hyderabad as the best destination for IT investments in the world. During his recent visit to America, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy announced that his government accorded top priority to promote the Telangana State as the Hub of Artificial Intelligence in the world. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will release a road map for the promotion of AI in Telangana during the summit. (ANI)
On the occasion of Rishi Kapoor's birth anniversary, it's the perfect time to remember and celebrate the legendary actor's remarkable contribution to Indian cinema. Known for his versatile roles and undeniable charm, Kapoor's filmography is a treasure trove of memorable performances. His career, which spanned over four decades, left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Here's a look at some of his iconic films that continue to resonate with audiences and showcase his extraordinary contribution to the world of film. 1. Bobby (1973) (Image source: YouTube/@shemaroo) Rishi Kapoor's debut as a leading man in this Raj Kapoor directorial marked a significant moment in Bollywood. Playing the role of Raja, the charming and rebellious young lover, Kapoor captured the hearts of millions. The film's music, coupled with his youthful exuberance, made 'Bobby' a classic, setting the stage for his illustrious career. 2. Chandni (1989) (Image source: YouTube/@yrf) In this Yash Chopra classic, Rishi Kapoor starred opposite Sridevi in a tale of love and loss. His portrayal of the devoted lover, Rohit, showcased his ability to convey deep emotional range and vulnerability. 'Chandni' remains one of the most memorable films of the late '80s, and Kapoor's performance was a key highlight. 3. Karz (1980) (Image source: YouTube/@tipsofficial) In this Subhash Ghai directorial, Rishi Kapoor took on the role of a man haunted by his past lives. 'Karz,' with its unique blend of reincarnation and thriller elements, demonstrated Kapoor's versatility. His intense performance, combined with its unforgettable soundtrack especially 'Meri Umar Ke Naujawano (Om Shanti Om)', made 'Karz' a standout film in his career. 4. Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) (Image source: YouTube/@tipsofficial) A quintessential Bollywood classic, this film featured Rishi Kapoor in one of his most memorable roles as the jovial and loving Akbar. Directed by Manmohan Desai, the film is celebrated for its engaging storyline and Kapoor's effortless comedic timing, which added a layer of charm to the movie. 5. Laila Majnu (1976) (Image source: YouTube/@SaregamaMusic) In this romantic drama, Rishi Kapoor played the role of Majnu, a character based on the tragic love story of Laila and Majnu. His portrayal of a passionate lover with a tragic fate highlighted his ability to immerse himself fully into his roles and contributed to the film's enduring appeal. As we remember Rishi Kapoor on his birth anniversary, these films not only celebrate his extraordinary talent but also his significant contribution to Indian cinema. Each movie represents a different facet of his acting prowess, reflecting his enduring legacy and the joy he brought to audiences worldwide. Rishi Kapoor died on 30 April 2020 at the age of 67. He was suffering from Leukemia. He was in New York for a considerable amount of time for his treatment. Neetu was there for him as a rock-solid partner through thick and thin. His last film, Sharmaji Namkeen was shot with Paresh Rawal as the actor's some portion of films were incomplete. The movie was released on March 31, 2022, on Amazon Prime Video. (ANI)
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Chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Tuesday that the agency will step up assistance to Ukraine to protect the country's energy infrastructure, which is vital to the safety of its nuclear power plants (NPPs).

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi announced the move in a statement after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev earlier in the day.

The move followed "a number of missile attacks that have either directly caused the disconnection of several nuclear power reactors, or led to dangerous instability of the national grid," according to the statement.

The United Nations nuclear watchdog will soon dispatch an expert team to some of the damaged Ukrainian sub-stations, "electrical switchyards forming the backbone of the grid," and assess the situation there, the statement read.

"The safety of operating nuclear power plants is dependent on a stable and reliable connection to the electricity grid," Grossi said. "The situation is becoming increasingly vulnerable and potentially even dangerous in this regard."

According to the statement, strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Aug. 26 "caused major fluctuations in the power supply and led to the temporary shutdown or disconnection of reactor units at the Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs, one of which has still not returned to full operation."

Grossi will also travel to Zaporizhzhia NPP, one of the largest NPPs in Europe, later this week to assess the nuclear safety situation there, the statement said.

The IAEA currently has expert teams stationed at all of Ukraine's NPPs to help maintain nuclear safety and security, according to the agency.
The film, which premiered on Monday evening, showcases Craig in the role of William Lee, an American expatriate in his late forties navigating a solitary existence in 1950s Mexico City, according to Deadline.

In 'Queer', Lee's life takes a significant turn with the arrival of Eugene Allerton, portrayed by Drew Starkey, a young student who brings a new dynamic to Lee's otherwise isolated world.

The narrative explores Lee's journey towards forging a meaningful connection, a shift that disrupts his previously self-contained life, as per Deadline.

Filmed at the renowned Cinecitta studio in Rome, 'Queer' also features performances by Lesley Manville, Jason Schwartzman, Andra Ursuta, Michael Borremans, and David Lowery.

As per Deadline, the screenplay, crafted by Justin Kuritzkes, who previously worked with Guadagnino on 'Challengers', contributes to the film's rich narrative texture.

Guadagnino, returning to the Venice Film Festival after the success of 'Challengers', shared his personal connection to the project during a media interaction.

Reflecting on his experience with Burroughs' work, Guadagnino revealed, "I read Burroughs' book when I was a 'lonely' 17-year-old in Palermo, dreaming of building worlds through cinema," as per Deadline.

He expressed how Burroughs' evocative depiction of the connection between the characters, particularly Lee, profoundly influenced him, saying it "transformed me and changed me forever."

The Venice Film Festival screening marks a significant moment for Guadagnino, whose previous films at the festival include 'A Bigger Splash', 'Suspiria', and 'Bones and All'. (ANI)
Actor Nivin Pauly has refuted allegations of sexual assault levelled against him by a woman who has claimed that he along with others had sexually abused her at a hotel in Dubai last year. Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, the Malayalam actor said that he will go to any extent to fight for justice. "I saw the news just now. I don't know that girl, and I haven't seen her. This is a baseless allegation. The news is affecting us because I have a family," Pauly said. The actor said, "I called for this press conference at this time because I am 100 per cent sure that I am not at fault. An FIR has been registered, and I will handle the case according to the law and will fight against it. I will go to any extent to prove the truth. This will take time." Pauly and five others have been charged by Kerala Police for gang rape and related crimes. The survivor's statement was recorded by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the sexual harassment allegations against several influential men in the Malayalam film industry, following the release of a redacted version of the Hema Committee report. The case was registered at Oonnukal police station in Ernakulam based on the survivor's statement to the SIT. The First Information Report was filed under IPC Sections 354 (assault or use of criminal force against a woman), 376D (gang rape), 354C (voyeurism), 450 (trespass), 342 (wrongful confinement), 376(2)(n) (repeated rape of the same woman), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention). Pauly was named as the sixth accused in the case, with Shreya, film producer AK Sunil, Binu, Basheer, and Kuttan identified as the first five accused.The complainant alleged that the accused had promised her a role in a film. The offence allegedly took place in Dubai last year. Nivin Pauly also issued an official statement on his Instagram account. "I have come across a false news report accusing me of abusing a girl. Please know that this is entirely untrue. I'm determined to go to any extent to prove these allegations baseless and will take all necessary steps to bring those responsible to light. Thank you for your concern. The rest will be handled legally," Pauly stated on his Instagram account. Filmmaker Ranjith, actor and CPI(M) MLA Mukesh, and actors Edavela Babu, Baburaj, Jayasurya, and Siddique have also been charged with various sexual harassment complaints. (ANI)
The film, which is based on Blake Crouch's bestselling novel and adapted by Chad Hodge, promises a provocative look at fame and obsession, according to Deadline.

In 'Famous,' Zac Efron will take on dual roles as Lance Dunkquist, an overzealous fan with a striking resemblance to Hollywood star James Jansen, and as James Jansen himself.

As per Deadline, the plot follows Lance's journey from a small-town dreamer to a man on a quest to become famous, driven by his uncanny resemblance to Jansen.

A24 has acquired the domestic distribution rights for the film, reuniting with Efron after the success of 'The Iron Claw,' which reportedly grossed USD 45 million worldwide and received critical acclaim.

As per Deadline, the deal was facilitated by WME Independent and CAA Media Finance, while Black Bear is managing international sales.

'Famous' is produced by Sam Esmail and Chad Hamilton for Esmail Corp., alongside Michael Sagol for Caviar. Executive producers include Nick Krishnamurthy from Esmail Corp. and Allison Hironaka from Caviar.

Phoebe Dynevor, who gained fame as Daphne Basset in Netflix's 'Bridgerton,' is coming off a highly praised performance in Netflix's thriller 'Fair Play,' which premiered at Sundance 2023 and earned her a BAFTA nomination.

Her upcoming project, 'Inheritance,' is slated for release in 2025. (ANI)
Nawazuddin Siddiqui has always been one to take on challenging roles and has never failed to win over his fans. From 'Gangs of Wasseypur II' to 'Sacred Games,' Nawaz has always left a mark with his powerful performances. Now, the actor is set to step into the role of the controversial Assamese judge Upendra Nath Rajkhowa in his upcoming film. What makes the project even more special is that Nawaz is not just acting but also producing the film. In an exclusive conversation with ANI, the 'Kick' actor opened up about why he's taking a different approach to tell this story. "I'm actually producing a film on this topic... The film is based on Upendra Nath Rajkhowa, who was a judge in Assam, and there's a lot of discussion around this subject. People want to make a film about it, but I don't want it to be made in a way that we call 'typical.' It's a very good film, but I don't want it to be made like that. I want each scene to have depth, like when you sit alone, and your mind wanders--you know, let's see what thoughts come. I want to create 10-12 scenes, each 15 minutes long, focusing on one man's thoughts," he said. Speaking about the complex character he's playing in the film, the actor shared, "In my film, there's this character who is educated and has an excellent mind, but he murders his wife and three children. How could such a noble mind commit such an act? What was he thinking? What was going on in his mind? That's what I want to explore. That's why I'm taking on this project and producing this film myself." The film is inspired by the real-life story of Upendra Nath Rajkhowa, a former district judge in Dhubri, Assam, who was sentenced to death for the murder of his wife and three daughters in 1970. The case sparked widespread outrage and is still talked about today. Nawazuddin Siddiqui was last seen in Anand Surapur's directorial Rautu Ka Raaz where he played the role of a cop. (ANI)
Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui candidly pulled back the curtain on the world of film promotions, revealing the stark contrast between on-screen truth and off-screen illusions. In an interview with ANI, Siddiqui opened up about telling lies while promoting films, even when one might feel conflicted about their quality. "Yes, you have to do it," adding, "When I am playing a character in front of the camera, I know that I have to stay true here. There I am doing the enactment of being true. This film is so good, amazing, this and that. You know how they sell things," Siddiqui said, highlighting the nature of promotional tactics Discussing his approach to acting, Siddiqui also reflected on the unique opportunity that he thinks the camera provides to express genuine truths about his characters. "This is the only place, where there is a camera in front of you, I feel that there is an opportunity. I have got the opportunity to speak the truth about my character. Nothing can be more beautiful than this. Because you can't get it in real life, that's why we are hungry. That I wish I could tell the truth about my character, whoever I am playing. I won't get a chance later." However, Siddiqui acknowledged that once the camera is turned off, actors must confront a world where truth is often obscured by promotional and marketing strategies. "Absolutely, then I also come to the world of lies," he admitted. The 'Sacred Games' actor further explained how criticism can sometimes arise from the disparity between the truth of a character and the reality of its promotion, stating, "Yes, it happens. Then one more lie is said on top of that." On a more personal note, Siddiqui shared insights into his solitary lifestyle and its impact on his creative process. "I enjoy it," he said, explaining his preference for solitude and how it fuels his artistic endeavours. "I enjoy a lot when I think. I enjoy it. I get thoughts. I get characters in my mind. I play music. I travel with that music. With characters and all. I enjoy it, of course. And being alone feels good to me." The 'Gangs Of Wasseypur' actor also elaborated on how life's hardships often enrich an artist's work, stating, "Of course, your art form is taken somewhere, that thing pushes you. That pain you have. You use it. An artist is a person that in their art form, be it painting, dance, singing, instrumental, dance, whatever it is, be it an actor, a scriptwriter, a story writer, novel writer, whatever it is, they use it. This is a fact." On the work front, Nawazuddin Siddiqui is all set to star in his upcoming music video, 'Saiyaan Ki Bandook'. This will mark his second collaboration with Jaani after their hit music video 'Baarish Ki Jaaye'. 'Saiyaan Ki Bandook' will release on September 6, 2024. (ANI)
Market forces play a vital role in the film industry and actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui totally agrees with this. He shared his views on how they actually work. Speaking to ANI, Nawazuddin revealed how he finds the market forces in the industry "unfair". "They are unfair (market forces). There are two types of actors, one for the industry and one for the public. The films of the actors for the public are not reaching the people. On the other hand, the films of the other actors are being released in 5,000 theatres irrespective of whether the audience likes them or not...," he said. He also opened up on factors that play a vital role in making the projects commercially successful. "Commercial success depends on a lot of factors... There is not one person involved..there is publicity marketing, screening count and more... Sometimes we don't get enough screenings... Humari films 200-300 pe khatam hojati hai ...uske shows subah hote hai aur raat mein hote hai (Our films usually wrap up at around 200-300 [screenings]... they have shows in the morning and at night.)...So we will keep fighting throughout our lives to give more value to our films by increasing the theatre screenings," Nawaz said. "At least run our films in 5,000 theatres, or even run them in 3,000 theatres...Then judge me...Only then will you understand how much is our demand and how much is our supply," he added. Nawazuddin Siddiqui is one of the most versatile actors in the Indian film industry. He is known to take challenging characters and give powerful performances in projects like Black Friday, Peepli Live, Gangs of Wasseypur, Manto, and Sacred Games among others. After the super hit music video Baarish Ki Jaaye, Nawazuddin is all set to enthral the audience with the new song 'Saiyaan Ki Bandook' in collaboration with songwriter-musical composer Jaani. He was last seen in Anand Surapur's directorial Rautu Ka Raaz, where Nawazuddin garnered praise for his cop avatar. (ANI)
Actor Sanjana Sanghi has expressed her gratitude for the lovely wishes she got from her family, friends and fans through pictures of her birthday celebration. On Wednesday, Sanjana shared pictures of her birthday celebration and wrote, "Turned a year older, (and hopefully wiser) soaked in endless and eternal gratitude for all the love in my life in the form of the bestest family and friends." She added, "And to each and every one of you, thank you for all your wishes, messages, flowers, and cards that I walked into. As they fill up my home, your love fills up my heart. So thankful." "@monkeybarind - all the ups to you for making my quick trip back home to Delhi turn into a grand celebration with all the pieces of my heart and childhood together in one place.@zahaanqureshi," the gratitude note concluded. In the pictures, Sanjana can be seen enjoying her birthday with her family and friends. In one of the images, she can be seen cutting the cake and sharing it with everyone. https://www.instagram.com/p/C_f6bESyXhF/?img_index=1 Fans bombarded the comment section with love and good wishes. A user wrote, "Love you kizie basu" Another fan commented, "Happy birthday my beautiful girl." Netizens also dropped heart emojis in the comment section. Meanwhile, on the work front, Sanjana has been seen in films like 'Dhak Dhak', 'Dil Bechara' and 'Kadak Singh'. (ANI)
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has issued an order for conducting the election of the chairman, the deputy chairman, and the members of the standing committee of the 12 wards as per schedule. The zonal committee elections are to be held on Wednesday for the posts of the chairman and the deputy chairman for each of the city's 12 zonal bodies. Earlier, Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi has refused to appoint a presiding officer for MCD ward committee elections, citing concerns over an "undemocratic process and insufficient notice" for filing nominations. She criticized the short timeframe given and has directed the Commissioner to restart the election process with at least a week's notice to ensure fairness. The order issued by MCD on Monday read, "Whereas the Schedule of Election of Chairman, Dy. Chairman and one Member for the Standing Committee from each of the 12 ward committees has already been fixed under Regulation 53 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Procedure & Conduct of Business) Regulations, 19598 vide Notice No. D-413/MS/2024 dated 28/08/2024." Further, the order read 'Whereas the Mayor has however not nominated the Presiding Officers for the said elections even while the elections are scheduled tomorrow i.e.04/09/2024." Additionally, the order reads "Now, therefore in larger public interest and in order to preserve the democratic spirit of the Municipal Body and in exercise of the power conferred under Section 487 of DMC Act, 1957 read with Notification No. SO 3159 dated 19.10.1966 of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Hon'ble Lt. Governor has directed that the aforesaid elections be conducted as per the schedule notified by the Commissioner, MCD." "Further, the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned zones shall perform the functions of the presiding officer in the interest of free and fair elections. The entire process of elections should be recorded to ensure smooth, fair and transparent process. The Hon'ble Lt. Governor has further directed that the aforesaid order shall be enforced with the immediate effect being a matter of emergent nature and in larger public interest," the order read. (ANI)
The Goa government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) International to establish its skill centre in the state, according to an official statement. Under this partnership, a minimum of 5,000 Goan youth would receive training annually, which would be specifically geared towards overseas employment, it said. NSDC International is a 100% subsidiary of the National Skill Development Corporation, under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. In the presence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in Porvorim, the MoU was signed on Tuesday to establish the NSDC International Skill Centre in Goa, the statement said. The Chief Minister said that this state-of-the-art facility would create a world-class skill development ecosystem and equip the Goan youth with the essential skills and competencies, including foreign languages and specialised domain skills, to thrive on the global stage, the statement said. Additionally, Sawant said that the centre would also open up international job opportunities in sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, beauty & wellness, IT, construction, etc., as per the statement. The Chief Minister also expressed certainty that this cutting-edge Skill Centre would empower the youth of Goa with the tools they need to excel globally, paving the way for remarkable job opportunities. Earlier, on July 30, an MoU was signed between the Maharashtra government and NSDC International Limited to establish a centre for skill-based certificate courses in Pune. The agreement was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and aims to provide employment opportunities to the youth of the state, both domestically and internationally. The CMO Maharashtra also took to its official X handle and posted about the signing of the MoU. It said, "An MoU was signed between the state government and NSDC International Limited in the presence of the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for setting up a centre for skill-based certificate courses at Pune. This MoU will benefit the youth of the state to get employment opportunities in the country and abroad. NSDC International Limited Company will be provided space at Government Distance Education Tantra Niketan Sanstha in Pune for the training centre." Notably, NSDC International Limited conducts skill-based courses in accordance with the employment opportunities announced by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship of the Central Government to provide employment opportunities to the youth of the country. (ANI)
Two out of three bodies have been recovered after the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) crashed in the Arabian Sea during an emergency landing when it was approaching a vessel for the evacuation of an injured crew member. One crewmember was saved earlier, when the wreckage was located. The bodies recovered on Tuesday have been identified as Commandant Vipin Babu and P/NVK Karan Singh, as per the Porbandar Coast Guard DIG Pankaj Agarwal. The helicopter had saved the lives of 67 people during the recent cyclonic weather in Gujarat and was forced to make the emergency landing in the Arabian Sea during a rescue operation about 45 km from Porbandar. The rescue operation was launched around 11 pm on Monday for the medical evacuation of a seriously injured crew onboard Indian flagged Motor Tanker Hari Leela, about 45 km from Porbandar into the sea, in response to a request received from the Master of the vessel, the Indian Coast Guard said in a statement. Earlier on August 26, the Indian Coast Guard rescued 11 crew members from the distressed MV ITT Puma during a challenging night-time search and rescue operation, a press release said. According to the release, the Mumbai-registered general cargo vessel was en route from Kolkata to Port Blair when it reportedly sank about 90 nautical miles south of Sagar Island (West Bengal). (ANI)
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A boy receives a dose of the polio vaccine in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Sept. 2, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

UN humanitarians said on Tuesday that more than 160,00 children under 10 in central Gaza have received the poliovirus vaccine in the first two days of a six-day campaign.

However, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that while local pauses in the conflict enabled launching the emergency polio vaccination campaign on Sunday, which aimed to reach more than 640,000 children, violence continued in other parts of Gaza.

"Israeli bombardments, ground operations and heavy fighting continues in multiple areas, resulting in further civilian casualties, displacement and destruction of houses and other civilian infrastructures," OCHA said. "Families continue to flee and find themselves in overcrowded areas with inhumane living conditions, which, coupled with the lack of clean water, sanitation facilities and basic hygiene items, contribute to the spread of diseases."

The office said World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported an estimated 74,000 children were vaccinated on Monday, for the two-day total of more than 160,000.

The vaccination campaign, first concentrating on Gaza's central area, followed by the southern and then northern zones, was mapped out after a 10-month-old was partially paralyzed by the disease, possibly contracted from the inhumane sanitation conditions in most regions.

"Parties must always respect international humanitarian law," OCHA said. "This means that civilians must be protected and their essential needs -- including food, shelter, water and health -- must be met, wherever they are in Gaza."

The humanitarian office said its local partners, in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), repaired the primary water transmission line running from Israel to Khan Younis, which had been damaged during recent military operations, leading to the partial restoration of water services in several areas, "including Al Mawasi where hundreds of displaced people are living in unbearable conditions."

UNICEF reported that with its partners, it delivered more than 12,000 liters of essential supplies for water disinfection to the Gaza City and Jabalya municipalities for the first time in three months. However, the global water and sanitation conditions in Gaza continue to be dire, with services hampered by the destruction of water and sanitation facilities, restricted access and limitations of essential resources.

OCHA warned that with the first seasonal rainfall this past weekend, more than one-third of the population is in flood-prone areas. Local authorities and humanitarian partners worry seawater will flood tents along the beach and are concerned that damage to rainwater and sewage networks will result in additional flooding.

The office said that UNICEF, along with OCHA, the UN Development Programme and non-governmental organizations, assessed the water, hygiene and sanitation situation in four displacement sites located in flood-prone areas in Khan Younis and Deir al Balah.

OCHA said that insecurity and access restrictions continue to jeopardize humanitarian operations. Since January 2024, 16 incidents involving UN vehicles being directly hit have been recorded in Gaza.

"It bears reminding that safe, unimpeded and predictable humanitarian access is critical to save lives and deliver basic assistance across the (GAZA) Strip," OCHA said.

The humanitarian office said that in the West Bank, the continued use of lethal war-like tactics by Israeli forces, including airstrikes, is killing, injuring, displacing or depriving people of access to basic services. Operations resumed in Tulkarm while continuing in Jenin. The United Nations has recorded more than two dozen fatalities over the past week, including children.

OCHA mobilized UN organizations and others to assess damages and humanitarian needs. Visiting Tulkarm on Saturday, they confirmed the displacement of 120 people, including over 40 children, whose homes were destroyed.

The office said 13,000 people in the Nur Shams refugee camp suffered water cut-offs, attributed to damages caused to the water network, triggering sewage overflow. The teams also noted a traumatized population in need of psychosocial support.

OCHA said the multiple organizations it mobilized to carry out assessments in Jenin were denied access by the Israeli authorities.

The office warned that access impediments impact the ability to provide a meaningful humanitarian response. The movement of ambulances and medical teams has been impeded and delayed since the onset of the now-week-long operation.

"Humanitarian access must always be facilitated," OCHA said.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan met Uttarakhand Director General of Police Abhinav Kumar on Tuesday in New Delhi and discussed the law and order of the state. Home Secretary Govind Mohan enquired about the security scenario, women's safety, and state police reforms. Union Home Secretary assured DGP Abhinav Kumar of all possible cooperation from the central government to strengthen further the law and order of the state, especially women's safety. DGP Abhinav Kumar invited the Union Home Secretary to visit Devbhoomi Uttarakhand and guide the state officials. The meeting came after DGP Abhinav Kumar formed a five-member committee to develop a detailed action plan to prevent crimes against women in the state and ensure more effective action against such offences. The committee is led by P. Renuka Devi, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Crime and Law and Order, Uttarakhand. The DGP stated that this committee would present a detailed report after conducting a comprehensive study on various aspects, including the nature of crimes against women in the state, crime rates, identification of sensitive areas, reporting of such crimes, the status of investigations, and the outcomes in court. The report will also provide information on the assistance and services available to crime victims. The committee will also assess the actions being taken by the police to prevent crimes against women, the level of awareness in society about these crimes, and the infrastructural and human resource needs in the districts for effective crime control. Abhinav Kumar further mentioned that given the inconvenience caused to the general public during religious processions and dharnas/demonstrations, he has instructed all district in-charges in Uttarakhand to coordinate with the concerned District Magistrate to regulate events while maintaining public convenience and peace. The DGP directed that events should not disrupt the functioning of hospitals and educational institutions, nor should they impede patients and students in their daily activities. (ANI)
Rajya Sabha MP Sanajaoba Leishemba constituted a high-level meeting of five Committee members to critically examine and study the drones deployed by militants after unarmed Koutruk villagers were attacked using drones, bombs and sophisticated weapons on Sunday reportedly by the Kuki militants. constituted a high-level meeting of five Committee members to critically examine and study the drones deployed by militants after unarmed Koutruk villagers were attacked using drones, bombs and sophisticated weapons on Sunday reportedly by the Kuki militants. In the high-level meeting that was conducted on Monday, Additional Director General of Police (DGP) Ashutosh Kumar Sinha, Major General SS Kartikeya, Major General Ravroop Singh, IPS officer Vipul Kumar and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) JK Birdi were present. Taking to social media X, Rajya Sabha MP wrote "Constituted a High - Level Committee of 5 members with Addl. DGP (Int) Manipur as Chairman to investigate into H- Tech drones used by Kuki Militants killing one lady & injured several others including 3 policemen at Koutruk Village Manipur & Report shall be submitted by 13/9/24." Earlier, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh condemned the fresh incident of violence and said that the act to drop bombs on civilian and security forces was "an act of terrorism." The Chief Minister also denounced these "cowardly attacks" in the strongest possible terms, emphasizing the need to unite together against hate, division and separatism. "Dropping of bombs on civilian population and security forces by using drones is an act of terrorism and I condemn such cowardly acts in the strongest terms. Manipur state government takes such unprovoked assault with utmost seriousness and will take up necessary response to fight such forms of terrorism upon the indigenous population," Singh said in a post on X. "We denounce all forms of violence, and the people of Manipur shall unite together against hate, division and separatism," he added. Earlier, the Manipur Police had confirmed the reports of usage of Drones in the attack in Kotruk, " In an unprecedented attack in Koutruk, Imphal West, alleged Kuki militants have deployed numerous RPGs using high-tech drones. While drone bombs have commonly been used in general warfares, this recent deployment of drones to deploy explosives against security forces and the civilians marks a significant escalation." On September 2, during search operations and area domination conducted by the security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas the Police recovered 1 drone from Kharam Vaiphei, Kangpokpi District. (ANI)
According to an official release from the NIA, "A total of 35 accused are named in the case, relating to the March 20, 2023 incident in which cadres and supporters of the banned outfit had blocked the Narayanpur-Orchha Main Road near India Gate Raynar by digging various stretches, cutting trees, and placing small and big rocks at several places."

The blockade was intended to kill police parties and loot their arms. During NIA's investigations in the case RC-09/2024/NIA/RPR, the names of some CP| (Maoist) supporters, and OGWs surfaced.

Suspected to be members of Maad Bachao Manch, a frontal organization of CPI (Maoist), they were believed to have assisted CPI (Maoist) in orchestrating the crime.

As per the release, an individual identified as Lakhma Ram alias Lakhma Korram, who was the leader of Maad Bachao Manch at the Nadipara protest site, Orchha, is a chargesheeted Maoist in the case.

Investigations have revealed that Maad Bachao Manch organizes protests against encounters and helps set up new camps for the proscribed organisation, besides providing them with logistics support.

They also organise various meetings under the banner of "Maad Bachao Manch" for propagation of the CPI (Maoist) ideology. Members of the frontal outfit also work to deliver essential materials etc. to the Maoist cadres.

The searches on Tuesday targeted four suspected members of the frontal organisation, and NIA teams searched their premises in the Maoist-infested sensitive areas of Kasturmeta, Madali and Malkal village in Narayanpr district, which falls under Maad Division of CP| (Maoist).

Further investigations into the case are underway. (ANI)
According to officials, the incident came to light when the child returned home visibly upset and informed his family that a man, known as 'Ako,' had assaulted him.

The victim reported that he encountered Ako on the street, who offered to help him buy vegetables. Instead, Ako took the boy to the Sonapur area of Mankhurd, where the assault occurred.

The family, realising the severity of the situation when they noticed the boy was bleeding from his intimate areas, immediately reported the incident to the Mankhurd police. They then searched for the accused and found him wandering in a drunken state. The police registered a case against the man, identified as Sharad Sable, and arrested him. The investigation is ongoing, and more details are awaited.(ANI)
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday attacked the Eknath Shinde government in the State over the Badlapur incident in which two minor girls were allegedly sexually assaulted. He further questioned the silence of the State government over the disappearance of the CCTV footage from the school in the case. Addressing a press conference here today, Raut said, "The Chief Minister (Eknath Shinde) and Home Minister (Devendra Fadnavis) are not talking about this, we are talking about this. Who made the CCTV footage disappear from the school? The head of the institution must have done this. Why did he do it? Just to save a constable or is there some other mystery behind it? What is the government doing?" Last month, Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar said that the CCTV footage of the last 15 days have gone missing from the school in Badlapur where two minor girls were allegedly sexually assaulted. Kesarkar said, "The CCTV footage is missing from the school. It is important to investigate why the footage has gone missing and what the motive behind it is. He also said panic buttons can be installed in schools just like CCTVs. Notably, a report prepared by the Women and Child Welfare Department and the Education Ministry in the sexual abuse case of Badlapur was earlier handed over to the Education Minister. Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday suggested three names for the formation of a committee to suggest Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the police, hospitals and schools while investigating cases related to sexual assaults on minors. On August 31, a Thane Court had accepted the request of the Special Investigating Team for a test identification parade of the accused in the Badlapur minors' sexual assault case. The identification parade was conducted in the presence of the Executive Magistrate, where the survivors identified the accused. The case pertains to the alleged incident of sexual assault on two four-year-olds inside their school in Badlapur, Maharashtra. After the identification of the accused, SIT prepared a psychological profile of the accused, which would help in further investigation of the case. The alleged sexual assault case has sparked outrage across the State with multiple protests demonstrating outrage over the incident were held across the country. On August 17, police arrested an attendant of the school for allegedly abusing the girls. (ANI)
Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will address two public rallies in Ramban and Anantnag districts on Wednesday, kickstarting the Congress' campaign for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls which is being held after a gap of 10 years. These rallies are part of the campaign for the party's candidates contesting in the first phase of the elections on September 18. The Congress leader departed from his residence this morning for his visit to the union territory. Tight security arrangements have been made in the Anantnag district ahead of Rahul Gandhi's rally. Visuals from the area in Anantnag show security deployed in the area where the rally will take place today. Earlier on August 27, Congress candidate from Dooru Assembly constituency, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, filed his nomination for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls and said that the people are suffocated by the torture of the BJP and that's why the INDIA bloc has always demanded democracy in the region. While, BJP Candidate from Banihal Assembly, Saleem Bhat said that if they want peace and prosperity then the people of the constituency should make BJP win. The Congress party on Monday released its second list of six candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Congress has fielded Tariq Hameed Karra from the Central Shalteng constituency, Mumtaz Khan from the Reasi constituency, Bhupender Jamwal from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi constituency, Iftkar Ahmed from Rajouri (ST) constituency, Shabir Ahmad Khan from Thannamandi (ST) constituency and Mohd Shahnawaz Choudhary from Surankote (ST) constituency. In the election, prominent leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir will contest from Dooru, while Vikar Rasool Wani will run from Banihal. Peerzada Mohd Syed will stand for the Anantnag constituency, and Sheikh Riaz will contest the Doda seat. The party has fielded Surinder Singh Channi for the Tral seat, Amanullah Mantoo for Devsar, Shaikh Zafarullah for Inderwal, Nadeem Sharief for Bhadarwah, and Pradeep Kumar Bhagat for Doda West. Congress and the National Conference have allied for the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir. As per the seat-sharing formula between the two parties, the National Conference (NC) will contest 51 of the 90 seats, and the Congress will contest 32. The two parties will also contest five seats against each other. They have left one seat each for the CPI (M) and the Panthers Party. The Samajwadi Party (SP) has also extended its support to the Congress and National Conference alliance in the Jammu and Kashmir polls. Jammu and Kashmir has 90 assembly constituencies, with 7 seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 9 for Scheduled Tribes (STs). In the previous Assembly elections, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) won 28 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 25, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) won 15, and the Congress won 12. These upcoming elections will be the first in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. Polling in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8. (ANI)
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia are likely to contest the Haryana Assembly elections on Congress ticket and might resign from their official posts according to sources. On Wednesday, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia met Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in the national capital. The wrestlers will also meet Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal today. Polling in Haryana will be held on October 5. Votes will be counted on October 8. 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. Meanwhile, Congress and AAP have started seat-sharing talks for the Haryana assembly polls which could lead to the continuation of the alliance they had in the state during the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year. The Congress has formed a three-member committee, which includes the party's screening committee chairman for the state Ajay Maken, AICC in-charge of Haryana Deepak Babaria and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, for seat-sharing talks with Aam Aadmi Party and Samajwadi Party. Party general secretary KC Venugopal will oversee the work of the committee. Congress sources said that the party is willing to give 3-5 seats to AAP and one to the Samajwadi Party in Haryana which has a 90-member assembly. They said the discussions with AAP follow the suggestion of party leader Rahul Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha. The sources said that during the Congress Central Election Committee meeting, Rahul Gandhi discussed the possibilities of contesting elections as INDIA bloc and said that the party should make efforts to ensure that the votes of the alliance are not divided. AAP MP Sanjay Singh later welcomed the suggestion and said that final decision will be taken after consultations with party chief Arvind Kejriwal. "We welcome it. Our priority is to defeat the BJP. Our Haryana in-charge Sandeep Pathak and Sushil Gupta will discuss it and take a final decision and inform Arvind Kejriwal about it and a decision will be taken accordingly," Sanjay Singh said. (ANI)
After President Droupadi Murmu empowered Delhi LG VK Saxena to form, and appoint members to boards, and panels in the national capital, AAP leader and Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj alleged on Wednesday that the BJP wants to take control of Delhi through the backdoor. The AAP leader said that LG Saxena is acquiring more and more power but when it comes to his responsibility and accountability, he is not working. "When it comes to his responsibility and accountability, LG Sahab is not working. Thousands of doctors have to be recruited. Posts have to be created in hospitals. Thousands of poor bus marshals have become unemployed. LG Sahab has stopped all this. And when it comes to acquiring powers, he is taking more and more powers. Why is he taking them? So that he can misuse the powers," the AAP leader told ANI. Bhardwaj alleged that the central government wants the entire national capital to be run by the LG. "He is hiring a social media company for Rs 1.5 crore annually to become famous through social media influencers. Powers of the elected government are being snatched away and powers are being given to appointed people," he said. "As far as the central government is concerned, they want the entire Delhi to be run by the LG. Because the BJP is not able to win elections. Therefore, the BJP wants to take control of Delhi through the backdoor but that will not happen," the AAP leader added. This comes after President Murmu delegated powers to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena to constitute and appoint members to any authority, board, commission, or statutory body under any law enacted by the Parliament that is applicable to the national capital, the Ministry of Home Affairs said. The gazette notification issued by the MHA on Tuesday said "In pursuance of clause (1) of article 239 of the Constitution read with section 45D of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 (1 of 1992), the President hereby directs that the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi shall, subject to the control of the President and until further orders, exercise the powers of the President under clause (a) of section 45D of the said Act for constitution of any authority, board, commission or any statutory body by whatever name it may be called, or for appointment of any Government officer or ex officio member to such authority, board, commission or any statutory body." (ANI)
BESCOM, Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company Limited, has issued new guidelines for Ganesh Chaturthi festival organisers to ensure safety and proper electricity usage during the celebrations. Organisers have been advised to contact their local sub-divisional officers to arrange temporary electricity connections for the festival. According to BESCOM, "Sub-divisional authorities have been directed to provide immediate electricity connections by the established norms, ensuring prompt coordination with local authority officials." BESCOM Managing Director Mahantesh Bilagi speaking about the importance of safety, said, "While celebrating the festival, the public must also prioritise safety. BESCOM will assist with the lighting system for the Ganesh festival. It is crucial to adhere to safety measures during the installation and dismantling of the idol at public events to prevent any electrical accidents." To ensure safety, BESCOM has outlined several measures: "When setting up pandals, serial lights, and other decorations, handle electrical wires with care. Make sure the wiring for serial lights is properly insulated. Avoid contact with electric poles when installing lights. Do not attach 'shamiyanas,' tents, or other items to electrical wires, poles, or transformer stations. Be cautious of overhead power lines during processions. Do not try to lift power lines and inform Sub-Divisional Officers about the procession route in advance for assistance. Report any live wires or electrical sparks immediately by calling the 1912 helpline. Mark 'Danger Zones' where electrical equipment is installed for the Ganesh pandal." Further BESCOM said, to obtain a temporary power connection, organisers must first secure a no objection letter from various authorities, including the BBMP, BDA, Grama Panchayat, and the local police station. Following this, an Assistant Executive Engineer or Assistant Engineer will inspect the site before granting permission, an official press release added.. Once the installation is approved, organisers need to get a wiring completion report from a registered electrical contractor. This report should confirm the safety of the wiring, installation of the Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB), and Earthing Inspection and Approval (EIA). After these steps, the authorities will provide the temporary electricity connection. After the festival, the meter must be returned, and the final reading recorded once the temporary connection period ends. (ANI)
A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking direction to the Centre to cancel any existing licences and halt the grant of new licences/permissions to various companies in India for the export of arms and other military equipment to Israel during the Israel-Palestine conflict. These companies include a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Defence, M/s Munitions India Limited and other private companies such as M/s Premier Explosive, Adani Defence and Aerospace Ltd., and others alleged the petition filed by 11 people, including Ashok Kumar Sharma, a retired civil servant and social activist. "At least 3 companies in India dealing with the manufacture and export of arms and munitions have been granted licenses for the export of arms and munitions to Israel, even during this period of the ongoing war in Gaza. These licences have been obtained from either the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) or the Department of Defence Production (DDP) that authorise the export of arms and munitions for dual use and specifically for military purposes," the plea stated. The plea filed through advocate Prashant Bhushan said that granting a license for the export of arms and other military equipment to Israel is in violation of India's obligations under international law coupled with Articles 14 and 21 read with 51(C) of the Constitution of India. India must immediately make every effort to ensure that weapons already delivered to Israel are not used to commit genocide, contribute to acts of genocide or are used in such a way as to violate international humanitarian law, added the petition. "That in light of this constitutional mandate, any supply of arms and munitions to the State of Israel by India is morally unconscionable and legally and constitutionally unsustainable," it stated further. "India should immediately suspend its aid to Israel, in particular its military assistance, including military equipment, in so far as this aid may be used in the violation of the Genocide Convention, international humanitarian law or other peremptory norms of general international law," stated the petition. (ANI)
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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat, 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. 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met with Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Noting that the AU has been a flag guiding Africa's unity and self-strengthening and an important platform for international cooperation, Xi said China supports the AU in playing a bigger role in the development of China-Africa friendship.

Xi said he was pleased to see that the China-aided headquarters for the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had been completed and put into use, making a contribution to the health and well-being of African people.

China stands ready to pursue greater achievements in various fields in its cooperation with the AU and promote the development of the China-Africa community with a shared future, he said.

China considers Africa a major priority in its diplomacy, and is willing to increase political exchanges, deepen strategic mutual trust, strengthen pragmatic cooperation, share development experience, and promote common development with Africa, Xi said.

He said China and Africa should work closely to advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world, as well as universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

Faki spoke highly of the outstanding leadership of China and President Xi in promoting the partnership between Africa and China and the institutional development of the FOCAC. He thanked China for its valuable assistance to Africa in fields such as infrastructure, health, energy, industry and security.

He highlighted major initiatives proposed by Xi, including the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. He said these initiatives dedicated to sharing peace and development opportunities among people around the globe are critical to promoting unity and cooperation among Global South countries and the justice of the global governance system.

Africa hopes that China will continue to play its leading role in and contribute more to helping realize modernization on the continent, as well as peace and development in the world, Faki added.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed Sharjeel Imam's plea, seeking early hearing on his bail plea listed on October 7. He stated that his bail plea is pending for last 28 months. Sharjeel Imam is an accused in larger Conspiracy of Delhi Riots 2020 and is in custody since January 28, 2020. The division bench headed by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait dismissed the plea and said that the matter is listed on October 7 at a fixed time. There is no need for preponement. It was stated that he had challenged the trial court order dismissing his bail plea. Appeal against the order is pending for last 28 months. Advocates Talib Mustafa and Ahmad Ibrahim on behalf of Sharjeel Imam moved a plea for early/urgent hearing of Criminal Appeal seeking setting aside of order of 11.04.2022 passed by Karkardooma Court by which his regular bail application of the Appellant was dismissed. The plea stated that the present Appeal was last listed for final hearing on.29.08.2024, on which date, the High Court adjourned the matter and directed the same to be listed for final hearing on 07.10.2024. It is stated that the provisions of the NIA Act, appeals preferred Under section 21 of the NIA Act shall as far as possible be disposed of within a period of 3 months from the date of admission of the Appeal. It is also stated that the present Appeal has been pending adjudication before the high Court since 29.04.2022. It is mentioned that since the issuance of notice, the present Appeal has been listed for hearing at least 62 times before 7 different division benches. On account of frequent changes in the composition of benches owing to roster change, recusal and transfer of Judges, the hearing in the matter never concluded and thereby having led to a fresh cycle of hearingbeginning every such time, the plea stated. It is stated that the last substantial hearing in the present Appeal took place before the Division Bench comprising of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain. The Appellant concluded his arguments before the said bench on March 19, 2024 and the arguments on behalf of the Respondent began on the same date, however, due to paucity of time, the same could not be concluded. The Court listed the present Appeal to be listed for further arguments on different dates. However, before the arguments of the Respondent could conclude, the present Appeal was then listed before another division bench due to change in the roster, the plea said. It is submitted that the Supreme Court in several judgments held that bailapplications ought to be decided expeditiously and preferably within 2-4 weeks and several guidelines/ directions have also been repeatedly issued to all the High Courts and District Courts to scrupulously follow the timeline so indicate. The plea also mentioned that mention that the trial in the present matter has been pending before the Special Court since 2020. However, the investigation by the Prosecuting agency is still ongoing and charges have not yet been framed so far, it added. It is said, "The Prosecution seeks to examine more than 1000 witnesses in the matter and the documents being relied upon run into lakhs of pages." It is also stated hat on account of Imam's continued incarceration for almost 4 and half years, he is unable to pursue his education and graduate with a doctorate degree. It is mentioned that Imam is Ph.D. student and at the time of his arrest on 28.01.2020 was pursuing his final year of Ph.D. in Modern History from Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi. (ANI)
A sessions court in Mumbai granted anticipatory bail to an individual who was accused in a rape case registered with the Colaba police station in Mumbai city. During the hearing in sessions court for his anticipatory bail application, the accused produced an agreement between him and the victim and claimed that it was a consensual relationship between him and the victim of this case as they had agreed to a live-in relationship for 11 months and they had a notarised agreement for the same. A copy of the said agreement was also presented before the court. In the agreement presented before the court, there were seven points on which the accused and victim, both parties are seen to have agreed which read that they are entering, into a live-in relationship from August 1, 2024, till June 30, 2025. The agreement stated that it would be a consensual relationship and at any point, the lady would not make any allegation of sexual relation without consent after which the said agreement was signed by both parties. The complainant lady refused to sign this agreement. The court observed in the reasoned order in detail, "Apart from any document produced by the applicant / accused, it is prima-facie the consensual relationship whereas any aspect of force is not made out even in the FIR at the initial stage of the relationship between the parties." "The further developments of the relation of the accused with other ladies or the threats about the alleged videos reveal the aspect of the forcible approach of the accused. On the other hand, the delay in recording the FIR would also be relevant as the relationship allegedly started in October 2023 without any complaint," it said. The court further observed, "Considering the nature of offence and accusations, the applicant, accused would not be required for any custodial interrogation. The allegations about any obscene videos of the complainant are not specific. Moreover, the accused can be asked to cooperate in the investigation of such aspects. Considering the nature of the offence and the accusations, the applicant is required to be protected from arrest." The court allowed the accused anticipatory bail in this case for an amount of Rs 25,000 and solvent surety of the like amount Lawyer for the accused who has been allowed anticipatory bail advocate said," We have brought everything to the notice of the honourable session court, and considering all the facts of this case, the court has allowed the anticipatory bail. We have also come to know that this is the modus operandi of this lady, that she enters into a consensual relationship and later she makes allegations of rape against her partner, and this present case is not the only one." "She also claimed that it's not her signature on the agreement of live in relationship, but we have proved in the court that it's her signature. She had also alleged that my client harassed her but the court did not accept her argument because my client is a resident of Colaba and she resides in Dombivli so the court observed that it is not possible that, he can harass her, and that is why the court has allowed anticipatory bail for my client," said the advocate. (ANI)
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday advocated for the restoration of the region's statehood, asserting that the withdrawal of its autonomous status has not only snatched the state of its identity but also eroded the rights and resources of its people. While addressing an election rally in Ramban ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election, the Congress leader said, "For the first time in the history of India, statehood has been snatched away. Union Territory was first made a state... A state has been abolished and the rights of the people have been snatched away. First of all, the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir has to be returned because not only your state has been snatched away, your rights, your wealth, everything is being snatched away from you." "We wanted that you should first get statehood and then elections should be held. But the BJP does not want this, they say that first elections will be held and then the issue of statehood will be discussed. We are saying that whatever happens, we will get statehood for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Whether the BJP wants it or not, we will exert so much pressure that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will have to be given statehood," he added. Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the current administrative setup in Jammu and Kashmir, drawing a parallel between the region's past monarchical rule and its present governance. "In 1947, we removed the kings, formed a democratic government and gave a Constitution to the country. But... Today, there is a 'king' named LG sitting in Jammu and Kashmir, who is snatching your money and giving it to outsiders. Therefore, our first step will be to return 'statehood' to Jammu and Kashmir," he said. The Congress MP highlighted his 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' and underscored the contrasting visions of his party and the BJP. "This fight is between two ideologies. On one side- hatred, violence, and fear. On the other hand- love and respect. We walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, during which we gave the slogan - 'We have to open a shop of love in the market of hatred.' BJP's job is to spread hatred, our job is to spread love. They break, we unite," he said. "Before the Lok Sabha elections, Narendra Modi used to come with his chest puffed out, now his shoulders are bent. This time, before entering the Parliament, he placed the Constitution on his forehead and then went inside," the Congress leader added. Rahul Gandhi also assured to fill all the government vacancies after coming to power. "The alliance government of Congress party is going to come to power here, this is going to happen. Our first task will be to fill all the government vacancies and we will extend the age to 40 years, we will regularize the daily wage workers, make them permanent and we will increase their income. Our goal will be to run the government of Jammu and Kashmir by taking everyone together, everyone should be respected, we should take everyone together," he said. "This is such a beautiful place, I will have to come here after the elections. You have made a 45-minute program for me here, you have cheated me. At least a 2-3 day program should be made here, I don't get to see such a place, such lovely people, at least bring me here for 2-3 days and show me around," the Congress leader added. Jammu and Kashmir has 90 assembly constituencies, with 7 seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 9 for Scheduled Tribes (STs). These upcoming elections will be the first in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. Polling in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8. (ANI)
MK Stalin, taking to X, informed that these MOUs will help in creating in 500 jobs.

He also stated that the government has secured a pact with Assurant, risk management solutions provider, to set up the first Global Capability Centre.

"Exchanged MoUs with Eaton for a Rs200 crore R&D and engineering centre expansion in Chennai, creating 500 jobs. Also secured Assurant's first Global Capability Centre in India, coming soon to Chennai," CM Stalin posted on X.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is on an official visit to the United States to secure support and investments aimed at boosting the prosperity of the state.

On August 31, 2024, an agreement was signed with Ohmium for the establishment of a new factory in Chengalpattu district for producing electrolysers and green hydrogen, with an investment of Rs 400 crores and creating 500 job opportunities.

Stalin said that the deal marked an important step in nurturing the ecosystem for green energy production and fuelling a sustainable future.

In a post on X, "Another successful day in San Francisco! We've secured a Rs400 crore investment from Ohmium in Chengalpattu district, creating 500 jobs. This marks a significant step in nurturing the ecosystem for green energy production and fuelling a sustainable future!"

On August 30, 2024, meetings were held with senior officials from Apple, Google, and Microsoft to invite them to invest in Tamil Nadu, and an MoU was signed with Google to set up artificial intelligence (AI) labs in Tamil Nadu.

During the Tamil Nadu CM's US visit, on August 29, 2024, at an investors' conference held in San Francisco, MoUs were signed with six leading global companies--Nokia, PayPal, Yield Engineering Services, Microchip, Infinx Healthcare, and Applied Materials--for an investment of Rs 900 crores to create 4,100 job opportunities. (ANI)
The police assured the crowd of strict action against the accused after locals staged a protest and raised slogans.

According to the police, the incident took place on September 1. The boy was allegedly abducted from the Govindpuri area and sodomized by the accused, who later abandoned him at an isolated location.

The police registered a case for the missing/kidnapping of the boy on September 1.

On September 3, the boy's family approached the police and lodged a complaint alleging inappropriate touching by the accused.

Later that evening, the police received a PCR call alleging that a 5-year-old child was sodomized and requesting assistance. Upon arrival at the scene, it was found that the call had been made by the victim's family, the police said.

The police arrested the accused, who is the victim's neighbour, on Tuesday.

During the arrest, the public attacked the accused while he was taken to police station and created a ruckus. The situation was brought under control only after intervention by senior officials.

Section 8 of the POCSO Act has been added to the charges against the accused, the police added.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)
In response to a plea from a woman aspiring pilot, the Delhi High Court expressed the hope that the top officials in the Indian Air Force will review why qualified women who are deemed fit for flying duties are not being commissioned, particularly when there are vacancies that male candidates have not filled. A division bench of Justices Rekha Palli and Shalinder Kaur has recently issued notices to the Central Government, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Ministry of Defence, National Defence Academy (NDA) and Directorate of Personnel (Offrs) Air Headquarters on the petition filed by one Archana. The matter has been listed on September 12 for further hearing. The High Court is hearing a petition seeking a direction to the Respondents to permit the Petitioner to fill up the vacancy for the post of "Air Force (i) Flying" in terms of the Advertisement of May 17, 2023, as the candidature of the Petitioner is rejected for the post of "Air Force (i) Flying" despite more than 20 vacancies being available, purely on grounds of GENDER discrimination, as the Petitioner has otherwise been found to be "fit to fly" for all intents and purposes for the post of "Air Force (i) Flying". It is contended that the rejection of the candidature of the petitioner is purely out of discrimination on the grounds of gender which is unconstitutional and violative of the fundamental rights of the petitioner for no object which is sought to be achieved by the respondents, since, female candidates are even otherwise being permitted to fly since a woman feels as keenly and thinks as clearly, as a man and neither is above the other or under the other. They are equals. "While adjourning the matter, we hope that the highest authority in the Indian Air Force will dispassionately examine this aspect and consider why competent women, who are found fit for flying duties cannot be commissioned when the notified vacancies could not be filled up by Male candidates," the division bench said on August 30. The petitioner has also sought direction to respondents for clarifying that the vacancies as listed in the Advertisement dated May 17, 2023, issued by the UPSC as it reads on page 4 does not mean to exclude female candidates from the vacancies as listed in the Advertisement of May 17, 2023, who are otherwise found to be eligible AND 'fit to fly' for all intents and purposes, more particularly for the post of "Air Force (i) Flying - 92 (including 02 for female candidates)" in terms of the Advertisement of May 17, 2023, is concerned. The petitioner who is aspiring to join the Indian Air Force as a Pilot, having applied for the said post pursuant to the advertisement issued on May 17, 2023, has approached this Court with a grievance that even though a number of vacancies in the flying branch have remained unfilled, she is not being considered for the same on the ground that the vacancies earmarked for Female candidates have already been filled. The High Court noted that the submission of counsel Sahil Mongia for the petitioner is that even though the petitioner had not challenged the advertisement issued by the respondents wherein a very small percentage of vacancies were reserved for female candidates in the Flying Branch, once some of the notified vacancies in the Flying Branch have remained unfilled, there is no reason as to why those vacancies cannot be filled up by commissioning competent woman like the petitioner, who has been found fit for being commissioned as a Pilot as per the rigorous tests conducted by the respondents themselves. It is stated on May 17, 2023, the Respondent UPSC declared the Examination Notice of National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2023 by UPSC for several posts including the post of "Air Force (i) Flying- 92 (including 02 for female candidates)". It is stated that on 03.06.2023 the Petitioner applied for the examination being conducted by UPSC in terms of the advertisement and was issued an online confirmation from the portal of UPSC. On September 26, 2023, UPSC by way of a PRESS NOTE declared the result for the written part of the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (ii), 2023. The petitioner was declared successful, the plea stated. Therefore, as much as the vacancy for the post of "Air Force (i) Flying" is concerned, there were no varying eligibility conditions for male and female candidates in any which way and no concession, whatsoever, was given to Female Candidates to qualify for the post of "Air Force (i) Flying", the plea stated. It is also a matter of fact and record that in as much as, the vacancy for the post of "Air Force (i) Flying" a MALE or FEMALE candidate need to be declared as fit to fly and admittedly the Petitioner was declared as Fit to Fly vide letter dt March 3, 2024 after having passed the CPSS examination, it added. It is further stated that it is also a matter of fact and record that in addition to the abovescores, in as much as, the vacancy for the post of "Air Force (i) Flying" a male or female candidate need to be declared as FIT TO FLY and admittedly the Petitioner was declared as Fit to Fly through a letter dt March, 11, 2024 after having passed the CPSS examination. However, despite the Petitioner having been declared FIT to FLY and despite there being no more than 70 MALE candidates to fill up the vacancies as cited in the Advertisement letter of 17.05.2023 issued by the UPSC on behalf of the Respondent NDA, the Petitioner who was otherwise found to be eligible for all intents and purposes has not been considered for the post of "Air Force (i) Flying" by the Respondents only because she was a FEMALE CANDIDATE. On 31.07.2024 the Petitioner had sent representation(s) to several departments of the Respondents, more particularly to the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) whereby she had sought "To increase the allocated vacancies for female candidates in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force," the plea stated. It is also stated that on 12.08.2024, the Ministry of Defence replied to the representation of the Petitioner wherein thereby declining the request of the Petitioner by stating that "Vacancies published for female candidates in the official notification for NDA 152 course for Flying Branch were 02. Hence, a total of 2 female candidates were selected for the Flying Branch. The intake of female and male candidates in different branches of the Indian Air Force depends on organisational requirements and various cadre control mechanisms." It is contended that the actions/inactions of the Respondents in rejecting the candidature of the Petitioner despite the Petitioner being found "fit to fly" is arbitrary and whimsical and violative of articles, 14, 15, 16 and 19 of the Constitution of India, in as much as, the candidature of the Petitioner has been purely refused and rejected for want of not being a MALE candidate. It is also contended that actions/inactions of the Respondents in rejecting the candidate of the Petitioner, despite having been found fit to fly, is violative and ultra vires of Articles 19(1)(g), 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India to the extent that it refuses candidature of the Petitioner from being recruited to the vacancy of "Air Force (i) Flying" despite the Petitioner having otherwise qualified for all intents and purposes and despite there being more than 20 vacancies available for above-named post only for want of being a MALE, since, the Respondents claim that such vacancies can only be filled up by a MALE candidate and it is a matter of fact and record that no more than 70 male candidates were found to be fit to fly for not having passed the CPSS exam. Hence, the present petition deserved to be allowed since such actions of the Respondents in refusing the candidature of the Petitioner deserves to be set aside and the Petitioner be permitted to join the forces since having otherwise found to be fit to fly and well qualified as much as a man or male candidate, the plea stated. (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh has approached the Delhi High Court, alleging that he was denied permission to meet Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail by the authorities. The bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna issued notice to Tihat Jail Authorities and directed them to file a response and set the matter for hearing on September 9, 2024. Appearing for Sanjay Singh, Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra submitted that The concerned Superintendent arbitrarily and unreasonably denied two consecutive permissions sought by Sanjay Singh by merely citing Rule 588 of the Delhi Prison Rules, 2018 and stating that he is an 'ex-prisoner'. No reasons in writing were provided for the refusal and Rule 616 makes it mandatory for the reasons to be recorded. The term 'Ex-Prisoner' has not been defined in either the Delhi Prisons Act, 2000 or the Delhi Prisons Rules, 2018. Even under Rule 588, the discretion vested in the Superintendent must not be exercised justly not arbitrarily and in keeping with the laws of natural justice and the larger scheme of the Act, stated the plea. The Petitioner is a sitting Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. He is an upstanding member of the community, a staunch nationalist and also a member of the Aam Aadmi Party. Singh through plea stated that repeated denials of the right of interview of the Petitioner are violative of his fundamental rights enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India as the fundamental 'Right to Life' also takes within its purview the right to meet their family members /friends who are in custody in jail. The Delhi Prisons Rules 2018 have been framed by way of delegated legislation under Section 71 of the Delhi Prisons Act, 2000. The Delhi Prisons Act,2000 under Chapter IX deals with interviews and letters. The Enabling Parent Act, i.e., the Delhi Prisons Act, 2000 is silent and does not create any embargo on the rights of 'ex-prisoners' to meet other prisoners, or rather even define the term 'ex-prisoner' and create a separate category for them, the Rules framed under the said Act cannot exceed the scope of their derived powers under Section 71 of the Delhi Prisons Act, 2000 to create such an arbitrary and unreasonable restriction. The plea further stated that Sanjay Singh, in both emails dated June 4, 2024, and June 6, 2024, has also explicitly undertaken to comply with all the prison rules during his physical interview with Arvind Kejriwal and has been denied visitation despite such undertakings. (ANI)
The President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) urged doctors to return to patient care leaving justice to the Supreme Court of India in connection with the protests over the rape and murder incident of the trainee doctor at RG Kar College and Hospital in Kolkata. "The sacrifice of the young Postgraduate resident of RG Kar has moved the conscience of the nation. The anger and frustration of the entire nation are equally on the fact that she happened to be a budding doctor as well as that she was the only girl child of lower-middle-class parents. The entire nation has adopted her as their daughter," the IMA's letter said. The IMA President emphasised the apex court's response in the matter and said that the entire medical fraternity should abide by the word given by the Court. "The medical fraternity was justifiably on the boil. The Resident Doctors hit the road with anger and deep sorrow. IMA called for the withdrawal of services barring emergency for 24 hours. Subsequently, the Honourable Supreme Court of India has taken suo moto cognition of the situation and has formed a National Task Force. They have also taken charge of the crime and the subsequent vandalism. The Honourable Court has said to the doctors "Trust us. Justice and medicine shouldn't stop". The Highest Court has spoken," the letter said. "As citizens of India, the entire medical fraternity should abide by the word given by the Honourable Court. Patient care and safety is the prime concern of the medical profession. All doctors of modern medicine should return to patient care leaving justice to the Honourable Supreme Court of India," it added. Doctors have been holding protests in different states, demanding justice for the victims 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. (ANI)
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has once again questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the ongoing violence in Manipur. The Congress president claimed in a post on X that the Prime Minister has done nothing to mitigate the violence in the state for the past sixteen months. "@narendramodi ji, it has been 16 months since Manipur has been engulfed in violence, but your 'double engine' government has done NOTHING to mitigate it. No measure has been taken which instils confidence among the people of all the communities to ensure peace and normalcy." Kharge posted on X. https://x.com/kharge/status/1831228389153288448 The Congress President also asked why the Prime Minister hasn't removed Chief Minister N. Biren Singh from his post, claiming that the CM is culpable in "virtually paralysing the state machinery". "Why has the Manipur CM made to brazen it out and has not been sacked by you? Is he not culpable in virtually paralysing the state machinery, and making obnoxious statements, now recorded in public domain? A resignation drama was enacted to shamelessly dodge that bullet.", added the Congress President on X. Kharge further said that PM Modi has not visited the state and that even a fundamental peace process hasn't started because of the union government. "Why have you not bothered to set foot in the state? It is because of your ego that people of all communities are suffering. Your government's rank incompetency and shamelessness has not been able to start even a fundamental peace process!", said Kharge. The Congress President also highlighted the recent drone attack in Imphal and said that the state is also facing a national security crisis at its borders. "Bombing through drone attacks have just taken place in Imphal West district and the Union Home Minister seems to be asleep at the wheel. Even your own BJP leaders and their houses are being attacked. Apart from internal turmoil, now a National Security threat also looms large at the borders of Manipur." Earlier, Rajya Sabha MP Sanajaoba constituted a high-level committee and held meeting with its members to conduct an investigation after unarmed Koutruk villagers in Manipur's Imphal were attacked with drones, bombs and sophisticated weapons on Sunday reportedly by the Kuki militants. The Manipur Police also had confirmed the reports of usage of drones in the attack in Kotruk, " In an unprecedented attack in Koutruk, Imphal West, alleged Kuki militants have deployed numerous RPGs using high-tech drones. While drone bombs have commonly been used in general warfares, this recent deployment of drones to deploy explosives against security forces and the civilians marks a significant escalation." (ANI)
A day after the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Law Amendment) Bill was passed by a voice vote in the West Bengal assembly, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Annie Raja said on Wednesday that the problem is not in the lack of legislation but the lack of implementation of the legislation. Speaking to ANI, Annie Raja said, "It is not because of the lack of such legislation, the problem is the lack of implementation of legislation in our country. The Indian Parliament has passed so many laws to safeguard the dignity and safety of women." She further added that whenever an issue gets sensationalised, to control the outrage of the people, a new law is either made or amended. She also said that another major obstacle was the lack of budget allocated to the state by the centre for the implementation of this legislation. "What we are seeing is whenever an issue is sensational and is picked up by the media, then suddenly, to control public outrage, amending or making a new law happens. After that, everything becomes silent and the problem exists because of the non-implementation of the laws... Another major block is no budgetary allocation to states for implementation of legislation," Raja said. The West Bengal assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed the Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill, 2024, that comes after the tragic rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. Speaking in the assembly after tabling of the Bill 2024, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the bill is being brought to secure the dignity of women and that if Bengal is abused, it will have a ripple effect. CM Mamata Banerjee said, "I had written two letters to the Prime Minister, but I did not get any reply from him; rather, I got a reply from the Minister of Women and Child Development, but I also replied to her reply and informed the Prime Minister. When the Code of Justice Bill was passed in a hurry before the elections, I had said that it should not be passed in a hurry; the states were not consulted in this. I had opposed it many times as no advice was taken from the states in this regard, it should have been passed after discussing with the Rajya Sabha, the opposition, and all the parties, but this was not done. That is why today we are bringing this bill to secure protection for women. If Bengal is ill-treated, then it will have a spillover effect." (ANI)
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, addresses the Ninth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Ninth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held on Tuesday in Beijing, laying the groundwork for the forthcoming FOCAC Beijing summit.

Foreign ministers and economic ministers from 53 African member countries of the FOCAC, and representatives of the African Union and other regional and international organizations were among more than 300 attendees of the meeting.

The implementation of the outcomes of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC in 2021, and results of China-Africa development cooperation and China's assistance to Africa were reported at the conference, which also reviewed and adopted the agenda and draft outcome document of the forthcoming summit.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at the conference that the rise of the Global South represented by China and Africa is profoundly influencing the development of human society.

This summit will surely set a new milestone for the Global South to move forward together toward modernization, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Since the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC was held three years ago, the building of the China-Africa community with a shared future has been elevated to a new level, Wang noted, adding that China and Africa have worked together to enhance connectivity, and China has been Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years.

China and Africa have combined their efforts in implementing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, Wang said.

Stronger solidarity and coordination among the 2.8 billion Chinese and African people will surely inject new momentum into the Global South cooperation, he noted.

During the conference, representatives from African countries said the African side will work closely with China to make this summit a success. They also expressed willingness to deepen comprehensive cooperation with China so as to realize common development and prosperity.
NCP-SCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance has no dispute over the post of Chief Minister and a final decision on the position would be made after the elections in Maharashtra. Speaking at a press conference in Kolhapur today, Pawar said there was no doubt that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will get the majority in the upcoming legislative assembly elections that are expected to take place later this year. "There is no dispute about the post of Chief Minister in our alliance. After the elections, we will think about it and make a decision. We have not got the majority yet, but there is no doubt that we will get the majority. Once the elections are over, we will sit and discuss the face of the post of Chief Minister," he said. He further added many times in the past alliances had gone to the polls without any Chief Ministerial face. "This has happened many times before when a party or alliance has gone to the elections without any face. And after the elections, someone has been chosen to run the government. For example, in the elections held immediately after the emergency in 1977, no one was made the candidate for the post of Prime Minister. Jayaprakash Narayan's name was at the forefront; elections were held and when it came to choosing the Prime Minister, Morarji Desai was chosen as the Prime Minister. Therefore, I believe that there is no need to choose the face for the post of Chief Minister before the elections. After the elections, on the basis of the majority of the public, we will all sit together and after discussing among ourselves, we will choose the face for the post of Chief Minister," Pawar added. Speaking on the Badlapur incident and the protest that followed because of it, Pawar said, "Little girls were tortured in Badlapur and this is very disgusting; thousands of people protested and the government alleged that people were brought from outside. Cases were imposed on many of the people who had come there to protest against the government; this filled the minds of the people with anger. It is not right to force cases on people. And it is not a political thing to say that the cases of those who have been booked in this manner should be withdrawn. We did not bring the people who had come there. And there is no issue of politics in this." Addressing the issue of the collapse of the 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district, he said, "Jaydeep Apte, who made this effigy, had very limited experience. As far as the argument that the effigy got damaged due to strong winds and falls is concerned, it is not correct. Because we see that the statue installed near the Gateway of India is not affected by the strong wind, the statue installed in Shivaji Park (Dadar) is not affected by the strong wind. So, it would not be fair to say that the statue fell due to strong wind. The person who was given the work had no experience making such a statue; it was wrong to give such a big work to such a person." "Those who have talked about history do not have the right to speak on what Maharaj did. Jaisingh Rao Pawar has said that Shivaji Maharaj had attacked Surat twice, and historian Indrajit Sawant has also supported his statement. Do not tell the wrong history to the people and the new generation. No one should do the work of telling the wrong history. And the opinion expressed by historians in this regard should be respected," Pawar said while speaking on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's statement on Shivaji Maharaj's not attacking and looting Surat. On the RSS's statement that caste-based census should only be used for the betterment of those communities or castes that are lagging rather than politics or election practises, Pawar said, "It is the demand of all of us that there should be a caste census. This will create more opportunities for the smaller communities. If caste census is done, then if RSS is in favour of caste census, there is nothing wrong with it." (ANI)
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday donated his entire salary of one month to aid in the relief and rehabilitation efforts of flood victims in Kerala's Wayanad. The Congress leader also urged people to contribute whatever they can and help rebuild the lives of people who have suffered losses in the disaster. "Our brothers and sisters in Wayanad have endured a devastating tragedy, and they need our support to recover from the unimaginable losses they have faced. I have donated my entire month's salary to aid in the relief and rehabilitation efforts of those affected. I sincerely urge all fellow Indians to contribute whatever they can--every little bit makes a difference," Rahul Gandhi posted on X. "Wayanad is a beautiful part of our country, and together, we can help rebuild the lives of its people who have lost so much. You can safely contribute to the @INCKerala fund through the Stand With Wayanad - INC app," he added. On Sunday, Rahul Gandhi discussed the relief efforts for the landslide-hit Wayanad region and the need to revitalise tourism in the area, during a conversation with local Congress leaders. "Wayanad is steadily recovering from the devastation caused by the tragic landslides. While there is still much to be done, it is heartening to witness people from all communities and organisations coming together in relief efforts," Gandhi said in a post on X. "There is one crucial aspect I wish to highlight that will greatly aid the people of Wayanad--tourism. Once the rains cease, it is imperative that we make a concerted effort to revitalise tourism in the area and encourage people to visit," the post read. He further highlighted that the landslide was localised to a specific area and not the entire region, but the perception of people outside is that the whole area is dangerous. Stating that Wayanad remains a stunning destination, the Congress leader said that it will soon be ready to welcome tourists from across India, "It is important to note that the landslide was localised to a specific area in Wayanad, not the entire region. Wayanad remains a stunning destination and will soon be ready to welcome tourists from across India and the world with all its natural charm," the post read. The Congress leader also emphasised other areas regarding relief efforts that need focus, including poor interdepartmental coordination, inadequate compensation, and the loss of livelihood, among other things. "As far as I know, there are four or five things which we need to put pressure on. One is poor interdepartmental coordination in relief and rehabilitation, second is inadequate compensation, third is the rent issue that I raised, then many people have lost livelihoods, including vehicles and plantations, and finally the impact of tourism," he said. Landslides that killed hundreds of people in Kerala's Wayanad were triggered by a burst of rainfall that was made about 10 per cent heavier by human-caused climate change, a study by World Weather Attribution (WWA) has found. (ANI)
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday said that drones are being deployed to provide food and water to the flood-affected area in the State. Speaking to reporters, Pawan Kalyan said that he has donated Rs 1 crore to the Chief Minister Relief Fund (CMRF). "The central government would do whatever is needed for the state if the situation arises. Drones are being operated to supply food and water in flood-affected areas. Chandrababu Naidu is a visionary leader, and his experience is invaluable during these difficult times. Yesterday, I announced a donation of 1 crore rupees to the CM Relief Fund. I will hand over the check to CM. The Budameru canal has been encroached upon by the public. Due to an improper drainage system, the floods have severely affected Vijayawada," Kalyan said. He further said that as many as 19 people have lost their lives, 200 animals have been found dead, and 65,000 boats have been damaged. "129 hectares of land have been waterlogged due to the floods. 232 kilometres of roads have been damaged, and 11 connecting roads have been repaired. Over 600,000 people have been evacuated and shifted to rehabilitation centres," he said. He further attacked the YSRCP government and said that instead of criticising the government, they should come forward and help the flood-affected people. "The previous government should have taken action. YSRCP should not criticize this issue; instead of criticism, they should come forward and help the flood-affected people. At the age of 74, the CM is touring flood-affected areas using a JCB. Instead of appreciating him, YSRCP and others are criticising him, which is heinous," the Andhra deputy chief minister said. Pawan Kalyan said that forest officials are very alert on violations or encroachments in forest areas and take action. "I did a review meeting today. Forest officials are very alert on violations or encroachments in forest areas and take action. When it comes to encroachments in urban areas, no action is taken. The previous governments did not pay attention to it. Encroachment is causing a lot of problems as it blocks the natural course of water. In the same way, we will implement technologies to stop encroachments on irrigation land. YSRCP has neglected the maintenance of projects and dams. The CM, NDRF, SDRF, and police are continuing their rescue operations in flood-affected areas," he said. He further announced he is donating one lakh rupees to 400 panchayats from his personal savings. "Due to the floods, 386 panchayats were damaged. I am donating one lakh rupees to 400 panchayats from my personal savings. I am also announcing a donation of Rs 1 crore to the Telangana CM for flood relief efforts I will handover it directly to CM Revanth Reddy," he said. According to the government, a total of 2.3 lakh food packets, 2.5 lakh milk packets, 5 lakh water bottles, and 117 tankers have been distributed to people. Heavy rainfall has caused destruction in the entire state, especially in Krishna and Guntur districts. Neighbouring Telangana has also suffered from heavy rains. (ANI)
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), and the Ministry of Education Innovation Cell (MIC) have jointly inaugurated the second edition of the 'Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship (IDE) Bootcamp.' This initiative, aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurial skills among secondary and senior secondary school students, teachers, and principals of PM-SHRI schools, will be conducted in three slots from 4 to 19 September 2024 across ten locations. The bootcamp was virtually inaugurated by TG Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, along with Vipin Kumar, . Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman of AICTE and Chief Innovation Officer of the Ministry of Education Innovation Cell, also attended the event. During the inauguration, AICTE Chairman TG Sitharam highlighted that the bootcamp aims to develop innovation, design, and entrepreneurial skills among student innovators and innovation ambassadors from PM-SHRI schools. He further highlighted the bootcamp's role in opening doors for students to become patent holders, start-up founders, and company creators, ultimately contributing to job creation and economic growth. Vipin Kumar, Additional Secretary of DoSEL, expressed enthusiasm about the program, noting that it has attracted 1,800 registrations from students, teachers, and principals nationwide. He emphasized the importance of bootcamp in deepening participants' understanding of the Indian entrepreneurial landscape and the opportunities available to school children. Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman of AICTE, in his address to the participants, emphasized that the IDE Bootcamp initiative aims to empower young minds with the skills and mindset essential for thriving in today's fast-changing global environment. The two-day bootcamp, held in three phases, commenced today. The first phase (4-5 September) is taking place in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Dehradun, and Gandhinagar. The second phase will be conducted on 11-12 September at Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jamshedpur, Patna, and Baddi (HP), and the final phase will occur on 18-19 September in Vijayawada. Participants will receive training in human-centric opportunity identification, design thinking, and the essential skills needed to create customer-centric products and services. They will explore basic business models, conduct initial evaluations of their startup ideas, and gain insights into the Indian entrepreneurial landscape, opportunities available for school children, and government support mechanisms. The bootcamp will feature interactive group activities, immersive sessions, and workshops focused on creativity, problem-solving, and the essence of innovation. Attendees will learn practical strategies for driving change and integrating entrepreneurial thinking into education. The event is organized in partnership with the Wadhwani Foundation, recognized for its support of entrepreneurship education. Alongside the IDE Bootcamp, the AICTE, in collaboration with DoSEL and MIC, launched KAPILA: Kalam Program for IP Literacy and Awareness for schools. This program aims to create widespread awareness about intellectual property (IP) filing, the mechanisms involved, and the importance of IP protection among students, teachers, and faculty of schools and higher education institutions. For the academic year 2024-25, AICTE will extend funding support for 15,000 patent filings across higher education institutions, while the Department of School Education and Literacy will provide funding for 1,000 patent filings for schools. AICTE has also signed an MoU with the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) to promote patent awareness and educate participants on the filing process in India and globally. Through these initiatives, AICTE, DoSEL, and MIC aim to inspire young minds, equipping them with the skills and knowledge required to navigate the evolving landscape of innovation, design, and entrepreneurship. (ANI)
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday said that encroachments in urban areas made the flood situation worse in the state adding that the successive governments failed to curb it. "I did a review meeting today. Forest officials are very alert on encroachments in forest areas and take action. When it comes to encroachments in urban areas, no action is taken. The previous governments did not pay attention to it. Encroachment is causing a lot of problems as it blocks the natural course of water," Kalyan told reporters after chairing a review meeting on the flood situation in several districts of the state. He said that around 384 Panchayats in 10 districts are being affected by floods. "The natural flow of water has been disrupted by encroachments. The previous government could have done to address it. The successive governments and bureaucracy under them had not taken any constructive action which they were supposed to do. But because of a lot of political issues, a lot of economic issues, and a lot of social issues they might have yielded to the pressure. Encroachments are causing flood situations," he said. Earlier in the day, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with various ministers, collectors and senior officials and instructed them to make sure assistance reaches every household amid the ongoing flood-like situation. "We are taking extensive relief measures in flood-affected areas to restore normalcy. The assistance should reach every household. Identify those who have lost their lives in the floods and hand over their bodies to their families. If no one comes forward, the government will perform the last rites." said the Chief Minister in a statement. Heavy rainfall has caused destruction in the entire state, especially in Krishna and Guntur districts. As a result of the Budameru floods, several areas, including Singhnagar, Nandamuri Nagar, and other low-lying areas, were submerged within hours, forcing nearly two lakh people to take shelter on the terraces of their buildings. The government is also planning to provide Rs 5 lakhs compensation to the families of the deceased. The Chief Minister said that as the floods have receded, there would be a possibility of door-to-door delivery, and deliver of food, water, biscuits, and milk to the people. "Provide 25 kg rice, 1 litre palm oil, 2 kg onions, 2 kg potatoes, and 1 kg sugar to each family. Set up mobile Rythu Bazaars to prevent black marketing and sell vegetables at reasonable prices. Taking into account the possibility of viral fevers and mosquito-borne diseases, the CM asked the officials to educate the people on necessary precautions while also setting up medical camps in each secretariat." added the statement. (ANI)
His plea has been listed on September 6 before a bench led by Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud.

The Anti-Corruption Branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Dr Sandip Ghosh on September 2.

Dr Ghosh was under investigation for alleged corruption and financial irregularities at the college and hospital, following a directive from a single bench of the Calcutta High Court, which ordered the CBI to probe the matter.

He was sent to 8-day police custody on Tuesday.

On August 24, following the orders of the Calcutta High Court, an official FIR was registered by the CBI against Ghosh on the alleged corruption case. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) of Kolkata also 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.

The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. (ANI)
The JJP has released the list of 15 candidates, while ASP named four candidates.

JJP leader Dushyant Chautala will contest the elections from Uchana, while Digvijay Chautala will fight from Dabwali.

JJP and Chandra Shekhar Azad's Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) have allied for the upcoming Haryana Assembly polls.

The alliance will contest on all 90 Assembly constituencies in Haryana, with JJP competing on 70 seats and ASP on 20.

Earlier, former Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) leaders Sunil Sangwan, Sanjay Kablana, and Devender Singh Babli joined the BJP and said that the BJP will be forming the government for a third term in the state.

The voting to the 90-member legislative assembly in Haryana will be held on October 5 and the last date for filing nominations is September 12. The counting of votes will be held on October 8.

Other political parties, including the BJP and Congress, are also finalising their candidates for the polls.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, JJP got only 0.87 per cent of the vote share, with none of its candidates winning any seat in the state.

In the 2019 elections, the BJP, with 40 seats in the 90-member assembly, formed a coalition government with the JJP, which had won 10 seats, while the Congress secured 31 seats. Earlier this year, the BJP-JJP alliance was dissolved.

In 2024, Haryana is likely to witness a four-way contest between the BJP, Congress, Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), and AAP. (ANI)
The first Joint Commanders' Conference (JCC) commenced at Lucknow on Wednesday under the theme under the theme 'Sashakt and Surakshit Bharat: Transforming Armed Forces.' The conference is focused on shaping the future of India's military to adapt to the changing operational milieu, according to a Ministry of Defence press release. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan alongwith Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Choudhari led the convocation which brings together the apex-level hierarchy from the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces, as per Ministry of Defence. Reviewing the current security situation and the defence preparedness of the Armed Forces, the CDS emphasized the importance of Jointness and future plans for enhancing integration across various domains, which is crucial for adapting to the contours of future warfare and conduct of effect-based operations. Gen Anil Chauhan complimented the three Services for initiating numerous measures along the roadmap for integration. He stressed that it was a step by step process, beginning with Cross Service Co-operation leading to a 'Joint Culture' and finally achieving integration of forces for conduct of joint operations, as per the release. Deliberations also focused on establishment of command and control centres with the requisite infrastructure to facilitate decision making. General Chauhan stressed the need for operational preparedness to meet emerging challenges, underscoring the imperative need of modernisation to stay ready and relevant and achieve strategic autonomy. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to attend the conference on the second day, where he will engage in detailed deliberations with the senior officials of Ministry of Defence and the apex leadership of Indian Armed Forces. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has extended his heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all the teachers of the state on the eve of Teachers' Day and said that teachers are the "true nation builders." In his message issued on this occasion, the Chief Minister paid homage to former President, educationist and philosopher Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and said that teachers are the true nation builders, the Chief Minister office stated. The Chief Minister said that teachers play an important role in building the character of the students and making them worthy citizens. He said that teachers not only make an important contribution to nation-building by educating the students, but they also play a big role in giving a new direction to society. "Teachers also have an important participation in the successful implementation of the schemes run by the state government for the development of education," he added. The Chief Minister said that only those countries and societies move forward where the teachers are respected. "We have to make the great Indian tradition of respect and reverence towards our teachers even stronger," he added. On this occasion, the Chief Minister called upon the students to follow the Indian tradition of respect and reverence towards the teachers and participate in the development of the country and the state by becoming the best citizens. Every year, Teachers' Day is celebrated on 5 September. It's a day dedicated to teachers and the role they play in shaping their students' lives. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of scholar and Bharat Ratna recipient Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was born on this day in 1888. He was the first Vice President of the independent India (1952-1962). He was also the second President of India from 1962 to 1967. (ANI)
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Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Xi noted that the FOCAC has become an effective mechanism for advancing practical cooperation between China and Africa and a fine example of South-South cooperation.

He expressed the belief that with joint efforts from both sides, the summit will make new contributions to the modernization of African countries and the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future.

Xi emphasized that China and Sierra Leone should continue to stand firmly together on matters concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.

China is ready to work with Sierra Leone to deepen cooperation in areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, resources and energy, Xi said.

He said China is willing to strengthen coordination with Sierra Leone under multilateral frameworks including the United Nations, jointly safeguarding the interests of Africa and the developing world.

Bio noted remarkable progress achieved in bilateral cooperation since his last visit to China, voicing hope for closer cooperation with China in agriculture, security and other fields.

He expressed gratitude for China's support in helping Sierra Leone fulfill its duties as the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, and conveyed his willingness to enhance multilateral coordination with China on the international stage.
CPI(M) MP and counsel for the RG Kar victim's family, Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, on Wednesday criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's move to introduce an anti-rape bill, Aparajita, calling it "absolutely useless" aimed at confronting the central government rather than genuinely addressing the issue. Bhattacharya also alleged that Banerjee's bill is a mere eyewash and an attempt to divert the attention of the people from the main issue. "They have the legislative power to enact a law, and accordingly, they have brought a bill but this is absolutely useless. No agency can complete an investigation within a limited period and then go for trial and finish it in a certain time. These are all populistic jargon. It will ultimately fetch no benefit to anybody. This will give her another step forward to fight against the centre because, most likely, this bill will not be approved by the President. They will go on shouting against the centre again, that is the reason behind introducing this bill. Nothing else," Bikash Ranjan said. "Cutting across lines and borders, people are completely frustrated and agitated against this administration. She has just made an attempt to divert the attention of the people from the main issue," he added. The West Bengal assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed the Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill, 2024, that comes after the tragic rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. Speaking in the assembly after tabling of the Bill 2024, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the bill is being brought to secure the dignity of women and that if Bengal is abused, it will have a ripple effect. "I had written two letters to the Prime Minister, but I did not get any reply from him; rather, I got a reply from the Minister of Women and Child Development, but I also replied to her reply and informed the Prime Minister. When the Code of Justice Bill was passed in a hurry before the elections, I had said that it should not be passed in a hurry; the states were not consulted in this. I had opposed it many times as no advice was taken from the states in this regard, it should have been passed after discussing with the Rajya Sabha, the opposition, and all the parties, but this was not done," said Banerjee. "That is why today we are bringing this bill to secure protection for women. If Bengal is ill-treated, then it will have a spillover effect," she added. (ANI)
Former Union Minister and Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur on Wednesday launched the BJP's new membership campaign in Himachal Pradesh and criticised the West Bengal government's handling of women's safety issues under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Thakur stated, "If a state's chief minister is a woman, yet women are not safe, it reflects the state's poor condition." He deemed it unfortunate when women must protest for justice, calling it a significant misfortune. Thakur's comments followed recent reports of violence against women in West Bengal. He said that these incidents are causing national shame and criticised the slow response from authorities. "It is sad that the whole country is feeling ashamed of the incidents that are continuously happening in Bengal," he said. Notably, a trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. He criticised the slow response from authorities and emphasised the need for timely action against perpetrators to ensure victims receive justice. "Timely action against perpetrators is lacking, which prevents victims from getting justice while he also pointed out that while laws against such crimes exist, they need to be strictly enforced," said the Hamirpur MP. Thakur also initiated the BJP's membership drive in Himachal Pradesh, aiming to recruit 16 lakh new members. He enrolled as a member during the event in Hamirpur, and party leaders processed his membership slip. Prominent BJP figures attended the launch event. Rajesh Thakur, in charge of the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency membership campaign, handled the registration. As part of the membership campaign, Thakur presented a neem plant to new members who signed up using his referral code. Addressing the crowd, Thakur outlined the party's goals for the membership drive. "The party aims to have 200 members from each booth," he said. He urged BJP workers to focus on areas where the party's presence is weak and underlined the need to recruit more young members. "Steps have been taken towards providing 33 per cent reservation for women, which will be a key focus in the membership campaign," Thakur added. Additionally, Thakur criticised the current Himachal Pradesh state government, highlighting issues like delayed salary and pension payments for employees. "There has never been such a day in the history of Himachal when even after four days of the month, lakhs of employees and pensioners of the state have not received salary and pension," the former Cabinet Minister said. He also accused the state government of mismanagement and claimed that unqualified individuals had been appointed to important positions. (ANI)
Jairam Thakur, the Leader of the Opposition in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, on Wednesday accused Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of shirking his responsibilities as the state government failed to ensure timely payment of salaries to its employees this month. "As long as I was Chief Minister, salaries and pensions were paid on time. Now the current CM is running away from his responsibilities," Thakur told ANI. He added that the Congress government in the state could not be trusted when it blamed the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration and the Centre for the state's current financial troubles. "It's too late to talk about financial discipline now. They are blaming the previous state government and the current central government for their shortcomings. Who will believe them?" he said. Thakur further stated that if state government employees receive their pensions and salaries, it would be thanks to the central government. He noted that Rs 550 crore in revenue deficit grants from the Centre would be received on 6 September, after which the government would be able to pay its employees. "On 10 September, our share of central taxes will be allocated, after which the government will be able to pay pensions. Amidst all this, they will exhaust the limit of loans that can be taken for the treasury," he added. The delay in disbursing salaries to employees of the state secretariat has caused anxiety, prompting them to send a letter to the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary of Finance, demanding immediate payment. The employees argue that the delay is causing financial strain and preventing them from meeting their monthly obligations. Earlier, during a session of the Himachal Assembly, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu acknowledged the state's financial struggles, announcing a two-month deferment of salaries for himself, ministers, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPS), and MLAs. However, he later claimed there was no financial crisis, contradicting his earlier statement. Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur criticised the situation, stating, "Rahul Gandhi's fake guarantees have been exposed in Himachal Pradesh. Other states should also learn a lesson from this." Thakur further highlighted the inconsistency in the government's statements, noting that the opposition had sought a discussion in the House on the economic situation but claimed the government was not treating the issue with the seriousness it deserved. (ANI)
Groups of Students of Sarojini Naidu Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Bhopal vandalised school property alleging harsh treatment by the discipline incharge of the school and demanded the latter's removal from the school on Wednesday. Students also staged a demonstration inside and outside the school. Additionally, they blocked the roads. The students alleged that the discipline incharge, Varsha Jha, used to give them harsh punishments on being late and make them stand outside in scorching heat. Students said, "If a student gets late even by a minute then, Varsha Jha ma'am, who is discipline in-charge of school, gives harsh punishment to them. She makes them stand for an hour in the heat and students also faint. We demand her removal from the school." School Principal, Malini Verma told ANI, "There is a discipline incharge at the school who stopped students when they came in late. No teacher gave punishment to any student. Varsha Jha is not a teacher here, she is a retired captain from the Military and appointed here as a discipline incharge. All the officers of our department are present and they will take the required action." ACP Habibganj, Mayur Khandelwal says, "We received information from Sarojini Naidu School that there were a few demands of the student due to which a law and order issue developed at the school. Following which we arrived here, we are trying to convince the student and coordinating with school management." Later on the matter was pacified after the demands of the students met to remove the discipline incharge. The student also expressed pleasure upon the removal of the discipline incharge. "The demands of the students to remove the captain (discipline in charge) have been fulfilled and the student should go back to their classes," said Narendra Kumar, District Education Officer Bhopal. (ANI)
The Committee of Management Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah has approached the Supreme Court, challenging an Allahabad High Court order that rejected the mosque committee's objection to the maintainability of several lawsuits initiated by Hindu devotees. In its plea, the Committee of Management Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah contested the High Court's order dated August 1, in which the court dismissed applications filed under Order VII Rule 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC). These applications, submitted by the mosque committee, sought the rejection of plaints in 15 different suits filed by Hindu devotees. The management committee, represented by advocates Mehmood Pracha and RHA Sikander, has also requested interim relief in the form of a stay on the High Court's order. Over 15 lawsuits by various plaintiffs have been filed, asserting competing claims over the Shahi Masjid Idgah, citing it as the site of the birthplace of Lord Shri Krishna (Krishna Janmabhoomi). "The petitioner, who has been named as a defendant by different plaintiffs/respondents in the 15 suits, filed individual applications under Order VII Rule 11 of the CPC in each suit, seeking the rejection of the respective plaints. These plaints were barred by the provisions of the Limitation Act, Places of Worship Act, Specific Relief Act, Waqf Act, and Order XXIII Rule 3A of the CPC," the plea stated. "After hearing all parties in the 15 suits, the High Court passed a fundamentally flawed judgment by selectively combining pleadings from different suits filed by various plaintiffs/respondents, which sought different reliefs, into a single composite suit. The court then selectively read these pleadings to dismiss all applications filed under Order VII Rule 11 of the CPC in a common judgment," the plea added. "The High Court issued a common judgment by selectively combining the pleadings from the 15 suits, without taking into account the specific pleadings of each plaint to determine whether that particular plaint was barred by law," the mosque committee argued in its submission. On August 1, the Allahabad High Court dismissed the mosque committee's petition challenging the maintainability of the lawsuits initiated by Hindu devotees. The Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Masjid dispute is being addressed in various legal forums. Previously, the Committee of Management Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah appealed to the Supreme Court, challenging another Allahabad High Court order that transferred all petitions related to Mathura's Krishna Janmabhoomi land dispute from the District Court of Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, to the High Court itself. The mosque committee challenged the High Court's May 26 order, which facilitated this transfer. Ranjana Agnihotri, a resident of Lucknow, had filed a suit in the Mathura court, claiming ownership of 13.37 acres of land at Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi. In her legal suit, Agnihotri called for the removal of the Shahi Idgah mosque, which was reportedly built on Krishna Janmabhoomi land. The suit filed in the Mathura court seeks the removal of a mosque said to have been built in 1669-70 on the orders of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, within the 13.37-acre premises of the Katra Keshav Dev temple, near the birthplace of Lord Krishna. (ANI)
Since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern, India has not reported any cases since March 2024, and the risk for the country has been assessed as low, according to sources. However, the WHO has noted that clade 1a and clade 2 are spreading more rapidly in several African nations. "Although India has not reported any cases since March 2024 and the risk for India has been assessed as low by the NCDC, all precautionary public health measures have been implemented by both National and State Governments to ensure the timely detection of any travel-related cases, their testing, isolation, and appropriate management," sources added. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has been a public health issue in parts of Africa for many years but resurfaced as a global concern in 2022. Since January 1, 2022, Mpox cases have been reported to the WHO from 121 member states across all six WHO regions. The WHO Mpox report dated September 3, 2024, provides global data up to July 31, 2024. A total of 102,997 laboratory-confirmed cases and 186 probable cases, including 223 deaths, have been reported to the WHO. "There has been an increase in the number of cases and deaths due to Mpox (Clade Ib) in the African region. This led to the WHO once again declaring Mpox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on August 14, 2024," the report explained. Recent Clade Ib cases have also been detected in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Sweden, Thailand, and Uganda. The African region has been the most affected, with 3,061 cases and 23 deaths reported. This is followed by the Region of the Americas (2,236 cases, 0 deaths) and the European region (837 cases, 2 deaths). In July 2024, 1,425 cases and six deaths were reported globally. More than half of these cases were from the African region (55%), followed by the American region (24%) and the European region (11%). The South-East Asia Region (SEAR) reported 1% of the total cases. Dr Megha Brijwal, Additional Professor, Department of Microbiology at AIIMS Delhi, told ANI, "One suspect case was reported but tested negative. So far, Delhi has not reported any cases. The patient had a travel history and some contact with people who had recently travelled. As a precaution, the patient was placed in isolation and a sample was sent for testing, which came back negative. The patient was briefly admitted to isolation, although at the time, the criteria for isolation and the unit were not in place. However, the Delhi government has now designated three hospitals--Safdarjung Hospital, RML, and Lady Hardinge Hospital--as referral centres where suspected cases are to be isolated." "Earlier, we reported two cases, neither of which was of this strain, including a total of 15 cases from Delhi and 15 from other states up until March," she added. Mpox transmission occurs through prolonged and close contact with an infected patient, mainly via the sexual route, direct contact with the body or lesion fluid of the patient, or contaminated clothing or linen of the infected person. (ANI)
Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena filed a reply on Wednesday to the appeal moved by social activist Medha Patkar, asserting that the appeal is not maintainable and should be dismissed as it was not signed by the appellant herself in the defamation case. It was also stated that a false affidavit had been filed in support of the appeal, which itself constitutes grounds for its rejection. VK Saxena's counsel urged the court to ask Medha Patkar to surrender. Additional Sessions Judge Vishal Singh took on record the reply filed by Saxena's counsel. Judge Singh also noted the argument raised by Saxena's counsel, Gajinder Kumar, that the appeal petition filed by Medha Patkar was dated July 24, 2024, but was not submitted to the court until July 27. Kumar further submitted that the petition was not signed by Patkar personally but by her counsel. He also pointed out that Medha Patkar had submitted an affidavit dated July 17, 2024, sworn and notarised in Madhya Pradesh, which predated the appeal petition. Therefore, it could not be assumed that the present appeal was filed by the appellant herself. It was also argued that the appeal could not be deemed to have been filed on July 27 and, therefore, could not be considered a pending appeal. As a result, the appellant would not be eligible for the benefit of the suspension of sentence order passed by the court on July 29. On the other hand, the appellant, Medha Patkar, submitted that the appeal had been prepared under her instructions by her counsel, and she had the final draft with her when she swore the affidavit on July 17, 2024. The appeal was filed electronically on July 24, 2024, and physically in the court on July 27. After hearing the submissions, the court noted the possibility of confusion regarding the content of the appeal filed in court with the accompanying affidavit. To clarify this, the court deemed it appropriate to require the appellant to send an e-copy of the appeal, affirmed by her as correct, from her personal email ID to the court's official email ID within seven days. On the request of Saxena's counsel, the court deferred ruling on the validity and genuineness of the appeal, pending further legal arguments. The matter has been listed for October 18, with the court keeping open the legal issues raised by Saxena's counsel. In July, the Saket court sentenced Medha Patkar to five months' imprisonment in the defamation case filed by VK Saxena. She was also ordered to pay Rs. 10 lakh in compensation to Saxena. The case, which pertains to the defamation of Saxena, was decided after 24 years. (ANI)
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena inspected the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's drain at INA during a visit and instructed the officials to immediately desilt and clean it. The "massive" desilting and cleaning operations commenced on September 3. According to a statement from the LG Office, Delhi LG, VK Saxena, has intensified efforts to address the longstanding problem of clogged INA drain in the INA Market area opposite Dilli Haat. "This MCD drain, not cleaned and desilted for several years, is filled with thousands of tonnes of garbage and construction debris. Saxena's visit to the area was the first by any high-ranking dignitary during the last 10 years," the statement said. The statement further added, "The de-silting operation commenced with the use of heavy machinery at three different spots of the drain in the area on September 3, immediately after the LG's visit to the site. MCD officials estimated that the drain contained over 50,000 tonnes of waste, which included garbage and construction and demolition (C&D) waste. Despite the significant challenge, over a thousand tonnes of debris were removed on the first day alone and will continue till the drain is totally cleaned." "This 6.5-kilometre-long drain, which feeds into the Kushak Drain and eventually drains into the Yamuna River, is heavily clogged with garbage, overflowing sewage, and monsoon rainwater. Apart from heavy encroachment of its embankment, legacy structural faults by way of closely placed pillars in the drains right of way, not only affect the flow of water but also make de-silting difficult," it added. The statement further added that this clogged drain causes heavy waterlogging, backflow, and overflow in areas like INA Market, Sewa Nagar, Sadiq Nagar, Ansari Nagar, South Ex I and AIIMS crossing on Ring Road, amongst others. Following LG's inspection of the area yesterday, heavy machinery was deployed after breaking portions of the side walls of the INA drain to access it. The LG instructed officials to create a permanent ramp alongside the drain to facilitate future cleaning operations, it added. "Saxena was informed that informal settlements (Jhuggis) located at the banks of the MCD's INA Drain were contributing to the significant pollution of the drain by dumping large quantities of garbage and sewage directly into it. Some Jhuggis had extended right into the way of the drain as well. He instructed the MCD officials to construct a fence around the drain to prevent people from dumping waste into it," the statement added. It may be noted that de-silting of the Kushak Drain, into which the INA drain feeds, had begun on August 4, following a previous visit by the LG, it added.This project marks the fifth drain after Shahadra, Kushak, Sunehri Nallah and Barapulla Drains that the LG has inspected and instructed for cleaning. By addressing the desilting and cleaning of these drains, the LG aims to mitigate the chronic problem of water logging and sewer overflow in neighbouring areas that house lakhs of Delhi residents, apart from housing many commercial hubs and hospitals, as per the statement. (ANI)
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday registered a case against Anil Vasantrao Deshmukh, former Home Minister of Maharashtra and four others including senior police officers for allegedly implicating Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in false cases. The FIR into the matter has been registered against Pravin Pandit Chavan, the then Special Public Prosecutor Maharashtra, Vijay Bhaskarrao Patil, Poornima Gaikwad, the then DCP, Sushma Chavan, ACP, Anil Vasantrao Deshmukh, the then Home Minister of Maharashtra and other unknown public servants and unknown persons. The copy of the FIR accessed by ANI reads that a preliminary enquiry was registered in CBl. Pen Drives containing audio and video recordings were handed over to the speaker, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Maharashtra by the then opposition Leader, Devendra Fadnavis which were subsequently handed over to CID for enquiry through the Director General of Police, Maharashtra. During Preliminary Enquiry, it has prima facie surfaced that Parvin Pandit Chavan, special PP conspired with Vijay Bhaskarrao Patil and Anil Vasantrao Deshmukh alias Anil Deshmukh, the then Home Minister, Maharashtra and got registered zero FIR at Nimbhora Police Station in Jalgaon pertaining to the alleged incident of 2018 which occurred in Pune city to falsely implicate BJP leaders and others to wrest control of the Jalgaon Zila Maratha Vidhya Prasarak Sahakari Samaj Limited (Educational institution). Later on, the Zero FIR was transferred to Pune. ln furtherance to the criminal conspiracy Parvin Pandit Chavan, Special Public Prosecutor along with Vijay Bhaskarrao Patil and Police officers namely Poornima Gaikwad, the then DCP and Sushma Chavan, ACP of the case fabricated the statements of witnesses/evidence to falsely implicate the BJP leaders and other innocent persons. (ANI)
After meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah and signing the Memorandum of Settlement, TIPRA Motha party leader Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma on Wednesday thanked the government for understanding the tribal problems of Tripura. He also mentioned that 328 people signed the peace agreement on Wednesday. "Today, there had been peace talks and peace agreements with the insurgent groups in Tripura. I am thankful to the Home Ministry that they understood the tribal problems of Tripura. 328 people signed the peace agreement and came into the mainstream. Another 170 people may also come in the coming few days," he said. He further asserted that the indigenous people of Tripura feel pain that even after 75 years of independence, they have to fight for their land, language and culture. "The Home Minister has accepted this and said that we have to move forward with our tribals. Both NLFT and ATTF have accepted that they will leave the path of weapons and come into the mainstream. The fight of us tribals was never against the country. It was a fight for our rights. There was a time when we were in majority but today we have become minority in our own state," Barma added. The Central government and State government of Tripura on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Settlement with the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) in the national capital. The memorandum of settlement was signed in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha among others. After signing the Memorandum of Settlement, Amit Shah said that ever since Prime Minister, Narendra Modi assumed power of office he had through peace and dialogue, developed the northeast region. "...This is a matter of joy for all of us that after the struggle that was ongoing for 35 years, you (armed groups) have given up weapons and joined the mainstream and expressed your commitment towards the development of entire Tripura. Ever since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of the country, through peace and dialogue, he developed the Northeast," the Home Minister said. Chief Minister Manik Saha lauded Amit Shah for creating an atmosphere of peace and prosperity in the entire northeast region and spoke about the peace agreements signed in the last ten years under the leadership of PM Modi. (ANI)
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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, 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. 4, 2024. [Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).



This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia.

Xi highlighted the elevation of China-Zambia relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in 2023, and said that mutual trust between the two countries has continued to deepen and fruitful results have been achieved in mutually beneficial cooperation over the past year.

Both sides should take this summit as an opportunity to jointly promote their respective modernization and usher in a new chapter of friendly China-Zambia relations, Xi said.

China stands ready to share development opportunities with Zambia, encourage more enterprises to actively participate in cooperation with Zambia in areas such as new energy, water resource development and electricity, and contribute to the industrialization process in Zambia and Africa.

Hichilema said he is pleased to have jointly witnessed the revitalizing of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway with President Xi, thereby carrying forward the friendship forged by the two countries' older generation of leaders and creating a new passageway for China-Africa connectivity.

Zambia is committed to deepening its comprehensive cooperation with China and continuously advancing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, Hichilema said, adding that Zambia welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in the country.

He said the Zambian side appreciates the outstanding leadership China has demonstrated in international affairs, and is ready to enhance multilateral coordination with China.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Anirban Ganguly on Wednesday criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resignation, calling her demand laughable and suggesting she is perhaps losing her mental balance under pressure. On Tuesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had called for the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the chief ministers of all states where incidents of rape and sexual abuse were recently reported. Commenting on the anti-rape bill passed in the West Bengal Assembly, BJP leader Dr Anirban Ganguly said, "I think it is laughable that yesterday, on the floor of the Assembly, Mamata Banerjee, whose resignation the entire state is demanding, called for the resignation of the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, the Health Minister, and the Chief Ministers of other BJP-ruled states. She is perhaps losing her mental balance under pressure and stress." Ganguly also criticised Mamata Banerjee's demand for fast-track courts to ensure speedy justice in rape cases, following the rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata. He pointed out that Union Minister Kiren Rijiju had written a letter in 2021 regarding the establishment of special fast-track courts and POCSO courts, but Mamata Banerjee did not respond. "The fact is, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju's letter, written in May 2021 in response to her earlier letters, clearly informed her that the Centre had made provisions for setting up special fast-track courts and POCSO courts. West Bengal was to establish 123 such courts across districts with a significant backlog of cases. Not only did Mamata Banerjee fail to respond to the letter, but she also lacked the basic decency and courtesy to follow up on the matter. There has been no action on setting up these courts. I think Mamata Banerjee has taken the people of West Bengal, and indeed the entire country, for a ride. She must resign," he said. The brutal rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor in Kolkata has triggered protests in West Bengal and across the country. The doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday ruled that there was no error in the decision to deny Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sandeep Pathak's request to visit Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail. The court clarified that if Pathak wishes to meet Kejriwal in the future, he may file a new application for visitation, which will be considered by the concerned Jail Superintendent in accordance with the law. The bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, while dismissing the plea by AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Kumar Pathak, who had challenged the prison authority's refusal to allow him to meet Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, stated that the claim that the denial of visitation violated the principles of natural justice was unfounded, based on the petitioner's own admissions. Jail authorities had previously allowed Sandeep Kumar Pathak to meet Kejriwal twice in April. However, they recently denied further meetings, citing that Pathak's subsequent statements to the media violated prison rules and appeared politically motivated. In response to Pathak's plea, the authorities argued that his actions constituted a deliberate breach of prison conduct, which led them to oppose any further meetings based on his past behaviour. Responding to the court's query on whether others had been permitted to meet Chief Minister Kejriwal, senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing Pathak, said three individuals had been allowed to visit Kejriwal, with two currently meeting him. In his plea, Sandeep Kumar Pathak sought a directive for jail authorities to allow him physical visitation and interviews with Kejriwal. Pathak argued that he had not violated any provision of the Delhi Prisons Rules, which restrict conversations during inmate interviews to private and domestic matters, excluding discussions on prison administration, discipline, other prisoners, or politics. While Pathak had previously been permitted to meet Kejriwal, authorities later restricted this access, citing his statements made post-meetings, which allegedly breached prison rules. These statements reportedly included comments on Kejriwal continuing as Chief Minister from jail and regularly meeting with ministers. Pathak's plea challenged the application of Rule 587, contending that its scope is limited to conversations during the interview itself and does not extend to statements made afterwards. He further argued that the denial of political discussions infringes on democratic principles and constitutional rights, as political speech is fundamental to democracy and should not be restricted unless explicitly prohibited by law or constitutional provisions. (ANI)
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on Wednesday emphasised the need for women's protection from harassment in the workplace, stating that it is not wrong for women to demand safety. "Wherever women are working, they should be protected from any kind of harassment. It is not wrong that women are demanding to be protected. Women, wherever they are working or wherever they live, have a right to be protected and nobody has a right to harass them," Karunanidhi said. Her remarks come in the wake of recent sexual assault allegations involving prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry, following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report. The report revealed shocking details of crimes against women in the industry. On Tuesday, the Kerala Police have charged actor Nivin Pauly and five others with gang rape and related crimes, based on the survivor's statement to the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The accused have been booked under various IPC sections, including assault, voyeurism, and criminal intimidation. The case was registered at Oonnukal police station based on the survivor's statement to the SIT. The First Information Report was filed under IPC Sections 354 (assault or use of criminal force against a woman), 376D (gang rape), 354C (voyeurism), 450 (trespass), 342 (wrongful confinement), 376(2)(n) (repeated rape of the same woman), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention). Pauly was named as the sixth accused in the case, with Shreya, film producer AK Sunil, Binu, Basheer, and Kuttan identified as the first five accused. The complainant alleged that the accused had promised her a role in a film. The offence allegedly took place in Dubai last year. Pauly, however, denied the allegations, calling them baseless. "I have come across a false news report accusing me of abusing a girl. Please know that this is entirely untrue. I'm determined to go to any extent to prove these allegations baseless and will take all necessary steps to bring those responsible to light. Thank you for your concern. The rest will be handled legally," Pauly stated on his Instagram account. The case against Pauly is the latest in a series of cases against prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry following the release of the Hema Committee report. Filmmaker Ranjith, actor and CPI(M) MLA Mukesh, and actors Edavela Babu, Baburaj, Jayasurya, and Siddique have also been charged with various sexual harassment complaints. Last month, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report on the harassment faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry was made public. It contained shocking accounts of harassment, exploitation, and mistreatment of women professionals. The 235-page report, published after redacting the names of witnesses and the accused, notes that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by about 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors who dominate and exert control over the industry. (ANI)
The incident took place in Saraswati Gully near Ekata Mitra Mandal on PL Lokhande Marg in the Chembur (West) area of Mumbai, the civic officials said.

The incident was reported at around 7:29 pm, an official said.

According to the officials, a steel channel in a ground-plus-one structure became loosened and fell, leading to the house to partially collapse.

Khushi Salve, a 1.5-year-old child, was declared brought dead and a woman identified as Kavita Salve (35) is currently receiving treatment in the hospital's outpatient department (OPD).

More details are awaited.

Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
Hundreds of people in Kolkatta switched off their lights at their homes and took to the streets on Wednesday night to protest against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital. Among the protesters were the parents of the deceased doctor. Governor of West Bengal CV Ananda Bose also supported the protest by switching off the lights of the Raj Bhavan and lighting a candle. Talking about his decision to participate in the protest, the deceased doctor's father told reporters, "We will have to go; what else can we do? Things are happening very slowly; we can't tolerate it. We have a lot of questions, and we will ask the police the same." Protestors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital carried out a candle protest. People in huge numbers also gathered at Kolkata's Shyam Bazaar to participate in the protest. Many were seen holding candlelights and some of them were seen waving the national flag. Protestors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital also switched off their lights. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including Sukanta Majumdar and Agnimitra Paul, also participated in the protest. Protesters in the Jadavpur area performed street play as a symbol of protest. Protests were held in Delhi as well. Doctors at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and AIIMS in Delhi carried out a candle protest. On August 9, the body of the trainee doctor was found in the seminar room of the hospital. The incident sparked nationwide protests. A civic volunteer was arrested shortly after the trainee doctor's body was discovered. The CBI has also arrested the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, for alleged financial misconduct at the medical establishment. The gruesome incident also led to the West Bengal Assembly passing unanimously the 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024' on Tuesday. The Bill has provisions for increased punishment for crimes against women. The Bill requires that probe into rape cases be concluded within 24 days of the initial report. CM Mamata Banerjee said, "I had written two letters to the Prime Minister, but I did not get any reply from him, rather I got a reply from the Minister of Women and Child Development, but I also replied to her reply and informed the Prime Minister. When the Code of Justice Bill was passed in a hurry before the elections, I had said that it should not be passed in a hurry, the states were not consulted in this. "I had opposed it many times as no advice was taken from the states in this regard, it should have been passed after discussing with the Rajya Sabha, the opposition, and all the parties, but this was not done. That is why today we are bringing this (bill) to secure protection for women. If Bengal is ill-treated, then it will have a spillover effect." (ANI)
After Congress confirmed alliance talks with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the Haryana Assembly Polls, BJP state president Mohan Lal Badoli on Wednesday slammed both parties and said that both have a similar model of governance that revolves around loot and corruption. "They have signed agreements earlier as well. Both have a similar model of governance which revolves around loot and corruption. Congress has always worked to weaken democracy. Our national leadership will decide on announcing candidates soon. Anyone can contest elections. We have always respected our players and we will continue to do so," Badoli said. Earlier today, confirming talks with the Aam Aadmi Party for the Haryana Assembly elections, AICC in-charge of Haryana Deepak Babaria said that apart from the AAP, INDIA bloc partners, including the Communist Party of India (CPIM) and the Samajwadi Party have also approached them to fight the assembly elections together in the state. "Currently we are speaking to the Aam Aadmi Party. One or two other parties have also approached, we will respond in a day or two. CPI (M) and the Samajwadi Party approached us. They are expecting a very small number. They want to make their presence felt in the state. We are also looking for a seat that is convenient for us and them," Babaria stated. According to sources, Rahul Gandhi has sought the opinion of Haryana Congress leaders over the possibility of an alliance with AAP for the forthcoming Haryana Assembly elections during the party's Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting held in the national capital on Monday. Arvind Kejriwal had earlier stated that his party would contest the Haryana Assembly polls in all 90 seats on its own strength. 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)
With drones, infrared cameras, and a new team of experts in catching man-eater animals, the Uttar Pradesh administration has set a target of 10 days to catch the two 'killer' wolves in Bahraich district. Addressing a press conference here today, UP Minister Sanjay Nishad appealed to the people to not sleep outdoors for their safety. "A new team of experts specialising in catching man-eater animals has been called in. The number of members of the shooting team has been doubled. We have set a target of 10 days to catch the wolves. Three wolves were seen in drone cameras but there could be more in number. The CM is monitoring this issue. It takes time to capture a clever animal like a wolf," he said. Uttar Pradesh Forest Minister Arun Saxena informed that along with normal drones, thermal ones are also being deployed in the region. "CM Yogi Adityanath is worried about the situation here and keeps taking stock of the situation. We are advising people to sleep indoors, shut their doors and not venture out alone at night. Women and children need to be protected. The CM has announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakhs each to the family of the deceased in the wolf attack. Most people have received the financial assistance. Thermal drones also deployed along with normal drones," he said. The Forest Department, along with the Police have started awareness campaigns in about 25 to 30 villages of Mahsi Tehsil under the Bahraich Range of Bahraich Forest Division to inform people of the ongoing situation and advise them on how to stay safe from further attacks. According to an official statement by the Bahraich Forest Division on September 3, three teams have been formed for the awareness campaign, which will work to make the general public aware using various publicity mediums. The division has also set up a command centre at the divisional headquarters for the exchange of information. General Manager of the Forest Department, Sanjay Pathak, said that drones are also being used in the search operation. "We are tracking them (wolves). No untoward incident has been reported. Drones are also being used in the search operation," he said. According to the officials, Tuesday night passed without any reported incidents of wolf attacks, as the search operation to capture the remaining wolves continued without any positive result. According to District Forrest Officer (DFO) Bahraich Ajit Pratap Singh, a multi-pronged approach is being employed to capture the wolf. Specifically, thermal drones are being deployed to track the wolf's movements, while also relying on identifying pugmarks and gathering intelligence from residents. The DFO further explained that despite efforts, the thermal drones were unable to locate the wolf. He emphasised that visual confirmation from villagers is crucial, but typically, reports come in after evening, when the drone's camera capabilities are hindered. The infrared camera's limitations in low light conditions make it difficult to distinguish between a wolf, jackal, or dog. The residents of Kulaila village carried out patrolling with sticks to guard themselves given the wolf attacks. Meanwhile, the total number of people who have sustained injuries in the alleged wolf attacks in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh has risen to 34, a doctor at the Community Health Centre in Mahasi said on Tuesday. Speaking to ANI, the Superintendent of the Mahasi Community Health Centre, Dr Ashish Verma said, "We have a list of a total of 34 persons who were injured in animal attacks. All have been treated while two of them were referred to the District Hospital in Bahraich. We had inquired about their situation, and both of them are stable." The Uttar Pradesh Police and the Forest Department are continuing their search for two wolves under 'Operation Bhediya' in Bahraich district. The forest department had earlier caught four wolves. The pack of wolves is said to be behind several attacks on villagers in the region. Earlier, a three-year-old girl was killed and two other women were injured in another wolf attack, spreading anger among the locals, who blamed the administration for showing negligence in their work. (ANI)
Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Wednesday advocated for stronger laws to address crimes against women. He noted that following the rape and murder of a doctor at a hospital in Kolkata, the Karnataka government established a committee to review the safety of women in hospitals. "Safety and security for women are very important. Laws should also be strengthened. After the West Bengal case, we have constituted a committee to look into the safety of women in hospitals and how we can enhance it. We have to keep women safe. In our society, women are always targeted and exploited by men. To address this, strong laws should be enacted," Rao told reporters here. The rape and murder of the doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital sparked protests across the country. On Tuesday, the West Bengal Assembly unanimously passed the 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024'. The Bill includes provisions for increased punishment for sexual crimes against women. The Bill mandates that investigations into rape cases must be concluded within 24 days of the initial report. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her support for the West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment Bill 2024 and stated that the bill is being introduced to safeguard the dignity of women, and that if Bengal is mistreated, it will have a ripple effect. CM Mamata Banerjee said, "I had written two letters to the Prime Minister, but I did not receive any reply from him; instead, I received a response from the Minister of Women and Child Development. I also replied to her response and informed the Prime Minister. When the Code of Justice Bill was passed hastily before the elections, I had said that it should not be passed in a hurry; the states were not consulted. I had opposed it many times as no advice was taken from the states in this regard; it should have been passed after discussions with the Rajya Sabha, the opposition, and all the parties, but this was not done. That is why today we are bringing this bill to ensure the protection of women. If Bengal is mistreated, then it will have a spillover effect." (ANI)
Union Minister and former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal expressed confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) victory in the upcoming state assembly elections, stating that the party will form a majority government in Haryana for the third time. "We will fight the elections well and form the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Haryana for the third time. Our government is going to be formed with a majority in Haryana," he said. The BJP released its first list of 67 candidates for the Haryana assembly elections earlier today, following several rounds of meetings. Notable candidates include: Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will contest from the Ladwa constituency.Other prominent leaders included in the first list are Gian Chand Gupta, former state home minister Anil Vij, Kanwar Pal Gurjar, Sunita Duggal, Bhavya Bishnoi, and Tejpal Tanwar. Gian Chand Gupta will contest from Panchkula, Anil Vij from Ambala Cantt, Kanwar Pal Gurjar from Jagadhri, Sunita Duggal from Ratia, Bhavya Bishnoi from Adampur, and Tejpal Tanwar from Sohna. Former jailer Sunil Sangwan, who recently joined the BJP, has been given a ticket from Dadri. Manohar Lal stated that the remaining seats will be cleared soon, and the list will be released in a few days. "A list of 67 candidates has been issued today. CM Nayab Singh Saini will contest from Ladwa. Seats have been allocated to almost all senior candidates. I think nominations will begin tomorrow and will continue till 12th September. The remaining seats will be cleared too and the list will be released in a few days," he said. Speaking on Congress, he said, "Congress's weakness reflects through this. Until yesterday, neither AAP nor Congress were ready for an alliance with each other. We can see the strength of those who were saying that they would contest on their own, they are now forging an alliance with 2 parties. The character of their alliance will come to light...There will definitely be chaos there and their victory is not certain. There will be infighting and BJP will benefit." The voting for the 90-member legislative assembly in Haryana will be held on October 5, with the last date for filing nominations being September 12. The counting of votes will take place on October 8. On August 31, the Election Commission of India (ECI) revised the polling date for the Haryana Assembly elections from October 1 to October 5, and moved the counting of votes for both the Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana assemblies from October 4 to October 8. (ANI)
The airport authority has issued the advisory after the concerns of runway slipperiness caused by stormy monsoon rains.

Runway No. 18L at Islamabad Airport is reported to be particularly wet, raising fears of planes potentially slipping during flight operations, as per ARY News.

The CAA has emphasized the importance of caution, especially during this season's unpredictable weather.

According to ARY News, heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds has lashed Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore and other parts of Punjab.

In Lahore, heavy rainfall has broken the heat spell in several areas including Shadman, Gulberg, Model Town, Jail Road, and Ichhra.

Heavy showers also lashed Pakistan's Gujarat and its surrounding areas. In Kasur's Kanganpur and nearby regions, there were also significant downpours.

Recently, CAA has introduced new guidelines to tackle complaints regarding boarding issues related to Passenger Name Record (PNR) details, ARY News reported.

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.

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.

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. (ANI)
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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, 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. 4, 2024. [Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).



Xi said China-Ethiopia relations are an example of friendly cooperation between China and Africa.

For a long time, the two countries have firmly supported each other in safeguarding their respective core interests and opposing external interference, forging an unbreakable iron-clad friendship, Xi said.

China stands ready to take the summit as an opportunity to expand pragmatic cooperation between the two countries, and supports Ethiopia in leveraging its strength as a regional transport hub to establish a rail-sea intermodal transport network in East Africa, and building a demonstration area for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and Africa, he said.

China is willing to enhance communication and collaboration with Ethiopia at the regional level as well as within the frameworks of the UN and the BRICS to jointly uphold international fairness and justice, Xi said.

Abiy said China's policies toward Ethiopia fully demonstrate equality and mutual respect, and the bilateral ties are mutually beneficial.

He added that Chinese enterprises' investments have made significant contributions to Ethiopia's economic and social development.

Ethiopia is willing to work with China to continue the firm mutual support, and promote their all-weather strategic partnership to yield more results, Abiy said.
In a significant development, the Board approved the service regulation structure for the newly established authority, a significant step for its operational framework.

However, a decision on the outstanding pension issues of retired employees was deferred, leaving the matter unresolved for now. The Board is expected to revisit this critical issue in future meetings to address the concerns of former employees, as per ARY News.

Earlier in the day, the CAA issued a cautionary directive to pilots of all airlines, urging them to exercise extreme care during landing and take-off at Islamabad International Airport.

According to ARY News, the airport authority issued the advisory after the concerns of runway slipperiness caused by stormy monsoon rains.

Runway No. 18L at Islamabad Airport is reported to be particularly wet, raising fears of planes potentially slipping during flight operations.

The CAA has emphasised the importance of caution, especially during this season's unpredictable weather.

Heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds has lashed Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and other parts of Punjab. (ANI)
Linda Sun, who worked as former aide to former New York Governors, Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo has been charged with acting as a 'secret agent' for the Chinese government, CNN reported citing US Attorney Breon Peace's statment. According to an unsealed copy of the indictment, Linda Sun, who served as deputy chief of staff to both governors, faces multiple charges, including violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registrations Act, visa fraud, smuggling, and money laundering conspiracy. Her husband and co-defendant, Chris Hu, was also charged with conspiracy of money laundering, committing bank fraud as well as misusing means of identification, prosecutors said. Their home was raided by federal investigators in July, CNN reported citing sources. Sun acted as "an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government while her husband, Hu, facilitated the transfer of millions of dollars in kickbacks for personal gain," the prosecutors said. Sun and Hu were arrested at their Long Island residence on Tuesday morning. Linda Sun and her husband, Hu, pleaded not guilty to all charges in federal court on Tuesday. A judge set bail at USD 1.5 million for Sun and USD 500,000 for Hu, with both required to limit their travel to New York City, Long Island, Maine and New Hampshire. During the hearing, prosecutors outlined the couple's alleged use of secret communication methods and shell companies to carry out their crimes. The defendants allegedly used iCloud accounts, WeChat messages written in Mandarin, and other tactics to conceal their activities, the prosecutors claimed. After the hearing, Defense attorney Seth DuCharme told reporters on Tuesday, "We have a lot of confidence in our case." "A lot of the allegations in this indictment are frankly perplexing, overly inflammatory," he said. "As you heard in court today, we are looking forward to our day in court. The defendants are exercising their right to a speedy trial as soon as they can; we have a lot of confidence in Chris and in Linda." Their next status conference is set for September 25. Sun "was hired by the Executive Chamber more than a decade ago. We terminated her employment in March 2023 after discovering evidence of misconduct, immediately reported her actions to law enforcement and have assisted law enforcement throughout this process," Hochul's press secretary, Avi Small, said in a statement to CNN. Rich Azzopardi, a spokesperson for Cuomo, said in a statement that national security "must be free from foreign influence", adding that, "While Ms Sun was promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff in the subsequent administration, during our time she worked in a handful of agencies and was one of many community liaisons who had little to no interaction with the governor." (ANI)
A 40-year-old female school teacher was allegedly shot and killed in front of her father after she refused a marriage proposal, ARY News reported. The incident occurred in the Jangdara Totalai area of Buner in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where the suspect opened fire on the teacher and fled the scene. The local police have registered a first information report (FIR) and launched an investigation, as reported by ARY News. According to the victim's father, the suspect had previously attacked his daughter, and despite reporting the incident to the police, no action was taken. This comes amid rising crime cases across different parts of Pakistan. Similar incidents were reported in the month of June as well. In a similar incident in the Mardan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on June 8, a female school teacher, who contracted free-will marriage was killed in the name of 'honour.' The incident occurred in the Tazagram area of Mardan district in which the 22-year-old woman was killed after being dragged out of a car, according to details. Further, as per the police information, the teacher was killed in the name of honour, nine months after she had a court marriage. The police started the investigation as evidence from the crime scene had been collected. The woman's dead body has been sent to the hospital for medico-legal formalities, according to ARY News. The attackers managed to escape after the murder and are still at large. On June 4, two sisters, who contracted free will marriages, were killed in the name of 'honour'. According to the District Police Officer (DPO), the two sisters had married boys they loved against the wishes of their family. They were brought back due to a decision made by a "Panchayat." The police said that the sisters were killed by their father, brother, and uncle. (ANI)
Abu Dhabi [UAE], September 4 (ANI/WAM): The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, received a delegation from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) and leaders from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth in Singapore at the Council's headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The delegation was led by Kadir Maideen Mohammed, CEO of the Islamic Religious Council. The meeting focused on ways to enhance cooperation in promoting the values of tolerance and coexistence. The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders praised Singapore's model of pluralism, diversity, and coexistence, expressing his appreciation for the efforts of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore in organising Islamic affairs and addressing issues concerning Muslims in Singapore. He noted the Muslim Council of Elders' commitment to building bridges of communication with Muslims around the world and highlighted several initiatives aimed at promoting and strengthening the values of dialogue and coexistence. These initiatives include the Document on Human Fraternity, the East-West Dialogue, the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, the Faith Pavilion at COP28, and efforts to empower religious leaders in addressing global challenges, among other diverse initiatives. Kadir Maideen Mohammed expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders under the chairmanship of His Eminence Ahmed Al-Tayeb in promoting dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence as well as correcting misconceptions, and spreading enlightened, moderate thought. He particularly praised initiatives focused on empowering youth, developing their talents, honing their skills, and supporting their efforts in peacemaking and coexistence. He also noted that the visit of His Eminence the Grand Imam to Singapore in 2018 was met with great enthusiasm and adulation from all segments of Singaporean society and expressed the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore's eagerness to enhance cooperation with the Muslim Council of Elders, particularly through the "Religions for Development and Peace" initiative, emphasising the importance of this pioneering initiative in strengthening the role of religious leaders in issues of development and peace. (ANI/WAM)
The United States has reiterated the need to finalise the the ceaseifre deal in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, and said Washington will continue to engage with its partners in the region to push for a final agreement. United States State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the Palestinian people, who are suffering the "terrible effects of this war," cannot afford to wait any longer. Further, the statement noted that the people of Israel and Palestine are suffering the effects of the ongoing conflict and cannot afford to wait. "It is time to finalize that deal. The people of Israel cannot afford to wait any longer. The Palestinian people, who are also suffering the terrible effects of this war, cannot afford to wait any longer. The world cannot afford to wait any longer," Miller said in the daily press briefing on Tuesday (local time). "Over the coming days, the United States will continue to engage with our partners in the region to push for a final agreement." he added. Miller also stated that the US has made progress in talks and emphasized that success depends on both parties seeking solutions rather than focusing on reasons to reject a deal. "During talks last week, we made progress on dealing with the obstacles that remain, but ultimately, finalizing an agreement will require both sides to show flexibility. It will require that both sides look for reasons to get to yes, rather than reasons to say no," said Miller. The US State Department also stressed the demand for justice for the six hostages including that of an Israeli-American who were killed recently and their bodies were found in Gaza Strip. "We grieve for all of them, and we demand justice for all of them," said Miller. The captives, including an Israeli American, were among the more than 200 people taken by Hamas into Gaza following their deadly cross-border rampage on October 7, CNN reported. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said their bodies were found in a Hamas-run tunnel under the city of Rafah, and that they were "brutally" murdered "a short while" before troops were able to reach them. This incident sparked massive outrage, as 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. Many protestors even blocked roads in Tel Aviv and demonstrated outside Netanyahu's office in West Jerusalem. (ANI)
A 71-year-old man is facing trial in France for drugging his wife with sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication, and then recruiting over 50-70 men online to rape her in their home, CNN reported citing court documents. The alleged victim, Gisele, 72, attended the first day of the trial in Avignon, accompanied by her daughter and two sons. According to the court documents, police have identified at least 92 sexual assaults committed by 72 men, who were in the age group of 26 to 74. 50 were identified, and most have been charged with either aggravated or attempted rape and are standing trial alongside Gisele's husband. The ordeal lasted almost 10 years, the first alleged assaults dating back to 2011. Prosecutors stated that the defendant, Dominique, 71, used to recruit men online to rape his wife, after drugging her with sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication. The accused husband faces nine charges including several counts of rape with aggravating circumstances, the drugging of a victim to commit rape, and sharing of images related to those assaults, as reported by CNN. Notably, the prosecutors were able to put together a case because Dominique documented a number of the alleged assaults on camera. "He recognizes that he's done what he has done," his lawyer, Beatrice Zavarro told journalists in court on Monday. "There was not an ounce of contestation during the whole investigation." A decade-long case of alleged sexual abuse came to light in 2020 when Dominique was caught filming under women's skirts at a shopping center. Upon seizing his phone and computer, police discovered evidence of multiple rapes involving his wife, who was unaware of the abuse. An investigation revealed that Dominique had been drugging his wife and inviting other men to rape her, with some defendants claiming they were unaware of the drugging. Dominique, however, maintains that all participants knew his wife was incapacitated. Christophe Huguenin-Virchaux, a lawyer for one of the acused told CNN affiliate BFMTV on Tuesday that his client "admits that sexual relations did in fact take place" but that they took place as part of a "sexual game between a husband and his wife that he was invited to," adding that he was "not aware that Gisele was drugged or under medication." On Tuesday, victim Gisele sat through a reading of the horrific acts she was subjected to, as well as the arguments from each of the defendants' lawyers. "It was very difficult," one of her lawyers, Stephane Babonneau said. "It was unbearable for her to hear people say they thought she was pretending to sleep and were convinced it was consensual." Last Friday ahead of the trial, one of her lawyers, Antoine Arebalo-Camus told reporters "She (victim) had no idea what had been inflicted on her, so she has no memory of the rapes she suffered for 10 years." Notably, Gisele could have requested the trial be held privately, but Babonneau said, "She (victim) wanted it to be a public trial so that everyone can hear and get an idea of the excuses given by men in such circumstances," CNN reported. Gisele's daughter says her mother sought medical advice as she was suffering from memory loss and extreme fatigue, she was experiencing as a side effect of the drugs. Speaking to French media, she said that her mother "saw doctors, she saw neurologists," but added that the medical profession failed to detect the problem. The daughter has now started an awareness campaign called "M'endors Pas," which means, "Don't put me to sleep" on drug-facilitated sexual assault. The trial began on September 2 in the southern French town of Avignon, and a verdict is due on December 20 this year, CNN reported. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) has tracked 13 Chinese military aircraft, eight naval vessels and two official ships operating around Taiwan from 6 am (local time) on Tuesday to 6 am (local time) on Wednesday. According to Taiwan's MND, seven of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). In response to Chinese incursions, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor PLA activity. Taking to X, Taiwan's MND stated, "13 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 7 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1831135092380721644 This latest incursion to a series of similar provocations by China in recent months. China has increased its military activities around Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan's ADIZ and military exercises near the island. Since September 2020, China has intensified its use of gray zone tactics by increasing the number of military aircraft and naval vessels operating near Taiwan, according to a Taiwan News report. Gray zone tactics are considered "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force," the report said. Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. On September 1, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said 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 (CNA) reported. An interview on the local tv network, Lai 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?," referring 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, Central News Agency (CNA) reported. Lai Ching-te 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, he 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. (ANI)
The Pakistan government has issued an order barring all government employees from using social media without permission to stop disclosure of official information and documents, The News International reported. According to an office memorandum issued by the Establishment Division, government employees have been asked to adhere to the instruction under the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964. As per the order, the government employees will not be allowed to use any social media platform without permission, The News International reported. The memorandum stated, "Government employees cannot express opinions or facts that affect the reputation of the government," adding that employees are not permitted to speak against government policy, decisions, national sovereignty and dignity. It further stated that public servants cannot share their opinions or rhetoric on social media platforms without permission. Strict action would be taken against government employees for violating the directives issued in the order, according to The News International report. According to the memorandum, a government employee cannot share official documents and information with unrelated persons. It stated that employees cannot speak to the media in a way that impacts Pakistan's ties with other nations. The memorandum stated, "Civil servants have often been seen debating on social media. The guidelines are not intended to ban the positive use of social media." According to the memorandum, institutions have been asked to monitor their social media platforms to remove objectionable content. The memorandum stated, "Government servants of all services and groups are bound to follow the instructions. Violation may lead to misconduct proceedings against the employees concerned," according to the report. It asked federal secretaries, additional secretaries, heads of departments, and chief secretaries to execute the memorandum. (ANI)
"The Starlink team is doing everything possible to keep you connected," the company wrote on X on September 3.

"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," the company posted in a statement. "We continue to pursue all legal avenues, as are others who agree that @alexandre's recent orders violate the Brazilian constitution," Stalink posted on X.

Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes had ordered the freeze of Starlink's financial transactions. On September 2, all five judges in Brazil's Supreme Court unanimously voted to uphold the ban imposed on Musk's social media platform 'X'.

The company had initiated legal proceedings and fight what it said was the "illegality" of the order.

The ban was ordered by Justice Alexandre de Moraes after Musk's company missed a court-imposed deadline to name a legal representative in the South American country.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also weighed in on Monday, telling CNN Brasil he was "satisfied" with the Supreme Court panel's decision and that it sends a message.

Moraes on August 29 had asked Elon Musk to appoint a legal representative for his social media platform X in Brazil within 24 hours or face the consequences of a nationwide suspension. (ANI)
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has refused to share relevant information to the Senate's Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs regarding its internal expenses and overall expenditures on the general elections held on February 8, Geo News reported. The Senate body's session held under the chair of Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand on Tuesday sought details regarding the salaries of the electoral watchdog members and employees, as well as their travel expenses and the expenditures for the February 8 nationwide polls. However, ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan sent a letter to Pakistan's Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. In the letter, Khan stated that the upper house's standing committee was exceeding its jurisdiction by questioning the expenditures of ECP "which is 'charged' against Federal Consolidated Fund". In a letter, the ECP secretary stated, "ECP is not obliged to provide the requisite information," adding that it is an "independent constitutional body" and not like other ministries, divisions, and its associated public bodies, Geo News reported. Khan said that electoral watchdog was neither representing the federal government nor any provincial government and therefore it does not come under the purview of the Senate body on parliamentary affairs. The letter read, "Accordingly, the budget allocated to the Election Commission is not voted in the National Assembly for inclusion in the Annual Budget Statement as provided in Article 82(1) ibid." The ECP also expressed willingness to assist the parliamentary body on legislative business related to the election laws and constitutional provisions, as per its defined role. In response to the letter, the committee chairman Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand said the ECP was stating that it was not answerable to parliament that "established it", according to Geo News report. Mohmand further said that the Senate body, as per the rules, has powers to summon any person including the chief election commissioner (CEC) and ECP officials apart from reviewing documents and records. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Mohsin Aziz urged Senate body to reject the letter written by the electoral watchdog and reminded that the commission's representatives had appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the past, Geo News reported. In response, parliamentary affairs secretary stated that Pakistan's Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs was only authorised to see legislative affairs of the electoral watchdog and advised that guidance regarding the matter should be sought from the senate chairman. In November 2022, the commission had approved more than Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 47 billion for organising elections. However, the cost of holding elections in phases increased from PKR 47.417 billion to PKR 61.805 billion, with an additional amount of PKR 14.388 billion sought by the commission from the Finance Ministry in January last year, Geo News reported, citing The News International report. Elections were held in Pakistan on February 8, amid allegations of rigging and the shutdown of cellular and internet services. The voting process began at 8 am and continued till 5 pm. (ANI)
Incarcerated former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan approached the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday over an apprehension of court martial and filed a petition before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against his possible trial in a military court, Dawn reported. The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder expressed fears of his court martial in connection with May 9 riots based on the FIRs registered against him in Rawalpindi. In his petition, he referred to the recent arrest of former ISI Director-General, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (ret). "A few weeks ago, a retired senior army officer was taken into military custody. It has been widely speculated and reported in the media that he will be made an approver against the petitioner in cases pertaining to May 9 and 10, 2023 and the petitioner will be transferred to military custody on this basis," Khan was quoted as saying. The former premier further stated that his apprehensions had been given credence inter alia by a statement made by Barrister Aqeel Malik, federal government's spokesman for legal affairs. The petitioner could absolutely be tried in a military court, and that the provisions of the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, were applicable to him, Malik recently stated. Imran Khan also referred to a statement by federal Minister for Law and Justice, Azam Nazeer Tarar that it would be Punjab government's prerogative to decide whether or not to refer the May 9 cases against the ex-premier to a military court. Meanwhile, rumours started making rounds in political and journalistic circles of Islamabad that the PTI founder's custody has been handed over to military authorities, while some claimed that Khan could be handed over to military authorities at any time, according to Dawn. The rumours, however, couldn't be officially verified. In his petition, the deposed PM has also claimed that his court-martial would be contradictory to the judgement of a five-member bench of the Supreme Court titled, 'Jawwad S Khawaja versus Federation of Pakistan', in which the apex court held that the trial of civilians through court martial was unconstitutional. "What is equally important in the context of the current petition is the finding in that case that the manner in which custody of 103 detainees was obtained by army authorities in connection with the events of May 9 and 10, 2023, was illegal," the petition stated. It contended that there was a "genuine possibility that the army authorities will take the petitioner into custody". The former premier alleged that the brazenly illegal and unconstitutional manner in which he [along with those belonging to his political party] had been treated by state authorities over the last two years made this "a real concern". The petitioner urged the court to direct the respondents, including the interior, defence and law secretaries, Islamabad inspector general of police, Punjab IG (Prisons) and Adiala jail superintendent, not to hand over ex-PM Khan's custody to the military authorities. He also requested the Islamabad HC to ensure that his cases are heard in civilian courts, as reported by Dawn. (ANI)
The Islamabad High Court registrar's office has raised objections on petition filed by former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to stop his potential military trial in connection with the May 9 cases, Geo News reported. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's plea filed under Article 199 of the Constitution comes amid speculations about his military trial in a military court. The IHC registrar's office questioned how the petitioner seeks relief without mentioning any specific first information report (FIR). It mentioned that no documentation or order has been attached to the petition. The registrar's office asked how can the petitions be filed in the Islamabad High Court when cases have been filed in Punjab. Furthermore, the IHC registrar's office questioned on how the petition can be filed in a high court while the matter of military trials is subjudice in the Supreme Court, according to Geo News report. Speaking to reporters, Imran Khan's lawyer Intezar Panjutha said that they talked to the PTI founder regarding his plea in the IHC. "Nothing is more crucial that an ex-prime minister is being dragged to a military court. How can the leader of a popular political party be taken to a military court," Panjutha quoted PTI founder as saying. Panjutha further stated that a civilian cannot be tried in a military court in the light of a Supreme Court verdict. Last week, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar said that if needed, the Punjab government would take decision on referring the PTI founder's case to a military court. In an informal talk with reporters on August 29, Tarar said, "The prosecution of May 9 cases is being done by the Punjab government and the provincial government will decide to refer the case to a military court," Geo News reported, citing The News International. Earlier in August, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif hinted at the possibility of Imran Khan's trial in military court for the May 9 riots. Asif made the remarks in response to former Pakistan PM Imran Khan's demand for an "open trial" of former Inter-Services Intelligence chief (retd) Faiz Hamid. Violent protests erupted in Pakistan after Imran Khan was arrested from the premises of Islamabad High Court in a graft case on May 9, 2023. During the protests, the alleged PTI supporters vandalised military installations including General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and were involved in arson at the Lahore Corps Commander House. In December 2021, the supreme court in a 5:1 majority verdict suspended its October 23, 2023 order wherein it declared civilians' trials in military courts null and void in connection with the May 9 riots, Geo News reported. The court's verdict came after intra-court appeals were filed by the federal and provincial governments and the defence ministry against the top court's decision announced by Justice Ijazul Ahsan-led bench earlier that year. According to the order issued on December 13, the military court trials would be conditioned on the Supreme Court's final verdict on the intra-court pleas. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah on Wednesday and during the "wide ranging" talks the two leaders discussed ways to further cement bilateral ties. PM Modi stated that India and Brunei will expand trade ties, commercial linkages and people-to-people exchanges. Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and his close family members warmly welcomed PM Modi at the Istana Nurul Iman. Taking to X, PM Modi stated, "Delighted to meet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Our talks were wide ranging and included ways to further cement bilateral ties between our nations. We are going to further expand trade ties, commercial linkages and people-to-people exchanges." Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal termed Brunei an "important partner" in India's 'Act East' Policy and its vision of the Indo-Pacific. In a post on X, Jaiswal stated, "Building stronger India-Brunei relations. PM @narendramodi was warmly welcomed at the Istana Nurul Iman by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and his close family members. Brunei is an important partner in India's 'Act East' Policy and its Vision of the Indo-Pacific." PM Modi who arrived in Brunei on Tuesday on a bilateral visit had said that he is looking forward to strong bilateral ties, especially in boosting commercial and cultural linkages. Upon his arrival, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome. PM Modi thanked Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah for welcoming him at the airport. This is the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei. The historic visit of the Prime Minister coincides with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei. PM Modi was warmly received by the members of Indian diaspora. He had an endearing interaction with a girl child who showed him a painting. The painting had the Tricolour and the child with the Prime Minister. The gathering, which had people waving the Tricolour, cheered for the Prime Minister as he reciprocated their feelings. On Tuesday, PM Modi inaugurated the new Chancery of the High Commission of India, in Brunei's capital Bandar Seri Begawan. The chancery complex embodies a profound sense of Indianness, masterfully integrating traditional motifs and lush tree plantations. The use of elegant claddings and durable Kota stones further enhances its aesthetic appeal, harmoniously blending classic and contemporary elements. The design not only pays homage to India's rich cultural heritage but also creates a tranquil and inviting atmosphere, according to a press release of the Prime Minister's Office. PM Modi also interacted with the Indian community members who were present at the inauguration.He appreciated their contribution as a living bridge between the two countries and how it helped in strengthening bilateral ties. Currently, approximately 14,000 Indians are residing in Brunei. The Prime Minister also visited Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan on Tuesday, as a part of his historic visit to Brunei. Brunei's Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Dato Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin received him at Mosque and Brunei's Minister of Health Dato Haji Mohammad Isham was also present, according to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) release. A gathering of Indian community members were also present to greet PM Modi, according to MEA release. After the first leg of his two-nation visit, PM Modi will head to Singapore for a two-day visit from September 4-5. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his bilateral meeting with Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah on Wednesday, said the South-East Asian country is an important partner in India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision. PM Modi said the basis of friendship between the two countries, which are celebrating 40 years of diplomatic ties, is the great cultural tradition. "I express my heartfelt gratitude to you and the entire Royal Family for your kind words, warm welcome and hospitality. I convey my greetings to you and the people of Brunei on the 40th anniversary of Independence, on behalf of 140 crore Indians," PM Modi said in his remarks. "We have centuries old cultural ties. Our cultural tradition is the basis of our friendship. Under your leadership, our ties have grown stronger day by day," he added. The Prime Minister further said that the people of India proudly remember Brunei Sultan's visit to India as the Chief Guest on Republic Day in 2018. He expressed happiness on visiting the South-East nation in the beginning of his third term and termed Brunei an important partner in India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision. "I am extremely happy that I have had the opportunity to visit Brunei at the beginning of my third term and to discuss the future with you. It is also a happy coincidence that this year we are celebrating the 40 years of our bilateral partnership," PM Modi said. "Brunei being an important partner in India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision is a guarantee of a bright future for us. We respect each other's sentiments. I firmly believe that with my visit and our discussions will give a strategic direction to our ties for the time ahead," he further added. The Ministry of External Affairs said that Prime Minister Modi and Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah held productive discussions and the two leaders welcomed the elevation of bilateral ties to Enhanced Partnership. The two leaders took stock of bilateral relations in areas of defence, trade and people-to-people ties, and also spoke about the regional and global issues of mutual interest. "Infusing fresh impetus to India-Brunei ties & to 'Act East' Policy. PM @narendramodi and H.M. Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei held productive discussions in Bandar Seri Begawan today. They welcomed the elevation of bilateral ties to Enhanced Partnership," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated in a post on X. "The two leaders took stock of bilateral relations including in areas of defence, trade & investment, energy, space technology, health and pharmaceuticals, capacity building, culture and people-to-people ties. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest," he added. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1831198410621227430 PM Modi who arrived in Brunei on Tuesday on an official visit said that he is looking forward to strong bilateral ties, especially in boosting commercial and cultural linkages. Upon his arrival, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome. PM Modi thanked Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah for welcoming him at the airport. This is the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei. The historic visit of the Prime Minister coincides with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday concluded his 'productive visit' to Brunei and departed for Singapore. PM Modi said that his visit ushered in a new era of stronger ties between India and Brunei. He expressed gratitude to the people and the government of Brunei for their hospitality and affection. In a post on X, PM Modi stated, "My visit to Brunei Darussalam was productive. It ushers in a new era of even stronger India-Brunei ties. Our friendship will contribute to a better planet. I am grateful to the people and Government of Brunei for their hospitality and affection." Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also mentioned about PM Modi travelling to Singapore after concluding his visit to Brunei. In a post on X, Jaiswal stated, "PM @narendramodi concludes a productive visit to Brunei, strengthening bonds with a valued partner. Next stop Singapore." Earlier in the day, PM Modi arrived at the Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan, where he was warmly greeted by Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. During the "wide ranging" talks, the two leaders discussed ways to further cement bilateral ties. In a post on X, PM Modi stated, "Delighted to meet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Our talks were wide ranging and included ways to further cement bilateral ties between our nations. We are going to further expand trade ties, commercial linkages and people-to-people exchanges." On Tuesday, PM Modi inaugurated the new Chancery of the High Commission of India, in Brunei's capital Bandar Seri Begawan. The chancery complex embodies a profound sense of Indianness, masterfully integrating traditional motifs and lush tree plantations. The Prime Minister also visited Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan on Tuesday, as a part of his historic visit to Brunei. Brunei's Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Dato Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin received him at Mosque and Brunei's Minister of Health Dato Haji Mohammad Isham was also present, according to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) release. While addressing a special briefing on PM Modi's visit to Brunei and Singapore on Monday, the Secretary East, Ministry of External Affairs, Jaideep 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. He stated, "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.M Recalling PM Modi's first visit to Singapore, Mazumdar stated, "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. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah discussed emerging areas of bilateral cooperation like FinTech, digital technology, renewable energy and digital payment systems, Secretary East, Ministry of External Affairs, Jaideep Mazumdar, said on Wednesday. In a video shared by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, Secretary East Jaideep Mazumdar called PM Modi's visit to Brunei "fruitful." He said that Brunei Sultan received PM Modi at the royal palace and they held discussions on how to take forward the bilateral ties. On PM Modi's visit to Brunei, Mazumdar stated, "Today, ahead of the talks, he was received at the Royal Palace by His Majesty, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and they had detailed discussions on how to take the bilateral relations forward and they covered a wide area of defense, trade and investment, space, energy, health, culture and people to people relations." "It is a matter of happiness that Brunei is going to start direct flights to India from Bandar Sari Begawan to Chennai are planned for later this year. Also they discussed emerging areas of bilateral cooperation such as FinTech, the digital technology, digital payment systems as well as renewable energy," he added. He stated that PM Modi and Brunei Sultan discussed ASEAN-related matters as well as regional and international matters. Calling space an important area of bilateral cooperation, MEA Secretary stated, "Space has traditionally been an important area of bilateral cooperation. India's telemetry tracking and command station is located in Brunei, and both sides signed an MoU to take this relationship further forward." "They also discussed regional and international matters, as also ASEAN-related matters, which is central to India's Act-East policy and our vision for the Indo-Pacific. A joint statement was issued that elevates the relationship to an enhanced partnership. His Majesty hosted a lunch for Prime Minister," he added. He said that PM Modi was on a "historic visit" to Brunei and noted that it is the first bilateral visit by an Indian PM to Brunei and coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Jaideep Mazumdar stated that PM Modi received warm welcome upon arrival in Bandar Sari Begawan. He said that Indian diaspora members also greeted PM Modi. He said, "Upon arrival in Bandar Sari Begawan, the Prime Minister was accorded a warm welcome by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. There was a ceremonial welcome and an inspection of a guard of honor at the airport." "On arrival, the Prime Minister was greeted by an enthusiastic group of diaspora members. He later in the evening inaugurated the new Chancery Premises of the High Commission of India in Brunei. It is an aesthetically designed building with Indian motifs and architectural design while at the same time being of contemporary character. He was greeted at the High Commission too by an enthusiastic crowd from the diaspora," he added. Speaking on PM Modi's visit to Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, the MEA official said, "The Prime Minister visited the iconic Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. It is known for its architectural beauty and its special historical and cultural significance in Brunei. It is named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei. There too he met members of the Indian diaspora." He said India will mark 10th anniversary of Act East Policy in 2024. Highlighting enhanced focus on Act East policy, Mazumdar stated, " As you all know, this is the 10th anniversary of India's Act East Policy announced by Prime Minister in 2014, and it is a measure of the continued and, in fact, enhanced focus on our Act East Policy that within the first 100 days of this new government, we have had incoming visits from the Prime Minister of Vietnam and the Prime Minister of Malaysia to India." "Rashtrapati ji has visited Timor-Leste, Fiji, and New Zealand. And now we have had the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji to Brunei, and from Brunei, he will be traveling to Singapore on the next leg of his visit," he added. PM Modi has concluded his "productive visit" to Brunei and departed for Singapore. He expressed gratitude to the people and the government of Brunei for their hospitality and affection. In a post on X, PM Modi stated, "My visit to Brunei Darussalam was productive. It ushers in a new era of even stronger India-Brunei ties. Our friendship will contribute to a better planet. I am grateful to the people and Government of Brunei for their hospitality and affection." In his statement released on Tuesday, PM Modi said that he looked forward to meeting Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong, Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and other senior leaders. PM Modi stated, "From Brunei, I will travel to Singapore on 04 September. I look forward to the opportunity to meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. I will also meet with leaders of the Singapore's vibrant business community." " I look forward to my discussions to deepen our Strategic Partnership with Singapore, particularly in new and emerging areas of advanced manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainable development," he added. Calling Brunei and Singapore "important partners" in India's Act East policy and Indo-Pacific vision, PM Modi expressed confidence that his visits would further strengthen India's partnership with these two nations and the larger ASEAN region. (ANI)
On August 31the Copenhagen Overseas BJP Europe and UK Conference was held in capital city of Denmark.

Overseas Friends of BJP co-Convenor, Germany, Sunil Singh, told ANI that during the program, various decisions regarding OFBJP Europe and UK organisations were taken.

Bharatiya Janata Party Foreign Affairs in-charge, Vijay Chauthaiwale urged the Overseas Friends of BJP Europe and United Kingdom to build stronger team and to work towards helping PM Narendra Modi secure a record fourth term in office in 2029.

Along with Chauthaiwale, BJP Foreign Affairs core-committee members, Shishir Bajoria and Nakul Bhardwaj also participated in the program in Copenhagen.

The conference was attended by more than 70 OFBJP positions holders from 11 countries.

During his address at the conference, Chauthaiwale termed members of the OFBJP as the "brand ambassadors of Bharat, Shri Narendra Modi ji and the BJP."

Highlighting the successful measures of PM Modi government, the BJP leader requested Indian diaspora to keep amplifying the news of good work done by the government within and beyond their community. (ANI)
A young man went missing from Turbat city in Pakistan's Balochistan on Monday, The Balochistan Post reported. According to the report, the man was allegedly detained by Pakistani forces after being taken into custody from the Shahi Tump area of Balochistan. The missing person has been identified as Dad Shah Baloch, son of Master Saleem Baloch. Earlier, two persons went missing after being detained by Pakistani forces in Konshkalat area of Balochistan's Tump on the night of August 30, The Balochistan Post reported. Two persons who went missing have been identified as Nasrat and Dad Dost. Their whereabouts remain unknown, sparking serious concerns among residents and human rights organizations. The families of the missing individuals have been worried about their safety, considering the ongoing issue of enforced disappearances in the region, The Balochistan Post reported. Local communities and advocacy groups have called for greater transparency and accountability regarding the actions of Pakistani security forces in the area. According to The Balochistan Post report, more than 55,000 people are missing from various areas of the region. Human rights groups and local advocacy organizations, such as the Balochistan National Party (BNP) and the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP), have been at the forefront of the movement to address these violations. They have organised rallies, public awareness campaigns, and legal actions to press for accountability and the safe recovery of missing persons. The international community has also expressed concerns, with various UN bodies and international human rights organizations calling for investigations and urging the Pakistani government to address the issue comprehensively. Political and social activists have alleged that Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies are responsible for these enforced disappearances in Balochistan, The Balochistan Post reported. Despite these efforts, the situation remains dire, with enforced disappearances continuing to undermine trust in state institutions and perpetuate a climate of fear and insecurity in Balochistan. (ANI)
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, is one of the oldest and largest Hindu temples in Singapore, located in the locality of 'Little India', which has a large population of Indian nationals. The temple dates back to the late 1800s. This was a time when influential community leaders like Arunachala Pillay, Cootaperumal Pillay, Ramasamy Pillay, Appasamy Pillay, Chockalingam Pillay and Ramasamy Jamidar, all had close working links with the East India Company, and wanted to build a Hindu temple for Vaishnavite worship. These men came together to purchase a piece of land measuring 2 acres 2 woods and 24 poles from the East India Company in 1851 for 26 rupees and 8 annas. Notably, the Indian currency was used in Singapore at that time. The temple built in 1885 was referred to as the Narasinga Perumal Kovil. Ganesan who has been living in Singapore for 25-30 years said this temple is very popular among the Hindu community. "This is a very old and popular temple...there are many temples in Singapore. It has a marriage hall as well and is very popular among Hindus," he told ANI. Being asked about PM Modi's visit to Singapore, he said, "We will be happy to see him here." Following the construction of the original temple structure, two adjoining parcels of land were later obtained for the temple's needs. In 1894, devotees Moona Sithumbaram Pillay and Vinasithamby Murugesu purchased a 25,792 square feet piece of land and donated it to the temple. The second piece of adjoining land measuring 3,422 square feet was obtained by the Mohammedan Hindu Endowments Board, MHEB from the East India Company on August 15, 1912 on a 999-year lease at an annual fee of 1 Straits Settlement dollar. Another Indian national from Tamil Nadu, who is in Singapore since 1995 and is running business of shipbuilding, restaurant and film production. "This is one of the oldest temples in Singapore. A lot of tourists are coming here. It is one of the heritages place in Singapore. Not only from India, but people from all over the world visit the temple," he said. Speaking on the speciality of 'Little India' area, he said, "Once you come to Little India, you can have all the solutions of groceries, food, ornaments, jewellery...so it's a very heritage place in Singapore." The original temple structure remained unchanged until the early 1950s. In 1952, the MHEB decided to rebuild and reinstate the Temple. The redevelopment was carried out in the early 1960s which was financed by well-known Indian community leader and philanthropist P Govindasamy Pillay. Pillay is credited with building the first two storey marriage hall within the temple. It was officially opened by Enche Yusoff Bin Ishak, the first president of Singapore on 19th June 1965. An Indian national from Tamil Nadu, said this is one of the oldest temples and remains busy on Saturdays. "This place is called Little India. Many Indians here, sell fruits and vegetables. This is one of the very oldest temples. It remains very busy on Saturdays. There are many temples nearby," he said. "PM Modi is coming...relation between India and Singapore is very well. So, it's a great opportunity." The present building, minus the Pillaiyar sanctum, Rajagopuram (grand tower entrance) and the covered walkway were completed in 1966. At this juncture, many elders advised that the main deity of the temple be changed from the imposing Lord Narasimha to the gracious Lord Srinivasa Perumal. The temple was thus, renamed 'Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple.' Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Singapore on Wednesday for his bilateral visit, after concluding his visit to Brunei. During his visit to the city-state, PM Modi will call on Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and meet with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. Many MoUs are exprected to be signed during the visit. He will also meet with leaders of Singapore's vibrant business community. "I will also engage in discussions to deepen India's strategic partnership with Singapore, particularly in new and emerging areas of advanced manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainable development," PM Modi said before leaving for the two-nation visit. Notably, this visit comes just days after after India and Singapore held ministerial roundtable meeting, which saw the participation of four Union Ministers and six ministers from Singapore. Several areas, including digitization, skills development, sustainability, health, advanced manufacturing, and connectivity, were identified at the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable held on August 26. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Singapore on Wednesday to a rousing welcome, as he was greeted by the members of the Indian community in a rousing welcome. PM Modi said he is looking forward to the various meetings aimed at boosting the India-Singapore friendship and closer cultural ties. Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi said, "Landed in Singapore. Looking forward to the various meetings aimed at boosting the India-Singapore friendship. India's reforms and the talent of our Yuva Shakti makes our nation an ideal investment destination. We also look forward to closer cultural ties." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1831250071490355601 As the Prime Minister landed at the airport, he received a warm welcome from the Indian community. PM Modi was seen giving autograph to members of the community. He also received a warm welcome on his arrival at the hotel. A woman tied 'rakhi' to Prime Minister Modi. The Indian diaspora, expressed their excitement on Prime Minister's arrival and termed this their "dream come true" moment. Some people said they woke up at 5 am in the morning to catch a glimpse of PM Modi. Ankit, a student at National University of Singapore, told ANI, "We all woke up today at 5 am with full excitement and made this banner for PM Modi. Because of him, India's image has improved drastically." Another Indian national said, "I was waiting for this moment for last 10 years. Finally, I was able to meet him from so close, it was a dream come true moment for me." The occasion was particularly memorable for Sachin Ganjarpurkar who was representing Maharashtra Mandal the group that put up a cultural performance for Prime Minister's Modi on his arrival. "PM Modi himself played this drum...we will retire this drum," he said. "Modiji also greeted us for Ganesh Chaturthi, and there is an atmosphere of excitement," he added. During his visit to the city-state, PM Modi will call on Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and meet with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. Many MoUs are exprected to be signed during the visit. He will also meet with leaders of Singapore's vibrant business community. "I will also engage in discussions to deepen India's strategic partnership with Singapore, particularly in new and emerging areas of advanced manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainable development," PM Modi said before leaving for the two-nation visit. Notably, this visit comes just days after after India and Singapore held ministerial roundtable meeting, which saw the participation of four Union Ministers and six ministers from Singapore. Several areas, including digitization, skills development, sustainability, health, advanced manufacturing, and connectivity, were identified at the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable held on August 26. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome from members of the Indian diaspora as he arrived at a hotel in Singapore on Wednesday. PM Modi even tried his hand at playing a 'dhol' as the crowd performed to welcome him. Upon his arrival at the Changai airport from Brunei, he was welcomed by Indian High Commissioner to Singapore Shilpak Ambule, Singapore's High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong among other officials. During his visit, PM Modi and Lawrence Wong will review the progress of India-Singapore Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, according to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). PM Modi will call on Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and interact with Singaporean leadership. He will also meet with business leaders from Singapore. Before his visit to Singapore, PM Modi was on an official visit to Brunei. Before his visit to Singapore, PM Modi was on an official visit to Brunei. Earlier in the day, PM Modi held "wide ranging" talks with Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan. During their talks, both the leaders discussed ways to further cement bilateral ties. In a post on X, PM Modi stated, "Delighted to meet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Our talks were wide ranging and included ways to further cement bilateral ties between our nations. We are going to further expand trade ties, commercial linkages and people-to-people exchanges." On Tuesday, PM Modi inaugurated the new Chancery of the High Commission of India, in Brunei's capital city Bandar Seri Begawan. The chancery complex embodies a profound sense of Indianness, masterfully integrating traditional motifs and lush tree plantations. The Prime Minister also visited Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan on Tuesday, as a part of his historic visit to Brunei. Brunei's Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Dato Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin received him at Mosque and Brunei's Minister of Health Dato Haji Mohammad Isham was also present, according to a statement by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). On PM Modi's visit to Brunei, Secretary East, Ministry of External Affairs Jaideep Mazumdar on Wednesday stated, "Today, ahead of the talks, he was received at the Royal Palace by His Majesty, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and they had detailed discussions on how to take the bilateral relations forward and they covered a wide area of defense, trade and investment, space, energy, health, culture and people to people relations." "It is a matter of happiness that Brunei is going to start direct flights to India from Bandar Sari Begawan to Chennai are planned for later this year. Also they discussed emerging areas of bilateral cooperation such as FinTech, the digital technology, digital payment systems as well as renewable energy," he added. He stated that PM Modi and Brunei Sultan discussed ASEAN-related matters as well as regional and international matters. Calling space an important area of bilateral cooperation, MEA Secretary stated, "Space has traditionally been an important area of bilateral cooperation. India's telemetry tracking and command station is located in Brunei, and both sides signed an MoU to take this relationship further forward." "They also discussed regional and international matters, as also ASEAN-related matters, which is central to India's Act-East policy and our vision for the Indo-Pacific. A joint statement was issued that elevates the relationship to an enhanced partnership. His Majesty hosted a lunch for Prime Minister," he added. (ANI)
South Korean spy agency the National Intelligence Service said that it closely monitoring the situation after detecting signs of the executions, Yonhap reported.

Kim during an emergency party politburo meeting held in late July, said he will punish officials for the damage from heavy rains that flooded areas and displaced thousands.

The South Korean news outlet cited North Korean state media KCNA to state that several officials were dismissed from their posts over the flood damage.

Among those dismissed included the public security minister and chiefs of the ruling party's provincial committees.

Kim visited flood-hit areas in Sinuiju and Uiju County in July and guided an operation to rescue around 5,000 isolated residents with the military's helicopters.

A Yonhap article quoted South Korea's unification ministry in July stating that the North appears to have sustained "considerable" damage, citing the North's media report on the need to restore electricity and communication lines, as well as supply medicine.

North Korea state media had published several photos of Kim inspecting the flood damage in Sinuiju on a lifeboat. The village he toured looked severely flooded, with almost all buildings submerged up to their roofs, reported media in Seoul. (ANI)
Alice Guo, a former mayor from the Philippines has been accused of having relations with Chinese criminal syndicates and spying for the Chinese government and was arrested from Indonesia after being on the run since July, Al Jazeera reported on Wednesday. The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) in a statement mentioned that Alice who also goes by the name of Guo Hua Ping, and possesses a Chinese nationality, is wanted by the Philippine Senate for refusing to attend a congressional investigation into her alleged criminal ties with the Chinese crime world. "This development has been verified by our counterparts in Immigration, who have confirmed that Alice is currently in the custody of the Indonesian Police," the Justice Department statement said. Alice, who was the former mayor of the Bamban town situated 62 miles north of Manila, the capital of Philippines was arrested in Tangerang City in Jakarta at 11:58 pm this Tuesday. Additionally, the Philippine law enforcement agencies, including the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), last month had filed multiple cases of money laundering against Alice and 35 others before the Department of Justice, the Al Jazeera report added. The AMLC has stated that Alice and her co-conspirators laundered more than 100 million pesos or USD 1.8 million in proceeds from criminal activities. "The arrest of Alice Guo is a testament to the tireless efforts of our law enforcement agencies and the strength of international cooperation in bringing fugitives to justice," Justice Secretary Boying Remulla said in a statement, according to the ABS-CBN news channel in the Philippines, quoted in the same Al Jazeera report. Senate of the Philippines had initiated an investigation into her activities in May, two months after a casino raid in Bamban town uncovering what law enforcement officials said were scams being perpetrated from a facility built on land partially owned by Mayor Alice. This discovery had prompted a public outcry and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr later ordered a ban on online gaming operators over their suspected links to organised crime. Along with a promise to go after those who "aided in her flight," the Al Jazeera report claimed. Authorities believe there could be several hundred illegal online gambling entities running scam centres under the noses of public officials. Moreover, Alice who had been removed from office, had fled the Philippines in July this year, travelling through Malaysia and Singapore and then to Indonesia its Philippine passport, the Philippine anti-crime agency said, according to the Al Jazeera report. Moreover, a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office of the Philippines stated that the President said Alice's arrest should serve as a warning to those attempting to evade justice, emphasizing that the long arm of the law will reach them. While congratulating the country's law enforcement agencies, the same statement mentioned "I congratulate all law enforcement personnel who made this apprehension possible. The public may not know the intricate details of this mission that you have accomplished." "But on their behalf, accept my thanks. The Philippines also thanks the Indonesian Government for their assistance on this matter. The close cooperation between our two governments has made this arrest possible," he said. (ANI)
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Singapore for his official visit, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the significance of the trip, stating that it will provide a major boost to India's Act East policy, aligning with India's vision for the Indo-Pacific region, further strengthening economic and technological ties between the two countries. Sharing a post on his X handle, Jaiswal said, "This visit is important as it gives a major push to India's Act East policy to India's vision of the Indo-Pacific to India-Singapore economic ties and to India-Singapore technological ties. All these are very important for both countries." Jaiswal further said that PM Modi received a warm welcome from the Indian community in Singapore and will be hosted for a private dinner by the Singapore PM, Lawrence Wong. He said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Singapore on an official visit. At the airport, he was warmly received by the Singaporean Minister for Home Affairs and Law, and at the hotel, he was greeted by the vibrant Indian community here in this city. In the evening, the Prime Minister of Singapore, in a special gesture, will be hosting the Prime Minister for a private dinner." Elaborating on the next day's schedule, Jaiswal said that PM Modi is set to meet with the CEOs of top Singaporean companies. "Tomorrow, he has a packed schedule. He has meetings with the Prime Minister of Singapore in the morning, where he will also receive ceremonial welcome and thereafter, he will have meetings with the President of Singapore and with the Emeritus Senior Minister and several other dignitaries. He will also visit AEM which is a semiconductor facility along with the Prime Minister of Singapore. PM also has business engagement, he will be meeting CEOs of Singaporean companies," Jaiswal on X said. Meanwhile, PM Modi shared a post on his X handle and said, "Thank you, Singapore! The welcome was truly vibrant." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1831282967039127770 During his visit to the city-state, PM Modi will call on Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and meet with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. Many MoUs are expected to be signed during the visit. He will also meet with leaders of Singapore's vibrant business community. Notably, this visit comes just days after after India and Singapore held ministerial roundtable meeting, which saw the participation of four Union Ministers and six ministers from Singapore. Several areas, including digitization, skills development, sustainability, health, advanced manufacturing, and connectivity, were identified at the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable held on August 26. (ANI)
The sister of a practicing doctor who has gone missing since June 1 this year has voiced her deep concern stating that her sibling, a resident of Awaran Bedi had been employed at the DHQ Hospital in Awaran before his disappearance. The man, Dr Abdul Hai had been "forcibly disappeared" according to Balochwarna News and is said to have been over the past three months subjected to mistreatment in detention facilities, enduring punishment for offences he did not commit. His sister expressed frustration that despite numerous conferences, social media campaigns, and peaceful protests during this period, the government has yet to respond positively to his situation, which she finds deeply disappointing. She added, "My brother's disappearance and the authorities' lack of seriousness is saddening and painful." She warned the authorities that if decisive action is not taken regarding her brother's enforced disappearance and if the current indifference continues, she will be forced to consider more drastic measures on behalf of the family. Meanwhile, the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) reported that details of the enforced disappearance of Dil Jan have been provided to the organization by his family. Dil Jan, the son of Allah Bakhsh, was forcibly taken by Pakistani forces on June 12 of this year after being detained at his home in Mazaarabad, Teertej, Awaran. The family has received no information regarding his current location. Separately, the family of another "forcibly disappeared" person, Deen Muhammad Marri, has shared details of his abduction with the VBMP. The family reports that Deen Muhammad Marri, son of Murad Khan, was unlawfully detained by the forces from his home in New Kahan, Hazarganji, Quetta on August 24 of this year and has since forcibly disappeared. Enforced disappearances are prevalent in Balochistan with reports indicating that over 55,000 individuals have been missing from various areas of the region. Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and various political and social activists claim that these disappearances have been carried out by Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies. (ANI)
This agreement was signed by Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy and Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, Chief of the South African Navy, a press release by the Ministry of Defence said.

The Implementing Agreement underscores a shared commitment to maritime safety and mutual support. Under this agreement, the Indian Navy will provide assistance by deploying its Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) when required, further strengthening the collaborative ties between the two navies. This partnership reinforces the longstanding maritime relationship between India and South Africa.

Notably, the 12th India-South Africa Navy Staff Talks were held in New Delhi on August 27-28, 2024, to further strengthen Navy-to-Navy collaboration between the two nations, the Ministry of Defence had said in a press release.

Co-chaired by Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna, ACNS (FCI) of the Indian Navy, and Rear Admiral David Maningi Mkhonto, Chief Director Maritime Strategy of the South African Navy, the talks underscored mutual commitment to strengthening naval ties and operational synergy.

In laying the groundwork for future cooperation, the talks focused on several pivotal areas, including operational training at improving readiness and efficiency; and the establishment of secure information exchange protocols between platforms.

Additionally, the talks explored operational interactions to address the evolving complexities in the maritime domain, through continued exchanges and exercises, such IBSAMAR (India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise).

The dialogue included opportunities for exchange of best practices in Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Defence including Damage Control (NBCD); and Diving support, through Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE). A strong emphasis on personnel exchanges, and the potential for availing advanced training courses at respective training facilities were also deliberated. (ANI)
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday expressed his delight at hosting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an informal dinner meeting at the Istana ahead of their official discussions on Thursday. Sharing a post on X handle, Wong posted a picture with PM Modi and said, "Welcome PM Narendra Modi to Singapore! Delighted to have the chance to catch up over a meal at the Istana, before the official meetings tomorrow." https://x.com/LawrenceWongST/status/1831313547206570002 The meeting between the two prime ministers is expected to boost economic cooperation, trade, and cultural exchanges between Singapore and India. Earlier, PM Modi, who arrived in Singapore on an official visit on Wednesday greeted Wong with his trademark embrace. A photograph captured the bonhomie between the two leaders who were captured with their arms thrown around each other's shoulders. Earlier in the day, taking to his social media platform X, PM Modi said, "Landed in Singapore. Looking forward to the various meetings aimed at boosting the India-Singapore friendship. India's reforms and the talent of our Yuva Shakti make our nation an ideal investment destination. We also look forward to closer cultural ties." Prime Minister Modi, who concluded a historic visit to Brunei, was received by the Singaporean Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugham at the Changi airport and received a warm welcome from the Indian community.PM Modi was seen giving autographs to members of the community. He also tried his hand at playing dhol. He later posted on his X platform, "Thank you, Singapore! The welcome was truly vibrant." During his visit, PM Modi will meet with leaders of Singapore's vibrant business community and several MoUs are expected to be signed. "This visit is important as it gives a major push to India's Act East policy to India's vision of the Indo-Pacific to India-Singapore economic ties and to India-Singapore technological ties. All these are very important for both countries..." Jaiswal said in a video message posted on his X platform. The PM's visit comes just days after India and Singapore held a ministerial roundtable meeting, which saw the participation of four Union Ministers and six ministers from Singapore. Several areas, including digitisation, skills development, sustainability, health, advanced manufacturing, and connectivity, were identified at the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable held on August 26. (ANI)
In a case that also involves a real estate mogul, the imprisoned former Pakistan premier and his spouse are accused of causing the national exchequer to lose billions of dollars.

Judge Nasir Javed Rana of the Accountability Court will render a decision on Bushra's plea tomorrow, Thursday, following the conclusion of the parties' oral arguments, Geo News reported.

For security considerations, the pair was brought before the judge in a makeshift courtroom made up in Adiala Jail for today's hearing.

However, because the PTI founder's attorney was not there, the cross-examination of the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) investigating officer was not done.

Usman Riaz Gul, Bushra's attorney, presented reasons in support of her acquittal. In this case, former first lady's request for acquittal was denied by the anti-corruption watchdog.

The judge therefore ruled that the request to begin contempt proceedings against the NAB chairman was "ineffective" as a result of the defense's and prosecution's arguments on the acquittal plea. (ANI)
Sharing a video on her social media handle Instagram, Thunberg said, "Students Against the Occupation and I are at the University of Copenhagen's administration building. Police have been called, and violently entered the building with a ram wearing assault rifles. They are evicting everyone as we speak."

In another video, Thunberg added, "Students have been arrested and are being taken to the station at this very moment."

The Copenhagen Police said that about 20 demonstrators had gathered at the university and six of them had been arrested, Politico reported, citing Danish media Ekstra Bladet.

Meanwhile, Danish outlet TV2 published a video clip of Thunberg being detained and put in the back of a police van. Police did not confirm the identity of anyone arrested, but a spokesperson for Students Against the Occupation told Reuters that Thunberg had been held by law enforcement, Politico reported.

A surge in campus protests worldwide has been witnessed over the past 11 months. These demonstrations were sparked by Hamas' attack on Israel, which led to the Israel Defense Forces launching ongoing operations in Gaza and the West Bank.

Tensions flared up in West Asia on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a strike on Israeli territory from Gaza, killing residents and taking hostages. Israel retaliated and launched a military operation in the Palestinian enclave to destroy Hamas military and political wings and free all hostages. (ANI)
Transporters in Rawalakot, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) staged a protest against alleged corruption within the local police force, highlighting the community's frustration with the authorities. The protesters, comprising transporters and other concerned citizens, gathered to express their dissatisfaction with the police's corrupt practices, which they claim have negatively impacted their daily lives. The allegations include bribery, abuse of power, and a failure to address the needs and grievances of ordinary citizens effectively. One of the protesters shared his experience and said, "The local inspector seized our vehicles, and when we tried to secure their release, one of our associates was detained by the officer. We're protesting until they're released. The police always come up with excuses, saying we don't have the proper paperwork. The government remains ignorant of these issues and doesn't care about us." The protest reflects the growing dissatisfaction among PoJK residents, who feel neglected by both local and national authorities. He further said, "I came to know about this situation through my driver, who informed me that the local police abused us. If our problem is not resolved, we will continue our protest, and if our demands are not met, we will close all our services. We pay PKR 2 crore in taxes to this puppet government and still don't get basic facilities. They consider us migrants." Critics argue that the PoJK government and Islamabad are more focused on political strategies and election campaigns than addressing pressing development issues, exacerbating existing problems and deepening the frustration of the people. This perceived neglect aggravates existing problems and deepens the frustration of the people. PoJK struggles with a mix of historical issues, administrative difficulties, and socio-economic challenges that impact its current conditions. The region's intricate political status and governance problems continue to hinder its development and affect the quality of life for its residents. (ANI)
In Pakistan's Punjab Province, ten major cities are currently facing a serious threat from organised crime. Law enforcement is encountering considerable difficulties in capturing dangerous suspects, according to Samaa TV. The report states that there are currently 960 suspects wanted for serious crimes, including illegal occupation, extortion, kidnapping for ransom, and murder, who remain at large. The cities most affected are Rawalpindi, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, and Faisalabad, where criminal activities have increased. Bhawalpur tops the list with several active dangerous criminals, with 264 still evading arrest. Dera Ghazi Khan has 134 suspects involved in serious crimes who are still at large, while Faisalabad and Sahiwal are notable hotspots, with 53 and 55 dangerous suspects, respectively, remaining unaccounted for. The report further notes that despite substantial efforts, the police have apprehended only 491 of the 1,451 identified suspects. This leaves 960 suspects, many of whom are deemed highly dangerous, still at large and posing an ongoing threat to public safety. The difficulty in capturing these criminals has become a major challenge for law enforcement, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current strategies against organised crime in the province. The crime situation in Punjab Province, Pakistan, is a serious concern. The region faces challenges with various forms of criminal activity, including organised crime, extortion, illegal occupation, kidnapping for ransom, and murder. Law enforcement agencies are struggling to manage and mitigate these threats effectively. Despite ongoing efforts, many dangerous suspects remain at large, and the effectiveness of current strategies to combat organised crime is under scrutiny. The persistent presence of these criminals poses a significant risk to public safety and underscores the need for enhanced measures to address the situation. In Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province, the crime situation is varied and complex. The province experiences violent crimes such as murder and armed robbery, with rural areas sometimes facing issues like land disputes and honour-based violence, while urban areas deal with street crime and gang-related violence. Property crimes, including theft and burglary, are prevalent and influenced by economic conditions and social issues. Economic disparities also contribute to higher crime rates, particularly in areas with high poverty and unemployment. (ANI)
The military said that the retaliatory strikes came after dozens of rockets were fired from Lebanese territory.

The military further said that Israeli air defences intercepted about 65 rockets.

Sharing a post on X, Israel Defence Forces said, "Approx. 65 projectiles were fired from Lebanese territory crossing into northern Israel."

"In response, the IDF is currently striking Hezbollah terrorist targets in southern Lebanon," the post on X further said.

Earlier on August 25, the IDF said that the Iran-backed group Hezbollah had fired more than 200 rockets and drones at Israel's northern border claiming retaliation for the assassination of its senior commander, Fuad Shukr, in the Lebanese capital, Beirut. This had prompted retaliation from Israel, which bombed sites across South Lebanon.

Israel said it took out some 1,000 Hezbollah rocket launchers in a coordinated sortie of 100 Israeli fighter jets early Sunday to thwart much of the planned assault, Times of Israel had reported.

Meanwhile, not just on Lebanon, Israel also launched strikes on Northern Gaza.

At least six people were killed when Israeli forces shelled a group of Palestinian civilians in the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, Anadolu Agency reported, citing a medical source.

The witnesses said that an artillery shell hit a group of people in the Sheikh Zayed Towers area in northern Gaza as they gathered to get an internet signal.

"The bodies of six people were transferred to the Indonesian and Kemal Adwan hospitals in northern Gaza," the medical source said, according to Anadolu Agency. (ANI)
Dubai [UAE], September 4 (ANI/WAM): Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, noted that Dubai's unique approach to development and sustainability, inspired by the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, offers the world an uplifting model of business excellence that catalyses economic growth. He described Dubai as a place where creativity and enterprise come together to shape the city of the future that embodies the aspirations and ambitions of one and all. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed said: "Dubai's vision for economic excellence is rooted in our strong belief in the indispensable role of the business community as our primary partner in achieving success. This belief has enabled Dubai to become an incubator for major companies that confidently pursue excellence. In Dubai, excellence is a firmly established approach. It is a competition where all participate, and all emerge victorious because our goal is to serve society and our people." Sheikh Ahmed was speaking while honouring winners of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award organised by Dubai Chambers. The award ceremony was held at Union House in Dubai and attended by Abdul Aziz Abdulla Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chambers; Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, and Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy; Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World; and Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers. Congratulating the winners, Sheikh Ahmed said: "We encourage you to remain steadfast in developing and advancing your businesses. Leadership requires constant diligence and hard work, especially in our ever-changing world where innovation is crucial. Sustained excellence is our ambition for the business community in Dubai." He added: "We are proud of you and your efforts. Your success serves as a message to the world; Dubai has been, and will remain, a city that embraces business and creativity and transcends borders to shape a better future. Together, we strive to build a more sustainable tomorrow for the benefit of all." The awards recognise the highest level of business excellence across four categories, which are aligned with the strategic objectives of Dubai Chambers. Procter and Gamble Arabia received the Outstanding Business Award, Seddiqi Holding received the Family Business Award, DP WORLD GCC secured the Global Expansion Award, and the Emirates Group claimed the Digital Innovation Award. The winners were chosen in recognition of their commitment to fostering excellence in the business community and the improvement of business strategies, processes, and overall performance. Abdul Aziz Abdulla Al Ghurair said: "The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award represents the highest recognition of the contributions of organisations to Dubai's sustainable development and serves as a platform to inspire continuous improvement in performance. "These are the first winners of the relaunched Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award, which has been redesigned to reflect Dubai's continuously evolving business landscape, with the evaluation criteria closely aligned with the strategic priorities of Dubai Chambers. The award is a testament to Dubai's favourable business environment that enables companies operating in the city to thrive, both locally and internationally." Al Ghurair added: "All four winners have demonstrated a strong track record and commitment to promoting a culture of excellence through the improvement of business strategies, processes, and overall performance. This embodies the award's goal of establishing a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience that will help drive and showcase leadership across all areas of enterprise." The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award was originally launched in 2005 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to recognise the efforts of organisations that support sustainable economic development in the UAE. The framework for the award has undergone a comprehensive restructuring to reflect the efforts of the business community in line with Dubai's vision and the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. Participation in the award was open to all companies based in Dubai, as well as international companies with regional headquarters in the emirate, regardless of their sector or area of business. Dubai Chambers launched the award in its new reimagined form in September 2023 under the umbrella of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. The new structure merged the award in its earlier guise with the Dubai Quality Award - regarded as two of Dubai's most prominent awards for business excellence - along with a series of enhancements to the award model, evaluation mechanisms, and categories. Dubai Chambers' adoption of a framework for business excellence is designed to encourage companies to continuously improve their performance throughout the evaluation process. The new model is based on extensive research and reflects the latest methodologies, focusing on tangible measures of business success including leadership, strategy, workforce management, ESG (environmental, social and governance), and digital transformation, in addition to financial performance.The Outstanding Business Award is sponsored by Dubai Chambers, the Family Business Award is sponsored by Dubai Chamber of Commerce, the Global Expansion Award is sponsored by Dubai International Chamber, and the Digital Innovation Award is sponsored by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy. The initiative comes as part of Dubai Chambers' drive to promote a culture of creativity and innovation within the local business community and elevate standards throughout the business landscape. All applicants receive an extensive evaluation report on their submissions, and winners are encouraged to share best practices with other companies throughout the business community. (ANI/WAM)
According to specifics, the court denied Gandapur's request for a medical exemption from attendance at the beginning of the hearing.

Judge Shaista Khan Kundi of the session court heard the case and gave the SHO of the Bhara Kahu police station the order to detain Gandapur and bring him before the court the next day.

Earlier, in a case involving the recovery of weapons and alcohol, the court summoned KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur.

In addition, the District and Sessions Judge ordered Ali Amin Gandapur to personally appear before the court and requested answers to nine of his queries, reported ARY News.

It is significant to remember that on October 30, 2016, the police said that they had found firearms and alcohol in Ali Amin Gandapur's vehicle.

The police claimed that while Ali Amin Gandapur was travelling to former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's home in Bani Gala, his vehicle was pulled over and checked at a checkpoint on the Rukhsana Bangash route. After conducting a search, the police declared that they had found the firearms and ammo inside the automobile, as per ARY News.

At the Islamabad police station in Bara Kahu, weaponry was on show. These included bulletproof jackets, ammunition, tear gas fire guns and four Kalashnikov rifles. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Singapore on Wednesday, marking the beginning of a significant second leg of his two-day nation visit. He is slated to hold numerous engagements in the city-state on Thursday as well. This visit is poised to further bolster the bilateral ties between India and Singapore. Sharing a post on his X handle, PM Modi expressed his happiness at meeting his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong. "Happy to have met my friend, PM Lawrence Wong. Had an excellent discussion on a wide range of issues. India cherishes the friendship with Singapore," the post read. Wong also shared a picture of their meeting on X and welcomed PM Modi for dinner at Istana, the official residence and office of the president of Singapore. He said, "Welcome PM Narendra Modi to Singapore! Delighted to have the chance to catch up over a meal at the Istana, before the official meetings tomorrow." On Prime Minister Modi's Singapore visit, MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, sharing a post on X, wrote that the visit will further fortify ties between the two nations. "Fortifying India-Singapore bonds of friendship. PM Narendra Modi warmly hosted by PM Lawrence Wong at the iconic Sri Temasek in Singapore. An evening cherishing the deep and long-standing India-Singapore ties awaits," he said. Prime Minister Modi, who concluded a historic visit to Brunei, was received by the Singaporean Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugham at the Changi airport on Wednesday and received a warm welcome from the Indian community. PM Modi was seen giving autographs to diaspora members outside the hotel. He also tried his hand at playing the dhol there. Sharing from pictures, PM Modi later posted on X and said, "Thank you, Singapore! The welcome was truly vibrant." Before his arrival in Singapore, PM Modi was on an official visit to Brunei. Earlier in the day, he held "wide ranging" talks with Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan. During their talks, both the leaders discussed ways to further cement bilateral ties. On Tuesday, PM Modi inaugurated the new Chancery of the High Commission of India in Brunei's capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan. The Prime Minister also visited the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan on Tuesday as a part of his historic visit to Brunei. Regarding PM Modi's visit to Singapore, Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the significance of the trip, and said that it will provide a major boost to India's Act East policy, aligning with India's vision for the Indo-Pacific region and further strengthening economic and technological ties between the two countries. Jaiswal, taking to X, said, "This visit is important as it gives a major push to India's Act East policy to India's vision of the Indo-Pacific to India-Singapore economic ties and to India-Singapore technological ties. All these are very important for both countries." PM Modi is set for a busy day in Singapore on Thursday, with a packed schedule of meetings, and engagements. "He has meetings with the Prime Minister of Singapore in the morning, where he will also receive a ceremonial welcome and thereafter, he will have meetings with the President of Singapore and with the Emeritus Senior Minister and several other dignitaries. He will also visit AEM, which is a semiconductor facility, along with the Prime Minister of Singapore. PM also has business engagement; he will be meeting CEOs of Singaporean companies," Jaiswal said, while sharing a post on X. Many MoUs are expected to be signed during the visit. He will also meet with leaders of Singapore's vibrant business community. Notably, India-Singapore relations were elevated to Strategic Partnership during the visit of PM Modi to Singapore in 2015. With shared history, a long tradition of friendship based on trust and mutual respect, and extensive cooperation across a wide range of areas, India-Singapore cooperation has deepened and diversified over the years. The close ties between India and Singapore have a history rooted in strong commercial, cultural and people-to-people links across a millennium. The more modern relationship is attributed to Sir Stamford Raffles, who, in 1819, established a trading station in Singapore on the route of the Straits of Malacca, which later became a crown colony and was governed from Kolkata till 1867. In 2018, India and Singapore added new momentum and direction in the Strategic Partnership, anchored in the official visit of Prime Minister Modi to Singapore from May 31 to June 2, 2018 and his second visit on November 14-15 for attending the ASEAN-India and RCEP and 13th East Asia Summit. PM Modi became the first Indian PM to deliver a keynote address at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue on June 1, 2018. In the November 2018 visit, he also became the first Head of Government to deliver the keynote address at the Singapore Fintech Festival, the world's largest Fintech event. (ANI)
Have you checked your Delaware property reassessment report? How to get errors fixed

Is your property reassessment report accurate?

When a Bear resident received their Wortham Lane home reassessment report at the end of August, they quickly noticed egregious errors.

Tyler Technologies, the consultant for each of the three Delaware counties hired to conduct statewide reassessments of properties, had overstated the amount of living space in the single-family home by 30.5%.

The homeowner determined the consultant had included the square footage of their homes garage and pool in the total living area  tacking on nearly 1,000 square feet more.

The report, provided by the resident to Delaware Online/The News Journal, also described the Bear property as having a prefabricated vinyl pool, which the homeowner noted on the report dated Aug. 7 was a concrete/granite swimming pool.

While the report does not give a monetary value or assessment estimate of the property, the errors, if left unaddressed, could impact the Bear propertys tax bill come 2025.

Its also a problem that Tyler Technologies, a Texas-based public sector software provider, is familiar with.

"It's commonplace for Tyler to make an error or omission during their physical inspection of any improved parcel, said Michael McFarlane, appraisal senior project supervisor for Tyler Technologies.

The Texas-based company has also faced lawsuits over its reassessment efforts, among other services Tyler Technologies provides.

This is why New Castle County officials and Tyler employees are encouraging residents to send back reassessment reports with any corrections to ensure accurate valuations ahead of the new property tax bills come 2025.

REASSESSMENTS IN DELAWARE: Recurring property tax assessments could become norm, if governor approves

New Castle County spokesperson Brian Cunningham said given the magnitude of the work and scope of the contract, which allows for exterior inspection only, there will naturally be mistakes made throughout Tylers process."

This is exactly why participating in the reassessment process as a taxpayer  at the moment, via marking up and returning the data mailer if mistakes or omissions are discovered  is critically important to establishing a fair and accurate reassessment for the benefit of all taxpayers throughout New Castle County, he said.

How to fix errors

Tyler employees and New Castle County officials encourage all homeowners to review the reassessment reports that have been mailed to homes for accuracy.

Michael McFarlane, an Tyler Technologies official overseeing the property tax reassessment effort, displays the vests surveyors are to wear when they visit homes and businesses as part of the process.

Both the county and McFarlane said theyve received calls from residents wanting to know how the square footage is calculated, seeking confirmation that Tyler Technologies is a legitimate business and alerting officials to material errors in the reports.

Any necessary changes can be noted in the report itself and mailed back to the local address on the report. You can also hand-deliver or email the changes to newcastlecounty@tylertech.com.

McFarlane said the best way to get confirmation that your changes have been received is via email.

WHAT PROMPTED REASSESSMENT: Judge rules Delaware property tax system unconstitutional; major changes to residents' bills could follow

New Castle County homeowners can also call (302) 395-3620 with questions or issues.

For the most part, reassessment efforts in Kent County have concluded, and new tax rates took effect this year.

New Castle and Sussex reassessments, however, are still being finalized, McFarlane said.

Sussex County homeowners can email Sussexcountyde@tylertech.com.

Next step in reassessment process

McFarlane said there are still about 60,000 reassessment reports that need to go out in New Castle County. He expects the remainder to be released by the end of September.

The participation and data mailer is the first bite of the apple for the public to participate, McFarlane said.

SUSSEX COUNTY PROCESS: Property tax reassessment process extended in Sussex County because of staff shortages

Once those reports are reviewed and finalized, taxpayers will then receive a tentative assessed value notice, which is expected to be sent out in New Castle County in early November.

That will be the second bite of public participation, McFarlane said, and taxpayers will be able to contest those values in a one-on-one meeting with Tyler Technologies before the value is certified by the county Board of Assessment Review.

Tyler will administrate the informal appeal of the tentative assessed value, McFarlane said. Even if they are dissatisfied with that outcome, they can appeal in a more formal capacity before the Board of Assessment Review.

When will new valuations take effect?

While Kent County reassessment values have already hit property tax bills, New Castle and Sussex counties wont see the new valuations take effect until next year.

The updated tax bills for New Castle County will be released in July 2025. Learn more about New Castle County's reassessment process on its website.

The new tax bills will be released in August 2025 for Sussex County. Learn more about the county's reassessment process on Tyler's website.

Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How to ensure your Delaware property reassessment report is accurate